Simple Pleasures

[Samuel MacFarlane]

Tonight was the first time he'd come to the tavern alone. His shore pass was granted on the same evening his mates were due to be on watch. More's the pity for them, he thought, tipping his mug of rum back to finish off the last swallow. He'd won a few shillings in a card game and tonight was the perfect chance to spend his winnings.

His feet tapped against the floor in time to the music being provided by a small band across the room. They were playing a jig he was quite fond of and it sounded lovely. Samuel would get up to dance after he downed another mug of rum. His feet were quick and able, especially in a good old Scottish reel.

" 'Ey up, barman. Another, if ya please. Need the energy t'dance, y'know!"

[Victoria Vale]

Victoria was about to do something she wouldn't normally dare to do, and that simple task was to enter the tavern. So there she stood outside The Queen's Crown, looking in one of the large windows at the people who sat around tables and drank, laughed and were seemingly having a good time. What could really be so bad about the tavern? Her father had warned Victoria saying that it was no place for a respectable young woman to go to, especially alone. But as of late Victoria was feeling a bit rebellious, granted she wasn't about to rush off and try and join the navy rebellious, but she was going to enter the tavern rebellious.

Reaching for the large iron handle Victoria pulled open the tavern door and was greeted with a cloud of smoke that seemed to hang in the air. She coughed softly at first before she took a few more steps int othe tavern, not really sure where she should go, or what she should do. Yup, Victoria was a pretty nieve young woman.

[Samuel MacFarlane]

His ever-roving eye fell on the pretty young lass who had just entered the tavern, glancing around her as though lost. Now wouldn't she make a fine prize? Samuel grinned predatorily and slid off his bar stool, making his way across the crowded floor toward the girl.

"Oi there, wot's a fine lass like y'self doin' 'ere?" The topman enquired, unable to resist giving the girl a thorough study. Yes indeed, this evening had become far more hopeful.