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Speed dating at Blacktusk Inn - Part 6
🕑 Added 2025-07-08 13:26:40 +0000 UTCThe minotaur pulls two marbles out of the bag, neither of which looks like yours. He signals the goat man, who has been sitting on a stool by the bar until now (most likely due to the event not having an even number of participants), and the orc, sitting on another table next to the dragon, looking bored and mildly frustrated. The two gladly get up and go pick a table together while the minotaur shuffles his leather bag.
The bartender pulls out a second pair: one you immediately recognize as yours, and a second one, purple and dotted with yellow stars. The dragon looks your way and raises his eyebrows, signaling to join his table. You say goodbye to Charlie and sit next to him.
The dragon quickly grooms his appearance in anticipation. He first adjusts his very revealing shirt, which from afar looks made of silk, but up close appears to be composed of a more reflective, exotic material. He then quickly examines and polishes the two golden rings on his hands. You catch a brief glimpse of encrusted jewels on the sides facing his palms, possibly indicating the dragon is trying (and failing) not to look ostentatious in this part of town.
Once he’s satisfied with his appearance, he returns his attention to you as he delicately pours himself some wine. “Would you fancy a glass?”, he offers. “I noticed you shared a beer earlier, so you are not the type to turn down a drink, I take it. Especially the best wine this establishment has on offer.”
“I accept your proposition!”, you reply. “Wine is not my first choice of drink, but I’m in the mood for a deviation from the usual tonight. To whom may I thank the offer?”
The dragon makes a small gesture with his hands. “My name is Balthazar, nice to meet you.” He serves you a glass and continues. “I also know you are called Taro, you are a librarian, and you were born close to the vernal equinox. Am I correct?”
You’re taken aback. “How… how did you know that?”
Balthazar smiles. “Your month of birth, I could tell as soon as you entered the bar. The rest, I overheard from your date. I didn’t find mine particularly engaging, so my attention was pulled elsewhere.”
You instinctively put down your glass, grateful that you haven’t had a drink yet. “A-and you knew my month of birth, how?”, you ask.
Balthazar clears his throat. “I apologize if I was intrusive. It will make sense in a second. I have this ring attuned to people born under specific weather conditions, and this ring attuned to people born at under a specific phase of the moon” he says, as he points to the gemstones on the inside of his rings. “Would you tell me your date of birth? I need to know your zodiac sign before I know whether this date goes anywhere.”
You remain distrustful of this dragon that appears interested in every detail of your life other than getting to know you on a personal level, but decide to indulge him just to see where this is going. “Second day of the third month”, you answer.
Balthazar nods. “You’d be surprised how difficult it is to enchant a gemstone to tell you that. It makes the process of elimination more difficult. Now, one last thing: were you born in a foreign land? It’s not often we see one of you in this part of the continent. If so, around what meridian?.”
Comments
Roque
Oh lord they're an suburban astrology mom.
Zeke Red
Hmmm not the direction I expected this to go, but I’m intrigued. I do want to know more about Balthazar and, more importantly, what he thinks of Taro personally.
