<div class="floatleft">(http://orig09.deviantart.net/eed9/f/2017/185/3/a/chariss01_by_ravagedgirl-dbf59u2.jpg)(http://orig08.deviantart.net/3fea/f/2017/185/3/5/lyari01_by_ravagedgirl-dbf59tn.jpg)</div>The shorter of the two women almost giggled.  She saw timid, sputtering clients every day.  She also saw paladins just as often.  Chariss had never witnessed a mix of the two, however.  The girl, Elisa, acted as if she hadn't worn that shiny armor into battle and cut down foe after foe, just as the dwarf girl knew she must have.  It seemed brave in war and brave in love were two completely different sides of the coin.  With a warm smile, she pulled a tall, polished glass with a golden-rimmed base from behind the counter.  With the way the poor knight was falling over her own words, Chariss decided a stiff, yet smooth beverage would work best.  She brought over a green bottle with a pair of crossed hands on the label.  The deep red liquid filled the glass like a feline sliding into a familiar blanket.  "Telvarian warmwine. I think you'll appreciate it."<br/><br/>Lyari remained standing, as she'd always felt it didn't suit a waitress, and especially not an owner, to rest on the job.  Sitting in a lap was something altogether work-related, however.  The elf leaned to her side with an elbow on the edge of the bar.  She listened to the paladin and couldn't help a patronizing grin.  Out in the world, Lyari would always bow to such steadfast warriors of justice.  Their bravery knew no bounds.  In her tavern however, she was the warchief and Elisa the shaking recruit.  That's why she opened the bar, as a matter of fact.  Even shy blademasters needed compassion and an easy way to make friends.  Lyari raise her free hand and lay it cautiously on the girl's forearm.  She caught Elisa's gaze with her own dazzling, pale violet eyes and spoke softly.  "Elisa, sweetie, drink. Relax. Let's pretend we've all known each other for years and act as if nothing we do here could ever embarrass or make us feel silly. We're all silly here."  Lyari cut her eyes playfully at Chariss, who took a moment to react.<br/><br/>"Hey! She caught me napping! No fair!"  Chariss put her hands on her seductively plump sides and stomped an adorable foot on the crate she used to reach the bar's surface.<br/><br/>Lyari laughed and turned back.  "We're glad you came in, Elisa. You did walk by enough times, after all."  A thin, raised eyebrow and clever smirk let the girl know she hadn't been watched so much as noticed.  Her attention was turned momentarily back to the doorway.  Seeing two new customers, Lyari gave Chariss a nod in their direction.  "I'll keep the good paladin company. You go see to our odd couple there."<br/><br/><hr/><div class="floatleft">(http://orig09.deviantart.net/eed9/f/2017/185/3/a/chariss01_by_ravagedgirl-dbf59u2.jpg)</div>Chariss hopped down from her crate behind the bar and half scampered, half waddled up to the entrance.  Her movements were unlike other dwarfs, who lent themselves to massive power encased in a stocky frame.  Chariss could have been mistaken for a halfling given her more slender form.  She was still taller than a halfling however, and curvy where it benefited her most.  She smiled as her short legs brought her greet the man and woman at the door.  Her arms spread in welcome, the redhead softly spoke.<br/><br/>"Welcome to The Tavern of Kneeling Wenches! I'm Chariss, ready and willing bartender and server. Can I see you to a table or the bar? Maybe you'd prefer a boothe?"  The girl clasped her hands behind her back, which made her ample bust arch out to do its own greeting.  Her face blushed in the warmth of meeting new people.  And these people, dressed like a stuffy, militant preacher and a fun-loving wildchild, looked like they were very interesting indeed!<br/>