A snap of his fingers cleaned everything, and a wave of his hand invited his customers to sit.
"Don’t worry, Mister Haug. Accidents happen." Ryla’s smile hit his heart with the intensity of a Silverwing’s Annihilation at point-blank. "Thank you for your hospitality. I hope that Garrik didn’t bother you too much."
"Not at all." Haug seemed calm and confident, but that was just his bartender routine. "He’s a good kid, and all customers are welcome here."
He was actually sweating bullets.
"You were right, baby. This is delicious." Ryla tucked her long hair behind her ear and sipped her drink, making Haug’s heart skip several beats. "Can we have more?"
"Yes, but I recommend waiting until after lunch, or it will spoil your appetite." He replied.
"Can we eat here, Mom?" Garrik pulled at her dress, making it stick to her skin and emphasizing the gentle slopes of her chest. "I’ve never been in a restaurant before."
"Can we?" She asked, and Haug needed sheer willpower to maintain eye contact.
"Anytime you want." He gave them a deep bow to have respite from that torture. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Can you give me a tour of this place, mister?" Garrik asked.
"With pleasure." Haug walked in front of the Fomors, careful never to turn around for more than one second, and pointed out the various enchantments of the Tavern.
He even brought them to the kitchens, his hallowed grounds where no client had ever gone before. As soon as mother and son left the establishment, Haug sighed in relief and bolted out to look for a friendly ear.
"Be honest with me, Vannir, do you believe in love at first sight?" He asked with a quivering voice and a spirited gaze that unsettled the cook.
"Look, Haug, we’ve known for years, so this pick-up line is even lamer than it usually is. I’m flattered by your feelings, but I don’t swing that way. I like women, as I thought you-"
"Not you, you moron!" Haug snarled in outrage. "How could I fall for an ugly mug like yours? That’s a face only a mother could love. You know what? Scratch that, I’ll go straight to the source!"
He bolted away, leaving Vannir as flabbergasted as he was offended.
"First, I’ve undergone body refining from a young age. I’m a handsome man by any standard, you old fart!" The cook yelled to appease his wounded ego. "Second, even if I liked men, I’m way out of your league!"
"There you are, Morok." Haug hadn’t listened to a word of Vannir’s rant, nor would he care about it if he did. "Please, don’t take this the wrong way, but I need to ask. Is Ryla single and available?"
"Single she’s single, and she’s not seeing anyone either." The usually carefree Tyrant turned serious, but Haug didn’t notice. "Why do you ask?"
"I’ll be honest with you." Haug sighed. "I just met her, but I can’t stop thinking about her. I want to ask her out. With your permission, of course."
"Let me be equally honest, Haug." Morok nodded. "I like you, but Ryla is the mother of my little brother, and she’s family to me. I need to know of your intentions before giving you my answer."
"My intentions?" Haug asked in confusion. "Isn’t that too much for a first date?"
"No." The Tyrant shook his head. "You see, Ryla never had a date, and I don’t want you to take advantage of her naivety unknowingly."
"She never dated?" Haug was flabbergasted. "What about Garrik?"
"Glemos, cursed be his name, did the bare minimum to breed with her, if you catch my drift." Morok replied.


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