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RL (Arizona) time is Sun Dec 02 04:48:07 2001 (+time).
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IC time is about 10 AM on Wednesday Foreyule (December)
10, 1424 S.R.
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IC Weather Conditions
The drizzle has lifted, leaving a light sunshine - the chill of autumn yet hangs
in the air, but at least it's sunny without rain on this Foreyule/Yulemath
day.
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You enter the Lucky Tucky Inn looking for food and merriment.
Lucky-Tucky Inn
Behold the Lucky Tucky Inn: finest in ale and merriment in all of
Tookland! The inn has a cozy feel to it-- many paintings adorn the
wooden walls as well as a rather large map of the Westfarthing. Behind
the rustic oak bar stands quite a small hobbit, Brant Thudder, keeping
busy cleaning glass and serving drinks and such.
The inn holds many distinguishing features. In the center of the
spacious room is a spring wood dance floor, kept clean at all
times. The bar is usually busy, various hobbits chatting and drinking
jovially. Round tables are spread throughout the room with orange
tablecloths and baskets of assorted crackers on each table. A few
barrels of Ol' Toby Pipeweed can be seen to the side of the bar, and
the tavern's patrons merrily fill the air with its sweet smoking
aroma. Towards the back wall of the establishment a small stage rises
above the tavern floor, a perfect place for small side acts and
musical performances. Next to the bar there is a small door that leads
outside to the back yard.
Contents:
Ale Keg
Brant Thudder
Obvious exits:
Back Door and Out
A silver plaque is mounted on the wall behind the bar. "The winner of
the October Baking Contest is Talvo Hornblower!"
Autumn, the destinct mix of earth and smoke, enters the Inn when the
door opens and a Hobbit maiden enters the Inn. Clary casts a quick
glance around the quiet, almost empty room, then heads directly
towards Brant, behind the bar. "Mornin' Brant," she sighs, "I need a
hot cup of tea from you!. She sits down and mumbles something about
'them darn Tooks'.
There are only three other guests around. All quietly sitting by
themselves. One of them is sitting at the bar with a big mug of beer
in front of him. As he turns to look at the young maid, he slowly
leans forward, trying to hide the beer from view. He keeps looking at
the girl and smiles.
You look at Clary, a diminutive yet firmly built hobbit maiden,
somewhere in her tweens. Sandy colored, frizzy hair is battling a
sky-blue headband trying to curl around a round face which is covered
with freckles, even up to the turned up tip of a broad nose. Further
up, slim eyebrows curve gently above two bright, hazel eyes that look
attentively into the world around her.
Dirt and soil are barely visible on the dark green apron that protects
a simple, yellow dress, which just reaches the curly hair on her
feet. Blue buttons follow the lines of her arms up to her shoulders
and neck, then down her back.
Brant Thudder Quickly makes a cup of tea and, casting a quick glance
at Omfast, places it before her, "There ye go, Ms.Smallburrow, enjoy."
"My," Clary sighs deeply, "thanks Brant, really need that." She holds
the mug with both hands and carefully takes a few sips, before she
pays attention to Omfast "Mornin' Sir," she turns a bit towards
Omfast, carefully avoiding to gaze at the ale, "and a beautifull it is
at that, wouldn't you say?"
Omfast pushes the beer to the side with his elbow and catches the bar
keeper's eye. "Yes, mister, she's right. Bring me some tea, too!"
Brant shrugs and goes to pour some tea for the young man. Omfast
raises the little tea cup towards the young maid and says, "Indeed,
nice weather, Ms. Smallburrow. I'm Omfast Cotton, looking for a job."
He grins, "And yes, the weather is nice. Much too nice for beer
drinking in the morning."
"Ah yes, so it is, Mr. Cotton," Clary nods "the day is still young."
She takes a few sips, "Mhh, that's a nice cup, Brant." she says and
lifts it to him. "Cotton, you're a Cotton then, " Clary smiles at
Omfast, "we don't get many Cotton's here, what brings you here?"
Omfast says, while the teaspoon is rattling, "Ah, uh, well, you see we
Cottons be farmers in Bywater, if you know what I mean. And, well, my
father suggested I go looking for a job somewhere, uh, remote..." The
spoon in his tea cup is rattling furiously, now. He puts the cup down
and calms himself. "Yes, you see, I'm here to live with my uncle. I am
looking for a job, actually. That's what brings me to this inn. I'm
trying to find out where there's need for a strong hand, you see."
Her brows pull together slightly as Omfast talks, her eyes focussed
firmly on his face, "Mhh," Clary frowns, "I can see there's a story to
be told..." for a monent she looks at the spoon in his cup, "but,
there may be a job for you at the Great Smials," Clary hesitates
before continuing, "though it's not my place to hire folk. What kind
of work are you looking for?"
Omfast says, "Well, my ol' man called me sheepheaded more than once,
but I'm smart, and I'm willing to learn. Just don't put me anywhere
inside, with papers and books, behind a counter or something like
that. I wouldn't like that. Living in a coffin, I call that. I'm a
farmer's son. Go huntin for them taters, I say. Digging, building,
growing, cutting, that's where I'm good at."
"Ah, then, " Clary replies with a chuckle, "you wouln't be looking to
be our Librarian, me thinks. But there's room for a Gardener, I
believe. And Mr. Hornblower, he might be looking for hands on 'is
pipeweed fields." She looks in her cup and adds; "But that's over near
Hobbiton, me believes"
Omfast laughs, visibly relaxing. "Aye, a librarian I'd rather not
be. I'm certain that sitting in them dusty halls gives them the creaky
joints. I'd rather work the fields. But Hobbiton... Being a gardener
would be nice." He looks at his hands and moves them around as if
cutting hedges and trees. He says, "Shnipp-shnapp, click, clack, and
there you go!" proudly presenting his imaginary tree.
A broad smile appears on Clary's face, "Aye, ye would be enjoying
that, I can see. I wouldn't mind having some more experienced hands
around, you, see, I am working in them gardens and, " she sighs, "them
are big, and many of 'em too." After taking a last sip from her tea
she puts the mug down, "Alas, it's not for me to hire folk, and I'd
have to ask around who does. The Thain I suppose..."
Omfast beams, "Today must be my lucky day, Ms. Smallburrow, if you are
also working as a gardener! If it be with the Thain to decide who does
the gardening and who does not, I shall go and ask him as soon as
possible. I've never even seen the big man himself. Is there anything
I have to watch out for? Where do I register? Is this complicated?
When does he talk to commoners -- only once a week or every day?"
"Oh-ho," Clary leans back, "All them questions, have mercy!"
She then smiles, "I 'onestly don't know, got mine through a friend who
knew someone in the Smiasl... But, well perhaps you just oughtta walk
up to the front door and ask. The Thain is rather friendly, really, as
are most of 'em Tooks, most of the time anyways." she casts a quick
glance towards Brant, who replies the look with a broad grin. "But,
eh, I could find out whom you'd need to talk to, if you want. The
gardens are really big..."
Omfast grins, "You are so kind, thank you very much Ms. Smallburrow!
If you can find out who to talk to, that would be wonderful!" He
glances out of the window and sees the sun hanging low. "Such a lucky
day!" he repeats. "Where can I find you tomorrow? I certainly don't
want to miss this wonderful occasion."
"Ah, " Clary smiles, "perhaps it is a lucky day, it's a beautifull day
for sure, and one with a lot of work ahead of me but I'd most likely
be at the Great Smials," Clary replies to his question, "in the
gardens somewhere." She frowns, looks at nothing in particular and
continues, "the Water Gardens require a lot of work, these days, you
may find me there."
Omfast says, "I will come looking for you there, dear
Ms. Smallburrow. Since it is getting late, however, I will have to go
back to my uncle's. My aunt is expecting me to help in the
preparations for tonight. They'll be receiving some guests, you see. I
will come looking for you in the Great Smials, then." He pulls some
coins from his purse and puts them on the counter. Brant sees this and
comes over, collecting his due and grinning at Omfast. Surprised,
Omfast grins back, with slightly red ears.
"Very well, Mr. Cotton," Clary glances at Brant's grin, "Ehm, well,
I'll be there tomorrow, and most other days." She stands up and takes
a step from the bar, "I must be on me way too," she smiles at Omfast,
"it's been a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Cotton."
Omfast stands up as well, "It has been an extraordinary pleasure
meeting you, Ms. Smallburrow!" He wraps his coat around him and walks
towards the door. He waits for Ms. Smallburrow to come, then opens the
door for her.
"Thank you, Mr. Cotton," Clary glances a smile at him as she walks
past him and out of the inn, "have a nice day!"
Omfast calls after her, "Have a nice day as well, Ms. Smallburrow!"
turns around to wink at Brant and then disappears in the other
direction.
(
geocities.com/kensanata)