Chapter 6 #2
“So, the same customer who argued with me about that book title came back in today with a friend to back him up. No matter what I do, he won’t believe me when I—food!”
Nylan spots our meal being carried toward our table on a large metal tray.
I can see the steam rising from some of the plates—all except Nylan’s salad.
Ragnar got a steak, and Khazak a large meat-filled sandwich.
It looks like I also got a steak, except mine is already cut up. Rurig knows I can use a knife, right?
I don’t get much time to contemplate before an arm is around my waist, pulling me into its owner’s lap.
Who also happens to be my owner. I’m caught off guard by the sudden movement (and the fact that he’s able to lift me so easily), and I look back at Khazak, wondering what’s bringing this on.
He hasn’t fed me like this since...shit my first week with him, I think.
A quick glance across the table reveals Nylan doing the same thing, Ragnar already bringing a forkful of salad to his elf’s mouth.
In fact, a look around the restaurant shows plenty of couples doing this, men and women alike.
That must be why my steak came pre-cut: to make it easier for Khazak.
A few are even kneeling on pillows, including the man at the table right next to us.
In fact... I think that’s Councilman Bloodfield and his avakesh from earlier.
They’re seated with a woman who is as well-dressed as the councilman, and all three seem to be having a nice evening.
A forkful of steak tapping my lips reminds me that it’s rude to stare, and I sheepishly take the bite while Khazak chuckles.
After that, I forget about any awkwardness over my seat, leaning back against his broad chest and relaxing.
The more Khazak feeds me, the more I feel like my old self.
I debate trying to eat the next few bites of steak sexily, but I’m not actually sure that’s possible.
“You have something on your...” Khazak swipes a thumb against my lower lip after feeding me. Before he can pull it away, I dart my tongue out to lick it off, drawing the whole thing into my mouth. His eyes darken with heat when I nip it lightly before pulling back. Okay, I was wrong.
Later, when we’re nearly done eating, I can’t help but notice when the woman at the table next to us stands.
She kisses the councilman on the lips, and his avakesh on the forehead before making her exit.
The two male orcs look ready to leave themselves, and the councilman drops some coins on the table to pay as they both stand—noticing us when they turn around.
“Captain Ironstorm.” He’s surprised to see us again.
“Councilman Bloodfield.” Khazak actually tries to stand with me still on his lap, only stopping when I flail, trying to keep my balance.
“No need for that, Captain.” Bloodfield takes the seat Nylan was in previously, nodding for his avakesh to do the same in mine. “Are you all enjoying the festival? I suppose I do not need to ask you that.” He winks at me, reminding me that he was in the audience for my earlier “performance.”
“It has been a very enjoyable weekend so far,” Khazak answers for the two of us.
“I actually had a question for you...” Bloodfield then starts speaking very fast in Atasi, and I am completely lost. I frown, the only one unable to understand the conversation.
Still, it seems rude to ask a man of his age and rank to speak in another language just for my benefit, so I mostly just try to look like I know what’s going on, to mixed effect.
“Your name is David, correct?” Bloodfield’s avakesh asks me quietly, seeing through my ruse.
“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you...” I hope I’m not supposed to already know this.
“Xugar.” He flashes me a smile. “It is nice to meet you as well.”
“Now you know what I sound like when I’m not whimpering and moaning.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
“My master and I thought that was quite an impressive display, especially for someone so new to this.” He sounds really formal but also genuine.
“Yeah, there have been a lot of ‘firsts’ in the last few weeks.” Most of them good. “Like eating in someone’s lap in public.”
“My master and I dine here together every year.” He smiles warmly at the thought.
“Can I ask who you were having dinner with earlier?” Seemed pretty intimate.
“My master’s wife?” Yeah, okay, a wife is definitely intimate.
“I didn’t realize.” So, the councilman has a wife and an avakesh? Wow. Now I’m even more curious. “Do you...” I’m not sure how to word my question. “...Serve them both?”
“I serve my mistress in many of the same ways I do my master.” He nods his head knowingly. “However, sexually is not one of them. She has retired for the evening to allow us to enjoy the festivities with one another.”
“That’s nice.” They’ve got an interesting dynamic for sure. Though I’m just now realizing that I basically just asked about the councilman’s sex life. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t be asking you about that stuff.”
“It is alright. Learning too much about the sexual proclivities of a stranger is almost a festival tradition at this point.” He looks over at the rest of the group. “For example, right now your kavan is telling mine the details of your first encounter. It sounds like you put up quite the fight.”
I swivel my head around at Khazak who seems quite pleased to be telling this story. “What are you—” I’m cut off with a piece of steak, and I scowl at the orc as I chew. He’s lucky this is good.
The conversion wraps up not long after that, Councilman Bloodfield standing with Xugar. “Well, I hope you men enjoy the rest of your evening, and I hope the two of you behave.” He looks at Nylan and me before turning to Xugar. “Come, boy. We have many stops to make before we make it home tonight.”
“Yes, master.” Xugar bows to us before following his owner out of the restaurant.
The four of us wrap up our own dinner not long after that.
Khazak leaves money on the table, despite the server telling us our meal has been covered.
Benefit of being the owner’s son, but Sir seems like the type to refuse that sort of perk when he can.
Bellies full, the four of us head off for the rest of our night.
After some more walking around and letting our food settle, we end up at an outdoor tavern.
We have a few drinks but take it much easier than we did the night before.
Nylan and I actually manage to get the two orcs dancing without having to get them drunk first. I think we’re only there for only an hour or two when Khazak tells us it’s time to wrap up.
“Where are we going now?” I ask as we leave the tavern.
“The park, for the final part of our night.” He turns to Ragnar on his right. “You have the ticket?”
“Right here.” He pats his left pocket.
“What’s happening in the park?” Besides more surprises, apparently.
“You will see.” Khazak smiles knowingly.
What I see when we approach the park is dozens of tents spread across the grass and among the trees.
There are light stones set up on poles at various points, each softly glowing in a different color.
I hear music being played from somewhere, the low thrum of a drum beat in the background.
The fabric the tents are made of is near-translucent, the shadows of the people already inside visible from a distance.
When we get closer, I can see that each one is just a large bed pallet with a canopy.
I feel a stab of guilt. This is what Liss and Adam were setting up.
Ragnar hands a slip of paper to an orc on the outskirts of the park, who looks at it before leading us to one of the tents.
Ragnar and Nylan climb in first with Khazak and me right behind.
The base of the tent is essentially a large mattress with a short wall of pillows along the edge, and each couple settles on opposite ends of the “floor.”
“So, what happens now?” I’m asking all the dumb questions tonight.
“We enjoy a night under the stars together.” Khazak pulls me down to lay with him.
That sounds kinda nice, if not cheesy. Then I hear a moan coming from somewhere else in the park, and I remember what this festival is really all about. Also, we’re literally on a giant bed right now.
“I got us something else for tonight, too.” Ragnar reaches into his pocket to produce a small round tin.
“Really? You do not think we are getting a little too old for that?” Khazak looks at the tin unimpressed.
“Oh what, grandpa? Not cool enough anymore?” Ragnar mocks as he removes the lid, dipping a finger in. His fingertip emerges covered in a dark liquid that he proceeds to suck into his mouth while Nylan does the same. “Besides, David’s still young.” He closes and hands the tin over to Khazak.
“What is it?” Besides some kind of drug, obviously.
“Ruhax. A narcotic, and technically a poison.” Khazak uncaps the tin. “In large amounts, it can make you sick and cause you to hallucinate, but in small doses, it stimulates and enhances your senses. It lasts several hours.”
“Is it...safe?” I am admittedly curious. I’ve smoked weed a few times, back at the Academy, but never so much as tried anything else.
“Safer than many other drugs.” He shows me the contents of the tin. “As it is a poison, should something go wrong, I would be able to help you, or we could take you to the healer’s clinic. Please do not feel obligated to take any just because these two did.”
“...I’ll try it.” He’s not exactly talking it up, but he’s not saying that he doesn’t want to do it either, and he’s right that his magic should be able to help if it gets to be too much. Right?