C.U.C.K.E.D H.E.R.O Ch:17

“So it's decided. We're staying here until we know more about this world.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Happy that we finally had some direction. We still had so much to figure out, but at least we'd taken the first step.

“Fine, whatever.” Vance crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “But I still think leaving this dump would've been more fun…”

“We'll still go, just not until we're ready. Besides, we've only been here for a few days. We barely know the town. Why leave so soon?” I held myself from saying more. We'd finally agreed on a decision, I didn't want to open it back up again.

“Feels like longer than a few days.” Vance sighed.

He was right. Nobody told you how tiring the life of an adventurer was. We had to walk everywhere, carry all our shit. If it wasn't for these new, more athletic bodies, I think we would have died from exhaustion before making it to town.

“So if we're sticking around to wait for the wizard, then we'll need jobs.” I said.

“Maybe I could work with Myla? Help her gather herbs or whatever.” Vance smirked.

“Or whatever… yeah.” I rolled my eyes. “What about you Hailey?”

“Mhmm? Me?” Hailey jolted up as if she'd been caught napping. She'd been leaning back in her chair, both arms between her legs. Probably holding onto her chair for stability in case she nodded off and fell over.

She'd done pretty well considering how tired she must have felt. Being mostly attentive while we were discussing our plans. Nodding along and giving the occasional ‘yes’ in agreement with a point. But it was clear she'd started to daydream. There was drool on her face, her eyes barely seemed focused, and it kept looking like she was muttering under her breath. Her lips quivering like she was on the virtue of saying something.

“Why don't you go ask Myla while me and Hailey look for work.” I told Vance. Hailey and I needed some alone time.

Vance got up and said goodbye without any fuss. I guess he was as eager to be alone with Myla as I was with Hailey.

“So, I guess we should check the quest board before handing out our resumes. Right?” Not every quest posted seemed to be life threatening. There had to be something low risk enough for us to get some experience. Either literally or metaphorically.

“Ready to go?” I asked as I stood up. Taking Haileys hand as she did the same.

Immediately upon touching her I felt it. A slick, slightly stickiness on her fingers.

“Uhh Hailey. Why is your hand wet?” I asked. It hadn't been like that earlier, and she didn't even drink anything. I had no idea what it could even be.

“That's uhhh…” Hailey looked like a deer in headlights. Or lamplight I guess? Blinking blankly until the answer came to her.

“Ohh, my hands? That's, haha, that's just an Elf thing…” Something about her voice, and the expression she had. It felt like she was lying to me…

But that was just my imagination. She didn't have any reason to lie, and I had no idea what else the explanation might be. But most of all, I trusted her. Hailey was too good of a person to lie, especially to me.

“Huh. That's weird. Never seen Vance's hand like that…” I noted.

“Oh, uhh… it's a girl only thing…” Hailey bit her lip, eyes darting around the room.

“How do you know that?” I asked. Genuinely interested to find where she learnt that from.

“From… from…” Hailey was thinking surprisingly hard for such a simple question. “From… uhh… I just knew it! Haha.”

“Huh… I guess that makes sense.” We seemed to have gained knowledge about using weapons and magic, so it stood to reason that she would know more about her own body. I wondered why that would even be a biological thing Elves have, but now wasn't the time for idle curiosities.

Not taking her hand this time, I walked over to the quest board. There were less options to choose from today, with only one quest that didn't involve killing.

A gather type quest, for ‘Raw magic extractions’ whatever that meant. The quest description was vague, but it was clearly a non-lethal task. We had to meet up with the local Thiriopologist, whatever that meant, for more details and the equipment we needed. Payment dependent on potency…

There was also a flyer posted for a job in town. Next to the official quest board, likely placed without permission judging by how hastily it had been stuck on.

A waitress job at the ‘Beautiful bunny Gentleman's club’. A sleazy place to work, although the money did look good. I hated the idea of Hailey working at a place where the guys would ogle her, but if she was only going to be a waitress…

No. It was a stupid idea. Even as a waitress she'd likely have to endure customer harassment, and I doubted Hailey would go for that.

“This one's really strange, but it seems safe.” I told Hailey. Pointing at the gather quest. “Worth checking at least. Right Hailey?”

…

“Hailey?” I turned to look for her. Expecting to find her right behind me, but she wasn't there.

Instead she was standing over by a table in the corner. Talking with a group of tough looking guys. As I walked over I noticed they were the same group from last night. The ones that slapped Hailey’s ass…

“Uhhhh… hi.” I said as I walked up. Awkwardly interrupting their conversation.

“Mason! These guys say they've got a big job today!” Hailey stood beside the thug that looked to be the leader. A fit, roguish human, maybe in his thirties or forties. Dirty blonde hair and deep blue eyes that had a daring look to them.

He was the one that had groped her, and he was far too close to her right now for me to be comfortable.

“That's great.” I said. Aware that everyone was staring at me. “But there was this quest on the board I think we should check out as well…”

“What? You don't think our offer is better than the chicken shit jobs that get posted here?” The mercenary leader unsheathed his dagger. Putting it down on the table as an unspoken threat.

“Come on Mason!” Hailey leant over the table, practically leaning her whole body over it. With one arm resting on the table to give her stability. “You could at least hear him out.”

Sitting across the table, the mercenary smiled at me. A smug, shit eating grin. He looked so sure, so confident that we would do what he wanted. It made me want to leave just to spite him, but not while Hailey was that close to him. Not while he had the dagger out.

“Fine. What's the offer?” I took the only seat available, opposite Hailey and the leader.

“Where's your manners lad?” The man stared at me. One hand still on his dagger. “Introductions come first.”

“Right…” The man stared at me, but seemed to relax a little. His other hand was out of my sight, behind Hailey somewhere. Probably, hopefully, resting on her back and not her ass. I doubted he would be as brazen in the morning as he had been last night, but I couldn't put it past him.

Still, Hailey didn't seem stressed or worried at all. She seemed happy, and way more alert than she had been moments ago.

“I'm Mason.” I kept my introduction short. This wasn't the type of guy I wanted knowing anything about me. “And you've already met Hailey.”

“Hii guys!” Hailey smiled around the table. Leaning like she was, her boobs were hanging down. Cleavage spilling out everywhere although miraculously they hadn't slipped out of her clothes. “I'm a-Unggugh a… mmmhmm… a prieeEestessssSs.”

“Heh… a pleasure to meet you two. I'm Thorrin, and this is my crew.” Thorrin gestured around with the hand holding the dagger, keeping the other hand behind Hailey. “We're a merry band of thieves and ne'er-do-wells!”

I watched Hailey as closely as I watched him. She was biting down on her lips, rocking back and forth just a little. She didn't look uncomfortable, but she did look like she was holding something back.

Anger, I guessed. If Thorrin was touching her ass, she must have been fuming on the inside. I knew all too well how much she hated assholes like him who think they could stare at or touch women as they pleased. But she knew as well as I did that making a scene here wasn't safe. I had to trust that if he did anything really inappropriate, she'd signal me for help.

“So what's the job.” I asked. Trying to hurry this conversation to its conclusion.

“I can't tell you the specifics till you agree to join, but there'll be very little risk to the two of you.” Thorrin explained while Hailey continued to hold herself from wriggling too much.

“Is it legal?” I asked bluntly.

“Heh.” Thorrin smiled. “Let me tell you something lad. You can get away with ANYTHING, so long as you don't get caught. Don't you think so little lady?”

“Mmm… Mmmhumm.” Hailey moaned affirmatively. She must have been too frustrated to even speak properly. I felt bad for just standing by and letting this creep put his hands on her, but he still had the knife.

“See, I'm a rogue by trade. Good with my fingers, if you know what I mean.” Thorrin explained.

“So we're stealing something?”

“Hmmm… Well, we'll be taking something. You can count on that.” Thorin's stare stayed level with mine, even as Hailey struggled to stay still on the table. The crew around us barely able to keep their laughter to themselves as they watched her get toyed with by their boss.

“What's the pay?” I kept my eyes on his. Feeling the tension rising.

“An even cut of the take for the lady.” Hailey let out a groan as he mentioned her name. Her body began to shake. “You can split that however you like. It's her we want, not some wannabe adventurer.”

“She's not going anywhere without me.” I told him.

“What? Don't trust me? I'm a perfect gentleman, right boys?” The guys laughed and vouched for him. Not one of them having the decency to sound convincing.

I grimly stared him down. Dead serious and dead aware of Halley's quickening breath.

“But that's not a big deal.” Thorrin conceded. “I only care if the lady comes.”

The ‘lady’ was currently at the end of her rope. So filled with anger and disgust she looked like she was about to explode.

“We'll think about it.” Was all I promised. Strategically holding out my left hand for him to shake.

He looked at my hand for a moment, Hailey slowly pulling off of the table. She was taking a lot of short breaths. Managing her anger now that I'd gotten him to let go of her..

“You've got until nightfall.” He told us as he shook my hand. “Meet here if you decide you need a little excitement in your lives.”

“We'll keep it in mind.” Huh, that was strange. Thorrin’s hand was covered in the same slickness that Hailey's was. But there was even more on him.

That helped calm me down. If that stuff was on his hand, then that meant Hailey’s hand had been touching his. Keeping him away from touching anything he shouldn't.

“Come on, let's go.” I told Hailey. Desperate to get her out of here.

“But… I didn't…” She stammered.

“Go on now.” Thorrin said, as if she needed his permission. “We can finish what we started later…”

I ignored the provocation and hurried off with Hailey. Taking her safely away to the more populated area of the tavern.

“God what an asshole.” I said when we were safely out of earshot.

“Hmm… who?” Hailey said. Pouting like she was mad at me.

“Thorrin?” I stated the obvious.

“He seemed nice to me!” Haileu crossed her arms. Looking away from me.

Was this a joke? Or was she mad at me for not helping her sooner?

“He was groping you that whole time? Wasn't he?”

“Groping? No he wasn't…” Hailey said. Again sounding suspicious like a brazen lie.

“But… I could see your face…”

“You worry too much Mason.” Hailey continued to ignore my eyes. Her finger tapping her leg with force. “I was just… thinking…”

“Thinking?” That… that couldn't be right… “But, I thought I saw his arm around you?

“Nope.” Hailey said. Finally looking at me. “He didn't do anything inappropriate with me.”

Huh… but I was so sure…

Strange. My mind must have just been messing with me. I was super tired. Could I have just imagined things?

I… I guess I must have. Hailey still sounded like she was hiding something, but she would never lie right to my face. She had no reason to, and I don't think she was physically capable of doing it.

So strange… I had been so sure at the time, but looking back now I didn't know.

“Come on, let's go look at these quests you wanted to show me.” Hailey took my hand and pulled me away before I could think about things anymore.

With the skimpy outfit she wore, I could see her asscheeks swaying as she walked. Red and sore as if somebody had just been grabbing them. Forcing themselves into her body…

Or, just red from sitting in these harsh wooden chairs for too long. That was the far more logical answer. Right?

Right?