Snippet #2459115

Another day, another fat group of merchants that need shepherding. Damiyan loathed the fact that he had to deal with them, but money is money and he was in a bad way. A group of poachers had taken over his sweet spot and set up operations, meaning he'd have to spend another month or so scouring the asteroid belt to find a good rock. His specialty was cobalt, something that ship captains payed out the nose for, but it was notoriously hard to mine and in rare supply. That meant that prices were astronomical, but it also meant that those with less scruple than him would do anything to get their grubby hands on it, even if that meant jumping another man's claim. He'd tried to bring it up with the authorities, but they shrugged and said the asteroid belt was too dangerous to navigate for them.

He needed a good hard drink or five to wash the day's harsh disappointment from his mouth. His favorite place, the Orion's belt, seemed like a good stop. They usually kept some draft on tap for him, in case he wanted to splurge, which in this case he did. Casually thumbing the door button, Damiyan stepped in, grinning wide as the familar smells and sounds greeted him. He pulled up a seat at the bar and waited, noting who was in the room. A few pretty faces, but no one really stood out. Well, almost no one. Trying to make it casual, he checked out a newcomer sitting alone at a table.

" 'Ey, Bill? What's th' new mot? Ant scryed 'er glim round 'ere afore." The bartender shot him a look, as if to say 'don't try anything', which Damiyan took to be a good sign. Bill had an eye for wildcats, and this one seemed to fit the bill.

"S'aright, mate. I won' makey touchey if'n 's a scrap. Put 'er grog on me tab, there's a lad. An' I'll slam one as well." The bartender glared at him again, but finally relented with a shrug. Sliding Damiyan the beer across the bar, he took the lady's drink to her and let her know of her benefactor. Damiyan raised his mug to her with a genuine smile, laughing through the foam as he drank.