Smells of alcohol combined with the aroma of beef and herbs from the pot of stew bubbling away at the back of the tavern filled her nose, tempting Helen to part with the money in her purse. Yet she shook that temptation away, instead focusing her attention to the inner part of "Dragon's Tooth". Just a quick glance showed the reasoning for the name was obvious: a sharp, serrated tooth hung in the back of the tavern. Its length around half of a human adult's height, and just as wide.
If the tooth is already that huge, then how big must the dragon be?
Helen gulped as she walked into the establishment, her head swiveling left and right to give the place a look. Both for trying to find the usual job board, as well as just trying to look at everything. She couldn't help it, previously she only went to shady establishments such as "Rats' Nest" and the inner part of this one blew that one out of the water. The floor looked clean, wooden furniture, the way they put the lights to give it a homely feel, then the smell of stew that made her mouth water, the people milling around the tavern that didn't look like they just got thrown out of the local jail- all of these combined to show that this place had class. Still crass though, considering the rough grin some of the patrons shot at her, but at least they didn't whistle or call out at her to service them.
Just when she thought of that, a rough voice called out to her. "Oi, Miss, this place isn't for a wee lass like you! It'll be such a shame if you are killed, hic... that bod is even comparable to some of those Mamono. Maybe I should check if you are one, gyahahahaha!" He ended with laughter, chugging down the big mug of beer in his hand.
His words grated. She almost decided to ignore it. After all, she knew how quick things could escalate if she fought- She suddenly noticed how quiet the tavern became. She knew that the table on the left side near the window, with three people, almost came to blows, but they sat back down, their eyes flickering towards her before going away again, as if they didn't want her to notice. Maybe she could ignore it if only that table did this, but she noticed each occupant also watched- well, some she wasn't certain, but most of them weren't even hiding they were looking at her. Even the receptionist on the back sat back relaxedly, the grin on her face giving her some sort of challenge, like 'Well, are you going to lie back and accept?'
The same as a lower end tavern then. Seriously, adventurers were all the same in this city. Let some random guy or girl provoke the newcomer, then if they let it be, that person had to be weak. She could bet that some of these people never faced any monsters like she had in the past. Sauntering forward, she let her magic leak from her arms, the crackle of lightning loud in the silence. Even the rude guy's jaw dropped, his eyes staring at her as if she just grew a second head. "Alright, mind saying that again? I was too far and can't listen clearly." She murmured, just standing relaxedly in front of him. No need to pull out her bow or knife for this guy, after all he was just a sheep thrown by the wolves in this place.
But he shook off the shock quite fast, grinning wildly, he put down the mug and stood up- and up. He towered above her, the wide smile on his face promising pain. "Damn, I like feisty girls you know? If you stop now perhaps I'll be gentler..."
He didn't do much except standing there, but Helen knew she fucked up. Now she understood the whole reason they went silent, why they looked at her and what she would do. Decisions warred within her as the electricity on her arms continued to spark, silence stretching between the two of them. Perhaps she should have said something, anything to break the unnerving atmosphere between the two of them. Maybe she could launch the gathered power in her arms. Or pull out her knife. But she couldn't shake that feeling that if she did that, her mistakes would grow bigger than what it was currently.
A sharp clap pierced through, making both of them jolt as they turned to the source- the receptionist. "Alright, that's enough, boyo. Had enough fun yet, Karl?" Even though she was smiling, cold filled that sentence.
Then the sentence she said parsed through her mind.
She looked back to him, finally really taking note of his appearance. Bald, red eyes, and intricate metal armor that looked to be lighter than what it should be. The huge hammer slung on his back with a symbol of a broken skull... Karl, The Demonslayer. "I-I apologize sir!" The words escaped her mouth before she could even think of it, bowing down as quickly as possible as she dispelled her magic.
Instead of doing the sort of thing she expected him to do, he laughed, a roaring sort that was loud and boisterous- reminding Helen of her hometown, slightly. The old men there always have the same laugh. "It's okay. I like your spunk, that won't be denied. So for all the trouble I caused you and the Missus there... hm..." He went silent while giving the other patrons a look.
Some looked away, either out of respect or they had no desire to be pulled into this. But some grinned and immediately shouted, "Buy 'em some booze man! You have the coins!" That suggestion seemed to take hold, some people immediately shouting their agreement as they let out a drunken grin.
"Hah! Too true, too true. Alright then, put it in my tab Arya!" Karl shouted, and as if a switch had been flipped, everyone started chattering once more- the previous silence all forgotten. "Now just continue on with what you wanted to do, lassie. Sorry for that, you are just too cute!"
She wanted to reply against that sharply, but that aura and his reputation... well, easy choice. "Thank you sir." She said, bowing slightly before walking quickly to the receptionist, refusing any offers from the other tables. Seemed that her stunt warmed her to them- or maybe as what the legendary Demonslayer said, she was just 'cute'. She hated that, but she kept it in her thoughts, refusing to let it show as she finally arrived in front of the receptionist.
This close, the first thing Helen noticed was that purple eyes- very unusual. Arya gave her a small smile as she prepared a mug, her hands moving quickly to fill it with beer. "Sorry, you seemed pretty decent so I goaded you without thinking." She murmured apologetically, giving her a bow. Not too deep but Helen couldn't help but back off slightly.
She was uncertain how she felt for this girl but- not much choice with that kind of show. "Um... it's alright. I didn't mind it too much." Accepting the tankard from Arya, she barely gave it a look before chugging it down, figuring that it wouldn't be anything good since it was paid by another. Even if the guy was one of the Hero known in the land. She immediately regretted it, the taste was above and beyond any she expected. Well-balanced, fruity and dry, with the slightest aroma of the forest... Far better than anything she ever tasted before. "Woa... how much for this mug?" She asked, immediately putting it down to the counter. "I don't think I have enough to cover whatever's left..."
And if I did, I'd rather use it for something else instead of good alcohol.
But Arya just laughed at that question, waving her off. "It's fine, it's fine. Think of it as a joint pay of him and I since y'know, I pushed you to that situation and all. Nonetheless, welcome to Dragon's Tooth! Hope this doesn't put you off coming here again, we have the best food and drinks in Forfense after all."
One of her eyebrows rose slightly hearing that, quite the lofty claim after all, considering this place was in the lower area instead of shopping or even the fancy place up above.
Arya seemed to understand her doubt though, giving her a pout as she answered Helen's unspoken question, "Fine, best if you don't compare it to those schmancy-fancy pants of those cooks for nobles. They are unfair anyway, having all sorts of magical beasts' meat to use, not to count their fresh vegetables... anyone can cook good stuff with those, anyone! But me? Uuurgh. Anyway, enough about me. What pushes you to come to my beloved tavern?"
That reminded her of her original intention. She had relaxed a bit too much... Drinking the rest of the beer, she put the tankard down. "Thanks for it, but do you mind showing me where the job board is? Kinda in need of money, you see..." A bit of a hurry too, otherwise she would never set foot here. Even with all the rough people in Rats' Nest, she had made her own reputation there, and Dragons' Tooth was just full of unknown except for the fact that they were pretty upscale and far, far better rewards. Rats' board was mostly the request of the people in the slums after all. They couldn't pay well, but Helen didn't mind. As long as she gathered enough for her family, she was okay with it.
"Oooooh, a job. Alright, just there on the left, a pillar on its right."
Helen looked towards where Arya pointed and there it was. The fabled job board. Relieved, she thanked Arya before walking there, ignoring the other patrons. She could talk with them after, for now she had to find a good job.
A guy was already staring at the board, as if pondering which one to pick. Giving him a nod as she joined him in standing in front of it, she started to give each one a quick look.
