Chapter 53: Skol

Graven Keep was much the same on their return. The same guards with the same line of people waiting to be admitted to the city. The same game of trying to keep Katlyn’s status on the down low while they entered, so they could move about freely. They’d made their way to the Mercenary Association, got their paperwork filled out for the Seed, and had gotten a good meal in them. The process was already becoming familiar to Annita, and she took the time to unwind and think over the past couple days.

It was only afternoon by the time they got finished, a clear day prior having given them better travel times than their trip to the Seed. Rosalyn had been complaining about her feet for the last day, the poor woman not being quite as used to travel as the rest of them. She sat cross-legged, massaging a foot as she filled out paperwork.

Shuffling the papers together and handing them to Bren to file with the clerk, Kat leaned back. “Another successful expedition. Damn good record o’ Warped killed an’ encountered. Tha’ otter thing in particular is gonna give us some good coin.”

“It sure was dangerous for something that wasn’t a guardian,” Rosalyn agreed, massaging both feet now that both her hands were free. “I’m interested to see what the observations on the Guardian will result in. Who knows if all magic warped work the way that, er, I mean, Horace, worked.”

“Yeah, who knows. I do know I’m tired of short hair,” Ann grumbled, focusing on her skill and growing it out in seconds. She was prepared for the itch, and quickly she had her normal hair back.

“Gods, that’s still weird tae watch,” Kat grumbled, recoiling as the process completed.

“It’s probably going to be weirder for my eyes,” Ann grimaced. “I’m probably going to test that tonight. Colour first, then full thing. I don’t want to have surprises on that one.”

“Well, that’s a thing fer later,” Kat declared, slapping her hand down on the table. “Tonight, I said we’re gettin’ drinks. All o’ us,” she said, glaring at Bren, who threw up his hands in surrender.

“Got a bar in mind?” Ann asked, leaning in. “Or should I go get my dress?”

“Honestly, the dress might work fer ye without the hat, but nae, get comfortable. It’s a bar. More public than this one. The Iron Tap. Heard o’ it from a few people, an’ I think it’ll be a good place tae get proper drunk. An’ ye’re joinin, ye bookworm,” Kat demanded of Bren.

“Your intention was clear!” Bren confirmed, still with his hands up.

“Good, just makin’ sure. So, fer now, let’s get ready an’ see ye two down ‘ere in half an hour?”

Bren and Rosalyn agreed, heading up to their rooms. Kat and Ann popped up to theirs, immediately getting a bath ready and cleaning up.

“This a rough kind of bar?” Ann asked, scrubbing the muck of the road from her legs, getting her muddy fur properly washed.

“Not too much. Bard performin’ most nights, soldier clientele. If anythin’ does happen, it’ll get shut down quick. It’s also a great place fer dancin’, an’ I really wanna dance wit’ Rosalyn,” Kat laughed.

“Aw, and not me?” Ann teased, fluttering her long lashes at her girlfriend.

“Oh, you’ll be part o’ it,” Kat promised. “Just, feelin’ frisky wit’ ‘er. She gets so embarrassed an’ meek, makes me wanna push ‘er buttons.”

“Here I thought you were the one telling me not to overwhelm her,” Ann chided, rinsing off, making sure her nooks and crannies were free of soap. “Sound almost as bad as me.”

“Ye’ve got a different thing goin’ on. Tha’ whole Vulhardrin instinct thing. Gotta make sure ye don’ accidentally overdo it. I, on the other hand, don’t. So I get tae have me fun.”

“Rules fer the, an’ not fer me,” Ann sighed, mockingly imitating Kat’s accent.

“Ah shush, ye stick in the mud. All goes right, we’ll ‘ave ‘er quiverin’ in more fun ways afore the night’s over.”

“Kinda wanted to wait until after a date,” Ann reminded her lover.

“An’ what d’ya think tonight’s gonna be? I’m plannin’ on gettin’ Bren hooked up too. Somehow. Man needs tae let loose, an’ it’s been a long while since ‘es ‘ad a girlfriend.”

“He’s the type to go for a hookup? He’s so serious, I’d think he’d be more focused on commitment than that.”

Kat nodded, finishing drying her long brown hair. “He loosens up a bit once ye get a couple drinks in ‘im. Ye’ll see. Aye, ‘e prefers a committed thing, but even he’ll ‘ave a night o’ fun now an’ then.”

“As long as he’s ok with it,” Ann sighed. She wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do, but Kat knew him better than she did. She was surprised as a strong hand pulled her face into a kiss.

“Trust me,” Kat giggled, releasing her. “I got the best intentions fer both o’ em.”

Ann rolled her eyes and finished cleaning up. Her girlfriend was single-minded sometimes, most of the time, but that wasn’t really a bad thing. A bar date was a date, though probably one Rosalyn wasn’t going to do the best in. She’d have to make sure to keep close to the socially anxious Druid. Probably part of why Kat wanted this location out of everywhere else.

Once ready, and in clean clothes, the party gathered downstairs. Rosalyn had opted for a nice fitting top and skirt that showed off her curves, but was modest enough to fit her personality. Kat was in her normal tight shirt and leather pants. Bren had changed into pants for possibly the first time she’d met him and a loose shirt with a laced up collar. He’d also done up his hair and cleaned up the stubble that had been growing over the past few days. He cleaned up nicely.

“All right, ready tae get this night started?” Kat asked, a wide grin on her lips as she observed their group.

“I’ll do my best,” Rosalyn promised, nerves clear in her eyes.

“Ready as ever,” Bren replied cooly.

“When am I not?” Ann teased, flicking her enthusiastic girlfriend.

“Then let's’ go. Follow me!” Kat beckoned as she led them out into the evening light of the city.

The Iron Tap was a rustic place. Black stone bricks lined its walls, as was normal for the city, and the interior didn’t change that. It did, however, have a line outside, which Ann wasn’t sure she’d seen in this time yet. The bouncer, a big butch Thrundol, was standing at the head of the line, waving guests in, and shooing off people that weren’t welcome. As they approached, she gave them a once over.

“Damn, you all will be popular, head on in,” she waved them past with an appreciative whistle.

“Wow, Bren,” Ann teased. “Didn’t think you’d make such an impression!”

“You know it was more than I,” he retorted. “You and Katlyn are a force to be reckoned with.”

“Too bad she doesn’t know we’re taken,” Kat laughed as they entered the main room of the bar.

Ann expected a club, but it was more subdued than that. Not that it wasn’t absolutely packed, and buzzing with conversation, but not a full club. It was laid out with several booths around the three exterior walls of the first floor. A long bar took up the fourth wall, with three bartenders plying their trade to patrons that approached them. The entire place was lit by magical crystals of warm colours along the walls, and hanging from the two-story ceiling by threads. The center floor was clear for dancers, with a raised circular platform in the center which hosted tonight’s performers.

A pair of female Indol, a male Thrundol, and a male Alfhindur were performing, playing instruments Ann was familiar with from history lessons. A lute, some drums, a flute and one of the Indol singing. They were all dressed in colourful outfits, hats askew and the slight sheen of sweat reflecting off their skin.

“And that was Warped Desire! We’ll be taking a quick break before the next song. You’ve all been wonderful tonight!” the Indol that was singing declared.

“This is a lot of people,” Rosalyn mumbled, clutching on to Ann’s kilt tightly. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Ann reassured her, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. “Let’s find a booth to start with. Get some drinks and relax a little before we try anything.”

Kat led them through the floor, shouldering past people so Ann could guide Rosalyn through without issue.

They arrived at a booth a couple had just vacated and slid in comfortably. Rosalyn took the innermost seat, choosing to have Ann create a buffer between her and the crowd. Kat sidled in, while Bren offered to get drinks.

“Know it’s not yer scene, Rosalyn, but I figured we all needed a night out after that Seed. Bren most o’ all. Poor bastard really got put through it,” Kat said, watching her brother order drinks across the busy floor.

Ann joined the look, surprised to see Bren chatting up the bartender while he waited for their drinks. “I always thought he’d be more awkward around this kind of place,” she said.

“Nae. Serious man, he is, but awkward is not in his character. Flustered at times, aye, especially when ye catch ‘im off guard, but when he feels comfortable, he’s got a charisma to ‘im.”

“I’m seeing that,” Ann mused as she watched the bartender clearly making eyes at their friend.

“Speaking of comfortable, please don’t make me dance,” Rosalyn pleaded. “I don’t know anything about dancing somewhere like this and I’d die of embarrassment if I was out there.” She extended an arm, flapping a hand at the dancers milling about, waiting for the next song.

“Promise I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to,” Ann said, wrapping an arm around her. “By the way, all of us are essentially dating now. That make us all girlfriends?”

“Didn’t know what tae call it, but I guess so?” Kat pondered, scratching her chin. “Three girlfriends?”

“I wasn’t sure if I was actually considered part of the relationship, so I didn’t want to press, or assume, but I feel like that’d work. Not really sure. It’s up to you two, but you both seem interested, and I’m interested, and what we did back in the hot spring kinda crossed some boundaries, and then the kissing, and the other stuff, and you’re all really hot and beautiful and,” Ann mercifully cut off Rosalyn with a kiss.

“It’s fine, little lamb,” she purred, licking the woman’s lips as she withdrew. “Girlfriends works for me.”

“Ladies,” Bren greeted them, passing out drinks in flagons. “A busy night, according to the bartender.”

“That all you talked about?” Ann prodded, taking a swig of her mug. It was a hoppy ale, bitter, but alcoholic in the best way. “Oh, that’s good.”

“Not everything, no, but a gentleman does not gossip,” he huffed, a slight blush coming to his cheeks.

“Well, I think she likes ye,” Kat chuckled, chugging her drink before slamming the empty cup down. “Might ‘ave some luck wit’ ‘er later.”

“Noted,” Bren grinned, glancing back across the room to the woman, who was a blur of motion, serving numerous guests. “Maybe. We will see how the night goes.”

“Is this normal for city drink?” Rosalyn asked, holding her mug before her. “It is, um, stronger than what I’m used to. I can taste the alcohol over the oats and wheat and whatever else they used. It’s nice, a bit bitter for me. I liked our ciders and wines, when we had them.”

“I was not aware of your preference, so I picked up the most common drink. If you prefer wine, I would be happy to,” he was cut off by Ann raising a hand.

“I’ll get it. You just got back. Sit, chat, relax. What kind? Red? White? Sweet or sour?”

“Um, sweet red? Sounds all right. Maybe if they have any blackberry?”

“Blackberry, got it. Be back in a sec!” Ann waved as she submerged herself in the dance floor.

The crush of bodies around Annita was fun. Her senses were so different from when she was human, and being a foot and a half taller than she used to be let her not feel suffocated by bodies around her. She half danced, half pushed her way through the crowd, body swaying with the surrounding motions.

About halfway through the crowd, she was stopped at a particularly dense knot of people ringing a couple individuals who were dancing in the clearing. As she made her way around, a voice called out. “Damn, beautiful. Haven’t seen you around before. Wanna dance?” A hand joined the voice, landing on her upper arm.

Turning, she saw a man, a Vulhardrin with grey skin. He flashed layered shark teeth in a wide grin as he held out his hand. She grinned back, flashing her own sharp teeth. “Sorry, dude. I don’t swing that way, if you know what I mean. Have a fun night!”

The man’s face fell, a sigh slumping his shoulders. “Ah, shoulda known. Way too goddamn pretty. Oh well,” with a huff, he shook himself and returned to the spectacle of the dancing pair at the center of the ring.

At least he took it well, Ann thought as she continued her push through the crowd. Arriving at the Bar she raised a hand, one of a half dozen. After two other patrons were served, the pretty Alfhindur that was serving Bren popped up in front of her. She was cute, a long blonde ponytail pulled back which showed off her ears. All three of her eyes blinked, and Ann blinked back. She was used to the sometimes strange body parts people affected by the Warp had, but the extra eye on the cheek caught her off guard. It looked completely normal, just not in the normal place. It gave the woman an almost alien look, but she pulled it off incredibly well, with eyeshadow and a painted pattern on her opposite cheek balancing her face out.

“Heya! What can I getcha?” she chirped, leaning flirtatiously on the bar.

“A thing of blackberry wine, if you’ve got it. Oh, and an ale.”

“Ale and wine, gotcha. One sec,” she said as she ducked away, grabbing cups and heading over to casks lined up behind the stretch of polished wood. Quickly returning, she thunked the containers down. “There you go. It’ll be four copper each. By the by, you’re not with that human over there, are you?” she asked, pointing subtly over toward where their group had taken their seats. “He’s kinda cute, but don’t want to run into any issues there.”

“Hm? Bren?” Ann asked, feigning innocence. “Oh, no. He’s on his own.”

“Really? Good! I’ll have to take a break and see if he’ll dance later. Was worried one of you three was with him, so I wanted to be careful. Never know, ya know?”

“No no, I know. Those other two are with me, so no worries about competition.”

“Way to go, you!” the barmaid cheered, offering a high five Ann took with a giggle.

“I got lucky, that’s all,” she said bashfully.

“Yeah, you did,” the woman said enthusiastically. “I’m not into women, but you three are quite the, uh, pair isn’t right, party? Group? Whatever, good for you! Oop! Got talking, you go get your drinks back to your friends. See you later?”

“Yeah, oh, what’s your name?” Ann asked, grabbing the mugs.

“June!” June called back as she darted away to the next guest.

Her return trip was much less complicated now that she had drinks in hand. The dancing guests gave her considerate space, probably not wanting to get splashed.

Rosalyn took her cup, sipping at it with a happy sigh. “Oh, that’s good. Much better. Here, you can have my ale,” she said, scooting her first mug over to Kat, who took it happily.

“So, her name is June, if you didn’t get that,” Ann said, kicking Bren lightly under the table, causing the Scholar to start.

“I did, actually,” he informed her. “She was very friendly. I must say I might be a bit taken with her. Hopefully, this night offers an opportunity.”

Ann giggled to herself, not letting on the extra bit she’d picked up from June. “Here’s to luck,” she cheered, draining her own mug. “Oh, man, this is stronger than the stuff at the Association.”

“Aye, that shite’s fer drinking. This leann is fer gettin’ drunk!” Kat laughed as she knocked back another cup. “So, ye ol’ wolf, this like things ye remember?”

“Yeah, actually. This is pretty damn normal. A bar, a band, a lot of people dancing and good alcohol is pretty fucking normal,” Ann laughed, leaning back in the booth and wrapping an arm around Rosalyn’s shoulders.

“It is strange, hearing that someone from so long ago had such similarities in their time,” Bren said, taking a sip. “We have heard so many of the similarities, what would be the differences?”

“Well, I think I covered that magic wasn’t a thing,” Ann said, taking a drink to let herself think. “Hmm, well, I guess it’d be the buildings and just how many people are in the world. First of all, all humans. Yeah,” she chuckled as Kat and Rosalyn’s jaws fell open.

“But that sounds so boring!” Rosalyn all but shouted, slapping her hands on the table. “No Vulhardrin, Alfhindur, Inlon or Bultrong? That’s so… so… yeah, boring.”

“Nope, just human. We had stories and myths of people like elves, dwarves, goblins and animal people, but they were all made up. Lame, yes, I know,” Ann laughed, patting Rosalyn’s head as she shook it with frustration. “Second, I’d say is the buildings and all that. This stuff,” she gestured around the room, “was common about a thousand years, give or take, before I was born. When I was alive, we still built things out of wood and stone, but something called concrete was the biggest building material. You could just pour it into a mold and it’d harden how you liked. Stick some metal bars in and you had super strong structures. Oh, and plastic. Plastic was everywhere. Honestly, it probably still is. Need to ask Orenous if they cleaned that shit up. It got to be a problem.”

“Plastic? What is that?” Bren asked, fumbling for his notebook he’d left behind at the Association.

“Well, it can kinda be whatever you wanted it to be. It was made of… oil? I think? Honestly, didn’t read too much about it, but we used it for fucking everything. To the point where it kinda got into our food, the water, the ground, the air. Ugh, bad shit. We used it to make toys, store food, framing, windows, all sorts of tableware, floors, walls, just, everything you can think of, we could use plastic for it.”

“It sounds so convenient, if you’re describing it right. Guessing the getting everywhere is why you all stopped?” Rosalyn asked. The smaller woman had gone through most of her wine and had been slowly relaxing into Ann’s side, much to her delight.

“Stop?” Ann choked over a sip of ale. “Oh, no, didn’t stop from at least before I got shot. Still going strong. Like I said, need to talk to Orenous about, frankly, a lot of stuff.”

“Anyway, buildings, yeah. Big buildings. You know how the Keep is only like four stories tall?” she paused to let the rest nod along. “Think ten times the height, and more. We built shit tall and dense. Had millions of people living in a city. The capital had just over a million people and it wasn’t even my country’s biggest city. Montr-“ she was cut off by a cheer from the crowd.

The band had returned and were setting things up for their next set, and Ann could barely make herself heard over the noise.

“Oh fuck this,” she laughed, standing and offering her hand to the table. “I wanna dance.”