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Roses: Chapter 2

"So, what'll you have?"

Alfeegi's eyes lingered momentarily on his slender hands that were calmly situated on the long bar before him, bony fingers digging slightly in the parched, almost rotten wood. He always detested being in places where commoners roamed, but residing in a lowly bar in the far outskirts of Draqueen was far below his aristocratic standards. However, he was growing tired of hearing the jokes that were being told about him around the city, referring to him as a mere 'stick in the mud', hence the reason he was at the Toasty Dragon, having a drink with his fellow officers. He intended to rid himself of his prudish image, and he figured that this was the best place to start.

This establishment was beginning to frighten him since he had never been in a place where he had to watch his money at all times, or where he had seen one of his associates act so strangely. Kai-Stern was chatting gaily with the other shady patrons of the bar, which was usual for him, since this was his friendly, lively nature. Tetheus was acting like his usual self also, quietly sipping a glass of wine while observing everyone with his sharp black eyes. Yet something was definitely unusual about his third associate. Ruwalk was huddled in the far left corner of the establishment, amber eyes not divulging the mischievousness that Alfeegi had grown used to. He looked totally uncomfortable with being there, which was the total opposite of what the aqua-haired officer expected; since Alfeegi envisioned Ruwalk sitting at the bar, downing tequila shots as if they were merely water. It was so unexpected for him that he left his spot at the end of the bar, and walked over to the brunette, who seemed to grow more uncomfortable with Alfeegi's ever-approaching presence.

"What's wrong with you?" Alfeegi asked when he was within Ruwalk's hearing range, which only seemed to trouble the brunette even more.

"…Nothing."

"You're lying, Ruwalk. Why aren't you drinking?" Ruwalk's amber eyes met Alfeegi's stern orbs and offered a tissue-thin alibi.

"I'm not thirsty."

If anything, this caused Alfeegi to become even more 'curiously perturbed', and he situated himself next to his fidgety associate, trying to make the brunette confess by just his mere presence.

"Bull." The White Dragon Officer stated harshly, his voice growing more vociferous by the minute. "Now, will you please tell me the truth!"

Ruwalk looked to his left and then to his right before resting his eyes on Alfeegi's pale face.

"…You promise you won't say anything to anyone about this?"

A sigh escaped form the aqua-haired officer's lips.

"I promise."

Ruwalk's left pinky finger shot up quickly and he interlinked it with Alfeegi's.

"Pinky Swear?"

This caused Alfeegi to become annoyed to the highest level possible and he exploded in his usual uncensored rage that garnered the attention of everyone in the establishment.

"JUST TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG!"

Uncomfortable with the unneeded attention, Ruwalk quickly shushed his fellow officer by placing his right index and middle finger on Alfeegi's lips, which only made the officer in question even angrier.

"If I tell you, will you stop shouting?" The brunette dragon whispered, gaining an affirmative nod from Alfeegi. Immediately relieved, Ruwalk removed both of his fingers and unlinked his pinky finger with his comrade, before slinking back into his pseudo-depressed state. Alfeegi show daggers at him with his icy glare, demanding an immediate answer with his chilling golden eyes.

"Well!"

A blush suddenly tinted Ruwalk's creamy cheeks, staining them a light rouge color. He looked up at Alfeegi and opened his lips to answer, but no sound escaped from them. Once again, he mustered up the courage to speak and told his inquiring friend the reason for his sobriety.

"Well, I don't like this place because I don't drink."

He waited for Alfeegi's reaction to his revelation, but heard nothing from his apparently tongue-tied associate.

"Alfeegi?" he said apprehensively, his conscience telling him to run far, far away. Ruwalk's calling of his name caused Alfeegi to break out of his silent state and react to the revelation in a…very surprising way.

"Heh heh heh…Ha…Ha ha ha…HAW HAW HAW!" Ruwalk's eyes widened to the size of saucers as he watched the usually stoic officer double over in a fit of somewhat maniacal laughter, obviously amused to the utmost degree.

"Um, what is so funny, Alfeegi?"

This only caused the aquamarine dragon to look back up at him, eyes clouded by unshed tears. If any other person would have divulged this information to him, he would have congratulated them on their choice, but the mere thought of Ruwalk being this way was utterly preposterous. He had known the brunette-haired officer for a long time and no part of his devious character gave the notion of having values such as this.

"You! Ruwalk, stop kidding with me and tell me what's wrong! Are you feeling ill?"

This caused the Yellow Dragon's face to become even ruddier with embarrassment, since their 'altercation' was pulling in a large crowd of observers, who were hanging on their every word.

"Alfeegi, I'm not lying to you. I don't drink alcohol."

"But", Alfeegi began, golden eyes reflecting a sense of curiosity. "I have seen you drink wine at the Lord's many banquets and social events."

"You're right. I do consume a small amount of alcohol at certain events where it would be considered rude for me not to. I don't drink socially, though."

"Hmm, I see." It seemed as if Alfeegi began to comprehend what Ruwalk was trying to verbally convey, so he immediately began to calm down, much to the brunette's satisfaction.

"Now do you believe me?"

"Yes, I guess that I do. However, it is still quite unbelievable that you do not consume alcohol."

A wry smile manifested itself on Ruwalk's lips.

"Heh, I guess that most people would imagine that you would be the one who is like this."

"What?" Ruwalk knew that he had said the wrong thing when he saw Alfeegi's eyes narrow to their usual angry level and that usual vein began to manifest itself on his forehead. The brunette instantly tried to muffle the raging flame the he had concocted by explaining his statement, but failed miserably.

"Well, you're always the one who is always the party pooper."

"Oh, so I always ruin the mood, eh?" Alfeegi snarled, sending Ruwalk into a nervous fit of giggles.

"I just destroy everything in my sight, right!"

"No, no… I didn't mean it like that!"

"Yes you did! YES YOU DID!" A crowd of drunken patrons had begun to gather around the two, anticipating what they thought would become a bar-room brawl. Unfortunately for them, however, neither Ruwalk nor Alfeegi had any intention of doing what they expected, but they were still in for a show that they would never forget.

By now, the White Dragon's Officer had gone past his boiling point, and it was impossible to calm him down. The vein that had popped up on his forehead was now throbbing madly in an erratic way. His golden eyes were gleaming wildly in a crazed manner and his mouth had shrunk to the size of a pinhole, which were all indicators of an impending rant.

"I'LL SHOW YOU ALL! I'LL SHOW YOU ALL!" Alfeegi's eyes cut over to the bartender, who began to back away in horror.

"Give me your strongest beer, NOW!"

The curly haired man complied immediately and quickly brought over a frosty mug of the amber liquid towards the officer. Alfeegi snatched the glass out of his hand and to everyone's shock, downed it in a series of five consecutive gulps. The patrons of the establishment watched for his reaction as he set the mug down, but were disturbed to see an almost maniacal grin that had manifested itself on Alfeegi's lips. He let a loud 'Whoo', and slammed the glass down on a nearby table. His golden eyes cut back over to the bartender, which was an instant indication of what he wanted.

"Another."

Go-ruden Kiba- Thanks! Um… I don't think that you would want to read the original version… It sucked…badly… But, if you still do, I will e-mail it to you.

Aquajogger- That's true. I'm glad you like the re-written version!