There wasn't much time before sunset, using our clearance chip, we quickly got access to an inn to spend the night after putting Buttercup away in a nearby stable. As such, Cliff decided to push forward his activities only until the next day, for the meantime, he had a meet-up appointment set with a long time friend of his for tonight, leaving me to my own devices, for the most part.
"Alright, Reo, I know you're excited, but you're going to have to give your old man sometime, buddy. I promise, as soon as I've concluded with all my necessary business, I'll let you see the town to it's entirety, for the whole day tomorrow. For now, I need you to contain yourself just a little longer."
"Huh?" I blinked vacantly, jaw hung a bit loosely.
"Great! Thanks for understanding, buddy." Cliff clapped his palms together and lowered his head I'm appreciation.
"..."
'...Huuuhhh??!'
It took a while for me to regain full composure and I only had to accept the current situation as it was. The day was nigh-over and we were in a neighboring town away from home. It would be beyond irresponsible of Cliff to let me loose on my own under these circumstances.
I could agree with that, but it also didn't mean I fet happy about it. But I simply suppressed my displeasure and limited my excitement for just a while longer. I was damn certain on making sure Cliff held through to his words the next day.
In the meantime I could only loiter around our rented room and peek out the window into the evening streets. But my mood was a little dampened and I quickly got bored of that and resulted, once again, to studying the blade of my dagger from the comfort of the massive mattress in the room.
I eventually got up and practiced some movements to gain some familiarity with the weight of the dagger in my arms, and to get my mind off the thoughts of the outside world.
A dagger was certainly different from a sword. It was much smaller and lighter than what I'd become used to, I had to make some significant adjustments to my form and center of gravity just to swing it around with only the minimum amount of efficiency I could muster from my independent action.
I was only lucky my base with the sword was only in the building phase otherwise each action I took with the dagger would feel even more awkward.
"Sigh. Fine. You win, buddy. How would you like to come with me for the night?" Perhaps my lackluster mood was evident in each of my actions, Cliff eventually said in a resigned manner.
Then I paused to think.
"So you were going to leave me here before?"
Cliff lingered on the question, then casually averted his gaze by turning away.
"...I never said that."
.
.
.
.
Border Town after sunset was simply stunning in all of its visage. The streets were lit up with gold lanterns hung from wired poles dangling above the evening streets, and the atmosphere was electric despite the hour of the day. It was the time when, to many, was the end of the day, and to others, their beginning. This applied mostly to the various stalls recently opening their doors for the night
An actual fantasy town was beyond what I'd imagined. All sorts of different people scurried the streets. Our inn was placed in the area between the residential region and the commercial district, it was a quick and and short walk to a small town pub called "Shally's ale" from a small wooden banner sign hung up right in front of the entrance.
Stepping into the establishment side by side Cliff, I was instantly met with bustling activity of a local pub after sunset. The smell of thick booze, and ale, and the cherry chatter and cheers of men wafted through the air. The atmosphere on a joyous occasion.
A variety of young and middle aged women donning a common uniform loitered around the place with hospitable gazes and smiles and grace in their steps as they brought to the tables, jugs and kegs of ale.
The energetic customers, mostly drunk men would make their flirtatious intent around the waitresses known, and I closely observed these women would never directly let the progression of their advances or directly deny them. They maintained a subtle level of flirtatious playfulness and work ethics, all an act to maintain the high spirits of these customers.
The pub was pleasantly illuminated by the burning glow of lamps, torches and candle lights. The spacious ground floor scattered with barrels and tables for customers, an obvious center path cut across towardd the streched out counter on the opposite end of the room.
The bell jingled upon our entrance, signalling most of the waitresses of our presence, when one of such hospitable women quickly rushed towards us at the entrance. She flashed a smile with a small subtle meaning at a glance of Cliff and her shoulders straightened as her composure fixed.
"Welcome, fine sir. Please pick a seat and I'll be at your service," her smile, gaze and posture grew more sensual — "personally," she added, completely ignoring me.
The young waitress didn't fail to make her flirtatious intentions known towards Cliff. Subtle amusement played in Cliffs eyes as he smiled dismissively and said:
"I and 'my son' are here to meet a friend." And without awaiting a response, we walked into the pub, and some seats away, a dirty blonde man waved with a toothy grin at us.
"Ah, Cliff! Glad you could make it, you cheapskate." Justin cheered, gesturing at Cliff to take a seat on one of the barrels around the table, and I took a seat next to him.
"Uncle Justin," i lowered my head in a polite greeting, and watched with hidden amusement as Justin's head slowly inflated in flattery.
"Ah, Reo. Sorry you had to join these two old men tonight."
"Hmph. Old? Speak for yourself, I'm still in my prime." Cliff huffed as he gestured for a waitress to the table.
Justin showed a sly teasing smile and added:
"The waitress from earlier sure seemed to think so too. Even with a ring on your finger after all these years, curse that pretty face of yours!"
Funnily enough, the waitress who replied to Cliff's gesture was the same young lady from the door. I watched as she straightened her hair before reaching us from across the room with a dry smile, and thought with nearly venomous envy:
'Handsome bastard! Wait till I tell Layla!'
We placed our others, a few jugs of ale...
'...and warm milk...' I stared at my jug of milk with a hollowed smile, then at the bubbly and foaming jugs of booze and ale before Justin and Cliff.
At times I forgot I was a kid now.
'Hope this won't put me too sleep," I made a mental sigh, and chugged down my warm milk.
...
'Sweet!'