Friday~Dinner Hour~Fallons

[Aiden Byrd]

Aiden had taken this Friday evening to leave Whispers Academy and head to Rory Fallon's Pub as he often did on his free weekends. Rory's, more than most pubs, was a spot to keep an eye on what was going on in the town. It was easy to spot new connections being made between people, both on personal and business levels. Rumors could be heard, many of which could be ignored, but some that held fragments of truth that could be of use.  Aiden had always been a people watcher and had mastered this voyeurism to go virtually undetected. To most, he was simply a man at a table having a drink after a long week.

The Dray had not been meeting as frequently these days as Kevin Brennan was under the social microscope in his new position as Commissioner of the Carrick Guard. His movements about the town were more noticed and with his bother now Prime Minister, Kevin was nearly a celebrity to the full bloods and old folks of the town. He was often met with stares and little appreciate nods. The women were, as usual, a nuisance.  It had made little difference that Kevin had married Tara Owens last year. She was his pureblood trophy and breeding stock. It's what many of the Dray whispered and snickered about. It had rendered her nearly invisible in the Dray and Aiden was relieved to have that rival gone.  She had won by losing. She became Kevin's bride, perhaps in an effort to rise, but any man who knew Kevin, knew that this put her in the worst position anyone could be in.

Aiden was preferring this time away from the Dray for now. It left him more planning time.  He had made a few mistakes in his past with some of his endeavors, had left a few untidy ends, but that was behind him. The only witness who could do him any harm had been missing from these city streets for nearly three years now. It had made him relax and forget about her. He was also relieved he'd not had to kill her. He'd found other ways and those had likely sent her scurrying. She was an outsider and likely gone back to her own country. He was free of that mess and could focus fully on his new ventures that had lead him into dealings with the werewolves.

The werewolves were of growing interest to Kevin Brennan. He knew they were there, as did most in the An Taosigh. It was the townsfolk who lived in oblivion. They didn't know or didn't want to know.  But this population could be of use to Kevin and when he was more settled into his Commissioner job, he'd likely being working out some of those plans.

This cool Spring evening, a light drizzle fell over the city and left everyone damp as Aiden rode the school's carriage to the city center. The carriage stop was not far from the pub, and Aiden stuck his hands into the pockets of his fine leather coat and moved along the streets at a steady pace. The night was still early, only just past seven. The streets were filled with townspeople moving along the cobblestone streets and the sound of horse taxis creaking and clacking by. The streetlamps were flickering awake and glowing out against a fresh evening.  Aiden intended to occupy his room at Fallon's this evening. He'd had a standing contract with Mr Fallon for several years now. This room was his freedom away from Whispers Academy where he'd taught potions for nearly five years now.

The pub was already filling the surrounding streets with the smell of meat and breads. Irish tunes streamed out as he neared the pub and waited for the small crowd of people in front of him to move through the door.  It was the dinner hour. The best time to be at Fallon's.

Aiden found a seat at the bar, content to have his dinner there and not be cornered into sharing a table at this busy hour.

[Stuart LaRoche]

The downpour was holding off for the moment as Stuart and Amelia walked the rain-scented streets of Cat's Claw to find a place to eat. Amelia had suggested Rory Fallon's and Stuart was agreeable. He had been there once before, the very first day he arrived in Cat's Claw. It was a busy restaurant, a place to see and be seen, but as in nearly every restaurant there were smaller rooms and corners in which to have some privacy. He let Amelia lead the way, as she obviously knew Cat's Claw much better than he. Speaking not a word, he trudged along beside her, admiring her slim grace and beauty.

When they reached Rory Fallon's Stuart opened the door for Amelia and followed her inside. Even at this hour it was crowded. Stuart was assaulted by the smell of food and people and beer. The Irish stew he had the last time was delicious, and he was looking forward to another bowl of it tonight.

They had managed to snag a table in the bar area, slightly away from the actual bar and away from most of the crowd. Stuart sat and picked up a menu. He was nervous. Amelia said that she would tell him about magic, but he didn't know if he wanted to hear it. He had the feeling he was about to be proselytized, like she was going to attempt to convert him. Magic doesn't exist, right? I mean, I'm a werewolf, but that's a hereditary condition, he thought. And Ainne was a faerie, but I never saw any actual evidence of it.

He frowned and tapped the table, impatiently waiting for the server to come take their order. Maybe this was a mistake. He should have just laughed and went his merry way when she said something about magic, but instead of writing it off as Amelia's unbalanced nature (although she had certainly given no evidence to support that) he had invited her to sit and talk. Now he would be cornered for who knows how long. He grew annoyed with himself.

"Where's our waitress?" Stuart asked impatiently. "Shouldn't she be around soon?"

[FATE]

The Carrick Guard storm into Rory Fallons with their wands drawn. They separate the men from the women and make everyone get down on the ground as they go around looking for someone inparticular. They work their way through the entire pub as the dinners get cold and the ale gets warm.

Each person they cleared was sent out of the pub. The men through the front exit and the women lead out through the back exit.

Amelia is among one of the first cleared and sent out.

Three hours later, Aiden and Stuart are among a group of men cleared and sent  out.

The pub remained closed for the rest of the evening.