Houwlou is confronted by a strange sight - a mop of auburn curls appears on the other side of the bar to his right, followed quickly by an intelligent forehead, then a pair of light green eyes, and before he knows it there's a halfling across the bar from him asking for his drink order.
At the Olcán's puzzled look, he says "The world is what you make of it, my friend. If it doesn't fit, you make adjustments!" With a gesture he pulls Houwlou's gaze to a short ramp on the other side of the bar. The ramp elevates to a platform of a height to allow the bartender to serve his 'big folk' customers at their level. "Now, what can I get for you?"
Houwlou is suitably impressed by the halfling's ingenuity, but his face is totally impassive and betrays no hint of this. "I've been standing here for quite awhile. I guess you were out back building the platform, eh? Ale, if you please?"
Last edited by Leif; 23rd April 2009 at 06:01 PM..
Doing his best to leave as much of the rain outside as possible Keeland enters The Ruffled Feathers. The young Áilleacht runs his fingers through lank hair and tries to make himself presentable. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he saunters over to the bartender and flashes his best smile. "Gods it isn't fit for man nor beast out there tonight. I've not two coins to rub together this evening. However, I'd gladly play for you and your patrons if I could earn a crust and a dry place to sleep tonight. I'll be glad to get this lot singing along, which as I'm sure you know is thirsty work. A rousing song or too and they'll all need a refill. The extra mugs should more than pay for my simple needs." He pats his trusty lute. "I'll play, sing and keep them happy and drinking."
Aodhán is clapped soundly on a mailed shoulder. Looking around quickly, he's confronted by a halfling with shoulder length auburn hair and a neatly trimmed goatee. The halfling glances at the pitcher and extra glasses and gestures toward the crowd standing at the door.
"Are you trying to enhance the dwarven reputation for drinking, or are you waiting for someone? If it's just going to be you tonight we could use the extra seats."
Aodhán laughs heartily at the halfling's comment and replies"I'm meeting four of my friends here tonight. They should be along shortly" continuing to look around for any others that appear to be searching for someone.
Doing his best to leave as much of the rain outside as possible Keeland enters The Ruffled Feathers. The young Áilleacht runs his fingers through lank hair and tries to make himself presentable. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he saunters over to the bartender and flashes his best smile. "Gods it isn't fit for man nor beast out there tonight. I've not two coins to rub together this evening. However, I'd gladly play for you and your patrons if I could earn a crust and a dry place to sleep tonight. I'll be glad to get this lot singing along, which as I'm sure you know is thirsty work. A rousing song or too and they'll all need a refill. The extra mugs should more than pay for my simple needs." He pats his trusty lute. "I'll play, sing and keep them happy and drinking."
The Ruffled Feathers - A Little Something for Everyone
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leif
Houwlou is suitably impressed by the halfling's ingenuity, but his face is totally impassive and betrays no hint of this. "I've been standing here for quite awhile. I guess you were out back building the platform, eh? Ale, if you please?"
Not put out a bit by Houwlou's gruff demeanor, the bartender draws an ale with just the right amount of head on it. "Yeah, we're a little busy tonight . . . but that just puts this one on par with every other night in here. The mercs really like this place, for some reason. Not that I'm complaining, mind; it's nice not having to worry about making the rent."
Just then the bartender's attention is taken by the arrival of a sodden Áilleacht a few places down the bar. Though it's difficult through the tumult, Houwlou's keen hears pick up a few words of the bartender's conversation with him.
"Gods it isn't fit . . . nor beast out there tonight. I've not . . . together this . . . However, I'd gladly play for . . . patrons if I could . . . crust and a dry place to sleep tonight. I'll be glad to get this lot singing along, which as I'm sure you know is thirsty work . . . song or two and they'll . . . The extra mugs should . . . simple needs. I'll play, sing and keep them happy and drinking."
The bartender must have agreed with whatever was proposed. They part with a handshake and the bartender shouts something into the kitchen. A plate with a decent dinner of steaming food, along with a mug of ale, arrives shortly in front of the elf and he sets to with a vengeance.
After seeing to a couple of other patrons, the barkeep returns to check on Houwlou. "You still good? Need a refill?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott DeWar
He looks around for an area with 3 or so seats available.
There are empty seats scattered here and there, but not many openings of three or four. There is one fairly close to the door, but all of the places look to be reserved by a Dwarf nursing an ale. A pitcher and four empty glasses hold the places close to him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by renau1g
Aodhán laughs heartily at the halfling's comment and replies"I'm meeting four of my friends here tonight. They should be along shortly," continuing to look around for any others that appear to be searching for someone.
"If you'll tell me what they look like I'll keep an eye out for them. I know most of the regulars here, so newcomers should be easy to spot." The cleric isn't quite sure, but he thinks he catches a little mischievous glint in the halfling's eye.
Before the Olcán can reply to the bartender, he is jostled from behind hard enough to slosh some of his remaining ale over the edge of his mug and onto his ruff. Looking around, he sees a very large - and quite drunk - GránnaCuid (half-orc) standing next to the bar and dividing glances between Houwlou and the bartender.
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Quote:
There are empty seats scattered here and there, but not many openings of three or four. There is one fairly close to the door, but all of the places look to be reserved by a Dwarf nursing an ale. A pitcher and four empty glasses hold the places close to him.
huh. even a dwarf only needs one mug to drink with. he has 4 other mugs, so maybe he is the mercenary i am to join with
Harnreymakes his way over to the table with the dwarf and 5 mugs.
"greetings master dwarf, might I join you for a mug?"
Houwlou draws himself up to his full height and says to the half-orc, "Let's step outside, ruffian," as he catches a glimpse of the Garda taking an interest in them.
OOC: What's a Garda, anyway?
OOC: Houwlou does a quick personal inventory to see if the 'jostling' has relieved him of any possessions.
Last edited by Leif; 24th April 2009 at 02:32 AM..
You are told that there is another Merc outfit that has had some . . . disagreements . . . with the Bees recently. It is possible that some of them will be at The Ruffled Feathers, as it is The Wolfhounds' turn to rotate through as Garda (Wardens).
You surmise that the mercenary outfits that keep more or less permanent quarters in Saor Ghabháltas take turns augmenting local law enforcement, primarily to 'ride herd' on the other mercs (who like to drink and rabble-rouse).
It's a good bet the Wolfhounds are the outfit that is having the dispute with the Bees, and that the peace-keeper/knee-breakers in the 'Feathers' are members of that fine organization.
The Áilleacht attacks the food, clearly having had few meals of late. Once he has cleaned the plate he returns his attention to the bartender. "That was very nice. Thank you. If you'll give me a moment to tune up and tell me where you'd like me to play I'll earn that meal now." He glances about to make sure the Garda aren't within earshot. "By the way, I'm supposed to be meeting up with four new recruits from Bronágh's Bees tonight. I don't know them, but if anyone is asking I appreciate it if you'd send them my way. I'm told the Wolfhounds are none too fond of the Bees these days, so I also ask that you not say anything in front of those gents in the red sashes. I'm sure neither of us wants that sort of trouble in here tonight. Now, any favorite songs you'd like to hear this evening?" He strums softly and adjusts the tuning pegs as he talks.
Houwlou draws himself up to his full height and says to the half-orc, "Let's step outside, ruffian," as he catches a glimpse of the Garda taking an interest in them.
The drunken half-orc also draws himself up to his full height. He is considerably taller than Houwlou and carries a lot more bulk. With an obvious effort, he focuses his bleary gaze on the Olcán in front of him.
"Why should we go outside? It's a dog's night out and there's no ale out there. If you have business with me, let's take care of it in here where it's dry, and where I can quench thirst after."
"Hmmm. Yeah, ever since old Bronágh put paid to their Commander Ciara a few months back there's bad blood between the 'hounds and the Bees. Well, I try to stay neutral in these things, but I suppose it would be better to avoid trouble in here if I can.
There's a few new faces in tonight; some of them might be the ones you're looking for. The dwarf at the table close to the door is a fresh face, as is the lad talking to him - no not the halfling (he's my nephew), the human.
There're a couple of Áilleacht like yourself over in the corner that have never been in before as well.
And the wolf-kin over there about to get the stuffing beat out of him by Gearr is new as well, or he'd know better."
The drunken half-orc also draws himself up to his full height. He is considerably taller than Houwlou and carries a lot more bulk. With an obvious effort, he focuses his bleary gaze on the Olcán in front of him.
"Why should we go outside? It's a dog's night out and there's no ale out there. If you have business with me, let's take care of it in here where it's dry, and where I can quench thirst after."
Houwou laughs nervously and eases a friendly hand on the half-orc's arm. "Oh, that's a good one! Very droll! Let me just buy you a drink, instead, then friend, if I may?" Houwlou signals for a drink to be served to the half-orc, gets his own drink, and slinks hastily away from the bruiser.
And just like that the huge half-orc doesn't look nearly as drunk as he did a moment before. He accepts the ale, but gently takes Houwlou's elbow before the ranger can slip away and leans in just a little, pitching his voice so quietly that only the Olcán's keen hearing could possibly pick it up.
"Good, you've got a temper but you can control it when you need to. I think the fellows you're looking for are over there."
A slight nod indicates the dwarf sitting at a table with some empty glasses and a pitcher, speaking to a human patron and a halfling who appears to work at the 'Feathers. Raising his voice again to its previous level and returning to his obviously inebriated state, he straightens.
"Who would have thought it, a man of wisdom in the Ruffled Feathers!"
Breathing a heavy sigh of relief that he is able to walk away from the half-orc, Houlwou makes his way over to the table indicated with the dwarf, the human, and the halfling server. "Pardon me, but someone that I am strongly disinclined to disagree with just at the moment told me that you were the people for whom I am looking." The Olcán's cultured voice belies his rustic and animalistic appearance.
Last edited by Leif; 24th April 2009 at 04:07 PM..
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