PIANO music was playing inside the dimly lit pub. The sun had yet to set, leaving the pub empty until its usual clientele got off work. Cliff was immersed in the quiet, comforting ambience, but he couldn’t relax. He couldn’t help being keenly aware of the two lingerie-clad women sitting on either side of him.
“Oh, what an adorable young customer we have here!”
“Oh my gosh, look at these red cheeks! You’re too adorable!”
The women gushed over him in honeyed whispers, pinching his cheeks and putting their hands all over him. Chills rushed down his spine, and he shuddered as they blew on his ears.
“Hey, help me out here, Lovel…” Cliff pleaded, looking to the girl sitting opposite of him. But Lovel grinned away like an idiot in the company of two women on both sides of her as well.
“DAHAHA!” Lovel chortled. “Isn’t it a great day to have a beautiful flower on both arms?” She put an arm around each woman’s shoulders.
What in the world is she doing? Cliff thought. She didn’t even glance his way.
“Little boy? Are you listening to me, honey?”
“You needn’t be afraid of us, cutie pie. We’ll treat you extra special.”
Cornered in the booth seat by the cooing women, Cliff felt the blood rush to his head. His face felt awfully hot.
Somebody, help me… He prayed, just as the owner Miles finally came to their table.
“Okay, go ahead and eat up, sweeties! We’re famous for our turkey pita!” Miles invited, placing plates with well-roasted turkey sandwiched between pita bread in front of Cliff and Lovel.
“Oh! Now this looks yummy!” Lovel cheered.
“Th-Thanks for the food!” Cliff said.
Though Cliff had a hard time calming his nerves in this environment, his hunger won out. A juicy deliciousness filled his mouth when he sunk his teeth into the pita overflowing with meaty gravy.
Cliff and Lovel quickly lost themselves in greedily scarfing down the food and drinks brought to their table. Their bellies were bulging by the time they finished consuming every last morsel. Sitting back with a contented bliss washing over her face, Lovel looked Miles over.
“I’m still reeling in shock. Who knew such a beautiful man could exist? Must mean that infinite possibilities exist for mankind, huh?”
Flattered, Miles said bashfully, “You might think otherwise, but I look this way without cosmetic surgery. Not that I have any intention of ever getting it done, when it costs such an absurd amount of money.”
“You don’t need it! If you were to get anything done, wouldn’t it just be a sex change surgery?”
“Hey, don’t be rude, Lovel!” Cliff scolded.
But Miles just shook his hand and smiled. “I don’t mind at all, sweetheart. But aren’t you such a proper young boy? You’re so adorable!”
“Ugh…”
The beautiful drag queen’s flirtatious smile set off a whirl of complicated feelings inside of Cliff. Miles winked at him before shifting his eyes back to Lovel.
“Anyways, you said you’re a student from Head Island, right? What business do you have in these pleasure quarters?”
“I’m in the middle of searching for something.”
“You’re in the middle of a search? That some kind of new trend these days?”
Cliff had no idea what Miles meant. Lovel tilted her head as well, but she took the opportunity to dig for information. “Oh yeah, I’ll ask since I’m here… Miles, do you know anything about Sephiroth?”
“Sephiroth?”
“It’s a Silver Golem that the Torah Church created about four years ago. From what I gather, they’re hiding it somewhere.”
“Hmm, I haven’t heard of it before.” Lovel and Cliff hung their heads at the unsurprising letdown. However, Miles went on to say more than they usually received. “…But I know somebody who might know more.”
“Oh? Who?”
“His name is Ouka. He’s a Golem Artificer with a Golem factory called OUKA-AN, out on Heartbreak Hill. It seems like he was a Rabbi until just four years ago. I think asking him would be worth a shot.”
Cliff and Lovel exchanged looks.
“Four years ago, huh?” Cliff remarked. “Now that’s a funny coincidence… What do you think, Lovel? Want to try askin’ him?”
“Yeah. We might get a lead.”
They nodded to each other and stood from their seats.
“Thanks, Miles! We’ll try our luck at that factory!” Lovel said.
“And thanks for the feast!” Cliff added.
“Make sure you come back again, you hear? I’ll give you a special service!” Miles called as he saw them off from the pub.
Once outside, Cliff and Lovel rejoined Gandolf behind the pub. Lovel flashed Cliff a teasing grin as they were about to head off for Heartbreak Hill.
“Now that was entertaining! You’ve got no tolerance for women, do you, Cliff?” Lovel cackled, upsetting him.
“What the heck?! You shoulda helped me out if you noticed!”
“I left you be because it was sooo amusing! You were just too cute turning all red like a tomato!”
Cliff’s face flushed crimson yet again. “A-A woman shouldn’t call a man cute!”
“Okay, okay. I understand how you feel, so let’s get a move on it, my comrade in arms!”
“Who’re you callin’ comrade?! Comrades don’t let other comrades down when they’re in a pinch just ‘cause they find it funny!”
Bickering endlessly, Cliff and Lovel walked the road leading to the mines.