From: spider@zk3.dec.com (Spider Boardman)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Jac] Watching and waiting
Date: 06 Aug 1993 23:53:41 GMT
Message-ID: <SPIDER.93Aug6195341@web.zk3.dec.com>
References: <SPIDER.93Jul12214053@leggy.peano.zk3.dec.com>

Jac spent his afternoon afoot, wandering the streets of Generica.  He took
it slowly, keeping to major streets and avoiding the Low City entirely for
now.  Some of his attention was focused on correlating the geography of
the city with the places that his divinations had identified as being of
interest.  Another part of mind concerned itself with observing the layout
of the city.  Mostly, though, he amused himself by watching the people,
and simply enjoyed a day out in the sunshine.

He returned to the Dragon's Inn as the evening crowd was just beginning to
gather.  Entering, he started toward the bar.  As he approached, he
scanned the bottles that were in view.  He saw one of deep amber which
looked to be just what he wanted.  He sniffed for the odors from the
kitchen, and decided on his order as he reached the bar.  "A double
portion of tonight's special, please, and a scotch.  Neat."  He brought
out some more of his money.  "I'd like to start a bar tab against this."
He handed the coins to Littlefair, who pocketed them and poured the
drink.

Jac then took his drink in search of a table where he could watch most of
what went on without letting his size constrict the ability of people to
move around.  He was amused to notice that most of the various dark
corners were already taken, and selected a small table near the stairs.
His dinner was soon brought, and he finished it quickly.  As he was just
beginning to think he might want another drink, the waitress who had come
on duty a bit ago dropped one off at his table.  There was something about
her that tugged at his awareness, but she was already gone.  He filed the
feeling away for later, and went back to enjoying the music, the
smoothness of the scotch, and people-watching.

His attention was suddenly drawn to the doorway as two golden-skinned
people entered, one with a baby slung at his chest.  <Too pale to be a
golden elf from the 'Realms.  Oh, I see.  Half-elven.  What's that around
him--A shadow cloak?!>  He nearly choked on his drink, then decided to toss
it off.  <The other one, now...A human, with some magical alterations.
They don't look to have been of benign intent, either.>  He watched them
carefully select the centermost table, and talk with other a bit.  He had
just received another refill on his scotch when the gold-skinned half-elf
stood up and announced an open invitation.

He watched as several people decided to avail themselves of the chance for
a free drink.  <Works every time.>  He chuckled to himself.  Then he heard
the exchange with Ja'nis.

+ Luthor stood and bowed.  "Well met Ja'nis.  I am Luthor Anside and
+ this," he pointed to the golden-skinned human beside him, "is Wraith.  I
+ think I would like to hear of your home.  I have travelled much in my
+ life and I enjoy hearing stories of distant lands.  Please, have a seat
+ and share your tale."

+ "Er- um...<cough> <chuckle> You picked kind of a doozy there, why
+ doesn't somebody else go first while I try to organize this in my head?"
+ She looked around, trying to hide a plea for help deep down in her
+ expression.

Jac grinned broadly.  <So, it's tales of *distant* lands he'd like, is it?>
The table next to him had been eyeing the spaces near him covetously
anyway, so he decided to cede it to them, and went to join Luthor, Wraith,
Ja'nis, and company.
--
Spider Boardman					spider@zk3.dec.com
DEC OSF/1 development				...!decvax!spider
I don't speak for DEC, and vice versa.