Public Site |
<Rhys> ::the Hall is brightly lit, what with the sunset over the Dragonmere and a glow coming from several wall sconces inside the hall. An older man comes out from the kitchen and settles himself on a stool behind the counter:: <Rhys> ::with a snap of his fingers, the tumblers on the front door's lock fall open, and the door swings open:: <Rhys> Hall's open. <Eljorin> ::A tall, grinning man enters, dressed in a kilt and green tunic, large dagger peace-bonded at his side. He looks around the place, and then notices the barkeep and approaches:: Good eve, milord! A mug of ye best ale, if'n ye don't mind! * Rhys rises from his stool, fetches a mug, and unhesitatingly draws the large man a mug of foaming dark ale. "Here you are, good sir." * Eljorin takes the mug, and draws a long gulp from the mug before setting it on the bar proper. He then swings a leg over a barstool and sits. "Much obliged, barkeep! Seems mightily... empty tonight. Much more so than the last time I was here... <Rhys> It is the way of things to ebb and flow. For now, it is just the two of us. In a few moments... ::he raises his hands:: who knows. <Rhys> ::fishes around in his pockets for a moment, then holds something out to Eljorin:: Rice candy? * Eljorin takes in Rhys's words with another, smaller drink from the mug. "Aye, that it is, ebb and flow. Never heard it put that way, but nicely said indeed." Eljorin extends his hand. "Eljorin, of the Moonshae's. A pleasure, 'keep." <Rhys> ::extends the hand that doesn't have the wrapped candy in its palm:: Rhys Altain, of Marsember. <Eljorin> ::Eljorin shakes Rhys's hand firmly, and smiles broadly:: Now, what was this about rice candy? <Rhys> ::offers the little paper-wrapped morsel to Eljorin again:: Rice candy. Would you like some? It's not to everyone's taste, but I rather enjoy them. * Eljorin takes the candy from Rhys's hand, and turns it over in his. "Rice candy. Odd, I don't think I've ever had any." * Michelle enters through the front/side door, looking around a little timidly until she sees Eljorin and Rhys. Appearing to gain confidence from there presence she steps in and approaches the bar. She's wearing an orange dress trimmed in lace. Her brown hair is held up half way between a top knot and a pony tail. From her right ear hangs a silvery crystalline sphere a little smaller than a marble, which seems to glow faintly. <Rhys> Good evening, milady. Please make yourself comfortable here. If there's anything I can get for you, just let me know and I'll provide it. <Eljorin> ::El unwraps the candy, and pops it in his mouth. He lets it sit for a moment, then frowns as he begins to chew it:: Interestin' flavor, Rhys. Where did 'oo get these? * Michelle carefully sets herself onto a stool. "A glass of Arabellan please." * Eljorin notices the lady enter, and stands. "Evenin', mila-ee. Would oo like a seet?" <Rhys> There's a legless foreigner down at the market who has a supply that he gets from mysterious unknown sources. ::he chuckles:: I suspect he just doesn't want me to know how cheap he gets them. * Rhys reaches into the rack and retrieves a wineglass. He produces a bottle of Arabellan Red from underneath the bar, which he laboriously decorks. He offers the cork to Michelle, and then pours a glass:: <Eljorin> ::finally swallows the candy, and seems to consider the taste it left in his mouth:: * Michelle nods politely to Eljorin, "Good evening my lord. I am Michelle, and you are?" Michelle offers her hand to Eljorin in a manner that could receive either a hand shake or a kiss. * Eljorin regains his composure after talking with his mouth full, takes the lady's hand, and bows. "Eljorin, milady. Of the Moonshaes. Perhaps you're familiar with them?" He stands to his full height of six and a half feet, and smiles sweetly at the lady. <Michelle> I'm afraid I haven't the pleasure of having visited your homeland, though I have known those whose dress and tongue where similar to your own. <Eljorin> ::grins broadly:: Aye, we do seem to stand out a wee bit in a crowd. <Michelle> So what brings you to Marsember Eljorin? <Eljorin> ::Offers Michelle a seat at the bar, and asks:: What part of Cormyr are ye from, milady? <Eljorin> [::chuckle::] <Michelle> I'm afraid I'm not actually from Cormyr. My...travels just happened to bring me this way. <Eljorin> Me? Work, mostly. I've been traveling around the Kingdom, working in the cities as I could. As a ship's mate when I'm near the sea, a hired sword other times. <Eljorin> Travels? Where from, milady? Someone not from Cormyr must have had quite the voyage to end up here. <Eljorin> ::thinks for a moment, then shakes his head in self-disgust:: Where are me manners? Milord Rhys? ::hands his mug back to Rhys:: Another glass of Arabellan Red, to compliment the lady's glass, and whatever she might want... <Michelle> A great many worlds and lands. And a voyage it has certainly been, though next time I want to have a few words with the captain about telling the passengers where they're going rather than letting them find out when they get there. * Michelle takes a sip of her wine. <Eljorin> ["A three hour tour... A three hour tour..."] <Eljorin> Worlds? Aye, ye have traveled, far more than I. What worlds have ye been to? ::El puts his glass down after taking another sip:: <Michelle> I didn't actually learn the names of most of them. People have a tendency not to go around referring to their world by its proper name, and they give you rather queer looks when you start asking. * Michelle takes another sip of her wine. <Eljorin> ::looks a little confused as he picks up his glass and takes a sip:: Proper names? <Michelle> What world are we on? <Eljorin> ::A little confused:: Faerun, milady? How long have you been here? <Michelle> Now, how often do you actually use Faerun in conversation? <Eljorin> ::Nods as he sees her point:: Aye. I do see what ye mean. <Eljorin> ::Takes a small sip of the Arabellan:: How do ye travel from one world to another, if'n ye don't mind me askin'? Are ye a Spelljammer? * Rhys pours a goblet of Arabellan for Eljorin, and sets it in front of him. "Would you care for another glass, miss?" <Michelle> Spelljammer? No...It just happens. Usually I arrive in a world, and someone has something they want me to do, and eventually I fulfill whatever the requirements that brought me to the world were, which usually aren't what everyone thinks they are when I first arrive, and then, in one manner or another I wind up in a different world. And let me tell you, it's very disconcerting to wake up in a different bed than you fell asleep in. <Eljorin> [...hoping next time, it'll be the jump home...] <Michelle> [No, home was REALLY boring.] <Michelle> [:)] <Eljorin> ::looks at Michelle, a little incredulously:: Aye. I can understand why. I can sometimes get disoriented if the ship I'm on made extremely good or bad time the night before. It takes me a few moments to regain my bearings. But, I guess waking up on another world... well, I'm not sure if I could handle that as well or not... <Eljorin> ::takes a sip of wine, then asks:: What do ye think brought ye to Marsember? <Michelle> You get used to it after a while. The really annoying part are all the people that think they have the right to involve you in their petty struggles just because they have the power to summon someone from another world, or there was a prophesy, or an omen, and so on and so forth. <Eljorin> ::with a grin on his face:: Someone's mistaken ye for an omen? Surely not... <Michelle> Don't really know. Right now I'm trying to help this mage named Zoya. Though in all honesty I think she needs more help than I can provide. At this point I've learned just to enjoy my travels, and whatever it is that I'm suppose to accomplish will find me. <Michelle> Well, appearing on the altar in a burst of fire and light has a tendency to impress people. But more commonly I show up in the middle of an eclipse, or a comet, or some other celestial event and people start connecting the two events. <Eljorin> ::goes somewhat distant:: Zoya... ::pauses for a few moments, lost in thought:: Zoya! The one with the odd hair! <Eljorin> I see. A problem, to be sure. <Michelle> And the odd voice, yes. <Eljorin> Aye! ::then, somewhat worried:: The lass needs help? Whatever with? <Michelle> Ever heard the phrase "Look before you leap?" <Eljorin> Aye. The lass can be a bit impetuous, but are ye just trying to help temper her enthusiasm? <Michelle> Well I'm trying to help her find that tower of hers. But yeah, I think she's going to get herself killed if she doesn't have someone there to at least try to make her think things through. <Eljorin> Aye, that Tower. Has she had any luck finding the thing? <Michelle> She says it's playing with her. Keeping just out of reach. Next thing you know she'll probably be building some kind of trap for it. <Eljorin> ::chuckles:: As outrageous as that sounds, I wouldn't put it past her. After that stone-finding contraption, I wouldn't put much past her. * Michelle sips her wine. <Eljorin> How do ye propose she find the Tower? <Eljorin> [Damn thing slips into every conversation...] <Michelle> Currently she's got a couple of stones in that compass thing of hers. Though as I've tried to explain to her, if it doesn't want to be found, maybe she should just leave it be. Her reply of course is that it's a test. <Eljorin> Aye. ::shakes his head:: She seemed to be quite stubborn, last time we met. It's unfortunate. Me da' always told me that, if'n something wanted to be found, ye'd find it. If'n ye looked too hard, ye'd look right over the blasted thing... * Michelle smiles at Eljorin, "I suspect both you and your father have been accused of being too stubborn for your own good on more than a few occasions." <Eljorin> ::laughs a good, deep belly-laugh:: Aye, that we have, milady. Me ma' often called me a wool-headed mule, and me da' several things worse when she got herself worked up... * Michelle returns Eljorin's laugh with a light, merry mirth of her own. "And I'm certain your father returned the complement over a mug when he thought she couldn't hear." <Eljorin> ::grins:: Aye, he probably did, as half-heartedly as she meant it to him. I can't say that me ma' and da' didn't love one another... * Michelle smiles at Eljorin, "That's good. I've seen far too many unhappy marriages." <Eljorin> ::wistfully:: Aye, as have I. One of the reasons I've been reluctant to even start me own search for a lady who'll put up with my wool-headedness... * Lion enters the Hall, scans the common room, and walks over to the bar. * Michelle looks carefully at Eljorin, "Unless you're planning on dying in battle, I’d begin your search. Unhappily married is bad, but so is growing old alone. <Rhys> Good evening sir, what can I get you? <Lion> A mug of ale, please. ::smiles:: <Eljorin> ::sniffs:: Dying in battle? Nah, but I'm too fond of me freedom to look to settle just yet... <Rhys> ::pulls a mug off the rack and fills it with ale:: Here you are. ::sets it down in front of Lion, watching him carefully:: <Eljorin> ::looking at Lion:: Well met, sir. Are ye the blacksmith I met here last? * Lion picks up his mug and takes a long sip. <Rhys> ::relaxes, and sits back on the stool:: <Michelle> But if you find her know, she can be the inspiration that brings you back from each battle. <Lion> Thank you, barkeep. ::smiles and turns to Eljorin:: Yes, though its been a while. <Eljorin> ::to Michelle:: Aye, but I try to keep me hide out of battle as much as I can. It's a necessary evil, but only fools look to enter it at a whim... * Lion sips his ale and sighs, his smile widening. <Eljorin> ::to Lion:: I thought so! Not many blacksmiths in the city who are blind, and even fewer that frequent this fine establishment. How are ye, my good sir? <Lion> ::to Eljorin:: Fair to middling. * Michelle smiles, "Now that surprises me. From the others I've met I would have sworn that you enjoyed it." * Lion turns to Michelle, slightly, his brow wrinkling a little. He barely shakes his head, then turns back to Eljorin and his ale. <Eljorin> ::to Michelle:: Enjoy it? Aye, there be nothing like it. But, there's a temperament that ye learn as ye fight more and more. Eventually, one close call puts things in perspective... <Eljorin> ::to Lion:: Fair? Now, that is far from the response I was expecting. Is business bad, milord? <Lion> ::to E:: No. ::seems mildly distracted:: Not bad--just feeling a little down in the mouth, lately, I suppose. * Lion sips his ale. * Michelle thinks for a moment, "You're the smith that made that contraption for Zoya." * Lion turns to Michelle, his forehead wrinkling again. <Eljorin> ::smiles:: Down in the mouth? I'd have sworn there was a sign that read, "Leave ye worries outside, all ye who enter here." But, in the place of that, tell me what is bothering ye... <Lion> Yes, I that would be me. You know lady Zoya, do you? * Lion turns back to E, setting his mug on the counter. <Eljorin> Aye, we both do, though I only met her in passing one night here. If you be the blacksmith that made her stone-finding contraption, my praise and admiration. Fine metalwork that was... <Lion> Nothing specific, really. Ever since that trip to Arabel, though, I don't know. I've just felt sort of gray. * Lion nods at the compliment. <Lion> Thank you, but I only crafted the metal--she enchanted the device. * Michelle sips her wine and thinks. <Eljorin> Arabel? Which trip was that, milord? I've yet to visit Arabel and not return in higher spirits than when I left... <Eljorin> ::nods:: Aye, I know. The magic ne'er impresses me, but fine metalwork - that's always impressive. * Michelle hides a small smile behind her glass. <Lion> Oh, Moon Dancer, Jaret and I made a trip there a few weeks gone by. Had a bit of an adventure along the way, but primarily went to pick up a shipment of wine for Moon Dancer. * Lion nods again at the persistent compliment. <Lion> It was a challenging piece, have had very few commissions like it. <Eljorin> ::shakes his head:: I'm sorry, but the names mean little to me. Is Moon Dancer the owner of this place? <Rhys> ::pipes up:: Yes. I'm minding the store, so to speak, while he's out of town. <Lion> Well, sort of, yes. He keeps the books and runs the business. And he's an old friend of mine. Big fellow. ::picks up his ale and takes a small sip:: Smells a bit like wet dog ::the last is barely audible, whispered into his drink:: * Lion smiles slightly. <Eljorin> ::nods:: Aye, I thought the name sounded familiar... <Eljorin> If'n milord Moon Dancer and ye are such friends, and I'd assume this Jaret fellow is a friend, too - then why the sullen mood? <Lion> Sullen's a bit strong of a word. ::sips his ale:: We had a fine time on the trip, but since we've returned... ::shrugs:: <Eljorin> ::nods:: Aye, it can be difficult to return to the daily doldrums after a trip to as fine a city as Arabel. ::corrects himself:: Not that Marsember is lacking in finery, mind. It just feels more... more a working town than an excursion. * Lion quirks his lips to one side, a pensive expression on his face. <Lion> It's not Marsember or Arabel. I think it was getting out, exploring and doing something _different_. <Eljorin> ::nods:: Feeling in a rut of sorts, and the trip just added to it? <Lion> Yes, I guess so. ::sips:: <Michelle> That I can understand. I never realized how dull my life was until I started my travels. I’d probably be dead of boredom inside of a week if I had to return to that. * Lion turns to Michelle. <Lion> I don't know I feel that strongly, but the sentiment is similar. <Lion> I mean, I've never been anywhere but here, never done anything but pursue my craft and look after my business. <Eljorin> ::El frowns:: I'd not say ye have a dull life, milord. ::gets wistful again:: To have the talent to create something fine and beautiful, _that_ is a talent and a skill I may never have... * Lion sighs and drains his mug. <Rhys> ::to Lion: Sir, would you like another mug? <Lion> Mm, I guess, but my skills are something I hardly think about. It's simply how I earn my keep. * Lion turns to Rhys. <Lion> Yes please. <Rhys> ::takes the mug off the counter and refills it with ale:: Here you are. <Eljorin> ::to L:: Earn your keep, aye. But, the satisfaction of leaving something in this world behind ye other than ... well, my skills lie in more destructive areas, and let's keep it there for now. <Lion> Thank you. ::sips. then sets the mug back on the counter:: * Lion shrugs. <Eljorin> ::sighs:: I guess, milord Lion, that while you may have a bit of wanderlust, I'm just starting to feel the tug of the need to put down roots... <Lion> Aye, but its wears at the soul, at times. And the more I work, the less time I seem to have for aught else. I can't remember the last time Moon Dancer and I had a drink together, or just sat and chatted. Well, aside from the trip to Arabel... <Michelle> Maybe the two of you could apprentice to each other. * Lion chuckles. <Eljorin> [::snort::] * Lion Maybe we should at that. ::smiles and takes another sip of ale:: <Lion> [::stamp::] <Lion> [::whinny::] <Eljorin> [LOL] <Lion> [::neigh::] <Eljorin> [ROFL! Stop it, dork-head!] <Rhys> [okay, stop horsing around.] <Lion> [::groan:: pun tax] <Eljorin> ::to Lion:: From what I've heard, milord Moon Dancer is prone to taking long excursions... <Lion> Yes--don't get me wrong, he's still my dearest friend. It's just, I don't know... ::shrugs and sips his ale:: <Eljorin> ::raises an eyebrow:: Don't know what... <Lion> Well, as infrequent as I get to see him, I enjoy myself immensely. Then the rest of the time seems paler. And Outside of that, I get out so rarely and don't get to meet too many new people...::shrugs again:: * Lion sits up and takes a deep breath. * Michelle sips her wine. <Lion> I'm sorry, I've been monopolizing the conversation. And turned it to a gloomy note, at that. <Eljorin> ::El looks at Lion:: Are ye clients fairly regular, then? * Lion forces a small smile. <Rhys> Moon Dancer left town again, on one of his excursions. I'll leave a writ for him to leave off his duties here and go out and visit you when he returns. <Eljorin> ::shakes his head:: Think nothing of it. <Eljorin> ::to Rhys:: How much does he tell you about his excursions? * Lion turns to Michelle. <Lion> Excuse me, lady, but you seem somehow familiar. Have we met...? <Rhys> Very little. We just met a week ago, he was looking for someone to mind the Hall while he was out of town and I accepted. I assumed he had family out of Marsember proper, or the like. <Michelle> I don't believe so. I only recognized you from the description Zoya gave me. I figured there weren't that many blind smiths in Marsember. <Eljorin> ::raises an eyebrow:: Ye just met a week ago, and he offered ye a job? <Lion> Not to my knowledge, no. But something about you is very...familiar? * Lion sips his ale. <Eljorin> [::grin:: Damn nose.] <Rhys> I'm just tending the bar, and he gave the impression that he'd done some checking up on my background before approaching. <Eljorin> ::nods:: Aye, sounds like the man I've heard described... * Michelle thinks for a moment. "I suppose it isn't so far fetched that there might be someone in Marsember who would remind you of me. I've certainly encountered stranger coincidences in my travels. <Lion> It isn't so much a remembrance of someone else as it is as if we have met, us two, before. * Eljorin sips the last of his wine, and hands the glass back to Rhys. "Another if you please, milord Rhys... <Michelle> If you've lived in Marsember your whole life, than I am certain that is not the case, for I've only been here a few weeks, and I know this is the first we've met in that time. <Rhys> ::takes the goblet from Eljorin and refills it from the bottle of Arabellan Red:: Of course. ::hands the goblet back:: <Lion> Like a conversation one remembers as having had before, exactly word for word. Or reaching for a door and thinking, didn't I do this _exact_ thing? Wondering if you concentrate hard enough if you can't guess precisely what will happen next. * Eljorin takes the goblet, and sips some Arabellan. "Many thanks." Eljorin places two silver pieces on the bar, near Rhys. * Lion seems lost in contemplation. * Lion shakes himself and takes another sip of his ale. * Michelle sips her wine. * Lion clears his throat and sets his drink back on the counter. * Eljorin looks at the three other people in the Hall, and smiles. "What happened here? Have we all lost our tongues?" <Lion> Where are you from, lady? <Michelle> Originally or most recently? <Lion> Both, if you don't mind me asking. <Michelle> I was born in a place called Houston. Most recently I came here from a town called Amab. <Lion> Hoo-stone? I don't think I ever heard of it. Or Ah-mab either. <Lion> Are either in Shou Lung? * Michelle blinks, "I'm afraid I've never heard of that land. Nor could I give you directions to any of the lands I have traveled." <Eljorin> ::tries the word in his mouth:: No, I believe it's "Who's-Tonne". But I haven't heard of it either. <Lion> Mm, I had a teacher who was from Shou Lung--you sort of mind me of him. <Michelle> What is this Shou Lung like? <Lion> I've never been, but my teacher told me it was a place of stark beauty and vast contrast. Sharp, craggy mountains wreathed in eternal mists. Slow, old, meandering rivers, older than most gods. * Lion sips his ale. <Lion> I'd like to visit some day. Maybe visit the monastery where my teacher grew up. * Michelle thinks while she takes a sip of her wine, "I've been to a place or two that could be described that way." <Lion> As far as I know, Shou Lung is unique. Their culture is older than most kingdoms in the rest of Faerun. <Rhys> ::sits and listens:: <Michelle> I've been blessed, or cursed, with the fortune to have traveled many worlds other than Faerun. <Eljorin> ::sips his wine:: Me da' told me stories of Shou Lung. Of beasts that would frighten ye to behold, and men whose ways seem more foreign than those in the farthest reaches of Cormyr. I'd like to see Shou Lung too, I think... * Lion raises his eyebrows, so that they are visible over his blindfold. <Lion> Other worlds, you say? <Michelle> Yes. <Michelle> [Braz, that accent is contagious.] <Eljorin> [::grin:: Thank ye, lass...] <Eljorin> [Or, milord. ::grin::] * Lion shakes his head in incredulity. <Lion> I pine after visiting other cities, maybe other lands, and she's traveled to other worlds. ::drains the last of his ale:: * Michelle sips her wine, "There's a lot to be said for not having traveled widely. For one thing, people don't expect you to perform miracles for them quite as often. * Lion chuckles. <Lion> You haven't seen some of the commissions I've had to fill. * Michelle smiles, "But I have seen Zoya's." <Rhys> :;stands up:: Another mug of ale, sir? Or something else, perhaps? <Lion> Well, there you go, then. Small miracles for a small life. * Lion turns to Rhys. <Lion> Hm, no, no thank you. I need to get going soon. Goodie Bidall does tend to worry if I stay out over late. <Rhys> ::looks out the door to the dark alley:: My! It is quite late, isn't it. ::he coughs quietly:: Last call, everyone. * Michelle finishes her glass, "That will be all for me." * Lion tickles his mug, eliciting a giggle, and sends it on its way to the kitchen. * Michelle turns to Eljorin, "Eljorin, could I impose on you to escort me home?" * Lion stands and stretches expansively. * Eljorin looks at Michelle, and smiles. "Milady, it would be my pleasure." * Lion smiles and waves to everyone. * Eljorin stands, and stretches the kinks out of his knees, then finishes his glass of wine. <Lion> I think I'll be off, then. * Michelle waves to Lion from her stool, "Another day good smith." * Rhys inclines in a slight bow to the departing gentles "Good night, and well met. Walk carefully." * Eljorin offers his arm to Michelle, as he places two more silver on the bar. "Thank you again, Rhys. It was a pleasure." <Eljorin> ::to Lion:: Milord Blacksmith, I will have to visit your smithy, and look at more of your wares. Until then? * Michelle takes Eljorin's arm and uses it help her off her stool. She then reaches into a belt pouch and pulls out a coin, setting it on the bar. * Lion fishes around in his pocket, and pulls out a couple of silver coins. With a flick of the wrist, he tosses them on the bar, each landing with a spin that ends with all of the coins in a neat stack. <Michelle> ::to Eljorin:: My lord. <Lion> Yes, indeed. :: to E:: Come by any time you like. * Eljorin nods to Michelle as he escorts her out of the Hall. "Good night all, and gods watch over ye!" * Lion walks out the door and off into the night. <Rhys> ::Rhys sweeps the coins into the Hall's strongbox, and exits into the kitchen, dimming the lights as he goes::
* Sealgair raises his head and shakes it, trying to clear it. <Sealgair> Here now, ::wrinkles his forehead:: who's gone and re-opened this place? * Sealgair stands, knuckling his back and walks over to the swords. He touches his fingertips to them, very gently, and bows his head. He closes his eyes and a look of concentration distorts his features. <Sealgair> So that's it, is it. Well, then, a promise is a promise. * Sealgair looks around the common room one last time, then takes the long swords down from the mantle, cradling them in his arms, like a child. <Sealgair> ::The air begins to ripple and fold again, the light streaming towards SG. He bows his head in concentration again and his figure darkens, engulfed in a nimbus of light. With a slight pop, the light vanishes and SG along with it.:: |
|
|