[Flashback] Hopes at One End of the Bottle

[Devmond Incarnata]

Timestamp: AV 510, Winter
PCs: Issac Kane, Devmond Incarnata
Location: The Rearing Stallion Tavern

Devmond gave a small flick of the hand to signal the pretty barmaid behind the counter. He couldn't remember her name, Carla or Carmen maybe, but she was definitely his type. Not to skinny with curves that gave even her work clothes something to be admired. Too bad he was on business and had to keep things behind the counter.

"You have any Vodka in stock, maybe some cranberry juice to go with it?" he said leaning forward with plenty of eye-contact. As she got closer, he patted her hand in thanks when she went off to check the stock room for him. Well, a little flirting shouldn't offend the two new acquaintances he'd made. Alphonse, the young man, looked red-eyed already and was losing the ability to stay straight in his barstool. While the older-looking man, Issac, seemed preoccupied with giving his friend cautious glances.

"You know what's amazing about Vodka?" he said to them. "Besides wine, I order it at every chance. I never bother with beer. Vodka tastes better, gives tolerable hangovers, and most importantly leaves your breath still desirable." Alcohol made Devmond's already well-used mouth even more loose. He had consumed only one mug of ale, but was already under its effects. As long as he did not drink too much, this would stay to his advantage. Bars were really a good place to business. The stark chill of any new greeting were melted into the friendly warm light of cheap hangings.

He had met Alphonse the day before at the Golden Dragon. The man had come alone then, sitting propped up by a myriad of comfy pillows while chatting with the owner Tyras. Devmond himself had been sitting alone and rather bored, still new to the city's workings and social groups. Although Alphonse was just another patron, the teen carried a thick walking stick, and a rather cocky attitude in the way he would look around the room in familiarity as if these grand furnishings were the everyday. Perhaps he was rich, perhaps he was popular. Either way, Devmond figured he wanted to make his first friend someone like this.

What had begun as a selfish motive turned into something of charity. Their conversation began normally with remarks about the city's culture and the attractiveness of the waitresses, but quickly swung to the matter of Alphonse's younger brothers education. At first the name Isaac was name dropped casually here and there, but in increasing number. It was obvious this person had a bit of sway on the human's mind, although in what way Devmond could not yet tell except that he seemed to be a charge or servant of some kind. Eventually, Alphonse had muttered that he had not the patience to teach something like writing and reading. Devmond laughed in sympathy. Sunay had been a rebellious child who only through both their tears was forced to sit in front of books and want to take interest to paper.

It surprised Devmond that those obligatory parental miseries were now being taken as experience. Alphonse seemed eager for a teacher for Issac, and offered that they meet again the next day to discuss perhaps a business transaction. At first, Devmond was reluctant to take in another frisky child, but a paycheck was certainly tempting. It was not that he really needed the money in his deep pockets, but he did come from the merchant's bloodline, taught the risks of hesitation. Time and place were set, and hands shaken.

It wasn't until Devmond actually saw Isaac that he wondered if there could be some misunderstanding. He had been waiting at the bar and turning to the call of his name saw Alphonse, then sober, being followed by what looked to be a thirty-year-old man. In his descriptions, Alphonse had made it seem as though he was a child. It confused him all the more when this man did introduce himself as Isaac with an air that was generous, a trait only gained through maturity.

Teaching children was manageable since you could always play the fact you were bigger than them and seemingly more powerful then they could hope to guess. Devmond felt almost cheated. This new job could prove to be much more taxing than his daughter had tried so hard to be. Taking a final gulp from the bottom of his mug of ale, he vowed to not go under 3 gm.