Chapter 62

  The inn was an interesting building. All the buildings of the Grasslands were single story, though some had higher, rounded roofs that offered a more expansive feeling withing, from what I could tell. The inn, was a collection of buildings. The first was a massive circular expanse, with a high ceiling. The center of it had a rounded bar setup, where a handful of workers stood, helping customers. All round it, circular tables were set up, with patrons sitting here and there, eating or drinking to their hearts content. Meanwhile, there was indeed live music set up on a stage in one portion of the room, while in another, a handful of suspiciously like pool tables stood, complete with colorful balls atop.

  On the opposite side of the entrance, er, opposite half, considering it was a circular building, there were various openings, each leading into a smaller hallway that would go to a separate small sleeping pod. There were a dozen such things, and I was really hoping the town had space for me. Considering its location, I wasn’t sure if this was a busy place… or a ghost town.

  Aaron, glued to my side just like he’d promised, was going on and on and on about some sort of delicacy he’d gotten to try when he first got indoctrinated, er… accepted into the cult. Apparently he’d joined because his older brother was a part of the cult as well, as some like mid-tier member. Aaron idolized his brother, far as I could tell, and was doing all he could to follow in his brother’s footsteps.

  If he wasn’t such a tool, maybe I would pay him some mind. But he’d already admitted he was just here to annoy me into joining the cult, and I wasn’t about to let him Stockholm syndrome me into becoming involved in any of this world’s drama. As I’d told Sasha, I had zero intention of doing any of that, and even less intention, actually due to the fact that I’d brought here as a potential savoir. Definitely not my calling. So F that noise.

  As I neared the counter in the center, the worker smiling at me, though it looked forced when they smiled at Aaron, I really wished there were some sort of equivalent to an I-Pod in this world. I would kill for a good audiobook right now to ignore him to.

  “How can I help the two of you today?” the man asked cheerily. I glanced at Aaron, who’d had the decency to shut up for the moment.

  “No idea how you can help him, he isn’t with me,” I said with a shrug, as I partially pushed Aaron out of the way, so just the clerk and I could talk. “But I’d be interested in getting a room for the night, as well as a hot meal. Maybe something unique to the area?”

  The man behind the counter smiled at me, motioning towards the countertop. I placed my hand atop it. A list of food and drink options sprang to life, as well as the cost of the room for a single night.

  “A hundred and fifty Muney for the night,” the man said with a smile, “and with the room reservation you’ll be able to get a fifteen percent discount on dinner, assuming you select the house special.” His smile never left his face, even as he glanced at Aaron, who was whistling to himself, “are you planning to use the Disciple Discount as well?”

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  I didn’t miss the way the man said it. The slightest crinkle to his eyes as he tried to keep that smile plastered.

  “I’m not with him,” I said with a shrug, “so highly doubt I’d have that discount.”

  Aaron took that as his opening. “It’s a pretty spiffy discount,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder, which I immediately tried to shrug off. With my left hand on the counter, as part of my transaction, I had to awkwardly reach my right hand up, to my right shoulder, to lift his hand off, before dropping it, with more than a little disgust, to the side.

  “I don’t need your discount,” I said, giving him a false smile, “the fact you feel you need one, makes me wonder if your little cult isn’t paying you enough for being a member.” I feigned surprise, right hand coming up to my mouth, “or wait. Don’t tell me… You have to pay monthly dues to stay in? Is that it? Are you…” I fake whispered, “poor?”

  The look in his eyes told me I’d hit a sore spot, but I didn’t care. If he was going to try and annoy me, and refused to leave me alone, then it was only fair for him to get used to me lashing back out at him. Even if he was ‘trying’ to be friendly and charm me into joining, it wasn’t going to happen. The fact he wasn’t taking no for an answer, just solidified in my mind that he didn’t deserve my sympathy, empathy, or any other level of consideration. If he couldn’t respect me, he’d get no respect from me.

  “Right,” the worker cleared his throat and gave me his full attention, though I noticed he seemed to be trying not to laugh, “well then, feel free to select your food and drink, and we can give it to you here, or have it waiting within your room, once you’ve paid.”

  “I think I’ll take my food in my room,” I said sweetly, as I selected the house special, which was labeled D.F.C. as well as a drink listed as Cactus Juice.” Resisting the urge to ask if the juice would quench my thirst, I paid the 169 Muney total for my room and food, thankful this world didn’t seem to have taxes, or cents at all actually, as a part of their Muney system. Immediately after, my gauntlet warmed, and I knew now that meant it had been linked to one of the rooms here.

  “You’ll be in pod number 7,” the man motioned, pointing towards the appropriate pod. “Your food and drink will be able to be accessed at the table within your room. You can also order from your room if you wish, for any additional commodities. If you have any questions, please feel free to come speak with me or one of my companions, or,” he motioned at my gauntlet, “feel free to give us a Gall from within your room.”

  I thanked the man, figuring it was better to not ask if there was a special way to Gall the counter from within my room, as to not show my ignorance of such things. Then, I smiled sweetly at Aaron, as I shoved past him.

  “Enjoy the rest of your night, I’m going to enjoy the peace and quiet of my own room.” I said, adding, “and don’t worry. I’ll make sure not to tell you when I leave, so,” I chuckled, “unless you plan on camping outside of my door all night, hopefully, this is goodbye.”

  He opened his mouth, then closed it, as I strode away. Hopefully, he’d get the freaking hint. If he did sit outside my room all night just to know when I left, well, he’d super establish his creeper status, and wear himself down. Both of which, would ultimately just make it easier to ditch him at a later date.

  I had no qualms, either way. I had a room, food, drink, and fifty new Augmentation Crystals to fool around with, before I left Grasslands tomorrow, and officially crossed out of the Gemstone Plains, into what my map called the Shifting Desert. I was excited for the chance to see and capture new Muns… if not a tad put off by the fact I’d be walking through a desert. After all, trekking through sand and heat didn’t ever sound like a pleasant way to travel. Though, on the bright side, I thought to myself, as I got to my room, escaping Aaron’s presence for now… if the cultist followed through with his threats, maybe the hot desert air and sand would make him at least shut up.

  A girl could only dream.

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