Scenarios

Tidbit #13

I enter the restaurant with a small group of people. Me, the minotaur from my recent raid-turned-rescue-mission (his name is George, the Minotaur Councilman), a dryad that hasn't bothered to share her name, but has been very adamant about socializing with us tonight, and another human that I meet quite often on the battlefield named Adrian. We've gotten together for a drink. I won't actually be drinking anything, but I can at least have some fun. We make our way to a table and order a round of drinks. I do actually get something to drink, but nothing alcoholic. The night is young. George downs his drink almost instantly, immediately ordering for another one. Adrian and the dryad are more sparing with their drinks, though they do eventually order more. The dryad proves to be a total lightweight, giggling and swaying after only two drinks. George gets raging drunk, pretty fast as well, but not for the same reasons of the dryad. After 10 minutes he's already finished 7 pints of beer. Adrian is drinking slowly, only just finishing up his first drink. We talk the night away, until right as the bar is about to close at 1 in the morning. The building is empty, save for us and the employees. After as many hours as we've been here, Adrian has only just finished his 5th drink. The dryad stopped after 3, at which point she passed out. I lost count of how many George drank, but let's just say I'm extremely surprised he didn't drink out the building. I finish telling a joke, and George breaks into exuberant laughter, far louder than the joke warranted. He slaps me on the back with his big hairy hand, completely jarring me. His boisterous attitude is contagious and me and Adrian soon join in his laughter. One of the bartenders walks up. "I'm terribly sorry, Protector, but we're closing up and I must kindly ask you to leave," He says nervously. I smile at him. "Ah, yes. Thank you, my friend. We'll be out of your hair momentarily," I assure him. He nods and skitters off to finish cleaning the bar. "It's about time for us to leave," I announce. George looks disappointed. "Ah, but we've only just started!" He says, loudly. Adrian chuckles and speaks up. "George, we've been here for over seven hours," He says. "Impossible! I could've sworn we just showed up," George replies, tapping his chin. I laugh, and Adrian does too. "Come on, big guy," He says. He helps George up and towards the door. "You mind getting the dryad?" He asks. "I'll handle her," I say. He nods in thanks and departs. "Meet you outside." "Protector!" The same bartender calls. He rushes up to me warily. "Your bill," He says. "Ah, yes. I've not forgotten. Let's see it," I say. He hands me a long receipt. I can't help but laugh. The total is approaching on $1000. "Damn you, George," I mutter, jokingly. "Let me get my friend out of here and I'll be right back with the money. How many people are working tonight, might I ask?" "Um, there are 5 of us left," He says. I nod. "Alright, I'll be right back." I pick up the dryad, bridal style. She stirs slightly, but doesn't wake up. I carry her out of the building and into the fresh air. I breath it in greedily, happy to be outside again. The weather is finally beginning to warm up. It was cold most of spring, but summer is finally brining the warm air back to us, even in the dead of night. I find Adrian sitting on a bench, and George snoring on the ground in front of him. I laugh at the scene. "He collapsed almost as soon as we got out here. I barely manage to drag him this far," Adrian chuckles. I laugh again. "Let me get her back home, and I'll be right back for you two," I say. I teleport, with my unconscious friend, to an apartment building close to the middle of town. A second jump puts us in her apartment, right next to her bed. I lay her down, take her shoes off, and cover her with the blanket. She reaches out when I try to pull away, but I avoid her grasping hands. I quickly teleport back to collect George and Adrian. There's no way I can lift George onto the bed, so he's gonna have to settle for his living room floor as a bed tonight. I shove a pillow under his head, but can't find a blanket anywhere. I guess his fur is enough. I go back for Adrian. I leave him just outside his door. He bids me a good night as he unlocks his door and disappears inside. I teleport back home, and silently head to the basement. I haven't forgotten the bill, but I don't have the cash on me. I open a safe and pull out the $800 (give or take) I need. I grab an extra $500 dollars as tip. $100 for each employee, for being so accommodating. I teleport back to the restaurant one more time. I find the same bartender just locking up. "Here you are, my friend. What I owe you, plus tip for you all. Thank you for being so accommodating tonight," I say. His eyes widen and he takes the money, unlocking he door again to go inside and put it away. He comes back out and shakes my hand. "Thank you for the good service. Your friend nearly drank us dry," He explains. I laugh. "Yup. You know minotaurs," I say. He laughs too, finally loosening up. I bid him a goodnight and teleport back home to finally fall asleep next to Serena.