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* Rhys walks in from the back room, lighting the lamps around the Hall as he enters. He unlocks the door with the key from his belt and calls out, "Hall's open!" * Sabrina walks into the hall smiling brightly. She unwraps herself from her cloak and mostly skips over to the bar "Hey Rhys" * Rhys returns behind the bar, and settles on a stool. <Rhys> Good evening, Sabrina. What can I get you tonight? * Sabrina slides onto a barstool and looks thoughtful "Warm cider?" <Rhys> I can manage that. ::he pours some cider into one of the mugs and sets it on the red tile on the bar. After a few moments, the mug starts to dance from one foot to the other, and Rhys plucks it off the tile and sets it front of Sabrina. "It's shamming, it's not *that* hot..." * Glossaria enters, unclasping her tan cloak and hanging it on a peg by the door. She walks to the bar and takes a stool next to Sabrina. "Good evening, Sabrina. Good evening, Rhys." She smiles. "I believe I'm up to 'S.'" * Sabrina giggles and nods letting the mug dance a bit before picking it up. * Tarri enters, once again dressed in the robes of an apprentice healer. She pulls the grey cloak from her shoulders and hangs it by the fire before sliding onto a stool with a smile for everyone. "Hello..." <Sabrina> Hey Glossaria. <Rhys> S... let me see... well, if you're interested, I think we have some sake. <Rhys> Good evening, Tarisa. Some... mulled cider? * Ardem strolls in the hall from his room and looks to everyone as he enters then heads for the bar. * Sabrina smiles at Tarri "Hi Tarri" * Rhys nods to the stranger. "Good evening. I'm Rhys Altain, barkeep this evening. Can I get you anything?" * Ardem nods and smiles to the man "Ardem. You have any ale?" <Glossaria> Sake? ::wrinkles her brow, and slips a small, red-bound book from an inner pocket:: Sakay, sakay... ah! Sake. Spirits derived from rice grain... similar in alcohol content to fortified wine. ::nods:: I'll try it. ::glances at the page again:: It's served-- warm? <Tarri> ::nods to Rhys:: Mulled cider sounds wonderful; thank you Master Altain. * Vallel staggers in, looking pale and exhausted. * Glossaria glances curiously at the stranger, and smiles at Tarri. * Sabrina smiles to Ardem "Evening Ardem" <Tarri> ::turns to glance at Vallel as he enters:: My goodness... What have you been up to? * Sabrina glances back at Vallel and raises an eyebrow. * Vallel flops down at a small table. "Taxes." * Rhys begins to prepare a small white ceramic cup and bottle for Glossaria, nodding at Ardem. "Yes, we've got quite a few. How do you like it? Light? Dark?" * Ardem looks to Sabrina and smiles "Hello again dear lady" <Glossaria> Val? ::gets up, looking troubled, and goes over to drop a kiss on his forehead and sit beside him.:: You *do* look taxed. Oh, my poor dear... <Tarri> Oh... ::she smiles sympathetically:: I should have realized - Papa always looks like that around this time of year, too. * Sabrina smiles at Gloss and turns to Ardem "How are you doing? Finding you way around ok?" * Rhys prepares some mulled cider for Tarri, the next mug doing the same woe-is-me dance on the red tile. Rhys rolls his eyes as he hands Tarri her mug. "I don't know why they're all such hams all of a sudden." <Ardem> A little. Could use some help. <Tarri> ::giggles slightly as she takes the mug:: They're like children - one of them has a funny idea, so they all have to copy it. * Rhys passes Glossaria the empty cup and the bottle of hot sake. "Here you go. Enjoy." * Sabrina nods "I'm sorry I have not been able to be around much. I am afraid Kevil is going to be back soon, and I am very far behind in my studies. But I think I will have some time this week if you would like me to show you around some?" <Ardem> I'd like that ::smiles:: * Rhys shrugs and pours Ardem a light ale. "Here. Try something light on the palette." <Tarri> ::sips her cider with evident appreciation:: * Sabrina smiles and nods "Ok then. It's a date" * Vallel sighs. "Do you have any idea which six hallucinogenic poisons the council members drank before they wrote the tax codes?" * Ardem looks to Rhys and smiles. "Thank you kind sir." <Tarri> ::appears to give Vallel's question some thought:: Well, one of them would almost certainly have to be a moneywort distillation... ::she grins:: * Jaret walks in, wearing somber dove greys, accented with black. His rapier hangs at its usual place at his side, and he removes his plumed hat as he enters. "Good evening, everyone!" He bows. <Glossaria> Thank you, Rhys. ::gathers the cup and bottle and takes them back to Vallel's table, blinking at him for a moment:: Well... there's a rumour that the third Royal Assessor was slowly poisoned to death by his wife, but arsenic is not particularly hallucinogenic." <Ardem> So tell me something about you Sabrina, I know nothing about you. * Sabrina grins at Tarri * Sabrina looks back to Ardem and smiles "I sing" * Jaret walks up to the bar. "Arabellan Red, good barkeep, if you please." * Ardem nods "You sing, eh? Well?" * Tarri looks up and smiles at the dapper Jaret before wrapping her hands around the mug to warm them. She takes another small sip and leans back against the bar. * Sabrina nods "I think so" * Rhys looks Jaret over once and pours him a goblet of the wine. "Here you are." <Glossaria> Good evening, Lord Malkier. You seem cheerful this evening! ::pours herself a small cup of sake and sniffs it curiously:: <Vallel> If I could pull an example out of the mush my brain has become, Gloss, I would. But I can't. So I can't prove all the tax code writers were both insane and hostile. But I assure you, they are. * Ardem chuckles a bit. "Only thing I know how to do is cast spells, and what little bit of hunting I can do, I'm no good at." <Tarri> ::looks over at Ardem and smiles:: But you saved Sabrina! That was very impressive! * Sabrina grins "I'm not good at hunting, but I can fish, and like it very much." she frowns a bit and looks over at Tarri "Tarri where is San?" * Jaret raises his glass to Glossaria. "Thank you, Glossaria. You look quite nice yourself. I'm as well as can be expected, I suppose. After everyone's... persistent comments last week, that I not let things drag my spirits down, I've been careful to not let them do so." * Sabrina nods in agreement and looks back to Ardem "I am in your debt" * Lini walks through the door. Her silver hair is carefully brushed and hangs loose well past her shoulders. She is wearing a jet black gown accented with silver stitching. * Ardem looks to Tarri. "But it wasn't entirely my doing I'm afraid. I couldn't have gotten her this far with that spell" <Glossaria> ::blinks in puzzlement:: Well.. tax law *is* quite convoluted, but I understand the code has been revised many times over the centuries. But it's all simple accounting... isn't it? ::looks doubtful:: Perhaps it would be more sensible if they produced a new edition, rather than a series of revisions... * Jaret sets his glass down. <Tarri> ::shrugs at Sabrina's question, a little irritably:: I don't know. I think the gods have conspired to keep us apart lately - whenever he is free, I am knee-deep in some lesson; and when I am free, he has an exercise to do that simply can NOT wait... ::she sighs again:: * Lini looks cautiously around the bar before resting her gaze on Jaret. * Sabrina nods and pats Tarri's shoulder. <Vallel> ::blinks:: Well, first of all, there's nothing sensible about accounting... <Jaret> Lini? Is it...? * Tarri glances at Lini as she enters and nods a cautious greeting. * Sabrina looks back to Ardem "Wasn't entirely your doing?" * Lini smiles slightly and laughs. {You still can't quite tell can you love?} * Ardem shakes his head. "My portal only has a range a mile or two. Lord Ryhdon must have done something to enhance it." <Glossaria> ::smiles:: Good evening, Mistress N'a'shezbaernon. ::her accent is slow and not very stylish, but correct. She's obviously been practicing.:: * Jaret laughs. {I can tell, I just...} "... I didn't know things were over!" * Ardem frowns. "I think my best friend is a traitor..." ::trails off:: <Glossaria> ::takes a cautious sip of her sake, and raises her eyebrows slightly:: It is very like a distilled wine... but... grainy. Hmm. * Sabrina watches Ardem for a moment. She opens her mouth to say something and then closes it again, and sips her cider. <Tarri> ::frowns faintly at Ardem:: You said something like that when you first came... What do you mean? <Glossaria> And accounting, love, is simply applied mathematics. And mathematics are eminently sensible. ::sounds faintly approving:: * Lini walks toward the bar. "Neither did I. but then earlier they just tossed me out, sort of roughly actually, and said that I didn't do *this* crime." * Michelle enters, pulling her cloak off to reveal a simple blue dress over a white blouse. Her hair is done in two braids and her moon earring is dim. She hangs her cloak by the door and heads towards the bar, "Good evening everyone." * Ardem sips his ale and looks to Tarri. "Lord Ryhdon is an evil Mage that held a lot of the land that Sabrina and I lived in. * Sabrina nods in agreement with Ardem. <Tarri> ::nods in sober understanding, looking from Ardem to Sabrina and back:: <Glossaria> Crime? Tossed out? ::frowns, looking concerned:: Were you in *prison*? ::she hesitates a moment, and then asks a little more shyly:: What was it like? * Vallel looks at Gloss for a long moment, almost, but not quite, angry. "All right, dear. You're so smart, *you* do the taxes." <Ardem> I think my best friend told him what I was doing. I was getting to strong and too close to beating him." * Jaret meets Lini, sweeps her up in his arms, and spins her around, laughing. "I don't care *why*. I'll just be glad they did." He grins. "Unless you think I should demand satisfaction for their treatment of you on release?" <Tarri> But... ::uncertainly:: Why would he do that? If he was your friend? * Lini turns to look at Glossaria. "Prison is where you go when you have been found guilty. I have been in jail...where they send you to go stark raving mad." <Ardem> I think he might have be enchanted. <Glossaria> ::bites her lip, looking contrite:: I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to upset you further... I just... I don't understand why it should be so difficult. * Sabrina frowns "That's terrible" <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: ...Oh. <Vallel> ::laughs:: I don't understand why it should be so difficult either. It seems to be a moral imperative. * Ardem hpmfs "And the worst part about it, I can't get some of my spells to work, and others work wrong." <Tarri> ::glances over at Glossaria and Vallel with a grin:: Maybe she *should* do the taxes, Vallie... It would probably appeal to her. All those wonderful tables to consult, and schedules, and percentages to figure... <Sabrina> Perhaps you should...::she trails off:: humm <Ardem> Others I'm afraid to try, for fear of what would happen. * Lini grins widely then tries to force her face to go back to an emotionless gaze. "Man you are going to make me sick. Now put me down." <Tarri> ::back to Ardem:: Oh... Maybe that's... just the difference between that place and this one? ::she bites her lip again:: I don't know very much about magic, but... * Lini cannot hold the look on her face and she laughs out loud. "It is so good to be here with you!" * Sabrina glances at Tarri "Who is filling in for Mistress Tyl?" * Michelle takes a seat at the bar, smiling at the patrons, "Could I have some tea Rhys?" * Sabrina smiles over at Michelle "Evening Michelle" * Jaret sets Lini's feet back on the floor, only to quickly dip her and then set her back standing upright. "I hope you're not sick of me *already*." He winks. <Michelle> Good evening Sabrina. <Tarri> Um... ::frowns, thinking:: Mostly Lord Bluestar, but some of the other teachers are pitching in, too. * Sabrina nods "Perhaps he should go there" <Rhys> Of course, Michelle. Any preference this evening? <Tarri> ::frowns:: To the *psionic* school? But... he's a mage! * Lini looks at Jaret shaking her head. "Not *quite* yet love." * Michelle shakes her head, "Not really, just try to keep it from being TOO exotic." <Glossaria> Hmm... ::scoots her chair a little closer to Val's and starts rubbing his shoulders:: I shall have to see if I can acquire a copy of the latest tax code... although... ::makes a face:: I hear they print it on *pulp.* <Tarri> ::eyes Ardem uneasily:: ...aren't you? * Sabrina nods "Ok so maybe not. I don;t know very much about the magic here" * Jaret grins. "Good enough, then." <Ardem> It might be different here, you had asked if I was a healer. I do know healing magic. <Ardem> In our world I'm a mage. * Vallel groans, tilting his head to one side. His neck pops several times loudly. <Lini> Good enough? I should hope so. * Rhys plucks a cup and saucer off the shelves and pours hot water in the cup from one of the taps. He fiddles around under the bar and sets a tea bag to steeping in the cup. "Lemon, Michelle. I like it for my throat on these cold days." He sets the cup and saucer in front of Michelle, and lays a tea spoon in the saucer for her. <Glossaria> Ooh. ::winces:: I don't think you're supposed to make that noise, love. ::reaches for her cup and takes another sip of cooling sake, before putting it down and going back to the massage:: * Michelle shakes her head, "No thank you Rhys." <Tarri> But... you know the difference between magic and priest's blessings, don't you? And you're definitely not a priest... ::she thinks:: Well, we could take you to see Lord Bluestar if you wanted. But the portal you came through looked a lot like the tel- telep... teleport spell that Lady Aldis cast for Sanriel and me... <Ardem> Priests on our world aren't very magical. Only lower level spells. * Jaret offers his arm to Lini, gesturing to the bar with his other. "Come and sit with me. We'll have a few glasses, and then we'll take you home." * Sabrina looks between Tarri and Ardem and sips her cider <Glossaria> Hmmm... Master... Ardem, is it? Do you draw upon your own willpower and strength to power your spells, or an outer energy? Do you require verbal, somatic, and/or material components to cast? Do you call upon the aid of a god? <Tarri> ::frowns:: Really? Don't your gods... I mean... ::she grins and shrugs before taking another sip of cider:: I'm getting to be as bad as Gloss; I'm sorry. * Vallel tilts his head the other way, making several more popping noises. "Well...." * Lini takes Jaret's arm. "Thank, I think a glass of wine would be perfect." * Sabrina grins at Tarri and then looks over to Gloss <Glossaria> ::glances worriedly at Tarri, and winces again as Val pops his neck:: I'm bad? * Jaret leads Lini to the bar. "Barkeep Rhys? Another glass of the Arabellan Red for my lady fair, please?" <Tarri> ::laughs:: It's a figure of speech, Gloss. You *do* ask a lot of questions. * Rhys sets a second glass on the bar and fills it with wine. "Welcome back, Lini'leah." * Lini nods to Rhys. "You don't know how good it is to be back." <Glossaria> Well... of course. I *am* trying to learn, after all. ::defensively:: And I don't ask nearly as many socially unacceptable ones anymore. At least, not of strangers. * Vallel pats Gloss's hand reassuringly. "You are actually quite good, love." He gives her a quick grin. * Sabrina grins at Gloss * Ardem smiles and sips his ale. * Michelle giggles, "This is true, Glossaria. And at least the rest of us don't have to protect your honor from yourself anymore." * Jaret raises his glass to Lini. "To freedom." * Lini smiles and raises her glass. "To sleeping on something other than a lumpy cot." * Michelle pulls her tea bag out of her cup and places it on her saucer, "So what happened Lini'leah? I think we all read about it in the Herald, but that really didn't tell us much except that you'd been arrested for murder." * Ardem looks to your question Gloss is it? We draw on outer power for our spells, and no we don't need any objects, but sometimes they enhance it, depending on what it is. <Glossaria> Thank you, love. ::leans around to kiss Val's cheek, and goes back to massaging his neck:: <Jaret> I suppose that's as good as any. ::he rings his glass against Lini's and drinks:: * Lini looks at Michelle wide eyed and answers slowly. "Yes...I was..." * Tarri leans back against the bar again and watches the various conversations. <Glossaria> ::nods her head in Ardem's direction:: Glossarian duNache, Librarian of the Tower of Erdian and apprentice priestess. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Hm... by description alone, I would surmise what, on this world, would be a type of chaos magic... with perhaps a touch of artifact magic... <Jaret> Oh... Michelle. I have something for you. ::he fishes in his pouch and comes out with a sealed letter for Michelle:: Meghan came by yesterday. She said to tell you she loved and missed you, and to give you this. * Lini slowly turns her head to look at Jaret. "Oh really?" * Michelle takes the letter, a concerned expression appearing on her face as she breaks the seal and opens it. * Jaret looks at Lini. "Yes... something about Sissra was allowing her one visit, so she brought Abagail and visited me. She said if she visited Michelle, she wasn't sure if she'd leave again." * Ardem nods to Glossaria. "Pleased to meet you" * Lini shakes her head. "She visited you instead of Michelle?" ::Lini glances at Michelle for a moment then says somewhat sarcastically:: "You must be honored." * Sabrina glances over at Michelle and then back to Ardem <Glossaria> ::blinks:: Oh, dear. I really *should* have gotten out more this holiday, I suppose... ::glances from Lini to Ardem to Jaret to Michelle:: ...but it was so *nice* to research at the archives when almost everyone was gone... <Jaret> I thought it was a nice gesture on her part, yes. I think she might have enjoyed herself more had she visited Michelle, but that was her choice to make. * Lini mutters something to herself and sips her wine. <Tarri> ::grins at Glossaria:: So you had a nice Midwinter? * Ardem looks back to Sabrina "So what have you been doing with yourself then since that day?" * Michelle finishes re-reading the letter and folds it back up. In an absent tone she says, "Thank you for bringing me this Jaret." * Vallel stands up and wanders over to the bar. "You may have asked earlier if I wanted something, but I think some vicious tax-collector gave my brains a good whirl with his spoon. Could I get a beer, please?" <Jaret> You're welcome, Michelle. She thought she'd be back in a few weeks, this time for good. <Rhys> Of course, Vallel. One moment. ::he fetches a mug off the racks and pours Vallel a nice strong beer:: Here you go. * Michelle nods, "I need to go. I hope everyone enjoys their reunions. Vallel, let Glossaria do the taxes, she'll enjoy it and probably find every loophole in the code." <Vallel> Thank you... ::takes a long swallow of beer:: <Glossaria> ::nods:: Very nice. The gnomes had... well, I suppose it must be called an accident, and as a result discovered a new treatment for parchment that brings out the ink of palimpsests... granted, not very helpful if you want to read what's on *top* of them, but *exceedingly* helpful for restoring some of the "lost" records in the city archives. *Very* interesting reading. * Sabrina looks over at Ardem "Well I wandered for a long time" she looks thoughtful and frowns a bit. "Then I found the hall and Meghan and Michelle," she smiles over at Michelle. "Then I met Kevil, he is a master bard, and he agreed to teach me to become a bardess. Ever since I have been singing and studying music." * Vallel makes a bit of a face. "Yeah, she probably will... although there is a certain perversity in wishing she would find it just as difficult and horrible as I did." * Tarri waves farewell to Michelle. * Ardem nods and smiles. "I'd like to hear you sing sometime." <Tarri> ::grins at Sabrina, speaking to Ardem:: She sings beautifully! * Sabrina smiles and nods as she waves goodbye to Michelle. <Rhys> Good night, Michelle. <Glossaria> ::waves to Michelle, and glances at Val:: "Loophole"? * Sabrina flushes a bit and smiles at Tarri "Thank you" * Michelle slips the letter into a pocket, puts her cloak on, and walks out, all as if she were an automaton, her mind clearly elsewhere. <Vallel> ::nods at Gloss:: That's what they call it when you find some way to justify keeping more of your own money. <Glossaria> Justify... ::frowns deeply, and takes another swallow of sake, thinking:: Ah! You mean, flaws in the uniformity of the taxation process? <Tarri> ::grins and nods:: Getting around the *spirit* of the law by obeying the *letter*. <Vallel> Well, sometimes... also, there are lots of "exceptions". You have to pay x amount of taxes, unless y applied to your business, in which case you pay z amount of taxes, but only on these items or that income. <Glossaria> Ah! ::grinning hugely:: I'm *very* good with letters. <Tarri> ::eyes Gloss for a moment, unsure whether her idiom was actually understood, then shrugs and takes another sip of her cider:: * Sabrina chuckles and sips her cider * Lini finally puts down her glass of wine. "So what did..." ::pausing for a moment:: "...Meghan have to say love?" <Jaret> She simply said that she was back on a short visit, and wanted to know how I was doing. She was homesick, and just wanted to see a familiar face. Also, she said Abby missed me, so she'd kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. <Ardem> I don't really have much of an interesting story, all I have done all my life is study magic. It's been sort of my life mission to defeat Lord Ryhdon. * Sabrina nods to Ardem "Do you think you can get back?" * Lini nods slowly, sipping her wine. * Ardem shrugs. "Not right now, but with some study here, I may be able to" * Glossaria finishes on Val's neck, bends over on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his forehead, and takes her seat again. * Sabrina nods looking thoughtful * Vallel grins at his wife. "In any case, if you're not busy with other things, I'll dump these taxes on you just as soon as you want them. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to ask you first, but... " He smiles fondly. "You were busy." * Sabrina finishes her cider and places her empty mug on the bartop. She stands slowly and smiles at Ardem. "I'll stop by later this week and we can go explore ok?" * Jaret slips an arm around Lini and grins at her. {We talked mostly of you, lover, and how I missed you, and how I filled my days working to secure your release. Doubt not my constancy, please.} <Glossaria> ::smiles back:: I'm *never* too busy to help you, love. I'd be happy to make the attempt... I'll just need a little time to digest the tax code, and then I can get started. When are they due? <Ardem> Okay. I'll more than likely be here. * Lini grins a bit. {I don't doubt you. But I don't trust her either.} <Vallel> ::blinks a few times:: They're due on the fifteenth of next month, but the earlier you can get them done, the less you have to wait in line before you pay them. * Sabrina nods and smiles to the others "Goodnight everyone" <Tarri> ::smiles and waves good night to Sabrina:: * Glossaria glances at Lini, her lips pressing together tighter for a moment before she pours another shot of sake and drinks. <Vallel> ::looks over:: Night Brina! ::waves at his employee:: <Glossaria> Goodnight, Sabrina! <Ardem> Goodnight dear lady. * Sabrina walks over to the door and wraps her cloak back around her before walking out into the night. * Jaret laughs. "Don't worry. Come, let's get you home, and you can spend the night in a good bed." * Tarri looks curiously to Ardem. "You're staying here? I thought..." She grins faintly. "Well, I thought 'Brina might offer you her spare room, since I've moved out." * Vallel glances over at Tarri. "You moved again?" * Lini smiles and nods. "Perhaps that would be best." <Tarri> ::nods and indicates the healer's knot embroidered on her robes:: I'm back in the Temple, training. <Glossaria> ::smiles at Tarri:: You're an official apprentice healer now? * Jaret finishes off the dregs of his wine and offers Lini his arm. "Let us away, then. I'll lead, in case you've forgotten the way." <Ardem> I didn't want to impose. <Tarri> ::nods at Gloss:: It's official now... ::she grins:: They've admitted me to a lot of second and third study levels, though, since I picked up so much before... * Lini slaps Jaret's shoulder playfully. "I doubt I'd forget the way. After all, where else would I go?" <Glossaria> That's wonderful! <Tarri> ::to Ardem, with a smile:: That was very polite of you. * Vallel leans over and kisses Tarri on the cheek. "Congratulations." * Lini takes Jaret's arm. "But if you insist..." <Jaret> Nowhere else, as long as I've got a say in the matter. And, I think I do. Ladies, gentlemen, good night indeed! <Tarri> ::smiles and blushes a little:: Thank you. ::she glances up and waves good night to Jaret and Lini:: * Glossaria smiles, and waves as Jaret and Lini get ready to depart. "Good night! Sl-- rest well!" * Vallel eyes Jaret for a moment, then grins. "Yep, yep... that definitely looks like a man who's in no mood to *sleep*." * Lini turns back for a moment. "Good night everyone. I promise to be more sociable the next time I am in." <Glossaria> ::smiles, with a too-demure air about her:: I *do* try to be precise in my language, love... <Tarri> ::glances at Gloss and Val, then looks briefly after Jaret and Lini, then looks back down at her cider, blushing faintly. She takes a hefty swallow, and puts the empty mug down on the counter.:: * Jaret leaves the Hall, Lini on his arm. * Ardem finishes up his ale and looks to Tarri. "Well, I am tired, must get some rest. Goodnight to you lady" <Tarri> ::nods and smiles:: Good night to you, too. * Ardem heads off to his room waving to the others as he goes. <Tarri> ::looks around, mildly perplexed:: Everyone seems to be leaving early tonight... ::she eyes Glossaria and Vallel with amused suspicion:: Are you going to run off and work on your taxes now? <Glossaria> It was a pleasure to meet you, Master Ardem. If you have more questions concerning magical research... well, my mistress is not at home presently, but she could most likely answer many of your questions. <Ardem> Thank you Glossaria * Vallel snorts, nearly spitting out a mouthful of beer. "Do I look that deranged yet, Tarri?" <Tarri> ::giggles:: <Tarri> Well, everyone else was running off... * Vallel nods. "Yeah, well..." <Vallel> So, did you enjoy yourself at San's parent's home? <Glossaria> ::sips her sake:: The governmental offices aren't open in the evenings, unfortunately. And I *do* need to learn the tax law beforehand. ::frowns thoughtfully:: Perhaps two or three days, assuming it's not *too* dense... <Tarri> ::nods and smiles:: Except for the orcs, it was all very nice. <Glossaria> ::a little wistfully:: I should have liked to see some orcs... <Tarri> ::shudders:: I'm very glad I didn't! <Vallel> ::raises an eyebrow at his wife:: You wanted to see bandits too, before we actually did... <Tarri> ::shivers a little:: <Glossaria> Well... ::shifting in her seat uncomfortably, and toying with the rim of her cup:: yeees... and it *wasn't* pleasant, I admit, but... ::looking down fixedly at her cup:: it *was* an interesting experience, nonetheless.... <Vallel> ::shakes his head:: Interesting... we barely escape with our lives from a burning building - yes, it was my fault ::aside to Tarri:: - and she finds it interesting... <Tarri> ::rolls her eyes a little and grins at Vallel:: Sanriel's very nearly as bad, once in a while... <Glossaria> Oh... it *wasn't* entirely your fault, though, love... it's not as though there was much choice in the matter, if we wished to escape living and, um, intact... but... it was terrifying, and maddening, and... and... *interesting.* * Rhys leans back against the bar, and grins at the conversation. <Vallel> ::turning to Tarri:: I swear, I don't know what to do with her... I didn't find anything about the kidnapping bastards interesting... <Tarri> ::nods:: I'm sure I wouldn't have, either. ::she smiles:: I'm glad you got away from them safely. <Glossaria> Well... but... ::scootching down in her seat a little, looking very flustered:: It had never happened to me before... but I'd read so many accounts... and without experiential knowledge of my own to draw upon, there were so many puzzling aspects of those accounts. But now, I understand them *far* better than I did. <Tarri> ::laughs:: Only you, Gloss, would *want* to understand something like that . <Vallel> ::almost says something:: No, I better not say that... you might actually try it. ::kisses the side of his wife's pouty little mouth:: <Glossaria> ::looks interested:: try what? <Glossaria> But... ::looks puzzled:: You're a healer, Tarri... wouldn't *you* want to understand the experience in order to better aid future victims, yourself? <Tarri> ::firmly:: No. I can generate plenty of sympathy based on my imagination. <Vallel> ::laughs:: Nope, I'm not saying it... You *would* want to try it, and I can't imagine trying to explain it to Zoya. <Glossaria> ::gives Vallel a disappointed look, and a small pout, before turning back to Tarri:: But... ::frowns:: so much of human social interaction is based on shared experience... it... ::she shakes her head, looking wry:: I'm not sure I *can* adequately explain, as you lack my experience of once having been *not* human. <Tarri> Look at it this way, Glossaria: I'm also learning how to treat people who've had limbs amputated - but I wouldn't want to cut off my own leg to see how it feels like! <Vallel> ::takes another long swig of beer, grinning impishly at his wife:: <Glossaria> ::looks sidelong at Vallel:: Perhaps... if you explained your idea to Mistress Zoya beforehand, and she approved it...? <Tarri> [/me is reasonably certain that whatever Val's idea is, Zoya is NOT going to approve. ::grin::] <Glossaria> ::looks stubborn:: I *still* say that primary source material is better by far than secondary or tertiary.... <Glossaria> [meanie!] <Tarri> ::grins at Gloss:: If every healer had to subject themselves to every ailment before they could learn how to cure or heal it... there wouldn't be any healers. ::she pulls a few copper coins from a pouch at her belt and puts them on the bar by her empty mug:: <Rhys> Last call, gentles. <Glossaria> Mmm. True. But a *researcher*.... <Vallel> ::shaking his head:: I sincerely doubt that Zoya would approve, dear-heart. But don't worry, you'll experience it eventually. Everyone does. * Vallel digs around in his pocket for a while, before dropping two silver coins on the bar. <Glossaria> ::cocks her head to one side, thinking, and her brow clears:: Ah! Well... hm. Though you *are* allowing me to do the taxes... that's frequently referred to in parallel. * Tarri shakes her head, still grinning, and collects her cloak from its peg by the fireplace, pulling it around her shoulders. * Glossaria pours out a final cup of sake, and sips it. "Hm... the flavor is quite different, cold...." <Tarri> Good night, everyone... ::she smiles and waves, then heads for the door:: <Glossaria> ::smiling a little:: Although... there's a reasonable certainty I would successfully revivify, as I'd never done it before.... <Vallel> ::turns to Tarri:: See? See? I told you... <Rhys> Good night, all. Have a safe walk home. <Tarri> ::laughs:: *Your* wife, Vallie... ::she giggles again, and slips out the door:: <Vallel> Come along dear... let's let Rhys get home... to whatever it is he does when he's not here. ::smiles a bit at Rhys:: <Glossaria> Goodnight, Tarri! ::waves belatedly:: <Glossaria> ::smiles at Rhys, and finishes her cup:: Thank you for the sake, Rhys. ::looks a touch definitely at her husband as she gets up and fetches her cloak:: *That* was interesting, too! <Rhys> Glad you enjoyed it, Glossaria. If you're not done with 'S', the next time you're in, perhaps you'll try some scotch. <Vallel> ::laughs:: Well... let's go home, and we can find something else "interesting" to do... like taxes. ::he groans:: <Glossaria> ::smiles:: Next run through the alphabet, I think. I'm rather looking forward to "tequila." * Rhys grins evilly at Glossaria. "Just don't eat the... never mind. You'll find out." * Vallel shudders slightly. <Glossaria> ::grins at Rhys, a hard edge to her smile:: Why not? They've eaten enough of *my* relatives... ::licks her lips:: Ooh... my poor love... ::bumps her hip up against him as she steps closer:: I'm sure we can find something else "interesting" to do... ::snakes an arm around his waist:: Perhaps page 218.... <Vallel> ::links his arm around Gloss's waist:: Promise? ::waves at Rhys, then exits the Hall:: * Glossaria a throaty chuckle floats back over her shoulder as she exits at his side. * Rhys rolls his eyes as he follows the pair to the door, and then closes and locks it. "Children..." He collects the glassware from around the Hall, shooing it into the kitchen, and then dims the lamps before he leaves into the back room. |
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