Chapter 10
It appeared that she wasn't off the hook yet. With the storm of voices swirling about, laughing and shouting, the clink of glasses and clanks of mugs, she still couldn't understand why the professor came to such a place. To risk whatever ... egg... he acquired and his short stature amidst drunks, violent men and lecherous women - was he insane?
Professor Tekks wouldn't say much to his human escort though. To Tekks perhaps she was just another expendable contractor to accomplish the job and nothing else. But for Liric, she admitted to her curiosity. While this job continued, she vowed to find out more.
"Well, well, a lil' asura, a rare sight to be seen hither this edge of town! Are ya on the main platter today?" The human bartender had a wide grin and was hollering for all to hear. Upon her exaggerated tone, the patrons turned to look at the occasion, raising cups and mugs and cheering. Asura, a delightful surprise. The rowdiness was even more rampant than before. But no one dared to approach them.
The tavern located at the top of Lion's Arch, perched on twisted amalgams of flotsam and no longer seafaring ships, was a popular place, packed at nights til early in the morning. Liric, a frequent visitor of Lion's Arch, was a familiar at the Crow's Nest. Not only was it the largest tavern in Lion's Arch, but it was also the location of the Captain's Council, the government composed of "pirates", captains and other seafaring folk of different races. The symbol of commercial prosperity and cultural diversity was dependent on the Captain's Council in conjunction with Black Lion Trading Company, which had proved again and again of their cunning and wisdom through treacherous political and commercial territory. Like their sailing experience on rough seas, the citizens of Lion's Arch trusted the Council with glad hearts - for the most part.
Liric realized nothing had changed in here as she followed the small form of the asura, who had parked his golem near the entrance of the bar. He had no worries for the golem - they were generally so heavy and without the proper key and knowledge of the creator's magical circuits, there would be no way to move it successfully.
They were greeted by the usual smell of cigars, pipes and cigarettes lit with a multitude of different flavors and colors, smoke rings filling the air. The worn wooden floorboards and walls, dimly lit oil lamps and torches, and the dusty bottles of alcohol were not foreign either. Liric quickly relaxed and threw on a smile when she saw the bartender.
But upon, her comment, the asura on the other hand, leapt up in surprise, face twisting into a snarl. He was barely visible above the counter, despite the bar stool.
"Fool! How dare you look down on me, bookah?" He stamped his feet in tantrum.
But both human women chuckled at the egocentric professor. "It's difficult NOT to look down."
With a scowl, he said nothing in response and settled down. "I'm here to enjoy the evening, I'll be civilized and restrain my violent tendencies to send my golem's polycarbonate synthetic -" The bartender raised her hand to cut him off.
And he sulked some more. "I'll cut to the chase, fetch me some Juniberry Gin." He paused and then added, "In a vial, please."
"Name's Sara." The bartender winked and tossed her deep scarlet red hair over her shoulder.
She turned towards the mercenary. "Liric Aurora Whitecloak with 'er legendary Sunrise blade, been helluva long time! What 'bout you, matey?"
"The usual."
Sara chuckled and reached over to slap Liric on the shoulder, a heavy clank against the armor. "Ya gettin' stiff, girl! Flask of Firewater ain't it? Gotta get ya goin' again 'ey? Lube for the gears, hun."
"Oh, I'm plenty going." Liric glanced pointedly at the Asuran professor.
She laughed. "True say. True say."
Without another word, Sara turned around to pour the drinks. She dusted off a few bottles.
"Is that even sanitary?" Tekks scrunched his grey skinned face up as if he could smell a putrid odour.
"As sanitary as you can get in Lion's Arch."
Tekks didn't respond to Liric's comment but watched as "Dagger Hands" Sara deftly slipped out a dagger and spun it in her hand. The arcing spiral of a wicked ebony blade. Without hesitation, she flipped the bottles upward now and effortlessly swiped the edge of the blade twice. Left and right. The entire tip of the bottles along with its cork launched into the air neatly and deposited themselves into a garbage pail. Then the bartender got busy with a flask and vial. Liric, satisfied with seeing the signature "dagger trick", set her massive greatsword to rest on the counter.
The weight of the sword made a thunk and the customers along the bar stools slipped a peek. The mighty blade was one of the legendary blades in Tyria. Not many could afford to forge one or even wield its tremendous size and weight in their hands. However powerful, it was a wonder she could keep herself from attracting too much unwanted attention. Perhaps it was the down-to-business glint in her brown eyes or unwavering tone in her voice, but it was easy to keep people clear of her way. But with such a weapon and a successful reputation to date, there were bound to be many seeking the Whitecloak name.
Interestingly enough, she never once wore a white cloak. Nor would she ever.
"Firewater for you, babe." The wooden counter thudded with the glass flask and a small thin vial. "Juniberry Gin, lil' asura."
There was no word of thanks from both of them as they threw back a gulp of the alcohol.
"Y'all that thirsty huh?"
"Hooo. What have we here?" A low whale-like resonance drifted over them.
"Flotsam Sam!" Liric raised her flask in greeting and couldn't hold back a hearty chuckle upon seeing the blue quaggan. The strange, short, smooth-skinned animal that stood on its hind legs, with the round blubbery body of an orca.
A huge grin parted its mouth and it lifted the bottle in its flippers in reply. "Liric." He emphasized the last syllable like he was trailing off in a chant. "What brings you here?" His voice is warm but she knew the owner of the tavern was keeping a tab on them.
"That's what I'd like to know." Already loosened up with the Firewater, Liric laughed, pushing away Sam's wary inquisition. "If Professor here would graciously inform me."
Sara leaned forward onto the counter her elbows, like she was intrigued, poised for a story. "Better spill the tale, 'Professor', or I'll spill ya blood." A joke, an empty threat but a dangerous glint in her eyes.
The Asura snorted, defiant. "Your threats have no effect on me, barista professionale. Spill my blood and lose your only opportunity to absorb a sliver of my infinite knowledge."
"Hun, what am I ever to do with knowledge here, dear professor?"
Liric held back her smile, as it was such a far-fetched joke on the wealth of knowledge and intelligence the tavern's patrons and staff represented. Bars with its mixed bag assortment of beings, accumulated possibly, the grandest spectrum of information - especially with the informants available, usually hunkered down in the darker corners of place.
While on the unpredictable side, "Dagger Hands" Sara, infamous for her brilliant combat tactics and skill, would never strike unintentionally. When she does, she would only do so to kill. Though she had taken leave from her past as a Mist Warrior and her job as a pirate conquering the seas with her guild, her skill had not been dulled. But upon asking, she would usually say that she enjoyed her humble kingdom as a bartender at the Crow's Nest.
Of course, Professor Tekks, hailing from the laboratories of Asuran sci-fi metropolis Rata Sum, was unfamiliar to the characters in a place like Lion's Arch.
No doubt, stubborn words aside, Tekks might be shaken inside.
He was about to speak.
All three of the others, inched a little closer, to hear his tale.
Why had he come to Lion's Arch? Why had he visited the bar? How much would he say?
Just then, there was a loud clang, as the main door flung open, tearing off its hinges.
Next Chapter
3
Professor Tekks, on 14 December 2012 - 02:15 PM, said:
For Faux Sake 
| 
| Some Cat Thing 
| (The Real) Charr Cat 
Diegovich 
Electromagnetic Pop 
Deimos Ultrablade 
Forest Knight Ultra
Mina Mitsu 
Mara Blackroot 
Scarlet Ultra 
Typhoon Ultra
