@tamedstray sent: [ 08 ] a rowdy tavern crowded with drunk, singing patrons
There was nothing more satisfying and more liberating than vanishing in the anonymity taverns and gargantuan, foreign cities provided someone of his stature. Granted, he was still sticking out like a sore thumb — courtesy of his finely tailored attire —, but the majority of the patrons were too inebriated to notice, let alone remember the day after. Luran had never visited this particular establishment before, but one of the locals had recommended — praised — the tavern, advertised it as “the most superb in town — the best that’d ever befallen mankind, a blessing from the Gods”. To him, it sounded like codswallop, a mere drunken man’s exaggeration — no clue if the praises were earned. However, the elf’s first impression of the tavern and the accompanying amenity were promising. Besides, he’d traversed hither to unwind, and find and relish in frivolous festivities and gaiety — it was saturating with both. Mission accomplished. The music was decent. Not great, but tolerable — very much unlike the well-composed, harmonious, and nuanced melodies played at the taverns back in the city he hailed from. The bards cavorting up on the stage were true performers — extravagant in dress and well-versed in the art of entertainment. An improvement, in his eyes — no disappointments there.
The tall, lithe elf waded through an ocean of patrons who spontaneously burst out into song when the tempo picked up. A grimace flittered across his attractive countenance at the unanticipated influx of dissonance, fearing the cacophony would hack his eardrums in twain — not all were bestowed with the gift of a euphonious singing voice. This manifestation was one Luran happened to be familiar with; he had endured the torment of being beset by incompetent musicians, amateurs, on numerous occasions — abroad as well as in Fortia. Nevertheless, the poor quality expelled from their throats, didn’t withhold the advisor from ordering an alcoholic beverage of his own and settling down someplace strategic, with an excellent view of the carousing crowd and the performing bards.
While his sapphire blue eyes skimmed the congregation of people — the turnout was predominantly human —, Luran reclined in the chair and sipped his ale. His thick, dark eyebrows ascended in surprise at the liquid’s distinctive and flavorous taste, and scribbled an annotation on the inside of his skull reminding himself to be sparing on the consumption of it. The last thing he wanted was to mar his immaculate reputation by bludgeoning an irremediable dent into it. He was confident none of that would come to pass. After all, important, diplomatic affairs were lurking on the horizon of a new dawn; he’d merely sought out this establishment to have fun prior to plunging himself in endless, prosaic talks and infinite piles of insipid, soul-destroying, clerical work...
Luran revelled in the attention, the dreamy looks of admiration and fascination, his memorable presence and flamboyant appearance garnered from the few seated in his proximity. It was because of this very response that he’d opted not to dress down; to show up in something less sumptuous and conspicuous would defeat the purpose of his being here — of being enamoured. It was deliberate, a premeditated scheme. Of course, not everyone was appreciative of his ostentatious comportment: an older woman, located several tables away from him, shot him a disdainful glare when their gazes met. Regrettably, his charm did have its limitations; it seemed to have no effect, whatsoever, on people, who simply appalled those who publicly displayed their sinful pride and didn’t bother reigning in their pompous personalities. To each their own, he supposed, but Luran was silently judging their — and the glaring woman’s, in particular — abominable taste...
‘I must say, you lot do know how to make merry — ’tis quite exhilarating,’ he spoke to the man beside him — whether the stranger had been there all this time, or only recently joined the bustling crowd like he, himself, Luran didn’t know, nor did he care about such inconsequential particulars. ‘D’you come here often?’