Maya Stark

Chapter 66: Kvass

Walking through the bar, or the club, or whatever Madripoor people called it, was definitely illegal for me. Whispers followed us about the Winter Soldier and all my nerves were spiked. I couldn't decide if it was because of what Bucky might have to do, or because of what my role here was. Either way, I could feel people's eyes following us and staring intensively into the back of my head.

'Hello, gentlemen, ma'am,' the bartender said as we got there. 'Wasn't expecting you, Smiling Tiger.'

'His plans changed,' Zemo said. 'We have business to do with Selby.'

The bartender eyes Sam. 'The usual?'

Sam gave a curt nod. We all watched as the man pulled out a snake and started cutting it open. I turned my body to the side, sadly having to face Zemo, and scanned the surroundings. Everyone in the place, consisting mostly of men, glanced at us. Their eyes would switch from Sam, Zemo, staring at me a bit longer, and then going to Bucky, where they would look away fast. Smart.

'Ah,' Zemo said. 'Smiling Tiger, your favorite.'

I turned back to look at the bar as the man sets down a shot glass of alcohol in front of Sam. He also poured a regular shot for Zemo. I knew the guy was gonna eye me, so I sent my gaze back in the other direction.

'She'll have a Kvass, just in a shot glass,' Zemo said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I shoot him a stern look, he smirks. Sam and I look at each other. A drink was immediately put in front of me. My stomach churned. I did not like how this was pre-made. I bit the inside of my lip hard as I looked at the drink.

'Cheers, Comrad,' Zemo said to Sam, who hesitantly lifted up his drink. Zemo also turned to me, a glint in his eyes as he motioned to the drink.

I picked up the drink and looked at Sam again. Neither one of us seemed to want to drink whatever was in front of us. I hesitated as I brought it to my lips, not smelling it. That'd just make it worse. Zemo quickly downed his drink. My fingernails of my free hand dug into my palm. Before I could talk myself out of it anymore, I quickly downed the drink. It burned my throat and tasted sour and... bread-like? Either way, it was not good. At all. I put the glass down, keeping my face neutral, biting the inside of my lip. Sam also had drunk his shot and despite keeping a cool façade, I could tell he was disgusted.

The bartender seemed content with the fact Sam and I drank our shots, so he walked off. I shiver slightly, the stale taste still in my mouth. A second later, a guy comes up behind Zemo, drawing all of our attention.

'I got word from on high,' the man said. 'You ain't welcome here.'

'I have no business with the Power Broker,' Zemo says, 'but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me...' he gestures to Bucky.

'New haircut?' the man asked.

'Or bring Selby for a chat,' Zemo finished.

The man looked at Bucky once before walking off. Zemo turns back around to face the bar.

'The Power Broker?' Bucky asks. 'Really?'

'Every kingdom needs its king,' Zemo said. 'Let's just pray we stay under his radar.'

'Do you know him?' Sam asked.

'Only by reputation,' said Zemo. 'In Madripoor, he is judge, jury, and executioner.'

'He sounds lovely,' I mumbled. 'Now, what in the absolute hell was in that drink.'

Zemo smirks but turns to face Bucky. 'Stale black bread and raisins.'