writing_shadows

The bar was empty, the staff already gone to their homes as the man calling himself Shard collected glasses. There was a certain degree of solace in the mundane tasks related to his bar that afforded the opportunity to gather thoughts, to think carefully about patterns and portents.

There had been alot of changes recently and the weight of his Oath sat lightly alongside the Bell Ringer Oath he had taken many years before. It felt right still, this determination to defend the Riven Smoke and all within against all comers. Even if those had come as friends at first. It was a sad thing indeed that so few had been there to stand for the Riven Smoke, to stand and speak the words to show all there assembled that the Riven Smoke Freehold was sound, was strong and would be there for them. Sad indeed. Sadder still that a Privateer had been so instrumental in bringing about the fate of Doug, and Shard had himself watched it happen. At least the true words had been spoken, of how Doug had had such little time to make his choice, and how he had not been able to consult with Carin.

He pauses and stares, immobile yet he shakes slightly, unaccustomed emotion managing to manifest. Anger?, strange and oddly rippling, but there.

Rosie.

Carefully Shard puts down the glasses and he sits. Rosie. And the others in that Motley. Well, some of them. Carin. Carin mostly and Rea, all for such very different reasons.

Sooner or later, things were going to end badly for them.

He stood up and noted that Nothing was in the doorway, leading out to the storeroom.

"I hope one day Rosie realises that trading masters is no freedom at all".

Nothing did not respond, and of course merely looked at Shard with the same expression that he always did, rather like...Nothing.

The new cocktail list was done. Only one addition of late and even Shard could not resist a slight smirk as he placed the lists on each table.

Russian Doll
Sex on the Beach
Captain's Whistle
Smokey Jack
uRea