Chapter Seven: Brawl
Word Count: 2,575
Focused Characters/Pairings: Stahl, Vaike, slight (Stahl x Cordelia)
Summary: In a tavern duel always bet on the Emerald Fighter.
"I knew we'd end up here. You always come here." Stahl sighed. He sat at the counter while grasping his mug, the frothy liquid inside left un-sipped. He didn't dare, he was following his moral compass that lead him on a path of sobriety and silence. Considering the rowdiness from the other patrons, Stahl was alone in this journey.
"Relaaaax." Vaike said after taking a drink. He looked at his comrade, grinning proudly. "Frederick's not gonna kill us or anything, it's against his knight oath… Yeah?"
"Easy for you to say, he's already put you on dish duty till the end of the century. I on the other hand try to follow his rules, even the dumb ones on that list. You know how hard that is?"
"Really?" Vaike asked with a mischievous smile. He seemed to recall times where the two were 'practicing the harp'... in her tent... at midnight. When Stahl looked off to the side, Vaike laughed. "Oh come on the war's done! We're back in Ylisstol and everythin' is right again. We can't party?"
Vaike raised his mug up for a cheer. Some nearby patrons joined in while Stahl remained still. Well that would certainly explain the behavior from the clientele. Stahl could hardly blame them, how long had it been since Ylisse knew peace? Yet...
"Not when we're on duty! We need to give this letter to the court advisor." Stahl pulled out an envelope from his satchel. "It has the budget apportions? That ring a bell?"
"Is that what I'm hearing in my head? Ugh."
"Oh Naga… Why don't you stay and sober up? I'll deliver it."
"H-hold up!" As if his life depended on it Vaike reached out and grabbed the strap of Stahl's satchel, nearly choking him. Without a moment for reprieve Vaike grabbed a fistful of Stahl's shirt, staring him straight in the eyes. Stahl rolled his. It was hard to take Vaike seriously when he was drunk.
"Hey! Vaike, let go… Please?" Stahl didn't want his shirt to get wrinkled.
"Now you're gonna take a drink and you're gonna like it." With the other hand Vaike clumsily shoved the full mug into Stahl's chest, the contents spilling onto his shirt.
"Oh Cordelia just bought this for me... She said I looked good in it." Stahl tried to dab out the stain. "Great now I reek. Everyone's going to know we went to the taverns now."
"Might as well drink up then." Vaike gave a large smile.
"Clever." With a sigh Stahl took a gulp, hoping it would soothe his bruised ego. How could he let Vaike trick him, while drunk at that? At least the ale was good.
When Stahl brought the mug to his lips for a sip, Vaike tipped the mug up-forcing a chug. "Nu-uh, you gotta go all the way!"
'Whatever I do next, I blame it on the alcohol.'
Stahl grabbed Vaike by one of the chains hanging on his collar piece, lifting the slightly shorter man up from the ground.
"H-hey… What's with the sudden muscle?" Vaike looked down to the ground, slightly impressed. "Wow, ya look so scrawny-who knew ya packed this much heat? You consider ditchin' the armor like the Vaike and show these babies off?"
"Oh I can show you right now…"
"Perfect."
"Wait what?"
"So you did bring your weasel face Vaike." A booming voice garnered the two's attention. The source came from a tall man with no hair on his scalp but a lot of it on his face. In combination with his large frame, he drew the attention of the patrons and a small circle was forming around them. "And this is who you got? A pretty boy?"
"Vaike. What is he talking about?"
"About that, hehehe…"
The bald man gestured to the side. A slighty shorter man stepped out from behind. A scar ran from his left temple to his jaw line. Seeing its jagged outline Stahl didn't want to know how he got it. Scar man also looked like he never smiled in his entire life, which seemed to be the only way he could get his eyes to scrunch up so hard. "My pick? One of Ylisstol's finest street fighters: Scar."
"A fighter. Wait… He is a, and he thinks I'm your… Vaike…. ME?" Stahl nearly shouted in shock. He looked around to find an escape path, but all he could see was a rowdy crowd itching for a fight. In the crowd people were shuffling coins behind backs; people were taking bets. "Oh Naga, Naga why am I here?"
"Relax, you can take this guy on no prob." Vaike said, putting an arm around Stahl. "Now lookie here-this guy's my friend and can surely kick anyone's ass you bring'em!" Vaike's loud voice and confidence got the crowd more worked up.
Stahl started sweating bullets. He whispered loudly into Vaike's ear, "And this why you brought me here? Why ME of all people?"
"Uh… Cause you would say yes?"
Stahl groaned he didn't like that spreading around. Even if it was true, he didn't want to sound like such a pushover.
"Did you ask around first? How about Lon'qu? He's Basilio's fighter right?"
"Tsh. He said he didn't want to fight common thugs."
"Kellam?"
"Couldn't find him."
"Chrom?"
"Oh yeah, that's a smart idea."
"Gregor?"
"Too rich for my blood. Haughty bastard, he drives a steep price."
"Wait, so the ale?" Looking back it was rather strange the bartender handed them free drinks.
"Partly to win ya over, partly to lower your guard."
"Hey! Am I a comrade or a cheap date?"
"You going to fight pretty boy or not?" Scar scowled. He didn't seem pleased to have to face someone like Stahl.
"You're just trying to find any way possible to say ya beat me, aren't ya? Come on, how many times have ya lost?"
"Wait! I didn't even agree to fight yet!"
Vaike turned to Stahl, his face went from confident to pleading.
"The Vaike seriously can't lose to this guy-Baldy always kicks up a fuss. I kick his ass on a regular basis so he doesn't stir up shit. If not for me, just think of it as a Shepard's duty."
Stahl paused. "Wait, is that why you go to the taverns so much? Not for drinks, but to keep the peace?" A bit of vigilante justice… It was kind of stupid, but still noble. That sounded like Vaike.
"Wait… Is that why you come to taverns so often? Not to get a drink, but to keep the peace?" Stahl thought back to every time he saw Frederick reprimand Vaike for his disappearances. It hardly seemed fair now. Every time Vaike would just laugh it off...
"Well I do get free drinks afterwards… And Teach' can't refuse those."
"Ugh." Stahl's mind said no, but when did he ever follow that logic? "How can I say no after what you said? Er, not at the free drinks part."
"Yes alright! Actually I don't know anythin about Scar there, but you can take him."
"You do know I'm only average?" Stahl said plainly.
"Petty boy's quaking." Scar laughed. He made his way to the back of the tavern to a shoddily built ring built from wood planks. He cracked his muscles as he walked through the crowd. Everyone made way. At times the man would leer at someone or spit on the ground.
"Charming." Stahl muttered.
"You gonna fight? Or you gonna stay there all day, pretty boy?"
"Don't breathe a word of this to Cordelia." Stahl said, as he made his own way through to the back.
"Wait." Stahl turned around, only to see Vaike reaching for the hem of his shirt. He already had Stahl's satchel resting on the bar counter.
"W-what are you?" With a swift movement Vaike pulled the shirt off, earning a few swoons from the barmaids and whoops from the drunks.
"Ya got ale on it already… You probably don't want blood on it too."
"Wait, blood? Is it really going to get that messy?"
"Go get'em pretty boy." Vaike shoved him off through the crowd.
Within the ring, everyone's glares felt piercing. Stahl shifted from rubbing the back of his head to crossing his arms, trying to keep some modesty. He couldn't see Vaike in the crowd. Only cheering patrons and barmaids blowing kisses.
"Over here pretty boy, I'm your opponent."
"Alright. Uh, I've never done something like this before… Uh, let's have a good fight?"
Scar immediately went for a punch, ignoring whatever Stahl had to say. There was no time to be offended; Scar was winding up the next punch.
'The ribs!'
Stahl brought his arms close to his sides, blocking the impact.
"So pretty man's got a few moves!"
"Can you stop calling me that?" Stahl blocked another jab, then jumped back. As long as he had a clear view on Scar, it was easy to tell the next strike. Reading faces certainly had its upsides. Scar was strong; Stahl felt it in his blocks… But he was certainly no match for what he faced during the war. A mad kings? Undead Risen? A street thug is nothing.
"I'll break through whatever guard you put up!" The next blow came to the chest, and as Stahl felt himself pushed back, Scar wasn't bluffing. He felt the wood barrier pressing on his back.
Scar aimed for the face. It was a logical choice to make after pinning Stahl to the edge. Yet he failed to consider a simple sidestep. Stahl dodged the blow and maneuvered his way to the center. With breathing space Stahl feigned right, then left, delivering quick blows in succession each time.
The momentum was shifting. Scar's swings became wilder, bolder, and easier to dodge. His body language was too obvious now. After blocking a swing to the side Stahl aimed square in the chest. It was enough to make Scar recoil and gasp for breath, allowing Stahl to lock him in a choke hold.
"Do you yield?" Stahl asked. He applied pressure gently, yet Scar didn't stop squirming. The crowd was yelling for a final blow. With no other choice Stahl tightened his grasp and released when Scar lost consciousness. He put him in the corner. The cheers felt pretty good.
Yet once he stood up, he felt a flash of blinding pain and crumpled to the ground.
He tried to open his eyes, but they stung too much. All he could see were blurs of colors angrily clashing with each other. He wiped his face as best as he could, his hand felt damp. It wasn't sweat; licking his lips Stahl tasted hard liquor.
"Stahl! You alright?" He could faintly hear Vaike from the crowd's hissing.
"Wake up pretty boy." Stahl felt himself lifted by a firm grasp over his throat. He didn't need to see to know his captor was. "After seeing how well you took care of my friend, I felt obliged to fight you myself."
Stahl felt the grip on his throat loosen as he felt the tavern's hardwood once again. Well despite the headache, at least now he could make out distinct shapes. The towering outline of Baldy enveloped Stahl's vision. "Get up."
'If I don't do anything now, he's going to squash me like a bug.' At least he had time to think. Stahl tried to delve down a new line of logic, as he tried to imagine himself as a common bandit. He tried to think of every dirty trick, every backhanded hit he could think of. It was the only way to comprehend his opponents' fighting style.
He swung his legs out, knocking the Baldy onto the ground. Using the few moments he had Stahl got up and searched the railings. "Sorry." Stahl said as he took a glass of water and splashed it on his face. It was enough to clear his vision and get back in the fight.
The bald man got up looking slightly amused.
"Nice trick."
"Well, I had to thank you for the drink." The two circled each other. Now the crowd was going wild, this had to be the best tavern brawl ever. Who knew the unknown fighter could display such a strong showing? Vaike was flashy and entertaining in his own right, but the new kid had finesse.
Stahl landed punch after punch, with some kicks in as well. However the damage was lacking, enough so that Baldy let the attacks through. However Stahl couldn't do the same, one hit from Baldy and he'd be snoozing in the corner with his best bud. You can't just hit a brick wall…
'You take down the foundation first.'
Stahl focused on Baldy's movements, ignoring everything else.
'Okay, he's planted his left foot. He's punching with the right. With how's he's looking at me, he's going for the face for sure.'
When he saw the windup Stahl ducked and moved behind, allowing for an easy kick to the back of the knee. As Baldy crumpled Stahl punched him straight in the nose. Baldy wasn't the only one capable of a one hit KO. Instantly everyone cheered and rushed around the victor, giving praises and drinks. Vaike had to push through to get a word in.
"Told ya you could do it. Teach' is never wrong."
"I guess you're right." Stahl said as he wiped the bald man's blood off his hand with a rag. "I'm glad I didn't get blood on my shirt."
Vaike offered said piece of clothing. Stahl took no time putting it on, much to the dismay of the ladies in the crowd.
"Hey I'm going to take this." Vaike said, holding up the satchel. "To that dude."
"Wait, I'm coming too."
"No, you're gonna stay and enjoy the free drinks. Besides, you wanna meet some fancy court person smellin' like booze? Baldy sprayed you with some strong stuff. I'll come back afterwards."
"… Alright." There was no use arguing there. And honestly he wasn't going to try hard to be in the right.
"Oh, and Stahl?" Vaike said, looking over his soldier.
"Yeah?"
"With fights like those-there's no way you're just average." Stahl smiled. Although he disagreed, the sentiment was enough.
Vaike didn't do scared. His knees were shaking because he drank. Carrying Stahl back to his place made him sweat. And the funny feeling in his stomach was because he was hungry.
"So why is my husband passed out drunk in broad daylight?" Cordelia asked, her foot was tapping the ground and her arms were crossed around her stomach. It was as if she was scolding a recruit.
"Oh, hey Cordelia… Wow, your stomach keeps getting bigger and bigger every time I see ya."
"I'm flattered." She said with a sigh. "I suppose I should let you in."
She led him to the bedroom, where Vaike dumped Stahl onto the bed.
"He smells like cheap liquor." She pulled the covers over him and created a mental note to make him change the bedding when he sobered up.
"Don't yap at him about this, I tricked him into it." Cordelia looked unsurprised. "I-If Frederick asks cover for him alright? Just use me as the scape goat."
Vaike looked like he was going to piss himself and that was enough. That and the grin Stahl kept in his sleep. Whatever happened, it was worth it to see such a smile.
"Noted."