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* Rhys walks in from the back room, unlocks the front door, and returns behind the bar. "Hall's open." * Vallel walks in, still dressed like a younger version of Jaret, but looking sort of glum. <Rhys> Well met, Vallel. Can I get you anything? <Vallel> ::nods:: Lemonade? * Rhys pours the frippily dressed lad a mug of pale lemonade. "And how are you and yours faring?" * Meghan walks into the Hall a few minutes after Vallel. <Vallel> ::takes a long swallow of lemonade:: I don't know, really... not so great, I guess... <Rhys> Meghan, a pleasure to see you out and about. Would you care for something from the bar? <Rhys> ::to Vallel, sincerely:: I'm sorry. What seems to be the matter? * Meghan is wearing a dark green dress with a royal blue sash and the same color ribbon holding back her hair. * Lisl walks in, hanging a somewhat battered leather pack on a hook by the door before strolling to a bar stool. The scent of fir trees clings to her hair and skin. "'Evening, Rhys. Applejack, please?" * Meghan smiles to Rhys as she sits on a barstool. <Meghan> Red wine please. <Vallel> What isn't? I get my head handed to me a few weeks ago, Glossaria's treating me like I'm contagious, Mistress Tyl spends her days going from happy to sad to angry to gone without rhyme or reason, my aunt is upset about something, and Charoli is off to Waterdeep. In short, everything is going to the Abyss recently. <Lisl> ::cocking her head at Vallel:: Feeling better, at least? She still hasn't gotten up the guts to talk to you, hmm? <Rhys> ::to Lisl:: The only batch we've got in at the moment is spiced, so I hope you don't mind. ::pours her a mug of the brew and slides it down the bar to her:: And, Meghan, I think some of that Arabellan Red that Malkier favors will suit. ::pours Meghan a goblet of the red wine and sets it in front of her:: <Vallel> I feel fine. If nothing else, getting my brain a bit scrambled seems to have aided my control... but everything else... ::sighs:: <Meghan> Thank you ::takes the glass and takes a small sip:: <Rhys> Your teacher will get better... in time. She's getting a first-hand lesson on the whole short-term versus long-term decision making process, and although it's quite unpleasant, she'll recover eventually. * Zoya enters, her robes lightly dusted with a fine, powdery ash. She heads for the bar. "Good evening, all!" <Lisl> Spiced'll do, thanks. ::smiling as she sniffs the cup:: Left over from the winter, I'd imagine. Not a problem, it's better the longer it sits. ::grin:: <Rhys> Well met, Zoya. Can I get you some cider? * Meghan smiles at Zoya "Evening Zoya" <Zoya> Cider would be lovely, Rhys, thank you. * Rhys pours Zoya a mug of cider and hands it over. <Lisl> 'Evening, Zoya. ::wrinkles her nose:: What have you been up to? Whatever you were burning, it's vile! * Vallel looks over at Zoya with curiosity <Zoya> Hullo, Meghan. How're you adjusting? ::to Lisl:: Half my laboratory, and myself as well, if I weren't quick with a shield-spell. ::grins:: <Meghan> I'm doing very well thanks. Starting to find things to keep me busy <Lisl> Your lab? ::under her breath:: Well, that explains the smell...too bad it wasn't the kitchen. ::louder:: What happened? Experiment get out of control? <Zoya> ::shrugs:: I was investigating a book Tyl brought me. Nasty little trap on it - she's lucky she didn't try to open it herself. <Lisl> ::wrinkling her nose again:: That-- the one made out of-- human? Firetrapped? <Vallel> ::looks confused:: the book caught you on fire? <Zoya> ::grins:: Well, it was more like a life drainer than a firetrap, but the heat of the spell managed to catch a few things on fire. ::glares at some unspecific point:: I'd worked hard to train those mice, too. <Lisl> You shouldn't be opening things like that without a pries-- oh. Heh. Silly me. Sorry. * Vallel walks over and inspects Zoya's robes, unabashedly picking up the hem and rucking it up to her thigh, peering at the material * Meghan watches Vallel with a bit of amusement <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow at Val:: Excuse me? <Vallel> This stuff.... Oh... sorry... ::drops the hem of her robe:: this stuff... it looks familiar <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow in amusement, but says nothing:: <Zoya> Does it? Can you place it? * Rhys pours himself a glass of extremely pale blush wine, and rests against the back wall. * Meghan sips her wine * Lisl takes a swallow of her applejack, smiling as it fizzes in her nose a little. <Vallel> ::sits down, peering at his fingers, which are coated in the grey mess:: Back at the school, when this mess with Whatsis Yutz was first starting... this happened to some of the houseplants Mistress Tyl had around the dorms... whenever we were attacked, we'd almost always find this stuff... <Lisl> Heh... it's like soda-pop! * Rhys fixes Lisl with a querying look. "Soda... pop?" * Yohko walks in the door dressed in her usual, nondescript fashion. <Zoya> ::frowns:: Hmm. I'll keep that in mind while I'm investigating the book. It might be significant. <Zoya> ::nods a greeting to Yohko:: <Lisl> ::quirking one side of her mouth up in a half-grin:: Something I had...oh, some time ago, planes-walking. Like Mist of the Peaks. Actually...::frowns:: Nah, couldn't be the same stuff.... <Rhys> Yohko, good evening. Can I get you anything? * Yohko walks over to the bar and sits on a stool, "Good evening all. Has anyone seen Tyl recently?" <Vallel> ::peers at Yohko:: I thought she was with you? <Zoya> I thought you were watching her? <Lisl> 'Evening, Yohko. Good seeing. <Yohko> Tea please. * Lisl has another long swallow of applejack. * Vallel stands up and executes an almost perfect bow, appropriate to her status and his own... * Yohko looks at Vallel, "I haven't seen her for at least a day." <Zoya> ::frowns:: * Rhys begins preparing Yohko some green tea. <Yohko> I've got rather more charges than I can keep track of at the moment. Particularly when several of them are convinced that I'm being over-protective. <Lisl> ::gives Vallel an odd look:: You've been hanging around with Jaret again, haven't you? <Vallel> ::grins at Lisl and bows again, this time doing the overly gallant flourish:: I try... * Rhys finishes making Yohko her tea and sets it down in front of her. <Yohko> Thank you Rhys. ::Yohko sips her tea.:: <Lisl> ::laughs, puts her glass down, and stands, bowing floridly in return before taking her seat again:: One good turn deserves another. * Meghan finishes her wine <Vallel> Ah, my lady... you do that so well, if we had a minstrel, I'd adore leading you around the floor... ::winks impishly:: * Yohko sips her tea, "Looks like he's starting to pick up Jaret's bad habits as well." * Meghan smiles and says hi to Yohko <Vallel> ::turns back to Yohko:: So, when did you last see my Mistress? <Yohko> How are you this evening Meghan? Adjusting to the world? <Meghan> ::nods:: Slowly but surely <Yohko> She stayed at the house two nights ago, but when I woke up she'd vanished. Haven't been able to find a trace of her since. <Lisl> ::laughs at Vallel:: If we had a minstrel, you'd be pressing your luck, scamp. ::takes another swallow of applejack:: Come to think, I wonder whatever happened to S'ay... <Vallel> Well ::finishes off his lemonade:: she's good at hiding... but I don't know why she'd be hiding <Lisl> If you're really concerned, Yohko, I could give you a hand in looking, later. <Lisl> You're sure she didn't go off on her own? Or is that exactly what you don't want her to be doing? <Yohko> That's exactly what I'm worried about. She's still in withdrawal, and if her psionics are returning, they certainly aren't stable at this point. And she's a lot more powerful than Vallel here. <Rhys> More lemonade, Vallel? <Vallel> Thank you, yes... * Rhys refills Vallel's mug. * Lisl finishes off her applejack in one swallow:: Another mug please, Rhys? <Meghan> Rhys could I get another glass of wine too please <Lisl> ::frowning a little:: It takes that long to get over a drug? Hm. Hangovers only last half a day...it's pretty much the same, isn't it? How long had she been using it? <Rhys> Coming right up. ::grabs the mug, refills it, and slides it down the bar to Lisl, then takes Meghan's goblet, refills it with Arabellan, and sets it down in front of her:: <Vallel> Mistress Tyl's been using the esper weed to enhance her abilities since... something to do with a blended cat and her fiancee <Meghan> Thanks Rhys :: smiles at him:: * Zoya drinks her cider. <Yohko> Vallel, do you know of a psionic power that can desicate plants? <Lisl> ::wrinkling her brow as she snags the mug and takes another swallow, licking foam almost daintily from around her mouth:: A blended-- oh! Do you mean Jel's little tiff in the Blood Wars? <Vallel> ::blinks:: Um... ::thinks:: Not off the top of my head, no, but I'm still learning. Manipulate Molecules might, but I can't see why anyone would want to <Vallel> ::to Lisl:: I guess. She doesn't talk about it much... <Lisl> Plants? You mean kill them? Hell, *I* can do that! ::grinning:: <Yohko> Yes, but can you reduce them to a fine powder without disturbing any of the people living in the house. * Meghan sips her wine half listening to the conversation and half daydreaming <Vallel> Powder? ::grabs Zoya's robe again:: Like this? <Lisl> Sure. Give me a year, a windowsill, and an empty watering can. * Yohko examines Zoya's robes, "It would appear to be." <Lisl> But...::looking at Zoya:: That was just fire, wasn't it? Or-- you said it was trying to drain you? ::raising an eyebrow:: That sounds like necromancy. <Vallel> ::paces around, his eyes distant:: this is so weird <Zoya> ::nods:: The fires were incidental. I thought I'd start looking in a necromantic direction, once I've got my basic notes made. * Meghan watches Vallel pace <Yohko> Someone want to fill me in? <Lisl> Weird? How so? ::looking from Yohko to Vallel to Zoya:: Is there something else going on here? <Vallel> ::snatches Zoya's robe again:: This... stuff... it seems to be a side effect of Tyl's enemy... everywhere he is... this is... this whatever it is <Zoya> ::shrugs:: The book I'm investigating is very impressive, but I'm no sure what he means by weird... ::looks at Val:: <Lisl> ::grinning at Vallel a little:: You really *do* miss Gloss, don't you? But ripping the clothes off her mistress won't help you. <Vallel> ::pauses in his pacing long enough to stick his tongue out at Lisl:: <Zoya> ::laughs:: <Meghan> ;;chuckles at Lisl and Vallel:: <Lisl> ::shakes her head, still grinning:: You don't want to be offering what you can't back up, kiddo. <Zoya> ::laughs:: How do you know he can't back it up, Lisl? Have you *seen* some of Glossaria's books? <Vallel> ::blush:: <Zoya> ::chuckles:: <Yohko> Let me see if I've got this straight. The individual who's hunting Tyl creates this pumice as what, a side effect of his spells. And Zoya encountered the same effect when she was studying the spell book Tyl procured from him. Am I following things so far? <Vallel> I'm serious, Mistress Lisl... there are two questions here... what's causing this ashy stuff? And if it was around Michelle's house, just after my Mistress vanished... what do you think might have happened to her? <Lisl> ::gives a bark of laughter:: You think that's what I meant? I just thought he might want to *keep* his tongue. ::grins at him, running her tongue over her teeth:: Fresh tongue is tasty. <Zoya> Well, my plants and lab critters all turned to dust when I released the trap-spell on the book. * Meghan listens more intently to the conversation <Rhys> ::eyes widen, and then narrow in a frightful glare at Yohko:: Oh, shit. <Vallel> ::gives a quick look at Zoya:: Ow. Poor things... <Lisl> ::narrowing her eyes, dropping her joking matter:: *Only* the live things were injured? <Lisl> ::Looking at Vallel:: When's the last time you saw her? Or you? ::swinging her gaze to Yohko:: <Zoya> ::nods:: Some sort of life-draining spell. Would've got me, too, except I'm fast. Why? <Yohko> Zoya, how long would it take you to cobble together a spell to let us track that kind of a magical signature? <Vallel> I saw her... four days ago, when she stopped by to check my injuries... * Rhys glares at his half-full goblet of wine and mutters under his breath. "...drinking instead of paying attention..." <Lisl> I thought you were talking about a fire-trap. What sort of school does this stalker of hers run, anyway? Does anyone know? <Vallel> He teaches at the mage school, I think <Zoya> ::frowns:: I don't... ::ponders:: I'm not sure. It's not really... ::considers:: Week or two, maybe. * Meghan smiles at Rhys's comment <Yohko> Kuso. Lisl, I think you and Felice may have some work this evening. <Zoya> ::nods:: Yes, but I never saw anything like that when I looked in on his classes there. Maybe it's only certain types of spells that trigger the drain. <Yohko> Or maybe he just knows how to hide it. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Too long. ::reaching to touch Zoya's robe lightly, and rubbing her fingers together under her nose, making a face:: It shouldn't be too hard to track *this* stuff. <Zoya> ::to Yohko:: I don't think he's hiding it. That would be pretty hard to hide, and if it happens with his every spell, he'd have started draining either himself or his students, and we'd definitely have heard about it. * Meghan listens trying to keep up with the conversation <Lisl> ::frowning a little:: Pardon my language, but he wouldn't crap on his own table. Sounds like he's only using *these* spells away from home. Or he's got a hidden lab somewhere. ::flashing a grin at Meghan, noting her interest:: Typical evil genius setup. * Rhys quietly raises a hand. "If I may have your attention, please, I would wish to share certain insights I have just had." <Zoya> ::looks attentively at Rhys:: * Meghan grins back at Lisl and turns to Rhys * Yohko gives Rhys her full attention. <Vallel> ::looks at Rhys:: * Lisl takes another swallow of 'jack and looks at Rhys expectantly. <Rhys> The wretch you are after is a type of mage called a defiler, and he is from a different world than Faerun. The world is an awful place, where massive, powerful horrors lurch across the sands. He's probably after Tyl because of the unusual psychoportation she had after returning the Viscount to his house. <Vallel> A defiler? <Lisl> ::frowning:: More foreign magic. From where? <Zoya> ::narrows her eyes:: "Sands"? A desert world? <Rhys> Frankly, I don't care a whit for him. He's a mouse. I'm concerned with however he managed to arrive here, and what might come through whatever door he nosed his way through. <Yohko> That bad? <Rhys> Mostly desert, drained of life by magic like his. The details aren't that important. <Rhys> Yes, that bad. Things that I wouldn't want the gods themselves to have to attempt to stop. * Meghan wonders about how many worlds there might be and how people get from on to another. Makes a mental note to talk to someone about it <Zoya> ::frowns:: He didn't 'jam here. If there was something that awful out there that knew how to 'jam, word would've spread and I'd have at least heard about it. ::frowns, thinking:: <Vallel> Jam? Strawberry or grape? ::laughs with forced humor:: <Zoya> ::smiles a bit tiredly, as if she's heard it before:: <Lisl> ::giving Vallel a glance and turning back to Rhys:: Could you describe one of these indescribable horrors? And how do you know them? * Meghan smiles at Vallel's comment <Yohko> As much interdimensional travel as I've done, I've never done it under my own power. I don't have the vaguest clue what to look for. Though I bet I can get the story out of our friend once we find him. <Zoya> Maybe. He might've wound up here on accident, like Meghan. <Rhys> In brief, Lisl, dragons far more massive than have ever spread wing over Faerun, with psionic and magical powers to rival the greatest that have ever lived, that drain life from everything for great distances around them simply by existing. Does that satisfy you? * Meghan raises her eyebrows <Vallel> Um... yucky? <Lisl> ::shrugs a shoulder:: Fair enough. But if they were here, wouldn't they be a tad noticeable? <Meghan> Would you know if something like that was around here Rhys? <Zoya> ::eyes Rhys:: How *do* you know about them, Rhys? <Rhys> Meghan, dear, if there was one around here, we'd all know about it, in all sorts of unpleasant ways. <Yohko> I think the point Rhys is trying to make, is that we want to find and close the door that let our friend get here before one of these dragons decides to find a new nesting place. * Meghan nods looking slightly worried <Rhys> Thank you, Yohko. <Zoya> I agree, Yohko. But how do we get our hands on him? <Lisl> Is this...defiler likely to be siding with the dragons? Or trying to escape them? <Rhys> My current hope is that this fool somehow manufactured some irreproducible one-way voyage here, and is looking for a way back. My concern is that he found a crack in the walls between worlds that something else is capable of enlarging and coming through. <Zoya> ::sighs:: I think I'll step up my research on that book of his, then - it might hold some clues. <Rhys> I don't know what the defiler is likely to do. Not siding with the dragons -- the dragons have no need to strike up deals with anyone. Possibly trying to gain more power. Possibly trying to use Tyl to get back to Athas. I don't know. <Yohko> Well if you and or Rhys can come up with something to track his magic that would be very useful. Until then I think are best bet is getting our best trackers on his trail with the rest of us quartering the city and the surrounding country side. Given the game of hide and seek he was playing with Tyl before she lost her psionics I'd recommend working in pairs. That should be enough to ensure an advantage to which ever group finds him first. <Lisl> ::looking up sharply:: Athas? That's the name of this...desert? <Rhys> Yes, Lisl. <Meghan> How would Tyl get him back to Athas? <Lisl> Since you seem to know about him, Rhys...do you know how to protect against his magic? * Rhys splays his hands out in front of him. "I don't know, that's what I'm worried about." <Vallel> ::shrugs:: carry a potted plant? <Rhys> I know *about* him, and his type of magic. I didn't vacation there or anything. <Lisl> ::giving Vallel a mild glare:: Nah, even you would get heavy after a while, Vallel. <Yohko> One of Tyl's powers is the ability to travel planes. In principle she could read the image of his home world from his mind and then transport them both there. Course he'd have to have some rather sophisticated mind control in order to force her to do so against her will. And given her current state, it's unlikely she can do it anyway. ::Yohko takes on a horrified look:: Unless he started giving her Esperweed again. * Meghan pushes her half empty wine glass away. <Vallel> oh hells... ::suddenly sits down in his stool as if his legs were cut out from under him:: <Rhys> Well, then, Yohko, it sounds like it might be a good idea for you to head to wherever Tyl was buying her esperweed from, threaten them with severe bodily harm and dismemberment, and find out if anyone's been buying lately. <Meghan> Rhys could I have some water please * Rhys pours Meghan a mug of ice water. <Yohko> Agreed. Lisl, want to tag along. We can pick up Felice along the way so you two can start tracking this guy. <Vallel> ::looks earnestly at Zoya:: Can I help you in any way? * Meghan takes a long sip of the water * Meghan glances at Yohko "I want to help to....if I can" <Lisl> ::looking at Rhys:: And if you think all I'm going to do is threaten, you're seriously mistaken. <Rhys> ::grins viciously:: I'd never expect Yohko's level of restraint from you, Lisl. <Vallel> ::glances at Lisl:: I wouldn't advice maiming him, satisfying as it might be... he's a guild member <Zoya> ::frowns:: I don't... ::gives him a piercing look:: Actually, maybe you can, if you think you can get permission from your aunt to work with me a bit. If what Rhys says is true, these people might have found a way to mix magic and psionics, and I'd need some help untangling this spellbook. <Lisl> ::raising an eyebrow:: Guild member? Who, the dealer? <Vallel> ::nods:: <Vallel> ::to Zoya:: Auntie dearest wants me out from underfoot... I don't know what bat crawled up her skirt recently, but she's peeved about something. <Yohko> Meghan, I want you to go back to the house. Once you are there you are not to leave Temire's presence for ANY reason. You aren't used to how things work in this world. Temire should be able to keep the both of you out of trouble. Tell her if she doesn't feel up to it to take the both of you to the Tower. If he can force his way in there then we're all in trouble. <Zoya> Well, go home tonight and tell her about it - she may not approve of an "out from underfoot" that might turn as dangerous as this - and if you get her permission, get a good night's rest and be at the Tower by midmorning. <Rhys> ::quietly:: Vallel? These people could be responsible for bringing a nightmare onto this planet that kills everyone one it. I don't care if they're Cyric's son, I'll pull their skeletons out from their legs if I think it'll help. * Meghan frowns slightly but nods <Vallel> Alright. You might want to let Gloss know I'm coming so she can hide under the bed ::his mouth quirks to the side bitterly:: <Zoya> ::glances at Yohko:: Yes. ::to Meghan:: You're a scribe, yes? Bring Temire to the Tower. You can take notes for me. I get the feeling this is going to take a *lot* of work. <Rhys> ::muttering:: Today's topic, quantitative morality. <Vallel> ::back to Rhys:: I don't want Mistress Lisl to get hurt... the Guild can be bad to cross... <Rhys> So can Lisl. <Zoya> ::smiles at Val:: Glossaria's my assistant and apprentice, Vallel. She's not hiding when there's work to be done. <Lisl> ::turning to look at Vallel for a long moment:: So am I. <Meghan> ::nods to Zoya:: <Vallel> Alright... ::gives Zoya a shrug:: You can tell her I take it back, tho... if she wants to go back to being like we were... which I'd rather instead of all this pretending I don't exist... <Yohko> Besides, if the Guild has problems they can take them up with me. I'm sure I can return services worth more than that fool ever brought them. <Vallel> Well, *that* much is true... * Yohko finishes her tea. "Ready to go Lisl?" <Meghan> ::turns to Zoya:: should we come tonight or tomorrow? <Zoya> ::to Val:: You'll have to work things out with Glossaria on your own, I'm afraid, but I'll let her know you want to talk if you like. <Lisl> ::nods:: Whenever you are. I've got the-- ::glancing at Meghan and pausing for a moment:: I think I know where to start looking. <Vallel> ::sigh:: okay <Zoya> ::to Meghan:: Better make it tomorrow; I need to prepare the Staff and Marten for extra visitors, and you shouldn't be walking the night streets any more than absolutely necessary. I don't think you're in any danger at the moment. * Meghan nods <Yohko> Good, I want to talk to that dealer first. That way we have some idea of what kind of a time table and danger level we're looking at. <Zoya> Vallel, would you walk Meghan safely home on your way to your aunt's, please? I'll see you in the morning. <Zoya> ::swigs the rest of her cider and lets out a sigh:: <Vallel> ::nods:: I don't believe I've met you? * Meghan smiles at Vallel <Meghan> Meghan ::holds out her hand to him:: <Vallel> ::offers an arm to the young woman:: Shall we, my lady? <Lisl> ::puts down her mug and puts her hands together, cracking her knuckles:: The dealer will be a nice appetizer, I think. <Vallel> Where's home? * Yohko nods in agreement, "If he discovers that we're after him tonight, it'll most likely be because Lisl and I catch up with him. Which means he'll be too busy to cause anyone else mischief. After tonight though, all bets are off." <Rhys> Vallel, this is Meghan, she's new in town. Meghan, this is Vallel, Tyl's student and Nacheyla's nephew, more or less. <Meghan> Thanks Rhys ::smiles to him:: I am staying with Michelle Vallel <Vallel> Oh, I know where that is... that's good. I'd hate to wander around forever being lost, although you'd be good company to be lost with... * Meghan grins at Vallel "I have a feeling you would be as well" <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Save it for later, loverboy. You still have one romantic entanglement to clear up, don't you? * Yohko gets off the stool and heads towards the door. "If things weren't so serious I'd use this as a great excuse to expand Temire's lessons. Who knows, I might look the man up later and do just that." <Vallel> ::grins at Lisl:: I'm taking after Jaret's bad habits, remember? * Rhys scoops up his wine glass and raises it, "To everyone's impending success." He swiftly drains the glass and slides it down the bar to the kitchen. <Lisl> Unrepentant scamp. <Vallel> ::lays a small silver coin on the bar:: <Vallel> Influence of those around me, my lady... * Zoya chuckles and heads out into the night with a determined step. * Rhys flicks the coin back to Vallel. It bounces off his side and into his pouch. "No charge for those escorting a lady home, son." * Vallel takes Meghan's arm and leads her from the Hall... * Meghan laughs and takes Vallel's arm ready to head out <Lisl> Thanks, Rhys. I think we'll need it. ::dropping a coin on the counter as she nods to Yohko, following her towards the door. "I'm not sure enough of him will be left for lessons, Yohko." * Rhys looks around, and summons a lert with a few quick words. He addresses it brusquely. "Clean up. I've got to go out." He heads for the door, closes it, and then locks it behind him. The lert lets out a martyred sigh, and begins to clean up the Hall. |
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