Alix returned to the tavern after her long conversation with Alisa. Well, it was less of a conversation and more of Alix just sitting and listening with minimum input. A child's story time may be a better way to describe it. Whatever you call it Alix was done with it.
In her opinion the story was somewhat interesting. It gave her more insight on Alisa while also allowing her to attach one of her heartstrings to the girl. It appeared in the middle of the story so Alix just took the chance to connect it. She assumed it was due to the minor similarities in how the two of them grew up.
Alix always being told that Nuka talking was a figment of her own imagination was very alike to Alisa being told that spirits weren't real by her acquaintances. Sure one had solid proof and the other was truly a once in a lifetime happening but that was besides the point.
The situations were still very similar and allowed Alix to feel a connection with the girl. Hence the heartstring appearing.
That may be why that she could bare to stay to the end of the story as there wasn't anything she could learn from the . I mean, other than understanding more about the half-elf's past, she didn't really get much from the story. Alix sighed disappointed.
'I had hoped to receive some deeper understanding about spirit savantry but didn't receive even a crumb of information on the subject. All that I know is she can talk to spirits and that she always has been able to talk to them."
"Why are ya so into spirit savantry all of a sudden? It's just more magic. You know everything about all magic."
"Incorrect!" Alix snapped at Mo surprising him. "I know many things about magic but any sort of specific understandings is impossible from books alone. I need to get hands on examples, like helping Holiday with his Runic magic.
That is the best way to truly deepen my understanding on each magic. And if I earn greater understanding of their magic I could apply bits and pieces of it to my own to strengthen my spells or improve upon my spell-script." Mo nodded slowly while staring at the girl with discomfort.
"Cool~. Hey, there's the tavern! You should get ready for work! I bet it's gonna be another long bothersome shift." Mo changed the subject to stop the girl's impending rant. Alix stared at the building for a few moments.
She had several terrible experiences with work so far and she was expecting today to be just as bad. Luckily, she felt like she was adjusting, so that was a thing. She steeled herself and marched into the tavern ready for whatever the night would throw at her.
She entered the building and saw the meal hall already bustling with pirates of many sorts. Pirates with one eye, pirates with a peg leg, pirates with golden teeth, and Phil. He was a pirate that liked to wear sweaters that he'd knitted himself.
Phil was actually pretty nice.
Alix waved to Phil and went into the back to get changed into her work clothes. She did tied her long hair back into a high ponytail with the red ribbon that her mother gave her when she was younger. She slipped into a long dark green dress with frills along the skirt. She kept her gloves on because Hedgie said that they, "gave her character" whatever that meant.
She buckled her shoes up and threw a brown on a brown apron that had the picture of a skull being stabbed through with three spears top to bottom on it. With that Alix was ready to feed and serve ale to the pirates and water to Phil.
He didn't like to drink.
Alix exited her room and entered to the kitchen to clock in with Hedgie. "Let's get this thing over with Hedgie. I actually had a pretty good day today and I just know that these pirates are gonna ruin it." Alix looked toward the grill only to not see Hedgie working it. Instead there was a man that she could swear that she had seen before.
"Hedge went out to get more ale. Those loudmouths out there drank an entire three kegs in a hour. Though it is the end of the work week so they may just be happy that they don't have to lug anymore boxes around or something." Alix frowned at the person standing at the grill as he flip over a burger patty.
"Who are you?" The young man scrunched his face and turned to Alix.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten me? You know, the guy whose face you kneed in on meeting. That's just cold girl!" Alix quickly understood why she recognized this person. It was none other than the dude that she knocked out.
Kent Tyrio. He had short, soft, deep blue hair. His skin was darkened like a young oak tree's bark. He also had his ears pierced as could be told by the silver studs in each of his ears.
He had some nice muscles but would still be considered on the lean side of things and he wasn't wearing the uniform that Alix had been told was required so either she had been tricked or he was breaking the rules.
"Hey, I get that I'm just some stranger to you right now but aren't you on the job? Why don't you hurry and go take some orders so that we can get through this hellish shift?" Alix frowned at the boy.
"Fine. You should go put on your uniform. Hedgie will be a bit more than pissed if you do not." Kent's eyes widened slightly in fear.
"You're probably right. Though I also don't care enough to actually go put it on. Besides, I'm just gonna be in the kitchen for a few more hours. I don't need that silly thing." Alix glanced at the boy one final time before walking out of the kitchen.
He seemed...laid-back. It was almost as if the boy didn't care that they were in a tavern serving alcohol to pirates. In fact, he seemed to be quite comfortable with that fact. Alix also could not get something else out of her mind. On Kent's right forearm he had a tattoo that was the same as the picture that was on the apron.
Was this the mark of some crew? Did Alix accidently join a pirate crew when she agreed to working here? Alix shook her head. 'Now is not the time for that.' She breathed out heavily and marched into the main floor and got to work.
...
Alix plopped down in one of the now empty chairs. The night had ended and she was exhausted. Things got so rowdy that Phil offered to help wait the tables. He really is such a nice guy. Anyway, even with Phil helping Alix and Hedgie had a lot on their plates.
Serving table after table. Refilling ale after ale. They never even got the chance to take a moments breather. Kent was also pumping in full time having nearly six patties on the grill at a time and having to cook each in different ways. I mean why are these pirates so specific with their orders?
Some wanted the meat to still be bleeding so they could remember the taste of their enemy's blood. While other would be outraged even the meat was even the slightest bit still pink. Alix shivered in disgust. Pirates are the worst. Kent dragged his feet out of the kitchen and slammed down into the seat across from Alix.
"Damn, they were working my ass off! I think some of the meat smell may have permanently infected my brain. Haah, this is why I don't do the night shift." Alix couldn't help but agree with the boy.
"Well, I'm glad to see my two employees are struggling with work. That means that y'all were doing something out there tonight." Hedgie laughed at the two tired young people slouched at the table. She somehow seemed to still be full of energy.
"Did you even do anything? I think I remember seeing you drinking with Captain Falmon at some point." Kent accused. He received a hard slap on the back from Hedgie.
"You know me and the captain go way back! Besides he's good company and you barely work here. I hope that grill fried ya up good!" Kent rubbed his back trying to ease the pain from the slap.
"I think it did." He sighed exhausted and looked up at Alix who he could tell was equally exhausted. "So, what's your plan for the day off tomorrow?" Alix frowned.
"I have the day off tomorrow?" Hedgie sat next to the girl.
"Of course ya do! You've been working hard all week and I'm no ball buster! You've earned the weekend off. Take a load off!" Alix felt a wave of relief wash over her entire body.
"I have never been more grateful to hear those words in my life." Kent smiled and lifted his head from the table.
"You and me both." He lifted his hand for a high five.
"I think tomorrow's the perfect time for me to finally go find somewhere to buy more spell catalysts. My week has been so hectic that I never got to it." Hedgie looked at the girl apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Alix. Had I known that it'd be this wild this week I would have asked you to wait before starting." Alix shook her head.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I told you I needed work and you gave it to me. That is more than I can ever thank you for." Hedgie smiled warmly and embraced the girl.
"Still, if there's anything you need don't hesitate to ask for it. You've been nothing but good to me during your stay so far so it's the least that I could do." Alix smiled in appreciation.
"Perfect, then could you help me find a magic supply store in the city tomorrow? I've been looking for one the past few days but I have yet to find any that would sell what I am looking for." Hedgie winced slightly.
"I'm sorry, Alix. I can't. I've got some business to take care of tomorrow but I'll tell you what. You can take Kent! He knows more about the city than I do. Ain't that right, Kent?" Alix and Hedgie turned their attention to Kent who was still sitting with his hand raised waiting for a high five. His hand was shaking slightly, it must feel incredibly sore.
"Yeah, of course! I'd have no problem doing that. In fact, I already have the perfect place in mind." Alix nodded slighly in thanks to the boy. She then said her goodbyes to Hedgie and left to take a much needed bath.
Hedgie also stood from the table and started walking back to her own room turning leaving Kent alone with an un-high fived hand. Suddenly, Hedgie peeked her head back around perking the boy up slightly.
"Oh, Kent. Be a doll and clean this place up for the night. Ya barely do anything else for me so I would be grateful." Kent gestured to his hand with his head while speaking.
"Of course, it's the least that I could do." Hedgie frowned at the boy.
"Then ya shoulda been doin' it earlier. Get to it!" With that she disappeared down the hallway. Kent sat in silence with a raised hand when suddenly he felt a hand hit it. He looked up and saw Phil smiling down at him.
"Sorry ya had to wait that long, cap!" Then Phil just left the building. Leaving Kent with a smile on his face.
Phil was truly such a nice guy.