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That had her
chuckling. "Perhaps you'll be able to stomach it better having it
made the way I drink it. It's a bit strong, but If you seen how many
drunks frequented this place, you'd understand." Another smile.
Hopefully it was
straight whiskey!
Irish coffee, close,
but still enough coffee to add that bite. Sad it was, the coffee added
the bite, not the whiskey as it should be.
He regained his voice
by first clearing his throat. "There is a better way to drink
coffee here?" He had whiskey added to his but maybe it needed a few
drams more?
Smile grew a bit more.
"The best way is to not drink it at all, but I've come to be able
to stomach my preference here. It's called Irish Coffee. It has sweet
cream, chocolate, coffee and Irish whiskey in it, hence it's name."
"..and very
little coffee?" Grin spread easily with a slight boyish touch as
that seemed to be the way to have coffee here. So there were a lot of
pluses on Bess but not her coffee. Still, in its own way becoming
legendary as the woman tender herself.
Another chuckle to
sound. "You'll soon see, I ordered you one along with mine.
Pleasant company and conversation should also have something enjoyable
to drink and share it with." Another flash of her smile.
A quick glance was
given. Left. Right. He stepped away and slid the mug he had between a
few tankards at a vacated table before stepping back. "I think I
will just try the doctored version."
"Smart man."
She couldn't help but to chuckle again. She found his action amusing,
yet understood. Soon Bess would arrive with the two steaming mugs, which
would be paid for as soon as they were set upon the bar. "The
whiskey here isn't top grade either. Especially once you get use to the
poteen of the lands in which we live. It kind of spoils your taste buds
I fear."
"I've had some of
the poteen made there. It is excellent. Maybe why I am somewhat spoilt
already?" Now that he was thinking on it, it made sense.
"Alex's coffee is perfect." Not that he was a devote coffee
drinker, he did enjoy a mug from time to time. Mostly in the morning but
sometimes at night when he wanted something to keep him awake for a
while longer.
"I've only had
his brew a few times. I don't usually frequent the Thistle. I feel a bit
out of place, though I know it's my own mind set. A few have made me
feel welcomed there, yet my affiliations is what has most shy
away." None had ever been out right rude to her. She was a bit self
conscious, which was strange considering the lifestyle she lived.
"I have felt out
of place but I know it is me, not those there at the time."
Thoughtful look washed over his features as he spared any awkward moment
by taking up the mug that had been set and lifting it for a careful
taste. It was that hot one should be. Brow lifted as the mug was
lowered. "I'm impressed, can't taste the coffee at all. Is there
really any in this?" Once more he eyed the creamier brew.
Slight lean towards
him. "Finally, someone who understands me." Meant as a joke,
even if a bit of truth tossed in there. Soft chuckle as she leaned back
to her placement of stance. Then a smile and nod. "Yes, all the
other ingredients help to mask it." A wink directed towards Bess,
who chuckled when she moved past to hear that comment made.
"I shall have it
made this way when here from now on." Matter of fact statement
before taking a longer drink. This time he let it settled on his tongue
longer. No bitter aftertaste that threatened to choke. Smile came easily
to resume. Lazy kind this time around. Dark eyes of a deep brown denoted
some of his heritage as he took another glance around. "Seems to be
different ones here." A touch of surprise. The Irish were known to
indulge morning, noon and night in one form or another.
Another smile would
show and her own mug rose to sip and savor the contents. When it
lowered, a glance would be spared over the common room. "They
change, like the flow of the tide. But only visually. If you ever get a
chance to sit back and listen, you'll see they are much alike in
stories, histories and the like." Chestnut colored eyes would turn
back upon him. "Never have I been in a place where so many families
were eradicated, or lost to horrid events. It's almost as if common
place amongst those drawn here." Small shrug.
Another nautical term
but so befitting. With fewer at the bar he stepped back and into a lean.
More comfortable stance that also afforded him to watch. "Have you
been here a lot of times?" Spoken but this time he was still
watching the crowd even if the words were to her.
Nodding, even if he
wasn't looking her way. "Yes. I guess you can say this is my safe
haven. Where I come to get away from the norm." Glance to turn from
the room and back upon him. "A man such as yourself will be a hot
commodity here for women looking for empty relationships just to say
they have a man on their arm. I've seen that happen many times,
sometimes with the same females. They'll latch onto one, then no sooner
is he gone, they'll chose another. It's as if they can't survive or
exist without a man for them to rub all over. I find it sad. I'm willing
to bet that they're also disease carriers. I can't see how they couldn't
be, when they shuffle between so many men." Small shrug.
"Consider yourself forewarned." Chuckles.
usage in context.
"Do they not go for the more boisterous rogues with silver
tongues?" One part had him repeating it in question. "Rub all
over?" He was trying to understand how.
Laughing and nodding.
"Silver tongued rogues, brooding types. Rude individuals and even
those who smell as if they'd forgot what soap and water was. They're not
picky." Again she'd chuckle and nod. "Yes, rubbing. Hands all
over them. Trying to gag another by shoving their tongue down their
throat. At least with the cliental that comes into the Dockside, it's
understandable. None of them hold morals anyway. Those that come in
here, come in under the guise of innocents and coyest natures. Let them
gain the attention of a man, then the true nature rears it's ugly head.
They're more wanting and give public displays that would make a whore
blush. Once that man leaves, the pretense of being a lady will again
ensue to snag another."
"Are there males
in here like such upon the women?" Good for the goose, good for the
gander? Her warning of less scruples exhibited at the dockside tavern
was also duly noted. "Is not this place the same?" It would
seem to be.
Slowly shakes her
head. "They must live very sad lives." Nodding to that also.
"Yes, the men can be as bad as the women too. Yes, they are much
the same. It's just at the Dockside, you know to expect such behaviors,
and none try to cover it up with false pretense of whom they are. They
are rogues and the women whorish, proudly so I would say."
"If one is such a
way and admits it, there is an honor there in being honest. The guise I
can do without. Guises don't last all that long and the true colors
shown. Maybe why nothing ever real comes of it? I'd rather fall in love
with a whore for her honesty than one that claims to be a lady and is
not." Not that he approved such a life style but the part of
honesty making the point.
Nodding in agreement.
"I'm sure that's why they always end up with several instead of
one. Once the truth comes out, they're pushed away. If they're false
about who they truly are, what other lies will be told?" Mug lifted
to take several sips from before lowering. "The other thing I find
humor in, is displaced royalty. Strange how many kings, queens, princes
and princesses come here. I know if I had blue blood in me, and my lands
were taken away, I'd find a way to gain them back. Unless it was by
choice I left them, then the last thing I'd do is cry about lost titles.
Too many cling to such meaningless things. The title don't make the
person, the person makes the title. At least that's my belief."
He finished off the
concoction, actually enjoying it, before setting it aside. He was up
from his lean. "I would agree with you there also. Perhaps another
time we can discuss titles, kings and queens." Not making any
definite commitment for he didn't know how his days would go. It was
left to if their paths crossed again. "I need to get back for a
delivery. I've enjoyed our conversation Carlotta."
"I'll look
forward to it, always enjoy to gab at any ear that I can bend and make
listen." Jokingly. Then a smile to appear. "I too have enjoyed
it Victor. Safe travels."
Carlotta might well be
a wealth of information for him in adjusting to this new era. Each day a
new step for him until he caught up. Smile was spectacular that held a
flash of white added before he was around on a heel making a quick
purposeful exit before he was late.
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