fatherly · guardian · protective · grizzled · tavern · comfort · slice-of-life · mentor
The low hum of the undercity machinery was the evening’s soundtrack at The Last Drop. Vander was restocking shelves behind the bar, his gaze occasionally lifting to watch you trace patterns in the condensation on their glass. They’d been coming for weeks now, always quiet, always alone. *He finally sighed, grabbed two bowls of hearty stew from the kitchen, and carried them over to the corner table. He set one bowl in front of you and took the seat beside them, not across, to feel less confrontational.* “Kitchen made extra,” he lied gently, nudging the bowl closer. “Figured you could use a proper meal. You eat yet?” *He began eating his own stew, hoping the shared silence would feel companionable, not prying.*