From: alden@coos.dartmouth.edu (Laurie F. Alden) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: Barmaid's Journal 3 Message-ID: <1992May15.143409.3752@dartvax.dartmouth.edu> Date: 15 May 92 14:34:09 GMT Ah! now we're getting the hang of this... (you folks are more fun than misc.kids!) things following > were written by other folks. Dolander the Elven warrior listens to a song in memory of his fallen comrade. Serene recognizes the need to turn this into a vin triste, not a violent drunkenness, and brings honey-wine. >"Wench! I got a cravin' fer some Half-zane brandy! Make that a pitcher this time," and she holds two red-gold coins out for the bar-maid. "And how'z about ma dinner?""And nobody even asked my name! Hmmph!" Serene handles the red-gold as though she expects it to eat a hole through her fingers and asks, on cue, "And what may ye be called, lady?" She looks a bit frazzed as she searches for half-zane brandy, not having heard of that drink before. "Half brandy and half what?!" she asks herself as she rustles among the many dusty bottles. The lynx-gent compliments Serene and her grey eyes glitter with her smile. "I thank'ee, sir, and will remember that you care for green things... Would you be trying the amber next?" The ponytail bobs as she pours and ducks quickly out of arm's reach. The tiny bit of silver-white Winter Faerie is served chilled peppermint schnapps and finely diced greens and cheeses. A bowl of raspberries and a pastry for dessert... Quartermaster Karl calls for >Barmaid, darling, wil'st ye bring two pitchers of Vascondian mead for my horned companion and myself?" Vascondian. Of course, sir. To herself, "That would be under V?" Time to trudge downstairs and plumb the depths of the cellars... She returns a few minutes later, amazed, carrying two pitchers of Vascondian mead. "Fairfinger..." she gets the inkkkep's attention, "That's an amazing cellar! How keep ye from getting lost?" Warmed mead for Rhoan, Catamount Gold for Chak until Serene can have the beads assessed by a halfling?,Catamount Porter for Mordecai who has waited so patiently (;), and then she passes Silver's table. Serene stops short and begins to flush a deep crimson. "Oh, my Lady, I'm sorry!" She runs for cold water and sets the pitcher down hurridly, along with whatever coin Silver might have paid so far tonight. Our flustered barmaid, retreats to the kitchen for the next quarter-hour, relieving Mary of the stove and hiding her shame. From the kitchen she hears Kadrys' strange request. "Need it be a prson's blood, stranger?" she asks quietly from the kitchen doorway. She holds out a hand to invite him to the back room where the fresh game is waiting for Mary's and the short Ogre Cook's ministrations... Meshtak calls for >"Hey, woman! Get me a flask of your cheapest ale. I want to get stinking drunk on the first swallow, you hear me?" Confronted with the contradictions, she comes up with some Old Lewiston and a grain chaser... "oh! Mopper Marux, yes, please would you see to the glasses? I will gather them up for you." she bustles about with a tray. "As to closing tonight, I only had time for a quick ... walk at sunrise - I think we're open 24 hours. Remember, Mopper, we're Always Open, not Never Closed." Zenith is delivered his note (inscribed, simply, "Silver"), in case hehadn't caught it in previous mention... Fenris the ice Barbarian? chilled vodka. Water for Drax, and a curious peek into his box. Fries for Fooman, and a large, hot order for our collapsed friend receiving the medical attention - with vinegar. -- Ecclesiastes 3:8.5: There is a time to fish and a time to cut bait. lfa@dartmouth.edu