Too Hot Outside for Beaches (OPEN)
May 17, 2020 16:40:37 GMT -7
Post by Patchworkz on May 17, 2020 16:40:37 GMT -7
In the blissful heat of the afternoon sun, Jinsuke’s old-fashioned sandals made rhythmic clacking sounds against the paved road. The golden rays didn’t mean him much harm, but Jinsuke’s skin had already flushed red due to it, and he wasn’t very appreciative of its presence. The man re-adjusted his white silk head wrap and kept his head down, hoping to keep the sun’s rays from messing up the face he was, and is to this day, very proud of.
Light rays bounced off his frame that was dressed in dark loose slacks and a sleeveless shirt, beneath a patterned light-coloured haori that the young man wore over that. A small lute was strung behind his left shoulder and a trained eye would also be able to notice the tanto sheath hidden by his haori. Staring down at his now sun-kissed hands, Jinsuke found himself wishing he had bought gloves at the last town.
Head down and lost in thought, Jinsuke almost missed his destination. Stopping in his tracks, the man turned around looked up at the building by his left. Three Bottles and a Tombstone; personally Jinsuke would’ve preferred a less shady-looking place to visit but he’d be damned if he walked another yard the sweltering heat when there was a tavern right in front of him.
Jinsuke smiled, letting his mind wander to good sake, shitty food, cute barmaids and tense card games before pushing a hand through the swinging wooden door.
It was not a busy time, yet the notorious Three Bottles and a Tombstone was bustling with activity regardless. Three Bottles and a Tombstone was an information exchange centre that doubled as a place of refuge and rest from most things that one might be pursued by (Be it debt, a bounty-hunter or simply a miserable life). That being said, places like these were often referred to as "inns". Now this was a popular "inn", popular because it was one of those closer to the outskirts of the country; meaning more travellers. A lot of business was often conducted here, only about half of which was actually legal. Some of which was swapping of information that could or could not threaten the prosperity an entire ninja nations. But we will not lean into that for now, it was noon after all and most people here came to wash away the stress of life through drinking, eating and most importantly, gambling.
Jinsuke strolled through the bar, his head raised high and returning most eye-contact towards him. Ceremoniously, he plumped himself on the nearest barstool by the front counter and flashed his trademark gleaming smile at the bartender, revealing a dimple below his left cheek. Jinsuke’s scarlet irises showed no ill intentions or deceit, not even the fatigue that was evident on them minutes prior. Jinsuke undid his headwrap and let down his snowy shoulder-length hair. A strange tattoo was apparent around his left eye.
“Hello there, I’d like the finest cup of water money can buy in this exquisite establishment, thank you very much.” Jinsuke’s honest smile only grew wider after he finished speaking.
A strange character indeed. But this bar was often full of strange characters. Not that it mattered, business was good and old bar-owner Muigen didn't care about much other than that. A large, burly middle-aged man with quite an excellent physique and clocking 6" 5, he was the owner of the bar and usual bartender. Though he preferred to rule over this little hub of his with respect rather than intimidation, the eye-patch wearing, stern-faced, ex-bounty hunter had all the strength he needed to enforce the few rules Three Bottle and a Tombstone had, even during the bad days. And of course, where would he be without his trusty assistant, the infamous puppeteer Ma'lakh. This man was a bit younger than Muigen, but carried a pair of cold, dead white eyes so piercing that they shook you down to your very core. Coupled with his usual silent and a bit sociopathic nature made quite a interesting character. He didn't get many women despite his perfectly tan complexion and immaculate hair-do, something that Muigen always joked was because his eyes made them think he looked ready to kill if one so much as touched him.
“Yeah, Malakh, get this gentlemen a cup of water.” Muigen then turned away to attend to another patron. All in all, the Three Bottles and a Tombstone was quite a place. Since the very first day it had opened, so many memories been made, so many adventures had begun. Who knew what the rest of the day held?