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 Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 3:56 pm
It had been no longer than a day or two since Zharkov's arrival at the old Fox and Hound's inn on the west side of the Thrithing River in Palisade, and evening found Zharkov at the inn's noisy tavern. During the daytime he had been scarce, his room empty. Even the grimalkin he kept company with was gone from their shared dwelling during the day (if anyone bothered to check), though whether he wandered by himself or kept closer to his master was a complete mystery. Come nightfall, though, Zharkov would always return, always sharing a table with any number of gentlemen who looked just as unsavory as he often did.
It so happened, however, that on the second evening, he shared company with only two other men, at a table near the back. Observed from afar, it was a relaxed sort of gathering with Zharkov doing a good bit of the talking, all of it in low tones. Whatever they were discussing, all three seemed quite absorbed, paying no heed to the rest of the inn and its noisy inhabitants. Zharkov had made some small effort to catch sight of the 'friend' he had made on his first night at the inn, but his absences from dawn to dusk had made it difficult, and by some curse of conflicting schedule he had not caught a single glimpse of Kozel since that first night. He hadn't let it bother him much, knowing that they both had busy lives. Though he was back at the inn, the business at hand was so important to him that he hadn't bothered to look around at all.
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Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 4:23 pm
Very true. Kozel did have a busy life, always making more work for himself by taking on the jobs of grateful others he would later look down on for shirking duties. Any excuse to get around the Inn as much as possible now, though not for any particular reason. Maybe he simply wanted to learn the lay of the land to be a more efficient worker, never mind that he had already memorized every nook and cranny (and there were many) of Fox and Hounds ages ago. It always helped to observe and, why, just earlier he had been scolded for looking too hard at the guests and making them uncomfortable with his probing gaze. No particular reason for that either. Maybe Kozel had simply wanted to know he was serving! He was a man of reconnaissance; old habits die hard.
In any case, he would very much still bother to look around, though his sulk now as he made his way into the tavern was not much of an improvement. He wasn't sure what he hated more: being scolded, or being among all these noisy men with their fast-speaking Common that had him instantly on edge, tongue feeling suddenly twisted in his mouth as he now doubted the phrase he had been rehearsing before—"What a coincidence, running into you here!"—could be spoken aloud without him making a fool of himself. Not that he had planned on using it; it was just a new phrase. Anyway, he would spend as little time as possible here, retreating to the kitchen as soon as he could.
Kozel trudged through, not making any extra effort to be noticed while making all the effort to notice, thankful no one yet called on him, especially those blasted regulars who he swore only asked for so much to see how much he could, and would carry to them, and there they were now! He cringed as he shuffled past, bracing any moment for the call that would come, but the men paid no attention to him, apparently too involved in, what was that, a card game? and having already imbibed enough anyway. Yes! Wilkinson had pulled through on his job tonight after all.
Catching sight of his fellow servant across the tavern, Wilkinson shot him a dirty look and Kozel could have hugged him or, well, at least given him a proud, fatherly pat on the back. Seems the young man had remembered the lecture Kozel had given him on the importance of hard work. Ah, he could move more easily through the tavern now. So long as he did not have to deal with those guests, he could help dear Wilkinson out. And as if Kozel's spirits couldn't climb any higher, at that moment he spotted another familiar face. What a coincidence, running into him here!
With a surer stride, he made his way towards the table Zharkov was seated at, began to slow once he realized his 'friend' indeed was accompanied by two others, and stopped completely as he noticed how frankly intimidating they were. Kozel hesitated, watching them, instinct and good sense telling him to leave them alone, eagerness and desperation telling him that they would surely welcome his interruption, surely. It would probably be easier to approach if Zharkov would notice him first, though.
...No? Fine. They certainly were a preoccupied bunch, weren't they.
It was like the first time he had met Zharkov, Kozel tried to reason with himself. He'd been afraid then, too, but that had turned out well. Maybe it really was like, how did that saying go? Don't judge a book by its binding? Sure. Maybe he could get along with these strangers. Zharkov could introduce him into the fold and he would win them over with his amazing service. Encouraged by the idea, Kozel closed the distance at last, oblivious to how uncomfortable he had been making other nearby guests who noticed him staring with that probing gaze again.
"Gentlemen!" Kozel butted in, sidling up next to a certain familiar fellow, trying to catch his eye. "I hope you are enjoying your stay at the esteemed Fox and Hounds Inn!" If he were any bolder, he would have winked at Zharkov. "Is there anything I can do for you?" His entrance this time was going off without a hitch; everything else would have to go well!
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Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:23 pm
Though he would never give a straight answer if asked, Zharkov, too, had been filling his days with work, even if he had claimed his visit to be some sort of business vacation. Living wasn't cheap at the bottom, and he was still doing the same kind of work as he had in Northport. Fortunately, there never seemed to be a lack of work where loading and unloading cargo was concerned, and the docks of the Thrithing were just as bustling as the the ones in the great bay of Northport. There was little else he did, though he had bothered to cross over the bridge and get a look at the other side of the city, a little bit of sight seeing when he had spare time.
Evening brought him back to the inn without fail, and seeing as it was the first night he would be attempting to do a little business, thoughts of Kozel had hardly crossed his mind. He didn't even notice the man's approach until it was too late, and the abrupt entrance was almost enough to startle him. Almost.
"Kozel, good evening." Zharkov greeted the man cordially, and though their chatting had been cut short, his associates didn't seem too irate. It was an inn after all, of course there would always be people bustling around in their attempt to keep the occupants happy. Hadn't they asked not to be disturbed, though? Their fault for trying to conduct transactions at such a busy inn, regardless of the fact that it was easier to blend in to. "I'd like another ale." One barked in a gruff voice, followed by a rather mumbled but similar response from the other man, who leaned back in his chair and eyed Kozel with vague suspicion. Both of them were natives, judging from their accents.
"Same for me, thanks. Hope you've been well, Kozel. Haven't seen you around much." He commented as he reached to gather the empty mugs on the table, smirking good-naturedly at the man. How kind of him to come over and offer his services though, Zharkov thought. Surely their friendly acquaintance wouldn't affect that in the least. Unaware of Kozel's hopeful thoughts, and eager to return to their discussion, he arranged their empty mugs within reaching distance of their helpful server and waited patiently for him to get moving, confident that his small talk would not be too off putting to the two men he was entertaining.
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Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:34 pm
Under that suspicious look, don't think he didn't notice, Kozel couldn't help but feel a familiar faltering of spirit. They were hardly being friendly but, to be fair, he was just a servant. They didn't know it yet, but he could be more than that! At least reliable Zharkov had more to say than just an order, and Kozel looked to him, pleased that his acquaintance should mention his scarcity.
"Oh, d-yes! You know. I have been very busy," he answered predictably, moreover nervously now that he knew the other men were native and he always wanted to look good in front of them but especially now, with Zharkov, who he was eager to keep speaking to as he hesitantly took the mugs. Nothing came to him, aside from asking if perhaps Zharkov would like to introduce him, but to be so forward would probably look bad. How to act casual?
"A nice coincidence running into you here, Zharkov," Kozel tried, not quite as he had rehearsed it, maybe a bit rushed, but he returned that smirk, quickly becoming familiar to him, with a smile of his own... coming a little less naturally once he acknowledged the other two men again. "It will be just a moment, sirs," he stepped away as though actually moving to leave, but still Kozel continued to speak. "Ah—and I would want to apologize for the rowdiness of the other guests! Not to say you cannot also, enjoy yourselves, also,"
Beginning to flounder a bit, Kozel decided it probably would be a good idea to leave for just a moment. Yet he lingered to add to Zharkov, "But I know you would not cause trouble for me," teasing to their first meeting, unwitting to how it sounded like a warning. Come to think of it, he had a bit of a scare at that, throwing a by-now instinctive glance under the table. Could the grimalkin be here, too?!
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Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 2:14 am
"I assumed as much, especially with nights like these." Zharkov replied, voice still friendly, still wearing that easy going grin. Despite Kozel's grandiose wishes, no effort was made at all to introduce or even mention the men he was sharing his company with. Both of them were silent after their orders had been made clear, wearing downright unfriendly expressions and glancing around the inn as Zharkov made his small talk with the server. Zharkov nearly began to shift back to face them again, as if he expected Kozel to be going, when he spoke again, drawing a slight twitch towering Okrainan.
"It was bound to happen, I think." Zharkov chuckled shortly at the other claiming it to be a 'coincidence'. He was suprised it hadn't happened sooner, really, even though he'd been gone so much during the day. When Kozel -continued- was when Zharkov finally began to become a bit on edge. He cleared his throat a little at the apology, and laughed, the scowls on his two companions seeming to deepen with every passing moment. "It is no trouble, Kozel. Normal for an inn like this, yes?" His smile became rather strained, and a tiny sigh left him as the man finally moved away with the empty mugs. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the other's friendliness, but of all the times he could choose, did it have to be now?
He nearly winced at the last little comment, his smirk nearly shifting into a sneer. "Oh, of course not. -Thank you-, Kozel..." he said, as if willing the poor server to get moving. Even the other's jest escaped him, and of course, Whisky was nowhere to be seen.
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Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 1:16 pm
Zharkov's increasing impatience with him was lost on Kozel, though he certainly didn't miss the looks on his companions. He was being perfectly civil, so what could be the problem? Trying not to let skittishness get to him, pleased at least that the grimalkin was not here but monsters like that lurked everywhere he instead gave a modest half-bow, awkward with mugs still in hand, sounding decidedly immodest. "It is my pleasure, as always! Now, really, just a moment and I will be back," spoken as if his absence would be a great loss but, mercifully, finally, Kozel left the men to their business, turning smartly on his heel as he spotted an opportunity.
That Wilkinson fellow had been watching Kozel with some disdain, impatient to know if he would be taking over tonight or not, but mostly wanting to see if anything would come of the senior servant bothering the table that had specifically requested to be left alone. To his disappointment, Kozel didn't look at all scolded when he suddenly came over, shoving some mugs into the younger servant's hands and passing orders onto him. Eager to correct Kozel on his job for once, Wilkinson began to inform him of the instructions. "They asked—"
"—for three ales, I said." Kozel interrupted right back, already moving to return to the table. "Remember what I told you of listening, Wilkerson," he even had the gall to throw over his shoulder as he strode away. The misnamed man could only curse him quietly before stalking off to fetch the drinks. Kozel had a lot to say about obedience, too, but all Wilkinson had taken from those lectures was that it was just easier to obey than risk getting another barely-comprehensible earful when you were trying to sleep.
If Zharkov and his crew had expected a brief respite from their enthusiastic server, it had hardly lasted, as Kozel returned with another eager attempt to impress. "Gentlemen! Your drinks soon, but meantime, did you know I am also chef here?" Of course no one would know, or care, but Kozel was very keen to make this known especially to his fellow foreigner, who he was sure would appreciate the gesture he was getting at. "I could make you men anything, and I do mean anything." Another conspicuous look to Zharkov, as he just beamed at the thought of finally making a more familiar dish. "It would be my great honor!"
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Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 3:29 pm
"Da, take your time." Zharkov said, not even keeping his head turned to watch as Kozel hurried off to fulfill their request. Instead he turned to give a quiet apology to his friends at the table before their subdued discussion continued, perhaps more hushed than before. Of course it wasn't just any old chat about business; for now, it was Zharkov's job to find interested parties and take orders for his contacts back in Northport, and that was a discussion he did not need Kozel (or anyone else) to overhear, even if shady dealings were normal in a place like the Fox and Hounds. Confident that Kozel would be gone for a little while at least, with how busy the place was, they continued to speak amongst themselves, one or the other casting a glance around every so often.
Just when he thought they were good, though, there he was again and Zharkov almost startled as the Katchian seemed to spring up out of nowhere. The looks on the faces of the two men were not so neutral this time, and one of them gave a short growl, leaning back to take an impatient drag on his pipe. Zharkov turned to look at Kozel sternly, a low sigh escaping him as the poor man made his offer. He would somply have to be firmer with him.
"That is very kind, Kozel, but we have already eaten tonight, you see." Zharkov explained tersely, staring the man down quietly. "I know you did not show us to this table, but they did tell you I asked not to be disturbed, yes?" He tacked the question on quickly, the friendly warmth from before all but gone as he tried desperately to get rid of the server. Maybe he was just unaware, they had been seated by one of the other servants an hour or so before. Zharkov was sure his simple explanation would set Kozel straight. If it didn't, he was afraid of his associates getting a bit ornery.
"It is a simple mistake to make. Now if you will excuse us, we have important things to discuss." He informed the man just as quickly, expecting him to move right along, preferably to get the drinks they had ordered. Zharkov's smile was gone, but it was still obvious (though perhaps not to Kozel), that he was reigning in his temper.
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:39 pm
If one were the sadistic type, one could revel in how quickly Kozel deflated, how plainly disappointment showed on his face as his grand plan was shot down by something as heinous as eating before the accomplished chef could offer his services. However, it immediately struck him as a weak objection, though Kozel could not understand why Zharkov would reject him so quickly—unless the uncultured man doubted his prowess. Slighted, Kozel made to argue with an injured-sounding "But—", then quickly dropped it once his error was explained, snapping his mouth shut and feeling his face flush with humiliation. Oh.
He might have let it drop there and retreated sheepishly, but still the combative side of Kozel wanted to object to this blow to his pride, too. Surely an exception could be made for him; he was being nothing but generous to this fellow foreigner he had earnestly wanted to befriend, this man who, and Kozel hadn't forgotten, had even requested that he should drop the whole "Mister" business, but now? Now Zharkov saw fit to see him as a lowly servant to dismiss?
That was perhaps the biggest insult to Kozel in, what seemed to him, a barrage of insults his over-inflated ego should take offense to. If the Okrainan had not meant to sound condescending with that small consolation, a simple mistake to make, he could have fooled Kozel, who burned less with embarrassment and more with indignity now. He did not make mistakes, and he did not appreciate the apparent change in Zharkov, too quickly reminded of another would-be friend in his past.
Similarly (though, yes, he did not realize it) trying to reign in his temper, but unable or at least unwilling to depart without having had his say, Kozel spoke through gritted teeth, forgetting both his audience and his place. "Mister Zharkov, I thought only of being gracious to you. I am very sorry that it is only a disturbance to you. It will happen no longer, sir."
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:40 pm
Zharkov had flat out lied about having eaten previously, but it wasn't that he doubted Kozel's abilities, or even that he really wanted to hurt his feelings. He only wanted him gone for the moment, but the other certainly wasn't good at taking a hint, was he? He had to clench his jaw as he watched Kozel droop, and immediately became nervous that the Katchian was on the verge of some sort of outburst as he went red in the face. A part of Zharkov felt sorry for the poor fellow, maybe even a little guilty for having to turn him down so, but business was business. Was it not obvious that the gathering at Zharkov's table had not been formed out of leisure? He'd expected better, since Kozel had been working at the inn for so long.
Any guilt Zharkov might have felt was quickly dashed when Kozel made his last remark. With an audible snarl, he finally lost his temper at Kozel's tone, his chair scraping back as he stood up to confront the other directly. "Good, get going! What are you waiting for?" Zharkov's voice had raised several levels (though it wasn't enough to disrupt the inn's atmosphere overall), and he stared Kozel down angrily, daring him to continue. If he thought he was going to get any kind of apology he would be sorely mistaken. "Go be gracious to someone else, I'm sure there's someone around here who needs their a** kissed worse than I do." He barked, giving the unfortunate servant a shove before sitting down heavily and turning his back to him.
The other two men at the table had begun to laugh gruffly, and Zharkov sneered as he joined them, all three turning unkind gazes on the Katchian as they waited for him to leave.
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Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 2:40 pm
The rare, if not also foolish and misguided burst of courage that had possessed the lowly servant to make such snotty remarks failed him as he flinched, startled by Zharkov's sudden show of rage. Kozel really should have expected retaliation, but it had been easy to forget just how formidable the Okrainan could be as he remained seated, an easy target for his frustrations. He had also been fooled by the image of the affable, not-so-threatening after all man he had gotten to know over tea. Oh, to think the cat had been scarier than its master.
Now, as Zharkov towered over Kozel, he stared up not out of defiance but of frozen terror, wide blue eyes showing frank surprise and fear as he cowered under the man's own furious gaze. Yes, Kozel had been hoping for an apology, he had been hoping for a lot from Zharkov, but evidently he had overstepped things and had provoked quite the opposite. Throwing his arms up to shield himself, with a frightened cry Kozel stumbled weakly back from the shove, the exceedingly crude and mocking tone from Zharkov somehow cutting through him even more hurtfully than if the man had gone all out and punched him as he had expected.
The shame was too much to bear as the ensuing laughter rang in Kozel's ears, and he dropped his arms in a defeated slump, able to feel their scorn boring into him well enough without having to see it on their ugly mugs. Though he trembled with a panicked desire to flee, it was another flare of hurt anger that allowed Kozel to flick a quick glance up and fling a hateful slur squarely at the brutish Okrainan, goodbye to any notions of friendship and camaraderie, to hell with keeping up appearances. Let him know he had made an enemy.
With a masterful about-face, Kozel finally did flee, rushing through the bustling tavern past so many other lowlifes who, if they had noticed the spectacle, had only watched on in sadistic amusement. Of course, Wilkinson had missed it all, having been obediently fetching the drinks now nearly knocked out of his hands by the retreating senior servant, and he began to gripe about having done his part before being shocked into awkward silence by the sight of tears on Kozel's face.
Wilkinson did not object when the older man hissed at him to go serve those 'beasts' but, he decided as he watched Kozel disappear from the tavern, he was totally going to quit for real this time.
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Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 4:41 pm
Zharkov's eyes narrowed with staisfaction as Kozel shrunk away, instantly knowing that violence would be wasted on the man as he sat back down instead. Zharkov felt similarly fooled, having gained the opinion that, though he was jumpy, Kozel seemed like a nice, polite person, a decent sort that he might become friends with. As he sat back down and watched the retreating Katchian, he could only think badly of him, sneering at the petty little insult that was tossed his way and saying nothing in return. It irked Zharkov to think of how close Kozel had come to embarrassing him infront of his business contacts, but he had managed to salvage it, and once the little servant was gone they went right back to their discussion as if nothing had happened at all.
Things went so smoothly after that that Zharkov nearly forgot what happened. It was late when the inn finally began to quiet, and his 'friends' had long since taken their leave. He was leaning back at the same table with a cigar clenched between his teeth when he remembered it, and his eyes narrowed. With a tired sigh, he pushed himself up, and took a look around; a few of the waiters were cleaning up for the night, but Kozel was nowhere to be seen. He shoved his chair in and made to approach one of them, the younger one who had served them their drinks once Kozel had fled.
After pressing the man quietly and learning what he wanted to know, he made his way back, puffing on the cigar as his eyes scanned the hallway the boy had pointed him towards. Kozel had to be around somewhere...
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 11:44 am
Given time to cool off, Kozel was left with a whole heap of regret. He wanted badly to continue hating the Okrainan filth who had so humiliated him, but as he repeated the events over and over in his mind, unable to forget and certainly without company to distract him, he found himself increasingly focused on and cringing at his own desperate, and evidently grossly transparent, foolishness. The other man's words still stung, hanging heavy over the wayward servant who would likely be brooding over this weeks to come. He had not, as was kindly suggested, gone off to find someone else's a** to kiss, but in a moment of weakness had instead retreated to his room to collect himself—or really more like hide.
Having been so caught up on self-indulgent sulking, Kozel had even done the unforgivable and skipped kitchen duty that night, only compounding the disgust he felt towards himself. Hoping the menace was gone, and driven by a need to make up for his idleness, he finally slipped out of the shared dwelling to see, as stealthily as possible, if there was anything to be done.
So much for stealth, Kozel rounded the corner of the hallway and walked right into the enemy's line of sight. Startled, and more deeply horrified to run into the other so soon, or really at all, he jumped and spluttered a frantic admonishment. "M-Mister Zharkov, you can't be here!" He knew immediately that Zharkov was here to finish what he had started out in the tavern, and his panicked mind raced with ideas for the best possible course of action to take here. What would it be, fight or flight?
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:58 pm
"Calm yourself." Zharkov said it immediately, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from smiling as Kozel nearly hit the ceiling, holding the cigar for a moment to exhale. He was surprised to have found the other foreigner so quickly, and it was a relief. Even though Kozel had been blatantly out of line, Zharkov knew he had been a bit harsh himself, and why destroy a possible ally so quickly? He wanted to see if their little acquaintanceship could be salvaged at all, and stared the Katchian down, hoping he wasn't about to flee. Poor cowardly creature.
"You have to understand, those men were not friends of mine, Kozel." He began to explain, slipping into their shared language and leaning against the wall of the hallway they were in, hoping that slacking his posture would show that he wasn't a threat. "Use better judgement next time. Your kindness would be wasted on those churlish low lives." He took another drag on the cigar, watching Kozel like a hawk.
"I'm sorry it had to happen like that, anyway." He added after a moment, eyes half-lidded as he glanced away. It felt soft to apologize, but he was only doing it because he knew it would work.
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 12:42 pm
Obedient to a fault, as he'd always been, Kozel kept himself rooted to the spot at Zharkov's command despite the pounding of his heart and his wounded desire to immediately hate the other man and dismiss him, wrinkling his nose at the stench of the cigar and citing it as just another of his numerous, increasingly apparent flaws. The servant's own stance remained tense, gaze wary, but it did come as a relief that his supposed foe only seemed to want to talk. Perhaps even, in some superficial way, hearing him speak in their shared language comforted Kozel, while also drawing some shame as he remembered the uncalled-for epithet he had hurled at the Okrainan in the hopes that it would stick.
Not for the first time since they had met, Kozel was mortified to find himself reddening with embarrassment as his mistake was explained to him, another long-standing fault of his when he so often wanted to appear unaffected instead—but he was affected now, touched even, his apprehensive features softening to a faint smile at the unexpected apology. Yes, it worked, it worked wonders in evoking some humility in Kozel who, not wanting Zharkov to be the bigger man here, hastily set to making amends.
"That is very kind of you to say, comrade, but wholly unnecessary. I should be the one to apologize," and he even managed not to look so torn up about admitting it, though his smile dropped to something more solemn, "for my conduct was completely inappropriate. I assure you, sir, that you will be disturbed no longer. I intend to keep to this." All right, so maybe Kozel's sorry was a bit stiff, what with the way he looked up at Zharkov so earnestly, hand over his heart as though making a solemn pledge, but he was trying.
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 3:37 pm
Zharkov was pleased when his order (which hadn't been particularly forceful) was heeded, noting Kozel's look of distaste at what he could only assume was his cigar. It didn't keep him from puffing on it quietly throughout his explanation, glad that Kozel did not dismiss him outright or tell him to leave. The other's loneliness was an advantage, Zharkov assumed, and his grey-green eyes narrowed in amusement at the little smile that eventually alighted on the Katchian's flushed face.
"I accept, and hope you accept mine." Zharkov sighed softly, exhaling the smoke from his nose as he shifted in his spot against the wall, looking as relaxed as he ever had. "There is no need to go to such an extreme, however. I enjoyed your company. It is nice to have company other than that of the sniveling locals. I'm sure you feel the same." He smirked wryly as he made the diss, confident that even if someone did hear, they would not be able to understand. Though he managed to hide it well enough, he was still not used to Sunderland and its various quirks and customs, and the mannerisms of its people were still a source of disdain for him.
"Were you serious, by the way? About cooking?" Zharkov asked after a moment, remembering from earlier. How long had it been since he had eaten food from their homeland? Zharkov himself certainly wasn't a very good cook.
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