Opening Night at the Tavern, Pt. 4

Writers: Cali, Mikel, Vix
Date Posted: 25th March 2007

Characters: Bhervehan, Barthella, Hartam
Description: As The Tavern opens, Bhervehan and Barthella discuss some future plans for the place.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 2, day 21 of Turn 4

"OK, everybody ready?" Bhervehan asked the staff and harpers.

Hartam nodded his acknowledgment, his fingers picking at the strings to his gitar, softly sounding the opening notes to a tune that he had known for most of his half century of life, one that would be recognizable to most of tonight's patrons.

Barthella also gave a nod to Bhervehan. She eyed her new kitchen staff with approval, they were all shaping up very well. They had spent their day chopping, slicing, peeling, and tenderizing everything they could in preparation for the (hopefully) fast pace of the opening.

With their acknowledgement, Bhervehan through open the doors and let the waiting guest in. About a dozen people filed in, most heading to the bar, though some quickly claimed some of the prime tables and benches.

On the bar and some of the tables were plates of the finger food Barthella had prepared for the evening.

"A little louder, but not enough to overpower conversation," Hartam warned his apprentices. He watched the crowd, noting which of those entering were alone, which in pairs, and the knots that signified the occupations represented. This information brought to mind other songs, ones that were not in the original plans for the night's entertainment, yet could be added at some point in the evening.

Bhervehan smiled as he walked towards the back of the tavern. Stopping to chat with some of the patrons, he made sure that each was happy. But more than that, he paid attention to what they _thought_ would make them happy. These comments he would add to what he knew about tending a bar. He was never the kind of man that thought just because something was so today, that it would be same tomorrow.

Finally he made it to the back of the tavern, and sidled up to Barthella.
"Well, so far so good."

She grinned as she looked around at the gathering people. "That's cause nobody is drunk yet."

"Well, it is early still."

"Oh, I ment to mention this earlier." Barthella's memory was refreshed at the sight of a dragonrider walking in. "If you make a good contact with one of these dragonriders, I'd like to get a supply of Western Red Stripe in maybe once a month, and we'd have to have dragon transport for fresh."

Bhervehan almost managed to suppress a groan. "Are you sure?"

She shrugged, like she didn't care, but her voice expressed differently. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I'm sure I can find a dragonrider willing to make an _exchange_ with me."

Bhervehan laughed out loud, and wrapped the woman in a hug. "You never change, Bart. You know how I feel about riders, but I'll not let that get in the way of improving The Tavern."

"Just think of it as using _them_ for something you want." Barthella knew he didn't like riders, but she liked them just fine, and they were so _handy_ at getting things she needed for her kitchen.

Smiling at her, he said "is it going to affect the taste of my bubblies if I make the arrangements rather than you?"

Barthella gave him a playful jab in the ribs with her elbow for the tease. "Oh you!"

"You have a specific rider in mine?"

"No," she shook her head, "Maybe somebody from Dolphin Cove Weyr? They'd have the easiest access to it." Barthella noticed that the harpers hadn't received any citrus water to drink while on stage, so she separated herself and headed towards the kitchen door. "Like I said, just keep an eye out." She called back to him.

Last updated on the March 25th 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Opening Night at the Tavern, Pt. 4