Bad News Knocking

After an uneventful day, you returned to your work at the Extra Ordinary that evening. The sun had set, the last vestiges of light shown beyond the horizon, and all the while to this point, the place had been fairly quiet, unusually so even. Your sister had joined you as a guest in the common area, which was an uncommon move for her.

"I'm just saying" she labored on as she continued her drink, slowly sipping "You could do it."

"No way" You countered flatly"

"Oh, come on. Why not? Harlihn rarely comes around. You're practically running this place by yourself anyway."

You gave her a solitary shake of your head "There's a lot more to it than that. He's the one that does all the buying, making sure we're good with the taxman, he does the maintenance of the building himself. Trust me, he's plenty busy."

"You could do all of that though" Your sister persisted, and you tried to lay down a firm final line.

"No, Bethany" you had thought you had been clear, but whether it was the drink or her stubbornness, she moved right past it.

"Sure you could."

"Okay, fine. I don't want to" You could feel a sense of anxiety forming with the mounting anger and annoyance. "Besides, Harlihn would never give this up."

"True, it is his baby after all" Bethany looked around as she talked "redid everything himself, right?" before you could answer the question, she wandered off to another conversation for a moment "Has to be hard for him, you know. An old, gay, dwarf, living in a city like this." As her eyes refocused on you, Bethany brought the conversation back "On the other hand, who loves this place more than you?"

"I don't know" You relented. Quietly, you had to admit, you would probably the only one he'd be willing to sell to, though you were nowhere close to having that kind of money, if it were to ever happen.

"He's supposed to come round tonight, right?" She asked "You should talk to him about it."

"You talk to him, if you're so set about it" You could scarcely hide your tone, dealing with her obsessive tendencies "Pretend you're me if you want, or just see if he'll give you a job."

"You know he'd see through it if I tried. Besides, last thing he wants, last thing the Ordinary needs is to be associated with two blonde bimbo whores working here." There was a soft giggle between the two of you. As it came to an end, a pair of guests entered the establishment, souring the mood slightly.

"Great" You nudged your sister discretely to look behind her, as an eye roll followed once she saw what you intended. The cause was a mix of the familiar and the new. The former was an elf woman, her light brown hair braided back behind her, that seemed to make her green eyes all the more vibrant. She wore her profession as a mercenary on her shoulders well, a quiver of arrows held on her back making it clear her arms of choice. She was your cousin on your father's side. A century and a half older than you and your sister, she was still a young lady by elvish standards, but had always been the one to look up to as the two of you grew up. She was a good person, and the closest to either of you in age in your family, but it's been a complicated relationship, and not always her fault. At times she was the older sister you both wish you had, and at other times she was a second mother. Even with you both firmly as young adults, the disparity in your ages has caused the latter to appear at times. Both your father and her uncle have tried to use her as a role model; seemingly unaware of her private proclivities. Along with her was an imposing orc, taller and bulkier than is normal even for his kind. His bright face and seemingly constant smile ran contrary to the intimidating frame below him. The two had stopped shortly after entering, having a short conversation with one of the few guests, allowing you a short window to comment.

"Is she really going out with him?" Beth asked, incredulous and surprised as to who she had seemingly chosen as her partner.

"Must run in the family" You commented, resulting in smiles from both of you. It was a fair remark, given your father's attraction in your Tiefling mother. Relations between the children of the Six Sisters weren't prohibited like they were in other parts of the world, but it was still odd seeing them next to each other. As they wrapped up their conversation, it became clear they were heading in your direction, as you finally greeted them.

"Senna" You greeted with a smile "Good to see you. Surprised to find you in these parts. Don't think you've ever come visited us here. Needing a night's stay for you and your.." You look at the orc, still smiling, and tried to figure how much to guess about their relationship "Friend?"

"Oh, sorry" She blushed slightly as she motioned her hand to her large green companion. This is Zok. We're working together on something. Been working together for a few months now, actually. Zok, these are my younger cousins, Tiffany and Bethany Terlinna."

"A species removed" Bethany quipped, with a slight giggle from her and you.

"Nice to meet you." Zok reached out to shake with his oversized hands "I can see the family resemblance. You three have the same ears."

Feeling something odd about him, that he may not be entirely there, your eyes met with Bethany, who seemed to suspect the same, approaching warily."

"So, Zok, what do you do?"

"Oh, I do lots of things. You know, one of my neighbors has started trying to get-"

"She means" Senna interrupted "What do you do for work"

"Right, that makes sense. Sorry about that" He had a short, loud laugh "Work isn't always great, but if you need someone to get something out of your way, or even someone out of your way, ole' Zok here is your guy. Had just about any odd job here in the city you can think of. Senna saw me pulling a guard duty. Thought I was getting a raw deal, told me I could do better for myself adventuring, and now here I am with her."

Bethany's eyes turned towards you, with a moment of concern, as yours descend on your elvish cousin "Ya, you're not the first one she's said that to." Not wanting to open old ones, you keep that to yourself, that it was from listening to her words that your boyfriend went off to find himself as an adventurer. "How are you liking it?"

"Oh, it couldn't be better!" Zok's eagerness and positive was earnest, which was slightly disorienting. "Especially having Senna as my partner. She's a great hunter and tracker. We're trying to get to the bottom of something."

"And on that note, would you mind giving me a moment to talk alone?"

"Easier done than said, dear" he leaned and gave Senna a kiss on the cheek. He walked away oblivious to the look on her face, or that of you and your sister, though his sudden stop and a distinct "oops" out of his deep voice, before carrying on to a seat near the door. Senna tried to play it indifferent on her face, but you could tell she was anticipating criticism and mockery; which wasn't entirely unfounded.

"Well" Beth began "He's different from your normal variety of lover."

"Oh stop" She was already feeling cross "Can hardly believe you two of all people are going to give me lip for my choice in partners. After all, between the both of you, you've run through nearly every decent Elf and Human man in this city. Besides, it's not like that at all"

"You've got the wrong idea" You step in trying to calm things down "Nobody said anything. It's just, you have to admit, a little odd. So, what is it like?"

"Hard as it may be to believe, he's a gentleman" Senna was strangely defensive "I know he looks like a dumb bruiser, and to a degree he is, but he's also **** and more considerate than most. That's what I looking for, everything else is just a plus."

You could see her blushing, signaling it wasn't defending Zok's dignity and honor that made her this way. You felt the need to pry "And how much else is there?" Senna rolled her eyes and groaned.

"I can't believe you two sometimes. It's like that's all you can think about...." With a long pause with nothing said, she looked behind her to ensure her orc friend was out of earshot. Speaking quietly "okay, fine. Yes, we've had sex. Yes, he's huge. But that's not why I'm with him, okay!?"

"If it works for you, Senna, great." Bethany responds "We weren't trying to give you a hard time. Well, maybe a little bit, but like you said, we're not in a place to judge."

"Thanks you two" She responded with a sigh "I wish gushing about him was the only reason I was here. I might have some bad news."

"What's up? Something wrong with Uncle?"

"No, my father's fine, and my mother too. It's about your boyfriend." Senna looked at Bethany.

"Allanathras?" She asked, instinctively in worry, bringing her hands to her face. "Is he hurt, is he okay?"

"Oh, he's fine, though you may wish that weren't the case. When's the last time you saw him?"

Beth was confused visibly "I saw him earlier today, this morning even. Why? What's going on?"

"He's getting involved in things he shouldn't be from the looks of things. Involved with women, he shouldn't be."

"You mean, he's cheating on me?" Beth asked, her sorrow moving swiftly into fury.

"That's what it looks like. Zok and I were looking into something else, some foul play going on, and took a hard turn on Allan. He's getting up to his neck in some bad stuff, and has had another lady's arms wrapped around him at night, and her legs."

"I have to see this for myself" Beth said angrily as she stood "Come on. You're all coming with."

"You don't believe me?" Senna asked "Come on, let's be reasonable."

"No, I believe you" Bethany responded "I just might need you and your orc toy to hide a body..."