Patchwork Universe

Jones · Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 12:53 pm Post subject: Public Bar: Embers and Ashes

Inside the public bar the doors were left unlocked. Jones did not fear thieves as much as the chance a weary traveller might think themself unwelcome to the pub. The long smooth surface of the bar top gleamed dully in the dark room and the embers of a fire lay in the hearth. Long tables with benches made up the bulk of the furnishings but there were tall seats at the bar and soft armchairs beside the fire.

If a customer were to arrive so late at night they would discover the beer still plentiful in the bottles and kegs behind the bar, as well as a surprising variety of exotic liqours. A large wicker basket with the remains of the days batch of bread, now slightly stale, stood near the bolted garden door, to be fed perhaps to animals the next day. Near the hearth the bones of a carcass of roast boar were wrapped in paper, some meat still adhering and intended for the dogs.

If guests were to let themselves into the kitchen or larder they would find more plentiful supplies. In fact the only doors locked with keys were the cellar entrance at the back of the building and the rooms of guests more suspicious than the publican himself.

Jones · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 12:41 am Post subject:

From the stairway to the second floor, Jane Jones came down to the public bar. Feeling alone and disconsolate she wandered vaguely about the room beofre coming to rest before the fire and stirring the embers about with an iron poker.

It was but ten of the clock and everyone had departed for bed. Hunched up by the fire Jane stabbed at the coals and watched them crumble into dust, reflecting bitterly on her own unhappiness.

Jones · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:20 pm Post subject:

There are times when any turbulent teen has to raid the larder. Jane had been wondering if a boar and pickle sandwich would console her more or less than the freshly made trifle sitting in pride of place in the ice chest when she heard the noise.

It sounded like a knock and it came mysteriously from the back of the pub rather than the front doo. Ruffling a hand through her hair, disarraying it more than ever, she screwed her brows into their scowl and set off down the corridor to the back door.

[ooc note: Jane now moves to the kichen garden thread. The Public Bar is accordingly unoccupied.]

Captain Magpie · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:48 pm Post subject:

Captain Magpie stood outside the door of the quiet and abandoned bar, wondering if it were closer dusk than dawn, and what the protocol in these parts were. Some places they'd be offended if you didn't make yourself welcome, others they'd try and clap you in irons if you helped yourself to a pint.

He decided, as usual, to be optimistic and raised his hand to try the door. As he did so a woman's voice rang out from inside - "That's like the third time today. How many times to I have to tell people... IT'S A PUB! You don't have to knock!"

He grinned and pushed the door open, shouting once he could see into the room - "Right you are. Wasn't entirely sure of the hour. There's several of us here - shall we give you a hand with the drinks?"

In a quieter voice he asked Hugh to bring the fire into life again, and the rest to set up the lamps on one of the larger tables. He himself approached the bar, looking for liquids and receptacles, and waited for an answering shout.

Jones · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 8:38 am Post subject:

A door at the side of the room opened, revealing a staircase leading up, as a large and well-muscled man of middle-age with grizzled hair and an impressive beard.

"Evening all," he said as he entered the room, smiling genially at Magpoie and radiating a confidence so immense that no pirate got in his path as he walked across the the bar. One there he flipped up a section of the long wooden surface of the bar top, hinged so it dropped down again esily, and took up his accustomed spot behind the bar.

"The name's Jones," the man announced, already pulling pints of a frothy brown ale and lining them up on the bar top with the forethought of a man who suspects pirates might not like being kept waiting. "Sorry about that sir, 'tis but ten of the clock, but country folk get to their beds early and we didn't expect to have more customers tonight."

He looked about the pirate-filled room with satisfaction adding:
"Still no harm done. If one of you lads fancies stiring up the fire, Captain. And what'll it be for yourself then, sir?"

He paused at a noise as of some arrival coming from the saloon bar room behind him.

Jones · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 3:09 pm Post subject:

Not much later a young woman with unfashionably short hair and wearing a wicked-looking rapier at her hip came swaggering into the room from the connecting door to the saloon bar.

Spotting Captain Magpie at once, she made a bee-line for him, and behind the bar her father's eyebrows raised in a mixxture of surprise and disapproval.

liason · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:24 am Post subject: The Ambassador Returns

The door to the Public Bar was pushed open a short way and the tall, spindly figure of Ambassador Liason slipped into the room. Finding the place to be crowded beyond his expectations, he put down the metal pot and length of rusty chain he was carrying in a discreet corner of the room before approaching the bar.

Taking out the last of the silver coins he had obtained from Jones the previous day (from his point of view, that is - time works strangely within the Patchwork) he placed it on the bar and looked around for service.

Jones · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:40 am Post subject:

Without seeming to take his eyes off Captain Magpie, Jones moved further down the bar towards Liason. A quick flick of a glance his way stirred him into recognition and he nodded in a neutral way before asking:
"What'll it be, sir?"

liason · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 11:20 am Post subject:

"A long drink of whatever kind comes recommended by your good self," Liason smiled, "and if there is any left of my coin, a little food would be very welcome also."

Although he had planned to return to the Foundry as swiftly as possible, Liason began to warm to the idea of resting here for a short time to gather his strength. Time spent planning might ultimately prove to be time well spent.

Jones · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 1:03 pm Post subject:

"A glass of claret, perhaps? Or some of our home-brewed ale?" Jones suggested. "And I can do you a nice plate of cold meat and bread, in a minute, sir."

He glanced about the public bar and then behind him through the hatch into the saloon bar.
"It seems we only have couple of customers in the other bar," he said. "You might find it quieter in there if these folks are a bit rowdy for you."

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: The Slums

Larkin pushed open the door and walked in for the second time that night, a long sigh on his lips. He strolled in and picking up a used mug which had been conveniently left on a table clambered up onto a seat and banged it twice to indicate silence.

Stifling a mild yawn he called out to everyone inside the tavern "Alright. I have arrived to get hold of a single partner who is ready ter help me inna rather simple task fer the well known God and creator of this universe Yarrow."

"Now" he yelled "Who wants ter come with me, but remember it can only be one. The rewards will be good for the quick job this is gunna be."

liason · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 8:12 am Post subject:

"Thankyou, I shall take a glass of claret with me into the other room."

Liason nodded briefly to Quickgrip. He wondered if the boy really knew what he was doing in his dealings with Madam Yarrow. The ways of the gods were not as like to those of men as they seemed, as many in legend had discovered to their cost.

[After receiving his wine, Liason leaves for the Saloon Bar]

Jones · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:24 am Post subject:

Jane had reached the pirate Captain's side and even reached out to touch the sleeve of his coat when Larkin arrived. As the pirates turned about to see what the commotion was, she turned with them and a flash of surprise showed in her eyes at the thief's sudden reappearance.

Wrinkling her nose, she wondered if what Larkin said could possibly be true. Had he really met a God and been given a special task?

Arnora · Average Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Yggdrasil

Arnora heard the announcement of the boy over the general noise as she reached the top of the stairs.
If the god Yarrow was indeed the creator of this universe then that did sound very much like a person she should find. Performing a task was not necessarily the way to do it though.
She paused briefly as she thought but then continued down the stairs into the public bar. As she descended she let her eyes drift round the room and take in those present.

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 105 Location: The Slums

Larkin looked out at the few faces who were gazing at him by now. Taking a deep breath he said again "Now I aint promisin excitement, I aint promisin adventure, but what I am promisin is a rather handsome reward and the chance ter meet the creater of the universe, namely Yarrow." Larkin knew that this would turn out to be a complete anticlimax when the person who came with him discovered that the creator of the universe was some elderly woman, but he had little choice, he needed a partner and was it his fault if he happened to omit certain details?

Grinning he said "Now I can't stay long cos there *is* a time limit on the job, but I'm guessin I will have the chance ter stay here the night. Anyone interested should come see me either down here or up in my room later."

Larkin then promptly jumped off the chair and leaving the mug on the table, walked over to the landlord Jones at the bar. Nodding he said "Now, I know this may sound really cheeky, but is there any chance I could get a room fer the night, on the tab as it were?"