over a drink

[oneholysock]

The OVER A DRINK Meme

1. Post with your character.

2. You're at a bar. What kind of bar? Any kind you want. From fantasy taverns where various species mingle to futuristic space bars where half the drinks will probably kill you, or even an overly kitsch themed place where everything is overpriced, it's all good as long as there are drinks and company.

3. Respond to other characters. Perhaps you want to buy them a drink. Or perhaps you're inclined to be bought a drink. Maybe you saw someone you knew, or maybe you just want someone to talk to. Could be there's nowhere else to sit, and could be you want to drag them out to dance.

4. Get drunk. Or don't! Be the guest, or the bartender, or the newcomer, or even the janitor. Mingle, make friends, or lurk in a corner.

5. They say alcohol lowers one's inhibitions. Might just be time to find out how much.

Comments

[selfburn]

"Or if the mystery was better written," he says with slight amusement. "But like most things Jester says I should read it is about the romance, not the mystery."

He imagines anyone could figure out the mystery within the first scene. The cousin is clearly guilty of killing the grandmother out of jealousy about the favorite grandson.

"Of course." He rubs his fingers over the cover for a moment before they settle. "You are welcome to any book you're interested in of mine."

He darts his tongue out and wets his bottom lip. "May I... buy you a drink?"

[zauberdecke]

"Perhaps I should lend you a book in Kryn; it would occupy your mind with the translating so that you would have to use all parts of your brain to figure out who the murderer is." of course Essek would lend Caleb anything from his personal library though he did not have much in the way of romances. "I thank you for this, if you can recommend the book on any point-- even the romance, then I am sure that it is an engaging book."

He leans in to look at the cover once again, though he looks up at the offer of being bought a drink. Despite his good looks, he was rarely bought a drink if only because of the sheer air of intimidating that he gave off. That heretofore have served him well in that it made for less awkward situations when he refused the offer.

But he wasn't going to refuse this offer, was he.

"You may." He leans back, not to get away from Caleb's proximity but rather to compose himself. "Do you have any recommendations? After all, I am attempting to expand my horizons, an easy thing I think since knowing the Nein."

[selfburn]

It's hard to say the book is good but it is much better than socializing with the crowds at the bar. When he doesn't read people try to talk to him and Caleb rarely wants that. Only from the Nein. Only from Essek.

"The ale is drinkable," he says with a slightly sheepish smile. "It probably isn't as good as what you're used to drinking at home."

The tavern is simple and rustic. There's ale and cider and perhaps a bit of whiskey if he asked. There's probably no wine.

"There might be tea if you'd prefer that to alcohol."

[zauberdecke]

Already, Essek could see the self-depreciating tendencies attempt to come into play-- the way that Caleb was attempting to sell his company and this bar in a light that would allude that somehow Essek was lowering his standards by even being here. Well, Essek was going to disabuse Caleb of this notion quite thoroughly.

"Well then, Caleb. I would have you know that I would gladly trade the best drink in the world with subpar company, for the worst drink in the world as long as it gained me delightful companionship in the process." he inclined his head as he pondered his options.

"I will take a cider." And then he cheated toward Caleb, making sure that the other man knew that his presence was the enjoyable company that he had alluded to. "I am learning how to be more adaptable, it is not the easiest one that I've ever encountered but I am trying."

[selfburn]

He doesn't know what to do with the words for a moment. The light a fire in his chest, emotions burning the back of his throat. The smoke tastes very much like longing.

"A cider then." Caleb takes out his coin purse, well aware his cheeks are bright pink. His pale skin can be such a disadvantage.

He counts the coins under his breath as he hands them over to the barkeep who seems a bit perplexed by the ritual. He takes the mug of cider from him and offers it to Essek.

"It is probably from this season, so very good," he says, still familiar with the rhythms of farming life even though it has been years.

[zauberdecke]

There is that casual note of Caleb's colouring and how it rises high upon his cheek; darkening the freckles that brushed lightly against his cheeks and the bridge of the nose-- everywhere really (such was a ginger's curse); he accepts the mug given to him and takes a very surreptitious sip. "Oh, this was a good recommendation." it held more notes of fruit than they did hops, though there was the underscore there. Not quite a wine, a bit more fizzy than wine and the differences were most certainly unique.

"Your family grew up in a farming community as I recall from the spaces you've spoken of your past." he knew other things too but he choose not to focus on that. "I have read up a little on the traditions of that area." merely curiosity, nothing more. "And how there is something in the harvest that has everything to do with the brewing of beer and ale, I am assuming cider is one of those as well?"

Get the wizard talking, Essek loved it when he spoke.

[selfburn]

"Ah, well, most family farms will grow something for themselves that can be brewed. Cider being the most common. A single apple tree is easier to tend to than an orchard." He rubs his fingers against the surface of his book simple for something to do with them.

Sometimes his mind works better when his fingers move around. "And it depends on the region as well. Some places grow grapes better than apples. But it really depends on if it is a larger, commercial farm for trade or a small homestead farm."

Caleb keeps a close watch on Essek's expression to make sure he's actually interested in what he's saying. He doesn't want to bore the elf not when his attention is so often rewarding. Or perhaps addicting is the better word.

"There are even some who farm mushrooms as they can grow year round in the cellar."

[zauberdecke]

The expression on Essek's face is interested; he has a face that it is impossible to poker face; everything that had crossed his face had been the truth (at the beginning) just as it was true now, which is surprising with that he even got away with everything for so long. But that was neither here nor there, and there were ways of course to circumvent even that.

He takes another sip of the cider. "You mentioned that your mother tended the farm while your father was away for military duties? What did your family specialize in? Was it cider as well but something as well."

There was a gentle touch of Essek's hand against Caleb's forearm though it was impossibly light, as he did not want Caleb to feel anything jarring about it, but likewise he wanted to offer the simple companionship of touch to the wizard. There was also something unspoken that Caleb did not have to talk anything that he did not wish to talk about.

No matter what though, Essek was here.

[selfburn]

"Oh, no, sugar beets. We grew a lot of sugar beets and potatoes. Some wheat for bread." His words are somewhat stilted. Even after all this time it is hard for him to think back to his childhood on the farm.

That painful night. The smell of smoke. The way his mind broke.

The memories don't send him spiraling like they used to but it still stirs in the back of his mind and makes him ache. Makes it hurt a little.

Luckily, Essek's hand on him is enough touch to keep him grounded. Remind him of the good now and not just the pain of the past.

"Though if you wish to know about growing things you should speak with Caduceus. He's much better at it." Caleb could remember because he so rarely forgot but he did not think he could grow things anymore.

[zauberdecke]

"Truth been told, I have been taking some gardening lessons from Caduceus as well; what grows best in which soils, how to distinguish plants by their seeding patterns and which plants grow best in the sun versus shade." it had been something that had been of interest with him; he'd found it a good way to reflect on his own journey as he had been quietly digging in the gardens of the Grove.

"I hope that you do not take this as presumptuous; but I think that you would not be quite so bad at gardening, you have a gentle and patient way of nurturing. Perhaps plants are not quite as complicated as people, but I've noticed that we all require proper conditions in which to flourish."

Ah, Essek realized that what came out of his mouth veered onto the side of maudlin.

"Clearly, I have been spending too much time with our Firbolg friend."

[selfburn]

Caleb simply listens to his voice for a moment. He thinks there's a slight note of happiness and for that he's glad. The path Essek is on is not an easy one to walk but clearly, he's finding the same sort of hope that his friends brought him.

"Perhaps when my adventuring is done I will live somewhere that allows me to garden." A small home with a garden does not seem impossible right now as it once did. It seems like a very nice future, actually.

And perhaps he does not have to be alone in that future.

"Or perhaps you will take it up and I can come visit you to see it."

sorry for the lag, weekend was super busy filled with family things

[zauberdecke]

"I would like that, Caleb Widogast. I do not have a plot of my own though Caduceus has offered me one at the Grove, I am still a bit wary of disturbing the dead with whatever plot I choose, I do not know the land like he does-- but I think that perhaps either or, whichever the case may be, I would enjoy some collaboration."

He remembers something that had been so long ago, during a spell created where Caleb had astutely said that he would be interested in exploring other areas of collaboration, perhaps this was what he meant?

"Perhaps we could take a plot of land and grow things in it together? I think that along with spell-work it would further our friendship and association." it was true that the sips of cider was making him feel a trifle fizzy.