6 Chapter 05: The Drunken Maiden (2/2)

Now I will leave for real this time as we will meet; Nevermore.”

The raven spread her wings wide showing its inkblack feathers as it flew off and vanished into the mercy darkness of the night.

I decided that I would find out eventually just how in heat everyone was.

On another note, I needed to find out as much about spirits as possible tonight, I closed the door behind me slowly decending down the stairs. It was still as lively as ever downstairs as everyone enjoyed their free time.

There were a few maids running around taking and bringing orders.

Together with Midnight at the bar, I counted four workers in total.

A cat girl, an elf and a human girl? At least, she looked like a normal human being.

As I walked to the bar Midnight was bringing out orders for some customers as well.

When she walked back to the bar she didn't notice me sitting at the corner.

”Business is booming isn't it?” Midnight looked up and was surprised to see me.

”Not hitting the hai yet love? You seemed rather tired when you got the key to your room just now.” ”Can't sleep, I am just too excited for my adventure to start. I have no idea where to start tomorrow... Any recommendations or pointers you could give me?

”Hmhm... Of course, I could give you some pointers dear, but it won't be cheap.

Tell you what.. You drink with me tonight and I'll give the advice for free”. Midnight grinned as she was waiting in anticipation on how I would react to this.

”Hmm... I don't know... It has been a while since I last drank some. But I think a beer or two wouldn't hurt.” ”Tell you what love, let's make this interesting. If you stay with me till I close the Tavern I'll tell you all you want to know and maybe even throw in a bonus.” Midnight said with longing eyes as she winked at me.

”Here is your beer dear, I have to bring the rest of the drinks to the other customers,

let me introduce you to the rest of my girls when they get the chance.”

Midnight put down a huge pint of beer in front of me and walked towards the customers in a playful manner sweeping her hips and but from side to side.

As this had never happened to me I didn't know how to react and got a bit flustered.

Thinking back I was glad Alessia didn't approach me as I wouldn't have known how to handle the situation. As I was thinking back at when I first arrived, being lost in thought. One of the maids got to the bar to get new drinks for a customer since they ordered a lot of drinks she had some time to spare and approached me.

”Nyan, Master must be new here. What might sir be thinking about?”

She gently scratches behind her ear as she continues to prepare all the drinks.

Seeing as I was deeply in my own thoughts she found in peculiar and fascinating.

”Sir?” I looked up as she was looking straight at me a bit worried that I did not react right away. ”Here, it's on the house. My favorite drink. *Meow* The cat girl handed me a cool glass of milk. ”that should help you sober up a little, knowing mother Midnight she is trying to get you drunk Nyahahn.

”Where are those drinks, Shirley?!” A customer in the back yelled towards the front.”Comming~ Nyan Nyan. She rushed off towards the group of customers in the back with a huge plate of beer and other beverages.

”She seemed rather cute, is it true that all women just as cute here in Arganthes? If so, man.. I might be a lucky guy haha. I must say that Midnight has chosen the right outfit for her workers. As it was a basic maid outfit like how I remembered it from home it emphasizes their femininity yet made them a tread for the eyes of the customers making them more approachable and cute for the customers.

The Catgirl had a unique hair color that went from yellow blond into reddish pink.

Her hair was short and straight but curled up a little at the ends.

The cutest part was that she had hair that almost covered her eyes,

yet let them through showing her cheerful sapphire blue eyes.

As she was cheerfully helping the customers one of the other girls came my way holding a plate with all kinds of empty glasses, plates and some cleaning stuff.

It was the elf girl. She smiled at me and greeted me after bringing the dishes to the back and telling the cook two more orders had to be made.

Like the catgirl, she was really cheerful, yet she had another air around her.

She gave me the feeling she wasn't as innocent as the others.

Her hair was, strangely enough, the exact opposite of Shirley, going from a cherry red to a soft and gentle yellow. She had her hair in a different way than the others as she had two pigtails which made her look cute. I liked it a lot. Her hair was quite a bit longer as the two pigtails

”Good evening sir, I saw you talking with Shirley, I must say I haven't seen you here before. Enjoying your visit so far?” ”Yes, rather lively here... although I don't see any others like me, is there a reason for that? I'm Michael by the way, nice to meet you.”

”Haha, I totally understand what you mean, the thing is... it's normally a Demi-Humans only Tavern here, with the exception of Amaris sometimes visiting Mother Midnight.

I am Elanor, the pleasure is all mine.”

”Ah, so that must be the reason why everyone looked so awkwardly at me when I entered. It still does not explain why they were looking rather irritated as well.”

”You see, the relationship between Humans and Demi-Humans drastically diminished during the World Changing War, this was was known that way because of there where several Revolutions and Rebellions during this period, yet even now as we speak those bastard nobles up in Mineral still shame and discriminate us wherever they can.”

”The World Changing War? That sounds huge!”

”I'll tell you more about it later as it is too late right now, I heard from Midnight that you need a place to crash?” I sighed *Sigh* and nodded. ”at least it's just for one night so I hope I'm not intruding or anything.” Elanor laughed. ”Hahaha, don't worry about that! A friend of Amaris is a friend of the mother and us. It seems mother has taken an interest in you, seeing as she gave you a few drinks on the house and even offered to lend her room to you for the night. I would have known if I were you.”

As Elanor finished her sentence I noticed a slight twinkle in her eyes.

”Elanor, the food's ready!” ”Yelp, that's my cue.. It was nice getting to know you. I have to continue, for now, talk to you later.”

Elanor walked towards the waving customer as the orders she gave to the cook where done.

Looking around the Tavern observing everyone a little I noticed that one of the maids was not present anymore. ”hmm.. could she have finished working before the other two were done?” Midnight came back to the bar as she took most leftover dishes from the tables with her and started washing them.

”Is it always this lively here?” I asked in a curious manner.

”Haha yes! Most around here are Demi-humans which is why they prefer our Tavern as they won't be bothered by the annoying nobles and such, just having time for yourself partying away haha.” ”Say Midnight... About your offer. If I'm not intruding too much already I would be happy to stay with you tonight. I must say that I am completely in your care as I have nowhere to go. I really appreciate your help.”

”Oh dear, it's my pleasure. It's not every day that Amaris brings over a friend and a handsome one at that, cute too. She licked her pulsating nose as she was sizing me up.

Midnight sat down next to me as she touched my leg. ”You are always welcome here to stay dear.” As I noticed her coming on to be a bit stronger than before I tried to change the subject a little asking about the maids. ”One of the maids seemed to have left before the others where finished tonight?” Oh, Lily? Hmm... you like her? Midnight toyed a little with me giving me a little push while smirking. ”I haven't seen her yet, was rather curious as I hoped to see her too, just like the other girls.” ”Knowing Amaris she told you about this already, that it's a full moon tonight?”

I nodded as I tried to fight her tempting allure.

”The Full moon Cycle is a cycle where all three moons become full over the course of one month as one of the three will be full at the end of the week. This greatly increases the urge to mate. It is in our biology to give in to this urge which is why we combine it with parties every week and a festival at the end of the month.

At the end of the month when all three have been full there is a time as all three become full together, three nights and days long, they will double the effect of each moon, making us unable to fight the urge any longer. We will give of pheromones to indulge our partners into lust as well as we ourselves will greatly be affected by the natural scent of the opposite sex. The Savage Festival as we call it will start during midnight, as I am the owner of the Tavern I already instructed everyone here to go to their most comfortable locations as this phenomenon can be destructive to the unaware.

I hope you still want to spend the night with me knowing all this?” Midnight said as innocent as possible. As I saw she was worried about how I might react towards her honesty I pulled up my shoulders and gave her a hug.

”Knowing that even during such an intimate festival that you are willing to spend your precious time with me, an outsider who doesn't know anything about the riches in this world. I am honored to stay by your side.” I said proudly.

Of course, I wanted to secure a safe place to stay in this unknown world and who would be better to spend the night with than someone who was to be trusted? Or so I thought.

Midnight was touched by my confidence as a tear fell down her eyes.

She brushed it away and went towards the other customers.

As she was the only one working at this hour she needed to make sure the customers got their share of food and drinks. Before going Savage on the civilians.

As she tended to a few customers I had a bit of breathing space again.

Trying to clear my head I thought back at my tram mates. What would they be doing now?

Would they miss me? As I thought of them a tear fell down my cheek.

”You have to make your actions count, don't let others deceive you, fight for what you believe in and survive!”