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* Nacheyla comes in, lights the lamps, gives the bar a careful wipedown, and unlocks the door. <Nacheyla> Hall's open. * Nacheyla pours herself a mug of light ale and mutters quietly to the little yellow star that always buzzes around her head. * Nacheyla wanders into the kitchen and comes out a few minutes later with a large tray of meats, breads and cheeses with various bowls of sauces and mustards. * Zoya enters, a broad grin on her face. "Good even', Nacheyla! Cider, if you please, and lots of it!" * Lisl enters, limping slightly, pausing to shrug out of an oilcloth cloak an hang it, dripping, on a peg by the door. * Nacheyla reaches under the bar and pulls out a shiny copper mug that's about eleven inches high and eight inches in diameter. <Nacheyla> Will this do? <Zoya> ::laughs:: By all means! * Nacheyla fills the large mug with cider. * Temire rushes in and hangs her cloak on a peg next to Lisl's. She dressed in her customary shirt and breeches with her sword on her left hip. <Nacheyla> Here you go... * Jaret sweeps in through the door, decked out in an elegant deep green ensemble, over his usual white ruffled shirt. He removes his plumed hat as he walks in through the door. His rapier is buckled in its usual place at his side. "Good evening, everyone!" <Lisl> While you're doing large orders, Nacheyla... venison, please. Rare. Lots of it. <Nacheyla> Good evening, Lisl. How are you? Temire! Nice to see you. Lord Jaret. Always a pleasure. I've been saving a nice bottle of Arabellan especially for you. * Nacheyla nods to Lisl and dashes back into the kitchen * Temire blushes, "Good evening Master Jaret." <Jaret> Thank you, Nacheyla, some Arabellan Red would be most pleasing. And Temire, how have you been? I trust the blade hasn't disappointed? * Zoya carefully hefts the huge mug, raises it in greeting to Jaret, then drinks deeply, most of her face disappearing into the mug's depths. <Temire> I haven't had much cause to use it...Well, except for that one time. <Lisl> In good health, but... ::shrugging one shoulder and suppressing a sour smile:: I've had a few... recovery problems. <Lisl> ::raising an eyebrow at the size of Zoya's mug:: Zoya, are you busy drowning your sorrows, or would you have a moment for a bit of a... umm... consultation? * Zoya emerges, sighing deeply, and turns to Lisl. "Nah, I'm only drowning a thirst. What can I do for you?" * Nacheyla comes back in bearing a platter of steaming venison steaks. * Nacheyla pours Jaret a goblet of wine. <Nacheyla> And Temire? Any thing for you? <Lisl> ::limping over and pulling up a stool:: Ah, bless you, Nacheyla! The first thing you can do for me, Zoya, is promise not to laugh. <Nacheyla> Is this a private horror, Lisl? Or can we all listen in? * Temire shakes her head, "Just something cool to drink." * Temire sits down at the bar. <Zoya> ::raises an eye at Lisl:: Laugh? I don't laugh at serious things, Lisl. Everything else... ::she shrugs:: What's the problem? <Lisl> Oh, you can all listen. You're bound to know soon enough, anyway. ::pulling out her beltknife and snagging a hefty chunk of venison to chew on:: * Nacheyla pours Temire a glass of something brown and bubbly into a chilled mug. * Temire sips her drink and nods her thanks to Nacheyla. * Jaret has a sip of his wine. * Nacheyla settles down behind the bar <Nacheyla> So, tell us, Lisl... what's up? <Lisl> ::swallows her mouthful of Bambi:: Well, that dragon-wannabe cursed me with his dying breath. And blood. I didn't think much of it at the time, but I think he's gradually winning me over to his point of view. * Nacheyla swears <Temire> Why don't you go see a priest? <Zoya> ::frowns:: What makes you say so? <Lisl> ::frowns at Temire, waving a hand in Zoya's direction:: I *am* seeing a priest. The best one I know. <Temire> Oh ::Covers her mouth with her hands:: I forgot. <Zoya> ::smiles benignly at Temire before looked back at Lisl:: <Lisl> Well, he slobbered blood all over my foot. Nasty stuff...it burned like acid. ::thoughtful frown:: I think he was closer to getting his wish than we realized... ::shaking her head:: Anyway, I don't heal magical wounds very well, so I wrapped it and took care of it, and wasn't surprised when it healed slowly... <Lisl> I *was* surprised when the wound started going bad. Well... ::twisting her lips in that sour smile again:: I *thought* it was going bad... <Zoya> ::frowns again, concentrating:: <Lisl> ::sighs:: Oh, hells. I'm just putting off the inevitable here. ::giving every patron in the room a yellow-eyed warning look:: Now remember, *don't* laugh.... * Jaret looks around at everyone and murmurs quietly to Temire, "I think I was absent for another fantastic adventure." * Lisl glances at Jaret, offering him a fleeting, sweet smile. "Turnabout is fair play." <Nacheyla> To sum up, Tyl's older brother had delusions of god hood and came after her and her sister as his ticket * Jaret looks slightly confused, "I didn't think Tyl had a... oh. Oh. So, when she thought she... oh. Never mind." <Zoya> ::to Lisl:: We're not going to laugh, Lisl. Just show us. * Temire whispers to Jaret, "I'm sure Lisl and Mistress Zoya can tell the story better, but if you want I'll tell you what Mistress Michelle told me while she was convalescing." <Lisl> Okay. Just remember, you asked for it. * Lisl takes a deep breath and pulls up a spare stool, propping her injured foot up on it. She leans forward to yank the boot off with a slight grunt. The foot underneath is a deep, healthy- looking... green. With scales. And the beginnings of a dewclaw on the back of the ankle. <Jaret> ::quietly, to Temire:: No, that's all right... I think more pressing matters have made themselves known. <Lisl> I think you can see my difficulty. And... it looks like this no matter *what* form I'm in. <Nacheyla> Oh, Gods and Demons! * Zoya blinks, and then her jaw drops. She leans over to examine Lisl's foot, carefully not touching it. "How high up does go? And does it seem to be spreading?" <Jaret> And does it hurt? <Lisl> I haven't noticed any spreading... you can be sure, I've been monitoring *that* quite closely. I think it must've been his blood. I'm not even certain he intended this effect himself, besides a general ill-wishing. It reaches up to about mid-calf. * Lisl pushes up her pants-leg to show the extent of the... umm... injury. The scaly green skin reaches to mid-calf, all the way around, and then shades quite naturally into her usual pink, silver-haired flesh. <Lisl> Look closely, Jaret, it's probably your best chance to see my naked calves. ::smiling a little wryly:: <Lisl> It doesn't... hurt, exactly. It feels weird. Like...::frowning, and flexing the clawed toes a little:: Like there are different muscles down there. * Zoya whispers a quick spell under her breath, coating her right hand in a faintly sparkling shimmer. She gently touches the scales around Lisl's ankle. * Lisl jerks her foot a little, and looks abashed. "Sorry. That tickled." <Zoya> ::smiles reassuringly:: That's okay. Try to hold it still while I take a good look, though. ::goes back to examining:: * Lisl nods and grits her teeth, holding the foot still, although the toes twitch occasionally. <Zoya> Hmm. ::she pulls a small, thin knife out of her sleeve and holds it up for Lisl's inspection:: Non-magical. If I slip by accident and cut you, it should heal normally for you. <Lisl> It's not so bad like this... I can cover it up with a boot. But a lizard-footed wolf is something people would notice, don't you think? * Lisl gives the knife a cursory once-over and nods. * Zoya uses the knife to carefully pry up a few scales to look at the skin underneath. "Tell me if this hurts, Lisl..." <Lisl> ::pressing her lips together:: It...it's a little uncomfortable, but it doesn't hurt. Yet. * Jaret smiles at Lisl, reaches out, and squeezes her shoulder. "I'm sure my bedeviling charm will grant me the sight of your gently turned calves at least once again." * Nacheyla snerts her mouthful of beer back into her mug. <Nacheyla> Oh, yuck, Jaret... ::pours backwashed beer into the drain and refills her mug:: * Jaret looks at Nacheyla, a perplexed look on his face. "What?" <Lisl> ::coughs:: Not with lines like that, it won't. * Temire sips her drink. <Nacheyla> ::waves her hand dismissively:: Never mind, lord Jaret. You and my nephew sound more and more alike every day. * Jaret shrugs and has some more of his wine. * Zoya hmms and hrms for a while over Lisl's foot, turning it over to examine the claws at the ends and the knob of dewclaw. She finally sighs, "I don't know, Lisl. I've never seen anything like this before. I'll have to do some more examination before I can actually try anything on it." <Jaret> ::looks at Nacheyla:: Your nephew... oh, yes! Vallel! How is the boy doing? <Lisl> ::looking glum:: I suppose just cutting it off wouldn't do it? I've been awfully tempted to try it. <Nacheyla> Engaged. Dreamy. In love. that sort of thing... <Jaret> Really! With Glossaria, I assume? Good for him. <Lisl> Engaged? Vallel got engaged? I thought that Gloss wasn't having any of him? <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow in contemplation:: I don't know, Lisl. Have you ever been dismembered? <Nacheyla> She decided to have a betrothal. At the end of a year, if they're still talking to each other, they're going to get married. He's ecstatic. He was bracing himself for a no. That child, Meghan, has been letting him cry over her for weeks now <Lisl> Ah... no. Not completely, anyway. I've lost fingers, though. Even...::holding up her right hand and tracing a line from between her two middle knuckles down below her thumb, and then flexing the hand.:: <Lisl> Wow. How... unexpectedly sensible of her. ::chuckling a little:: <Zoya> Hmm. Well, if your fingers grew back, your foot probably would... Still, it probably wouldn't be very pleasant. We'll save that for a last resort, if you don't mind - or if it starts to spread. <Lisl> ::nods:: It took over a year for them to grow back entirely, and it was a *major* handicap-- you never realize how much you use your thumb until it's gone. Still, I *did* learn how to fight left-handed... ::shaking her head:: Anyway, what stopped me was mainly that I had no guarantee it wouldn't grow back like that. ::pointing at her foot:: <Zoya> ::nods:: Yes. Well, come by the Tower tomorrow, and we'll run a few more tests, to see if we can figure out what exactly caused it, and if there's anything we can do about it. <Lisl> ::nods:: You don't...think it'll try to kill me, or anything, do you? I've been sleeping with it chained to the end of the bed, just in case, but... well, it's a bit disconcerting when I try to turn over in bed. * Jaret silently marvels at Lisl's implied flexibility. <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow and runs a fingernail carefully up the bottom of the foot:: * Lisl gives Jaret a Look. "Side-to-side, *Lord * Jaret, not end-to-end. YIPE!" Lisl kicks her foot uncontrollably as Zoya tickles her. <Zoya> ::grins:: Looks like it's under your control. I think you're safe enough. <Lisl> ::muttering:: When I'm *awake*, anyway.... <Zoya> ::smiles:: If you prefer, Lisl, chain it to your other foot. It's not prehensile; it won't be able to pick the lock. <Lisl> Hm... that's a thought. ::wry grin:: It's probably just as well the thieves are terrified of my place... I'd die of embarrassment if a cat burglar saw me like that.... * Jaret has some more wine. * Nacheyla picks at the meat and cheese tray she brought out earlier <Lisl> Anyway... the sooner you can solve this, Zoya, the happier I'll be. It's cutting into my eating habits. ::pointedly fishing for another slice of venison with the tip of her knife:: <Lisl> Can I put my boot back on now? * Lisl nods and pushes the slice into her mouth, chewing as she methodically rolls down the soft cuff of her boot before stuffing the slightly oversized lizard-foot into it, and rolling the cuff up her leg. <Lisl> MMph. I just hope that dewclaw stays under control... I *like* these boots, dammit. * Temire sips her drink. <Zoya> Hmm. You might want to invest in some cheap cloth boots for the next week or so, Lisl. Just in case. * Nacheyla nibbles a piece of bread. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Well... an older pair of leathers, maybe. The way I found out what was going on in the first place was that the damn claws wore through the bandages. <Nacheyla> ::shudders:: Well, I hope it doesn't spread. I just had a horrid mental image <Zoya> ::nods:: Older leathers, then. That, or reinforce your boots' calves with steel plates. <Lisl> :raising an eyebrow at Nach:: What, me as a lizard- woman? * Jaret has some more wine. * Zoya hefts the giant mug and takes a drink of cider. <Nacheyla> Not exactly. <Lisl> Heh. Well, I don't suppose it would be much worse than, say, me walking around in full were. Although... if my foot doesn't change, I wonder if that means the rest of me wouldn't change, either... ::taps her fingers on the bar a moment:: Nach, I believe I'd like some mulekick. Make that a lot of mulekick. <Nacheyla> More like a very large lizard... * Nacheyla pours Lisl a stone mug of mule kick * Lisl sticks her tongue out at Nacheyla. "The only way this baby's going to get forked is if I sliced it in half myself. I don't intend to allow things to get that far." * Lisl accepts the mug and takes a deep draught. <Zoya> Don't get too worried about it, Lisl. We'll figure something out. <Lisl> I'm trying not to think about it too much. I'll cheerfully turn that over to your department. <Zoya> ::mutters to herself, pondering:: A partial polymorphic, perhaps, with.. ::her voice becomes muffled as she takes another drink:: * Jaret swirls his wine in his glass and has another swallow. * Temire sips her drink. * Lisl stomps her foot on the ground to tamp her heel into her boot before hooking it around a rung of her stool. "So Jaret... what *were* you up to while we were off in the Great Sandy Beyond?" <Jaret> Nothing, really. Just being my usual self about town, checking up on some old students, making sure I still remembered all the odd bridges and dark alleys on the Islands, defending the honor of unarmed innocents who were in need of assistance. Nothing too out of the ordinary. <Lisl> ::smiling into her cup:: For you, at any rate. * Zoya finishes her mug and shoves it across the counter along with a silver coin. "Thanks, Nacheyla; that really hit the spot." <Jaret> Well, it keeps me out of trouble. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Sometimes you almost make me wish I were a bad guy, Jaret. Just for the thrill of matching wits with you. ::grinning a little wider:: Or whatever. Heh. * Nacheyla puts the coin in the lockbox * Lisl takes another swallow of 'kick. <Zoya> ::turning to Lisl:: Come by tomorrow, and we'll see what else we can learn about your foot. I'm heading home. It's been a long day. <Lisl> ::nodding:: Will do, Zoya. And thank you. <Zoya> ::nods:: Of course. <Zoya> Good night, my friends! ::she waves and heads out into the night:: * Temire finishes her drink. "I should be heading home as well." <Jaret> ::grinning:: Lisl, if you were a villain, I wouldn't let you get away with that sort of slight. Of course, I would look forward to our every meeting, just as I do now. * Nacheyla waves <Nacheyla> Goodnight all... <Jaret> Good night, Temire. Enjoy the evening! <Lisl> ::putting down her glass and looking over her shoulder:: And remember to get at least fifty yards away before you bust out laughing, girl. I've got good ears. * Temire puts her cloak on and heads out through the door. "Good night Lisl, Mistress Nacheyla, Master Jaret." * Jaret finishes off his wine. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: You mean you let me get away with anything, as it is? ::taking another swallow of 'kick:: Goodnight, Temire! <Jaret> I suppose I should succumb to the prevailing mood and bid everyone a good night. Oh, well. Good night, everyone! <Lisl> ::nods:; I'd best be going as well. ::knocking back the dregs of her cup, and easing off the stool to limp towards the door:: <Nacheyla> Good night, Lord Jaret... <Nacheyla> Good night Lisl. Take care of yourself <Lisl> Thank you for the venison, Nacheyla. I'll try. ::offering a casual salute as she snags her oilcloth from the peg by the door:: <Jaret> ::serious:: I don't think you have to worry about any of us laughing at you, Lisl. Would you care for a companion on your walk home? I don't have any plans tonight, and I always enjoy your company. <Jaret> Or are you worried I might damage your reputation? ::with a sly grin:: <Lisl> I'd like that, I think, Jaret. ::grinning:: I should imagine the reverse would be true. But this way, if my foot decided to run away with me, I'd have someone to help me catch it. * Nacheyla turns to the copper mug which is hopping up and down, batting its eyelashes at her. * Jaret picks up his hat and gestures to the door. "Very well then. Lead the way, Lady Ferinsdottir." <Nacheyla> Yes, yes.... I'm going to wash the dishes... would you relax already.... <Lisl> ::shrugging:: Even I am willing to admit the humor of the situation... when it's not scaring me silly. ::chuckling:: After you, M'lord Malkier. ::sketching an elaborate bow:: Damn, I wish I had a feathered hat for that. <Jaret> ::as he leaves:: I know a shop that has an excellent selection, if you're interested... * Nacheyla watches them go * Jaret exits the Hall. <Nacheyla> Sheesh... I'm getting ordered around by the dishes... ain't that a sorry state of affairs... ::gestures towards the kitchen:: After you <Lisl> Ha! ::following Jaret out the door:: Now *that* would ruin my reputation... |
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