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* Rhys walks in from the back room, lighting the fire and the wall lamps as he goes. He unlocks the front door with his silver key and a small spark zips out the butt end of the key, down the door, across the floor, and vanishes. Rhys sighs, and opens the door. "Hall's open." * Rhys returns behind the bar. * Tarri enters, her usual small basket on her arm. She smiles brightly at Rhys and takes a seat at the bar. "Good evening, Master Altain! Can I have some hot cider?" * Aeryn arrives shortly afterwards, dressed in his preferred dusty black. Looking in through the door carefully, the ranger stops to lean his long sword against the wall on one side of the door before moving to the bar. "Good evening, Master Rhys, Miss Tarri..." <Rhys> Of course, Miss Mandeil. Might I enquire as to the contents of your basket on this evening? ::he fills a mug with some cider, heats it up with a few stirs of his special spoon, and hands Tarri the mug:: <Rhys> Good evening, Aeryn. I apologize, I can't remember your rank at the moment. Can I get you anything? * Felice walks in and perches on a stool at the bar, "Evening everyone." Her voice sounds unusually flat and dull. <Tarri> Just some things from the clinic... Thank you. ::she takes a sip of her cider and sighs happily:: It had my lunch in it, but I ate it. Fairly close to lunch-time, even. ::She grins, then rummages in her basket and retrieves a notebook and a pencil. She tucks a loose lock of hair behind her ear, and begins reading through some heavily-marked pages, and making additional notes on them.:: <Rhys> Evening, Felice. Is something the matter? Would you care for some cream? And in a glass or saucer? <Aeryn> ::he takes note of Tarri's last name:: Ah...perhaps you could leave the choice up to the house, today? ::he grins slightly at the collection of taps, then glances at the new arrival:: Good evening, Felice. * Felice looks up at Rhys, thinking for a moment, "Cocoa? It's cold and gray outside." <Rhys> Up to the house? You must have made good friends with a priest lately. I'll do my best to weed out anything too toxic or foul that it serves you. * Aeryn blinks. "Well, I *did* take the precaution of asking very, very nicely last time..." <Rhys> ::grinning at Aeryn as he makes Felice up a cup of cocoa according to his personal recipe:: Fortune is fickle, though. It may hold true for you. Or, you may get something that Michelle once identified as 'clamato.' Vile, vile stuff. * Lisl enters, leaning her bowstaff in the corner. Her cheeks are pink and her humor seems high. "Evening, all! Do I smell chocolate, Rhys?" <Aeryn> ::eyes the taps:: Well...perhaps in that case I might be safer with the house specialty... <Tarri> ::glances up with a grin:: Does your nose *ever* deceive you when it comes to chocolate, Lisl? * Rhys is pouring Aeryn a mug of something from the taps. It looks to be a very, very pale yellow, slightly fizzy. "Here you go. It may be a little different, but it's certainly not harmful." <Lisl> Rarely. There was a dark malt in a dwarven brewery that fooled it once... * Felice wraps her hands around her cup, then turns and smiles at Lisl, "Lisl! Are you going to have cocoa?" <Tarri> ::laughs:: <Aeryn> ::takes the mug:: Thank you. ::holding the mug up carefully, he glances at the bottom, then says to the mug:: Well, it does no- doesN'T seem to have eaten a hole in your bottom... ::he takes a cautious sip, then makes a startled face:: <Lisl> If Rhys is so kind as to offer it to me, I will. <Aeryn> ::half-blurted out:: {That is an awful lot of ginger!} <Rhys> Indeed, you would be correct, Lisl. It'll be ready shortly. In the meanwhile, what can I get you? <Lisl> ::with the air of someone having good fortune who chooses to push her luck:: Is there any... ice cream? * Lisl glances sidelong at Aeryn and grins. * Rhys looks vaguely surprised. "Ice cream? Do we have any.... hm. That is a question, isn't it." <Aeryn> ::sips again:: But not unpleasant, once you get over the surprise... ::he perks up at the suggestion of ice cream, recalling the icy strawberry flavour of the last time it was offered:: <Lisl> ::grins wider as she looks back at Rhys:: Aye, it was. * Rhys snaps his fingers, and the short, hairless, noseless blue humanoid that is the lert mopes in from the back room. Rhys is talking to it before it even opens the door. "Go back into the larders, and see what sorts of *ice cream* we have. Be quick about it, too." <Rhys> ::the lert heaves its shoulders in a silent sigh and creeps back into the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind it:: <Tarri> ::raises her eyebrow at Lisl:: *You're* in a good mood. <Lisl> ::grins:: Mother took pity on me and shooed me out of the house to go hunting. * Aeryn glances at both Tarri and Lisl. "Perhaps it was the suggestion of ice cream? Or...chocolate, although that I haven't tasted?" <Tarri> ::gives Aeryn a mock-horrified look:: You haven't tasted *chocolate*? ::she turns her emerald gaze on Rhys with desperate expectation:: * Rhys waves his hand at Tarri. "Chocolate, he'll have a chance at tonight. Fret no longer." <Tarri> ::grins and goes back to her notes:: <Aeryn> ::a crooked eyebrow in Tarri's direction:: It is hardly common in a small Elven village, Miss...Mandeil." <Lisl> ::grins:: And if ever there were an argument for seeing the big city, there it is. <Tarri> ::looks up with a slightly confused blink:: How very formal of you, all of a sudden... Have I offended you, Master Aeryn? <Aeryn> ::to Tarri:: No, not at all--I apologize if it was taken that way, Tarri. ::to Lisl, with a return grin:: The city does have *some* few small advantages over the forest <Rhys> ::the lert slinks back in and mumbles at Rhys:: Thank you. As for ice cream, it turns out we have quantities available of strawberry, vanilla, and something called butter pecan. <Lisl> Oo. Might it be possible for me to acquire a bowl of vanilla with my cocoa, Master Rhys? * Aeryn takes another (small) sip of his very strong ginger ale. "I did get a chance to try the strawberry already...so perhaps I could impose on you for- ::he glances at Lisl, then shrugs:: -some of the vanilla, since that is already on order? <Tarri> ::perks:: Strawberry?! <Rhys> Of course, Lisl. Although if you'd like, I'll let you have it with the chocolate... well, with what I have in the back. ::he starts mixing up some cocoa for Lisl:: * Felice perks up and her tail stars swishing, "Me too please?" Stares at Rhys wide eyed. <Rhys> You too please ice cream now, or ice cream later? * Felice giggles, and nearly rolls off her stool before grabbing the bar for balance, "I meant to do that. And I'll have it with my cocoa please." * Aeryn, having seen that 'I meant to do that' with his own (now-gone) cat, hides a grin. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: "What you have in the back"? * Rhys nods soberly. "I might have been baking a bit." <Aeryn> ::raises an eyebrow with another grin:: Might have? Oh... ::he recalls something:: Ah, Master Rhys--a question? <Lisl> ::eyes lighting up:: Oh... *really*? ::nose twitches:: <Rhys> Yes, Aeryn? What can I do for you? <Aeryn> In theory--if I forgot to pay last week and I paid today for last week, would that sum of money stand any chance of remaining in the strongbox? <Rhys> It might, lad. It might. Only one way to find out, though, I suppose. * Lisl frowns suspiciously in the direction of the kitchen and scratches her cheek idly. <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: You know... lunch was a *long* time ago, and 'Lann's working a late shift tonight, so dinner's a ways off... If I said "please" very nicely, Master Rhys, is there any chance you might be willing to share the fruits of your labors? Or pies, or... whatever they are? ::her eyes sparkle merrily:: * Aeryn frowns at Rhys for a moment, then removes a gold piece and examines it very well before passing it over. "I do not know who was waiting on the bar, but Jaret provided an excellent glass of wine and the taps were cooperative enough to give a mug of the house special." * Rhys grins. "Of course. I don't know how much longer I can stand here and not bring it out, anyway." Rhys disappears back into the kitchen and brings back out a tall, round chocolate cake, covered with tan icing. The mouth-watering scent of the warm cake suddenly envelops the whole room. <Rhys> Now, I think some people also wanted ice cream? <Aeryn> ::sniffs the heavenly aroma:: I don't believe I've smelled that before--but how nicely would I have to ask to try some? ::he raises a hand:: Aye, would a small amount of vanilla be possible? <Lisl> Oh... gods... ::eyes going round as she licks her lips:: If there's a deity of chocolate, d'you think Aerdrie might forgive me for wanting to convert? <Rhys> Master Aeryn, as you haven't had chocolate before, you don't even have to ask, you're automatically served a slice. ::the lert totters out of the kitchen carrying small towers of plates and bowls and forks and spoons, and begins to put the crockery on the bar one stack at a time:: * Rhys starts slicing generous pieces of the German chocolate cake and passing them out to everyone. * Aeryn grins over at Lisl. "Would that not likely be Sune Firehair, of the humans? And-" He inhales again. "Were Aerdrie to enter and smell this, perhaps she would consider adding it to the birds she keeps..." <Tarri> Oohhhh.... ::draws in a deep, appreciative breath:: To go with that, I think I'd have to change my ice cream order... Maybe I'll try that butter pecan. <Lisl> Chocolate birds? H'm. ::considers:: Sounds like something from a Greengrass festival... * Rhys sends the lert back to the kitchen with an empty bowl, and the lert returns with a bowl of butter pecan ice cream, which Rhys gives to Tarri. "I believe you requested vanilla, Miss Ferinsdottir?" <Lisl> I did. ::staring wide-eyed at her slab of cake:: And cocoa, please. <Tarri> Thank you. ::she nods to the lert as well as to Rhys, then picks up a spoon to sample her prize:: Oh... This is really very good. ::she begins alternating ice cream and cake, in tiny, savoring bites:: * Aeryn takes a small bit of the cake with his spoon and puts it carefully into his mouth. Both his slim eyebrows try their best to meet his hair. {"Wow..."} * Lisl watches Aeryn, and grins. <Aeryn> ::to Lisl, eyes still wide as he takes a larger bit:: {Yes, She would!} * Lisl laughs. * Rhys sends the lert off for ice cream, and after it returns, he places the bowl, fork, and spoon near Lisl, and then gives her some space. <Rhys> ::and a cup of cocoa:: * Lisl rubs her hands together, and takes a deep breath before diving in with the studied intensity of, well, of a wolf stripping the carcass of an elk. * Aeryn sets in on his chocolate cake, not even noticing that he's been shorted ice cream. * Felice grins at Lisl's performance, and then attempts to keep pace. * Rhys cuts a slice of cake for himself, and sends the lert back for some butter pecan ice cream. "Aeryn? Did you want any ice cream with that cake?" <Aeryn> ::blinks and looks up:: {Oh, right...} Does it spoil the...chocolate? Or do they go well together? * Lisl pushes her empty, suspiciously clean bowls back and wipes her very messy face. "They go quite well together. Ahhh." <Rhys> Cake and ice cream are a delightful pairing. <Tarri> ::gives Lisl an amused look, her own dessert only half-finished:: <Aeryn> Then aye, if you would be so kind? ::he looks at a plate now empty of anything but chocolate smear:: I shall need a little more cake, though. <Lisl> Er... Rhys, might I trouble you for a washcloth? * Rhys finds a clean, damp cloth under the counter, and presents it formally to Lisl. <Lisl> Thanks. ::blushes faintly and goes to work on her frightfully chocolatey face... and neck... and fingers... and perhaps a bit in the hair...:: <Aeryn> ::while he's waiting for his ice cream, he gets a look at Lisl...but doesn't say anything. At all:: * Aeryn snares another piece of cake. * Lisl finishes and briefly considers licking the washcloth, but thinks better of it. * Tarri finally finishes hers, and pushes plate and bowl away with a happy sigh. "That was marvelous, Master Rhys. Thank you!" <Rhys> You're very welcome, Miss Mandeil. * Lisl folds the filthy washcloth neatly and places it in her empty bowl. "Yes, thank you, Rhys. I owe you a steak for that. A big one." * Tarri sits still for a long moment, basking in the chocolate-glow, and then picks up her notebook again. "Hmm... Lisl, the next time you go out, could you keep your eyes open for blueroot bushes?" * Aeryn finishes off his second piece of chocolate cake and nods his agreement. "Now that I have tasted chocolate I shall have to give some serious thought...thank you for this very welcome introduction, Rhys!" <Rhys> Well, it'll have to wait for a bit. I'm afraid I have some bad news. We're going to have to close up for a few months or so, while a some problems with the Hall are worked out. <Rhys> You're very welcome, Master Aeryn. <Lisl> Close? But... didn't they fix all the surge problems? <Aeryn> Closing? ::he blinks:: But I just got back on leave! <Lisl> Blueroot? ::frowns in thought:: You wouldn't know the elvish name for them, would you? Or could you describe them for me? <Aeryn> ::glances at Lisl:: 'Surge' problems? * Felice finishes her ice cream and looks questioningly at Rhys over her cocoa. <Tarri> ::looks back at Rhys:: Really? But- ::she looks around, as if seeking the flaw, then sighs:: That's too bad. But it's just for a couple of months? <Tarri> ::to Lisl:: I don't know the elvish name. Hang on... ::she starts sketching in a miraculously-blank corner of one page:: <Rhys> It should just be for a few months. War Wizard Penyl came to us late last week with some concerns about the design she'd concocted to quell the wild magic in the Hall. Essentially, the captured magic isn't being dispersed as quickly as it's gathered in, so until that's fixed, the risk of... incidents... will become higher and higher, until the Hall isn't safe again. <Tarri> Oh. ::gives Rhys a slightly wide-eyed look, then looks around again, as if wondering whether something is going to explode:: <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: "Incidents"? ::shudders a little:: Right. Maybe a little vacation isn't so bad... <Aeryn> Um. ::he recalls the only "incident" that he was in town for that left half of his clothes in impressive (and irreversible) states of disrepair:: Aye. <Lisl> Well... ::considers:: Maybe just as well... few things I could get done out of town, in the meantime. ::mutters under her breath:: When Mother leaves... * Felice giggles. <Tarri> And the clinic's just starting to really take off, so... ::she sighs:: I'll miss the place, though. Someone'll let us know, won't they, Master Rhys, when it's ready to open again? <Rhys> We'll let everyone know, yes. Don't you worry. * Aeryn finishes his ginger ale with-extra-ginger. "Oh, aye...Tarri, I had not yet the opportunity to congratulate you on that." <Felice> ::Felice's ears twitch and she turns her head as if looking for something.:: <Tarri> ::smiles at Aeryn:: Thank you, Master Aeryn. <Aeryn> ::setting his mug down, he gives it a gentle urge in the direction of the kitchen upon which it finally sprouts its legs and toddles off:: Most welcome. I do not suppose my friend Rhode transferred his custom? <Lisl> ::glances at Felice, and then frowns herself, glancing at the floor:: <Tarri> Rhode...? ::she flips quickly through her notebook:: I haven't had any patients with that name, Master Aeryn, but perhaps your friend simply hasn't been in need of a healer for the last month or so. I haven't been open all that long. ::she grins:: Feel free to recommend me to him, if you like. <Rhys> Rhode... Rhode... Rhode... captain in the guard, eh? I'm afraid I don't recall him ever visiting. <Lisl> Er... Rhys? Have you noticed if any... um... former denizens of the Hall returned? <Rhys> Hm? I'm sorry, Lisl, I don't think so. The rooms upstairs are, as far as I'm aware, unoccupied. * Felice begins sniffing the air tentatively. * Lisl ::narrowing her eyes, her nose twitching:: No, not *that* kind of denizen. I meant more the vermin kind. * Rhys drums his fingers once on the bar top, bushy eyebrows starting to pull down towards his nose. "I hadn't noticed. Praytell, have we old visitors back among us?" <Aeryn> Captain, aye, but not of the Dragons. He works primarily with caravan guards ::nods to Rhys before glancing at Felice and Lisl:: Vermin? <Lisl> I... ::glances at Felice sniffing the air:: ...I suspect so. I thought I... heard something, just a moment ago. * Felice silently drops off her stool and on to all fours. Crouching low to the ground Felice starts creeping towards the end of the bar. <Aeryn> ::muttered, as he watches Felice:: {Mice?} <Lisl> Oh dear... um... Felice? You might want to keep in mind what *created* that mouse, if it's the one I think it is... <Felice> It's funny girl's mouse. <Aeryn> Funny girl? <Rhys> Yb. <Lisl> ::shakes her head and mutters an imprecation that sounds a lot like "cats":: <Aeryn> ...ib? ::looks at Rhys:: Is that someone's name? <Tarri> ::looks more than slightly worried, and starts packing up her notebook:: Yes, well... I should be going. Wouldn't want Orlann to worry. You all know where to find us, if you'd like to visit sometime. More than welcome, any of you. <Felice> ::reaching the end of the bar Felice look around it's edge, then hunkers down, apparently preparing to leap on something. <Felice> :: <Rhys> She was... is a wild mage of immense talent, but as whimsical and capricious as spring weather. Talking to her was like trying to reason with a thunderstorm. <Lisl> Aye. Good night, Tarri, sleep sweet. <Rhys> Good night, Miss Mandeil. Safe journey home. Wish the lieutenant our best. <Felice> ::absently:: Night Tarri. I'll bring the mouse over to play later if you want. * Tarri scoops her basket up and waves to everyone before heading out into the night. "I will! Good night!" Tarri left the chat room. * Aeryn reaches into his pouch and slides two more gold pieces across. "Goodnight, Tarri." As he listens to Rhys, he watches Felice. "And...currently, you have some device that...dampens? suppresses? wild magic within here?" <Lisl> She was the incarnation of chaos for awhile on another plane. Felice, *try* to be careful. At least... don't swallow it. ::mutters:: Or let it eat you.... <Aeryn> ::raises eyebrow at Lisl:: {Or let it eat her? Goddess blessed, what kind of mice are you talking of?} * Felice pounces and a red and blue blur raises into the common room, weaving underneath tables and chairs. <Rhys> There are some metal rings encircling the Hall that were theorized and developed on a small scale by War Wizardress Penyl, and enacted, constructed, and put into place on the Hall by our own talented Archpriestess Zoya Natovna. <Lisl> ::glances at Aeryn:: It's... not a mouse, exactly. I mean, it *looks* like a mouse. Well, if a mouse were purple and orange. But... I think it's sort of... Yb's leftovers. * Felice chases after the blur, upsetting a few chairs in her haste. The blur darts under one of the heavier chairs by the fire and comes to a stop. * Aeryn watches the red-and-blue streak. "Well...it is not purple or orange." Fishing a dagger from one boot, he considers a throw. <Lisl> ::mutters:: I did mention the "chaos" part, didn't I? * Felice races over to the chair and starts swiping at the mouse underneath it. The mouse shoots out on the other side of the chair, and Felice leaps over the chair to continue the chase. <Rhys> Probably best for everyone to say their partings, and head home for the night soon. Good night, everyone. <Aeryn> Should I perhaps *not* throw this, then? <Lisl> I'm thinking so. ::eyeing the small thing under the chair warily:: * Felice chases the mouse towards a corner. At the last moment the mouse vanishes in a puff and smoke and Felice barrels face first into the wall. <Lisl> I'd advise not, no. G'night, Rhys, have a good vacation. And thanks again for the cake. ::flips a gold piece from her pocket onto the counter:: * Lisl stuffs a few knuckles into her mouth to stifle a snort of laughter. * Rhys collects the plethora of gold coins on the counter and deposits them (for the moment at least) into the lockbox. * Felice sits on her bum and rubs her nose, "Ow. My nobe." <Rhys> I'll get you some ice for that, Felice, if you want. <Aeryn> ::winces at the collision as he tucks the dagger away again:: Are you alright, Felice? * Felice goes cross eyed trying to examine the extent of her injury. <Lisl> And now my night is complete... I bid you all a sweet sleep. ::grinning as she gathers up her bowstaff and saunters out:: Lisl left the chat room. * Felice shakes her head and smiles at Rhys before pouncing up to her feet. "Nah Rhys, I'm alright. It's going to be fun having Mr. Mousy back in town." Felice heads on out the door. <Aeryn> {That is one rather odd lady,} ::he comments as he too stands, eyeing his coins:: A goodnight to you then, Master Rhys--and my thanks for the introduction. <Rhys> My pleasure, Aeryn. I hope you're still on leave when we reopen. Felice left the chat room. <Aeryn> So do I, Rhys. ::Gathering up his blade, he heads out:: Until then. Aeryn left the chat room. * Rhys closes and locks the door behind Aeryn. Instead of heading into the kitchen, he sits down in one of the chairs near the fire, leans back, and quietly sighs. |
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