Act 1, Scene 4: "To Skald" (Game Thread)

[kerap]

For the sake of Pyros' and Cross' appetites and unquenchable thirsts, Artanis selects a table near the bar & kitchen.

[Jenara]

"Rooms? Oh yes please.. And food, let us take a table and I'll see what everyone wants." She takes a half step back and notes Artanis taking a table. "It looks like we have chosen a table." Moving away she brings Everyone to the table.

"Merrick, could you sort food and drink for everyone? I'll have some Ale and something meaty if they have such." Looking to Thomas she adds. "Rooms? Elsa will you share with me? Jerry and Merrick in another, so that leaves you Pyros, Artanis and Cross."

[Nocturno]

Seeing the table has been picked Cross will settle in with his book.

Pyros will jump over to the table and hope for someone who speaks the language to get food.

[Chris1234]

Jerry nods and smile, appreciative of being taken care of, and asks Merrick to choose food for her.
When the bustling settles down Jerry asks him, "So was this the town where I was to take some instruction from a *papermaker?" She waves a hand in the air as if to make the whole abnormal situation normal.
"Do you recall his name and how I should contact him?"

======
{OOC: *It's either Papermaking or Bookbinding, not sure which way round tbh.}

[TristenC]

[Chris: There is both a Papermaker and Bookbinder in Skald. Merrick has contact information for both, so she can take her pick. I think she mentioned Papermaking, though, since Serath himself knows Book-Binding.]

Artanis picks out the table near the kitchen, and the rest of the party joining him as Mira speaks to Allison. The waitress leads her to the bar and Thomas makes the arrangements. Three rooms? Very well. Each room is a double and costs 7 silver per night. For your room there is no cost on nights you perform, as part of Mrs Sartre’s arrangement with you? She will have to go over the other details of your compensation with you in person. She is out on errands at the moment, but should be back in a couple of hours at most.

As the others take their places, Merrick translates their food orders for Allison and arranges for drinks. She returns soon with pitchers of Water, Ale, and the local Meekulbrau. Merrick pours some of the dark wine for himself and for Jerry, while Elsa orders and receives a mug of Mead separately.

The papermaker? Merrick asks regarding Jerry's query. I don’t recall his name, but his shop is right across from the Bookmaker i think. That's in lower Skald, near one of the bridges according to Serath. I’ve never been here before, but i’ve met Theo the bookmaker once when he came to Harmonia. He'll introduce us. We can go this afternoon once we’re settled in. He says confidently.

Roughly half of the other patrons finish up their meals and leave. Those remaining consist of a couple speaking quietly to each other and a lone woman. Artanis spots her in one of the corner booths by herself. She sits not far from them now, but her position was difficult to see from where they came in. Her skin is of a dusky hue as of one who has spent many long days in the sun. She wears a billowy white blouse held in place by a black corset, a pair of snug leather pants and boots, and a rapier which rests easily at her hip like an extension of herself. Long black hair cascades past her shoulders, and her dark brown eyes seem to be weighing the party. She carries herself with a proud, almost defiant air; left hand resting near a half-empty mug of ale on the table.


[Time is about 1:00 pm according to the town clock-tower]
===
Int Checks from Mira and Artanis in their private threads please

What does everyone want to eat/drink?

Pitcher of Ale or common Wine 2sp
Full meal 3sp
1 egg or fresh veggies 1cp
Meat for one meal 1sp
Stew 5cp

[Nocturno]

"Let'sgetabigolpotofstew,acoupleplatesofmeat,someveggies,andbread!" he will spout this off to Merrick, then toss a small pouch of silver at him.

Then he will offer to pour Elsa's drink for her, then pour a mug of ale for himself, and chug half of it, then let out a HUGE "AHHHHHHH" and belch.

[Chris1234]

Jerry smiles a 'Thank you; you're great!' at Merrick, and, out loud, "Red wine is good, please. What in the stew?"
She adds in a much lower voice, "I find that trollburger fights back at me," and the giggles slightly, quickly stifled, as it's improper to laugh at one's own attempts at humour.

[Jenara]

"Thank you Allison, yes Mrs Sartre and I need to discuss a few terms, but the deal with the rooms is acceptable, could we book the rooms until Monday for the short term? Money up front?" She asks as her eyes fall on the woman.

"Merrick, could I have a glass of Red, and a decent meal?" Mira asks watching the woman with interest. "Give me a moment, Artanis, watch your back.." She nudges the Ranger, motioning towards the woman. "I'll be back.." with that she stands and heads over to the woman's table.

(Going to post the rest in her private thread)

[kerap]

Naturally Artanis is very interested in a raven haired beauty - especially one that carries a rapier, and has all the appearance of knowing how to use it. He (jokingly?) replies to Mira: "Find out if she's single."

To Merrick he says: "A bowl of stew will do nicely - and some sort of fruit juice if they have it."

[Jenara]

"I'll try." She responds before she leaves, tapping his hand. "She is very pretty. Don't you think Jerry?" Winking to Artanis she walks away.

[Chris1234]

"Oh yes, very! Don't you think so, Artanis?" prompts Jerry. "But what if she's a twin?"

[TristenC]

Thomas nods to Mira before she moves off, Paying in advance? Certainly. As i said, your room would be free any night you play. Umm... if you are staying until monday next that could be each night except for Friday and Saturday. Jiacamo has a standing contract for the weekends.

Merrick chuckles at Pyros' enthusiasm and makes sure to place their orders appropriately. Pyros moves to pour for Elsa, but has to settle for merely passing it to her since her order was an individual drink and not a pitcher.

Merrick takes a drink and chuckles at Jerry's jest, a little of the blood-red liquid leaving a narrow trail along his chin at the humorous reflex. Jerry can smell that the drink is quite tart compared to what she might expect, Meekulbrau proving something of an acquired taste. The locals tend to prefer lamb in their stew. Sheep are the main livestock of Kartakass, as you may have seen. Merrick pours a mug of wine for Mira at her request; and Artanis' juice arrives as well.

The stews arrive quickly, likely having reduced all day into the thick, hearty broth. Perfectly soft carrots, potatoes and nutty parsnips swim among tender chunks of succulent lamb. A few minutes later a couple of plates of cured meats arrive along with fresh greens and crunchy veggies, and bread. Mira's meal comes last, a pan-fried chicken breast on a bed of rice with a yeast roll and green beans on the side.


==
I think Jerry has had Meekulbrau before in harmonia, but i'm not certain.

[Chris1234]

(Yes, she had).
Jerry says, "Hold still," licks her finger and playfully wipes Merrick's chin clean.

When the stew arrives, Jerry practices her Harmonian, "Thank you. It looks nice."

[Nocturno]

Pyros grabs a bowl of stew, half a plate of meat, and half a loaf of bread, and tears into it with abandon.

It will be a good few minutes before anyone hears anything but chewing from him.


Cross, will take a similar amount, but will eat in a much more civilized manner. There won't be elbows or scraps flying from him. But he will eat a deceivingly large amount in a short time. As if a solider after a long mission were eating.

[kerap]

Artanis, realizing he probably should have kept his mouth shut, suddenly feels his face getting warm - as his cheeks begin to take on a shade of red similar to his hair. He quickly tucks into his bowl of stew, seemingly studying the contents of the bowl - his eyes not looking up.