?My idea of good company ... is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.?
?Jane Austen
---
The night was cold and clear. Stars glittered in the sky over Rhydin City, and the moons were both haloed with a faint prismatic shimmer. Clad in black shadowsilk and wrapped in fur against the chill, Alysia expected the city roofs and gardens would be white with frost by dawn. As she prowled, the light and warmth of the Red Dragon Inn drew first her attention, then her footsteps. She sauntered inside and paused to appreciate the heat. She recognized the petite form of Amber Cartwrite at the bar, as well as the bartender, Antonio Falconne , and she called to him across the Inn, heedless of how he might be occupied at the moment. "Falcon! Cider?
A man randomly leapt to his feet, gently took Alysia's face between his hands, and kissed her seductively before winking. "A most seductive kiss, Miss!" The kissing bandit raced off and disappeared out through a window.
Falcon handed a mug off to Amber, then looked up to Alysia. "Coming!"
The silver-haired priestess blithely continued on toward the bar, as if she'd not just been stealth-snogged. Falcon headed into the kitchen, returning with a mug of hot mulled cider. He set it on the bar in front of Alysia. He smiled quietly. "And good evening - how are things going, Alysia?"
Alysia gracefully swung up onto a barstool. Narrow fingertips drummed 'gainst the countertop in mock impatience, the she chuckled. Her eyes, fiery crimson, fixed upon the bartender. "Thank you." She reflected on his query, recalling the previous night in the Inn, the stiffly formal conversation she'd had with Lucien and the odd feeling she'd had that she had been interrupting. "And -- they've been better, but I will not complain. Things could be much worse."
Falcon cocked his head to Alysia. "Well, if you ever need a sounding board, you know where to find me. I won't press, of course, but sometimes talking helps." He offered a small grin.
People came and went. Boudicca, a red haired, green-eyed woman, slammed her empty glass down on the bar, reaching for the pocket of her skirt.
Falcon looked at the flame-haired woman, asking "Another drink for you then?"
Boudicca smiled at Falcon . Her green eyes sparkled. "Aye...malt whiskey, Please."
"Of course!" Falcon responded. He filled the glass well nigh to overfull. " Whoops! Got a little too much in there - be careful!" He slid the glass carefully back to Boudicca.
"No problem Sir. I can handle mae drink." She winked at him, and handed him a gold coin. The longer she talked, the thicker her brogue got. "I be thankin' ye." Taking up the Drink, she drank a third of it before moving away from the bar.
?Jane Austen
---
The night was cold and clear. Stars glittered in the sky over Rhydin City, and the moons were both haloed with a faint prismatic shimmer. Clad in black shadowsilk and wrapped in fur against the chill, Alysia expected the city roofs and gardens would be white with frost by dawn. As she prowled, the light and warmth of the Red Dragon Inn drew first her attention, then her footsteps. She sauntered inside and paused to appreciate the heat. She recognized the petite form of Amber Cartwrite at the bar, as well as the bartender, Antonio Falconne , and she called to him across the Inn, heedless of how he might be occupied at the moment. "Falcon! Cider?
A man randomly leapt to his feet, gently took Alysia's face between his hands, and kissed her seductively before winking. "A most seductive kiss, Miss!" The kissing bandit raced off and disappeared out through a window.
Falcon handed a mug off to Amber, then looked up to Alysia. "Coming!"
The silver-haired priestess blithely continued on toward the bar, as if she'd not just been stealth-snogged. Falcon headed into the kitchen, returning with a mug of hot mulled cider. He set it on the bar in front of Alysia. He smiled quietly. "And good evening - how are things going, Alysia?"
Alysia gracefully swung up onto a barstool. Narrow fingertips drummed 'gainst the countertop in mock impatience, the she chuckled. Her eyes, fiery crimson, fixed upon the bartender. "Thank you." She reflected on his query, recalling the previous night in the Inn, the stiffly formal conversation she'd had with Lucien and the odd feeling she'd had that she had been interrupting. "And -- they've been better, but I will not complain. Things could be much worse."
Falcon cocked his head to Alysia. "Well, if you ever need a sounding board, you know where to find me. I won't press, of course, but sometimes talking helps." He offered a small grin.
People came and went. Boudicca, a red haired, green-eyed woman, slammed her empty glass down on the bar, reaching for the pocket of her skirt.
Falcon looked at the flame-haired woman, asking "Another drink for you then?"
Boudicca smiled at Falcon . Her green eyes sparkled. "Aye...malt whiskey, Please."
"Of course!" Falcon responded. He filled the glass well nigh to overfull. " Whoops! Got a little too much in there - be careful!" He slid the glass carefully back to Boudicca.
"No problem Sir. I can handle mae drink." She winked at him, and handed him a gold coin. The longer she talked, the thicker her brogue got. "I be thankin' ye." Taking up the Drink, she drank a third of it before moving away from the bar.