Arja glanced over to the man sitting at the bar, face so sombre and staid. But his words sent a happy streak running through her from the top of her head down to the tips of her toes. Such a simple compliment was always the best, because they tended to be the most honest. With pleasure radiating out of her, she flashed him a smile that embodied all her delight. “Thank you.” The enthusiasm in her voice shimmered around those two words. “You are too kind good ser. Though it's pleased I am that you enjoyed it.”
If memory served her correctly, he'd come in earlier in the night with little commotion. An order for ale and then he seemed to just sit in his own solitude. Arja had pretty much expected that he was just there to while away the night and maybe wash away a few thoughts with drink. Some men did that, using the pub as a stop gap between one moment and the next. It wasn't her place to question that, but she wondered why they didn't just drink at home or room if they weren't interested in company. Maybe she'd been wrong about him though, or maybe he was just someone who was polite, didn't matter, he'd opened the door, or really just kind of knocked on it... and usually that was all the invitation she needed to kick it off its frame.
Taking a quick glance around the room to be sure that no one else was calling her over for a refill, she dragged her stool nearer to the bar and perched upon it facing him. Even with her taller than normal seat, she still had to look up to see his face, but only just. “I've not seen you around before, traveling? On your way to a boat? Living here on the coast, there's not much trough travel except fishermen and wayfarers. Don't have the look of a fisher to you though, but I'm far from an expert.
“No matter, anyone who can appreciate a tune is more than welcome in the Butterfly.” She laughed quietly while shrugging, pleased smile still in place, “Well anyone's welcome here really, 'cept those who're looking to start a tussle. And I've a feeling you're not here for one of them either. So doubly welcomed is what you are.” Since childhood, long before she began working at the pub, she'd set to conversing with the patrons from lands past the forests. They all had such fascinating tales, and she was hoping this man was no different.