Testing My Luck in the New World

  "I thought you said we were going to speak privately?"

After my walk through the city with the girls, I had a hunch where we were headed, but I didn't think she'd actually take me to a tavern of all places.

Reminiscent of the Adventurer's guild in Amoranth, I could hear the lively music and raucous, drunken cheers of the patrons before we even stepped inside. The place was packed, and at only a little past two in the afternoon, I had to wonder if day-drinking was just the norm in this world. More importantly, given how this mess between us started, I had nothing but questions.

"Don't worry," she said. "Nobody will bother us."

Miss Bellenfort shoved the swinging double doors to the place open, thrusting herself into the tavern much like a weary gunslinger might do in an old western movie. Likewise, the moment the sun caught her figure and cast her shadow over the faces of the patrons, several of them paled. Others hid behind their mugs, pretending not to notice. While a surprising few of the men who were already red in the cheeks stared longingly at her.

Meanwhile, despite the attention she drew to herself, none seemed to have noticed she wasn't alone until I stepped up beside her.

"Hey, Darwin," She called across the room and the bartender stiffened, nearly dropping the mug he was wiping. "The back room empty?"

"Y-Yes, it is, Lady Bellenfort. Would you like the usual?"

"Obviously. And two glasses, please."

"Right away."

Holding up an equal number of fingers, Miss Bellenfort strode through the bar and behind a curtain. I hurried to follow her, if anything to rid myself of the stares her declaration earned me. I couldn't help but feel like everyone was looking at me like I was insane for sharing a drink with her, rather than being jealous for it.

Following her golden mane and giant axe down a strikingly lonely hall, I noticed that the moment the curtain fell behind me, all other sounds from the bar faded. The hall had a sound-muffling enchantment placed on it, but I could still feel the vibrations through the floorboards once the music kicked back in.

"This way," she called over her shoulder, sounding tired as she stepped into one of several rooms outfitted with the same curtains. I had to question the use of curtains that couldn't be locked instead of a door, but I joined her all the same. She pulled her axe off her back and leaned it against the wall.

"Sit down."

A casual, almost limp flick of her wrist directed me to sit across from her at a small table. I slid into the booth after her. However, when she sat down, she cupped her breasts with both hands and practically slammed them down on the table and the generous jiggle they made seemed to make it creak. Heaving a great sigh as she leaned her weight onto it, she peeked at me for only a second and, this time, I had no excuse ready to deny where I was looking.

She just closed her eyes and sighed again.

"Excuse me," she said, rolling her shoulders. "I know these things are fun to look at, trust me, I do, but my shoulders are stiff like you wouldn't believe right now."

Gulping down my eyesight to compose myself, I pulled my sword off my hip and set it against the wall as well.

"You know, respectfully, a bra really would help with that. Least, that's what I've heard."

"And like I said last time, I don't know what that is. But if you have one, I'd be happy to try it out."

"Unfortunately, I don't."