Chapter 153: Balthazar Kline

Tescelle had been discreetly grooming me for something such as this right under my nose, helping me point out the locations of bars, taverns, and eateries. So, now I had a pretty good idea where everything was, and I pulled Wendy along with me, her arm looped in mine. I finally slowed down in front of the place I wanted to go to, The Thirsty Ogre.

Contrary to the name, the tavern was in really good shape and it even had a stage with live singers and bands. I had been in more than my fair share of bars and lounges across the worlds, but this was my favorite type. Music, drinks, and food, not much more to ask for on a night out, plus I had heard that this place had a great nacho platter fit for a king, so I was here to see!

Walking into the bar, Wendy stuck close to me, and music filled the air as a band played some lively folk music, but it was still very early, later there would be better music. A standard in all worlds, saving the best for last. Still, the place was packed, but one thing I hadn't planned on is being me.

The music actually stopped when we walked in and the place went silent, as every head in the place turned to us. 

"Oh come on, you act as you have never seen me before! We are here just like you to enjoy the great music, good drink, and renowned food just like you! Don't get bent out of shape just because I want to bring my wife on a date!"

Everyone relaxed, but there was still an air of tension with everyone, so I walked over to the bar and asked a waitress to get the house a round. I also asked for one of their legendary nacho platters that were fit for a king, making the waitress almost drop the drinks she was supposed to be delivered. She rushed into the back, and we could hear some yelling and a pot hitting a wall, and more yelling.

A large man with a grease-stained apron came out with an angry look, and when he saw me, it didn't change. The man came over shaking a finger at me as he gave me shit.

"You son of a bitch! You're supposed to warn me before you come barging in here! I should have had time to prepare, but no, you just show up, unannounced! How do you expect to feed you on such short notice!" The angry cook yelled at me.

*THOCK*

The cook was on the ground, out cold. The culprit was a short older woman with a cast iron sauce pot in her hand, who was glaring at the unconscious cook. Then she looked up to me with a smile and bowed her head.

"I would like to apologize for my idiot husband, he is a very big fan of yours, but he is a prideful cook. He didn't mean any disrespect, he just got over excited, sorry again. My name is Mida and my husband is Ike. Please go sit down at the table in the front, and my daughters will assist you two," Mida explained as she dragged Ike back into the kitchen.

"Wow, that was an excitable man!"

"Excitable? I thought he was going to bite you! I was just about to hit him with a Nappy Dart before Mida got to him!" Wendy said show me the little box she put back in the belt she was wearing.

"I am sorry for my father, I am Titi, I will show you the table. We were slaves in Acosta and my father just started working here, but Miss Alexcoria told him to run the place the way he saw fit. Dad just wants to make a good impression with his food, because as you can see, he isn't really a people person," Tita explained to us as she started to take us to the front booth, but I steered her to an open corner booth.

"Sorry, we are on a date, and I would like some privacy with my wife if that's okay?"

"Oh yes! Would you like to try a sample plank of our ale? And maybe one of wine for the lady?"

"Like a bunch of testers? Sure! Does that sound good?"

I turned to look at Wendy and she nodded, but she looked distracted. After Tita left, I turned in the booth to look at her, but then she started asking me questions.

"Couldn't we have got Alex to yell at you? Cable could have sung, right? We have helpers and cooks to make the food and bring us drinks, so why did we come here?"

"Babe, just relax and enjoy something different. Let's get a couple drinks into you and some good food, then listen to the music and tell me what you think, Okay? This is nice because it's different and new. Plus, we are doing it together, so it has to be fun!"

The drinks and massive platter of nachos smothered in chunks of meat, yellow hot peppers, and smothered in cheese came faster than I would have thought possible. Within less than five minutes we were eating and drinking. No wonder this place was so popular so fast if you could get over the cook yelling at you before each meal, but I think that was a privilege reserved for me.

After we had eaten through half of the mountain of nachos, we pushed it aside and I moved to the other side of the booth to sit beside Wendy. She had been able to fold her wings in and put them to the side, but it still did not look comfortable, and I was starting to regret bringing her here. Then, Wendy grabbed the first small glass of wine and drank it in one gulp.

Now, it wasn't a lot of wine, but then she fired off the other four before I could string the thought together to tell her to stop. Then, she let out a cute burp and turned to me. Her cheeks were already starting to pink up and she smiled at me.

"Now you finish yours and we can go!"

I wasn't going to argue, she had sat uncomfortably for me, so I pounded back all five testers. The first one was just bitter and dark, but the next two pale ales had a light and smooth taste that was nice. The last amber ale was nothing to write home to mom about, but they weren't bad either. 

Once I was finished I got up from the booth and let Wendy out and she stretched her arms and wings. As she did, she did a little sidestep, but then righted herself. I took her by the arm and smiled at her, getting a cute grin back. Oh ya, this lightweight was feeling it, but I hadn't drunk in this world yet so I wasn't a lot better. 

I had got a wad of cash from Nuwari, tell me I might need it, so I dropped a good amount of cash on the table. I waved to Mida, who was behind the bar serving drinks as we left. I was a bit sad to go, the band had just switched to something that was more rock and roll, but I could tell Wendy wanted to leave.

The cool night air hit me as we walked out in the street, but the place was alive around us. There were stalls set up now, and people getting drunk and walking around, but Wendy was the one who pulled me to a drink stall and pointed to another person's cup of wine. I looked down at her and even her nose was starting to get a bit red, but I was feeling like another drink as well so I asked for two drinks and paid with a hundred notes.

As I passed the note, I noticed that the picture on it...was my face. I rolled my eyes and told the wide-eyed vendor to keep the change. As if they put my face on the damn bills! I mean, it was to be expected, but it looked stupid, why not put a dragon or something cool on it? Well, it was spilled milk now, the bills were out and people were using them.

Wendy and I walked with our drinks, but then stopped to watch a juggler. There were people out busking, some did trick while others sang or played instruments. One thing that I noticed was that there were always two or three guards patrolling around, keeping watch on the people, which was nice. I didn't want to have this city turn into a den of thieves or a place where people would be scared to come.

"Great Master Hyde! It is an honor to meet you!"

The voice pulled my form, my thoughts, and the juggler. I turned around, letting go of Wendy to find a small man in a jet back robe. His face was covered, but I could tell from his voice that he was old.

"It is good to meet you as well, whoever you are. What can I do for you?"

I was feeling a bit boisterous from the alcohol, but I immediately forced my body to burn the alcohol off, lifting my haze. Something about this guy bothered me, but I kept up the act of being a bit drunk. The man removed his hood and revealed a gray-haired old man with a toothy grin.

"My name is Balthazar Kline, and I am the leader of the new faith. The Church of Hyde, a place for all to come and be accepted as they are. Those who have joined have given all their worldly possession to the church, and no help to find other oppressed people."

Hmmm, I really didn't like religion, and what this guy was selling sounded almost too good, but at the same time, they were doing what I was asking. Could I just blindly turn this man away, just because of previous bad experiences? Or should I give it a chance? Did I have a choice?