Sophie and Ari

(Ari POV)

As Sophie and I head out to try and look for coin, we have a short discussion on where we could find some. The demons here don’t seem to work with guilds like we do, but that doesn’t mean they lack a method of informing their adventurers. Eventually, Sophie suggested that maybe we should be going to a bar. I can see why she would think that’s a good idea. It’s a place where people gather, get drunk, become loose lipped, talk about their issues, bring up rumors. If we play our cards right and with a bit of luck, we could get a good score from a place like such.

Trying to find a bar in a city we’ve never been to is quite the challenge though. But eventually we get directions to one. Shortly after entering though, I feel we made a mistake. All of the servers are women, and all of them are wearing sexy outfits. Even the barmaids behind the counter. Not to mention a stage where one of the serving girls is dancing rather lewdly.

I pull on Sophie’s sleeve to get her attention, then say, “Hmph.” with a sneer while nodding my head towards the exit.

“Come on , Ari.” Sophie complains. “We’ve searched for so long. You can’t just leave simply because the place looks a little rough. What kind of an adventurer are you?”

“Hngh.” I sigh. But Sophie is right. If as an adventurer you are afraid of rough places, you simply won’t ever get into a dungeon. I’m just going to have to be brave and get through.

We head up to the barmaids and order some drinks from one of the shorter ones, a kobold. As she is pouring out our drinks, I notice that behind the counter there is this one step build into the floor. I’m guessing the owner did that especially for his kobold staff. That is also when Sophie strikes up a conversation, asking about several things, including about jobs.

“The only job I know about is the job I work right now.” The woman says. “I can tell you something about that if you’re interested.”

I for one am not interested in working in a seedy bar like this, so I shake my head and say “M-mm.”

Sophie on the other hand shrugs and replies with, “Sure, I’m interested.”

“Well, we’ve had one of the girls fall ill.” The kobold barmaid tells us. “On top of that, we seem to be having a busy night, even if we were full staffed. If you don’t mind, you could always spend this evening being a waitress.”

Sophie’s face lights up. “Really? Will we be able to wear those cute outfits then?”

The outfits the waitresses here are wearing involve red miniskirts and black crop tops with a big emphasis in exposing belly and cleavage. So cute is not the word I would have used.

“Well yeah. The patrons come here to see cute girls in cute clothes.” The woman says. “If that is the demand, it’s up to us to supply it, you know.”

Sophie then turns to me and with big eyes she asks, “I think it’s a good idea. Shall we, Ari? I bet you would look cute as well.”

In general, I am opposed to this. But after thinking about it, perhaps it isn’t quite so bad. It would allow me to get closer to the customers. Maybe overhear some of their conversations. If we’re lucky, we can get wind of an actual job. So I nod my head to Sophia while saying, “Mhm.”

“Great.” The kobold woman smiles. “I’ll help you get set up.” She then looks over at one of the servers, an imp girl and shouts at her. “Oi, Zalgi! These two are going to fill in for Birro. Get them some uniforms.”

Zalgi flies over to the kobold and asks, “Why can’t you do it, huh? Feeling too good for it? Need me to do your work for you?” As she agitatedly flies from left to right.

But the woman stares intently back at her and replies, “Cause the last time you tried to serve at the bar, you couldn’t open the tap.”

Zalgi places her hands on her sides and says “Well maybe you shouldn’t close the tap so hard.”

Our kobold friend matches Zalgi’s energy and with her hands on her sides she replies, “Well maybe, you should just grow some muscle. Now get those two a uniform.”

Zalgi, clearly defeated, flutters in place with her arms crossed in front of her chest and pouts like I used to do back when I was a child. “Mwu mwu mwu mwu mwu.” Zalgi utters and then flies towards Sophie. “Alright you, follow me.” Then she flies off with Sophie following her.

I am about to follow as well, but just then the barmaid nods in my direction. “When it comes to a brat like that, you just got to outbrat them. They’ll respect you for the effort.”

Before I manage to turn my head, Zalgi is suddenly fluttering in front of my face. “You too, slowpoke.” She says, taps me on the head, and then flies off again.

I follow Zalgi and Sophie to the backrooms where we get our outfits. Sophie, being eager to try out the outfit, is the first to have it on and quickly runs over to a standing mirror to check herself out.

“Oh my god, it’s so cute! I love it.” She says while giggling.

“Cute indeed.” Zalgi adds. “You look like a certified bimbo.”

Sophie turns to Zalgi with a confused look in her eyes and asks, “Uhm, is that a good thing?”

Zalgi smiles wickedly and replies, “For this job, it actually might be. Good on you.”

“Yay.” Sophie cheers and holds up her hand for a high five.

Zalgi replies in kind and slaps Sophie’s open palm. Then she flies over to me and says, “Let me guess, your friend was running late when brains were being handed out?” I simply roll my eyes at the imp insulting Sophie and continue getting dressed. I mean, she’s kinda right, but there is no need to say it like that.

Once I’m done, Sophie pulls on my arm and drags me over to the mirror.

“Come Ari, look at this. Just look at how pretty you are.” She smiles.

I look at my reflection and am actually pretty disappointed at what I see. I feel like I am about ready to go sell my body. It’s honestly disgusting.

“So, Ari? What do you think?” Sophie asks.

I simply pull up my nose and say “Ehh.”

“Oh come now Ari, it looks good on you.” Sophie says, trying to cheer me up. “If any of the guys doesn’t appreciate you like this, they are just being stupid.”

I roll my eyes. It’s not even like I want their appreciation. But having Sophie put effort in trying to motivate me does make me feel a little more confident.

At any rate, it’s time for Sophie and I to do some waitering. At first I try following Sophie around because I do not trust the patrons here. The only guys who would come here are those who think of women as objects for them to ogle, right? And like I suspected, Sophie is turning a lot of heads. Some guys are even whistling at her. Absolute degenerate behavior.