[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho turned to the woman who had just approached the bar and had spoken
to him. His mouth and the front of his shirt were covered with crumbs,
but he was smiling as he happily munched on another cookie. -I haven't
had cookies in a long time. I could get used to this...but I won't-
He now fixed his incredulous look on the woman who had just offered to
pay for his meal. "You want me to do you a favor and will pay for
my meal. And the favor is you want to draw my picture? Something
that most other artists charge people to do?" He seemed confused
by the idea. "What's the catch?
[M'eyeke]
He continued to shine the glasses and place them on the shelf behind the
bar as he watched the events unfold before him. He was hopefull the
kid would accept the offer and would be able to pay for his food.
If he didn't, well, M'eyeke had known he would probably not get paid for
the fare anyway. "Damn straight kid. Sounds like a good offer
to me." It wouldn't hurt to encourage the boy. M'eyeke noticed
that Stan was up to his old tricks again, but knew that Khanndie could
handle him and herself just fine. If Stan got too insistant M'eyeke
could always show him the door.
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho also watched how Stan was behaving towards the nice lady named
Khanndie who had offered him the cookies to begin with. His eyes
narrowed imperceptibly as he decided what he would have to do about that
man later. He turned his attention back to the second kind woman
who was now offering to pay for his meal. -I should have visited
this place a long time ago-.
[Daron]
Daron met Rudolpho's gaze. "No catch." She turned her attention to M'eyeke. "This should cover his meal." Four thin gold coins found their way to the bartender. "Plus get me and the lad here some of that marvelous-smelling stew you have today, and some milk for each of us. Please have Khanndie bring them over to my table, thank you." She looked back at Rudolpho. "So, it's a deal, then?" She smiled at him, her green eyes twinkling, and put an arm about his thin shoulders.
-Faith, but I don't know if I have enough gold to keep him fed properly! Though, by all that's holy, I'll sure give it a try...-
"Well, come along and bring your food with
you, then, now there's a good lad. My name's Daron. What's yours?"
[Rudolpho]
-Uh oh. Her eyes are twinkling. She seemes like she is being
honest but I think I'll keep an eye on her anyway.- Rudolpho allowed
himself to be led to the table. As he walked with Daron to the table
he gently picked a fallen hair from her head off her shirt. He then
quickly pocketed it and began to talk. "Well..O.K. My name is Rudolpho.
Are you an artist? Do you stay in town a lot. I don't think
there is such a good market for art here. Maybe you should consider
taking your stuff on the road. Gee, that's a nice shirt. Where
did you get it? I have seen them selling those down by the Wagon
Wheel Inn. Is that where you got it?" Rudolpho would have continued
with his litany of comments and questions had he not seen the two men sitting
at the table. "Oh! Hi there gentlemen. My name is Rudolpho."
[Pierre]
Pierre smiled gently. "Greetings, Rudolpho.
I am Pierre."
[Keir]
Keir looked up while absently dabbing up
the last few drops of gravy with a buttered roll. "Well met master Rudolpho,
I am Keir, Keir Ti'Kar." He was astounded at how informal Big Folk were
and chided himself for nearly falling into it himself. Dropping the roll
he held his hands out, palms up, in greeting.
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho saw the diminutive man (at least by older people's standards), who sat at the table eating. The man greeted him kindly. -That's better than a lot of people do.- "Hello there Keir. Nice ta meet ya." Unsure what the upheld palms meant Rudolpho copied the gesture, shrugged, then took one the man's hands and shook them.
[Keir]
-A polite young man at least,- Keir thought as he awkwardly withdrew his hands after the shake and bowed his head. -But mischievious eyes- He had seen that look before in youngsters and it usually meant they were up to something. He went back to finishing his meal, wondering if he could afford seconds.
[At Laurelyn's table]
[Laurelyn]
Laurelyn was blessing the fact that the
Pup had quieted - she wasn't sure how the innkeeper of The Sea Wench would
feel about a puppy. She pushed the door open and led the way into a crowded
common room.
"Looks like they're having a busy night,"
she commented, looking around the number of occupied tables.
[Daron's Table]
[Pierre]
Pierre's face paled as he caught sight of the woman silhoutted in the doorway. But--gracious! How could it be? Then she moved so that she was in color, and he relaxed. No, that was not Abigail. She had the same height and structure, and he could easily see how a blackened image of her would remind him of his sister.
-Abigail is in my thoughts too much,- he
told himself. -She would have liked me to be happy.-
[Laurelyn's Table]
[Olga]
"Hello, hello!" Olga boomed out. She went
up to the newcomers. "Welcome to the Sea Wench. Sit, you will be
well treated." She leaned down and scratched the pup's ears. "This
little one looks like he could use a steak."
[Laurelyn]
Laurelyn smiled and said, "Thanks!" As
she had feared - the Pup had made itself known - by sticking its nose and
part of its head out of an opening it had been working on. But at least
the staff seemed friendly to animals.
She followed Olga to a table and asked,
while she slipped the backpack from her shoulders and set it on the floor
by her chair, "What's on the menu? And do you have rooms available?"
[Olga]
Olga smiled to herself. She enjoyed conversing
with the customers, "We have the normal meat, potatoes, vegatables. Our
freshwater seafood is second to none, and for dessert we have several cakes
and pies. And, of course we have rooms. This really isn't tourist season.
Shall I put you down for any?"
[Laurelyn]
"Three," Laurelyn said, "But I'll wait for a minute on the food - could I have a mulled cider?" She had a sneaking suspicion that Jacques had no funds, but he might be able to get food and room for a performance. If it looked unlikely she'd fund him this time around. Normally she'd barter a night's lodging for a performance, but she was too tired this evening to try.
She was comfortably funded and was relieved to put the Republic's coin to good use. It weighed heavily in her purse, though she wouldn't spend it foolishly. And she still had a healthy portion of her original travel funds. To most coin was coin, but somehow it made a difference to Laurelyn these days.
She watched Olga head back to the bar.
[At the bar]
[M'eyeke]
M'eyeke waited until Khanndie returned from one of her rounds and nodded
his head at the puppy. "Are we gonna give it a free steak too?" He
turned around and brought down some of the clean glasses in preparation
for the drinks that the newcomers might order.
[Khanndie]
"Nah, I figured maybe a drumstick for the puppy," she snapped back, "though
Olga looks like she might toss in a steak for it." Loaded her tray
back up with the milk and two bowls of stew that the artist had ordered
and headed back across the open floor.
[Olga]
Olga turned to the others. "A free steak is nothing we can't afford." She smiled at them. "After all, we've been giving Killer free food since he was a puppy." She gestured to a large Saint Bernard, who certainly lived up to his name. After all, three times a day he would wake up, turn around, and go back to sleep. Certainly there was a chance he had stepped on one or two ants in that time and killed them. "And," she reminded them. "I do have seniority over you."
[Daron's Table]
[Rudolpho]
"Hi, Pierre nice to meet you. Have you know Daron long? I just
met her. She paid for my meal but you probably know that since you
were just watching the whole thing although I don't know if you heard the
whole thing but I could repeat it for you. Oh look, new people came
in and they have a puppy too. I wonder if I should talk to it.
Nah maybe later. So you come here often?"
[Pierre]
Pierre smiled. This young man certainly
was talkative. "I am afraid that today, too, is the first day I have met
Daron. I will agree with you, though. She is a wonderful person." He cleared
his throat. "I must admit to being a regular here. I live right in town
and often I will come to play my lute and perchance sing a song or two."
[Laurelyn's Table]
[Jacques]
Coming in a little after Laurelyn, Jacques
was in time to see another woman fussing over the animal. He sighed. That
was undoubtedly the problem he'd been having with women - he didn't have
much in the way of fur, floppy ears, or a wet nose. Well, not often a wet
nose anyway.
He scratched at a bushy white eyebrow,
and wandered over to the table, bells ringing faintly with each step. Well
there was certainly a crowd, though whether anyone would actually pay for
a spot of juggling, fire-eating, or whatever else he could coax of his
weary bones was debatable.
Pulling up a chair instead, he spun it
sideways to the table and sat leaning against the chair back to keep himself
from falling asleep.
"Better watch that animal, miss," he said to Olga. "He's a trained attack animal. We try to keep him hungry so he'll do his job. So I'll have his steak instead. And if you've got any decent lager, a couple of bottles would be a good start."
[Laurelyn]
Laurelyn nodded to Jacques and said "thank you" as Olga returned with her mulled cider.
[Olga]
Olga placed her arms across her ample frame.
"Trained attack animal?" Doubt showed in her voice. "I seriously doubt
that, sir." She quickly became business. "So, you'd like a steak and ale,
hmmm? Have you the means of payment?"
[Jacques]
Shuddering, Jacques shook his head - making the bells ring furiously. "No, no. Not _ale_. _Lager_. Or, if you don't have any decent lager, anything likely to make me unconscious after the fifth drink will be fine," he said quickly.
[Daron's Table]
[Khanndie]
The waitress nodded in acknowledgment at Pierre, who had performed at the
Sea Wench before, and at the strange little man in the other seat, as she
set the milk and stew before Daron and Rudolpho. "Y'all need anything
else, just wave me down." She half-expected the boy would be asking
for even more food, judging by the way he had wolfed down everything set
before him so far.
Khanndie turned to the next table and made change for the customers there,
and dodged another grope by Stan as she made her way back to the bar.
"Keep yer hands to yerself," she told him again, readjusting her short
skirt. The "uniform" certainly helped increase the tips, but the
louts like Stan sure could be a bother.
[Laurelyn's Table]
[Jacques]
He grinned and flipped of his jester hat
with a flourish. "If you would be so kind, fair lady." There, perched on
the top of his balding head was a pink rose. He reached up with his free
hand, and passed it to Olga, and replaced his hat with a discordant ringing.
[Olga]
Olga took it. "Thank you."
[Jacques]
Jacques hoped the rose would work. It'd
been hell having it itching up there all the way from the stables....
[Olga]
"However," she continued. "A rose does
not keep a business in action." She took in his clothing. "Our regular
entertainer is unable to perform tonight. If that outfit is more than decorative,
do you think you would mind a performance? Of course, you would recieve
a meal, with drink and dessert, and a night's sleep."
[Daron's Table]
[Daron]
Daron's cheeks reddened a little, both
from Pierre's compliment and from the realization that she hadn't _properly_
introduced herself to her dining companions.
"Forgive my earlier lack of manners, please."
She regarded each of the table's occupants in turn as she spoke, "My name
is Daron Innes. And, as some of you already know..." She winced
a little at that remark. "I'm an artist."
[Keir]
His plate empty, Keir nursed his remaining
ale and wondered if he'd *ever* get any service without yelling or thumping
someone. "This certainly seems like a popular place." he muttered to no-one
in particular. He'd swallowed hurriedly when the waitress was here but
she had dashed off before he could order.
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho had heard Keir's grumble and had noticed the man's plate was empty.
"Hey Khanndie! Can you bring my friend some more food please?"
When he turned around to shout the question he noticed the new people who
had entered the bar and Stan being troublesome and trying to grope his
new waitress friend again. -Time to do something about that.
I bet he wouldn't be able to buy any more drinks if he didn't have any
money.- He saw Khanndie bringing the food and drink and saw his opportunity.
He hopped off the seat and said "excuse me but I... have to go to the bathroom.
Rudolpho headed toward Stan's direction as he made a great show of looking
for an adjoining privy (knowing there was none). He did not forget
to tip his head in a self important air about him as he looked. He
turned his head and tripped "by accident", falling into Stan's table, and
knocking his drink into his lap. "I'm terribly sorry sir" he said
as Stan jumped up (as he expected him to) and tried to wipe the drink off.
Rudlpho quickly spotted the money pouch and freed it from its restraints
in a way that no one would notice...hopefully. He quickly emptied
the contents into a pocket and replace the sack before Stan sat down again.
Apologizing profusely once
again Rudolpho left the bar for a moment, long enough for it to seem
as if he had used the privy, then walked into the Inn and back to the table.
"Sorry I took so long!"
[Keir]
Keir shook his head and frowned. Having
watched Rudolpho's little adventure he checked his own money purse, not
that there was much there worth protecting but it was all he had. "Time
wasn't all you took was it?" he asked in a dissapproving tone.
[Daron]
Daron quickly finished the delicious stew and drank her milk. She didn't care too much for the beverage generally, but she didn't want another meade yet. She wasn't used to drinking much, anyway.
Once again, she felt the "urge" to draw. Sighing resignedly, she picked up her artist's tools and began another portrait.
This time, it was of a young woman, dark haired and pretty. Large hoop earrings dangled from her ears. She bore a strong resemblance to Rudolpho.The expression was stern, yet kind.
Finished, Daron showed it to Rudolpho. "I think you should see this," she stated simply.
[At the bar]
[Thomis]
Thomis took in the occupants of the common room quickly as he entered behind
Laurelyn. The storyteller was right, the Sea Wench was busy that
night, with most of the tables occupied. The clientele here, though,
was less ... varied ... than that to be found at the Dragon's Inn, consisting
mostly of farmers and laborers of one sort or another. In fact, only Jacques
and another customer -- a short fellow -- really stood out among the crowd.
Not a very noisy group -- yet, anyway -- the rowdiest set being three who
looked to be regulars, with one large red-faced man who seemed intent to
make the other waitress dodge and weave through the tables to avoid him.
"I'm going to go to the bar," he said quietly to Laurelyn, leaving Jacques
and the puppy to charm Olga to make his own way across the room.
"Do you carry any brandy?" Thomis asked the bartender hopefully. For some
reason, he felt a taste for brandy. Perhaps it was that Mesani I'Se
always had asked for brandy when they were traveling.
[M'eyeke]
M'eyeke reached for the brandy he kept stocked behind the bar as he replied "Damn straight". He poured the brandy into one of the prepared glasses and set it in front of the man who stood before him. He looked at the man, considered him, then filled the glass slightly fuller than he should for the money. He then corked at the bottle and grinned at the man. "You sir, if you don't mind me saying, look like you need it."
[Laurelyn's Table]
[Laurelyn]
Laurelyn sat back - relaxing after the long
ride. She was hungry, but she also was ready for a hot bath and a soft
bed. She hoped the beds were soft at the Sea Wench - she knew it was a
lot to hope for a feather mattress, as opposed to straw. She also knew
that she had gotten spoiled by sleeping at the Dragon's Inn.
She watched Thomis head for the bar, and
wondered what he needed. From what she had seen Thomis wasn't much for
liquor. While he was gone she watched Jacques trying to woo the waitress.
On the floor the Pup squirmed around in
the backpack.
[Jacques]
Jacques turned back to Olga. He'd been momentarily distracted by a slight disturbance at the far end of the room, where some young lad had relieved one of the patrons of his money. It had been well enough done, but Jacques had had enough experience - on both ends - of such a trick to spot it.
"Well," he replied with a mischievous grin to Olga, "that rather depends on what sort of foolery you'd be wanting. It's too late in the evening for jokes, and I'm too saddle sore to do much tumbling."
He snapped his fingers, and another sharp
crack rang out, followed by a wisp of dry grey smoke.
"How about a little magic show for the
kiddies?" He nodded towards the table the boy had come from - and where
it appeared there was something of a collection of young people.
[Daron's Table]
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho's eyes twinkled but he remained straight faced as only the Gypsies
could. "Yes sir, I relieved myself as well." He ate a bit and
watched the assortment of new people at the Inn and all the goings on.
He noticed Daron drawing and assumed she was drawing him. That had,
after all, been the conditions of his meal. He tried to keep still
for her as she drew. All the mischief drained out of his face when
Daron showed him the picture she had drawn. "I thought....you said
you were
going to draw...me." His voice trailed
off at the end. He looked at Daron and back again at the picture.
He then glanced at the others at the table and noticed they were watching
his reaction. "Excuse me, ummm..i have to go..to get..to go get...
I have to go." Rudolpho tried hard not to cry, but the tears had
begun to come unbidden to his eyes. He got out of the chair, ran
towards the door bumping into Khanndie on the way out. As looked
up at her briefly but did not apologise as he rushed out. He ran
into the alley behind the Sea Wench and sat down. He never even noticed
the tears falling on his shirt from his eyes and being absorbed by the
material.
[M'eyeke]
M'eyeke saw Rudolpho out of the corner of his eye running for the door. He looked at Khanndie and her undoubtedly suprised expression that seemed to say "what happened". M'eyeke shrugged. "Maybe he had to go to the bathroom again? You on break?"
[Daron]
Daron upset her chair in her haste to get up and follow Rudolpho. "Hell and damnation!" she cried. "Excuse me, please--I must--I'll be back!"
Daron left the Sea Wench in such haste she left her possessions behind. Her search for Rudolpho soon bore fruit. She scuffed her feet deliberately so he could know that someone was there. The sight of his tear-streaked face as he looked up made tears appear in her eyes as well.
"I'm sorry, Rudolpho. I didn't mean to upset you--honest." She sat next to him--not too close, for fear that she would spook him into leaving before she finished her explanation. "I 'saw' that woman in your thoughts." She continued on, hoping he wouldn't run off, "I wish I didn't _have_ this 'gift'!" I promise, I _will_ do your portrait. I didn't lie to you. And I'm sorry I upset you. Truly."
Daron wanted to hug Rudolpho. But she knew, from experience with her favorite cousin Brendan--{about the same age, too, as this one!}--he might think such affection was "unmanly".
She took a chance and gave him a reassuring pat on his thin shoulder anyway.
Daron realized with a start that she'd left everything behind in the Sea Wench. Including her money pouch.
"I forgot my things! And I'll need
at least _some_ of them to do your portrait." She decided to take
another chance. "I've got another shirt like this one in my sack.
You can have it if you come in with me..." She met his teary brown
eyes with resolve. "That is, if my things are still there when we
go back in. Consider it...partial payment for the hurt I caused you.
What do you say? Is it a deal?"
[Keir]
-Hasty.- Keir thought as he watched Daron
race off after Rudolpho. He could never understand why Big Folk were always
in such a rush. {No patience at all.} He eyed Daron's abandoned belongings
protectively. Once he realised her mind crawling was limited and, apparently
unintentional, his feelings had softened. {Poor crazed child, it's little
wonder she's mad.} He glanced suspiciously at the occupants of the next
table but they didn't appear to be thieves, except possibly the garishly
dressed and
belled short man. He didn't know why anyone
that short would want to attract even more attention, no self-respecting
person would *ever* dress thus. Still, as much as it should offend him,
he found himself smiling at the flamboyant display.
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho wiped his tears on a sleeve as Daron approached him. He
had hoped they wouldn't think to look for him here. He had wanted
to get his reaction under control. "You should...never..*sniff*..be
sorry about who and what you are." He snuffled. "That's what..she
always used to say." The young boy paused and then explained.
"She was my mother. She 'traveled on' not too long ago along with
my father. They said the horse spoked and ran off the side of the
cliff. I have been on my own ever since." He sneaked a glance
into Daron eyes. "You don't have to give me your shirt. You
probably didn't mean it like you say." He Scrubbed at his eyes one
last time. "You really should keep a better eye on your stuff."