Connie’s Hidyhole looked like a lounge but was actually a cafe. Well, to be exact, it was a little of both, considering the place never leaned in either direction. For its customers, it acted as both and neither simultaneously. Despite the number of years it has been open, they still needed to work out their branding. 

It wasn’t large, nor was it too small. The air had a cozy feeling to it. One gander from the entrance was enough to see all the seating arrangements, from the booths to the tables, the relaxing corner with books and games, and the little outside terrace that sat a handful of people. There were strange-shaped stones that were exposed to make up the walls. Where those weren’t were replaced by regular bricks, and where those weren’t, well…in place were vines and thick flowers arranged in a surprisingly lovely view that added a bit of ambiance to the venue. 

The ambiance of Connie’s was very charming, with an allure like that of a welcoming home. The food had its gravity pull that kept tickling at a craving he never thought he would have. It was also a quiet place, making it a perfect venue for a delicate conversation. And given that the third round of drinks was flowing, someone, despite promising their sister to take things slow, had fallen ill to the sweet taste of an alcoholic beverage concocted by a local fave from a place not too far away. With his lips slightly loosened, he was more than willing to talk about anything and everything. Not that he wasn’t the open-book type to begin with, but the drinks really got him going.

“And there I was, right in the middle of the place, and everyone stared at me. Can you believe that? I tell you, when you think you know somebody…”

“Right, right…so your sister, what does she do?” Elias asked, serving another cool drink in a large pitcher.

“Real estate, big agency. Mostly old, timely places with great historical relevance—Goodness, this is amazing. Honestly, when I saw it, I didn’t think it would compare to the FoxFire’s, but damn, this is good.”

“Focus. Is she seeing anyone…?”

“Heavens no. I thought the last guy was a total prick. He was so mean to me. Haven’t heard a peep since that ended. Honestly, I don’t know where he is. If I had to give you some advice, never bring up comics. She hates them.”

“Just a moment,” shot the Bartender from the bar. He had been trying to be discreet and not eavesdrop, but he only left Elias to serve drinks because he believed they would get a well-endowed check in return. A happy customer is a paying customer and, in this case, a wealthy customer. Hearing that Elias did not get paid for his job and that he was now potentially serving free drinks was a big no-no. “You’re cut off, mate. Elias, stop. I said STOP!”

“I already poured this one. Let it be,” Elias said, serving the fourth drink, which he made sure to be extra strong.

Now elbow-deep into his meal alongside another round, Sebastian suddenly shifted in moods. He sulked downward, head pressed against the counter as he returned to the original topic that had spiraled down a rabbit hole of mechs, the latest trending fantasy show about dragons, his karaoke skills, and much more. 

“I said I’m sorry…You gotta understand. The jobs are paid out when they are completed.”

“That’s fine and dandy,” Elias began. “But I was nearly killed. Not to mention, I was arrested for insinuating the belief that I was a part of the gig in some elaborate scheme. Personally, you owe me something, mate.”

Sebastian was speechless as he moaned in desperation. Staring at the brim of his glass, he finally brought some distinguishable words aside from groans to the tip of his lips. “I can’t really compensate you out of pocket either. Money’s tight, and I am a bit in a jiffy myself.”

“You keep saying that, but what does that really mean?”

“I really am going to have to move in with my sister. Those snacks are so bad. She’s going to want to go on morning runs…arrrrghhhh,” Sebastian grumbled under his breath. He seemed to be in his own world now, not hearing a word from the disgruntled employee who had left to be compensated.

I cannot believe this! I needed that money. What am I going to do about rent? Damn it, and Lump…, Elias thought, taking the half-eaten plate and pushing it to the side in frustration. 

The two were truly having the worst of days. Luck was down in and out as they continued to ramble about their selfish desires and problems. As they relished in their self-pity, a shadow loomed over them, followed by a snort. 

The sudden overcast was caused by a grizzly man. A few other unsavory-looking folks were by his side, sharing equally unsavory glares at the two young men.

“That’s them boss,” the shortest said. His face seemed vaguely familiar, but neither Elias nor Sebastian could place it.

“This small fry?” Bellowed the tall man. He seemed skeptical of his pal’s identification skills.

The taller man wasn’t just tall; he was large in stature. His head was clean-shaven, and he sported a well-endowed mustache. His glare wasn’t harsh, yet it was heavy as it stared down Elias in particular. 

“Yo!” His voice was not too loud but reasonably deep, deep enough to rock the entirety of the booth. “Let’s have a walk, chap.”

The man’s proposition baffled Elias. He glanced around the venue before returning a questionable look at the giant. 

“What? You want to go hand in hand like lovers? Go take a walk yourself. I don’t have time for you.” The man’s face contorted with veins as Elias’s rude remark hit him. It annoyed the giant greatly, igniting a fire inside him as he had never been spoken to with such disrespect before.

As the fuss began at the booth, the bell chimed—the same chime when the front door opened. The Bartender was in the middle of his morning routine, cleaning the glassware, polishing it, and stacking them. 

He ignored Elias and his additional company as they were regular business. Over time, he’s known Elias, the young man who always invited the not-so-pleasant bunch like honey to bees. He’s told him to handle whatever nonsense before outside, but it never seemed to stick. Knowing that if he caused a ruckus again, their Boss, Connie, would no doubt step in and speak with him. No one wanted that; thus, the Bartender could only hope his colleague would cause too much trouble.

Focused on his duties, he greeted the individual who had just entered. However, the patron didn’t seem to pay him any mind. Instead, they just strode right to the back, where the fuss began brewing. 

“I told you already to piss off!” Elias said, sitting across from his slightly drunk weirdo that he couldn’t shake. “Can’t you see I’m not in the mood? I have a serious crisis on my hands, and you really aren’t making it easier.”

While Elias seemed to scoff off at the giant, Sebastian squirmed nervously in his seat as he finally connected the dots. The short one was the individual who had stabbed him in the alley out back. What’s worse was that he was now with more of his friends and this giant, who looked like a Berserker class challenger. A luck-based roll wouldn’t work here, and considering his stats were poured into planning and cunning, all the fighting would be left to the grumbling knight who was his hero. Even so, Sebastian wasn’t sure if he could handle the situation. It was five to one, discounting himself since he would be useless. 

While Sebastian was doing the mental gymnastics of a board player in a fantasy world, assessing his dangers, the giant of a man was at his tipping point. The pot spilled over as his anger finally unleashed. 

Sebastian’s glass, mistaking it for Elias’s, was smacked onto the floor. The giant then got into his face, brimming with anger. “Get yer’arse up! We’re taking this outside!”

Elias remained unfazed. The towering figure was undeniably imposing, but after enduring the menacing threat of multiple loaded barrels aimed at his head, the hulking, oddly fragrant man with a hefty mustache didn’t strike him as particularly formidable.

“I said, piss off.”

Suddenly, a young woman passed the rough-looking individuals to Elias’s table. Her gaze solely locked onto him, undisturbed by anything around her.

She had a petite frame, with natural flowing wavy hair that extended just past her ears. While some of it hung in front of her face in a bang style, it didn’t detract from her facial features. She had a round face with a small point chin. Her long lashes perched on her feline eyes that dazzled more like the deep novas of the cosmos. She was sporting a dark plum purple, double-breasted blazer with a two-shade dark set of interestingly designed trousers. She looked sophisticated and stylish as she stood poised with an accessory in her hand. Despite the superb weather with just the right amount of sun-to-clouds ratio in the sky—a nice cool breeze, otherwise described as a near-perfect day, she carried an umbrella. Her impression was mature, yet she still looked pretty young in appearance.

“Elias Rook. My employer would like to have a word with you.”