Within the God Hunter bar there was just a gentle hum from the hushed talks that were occurring in just about every single corner. This kind of setting meant that the actual bar top was rather abandoned with nearly no one there. Other than the tender there was only one person there.
In fact they actually sat across from the vibrant blue haired who couldn't seem any less interested. Though that was hardly surprising considering the fabled owner never changed her expression. Said expression being disinterested - at least matching her current job of cleaning a glass with a stick sticking from her lips.
A short figure who cradled a tall glass from a rum & coke mix; swishing the alcoholic beverage as her large eyes explored the room to catch out anyone who was spying on her.
Of course many were, however meeting her gaze made them promptly turn away.
An invisible pressure almost crushing them.
She seemed quite amused at the cold sweat her mere presence brought to those unfortunate enough to question whether she should be there. Those lips of hers curling up in a manner quite reminiscent to a cat having found its prey. Taking slow and long methodical sips from her beverage as if savering.
Whether she was savouring the drink or the scene in front of her was another question. In fact, sometimes when she was looking out, it almost appeared as if those eyes of hers were piercing the very walls of the building they sat in. Looking out towards something no one else could see and even reacting to it.
Her expression shifted but most of the time it still appeared to be some form of amusement; at least until she abruptly formed a grumpy pout with those chubby cheeks inflating massively. However, that usually cute scene brought with it great chaos. The world became more vibrant yet the air seemingly thinner.
In fact the only one not sweating was the owner - even the hidden guards found themselves stumbling forward as the world only grew more lively.
An ironic contrast.
While the world became more lively and vibrant while those "enjoying it" felt closer to death as they were unable to even step forward. Making them appear sluggish as if about to fall asleep. At least if one could ignore the fact that their clothing was completely soaked through in a matter of seconds.
Cracks even began to form mid-air right in front of her eyes as if something was about to break; having an accompanying sound that suggested it was no mere illusion.
Or rather-
"Control yourself scale-less bitch." That cold voice broke people out of their stupor. Coming from behind the bar itself. That was accompanied by her putting the empty glass in her hands down with a bit too much force - clearing away the pressure that all those within the establishment were feeling.
Feeling as if an invisible wave erupted out from that glass to literally wash away the weight (if not the increased vibrancy) that was affecting everyone else.
The girl, dressed in a fusion between stereotypical western pirate with some Japanese elements, didn't actually seem to get any more aggressive at the shut down. Although she certainly didn't seem to be amused by the name calling. "I do have scales… They just can't be seen in a three dimensional plane."
"Oh I know, I just don't care, the nickname is catchy enough that I don't intend to ever change it." Her voice was just as cold as always while refusing to give the dragon in front of her so much as an inch.
All that god could do was grumble.
"Well those two trouble makers shouldn't bully people if they don't want me to get angry with them for spoiling my fun…" Mumbling out loud as she took her glass between her two dainty hands. Taking a very audible and long sip from her glass as she glared like she was speaking about her arch enemies.
Not that the bartender seemed to care about the bratty attitude of her patron who was very precariously balanced upon a bar stool. Her voice was just as to the point as it always was - avoiding any form of coddling one may be tempted to give the girl. "I do not believe you are any better than them."
Narrowing her one visible eye as she returned whatever glare that girl gave her; causing the nameless true god to look away from her.
"Which brings me to the major question that you have been avoiding all this time… Why the hell have you decided to return after all of this time? Most believe seem to have been convinced that you were truly gone for good even if it is stupid to think you or him could." Clicking her tongue at the end of her question.
The goddess still refused to meet the woman's eyes as she let out an obnoxious laugh before giving a reply… Even if it's worth was very arguable. "Ara~ ara~ can a goddess not go on an occasional holiday without telling anyone and it isn't my fault you guys can't swim~."
"Bitch we can swim but most people aren't going to go to the floor of the ocean for that soggy library; plus that doesn't bring up the fact you could be on any number of worlds." Shaking her head. "Plus I already knew you weren't dead and didn't care to find you even if I considered it with the shit that's going on."
"... That is the greatest store of information across the realms…" She said with a pout only for the owner of the bar to quickly cut her down. "Are we ignoring the Dreamers Journal that stores every single idea that anyone has ever had; something you do not have?"
"Well it's in the family so that still counts!" Slamming her fist on the counter.
Once more the more "mature" woman shook her head. "I believe that brat still doesn't return your calls even before she suddenly went missing. If anything it's in my family rather than being in yours - though it'll likely end up with the cats and you know that."
"And…?" A smug smile on her face as she pointed her fingers towards the tricorn hat that sat atop her fluffy mane of hair.
Letting a sigh leave her lips as that remaining visible eye of hers closed.
"That brings me back to my question - why have you seemingly randomly shown up." Eye opening again with wisps of azure flame escaping for the very brief moment after her double-eyelid lifted.
"..." Suddenly all the childishness vanished as a simple kind smile appeared on her face with those once bright eyes becoming hollow. Expressing little to no emotion other than the prefunctional kindness that felt more like someone trying to get you to sell your organs on the black market.
That expression quickly shifted back to her regular amusement as her eyes narrowed at the woman across from her with no sign of fear. Placing the glass down in front of her. Her gaze was mocking as the door behind her slammed open to reveal a familiar figure in full power armour.
"Where is that wolf bastard!" The brand new godhunter commander roared out while coming over to slam her fist into the counter as similarly dressed figures came up from behind to man a perimeter.
Those figures didn't have as high quality armour, though, as she hadn't had the chance to merge any kind of magic engineering into theirs. They also had the skull of an animal imprinted upon their helm. Even their weapons weren't magically enhanced so it truly was just their equipment from "the real world" imported in.
One even carried the unconscious blonde girl in a princess carry.
"Oh wow~ you've found a lot of your friends in the brief time since we met~!" Happily clapping her hands as she twirled around on the chair to actually look at them. The fact that a girl who hadn't looked at them somehow knew they had come in did cause them to pause momentarily.
Her chipper attitude didn't seem to be shared by her protege who angrily quaked so much that it was clear even despite wearing armour that covered their whole body. Slamming their fist into the counter once more as she spoke through gritted teeth. "That bastard took Arthur so tell me where I can find him…"
"And do what, get yourself killed?" It wasn't the nameless god but the bartender who instantly shut down AC in her adrenaline fueled tracks with a chilling voice. "Being as frank as possible; nothing you do could ever be a threat to that bastard so think a little before making some dumb comments."
"Then… What can I do…?" That always confident figure (even when faced with a dragon) found her body failing her as she slumped down on the counter. Fortunately finding herself supported by that fixture however it was clear she was lost.
Finally her mini-master spoke up while patting her back. "Oh don't be so upset; you wouldn't have been able to follow him anyway since hell is really annoying to get to without being part of his posse."
"He took him to hell; like the hell where people get tortured forever!" Sadly her words were not exactly very reassuring when the actual contents of them were considered. Something the always observant AC obviously picked up on almost immediately as things only got worse in her mind.
"Don't panic." Once again it was the owner of the club who became the voice of reason to break AC out from her rapidly expanding downward spiral. "Even as crazy as that bastard may be, that doesn't mean he isn't playing this game for something."
Letting out a long sigh as she also rested on the counter to lean toward the girl in front of her. "Think about what he could want and how you can take advantage. Mostly everyone wants something, even if that's just sheer amusement, so don't get caught up in what has happened."
Flicking AC on the forehead; causing the girl to cover her bruise with a pout.
"Focus instead on what you can do - you literally are in charge of a small army - keeping your head in the game is the minimum. Without you who will lead those bots of yours forward. So quit moping and think about why what has happened has happened in order to find an actual solution." Clicking her tongue.
Although that voice was as emotionally compelling as her face… Something about it allowed for AC to visibly relax as she removed the helm from her head to show that she had even closed her eyes.
Focusing on everything she knew about that wolf bastard.