Cultural Differences OR I just want my merchant's license.

Chapter 4: The Nook

The Old Man's Nook had plenty of character. There was character from its fragrant wet spots on the floor to the gruff-looking customers and oil lamps that cast flickering shadows across the bar. There was also the characteristic smell of bitter herbs and hard alcohol. The smell was strong enough for one to start feeling drunk as soon as they walked in. This was a place where people hunched over their drinks until they passed out, or talked and muttered about things that no one else should see.

As the party made their way inside the customers turned towards them and stared. Tieflings and elves and definite outsiders who were unabashed about it was strange company to this bar.

As Reginald nervously looked about the room, chairs shifted and he found very familiar faces. Trey and his friends were amongst the patrons, now even less sober than they were on the streets. Trey looked at his buddies and nodded before they all got up from their seats. Reginald nudged Lucas as they approached.

Lucas looked towards them and frowned. He opened his mouth to say something, but Kalin stepped in front and held up her hand.

"I think this will be my kind of talking," Kalin said, "Zoe, have my back."

"Mwm, yes," Zoe said, stepping past Reginald to join Kalin, "Of course."

"Well–hic–well," Trey said, swaggering up to Kalin. He was drunk enough that he stepped well within the reach of her arms, almost putting his dribbling mouth near Kalin's breastplate. "What have we here? A bunch of good for nothin's with no guard to protect 'em. I think they ought to be taught a lesson, eh?"

His buddies grumbled their agreement, drunkenly staggering behind him.

"I am Kalin, previously of the Golbor mercenary crew," Kalin said, staring down at him. "You have hurt my honor, claiming me to be a murderer. I challenge you." She stood as still as a statue.

"Oi," Trey said, pointing an accusatory finger at Kalin, his finger inches from her face, "This is your last chance. Say you damn well did it. We all know you did."

Lucas did not seem to like where this was going.

"Pardon me," he said, looking towards Trey, "But are you really about to fight in the middle of a bar, with all these people about?"

"Don't worry about them, they ain't seen nothing," Trey said, then he turned to the rest of the bar, a bit of spittle flying onto the floor. "Right?" he said, glaring at the bar.

The people around the bar all went back to their drinks.

"Now, you gonna say it?" Trey said, whirling back around.

Kalin stared at him, quiet.

"Fine," Trey growled. Reeling back, he swung his fist out towards Kalin.

Kalin leaned forward into the punch, taking it full force. The hit barely made her move. Looking Trey dead in the eyes, she curled her fingers into a fist. Throwing her head back, she slammed it down onto Trey, making him stagger backwards.

Trey's friends made angry noises and started towards Kalin, but Zoe leapt forward, slamming one of them down on the floor. His head bounced as it hit, and his eyes briefly lulled back.

"No biting," Zoe muttered under her breath, "No claws. That's what she said."

The other friend looked towards Zoe with a degree of anger and fear and lashed out towards her. Zoe watched the blow sail past her. She hadn't even had to move.

"As I would expect from such a softened human," Zoe growled, looking down at the man with disgust.

While the rest of the bar was supposedly not watching them, many of the patrons were glancing towards the action between drinks.