V2Ch71 New Band

My entry was easy. A simple password that rotates based on the day of the month.

"Lady Fingers."

The makeshift door was opened and I walked in as though I owned the place. My black cloak was roomier than my eared cloak. It left less to the imagination and covered my entire body. I also wore a black scarf to hide as much of my face as possible.

My contact was to the right of the first hallway. I saw his face only once.

"I have my two bounties."

I made my voice sound a bit scruffier as an added precaution. I handed over the sack filled with my fingers and jar of my eyes. I wore gloves to hide my skin.

"Truly someone with potential. I still fail to understand why you refuse the rank-up task. You can do so much more."

"That's just it. I don't want to do more. I like what I do. Why does it need to change?"

He let out a sigh.

"I guess some have more fun with lesser tasks. I won't push you any further..."

He began to whisper.

"Except... Lake..."

He found out who I am.

"An up and coming bruiser of the Trackers Guild? The top fighter in the Fighters Guild? I don't want to push but, I feel as though I must. You excel at other guilds and stagnate here? I have quotas too. I need you to rank up so that I can get a raise. It's just my job. You understand."

"Sure... I understand."

I tried to sound as shook as possible. Now for the next step. I'm glad that I looked into his background as well. I leaned in to whisper. I exposed my face and tried to look as terrified as possible.

"Ecxept... Sirun..."

His eyes grew wide. I exposed a twisted smile.

"I hear you are part of a secret group. One that isn't even classified as a guild. A group filled with secret pleasures. Pleasures that only males are allowed to take part in. No females allowed? Don't worry, I won't judge. That's just not proper form."

I backed away and shook my head while shrugging.

"The others in here though..."

I closed my eyes for a moment before I continued.

"I can't say how 'they' will react."

I looked at him again with a twisted smile and what I hoped was a crazy eye.

"Should I ask them?"

He leaned his head forward, hiding his face in the shadow of his hood. He placed a sack of coins on the table and pulled the required materials for the tasks away. I grabbed hold of my coins and leaned in for one more threat.

"It's not a job for me. It's personal. If I see anyone from this guild near my other two guilds, I'll come after you. You don't want the fighters guild's number one to knock on your door."

I didn't bother checking any other tasks. I left with a bad taste in my mouth. I don't like making threats, but these people were killers or were associated with killers. I had no problem putting them in their place. I emerged from a hidden exit near the shore. There is a pitfall that is easily avoidable when you leave. If you try to enter through there though... Bye.

I returned to my hidden spot in the middle of the city and changed back into my tracker's clothes. I emerged cautiously.

"Hey! Lake!"

It wasn't cautious enough.

"Lokes... Hey."

He came close and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"Hey..."

He was whispering.

"What? Is that your secret 'handy' spot? It's okay, you can tell me. I know you don't have a girl."

I suppose letting him believe that would be better than telling him I'm part of the Assassins Guild. He pulled away and slapped my shoulder.

"Come with us! My friends are taking me on a victory drinking binge! Only places with pretty girls! Maybe you can get lucky, too. Worst case, you can have some of my sloppy seconds."

His cheeks got red and he looked more skeevy than I have ever seen him. I let out a sigh and began to follow. His other arm wrapped around my shoulders as we walked.

"Don't look so glum. You'll scare the pretty ones away."

He saw my true face. My RBF. Resting Bastard Face.

"Okay, okay. Maybe just sit on the far side of the bars. Away from us..."

I cracked a smile.

"THERE WE GO! Alright! We got some good vibes."

He marched ahead with glee while I trailed behind. It wasn't like I had any other plans until the rank-up ceremony.

We went through several bars. I pissed off the others because I only ordered one drink at the first bar and nothing alcoholic since. Though, they kept dragging me along. They found one bar that was larger than most. It turned out to be a bar and diner with a stage for performers. Entertainment and a meal.

I was getting hungry.

The others went to the bar while I took a table for the diner. I had a good view of the stage. We arrived right as the previous act had completed and they've been prepping for the next performance, since. I made my order and waited in silence for whatever happened first. Either the performance or my food.

I heard voices behind the curtains and saw some movement. The curtains opened and revealed a musical band. A single female beast-woman stood front and center. Her bandmates behind her had a couple of different string instruments and... Is that a drum set?

As the percussion started, I was almost blown away. I never expected such a modern style of drums playing in this world.

"Impressed?"

I heard a voice from behind.

"Yeah, actually."

"I hear it's a new technology from the dwarven kingdom. My daughter is the singer."

An older and slightly overweight beast-woman served my appetizer. She reminded me of a golden retriever that stood upright. She wore a simple brown dress with an apron.

"If you think the instruments sound good, just wait till you hear her sing."

The older woman left, but not before she winked at me. I began munching on some chips and dip while watching the performance unfold. The girl had yet to start singing. She did, however, start moving. Her hips started to sway side to side. Her hands were loose at her sides and her eyes were closed, waiting for a cue.

The drums were slow to start but built up some momentum. One of the guitars started playing on one side and the girl started to move her arms more. The moment the bass kicked in, her hand came close to her mouth and she let her voice escape.

It was beautiful.

She reached amazing highs and kept her tune. She stopped singing for a moment while a guitar solo came up. She lowered her hand and it made me wonder if she had a WoM object to enhance her voice. It seemed to carry further than it should.

As she began singing again, I dropped my other thoughts and just listened. It was a pleasant tune. Not too much energy and definitely not a downer. Almost like pop music.

Her mother brought me my main course. I tried to thank her but we couldn't hear anything we said over the music. Almost as soon as the woman left, the song ended. I looked up to see if they were done. The girl spoke to her band and took the center once more. A new song began. It was a slower song but was still pleasant.

I closed my eyes and slowly ate my food while enjoying something that I had thought lost to me in my old world.