Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 138: Bar with a Hidden Motive

From their nervous seat in the back of the carriage, Aster, Shiva and Demitris watched with anticipation, for what was about to take place. "Do you think we should start praying?", asked Demitris in a whisper, clearly travel sick from being inside the container. "Don't be ridiculous, we're almost here.", said Aster sternly but quietly. The boy was right, peeping through the gaps in the chests, Demitris and Shiva could see the tavern, and before long, the carriage came to a halt.

The three soldiers remained deadly still as Vox and Rou left the vehicle and began taking the wine bottles out of the chests. Aster and Shiva were barely affected by the ramaging and grabbing of the objects above them, but Demitris couldn't take it. The hand grabbing the bottle in his crate was clearly Rou's, no sharp nails and a soft, warm touch, he almost felt as if he were caressing him, a distraction from the bumpy journey tying his stomach in knots. He longed for Rou to touch him once more, so much so that he let out a faint moan from under the blanket.

"Oh no you don't!", Shiva's voice muttered through the small space. "What was that? I thought I heard something.", remarked Rou. "It's probably just the creaking of the wheels.", replied Vox. "Let's go inside", he added "The rest of the wine can be took in later. The men grabbed what they could and headed in the tavern. As soon as they'd left, Aster, Shiva and Demitris began carefully getting out of the boxes, without making a noise. 

Upon exit, Demitris immediately rushed to the nearest bush to relieve himself of his sickness. "I am not doing that again!", he exclaimed. "You mean the way Rou practically stroked you down unintentionally?", Aster questioned jokingly, making Demitris blush. "Be quiet! We might get heard!", Shiva whispered. Aster and Demitris quieted down, sneakily entering the building behind Rou and Vox.

The tavern was busy, the trio could hear the sounds of laughter and music from the inside, the smell of wine and food wafted through the air, the sight of the windows filled with patrons made them feel uneasy. "Get down, we can't let them see us!", alerted Shiva, signalling the other boys to get on thier knees. They crawled over to the bar, where Vox and Rou were situated. The men were having a conversation, but it was faint among all the noise. They had to get closer.

"So Rou, you haven't been working the bar in a while...", asked Vox. "I'm a capo, I'm too busy…", muttered Rou in response. "You better start.", concluded Vox, looking at him coldly yet jokingly at the same time. "Look, what do you want me to do?", asked Rou, crossing his arms. "I know you just want to babysit me, you do that with all the younger members...", he added. "Not exactly, I just think the two of us spending time time together would beneficial.", responded Vox

"So you want me to go back to my old duties?", asked Rou as he cracked his neck and leaned back against the bat. "Why should I? I have so many more responsibilities. ". Vox cleared his throat, "Because being here eases your stress, Rou. It can be an evening job, I find it charming instead of stressful.", informed the fae. "Charming rather than stressful? Hmm....", Rou thought, but he couldn't bring himself to have a positive reaction.

"What the hell to you take me as?! Some charmer?! You have no idea what that leads for with me!", yelled Rou. By this time, Aster, Shiva and Demitris had edged in closer, listening to everything the men had to say, while still being invisible to them. "Is Vox provoking Rou in some way? He was just yelling.", Aster whispered to his fellow soldiers. "I have no idea what his mood is anymore...", remarked Demitris. 

Vox and Rou continued thier conversation, "Rou, you seem very stressed these days. You mind telling me what's wrong?", questioned Vox. Shiva was suspicious at the green man's behaviour, "What is this? Manipulation? Genuine concern? Ugh, this is so hard...", he commented. Rou finally answered Vox, "I don't care what's happening to me, I just want to kill anyone that gets in my way...", he grumbled. "Past trauma getting to you kid? I might have an idea for you, it'll allow me to know what's going on.", Vox declared.

"What's your brilliant idea then?", Rou questioned sarcastically, doubting his superior. Vox reached into a cupboard within the bar and grabbed a traditional baroque lute, "Heard you playing this a few months back, you're good. Apparently Eddie said it calms you down. Express yourself Rou.", Vox suggested. "If you insist...", responded Rou. He walked out of the bar and towards the stage, those in the tavern had no idea that they were about to hear a man's pain expressed in musical form.