Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 31: The Wayfarer's Pub.

“My lady.” Leena said, “don’t give them a reason to dislike you.” Her eyes darted around to the people looking at Astrid’s fine clothes.

“Like I care about something like that.” Astrid said. Lowering the trio to the ground, she stopped in front of them.

“Don’t let me see you here again.” Astrid crossed her arms.

“Or what? What’s a damned Sinwen doing digging in our business?” The brawler spat on the ground. “I ain’t surprised a noble has a restraining class! Look, she’s bound us!” His voice shouted through the narrow streets. His voice raised as the people peered out from their windows. Some even stepped out, gazing from their doorway.

Astrid remained silent.

“You have no respect for my family?” Astrid said.

“Respect? For how many generations has your family ruled up on their golden perch overlooking us?”

“And how many generations have my family given their lives to protect humanity?” Astrid’s hands trembled. The mana within her swirling like a vortex around its container.

Your Anger has reached 60/100

…

Your Anger has reached 5/100

Astrid shook her head. “I know plenty of people from the Lower District fighting with their lives on the line. Creating a new future for themselves outside. But what right do I have to lecture you? I’m just a noble child–born with a golden spoon in my mouth. Whatever she owes you, I will compensate for it.”

“My lady, I couldn’t ask for that.” Leena’s mother stepped forward.

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“Mother…” Leena said with frustration.

“Ten–no, thirty gold pieces will do.” The Brawler said, his hands fidgeting.

“Then I’ll double it to sixty, but I don’t carry that much money with me." Astrid said. "Give me a location and I’ll send someone with the payment.”

The Brawlers' eyes opened wide at the sum. His cheeks flushed. “A–alright… We stay within the Nightcrawler Inn. Our boss will take it.”

“Then you have my word–as a Sinwen–or does that not hold your trust?” Astrid said.

“No, I believe you–of course I do. You better come, or el–”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence–or else.” Astrid said, she peered into the man's eyes.

Nodding, the man and his posse left without a word. A smile tugged at their lips. Astrid watched their backs retreat through the streets.

Leena sighed as she watched Astrid’s expression.

“What?” Astrid said, glancing at Leena.

“I know that face anywhere, my lady.”

“Of course you do. You’ve been with me since I've been a little baby. It’s pretty, isn’t it?

“You know what I mean. The face of a woman that holds grudges.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Astrid said. She spun around and looked at Leena's mother. Walking forward, she hugged the woman's shoulders.

Their mothers were the same age, but while Eli still had her youthful face, Leena’s mother had wrinkles stretched at the side of her eyes. Her clothes, although not in tatters, weren’t far off. They had long lost their colours and were a size too big. Astrid wasn’t sure if they were originally like that, or if she had lost a lot of weight. Astrid could feel the bones of her shoulder through the thick layer of clothes.

“It’s good to finally meet you, Maira.” Astrid said and stepped back.

“Astrid, Leena has told me much about you. But there wasn’t a need to help me–really.”

“Only good things I hope?” Astrid joked, “don’t mention it. You are family, after all.”

“Hah… alright. Please come in.” Maira walked in as Astrid and Leena followed. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”

Astrid glanced around, making sure not to linger on her sight on anything. It was orderly. Although small, it had everything anyone needed to raise a family.

“I don’t mind. Anyway, I’ve gotten used to walking through fish guts and all other sorts.” Astrid paused. “Oh, th-that was meant as a compliment. I actually like smaller rooms.”

Maira laughed. “I know. Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Yes, please.” Astrid took her seat at the small dinner table. “Maira, why don’t you come live with us? Leena would be happier to have you around–and safe.”

Maira’s hand paused as she began boiling the kettle. “I–””

“I’ll think about it, Astrid.” Maira said. The kettle whistled. She finished by pouring it into three cups. Leena took hold of them and placed them on the table.

“Sorry, that’s not my place.” Astrid said. With her feet tapping on the floor, she took a sip of the hot tea. Thanks to her heightened constitution, it was no longer scalding. Rather, it was just the perfect temperature to send a gentle heat down her body.

Maira smiled. Astrid ended up talking about her adventures so far. When she got to the part of the test mission for the Wayfarers, Leena perked up. Her hands clenched the mug in her grip.

“Oh, my, it all sounds so dangerous.” Maira said.

“But fun! Well, apart from the almost dying part, I guess.” Astrid said, shrugging her shoulders. “Ah well, I guess I better leave. I’m supposed to be meeting up with my friends. Now that I think about it–they didn’t give me a name for the pub.”

“Oh, if they’re Wayfarers, they’ll be at The Old World pub.” Maira said as she took the empty cups to the sink.

“Oh, where’s that about?” Astrid asked.

“I know where it is.” Leena said.

Nodding, Astrid stood up and gave Maira a hug. “It was nice to meet you, Maira. I’ll come visit again.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Astrid. You’re welcome into my home at any time.” Maira patted her shoulders.

Astrid took a step back as Leena took her place.

“Think about Astrid’s proposal, please.”

“Okay, I get it. Go on now, don’t leave Astrid waiting.” Maira wryly shook her head.

“Bye!” Astrid waved and left the house.

Walking down the street, the noise picked up. Astrid noticed everyone seemed younger than average, and wobbling, then came the shouting. She tried to make out what they were saying, but their words were more akin to a mumble than anything.

“There it is, my lady.” Leena stopped. “Do we really need to come here?” Her eyes glanced around at the stumbling men and women. A few of them began whistling at Astrid. Her long flowing dress caught the gazes.

“Well, It’s not like I've not had to deal with a bunch of drunkards at the noble balls.” Astrid said. “Besides, it looks like fun!”

Just as Astrid’s words were uttered, a human projectile hurtled through the pub's window. There was a distinct lack of glass in the window. Astrid wondered if it was a regular occurrence. The man crashed against the hard brick floor. He brought along with it a dense stench of alcohol. Despite that, he shot to his feet and rolled up his sleeves. The thick, long hair on his forearms had coiled.

“Damn you, Rob!” the man shouted. “I’ll get you this time.” He said and charged back through the window. A loud clatter followed.

Astrid peered around the window as the body shot towards her, quickly taking a step back–the body crashed to the floor once more and a sense of déjà vu struck her. Am I in a time loop?

Shaking her head, she dashed to the pub's entrance. Above lay a crooked sign that was hanging onto dear life, swaying back and forth.

The Old World Pub.

Astrid stepped inside as the pungent, almost bitter stench of cigarette smoke permeated around the poorly ventilated room. A thick cloud hung, looming amidst the shadows that lay languidly along the ceiling. Any insect would be brave to risk the choking of the malodorous cloud above.

The pub had an enthusiastic quiet to the dingy room, enthusiastic in the way the pint glasses made contact against the countertops and the chinking of loose change being spangled forth. It was quiet in the way there wasn’t much music going on, and outside of the rabble creating few, people huddled around each other. Sitting at the tables that had no right being tables. They were barrels that had a slab of wood laying loosely on top. Now and then, drinks threatened to flip onto the floor at any sudden movement. The floor beneath them was constantly moving–although slightly–making it a nightmare. Their hands stayed glued to their drinks, in fear of suddenly losing it. Their low voices drummed against the barrel as they held their own private conversations.

A jukebox sat in the room's corner, encased in a thick cloud of smoke and dust, long forgotten by the customers of the pub. Cracks had splintered in the flimsy glass of the music box. It was a home for any insects that crawled within these walls to escape the fog billowing around. It was broken, like many other things here, hidden and forgotten. Relics of the past.

The door creaking open, gained the attention of everyone inside. Despite the harsh clattering of people being struck against chairs and tables.

“A–strid!”

“Ast–rid!”

“Ahhh-strid!”

“MMMMM–Ahh!”

And the enthusiastic quiet turned into a shouting swarm as the Wayfarer group bolted towards Astrid as a family of arms swallowed her.

“You guys bloody reek!” Astrid said as she wriggled free.

“MMMm.” Rob mumbled, a wide smile on his face as it opened and shut. It was then that Astrid noticed that the giant man had no tongue. He slapped her on the shoulder.

“Good to see you too, Rob.” Astrid slapped his shoulder back.

“You didn’t die! I knew you had it in you, lass.” Brett downed whatever was left within his cup, spilling half of it down himself.

“Thanks, I guess.” Astrid said.

“Oi Darren, get a cup of your finest ale for the girl!” Lisa shouted towards the bar.

“Coming right up.” Darren grumbled.

Daniel placed his arm around Astrid’s shoulders as he walked her over to the bar. Leena quickly followed, her eyes leering at the Wayfarer.

“How did the mission go, missy?” Daniel said. “Well, apart from almost dying, that is.” He plopped himself onto the stool. Astrid joined him.

“So you know?” Astrid asked.

“Little details here and there–”

“Drinks up.” Darren said. “And can you get your bloody team under control? It’s every time you send this place into a pit fighting arena.”

“Guys, give it a rest, will you?” Daniel spun around.

Rob looked at the man, then back at Daniel. The man looked at Daniel and back to Rob. It was then Rob sent a hurtling fist to the man's stomach, flinging him out of the pub at a tremendous speed. Rob dashed after him.

“Ah see, I tried.” Daniel shrugged. “Where was I?”

“Little details.” Astrid said, wryly shaking her head.

“Ah yes, the details–”

“Hey guys, buddies, friends.” Rachelle slurred as she staggered over. She almost fumbled over the stool, but used Astrid to stop her from falling.

“Ah, you talking about Price?” Rachelle said. “Another pint on the double!” Her knuckles rapped against the sticky bar.

“I’m damned trying to, woman!” Daniel said.

“Well, alright, no need to get your breeches in a tizzy.” Rachelle said through her stumbling chuckle.

Another group of men approached Daniel. Many hugs later, he turned back with a wry smile on his face.

“The details are that Price got in trouble for a lack of preparation.” Daniel patted the man on the shoulder. “Excuse me for a little, missy.”

Astrid nodded as she turned to her drink. Taking a sip, the brew had a faint orange hue. However, it was the brown tint within that made her eyes water. It was horrible. Yet, it was strangely consumable. It wasn’t enough to turn her away, so she kept on sipping. And then it was gone.

“Another!” Astrid banged the heavy glass onto the table. Then, her hungry eyes lay on a plate of brown squares that emitted a faint chocolate, sweet scent.

“And give me some of those!”

Darren placed a little plate of the chocolate treats in front of her. Pinching one, she threw it into her mouth. The chewy sweetness had a hint of herb to it that enhanced the flavour. Her eyes widening, she swiftly finished them all.

“And I’m back.” Daniel sat back on his stool, his eyes fell onto the crumb filled plate.

“You didn’t–did you?” Daniel asked.

Astrid flashed her once pearly white teeth, now stained with a sticky brown.

“Oh, no.” Daniel was at a loss.