Real Mulligan [Crownkiller Mulligan]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You watch Tiles order the largest glass of ale, as if poured for whatever giant her lance was made for. 

You went for a lemonade yourself, looking a bit pathetic by comparison.

Gallows: You live big. 

Tiles: Hardly the times to not.. are you not a fan of alcohol? 

Gallows: Not while on the job. 

Tiles: So disciplined. 

Gallows: Not really,  just don't think you'd care for me tipsy. 

Tiles: Ah, then a depressive. 

Gallows: Probably worse..

Tiles: Violent? 

Gallows: Already plenty that. Just take my word for it, I'd rather be myself at the moment. 

Tiles: A mystery for another day then. 

Gallows: Incentive to join, watch me ruin a evening. 

Tiles: I've done the same myself plenty, might do so tonight even. 

Gallows: In that mesh of knives? I might have to watch... 

Her armored dress was clean but very clearly had seen a lot of use..

Tiles: It's not as dangerous as it looks.. for the wearer at least. 

Gallows: That so? You might have to hook me up with one. 

Tiles: You'd have to have it made by hand, I have the references among my papers still.. I actually do have a big question. 

Gallows: Go ahead. 

Tiles: I value archival quite a bit, was a big factor of my work in the old Guild and a bit of the crux of my witching. 

Gallows: A sorceress? 

Tiles: On the side I suppose.. it made a lot of work at the hall easier. 

She tilted her head at your glowing eyes. 

Tiles: I can tell you're a big one for it though, blood is flowing with residuals of old spells. Have to wonder if you've cast any spells yourself. 

Gallows: When would I? 

Tiles: Don't know, that's the funny part. When such a gap exists, even one who's lived among it can't catch it in motion. You might be a illusion, same with this whole bar. 

Gallows: You think I'm so powerful? 

Tiles: Not sure, but you're at the very least deeper in the reserves than I am.. 

Gallows: Mm.. I suppose in a way. 

Tiles: Was it a occupational thing? Plenty of strife in your history of casts.

Gallows: Uh... to be quite honest, I had no idea you could catch such a thing by glance. 

Tiles:.. Really? You must be incredibly informal, self-learned perhaps?

Gallows: Well no... more-

Tiles grabbed your tail and looked at you straight in the eye. 

Gallows: -Please don't! I really don't appreciate when people test that way-

The knight released you with a pleased expression. 

Tiles: Entity, I knew it. 

Gallows: That obvious?

Tiles: You've been playing much of this close to the vest, I know your type quite well but.. the normal move socially would be to pick a alcoholic beverage. You didn't give me the usual reasons, health or fear of becoming a drunkard. 

Gallows: Mm... I really didn't want him coming out while talking to you. 

Tiles: Worried he'll ask me to sign a form? 

Gallows: Worried he'll end up in a bed with you.. 

Tiles: Ah, one of those. This happen often-

Gallows: Yes. If he shows up and says something ignorant, I'd like to apologize on his behalf and ask you don't take it out on me. 

Tiles: I'll do my best to tell you two apart, though I can't promise I won't slap him if he is as much of a problem as you make him sound. 

Gallows: He's... better than I've made him out to be, and more than valuable enough of a alley that he's worth the trouble from a pragmatic side. But as a voice in my head, sometimes I do wish we could take breaks from each other. 

Tiles: Then why talk of him as a menace?

Gallows: Because he is, just one that more than often works in my favor.... plus I've grown a bit fond of how his tail looks on me. 

Tiles: It's quite fun admittedly, should teach me how to grow one. 

Gallows: Another time I think. 

The knight begins to gather her things. 

Gallows: Is something wrong? 

Tiles: No, I've just got obligations I've to finish before it gets too late. 

Gallows: Ah.. do you want company on the way?

Tiles: I should be fine. Mind holding the spot for a little? Say... little over half a hand? 

Gallows: Mm.. but if you go past the whole hour I'll start looking. 

Tiles: I'll keep safe. 

With her tools hidden away, she made her way quickly out the front, giving you a little wave.

Before you can get too comfortable, you could hear the noise of armor shuffling outside in the chorus that indicated trouble. 

Multiple men, maybe a whole squad? Why would they be here...? Were they suspecting something? 

You scrambled to your feet, gesturing to the bartender who was already arming his bolt launcher. 

Gallows: Lock things down, got a bad feeling. 

Bartender: I'm ahead of you, gonna see if the rooftops are safe enough to get staff out of here-

Smashing and clanging, metal crashing into crumbling cans of broken bone. 

You don't have any time. 

By the time you manage outside there was a cold silence, only the lightest sprinkle of the forever overcast. 

You counted broken meshes that were once men in the mess. 7 Officers and 1 Loyalist captain and... your knight dragging herself out of the wreck, lance cracked in hand. 

Gallows: I got you, let me just-

You helped her over to the door as best you could, the poor bastard in too much pain to get any word in. Her books were scattered across the street, pages soaking up rain.

The snake's voice rumbled in your skull, 

Blunt injuries, no deep cuts. Concussion possibly, very bruised.. good chance of saving her. This one's at her lowest and yet she still fights like this... 

Gallows: Bartender, get a cleanup going and a stretcher for one! All hands on deck!

Bartender: You manage that squad on your own??

Gallows: Not quite! Hurry up!

Find her a safehouse, this one's special. You could do with more friends anyway...