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* Rhys wanders in from the kitchen, and sets an ice cream scoop on the bar top. He makes his way to the door, and unlocks it. On the way back, he lights all the lamps using the tip of a finger. "Hall's open." * Vallel comes in. On his back, he is carrying a large basket held over his shoulders by two leather straps. He smiles cheerfully. "Evening, Rhys." <Rhys> Evening, Master duNache. Can I get you anything? * Zoya enters, carrying a slim book and an unlit lantern. She sets both on the bar and leans against a stool. "What on earth is that, Vallel? Good evening, Rhys - ale, please." <Vallel> A beer. Or two. ::squats to set the basket down on the floor:: If you've got a sharp knife and some vegetable dip, I can provide some snacks. * Rhys pours two mugs of a light, amber colored beer, and sets them on the bar in front of Vallel. "And the kitchen has sharp knives aplenty. I'll fetch you one shortly." He pours Zoya her ale. "Priestess." * Glossaria enters, a sheaf of papers under one arm, and sits at the bar. "Ooh! Master Rhys, is that scoop portentous, or are you merely taunting us?" <Rhys> It's a reminder, lest I forget, that I have some blackberry ice cream back in the coldroom for everyone tonight. ::he quickly finds Vallel a knife and cutting board and slides the two over to him:: What can I get you, Lady Anobium? * Vallel starts taking several vegetables out of the basket - carrots, celery, a head of broccoli, a few cucumbers - and begins chopping them into snack-sized bites. <Glossaria> ::smiles and leans over to drop a light kiss on Vallel's cheek:: Tsk, tsk, Master Rhys. "Mistress duNache." ::cocks her head:: I think... a small glass of tequila, and... an ale? Is that correct? <Zoya> Thank you, Rhys. ::she sips her ale and watches Vallel somewhat bemusedly:: Where did you get all those vegetables? <Rhys> My sincere apologies. Must be the dreaded brain rot, setting in. Soon I'll be sitting in a corner, quietly drooling to myself. <Glossaria> ::looks alarmed:: Brain rot? What are the symptoms? Is it contag-- ::breaks off and blinks a few times:: You're... jesting with me? <Vallel> ::raises an eyebrow at Rhys:: That would be... unfortunate. ::turns to Zoya:: Payment. Some of my clients recently have found it easier to deal in goods. <Rhys> I am jesting, making a poor witticism at my advanced years. <Zoya> What on earth are you going to do with all of it? The three of us couldn't eat that many vegetables before they go bad... Or are you going to share them with the gnomes? <Vallel> Well, I thought Rhys might like some... for garnish and stuff. ::slices a radish and pops a few pieces in his mouth:: And the Kitchen might consent to doing a little canning, if I ask nicely. My ma makes a good green pepper jelly, so maybe we could try that. * Zoya looks vaguely dubious at the idea of pepper jelly of any color, but shrugs and sips her ale. <Glossaria> ::peruses the crudite tray and selects one small slice of each time, nibbling inquisitively:: Are so few farmers able to sell their produce, then? I would have thought that the aftermath of the Invasion would create a higher market demand. * Rhys sets out a plate for Vallel's vegetables. "We'll have some lovely healthy vegetables, and then when we're all good and healthy, it will be time for ice cream." <Vallel> ::shakes his head:: Lots of barter going on right now. I guess it's not a bad idea. You can't really eat gold, so in times like this, it's not all that much of an advantage to have it. <Glossaria> ::thoughtfully:: Some creatures can eat gold... ::shakes her head:: Well, and gold allows you to purchase food in the winter. But if you have summer produce you wish to preserve... I shall have to speak with Tarri. Surely there are other methods of preserving food than turning them into jelly. <Zoya> That's a good idea, Glossaria. Anyone who can make the Kitchen pay attention to them probably knows a few things about food. <Vallel> ::looks mildly offended:: There's nothing wrong with green pepper jelly. <Zoya> If you say so. How do you feel about... ::leans over to peer into the basket:: broccoli jelly? <Glossaria> ::pats Vallel's arm:: I never said there was, love. I was simply exploring future options for our winter diet. <Vallel> I've never tried it. ::he grins:: There's no reason we can't experi... ::glances sidelong at his wife and hastily changes his word:: try a few different methods. <Glossaria> ::sitting up a little:: Perhaps we could make small batches of vegetables using each preparation method, to determine which end results are the most palatable. <Zoya> ::grins:: No reason at all. But it would be folly to enter into a new field of study without the advice of an expert. Which I, most emphatically, am *not*. <Glossaria> ::cocking her head:: I thought that, in research, one's goal was to break away from the traditional in order to explore the possible? <Vallel> ::nods:: I agree. Tarri would probably be a great help. I'm not a bad hand at cooking, but I'm not that good at canning. <Zoya> ::to Gloss:: Entirely possible - but it *does* help to understand what has gone before. If only to avoid duplication of effort. <Zoya> ::to Val, grinning:: And just to show you how hopeless I am, I'm not certain what the difference is. <Glossaria> ::nods judiciously, tasting a bit of broccoli and making a face:: Indeed. <Glossaria> The difference, Mistress? <Zoya> Between cooking and canning. <Zoya> I mean, I understand that you intend to eat the canned food *later*, instead of immediately, but other than that, I'm lost. <Glossaria> Cooking is preparation for consumption. Canning is preservation for storage. * Vallel eats several carrot sticks and leans against the bar. "I think I'll just... watch this conversation." He picks up his beer. "Your health, Rhys." <Zoya> ::shrugs:: i've never been very interested in the subject, I admit. ::she takes another swig of ale:: As long as *some*one knows. <Rhys> And to yours, Master duNache. <Glossaria> But... that knowledge should be preserved, against the possibility that, in the future, "someone" may not know. Hm. ::frowns and pulls her pen from her hair to make a note:: <Zoya> ::gives Gloss a faintly indulgent smile:: So business is improving, Vallel? <Vallel> ::nods:: Once we got the roof back on the shop... of course, if someone decides to pay me in chickens, I might have a bit of a problem. <Glossaria> We could put a coop in the Tower garden with the rabbits. We'd have fresh eggs! ::small frown:: Well... as long as we had a rooster. <Zoya> ::drily:: Or we could have fried chicken. <Glossaria> You dislike chickens, Mistress? <Zoya> Chicken coops always smell disgusting. <Glossaria> Oh. ::thinks:: Perhaps... a stasis... no, but then the eggs would never mature. Hm. * Vallel finishes his beer, watching his wife with an amused expression. <Glossaria> ::eats a slice of cucumber and sips her tequila thoughtfully:: <Zoya> We'll figure it out if someone decides to pay Vallel in livestock rather than produce. <Zoya> He could always just request eggs. Or freshly-butchered meat. <Glossaria> Could he do that? They seem to just... bring him things. ::looks at Vallel:: Could you do that? <Glossaria> Hm. These are quite good together.... ::takes another slice of cucumber, eats it, and sips tequila again:: Hm. ::eyes her ale:: Is the proper method to drink all the tequila and *then* drink the ale, or should I be alternating? I read that it's not best to mix strengths of alcohol, but... a mixed drink is essentially the same. <Rhys> I believe that it's customary among those who wish to add an element of ritual to their inebriation to alternate, but it's not binding. <Glossaria> Hm. ::picks up her ale, toasts the room with the mug, and takes a sip:: Hm. A similar sensation to the cucumber, actually. Perhaps that's its purpose. * Vallel shrugs. "I could probably make requests, but right now I'm happy just to be getting paid again regularly." <Zoya> ::amused, in a tone that says she's asked this before and already knows the answer:: Do you ever enjoy a thing without analyzing it, Glossaria? <Glossaria> ::blinks:: But... I *enjoy* the analysis, Mistress. * Vallel ponders adding to the discussion and then thinks better of it. Much better of it. <Zoya> ::grins:: Do you analyze that, also? <Glossaria> ::cocks her head:: Analyze the analysis? Well... upon occasion I do review my methods, which is also quite fulfilling. Although... ::glances sidelong at Vallel and colors slightly:: There are certain pastimes in which I have sufficient experience I *do* enjoy a great deal and... no longer analyze. <Zoya> ::chuckles and lifts her ale to Vallel:: Congratulations. * Vallel looks slightly embarrassed. "For which I will be eternally grateful." <Glossaria> ::smiles a bit slyly and nudges Vallel:: Well... it *is* how we met, after all. <Vallel> ::laughs:: *You* dropped the book... ::leans over and whispers something in Gloss's ear:: <Glossaria> Oh, *well*... ::the tips of her ears turn a bit pink as she nods:: <Glossaria> ::stands and finishes her tequila, putting a handful of coins on the bar to cover her and Vallel's drinks:: <Vallel> ::puts one arm around his wife and lifts the basket onto his other shoulder:: If you'll excuse us, I think Gloss and I are going to go... reminisce a little. ::he grins and escorts his wife from the hall:: <Glossaria> ::blushes:: Goodnight! <Rhys> Good night, lady and gentleman.... ::he cleans up their glasses:: * Lisl holds the door as Vallel and Glossaria head out, heads together, whispering and giggling softly. She blinks, clears her throat, and steps inside. "Well, now." <Zoya> ::watches her apprentice and her husband leave with an amused look, then nods to Lisl as she enters:: Hullo, Lisl. Good hunting, lately? <Rhys> Good evening, Miss Ferinsdottir. Can I get you anything? We have some, ah, vegetables left behind. <Lisl> ::mutters something like "Good ears're not all they're cracked up to be":: Evening, all. ::raises an eyebrow at the vegetables, but takes a bit of radish:: Well, add these, and perhaps we'll have a decent stew, eh? ::she unhooks a brace of rabbits and hands them to Rhys:: <Rhys> Not tonight, but if you come back tomorrow, around lunch, I can fill your order. Anything to drink in the meanwhile? Or... ::he eyes the scoop:: ... blackberry ice cream? <Lisl> ::eyes lighting:: Ice cream? * Rhys nods. "Ice cream." <Lisl> I believe I'll have some ice cream, please, Rhys. And... do you have milk? <Zoya> ::laughs:: Blackberry, apparently. * Lisl grins broadly. <Rhys> I think we just might. Priestess? Can I get you a bowl? <Zoya> ::considers:: That might be nice. It's very warm out. * Rhys heads back into the kitchen, taking the scoop with him, he comes back with three bowls of ice cream, three spoons, and a mug of milk, balanced on a large tray. He passes out the ice cream and spoons to everyone, and milk to Lisl. "Enjoy." <Lisl> Ahhhh. ::takes a huge spoonful and glomphs it:: And that, my friend, is what city living is all about. ::washes it down with a long swallow of milk:: <Zoya> Thank you. ::samples the ice cream:: Very tasty, Rhys. :;she takes another bite, then a drink of ale:: <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow at Zoya:: *Ale* and ice cream? <Zoya> ::shrugs:: It's all going to my stomach, isn't it? <Lisl> Aye, that's what worries me. ::shakes her head and takes another spoonful:: <Zoya> It's all right, Lisl. I can eat just about anything. ::winks:: I've even lived off my own cooking for short periods. <Lisl> ::grins broadly:: Can't judge what I've never had. Long as I've known you, you've had the Kitchen. I only have Kevil's horror stories to go on, and I know how *he* likes to exaggerate. <Zoya> ::chuckles:: It's not *much* worse than he likes to make out. I do not, in fact, burn pots while trying to boil water, though, no matter what he says. <Lisl> ::grins a bit:: I believe Loria's done that. Perhaps *you* should take lessons from Tarri. <Zoya> ::grins:: I have the Kitchen; why should I bother? <Lisl> Ha! Spoken like a true mage. ::takes another huge spoonful of ice cream:: Rhys, wondrous stuff, as always. <Rhys> Very welcome. Summer only comes around once a year. We should enjoy everything we can about it. And ice cream is at least six things. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow as she wipes off her milk moustache:: Six? <Zoya> As many as that? <Rhys> Oh, yes. To account for how good it is. It's certainly not *one*. <Zoya> Ah, I see... <Lisl> ::laughs:: I'll grant you that one. ::has another spoonful:: * Zoya finishes her ice cream. "Very tasty, Rhys. Thank you." <Rhys> Most welcome, Priestess. <Lisl> ::Gapes:: Did you put it down your sleeve when I wasn't looking? <Zoya> ::straightens a wrinkle in her sleeve and smiles at Lisl:: You may never know. <Lisl> ::makes a face at Zoya and puts a guarding arm around her bowl as she scoops up several more spoonfuls and swallows them in rapid succession:: Ooooh... ::closes her eyes:: <Zoya> I'm not going to steal your ice cream, Lisl. I've had quite enough. *yawns* I should head back to the Tower soon, I think. I need a nap. <Lisl> ::pauses with the spoon halfway to her mouth:: When was the last time you slept? <Zoya> ::looking injured:: Last night. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: Using the standard Harptosian calendar? And no funny time-shifting in between? <Zoya> ::considers:: Yes. <Lisl> ::continues to look suspicious:: You had to think about it. <Zoya> Well, I was playing with some aspects of Time earlier today, but I didn't shift my own position. <Lisl> Hmmm. Well... if you say so. Although I think I need to have another word or two with your Staff. <Zoya> Why? <Lisl> Or Gl-- well, perhaps not right now. <Lisl> ::scowls:: You don't take care of yourself. <Zoya> I'm *fine*. Look: I have eaten and drunk- ::finishes off her ale:: -and now I am off home to take a nap! <Lisl> Well... alright, then. Sleep well, Zoya. ::grins:: No getting up in the middle of the night to run an experiment. <Rhys> Good night, Priestess. Sleep sweet. <Zoya> ::sniffs:: I suppose it depends on how you define "night," and the "middle" of it. ::smiles at Rhys and puts a gold coin on the counter:: Thank you, Rhys. Good night. * Zoya collects her book and her lantern, and heads out the door. <Lisl> ::grins:: Night, Zoya. * Lisl regards her empty bowl, and eyes Rhys. "Umm... excuse me a moment, if you would." * Rhys politely turns his back, polishing some bit of glassware. * Lisl puts her spoon down, picks up the bowl, and turns around for a few moments. When she turns back, there is ice cream on her nose and the bowl is sparkling clean. * Lisl finishes her milk and sighs in contentment. "Thank you, Rhys." * Rhys offers a clean cloth out of his apron pouch. "Trade you for the bowl." <Lisl> Oh. ::blushes faintly as she hands over the bowl and accepts the cloth, rubbing her face energetically:: Better? <Rhys> It wasn't bad to start with. But your secret ice cream wishes might have gotten out. ::he smiles genially:: Good night, Miss Ferinsdottir. Safe journey home. <Lisl> ::grins:: My thanks, Rhys. ::fishes out a gold coin and a silver and places them on the bar:: Sleep sweet. * Lisl slides off the bar stool and heads back out into the night, whistling softly. * Rhys takes the coins off the bar and deposits them in the lockbox. He follows Lisl to the door and locks it behind her, then heads into the kitchen to do the night's dishes. And perhaps have another bowl of ice cream. |
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