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Sween Myth-tery of Life :: Asprin Robert
Страница: 71 из 110You can turnme into a toad or make my hair burst into flame, or even whistle up some nasty creature to tear me apart if you don't want to get your own hands dirty. You can squash me or anyone else you want just to get your way ... but it doesn't make it right. Maybe it's about time someone stood up to you even if it means getting killed just for trying."
I couldn't help but notice there were some nods and mutterings of support for the youth at the other tables in the inn, and no few dark looks cast in my direction.
"All right," I said levelly. "You're standing up to me. Now make your point."
"The point is you can't just waltz in here and put moves on our women. What's more, if you try, you'll be sorry."
To emphasize his words, he reached out and gave me a shove that knocked me back. I had to take a step to recover my balance.
It was suddenly very quiet in the inn. The moment seemed to hang in the air as everyone tensed and waited to see what would happen next.
Blood was pounding in my ears.
I heard the bench behind me slide as Aahz started to get up, and I signaled behind me with my hand for him to stay out of it.
"I have no intention of putting any 'moves' on these women either now or in the future," I said carefully. "The young lady there came to my table and said that her friend wanted to meet me. I was about to comply. Period. That's it. It was an effort on my part to be polite. If, as it seems, it is somehow offensive to you or anyone else here, I'll forego the pleasure."
I looked past him to where the girls were watching.
"Ladies," I nodded. "Another day, perhaps."
With that, I turned on my heel and marched out of the place ... angry and embarrassed, but confident that I had correctly handled a dubious situation.
It didn't help, however, that as I passed through the door, a shout from the youth came wafting after me.
"And don't come back!"
Chapter Thirteen:
"The secret of popularity Is confidence. "
W. ALLEN
"HOLD UP A minute, partner. We're still together, you know."
I slowed my pace a bit, and Aahz caught up with me, falling in step beside me.
"If you don't mind the observation," he said, "that little scene back there seems to have gotten you a little upset."
"Shouldn't it have?" I snapped.
"Don't let it bother you," my partner said easily. "Locals always get upset with outsiders ... especially when their women start flirting with them. It's a problem as old as the hills. Just ask any soldier or carny person.
I couldn't help but notice there were some nods and mutterings of support for the youth at the other tables in the inn, and no few dark looks cast in my direction.
"All right," I said levelly. "You're standing up to me. Now make your point."
"The point is you can't just waltz in here and put moves on our women. What's more, if you try, you'll be sorry."
To emphasize his words, he reached out and gave me a shove that knocked me back. I had to take a step to recover my balance.
It was suddenly very quiet in the inn. The moment seemed to hang in the air as everyone tensed and waited to see what would happen next.
Blood was pounding in my ears.
I heard the bench behind me slide as Aahz started to get up, and I signaled behind me with my hand for him to stay out of it.
"I have no intention of putting any 'moves' on these women either now or in the future," I said carefully. "The young lady there came to my table and said that her friend wanted to meet me. I was about to comply. Period. That's it. It was an effort on my part to be polite. If, as it seems, it is somehow offensive to you or anyone else here, I'll forego the pleasure."
I looked past him to where the girls were watching.
"Ladies," I nodded. "Another day, perhaps."
With that, I turned on my heel and marched out of the place ... angry and embarrassed, but confident that I had correctly handled a dubious situation.
It didn't help, however, that as I passed through the door, a shout from the youth came wafting after me.
"And don't come back!"
Chapter Thirteen:
"The secret of popularity Is confidence. "
W. ALLEN
"HOLD UP A minute, partner. We're still together, you know."
I slowed my pace a bit, and Aahz caught up with me, falling in step beside me.
"If you don't mind the observation," he said, "that little scene back there seems to have gotten you a little upset."
"Shouldn't it have?" I snapped.
"Don't let it bother you," my partner said easily. "Locals always get upset with outsiders ... especially when their women start flirting with them. It's a problem as old as the hills. Just ask any soldier or carny person.