Friend in a low place

Once everyone is settled in with a drink, you tell your story. The girls fill in details where necessary, and you have to pause occasionally for Hector’s comments. He’s particularly amused by how you met all your girls.

“So, you two just showed up in your underwear?”

Aisha smiles. “We wanted to get his attention. It worked.”

Hector laughs. “I can imagine! I just wonder where girls like you were when I was young. I had to work a lot harder than that!”

Naia giggles. “Well, maybe you should have come and visited sooner!”

Hector rolls his eyes, and looks over to Marin. “Meanwhile, he happened to end up working with four more eligible bachelorettes? How does that happen?”

Marin shrugs, taking a drink. “A little bit of luck, and a little bit of loneliness. We saw his profile and agreed to bring him in. Even if he wasn’t a mate, he would be a great worker.”

She smiles. “Fortunately, it worked out, although I think it’s my turn to steal him away tonight!”

Hector laughs, shaking his head. “Even after all these years, it surprises me how open monster girls are.”

You chuckle. “It’s certainly interesting.”

Hector nods, glancing at the door as another person comes in. Over the course of the conversation, several individuals and groups have come in, and it’s starting to fill up in the bar.

Hector sighs, standing up. “Well, I’d love to chat more, but duty calls. Miss Naia, miss Julie, time to get back to work.”

The pair hop up, both coming over to give you a kiss before heading back to work. Hector nods as they leave. “As I said, they’re good workers. No need to worry about them here, I don’t stand for any funny business in my bar. You and yours are welcome any time. I’ll get the word out that you’re not to be bothered.”

You nod. “I appreciate it. This is a nice place, we’ll definitely be back.”

Hector nods and raps the table with his knuckles. “See you around, then.”

With that, he heads off through the bar, pausing to chat with a human man sat at a table with a pair of dwarven women. He seems to know just about everyone that comes in. You wonder if he has a sit down with all his patrons.

Marin is watching him as well. “I like him, but he’s definitely more involved in the shady side of things than he’s letting on.”

You shrug. “Possibly, but as long as he doesn’t involve us, I’m not going to worry about it.”

Aisha smiles. “Probably safest, but still, I’ll warn Naia about it when she gets home tonight.”

You look at the raptor girl in confusion. “Why you?”

She laughs. “Because according to Marin, you’ll be quite busy!”

You look over at Marin. “Oh really?”