For the first time in her life, Aliza walked the streets with a new cloak of confidence. Even warranted a few smiles from people. Walking with grace, her steps light but her heels clacked with purpose. However, when she walked through the front doors of the Tavern, her confidence was left at the door. The comradery and loud music silenced, a pin could drop and it would reverberate off the walls. The amount of eyes on her was unnerving even to a rising Bard. She could barely walk further. All she could do was clutch her bags tighter.
Then one man shouts from across the room, “FUCKING HUBBA!”
Whistles and coos followed him and the neutral faces turned to a mixture of admiration and intrigue. She nervously smiled and giggled, when several people bolted out of their seats and surrounded Aliza. A few of them reeked of ale, pure lust in their eyes.
“May I buy you a drink, beautiful?” One flirtatiously slurred.
Aliza stuttered until she was left mute. She just wanted to get back to her room. Then loud clacks of hoofs shook the floor as she approached the circle.
“Alright, back to your corners and partners pervs! Act like you got some house training before I call the guard.” Tohea exclaims, sending the men and women scurrying back to where they were. She cleared her throat and the music started up again and the chatter grew. She turns to Aliza with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, “The amount of people in my Tavern is about to increase because of you.” She said in a low tone.
“I-I’m sorry,” Aliza responded softly.
“That was a compliment miss. I’ll be rolling in gold tonight because of you!” she said letting out a hearty laugh.
Aliza chuckled and blushed and looked back up at her, “I’m…glad I could be of service to you then Tohea.”
She looked down at Aliza confused, “Oh! I’m sorry. Have we met before?”
Aliza tilts her head, “Yes… I rented a room for the month a few days ago. You gave me that stomach concoction this morning?”
Tohea’s eyes widened and her jaw hit the floor.
“Miss Menona? That’s really you? Holy shit!” She exclaimed.
“Is it…bad?” She flinches.
“Bad!? You’re telling me THIS was under that ugly cloak this whole time!? If you and a cloaked hag came in the other day I wouldn’t have known the difference.”
Most would have taken this as an insult. But Aliza… started laughing. A snort leads to belly-pinching laughter. Contagious enough that Tohea started laughing, the two bellowing the Tavern.
“Well, it’s a good thing I cleaned up then. Thank you for the ‘something red’ suggestion by the way.” Aliza says trying to recover her breath.
“It serves you well. You’re not going to keep all this in that room, are you? Stay and mingle, won’t you?”
Aliza's instinct to say no crept in. Looking around the room to see smiles on everyone’s face, and again at the threatening cute smile on Tohea’s face, she knew it was time to know more of the people of her new home.
“Tonight, yes. Oddly enough I want a bigger audience for my new look. In the meantime I’ll have lunch in my room if that’s ok.” she smirks.
“I’ll take that! I’ll inform my evening crew about you. If you need anything, let them know.”
Aliza nodded and strode to the stairs. All eyes followed her. Their gazes felt… empowering.
After a few hours of napping, a loud pulse wakes her up. A loud pulse of drums makes the ground shake, and it pulses something within her, enticing her. She runs to the bathroom, fixes and fluffs her hair, reapplies her lipstick, and floates out the door.
The environment was more… sensual than before. The air was thick and oddly humid, her body flushed as she stumbled on the scene. Couples all over each other and the dance floor packed tightly as the band strums and pulses, her heart mimicking the rhythm. They must have had a spell on all the patrons and Aliza felt compelled to join the party. For a moment as she scanned the room, she saw a few men that she wanted to entertain tonight. However, the smell of those garlic steak bites snapped her out of those thoughts and her stomach grumbled harshly.
Alright, I can mingle later. That steak is driving me wild!
Aliza strolled up to the bar with straightened shoulders and light steps. She took the one vacant seat left between a deep red-skinned Geni woman showing off some of her magic with flamed grain alcohol and a tall tiger-patterned catfolk trying to sweet talk an elven woman on her right. Both saw her approach and she could see the curiosity fill their eyes but said nothing.
“Good evening ma’am. What will you be having tonight?” The bartender greeted her. He was very tall with olive skin, white hair, and hazel eyes, and oddly built for his profession. He was clearly the lady's favorite judging from all the eyes that followed him to her.
“What do you have, sir?” she asked.
“Whatever you want. Mead, ale, beer, wine. Or if you want a cocktail, I'll give you that.”
“Cocktail?”
His brows straightened and then relaxed as if he remembered a key detail. “Ahh, I forgot. Aliza Menona da Icurus. Or should I say more specifically Argos from how you carry yourself?”
Her brow raised and her arms crossed, “How could you tell?”
“Aside from your accent, of course, you have perfect posture. Even in your cloak, I could tell. You walk with a purpose and fear. Your eyes always survey the room. Not looking for trouble, are you? Or is it trouble looking for you?” his voice lowers.
She lightly squeezed her arm and fought not to furl her brows and glare. After a hidden swallow, she cheekily responds, “Depends. At least on the drink that you give me.”
He laughs, “Fair enough. I’ve been told on glass 3 their dancing improved. Still couldn’t recover from the centaur incident of 96’.” He jesterly shutters.
A small smile crept up her lips and a giggle escaped. Why did that work? “Ahh, the pretty woman smiles. Careful gentleman, you’ll melt looking at her.”
Aliza let out a full-on hearty laugh covering her mouth, glancing up at him, “You’re good. Very well. You piqued my curiosity. What’s this drink of yours?”
A sharp smile flicked to his cheeks and he leaned into her. “3 gold and I’ll fulfill your curiosity.” He proposed with an open hand and a wink.
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Oh, he’s smooth. I can see why he’s a crowd favorite. The women around us are completely under his spell.
She returned his gaze, leaning in, resting her breasts in her arms, her thick lips curled to a wide sultry smile. “Alright, sir, put those skillful hands to use then, " she purred while grazing his hand with her index finger. He stepped back, and when he looked down, three gold coins appeared in his hand.
“Right away ma’am.” he returns smiling from ear to ear.
“Lucky woman.” The Geni nudges her.
He reached down and grabbed a small glass, a bottle of bourbon whiskey, a small bottle of brown liquid, orange peels, sugar cubes, and a large cube of ice. Aliza adjusted her seat, fully invested in seeing how this turned out. So do all of the patrons within eyesight.
He then takes out a toddy stick and magically starts making her drink. He adds the sugar cubes and brown liquid to the glass, he tells her that the liquid is called bitters. With a wave of hand, the totty stick floats and makes its way to the glass smashing and stirring the sugar and bitters. While that was going, he measured out the bourbon and he pours it into the glass using the stick to guide it in. It stirs for a few more seconds then floats out of the glass and sits itself on the side. He points to the ice cube and it bounces into the glass and swirls itself inside. With a snap of his fingers, a bright blue flame ignites and he holds an orange slice an inch behind it. Holding his form above her glass, he looks at her asking, “How smokey would you like it?”
With curious cat eyes looking at him she says, “Surprise me.”
One squirt and a small fireball ignite and the smoke and oils somehow perfectly go into the glass. He got a solid squeal out of her. Her cheeks blushed when the patrons laughed at her. He twists the peel, adds it to the glass, and slides it to her. Thoroughly intrigued, she took it and swirled it, and eyed it like a damn cat. One sip and her shoulders relaxed and her mind clear.
“Delicious! Tastes like a sweet oak, if that makes any sense. I do like my alcohol on the sweeter side.” A heat wave came over her body like the sun was radiating above her. Her head fell back and let out a seductive breath, letting out smooth swirls of smoke. “Whoa! What was that?”
“The smoke? That's me. I kept all the smoke in the glass, it’s like a liquid cigar.”
She took another sip as she leaned back a bit in her stool. Taking in all the flavors and letting it do its work on her body. She released another breath that had everyone around her blushing. The bartender looked very amused. Aliza is not a smoker but this was satisfying.
“This is great. Really, it is. I needed this, thank you.” She complimented, raising the glass.
“Of course ma’am. Need anything else?”
“I am hungry. This would pair well with steak. What’s a girl got to do to get some red meat around here?”
The bartender chuckles leaning on the bar again, “Take that table behind you. I’ll send word to Travis for you.”
“Thank you. Shoot, I never got your name.”
“Rolim.”
“Thank you Rolim.” She winked and swiftly left the bar to her table.
To her surprise, she didn’t have to drink and eat alone because the Geni, the catfolk, and three other people joined her. They were an interesting bunch though they seemed sketchy at first. One talked about their niece coming home and she had some presents for her. In Icurus, that is a thieving attempt on a noblewoman. But Aliza relaxed when she showed an actual picture of her niece.
She ordered garlic steak bites with asparagus and it was cooked to perfection. Pink in the middle, savory, and smokey, paired with her drink made a very satisfying meal. After an hour of conversing and drinking, her eyes were growing heavy and her speech started slurring. She excused herself back to her room for some well-needed sleep. The tiger fur catfolk asked if she would stay for a dance but declined. Her head was feeling more and more like a cloud by the second.
“Ahh, come on just one for the night.” He slurred.
“No, I’m sorry. Have fun for me.”
“Please…”
“No.”
As she was walking away, he grabbed her arm and pulled her down to him.
“Listen you Ick! You are going to-” A strong grip on his shoulder cut him off.
“Oh please, continue with this display of hate crimes. I’m sure the Strouds and the King would love to hear more about it.” The catfolk slowly looked up to see Olif standing over him, giving him a death glare that would make the Jackals fall to their knees. Everyone, even the band grew silent. He had both parties shaking. “Gripping her arm tight there. One bruise found on her and we can replace aggravated battery with assault.” He quickly released her arm and Aliza backed up giving him her own death glare. “Good kitty. Punishment is still coming to you. You four, can you confirm that he was the perpetrator?” They all nodded and scooted their chairs several feet away from the scene.
For the love of fucking Tendia, is this place no different?! I would have been better off in Nesta in this case!… I could have his body hidden by the moonrise.
Before she thought further about her plan, a centaur sitting between Aliza and Olif gets up and swings directly for the creep catfolk. His hit had so much force it knocked him back 20 feet into another group of people who proceeded to jump him. Tail pulling, fur ripping, kicking, stomping, it was brutal. All you could hear from her perpetrator was hissing and screaming. Aliza was in shock from this display of violence. Is this allowed in Syris?
“Ahh, public flogging. Perfect punishment. You may not want to stick around to witness this display, Miss Menona. I’ll escort you to your room.” Olif tells her while directing her to the stairs. She agreed without hesitation.
Aliza was trying to wrap her head around that entire interaction. One minute she’s laughing and conversing with the group, and after one rejection, reduced to an Ick. How does a slur like that just roll off the tongue? And after saying no to a dance?
Are people just fucked in the head at birth? Or is it taught by their ignorant parents?
“I understand your anger Miss Menona. But please know that this situation is being taken care of.”
Aliza snaps out of her thoughts and turns to Olif. Her hidden furl is not so hidden anymore.
“I doubt that you can understand my plight. I thought I escaped that word. Just saying no makes me a- ugh… but, it surprises me seeing people more angry than me. Why would they care?”
“I guess our King is a better leader than most give him credit for. He has been trying to combat hate crimes towards Icarian people for years. Even as we stand with the conflict, he doesn’t want any of his citizens to go through what you just went through.”
“I see.” She had heard of the Syris King wanting to make better negotiations with Icurus for immigration. But the King Taurus, the last King of Icurus, was at best lazy, at worst incompetent. Even when it came to hate crimes or hate speech against his own people in his own country, the people were punished for retaliating. Whether it be raising your voice or punching the perpetrator. You were thrown into the dungeon and the perpetrator walked away freely. The King’s excuse: not wanting to stir the pot more with the other countries. It was intriguing seeing so many people stand up for her after something like that.
“Miss Menona…”
“It’s fine. Thank you for saving me back there. I’m… not exactly…used to guards standing up for the people.”
A small smile slowly grew on Olifs lips. “Well, I’m glad to be of service. If you wish to report him, I just need your signature on this citation.” He says pulling out a small leather notebook, and turning to a blank, pre-written page. With a heavy sigh, she signed the citation. And with a small smile and nod, walked into her room and locked the door.
Aliza took three steps in and eyed her old clothes by the waste bin. Those old tattered rags and worn-out boots. Her heart skipped, and a flash of puddles on an uneven cobblestone street flashed in her mind. She blinked. A tanned man in teal and gold robes glared and pointed down at her. “Inbred Ick.” She blinked and snarled. Another flash of black and red striped scarves. She blinked. A figure towering over her, staring her down from his faceless shadow.
“Backstabbing bitch.” it echoed into her soul.
Aliza began to hyperventilate as her mental fortitude was slipping. But then… nothing…but…black. One moment, she was staring at her old clothes. The next moment, a flash of the crew she sailed with crossed her mind—their kindness and warmth, the laughs and experiences they shared, the first bit of genuine kindness she experienced before ever stepping foot on Syris soil. When she came to, most of her old clothes were torn to shreds and scattered all around the room.
“Wha…? What have I-?”
Her fists trembled and she practiced her deep breathing to calm her rapid heartbeat. Looking down at her lap and heavy grip, she was about to rip the one piece of clothing she treasured. It was her green and white tunic and pants with brown strings. The clothing she served on the ship in mostly. The outfit that she escaped in. How could she possibly tear this up? She held it tightly to her chest, the faint smell of sea salt that made her nauseous for so long gave her comfort.
“I’m sorry…” She whispered. Taking a few more minutes, she regained herself. “Almost everything from home is destroyed. But I will cherish you forever. …At least I have more room in my bag for the new clothes now.” she dryly chuckled. She folded the clothes and carefully put them in her bag. She then reached in to grab her compact mirror and looked at herself.
I look…normal, I guess. What does normal me even look like?
“That’s a first. Blacking out?…I’ll deal with that later.”
With a blank mind, she cleaned up the room and herself and slumped into bed.
A great morning… hoped to have matched the evening.