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* Rhys comes into the main Hall, dressed in a long overcoat and with thick mittens on his hands. The glasses and mugs shake and chatter on the racks, and Rhys grumbles at him as he passes. "I know, I know..." He sets some thick logs in the fireplace and has set them aflame in a few moments. The bitter chill in the Hall starts to slowly lose its edge. * Rhys heads to the main door, unlocks it, and steps back behind the bar. "Hall's open." * Kevil opens the door, brushing a rather excessive amount of snow from his shoulders. He glances back over his shoulder. "Diya, are you coming, or-" He is cut off with a snowball to the face. <Diya> ::laughs happily from across the alley:: Diya is having *fun*! <Kevil> ::snorts and wipes snow from his face:: Yes, I see that. Come *in*, Diya, before quite *all* the warmth escapes. <Diya> ::sighs and several snowballs hit the side of the building in rapid succession:: Diya is coming. * Kevil holds the door for Diya, then beelines for the fire, holding his hands out to the blazing warmth before pulling off his snow-spattered cloak and hanging it to thaw and dry. * Diya walks into the Hall. It is obvious that someone has seen to his outfitting, as he looks almost normal. He has a long wool coat and is wearing black leathers under the cloak. When he doffs the cloak, the shirt is still sleeveless, despite the freezing temperatures and snowfall. He shivers a bit and joins Kevil by the fire, absently picking bits of snow out of the bard's curly hair. <Rhys> My apologies for the Hall's less-than-temperate atmosphere. We had a heating... occurrence over the Midwinter holidays. Can I get you anything to drink? <Kevil> ::bows in greeting to Rhys before putting his hands back out to the fire:: Mulled wine would be a joy, Sir Rhys. * Diya grins widely. "Diya would be very happy to have some... what was it, heartwing? Hot chocolate?" He turns and bows to Rhys. <Rhys> Some might call it a necessity, Master Talarin, but if you wish to call it a joy, I shall do my best to fulfill your expectations. * Glossaria enters slowly, her snow-freckled dark cloak stretched wide over her outspread arms, muttering a soft spell that makes the material glow faintly silver before stepping inside and pushing the door absently closed with a foot. She studies the surface of her cloak with absorbed fascination as she makes her way to the bar. <Kevil> Good evening, angel! How are you this night? <Rhys> And an old standby, hot chocolate. If you'll lend me a few moments... ::he bustles around behind the bar, spooning dark powder into a large mug, pouring wine, adding spices to the wine, adding steaming milk to the mug, and then stirring the wine with the spoon from inside his deep pockets.:: Here you two gentlemen are. May it and the fire take the chill from your bones. <Diya> ::bows again:: Diya is very grateful. He is still surprised that it is so cold here. He has never seen this freezing water from the sky before. ::grins at Kevil:: He thinks heartwing is well-sick of it by now, though. <Kevil> ::crosses to the bar to take the mugs from Rhys with a grateful smile:: Thank you. ::he hands Diya his mug and sips the wine with a deep sigh of appreciation:: <Glossaria> ::without looking up:: Quite well, thank you, Kevil. Good evening, all. ...fascinating, isn't it? I believe they really *are* all different. ::she spreads the faintly glowing cloak carefully over one end of the bar, quickly getting out her notebook and starting to sketch snowflake patterns on a fresh page:: * Diya takes a sip of his chocolate. "Good evening to you, sister Glossaria. Diya is happy to be seeing you again." He crosses the room and embraces her swiftly, rubbing his cold cheek against hers in greeting. <Kevil> The snowball fight in the garden this afternoon was fun, n'shava, but I really did not see the need to extend it into nightfall... ::he grins and takes another sip of wine, curling his hands around the mug's warmth:: <Rhys> Can I get you anything, Glossaria? Or perhaps once you're finished with your sketches? * Temire enters the Hall dressed in her undyed shirt and breeches, her conch shell sword at her side. In contrast her cloak is fur lined and clearly new. There's a slight spring in her step as she enters and sweeps her cloak off, doing a fair imitation of Jaret's habitual grace, "Good evening everyone. Is it a wonderful night?" <Glossaria> ::looks up with a bit of a start at the touch of Diya's cold hands and cheeks and giggles:: Oh! Aren't you cold, brother Diya? You seem to have adapted much more readily than Kevil has. ::smiling a little at Kevil:: I think a hot chocolate would be welcome, Master Rhys, as soon as I've finished. I don't want to tax the frost spell. <Diya> ::laughs:: Heartwing is... what did Oriole call it, n'shava? "Set in his ways." * Temire hangs her cloak by the door and heads to the bar, "Could I have some hot cocoa Rhys?" * Temire takes a seat at the bar, noting the new Patron. <Kevil> ::snorts:: I prefer "not crazy enough to freeze my tail off". <Rhys> Of course you may, Temire. Are you enjoying the evening yourself? ::he fixes her a large mug of cocoa and sets it in front of her:: * Glossaria returns Diya's hug quickly and releases him to continue sketching quick, precise renderings of snowflakes, arranged by type. <Diya> ::looking at Gloss's sketches:: Diya thinks it will take you a very very very long time to draw all those. * Kevil bows in greeting to Temire. "Mistress Temire, allow me to present to you Master Diya." * Temire nods, "I should have left the academy a long time ago. I've felt so free since classes ended and I haven't had my poor performances hanging over my head. Though I'm starting to get a little restless. Though if the snow sticks I'll be able to keep myself occupied playing in the snow with Ilya for a while." * Diya turns and bows to Temire. "Diya is pleased to meet you, Mistress Temire." * Temire hops off the stool and bows to Diya, "A pleasure to meet you Master Diya. Do you hail from Master Kevil's home?" <Glossaria> ::pencil flying over the paper as she flips a page:: Unfortunately, my spell is quite limited. I don't think I can hold the frost ele-- oh, drat, there it goes. ::sighs and puts down her pencil, stretching out her fingers a little as the silver glow disappears in a subtle flash of light and whisks away under the front door, and all the snowflakes melt at once:: * Temire blushes and smiles, "Please, just call me Temire. I'm not skilled enough to have earned the title, which means I'd have to buy it or seduce it, neither of which appeals to me." <Glossaria> ::looks up:: Master Rhys, I'd take that hot chocolate now, please. Good evening, Temire! * Rhys pours another mug of hot chocolate in much the same way as the earlier two and sets it in front of Glossaria. "Happy to oblige." <Kevil> ::under his breath:: In more ways than one... ::in a more normal tone:: Diya has joined in circle with Loria and myself, Mistress. <Diya> ::blinks a few times at Temire's speech:: Diya is not so used to calling people familiar as is customary here. He hopes you will forgive him the formality, until such time as he knows people a bit better? <Temire> Hey Gloss. Found a new hobby? * Temire blinks at Kevil for a moment, clearly piecing things together in her mind for several long moments, then asking tentatively, "Master Diya married you and Loria?" <Kevil> ::smiling:: Yes, precisely. ::he sips from his mug:: * Temire smiles at Diya, "It's alright. I need to get used to it... I..." Temire shrugs, "It's alright." * Temire spends a few more moments obviously mulling over the implications of that statement before shaking her head dismissively and smiling, "Congratulations then." <Diya> ::smiles widely:: Diya thanks you. He had been very interested to come to his circle's home city and he is very happy to meet everyone. Diya doesn't think he's ever been anywhere quite so interesting in his life. <Kevil> Thank you. * Glossaria wraps her hands around the mug of chocolate and takes a careful sip, cocking her head at Diya. "Have you travelled widely in Gaena, brother Diya?" * Temire smiles, "I thought Waterdeep was pretty interesting myself, but this is where home is... Though I would like to travel again. I feel like I've been standing still too long and am starting to put down roots." <Glossaria> ::quirking the corner of her mouth up a little:: What better way to grow a family tree? <Kevil> ::grins at Glossaria:: And yet, my family seems to grow the more I travel. <Diya> ::turns to Glossaria:: Diya has been to a few places, n'inval. He has been to Mazhalan many times, and to Zhakistahn and many of the larger cities in Andahlheim. He also visited Karandistahn with his father once, but Diya did not like being there at all, he did not. * Temire smiles at Glossaria, "Do you and Val have something to tell us Gloss?" <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow at Diya:: You did not tell me you had been to Karandistahn. <Glossaria> Indeed? ::eyes lighting, her right hand twitching once before she wraps it around her mug again with careful restraint:: I'd be delighted to hear about your travels sometime, n'inval. ::raising an eyebrow at Temire:: Tell you? What do you mean? * Temire smiles and shakes her head, "Never mind Gloss." Temire sips her cocoa, a smile on her face. * Glossaria blinks at Temire a moment and shrugs before taking a sip from her own mug. <Diya> ::turns to Kevil:: Diya went once, with Hesh. It was perhaps seven or maybe eight winters ago. It barely rained at all, and the Ven'Hedi were very thick on the roads. Diya had just made his Mastery and he did not wish Hesh to be in any danger, so he went along with the caravan. <Kevil> ::nods in understanding:: Very good of you. * Glossaria listens quietly and attentively to Diya, ears pricked, sliding her notebook a little closer to her. <Diya> ::laughs a little sheepishly:: And Diya will admit that he wanted to spend some time with Hesh *away* from Falida. Diya enjoyed the trip, although he thinks Karand could use a good burning to the ground. ::his jaw tightens a bit:: It is a horrible, evil place. * Glossaria cocks her head, looking a question at Kevil at Diya's commentary on Karand. <Kevil> ::touches Diya's arm briefly, his smile wry:: Not all within its borders are evil, n'shava. Though if you are speaking of the White Dragon, we might stand in line together to flay the skin from his exalted bones. <Diya> ::grins:: Diya will play a hand of Kadish for the honor. * Temire quirks an eyebrow over her cocoa as she idly listens to the conversation. * Glossaria raises her eyebrows higher, looking from one to the other. <Kevil> ::snorts:: I am not fool enough to take *that* wager. ::glances at Glossaria:: Karand - and its ruler, the White Dragon - are one of the chief anchors of the slave trade on Gaena. <Glossaria> Ahh. ::frowns, nodding and flipping several pages back through her notebook to jot a few brief lines and margin notes.:: <Kevil> ::softly, looking into his wine:: Darin was a Karandi slave, before Zoya's master freed him. <Glossaria> ::her pen stilling:: oh. * Diya finishes his cup of cocoa. "Diya really likes this drink very much." He puts his empty mug onto the bartop. <Rhys> Can I get you another? And, while I'm at it, is anyone else staring unhappily at the bottom of their glass? * Kevil tosses back the rest of his wine. "I could use a refill, if you would be so kind." * Temire finishes her mug, staring into it with an exaggerated pout. <Kevil> ::shakes off the quick melancholy and flashes a grin at Glossaria:: You mean you had not wormed that tale from your mistress yet? <Diya> Diya would be very happy to have another. But Diya will make it known to you that his wife said he could only have two and no more than two. Oriole was not very happy with Diya's energy, a few weeks ago. She said he was as hyper as a puppy. * Glossaria closes her book, touching a hand to her neck and staring sightlessly at the bartop for several moments before looking up with a start at Kevil's question, her expression faintly sad. "No. No, I... haven't wanted to pry." <Rhys> I just might be. ::he mixes up another hot chocolate and a mulled wine:: Temire? Would you like anything? An ice cube for that lip, perhaps? * Temire laughs, "Just another cocoa Rhys." <Kevil> Ah, well, it was long ago, d'va? I should be happy to tell you the story some time, angel. <Rhys> Much more seasonal than the ice cube, I applaud your decision. ::he mixes Temire another cocoa:: <Glossaria> I... ::looking troubled:: well, perhaps sometime, Kevil, thank you. ::nodding, and swirling the contents of her mug before taking another sip:: <Diya> ::gazes at Kevil with an adoring expression:: Heartwing tells wonderful stories, even when they are sad. Diya could sit and listen to him for hours. <Kevil> ::laughs:: If only you could yourself be quiet so long and still be awake, d'va? ::he winks and tugs gently on a lock of Diya's flame-red hair:: <Glossaria> ::perking up a little, smiling at Diya:: Aye, and I have. Kevil has a remarkable memory for detail. <Diya> Diya does talk a lot, he knows it, he does. <Glossaria> ::smiling more enthusiastically, patting Diya's arm:: *I'd* be delighted to listen, n'inval. <Diya> ::grins:: And what should you like Diya to tell you about? <Glossaria> ::eyes sparkling as she flips open her notebook again:: Anything you like! Your family? Gaena? What are your impressions of Marsember, perhaps, from the point of view of a newcomer to the culture? * Temire laughs, "Careful Master Diya. Glossaria can take notes longer than anyone can talk." * Diya blinks several times. "Diya will keep that in mind, kitten. But he thinks his newest sister will not talk him absolutely to death. She has shown remarkable kindness to Diya already." <Glossaria> ::wrinkles her nose at Temire:: He *offered.* <Kevil> ::leans back against the bar, his eyes twinkling as he picks up his refreshed mug:: I would not take that wager, Mistress. * Temire laughs, "Well I certainly wouldn't wager with you about it Kevil." <Glossaria> ::smiles at Diya:: I have been attempting to curb certain... less than popular enthusiasms of mine, at least. <Diya> ::turns to Glossaria:: Diya will answer one question at a time, though, n'inval. He would not want you to get a blister. Although Diya thinks you should ask Oriole for her notes. When we were planning our Circle joining, she made a list of all of Diya's relations, which took Diya quite a while to come up with. <Glossaria> ::raising her eyebrows:: Did she? Wonderful, I'll have to speak with her... ::looks positively gleeful:: <Kevil> ::almost hopefully:: Yes, do come and visit soon. I am certain she would appreciate any visitor *not* of the male persuasion just now. * Temire laughs, "Maybe I should round up Tarri and come visit as well." <Diya> ::nods:: Diya's family is very large. His mother's circle is one of five, and Diya is the son of his mother's lover, Cadale, a trader from Andahlheim. Diya has fifteen siblings in his mother's circle and five siblings with his father's family. <Glossaria> ::cocks her head at Kevil:: Is she tiring of your company so soon? You *did* invite Vallel and I to dinner at some point, after all... ::grins:: And I have your wedding present for you. Large enough for all three, I surmise. <Diya> ::smiles:: And now Diya has two more siblings. How he shall keep track of so many people, he does not know. <Kevil> ::laughs and takes a sip of wine:: I am sure she will exert herself to be polite for dinner, angel. I cling to the hope that it is not myself with which she is tired, but the pregnancy, and that once she is delivered her good nature will return. <Glossaria> ::turning back to Diya:: Five? Does Andahlheim practice circling, as well? ::smiles over Diya's shoulder at Kevil:: And does he not understand the relation of Khymrych yet, then? <Kevil> ::makes a wry face:: We have discussed the... difficulties presented by Khymrych. <Diya> ::shakes his head vigorously:: Diya's father is not Circled. He has one wife, a rather unpleasant woman who does not like Diya one bit. ::for a moment, he looks a little sad:: <Glossaria> ::nods to Kevil:: Well, I had not implied a visit, per se, merely that... ::grinning a little:: brother Diya has, perhaps, far more relations now than he may have quite realized. * Glossaria mutters an "ah" of understanding at Diya's comment, and jots a few notes. * Temire sips her cocoa. <Diya> ::grins a bit:: Diya learned many bad words in Dallish the first time he was presented to his father's family. ::he laughs:: Diya had to have his inval explain most of them to him. <Glossaria> Oh? I'll have to ask you about them-- ::sliding her eyes sideways to Kevil with a faint blush:: --later. * Temire blushes, "I'm glad I didn't do anything like that in front of Ilya." <Glossaria> ::blinking a little:: You don't seem particularly prone to strong invective, Temire. <Diya> ::looks over at Temire:: Is Ilya your lover's issal? * Temire blinks at Glossaria, "You don't remember the state I was in last winter?" * Temire looks at Diya, "Issal?" <Kevil> Child. * Temire nods, "Yes." * Temire blushes furiously as her mind catches up with the conversation. <Glossaria> ::cocks her head consideringly:: Well... true. Although the docks have been a much richer source of-- ::glances at Rhys and blushes again, clearing her throat:: well... research material. ::takes a hasty sip of hot chocolate:: <Diya> Diya does not understand it ::he shrugs:: But the Dals are very strange people... Diya is merely content to dislike Falida as much as she dislikes Diya. <Kevil> ::eyes Glossaria with a raised eyebrow, then smiles and sips his wine:: * Rhys chuckles deep in his throat. "All in the name of research. Are there no boundaries?" * Temire laughs, "Where do you think I learned most of them Glossaria. Hanging around the docks with my father or else running through the streets with Bood." <Glossaria> ::mutters to herself, studying her mug with great attention:: Well, and Lisl has been *quite* helpful.... * Temire laughs, "I'd be afraid my ears would burn off if I asked Lisl that sort of question." <Diya> Diya would be happy to teach you all the words like that he knows, if you promise, n'inval, not to repeat them around Oriole. She has a tendency to kick Diya in his shins when she hears him say things like that. <Glossaria> ::eyes wide:: Oh, I don't repeat them. I merely catalog them. The comparative linguistics are quite fascinating, really... one can learn a great deal about a culture from its classes of invective. <Diya> ::thinks for a moment, then looks apologetic:: Diya forgot, already, what other things you wished to know about, n'inval. <Kevil> ::laughing:: Everything. <Glossaria> ::smiles, and nods somewhat rueful agreement with Kevil:: <Diya> ::laughs:: Why not ask Diya something *specific*? * Temire smiles, "Because that would take the fun out of it." <Glossaria> Now, Temire... specific questions are a standard component of the interview process. ::smiles, pen at the ready:: What are your initial impressions of Marsember? <Diya> ::grins:: Diya thinks it is very cold. And extremely decadent. Does n'inval know that heartwing and Oriole have *three* bathtubs in their house? <Glossaria> ::smiles, taking notes all the while:: Water is considerably more plentiful here than in your home. It *is* a swamp, after all. <Kevil> ::laughs:: Water is not exactly scarce here, n'shava... We have been over this before. * Temire smiles, "Just don't fall in the canals." <Diya> ::raises one eyebrow:: Diya does not intend to. He does not know how to swim, although Oriole has promised to teach him, when the water is warmer. * Temire nods, "A very good skill to have." <Kevil> ::shivers and takes a quick swig of his wine:: You may want to put it off longer, after you learn her definition of "warmer". <Glossaria> Swimming in the canals would be... problematic. The water is... well, not entirely *water.* * Diya makes an extremely disgusted face. "Diya has noticed this. He does find that to be one of the less nice things about Marsember. It does... smell a bit unpleasant." <Glossaria> ::nods:: The odor is more... robust in summertime, but yes, I understand the city can be rather difficult for the foreign nose. <Diya> ::shrugs:: Diya will adjust. He would put up with much worse things than a bit of smell to be with heartwing and Oriole. <Kevil> ::gives Diya a warm smile:: <Glossaria> Truly? Such as? Oh... ::blushes:: Rhetorical. My apologies. <Diya> ::seriously:: Diya cannot think of anything that would dissuade him. He does not ever wish to be so alone again. He would even share a house with Sallah again. <Kevil> ::snorts and laughs:: Anything but that! ::grins at Diya:: Let us save you from that fate, n'shava. <Rhys> Closing time, gentles. <Glossaria> ::her smile soft:: I... I empathize, n'inval. ::blinks a little, a faintly surprised expression crossing her face:: Hm. I do... how remarkable. <Glossaria> Oh... ::blinking at Rhys, and closing her notebook somewhat regretfully, swirling her now-cold chocolate in her mug and swallowing the last of it:: We shall have to do this again soon, brother Diya. ::smiling:: * Temire finishes her cocoa, and places a few copper on the bar, "Thank you Rhys." Temire stands, "It was a pleasure meeting you Diya. I hope to see you around. Goodnight everyone." <Glossaria> Good evening, Temire. <Diya> ::laughs at Gloss's expression:: Diya would be happy to, n'inval. * Temire swirls her cloak around herself, seeming to float a little, her smile brightening as she heads out the door. * Kevil finishes off his wine with a satisfied sigh, sets the mug down, then crosses back to the fire to retrieve his cloak. <Glossaria> ::eyes lighting:: Truly? * Diya waves cheerfully to Temire. "Diya bids you good night and safe journey, kitten." * Temire smiles to Diya as the door closes behind her. <Diya> ::leans over and kisses Gloss's cheek:: Of course, n'inval... Diya likes to talk, as n'inval has no doubt noticed. <Rhys> Good night. <Kevil> ::handing Diya his cloak:: Come, n'shava. Eager as she was to see our backs, Loria will fret if we are late returning home. * Diya stands, putting his mug on the bartop and patting it like one might do to a dog. "Diya knows. As much as Oriole likes to pretend otherwise, she worries *almost* as much as heartwing does." <Glossaria> ::smiles delightedly, and gives Diya a quick, spontaneous hug:: I am delighted to listen. As n'inval has no doubt noticed. ::smiles wider, looking over Diya's shoulder:: Thank you, Kevil. And thank Loria for me. ::putting her mug down and shooing it towards Rhys as she reclaims her own cloak:: * Rhys collects mugs (including one that is lolling its tongue out at the others), and herds them towards the kitchen. <Kevil> ::laughs:: I am not persuaded such a thing is possible... Good night, sweet angel! Give my greetings to your mistress and your husband, please! <Glossaria> I shall indeed. Goodnight, and safe journeys to you both. ::smiles happily and waves at them as she clasps her cloak around her neck and puts up her hood:: Good night, Master Rhys! Thank you for the hot chocolate. <Rhys> You're most welcome, Glossaria. I'm glad you enjoyed it. * Kevil opens the door, checks to make sure Diya is following, and steps out into the night, bending to scoop up a handful of snow as he does... <Diya> Safe journey, n'inval. ::waves at Glossaria as he puts his coat on:: Diya would like also to thank you for the chocolate. And now Diya must run so he can make more snowballs. ::grins widely at Rhys, then heads out into the night:: * Glossaria follows Kevil and Diya out, a few whispered words quickly raising a pale green shield around her. * Rhys follows the last patrons to the door, locking it behind them. "And just when the hearth was warming the room up sufficiently.." He heads back into the kitchen to clean up. |
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