"And then what happened?" Pyrrha asked, leaning her head on her hands and staring at the young bartender that stood behind the bar.
"Well according to my uncle I was dragged upstairs and put on the couch before anything worse could happen. I tell ya, when people get drunk they do weird things, like knock people unconscious—like that guy did to me." I replied, tapping the side of my head. "I lost two of my four remaining brain cells that day. RIP Maxwell and Jeremy."
"I can't believe you actually forgave the guy," Pyrrha said, taking a sip from her sparkling-lime water, savoring the taste as she ran it through her mouth and swallowed. "I mean I sure would have told the guy where he stands in my book."
"Alcohol can make people do stupid things, and I'm a forgiving person at heat, so the guy really didn't need to worry. I've been through much worse than a few hits to the head. I mean there was this one time where me and another colleague were working. We have a gambling machine in our bar, and, well, a guy was still gambling and it was getting very late. So we decide, after asking the guy several times to go home, to simply cut the power to the machine to power it off. So after my colleague did that the guy comes storming in, demanding we turn it back on. I simply tell him that we can turn it on so that he can retrieve his points and turn it into money, but that he needed to leave."
Pyrrha nodded her head. "I see. So the guy left, then?"
"Not before freaking out after he realized he had spent so much money on that damned machine and that he started blaming us for not telling him earlier. And that's where he started to get aggressive. So I did the only logical thing. Put him in a head-lock and twist his arm until he told me to stop. I stopped, gave him his money, and he took his leave. The funny thing is the guy always visits at least once a week. When I see him I only need to nod at him and he nods back. Kind of a mutual respect—or perhaps a display of authority. I don't know, but he never acted like this again."
"Sometimes you have to display authority to make certain people understand where they stand." Pyrrha added, taking another sip of her drink. "I have to say you did a good job on this. I really like the combination of sparkling water and the juicy lime you mixed into it. It's bitter at first but it gets better afterwards… sweeter, even."
"That's because I added a tiny bit of sugar and mixed it afterwards. That way the lime won't be the flavor that towers above the others." I replied. "And thanks for the compliment, by the way."
"The hot chocolate is very good too, thanks, Freddy." Jaune said, nodding his head to Freddy who only smiled in return. "Say, Ramses, what are you going to do after your shift ends today?" Jaune asked, turning his attention to me.
"Well from what I've gathered so far… my shifts end at…" I trailed off, looking down at the note that Goodwitch had left on the bar. "My shift ends at 12pm in the evening, so you'll all be asleep, I think. But why do you ask?"
"Just curious, that's all." Jaune replied, shrugging. "I love the interior of the bar, by the way. I mean I've never seen anything like this, and the view is amazing! The size is very good, and you even got tables to sit at. Of course sitting at the bar is the best way to go, but this is still pretty cool nonetheless. I think a lot of people will enjoy it here."
"They better, otherwise I'm going to all sad and shit." I replied, fake pouting.
"If you get sad uncle Freddy will be there to comfort you. Man, I'll stroke your dick if you want me to!" Freddy replied, placing his hand around my shoulder. "Pyrrha, just look at this young individual. Would you be surprised if I told you he is still single?"
"Would it surprise you if I told you I am still single?" Pyrrha retorted, chuckling.
"If there is one thing I've learned!" I said, jabbing Freddy in his side to let him take his hand off me. "Is that when you "search" for love, you'll only find the wrong person. And what I mean by that is… well, I've met a lot of people who saw it as a necessity to have a girlfriend—the same goes for girls, by the way. They were constantly going out, drinking and getting wasted, and meeting a couple of "boyfriends" and "girlfriends" along the way. They got into a relationship, had unprotected sex every now and then, but eventually they usually broke up after a week or two. Now is that the kind of life you want to be living? Perhaps. Some people enjoy this kind of life, but when they grow older they'll realize that those girls they dated changed, and are living happy lives with their husbands. And what happens to those people who still "search" for love? Well, they just… stay there, on the side-line." I sighed before continuing. "I haven't had a girlfriend in ages, but I am not looking for one—not even interested… yet. I mean sure there are plenty of young girls around you can date, but I don't want that. I just want to live my life as I see fit, buy the things I like and hang out with friends. I feel like I'm… well, like I'm not ready for a real relationship. I feel as if I would only stand there, not knowing what to do, you know?"
"I… I think I understand where you're coming from. I mean I've often wondered why I get the admiration. Is it because I'm a well-known warrior, or is it because of the stupid cereal boxes? I feel like people only view me the way everyone does. But I guess that's the way it was supposed to go." Pyrrha asked
"You could always pull a Shia Labeouf." I suggested.
"A what?" Pyrrha asked.
"JUST DO IT! Make your dreams come true!" I exclaimed, slamming my fists hard on the wooden surface of the bar. "Son of a scheiße that hurt!" I whined, holding my hands to my chest.
"You really need to be more careful," Jaune said, rolling his eyes. "Come here, give me your hand so I can help you." he said.
"And why do you need my hand? Boy if it's just for the insurance then you can kiss my ass!" I retorted. I sighed when Jaune just stared at me in confusion. I held out my hand and he took it in his. He closed his eyes and his body was suddenly covered in a white light, the white light transferred to me and—ow, ow that fucking stings! I quickly pulled my hand away from Jaune and stared at him. "Mind telling me what the fuck that was all about?" I asked, glaring at him as I looked at my hand as I clenched it several times. "It was just a joke."
"I… Pyrrha, what just happened?" Jaune asked, turning to her. "I thought I could heal people with my aura—to certain extends, but still. This doesn't make any sense."
"Ramses, do you mind holding out your hand again?" Pyrrha asked.
"So Jaune makes sure I never fap again? Hell no!" I retorted, shaking my head. "Learn how to control your aura, Jaune. If you do that when you're fingering that puss, you're going to end up hurting someone. The term "girl I'm going to pop that pussy" is not to be taken too seriously.
"I never-." Jaune blushed, averting his eyes from me. "I don't even know what half of that means, but I get what you're 'referring to', and I would never hurt a cat!"
I face-palmed, so hard that a red hand was now visible on the front of my head. "Jaune, my mans… you have a lot to learn."
"Then… can you teach me?" Jaune asked, and he was being… sincere? Wait, was he actually serious about this? Was this guy two brain cells short just as I am? Well this is not good. I just go from one pile of shit to another, don't I? Well, here's to luck and imagination.
"Jaune… I can't teach you how to fight, bud." I replied. "The only thing I'm good at is words. I talk, I insult, and I talk some more. I found out that with the right amount of skills anything can be accomplished. I mean just look at how I handled Cardin. All I did was talk." I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "Seriously, Jaune, tell me one thing that I can teach you."
"Teach me how to solve things with words then, and I'll ask a certain someone if she can return the favor by training you in combat." He said, looking at Pyrrha. "May I introduce: Pyrrha Nikos! She's training me with my sword and shield skills, and she might actually be able to help you out too."
"And may I introduce my middle finger!" I retorted. "That's going to be in ya nuts of you don't get that crazy idea out of your head. No offense, Pyrrha, but I want to keep my balls intact… and my dignity too." I said while turning around, chuckling to myself when I crossed my arms. "How do you get up with these crazy ideas, blondie?"
"Are you scared to fight a girl?" Jaune asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean Pyrrha can beat me with one eye closed and both her hands tied behind her back, but why don't you give it a try. Tell you what, after your shifts ends today come to my dorm. No, even better, I'll come here and take you there so that we can all make our way to the area me and Pyrrha train."
Freddy shook his head. "Ramses, you better not do what I think you're about to-."
"Jaune… I accept your proposal… on one condition… I fight alongside you, and we're not using weapons." I replied, holding out my hand. "No kicking in the balls or ovaries is allowed. If you do then you are soooo uber-gay."
"It's a deal, then." Jaune smirked, taking my hand and shaking it.
"I never agreed to this." Pyrrha said, taking another sip from her drink. "But I guess this can be a one-time thing. I won't be going easy on the two of you. Woman have nails, and they scratch." She smirked.
"Hey I have nails too… and they can do stuff." I retorted.
"Yeah, like getting clipped every now and then!" Freddy said. "Your hands look like that of a seventy year old woman who hasn't had sex for decades!"
"And your hands… your hands are… Freddy what the fuck happened to your hands?" I asked, taking one of his hands into mince and expecting it. "They look younger, browner even. My dude how did you do this?" I asked, looking up at him in awe. "Pyrrha, Jaune, take a look." I said, holding out Freddy's hand to them.
"It sure looks nice." Jaune commented.
"What kind of cream do you use?" Pyrrha added, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"The kind of cream that gets you pregnant." Freddy replied, shrugging.
"Fucking no!" I yelled, retracting my hand and wiping it on my jeans. "You disgusting animal! You—you, you're fucking sick!"
"Thank you so much." Freddy said in a relaxed voice. "How nice of you to say that. I mean it's not like you could have expected an answer like this or anything." He said, whistling an innocent tune before walking away from us. "I'm going to have a look outside."
I sighed, shaking my head in disgust before turning my attention back to Jaune and Pyrrha. "So… when are you two planning on studying again? I mean you've been here for a good hour now and you all said you still needed to study."
"After we finish our drink we'll head on to the library. After we've had our dinner I'll make sure I'm rested enough and so is Pyrrha, and then I'll come pick you up, okay?"
"This might sound a bit weird but… why are you offering me this? I mean you barely know me and now you're inviting me to a sparring match? Not that I'm complaining but this all seems a bit rushed, don't you think?" I asked.
"Are you chickening out?" Jaune taunted.
"…"
"Jaune, you don goofed up now!" Freddy yelled from the spot he was standing.
Jaune looked at me, and so did Pyrrha. They exchanged worried glances before hearing me speak up again.
"You know what? I'm in! I'm in for a good sparring, a good night, and all that shit. But when a blonde haired cunt like you asks me if I'm chickening out...? Ooh, boy! Jaune I accept your challenge!"
"… I take it that's a no on the chickening out part?" He asked.
"Like I said, Jaune." I groaned, holding my temples in annoyance. "You have much to learn. Now finish your drinks, I don't want you or Pyrrha to get low grades or something. So go on, chop chop, cheerio!"
Yep, this day was starting out to be a good one.
Now where do I find metal proof ball-protection?