Time to Shine

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 19th July 2017

Characters: Capwick, Puwul
Description: Capwick goes to make arrangements with Puwul for the Gather...
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 8

"I'll take a half pint of a porter, Puwul," Cap said as he slid effortlessly into one of the bar stools.

"Comming right up, Hallsecond," Puwul replied and took a clean glass from the shelf. "How was your day?" he asked while filling it up.

"I started the day with a desk full of hidework. I worked hard at it all day. I ended the day with a desk full of hidework." Cap knew it was just the business of a Hall getting ready to end one Turn and start another. "And Puwul, you're not a Vintner and this isn't a formal situation. You can still call me 'Cap'."

"Right, Cap," the Tavern keeper grinned and gave him his drink. Then he pulled himself one of those tall stools. He was too old to stand on his feets whole day. "Those hides breed you know."

"And I think this is their breeding season." They certainly seemed to be multiplying on his desk. "Of course our upcoming Gather doesn't exactly ease the burden." Cap took a sip and gave an appreciative sigh. "Good stuff, this."

"Aye, it better be, since it's your hall's production," Puwul replied. "Do you need to borrow my staff for the Gather?" he asked. It wouldn't be first time, when Hall arranged tastings, his waitresses usually helped with the serving and his wife was an excellent cook.

"Naw, that's what we have apprentices for." No, the Hallsecond had other things in mind for Puwul. "You get musicians in here to play, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. Some of them are harpers, some are gifted amateurs. Anyone willing is welcomed to step up on the stage," Puwul pointed the small performance stage at the corner. "I do pay for harpers to play on occasionally. Like restday evenings or special days."

"Well, the Hall will pay for you to contract whichever of your acts you think worthy to play for your guests the night before and the day and night of the Gather. We want people to see what kind of quality music they can enjoy when they visit your tavern." That was the best way the tavern could help at the Gather, Cap was sure.

Puwul nodded. Some of the best performers were actually dragonriders...nothing like romantic dragonrider-harper to melt a Lady's heart. He better not bring that up though. "I'll get some of the best ones."

"Only people who play here from time to time," Cap said, raising a finger in emphasis. "I don't want to give our patrons a taste of the best in Pern and make anyone feel shortchanged the next time they come. No better and no worse then what they can expect on a visit to your establishment."

"Alright, regulars then," Puwul replied. That was not a problem, he yet to find a harper who didn't want to perform.

"Let me know what kind of stock you'd like to have as soon as possible. We would hate for you to run out because we sent everything off for Turns End celebrations." As popular as their wares were at this time of the Turn, it was a very real possibility.

"I will, give me day or two to do the inventory," Puwul promised. The Tavern had it's own wine cellar, small as it was.

"Of course," Cap nodded, knowing it was a big request to come out of nowhere. "Through Fall, fog or fire, this Gather will be a sharding success. I can't have anything less from my first major event as Hallsecond."

Puwul chuckled "I drink to that." Of course, since he was working, he was drinking only water.

"I'll tell you, Puwul, I wanted a challenge and this is _definitely_ one." The Hallsecond wasn't complaining, just stating a truth.

"Sounds like you're enjoying it," Puwul remarked.

Cap smiled at Puwul over the rim of his glass. "Much as I feel like I'll soon go blind off of hidework, yes, I have to say that I am." He took his sip and set the glass down with a far off look in his eye. "We've come a long way since our move here. We were just fighting to get back on our feet. Well, this Gather to me is a time to prove that we're standing again. Our rebuilding days are coming to a close. It's time we start looking to the future."

Puwul nodded. "The tavern's been a success," he remarked. "It's the Hall's time to shine."

Last updated on the July 21st 2017

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Time to Shine