Thread: Helidor in Turmoil

Adir reached across the table to pick up the last of the dirty mugs. A few of his customers had gotten rowdy last night, leaving a tidal wave of broken glass and furniture in their wake. He was only getting around to cleaning up the more routine mess now.

It was a cartwright who had caused the ruckus and sparked the fist fight. After a few drinks, the man had begun to talk all too loudly about the aches and pains in his back. From there, it only took another drink to trigger his long stories about an unhappy marriage and failing business. His words must have hit a nearby clergyman quite badly. A few shouted slurs were enough to call the entire room's attention to them: The two men were wrestling their way through the tavern before Adir could separate them, crashing into tables and fellow patrons all the while. It took three servers and a broken nose before they could finally be thrown out on the street.

Adir placed the mugs behind the bar counter, leaving them to be cleaned by the steward later on. He grabbed a threadbare rag from the nearby shelf and carefully wiped down the bar, making it gleam. Tonight would be sure to bring about good company. Everyone was interested in the fight and would wish to hear the story again and again. If Adir played his cards right, perhaps he'd hear some other stories in return.

The door to the tavern slowly slide open, and as it did a tall hooded and robbed figure slipped under the top of the frame into the bustling bar. He pulled his hood back as he moved past the many people being careful not to bump into anyone. He took a seat at one of the only empty stools.

Ridley had a beaming smile on his face as usual, and after he positioned himself comfortably, he did a childish spin the head of the chair rotating him one time. "Ah. Good seat." He murmured to himself. His antics granted him queer looks from those sitting on either side of him.

The man gave his neatly trimmed golden goatee a scratch before he reached into one of the pockets of his robes. He pulled out two coins and placed them on the bar. Meanwhile his bare feet started playing with the loose rungs of his chair making a soft squeaking sound.

Adir looked up and peered through his glasses. So many people were now entering the Tavern that it was difficult to make sure they were all being served. His busboys were doing a decent job, but it was obvious that many of the patrons were being ignored for far too long. One young man has been sitting at the bar patiently waiting for quite some time. He didn't seem to be upset about the service yet, but Adir was not prepared to take that chance.

Placing his cleaning rags back underneath the bar, he briskly walked over to the young man. "Would you like anything, sir?"

The beaming man had not even noticed the wait, for he had been picking up conversation with those around him. From them, he learned a little about the fight the night before. His smile lengthened slightly as he heard about the clergyman getting his face punched in, but not enough to be noticed.

He pulled out some more coin as the barkeep drew near. His attention turned to the elderly man his right hand raising making the two chatting men on either side of him quite down. "Oh good evening sir. My new friends here would each like a refill of their drinks. I'll just have mug of water myself, please." Ridley stacked the few coins into a little tower as he spoke. His blue eyes wide as ever as he looked at Adir.


As he finished speaking both men cheered thanking Ridley for his offer.

Much to the disapproval of her superiors, Vin had more or less frequented the Neckwood Tavern as soon as she was old enough to pull it off while she was in training in Helidor City. Now that she was afforded a break from duty, it only natural that it was the very first place she stopped. With her horse Deyishene tucked happily away in the nearby stable, Vin all but skipped her way into the Tavern. She'd gone without most of her armor for the trip, although her wardrobe still mostly consisted of leather -- dark supple leather leggings, sturdy boots, and the one piece of armor she kept were her bracers -- but she managed to end the hide trend with her cotton blouse and laced-up bodice. Although her fingers itched when they were out of reach of her bows, she was wise enough to leave them with Deyishene's tack and gear, but she did keep a dagger tucked in her belt.

"Adir!" Vinelle beamed as she weaved her way through the tables to approach the bar. She didn't know if he'd remember her, as he had so many people in and out of his establishment and she hadn't been back in awhile, but she was happy to see him anyway. Finding an open spot to the side of a bright-eyed man in an odd robe and his two fans, she leaned forward on the bar to grin again at Adir with a glint in her eye. "It's so good to see you! Could I pester you for some of your sweet mead? The King's wines are nothing compared to your drinks, good man."

Adir smiled happily, taking joy in the joy of his patrons. Having such a generous man in the bar on occasion was good business - Soon others would be buying rounds for the house and extending favors to newly made friends. The Tavern could expect a long night of drinking ahead of it now.

"Of course, sir," Adir replied. He reached behind him to grab two fresh mugs and filled them from a nearby tap. He placed these in front of the two, now beaming, men at the bar. Adir then found an especially clean glass to fill high with ice and water. This is he gave to the young man with a grin and a wink.

"That was mighty kind of you, sir."

Trying not to ignore either patron, Adir leaned over the bar and turned to Vin with interest. "And hello to you! My, how long has it been since you've come in here? You missed a bit of excitement last night, you know."

"Thank you good barkeep." He happily took his clean drink and clanked it together with his new fans. The two men began to guzzle down their drinks as Ridley gently sipped at his. His eyes closing as he enjoyed the crisp drink cooling him down.

As Ridley's eyes slowly opened they caught the dark haired women sitting next to one of the two drinking men. He continued to smile. His hand reached into his robe pulling out two more coins. He leaned over and placed them down in front of her.


"I think she said sweet mead Adir." He recalled the name having been shouted by her as she walked in, so it was safe to assume it was the barkeep's. He also couldn't quite place it but this women looked slightly familiar.

"An exciting night?" Vinelle feigned surprise, her eyes widening dramatically. "Oh, Adir, honestly I'd be worried if a night in your tavern didn't see some kind of excitement." She grinned and settled into a barstool, propping her chin in her hand and apparently knowing the man well enough to gear up for a good tale. "Did anything get broken, this time? On a person or part of your equipment?"

Her probing was somewhat interrupted as she was surprised by the robed man's producing of coins for her drink. She sat up a little straighter, giving him a closer look. She wasn't unused to having her bar tabs paid for, but she usually had to coax it out of the patrons with a rousing or embarrassing story about training or fellow soldiers, or by promising not to sing...

"Your kindness is appreciated," she said honestly, trying not to look as suspicious as she felt. "And what's put you in such a good mood as to spoil good coin on others' drinks, dare I ask?" Sure, it was probably fairly rude to ask a benefactor their motives, but Vin had never claimed to be demure. And she maintained a crooked smile as she asked, hopefully indicating that rudeness wasn't the intention.

Ridley tilted his head slightly as the women asked her question. "Nothing really it just cuts the tension, and I have plenty of coin anyway. Really a small price to pay to make this a happier world." His grin was toothy upon saying this it seeming innocent enough if not a tad bit eerie.

Both fans gave him a pat on the back as they finished their drink. As they began to stand Ridley asked softly. "Still going to meet me where I told you tomorrow night? I'm sure you will really enjoy it." Both men nodded. "Don't worry boss we will be there, and thanks again."

"Don't mention it." With that both men left the tavern for home both already having had several drinks before Ridley bought them that last round. With both gone he took another sip of his water, while waiting to hear Adir's full explanation of the fight the night prior before he would speak again.

Adir chuckled at Vin's light teasing. His Tavern drew all kinds. It had gained quite the reputation over the past few years, but that was to be expected. He had done his best to create a homey atmosphere, and what could possibly put one more at home than fighting?

"It was a sight to see, but I'm sure that the details would bore you. Nothing more than a disagreement and a bit of blood. We were able to clean this old place up in no time."

With an elegant motion, Adir swept the two coins off of the bar and into his pocket, pulling out a new mug for the mead. The rush of business had him fearing a drought, but for now there was enough for at least one more glass. He filled it straight to the brim and placed it before Vin, spilling only one scant drop. "So how are you, my dear girl? Made any guards cry lately?"

Vinelle nodded her thanks to Adir as he set the mug in front of her, then raised it toward the robed man in a toast of thanks. "I'd offer my thanks personally, but I'm afraid I haven't gotten your name," she laughed. "But I am Vinelle, and I will not forget your generosity."

Taking a surprisingly delicate sip, she savored the sweet honey-taste on her tongue as Adir went on to ask about her recent doings. The one thing on her mind, naturally, was the outburst in the king's riding session. "Guards, no..." she pondered, taking another sip before setting the mug down. "I may have nearly given the commander his death, though." With a laugh, she shrugged innocently and spread her hands. "I may have offered my services as a riding tutor directly to the king. The poor man looked so bored riding around in circles, and I assume no one else dares attempt to show him anything more interesting for fear of it being 'dangerous'. But the commander was so put off by it that he sent me away on leave a whole day early." She smirked. "I suppose I should try that more often..."

"If it keeps bringing you back into my Tavern, then by all means annoy whomever you like!" Castle like was so filled with decorum and hierarchical rankings that the occasional misstep amused Adir to no end. At least his Tavern remained open to all Helidor citizens, regardless of their occupation. That was one of the many reasons why he loved his work. If he were restricted to speaking only with this person or that, he would likely die of boredom before the week was through.

"Everyone should learn to ride well," he quietly mused, half to himself. "It's a skill that will always come in handy at some point in you life. Even the King should be prepared for that."