Patchwork Universe

Jones · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject: Public Bar: Mulling things over

The evening was just beginning to get started in the public bar of Jones' inn.

The publican himself had taken up his accustomed position behind the long bar and was assiduously polishing the bar taps with a clean cloth. His wife, Jennifer, went to and fro about the room placing baskets of bread and carafes of water on the trestle tables. Jack Jones, the oldest son of the family, tended to the roasting boar spitted in the huge fireplace and slathered on more honey and butter with each rotation of the spit.

Jareth and Jessica had claimed one end of a trestle table and were talking together in low voices. Juniper, Jack's wife, had taken their son up to bed with her own two young children.

Jane Jones was the only person without employment. Sitting in a windowseat and staring out at the dark road she was thinking over the words of Captain Isobel. The young navy Captain had spoken of pirates to the south and, as Jane cradled her half empty beer bottle, her eyes gazed absently into the night. Pirates! The very word conjured up images of swashbuckling and derring do. Jane swung one long leg with more than her usual insociance, swigging manfulling from her bottle. Pirates... could it be true? Jane whistled a bar of a sea shanty, but quietly so that none of her family could hear.

Jones · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:23 pm Post subject:

The quiet knock on the outer door of the lobby went unnoticed by almost everyone. Only Jane Jones, seated at the windowsill heard the sound and it took her a moment to see that there were apparently people outside.

Most customers just walked straight in but every so often a newcomer had to be taken by the hand and have the purpose of a pub patiently explained to them. With a sigh Jane swung herself down from the windowsill and went out into the lobby.

Despite her apparant disinterest she was still secretly hoping that it might be the pirates. But she had to confess to herself, pirates were unlikely to knock.

Jones · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 5:38 pm Post subject:

A sudden draft swept in from the lobby and Jones looked up from the bar to see Jane holding the main door open for someone.

Pleased that his daughter was actually being helpful for a change, Jones prepared to serve the guests.

Karl Groever

Karl Groever pocketed the pepperbox surreptitiously. Looked at the girl. 'Do you sell anise ?' he asked 'Aniseed flavoured, slow heated ? With a touch of sweet mescal ?' He grinned ruefully to himself - Just like Sophia's used to serve, he thought.

[ooc: this post moved by Rhiannon to fit with current posting procedures in this patch]

Jones · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 8:51 pm Post subject:

"Aniseed did you say, young man?" Jones called out, attracting Karl's attention from his post behind the long bar. "We have a rather fine Sambuca that might be to your taste."

Karl Groever · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:06 am Post subject:

'Yes,' replied Karl, a little uncertainly. 'Some of your fine...San' Bucca would be appreciated.' Whatever it is, he mused. 'I suppose we need to take a table, and wait for this...publican to talk to us?' he asked Kao Sheng and Arnora. 'Forgive me, estimable friend, but what exactly is it that you think'll he'll be able to tell us?' he queried, even more markedly, in Kao Sheng's direction.

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Yggdrasil

The Tavern did not look like the kind of establisment Arnora was usually forced to visit. It looked much cleaner and quieter. There would be no one in this tavern mistaking the purpose of a woman visiting.

Arnora glanced at her companions. Their guide might very well be the kind of human she was looking for but she wasn't so sure about the desert man. She needed to meet more of the warriors and the chieftans, they were the ones who could usually be relied on to undertake the quests. This was rather a different task than the usual ones though, maybe different candidates should be considered?

Leaving her companions talking, Arnora headed over to the bar. "Sir, I would be grateful if you could provide me with a cool flagon of water. If you were not too busy I would also be grateful for a moment of your time..."

Jones · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:31 pm Post subject:

Jane had slid in behind the newcomers and resumed her secluded seat on the windowsill. Dusk was shading to evening outside and the warm glow from the lamps, the inviting smell of roasting boar from the fireplace and warm bread from the baskets laid ready on the tables made the tavern seem a haven of hospitality in a dark world.

Jones, taking down the bottle of Sambuca and pouring a measure for Karl, turned to smile at Arnora.
"With pleasure, miss," he said cheerfully. "Just let me serve your companions and I'll be right with you."
Meanwhile Jennifer, his wife, vanished briefly into the kitchen and returned with a slender glass flagon of water, beaded with cool droplets, which she put on the bartop before Arnora. With choreographed simultaneity Jones slid a glass goblet next to it before turning towards the third visitor with an expression of deferential expectance.

Kao Sheng · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:34 pm Post subject:

"It is not for such a commonplace individual as the person who is now speaking to state self-evident truths to his current educated and versatile audience," said Kao Sheng with sincere humility, "Yet he believes that there may be many questions which may be troubling the intellects of the stalwart Karl Groever and the sublime Arnora, and this person, to his sincere regret, is constrained from providing any but the most vague and inadequate of answers to such inquiries. For this reason he has taken upon himself the task of directing his newfound companions to this prestigious establishment, in the hope that its illustrious proprietor may allow them to receive the benefits of his experience where this despicable individual cannot."

He turned towards Jones and bowed respectfully.

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Yggdrasil

After briefly wondering what it might be which constrained her travelling companion from aiding them himself Arnora decided that events were proceeding far too quickly. There was an important difference between quick action and ill considered action.

"Gentlemen, I would not wish to cause conversations to be rushed and statements not fully considered. I will be more than happy to sit and await a moment when there are fewer pressures on individuals time. I do not have any particular hurry for information now."

Having said this Arnora glided over to one of the tables furthest from the fire and considered the other inhabitants of the room.

Jones · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:22 pm Post subject:

"Weeell," Jones looked from Karl to the oriental stranger with a troubled expression. It looked rather as if he was trying to work out if an elaborate joke was being made at his expense.
"I do try to help folks out a bit," he said finally. "Without trying to put myself forward in any way." His expression became more cheerful as he elaborated.

"Apart from serving meals and drinks to those who pass our way, I also trade a bit in provisions for travellers needing to restock, I have a store of second-hand weaponry and camping gear, rope and the like. And I sometimes hold parcels or letters for people that might be expected to pass by."

"Now, is there anything more I can do for you gentlemen this evening?"

Trubshawe · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 11:51 pm Post subject:

The sound of hollering begins to be audible from somewhere outside the tavern.

"Hello? Anybody there? What is this infernal place? Anyone alive? Gah!" The voice is not so much tinged with exasperation, as the exasperation is tinged with voice.

Karl Groever · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 1:02 am Post subject:

Karl sipped at his drink. He appreciated the tang of aniseed upon his tongue. Leaned forward, a little conpiratorially.
Raising his voice slightly to be heard over the din coming from the entrance to the hostelry, he said, 'A restock sounds useful to me. As to trading...we may have to come to some suitable agreement. Can you show me what you have to offer ? And perhaps, sir, you may answer some of my questions, as well,' He added the last almost as an afterthought.

Jones · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

"I'd be happy to, sir. Although the young lady sitting over there has the first claim on my attention..."

Jones stopped abruptly and turned to call across to the young man tending the wild boar in more familiar tones.
"Jack, lad... would you go and see what pour soul is making that infernal racket outside? Bring him in, settle him down and give him a pint. I've my hands full already."

"Willdo, Dad," the younger man nodded. "And I think this boars' nearly done, anyway. You can start taking orders for dinner if you like."
With a nod to the assembled company he went out through the side door.

Trubshawe · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 3:26 pm Post subject:

Trubshawe marched noisily into the bar, with Jack in tow.

"...and a small community of anatids," the uniformed man barked, possibly at the bewildered boy. "So, did I miss anything out?"

He glared around the room, his angry features finally coming to rest on the company already assembled.