[Video]

[burnt_offering]

[Ace is sitting and staring, brows furrowed a little. This whole situation has really gotten him frustrated. He went from either dying, or being damn close to it, to this. And while he's absolutely fine with not having his life ended, there's no amount of questions that are unanswered and he's worried for the people left behind. He really did screw up, there was so much he could have done differently, so much trouble he could have saved for those who had to suffer because of his choices and convictions. He's not even sure that his attempt to save his brother worked, and he's not certain he can handle not knowing if those left behind will be okay or not.

It's easier to live without regrets when death is actually the end and you don't have to experience any further consequences.

And now, he's got this second chance but it's overwhelming somehow. He's not going to take for granted a round two at life, but where to go from here when everything is so new and different is exhausting to think about. And somehow exciting too. He's got an idea of what he needs to do, but he's still a little in shock about the whole situation.

After about a minute, he realizes that he's been filming himself, and actually decides to speak.]

Okay, so I'm-[Ace stops mid-sentence, and his head rolls back at an awkward angle. And he starts to snore, while the camera just keeps recording. This goes on for quite a while, unfortunately. And then as suddenly as he passed out, he jerks upright again and blinks. It's a confusing day as is, and narcolepsy doesn't help with that.] Damn. Happened again. Anyway, I'm Ace. If you've got any good information that might help a guy out, I might make it worth your while. [He probably won't.]

Comments

[blingking]

( don't bullshit a bullshitter. Or do, because it's funny. Molly smirks. )

Seems like a reasonable business practice. Let's say I have some high quality information - what do I get?

[burnt_offering]

[And so does Ace, his smirk accompanied by a flippant gesture of the hand. He's actually having a little fun now. He's getting that information he wanted for free at this point anyway, since he has a couple of crewmates here. But it doesn't mean the game has to end, and maybe Molly knows something that Ace hasn't been made privy to yet.] See, you know how it is. You can't just get something for nothing. But what you get depends on what you want. See, there's always money. That's easy to come by. Services are something else, though.

[blingking]

( this conversation is vastly superior to contemplating how he managed to cheat death a second time - or if he did so at all. Likewise, Molly figures he'll get something out of this one way or the other; even if that something is just a good laugh. )

Services, huh? Now I'm interested. ( he chuckles, teeth bared in a grin now. ) Information is valuable, my friend, and pays differently depending on who wants it. How do I know if your 'services' are worth the trade?

[burnt_offering]

[Ace also prefers fun and bullshitting to thinking about how he either died or nearly did, and all of the emotions and strain mentally that comes with that. This is vastly preferable and he's having a good time ignoring his feelings in the name of stupidly messing around with no real point or value to the situation.

It's not like he has anything better to do at this particular moment anyway.]

You're right, information is valuable. See, almost anyone can be strong, if they work for it. But secrets? That's what gets you somewhere. [He leans back a little, position and stance cocky. Even if he entirely disagrees, and values strength over secrets any day.] And that depends on what services you'd think are valuable. Right? Just because I can offer something, doesn't mean there's gonna be any benefit to you.

[blingking]

( Molly watches, head cocking to the side in mock curiosity - and genuine intrigue, honestly. The baubles on his horns jingle faintly, a ringlet of dark purple hair bouncing against his forehead. He thinks for a moment, then finally says: )

...You know how to mix a strong drink?

[burnt_offering]

[Ace is absolutely fascinated, especially at the baubles. There are a lot of interesting people, both here and in his own world, but Molly is something else.] Oh, yeah. That I'm good for. Is that the kinda service you're interested in?

[blingking]

( Just wait until he gets a good look at the myriad of tattoos Molly has. And his tail, currently lax behind him and out of camera view. He's a wild looking boy. )

Absolutely. I'll tell you whatever you want to know for a good drink. ( he is, for all his bullshitting, incredibly easy to please it seems. ) The weirder the better, too.

[burnt_offering]

[Tattoos and a tail? That's amazing. Ace is not going to complain about fantastic eye candy.]

See, this is an arrangement I can make good on. [Weird though, he's got a few ideas about that. While piracy and drinking go hand in hand, booze is usually kept simple. But Ace is nothing if not up to a challenge.] I'm gonna have to get creative though, if you want it weird I've gotta rise to the occasion.

[blingking]

( nor shall Mollymauk. )

I have absolute faith in your abilities, Ace.

( a pause, and Molly realizes in saying the other man's name aloud, that he hasn't introduced himself. Might as well get on that if the guys gonna start making him crazy alcoholic concoctions. )

I'm Mollymauk - Molly to my friends, and sometimes strange men that are willing to exchange knowledge for booze.

[burnt_offering]

See, that's tricky. Better wait until you taste what I'm gonna make you before you say that.

[Ace is really excited now, this is a fun challenge and something that gives him a little project to focus on besides past friends and experiences that he doesn't remember. Coming back from the death, or at least near death is jarring and unsettling. And he'd absolutely prefer to have fun with a hot guy than to actually deal with feelings right now.] Molly it is, then? [He flashes a toothy, winning smile.] So I'm gonna make a recipe, just for you. But I gotta know, do you want a sweet weird, a savory weird, or do you just not care?

[blingking]

( Molly shrugs, clearly not concerned with the potential outcome of the experiment.

He confirms his name with a nod, then pauses to think for a few seconds; a ringed finger against his chin. )

Normally I would say surprise me, but I think now that you mention it, I'm craving something sweet.

( winky face. ) now, when and where do I get to pick up this drink?

[burnt_offering]

[Hey, even if it sucks, it's still a free booze laden drink. ] I'm gonna go get ingredients, and then I'll tell you where to meet me. [Mainly because he's still just wandering around, but he's going to take this project with him when Marco takes him out to eat, and then he'll get back to Molly once he figures out where the hell he's actually going to stay. Or at least stay long enough.]

[blingking]

( That should give him enough time to gather some information for himself, honestly; and to hopefully figure out the general layout of the city. )

Until then. ( Molly waves, ending the call with another soft jingle of the baubles on his horns, and a laugh. )

[burnt_offering]

[It's a bit later when Ace responds, and he's holding up a bottle of pilfered rum and a he looks like he's full of bad life choices and excitement.] Hey, you still interested in that drink? 'Cause I got everything I need to make it.

[blingking]

( In the hours since their conversation ended, Molly hadn't really gotten far in his own personal search for information; and had eventually settled in the grass of one of the city parks to dick around with his tarot cards. Juke some people out of a few bills, entertain a few others; whatever passed the time. He's contemplating the merits of navigating the city further when the call comes in. )

I'm definitely still interested. Do you have a location yet, or should I just follow the excited giggling until I find you?

[burnt_offering]

Hey, there's no giggling here. [He's excited for a little company, but he's not that excited.] I'm in Fayren, can you get there?

[blingking]

Not yet anyway.

( Molly pauses to consider his current position; fully unaware of where he is currently, nor how to truly navigate the surrounding cities. )

It might take me a bit, but I'll get there. Any landmarks I should be on the lookout for?

( it sounds and looks like he's already started moving. He'll just walk in some random direction until he's done talking to Ace, then he can ask for proper directions while maintaining his facade of a man that knows what the fuck is going on. )

[burnt_offering]

You think it's gonna happen? I'm warning you, it takes a lot to get that sort of thing out of a man like me.

[He tilts his head, and sighs. He had to get here by escort, this whole place is crazy new to him and confusing.] You gotta take an archway to get there.

[blingking]

Guess we'll have to see how things go, then. I'm not worried.

( Molly's end goal is to get shit faced and have some good company. If anything happens beyond that, he'll simply count it as a bonus. )

Give me a few minutes. ( With that, he ends the call again. And after about twenty minutes and a few quick conversations with passersby, he manages to make it through the archway and into Fayren. He kind of wishes he started here - looks more familiar, more like home. Interesting. He calls Ace again. )

I'm here.

[Video] to [Action]

[burnt_offering]

Good, I'm pretty close I think? I'll find you.

[These are good goals. Ace would approve. And he's waiting pretty close to the archway, with a bottle in his hand to show that he means business. At least business in the sense of drinking.

There's more in his pack, but for now he's fine waving and showing off what he's got with him once he sees Molly.] You made it!

[blingking]

( it should go without saying that Molly is incredibly hard to miss. The purple skin and horns would stand out enough on their own, but the tiefling seems to have made a point of accentuating his strangeness. His horns, his ears, arms and fingers are all adorned with jangling gold and silver baubles. A long red coat embroidered with odd designs hangs over his open undershirt and mismatch patterned trousers. Two things are noticable upon his skin upon closer inspection: intricate tattoos that seem to span the length of his right side, ending in the feathered tail of a peacock along his jaw and disappearing under his clothes, and a myriad of scars that criss cross along his front

He is a sight. His tail swings lazily behind him as he looks around - that too pierced on the spade. He glances to Ace when he hears him shout, a smirk on his lips. )

I said I would. Is that for me? ( he steps closer, invades the space of a man he's literally just met without any thought or consideration, and motions towards the bottle. )

[burnt_offering]

[Molly stands out, in a good way. And Ace has no shame in staring for a moment, with a quiet sort of approval, because the video did not do the man justice. Ace knew he was interesting and attractive, sure, that was obvious. But in person there's a whole different level of amazing going on, and Ace is standing there in shorts, boots, and his hat feeling like he's in the presence of someone so much more important. And it's rare that anyone gets that sort of response out of him, even if it's just mental and kept to himself.

That said, besides an approving look he simply grins. Time to get to the fun, and kiss sobriety goodbye.] Damn right it is. But this is just step one, I've got more in my pack. Booze alone wasn't the deal, right? You wanted it hard and sweet and strange. The drink, that is.

[blingking]

( Molly's used to the looks - both good and bad - and takes Ace's staring as the compliment it's surely meant to be. He's a stunning creature, standing proud in his weirdness and bright colors. Slender fingers tap against the bottle after a second, his own bright red eyes scanning from it, then down the length of Ace's frame.

Not bad. He can appreciate the look for what it's worth. )

I'll never turn down anything hard, sweet, and strange. ( in any regard or capacity, as much seems to be implied. Molly motions with his other hand. ) Are we doing it right here? Which, if that's your thing, I'm certainly not going to complain.

[burnt_offering]

See, you're my kinda guy. Shameless and into booze. We're gonna get along I think. [Ace gestures, and looks around.] We could, but I've got a nice spot in mind if you wanna follow. [Ace grins, and starts heading on, there's a little secluded area just a short walk away with beautiful trees to sit under. It's not particularly important to be there, but hey, if he can be a little more comfortable he's going to be. And there's just more room and less in the way of prying eyes.

Not that he cares about being seen or not, but he's already had at least one person side-eyeing the bottle and he doesn't want to share.]

[blingking]

I figured as much the moment you agreed to make me a drink. ( Molly says with a laugh, happily following after Ace with a pleased look on his face. For a man that woke up from the dead (a second time) not a few hours ago, confused and new to this location - he seems right at home. Company that appreciates the simple things certainly helps to keep his mind from wandering too much, and worrying was never really his style anyway. )

I like your hat. ( He notes, reaching up to gently tap one of the red beads along the rim. ) Very in fashion.