Drowning troubles

[Zelda]

The day had been cold and snowy, and the night was colder. So cold in fact that only half of the regulars to the tavern where present in the tavern the others as few as they where where all people staying at the inn upstairs. Seeing as it was so cold Zelda, who had been avoiding the tavern for a while now, was forced to find some shelter. She she grabbed a bunch of silver and copper from her stash and made her way to the warm of the fire and the comfort of some ale.

Zelda walked in and sat at an empty table near one of the heating ovens and for once she put down the hood of her cloak. Her ears where regular sized but tapered into points and her skin was a lighter shade of gray. A few eyes where already being drawn her way. Elves where, and Half elves where even rarer. But the color of he skin denoted a bit of a darker deed. She wasn't half-elf but half-drow. Drow where far more malevolent than their lighter skinned cousins and as such those eyes that where drawn to her where either mistrust or lust, as though she was part drow; drow where still elves and had that curiously over attractive exterior. something Zelda had indeed inherited from her mother.

So Zelda sat there waiting to be served, and wondering what she should do. There where too few people here for her to try and pick pockets, and she was no good at cards. She kinda wanted to talk to someone but at the same time she wanted to just be left alone if there was only one topic on everyone's mind.

[Bell]

Heels clicked merrily across the floor, every so often muffled by the occasional rug. Her knee-length apron/skirt combo fluffed about her slim legs as she neatly delivered a table their drinks, one hand casually flicking her bangs out of her way as she turned. What was that she spied with her little gray eye? A new customer?

The barmaid bustled over, her dark red ponytail bobbing perkily with every step. The lady was sitting there all by herself -- weird, considering how pretty she was. Yeah, her skin was kinda off, and her ears were a little... pointy, but Bell was never one to judge off of just a few outstanding characteristics. What was that saying about the book and its cover? Yeah, that.

"Welcome," Bell greeted the lady, setting aside her thoughts for later. "What would ya like to drink?" The newcomer looked kinda cold, which was understandable considering the weather; Bell herself was pretty warm and even had a slight flush to her cheeks, what with all the running around she'd been doing this evening. Just because business was slow didn't mean she could just be idle, or anything.

"If I could recommend, Miss, I can make ya something to warm ya up?"

[Zelda]

Zelda hear the the foot steps of the woman as she approached, Zelda Looked up with her emerald eyes and looked at the young lady that looked to be quite the busy body. "Hey," Zelda greeted simply at Ball's 'welcome' Then she asked what she would like and Zelda wasn't sure. She wanted something to calm her nerves, and take her mind of her troubles and most importantly she wanted to get warm, maybe whiskey?

Just as she was thinking of what warm drinks there could be The barmaid suggested she have something warm Zelda smiled and chuckled. "You read my mind. What do you suggest?" She asked the young lady as she looked her up and down. She wasn't unattractive in fact she was cute. She was a bit flat chested but she made it work.

[Bell]

"Wellll," started Bell, going through the list in her mind. "I can warm up just about any alcohol we got in this place for ya. I've also got a bunch of mixtures that are pretty popular this time of year. My personal favorite has rum, nutmeg, cinnamon an' sugar... I can also do a tasty whiskey and coffee mix, if you're more a whiskey drinker."

The talkative barmaid put her hands on her slender hips and grinned at the woman. "Any of that sound good, or should I keep going?"

[Zelda]

Zelda nodded "You know, I was thinking whiskey, but nutmeg sure sounds great right now." She said truthfully, and it really was the season for it.

[Bell]

Bell bobbed a quick, sloppy curtsy. "Of course, Miss, I'll get that right away!"

The barmaid scurried off and, after checking with another table, she ducked behind the bar and mixed up the drink she'd suggested. Bit of dark rum, pinch of nutmeg, spoonful of brown sugar... Bell stirred the drink, then filled it to the top with hot water. The addition of cinnamon and a small wedge of butter later, the barmaid trotted out to the woman's table with the mug in hand, which she set out before the lady with a slight flourish.

"Voila!" she announced cheerfully. "Bell's Hot Buttered Rum! Can I get ya anythin' to eat at all, Miss? Or shall I leave ya to drink in peace?"

[Zelda]

Zelda watched Bell go behind the bar an make the drink. and then watched as she returned. She took the drink And place a Silver coin in front of her on the table. Before saying anything else she took a sip of the buttery brew. "Mmmh, yes thank you , what do you have cooking tonight?" She asked. Decided that while she was here she might as well eat a good meal..

[Bell]

Bell beamed when the lady seemed to like the drink. She'd been relatively sure it would go over well, but you never knew for sure.

"We've got a beef stew and some fresh baked bread... There's also some stuff I can throw together for a salad, if you'd prefer that." Disparagers of meat were rare, but they still came by occasionally, and the managers of the tavern were prepared for that. This miss didn't seem the type, but you really never could tell.

[Zelda]

"The stew and bread sounds, good, I'll have that. Haven't had a hardy meal in a few days I could use some meat." Maybe some elves where pick about Having meat in their diet, but not Zelda. she had learned that there was no source of protein more satisfying that beef.

[Bell]

She bowed slightly, only remembering last minute to correct it into a curtsy. "Of course, Miss! Be back in a jiffy!"

Because they served only one sort of meal a night and there was no special request involved, there was no need to put in the lady's order. Bell dashed about, getting drinks for one other table and checking on the others, then made her way to the kitchen where she fetched a steaming bowl of the oh-so-delicious meaty stew, as well as a plate full of warm crusty bread.

She was a bit more careful on her way out, as the bowl had been filled nearly to the brim and she didn't want to spill -- she'd done enough of that her first year working here. She set the food down then stepped back, beaming.

"Can I get ya anythin' else, Miss?"

[Zelda]

Zelda smiled as she watched the woman come back, steaming bowl of hot meaty stew in her hands. As she sat it down the smell got here salivary glands worked up. "Mmmmhh it smells wonderful. Thank you. There isn't much else I need." She said Sliding a few more silver coins on to the table. "Maybe some conversation though. Not like there much else to do an a day like this."

[Bell]

"Conversation?" echoed Bell, tipping her head to one side so that her ponytail fell onto her shoulder. She flicked it off and glanced around the room. They only had a few tables, and most of those had been fully taken care of. The other had just gotten their food, so they should be set for a while. If not, they could always holler for her, right?

"I can do that!" she finally agreed cheerfully, and plopped down in the chair opposite the woman. "I'm Bell; I've been workin' here for a while. Can I ask your name, Miss?"

[Zelda]

Zelda smiled "My name's Zelda. Use to live in Aesir before it fell." Zelda explained, taking another sip of her drink.

[Bell]

"Ohhh," said Bell, interested. "Nice t'meet'cha, Miss Zelda. What was Aesir like?" She'd heard a little about the now-broken city, and what she'd found out intrigued her. "Was it nicer than Avaren?"

[Zelda]

Zelda listened to her response and her question, then nodded. "In more way than not it was better. For one they where a little less discriminant against people with odd parentage.. The streets where kept cleaner and the air was always warm. It wasn't with out its problems though it wasn't with out its crime. and since it was in the air and away from just about any predators, it was overly popular to birds. But lit was nice the people where accepting." She explained wishing she could go back.