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Of all the errands he'd ever been sent on, going to find an obscure energy drink, or anti-energy drink, or whatever it was called, was probably rather high on the list of ridiculous and meaningless things his sire had sent him out on. So there he was in one of his more casual and lighter suits, having wandered from convenience store to convenience store, grocery to grocery, until he'd found the strange beverages in question. Would Gavin even drink them? Doubtful, but it didn't matter. Odds were he wouldn't even remember sending Karl out to fetch them in the first place and they would sit in the refrigerator until someone else drank them.

Either way, for making him run out on such a ridiculous errand, Karl had decided to take his sweet time and try one of the newer games he had downloaded onto his phone at the advice of a stranger who had spotted him playing Candy Crush while out on a walk. There were gyms and stops aplenty downtown, and he casually strolled between them as he hunted for tiny creatures to enslave with little magical spheres as the bag of beverages hung from his arm. Unless they were of inferior quality, then they could go to the professor's incinerator, or fur farm, or abattoir or whatever it was that happened to them when they were no longer in his hands.

At least he was getting a decent haul, and his tiny cartoonish monster minions were doing well as he stopped to battle at a gym. There was someone else around hanging around too, though it was hard to tell if they were actually playing the same game or just lingering outside of the bar he stood near one their phone while they were waiting. Either way, Karl ignored them for the moment as he worked on trying to upset the gym's defenses for the glory of House Red.

“Aw man! I just put dragonite in there,” Cody pouted at his phone as he stared at the message that his brave orange dragon had fought hard and returned. He didn’t even get one coin out of it! He tapped at his screen, bringing up the items and then fully reviving his pokemon before looking around to see who the cruel person was. There were a few people milling about but only one seemed focused on his phone and tapping the screen in a way that gave him away. Unless he was a really bad at typing. Cody watched a little longer and decided it wasn’t just a hunt-and-peck situation but someone that he needed to challenge.

It didn’t matter that the person in question was a lot older and dressed nicely and totally not someone Cody would normally just stroll up to but he had to defend his pokemon’s honour! “I challenge you to a battle!” Cody announced when he was two feet in front of the man. Only, the man wasn’t really a man, or at least human. His nose twitched as he caught the odd smell that his parents had told him to avoid and get away from as quickly as possible. Well, that was a bit too late now but how bad could a vampire be if he was playing Pokemon Go?

He turned his phone around to show his character information screen that showed the screen name ‘BearyCute’ (thanks to Lyric’s name suggestion) where his avatar was wearing the special slowpoke forever shirt with a bidoof on his head. It was pretty dang cute but it also showed the blue background to point out why the challenge was issued.

Karl barely registered that the young man staring at his phone had said anything at all, instead focusing on the gym as he conquered it and then placed his most powerful monster, some sort pale pinkish cat creature the game named Mewtwo. That seemed a wise enough guardian for now until more of his House Red allies came to bolster the gym.

He was considering putting the game away and heading back to the house when the young man approached. Boy more accurately. Karl stared at the boy incredulously for a moment, not moving save for a hand reaching up to scratch at his jawline though his beard. He could crush this boy without a thought. The battle wouldn't even be...

Oh. Karl's eyebrow rose as the boy turned his phone to face him, revealing he was also playing the game. "Ah. That makes more sense... BearyCute." If this was how these battles were conducted then it only made sense to return the gesture and he turned his own phone around to reveal his own screen name, 'Karl' which was chosen for being his name. His avatar had not been touched since he joined, still dressed in the same clothing it had come with. He wasn't sure if any of the uniforms were associated with ranks, position, or tactics, and so he hadn't bothered with it. "I will accept your challenge if you still wish to battle."

Cody gave a bright smile as the vampire used his screen name and was proud of himself for not giggling at it. He may have been BearyCute but it was very cute to see the rugged man say it. He checked out the screen turned to him and his smile faltered at the boring name of Karl, which was probably his actual name, and the default outfit. It kind of made some level of sense as he took in Karl’s appearance again but it was still disappointing. “When I beat you, I get to pick your character’s new outfit. Deal?”

He didn’t wait for acceptance as he tapped away and brought up the battle screen and turned his phone back around for Karl to scan it. And then he bounced to Karl’s side and walked him through bringing the screen up and for him to pick his team before focusing on his own team. He was going to bring out his big guns but took a moment to consider which ones. Definitely dragonite so revenge could be properly had and after a bit more pondering, his team was complete.

3…2…1…GO!

Cody mashed away at the screen, bringing out the special attack as soon as it popped, executing it wonderfully. The first opponent soon fell after that and the following two even more swiftly. At the end of it, as BearyCute celebrated, Cody was a bit perplexed. That was way too easy and the pokemon weren’t that strong. Did he just trounce a newbie? No, he saw Karl’s level and the man had definitely been playing for a while but maybe he made the rookie mistake of spreading himself out across too many gyms. Oh well, still his victory!

“Vengeance is mine! And now for my victory fashion show,” Cody held his hand out for the phone, intent on making Karl fabulous. He also intended to send a friend request so he could pepper Karl in gifts.

Was there something wrong with his character's outfit? Evidently so. Karl hadn't originally thought about it, but after that reaction he took a moment to look at his character again while the boy prepared for the battle. Karl hadn't done one of these before, he had fought against Team Rocket, battled at gyms, but this was the first challenge that had been issued from a person.

He let BearyCute walk him through his own setup, and he realized that he had placed all of his strongest creatures in gyms, and so he did not have much for his own personal battle. He would have to remember to keep a personal guard in the future.

For now he would just have to fight as honorably as he could with the creatures he had on hand. Still, his defeat was swift and decisive. He had just been trounced by a child. Karl narrowed his eyes in annoyance, there was no injury, but it still stung all the same. Ah well. He huffed as he eyed his foe for a moment and then reluctantly handed over his phone. "I will have you know that if I had my sword I would have crushed you. But well done."

He suppose he couldn't just be a sore loser, there was no shame in losing one's first fight. "Once I have better prepared myself I will have to challenge you again to glorious battle some day. Pity there's no... tavern." Karl glanced over at the bar they'd been standing outside of and suddenly grinned. He'd had a battle! Of course that was reason to drink!

"Let us celebrate your victory like proper men, sir BearyCute," said Karl as he gestured to the bar. He was doing his best to be polite to the victor for the moment, but hopefully after they both had some drinks in them they could just relax and discuss the fight. "My name is Karl Zahringer, and as you have bested me I shall supply your food, drink, and entertainment for the evening." He gave his new companion in arms a firm slap on the back as he began to steer him to the bar.

Cody was smiling and doing a victory pose with his chest puffed out and hands on his hips once he realised he hadn't trounced a newbie but it soon turned into a frown with a hint of fear at the mention of a sword. "Uhhh..." he mumbled weakly, suddenly recalling that maybe his parents were right and he needed to stop trusting that everyone was kind. They didn't want their kids growing up to hate mages or vampires but to exercise caution, especially with their son that wanted to befriend everyone. Had he misjudged this one because Karl played a game he also loved? Nah. Karl was probably joking around and Cody smiled brightly once more. "You probably would! I'm still just a cub after all." His reach was better in human form but his bear claws were sharper. He just had to roll on up to you first.

He started picking out a new outfit for mini-Karl, trying to find something suave like the man before him. "And I'm always up for a rematch! I already made us friends in-game!" It wouldn't let them communicate like texting but Cody wasn't sure he should give his number out to a vampire that liked swords, just in case. But they could be creative and rename their companion to their location. He'd done it before when on vacation to let people know they would get fun new gifts but it could help within the city as well!

"A taven?" He asked, handing the phone back to Karl. He was too easily distracted tonight and missed the new plan until he was slapped on the back and staggering forward from the force. "I'm still months away from turning seventeen, let alone nineteen, sir Karl. We really don't have to celebrate in the bar and... we're moving. Okay, um." Cody let himself be guided into the bar, trying not to look as young and out of place as he felt. When they weren't stopped at the door like he figured they would be, Cody glanced at his companion. Right, vampire. He probably did some mind voodoo and everyone would leave them alone.

Well, he might as well try to have some fun with his new friend! "What do you have in mind for entertainment? Do you dance? That would be fun!" Cody bounced on the balls of his feet before remembering he was cool and older for the night and settled down. Still, he loved dancing and bet he could get Karl out there for at least a song. Maybe. Cody was up to the challenge.

A cub? Wasn't that some modern gay slang? Oh, no, now that his foe had mentioned it, Karl could smell the traces of bear about him. That made sense as far as the warrior's name went at least. Though hopefully after getting a few beers in the lad he would be allowed to shorten to just Beary or even just Bear. Bear was a much more tolerable thing to call someone than BearyCute after all. Kids today. Karl wasn't sure he'd ever really understand them.

A quick glare and dismissive gesture at the door made the door guard leave them be as Karl looked around for a suitable place to sit. The far end of the bar would do nicely, they'd get service a bit faster than at a booth or table, but still have some semblance of privacy. "We'll sit there, and... entertainment? We drink until we find our own! Usually stories or song, but I suppose if enough drinks are had then perhaps dancing, though I am not sure if I can do anything... modern."

Karl wasn't too concerned about it though. If he happened to imbibe enough to no longer care then it wouldn't matter. For now, he could focus on good drink and good stories of good battles. He made sure his companion was up and sitting on a stool before beckoning for the barkeep and demanding a scotch and a beer for each of them. It only took a small amount of persuasion to convince the man he'd already checked their identification and all was fine and proper before drinks were produced.

"Now, the first thing, sir BearyCute, is to take that shot glass and throw it back in one quick swallow. You start the night with liquor to try and prevent hangovers." Not that Karl could get hangovers at all anymore, but old habits died hard, and someone had to teach the younger generation. "Prost!" Karl lifted his shot with a grin before tossing it back and then chasing it down with a few large gulps of beer.

Cody was still too overwhelmed to put up much of a protest over what they were getting into but he did eye the glasses suspiciously when they were set down. It was starting to seem like a bad idea but Karl didn’t seem like he was purposely being evil and leading him astray but convinced they were celebrating their battle. Honestly, ice cream was a great way to celebrate but maybe he’d bring that up later. For now, he grabbed the shot glass like instructed but he made the mistake of giving a little sniff and his nose wrinkled with distaste.

That didn’t stop him from mimicking Karl’s movements and Cody was soon tossing back the shot and then wishing he hadn’t. It tasted foul and burned its way down and his face contorted with displeasure at it as he grabbed the beer to help wash the taste away. It wasn’t much better but it did the trick. His tongue felt a bit numb and his face was warm, but overall, he survived it and his new friend didn’t seem too disgusted by him. “Do you think it prevents hangovers because it leaves everything too numb to realise anything is wrong for the night? Actually, that’s probably not a good thing and it would make a hangover worse once you felt everything.” Maybe he’d ask his parents since thy sometimes had a drink with dinner or special occasions. Then again, maybe he wouldn’t as they probably wouldn’t like that he was drinking with a vampire and Cody wasn’t sure which part of that statement would disappoint them more.

“By the way, I’m Cody! I kinda forgot to introduce myself properly,” Cody gave a little chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. He’d been so excited over the win and then overwhelmed with going to a bar that he forgot all about it. But now he was feeling a bit mellow and remembering his manners. “And I bet you have lots of stories to share! Although I love songs so if you know any good ones, I’d like to hear those.” Cody smiled brightly with all the hope of hearing something new sparkling in his eyes. But he’d be just as happy to hear stories and those might not draw as much attention to them.

Karl gave his young companion a firm slap on the back once the drinks were down. "Eh, I do not know, that is just the way things were done and that is what was said, and it has worked or me. If you do get hangover then eggs, water or more beer, but lighter beer. Nothing too heavy. Do not worry so much."

It was something that the young man would have to learn about on his own really, so Karl didn't bother to waste his breath further on the subject. All men handled their booze in different ways after all, so he could only serve as a guide at best and make sure the lad didn't get into too much trouble if he turned into the fighting kind of drunk.

"Ah, Cody, well it was a well fought battle. Shall I call you that or perhaps Sir Bear?" Either way it was a vast improvement over BearyCute. Karl turned his attention back to the barkeep to summon more beer and then gave his new comrade in poke-arms a grin. "Oh I have plenty of stories! And some old drinking and fighting songs. Do you know German? Ah, but the songs do not translate that well. Perhaps after some more drinks I will sing them anyway."

He began to happily ramble on about old battles and the shenanigans that soldiers would get into while they waited between, like the time they snuck across enemy lines to steal some harquebuses but then accidentally set fire to the command tent and had to run back empty handed. All the while he kept the drinks flowing. "So! Tell me, young Sir Cody the Bear. What has been your favorite battle?"

Cody listened eagerly to the stories, finding them fascinating even though he had never really taken to history before. Maybe that’s what schools needed; vampires as teachers! Their firsthand accounts would be so cool and make everything interesting. Maybe Karl would help him with the European history class when the new semester started. But maybe with less alcohol involved. Cody felt like he was going to float away with how much he was chugging in order to keep up with the vampire until he finally decided keeping pace with someone much older and more experienced was a bad idea and took smaller sips.

He was feeling light headed and focusing extremely hard on Karl to keep his vision straight when he was asked about battles. Cody thought for a moment and opened his mouth to talk about an epic one he had not too long ago where he was down to his last pokemon but Luxray managed to hold strong and won the bout when he shut it again. Karl likely didn’t mean a virtual battle no matter how nice he was being with treating their battle as a real one that was worthy of celebration.

So he tried again, frowning in concentration as he worked through memories. Maybe the ones with his siblings counted even if they weren’t allowed to use claws and it was always done in play? Some of those were definitely favourites! They probably didn’t count either and Cody gave a massive pout to Karl with his lower lip jutting out pitifully. “I don’t think I have any real battles, Mr. Karl, sir. I’m still just a cub.” He was pretty sure he said that earlier as well but it was still true even if he was a tipsy cub now. “I’m not even a hunter. But I have gone on some adventures!” His eyes lit up with excitement at finding something maybe he could share even if it wouldn’t be as cool as Karl’s adventures.