[South Dunes Tavern and Inn] Shaking out the Sand[Open]

[Uta O'Fuarain]

30 Kalendryas XV PF


Uta was tired of walking. Her feet hurt and she could feel the grit of sand everywhere. She was resolved to secure a room from the first inn she found, and so it was that she entered the multi-building establishment "South Dunes Tavern and Inn."

She took a seat at the bar, deciding that the first place that needed clearing of grit and sand was her mouth and throat. She ordered a Lager and savored the crisp taste. What had possessed her to come here (other than a jingle in the pocket) was anyone's guess. She was fairly certain she might have found other work than as a caravan guard, but here she was.

[Masamune]

Originally Posted by Anne

Deep inside the Southern Housing District of Arakmat stood the newly rebuilt and refurbished South Dunes Tavern and Inn. It was more of a sprawling series of buildings, each of them used for a different purpose and each of them contributing to the overall usefulness of the structure. The main building, and the largest, was where the main bar was located. It was longer then it was deep and had many tables and chairs scattered around and even though it was an airy building it was almost homelike. At one end stood a stage where on many nights a band could be seen and heard playing various styles of music. The main bar itself ran for nearly the entire length of the building and was serviced by a few bartenders, the head bartender going by the name of Mikah. Several waiters and waitresses were always moving around including the cheetari girl, Tikel, and they were all ready to take orders when needed.

The building directly behind the main building held the kitchen and the office of the owner, Anastasia. Anastasia was a tallish human woman, obviously not Arakmatan in origin with her pale skin and black hair. She brooked no nonsense in her establishment but fully encouraged everyone to enjoy themselves. Rumour had it that she was also a great card player and teacher, which is where she gained enough money to buy the place from the original owner.
The next building was the bath house, and it was just to the right of the kitchens. It housed several large tubs that could be filled with hot or cold water and several smaller rooms where patrons could change and leave their possessions. Behind the bath house was the privy hut - and the less said about that the better.

To the left of the main building was a smaller structure that held a second bar. This one was much quieter then the main bar and in actuality specialised in the serving of coffee and various teas. It was more of an upscale socialising area and anyone who was drunk was not allowed in. The bouncer at the door saw to it that that rule was upheld. On the right of the main building, though slightly back from it, was the second largest building. This one was the sleeping quarters where paying customers could either rent a small room with two beds in it and a small cupboard or sleep in the common area on serviceable cots.

All the buildings were connected via covered walkways; The kitchen was only a few paces from the main building and the coffee room was not much more. The bath house and privy hut were connected to the sleeping quarters by a much longer walkway, heading around the back of the kitchens, though any patron could simply move through the main building to reach them.

Inside the main bar was a noticeboard above where Mikah customarily stood that listed the items available for purchase:


Quote:
Assorted Breads: 3gc
Camel Steaks: 4gc
Mutton Chops: 3gc
Beef Chops: 8gc
Stew of the Brightening: 2gc
Meat and Cheese Platter: 5gc

Ale: 2gc
Lager: 2gc
Cactus Wine: 3gc
Silrosian Wine: 5gc
Medonian Wine: 9gc
Naturan Wine: 10gc
Water: 4gc
Various Juices: 4gc

Standard Common Room: 2gc/night
Common Room plus Breakfast: 3gc/night
Standard Private Room: 4gc/night
Private Room plus Breakfast: 5gc/night
Special Rates apply for more then 5 nights


And in the coffee house was another notice board:


Quote:
Arakmatan Coffee: 2gc
Lauryllan Coffee: 4gc
Centripaxian Coffee: 7gc
Enamorian Coffee: 5gc
Sherian Coffee: 6gc

Arakmatan Tea: 1gc
Centripaxian Tea: 4gc
Eunesian Tea: 4gc
Primus Tea: 5gc

__________________

As Uta made her way inside, it wasn't difficult to notice the raucous laughter of a noisy tavern filtered through her senses. When she made her order, it was only a few moments before the tapped tankard of lager was sitting in front of her. The bartender, Mikah, had set it down in front of her.

"That'll be two crowns, if you please," Mikah smiled pleasantly, picking up a previously used and washed tankard, drying it clean with a cloth. The bar was a lively place, and regardless of the time of brightening there were several people around her. Most paid her no mind, as foreigners were usually regarded with suspicion, so aside from the occasional cold look, she was left to her own devices, save for Mikah's attention.

"You seem new to Arakmat....let me hopefully be the first to welcome you. You can usually pick up on some pretty decent gossip around here, especially from employees. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask," he informed, his bearing impeccably polite. "Anything I can help you with?"

[Uta O'Fuarain]

Uta downed the tankard in the second drink and put it back on the bar and nodded to it, indicating that it be refilled. The pint had gone down wonderfully. It was just the thing after a wander in some blasted desert in the middle of winter. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked at the bartender. Unconsciously she tilted her head, as she so often did when she was thinking or evaluating something. She slid 10 gold coins forward and said, "For the pints." She hoped the extra coins would loosen his tongue, as he had already intimated that he would be willing to blab. Hopefully she'd hear something she could use. She then pointed to the menu and said "Aaaaand... The mutton chops - hopefully they come with mashed taters. And I'd be fascinated to hear any stories you might have to tell." She flashed a toothy smile at him. She was not accustomed to being friendly, but supposed it didn't hurt to at least smile.

[Masamune]

His hand waved over the bar where the crowns here placed, and all were gone in an instant, as though by magic. As he refilled the tankard with fresh lager, setting it out first, he went back to place her order for the chops and the taters. Her tab so far was seven crowns, and she'd slipped him ten. Three crowns was enough for a plate of food, but hardly enough to loosen many tongues. Luckily for her, however, Mikah had a loose tongue as it was and usually spoke for free, and he just considered the extra crowns a tip. It wasn't long before he came back, nodding to her as he resumed his tankard-cleaning duties.

"One of our servers will be out in a little bit with your order once it's done cooking," he responded congenially, leaning against the bar as he worked on the mug on-hand, cleaning it spotless. "As for tales...there are many. There are old folktales, tales of adventures recently gone past, tales of upcoming events and of current goings-on...it all depends on what kind of tales you'd like to have spun unto you, miss."

[Uta O'Fuarain]

She took a drink of the ale and smiled. Looking back up when he returned she smiled when he asked what sorts of tales she might be interested in. She tilted her head up, thinking for a minute and then returned her level gaze to his. "I was thinking, perhaps of recent news and work possibilities. "

She wondered how much of what he might say would be true and how much would be false. For the most part she'd put little faith in it as of yet he was an untried source and she was less trusting than most.

[Masamune]

As Mikah finished with the class he was working on, he put it back and picked up the next, dripping with fresh water from having been cleaned and began to dry it with his dishtowel.

"Well, a lot of the stuff you'll find going around Arakamat as of late is a mite dangerous. Most recently, there's been some reports of undead shambling about. Nasty creatures. They've been such a problem that the Sultan is offering twenty-five crowns a head for each verified kill, and a thousand on the head of the responsible party for this whole mess...people who want to sign up can get their temporary hunter's license at the militia's office...though it might not be the best route for a young thing like yourself. Vicious monsters, those undead." He sighed and shrugged, turning for a moment to attend to someone else who placed an order. After a moment of getting them a beer, he turned back to Uta.

"Our Imperial Consulate Lady Valenthia L’Evenne is also said to be meandering about the city...I believe she's a close relative of Prince Milo. If you spot her it's probably good to get in good with her, she might be able to help you out." As he finished, a server came out, presenting her requested order. The still-sizzling chops looked mouthwatering, the glaze smelling sweet yet spicy, and were served with some greens and stewed-and-spiced potatoes.

"Word also has it that a large number of katta are amassing nearby. No one really knows what for, but it seems that they've been increasing lately, some say the katta city Kyathis, closed off for several eras, might be opening its gates soon, but that's just wild speculation." He offered a shrug, showing he didn't put much stock in the rumor and spoke the last bit with an off-handed sigh.

"As for any non-undead-killing employment...you'd have to ask the individual establishments. No major recruitment drive going on anywhere nearby that I know of, so your best chance is to check with the various people...I hear the Sanctum of the Open Hand always takes in people needing shelter in exchange for menial work...and on occasion might even do some combat or meditation training for folk...odd bunch, those Sanctum people." He turned to take another woman's order, tapping an ale for the gentleman, before turning to go and place the order with the chef. When he came back, he smiled to her once again.

"Anything else I can fill you in on?"

[Uta O'Fuarain]

She listened with interest as he gave a brief rundown on the goings on in the city. She said nothing when he suggested that the killing of undead might not be suitable for her. She doubted if she'd taken "suitable" employment since leaving Prime, unless being a pirate and a caravan guard counted.

The food looked delicious once it arrived and she realized how hungry she was. She took ten more coins out of her pouch and put them on the bar. "I appreciate the news of the day. If you think of anything else interesting, let me know."

The chops were good, as were the greens and potatoes. She thought that maybe, just maybe, she might feel like she wasn't one of the walking dead before the fall of night.

[Masamune]

OOC: Sorry on the wait.


Mikah nodded, grinning, and as his hand passed over where the crowns lay, the next instant they were gone. Strange how so many bartenders had an interesting skill at keeping their fingers sticky.

"Of course," he replied casually, "But be forewarned. Winter here in Arakmat isn't kind...I suggest you bundle up if you intend to stay long, it can get frighteningly chilly, especially when the suns set. And another forewarning to boot...those stewed potatoes are addictive." He offered her a wink and turned on his heel, polishing a glass idly.

If he thought of anything he'd let her know, in the meantime he'd let her mingle. If he spent too much time with her, it would only cause problems with the locals, who'd think he was favoring foreigners. He liked helping out fresh faces, but not at the expense of losing long-term customers.

[Uta O'Fuarain]

Uta finished her meal in quiet, enjoying both the quiet and the meal. It was better than the camp food she had been eating for too long. Now she just needed to find another job, or some source of money. Several possibilities occurred to her, both legal and not. She smiled as she mulled them over in her mind, weighing each one for its merits and faults. She'd find something, that she knew.