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* Rhys comes in from the back room, and lights the fireplace with a quiet chant and scattering a violet powder on the logs in the hearth. Soon the logs are snapping and popping, and a steady warmth radiates through the room. He makes his way to the door and unlocks it. "Hall's open." He returns behind the bar, as the smell of baking sweet bread drifts through the room. * Tarri comes in with her usual basket, a cloth draped over its top. She draws a deep breath as she crosses to the bar. "Mmm... That smells wonderful, Master Rhys... Any chance it'll be done before closing time? Or is it for your breakfast tomorrow?" She smiles at him and perches on a stool. <Rhys> Oh, it should be done shortly. Hopefully after I've served everyone their first requests of the night. Can I get you anything? <Tarri> Mmm... Hot cider, with a little nutmeg? <Rhys> Of course. ::he begins making the cider:: How have you been lately? Busy? <Tarri> Pretty busy, yes... The clinic hasn't really taken off yet, but there's still plenty to do with getting settled in. And with winter closing in, I'm sure it won't be long before I have more work than I know what to do with. <Rhys> ::nodding as he sets the steaming mug of cider in front of Tarri:: First frost should be coming soon, too. * Winnie walks in, wearing a lavender wool dress. She holds a long, thick shawl over her shoulders and hair. "Brrrrrr. Chilly, what?" <Tarri> ::nods:: I know... I promised Master Bran I'd go see him this week and help him pot some of his more delicate herbs. <Tarri> ::glances over her shoulder, then does a double-take:: Winnie?! <Rhys> Quite, lady. We were just talking how the first frost couldn't be far away. I am Rhys Altain, barkeep. Can I get you anything to drink? I've bread in the oven, it should be out in ten minutes or so. <Winnie> Tarri, doll? Ah, it's good to see you again, lass. Didn't know I'd be seein' you here. Have somethin' for you, back at Sissy's place, if you want to stop by later and see me and Ma. And Sissy, of course'll, be glad of company. * Temire walks in wearing her usual breeches and shirt, her sword at her side, and her blue cloak wrapped around her, "'Evening everyone." * Temire looks at Winnie and Tarri, clearly trying to place Winnie. At the same time Temire removes her cloak and hangs it on a peg. <Tarri> Sissy's- Loria's? You and your mother are visiting Loria? ::looks quite surprised:: <Winnie> ::nods:: We came up... week before last. <Temire> ::The light of recognition ignites in Temire's eyes and with a smile she heads for the bar:: I'll pay for Winnie's drink tonight Rhys. <Rhys> I won't be the one to argue with you, Miss Temire. What would you like for yourself? <Tarri> Week before last? ::pauses:: Isn't that an... awfully long visit? <Temire> Hmm... Do you have an... I think it was called Armidilo or something like that? <Winnie> ::lights up:: Why, thank you, Miss... um. Hang on, don't tell me. I have a terrible time with... Ah, yes. Mira. The Blessed Mother's dear friend. I thank you for your courtesy. * Temire gives Winnie a smile, "You're quite welcome." <Winnie> ::looks at Rhys:: You know, I think I... didn't you dance with my baby sister at Vallel's wedding? * Temire chuckles, "I'd forgotten about that." * Rhys looks dubiously at Temire. "An armadillo?" To Wynnsra, "Aye, I think... the one who caught the bouquet? I apologize, I've gone and lost her name. My, that brings back the memories." <Temire> Something like that. Michelle introduced me to it at some point. Dark brown, kind of syrupy, nice smell. ::gestures vaguely as if she could conjure one up:: <Tarri> ::laughs:: I've got a drawing tincture that matches that description, Mira. Maybe you should refine it a little. <Winnie> ::shakes her head with a wry grin:: You don't look a day older, I swear to the Mother. Her name's Polla. Lately, always and still infatuated with that red-headed idiot friend of my brother's. <Rhys> Could it be amaretto, Miss Temire? * Temire snaps her fingers, "That's it!" Temire turns and sticks her tongue out at Tarri, "Rhys knew what I was talking about." <Tarri> ::grins at Temire:: He's the expert. <Rhys> Amaretto, we have, Temire. Would you like it served with or without ice? <Winnie> Could I get a meade, then? While you're drawing up something for Miss Mira. * Temire cocks her head, thinking for a moment, "With please." * Rhys pours a mug of meade for Winnie and sets it on the counter. When he turns to go to the kitchen to get the ice for Temire's drink, the mug opens its 'eyes' at winks slyly at Winnie. Winnie was promoted to operator by you. * Winnie jumps slightly. "Eep." * Temire pats the mug, "Now you be good and don't go startling Winnie. It's her first time here after all. * Rhys comes back, carrying a rocks glass with three ice cubes in it. He counts up and down and across and over a few taps before settling on one that issues forth a slow trickle of an aromatic, amber liquid. "Here you are, Temire." * Temire smiles as she accepts the glass, "Thank you Rhys." <Winnie> ::gingerly:: Do they bite? * Temire looks at Rhys, "I've never heard of them biting?" * Tarri obviously considers a smart-alec response, then grins and shakes her head. "No. They're very friendly." <Rhys> No, they don't bite. They do, however, sometimes get too big for their britches, and think they're funny when they're *not*. ::he leans over:: Be good. * Winnie picks up the mug, almost with the tips of her fingers. "Um, sure..." * Lisl stalks in, followed by what can only be described as "dust bunnies"-- in this case, mouse-sized, bunny-shaped animations of accumulated dust, fuzz, and dog hair, such as one might find under a bed. <Tarri> ::cradles her cider in her hands and sighs:: Ah, there's nothing like- ::looks around as Lisl enters:: Um... Lisl? * Temire blinks at Lisl's interest as she takes a sip of her drink, "This is going to make an interesting story." * Lisl stops in the doorway, takes a deliberate step forward, and looks behind her. As the dust bunnies pause on the threshold with her and then gleefully hop after her when she moves, she heaves a huge sigh. <Tarri> What... are... those? <Lisl> ::through clenched teeth:: Dust bunnies. * Winnie eeps again and drops her mug a few inches to the bartop. The mug, crossing its eyes and sticking out its tongue, grows legs to keep from bouncing too hard and begins to shake a tiny fist at Winnie. <Tarri> Um... Sure. What were you doing, helping Lady Natovna clean out the Tower? * Rhys reaches out and taps the mug on the back of the 'head'. "Now be nice. She's having a startling night." <Lisl> ::is shaken briefly from her funk to gape at Tarri:: Do you really think I'm *that* crazy? <Tarri> ::grins:: Now that you mention it... So where *did* you find them? * Temire laughs and raises her glass to Lisl in a mock toast. <Lisl> No, I *wish* that were it. ::glances at Rhys:: Not wild magic, so the Hall's wards didn't stop them, right? * Temire grins, "Your mother visit?" <Rhys> ::looking askance at Lisl's heel-nippers:: I believe so, Miss Ferinsdottir. What have you been... ::he sniffs carefully:: ... has your mother been to visit, perhaps? <Lisl> Give the young lady a drink on me, Rhys, she got it in one. Well, two. And 'kick for me, if you will. * Temire toasts Lisl again before descending into giggles. <Lisl> Mother dropped in for a visit unexpectedly today. What am I saying? It's *always* unexpected. She was, shall we say, less than amused at the current state of my housekeeping. ::plaintively:: It's the autumn hunt. How does she expect me to stock in and dust at the same time? <Tarri> ::laughs:: You could hire someone to clean for you, you know. * Rhys fishes one of the stone mugs out from under the bar, and decants some of Xarroch's foul brew into it, setting it near Lisl, away from Winnie. "Miss Ferinsdottir, you may remember Wynnsra duNache? Miss duNache, Lisl Ferinsdottir." * Temire giggles, "Why hire someone, it looks like her mother does it for her." * Winnie sighs. "Um... Nice to meet you?" <Lisl> Have a total stranger in my house when I'm not home? No, I don't think so. ::sheepishly, glancing around at the bouncy little dust bunnies:: I'd have gotten to it eventually. S'why they call it "spring cleaning" after all. ::accepts her mug and nods to Winnie:: You're... the other one, aye? The... ::makes a face, and looks even more sheepish:: ...the nice one? Sorry, I'm usually better mannered than this. <Tarri> ::highly amused:: Besides, there's always some excuse, isn't there, Lisl? ::her voice takes on faint overtones of Lisl's accent:: The autumn hunt. Winter hunting takes longer because game is scarce. Have to re-stock again in the spring, can't clean *then.* But summer is the busiest hunting season! <Lisl> ::glances sidelong at Tarri:: Don't hunt in the spring, when things are breeding. Too dangerous. ::grins:: I do wildcraft then, though. ::sniffs:: *And* clean. * Temire giggles some more at Tarri's commentary. <Tarri> ::giggles:: The nice one? As opposed to the boy-crazy one, or the cast-iron- ::censors herself with a sidelong look at Winnie, but still looks amused:: <Winnie> ::snorts:: I know my sisters at least as well as anyone else. ::she twitches her mouth up at the corner and picks the mug up again:: Now, you be still, so I can have a drink? <Lisl> ::grins:: Well, you have a sense of humor, and you're drinking here, so you must be the nice one. ::holds out a hand:: Lisl Ferinsdottir. Call me Lisl. Er... pardon my dust. <Temire> ::Temire had just gotten her giggles under control when Lisl's comment sets her off again:: * Rhys quietly excuses himself and comes back in a few minutes from the kitchen with a cooling loaf of cinnamon raisin bread on a board, along with a serrated knife and two crocks of butter. "Now, it could use a bit more to cool, but when it's ready, would anyone like a slice?" <Tarri> Ooh, yes, please! And... would it be greedy of me to ask for a slice to take home for 'Lann? <Rhys> Not at all, Miss Mandeil. I'll wrap it up when you're ready to depart. * Lisl shakes her head, glancing at Tarri, and takes a deep swallow of her 'kick. <Lisl> I'd take a bit too, Rhys, if you will. <Winnie> Lisl? Oh! ::nearly drops the mug again:: I remember you! Oh, goddess sakes alive! You were ... oh! ::she bows hastily:: Very sorry, I'm not usually such a scattered brained fool. But seriously. You were there! At the Ascension! * Temire finally manages to get her giggles under control and has another sip of her drink. "Sorry Lisl... I don't know why... I found that... so funny..." <Lisl> ::looking alarmed:: No need for that, now. ::grins:: You were there too, aye? <Winnie> ::awed enough at Lisl to ignore the playful mug, she takes a sip of meade:: Well, actually, I didn't see it. I was trying to get the children under cover. * Rhys fans a napkin at the bread until he decides it's cooled enough, and cuts off slices for Lisl and Tarri, serving the slices on small ceramic plates. * Tarri smears butter liberally on her still-hot bread, and juggles it lightly from hand to hand while nibbling at the crust. <Lisl> Aye, well... ::looking faintly embarrassed:: She was mortal enough when I got to know her, and she's been a friend for some time now. I was just... helping out a friend. ::shrugs:: <Winnie> ::touches Lisl's arm:: Your name is in the Book. A very good friend, I imagine. * Lisl sets the mug to one side and reaches for her slice of bread, buttering it on the plate as she glances sidelong at Winnie. "The Book? You mean the thing with the duc-- er, that is... um... never mind." She scowls at her dustbunnies, and covertly drops a couple of crumbs on the floor for them. <Tarri> ::eyes Lisl, then cautiously interjects,:: Winnie, did you say you had something for me at Loria's? And what *did* bring you to Marsember, anyhow? I thought usually you waited for Loria and... her family to visit Khymrych? * Temire shakes her head, "That was a really weird time." <Winnie> ::nods to Tarri:: There's a package from your father. And I made you an afghan. And Polla sent some lace up - your Da said you have a new beau and you know how Polla is... it's wedding lace. You don't have to use it, if you don't want. <Tarri> Oh! ::blushes faintly, then smiles:: Polla's making lace, now? I'm sure I'll find *some* use for it. Wouldn't do to have a gift go neglected... And another afghan will be nice - my place gets pretty chilly in the winter. <Winnie> ::continues on:: And Loria asked us to come. She's... not having an easy pregnancy. She wanted Ma and I to come stay, for a while. <Tarri> Oh, dear! ::her green eyes widen:: I didn't know that! The last time I visited, she seemed fine - grouchy at Master Talarin for fretting too much, but otherwise... Is everything all right? <Winnie> ::hesitates, then nods a bit:: She's... well, she's as good as she can be. We've got her staying in bed, so she doesn't labor too early. <Tarri> That serious? ::bites her lip:: I'll be sure to come 'round for a visit soon, then. Bedrest is going to make her crazy, I'm sure. <Lisl> ::frowns and shakes her head:: Make 'em all crazy... Aerdrie. With Loria flat on her back, those two must be fidgeting around like worried pigeons. <Winnie> ::makes a half-smile:: *Tell* me about it. Ma's about to take that mouthy red-head and beat him to death with a broom. <Tarri> ::puts her hands over her mouth and giggles:: <Lisl> ::raising her eyebrows:: Master Ranger Diya? ::snorts:: I'll stop by and take them hunting. Kevil too, if he likes. * Temire chuckles, "Lisl, maybe you should drag me over there so Master Diya can give me another hunting lesson." <Lisl> ::grins:: Sure, come along, Temire. The more the merrier. <Tarri> ::chuckles:: And *I'll* visit Loria. Bring her some cookies, maybe... ::looks at Winnie:: Restricted diet, at all? <Winnie> ::shakes her head:: Nothing spicy or that'll give her a stomach upset, but I don't think a cookie will hurt anything. <Tarri> ::nods:: I know the drill, then. I'll bring her some treats. ::winks:: Something she won't have to share with everyone else. <Lisl> ::grins:: I'll spend time with Loria, too. But can't hurt to spread out the visits a bit, and I'm sure getting her worried husbands out from underfoot will do the lot of them good. <Winnie> Uff... don't use that word around Ma, would you? She keeps referring to that... chatterbox as... as Loria's *friend*. <Tarri> ::smiles a little weakly at Lisl's cavalier reference to Loria's unorthodox marriage:: Yes, probably. The midwife who trained me rather strongly implied that husbands were often more of a problem than the birthing itself. <Lisl> ::snorts:: No worse than "wives"-- and that's one we've got on this continent. Least this one's mutual. But aye, I'll do my best to keep from... stirring up sleeping dogs. ::smiles and takes a large bite of cinnamon bread:: <Tarri> I'm sure Ma duNache wouldn't approve of "wives" either, Lisl... * Temire sips her drink, "So how many husbands has the Blessed Mother had?" <Winnie> Um... six. Or eight, depending on how you count them. One at a time, though. ::shakes her head:: Don't argue with Ma, hmmm? I'm not sure I'm that happy about it either, but it's Loria's choice, not Ma's. I just don't want to be nursing them *both*. * Temire nods, "Fair enough. I can certainly understand wanting to keep peace in your family." <Tarri> You have to admit, Temire, it's a little... weird. I *like* Master Diya, he's really nice. And the Blessed Mother gave them her blessing, so... ::she shrugs and grins:: It's just a little strange. <Temire> ::nods:: Oh believe me, I agree with you wholeheartedly. But I also admire Loria for being able to tell the host culture what they could do with their opinions. <Tarri> ::nods:: She's much stronger than I could be... ::to Winnie:: In more ways than one, I'm sure. Ooh! ::snaps her fingers:: I should bring her some books. <Lisl> ::takes another swallow of 'kick:: Just different, is all. That's the price of having family. ::grins:: You're expected to put up with them when they go all cockeyed. <Tarri> ::glances pointedly at Lisl's following of bunnies:: Like mothers? <Lisl> ::grins:: Well... to be fair, she's got *me* for a daughter. <Winnie> ::finishes off her meade:: Ma's old. She doesn't want to change her mind about anything. Not with Da' gone and all. ::sighs:: I'm just glad she wanted to come out and see Lori. <Tarri> ::solemnly:: A trial, to be sure. <Lisl> Ha. I hear that... ::mutters:: Not that that stops anyone... <Tarri> ::to Winnie:: Oh, of course she did... If not Lori, then at *least* the twins... ::grins:: Those two are adorable enough to melt a legion of old ladies' hearts. <Tarri> ::finishes off her cider:: Master Rhys, how about an extra slice or two of bread to take with me? <Lisl> ::takes another swallow of 'kick and mutters into it again:: And then eat them, no doubt... <Tarri> ::gives Lisl a wounded look:: For Orlann! <Lisl> ::blinks at Tarri:: ....oh. Pay me no mind, Tarri, I didn't mean you. <Rhys> Two, since there's still plenty. ::he cuts off two thick slices of bread and wraps them in a napkin:: I'm sorry it won't be warm for him, though. <Tarri> ::to Winnie:: Maybe I'll bring Orlann 'round and introduce him to your Ma... I'm sure she'll love him. He's very polite. <Winnie> ::nods:: That'd be nice, Tarri. Ma's not been very happy with the city. <Tarri> Thank you, Master Rhys... I'll heat them up a little in the oven... Not quite the same as fresh-baked, of course, but it'll help the butter melt. ::she smiles as she tucks the bread into her basket:: <Lisl> ::grins:: Wretched hive of scum and villainy that it is? <Tarri> ::nods:: It took me a long time to get used to the city. <Rhys> I suppose that's last call, gentles. Anyone like anything for the road? <Winnie> puts the mug down. "Could I take some back for Ma, as well?" <Lisl> I'd take a slice, too, Rhys, for Mother. She likes your baking. Maybe then she'll dispel my... entourage. <Tarri> pushes her mug with its last few swallows of cooled cider across the bar. "No more for me, thank you, Master Rhys." She pulls a couple of silver coins from her pocket and sets them on the bar. * Rhys cuts off a slice for Lisl, and wraps it in a napkin. "Don't forget to say please." * Temire finishes off her drink, "I'm fine Rhys." <Tarri> Good night, everyone. Winnie, please tell Loria I'll be over to visit with her, um... ::her eyes roll up slightly as she consults an internal schedule:: I think I can come tomorrow evening, actually. <Lisl> ::grins, and glances down at her dust bunnies again, taking a second look:: Hey... the crumbs are gone. Hm. <Rhys> Good night, Miss Mandeil. Say hello to the Lieutenant for us. <Temire> Night Tarri. <Rhys> Crumbs? ::his eyebrows pull down:: You didn't deliberately make a mess on my floor, did you, Miss Ferinsdottir? <Tarri> I will! Thanks again! ::She waves, picks up her basket, and heads out into the night:: * Lisl gets up and walks over to the fireplace, bending a bit to half-step inside it before stepping out again. The dust bunnies follow, and leave an ash-free path in their wake. Lisl grins. * Winnie takes the nub end of the bread. "Thank you, very much. Master Rhys. Mira, for the drink, thank you." <Lisl> ::looking shamefaced:: Well... I was just... in case they were hungry. I was going to sweep, if they didn't eat them. But look! They clean! * Winnie leaves the Hall, leaving a wide berth between her and Lisl's... um... whatevertheyares. * Temire smiles, "Give my best to Loria and the others when you get home." <Rhys> Good night, Miss Ferinsdottir. Give my best to your mother. <Lisl> Fair meeting, Winnie. See you in a day or two. Night, all, sleep sweet. <Rhys> Good night, Miss Temire. Safe journey home. * Temire stands and drops some coins on the bar, "There you are Rhys." * Rhys sweeps up all the coins with his hand, and deposits them in the strongbox. <Lisl> ::grins at Rhys and flips him a gold coin, gathering up her bread slice:: Will do. And then, me and the girls here are going to go cleaning. * Lisl saunters out in far better mood than when she entered. <Temire> Night Lisl, tell your mother I'll be by later. ::heads towards the door and retrieves her cloak before leaving:: * Rhys follows Temire to the door and locks it behind her. He squints at the floor by Lisl's stool. "She's probably just playing games with me..." He banks the fire down with a poker, and heads back into the kitchen. |
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