The place was damp and cold, the type of environment that could make even the brawniest of workers sick to an extent. Dim bulbs illuminated the place, whose lights would reflect off an old yellow wallpaper with peels and various stains, they made the place look worse but it was the best lighting available. Wooden tables and chairs that looked like they were about to break with any given weight filled the place. Some with leftover jugs and tankards that needed wiping, it was time to clean. The old man who currently inhabited the bar got up and tied on his apron, he was about halfway finished when he heard the door open with footsteps following up. "Oi, we're currently closed! Come back later, I know for fact it's not break time for you workers" The footsteps continued down the stairs, the old man tossed his rag to a nearby table with a groan and turned to face the entrance. "Can't ye hear! Can't ye read? The sign clearly said- " His words stopped as he saw who his guest was. "Can't be. Zhackie!?" "No, you've been drinking too much of your own hooch again. I'm an apparition your brain created to tell you to stop" his guest replied with the type of sarcasm only one person he knew could deliver, it was him. "[i]Oj[/i], it's good to see you boy!" He said as he came forward for an embrace. Zhackie was never comfortable with physical contact, but obliged for an old friend. "When the hell did you get taller than me, last I saw you you were barely able to see over the counter with your Ma lifting you unto the stool" Zhackie smiled at the words. "You're crushing me old man, don't overexert yourself or your bones may just collapse" Zhackie in a rude but friendly manner. "It really is good to see you too Sergei" He let go of Zhackie. "I see you still lack respect for elders, don't complain when you're old and gray and met with the same lack of courtesy" He said with a laugh. "You know I was joking, I may be irreverent but I would never disrespect you out of spite" Was Zhackies response. They sat on a clean corner table, a bottle of soda each as they conversed. "I don't know why you chose to come back to this city, but I know you came here for more than to just say hello to old man" Zhackie to a sip of his soft drink. "You make me sound to greedy Sergei, of course I also came here to see you, we're conversing aren't we. Sergei smiled "You know, there are better, stronger things to drink here, I own this place afterall" Zhackie scoffed "My mother would kill us" He laughed in agreement at Zhackies response. "She told me if I ever gave you hooch she'd string me up on the Clocktower for all to see" Zhackie widened his eyes, the scary part was the thought that just maybe, she might have been serious. "Speaking of, I haven't seen that woman in ages. You come across her yet?" Zhackie shook his head in response, with a bit of worry painted on his face. " Hey now, knowing the type of person she is I can say with upmost certainty that she's alright" he said as he saw the worried look. "Thanks" "Now" Sergei continued as he brought out a potato sack and placed it on the table. "Here, she wanted you to have this, she said she thought you'd come back, and when you did, she said to give this to you" Zhackie eyes the bag with curiosity. "What's in it?" "One of her old uniforms, jacket, scarf, armbands, and boots" He looked confused. "But why?" Sergei shrugged at the question "Hell if I know, she even said 'just because' when I asked her" Zhackie took the bag and peeked inside. "Oi, don't let anyone catch you with that, you'll have a difficult time explaining how you managed to get such a thing. And then trouble will come knocking on my door" Zhackie took the warning with a nod and a smile. "Received and acknowledged" Sergei looked at the clock. "It's almost break time out there, very soon this place will fill with exhausted workers looking to get flagged off their minds. The smell, it's something. You should get going" With that Zhackie took the sack off the table and slung it over his shoulder. "It's fine, I've kept Rom waiting long enough anyway" "Rom?" Sergei asked. "My dog, I got him back in Cidyetica" "Ah" Zhackie began to walk towards the stairs. "Oi" He turned to see Sergei. "[i]Slovo- syeryebro ..[/i]" Zhackie smiled and finished the phrase. "[i] ... A molchaniye- zoloto[/i]" Sergei raised his bottle. "Stop by anytime" ((Closed))