"Damn this shit good!"

The statement booming out from the bar as the massive man downed the glass of rum the bartender poured for him. Not even a drop would remain left in the glass as he slammed it back down with momentous satisfaction. It was obvious this was his first time in the establishment, though if all their refreshments tasted as such it surely wouldn't be the last. Laughs could be heard cackling about nearby as the other bar patrons enjoyed the spectacle, reminiscing on their own introductions to Green Pass's incredible drinks.

Only having recently docked a couple of days ago, Sym still found himself acclimating to the island known as Lulusia Kingdom. He would work from the outside in, exploring Greenie Pass before moving further inward to get a better understanding of the culture and customs of the island. What better place to go than to a bar? The social atmosphere, the lowered inhibitions, the loose lips, it was the perfect place to learn everything he wanted or needed to know. "Let me get another one barkeep! And keep em coming!"

The bartender was more than happy to oblige, he was getting paid after all. He would fill the glass as fast as Sym drunk it, sliding it to his massive hand as the man would grip it happily. Choking down another glass, an audible satisfaction would escape symbolizing how refreshed he felt from the drink. "Ahhhh! I'm gonna have to move here permanently! Hahahahaha!" His hands clapping together, a violent, ear-rending boom radiating from them as the gigantic palms smashed against each other.

"What else you got for me? I'm with all the shits!" A wide tooth smile following the statement, still far from drunk, Greenie Pass was his playground for the moment and he was ready to see what else it had to offer.

Ei had to say that he was enjoying the Grandline quite a lot. Perhaps he just had some lucky timing, but to stumble upon Lulusia as a stowaway during this time was impeccable. There was food, there were people, there were warriors, there were women, the various races of the world made the country side a truly beautiful place and Ei was one to appreciate these things. For the time being he was traveling with a man named John Umbra and his small band of men from the West Blue. They were en route to his older brother, a man named Sadey Moon, who was a pretty big deal from what his younger brother John had to say. Night had fallen over Lulusia however, and with bandits on the prowl the small group had decided to finish the last leg of their journey to the actual capital the next day. Ei had no issues with this, as he was just tagging along and didn't even have anywhere he actually had to be, he was a free agent just roaming the world looking for fun experiences and tough people to fight. Where this got him was an interesting looking multi-story bar.

A light rain had begun to fall, but not enough to discourage people from going outside or being outside. However, it was light enough to tickle Ei's bald head so he had put on a large straw hat he had purchased from a vendor. It had a nice chin strap on it too, so when he took it off upon stepping inside the bar, it stayed suspended against his back because the chin strap was against his neck. It wasn't as uncomfortable as it sounds.

When he stepped inside he didn't turn many heads like he usually did. It was more than likely because people from so many different walks of life were gathered on this island at the moment, so he was nothing out of the usual at first glance. The lack of attention isn't what Ei was minding though, what was on his mind was who the fellow at the bar clapping his hands loudly was. He was decorated in scars that seemed very unnatural, his interest was piqued. "He looks like he knows how to have a good time!" Ei was happy to see such a vibrant character in the bar, not to say others weren't equally or more bright than this man was. Walking up to the bar, Ei pulled out a seat and sat himself down in it beside this man. He'd look over at him and give him a cheerful smile. "How ya doing?!" After acknowledging the man, he'd turn to the bartender who had conveniently just walked back to their section and looked at Ei. "What'll you have monk?" Ei smiled at the bartender, he always thought it was funny when people referred to him as monk. Was there nothing more to a man besides his profession?

"Let me and this guy get some of the finest rum you got. Top-shelf only!" Ei cheerfully looked over at the guy with a toothy smile as he tapped his hands on the counter of the bar. Not impatiently, but in excitement to get in the spirit of whatever it was that was going down here. "My name is Ei, I'm from the West Blue." He'd extend a friendly hand to the big built fellow with the scars all over his body, well at least his face. "You like fighting?" Normally this question would put some people on edge, but with they tone and way Ei asked, he hoped it'd be evident that he wasn't looking for problems, but conversation.

It's worth mentioning Ei has Takane on his back completely wrapped in cloth so its identity is veiled and his throwing knives in his sleeves.

The newcomer was mannerable to say the least. He carried a pleasant approach as he seated himself next to the younger Youtou brother and inquired about his current state of being. "I'm great, you will be too after a couple of these drinks! Hahahaha!" His jubilant nature still dominating their portion of the expansive room. The bartender would pounce on the newcomer, seeing another set of pockets he can weasel his way into. While his observation was less than astute, he did call to attention the overall appearance of the man resembling that of a monk, a profession Sym was rather familiar with considering.

A friendly monk he was at that, purchasing another round for the freak of nature. Whatever deity he swore himself too taught him well. "You sure know how to introduce yourself Ei from West blue." Gripping the cup placed before him and gulping it down much like the ones that came before it. The pleasantries would extend beyond the glass of rum, the innocent hand stretched out towards him would receive the same gesture in kind.  The words the monk spoke afterward would prove to an interesting twist to an already dynamic pairing.

"No. Not at all." A straight poker face further driving home the seriousness of his statement.

A brief pause would taint the air after his statement. Their eyes locked as they looked at each other, their hands still interlocked in the show of mutual gratitude. And then, like it often does, the silence would abruptly break. "But I am damn good at it! Hahahaha!" The hearty laugh very genuine in nature, disarming even, strange considering the topic of conversation. It certainly was an unusual question from an unusual man, Sym just so happened to be a fan of the unusual. Unusual would be a mild way of describing what followed.

As the echoes of his laugh slowly began to fade, so to would the rise of the unexpected. A foreign hand stretching out to encompass the blank canvas that sat atop Ei's head. Tracing it back to its origin would reveal the painted and pale face of a clown, speaking out assuredly that he had found a long lost acquaintance in the welcoming establishment. The name he spoke out would differ greatly from the moniker the monk himself shared. "You must be a social butterfly Ei. You're an interesting man." He would remove his hand from the handshake, giving Ei full room to respond to the greeting.

Regardless of how Ei responded to the jester, Sym would take the opportunity to ask his own unexpected question. "You should finish your rum and join my crew Monk Ei!" The statement more than loud enough for the rest of the patrons to here.

The contact he made with the man was electrifying to say the least. From that physical connection alone, Ei had felt like he had learned a bit about the man he was sharing drinks with. He had innate strength that transcended the corporeal realm and what would be implied by just glancing at someone his size. It was his soul. Despite his true nature and moral obscurity making one question if he actually was a monk, Ei's origins had refined his spiritual compass. Whether this man Ei had just encountered was a seed about to blossom or an unknown legend who lost fame when he lost what seems like his face it was only a matter of present vs future. He'd leave his mark, or he already has.

The response to Ei's query had made his heart frown. What a waste of such an ideal body for fighting. Ei was sure the man had his reasons as everyone did. The moment of silence that quickly smothered and suffocated a fraction time communicated that well. Regardless of what those reasons were though, from Ei's perspective as a martial artist, it was a waste, but everyone has things they waste, so there was no judgement. With there being no judgement, the ember of the conversation was relit with the man's declaration of being a good fighter despite the distaste. "Ha!" He was pleasantly taken aback and after the initial exclamation, Ei's laughter continued to roll. "Hahaha, you're a funny guy man." The long-arm held his stomach with one hand and remained locked with his drinking partner with the other. "You sure know how to make an impression yourself! Haha."  Just as he finished speaking and laughing as his companies laughter came to an end, another unexpected thing happened and another funny guy appeared.

Many monks took offense to having their bald heads grabbed and Ei could remember beatings he received when he did it as practical jokes to elder monks for his peers at the temple. There was just something alluring about such a smooth pearl like surface. That said, with Ei's personality, wrap-sheet, and current mood, offense wasn't taken and it was responded to as if someone had been grabbing his sleeve to get his attention. "Gin? Haha!" Ei looked at the clown with an amused expression. In the same moment and with the same energy the clown grabbed his head with, Ei grabbed the wrist of the clown and removed it his hand from his head, but not until after he and his drinking buddy had released their grip. Even though things seemed innocent, Ei wasn't fool enough to have both his hands occupied in such an unusual situation. "I will admit I talk too much for my own good, but I don't know this guy." With that was said, Ei's feelings towards the clown was verbalized. Ei was unusual, but this guy was a creep and the monk had no interest in him. Who would?

With both his hands free after the clown's hand was taken from his head, he'd use his hand that was closest to the bar after turning in the stool to face his drinking buddy, to grab his drink. The bar was to either of his sides, right or left, and the clown was on the other, it didn't matter. He'd down the glass of rum with his first go at the full cup. While he was gulping it down, he'd be looking at the man who was inviting him into his pirate crew. The invitation didn't cause him to skip a beat even while chugging rum. As he put the glass down he exhaled the burn off. "Wheeew!" That buzz in his chest felt good, things were only going to go up from here. "You know, they say it takes one to know one. A man like you isn't a common sight even in this colorful world we live in. I'm going to have to decline your invitation for the moment though. I'm not versed in the ways of pirates, but I don't think it's proper etiquette to invite a man into a crew that he doesn't even know the values of. Let alone the name of his captain, haha!" If the clown was still there Ei would be unbothered and pilot himself as he normally would, but time for him to stand would eventually come, so he'd best give the monk some space when it happened.

"I heard they're playing betting games upstairs. Throwing fists isn't your thing, but perhaps you like to gamble?" The bartender would be making his round at this point in time and Ei would raise his hand for another drink while he spoke to the pirate.

OOC Note:

The clown appeared to have found a new target for his antics after being brushed off by Ei. Sym was impressed with how the monk handled the unwelcomed guest, he enjoyed the response to his question even more so.

"Ha! You're a smart man Ei, a great trait to have." The fangs in his mouth showing as his smile stretched far and wide. Loyalty was easy to find, genuine loyalty was much harder to find. Ei knew even less about the younger Youtou than he himself knew about the monk, their game of cat and mouse would no doubt back the layers on each other's natures and ideals. Drinking wouldn't hurt with speeding that process up either.

"I never did share my namesake huh? Most people just call me God, my cynicism must be getting the best of me. That certainly is no good, no good at all!" His body would rise at Ei's did, figuring it was unlikely that their conversation was done after such a great start. "Call me Sym. Captain would be even better, but that's a decision for another time I suppose!" His lumbering frame standing over most of the other patrons in the bar. Just him standing would draw attention from others on the floor, and would no doubt draw eyes to the monk as well as many would seem them converse and jest.

"Gambling you say? Sounds fun. Who knows, if you're lucky we may get to do both." The tone in his voice much more serious this time around than his previous statements. It was clear the monk had a combative streak to him, and it was clear that Sym was no stranger to conflict himself. The Good God was just as interested in what Ei could do as was the opposite, after all, he did invite the man to join his crew on a whim. Or maybe that was just the drinks talking.

"Lead the way!" Differing to the monk's sense of direction as the bartender returned with he fetched drinks. If he was lucky, the pair would return back to him with a hefty tip. And if not, well, I'm sure they could all work something out right?

Ei was much more impressed with Sym's stature when he stood up to reveal his entire height. To an average man's standards, Ei was already taller than most typical humans, but this guy was huge. As Sym had smiled earlier, Ei's clean chompers were flashed when he grinned at Sym's words. "Excited to see what the night has in store for us. Hahaha!" Ei was gleaming with contentment as he usually was. Grabbing his last drink to push him to a buzz, he and the pirate captain would make their way to the second floor. "So how'd you end up in Lulusia? No . . . why'd you become a pirate?" He'd look at Sym as he asked his question then took a sip out his glass. There were many reasons people took to the life of an outlaw, some weren't as righteous as others, but Ei didn't care either way.

While the pair would mull over a bit of small talk, they'd come to the stairway to the second floor. It had a great amount of steps, about 30, but they were broken into two groups of fifteen by a flat. It was also worth mentioning the stairway was separated in two by a metal rail, this divided the traffic into two, one flow going up the stairs and one going down. However this rail ceased to exist on the flat where a number of people loitered. As for walking space, three people could comfortably walk side by side going up one side of the stairway. Two attendants, more than likely security stood at the foot and the head of the stairs on the right and left. Respectfully as Ei was beginning his ascent, he gave the guard he was closest to a friendly smile and nod. The man was like stone and only flicked his eyes in the monk's direction before looking back forward. He'd chuckle to himself and then jest to Sym. "They say the filth of the world finds refuge in a gambler's den. It's a bit harsh to say, but I think part of it's true." He'd take another sip from his glass as he reached the flat and began the second pair of fifteen steps. "I plan on playing a few games, but I'm curious to see exactly what kind of people the world considers to be the filth. Even the devil has a motive." Though he'd only drank a bit of his second glass, he was already beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol. This being given away by his slightly rose tinted cheeks. Being a monk, this was actually only Ei's third time ever drinking. He was keeping a tab on his surroundings and didn't want to lose touch of them, so that's why he decided to pace himself with this glass as opposed to chugging it like the first.

OOC: