Angel's Retreat Bar ... cue one angel, retreating.

[ashes_ascended]

The Keldran contingency may have been quiet, but they've not been entirely absent. Things have been happening. First, they wanted to secure the portal from the Nexus to their own world; and on the Keldran side, create something that would feel welcoming. Then on the Nexus side of their portal, the Tzars and the Chieftains wished to create something that all the Nexus inhabitants could enjoy. Hence, work has been taking place on a large covered area housing some beautiful gardens. A gift to the people of the Nexus from Keldra.

The Imperial pack is currently geographically divided, due only to duty and it being more efficient for the pack to occasionally separate, in order for the Tzars to achieve ...whatever, in more than one place at a time. Currently, The god of dreams and the god of new beginnings are resident in the resort that lies just on the Keldran side of their portal.

The latter of these two, Phoenix Kaelen, one of the consorts to the Tzars and An'Kareh to pack and people, happens to be an angel. One that really enjoys getting wasted at the drop of a hat, and one that's delighted to discover the Angel's Retreat. There's gotta be some really good stuff behind the bar here. Mortal alcohol has little effect on Phoenix, so he wanders in to discover all these new delights for himself.

He's about 5'11” with reddish hair. His wings aren't on display right now. They’re invisible to mortals. However, those with supernatural eyes to see them will get a glimmer of something pure snowy white at the edges of whatever vision they use.

The place is kinda aptly named, he thinks. It feels good to get away from duty for a couple of hours. He's been kept so busy for the last couple of weeks, it's time to indulge. Perhaps he shoulda warned Vahl that someone might be carrying him home later. Much later. But eh. Spur of the moment.

“Hey, 'scuse me” he says to the person at the bar closest to him. “What's good here?”

Yeah, he's looking for someone to get rat-arsed with.

Comments

[angelic_asshole]

The stranger might be right since there is currently a friendly bar owner standing behind the bar top offering the man a smile. Balthazar noticed straight away that the man was not human. An angel? Were they wings behind his back? The snowy white edges were a dead give away to one who owned such a pair of feathery wings himself.

"What's good? Oh, I should say everything! Angel booze is for those who can stomach it. Immortals particularly. Should I introduce myself? It would seem rude otherwise. Balthazar, angel and owner of this fine establishment."

He offered a small bow and pulled up a bottle of Lucifer's angel booze, pouring a decent amount into the stranger's glass. Balthazar himself sipped on his scotch laced with the devil's liquor.

"Cliché I know but are you new in town?"

[ashes_ascended]

Past experience tells Phoenix that some of the liquor in the place might actually be toxic to mortals. That's the stuff he wants, and he gives the other angel a self effacing grin.

"Thanks. Not that I'd imply you sold anything that wasn't good. Nice to know you, Balthazar, I'm Phoenix." He takes a sip and feels the unworldly burn as it goes down. He wants to say 'fuck me, I needed that,' but until he's had a few and is sure of the lay of the land, he's on his best behaviour.

"Huh, yeah. Our world's only recently been connected - if you guys call it that - to the Nexus. I've been poking about in my official capacity." He raises the glass to Balthazar before taking a long swallow. "Tonight though, I'm off duty, so it's high time I got wasted."

[angelic_asshole]

There is plenty of liquor behind the angel's bar that is very toxic and near lethal to humans. This is why Balthazar keeps those sort of bottles hidden and out of sight of his human patrons. Having his customers die at his bar wasn't good for business nor was it a very welcome sight either!

"Phoenix? A lovely name. We have another angel here known as Phenex but they are something entirely different indeed. My twin's vessel is quite in love with them."

It was no secret that Levi, the other Balthazar's vessel, was sweet on Phenex. It was all rather romantic since Balthazar's own vessel, Seth, was sweet on Rota, another angel. Focusing back on the other angel, he wondered how wasted the man wanted to get. Most came to the Angel's Retreat to unwind or escape the pressures of life.

"I can be the listening ear you want or the sassy, lewd mouth everyone least expects. Probably a mix of both with some added decorum thrown in the middle somewhere."

[ashes_ascended]

Unused to the compliment about his name, Phoenix actually colours a little. It's incongruous with what an arsehat he can be, but he does. “Uh, thanks. It's Phoenix Kaelen in full." He grins, a sucker for a love story. “Reciprocated, I hope?”

He's lucky enough to have a loving pack of four males, with one more who falls into their particular Venn diagram.

“I'd better warn you, I don't think I can do decorum if I get as bladdered as I'm planning. Sassy and lewd's probably the way to go.” He gives Balthazar the filthiest of grins and downs his drink in one.

...Then has a slightly hard time getting his throat to work. It’s a good job he doesn't actually need oxygen.

[angelic_asshole]

"Phoenix Kaelen. Then, I'm delighted to be your host for the night, Mr. Kaelen. Reciprocated? Oh, I do believe so, yes. They're a delightful pair."

This man sounded like someone Balthazar wanted to get to know since he sounded fun. Sassy and lewd? Well, that was straight up the angel's street. The question that should be asked is what sort of angel this Mr. Kaelen actually was. Balthazar kept his bright blue eyes on the man and smiled softly.

"You're an angel. Just a casual observation since I am one too and you know? We sort of blend in together here. There are others like us here, many in fact."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"If you're looking for drinks, I can point you to them. Are you looking for anything in particular? Beer, wine, whiskey, rum...there's alcohol from literally anywhere you can think of. Including my side of the multiverse, probably."

The tall, dark-haired man tilts his head slightly. He doesn't recognize the stranger, but he's nevertheless polite. He tries to be polite unless given a reason to be otherwise. He's wearing heavy dark robes and a shimmering, distinctive blue cape.

"My name's Ben Solo. I don't drink often, but I do make exceptions. Would you like to join me?" He'd like to get to know this person a bit better.

[ashes_ascended]

"My usual poison's bourbon," he tells the guy, taking in his appearance and sensing what he can. "But I'm looking for something a little more supernatural."

All Phoenix can tell is that the guy is not an angel, and that there's something that little extra about him, that isn't common in mortals. The Nexus can make his powers that bit unpredictable. Most powered Keldrans are in the same boat. On hearing the stranger's name though, he chuckles.

"You're Ben Solo! Awesome. Phoenix Kaelen, good to meet you. I heard a lot about you from Simon, Jasper and Keeta... mostly Keeta."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"The angels make good drink," Ben says, "though it's too strong for humans. I haven't had much of it."

He's on good terms with the fallen angels, though he doesn't dare try their alcohol any more than a little. It's more than he can stomach.

He brightens when he hears the familiar names. "You must be one of the Keldrans. I'm glad to hear they're doing well. It's been a long time." Ben smiles slightly, curious. "What did they tell you about me?"

[ashes_ascended]

"Back home, I'm usually drinking the stuff the demons make," Phoenix confesses. "Most of the angels there aren't that big on hard liquor."

He catches the barkeeps attention and asks for some of the angel stuff. "You want anything?" he asks Ben before answering his question.

"Well, Simon's Simon. Not prone to gushing, but he enjoyed your company. Keeta and Jasper think you're chocolate though. They want to come back and buy you coffee and cake."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"The brandy will work for me, please," says Ben. One or two drinks shouldn't do much harm.

He smiles a little, thinking of the fallen angels. They're not demons, but he enjoys their company, at least the ones he knows well.

"Chocolate, huh? I'll have to take them up on that offer. I do like my coffee and cake, you know, and I also miss their company. Jasper will have to meet Morrigan. She's grown since they last met."

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Guess who is two angel shots in and riding a happy drunk right now, the kind that only the otherworldly shots seem to get him to anymore? Zack's doing Zack's thing and he's taking a night off properly, before heading out in the morning to top up on funds. Good thing he knows where to get cheap drunk.

He holds up what looks like just whiskey, but any being able to sense the otherworldy would sense something off about this particular glass, other hand resting his chin on it with a grin. "If you're looking for the best, ask for the angel liquor. It's frigging good shit."

[ashes_ascended]

The mortal might be in luck, Phoenix is never short of readies. Especially when he's anywhere near a bar. It is a slight surprise to see mortal drinking - something Phoenix doesn't know the name of yet, but yes, he can sense that it's what he's after.

But then, he can sense something else about the guy too. Something that makes him feel like he's got a thorn up his sleeve, just in the crook of his arm.

The angel's face lights up at this information, however. "Hey, handsome, that's the shit I want. The friggin' good kind." He attracts the bartender's attention and signals for one of what the human is having. "You want another?" he asks the man.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

He looks at his glass, wondering how many of these things he can atually tolerate before dying, and decides- "eh, one more won't hurt. Thanks... buddy?" He doesn't know your name.

He doesn't... He looks up, not having recognized the voice. "Oh, you're a new guy." He gives you a thumbs up with the now empty glass-hand, chin still thoroughly resting on the other hand and dopey grin still in place. "That's why I don't know your name. Hey."

You may have to carry him back later.

[ashes_ascended]

"Make that two," he tells the barkeep and hands him a note of large denomination. "Put this behind the bar for me and keep 'em coming... oh, and take a tip for yourself."

He then takes a seat next to the nicely pickled mortal. It does look a tad concerning, considering what the guy is drinking. For a moment or two, the angel wonders if he may have to miracle the guy sober, or at least get him to fall back on good old-fashioned beer for a bit.

"New guy, uh-huh," he grins, half amuse and half envious of the human's state of inebriation. "Phoenix Kaelen, angel, a bunch of other stuff, off-duty, and way too sober." To illustrate his dissatisfaction with this state of affairs, Phoenix takes a good swallow of the angel liquor.

"Whoah. That burns good," he declares, somewhat hoarsely.

He was banking on being the one who'd have to be carried, but if that's what you need, Phoenix is pretty dependable that way.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

No, no, no. No miracle sober, thank you very much. "Big money. Good way to make friends with the staff around here, that's for sure. Name's Dean. 'M people."

Angel? "God damn, I really am a magnet to you guys, huh? What is with that?" That's an inside thought on the outside. Whoops. "Ah well, s'all different and s'all good to me. I'm doing the open mind bullshit."

And as phoenix swallows it, the eyebrows raise in amusement. "Told you it was good. Kill a human neat, apparently." And yet, he's mixing Lethal booze with more booze. Go figure.

[hesperussword]

Beelzebub makes his rounds to all the bars in the Nexus, from time to time, sometimes he blesses them, but this one is owned by family of sorts. He's here far more often, gregarious and always up for company.

He's not sure who the voice is talking to but turns anyway. At 6'8", muscular, tattooed, scarred, sporting a pair of huge white wings that look blood splattered because of the markings, and solid black eyes, Beelzebub is far more intimating in appearance than his personality. His dress is early Celtic, leather and has a pair of swords strapped between his wings. He does bristle a little at the feeling of the presence beside him but the Nexus has mellowed his reaction to other celestial type beings. There's a smell around him too; cedar, charcoal, sulfur, leather, and the undertone of battlefields and the dead upon them.

However, the smile and the way he pounds a second clay cup down on the bar is obviously friendly. "Drink with me. How strong do you drink?"

He is the angel of drunkenness among other things but the Fallen appreciation of individuality always puts choice foremost in their minds.

[OOC: for reference The character with him is around Phoenix's height.]

[ashes_ascended]

Whoah. Big wall of angel. Phoenix finds himself staring at a chest, so looks up a bit, and a little more. The stranger is impressive, and Phoenix clocks the warlike appearance and general aura, including the scent. Relaxing some, his own wings begin to flicker, becoming more visible, but remaining non-corporeal, rather like an ethereal hologram.

Well. He knocks over less shit this way.

His own senses prickle too, as Phoenix realises he's talking to one of the Fallen. He's been friendly with and is still friendly with all manner of demons however, so a Fallen angel isn't somebody that he's gonna pick a fight with. In fact the invitation to drink makes the angel grin.

“I drink pretty strong, usually. Though I'm totally aware those might be famous last words.”

[hesperussword]

Beelzebub ignores most prickling at his presence mostly because he doesn't really care if he ruffles people up or not.

"It has been for many in my presence." His eyes turn toward the wings and he wonders if this is someone who might be closer to keeping up with him drinking. "I make the best wine there is."

[ashes_ascended]

Oookay. What's he letting himself in for here? Still, a drinking buddy is what Phoenix was looking for, and that's what he found.

"Let's go for the wine then," he says it with more conviction than he feels, but meh. the more he drinks, the more that will change. The angel picks up the clay cup that the Fallen has slammed down - presumably for him - and takes a tentative sip.

"Whoa. That's good stuff." And it really is. He's going to be under the table long before the other guy. "Phoenix, by the way, Phoenix Kaelen."

[hesperussword]

The wine was brewed by the angel and made to set his brethren on their ass. Most beings could get wasted on it, angels included. There's an obsidian carafe on the bar, one that would never go empty.

He turned and offered an arm clasp. "Lord Beelzebub. The wine is from my own making."

[itmeanstruth]

Before Phoenix could get an answer, a louder voice from one of the waitresses echoed from the next room.

“Come on, Love! There’s gonna be a show starting in half an hour. Playtime’s over! Get down from the ceiling and off the pole if you’re not gonna take your clothes off while you’re up there.”

Hardly a minute later, a young Japanese man - clothes clearly still intact - made his way toward the bar. From the way he climbed on, and essentially hopped over the back of the chair to sit down, there was no mistaking that he was the mischevious stripper pole climber. There were clearly no hard feelings, given the smile he still had on his face.

“Oh! Hey! Haven’t seen you here before!” He gave a polite nod. “I’m Minoru.”

[ashes_ascended]

The commotion in the next room is amusing and easily heard. Then at the appearance of the young human, Phoenix does blink. It's a good job his clothing is pretty much intact because this angel is a tart and would totally look.

As it is though, he respects the 'hands off the performers' rule in any joint like this. Unless they make the first move.

"Uh. New in town. Ish. Phoenix," he returns with a grin. "You the pole dancing act?"

[itmeanstruth]

Unbeknownst to Phoenix, those weren’t the type of moves Minoru was known for. (And his ambiguous reply wasn’t about to help. Nor would the fact that he had the body of a performer - slim, but very well toned, with long hair and fairly attractive features.)

“Pole dancing act?!” He laughed incredulously. “Nah. Balthazar just lets me practice when nothing’s going on. As long as I don’t break anything or yank down the lighting grid.”

He made quick eye contact with the owner and bartender. “Which I didn’t!” before turning back to Phoenix.

“Nice to meet you!”

Tart, meet oblivious.

[ashes_ascended]

Being an angel, he's aware that the oblivious very often should be allowed to be that way, and should not be molested. Or indeed have some dumb celestial coming on to them.

Hey. He's a lot better than he used to be.

"Very nice to meet you too, Minoru."

The answer is a tad ambiguous, but Phoenix puts it together that okay, if he's not a pole dancer, he's practising something else. Which is...interesting actually.

"So tell me, what does a guy need that kind of apparatus to practice for?"

[itmeanstruth]

Thank god, no pun intended.

“Pole climb.” He nodded without missing a beat. “There’s always something like it somewhere on the American Ninja Warrior course. Trying to improve my time before the Finals this summer.”

And, it probably went without saying that it was just plain fun to scale a pole, hang out on the ceiling and maneuver his way down. Great exercise all the way!

Balthazar had a copy of the tape Isamu brought back from Minoru’s successful qualifying run, and still put it on the TVs at various opportune moments. The angel liked to support his crazy human friend.