============================================================================== RL (Arizona) time is Sun Dec 02 04:48:07 2001 (+time). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IC time is about 10 AM on Wednesday Foreyule (December) 10, 1424 S.R. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ IC Weather Conditions The drizzle has lifted, leaving a light sunshine - the chill of autumn yet hangs in the air, but at least it's sunny without rain on this Foreyule/Yulemath day. ============================================================================== You enter the Lucky Tucky Inn looking for food and merriment. Lucky-Tucky Inn Behold the Lucky Tucky Inn: finest in ale and merriment in all of Tookland! The inn has a cozy feel to it-- many paintings adorn the wooden walls as well as a rather large map of the Westfarthing. Behind the rustic oak bar stands quite a small hobbit, Brant Thudder, keeping busy cleaning glass and serving drinks and such. The inn holds many distinguishing features. In the center of the spacious room is a spring wood dance floor, kept clean at all times. The bar is usually busy, various hobbits chatting and drinking jovially. Round tables are spread throughout the room with orange tablecloths and baskets of assorted crackers on each table. A few barrels of Ol' Toby Pipeweed can be seen to the side of the bar, and the tavern's patrons merrily fill the air with its sweet smoking aroma. Towards the back wall of the establishment a small stage rises above the tavern floor, a perfect place for small side acts and musical performances. Next to the bar there is a small door that leads outside to the back yard. Contents: Ale Keg Brant Thudder Obvious exits: Back Door and Out A silver plaque is mounted on the wall behind the bar. "The winner of the October Baking Contest is Talvo Hornblower!" Autumn, the destinct mix of earth and smoke, enters the Inn when the door opens and a Hobbit maiden enters the Inn. Clary casts a quick glance around the quiet, almost empty room, then heads directly towards Brant, behind the bar. "Mornin' Brant," she sighs, "I need a hot cup of tea from you!. She sits down and mumbles something about 'them darn Tooks'. There are only three other guests around. All quietly sitting by themselves. One of them is sitting at the bar with a big mug of beer in front of him. As he turns to look at the young maid, he slowly leans forward, trying to hide the beer from view. He keeps looking at the girl and smiles. You look at Clary, a diminutive yet firmly built hobbit maiden, somewhere in her tweens. Sandy colored, frizzy hair is battling a sky-blue headband trying to curl around a round face which is covered with freckles, even up to the turned up tip of a broad nose. Further up, slim eyebrows curve gently above two bright, hazel eyes that look attentively into the world around her. Dirt and soil are barely visible on the dark green apron that protects a simple, yellow dress, which just reaches the curly hair on her feet. Blue buttons follow the lines of her arms up to her shoulders and neck, then down her back. Brant Thudder Quickly makes a cup of tea and, casting a quick glance at Omfast, places it before her, "There ye go, Ms.Smallburrow, enjoy." "My," Clary sighs deeply, "thanks Brant, really need that." She holds the mug with both hands and carefully takes a few sips, before she pays attention to Omfast "Mornin' Sir," she turns a bit towards Omfast, carefully avoiding to gaze at the ale, "and a beautifull it is at that, wouldn't you say?" Omfast pushes the beer to the side with his elbow and catches the bar keeper's eye. "Yes, mister, she's right. Bring me some tea, too!" Brant shrugs and goes to pour some tea for the young man. Omfast raises the little tea cup towards the young maid and says, "Indeed, nice weather, Ms. Smallburrow. I'm Omfast Cotton, looking for a job." He grins, "And yes, the weather is nice. Much too nice for beer drinking in the morning." "Ah yes, so it is, Mr. Cotton," Clary nods "the day is still young." She takes a few sips, "Mhh, that's a nice cup, Brant." she says and lifts it to him. "Cotton, you're a Cotton then, " Clary smiles at Omfast, "we don't get many Cotton's here, what brings you here?" Omfast says, while the teaspoon is rattling, "Ah, uh, well, you see we Cottons be farmers in Bywater, if you know what I mean. And, well, my father suggested I go looking for a job somewhere, uh, remote..." The spoon in his tea cup is rattling furiously, now. He puts the cup down and calms himself. "Yes, you see, I'm here to live with my uncle. I am looking for a job, actually. That's what brings me to this inn. I'm trying to find out where there's need for a strong hand, you see." Her brows pull together slightly as Omfast talks, her eyes focussed firmly on his face, "Mhh," Clary frowns, "I can see there's a story to be told..." for a monent she looks at the spoon in his cup, "but, there may be a job for you at the Great Smials," Clary hesitates before continuing, "though it's not my place to hire folk. What kind of work are you looking for?" Omfast says, "Well, my ol' man called me sheepheaded more than once, but I'm smart, and I'm willing to learn. Just don't put me anywhere inside, with papers and books, behind a counter or something like that. I wouldn't like that. Living in a coffin, I call that. I'm a farmer's son. Go huntin for them taters, I say. Digging, building, growing, cutting, that's where I'm good at." "Ah, then, " Clary replies with a chuckle, "you wouln't be looking to be our Librarian, me thinks. But there's room for a Gardener, I believe. And Mr. Hornblower, he might be looking for hands on 'is pipeweed fields." She looks in her cup and adds; "But that's over near Hobbiton, me believes" Omfast laughs, visibly relaxing. "Aye, a librarian I'd rather not be. I'm certain that sitting in them dusty halls gives them the creaky joints. I'd rather work the fields. But Hobbiton... Being a gardener would be nice." He looks at his hands and moves them around as if cutting hedges and trees. He says, "Shnipp-shnapp, click, clack, and there you go!" proudly presenting his imaginary tree. A broad smile appears on Clary's face, "Aye, ye would be enjoying that, I can see. I wouldn't mind having some more experienced hands around, you, see, I am working in them gardens and, " she sighs, "them are big, and many of 'em too." After taking a last sip from her tea she puts the mug down, "Alas, it's not for me to hire folk, and I'd have to ask around who does. The Thain I suppose..." Omfast beams, "Today must be my lucky day, Ms. Smallburrow, if you are also working as a gardener! If it be with the Thain to decide who does the gardening and who does not, I shall go and ask him as soon as possible. I've never even seen the big man himself. Is there anything I have to watch out for? Where do I register? Is this complicated? When does he talk to commoners -- only once a week or every day?" "Oh-ho," Clary leans back, "All them questions, have mercy!" She then smiles, "I 'onestly don't know, got mine through a friend who knew someone in the Smiasl... But, well perhaps you just oughtta walk up to the front door and ask. The Thain is rather friendly, really, as are most of 'em Tooks, most of the time anyways." she casts a quick glance towards Brant, who replies the look with a broad grin. "But, eh, I could find out whom you'd need to talk to, if you want. The gardens are really big..." Omfast grins, "You are so kind, thank you very much Ms. Smallburrow! If you can find out who to talk to, that would be wonderful!" He glances out of the window and sees the sun hanging low. "Such a lucky day!" he repeats. "Where can I find you tomorrow? I certainly don't want to miss this wonderful occasion." "Ah, " Clary smiles, "perhaps it is a lucky day, it's a beautifull day for sure, and one with a lot of work ahead of me but I'd most likely be at the Great Smials," Clary replies to his question, "in the gardens somewhere." She frowns, looks at nothing in particular and continues, "the Water Gardens require a lot of work, these days, you may find me there." Omfast says, "I will come looking for you there, dear Ms. Smallburrow. Since it is getting late, however, I will have to go back to my uncle's. My aunt is expecting me to help in the preparations for tonight. They'll be receiving some guests, you see. I will come looking for you in the Great Smials, then." He pulls some coins from his purse and puts them on the counter. Brant sees this and comes over, collecting his due and grinning at Omfast. Surprised, Omfast grins back, with slightly red ears. "Very well, Mr. Cotton," Clary glances at Brant's grin, "Ehm, well, I'll be there tomorrow, and most other days." She stands up and takes a step from the bar, "I must be on me way too," she smiles at Omfast, "it's been a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Cotton." Omfast stands up as well, "It has been an extraordinary pleasure meeting you, Ms. Smallburrow!" He wraps his coat around him and walks towards the door. He waits for Ms. Smallburrow to come, then opens the door for her. "Thank you, Mr. Cotton," Clary glances a smile at him as she walks past him and out of the inn, "have a nice day!" Omfast calls after her, "Have a nice day as well, Ms. Smallburrow!" turns around to wink at Brant and then disappears in the other direction.