Intermission XIV
Within the city of Seevy, a city in the heart of Roxsis territory, a lone bar stood in the poorer part of the city. The bar, though modern in design, appeared grimy and run-down, showing signs of having seen better days. Faded paint peeled from the walls, and the once-bright neon sign flickered weakly, casting a dim glow on the cracked pavement outside. Inside, a few scattered tables with mismatched chairs occupied the dimly lit room. A full bar counter stretched along one wall, lined with bar stools that had seen better days. Behind the counter was a less-than-full shelf of bottles containing various types of cheap liquor.
Currently, there were only three people in the bar.
A hooded figure sat at one end of the bar, away from the other two, who were conversing with each other.
The two people conversing among themselves were Steve, the bar owner, and Doug, one of his regular customers. Both men were well into their fifties, their faces etched with the lines of years spent working and weathering life's challenges. As they stood at the end of the polished wooden bar counter, their voices low and gruff, they lamented the recent events unfolding within the city.
Doug: “It's such bullshit. I barely got a pot to piss in, and now the Roxsis' family is raising the taxes. All so our noble lord can pay for his stupid daughter's birthday celebration. This place has been really going to dogs since the king died.”
Steve: “I know. The nobles do whatever they want now.”
Doug: “They at least had some restraint back then, the king would put em in their place if they got too greedy. Now, there is nothing to hold em back. This is all those king fuckers faults.”
Steve: “Hey now. You can’t blame all monarchists for what’s happening.”
Doug: “Can’t I? I’ve been saying this for years. We should have gotten rid of the monarchy, like they did in the Union States. But nooooooo. The monarchy is part of our ‘culture’ they said, part of our ‘history’ they said. Well, a lot of good that’s doing us now when there is no one on the goddamn throne! Fuck the monarchists for getting us into this mess, fuck Kye Vintrox for dying and leaving no heirs, and FUCK ALL NOBLES! May they all rest in piss!”