RP:Perhaps, Another Time?

Summary: Two strangers are enjoying drinks at the Kelay Tavern, though one wears two wedding bands and is lost in memories of the past, and the other sports an engagement ring that she flashes with excitement for the future. After a few one liners, Lanara exits the establishment and sends another mug of brandy Hake's way, but only fate knows if they will encounter each other again. Perhaps the witch will learn of the dragon's late wife and children, and perhaps Hake will hear details about Lana and Tiber's upcoming wedding.

Whether the Tavern was bustling with patrons, or vacant. The figure of Hake would walk into the tavern, his boots dusty from the trail, brown in color, and leather against black cotton pants, he would wear a simple Brown shirt and over it, he wore dark blue trench coat. His appearance human, youthful yet adult, with a Electrum gray hair which while short, was in desperate need of a proper combing. His sun-kissed skin, rosy, and pink like a man who had walked in the hotter skies west of Craughmoyle, and his eyes green, and weary, peaceful in their existence as if they were a still graceful grassy plain, his voice soft and calm, as words formed on his lips as he took a seat at the bar if a stool was free, lest he take a table and turn his eyes to the barmaid setting his eyes on them, and speaking in a calm soft voice. “Brandy please, in a mug not a shot.” He would reach into his coat and pull from a nap sack some gold coins to pay for the upgrade if he could and patiently await his returning order.

Lanara sits at a table with two other elven maidens, the three of them gushing over a magnificent ring that rests on the brunette’s finger, giggles and whispers shared between the trio for several moments. Eventually, the two elves reach out to hug the newly betrothed woman, and they head for the exit as their duties are called elsewhere. Lanara sighs and leans back slightly in her chair, crossing her legs, as she admirably examines the huge chocolate diamond on the thin rose gold band which matches the dark depth in her big brown eyes. The fair woman glances around as more patrons head in or out, hoping to find a familiar face in the crowd, though none that she considers friend or foe make an appearance. She’s about to leave when Nancy, the lead barmaid approaches with a glass of brandy in a large mug, obviously a drink that she hadn’t ordered by the look of the expression on her face. Nancy apologizes and takes the drink back, “Sorry, Miss Lana, I am all out of sorts today since Mesthak is sick and the new barmaids we hired aren’t worth a copper.” Being a witch and having some experience with healing, Lanara replies, a hint of worry in her gaze, “Anything I can do to help?” The brandy is brought over to Hake, and she locks eyes with the stranger for a moment, before Nancy’s voice carries over the distance, “No, Hun. It’s just the common cold, but you know how men are when they’re sick!” She rolls her eyes, before apologizing for the mix up to both Hake and Lanara, only to move to the other side of the establishment to tend to something else. Lana wonders how the heck Nancy had confused her with a -man- as she is a rather beautiful woman, clad in a red cocktail dress, and she doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to the male gender! If Hake is still looking her way, she will lift her hand in a dismissive manner and smile, “No worries, I didn’t steal a sip!”

Hake watched as his mug passed by his table, his eyes following the barmaid, and seeing her miss his table, he merely, shrugged. As the woman seemed to correct the barmaid, whose name he didn't know, but when the woman locked eyes with him, he held the gaze as long as she did, and a little bit longer before glancing down at his drink. He didn't give any hint, if he thought her attractive or not, but merely, looked his drink, as he caught her dismissive manner and smile, responding in his calm soft voice, he lock eyes with her and give a small smile as he drank from his mug, before responding, "I wouldn't have minded if you had." He said, *Might have inspired a dialog.* He said, placing the mug down, and shelling out some gold coins which he tossed into his drink. Remembering it as a tip, for the barmaid when he was done with his drink.

Lanara looks mildly disturbed at the stranger as he states that he wouldn’t have minded if she took a sip of his brandy. Her doe eyes widen and she merely gives a hesitant giggle, unsure how to respond to such a thing. “I’m guessing a rough day, huh?” He -had- ordered his drink in a mug, and according to her calculations it seems as though there are at least ten or fifteen shots worth in there! Lana rarely makes conversation with strangers in taverns these days, as she holds most at an arm's length, save for her kin or pack. However, she had stopped in for a distraction and so that she can keep out of the way, as new furniture is being delivered. Tiber had warned her not to return until they had finished assembling everything, because she is a little clumsy at times, and if she barks any orders at the crew they are likely to charge double their delivery fee! Leaning back in her chair, she studies Hake, making sure he isn’t the type to follow her into the bustling street and put a knife in her back and steal her purse. One could never be too certain of foreign folk during these times of unrest, but he seems harmless enough, for now.

Hake would shrug at the question, not too concerned with sharing. Pushing his drink forward a bit on the table he would casually glance his left hand where two white gold rings encircled his left ring finger. "More of rough, past two years really." He said, twisting the rings on his hand. A solemn glance back at Lanara, and a casual glance of the ring on her finger. "I hope your happiness lasts longer than mine." He said, reaching out with his right hand to take hold of his mug and taking another sip. His eyes, his demeanor, his voice, the feeling around might have felt diffusing, if such a feeling were naturally occurring. Or simply his mannerisms. He doesn't change his position much, and just remains quiet. Like a quiet burning fire in a hearth.

Lanara follows Hake’s gaze to his left hand, where she sees two rings, likely wedding bands, and she assumes that his wife must have been sick for a long time and died. Hake’s words put a slight damper on her mood, but she offers a gentle smile and nods, “I’m sorry for your loss...Mister...? Was your wife ill?” She waits to see if he offers a name, though if he doesn’t, she won’t bother to pry. It’s doubtful they will ever encounter each other again, as Lithrydel is a large world, and she runs in small circles. Hake seems content to push his mug back and forth and sip his brandy and so she drops her gaze to her flute of champagne and drains the remainder. Nancy offers a refill, but she declines, although it would be amusing to walk home drunk to Tiber. Pushing herself up, she drops some coin onto the table, and eyes Hake from her line of vision. A moment later, she scribbles on a napkin to Nancy, ordering the barmaid to bring the male another drink on her tab. It’s the least she can do, after rubbing her happiness in his face. A faint smile is on her lips, as Lana offers a parting wave and exits the tavern, perhaps never to be seen again.

"Its Hake," he said with his soft tone. He waits until she looks like she is about ready to leave. "If we see each other again, I will tell you about her, thank you though." He said with a faint smile on his lips. "Svenspeed to you." He wouldn't watch her leave but was surprised when he got a second mug. "Oh thank you, did she...okay, well here's a tip anyway, thank you, um Nancy isn't it? Right, thank you." He said in response to her answers, then throughout the next few hours he would casually sip from his mug long into the night, only occasionally taking off his rings, to read their inscription, on his wife's it read, 'My hoard.' and on his which she bought him, it read, 'My Dragon.' "May both you and our children Eka, find peace in whatever Netherworld you went to."