In the tavern

The tavern looked nice and cozy on the inside. Multiple tables are set in the large room. The bar on the left side acts as the reception for the people who want to book a room upstairs and a bar itself. Behind the bar was the door that led into the kitchens. No one is currently manning the bar. The smell of food coming from there made my mouth salivate. The room was lit by wooden lanterns. The floor was also wooden and looked worn, yet homey. The walls were made of stone and had carefully watched vegetation grow on them, making it seem like we were in a forest. There was a small stage in the far-right corner for performers. Currently, no one was playing anything from there. The stairs in the far-left corner probably led to the rooms for rent upstairs. The tavern had a few visitors already but nowhere near to being full.

Elora started walking with purpose towards the tables and sat at the table close to the stage by the wall. I sat opposite her, my back facing the stage behind me.

“So, this is your favorite tavern?” I say. “It does look a lot better from the inside. It has a cozy feel to it.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, young man,” comes the voice from my left.

I turn and see a woman approaching our table. She was short, curvy, and plump. I don’t know which one I noticed first, but both things caught my attention. Those were her brown fluffy cat ears and an enormous bosom hidden behind a simple dress with an apron. She looks to be around her early 60s. Compared to the pre-Blessing times, she looked more like she was in her 40s. Her hair was brown, just like her ears, and was tied in a tight bun. Her forehead and eyes showed signs of visible wrinkles which added to her look of a mature beautiful woman. Her eyes were different from humans. They had vertical slits instead of round pupils. Her eyes were chestnut color. She also had a tail, just like her ears and hair, with a black tip at the end.

“Sayuri, it’s great to see you again. I feel like I haven’t been here in months,” Elora greets the cat woman with a smile.

“Great to see you too, Elora. I was beginning to feel like you have found another tavern. My heart broke a little when I thought you did,” Sayuri chuckled.

“I would never,” Elora indignantly gasps. “There isn’t a better tavern in this whole city.”

“Glad to see you back,” Sayuri replies and her eyes shift to me. “And with a handsome companion. Are you perhaps on a date?”

“A d-date? No way,” Elora’s face reddens. Sayuri and I both chuckle seeing her blush.

“My name is Zandor,” I introduce myself. “It is a pleasure to meet you. You have a lovely place here.”

“Such a charmer. I might steal him if you don’t hurry, Ela,” Sayuri giggles.

“Wait till I go into the kitchen and tell your husband you are flirting with men out here,” Elora pouts.

Sayuri laughs out loud. “Maybe it will give him a kick in the butt. I am a woman with needs. If he doesn’t step up soon, I will be **** to find myself a young lover.”

Elora cringes at that. “Is it that bad with you two?”

Sayuri shrugs. “Not that bad, but if don’t receive a good fucking soon, I will go mad. Especially since it is summer already. You know it is breeding season for us beast folk. Women become very horny.”

“Even at your age?” Elora says without thinking and quickly covers her mouth with her hands.

Sayuri puts her hands on her hips and frowns. “What’s that supposed to mean? You should know that non-human species have different physiology from humans. One such difference is that beast folk can produce children well in their 80s. Even then, beast women feel the heat when summer comes. No matter what age they are.”

“Sorry, I didn’t think before speaking,” Elora apologizes sincerely.

“It’s fine. Lend me your man for the night and we are even,” Sayuri says. It is hard to understand whether she is joking or not.

Elora rolls her eyes. “I told you already. He is not my man.”

“Then you wouldn’t mind if I took him for a spin one day?” Sayuri smirks.

“This man is here and has ears, so could you ladies stop talking about me like I am some piece of meat for you to share,” I say in mock offence.

Sayuri hungrily looks me up and down. “A delicious piece of meat.”

“Oh my god. Zandor, go and fuck her already. She is becoming too obnoxious already,” Elora crosses her arms.

“Alright, alright. I’ll stop with the teasing,” she says and winks at me, licking her lips. “Let’s get to business. What would you like to order?”

Elora sighs with relief and answers. “Two mugs of ale. And what do you have on offer for food tonight.”

“My husband just finished making his famous beef stew,” Sayuri replies.

“Yes, that would be perfect. Two bowls of beef stew, please,” Elora says.

Sayuri makes a note of the order on her clipboard.

“Great. Two ales and stews coming right up. Do try not to cause a ruckus tonight, Ela. Though, your man might be handling it,” she says giggling and retreats.

“What was that last bit about?” I ask when Sayuri leaves.

“Why did she have to remember that,” Elora whines and hides her face behind her hands.

I wait patiently for her to elaborate.

“Last time I was here, I was getting hit on non-stop by this group of guys. At one point, I decided I had had enough of trying to be civil and polite about it and told the guys off for harassing me in front of all the people in the bar. They didn’t take it well and decided that if they could have me with words, they would take me with ****. So, I taught them a little about wind magic and sent them flying through the window, breaking it in the process. Had to pay for the repairs though, so that sucked,” Elora relieves the memory with a poorly hidden pride in her tone.

Perhaps being with another man here would dissuade other men from trying to approach her.

Oh, how wrong I was.

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