A Nervous Flirter

[Dante Ahti]

Perhaps it was time Dante moved on. It was a thought that went through his head recently, and though he was over Phillis' death, he wasn't exactly looking into a relationship. Until recently, that is, when he decided it might be better for him to have someone to spend time with. And he wasn't meaning going out to the training fields with Walter to shoot some targets (with magic of course); something that always seemed so competitive.

No, Dante thought that going out with someone might be good for him. But, there was one problem. He didn't really know any girls, and he didn't know many gay guys.

He had lulled the thought over- he really couldn't think of anything. Denzel was taken, Felicity was off running about in the forest. Roland was his student (and probably straight), Walter was taken (and DEFINITELY straight), and Seth... that would be a death wish, surely. Dante would wake up with Seth experimenting on his head. Hadn't the boy already tried to do that when they were both in school?

Not to mention, he wasn't exactly interested in any of them at the time. They were all good friends, or new friends. Nothing more, nothing less. And Dante was not sure if he wanted anything more.

So that's when the man decided- the pub would be the best place to meet new people. Perhaps flirt a bit, and see where everything led. Dante was never one for random hook-ups, but perhaps he would meet someone interested in an actual relationship. Or at least a date first.

It was a few hours to midnight. Most citizens were either going home, or going to a pub; or a brothel. Dante was more set on the pub, so he whipped on his coat, made sure he had his coin, and off he went. Out the front door, onto the cold dark street, and towards the closest pub.

Taking no time at all, the pub was within reaching distance. He opened the door, the jingle of the bell signaling the door opening barely being heard among the noise of conversation.

There were mercenaries in the corner, discussing old business with girls on their laps. Drunkards all around, annoying everyone, but clearly having a good time as the laughed and stumbled over their own feet. Women trying to get men's attention. Everyone loud, everyone laughing. Dante stuck out like a sore thumb- a public school teacher that was quiet and polite as he made his way to the bar with his clean clothes and recently cut hair. His beard had begun growing in, just stubble on his face.

He could see other 'normal' people in the pub, but not many. It was a bit unnerving to him; the mage was looking for a relationship. Not a hook-up. If he wanted that, there was a brothel not too far away. But he didn't pay too much attention to the people- only about half the room. He assumed the other half would just be the same.

He sat down at one of the bar stools as one of the bartenders made their way over, wiping down the counter as he did so.

"What can I get for ye?" he asked, looking Dante up and down with an unreadable expression. Perhaps Dante really did look odd right now- but he still did not notice it.
"Uhm, just some mead please," the man cleared his throat as he removed his scarf and placed it on the table. The bartender nodded and walked away.

Dante looked around again with unease; realizing his mistake. He wouldn't approach anyone, not like this. It was much too high-pressured. What if he tried to flirt, and got rejected? He didn't think he could take that kind of rejection.

He did not have to think long, as the bartender came back with a moderate sized glass. A sigh escaped Dante's lips; he not only felt it, but he looked stressed out to anyone who would glance at him. Most would think it were because of a job, or issue. No- it was because he was too nervous to go up to a guy or girl and flirt.

"Thanks," the mage mumbled as the bartender nodded once more, and walked over to attend another customer. Dante stared into his glass for a moment before taking a large drink of it, and placing it on the counter.

All the while, he just tried to think of what exactly he could do to bring up his courage, and start flirting.

[Deleted]

Devan walked into the pub, ducking to fit through the door and looked around the room slowly and calmly, with a casual smile on his face.
Anyone who knew the man before would only possibly be able to recognize him by his size. In truth, he looked quite different. His hair longer, although not because he was trying to disguise himself, it made him feel more attached to his animalistic side. And on his chin, something almost never on it before, a pit of a beard was present. Oh yes the giant murder looked very different indeed. But there was no way to go around, causing open chaos all the time. It was dangerous to do too much these days, with so much at stake.

His clothes were something also strange for any who knew him before. It was very formal, not at all the blood stained, torn clothing and chains that hung from his wrist or knife dug into his arm, no he, dare it be said, looked very respectable.



At first he was dissapointed not to find those he sought to find, Walter, Ethan, someone he used to know. But then he thought he recognized someone. Yes it looked like a Walter sat at the bar... but why, he looked so similar but yet not close enough, and that awful stench of magic was about him, covered him... Devan decided to investigate.

He walked over and leaned against the bar, looking over Dante. He had watched him from afar for a while already, seemed to be the nervous man, building up his courage with a few drinks, he had seen it before.
"It is easier than it looks my friend." He said with a smile and a strange, almost eerie charm.

[Dante Ahti]

He had just taken a sip when Devan began talking to him- the sorcerer nearly spit out his drink in surprise, but managed to gulp it down as he looked at the man. Rather presentable, definitely not like any of the people he could see around him. He needed a haircut, but Dante couldn't exactly judge. Not long ago his hair had been a mess.

But, it seemed as if the man knew what Dante was doing. Was it really that obvious?

He went a bit red, opening his mouth to speak but not finding words. It didn't take too long to come up with something, however.
"I would have to agree, but in truth it's been years since I've done much of this sort...we're talking about romance, right?"

How he hoped they were on the right subject. Dante didn't need to embarrass himself in front of anyone tonight. It certainly would not help his ego while looking for someone.

Dante of course was not much to know about anything to do with crime in the city, unless it was war or such. He had never even heard of a giant named Devan whom terrorized the alleys. In his eyes, this was just a really tall dude that was taking some entertainment in watching a young man squirm in the grasp that was relationships.

He couldn't blame the man, in all of his honesty.

[Deleted]

Devan gave a chuckled, somewhat forced but it didn't sound tooooo forced to were it would seem extremely fake. There was a hint of an actual chuckle in there.
"Yes, romance... taking someone to your lair and having your way with them." he chuckled, a real chuckle this time. "Whatever you wish to call it, I don't know what type of a man you are exactly." he continued to smirk at as he thought of how he 'romanced.'

The boy looked to be going red, but he knew how that was. A tall man, talking about romance, sneaking up on you, just about any man or women under those circumstances would go red. Not necessarily from fear, as in this case, but embarrassment, startlement, being talked to before they were ready.
"Do you have a game plan at all then? Or are you going in blind?"

[Dante Ahti]

He thought about this for a moment, before smiling again, rubbing at the back of his neck.
"No plan what-so-ever. Guess I just sort of thought I wouldn't need one. Now that I'm thinking about it, I should have thought this part through."

Dante had thought thoroughly about this night- how he was going to go to the pub, meet some people, and hopefully earn himself a companion. He had not thought about what he would do when he actually got to the pub. How he would go up to a guy or gal, get his flirt on.

The only person he had ever had romantic relations with was Phillis. Was that really the only thing out there for him? He couldn't believe it.
After all, Dante was young when Phillis and himself met. It was likely that Dante had just been too focused on academic studies at that point. But now all he had was a career, and a few buddies. He really needed to get out.

He just had no idea how.

"Care to give me a few pointers?" he asked, taking a larger gulp of his beverage. Perhaps this man was good with the ladies- perhaps not. But, Dante figured he would spot any bad advice. Anything that didn't seem bad had to be decent, right?

[Deleted]

Devan nodded while smiling a bit. He could care less about this man's problems with the ladies, but this would be fun,if he couldn't go further with his sort of business tonight, helping some guy get laid would be fun enough.

"Well what are you trying to attract? The one night of fun, a nice lady to call up now and then, a respectable and responsible women worth courtship?" He asked before looking Dante over, "or a secretive mistress. I suppose I shouldn't leave that out hmmm?" he said with a laugh, slapping Dante on the back.

[Dante Ahti]

(( Is it just me, or is Devan a lot more sane this time around? LOL At least, in this form ;P ))

Oh his face when he said mistress- now he felt like he was cheating on Phillis. His face went a rare red colour, and he had to cough as his drink once again went down the wrong tube. The man certainly helped with that rough pat on the back.

"I- Ahh, a courtship is more or less my preference," he wiped his forehead with his sleeve nervously.

Perhaps the reason for his embarrassment with the man's terms was the fact that Dante himself had never been with anyone like that. Even Phillis, who Dante had been quite old fashion with.

"I suppose I never really got practice with dating as a teen, so, now I'm sort of paying for it now," he laughed, an embarrassed laugh as one might expect.

[Deleted]

((oh he was always sane... just in an insane way lol no really he is a bit more sane when he can't act freely, he is a caged beast... waiting to be released))


"The way you looked when I mentioned mistress..." Devan laughed, "Well I'll keep your secret don't you worry."

Devan looked around shaking his head. This boy didn't seem to know anything, at least not in his opinion. "So you mean you thought you could find a women worth a damn here, in the pub? At this time of night?" Devan laughed for a moment. "You're funny, but I'll tell you what, we will do what we can to find her, no promises though."

[Dante Ahti]

Dante himself followed Devan's gaze, and had to agree.

"You know, I thought the same thing myself when I walked in here. But, couldn't exactly think of anywhere else that... might have sane people."
He scratched at his beard, before taking the last gulp of his drink and placing it on the bar behind him.

Oh yes, he could see a few normal people. But none seemed too interesting. Perhaps this man spotted someone.
And he had to admit, he was embarrassed to know that he probably thought he had a wife now, and was trying to find a side dish.

"Oh, I'm Dante by the way. And you?" his head turned to the man. He couldn't help but feel the man was huge, but he also figured it was his own size. Dante was not exactly the largest guy around.

[Deleted]

Devan looked down at Dante who, since he was already a smaller guy next to a very large man, looked tiny. He smiled, "Devan Azul, artist, sculptor, and collector. You need something done, just come find me." He said with a hidden meaning, a little... creepiness behind it.

"Alright fine, I'll give you some advice then." Devan said as he sighed and looked around. "When you must up enough guts to talk to one of these people, whoever doesn't tell you anything about them significant, I'll repeat, whoever doesn't say anything revealing about them, is a good one. All the rest, they aren't worth it." He looks around the pub again. "Any catch your eye then?"

[Dante Ahti]

He thought about the man's advice over and again, finding some truth in it. He didn't want someone whom always thought of and for themselves. But sometimes was perfectly acceptable, he thought.
But still, the sorcerer scanned the room carefully, trying to spot someone.

Drunkards, whores, mercenaries. Oh yeah, some were good looking. But none suited Dante's description of a good 'date'. Perhaps a mercenary in the corner, but those men were a little too bulky for him. Not to mention, he doubted any would directly flirt with him.

As for the women, there were some decent ones. But those mostly fit under the drunkard category. There was a small group to the side, telling a fellow girl that 'you don't need him'. It would be wise for Dante not to go over there.

"Not..really," he shrugged, rubbing at the back of his head a bit. "Spot anyone I may have missed?"

[Deleted]

"There," He said and motioned for a group off to the side where one girl in particular looked quite sad and bothered by something. "That group there is your ticket sir." he said with a smile.

"See that one, all teary eyed and what have you. She is your way into the entire group." He raised his hand and motioned for the tender to come over, "You buy her a drink, tell her she seemed to be having a bad day and you want to try and do one nice thing for her at least and the rest of them well think you are the best man in the bar... just don't be weird about it." he warned with a chuckle.

[Dante Ahti]

Both eyebrows raised, he looked over nervously. He seriously doubted that it would work out too well. After all, why would a girl want the company of a man when she was obviously upset over another?

But what did Dante know. He'd only been with one person.

"Another drink, please. Two," he turned to look at the bartender, whom nodded his head and began making the drinks.
"I sure hope you're right bud," he said, looking uneasily at the girls.
The drinks were sat in front of him, and he took them. Giving a quick nod to Devan, he began walking over, until he was in front of the girls.

"Couldn't help but notice you don't seem to be having that great of a day. Thought another drink might cheer you up."
He smiled lightly, as if he were a bit shy. And he was. Very shy. Very nervous.

But he had to think that he was a rather normal looking, formal guy. Perhaps to these ladies he didn't look all that bad.
He had to hope.

[Deleted]

Devan looked to the tender and shook his head after Dante left.
"I sure hope he doesn't blow this."

"Ugh, is it that obvious?" The woman with the problems stated before grabbing the drink and gulping it down quickly. "Oh I'm a mess!"

"oh come on hun, you're fine."

"Ya Jess, you are beautiful."
The friends all try to fix the situation but Jess just can't seem to feel better. She buries her head in her arms and puts it down on the table. One of the females walk over to Dante and but their hands on him.
"That was sweet of you to do sir. She just needs some time I think." The lady smiles at Dante.

[Dante Ahti]

(( HAHA oh god my name's Jessica, so now all I'm picturing is me... I laughed a little too hard ))

First he was surprised to see her take offense to it so quickly; well, a type of offense. More like an observation turned sour. So Dante first felt bad about even walking up to them. What was he thinking?! Going up to a woman who was obviously hurt, and bluntly saying she looked hurt.

Secondly he was surprised to see her chug down that drink so fast. It usually took him at least half an hour to finish a drink that size. But he supposed a person who was drunk, or upset, wouldn't notice too much.

He was at least glad his effort wasn't going punished, as one of the ladies came up to him and spoke.
"I suppose you're right," he rubbed at the back of his neck, looking from Jess, to the girls around her, to the girl speaking with him.
"I just hope I didn't make it any worse is all."

[Deleted]

((whatever i can do to make it a bit more enjoyable lol))

Devan smiled to himself as he watched from over in the corner. A natural.

"Oh she'll be fine." She leans in a little closer and whispers into Dante's ear. "Being a bit of a drama queen if you ask me. She's upset because Lianne Whitemore said her shoes were so last week. That girl is a freak. I don't know why she even cares." The woman explained this to Dante before moving her lips away from his ear and back to a respectable distance. "If anything you made it better, put her closer to getting drunk and forgetting about all of it. Then we can finally have a good time." she winked at Dante.