"Mmn," Hadama hummed, acknowledging Flora's riposte about calories with a twinkle in his eye. "It does taste sweeter." Calories weren't as much of a problem for someone who swam constantly, but it was made from sugarcane.
He tilted his head and then sipped his mimosa as she continued and this time he gave a slow nod to honor her expertise as a bartender. "I enjoy it neat. I did not know it is not as popular that way." It was a good thing he had already swallowed his sip as she continued, however, and for a beat he managed to hold his serene facade in place.
But they were friends again and he had let himself relax too far. A small snort escaped first, like the first pebble that presaged an avalanche, and then a full, deep laugh followed. He raised his glass to her in appreciation, still chuckling. "Think of the opportunities for local vendors," he countered instead. "Different merchants nearby can sell different mixers. It creates jobs."
But she had already won by making him laugh first, and he finally relented. "But there is no reason we cannot ask for more fountains. In other parts of Torchline... and with different drinks." A whiskey fountain was still on the table, at least as long as the peaceful state of the world continued to allow them the luxury of improving their land for fun and profit rather than protection.
He tilted his head and then sipped his mimosa as she continued and this time he gave a slow nod to honor her expertise as a bartender. "I enjoy it neat. I did not know it is not as popular that way." It was a good thing he had already swallowed his sip as she continued, however, and for a beat he managed to hold his serene facade in place.
But they were friends again and he had let himself relax too far. A small snort escaped first, like the first pebble that presaged an avalanche, and then a full, deep laugh followed. He raised his glass to her in appreciation, still chuckling. "Think of the opportunities for local vendors," he countered instead. "Different merchants nearby can sell different mixers. It creates jobs."
But she had already won by making him laugh first, and he finally relented. "But there is no reason we cannot ask for more fountains. In other parts of Torchline... and with different drinks." A whiskey fountain was still on the table, at least as long as the peaceful state of the world continued to allow them the luxury of improving their land for fun and profit rather than protection.
