Journals for Lani and George

The group sat at the familiar Phoenix Inn. They ordered the roast for lunch. With it, George the innkeeper finally saw his chance to approach the tall, slightly golden lady that had caught his eye when she arrived last week.
 
He had been rehearsing this, but still felt his voice rasp out, like he was speaking for the first time this morning, "If you are interested, we just received a new shipment of wine, and I'd appreciate your opinion of it." He had planned to smile, but as he walked away with the table's orders, he noticed his eyebrows were furrowed with the concentration to say what he had intended. Stupid, he felt.
 
Laniken trained her gaze at him, and he felt lucky he was busy working. When he came back to the tavern, she was at the bar. He heard her say, with a bright smile, "I'm not sure my opinion on your new wine is useful, but if you want to sit with me and sample some, I think that would be a very enjoyable time." George had a habit of pausing when customers were making requests, or small talk with him. He had learned that it was just as important that his clients felt heard, that they got the satisfaction that their barkeep would carve out a moment for them. When Laniken accepted his offer of wine, time stopped. He had hoped for a chance, had never dreamed of interest from her. They should meet somewhere private. But not in one of the rooms for the girls who worked here. What a terrible idea, what an awful implication. He panicked. Where could they sit, just the two of them?
 
"Oh, really? That's great news," he heard himself say. He wasn't sure what to say, how to say it without making her think that his intentions were… He had to say something! "I can make sure we have somewhere more private. Not like a room. I mean, I don't have anything against private rooms. I can have the staff set up a table on the corner, so it is a little more private. And, of course, I'm not going to be working. I mean, the Phoenix will be open, but I'm sure my staff can take care of everything while we, uh, try the wine."
 
To his surprise, Laniken giggled. Her smile felt warm. Most of the time, she looked distant. He took a deep breath. "Give me a minute while I set up a table for us. With this storm, I suggest as far away from the fire as we can. Does that suit you?" She nodded. He thought about the best way to set this up. Maybe he would ask his staff. Maybe he could pay Rosie an extra silver to be extra attentive to his table this afternoon. No, she'd take that as an invitation to eavesdrop and gossip. No. He could manage this himself. He set up a table, 2 chairs, the nice table cloth. Last, a small vase with a single pink flower. He finally looked up and gestured. She had been watching him the whole time. He was surprised to feel himself blushing.
 
She approached the table quietly. She sat with her back towards the rest of the bar. He helped her sit, then joined her. "I never had a chance to notice how beautiful your eyes are," said George. He noticed her blush. "How is she not used to receiving compliments all the time?" he thought.
 
"Most notice my height. Thank you," she replied simply.
 
"Well, I definitely noticed your height, too," he confessed. "But it was not what interested me."
 
They chatted a bit more about themselves and life in general.
 
"I do have a very important question," she said, later on. He looked up, curious and a little worried. "What is the secret ingredient to the delicious roast you make?" And she laughed. It made him smile.He made as serious a face as he could muster. "Mrs. ____ would kill me if I divulged her secret. In fact, she may kill me if she thought I even knew the secret to her roast!"
 
Hours had passed before they realized they had not cared for anyone else at the bar. But the thought of others brought them back to a simple corner of a crowded bar on a Thonday afternoon. George watched her stretch like a cat. He had seen the bruises, and knew he kept her from her rest. "I'm an inconsiderate jerk," he mused. She needs rest.
 
Lani smiled sheepishly. "I must rest. It has been a long morning. But a very pleasant afternoon, George. Thank you for the wine. It was lovely, but sadly for your bar, it was not what kept me at the table." She simply turned and left, leaving George a little shocked about his present situation.
 
Had they really spent two hours talking to each other, forgetting the rest of the world? It was more than past time for his employee's breaks. He needed to go tend his inn. But her scent lingered a little longer at the table and he decided to stay. The contentment that came along with these thoughts wanted to cling to him, asking him to sit and reminisce for a few more minutes. He took a deep breath, pushed the magic of the afternoon aside, and focused on what needed to be done. But all throughout the next day, anyone who observed him closely would have noticed he was prone to smiling to himself, looking lost in thought for a few seconds. That his eyes would dart to the bottom of the stairs whenever the familiar creek of steps were heard.
 
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Moonday, Decima 16.
 
It had been another busy few days for Lani and her friends. They had to purchase a goat to offer as bait to get rid of a monster reptile. That had gone to plan except for the 4 day tropical storm that had kept them indoors and awaiting the right time to spring the trap.
 
Then, once that had been resolved (fairly smoothly), they had found a poacher's den. They had to now sit in ambush for 2 days, in addition to having quite strong opposition from the poachers themselves. After a bloody fight, they were able to capture 2 of the 3 poachers and drag them back to River's End.
 
She was tired, and ready for bed. Maybe a full day of sleeping. Maybe more. Sleep, then eat, then sleep. If she were lucky, she would sleep enough to not be so sore when waking up. Oh, and a bath. Probably when she woke up. A bed and fresh sheets.
 
She walked up to her room. On the way, she cast a glance at George. She still wanted to stop and be welcomed home properly, but she did not have the strength. She marched to her room and opened her door, ready to get to bed. Instead, she found flowers. A large bouquet. It took her a minute to process what was going on. She heard footsteps behind her.
 
George. The man had snuck these into her room, and now snuck up behind her to see her reaction. She wondered how long he had been waiting for her return. The flowers looked beautiful, and the room smelled sweet.
 
George looked worried. Why did he look worried? She realized her expression was not very positive. She stepped closer to embrace him, and tried her best to smile. “The flowers are lovely, even if I’m late for my own surprise. Forgive my seriousness. It has been a long 3 days. I'd like to tell you all about it after I rest."
 
She could tell he had not expected this. He had expected her here, 2 days ago, and probably a very different reaction and events that followed. She thought of kissing him, but decided not to. Their first kiss should not be from a gross, unwashed, half-dead, half-asleep person. How could she put it? "I think I'll fall asleep. Then come eat. The sleep more. Then I think I'll be ready for a bath. After that, I would like you to come visit me. Here."
 
His face softened when he realized that his efforts had not been in vain. In her line of work, he would have to be flexible. He asked, "Would you like me to stop by while you're sleeping and clean out the flowers that are dying off?" She whispered to the affirmative, eyes half closed and looking ready to fall into bed.
 
"Let me help you," he offered, above her feeble attempted protest. Something about "dirty" and "tired". He assured her his intentions were honorable, and that he merely wanted her to be comfortable.
 
He smiled and he helped her lay down on the bed. He helped her out of her boots. He lay her gear quietly and quickly on the dresser, with care but without interest. She was already asleep then. He stood there and stared at her shape. He was looking forward to her waking up, to finally having time together. He looked at some of the flowers that had already begun to wilt, and took those with him and he left the room.
 
The next day, around two in the afternoon, Lani finally came down from her room. She looked better, but still tired. He made sure to get her food and drink as she sat down at the bar. Normally, she avoided eye contact, but today she was completely focused on the food. He left her alone to eat. He had a crowd today.
 
As she got close to finishing her food, George leaned over and asked if she wanted to schedule a bath for tomorrow morning, or if she preferred to wake up and request one. She told him to have it set for the morning. He made a mental note of requesting clean sheets and fresh straw. And as much of the day off for himself.
 
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