3294/Servants and Barkeeps

Servants and Barkeeps
Date of Scene:	30 October 2015
Location:	Dun Realtai
Synopsis:	Yari meets Archer, Rin, and MORDRED while playing Barkeep at Dun Realtai. Rin and Mord are nice. Archer is a jerk!
Cast of Characters:	691, 804, 821

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Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Dun Realtai's tavern is your picturesque medieval tavern, wooden floors, well kept chairs, local serving girls and the general feeling of warmth and love and toughness that these strong, simple people have come to embody. The bar on the otherhand might be a slightly newer transplant, polished and well kept. The lighting's just dark enough to be atmospheric.

But today's an unusual day, as instead of partaking, Yari Takane is dressed up in a bartender's uniform rather than her usual kimono, and is the one offering drinks. It's mostly beers and ales and meades of the local varieties, but she's not one to under-do an event.

The sign out front says 'Open Bar Night'.

Yari's wallet is doomed.

Still, the woman is all easy smiles as she makes a mixed drink for an elderly shop-keep.

"This one's from home, Sir. One ounce vermooth, some salt, and three-fourths Doma double-fermented rice wine. Enjoy!" She gently slings it over to the other end of the bar, stopping just at the edge to be picked up. Cheating ninja bartenders.

Project MORDRED (804) has posed:
Technically, MORDRED can't get drunk. Practically he knows how to monitor his blood alcohol levels to fake it. Tonight, the alcohol tolerance tuning is set quite high. "Triple brandy and a scotch on the rocks to start with, miss Takane." He asks as he sits down at the bar, dressed in clothes fitting for a nobleman in this kind of village. Including the Heraldic design of the High Kingdom of Earth's heir apparent embroidered on his chest. A closer look reveals the materials are synthetic and zippers have been hidden to make the clothes easier to put on, but otherwise they are nigh identical to the genuine thing.

Archer (821) has posed:
     "Aren't you a bit too young to drink, Master?"

     While still effectively a new resident of Dun Realtai, Tohsaka Rin had made herself quite at home in the rural, humble village, while Archer was more often browsing mission offers for one his Master found interesting or important enough to send him on.

     Their most recent mission - the battle against the entity of 'Hamidon' in Woodvale - had ended a relative success and ensured a short peace for Paragon City, which Rin seemed rather pleased about.

     Enough to celebrate by visiting one of the taverns.

     "I'm almost 21! Just four months off!" the magus quipped, crossing her arms and casting a sidelong, indignant glare for all of one moment before huffing her shoulders and continuing on through the doorway. "Besides, I don't know if I'll actually get anything alcoholic" the Tohsaka heiress admitted, glancing around the bar inquiringly, examining the architecture and the patrons. "I prefer tea anyway."

     "So why aren't we at a teahouse?" Archer questioned.

     In response, Rin simply shrugged. "I guess you could say I'm just curious. Plenty of people have been visiting this tavern tonight compared to some of the others, so I want to see why."

     "I suppose the cautionary saying of 'curiosity killed the cat' wasn't one you were acquainted with, Rin?" the Servant of the Bow quipped sarcastically, rewarding him with the sight of his Master scrunching up her nose in barely-contained indignant agitation before simply deciding to deprive him of any further encouragement and making her way to the bar.

     Upon reaching it though, Archer realized he recognized the woman behind the bar - the 'ninja' who seemed to be an acquaintance of Sanary Rondel. His gaze hardened just slightly as he observed her, wondering if she was here as a spy for the Confederacy... though that was rather impractical, considering that Dun Realtai's rather open-door policy, as well as it's staunch neutrality and equal-footing treatment to all.

     So it was something else then.

     Looking around, Archer also took note of what seemed to be a man with a demeanor somewhat similar to Bedivere - silent and observant - though dressed as nobility instead of a knight. His outfit, while looking close to the medieval period, had several modern features that gave away that his society must be more of a blended culture as opposed to one extreme over the other.

     Which faction was he from?

     As Archer regarded the patrons and barkeep with masked caution, Rin opted to try acting more social and approached the bar directly with an inquiring smile. "Hello. May I ask what you serve here?"

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
After a moment or two to tail slide a beer to one of the locals, Yari perks up, as a voice familiar to her pipes up. She blinks, caught off guard for a fraction, and then she recognizes just where she's heard that voice.

"Mister MORDRED! Good evening, Sir! At once!" She snaps a salute suddenly, then a hand and a tail work their magic. Two glasses are picked up with four of her fingers, set out before her as her tail makes a show of spinning both bottles of booze in a corkscrew-like pattern through that hypnotic limb. She's flexible, to say the least! One flip into the air with both, a catch, and she pours her drinks and somehow manages to add ice into the mix!

There's a brief applause, and she bows for her audience, all smiles. Seems she's getting into the role! Then they're slid down his way!

"I didn't expect you here, Sir, but I suppose it makes sense. Do you drink often?"

Yari doesn't miss Archer either. Her gaze narrows, scouring him with utterly irrational hatred. He'd stabbed Sanary /and/ taken out her village (albeit with good reasons!). But she has a job to do, and Rin walks up, the connection there utterly not made.

She straightens up, and offers a gentle, understated smile that yet manages to be warm.

"Welcome to the tavern, Ma'am. Let's see...mostly local ales and beers. I think we have a few wines in the back, they're expensive though. Whiskey, rum, a few liquors, I brought a few Doman wines and other assorted drinks." Pause. She does seem slightly younger than herself, come to think of it.

"I have a few sodas and Doman teas if you'd prefer, as well."

Another pause.

"New in Dun Realtai, Ma'am?"

Archer (821) has posed:
     Both Servant and Master watch Yari's display of theatrics and acrobatics, Rin seeming a bit surprised that a barkeep has such skill while one of Archer's brows arch upwards - the only outward sign of his bemusement with what he considers to be her showing off.

     Giving a nod of affirmation to the barkeep's question, Rin raises her brows slightly, finding it presently surprising that the bar serves teas as well. "Yeah, within the last month or so. And a tea would be nice, if you please."

     Archer in the meantime seems a bit more direct compared to Rin's attempt to be sociable; "You seem rather new yourself... or rather that I haven't seen you around here. I suppose you must be the type that doesn't visit often, or at least not without definite reason? Visiting a friend, maybe?"

     It's worded like a casual question, but it's more of a robin inquiry - something almost certainly hinting to the idea that she may be here because of Sanary, though the bowman doesn't recall hearing that she was in Dun Realtai. If she were, it would have had to have been recent.

     Rin, seeming annoyed by Archer's line of questioning, decides to try and take the edge off by dragging him into a more sociable setting - "Mind getting my... acquaintance here some tea as well, if it's not too much trouble? And make sure it's /extra hot/, would you please? I don't want it being too... mild by the time it reaches him."

     ... at this point, Archer found himself wondering how Emiya Shirou had ever made it through his life without losing at least one of his senses to the vermillion-clad magus, but one thing was certain; it couldn't be classified as anything short of a miracle.

Project MORDRED (804) has posed:
"Good evening, ser, miss." MORDRED rises when they come in, raising his triple brandy in greeting. "I am Prince MORDRED, by rights heir apparent to the High Kingdom of Earth." Yari may notice this introduction is unusual. He tends to refer to himself as Sir MORDRED, Knight Errant. There's a prickly tone to his voice, too. "Who do I have the pleasure of meeting this night of free drinks?" Then he adds, for Rin's sake, "There's no reason for you to avoid alcohol if you wish it. I will not stand for an adult to be denied access to the full joys of the world merely because she does not meet some arbitary restriction of age."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
"Certainly." She'll bow, duck into the back for a moment, and there's water boiling.

"It'll take a minute or two to steep. Welcome, then, I hope you enjoy your time here. This village is..." Yari seems to be at a loss for words.

A chuckle. "Well, draw your own conclusion."

Archer gets a peer.

"It's not particularly /your/ business, but I come here often. I happen to like the baths, Miss Saber is a wonderful host and more than personable, as are many of the villagers once they warm up to you. Among other reasons." Sanary certainly factors into it, but there's a far more permanent one now!

One that comes walking in from the back, a small asian looking girl in a dress and apron no more than twelve. She peers in from the kitchen just as the tea kettle sounds off!

"Mother, the tea is ready. Should I pour cups?"

Yari turns around, just as Rin speaks. Yari looks back, and shoots the woman a wide, wide grin.

"Ma'am. Whatever you wish at all." Her eyes twinkle, and then she peers back.

"Please, Linh. And get our red-coated customer an extra-hot cup. Be careful, alright, don't scald yourself!"

Linh, as she's called, waves and goes back to get the tea as Yari quickly fixes another drink for a customer.

Mordred gets a look again, and he asks her question! She lets the man get on with it!

"He's right. Drink but you want, but everything's...free tonight." Why is the bartender shuddering?

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Then Linh comes back with the tea. The cup placed before Rin is a perfect temperature, hot, but not scalding. The taste is definitely partly green tea, but with several spices and the tiniest tinge of rum to it.

The little girl walks over to Archer, and hands it to him.

Somehow, the tea is still boiling in the cup. Linh skips off happily.

Archer (821) has posed:
     Rin blinks in surprise at MORDRED's introduction, mouth opening slightly as she contemplates questioning if he is who she thinks he is.

     Archer however interjects, sounding curious; "Prince 'Mordred?' I've already met one 'Mordred' in the past, and you aren't her." He seems to emphasize the word 'her', though this is largely for Rin's sake - a way of informing her this isn't in fact Arturia Pendragon's 'child'.

     He also wonders if the 'Prince' is just being sociable or has some ulterior motive? Knowing thy enemy? Seeking allies?

     ... God forbid it be that the man had actually taken a liking to his Master. The Bowman wasn't quite sure he was ready for the complications /that/ would bring.

     After a second of catching on to what Archer's words entail, Rin's eyes look back at MORDRED almost questioningly, seeming intrigued, if not somewhat confused, by the formality of his greeting. However, she responds cordially and sociably, retaining a passive smile. "Rin. Toshiba Rin. Tohsaka's my family name, so in the Western style of addressing people, I'd be 'Rin Tohsaka.'" She then gives a polite but appreciative decline to his latter statement; "Thank you for the offer, but I'll be fine with tea. I actually prefer it to alcohol, anyway."

     Archer's mouth seems to curl at the ends in a feint, sardonic smirk at seeing Yari's rather curt reaction. He seems satisfied that he got a reaction, as it somewhat confirms his belief that Sanary, after the loss of her home and alienation from her birth land, would likely seek refuge at Dun Realtai among other places. "I suppose those reasons are the things that aren't my business to know... though I'd assume they at least have some relation to recent events. After all, I have to say, you don't seem the type one would expect to see behind a bar."

     "Anymore then people would expect to see them be interrogated? Rin quips, one brow raised in obvious agitation. "if there's a point to this, just be up front about it."

     Before Archer can retort to this, both are distracted by, and somewhat surprised at, seeing the young child - Linh, as she was called - refer to the barkeep as 'mother.' Rin's expression softens a bit though at the sight of the girl as she gives a small wave, while Archer's becomes more inquisitive, tilting his head to one side as he glances between Linh and Yari. "Interesting. Do you often bring your family to work?" The double-meaning in the question is probably only evident to Yari since Archer hasn't revealed he knows her true profession.

     Rin, at this point, nudges her elbow against Archer's hand, causing him to click his tongue as some of his boiling-hot tea nearly splashes on his fingers. The bowman then proceeds to cast an annoyed glance at the contrite-looking magus while she calmly sips her own perfectly-temperate tea, the latter seeming to savor the taste appreciatively a few moments. "This is good. Green tea, right? There's a bit of a spicy taste to it with a hint of... something a bit bitter that brings out the taste and accents the spice. A liquor or extract of some sort?"

     "Rum, probably" Archer notes, as if flying in the face of Rin's 'tongue-in-cheek' behavior to nearly spilling his tea to say 'you'll have to do better then that to catch me off-balance.'

     He does however raise a brow inquisitively to Yari's seeming reluctance to say the drinks are free, wondering if some of what she's giving away is from a personal stock she kept or some such circumstance.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
It's not specifically aimed at her, but Yari throws a salute to Rin. "Yari Takane, Ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tohsaka."

Back to Archer. Her tail lashes behind her, eyes narrowing. It's the look of a woman who really, really wants to punch Archer right now. But she'd neither want to break Saber's Hospitality, or threaten neutral ground.

"Mister Archer, I'd appreciate it if you drop that line of questioning. It's rude and insensitive to parties we both know. And I happen to enjoy the job, thank you." She hisses. This man is good at getting in under her skin.

Her anger deflates. A look to Rin is thankful, and she bows.

"Are you two friends? I'm surprised you've managed to remain sane in his company, Miss Tohsaka." Adds Yari dryly.

Only for her to outright glare murderously, eyes widening at the implication.

Rin, again, breaks the tension. Yes. She likes this young woman. She's offering her to tea some time.

"Only when it suits her. She's a good, /innocent/ girl." Emphasizes the ninja.

Scalding tea assuages angry ninja.

"Nnn! Good tongue. Green tea, rum extract, as well as several Garlean spices. I make my own blend. It reminds me of the homes that have shaped me. Though I suppose I haven't found one from these lands to add to it." Her eyes unfocus, introspective, before a customer calls.

"Ah! Coming!" Cue the bartendress fetching more booze!

Project MORDRED (804) has posed:
"Indeed, I am not Saber's heir. Though the similarities between their legend and my own situation are astounding, there are major differences as well." He sips his scotch and adds, "For starters, both my father and I have yet to die." A brief pause as he takes another sip. "Regrettably so in the latter case. Then there's the fact that Sir Saber only ruled an island, my father's realm stretches to encompass three out of the four inner planets."

He puts down his alcohol and leans forwards offering his hand to Rin, "Furthermore, Sir Me and myself have some differences of opinion regarding the importance of courtly behavior." Should Rin take the hand, he'd attempt to plant a gentle kiss on it, but otherwise doesn't push her to take it. "It is my pleasure to meet you, miss Tohsaka, as well as your..." He overhears Yari refer to Archer by his class, "Servant, I presume?" He smiles and goes straight upwards again. He's fairly tall. "Oh, and one more minor difference between my world and theirs. The knights of my home don't fight on horseback, we fight in mechanized suits of Armour."

Archer (821) has posed:
    Rin seems surprised at the salute from Yari, though she gives a small smile in a gesture of affirmation. "Nice to meet you too, Miss Takane."

     On the other end of the spectrum, Archer remains bemused at Yari's reactions to his prodding, arms crossed and smirking face seeming all-too-used to the expression Yari is giving him - mainly because he has seen it often enough on Rin's face and many others to find it more amusing then threatening. "I'm sure you do enjoy it. People tend to let interesting things slip if they are given enough to drink of just think they are in good enough company to gossip openly. I'm sure you get to sea and hear plenty of entertaining stories."

    Again, a veiled double-meaning exists. He also inwardly take special note of the mention to 'parties' that they 'both knew.'

     Conformation for one of two things - that Sanary Rondel was either implicitly involved, or that Yari was just extremely sensitive about any topics regarding the one-eyed mercenary mage. Both were interesting possibilities to keep in mind for future reference.

     Following this, Rin lets out an exasperated, long-suffering sigh when asked about the connection between herself and Archer. "Yeah... most people probably figure that. Emiya-Kun - er, Emiya Shirou, if you know him - wasn't too found of it either. And honestly, I'm just as surprised I'm still sane, too."

     "Would you or anyone ever consider themselves such even if that /were/ the case?" the Servant snarks, much to Rin's agitation, the magus seeming templed to return the question on him, though MORDRED's actions break the tension.

     Both Rin and Archer tilt their heads in curiosity to MORDRED's brief referral to his own universe - though Rin seems somewhat more weary of the self-proclaimed heir's statement of regretting 'the latter case', wondering if he means he wishes his father to die. The pair are also surprised - Rin mildly but openly, while Archer's brows rise slightly in a more subdued and constrained expression - by the Knight's remark that his father's kingdom encompasses three /planets/.

     Rin looks at MORDRED's hand with something of a confused expression at first, one eyebrow raised slightly, though she quickly catches on - then flushes scarlet red when the Knight kisses the back of her hand, too stunned to do much more then let out a surprised "E-eh?" She flounders for a moment, looking as though her brain has completely shut down, though she manages to force out a flustered response, trying her best not to avert her eyes out of embarrassment; "A-ah. U-uh, nice to meet you too, 'Sir Mordred'."

     Archer, suitably, seems outwardly impassive save for how his brows are arched higher then before... though his gaze shows that he seems torn between wanting to chuckle from amusement and wanting to gouge his own eyes out from distain.

    Suffice to say, he seems unhappy at the idea that he will have to contend with his Master having what he considers to be a suitor pining for her.

Archer (821) has posed:
    When MORDRED makes his assertion as to the nature of their tie, Rin blinks in surprise once before giving a nod. "Yes. Archer here is my Servant, though I guess the term 'spirit familiar' can be loosely applied." To help confirm this, Rin lifts her left arm and pulls the glove down halfway, revealing the red marks of her Command Seals etched into the back of her hand to Yari and MORDRED. She gives another sigh as she pulls the glove back up - "Of course that also makes me responsible for a lot of the stuff he does, even the things I wasn't present for, and Lord knows I haven't even met /half/ the people he's antagonized, let alone apologized to them for."

     "There's little point in apologizing to enemies for what occurs on the battlefield, Rin" the bowman retorts, sounding almost lecturing. "It's a redundant gesture to offer repentance for being proactive in what can be considered a life-or-death situation."

     "Maybe /after/ one side starts shooting and it actually becomes a fight" Rin bites out.

     "You mean 'after someone has already been killed when they could have instead been saved'" Archer retorts smoothly, Rin grinding her teeth a bit at the cynical remark before simply scoffing and turning back to her tea, having long since learned that Archer would only stop if he either outlasted them or was ignored, the bowman tending to go silent again when he lost his 'sparing partner.'

     Archer takes special note of Yaru's reaction to his question regarding Linh, taking the shock as an indication that Yari apparently hasn't involved her daughter in her 'career.' Granted, he also suspected that a ninja might know how to fake their emotions, but as far as he could tell the agitation was genuine. He proceeds to offhandedly comment on it, though a trace of smugness leaks into his eyes; "I never said she wasn't."

     The slight emphasis on 'she' is more then enough to show which woman he was or wasn't considering innocent.

     Of course, it also earns a swift sidelong glare from Rin, who at this point gives a fake, sickeningly sweet-looking smile to the bowman as she, rather forcefully, taps his arm. "Archer, your tea's going to get cold. At this rate I'll have to have them re-heat it soon. Though if you want to keep talking, that's fine - I'll just ask that they make it /hotter/ so that it doesn't cool so quickly. If the taste is a problem, I could just have them add some /extra/ spices to it."

     ... perhaps it was the idea that the 'extra spices' would be of a different variety - such as the 'horrifically burning' kind - from what was currently in his teacup, or perhaps it was the idea that Rin would loop this pattern until she got her way. Whatever the reason, Archer gives half a scoff and shrugs, ceasing his remarks while sipping his tea. Rin in turn tries to return the mood to a more lighthearted one when Yari notes her developed taste; "Well, I've always been found of teas. Archer here actually is pretty good at brewing them - if not for being the biggest jerk I've ever met, he'd be a half-decent Servant."

     The disgruntled snort from Archer seems to satisfy Rin even more then her tea does.