>>6260311If the bar wasn’t quiet before, it is now! Inngo stands at your side looking ready to pick up the whole tavern and drop it on the gang, and Lido almost looks like he’s anticipating it!
There’s tension building in the air like that persistent smell of burnt flesh back at work… one wrong step and this could get messy! WELP, you shrug as you continue to polish your glass, whoever this <span class="mu-i">Antonio</span> is, he probably doesn’t co-own a tavern… <span class="mu-i">OR</span> wear a fancy hat!
The Mzz’goe’virr nods in assent! “He’s right, Lid! ‘Scription didn’t say nuthin’ ‘bout no hat!”
The Durher draws something from his side and pounces onto the counter with a feral grin! “I bet it ain’t <span class="mu-i">DAT</span> fancy! Hand it over, mugjockey!”
Another sigh leaves Lido’s mouth as he calmly, but firmly sends the fuzzball tumbling to the floor with a well-placed smack! “Now, now…” He replies, his eyes still not departing from yours, “There’s a proper procedure for everything, Needo…” For the briefest of moments the Gnok’s eyes dart over to his shade-wearing counterpart! “Peepers. Do your thing.”
You struggle to maintain composure as the spectacled Spice Goon reaches over the counter and smacks a heavy claw on your <span class="mu-b">FANCY HAT!</span> Poking and prodding it for what feels like minutes, ‘Peepers’ ends his analysis with one last discerning squint before returning to his captain’s side!
“It <span class="mu-i">IS</span> pretty fancy, Lid.”
“Hmmm….” Grumbles Lido, “Boss <span class="mu-i">did</span> mention he had no style at all…” Shrugging his shoulders with an unnerving <span class="mu-i">CRACK</span>, the made man shoots you an apologetic smile! “Well shoot… guess we’re still on the hunt!”
Guess so, you grunt!
“Gonna order something or what?”
Inngo’s voice cuts through the awkwardness like a nine foot knife! Rapping his knuckles on the counter, the ringleader answers with an enthusiastic nod!
“Why not? Gotta celebrate the… ‘new co-owner’, right?”
What’ll it be then? Ruuppaa? Futskaa? Needo the Durher’s perpetually-jittery eyes light up at the offer!
“OOH! OOH! Gimme some Ruup-”
“C’mon, Need…” Purrs Lido with another devious smile, “This is a <span class="mu-i">special</span> occasion! Let’s make it <span class="mu-i">fun</span>!”
You and Inngo share a concerned, but still stoic, glance.
“Let’s see…” The captain sighs as he drums his claws on the countertop, “Two Maelstroms… One Umberal Fizzer… One Dirty Knife-”
“YESSS!” Snickers the Durher!
“... And one Iced Seenti.” Concludes the capo as he leans back to check on the Skog. “Virgin, right, Biiba?”
The corner of the Skog’s mouth rises… barely. Reminds you of the smiles Liz used to give you.
Before you screwed everything up, that is…
>CONTD. 