The tavern bustled with activity this night. Indistinct chatter melded into a mild roar as stories were laid bare on each table. Waitresses glided through crowded aisles to bring plates to customers, and a barmaid served drinks to anyone wanting less substantial meals. Near the hearth, two bards sat and played their instruments for the tips of any appreciative listeners.
The front doors swung open as a small figure lumbered through it. She threw off her cloak and unceremoniously dropped her belongings close to the nearest empty chair she could find, before ungracefully plopping herself down on to it. She gave a groan as she threw her head back, and melted into the seat. She wore a leather traveling dress, tailored for ease of motion. Though the material was sturdy and the design was protective, the dress gave little attempt at modesty. The back was bare, the cut was low, and the skirt was high. Despite its provocative nature, it had an overall sensible design for travel and rough work.
The young woman grumbled to herself under her breath.
“Uhg… I just wanna sit down…”
She hefted herself up so a sitting position in an exaggerated motion, picked up the pole she held her belongings on, and used it to push the tavern door shut without standing.
“Happy?”
She slumped back down. A waitress headed over to her location, and looked at her expectantly.
“Can I get you something?”
She replied in an almost dismissive voice.
“Meat, and ale. I don’t care what kind.”
The waitress gave a nod before leaving.
The young patron rolled her eyes, and mumbled under her breath.
“What, do you want me to bow to her or something?”
Her eyes wandered lazily around the room, before resting on the bards. Her eyes perked up, and a grin curled into her mouth, as she eyed them. She rested her body forward on the table, as she glared at them hungrily.
Though much older than her, they had youthful features. They had healthy, kempt hair, vivid eyes, stylish clothing, and played with confidence and grace. She ate in the sight as she swayed her hips, back and forward.
“What’s a cute little thing like you doing in a place like this?”
She was interrupted by another man. She quickly glanced at him. Not an unattractive man, but not to the girl’s tastes either. She ignored him and went back to her gazing.
“The boys here can get kinda rowdy. Why don’t you come sit with me, so I can keep you safe?”
“N~ot interested,” she replied without breaking her gaze from her show.
“What, are you more interested in a couple of pretty boys on a stage than a real man right in front of you?”
“Y~ep.”
“Come on. Those pansies can’t do half the stuff I can. Come over here, and I’ll show you what a real man can do.”
Finally catching her attention, she tilted her head and eyed him icily.
“Alright. Here’s one thing I’d like to see. I’ve seen some nasty wounds in my travels. Some of them I’ve had to stitch up. Some of them I got to see fester. One particularly nasty one happened when this guy’s thigh was ripped open. Blood everywhere. I’ve got no idea how to dress a wound like that. You think you can show me?”
“…the hell kinda request is-“
It took him a moment to notice her hand. It reached down into his thighs, with a small blade ready to thrust inwards.
He jumped back as soon as the danger registered in his mind. The girl’s eyes glinted in superiority. Her hand passed over her body, and her weapon disappeared. She didn’t move from her rested position.
“The hell kind of lunatic are you?”
“The kind who knows how to get a creep to stop hitting on her.”
“Dressed like that, I wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted the whole tavern to hit on you!”
Her gaze iced over again.
“A baby like you wearing something like that, I bet you wanted the eyes of every man in here on you.”
An impatient scowl appeared on her face.
“I bet you found the most grown up place you could find, and snuck out while daddy wasn’t-“
She darted forward from her rested position in a smooth motion. She tapped him briefly, and hopped back.
“What, you wanna start something little girl?”
She replied coldly. “Shoulder. Gut.”
“wha…”
He felt a slight movement along his chest. He absentmindedly brushed it off with his hand, and noticed it was wet. He looked down to find a growing red stain on his shirt. Another started growing on his stomach.
Realization hit him hard. He looked back up, and found two knives in the girl’s hands. Each dripping faintly with blood.
He started cursing as he sputtered back, grasping at his wounds. He tripped over a chair, and fell to his back.
“I’m not doing it.”
As the surrounding patrons realized what had happened, they shot up from their seats and backed away from the scene.
“He was asking for it!”
A circle had formed around the scene, each person forming it keeping a safe distance. The attacker grasped at her heart, and cursed.
“ow Ow OW Damn DAMN FINE! I’ll do it! Just stop it!”
She tossed her blades onto her table and walked forward. A scream was heard somewhere as she leaned over the fallen man. He scrambled back and kicked out at her as she did. Annoyed, she produced another knife out of nowhere and held it to his neck.
“Hold still or the next one’s instant.”
The man held still by fear, she had free access to his body. She reached her free hand over the wound on his gut. A faint light grew from it. It increased in intensity as it engulfed the wound. When it faded, she moved her hand over his other wound, and the process repeated.
She stood up, and head back to her seat. She swiped her blade over her body, and it returned to wherever it came from. She picked up the bloodied knives on her table, and did the same. She slumped back on her chair.
“Well what was I supposed to do? He was pissing me off!”
Freed from the threat, the man patted his body, checking his injuries. He couldn’t find them. A crowd gathered around to check on him, while giving the girl wide berth.
“Um, miss? Your order?”
The waitress waited at the other side of the table with a plate of meat and a mug of ale. Her eyes were wide and her body was stiff.
“Yeah, just bring it over.”
The waitress did as she was told, then began to scamper off.
“Hey, wait a moment.”
She froze in place.
“Have you heard of any village raids recently?”
She slowly turned to face the girl addressing her, and took a few seconds to compose herself before responding.
“Um… Yes, actually. There was one a few weeks ago, in a village a week’s walk south of here. And another after that one, in one a few day’s walk southwest.”
“Hum… Sipitol and Luncol? Nelip is next along that path, they’ll probably be around there by now…”
She thought out loud for a moment, then winced suddenly.
“Oh, um, thank you. For, everything. I guess.”
The waitress muttered something in acknowledgement, and backed a few steps. She gave a hurried apology to the man whose chair she stumbled into, then head back to the kitchen.
“Was that what you wanted, ‘dad’?”
She leaned back into her chair, enjoying the feeling of her muscles relaxing. After a moment, she rose, and paid proper attention to her meal. Between bites, she threw some glances to the bards.
After her meal was finished, she threw a proper gaze at them. She placed some coin on the table, rose, and walked over; hips swinging side to side, and a confident smirk on her face. Part way over to greeting them, she cringed and froze up.
“Come on, just this once!”
Her shoulders slunk as she turned back. She picked up her belongings, and head out the doors.
“So, Nelip’s probably already been hit. That means we should probably camp out at, what, Tical for the next raid?”
She listened to the silence around her.
“What? Oh come on!”
Her calm walking pace increased to a jog after her sudden exclamation. She raced off to her next destination.
Originally Posted by stukasa
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Kind of sad such a young girl has been traumatized to the point of wanting all the bandits slaughtered, but I guess I can't really blame her...
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