A Headstrong and a Took engage in an insult throwing match, putting a Brandybuck in a most unfomfortable position.
"Now, the problem is still identifying the right variety for the icewine," Rue explains, her voice and gaze rather intense as she explains, one hand gesturing while the other toys with her dish of cold ham and chicken potato salad - part of a late supper, clearly, along with the rest of the array of dishes. Motioning for Jodinas to continue eating while she elaborates, she pauses for a long sip of wine.
The hefty Brandybuck lad stares across the table, hands steepled before him, as he raises an eyebrow at Rue's words. His plate has been scoured clean, a few crumbs the only evidence that food was ever there. One final morsel of ham is perched at the end of Jodinas' fork and his murky eyes move to it, pondering over the meat for a second. Finally, he brings it to his mouth and quietly chews as he nods to Rue. "Of course," he finally says, after swallowing the ham. And, to wash down his ham--and, possibly Rue's words--he takes a swallow from the wineglass at his place.
From the main entrance of the smial, the sound of the front door opening is heard. Then, soft, slow footsteps are heard, and two voices. "Yes, of course Dilby--yes, I'll make sure next time I don't--" the voice goes lower, and another, slightly higher voice seems to add something more, something that sounds rather angry. One set of footsteps sounds as if it goes on deeper into the Smial, while the other gets progressively closer.
The door to the study swings open, and there stands Andy Took--but he looks rather drawn, and then surprised. His brows furrow slightly and he clears his throat. "Ah, hello--sorry, my mistake--I wasn't aware you had company R--Miss Headstrong," says Andy, licking his lips quickly, and then making a move to leave...
"It wasn't planned terribly in advance - no, come, Andy, stay - "
Rue motions the newcomer in, nodding from him to her supper companion. "I believe you two may have already met, perhaps? Andy, this is Jodinas. . .Jodinas, our Andy."
A simple enough introduction. . .and yet, clearly, there is more: one might notice a flash of something in Rue's vivid eyes. . .a look directed rather intently at Andy, as if something passes between them. . . .
With a smile, Jodinas rises from his chair and holds his hand out Andy. "Yes, Mister Took and I ran into each other the other day in Bucklebury. Had a rather pleasant conversation while he finished his... tea." The smile spreads, but it can't be determined whether the burly Brandybuck is poking fun at Andy or just giving the details of their meeting. "A pleasure to see you again."
What ever 'passes between them' is fleeting--for Andy starts looking perplexedly from Jodinas to Rue, narrowing his eyes with suspicion. He reaches back to smooth his hair, and closes the door behind him. "Our Andy--heh," he says, "something along those lines, perhaps--Andy Took, though, and, yes this is Mr. Brandybuck." The name hangs in the air for a bit, and he extends his hand to Jodinas, and gives it a hearty shake. "I fear, though, that matters of grapes aren't my speciality, perhaps I should just go and find some dinner for myself." Andy says this perhaps more out of politeness than anything--his eyes continue to go back to Jodinas every few moments.
"Oh, honestly, Andy, sit down. . .there's plenty of food and an extra set of dishes. You're welcome to join us. . .unless you're too tired."
This last she dangles in the air tauntingly before taking a long sip of wine, her eyes still firmly on his.
"And if you don't know grapes, you may as well start learning. Now. . .where were we?"
"Yes, please, join us. I'm sure having a... what was it you called it?" Jodinas narrows his eyes for a moment before sitting down again. "Logistics? I'm sure having a logistics man in on this conversation would do it some good." Leaning back in his chair, the big Brandybuck stretches his neck and lets out a sigh. "Wonderful supper, Miss Headstrong. My compliments to the cook." Another glance to Andy, and he smiles. There's little to be read into the expression, but Jody's muddy brown eyes study the Took carefully. "I believe we talked about the same thing the other night, so you probably know more about it than Rue."
"Oh, *really*?"
Rue's eyes narrow, and she turns to Andy, only glancing back to smile warmly. "Thank you, Mr. Brandybuck. Much appreciated."
"Ah, yes, but it isn't as if I'll be working in grapes for the rest of my life," says Andy, scratching the side of his mouth. He rather awkwardly makes his way over to the small table, and sits down, folding his hands properly in his lap. He doesn't make a movement to eat anything--no, instead he just looks at Rue. "Yes, we had quite a conversation," says Andy slowly, nodding to Jodinas. "Over tea."
"Oh."
Rue's tone is curious, almost flat. Refilling her wineglass, she studies Andy curiously. "I'd forgotten your grand plans, I suppose. *Do* forgive the rest of the *peasantry* who'll be making your wine for the rest of our lives, *MASTER* Took."
"Oh, but Miss Headstrong," Jodinas says, his tongue planted firmly in his cheek as he stares down at his half-filled glass of wine. "Andy told me he doesn't have a taste for wine." Looking up at the Took lad, he smiles and chuckles. After a moment, the Brandybuck reaches to his glass and slowly lifts it up, staring at the stem, idly examining the wine within. "As much as I would love an after-dinner conversation, my father needs me back in Bucklebury soon and... this -is- a business trip. So..." Clearing his throat, Jody looks to Rue. "Forgive my bluntness, Miss Headstrong. But can we return to the issue at hand?"
Throughoutt Jodinas's talking, Andy takes to biting on his lower lip as his dark eyes smoulder in the direction of Rue. His nostrils even flare, and the space under his eyes blanches a little. "Yes, please, don't let me interfere in your little liason," says Andy, rather--ruefully. He purses his lips and stands again. He goes to the window, and looks out, squinting into the darkening evening. When he leans back toward Jodinas and Rue, he seems slightly calmed. Folding his arms across his chest, he simply waits.
The expression on Jodinas' face during the melodrama going on around him is one of slight--and rather uncomfortable--confusion. "Well," he finally says, looking down at his glass again. "You were discussing the ice wine and... the grapes used." Licking his lips, Jodinas fingers the wineglass stem. After a moment, he gives Andy a cautionary glance, then looks to Rue. "We've never cornered the ice wine grape market with our yards. While I'm sure our workers could handle the process, it's never been... economically feasible. Our yards are used to yielding syrah grapes. I trust that, for your ice wines, you use vidal and riesling?"
Andy paces a bit, and comes to rest somewhere hovering above Rue. "I myself am not an expert when it comes to grapes, as you well know--I have mentioned this before, I'm quite certain, to both of you. However, to me, it would seem that since the ice wines seem to be more popular and sell better, it would be more profitable to grow more of the grapes that yield those wines," he says, gesticulating with his hands. "In fact, Mr. Headstrong and myself were having a conversation similiar to this before, but he disagrees with me. I feel there is... too much of a market with the Headstrong wines. Perhaps they need some competition." Andy raises his eyebrows at Rue, and offers a malicious little smirk.
Again, Jodinas raises an eyebrow. "I... if there's something that you two need to discuss, I can... come back." He licks his lips, which have seemed to go dry, and watches the two with a dubious expression.
"Yes. . .mostly the Riesling," Rue nods. "But I - " Andy's words interrupt her, and she turns, glaring as she listens. At his final words, she is silent for a moment before turning back to Jodinas, responding calmly to him.
"It's quite all right, Mr. Brandybuck. I can answer you now, and simply enough. My *hired help* can wait a moment. Frankly, we have to handle the ice wine crops here, due to the nature of the process. But that's not all we make, because there's such a small yield as it is. . .which is part of why it's so expensive. Attempting to go large-scale would be fatal. Now, we can use the syrah, but perhaps if our needs aren't satisfying, we should meet again to discuss this a bit further and settle things?"
She turns for a moment, eyes going to Andy's.
"Perhaps you need to begin looking elsewhere for employment, *sir*. . .and. . ." She looks back at Jodinas. "Andy may have some business head, but not entirely. . .and after all, if you rely on a businessman only to run a wine business or a vinyard, I can advise you'll soon find yourself bankrupt."
Jodinas rests his elbow on the table and, covering his mouth with his hand, he looks away during the... exchanges between Andy and Rue. He says nothing, however, about Rue's proposal. It seems that the big Brandybuck lad is somewhat embarrassed and he's attempting to hide it. That, or he's letting the two have some time to get it out. Quietly, he clears his throat and stares down at the wineglass.
Andy flusters, his lips pursing, but his body language implies he is attempting to keep himself in control. He stuffs his hands in his pockets, which are balled into fists. "I think I should go," he says abruptly, the red of his cheeks creeping to his ears and his nose. "I see, apparently, that the Headstrongs fancy themselves--oh, bother, never mind," says Andy. He turns to Jodinas, "Perhaps if this 'hired help' is no longer needed here, he might look for employment in a kindler, gentler Vineyard. If you have any spots open, do tell me."
Rue lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Yes, after you've been taken in here and trained here. Never mind. . .we shouldn't have hired someone with no more *honour* than this."
Rue turns to Jodinas. "Forgive us, Mr. Brandybuck. . .perhaps we should continue later?"
The Brandybuck's large brown eyes turn to behold Andy. Jodinas doesn't move, however. He only stares at the Took for a few moments, making sure it's him the young fellow is referring to. "Err," Jody says, grinning nervously. "Maybe it is -I- who should go..." Standing up stiffly, he grabs the wineglass and tosses back the contents quickly. Exhaling sharply, he smiles as politely as possible. "Of course, Miss Headstrong." His brow furrows and he stares at the ladyhobbit. "Perhaps we should. Let me know when you'll be... free." His eyes are wide, in that exasperated, embarrassed expression of the fish-out-of-water. "Ahh... yes," he says, turning and facing Andy. "It was a pleasure seeing you again, Mister Took. If you do find yourself without a job..." A brief smile, full of pity, is flashed and Jody holds his hand out again. "Yes. A good evening to the both of you, then?"
"If you do hire Andy, you shouldn't plan on doing further business with Headstrong Wineries."
Rue casts Jodinas an unequivocally firm gaze as she speaks, her voice positively icy.
Finally, Andy snaps. He glares at Rue, and takes a deep breath, before beginning a long diatribe. "First off, Rue," he says, using her proper name now, "It is one thing to walk in on a seemingly private meeting between you and this Brandybuck here--and another to be completely humiliated in his presence. I am a Took." Andy shakes a finger at Rue, dark eyes flashing. "And if there is one thing I do not tolerate is people who have risen above their place to thinking they are better than others with no reason. Hired help? *Hired help*? That's what I am now, is it? Not a friendly hand, or a reliable contabulator, or a logistical coordinator--no, a foolish hired hand who will toss you into bankruptcy. By the Thain, and the Shire--it takes a Brandybuck to coax out the truth from you, does it?" Andy turns about and heads toward the door. "No, forgive me, Mr. Brandybuck--it is I who am in err. Please, do continue your talk with Miss Headstrong. I pity the fool that has to listen to any word more of her inane drivvel!" Andy gestures to the seat Jodinas had been in, "Please, sit--but beware, this flower has thorns."
Raising his eyebrow again, Jodinas tilts his head to Rue at her comment. But nothing prepares him for what happens next. He starts at Andy's outburst and watches with wide eyes as the fellow goes off... and off... and off.
"And while you're at it, you could reveal a good deal more about that history, Hildinand," Rue adds sharply, pausing to drain nearly half her glass. "I seem to remember rather. . .different. . .circumstances for your return, and it's only since then you've decided to be all full of yourself again. If you prefer, I'll keep further comments till we're in private, but only if you do the same, which I haven't seen you do yet."
She darts toward the door, planting herself between him and it. . .and for an instant there is a hint of something more than fury in her eyes, rather a question, and a pained one at that. But nothing more: it vanishes at once as she crosses her arms, facing him.
"Err," Jodinas says, still holding the winglass in hand. He looks forlornly at the door, his face falling. With a sigh, he looks about the room and his eyes alight on the wine decanter. Visibly comforted by the vibrant red hues of the drink, he moves quietly toward the table and begins to pour himself another glass."
"I regret Miss Headstrong's behaviour this evening, Mr. Brandybuck," says Andy, moving away from the door so he has is back turned to Rue. "It appears she must have gotten in to the fermenting chamber again and has sampled a little too much of the wine," he makes a motion of drinking from a bottle with his hand, and then looks down at Rue. "Of course I don't touch the stuff, which is surprising because I find nearly every Headstrong seems to have a problem with the wine," Andy continues, his voice venomous. "But Tooks just buy the wine, they don't imbibe it as much."
"Which would explain why you came to us bankrupt, I suppose."
Rue glares at him icily, her eyes positively blazing. "At least my family's earned our money. . .unlike *some* spoilt brats who stay above themselves all the time."
Jodinas' mouth hangs slightly agape at the Took's harsh comments. It falls open even further at Rue's. Finally, shaking his head, Jodinas lets out a sharp and near-maniacal cackle. "Would you two please -stop-?" His eyes are wild, open to their limits, and he looks at the two, incredulous. "You invite me here to talk of business, Miss Headstrong. I understand you have personal issues. Everyone does." With a high laugh, he looks down at the floor and shakes his head more vigorously. "But this is just -rude-. If you two want to continue your bickering, at least let me be on my way. I didn't come here to be involved with some lo--." He stops himself and looks up. "With some -spat-. Now, please." Staring, his eyes intense and angry. "Unless you're ready to talk -business-, move out of the way, please, and let me be on my way."
Rue steps aside firmly. "Certainly, Mr. Brandybuck. My apologies. We'll speak again at a better time."
"My apologies again, Mr. Brandybuck," Andy says with a small bow. "I am on my way. Permanently on my way." With that, Andy makes for the door, and in spite of Rue being there, manages to shuffle her aside and open it by the handle. He looks too Jodinas, and ignores what Rue just said. "Please, do continue to talk business. I should have left as soon as I got here..."
Jodinas nods to Rue, his eyes still wide and his face crimson with either embarrassment or anger. He gently places the wineglass on the table and pauses once again as, this time, Andy blocks the doorway. His eyes glaze over slightly and he emits a long sigh.
Rue quickly darts after Andy, pulling him aside rather forcibly as she lowers her voice to a whisper.
"Andy, what IS the matter with you tonight?!? We've been fine, and then. . .honestly!"
She fixes her eyes on his for a moment, searching.
"I suppose that means all the rest was a lie. Twice. And to think I believed you when came back. . . ."
Andy swallows, and looks at Rue. "We will talk about this before I leave. We are making Mr. Brandybuck uncomfortable, and I have made myself a fool of a Took enough times in front of his family to lose count altogether," whispers Andy harshly. "You are being difficult. Let me go, won't you?" Andy clenches his teeth.
Waiting patiently, Jodinas examines his fingernails, buffing them occasionally on his trousers. He flashes the couple an irritated glance, shaking his head.
She does. . .but leans up to whisper to him before passing.
"Come to my room first."
With that, she disappears, leaving only the bewildered butler heading
in that direction to show Jodinas out.