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* Nacheyla walks in, lighting the lamps with a casual wave of her hand. She plops down on a stool and pours herself a beer. <Nacheyla> Hall's Open! * Tyl walks in and sits down on a barstool. She still looks tired and a bit dusty. <Nacheyla> Good evening. ::gets out a bottle of rum and sits it on the bar next to a glass of ice:: * Tyl pours herself a glass of rum absently, and stares into space, her drink untouched. * Yohko slides through the front/side door dressed in her usual clothes. Unusually she has a rapier strapped to one hip and a main-gauche to the other. * Yohko walks to the bar and perches on a stool. * Yohko takes off a pair of gloves and slides them into her sword belt. "Could I get a cup of tea Nacheyla. Oh, and a mug of juice as well." <Nacheyla> Good evening, Mistress Yohko... ::pours a cup of tea and a mug of juice:: Sure can. How are you doing tonight? * Glossaria pushes open the door, brushing moisture from her hair and hanging her dampish cloak carefully by the fire before joining the group at the bar. <Yohko> Besides wondering if Xarroch might be a good influence on your nephew and worrying about Meghan I'm doing alright. <Glossaria> ::stoutly, overhearing this last:: Xarroch's a very nice being, for a demon. <Nacheyla> Xarroch? A good influence? ::looks puzzled"" <Tyl> ::snerts:: that's like saying Zoya is stable, for a chaos mage... <Glossaria> ::widening her eyes:: My mistress is quite stable, thank you. I find her exceptionally cool-headed, even for a *regular* person. You should see how she dealt with the Council of Clerics last month! <Yohko> Specifically I figure Xarroch knows lots of great locals to demonstrate why it's a bad idea to deliberately handicap yourself in a fight. <Tyl> Oh... is everyone still on about that? ::looks disgusted:: You wouldn't believe the stack of letters I've gotten from the parents of the kids who are taking it upon themselves to beat the tar out of Vallel on a regular basis * Nacheyla nods sympathetically. <Nacheyla> Some of them have come by the cottage recently to register complaints about him "cheating" in duels, using his psionics, when we all know that he doesn't. <Glossaria> Letters from their parents? ::drawing her pale green brows together in a frown:: They're kind enough to inform you of how their child has been punished for picking fights? <Tyl> ::laughs bitterly:: No, they're demands for my paying for healers and "pain and suffering" damages. <Glossaria> Pain and suffering? Pain and suffering??? What about *my* pain and suffering damages??? <Yohko> Actually I'd be interested in reading some of them and then taking things up with said parents. It's bad enough Vallel keeps going into these fights handicapped. It's inexcusable that these children can't even abide by their own rules. Hells, I've meant infernals who were better about keeping their word. * Jelarthna opens the door and glides in, smiling happily and covered with a fair amount of soot * Zoya enters with a particularly spritely step. Perched precariously on her head is a large "ship in a bottle" model, extremely well-made. The sails on the ship look like those of the Cormyrean navy. <Jelarthna> Good evening, friends! ::beams happily and bows deeply to the room, then bounces lightly over to the bar beside Tyl:: <Glossaria> ::darkly:: Infernals are lawful. They know that the consequences are far more dire than any gain they could possibly hope to achieve. <Zoya> Good evening, everyone! ::heads for the bar:: I'll have a cider, if you don't mind, Nacheyla. * Tyl reaches into a pouch and hands Yohko a packet of letters tied with a string. The letters look as if they have been crumpled in anger and thrown around a room for a while before being bundled together. * Nacheyla pours Zoya a Cider. "Interesting hat you have there..." <Glossaria> ::dubiously:: Jel? Mistress? ::looking both of them up and down:: Mistress, do you know you have a bottle on your head? <Jelarthna> Hello, Tyl dear. ::kisses the top of Tyl's head fondly, then looks up:: Hi, Zoya! <Tyl> ::grins at Jel:: Good evening, dear. Something amusing this evening? * Jelarthna looks curiously at the letters and Zoya's ship in a bottle * Yohko unties the bundle and starts reading through the letters. <Zoya> ::takes a swig of cider, then frowns at the comments:: A what? ::She reaches up and takes the bottle off her head and puts it on the counter:: * Nacheyla pulls out a bottle of fey wine and sits it on the bar alongside a goblet. <Jelarthna> ::grins at Tyl:: Something's just coming together nicely. What are those? <Jelarthna> And what is that, Zoya? <Tyl> Letters of complaint... <Zoya> Hmph. ::addressing the bottle:: I thought we agreed you would be a hat for a while. <Jelarthna> complaint? Over what? <Tyl> ::finishes off her rum:: Vallel consorting with demons and suchlike... <Jelarthna> ::beams at Nacheyla and pours a glass of Fey wine:: Thank you, Nacheyla! <Tyl> "cheating" in duels... parents demanded recompensation for their children's problems, things like that. <Jelarthna> ::tsks and shakes his head:: what nonsense. <Nacheyla> Was it a hat "for a while"? ::grins:: * Yohko continues to read the letters, "Call me stupid, but why challenge someone to a fight if you think they're going to use demonic powers against you." <Glossaria> ::grumpily:: We all "consort" with demons. Why don't they pick on any of us? Why don't they pick on *me*, if I'm so distasteful?? <Zoya> ::glances up at Tyl:: Why don't you tell them that as his teacher, you put a lock on his psionic powers outside of the classroom? <Nacheyla> ::with a thoughtful frown:: Probably because any of the rest of us would have toasted one of these idiots long before now. They know they're safe with him... and it lets them feel brave. <Yohko> It's against the rules to hit women. It's alright to use cheap tricks against a man though...as long as you win. <Tyl> ::frowns:: Is that possible? I never tried it... <Zoya> ::to Nach:: Well, yes, actually. A very attractive hat, actually. ::she glances back at the bottle:: For maybe five minutes. <Glossaria> But... even when they *don't* win, they do it, and complain when they lose!!! Mistress Yohko, you're not arguing logically. <Nacheyla> It's a very nice boat too... doesn't really belong on your head, but you know... ::shrugs:: <Jelarthna> ::grins mischievously:: No need to toast... one could just humiliate. ::winks:: If you repeated disarm an opponent in interesting ways and yawn as you let them retrieve their sword, it does interesting things to their morale... : <Yohko> It's almost certainly possible. The problem is that means Vallel can't practice outside of class, and if he ever gets in real trouble, he won't have them to help him out. <Tyl> ::sighs:: Winning doesn't always mean winning the fight... <Zoya> ::sighs:: I didn't mean that she should *really* put a block on his powers. But if these parents thought there was a block, they might relax a little. <Jelarthna> And they probably won't believe such a block is in place, either... <Yohko> That's because I'm repeating their logic Glossaria. In their minds it's absolutely unforgivable to hit a woman...at least if there are witnesses. But it's only frowned upon to use cheap tricks in a duel. And since the winner gets to tell the tale of the duel, it's rather inviting to use cheap tricks to give yourself an advantage. <Zoya> ::thoughtfully:: They might, if you could talk Vallel into losing his next couple of fights... <Yohko> Vallel's getting himself in trouble because he's actually playing by the rules. <Jelarthna> No, he shouldn't lose on purpose... there's a time and place for that, but not this one. <Glossaria> ::frowning at Yohko:: But-- are you saying you want him to *cheat*? That would make him no better than they are! <Nacheyla> He's lost a few already ::frowns:: I'd put a stop to this, but he really doesn't want me to interfere... thinks it'll make things worse if his auntie rescues him. <Yohko> No Zoya. Vallel can't afford to lose one of these fights. Not unless Nacheyla or Michelle are prepared to resurrect him afterwards. <Zoya> ::eyes Yohko:: Last I heard, these were fights to blood. When did they step them up? <Nacheyla> About three weeks ago, he crawled home, nearly dead and passed out on the floor. ::looks worried:: The only reason they left was because a group of the Purple Dragons patrolled nearby and they scattered. <Glossaria> ::bitterly:: The last fight "to blood" was ended by a single sword stroke-- through his abdomen. He was lucky it missed any important organs. <Yohko> I'm saying that it's only cheating as long as both sides are honoring the rules. Once the rules have been deliberately broken it's every man for himself. Course it would help if Vallel would select a second who could actually detect and prevent cheating. <Jelarthna> ::shakes his head:: That's no good, not at *all*. <Jelarthna> ::cocks an eyebrow:: I'd be willing. <Zoya> ::frowns:: Hmm. Maybe the boy would benefit from some time out of town. Give these ruffians a chance to turn their eyes elsewhere. <Glossaria> ::looking puzzled:: A second what? <Yohko> So would I. So would just about any of us for that matter. It's convincing Vallel to make the choice that's the hard part. I've met brick walls that where easier to persuade. <Jelarthna> My style of swordplay is rather unique and subtle... I'm very good at spotting little things in a duel, and I can use magical means of detection as well. <Tyl> ::grins:: I've got him in the school right now, busting his brains on a complicated project. He'll be safe there, at least for a while. <Jelarthna> But in school or out of town, he'll eventually come back. And unless he changes a lot, a runaway target returned home will likely look juicy. <Zoya> Well, his safety aside, if he's here but unavailable, it will only whet their appetites. Get him out of town for a few months or a year... By the time he comes back, he'll have filled out enough that they'll think twice. Or, with luck, they'll all have killed each other in the meantime. <Tyl> ::grins:: Yes, however, when he learns this discipline, he'll at least be able to patch himself up afterwards. I'm having him learn healing psionics. <Yohko> As long as they stick to rapiers I've got a few trick I'm teaching him that should help out. Whether he uses them or not is a completely different matter. <Jelarthna> Good thinking, love. ::grins and takes a sip of his wine:: <Tyl> ::grins at Yohko:: When he's not studying, he's dueling with a ball on a string... whatever that's doing for him... <Glossaria> But-- ::biting her lip:: He doesn't *really* have to leave town, does he? It's not even his fault, he doesn't deserve exile to durance vile! * Zoya picks up her mug to wash the taste of these ruffians out of her mouth and sputters when it explodes grape juice in her face. She looks around and snatches up her *real* mug, brandishing it at the fake. "That wasn't very nice!" <Nacheyla> Durance Vile? ::laughs suddenly:: What have you been reading this week? * Tyl stares at Zoya. <Tyl> Is that what I think it is? <Glossaria> ::defensively:: Poetry. <Nacheyla> I'm sure it's lovely poetry, Gloss, but it's not very... conversational... * Jelarthna giggles at Zoya <Jelarthna> Zoya, what are you doing? <Zoya> ::squeezes grape juice from her sleeves:: Probably. <Yohko> Point control drill. If he can hit that ball while it's swinging wildly he should be able to hit their hand without a problem. Course that only works if they're willing to end the duel at first blood. But point control is something that will serve him well throughout a fight and even when he's not fighting. <Glossaria> Well, I don't read it to just *talk* about it. It's *good* poetry. They just wrote in a rather more... flowery and ornate style at that time. I bet m'lord Jaret would like it! <Tyl> ::shrugs:: well, if he stabs them in the hand a few times, they can't hold their rapiers very well, I guess. <Jelarthna> ::chuckles, but looks a little grim:: True, but that won't end a real fight unless you take the next step... <Zoya> ::to Jel:: I'm trying to convince this... whatever it is... that some tricks are funnier than others. ::she turns to the mug on the bar:: See... The ship in a bottle, that was funny. This... ::she mops her face again as more juice trickles out of her hair:: ...is just messy. <Glossaria> Chop off their heads and stuff their mouths with garlic? No, wait, wrong type of duel... <Tyl> ::looking thoughtfully at Zoya:: I'd wondered where it had gone off too. <Tyl> How'd it sneak home with you? <Zoya> ::turning back to the general conversation:: No, really. As long as Vallel is learning swordplay, he's going to be able to best these idiots. And as long as they can run to their parents for protection - and as long as their parents are afraid of psionics - they'll be able to accuse Vallel of cheating. How can he prove he *wasn't*, after all? I'm afraid the best solution is to get him out of sight altogether and give them time to forget him. <Tyl> It was in the box the last time we looked. Then I noticed that the chair was only a chair. <Jelarthna> ::grins:: Didn't I warn you it would latch onto Zoya? ::laugh:: * Yohko downs half of her juice. "Point control extends to the next step. If you have confidence in your ability to put the point of your weapon where you want it, when you want it, it gives you a great advantage. First because you'll believe that you can win, second because you're opponent will recognize that you believe that you can win, and third because you'll be able to choose whether or not to deliver a killing strike. <Glossaria> But... *I* don't want time to forget him! ::her voice rising with a touch of a wail:: <Zoya> ::to Tyl, sighing:: It turned into a pocket on my robe. I didn't even notice it until I was home again and Glossaria asked me when I'd added pockets to my robes. * Jelarthna puts a comforting arm around Glossaria <Glossaria> ::muttering:: I thought the pockets were a very good idea, actually.... <Jelarthna> We'll figure something out, Glossaria... <Zoya> Glossaria, dear, I venture to suggest that your feelings for him are a little stronger than theirs. You're not going to forget him. <Tyl> Charoli made an interesting suggestion, tho... if it weren't so impractical, I might try it. <Zoya> ::looks offended:: What do I need pockets for? I have sleeves! <Yohko> I think Vallel just needs to learn to ignore them, or to demonstrate just what an angry psionic really is like. <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow:: What was Charoli's suggestion? <Jelarthna> ::nods at Yohko:: Both of those would work, but would not be very politic. <Jelarthna> What suggestion is that, dear? <Zoya> I like your first idea better, Yohko. Fear is only useful in very limited circumstances. Patience is nearly infinitely applicable. * Jelarthna happily savors another sip of Feywine <Tyl> She suggested that we find a bunch of psionic creatures and set them lose in the city. Give everyone a few days to realize how difficult they are to kill without psionics on your side, then ride in like the cavalry... <Glossaria> ::patiently:: But things fall *out* of your sleeves, Mistress, especially when you have to cast a spell with a physical component. ::under her breath:: And chipmunks cheeks would compare favorably.... <Jelarthna> errr... ::shivers a little:: I do *not* like that idea, love... <Tyl> I'm not too big on it myself... I wouldn't want someone to be killed by accident... <Jelarthna> ::quietly:: or worse... <Zoya> Heh. Dangerous, too. Though I suppose if you could find a psionic *nuisance* that wasn't actually *dangerous*... That would at least help against the suspicion of psionics... <Yohko> The only problem I have with it is that the Mages Guild would use it as an example of how you're trying to take over the town and enslave the populace. <Zoya> ::loftily ignores Glossaria's comments on her sleeves:: <Glossaria> ::shaking her head:: It would be horrible if anyone ever found out you did it, also. <Tyl> Of course, she's furious about this... most of the students are, but she's the worst. She's been suggesting burning their houses down. I've been keeping a close eye on her. * Jelarthna shakes of his reverie and grins at Zoya <Tyl> ::snorts:: I wouldn't take a slave if you paid me. You have to feed them and take care of them, even when you aren't getting any work out of them! ::grins:: <Jelarthna> ahh, the mage guild fools can go play with the cantrips... Zoya has more sense and real research ability than all of them put together. <Glossaria> However, she might have the right idea... ::cocking her head to one side:: Perhaps the psionics school could develop some sort of... ::thinking:: a unique public service? Something that you can do better and faster than anyone else can do, put at the service of the city? <Zoya> ::smiles:: Thank you, Jelarthna. <Glossaria> ::beams with pride at Jel's comment:: <Zoya> Not a bad idea, Glossaria... ::takes another sip of cider, after carefully checking to make sure it's the right mug:: * Yohko quirks an eyebrow at Tyl, "Well it would certainly be an interesting way to gain access to the city coffers." * Jelarthna blushes slightly and returns the smiles <Tyl> Hmmm... <Jelarthna> This is your arena, dear... even after spending so much time with you and your students, I still don't really know all that you're capable of. ::grins:: <Tyl> Well, there's not much we can do that mages can't do in another manner... except mental surgery, like what I did for Jelarthna several months ago, and honestly, how often do normal people run into ::makes a cat in blender noise::? * Jelarthna shudders and drinks some more Feywine <Glossaria> ::thinking:: When I was kidnapped last year, Vallel found me and spoke to me the whole time they were on the way... perhaps some sort of... messenger service? Are there psionic schools in other cities you could exchange messages with? <Tyl> And we can make psionic weapons faster than mages can turn out magical ones. I can make a half dozen psionic arrows that can hit magical creatures inside an evening... * Yohko finishes off her juice, "I suppose you could offer to run an insane asylum, but I'm not sure how comfortable you'd be with that. And it probably wouldn't be good for your students." <Zoya> Ah, but the mages charge quite a bit. If you, say, made it part of your students' homework to perform a certain number of hours per week of service - for *free*... I imagine they'd warm up to you. And students generally aren't so powerful that the mages would actually feel threatened by the competition. <Tyl> ::laughs:: I tried that once... I walked around for a week wondering if maybe he was the sane one and I was the insane person... <Glossaria> Actually, ::cat in blender:: are very rare on this plane, unless specifically summoned. Now on the infernal planes... <Jelarthna> ::holds up a hand to stop Glossaria:: Please... I know altogether too much about them already.... <Glossaria> ::meekly:: Well, she *asked*.... <Tyl> Charoli's got a good grasp on fixing things that are broken... putting them back together on the molecular level is a lot more efficient than glue... <Jelarthna> The magical arrow idea isn't a bad one... every so often there are such threats around here, and making sure the garrison always has some on hand would help you with the authorities. <Zoya> Good! Send her to the temples to help the healers! <Jelarthna> ::smiles at Glossaria:: I know, Glossaria... I just don't want to think about them. <Zoya> ::nods:: And weapons to the Guard, compliments of the school.. A dozen small gestures will eventually come to mean something in peoples' minds. <Tyl> ::shakes her head:: it doesn't work on people... only on things like vases and swords and marble statues and stuff. * Glossaria nods at Jel. "I understand now, I think." <Yohko> Um...I could be wrong on this, but I don't think what Charoli does would be very good in healing....Well, outside of amputations that is. <Glossaria> Would it work on buildings? <Tyl> ::nods:: that's what she's been doing recently as part of her assignments... putting the school back together. <Jelarthna> hmmm... there's something to this... <Zoya> Ah. Well, then to the university, to help restore broken artifacts or things. It's important to win the Mages over, you know. <Tyl> I think we could actually do this... that's a very good idea... ::looks around:: Who thought of this? I forgot. <Glossaria> So, it could work on, say, the Mayor's Palace? Or the garrisons? Or the bridges and roads into town? <Tyl> ::nods:: <Jelarthna> ::snaps his fingers:: Say... sometimes there are fires used to burn refuse... if we could get Vallel to do some public and spectacular with his abilities, that might make some of these kids think twice. <Zoya> I think that's a fantastic idea, Jelarthna! Something spectacular, but not actually violent... <Glossaria> Fireworks! ::bouncing excitedly:: Master Marten was telling me about pyrotechnics displays they have for celebrations where he comes from. Like the spell, but they use actual fire and alchemical mixtures. <Tyl> ::smiles:: He's getting better control of that fire thing, recently. Lit a candle the other day without actually burning up the table. Of course, the candle melted like a bag of water without the bag, but it's definitely an improvement. <Yohko> I suppose you could aim them out over the sea and not have to worry about burning the town down. <Jelarthna> mmm, nice! ::grins very brightly and twirls his fingers a bit:: Can Vallel do something like fireworks? <Tyl> I have no idea. Hang on, let me see if he's busy... ::concentrates for a few minutes:: <Nacheyla> ::looks enviously at Tyl:: I wish I could do that... would save loads of time running around, talking to people. <Glossaria> Wait, I'm sure I saw a reference to it recently... ::turning to grab a book from the middle of her usual stack and frowning as she tries to open it from the spine-end. <Jelarthna> ::smiles at Nacheyla:: I actually know a spell that can do something similar... * Jelarthna looks curiously around for the chaos-thing, then shrugs and gives up <Glossaria> Hmpf. Clumsy. ::turning the book around to open it properly, and finding herself faced with the spine again:: <Jelarthna> ::laughs lightly at Gloss:: Ah, there it is. * Glossaria puts the book down for a moment and inspects it carefully before picking it up and trying again, being carefully deliberate in her handling of the book and STILL winding up with the spine:: <Zoya> ::chuckles:: Not bad. Don't overdo it, though. <Glossaria> ::thinks a moment, shrugs, and curls her fingers around the leading edges pointed away from her, opening the book to face Jel:: Master Jelarthna, could you help me please? Page 87, I believe. * Tyl 's eyes focus on the room again. "He says he'll start practicing. And he says to tell you, Yohko, that he needs a new ball, if you don't mind. He put his rapier all the way through the other one." * Yohko chuckles, "Good. When I get him the new one do you think you could give it the occasional nudge when he's not expecting it. It'll keep him on his toes." * Jelarthna looks curiously at Glossaria's book, and tries to turn to page 87 * Tyl looks over. "If that book bites you, don't blame me." * Glossaria patiently holds the book open and tilted towards Jel like a living reading stand. [Most appropriate for a living book, neh?] <Tyl> Sure. ::grins:: I think I can even set it up to work itself when I'm not around... <Zoya> ::smiles at Tyl:: It's not dangerous, Tyl. It doesn't always have the best idea of what's appropriate ::glances down at her stained robe:: but it's just trying to have fun. * Nacheyla finishes off her beer and pours another one. "Refill anyone?" <Jelarthna> ::chuckles:: Glossaria, this isn't the book you were looking for. * Yohko pushes her empty mug towards Nacheyla, "Yes please." <Nacheyla> Fruit juice or tea? <Glossaria> Oh! I never ordered firsts! Hmm.... a cup of tea with lemon, please, Nacheyla? * Nacheyla pours a cup of tea with lemon. <Glossaria> It's not? But the spine label was correct. ::dryly:: Trust me, I had the opportunity to read it several times. <Glossaria> ::tries unsuccessfully to peer over the edge of the big book:: <Jelarthna> ::takes the "book" from Glossaria:: Try looking again. ::grins:: <Yohko> Fruit juice. * Zoya reaches over and takes the book which obligingly lays open in her hands. She shows Glossaria the empty pages. "It's the Chaos elemental, Glossaria." * Nacheyla pours a mug of fruit juice. <Glossaria> Oh. Oops. ::looking puzzled:: But... it even smelled right. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: It's very clever. <Jelarthna> hmmm... you know, we ought to have a reason for fireworks... is there some human holiday coming up soon? Or a festival or something? <Tyl> [actually, technically it's MY chaos elemental, but you can have it...] <Zoya> [It followed me home, mom, can I keep it?] <Tyl> ::looks mildly offended, then grins:: How would I know? Do I look human to you? ::winks at Zoya:: <Zoya> ::grins:: * Jelarthna laughs lightly and hugs Tyl * Yohko shakes her head, "Not my town and not my culture." <Jelarthna> ::grins:: Anyone? ::looks around, looking very amused:: <Glossaria> Several, depending on your faith. There's the death-day of Ethelraed the Unlucky, several portents-of-spring rites, a snow fertility festival, the quinquicentennial anniversary of the defeat of the Lich of the Black Hand, the Daubing of the Banks for the Gondish, and I'm certain that Goody Bea could tell you of any number of birthdays. <Tyl> There's probably some sort of "Rites of Spring" celebration... most cultures have one of those. <Glossaria> What did you have in mind? <Zoya> ::blinks at her apprentice:: "Snow fertility"? What's that mean? <Nacheyla> I'm not even sure I want to know... <Nacheyla> ::blushes suddenly:: <Jelarthna> hmmm, sounds interesting... ::giggles at Nacheyla's blush:: I don't think I've seen you do that before! * Yohko drinks some of her juice. * Nacheyla mutters something to her shirt collar. <Glossaria> ::blinks a moment and cocks her head to the side:: As near as I can ascertain, couples who are having difficulty in bearing a child are blessed by the cleric in an outdoor ceremony, strip naked, and copulate until they melt a cradleform into the snow beneath them. <Glossaria> It's old, and popular only among the very desperate, as I understand. <Jelarthna> hmmm... well I was hoping there would be something soonish... close enough that Vallel could be kept out of trouble studying and practicing for, but not so far that he'll get back into more duels... <Tyl> Well... ::coughs:: that sounds... less than pleasant. <Jelarthna> ::blinks a few times:: That sounds *cold*! <Glossaria> Well, those were all this week, Jel. When exactly did you have in mind? <Zoya> ::looks more than a little amused:: Very interesting. <Nacheyla> Does it work? <Jelarthna> hmm... something that will be celebrated here in Marsember in some form.. perhaps a couple of weeks or so? ::looks at Tyl questioningly:: Do you think he could do it by then? <Glossaria> ::looking at Nach:: Oddly enough, yes, it does seem to. One could say that the festival helps them to overcome their...::ahem:: frigidity. * Nacheyla laughs. "Yeah, I guess so..." <Tyl> Maybe a month or so... he's going to try modifying his flame dance devotion... * Yohko drinks her juice. <Glossaria> ::thinks for a moment:: Ah! I know! ::smiling:: The mayor is turning fifty in two and a half weeks. I heard it from his clerk. Apparently, he's quite depressed about it because he feels his services to Marsember are underappreciated. <Tyl> That might be good. He could probably manage it, if I pull him off the healing research... <Glossaria> ::cocking her head to the side, considering:: As it appears that half the city seems to be unaware that we even *have* a mayor as well as a City Council, I'd say his concerns are justified. <Jelarthna> ::laughs:: Excellent! That should work nicely... <Glossaria> ::smiling a little:: He's actually a very nice man, when he's not being shouted at by the Chairman of the Council. He gave me a sweet once and patted me on the head. <Jelarthna> Especially if we can get some of the other things going from your other students, Tyl... that will leave Vallel helping with fireworks as nothing too surprising. <Tyl> ::nods:: I think I'll start working on this plan right away... <Jelarthna> Anything I can do to help love... my own work can be shelved right now if need be. <Tyl> Thank you, dear... ::looks grateful:: * Jelarthna takes Tyl's hand and squeezes it with a smile <Glossaria> Mm. It occurs to me that if we're to plan a birthday celebration for the mayor and loud explosions will be involved... someone may wish to inform the Dragons. I can talk to his clerk again and get his assistance. I'm certain he would be very grateful. ::smiling impishly again:: I'm certain anything would be safer than Lars attempting to bake a cake. <Tyl> That would be nice... ::grins:: I was going to ask you for an introduction anyway. I don't think I've met the Mayor ::winces:: at least not in this job. <Jelarthna> ::nods:: I'd like to meet him as well. ::grins suddenly, a twinkle in his eye:: And I'd like to help with the fireworks, also! <Yohko> I'll talk to Temire's brother. He should be able to work things out with the Dragons. <Nacheyla> How is Temire, anyway. Lisl's mom hasn't eaten her yet, has she? <Glossaria> Happily. He's very education-minded. I approached him about a literacy project, and he was very kind in his support. Unfortunately, the Council did not agree. :;sighs:: I think I understand the difference between politicians and statesmen, now, at least. * Jelarthna nods sadly <Zoya> ::blinks:: *Eaten* her? Aldis is a perfectly lovely woman! <Tyl> The Council... ::presses her lips together until they are nothing but a thin white line:: <Jelarthna> :grins at Zoya:: As Goody Bea was so nice to point out to me. <Nacheyla> Well, Temire certainly seemed worried about that possibility. <Zoya> ::smiles:: I like Goody Bea as well. If only all Marsember's residents could be so sensible. <Glossaria> ::nodding agreement:: Milady Aldis doesn't eat people. She only turns them into slugs sometimes when they deserve it. <Tyl> ::shudders:: I think I'd rather be eaten... * Yohko grins at Nacheyla, "Not last I checked. But then again, with Aldis, I might not be able to tell." <Jelarthna> ::chuckles:: I'd like to meet her some day. <Jelarthna> Especially is Lisl is around at the time... ::grins:: <Zoya> ::laughs:: She does rather run roughshod over Lisl... But she's very nice to everyone else! <Tyl> Oh! That reminds me... where does Goody Bea live? My sister is due in the next two weeks or so... <Glossaria> ::reassuringly:: Oh, I'm sure she'd never turn *you* into a slug, Tyl! Besides, it's reversible. Being eaten generally isn't. ::nodding sagely:: I'd tell you to ask my great-great uncle, but it's hard to communicate from inside the belly of a rat. <Jelarthna> Oh, that soon? <Jelarthna> I'm sorry, Glossaria.. <Glossaria> She keeps a cottage two lanes over from the barracks. Just ask a cat, they can direct you. <Tyl> ::nods:: She looks like a full moon rising... ::makes a motion with her hand over her stomach, indicating advanced pregnancy:: Bluestar is already pacing holes in the carpet. <Glossaria> Why, Jelarthna? You didn't feed him to the rat, after all. It was his own fault for eating out of the glue jar and accidentally pasting himself to the table. <Jelarthna> ::chuckles and squeezes Tyl's hand again:: As if Bluestar ever isn't agitated... <Tyl> ::frowns thoughtfully:: Personally, I'm a little worried, myself. Usually psionics develop as we age... I am concerned that... well, that two psionics making a baby might not have been the safest idea in the world. <Glossaria> ::eyes wide:: Really? That's a lot of pacing. <Jelarthna> glue? ::blinks a few times:: <Glossaria> ::leaning forward a bit over her cup of tea, confidingly:: He *was* a bit of a glutton. <Jelarthna> Ahhhhh ::nods sagely:: All too often a path to ruin. <Glossaria> All the same, he *did* sacrifice his life to save my parents... he was so fat that the rat filled up on him and didn't go looking for a further meal. * Glossaria sips her tea placidly. <Jelarthna> And don't worry, Tyl... I'm sure this sort of thing has happened before, and I doubt it will necessarily mean something bad. Besides, with two psionic parents, I'm sure their little one will have a lot of effective training and looking after available. Especially if Auntie Tyl is drafted to babysit once in a while. ::grins:: <Tyl> I didn't know rats were carnivorous... I thought they just ate grains and cheese and bread and stuff like that... <Zoya> Rats are omnivores, actually. <Glossaria> ::nods agreement with Zoya:: And we aren't exactly *meat*, anyway. I mean, yes, protein, but so do beans. Have protein, that is. * Jelarthna can't help but grin a little at the turn of the conversation <Glossaria> What? ::looking at Jel:: <Jelarthna> ::looks around:: Where's the chaos thing now, Glossaria? <Glossaria> Um...::looking around, counting her book stack suspiciously:: I'm not sure. <Glossaria> Wait... yes I am. <Glossaria> ::rolling up her sleeves and attacking the book stack as she notices a bookmark slide down a little between the pages:: * Jelarthna laughs <Zoya> ::chuckle:: What page is it marking? * Tyl hums softly to herself, chewing on a pencil and looking thoughtful. <Glossaria> Hm. ::grasping the squirming bookmark carefully between thumb and forefinger and checking the page:: Ha. Page 87. Fireworks. ::opening the book and turning it around to show the other patrons:: <Jelarthna> ::laughs again and looks over:: Very interesting... * Zoya laughs. "See? It's really fairly benign." <Glossaria> ::addressing the bookmark:: You're a smart little thing, do you know that? Thank you. <Tyl> Little? Last week it decided to be a water buffalo. <Zoya> ::finishes off her cider:: Yesterday it spent part of the morning as a tapestry... Over three floors. * Jelarthna shakes his head a little and grins, finishing off the second glass of Feywine <Glossaria> Well... it's little right now. And I meant it affectionately. As in, "What a cute little displacer beast!" <Jelarthna> Oh Zoya... how's that mystery project you were working on coming along? Or were you completely distracted from it? * Zoya stifles a yawn and looks around for the Chaos elemental... Which has turned into a very lovely hat in shades of dark blue and a pale purple exactly suited to the streaks in Zoya's hair. "My hat!" She picks it up and puts it on. <Zoya> ::smiles mysteriously at Jelarthna:: It's still coming. <Jelarthna> say... that *is* a snappy hat! <Nacheyla> very nice... <Zoya> ::smiles:: See? I *said* it was a nice hat. I'd better head back to the Tower while it's feeling amenable. <Jelarthna> Still won't let me take a peek yet, eh? <Tyl> Oh, like you need something else to do? ::looks up and grins at him:: <Glossaria> Hm. ::looking speculatively at the hat:: I suppose it can't be a mimic for so long without learning some fashion sense along with its camouflage. <Zoya> It's only half magical, Jelarthna. You'll get to see it when everyone else does. <Zoya> Good night, friends! <Jelarthna> ::grins at Tyl:: Just too curious, m'love. <Jelarthna> Good night, Zoya. ::smiles and waves:: <Tyl> yes, I had noticed that... <Yohko> Night Zoya. * Jelarthna laughs * Zoya heads out the door. Just as it closes behind her, the hat changes into a small grey kitten, curled up and sleeping. <Glossaria> ::chuckles delightedly:: <Jelarthna> that's a funny little thing.. I hope it sticks around. <Glossaria> If we're nice to it, maybe it will. Master Marten did, after all. * Yohko shakes her head, "Wonder how it would react to Yb?" <Tyl> ::shudders:: don't ask... don't tell... <Jelarthna> Who knows? That could certainly be interesting to see! <Tyl> Remind me to leave the sphere first... * Nacheyla looks around... <Glossaria> Difficult to do a controlled experiment, though. There's no controlling Yb. <Nacheyla> Last call? <Glossaria> I'm fine. I should be getting back, too. ::finishing her tea:: <Jelarthna> too true, Glossaria... * Yohko finishes her juice. * Tyl looks up at Jelarthna... <Tyl> Walk me back to the school? I want to start getting this in motion... <Nacheyla> Personally, I think Yb has enough Chaos in her life, without giving her more things to deal with... ::looking thoughtful:: <Glossaria> Mistress Tyl, could you have Vallel call on me in the morning? I'd like him to come with me to the Mayor's office as well... that way, we can demonstrate that his pyrotechnics will be controlled. <Jelarthna> ::nods and smiles, dropping a small purse on the counter:: Certainly, Tyl dear. Goodnight, Glossaria, Yohko, Nacheyla.. <Tyl> Certainly. I'll probably walk over with him anyway... <Glossaria> Goodnight. Sweet dreams. <Yohko> Night everyone. <Glossaria> ::nods:: Well enough. I should be available after ten... I have some copying to do in the morning, while the light is right. <Jelarthna> Mind if I also come along, also? I'd like to size up some of these would-be duelists... * Yohko raises and heads out the door herself. <Glossaria> You could broach the topic of a second to him. * Tyl gets up, stuffs her pencil back into her pouch and takes Jel's arm. <Nacheyla> Good evening, everyone... <Glossaria> ::brightly:: And if he doesn't like it, I could withhold sex until he agrees! <Tyl> ::cough:: I'm NOT repeating that, thank you missy. <Jelarthna> That's something else I wanted to do, yes. I think not being a teacher would make me more appropriate.. ::blushes:: err... that's up to you. <Jelarthna> ::takes Tyl <Glossaria> What? I thought it was a standard technique for enforcing compliance in couples... all the books recommend it... <Nacheyla> ::blushing mildly:: You wouldn't miss it yourself? <Jelarthna> ::takes Tyl's arm and smiles, shaking his head:: Umm.. don't ask me. ::blushes a little more:: <Glossaria> Well... yes. But his life is at stake! * Nacheyla turns even brighter red. <Nacheyla> All right. Out! Out! I'm not discussing this any further! * Jelarthna laughs and escorts Tyl to the door, opening it for her, still blushing a bit * Tyl leaves with Jelarthna <Glossaria> ::meekly:: Yes, Nacheyla. ::taking her now-dry cloak from the fire, swirling it over her shoulders, and heading out the door.:: <Nacheyla> ::shakes her head:: Children! ::frowns thoughtfully:: Well, we'll just see, won't we? * Nacheyla snuffs the lights on her way out. |
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