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Adam opens the doors and proclaims, "Hall's Open!" Adam returns to behind the bar and begins wiping it down with a towel. Philister ambles in, somewhat dusty and unkempt. He makes his way to the bar and hoists himself onto a barstool. "Barkeep, a mug of ale, please." Adam: Certainly Philister. ::Adam turns to wineglass who points out a tap. Adam then fills a mug and places it on the bar in front of Philister.:: <Philister> ::takes a swig and 'points' the mug towards the wineglass:: Still using an assistant, I see. <Adam> 'fraid so. Every time I think I have these taps figured out one of them surprises me. <Philister> ::eyes the mug slightly suspiciously, then shrugs:: S’ayad’i wanders in through the kitchen door. A thick slice of fresh-baked bread slathered with butter and honey is in one hand. Her dulcimer case is slung over her back, and Eldarin (as always) rides her hip. <S’ayad’i> Good evening, all! Adam blinks at S'ay "Good evening. I thought I locked that door." <S’ayad’i> Oh, I still have a key. I duck in that way when I haven't had dinner yet. ::smiles:: Adam returns the smile, "It's all right, I just wasn't sure if I was losing my mind or not." <Philister> ::chuckles quietly into his mug and has another gulp of ale(?):: S’ayad’i wanders around and takes a seat near Philister. <S’ayad’i> I'll have an ale, if it isn't too much trouble. ::points:: That tap, there. <Philister> Evening, S'ayad'i. How's the world at large been treating you? Adam: Adam fills a mug from the tap which isn't the tap Philister's drink came from. <Adam> If you don't mind my asking, how can you tell? <S’ayad’i> ::to Phil:: Oh, fairly well, lately. The 'Dragon keeps me pretty busy most days. <S’ayad’i> ::to Adam:: Eh? Oh. I can't. * Adam blinks a few times in obvious confusion. <Philister> ::to S'ay:: And you keep their seats filled. Although, to tell the truth, I'm surprised you're still playing there. * Drach enters the hall, stumping towards the bar. His eye peers about, the other hidden beneath an eyepatch bracketed by a nasty-looking scar, and there is a very slight relaxation around his dour features. <S’ayad’i> ::laughs, then clarifies:: Well, I do remember some of the more common requests. Ale, meade, Arabellan Red... For most of the others, I rely on Eldarin's memory. ::she pats Eldarin's hilt:: <S’ayad’i> ::to Phil:: Why is that? <S’ayad’i> Drach! How lovely to see you again! * Drach regards the man behind the bar, but he doesn't seem perplexed. His eyebrow cocks slightly as he almost looks over the bar. "Haven't seen you before." <Philister> ::shrugs and has another gulp of ale before responding:: A bard of your reputation, I'd think you'd have eager students nearly battering down your door to learn storytelling and the like. <Adam> Moon Dancer hired me a little over a month ago. <Adam> Name's Adam. <Drach> Name's Drachnaerbaen. :: jerks his thumb towards S'ayad'i :: They call me Drach. I'd like a mug of dwarven rotgut if it's still served. * Adam looks at wineglass who points to a tap. Adam looks at the tap, looks at Drach, then carefully fills a mug from the tap. Adam then sniffs the contents of the mug before giving it to Drach. <S’ayad’i> Oh, I've been approached by one or two bardlets, but I'm afraid I'm a harsh and exacting teacher, and they didn't much care for it. ::smiles, amused at the memory:: * Jelarthna strides into the Hall with a bit of a jaunt in his step. He takes a deep breath, smiles, and bows to each person in turn. <Jelarthna> Good evening everyone! <S’ayad’i> I appreciate my free time. * Adam blinks at Jelarthna, then remembers Jaret, "What can I get you this fine evening sir?" * Jelarthna walks over to the bar, and smiles. <Philister> ::shrugs understandingly at S'ay, and looks over Jelarthna:: <S’ayad’i> ::turns to Jelarthna:: Good evening! <Jelarthna> I'm feeling Earthy today. How about some beer? <Philister> ::sips some more 'ale' and watches the taps:: * Drach peers at the mug, and then sniffs. "You missed by a coupla taps. Not surprising, it takes a while to get a hang of them." He picks up the mug anyways, and raises it towards S'ayad'i. "It's been a while." <Jelarthna> Good evening m'lady! It's been a long time! * Adam pours Jelarthna a mug, then empties it and tries again with a different mug. * Drach takes a sip, and grimaces slightly. "Kinda weak. What is this, orcish?" * Adam hands the new mug over to Jelarthna. <Jelarthna> Thank you, kind sir. I don't recognize you from the times I used to frequent the area. Might I ask your name? <S’ayad’i> Quite a while, Drach. What have you been up to? <Philister> [bingo was his name-o] <Adam> I honestly don't know. I couldn't get any of them right till the crystal started helping me out ::points to the wineglass:: <Adam> My name is Adam, and you sir? <Jelarthna> I am called Jelarthna. * Adam offers Jelarthna his hand. * Jelarthna sweeps into an elaborate bow. * Jelarthna shakes Adam's hand. * Jelarthna takes a sip of his drink, and looks startled. * S’ayad’i picks up her ale and takes a gulp. * S’ayad’i looks around at all the disgruntled faces. <Philister> [time for a new wineglass, the old one's batting only .250] <S’ayad’i> Perhaps you should get a new helper, Adam. * Jelarthna shrugs, and walks over to where S’ayad’i is sitting. <Drach> It vaguely tastes orcish. Same sort of, ah, stench associated with it. :: to S'ayad'i :: Been keeping busy, plenty of stuff to do. Finally got a break, so I figured I'd stop in. <Adam> It's starting to look that way. <Jelarthna> How have you been, S’ayad’i? <Philister> ::sips some more ale and screws up his face again as he tries to place the taste:: * Jelarthna performs another, more elaborate, bow. <Adam> [Actually, the wineglass is batting zero. S'ay got the right drink cause she told Adam which tap, and Jel eventually got the right drink because beer is what Adam regularly drinks.] * Drach stands on tiptoe as he pushes the mug back across the bar to Adam. <Drach> Mind if I draw my own? <S’ayad’i> I've been quite well. Last year Felis and I finally resolved a bit of a mess back in my home city, and now I'm playing most days at the Dragon's Den. <Drach> I used to navigate the taps pretty well. <Adam> Go ahead. ::shakes his head:: One of these days I'm going to label every one of these taps. <S’ayad’i> [Actually, I was figuring about a 50% chance that the tap system had been changed since S'ay's last venture behind the bar.] * Drach shakes his head. "Wouldn't do a bit of good. They swap." <Philister> ::sips some more ale and shakes his head:: Adam, I'm not sure if that'd help... <S’ayad’i> If labels would work, they'd already be labelled. <Jelarthna> That's good to hear. I've been away for a while myself, and have only just recently returned to the area. <Adam> So I'm not going crazy thinking the damn things move around? * Jelarthna smiles nostalgically at Adam's comment. <Philister> You might be going crazy, but not because of that. ::grins wickedly and has some more 'ale':: <Drach> There's a trick to it, but it's hard to explain. :: he stumps around the bar, the top of his balding pate barely visible over the counter :: Just don't believe the mugs. They're wrong most of the time. I figure it's on purpose. <S’ayad’i> There's a pattern to the swapping, and that's how Eldarin can help me. I've heard 'Dancer talking about hiring a good mage to come in here and put together a labelling system that moves with the taps - but that'll take a pretty penny. <Jelarthna> ::chuckles:: <Adam> A pattern... * Adam starts scratching his chin in contemplation of the taps. <S’ayad’i> ::nods:: The only thing that doesn't move is the 'kick. <S’ayad’i> And that's only because once any other liquid comes in contact with 'kick, it either goes bad, or turns into Mulekick itself. ::takes another swig of ale:: * Adam looks at S'ay with some surprise, "You sure? I could have sworn that one's bounced around a couple times." Looks back at the taps, "Either that or one of them's turpentine." <Philister> ::gestures with the mug at the double-row of taps:: I remember one night, it got so busy in here a third row of taps just up-and sprouted on top there. ::shakes his head slightly:: It was something to see, all right. <S’ayad’i> ::shrugs:: I haven't worked here in about two years; I suppose the 'kick could've started moving. * Drach shakes his head (notable only by the changing gleam). "Even the 'Kick has swapped around a couple times." He grabs a mundane mug from under the counter, knocks the dust from it, and blows in it. A cloud appears around his face, and he coughs. <Drach> Blast it, it needs cleaning. :: hack :: Damn. <S’ayad’i> Well I guess it might move when it had started to melt through the tap it was in to start with. ::grins:: * Drach peers intently at the taps for a few moments, then picks one, seemingly at random. He fills the mug, sniffs it, and then knocks the contents back. "Much better." He refills the mug, and returns to the correct side of the bar. <Adam> [You want me to drink this?!? After it ate through the stove!?!" <S’ayad’i> [laugh] * Jelarthna squints at Philister for a moment and scratches his head. One can almost see the lightbulb flicker to life over his head. <S’ayad’i> [afk] <Jelarthna> ::strolls over:: Philister! How have you been? <Philister> ::looks Jelarthna up and down, then realizes, yes, he has met this person before:: Jelarthna! I'm all right. Still all in one piece, which is all I really need on most days. ::grins:: And yourself? Did you ever clear up that . . . ::hushes and looks around, continuing in a slightly quieter voice:: . . that mess with the Dragons? * Drach hauls himself up onto a stool. He is finally able to actually look over the bar. "So you're the new kid, Adam? Welcome aboard." <Jelarthna> ::coughs:: Um, yes. Well, it was a rather tricky situation. <Adam> Thanks. I just hope I figure this tap system out soon. * Jelarthna idly scratches his left thigh for a moment, looking thoughtful. <Drach> It'll come to you. It's not the easiest thing to figure out, but you'll get there. :: takes a big sip :: <Jelarthna> I was on the run from them for quite a while. ::shudders:: Remarkably persistant fellows, those Dragons. <S’ayad’i> ::smiles knowingly:: <Jelarthna> It's not even like I did anything wrong! <S’ayad’i> ::laughs:: You'd be surprised how many say that... <Adam> [From Felis, or Havok S'ay?] * Drach scratches his beard. <S’ayad’i> [Both, maybe...] <Jelarthna> ::looks at S’ayad’i:: Honestly! It was all a misunderstanding. <S’ayad’i> ::grinning:: You're trying to convince the wrong person. If you've cleared everything up, then it doesn't matter anymore, does it? <Jelarthna> ::sighs:: I suppose not. Fortunately, nothing about the matter was ever really made public. Thanks to a couple of the friends I made here, anyway. * S’ayad’i raises an eyebrow. <Jelarthna> Well, they helped me get to see someone in charge and explain things without having to be locked up for a month. ::shudders:: <Philister> ::finishes off his ale and puts the empty mug down on the bar countertop. He chews his lip and stares at the mug for a moment, then looks down at Adam:: Adam, howzabout a refill? Ale. <Jelarthna> So they were willing to just drop the matter. It's a good thing calmer heads here kept me from attacking any of the Dragons. <S’ayad’i> Yes. <Jelarthna> [getting sherbert] <Adam> Sure. ::shoos Phil's mug into the kitchen, then gets a fresh one and fills it from the tap S'ay pointed out.:: Here ya go. Sorry about that first one. * Drach takes a sip from his mug. He regards another mug, which seems to be inching it's way over the counter towards him. <Philister> ::shrugs:: It wasn't distasteful or anything. Just unexpected. <Adam> [I wanna a sherbert. The kind that fly around. :) ] <S’ayad’i> [Jeff, jeff, jeff...] <Philister> [no froggy bugs for you, mister...] <Adam> [But *I* didn't want the froggy bug.] <Adam> [So have you bought her that tiger yet? :) ] <S’ayad’i> [FROGGYBUG!] ;) <Jelarthna> [huh?] <S’ayad’i> [Nevermind.] <Philister> [nah. I just threaten to paint Diamond with orange stripes and she backs down pretty fast] <S’ayad’i> [Back to the thrilling story at hand...] <Jelarthna> [I *thought* you were gonna say that...] * S’ayad’i opens her dulcimer case and begins tuning the instrument. <Philister> ::looks over the counter, expectantly waiting for his mug of refreshing ale:: <Philister> [oops] <Philister> ::takes the mug off the counter and has a swig:: * Drach beckons the mug that seems to be heading towards him. "Yes, yes, come closer. I remember you, you know." The mug scuttles over. They set to very quietly talking. * Jelarthna chugs his beer, and looks momentarily surprised at his own action. A hiccup commences. <Drach> (Well, *Drach's* definitely talking, the mug just seems to be, except it's silent.) <Philister> ::stares aghast at Jelarthna:: Oh, no. * Adam starts laughing. * Drach casts a sidelong glance at Jelarthna. Any amusement in the glance must be attributed solely to the prejudices of the beholder. * Drach scratches at his beard, then continues chatting with the mug. <Jelarthna> ::winks at Philister:: Don't worry. I've lightened up a lot since I was in here last. * S’ayad’i idly plays a light air. <Philister> ::looks at Jelarthna:: You don't understand. One of those taps has some kind of hiccup juice in it. It takes some sort of counteragent to get rid of them. <Jelarthna> Well, it *tasted* like beer. ::hiccup:: * Drach takes a sip from the old, battered mug, still continuing his conversation with the visiting mug. <Philister> ::glumly nods:: I know. It's some kind of polyflavored liquid that alters over time into other, nearby, alcoholic beverages. I did some research on it after the last time I was here. Rumor is it has something to do with a large field of grains that were caught in a wild surge of unknown origin a few years ago in Sembia. <Philister> ::shrugs:: But that's just rumor. * Jelarthna looks at his mug ruefully, and takes it back to the bar. <Jelarthna> ::waves at Adam:: Can I have some ale, please? <Jelarthna> ::hiccup:: <Adam> Sure. ::shoos the mug into the kitchen and fills a fresh one with ale.:: Here ya go. <Jelarthna> ::sips cautiously:: <Jelarthna> ::Hiccup:: This tastes just like the last drink... * Drach looks up sharply. "Wild surge?" :He then shakes his head. "There have been many of those..." He returns to his side conversation. * Adam looks at Jelarthna's drink, "You sure, I know that the same tap I poured S'ayad'i and Philister's drinks from." <S’ayad’i> [Too bad Zoya isn't here. DRACH would know about Erdian's Tower, don'cha think?] <Philister> ::looks at his mug and slowly pushes it about half a foot away:: <Jelarthna> Oh well, I guess ::hiccups, then shrugs:: it can't get any worse. <S’ayad’i> ::laughs:: Or maybe he just got the hiccups from drinking his beer too quickly. Really, Philister, if you're going to make these poor peole nervous... Adam> What's a wild surge? <Jelarthna> Pretty nasty. <Drach> :: looking up :: Something that seems to occur in this establishement far too frequently. <Adam> You mean like my getting everyone the wrong drinks? <Jelarthna> ::grins:: I remember the one time I tried to cast a spell in here. I don't think I'll try *that* again. <Philister> ::looks at Adam and sighs:: Okay, short version. There are some mages that cast spells a little fast and loose with the general guidelines of spellcasting. Every now and then they loose the handle on the spell they were casting. The magic blorps out in a fairly uncontrolled random effect. <S’ayad’i> Not quite. <Philister> [fuck. loose = lose] <S’ayad’i> [Er. not quite to "getting wrong drinks" not Phil's explanation] <Jelarthna> I don't know much about the theory, but it can happen to those of us that stick be the rules in the right, or rather wrong, places. <Philister> The drinks is different. There's some sort of pattern to it, but it's so complex that it's not readily perceivable. * Adam scratches his head, "This is why I stick to tending bar and other honest labor." <Drach> :: with an air of finality :: Wild magic congregates. That's all there is to it. <Jelarthna> ::nods to Adam:: Usually safer that way. ::looks around:: Usually. <Philister> The taps remind me of those logic problems -- you know. 'Heinrich, Veldin and Hax running for the offices of Mayor, Chancellor, and Dogcatcher. One is wearing a blue tunic, one a red one, and one is in brown. If the brown tuniced person wins the Chancellor race, and is not Hax, then...' and so on. <Jelarthna> ::looks confused:: I think I've heard that one... <Philister> Except there are about twenty 'standard' taps, and more bizarre permutations than that. * Adam shakes his head. <Jelarthna> Good luck, my friend! <Jelarthna> ::hiccup:: * Jelarthna walks back to the bar <Jelarthna> Can i have a whole lot of water, please? <Adam> Sure. ::Adam picks up a mug and disappears into the kitchen.:: * Adam returns with the mug now full of water. <Jelarthna> Thank you. * Jelarthna gulps the water as quickly as he can * Jelarthna chokes, and looks at the cup suspiciously <Jelarthna> ::HICCUP:: <Jelarthna> Ouch. * Jelarthna starts holding his breath, and taps his fingers in time to S’ayad’i's playing. * S’ayad’i slows down slightly to entice Jelarthna to hold his breath longer, smiling mischeviously. * Drach shakes his head, then shooes the animated mug away. He turns to watch the other patrons. <Philister> ::decides that since S'ayad'i isn't hiccuping his mug might be safe. Besides, he's thirsty. Drinks some ale:: * Jelarthna starts getting a little blue. * Jelarthna becomes a slightly darker shade of blue, and his knees start shaking. it appears that every so often, his body jerks a bit. Almost as if he were hiccupping. <S’ayad’i> [lol] <Philister> ::turns and watches Jelarthna with a mixture of concern and fascination:: * Jelarthna begins slowly sinking to the floor, and begins slapping it, no longer in time with the music * Adam walks out from behind the bar to make sure Jelarthna's all right. * S’ayad’i stops playing. * Drach finishes off his old, chipped mug, and it vanishes. <S’ayad’i> Jelarthna? * Jelarthna now has his back propped against the bar, and his hand isn't moving quite so vigorously anymore. You could almost swear he was a dark elf now. <S’ayad’i> [Somebody do the Heimlich Maneouver, for pete's sake!] <Philister> ::a rascally grin crosses his face, and he steathily starts to cross from barstool to barstool until he's perched over the (probably) unaware Jelarthna:: * Jelarthna begins frantically gasping in air and coughing. <Jelarthna> ::completely unaware of anything except breathing at the moment:: <Philister> ::grabs on to his hat and leans *waaaaaaay* over, right in front of Jelartha:: Boo. <Jelarthna> Aaah! ::gasp, choke, wheeze:: * S’ayad’i contemplates giving Phil the slightest of nudges, just to see if he'd fall off the stool, but thinks the better of it. * Jelarthna seems to be loosing the blueness, but moving more towards pale than his normal color... <Philister> Better? <Jelarthna> ::after regaining breath enough to speak:: Don't....*do*...that! <Jelarthna> ::waits a moment, then smiles:: Actually, I think I am! * Jelarthna jumps up and does a quick, energenic little jig. <Philister> ::clambers down off the stool, skips back to where his mug is, climbs back up that stool, and smiles happily:: <Jelarthna> Whew! That was getting annoying. <Jelarthna> ::hiccup:: <Jelarthna> ::sighs deeply:: <Philister> Looks over at Jelarthna:: Wanna try again? <Jelarthna> ::looks apprehensive:: I think I'll stay dry for the rest of the night, thanks. <Adam> [The Naked Dance!] <S’ayad’i> [where the *&(* did THAT come from??!?] <Jelarthna> [from adam...] <Adam> [I'm listening to the Jedi soundtrack.] <Philister> ::shrugs:: Your call. ::he hops off the stool and stretches:: I really have to be getting along. The Barrelstone is throwing a party tonight for their second straight month of no missing guests and I'm invited. <Adam> Missing guests? <Jelarthna> Sounds...fun. See you later. * S’ayad’i de-tunes the dulcimer and starts packing it away. <Philister> ::shrugs blithely:: Yeah, they were having a problem for a while where in the morning, someone's stuff would all be in the room, but hey were missing. It went away, though, so they haven't been too worried about it since. <Philister> [moral of the story: don't sleep in inns with moving fungi on the stairways] <S’ayad’i> I'm pretty tired, myself. Maybe Felis will be able to come home at a reasonable hour tonight... <Jelarthna> [heh heh] * S’ayad’i slings her dulcimer case over her shoulder and heads for the door. <Philister> ::walks to the door and exits:: <S’ayad’i> Good night everyone! Take care! <Jelarthna> Bye! * Drach waves at the departing S'ayad'i. <Jelarthna> I suppose I ::hiccup:: ought to be leaving as well. <Drach> [and Philister -- damn, need to pay better attention...] <Adam> Good evening then Jelarthna. <Jelarthna> [hee hee. too much conversing in different rooms?] * Jelarthna bows to all <Jelarthna> Until we meet again. * Jelarthna walks somewhat bouncingly out of the hall, his frame appearing to spasm every once in a while. <Adam> Will there be anything else for you this evening Drach? * Drach hops off the barstool. "No, thank you. The evening has been enough." He leaves a coin on the counter. <Drach> Perhaps next week. :: he stumps off towards the door :: Adam puts the coin into the strong box and begins to wipe down the bar. Adam proceeds to turn down the laps, then exits, locking the door behind him. |
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