Happy Hour

[peerless_thayet]

It is late in Tortall when Thayet takes her leave of the evening's entertainment. The visiting Tyrans stand and make their bows, again gushing praise over the banquet and her company, and as soon as she has left she knows they will put their heads together and discuss what is on everyone's mind: the Tortallan diplomatic delegation bound for Carthak. The Tyrans have their own stake in the matter, of course.

Thayet is weary, but she doesn't return to her chambers just yet. Summer heat has settled on the city and she wants some time on her favorite balcony overlooking the gardens; what she gets instead is Milliways. Looking down at her gown, feeling the weight of the crown upon her head, she does an abrupt turn and leaves, re-entering some time later in her usual Riders' uniform of simple but well-made breeches and shirt, her long dark hair gathered at the back. If she wishes to be just Thayet for a while and not Queen Thayet of Tortall, she intends to dress the part.

Bar welcomes her with a note, a cup of tea and a request.

"Certainly," says Thayet in a much warmer tone than she has used elsewhere tonight. "I'd consider it an honor. And fun besides," is added in a conspiratorial whisper. "Rest well."

Something terrible has happened here, Thayet knows, and she isn't going to back down from a chance to help. The specials board is a bit... light on specials, but the bartender looks cheerful and willing to learn.


Tonight's Specials
Ale
Wine
Tea or coffee
Lemon cake with a divine whipped topping

What'll it be?

[OOC: Oh my goodness I love all of you, but I am about to fall over. Slowtime all around, I hope? Thanks for the threads!]

Comments

[mightbeawizard]

Bars have bartenders. That would make sense. And since April lost her coffee by way of throwing it at a waitrat in shock, she's in need of further sustenance.

"Yeah, hi."

[peerless_thayet]

"Good evening," Thayet replies, setting her tea cup back in its saucer and returning both to Bar's smooth surface. She takes a moment to recall what phrasing the pages usually employ first. "Could I offer you something to eat or drink?"

She leaves off the Your Majesty, of course.

[mightbeawizard]

Swanky ridiculous bar where Natalie should be in her completely ridiculous Honda Civic? Sure.

"Yeah, I'll have a beer."

Nevermind the fact that she's twenty. (The bartender didn't even ask for her ID.)

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Ale would be nice, I think," says the young woman in the dark green uniform; she's got steel-grey hair, some scars, and a couple of nicks in one ear. "I don't know much about different kinds, so whatever you think is best. And... maybe after that some of that cake?"

[peerless_thayet]

"A good choice," Thayet decides. "The cake is delicious."

Far better than what was at the banquet, in fact.

"A good friend used to work here," she tells the young woman, "so I will bow to his greater expertise and..."

She walks her fingers along the taps until she finds the ale she's searching for.

"...pour you this one."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Thank you," says Ellen. "Where is it from, can I ask? There's a lot of places that supply this place, it seems like."

[queenofmay]

A hand rested, fingertips mostly only, with only the slightest tilt to the wrist. "A tea service, please. Lily, with crumpets, if the kitchen has them still, if not, then don't trouble yourself."

[peerless_thayet]

Thayet has been using her time to engage in a leisurely study of the bar's occupants and enjoy her tea; when this young lady -- for she is a lady such as Thayet sees every day at court -- makes her request she takes an added moment to refocus and respond.

"No, please. I'm happy to fetch what you wish," she smiles. "I am, however, an ill-trained barkeep. Lily is a type of tea?"

[queenofmay]

"I believe it could be May Lily, or near it. I'm still uncertain if it wasn't something The Mistress--" There is a glance to the maple-wood bar top between them for the reference to the name. "--created for me long ago, as a gift when it a gift was most needed."



Beat. "Are you newly hired, or did she leave you a note?"

[imnotsodelicate]

The last special gets a laugh from the girl who has just taken a seat. Her dress is cotton, rich green and well-made, but her hair is a little too elaborate for the everyday of her gown. A noble girl practising before court.

"Divine whipped topping, mistress?" she asks, throaty voice delighted at the wording. Tortall accent, that border region of the Lake Region and the hill country.

[peerless_thayet]

Smoothly, "I would not be surprised if it was imported from the Divine Realms themselves."

Thayet is a queen, a politician, a jian Wilima born and raised. The regal mask settles easily into place, and she looks no more than politely curious as she steps closer to the young woman with the beautiful green eyes.

"You're Tortallan." It's not really a question and is delivered with a smile.

[imnotsodelicate]

Delia is a noble, a natural politician who has spent the past six years around other girls to whom only a certain can be brought into one's confidence. And yet, she is still not quite sixteen, not at court, and so what poise and masks she has are a little more obvious when she puts them on.

Thayet's accent is familiar, and her manner regal, which means the noble bleeds back over the girl in a way that never happened with Alan.

"I am, lady. Delia of Eldorne. Might I inquire your name?"

[kitchen_maid]

Amy has come into the bar this evening to check on visit her brother, but there's no saying she can't stop for tea, too.

Queens on breaks should know each other, shouldn't they?

"Could I have a cup of tea, please?" she says, Cheerfully.

"I'm Amy."

[peerless_thayet]

"You may," Thayet replies with a pretty, pleased smile, inclining her head. She likes it when the customers introduce themselves. "I'm Thayet. Bar deserved a rest, so here I am. Do you have a tea preference?"

[kitchen_maid]

"It's lovely to meet you, Thayet," Amy says.

And then she smiles her very bright smile that wrinkles up her nose.

"Do you have a tea recommendation?

"It seems only fair to ask the bartender, after all."

[student_of_impossibility]

Tavi usually sits somewhere with a good view of the Door.

(Training is hard to break.)

He is, therefore, privately entertained by Thayet's exit and return. Well, I suppose we're off duty here as well. After finishing couple sentences (he's writing a letter to Isana) he heads over to the Bar.

He has some fairly important information for Tortall's queen.

"Your Majesty," with a small inclination of his head, "could I trouble you for some... Copper Isle Red Griffin, I believe?"

He can't help himself sometimes.

[peerless_thayet]

Thayet throws her head back and laughs, rich and clear.

"You have a mind like a steel trap, Captain."

[student_of_impossibility]

Though his eyes betray his amusement, Tavi maintains something of a straight face otherwise.

"I am, as ever, honored to serve."

He's a soldier and a Cursor--though, admittedly, providing humor is not usually one of his duties.

[mnt_raph]

The door to the Staff Hallways swings open and Raph emerges from down the hall. He catches sight of Theyet in his peripheral vision and....stops.

He did not just see what he think he just saw....did he?

[peerless_thayet]

He absolutely did.

"Raphael!" Thayet calls out. "Front and center, if you please!"

She sounds delighted.

[mnt_raph]

It's funny, when she says his name it almost looks like Raph is trying to pull his head into his shirt to hide.

Some habits die hard.

He sighs.

"Highness," he says turning towards her before looking up at her.
He's wearing his customary New York gear, and not anything that Abigail or Tortall would find familiar.

[paladins_lady]

Charity eyes the Specials board with a certain wistfulness before turning to Thayet.

"If I gave you the money I have and then worked off the rest beforehand, could I order something after that? I mean, a gentleman and a troll did explain about running tabs. But I don't think I'm going to have a fortune to pay off that debt in the future. And I don't want to leave anything owing when I leave. It-it wouldn't be fair."

She bites her lip, looking worried.

[peerless_thayet]

Thayet blinks.

"I have a friend," Thayet tells the girl, "who is in possession of a rather large sum of money available for use here that she has given me permission to distribute as I see fit."

It's mostly true. Alanna won't be using it.

"I doubt very much you'd eat up much of it. Pay what you have and we'll draw the remainder from that?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Queen Thayet."

X looks startled as she approaches the bar, moving a little more cautiously than is her wont.

It is --

Maybe a little unexpected, but not unwelcome.

"Hello."

[peerless_thayet]

Genuinely pleased, Thayet moves down the bar to stand directly before X and smiles.

"Laura. I'd hoped to see you this evening. I don't come often, and I like to see friends when I do."