estdeus_innobis | "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

Day 147, Sunday October 26th
Just ready fer dinner
The Tavern of Hell

It's - it's bin an okay week. That Damien guy seemed pretty nice, though I haven't seen much 'a him since. I saw him buskin' with his guitar, which dunt seem like real work, 'specially in harvest season, but that's his business, I guess. I wanted t'go out t'the Carnival this week t'see if that Vic woman went out t'see Zann, 'cause I think they'd get 'long real well, but it's bin busy 'n I ain't had a chance.

I met three new people this week and if it hadn't bin fer Friday it would 'a bin nice. But I got a feelin' like the hound-god ain't too pleased with me fer carryin' off that girl. Mr. Laclos said her name was Alice, and he was real glad at me bringin' her back like that. He invited me in fer a cup 'a coffee, but I wanted t'get as far from the Silk Road as I could, knowin' the hound-god was out on the street. I skipped out the side 'n near ran all the way back t'my room.

Saturday I was workin' again. Mr. White wanted t'be greetin' people and doin' the councilman thing, 'n Rob was needed fer bakin', so it was me mindin' the stall at the market. It was okay, 'cept I could really go anywhere. I did chat with a few folk - I think the townies 'r gettin' more used t'havin' a couple 'v us wanderin' 'round. I dint see much 'a Tess though. She's bin spendin' lots 'a time with her friend Kate. I dunt think she's even really looked 'round fer a place t'stay 'r work t'do.

Sunday's my day, and I'm grateful fer it. I went t'the church this mornin'. It was okay, but way different than home. And their book's got some stuff that's different than the Book. I ain't sure theirs is a proper Bible, but I dint say nothin'. Spent the rest 'a the day cleanin' my room 'n loungin' 'bout on the bridge, just watchin' the water go by.

By the time the sun's started towards the horizon I'm hungry 'n ready fer food. I ain't gone t'the Tavern in ages, but I should be able t'get somethin' t'munch on and maybe a beer. They dint said nothin' when I was there with Luke, 'n I figure they dunt mind me bein' there. So off I go, steppin' into the dim room with the jukebox playin' in the back 'n one 'a the bartenders workin'. I order up 'n find myself a table near the door.

[Open]

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Aw crap. I said the wrong thing. Luke looks upset. Johnny looks hurt. Luke's the first to speak,Nope,We ain't. An' the way he says it, all cold an' hard n' fulla mistrust. it lets me know I screwed up an' shoulda just kept my mouth shut. This is why we don't talk 'bout Management with outsiders, not even in the little ways I was tryin' to. I hope I haven't juts made life here worse for those still with the Carnival.

When I make my offer, Luke just downs the rest of his beer and stands up. You two stay. Thanks anyway, but I got work to do. See you round, Johnny. Good to meet you too Ri.

John makes like he's gettin' up[ to go after him and then slumps back. I lift a hand in a wave and say, "Good to meetcha too, Luke."

Johnny looks real down an' I'm not feelin' too good either. He mumbles something that sounds like, Sure, 'Ri I get up an' stand by his chair a moment.

"John...I wanted to tell you. But I-I found out I couldn't...not really. Sorry." I turn away to go to the bar and get us some beer.

Looks like 'Ri dunt think it went well either, 'cause she's got this stricken look all 'v a sudden 'n shes "John...I wanted to tell you. But I-I found out I couldn't...not really. Sorry." She goes off t'the bar. Damn. I finish my beer as she comes back, the bartender trailin' her with a dish 'a fries. I shake my head as she sits back down. "I - it ain't that, 'Ri. I shouldn't 'a mentioned the Tower like that. I dint know you knew 'bout it, and now Luke thinks it's you folk who're tangled up with it when it really ain't your fault." I poke through the fries, but I ain't so hungry now.

"I should 'a just kept my mouth shut 'n asked you later. Luke - he's just worried 'bout me 'cause I met some folks who ain't too friendly." I think that might be part 'a it, really. He's worried I'm goin' t'fall in with folk like the hound-god, 'r Conley 'n his smugness. "He means well, he really does."

I come back with the beer and bartender is following me with some fries that Johnny ordered earlier. I st and Johnny shakes his head and starts appoligizing. As if it what happened was his fault instead of mine.I - it ain't that, 'Ri. I shouldn't 'a mentioned the Tower like that. I dint know you knew 'bout it, and now Luke thinks it's you folk who're tangled up with it when it really ain't your fault. He's poking at his fries and in spite of everything I find that really cute. I should 'a just kept my mouth shut 'n asked you later. Luke - he's just worried 'bout me 'cause I met some folks who ain't too friendly.He means well, he really does.

I give him a bit of a smile. "Guess it's both our faults then. If neither of us'd said anything, Luke wouldn't have anything to be so upset about."

I raise the beer to my mouth and then put it down untasted. "It's only Management that is mixed up with the Tower, the rest of us try to steer clear." Even if we're not entirely sure just what's up in that water tower.

She smiles quick at me. "Guess it's both our faults then," she says, her voice dry. "If neither of us'd said anything, Luke wouldn't have anything to be so upset about." I chuckle at that. "It wouldn't 'a bin much 'v a conversation then, now would it?" Definitely not without me havin' a chance t'blurt somethin' out 'n cause trouble.

'Ri goes t'drink her beer but sets it right down 'afore she's even had a sip. "It's only Management that is mixed up with the Tower, the rest of us try to steer clear." I look up at her, kind 'a startled. "Heck, I know that 'Ri. I may not like that witch, even if Tess says she's okay, or your magician, but you and Zann are good folk." I take a fry 'n nibble on it. "I never figured any 'a you had much choice in the matter. And heck, you're in town now too, so you're away from it." I look up at her, rememberin' why she was out the other night. "Though you got family there, 'n I'm sorry they're caught in it."

Johnny chuckles when I mention how we shoulda kept our mouths closed.It wouldn't 'a bin much 'v a conversation then, now would it? I smik a bit at that, the mental picture of us sittin' there lookin' at one another but not talkin' is kinda funny.

When he gives me a startled look I realize I'm on a roll with the not knowing when to shut up. But he's pretty good about it, all he says is, Heck, I know that 'Ri. I may not like that witch, even if Tess says she's okay, or your magician, but you and Zann are good folk. He pauses to nibble a fry. I never figured any 'a you had much choice in the matter. And heck, you're in town now too, so you're away from it.Though you got family there, 'n I'm sorry they're caught in it.

I take that sip of the beer so that I don't answer too quick.I better not be blushing. I better not. I hide behind my glass just in case. It feels good to know Johnny at least don't think so bad of us.

"Thanks. It's good to know you-that someone doesn't hold it against us."

More homesickness comes right along with his words. Family...right now I'm feeling very lonely. I push the feeling away. "Yeah. So'm I."

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

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