The Crouching Tiger Smaller than Archer's Tavern, The Crouching Tiger specializes on Chinese dishes when it comes to snacks, which are served from 11:00 to 15:00 and again from 22:00 to 24:00. Also Mictian's favorite spot to stop in and take a drink. Due to this, the barkeeper here is very Splinter friendly, and in general understands Mictian more than maybe some of his clan mates. He fails to take any bursts of anger all too seriously - and just serves the drinks. Since The Crouching Tiger is still in the Raven Gardens district, one of the most beautiful places in town, and a district owned halfways by Salaxacis, the barkeeper is also relatively Salaxacis friendly - making him quite an odd person indeed. The barkeep here is nameless as far as Salaxasis can tell. An unassuming man of no more than a couple human decades, he could possibly be your typical non-descript Asian bartender - greying hair, bright eyes, glasses, white dress shirt with open cuffs over black pants. He is apt to know the ways of his customers though, and has a sense of ingenuity that few would credit him for. And then again, there are rather few Chinese bartenders to begin with, and this is a city inhabited by vampires. The décor of the Crouching Tiger seems typical, and yet curious. The walls are a marbled red, with golden accents every so often, while a stunning painted silk screen is seen at the far corner, hiding the corner. The painting itself, as seen by an appraiser’s practiced eye, could easily date to the Tang Dynasty, or at the least is a worthy copy. Yet here it stands in Ravenblack City. A garish calendar adorns another wall, with its spotless Asian beauties with briht white smiles advertising for the neighboring accountant’s practice. The lights are dim, casting shadows upon the pseudo-cherry tables, with their rounded stools. The crisp sounds of frying vegetables and soft clicks from the back room add to the atmosphere. The pub is famous for the delicious dim sum, served with regularity from its kitchens. Buttery cakes and teas are common fare, as much as the fine stock of rice wine, saki, and Chinese beer. The back room is unknown to most visitors, but those friends to the barkeep - or with significant funds - are welcomed here. The constant clatter of the Mahjong table is barely silenced by the beaded curtain separating this dark room from the pub itself. There is a slightly sweet smell in the air, not unpleasant by any means, but an underlying scent. One could suspect that opium, ages ago, had a home here. For now, it is nothing more than a quite gathering place. (last three paragraphs contributed to by Parelle of The Abyss) Last editted the 26th December 2003.