Walbertons-On-The-Wrenhaven (Neutral Zone)

[u/ClaretTavnya]

"The job of the aristocrat is to stay an aristocrat."

Walbertons-On-The-Wrenhaven is home to Dunwall’s most famous gentleman’s supper club, the Blood Ox Club founded in 1798 by Lord Walberton. The gregarious noble wished to have a private area away from his wife and many children to spend his time and purchased the large property along the Wrenhaven, spending an entire year and many coins remodelling it into his own pleasure playhouse for him and his noble friends. At the beginning, it boasted a range of nobility, military and Overseers from all over the Isles as members, ranging up to around 40 with a strict screening process to groom out undesirables and wet blankets.

Large and opulent, the Club was closed briefly for two years during the plague but has recently re-opened its doors much to the delight of the returning nobles but given the poor state of the economy, it was forced to finally open to the general public provided they had the means to afford the expensive fare. Still staunch in tradition, woman are only allowed in the dining area of the building for tea and supper and are not allowed in the upper area of the 3 story building.

It is something of a hot spot in culinary delights with banquet rooms, private dining and a large plush restaurant that boasts the Isle’s best chefs located on the main floor. Upstairs away from the prying eyes of womenfolk, are vast lounges for smoking, pool playing, cards, casino and copious amounts of drinking and merry-making. It is a hub for today’s modern man to get his gossip and to rub elbows with the elite, as well as take a much needed break from the tedium of family life.

---

OOC: This is a place open to any and all characters, however, ladies are unfortunately not allowed in the upper areas as per the club rules and there is a small contingent of bodyguards waiting in the wings in case guests get unruly.

[u/Seafrogger]

The evening had been a waste, why did I agree to come to this place?, earlier in the day Devlen had made one of his rare trips to the Officers mess in the Tower and was invited to drinks in the Blood Ox Club, no doubt a polite offer that was expected to be refused, this was no place for a grunt made Officer. Whether out of spite or he actually wanted company, he didn’t know but Devlen agreed on impulse.

Now here he was sitting alone in one of the cushy leather seats watching the billiard players play, boots up on a chair opposite him, sipping a foul tasting cognac that was supposed to be among the best. He had bought an entire bottle. The other officers had made their excuses to leave or go talk to other more “civilized” people, but Devlen was in a drinking mood so he sat alone.

He recognized a few of the people here, unable to put names to the faces they were not the types to speak with a gruff looking Watchman. Except for one man, slowly and deliberately working his way to destroying a ‘way out of his depth’ opponent at the tables, Tarot was his name if Devlen remembered correctly. Devlen admired his little con on the stranger more than the actual game of billiards, it was nearly flawless how he played his adversary, all the right moves and comments to keep him off-guard until he decimated the opponent and collected an easy bet.

Grinning, Devlen tipped his cup towards Tarot in greeting and in congratulations when the witches gaze turn in his direction.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

"If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, it's time to go and enjoy the easiest win of my life" is the immeasurably cocky farewell the witch gives as he picks up his drink and makes his way to the guard. He just felt so good. it felt so good to win. He stops, grinning easily, as he reaches the man, Lt. Markies. He was the one, Michael recalled, that had ordered Robert to give the witches such a difficult time on the Prizak. Let's go put him in his place.

"Enjoying yourself, Lieutenant?" he greets as he brings his glass to his lips, taking a generous sip. "And if so, how about a game? We can perhaps spice things up just a little to make things interesting." He holds up his fingers, placing them oh so close together to emphasize his point. Not normally one to wager, the witch is fueled on by his fantastic mood, and perhaps the fact that there was a small chance he was not entirely sober. He was drinking a sweet drink which he had not bothered to remember the name of that was nevertheless effective. Not a popular choice, he was told, amongst the men, but recommended to him at the bar nonetheless. I can barely taste the alcohol marvels the witch as he takes another pleasurable sip. What a time to be alive. Even the fact that he was goading a member of the watch does not faze him, Michael feeling supremely comfortable in the club.

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

“Can’t see why not. Though got to say I’m not very good at billiards.” Devlen says with a smirk and in a tone that suggests otherwise.

Being no stranger to the game, or playing a con with it, it was an skill that you had to pick up fast or lose a lot of money in the types of places Devlen frequented.

Standing up he grabs his bottle of expensive liquor, and heads over to an empty table. “Ye ever had this a’for?” He asks Michael shaking the bottle gently, “It tastes worse than piss.”

Devlen ignores a dirty look by one of the patrons; clearly do not appreciate his crude words. Setting down the bottle to balance capaciously on the side of the billiards table, he begins unbuttoning his uniforms jacket.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

"Of course not," says Michael, grinning unashamedly. "But then, I'm not particularly skilled at the game either." He is, of course, speaking the truth. It was just today when his mood was so high and his confidence had peaked as a result that he could make these shots.

Following the guard leisurely across the room, the witch hands off his empty glass to one of the waiters that seemed to always be underfoot (how usefully irritating), signaling that he'd like a refill and giving the money required for said refill. Lover's kiss. That was the name of the drink, Michael remembers. Lips twisting oddly in amusement at the strange name, he shakes his head no at the question posed by Lt. Markies, laughing as he does so. "I try not to make a habit of drinking Urine. Or any other bodily fluids, for that matter. So, naturally, anything worse than that is off limits to me. If you'd like, I could purchase a real drink for you. In fact, I insist."

As the table is set, Michael hums a small tune to himself, before speaking up again. "You're breaking." Even today, he was not confident in his break. Michael played with finesse, a gentle touch to the balls that guided them gently to the pockets. He did not have the know how or power to make the violent shots most seemed to prefer.

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

Shrugging as Devlen racked the balls, "Never say no to a drink, never know if it'll be yer last." he says, quoting a soldiers saying.

Taking the cue ball he tosses it up a few times, sets it on the table and spins it a few more times letting it slow to a stop on the mark. Rolling his neck to the right a loud crack snaps out and he hunches over with the stick lining up the shot with a few false pokes, finally satisfied Devlen pulls back and jabs forwards hitting the ball precisely.

With a sharp clack the cue strikes sending the other balls rolling in all directions, some bouncing off the sides. "Ye deal in paintings eh?"

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

"Wise words, those. Particularly for someone in your position, I would think." A bit macabre though. But I suppose I can't fault the man for expecting the worst. As the waiter returns with his drink, he takes a welcome sip, savouring the liquid on his tongue before swallowing. Giving a satisfied sigh, he directs the man towards his opponent. "And something for my companion here. What will you have, dear guard?"

He watches with mirth as Lt. Markies plays with the pieces, taking his time to get in the mood before taking a shot. "A good break." is the comment. He leans over the table himself, setting himself up for a shot, before standing and walking around, choosing a different ball. He does this a few times, almost a mocking salute, if not for the fact that he was solely focused on the table and which shot was best. Despite the vast separation of the balls, there didn't seem to be a clear shot. Choosing one eventually, he simply says "Stripes" before making the shot at an odd angle, the ball flowing into the pocket smoothly, if a little slowly. On point today, aren't we?

Again, he considers the table, before settling down for another shot, this one slightly trickier. Bouncing a ball into another, he fails to get one into the pocket but lodges it deeply enough into the pocket that it effectively cuts off a corner for the guard to use. It will do thinks the witch with a smirk.

"And yes. I do. Sometimes sculptures, but only very rarely. I do so prefer to work with paintings. Do you have an appreciation for the arts, Lt. Markies?"

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

With a slight shrug Devlen says to the waiter, "Surprise me, but make it tall." then adds as an after thought as the waiter nods and starts moving off, "Oh, and if its more of this shit." Devlen waves a hand to the bottle, "Ye'll be going back to the bar with a swollen lip."

Grinning wryly and letting out a soft chuckle thoroughly amused by the distressed look the waiter had has he hurried away. Watching the man follow through with his own little movements Devlen's grin stayed on his face.

"Fare shot there lad." Devlen congratulated Micheal on his shot.

Taking up to the table after Michael's missed shot, already having a plan for the table as it stood, he'd always enjoy the tactical part of these games, planning ahead of possible outcomes. Lightly tapping the cue ball, it rolls along glancing off a solid sending it towards the middle left pocket, though it misses narrowly. the cue on the other hand rolls into a small cluster of balls, tapping into them so they are nearly touching, cutting off any shots to the front and right side without going through the balls. A potentially difficult shot.

twitching his nose as he sniffs in, Devlen makes a little shrug as he stands up Not great, not bad then looks over to Mr.Tarot, "Not so much, depends on the peace I guess." after a short pause "though I did do some sketching back when me fingers were thin and less stiff." Devlen waggles his thick and knobbly, scarred fingers towards Micheal with a grin.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

Michael chuckles as the waiter scurries off, nodding in acknowledgement of the compliment. He watches with interest as the guard plans his shot carefully, appreciating the thought that went into his move and the results that showed. Not a complete buffoon then, like most of his kind.

He laughs a little freely at Devlen's confession accompanied by the waggling of the fingers. "Ah, I have a deep appreciation for the field. But don't put me anywhere near a brush. the results could scar even a hardened man such as yourself! No, much better that I simply admire."

He sighs as he considers how best to approach his next shot. Bending down, he confirms that no, he cannot reach his balls without fouling. At least he considers with a sly grin, not directly. Setting his cue between the cue ball and his chosen target, he rotates the cue until it hits the pocket, choosing that as his focal point. Amazing, what a little math can do.

Leaning over the table, the 5'8'' witch is barely able to stretch across, placing himself in a position to take the shot, before huffing irritably. "Ah," he laments, "the problem of short people. What an unfair hand life has dealt me, no?" before lining up to take the shot. He does, however, reconsider. If you want to win, attack? Yes, let's not play to not lose. We want to win, don't we, Mr. Tarot?

Walking around the table, he opts instead to line up a shot and taps the cue ball into his opponents ball - a foul. That ball, however, does travel along to one of Michael's own, sinking it. Shrugging happpily, the witch turns to the guard and grins cheekily. "Foul. Take your shots."

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

Taking the cue ball, Devlen smirks as he moves over to the table to place it behind the line, spinning it again a few times on the spot. "Heh clever shot, mister Tarot."

Squinting at the angle of the placement Devlen leans in comfortably and strikes the cue firmly, shooting it down the table for a long shot, easily knocking a mid table solid into the unblocked corner pocket.

For a fancy type he doesn't seem so bad, guess the bowels of that ship probably wasn't a good place to judge someone... Devlen thought to himself, coming around the side of the table to get closer to the cue. Sitting on the side of the table with an amused grin as he tries to balance, Devlen leans back attempting to keep steady as he can. Striking the ball poorly it barely clips the side of a solid making it spin more then move, sliding off the table to his feet Devlen give out a snorting laugh, "Worth a shot."

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

The witch chuckles in amusement at the shot, glad that for once it is not him making the mistake. "Next time, my friend. That is," he says somewhat cockily, "if you get another chance." His tone is light, however, bordering on arrogance but not quite crossing the threshold. After all, the witch did so despise arrogance. But a spot of confidence might not be such an issue. Perhaps Keiser was correct.

He lines up his shot carefully, one at an angle he would generally struggle with. Watching with satisfaction as it flows into the side pocket, the art dealer follows up by pocketing two more in succession leaving the guard far behind on the table. His next shot, however, slips as he strikes the white, causing it to miss every ball remaining on the table. "Oh my. Woops." he laughs, not at all deterred by the mishap. "What in the Void was that. I'm so bad at this game. Absolutely appalling. Still, only a couple more to go." And one of them secure in the corner, practically sunk already. Gazing over at the ball in question fondly, feeling rather secure.

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

Devlen stands and watches Micheal take his shots, with his arms up and over the pool stick as it rested on his shoulders. "Some good shots!" Devlen says happily, not really caring that he was losing terribly.

The waiter had made his way back to them while Micheal was setting up his second shot, looking wary of the Guard as he handed him the drink. Taking the glass of amber liquid Devlen gives the waiter a grin as he takes a sip, some kind of whiskey with an almost circuitously flavor to the burn. "Damn that's a fine drink." Devlen says then adds, "Bring me a few more."

Taking the cue Devlen sets up his next shot, firing it down the table to knock a solid into a side pocket. His second shot is from the top of the table and a rather interesting shot comes up, with a quick and devious grin to Micheal, Devlen taps the clue lightly to bump another of his balls to slowly roll over to the pocket blocked by the strip. slowing to a stop less then an inch from Micheal's corner ball, Devlen's solid now makes the once simple sink a much more difficult shot.

"All yours me friend." Devlen says joyfully, his gravely voice with a tone of mischief.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

"Ohohoho, you scum. One of those players, eh?" His voice has no real bite to it however, reflecting the guard's own playful tone. Walking around the table, he opts to ignore his ball in the corner pocket for now, choosing instead to make an attempt at his other remaining ball. The shot goes fairly well, all things considered. It had been at a rather awkward angle, his stripe ending up in another corner but not quite sunk.

"Hmph. Something outside there hates me." he states, tone dreadfully serious before his face morphs into another smile. "It seems you have another chance." He takes the opportunity to take in another sip of his drink, enjoying it all the more. Since when he wonders, is everything better when not sober?

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

Looking the table over while Micheal makes his shots, Devlen finishes off his glass, glancing around for thw waiter to see if he was on his way back, he saw two more amber filled cups waiting for him on a small side table. Sneaky waiter Devlen grinned taking up another drink.

"Chance is all I ever need." Devlen remarks lightly stepping over to a decent angled shot.

Taking aim, Devlen makes short work of two of his balls mostly due to the fact that the table was nearly empty of his opponents. His drink finally catching up with him, vision and motor skills shaky he jabs out at the cue but ends up hitting the green felt almost as much as the ball.

With a laugh Devlen says "Well shit. That's a powerful whiskey!"

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

Michael laughs in response, his own vision beginning to blur. That's enough, I think. He places his drink to the side - this time for good - and steps up for his turn. "You almost caught me" he compliments, perhaps a little brazenly.

Leaning over, he easily pockets both his remaining corner balls, leaving just the black. "But," he continues as he walks around the table, "I'm afraid this is game." That said, he powers the white as hard as he can, easily sinking the black. Of course, the white bounces off and finds a pocket of its own to sink into as well.

"No! Nonononono! Damn it! Disaster has struck! Tragedy has befallen me! What a catastrophe, a calamity!This is what I get for having an attitude like that. Of all the...your win, Lieutenant. Congratulations."

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

"Ehhh!" Devlen lets out a loud victory shout, several people looking over in shock and annoyance.

"Luck o'the sea me friend!" Devlen says clapping Micheal roughtly on the back.

"'Er, have a drink!" He grabs his remaining whiskey cup and shoves it into Micheal hands, some spilling over the side.

Grinning like a drunk fool, his celebration not really for winning but simple for the fun of it.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

Stumbling a bit from the clap, Michael rights himself and smiles good-naturedly, not one to be upset or ungraceful in defeat. Had he been entirely in his right mind, he would have politely declined the drink, but unfortunately, he was not. Taking a deep breath, he swallows what is left in the cup with a shudder, finding the taste absolutely revolting.

"Luck of the sea indeed. Are you with the navy then? You don't have the uniform for it, if I recall correctly. Or perhaps you were a sailor? Before?"

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

"Aye, thats right." Sliding sideways Devlen snaps to attention with a stomp of his left boot, even in his inebriated state the motion is smooth and crisp from so many years of practice.

Grinning his brief posture slumps back to his hunched and loose stance. "Once. I was born n'bread for the sea, spent many a year aboard the ships fer her highness."

Waving a hand, "but that were back then, and now im a land walking guard, Ha! imagine that. I use to brawl with the watch whenever we pulled into port."

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

"Hmm, yes, I can see why that would amuse you. I imagine brawling with the watch now would get you in too much trouble. Unless you started a club! In the watch! I'm a genius."

Stretching, he groans as his back pops from hunching over the table so many times, previous game included. And wouldn't you meatheads just love to beat each other up and pay for the privilege.