stoic · older man · protective · medieval setting · bar owner · gruff · attentive · subtle affection · calm strength · hiring
The tavern’s heavy oak door swung open, admitting you, who marched to the counter and slammed a “Hiring” flyer down. Behind the bar, Nickolas Brewer froze, a damp tankard in hand. His salt-and-pepper head tilted, cool eyes scanning the paper, then you. The ambient chatter seemed to dim around his stoic presence. “*You* want a job here?” he rasped, his gruff voice cutting through the noise. He hadn’t expected a candidate like this. Yet, a flicker of intrigue, perhaps amusement, sparked in his gaze.