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* Marten is probably in his study. Most recently, he's taken up studying ancient history, and has spent a good deal of time reading up on the history of Marsember and the surrounding countryside. * Zoya, having gotten the news from Gloss only minutes before the Hall closed for the night, is sort of fluttering around, somewhat excitedly. She stops in Marten's study briefly to tell him they're about to have a guest. * Marten sitting at his desk, takes off his reading glasses, and looks up. "A visitor? At this hour?" He stands, takes his glasses off his face, and sets them on his desk. He marks his spot in the book he's reading, and starts to follow Zoya out, only to realize that she's already off to another part of the Tower. He sighs, and walks downstairs to the kitchen. * Marten starts rummaging around in the cupboards, looking for a small snack. He settles on some honey-sweetened seedcakes, and pours himself a glass of juice to wash it all down with. Looking around, he shrugs resignedly, and walks off to the Tower's main study. * Zoya meanwhile is directing the Staff to prepare a room and refreshments, build up the fire in the parlor, and such. * Glossaria enters by way of the sideways-oriented door, giving a rather confused Kevil a hand through the opening. "I'M HOME!!!" * Kevil looks around, looking somewhat surprised. "You are to be living *here*???" * Marten follows the staff around, finally settling into the parlor as Gloss enters. He mutters something quietly to himself, and waits to see if he's called. <Glossaria> ::looking equally surprised:: Well, yes. This is the Tower. This is my home. I was ha-- um, born here, in fact. * Zoya appears around a corner mere seconds after Gloss calls. She stops short at her first sign of Kevil, her mouth open. In the language of her homeworld, she says, "Kevil! It's true! You're really here!" She runs down the hall and throws herself into a waiting hug. * Glossaria ducks quickly out of the line of scrimmage, a small grin dancing over her lips. * Kevil returns the embrace with equal fervor. "Zoya, mistress of my days and goddess of my nights, I've missed you." * Marten stops eating a seedcake, and mouths "Kevil?" He thinks for a moment, and then furrows his brows before walking out of the study. * Zoya is laughing somewhat hysterically. "Kevil, you crazy man! What are you *doing* here?" * Marten descends the stairs quietly to the front entrance, making himself unobtrusive. <Kevil> ::grinning slyly:: What only could I be doing, but following the strings of my heart to the only woman who could ever have held them? <Zoya> ::laughs:: Kevil, when I left you in Alanis, you said if you never saw me again it would be too soon! <Kevil> ::indignantly:: I most certainly did *not*! <Kevil> I *said*, goddess mine, that if you came back to Alanis with me, I would worship you as no woman had ever been worshiped by man, but that if I never saw *space* again, I would die a content man. * Marten watches the reunion, content to observe and refrain from comment, for the moment. * Zoya laughs. "Same thing, Kevil, same thing." She smiles at him fondly. "Well, let's not stand here in the hall, come with me and we'll-" She stops as she sees Marten standing in the corner. * Marten smiles softly, and nods at Zoya. "I see our guest has arrived." * Glossaria stands against the wall, watching the reunion, and suddenly notices Marten's presence on the stairs. Her mouth makes an "O" as she realizes what this could mean to him. * Zoya crosses to Marten, pulling Kevil by the hand. "Marten. I'd like you to meet Kevil." <Marten> ::looks at Kevil, sizing him up before extending his hand:: Kevil? A pleasure, I'm sure. ::he pauses for a moment:: Kevil.... Kevil.... Why does that name sound so familiar? * Kevil hesitates a moment, then takes Marten's hand somewhat awkwardly, then steps back and sweeps a deep and elaborate bow. " Deeply honored, good sir, am I to make your acquaintance - an honor that must be doubled if the lady holds you in such esteem." * Zoya smiles somewhat nervously. "Kevil, Marten, from... From my homeworld." * Marten is slightly taken aback with Kevil's flourishes, but nods. "Thank you. Zoya often mentions you, when we're together. I'm glad we're able to give you somewhere to stay while you visit." <Kevil> Ah, but you are too kind indeed. I have been searching so long... It will be refreshment indeed to rest at the feet of my most beloved goddess. <Marten> ::eyes Kevil oddly:: You do look relieved to be able to rest. Mind if I ask how long you're planning on staying in Marsember? <Zoya> ::to Marten, laughing:: He always talks like that. Try and ignore it. <Kevil> ::obviously loftily ignoring Zoya's denigration of his speech:: So long as my goddess is content to suffer me, I am content. <Marten> ::looks at Zoya oddly, as well:: I'll do my best. <Zoya> ::eyes Kevil:: We'll be fighting again in a week, Kevil. Stop it. You really came all this way just to find me? <Marten> ::forces a smile:: Well, I'm sure you'll be welcome. ::motions upstairs:: Maybe we should let the poor man sit, Zoya? He seems to have traveled quite a bit. <Zoya> Yes, I think we should sit down. Come this way, Kevil. <Glossaria> ::bites her lip, much more sensitive to how Marten's feeling since her own fight with Vallel, and follows the group silently upstairs:: * Marten starts to ascend the stairs, and looking over his shoulder, asks... "So, Kevil, you came to Marsember *just* to find Zoya? Surely something else brings you our way?" * Kevil laughs and looks at Marten somewhat slyly. "Would *you* not cross the very heavens to find such a treasure, friend Marten?" <Zoya> ::laughs:: Stop that, Kevil. <Glossaria> ::biting her lip a little harder, and clearing her throat:: Ah... Mistress? I have some copying to do. Is it all right if I retire to the Library? <Marten> ::looks at Kevil:: I would. I have. I had just thought that the two of you had parted on ... less than ideal terms, so to speak. * Zoya leads the way into the parlor and selects a chair. While Marten and Kevil arrange themselves, she summons the Staff to fetch refreshments. <Marten> ::refuses to let go of the point he was making:: Still, Kevil, what brings you to Marsember? It seems quite a distance to travel on a whim. <Zoya> Yes, Kevil; I thought when I left you'd sworn off 'jamming forever. * Kevil glances at Marten somewhat uncomfortably. "I had. But, Zoya..." His eyes lock on her face. "I couldn't... let go." <Zoya> ::looking somewhat taken aback:: Kevil... * Marten looks at Zoya, watching her face. He increases his hold on the arm of his chair, without realizing it. <Kevil> I *tried*, Zoya! Two years I tried! I thought at first you would come back, and when I knew you wouldn't, I *tried* to forget! But the... the place where Darin was, it still hurts - to this day, beautiful goddess, to this day. ::he closes his eyes in what is obviously grief:: <Zoya> ::softly:: I know, Kevil... I know. It pains me as well. But to come... <Kevil> I had to, Zoya! Forgive me, please, if you have learned to despise me in our time apart, but I had to come! ::he glances at Marten briefly:: And if you have... Have found another... * Marten looks at Zoya expectantly. * Zoya raises her eyebrows. "If I have, Kevil?" <Kevil> ::smiles tentatively at Marten, then at Zoya:: I thought, perhaps... I could bring you roses and silk, beautiful goddess... * Zoya bursts out laughing. * Kevil smiles, then begins to look somewhat uneasy as she doesn't stop laughing. * Marten looks at Zoya, and smiles almost smugly. <Kevil> Zoya...? * Glossaria reenters, carrying an armload of scrolls. "Mistress, I--" She stops, looking puzzled. "Mistress?" <Zoya> Kevil, don't... ::she sobers herself enough to sit up straight, at least, looking grateful for Glossaria's intrusion:: What is it, Glossaria? * Kevil glances at Marten, looking somewhat disturbed. * Marten looks back at Kevil and smiles over the rim of his glass of wine. <Kevil> ::in the local tongue:: She is to laughing why? <Glossaria> ::looking somewhat embarrassed at her Mistress's discomposure:: Ah... right. I just wanted to know if you wanted me to copy these over as well? These are some of the Infernal scrolls Xarroch gave me. * Zoya looks over the scrolls quickly, then nods. "Yes, please, Glossaria, if you're not too busy." * Marten looks at Gloss, and smiles. "And, if you don't mind, Glossaria... I was wondering if you could look for some information for me. Some maps of the area, circa the mid 700's?" * Zoya turns back to Kevil, somewhat better composed, as Glossaria leaves with the scrolls. "Really, Kevil. Don't you think that was a little hasty? I haven't seen you in what? Seven years? Eight?" * Marten nods. "Eight, if I count rightly, Zoya." * Kevil glances at Marten, then stands and crosses to stand in front of Zoya. He is abruptly serious. "Tell me, if you can, Zoya, that you no longer have any care for me." <Glossaria> ::nods, giving the trio a last look before she turns to go. She turns at the door, head cocked in thought, as she addresses Marten:: The 743 map of Marsember, Master Marten, or the survey made of the kingdom in 750? Or should I just bring you everything?" * Zoya closes her eyes. "I can't. I *do* still care for you Kevil, a very great deal. You know it. What we had... Is not something to be so lightly denied." She looks at him again. "But to come in here offering *roses*, Kevil... You've barely even *met* Marten!" * Marten looks at Gloss, amazed for a moment. "Whichever is more accurate, in your opinion. I'm not really interested in the political divisions, but the geographic changes." * Marten looks at Zoya, and raises an eyebrow. "What does that mean?" * Kevil smiles down at Zoya. "I'm sure your taste is, as always, impeccable." * Marten looks over at Kevil oddly, then back to Zoya, increasingly feeling like he's missing something. <Zoya> ::looks at Marten, apparently hovering between laughter and embarrassment:: Roses, in Alanis, Marten are an invitation to... ::she glances at Kevil, who is smiling serenely at her:: It doesn't translate very well. Alanis has this custom, I've told you. If Kevil brought us roses, he'd be proposing, oh... not marriage, but something similar. <Marten> ::eyes widening, as he looks at Kevil:: Is this... is this what you're implying, Kevil? * Glossaria looks from Zoya to Kevil to Martin for a moment and covers her mouth with her hand to hide a sudden grin. When she drops her hand, her expression is businesslike once again. <Glossaria> The 750 survey, then, Master Marten. ::grinning again, irrepressibly:: I'll leave you three to work out the contract, then. ::dashing off down the hallway, a half-stifled giggle floating behind her:: <Marten> ::looks at Gloss, leaving, and mutters:: Sure you don't need any help in finding... ::trails off as she retreats out of earshot:: * Kevil bows again. "I beg you to forgive the presumption, friend. Surely Zoya has told you what she and Darin and I were, once, to each other? Only such a close bond could have led me to be so forward. If such a thing is not your custom, of course I will say no more, until you have had time to... come to grips with the idea, at least." <Glossaria> ::another, less-restrained, giggle floats down the hallway, cut off as a door closes:: * Zoya looks amusedly at Marten. <Marten> ::looks at Kevil, slightly shocked:: Come to grips with the idea? I know what you and she had, and I assumed it was the flights of childhood and nothing more. But you? You're a grown man, for the sake of all that's holy! <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow:: Of course. <Marten> ::shakes his head:: You're right. You hardly know me. ::picks up his glass of wine, and empties it. He stands:: I seem to be out of wine. Can I get someone else anything from the kitchen? * Zoya sighs. "Marten, please..." <Marten> ::looks at Zoya:: Please *what*, Zoya? <Zoya> Don't... ::she sighs and looks away:: Never mind. <Marten> ::stands, staring at Zoya for several quiet, tense seconds. He turns to Kevil:: Do you need anything? ::before he can answer:: No, I think you've found everything you need here. I'll be back shortly. * Marten leaves the parlor, and walks heavily down the steps of the Tower. * Zoya watches him go with something like dread. "I... I think he'll be all right." She smiles weakly at Kevil. "You're quite a shock, you know." <Marten> ::Kevil and Zoya can hear Marten rummaging through the cupboards, and after a few moments, the sound of glass shattering briefly interrupts the noise:: * Zoya winces. <Kevil> A temper, is it? And no experience of groupings? ::he sighs:: I would not have guessed you for such a one, Zoya. You were never to be bound to any one man - except Vasiliy, of course. * Marten slams a few cupboards shut, and then walks up the stairs loudly, obviously taking his time. <Zoya> ::she shrugs:: The heart does what the heart does, Kevil. * Marten stands in the entryway of the parlor, mostly empty glass in one hand, uncorked bottle of dwarven spirits in the other. "Now, Kevil. You were saying?" <Kevil> ::sighs:: Ah. Do you wish- ::he turns to Marten:: Ah, Marten. Please. Forgive me; I had no idea... how little you understood. I wish us to be friends, if only that - if only for her sake. <Kevil> Some few things, perhaps, were not made fully clear by Zoya's explanation. Where we are from, such... groupings are very common - love may occur where it will, and there is no need to restrict oneself to a single person when your heart may be fully occupied by more. And what we had... ::he looks extremely serious:: ...was hardly a childish flight of fancy. <Kevil> The world... It is completely immersed in magic - I did not know how rare magic was until we left, but I must ask you to believe me. Everything there has... some hint of magic. There was a bond - not merely of love, though that is strong enough - but of *life*, of *magic* - that bound us together. It is not something simply formed, and not something simply broken. * Marten attempts to smile at Kevil, but it comes across almost like a snarl. "Friends." He seems to work his mouth around the word. "Friends. You walk into my home, doting on my love, offering her silk and roses, then flippantly offer *me* the opportunity to share her bed, as if she were yours all along? And you call *this* friendship?" <Marten> You're right, of course. I don't understand your world. I understand hospitality, though. I understand being a welcome guest, and I understand being overly presumptuous. Perhaps, "friend", there are things you don't understand either. <Marten> There are things that are best left unsaid, unasked... things that you don't waltz into someone's home and expect to have welcomed. You've not been long off your world, so I'll forgive your presumptuousness for now. But... * Marten looks at Kevil, eyes thinning. "Carefully, 'friend'. Not everyone is as open minded as you may think, and I fear for your safety here, if you are as naive as you seem." * Marten looks at Zoya, waiting for her to respond. * Kevil seems slightly taken aback by the rancor of Marten's words. He, too, looks at Zoya. * Zoya is watching Marten through narrowed eyes that have begun to pale, ever so slightly, toward silver. <Zoya> ::coolly:: I knew - I as much as said - that Kevil's suggestion was more than a little forward, and I knew it was not a thing you would accept. However, I feel I should remind you that the Tower is my home - my *temple* - and that *I* invited Kevil here. <Zoya> Furthermore, if you are going to be so jealously possessive - and after spending a year of wandering all over the continent, practically ignoring me for weeks on end - perhaps I should cease calling you Marten and revert to Masato. ::she turns:: I'm sorry, Kevil, for this welcome. Please, do not feel you must leave - I will send Glossaria to show you a room. ::she stands and stalks from the room:: * Kevil is looking with something like pity at Marten. Somewhat under his breath, he mutters, "Well, *her* temper hasn't changed..." * Marten watches Zoya walk out of the room, face a block of immutable granite. He looks at the glass in his hand, and the bottle, and sets them both on a table nearby. * Marten turns to look at Kevil, and opens his mouth to speak, but thinks better of it. He stands, staring at the man for a few moments, before speaking. <Marten> Good night, Kevil. Tell Zoya I've gone back home. ::he turns, and walks our of the parlor, and down the stairs. He pauses for a moment at the front door, then exits. |
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