Salamandastron: Recreation Room

-------------- Salamandastron --------------- The recreation room for the army of the Longpatrol. Here soldiers come to relax after a hard day's work and the officers come for a game of cards or a quick drink by the fire. The room is quite large, having to deal with a lot of hares at one time. Along one wall there is a large worktop with some cuhsioned stools lining one side of it. On the other side of the worktop there stand many kegs and bottles, lined so that they can be easily opened by someone standing on the inside of the bar but well out of reach of the rowdy hares on the other side. There are a few woollen cloths on the bar and mats in front of each stool. The next thing nearest to the bar are the round tables, each with 4 chairs around and a lantern in the middle of each one. There are a couple of slightly larger oval tables with 8 seats around, obviously for larger crowds. The other end of the room is littered with armchairs, comfortable armchairs, each pair with a small table in between. The armchairs are near the fire, used to heat the room and provide extra comfort for the relaxing soldiers. -------------------------------------

Neville leans heavily on one of his paws, his elbow propped up by the bar as he boredly surveys his domain. He lets out a long sigh and slowly rights himself, rubbing the back of his head and opening his mouth wide in a yawn. The recreation room is devoid of life, barring the bored barhare that is, not one afternoon drinker to liven things up. Nev potters idly about, inspecting the taps of barrels, rows of tankards (adjusting one of the handles that was slightly misaligned) and lowering his eye to the surface of the bar, checking for any spots in need of another polish. Satisfied that the bar is still as tidy as it was five minutes ago, he frowns to himself and turns to the distiller in an alcove behind the bar, checking gauges and tapping the side curiously. Once again, that hasn't changed either, still in the fermenting stage there’s nothing to do but wait. The barhare returns to his previous position, propped up by the bar and looking bored witless.

Soleil pokes her head into the Rec Room, eyes scanning the empty room before quickly stepping into the room and to the side of the doorway. With her back to the wall, just inside the doorway, she once again eyes the room, although this time more thoroughly, making sure that it is indeed empty. Still suspicious it seems, the doe turns around and pokes her head back into the hallway looking both ways. Finally satisfied, she stalks to the bar, glancing back over her shoulder once with a furrow between her brows. She slides up onto a stool near the end of the bar and hunches over in a rather defensive manner, arms resting on the counter.

Neville looks up at the sound of approaching footsteps, expecting them to walk right past the doorway, he raises an eyebrow in curiosity as the doe peers through the doorway. He stops with his mouth open, about to call out a greeting but having stopped as he saw the odd actions of the new entrant. He grins slightly, an eyebrow still raised, watching the haremaid take her time too look about in an oddly paranoid fashion before slumping at the bar. He reigns in his natural enthusiasm reserved for the first customer of the day and potters over quietly. "'Afternoon m'dear, y'look like yer in need of a drink. I reckon I can at least help yer there" he says with slight laugh, trying not to seem overbearingly cheerful but still friendly, "What'll it be?" he asks quietly.

Soleil sits up a little straighter, eyes focusing on the bar-hare. "Oi. A drink sounds superb," she nods emphatically. Ooh. But wait. A look of unhappy realization slides over her features and the up and down motion of her head shifts to a horizontal movement. Continuing to shake her head she lets her elbows slide out to the side, her head coming down to rest on the counter, her paws bunched into fists on either side of her nose. Ermph. "I can't. S'too early t'drink," she says, her voice muffled by her position, looking truly unhappy.

Neville barks out a laugh, "When the day's bad enough that a drink sounds superb, then its never to early to drink" says the barhare with a grin, "As a good friend of mine says, 'Somewhere in the world, its always last orders... and I can't let one go by without having a drink'... which is a roundabout way of saying there’s no harm in an early drink or a late drink if its truly warranted... although some hare's definition of warranted is that the day ends with the letter 'y'". He leans against the bar just across from the doe, "Besides, if you get a drink then you've also got a bartender to talk to, and you know we're the best people for offloading your worries and problems on to, its what we do best... after making darn good drinks" says Neville with a broad grin once more.

Soleil pulls her elbows back under her, levering herself up into a sitting position once again. With a wry grin the doe nods. "Sounds like a wise friend y've got. An' it's jus' one of those days, y'know? I'll wager it warrants a drink an' a half. Maybe even two." She grins again, this time with more genuineness than sarcasm. "You've got somethin' sweet perhaps?" She raises one eyebrow, hoping that this is not an offensive question.

Neville stops for a moment, his lip twitching in the second that he stands motionless, before he lets out a laugh, gawffing laugh, "Wise friend? Hah, nooo, he's just an alcoholic" cackles the bartender with genuine mirth, he shakes his head, "Been a while since he's been called wise I'll wager". The barkeep nods at the question, "Sweet, well I've got a fair few beverages that'll cater to those of a sweeter tooth, not that I'm a fan m'self, I'm sweet enough yaknow" he jokes, before glancing over his wares, "Well if you want something light to get you through the day, I could whip up something fruity, say, a cool berry cordial with a splash of honey liquor, recently concocted by my good self. Or there’s something a little different I've been trying, its a light apple drink with a bit of spice, mainly cinnamon, which a spot of something stronger to perk you up a bit. Either of them sound tempting?" he asks.

Soleil grins and laughs as well. "Either way. I don't disagree with'em. Not today." She tilts her head to the right, ears perking slightly, as she listens to her options. She lets out a quite half laugh at his joke and murmurs a polite Of course, the corner of her mouth twitching up in a smile. Ooh. Honey. Nod nod. But, ohh. Apple. "Erm," she stares at the bottles and glasses behind the counter, narrowing her eyes in concentration, weighing both options carefully. "I think," she begins slowly, letting her eyes focus back on Nev. With more confidence, "Yea, I'll have th'apple." She sighs and sits back on her stool, as though a great weight has been lifted from her shoulders. Suddenly she leans forward again. "No. Wait." Pause. "Could y'try the apple with th'honey instead of the strong stuff?" She asks, looking hopeful.

Neville taps his chin in thought for a moment, "Hrm, well in that case I think I'd best cut back on the cinnamon, the who flavours might clash otherwise, but yep, apple & honey is a combination that sounds pretty tasty. If it works I might even put it on the menu" he says, now mostly talking to himself as he ponders the tweaks to make to the recipe. He waves his hand in the air as he suddenly gets an idea, "Yes! That'll work!" he exclaims, turning to scamper over to a series of bottles with his small chest of spices next to them. He plucks up a clean tankard and scratches his head for a moment, eyeing the various bottles, before deftly snatching one and taking out the cork. He sniffs at the top and nods, "Took a while t'make this, had t' chop up the apples, then grind them down, add some syrup, grind them s'more, add a bit more syrup then pass it through a fine cloth. Only way t'get it into a liquid rather than a lumpy mess y'know" he comments as he creates his concoction. Putting splashes in from various other bottles and a pinch or two of fine powder from separate draws of his spice chest. He fills the rest up with lightly flavoured water, before stirring it vigorously to blend the flavours. He inspects the beverage, stirs it again and adds in the final splosh of the golden honeyed liquor, only giving it one quick stir and leaving a short wooden stirrer in the top as he places it gently in front of the doe. "And there we are, see wotcha make of that little number" says Nev with a proud nod.

A bemused smile plays about Soleil's face as she watches the enthusiastic Nev prepare her beverage. "S'alot of work for a drink," she says in reply to his commentary. "D'you ever have any help f'the scut work? Or would tha' take somethin' away from the satisfaction of a completed drink?" She watches him, eyebrows still raised in accompaniment of her last question, as he places the mug in front of her. Oooh. She holds the drink up to the light briefly, admiring, before holding the stirrer with a thumb and taking a test sip. Her brows furrow in concentration and another test sip goes down. "S'incredibly good. Has this got -green- apples in it?" she asks, eyes on the bar-hare, a grin on her face.

Neville tuts and shakes his head, "If the drink's good enough then no much work is too much, besides, its not only my job but a hobby of mine this whole drinks concocting lark, Its rather rewarding spending time testing different combinations and whatnot. And what could be more rewarding than the look on a very happy customers face" he asks to himself, striking a noble pose looking away from the doe, glancing back he breaks into a wide grin, "Yep, that’s the face" he says with a laugh. "Although I thought it was rather well known that I'm looking for some help around here, I've been pestering the officer types to get me a barmaid, even part-time help would be very welcome. Not jus' fer helpin serve when its busy, but givin' me a hand thinking of new ideas and whatnot" he admits, "Somedays I'm too busy to serve properly, can't exactly make this standard of drink when there’s a crowd there can I?... and yep, its mainly the larger cooking apples I'll admit, but its got a few of the smaller, sweet apples in there too,” Neville coughs, interrupting his little speech then finishes what he was saying. "Ahem, yes, its got a few sweet apples in there to add a bit of extra flavour. Works pretty well I reckon"

"Knew it," replies Soleil with a grin. "I like th'green ones," she adds taking another sip. With an understanding nod she continues, "S'fun hobby. I had a similar one as a dibbun. I'd take m'grandpappy's knife and run off in the woods and chop up all sorts of greens - flowers, vines, weeds, herbs, tree leaves, berries, fruits, and unidentifiables - and mix 'em together in a big pot." She grins, remembering. Another sip of the apple drink. And another. She holds the beverage in her mouth for a moment, looking thoughtful before swallowing visibly. Ahh. "Y'know. I've got t'work in the infirmary most mornings and several afternoons a week, but I could maybe help ya with th'preparing a few afternoons and evenings. If y'want, of course."

Neville smiles at the thought of the young dibbun running around the forests, "Hrm, maybe it shows that I have a similar hobby to that y'had as a wee dibbun" says the barhare with an impish grin, "Bet it didn't taste half as nice at the end of it though". He raises an eyebrow at the offer of help, "Well... well well well... that would be appreciated" says Neville with a wide grin, "However, that'd be like making a cake and only eating the cream. Its the best part, but you don't get the full appreciation without the sponge... if that makes sense." explains the barhare, "The bartending completes the experience, you get to watch people sampling and, hopefully, enjoying your creations. Gives a lot more meaning to it - so if you help me with my concoctions on the occasional afternoon but also help me serve some busy evenings, then you've got yerself a deal".

Soleil grins, taking another sip to emphasize her point. "Yer right, there. Mine were never nearly as good as this." Sitting up straighter, she grins, glad he's accepted her offer of help. But..what? She tilts her head to one side, brow furrowed as she tries to follow the analogy, mouth slowly twitching up in laughter as he progresses. She laughs outright at the end, still quite unsure what he's talking about. "Oi. I don't think I'm quite the type fer bartending. Not quite that outgoings" she says, still smiling.

Neville laughs, "Well that’s what everyone thinks at first, and don't worry, its not like I'd throw you in at the deep end and sacrifice you to the thirsty masses of the fighters back from a patrol, just the odd bit of assistance to stop me going spare" he says with a grin, "Plus it would mean I can be a bit more relaxed in working, so we can be even more creative with the drinks. Well.. its up to you obviously, but I reckon you'd make a damned fine barmaid. Just try it once, see if y'like it, and a'course it means you'd have full access to my drinks-based tinkerings, summit no-one else in the mountain has" he suggests, leaning in close to whisper the last bits, as if paranoid someone's after his secrets... who knows, they might be. He straightens out and glances over as a few more hares enter, the late-afternoon drinkers slowly starting to appear. "I'll leave you t'think about it eh?" he offers as he potters over to the new entrants to take their orders.

Soleil grins. "Kind of you, that. Not sacrificing me an' all right away," she says with a laugh. She takes another sip of their joint creation at the mention of creativity. Mmm. It is good. And it would certainly be fun. She leans in to hear his whispers, ears alert. She grins, sitting up. As he's moves to tend to the newest customers, she calls out. "M'done thinkin'. I'll give it a go, servin' and all." Grin. She finishes up her drink, letting the stirrer clink against the empty tankard as she sets it down. "When should I come by?" She asks, when he's near again.

Neville grins and gives the doe a wink as he wanders past carrying two brimming tankards of ale, "Well whenever you're free really, best to pop along during the day sometime and I'll talk you through the various barrels. It'll probably seem rather confusing when you start off, probably a bit like if I wandered into the healer's equipment cupboards, but I'll give you the tour and hopefully you'll enjoy y'self" he says with a grin, "I'm going to be a bit busy for a bit now, but lemme know if you fancy another of those eh?" he offers before rolling his eyes and hurrying to deal with a rather impatient, and loud, fighter demanding an ale.

End

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