Esmeralda dances to the rhythm of the tambourine (changewillcome) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-10-08 08:06:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !partner thread, esmeralda, rose tyler |
Who: Esmeralda and Rose
What: Random meeting
When: Recently
Where: The Court of Miracles
Warnings: Low
Status: Partner Thread | Complete
It had been a long day. They were teaching Rose how to do some of the bakery items and it was a lot of work. She was use to just pouring coffee for grumpy customers, not making their food as well. It was cool to get to see how the stuff was made, but Rose felt like she was clumsy and too slow for helping with this aspect of it. But she didn’t want to say anything; she wanted to be a team player and show that she could be a good worker as well.
After her shift, she headed to a local tavern for a pint. She had been drinking a lot more lately but didn’t seem to mind too much. After what had happened, could anyone blame her? She figured it was a likely response and that many others did the same thing. How much longer would it be until the next big threat? She was surprised (and not) that they had tried to cover it up, as if it had been a completely planned thing. Whatever. The mass population was probably happier with such a cock and bull story.
She decided on a new place, taking a liking to its name: The Court of Miracles. It sounded much different from the other places and she peeked inside. Yeah, this would do.
She walked up to the bar, plopping herself down. “Just a pint of whatever you suggest,” she said, not too picky. New bar, maybe they had a new beer she could try.
It had been over a year since the kumpania had moved to Orange County and set up shop with the Court of Miracles, and in that time they had grown quite familiar with the strange things that happened. The Court often became a sanctuary of sorts when it was needed. People came to them for help with identification or escaping from those who pursued them. All the while, they finally had a place they could consider their own. So weirdness of Orange County aside, it was where they would remain.
At present, Esmeralda was behind the bar - thankfully without Gringoire. They would switch places soon enough once it was time for her to get ready for the first dance of the night but she didn’t mind it. She got to talk to more people when she was serving drinks.
And that was always a popular request. Pint of whatever was suggested. Esmeralda herself tended to recommend metheglin, or a spiced mead. It was a traditional drink after all, and usually people came here wanting something different from what you might get from most bars or pubs in the area. As such, the dancer nodded with a smile.
“One pint of metheglin it is.” There was a lilt to Esmeralda’s voice - after all, she’d grown up in France and so her main languages were Romani and French. English was further down on the list but she was getting better (mostly) with the language. Turning, she went and got a pint glass and filled it with the recommended drink before giving it to Rose.
“Here you are.”
“Cheers.” Rose took a sip of it and made a face before she could hide it. “Blimey, what’s that?” She stared into the cup as if something would jump out and attack her. It was strong stuff and had this hint of something sweet behind it. It wasn’t like any other beer Rose had had before and she wondered what the bartender could have given her.
She glanced back up at her bartender, raising an eyebrow. I guess when you go to someplace different like this you would get something more unique in flavor.
Esmeralda watched amused. After all, it wasn’t for everyone but the woman had asked for what she would recommend and that was her default recommendation.
“Metheglin, a spiced mead, traditional Romani recipe.”
After all, they weren’t your typical bar that one found in Orange County. They were very… how was it said, niche? Either way, they did have more typical drinks as well that would be expected to be found at the usual haunts in the area. But where was the fun in that?
Rose gave the bartender a surprised look before glancing back down at her drink. “Spiced mead? Like...the thing that knights and pirates use to drink?” Alright, so her history or whatever wasn’t top notch, but what did you expect when you didn’t pass your A-levels?
Esmeralda just blinked at the question. Mostly because she wasn’t familiar with the lore of knights and pirates. It was simply as she had said. It was a traditional recipe for her people, she didn’t know about others or what it was associated with.
“I… I am not sure?”
After all, her schooling had been on the streets, mostly from conversations with different students such as Grantaire. This was probably something Peter would have a better understanding about, at least maybe about knights and pirates.
“Many of our dishes and drinks come from the Roma culture.” Just as the design and performances they put on.
Rose blushed, hoping she hadn’t said anything in offense. Sometimes she spoke in generalities that were bad stereotypes. “Sorry,” she said, a bit bashfully. “I don’t know much about the Roma culture. And really, I thought knights and pirates just from the movies, you know? I’m pretty rubbish when it comes to actual history and what went on.” She waved her hand as if to explain the time that had passed from the past.
“Are you Roma?” It didn’t seem like a rude question, but Rose tensed a bit as it flew out of her mouth.
Esmeralda smiled and shook her head, “You’re fine. Many people do not.” It was just that Esmeralda herself had no idea about how knights or pirates supposedly had or the rumors about them thanks to movies and the like. She did know that many people assumed movies to be insights into truths though.
“I am, as is everyone who works here.” And many of them lived there. But that was beside the point. Honestly the fact that she hadn’t gotten a ‘what’ and asked for verification was a relief to Esmeralda. So she took no offence to the question, not that she usually did. She might tease someone on a question depending on its wording but that was usually it.
She looked around the room, not really seeing everyone until now. Before she had thought it a little themed pub, but when she actually looked, it was a legitimate place of work that also seemed like a home. Rose felt bad for taking something like that for granted. “I guess you guys don’t see too many people coming in then? Or tourists wanting to try something new?”
The Court had many purposes. Those of the kumpania lived in the basement. There were people who came in seeking help from them with getting to a new state or getting papers or needing a place to hide. Then there was the main business, which was the tavern aspect where they served both traditional and more common drink and fare plus performances. “It depends on the night. Some are more busy than others. Plus regulars.”
“Do you guys have special nights? Like ladies night? Trivia?” Rose asked with a cheeky tone in her voice, but meant for it to be in a teasing way. She took another sip of her drink and it seemed a bit better. She still made a little bit of a face, but not as bad as the first time.
“How do people usually discover you guys?”
“No, no special nights.” True they had heard about such night - how could they not when there were other bars in the area who did have those nights. But it had never been something that they had considered. At the second question, Esmeralda held up a hand before going to help another customer before returning to Rose.
“Curiosity, people looking for something new. Other times, from...how you say,” Even though she’d been in America for over a year, there were still a lot of English and American turn of phrases that Esmeralda did not quite grasp, along with words and she shook her head some realizing what she wanted to say wasn’t coming to her, “People tell friends or family.”
“Word of mouth,” she said with a smile once she came back. “Yeah, I guess that’s why I’m here. Wanted to try somethin’ new.” And something new she had. She glanced down at the drink her bartender had given her; not too bad, a little less than half left. “Maybe the more I come, the more I’ll come to the drink. It’s definitely growing on me.” She nodded her head.
“What’s your name?”
Yes, that was the phrase. Smiling in thanks, Esmeralda nodded. “That makes sense. And yes, sometimes it can be a taste that takes time.” If she were being technical, she wasn’t even old enough to serve alcohol or drink it here. But that was what fake documentation was for, along with how they were there in the first place.
“Esmeralda. You?”
“Rose. It’s nice to meet you Esmeralda.” Another sip of her drink. “That’s a beautiful name. Do you go by any nicknames?” It seemed a bit contradictory to comment on the beauty of a name and then ask if there was a way to shorten it, but there seemed to be so many cool possibilities to having a cute nickname.
“No, simply Esmeralda.” Which fit her just well. Though that was when she noticed Clopin’s look and the time. “I actually need to go though. Jehan will be taking over here.” Smiling apologetically, the dancer ducked away and Jehan was suddenly in her place as Esmeralda ran to change and get ready as Clopin set the mood.
Just in time.
As for Esmeralda, she was waiting behind the ‘festival’ stage’s curtain for her entrance with no time to spare. Now she was listening for the opening from Clopin.
“Come one, come all. Hurry, hurry, here’s you chance, see the mystery and romance! Come one, come all! See the finest girl from France. Make an entrance to entrance. Dance La Esmeralda…. Dance!”
And that was the cue, the ‘begger’ outfit seeming to vanish into her dance outfit, tambourine in hand. It was always her favourite part of the night, being able to dance and it was also one of the more popular portions of the night for those there for the entertainment. But as the dance came to an end, she ‘vanished’ off the stage, listening to the reactions from the crowd as she went to take her break.