Less Inclined to Celebrate

Writers: Eimi, Kaysea
Date Posted: 28th January 2008

Characters: Daigoro, Causton
Description: Daigoro and Causton share a few drinks at the Tavern on a special night
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 8, day 22 of Turn 4

Pushing the door open, he entered the dimly lit and quite crowded Tavern his eyes taking a moment or two to adjust to the darkness. His eyes searched and could just make out his 'Second sitting up at the bar, so he slowly began making his way through the tables, excusing himself as he did so. Bhervehan would make quite a tidy sum this sevenday if tonight was any indication, he mused.

"Daigoro!" he held out his hand in greeting as he neared the bar.

"Hallmaster," his Second smiled, reaching out a meaty paw in response.
"I have a new batch of brew ready! Come, have a mug with me."

"I wouldn't say no to a draft!" Causton answered, taking a seat at the bar. "Busy tonight," he nodded at the room in general. "Bhervehan must be run off his feet." he said, noting the absence of the Tavern Master.

"For sure! All the better for us, eh?" Fielton would have been proud.
"So I hear it's your birthing day."

"Who told you?" Causton asked, almost choking on his first taste of the new brew. He had tried to keep it quiet but obviously someone had seen Geni's flit arrive with her gift to him... or had the boys said something?

"I _am_ the Hallsecond," Daigoro grinned, pleased that he had gotten such a surprised reaction out of him. "I do have access to your records, you know."

"Oh, yes.." Causton nodded slowly, "It's just I thought - well, I didn't think anyone would realise. I _hoped_ no one would realise." he said with a sly grin, before taking another sup of beer.

"Now now, there's no harm in raising a glass with another one of the lads on your birthday, Hallmaster. I promise, I didn't tell anyone, if that's what worries you." The brewer pointed at his mug when he caught the eye of one of the bar girls and raised two fingers. He needed a fresh one anyway.

"No, definitely not." Causton nodded in agreement, "Good drop this," he commented as he downed the last of the mug in his hand. "wouldn't mind another one? Ahh! I see you're on top of it." he nodded approval.

For a moment he thought he saw a familiar face at the end of the bar, but dismissed it as imagination - after all she was more than a days ride away from here, two at least. He shook his head, and turned back to the Hallsecond. "So, what _work_ did you need to discuss with me here, Daigoro?" he would admit to being a little surprised at his 'Second's request to meet him here. "If it's this stuff, I fully intend to grant you further brewing space." he gave a half laugh and took another draft of the brew.

"Work? What work would I ask you to do on your birthday in a tavern?"
Daigoro chuckled, though he certainly had hoped Causton would approve of his new brew! "But you like it, eh?"

"Definitely." Causton said, taking another long taste and swilling it for a moment in his mouth before swallowing. "Has Bhervehan been selling this here, or this the first sampling?" he asked, appreciating the taste but not quite being able to tell what it reminded him of.

"This is a first sampling of this batch. It's rather a hobby of mine.
Brewing is just part of my soul." He took another long pull from his mug. This one was a good batch!

"It's good enough for him to serve here." Causton assured him. "We could arrange for more brewing space, if you wanted?" It was good to sit here and just take in the atmosphere of the Tavern and the patrons; he hadn't had much of a chance to partake since he'd arrived at the Hall, especially in the last month or so since the boys had come to stay.

Geni and the children had finally begun to settle in, and he suspected they had planned more surprises for him at home this evening. The gift she had sent to his office this morning had been no more than a note, asking him to make himself scarce until the sixth candlemark this evening.

She couldn't have been more obvious that she wanted to embarrass him, sending Rus with the garishly wrapped gift, fabric ribbons in multi-coloured hues had adorned it. A sweet note, with a bubbly pie and small candle in the centre, but enough of a sight that anyone with half a brain would have realised signified his birthing-. "You saw that damned flit, didn't you?" he said, looking up and meeting his Hallseconds eyes.

Daigoro lowered his mug guiltily. "Uh... Well, I might have noticed _a_ flit..."

Causton shook his head. "Geni's idea of a joke." he said slowly. "She knows the older I get the less inclined I am to celebrate."

"You're not old yet." After all, Daigoro was only two turns his junior.

"No, not old, but getting there." Causton laughed into his mug of beer.
"She just has a strange sense of humour, and figures if she does this I'll hear 'Happy Birthingday' all over the Hall." He glanced up at the timepiece behind the bar, "You and Cinale, didn't happen to get an invitation from my wife for tonight, did you?" he asked, warily.

"Not unless she sent the invitation to Cinale." It was possible, but with a new baby and settling into a new Hall, he doubted there would be many invitations going out.

"Well," he drained the last of his mug, "if you'll excuse me for just a moment, I'll be back in a few moments." Standing, he caught sight of a figure disappearing behind a doorway again, with a nod to Daigoro, he followed quickly behind.

~*~

"Sorry about that," he said returning, "I didn't think I'd be gone so long." he said hurriedly, with another glance to the timepiece. "I hate to say, but its time for me to leave, if I want to be on time, for whatever Geni has planned." he shook hands with Daigoro and patted his shoulder. "I may, or may not see you shortly."

"Oh, if you're sure you don't want another mug..." Daigoro said, rather bewildered at where the Hallmaster might have gone in such a hurry.
"Are you sure everything's all right?"

"Thanks, but I really should get going," he shook his head and held up his hand to the girl behind the bar as she went to refill his mug, "And everything's fine, I think. I'll talk to you tomorrow about it, I have to go home and think. Okay? And, thanks... for the beer and the chance to relax."

"Of course, any time." The Hallsecond watched as Causton made his way towards the door. "Oh, and Happy Birthday!" he called after him as an after thought.

Causton stopped for a moment, turned back, shook his head at the Hallsecond, and with a grin on his face left the Tavern.

Last updated on the January 31st 2008

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Less Inclined to Celebrate