The following takes place after the events of Episode 2

Talia placed a highball filled with a putrid, green concoction down in front of Max. "Drink up!"

He stared at the drink and his stomach rumbled. "Is this the house cocktail that knocks people out first sip?"

"You get that if you out another vampire in room." Talia leaned against the bar and continued, "I set up rules so hunters don't go killing everything in sight. Outside tavern, it's open season."

He looked at his watch. "It's after eight, I shouldn't be --"

"Do you want to get better or not, Max?" I nudged him.

Max picked up the glass and chugged the whole concoction. Within a few seconds he shivered. "Hey, I think that hit the spot. My face doesn't feel like it's gonna explode."

"I wouldn't rely on potion alone." She took the highball off the table and handed it to Bartender. "It will prevent blood loss and ease the pain, but you should see doctor for broken nose."

Max reached into his pocket, but before he could pull out his wallet, I left a banknote on the table. "Drinks and food are on me. I'll help you with your financial problems just this once, but don't expect me to help you again."

He lowered his head and stared at the floor. His hands began to flap, but he got that under control. "I'll pay you back someday."

"You don't really have to--"

Max raised his head. "I'll pay you back someday. I promise I'll--"

And before he finished his sentence, one regular, Preeti, walked past us. He leapt from his stool and stopped her in her track. "Hey, is it true you have a horse-sized tiger?"

Preeti scowled and walked away, muttering something in whatever language she speaks. It wasn't Hindi that's for sure.

"Come on! I didn't even use the word!"

A heavy set man sitting at the bar turned around and yelled at Max, "Take it down a notch, would you?!"

Max had a puzzled expression on his face as he walked back to his seat.

"You're being too loud," I clarified. "It took me some time to figure out what that meant when people say it."

His face lit up once he understood why he was yelled at. "Sorry," he apologized to the man in a whisper. He turned his attention to me and said, "I forget to use my indoor voice sometimes."

The man said nothing and returned to his fancy cocktail with the olive in it. Talia, being the best Tavern owner she is, walked over to him to ensure he wasn't too pissed off. He was a tiny bit pissed, but it wasn't from Max yelling.

"What kind of nut believes vampires exist? Or shapeshifters? No one here's sprouting fangs or growing tails. I'd be feasted upon the moment I entered the room."

Social Justice Werewolf, who heard the disparaging remarks, wanted to shift and maul Mr. Bald and Fat, but Preeti held her back. Hell, I wanted to slap the non-believer in the face and fuck with his mind, but Bartender put a finger to his lips and shook his head.

"I've seen my share of crazies," Talia said as she prepared another drink. "I can't say I've seen many vampires or shapeshifters."

"And people have been saying that the Metropolis is full of supernaturals." He took a sip of his drink and loosened his tie. "Not one have I seen the day I arrived here. I believe people claim such status as an excuse to get away with murder."

And right on cue, a woman who could pass for Carmen's cousin yelled from the top of the stairs, "Murder! There's been a murder!"

Activity in the tavern came to a standstill. The live band stopped playing mid song. The darts player froze in spot just before releasing the dart from his fingers. Even weirder was the white ball from the foosball table floated in mid air. I suspected one of the players, a witch, had charmed the thing and fixed the game, but that's not important.

Anyway, Bartender stopped drying a glass and tossed the towel onto his shoulder. "Nuzhno pozvonit v policiyu?" he asked Talia in a hushed voice.

"Pozvoni," She replied in the same tone. "Make sure to ask for Vonner. I'll go check the room."

But before any of them took action, the man had something to say about the situation. "Maybe I should go up with you." He took out a badge and on it were the words "Metropolis Police Force" with a crescent hovering over an upside down star in the centre. "I recently transferred over from Metro City."

The whole room groaned.

"Why does everyone groan at the mention of Metro City here?" Max asked. Yet he, too groaned with everyone.

"Save it for another episode, Max."

Where was I? Oh yes! Talia waved her hand at Bartender, instructing him not to make the call.

"I'm sure our guest will show you where the body is. I'll join you shortly." She squinted and displayed a huge grin.

So the pig, I mean the police officer, headed to where the lodgings were in the building. Talia stayed behind the bar nonchalantly mixing drinks along with Bartender. Sure she should've accompanied the cop to where the woman found the body, but there was something neither Max nor I were aware about at play. And it started with the screaming woman suddenly appearing right behind us.

"That doubting police man is in for quite the treat," Frieda Tan, her name turned out to be, said.

"You mean, there's no dead body?" Max asked.

She chuckled, though it was more of a cackle when she made it. "Just watch."

Then it all clicked. I didn't have to look to know what happened next. I've seen it before and I swear it's not a pretty sight. Then again, Southeast Asian vampires picked up quite the strange and disgusting traits.

The cop screamed as he ran down the stairs. What followed him was a floating head with its digestive system and lungs still attached. What's even strange is that it doesn't leave a blood trail. I've seen it before and I wasn't too keen on seeing it again. Fanboy Max on the other hand was jumping for joy.

"Woo! That's my girl!" Frieda cheered on the floating head. Everyone else cheered the head on too.

I turned my gaze to Frieda and asked, "So, if she's, um, penanggalan, does that make you --"

"Am I one? Jenab used to be a witch like me until she was assigned to be a midwife to another in our coven. She fainted at some point then woke up with the ability to separate her head from her body."

"I see."

Max too had something on his mind. "I thought she'd only go after pregnant women."

Frieda pushed in a bar stool to make a path. "When she's in that state, she can't tell the difference between a budding obese male and a pregnant female. He deserves a good scare not only for disrespecting all of us, but for sniping the last, free, legal parking spot as I was about to back in."

And it's a good thing I don't need the use of a car to get me to places. Then again, I've used the bus enough to be annoyed at people who use the empty seat for their bags.

"So, any of you want to see how Jenab reattaches herself?"

I lifted my eyebrows and nodded no. "I'll pass."

Max said nothing, but he headed straight for the stairs.

He sure is a fanboy.

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Unchecked Russian translation: Bartender asks if he should call the police.