Main Page |
* Michelle unlocks the door and announces, "Hall's Open!" * Michelle returns behind the bar. She is wearing a burgundy gown with her hair tied back in a pony tail. * Jaret enters, wearing a rich blue shirt, his usual black breeches, and soft leather boots. He has his rapier with him, and he removes his plumed hat when he enters. "Good evening, Michelle. It looks like I beat the rush. A glass of Arabellan Red, if you please?" * Kevil enters, his lute slung over one shoulder. He looks tired - dark circles ring his eyes, and his hair is falling, unnoticed, out of its tie. He gives all present a smile, however, and leans his lute carefully against the bar before taking a stool. "Good evening, my friends. I hope you are well?" * Michelle gets a bottle of Jaret's usual, uncorking it and filling a glass for the swashbuckler, "There you go Jaret." <Michelle> Good evening Kevil. Hard day? <Kevil> ::smiles wanly:: The day was adequate. I was up... early, however. <Jaret> Thank you, Lady Phoenix. To your health. ::he has some of the wine:: * Michelle smiles, "I'm sorry. Get you anything?" * Diya comes into the hall in a sleeveless leather vest, his falcon perched restlessly on a leather bracer. Across one shoulder, Diya carries a trio of slightly mauled partridges. Over the other, a canvas bag. "Diya wishes his friends a good evening." <Kevil> ::considers the plumbing for a moment as he rubs idly at the side of his face:: Could you persuade the taps to produce a half-glass of araji- No, what did Lisl call the local... Arak. I would very much like a glass of arak, Lady Michelle. * Lisl enters, looking moderately disgruntled, and holds up a large but somewhat bruised-looking fish. "Evening, all. Michelle? Think you could do something profitable with this?" <Michelle> Good evening Diya. <Kevil> ::looks around as Diya enters, and smiles warmly:: N'shava. Had a good day hunting? ::he nods to the falcon:: Maharajah. You are up late. * Michelle tilts her head, "Can you hold onto it for a moment Lisl?" <Diya> ::the bird flaps his wings restlessly at Kevil:: Maharajah has been learning to hunt today. Diya thinks... perhaps... that Maharajah might *eventually* give the bird back, once he's finished mangling it. <Kevil> ::laughs and kisses Diya's cheek as he comes to the bar:: I have no doubt that you will convince him of the worth of the effort. Eventually. * Michelle gets a small snifter and fills it about a third full from one of the taps before setting it before Kevil, "There you go." <Michelle> Can I get anyone else anything before I see what I can do with Lisl's fish? <Lisl> ::holds the fish patiently, eyeing Maharajah to make certain that well enough occupied with his bird to consider a piscine diet.:: * Kevil picks up the glass and sniffs gingerly, as if not entirely certain it will be what he asked for. He sighs at the welcome scent, then knocks back a good half the liquor in a swallow. * Diya puts the bag down and shakes his arm. Maharajah hops lightly onto the bar and stares at the mangled birds on Diya's shoulder. <Diya> Perhaps... Diya thinks Maharajah is a better hunter than Lotus, but that is not saying much... ::he grins to show he is mostly joking:: * Michelle turns to Lisl, "Let me see that Lisl. I might be able to come up with something, but I don't know if it will be anything you'd like." <Kevil> ::chuckles:: Poor Lotus. * Kevil downs the rest of his drink, then runs his hands over his hair. Discovering that it is falling out of its tie, he pulls it loose and begins to finger-comb it, preparatory to putting it back up. * Diya starts arranging his things, taking a few smaller bags out of the larger bag, then wrapping his birds in leather and stuffing them in the bag. "Diya will clean these later. He is too tired now." He looks around and excuses himself to go use the necessary for a bit of a wash-up. <Lisl> ::with a faint growly note to her voice:: Anything, if you'll just get the damn thing off my hands. I nearly dropped it in the gutter, but after all the fuss of acquiring it, I thought *someone* should have a good dinner from it. <Kevil> ::gives Lisl a side-long look:: A bad day, hunting? * Michelle quirks an eyebrow at Lisl as she takes the fish. <Lisl> Er-- mind if I take it in, Michelle? I've a need of a bit of a wash-up myself, I think. ::indeed, since she's been standing there, the faint reek of fish has gotten stronger, and it's not *all* coming from the fish:: The hunting was the good part. The rest of the day, that was the bad part. I'll explain in a minute, by your leave. * Michelle nods and holds the door to the kitchen for Lisl. * Lisl offers the room a nearly-graceful elven half-bow before making her way into the kitchen with her abused fish. * Diya returns with his long red hair slicked wet back from his face and his fiery tattoos gleaming with beads of water. "There. Diya feels much better now. Might he get a glass of juice, please?" * Michelle selects a mug and fills it with juice from one of the taps. * Kevil eyes Diya with a certain appreciation as he returns to the bar, but says nothing. He pulls his hair back and ties it tightly. * Diya takes several swallows of juice while Maharajah taks back and forth along the edge of the bar, ducking his head and occasionally emitting small, sharp cries. * Jaret has some more of his wine. "It looks like you leapt into the harbor and beat it to death. Or did it leap out, and challenge you in one-on-one, hand-to-fin combat?" <Kevil> ::laughs and picks up his glass, only to make a face as he finds it empty.:: <Michelle> Want more Kevil? * Lisl pushes back out of the kitchen, her sleeves damp where they're rolled up to her elbows, her short silver hair standing up and dripping slightly onto her collar. "Nah, not into the harbor. Into a fishwife's stall, more like." <Michelle> Alright, now I have to hear this story. * Lisl pauses, one hand on the end of the bar for balance, and shakes her head vigorously. <Kevil> ::considers his glass, then considers Diya, and finally nods:: One more. A small one, if you please, or Loria will have me sleeping on the roof. * Michelle pours a little more into Kevil's glass, "There you go." <Diya> ::grins slyly:: Oriole will do no such thing. Diya has purchased a small reprieve from wifely annoyance. ::he picks up one of the small bags and shakes it:: <Lisl> I'll take a mug of 'kick, if you will, Michelle. I was down on the docks, minding my own business... well, *doing* my business, more like. I was trading game for fish... a bit of variety in the diet's welcome, this time of year. <Kevil> ::raises his eyebrows:: Have you, n'shava? What on earth could purchase so rare and dear a thing? * Diya pushes the bag at Kevil. It is a good-sized bag and weighs perhaps three or four pounds. <Lisl> ::pauses in her tale to shoot a grin and a nod at Diya.:: * Michelle gets one of the stone mugs and fills it from a cask beneath the bar. "There you go Lisl." * Kevil opens the bag and peers in, then laughs. "For this, she might even allow me to sleep past the first rays of dawn... Have I mentioned lately that I adore you?" <Lisl> My thanks, Michelle. So... docks, all the usual hurly-burly... and some noble idiot must've decided his bloods were too good for the stockyards. Led a string of raw pureblood horses straight across the docks to load 'em aboard ship. * Diya considers. "Diya thinks so... but heartwing could say it a few more times. Diya does not get tired of it." <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: A broken horse doesn't care for the smell of death on a good day... they led 'em right downwind of me, and the horses freaked. * Kevil grins and launches into a long string of Alani, apparently a slightly hammish recital of Diya's many virtues. * Diya grins widely, then turns his attention to Lisl's story. * Lisl takes a hit of 'kick and massages the bridge of her nose. "Bloody *riot* on the docks... horses running and screaming, people running and screaming..." She shakes her head again. "I got kicked in the chest into a fishwife's stall." <Kevil> ::winces at Lisl's tale:: <Lisl> I helped her pick up, and so, of course... she blamed me. <Michelle> ::shakes her head:: Anyone hurt seriously? <Lisl> ::sour smile:: And, well... catching the fish she threw at me didn't seem to improve her temper any. <Kevil> ::grins:: Such are the natures of fishwives... * Michelle gives a short giggle. <Lisl> ::more seriously:: For all they were idiots for taking the horses topside, the herdsmen were top-notch rounding them up again... they knew their jobs, alright. Still... a few broken bones. I kept a kid from getting trampled... that's how I took one in the chest. Two horses had to be fished out of the harbor, one had to be put down... ::shakes her head:: I hope at the least that idiot gets fined. <Kevil> ::delicately:: There is... no question that the problem will be traced to you? <Lisl> Me? Oh, hells no. The horses had no business topside, that's what the stockyards are *for.* If my kills hadn't set 'em off, something else would have. ::makes a face:: That fishwife, maybe. Gods above and below, the *lungs* on that woman... ::wiggles a finger in her ear:: <Lisl> So... ::nods towards the kitchen:: That's my, ahem, catch of the day. I wound up *giving* her the rest of my kill to keep her from calling down the wrath of heaven on me. <Lisl> ::growls and takes another swig of 'kick:: That's what I get for "behaving." <Kevil> ::chuckles at Lisl's story:: The mighty Huntress, brought low by a common fishwife? <Lisl> ::gives Kevil a yellow-eyed glare:: <Kevil> ::laughs again and sips his araji:: Ah... That tastes like home. <Diya> ::slightly mulishly:: Heartwing smells like n'inval. <Lisl> ::takes a deep breath and releases it:: So... how're you settling in to woods life, Master Diya? Maharajah? ::gives the strolling bird a respectful nod:: <Lisl> ::cocks an eyebrow:: "N'inval"? Isn't that... a relation of some sort? <Diya> Diya is doing well... he enjoys these woods. Nice and flat. And no bears. Diya doesn't care for bears much. <Michelle> Does anyone want anything before I see what I can do with Lisl's catch? <Lisl> ::laughs:: No, I don't know many who care for bears much. ::her grin turning a touch evil:: Or owlbears, for that matter. ::looking faintly surprised:: You had bears at home? <Diya> ::shakes his head:: Diya spent his summers with his father's family. N'inval... brother, Diya thinks is the word? <Kevil> ::makes a face:: Did you wake when I came to bed last night, n'shava? It was perhaps four hours before dawn. Do you know what time Loria decided to wake me and scold me for being so slugabed? It was not much after dawn, in any case. I feel entitled to a *little* comfort. * Diya gently unties Kevil's hair and runs his fingers through the curls. "Diya thinks it will get better soon... Oriole will soon be too busy listening to the baby within to worry about the ones outside." He grins wickedly. <Lisl> ::grins:: You lads need a husband hut. <Kevil> ::leans into Diya's touch, closing his eyes:: I know. Another month or two... ::opens one eye to peer at Lisl:: A... what? <Michelle> I'll be back in a little while. ::Michelle heads into the kitchen:: <Lisl> A husband hut. ::grins wider:: Or tent, or house, as you will. Some places I've been... when a woman comes to her lying-in, her husband or husbands go elsewhere 'til, oh, a month or two after the babe is born. ::cocks her head to the side, considering:: Tho... the same cultures have a lot tighter-knit communities to offer support to the new family. <Kevil> ::chuckles:: Loria was wonderful when she got to the lying-in stage. It is the first few months, and the last few months, in which she is... a little difficult. For different reasons, and in different ways, of course... <Kevil> ::eyes his glass, then pushes it back across the bar:: Since my husband objects, Lady Michelle, would you be so kind as to give me some of whatever he is drinking? <Lisl> Ah, well. ::grins:: She gets the discomfort. You get to put up with it. Fair trade, aye? <Kevil> ::grins:: Oh, more than fair. I only reserve the right to grumble occasionally. * Diya winces slightly and puts his hand to his side, then grins at Kevil. <Lisl> ::frowns:: You alright, D-- er, Master Diya? * Michelle returns from the kitchen with a tray of battered fish and some tartar sauce. "Did I hear a request for juice Kevil?" <Diya> Diya is just thinking... <Kevil> Yes, please, Lady. <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow at Diya:: What is that, n'shava? * Michelle puts the tray down on the bar, "Help yourselves everyone." Gets a mug and fills it for Kevil, "There you go." <Diya> ::leans over and kisses Kevil's cheek:: Nothing to worry over, heartwing. Diya thinks, though, that Oriole will not be at all happy if heartwing falls down on the doorstep. ::he winks:: <Lisl> ::grins:: 'chelle? Offer Kevil some Mist, why don't you? <Kevil> Thank you, Lady. ::brandishes his mug of juice at Diya, then takes a gulp:: For you, n'shava. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Nah, I'm not that cruel. <Kevil> ::snorts at Lisl:: I have had Mist before, Huntress. I am not so foolish. <Diya> ::laughs:: Diya will make it up and guard heartwing's rest from shrewish wifery. <Kevil> ::chuckles and mumbles something into his mug as he sips again:: <Lisl> ::takes another swallow of kick:: Do you think a visit might help Loria's mood? It's been awhile since I've been by... * Diya spits a mouthful of juice back into his cup and coughs, shaking his head. <Kevil> ::to Lisl:: Certainly, it could not hurt. I know Loria admires you greatly. <Lisl> ::leans over and puts a hand on Diya's arm:: Master Diya? Are you sure you're alright? <Diya> ::coughs again:: Diya is fine... Diya is.. ::snickers:: just amused. <Lisl> Ah. ::shoots Kevil a glance:: I'm going to have to ask Zoya for more language lessons, I think. <Kevil> No need, Lisl. ::smiles into his juice;: <Lisl> ::eyebrows:: You think? You three-- excuse me, soon-to-be-six-- spend enough time shuttling back and forth, I should learn a *bit* more of the tongue. ::makes a face:: Magic just doesn't cut it, long-term. <Jaret> Come over here, Lisl. We'll see if we can remember enough drow between the two of us to have our own conversations. I think I remember the word for foot. And spider. Or, at least one of the words for spider. I think there were several. * Diya grins at Kevil and switches to a harsh language full of glottal stops and long strings of hard consonants. After the liquid tones of Alani, it sounds particularly unpleasant. <Lisl> ::snorts:: There are... ::frowns a moment and counts on her fingers:: twelve that I know of, and drow isn't the sort of thing us surface-dwellers ever learn much of. <Kevil> ::laughs at Diya's comment and nods:: <Lisl> Bah. ::mock-scowls at Diya:: What's the good of sharp ears if the people you're eavesdropping on talk all foreign? <Kevil> ::to Lisl:: Forgive the rudeness, Huntress. But I assure you, the conversation was of interest to none but Diya and myself. <Lisl> ::grins:: I was teasing you, Kevil. Of course it's none of my business, which is part of what makes it so interesting. <Lisl> ::toasts Jaret with her mug and takes another swallow:: * Jaret returns the toast to Lisl. <Lisl> Still and all, I *should* learn more Alani. ::glances speculatively at Jaret:: There're a few things I should look at learning again... <Diya> ::grins:: Diya is quite proud that he has mastered this language. It has many exceptions to rules. This is this way except in these dozen cases. Very confusing. <Kevil> ::grins back at Lisl:: I believe Loria has several of those terrible books written by Temire's friend, if you truly wish to dwell upon such dialogue. <Kevil> ::to Diya:: You have done exceptionally well, n'shava. <Diya> Diya's master with the Rangers would be very surprised. She always said Diya was as bright as a bag of rocks. * Jaret returns the glance to Lisl. "Such as...?" <Lisl> ::wave a hand at Jaret:: Hm... later. <Jaret> ::bowing from the waist:: As the lady desires. <Kevil> ::snorts at Diya's ex-teacher in absentia:: A poor student, when improperly inspired, perhaps, but hardly *dull*... <Diya> ::grins:: Diya is mostly just *lazy*... thinking is hard work. Diya would rather be outside and enjoying the sun. <Lisl> Temire's friend? ::frowns at Kevil:: Not Gloss? <Michelle> Ilarion <Kevil> ::nods to Michelle:: That's the fellow. <Lisl> ::raises her eyebrows:: *Ilarion* has books on Alani? I think I'm... confused... <Kevil> No, he has written books with cloying chat between lovers... As that is what you seem determined to eavesdrop upon... ::grins:: * Diya appears to be considering if Loria will miss one or two chocolates and apparently decides she won't, since he eats one, looking slightly guilty. <Kevil> ::mock-shocked:: *Bad* Diya! * Diya attempts to look mournful around his mouthful of chocolate. <Lisl> ::grins:: 'Specially as he's not sharing with the *rest* of us. ::winks:: <Kevil> Indeed! <Diya> ::small voice:: Diya is sorry. <Kevil> Well, there is nothing for it, d'va? A piece for everyone! ::winks at Diya:: <Lisl> Oh, don't torture the lad, Kevil! * Diya passes around a piece of chocolate for everyone. Including himself. * Michelle giggles and waves a hand, "I will not come between a pregnant woman and her chocolate." <Kevil> ::laughs and shakes his head at Diya:: *Bad* Diya... <Jaret> Thus bought, you have ensured my silence. Complicit in your acts, I stand shoulder to shoulder with you, good sir. ::he eats the chocolate:: <Lisl> ::laughs:: Not that I'm rejecting chocolate. ::accepts the gift and pops it in her mouth with a look of extreme bliss:: Oh, my. You *do* love your wife. * Diya offers Michelle's piece to Kevil. <Kevil> ::takes the chocolate and considers it briefly:: You are forgiven. ::grins and eats the chocolate:: <Diya> ::grins:: Diya does. He spent three days with a silly little painter to get these. <Kevil> Painter? <Diya> ::rolls his eyes:: He wanted to paint wolves... stupid man. But he was afraid of them. Diya had to escort the silly man out to the woods and set up his smelly paints and hope the wolves would happen to just *wander* by where they could be painted. <Kevil> ::laughs:: <Lisl> ::raises her eyebrows:: <Lisl> And... did they "happen" by? ::a smile tugging the corner of her mouth:: <Kevil> ::muttered:: And did Bear 'play' with him? <Diya> ::nods:: Diya helped. Diya didn't think he could deal with the silly man much longer. So Diya left the wolves a few deer. <Lisl> ::laughs:: <Lisl> And? <Kevil> ::chortles and finishes his juice:: <Diya> ::shrugs:: He painted the wolves. After being sick. Diya wonders why. The deers were already *dead*, after all. <Lisl> Sick? ::chortles:: Oh, dear. * Michelle looks out the window, "Last call everyone." <Jaret> I'm fine with this, Michelle, thank you. ::he puts a few silver coins on the bar:: * Diya finishes his juice. "Diya thinks heartwing should carry these -" he indicates the bag of chocolates "-and Diya will carry Maharajah and the birds." <Kevil> ::shoulders his lute and takes the bag of chocolates:: You are a treasure, sunshine. <Lisl> I'm good with this, thanks. <Lisl> ::nods to Diya and Kevil:: Sleep long, my friends. I'll stop by sometime tomorrow... perhaps with more chocolate, if that seems to work. ::grins:: <Michelle> Please, someone take some of the fish home. <Kevil> You need not bring a gift, Lisl. After all, she is not forced to live with *you*... ::grins, and leaves with Diya:: <Lisl> Wrap up a bit for me? ::grins a bit:: The cats can have the rest. Lhynnae would like that. ::she loses a bit of her smile:: <Jaret> Lisl, if you're not busy, walk with me? * Diya grins. "Diya will tell Oriole that her friend is coming by." <Lisl> Busy? After a day like mine, Jaret, walking with you will be a pleasure. <Lisl> ::nods to Diya:: * Diya escorts Kevil from the Hall, balancing birds and falcon easily. * Michelle pulls some paper from beneath the bar and wraps up some of the fish, "There you go Lisl." <Lisl> Thanks, 'chelle. ::takes her package:: At your leisure, Jaret? * Jaret finishes his wine and picks up his hat. "Oh, I would hate to keep you waiting, Lady Ferinsdottir." He heads to the door and holds it open. "After you, please." <Lisl> ::grins:: Aye, but any gift of mine is a gift to you, too. ::half-bows to Kevil:: <Lisl> I'll see you tomorrow, then. 'Night, Michelle. ::drains her mug and precedes Jaret out:: <Michelle> Night everyone. * Michelle starts shooing the dishes into the kitchen. * Michelle takes the left over fish out into the, meowing once before setting it down. <Michelle> ::As Michelle heads back into the Hall to dim the lamps several cats appear out of seemingly nowhere to consume the fish. |
|
|