Kailen followed after Kenneth who was excitedly leading him through the streets of Lanza, the evening sun casting a bright orange glow through the sky. They headed over the river and onto the other side of the city, it was the first time Kailen had been to this section of the city.
"You ready to drink Kailen?"
"Sure."
In truth, Kailen had never really drunk alcohol before so this should be a new experience. Kenneth led them through a couple of backstreets before arriving at a large street covered with people socializing out on the street.
"What's this place?"
"This is Rowdy Street, where everyone comes in the evenings for fun!"
Kenneth had obviously been here many times as he led Kailen to a bar with many different people drinking together happily. They headed to the bar that was filled with other people standing surrounding it.
"What do you want?"
"Ugh, whatever you're drinking..."
With no experience in these settings, Kailen didn't have a clue what he was supposed to order. He turned to observe the surrounding people, they seemed well-off as their clothes all seemed fairly expensive. It seemed to distinctly lack any of the poorer people from the city of which there were many as Kailen had observed through his days here.
"Here you are..."
Kenneth handed him two small glasses filled with an orange beverage, he observed Kenneth's manner of drinking before swallowing the whole drink in one gulp. It burned as it passed through his throat, honestly, he couldn't really understand why people enjoyed drinking such things...
"How was that? Nice right..."
"Sure..."
Kailen followed his lead and drank the second shot, he turned to face Kenneth as he placed the glasses back onto the bar.
"So are we staying here all night?"
The atmosphere in the bar seemed fairly relaxed as everyone mostly stuck to their groups chatting amongst each other. It seemed fairly pleasant, Kailen could imagine himself relaxing in such a place with friends, if he had any of course.
"Of course not, this is the start."
"Hm, I quite like it here..."
"Well, it is nice here but we need some more excitement and women!"
"Aren't you together with that toffee-nosed guy's sister?"
Kailen had seen them together and they seemed very close from his perspective, added on the fact that Kenneth seemed to have a conflict with their family due to it.
"Well not really, not due to my lack of trying of course!"
It seemed a painful subject for Kenneth as his face turned downcast, Kailen decided to collect more information on their situation.
"So her family is the main cause?"
"Well yes and also my mother..."
"Your mother...?"
"She seems to think its part of Dad's plan to disgrace Mr. Stanly. Though of course, that was never my intention."
It seemed to be a complex family situation, one in which Kailen didn't want to involve himself. Though he liked Kenneth, so if the opportunity arose that he could help he would try his best.
"That sucks, though if I were you I'd just go for it anyway. From what I saw, you seem close."
"That's true, we met at a social gathering a few months ago and we really hit it off y'know..."
They continued to drink as they continued chatting, they eventually moved onto a more pleasant topic. Kailen could start to feel his vision and balance affected by the drinks, he decided he wouldn't drink anymore. His stunted senses created a slight apprehension within him, his nights as a servant taught him to stay on your guard.
"You know Kailen, I heard that Scorpa was defeated in the arena..."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah... it was a shame, he was my favorite. Did you earn much from the fight?"
"He was a good challenge, no doubt. Yeah, ten gold coins."
"Whew quite profitable ay, have you always fought in arena matches?"
Kailen decided to tell him about his past as a slave, you could never tell with rich people how they'd react to such news. Though he knew Kenneth probably wouldn't care, considering his laid back attitude towards life.
"Well, I was a slave in the arena's for three years..."
"Really? You know, that's really impressive. Most gladiators don't live longer than a few months."
"So, when are we moving places?"
Kailen switched the subject, discussing his slavery would probably ruin the vibe.
"Well, we can go now if you want. Want to find some women?"
"Sure."
Kailen had only recently discovered the pleasures of the flesh and wasn't afraid to admit a slight addiction to such activities. Though he was sure he wouldn't find anyone like Lana or Villith, in his current mood he'd be alright with anyone. His thoughts flashed as Celia's face was brought to mind, but he quickly denied any ideas about her. Kailen was quite sure she wouldn't just suddenly sleep with him... a relationship needed to be built first. It seemed his first few experiences were quite bizarre now that he thought back.
Kenneth led Kailen through the crowds of people down toward the end of the street, they entered a place called "Pleasure Inn". Kailen quickly realized the nature of the place as he saw a few women standing around in revealing clothing winking towards him. He wasn't against such practices, after all, everyone sells a part of themselves in some way or another.
An older looking woman approached Kenneth with a pleasant smile, Kilen could see from her attitude that Kenneth was a regular customer here.
"Welcome back Kenny, the fourth time this week. Sure your body is okay?"
Kenneth's face turned red in embarrassment as he quickly turned to Kailen to try to improve his bad image.
"Kailen, I was in a poor mood recently... and needed cheering up... so y'know...."
"Hm, really..."
Kailen looked at him with a disdainful gaze, though in truth he couldn't care he found it enjoyable seeing his face contort. Kenneth was saved by the old woman who laughed before asking her routine question.
"So who would you like to see tonight Kenny?"
"Well, bring Jessica and Lizzy upstairs. My friend and I here will drink in the private lounge."
"Sure no problem, I'll send the girls up."
They both entered a small room on the third floor, there were two big comfortable couches with an expensive-looking bottle of alcohol on the table between.
"You can pick your favorite from the two, though they're both beautiful."
Kailen had no complaints, the establishment seemed high-class so he assumed the girls would indeed be beautiful.