Tales of Six

Chapter 14 : The Thirty Thirsts

When Philantéline leaves the alleyway, she is welcomed by a row of potted flowers on the windows and balconies. The South-West axis is mainly a residential area and is decorated beautifully by its residents. Phil chances a lady trying to lift a wooden basin filled with water, and goes up to her.

Phil- Here, let me help you.

The lady, clearly exhausted and without looking- Oh, thank you dear.

She then turns to whoever offered her help, but when she sees Phil's stature, she gets anxious and tries to interrupt Phil.

Lady- Oh no nevermind, I'll get it myself.

Phil- It's no worries ma'am, really.

She takes the basin in her arms and lifts it as if it was empty.

Phil- Where to ?

Lad- Uhh, just over there. *she points to a wheelbarrow* I just need to bring it to the river.

The lady is still staring at Phil, unable to accept what she's seeing. Phil puts a knee on the ground and bends forward to put the basin slowly onto the wheelbarrow. As she was about to stand back up, the basin starts to slide off the uneven wood planks, Phil reacts fast enough to hold it in place, but the water splashes on her forearms and on the ground.

Lady- Oh no I'm so sorry.

Phil, turning to the lady - It's fine, I'm okay, it's just water.

As Phil answers the lady, she sees something moving in the distance, and it distracts her for a second.

Phil- ... and good luck with your.. uhh.. river .. thing ?

She waves goodbye to the lady, and continues on the road, anxious about that shadow.

---

For a moment, nothing moves. Not the golems. Not the women.

Then after a few seconds, the golems each start walking toward the closest human. Kaen unsheathes her sword, but flinches when she tries to hold it up. Between the burn scars, the lack of sleep, the hike in the forest and the soul pain, she finds it difficult to hold her defensive stance. But as the cotton golem rushes to her, she gets her sword up in time to parry the first attack. She then kicks it away, and steps backwards to resume her balance.

She looks at the ground under her opponent, and grows shadows around it. A tentacle then appears and smacks the golem as it starts moving again. The tentacle bounces off the fabric, and the golem is unphased. It then goes to Kaen and punches her.

Yet another bruise.

Trying to breathe again, Kaen looks at how Savyna is doing facing the tiny rock golem and sees a flame jet coming out of the elf's hands and covering the small rocky shape. The flames fade and the golem is immobile and covered in black.

Savyna, smirks at Kaen- Done with yours yet ?

She then gets SMACKED in the stomach by a stone fist. Spitting out blood, she touches her robe where she got hit. Her fingers are covered in soot. The golem still stands in front of her in defiance, blackened by the fire, but otherwise unharmed.

Kaen takes a second to look at the both of them, and the golems.

Kaen- Switch ?

Savyna- I guess fire should work better on cotton.

As Savyna gets away from the rock golem, Kaen makes a tentacle to block its next attack to the elf. The tentacle then turns and slaps the golem, and a few stones fly off its body.

Kaen feels a warmth next to her, and as she turns her head, she sees the whole cotton golem on fire. After another dodge, Kaen uses her tentacle to finish off the rock golem just as the fire dies down on the cotton golem.

Both constructs fall on the ground, and the room returns to silence.

---

It was a nice calm day at The Thirty Thirsts, and business was getting better since they added their new pink cocktail. Not completely sure why they needed another one, but the colour fitted more the "clientele" they were aiming at. And those expensive glass tables weren't going to pay for themselves. Gregory wasn't a fan of this type of people, always putting others down and mocking workers. But the boss makes the rules, and he follows.

So when this girl enters, dirt on her pants, wet sleeves, chaotic blond hair, and dust basically all over her, he immediately knows she can't stay. He's had to do it before, and it broke his heart every time, but rules are rules, and even pretty wings can't get an exception.

She barely reaches the counter, opens her mouth for a "Hello", when Gregory interrupts

Gregory- I'm sorry miss, I'm going to ask you to leave.

Girl- Wait, I just want some food, I.. I have money !

Gregory- It's .. not about the money. I just need you to leave. *whispering and handing the girl a piece of paper* Go there for food, you'll be.. accepted how you are.

Girl- I don't understand, why are you...

She gets grabbed by the arms by armoured guards, and escorted outside the establishment. Gregory can't help but look at the Flyhn with compassion. He just hopes they made enough with the rests from last week.