"Bartender!" Gianna called out, her voice steady despite the implications of her recent conversation with Qui’in. The Asari behind the bar turned her attention to Gianna, offering a polite smile.
“Can I get you something else?” the bartender asked, her tone warm.
“No more drinks for now, thanks. But I could use a bit of friendly advice,” Gianna responded, leaning slightly forward on the bar stool. The bartender paused, her interest piqued, as she wiped down the counter and moved closer.
“What kind of advice are we talking about?” the Asari inquired, her tone shifting to one of cautious curiosity.
“Let’s just say I’m new to Noveria and trying to understand its... complexities. You must see a lot from behind this bar,” Gianna hinted, hoping to open a channel for more personal communication.
The bartender chuckled softly, her gaze scanning the bar before returning to Gianna. “You could say that. Noveria isn’t like most places. People come here looking for opportunities they can’t get elsewhere, but it often comes at a price.”
Gianna nodded, “I’ve noticed. And everyone seems to have an agenda. It must be interesting to observe all that without getting involved.”
“Part of the job,” the bartender replied with a knowing look. “You learn to listen more than you speak. And to forget things that aren’t your business.”
“That sounds like a wise approach,” Gianna said, her eyes scanning the Asari’s face for any sign of deeper knowledge or involvement. “Have you ever heard anything about mislabeled shipments or problems with the security footage? Hypothetically, of course.”
The bartender paused, her expression neutral but her eyes narrowing slightly. “Hypothetically, things happen here that don’t always make it to the official logs. Shipments go missing, data gets lost... Noveria can be a black hole for information if you’re not careful.”
Gianna observed the bartender's careful choice of words, appreciating the mix of discretion and disclosure. “It sounds like you have to be very careful with what you remember and what you forget.”
“Exactly,” the bartender agreed, glancing around before leaning in slightly closer. “And if I were you, I’d keep a close eye on who trusts you with their secrets. Not everyone is what they appear to be on Noveria.”
Gianna smiled, a genuine expression of gratitude. “Thank you. That’s helpful advice. Maybe I’ll start by trusting those who serve the drinks rather than those who order them.”
The bartender returned the smile with a nod of acknowledgment. “Wise choice. If you need to talk, or just a quiet place to think, you know where to find me.”
With that, Gianna decided to take her leave, her mind enriched by the exchange. She had gained a potential ally in the bartender, whose insights into the workings of Noveria could prove invaluable. As she stepped away from the bar, she felt more confident about navigating the murky waters ahead, armed with a new perspective and a reminder of the importance of allies in unexpected places.
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author
