<theweebanshee@y...> wrote:

> I suppose a coffee will have to do. Unless the spirits are flowing
> already? Perhaps one & then I think I must be on my way. I fear I
> have wandered into the wrong place. Although it looks lovely in
> here. Perhaps you can suggest a specialty of the house?

The newcomer was answered, not by the affable barkeep, but by a pale
man in robes of blackest velvet who hadn't been there a moment before.

"The specialty in this house is silence, of late." The darkly garbed
man smiled and extended his hand in a gesture of welcome. "Warlock
Rennyb," he introduced himself. "You're the first person to bring any
movement to this place, since the Ravenlord lulled everyone to sleep
with his narcissistic floridities... but he's a good chap."

Rennyb leaned on the bar and wondered where the oddments of currency
he'd left here had wandered off to, lamenting that the continuity of
things eroded so quickly in this demesne.

"Winter, my currency is insubstantial, but my craving for a hot-toddy
is not. Might you spot me until I can fetch something suitable to
tender?" So saying, Rennyb returned his attention to the rather
diffident newcomer. "So... let's have it then," he said. "What brings
you this way? What news?"