"Hey, if you want some backstory so you know who Abigail is and the world she lives in, check out this article HERE!"
It was late afternoon in The Library Between Two Worlds, and Abigail was happily submerged in a sea of inventory paperwork. She adjusted her spectacles, her bright orange pigtails bouncing as she cross-referenced an ancient scroll with a modern index. The library, with its winding shelves and quiet atmosphere (guarded by Jelly-ton and Goober), was her perfect sanctuary.
Sudden, manic wings flapped past her ear, accompanied by a frantic, high-pitched voice. "ABIGAIL! HELP! IT'S AN EMERGENCY!"
A tiny, scarlet-skinned imp named Luci, sporting a matching red waistcoat, landed right on top of her stack of papers, eyes wide with panic. "M-monster Day! No, I mean, St. Patrick's Day! Tonight! And Lyssa called in sick! My best waitress! A succubus! She says she has 'vibrating soul syndrome' and can't focus!"
Abigail blinked, taken aback. "St. Patrick's Day? I thought only humans celebrated that. And Lyssa..." She felt a slight blush. "Waitress?"
"Tonight is the biggest night for the Underground Grotto!" Luci wailed, flying around her head. "All the creatures are coming! We’re going to be packed, and I have no one! You have to help me, Abby! We're friends!"
Abigail was reluctant. The thought of waitressing, especially around a packed crowd of creatures (even if she was comfortable with them individually), made her nervous. Being seen in a busy tavern was far from the quiet stacks. "Luci, I don't know..."
Luci landed again, his big yellow eyes tearful. "Abigail, I will lose everything! Please! I will owe you for life! I will alphabetize the entire Forbidden Arcana section with you!"
Abigail’s heart softened. Seeing her friend so truly desperate was rare. She let out a long sigh, pushing her glasses up. "Okay. Okay, Luci. Fine. I will help you for tonight."
"YES! YES! THANK YOU!" Luci cheered, zipping around and nearly toppling a pile of books.
Abigail quickly sorted her desk and walked over to where Jelly-ton and Goober were patrolling near the restricted doors. "Jelly-ton, Goober, I have a special assignment. I need you both to guard the entire library until I get back, or until closing time. No unauthorized visitors, okay? Use the bubble technique or fall on them if necessary."
Jelly-ton wobbled vertically in a firm salute, and Goober let out a bubbly, compliant gurgle. Abigail smiled, grabbing her jacket and leaving the quiet sanctuary with Luci.
They exited the library’s subterranean access and made their way through the narrow, bioluminescent tunnels leading to the Grotto.
The Underworld Grotto was indeed a safe haven, tucked away near a warm volcanic vent that bathed the cavern in strange, flickering green and purple light. It smelled of sulfur, roasted meat, and strong ale. As they entered, Abigail could already hear the raucous music and laughter.
Luci hurried her to the change room, the noise increasing exponentially. "Here we are! Just get dressed into uniform, and meet me at the bar!"
Abigail stepped in. Hanging on the rack was her "uniform." Her heart nearly stopped. It was not a simple black and white affair. It was a St. Patrick's Day specific bar maid outfit. It was an incredibly revealing costume: a tiny, tight green corset-style top with short white detached sleeves, a microscopic ruffled green skirt, matching thigh-high socks, and a white headband.
She felt a wave of pure shyness. Luci had neglected to mention this part. This made her ten times more nervous than before. But it was too late to bail now; Luci was counting on her.
Swallowing her nerves, she changed. The fit was tight, and she felt incredibly exposed, far different from her usual ruffled-skirt-and-suspenders look. She kept her spectacles, a small piece of familiar safety.
When Abigail stepped out of the change room into the main tavern, she felt all eyes upon her. The presence of dozens of different creatures was palpable. Their voices lowered for a moment as they took in the view. Monsters she knew well, and some new ones, all eyed her. She could feel their gazes. A tall werewolf, usually grumpy, was staring openly. A slime monster by the bar vibrated with subtle appreciation. Luci, waiting by the taps, knew exactly what the reaction would be; the creatures would adore her in the outfit.
She took a breath and forced herself to focus. "Drinks. Food. Orders." She grabbed a tray and started serving.
Abigail served drinks to all manner of creatures. She carried around several mugs of ale for werewolves, delivered bowls of bubbling sulfur stew to slime monsters, and filled chalices of a very specific, dark crimson liquid for vampires. The creatures themselves didn't frighten her; she had been around them all her life. She found herself blushing deeply when a large, polite rock-troll paid her a compliment or when a particularly charming vampire winked as he took his drink. She was more shy about being seen in such a revealing outfit than anything else.
As the night wore on, things got incredibly rowdy. The music swelled, and the tavern shook with the stomps of dozens of large, happily drunk patrons. The "Underworld Grotto" was a successful chaos.
In a corner booth, tucked away from the main dance floor, a grizzled Dire-Wolf named Ulric and a many-eyed Watcher named Argus sat with a fresh round of ales. They were both watching Abigail, and analysing her every move.
"I’ll say this for Luci," Ulric rumbled, his voice like gravel in a blender. "He’s got an eye for talent. I didn’t think anyone could fill in for Lyssa on a night like this."
Argus blinked three of his larger eyes in sequence. "It is... a significant change in aesthetic. Lyssa usually spends half her shift trying to harvest the patrons' life force through sheer charisma. It’s exhausting, really. You have to keep your guard up just to order a sandwich."
"Aye," Ulric nodded, scratching a tuft of fur on his chin. "Lyssa is a professional. She’s a succubus; she’s built to be seductive. It’s all 'darling' this and 'sweetheart' that, with enough eye contact to make a stone giant blush. She’s classic."
Argus turned two of his peripheral eyes back toward the bar, where Abigail was currently struggling to reach a high shelf, her short green skirt fluttering as she stood on her tiptoes. "True. But there is an undeniable... magnetism to the librarian. She isn't trying to be alluring, which somehow makes it more effective."
"It's the 'cute' factor," Ulric grunted, taking a massive swig of ale. "She’s got that friendly demeanor. When she brings you a drink, she actually looks worried that you might not like it. It makes you want to be on your best behavior. Plus..." He lowered his voice. "For a girl who spends all day behind a desk, she’s got a figure that gives Lyssa a run for her money. And that outfit? Man, it really stirs some pleasant feelings in me."
"Indeed," Argus agreed, his central eye Dilating. "She possesses a very... harmonious silhouette. It’s the contrast, I think. The innocent spectacles and the nervous pigtails versus the way that corset fits her. It’s a different kind of trap than a succubus sets, but I find myself wanting to order more drinks just to see her smile again."
Ulric let out a bark of a laugh. "Exactly. Lyssa makes you feel like a conquest. Abigail makes you feel like you’re the most important monster in the room. I think I’m a fan."
As Abigail scurried back past them, accidentally tripping slightly on a loose floorboard and letting out a tiny, embarrassed "Oh dear!", both monsters raised their mugs in a silent, appreciative toast to the new barmaid.
Soon, Ulric and Argus tried inviting her to their table to have a drink with them. "Just one, Abigail! Please?!?!"
Abigail wasn't sure. It felt unprofessional. She glanced toward Luci, who was currently laughing with a group of goblins. He caught her eye and gave a enthusiastic thumbs-up. "It’s perfectly fine! They love you! You’re entertaining them!"
Abigail, tired and a little swept up in the festive energy (and seeing that Luci was happy), finally accepted a mug of beer. Then another. And another.
The night became a blurred cascade of laughs, good times, and a surprising amount of drinking. She found herself getting drunker and drunker. The library felt a million miles away. She was laughing too loud at Ulrics' terrible joke. Eventually, her coordination failed her. After attempting to balance a full tray while dancing with a centaur, she simply... tipped over.
Abigail collapsed onto the wooden floor, spilling her drink all over herself with a big, goofy, very drunk smile, completely out of commission.
The next scene cuts away from the noisy Grotto. We are back in the absolute silence of The Library Between Two Worlds, specifically the cozy library from the first image. The only sound is the quiet scratching of a pen.
Abigail is at her desk, wearing her original librarian outfit (ruffled skirt, bow tie, suspenders, spectacles). She looks absolutely miserable. She is suffering from a monumental hangover. Her head rests heavily on one hand, spectacles are slightly askew, and she has visible dark circles under her eyes. She has a deep, visible frown and a pale complexion.
She forces herself to work, but every tiny sound in the library—a turning page, a soft squelch from Jelly-ton—feels like a gunshot. Her gaze is fixed miserably on her paperwork, a grim reminder of why she prefers books to beer. The Grotto was fun, but the library definitely had its advantages.
"Thank you for taking the time to read this short story! So, what did you think? Did you like it? Tell me all about it in the comment section! Also, if you really did like the story, please show some love and give this story a heart! Would you like to hear or see more of Abigail? I've got more stories i could share with you! I may have even heard some things about what happened in the bar that Abigail doesn't remember! Let's just say she is a pretty naughty drunk! If you are interested in that, let me know in the poll below!"