Chapter 417 - Day MDCCCXLVI, Part IV

At some point, out of the blue, Aisha sat next to me.

- There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. I see you made a new friend... What are you drinking, by the way?

- Whisky - I replied shortly.

- Actually, it's bourbon - the barman corrected me. - And hi, my name is Joel.

He smiled at her, and she smiled, back, extending a hand over the counter.

- Aisha.

He shook her hand.

- Can I get you something?

- Jus pour me whatever he is having - she patted me on the shoulder.

Joel put a glass in front of her and poured her a drink.

- Thank you. So... What have you been talking about? I hope you weren't gossiping about me.

- We were talking about the life behind the portal. Ark and people living there, in general - the barman explained.

- Oh... I'm actually the owner of the nightclub there. I'm saying 'the' because it's the only one.

Joel leaned over the counter, clearly interested.

- Really? What's the name?

- Velvet Lotus.

- That's a catchy one. I'm assuming you get your alcohol from that strange device, Peter was telling me about earlier?

- Yes. We actually get everything from there. Even now. Maybe except the soldiers, they brought their food and clothes from the outside.

I grabbed the bottle of whisky Joel was pouring to my glass from the counter, my glass, and was about to go find myself a table, somewhere further away from everybody.

- Where are you going? - asked Aisha, she was surprised.

- To do what I actually came here for. To sit alone and drink - I said, and for a moment kept the glass in the air using 'Telekinesis', to pull few dollar bills from the vault, which I put on the counter, and then I left.

I heard her sighing, and then she started complaining about me to the barman. I heard only just the beginning since I walked away.

I spent few hours just relaxing in the armchair, and sipping the brown, burning liquid. During that time Aisha left, and more people came to the bar. Eventually, the bottle got empty, so I grabbed it, approached the barman, and put it down on the counter.

- Give me a new one - I said to him.

- Isn't that enough?

- Do I look drunk to you?

- No... Ok, I'll get you another one.

He took the empty bottle and turned to replace it. Meanwhile, I took more dollars from the vault, grabbing other patron's attention, and placed them on the counter. Then we exchanged the money for the alcohol, and I returned to sit at my table.

I didn't get to be alone for long, though. A Petite blonde in a red dress and stockings approached me. She had short, wavy hair and a very intense lipstick coloring her plumb lips crimson red. She was also carrying her own drink, and a small black purse in the other hand.

- Hi. I'm Samantha, do you mind if I join you?

I sighed.

- Why?

- Well, I noticed your little trick by the bar. You are one of those people from behind the portal arent you? I'm just curious. Very, very curious.

- Then sit if you have to.

- Oh, don't be like that - sie said while smiling, and then sat in front of me.

- Like what?

- So negative. Can't you see? I'm awesome, and we will have an awesome time, so smile a bit.

- Just ask your questions...

- No. How about you ask me yours?

- What? - I got confused.

She winked at me.

- Ask me a question, and then I'll ask you one.

- Why would I ask you a question?

- To get to know me better? - she shrugged her shoulders and put the drink on the table. - You know, it's not every day you get to know somebody like me, so I would take that chance if I were you.

- Wow... You have some ego...

She just smiled at me, and then asked:

- So what,s your question?

I shrugged my shoulders.

- I don't know... I already know your name, so maybe... What are you doing here?

- I'm fishing for wealthy guys - she said, then she grabbed her drink and took a sip.

- Wait... What?

- Don't cheat. It's my turn now. So, what's your name?

- Peter. Are you some kind of prostitute? - I asked squinting my eyes, taken aback by her honesty.

- I'm an escort.

- Escort? Where do you escort then?

- To a happy place, and you just asked me two questions in a row, so now my turn. I want to know what are your powers.

- That's not a question.

- What are your powers? That's a question.

- I can light stuff on fire. I can smash stuff, I can drown stuff, and freeze it. I can move stuff with my mind, and so on, and so far.

- What a lame answer.

- Lame? - I just couldn't believe how bold she was.

- Yes, lame. Now my second question. How strong are you?

- Very strong, I guess...

- But I meant in comparison to others, obviously.

- Well, you got your answer whether you like it or not.

- Oh come on! - she protested.

- Now my turn - I ignored it. - Did somebody send you here?

- Send me here? Like who for example? - she got curious.

- Like CIA for example.

She snorted and laughed.

- No. I have a deal with the owner.

- What kind of deal?

- Oh no, no, no. It's my turn now.

- No it's not. You asked me who could send you here, and I answered, so it's my turn. Answer the question.

- Oh, I see... You are my kind of guy. You like to play dirty. Fine. I sometimes fuck the guy - she said lowering her voice. - Happy now?

I twisted my lips and shrugged my shoulders.

- Now my question - she continued, then took a sip from her glass, put it down on the table, and leaned forward to get closer to me. - Would you like to take me upstairs?

I had a clear view of her breasts when she did that.

- Why would I want to do that?

- Everybody wants to do that - she replied, and a sly smirk crawled on her face.

- Ok, let's go upstairs.

She leaned back, and I noticed a clear expression of victory painted on her face.. I ignored it, and stood up, then drabbed the bottle, and started walking.