Dusting off the cobwebs

[Carolyn]

Cuddles, or at least that’s what they call him, works on cleaning up the old Red Dragon Inn. Knocking away cobwebs, cleaning up dirt, broken bottles, righting tables, and chairs, and taking inventory. 
 

The man stands at about six feet tall with a bald head and a great big, bushy, black beard.  His neck is thick with muscle as are his shoulders.  His physique tells that this man has hard work and trains regularly. The man wears a worn out grey T-shirt with a pair of blue jeans. Absolutely nothing about him projects “Cuddles”. 
 

Cuddles busies himself with repairs after he gives the “Boss Man” the inventory list. He’s got a few windows to replace, some doors that need unsticking, broken lighting, and broken down seating to repair.
 

But Cuddles doesn’t complain, it could be a lot worse. 

[Cptdragon9]

(whooo been a LOOOOOOng time since we've had action here...)

 

The "Boss Man" didn't look much like a boss, and less like a man as Barnabus Burby hopped into the store.  The rabbit man took the inventory list, couching his ever-present cup of tea as he eased himself into one of the lounge chairs to look over the list, setting the teacup on the end table next to the chair.  Burby was getting long in the tooth and it showed; his pelt greyer, his movements slower, and his eyesighte fading as he fished out the glasses that Mr Brimstone had gone through the effort of procuring for him.  He held his head back, pinning his ears along his neck as he tried to focus through the bifocals.  "Hrm," he mused as his brain calculated the costs.  "We should start looking at doing fall fare.  Hearty soups and stews.  We should ask Mr Brimstone to import some of those flavored coffees.  Those went over well last winter."  He fished out a small notepade from his breast pocket along with a click pen, jotting down more notes on the scribbled pad of paper. before looking up to his manager. Cuddles.  Burby had been hesitant into hiring new help but he had to admit that everything had been running smoothly since he'd signed on.    "Do you have any ideas as to Samhein celebrations this year?"

 

 

[Carolyn]

Cuddles had just finished lining up bottles on the wall behind the bar. He wiped his hands on his bar towel before slapping the towel on to his massive shoulder. Turning, Cuddles walked around the bar and over to Burby and stood over him like a tree. 
 

Cuddles growled something inaudible as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. 
 

“Lady made a list,” he said in a low growl.  “I’ve made a wheel to start the fire and stared building the base of the communal fire,” Cuddles was reading the list, but was relaying it based on his discussions with some lady and what he had completed of it.
 

“The lady suggested we serve many beef fare as a representation of sacrificing a cow. So, beef stew, boiled beef with vegetables like cabbage, on the ready, but can fry up steaks on the short. She told me to make me pottage and porridge for the ready,” Cuddles was still talking a low growl. “I got someone bringing the beef, someone bringing the potatoes, and the lady has someone bringing the vegetables. The lady ordered some bread from a specialized bakery. Plus, she got cheeses coming and some fruits.” Cuddles looked over the list to the next item. 
 

“The lady got someone delivering liquor. I found some old bottles and put them up,” Cuddles gestured to his work. “But lady has someone to bringing special barrels of honey Meade.” Cuddles looked back at the list. 
 

“Lady said we should have some carnival things. So, she has someone bringing games, toys, and the lot. Knows a guy,” Cuddles shrugged moving down his list and he growled. 
 

“Lady has pumpkins coming with candles. Says we need to make sure to put Jack-Ohhh-lanterns all around the place. She got some other decorations coming,” Cuddles grumbled. “Lady said she will put those up herself, because my eyes aren’t straight.”

 

Cuddles crumpled the paper as he shoved it into his pocket. “Lady says I should take a bath,” he growled.
 

He started to leave, but paused. “The billiard tables and chess sets arrive today. Is there anything else we need Bunby?”

[Cptdragon9]

The old rabbit sighed.  While he enjoyed the easier care of the bar with his current staff, it seemed that at times he was a few steps behind them.  And odd feeling for a rabbit.  Still at least it seemed that all was in good hands.  The RDI was making good money, turning quite an investment for all invovled.  He looked at his tea.  "Can you make sure there is some Celyon stocked?  I find it settles my stomach better.:

 

 

The door then opened and a stack of decorations walked in.  Well the rabbit-man was sure there was somebody under that stack but for the moment it looked like a pile of garland with two booted feet jutting out underneath.  The pile suddenly dropped and Burby recognized one of his associates, Brimstone; still wearing his normal yellow duster and stained white cowboy hat, which he removed to wipe his brow.  "Got the decorations as instructed," he nodded to Cuddles.  Though the mutant was rather tall for his breed, he seemed dwarfed by the muscled, bald help, even when he replaced his hat.  He didn't seem intimadate by the bartenders size though as he gave him a nod and a smile before turning back to Burby.  He then reached into his coat, fumbling around in the folds before pulling out a checkered throw and gently draping it across the rabbit's shoulders.  "Gettin' nippy out there.  I saw your old blanket was getting a little threadbare and I saw this in the market.  This should keep you snuggly warm...."

[Carolyn]

"Aye sir," Cuddles grumbled as he pulled a pocket notebook from his pocket and made a note about the Celyon. Seeing Brimstone enter, he walked over looked at the decorations, and nodded.  "The lady will indeed be pleased." Cuddles started going through the decorations. 

[Cptdragon9]

Burby seemed pleased with the gift, begrudgingly handing over the threadbare throw in lieu of the plush blanket.  "Ah... so much better," he commented as he snuggled into his chair by the fire.

 

Cuddles would find quite the plethora of things.  Much of it clearly was of otherworldly origin, still wrapped in plastic packaging and with pricing and barscans affixed.  Also in the box were some of the black candles for replacing the white parrafin ones in the candelabra, along with black and orange bows, ribbon and crepe.  There was a Halloween themed wreath also decorated in black and orange with sunflowers, corn stalks and a wooden pumpkin and black cat perched on the inside of the ring.  Aother bag had bulk mulling spice that wafted heavily in the air.  There were plastic  napkin laquered black with little characters of ghosts, pumpking, cats, and bats.  Rubber bats and spiders and that stretchy webbing in another box.  In short it looked like BS had cleaned out a Family Dollar store.

 

The cowboy did fish around in his pockets before handing Cuddles a bar of Squatch Alpine Sage.  "I was told to find you something.  Nothing perfumey.  That stuff's good enough to scour off the stink on a gnome.  In fact the gnomes pretty much buy this stuff in bulk.  Give it a shot."

[Carolyn]

Cuddles grunted at the sage.  “What’s this for? Do I look like a gnome to you?”

[Cptdragon9]

BS just shrugged.  "She suggested you might need something strong to wash up with.  I merely brought over what works for me."

 

[Carolyn]

Cuddles grumbled pocketing the bar. He then headed off to the kitchens. 

[Cptdragon9]

It wasn't long before "business" picked up.  As Brimstone puttered around the bar, laying out various decorations to be put up, the "Old Lady" showed up.  This particular old lady was actually an aged up alternate version of Aurora.  Perhaps not as powerful (though that was difficult to determine as she never seemed to flaunt her talent, if she had any; perhaps something she'd learn from the Rex) and cerntantly not as spry, she still seemed to command just by her presence.  It was enough of her entering the bar to cause BS to stiffen up a bit before turning to look her over, wondering just what trouble she was bringing.

 

For once she seemed to be in a chipper mood.  She didn't have her charge with her, but then Dante wouldn't be far.  The boy clearly admired her and was content to be her padwan, even if she had a tendancy to put him through rather abusive training sessions.  Dante took them in stride and was excelling, at least that was what BS saw.  To that extent, he pulled out the adjacent stuffed chair next to Burby.  "Can I get you some tea?"

 

The Elder Aurora nodded as she slowly eased herself into the chair next to the rabbit man.  "Something with a little kick, please," she replied as she leaned her back against the plush material.

 

BS nodded and hustled to the kitchen, looking in the closet over the selection of cleaning supplies.  "Cuddles, can you set a pot of Oolong to brewing please?"  He eyed a bottle of bleach, looked back to the old lady, then put it back into the closet, opting for a bottle of lye...

[Carolyn]

Cuddles grumbled. “Tea he wants,” he put the pot on the wood fire stove he had fired up hours ago. 
 

He turned his attention to BS. “More cleaning products in the cellar,” he grumbled. 
 

Cuddles took a small tea tray from on top of a cupboard. Set a teapot, a cup on a saucer, set matching sugar and milk containers on the tray. He took the carton of cream from the fridge and poured some into the milk pitcher before returning it to the fridge. Cuddles then added sugar in the sugar container. The man’s hands were steady and nothing was spilled. 
 

Cuddles popped the lid off the teapot and settled a tea strainer on the top. He took the tin of Oolong tea and spooned a few teaspoons into the strainer. Carefully, he placed the silverware and a small plate on the tray. 
 

He popped open a tin of biscuits (cookies) that were made into Halloween shapes. Picking through the biscuits, Cuddles picked some and carefully arranged them on the plate before closing the tin. 
 

Cuddles picked up his rag he used for a potholder. He lifted the iron kettle and gently poured the hot water over the tea leaves in the strainer filling the teapot. He set the kettle back on stove, put the lid on the teapot, and picked up the tray. 
 

Carefully he carried the tray on one hand out of the kitchen and to the bar. 
 

“Miss,” he said with a nod to Aurora before walking over to Bruby. He carefully set down the tray for Burby, before turning to leave.

[Cptdragon9]

BS had waved off the suggestion to go into the basement as he had what he wanted in hand.  He did see Cuddles working on the tea tray and followed him out with the bottle of lye,  He raised a brow as the old lady nodded to impressively large man as he set teh tray down between her and the rabbit man.  Maybe she was becoming socialble in her old age. Again it was hard to tell.  The cowboy stepping aside to allow the burly man to step back into the kitchen before setting up the Elder Aurora's "special" tea; pouring her a cup, added at least 3 teaspoons of sugar before pouring half a teaspoon of lye and adding it to her drink.

 

Burby raised a brow, alarmed; but it was the old lady that leaned forward, resting a wrinkled soft hand on the furry paw.  "It's okay.  Us mutants are hardier than you think.  Nothing like a bite from the dog to set things right."  She emphazied her word by smiling beforre taking a sip of the doctored brew, her hand at first shaking a little, but as she drank, the tremor subsided.  She gestured lightly.  "See?  What doesn't kill us ... well.. doesn't kill us."

 

The rabbit man shook his head.  "You all are such a strange lot; amaze me more with each day."