Jacques Elliot sits at the end of the bar, quietly sipping his quadruple Glenmorangie XII year old single malt scotch. He is joined by Luna..... who playfully dangles a pair of golden chariot keys before him. He reaches for them.... she pulls them away. This happens a number of times before he ultimately snatches them from her grasp.

Beside them both is Oset.... laughing as this game of cat and mouse unfolds. Then training his eyes on two overturned melon halves, he comments..... There once was a girl from Per Bast....

Topping off their drinks... returning to the task at hand. Melon Balls.

Reaching into my loincloth.. long fingers fumbling. Where is it.....? ....The gift from that nubian lady.

Found.

Retrieving the scoop...  a hollowed out rhino horn.... running it under the wall fountain then returning to my melons. As a band out of Busiris.. Bruce P. Cock and the Pones, takes the stage, The O has reached that certain state where no one is inebriated, but no one is entirely sober. They are Warm... Candid... Merry... Buzzed. Two girls point my way, giggle and whisper something, but all I can hear is one word... Horn....

Upturning two melon halves.... using my horn to scoop and form several balls from the fresh green and pink flesh. Grasping the rinds.. squeezing out the remaining pulp and juices into a tall alabaster pitcher... adding precious ice....copious amounts of wood-ka, the cherries and balls... swirling the pitcher.

A hefty straight knife now.... Slicing the other two melon halves, pineapple and three mangos into chunks.. spreading them onto the bread and cheese platter..... More?

O yes.... replies the lovely one from Germania.

Squeezing mango juice into the alabaster pitcher..... popping in a few chunks of mango. More swirling. Watching Kismet, Annuti and Susanna.

Mmmmmm.... I see you've retained that magic touch, Xaxx.. muses Kismet.

My reply...... Hmmmmmm... and as I understand it, you have a magic touch, too. Something learned on the slopes of ....Vulcan?

Flashing that beautiful smile, she retorts.... I can read your mind.

.... Then you'd better cover your eyes.. His mind is in one place! chuckles Sahirnee, as she enters.... taking a seat beside her friend.

Placing my pomegranate on the bar-top between Sahirnee and Kismet. Offering fresh towels to the two.... and to Merneith, Amaunet, Susanna, Annuti and Elgiva, seated nearby. They all look at me questioningly.

.............Hold them up in front of your faces.........

Smashing my fist into the soaked pomegranate... sending a spray of gelatinous pulp everywhere. Sahirnee, having ignored my advice.... splattered... but enjoys catching some delicious pulp in her parted lips.

Taking the pitcher into my left hand... holding it next to the bar. Right hand cupping ... sweeping the puddle of red juice... down it pours into the alabaster pitcher. Adding splashes something from the top shelf... and a quick squirt of something kept below the bar and out of sight...

Setting several fine goblets atop the bar.. all unique in size and shape, like the patrons I serve. Dropping one Amarna glass swizzle stick into each goblet.... pouring out the pitcher's contents... filling goblets, one by one.

And there you have it...

...Melon Balls ala Xaxx.

( image 132424 ...should you want to take them home as package goods )