For all of its simplicity, the little tavern had its appeal. Anton lounged at the bar with casual poise, watching the civilians dawdle over food and conversation. He had been hoping to catch someone of interest alone and test a few new conversation starters, but everyone in the room had company other than Mr. Ortemyre. Anton nervously flicked his attention towards the man in the corner. Even without directly looking at the said man in the corner, Anton knew he was being watched by him. The young man turned his back upon his observer, calling to The Barkeeper. There seemed to be a brief delay to The Barkeeper’s arrival. Anton noted that he would have to adjust his tip.
“Yes, Mr. Tony, how can I serve you today?” The Barkeeper politely asked.
Anton mused a bit in silence as if he had choices. The menu here barely managed a page in length. It was limiting, but he would make do.
“Yes, I think I’ll try your… pork is it? Yes, pork sandwich today. And a pint of ale. It seems to be quite popular, so I’ll stray from my usual selections today and venture to see what the majority finds so fascinating about it.” Anton tried his best smile but felt his cheeks twitching at the forced prolonged gesture. He rolled his tongue around his teeth to buy a moment of transition for The Barkeeper to leave. Unfortunately, his host remained.
“Would you be interested in trying one of my newest brews?” The Barkeeper asked, “I am in need of one with a refined taste who could tell me if it is an accurate flavor to that which I am attempting to recreate.”
Anton’s expression shifted around as he rotated through his thoughts and responses. He liked to be regarded as one who could be chosen to assist in good discernment of opinion, but he was more cultured in wines, not ales or lagers. Still, how hard could it be? If it tasted worthy he could endorse a review for The Barkeeper.
He nodded, “Very well, I would be willing to let you know.”
Without further delay, The Barkeeper nodded and a sandwich of pulled meat appeared in front of Anton, and beside it a pint glass full of what appeared to be water. Anton raised an eyebrow, expressing his speculation at the incorrect delivery, but before he could question the mix-up, a small bean-shaped item appeared above the glass and dropped into the liquid. It swirled and darkened the contents of the glass at once, forming a froth atop an inviting amber drink. Anton covered his doubts with a gentle nod of approval and picked up the glass, raising it lightly to his mouth. It smelled strong so he prepared himself to bear the shock of a potent draft. He drew in a mouthful. The experience was new but bearable. He managed to keep a straight face and think through the information his tongue was surrounded in. He set it down and drew his plate toward himself.
“Oh, yes. I will take the glass to come up with a proper analysis. Might I ask why it came in two parts?”
The Barkeeper pointed at the glass. “I have been looking at a way to market an easy method to transport quantities of drink by means of concentrated tablets. Once added to water, a minor infusion of alchemical dispersion mixes the contents into a proper drink. I have been balancing the ratios of ingredients, but have been in need of an outside opinion.”
There was a loud slam from the front of the building. Salkri the dwarf entered the room yawning having likely woken just moments before in his room above. He was equipped to leave. The dwarf waved at the bar where Anton sat before The Barkeeper and shouted to them.
“Tried yur ale thingys fur a noight snack. Took three ta make it stout enough, but wasn’t too bad.”
The dwarf then opened the door and left. Anton looked at his glass wide-eyed imagining three times the potency. He looked up to find The Barkeeper with a quizzical expression as well.
The Barkeeper studied the glass, “It would seem I must recreate proper dwarven fare as well,” he voiced.
Anton nodded and decided to proceed with his food, having reached the extent of his attempted ale critique. As per normal, the entre tasted delicious and wholesome while pairing well with the drink. So long as The Barkeeper didn’t extend an offer to test a “dwarven” variant today, this commoner’s lunch would remain a most pleasing experience yet again.