Closed Just a Sip... (Shiress)

[Letixia Raigner]

Letixia Raigner Winter 80, 513 Letixia was mentally drained. It had rained for nearly the entire day, having just stopped. Letty had spent the entire morning training in the rain, soaking her through and through. She was tired, her muscles ached, but then after she'd had lunch, she had to go to her studies with her Patron. She'd been required to study the Syliran family lineages and legacies, as well as the histories of their members. She didn't really care for history, particularly this, since she wasn't from one of the prominent families. When she'd finished, her Patron could see how drained she was and told her to go get some food from town instead of the dining hall. She didn't have much experience eating at the city's various locales, so she asked him for a recommendation. Letty now found herself looking up at door with a sign reading, 'Tavern'. She was in her normal attire, no armor or weapons with her, a single coin pouch hanging from her belt. She pushed her way inside and saw that room wasn't that full. She looked around and noticed that a lot of the people that had food were done, or nearly so. She hoped that she hadn't arrived too late. Nearly all of the tables were occupied, so she went and slumped down in one near to what she guessed was a kitchen. She leaned back in the chair, just hoping to eat and relax.

[Shiress]

Shiress stepped behind the bar, her tray full of dirty mugs, plates and everything else left in the wake of the dinner bell. It had been a long, busy day and she longed to pull her shoes off and relax a bit. An argument with a co-worker, earlier in the day, had left the bartender in a foul mood and with her back and feet aching she was beyond ready to call it a night.

Most of the patron's lingered around their tables content, engaged in loud, drunken conversation with an occasional call for another round. Shiress would deliver the mugs with a pleasant smile, then return behind the bar, inwardly cursing herself for her choice of employment. Most days she enjoyed her job, but then there were days like this one when she hated everything and everyone.

One by one, she removed the soiled dinnerware from her tray, placing them in a bucket of soapy water by her feet. Swiping the back of her wet hand across her forehead, she glanced up as the door of the tavern swung open with a racket. Through the doorway stepped an attractive, young woman who made her way quickly to a table. She looked almost as tired as the bartender felt. Almost.

Shiress dried her hands on her apron as she crossed the floor. Stepping up to the table, she brushed back a strand of hair behind her ear and plastered a half pleasant smile across her lips. "Hello. What can I get for ya?"

[Letixia Raigner]

Leti heard the barmaid approach and looked up at her and the dark bunch of curls that accompanied her. She had that look some squires get right after they get hit in the head by a shield, right before they flop face first into the dirty. Must've had a long day as well. She didn't really know what to order, "Can I get something to eat? Whatever you'd think is best. And maybe some water please." She tried to put on her smile, but she was so drained, that she thought that it likely turned out to be more of a grimace. She waited for the tired woman to leave her table, before she started eyeballing the others in the tavern. Many were drunk already, and she quickly noticed that her and the barmaid were the only women in here. While she was quite confident nothing would happen, she found it odd that no other women were dining or drinking here. As she scanned the room, her eyes fell on another pair looking back at her. They belonged to a really ugly man, with a crooked nose, a bushy beard, and some scars adorning his melon head. He stood up and wobbled over to her, mug still in hand, a confident grin upon his face. "Hey der perdy ladeh. Mine if uh join ya?" "No thanks, I'm just trying to eat some dinner after a long day. But thank you for the offer." The man looked a little surprised that she'd turned him down, and slumped back over to his table where his friends were laughing at his misfortune. She relaxed once more, hoping her food would arrive soon.

[Shiress]

Shiress silently nodded at the woman's order and stepped away. After disappearing into the kitchen a chime the bartender emerged with a tray bearing a bowl topped with chunks of meat, potato, carrots and onion floating in a steamy brown broth. Aside the bowl was a warm piece of bread, a slab of butter, eating utensils and a napkin.

Stepping behind the bar, Shiress glanced up, pausing to watch a bearded man as he stood and approached the woman. It wasn't often trouble started in the tavern, but when, in the strange occurrence, trouble did brew it was around this time and almost always included an unfamiliar female catching the eye of someone deep in their drink. Thankfully, the man received his disappointment rather well and returned to his table. At least for now things would remain peaceful and the bartenders tense muscles relaxed as she lifted the tray and made her way back to the stranger.

Stepping up to the table, Shiress studied the woman's features a chime before speaking. "Here you go, Ma'am" she said, placing the contents of the tray one by one in front of the brunette. "Are you Alright? You look troubled." She rested the tray against her hip and glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the man. "They are usually harmless enough" she added, giving the woman a reassuring smile "but if they try and start anything, just give me a yell, OK? I'm Shiress and can I get you anything else?"


SorryI appologize for the wait! Thank you for being patient

[Letixia Raigner]

Leti smiled as the barmaid arrived with her food, "Thank you so much." She looked her in the eyes to respond to her question, "Yeah, I'm fine, just exhausted." She then glanced over at the drunkard, "At least he knows when to throw in the towel. I'm sure he'll be fine, but thank you." The barmaid looked as tired as she felt, "If you're not too busy, why don't you sit down? You look as if you could use it as well." Leti immediately straightened her posture, closed her eyes, and then in a low whisper. "Thank you Yahal for helping to provide this food today. I thank you for helping me to stay on my rightful path. Thank you Sylir for bringing the peace to the world that allows me to relax and eat. Thank you Bala for helping the plants grow strong and provide nutrition to my body." She then picked up her spoon and sipped at the soup. It was rich, savory, and quite delicious, instantly spreading the smile on her face even wider. She broke off a small chunk of bread and dipped it in the broth and popped it in her mouth, finding this just as delightful. "Whoever made this certainly did a splendid job, it's very delicious. Thank you again." She kept on rambling, "I've never been to eat in a tavern before, I might've come sooner if I knew the food was this good."

[Shiress]

Shiress nodded sympathetically at the woman's explanation of the troubled look. The bartender could most certainly understand, especially at present.

Considering the invitation a tick, the bartender glanced around the tavern "I'd love to, actually" she admitted, scooting out a chair from under the table. "I'm past due to leave and to have company, such as yourself, beats an empty apartment any day, thank you."

Shiress sat quietly, looking on curiously, as the brunette prayed. It wasn't the first time the girl had seen eyes close in prayer, but it was the first time that she heard Bala referenced in thanks for food. It made sense, though. Despite not being very religious herself, Shiress had a deep respect for those that were and it always brought a smile to her face when one showed their faith outwardly.

"Ah, that would be Chef Rondo Vustakoff, Cook Ron, as I call him much to his dislike" she laughed "and trust you me, he knows it's good." Running her finger's through the tangled mess of chestnut colored hair, she sighed and sat back "The Stallion's food is good, yes, but a home cooked meal is what I long for. I haven't had in ages." The bartender rested her elbow against the worn surface of the table and propped her cheek against the back of her hand, closing her eyes for just a tick, savoring the rest.

Opening her eyes again, she let her arm fall across the edge of the table "Would you mind if I have myself an ale?" she asked, standing "Will you have one? My treat."

[Letixia Raigner]

Leti mused lightly, "Chef Rondo Vustakoff. What an interesting name, though Ron is much easier on the tongue." Leti didn't really know the desire for a home cooked meal. She'd cooked for her and her dad for as long as she could remember. Her dad had many talents, but making food taste good was not among them. And the food in the dining hall for the squires was made to be nutritious, and easy to make en masse, so it wasn't exactly fine dining. The woman had offered her an ale, something Leti had never tried before. Her father never drank the stuff, preferring just water with all meals, and she'd learned the same habit. Quickly wiping the look of tentativeness and hesitancy from her face, "Um, sure!" She didn't know why, but she found herself a bit embarrassed that she'd never tried it before, perhaps because it was another thing that singled her out from the common populace. Or perhaps because she was always working toward being mature and grownup, signs of being an adult, and a Knight, and this felt childish. She continued eating at her food, waiting for her pleasant partner to return, sheepishness growing in her stomach.