"What are you talking about?" Mosey asked Kove who held his cup of alcohol with both hands, like a warm blanket, thumb gently tracing the rim where his lips touched.Kove took a sip, still holding the small container of alcoholic beverage with both hands and then set it back on the counter, resuming his routine of rubbing the rim with his thumb."I'm just curious, that's all. Also, I've been thinking this for a while, but doesn't it seem like Centshuu and Ripply are hiding something from us?" Kove said and Mosey's eyebrows furrowed.Kove's words sparked both intrigue and discomfort in Mosey. He quickly unwrapped his arm from around Avery's neck and placed the cup of alcohol on the counter. Then, he shifted his entire attention to Kove, adjusting his body to face the observant man with slanted eyes. "You feel like Centshuu and Ripply are hiding something from us? What's that supposed to mean?" Mosey inquired.Kove took another sip, dropped the cup on the counter, and repeated his rim-
Centshuu who sat comfortably like he owned the place, fingers interlocked and a proud smirk on his face, said with all boldness "We've found our biggest score ever" Bell who didn't fully understand what that meant but had an idea because she knew exactly what type of ventures Centshuu and the team get into, furrowed her brows. "Biggest score ever? What's that supposed to mean?" She said."Well, let me correct myself. We haven't found our biggest score ever, but we're in the process of finding our biggest score ever. Yeah, that sounds better" Centshuu said and Bell's expression became even more confused. She looked at Ripply "What the hell is he talking about? Found, about to find, which one is it, and also, what is this biggest score he's proudly talking about?" She asked.From her interactions and behavior whenever Centshuu says something that doesn't align well with her or her understanding, how she looks to Ripply to clarify things or just to talk belittlingly of Centshuu or his
"It was kind of made obvious to us after the attack and we heard their response. The fuckers didn't even care to hide the fact that they were the ones behind everything. I mean, why would they when they knew we couldn't touch them? We don't have their number of members or anything close to it, after all, we're just a group of five passionate assholes. Even if we did, they'd still decimate us, seeing how they have some impressive Foci on their payroll. At first, it seemed like a great deal that would take us to the next level, but then again, we didn't think of the probability that something like this would happen so maybe our greed was our downfall. Well, it's in the past now" Centshuu said and Bell who had leaned forward while rambling earlier, fell her back on her very comfortable chair. "I guess I was worried for nothing. You idiots and your team of clowns might be in a really big mess, however, it's nice to see how self-aware you are. Ripply sure knows how to pick 'em" Bell said,
Centshuu grunted."What is a Ferallith, huh?" He repeated, stroking his stubbly chin while furrowing his unkempt eyebrows."What? Don't you dare look at me like that," Bell retorted when Centshuu remained silent for a moment too long."If the topic was about what perfumes arouse a man's lustful side the most or what mixtures of wines and fruits result in a rock-hard erection, then I'm your lady. What species of animals there are in the world? Well, that's more your expertise."Centshuu smirked, dropping his hand from his chin. "That's not it. I wasn't surprised that you didn't know what a Ferallith was, nor was I judging you for it."Bell frowned, crossing her arms. "Then what were you doing?""I was just wondering how much you know about the topic as a whole, as that'll help me pinpoint where to start," Centshuu explained. He then took a deep breath and sighed. "Well, just to push things along, why don't I start explaining from the very beginning? How does that sound?"Formal educati
Centshuu faced Markieth with a menacing scowl and inquired, "Are you sure about what you just said?" Markieth met his gaze, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "Sir?" she replied tentatively. "I asked, are you sure that the other party involved in this brawl are my friends and not some other group of customers you guys had before we came in? Are you sure you're getting your facts straight?" Centshuu asked aggressively. Markieth nodded firmly. "Yes, sir, I'm sure. Nearly every girl working here knows who you gentlemen are, thanks to Madam Bell. Also, we witnessed all six of you entering together not long ago so there's no way I'd be mistaken about this" After receiving this unfortunate confirmation, Centshuu glanced to the side, his thoughts dwelling on what could have compelled his friends to engage in a brawl within the Velvet Serpent, an establishment known for its elegance and discretion. "What's the meaning of this, Centshuu?" Bell asked, annoyance evident in her voice. Centsh
FIVE MINUTES EARLIERAfter gulping and enjoying his fifth cup of delicious wine, poured for him by the always beautiful Kenser, Avery started to look at the other customers around the perimeter.His eyebrows furrowed after a few seconds of observation. "What is it?" Kenser asked "Nothing. Well, I'm just noticing this but the other customers and girls here, they all speak different languages from us" Avery said, making Kenser look at her fellow Velvet Serpent staff and the customers they were with.She chuckled and then, curious as to why that was her response, Avery turned back to her, offering a skeptical grimace."That's to be expected. After all, the girls who work here are from all over the continent, and so are the customers." Kenser said and Avery's eyes widened in surprise."All over the continent?" He asked. Kenser nodded, saying, "Yep. The Velvet Serpent is strategically placed where travelers of long journeys would need to rest, and, since most travelers are men… well, I'm
Avery looked down at his cup, creased his forehead then looked at her and shook his head."I think I'll start to lose control of my sobriety if I take another cup. Thanks for the offer though" Avery said and she smiled."It's no problem," Kenser replied then went to return the almost empty bottle of wine on the shelf. Meanwhile, Avery's attention was drawn by the customers and the languages they were speaking once more.('Hmm, does this mean I have to learn all these languages as I find a way to return to my world? Now that I think about it, I wonder what where I'm from is called. It's on the tip of my tongue but it's just so difficult remembering fully. I guess my memory is not ready yet but whatever.') He thought then shrugged.('Anyway, about returning home, I hope there's a central language that the majority of the population speaks, like the English of this world. If I can learn that then it would be really helpful in maneuvering around this world on my own.') Avery thought, but i
This was a serious mess that Avery had unintentionally landed himself. Not only was the man holding on to the collar of his borrowed jacket both big and intimidating, but now, due to the language barrier, he couldn't even talk to him to de-escalate the situation.('Fuck! I didn't think I would be running into a language challenge this early. What do I do?') Avery asked himself in a panic. /"I'm speaking to you, you ass! Look at what you've done to my very expensive shoes!"\ the begrudged guest spat, using his eyes to tell Avery to look down at the puddle of alcohol he was standing on. Avery did as instructed and as a response, gulped. Those were strange-looking boots the man had on, a design specific to this new world he's found himself in. However, one thing that was certain about them was the fact that they were expensive.Avery neither had any money nor knew how the money system of this strange world worked, and now he had tampered with something of unknown yet important monetary
Just as Alexander stepped outside the hall, he scanned the area for Blessing and saw her standing in the distance.He also saw some students talking to her but from how bashful and uncomfortable she looked, he could tell that the conversation being had was something she didn’t want to talk about. “Hey, Ble—“ Alexander called out, raising his hand to get her attention but was interrupted.“Alexander”Alexander stopped and groaned after hearing his name.He turned in the direction he had heard the voice come from, already knowing who it was because he recognized the voice. After all, it hadn’t been more than an hour since he last heard it.“Princess” Alexander said after looking at her from head to toe, wondering what she wanted. She was leaning on the wall of the exam hall, legs crossed and arms behind her back.“So you remembered my name after hearing me tell it to the invigilator” she smiled.“I have a really good memory so remembering wasn’t a challenge. Also, it’s an easy name to
(“Crystal? What crystal is he talking about? And Foci? What the hell is that supposed to be? Is it like a title or something?”) Avery asked himself and then placed his hand on his chin.(“Hmm, does the Crystal he was talking about have anything to do with the gemstone on my forehead? But wait, Shieve also talked about crushing crystal so it should be something different from the gem on my forehead, right? Speaking of gemstones, I wonder what this thing on my forehead is all about. I think I remember a time I didn’t have it so when did it get stuck on my head and why can’t I pull it off?”) Avery asked himself as from underneath his hair he pulled on the gemstone on his forehead.It didn’t budge.He stopped messing with the jewelry when he looked at Vox and his friends being carried out of the premises by Centshuu, Ripply, Kove, Mosey, and then Shieve who was only confident because Avery had physically and mentally crippled them.Vox was trying to say something but Centshuu who was the
All he and everyone else wanted to see was the other side of Vox’s head. The part that used to be on the floor and covered in the blood.Now that his friends had helped him sit up, everyone who was at the right angle could see what the condition of that part of Vox’s head was.With the amount of blood that had leaked from his body, if the wound was on that side of his head then it could only be seen as a miracle that he wasn’t dead yet.Emphasis on yet.“So all that blood is from his mouth and not a broken skull. That’s good.” Centshuu commented.After confirming, Centshuu smirked and looked at Avery.“See that, Ave. The bastard is fine— well, as fine as he can be after that punch. It could have been worse but the thing to note is that it isn’t so you’re good. Nobody died and you’re not a murderer so chill” Centshuu said.After seeing that Vox was alive and also hearing Centshuu’s words of reassurance, Avery finally calmed down.“You see. Don’t go getting carried away again and most i
“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you guys going to do something to help him? Do I have to ask for the people he calls his friends to help him again like last time?” Kenser said in a panic.Centshuu looked at her and then furrowed his eyebrows. “It’s you, bargirl. If I remember correctly, all of this started because the pug wanted to stand up for you” Centshuu said then turned to Avery who was sinking deeper into insanity.“Don’t you dare put this on me! This happened because Avery tried to protect you and everyone knows it. If you guys hadn’t carelessly stepped closer to these guys and antagonized them the way you did then Avery wouldn’t have had to step in and protect you. Doing something that might—“ Kenser said, looked at Vox and looked at Avery then swallowed her words. She didn’t want to say that Vox was dead because she didn’t know if hearing that would worsen Avery’s condition.“It’s my fault, huh?” Centshuu said and Kenser jolted She quickly covered her mouth. She realize
*BAM*The sound of Vox’s arrogant ass uniting with the hard waxed floor of the Velvet Serpent’s main hall reverberated in everyone’s ears. A sound only heard because the onstage live performance had halted the moment Bell made her appearance and kicked Vox and his friend out of her establishment. After all the training they’ve received, none of the girls could do something as disrespectful as continuing their performance, risking the possibility of stealing attention from the madam as she enforced her sovereignty and reprimanded the leader of some disrespectful guests.The same leader who got taught a lesson he would never forget by the young man from another world, adorned in tattered clothes and a borrowed jacket.The force Avery had punched Vox with not only sent him on a crash course between the cold hard floor and his rear end but, after the first impact, the momentum gained from the punch remained, causing the victim to skid a few feet backward until his back also met the floor
During the moment that Ripply warned Vox, Mikie, Fez, Kief, and Graham, to leave the Velvet Serpent peacefully or face expulsion and Vox reacted negatively by clenching his fists and vibrating with rage, causing his friends to fear for what he was going to do, Avery had gotten himself distracted.His mind was enthralled, pondering the truth of the decision made between Centshuu and Ripply and why it was so important that Centshuu felt it necessary to bring it up at that moment.For a moment, Avery took his eyes away from his recent adversaries and lowered his head to contemplate the intriguing topic.In those fleeting seconds of looking at the floor, Vox turned around, pretended to heed Ripply’s warning, and walked away. (‘Hmm. I wonder if when I become a part of the squad like Centshuu eluded to, would I be able to get the answer about the decision Ripply made between the both of—‘) Avery's thought halted when he noticed something from the corner of his eyes.Vox discreetly reached
These were all things they wondered about that caused their hearts to pound, and their fear wouldn’t subside until Vox finally acted./“Alright. I guess we’ll leave like the bitch wants”\ Vox replied, shocking but also relieving his friends who became happy, thinking that he cared more about them than his ego and pride.Centshuu, maintaining his poker face asked “What did he say, Ripply?”“The fuck leader of the fuck crew said they’d take their leave” Ripply answered.Centshuu grunted with concern. “I’m guessing he said more than that or else you wouldn’t still be this angry.”“Yeah. The bastard keeps testing my patience” Ripply replied.“Did he insult Bell or me?” Centshuu asked, knowing well that that was the only thing that would get Ripply angry enough to act and speak how he is now.“He did alright. He called her a bitch… to my face” Immediately and for a moment, Centshuu who had been keeping his cool, poker face and all, had a chip in his amour.His anger slipped right through
/“….you have until the count of five to get whatever trash-water nonsense you came here with. Once that’s done, you have half that time to discharge from the premises or else get thrown out. We won’t warn you a second time”\ Ripply declared.By the side, Makieth who was surprised to hear such brashness come from a calm-looking individual like Ripply couldn’t help when her mouth gapped unknowingly. On the other hand, Bell who had known Ripply for the longest smiled./It’s unbecoming for a lady as beautiful as yourself to look so lost. Correct yourself”\ Bell said as she helped Makieth close her mouth then went back to crossing both arms. “Still as foul-mouthed as always huh, Ripply. For a second there, I was starting to think that your time abroad had domesticated you too much but I guess I was wrong” Bell monologued, staring at Ripply with nostalgic eyes. Mosey discreetly glanced at Kove, the only one among them who might have understood exactly what Ripply said. “Do you think he d
Vox grimaced as he tried to remember what he had said about her and then like a bolt of lightning, it came to him./“You not only called me names in front of my workers and other guests but you also voiced your insulting assumptions of what I was doing in privacy with those two gentlemen. Your associate also insulted one of my girls which is the same thing as insulting me so Mr. VOX, tell me if there’s anything I’m missing”\ Vox cleared his throat /“Madam Bell, I accept to saying all that but I did so in the heat of the moment—“\ he said but was cut off again./“Mr. Vox, I’ll do you and your associates all the favor of clearing the amount you would have paid for the damage done to my establishment. Think of it as a final showcase of appreciation for your patronage so far but I won’t repeat myself. You and your associates should escort yourselves from the premises or else be forced out”\ Bell said, the anger in her voice becoming more apparent. Vox looked around where they were then