Flashback Drinking it in

[Verin Rush]

76th Day of Summer, 510AV It was a cool evening in Summer, when Verin made his way through the canals and narrow passages of Ravok. The weather had been blissful in the past Season: hot enough to enjoy being outside in thin cotton, but cool enough to actually want to spend the time outside. Once again, Verin thanked Rhysol, and his benevolent protection, for the weather, knowing that many other cities didn’t fair as well as the lake city. Instead of a leisurely stroll, however, Verin moved at some speed; he was running late, having gotten distracted talking to his brother, he had left their lodgings half a bell later than he had originally planned to. The extra half a bell was more of an insurance policy, though, rather than time he needed to arrive at his destination, so he still hoped to arrive on time. Luck was not on his side this evening, however, and he arrived at the Malt House ten chimes after he was supposed to be there. “Brilliant first impression you’re about to give, Verin,” he mentally chastised himself; he knew how many other people wanted the job he was applying for, and if there was anything that would slow his progress, it would be poor punctuality. Verin did not take the time to look at the outside of the tavern, nor did he look around once inside. He had been here often enough with his brother and father, initially just for the odd meal when growing up, and then for the occasional drink when he reached the age of maturity. Now, though, he was here for employment, and he headed straight up to the bar, where he saw a man in his late twenties talking to a drinking customer. “Have you seen Grayson?” Verin asked without any preamble or pleasantries; he didn’t know the man, and this was not the man he was here to impress. The bartender gave him the once over and, after a few short words to the customer, turns into the back, presumably to summon the owner of the tavern. Verin waited awkwardly, tapping his fingers against the wooden surface. He was keenly aware of the fact that the customer he had interrupted was watching him as he continued to drink his pint of ale, but he didn’t look around, not wanting to engage in conversation at this point. "D’you know the meaning of time, boy?" Verin was careful not to wince when he heard Grayson Falkes’ booming voice, before he saw his figure. "’Cause punctuality means something in the working world. Won’t get nothing for free, and certainly not from your boss." “Sorry, Grayson,” the blond responded, “My brother-” "Ah yes, you’re one of those twins. You two cause us to lose business, you know. People think they’re drunker than they really are. Seeing double, they say, and they leave early." Verin wasn’t entirely sure what to say to that, and opened his mouth to respond, but closed it again, frowning. The tavern owner laughed at Verin’s expression, "Don’t worry about it, boy," he said, placating him, "Just come ‘round here and let’s see what you got in you… which one are you, anyway?" The elder Rush twin smiled and offered his name as he pushed away from the bar and made his way around to the service side of the bar. At least he was being given a shot to prove himself, even though he was late.

[Verin Rush]

Verin wasn’t new to being around Grayson Falkes, though he was surprised at the man’s ability to make each and every customer feel valued, as if he knew something private about each, and could have a meaningful conversation with any of them. More surprising, perhaps, was that the man wanted to see Verin showing the same care to all of the punters served. It wasn’t just about watching Verin pour the pints and take the orders, Grayson wanted to see interaction too. It was one of the reasons Verin was getting away with so many mistakes and spillages. "No, no, Verin. The gentleman asked for a gallon. That’s not a gallon is it? You need the bigger flagon." Verin glanced down at what he was holding in his hand, which was now over half way filled up, and he frowned. Bending down, he picked up the larger flagon and, holding it at chest height, went to pour the old contents into the newer metal cup. "No, boy!" He looked up, slightly shocked, wondering what he was doing wrong now, "Start again, don’t pour from one into the other, you’ll ruin the head if you do that, foolish child." The Rush twin fought back a scowl at being called a ‘child’ but set the smaller flagon aside anyway and placed the bigger one under the nozzle before he pulled back on the handle, watching the golden liquid pour out into base of the mug. In silence, he listened to Grayson making small-talk with the man Verin was currently serving, a conversation about the weather, and how lucky they were to have a clear day on the most recent slave auction. Something about how it was easier to see deficiencies or blemishes and imperfections when there was no cloud cover. Verin wanted to call them out on their bullshit, but he thought that would be bad form, first against the paying customer, and against his potential employer. Instead, he nodded along at the appropriate junctures, feigning interest in the conversation. A few drags later and he lifts it up, satisfied with his work. He smiled, a smile that wasn’t completely genuine, but one he hoped would pass as such, as he pushed the gallon of ale towards the man. “Sorry about the wait there, Sir, that will be… uh…” his gaze flashed over to Grayson for confirmation as he said, “Three, no, two Silver Mizas.” The man handed over the money and Verin thanked him before turning away. He knew it wasn’t exactly what Grayson was after but, just like his brother, Verin was a relatively solitary being, especially around people he didn’t really know. It would take him time to get used to it, but hopefully he would soon serve someone he knew a little, which would make the process of pretending to be their friend easier. Picking up a cloth, he brushed at the surface of the bar in an attempt to keep the polished wood free of markings, when Grayson walked along and patted him on the back. “Truth be told, the pouring of drinks from one mug into another does little to spoil it.” Grayson spoke quietly, and Verin had to strain to hear him, “It’s mainly because the punters don’t really like it… but mainly…” The blond raised a brow as he watched Grayson pick up the smaller flagon and take a swig of the ale inside, “It means that we can drink it too.” Grayson grinned and put the drink down in front of Verin, an offer to have some. “You’re doing alright, lad.” Another pat on the back, and he was gone.

[Verin Rush]

“Yeah, that will be two Silver Mizas, please.” Verin said to his most recent customer, now far more confident than he had begun with. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Grayson watching him with what he thought, and hoped, was approval. He hadn’t had much time to really talk to anyone, having just gone through a busy rush of customers, but Grayson, for the most part, had let Verin deal with it, only going through the odd customer. Obviously the tavern owner wanted to make sure that Verin was capable of working under pressure. He was still making mistakes, but there were far less of them now. "Here, Verin, lad, I want to show you something." Grayson called over to him, gesturing for him to join him in the back. Glancing around, Verin noticed that no one was waiting to be served, so he left his position to join the owner, wondering what new lesson he was about to have. "So I’ve shown you how to pour ale for people, and shown you the difference between flagon sizes, right?" The blond nodded once; he was a quick learner, especially when such learning was physical, rather than from books, "Right, so, we haven’t had anyone in tonight asking after wine. That’s hardly unusual, the stuff is bleeding expensive." Again Verin nodded, though this time it was in understanding. He had wondered, most of the punters tonight had not asked for food, though he knew the kitchen was open, having been walked through it earlier on a tour, soon after he had arrived. He had also seen a number of glasses that, as of yet, he had not touched, as he had had no need of them. He assumed that they were simply for wine, but had forget to ask and confirm his thoughts. "But we do get the off customer asking after a decent bottle, and when they come in, they’re usually well paying, so I want you to know what to do when they come in." Verin wondered, for a moment, if this meant that he had the job, if Grayson was showing him something that wasn’t strictly necessary for his work tonight, then he possibly wanted him back… but he held back on asking the question for now. Grayson showed him the few brands of wine they had, which were split mainly into reds and whites. Both could be drunk with or without meals, like most of the other drinks they served at the Malt House. But, if they were to be drunk with food, then there was specific etiquette he needed to be aware of, apparently. "Reds are for the darker meats. Beef, and the like. Red meats, if you will." Verin nodded, drinking in the information as if it would save his life one day. "White wines, on the other hand, are most commonly had with white meats, like chicken. Also white is had with fish, which is why white is the more common wine in Ravok." Grayson’s eyes narrowed shrewdly as Verin’s gazes drifted down to look at the bottle, "Don’t suppose you have any idea why wines are split like this for food?" Verin glanced up at the older man for a moment and he almost shook his head but he thought better of it, deciding to think it out – logic might bring him to an answer, if he tried hard enough. A chime or two went past before he finally glanced back up, glad, for once, that his father was a merchant, and he had had the chance to sample a variety of food. “I would imagine it has something to do with the consistency of the meet itself. The lighter the meat the lighter the wine to complement it.” He said it as a statement, rather than a question. Even if it was wrong, he had been brought up to at least pretend to be confident in everything, which is what he did now. Grayson smiled and clapped the young man on the back once more, "Go home and rest, Verin. I’ll see you tomorrow at four bells past noon, for your second day on the job."

[Abstract]

Grade Awarded!

Verin

Skills

~ Bartending - 2
~ Observation - 1

Lores

~ Bartending: The Different Flagon Sizes
~ Bartending: How to Pour Ale
~ Different Wines for Different Meals

Other

N/A

Notes

Nothing to say.