Lesson 57- It’s wrong to steal.

A quiet giggling draws my attention. I turn my smile to the shy woman and wink at her. She drops her gaze but continues to giggle.
“Have you chosen a drink yet?” I ask and she nods.
“A cider?” She requests and I grab it for her. As I hand the drink over, I take in her outfit, I didn’t realise in the dark, but her greyish brown top isn’t actually a proper hoodie like I originally thought, it’s more of a cape with a hood. Strangely I can’t see any seams on it anywhere. It looks a bit like a glossy velvet. I bet it’s soft. I’m super tempted to touch it, but the woman is already shrinking under my gaze, so I busy myself cleaning the bar where the pixies were sitting. I really don’t think sitting ON the bar is that hygienic, but I suppose I understand that it’s the only way they would be able to reach anything properly.
“My name is Rina, I only recently started working here. I’m totally human and accidentally found out about all this magic stuff so now I’m stuck here for the foreseeable future.” I tell her casually, making sure to focus on my cleaning and not staring at her. I know talking about being trapped here is a weird conversation starter, but it’s not like it’s a secret at this point, and sharing information about yourself is usually a good way to prompt others to do the same.
“I… my name is Lindy.” She answers nervously.
“It’s nice to meet you Lindy.” I respond cheerfully, glancing her way but making sure not to let my gaze linger on her. She seems a lot more relaxed when I’m not focusing on her. Based on how shy she is, I don’t really expect Lindy to want to talk much, so it comes as a surprise when she continues the conversation.
“It… It was really funny how you dealt with that man. I wish I were brave enough to talk to people like that.” She mutters the last bit so quietly I’m not sure that she actually intended for me to hear. I answer her anyway.
“How brave you are is based entirely on how scared you are, which means right now you are far more brave than I am.” I tell her gently. She frowns.
“I don’t feel brave. I’m just freaked out.” She confesses. I smile.
“That’s exactly how I know you’re brave.” I tell her warmly. She gives me a small smile.

The whiny drunk from before returns to the bar and leans on it, his chest is all puffed up and he’s sneering at me. His friends are all laughing and cheering. Great, they’ve gotten him all worked up and now he thinks he has something to prove.
“Hey human. You owe me a drink. I paid for it and I want what I paid for, hand it over now!” He demands. I sigh and turn to face him.
“Look, I’m sorry I dumped your drink, and I’ll give you your money back if you like, but I’m not giving you more alcohol I don’t know how many of your friend’s drinks you’ve had but you’re emotional and kind of belligerent.” I answer. His eyes are a little glazed and I’m not totally sure he’s following the conversation. Still, he holds out a hand, I assume for his money. He takes it and turns to leave.
“Human bitch.” He calls out behind him. Lindy glares.
“What an asshole.” She whispers to me. I don’t know what kind of supernatural the guy is, but he must have pretty decent hearing because he whirls on the spot.
“What did you just call me?” He takes a step towards Lindy who cowers back from him, immediately going pale under his glare.
“I… I didn’t mean… I just…” She stammers, clearly panicked. She clutches her cape anxiously. The movement draws the man’s attention to it and his eyes widen.
“Hold up, you’re a selkie! HAH! I’ll teach you to call me names!” Before I can work out what’s going on, he launches himself towards Lindy and grabs her cape, attempting to wrench it away from her. She is clutching it tightly and shaking.
“No, let go!” She insists. I jump forwards, leaning on the bar with my feet dangling in the air and I grab the cape in one hand and dig my nails into the man’s hand with my other. He yelps and lets go, jumping back, then turns and shoves me back off of the bar. I fall and land on the floor, ass first.
“Ow!” There is a loud thumping sound and I force myself to my feet, looking around wildly for the man… But I can’t see him. Instead, Torin is standing in front of me on the other side of the bar.
“Are you okay?” Torin asks, clearly concerned. I nod wordlessly, still trying to figure out what happened. Lindy is cowering in the corner, clutching her cape and staring down at Torin’s feet. I lean over the bar and see the drunk, passed out.
“Did you just.?” I don’t quite know what to say. Torin nods, but he’s already turning away, towards the guy’s friends who are all getting to their feet and yelling at Torin for hurting their friend. Actually they’re accusing him of killing the guy. How dumb are they? He is clearly still breathing, just knocked out.
“Rina, go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.” Torin orders. I hesitate for a second, not wanting to leave him behind. But he seems so calm and confident.
“Okay.” I answer, then glance at Lindy who is still cowering in the corner.
“Lindy… Come here.” I tell her softly, stepping around the bar and holding a hand out to her. She lurches forward and clings onto my hand with one hand while clutching her cape with the other one. I lead her out of the bar and we end up in my bedroom. Lindy sits on the recliner, she undoes her cape and drapes it over herself, then begins checking it for signs of damage, looking more and more relieved when she realises that it’s okay.
“I’m sorry. You were nervous about coming here and you got attacked.” I tell her guiltily. She only came inside because I encouraged her. Lindy looks up at me with wide eyes.
“No! It’s not your fault. You saved my life just now!” She insists. I raise an eyebrow.
“The guy was a jerk, but I doubt that he was planning to kill you.” I say soothingly. She shakes her head.
“You don’t understand, I’m a selkie.” She says it as if it means something, but I have no idea what.
“...And? I don’t know what a selkie is.” I admit.
“Oh… I’m… Oh… Well, selkies are shapeshifters. I can turn into a seal, or a human. But when I’m human I carry around my seal skin.” I raise an eyebrow and she smiles weakly.
“It’s not as gross as it sounds. It’s magic.” She pats her cloak lovingly.
“Selkies… We don’t often leave the water, people like to try to steal our skins.” She explains and I frown.
“Why the hell would they want to do that?” I ask, a little creeped out. She sighs.
“Lots of reasons. If you wear a selkie’s skin you can breathe underwater, and you don’t feel the cold. But worst of all, if you have a selkie’s skin, you control the selkie. You can make us do whatever you want and we couldn’t resist. It’s slavery with no escape. We can’t even return to the water because without our skins, we’re stuck as humans.” She explains and my jaw drops.
“That guy was trying to ENSLAVE you?! What an asshole! Well, you don’t need to worry about him anymore. Torin will take care of him.” I promise. There’s no way any of those guys will be allowed back in here after this.
“I’m sorry that people treat you so badly. I can’t imagine what it’s like having people desperate to make you a slave.” I shudder and Lindy frowns.
“Can’t you? You told me you are trapped here. Aren’t you the demon’s slave?” She asks nervously. I shake my head.
“Nah, it’s not like that. I’m paid to work here. As for the rest… It’s complicated. But Torin isn’t a bad guy. He’ll make sure we’re safe.” I promise. Lindy gives a shy nod and snuggles back into the seat, her eyelids drooping. I guess the adrenaline is wearing off. What did I do to deserve being attacked two nights in a row? I think I’m ready to sleep for a week! But instead of going to bed, I just sit on my bed and wait for Torin.