LOCATION:

Azulada Tavern

The Seaward Tavern is an odd name for the place a good hour's walk away from the harbours, you think to yourself as you settle down into a chair. However, it does not deter the odd mix of sailors, artisans and vagabonds from feeling at ease here. Even a few pitch-black uniforms of the Numenorian Navy can be found here, associating mostly with those of their own kind by the far wall. The drink is plentiful, the food is passable, and it's a good chance to meet someone you know in the city amidst the twenty-odd solid oaken tables that are arranged in careful disorder inside the tavern. The pervasive presence of the guard around the area also makes this place a genial place for dealing without fearing violence.

Obvious exits:
Lodging Room
Out

< What has gone before: Nildumar gives an ornament to the dancer Ciela >

[Ciela:] The barkeep accepts the coins, although, yes, his eyes sparkle when he sees the silvery artifect given to the dancer, as well, but with a stiff bow, he shows that he accepts Ciela having it. Delicate fingers wrapping around the beautiful silvery swan, the girl smiles in gratitude, as the man stands and walks out.

The midday has passed and even more people have flooded into the smokey place, as they search for something to fill their heads and stomachs with. In that cheerful fuss, the dancer retreats back into her place, behind the counter, the cloak once again being wrapped around her.

[Barzag:] The tavern door opens and the cold November wind whistles in as a group of men, likely workers of some sort, enter. The bite of the chill air is all too noticeable in the smokey place, so that the barkeep looks up with an impatient frown as he waits for the last of the group, a swarthy-skinned fellow shorter than most, to wrestle the door shut. The newcomers head towards the bar to order a meal and a drink, several pairs of eyes noting the dancer's graceful form as they do so. All save the last man, whose head is down as he rummages inside his cloak to pull out a couple of coins and regard them with a doubtful frown.

The girl looks up, curiously, then slipping behind the counter, a melodic voice releasing over her lips. "Can I help you, M'Lords?"

[Barzag:] The Lordly title does not go unnoticed by the workers, and one of them sniggers. "I'll have some of your stew, and a mug of ale, if you please," says the first man with a smile to the girl, dark-haired and grey-eyed as are most folk round here. "Got any fish?" demands the second, whose brown curling locks are frosted with grey. The third, the darker-skinned fellow, stands well back, head still downcast, until one of his companions nudges him none too gently with an elbow. "Barzag? Goin' to eat something?" The swarthy man jerks his head up and regards Ciela unblinkingly with amber eyes, twisted lips pressed tightly together. "Which food has the lowest cost?" he asks hesitantly at last, in heavily accented Adunaic.

[Ciela:] Though such a flow of questions would confuse most young girls, like Ciela, no doubt, is, she remains calm, seemingly, at least, for there is no telling how she is feeling underneath that cool skin. "Yes, we have fish; in a moment; and stew -is- the cheapest food, sir," she replies, filling a mug with finest ale of the house and placing it in front of the man number one. "Can I get you some of it?" She asks, looking to the man, question reflecting from her eyes.

[Barzag:] Barzag's eyes do not leave the girl as she fetches the ale, though when she turns back, he still seems hesitant. "Yes," he replies after a pause - maybe ale also, if this is enough?" He holds out the two coins, a large one and a small one, and the right side of his mouth curls up as he adds, "I thank you."

"Thank you kindly, lass," the first man, Zimbalak, says with a wink as he receives his own mug. He gazes at Ciela thoughtfully and then queries her, "You're not a regular here, are you?"

[Ciela:] "I'm a dancer, sir, but seeing the bartender is busy, I can help out," she replies, before slipping to the back, returning after a moment, with three portions of ordered food. "That is quite enough," she also adds, while pouring another mug of ale and serving it next to the plate with stew.

[Barzag:] "A dancer? Ah, you certainly have the grace for it," Zimbalak replies, his eyes following Ciela as she walks away. "Will you be performing-" His words are cut short as the second fellow comments, "Not much room for dancin' in here. Unless you mean-" He in turn falls silent as Zimbalak elbows him in the ribs.

Barzag merely listens to the others speak, though his mouth curls up at the right side again as the ale is brought. He lifts the mug in one strong hand, then half-turns away from the bar in an attempt to hide his twisted lip from the girl as he drinks.

[Ciela:] A playful wink is given to Zimbalak, as she finishes the sentence herself "... I use the table? That's not that bad of a place after all," and she releases a heartedly laughter, though her head shakes in a refusal. "I will not be dancing. You just missed the show. But I hope you will be back for another one some other day," she adds quickly, her gaze moving from the couple to the smirking one. But she says nothing, only glances around, to see, if anyone is in need of a drink or something.

[Barzag:] It is past midday now, and the tavern is fast filling up with patrons. It's so busy, in fact, that the young dancer Ciela is helping out behind the bar, and there she stands speaking to a trio of workers.

The dark-haired Zimbalak gives a burst of laughter in answer to Ciela's words. "Oh, I'll be back, I'm sure," he says, smiling at the tall girl with brown hair and hazel eyes, and trying to ignore his friend's sniggers. The third worker, the Hillman Barzag draws a hand carefully across his mouth before turning back to watch his companions in conversation.

[Thalos:]

Entering the door is none other than the figure of Thalos Longstar, still wearing his armor and sword. Although he usually only wears such armaments on duty it looks quite like he is off duty as he heads towards the bar and simply nods to the bartender, a sign for his usual. Since he does frequent this bar quite often after his long days in the barracks and spending time with the men of Belzakhors host. He simply finds a quiet spot on the bar, near the end where it meets the wall and leans back enjoying the atmosphere of the Azulada Tavern.

[Ciela:] Nodding as a response to Zimbalik, Ciela, glances to the newcomer, but before she can say anything, she is pushed aside by the overly active bartender, who smiles all widely and intones:"HOW can I help you?" and other such Tenders talk. Ciela, not being needed anymore, quietly retreats to the door, her medallion tightly in her hand.

[Barzag:] The workers move away from the bar now, in search of table space, Zimbalak still watching the departing Ciela. The place is full enough that there are only a couple of seats left - Barzag starts to follow his companions, meets a few hostile stares, then gives a shrug and moves back to balance his plate and mug on the end of the bar, trying to stay out of the way of the barkeep bustling this way and that. Thalos' entry is noticed, for Barzag pushes plate and mug back for a moment to tug warily at the right sleeve of his tunic - in this warm atmosphere he has long since set his worn cloak aside.

< scene fades ...>