Here is the story of how I became a Mostro Lounge part-timer:
One time, I was eating lunch by myself when I heard that the Octavinelle dorm was giving out free drinks. Being the broke student that I was, I decided to head for the Mostro Lounge to get some. After all, only a fool would hear of such an offer and turn the other way. I was no fool.
At least I thought I wasn't, not at that time.
It was a turnover party for the new dorm leader. Azul Ashengrotto was his name. Quite a mouthful, but I remembered him. We shared one class. Okay, that pipsqueak was actually a dorm leader now? Hm.
The cafe was filled with students from different dorms. And I just casually walked, touching shoulders without really talking to anyone. I was just there for the drinks, so why bother?
Did I get what I came for there? Oh, definitely. I was presented with a glass filled with a flaming blue substance. It looked quite different from what the others were having, but I thought maybe it was another kind of beverage on the house, you know?
Not paying attention to anything else, I took a sip, but before I could help myself, I've already downed the glass.
I didn't notice Azul Ashengrotto standing behind me, not until he cleared his throat and I had to look over my shoulder.
He smiled at me, but his eyes were clearly staring daggers.
"My, you seemed to have enjoyed that."
I gulped, licking my lips. Of course, it was super. I was going to leave, but then the pair of infamous twins started blocking my way. The Leech brothers. I’ve had a few classes with them too.
"Azul, we'll get you another one." Jade Leech speaks, looking at me with strangely apologetic eyes.
"Oh, forget it, Jade. I can get something else."
"Eh? But you waited months to get a gram of akoya pearls." Floyd Leech snakes an arm around my shoulder. "And this nudi just took it away."
The air thickens and I looked at each of them; then they gave each other knowing stares before settling their sights on me. This staring game went on and I felt my hands going sweaty.
That was when I realized I made a mistake.
"I'm sorry, I thought it was free. I can pay for it if you'd like?"
That was my second mistake.
How in the world was I supposed to know akoya pearls were expensive as hell?
Right there and then, I was subjected into a life of servitude. Remember, there’s no such thing as free lunch. Although it could have been -- had I not touch that stupid drink.
At first, I thought it was going to be the end of me; how I’m going to be worked to the bone with no salvation to come my way.
Yet surprisingly, Mostro Lounge has grown quite interesting the past months. There's always music and I get free leftover food -- most of all, I always know what those three are up to. With the way they’re always whispering, and sometimes, with the occasional bursts of ideas, it’s not hard to listen in on their conversations.
If that’s not the best takeaway from this, then I don’t know what is.
