mingling with the wrong crowd II

Ok, that was embarrassing, not to mention sexual harassment. But not wanting to make another scene, I accepted the invitation.

The silver haired girl(I probably should ask her for her name) escorted me to a bar on the ground floor and quickly ordered some drinks.

“So, do you get mistaken for a whore often?”,she asked while gazing into my eyes with a provocative grin.

That was not how I expected this conversation to go. I stuttered a bit, trying to regain my composure, which only amused the girl even more.

“In Minerva’s defense, you are stunningly beautiful”, she tacked on. “These black raven locks, two amber eyes one could get lost in. Those pillowy lips, perfect for kissing and more.”

S-stop!

“I-I like to think of myself as more handsome”, I finally managed to stammer out.

To her credit, she tried to keep her laughter in. Emphasis on trying. “Alright, handsome. Come on. Surely, I can't be the first girl to flirt with you. Or do you not swing that way?”

“I-I do!” I quickly defended myself. And yes, the girl was right. I don't want to brag but I was fairly good looking. I couldn't participate in this tournament if it where otherwise after all. That also meant I got plenty of attention, from both genders alike. “It's just they are usually not that aggressive.”

“I’d like to think of myself as opportunistic.” She snapped her fingers for emphasis and quickly took our drinks from the barkeep. The girl got herself a huge, fizzling mug of beer and me a small glass of what I presume was cocktail. With an umbrella in it.

I was not amused.

“Try it. I think you will like it.”

I wasn't particularly accustomed to ****, but the glass was very tiny. I decided that this was as good as any chance to get some of my dignity back, so I slammed the shot back in one fell swoop.

“Ah?”

This was...fruit juice.

Now there was no holding back, the girl howled with laughter. “Sorry, handsome. I mean I applaud your spirit but...”

Is everyone here just trying to make a fool out of me? I was genuinely getting angry. “Did you just invite me to ridicule me?”

“Sorry, sorry”, the girl said, trying again to suppress her laughter. “It’s just, the way your face flushes when you get embarrassed it’s super cu..handsome! I mean it’s extremely handsome!”

What do I even respond to that?

“Besides...I really didn't want to get you drunk at the eve of the tournament. And just as a heads up. Next time a combatant invites you out for drinking, do yourself a favor and decline politely. Oh, don't worry about me though. I'm a nice girl.”

I couldn't tell if this girl was thoughtful or extremely brazen. “Is that actually something to worry about?”

“Oh yeah, definitely. I mean, you have to be a bit crazy to take part in this tournament.” With that she finally took a swig from her beverage. “Half of the girls here will have no problem getting you shitfaced to win the match and the other half just wants to **** you. Try guessing which group I belong to.” She supported her face with one hand and licked some of the beer residue from her lips while making bedroom eyes at me.

“So! Based on how you speak, I guess you are a veteran?”, I asked, hoping to stir the conversation into a more decent direction.

The girl smiled, swirling her drink. “Yup, this is my third rodeo. First tournament I ended in the third round, second time I made it to the quarterfinals. Now I'm aiming for the semifinals!”

Given the sheer confidence this girl exuded, that was a surprisingly modest goal. But then again, she doesn’t look that old. Early twenties at most. Making Top 8 bythat age was in no way a small feat. I shouldn't underestimate her. “Can I ask you something a bit...private?”

“B cup and proud.”

“N-No!” I blushed and averted my gaze. The girl’s upper body was only covered with something akin to a sports bra. Her breasts, while certainly on the more modest size made up for that with a nice perkiness. “It’s about the tournament”, I mumbled.

“Shoot.”

I hesitated, but this was on my mind ever since I started this journey. “How was it when...you know. You died and got revived? Was it painful?”

“Died?” The girl chuckled. “I didn't die.”

“B-but...you aren't a **** to someone, right?”

“Nope, got a couple of my own, though. Very cute girls, sadly no boy so far.”

By process of elimination, that left only one possible explanation. “T-time out?”

The girl grinned, and scratched her head, suddenly weirdly flustered. “Yeah...I tend to get carried away.”

As one might expect, a time out happens if the fight exceeds its time limit without a victor. They are common in the first round, but pretty much unheard of in the finals.

“The quarterfinals have a time limit of two hours”, I blurted out dumbfounded.

“Oh yeah, they cut it down this year, didn't they? Last year the quarters lasted for four. Was probably because of me”, the tanned fighter grinned bashfully. “That one last year was one hell of a fight. Was up against a Kalar. Had to evade her magic for two hours before she finally ran out of mana.”

I couldn't even fathom such a long fight. My stamina would give in way before that. “And the remaining two hours, you...”

“I got soo close! You should have seen her at the end! Panting and barely holding it together! She was soo cute!”

Ok. Now she was blushing and clearly reminiscing about that encounter in way too much detail.

“I understand trying to get them to surrender, but why not just kill her before the time runs out?”

“I don't like to kill”, the silver haired girl confessed. “So, I try way too long to get them to submit. Bad habit I know, but when the prize is so delectable...” She licked her lips and grinned at me. “I really hope we are in the same bracket.”

I wonder what it would feel to be at this girls mercy, getting tortured for hours. No, that was a bad thought to have. I tensed up. “I don't have any intention of losing.”

The girl answered my bravado with a cocky smirk. “Love to hear it, by the way whats your weapon of choice?”

“Twin dirks. “

“So you are going for speed and quick kills. Aww, even your weapons are cute.”

I couldn't help but blush. “I wouldn't exactly call them cute...”

“More like handsome?”

“W-What about you? Your weapon, I mean.”

Instead of answering, she only grinned. Then, with lightning fast movement, her arm punched forward and her fist came to stop an inch before my face. Her finger then extended and gave the tip of my nose a playful flick.

I almost fell off my chair.

The martial artist merely chuckled and gulped the remainder of her beer down in one big swoop. “What's your name, handsome?”

I desperately tried to get my composure back. “M-Mari Beta.”

“The name’s Sylphid. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, handsome.” She grinned and held out her hand.

Even that harmless gesture came with an aura of intimidation. I had to **** myself to grab it.

“And may I offer you a bit of advice?”

“Y-yes?”

“Drop out, handsome. The monsters here are going to eat you alive.” Sylphid gave me a quick, but very painful squeeze before standing up, casually flipping a gold coin over to the barkeep “Keep the change” and sauntering off.