
Xanadu Weyr - Wanderin' Wherry Tavern
It is often whispered in the crowds that converge here, that a certain Weyrleader was asked what he wanted in the remodeling of the pub that was not so long ago given a refreshing. He muttered back over the rim of his ever-present mug, "I don't care what you do with the place, just so long as there is plenty of ale." With that in mind, cask after cask of ale lines the walls of the tavern, the remodeler's idea of a jest. As they age, the casks bring a real rustic atmosphere to the pub, along with the deeply wooden flavor that seems to be the theme throughout.
The lighting is dim, as it should be in all good pubs, and the tables and chairs are plentiful. A long mahogany bar, intricately carved with runner beasts, stands vigilant duty at the head of the bar, lined with stools for those patrons that seek the bartender's company.
Perhaps it is the early morning time but the tavern is mostly empty, small pockets of people here and there chattering away quietly. One person who does not seem to be involved in the chatter is Osric, though he is sitting next to one group. His chair is tilted back onto two legs, and though his eyes are closed he is likely not asleep since he's yet to topple over.
After the.. enthusiastic crowd the other night, its unlikely that Niva will be spending any extended time in the Tavern. Nevertheless, this morning, she's there, talking in soft tones with Beldar, looking over the main room with a nod. "I'm glad it wasn't as bad as it looked." She offers before she's turning away, cutting through the room to reach the corner indicated by the barkeep, knocking the back of Osric's tipped chair as she goes.
Osric squeaks slightly as the chair is knocked, arms flapping for a second before the chair thumps back down into place safely. The conversation behind him stops and he mumbles a quiet apology to them for disturbing them though it seems to do little to appease them. After a moment they group gets up and wanders off, leaving Osric alone. With a shru he pulls out a little notebook, glancing over in the direction Niva took before writing something down.
Niva was apparently oblivious to the little nudge she gave Osric, for she's continuing past him without a word. After a bit of tugging out chair and checking the repairs they were forced to undergo, she nods, sliding the chair back in before Beldar is pointing to Osric's chair. "And that one.." And Niva turns to look at the young man, waving a hand. "When you're finished, can you get up for a second?" And there is a certain hint of impatience to her voice as she says it.
"Wha?" Osric blinks up at Niva, quickly closing the notebook and tucking it away again as he stands almost automatically. Thankfully even early in thw morning his facial recognition is good and he nods to Niva politely and offers an explanation, "Sure, yes, sorry. It's not actually true that swinging on the back legs of a chair can break them, they need to be weakened already before they'll actually snap."
"Up.." She repeats for his benefit as he blinks at her, smirking a little as he tries to offer his explanation, even as Beldar is flipping the chair over, revealing recent work to the front legs. "This one was the one I thought we'd have to be rid of, but they managed." At least until someone heavy sits in it, and it crashes. Niva nods after a moment, the chair settled back down on the ground. "Might want to pick a different chair then, just in case." She offers, amused.
"A tanner, or possibly a starcrafter. And the wall." Niva offers as much of an explanation as she can, shrugging a little bit as Beldar looks equally useless. "Came back to them fighting. Same thing that happened ta them others too." The barkeep explains with an awkward shrug before teetering back to the bar as someone appears there looking lost. "I don't even know what started it, and I was right here."
Osric's eyes go wide for a second, "Are fights like that usual?" He does a quick glance around as if looking for someoen swinging a chair in his direction, or perhaps just memorising the room layout. "People don't really seem the fighting type, at least not the ones I've really spoken to."
"They tend to happen once, as I'm sure Beldar won't let any of those crafter's back in his Tavern again, no matter how good their marks." Niva says with a little huff, folding her arms over her chest. "They were loud when I got here, but they seemed to be having a good enough time. But, after more ales than I can count, you never know.." The Weyrwoman shakes her head a bit, muttering. "T'was just about ready to put a one drink limit on everyone."
Osric nods, though doesn't reply immediately. "Hopefully their sore heads in the morning helped them realise they'd been stupid. Fighting doesn't solve anything." He pauses and smiles, adding, "Speaking from experience."
"I hope at least one of them got back to their Hall and had to endure a reprimand from their own superiors while they had it." A shake of her head, and she laughs softly. "No, it doesn't. Other than to lose your right to drink." A soft sigh, and she closes her eyes for a moment. "Maybe I should limit it." Horrible, mean Weyrwoman as Niva is.
Osric laughs and nods, "And to go out, and occassinally to speak but that one wasn't any fun for anyone." He pauses, thinking, then asks seriously, "Would you punish everyone for a couple of people's actions? It doesn't work with children, or at least it didn't at home, I doubt it would work with adults."
"Maybe I would." A snort and Niva flicks her fingers at the young man, shaking her head. "That'll teach them to be responsible for their own friends." The Weyrwoman gives a firm push of the chair, even as she's moving to turn away.
Osric nods again as Niva moves to leave, waiting until she's safely out of range before once more pulling out his notebook and writing something down. For a second there's a slitghly sly smile appears, but it's quickly hidden as he looks for another chair conveniently close to some more people that he can listen to. Carefully, he tips it back.
Niva glances once more over her shoulder, blinking as Osric pulls out that little notebook, but she shrugs it off as she gives one more look over the tavern, lifting her hand in farewell to Beldar before she's slipping outside into the fine summer morning.