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* Nacheyla enters the Hall. The room is dark and there's a scrambling noise as if many wooden feet are pounding on the tiled floor. Lighting the candle near the door with the lantern she holds, Nacheyla raises one eyebrow. "You had better not be up to no good in here." <Nacheyla> ::there is a suspiciously quiet lack of scrambling, but all of the tables are piled into the middle of the room, the chairs spread to the four corners:: Children! Behave... ::she takes a deep breath:: I'm going to close my eyes and count to five. And when I open them up again... <Nacheyla> ::closes her eyes:: One... <Nacheyla> TWO... ::her voice takes on a stern note of warning. There is a somewhat sheeping sounding shuffling:: <Nacheyla> ::coughs:: THREE... ::two of the tables seem to end up in a scuffle of some sort, accompanied by a lot of clattering, like two boys crossing wooden "swords":: <Nacheyla> ::slits one eye:: FOUR. * Nacheyla taps her foot for a moment, then opens her eyes. "Five." The tables and chairs are back in their usual order, except for one chair that has been knocked over. "Hall's open." She picks up the fallen hero and pushes it back to the table where it belongs. * Lisl pushes the door open and strides through, leaning her bowstaff in the corner and pausing to look around with a small frown. "Something's different. Were you cleaning in here, Nach?" <Nacheyla> ::snorts:: Not exactly. <Lisl> Hunh. ::shakes her head, continuing over to the bar:: Looks... ah, well. I'll have meade, if you can dredge some up. Chey with his dad tonight? * Bluestar strides in, wearing dark grey clothes and his midnight blue cape that seems to have a starry expanse within its depths. He has mostly recovered from the siege of the school, but is still more gaunt in the face than before, with shadows under his eyes. He looks over the furniture with narrowed eyes and then stalks to the bar. "Evening. Whisky?" <Nacheyla> Chey is as far away from here as possible... his dad's been teaching him parlor tricks and Chey's not exactly getting along with the word "no" these days. * Nacheyla goes behind the bar and pours Bluestar a glass of amber liquid. "Um... I think so." <Lisl> Oh, *that* stage. Nothing a good nip on the rump can't fix. * Bluestar eyes Lisl and sniffs his glass. "I never want to have my parenting tactics called into question again." <Lisl> Evening, Bluestar, good seeing. <Nacheyla> Oh! ::smacks herself in the forehead:: I almost forgot. I have something for you, Lisl. Or at least, I think I do... ::she digs around under the bar and pulls out a bright, shiny metal cylander:: * Bluestar eyes the beverage in his tumbler and shrugs. "Close enough, I imagine, but they probably wouldn't clean their pots with it in the Moonshae Isles." * Tarri enters, her tunic rumpled and stained with something that looks like it might very well be jelly. Her short blonde hair is ruffled and seems to also be decorated with some sort of fruit product. She gives Bluestar a startled, somewhat nervous look, then selects a barstool reasonably far from his, but not so far away as to be obvious. <Lisl> ::blinks, and cocks her head to study it without making a move to claim it:: Um... okay. What is it? * Michelle enters, her face flushed and her coat liberally splattered with snow, "Good evening all." <Bluestar> Evening. Is it snowing or raining preserves outside? * Nacheyla sets the cannister down. "Now... how did this... oh, yeah... " She twists the top, which unscrews to seperate into a bottle and a cup. Gingerly she pours a few mouthfuls into the cup. * Michelle removes her great coat, hanging it on the back of a chair before heading to the bar and taking a seat. * Lisl eyes bottle and cup both warily before leaning over to sniff the contents of the cup. <Michelle> No, the skies are still clear. Meghan and I took the orphans out for a snowball fight. <Tarri> ::flushes and looks down at her stained tunic, scrubbing at it ineffectually:: I spent the afternoon babysitting for Lori. * Lisl rears back, blinking. "Whew. Smells a little like pine cleaner. Is that... is that what I think it is? Where'd you get it?" <Bluestar> Ah, all the joys of parenting, condensed to an afternoon. <Nacheyla> ::grins:: Xarroch made it. <Tarri> ::smiles tiredly:: And doubled. I'm only lucky Aylin isn't quite the mischief-maker that Shavie is. ::she runs her fingers through her hair and gets them stuck on the blob of jam there:: What the- Oh, ick... ::she sighs:: Lady Nacheyla, can I have a washcloth, please? ::she half-grins:: And a promise that I'll never have twins? <Nacheyla> ::raises one eyebrow:: You prefer triplets? * Aeryn steps in through the main doors, looking around at the crowd. "It appears I am a little late today...a good evening to you all." <Nacheyla> ::gets a towel and goes into the kitchen to wet it:: <Tarri> ::eyes widening:: No! Just one at a time would be *fine*, really. * Bluestar snorts a laugh into his tumbler. * Nacheyla hands Tarri the warmed, moist washcloth. "Today? Or is this just a general request?" She peers at Tarri's mid-section. <Tarri> ::blushes again and covers it by applying the cloth vigorously to her hair:: Just in general. <Lisl> ::a gleam coming into her eye:: *Really.* ::slow grin:: Well then... ::curls her fingers around the cup, starting to pick it up and pausing:: Hm. ::pushes up her left sleeve and eyes what looks like a newly-healed jagged slice in her upper arm a little dubiously:: Ahh, to hells with it. Waes hael. ::picks up the cup again and knocks it back:: <Aeryn> ::he strides over to take a free seat at the bar, nodding to all who meet his eyes:: Did I come in in the middle of something? <Michelle> Nachan, could I get a cup of hot cocoa please? <Tarri> ::to Aeryn:: No more so than usual. ::she peer suspiciously at the washcloth and runs her fingers through her hair again:: Did I get all the jam out? <Nacheyla> You look fine. ::turns to Michelle:: Sure. I think. Give me a minute, ok? ::to Aeryn:: Did you want a drink? Something simple? Otherwise, I'll be in the kitchen for a minute or two. <Aeryn> Jam in your hair? ::he gives Tarri a surprised look before nodding to Nacheyla:: A mug of the house mead would be nice, if you can convince them to offer it... ::he nods at the taps:: * Lisl blinks hard, moves to sit again, and misses the stool, landing hard on her bottom on the floor and coughing a little. A faint plume of grey smoke, smelling faintly of pine, rises from her lips. <Tarri> ::nods to Aeryn:: I spent today taking care of Loria's twins, so she and her, um, husbands could all go out together. * Nacheyla grabs up a mug that's twirling a toothpick like a cane and doing a Michigan Rag behind the bar. "Behave." She picks a white tap with some red knotwork on it and pours a mug of... something bright orange that bubbles gently. <Michelle> You alright Lisl. ::stands and offers Lisl a hand up:: <Aeryn> ::the light of understanding finally dawns:: I see... * Nacheyla puts the mug down on the bar and hunches down to look it eye-to-eye. "That doesn't exactly look like meade to me." * Aeryn tries to keep his face straight. "Should I perhaps risk trying it?" * Lisl sits on the floor blinking for a moment, her eyes golden. "Wow." She takes a deep breath and coughs again lightly, this time without the smoke. "Damn good stuff." She finally seems to realize where she is and picks herself up off the floor without benefit of Michelle's hand. <Tarri> Oh! That reminds me. Master Kevil asked me to give you this, Lady Nacheyla... ::she fishes around in her pocket and comes up with a handful of silver pieces.:: He said to tell you he'd meant to close out his tab last time and got distracted, and he's terribly sorry, and... ::frowns:: I can't remember it all. He was talking very... You know how he talks. <Michelle> So has Nachan found you a new supply of Mule Kick or do we need a new name for Xarroch's creation? <Nacheyla> ::takes the coins absently and sweeps them into the lockbox, still glaring at the unrepenantly orange drink:: Wordy. I know. <Tarri> ::grinning:: Well, he's not as wordy as the other one, but I certainly don't know when Loria ever gets a chance to talk. * Bluestar has another swallow of his mostly whisky-looking drink. * Nacheyla sighs. "I don't *care* that you think it's what he wants. That's *not* what he asked for." She puts her hands on her hips and taps her foot at the mug. * Aeryn gives the mug a glance of his own. Trying his best to keep his amusement out of it. <Nacheyla> You want to humor it for a minute while I make Michelle's cocoa? If you don't like it, I'll try again when I get back. <Tarri> ::wide-eyed with curiosity:: Does it work any better on the taps than it does on children? <Lisl> ::carefully settling on her stool:: It's... well, it tastes like 'kick. Mostly. And I suppose 'kick's as much a state of being as it is a list of ingredients. I *like* it. ::grins:: <Michelle> So it doesn't need a new name? <Aeryn> Very well... ::he nods to Nacheyla and, taking the orange-filled mug, takes a tentative sip:: <Tarri> ::glances over at Lisl with a faint smile:: But does it burst into flames if you drop it? * Nacheyla nods and wanders into the kitchen. * Aeryn blinks at the...unusual...flavor, then takes another sip. "Interesting..." <Lisl> ::glancing sidelong at the "NO MAGIC" sign:: I think... that's a test for another day. ::grins wider:: <Michelle> Like in your kitchen. <Lisl> Certainly tasted like it would, though. ::runs a finger over her lower lip thoughtfully:: <Nacheyla> ::a disturbingly throaty noise issues from one of the tables, almost like a chuckle:: <Tarri> ::carefully folds the washcloth, jam-side in, and turns toward Aeryn:: I haven't seen you around much, lately. What've you been doing? <Tarri> ::glances toward the chortling table and inches away from it:: * Bluestar turns and looks over one shoulder, eyebrow raised. "Was that the furniture?" <Lisl> Not in *MY* kitchen. I have no desire to redecorate. ::glances back at the table suspiciously:: <Aeryn> If not training, then patrolling... ::he too glances at the table. Making sure it's not the roped-off one:: <Nacheyla> ::barely audible:: Since when does "soufflee" sound anything remotely like "chocolate"? * Michelle nods and grins, "Yes. If you ever need to punish students I'm sure we can put them to good use while they're rethinking their decisions." <Michelle> Oh dear. Sounds like the kitchen isn't cooperating for her either. I hope the sink is over its cold. * Aeryn looks amused. "Has any of the... furniture... here decided to cooperate as it should yet?" <Lisl> The sink had a cold? Was it-- no, forget it. I don't think I want to know. * Tarri gives Michelle a faintly queasy look. "Maybe I'd rather just walk home now..." <Nacheyla> ::a few minutes later, Nacheyla comes out with a steaming pot and a tray of small blueberry and raspberry souffles. <Nacheyla> :: <Michelle> Oh, those look lovely Nachan. * Nacheyla puts the tray down and pours a mug of steaming hot cocoa - smelling faintly of cinnamon and vanilla - for Michelle. "Help yourself." * Michelle snags a souffle and nibbles at it as she wraps her other hand around the warm mug, "Thanks Nachan." * Aeryn looks curiously at the tray. <Lisl> ::grabbing a raspberry souffle:: I'll say this for the kitchen... goes well with chocolate, at least. ::takes a large bite:: * Bluestar reaches out and lifts a souffle from the corner of the tray with a light, practiced touch. <Nacheyla> ::to Aeryn:: How's that... whatever it is? * Aeryn takes a souffle and has a nibble, glancing up at Nach. "Quite...interesting. Not anything I can say I have encountered before, but nice." <Nacheyla> Oh, good. ::takes a souffle herself and pokes it gingerly. Blueberry juice dribbles out the other side:: * Tarri hesitates, then picks up a raspberry pastry. <Nacheyla> ::one of the tables seems closer to the bar than it was just a moment ago:: <Lisl> ::winks at Tarri:: C'mon, can't get much worse than strawberry jelly. <Aeryn> ::he nibbles a little more, then glances over his shoulder and frowns a bit:: Is it my imagination, or... <Tarri> ::rubs self-consciously at the stain on her shirt and smiles sheepishly at Lisl:: <Lisl> ::reaching for another mini-souffle:: Nope. Not your imagination. * Bluestar delicately eats the souffle in small bites. * Aeryn eyes the inching table. "After something to nibble on yourself, are you?" <Nacheyla> ::the table acts - woodenly, of course - very innocent:: <Tarri> ::inching away from the table:: Don't encourage it. <Lisl> ::glancing tablewards:: Ahhh, I'm sure its bite's worse than its bark. * Bluestar starts to get a very small, but quite vicious smile. <Nacheyla> ::snorts:: Ok, talking to the table is bad enough, but I draw the line at bad puns, Lisl. Eat your dessert and leave the jokes to people who know how. ::grins a bit to soften the snark:: <Tarri> *I'm* not. <Lisl> Yeah, well... Jel's not here, Nach. Someone's got to stand in. <Aeryn> ::he smiles, still eyeing the table:: If it wants to move...why not talk to it? * Lisl swallows the rest of her souffle and unabashedly licks her fingers. <Lisl> 'Cause talking to the furniture's usually the first sign on madness, Master Aeryn. * Michelle finishes her souffle and has some of her cocoa. * Aeryn nibbles thoughtfully on his own as he watches the table. "Even here, after the accident?" * Nacheyla wanders back into the kitchen for a few moments. <Lisl> ::shrugs:: Hey, you know the humble populace's general opinion of Zoya, don't you? And hers at least reliably answers her back. <Bluestar> You have to have some level of standards. Not talking to the furniture is a good one to have. <Lisl> Students should be seen and not heard, eh, Bluestar? * Michelle nods, "I'm inclined to agree with Bluestar and Lisl." * Aeryn raises an eyebrow at Bluestar. "I have heard a few rumors..." * Nacheyla comes back into the Hall bearing a tray of meats, cheeses, crackers, bread, smoked salmon, gooseliver pate and other delectables. A small scrap of parchment perches on top of the goodies reading "Eat Dessert First... Life is Uncertain." <Bluestar> Of course not, Lisl. Otherwise I'd never know if they actually understood the lessons that they were supposed to be studying. <Lisl> Ah. Only the misbehaving students get the silent treatment, then. ::grins and pulls her knife from her boot, spearing a few slices of meat and a wedge of cheese and pausing to scan the note:: That supposed to be a maxim or a warning? <Nacheyla> Don't ask me, I just work here... ::she grins and flakes off some salmon to eat on crackers:: <Aeryn> ::finishes his souffle and turns back to the bar with a final glance at the table, taking up his drink instead:: If that was dessert, then the main course should be quite good... * Bluestar plucks a few choice items from the platter and slowly eats them. "Well, even if your decor is getting frisky, the kitchen is still up to snuff." * Aeryn takes a few crackers and picks up some salmon to put on them as well. * Tarri happily helps herself to some pate on bread. * Lisl eats her food delicately off the point of her knife. * Michelle helps herself to a slice of sausage. <Aeryn> ::the stormy-furred cat from his previous visit strolls in through the door, tail high...at least, until it sees Lisl. Then it makes haste the rest of the way across to leap up into Aeryn's lap:: <Nacheyla> ::grins:: I can't get the taps to behave, but the kitchen's been showing off... I keep thinking of asking Zoya in to try and straighten things out, but I'm not sure that wouldn't make things worse. <Lisl> Aye, tho I mistrust what it might have planned for an encore. ::glances at the sprinting cat and snorts:: * Bluestar finishes his small meal and turns to face the innocuous, creeping table. "Now. What seems to be the matter here." <Michelle> Nothing against Zoya, but I think I'd rather not tamper with things further. * Tarri watches Bluestar and the table with a sort of anticipatory nervousness, as if she isn't certain whether the two will engage in battle or become fast friends. <Nacheyla> ::the table reflects serenity... peace... a deep, oil-soap shine:: <Aeryn> ::one hand goes to stroke the cat while the other holds his latest nibble high enough that it's not in danger of getting pounced:: Do you mind if I borrow a little of that salmon, Nacheyla? <Lisl> ::murmuring:: Hope you're not planning to give it back after it's been through the cat.... <Nacheyla> Knock yourself out. ::holds up one hand:: On second thought, don't. But help yourself to some salmon. * Bluestar grins at the table. "As I thought." He turns back to the bar. <Nacheyla> ::the table expresses - in a very table-like and furniturial sort of way - that it wasn't quite under the impression that Bluestar *thought*:: * Aeryn grins at Lisl. "If I need it back from her, I know who to ask..." He 'borrows' a small piece of salmon and offers it to the purring cat. * Michelle sips her cocoa and sighs contentedly. <Michelle> This has been a good day. * Bluestar cracks a knuckle. <Aeryn> ::the cat goes to work on the salmon quite happily, purring louder:: <Lisl> ::glances over at Bluestar:: Y'know, the furniture doesn't usually get busted 'til *after* the bar brawl starts up. * Nacheyla raises one eyebrow. "I don't suppose you could be convinced not to go medieval on my table, Professor?" <Bluestar> I'm not going to break anything. Hopefully. <Nacheyla> It's that "hopefully" part that distresses me. * Bluestar puts his glass down, turns to the table, and focuses. The table lifts a few inches off the floor and starts shaking. Its edges start to twist and warp inward and outward, and the whole table starts to spin in midair. Soon, it's moving so fast that it's a brown, spherical blur. * Nacheyla stares for a long moment, then decides that discretion is the better part of valor and ducks behind the bar. * Tarri backs away from Bluestar's demonstration. * Lisl leans an elbow on the bar, watching the show. "Now that's something you don't see everyday." * Aeryn blinks and turns to watch. The cat in his lap takes one glance and dives over the bartop to join Nacheyla. * Lisl thoughtfully picks up the platter and leans over the bar to hand it to Nach. <Bluestar> ::a trickle of sweat rolls down Bluestar's cheek, and his breathing slows. The blur grows less and less discrete, and a quiet howling comes out of the middle of it. It stops suddenly, and a naked boy, about twelve years old drops to the floor. He takes a shuddering breath. Bluestar opens his eyes and smiles. "You have class tomorrow morning at eight. Don't be late." <Tarri> ::blinks, startled:: <Nacheyla> Urm... ::peeks over the edge of the bar:: Professor? * Michelle blinks, "Bluestar, did you just find a child turned into a table, or did you just turn a table into a child?" <Tarri> ::shakily:: Um... ::looks somewhat nervously at the rest of the furniture:: * Lisl raises her eyebrows. "Nach? Got a spare cloak back there?" * Ash coughs and takes another unsteady breath. <Bluestar> If students can become tables, I see no reason why the reverse cannot be also true. * Aeryn BLINKS. "Um..." He recalls the rumors and then decides asking isn't a good idea. * Nacheyla nods absently and digs around in her belt-pouch. She pulls out (from an impossibly small opening) a blue tunic and a pair of brown pants. * Bluestar starts to have some more of the food from the platter, still neatly and carefully, but at a rapid pace. <Lisl> Well now. Does he-- ::shakes her head and snorts:: Do you speak Common, lad? * Ash looks at his hands for a minute, opening and closing the fingers slowly. <Michelle> For that matter, does he have a room in the dorms yet? * Tarri looks as if she's considering offering her assistance to the boy, but glances at Lisl and Nacheyla and apparently decides it would be better to not overwhelm him. <Aeryn> ::the cat peeks over the bartop, then sprints for the door. Aeryn shakes his head with a faint smile.:: <Bluestar> I'm sure we can find a bed for him. <Tarri> ::timidly:: Master Bluestar...? <Bluestar> Yes, Miss Mandeil? <Lisl> For that matter, does he know where the School *is*? <Tarri> If... That is... Just as your students would prefer to be students and not tables, wouldn't a table, maybe, prefer not to be a student? <Bluestar> Wouldn't you prefer to be the Queen of the Moon? Sometimes we don't get what we want. <Lisl> ::shudders a little at Bluestar's flippant answer, muttering half to herself:: No. * Ash looks up at everyone staring at him. <Tarri> ::No longer quite inured to Bluestar's sarcasm, she bites her lip and falls silent:: <Aeryn> ::more unsettled than he'd like to show, the ranger puts several silver coins down on the bartop:: I believe I should be going, this evening...thank you for the drink and snacks, lady Nacheyla." <Lisl> Evening, Master Aeryn. <Nacheyla> ::nods:: Thank you, Master Aeryn. Be you well. * Ash takes the tunic and pants and, fumblingly, dresses himself. <Michelle> Night Aeryn. * Aeryn gives the table-student one last glance and follows his cat out the door. <Lisl> ::turns back to the bar to give the boy some semblance of privacy:: Nach, could you coax a mug of juice out of those taps? Anything relatively non-toxic will do. * Nacheyla nods again without saying anything. She grabs a mug and fills it with a dark purple juice that smells strongly of grapes. <Lisl> Thanks. ::taking a swallow:: * Bluestar finishes eating, at least for the moment, and turns back to the now-dressed ex-table. <Bluestar> Ah, good. You've dressed yourself. Are you ready to come to the school? * Nacheyla shakes her head a few times. "I've heard of making a woman out of the ribs of a man... but a little boy from a table? Next you'll be telling me that a singing, dancing mouse could have its own theme park." <Lisl> ::looks around the floor suspiciously:: Say... did that mouse finally blow up? * Ash stares dully at Bluestar. He opens his mouth and slowly manages the words, "Hate... you." * Bluestar smiles thinly. "Then you're already well on the path of being a student at the school." <Lisl> ::glancing at the boy again:: It's a step up from fearing him, lad. * Tarri glances uneasily at Bluestar and the boy, then fishes in her pocket for a few coins and places them on the counter. She gives Nacheyla a worried look. "What's going to happen?" <Nacheyla> ::shrugs:: I don't know, child... I really don't. From everything I can see... he's as... well, as human as you are. * Bluestar puts several silver coins on the bar. "Thank you for the evening, Nacheyla. I'll return this when I'm done with it, fear not. Come on, boy. We're going now." He takes the boy by the shoulder and directs him out the door and, presumably, to the psionic's school. * Nacheyla nods and looks after them thoughtfully. <Lisl> ::raising an eyebrow:: "This"? Did he mean the clothes, or the table? <Nacheyla> ::softly:: I just work here... * Tarri chews on her lip a little, then decides, with obvious reluctance, that there isn't anything she can do, anyway. She leaves without her customary farewells, lost in thought. * Michelle sighs and rests her head on the bar, "Every time I think that man might actually be growing a heart..." <Nacheyla> He does have a heart... it's just... warped. <Lisl> ::shrugs:: Were he that heartless, he wouldn't have offered the lad board, bed, and schooling. <Michelle> ::sigh:: True... I hope the table isn't too traumatized by all of this. Though it almost certainly will be. <Nacheyla> ::laughs:: I can polish it later... <Lisl> ::glancing at Nacheyla and smiling slowly:: Well... there are worse ways to be born, I'd imagine. * Michelle finishes her cocoa, "I'm going to go and see if I can get that image out of my mind before it gives me nightmares. Good night you two." <Lisl> Night, 'chelle. <Nacheyla> Night, 'chelle. Walk safe and all. * Michelle puts her coat back on and heads out into the night. <Nacheyla> ::shakes her head:: What... a night. * Lisl takes another swallow of grape-like juice, then tips her head back and drinks the rest of it quickly, wiping her mouth when she's done. "Aye, that it is." <Lisl> My only question... ::glancing around the room:: was that the one with the teeth? <Nacheyla> ::shrugs:: I don't know. They were playing musical tables before I came in tonight. <Lisl> Lovely. ::shakes her head:: Well... hope Bluestar knows what he's doing. And hope the lad doesn't hate the rest of us for seeing him "born." <Nacheyla> ::grins:: Bluestar better check his ass for splinters on a regular basis. * Lisl fishes in her beltpouch and pulls out a handful of coins, slapping them down on the counter without looking at them. * Nacheyla sweeps the coins into the lockbox. "Dream sweet, Lisl." She begins the cleaning up process, including resettling the chairs to make up for the loss of the table. <Lisl> Well, kids've had worse reasons to strive. <Lisl> You as well, Nach. ::sliding off her stool and retrieving her bowstaff from the corner:: And tell Xarroch, I won't be going through that so fast, but I'd appreciate it if he kept up a regular supply. ::winks:: * Lisl goes out. * Nacheyla sighs. "What a night." |
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