Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Feb 1, 2016 14:24:38 GMT -5
A high-end inn and tavern near the harbor, catering to nobles and wealthy merchants. Named for the black-barked trees in Qarth upon which grow the leaves used to make Shade of the Evening. The renown establishment carries the finest imported spirits from all over the known world; including Tyroshi pear brandy, Northern Whiskey, Arbor Red and Gold, Dornish Strongwine, Summer Islands Rum, Apricot wine from Mereen, and a Golden Wine from the Jade Sea. It's most infamous and unique beverage however is the eponymous Shade of the Evening, cut with water and a cube of sugar to temper the extreme hallucinogenic effect and its unappetizing initial taste.
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Post by Leona Redwyne on Feb 1, 2016 17:58:29 GMT -5
Lord Drumm entered the tavern. He strode over to the bar and ordered a cup of Shade of the Evening. He had never indulged his curiosity about that particular vice and thought it would be amusing to give it a go at last.
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Post by Lyonel on Feb 1, 2016 18:47:06 GMT -5
Lysergio strode into the tavern, probably smelling of elephant shit, the Ivory Host had just finished setting up camp around Tyrosh when he heard about this fine little establishment. The place gave the braavosi a sense of nostalgia, although it's high-end appearance looked nothing at all alike the old, damp, musty den he used to run back in his City. He sat beside a hairy gentlemen who definitely looked nothing like the people from around here; Westerosi, he guessed.
"I'll have one Shade, no ice, alright?" Lysergio smiled, his blue lips were an obvious sign of his favorite entertainment, then turned to the westerosi patron near him. "Let me guess, first time, eh?"
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Post by Leona Redwyne on Feb 1, 2016 18:49:16 GMT -5
Ragnar turned to look at the stranger. "Aye. I've been feeling restless lately so I thought I'd give it a try. Is it truly as strange as they say? I hear a man may have strange...dreams when he drinks Shade of the Evening."
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Post by Lyonel on Feb 1, 2016 18:54:53 GMT -5
"Takes a little while to kick in, but when it does... BAM!..." The braavosi remembered with a fond nostalgic smile his first trip back in Qarth, one moment he was in the a shady corner talking with a shady looking fellow, the next he woke up in a dirty alley drooling like a baby... Oh how he missed the good ole times. "Better stay hydrated, though. Trust me."
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Post by Leona Redwyne on Feb 1, 2016 19:05:02 GMT -5
"Easily done," Ragnar said. "It's good, then? Worth the price?"
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Post by Lyonel on Feb 1, 2016 19:14:47 GMT -5
"Oh yeah; Of course it is, you're gonna love it." Lysergio said encouragingly tapping the man's shoulder, faking an approval tone. His stuff was better and cheaper, but now he was out of formal business he wouldn't complain about those who managed to stay open.
"It's Lysergio, by the way. Lysergio Siddario-Drenoris" He smiled, extending a greeting hand.
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Feb 2, 2016 8:58:08 GMT -5
The proprietor of the establishment came down the stairs, a slender man with a pale complexion and greyscale scars marring half his face, a Braavosi bodyguard shadowing him. Ragnar would recognize him as the king's Master of Whisperers, Trajys, known in less savory circles as the Grey Ghost.
"Lord Drum and Lysergio Siddario Drennoris." he said in greeting to the pair, though he had yet to meet the latter. "May I join you?"
Rather than waiting for an answer, he began personally preparing three doses of the house specialty. Upon a small circular marble table behind the bar sat a large vessel of water filled with ice water, with four spigots arrayed around it. Beneath three of the spigots he placed flutes filled about a fifth high with a thick blue spirit. Atop the glasses rested elaborate slotted silver spoons, which each held a cube of sugar. As the ice water dripped down from the spigots it slowly dissolved the sugar cubes, the sugary water combining with the Shade of Evening in a milky opaque cloud to sweeten the notoriously bitter drink and make it less viscous. Trajys appreciated the art of ritual. So few did.
When the drinks were prepared, he gave them a quick stir and presented them before his patrons, keeping one for himself as he sat.
"On the house." he smiled, lips the slightest shade of blue.
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Post by Lyonel on Feb 2, 2016 9:55:55 GMT -5
"For the Iron Empire, Eh?!?!" With a broad smile, Lysergio raised his glass in cheer before sending it down the gullet. He had not been planning to pay this abusive price anyway, he'd find a way to skip the bill if it came to it; but you have to agree, there's nothing better than a drink on the house, specially if it was one of your employers that paid it.
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Feb 2, 2016 10:27:34 GMT -5
"Long may it prosper." Trajys breathed deep with eyes closed as he out his nose over the rim. It never smelled or tasted the same to him. This day it smelled of wet ink, fresh cut limes, rotten fish, and vinegar. His eye opened and fixed on his companions as he drank, the unique liquid triggering every taste he had ever experienced and more. He smiled again at his companions, greyscale marred half of his face pulling tight. It was not the best sight to enjoy before a hallucinogenic trip.
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Post by Leona Redwyne on Feb 2, 2016 11:45:58 GMT -5
"Your generosity does you credit," Ragnar answered. He drank deep, the first shock of the initial taste being rather unpleasant, rotten eggs and mouldy fruit, but once he swallowed it tasted of salt and blood, of fiery whisky and Arbor gold, of cheese and honey and much else.
"Marvellous," he remarked. "I have always wondered-"
And then he broke off as images from his past flooded his mind His first kill, his women, and the horrors he had seen in these trying times. Curiously, every image seemed near as vivid as they had done when he first lived them.
"Curious. Does it always give a man visions of his life?" He took another mouthful.
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Post by Lyonel on Feb 2, 2016 13:24:08 GMT -5
"I've had stron..." Lysergio's statement was interrupted by the sudden kick of the drink; in the blink of a second the universe started to spin around him, the colors running all across his vision. He felt happy, as they always did when under the effects, laughs came spurting involuntarily out of his mouths; every trip was different with Shade of the Evening, ever a new experience.
Finally the images started to settle, a weathered old farmhouse in Northern Essos with a white picket fence, he ran through the fields of alfalfa with his dog Bernie, his mama sat on the back porch in a worn but clean gingham gown, and he'd her her calling "Alvin, don't forget your chores! The wood needs a-cordin and the cows need a-milkin'. Alvin, Alvin!"... Wait what? I'm not a hillbilly, I grew up in Braavos?!?!
"Wow..." Lyesergio woke from the trance, feeling just a little unsettled. "I'm not sure, for I do believe I've just watched someone else's life flashing before my eyes."
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Feb 2, 2016 15:31:03 GMT -5
"Some see the past, some the future, some the order of creation, and others only chaos." he answered, pupils dilating before them, tolerance apparently high enough to carry on a conversation as the effects took hold. "It is one of my favorite diversion and I also find it invaluable at getting the measure of an individual."
Trajys leaned back and enjoyed his own trip. It was said the warlocks use this substance for their rituals and to foretell the suite. The Grey Ghost simply enjoyed unshackling his brain for a few moments, feeling that he thought best after such experiences.
"Did you enjoy yourselves?" he inquired, seeming refreshed and alert.
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Post by Leona Redwyne on Feb 2, 2016 15:53:13 GMT -5
Ragnar found that something strange was happening to him. He could hear what the other men were saying but their appearance seemed queer and shadowy. He blinked several times and nothing changed.
"Ah, it's a very strange thing," he said. "But I'll certainly do it again. Makes a change from the usual drinks."
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Feb 6, 2016 12:27:48 GMT -5
///////
Battered and bruised, the trio (along with their various escorts) entered the inn, Killion motioning around as if it were Shangri-La.
"Drink what you wish, on my tab." he said, graciously, ordering a pear brandy for himself. He tended to avoid the establishment's Shade of the Evening, find life enjoyable enough already without the need for such an escape.
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