Booze and Honor for Hoi

With the festival ‘officially’ starting at sundown, Tarmen had been quick to join the crowd. With such a small population, it wasn’t hard to find his crew and begin to enjoy the atmosphere. Making sure to eat now before he was too drunk to remember, the meals he bought were warm and well seasoned, making it even easier to fall into the aura of the revel. It was not soon after he was sufficiently full that he began the nights cherished tradition of drinking. This brought Tarmen into the festival mentality even more, joining the dancing and singing as he pleased, though few had even heard of the chants he rang out. This suited him fine, for if he were the only voice from Kru'll tonight, then he would be sure to belt out his best.
There had been talk of remaining with the growing throng in the streets, especially after seeing the new Arbiter and her invigorating display. Tarmen recognized her easily and even though she was a fanatic do-gooder, he could not deny the charms of her physical prowess. In another life, he might have sought to pursue such a divine creature. He didn’t even need to look at the crowd, he could feel the shared desire of the crowd. A renewing energy came to the festival goers after the Arbiter passed and it was now that the more carnal practices of the night began. Lovers embraced readily as newcomers mingled tentatively, the dancing and singing becoming ever closer to an orgiastic experience.
Before they could be drawn into the sensual activities, his crew moved to the shadier parts of town. He couldn’t talk for his companions, but Tarmen would rather avoid the larger crowds. He would indeed give his own worship to the goddess Hoi, but he personally preferred a smaller crowd. Less chance of being robbed, drugged, or killed. Weaving their way through the slum gatherings, the group made their way to the Drunken Hare. The common thought was that they would at least know where they started the night, though hopefully they would simply pass out there instead of wandering. No one made any promises.

Tarmen wondered if the butcher had actually meant what he said, as there was little resistance to their arrival. With a few kind words to the bartender and his begrudging acceptance of the eventual damages, Tarmen ordered the first of many rounds.
“To Hoi, may she grant us a good night’s lay and a better night’s rest!”
His toast brought a cheer from his crew before immediately starting with the games.
To begin was a simple contest, last one to finish two rounds had to pay for the others drinks and it was with pride that Tarmen knew he had yet to pay. He started second to one of the women, who already was reaching for her second as he wiped away the leftover foam from the first. He was impressed with how she could drink, as she usually was the one to finish first and then drink the rest under the table, but tonight he meant to hold the crown, if just once. As the two raised their mugs, Tarmen gave a wry grin and kicked the leg out from her chair. He had been sure to guide them to the same corner as the night before and so he sat on one of the few sturdy chairs among them. With cheap booze splashing her face, the woman fell and cursed as Tarmen gleefully finished.
“You rotten cheat! Didn’t figure you as one to be jealous of a woman beating you.”
Thumping the mug down, he grinned back at her sour glare.
“Never jealous, just figured you were lonely up at the top.”
The kick to the chest that gained him did little to wipe the impish cheer from his face, falling on his back as the rest hooted at the interaction. This was made better when she realized that since she hadn't drank the second mug, she would be forced to pay. This earned him more of the woman's ire, but plenty of approval as well from those who could hold onto their coin just a bit longer.
When the next round came, it brought a challenge. It was an odd one, but one that truly gave Tarmen pause. The Belcher's Choir.
The rest of the group did their best to silently circle the two, pushing each other like children. As the woman eyed him with a vengeful confidence, the others began a slow thumping beat before joining in a song.

No sound in our ears but the gold. We forever, return to the road.
We’ll plunder and take from any man, any keep, doesn’t matter, if you can pay for us all.
The riches we didn’t bring too, are ours but we just won’t tell you.
We’ll steal from your son, then blame him for some fun, cause our honesty’s going to COST YA!
Ooooooh Honor Honor, thumping on plates, mocking the guards for their pitiful place.
We never learn, for that’s part of the fun! Your riches and pride are what we’re livin’ ooooooon!

On the last word the two challengers let out as big a belch as possible, though try as he might, he had timed downing his drink wrong and couldn't muster the power needed. As his opponent finished her bellow, she slammed her fists onto the table in triumph, wiping the spit and looking to Tarmen for some sign of defeat.
Instead, he simply tossed the coin for the drinks to her and called for more. As he began his next drink, he caught a look from her that made Tarmen realize there was another motive for her challenge. It seemed he was being sized up and well.... she certainly wasn't the worst thing to look at.
The night was still young and he would be sure to not jump at the chance to soon, but he was glad he had his options.

Tag for anyone coming to the Hare