The sign is the first thing that people recognize when they see the Nereid's Nectar- a carved and painted bit of wood, depicting a rather gorgeous nereid holding her shawl with one hand in such a way that it shields her wiles from a passing glance, though her other hand offers forth a bountiful tankard with a beautiful head of foam on it, with the nereid smiling a teasing smile as if she's inviting you in...

Inside the Nectar, several round and square tables of various sizes are offered, as well as a long bar with several stools- all made of solid wood, but still comfortable.  In one corner, a small performance area is set up- for bards, storytellers, perhaps even dancers or speakers to come by and try their luck with the crowds.

One chair, at the end of the bar closest the wall, bears a small mark in it, even as it bears a decorative white shawl around the back of it- and it's the one seat in the house that's usually frowned upon for others sitting there.

The walls are covered with various things- fey-themed artwork and trinkets from various local companies, serai and guard squads, for example.  One panel of the wall might be festooned with a painting of nymphs and satyrs chasing each other around a quiet forest grove- with perhaps just enough in the way of flowing hair and bunches of bushes to keep things mostly decent, to where another might have a few items donated by a local training school or guard regiment- perhaps a coat of arms, a decorative shield or sword or other weapon- something for them to be able to take pride in.

A stairway at the end of the bar leads up to the Nectar's second level- where several rooms for rent- as well as Kiera's personal quarters- are located.  The former can be rented daily or weekly, and the latter is usually limited to invited guests.

The food and drink at the Nectar is actually pretty solid, for what it is- its owner prides herself on sourcing local and national wineries and breweries- featuring some solid ales, beers, and wines from Tusk and Midmarch-based businesses as a source of pride, but also keeping stronger and more specialized liquors, ales, and beers from far-off places- or held onto by special requests.

The food isn't all that fancy- stews, bread, porridge with jam and fruit, among other things- but it all has three things in common- it's plentiful (those who work hard like porters, guards, and serai cadets need to eat more), tasty (hey, if you work hard, you ought to at least have good, tasty food), and a very good value for its price (save money for important things, like alcohol, gear, or visits to the Bottled Nymph).

Usually behind the bar if its owner is not around is a woman who just goes by the name Rila- if that's her actual name, nobody seems to know, but she seems to have a good head for pouring drinks and keeping the servers jumping when needed.

"Don't start trouble.  Trust me.  The boss's Calistrian, and you know what that means" is usually enough from her to keep most of the troublemakers quiet...

All in all, it seems to be a rather tight but nice operation set up.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Tue 21 July 2020.

Cass took time to take in all the ambience, from the decorations to the clientele. As was the true indicator of success of any such establishment, the place was fairly well packed and no one seemed to be in any rush to run off anytime soon.

Cass made his way to the bar once he saw an open spot. “What would you recommend both as a meal and a truly enjoyable drink to match it?”

Tic sat at a table in the corner, slowly drawing on his pipe and blowing smoke rings.  He sighed contentedly having just sorted out his return to Ringbridge in a few days time with a Winter Sun mule train.  Two other halflings and a dwarf sat at the table with him the group chatting away and enjoying a quite drink.  "So Master Domitiius's, cousin owns the place boys so no picking fights you here me.  Don't want he to come down here and crack heads now do you." he smiles to his friends as he adjusted hi eyepatch over his right eye. "Curious though any of you know what the deal is with the chair with the shawl?"  His question was met with blank stares and shrugs.

The redhead currently walking around and waiting tables first stops off at Cass's table, and cocks her head at his question.  She favors him with a bright smile, and thinks a bit on the answer.

"The local ale's good- the boss does her own sampling of everything, and we've got a couple different kinds available- something spiced with fruit and honey we think is from down south in Kyonin- not exactly sure, but the boss has feelers out for wherever it's from.  It's nice and light, but you'll have to hurry- it's kind of popular with the younger crowd.

Got a few barrels of some from one of the local breweries- might have more, but the boss is too spooked to go over to the Dragon's Den to talk to the owner, there.  It's a pretty nice, solid ale all round.

Of course, if you're feeling man enough, we've got a bit of dwarven-made left- it nearly put the boss on her ass after two tankards, so be warned.

Far as the food, we're not the Dragon's Den- we've got stew, we've got spiced fried potatoes, and a few other things going right now.  It's not top of the line dining, but it'll taste good, it'll fill you up, and it all tastes much better with at least one mug of ale.  Guy like you?  I'd say a solid bowl of beef stew, a plate of spiced potatoes and a mug of something to wash it all down and you ought to be fine, hm~?"

She blinks, and cocks her head- and gives Cass a slight, questioning look.

"Anybody ever tell you you look like someone important?  Can't really place you, to be honest, but you remind me of someone...  anyways, just raise your hand when you're ready to order, I'll be right over."

After that, she walks off, over to the table with the halflings, clearing her throat and pulling out a scrap of parchment tacked to a flat piece of wood, ready to take whatever order they had- but still catching the end of the conversation.

"...it's usually where the boss sits, when she's around.  You know, how a nereid has her shawl?  Can't rightly remember where Ki is at the moment, though- could be sleeping one off upstairs, could be out elsewhere, who knows?  But if you want to order something, well... just raise your hands and I'll be right over, hm?"

She'd gift them with a grin, too, and move back to some of the other tables, taking orders from other hungry or thirsty customers.
This message was last updated by the GM at 19:08, Mon 03 Aug 2020.

Over in the small performance area; not necessarily during the current conversation(s), but at some appropriate point...

The dark haired woman who took the small, low stage was far from the land of her birth.  Including its opera houses; for which she'd begun to be trained and groomed, in what now seemed like someone else's life, before things had been swept in a wholly different direction.  She had come to the Nereid once before, on recommendation of her employer, and taken a liking to it.  The piece she prepared to sing here was no opera, but rather a simpler and far more personal selection.    With no ado to speak of, she drew breath and began:

"All my friends tell me I should move on
I'm lying in the ocean, singing your song
Ah, that's how you sing it
Loving you forever, can't be wrong
Even though you're not here, won't move on
Ah, that's how we play it

And there's no remedy for memory your face
Is like a melody, it won't leave my head
Your soul is hunting me and telling me
That everything is fine
But I wish I was dead

Every time I close my eyes
It's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side
Every time I close my eyes
It's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side

All my friends ask me why I stay strong
Tell 'em when you find true love it lives on
Ah, that's why I stay here

And there's no remedy for memory your face
Like a melody, it won't lift my head
Your soul is hunting me and telling me
That everything is fine
But I wish I was dead

Every time I close my eye
It's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you
I'm scared that you won't be waiting on the other side

Every time I close my eyes
It's like a dark paradise
No one compares to you...

But there's no you, except in my dreams tonight
Oh oh oh, ha ha ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight
Oh oh oh, ha ha ha
I don't wanna wake up from this tonight..."


"Dark Paradise" by Lana Del Rey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvr8n59wxeI

When Sejana finishes her song, the woman behind the bar gives her a bit of an appreciative glance.

"Y'know, if you wanted to maybe make that a regular thing, I could see spotting you a few drinks and a meal for a few songs and the like.  Stage needs to be used every once in a while- figured I'd see if there were any acts locally before I started asking the boss to put the word out."

Tic clapped enthusiastically at the end of the song, he waved Rila back over to the table to order another round"Rila isn't it, I'll have another round for the table and one for yon singer if you please, that was a fine song and could you let her know she is welcome to join us at our table.  Oh and put the drinks on Master Domitius's account." he gives the redhead a broad smile

"You are too kind," she said in reply to Rila. "My work keeps me busy, I do not have the time to practice that I did once.  But I still love doing it.  I am certain there will be others who will exceed my humble talents." She smiled slightly.  "Many are eager for a platform.  Some merely for fun. And others for more serious, personal agendas."  She paused, looking closer at Rila.

"But, I do love your establishment; it is by far my favorite, out here. I don't need much incentive to return.  Our employers are friends.  And, I understand yours has the blood of the fey.  Would it be rude of me to ask, if you do as well?"

Rila simply smiles, lifting one corner of her mouth a bit higher before her ears perk up at the orders.  Quickly, she walks over and takes the order, filling up the mugs as quickly as she can, leaving one each for the boys at the table, before returning to Sejana and plopping a fresh one right in front of her.

"The boys back there bought you a drink, and bid you welcome to their table, if you like.  Sounds like they know Master Solanus- but I'll make sure to let Ki know to hit him up for the money."

Then, giving Sejana a quick wink, she continues, a bit louder, enough for Tic and his bunch to hear, once they'd all taken some nice big swallows of the booze.

"Though if he refuses to pay, I sure know I wouldn't want to be the ones Ki ends up having to teach a lesson, hm?  I mean, it's just a couple of coins, but it's the principle of the thing, you know?  Just... Calistrians, am I right?"

She chuckles brightly, a brilliant grin on her face as she wipes the bar clean and then turns to Sejana fully again, lowering her voice.

"Hmmm... our first meeting and already you're wanting to know so many details about me... should I be pouring myself one, and we both should just be sitting at a table?"

She'd wait for Sejana's expression to change, and then just chuckle.

"No, though I wish I did.  Have you seen some of them in real life?  I mean, no wonder she themed the bar the way she did.  I'd give half the coin I've ever seen for a nymph's looks and the other half for a dryad's grace- and then all the jewels for a wardrobe to help me show it off.

As for you... a mysterious, magical enchantress, here to peddle your skills for a price?  Or a charming rogue, here to beguile me out of ale and purse?  I can't very well make my choice."

Rila gives Sejana a smile, one with a bit of wit.

Sejana glanced toward the boisterous halfling and his crew - "Ah, Master Solanus, of course.   Looks like a lively lot.   I've met so few halflings -  I'll go and sit with them, a bit later."   She waved at them with one hand, raised the drink with the other, to convey thanks.   Then smiled at Rila.

"I have a strong curiosity; it gets me in trouble, sometimes.   And my people are accused of being presumptuous. Though I try not to be typical."  She smiled again.   "I had to leave because I wasn't. Anyway, I would be delighted to sit with you, and hear your story.  I'm betting you have a very intriguing one."

On the topic of the fey -- "Ah...seen them.  No, I have not.  Certainly not the sort you speak of.    Not far from where I grew up, there's a charming place called the Hagwood.    The being who holds sway there would not tolerate a dryad, I am rather sure.  Though she keeps a retinue of far less lovely, more vicious kinds of fey."    Sejana took a sip of her drink.

"I have beheld an erniyes -- oh so majestic with her great black wings; her beautiful, bruised countenance, her burning bow.   But, what she did to her quarry...out in the public square..." Sejana shivered, had another sip of drink, then turned to more pleasant topics.

"To call me enchantress would be such a stretch. I've a little inborn magic, but no great power will ever be mine. And I'm no rogue -- rather the daughter of a merchant family, who arrived here hoping to find honest work.   Which I did --  Alisa D'Medvyed has placed me in charge of the Sisters occult shop, in the college district.   For me, it is heaven out here --  a place where I can be myself, live quietly - though not without passion and fun, of course..." 

* * * * * (Some time, perhaps two weeks or so, after the preceding scene)

It had been something of a long day at Sisters --   generally, she enjoyed the people who came in, most of them a pleasure to speak with, many of them dedicated students at the college.   However, today had been something of a parade of vexing individuals:  the middle-aged, glowering house wife; determined to use her small understanding of witchcraft to expose her husband's alleged infidelity, and curse his manhood.   The petulant, pushy, over grown brat who fancied himself a wizard, who seemed to think that staring unblinkingly into an unfamiliar woman's eyes, and breathing hard, was a way to her heart.

And then the man with the long, grey, natty beard and the twitching eye -  muttering obscene poetry under his breath in the Infernal dialect.  Which, being a native of Cheliax, Sejana was ever so fluent in.   It had been more than a small relief, once he'd quit browsing, and finally departed.

Sejana had been semi-scowling by the time the note arrived; her normally fresh and friendly demeanor worn away through attrition. But upon recognizing its bearer as an employee of Lady Kiera's Nereid, her expression lightened and grew curious.  She accepted it, read...and then smiled.

Ah, that is lovely...how wonderful! Rescued from the dregs of an up till now crap day! Upon first meeting Rila, she had hoped for the opportunity - but then wasn't so sure.  Rila had come by the shop a number of times, yet had seemed just a little...standoffish?   And perhaps, Sejana considered, she had seemed so in return?  Well, no matter; the bridge was now clear to cross.

So...what to wear? She had other clothes upstairs, where she sometimes slept.  However, she always strove to dress well for work, and was pleased with the white silk blouse, floral maxi skirt, and soft leather heel boots she had on; instinct suggested to go how Rila was used to seeing her, rather than anything drastically different.  She did however, do some maintenance on her hair, with fingers and comb, clipping it back with a silver circle-barrette.   Desna's glittering veil! Yes, some excellent company after this most trying day, it's exactly what I need...

 * * * * *  (er, not sure if it's walking distance, or if carriages are available - Sejana's not much of a horseback rider - but somehow she gets there...)

Sejana entered the Nereid, an almost beatific smile on her lips.   She spotted Rila, who was busy as usual, and waved once she caught her eye.   She mouthed I'll be over there, indicating her favorite spot along the western wall, that was out of the main flow of traffic.

Ooc

College (sisters of the moon) and Lakeside (the Neirid) are two neighbouring areas of Tisk.  It is probably a 15-20 minute walk at most.

the is a map of Tisk on the game website.  I'll  link it when I get home.

OOC: Tisk?  Where is this Tisk? :P

It had been a busy day at the Nereid- like most days.  It had, of course, started with the gruff miner who had come in and tried to complain that his ale had been watered down, and as such he wasn't willing to pay more than half for what he'd been served- this, of course, after four mugs of their best.  By her word, she'd accepted the payment, and then offered him one on the house as 'forgiveness'- and as he drank, tried to keep him there long enough.

Watching him scoot up the street twenty minutes later in obvious distress had been satisfying, and with any luck, he'd be wondering what he'd eaten.

Then it had been calling a halt to more shenanigans in the back booth- a couple students from a nearby serai pouring drinks into one of their own.  Though they'd been surprised when one of their teachers had shown up and had the lot of them dragged back, she'd simply shrugged.  There was a reason the boss had tried her best to foster good relationships with every single one- and why she'd made sure they recognized each uniform when they'd come in.

But thankfully, it was shaping up to be a quiet evening- or, well... it had been.

She blinked as Sejana had shown up... and waved.

Well, this is certainly... new. The thought crossed her mind, and she waved back, quickly snatching up a bit of parchment and a bit of something to write with- only to have them snatched out of her hands by a second server, who motioned Rila to the same table Sejana was sitting at.

"You're on break, for as long as you need.  Boss insisted.  Go have a few, doesn't look like a hard night."

With a flat look, Rila just seemed to let it happen.  There was something odd going on... but looking back at the table, she just seemed... a little okay with it?

Taking the opportunity to slide into a chair across from Sejana, she sighed, a bit of coloration on her cheeks.  She still wore her work get-up: the green shirt, the knee-length skirt (though she sat quite carefully), and a pair of nice, soft boots.

"So... fancy meeting you here?"

...what did one say, in a time like this?

"...things busy over at the Sisters, today?  Seemed like a lot of people passing in and out, but..."

She was rambling.  Oh, this was not going to end well... but still, she kept a stiff upper lip.

Sejana laughed lightly at the 'fancy meeting you here,' remark, mistaking it as a jest.

She nodded, as regards a busy day at Sisters "You could say so. Some most...interesting characters. You must meet a few yourself, and know how that goes, I am sure." She smiled, shrugged.  "Occupational hazard, in  taverns and magic supply shops. So I am learning."   She noted that Rila might be just a bit uncomfortable.   She smiled, attempting to help her feel at ease, and convey there need be no pressure here.

"I so appreciate you taking time off to meet with me.  Are you certain your boss is okay with it?  Alisa describes her as having a kind heart.  But I know this business is something she and you take seriously." 

"...well, I think it's a perk of the job that I actually get to deal with them, myself.  I mean, I guess you can't exactly do anything about them over at Sisters- you just have to... smile, and hope they catch the hint, and leave and never come back?

...to be honest, I don't think I could keep taking it without giving it right back to them, like you can.  I mean, if you like, I could see about trying to hand you a way to get rid of the really bad ones, if you like?"

She'd shrug, smiling a bit- but not a cocky one, like she normally wore- but instead, one more shy- with a bit of a blush.

But as Sejana brought up the second part, Rila shook her head, that smile still in place.

"Well, it's been quiet so far- and there's half-again as many as usually needed, so I imagine someone from on high had an idea this was going to happen.  I don't know why, but... I'll just pretend to be a little miffed about it later and maybe do a little something in exchange, but..."

She'd been talking for a while now, but then looked at the table, and pinked up.

"...and I forgot to even ask if you wanted anything to drink.  I, well... I suppose you can just pick something.  We have a few new things in- bit of sweet mead in that the boss says goes really well with some applejack, but the mead all on its own is really good, too.  Have some new wines in, but if you just want an ale, that's fine, too- just put some news ones in this morning."

"Hmm.  Hand me a way -  we aren't talking about a frying pan, are we?   That might be tempting, but I think not good for business.  No, seriously, the worst are more aggravating than anything, and there are not so many. In general, the customers are fun to talk to, and pleasant.  No one's come in drunk yet, or been aggressive.   Still, I am alone there, at times;  it will change, as we add more staff.  I believe Alisa is going to supply a wand, I can keep beneath the counter.  But in the meanwhile, I confess I'm curious about this way you mention." 

As to the drink- "Yes, that would be great, thank you.  I'm usually a wine drinker, but I think I'll do something different.  Let me try the mead & applejack - I wager your boss knows what she's talking about."

Raising a hand, one of the other servers darts over- and after some murmuring, within minutes there are two drinks on the table- as well as a small leather pouch.

"We still don't have a name for it.  All I know is it's still pretty decent- it's better than the apple swill she keeps getting for herself- the mead moderates the sharpness of it and makes it more like tart, honeyed apples.

Still wish I knew what to call it."

But taking the pouch, Rila smirks lightly as she opens it- and plucks a small, wooden token from it. It's just a simple little thing- bearing a small mark on one side, and an image of a bunch of green grapes on the other.

Nodding, Rila lets her smirk form into a smile and pushes the small bag across the table.

"If you have someone you want to get rid of- I mean, well... who really deserves it- they're making you uncomfortable, or they're just plain annoying to the point where you want them away?  Give them one of these and tell them it's good for a free drink at the Nectar- we'll know what the token means- it'll entitle them to one nice tankard of ale.  We'll just take it from there, trust me on that.

Not many will turn down a free drink, trust me."

Leaving the pouch on the table, Rila takes a sip of her drink, and quirks her head.

"...well, it beats a lot of the things I tried to brew myself, a while ago, I know that much."

She tried the beverage, arched a brow - "Mm...it's tasty...it is like tart, honeyed apples." On the topic of names:

"Well, how about 'them apples' --  as in 'how do you like them apples?'" she laughed, plainly only jesting.   "Or perhaps 'saved by the mead'? No, I'm terrible at this, I think I'll quit while I'm ahead!"

She accepted the bag, smiling, remarking "Oh, I don't doubt," as regards few turning down a free drink.  "I could pry for what happens next -- but I've got a pretty good imagination, and I like a bit of mystery. Thank you," she acknowledged sincerely, for offering a way out of unpleasant company.

"Brewing is no talent of my own either," she offered. "Not that I've tried. I don't think the world needs to find out."     She had another sip of the drink.

"So, Rila; you know, the local talk I hear says you just sort of appeared one day, to take the job.  And that's as it may be;  but you must have appeared from somewhere.  Even if you're a jinn, and it was from out of a bottle.    You can decline to answer, in the name of mystique, of course.   Or if it's something you just don't talk about. I don't want to tread on anything personal or painful, but I do confess my curiosity."   

She winced a bit- yeah, she hadn't been expecting this.  But still... she shrugs, and takes a deep breath.

"...well... if you really want to know... I was fresh into town, and saw this place in the process of getting ready to open- and they were stocking the kitchens and unloading in barrels of ale.  I was down to a bit of silver, so..."

She takes a big sip of her drink, and then gives Sejana a wan smile.

"I got a cheap room for a few nights, and... cased the Nectar.  I watched it for a few days, and then, on the last night I was supposed to be in town... I, well... broke in.  Figured at the very least I could grab a few bottles and some food, maybe see if there was anything worth anything to steal.

Not proud of myself for that one, but... I was young- still am, and anyone who says otherwise, well... but I was stupid.  I mean, not 'tossed rocks at a hive of angry wasps'-type stupid, but... still, really stupid."

Rila sighs and adjusts her posture.

"I was bent over the bar, very sure I was alone... and then suddenly I look up and there's two small glasses on the bar, and she's perched right on a seat, leaning over and looking at me.  'So what do you recommend?'  I hadn't even heard her come down the stairs- if she'd had a weapon, I think I'd be dead.

First time Ki made me jump in surprise, and I kind of figured I was doomed.  But she just told me to sit down- helped herself to a bottle of that applejack she drinks so much of and poured me a bit, told me to drink, and well... we just started to talk.  Finished two bottles of that stuff and saw the sun come up, but... when it was all done, I was still kind of worried- I mean, here I was, caught red-handed, and I figured she was going to turn me in, now that she'd had her fun.

Nope- we raided the kitchen, slapped together what we could as far as food, ate something for breakfast, and she takes me upstairs.  I'm thinking 'oh, she's one of those'- and she just opens a door, and tells me to go on in and get some sleep- and if I was still here in a few hours when she woke up, we'd talk more.

So... kinda drunk, full belly, hadn't slept- yeah, I passed out.  Woke up, and there she was, downstairs talking with some people.  Turns to me, introduces me as the first hire for the Nectar's management.  I'm still bleary from sleep and have no idea what she's talking about- and before long, she's dragging me all over Tusk, making sure I have clean clothes, some food stashed away, and before long, she's renting me rooms out of her own pocket for a month.  Dragged me to the baths, told me to wash up, and to show up bright and early tomorrow to get my uniform.

...I asked her 'why'.  She gave me a smile, and just said 'I've been there.  Besides, what's better- ending up labeled a criminal and getting branded or something, or finding a steady job that doesn't care you've got a weal ribbon in your hair?  Besides, you can pay me back when you can.'

She didn't mind that, either?  You know how many towns and camps I've run out of because they either thought I was, well... easy... or because someone up top didn't approve of the Lady in the Room being mentioned around impressionable minds?

...that's when I decided to stick around.  Because she could have thrown me away, with the rest of the trash, simply because of what she found me doing- but instead... Ki washed me off, shined me up, and let me be me.  Sure, we still grouse and fight once in a while, but... to be honest, I'm still nervous coming around most places in Tusk.  I keep expecting that someone's going to pin me to the ground and take me into custody for trying to rob the Nectar, and well... there are still people who look at my ribbon and just... look at me.

So... I tend to limit where I go.  I stay here... maybe try to learn more at the library... but shiny magic things have always intrigued me-"

Rila just paused, a mildly stricken look on her face as she realized what she'd pretty much just said.

"...you don't have to worry, I'm not going to take anything from Sisters.  You'd never let me come back in and I like stopping in to see how things are.  It's calm and quiet and it kind of smells nice and, well... I always get asked how I'm doing, and, well... I keep hoping you have something interesting I could afford someday.  Maybe something like a little rock with a bit of light applied to it so I can keep it in my room and use it to read and things by."

Finally coming to a stop, Rila takes another drink, and sighs.

"...I know.  It's a lot to take in- if you wanted to leave, well... I wouldn't blame you."

Minia stood looking up at the sign for a good long while. The . . . nymph's ale? The sign was a shy fey with a beer . . . wasn't it supposed to be a nereid? What was a nereid mind you? A sort of tree of sorts, if it had nectar? Or was nectar a fruit thing?

Either way, seemed it was the right place, judging by the townsfolk she'd asked. Minia shifted her belt a bit to move her blade behind her. Trouble came in places like this when you were too forceful, she'd need to put on a face first.

Checking her smile in the window glass she combed her hair with her fingers and entered, immediately assaulted by the sights and smells of the art and food.

She approached the bar and looked around at the seats, a bit lost. Then she looked at the floor and her boots, trailing in a pattern of bootprints from the outside . . .

"Hello? I was told by Lady Kiera that I was to come to discuss details. Well my sister and I but I thought I'd come myself first . . . "

That she was saying this to anyone who would help her was a bit odd . . .