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* Tyl walks in, pushes her cloak back. There is a long semi-healed cut running across her cheek. * Aleksandr steps out from a corner and heads for the bar. <Moon Dancer> ::MD walks out from the kitchen, followed by a cloud of kitchen smells. He has a towel over his arm, and notices both Tyl and Alek:: Good evening! Can I get you anything? * Tyl sits at the bar. <Tyl> Sure thing, Moon Dancer... I'd love a rum with a little ice, if you have any... <Aleksandr> Zdravsvutye, myed spasibo. <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Tyl a little curiously, and then gets a glass from the back:: Of course... * Bai enters the Hall, walks over to the bar, leans his staff against the wall, and sits on a stool. * Jaret walks in the door to the Hall, clad in fine black breeches, a white silk shirt, a black jacket, high boots, and his plumed hat. His rapier and main gauche sit comfortably in their scabbards. <Moon Dancer> ::waves to Bai:: Good evening! How goes it, Bai? * Tyl gives a *long* look at the handsome newcomer * Aleksandr shakes his head slightly. <Aleksandr> Good evening. Meade, please. <Moon Dancer> ::MD looks at Tyl, and hands her a rum on the rocks before turning to Alek:: Here you are, and you wanted meade? <Moon Dancer> ::nods to Jaret:: Evening, Jaret... <Aleksandr> Da, please. * Zoya strolls in nonchalantly. The usual charcoal-grey cloak has a few rips in it, displaying bright purple and gold cloth underneath. Her hood is down, showing her slightly less bright purple hair. Several soot (smoke?) smudges adorn her face. She somehow looks more... focused than ever before. * Tyl drains rum. Makes a small face [accidentally swallowed an ice cube] <Zoya> A pleasant evening, all! * Tyl coughs a few times * Jaret rests himself on a barstool and nods at Moon Dancer <Tyl> Good evening, Mistress Zoya... <Moon Dancer> ::as he pours Alek some meade, he raises an arm to Zoya:: Evening, and well met! Be with you in a moment... <Bai> Fair Moon Dancer. I still haven't found Lini'leah or Yb, but Jaret helped me find a great distraction for a few days. <Moon Dancer> ::hands Alek a mug, and turns to Jaret:: Can I get you anything? <Zoya> Lady Tyl. I hope this evening finds you well. <Jaret> Good Evening and Well Met, friend barkeep! I see you've kept yourself fit and fair! <Zoya> ::turns to Alek:: Sascha! How lovely to see you again! <Jaret> A glass of Arabellan Red, if you please. T'would sooth my parched throat greatly. * Aleksandr smiles at Zoya. <Aleksandr> Da, is good to see you again. <Moon Dancer> ::grins at Jaret:: I have, and I heard that you and Bai found some interesting ... entertainment? ::to Bai:: Care to share the juicy parts? <Aleksandr> Know anything of the history of this place? * Bai chuckles, "Jaret tells the tale better than I." <Moon Dancer> ::almost subconsciously grabs a glass and fills it with Arabellan Red ... a extremely rare vintage, at that:: Here you are, Jaret... <Aleksandr> City, that is? Am very curious about it. <Zoya> ::to MD:: No hurry. I am not drinking tonight - too much to do! * Tyl glances at Zoya... <Moon Dancer> ::turns to Zoya and smiles:: Not hurrying, but can't have our good name tarnished either. What can I get you? <Jaret> ::has a sip of his wine, places the goblet on the counter, and thinks for a moment:: When Bai and I were last at the Hall, upon leaving for the evening, we decided that a test of martial skills was called for, so we made haste for some of the less savory quarters of Pleasure Island. * Tyl swishes the ice around in her glass... <Zoya> If this marvelous place can concoct it, I would love to have some orange juice... Out of season, I know, but the magics in here are so promising...? <Moon Dancer> ::to Jaret:: So I heard. I also heard stories that 'someone' ran into some trouble in those same part of the island... <Moon Dancer> ::MD smiles at Zoya, and rests his arm on the bar as he leans towards her:: With or without pulp? * Aleksandr cocks head. <Aleksandr> Tasks to do, Zoya? <Zoya> ::grins:: Ah, I knew you would not disappoint! WITH, please - the pulp is the best part! <Moon Dancer> Of course, ma'am. High ball glass, or were you looking for something larger? A mug, perhaps? <Jaret> A disturbance!? DISTURBANCE!?! It was a full-fledged battle! With nothing less at stake than our very lives and freedom! <Moon Dancer> ::looks incredulously at Jaret:: Surely you jest. A man of your skills, with his life in danger from some liquor-soaked strong-arms? <Zoya> ::to Alek, excitedly:: I have finally recalled a few crucial elements of my last visit to this city! Now my search can begin in earnest! * Tyl absently sucks on an ice cube. <Aleksandr> Search? :: sips meade :: Search for what? <Bai> Well it would have been a rout if they hadn't used the nets and drugs. <Jaret> If that was the sole threat, than it would only take the time that a dropped kerchief takes to reach the floor! But no, there was more than that! <Moon Dancer> Nets? Drugs? ::shakes his head slightly, and smiles:: I bite. What did you get yourselves into? <Jaret> There we were, I with my trusty rapier! Bai at my side, his stout staff in his mighty grip. They thought to harry us with ruffians armed with rusted and tarnished steel, but we easily beat back that reckless assault, and followed them into the dark holes from whence they came. * Tyl mutters into her glass... <Moon Dancer> Naturally. Then what? * Zoya retrieves, with a flourish, a much-abused piece of paper from a pocket, and unfolds it carefully. On the paper, in Zoya's hand and style, but without the usual ramblings, is a sketch. * Aleksandr peers curiously at the sketch. * Moon Dancer looks to be enjoying the story far more than he should, taking each embellishment as a small joke. * Tyl takes a mirror out of her pack and examines her cheek. She frowns a bit, dabs a handkerchief into the remaining rum and wipes the cut... <Jaret> We had scarcely entered, when ropes of twisted sinews and cords were flung upon us! The entanglements were coated with a foul, black toxin that slowed our reflexes, hindered our minds, yea, even sapped the strength from our arms! <Tyl> Damn, I miss Codex... <muttered> <Moon Dancer> ::MD absentmindedly fills a glass with some freshly squeezed orange juice, and slides it in Zoya's direction, all the while hanging on Jaret and Bai's every word:: <Moon Dancer> ::chuckles:: Foul toxin you say? And how many glasses of this ... toxin ... did you have, gentlemen? * Zoya 's sketch appears to be of a tower, but where most towers have decorative or functional battlements, Zoya's sketch is a distinct haze with a dozen different scribbles drawn then erased again. The architect who planned this building must surely have been a madman, for no window appears to be on the same plane as another single window, and the front door is quite certainly... sideways? * Bai gives Moon Dancer a foul look. * Zoya scoops up her juice eagerly and drains half of it. <Zoya> This, my friend, is what I seek! ::brandishing the paper:: * Tyl looks over at the picture... <Jaret> Glasses? Do mine words fall on deaf ears?! The rough mesh was coated with the vicious poison! The villains fell on us with cudgels and staves of their own, and in little over half an hour, our bodies terribly weakened, we collapsed under their unrelenting blows. * Aleksandr cocks an eyebrow. <Aleksandr> Interesting sketch. <Moon Dancer> ::MD looks at Bai's stare, and gets a little more serious:: You're serious? My apologies Jaret, Bai. I thought that... never mind what I thought. What happened next? Obviously you got free, but... <Jaret> Thus battered and bruised, it may have been days before we next returned to the waking world. From the gentle rocking and swaying of our confines, we instantly deduced we were onboard a ship in the Sea. <Moon Dancer> ::MD's eyes widen a bit, but he says nothing:: * Tyl shakes her head a little... <Bai> Jaret might have thought it was the sea, I was too busy trying to keep my stomach in one place. * Tyl looks at MD <Moon Dancer> ::to Bai:: Did you have any idea how long you might have been out? <Tyl> I hate to interrupt, sir, so maybe you could just hand me the rest of that rum bottle? <Jaret> Our scurrilous captors soon appeared, and informed us that we were to assist them in the sailings and such of their marginally seaworthy vessel. <Zoya> I've been trying to re-construct this place for MONTHS, but whenever I would start, I would draw a blank. Obviously, that was because I was attempting to draw someplace... normal. ::the very word "normal" sounds peculiar coming from Zoya's lips:: * Tyl lays a few silver coins on the bar <Moon Dancer> ::to Tyl:: My apologies. Of course. ::grabs the bottle and looks at the silver, and takes only one:: For your trouble... <Jaret> But we were the ones with the surprise! Our bonds were poorly knotted, and we had been struggling at them since realizing our state. In a flurry of action, we burst free and overpowered the three pirates who had come to our meager cell. * Tyl looks around to see if she's being noticed... she isn't... drinks straight from the bottle. * Aleksandr scratches his head. <Aleksandr> Very interesting tower. <Moon Dancer> ::to Jaret:: Pirates? Have you told Felis yet? <Bai> Taken care of. <Moon Dancer> ::sighs:: Good. I'm sure he'll take care of it, then... <Bai> Well, all he has to do is hold onto them until they're tried. <Jaret> Even with our superior skills and battle knowledge, we knew we were no match for the sheer numbers of the rancid dogs and their unwilling but barbarous crew. We searched the underdecks of the ship until we found the secreted hold where they were concealing our weapons and equipment. Now, truly, we were a match for one, nay, three armies of such cutthroats. * Bai chuckles at the memory. <Zoya> ::slightly crestfallen:: You've not seen this place? I *know* it was when I was visiting Marsember... * Tyl looks over at the sketch again... * Aleksandr shakes his head. <Moon Dancer> ::MD grins again, as Jaret starts embellishing again:: <Aleksandr> Have heard rumors of strange tower, though. * Tyl looks over at Jaret briefly... <Tyl> You know, he reminds me of the Captain of the Centurian Eagle... <Zoya> ::to Tyl:: Who reminds you of what? <Jaret> However, slaughter is not an honorable solution when combating unwilling men. Acting quickly, we set the illicit cargo of the craft aflame. The innards of the holds were quite dry, and padded with straw mattings. In no time, the belly of the ship was a roaring inferno! <Tyl> Sir Jaret... reminds me of a ship captain I met one time... he had a very fast ship... he made some "special modifications" he claims. Of course, when I was on the ship, it kept breaking down... <Aleksandr> Perhaps Moon Dancer knows of it. <Zoya> ::showing Tyl her sketch:: Here - have you seen this place? * Tyl makes a face, then winces and touches her cut lightly. <Jaret> At that point, Bai stepped in with his holy powers, and magically transported us in the blink of an eye back to the sturdy docks of fair Marsember. <Tyl> You know... it looks like something someone told me about the other day... <Moon Dancer> ::looks incredulously at Jaret:: Then, how did Felis get them into his custody? <Zoya> ::suddenly noticing Tyl's cut:: Are you harmed? Should you not be seeing a chiurgeon? <Tyl> <smiles> it was nice to talk to a kender again... they're lots of fun, provided you count your fingers and relatives afterwards... she gave me something, while she was talking about *his* tower... <Bai> Half burned ships don't escape particularly when the navy starts hunting them. * Tyl smiles a bit painfully. <Tyl> I'm mostly all right... it was mostly an accident. <Zoya> ::blinks:: She - the kender? Gave you something while she was talking about *whose* tower? <Moon Dancer> ::to Bai:: Aye, but if it was an inferno... How far out in the sea do you think you were? <Zoya> ::very interested now:: * Tyl rummages around in her pack. <Tyl> Aha! * Tyl pulls out a small, blue ball, made from some strange material. <Jaret> Upon arrival, we immediately notified the contingent of the Cormyrian Navy stationed here. With us as their guides, it took only a few days to sail to the location where the ship had burned to the waterline. The crew was still about, in the leaky lifeboats the ship had aboard. They were indeed glad for the rescue, as it meant they could rest their tired arms! <Tyl> Don't drop it. <Moon Dancer> ::nods his head approvingly:: Ah. Now,that's starting to make more sense. Odd that it was kept so quiet in the gossip channels... * Zoya takes the ball from Tyl and examines it intently. <Zoya> What happens if you drop it? * Tyl winces a bit <Tyl> please! Don't. I don't know what happens. It's different every time. <Moon Dancer> ::MD glances over his shoulder, absentmindedly, and notices the ball Zoya's holding, and turns on a dime:: Zoya? <Zoya> ::to MD, still examining the ball:: No, I haven't finished my juice yet... * Bai follows MD's reaction. "Now there's something I hoped I’d never see again." <Moon Dancer> No, no. Could you ... GENTLY ... hand me that ball? <Tyl> There's this other sort of problem with it too... I can't get rid of it. <Tyl> I've tried setting it down a few times and walking away, but it always shows back up in my pack. <Tyl> it's sort of dangerous. <Moon Dancer> ::to Tyl:: I understand. ::back to Zoya:: * Tyl touches her face again. <Moon Dancer> Zoya... <Tyl> maybe more than "sort of" <Tyl> of course, I should have known better. Kender are strange creatures. You never know what they have in their pockets. * Zoya distractedly looks up. <Jaret> ::shrugs slightly:: Why the tale has not been bandied about more, I know not. Perhaps the city officials wish to keep quiet that a smuggling operation as well as well-equipped press gang has been operating out of the seedier neighborhoods for an unknown time. It might damage the public's trust in them. <Bai> A better question is how your friend got hold of it. I thought Yb would never let that thing out of her sight. <Zoya> Oh, you want to look? Sure! * Tyl shakes her head. <Moon Dancer> It's not so much dangerous as it is ... unstable... <Tyl> I can't imagine your Yb being better at watching a thing then a kender was at taking a thing... no matter who she is... * Zoya nonchalantly tosses the ball toward MD, but misses by a good two feet. <Moon Dancer> ::BOOMF!:: * Tyl dives under the table <Moon Dancer> ::MD immediately shifts into his big furry form, and rips his pants into several small pieces as he dives to catch the ball ... and it barely hits the floor:: <Moon Dancer> DAMMIT! Blood and Ashes, DAMMIT! ::MD stands up, all 8 1/2 feet of him, and looks a little surprised:: * Zoya jumps back a few feet when MD shifts, startled. <Tyl> Great Mystra! <Moon Dancer> ::MD looks at the floor, and then at his hands, which are still furrier than he expected:: * Tyl scrunches across the floor crab-style and crashes hard into the wall. <Moon Dancer> DAMMIT! * Jaret gapes up at MD, then catches himself and shuts his mouth with a snap. * Aleksandr snickers (almost) imperceptibly. <Moon Dancer> ::MD strains for a few moments, but short of getting red in the face, nothing happens. He then turns and looms over Bai, visibly upset:: Where is she? * Bai closes his eyes and concentrates for a moment, then picks up his staff and concentrates a little longer. <Tyl> great <mutters> great great... first vampires, now werewolves... I'm so happy. <Zoya> ::solicitously, but not coming closer:: What's wrong, 'Dancer? * Tyl pulls out a silver dagger from her pack, her eyes flashing a bit wildly. <Moon Dancer> ::MD twitches his ears back and spins on Tyl:: Vampires? <Bai> She's not in town Moon Dancer, it's just the sphere. If you want I can try to dismantle the effect, but it would probably be better to wait till you close up. <Jaret> ::continues staring at MD. His hand creeps toward his goblet resting on the bar. When he finds it, he brings it to his lips and takes a healthy swallow:: <Moon Dancer> ::to Bai:: I'm not sure it's an effect... * Tyl tightens her hand on the dagger. * Zoya casually steps into the space between Tyl and MD. <Tyl> yeah, vampires <stands up> you know... dark, creepy, sleeps during the day, eats friends of mine at night. Vampires. * Aleksandr downs the rest of his meade. His edges seem a little blurry... <Zoya> Now, don't be so grumpy, 'Dancer. It's not her fault the ball did this. <Zoya> ::turning to Tyl:: Vampires? Vampires cut your cheek? That's very serious, and you should not only see a chiurgeon, but a good healer, and quickly. DeathRot is no laughing matter. * Tyl touches her face <Tyl> oh, no... The ball did this. The vampire thing was a while ago. But I still think about it a lot. <Moon Dancer> ::MD looks at Tyl, who stands just above his waist:: You've been attacked by one? <Moon Dancer> ::to Bai:: You're sure it's just the sphere? <Tyl> I mean, <looks a bit abashed by all the attention> who could forget it? Leaps out of nowhere, turns a friend of mine into a statue. Lucky us, it was daytime. I brought the wagon's canvas down... Fwomp! pile o' ashes. * Bai shrugs "It's the only powerful chaos source I sense around here, though the Hall itself gives off plenty of residual from all that's happened here. * Zoya , seeing that people have mostly relaxed, and seemingly unconcerned about MD's extra three feet and fur, walks over to the ball and picks it back up. * Tyl edges back over to her bottle of rum, keeping several feet between her and big-fuzzy <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Zoya, then walks over to her side:: Excuse me... <Zoya> A most peculiar effect... ::the ball disappears into a sleeve:: <Zoya> ::looking up [WAY up] at MD:: Yes? * Bai shakes his head, "Here we go again." <Tyl> um... if you don't mind me asking, Mr. Dancer... is that really you, or did the ball do that to you? <Moon Dancer> ::sticks out his hand, and says nothing:: <Zoya> Speaking of peculiar! ::Zoya scoops up her sketch and shoves it in MD's face, er, muzzle:: Have you ever seen this place? <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Tyl, and realizes she doesn't know:: Well, that's a good question... <Moon Dancer> ::absentmindedly dismisses the sketch and clears his throat - an impressive noise in an of itself:: The sphere, please. <Zoya> Oh! You still want to see it? ::fishes around in her sleeve... frowns, pulls one arm into the robe and seems to be searching her pockets...:: I don't seem to have it anymore. * Tyl makes a face <Tyl> <sigh> * Tyl reaches into her pack and pulls out the small blue ball. <Tyl> Here. * Tyl *hands* it to MD [rather gingerly... I mean he *is* a werewolf, in case you people hadn't noticed!! :)] <Zoya> Can I have it when you're done looking at it? ::plaintively:: <Moon Dancer> ::MD takes the surge ball, and looks at both Tyl and Zoya:: Where? * Bai turns and looks at Zoya before deciding that it's hopeless. <Tyl> where what? I told you, I can't get rid of it! <Moon Dancer> ::to Tyl, a little impatiently:: You can't get RID of it? Where did you GET it? <Tyl> I told you... ::makes a face:: oh, no... I told *her* ::points at Zoya:: <Tyl> A kender gave it to me. She said her name was WillowWind. <Tyl> Do you know her? <Bai> Easy Moon Dancer. As long as you don't drop it we should all be all right. <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Tyl, and sighs:: No, I don't. Tell me about her... * Jaret quietly sits at the bar and takes in the scene. <Zoya> ::slyly, to Bai:: Well, he can't very well put it in his pockets... * Bai shakes his head, "One of these day's I'm going to remember to ask Philister where he found the damn thing." <Tyl> She was telling me about a tower, and her daughter who married a cat, and her husband who ran a meade hall, you know how kender are. * Zoya holds up her sketch for Bai. <Zoya> Have YOU seen this? <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Zoya:: Sarcasm won't help. Last time I saw this... ::looks at Tyl:: Her daughter married a cat? <Tyl> That's what she said. <Moon Dancer> Her husband ran a meade hall? <Zoya> ::muttering to herself:: As weird as the place looks, you'd think more people would have remembered it... <Tyl> You know how kender are... * Bai looks at the sketch, turns it around a couple of times to see if it makes more sense from some other angle. "I'm afraid not." <Tyl> She didn't tell me about her "Uncle Trapspringer" though... <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Tyl:: WHAT was her name? <Tyl> WillowWind. Keyanna WillowWind, I think <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Tyl and narrows his eyes:: Are you sure? * Zoya sighs and looks around the room, narrowing in on the one person she hasn't tried yet. Jaret suddenly finds his entire field of vision blocked by a rather dilapidated sketch. <Zoya> Have YOU seen it? <Tyl> Pretty sure. She had red hair and green eyes, and a lovely emerald necklace... <Jaret> ::starts back a little, and ponders the amazing appearing sketch for a moment:: Sorry, I'm afraid I've never seen such a building in all my life. If I had seen it, I'm sure I'd remember. It seems rather . . . memorable. <Moon Dancer> ::shakes his head:: Well, I'm not sure. It sounds familiar, but still not right. * Zoya sighs deeply. <Zoya> I'm so close... *SOME*one must have seen it... ::turning suddenly to Tyl:: Where did you meet this kender? Maybe this is the tower she was talking about? <Tyl> She talked a lot. <Tyl> We met on the southside of town, near the water... <Zoya> Kender aren't the most reliable guides - they're so... unpredictable. <Moon Dancer> ::to Tyl:: Let me write myself a note, and do some looking. I might be able to find a thing or two out about this... ::shakes the sphere slightly:: <Zoya> But, if it's the only lead I've got... ::carefully folds the paper with the sketch:: WillowWind? <Tyl> Actually, Merrivale had a pretty good sense of direction, although occasionally [read: often] she got distracted * Tyl shrugs <Zoya> ::frowns at Tyl:: I thought you said her name was WillowWind? <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Zoya:: Tower? What Tower? <Tyl> Merrivale was my friend. WillowWind is the kender I met about three days ago. <Zoya> The tower I drew. I showed it to you! ::holds up paper again for MD's benefit:: * Tyl laughs. <Moon Dancer> ::MD looks at the tower, then at Zoya, as he puts his hand on the sketch:: Mind if I take a closer look? * Zoya lets MD take the sketch * Aleksandr smiles <Moon Dancer> ::MD takes the sketch and looks closely at it:: * Tyl sighs suddenly, and pulls the ball out of her pack again. <Moon Dancer> ::MD looks at Tyl, and notices he isn't holding the sphere, then extends his hand again to Tyl:: If you please... * Tyl hands it over again. <Moon Dancer> ::MD takes the ball, and hands the sketch back to Zoya:: Good sketch... <Zoya> ::resignedly:: But you haven't seen it. ::puts the sketch away again:: Oh, well, I suppose I should go looking for this kender... ::shudders slightly:: Kender make TERRIBLE guides. <Moon Dancer> ::to Zoya:: Seen a tower, or THAT tower? <Zoya> ::looks at MD strangely:: Well, I wouldn't have drawn it so carefully if I was looking for just ANY tower. ::musingly:: Though I suppose it could well have changed since I've been gone... <Tyl> <makes a small face> well, if she's a bad guide, you might find the place easier... she said it moves around a lot <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Zoya:: I've seen many towers, just not one that looks like that... <Zoya> ::to Tyl:: Why am I not surprised? Oh, well. A quest isn't any fun if it's too easy. <Moon Dancer> ::MD finally begins to relax, sphere well in hand, when he remembers he's still in crinos form:: <Zoya> Can I have the ball, anyway? It's got some interesting properties, and it might be a clue! <Moon Dancer> ::to Zoya, incredulously:: Can you have the ball? Are you serious? <Tyl> Sometimes I wonder if Kenders are sane ::looks carefully at Zoya:: I wonder if you're sane... Towers that walk around... balls that cast random spells... kenders that have human daughters that marry alley cats... * Tyl takes a long drink <Zoya> Of course I'm serious. I'm a mage, 'Dancer, I handle dangerous magic items all the time. <Moon Dancer> ::shakes his head:: Okay, you don't seem to understand. This isn't dangerous. * Tyl stares at MD <Zoya> ::to Tyl, looking vaguely affronted:: I had nothing to do with the tower moving, the ball casting spells, or the kender's daughter marrying the alley cat! <Tyl> You're kidding right? <Zoya> ::to MD:: Well, if it isn't dangerous, would you mind explaining to me what it *is*? * Bai thinks for a moment then sighs, "That explains how they got the damn thing." <Jaret> ::to Bai:: Explains what? <Moon Dancer> ::MD shakes the sphere a little harder, but holds on to it with all his might:: This thing is the very embodiment of every last bane in my existence on this torturous world. <Tyl> ::a little drunk - well maybe more than a little:: yes, but you *want* the damned thing! * Bai shakes head, "I'll tell you later." <Zoya> Of course I want it! It's *fascinating! <Tyl> <loudly> YOUR bane??? <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Bai:: And you'll explain it to me, after we close, yes? <Bai> Moon Dancer's exaggerating slightly. ::To MD:: I'll try. * Aleksandr halfway grins. "That's my Zoya..." <Moon Dancer> ::to Tyl:: Yes. MY bane. Her and this damnable sphere have given me more problems than I care to mention. <Moon Dancer> ::to Zoya:: Ever been turned into a chicken? <Tyl> Who? The kender? <Zoya> ::a little sternly:: If it's another world you want, I can take you to a good dozen. What does that have to do with the ball??!? <Zoya> ::taken aback:: Not a chicken. A newt, once, but that was kindof fun. <Zoya> [I got better.] <Tyl> Did you get better? <takes another drink> <Moon Dancer> ::pulls his lips together tightly, looks at Zoya, and nods curtly:: Right. ::pours himself a mug of ale, and takes a swig:: A newt. <Zoya> ::soothingly, to MD:: Here, have a seat, and calm down, and start making sense. * Jaret finishes off his goblet of wine. <Moon Dancer> ::looking at Zoya:: I AM making sense! Look, when you were a newt, how'd you change back? <Tyl> Make sense? ::drink:: that would be insheresting... <Zoya> Um... ::tries to remember:: I think it wore off after a while. Or maybe my master fixed it, I can't remember. * Aleksandr chuckles quietly. <Moon Dancer> Exactly. ::nods, and drinks some more ale, smiling as if he proved his point:: <Zoya> ::looks confused:: You still haven't told me why I can't have the ball. <Tyl> ::cough:: you can't have it because it likes making my life miserable... * Tyl slumps in the chair. <Bai> Don't worry my friend. If Moon Dancer's correct, soon that sphere will be making everyone's lives miserable. * Bai smiles. <Moon Dancer> ::sighs, and looks at Zoya:: Somebody else changed you back, right? You couldn't do it? And, what happens when you get turned into a newt, and transported to another dimension? <Zoya> [And you're HAPPY ABOUT THIS?] <Zoya> [to bai] <Moon Dancer> [Yep. She sure ... I mean, HE sure is...] * Jaret gives Bai a gently bewildered look. <Bai> [amused...and happy] <Zoya> ::shrug:: So I'm a newt for a while. Magic is LIKE that, 'Dancer! Filled with the possibilities of the infinite! <Tyl> [home sweet home, eh Bai?] <Zoya> ::looking enthusiastic:: * Bai chuckles out loud, "Infinite indeed." <Tyl> poshibilities? <Moon Dancer> ::looks at Zoya, then points to himself:: And if you can't fix it? * Tyl pulls a small coin out of her pocket and levitates it, awkwardly <Moon Dancer> ::MD pours a mug of a black, warm liquid, and places it in front of Tyl:: Looks like you could use this, ma'am... * Tyl reaches into her pocket for another coin and pulls out a small blue ball. <Zoya> ::starts to answer, then stops to consider:: Hmm. ::shakes head:: All beings are capable of moving the magic fields. Not all beings are prepared to accept the consequences, though. Do you think I was *born* with purple hair? Or with this [man's] voice? I suppose I *might* have been meant to be this tall, too, but I rather doubt it. * Tyl takes the mug in one hand, ball in the other. <Moon Dancer> ::shakes his head:: But, the damn sphere makes magic fields that are nearly impossible to undo sometimes! <Zoya> NOTHING is impossible. What makes you think that if I have the ball, it will cause YOU grief, anyway? * Tyl takes a few sips of the warm stuff. <Tyl> oh yuck. What is this? * Tyl places the ball in the cup, coffee and all. <Moon Dancer> ::to Tyl:: Something to help sober up a bit... <Tyl> Nasty... <Moon Dancer> ::the cup gets up and walks into the kitchen:: * Tyl waves at the cup and stares amazedly as the cup walks away... <Moon Dancer> ::to Zoya:: It won't cause me grief, except when she shows back up. And she always does. ::shakes head:: First Bai, which I didn't mind, but should've guessed would lead to problems. Now this. She can't be far behind... <Tyl> Whoshee? <Zoya> ::frowns with confusion:: The kender? <Moon Dancer> ::to Tyl and Zoya both:: No, I can't be that lucky... * Bai smiles, "Sorry to be the prophet of doom." <Moon Dancer> Let's just call her an ex-wife, and leave it at that... <Tyl> ::looks absently into the empty rum bottle:: <Moon Dancer> ::to Bai:: Not so much a prophet as a portent, Bai. And I could use the support when the other shoe drops... * Bai blinks "Moon Dancer, I thought you two never consummated that marriage." <Tyl> whatshee? your sister or something? ::to Bai:: <Bai> Moon Dancer, you know I'm here to help. ::To Tyl:: My charge would be a better description. <Zoya> Well, if you won't let me have the ball, I'll just have to go find that kender... <Tyl> Somehow, I'm not shurprised. Kender's daughter marries a cat, your ward marries a big-fuzzy whatever he is... <Tyl> maybe fur is the thing in thish town, I guesh * Tyl shakes her head a little <Tyl> I um... rented a housh in town... would one of you be kind enough to walk a drunken sot of an elf home? * Jaret stands up <Tyl> I'm sure I remember where it ish. * Aleksandr sets his mug on the counter, then retires to a corner table. <Jaret> Well, it's been a fair lovely evening, but I fear I must be getting on! <Tyl> you have a strange definishion of lovely... * Jaret leaves the Hall. <Zoya> ::to Tyl:: I'll make sure you get back to your house, but you'll have to tell me where it is, first. <Tyl> um... sh'up on Snail way, I think... no, thatsh the house in waterdeep... um, I'm sure I can find it... <Moon Dancer> ::grumbles slightly at the recent odd events:: Gentles, in the light of the nightly tasks I now have before me, I'm afraid I'm going to have to close things up. * Moon Dancer is still gripping the surge ball tightly in one immense fist * Tyl gets up, staggers at the door <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow at Tyl:: All right. You navigate, and I'll make sure you don't wind up tripping and drowning in a puddle... <Bai> Moon Dancer, you want some help with that? ::gestures towards the sphere:: * Aleksandr quietly disappears, fading into the corner... <Zoya> ::waves at Alek:: Good evening, Sascha! * Tyl blinks at the vanishing man <Moon Dancer> ::to Bai:: No. I think I can handle it. * Tyl leaves the Hall <Zoya> Come on. I was feeling like a bit of a walk tonight, anyway. <Bai> Okay. You know where to find me if you change your mind. * Tyl fell down outside the door <Tyl> erf... * Zoya sighs and picks Tyl back up. <Zoya> Come on, let's get you home... * Tyl picks herself up out of the dust with Zoya's help * Bai gets up, picks up his staff, and heads for the stairs. <Moon Dancer> ::as Tyl leaves the Hall, there is a greenish-purple flash of light from between MD's fingers. A faint echo of the light appears in the rafters overhead, and the surge ball begins to plummet to the floor <Moon Dancer> ::eyes widen:: * Moon Dancer leaps over the Bar, cracking an edge, and lunges desperately for the surge ball with an outstretched arm . . and again, the surge ball manages to scrape the floor:: <Moon Dancer> ::there's another flash of odd light, and when it recedes, a mostly unclothed, but human, Moon Dancer lies prone on the floor, gasping for breath:: <Moon Dancer> God. Dammit. <Moon Dancer> ::picks himself up off the floor and grasps the lightly coffee-stained ball in one hand. He stumbled to the door and closes it:: The Hall is . . . closed. ::he totters up the stairs to his workshop, a long night ahead of him:: |
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