My second day in Boder town started off a little... woozy.
'What the hell? Am I hungover? What did they put in that milk?'
"Hey, Reo, you up?" Cliff's voice resounded as he walked into our inn room.
I furrowed my brows to clear the mild intoxication I felt and pulled my sluggish body to sit up straight.
"Good morning." I pulled the words out of my mind, monotone and heavy.
"Hey, buddy. You good?" Cliff walked closer towards me and posed his concern.
I voiced my affirmation with a silent nod and rubbed my eye with a balled fist before letting out a sigh.
"I need you to get ready. We're going into town, you haven't forgotten right?" Cliff straightened up and flashed a grin and I narrowly suppressed a grumble from leaving my lips.
"...of course I haven't," i got off the bed and said, shaking off the lingering mild intoxication that plagued my head.
"I've got a date, right?"
.
.
.
.
As late as Border Town slept, the town was as awake earlier than even first light. The stalls were open, the streets flooded, the merchants were chanting, Cliff bargaining...
Yes. Cliff bargaining.
His fist came down on the desk with a mild thud, rocking the structure lightly.
"What the hell, Rheis? That's an absurd increase in price over the last few years!" My charming father shamelessly protested to the burgundy haired stall owner across the counter table.
The man sighed.
"C'mon, Cliff, you don't really expect the sales to remain constant in the passing years do you? Plus, it's getting recently harder to mine Obsidian Ore of this quality nowadays. Apparently the monsters have become more active and have made nests of many of the mines, constantly feeding off the material." The stall owner argued back with measured calmness.
I observed the middle-aged man with burgundy hair. He had calculating, slanted eyes and a cunning curve to his lips each time he smiled. He limited the small movements of his body behind a measured expression. The words that came out his mouth flowed in a smooth and subtly persuasive symphony, while his composure and air carried an amount of confidence that could out most to take his words for good value.
In summary, this man was a merchant who knew exactly how to play the game.
Cliff frowned and squinted closely at the 'innocent' merchant.
"Discount. Now." He ordered.
"3%."
"20%." Cliff argued and pressured, and the merchant maintained a calm and firm demeanor throughout all what next followed.
"3%."
"18."
"3."
"10.
"3."
"Fine. 7% discount! That's how low I can go, I won't go any lower!" My father cried shamelessly.
'You're not the one to decide that,' I was sure the middle-aged man and I shared the same thought at this point.
The man observed Cliff's unyielding expression then sighed tiredly and pressed the corners of his eyes.
"Fine. I'll let you have it at a four percent discount. Only because you're a long time customer and for the other reason that I don't want your son to see the rest of this shameless display."
Cliff conveniently ignored the latter part of the sentence and beamed a triumphant smile, second only to Don's.
"Well then, I'll have me ore then." He announced.
The merchant signed tiredly again and walked away to get ready Cliff's order. And while he was gone, Cliff turned around smugly towards me.
"And that's how you haggle."
"..." I used my right to remain silent.
"Alright, son. I've still got a few more errands to run for the day, so I'll let you off now." Cliff had his business with merchant from earlier settled and we moved on and made our way to the Gate from yesterday, then Cliff said to me, reaching an arm into his pocket.
He pulled out a small pouch full of Credits and handed it to me, saying:
"You have the next few hours until sunset to explore the Town as much as you can with this. But of course, always remember to stay close to Lana or you'll risk getting lost...or worse." At the latter half, Cliff's dark eyes became dreary pools, his mood shifting momentarily.
I found myself unconsciously gulping at this display. Ever since the incident Cliff and Layla gave become extra protective and possessive of me lately. Always demanding to know of my whereabouts and status.
"C'mon, Cliff, give the this little town some credit. It's as safe as a baby's cradle." A familiar male voice graced our ears with a light chuckle.
Justin's dirty blonde hair swayed calmly in the wind as he approached us with an amusing smile.
"Hmph. I won't take any chances." Cliff snorted stubbornly as he turned to face his long time friend.
At that moment, I suddenly became aware of the presence of a young girl who stood just a few inches taller than me. She had long, flowing blonde hair that shimmered with a golden hue, framing a cute, oval-shaped face and captivating grey eyes. Her petite stature added to her delicate appearance. Upon closer examination, I noticed subtle traces of white interspersed among the silky strands of her hair. She was dressed in a simple yet elegantly designed one-piece dress, reminiscent of the style often worn by Lia.
"Is that young miss Lana I spot there?" Cliff's initial composure shifted to a lighter, amiable and amused.
The little girl, Lana, Justin's daughter displayed a charming little smile at Cliff and stepped forward with her head held high. She raised the tip of her dress, elegantly crossing her legs, and lowered herself into a small polished bow.
"It's nice to see you again, Uncle Cliff."
Cliff chuckled.
"Well, I'm pleasantly surprised with how much you've grown since the last time I saw you. How old are you now?"
Breaking her gesture, Lana straightened up straight, maintaining a measured and confident smile and a polished composure, she replied.
"I'll be eight in a few months to come." She raised her head high.
"Oh that's incredible." Cliff was genuinely amused.
Justin laughed at his old friends unrestrained amazement.
"They grow up so fast, don't they? Especially this one. She refuses to cuddle with Daddy in bed now that she thinks of herself as a lady." He added, a little downcast towards the end.
Lana's composed expression cracked slightly under the remark.
"Father!" She pouted and folded her arms.
Now it was Cliff's time to break into a small chuckle.
"Lana, I'll like you to meet my son," Cliff patting my shoulder in a light gesture, I took a small step forward and raised a respectable smile with my hand outstretched, proposing a handshake.
"I'm Reo Bellar. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." I introduced myself evenly.
In the blink of an eye, I watched Lana's once radiant expression twisted into a pronounced frown. With an arrogant posture—chin lifted, shoulders squared, arms folded—she asserted her presence then spat in disdain,
"So you're the little brat I have to babysit today."
...
"Eh?"