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The bar that Mandica walks into is not what she expected. The drinks are
only half the purpose. The other half are the naked ladies dancing on stage.
Back in the 21st century and before, this was a whole taboo thing, according
to Mandica’s books. She doesn’t know all that much about the laws and
conventions, since in a non-fiction sense, she gravitates more towards
medieval history. She does know, however, that people once had pretty big
hang-ups about sex and sexuality. People who worked in places like this, or
went to them, were not respected by much of society. They weren’t even legal
everywhere. Back then, consent wasn’t all that mattered, but also dumb
things, like religion. Ravensgate isn’t just a playground for superheroes
and villains. It recreates that old timey feel of being in a dangerous town
full of criminals, and going into seedy bars that are never cleaned, and not
very wholesome.
Like everything else in the world, this type of establishment was phased out
when more personalized options became available, so Mandica has never been.
She glances over at the bar where a blonde in a black tank top is filling
glasses with a frown. That’s probably the secret identity of Cardinal Sin.
Blue Umbra did eventually recall that she goes by Mildred Schnell here, and
Mandica will use that when she talks to her. Which...doesn’t have to be
right away. She probably shouldn’t walk right up to her, or it’ll look
suspicious. No, it’s better if she sits and watches the show, like every
other person in here. It’s mostly guys, but some girls too. Same-sex
attraction was also taboo in certain periods but these were often safe
havens for those who wanted to be themselves. No one is expressing any
problem with Mandica. She doesn’t know if they’re real people, though. As
soon as she finds her seat, she locks eyes with the dancer, who is expecting
payment for the honor of feigned interest. That’s okay, she came prepared.
Blue Umbra and Wave Function, who never provided their own normal names,
hooked her up with a bunch of these pieces of paper called cash. It’s all
the rage around here.
While she’s enjoying herself, a waitress comes up and informs her that they
have a two drink minimum policy, so she has to spend more money on that too.
She orders the cheapest thing they have that isn’t only water, but also
isn’t alcohol. She doesn’t drink because it’s the 26th century, and no one
does that anymore. After Mandica is finished with her fun, she finally
stands and goes over to speak with the bartender.
“How’s the club soda?”
“Bubbly,” Mandica replies.
“Kind of the point.” The bartender says as she’s wiping down the bar.
“I’m Mandy. What’s your name?”
“I don’t usually do that. We get a lot of creeps in here, so a girl’s gotta
be careful.”
“I’m sure you could just kick his ass if one of them causes you a problem.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I tell you what.” Mandica is listlessly peeling shells off of the peanuts,
and not eating the peanuts. “If I can guess your name, you have to answer
another question, and you can’t refuse, no matter how serious it is.” She
darts her gaze from the latest peanut, up to her face. Yeah, it’s definitely
Cardinal Sin. Their costumes do not cover up enough, especially not
in the face, and for women, often not in the chestal area either. The bots
are probably programmed to ignore it so visitors don’t have to walk around
in parkas.
The bartender smiles. “Fine. But you only get one guess.”
Mandica nods, and stares into this woman’s eyes. They’re quite beautiful,
as is the rest of her. “I feel like you look like a...Mildred. No, a
Jaidia.”
Jaidia’s face falls into a deep frown. “You cheated.”
“We never laid out any rules,” Mandica reasons.
“Lemme guess, Malika sent you.”
“If that’s Blue Umbra’s real name, then yes, but if it’s not, then no.”
Their names are quite similar, which Mandica has never encountered before.
That’s probably one reason why Malika never told it to her herself.
Jaidia sighs. “What do you want?”
“I don’t care about you, or your other identities. I came to this dome to
look for someone I haven’t seen in over a hundred years. She may have
changed her name, and I never had her real name, but she used to go by
Vanore.”
Jaidia returns to her work. “Sorry, can’t help ya. You wasted your
question.”
“Oh, I dunno. I met a new friend.” This place. It’s making her different.
It’s changing her personality. She shouldn’t be so surprised. When she was
cosplaying as Modred’s lover, she usually spoke in a British accent. This is
what she does. She immerses herself in the culture, and takes everything it
has to offer, both good and bad. People quip in this world. It appears to be
Ravensgate’s official language, and she’s learning to speak it.
Jaidia shrugs. “I wouldn’t say that. I don’t make friends with heroes.”
Mandica lets out a loud chuckle that she didn’t do on purpose. “I am not a
hero. I’m just a regular person, like... I don’t read comic books, I can’t
give you a good example, but I don’t dress up in a costume and fight people.
I’m just Mandy.”
“Oh, really? Well, I suppose I don’t have a personal policy about that.
Let’s get you something stronger to drink. Pick your poison.”
“Is it real?” Mandica presses
“You mean are the drinks real alcohol?” Jaidia smiles at Mandica, leans
forward over the bar, and pauses, presumably for dramatic effect before
finishing, “no.”
“So these are all bots?” Mandica looks around.
“Keep your voice down. Jesus, you’re acting drunk.” She starts mixing
something together. “To answer your question, some are bots, which
are programmed to approximate intoxication as necessary. But visitors come
in here all the time—it’s kind of neutral ground—and they’re given
artificial intoxicant, if they want. It simulates intoxication too, using
nano-drugs, which means it can be switched off with a chaser. Is that what
you want? I was just gonna make you a virgin mead. It’s mostly honey.”
“Why would you think I would like something like mead?”
“Vanore, your friend. It’s another name for Guinevere. I’m thinking you’re
into sword and sorcery, just like her.”
“You know an awful lot about it for someone who hasn’t heard of who I’m
looking for. You weren’t lying about it before, were you?”
Jaidia finishes the mead, and sets it down in front of Mandica. “Trust me,
you don’t wanna find her. However she was when you knew her, she’s not that
girl anymore. She’s...she’s worse than Cardinal Sin, and my character is
pretty evil.”
“I don’t care. I have to speak with her. I need answers,” Mandica explains.
Jaidia hesitates. “I don’t have her address. I only know that she plays
Morgana.”
