Welcome to Gaia! ::

Thunder rattled the windows of the small tavern that Owaen had found himself within. He had been traveling through Tendaji seeking more experience of owning a business and brewing other means of ale and meads. His journey was paused in Oba as a small seasonal shower rolled through the area. The desert-like lands were turned to mud as water pooled between the dunes.

‘Just a passing shower. It will be hot again tomorrow and what water is out there will be gone in an hour or so.’ commented the bartender that Owaen was shadowing.

”Do these showers happen often?” Owaen asked as he mopped up a mess around one of the tables.

‘Sometimes, other times we can go a few months without rain. We make due with what we have.’ the tender said as he sifted through the bottles behind the bar. ‘Just wait until tonight, it’s going to be very lively here.’

Owaen gave a nervous chuckle and stared out the window once again as time seemed to pass by quickly. Just as dusk was starting, people started filling the tavern. Some in Military gear others were mere workers. Some were just common civilians. The atmosphere within the tavern became one of laughter and merriment. Owaen was bustling around serving drinks and cleaning up alongside the barmaids.

‘You there boy,’ shouted one man in Military clothing, ‘Bring another pint here.’

”Of.. Of course, coming right up!” Owaen answered as he tucked his small tray beneath an arm and headed back to the bar. ”Far Table wants another pint.”

The tender turned and looked towards the red faced drinkers at the table. His eyes squinted at the lot of them and shook his head, ‘Nah. That table has had enough to drink. Their commander would be very cross if they showed up hung over again.’ the tender commented as he was cutting off their tab. ‘Tell them to settle up and move out.’

Owaen stared at the tender before looking back towards the table. Settle up and move out? These were things he hadn’t come across too often, most times people knew their limits, he supposed that these guys didn’t. Picking up a different tray he headed towards another table to deliver drinks. On the way back towards the bar he stopped at the other table.

”Tender has said to settle up and move out.” Owaen relayed as the men seemed to grow hot under the collar.

‘Is that so, well. We’ll settle up, but not going out into that weather just yet.’ said the military man. ‘First a little wager with you boy. You’re from the other island. The one who had sent those skyships all those years ago.’

”That was one of our schools, yes. Heard that the project was a success, though had a few bump here and there.” Owaen nodded in acknowledgement. ”What is this wager you have in mind?”

The man smiled, though he looked almost three sheets to the wind. ‘A small game. I am sure you have played it before in your homeland.’ He looked at his friends before back at Owaen. ‘Just a small game of truth or dare.’

”Really? That game is for children.” Owaen protested. ”I think you guys should head to bed if you are resorting to children games to get what you want.”

The group laugh at Owaen’s reaction, their voices raising higher than the rest in the room. ‘It’s not a ploy to get more ale, though it would be nice. No, this is just a small game, so which shall it be? Truth or Dare?’

Owaen still wasn’t up for playing these games, but to humor the drunken lot he sighed and conceded. ”Alright, I will pick dare.” Owaen chose, what was the worst that could happen?

The men at the table laughed again as Owaen chose to be dared by them to do something. ‘What shall we have him do? Perhaps sneak us out a small keg of ale?’ The ideas were being passed around as Owaen looked nervously towards the Bar. The tender was watching the lot with an eye of suspicion. ‘Oh I know. We dare you to go into the maid’s dressing rooms and bring us back something of theirs.’

Owaen’s face paled a little at the request, seriously? They wanted him to sneak into the room the women used and take something? Standing there a little too long, one of the men nudged him, ‘Get a move on, unless you are cowardly’

”I am no coward, I just know where I shouldn’t go.” Owaen retorted as he turned and headed towards the back, ”Taking a small break.” He mentioned to the bartender who looked in his direction.

‘You don’t have to do as they say, you know.’ he whispered, ‘They do this to everyone who works here.’

”It’ll be fine.” Though Owaen was sure it wasn’t going to be just fine.

Exiting out of the main tavern and into the backrooms, Owaen rested against a wall to think. All the barmaids were out on the floor he was sure of it. Eying the door that lead to their changing room, there wasn’t any noise coming from behind. Taking a breath, Owaen stepped over to the door and knocked, he wanted to make sure no one was there. Silence answered his knock and he pushed the door open ever so slightly. Peeking inside, the room was mostly bare with a couple of benches and hooks to hang their belongings on.

”Just need something small. Something that won’t be missed..” He muttered to himself as he slipped inside and closed the door behind him.

Along the back wall where everyone hung their belongings, purses and other small bags. Owean walked over and peeked into the first one, he was in so much trouble if he were to be caught. Spotting a handkerchief in one of the bags, Owean snagged that and darted from the room. He was never going to hear the end of this if it was made known of what he did. Marching back out to the main room, he handed the handkerchief to the drunken men, his face a blaze with red fire of embarrassment.

”There, I did your dare, now ship out.” Owaen said through gritted teeth.

The group laughed, paid their tabs and gave Owaen a small tip. As they started to leave one stopped and turned back around, shouting. ‘Thanks for the gift, Orlane.’ he raised the hand holding the handkerchief before vanishing through the door. The barmaid looked over in surprise before her own face blazed red. Owaen could only head out the back with his own embarrassment. He was sure to get it now…

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