Around the chaos of the ongoing conflict between the Himura and Lovecraft families, a man in his mid-20s approached the local Inn of Hanford. The place was bustling, a hub of gossip and lively conversation. The man appeared injured, clutching one hand against his stomach as he entered. For a brief moment, he became the centre of attention, everyone’s gaze briefly fixed on him. Surprisingly, no one recognised his face.

He slowly made his way toward the bar, silent and intent, seeking a drink to soothe his wounds.

“So, what will it be?” asked the maid behind the bar.

“Just a soda water, please,” he replied softly.

“Soda water… is that your poison?” she teased, laughing lightly.

“What’s it to you?” he shot back calmly. She chuckled and filled a large pint glass with tonic, sliding it toward him. He paid her with a handful of coins, mostly scraps from his pockets, hardly enough for the drink.

“We don’t see many new faces around here,” she remarked, glancing him over. “What’s your name, friend?”

He paused for a moment, a faint chuckle escaping him. Time to change it, he thought. “Croid,” he said at last, though his real name was Melthos.

“Croid,” she repeated, smiling warmly. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Felicity.”

Croid looked around, sensing a strange tension in the air. A feeling of paranoia hovered over him, but he simply nodded and replied, “Likewise.” His eyes then flicked across the bar, where he spotted a well-dressed woman seated alone. She exuded wealth and sophistication. She was the only other person there who seemed to observe him with such a predatory gaze. He wondered if she was after him somehow, but he quickly turned his attention away from her.

Felicity, noticing his curiosity, leaned in and explained, “Here, I pretty much run the bar myself. The owners mostly sit back and live off my work. There’s no way they could replace someone like me who can handle this place.”

Melthos, now adopting the name Croid, found himself intrigued by her confidence, charisma, and self-assurance. He hesitated for a moment before asking about the area, though in truth, he was most interested in whether he could settle in such a place.

“Are there any jobs around here?” he inquired.

“The mines are the main trade,” Felicity replied readily. “You should speak to the Himuras. They can get you set up for work quickly. In fact, I can even talk to them for you; they own most of this town anyway.”

“Oh, uh… thanks. Not sure how I can repay you” Croid said, not expecting her to be so helpful.

She gave him a cheeky smile, staring deep into his eyes. Then, slowly leaning forward and revealing a bit more of her ample chest, as she rested her arm on the table, she said softly, “I’m sure we could come to some other arrangements.”

His eyes widened as he caught her flirtatious glance. Hot damn… he thought, realising just how attractive she was. He’d been so preoccupied with other thoughts that her presence now completely drew his attention. “I’m sure we could,” he replied with a slight smirk, raising an eyebrow.

Turning around, she made sure he noticed her figure, a graceful waistline and alluring hips as she cat walked off to tend to another customer. Her flirtation was subtle, but confident, done in a way he’d never experienced before.

“I might actually like this place,” he muttered to himself, feeling surprisingly at ease.

Later that night, as the inn’s doors closed and the patrons left, the two of them lingered behind, ready to embrace a night of lust and passion.