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* Michelle opens the door for the coat closet and announces, "Hall's Open!" * Michelle returns behind the bar. * Kevil enters, humming to himself. He is dressed in hunting clothes, and carries a brace of fat rabbits. "Good evening, Lady Michelle! I bring an offering for the kitchen-- might you have space for these two in the larder?" * Jaret enters, blithe and carefree. He's wearing a white ruffled shirt with fantastically puffed upper sleeves, no jacket, and close-fitting black breeches with gold buttons. His rapier hangs at his side, and he removes his plumed hat as he enters. "Michelle! So fine to see you. Might I be able to get a goblet of my favorite vintage from you tonight?" * Michelle smiles at Kevil's rabbits. "You've beaten Lisl here, so yes, there's room." <Kevil> ::chuckles as he turns the coneys over to Michelle:: * Michelle giggles and curtseys to Jaret, "Of course there is, Jaret. Just let me take care of these rabbits." <Kevil> And when you have served Lord Malkier, I should be grateful for a taste of the house specialty. <Jaret> Please see they receive the most tender care en route to the coldroom. * Michelle takes the rabbits and disappears into the kitchen. * Michelle returns from the kitchen and proceeds to pour Jaret his wine, "There you are, Jaret." * Michelle turns to the mugs to find one decorated with beads and feathers pushing its way to the front. "Mind having an artistic mug, Kevil?" * Jaret takes the goblet from Michelle after a deep bow. "Many, many thanks." * Orlann comes in looking very, very tired. He is not dressed in his normal purple tabard with a dragon emblazoned on the front, but instead in black leather breeches and vest, with a white linen shirt. <Kevil> ::chuckles:: So long as it contains meade, Lady, it may adorn itself however it sees fit. * Michelle looks up, "Long day off, Orlann?" <Jaret> Sergeant! A good evening and how-do to you. <Orlann> Yes'm, right long. C'n I perchance get a mug of beer from you? * Michelle picks up the decorated mug and turns to the taps, "House special for Master Kevil please." <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow at Orlann's exhausted appearance:: Is one not supposed to rest on one's day off? * Michelle selects a random tap and a gold liquid starts to fill the mug, "There you are, Kevil." * Michelle selects a docile mug for Orlann and turns to the taps. "Beer for Sergeant Orlann who's had a long day, please." <Orlann> ::gives Kevil a tired smile:: P'rhaps so, Master Kevil, but then when would one get one's own work done? * Michelle selects a different tap and fills the mug before setting it on the bar in front of Orlann. "There you go, Orlann. Let me know if I can get you anything else." * Orlann pulls out a gold coin, slightly worn on one side. "Dinner would just 'bout be t'die for right about now. Iffen y'got something on the stove." * Jaret grins. "Ah, the oft-spoke of honeydew list. I have heard tell of it, in legend and myth. It is quite fearsome, I understand." <Kevil> ::sniffs at his mug before actually drinking, then grins at Orlann:: A valid point. And yet, you seem to have perhaps gone a bit overboard. I would not have guessed Miss Mandeil could be so ruthless a driver. * Lisl pauses just outside the door to brush pollen-filled catkins out of her hair and off her vest before entering. Her expression is grim. "Evening, all. 'Kick, Michelle, please?" She holds her fingers apart, indicating a small mug. <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: I ain't even got 'round t'her honeydew list yet... that's fer tommorow. <Jaret> Merciful fates! Food for the man! Hearty food and drink, to rebuild him with! <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: You're in rare form this evening, Lord Malkier. <Kevil> No? Then what *have*- Breaks off at the look on Lisl's face. "That expression can mean nothing good, I fear... Lisl?" <Jaret> Good evening, Miss Ferinsdottir. What brightens your countenance so this evening? * Michelle smiles and pats Orlann's hand. "Orlann, for honest patrons I'd whip up a seven course meal if they were hungry, of course we've got something on the stove." * Jaret bows at Lisl's comment. "I am returned, and glad of it." * Orlann turns to Kevil with a slight quizzical look. "Do we *have* dishonest patrons?" * Michelle gets a small mug and fills it from a cask beneath the bar before setting it on the bar for Lisl. "There you are, Lisl. Anyone else want anything from the kitchen while I'm there?" <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Nothing, just... hate it when things go and get themselves complicated. ::she glances at Orlann:: Wasn't something from around here... someone, I'd wager, has brought in his "pet." <Kevil> Oh, one or two, Sergeant. Though hardly anything to disturb your professional sensibilities. <Lisl> Did I smell rabbit? And if I did, might I have some? Wave it at the fire if it makes you feel better. <Jaret> If you find something of a dessert nature, Michelle, I would be all too glad to help you dispose of it. * Michelle disappears into the kitchen. <Lisl> ::snorts and nods to the animated mugs:: We didn't have dishonest patrons per se for those... we had kender. They don't steal, they... how was it? Hold what you dropped. Just for safekeeping. * Orlann takes several swallows of his beer. "Iffen I understood y'correctly, your little information gatherin' activities didn't turn up nothin'?" <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow at Orlann and Lisl's conversation:: Should I inquire? * Michelle returns from the kitchen carrying a tray. On it are a small casserole dish which appears to contain a layer of cheese over pasta in tomato sauce, a plate with a warm, skinned rabbit, a bottle of brown liquid, and a small plate with a slice of what appears to be stiffened cream on top of some kind of cake. <Lisl> Aye. No sign she came from the wild, at least. I was hoping maybe they'd captured her somewhere around here, but... ::shakes her head again and sips from her mug:: * Michelle spreads the dishes out to their respective recipients along with utensils. "Can I get anyone anything else?" * Orlann pokes at his casserole with his fork, one eyebrow slightly raised, then decides it can't possibly be any worse than the Dragon's messhall and takes a bite. <Lisl> Thanks, 'chelle, I'm good. <Lisl> ::addresses Kevil, nodding towards Orlann:: I was assisting with the good sergeant's inquiries. <Kevil> Inquiries? Into...? * Lisl disdains the offered fork, pulling an eating knife from her boot and carving slices off the warmed rabbit. <Jaret> Ah, thank you, Michelle. ::he twirls the fork in his fingers before slicing off a corner of the dessert:: Mmm... delightful. Quite exceptional. * Lisl folds several slices up and glomphs them off the point of her blade, bolting the whole thing near-whole. "The "wild dog" down by the docks. Trail was dead cold, but I thought, all that blood, we might get lucky." * Michelle curtseys to Jaret again. "You're quite welcome, Jaret." * Orlann rather carefully avoids watching Lisl eat, concentrating instead on his noodle bake. <Kevil> Ah, yes, I read of that in the Herald. The article was vague; I thought that it was merely some unfortunate incident involving an escaped guard dog... It was not, I presume? <Lisl> ::licks a finger and points at the bottle of brown stuff:: That for me, Michelle? <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: Not by a long shot, Master Kevil... * Michelle nods, "I seemed to remember you like it when you ate your meat au naturale." <Lisl> ::grins:: Thanks. ::pours a healthy dollop onto the side of her plate and dips her next pile of slices delicately into the pool of brown stuff before engulfing the whole mess:: * Jaret eats his dessert in little rapid forkfuls. <Kevil> What *did* you find, then? <Lisl> ::swallows:: Wasn't a dog. <Kevil> ::sighs, barely audibly, then folds his hands and waits:: <Lisl> ::wiping her mouth with her fingers, glancing slightly guiltily at Jaret, and wiping her fingers off on a napkin:: She was a wolf. And I don't think she's from around here. <Lisl> ::shrugs a little irritably:: And now you know all I know. Dammit. ::spears another pile of slices with a little more force than necessary:: <Kevil> A *wol*- ::breaks off, looking around the room quickly:: * Jaret finishes his dessert, and looks up. <Kevil> How did a wolf get into the city? <Orlann> ::picks at his food moodily:: Dammit. I was hopin' *you'd* have h'd a more productive search than I did. <Lisl> ::scowls:: That's what I'd like to know. A pet could've come in by the main roads... ::gestures towards the harbor:: by hells-begotten *boat*, even. Some of the nobles kept menageries, before the invasion... could even have been from those, though I'd like to think that would be familiar, at least. <Michelle> Couldn't a wolf get in the same way, though? I mean, the witnesses saw men with it. <Lisl> As it is... ::shakes her head:: There's something about this mess that still doesn't sit right with me. Damned if I can figure out what, but... I told my... friends to lie low for awhile. <Jaret> And not all guardsmen are as upstanding as the sergeant. One might have been convinced to look the other way on what he thought was a harmless exotic that someone wanted to bring in to the city, and now is concerned for his own livelihood should he come forward with his memories. <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow at Lisl after a quick glance at Orlann:: <Lisl> ::nods to Michelle:: Aye, that's what I mean. A pet wolf. ::shrugs:: Not even said the guards are at fault... you can get *anything* in on the Island. <Lisl> It's alright, Kevil. <Kevil> *Can* a wolf be made into a pet? How trainable are they? * Orlann listens moodily, still poking noodles around to see if there's anything else in the dish. <Lisl> ::bares her teeth in what someone who didn't know her better might call a grin:: Nearly any animal's spirit can be broken. <Kevil> ::grimaces:: <Jaret> Michelle, could you get the sergeant a slice of this fabulous dessert? He looks about through with the entree. <Kevil> Still, you'll recognize it-- her-- if you happen across the trail again, d'va? * Michelle glances from Jaret to Orlann, "Of course." Michelle disappears into the kitchen. <Lisl> ::spearing another stack of slices and staring at it thoughtfully for a moment:: Tho'... it needn't come to that. ::mutters:: This one sure had spirit... ::louder:: I've heard of half-breeds raised from pups, up north, and used as work-dogs. And there are spells-- ::breaks off with a dark scowl:: Hells... ::swallows her knifeful of meat:: <Lisl> Aye, I should. <Kevil> Would you recognize a half-breed as such? * Michelle returns from the kitchen with another plate of the dessert she gave Jaret, "Why don't you give this a try, Orlann." <Lisl> ::shrugs a shoulder and takes another sip of 'kick:: *Should* be able to, but it's been a damn long time since I've come across one personally. You just don't see them south of the Frozen Wastes, much. * Orlann grins at Michelle and gladly swaps out his mostly empty plate for the cake. "Thank y'kindly, ma'am." <Kevil> What about another... ::gestures delicately:: * Michelle grins, "There's more where that came from if you're still hungry Orlann. Or if you want to take some home to Tarri." <Lisl> ::raises her eyebrows:: Hm. That... hadn't occurred to me, dammit. ::stares idly at her blurry reflection on her knife blade:: I... don't know, under the circumstances. The... hmph. Not the kind of thing I'm used to explaining... <Orlann> That'd be right kind of you, ma'am. I'm sure Tarri'd love some... <Michelle> It's better if it's kept chilled. Remind me before you leave. <Lisl> But that... ::brushes at her forearms:: ...that idea is *not* going to make me sleep any easier. *Hells.* ::picks up her mug and downs a healthy swallow, pausing a moment to wheeze and blink yellow eyes:: Hooo... strong stuff.... * Michelle shakes her head, "Now you're starting to get me worried, Lisl." <Kevil> Sorry... I hoped you would say, "Oh, no, I would know!" and I could have that much reassurance, for myself... ::winces:: Loria will be worried. * Orlann nods. "Tarri already is... worried, I mean." <Kevil> ::half-smiles:: Of course. You are at the thick of the danger, d'va? * Michelle ponders for several moments, "This requires thought." <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: In other circumstances, I could probably tell you. If I met her I could tell you. *Until* I meet her... ::shakes her head uncertainly:: There wasn't enough of anything else for me to figure out who was even *there.* * Michelle blinks, "Her? You're certain it's female?" <Lisl> ::looks at Michelle rather oddly:: If you saw me naked, Michelle, you'd be able to tell *I* was female, aye? Same thing. Well... pretty much. * Michelle smiles, "I know, Lisl. It just didn't register until just now that you'd been saying she all evening. Just trying to gather as many pieces of the puzzle as possible." * Orlann looks as if he'd like to sink into his cake; the tips of his ears are nearly generating heat from Lisl's last comment. * Jaret has a smile, and some of the rest of his wine. <Lisl> ::frowns, rubbing a hand through her short-cropped hair:: O'course, it also means for damn sure she knows *I'm* here. And if she's... well... that does *not* make me happy. * Lisl glances belatedly at Jaret and Orlann. "What?" * Michelle tilts her head, "Would she be able to tell what you are even though you can't tell at the moment what she is?" <Kevil> ::sighs and finishes his meade:: Let us know if you learn more, please. <Jaret> It's simply a delectable dessert, Miss Ferinsdottir. It's kept a smile on my face all evening. <Lisl> ::grunts irritably and shrugs a shoulder:: It... wouldn't take much to figure out, come to that. ::rubs the bridge of her nose:: Maybe I *should* leave town for awhile. <Orlann> ::looks up from his cake:: Now, what would that be accomplishin'? <Kevil> ::almost alarmed:: Surely you jest. If our worst fears *are* realized, you are the best source of information on how to contain the threat. * Jaret finishes off his wine. "Wonderful, Michelle. Thank you very much." <Lisl> ::shakes her head slowly, having another (small) sip of 'kick and pushing her nearly-empty plate away:: This's been rubbing me wrong since I heard of it. And if it turns out to be a frame-up of some kind... ::shakes her head again:: Having me here could be the worst thing possible. I don't know. <Michelle> You're welcome Jaret. <Orlann> An' goin' now won't be just admittin' that possibility? <Jaret> If you leave, Lisl, and you're concerned about being framed, it will be frightfully hard to come up with an alibi. <Lisl> And if I'm here, and whoever the hell it is that knows *far* too much about the Hall already decides to let slip my dirty little secret? Who in the nine hells would believe there were *two* of us in the city? <Kevil> ::snorts:: Come across town with me, Lisl, and stand in front of the Tower, and talk to me about "chance" and "coincidence." * Michelle looks out the window, "Last call folks." <Jaret> Some secrets are more so than others. From what I hear, it's the more publicly-renowned dark aspects of the Hall that have been blatantly publicized lately. Certain things are still unknown. * Orlann pushes his empty plate away. "I'll be takin' that cake f'r Tarri, iffen you're still of mind t'part with it, ma'am..." * Lisl picks up her mug and frowns at finding it empty, setting it down again with a faint clatter as her hand shakes slightly. "I don't know. Aye, sure, Zoya would believe it, but who'd believe her?" <Jaret> I'm fine, Michelle. ::he sets a small stack of coins on the bar:: For what I've consumed. <Michelle> I'll be back in a second, Orlann. ::disappears into the kitchen.:: <Lisl> Orlann was hearing rumors that vampires and werewolves drank here on a regular basis. One of each, I understand. ::with forced lightness:: <Kevil> ::shakes his head:: Surely, a city which is home to Zoya will have accustomed itself to a great deal of strangeness. ::grins tightly:: <Orlann> I still ain't seen no vampires... ::gives her an encouraging smile:: <Lisl> Accustomed, aye. But they've made pretty damn clear lately they don't necessarily *like* it. <Kevil> Ah? I wonder who the vampire is meant to be? ::grins with apparent ease as he stands and stretches:: I am accustomed to fairly nocturnal habits, myself... <Jaret> Poor Lady Quel'shu lost multiple houses to vampires. I imagine word of that had to go around, and get twisted and misunderstood. * Jaret stands. "I must be off. Good night, dear friends." <Lisl> ::nods shortly:: Night, Jaret. <Kevil> Ah, well. I think I have lingered long enough to have avoided plucking and skinning the game we took this afternoon. I should head home. * Michelle returns from the kitchen with a box wrapped in cloth. "There you are, Orlann. Good night, Jaret." <Lisl> Hm... that's a thought, though. ::frowns:: Kevil, would you mind a bit of a detour first? <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow:: So long as it is not too long of one, surely... * Orlann takes the cake. "Miss Lisl, iffen y'feel you might be wantin' an alibi, feel free t'come stay with Tarri n' me for a few days. I'm sure Tarri'd love t'put the guest room t'some use." He colors faintly at this last. * Jaret leaves the Hall. <Kevil> I shall await your pleasure. ::bows and heads outside:: <Lisl> I thank you for the offer, Orlann, but I was thinking of putting up at Zoya's, if she'll have me. ::nods towards the waiting Kevil:: I'd... ::swallows:: I'd rather not bring this to your door, either. * Orlann nods. "All right, then. Do stop in iffen y'change your mind." <Lisl> Aye... I just... I don't know. Night, Sergeant. * Orlann nods to Michelle, then heads out. <Lisl> ::pulls a handful of coins from her pouch and leaves them on the bar:: Thanks, 'Chelle. Night. * Lisl strides out the door to join up with Kevil, her posture tense. * Michelle sweeps all the coins into the lock box before shooing the dishes into the kitchen. * Michelle dims the lamps and lets the coat closet back in. <Michelle> ::locking the door behind her Michelle heads home muttering to herself, "Would reversing the wards work? And can I afford the power loss?" |
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