Quoted By:
>Become the greatest mixologist!
>Pirate on the side perhaps…
You sigh as you enter the tavern, early for your night shift. The Snarky Lobster was more home to you than that hole the Rubyport Trading Company gave you. It was like a coffin. The barkeep, Roland, was more than happy to offer one of his rooms to you - sometimes when the shift in the mines was especially back breaking, you took the offer. You’d work the bar and wait on customers, although they were the usual folk stuck here like you. Either in debt and unable to move on, or just tumbleweeds that finally got snatched onto something. You dug up unremarkable stone and bits of iron more often than gold.
“How was your day, Julep?” Roland asks as you sit at the bar, giving you a flagon of water. At least the wells in Azure Spring were always good. You quaff it down fast, exhaling.
”Same old, same old with the mine,” you look out at the tavern and notice a group of men and one woman around a table, playing cards. The white uniform of the Marines is on all of them but the woman. She wears some sort of red coat. It looks expensive. “New folk in town?” You ask the barkeep.
”Staying for a few days before moving on,” he answers. “The woman I don’t know.” You hear the sound of clinking coins in a bag beside you. Roland pushes the bag to you. “Your pay… And a little extra,” he winks. “Maybe you can make it even bigger?”
You thank the man and hold the bag of Berries in your hand. Most money you earn goes straight back to Rubyport, even the second job at the tavern. “Don’t you need me tonight?”
He shakes his head, letting out a small laugh. “I can handle this crowd. Enjoy yourself for once.” You feel the coins. You’ve been waiting for a chance. The thought of joining the Marines, or becoming a merchant, or even a pirate has crossed your mind. Anything to get out of here or have a plan once you are out. But mixing drinks and experimenting with them… That’s been your true passion. To host a successful bar or travel the world making drinks for big shot Admirals or Warlords always sounded amazing.
The money you have at hand was an unexpected windfall. You’ll be out of your debt within two weeks anyway. What’s the harm in trying to get some for yourself?
Walking over to the card table, you stand behind the empty chair and ask: “May I join this game?” The eyes of three navy men and the strange woman look up from their cards at you.
”Next round,” the woman says, placing a card down and gesturing to the chair. You sit and notice her charcoal grey skin. You’d never seen someone like that.
”What’s your name, girlie?” The marine next to you asks, a stupid grin on his face. He’s at least tipsy, judging by his red cheeks.
