A mage walks into a Pub...

"You just wait here, ok?", I said. Melwyn looked up at me, his golden eyes glowing brightly in the moonless night,yet still betraying his tiredness. He always seemed to be tired these days...
"Alright". He said, before sitting down on a nearby crate and leaned back against the brick wall behind him. "Good luck, Sorah"
I nodded back at him and turned away to walk towards the pub. After a couple steps, i found myself facing the double doors of the pub's entrance. I took a deep breath and pushed myself in, the old wooden doors creaking as they swiveled inwards. Inside, a couple of tables, with chairs around them, were dotting the floor space. Some were occupied, most weren't.
The few patrons present looked to be all travelers like me and Melwyn. They carried bags on their backs, gourdes, swords, daggers, even bows and arrows. Beyond the tables, a man stood behind the bar, located at the far side of the room. He held a glass in one hand, and a cloth in another. If anyone would know who i need to talk to in here, it'll be the barman. I walked over to the bar and sat down in front of him, on one of the bar stools.
"Who would i speak to if i wanted to say... Cross the Sanat", i said, trying to sound as inconspicouis as possible. The man stopped what he was doing and looked up at me. His big brown eyes narrowed as he studied me for a second before a smile appeared on his shaven face.
"You serious? He said, in a very obvious mocking tone. "How old are ya, kid?". I felt blood rush to my cheeks. I leaned back, away from the counter and crossed my arms
"Does it matter?", i asked dismisivly. The man let out a chuckle and shock his head.
"Listen, you don't wanna do that, pal. Its dangerous" He then waved his cloth towards the door behind me. "You should go." I was getting annoyed now. He clearly knew someone, yet wasn't telling who it was.
"What's it to you", I said, raising my voice more than i wanted to. I leaned foward again, this time making sure i kept it down as i continued.
"I don,t care if its dangerous, just tell me a name if you know it!" The man let out an exasperated sigh as he leaned down to place the glass back in its shelf bellow the bar.
"Look, pal" He said as he got back upright "Im not gonna willingly give you information just so you can get yourself killed. Maybe you should try to get on a boat in Tareghasi that's headed for Kavasia. Thats what most people are doing now..." Fuck, this guy was annoying. Does he really think we didn't try that before coming here?
"Get myself killed?", I said, letting the fact that i was insulted filter through my words. He looked at me, probably confused as to why i felt this way. Taking advantage of the fact that i had his attention, i quickly pulled up my left sleeve and turned my arm around, exposing a tattoo half way up the underside of my arm. The man looked down at it, confused at first, but only for a second, as he suddently gasped silently, his eyes drifting back to mine as he seemed to recognise the symbol inked on my arm. Although i didn't particulary enjoyed flaunting my guild mark around, i did somewhat appreciate this guy's reaction upon seeing it. Maybe now i finaly be able to get what i came here for.
"Y-you're a mercenary? The man asked. I nodded.
"But not just any mercenary... you're part of the assassin guild, right?" I froze as i felt a chill run down my spine. I pulled my sleeve down and looked away. I didn't think he would be able to recongnise the emblem so accuratly, only that he would vaguely know that it was a guild mark. Welp, its too late now. I let out a sign and looked back at him. He looked back down as i did so.
"Is.. that a problem?", i asked.
"No, no, not at all" He said, shaking his head as he looked down. "I just didn't know". I followed his gaze and found his hands, which were bailed into fists on the bar counter. One of them was clutching the cloth as if he wanted it to turn to stone. He spoke again, this time as he looked straight at me.
"I am so sorry for my attitude, sir. I never would've acted this way if i knew-" I shrugged at him, and cut him off.
"Listen, i won't do anything, ok? Just... stop shaking like that and tell me if you know someone who can help me".
He bit his lower lip and nodded at me. He started to look around the room behind me. After a few seconds, he pointed towards a spot in the room i had previously overlooked before. It was rather secluded from the rest of the pub, hidden from view by a wooden screen and a stone pillar. A small table with a pair of chairs were arranged behind it. Sitting there was a fairly fat, long bearded man, who looked to be asleep as he leaned back in his chair. A woollen hat covering his face, protecting it from the ambiant light. As i went to step down from the stool, the man stopped me by grabbing my arm.
"Carefull with him" He said. "His prices are steep, especialy for Mages" I pulled back my arm, annoyed.
"I'll manage. Thanks"
I turned and started walking towards the man. However, as i got closer, i began to get cold feet. Doubts started creeping around in my head, some of them were valid, like negociating with someone who you just awoken from their slumber might not be to my advantage. Soon enough, however, i was stating merely a couple metres away. I could still turn back, come back tomorrow. Sure, Melwyn might be dissapointed, but at least, i could afford a room for the night, so we wouldn't have to sleep outside. Yeah... maybe i should just-
"Are you just gonna stand there or what?" A rough voice said. I nearly jumped as my eyes met with the man's, staring straight at me. He raised a hand, pointing towards the opposite chair.
"Take a seat" I clenched my hands, feeling the palms getting sweaty. This is it. No backing out now. I gave the man a quick nod and walked to the chair he offered and sat down. I cleared my throat.
"Uh... so, i was told that you were the person to seek if one wanted to cross the river?" The man nodded slowly
"Indeed i am, but not at any price"
"So i've heard" I said "Im confident i have enough to pay. I just need a one way-" The man put is hand up as he shook his head.
"How do you expect me to negociate a fair price for me and my client when i dont know a single thing about the merchandise i'll be smuggling across?" He said those last few words with a growing smile. One that was now plastered across his face and impossible to decypher, say for the fact that it was the fakest i had ever seen in my life. Though, he was right. I had spoken too hastily.
"Two people. Me, and another person" I finaly said. The man grunted.
"Another person?"
"A boy, a bit younger than me."
"He's Gysian?"
"No. We're both Kavasian"
"Interesting, fleeing back home are we?" I quickly nodded as the man scratched his beard, looking at me. His gaze made me very uncomfortable, as did his comment. Interesting? What does that mean? And why was he still smirking at me?
"And you are both mundanes or not?" Oh shit. There's no doubt that if i admit that Melwyn's a Shapeshifter, the price will go up and i may not have enough money to buy to pay the passage. However, i can't lie to him, since Melwyn can't hide what he is anymore. But, as for me... he doesnt have to know.
"I am" I said "But my friend is not. He's a shapeshifter" The man subtlely leaned fowards, clearly expecting more information.
"What kind?" He asked, clearly anticipating my answer. I had a feeling he would ask me that detail, yet i wasn't sure how to respond. Melwyn was a wolf Shapeshifter, which is a kin that didn't have a great reputation in this country. Maybe i should just tell him that he's a different kin instead? Something like a fox... or coyote. No, that wouldn't change anything. They aren't well liked either...
"Well? What is he?" The man asked again, but with a bit more insistance. "I assume he's not a bird kin, since in that case he would've just carried you and flowned across the river, if he was savvy enough." I let out a quiet sigh. Might as well tell him. Get it over with.
"He's a... wolf kin" The man's face soured considerably. Shit, maybe telling the truth was a mistake. As i was about to say something to try to smooth things out, he suddently spoke again.
"And where is he, this shapeshifter friend of yours?"
"Outside. Waiting for me to conclude this deal" The man raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle.
"You're clever, eh?" I didn't respond, contempt to simply chuckle as well. At least his sour face was gone now. The man tapped the table before offering his hand.
"180 duccats. Tomorrow, after dusk." His voice didn't leave any room for negociation, but i didn't care. 180 ducats was way cheaper than i though it would be. The fact that he had just accepted so easely after looking like he was going to send me off left me with a brief feeling of whiplash, but i quickly recovered myself and got up from my chair.
"Deal" I extended my arm and shook his hand to conclude the deal. The man smiled back at me, with a genuine smile this time.
"Pleasure doing buisiness with you"

***

I pushed the wooden doors open with both hands and hastely stepped outside. For the last hour, as the guy talk to me about how tomorrow was gonna go, i had just been waiting to get the fuck out and get some fresh air. I took a deep breath in, filling my lungs, before exhaling. As i did, i noticed a cloud forming in front of me. Gysia was known to be a warm country, but this far north, in november, it was no such thing.
Adjusting my vest, i turned left and started walking away from the pub's front door and followed the wall of the building until i arrived at the small alleyway, where melwyn had sat down earlier, only to find him asleep. He had brought his legs to his chest while his head was plopped onto the arms he had wrapped around his knees. His cloak did its best to keep him hidden, but one of his pointed ears was sticking out of the hood, while both of his clawed hands and the tip of his tail were sticking out from under the dark cloth, in full view of passer-by.
Thankfully, with how dark it was tonight, i doubted that anyone had seen him. With a pang of regret, i reached out to touch his shoulder. It took a couple taps and a few seconds for him to wake up. He looked at my arm, then at me and smiled. His ears, which were previously flat, sprang up.
"Sorah! You're back!" He said, his voice a bit rough.
"I am" i said, smillig back at him. Melwyn stepped down from the crate he was on, landing on the pavement.
"Did you find someone?"
"As a matter of fact, yes! I did!" Melwyn's smile grew wider and his tail wagged slighty.
"Yes! We're finaly getting out of here" He said, balling his fist. I walked over to the crate and sat down. Although i was also happy to be able to leave Gysia after all, i was still apprehensive as to what lay ahead. Sure, Kavasia was both of our homeland, but it has been a while since i last stepped foot there. And as for Melwyn, well... he didn't really seem fond of the place, which is not a surprise, considering... And then, there was this other, more urgent matter.
"Mel.. i need to tell you something but-" I stopped as i realised what i was about to say. I knew Melwyn for almost two months now, yet i hadn't seen him get mad, only frustrated at his condition, stuck as a Hybrid. I didn't know how he was going to react, yet i had to tell him.
"But what?" Melwyn asked. His smilled had faltered, replaced by a worried gaze. I sucked air through my teeth, still hesitant to tell him. I let out a sigh and turned to him.
"Please don't get mad, Ok?"
"O-ok. What is it?"
"I... told the ferryman that you... uh... that you were a shapeshifter" Melwyn's eyes widened, before narroring as anger replaced suprise. He clenched his fists and closed his eyes. However, before i could say anything to calm him down, he did it himself, and he opened his eyes and let out a sigh.
"Mel... im sorry" He shook his head and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Sorah, i trust you. If you decided to tell him, then i'll try to not worry too much, ok? I nodded. He then pointed towards the river, far away to our right.
"Besides, there are way more shapeshifters in Kavasia, so i think that if there's any trouble, i'll be able to blend in better over there, than in Gysia." I nodded again and passed my arm around his shoulders.
"Then lets find a place for tonight, alright?" Melwyn smiled at me.

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[ltr]I appreaciate ANY feedback on this little prose, especialy on dialogue and descriptions! I am aware that it is probably riddled with mistakes. Please take pity, english is my second language. /:( Okay thanks![/ltr]