“Umm, don’t stare at anyone. Most people around here are pretty high-strung, and fights break out pretty often. The place gets messy until the blood and guts get filtered out,” Mati explained as we went inside.
The place was filled with creatures of all sorts, and I even saw a pair of Green Mutalisks. Everyone was floating at tables with no seats, but since everyone swam, that made sense.
“They allow Demons here? I asked, pointing at the two Mutalisks, and Mati nodded as we swam over to an open table at the far side of the bar.
“Yeah, no one really cares, but there are many places they are not allowed to go to. This place is not really for those types. The Seeing Eye Bar caters to the more backwater types if you know what I mean,” Mati explained as we… floated.
I wanted to think seated, but there was nothing to sit on, so floating was the best I could come up with. Funny to think of a waiter asking to float us at our table, but my eyes were going all over the large dome.
The place was much more than just a simple bar, and three other floors above us ringed the dome. There were no stairs to any of the levels, making them look like private areas to me.
“You really need to stop looking around like that, or we will get into trouble before Sebastien sees us!” Mati warned, and I looked back at her.
“Is it really that bad here? I am not looking at anyone; I am concerned about the levels above us. Are they for anyone to go up to?” I asked, and Mati nodded.
“Well, make sure not to make eye contact until we get our stuff first. Sebastien saw us coming in, so he will be over soon. Once we figure out what we are going to do, that will tell us which floor to go on,” Mati explained, and I frowned.
“Hmm? What we take is what picks what floor we are on? How does that work?” I asked, a bit confused.
“This floor is for those that want to drink poison that makes them think they are tougher and funnier than they are,” Mati explained.
“So alcohol?” I asked, and Mati nodded.
“Yeah, I think that is what they call it. I don’t like the stuff, and it makes people smell gross. The next floor is for the ones that like to use the slowdowns. They make you really tired and lazy, but you feel terrific. The floor after is the part floor for all those that like the things that fill you full of energy! That place is fun, but we are going to the last floor since you are paying!” Mati explained with excitement.
“How do they keep everyone safe when they are doing this stuff?” I asked, and Mati gave me a funny look.
“Safe? The best way to stay safe is not to come to a place like this. Some spells prevent you from going places you don’t belong to, but the best option is to get a top-floor themed suite! They are the best!” Mati exclaimed.
“Theme? You mean that they are all special bedrooms with decorations?” I asked, but Mati gave me a funny look.
“Bed? What is that?” Mati asked.
“Where you sleep. You do sleep, don’t you?” I asked curiously.
“Sleep? What is sleep?” Mati asked back, and I blinked but thought about it.
“Hmm, I guess that you probably can’t sleep normally. It is a period when you close your eyes, and your body rests for six to eight hours on average. Since you need oxygen to breathe, I assume you would only be able to “rest” near the surface of the water. That is probably dangerous, right?” I asked, but Mati shook her head.
“There are resting areas you can go to that are safe. I don’t have to get air cause I have these!” Mati said and lifted her arms above her head to reveal gills below her armpits.
At the same time, her breast flew up, and a couple men at the table beside us started to make comments.
“Wow, look at those floppers! Could make quite the meal out of that one,” a shark-like man sneered, and I turned around.
“Unless you want to be turned into boots, I would turn back around and keep your eyes on your drink,” I warned, and the gray shark-man bared his teeth at me.
“You wanna fight, freak?”
“You want to die?” I growled as red lines started to cover my blue skin like veins as my Fire Force Pact activated in response to my anger.
“Hey! Let's leave the fighting for another time, gentlemen! Hank, I think that you should do as the man says. You don’t want to mess around with anyone crazy enough to hang around Mati!” A giant crab man said as he walked up to our table with a menu.
“Sebastien! You came just in time!” Mati exclaimed as I turned around to face the massive seven-foot-tall crab-man.
“That is what it looks like! We try to keep the bloodshed to a minimum when we can here!” Sebastien laughed, setting a strange-looking stone tablet. “So, who is your friend here, Mati? Never seen you bring anyone in here before, and you have been coming here for a very long time!”
“This is Zack, and he is crazier than I am!” Mati laughed, and Sebastien gave me a look.
“What is it that you have come here for?” Sebastien asked, then added, “Besides my fine products, of course.”
“I am just here to relax and try out some of these fine products you have,” I said with a smile, but the crab looked over me.
“You look like you are about as well off as this one. I like Mati, but I am not the type just to give things away,” Sebastien said, and I nodded.
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