Star-Crossed Rivals || [Keith x Reader]

Day 2

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You took a deep breath as you stood in front of the door of Garrick's pub. It was another day and you were determined to find out more about this place.

So far, the only one willing to say anything was him. Yesterday, you and Xyra went around talking to random strangers around the market, trying to casually bring up the royal family every time. Some people spoke well about them, some changed the topic immediately and some cut the conversation short after that. It was really strange.

You pushed the door open and heard the bell on the door ring again. You recognized some faces from last time immediately.

Luckily, your old spot was unoccupied so you walked over to the stool and made yourself comfortable. When Garrick saw you, he gave you a quick nod before tending to the other customers. Him and the men near you laughed about a joke one of them made. Three men sitting by the counter, all of them middle-aged. You wondered if they would tell you anything; they seemed to be pretty talkative people after all.

You discarded the idea. If Garrick caught you interrogating his customers about it, he would definitely put his guard up and your goal of getting closer to him would be impossible to accomplish.

Garrick wiped a beer glass with a towel before setting it down on the counter and walking up to you after he excused himself from the conversation. "It's you again," he commented as he stepped over to you. "You liked my drink I made yesterday?"

"Sure did, it's why I came again," you lied. You slid a coin over to him on the wooden counter and put your elbows on it to rest. "My friend s somewhere out there exploring the city but I needed a rest, you know?" you said, shrugging casually.

He took the money and grabbed a glass to fill up. As he pulled on the lever to dispense the drink, he looked over his shoulder and across the room. "How did your exploration of the city go? Came across anything you like?"

"Mh," you hummed, "well, the fountains were nice and the fruits are great too. We don't get a lot of them over in Bagny."

"That sucks," he admitted. "The fruits are my favorite thing about the market." The last drops of the beverage dropped into the glass.

"Yeah, I think they're mine too," you agreed with a smile. "Anyway, what are you gonna be doing tomorrow evening? Is your pub gonna be open then too? Maybe I'll come over again."

"Nah, during the festival all shops close, it's mandatory. Guess I'll just enjoy the activities there, take a look around and then head home. Nothing I haven't seen before."

"Mh," you replied. "Did the tell each shop owner personally to shut the shops down or what?"

Garrick shook his head. "No, they sent out letters with some other information. The shops have to be closed during the festival unless you request special permission, but during the ceremony all shops definitely close. I didn't bother with the request; would be a bureaucratic hell for what? A few hours of business?"