Logs:Sensitive Old Codger(s)
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| RL Date: 28 August, 2015 |
| Who: E'dre, X'vin |
| Involves: Fort Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: X'vin eavesdrops on a trivial (but somewhat relevant conversation). E'dre is annoyed (surprise!). They still don't hit each other. |
| Where: The Glass Fountain, Fort Weyr |
| When: Day 26, Month 8, Turn 38 (Interval 10) |
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Despite its subterranean locale, the creamy wall paint, pale woods, and
frosted glass give the cavern a light, airy feel. Oil lamps reflect softly
in the polished wood of high-backed booths, glimmering through the opaque
glass dividers that help lend intimacy to the seating arrangements;
round-backed booths carved from stone, lined with deep, terra-cotta
colored padding and the addition of strategic, lyric shapes painted in a
subtle red shade. The sweeping, half-circle shaped bar with its top of
smooth stone, backed by cut-glass-fronted cabinetry flows gracefully into
the soft lines and mellow colors that dominate the Glass Fountain.
All the atmosphere aside, the main attractions of the room are clearly the
massive, multi-pronged chandelier that hangs from multiple chains from the
ceiling and the re-worked leak - which no longer resembles a leak at all,
having been channeled through glass to become a beautiful piece of art. A
curving wave and a series of glass bubbles guide the water past a bank of
glows, allowing the light to shine through the water and turn it into a
sparkling fountain. From its dark, dim, shabby history, the Glass Fountain
has become an elegant place with lattice-stands to hold the menus with
their selection ranging from typical 'bar food' to high-end dishes and
fancy desserts. Since E'dre's children have been settled outside of the Weyr and Ben is kept busy with the weyrlings, it is not uncommon at the end of the day to find the Acting Weyrleader taking his dinner at the Fountain and following it with drinks. Tonight he's at the bar, chatting in a casual way with one of the older brownriders from Agate. The general atmosphere more quiet than normal as quiet conversations seem to be what most are having.* X'vin haunts this place, between duties - whatever those are, given the relative autonomy of his wing. It is interesting, that his wing has not changed tack since Lilah's disappearance; keeping track of any of his wingriders but him can prove to be a chore indeed. Which must make it nice his fans - like E'dre - when he slides into the seat opposite of E'dre with a mild and sidelong expression, but no overt greeting for him. There's a cheerful one though, for the bartender, and an order of the top-shelf wine. And then he'll linger, listening to E'dre's conversation with one ear. That lack of greeting is noted by E'dre with a tightening of lips. He hides whatever else his face may express behind the mug of ale he hefts to his mouth for a gulp and the angling of his body to focus more on the man in front of him. "Still got the scar from that one," B'ryl continues, unbothered by X'vin's arrival as he hasn't even noticed the bronzerider with his attention fixated on E'dre. "But that's what you get when you don't listen to direction," he ccontinues with a gruff laugh. E'dre offers a polite chuckle of his own, the attention he had reserved for the brownrider waning as he falls to half-focusing on any of X'vin's potential conversations. X'vin is exceptionally patient, but it doesn't seem he's going to break his silence any time soon. He waits for his drink - Benden white, excellent vintage - and then exchanges the glass for a mark and a smile. "Keep the tab open," he says, making that mark a tip, and the tender gives him a nod before turning away to pocket his spoils. The bronzerider sips his wine, then really takes a mouthful to taste it, and makes a low sound of approval in his throat. A look cuts to B'ryl absently at that gruff laugh, a little roll of the eyes even, but there is nobody to talk to save E'dre now that the bartender is gone. He's waiting, maybe. Or maybe he knows how irritating it might be, his simple presence in silence. E'dre notices how X'vin is with his wine - how could he not? He's barely focusing on B'ryl now that the old-timer has begun another tale about his "younger turns". It'd be hard to stay focused for any length of time with the man who is known to chatter on whether or not those he's talking to seem to be listening. E'dre's finished his ale and hails the 'keep for a shot of whiskey. With X'vin lingering nearby, it's clear he'll need something to try and soothe his growing irritation. That shot is tossed back without hesitation and then he's reaching for the refill of ale he's also been handed. "And then, I tell ya, ol' Ulensanth upped and chased that shardin' gold like it was nothing. He got quite close too, bein' brown an' all." Maybe B'ryl has noticed X'vin after all. E'dre's gaze sharpens as he lifts a brow at the man. "Is that so?" he murmurs encouragement, "How interesting to think a brown almost won that one." Prissy, that's how X'vin is. He comes here because his tastes are higher than ale, or so he'll say, but when his eyes track the man behind the counter it is without a word, and with a smug little smile. B'ryl is - if nothing else - entertaining one party. The sound the bronzerider makes at what must be a tall tale might be a snort of incredulous amusement - but it might also be another sound of appreciation for his favorite vintage. Brownriders are hilarious, though. "Funny," B'ryl bypasses any further comment to E'dre as he swings around to level a disapproving stare only a man in his early sixties can pull off towards X'vin. "How some find it amusing to hover near a conversation and chortle like a teenager." He looks back to E'dre and clears his throat. "I'll be taking my leave then, sir. Taken up too much of your time." He has nothing but a friendly clap on the shoulder for E'dre before he abandons him to the company of X'vin. E'dre doesn't even look at X'vin as he settles to finishing his ale. One brow: up. The right side of X'vin's mouth is quirked into a smile, and he is tapping one finger on the rim of his glass until well after B'ryl has tantrumed and turned to leave. "Sensitive old codger, isn't he?" "He can be," E'dre allows, at least making the initial attempt to maintain civilness with X'vin. "But he's earned the right for it." He shifts a shoulder in a small shrug. That ale is not being chugged but he's got a small way to go before it's done. He sets it down on the table and cups his hand around it. Ready. "He has tall tales to tell," X'vin allows, "but that hardly means he's got the right. Everybody's mood is brought down by sour personalities." A smile. Where E'dre's ready, X'vin remains relaxed, the line of his shoulders uncoiled, like he's been freshly relieved of any stress. "Mmm," is the non-committal response that E'dre gives X'vin. He hefts that glass up and takes a sip, turning in his chair to look out at the room. One hand remains cradling his mug while the other falls to finger-tapping on the bar. X'vin, then, is willing to fall into silence yet again, with a smug little smile dominating most of his face. It touches his eyes, elicits the small huff of laughter from deep in his throat, and eventually is interrupted by a sip from his drink. "You believe him, about that goldflight?" "I prefer to support theories by reading," E'dre replies as he downs the rest of his ale and sets the glass a bit roughly down on the table. "It's an interesting habit. Have you tried it? You'll be amazed what the records will tell you." He flashes a wolfish smile at X'vin that is more teeth-baring than it is humourous. "But B'ryl's story I find interesting as well." He doesn't bother with saying goodbye. That'd be far too decent of him. He heads out without further comment and offers a few passing nods and waves to those who call to him as he leaves. "I wouldn't let either records or tales fan the flames of my hope if I were you," X'vin says, sounding for all the world like he's being helpful. But then there is a low chuckle, and the rest of his glass is downed, so he can call for a refill. |
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