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* Tarri is puttering around her apartment, humming tunelessly as she does domestic chores. Everything neat and dinner started, she fishes in her sewing box for a project, and sits on the couch by the window to work. * Temire approaches Tarri's flat and mounts the steps, rapping smartly on the door. <Tarri> ::looks up, startled at the knock:: I get more visitors, lately... ::she peeks out the window, then goes to open the door for Temire:: <Temire> ::smiles:: Hey Tarri. I thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing. I'm not interrupting anything am I? <Tarri> As long as you don't mind me doing my sewing... Come on in. Help yourself to something to drink, if you like. I've got water, cider, small beer, a couple kinds of tea... ::she sits back on the couch and picks up her sewing again, a finger-wide bit of ribbon that she's embroidering:: * Temire gets a mug of water and sits down on the couch, "So what are you working on?" <Tarri> ::shrugs, flushing slightly:: It's a present. <Temire> ::smiles mischievously:: A present for whom? ::her tone is teasing:: <Tarri> Guess. ::she's still blushing a bit, but her tone is pleased:: * Temire takes on a studious pose, "My well trained psionic powers tell me that it's for that tall, dark and handsome corporal that rumor says has moved in here." <Tarri> ::sniffs:: Pfah. Your nose for gossip, more like. <Temire> ::grins:: And you weren't interested in the gossip about Roni and I? <Tarri> ::grins:: Well, perhaps a bit. <Temire> ::still grinning:: So now that you can speak freely tell me about him without him over hearing... <Tarri> ::glances at the angle of sun through the window:: For the next little while, anyhow... <Temire> So tell me something about him. <Tarri> ::smiles mysteriously:: What do you want to know? <Temire> ::grin:: Is it true he's living here? <Tarri> Well, yes... He started out as my patient, and it was easier to bring him here than for me to stay at Master Bran's all the time. <Temire> Started out as your patient. And he just never left? <Tarri> ::smiling as she works on her ribbon:: Something like that, yes... <Temire> So are you just friends or have I rubbed off on you without realizing it? <Tarri> ::mock-offended:: What's *that* supposed to mean? <Temire> ::giggles:: You know exactly what it means. ::smiles mischievously:: But I could rephrase the question if you really want me to. <Tarri> There's no middle of the road between demure-and-proper and the-devil-may-care? ::she glances at Temire and smiles, slightly smug:: This much I'll say: He's a *wonderful* kisser. <Temire> ::giggles:: I'll admit to the existence of middle ground if you admit that it's very difficult to conceive of given the size of your apartment. And I'm glad to hear he has at least one good quality beyond his looks. <Tarri> ::mildly offended:: He has *lots* of good qualities. <Temire> ::grins:: Like what? <Tarri> ::props one foot on the edge of the sofa and wraps her arms around her leg, resting her chin on her knee:: He's smart, and kind, and generous, and he likes children, and he likes to laugh, and he's strong, and gentle, and... ::she smiles dreamily:: Lots of things. * Temire curls up on the couch as well, propping her chin on her fist and looking at Tarri with both a curious and a wistful look. "Do you love him?" <Tarri> ::blushing:: I... I think so, yes. <Temire> ::grins:: More than those young lords I've seen you dancing with? <Tarri> ::waves a hand:: Niall? Niall was sweet and a gentleman and... good for me, while I was getting over San. But I don't think I suited him any more than he suited me. <Temire> ::nods:: No offense Tarri, but I couldn't really see you with a lord. So is Orlann re-enlisting, or is he going to try to find some other kind of work? <Tarri> He's already re-enlisted. ::she glances out the window:: They've had a lot of volunteers, he said. He's working two days a week on gate duty, and one on patrol. ::she sighs happily:: You should see him in his uniform... <Temire> ::giggles, rocking back and forth:: Maybe I should enlist. See what Roni thinks of me in uniform. <Tarri> ::laughs:: Still trying to get into trouble? ::she flashes Temire an impish grin:: You wouldn't do it. You'd have to follow someone else's orders. <Temire> ::sigh:: I know. It's not even that I object to obeying orders, I just have trouble obeying people I don't respect. Master Bluestar never had to discipline me after all. And that's more than I can say about some of the faculty. <Temire> But... What was the point of my spending all that time training if I'm not going to put it to use now? <Tarri> Well... You *could* enlist, I guess. I would give you something to do. ::she smiles:: But Orlann says gate duty is *awfully* boring, most of the time. <Temire> ::sigh:: I know but... Could you sit back and not help the injured if they brought casualties here to Marsember? <Tarri> ::half-smiles:: No, probably not... ::cocks her head:: Are you actually serious about this? <Temire> ::frowns, absently twining the white lock of her hair around one finger:: I don't know. Part of me says that I should be off with the army in Arabel. I'm better with a sword than most of the regular Dragons. And part of me knows that Roni might not possibly forgive me if I did that. And part of me thinks enlisting here is a good compromise. And they all argue back in forth with other parts of me I can't put into words. <Temire> Argh. It's driving me crazy. Not only am I bored senseless sitting here doing nothing, but now I'm feeling guilty and bored. <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: Mira... I know you love Ilarion, but you don't *owe* him anything. The only reason you're bored is that *he* disapproves of everything you want to do. Doesn't that seem... wrong, to you? <Temire> ::sigh:: Yeah... I was... I've been thinking of going off and trying to find an adventure or two, I just... I've been on a few adventures now and... I'm not certain I can cut it alone. Hells, even Jaret and Yohko-sensei always seem to put groups together before running off. And they always seem to have some goal in mind. I'd just be wandering around looking for trouble. Which is usually a bad thing. <Temire> And... I'm afraid of not having anywhere to come back to. I mean, I left my parents and didn't worry about it but now... Michelle gave me a real home. And then Roni... I can't imagine not being with Roni but... it's driving me crazy not having anything to do. And I don't want to have to chose between them. <Tarri> ::nods:: You'd probably wind up over your head. I'd hate to lose a friend just because she was bored. ::smiles faintly:: You could... There's lots of adventurers in Marsember, coming and going. You could try to hire on with a group. Maybe someone who's temporarily without a swordsman. <Tarri> As for coming back... ::she lifts her chin:: Michelle loves you. She'd love you no matter what you did. And Roni... Mira, if he's making you choose between who you are and who he wants you to be, then he doesn't deserve you. <Temire> ::nods:: I've thought about it but... You need to be able to trust the people you're fighting along side. How can you give that kind of trust to a complete stranger. <Tarri> ::shrugs:: If you enlisted here, or went to Arabel to fight orcs, you'd be fighting along strangers, too. Talk to Lisl or Lord Malkier, and ask them to recommend someone to you, if that makes you feel better. ::she smiles:: How are you going to meet people to fight with if you don't at least *try* to trust them? <Temire> ::sigh:: That's just it Tarri. He's not. I know that if I said I was going that he'd be upset, and probably try and talk me out of it, and definitely look pathetically at me but... He'd let me go. He's never asked me to do anything I haven't wanted to do. Hells, half the time I'm the one who has to convince him that I'm doing what I want to. <Temire> I've thought about asking Lisl or Jaret just... I want to go but I don't want to go if that makes any sense. <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: You need to make up your mind, is what you need to do. ::she smiles:: Don't use Ilarion as an excuse. Of course he'll worry if you go - but you have to trust him, too. <Temire> ::frowns:: You had to use the word trust didn't you. <Tarri> ::grins and picks up her sewing again:: Whatever it takes to make you listen. <Temire> ::sticks her tongue out at Tarri with a petulant expression:: I listen just fine. <Tarri> So, what are you going to do? <Temire> I don't know. I should at least talk to Roni before I do anything. He deserves that much. Then... I'd ask Jaret or Yohko-sensei, or Lisl, but they're all leaving town. Maybe Lucien. They left him here so that they'll be a few experienced Dragons to keep an eye on all the temporary recruits. <Tarri> ::nods:: Talking to the people you love and respect is a good start. And then *do* something. ::she looks at Temire seriously:: You're not a child, anymore. You're a grown woman. It's time to take on some responsibility, some duty, and carry it through, good and bad alike. Running a house, or protecting people, or raising children, or fighting evil, or... Pick something. <Temire> ::smiles a little:: Do I have to pick only one? <Tarri> ::grins:: No. But you can't just *drop* one thing when it turns bad or starts to bore you. That's what responsibility is about. <Temire> ::grin:: You do realize that most of the time when people give me advice I wind up doing the exact opposite of it. <Tarri> ::sighs and smiles faintly:: Yes, I know. But I'm not going to advise you to act like a simpleton or a child. <Temire> ::nods:: I'll talk to Roni and Lucien. I think... I'd be too worried about Roni if I left Marsember right now. But I'm not going to be able to live with myself if I don't do my part to help out. Maybe I can talk them into letting me be a body guard for a War Wizard rather than getting stuck on gate duty. <Tarri> ::shrugs:: I don't know how flexible they are. But your brother probably does. At least if you end up on gate duty after all, you could always hope for a disturbance. ::she grins:: <Temire> ::grins:: Don't let Orlann hear you say that. I hear soldiers consider things like that bad luck. <Tarri> ::grins:: I didn't say *I* would wish for it. <Temire> ::giggles:: So what other gossip have you heard recently? <Tarri> Me? ::she sighs mournfully:: I hear nothing, out at the Crow's Nest. ::perking up:: What have *you* heard? <Temire> Hmm... Well I heard that Adam is running a special on high quality weapons for the next several days. I don't know if Orlann's looking for anything new or not. <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: Maybe, but he doesn't have a lot of money at the moment. Weapons are expensive. <Temire> I heard that Yb's left town permanently, though I have trouble believing anything that contains Yb and permanent in the same sentence. * Orlann walks down the street, his helmet tucked under one arm. He looks a bit tired. In one hand, he carries a small sack. Slowly, he climbs the stairs up to Tarri's flat. <Temire> ::shrug:: Adam might be willing to cut him a deal. It's not as if Adam's struggling after all. * Tarri jumps and stuffs her sewing back into her basket as she hears Orlann's tread on the stairs. <Tarri> I heard that, about Yb... I don't know about "permanent", either, but the last time she was at the Hall, she seemed... well, kind of scatterbrained, but mostly normal. <Temire> Bood and the rest of Stick's Boys are being run ragged with all the extra mail the invasions produced. But they're all getting big tips so they're happy. ::trails off as she watches Tarri with a smile:: <Temire> ::shakes her head in an amused fashion:: You'll forgive me if I believe it when I witness it for myself. <Tarri> ::laughs:: I'm not sure *I* believe it, quite. * Orlann opens the door and sighs as he walks in. "Darling, didn't I ask you t... oh -" He spots Temire. "Good evening, Miss Temire." * Temire smiles at Orlann, "Good evening Orlann. How have you been?" <Tarri> I've used a couple of Stick's Boys myself, in the last week or so. They're very- ::she looks up with a smile as Orlann comes in:: And it's nice to see you, too. * Orlann flushes slightly, then crosses the room to kiss Tarri lightly. He hands her the sack. "I am glad to see you." He looks at Temire again, then down at his uniform, which is a little scuffed and dirty. "Excuse me just a mite, if you'd not mind? I ain't exactly presentable." <Tarri> ::grins at him as she takes the sack:: You look wonderful to me... What's in here? ::she peers into the sack curiously:: <Orlann> ::grins:: Bit of dinner... I reckon there's enough for three, if Miss Temire'd care to join us for a bite. <Temire> ::bows her head to Orlann:: Thank you Orlann. And don't worry about your appearance. I've come home looking a lot worse. ::smiles:: <Orlann> I can't imagine it, Miss Temire... ::rattles his chain mail:: But this is getting right uncomfortable. Excuse me. ::he heads into the bedroom and closes the door behind him:: <Temire> ::smiles at Tarri, her expression clearly conveying the thoughts she's not giving voice to:: So have you heard anything from Glossaria and Vallel? I figured they can't have been up to much or else I'd have heard about Glossaria's latest set of embarrassing questions. * Tarri grins at the contents of the sack, then takes it into the kitchen. She pulls a small roast to one side of the oven, and begins to set out the dinner Orlann brought home - a roast duck, salad, and a small bag of fresh-baked rolls. <Tarri> I saw Gloss just the other day. She says Vallie is working on his senior project, so he's awfully busy. I don't know what she's been up to... More of the usual, I guess. * Temire moves to join Tarri in the kitchen, "Anything I can help with?" * Tarri points Temire toward the cupboard. "You can set the table." <Temire> ::sighs:: It would have been nice to do a senior project. ::opens the cupboard and begins setting the table:: Not much has changed with Roni. He's trying to finish up the semester and suddenly finding himself behind in his grading. He's also tossing around the possibilities of having more than the usual number of students staying over the summer. <Orlann> ::from the bedroom there is a slither of steel as Orlann drops his mail shirt on the floor, followed by a bit of splashing:: <Temire> With the army in Arabel a lot of families apparently think their children will be safer at the school than back home. <Tarri> ::glances toward the bedroom, then nods to Temire:: Well, that's not too far wrong, is it? Especially the rural families... * Orlann returns from the bedroom, face apparently washed and changed into his day-clothes. A plain white bandage is wrapped around his forearm. "Ain't everybody thinking Marsember is safer... lots of folks trying to leave, too." <Temire> ::nods:: And there are students like Cat who are from the Arabel region who simply can't go home now. Tyl and Master Bluestar still haven't made a decision yet, but they've got the faculty thinking about the good and bad points of both letting the students stay and sending them home. <Tarri> Did you pick that thing up, or am I going to trip over- What happened to your arm? <Orlann> I kicked it in the corner, darling. It won't wrinkle. ::absently touches the bandage:: S'just a scratch. There was a bit of a problem this afternoon. <Temire> ::looks at Orlann with concern but stays out of Tarri's way as Temire finishes setting the table.:: <Tarri> ::eyeing the bandage suspiciously:: What kind of problem? * Orlann shifts to put his bandaged arm in a less prominent position. "There's a fair number of folks who think that might be a bit safer out of the country for a while. And some of them ship captains are a fearful greedy sort. They all got together and raised their passage by near three times. There was... a bit of arguing about it." <Temire> Was Captain Plose involved in the altercation? <Orlann> ::shrugs:: I don't rightly know, ma'am. <Temire> It doesn't matter. <Orlann> Anyway, things got a mite out of hand, and we were called in to put a stop to it. One of the fellows didn't take too kindly to being arrested, though, and he tried to stick a knife in me. Didn't get more than a scratch, tho. The fellow'll likely be taking up space in prison for a bit. * Tarri gets a pair of cups from the cupboard and fixes tea - one cup of heavy black tea, the other a sweeter herbal mixture. She hands the black to Orlann and puts the herbal at her own seat at the table. "I'll look at your arm later, then. I think dinner's ready." * Orlann sits down. "Thanks, darling." He takes a long sip of tea - a mixture that more resembles pine pitch than a beverage. * Temire sits at the table as well and nods, "It's going to be like that damn miasma. With the Dragon's and War Wizards understaffed the low-lifes are going to start crawling out of the wood work again." Turns to Tarri, "Are you still training with Lisl?" <Tarri> ::shakes her head fondly at Orlann's awful taste in beverages as she takes her own seat:: I stopped at the market on my way home and got some things. You'd not believe the price of vegetables, though. ::she looks at Temire:: A couple of days a week. <Temire> Good. I don't want to have to worry about you any more than absolutely necessary. <Tarri> ::laughs as she passes around the salad:: Between Lisl and this one ::nods at Orlann:: I don't think you'd have to worry much at all. * Orlann draws his eyebrows together, looking at Temire. "You needn't fret, Miss Temire. I believe I can look after Tarri well enough." <Tarri> You see? * Orlann colors. "Just my way, darling. Can't help it." <Temire> ::smiles as she serves herself some salad:: I believe you'll do your best Orlann, but worrying about Tarri's become a habit. I don't think I'm going to be able to stop until that army's beaten. ::passes the salad to Orlann:: <Tarri> I didn't say it was unwelcome, Orlann... ::she gives him a smile before turning to shake her head at Temire:: You'd think *I* was the one with a penchant for throwing myself into danger... * Orlann takes the salad and helps himself to some greens. <Temire> ::chuckles:: And you expect me to believe that all of you don't worry about me when my back is turned? <Tarri> Not at all. I'm just suggesting that in your case, it's not entirely without cause... ::she grins and picks up a knife to cut the duck into pieces:: <Temire> ::chuckles:: True. But then again, I don't think too many of the people worrying about me question my ability to handle one or two common street thugs. <Orlann> ::helps himself to a roll and butters it:: She ain't gonna be handling any street thugs either, if I have my say-so. * Temire nods, "I pray to the Blessed Mother that Tarri doesn't Orlann." <Tarri> If you expect me to disagree with either one of you, you're going to be sorely disappointed. <Temire> ::grin:: Good, then you'll let us worry about you in peace. <Orlann> ::snorts:: * Temire helps herself to a roll, slicing and buttering it one handed, "I assume you heard about Loria's twins?" <Tarri> ::nods, smiling:: I did... I still haven't gone over to pay my respects, yet. I'll have to make a little time for that, soon. <Temire> ::grin:: Let me know when you're going and I'll go with you. I'm not sure Roni really wants to see me around babies. <Orlann> ::laughs:: I thought you were looking after his girl, yourself? <Tarri> Silly man. *Babies* are different from little girls. <Temire> ::laughs at Tarri's response:: I couldn't have put it better myself. * Orlann snitches one duck leg from the roast and busies himself with making a sandwich from the meat and his roll. <Temire> Hmm... What else has been happening? Oh, I heard the Barrelstone got written up in some wizard book for having the widest variety of spell grade molds and fungi in Cormyr. <Tarri> ::gives Temire a funny look:: So things are slow. <Temire> ::laugh:: I said I was bored didn't I. Though rumor has it that the patrons of the Barrelstone don't mind much. * Orlann shakes his head. <Tarri> If you don't mind, I'm trying to *eat*... <Temire> So what have you heard around town? ::takes a bite of duck:: <Tarri> ::wryly:: Mistress Giffwyn's ague is acting up. <Orlann> ::mutters something under his breath:: <Tarri> ::looks at Orlann:: What was that? <Temire> ::smiles:: Oh, that's too bad. ::Temire's expression is bright, but with a glance at Orlann she subsides a little and has some more duck.:: <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: Not a thing, darling. * Tarri looks suspiciously at both of them for a moment. <Temire> ::chuckles:: Don't look at me, it was him. ::points to Orlann:: <Tarri> ::mock-sighs:: Oh, Orlann - Mira told me earlier that there's a smith in town, a friend of Michelle's, who's having a sale. He does wonderful work. If you were looking for anything new, it might be good to stop and see. <Orlann> ::nods:: Might not be a bad idea, if it's not too dear. Could use a new shield. <Tarri> I think I know where the shop is... Since we're friends of a friend, even, he might be willing to extend you a bit of credit. I know the good stuff doesn't come cheap, and he's one of the best. <Orlann> ::quietly:: Well, we'll see 'bout that. <Temire> ::nods:: If you're going to go, I'd do it soon. He'll continue to make fine work, but the mage he has helping him at the moment is leaving town soon. That's going to slow the work down. And it means that it'll be harder for him to make the best pieces. <Tarri> ::starts to say something else, then glances at Temire and nods:: * Orlann picks at his salad, spearing a bit of cucumber. <Temire> So did anything else interesting happen today Orlann? ::takes a bite of salad:: <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: Got to see a bit of the city, though. More of it than I thought... 'course, now my feet hurt. ::he grins:: <Tarri> ::laughs softly:: I guess that means I should put away any thoughts of going dancing tonight. <Temire> ::smiles:: Well I suppose you could have been on canal patrol. Your feet wouldn't hurt but you'd probably need a bath. <Orlann> ::snorts:: I ain't talented enough in a rowboat to catch someone, if they were trying to get away. <Temire> ::finishes the duck on her plate:: Roni and I should have you over some time and then the four of us can go dancing together. We can plan it for some time when we now Orlann will have the day off and so can rest his feet before the dancing. ::grins:: * Tarri stands, taking her plate and the emptied serving platters to the sink. She picks a few remaining shreds of duck from its bones and puts the meat on a saucer on the floor to wait for her scruffy cat, who is currently hiding somewhere. <Orlann> It's not s'bad on days were I'm just on the wall, but town? There's a lot of bad-paved streets in this city... <Temire> ::nods:: There are smooth paths down most of them, and short cuts around the worst sections, but you have to have lived here a while before you start learning where they are. <Tarri> Patrols aren't supposed to take the short-cuts, Mira. They'd miss seeing the things they're supposed to be watching. <Temire> True, but knowing the short cuts would help the patrols catch people who try to run away. ::finishes her plate and carries it over to the sink:: <Orlann> ::shrugs:: I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually... <Tarri> ::smiles:: I'm sure you will. <Temire> ::sighs contentedly:: That was a very good meal. Thank you both for letting me join you. <Tarri> You're welcome. I'm glad you could stop by. You'll have to come again sometime. * Orlann pushes back from the table and takes his own dishes to the sink. <Temire> ::grin:: Oh, don't worry. I'm sure I'll be dropping by again. You know you're welcome to drop in on me as well. <Tarri> ::smiles:: I know. It just seems I hardly have any time, these days... I'll keep it in mind, though. <Temire> Okay. ::smiles and hugs Tarri:: I should probably be getting back. Roni is no doubt worrying about me. <Tarri> ::chuckles:: No doubt. Tell him I said hello. <Orlann> ::grins:: Imagine that. <Temire> ::heads for the door:: Goodnight you two. I'll see you both later. * Tarri walks Temire to the door, and watches until she's down the stairs and down the street before going back in. She carefully locks the door before turning to Orlann. "Now, about your arm..." * Orlann looks sheepish. |
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