A Well-Deserved Outing

((This is for the hospital staff to go out drinking, as we discussed in the chatbox. Sorry for the fail starting post.))

Ludwig sighed as he leaned back onto the bench outside the bar, waiting for his colleagues. Finally, a nice night out. He needed this, especially after the week he’d had. Feliciano was continuing to stump him, and perhaps it was now time to swallow his pride and ask Kirkland to do that check-up Lovino had all but demanded. Maybe tonight was a good time… But then again, he was here to take his mind off work, not to talk about a patient.

He wanted to just go inside now, but figured he ought to wait here, since it would be nearly impossible to find his colleagues in the bar. Gott, he hoped they’d be here soon. He really needed a drink… Or five…

Heracles sighed, not really wanting to go to the bar. But Lovino had told him to hang out with the rest of the staff and he had to admit, he hadn't really talked to any of the people he worked with beyond Willem, Lovino, and recently Francis. He supposed it would be a good idea. Though from what he heard about Arthur he was going to have to watch the Brit.

He paused, seeing Ludwig sitting outside the bar and wondered why he wasn't inside. The blond looked like he needed a drink. "Hello Ludwig." He said, walking over and sitting next to him on the bench.

Running up to the pair, Arthur was panting, buried low in a heavy coat and scarf. When he finally was in front of them, he promptly was bent over double- trying to find the breath he had lost somewhere along his way to the bar. "S-Sorry I'm a tad late-" he wheezed out, straightening and coughing a little, "Old lady sick on the bus, terrible thing.

He tried to smile at them -especially Ludwig because he looked even more sour than normal. "Let's go in shall we? a pint would be brilliant right now and we might even catch the football match."

Ludwig was pulled out of his thoughts as Heracles sat down beside him on the bench and greeted him. “Good evening, Heracles,” he replied, extending his hand cordially. He didn’t really know Heracles that well, so he figured some degree of formality might be appropriate. “How are you doing?”

And then Arthur appeared, breathing as though he had just run a marathon. “Good evening to you as well, Arthur,” he greeted the man who had just arrived, “And I agree; we really ought to go inside now.” With that, he got to his feet and pulled open the door, holding it for his colleagues. It was something he always did, for Ludwig was unfailingly polite…until he got drunk, that is. In that case, it was sure to be an interesting night…

He shook Ludwig's hand, smiling slightly. "I'm doing well. How are you doing?" Tired. That was how he was doing. But that just meant he was liable to fall asleep at the bar instead of actually drinking anything.

He nodded at Arthur, getting to his feet. "It's fine; things like that happen." He stretched his arms over his head and gestured for Arthur to go inside first, stifiling a yawn. Oh yes, he was going to make friends with the bar; and by that he meant his face and the bar top were going to meet each other up close and personal.

Arthur pushed open the door, entering the smokey pub, taking a deep breath, immediately feeling the day's work load roll of his shoulders. The match was on, the ale was heavy in the air along with the murmur of patrons and the swish of the bartender's rag on the counter or the gently tap of the waitress' feet on the worn wood floor. It felt almost homey.

He led them to a small table near the bar, smiling at the young woman who made her way over, asking what they'd like. Ordering himself a pint, he shirked off his jacket, gently draping it over the back of his chair, waiting for the others to place their order. He was actually rather curious to what they would drink; one could tell a lot about a person from the choice of poison.