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.
It is a quiet night, which is good because the look on Donakan's face says that the Vintner is definitely not in a great mood. He probably should start sampling some of his own goods. The senior apprentice has a bottle in his hand and he is spinning it around. Nothing expensive, none of the Bendan red private stock or anything. He starts to move around behind the bar. It's one thing to be able to spin the bottle while you are standing there, it's completely different to do it while moving. So practice makes perfect in a game of showmanship like this.
Kyldar steps in tentatively, and watches the bottle-spinner for a while. After a moment she approaches the bar and greets with a tentative "Greetings."
Quiet nights for some, but not for the Weyrwoman, apparently, who has either missed dinner in the caverns, or avoided the crowd to eat here. She's been seated in a booth over by the window for some time now, forking something absently into her mouth while pouring over a ledger of some sort. The thing is propped on the table with care so it won't be in danger of getting dripped on and thus far she's been able to filter out the hum of voices in the room and concentrate. Dwindling numbers and emptying room means that movement is more noticeable, however and so it is that the bottle-spinning draws her eye. Dark brows lift as she watches silently for a few beats, then asks mildly, "Is all that, movement good for the wine?" Not that she's too worried about it.
Donakan perks up a bit as someone comes into the Tavern. "Greetings." The apprentice puts on his game face. A big bright smile to be as charming as possible. "Welcome to the Wandering Wherry. I am Donakan, how might I assist you tonight? We have a lovely selection of drinks and food to tantalize your tastebuds." A hand lifting up to brush his long brown locks out of his blue-gray eyes. "Feel free to check out our menu. Or we have a lovely home brew ale that I am partial to if you're looking for some beer." When addressed by the Weyrwoman, he does a half bow towards her and he says, "If it were wine, then no it would not be good. But this isn't wine M'lady. This is tuber vodka. Care for a shot of it?"
Kyldar curseys gracefully before seating herself on a barstool. "Good evening and Western's duties. I think I'll start with a glass of ale and some of that chicken stew please."
Not wine. See, this shows how much Thea knows about alcohol. Sea green eyes flicker to Kyldar, silent while the greenrider orders, although she's given a nod of greeting from the Weyrwoman. Back to Donakan, she can't quite keep the amusement from her expression at the clarification and a light laugh bubbles forth along with her headshake, "Tuber vodka? I'm afraid if I have some of that I may randomly give out knots where they don't belong. Or worse." Her smirk says since it's Donakan and he's from here, he well ought to know all about how exWeyrsecond exWeyrleader X'hil got his knot in the first place.
Donakan smirks at the Weyrwoman and he moves over to her, leaning against the bartop and he says, "Oh, I am sure that you can handle a lot of things. Bet you could take down anything you put your mind to it. A beautiful, strong woman like yourself." He keeps the smirk upon his face. "Oh, I don't think anyone would really mind. I could fix you something a little less strong then the vodka. A light and fruity cocktail that will leave you feeling all warm and tingly inside." He looks into her sea green eyes. "I don't think one shot would do you in though. Besides, what could be whole lot worse then random promotions? Maybe you'll fall for a charming Vintner?"
Thea's laughter is short-lived. From over there in her booth, her dark brows rise slightly for the compliment, but she says nothing in that regard. Her lips form a small smile, but her tone is kind enough as she assures Donakan, "'Warm and tingly' isn't usually an issue for me." She lifts her hand from that ledger, fingertips lifting her empty wineglass from beside her dinner plate. "I've had a glass of wine already. Though if you want to, go ahead an make me something not too strong." With a faint snort, "Worse than random promotions? Why that, of course!" She sets her glass on the edge of her table for him to take, her fingers flick his question away, "Not possible!"
Donakan bites his lower lip and his blue-gray eyes look at her glass. "A lady should never have an empty glass. It's the cardinal rule of the Vintner guild." He swoops up her wine glass and he moves behind the bar and he starts to mix her up a drink. The bottles fly up into the air and of course he puts on his best moves for her. He's trying to show off just a bit. The alcohol is poured into a shaker and he puts in some other liquids. He makes her a pernese equivalent to a cosmopolitan and he serves it up to her. He slides the drink towards her. "It's subtle, doesn't taste like alcohol." Doesn't mean it won't sneak up on someone after one or two of them.
There's likely more concern for bottles dropping and smashing on the floor than admiration in Thea's facial expression while she watches the juggling act. It's with a visible relief that she watches him set them safely back where they belong, the tense line of her shoulders relaxing. This reflex is common to mothers of young children everywhere, apparently it's an ingrained response. After a murmured thanks, she tilts a scrutinizing look at the drink the Vintner places on her table. Silent for a moment, the Weyrwoman admits at last, "It's pretty at least." No one could argue that the clear ruby color is anything but. Delaying the inevitable only works for so long, though and that little glass is lifted, sipped from. There's obvious surprise in her reply, which goes to show she really has no experience in this sort of thing, "You're right, it doesn't."
Donakan looks at her and he says, "Yeah, you definitely need that drink. You look tense. It's not my first rodeo. I have been doing this for a couple of turns now." A wink for the Weyrwoman. "I have my share of broken glasses and bottles under my belt." He looks down at the drink. "Yeah, I make a lot of pretty drinks. They also taste pretty dang good." He leans in again and whispers, "Just be careful, they creep up on you. One second you are fine, downing a few of them. The next you are ontop of the bar wanting to tear off your clothes while you call for the harpers to play more music. Although I don't think anyone would complain if you were peeling off your clothes."
Thea pretty much ignores that wink, shrugs off her concern about broken bottles and sips the drink slowly. She's had a full plate of dinner, so she's not too terribly concerned about what the alcohol will or won't do, apparently. "No one can say you lack confidence," she responds dryly to his boast on his drink-mixing abilities. She leans back as he leads in, a look of distaste for his familiarity turns into one of irritation for his last comment. Pop! A bronze firelizard appears to land on the table with a pleased hum. However, he's not here to defend her, no. The bronze appears to be rather enjoying the Weyrwoman's displeasure as he encourages Donakan with a trill of approval.
Donakan laughs softly, "Yes well you need confidence to ride bronze. And I am going to ride bronze one day. Just waiting for his shell to crack." He must take her reaction as playing hard to get. "Well I just hope you enjoy your drink." When the bronze appears pretty much out of no where. The vintner looks down at the happy firelizard. He moves over to the collection of food specifically set aside for the flying stomachs and he gets some choice meat for the trilling metallic. "Handsome fella."
Thea's facial expression is more like a frozen mask of self-control rather than playing at anything. "I think," she says it evenly without raising her voice while her eyes are icy in their regard, "that this time I will pretend I didn't hear what you just said about my clothes. Next time, I shall not." Her glass is set down with care on that table as she rises and sweeps the ledger off the table with her. There aren't many who even try to give the bronze lizards treats any more since his ill-mannered reputation is well-known. Without looking at the firelizard, she warns, "Feed Ruin at your own risk; he loves pain. Goodnight." And with that, she's stepping towards the door.
Donakan just looks at her and he says, "Ahh, I did not mean to offend the lovely lady. I simply state what is on my mind." Or what he thinks a bronze rider would say in this situation. "I don't think I would want to anger you M'lady. I shall try to hold my tongue better in the ladies presence." He glances towards the bronze as he is acknowledged. "I can imagine, he has bonded to the smoldering temptress with her nerves of steal and the looks to make any man crumble. He must be a true glutton for punishment." He places the meat down on the bar for the bronze and then he looks towards Thea as she departs. "Have a great evening Weyrlady. Hope that your evening is as lovely as you deserve."
It's not often that weyrfolk see the Weyrwoman anything other than cheerful. To his promise of holding his tongue, Thea turns a glance over her shoulder at Donakan and replies coolly, "Please do." Smoldering temptress? Both brows lift at that and she notes mildly, "My, my, failed already, haven't you?" Ruin looks visibly disappointed when he's not handed the tidbits with fingers he can snap at. The bronze launches into the air, swoops low over the Vintner's head and disappears *Between* leaving the meat untouched. "Thank you for the drink, Donakan." Polite, perhaps partly for R'owan's sake, Thea takes her leave, stepping out into the rainy night. It's only after she's out of sight that she shakes her head, rolling her eyes in disbelief, muttering, "Some people."