Aramora

Chapter 6: Live Today

Nisha laughs and pats her on the shoulder. "See, you get it. Come on, let's grab a seat." She turns and starts walking towards a table with Naomi following.

They sit down and Nisha throws her gaze back to the bar counter. Behind it is a man wearing a black apron and a stained white shirt as well as black trousers. On his head is a large blue tri-corner hat with a mess of colorful feathers sticking out from all directions.

"Gnoce! I see you've gotten more feathers since last I was here. Lookin' good!" She winks back at him and he smiles winningly.

"Ah! Om'ralan, Nisha. Good to see ya. And thank you for noticing! Just got a new shipment in from Conarita with many tropical breeds, which means more color for me! Har!" he laughs and begins pouring out a drink from a keg into a flagon and carries it over, setting it in front of her.

Nisha chuckles and takes a drink. She coughs and leans back, shaking her head as her face scrunches up. "Damn, Gnoce. Your brew's gotten stronger. Not that I'm complaining. Keep it up!" she says and takes another drink, resulting in another cough.

Gnoce pats her on the back and nods. "Will do. Enjoy your drink! On the house for the only one who seems to appreciate beauty these days," he says and walks back over to the counter.

Naomi stares at Nisha in question. "Do you actually like his hat?" she asks.

Nisha laughs and sets her flagon down. "Hell no! That thing's uglier than deep-fried Orc ass. But hey, for a free drink, who am I to complain?" She shrugs and takes another drink.

Naomi eyes the flagon. "I didn't think you were old enough to drink. You look pretty young to me," she says and leans forward on the table.

Nisha chuckles and nods. "That's because I am. Gnoce is probably the only barkeep in Aramora who will serve me drinks without question because I compliment his hat. This stuff tastes like troll piss, but after a few drinks, you won't even care. I'd say it's worth it."

Naomi studies her face. "How old are you, then?" she asks.

Nisha smirks and narrows her eyes on her. "Careful there. You know a woman never tells her age."

Naomi scoffs. "That's a big lie, I tell people my age." She grins. Nisha shrugs and takes another drink.

"Probably for legal purposes. Go on, you get three guesses."

Naomi grumbles and stares at her harder. "Hm... twenty?" she says.

Nisha laughs and shakes her head. "Damn, I wish. But no," she chuckles.

She leans forward on the table as well and stares at Naomi with a smirk as she keeps thinking. "So less than twenty... eighteen? Nineteen?" Naomi asks.

Nisha holds up a finger and shakes her head. "Hey, that was two more guesses. You've used up all three," she winks.

Naomi groans and lays her head on the table. "Can't you tell me?" she mumbles. Nisha sighs and shrugs.

"Fine, only 'cause I like you." She takes another drink and sets the flagon down.

She smiles at Naomi. "Seventeen," she says.

Naomi perks up and stares at her again. "Wait, really? You're not even an adult yet?" she questions.

Nisha sighs and nods. "Shocked, I see," she chuckles. Naomi nods slowly.

"Yeah... kinda." She smiles and leans back in her chair.

Nisha cracks her neck to the side and sets her flagon down as she crosses her arms. "It's 'cause I'm so 'put together', right?" she asks.