Arm-rest

Evening has come to Alexandria once more. The weather has improved, which is a bonus and means that snow isn't actively trying to blow up someone's pant legs. Sloan sat at a table near the fire. Dressed in his butler's linens consisting of black linen pants and a white tunic of the same material, he wears no livery at the moment. Watching the door, not as though he were waiting for anyone in particular rather than just noting faces as they come in, the Dark haired Aesir man listens to the quiet din of the after dinner crowd. A small bowl of beef stew cooling in front of him.

The greatroom itself wasn't packed. A little over half full after the evening's meal, most of the bachelors and merchants have gone home for the evening, leaving the ravellers and the lonely to visit and relax after the day's work.

One of the problems of needing rest was how it had a way of completely disrupting any manner of normal sleep schedule. An elf descended down the spiral staircase, stopping to rub the sleep from their eyes with a wooden right arm. They were dressed in a plain, loose shirt and pants, and eventually they wandered over to one of the empty tables, picking up a menu a touch awkwardly to peruse. Their left arm was wooden as well, but rather than a fascimile of a normal hand, ended in a few dull hooks at the wrist.

Watching the Elf descend the stairs with a moment of interest, Sloan continues to watch as they take a seat narby and fumble with the menu. Finally, habit kicks in as he leans forward slightly and speaks in a voice that wasn't loud, but carried across the gap. "If I may, I can suggest the beef stew. If that is not to your tastes, the Chef has roast some chicken, and has done a particularly fine Blanched collard salad for the evening."

The elf blinks, a bit slowly and blearily as they look up and around for the source of the suggestions made. Finding where they came from, they nod. "I wasn't sure what to pick, I was partly concerned with the price, but perhaps I shouldn't worry about that too much. And beef stew is filling, so I may just order that, it does smell good already. Although collards are best served slightly cooked contrary to most common leafy vegetables, so it is clear whoever is cooking knows what they're doing." They muse, offering Sloan a small smile. "Thank you for the suggestion, I may just get both today."

Nodding quietly, Sloan considers the elf for a further moment before replying. "The Chef here is one of the best in the city as far as I am aware. I know he has been offered more prestigious employ in the past, but prefers his style of cuisine over 'high toned Froo-frah' I believe he refers to it as."

Stirring his own stew idly for a moment, Sloan finally continues. "I apologize if I am being forward, have you travelled far?"

"Is this considered part of the city? I guess it is not too far, and he could still be considered the best in the city, while being outside of it." The elf considers for a moment. "I guess that's fair, if they're happy cooking here and not doing anything fancier, that is important."

She closes the menu, and waves down a server to place her order, before turning back to Sloan. "You are being forward? Forward to where?" Schara wonders. "Ah, regardless, no, I have not travelled far. I came from the city, but that was the other day, so I haven't been doing much travelling."

Reaching for a cup of tea next to his bowl, Sloan takes a mouthful and swallows it down before replying. "Ah. I see." there's another moment of Silence as the Aesir man takes in the room. Considering the clientele before speaking once more. "I suppose I am being rude. I am Sloan."

"I don't think you are being particularly rude, if forward means being rude." The elf shrugs. "You made some good suggestions when I was already unsure of what to order, so I appreciate that."

"Ah! And I forgot to mention my name own name, apologies, it is a bad habit of mine." They continue. My name is Schara, and it is good to meet you, mister Sloan."

Smiling politely, the butler finally takes a mouthful of his stew. "A pleasure Schara. Might I ask, what happened to your arms?"

"A pleasure, I guess some people do like meeting new people." Schara nods. Though they stop, and frown just slightly at the question. "I'm sorry, I know your name, but I do not know you that well. Why do you want to know about them?" The elf asks quietly.

Pausing at the question, Sloan nods once more. "They are noticeable, and I have not seen craftsmanship of it's like before." Taking another sip of his tea, the dark haired Aesir continues. "But you are right. You do not know me beyond introductions. I felt moved to strike up conversation, but do not feel it necessary to answer if you are not comfortable in doing so."

"Craftsmanship? Well, thank you, Sloan. I don't know if I would call it craftsmanship, I didn't spend long on making them look nice, but I did try to make sure they were reliable for everyday use, so they are well made in that regard, I guess." The elf muses. "Sorry, I don't know who is asking, or why. It was just an accident, long ago, that's all."

Offering a wan smile Sloan watches Schara for a moment. "that is fair enough. I would surmise that you are modest though. Where you say that you didn't spend long in making them look nice, I would counter with the fact that they are functional, and there is a beauty in function. Since the accident happened a long time ago, I would also surmise that they perform their intended function admirably, as you still posses them and have already shown the ability to make a replacement. I might also point out the wonder of the fact that youmade them, apparently without arms at the time as accidents are rarely planned."

Finishing his tea, Sloan looks towards the door as he adds. "I apologize again, I have struck up conversation and just realized the lateness of the hour. I will be needing to make my way back to the city Presently."

"Oh well, I didn't make the first pair, but I did use them to make others. So, I guess they did their job there, and they do function, sort of." Schara sighs. "They aren't a complete replacement, far from it, but at least I can carry things, or eat, and tasks that don't require a significant amount of delicate movements." Schara notes. "Don't worry about it, I wasn't expecting to talk, and it is somewhat far from the city here if you already have a place to stay."

Nodding as he rises, Sloan picks up a folded cloak sitting next to him at the table and wraps it around his shoulder. It wasn't anything spectacular, just a hooded garment of heavy Grey wool clasped with a simple pin. "I retain multiple lodgings around Alexandria. I hold residence at my place of employ, but there is an old woodsman that lives not far from here that I check on when I have days off. I have helped him tend to things for the past 3 days, tomorrow I must return to my duties in the city."

Turning towards the door, the butler pauses and turns back to Schara. "I thank you for the conversation, it has been a singular experience to have met your acquaintance Schara."

"Multiple lodgings? That must be expensive, but if you travel a lot, like you were wondering of me, it makes sense to always make sure you have a place to stay. Sometimes inns sell out, after all." The artificer muses. "A good idea if you have the need and the coin for it. I shouldn't keep you from your further work though, if you need to be off. It is true, we have only spoken a single time, and I'm not the best at conversation, but it is still nice to fill the time when I am not doing anything. It was good to meet you too I guess, mister Sloan."

Schara waves to the butler, and waits for them to leave before their attention turns to unscrewing the wooden hand, and replacing it with a large fork in the same wrist slot.