A Tale Of Two Tieflings

Chapter 2 - An Evening Reprisal

(...In which Valakas is faced with a surprise rendezvous, and realises that the previous encounter may have affected his life more than originally thought...)

"I Raise."

I tilted my head, a blank smile on my face. "I'll match that."

The round eventually ended and a groan rippled around the 3 others at the table as I leant back in the chair, sticking my feet up and crossing my arms behind my head, grinning.

"Gah, that was practically the whole dang week's work you just took from me, Val!"

"Ah, that's a shame," I chuckled, leaning in and collecting the small pile of coins and elegant jewellery from the table, scooping it into my bag. "Perhaps you shouldn't bet it all at once, Flyn."

"Fancy another game? Go'n, giz a chance to win it back!"

"Not likely, my luck won't last the whole night, and I'm not about to let you off that easy my friend. I'll gladly use what was your money to buy you another round though?"

As everyone else finished up and left the table, the middle-aged Halfling I addressed beamed, and let out a hearty cackle, as we tidied up the Poker table, and headed to the bar.

"Two of your finest ales if you wouldn't mind, Annie!" I smiled, placing a few of the coins I had just won on the bar surface, making sure to add a little extra tip as the attractive young barmaid walked over, her brunette pixie cut hair short enough to show off her many ear adornments.

"Anything for you of course, Mister Dhuske." she smirked, winking and turning to grab the ales from the top shelf, purposefully arching her back a little and giving a subtle look behind her to see if I was admiring the view.

I initially was, but today her body and flirtations seemed... lacking. Not in an unattractive way, more that I simply wasn't finding her appearance satiating today.

She dropped her smile, turning back to actually now retrieve the ales, before spinning round and serving them into two tankards, one for Flynton and one for myself.

"You alright, Val sweetie? Been a week since we seen ya, and you been awful distracted as of late. And not by the usual things it seems, if ya get what I'm sayin." she spoke softly to me, leaning over the counter, her chest resting on the wooden surface as she examined my face.

I met her gaze and sighed, putting my hand to her chin, stroking my thumb along her cheek and her slim jawline. "Sorry Annie, I'm not sure what's going on. I'm sure I'll be back to myself after a few drinks."

She placed her own hand against my cheek and smiled again. "Perhaps another night together could loosen ya up a bit?"

I wanted to say yes. She was my go-to for one of my regular one night stands, but I just didn't want her. I wanted something else.

"Not tonight. I'm sorry Annie, maybe another night?"

She lightly kissed my cheek and pulled away, twirling a lock of my hair in her finger as she did so. "A'ight then Mister big shot jackpot winner, but ya know where I'll be!"

I spent a little more time at the bar that night, looking around and catching the eyes of many of my usual bed company, tipping my drink to them but respectfully declining any and all. I didn't understand this feeling of dissatisfaction, I found it almost impossible most nights to select one of the many attractive options, and had made sure to maintain a catalogue of variety, a partner for every mood and preference. Tonight, none of them were of interest and I had no idea why.

Eventually, even though the night was still young, I got up and Annie let me into the staff area of the bar, where one of the rooms included a spare bedroom which she kept available for me.