I sigh and look down at my own modest attire, now understanding Alanna’s comment.
Fuck it.
This place looks like a good time.
The cool Discerni pushes us through the crowd and leans over the pub counter, flagging down the woman working behind it with a call of familiar greeting. The Discerni woman spots Alanna and gives her a broad smile before walking towards us, her black hair falling down her back in the long, traditional curls. She looks a bit older than Alanna but stands around the same short height, her features softer than my traveling companion’s and more inviting.
I watch her move towards us with a curious glance, thinking she actually looks a bit like Alanna. She’s warmer than the blonde Discerni,obviously, but when the two stand side-by-side, they look like they could be related.
“Back already, Alanna?” she smiles over the yelling of the room.
Alanna gives her a cool smile in return, one that I’ve come to realize is just part of her features.
“For a few days, Marybeth, then we head out again.”
The woman nods with a hint of sadness flashing behind her eyes.
“Toddy?” she asks.
“Two,” Alanna grins, tilting her head to me, “I’ve got a new human here who might actually want to have fun tonight.”
Marybeth laughs from behind the counter and gives me a warm smile, shaking her head as she juts her chin towards Alanna.
“Don’t let this one drink you under the table, honey. You’ll never hear the end of it.”
“I’ll try not to,” I smile, extending my hand, “Alexis.”
Her eyes flick to the green of my shirt, brows raising.
“Knowledge, huh? A far cry from Woodlands at least.”
“Trust me,” I look around her pub with a grin, “this is a far cry from Knowledge as well.”
Marybeth laughs and takes my hand, “well that’s good. I would expect nothing less. This round is on the house, Alexis. Welcome to Gaumond.”
“What’s a toddy?” I ask Alanna after Marybeth turns to a barrel behind her. She pours two half glasses of dark amber, the drink unlike anything I’ve seen in southern Warrior.
Alanna smirks when the woman drops the drinks on the counter.
“You’re the one who wanted to come inside,human. Don’t ask. Just drink.”
I shrug and grab the small glass, downing the liquid in full.
“Ancients,Alexis!” Alanna stares at me with wide eyes, “you weren’t supposed to down it!”
Marybeth starts laughing. “You told her to just drink, Alanna. What else did you expect?”
She turns around quickly for a mug and pours what looks to be normal ale before handing it my way.
“Here, wash it down with this.”
I gratefully accept the ale and take a big gulp to still the burning sensation in my throat.
“I think that was the first time you’ve called me Alexis,” I point to Alanna.
“Nothing special,human,” she gives me another cool smile and takes a drink of her own toddy.
“Do you come here often?”
