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.
At what has become his customary table — one of the round ones, near the bar — Satoris is settled back in his chair. His feet are kicked up on the chair opposite and he's flipping through paperwork idly, while drinking an ale.
Thea enters the Tavern carrying a box of ice. That she's been running is evident by the way she's sweating and long strands of dark hair have escaped her pony tail and are now plastered on her face and neck. The box is brought 'round to the counter and placed in the small freezer behind the counter. The bartender gives her a cloth and nods at the tables and so Thea heads towards them.
Pale blue eyes lift from the clipboard to watch the errand girl running in. One eyebrow quirks slightly and he watches a moment before chuckling to himself and going back to drinking his ale. He sets down the clipboard and pulls near a plate that has a slice of pie on it. Another drink and that, too, is set down as he goes for the pie.
Thea busies herself wiping condensation rings and crumbs from tables. It's a few moments before she notices the miner seated nearby and since there aren't tons of folk in the tavern, she can speak fairly quietly and be heard. "Needing anything with that, just brought in fresh ice." And then she remembers to add, "Sir." Oh, and a bright smile. That's all.
The other eyebrow rises this time. It's a matching set. Satoris gives a slight shake of his head. "No thank you. This is meant to be had slightly warm." Not /all/ ale is good cold. Just most. He pauses a moment, then shrugs. "Thank you." Why not? Then it's back to devouring the pie at rapid pace.
Thea leaves her cloth upon the table she's in the middle of wiping and heads off without taking the mug the man has been drinking from. She returns with one mug full of nothing but ice and another tankard of ale, no ice. Setting them before him, she places a small, fancy pair of ice tongs on the table as well, then steps back to retrieve her cloth and resumes wiping. Maybe that's how it's done? Her face reflects her uncertainty.
Cue the staring. Satoris blinks a few times, before glancing up at Thea. "Well. I do appreciate it, but… I didn't yet need a refill." How confusing.
Thea slows her wiping and blinks at Satoris in a bit of confusion. "Oh." She looks towards the bartender, who has just stepped back in. She gestures with her rag in the general direction of the bar. "He wasn't in the back, so I thought…" The wheels are turning rapidly. "I… well, please don't worry, I'll pay for it." She's making shushing motions to him. "Don't make me look any worse than you already have, please," she adds crisply, quietly. Oh, she does it again. "Sir." Hastily.
Satoris shakes his head slightly. "No, it's alright. I'll pay for it. I was going to have another anyway." Just that this one will have lost the head and be just a bit less tasty. But he's not about to say that. "Thank you anyway."
Thea would continue hovering, but the bartender's probably watching, so she moves on to the next table, instead of arguing. She's still uncertain and it's probably obvious she knows nothing about ale. There's a bit of sticky goo stuck to this table top, so she's got to scrub rather long and persistently at it. She gives the miner a few furtive side-long glances while she's doing that and it's a few moments before she quietly asks, "Sir can I ask you something?"
Pie gone. Sadness. Satoris is finishing off his initial mug of ale when Thea speaks up. He glances over, curiousity writ upon his features. "Go ahead."
Thea concentrates hard upon that goo-spot. Softly, "You enjoying having your feet up and a bit of rest?" Not a trace of sarcasm, the tone is genuine. A beat and she, looks right at the miner, no sass in her eye. Before he can get started, she raises one hand, "No disrespect intended, but please spare me a lecture on laziness or attitude. I just want to know."
Eyebrows rise one after the other. Satoris lifts his clipboard. "Actually. I'm eating dinner while I do some paperwork," he states, dryly. "Unfortunately for me, not all my work requires physical activity. Some of it is so mind-numbingly dull that I have to do other things while I do it or I fall asleep."
Thea blinks. "Ya never do -anything- but work?" She suddenly remembers to keep wiping and her hand moves, but her focus in on Satoris, giving him a quick once-over. "Ya can't be much older than 18-19 turns! Do ya never do anything fun?" Oh, her expression suddenly gets this look: I-know-what-you're-going-to-say-so-I'll-say-it-before-you-do. And thus negate it. Sure it will! But she tries anyway. "Oh, wait. Let me guess, work -is- fun for you."
"Not really," Satoris says, finally. Exhaling in a long sigh, he turns slightly to focus on Thea. "And please, don't presume to know me so well." He finishes the first ale finally and reaches for the second. "I work because it's my job. I have fun when there's no work to be done, but with this mine already being behind schedule? There's /always/ work to be done."
Thea nods, acquiescing to this request. A bit if flash comes into her eyes. "Yes, Sir. I will honor that and if you would, please," she turns his own words back on him, "don't presume to know -me- so well." Her tone is even respectful. "Y've mis-judged me; you don't know me." And she knows he's busy and most likely used up his patience with her so she moves on, until hailed by the bartender, she is gone.