While a journey may not have been long or arduous should he have bothered setting upon it, there was no guarantee it would have proven fruitful. So a letter had been sent in his sted. Hopeful that it would reach its’ destination these coming days, find itself in the hands of another when next he visited Kaisermont. Yet Augustus knew all to well by now that there was never any promise of when that man would return to his favored haunt nor where steps may lead him when it came to chasing after those damned creatures.

Though if luck was on his side and timing was right, he’d be able to catch the man at home. Bring about the chance that a path may lead him back to Odersten and into a wolf’s embrace even if only temporarily. A piece of him longed to assist in those hunts whenever they arose, a nose sharper than any mortals, senses keen beyond what mere training could offer and yet there were ties which often kept him closer to the land of wolves.

Was it complacency to accept the roles given or merely an unwillingness to let down those he’d come to know here? Questions he still searched for answers to even as feet risked becoming rooted. He cared not of a father’s approval, going out of his way to spite him; faintly heeded the hushed worries of a mother whenever she visited. But there had come one deemed as needing protection, another who’s eyes he pined for. So for now he stays even as a mind wished to roam. Break all connections and simply run… but he couldn’t do that. Not to them.

Yet no matter the truths he tried to deny, August still sought the familiar company of another. One who’d often held his gaze over the years (no matter how one sided) though perhaps this night those eyes would grace him in turn. That is if communications had been seen. Negative thought he tried not to linger on despite how the evening already grew late. Sparks of hopefulness steadily beginning to fizzle and fade beneath the burn of alcohol.

Maybe he wasn’t coming. Perhaps he truly hadn’t gotten the letter and that self-assigned work would continue to keep him at bay. Out of reach. Nothing he could truly ever be blamed for yet still ears pulled back as a mind mulled over possibilities. What was he to do with himself if left to his own devices this night? A glass steadily raised to his lips as eyes stared blankly on, occasionally drifting from his drink to pass over unknown faces.

The world was dark, the creeping nocturne of twilight long having descended into the throes of night entirely. The city and those within it had begun to still, now the only company the once flourishing streets held were the patterned patrols of guards and the occasional vagrant such as himself. He'd received the letter of invitation from his friend on his last passing through, but with the drawing lateness he had to wonder if the man could still be found at the frequented tavern, or if he had perhaps already moved on.

If the answer was no, he could hardly blame him, let alone try to excuse himself from their meeting. The stench of iron seemed to linger everywhere, the bitterness irritating his sinuses along with the burn in his throat that had somewhat become customary. Already his temples pounded faintly as if he had merely woken up from his last binge, not a good sign to drink on. However, he headed to the haunt regardless, still holding onto the hope that they would cross paths, if not, he'd never have strayed so close back to the heart of Kaiser.

He felt forced to distance himself during these dibilitating spells, for fear of what he may do. For the worry of what he may become, or had already donned the skin of without true realization. Whatever other reason could there be? Why else would he force the rivets of self control to their breaking point in order to not act on base violence and an instinct that made his skin effectively crawl with what felt like a will outside his own. It came on as a slow burn, steadily growing until he can no longer manage the want and had to slip away, something he should still be effectively doing.

Regardless, his fingertips already pressed open the tavern doors, an all new rush of sensation falling over him in a warm, fuzzy blanket. Drawn pupils drifted over all present, mouth nearly salivating despite the churn within his belly. Shaking his head, relinquishing a sigh, he forced himself to focus, scanning the seats for the familiar stark visage he sought. It didn't take long to find the were,  and relief was light upon his shoulders as he began making his way through the various crowds to sidle into the seat across from the goat. "There you are. Was afraid I missed you for a moment." Dry humor was abundant in his tone as he flagged a drink down from a passing tender. "So... what brings you into town?"

Worries which had once flooded thoughts lay subdued beneath the gradual burn of drinks yet the blissful unawareness once reached so easily seemed unobtainable at times. A sensation which refused to grasp the mind as it had before the change, at least not without excess or the special tinctures provided by wolven keepers. Beasts who held unspoken secrets, those he never bothered to ask of as instead he merely accepted their blends with their depths tainted in all too familiar aromas. He didn’t need to know what it may be laced with, if he was here he didn’t care.

All that mattered was that talons would sink as deeply into a cursed cerebrum as one could remember alcohol once doing on its own. That it would allow him to forget if only for a little bit. It was all the goat could ask for as a creeping fog was felt to settle over his world. A lazy flick of an ear toward each sound which rose around him, a silent appreciation of each perfume which wafted in - at least until there came recognition. Yet even as sights refused to shift, to take in the man’s approach those once drooping ears perked and swiveled to better capture the steady fall of boots until the lion himself settled before him.

Surprise at his appearance not something which reached the were’s features as instead it was wholly pleasure, a crooked grin pulling at his lips as phrases lay repeated, “There you are.” A brief flash of fangs before tongue pressed between them in silent regard. While the usual sharpness of that wolven stare lay dulled there was still more than enough sense, enough of a mind, for that snowy crown to tilt the moment a hunter’s askance registered. What brought him here? Was he trying to mess with him again? “Very funny Lif, I live here.”

Nothing had to bring the goat into town if he was already harbored within its walls but the same could not be said for the one who perched across from where he sat. “How much have you had to drink already?” Despite what was asked there lingered no obvious stench of alcohol upon the other’s breath, there had been no stumbling blunders heard in all which carried him to the now shared table and yet Augustus still found himself searching those features. Rose tinted stare roving slowly over the human without restraint nor sense of potential boundaries.

Though his search was left wanting. Nothing other than that usual adornment of cloth greeting him, a known scent pervading the senses but with it came the distinct tinge of the vampiric upon his skin. Nothing unusual given his chosen profession and yet it does little to stop the way a lip curls. Instinct unhindered as it threatened to stir forth a broken snarl, one which did not escape his throat yet tainted lyrics - despite a wish to have shown concern. ’You reek of those bloodsuckers,’ a thought which did not rise as tones morphed into something more accusatory, “Are you on something?” Inquiry brash as attentions fixed unyielding upon the near shake of a companion’s own dilated pupils.

“There you are.” His brows rose over the rim of the cup he was already tipping back, an aching need to silence the wretched burning with a different kind of sear, to force away the notions the writhed and wriggled into his mind. That made his jaw ache. That made his thoughts and stomach churn with unmentionable paranoia and loathing. Part of him knew, or so he suspected. The bite of teeth against his tongue tell-tale, the scar covered by the cusp of her jacket was another foreboding sign. One still holding the irritation of reddish flesh and jagged tearing. Though healing, he was forced to wonder just how much of it would fade, if it ever would. While it certainly wasn't the neat little pinpricks often told of in stories, the spun words of horror telling merchants also didn't warn that the sons-of-bitches were basically overgrown lamprey eels either. Teeth. Teeth sticking out from everywhere.

He didn't settle the container down until it was effectively drained to the last drop, a light grunt accenting the clack of materials clashing as he tilted his head to and fro, his free hand rubbing the side of his throat self-consciously as he tried to turn his worries away. If only for now. If only he could be afforded this short reprieve. “Very funny Lif, I live here.” Confusion marred his countenance, brows knitting over dull sapphires as his fingers tapped around the base of the glass. Really? Had he really strayed so far from his thoughts as he'd traveled? He knew Dunny to have an impeccable sense for finding his way around, but perhaps that was a dual edged sword in this case. Then again, his intention had been met somewhere within the haze. That's right. The hand at his neck shifted, rubbing down the span of his forehead to the bridge of his nose slightly. "Ah, well, forget I said that part, will ya?" The askance was accompanied by the slight bout of faintly nervous laughter.

“How much have you had to drink already?” "Not nearly enough." The mutter was low, muffled. His previous wave of another drink was answered, thankfully, though he managed a slight scowl at the goat before his expression was buried behind another shot. "Don't give me that look." Vocals were rougher this time as he had to clear his throat of the honey sweet fire, his features further shifting into disgruntled harrumph as he settled finally with his cheek planted firmly against his palm. However, it didn't stop that rose stare from wandering him, making him shift uncomfortably beneath the weight of his appraisal. Whole nothing unusual, it still made his skin prickle with hints of paranoia. Could he tell? Should he ask? Should he simply rip off the guise and concern and bare all? What then? What if his answer was merely a confirmation of his fears?

“Are you on something?” Offense twisted his mouth into a frown, dull nails drumming irritably against the wooden bar-top along the base of what little remained of his last drink. "Don't give me that either. You know I'm not." His voice was low, cut curtly by a sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair instead, ceasing their rhythm. Another long breath, though this one felt far more calming, his stare simply lingering down to the two empty cups thus far. "I'm just..... tired." While not entirely the truth, it was far from a lie as well. He felt drained, spent. However, in the same breath, it wasn't often in present day that they were free to cross paths, so he instead allowed a boyish grin to cross his features, regarding the were coolly, allowing the easy calm to envelope him comfortably. "So anyways, what's the special occasion? Has to be some reason you invited your ol' pal up. Been awhile after all."