Sweet wine and crackling meat (Open)

[Damien]

Danos al’Sheen

Danos took the last of his uniforms out of the closet, fingering the Drin’far’ji greys as he bagged them to return to the laundry.

Now that he had returned from his Test, he had earned the right to a private room, although he knew one of his duties would be providing periodic inspections of the Drin’far’ji quarters. Looking around the room, he realized he had spent little time growing attached to the Spartan furnishings, mostly returning to his room to crash into the deep dreamless sleep of the exhausted. But he was regretful that he had been pulled away for his test shortly after his roommate Avram had arrived.

He had never truly had much of a chance to get to know his roommate much, the schedules and demands of his practices with weapons keeping him from wandering the grounds as he had often spotted the Cairhein doing. Still, he was my roommate, and it would be good to celebrate thought Danos as he fingered the merchant’s note he had used to store his savings in Hama Valon. He would never be considered rich, but the Tower truly provided for almost every need, and his Uncle had assured him that his wages would be paid in full as he had departed for the Grey Tower.

A good wine and roasted meat, will do me more good right now, than silver sitting in some merchants chest anyways thought Danos as he realized he was eager for the chance to visit the city. He loved the Tower, and it was fast becoming home, but the chance to relax with peers was not to be missed if he could spare the coins.

As a Ji’alantin he was allowed to leave for Hama Valon, and although it might be a stretch of the rules, he decided to invite Avram to attend a meal, raise a cup with him to celebrate his next step.

To that end he had penned a note to Avram, letting him know to meet him at the gate when he had free time, Danos figured the two would then head into Hama Valon for a night of wine and good food. He knew he should have little trouble serving as chaperone for a single Drin’far’ji, and vaguely wondered if Mordjen would be on duty.

OOC: This thread is open to anyone. Figured start with a dinner in Hama Valon, and the more the merrier. Especially if the MoT doesn't know about it.

[Jiggity]

Avram

Avram had received the note from his former roommate earlier, giving him time to collect his thoughts. In his mind, crowded taverns set off just about every alarm bell he had; his time as a bodyguard insisted that it could hide assailants, his time running a crew insisted that he would lose every penny he had to his name to thieves, and his time as Avram insisted that he was going to be pumped full of adrenaline for no good reason so long as there were huge crowds. But,he reasoned to himself, I have no principal and Hama Valon will have far less cut-purses than the Foregate. He ignored the third point in his head, refusing to acknowledge its existence. A Ji would be an excellent contact, and Danos was the honest, upstanding sort from everything Avram had managed to find out. Granted, half of the Novices, several of the Accepted and a not insignificant number of Soldiers and Dedicated seemed to mysteriously appear around his practice sessions and spars, but that was hardly his fault for standing taller than any man had a right to. Not that the Cairhienin noticed the man's absurd height.

Now he arrived at the gate, the letter tucked into his clean uniform. Managing to fully convince himself this was a good idea had taken time, and he still wasn't entirely sure of it, but here he was. If nothing else it would be a good opportunity to flesh out his impression of the cooper's apprentice. He had a chunk of his meager stash of coin left, figuring that even if Danos was covering the food and drink as he had indicated, there was always a dice game going and he knew the odds on most of them well enough to earn a bit on them. A pair of daggers concealed up his sleeves reassured him that if things went wrong they would go wrong in his favor.

Looking around, he spotted Danos and made his way over. "Congratulations again on passing your test Danos Ji'alantin." He said, smiling to indicate the title was more emphasis than formality. "Glad to see you don't think you're too good for us lowly Drin now. Is anybody else coming?"

[Damien]

Danos

Danos was glad to spot Avram walking towards the Grey Tower gates. He hadn't been sure if the other man would be able to get the free time to attend for dinner and an evening away.

Danos' sharp eyes spotted the purse of coins on the other man's hip and wondered if Avram had a shop to go to, or if he was hoping to do some dicing.

Danos had never really tried games of chance much, the barge workers and labourers of Jornhill had been rough men, who seemed quick to anger and prone to fighting. As such his Uncle had often forbade his apprentices from gaming with the men.

"Afternoon Avram Drin'far'ji, soon enough I will be congratulating you on your new greys. Tell me, do you need to hit a shop to anything in Hama Valon? It's so rare we get to leave that I wouldn't hold you up if you did," Danos said warmly as he and the other man walked past the guards with a wave.

Danos thought for a moment as they headed down the road that led from the Grey Tower, "I had mentioned the dinner to others, but I am unsure if any will be along. Still it's looking like a fine night, and we can always find a crowded tavern with a little luck. How have your classes been? Last I saw you was when we were mucking out the stables to pay for our bets," Danos asked with interest, he knew there weren't many at the Ji'alantin rank and often hoped other Drin'far'ji would ascend the ranks and help build the Tower's warrior arm.

OOC: Sorry about long reply, kind of lost this in the shuffle.

[Jiggity]

Avram

Avram laughed, forcing it to sound casual at the prospect of being worthy of advancement. "As soon as Master Darrow decides he needs a mule amongst his warhorses Danos. I think it will be a good bit of time before they decide to advance the likes of me." He shook his head at the idea. He was managing in classes and practicing as frequently as he had time, but he feared his active avoidance of attention was likely detracting from his rate of advancement.

His purse clinked softly as he touched it, reassuring himself that it was still there. "No shopping for me I'm afraid. The tower provides well enough for the necessities, but there are few enough opportunities for profit. I'm skilled enough to make a bit on a game of chance though, and gamblers with a mug of ale know the best gossip if you're willing to sit at the table. Maybe I'll teach you a game or two." He grinned up at his compatriot. He could hardly imagine the man gambling to tell the truth. He was just so honest.

The question prompted a shrug. "Classes are well enough. I'm no natural, and it's a bit trickier for me to learn to use my size as an advantage than using yours. I hope to achieve near mediocrity soon at this rate by the Yard's standards." The grin on his face became more self-deprecating towards the end. Truthfully he felt that his technical skills were easily matching others, but that didn't help much when their slower blow still got to him well before he could even try for a touch. "I'd almost prefer a tavern with few that we know to tell the truth. It's easier to get a good game going when the other players have a chance of having two silver pennies to rub together." Almost as an afterthought, he shivered. "And don't remind me of the stables. I'm certain that Natlya managed to get assigned the worst chores deliberately to foist off on us."

[Damien]

Danos

Danos smiled when Avram compared himself to a mule amongst warhorses.

Danos knew he had been fortunate to possess the size and strength he had arrived with. And he had also poured himself into his lessons to gain the warrior's edge he knew he needed.

"Well if you were lagging to far behind I'm sure Master Darrow would have had words by now. And I've faced at least one shorter man who made little of my strength and size," Danos said as he walked with Avram through the streets of Hama Valon.

The evening was just beginning to cool from the heat of the day, and he could see many of the city folk going about their evening tasks. He paused to bow as he spotted two Aes Sedai walking back from shopping, breathing a sigh of relief when they did not stop to ask for aide with the packages they bore.

When the other man simply stated that he hoped to find gambling and preferably where there wasn't a bulk of trainees, Danos scratched his head for a moment.

He had seldomed diced or played cards when he was an apprentice. His uncle had frowned upon such, and the bargeworkers were rougher sorts than he cared to deal with.

Although now I'm the wolfhound amongst the foxes, Danos thought as he looked down at hands grown rough and callused from weapon practice upon the sands.

"Well I can't think of too many places I know that aren't nearby. But I'm game to find one of locals if that's more your taste. And I'd enjoy wagering some coins and learning a few games too," Danos said content to follow Avram's lead. He seemed to have a type of establishment in mind, and Danos was content to enjoy a break from the demands of rising through the Grey Tower.

[Jiggity]

Avram

Avram barked a laugh. "I appreciate the confidence Danos. One day we shall see if it's well placed." He looked up at the other man. "Maybe we'll have a spar one day, see if size really does matter. Though given how well I hear that ended for you and the Aielman, mayhap I'll keep to myself. I'd rather keep my limbs intact." Avram didn't know the details of that particular event, but if half the tales told were true (and the ones from the healers were probably close) it had been an experience he did not want to mirror. But at the same time, if there was one person he could test the claim of size and strength being surpassable with, it would certainly be Danos.

Just not soon.

"If you're willing to find some adventure, I think I know just the spot. It's not exactly far, but Mordjen has described it as far enough off the beaten track that the Drin and channelers tend to avoid it. Follow me." Avram had never technically been to the Dancer before, but the directions he had been given were good. He checked his bearings and turned, heading down a smaller side street. "It's a little tavern called the Dancer. At least, that's all I've ever heard it called. It's true name might be longer for all I know." Another pause, this time heading down what might charitably be called an alleyway. "But it's a gathering spot for some of the guardsmen and locals who know."

[Damien]

Danos

Danos winced when Avram mentioned his fight with the Aielmanl. He had known going in that any encounter between an Aiel and someone of the Grey Tower would be ripe for gossip. Though a number of the Aiel lived and made their homes at the Tower, he knew they were not numerous enough as to never draw attention. That coupled with the fact that he had rapidly risen to the rank of Ji’alantin had made their spar a spectacle before the first blow. The rest just ensured that the story would live for a long time yet.

“I think we can manage to keep your limbs intact Avram, after my fight with Terric I spent a lot of time moving rocks, and splitting wood to remove my aggression as Master Ferran called it,” Danos said with a shake of his head. He knew that part of him was deeply shamed for having hurt a fellow student, but the part of him that remembered the fight could feel the sense of power and strength that had come from overcoming a strong opponent.

Distracted he missed the name of the place that Avram had mentioned, but when the other man mentioned that it was often frequented by some of the guardsmen he figured it would do well enough. “Lead the way then, Jornhill had a single Inn, basic fare and decent beer so I am content with whatever we discover,” Danos said with a laugh as the two men continued through the streets of Hama Valon.

[Jiggity]

Avram

Avram nodded, eyes dancing slightly. He'd spent enough time around Danos to feel more comfortable at least. Not perfectly so, but enough to bandy more words than usual. "I'm not terribly surprised. Master Ferran seems to believe that if you're too tired to move you're too tired to get into trouble. Might be something to it, at that." A pause. "But I'd rather you find out than me. I'll keep out of his sight and keep to the chores assigned to keep us busy, rather than punish. Upsides to not getting caught." He smiled cheekily at the big man.

"And here we are." The talking had carried them to their destination. A sign hung on the side of the building, scuffed down until all that could be made out was a woman seeming to twirl on the wood, detail still plain despite some missing paint. Music drifted out into the night, pipes and drum both, a tune to match the mood of the dancer. Avram pushed open the door, bowing slightly. "Welcome to the Dancer, Master Al'Sheen."

There was a pause in conversation as the two entered, but only a brief one. Avram took it in as he scanned the room with the force of habit. A quick glance established the lack of many weapons past belt knives, allowing a longer look to take in the room as he stepped through, waiting for Danos to follow. The room was clean and well kept, belying the rough exterior. Lanterns hung through the room, good oil keeping the air mostly clear of smoke and the room bright. The light reflected dimly off of the bar to the side, kept well cleaned and polished, and the barman, head kept well shaven and sweating slightly in the warmth of the evening. Tables seemed scattered around a clear area in the middle, clearly meant for dance, and a small raised area in front of it, housing two men producing the music heard in the street. Servers slipped between tables carrying food and drink, with the barman keeping an eye on them to ensure the patrons took no liberties, though none seemed to. Hama Valon came down hard on any who accosted the innocent, and here it was especially unlikely, with Grey Tower Watch tabards scattered through the crowd.

Avram looked around and spied a few faces he knew in passing around the room, but none of them initiates. "Pick a table, any table." He said, just loud enough for Danos to hear against the music. "We'll get some food, some wine in celebration and see if we can't win a few coins." Louder, and smiling more broadly now, "After all, it's your party man! You should enjoy it."

[Damien]

Danos

"And here we are," Avram said as their conversation had covered the distance through Hama Valon, and as Danos looked he could see a sign which hung on the side of the building. It had been worn down by rain and weather until all the could be made was the silhouette of a woman twirling.

Music drifted out into the night, pipes and drum both, a tune to match the mood of the dancer. Avram pushed open the door, bowing slightly. "Welcome to the Dancer, Master Al'Sheen."

There was a pause in conversation as the two entered, but as with any good taproom, it was short lived. Danos noticed the men in Tower livery right away, and as he looked over the crowd the open smiles on the bar maids put him more at ease. He had never been to a dive, but he was reasonably certain the girls would not be warm and friendly with rough men.

Any place the guards frequented would be good as well, he doubted the men wanted trouble on their own time given what they did all day. Danos saw the musicians and dance floor and he wondered if the patrons often danced. He had enjoyed dancing in Jornhill, and with his training on the sands he knew the basic steps of most dances would be easily mastered.

"Pick a table, any table." He said, just loud enough for Danos to hear against the music. "We'll get some food, some wine in celebration and see if we can't win a few coins." Louder, and smiling more broadly now, "After all, it's your party man! You should enjoy it," the little Cairhein said warmly as he followed Danos through the crowd.

With his height Danos could easily spot a table a little ways in, one side against a wall and not to penned in should there be trouble. Plus the server who weaved through the crowd there reminded him of a woman he had known in Jornhill.

Sitting down, he threw a coin on the table and smiling at the server told her to fetch whatever was roasting fresh and good wine. He knew the coin would pay for a few rounds and the food, and he settled back content to enjoy the music and the evening.