The Tiefling

Jenn was coming back to the counter with a pile of empty wooden plates and goblets. She had just unloaded a full tray of mugs all around the room, so now she was puffing slightly, while making herself some air with a wave of one hand. Honestly, I was impressed with how she managed to appear so fresh and ready to keep going even if I knew she was clearly winded by the constant movement.

She was quite endearing standing there, her back to the counter, taking ten seconds to herself before she could launch herself in the fray once more.

I got close to her from the other side of the bar, holding two big tankards filled to the bream with ale. Just by approaching I could feel the metal slab, safely tucked on the breast pocket of my shirt, pulsating with energy.

Like it already knew my intention, and was ready to comply.

"These need to go to the window corner table." She almost jumped at that, startled by my voice.

I slid the tankards towards her.

As I suspected, it took less then a second for her pale purple face to become even paler.

"The- The Duffington brothers?"

She whispered with discomfort and bile in her voice.

The Duffingtons were the masters of a guild of Construction Workers, operating here and in nearby villages. They were rude, loud and never tipped.

They had been this close to be barred a couple of times already for being inappropriate with our former waitress, but after some loud threats from Katnia they never tried that again.

Just to be on the safe side, though, me or Kat usually managed their table instead of our other staff.

Good thing for me that Kat was busy in the kitchen at the moment.

I tried to wear the most sympathetic look I could muster.

"I'm sorry, but I have to bring this cask down in the cellar. Do you think you could do it? Just this once." I lied.

Jenn lowered her eyes. She was hesitating.

"I know they are a lot, just ignore them if they make any comments."

She silently nodded and picked up the two tankards.

Fuck!

I hoped she would be a bit more resistant to the idea. Maybe i went to apologetic with the excuse? Should I have provoked her? No argument meant no use of the power.

But wait.

The tiefling girl was not moving yet.

Maybe there was still a chance.

She looked up at me... inquisitively? Was she trying to read me?

"You- you know it's not just comments. They can, and probably will, be inappropriate. What if they want to...touch... me?"

She whispered the last part, her voice trembling with fear.

I knew they would never do that. Katnia would have their heads mounted on pikes right on our front porch if they even dared.

But Jenn didn't know that.

As far as she knew, the Duffingtons were a danger that we always kept away from her.

It took 60 BS to convince Katnia earlier today. I could never convince Jenn to not fear being molested for just 30 BS.

Baby steps.

I felt the metal piece warm up in my pocket, ready to activate

"They would never. We are the only tavern in this town, and the only Inn in a couple of miles. Would they ever risk being thrown out for that?"

-10 BS. 25 remaining

Would have hoped it cost less.

Her immediate change in expression sill gave me hope. She was not fearful anymore.

Now for the jugular.

"And the inappropriate comments are not a big deal!"

She was taken aback for a moment after that comment, her eyes staring intensely into mine.

I could almost hear the buzzing of the brain at work behind the pretty face of the girl.

She was clever, and I was acting out of character.

Even after being changed by the artifact, she could tell something was wrong. Thia didn't happen with Katnia before. I had to act fast.

"Why do we work here?" I blurted out immediately, trying to sound a bit more authoritative.

"To... get paid?" She answered insecurely, a monotone and cold response. She had taken a step back, really guarded by my strange behavior.

The artifact was warming up again.

"That's only part of it. There's a reason the tavern is a warm place, with a cozy fire and music every night. Our job is to make people comfortable, make them happy. If a couple of weird comment would make the customer happy, there is no reason not to let them do it."

-5 BS. 20 remaining

What? This little convincing?

This calls for a shift in the plan. Maybe I could push things a little further.

"Better yet! If being inappropriate with you would make our customers happy, part of our job should actually be to encourage this behaviour. Don't you think?"

-15 BS. 5 remaining.

I had to take a breather after that one.

Jenn, though, was still eyeing me with distrust.

"I will do it, really, it's not a problem. But I wasn't expecting this from you!" She finally said, sternly.

Without no more comments she turned around with the two ales in hand and made her way to the brothers.

I stared intensely at her while she leaned in over the table to place the tankards on it, trying to show what little cleavage she had. The two burly older men said something I couldn't hear from here and laughed. I could see Jenn's face darken with embarrassment, but she smiled and whispered something in the ear of one of the brother, then she turned around, moving away with a bit of a strut.

+3 BS

I suppose thia was my first actual reward.

I guess this whole project would take some time.

I almost jumped.

Jenn was looking right at me from the middle of the room. No sign of the fake smile she was giving the two customers just a moment ago. She was dead serious.

Then, almost as nothing had happened, she went back to work approaching another table, wearing back the big smile.

Had I done something wrong? This shouldn't be happening.