Getting Oriented

In short order, Isaac was sitting at a table and an average height, middle-aged blonde human man was putting down a bowl filled with some kind of stew. “On the house, as you know,” Graham said with a wink. “My wife made it clear that we’re to accommodate you, so here’s one of our best dishes. Doesn’t look like much, but trust me, the best beef stew you’ll ever have.” He also set down a glass and filled it with water from a pitcher, then set the pitcher down. “You just get one of the waitstaff’s attention if you need anything else, Isaac.”

“Really quickly,” Isaac said before Graham could start to leave, “this might be rude, but… what is your relationship with Madam Tempest, exactly?”

Graham laughed. “I see where it might be a little confusing, especially since you’re from the new world. Estelle is my wife. I’m not a very… lustful person, I suppose, so I’m content to focus on her, but she’s a little more voracious, if you catch my drift. She has a few other partners, all wonderful folks, but I’m the only one who works here full-time.” He shrugged. “She has the time to handle us all, so no one really feels left out. We make it work.”

“I see, that makes sense. Thanks, Graham.” Isaac gave a grateful nod and started to eat. Graham bowed low and walked away, whistling along with the music that was being played.

By now, Isaac had determined a few things. It was mid-afternoon, which explained why the cabaret wasn’t terribly busy. Apparently it was common for it to be packed in the evenings, with patrons and staff alike, but most of the time it acted more simply as a tavern. The cabaret was also, by many standards, massive. It was the go-to place for the city that Isaac and Arthus had found themselves in. Apparently, people in the old world were very sex-positive.

Arthus slowly patrolled the room, silent but subdued. That was a whole other confusing issue, but not worth dwelling on. Aoife had claimed its loyalty, and that was enough for Isaac.

On that note, he wondered how his friends, allies, and lovers were doing. He was really worried about Ophelia, in particular. He didn’t know how demons were perceived, here, and if it was bad… he didn’t want to think about what might happen to her if she ended up alone. She could hold her own in a fight, but how much could she really take?

Isaac pushed it out of his mind. He couldn’t do anything about it. He had to hope.

It didn’t take him too long to eat - he really was starving, and the food really was good - and as soon as he sat back from the empty bowl, a scantily-clad, slender woman dressed in deep blue sheer fabric swept past, picking up the bowl and utensil to take them away to be cleaned, presumably. Isaac’s eyes lingered on her form, and he only felt a little guilty. It was a sexual establishment, after all.

“The staff here are quite interesting, aren’t they?”

Isaac flinched, turning his head to find Arthus right behind him. “Jesus, fuck! How are you so quiet?”

“Irrelevant,” Arthus said with a dismissive wave. “I simply wanted to engage in conversation and I saw where you were looking. I have acquired a map of this city, should you want to wander, but we only have a few hours before Madam Tempest will want you to return to her.” The automaton held out a folded paper map. It was a little large when unfolded, but not unruly. At the top of the map was a stylized banner that read ‘Kaylora,’ apparently the city’s name. It identified a number of locations, including the Tempest Cabaret, an area labeled the ‘Core Roads,’ a place called ‘The Sneaky Sprite,’ and many other locations of potential interest. “We are in Kaylora, a city that, despite the standard for this world, is mostly human, secondarily elvish. We may want to seek an audience with someone of importance, but I admit my systems are not educated on the ruling class of this city.”

“Probably not a bad idea, but I kind of just want to take a look around town for now.” Isaac folded the map back up and stood up. He walked to the grand double doors and pushed outside, Arthus following, and winced as he exited a dimly lit building into bright sunlight.

The city around him bustled, moving rapidly. It was a big city, according to the map, so Isaac stayed close to the cabaret to not get lost. In the distance, rising over the rooftops, he saw the spires of some kind of palace or castle, adorned with the same blue and white banners that dotted the city around Isaac. It was about what he was expecting from a fantasy town, with humans, elves, and many other kinds of humanoid coexisting peacefully, walking cobblestone roads between wood-and-brick buildings. It showed signs of recent rain - moisture in the dirt and grass, wet wood.

The exterior of the brothel was painted black and dark blue, trimmed in silver and gold. Painted on a broad sign hanging over the door were the words ‘The Tempest Cabaret: Enter Your Dreams.’ On closer inspection, there were flower designs on the columns at the corners of the cabaret, but they also had much finer detailing that looked almost like coiling tentacles.

“Who is Madam Tempest?” Isaac murmured as he turned away and started walking aimlessly down the street.

Arthus, ever the observant follower, took the rhetorical as literal. “Madam Estelle Tempest is a unique creature, unlike most other monster girls. She is a kind of aquatic being, but has gathered enough power to become what she is now. She would likely be referred to as a Lamia, or perhaps an octopus-girl, but she is a wholly unique entity.” Arthus sped up enough to fall in step with Isaac, looking around at the city along with him. “She is incredibly powerful, and often benevolent.”

“Great, thanks, Arthus,” Isaac muttered. Having Arthus along was going to be… interesting. But, if it proved to be helpful in a fight, annoyances could be tolerated. And he’d supplied some mildly-helpful information, nonetheless.

“You’re welcome, Master Wells. Now, Madam Tempest supplied me with a small stipend of funds. If you would like to explore the city and purchase items, we may. We have approximately three hours before the sun will begin to set and we must be back at the cabaret.” Arthus produced a pouch from his form. It was sizable, and made a sound Iaaac would expect of a pouch full of coins when Arthus held it up. “You lead, and I will follow.”

Isaac consulted the map. “I guess we’ll just hit all the places around here for a little while. I’m curious what it’s like here.”

He started walking toward the Core Roads. He just wanted to get a lay of the land before his mysterious meeting.