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* Rhys enters from the kitchen, putting some freshly washed and dried mugs back on the racks before making his way to the front door and unlocking it. As he returns behind the bar, he lights the lamps, brightening the Hall. "Hall's open." * Lisl strolls in, leaning her bowstaff in the corner. "Evening, Rhys. Been awhile... how have you been?" * Vallel walks in, looking exceptionally annoyed. <Rhys> Oh, I'm all right. Keeping warm. Would you like some of this special foul brew under the counter? * Adam walks in, "Evening all." <Lisl> ::grins:: I would indeed, since you're so kind to offer. But-- half a mug. This 'kick has a bit more of a 'kick than... well, old 'kick. * Vallel sits down on a stool and takes out a sheaf of papers and begins to shift through them, looking cross. "Could I get a... hm. A 'headmistress special', I think is what Professor Bluestar called it." <Rhys> Good evening, Master duNache, and Adam! It's been a dog's age. What can I get each of you? ::he commences the ritual of pouring Lisl her drink. Fetching the stone mug, checking to make sure it's not chipped anywhere, carefully opening the top of the cylinder Nacheyla presented Lisl with, and slowly decanting some of the liquid into the stone mug:: <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: Since when are you into rum, Val? <Vallel> ::brandishes the sheaf of papers at her:: Since I have to pick out another contractor to get my shop fixed. * Rhys heads into the kitchen, comes back out with a rocks glass with a few cubes of ice in it, sets it on the counter, and then puts the bottle of rum next to it in front of Vallel. "Take it easy. Start slow. It's about pacing." * Adam sits at the bar, looking curiously at Lisl drink, "I'll think I'll have a meade if you can manage it, but I'd be willing to take my chances if you can get me something that isn't sweet." <Lisl> ::frowning a little:: Another contractor? What happened? I thought your repairs were underway already? * Lisl accepts her mug from Rhys with a word of thanks. * Vallel takes a half-sip of the rum. "They quit." * Rhys plucks a mug from the racks, goes to the taps, and addresses them sternly. "Meade, for Master Adam. He's worked very hard all day, and would like some meade to quench his thirst with, so don't you make things difficult on him." <Lisl> ::raises both eyebrows:: Quit? Just like that? <Vallel> Just... like... that. * Rhys puts a mug under the tap and pulls. The plumbing starts to groan, and the lever shudders and shakes in Rhys's hand. In fits and spits, meade shoots out of the tap and into the mug. Soon enough, the mug is full, with a bit more of a head on it than usual. "Here you are, Adam. My apologies for the temperament of the taps. They're still being brought back around to normal." * Adam grins, "No problem Rhys." Takes a healthy drink. <Lisl> ::scowls:: I'm beginning to think this "civilization" is overrated. It's not improving lives... all it means is that you can't go after someone with a hatchet when they tick you off.... * Kevil pauses at the door to examine the room's current inhabitants, then enters, a long box under one arm. He bows to the room at large. "Good evening, my friends!" * Lisl takes a (small) swig of 'kick. <Kevil> ::eyes Lisl warily:: Whom are you chopping to pieces this evening, dare I inquire, Huntress? <Rhys> Good evening, Master Bard. What may I pour for you tonight? <Lisl> ::glances over at the exuberant band:: Evening, Kevil. And no one... just expressing a mild desire to. ::waves a hand towards Vallel:: Val's contractors skipped out on him. <Kevil> ::rubs a hand over his neatly-trimmed beard as he ponders Rhys' question:: I am in the mood for... something sweet. Araji would be out of the question, I suppose... A sweet wine, then, if you have such a thing, Master Rhys. <Lisl> ::mutters into her mug:: Honestly... the reputation I've gotten.... <Rhys> Sweet like a dessert wine, or not quite that sweet? <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow at Vallel:: Indeed? In breach of contract? I know an excellent solicitor, if you find yourself in need of someone to recover your initial funds... <Lisl> ::grins a little:: Try him on a glass of port, Rhys. <Kevil> ::grins:: A dessert wine would suit my present mood perfectly; thank you. * Rhys rummages around under the bar, and comes up with a small black glass bottle. He peers at the label. "Here you are, Master Bard. I can't remember who was responsible for our stocking this, but I remember it was recommended." He uncorks the bottle and pours Kevil a small goblet of the dark red vintage. <Kevil> Thank you. ::stashes his box under the bar and picks up the goblet, swirling the wine gently for a moment before taking a sip:: <Lisl> ::takes another sip of 'kick:: Y'know, I'm a little surprised the craftsman haven't been flocking to Marsember... they've got to know there are sterling opportunities for work here, these days. ::snorts:: Unless they just figure the town's too poor to afford them now. <Vallel> ::mutters into his glass:: It's not that. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: Come again? * Adam has some more meade, "Well I certainly don't mind that there's less competition." * Vallel sighs. <Kevil> Well, you may as well tell us the whole of the matter... * Vallel looks up, rather abashed. "They returned the deposit. The manager of the carpentry company decided that he couldn't - in good conscience - work for someone of my... what did he say, exactly? 'Dubious moral integrity'." <Kevil> ::blinks:: Your *what*? <Adam> WHAT? * Lisl takes a somewhat larger swig of 'kick, her eyes shading into gold as her expression darkens. <Lisl> What-- precisely-- did he say was so "dubious" about it? * Vallel mutters something nearly inaudible into the bottom of his glass. * Lisl slams a fist down on the bartop, causing all the glassware to jump. Luckily, her mug of 'kick is resting safely in her other hand. * Adam looks startled at Lisl's reaction. <Kevil> ::jumps along with the glassware, then looks at Lisl expectantly:: What was that? <Rhys> Now now. We just put the new bar in. Give it some time to acquire character before damaging it. <Lisl> ::eyes wolf-yellow, her voice thick with near-animal growl:: That... that... ::she spits a *truly* filthy term in orcish:: This has gone too bloody far. <Adam> What has? <Lisl> That seven-times damned mageling. The peeping Tim. <Vallel> ::sighs:: They're not... directly saying anything about anyone... just that... 'certain locales in which I am known to frequent have given rise to the concern of the good citizens of Marsember.'" <Kevil> ::raises both eyebrows at Lisl, then looks back at Vallel:: Why you? <Lisl> He's badmouthing the Hall. Or someone is. Smearing us.... hells! This is *worse* than the last time! * Rhys coughs quietly. "Lisl? You're frothing." * Lisl sets her mug down carefully, curling the now-empty hand into a fist, and involuntarily wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. "Sorry." <Kevil> ::sips his wine thoughtfully:: It must be more than mere "concern" to draw workmen from their pay. I wonder what they are saying... This may bear some investigation. <Rhys> Quite all right, Miss Ferinsdottir. For the moment, it is probably wiser to stay level-headed for as long as possible. Especially when making accusations. <Lisl> ::wryly:: Not my strong point, Rhys. <Kevil> ::gives Lisl a toothy smile:: It is entirely possible that - someone - is telling no more than the precise *truth* about this place, my friend... Even adventurer's bars tell their customers to walk lightly past the Hall, d'va? <Lisl> ::scowls at Kevil:: In a city that hosts Pleasure Island, where in the hells do they come off calling us of "dubious moral character"? <Kevil> ::spreads his hands helplessly:: Such questions I might ask, when I go to ask. <Lisl> ::makes a face:: Tho... granted, hard to explain to the average burgher that our demons are *good* demons... well... most of our demons, anyway... <Rhys> The invasion still is front and center on many people's minds. While I'm certain the full details of Sergeant Drilgar's role in the matter are private, fingers have been pointed, and there are those, I think, who believe that the orcs might not have come to Marsember if the Hall was not here. Not a true statement, of course, but people look for comfort wherever they might find it. * Vallel finishes off his rum, then grimaces. "Yuck." He looks at Lisl with dismay. "I didn't really want to mention it. It seems... like my problem. But it might get worse. There are several of us who depend on local businesses." * Adam nods, "Aye." <Kevil> You, yourself, might be somewhat difficult to explain, Huntress, were a person of less than trustworthy bent to inquire into your... racial background, d'va? <Kevil> ::nods to Vallel solemnly:: I depend not only on local business, but the goodwill of individual patrons... Our living arrangements lost me several patrons and a score of contracts that had been pending. More could be... uncomfortable. <Lisl> ::grimly:: No need to dance around it, Kevil. I've been driven out of worse places than this to save them worrying over the safety of their damned chickens. <Lisl> And it's not just your problem, Val... it's *our* problem. Kevil's right, it'll effect all of us, soon enough. ::frowns a little:: Damn... I wonder if that's why.... <Adam> What Lisl? <Lisl> ::shaking her head:: I had a couple of shops I supply tell me they were getting meat from another hunter. I thought... sometimes I'm away, I'm not the most regular of suppliers, I lose a few people that way. And spring's coming on full bore, it's easier to find game now. * Vallel shakes his head. "I don't... I mean, I don't even know what people *know* about the Hall that's upsetting them so much." <Lisl> ::snorts:: More likely what they don't know that upsets them. <Kevil> There, at least, I might be able to assist... ::he grins wryly:: Taproom bards overhear a great deal of talk and rumor, and are generally relatively... invisible. I might exert myself to play a few, and learn what is being said. <Lisl> ::looks sour and takes another swallow of 'kick:: If they'll have you. <Kevil> ::shrugs:: I need not give my real name when I take the floor, d'va? <Vallel> ::looks sour:: You're not exactly unknown in the city, oh brother-in-law of mine... <Lisl> ::chuckles:: Ahhh, the price of fame... still, worth a shot, if you're willing, Kevil. <Kevil> Nor is my face so celebrated as the regent's. I am certain I can find an inn or two which may not know me instantly. <Lisl> ::grins:: And if it comes to that... your sister's face isn't as well known, and I'm sure she's every bit as good a bard as you are. <Vallel> ::laughs:: I'd like to hear him... er... "her" sing in that register... * Adam grins, "I'd forgotten about that." <Kevil> ::eyes Lisl irritably:: I doubt it. Holding that much illusion together *and* singing at the same time is probably more than I can quite manage for more than a minute or so. <Lisl> ::grins wider:: Zoya'd probably be willing to help, if it came to that. Hells, Kevil, you make a better woman than I do. Not saying much, granted... <Kevil> ::snorts and almost chokes on his wine:: * Adam chuckles, "And you're proud of that fact aren't you Lisl?" <Kevil> ::firmly:: I am *not* letting Zoya turn me into a woman again. * Vallel sniggers and says something under his breath. <Lisl> ::shrugs:: Just speaking truth... "again"? Heh... she do it to you a little too permanently? <Kevil> ::answers Lisl, eyeing Vallel suspiciously:: It was an accident. * Lisl glances at Vallel and nearly snorts her 'kick instead of sipping it, turning her face away as she leans against the counter for a moment. <Vallel> So many things seem to be... accidental around Mistress Zoya... <Lisl> ::grins:: You're going to blame a wild mage for doing something deliberately? Go ahead. Prove it. I dare you. <Kevil> ::glares at Vallel:: * Vallel smiles innocently at his brother-in-law. "Just commenting on your... familial bliss." * Lisl has a mild coughing attack and glares at Vallel, as well. <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow:: I assure you, we are all *quite* satisfied with things the way they are. * Vallel smirks. "I'm sure..." <Lisl> ::coughs again:: *Gentlemen*.... ::mutters:: ...and I use the term loosely.... <Kevil> ::huffs and drinks his wine, though any looking closely might think from the twinkle in his eyes that he is more amused than offended:: <Vallel> Yes, *Lady* Lisl? ::grins:: <Rhys> Last call, everyone. <Kevil> Ah, I should be heading home. Rumors and slander must await another evening. Tonight, I have other plans. ::he finishes his wine and picks up his box from the floor:: <Lisl> ::grumbles and takes two quick swallows of 'kick in succession, draining her mug and setting it down:: Done, Rhys. * Vallel nods. "Me, as well. I don't look forward to telling Gloss about this." * Rhys carefully moves Lisl's mug off the bar and back towards the kitchen. "Hope you enjoyed it." * Adam drains his mug, "Same here." <Lisl> ::smirks at Kevil:: I'll just bet. <Kevil> Good night, my friends. Should I learn anything of interest, I will of course inform you as soon as may be. <Kevil> ::returns Lisl's smirk with a sly grin:: *Quite* satisfied with things the way they are. <Lisl> ::laughs:: Oh, go home and tend to your spouses. G'night, Kevil. <Vallel> Give Loria a hug for me, yes? And tell her she promised to make dinner for us sometime soon? Zoya's starting to think about cooking again. <Adam> Goodnight Kevil. <Lisl> ::to Vallel:: You might not want to name names... Gloss's probably more likely to go off half-cocked at this as I am. * Rhys collects Kevil's goblet and Adam's mug. <Kevil> ::winks at Lisl, then gives Vallel a horrified stare:: Better suicide than Zoya's cooking, d'va? I will remind Loria of her promise, and warn her that her kin are on the brink of starvation... <Lisl> ::shakes her head, muttering something under her breath that sounds like "Ah, youth.":: <Kevil> ::grinning again, he strolls out into the night, already humming a liquid Alani tune.:: <Rhys> Did the schoolmistress special help sufficiently, Master duNache? * Lisl shakes her head and sighs. "Time to head home, I suppose..." She frowns at a thought and cocks her head at Vallel. "Care for an escort home, Val?" * Vallel pushes a few coins across the bar. "Goodnight, Rhys. Watch out for the locals. They bite." Turns to Lisl. "Sure, why not?" He leaves the Hall with her. As they get near one of the endless canals of the city, he absently balls up his sheets of proposals and tosses them in. * Rhys takes the coins and wearily pulls them into the strongbox. * Adam drops some coins on the bar, "Goodnight Rhys. I hope we can work this out soon." * Lisl follows Vallel out, muttering softly, "So do I..." * Adam heads out the door. * Rhys takes Adam's coins, too. "Me, too, Adam." * Rhys follows Adam to the door and locks it behind him. He collects the night's glasses and heads back into the kitchen. |
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