The Russet Apple was much more of a cliquey pub these days despite its reputation for being one of Lornius's more social establishments. Keen to keep the right kind of punters between the sticks for as long as possible, the landlord had spared no expense to do just that. Fine new furniture, a bandstand, shiny new brass oil lanterns, some actual entertainment and the best Lornian ales all formed part of the package a drinker in the Apple could expect to sign up to when they strode in from the cold.

It also differed in that the inn served as a place on could obtain slightly unorthadox cuisine.

An alert and vulnerable Arius looked on over Shinsou's shoulder as the Telgradian led him through the ground floor, past the an area known as the vault and then the main bar before turning left to go up the stairs. A burly looking bouncer, with hands the size of anvils, momentarily moved to block their passage but then seemed to recognise Osris’s face and stepped back.

"Joshua is waiting for you upstairs."

“Stay here,” Shinsou commanded his counterpart, "...and get very drunk."

There wasn’t much in the way of a protest from the man, so Shinsou closed and locked the door behind him as he left. The guard looked up the stairs at Osiris, who gave him a nod.

“What's the main course?”

“Dhethain Mushrooms".

Shinsou stared at him. "Awesome.”


***

Like a mountaineer negotiating a tricky outcrop, Shinsou sized up the Joshua shaped hole in the wall, worked out what he was going to say when he got back from whatever the fuck he was doing, composed himself and selected a mushroom from the steaming hot cuisine in front of him.

“Holy shit.” Shinsou hissed under his breath “That's got a kick."