Tōga's eyes roamed hungrily over the array of drinks spread across their small table, his soul craving the earthy taste of pulque imprisoned within the clay cups. The fermented beverage called to him, and as Alisa mentioned finishing the four untouched drinks since their companions had abstained, his eagerness grew. Though no alcoholic, the Dragon Slayer delighted in a fine drink now and then, especially in convivial company, when celebrations flowed freely. To Tōga, drinking together this way unlocked conversations and lowered inhibitions, allowing true feelings to emerge. And Alisa's spirited toast tonight was certainly cause for revelry. As Tōga reached for a clay cup brimming with the tantalizing elixir, he knew this was something worth drinking to.

"That's certainly a toast I can drink to—cheers to you being alive, if only for this endless night!" Tōga mused. Though Judina now breathed before him, full of life's animus, he knew not whether her resurrection by this strange magic was fleeting or permanent. When the perpetual night enshrouding Stella finally ceded to day, would she once more slip life's surly bonds? Those answers eluded him still, but dwelled in the realm of tomorrow's problems. Tonight, he would simply share in fellowship, revelry, and mirth, seizing the gift of her company for however long it lasted. Lifting his cup, Tōga drank deeply, savoring the nectar of this moment.

Tōga grasped a clay cup brimming with pulque, the fermented elixir he had been craving. He lifted it to his lips, the earthenware cool against his mouth as the first drops hit his tongue. An earthy sweetness bloomed, pooling in his mouth before slipping down his throat, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. The drink warmed his belly, tendrils of heat spiraling outwards as the alcohol smoldered within. Tōga closed his eyes, savoring the interplay of flavors—the initial honeyed caress gentling into a bold, smoky burn. He let out a satisfied sigh, a glow already rising in his cheeks. This was a drink worth reveling in.

In an instant, Tōga had gulped down nearly the entire contents of his mug. One swift drink, perhaps two, was all it took for the sweet liquid to coat his mouth before plunging into slumber in his stomach. The coolness trailed the warmth of the wine, tingling his insides with playful laughter. This was by far the best drink he had tasted since arriving in Stella—or maybe he was simply sober enough to appreciate the flavor for once. For others, a vacation meant relaxing, sleeping in, and recharging. But for the dragon slayer, it was an opportunity to explore and adventure. The world was vast and his time limited; whenever a chance to do something arose, he seized it without hesitation. That included drinking copiously with strangers.

The somber conversation between Judina and Alisa flowed on, as the two friends wove together hopeful visions for the future while also acknowledging the bitter past that had led them to this point. Tōga could only watch silently as the two peeled back the veil of time, walking through history and into the future with their words. They blended beautiful, wistful imaginings of what could be with the harsh truths of what had been. As they opened up to one another, it was as if time and space fell away, leaving just two souls communicating heart-to-heart. Tōga was mesmerized by the way they moved effortlessly between past pain and future possibility, the gravity of their life experiences informing but not overriding their optimism. Their conversation was a dance between darkness and light.

"You two could always have that spar now!" Tōga suggested, the words bursting forth as he tipped back the last of his drink. Without missing a beat, he snatched up the second mug that had been intended for another guest now sipping water instead.

"I don't really know much about your family or friends, or if they're even in Stella at the moment," he admitted sheepishly, recognizing he had no solutions for Judina's familial woes. The suggestion to spar sprung from an eagerness to redirect the mood toward joy. Tōga knew he lacked the wisdom to resolve the threads of the past woven through the two women's conversation. But combat - that was an arena he understood. A friendly fight seemed just the thing to transport their spirits from melancholy back to mirth.

“But Alisa is right here,” he smiles warmly.

Tōga's suggestion was met with immediate refusal, as Judina's loyalty to her old friend, and realization of where her strength sat could not be swayed. Though now undead, the bond between the two women remained unbroken. Tōga sank into contemplative silence, the sting of rejection still fresh. Yet as he gazed at the faces around the table, a sense of belonging began to blossom within him. This motley gathering was united by far more than a passing desire for entertainment. Their shattered lives had been woven back together by the unbreakable threads of camaraderie and understanding. Contentment slowly replaced disappointment as Tōga realized some connections run deeper than fleeting thrills. Though the proposed duel would not take place, the true gift was the chance to share in the company of newfound friends. He took a sip from his glass, no longer concerned with what the night may or may not bring. Simply being together was enough.

Tōga's excitement was short-lived, dashed upon the rocks of Judina's refusal. Yet before disappointment could fully take hold, a spark of hope glimmered once more. DaeSeong's respectful offer cut through the tension, presenting a compelling alternative. Here was a challenger closer to Judina's level, now that death had diminished her formerly formidable power. Tōga's eyes lit up, enthusiasm rekindled. Perhaps this pairing could yield an entertaining battle after all.

Though Alisa sat at a different table in terms of strength, this new proposition was enticingly well matched. Judina's reservations were understandable, but DaeSeong's courage in stepping forward was admirable. As the two conversated, Tōga watched with bated breath. The night's entertainment had taken an unexpected turn, yes, but still held promise. He swirled the drink in his glass pensively, letting anticipation build. Where disappointment had threatened, excitement now bloomed anew.

“That sounds like a great idea! Alisa-Kun! We could place bets on this – bets in the forms of drinks.” He teases.

The wooden throne beneath Tōga molded to his shape as the drinks flowed freely, imbuing him with a kingly aura. Though the circumstances leading to this night remained cryptic, the present moment felt vibrantly real. For this evening only, Judina had stepped out of the realm of spirits to join the living. Her presence, along with Alisa and DaeSeong, turned the mysterious tavern into a place of comfort and camaraderie. Tomorrow the confusion would return, but tonight, Tōga allowed himself to indulge in the company of new friends, letting the conversation and laughter wash over him like the finest of wines.

Confusion clouded Tōga's face as the talk turned again to DaeSeong and Judina's looming battle. "Huh?" The Rune Knight murmured, auburn eyes swiveling toward Judina. A smile spread slowly across his features, as if the notion caught him off guard. "Fight me?" He echoed with a touch of surprise, unconsciously gesturing at himself. Though ready to clash with DaeSeong, the prospect of crossing blades with his old friend was one he had not anticipated.

"I'd be honored!" Tōga declared, draining his second drink as his canines flashed in an eager grin. Since joining the Rune Knights, he had few chances to revel in combat, taking on endless quests to climb the ranks instead. Now, the prospect of crossing swords with someone as renowned and powerful as Judina made his blood sing with excitement. It was an opportunity as intoxicating as the drinks he and Alisa indulged in this night. Tōga's smile widened at the thought of finally testing his mettle against a legendary knight.

The moon hung full and heavy over Stella that night, its ethereal glow casting the cemetery in an otherworldly pallor. Tōga felt the thrum of magic in his veins as the dead emerged from their slumber to mingle with the living once more. This was a rare chance to test his skills against an unexpected companion. Though they had only met some hours ago, Judina was already an ally as a fellow Rune Knight. Her return from beyond intrigued Tōga, even if he struggled to find the right words. But a friendly duel could reveal more about her than hours of stilted conversation. As their hands met in combat, a wordless bond was forged. The clash of magic echoed the clash of blades, each strike and parry bringing them closer together. In the moonlight, amongst the restless dead, two knights connected through the poetry of battle. This night would spark a friendship that would endure beyond this evening of wonders, a living memory to cherish when the dawn came to return the departed to their rest.

As Judina declined the duel and slipped away into the moonlit night, Tōga felt a pang of regret. In his eagerness for combat, had he disturbed the delicate mood of the evening? The talk of sparring was meant in a spirit of camaraderie, but it had clearly given Judina pause. Her memories of a promise with Alisa had unearthed poignant memories, reminding her that time was fleeting. Perhaps she now sought the company of those she held most dear. Tōga watched her depart with a frown, wondering if his suggestion had hastened her exit. Soon after, DaeSeong offered his polite goodbyes, leaving only Tōga and Alisa amidst the unfinished drinks. An air of melancholy lingered at their table. The magic of the night had been interrupted. In hoping for revelry and contest, Tōga realized he had overlooked what truly mattered: making the most of the stolen time they'd been granted. Judina's family awaited her, as did she them.

“Wanna keep drinkin’?”  he asks Alisa with a soft smile, though some of it’s luster was sapped away.

---

wc: 4135
[EXIT~