Gale"Welcome to The cozy inn. "
Gale welcomed with a beckoning wave. The young lad was the tallest among all the children in the village. His full height was slightly shorter than the saloon doors but being that youngster that he is, he ducked under the dual doors rather than just pushing it open. Philomel and Amon spare a glance at each other before pushing the door open and going in. Instantly the winds cold was blocked and replaced by warmth from the fire as the doors squeaked closed behind them.
Barmaid " Boy, must I remind you this is no place for kids?"
The young lady questioned without even looking up from the glass in hand as she continues to wipe it to perfection. Gale pouted as he walked up to the bar.
Gale" Aww, are you really going to be like that when I brought you some customers?"
Gale whined as he stretched out his arms over the bar, laying most of his upper body onto the bar, gripping the other side's edge with his fingers, and swinging his legs off the other edge.
Barmaid" *Scoff* Somehow the type of customers you bring aren't the type I would like."
She scoffed at the young lad's words but even though she did, her hands grabbed bottles from the shelf, swinging the bottles around her body as she poured a certain amount of each. In a blink of an eye, there were three tall glasses of Cranberry spritz decorated with mint on the top. All three drinks stood next to Gale's face as if the Barmaid was threatening to pour the mixture onto the lad's head if he doesn't stop hanging off her bar. Unfortunately, Gale was used to it and paid no mind to it.
Barmaid" Don't be smart and ask for a top-up tonic. I'll tell your mother that you tried to hustle into getting alcohol. I'll put the drinks on your grandfather's tab. "
She warned and informed as her hands flip the bottles back onto the shelf with ease and returned back to wiping the glasses. Philomel and Amon stood awkwardly near the door but after seeing the Barmaid serve drinks, they slowly approached the bar.
Gale" Aella! Can't you at least spare me a glance? Or at least the guest I brought?"
Gale whined as he expertly kicked his legs in frustration. Kicking only downward or sideways being careful not to kick the bar counter. Knowing that if he ever took his frustration out on the old counter, Aella would take her frustration out on him.
Aella" What's the point in the end your all..."
Aella trails off when she noticed Amon taking a seat at the counter. Her eyes slowly scanned from his lower abdomen toward his chest and bulging biceps that almost had a hard time, slipping through the short sleeves of his black shirt. Fearing to look but too curious not to, her gaze finally looked up at Amon's bobbing Adam's apple, to his narrow-angle jawline and defined Cupid's bow lips that curved into a smile. His shimmering maroon eyes catch the fire light just right, making them glow such a vibrant color and his hot mess of dark red hair.
Amon" Hello."
Amon greeted with a nod as he shifted on the bar stool, trying to make himself comfortable. Aella let out a high-pitched squeal as she suddenly dove down, hiding behind the bar. Amon and Philomel were both taken aback by the sudden reaction, sparing glances at each other before leaning over the bar, trying to get a glimpse of the young Barmaid. Suddenly from behind the bar, a pair of hands shot out, grabbing Gale's arms that were spread out over the bar.
Gale" Eh! Hey!'
Gale exclaimed when the arms pulled the young lad over the bar and into the shadows behind it. Amon and Philomel instantly grab the 3 glasses that were close to the lad, pulling them away to safety. Fearing Gale would hit it and cause it to fall onto the Barmaid's head.
Gale" What are you?!"
The young lad yelped in confusion but before he could even finish his question another voice cuts him off.
Aella" Who is he?!"
The barmaid questioned with an excited tone as she shook the confused lad.
Gale" Who? What do you mean, who is he? You could have easily found out if you just said hello and introduced yourself. "
The dizzy lad reminded before he shrugged off the Barmaid's hands from his shoulders, putting a halt to her merciless shaking.
Aella" You know you could be less of a brat and tell me. "
The Barmaid whined as she ruffles around with her hair.
Aella" How do I look?"
She questioned as she pulled her sleeves off her shoulders, adjusting her dress into an off-shoulder dress with a few pins.
Gale" Uhh... Like usual?"
Gale guessed, not being able to see so well. Since the only source of light behind that bar was the fireplace. A light that the Barmaid blocked with her body whenever she faced the young lad.
Aella" And how do I normally look?"
She questioned as she pushed up her breast, trying to make her cleavage line seem deeper than it is.
Aella" And you better say beautiful or you're in big trouble!"
Aella quickly added with a threatening tone.
Gale" Uhhhhhhh.... "
Gale trailed off not really knowing what to answer as his mind shuts down.
Philomel and Amon awkwardly ignore the muttering happening behind the bar. They couldn't make out most of the conversation. Since the Barmaid was speaking in a hushed tone with the lad but a few clear words did slip out here and there. But it wasn't enough to make anything out of it and so they chose to awkwardly look around the almost empty tavern.
Philomel chose to admire the interior of the tavern, taking note that there was a pathway hidden by darkness on the left end of the bar, near the fireplace. She also noticed a staircase that lead to the second floor on her far right. She quickly deduced that the pathway to her left was the kitchen where another back door should be located. Taking note of that just in case she needed to make a quick hidden exit. Little One was more interested in the old man tending to his drink. There was something about his black coat that the baby found familiar. Amon chose to admire the many types of liquor on the shelves. Finding each unique bottle shape and vibrant liquor colors to be fascinating when placed side by side. His eyes were focused on the bottles, reading each label, slightly in awe that there were so many ways to get drunk.
Suddenly the Barmaid pops back up from under the bar counter, jump-scare startling Amon. Amon's sharp breath was caught in his throat as he clench his heart that was trying to leap into his brain, out of fear.
" Welcome to the cozy inn! I'm Aella."
The barmaid chimed with a dazzling smile. Little One barely noticed Aella but instantly noticed something was amiss with Amon.
Since the young man was slanting to the side and holding his head.
" I'll be your host for this evening. What's your name?"
Aella added on with the sweetest smile. Amon slowly lets out a breath stuck in his throat as he tries to calm down. Philomel hearing Aella's introduction, turn to gaze at her and was curious to see Amon's reaction.
" Hi... I'm Philomel, this is my friend Amon and this is a baby we found along the way, Little One."
Philomel introduced as she stared worryingly at Amon. Her hand slowly reached out gently holding Amon's shoulder, ready to support him if he keels over.
" Friends on a daring adventure! How intriguing!"
Aella burst out extremely happy to hear the word friends and wasn't able to contain her happiness. Gale slowly stood up as he rubbed the back of his head, still very confused about the whole situation.
" Please enjoy the refreshments, they are on the house. If you would like some tonic in it, please let me know. "
She spoke with a huge smile as she placed the drinks in front of Philomel, Amon, and Gale since such a drink wouldn't be wise to serve a toddler.
" So you can inform our mothers?"
Amon joked as he sat back up straight.
" Of course! Can't meet your mother without a good excuse. Not to mention, I doubt I would be able to rest easy without knowing how such a hunk of a man came to be. "
Aella smoothly delivers her line as she leans over the bar counter, with one hand under her chin, prompting up her head and her other arm under her chest squeezing her breast. Amon's gaze instantly glued to her cleavage that was right in front of him. The barmaid giggled as she gave Amon a naughty wink.
" Anything, I can interest you with? Why not pass the toddler to your friend and we can get more... acquainted..."
Aella suggested as her hand moved from her chin to her hair. Twirling the front tip of her blonde shoulder-length hair around her pointer finger, slightly revealing her human ear that was hiding behind it. All the things a man would have noticed with ease but unfortunately for Aella, Amon's attention was drawn elsewhere.
" Toddler?!"
Amon exclaimed as he instantly turned to Philomel, sharing the shocking realization.
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