To Huck
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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.


Amelia and D'son make it to the tavern on the early side of dinner time- not that the tavern will be this empty for long. Amelia hasn't been here very often- her schedule tends to have her eating late or early, and today she and D'son just happened to meet up at the right time for her to accept the dinner invitation. And so here they are, seeking out a good table, Amelia just behind D'son for she's the slightest bit nervous in the rather unfamiliar territory.

"The booths are nice," D'son is saying as he leads the way toward one of those in fact. "Comfortable and all. So you know, I don't think I've really asked before, but what's your favorite kind of food?"

Over by the window at one of the tables sits a lone Thea with a bottle of wine and a glass poured half-full. It appears the goldrider hasn't been here long, nor had much of the wine and presently she's not doing much of anything but sitting with her chin propped in her hand and staring absently out the window, her eyes cast out to the middle distance somewhere across the lake at the thin blue line that would be the horizon where Black Rock Hold is located. There is, about her posture a hint of melancholy.

Amelia follows him towards a booth- not far from Thea- and slides in. "Oh… I'm pretty tolerant of just about everything, actually. Spicy things are pretty great, though. Love all the flavor explosions, y'know? Though I can't handle the spiciest things. That's my brother's territory- course he likes to just do it to show off, in my opinion." She grins a little, question on her tongue as her gaze passes over to catch Thea, and she peers at her, trying to place the face. "Er, what's your favorite kind?"

"Really? You like spicy?" D'son looks surprised, but not displeased by this admission as he slides into the seat acros from Amelia. "You know there's some things they make in Ista that're spicy," the bronzerider points out with a grin. "Well you know, there's nothing quite like a good juicy steak?" But then he notes the direction of Amelia's gaze and looks over at Thea, blinks once, then focuses more on the goldrider. "Huh. Thea looks pretty out of it."

Having pretty well been in the 'just let everything flow around me' for awhile, it's D'son's voice that pulls Thea from her reverie with a little blink back to the present. Ice-green eyes shift to take in the pair of them over there with a faint smile and a nod. "Evening, D'son, Amelia." She's noted the questioning look the younger girl is sending her way, so she supplies, "We met in the meadow several days ago. The storm?" Little clearing of her throat and a wry, "You and your face-making runner."

Amelia nods at D'son. "Do they now? I need to visit Ista," she grins, then at Thea's smile, she ohs, recognition dawning in her expression. "Yes! That was /quite/ the storm, wasn't it? I was almost sick from it," she laughs a little. "Huck was being quite the comedian just then. I think storms invigorate him."

"Yeah, we should go sometime," D'son agrees and bobs his head Thea's way. "Heya Thea." He shoots a comically bemused look between the two women though. "Comedian runners. Huh." The bronzerider looks up as a server comes their way. "Want to join us for dinner, Thea?" he invites in friendly fashion.

"Almost…sick…from it. I hope you didn't catch cold?" Thea tilts her head slightly to one side as she regards Amelia with some concern before she shakes her head ruefully at D'son, "No thanks for the offer though." Her smile warms a bit more for her friend, "I'm not staying. Was just having a drink in the memory of an old friend's turnday." The bottle is reached for offered over, "Would you two share it with me? It's one of the best reds they have on hand. And I can't drink it all."

"Nah, I'm more resilient than that- I mean, you can hardly be fearless around animals if you're sick!" Amelia waves off the concern, smiling, then grins at D'son. "I don't think you've met Huck. He's sort of a miniature runner- one for teaching kids how to ride and that sort of thing. He's pretty new to Xanadu." Then her attention is back on Thea. "A faraway friend? Was the window gazing for him or her then?"

"No, I don't think I have," D'son agrees about Huck the mini-runner. "I'll take your word for it though, that he's a comedian-runner," the bronzerider teases a little, then sobers at Thea's words. "Oh … well, shells. Sure we can drink to an old friend," he says with a touch of awkwardness, though that server is drawing near still. "Do you mind if we order food though? I'm pretty hungry."

"I suppose not," is Thea's noncommittal reply to that, allowing her concern to fade in the face of Amelia's present fine health. "A faraway friend," she murmurs in partial answer as she's passing the bottle over to D'son and noting his awkwardness in the process. She shakes her head with a smile and a light, "Not at all. But I do think you might drink to Huck instead." This with a look that includes Amelia, "He considerably brightened the day for Marella and Muir."

Amelia's stomach makes an audible rumble at the mention of food, and she laughs a moment. "Er, yes, food would be nice. I missed lunch for work today. What's good here?" She smiles at the both of them, though her grin is wider when Thea mentions Marella and Muir. "Did he? Have they been bothering you about lessons now?"

"Oh, yeah, good with kids is always … good," D'son takes the bottle and makes a study of its label, looks up though as the server approaches. "Um, two glasses please?" And then across at Amelia. "I haven't really had a bad meal here yet, but the soup is usually pretty good."

Thea relaxes back in her chair, lips quirking at that admission, giving the younger woman a little 'ah ah' headshake. "Skipping meals does not for good health make, but I've always enjoyed the seafood chowder. I think the recipe is Istan." Then she grins as D'son mentions soup. "Not yet they haven't, Amelia. They're only two, so." Little shrug as she adds, "They don't know there are lessons to be had. I think they just want to see him." She reaches with light fingertips to play with the stem of her glass, "Marella's been asking for Cutie."

"It doesn't happen often- today was just a busy day at the stable, and I didn't want to miss anything," Amelia grins, shrugging at the admonition from Thea. Then she laughs at the name. "Cutie? I guess it's close enough. Only two, you say? I guess it was pretty stormy, I admit I didn't notice their age so much as their enthusiasm. Anyway, I guess I'll have to try soup or chowder- well, maybe the chowder, if it's Istan," she looks at D'son for confirmation.

"Mm, there's a lot of fish dishes, you know, with the whole island thing," D'son says with a grin about Ista. "And I have to agree about meal-skipping, though I get how it can happen sometimes."

"Let's hope not! I'd think you'd need your strength dealing with the- runners." Thea's hastily-substituted word not as smooth as she would like, but she doesn't dwell on it. "D'son, would know better than I," and here her eyes throw some mischief at the bronzerider. "The only time I sampled Ista's fare… well, let’s just say it wasn't menu fare, hmm?"

The innuendo fails to breach Amelia's mind; she shrugs at them sheepishly; the meal skipping isn't exactly a habit. And anyway, She's too busy noticing the server who is stopping at their table. "Seafood chowder, please," she smiles, and looks to D'son for his choice.

D'son lets out a quiet groan at Thea's mischievous remark and his hand lifts to scrub at his face. "Okay, two glasses and two bowls of the chowder with bread," he puts in the order, smiles at the server who nods and turns back to the bar to put the order in. "Yeah that wasn't really a good show of Istan hospitality," the bronzerider agrees.

Thea coughs and says nothing other than a mild, "I'll have to visit proper sometime." Then her attention drifts out the window while the pair order their meal, fingers still idly play with her glass. When the server leaves, she turns back to survey the room, noting the increasing traffic in, her brows knit slightly before she smooths the expression. "I've heard they have some great beach parties."

While she may peer between them thoughtfullly, Amelia doesn't ask about said Istan hospitality, distracted as another server brings two glasses as D'son had requested. Amelia fiddles awkwardly with hers, choosing to also watch the room. "Guess we came in at the right time. It's getting busier now." She smiles a little at D'son and Thea. "Uhm. Anyway. If you want to bring your children out to see 'Cutie' again, he's there. I'll be gone for a few days, but there are plenty of other stable folk who could bring him out."

D'son tilts the bottle over Amelia's glass. "How much?" he asks her then looks over at Thea. "Yeah. There are good parties there and I think you'd probably have a much better time at one of those than you know, enjoying the view of a cell," the bronzerider says with a wry grin.

"We'll see," is Thea's mild response, perhaps to the runner visit, the beach party or both. She waits for D'son to pour, then raises her glass, her eyes taking in the pair at the other table in turn as she says lightly, "To old friends and new, near and far. To shared turndays and summer storms. To Huck." No other name is mentioned and while the junior smiles, there's a hint of regret in her eyes as she sips and sets her glass down unfinished upon the table. "I need to be off now." With a subtle incline of her head, "Please, finish the wine. Enjoy your meal and your evening." And she rises with a smooth movement to make her way between the tables and on out.

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