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* Rhys walks in from the back, and unlocks the front door. He bustles over to the fireplace and lights the logs and kindling in the hearth that have been carefully prepared. An orange flame starts to slowly grow, and heat begins to fill the room. He returns behind the bar. <Rhys> Hall's open. * Maeli steps in, leaning on a cane and carrying her battered canvas bag, and treads laboriously toward a table near the bar. When she reaches it, she plops her bag and cane on one chair and her old joints into another. Then only does she look around. When she spies Rhys behind the bar, she gives him a stern glare and begins rummaging in her bag. <Rhys> Well met and good evening, Maeli. You look well. Can I get you anything? * Bai enters the Hall through the side/front door. He pulls the hood back from his grey cloak, revealing his worn features and multi-colored beard. He walks over to the bar and leans his bone white staff against the wall. <Maeli> ::She holds up a copper coin, showing it to Rhys:: Ye know something about this? <Rhys> Bai, well met as well. Some tea to warm you on this Auril-touched night? <Bai> Good evening Rhys. Tea would be wonderful. * Rhys looks at the coin. "It appears to be a copper piece, lady. Is something special about it?" <Rhys> ::to Bai:: Oolong, or something else? * Bai turns to Maeli and bows, "Good evening as well to you ma'am. My name is Bai. And you are?" <Bai> Darjeeling? <Maeli> Aye. It were on my table when I come home last week. And since the coin in m'pocket added up the way it were s'posed to, I must think someone *put* it there, aye? * Rhys gets out a porcelain mug for Bai's tea, and rummages around in the pigeonhole shelves under the bar until he finds a carefully labeled packet of herbs. He sets it in the mug. <Rhys> ::to Maeli:: Any chance you just forgot about the copper piece? I've done it to myself quite often. One moment... ::heads back into the kitchen, probably to get water for Bai's tea:: <Maeli> ::gives Bai the once-over with slightly narrowed eyes:: Name's Maeli, son. Maeli Tailor. * Rhys returns with a quietly whistling pot of water, and fills Bai's mug with some of the water. "I'll let you decide when the tea's done steeping, Bai." <Maeli> ::turning back to Rhys:: I don't know what kind of custom you generally see in here, but I'm not so well off as I can afford to be leaving my money just layin' about. * Bai narrows his eyes at Maeli's apparent suspicion then shrugs it off and turns to his tea. <Rhys> ::to Maeli:: I understand perfectly, which is why it probably surprised you. ::looks thoughtfully at the ceiling:: Maybe some young scamp broke into your house and left the coin behind. Children these days are an odd bunch, you never know what they're going to do next. * Bai pulls the bag out of the and sets it to the side. * Bai sips his tea. * Rhys takes Bai's tea bag and disposes of it. <Maeli> ::chuckles dryly:: The children coming into my house, boy, are coming to beg for sweets, not to leave money. * Maeli nods tacit approval at Bai's choice of drinks as the scent wafts across the room toward her. "Give me a cup of that tea, if you would." * Rhys gets another porcelain cup out, puts a packet in it, and pours the rest of the kettle's water into her mug. "Here you are." * Bai sips his tea. * Maeli looks down at the cup in front of her. "I'll need a plate and a spoon, two lumps of sugar and a dollop of cream if you've got it, son." <Rhys> Of course. My apologies. ::he takes a plate off a shelf behind the bar, a spoon from underneath, and quickly retrieves from the kitchen a small bowl with sugar cubes and a tiny pitcher of cream.:: * Maeli fishes the tea packet out with the spoon and sets it carefully on the plate, then stirs in a couple of sugar cubes. She looks carefully at the packet. "Clever, that." * Rhys quickly gets a saucer and spoon for Bai as well. "Sorry about the oversight..." * Maeli tips a tiny bit of cream into her tea, stirs it in, then wraps both hands around the warm cup, sighing with evident pleasure, and takes a sip. <Bai> It's alright. * Eljorin walks into the Hall, looking around as he enters. He almost seems to be looking for someone as he walks up towards the bar. <Rhys> Well met and good evening, Eljorin. Can I get you anything? <Eljorin> Good evening, Rhys. The gods are treating ye well, I hope? * Maeli eyes Eljorin with the same narrow-eyed looks she treated Bai to earlier. * Eljorin thinks for a moment, mulling a decision over in his mind. "Aye, an ale. Bitter, if ye have a good one." * Eljorin looks around, taking in the other patrons. He looks Bai in the face and smiles. "Bai, was it? Well met, good sir." <Bai> Well met Eljorin. How have you been? <Rhys> ::smiling:: As well as they should, I suppose. ::he gets a mug and, after a moment of thought, pours a dark, almost black, liquid from one of the taps and hands it to Eljorin.:: Try this. It's a little heavy, but is a rather nice bitter ale. <Eljorin> Well, for the most part Bai. Thank ye for askin'. * Eljorin picks up the mug, and looks hard at it, a smile of approval crossing his lips. "This looks right, at least." He takes a drink, and his smile widens somewhat. <Eljorin> Thank ye, Rhys. A good choice, indeed. <Rhys> I'm glad it meets with your approval. * Maeli takes another sip of tea, still cradling the porcelain in her thin hands. * Bai sips his tea. * Eljorin looks over at Maeli, and smiles. "And ye, milady, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting." He extends a hand, and nods slightly. "Eljorin, sailor and tradesman. From the Moonshaes." * Maeli smiles slightly and carefully takes Eljorin's hand. "Maeli Tailor, lad. Pleased to meet you, I'm sure." * Eljorin nods and smiles. "Well met, indeed. Are ye from the city, milady, or are ye just passing through?" * Maeli actually laughs as she retrieves her hand. "I wish I were passing through, but the truth is I've not been more than a day's travel from Marsember since my wedding-trip." * Eljorin opens his mouth, and smiles broadly, barely stifling a laugh. "Really? That's quite the shame, milady. Marsember is a jewel in Cormyr's crown, but there are so many other wonderful places to go see. What do ye do here in Marsember? I've met most of the tradesmen in the city, and I don't remember meeting ye." <Maeli> ::smiling gently:: I'm hardly a 'milady', son, just a simple seamstress. I would have liked to travel, but my Tom - rest his soul - wouldn't hear of my taking on that part of the business, and we never had enough money for pleasure-travel, ye ken. * Bai smiles and sips his tea. * Bai closes his eyes for a moment, then sighs and drains his tea cup. <Rhys> I think Eljorin is trying to be respectful, Maeli. Noting too bad. ::to Bai:: Another cup? * Bai sighs, "No thanks, I have to go clean up after Yb again. Turned some poor guy into a doll near as I can tell." <Maeli> ::frowns slightly at Bai:: Yb is that floozy who was in here the other night, isn't she? You're her keeper? * Bai blinks a bit at the description, then turns to Rhys for confirmation. * Rhys gives a rather disconcerted look to Bai. "I don't think I've heard of anything like that before." * Bai rises and picks up his staff. <Rhys> ::sighs quietly:: Yb provoked Maeli a little bit a few days ago. <Bai> Well I try my best to fix things before the Dragons, War Wizards, or Harpers find out. They usually keep it to themselves as well. <Maeli> ::harumphs:: She was climbing all over this nice young man I was trying to have a chat with. Distracted him quite a bit - not that I can blame him! She didn't even lay off when he made it plain he wasn't interested in her services... ::hmphs again:: * Bai looks at Rhys again, "Moon Dancer?" <Rhys> Jelarthna. * Bai chuckles, "Well at least she didn't sink any ships like the last time she showed any interest in him." <Bai> ::To Maeli:: "I pray that is the worst of Yb's behavior you are ever witness to." <Maeli> ::sighs:: That girl needs a good whalloping. <Bai> I never found any pieces of the last person to try that. Though I suppose they could be wandering the planes somewhere. <Maeli> ::frowns:: Well, she needs one anyway. * Bai smiles, "Your welcome to try good lady, but I wouldn't recommend it. And now, I really must be going." Bai heads for the door, pulling his hood up as he exits. <Rhys> Well met, Bai. Be careful. <Maeli> Well, good night, then. * Rhys cleans up Bai's cup and saucer, and puts them back in the kitchen. <Eljorin> ::nods at Bai as he leaves:: Well met, Bai. I hope ye are careful on the streets tonight; I've heard stories of cutpurses trying to organize recently... * Eljorin turns to Maeli, and smiles. "How long were ye a seamstress? Surely ye can't have retired too long ago..." <Maeli> ::sighs as Bai heads out:: That poor, poor child. * Eljorin takes another swallow or two from his mug. <Eljorin> ::raises an eyebrow:: Bai? Why do ye say that? <Maeli> ::to Eljorin:: Don't try to flatter me, you puppy. I've been a seamstress since your grandpappy was in swaddling, I'd be willing to bet. I still take on the odd piece now and then. <Maeli> Why do I call him poor child? Well, wouldn't you, havin' to look after that little hussy? How did he come up with *that* duty, I wonder, eh? * Eljorin blushes slightly, and tries to recover. "Aye, I don't envy him looking after Yb. But, I reckon he brings a good bit of it on himself, after all." * Maeli raises an eyebrow. "How is that?" <Eljorin> ::shakes his head:: Well, any sane man would realize that there's only so much ye can be expected to do. Every man has his limits, and beyond them, ye are just looking at lunacy... <Maeli> ::narrows her eyes shrewdly:: In love with her, eh? <Eljorin> ::looks at Maeli, surprised:: Bai? I don't think so. I don' know much about the situation, but methinks that it's more a sense of duty. But, even duty can be taken too far. <Maeli> Well, I suppose so. But duty has its rewards, after all. * Eljorin thinks into his mug, and swallows a bit of ale before continuing. "I mean, if ye try all ye can try, isn't there a point where ye have to give up, and turn over her care to someone who can truly help the lass?" <Eljorin> ::shrugging:: Aye, duty does, but ye have to be alive to enjoy it. It seems that life around this Yb can be quite brutish. <Maeli> ::chuckles dryly:: That little tart doesn't need help near so much as she needs a taste of the rod. ::briefly brandishes her cane:: If I were twenty years younger, I'd have given her a taste of it, but I'm too old and frail to be whipping wizards. * Michelle enters through the side/front door. She's wearing a long brown skirt, a yellow turtleneck, and a blue denim jacket. Her hair is tied up with a red ribbon. Her earring is a gleaming sliver in her right ear. <Michelle> Good evening all. <Eljorin> ::shaking his head:: I don' think it'd help the lass, I'm afraid. I don' think she'd remember the lesson from one hour to the next, the way her mind fades in and out. <Rhys> Well met, Michelle. Can I get you anything? * Eljorin looks at Michelle as she enters. "Well met, and good even' to you, milady!" * Michelle walks over to the bar, "Rhys has there been any word of Jaret?" <Rhys> I'm sorry, Michelle, I haven't heard anything. I'm sure he's fine, though. * Michelle sighs, "Just apple juice Rhys. I don't trust myself with alcohol at the moment." <Eljorin> ::looks at Rhys:: Where is Mister Malkier, Rhys? I haven't seen him about town in quite some time... <Rhys> Of course. ::Rhys pours Michelle a pint of apple juice:: <Maeli> ::stares at Eljorin for a moment, then recovers enough to speak:: Her mind fades in and out? You mean she's *mad*? And allowed to keep her powers? * Rhys shrugs. "I'm not sure. He came by the Hall a month and a half ago, dropped off Jelarthna's sword, and left Marsember. No one quite knows what became of him." * Michelle sips her juice and listens in on the conversation. * Eljorin turns back to Maeli, a little surprised. "Aye. I don' know much about the magicks, but I get the feeling that no one could take the lass's powers from her, even if they wanted to." <Maeli> She can't be so powerful to stand against the Council of Wizards, can she? <Rhys> Maeli, have you ever seen someone try to restrain an insane person? Someone who doesn't care if they hurt themselves? <Maeli> Aye, I've seen it. My third granddaughter had a babe that was mad. Had the strength of five strong men when she was barely old enough to bleed. Had to take her to the Healers, eventually. ::sighs sadly:: * Michelle sips her juice, "Now imagine that's magical strength rather than physical." <Rhys> I admit I don't know all the details of Yb, but I think that's the problem the Council has before them. If they try to subdue her, she may cause more damage than if they just let her rattle about. <Michelle> Besides, doesn't she have someone who looks after her. I think Moon Dancer said his name was Bai. <Maeli> ::frowns:: Bai? That poor child as much as admitted that he can't do anything but try to clean up her messes. It's no life for a man, cleaning up after an insane wizard. * Michelle frowns, "Moon Dancer didn't seem to quite understand it all himself, but he seemed to think they were kin or something, and also that Bai's goddess was making him do it, or something along those lines. <Michelle> Course, from what I heard, Moon Dancer was married to her once as well, which really doesn't make any sense. <Maeli> ::blinks:: * Michelle sips her juice. <Rhys> ::to Maeli:: That was before I was hired, so I don't know anything about it. <Maeli> ::sighs and finishes off her tea:: 'Tis a strange sort you get in here, isn't it? <Rhys> ::straight-facedly:: Oh, we get a few. * Michelle giggles, "I haven't been working here that long myself, but from the stories Moon Dancer and some of the other patrons tell it certainly seems to keep life interesting. <Michelle> I'm afraid I missed your name ma'am. I'm Michelle. <Rhys> More tea? <Maeli> Maeli Tailor, dearie. ::to Rhys:: No, lad, I'll be fine. * Rhys quietly collects Maeli's empty teacup, saucer, and spoon, and shuffles them back into the kitchen. * Michelle sips her juice, then sets is down and pulls a harmonica out of her coat pocket and begins improvising some simple blues. * Maeli starts at the odd sound, but watches fascinated as Michelle plays. * Michelle leans back against the bar as she continues to play, her head down and her eyes studying the floor. * Rhys coughs quietly, hesitant to interrupt Michelle's playing. "Last call, ladies." * Michelle nods in Rhys' direction, but keeps on playing. <Maeli> Oh, dear, it is late isn't it? ::She gets laboriously to her feet and pulls the cane and her handbag from the table. The single coin she'd had out earlier remains on the table. She heads for the door, but lingers, listening to Michelle's strange music.:: * Michelle stops, "Do you need any help getting home Maeli. It is late and that bag looks heavy." <Maeli> ::beams:: Aren't you a doll? My bag isn't heavy, but if you'd be so kind as to lend me your arm for a block or two, you'd earn an old woman's thanks. * Michelle smiles and pockets her harmonica, "Certainly." Michelle takes a last drink from her mug, then sends it into the kitchen. She then walks over to Maeli and holds the door for her. <Michelle> Goodnight Rhys. <Rhys> Good night, Michelle. <Rhys> And good night, Maeli. Take care. <Maeli> Good night, dear. You too. * Rhys picks up the coin Maeli left on the table. He stands it on edge, and "aims" it toward the door. He carefully flicks it, and it rolls off the bar top, across the floor, and out the door... * Rhys grins |
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