What had he seen in regards of the varnish been removed from piece of carpentry? Well that was a hard question, since most wood markers would prefer not having any kind of substance in regards of removing the original varnish or stain that is intended for the said item.  “ Offense,”  that was the first word that Matt said without much thought.  “That I have the gall to do such a thing, that’s why I usually use pieces that I made myself not someone else's.  No one would want their work altered, even if it is to restore or non.  My wine can be used for medical purpose was well when other methods of keeping a person unconscious is out of the question, people have reported that my wine keeps them out for two days or so if they take it full strength.”

Ceremonies were something that was in regards as for himself, hm.  Matt wasn’t exactly sure, but he was pretty sure that people used wine, when they could afford the substance the stronger the wine was usually given to the gods, while the cheaper mostly watered down stuff was for the commoners, and a bit stronger for royals and high ranking officials. “ Depends on the god,” Matt responded with a shrug of his shoulders.  As for the other part of Jikal’s question,  something flashed, something more leaning towards the definition of mania.  Easy there Matt, no need to scare off your customers,  there is no need to dwell back into your musing.  “Mostly merriment, loose drinking, the random occurance of someone getting torn to pieces, but that is usually in hyper literal senses.  As for one, one assume it was for occult reasons.  Again depends on the god, who knows what happens in those gatherings.”

Everyone had that darker side, that dark side that usually fed off dark things, and that exact dark thing was peaked on why Jikal was asking such questions, what was his purpose, Matt himself wasn’t aware that he was of course a deity,  all he knew that he was damn good at making wine.  There was that, even if his wine should be considered rocket fuel, or something close to it.

An entire cask?  Considering that Matt had loads of casks in his basement, it was the image of him struggling to haul such a heavy thing up the stairs that already made his back ache.  Oh well the things he did for a profit, the demi human nodded, although it struck him curious of what sort of things that the witchling was referring too.  There wasn’t much you could do with wine unless you were planning to transmute it or something.  But that wasn’t his business after all he just delivered or gave his wine to those who were willing to offer to take a cask or so from him.  He liked it that way, minding his own business, it kept him out of trouble until it became his business.  That only happened in very rare occasions.

“ Where do you want the cask?  And I should ask when?” Matt asked only having his bottles with him, mostly ranging in the larger spectrum of how the bottles went.  He should really consider getting the slimmer ones, but again he didn’t want to since it seemed it was a huge insult to his craftsmanship.

[table][tr][td][div style="width: 70px; height:70px; background-image:url(https://i.imgbox.com/4XVwGFUK.png); background-size: cover; background-position: top;"][/td][td][div style="width: 100px; text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-size: 7pt; color: #8A8A8A; line-height: 100%; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 10px; opacity: 0.75; text-transform: lowercase"]Secrets on Broadway to the freeway, you're a keeper of crimes; Fear no conviction, grapes of wrath can only sweeten your wine

Rialto didn't even hiss anymore when his hair was aimed at, but he returned Alex's pinch of his arm with his hand going for their ear. 'Holding all my wares makes every day arm day,' he said dismissively, not even bothering to deny it. The panther's sinuous leap caught his eyes only if because the news of a big cat in this decrepit coastal town hadn't made the rounds; to be fair, the population didn't so much talk about each other as what they had for dinner last night, or something about the cute soul they'd managed to devour. Other nasty gossip.

Oh, but he knew that face. All was restored.

On the other hand Rialto startled at Jikai's voice, hand falling free of Alex and immediately affixing on the ball python's eyes already on his. He didn't fancy himself a snake charmer when he'd been in contact with reptiles all of three times, particularly only in his reckless youth, each time ending with him creeping out of the way with his tail between his legs because he had carelessly infringed on numerous caves - but the attention, even if only a single sentence, had Rialto averting his eyes, for some reason smoothing out the hem of his shirt. Brushing off his shoulder. You know. Because. 'Well. If she wants,' he said, brief and with a nonchalance that was convincing if you didn't see his expression. Validation changed a man.

His face actually paled at Matt's words. This encounter was surely turning his own notions of a poker face to dust, but it was hard not to react like that when you had one (1) oesophagus and you had taken one (1) large drink of it in the past. The merchant wasn't joking. 'That'll be a surprise,' he murmured, cooling over with his hands running over the ends of his own hair and only listening in to his elaboration. Note to self: drinks from Jikai were prohibited. Hazardous material.

As for Matt's devil drinks themselves, Rialto supposes he can let it be. The man's told them what his wine can do.

'I could help carry it back,' he offered. Rather, finding out what Jikai was going to do with a barrel gnawed at his mind.

[table][tr][td][div style="width: 70px; height:70px; background-image:url(https://i.imgbox.com/W8N8gUDb.png); background-size: cover; background-position: top;"][/td][td][div style="width: 100px; text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-size: 7pt; color: #ff0000; line-height: 100%; padding-top: 6px; padding-left: 6px; opacity: 0.75; text-transform: lowercase;"]my brother's friends explain to me, with breathless words and bloody knees; it's a black eyed trust, respect the pain.

Alex glances behind them at the sound of Chat's voice, doing a double-take when they see a panther in the man's place. They were not expecting that. They instinctively step away from the big cat, watching as he slipped through Jikai's legs before turning back into a human. Well, that was strange. They didn't know the kid could do that. They poke up their tongue at the hybrid's words, shaking their head, a small smile lifting their lips. "He's all yours, buddy. I don't think I'm his type, anyways." Matt might have offhandedly called them pretty, but Alex was into men that complimented them without threatening them with a bat. Relationships went smoother that way. 

They tense up when Jikai turns toward Rialto, his snake making it's way towards their friend's shoulders. They yelp when Rialto pinches their arm, turning away from the reptile to throw a playful glare at him. They nearly jump when Xiaoxiao slides in front of their face on their way to the vampire beside them, teeth baring at Jikai's little stunt. They would nip at his arm if they weren't in the presence of a merchant. They step away from the pair, their fear of the ball python stronger than their need to strangle the witch.

Alexander turns their attention back to the merchant, finding interest in the ceremonies his wine was used in, the effects it had on people. It sounded like a wild ride - one that they would rather not get on. They shake their head at the witch's little speak, tongue poking between their teeth, hands coming up to play with their bangs. "That sounds like too much work. Why don't we just take it back to town? He'd get better business there, and I'm sure the minimart could lend him some space to store his alcohol." They try not to act surprised when Jikai flirts with Rialto, eyes flicking to their friend, eyebrow raised. Strong, attractive men? Alex would not put the vampire in that category. They can't help but grin, slapping a hand over their mouth. They push at Rialto's shoulder, away from Xiaoxiao, burgundy eyes alight with amusement. "C'mon, strong, attractive man! Help 'em out." They giggle.