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[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

Sunday, November 8th
Day 161
Evening

I'd been on the road for a month before I scented a town up ahead. When I saw the “Welcome to Excolo” sign I think I almost cried I was so tired of walking, but then I burst out laughing when I saw the population part crossed out several times and “oh fuck it”written in black paint over the numbers. Sounded like my kinda town. I've put enough distance between me and them, besides, I don't think they'll bother trying to track me. Justin might, the selfish prick, this whole thing is his fault. I mean, is a little self control and consideration too much to ask for? He better hope he doesn't find me or I'll show him the real meaning of bitch.

Its been days since I've changed, or eaten for that matter. So when I catch the scent of food being cooked, my stomach grumbles. The smell leads me to a place called “The Miskatonic” Stuffing a hand in my pocket I sigh, pulling out what I have. Almost out of funds. But lucky me, there's a “Waitress Needed” sign in the window. Now that I can do. I go inside, talk to the owner, do a little test run serving some food. (holy shit she's fast and that green wall..yeeeah.) When I leave, not only do I have myself a job, but a little more cash in my pocket too. One job isn't gonna cut it though, winter is coming, no crops, less money to spend on dining out. I head towards Silk Road to see whats there and freeze in front of the bakery, hoping what my nose tells me is wrong.God, please not another one. Opening my mouth,I inhale deeply. Its too faint to tell for sure, but I'm not gonna go in to check. Fuck That. Now I need a drink. Wonder what the legal age is around here? Oh well, never hurts to try. I nearly burst out laughing when I ask a man passing by where the nearest bar is and giving me an odd look, he points down the road and says”The Tavern of Hell is right down there, just past the Sacred Whore.” He smells like he bathed in rum, so I take his word. And “Sacred Whore?” and“Tavern of Hell”? What the hell kind of town is this?

I find the tavern right where the man said and coincidentally, also has a now hiring sign. Not many people inside as I give the barman a smile and take a seat at the bar, and order a beer. No funny looks or questions, he brings it right to me. I think I like this place already. I smile again and thank him, asking about the open job. ”My name is Thomas. You'll have to talk to Verdandi, the owner about the job. She should be around soon."”He says and I thank him again, telling him I'll be right here as I look around the room. This should be a good place to scope out the townsfolk and get a better feel for the place.Holy shit is that a jukebox over there? That and electricity. I must be in heaven.

[OPEN] [CLOSED]

Comments

[nansekam.livejournal.com]

I don't normally go to the tavern. Don't get me wrong, I've not got a problem with booze - we brew beer at the abbey, after all - but we're not usually out and about in town after dark, and I reckon that's when things mostly go on at the tavern. But we had a bit of a jam today - the brewhouse thermometer is broken, so I said I'd pop down to the tavern to see if the owner's got any spare. Hear she does a lot of brewing in the basement, so we might be in luck. I go over in my workout clothes - still a habit, but it's a bit less formal than my Sunday service stuff. I go over to the bar, and a nice bloke tells me Verdandi's out but he'll ask her when she comes back, or I can hang out a bit and wait to see if she comes back. Well, since I've come all the way out here, I might as well have a quick half, so I get a glass of mead. Take a sip, and that's bloody nice stuff. I sit down at the bar a couple of stools away from a girl who only just looks old enough to be here. I give her a nod and lift my glass in a friendly way, but I don't want the poor kid to think I'm hitting on her. That's all we need, a story of a dirty monk trying to pick up teenagers in a bar.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

I'm glad there weren't many customers yesterday. I didn't really want to be friendly to people, I just wanted to be doing something so I didn't have time to fret over Johnny. I can't make him choose what I want. Besides, I have no clue if it'd work, him an' me.

Today at least the salon's closed so I don't have anyone else to worry about. I coulda gone an found Will or looked for Boden but I didn't. Didn't bother to go see Mama n' Abby either. Stead I took a long walk round the town and then came back and cleaned the Salon top to bottom. It kinda needed it. An' it kept me busy. Night started falling and I decided I couldn't stand being here with so little to do. might as well go out an get a drink at the tavern.

I feel like being a touch flashy so I pull out a pair of leather trousers, a shirt with patches of fishnet sewn in and add my broken heart choker. To finish off I Even tease my hair out a bit to get it to do the thistle style. Some makeup, and I'm 'bout ready. One last look in the mirror before I grab my leather jacket, an it's off to the tavern.

Not many people there when I enter, but there's still some. Jukebox is playing this time. Somebody musta come fixed it. Either Zann or Vic. Both of them coulda done it, an probably would too just to see it workin' again. I smile as I wonder if they've met yet. Probably get on great. I reach the bar before I realize it. Damn I don't know what I wanna drink yet. So I grab a menu an sit next to a pretty dark haired girl who looks close to my own age.

[norn-verdandi.livejournal.com]

It's a quiet night in the Tavern as most people are home with their families. Sundays have never been brisk business but it's not as if we're doing badly. We're doing really well actually. Well enough that I'm hiring more staff and planning minor renovations for the winter. I have bigger plans for the spring but in the meantime, some people will have work through the winter. I wonder if anyone would notice if I raised the roof? I smile and remind myself to talk to someone on the city council to get whatever permits I need. Maybe Edmund. I'd be happy with that.

I'm happy with a lot of things lately. The rite was a success and not just for Syl. For me too. Touching Hel reminded me, forcefully, of who I had been so long ago, and once the pain passed, I realized that my mind healed. Not all of it but more than I could've hoped for and I didn't have to spill unwilling blood to do it. It's a relief to not question the validity of my actions, trying to remember if I'm doing it all right.

I do understand now why so many gods chased after worshipers, needing them to have a purpose. My sisters and I didn't have that, not needing it because we skirted the edge, tied to Yggdrasil and the Wells more than its people. I won't turn anyone away though, not from the coming storm, and if some of Excolo's residents want to seek shelter in my temple, then I'm happy to give it.

Thomas catches me, pointing out the young woman looking for work and I notice that she's very pretty even with her worn, dusty clothes. She's smiling though and that's enough to make me like her already. The Tavern needs vibrant employees, people that will encourage you to relax and enjoy the moment even as they're bringing you a second pitcher.

Approaching the young woman, I smile brightly as I offer my hand in greeting, "Hello, I'm Verdandi. Thomas said you were looking for work. What's your name?"

[norn-verdandi.livejournal.com]

Melania ask Verite about the carnival, "Wait, you said, 'we'. You from the carnival too? That must've been wicked cool, what did ya do?" Verite is uncomfortable but hides it well as she replies, "Yup. I grew up with the carnival. My family runs the bar tent. L'Heure Vert it's called. I been helping Mama run it for years. I also did hairdressing an stuff for the performers."

"So you know about liquor then?" I smile wide, always happy to find someone who might have a palate about alcohol. "I do have random taste-test parties. If you'd like, you could join us and maybe give me some opinions about what you like." Hmm, I wonder if she likes girls? She's pretty. She might have a boyfriend too.

There's some joking about supernatural creatures living in Excolo but I'm sure Melania's caught my warning and I laugh along with the both of them as I say, "Oh, I haven't heard about any vampires but you never know." My laughter is bright and playful but I'm not lying. There really could be vampires out there and I wouldn't be surprised to find one, not in Excolo.

Verite turns to me, holding out her empty mug with an irresistible wide-eyed look, "Mug's empty c'n I get another drink?" I'm friendly, innocently brushing her arm with my fingertips as I leave my hand on her and reply, "We can't have that. Not when you're sitting with the Tavern owner." My free hand slides another mug to her as I continue, "Drinks are on me, Verite, so have whatever you want. I love happy customers. They keep me in business," and I chuckle as I refill my shot glass and drink that down.