"Not bad, Zebart. Not bad at all."
Phantom's comments were followed by a long and low whistle. He, Ville and Zebart were admiring the tinker gnomes' renovations on the rec room. While back on the Rock, as a way of keeping Zebart out of too much trouble, Onestar and Hall suggested that Zebart remodel the exercise room into an all-purpose recreation room for the crew. Onestar suggested that if any member of the crew had any suggestions within reason, they were to talk to Zebart.
Phantom had an idea for something he used to play in his youth. It involved using long sticks to strike a small white sphere into other colored spheres, getting the colored spheres to one of six 'pockets' on a table. If one sunk the white sphere, the game was forfeit. Zebart liked the idea, as well as some other suggestions for an oriental style rug (which could be rolled up out of the way), folding tables and chairs, some hanging plants, and a bar. Zebart took all the suggestions and went to work. Two weeks later, the rec room was reopened.
And, to everyone's surprise, it came out perfectly.
"Doyoureallylikeit, MisterPhantom?Ispentdays tryingtofigureouthowto makethat 'pooltable'ideaofyours butIthinkyou'lllike whatIfinallydecidedon."
"Thanks, Zebart," Phantom replied, muttering under his breath 'whatever you said.' Kath and Sylissia soon joined the trio, along with Illeria, Father Armas and Taraq. Their shift had just ended, and they all wanted a chance to relax.
Father Armas went behind the bar and started looking everything over. "Zebart," he exclaimed, "where did you find so many different types of spirits?"
"Spirits?Ohnofather abbotpastorreverand holyonewhateveryouwanttobe calledthereare somanynamesyoureligious typesuseIcanneverkeep trackofthemall PersonallyIhavenousefor religionsmyselfexcept forthegreatgnomes outtherebutIneverreally gotintoprayingthatmuch Andwhydoyoualwayswear thatblackrobe Doesn'titgethotunderthere ordon'tyouwearanypantsI alwayswonderedthatfrom ascientificpoint ofviewofcourse..."
"Zebart?" Armas interrupted.
"Yesfathersir?"
"Nevermind." The gnome shrugged and left, wondering what he could get into now. Armas laughed slightly, then paused as Ville and Phantom approached the bar.
"Father Armas, what do you know about tending bar?"
"Ville, my son, in my early days with the order, they sent me to Oerth. While there, we ran a soup kitchen for the unfortunates in the area. Being a younger," Armas patted his rather large stomach, "and thinner man, I learned much from those poor unfortunates. The most important lesson I ever learned was from this one ex-adventurer, down on his luck, penniless and desolate. He taught me three important things in life. Never look back when escaping the dragon's lair. Never take for granted anything but your sword and shield. And never, never forget how to mix a drink. You may not be able to escape your enemy, so you'd better learn how to get them drunk!"
Everyone laughed. Armas reached down behind the bar and removed two frosted glasses. On the wall was a half a keg of ale attached to the wall. On the keg was an elaborately carved ivory handle and tap. Armas pulled the handle, filling the mug with a sweet, dark ale. As they drank, Kath examined the new rec room. He stopped at what appeared to be a magnificent piece of art: framed within a wooden border was a starfield. The oaken frame was quite thick, and rounded at the corners.
Phantom, noticing Kath's fascination with the piece, put down his mug and joined him.
"Like it?" the chief of security asked.
"Yeah," Kath answered. A moment later, he asked "What is it?"
"Give me a hand and I'll show you." Phantom motioned for Kath to get on the other side of painting. Phantom unlatched a lever on one side, getting Kath to do the same. In one motion, both men removed the painting from the wall, and Phantom had them turn it upright. Behind the painting was a storage rack with several long, thin sticks.
"I suggested to Zebart he get a game that I used to play a long time back. Ville, would you pull that lever near you?"
Ville did, and from the floor beneath them they could hear the mechanical whir and grind of gnomish mechanics. Four legs came up from the floor and stood at a ninety degree angle, sturdy oaken legs made to look like the frame. Phantom and Kath positioned the painting above the legs, then fit the frame onto the posts. The fit was perfect. Phantom unlatched the painted covering from the table and, along with Kath, placed it against the wall.
Illeria, watching everything with extreme interest, wondered what was going on. "What is this thing, Phantom?"
The painting gone, the frame showed a recessed area covered with green felt. In the center of the playing area was a simple black space, and the rounded corners revealed to be pockets. There were also pockets on both sides in the center of the table.
"This, everyone, is a pool table," Phantom proudly explained. He went over to where the painting once stood, and removed a long stick from the rack. He then went over to the bar, and touched a small button on the side. Two trays popped open, one holding a tray of balls, the other, a triangle-shaped rack and some pieces of blue chalk.
Phantom removed the triangle and the tray of balls and placed them on the pool table. He lined the triangle rack up in one end, and filled it with the colored balls. Kath took one of the sticks (Phantom called it a 'cue'), and looked it over.
"Yeah, I've played this before," the scro commented. "Table was shaped a little different, but this looks about the same." He turned to Phantom. "Interested in a friendly game?"
Phantom looked up after racking the balls. "How friendly?"
"Silver a ball," Kath commented, chalking up a cue.
"You're on!" Phantom replaced the rack as Ville finished his brew.
"Well, looks like you're set for the evening. I've got a few things to take care of. See ya tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Taraq had tried to get comfortable, but the tall, copper-skinned man was having a lot of trouble. None of the regular, folding chairs were built to fit him. There were two strangely-shaped large cushions in the one corner: Taraq looked them over, wondering what they were.
"They're called 'bean-bag chairs', or so I've been told," Father Armas said, handing Taraq a cold ale. The tall gladiator took and sipped it gently. He smiled slightly at the taste.
"Quite good. Thank you." Taraq motioned for Father Armas to sit down, but the rotund cleric of Celestian declined. "Like you, I sincerely doubt that I'd get back up again. Oh, in my younger days, about 100 pounds ago...heh. I see you've changed from that loincloth. I must say, this new look suits you."
Taraq bowed in respect. It was true, he no longer wore just the loincloth and sandals. Now, he wore a pair of leather, heavy boots, loose-fitting dark slacks and a deep green vest. Attached to a leather belt on his waist was that same, oddly shaped blade. Situated in strategic places on him (armband, legs, etc.) were pieces of armor in critical areas.
"Thank you. In the slave pens, I learned how to optimize my armor. Where I come from, you learn too much armor is not always a good thing."
"I see..." Armas said. Taraq's eyes widened slightly, as if he said too much. Armas understood the look, and calmed the gladiator.
"Relax, my friend," Armas said, taking another drink of his own ale. "I got the feeling when I saw you that you weren't from Oerth. I spent too many years there to recognize an off-worlder."
"Normakon suggested that I not tell anyone where I come from," Taraq replied.
"Then don't. Listen, son, when you feel you can trust me well enough with your secret, then you can come to me. Until then, I'll respect your privacy. Let me ask you one question, tho. Have you ever been in space before?"
The tall man just shook his head no.
"Well," Armas replied. He motioned for Taraq to follow him to the port. "Take a look out here. Wildspace is large and wondrous, and there are so many things to see."
As they looked out the stars, Kath talked Illeria and Slyissia into joining them in a game of pool. As Phantom and Illeria watched, Kath was showing Slyissia the techniques.
"You see," Kath said. He was standing behind Slyissia, holding the stick in front of her, "all you have to do is direct the cue like this..."
"Watch thossse handsss, buddy," Slyissia commented.
"Better be careful, Kath," Phantom joked. "She looks like she might hurt you!"
"This lady? She wouldn't hurt a fly." Kath went back to the demonstration. "Now this shot is gonna be difficult, so let me get a rack and show you how to use it."
As he stepped away from the table, Slyissia lifted her tail on the table and, using it as a guide, managed to sink the shot in front of a surprised Kath.. Phantom nearly fell over laughing.
"HAH! You should see your face, Kath," Illeria said.
The scro stared for seconds in disbelief as Slyissia came over to the other side of the table, took him in her arms, and gave him a passionate kiss. Phantom began to whistle as the kiss lasted longer and longer. When she finally let Kath go, the scro stumbled back into the bar. Phantom was crying, he was laughing so hard.
"Thanksss for the fun, boysss," Slyissia said, placing the cue down on the table and headed for the door. "It'sss been fun, but I've got bridge duty in the morning. Bye." She winked at the startled scro.
"I do believe I am in love," Kath mumbled.
