The three made their way from the receiving port, heading out onto the familiar streets that Eleanor had left not even a week ago. People filled them, enjoying their days as they shopped among the storefronts and street vendors that the port led into. The majority of the population were aetherums, but a few dramelun walked among them with their scales glinting in the sun. 

    The buildings were tall and clean, with windows emanating the soft glow of their occupants’ presence, and the streets accommodated little more than those that walked it in the scarcity of vehicles, but a few still made use of the roadways.

    Eventually the buildings they passed were darkened from the lack of care they received, bearing fangs of broken windows as the population shifted. Fewer aetherums occupied this area of the city, with drameluns dominating the population - along with the rare humur whose upright ears flickered to potential clients. The majority of the area’s residents kept to themselves as they walked in haste or predation, but Eleanor’s group was unphased. 

Avery moved without care, yawning openly in his exhaustion     while Carrigan continued her emotionless expression and text-book posture. Eleanor followed in quiet awareness, allowing the feelings of those nearby to safeguard them from any unexpected intrusion. Her eyes drifted lazily about, minding her time and step until the tavern came into view. They were greeted with a storefront of weathered wood that framed a window who offered a glimpse into the dim warmth within.

Avery opened the door for his friends, suggesting their entry with a gesture while he protectively watched the street. No problems arose before he followed them in, finding a welcomed surprise of a well-stocked liquor display. The light reflected off the darkened and colored bottles of liquor with shadows of its contents whispering within.

The ambiance was quiet and comfortable, with a sense of concealment in the lack of any telling light, and Avery plopped himself onto a dark stool in front of the display at the bar. He wasted no time in ordering himself a drink, cutting in front of the girls’ chances to set up the rooms, and looking quite happy with himself when Eleanor finally got her turn. She sat beside him with Carrigan to his other side before they set up the rooms for the night. 

Eleanor bided her time with trailing thoughts as the bartender fetched the keys, and Carrigan stared silently at the bottles of alcohol. Avery happily hummed into his drink, occasionally harassing Eleanor until the bartender returned.

    “Drinks for the ladies?” he pressed while placing a pair of keys on the bar.

    “No,” Carrigan answered, taking her key while Eleanor took the other with a shake of her head.

    “Can we get some food though?” she pressed with a bit of hope.

    “Sure thing sunshine.”

Eleanor made sure to order a meal for Avery and herself while he drank, and Carrigan ordered her own. They made themselves comfortable at the bar with mundane chatter as they waited for their meals, and Avery was sure to get more entertaining with each new drink until Carrigan turned in for the night, leaving Eleanor to deal with him after they migrated to a booth.

    “Stop moving so much!” Avery whined, “I’m almost done.”

    It was the sixth time he had promised that to Eleanor while she sat between his knees in the booth that he was perched upon in a hunched manner while braiding her hair.

    “I- You keep pulling it!”

    “How else am I supposed to braid it?”

    “I’m just going to take it out when we go to bed…” 

    “No you’re not,” Avery scolded, “You’re gonna keep it, and appreciate it, and easily tuck it all under your little beanie-weanie.”

    “Avvvveerrrryyyy!” Eleanor complained.

    “You use to beg me to braid it,” he frowned, “And then I spent alllll that time learning to do it right for yah.”

    “We were kids,” Eleanor puffed out her cheeks as if they weren’t adults now. “Besides!” she looked up to him in defiance only to have him instantly shove her head back down, but it failed to dissuade her words. “I learned to cut hair for you!”

    “I…” his mouth fell open as he paused in thought before picking what he thought she was putting down, and he leaned over her, retrieving a knife from the table. “Okay! I’ll cut your head off! Er- Hair! I mean hair!” He quickly corrected his drunken slip, but Eleanor still thought it best to grab the wrist of his knife-wielding hand. 

    “You are too drunk for hair cuts right now…”

“Yeah okay… fair,” he sighed before surrendering the knife, and she set it back down.

    “I think it’s time for bed Avery,” Eleanor leaned back into him, looking up at him with a tired smile.

    “Yeah,” Avery relented before stumbling off the booth, and Eleanor followed him. “You know Els… I’m happy to finally be on a mission with yah again,” he threw an arm around her, and they made their way to the room.

    “Me too,” she nodded as she retrieved the key from her pocket, and she unlocked the door before opening it. “We’ll check out some of the higher traffic areas tomorrow.”

    “I’m going bar hoppin’ tomorrow,” Avery huffed in amusement. “People love talking in bars.”

    Eleanor could not deny this, but neither could she forget Avery and Avery’s track record.

    “Just… remember, we’re going to be here for a while,” Eleanor sighed, “So… try not to burn any of the places down.”

    “Yeah yeah, you sound just like dad,” he snickered.

    “You know Jamie hates when you call him that,” Eleanor reminded him as she guided him to the bed before helping him lay down. 

    “Fine! I’ll call him ma!” Avery cackled before Eleanor shushed him.

    “Carrigan is sleeping,” she scolded, and a dramatic sigh left Avery.

    “Woe is me indeed…” 

    “And Jamie is more of an older brother,” Eleanor continued her thoughts out loud. “He’s only four years older than us.”

    “Eh…” Avery waved her off before she pulled a cover over him.

    “Get some rest, and I’ll be back by morning,” she assured him with a shake of her head, but Avery caught her wrist.

    “Two hours El,” he stated while looking at her, “The Net Port takes more out of you than you think.”

    “I… right,” she gave a reluctant nod, and Avery released her with a satisfied smile. “Five hours.”

    “Good gir- Wait!” he snapped, but Eleanor was already running out the door, “Hey! I said TWO!”