Hard day's night

[steampunkvic.livejournal.com]

[Thursday, October 29th, early evening]

[The Tavern of Hell]

"What a week" I thought to myself. I'd been quite busy with my repair shop, all sorts of things got brought in, watches, clocks, kettles and toasters, and purely mechanical things too. I'd heard mention of a new metalworking shop which sounds interesting, I may be able to source materials from there. For now it is quite late, and I walk the couple of doors down the street to the Tavern. I buy a pint and some peanuts and settle down, wondering if anyone will swing by. I shall slowly finish this pint and buy another, and if no-one has turned up by then I shall call it a night.

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[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

Long week. Slaughtering season's on.

Mostly the farmer's can do it themselves. Lots take it well, though, if someone like me starts it off. So I hit the animal, let them haul it up, and cut the throat. The farmers do most of the butchering, while I watch. They pay in meat and beer, and I go back into town. Could almost get used to this. Might have to hire someone to run the counter at the shop. Not a salesman or a clerk, me. Starting to get short of time. And with the town growing, can't close the shop down to get some extra work done.

Glad to shut down tonight, late though it is. Sun's heading down as I walk down Silk to the Tavern. Could cook something up at home, but I like the Tavern. Relaxing place to be.

Still quiet - it's early for the Tavern. Mostly folks like me, shop owners or workers wanting a drink after. New one I don't recognize at the bar - small woman, grease stains. Stop by and get a glass of red from Thomas. "Evening, Miss," I say, taking a sip.

[steampunkvic.livejournal.com]

As I sit enjoying my drink a man comes into the Tavern, with a weathered and lined face and pale blond hair. "Evening, Miss" he says.

I smile at him, glad of the chance to meet somebody new. "Good evening to you, too."

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

Girl smiles at me. Fairly young. Reminds me of Zann a little. Seems calmer, though. "Good evening to you, too."

Offer my hand. "Name's Simon Klavec. I work at - that is, I own the Organ Grinder, the butcher shop." Still not used to that. It's nice enough. Going out to the slaughterhouse and the ranch, though... Marks' sister and brother-in-law don't like me coming by much. Guess it reminds them he's gone.

[steampunkvic.livejournal.com]

He holds out his hand and I shake it. "Name's Simon Klavec. I work at - that is, I own the Organ Grinder, the butcher shop."

"I'm Victoria Johnson, but most people call me Vic." I pause and sip my pint. "I own a repair shop down the road, Phoenix Dreamworks. I can fix most stuff from mechanical up to electronic. If you ever have, say, a bacon slicer seize up or something I'd be glad to help" I hope I got that right, I actually have no idea what sort of things a butcher uses. Maybe he just has a bunch of really sharp knives.

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

Nod. "Don't use much of that, me. Spent too much time on the road to rely on fancy gadgets. Got some meat freezers, but that's about it." Take a sip of my wine. Realize it might seem unfriendly, telling her that. True, though. "Probably get more custom here than anywhere else in the area, with the wind farm. You come into town recently?" Think I saw the shop sandwiched in on Silk road. Couldn't say when I noticed, though.

[steampunkvic.livejournal.com]

He nods and replies "Don't use much of that, me. Spent too much time on the road to rely on fancy gadgets. Got some meat freezers, but that's about it. Probably get more custom here than anywhere else in the area, with the wind farm. You come into town recently?"

"Yes, about a week ago I think. I've met a few people but I'm hoping to meet some more, maybe make some friends."

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

"Yes, about a week ago I think. I've met a few people but I'm hoping to meet some more, maybe make some friends."

Sip my wine. "There's a masquerade on Hallowe'en, for the business owners. Being hosted by Dorian. Owns the clothing shop. Might be a good place to start." Wonder if I should warn her about Excolo parties. "Might get a bit rowdy as the night goes on, mind."

Considering how Dorian's girl at the shop took my warning, might be best to keep is simple.

[steampunkvic.livejournal.com]

"There's a masquerade on Hallowe'en, for the business owners. Being hosted by Dorian. Owns the clothing shop. Might be a good place to start. Might get a bit rowdy as the night goes on, mind."

I look thoughtful "Rowdy how? Like drunk, or fights, or something?"

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

Nod. "Along those lines. Seen tempers flare a few times. Mostly just folks as already have issues, but it can spread sometimes. Wouldn't be any worse than elsewhere," I shrug, "but Excolo has more than its share of dangerous folks."

Finish my wine. Don't want to get much more explicit than that. Don't want to scare her off, either. "There's good folk here, too. It's why people still go to parties."

[steampunkvic.livejournal.com]

He nods and finishes his wine while saying "Along those lines. Seen tempers flare a few times. Mostly just folks as already have issues, but it can spread sometimes. Wouldn't be any worse than elsewhere, but Excolo has more than its share of dangerous folks."

"Well thank you for telling me about this party, I had better get myself a costume and a mask." I say, finishing off my beer and the last couple of peanuts. "It was very nice to meet you, Simon."

[simon-klavec.livejournal.com]

"Well thank you for telling me about this party, I had better get myself a costume and a mask." She finishes her beer. "It was very nice to meet you, Simon."

Nod. "And you as well, Miss Vic. Hope to see you there." Order another glass and move to a table near the back. One more glass, then, and I'll head home.