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* Nacheyla walks down the stairs and unlocks the door. <Nacheyla> Hall's open. * Nacheyla looks up <Nacheyla> Good evening everyone... drinks? * Alranis slips through the door, and strides up to the bar. Gruffly: "Weider's, if you've got it." * Bai walks through the door, heads over to the bar, leans his staff against the wall and sits down. * Adiethian walks in, dressed in plain clothes, his unadorned long sword peacebound at his side. He walks up to the bar. "Well met. An ale, please." * Nacheyla pours Alranis a Weiders and slides it down the bar to him. * Nacheyla pours Adiethian a mug of ale and hands it to him. * Glossaria pokes her head in the door, scans the room, nods once, and enters casually. "Good evening, Mistress Nacheyla." * Zoya enters, looking slightly harried. "Two shots of rum, Nacheyla, and a cold cider chaser!" <Adiethian> Thank you, miss. ::raises the glass:: To your health. ::drinks:: * Nacheyla pours herself a small glass of amber liquid. <Nacheyla> To your health as well. I'm Nacheyla, the barkeep, at your service. * Zoya plops down on a barstool, muttering something about gnomes under her breath. * Marten enters, laughing as he enters. He spots Zoya, and smiles. "*There* you are, love! I'm sorry. I just had to speak to Master Finnigan before he left for the week." * Alranis takes a sip. * Glossaria sidles up to a barstool, and takes a seat. <Marten> ::walks over to the bar:: Nacheyla, a glass of wine, please. <Zoya> ::smiles tiredly at Marten:: Finnigan? <Bai> Water please. <Marten> ::nods:: Aye. He's one of the members of the Smiths' Guild. I met him a few days ago, at the forge. * Nacheyla pours Marten a glass of a pale blue liquid. <Nacheyla> Here, try this... * Glossaria pipes up, unable to resist. "Was he awake, Master Marten?" * Nacheyla fixed Zoya a few glasses headed down the bar. <Marten> ::looks at Gloss oddly:: Awake? I don't understand, Glossaria. * Marten picks up the glass of liquid, and smells it. "What is this, Nacheyla?" * Zoya slams back one of her shots and sighs deeply. She picks up the other, but doesn't drink. "Well, it's just as well you decided not to go with me to visit the 'gnomes tonight. They were a real handful - apparently one of them came up with a new..." She shudders slightly. "An idea for a new engine of some sort." * Glossaria smiles, cheeks a little pink, and waves her hand dismissively. A bit of librarian humor. Please don't mind me, Master Marten. <Nacheyla> It was a gift from an old friend. It's very rare, but I think it's fairly good. <Marten> Oh, my. An engine. Did they mention what *sort* of engine it was? <Zoya> ::sighs:: They *tried* to tell me about it for almost two hours. I'm still not sure what its purpose is. ::she smiles wryly:: You know how they can be. * Marten smiles, and takes a sip of the wine, letting it roll around his mouth. He smiles, and takes a larger sip. "An excellent choice, Nacheyla. Do you know its name?" <Nacheyla> The gentleman who gave it to me called it Undargrape. <Marten> ::nods:: Unfortunately, I do. What kind of impression did they give you of it? <Glossaria> Mistress Nacheyla, might I have a glass of... hmm... no. A cup of blackberry tea, please? * Nacheyla heats up a glass of water on the red panel on the bartop, then drops a small tea bag into it. A wonderful smell comes from the cup. <Zoya> Well, it's either for knocking things down or building them up again. Or perhaps both. Or maybe that's just a side effect of the *real* purpose of shucking corn and canning tomatoes. Or maybe *that* was the side effect. <Marten> ::looks at Zoya for a moment, blinking, then bursts out laughing:: That sounds about right. * Nacheyla hands Bai a glass of water. * Zoya sighs again, tosses back her second shot of rum in two neat gulps, then takes a deep draught of cider. <Bai> Thank you. ::Bai takes a sip of his water.:: <Zoya> ::grins at Marten:: Go on, laugh. They're going to be building it in the basement. <Marten> ::his laughter stops suddenly:: In the basement?!? What in the Gods' names for? * Adiethian drinks some more ale. <Zoya> ::laughs at Marten's distress:: Because that's what the 'gnomes *do* down there, Marten. They build things. <Marten> ::looks at Zoya, a little put-out:: But... I was going to store some things there, Zoya. Is there... is there anywhere else I can store some things? <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: How much room do you need? <Glossaria> ::shaking her head:: I requested a copy of the plans from one of the gnomes, Mistress. The sheaf of paper he handed me was over 50 pounds, written in fourteen different inks and twenty-three different hands, and did not appear to have a final revision of any kind. ::frowning a little:: Or any form of organization known to the Realms. <Marten> ::thinks for a few moments:: I don't honestly know. Enough for several five-gallon jugs, for sure, and perhaps some barrels, if things go well. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: Only fifty pounds? They only gave you the latest revision, then. <Zoya> ::blinks at Marten:: Well, I think we can find room in for that. Dare I ask what will be *in* these jugs and barrels? <Marten> ::he smiles:: If I do it right, some spirits. I thought I'd try my hand at brewing. <Zoya> ::looks somewhat surprised, then smiles, somewhat amused:: Another new hobby? <Glossaria> ::lifting an eyebrow and looking eloquently at the wall of taps:: The Hall does not produce enough? <Marten> ::nods:: Perhaps. It depends on how successful I am. If I turn out drivel, then no. But, if I can manage decent swill, then perhaps. <Glossaria> Swill? ::pauses a moment, blinking:: Do pigs drink alcohol? * Bai sips his water. * Nacheyla grins at Glossaria... <Marten> ::smiles:: Depends on which pig you ask. Some drink hard liquor. <Nacheyla> There's a lot to be said for alcohol made in small quantities... <Marten> ::nods:: I thought so, too. That's why I decided to give it a whirl. <Glossaria> ::blinking again:: Not to be speciesist, but... you actually converse with pigs, Master Marten? ::giving his shoes a dubious look, as if he's suddenly going to track mud all over her Library:: * Zoya takes another drink of cider, then takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, relaxing visibly in the process. "Much better..." <Marten> ::looks at Gloss:: Converse with them? Sometimes, if they're closer to sober than drunk. When they're drunk, you can't say much to them at all. * Nacheyla finishes off her glass of amber liquid, then pours herself a glass of the blue wine. <Zoya> ::looks at Marten dubiously:: What are you talking about, Marten? <Marten> ::looks at Zoya:: Drunkards, love. What did you think? <Glossaria> Oh. ::smiling and nodding slowly, muttering to herself:: Drunken pigs... and I had thought it was only a figurative expression. <Zoya> ::tosses her hands up in mock-exasperation:: With you, I'm never sure. ::she laughs:: <Marten> ::he smiles:: Thank you, love. I have to keep you on your toes. <Zoya> ::laughing:: Do you? Where is that written? <Marten> Who said anything about it being written anywhere, love? It's just one of those things men are required to do. * Zoya starts to protest, then stops, considering. "I suppose that could be true." <Glossaria> ::leaning back oh-so-casually for a discreet peek under the table at Zoya's feet:: Adventure literature... usually spoken by noble characters, or women being harassed by inebriated men. I didn't know the men had inebriated livestock, as well.... hm. <Glossaria> ::shaking her head:: Some areas of social interaction are quite...confusing. <Marten> Could be? It's one of the immutable facts of the universe, Zoya. Men must keep their women on their toes, and their women must likewise torture them beyond belief. <Zoya> Glossaria, make a note of that for possible future research: "Tendency in the masculine gender to exhibit surprising behavior in the presence of their mates." * Nacheyla laughs <Marten> ::laughs, and takes a drink from his glass:: If Glossaria writes it down, then it must be good. <Zoya> ::arches one eyebrow:: Torture? Really? ::she grins impishly:: Now I'm getting interested. <Nacheyla> I think Glossaria has the perfect lab with which to conduct such studies. <Glossaria> ::looking confused now:: Torture? But how... ::frowning and scratching the side of her head with the end of her pencil for a moment, before dutifully jotting down Zoya's suggestion:: <Zoya> *SPEAKING* of which, Glossaria... Have you made any decisions regarding your swain? <Glossaria> ::looking suddenly sober, and fiddling with her notebook, flipping pages back and forth randomly as she stares down at them in concentration:: I... um... ::biting her lip:: I'm not sure. <Marten> ::looks at Gloss, slightly amused at her predicament:: <Zoya> ::smiles at Gloss:: Well, that's all right, too. He hit you with it pretty suddenly; he should have to wait for his answer. ::she winks at Marten:: Surprise and torture. It's all linked. * Bai sips his water. <Marten> ::nods, and sips his wine before responding:: My point, illustrated. * Zoya laughs and has another drink of cider. <Glossaria> But....:::tracing the outline of a page with a fingernail, studying the corner minutely:: I don't *want* to torture him. I don't want to hurt him at all! That's why it's... ::breaking off, sounding distressed:: <Zoya> ::looks at Glossaria for a moment:: It's not *really* torture, Glossaria. Think of it as anticipation. Besides, I'm sure it would hurt him much more to learn later that you'd chosen poorly, in haste. * Bai nods and sips his water. <Glossaria> But....::running a hand up the back of her neck, through her hair, making it stand on end ludicrously:: I don't *want* to choose... it was so nice the way it was! Why does he want it to change? <Zoya> ::blinks, opens her mouth, closes it again, and looks at Marten helplessly:: * Marten sips his wine, smiling at Gloss and Zoya. * Nacheyla tips her head from one side to the other. Several sharp snaps sound through her neck and back. <Zoya> ::sighs:: There could be lots of reasons, Glossaria. Some men propose because they want to prove their love, some because they feel they have to, some because that's what they were taught to do, and some because they simply can't imagine life without their ladies and want to bind their lives together. ::she sighs again:: As many reasons as there are men, I'd suppose... <Zoya> If you really want to know Vallel's reasons, you could just ask him. <Glossaria> I... I'm afraid to. ::picking up her cup, rattling it against the saucer as her hand trembles a little, and taking a sip:: I... I really really like him.... I may even love him, I think... and sex is *really* fun! --but I'm not ready to bind my life to anyone but you and Erdian just yet, Mistress. There's so much to experience still... But... I don't want to hurt him. <Zoya> ::casts a brief "why me?" look around the room, then rests a hand on Gloss's shoulder comfortingly:: There's often pain attached to love, Glossaria. The only advice I know to give you is to be honest with him. He might understand, you know. * Bai sips his water. * Nacheyla gives Glossaria a long look, a thoughtful expression on her face <Glossaria> ::swallowing hard:: "Might"? <Zoya> ::nods:: Might. Might not. Emotions are peculiar things, Glossaria. It's hard to know how a person will react to disappointment. * Nacheyla shrugs and looks into the bottom of her wine glass, as if seeking enlightenment <Marten> ::nods, and sips his wine:: Disappointment, loss, betrayal. Emotions are difficult things, Glossaria. But, if you don't start with honesty... What do you have then, really? <Glossaria> But...::sighs and rests her chin on the bar, lacing her fingers over her head, into her hair:: <Nacheyla> ::very quietly, as if to herself:: But sometimes, you never know how much time you'll have together anyway... <Glossaria> ::looking at Marten hopefully:: Sex? <Marten> ::sighs:: Sex, maybe. But, even that fades. Sex isn't a relationship. It's just a way to avoid the frightening realization that you have nothing in common with the person you're sleeping with. * Zoya looks relieved that the others are finally chipping in. * Adiethian drinks some ale. * Marten takes another sip of wine. <Bai> Even sex can be a lie, Glossaria. And the terrible thing about that lie is what it can do to love. <Glossaria> ::looks crestfallen:: Oh. But... we're sharing body fluids! We have that in common... and... he's so kind and sweet and brave and he cares for me, and... ::goes back to her hair-tearing position, chin on the bar:: <Marten> ::nods at Bai:: Well spoken, Bai. * Alranis takes a sip. <Marten> ::looks at Glossaria:: Then base your relationship on that, Glossaria. The kindness and the caring, how he makes you feel. Not the sex. The sex is... it's just something to enjoy with someone you love, not a reason to love someone. <Glossaria> But... you don't have to love someone to have sex with them. I didn't, not at first. <Zoya> No. Sex is... An activity. As you said - something fun. It doesn't have to mean anything. And because of that, it shouldn't be the center of a relationship. If you love your partner... It's better. That's all. <Marten> No, you don't. And sometimes, love can grow from a sexual relationship. But, love cannot be based on sex alone. * Bai nods and sips his water. <Nacheyla> Of course, I'm biased... and I sort of look at the long view, but you know, things happen and things change, and I generally think the best rule in life is to do as little harm to others as possible and have as much fun and love as you can grab hold of. <Zoya> ::glances at Nacheyla:: And if not doing harm to others is harmful to yourself? <Nacheyla> I said "as little as possible" <Zoya> Yes, but I think Glossaria's dilemma is in trying to decide how to balance the hurt done to Vallel against the hurt done to herself. ::sighs, and gently squeezes Gloss's shoulder:: It's not an easy task. <Glossaria> ::Looking from one speaker to the other, and sighing:: So...what should I do? I'm not even sure how *I* feel about this... I thought I had studied myself rather thoroughly, but... ::sticking out her lower lip:: I'm so confused. <Nacheyla> ::shrugs:: If she doesn't want to, she shouldn't. He'll be hurt now, yes. If she marries him so as to not hurt him now, he'll be a lot more hurt later when she's so disgusted with her bad decision that she can't even pretend to love him later... * Bai nods and sips his water. <Glossaria> But...::looking at Nach:: Why do I have to hurt him at all? Isn't there a "non-hurt" way out of this? <Nacheyla> ::looks at her with something like sorrow:: I can't answer that, dear. If there is, I don't think anyone has found it yet. <Zoya> ::sighs:: I don't think so, Glossaria. All I can suggest is that you talk it over with him - honestly, and thoroughly. Try to help him understand your decision. You can even, if you like, encourage him to believe that you might decide differently some time later. <Glossaria> ::nods, looking miserable:: Why do so many people extol and encourage love, if it tortures people so? * Bai sips his water. <Zoya> ::glances at Marten and smiles before looking back at Glossaria:: Because when it's *right*, it's like nothing else in the universe. * Nacheyla smiles <Nacheyla> Love is the most beautiful and the most painful thing you can ever experience. And I've been in love and been loved several times. And even after all the hurt of losing my husbands, I'd willingly subject myself to that pain again, to feel the joy... ::blinks a few times:: <Glossaria> ::looking at Nacheyla:: That sounds... masochistic. How often is it "right"? <Nacheyla> ::holds up one hand with three rings lined up along her left ring finger:: Enough for me to get married three times, despite the pain suffered each time I outlived another husband. <Zoya> ::closes her eyes, smiling softly:: Three times. More, if you count the love of family and friends, but that's not quite the same. <Glossaria> Why? <Zoya> ::looks at her almost helplessly:: I don't think I can explain it, Glossaria. You just know. You'd walk through fire and glass for your friends, but... <Glossaria> ::nods:: M'lady Lisl speaks very warmly of her family, too. * Adiethian has another sip of his ale. <Zoya> ::smiles a little sadly:: There's nothing like family. <Nacheyla> Family is important... ::smiles:: Of course, I have a lot of family and it's hard to love all of them. I don't even know all of them, but I still love them <Glossaria> ::putting a hand to her lips:: Oh-- I'm sorry, Mistress Zoya, I didn't mean to... ::sighing:: Now I'm doing to to others, also. How could I be so thoughtless? <Zoya> It's all right, Glossaria. I have a family. Blood isn't the only tie that can bind. * Glossaria props her head on her arm and sips her tea. * Zoya smiles warmly. "Or didn't you think anyone else loved you?" <Glossaria> ::ducks her head into her arm, smiling shyly:: Really? <Zoya> Of course! * Marten finishes his wine, and touches Zoya's arm. <Zoya> ::looks at Marten questioningly:: <Marten> Love, can I meet you back at the Tower? I need to go lock up Master Finnigan's forge - I promised him. <Glossaria> ::blushes, and swallows the rest of her tea:: <Zoya> Certainly. I'll see you there, then. ::she leans over and kisses his cheek:: * Marten returns her kiss, and waves to everyone. "Good night, all. Good health." <Glossaria> Good night, Master Marten! <Nacheyla> Good night, Marten... I'll save the bottle for you. <Glossaria> I love you too, Mistress Zoya. ::smiling a little:: How could I not? But... this doesn't mean I have to have sex with you and Master Marten now, does it? * Nacheyla laughs * Marten walks out of the Hall, into the night air. <Zoya> ::laughs:: No. <Zoya> That would be an example of a different kind of love. ::she chuckles and drinks some more cider:: <Glossaria> ::looking relieved:: Good. ::sitting up again:: Not that I wouldn't if you wanted me to, but... ::shrugging:: * Nacheyla shakes her head, then empties her wine glass. * Bai sips his water. <Zoya> ::laughs again and finishes her cider:: * Nacheyla looks around the room <Nacheyla> Last call? * Adiethian looks at what's left in his mug. "I'll be fine with this, many thanks." * Bai finishes his water. * Zoya puts her mug down. "No more for me. I've got to go back to the 'gnomes tomorrow." <Nacheyla> Are you sure you don't want a bottle to go, then, Zoya? I hear it works well as an antiseptic... <Glossaria> ::sagging on her stool, taking a deep breath, and straightening her spine:: Well... I should go talk to Vallel. Might I have a shot of...hmm...whiskey, please, Mistress Nacheyla? <Bai> Glossaria, just remember to be honest. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: I've got some antiseptic back at the Tower. * Bai picks up his staff and leaves. <Glossaria> ::nods:: I'm not very good at lying, anyway. Fiction, yes, but lying's tricky. <Nacheyla> Oh, Vallel's out of town right now, dear... He and Tyl and Michelle and a few others are out beating up some robbers or something like that. * Adiethian finishes up his ale, and sets the mug the mug toddling back towards the kitchen. <Zoya> I'd forgotten about that. <Adiethian> Well, I had best be on my way. Good night, everyone. ::leaves a small stack of copper pieces on the bar and heads for the door:: * Nacheyla scoops up the coins and deposits the cash into the lockbox. <Zoya> ::looks around at the nearly empty room:: Well, I guess it's just the two of us, Glossaria. Come on, let's go home. <Glossaria> Oh. ::slumping again:: Well, it'll keep, then. ::sounding disappointed:: After you, Mistress Zoya. * Zoya nods good night to Nach, then rises and leaves, holding the door for Glossaria. <Nacheyla> Good night * Glossaria follows Zoya. * Nacheyla looks after Glossaria <Nacheyla> Poor kid... <Nacheyla> ::it is not quite clear which 'kid' she's talking about:: |
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