The cold stone walls of the tavern seemed menacing yet warm and inviting. Patrons sat either at the rounded oak tables that occupied five or six people each, or at the light mahogany bar that faced the entrance of the tavern. Bottles and glasses of expensive wines, liquor, tequila, vodka, and other alcohol shone like diamonds in the desert at high noon. A bartender stood in a tuxedo, with light brown hair and clear crystal blue eyes, about 6 feet tall, and seemingly normal aside from his peculiar pointed ears. The bar’s floor had been recently waxed, Mr. Salmon (the bartender) took great pride in keeping hs shop nice, neat, organized, and orderly. The walls, on either side of the tavern, were packed, cobblestone. . Orbs of a mysterious, soft amber light, floated aimlessly between the tables. His bar catered to all; Humans, anthropomorphic animals, ghosts, ghouls, and things that go “BUMP” in the night. Most mortals would never suspect that the person sitting next to them were otherworldly. Thanks to magic, mortals would never suspect of the bartender being a demon, or of the monsters in the tavern with them.
“Bartender” A low, husky voice commanded, “Bring me your finest gin, and hurry up with it.” Mr. Salmon rotated toward the voice’s owner. The owner of the voice, a stout, short, dwarf with a brown beard, eyed him, their gaze riveted as if to assert dominance.
“Fine” Mr. Salmon sighed, “but you’ll have to pay a hefty price.”
“Money, service, anything you desire, I am at your service.” The dwarf rehearsed.
Mr. Salmon reached for a pink stained glass that read ‘Unicorn Tears’. What a waste. Mr. Salmon thought as he poured the clear light pink liquid into a silver chalice
“Special occasion, is it not?” Mr. Salmon’s eyes flicked toward a scabbard tucked neatly into a sheath on the dwarf’s belt. He’s a fighter he thought to himself, handing the middle-aged dwarf the silver chalice.
“Yes, ‘tis a special occasion….” he’d raise his glass. Mr. Salmon mimicked, with thin air, “... because I found it. The rumors of the treasure ‘ere true” he chuckled, a low and hearty laugh.
“That’s quite the reason to celebrate.” Mr. Salmon admitted. He’d raise his imaginary glass. “Cheers, brother” Mr Salmon said, “to a job well done.”
“Aye, thanks” the dwarf replied, holding the silver chalice emblazoned with rubies to his mouth.
Mr. Salmon watched the dwarf, no amount of treasure could pay for that drink. I can already tell he’s arrogant. he thought, continuing the charade that the dwarf’s spoils were enough to pay for his drink. The only thing that the dwarf had, that interested Mr. Salmon was a sou--a soul of a proud, arrogant, fighter--that could be taken with the right bargaining.
“How much do you think eht’ll cost” the dwarf slurred in his drunken stupor.
“I’m sure you have enough, sir”
“Another glass then” the dwarf belted in a hearty voice, now obviously drunk as Mr. Salmon had hoped. The dwarf was oblivviously prideful. Stealing a soul from him would be a piece of cake. Mr. Salmon thought to himself. He poured another round from the pink stained bottle. The emblazoned silver chalice bore full, and the dwarf looked quite pleased.
“For you, sir” Mr. Salmon smiled. The orbs of light continued to float around with no purpose, and the warm atmosphere of the tavern continued to seem as such. The dwarf grasped the silver chalice, and tipped his head back, as he drank the whole of the chalice in a few large gulps. He belched, and slammed the silver cup down, and gave a heart laugh.
The Tavern emptied as the sun began to set and he dwarf was drunk off his ass. Just where Mr. Salmon wanted him. The orbs began floating toward Mr. Salmon, soon emblazoning his body with light.
Suddenly, the dwarf fell off his stool, “What...what’s happening?” he slurred, barely getting the words out.
“Clueless moron. Your arrogance and pride have left you vulnerable.” Mr. Salmon commented. It seemed he was absorbing the dwarf’s soul.”
With that, the dwarf lost consciousness and slumped on the table. A small, glowing blue orb arose from his body, and became engulfed into Mr. Salmon.
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