Flor walked to her right into an expansive room full of tables with a buffet bar along one wall and a wet bar along another. The wet bar was attended by what looked like the same Scribe, except with Barkeep 3 above her head. Flor wandered through the tables to the bar and the attendant, who looked up from cleaning dishes. “Are you twins?”
“Triplets. The third works the gift shop.”
“I should have guessed.”
“Well, I guess you want a drink, a room, and a wash. Or a dry, rather, since you already look a bit soaked.”
“Yeah, that would be nice.”
“Beer?”
“As long as it isn’t swill.”
“Nope, only the finest from the Diederick Monastery,” said the barkeep as she pulled and placed the mug before Flor. “If you’re staying the night, which I expect you are, I’ll cover the cost of this beer as part of your bill.” She leaned in close, “And it’s not common knowledge, but if you pay to stay two nights, I’ll give you a ticket for entry to the museum and another beer on the house.”
“So, twenty for two nights, four meals, two beers, and a ticket?”
“That’s the maths!”
“Sure, why not.” Flor handed over her money, still uncertain if she’d warp back to the Brawler’s rest when the day resets at midnight. But if it didn’t, it was a nice discount.
The barkeep handed over a token for entry to the museum. “I’ve got a couple of abandoned maps around here if you don’t mind a used one.”
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Flor scoffed.
The barkeep said, “Ah, she already sold you on that, huh? She might look bookish, but she can be sneaky.”
“Not to be personal,” said Flor, “but do you and your sisters have names?”
“Oh, yeah. We do. I’m Jagna. You’ve already met Jadzia. The gift store attendant is Jagoda.”
“Yikes. How did your parents keep your names in order?”
“Honestly, I don’t think they did. We eventually took one of the three names they called us and that was ours.” She smiled. “Don’t worry, most of our guests don’t bother, and Father still mixes us up. So don’t think we’re put off by getting our name wrong. You could call any of us Ja and we’d likely answer.”
“Yeah, that was going to be a bit much.”
“Well, seeing as you’ve finished your beer, do you want another, or should I point you at your room?”
“The room would be nice, and then I’ll head out for a wander.”
“Alright. Here’s that room key. Room is on the third floor, number three-oh-four.”
Flor smiled, accepted the key, and followed the path to the stairs which stretched up and around to a large landing that half overlooked the tavern room and then repeated upward. On the third floor, doors lined either side of a hallway at the landing, and the floor followed to room 304.
The lock was released only after Flor forced the key. The door opened into a surprisingly large room with a large-sized bed and an unlit fireplace. A large window looked out over the monument, and the room included a personal-sized washroom and loo with running water.
What is this place? Flor had been in real-world European hotels that weren’t this nice, especially compared to the rough conditions of the taverns she had stayed at in West Shilgrave. Talk about a vacation destination! Flor had mostly dried while sitting at the bar, but still took the opportunity to wash up. She summoned Kester, despite the no-pets policy.
“Look at this place! I may end up staying several days at this extravagance. I don’t see a downside!”
Kester said, “Well, despite that your rage will continue to grow and there isn’t a solution to reduce it…but otherwise, sure, it’s your life. You live it as you like.”
Flor scoffed. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Anyway, I’m going through the museum and I’ll summon you later. Keep an eye out for anything that looks like a puzzle.”