Chapter Text
Gem stumbled through the door to the tavern, the strong smell of alcohol hitting her like a tidal wave. She was panting heavily, beads of sweat making their way down her face and neck and strands of ginger hair falling in her face, the scarf she had tied around her head coming loose in the tussle. She was aware of the hundreds of eyes on her—as the bards’ music had abruptly stopped—but right now she couldn’t care less. She had just demolished a vamp nest in western Sylvek and needed a well-deserved break.
She straightened her stance and turned her head to look the lead singer dead in the eye, her now messy braid falling over her shoulder and her green eyes blazing with a fire never seen before. “The hell you lookin’ at?” She spat, her voice thick with venom. The singer looked shocked and turned to the band to continue playing.
The ambiance of the tavern continued.
She hobbled her way to the bar, plopping herself down in her usual seat and resting her forehead against the cool tiles of the counter. She was vaguely aware of the bartender standing on the other side of the counter staring at her but she couldn’t bring herself to move.
“You want your usual G?” He said in his British accent. “Please.” She replied, desperation seeping into her voice. “Thought so.” He mumbled under his breath. Despite being absolutely exhausted, those few words made her crack a smile.
The ginger looked up at the sound of a drink being set down in front of her. She took the Gold Rush Cocktail in her hand and put it to her lips, taking a sip. The drink was a simple one; just bourbon whiskey, lemon juice and honey syrup. But it was her favorite. She set the glass down and rested her forearms on the counter, hanging her head.
She then looked up at the man leaning against the opposite side in front of her. “Ok, lay it on me X.” She said, expecting a reprimand from the second she stepped foot in the tavern.
X, short for Xisuma, wore a gray helmet with black accents and a purple visor. He wore a silver breastplate over a green long sleeved shirt, brown fingerless gloves, and brown leather wrist guards. He also wore black pants and boots that came up to mid calf.
Instead of scolding her, X just tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m just glad you’re not dead.” He said. She could hear the smile in his voice. Gem let out a surprised chuckle. “I thought you were gonna berate me.” She said, taking another sip of her drink. X took an empty glass from behind the counter and filled it with water, presumably for himself. “Oh I’ll berate you, just had a long day and don’t feel like it.” He replied, undoing his helmet and taking a drink from the glass.
Gem and Xisuma had been friends for years since she ran away. From what, X didn’t know, but he was sure Gem would tell him eventually. And he was happy to wait if it meant that his friend would be comfortable telling him. All he knew was that she couldn’t go back. He didn’t question it.
He remembers the day like it was yesterday; It was about 6 years ago and he was working the night shift at this very tavern when a girl with unruly orange hair had sprinted in, sword in hand. She looked like she had just run from a fight with darkening bruises all over and cuts and scrapes littering her knees and elbows.
But it wasn’t the fact that she had barged in that surprised Xisuma, it was what she was wearing that made him do a double take. Her dress was a rich emerald green embroidered with gold thread and various jewels and reminded him of a Greek toga. The gold headdress she wore bore a kingdom’s seal but he couldn’t remember which one. It appeared to be a lyre with two arrows crossed in an X underneath. She wore dark brown leather boots that looked to be a bit too big with gold accents. The thick brown belt she had cinched around her waist bore the same seal with a few potions held in place with leather straps, a sword sheath, and what looked to be a seven inch dagger. Her hair had leaves and small twigs in it giving X the impression that she had just sprinted through the forest.
Xisuma had immediately put down the glass he was drying and rushed to her. She was panting heavily and her eyes were wild. She pointed the sword at Xisuma’s neck the moment he was close enough. “Don’t.” Her voice held steady despite the fact that she had tear stains on her cheeks. He put up his hands to show he was unarmed. “Hey, hey. It’s alright, I’m not gonna hurt you.” He assured. He made sure to keep his tone soft. People like this are like wild animals; you have to be gentle with them, or else they’ll lash out. This seemed to work a little as the inferno in her eyes dampened.
He eventually talked her into putting the sword down and guiding her to the small apartment above the tavern, asking his friend Keralis to take over the bar. He tended to her wounds, cleaning up the scrapes and detangling her hair. It was then that he learned her name; Gemini Tay.
The name sounded vaguely familiar; like he knew the name but couldn’t remember where he heard it.
Their bond slowly but surely became stronger as they spent more time together. She learned how to help around the tavern while she taught him the art of the sword (which she was surprisingly good at).
Gem was basically his sister at this point and he’d learned to love her as such.
The sound of Gem setting her now empty cup on the counter with a sigh snapped him out of his thoughts. “Well, I’m gonna go and see if Cleo and Joe have a room open.” X leaned on the counter. “Y’know you’re always welcome to stay here, right?” Gem gave a nod. “Yes, I know. I just need a minute to get away from all of,” she gestured to the bards, “this.”
X gave a small shake of his head and a smile. “Yeah, I get it. It’s not for everyone.” With that, she stood up and made for the door.
“See ya tomorrow X!” She hollered.
X just gave a curt nod and a small wave in response and took the empty glass she had left to start washing it.
As he was washing it, he heard a couple more people step inside. They stopped at the bar and X looked at them. “Heya fellas, what can I getcha?”
Four men were standing in front of him; one, the shortest, was wearing a bright red jumper and had sandy blond hair and Scarlet Macaw wings; one wore a suit with the sleeves ripped off revealing muscular arms littered with scars and had big angel wings sprouting from his back; one wore an off-white t-shirt under a dark brown aviator jacket and had small scars littering his face and neck (he probably had more under the jacket); one wore a black and yellow t-shirt with an ‘i’ on it and had two small horns protruding from his forehead.
All men had various degrees of concern on their faces.
The man with the ‘i’ on his shirt stepped forward, sliding a missing poster across the counter towards X.
“We’re looking for Gemini Tay.”