Ozzy day 46 tavern guide

I’m from Bastion, so when I first came here, I remember thinking that the Streets of Hero's Landing were unbelievably wide. I thought these roads could never be filled. But every weekend in the heart of the city, the roads would be bursting at the seams, full of merchants selling goods, street performers out to make a coin. Restaurants and bakeries would have carts selling food and advertising their store. Everyone out to turn a profit was undoubtedly looking for the best-paying customers, Heroes. I was up not long after dawn, but the streets were already a maze of people and businesses setting up shop for the day. The air was crisp and cool, even with all the people around. The city was generous with its open space, each house and building having a sizable yard. The buildings at the city's heart were closer together, but never felt encroaching. The Adventures Guild, where I worked, was one of the largest buildings in the city. Most of it was used as a Tavern for adventurers, the part that wasn't was where I worked. A Guild receptionist, my duties mostly involved tending to contracts that heroes have accepted or rejected. It's not difficult, but the pay is high, like most jobs in this city. I shuffled up the double doors of the guild, there were already young adventurers lounging around outside.

“Morning, Emma.” A young man called out.

“I’m almost late for work, you won't tell the boss on me, will you?” I said in a whimpering voice.

“If the boss says anything, I'll come tell them I was holding you up.”

“Thanks Tony.” I said with a nod and smile.

Keeping customers happy was part of the job. It feels embarrassing, playing along with young boys' fantasies, I’m thirty years old now. Customers are the worst and best part of this job. I've gotten tips the size of half my yearly wage back in Bastion. I pushed open the left door, it swings easier than the right one. I find it entertaining how almost every hero who walks in here for the first time pushes both doors open like a king returning from a conquest. The Adventures guild here was a pretty unimpressive building. At least by my standards. The inns back home were many times nicer. We had basic luxuries there as well. I've heard heroes like this rustic aesthetic for some reason. When I first saw the rooms we rented out, I almost thought it was a joke. Just a cheap mattress, with a drawer and a mat on the floor. Just grey bricks and a bed, a smile crossed my face when I remembered asking the supervisor where the real rooms were. We charge about five times what the best hotel in Bastion goes for. Only the elite section of NewLight would have rooms this expensive, but then you're getting top-class luxury. Not a hole in the wall. Yet this was filled with heroes every day, they must love the atmosphere. The Reception room was warm and welcoming. A fireplace faced a few sofas. Tables filled the open space of the room. At all hours of the day, heroes would be sitting around with their teams discussing plans. Mostly, they would just lounge though, I wish they would go hang out in the tavern side like they are supposed to. But what can I do about it? They're the heroes. At the back of the room were two reception desks. The only difference is that one was staffed by Demihuman girls, and the other is where I worked. 

“Thanks Mew!” Lynx Purred.

“ Y-yeah, of course.” A flustered hero said. 

He quickly turned and nervously left the counter. The demi-humans always have it the worst, it makes me feel guilty complaining about my work persona when they have to do so much every day. I know they also don't get paid as much, but I'm not supposed to ask about it. I shuffled over to the counter. 

“Lynx, how's the day been so far?”

Her posture slumped, and her shoulders relaxed while letting out a sigh.

“Just a little tiering, not too bad though.” Lynx said.

I reached into my bag and pulled out a box, 

“I got some sweets from the store for you and the other girls.”

Her long ears perked up at the mention of sweets. Her eyes quickly flicked around to see if anyone else was around.“I'll ask the other girls if you shared them or not.” I warned.

Her tail froze, stopping its gentle sway. Her lips trembled into a guilty smile.

“Would I ever do that?

I gave her a questioning look.

“Okay, I won't. Thanks.” She said with a heart-warming smile.

“You're always so nice to us, the other human girls don't like us.”

“The other human girls don't like anyone.” I hushed to her.

We both shared a laugh, and I went to my desk. 

“Hey, I'll take over now.”

“Took you long enough,” Emily whined.

I forced my face to smile instead of giving a retort. I went to sort through the papers on the desk when a regular of mine came up.

“Hey Emma, how are you doing?”

“Good, what could I help you with today?”

“Ohh, nothing, didn't look like you were busy, so I just wanted to say hi.”

“I’m glad you wanted to see me, but when I'm on duty, the desk is to be used for business only.”

“Well, that's what I'm saying, if you come to the tavern with me like I've been asking, we can get more comfortable with each other if you know what I'm saying.”

“I've been quite busy with work, guild is quite busy this time of year, so I don't know if I'll be able to.”

“Look all I need is one night wit-”

He stopped mid-sentence as something hit his head. He didn't see what it was, but I saw that it was a pen cap belonging to the guild. I looked over to the other desk to see Lynx making an all too straight face. I inhaled sharpy to try not and burst out laughing.

“You think this is funny!” He said while pointing a finger at me.

The hero said to me, melvin marvin? I forgot his name. I try not to think of it.

“Why are you making things so hard?” He asked.

Excuse me? I forced my mind to calm, think about the pay. I was thinking of how to reply when another man came up to the desk and shoved Melvin away.

“Thanks.” I said.

I looked up to the eyes of the man in front of me and I realised I might have spoken too soon. His face was all stern lines. His eyes balls of hatred.

“You killed them! I demand compensation.”

“Sir, I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.”

“You let us go on this quest, knowing that we would die.”

“Sir you have to explain from the beginning but slowly.“The contract to lure out the bandit king.”

I remember now, some new heroes demanded to take the hardest quest we had, I warned them about the danger but they weren't the type to take no for an answer. I also remember that this man wasn't a member of the party that went. 

“What's your Name Sir, and I'll need to scan your guild pass.”

“You don't need to scan anything, you knew what you were doing. And now they are dead and I need compensation.”

“Compensation If you are not family to the deceased, i'm not sure if-”

“He was like a brother to me!”

“It was a month ago that that happened, is there a reason you didn't come for compensation before?”

“Before, I was so heartbroken I couldn't leave my house.”

“Right.”

This guy is just trying to profit off his dead friend. People who don't want to scan their guild pass have probably been up to trouble. If he's looking for money maybe he owes some, or lost it gambling.

“So give me thirty gold coins to start.”

A new voice cut in.

“Hey, if you're not here on business, can you leave?”

The hero who was harassing me turned around, there was a tall hero standing behind him. He was all sharp edges, with a face that looked comfortable in a frown.

“Mouse? Is that you? What do you want, I’m here to get justice for Shadow?”

“What did that piss ant finally kick the bucket, good. Now hurry up and leave.”

“Think you're tough now that he's gone, don't forget how many times I be-”

Before he could finish his sentence the tall hero swooped in like a falcon and punched the hero in his temple, the impact made his body go limp and drop.

I nervously looked up at the tall hero.

“Thanks.” I said not wanting to be wrong this time.

“She asked me to help, thank her.” He grumbled while gesturing to Lynx.

I looked over at Lynx whose tail was excitedly swaying back and forth. Her eyes flicked onto the hero then she looked at me with a timid smile.

“What's your name?” I asked.

“Will.”

“Yours?”

“Emma.” I smiled.

“You don't need to do the fake smile thing with me.”

I laughed out loud despite myself. But it's nice having people who don't mind me being unprofessional.

“Well Will, thanks for helping out a guild member, as thanks we will reward you with free drinks all night, and my co-worked Lynx the adorable Cat Girl with black and white fur will join you.”

His face was stone cold.

“Why does she need to come?” 

This guy is so dense. 

“To thank you properly.”

“Okay.”

He walked over to Lynx’s desk, his eyes scanning her up and down.

“She's right. Let's go?”

“She’s right about what? Lynx asked.

“That your adorable.” He said deadpan.

Lynx's tail started sweeping back and forth faster. He's lucky she's into him; I don't think he's very good with the ladies normally.

“I'm working until later?” Lynx explained.

“Wait for a sec.”

Will came over to me.

“She's working until later, what do I do?”

“Go out, get her some flowers, and come back when she's off.”

“Okay.” 

He went back to Lynx.

“I'm going to go get you flowers, you wait for me until I'm back. Then we will go to the tavern so you can thank me all night.” He said and then left.

Lynx’s ears shot up in surprise. She looked over at me, her cheeks flushed. I shot her a thumbs up and she shot me one back. I'm happy for her. Day started off rough, but I turned out alright.

Marvin came back to my desk

“So about me and you?”

I didn't even notice when Will came back into the reception room, but he took one swipe at Martin and knocked him out next to the unconscious body of the other hero.

“Free drinks and thanks don't stack unfortunately.” I said and gave him a genuine smile.

He just smiled back. His face lit up and changed, looking a lot more pleasant. Lynx you lucky girl.