Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Printable Version
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Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Tindome - 11-25-2014
![[Image: pub.png]](https://alonimi.net/misc/images/graphics/pub.png)
There are any number of public houses in Akvero. Bars, wineries, restaurants and inns, there are no shortages of places to sleep and to drink. The pub that sits on the Grande Canal has the distinction of being the only one of them run by a Dwarf – and run quite well, at that.
Gotris is pretty enough, if a person likes their women short and stout and bearded. But it isn't her looks that have made the Grande Canal Pub a success. Her pub serves everyone – yes, even Elves – and she doesn't tolerate shenanigans within her doors. The prices are fair, the beer is good, the wine is better, and no one is quite sure how she gets her bread to taste so fine. That bread is not a native food of the Dwarves helps with the confusion not at all.
The seats and the tables are all made of petrified wood, which some theorize is because it can be worked in the manner of stone. The glass lamps in the walls glow with the pale yellow light of luminescent crystals, that lowest and cheapest form of magic. Gotris and her employees accept no barter: pure coinage only reigns in her bar.
The rooms are nothing extravagant, only enough room for the bed and a bag, but the comforters are clean and the drafts are minimal. Cheap enough, though she does not allow her rooms to charge for the hour. The exchange of favors is yet another shenanigan that Gotris doesn't tolerate, not in her pub and not under her nose.
A very modern and progressive Dwarf she may be, but some things a lady simply cannot be expected to tolerate. Still, though she is quick and though she is clever, the proprietress cannot be in all places at all times. Her sterling reputation makes her pub an ideal location for shadier deals, if a person can manage it. It's a trickier proposition than it sounds, and the axe behind the bar isn't just for show.
You can take the Dwarf out of the mountain, after all...
Gotris is pretty enough, if a person likes their women short and stout and bearded. But it isn't her looks that have made the Grande Canal Pub a success. Her pub serves everyone – yes, even Elves – and she doesn't tolerate shenanigans within her doors. The prices are fair, the beer is good, the wine is better, and no one is quite sure how she gets her bread to taste so fine. That bread is not a native food of the Dwarves helps with the confusion not at all.
The seats and the tables are all made of petrified wood, which some theorize is because it can be worked in the manner of stone. The glass lamps in the walls glow with the pale yellow light of luminescent crystals, that lowest and cheapest form of magic. Gotris and her employees accept no barter: pure coinage only reigns in her bar.
The rooms are nothing extravagant, only enough room for the bed and a bag, but the comforters are clean and the drafts are minimal. Cheap enough, though she does not allow her rooms to charge for the hour. The exchange of favors is yet another shenanigan that Gotris doesn't tolerate, not in her pub and not under her nose.
A very modern and progressive Dwarf she may be, but some things a lady simply cannot be expected to tolerate. Still, though she is quick and though she is clever, the proprietress cannot be in all places at all times. Her sterling reputation makes her pub an ideal location for shadier deals, if a person can manage it. It's a trickier proposition than it sounds, and the axe behind the bar isn't just for show.
You can take the Dwarf out of the mountain, after all...
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Tindome - 11-25-2014
The Winter Masquerade was always a busy time of year in Akvero. Gotris was usually too busy working to participate; masks made working impossible, after all. The pub did not get quite so much business as did shadier establishments, places that rented rooms by the hour to masked revelers delighting in their anonymity. But business did tend to pick up, in part because folk who would never dare enjoy mixed company under other circumstances found themselves with newfound freedom.
She'd thought about it, taking a night off to wear a mask for a few hours. Too much of a control freak, that was the problem. Sometimes it was astonishing that she could even bear to sleep, when it meant not being able to monitor her business.
Gotris was in the kitchen, now, watching the bread bake. She was very particular about the heat of the bricks, when she put the dough in and when she removed the boule. There was a particular crack of the crust, a very particular color, and no one else ever seemed to get it just right.
Or else, not right enough.
She was not a woman for masks anyway, she reasoned. She was herself, from her beard to her boots, and her person was hard-won enough that she had no great desire to rid herself of it. She braided her beard and wore beads in her hair, she favored dresses in colors so bright as to almost be garish. She was no more pleasing to Dwarves than she was to Humans, and even if a mask could remedy that… well. Anyone who would have her only when she was not herself could not be said to have had her at all.
A silly game, anyway.
She dropped the bread, steaming, into a waiting basket, and wiped her hands on her apron with a sigh.
She'd thought about it, taking a night off to wear a mask for a few hours. Too much of a control freak, that was the problem. Sometimes it was astonishing that she could even bear to sleep, when it meant not being able to monitor her business.
Gotris was in the kitchen, now, watching the bread bake. She was very particular about the heat of the bricks, when she put the dough in and when she removed the boule. There was a particular crack of the crust, a very particular color, and no one else ever seemed to get it just right.
Or else, not right enough.
She was not a woman for masks anyway, she reasoned. She was herself, from her beard to her boots, and her person was hard-won enough that she had no great desire to rid herself of it. She braided her beard and wore beads in her hair, she favored dresses in colors so bright as to almost be garish. She was no more pleasing to Dwarves than she was to Humans, and even if a mask could remedy that… well. Anyone who would have her only when she was not herself could not be said to have had her at all.
A silly game, anyway.
She dropped the bread, steaming, into a waiting basket, and wiped her hands on her apron with a sigh.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - thedarkwyrm - 11-26-2014
Terross had to duck to fit through the door, but he had to duck through most doors. He was used to it by now, and did it without thinking. He was large for a human, standing almost seven feet when he stood erect, and his musculature was intimidating. Or it would have been, if he didn't conceal himself behind loose clothing and generally try to appear non-threatening. A brass contraption encircled his wrist, clearly more than a bracelet, with its faintly glowing magical lines and tiny clockwork gears.
Aside from the bracelet, the only other noteworthy thing he wore was the half-mask over his eyes. It had a concealing spell on it, allowing his face to be seen clearly, but it was obviously there. The purpose was not for the mask to be hidden, merely for it to be unobtrusive. Terross moved carefully, surprisingly quiet for such a large man, though the floor did tend to creak under him, and he sat at the bar, trying to put on a confident face.
He'd never been in a city as large as Akvero before, nor had he ever been in a bar on his own, nor had he ever attended a serious festival. All in all, this was a very unusual day for him. He fished out a few coins from his pouch, laying them on the counter as he looked over the bottles on the back wall, considering his options as he waited for the bartender, whom - if his nose could be believed, which it usually could - was somewhere in the back, baking what smelled like a fantastic bread.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - euphoricvoodoo - 11-26-2014
Getting around Akvero at this time of day was normally fairly simple. Getting around Akvero during the Winter Masquerade difficult. During the Winter Masquerade when you were running late? Darned near impossible unless you were a very agile Halfling named Amaryllis. Lis, as she was known, knew all the shortcuts, all the little tricks to navigating the crowded city. She'd been here her whole life and down that street, under that bridge, through that alleyway was as easy to her as breathing. Dodge this group of revelers who always gathered there. Duck under that merchant's counter that sold the prettiest masks. Hop through that meeting of boatmen stretched across the canal. Down the alley because 'it won't do to have employees dashing though the front door' and she burst into back room of the Grande Canal Pub.
This time of day was always her favorite time to come in. The scent of bread baking had always filled her with happy memories of baking with her mother and dinners with family. Lis really needed to pay a visit to their home before the Masquerade ended. Touring the canals with her mother and sisters was always a treat. For now though it was time to work.
No masks on now for this bar keep. They only got in the way.
After stashing her cloak in the cabinets built here for that purpose she smoothed out the skirt of her green dress and moved through the kitchen. "Smells lovely in here as usual," she said over her shoulder as she passed by. Coming through the door to the main area she saw there was a customer waiting.
"Hello there! What can I get you?" Lis was bit taller than what was average for a halfling but even so there were no shortage of stools for her stand on behind the bar. She stood upon one now to get as close to looking the man in the eye she could get. "Good beer, better wine. Just got in a bottle of an elvish red that's pretty good."
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - thedarkwyrm - 11-26-2014
Terross blinked down at the girl who'd come in as she greeted him, managing a smile. "Hello. I'd like, um..." He rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. He wasn't that familiar with alcohol, either. He drank it, sure. He had a high tolerance for it. But he wasn't really educated on anything beyond the basic differences between beer and wine and ale and mead. One thing he had heard, though, was that the elves really knew how to brew.
"The elvish wine, I guess. That sounds good." He nodded, looking down at her. And elf herself, maybe? No, she didn't have the features for it. Small for a human... or maybe a bit big for a halfling? He nodded to himself, deciding that was most likely. Whatever she was, she was cute. "Thank you. My name is Terross. I'm in town for the Winter Masquerade." That was probably obvious to her, since he was wearing a mask, transparent though it was.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - euphoricvoodoo - 11-26-2014
Lis nodded as she jumped back to the stool behind her to grab the wine. To anyone else working this way was bizarre but it worked for her. She hopped back to pour the man a glass. "Lis. You and so many other people. It's the same every year. Hopefully you enjoy yourself."Giving Terross a brief smile Lis hopped off again. She busied herself setting out new bottles to replace those that had run off. Busy work certainly but necessary. They weren't crowded now certainly but it wouldn't be long until they were filled up. It was important to be as prepared as was possible. She decided to pull out the extra glasses while she was at it. It certainly wouldn't be good if they ran out.
Lis spared a moment to wonder how long until that bread was done. Hungry customers could be comming in at any time. From the smell of things it ought to be done soon.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Panda - 11-26-2014
Caim would have seemed slightly off, to anyone paying attention. After all, he was walking confidently down the streets as if he belonged there, slipping his way through the crowds in search of something, and yet despite his finery and his mask he carried a rough travel pack over his shoulder. His hair would have stood out as well, long enough to hang down to the middle of his back and tied into a ponytail by a leather thong, yet the length wasn't the odd thing about the mans hair. The odd thing was that his hair had strands of dark blue mixed in with the black, a color that normally wasn't natural in humans, which he did seem to be. Still, even with the pieces of his image not quite fitting Caim made his way through the festival as if looking for something, until his eyes settled on a building. There, that pub looked nice enough that he wouldn't look completely out of place yet chea enough he might be able to pay for a room. Or better yet, earn a room.
He stepped into the pub cautiously, taking a moment to look around before relaxing. Nothing to worry about in here, at least at first glance. Good enough for him. Not showing his hesitation outwardly he made his way up to the bar, honestly hoping he had enough money. He didn't have much after all, and had only just arrived so had not had the chance to try and earn or 'find' more.
"Excuse me, miss. Might I inquire as to the price of renting a room? Assuming any are available for the night of course, what with the festival."
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Tindome - 11-26-2014
Gotris emerged from the kitchen with a basket of bread, piled high and hot, and she set it behind the counter for the barmaids to retrieve as it was needed. A slice here and a hunk there, she'd need more soon enough. She lifted her apron over her head to hang it near the door. "You need to stop staying out so late," she teased Lis, who always seemed to be running late no matter how quick or how nimble her nature.
Sometimes she wondered if she looked to Humans as the Halfling looked to her. She doubted there was any kind of person on this world who would think her so delicate.
"Depends on the room," she said to the man, patting Lis on the shoulder to let her know she didn't have to interrupt her work. "This time of year, cheapest we have is a silver – dinner not included." She crossed her arms over her chest, clearly not willing to hear any bartering on the subject. Her rooms were worth twice that, as far as she was concerned. And if he couldn't pay it, there would always be someone else who would.
He looked like he ought to have had money, and magic besides with hair like that. But she'd been living in Akvero too long to comment on the features of a man in a mask.
Sometimes she wondered if she looked to Humans as the Halfling looked to her. She doubted there was any kind of person on this world who would think her so delicate.
"Depends on the room," she said to the man, patting Lis on the shoulder to let her know she didn't have to interrupt her work. "This time of year, cheapest we have is a silver – dinner not included." She crossed her arms over her chest, clearly not willing to hear any bartering on the subject. Her rooms were worth twice that, as far as she was concerned. And if he couldn't pay it, there would always be someone else who would.
He looked like he ought to have had money, and magic besides with hair like that. But she'd been living in Akvero too long to comment on the features of a man in a mask.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Panda - 11-30-2014
It took an effort to not wince at the price. Honestly, Caim had been hoping it'd be cheaper and possibly include food as well. Despite his clothes, his lifestyle wasn't exactly conductive towards actually having money. For that matter the clothes weren't actually his, not that he would admit to such. Instead he retrieved the silver from his mostly empty money pouch and offered it to the...dwarf?...woman?...person who seemed to be in charge.
"I'll take that room then."
There wasn't much else to say, honestly. Especially as Caim was contemplating what he should do in order to replenish his travel funds. There were multiple options open to him, but it was a harder decision than normal. For once he was hidden after all, even if only because of the masks, and his usual methods would likely draw unneeded attention to himself. He did have at least until the festival was over to figure this out though, unless he was unlucky and his newest set of pursuers discovered him by accident.
The bread there brought forth a different line of thought though, one that was only accentuated by his now growling stomach. He was hungry. It had been about a day and a half since his last meal after all, and the bread smelled quite good. With his lack of money though...managing to 'procure' some food in the same manner that he had 'found' his current clothes was quickly moving up his priority list.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Tindome - 11-30-2014
Gotris took the coin, rubbed the pad of her thumb over its surface to check that it was good. She may not have been the most traditional dwarf, but she was a dwarf all the same, and she knew precious metals when she touched them. Satisfied, she slipped it into a pouch on her belt, turned around to pull a ring of keys off the wall. She had them marked by material and design so she could tell which rooms were which, and she pulled the first available cheap room.
"You're in twelve," she informed him, setting the key on the counter in front of him. "Anything's missing from the room in the morning, it's on your head – so don't be letting in folk you don't know, yeah?" She raised an eyebrow as his stomach growled, though she didn't go so far as to smile, amusing as she found it. Didn't often see someone dressed so fine going hungry. Hard times, or playing at low-class? Hm. "Water's free, if you trust it," and no one did, not in a city like this, "and a copper'll get you some of the day-old bread." Certainly not the fresh-baked sitting tempting in its basket, fragrant and delicious.
"If you're on a budget," she suggested, "you could always risk the hunter's pot. Copper won't get you much, no refunds if you can't keep it down, but it might fill you up if it's a good day." She shrugged noncommittally, because every pub and inn worth their salt had a hunter's pot, a monster of a thing that never left its coals and never emptied. Anything about to spoil, anything left on a plate, at the bottom of a glass, anything that resembled food that they might otherwise have tossed all went into the pot. Sometimes it managed to be delicious, but usually it was a baffling mix of flavors, meats and bones and ends of onions sitting in wine and dregs. Usually only the most far-gone drunkards bothered with it, but there were hard-luck cases every now and again. And if she could make some coin on what might otherwise have been garbage, well, that was all the better.
"You're in twelve," she informed him, setting the key on the counter in front of him. "Anything's missing from the room in the morning, it's on your head – so don't be letting in folk you don't know, yeah?" She raised an eyebrow as his stomach growled, though she didn't go so far as to smile, amusing as she found it. Didn't often see someone dressed so fine going hungry. Hard times, or playing at low-class? Hm. "Water's free, if you trust it," and no one did, not in a city like this, "and a copper'll get you some of the day-old bread." Certainly not the fresh-baked sitting tempting in its basket, fragrant and delicious.
"If you're on a budget," she suggested, "you could always risk the hunter's pot. Copper won't get you much, no refunds if you can't keep it down, but it might fill you up if it's a good day." She shrugged noncommittally, because every pub and inn worth their salt had a hunter's pot, a monster of a thing that never left its coals and never emptied. Anything about to spoil, anything left on a plate, at the bottom of a glass, anything that resembled food that they might otherwise have tossed all went into the pot. Sometimes it managed to be delicious, but usually it was a baffling mix of flavors, meats and bones and ends of onions sitting in wine and dregs. Usually only the most far-gone drunkards bothered with it, but there were hard-luck cases every now and again. And if she could make some coin on what might otherwise have been garbage, well, that was all the better.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - euphoricvoodoo - 11-30-2014
Sure enough not a moment later Gotris was bringing the bread out. Lis would never be able to know at sight if it was done but her nose was getting good at knowing. "Who me? I never do anything of the sort," she replied with a smile just a touch too wide to be truly innocent.It wasn't as if it was all fun and games when she was out. Lis' reasons varied widely. One night she might find herself helping someone out the next might find her picking up some work. Her pay here was good enough that she didn't really need to but one never knew when an extra bit of coin tucked away might be helpful. It did always help on those other nights when out meant fun.
Her head popped up upon the inquiry but focused back on her work when Gotris answered. While there were always a few rooms still to be had in the beginning of the Masquerade it was a sure bet there wouldn't be tomorrow or even at the end of the night. He was lucky he was here now. Pausing in her work she examined him closer.Rough pack but good clothes even if they didn't fit as well as they ought to. Clothes like that were usually made for a man and the blue in his hair should have meant he could afford it. They could have been second-hand she supposed but it was odd all the same.
While tradition meant she would not speak on it there was no tradition against keeping an eye out. Something her father taught her: When you're as small as a halfling keep your eyes up and ears to the ground because trouble can still swing low. He wasn't doing anything except for having a growling stomach and clearly Gotris had caught on to some of the oddness to offer day old and the hunter's pot. Nothing but to watch and continue working she supposed.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Kat - 12-06-2014
"But where will you go!?" He was adamant to try and grab her as she dashed around their small hovel, collecting various garb and knick knacks from shelves and dresser drawers. "You're being unreasonable!"Anywhere! As long as it's not here, wasting my life with you, I don't care!" Xeii spun around as a massive hand encircled her upper arm, eyes alight with rekindled anger. "And don't touch me again, or I will slit your throat and leave you for the wolves, you vermin!" Yanking it back, the horned elf shouldered what she could carry in her sack of goods, and left off into the night without so much as a hateful backwards glance.
For three days, Xeii traveled. She passed through camps and through villages along the main road, wary of strangers and their motives, having heard many stories involving the dangers attached to traveling alone. Having no money to speak of, there would be no reason to rob the elf, but it wasn't her valuables she worried for. The last night, Xeii slept in a pile of molding hay with her body wrapped tight around the bag with her clothing, thoughts scattered over whether or not her plan had been reckless. She had never been so far from her own kind, and with every dragging mile, she was further from the known province. Her only consolation came with the distant lights of the city, Akvero beaming through the foggy evening like some sort of signal beacon, promising population as well as opportunities.
It took much of the next day to enter the the city, and with her grungy appearance, the gatekeepers seemed hesitant to allow her entrance.
"Do you have any job prospects yet?"
"No, but I'm a hard worker. I will find work."
"Maybe so. Just be mindful of the festival, and try and keep your nose clean." The guard paused before adding, "Though a bath would likely help your job prospects."
"Aye, I agree." Bidding him farewell to adventure through the streets lining the canals, Xeii had finally made it to her destination, but a sinking realization settled in the pit of her stomach as she viewed the various aspects of city life she was unfamiliar with. She had no idea what to do next. Where did one go to seek employment? With very little in terms of monetary value, the elf debated seeking refuge for the evening to further plot out her next move, but picking a location through the bustling crowds was a difficult task unto itself. Wandering aimless for another extent of time, she finally reached a quieter venue an studied the placard carefully. This was a better choice than sleeping in the street, and if the woman was lucky, she could bargain with the owner.
Stepping inside the Grand Canal Pub, Xeii immediately felt foreign to the rest of the patrons. She hadn't expected anyone to be familiar, but in the back of her mind, there was a lingering hope that someone would look as she did. Unmasked, the customs of the winter festival weren't something she had learned out in the sticks, but her amber hues didn't focus on any one face in the tavern while busily examining the room. Feet continued to move her towards the tables, and upon an ancient wooden chair Xeii made herself comfortable, following the action with a deep breath. Hands gripped at her sack anxiously, kneading the tied handle while her vision continued a slow scan of her surroundings.
Now, who would she speak with about a room? For now, Xeii was dirty, tired, and incredibly skittish - but maybe that was normal around here?
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Tindome - 12-06-2014
Now there was the sort of strange and sorry sight she didn't see much of in her establishment.
She was new to Akvero, whatever she was, that much was plain as the beard on her face. Fragile and filthy like so many girls, drawn like a moth to a flame and burned just as easily. It was when they were new that they were most vulnerable, liable to be snatched up quick as copper by the first pointy-eared wretch that knew the value of a pretty face. And during the Masquerade it was more dangerous than ever, tourists lost in a sea of masks. It burned her right up, to think of all the nobodies taken before they could be anybody, lives and bodies stolen like trifles.
Or she may have been projecting, all righteous indignation blinding her to the possibility that it was just another ragamuffin.
"Mind the counter," she said to Lis with a hand on her shoulder, putting the little Halfling in charge for now. Hanging the keys back up, she disappeared into the kitchen. She couldn't tell if she was some half-breed or faeblood, or something else entirely, so no telling if the so-called 'food of men' would suit her. Much as it offended Gotris to have her bread referred to as such.
An apple, then. Not many that couldn't eat as simple a thing as an apple.
Standing tall at an even 135 centimeters, she looked more stern than sympathetic when she seated herself across from the elfin lass. She set the apple between them as an offer, then smoothed out the ruby skirt of her dress.
"Have you found work yet?" she asked instead of introducing herself, because manners were manners but a Dwarf was a Dwarf.
She was new to Akvero, whatever she was, that much was plain as the beard on her face. Fragile and filthy like so many girls, drawn like a moth to a flame and burned just as easily. It was when they were new that they were most vulnerable, liable to be snatched up quick as copper by the first pointy-eared wretch that knew the value of a pretty face. And during the Masquerade it was more dangerous than ever, tourists lost in a sea of masks. It burned her right up, to think of all the nobodies taken before they could be anybody, lives and bodies stolen like trifles.
Or she may have been projecting, all righteous indignation blinding her to the possibility that it was just another ragamuffin.
"Mind the counter," she said to Lis with a hand on her shoulder, putting the little Halfling in charge for now. Hanging the keys back up, she disappeared into the kitchen. She couldn't tell if she was some half-breed or faeblood, or something else entirely, so no telling if the so-called 'food of men' would suit her. Much as it offended Gotris to have her bread referred to as such.
An apple, then. Not many that couldn't eat as simple a thing as an apple.
Standing tall at an even 135 centimeters, she looked more stern than sympathetic when she seated herself across from the elfin lass. She set the apple between them as an offer, then smoothed out the ruby skirt of her dress.
"Have you found work yet?" she asked instead of introducing herself, because manners were manners but a Dwarf was a Dwarf.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Panda - 12-06-2014
Taking his key, Caim listened to the dwarven lady as she brought up food options. As much as he had held back a wince when the price of his room had been mentioned, when she brought up the so called 'hunters pot' he couldn't help but let some disgust show on his face. Once when he was a child, on a dare, was enough. No amount of starvation was worth the damage that would do to his stomach, especially when if he was truly desperate then better food could be found in all sorts of places. Like the old bread that was being offered, for the same price. That at least wouldn't leave him spewing refuse from both ends later.
Of course before he could say anything the woman had wandered off to a table, leaving him with just the halfling there. Shrugging he turned to speak to her, even going so far as to open his mouth before pausing and tilting his head to the side, as if hearing something nobody else could. His eyes widened slightly, before he quickly turned and moved swiftly head off to his room instead of speaking. It was quite abrupt really, the change, yet it wasn't until he had entered room twelve and locked the door behind him that Caim let himself relax slightly, reaching up to his shoulder where a small water spirit floated, invisible to most eyes.
"Thank you for the warning, little one."
Smiling slightly as the spirit expressed it's happiness at being helpful, Caim set his pack on the floor and began rummaging through it. He needed to be prepared after all, if things went badly.
<hr>
It was not even thirty seconds after Caim had vanished into his rented room that the next stranger entered. He was a giant brute of a man, with a face that looked like it had been hit a few too many times with a mace and showing a definite lack of hygiene that wasn't just from traveling. Someone who would have fit in quite well as a random thug or hired muscle, if it wasn't for the high quality of his sword and chainmail. Of course if you asked Caim, who would recognize the skull emblem on the mans armor, that would mean he was just a thug with too expensive gear.
As it was the man simply barged his way inside with a threatening glare on his face, obviously expecting his target to be right there in the open, and then seemed confused then he wasn't there. Of course this look then changed into an ugly leer as he looked over some of the female occupants of the pub, to once again change to confusion upon seeing the beard that adorned Gotris' face. Obviously confusion was a common theme with the man. Since his target wasn't in plain view, the thug instead did the obvious thing. Go over to the pretty halfling at the bar and try to both leer at her and look intimidating at the same time.
"Oi, wench! I'm lookin' fer a criminal tha' I was told wandered in 'ere. Got blue in 'is 'air. You didn't see nothin' like that, did ye wench?"
Of course it didn't help his case that he looked and acted nothing like a local, so odds were any crime wasn't local. Plus he looked and acted much more like a criminal...which technically the thug was, if you go by moral standards at the very least.
Whether he'd find Caim before he was ready, or find him at all for that matter, would have to be seen.
Grande Canal Pub [Open] - Kat - 12-06-2014
Xeii may have attempted not to be startled, but it came across as a far more jarred expression than was required. Clutching tighter to the travel pack in her lap, wide amber hues settled on the bearded woman who spoke, and the elf was tempted to bolt from the tavern as quickly as her legs would carry her. Between them, fruit was pushed, and Xeii's attention flickered from the stranger to the apple hesitantly. Many things crossed her mind in the time her eyes remained focused on the fruit, most of which involving what sort of punishment she could face for taking the item if she couldn't pay for it, but the Dwarven female had made it a clear offering. Whether she misinterpreted the action or not would come in time. For now, the horned femme reached slowly with a set of grimy digits to encircle the token. Far quicker did her hand recoil so now she hugged not only her previous belongings, but the new edible addition."Not yet." Xeii replied stiffly, a flash of guilt riding the coattails of the admittance. "But I just got into the city."
As she finished speaking, the door to the tavern opened once more, and a man far larger than herself and the smaller Dwarf entered. His tone didn't sound like it belonged in the relative quiet of the pub, but it was early and Xeii couldn't know for sure what patronage were likely to show up as the night fell upon them. Even so, something about the term 'wench' made the creature fidget angrily where she perched, unearthing some shallowly buried disgust that caused her features to shift into a disappointed scowl. "And who are you to call anyone a wench?" Defensively, Xeii's chest puffed out, though she had nothing much in the way of muscle or curves; instead built as wiry and slender as most Elves were expected to be. What she lacked in mass she made up for in anger and cunning.
"If you are to address a lady, ANY LADY, you will do so respectfully! This isn't a whorehouse!" But then again, Xeii didn't actually know that. Presumably this wasn't a whorehouse.