Thorion quietly considers Wu Chen’s introduction for a moment, then plainly states “I am Thorion.” His calm posture seems clearly evident, while his utter lack of expression comes across as cold and untelling. His silver-lined black cloak hangs limply over a darkened breastplate, while the curve of a long scythe rests comfortable at his feet.
“Shelyn is the goddess of art, is she not?” He states in a calm even tone.
"She is," Wu Chen replies. "But my favorite painting of Her is one depicting Her in battle with her brother, Zon-Kuthon."
The girl wonders if Thorion is familiar with the painting. It's famous.
"Sometimes, in order to make the world a beautiful place, we must fight those that make it ugly. Slavery is ugly. So is killing, which is why I learn to battle without taking a life. I have made no vow on this, but..."
Wu Chen looks past Thorion, into the room of mirrors. And that horrid altar.
"...one deserving of death need not die by my hand."
Thorion continues to listen quietly as Wu Chen begins explaining her insight in regards to the Shelyn painting. He remains unmoved as she further explains her personal perception about the world and those in it. Showing no personal investment in the conversation he nods with understanding.
“There are many who share your perspective on life and beauty. Unfortunately, not everyone’s viewpoints are the same. Thus the coined term “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Thorion sits quietly for a moment contemplating his statement. “I have little doubt that when it comes to art, it is quite common for someone to find a creation of expression to be beautiful, while someone else finds it appalling. Similar comparable perspectives on life, death, and ugliness can be found throughout the world.” After completing his statement, he looks over at Wu Chin with a blank expression.
Wu Chen finds the stranger interesting, and is happy to chat while Darion is finishing whatever process cannot be interrupted.
"Difference of opinion and artistic taste are not why I train to fight. It is very simple to look at a work of art, admire the piece or effort put into it. But of course some find painting depicting nudeness to be inappropriate, some music is painful to the ear, some dances frighten small children. Part of artistic talent is to know one's audience, learn from reactions, and let criticism make you a better artist."
She then speaks in a more serious tone, making no effort to conceal or explain her seemingly abrupt bitterness.
"When ugliness is not merely a poorly crafted art, but an evil act, this is where neutrality ends and one must choose a side. It is not simply a difference of opinion when one person thinks children can be slaves and another thinks no one can be enslaved. When a coward sends assassins to kill a man, his wife, and his daughter..."
The girl feels her fist tighten. She relaxes her hand.
"...such a coward is the reason I made no vow never to kill. And this room, for all its wondrous craftsmanship, is the reason I pray I am strong enough to spare a man twice as vile."
Again, the girl's gold and green eyes affix their gaze on the altar. Her feet remain a respectable distance from the threshold to that room.
"Has Darion told you the purpose of this room?"
Darion notices Will Chen enter quite abruptly, however he do not acknowledge her just yet as he doesn’t wish to loose his train of thought on the inscription he is studying. After overhearing the conversation between Thorion and Wu Chen his thought train entirely derails and he bursts out the first thing that comes to him
Wow between the two of you, you ought to open a college and study the disciplines of art and philosophy. However in the meantime Wu Chen I apologize for not responding so soon. I was perplexed about some inscription here. What is so urgent and how may I help?
Darion glances over at Thorion and adds My apologies to you too, Brother Thorion. Sometimes my frustration on my current task causes me to deflect my anger about the subject onto other people.Turning back to Wu Chen he states Please go on Miss Chen
Wu Chen replies in a pleasant tone, "There is no wrong to apologize for, Mr. Holdfast. I saw a couple on the street, then found out the lady punched Mr. Barns, perhaps once, perhaps several times. He does not know how to speak to a lady, so he likely earned this beating. I believe it was Duke who told me the man's name is Slade, and he is a slaver.
"I told Corin, and he asked me to come here and find out if you are available to assist him." She quickly corrects herself: "Us.
"I risked my very soul at the age of twelve, and became this as punishment. But the consequence of doing nothing would have been those children remaining undiscovered. For if you rescued me first, the boat of children would have sailed away in that time.
"If the slavers are here for children again, the consequence of doing nothing is suffered by your children and my half-siblings."
Corindus strides to the counter and seats himself upon the sturdiest-looking stool.
"You're right on both counts, Duke," the sheriff confirms. "I won't say that the little one has all the facts, but I'm not going to ignore what she says just because of her age."
Corin scoots the stool closer so he can talk more quietly.
"What's your take on this traveler, Duke? I'm not sure Wu Chen even got a right name on him."
Duke:
Duke replies
"I know that he is more then a traveller, Me and Hu worked with him once years back when Me and Hu were still working for Zilla.
His name is Slade Shepard, though in the underworld he's known as Slade The Slave Shepard last I heard.
All I know is that he reclaims slaves that escaped their master(s).
So if the little one is worrying about the children rescued 7 years ago, don't be as they never got bond to a master so he won't go after them."
"Hu knows more about him then I do since he still keeps his ear to the underworld."
Duke smiles a bit as he continues
"Heck, I know some of them have visited town every now and then, most of them were shocked that I got married or who was my wife."
As reserved as usual, Thorion has no reaction to Darion’s outburst. He simply stands quietly off to the side and continues to observe.
After the adrenalin in the room begins to fade, he once again makes a statement. “I believe Darion is correct. The conversation is beginning to cover ground that apparently runs deeply for you." He states while looking over at Wu Chen. "As invigorating as the subject is, I believe it would be better suited for a more comfortable environment. If you ever wish to discuss the unbridled nature of the world, I would be more than willing to continue with the discussion at the Bust Minotaur. That is where I am currently staying.” After finishing his statement, Thorion falls silent and resumes quietly observing Darion’s interaction with Sister Wu Chin.
Wu Chen smiles pleasantly at Thorion.
"Then will you join us too, Mr. Thorion? As it happens, the Busty Minotaur is where this aforementioned incident occurred."
Thorion momentarily considers Wu Chen's offer. "I am interested in learning more about this place. Especially if it leads to any insight about the book I am seeking. That coupled with the fact that you and Darion are both interesting people compels me to accept your offer. That is assuming Darion has managed to ascertain my intentions and is not uncomfortable with my presence."
Darion looks to Thorion There is no better way to determine someone’s intentions than by putting your trust in them. However Remember this. I only give away trust to a person once. After it is betrayed it is only earned back through many trials and sometimes never again.
He then gathers a few things quickly and turns to Wu Chen Lets be off then I don’t fancy slavers in town let’s get to the bottom of this
"Slave Reclaimer," Wu Chen says on the way to the Busty Minotaur. "It is a strange job title, is it not?"
Sharing her own thoughts, she says, "Maybe he is merely passing through the area, or it is possible he is looking for a runaway slave. But I do not concern myself with this. A person is not a thing or an animal, and anyone who uses people—slavers, rapists..." Hesitance is accompanied by a tremble in the young nun's voice when she says, "...assassins...
"Whatever the punishment for their crime, the Laws of Man are too lenient."
While falling in line with Darion and Wu Chen as they head back to the Busty Minotaur, Thorion carefully considers the conversation about the Slave Reclaimer. “I suppose there is a small possibility that the title Slave Reclaimer could represent someone who is taking back a slave and then setting them free. A form of freedom fighter, so to speak. Although that possibility exists, I believe the most obvious conclusion, which is someone who is reclaiming a runaway or freed slave, is more likely. Either way, it sounds like a rough profession. I would expect anyone openly pursuing that line of work to be capable in a fight and is likely a formidable opponent.”
Wu Chen confirms that Slade is no freedom fighter.
"I was warned of the consequence for going against such a, as you put it, formidable opponent: that in defeat, I might be taken alive to become a product in the slave market."
“I was merely pointing out that someone who chooses to spend time in such a profession would have either the skillset or the man power to compensate for the types of confrontation that would follow that line of work.” Thorion states in an even tone. After taking a moment to consider Wu Chen’s response, he continues. “Being takin as a slave would be an unfortunate result.”
Wu Chen says, "I agree, what you say of his skills is likely true. His girlfriend seems quite a bare-knuckle fighter herself.
"I only clarify what the job title Slave Reclaimer is because, as a child, I made the mistake of trying to keep my mind open. I was face to face with a demoness, and saw a quality I thought to be an ounce of goodness. I took it to mean she was redeemable, able to be reasoned with."
Her tone takes a turn for the contemptuous, as she says, "It was merely part of the allure." She adds with a barely perceptible shudder, "I do not want to imagine what she would have done with my body had our souls shared it for more than a few seconds."
"All right then," Corindus says, briefly tapping his knuckles upon the counter, "I suppose I'll go pay a visit to Hu at the bath house. Thank you for your help, Duke."
Corindus rises to leave. The confirmation of Wu Chen's claims leaves the sheriff vindicated but with a gnawing worry in his stomach. Whatever brings this man, Slade, to town, he doubts it is anything good.
He stops, mid-stride, as he walks away from the counter and turns back to Duke.
"If Wu Chen or Darion come looking for me, let them know I went to the bath house," he instructs Duke before continuing on his way.
Duke:
Before Corindus gets up Duke adds quietly
"I'll let you talk to Hu alone for a while since your the one keeping the Law and Hu has his ear to the underworld.
I know Hu doesn't want more then nessary to know his ear being to the underworld and talking about it especially to the law."
Corindus nods in deference to Duke's wishes.
"I won't say a word," he says quietly before getting up. "I'm not going to make things difficult for someone trying to put certain things behind him. I know a bit about that."
If Duke has no more concerns, Corindus will depart to discreetly meet with Hu at the bath house.
Wu Chen, Darrion and Thorion get to the Busty Minotaur.
They can see Duke at the bar.
and Corindus has made it to the Bathhouse.
Hu:
Hu is outside the Bathhouse and guides Corindus in to a room that is private and good for secret talks.
"I've asked the girls and Noya to go and do some shopping having a good guess I'd be getting a visit from you.
I'm going guess your here cause of Slade.
I know cause he dropped by this morning before heading to the Busty Minotaur, and the look on your face."
"Well, that saves me an explanation for why I'm here," the sheriff says, removing his hat and standing in the private room. Corin is too on edge to stake a seat. "I promised Duke I'd keep this meeting private. I won't let no one know that you've got your ear to the ground or that you're talking to me, so you don't have to worry about that.
"Let's get right to it, then: what business brings this Slade fellow to town? Did he say?"
Hu:
"Seems his visit to the Busty Minotaur caused some trouble.
Though I guess it could also of been from his companion.
Slade heard Me and Duke retired a bit and started an honest businesses,
He dropped by some to see if it was true, like some of the others from those days."
"Well I did get a update on the goings on in the underworld,
and that Slade was working recovering slaves that escaped from their Cheliaxian or Korvosan masters.
Slade mentioned he was working on tracking slaves that escaped off a Cheliaxian ship that became ship wrecked,
some that escaped an underground arena in Korvosa,
and some that were in transit and being sold to Cheliax from some Gnoll slavers."
Wu Chen bellies up to the bar, and says Duke, "I take it that Corin has come here to look into the situation? I brought Mr. Holdfast and his new colleague, Mr. Thorion.
"So, are we to go back to Corin's office, or is there another meeting place we should go to?"
She doesn't ask if waiting here is the plan, since Wu Chen would rather not wait at a tavern. This is no place for a lady—especially a lady who intends to avoid alcoholic beverages like one avoids a deadly plague.
After walking into the Busty Minotaur, alongside his new acquaintances, Thorion finds himself a bar stool somewhat close to Wu Chen. There he sits and monitors the conversation and body language of the young lady and anyone she converses with. (It seems Wu Chen is quite familiar with this place.)
While Wu Chen continues with her conversation, Thorion orders up a tankard of ale, leans his scythe up against the bar, and then makes himself somewhat comfortable.
Darion doesn’t much care to be here. No so much the Busty Minataur, but all places that serve alcohol. He feels as if it impairs his judgment and causes one to operate on unbridled emotion. This type of environment is not for a thinking man.
Well let’s consider what we know and come up with a plan. Perhaps Corindus can catch us up if we want to leave and find this slave trader. Where was he going?
It seems Duke is either busy or is trying to be discreet. In any case, the nun sees that Darion is not too crazy about this place. Like herself, Darion is not a drinker. Like her Father, Thorion is.
"Sorry you drink alone, Mr. Thorion."
Before she even voices her next thought, it occurs to her that she never spoke of those days after Mother was killed. Why a man drinking and a man not drinking prompts this, she does not know. The girl simply speaks her mind.
"Shortly after Mother died, Father and I made a gradual exodus from the east. There were many Busty Minotaurs along the way, only the names were more like the Perky Kitsune and the Purring Nekomata. I was eight, so while Father had his sa-ke—that is rice wine—I would have water, or milk or juice if available." She adds with a scoff, "Imagine my disappointment when I could only have water at the Juicy Geisha and the Milky Ushi-Onna.
"The only adult beverage I was allowed to taste was at a dockside tavern called the Two-Tailed Mermaid. Father thought it too sickly sweet, and when he confirmed there was no liquor, he gave me the drink. I remember him saying—" The girl speaks her father's exact words in Tien, then translates "his words' meaning, 'Only a Western tongue can stand the taste. Drink. If you like it, we go West.'
"I loved it! It was a cocoa-bean drink with milk-cream, pumpkin and some kind of spice. I never did find such a drink anywhere else, but that's okay. Father cannot find a proper sa-ke. Instead, he found Vona, and I have two brothers and two sisters!"
Showing no sign of reaction to Wu Chen’s tale, Thorion drinks his beverage while quietly listening to the young lady. As her story comes to a close he begins to comment on the subject. “I’m a little perplexed why you feel the need to apologize for not having a beverage. I never imagined that enjoying a tankard of ale would be viewed as a social requirement, but I suppose I have been wrong in the past.” [/b]
After considering Wu Chen’s story for a moment, he continues. “Your story is intriguing. A father who enjoyed drinking, yet had the sense to keep his children from the temptation. This brought about a romantic encounter that blessed your family with two brothers and two sisters. Congratulations on having such a robust family. I’m assuming that your father’s relationship with Vona lasted quite some time in order to have so many children. Or where they perhaps quintuplets? Either way, it is good to hear you come from such a well-rounded family.” With each of his flat-lined replies, Thorion maintains an absolute lack of expression.
"How long ago did these slaves escape?" he asks, feeling a target forming upon his back. He shakes his head to dispel the thought. "I suppose it doesn't matter. This is Andoran. In this land, those men and women are free."
He sighs, seeing a confrontation as inevitable.
"How is this Slade in a fight? When I tell him to leave town, I can't imagine he'll go peaceably."
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Hu:
"He said they escaped over 7 years ago, and he's the type that'll do the job no matter where it is.
I also don't recommend fighting him, he plans things out, and is more skilled then most folks.
Escaped slaves that know spells have the worst time with him, as he has a rare talent in that he can steal spells and then use them himself.
Only way to get him to leave town completely peacefully is to pay him the cost of every escaped slave in town he has noted and maybe some extra.
Effectively if you want it to be a peaceful leaving, prepare to buy their freedom, or as much of it as possible."
"I don't like prying into people's past unless it was for a job, but guessing from your face you are likely one of the one's he's looking for.
Well here is some good news for you, if he finds a escaped slave doing a job that brings law and order to a small town,
he sometimes overlooks them provided they don't interfer too much with his collection of any other escaped slaves he's found.
Bad news is once he shows himself the trap is set, as most escaped slaves know his name and will panic to leave town, and get caught in his net."
"And that is not the end of the Bad news, he showed me list with names and Kinshara's name was on it along with a poster of one of those underground arena's that run in Korvosa and the Amazon on the poster looked a lot like your wife, Mary.
If Mary is indeed one of the escaped arena fighters, Odds are Slade will take You back to where you came along with most of your sons, while Mary, the Girls, and the two little ones will go with Mary back to the arena."
"Luk's also somewhat in the same boat, but Slade will only take half the kids with Kinshara back to her master."
"That is one practice I really do find disgusting but I see both sides, Horrible that Kids are made slaves, the only good thing about it is that at least most of the family is together when they go back, so they don't lose everything at once."
Duke:
"You'll all need to wait here until the Sheriff comes back.
As he'll likely know more then."
While not too crazy about having to wait, Wu Chen doesn't speak of that. She simply accepts that Corin will be back and replies to Thorion:
"My step-mother married Father shortly after they met seven years ago. I went from bridesmaid to sister within—"
The nun does not lie. The nun does not dishonor her family. The half-brother was conceived before the wedding, Wu Chen now realizes, though Vona's breasts were always gigantic. Her belly was still flat when she wore the gown. Wu Chen was given the news when the belly grew round months later, so speaks truthfully when she tells Thorion she became a big sister within—
"—the first year of Father and Vona's marriage.
"Thank you for congratulating me. I do not intend this life for myself, so I simply enjoy my opportunities to babysit. My sisters are twins who like the way I dance, and my youngest brother has just taken his first steps!
"How about you, Thorion. Is there a Mrs. Thorion, or do you seek such a lady?"
Wu Chen said she has a brother and to sisters (twins), and that her stepmother is pregnant with the fourth. Wu Chen has a feeling the youngest will be a...
...girl.
Thorion continues to sit quietly while enjoying Wu Chen’s account of her family. After taking a drink of his ale, he puts together a response to the young lady’s inquiry. “I don’t currently have any intention to seek a mate. My time has been hard pressed with duties to the church. That being said, one can not always anticipate what fate has in store for them.”
Thorion takes a smaller drink from his stein and then continues. “Although birth is one of the primary pentacles of our order, it is not my field of interest. That being said, I have a moderate level of respect for the miracle of life.” Thorion pauses for a moment. “My field of study tends to revolve more around the afterlife.” After taking another drink from his stein, he sits quietly while looking off into the distance as if in deep thought.
"Then maybe you understand..."
Wu Chen's eyes light up with hope, though the moment doesn't last. She seems to be forcing away this feeling.
"When Mother died, I was holding her in her final moment. I felt her soul pass through me—I was eight, but I know I felt her. She was a healer, an Oracle of Shelyn. When I laid my hand on my father, I was able to prevent him from dying. I know it is my mother's power working through me."
There's a question on the girl's mind. Either she's afraid to ask, or she's having trouble putting it into words.
In contemplation, Thorion looks over at Wu Chen. “My condolences for the loss of your family. Our time in this world is somewhat short. I have always believed that the price of longevity is the fact that you will see those shorter lived than you transition to the afterlife. Not many things can withstand the perseverance of time.” Respectfully, Thorion looks down at his half empty stein and then slides it to the back of the bar. “In time, virtually everything fades, leaving only a figment of its existence. Accomplishments, if noteworthy, become markers in history. People pass, leaving in their wake memories and tales of deeds, which eventually fade to nothing with the passing of each generation. Material possessions, such as structures and works of art, erode and decay to the point that they have little value. Eventually, all the things that we so vastly cherish and so committedly fight for become nothing more than a footnote in history. A history that is destined, over the course of eternity, to become forgotten or deemed unimportant.”
“With all this, there are those in this world who are long lived, or who have accomplished some version of immortality. Those are the ones, in my opinion, who burden the highest price. They have the pleasure of watching time consume everyone and everything around them. For what it’s worth, I believe our short lived mortality is a blessing. We will transition to the afterlife before experiencing the full impact of time. Life is incredibly perseverant and will continue to reinvigorate itself with new creation, but death is eternal and ultimately does not bow down to the pestilence of time. There, comforted by Pharasma’s embrace, your mother’s soul likely awaits your short lived mortality to run its course in hopes of being once again reunited with you and those she cherished in life.”
Thorion sits quietly for a moment considering his statement and then adds one last thought. “There is one exception to this reality. The undead.” At the mention of the undead, Thorion’s granite like visage reveals what could only be described as a frustrated expression.
The expression upon the sheriff's face grows so grim, so sharp, that it could fell a tree all on its own. His hand reflexively slides to the haft of his hatchet, gripping it like a worrystone.
"If he's here for my family, then a peaceful leaving was never an option," Corin growls. "He'll get not one cap from me or any one living free in this town. He'll find nothing but hatchets and cudgels waiting for him."
As he begins to sound less like a sheriff and more like the leader of an angry mob, it becomes clear that a boiling hot anger is welling up within him, like a volcanic mudpot upon Darkmoon Plain. He scarcely remembers his manners to thank Hu and excuse himself before starting to sprint back to the Busty Minotaur.
Hu:
Hu replies back with a serious face
"I recommend you calm down, as you being in an emotional state will make you easier prey to Slade.
He wants his targets to panic and not think straight.
You have to remember he has set his traps before showing himself."
"He is also stronger then you think he is, and I have no idea what his companion can do,
And I think she's trouble, as she feels a bit like the little one."
Tina and Lina Locksly enter the Busty Minotaur, talking as they walk.
Lina Locksly:
Lina goes up to Duke
"Hey Duke, can you tell me and Tina some of your stories of your adventures up north."
Tina Locksly:
Tina replies
"As much I'm curious myself Lina, He might not tell every adventure he did as it may of had something personal that he might want to keep quiet about."
Duke:
Duke replies back to the eldest Locksly Twins.
"Tina is right in that I won't tell every adventure me and Hu did.
As once you know certain things they can not very go back to what they were before."
Wu Chen is intrigued by the description of Pharasma.
"Pharasma sounds like a lovely goddess. Yes, I believe Mother waits for me.
"You seem... disturbed—forgive my saying so." The girl clearly is genuinely apologetic, but voiced her thought just the same. "Please don't think me rude, you just do not express a feeling even when your words show interest, kindness, and you phrase your goddess and the afterlife very beautifully. But it is when you speak of the undead, your face changes.
"When a body becomes animated, is the soul not already released. Or is the soul of the once-living trapped in his own undead body, unable to prevent his own hands from committing atrocities?"
It's a particularly specific question from a girl who knows nothing of undead, yet that's how the words spill out from her lips.
"What kind of traps does he set?" Corindus asks, stopped at the door in mid-stride. "If you don't want me to rush off recklessly, then tell me how to defeat him because I will not let him win."
The sheriff takes a couple deep breaths, waiting for Hu's response, before continuing. He hopes to prove to both Hu and himself that he is in control.
"I intend to meet with Darion and Wu Chen. I will speak with Kinshara and Luk, as well. We will discuss the situation and plan how to deal with this Slade."
Thorion’s expression once again becomes rigged after Wu Chen points out the fact that he has momentarily slipped. “I two have witnessed the passing of my parents. The experience was a bit overwhelming. In many ways that one incident set me on a course that brought me to Pharasma. Be it destiny, or simply a turn of events, the result was unarguably life changing.”
Thorion takes a moment to gather his thoughts and then continues. “I was the child of a small track farmer who lived on the outskirts of a town known as Haven Port. I remember those days being simple, with the largest concern being the unpredictable weather. Father was a firm but fair man who worked hard for a living, while mother tended the home and spent more than a fair amount of time nurturing me. Those days quickly came to an end early in my youth.”
As Thorion’s story begins to take shape, he reaches out and pulls the half full tankard back over. “One night our small community was in disarray do to the approach of a heavy storm that had been mounting for days. We had just spent the better part of the afternoon preparing the house and resupplying the pantry for a long commitment. I remember feeling warm and comfortable in the house's overhead loft, which had been converted over to a sleeping area. That particular night had been riddled with awkward sounds of miscellaneous objects being tossed about by the forceful wind that generally preceded a large storm. Even with the added turmoil I was able to fall asleep with my parents resting comfortably beneath the loft.”
After pausing just long enough to finish the ale in his stein, he continues. “Later that night I was awaken by the sound of my family being devoured by a large herd of undead. To this day, I don’t know where they came from, or why they were there, but it left a deep impression. Because of that I have a personal dislike for the undead that extends beyond the general disdain of my order. As far as what happens to the soul of the person being trapped as an undead; I’m simply unsure. I do know that many of the simple forms of undead are driven specifically by dark magic, while other more powerful variants have been reported as being sentient. I’m not exactly sure what role the previous soul plays in the process. I do know that it disrupts the natural cycle of death in a very meaningful way, and that Pharasma along with her followers seek to destroy undead if at all possible. The general belief is when an undead is destroyed it resets the balance in that soul's life / death cycle.” After sharing his tale, Thorion sits quietly with no further sign of emotion.
After Thorion and Wu Chen make no move to leave the tavern Darion does. My apologies to both of you but I’m going to step outside for some fresh air. The smell of alcohol and pipe smoke is not pleasing to me
Darion acknowledges Duke entertaining the Locksly twins as he passes by and out of the front door of the Busty Minotaur. He finds a bench close by the entrance and sits to think on this slaver coming to town
Wu Chen's facial expression is read as easily as a picture book. She can certainly relate to the story. "Both of them... I am so sorry you..." She repeats the word softly: "Devoured."
The girl thinks she understands why the man does not express emotions. I can relate to this too.
But what she says is, "I agree with your goddess. There is no place in this world for the undead."
Thorion nods in agreement with Wu Chen and then takes a look around the Busty Minotaur. After sliding the appropriate coin across the bar for the drink, he looks over at Wu Chen. "Should we wait here or go somewhere else that is perhaps more comfortable for you and Darion?"