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* Nacheyla walks in and lights the lamps. She sits down behind the bar and pulls out a thick sheaf of papers bound together and begins reading. "Hall's open." * Lisl strides in, heading straight for the bar. "Evening, Nach. A mug of 'kick, if you please. Make it a-- nah, better not. Small but generous, if you will." * Zoya enters, looking a little peculiar in a shirt with short sleeves. Whatever she might have said upon entry is subsumed by her instant curiosity in Nacheyla's book. She crosses to the bar and immediately commences attempting to read upside-down. <Lisl> ::starting up anxiously, and sitting again as Zoya approaches the bar:: Zoya! What news? * Bood ambles into the Hall. He's almost unrecognizable at first, as he's shaved his head recently. He blinks a little when he comes in, and runs his hand over his head. "Hey, um, Nacheyla? Yeah? How's stuff?" He leaks his short staff against the wall and ambles to the bar. He's wearing his usual plain loose pants, brown shirt, and beat-up boots. * Nacheyla puts the sheaf down. "Sure thing, Lisl. Evening, Zoya... anything to drink?" She gets Lisl a smallish stone mug of 'kick. "Fresh batch, Lisl. Xarroch said to tell him if this was an improvement or not." * Adam enters looking very much as if he just finished a long day at the forge, "Evening all. Nacheyla could I get two beers please." <Zoya> Hmm? ::looks at Lisl:: No news yet. * Adam takes a seat at the bar. <Zoya> Oh, yes, I'd like an ale, please, Nacheyla. What are you reading? <Nacheyla> A summary of incomprehensible nonsense... ::she shrugs:: I haven't the slightest idea what she's trying to tell me. * Lisl scowls at Zoya. "Hells." She picks up her drink, takes a sniff, and then a sip, making a bit of a face. "A little more on the pine and less on the pine cleaner, maybe." She blinks. "Strong enough, though." <Lisl> ::glancing at the door:: Evening, Adam. And... Bood? Long time no see, lad. <Zoya> She who? What sort of summary is it? ::seems unconcerned by the lack of news troubling Lisl:: <Packet> An Inconclusive Study of Magical Compression in Wylde Zones and Absorption and Shifting of Magics in Aforementioned Zones as well as Practical Uses and Results Thereof. * Bood raises a hand and smiles at Lisl. "Miss... Lisl? Been busy. And then you were closed for a while. I heard you were open again, though, so I thought I'd come back. Check things out. Have a little drink, maybe." <Zoya> Ooh, I hadn't seen this one before! ::picks up Nacheyla's packet without so much as a by-your-leave and immediately becomes deeply involved:: <Nacheyla> ::raises an eyebrow:: I imagine not. ::gets Adam his drink:: It was just written. <Zoya> Who wrote it? <Nacheyla> Some Wizardess... I don't know her. She left this copy propped up against the door yesterday evening with a note saying she hoped it'd be of use... I can't make heads or tails of it. <Zoya> ::glances up at Nacheyla, then flips back several pages to examine the title page's signature again:: <Bood> ::to Lisl:: You still drink that... I can't remember what it's called. The paint cleaner that smells a little like rotten eggs? <Packet> Researched and written by Wizardess Penyl of the Marsember War Wizards, additional research supplied by Wizardess Carthonia and Apprentice Wizard Laen * Lisl scowls absently at Zoya's preoccupation and has another slug of 'kick before turning back to Bood. "Well, good seeing you again." She grins a little. "Tho' the way things are going, it might not be great for your business to be seen with us. Unless it was another dare that brought you back?" <Bood> Nah, not a dare. Some curiosity, though. Word's got 'round about here. Maybe not truth, but still, everyone's talking. I once heard someone say there was no such thing as bad publicity, but I'm not so sure he's right. <Lisl> ::toasts Bood with her glass:: Mulekick. And this one smells more like turpentine. ::eyeing her mug suspiciously, and looking up at Nach:: Are you sure this *isn't* turpentine? <Zoya> Penyl... Ah! Yes! I've been meaning to try to have a word with her! ::plows back into the text, flipping pages rather rapidly and nodding or frowning from time to time:: <Nacheyla> ::shrugs:: I don't know, Lisl. He gave me several jugs of it. They're all different. There's even one that smells *good*, but I didn't think you'd want that one. * Bood grins. "You've still got that ring, then? Oh! Miss.. Nacheyla? Can I get a meade? Uh, please?" <Lisl> ::snorts:: I never thought fame was worth much, but I can't say I like infamy much better. ::makes a face at Nacheyla:: * Nacheyla pours Bood a meade. "I think. You'd better check. There's been some problems with the taps recently. Small sip." <Lisl> ::grins back at Bood:: That would be telling. * Bood looks dubiously at his meade, sniffs it, and takes a sip. * Adam quickly drains one of his beers, giving a loud sigh of satisfaction as his massive frame relaxes on the barstool, "Ah, that's better. Thanks Nacheyla." * Bood grins and takes a bigger drink. "Do you still have the, uh, the green stuff? That fizzes?" <Nacheyla> You're quite welcome, Adam. ::smiles:: Need another? ::looks at Bood:: Sometimes. Yesterday I found some pink stuff that fizzes that smells like strawberries. * Lisl looks dubious. "Pink?" * Adam smiles, "I think the second one here will do me for a while, but I'll let you know if my throat starts getting dry again." * Nacheyla looks around. "Yeah. Hang on." She gets a mug and fills it to the brim with frothy pink liquid. As almost an afterthought, the spout spits out a glob of whipped cream and two cherries. <Bood> Strawberries? Maybe. The green stuff didn't taste like anything in specific. Just sweet. Really sweet. And fizzy. <Zoya> ::still reading:: It *WHAT*? ::goes back and starts reading that section more slowly:: Yes... And that, yes... She must be half-insane to try that, but... And it... Well. That might be worth a try. * Lisl looks, if possible, more dubious at the whipped cream and cherries, and puts a protective arm around her mug as if it might be contaminated by the pinkness. * Bood has some more of his meade, and looks at the pink teacup. "Maybe after I've finished this. You, um, wouldn't still happen to serve, y'know, food?" <Nacheyla> ::nods:: Well, I'll take this one, if you don't want it. I can get you another, later. ::picks it up and takes a sip, licking whipped cream off her lip:: And yes, Bood. I'll see if I can dig something up. ::she takes her pink thing into the kitchen with her:: * Bood beams. <Zoya> ::muttering:: What about side-effects? Did she think to... ::reads carefully to the end of the section, then flips forward a few pages, and then back, as if looking for something:: <Lisl> ::calling after Nacheyla:: There's some duck in the coldroom. <Bood> ::hopefully: Is that... a duck, or multiple ducks? <Lisl> ::grins at Bood:: multiple ducks. <Bood> Oh, cool. <Nacheyla> ::a raised voice from the kitchen:: Pâté? Who in the world...? <Lisl> ::her grin souring a little:: I've had a bit of free time on my hands. I've lost a few of my bigger customers to this rumor nonsense.... * Adam looks up at Nacheyla's comment, then has some more beer. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow, muttering:: Maybe Rhys had some time on his hands...? <Nacheyla> ::incoherent mutterings from the kitchen accompanied by a wafting fragrance of garlic butter:: <Zoya> Oh! ::excited:: I see! But then- ::descends into mumbling incoherently again:: * Bood swallows. * Lisl gives Zoya a faintly disgusted glance and has another swallow of 'kick. <Bood> I haven't been here since the, uh, orcs. Did... did everyone make it out okay? * Nacheyla pushes a cart into the Hall. On the cart is a glazed roasted duck stuffed with oranges. There is also a plate of liver pâté and water crackers and several dishes of escargot in garlic butter. "Anyone hungry?" She starts passing out plates. * Zoya - without lifting her eyes from the page she's reading - tries to reach into her sleeve for something, gropes for a moment, then realizes with disgust that she's not wearing her sleeves. "Nacheyla, do you have such a thing back there are a piece of scrap and something to write with?" <Adam> Depends on your definition of okay, but yes, as far as I know all the Hall Patrons lived through the war. * Bood takes the first plate he can get that isn't obviously destined for someone else. He looks at the duck dubiously. "Do you carve it?" * Nacheyla nods and begins carving duck. "I think there's some parchment on my desk in the office, if you want to peek in there." <Zoya> Perfect, thank you. ::She leaves the sheaf of papers on the bar and wanders back toward the office:: <Lisl> ::raises her eyebrows at the feast progressing from the kitchen:: "Who the hell" indeed. Damn... Rhys must've been *really* bored. * Nacheyla puts several generous slices of duck on Bood's plate. "Here." <Lisl> ::takes the opportunity to grab the bound sheaf by a corner and twitch it a little closer so she can read it. After scanning the open pages briefly, she pushes it back with a snort and a shake of her head.:: * Adam smiles at the feast Nacheyla has brought in, "I'll take some of that duck if the boy isn't going to eat it all." * Nacheyla slices more duck and fills a second plate. "Have some pâté, too. It's quite good. Brandy-mixed, I think." <Bood> Thanks! ::he pulls a small eating knife out of a boot, wipes the blade clean(er?) on his sleeve and starts cutting off pieces and eating.:: <Lisl> I'd have a bit, Nach. You can leave the snails, though, I'm not that desperate. * Zoya comes back with a scrap of parchment and a pencil. Oblivious to the fine food, she sits at the bar and begins scribbling notes and making calculations in a tiny hand. * Adam looks dubiously at the pâté, "Maybe just a little bit. And maybe a little brandy if I'm going to be eating all gentrified." * Nacheyla serves Lisl some duck as well. "Well, I like escargot..." She pulls one of the chaffing bowls to herself and forks a snail into her mouth. "Yummy." * Bood almost spits out the duck. "Fnails?!" <Adam> I'm with you Bood. I've heard wonderful things about them but I've never quite had the courage to try. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: I've had 'em as survival food, but... ::shakes her head again:: Like I said, I'd have to be pretty desperate. I don't like my food to bounce back. * Nacheyla gets Adam a snifter of brandy. "More for me, then. They're really quite tasty." She sits down with the dish. * Adam has a sip of brandy, then tries a little of the pâté. * Bood resumes devouring the duck. * Lisl pulls a (cleaner) knife from her boot and digs into her plate of duck. * Nacheyla spreads some pâté on crackers and eats that as well. "Quite lovely." She looks over at Zoya. "Does that stuff make any sense to you?" * Adam makes a confused face, "I can't tell if I like it or not." <Zoya> ::scribbling:: ...I should have enough on hand, though- HOW much? Oh, wait, carry the two... ::looks up at Nacheyla:: I think I can fix the Hall. <Nacheyla> ::raises an eyebrow:: Fix it? <Zoya> Well, stabilize it again. * Bood looks up, mouth three-quarters full. "'s'b'oke?" <Adam> ::blinks at Zoya, then looks into his snifter:: Nacheyla, you didn't accidently give me some of Xarroch's homebrew did you, I thought I heard Zoya say that she could fix the Hall. <Nacheyla> ::laughs:: You'd know if I had. <Zoya> ::taps the sheaf:: She's got an alchemical recipe in here for a metal that stabilizes areas of wild magic. If I make enough to create a band to go around the Hall, it should stabilize us. <Nacheyla> ::raises an eyebrow:: A ring of metal *around* the building? * Adam looks over at Zoya, "A metal that stabilizes wild magic?" <Lisl> ::drolly, raising her own mugful of "Xarroch's homebrew":: Not for long, he wouldn't. <Zoya> ::to Adam:: I'm using the word "metal" in its loosest sense. I doubt you could make a sword out of it. ::to Nacheyla:: Yes, around the building... Is that a problem? <Nacheyla> Well, I suppose not, but... that's a lot of metal. <Lisl> ::taking a swallow and eyeing Zoya over the rim:: Tame wild magic? Isn't it, ah, not wild, then? And what about doors? <Zoya> ::pulls a face:: That much is true. According to my calculations, it's going to be rather expensive. Mercury in this kind of quantity is *not* cheap or easy to come by. Or blue dragon's scales, for that matter. <Lisl> ::drawing her brows together:: Blue dragon scales??? Haven't we had enough of dragons for a few decades at least? <Zoya> ::to Lisl:: It won't cut off wild magic, it'll stabilize- ::sighs:: A wild zone is a place where even normal magic misbehaves. This will make normal magic go back to behaving itself. * Adam has a long pull from his beer mug, "Someone else can go dragon hunting this time thanks." * Bood very determinedly eats duck and doesn't listen. <Lisl> ::considers Zoya's explanation for a moment:: ...ah. ::has another forkful of fowl and chews thoughtfully:: What d'y'think it'd do to a null magic zone? * Nacheyla eats a few more of the butter soaked escargots and sighs in satisfaction. <Zoya> I only need ::consults her calculations:: about ten scales. Twelve, to be sure. I'm more concerned about this quantity of *mercury*. ::glances up at Lisl again:: Nothing. If you take nothing and calm it down, it's still nothing. * Adam starts in on his duck, with occasional sips of brandy. <Lisl> Hm. ::takes another bite:: What's mercury? <Zoya> ::grins at Lisl:: It's a liquid metal. <Lisl> ::blinks:: Liquid-- !?! ::frowns fiercely:: Wait... is it like quicksilver? Mother tri-- well, did a few experiments with that stuff. Just a little, though. It was... strange stuff, that's for certain. Not silver, though, for all it looks like it. <Zoya> Yes, quicksilver. Same thing. <Lisl> Oh. ::considers:: Mother had only a small vial of the stuff... nasty enough, as it was. The strangest thing, it went right through the skin if you touched it... ::shakes her head:: Anyway, where do you get it? Are there pools of it somewhere? <Nacheyla> Anything else? Dragon scales, mercury...? Can you make this stuff? I don't know the first thing about alchemy. <Zoya> It *is* strange stuff, and I never would've thought of using it like *this*! ::points at the treatise:: I must meet her sometime. Quite brilliant. * Bood finishes his mug and looks sorrowfully into its depths. "Miss Nacheyla? Beer? Please?" <Nacheyla> Certainly... ::refills Bood's mug:: More duck? <Zoya> ::nods to Nacheyla:: I can follow her directions well enough, though it's a tricky recipe. <Bood> Sure. Hey! You had a baby! A boy, right? How is he? <Lisl> ::Raises an eyebrow:: You sure you can trust her writing? I mean, she's one of Barise's cronies, isn't she? <Nacheyla> ::laughs:: Very... loud. And active. <Bood> That's... good, right? Just checking. <Lisl> ::grins at Bood:: Depends on if you're babysitting him or not. <Zoya> ::grins at Lisl:: I'll test it before I start making enough of it to ring the Hall. <Nacheyla> ::smiles:: He's fine... He's just a bit over two years old. Which makes him extremely hyper. <Zoya> If nothing else, I'll want to make sure her notes here are complete. * Bood has some beer and some duck. <Bood> Do babies walk when they're two? <Nacheyla> Oh yes... and run and climb and jump and fall down... ::smiles:: * Bood laughs. "That's kind of neat." <Lisl> ::grins wider at Bood:: Next time I'm 'sitting for her, I'll let you help. * Bood shrugs. "Sure." <Nacheyla> ::laughs:: Bring some towels. <Bood> Towels? Does he leak? <Nacheyla> It's sort of hard to explain. His father's taught him some tricks... which can be sort of... wet. <Bood> Oh... kay? I saw someone make a pig disappear at a street corner once. But you're probably not talking about that kind of trick. * Lisl snorts and mutters, "Damn close..." * Zoya folds up the parchment and tries to tuck it into a nonexistent sleeve, sighs, and sticks it in her belt instead. * Adam finishes his brandy, " <Adam> Could I have a few more fingers of that please Nacheyla?" * Lisl grins a little. "Too hot for you, Zoya? I don't think I've ever seen you in short sleeves." <Nacheyla> Certainly. ::refills his snifter:: <Zoya> ::to Nacheyla:: Do you mind if I take this with me? I've got the pieces I really need, but I wouldn't mind reading the whole thing. She's got some fascinating ideas, even if some of her conjectures are totally absurd. <Nacheyla> Go right ahead. It's all Fjarnik to me. <Zoya> ::to Lisl, half-smiling:: I wore this so I would remember not to put things in my sleeves. <Lisl> ::frowns:: But you always put things in your sleeves....? Oh. ::looking around, and again noticing the "ABSOLUTELY NO MAGIC" sign:: Right. <Nacheyla> ::shudders:: I don't even want to think what might happen if Zoya brought her sleeves in here. <Zoya> ::grins:: *I* don't want to find out what happens when a portable hole collides with a wild magic zo- Okay, I *do* want to know, but not quite *that* close to my body. * Adam drains his beer mug at the thought of Zoya's sleeves and the Hall. <Lisl> Well, she had 'em last time. She just... ah. So that's what was making that noise in the chest, last time. * Lisl takes another swallow of 'kick and cocks an eyebrow at her mug. "Hm. Stuff sorta grows on you... still like it better without quite so much bite in the throat." <Zoya> It's probably just that your tastebuds have died. <Nacheyla> I have another jug, Lisl... it smells sort of like cinnamon. I just didn't think you'd like that one. <Lisl> ::makes a face at Zoya and points at her now-decimated plate:: Duck l'orange. Nothing wrong with *my* tastebuds. <Lisl> Cinnamon? What did he-- never mind, I probably'd rather not know. ::shrugs:: Not my favorite flavor, but I'd be happy to give it a go. ::takes another swallow:: Next time, though, maybe. * Adam finishes his duck, "That was very good Nacheyla." <Nacheyla> ::grins:: I'll pass it along. I didn't make it. ::finishes off her last invertebrate:: * Bood finishes as well, starts to put his knife away, remembers, cleans it off on the hem of his shirt, and tucks it back into his boot. "Who did?" <Nacheyla> Rhys, I expect... he was supposed to be here this evening, but he sent me a note saying he had an emergency. <Adam> I hope everything's all right. ::sips his brandy:: <Lisl> ::frowns and looks up:: An emergency? Rhys? ::frown deepening:: Did he say what about? <Nacheyla> ::shrugs:: Knowing Rhys, it could be that the new carpet he ordered for his dining room was the wrong color and he had to go to the maker and complain. ::she grins:: It didn't sound terrible. <Zoya> That's pretty terrible. Do you know how long it takes to make a decent carpet? ::grins:: <Lisl> ::smiles faintly:: Carpet? ::murmurs:: And he digs at Jaret... hunh. <Nacheyla> ::shakes a finger at Lisl:: I didn't say that for sure, I just said it "could be." <Zoya> ::stands and drops a few coins on the counter:: I should get back and see if anything has changed. ::she gathers up the collection of papers:: Thanks, Nacheyla. I'll let you know about this metal when I've had a chance to make some and test it, all right? <Nacheyla> Certainly. Have fun with it, Zoya. ::shakes her head:: <Zoya> Good night, everyone! ::waves and heads out the door, already reading again:: <Lisl> Aye, but you said, "knowing Rhys." ::looking faintly surprised and shrugging:: I don't know him well enough to know that sort of thing would constitute an emergency to him. <Lisl> G'night, Z-- ::sighs as the mage strides out, nose in her book:: So much for getting anything more out of her this evening.... <Nacheyla> ::smiles:: He's very particular. If he orders a blue carpet, he'd better get a *blue* one... ::looks around:: Last call? Take home bags? * Lisl finishes her mugful and wipes her mouth. "I'm good, Nach, thanks." * Adam lifts his snifter, "I'm good with this Nacheyla." * Lisl digs into her beltpouch and comes up with a handful of silver to leave on the bar. * Nacheyla puts the coins in the lockbox. "Thank you, Lisl." <Bood> I'll take a bag, if you've got food to give away. And... um, what's the damages? <Nacheyla> ::eyes the grease smear on Bood's plate:: Two silver? <Lisl> Nach? Would you mind getting 'im that leftover haunch of venison in the coldroom to share out with his mates? On me. * Adam drains his snifter, "How much for me Nacheyla?" * Bood counts out a silver piece and ten coppers. "... nine, ten. And... you don't, but... if you're going to, thanks." * Lisl digs in her beltpouch again and flips a gold onto the bar. * Nacheyla nods. "Surely. When you're out next, Lisl, could you try for some partridge? I've got a new recipe." She wanders into the back and comes back with a long basket filled with a wrapped haunch and some crusty breads. <Lisl> Hm... not so easy, this time of year, most of 'em are further north. But I'll see what I can do. * Bood takes the haunch. "Bread?" <Nacheyla> Thanks. ::hands the basket to Bood:: Here you go. Enjoy. And do share. You'll probably explode if you eat all that in one sitting. ::eyes his plate again:: Maybe. <Bood> Oh, sure. I've eaten now. This'll be a good breakfast though. Or midnight snack, if I wake up hungry. But I'll share. Whatever's left. <Lisl> ::grins and thumps Bood (lightly) on the shoulder:: He's a growing boy, Nach, but aye, it's good to share. Spread the good will, and all that. <Nacheyla> Bread... made from flour, yeast, oil... a bit of sugar and salt... bread. You use it to make sandwiches. <Bood> Yeah, but Lisl didn't... oh! Thanks. ::he colors a bit:: It's been a long day. <Lisl> ::offers helpfully:: Sop up gravy. Feed birds. Polish copper. ::grins:: * Bood picks up the basket, puts his staff between the handles, and picks it up. "So I should get to bed." <Nacheyla> G'nite, Bood... <Bood> Good night! ::Bood ambles out of the Hall, basket of meat and bread at his side:: <Lisl> Night, lad, keep well. <Lisl> ::sighs:: Damn... not that he needs it, I think, but that's starting to get to be a habit... <Adam> What, wishing people well? * Adam fishes out a gold coin and drops it on the bar. <Lisl> ::a little glumly:: Good deeds. <Nacheyla> ::eyes Lisl:: I don't think it'll break you to be nice for a while, Lisl. * Nacheyla starts cleaning up. * Adam laughs, "Afraid everyone will think you've become an old softy Lisl?" * Lisl eyes Adam and Nacheyla both a little sourly. "What, I wasn't nice before?" * Adam chuckles, "You were, I just don't think I've ever heard someone complain because they were in the habit of performing good deeds." * Adam stands, "Come on Lisl, lets get out of here so Nacheyla can go home." * Nacheyla finishes with the dishes and mops up the bar. "G'nite Lisl. Adam." * Adam heads out, holding the door for Lisl. <Lisl> Not so different than what I've done in the past... it's just a little... ::shrugs:: rubs me wrong to feel like I *have* to, y'know? ::gets up and follows Adam to the door:: Ah, well, this is bound to pass eventually. ::snorts:: Or maybe I will.... * Lisl leaves. * Adam leaves. * Nacheyla shakes her head. "I wonder if a good deed counts, if it's under duress?" She sighs and closes the Hall. |
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