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* Lisl sits in her kitchen, an oil lamp at her elbow and a brace of long knives laid out in order on the table. She holds a flaying blade in her hand, squinting along its length as she pauses in sharpening it. * Jaret walks the nighttime streets of Marsember, still in his somber greys with the dark red accents. Almost unconsciously he turns onto Steel Street and knocks on the door of Lisl's house. "Lisl? Are you in? It's Jaret." * Lisl starts, cutting her thumb on the knife in her surprise. She looks from the knife in her hand to the door, shrugs, and chucks the knife into the sink, vaulting the couch in her rush to the door. * Lisl throws open the door and catches Jaret up in a bear hug, coming dangerously close to lifting the slightly taller man off his feet. "Jaret! You're not dead!" * Jaret returns the hug as best he can. "Lisl! Neither are you!" * Lisl grins broadly and thumps him on the back, easing up on the hug a little as she reins in her exuberance. "Yes, well, I wasn't the one facing down a mad god. Or Yb, for that matter. Come on, come inside before I make a spectacle of myself out here!" * Jaret laughs and enters. "I left the gods to others, and had to content myself with a pair of saints. Is it really Tarsakh? By my counting of the days since we left, it should only be mid-Ches. I'm still trying to convince myself that I've somehow lost some time." <Lisl> ::blinks, considering as she shuts the door behind her:: Aye, it's Tarsakh... 6th, I think? Ah, well... 'Jamming. Zoya said something once about different spheres moving at different speeds, or some such rot. <Lisl> Only a pair of saints... ::shaking her head and chuckling:: Well, that should have presented no problem for you, then. ::her expression sobers a little:: But... you succeeded? She's finally dead? <Jaret> Really? Interesting. Or it might have been something Yb did. <Jaret> Succeeded, yes, but Yb's not dead. In short, Bai and Zoya crafted an arrow using some artifact from Bai's world that separated Yb's soul from the essence of deific Chaos, and then he... I'm not sure, exactly. Fought it to a standstill, or defeated it, or something. And Tyl healed Yb's wounds, so she's alive and he's alive, and she's... well... sane, it seems. <Lisl> Yb... sane? ::blinks, waving Jaret to a chair as she plops into one of her own, working her jaw as she thinks about it:: Yb sane. Hunh. Well... that's bound to be a sort of adventure in itself. Does she... remember? Any of it? And-- did all of ours come back alright? ::her look is apprehensive:: <Jaret> Zoya and I didn't suffer any permanent wounds. Tyl lost some fingers to a... sea monster of some kind that we encountered. Kraken, I think. And Bai was just about obliterated, but managed to survive it through the intervention of a few gods and our preventing another saint from killing him. <Jaret> PING request <Notice> PING Jaret: 2 seconds * Lisl gapes. "Another saint? But-- I thought Yb had set herself on destroying their world. Why--" She stops herself, shaking her head. "No, no, nevermind. God politics." <Jaret> It was politics, from what I understand. Most of the gods wouldn't lift fingers to help us, for whatever reason. And Palyres -- another saint -- convinced some of them to strip Bai's sainthood from him about an hour after we arrived. The god of the dwarves, and the goddess of the humans stood with us, though. * Lisl shakes her head. "Well... you're all back safe, with a tale to tell, and the job done. That's what really matters." <Jaret> Mostly. From what I gathered from Yb, Bai's not going to be coming back. Well, not permanently, at least. They seemed to think he was going to become the next god of the humans. * Lisl quirks an eyebrow. "Bai, a god?" She shakes her head, muttering to herself. "Like a damned plague... heh." She chuckles softly. <Jaret> That was the implication. Maybe he'll work some sense into them, although it doesn't seem very likely. <Lisl> And... Yb? ::looks bemused:: What's to happen there? Does she... do you think she knows what he's done for her? <Jaret> I'm fairly certain. From what I gathered, her memories are indistinct. She's not sure what did and didn't happen, but she's fully aware now. And since she survived being Chaos, she's Chaos's... saint or avatar or something. But not like before, where she had no control. <Lisl> Hmm. ::smirks a little:: Well, that pleases Zoya, I'll bet. <Jaret> I think what pleased Zoya most was the step she took through the portal that brought us back here. <Lisl> ::chuckling:: Aye, no doubt. ::sitting up:: Ahhh, manners. Do you want anything, Jaret? Food, water, wine... brandy? I've some Sembian. <Jaret> Only if you'll join me. I just came from Meghan's, and had dinner there. A little glass of Sembian as an after-dinner would be lovely. <Lisl> Ahhh, not with her fine lord this evening, then? ::grinning as she rises and heads to the kitchen to lift down a pair of snifters and a dusty bottle:: <Jaret> No, I guess not. I didn't ask about him, though, and she didn't mention him. Are they still a pair? * Lisl grimaces at the bloody knife in the sink and gathers up glasses and bottle in one hand, grabbing a small pouch off the back of a kitchen chair before picking up the knife as well and carrying the whole lot back into the sitting room. * Lisl shrugs one shoulder as she sets everything down on and endtable, uncorks the brandy with her teeth, and pours a fair portion in each glass. "I spy them about town, time to time... far as I know, they are." She grins. "Kevil doesn't much like it." <Jaret> Oh? Does he know something I don't about the young lord? It can't be anything too scandalous if he hasn't acted on it. What's in the pouch, and should I be concerned about the knife? ::he grins:: <Lisl> ::snorts:: Doubt it. Strikes me as your average young noble... ::makes a face:: ...for what that's worth. ::she grins and hands Jaret a glass, setting the knife on the table as she opens the pouch:: Do you think you should be concerned? It's when I *don't* have the knife that you should worry. ::pulling cleaning rags and honing oil from the pouch:: * Jaret salutes Lisl with his glass. "Fair enough, then. I always try to ask, when a woman leaves to get drinks and returns armed, just in case something is happening I'm yet unaware of. Speaking of which, how have things been in my absence?" <Lisl> ::chuckles, picking up the knife and flipping it nonchalantly over her hand:: Bah! This is hardly "armed." You just surprised me, so now I'm cleaning up my mess. ::grins and displays her left hand, where traces of blood show in the lines of her palm:: * Jaret quirks a slight smile. "I apologize for knocking on your door. How I could forget, and skip the tradition of kicking it in." * Lisl laughs. "It's good to have you back, Jaret. So, then, the news..." She shakes her head with a small smile and a lift of her eyebrows. <Lisl> Speaking of Kevil, he and Loria are back from their desert. Loria's delivered of twin girls... and they've picked up another family member on the way, it seems. <Jaret> Yes, I met.. Diya, I think it was, back in Nightal. And Meghan told me. Twin girls! Kevil must be overjoyed. * Lisl raises her eyebrows. "Nightal, already? I *did* miss a lot, then..." She shakes her head ruefully. "But yes, they're both thrilled, of course, and each insisting that the girls are as beautiful as the other partner. Ah, young love."] <Jaret> ::chuckling:: Well, that's something, at least. I could see how having multiple partners like that could lead to bickering. It's good to hear they're so happy. <Lisl> Aye, you'd think. But Alani... ::shakes her head and chuckles:: Well, I wish them well. Let's see... ah, yes. Thanks to Kevil, my mother's could drop in at any moment this week, I imagine. ::she makes a face and gestures to her mostly-neat living room:: * Jaret looks around. "Really? What did he say to her? Did you do something to him? Your preference to visit your mother, rather than the alternative, is known." <Lisl> *I* did nothing. *I* am innocent of all this. I was over to see his new spouse, and we had some... conversation... and somehow, Mother's name came up. ::darkly:: As to how, I think he said something about... shopping. ::making it sound like a bad word:: * Jaret subtly smirks. "I'm sure it won't be all that bad, Lisl. Perhaps you'll get away with only some new curtains and some throw pillows for your couch." <Lisl> ::grins:: Nah, they're taking Mother shopping. I'm taking Master Nabihazan hunting. <Lisl> We've pledged a mutual protection pact, of sorts. <Jaret> Ah, I see! Well, I hope the alliance works out in your favor. ::he sips some more brandy:: This is quite lovely, by the way. Thank you ever so much. <Lisl> Quite welcome. You can thank Mother for it, when she gets here. I raided her newly-inherited cellars, a few years back. I'll say one thing good for elvish nobility, they know how to squirrel it away. <Jaret> Most likely a result of the extended lifespan. Without such a quality, after a few centuries the clutter alone would become unbearable. <Lisl> ::grins:: Nah, the bad stuff just goes to vinegar. I know a thing or two about squirreling, myself, you know. ::winks:: * Jaret raises an eyebrow. "Oh, do you now? I'll rifle through your stocks later. I'm too well fed and relaxed to do a proper job of it right now." <Lisl> ::laughs:: Careful. I'm rumored to have a fierce attack dog on premises, you know. ::waves her glass:: Anyway, speaking of new faces, there have been a few at the Hall, too. <Jaret> The attack dog can be subdued with proper bribery, I'm given to understand. New faces, really? Anything of note? <Lisl> Well, Adam had a new hire for a time. A dwarf... she was boarding at the Hall, I'm given to understand, but she's gone now, I think. And there's a Master Genin... mapmaker, I believe. Quiet... ::she frowns thoughtfully for a moment:: I think he's sweet on Sabrina. <Jaret> ::grimacing:: I don't know how well that will work out. Sabrina's always been somewhat... reserved, and if Fosst recently passed... ah, well. It's his heart. And I met the dwarf, Ragna. A good enough sort. I think you'd have gotten on well enough. <Lisl> Aye, a good enough sort. ::shrugs a shoulder:: We exchanged greetings, a little conversation time to time, that was about it. I'm still not quite... comfortable, being social again. ::shrugs, watching the swirl of her brandy in the glass before lifting it to take a sip:: * Jaret nods. "Well, you're back in Marsember again. It's a step in the right direction, at least from my point of view. Is it any better?" <Lisl> ::shrugs again, eyes on her brandy:: A little. Still adjusting. ::snorts ruefully:: Nearly made myself one hell of a misunderstanding with Kevil and Loria, but it's all smoothed out now. ::grumbles:: Hells, you'd think bards would be clearer with words... * Jaret laughs. "I think the more one uses and understands language, the greater the temptation to play with it, and suggest at meanings and imply things, rather than state them outright. Somewhat like how the greater the swordsman, the greater the temptation to use the more arcane, outlandish styles can be." <Lisl> Ha! ::shakes her head, a twinkle in her eye:: Guess I'm a piss-poor swordsman, then. * Lisl sets her glass down, going back to oiling her now-clean blade. "To be honest, it was no fault of theirs... I was reading in. Reading a *lot* in." She snorts again, shaking her head with a chuckle. <Jaret> You're a fine swordswoman, Lisl. But at least nothing ill came of the misunderstanding. <Lisl> ::waves a hand:: No, all's fine. And truth to tell, you're better. ::grins wickedly:: I cheat. <Jaret> It's not cheating. It's using your available abilities to the fullest extent. <Lisl> Heh. It's cheating. ::eyeing Jaret speculatively:: Come to speak of it... there's one other new face I haven't mentioned yet... a patient of Bran's, Tarri's latest charge. Apparently she found him face-down in the woods not far from Crow's Nest, with an arrow sticking out of him. A Corporal Orlann Drilgar, late of what used to be Bleakhill, in the Storm Horns. ::puts a slight stress on the "used to be":: <Jaret> ::Jaret blinks in surprise:: He made it from the Storm Horns, to here, with an arrow in him? That's some kind of determination for you... Meghan mentioned that he was new to the Hall, and helping out at the orphanage, and his rank, but left out the historical details. And... used to be? I can't say I'd heard of Bleakhill, but it sounds like I'm not going to get a chance to visit. <Lisl> ::shakes her head, sheathing the knife and setting it aside as she leans forward in her chair:: No... but there's something you might be able to help me with, now you're here. Tarri said he was with the militia there-- he's certainly no slouch of a fighter... ::she pauses thoughtfully, reviewing a memory:: <Jaret> ::nodding:: Most of the smaller towns maintain a local militia, rather than have a garrison of Purple Dragons stationed in their village. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Anyway, she told me his town had been attacked by orcs and goblins. Organized ones. He was trying to get the survivors out... near as I can tell, he's it. She said he gave the Dragons the whole story, asked me not to talk about it... he's had it hard enough. <Jaret> Was it organized, or just a massing? Sometimes those tribes up in the mountains just boil over, from what I've heard. <Lisl> ::looks frustrated:: That's what I'd love to know. Dammit... the last thing we faced in those mountains was that dracolich. If this is connected, I want to know. But Tarri said organized... organized and worse than the regular sort, if you can believe it. * Jaret makes a face. "Oh, lovely. I hadn't thought of it. I can check in with Adiethian in the next few days, and see if he knows anything about this. He usually has a good notion about everything that's happening." * Lisl looks relieved, and scrubs a hand over her face. "Good. Thank you. I really don't want to stress the man about it any-- he really *has* been through the Nine Hells and back, it seems, to look in his eyes-- but... I need to know." <Jaret> You're welcome, Lisl. It's no trouble at all. He'll most likely be happy to hear I'm not completely ignorant of things that have happened while I've been away. <Lisl> Ha. Well, glad I could be of service, then. ::grins, bending and retrieving several broadsheets of the Marsember Herald from beneath a table:: Here. Homework, two weeks' worth. I've no need of them anymore. * Jaret shuffles the broadsheets into order from oldest to newest and begins skimming through the headlines and first few lines of the more interesting articles. "Interesting... trade embargos, spring shipping starting up... and.. oh, well. the Princess is expecting. Well." <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: That? That was in the rags, oh, weeks ago, I think. Bunch of court scuttlebutt. <Lisl> ::grins, hiking the eyebrow higher:: Unless you, Lord Jaret, have cause to know differently? <Jaret> Oh, it's still news, especially if it turns out to be a male child. His Majesty has been lacking in male heirs, and... well, we'll see. Never underestimate the impact a little court scuttlebutt can have. <Lisl> Hunh... no likelihood of a queen in her own right here, then? That does complicate matters, I suppose. ::shrugs a shoulder:: Well, one way or another, we'll find out eventually, I'm sure. If it's a bastard, though... well, that could get dicey. ::shakes her head:: Matters of state. Hmph. * Jaret folds the broadsheets up and puts them back down. "Well. Things have been eventful, it appears." <Lisl> ::picks up her glass again, draining the last of it, and sets it back down with a smile:: It's Marsember. <Jaret> True, true. One of the reasons I've been happy to settle here is that it's rarely dull for long. Something always comes up. <Lisl> You should come by Crow's Nest some morning, Jaret. Tarri's taken up her training again, and the Corporal's been sparring with us. ::studying Jaret:: I think he's up to your standard... and he's a tricky one, fights twinned-blade. ::snorts:: I may even have fought alongside his grandfather or great-grandfather, some time back... Anyway, Kevil might send his new husband over, as well. Come, it'll be fun. ::grins:: <Jaret> Twin-blade? Really. How interesting. I haven't seem that in an age. Perhaps I will. In company, of course. I don't think I've ever actually met Bran, and while I'm sure Tarri would vouch for me, it would be less awkward if I was with someone else. <Lisl> Ha! Bran's a healer, he gets all sorts to his place. But if you like, I'll swing by some morning and bundle you along with me. <Jaret> Well, still, an uninjured stranger on his doorstep would be a curiosity, then. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: I'm hard put to think of the sort of place you couldn't make yourself welcome, Jaret, but as you like. * Jaret finishes his glass of Sembian. "Oh, most likely, but starting off by saying, 'Good afternoon, my name's Jaret Malkier, you don't know me yet, but I'm here to cross blades with your patient.' does put myself at a bit of a weak position to work from." <Lisl> ::laughs:: Oh, well, when you put it *that* way.... * Jaret stands up. "I most likely wouldn't, but I hoped you might find it amusing. And now, I fear I must return to my humble house, as my bed has been slept in infrequently of late, and I have to make up for lost time." <Lisl> ::standing as well:: Fair enough. ::taking his empty glass and clasping his hand:: Thanks for taking the time to stop in. I'm glad to have you safe home again, Jaret. * Jaret takes Lisl's hand and covers the handclasp with his free hand. "It's good to be home again, and I thought I'd check in and see how you were faring. Good night, Lisl. I may not see you tomorrow, if my business with Adiethian and the others runs long, but I'll be around." <Lisl> ::nods:: I'll tell the others you're back, if Meghan doesn't beat me to the news. ::smiles:: And I'd probably best stop in at the Tower tomorrow, while I'm at it. <Jaret> I'm sure Zoya would welcome your company. Good night, again. I can see myself to the door, your hands look quite full. <Lisl> Heh. ::toasts him with the empty glasses, and nods again:: Night, Jaret. Sleep sweet. You've certainly earned it. <Jaret> Thank you, Lisl. The same to you, in all ways. ::he does as he says, showing himself to the door, and closes it behind him:: |
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