A Drink and Words

Writers: Diya, Ames
Date Posted: 2nd May 2011

Characters: Bryndon, Wirnan
Description: Wirnan comes for a drink, and ends up with conversation
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 1, day 21 of Turn 6
Notes: At the Tavern

Wirnan

Bryndon wiped his forehead, looking at the stacks of casks in the back
room of the tavern. He'd finished helping restock the tavern, rolling
in new casks of some distilled liquors, wine, and beer. The job could
have been trusted to drudges, but as an apprentice, well -- he was
equally able to be rousted, to learn how to care for and transport the
alcohols he wanted to learn to craft. He sat down, exhausted, at one
of the empty tables, feeling his biceps burning and the tension in his
legs.

He gave himself a few moments of release and rest before straightening
up again, walking towards the bar and nodding a greeting to the
bartender and the servers on duty today. "Water," he croaked, a wry
smile on his face. "As strange as that is for the tavern."

Wirnan looked up from his own mug and towards the other man. "Water,
eh?" He asked, staring down into his own glass of liquor. Picking it up
he took a rather large swallow. "Either you've had your fill of the
good stuff or you've no taste for it?" Wirnan could have drank a whole
cask this eve, that was how badly he'd felt after the most recent
argument with Kaya. Holding up his now empty mug, he motioned to the
bartender. "Another, please."

"Had my fill for a time," Bryndon said with a slight smile, bobbing his
head in greeting. "I'm Senior Apprentice Bryndon, here at the Hall. I
get a fair bit of exposure to the products," and he tilted his head
briefly at the man, a handful of ideas crossing his head on what might
be stirring such a desire to stare into his drink and just keep
ordering more. "And after helping bring more in, I think tonight I'd
best have water, before adding anything else. What are you drinking
tonight, sir?"

"An ale," Wirnan replied, then looked towards the other man, "Wirnan,
steward at Amber Hills," he said by way of introduction. Taking his cup
he took a rather long swig. He didn't want to think about the woman
back in his rooms, the woman that had shattered everything in his life
in a matter of a few sevendays. How was he going to get through this?
That thought made him take another pull from his drink. "I could use
something a bit stronger. Any suggestions Apprentice Bryndon?"

Bryndon nodded another greeting, extending a hand towards Wirnan. "Glad
to meet you, Steward Wirnan. As far as suggestions - well, it depends.
There are some solid liquors - we've got some good brandies, I think,
and some grain-distilled liquors, too. Various flavours - some from
tubers, too."

"Why not bring me one of your favorites?" He asked, glad to have
someone else suggesting options to him. "So apprentice you said? How
long have you been working at your craft?"

Bryndon took a sip of his water, rolling it around in his mouth for a
few moments before swallowing. "I've been here... a few Turns," he
said, dodging the topic that had been coming at him from all sides
over the past sevendays. "I'm beginning to put together a project
which will be reviewed by the Masters and, hopefully, get me into
journeyman status." He shrugged a bit, trying to hide nervousness with
indifference.

A short conversation with the bartender, muttered and accompanied with
gesticulations, then yielded a small glass placed before Wirnan,
filled two fingers in height with an almost-clear liquid, a tiny tinge
of red or pink - or was that the glass? - running through it. "I think
you might like this - it's something that doesn't always get pulled
out, but... it's strong, and a bit sweet." Bryndon smiled at the
Steward. "Let us know your thoughts!"

Wirnan lifted the glass, taking a sip. He instantly felt the power
behind the drink. Letting out a breath, he grinned and took another
sip. "Now that is a drink with a bit of a kick to it. Very nice." He
rolled the drink around on his tongue, breathing in the taste of the
berries as they seemed to pop in his mouth.

Turning, he watched the other man before asking, "So, what sort of
project are you working on? Or is it a craft secret?" He lifted the
glass as though in salute for suggesting such a fine drink before
taking another swallow.

Bryndon shrugged a bit. "It's... not exactly a secret, but I'm a
little uncomfortable talking about it since I haven't exactly got it
all figured out. I'm thinking about doing something like this," he
motioned to the glass. "Not sure, though." He shook his head, sandy
blonde hair bobbing slightly. "Suggestions for what might fit the
palate best?" He grinned at Wirnan. "Or something that would be
welcome for variety, from the perspective of a drinker?"

"I personally like something with a bit of strength to it, but not so
much that it burns the throat. Flavors can really make or break the
drinks as well. Just enough of something to make it appealing, but not
overpowering," Wirnan sipped his drink again, "And nothing too
sickeningly sweet." He shuddered at the thought of some drinks he'd
had over the turns that almost felt like syrup going down.

"What about sour, or spicy?" Bryndon looked down at his glass of water,
and then at the Steward. "Are there other flavours that you've really
enjoyed, or ones you've thought you would but ended up making you want
to retch?" He was curious, and then grinned. "Who knows, I might end up
calling you in as an outside perspective if I start doing some new
flavour project as a neutral party!"

"I wouldn't mind helping out a friend in need," Wirnan grinned. "As for
the other, I tend to like anything this is not overly sweet. Something
that falls in the middle is the best."

"That's fine by me. It's good to have someone who's not
overly-knowledgeable; sometimes you get people who want others to think
they're experts, but aren't, and then it goes all wrong as they start
thinking they taste more unusual flavors that just aren't there, so they
can say they tasted them." Bryndon heaved a bit of a sigh - it had
happened more than once. "So, good Steward - have you any gossip from
the Hold to share, or should I let you back to your drinking in peace?"

Gossip? Wirnan almost snorted under his breath. There was plenty of
gossip and he was at the center of much of it. "Just the usual. Nothing
out of the ordinary." He remarked deciding he did not want to discuss
the gossip around his marital state.

"In fact, I should probably be heading back anyway." He reached into his
pocket and put the necessary marks on the counter. "Pleasure meeting you
Bryndon. I hope to see you again. Perhaps you'll have some new flavors
for me to try next time we meet." He smiled kindly at the apprentice.
"Good day to you then."

Last updated on the June 17th 2011

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A Drink and Words