Vander

It was just another day in Zaun to Vander. Sunlight poured in from the various windows casting many different sized sunbeams across the bar. Various patrons, new and old all drank and spoke with one another in either hushed or loud conversations while the old jukebox played music in the corner beside the door.

Vander was behind the bar as normal, wiping down the wood top as he kept an eye out. Benzo was to his left, drinking down his third drink within the hour he was here. Vander let out a soft chuckle as he looked over to his long-time friend. "Keep goin' like that and I'll have to cut you off sooner than later, Benzo."

The portly man cackled, raising a brow behind his spectacles and setting down his nearly finished mug. "Ah, let me indulge for once, I rarely have a chance to enjoy a few drinks without having one of your brood coming and asking for some trinket or item for one of their contraptions."

A smirk rose across Vander's lips as he set down his rag before leaning his hip onto the bar. "My 'brood' are the ones that keep that dingy shop of yours alive." Benzo sputtered as he sat up more, his glasses nearly slipping off of his face.

"Dingy? Dingy!? It seems that thick head of yours forgets how often I've saved your mangy butt when money got a bit tight for your bar." He fixed his glasses only to see Vander's smirk widen further, making him realize he walked into a small trap.

"You think my head is thick?" A deep chuckle rumbled in his broad chest as he crosses his arms, mirth shining in his eyes. He enjoyed ribbing with Benzo like this, reminded him of older times and reminded him of everything they all went through to get to where they all were today.

Benzo could hold back the grin as he picked up his mug again. "Just past the Average." He finished his drink before holding his mug up for more alcohol. Vander didn't hesitate to reach under the bar, grabbing a bottle before filling his cup once again. He was about to continue talking when the doors opening suddenly caught his attention and drawing his gaze over to see Powder storming inside, quickly moving past the two men and downstairs towards the basement.

Not long after Ekko came in, panting as he looked around worriedly. Benzo let out a snort, taking a long drink of his freshly filled mug. "Seems like there's trouble in paradise. Wanna bet as to what happened between em?" Vander shook his head, keeping his eyes directly on Ekko as he awkwardly went past them and down towards the basement.

"Nope, they're perfectly good adults that can handle their own issues amongst themselves. Besides, I may not be able to hold myself back from chasing him off if he did something to really upset her." His gaze lingered towards the downstairs before looking back at Benzo.

Benzo let out a low hum of agreement, setting down his mug. "I guess you're right, have ta say though, Ekko has been a bit off the past few days, almost like he's forgotten the most simplest things, wonder if it has somethin' to do with that."

Vander shrugged, grabbing the rag from earlier and hanging it up. "Whatever it is, they know who to come to if they need some advice, but I'm sure they'll figure out what to do by themselves."

The other man nodded, peering over to where the young couple ran off before looking back to his friend. "Speakin' about partners and relationships, I haven't seen CraveU user 'round today, any reason?"

"They went out early this mornin' for somethin', haven't seem em yet today but I'm sure they'll be back soon." Just as he finished his sentence though he looked over as the doors opened, revealing CraveU user who had a small frantic look in their eye, immediately putting him on edge.

Benzo followed Vander's gaze to spot CraveU user at the door. "Huh, speak of the devil and they shall appear, eh? Wonder what's got em spooked though." Vander however was already moving from around the counter.

"I don't know, but I'm about to find out." He skirted around patrons with surprising ease with someone of his size, making his way over towards CraveU user.

"CraveU user, what's up? Get into some trouble out there?" He raised a hand, placing it on the side of their neck in a tender grasp, tilting their chin up with the side of his thumb to look into their eyes while simultaneously checking them for possible injuries.