OOC: Hope you don't mind
I'm not sure if Stephan met Walen or Kour before, if he has please remind me. I have been in threads with so many PCs over time I can't remember who I've been in threads with and who I haven't.
IC: Tomorrow Stephan would be visiting the Empress and hopefully reclaim his former glory and honor that had been stripped from him due to the trial that had greatly damaged his credibility. It had not only hurt his credibility, but it also had damaged his friendships and relationships with new family, as well as kept him from the Senate that he once had barely had to apply for. Forgetting all of that for now, or at least he would try, Stephan dragged himself away from his new home, wife, and child, for just one evening to enjoy the taste of some hard liquor from the tavern that he hadn't been to in so many patterns.
It had taken him awhile to decide what to wear for the evening, and if he had thought about it well enough he would have realized how ridiculous he was acting, but he hadn't been of totally sound mind lately to think all too deeply. The torture he had endured in Midpoint, the confinement in the extremely small cell, and the badgering he had received during court had definately taken their toll on him. However, despite all that he had no signs of age, no signs of a single gray hair, which had anybody known Stephan that well or taken that time to study him over his years, they would find this fact very odd and question his mortality.
Anyways, walking through the streets of Prime he had left all the guards back at the residence tonight besides one who followed him, although he had asked him to remain as well. The elven guard remained hidden, so well Stephan never saw him, but he had a feeling at least one guard would follow him. He had finally decided to wear military garb (looking just like the avatar to keep it short), his black obsidianite breastplate fit well with the rest of his black clothes and boots, and his dark black hair. His eyes however, and as usual, were what got the most attention because they were the finest gems one could have, reason being was that was how he had bedded so many women in his lifetime. However, that was the past, and it would remain there. He was new, reborn one could say because he was married to a woman he loved who had born him a child, a male child.
Coming upon the tavern a smile appeared on Stephan's face, the first in a long time. This place brought back so many memories, and fortunately all of those were good despite this city having left a very dark wound on his heart, a wound that the very few could understand, let alone comprehend. Opening the front door to the tavern he entered drawing many eyes on him, some obviously knowing who he was, while others saw a threat, and the ignorant saw a target because they believed all he was was a rich wussy wannabe warrior. He sure hoped he didn't have to prove those people wrong tonight, he really didn't want to get anymore attention from the authorities right now.
The tavern was crowded as usual, this was Prime of course, but he had seen far worst. Surely many hadn't returned to Prime yet or would never return after having left during the chaotic times. Making his way to the bar Stephan pushed back his cloak-like cape as he sat upon a stool. Gesturing to the bartender he ordered the tavern's special mug of ale, paid, and enjoyed his drink peacefully despite the opposite of a peaceful setting.