It was about two years ago, and it had been raining on and off that day so the air had the same kind of humidity as it did in the present. Even his body had felt the same. His legs and back were sore from being pushed by his Sargent Gayjoy. A name you laughed at only once, unfortunately, he had the misfortune of laughing a second time. At the time, between both body and mind he just hadn’t felt up to attending his classes for the day, not like he was passing anyway.
Across the street from his apartment was a fairly non-descript pub or perhaps more accurately a sports bar. Entering the dimly lit space, most TVs were tuned to a soccer game in some other country. He’d have guessed Spain, but the truth was he didn’t know or care. The TVs were a good way to drown out his aches, thoughts and melancholy. The simple act of bouncing a ball around a field, working with people you could trust towards a simple goal was enviable. In truth Neal envied the players, and not just because they made more in a single game than he would in a year. They all seemed to know what they were doing, even if it was just for an hour and a half. Well, most of the time anyway, a yellow card appeared on the screen, pausing the game for a moment. The pause in the game gave him a moment to find a seat, not that it was hard the bar wasn’t particularly full this time of day.
Neal had to be careful where he sat as some seats were claimed by particular regulars. If you sat in their seat they’d poke fun at you if they were in a good mood or ask you to leave if not. As far as he knew the seat he sat in wasn’t claimed by anyone. The same could not be said for the one next to it though and one of those regulars came in soon after and sat down. The old man in questions was called ‘Bourbon John’ by everyone, though Neal doubted that either were his actual name.
So long as you didn’t sit in his chair the old man was nice enough, and gave off grandfather like vibes. Probably because he was one, a few times over in fact. Long since retired, Bourbon John had made a home for himself at that bar, and was never short of advice, stories, and if one was being honest, just out right rants. Often, it sounded like he just wanted to talk or liked hearing himself talk. Probably a mixture of the two.
Despite Neal’s interest in the soccer game on the TVs, John must have felt it was a great opportunity to start one of his many rants, because he started one in Neal’s direction.
“I always see you in here kid. You look like a university student.” The man’s breath smelled of both old and bourbon. It was a unique and not altogether pleasant smell. Still, it was somehow familiar too, perhaps reminding Neal of his own grandfathers neither of which he had much contact with.
“Ha, what gave it away.” Neal suppressed a larger laugh as he tried to focus on the game and his beer.
“Well, I know you’re not in construction. I can see a construction worker a mile away, and you ain’t in a suit so you don’t work business. Given the cheap beer, you can’t have much money despite the time you’ve been spending here, so you ain’t an early retiree.”
Neal had nodded at the man’s reasoning. It wasn’t wrong, but he also didn’t care that much. Still, there was something nice about having someone to talk to for a change.
Sensing a short break in his rant, Neal queried the old man back hoping to move the topic off himself, “I take it you’re in construction?”
“I was! Tin knocker for 42 years, before I retired. Fucked up my knees and back something terrible. Heh, I remember this time when I was still an apprentice, they had me climb up into the ceiling of some office complex. Got my leg caught on some badly cut sheet metal. Ran right up my left leg, blood everywhere. My supervisor had to cut the ceiling open to get me. Thought I was going to lose my job, not to mention my leg but nope, kept both of them. Wasn’t the last time I got hurt either. It’s a hard life, working the trades. You know.”
The old man always seemed to have a story to tell, and a story about that story to follow up with. He rarely spoke directly to Neal, which made that day different and perhaps memorable. At first it was nice to feel included, like he was becoming a part of the group, but on the other hand it quickly became preachy and annoying as Burbon John’s rant went on and directed back to him.
“I’ve got a few grandkids about your age. Son you’re too young to be wasting your life in a place like this. Tell me what you’re doing here?”
Neal didn’t bother facing the old man, keeping his focus on the soccer game, “Just having a drink between classes old man.”
“From what I’ve seen, you’re always between classes. Look, all I’m saying son is, you’re young. You’re in a University, you should go and make something of yourself.” There it was John’s verbal stick had prodded him in just the wrong place.
A sudden red card and Neal sighed at the unwanted pause in game play. He could still remember his response to the old man’s diatribe. “Yeah but, it’s not like I really care about what I’m studying I mean, what the point?”
At first he thought it had been a good comeback to a long-winded rant no one had asked for. And, it had shut him up, for a moment anyway, so of course he felt like he won that argument. But now, in this new world, Neal had to wonder What actually was the point? He didn’t have an answer then, and certainly didn’t have one now. His memory grew faded. He knew the old man had eventually said something in response to that, something he didn’t care about at the time. Probably why he could remember it now.
Without even realizing it, he had finished off his first drink and sat staring at the empty tankard. His mind was still lost in more thoughts of nothing.
“Another one?”
With a start Neal looked up, he hadn’t even realized the elf had already made his way over. Nodding he pushed the tankard forward, a slight rumble in his stomach reminded him of the second reason he came here. “Also, you made a good sandwich the last time I was here?”
“Probably my rye and roast, I should have enough left for one more sandwich. 5 pence. Plus, the drink”. Pulling the coins out of his pocket, Neal dropped another 13 on the bar top. Again, he had included an extra two, to a wider grin from the bartender. “Appreciate it.”
The elf wandered off, walking down the length of the bar to a back room, presumably the kitchen. He didn’t take long and back and dropped off another tankard on the bar top with a dull thud, along with a wooden plate and a lighter thunk. The elf turned, seeming like he was going to wander off again but stopped for a moment. “Tell me human, what are you doing here?”
For a moment, Neal wanted to laugh, managing to suppress it into a bitter smile. The last few words matched his memory of Burbon John vividly even the elf’s smell seemed similar. “I don’t know. Just looking for somewhere to drink and eat. If you want me to leave…”
The elf held up a hand and with a light head shake he smiled, “No. Not at all. Anyone with coin is welcome here, light, neural or dark. Hell, I’d serve an Ahuizotl if they had coins.” The elf chuckled a bit at his own joke, either unaware or not caring about the looks it got from the patrons. “It is strange seeing you in here though. Humans don’t usually leave their section of the city, and like I said, I always see you with that short stack. Honestly, you kind of seemed uncomfortable even then. Still do, if I’m being honest.”
Again, Neal had to suppress a laugh, “You know, I can’t say I’ve heard anyone call a girl that tall, short before.”
“No? But you have to admit, she is stacked!” The smile on the Elf’s face was both perverted and amusing at the same time.
Neal laughed more out of embarrassment than anything else. He could admit that Mithril was interesting. In a sense at least. Parts of her body were certainly attractive; he couldn’t deny that. But there was just something weird about the idea of seeing her as an actual woman, and not just an ox in a woman suit.
“She’s a good girl. Used to come in with a different bloke every few weeks. Always a dark race too. I was surprised when I saw she brought a human in with her though.”
Neal tried to wave the comment off, “Oh, Mith and I aren’t… We aren’t like that.”
“No? I saw you two leave together a few nights ago. Anyway, shame if you’re not she’s a good girl. Really big heart.”
Neal wondered if the elf wasn’t talking about the two things next to her heart. But before he could ask, a powerful thud hit him on his back, threatening to spill his drink.
“Ha! He’s not talking about what’s in my chest human.”
The boisterous laugh of the muscular woman behind left little doubt in his mind to who owned it. Warmth in his cheeks spread, as a tinge of embarrassment took him. Just how long had she been behind him, he wondered.
The stool next to him scrapped along the ground, as she sat down next to him. The smirk on her face was made bigger by the expression on his face. For Neal, it was strange seeing his companion out of uniform. Normally Mithril was clad in armor so to see her in a simple sun dress, something much more feminine was odd. Neal didn’t know if the warmth in his cheeks was caused just by the alcohol or something else.
The elf put a tankard of something down in front of Mith. Neal could smell its strength from his seat, no doubt it was more of that rock ale she was always drinking.
“Thanks, Lyaeus.” Mith dropped seven copper pence on the bar top and began sipping her drink. Unlike after work she wasn’t slamming them down, opting for a much slower pace.
“I’m surprised to see you out. Figured you have yourself fortified in your apartment when not on duty.” Mith smiled and took another light swig of her drink. “Not that I’d blame you. Can’t imagine the kind of palace you must live in.”
Lyaeus, the pudgy elf bartender, had stuck around to listen to the two’s banter, but was suddenly pulled into the conversation with that point. “Palace? What kind of palace is down in the slums.” He tried to laugh.
“Oh, Neal here doesn’t live with the other human’s down in the slums or the encampment, he has a place just North of the castle.”
“North of the castle? That’s all nobles and upper-class neighborhoods.” Lyaeus looked the human over like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
The two of them looked at him as if seeking confirmation or denial. A few of the other patrons also opened their ears to hear the conversation, curious about what nonsense answer he might give.
“I mean, I guess it is?” Neal shrugged and took a prolonged sip, hoping they would switch topics. They didn’t. With a sigh, he put the tankard down and tried to explain. “I know it’s not cheap, but I’m not the one that pays for it. The Crown does. Honestly, I’m not even sure how much it costs, no one would tell me.”
Mith smirked at that answer and watched the elf’s face twisted into disbelief. “How does that work? The Crown pays for your apartment? You mean the Queen? That’s, a bit hard to believe. If I’m being nice about it.” Lyaeus’ smile twisted around, like he was suppressing both a laugh and shock.
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The minotaur slapped at Neal’s back, encouraging him to continue his story. Which he did, “Well, I’m pretty sure it’s Princess Luna who arranged it. I know this is hard to believe but, I’m not from this world. Luna feels a bit responsible so, she tries to arrange for my comfort.” A bitter laugh escaped him, “Pretty sure she’s why I’m even in the Guard.”
Now Lyaeus laughed and shook his head, “Ok, you’re talking out your ass. If you’re going to make up a story at least make it believable.”
Holding up a hand, Mith stopped Lyaeus from just walking off, “Wait, I don’t know if the bit about being from another world is true or not. But I do know Neal was living in the castle for almost a year. I used to see him occasionally, and there were a lot of murmurs about him too. You got tired of being in the castle and asked to move to an apartment, didn’t you?”
Neal nodded and finished off his second drink. Lyaeus didn’t wait to waddle off and get him a refill. This time though, he held on to it even after Neal dropped a few more coins on the bar as if seeking a different payment. Perhaps an answer to his next question. “So, wait, you were living in the castle, for about a year, last year?” The elf questioned.
“Yeah. It was about 9 months. I just, wanted to feel like I was standing on my own feet again.” In slight agitation Neal grab hold of the drink in front of him but also painfully out of reach.
Lyaeus let go of the tankard and picked up the coins. “I can understand that. But…” The elf paused in thought. Eventually his eyes lit up in revelation. “You, you’re the Princess’s pet human! I remember! There were rumors going around the city for a while.”
That was not a nickname Neal enjoyed. It wasn’t the first time he heard it, far from it in fact. But thankfully it was at least somewhat uncommon. “Yeah, I guess. I was a guest after… Well, after Coruscis brought me here.”
“Coruscis? You mean the rabbit mage who fought against the Ice Queen?”
“I guess that’s her story. I don’t know much about what happened before I was brought here. The war seemed like a sore topic with Luna and that pensive bookworm. Honestly, I kind of don’t care either, she’s not one someone I particularly like.” He paused and took a long-protracted sip of his drink, hoping perhaps the conversation would again move on a bit. When it didn’t he forced it, “I’m sure you can understand why I’d rather not talk about her or what happened?”
“Ok, I guess if it was her maybe?” The elf wasn’t satisfied though, and neither was Mith or the other patrons who had a sudden interest in the free entertainment. “But how did she bring you here, what’s the story there?” The elf continued to pry.
The bar went dark as Neal closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, they went straight for his drink which he took another few quick swigs of, both to calm his nerves and buy some time before he answered. He didn’t want to answer. “There is a story but… Honestly, it’s kind of painful. It wasn’t a good day for me.”
Finally accepting defeat, the bartender held up his hands and smiled, “Of course. Didn’t mean to pry.”
Reflecting the smile back, Neal shook his head “No, its fine. Honestly, I like having someone to talk to, most people here aren’t interested in talking with a human.”
The bartender nodded. “Of course, that’s why I’m here, to lend an ear to all the need it.”
“And who have the coin.” Neal half joked, causing the elf to laugh a bit.
“Right you are. Speaking of which, I see some coins at the end of the bar.” With that he wandered off, leaving Mith and Neal alone with their drinks, and each other’s company.
As much as she also wanted to pry, the muscle headed warrior had just enough sense and decency not to. She thankful switched topics for him. “So, what are you doing out here? Didn’t take you as much of a drinker when not being dragged out.”
“I used to drink all the time. It was an excuse not to go to class.”
“So you just go to a bar to drink? Have anyone you hung out with? Had to be a few girls.” She poked at him with that last comment.
“Not really. I mean, I had a few friends, not really close to them though. Dated a few times, but never really worked out. Also, it wasn’t just drinking either, we had these things back in my world called TVs. They would show games and sports, sometimes even from other countries. I mean, I could have watched it in my house, but being out around others just felt better. You know?”
“By the void and mist. Sounds like crystal balls, but, you say every bar had them?”
“Kind of? I saw one of those in the castle. Our TVs were a lot bigger, and most places had several.”
The look on Mith’s face was one of disbelief. “Not only are you a world of scholars and warriors but your technology. Void take it all, I’d hate to see a war between our worlds.” She finished off her first and flagged down Lyaeus for a refill.
“I seriously doubt that could happen. From what Coruscis said there’s not any way too…” For a moment, Neal found it hard to see. His eyes burned a bit as the salty liquid began to fill them. He choked it back before they could fall and tried to change topics. “You and everyone else always says Void and Mist. What is that about?”
“Ha! You really are from a different world. You don’t know what the void and mist are?”
Neall shook his head no.
“What of the gods and goddesses?”
Again, his face held a blank look as he shook his head, no.
“Well, I’m not priest, I think my bastardized attempts to explain would just be blasphemy. I guess, it’s just something we all say. When things die and disappear they return to the void and mist they came from.”
“So the void and mist are like heaven and hell?”
“No. It’s not like that. Some do believe in the afterlifes or places where the souls wait.” Mith closed her eyes, it seemed like she was both uncomfortable and uncertain with speculating.
Still, she continued. “I don’t really understand the concepts myself. Just if you’re bad, you go through hell, and if you’re good the easier path through heaven. When that’s done your soul is reused.” Mith scratched her head. “I guess? I’ve heard some priests say dark races always go through hell, and light races through heaven. It’s part of The Gospel of Debellator most of my family believe it, but I don’t and I think it’s wrong. I don’t know. Where I go is up for my soul to figure out after I’m dead. Maybe I don’t go anywhere, there’s a lot of people that think that, too.”
Suppressing the stress of the unknown, Mith gulped down the last of her drink and smiled. “Like I said, I don’t really understand it all, and if I tried to explain it probably just be blasphemy.” She took a swig of her drink, trying to force the discomfort from her mouth.
“So besides hanging out in bars and watching these, magic tee-vhees, what else did you do? Surely something?”
It was hard to come up with anything else. Really, that was his life over there. Wake up, go through readiness exercises, blow off the rest of his classes and drink. Sometimes he’d go to class, but it was rare. Though, there were free or cheap games around the city, particularly the minor leagues that played in the small field near by his college. Movies too, but he wasn’t a fan of most recent films. “Well, I guess I used to go to sporting events in person, when they were cheap. Some other things occasionally too, not much… though?” His voice trailed off as he saw a sparkle in Mith’s eyes.
“The coliseum has some games coming up! It’s mostly strength contests and wrestling but…” Mith trailed off as it occurred to her that Lyaeus hadn’t left their sections of the bar.
The elf was shaking his head. “They don’t let humans in. Not usually anyway.”
She wanted to retort that no one asked. But, he did have a point. Would it even be worth trying to get in? Her train of thought was interrupted by Neal.
“I was in there a few months ago.” Once more they both staired at him. Feeling he should explain more, he continued. “Luna wanted me to see the winter contest they held. It was odd though. I think people around us were more interested in watching me then the games.”
Lyaeus laughed and nodded his head. “I bet they were. They don’t usually want humans in those places, they tend to cause a lot of problems. You really were the princess pet?”
Again, he didn’t like that term.
“Do you think they’d let you in again?” Mith almost squirmed in her seat as she spoke.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what Luna did to get me in. I didn’t even know it was a rare thing.”
“Ok. Well, I might have tickets when the time comes. Probably nothing like where you and Luna sat.”
“Well, it was actually Luna and Luminis, I think it might have been the Queen’s idea to be honest. She was always pushing Luna to get out more.”
Again, they both stared as he took a sip of drink. Maybe it was just the alcohol, or maybe the company he was keeping, but his body began to feel better. Much less sore than before or at least he was less aware of it.
The three continued to spend down the afternoon, until the slight patter of rain drops began to echo inside the bar.
Mith stood up and stretched. There was only the slightest wabble in her stance, a testament to her alcohol tolerance. “This has been fun Neal, but I want to get back before the rain really picks up. My roof leaks a bit, if I don’t put a bucket down it’s going to be a mess.” She flashed a slightly embarrassed smile at him and then dropped her eyes just a bit. “You interested in joining me?”
Now, Neal was no stranger to flirtation nor love. Yet, somehow, the implication did not fully hit him. Or, perhaps his mind chose to ignore them for the time being.
“Nah, I’m still sore from my run earlier. Maybe some other time.”
Her smile faded a bit, “Yeah, maybe.”
It took the bartender all he had to not burst out in yet another laugh.
As Neal polished off the last of his drink, he decided it was also time for him to leave. Lyaeus waved to him as he left. No doubt happy about the extra coins in his pockets now.
Outside, the rain was just starting to come down. The storm clouds on the horizon manifested a bit earlier than he expected. Tiny beads of mist floated from the sky, threatening to become something much larger. It wasn’t heavy yet, but the darker clouds in the distance threatened far more in the next hour. The flashes of light just further made that point.
Heading north, Neal chose to make a detour through the castle.
The castle held a larger than usual guard contingent. Strangely some Solar and High Guards were also present. Which would have made sense if there was a ball or celebration going on. Yet, from where he was he could hear nothing. No music, no chatting, just the occasional sound of guards patrolling. A few whispered as they saw him, but only one bothered to stop him. They didn’t bother to explain why they stopped him, they just reenforcing the fact that he shouldn’t be there at the moment.
Neal had to wonder if something happened, but of course no one told him anything. It was odd though, and his curiosity grew. He considered finding Luna to ask her, but given the additional security, she probably wasn’t in the mood to ‘play with her pet.’ A slight smile and chuckle escaped him as the image of him wearing a collar flashed though his mind. It was accompanied by a few other thoughts best not said, as he continued his way out to the north side of the castle.
The rain had picked up even more. Small claps of thunder could be heard in the not-too-distant distance. His apartment was thankfully close. But still far enough, that he was forced to pass several High Guard patrols. Usually, they did nothing beyond glare at him.
For some reason though, today was different, and one of them called out, “Halt human! What are you doing here?”
It looked like a wolf, but no, there were subtle differences in features. The more he looked at it the more it seemed like a dog than a wolf. Which meant, against all efforts to say otherwise, it was a-
“What you never seen an Adlet? Fucking human.”, The creature filled in his thoughts for him.
Adlet was not what he was thinking. The creature seemed menacing, and aggressive. It was both an odd creature and situation. Desiring to flee both the rain and the situation, Neal tried to walk around the High Guard adlet.
However, the Adlet continued to block his path as Neal tried to walk around him. “What business does a human have in the high city?”
Neal kept his composure as he spoke, “I live here, not that it’s any of your business.”
The High Guard didn’t like that answer, and he closed the distance between them. For a moment, it appeared like he was getting ready for a fight.
Thankfully, the tension was broken by his eleven wingman who finally spoke up. “Leave him alone, Jago.”
“Why? What reason could a human have up here this late? He’s got to be a thief.” Jago almost growled his words as he spoke.
The elf seemed unphased, as if it wasn’t the first time his companion had overstepped. “You’re new, so I won’t report your behavior. This guy lives around here. I’ve seen him walking around. He’s also with the Lunar Guard.”
“Those bunch of jokers who cares-“
The elf interrupted him “I also heard the crown pays for him to live up here. Unless you want to start a fight with the princess or worse yet the queen.”
The sounds of rain pattering around broke the silence as the Adlet looked down at the ground. Eventually, he moved from Neal’s path, allowing him to pass.
As Neal walked past the two. He wanted to scream, yell or run away. Instead, he held back. As much as it pained him to do so, being pleasant with the two might make future interactions easier. It made strategic sense, if not moral sense.
Ignoring his clothes’ growing dampness, he turned to face the elf, at least. “Thank you. This is the first time this has ever happened to me.”
The elf merely nodded in response.
Jago on the other hand had to get a word in, “Don’t you read the papers?”
Not being much of a reader, he had not. But now his interest was piqued. “Sorry, I can’t say that I did. What happened?”
The adlet laughed, but the elf was much more respectful and actually answered him “There’s been a rash of break ins. Plus, there was a minor riot in the bottom of the lower city. Down in the human quarters. Some of the Guards were told to remain on alert. Surprised the Luna Guard wasn’t.”
“A riot? Were there any casualties?”
The elf shook his head, “No. Common Guard got involved and deescalated-“
The adlet laughed, “Ha! Common Guard couldn’t handle it, so the High Guard went down and smashed some heads. Those Humans won’t be causing problems for a while.” The elf glared at his companion, but did not argue.
The adlet smirked at his fellow guard before heading off on his patrols.
The elf stayed behind to give Neal one last bit of advice, “Be careful. Not many people accept humans up here. You’re given special dispensation because you’re the princess’ pet.”
Again, for the fourth time today that term burned his ears in a bad way. Neal made his way back to his apartment. His body felt unusually heavy after today.