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* Rhys unlocks the front (side) door to the Hall with his silver key, and returns back behind the bar. A large block of ice rests in a bucket behind the bar, with a shaving knife nearby. "Hall's open!" * Tarri opens the door tentatively, and her face lights as she sees the lights lit and Rhys behind the counter. "Master Altain! You're open!" She comes fully into the Hall and takes a seat at the bar, tucking her basket on the floor between her feet. <Rhys> Indeed we are, Miss Mandeil. What can I get for you? Have you been well? <Tarri> Very very busy, but quite well indeed. I'll have, oh... ::she eyes the block of ice:: Chilled cider? <Rhys> ::he looks carefully at her:: It is still... Miss Mandeil, is it not? I had hoped I'd have heard if there had been developments. * Felice walks in a spring in her step and twirls a few times before finally jumping up onto one of the stools in her usual crouched posture. "OOO!!! Shaved Ice?!?! Can I have some Rhys, can I, can I, can I?!?" * Myra approaches the Hall and looks at it curiously for a moment before going to the door. She tentatively pushes it open and looks in. Seeing Tarri at the bar she looks slightly more relaxed and she heads in. She's dressed in various shades of blue, having shed her uniform for the day. <Tarri> Oh... Yes, you'd have heard, certainly! ::she bites her lip in brief embarrassment, and then smiles:: <Rhys> Chilled cider for the lady. ::he hefts up the knife, shaves off some pieces of ice into Tarri's mug, which he then fills with cider.:: Of course you may, Felice, but if you remember the magic word, you'll get it quicker. * Candra pushes the door open and looks around. She carries a pack over one shoulder and on the other perches a small pseudodragon, its tail curled around her neck. <Tarri> Thank you, Master Altain. ::she smiles and takes a grateful drink from the mug:: * Myra moves to the bar. "Hello Tarri." She settles onto a stool next to the girl. * Rhys nods to Myra as she enters. "Welcome to the Meade Hall, Miss. I'm Rhys Altain, barkeep. Please let me know whatever I can get for you." <Myra> ::smiles to Rhys:: Myra. Nice to meet you. Perhaps...::she looks thoughtful:: an ale? * Felice twists on her stool, her head looking like it's either going to snap off or flip completely over, "PLEASE?!?!" <Tarri> ::greets Myra with a smile:: Good evening, Private Myra! How've you been? <Tarri> ::gives Felice's enthusiasm a quick grin:: How're you going to eat it if your head's all upside-down like that, Felice? * Rhys pours Myra a mug of ale. "Here you are. Do enjoy." He smiles and chuckles at Felice. "Yes, you may. Just a moment. Good evening, Miss," he says to Candra. "What can I get you? <Myra> "I am well, thank you." She nods to Rhys and takes a sip of the ale. * Rhys gets a small bowl and starts to shave off ice for Felice. "I'm afraid the only flavoring I was able to get was lemon. I hope you don't mind." <Candra> ::looks around:: Drat that man... ::she looks up and gives Rhys a sweet smile:: Well, if you don't have Malkier up your sleeve, and I suspect you don't, then I'd be delighted to drink some of his wine. * Felice resumes her usually posture, but bounces on her stool all the same as she claps her hands once. "Yay! I was going to ask for lemon!" * Myra give Felice a curious glance and then looks back to Tarri. "How are you?" <Rhys> I can barely express how fortunate I am to have unpopulated sleeves, especially of that sort. And you're most welcome to his wine. We've got cases of the stuff, it seems. ::he fetches a bottle of Arabellan Red with a yellowing label and pours Candra a glass of it:: Feel free to take the bottle with you if you don't finish it by closing time. * Rhys puts some lemon flavoring on top of the shaved ice and serves it to Felice. "Enjoy." * Glossaria enters, prepared for a long journey. Or at least, it seems that way, given the amount of luggage: a bag of books, a bag of nappies and toys and blankets and spare clothes and healing salves, and a bag of baby. <Tarri> I'm good, thanks. Very busy, of course, but this is really my slow season. I got to close up a bit early tonight, but since 'Lann's on-duty still, I thought I'd stop in and see if the place is open. <Rhys> Lady duNache! So pleasant to see you here. Come in out of the heat, come in! * Felice takes her spoon and tastes her ice, nearly falling off of her stool as she purrs in satisfaction. * Candra cradles the wine goblet in both hands, obviously enjoying the smell. "Perfect. Wonderful. My undying thanks. And from me, that's more serious gratitude than you get elsewhere." * Glossaria stands on the threshold, blinking tiredly. "Hello. It seems to be Monday. Yes?" <Myra> "Getting off early is always a pleasure." She nods and smiles. * Rhys gets the collapsible wooden crib Nacheyla keeps at the Hall and starts trying to make it less collapsible. It takes him a bit. * Tarri looks around and squeals (quietly) in glee to see the baby. Oh, and Glossaria, too, of course. She leaps off her stool to relieve Glossaria of at least one of her burdens. * Glossaria smiles a little and readily hands over the bundle nestled in the large scarf tied across her shoulder and chest. "Ah, thank you. I seem to recall a time when leaving the Tower was not quite so significant an undertaking." <Felice> ::Felice's ears twitch at Tarri's squeal and she swings around on her stool to follow Tarri's motion, her tail flicking a few times as she sees the baby.:: * Myra glances over, simply observing. <Tarri> ::grins:: Yes, that happens. ::she coos at the baby, then looks at Gloss critically:: You *have* been sleeping *some*, haven't you?" * Glossaria smiles dazedly around the room. "People. Grown ones. How wonderful." <Candra> ::the pseudodragon on Candra's shoulder drifts over to eye Felice's tail with something like predatory instinct:: <Glossaria> Of course I have. ::pouts a little:: Between feedings. And my other work. When Duriel sleeps, mostly. Well, sometimes. * Felice looks even more excited. "Did the Tower turn Vallee into a child as well?" <Glossaria> ::blinks at Felice:: As well as whom? ::nods to the small dark-green-fuzzed head sticking out of the swaddling clothes in Tarri's arm:: This is my son, Duriel. He was born a child. Well, an infant. <Tarri> ::firmly:: You need more rest, Gloss. I'll come up tomorrow and have a word or two with Vallel. * Felice looks disappointed her tail and ears drooping. "But you said you hadn't seen any grown ups so..." Felice's voice trails off sadly. <Glossaria> ::wincing a little:: Oh, no, please don't tell Val. He's been so good... and if you do he won't let me have *any* books at bedtime. ::gives Tarri a stricken look:: <Candra> ::the pseudodragon makes a casual swipe at Felice's tail:: <Tarri> Well, it's either him or Lady Natovna. You're trying to do too much. How long is he sleeping at night, now? * Felice ignores the fact that she appears to have become a play thing. <Glossaria> ::blinks at Felice again:: I merely expressed joy in seeing *more* grown-ups. <Felice> Oh. ::Felice still sounds disappointed:: <Candra> ::sternly:: Anahi... let the... the anthromorph alone. * Myra has been casually watching the pseudodragon with interest. * Felice looks down at the pseudodragon, "Do you want to play with the mouse?" <Candra> ::the pseudodragon sticks a long, forked tongue out at Candra, complete with high pitched "fwee!" sounds:: <Glossaria> Perhaps... um... ::wanders to the bar and dumps her bundles, showing a little more care with her bookbag:: It's... highly irregular. I think... four, sometimes. Hours. I think. <Glossaria> Did I say that? * Myra laughs and then quickly covers it with a drink from her mug. <Tarri> ::giggles at the miniature dragon, then balances Duriel in one arm so she can drink with her other:: Four hours isn't so bad, for this age. ::she gives Gloss a warm smile:: Another month or so, and you can begin to hope for six or seven! <Candra> ::snorts:: Rude thing. ::she turns to Rhys:: If it wouldn't be a dreadful bother, could I impose on you for something... well, red and raw? A dead rabbit, perhaps? * Rhys pours Glossaria a mug of water. "For until you decide if you want something else." * Glossaria looks at Rhys with love in her eyes. "Thank you, Master Rhys." She drains the water glass quickly. "Er... perhaps some juice, if you don't mind?" <Rhys> Dead rabbit.... I think we have some game in the cooler, courtesy our local hunter. I'll see what the stock is in just a moment. ::he pours Glossaria two mugs, one of apple juice and one of orange juice:: * Felice scoops a spoonful of her shaved ice, then hooks her legs in the rungs of her stool and leans over, her hair brushing the floor as she offers the spoonful to the pseudodragon, "Want some shaved ice? It's nummy." <Candra> ::Anahi sniffs at the spoon, then makes the same "fwee!" gesture and noise at Felice, backing away from the soapy smelling thing as if offended:: <Felice> ::Still upside down Felice shrugs and eats the shaved ice herself, closing her eyes and purring contentedly once more.:: * Rhys heads back into the kitchen, and sticks his head back out. "Rabbit it'll be. If no one needs anything at the moment...? Very well. I'll be quick about it." * Glossaria sips her juice, keeping a watchful eye on her child. "So... news. What has happened in the world in the last..." She counts on her fingers again. "...thirteen weeks?" * Felice rights herself and resumes eating her shaved ice, studying Duriel in between bites. <Glossaria> ::Duriel is sleeping, and so, while cute, he remains remarkably uninteresting save for the fact that his peach-fuzz hair is dark green, and he is somewhat smaller than the average three-month-old:: <Tarri> ::grins at Felice and the pseudodragon, then looks back at Glossaria:: Well, just after Duriel was born, I suddenly had an *explosion* of clients. ::she smiles down at the sleeping bundle:: You were Auntie Tarri's good luck charm, weren't you? <Glossaria> ::smiles a little:: Lucky for me you were as quiet as you were, then, when he arrived. * Candra makes room on her stool for the vaguely offended little lizard, sipping at her wine. * Myra sips at her ale. * Glossaria sips her juice. * Felice finishes her ice and purrs contentedly. <Tarri> ::grins:: For this one, I'd have sent them all packing. * Glossaria smiles tiredly and nods. "Any time you desire to come over and babysit, we would be most grateful for the additional rest." * Rhys comes back into the room with a plate of steaming hot, cooked rabbit, that keener noses in the room can tell has been cooked with some garlic, shallots, onion, and perhaps some bacon. The meat is hot, but quite rare. "Your dinner, Miss." He serves Candra. <Tarri> ::frowns at Glossaria:: There are three full-grown adults living in that Tower, Gloss. And an entire *flock* of gnomes in the basement, if Vallie wasn't just pulling my leg. And you're suffering for babysitters? * Candra smiles again. She's really quite appealing when she does so. "You, sir, are a wonderful person... indeed. Quite lovely." She separates some of the meat and puts it on her bread plate for the pseudodragon's consumption before starting her meal. She eats neatly, but with obvious appetite, as if she had not eaten anything in days. <Glossaria> Well... there are Val and I, of course. And... well, Mistress Zoya is... unaccustomed to very small children. And the gnomes... ::bites her lip a little:: Realia is *very* good, though! <Tarri> ::sniffs:: I'm sure she is. ::she sighs:: If I promise to come up and babysit on my next day off, will you promise to take a *nap*, and not do more work? * Felice blinks, "You trust your dog to take care of the baby?" <Tarri> ::laughs:: Well-trained sheephounds are *very* gentle with children. <Glossaria> ::blinks:: Of course. Realia is family, too. ::to Tarri:: I'll... try? ::looks sheepish:: * Glossaria tries to shove her bookbag quietly under her stool with her toe. * Felice decides to drop her line of commentary as she doesn't know if Lisl is standing outside or not. <Tarri> ::mock-sternly:: If I'm going to give up my afternoon in the park, you can give up a couple of hours of reading. ::sudden thought:: Though it'd have to be just the afternoon. I've got some shopping to do that morning. <Glossaria> Realia adores Duriel. Really, she's astoundingly patient with him, too. He's... er... discovered that hands can do things. * Candra slows down on her dinner after she's made about half the baked bunny disappear. Curiously, she looks over at the miniature adult and all the regular adults making a fuss over him. <Tarri> ::chuckles:: Has he? Well, now the fun begins! * Rhys tops off Candra's wine glass. "Does anyone else need their drink needs tended to?" <Glossaria> ::as if to prove the point, Duriel's face crinkles up in a HUGE yawn, and then his eyes pop open. They're black, with long, feminine lashes. He stares up at Tarri somberly.:: * Myra pushes her mug towards Rhys. "Please." * Felice looks imploringly at Rhys, "Do you have any lemonade?" Remembers herself. "Please?" <Tarri> ::smiles at Duriel:: Hello, there... ::she reaches into the blankets to find his hand, and lets his fist curl around her finger:: <Glossaria> ::Duriel grabs Tarri's finger and immediately pulls it to his mouth, stuffing it in and gumming on it:: <Tarri> ::grins:: Learned that trick, too, have you? ::she lets him gum on her finger for a bit:: * Rhys refills Myra's mug of ale. "Just a moment, Felice." He rummages around, finds a mug, and goes to the taps. "Monday, moon's over half full, sun's down, rained earlier today, so... three over, two down, and.... bingo. Lemonade." He hands Felice the mug. "Enjoy." <Felice> Thank you Rhys. ::Felice smiles as she sips her lemonade and resumes her purring:: <Glossaria> ::Duriel gets bored of Tarri's finger and pulls it away again, still clinging to it. His eyes rove around the room and fix on the pseudodragon next to Candra. He studies it with silent intensity:: * Myra sips her ale, still casually observing the group. <Rhys> Miss Candra, if you don't mind my asking, whatever are you looking for Malkier for? <Candra> ::keeping an eye on her pseudodragon - although it is unclear whether she is looking out for the dragon's protection, or for the baby's:: I don't mind. <Glossaria> ::Duriel's eyes wander over to the array of taps, studying them for awhile. Gloss's head droops closer and closer to the bar, and she leans an arm on the counter, blinking sleepily:: * Candra takes a sip of her wine. "I wished to inform him that my project was almost entirely successful." <Rhys> Ah, you're collaborating? <Candra> ::laughs:: In a very loose sense of the word... very, very loose. Although with him, I understand that is not entirely an unapt description. * Rhys looks at Candra seriously. "A few more comments like that, Miss, and I'm going to have to find you dessert." <Glossaria> ::Duriel engages in an absorbed study of Rhys, and Gloss's head hits the bar:: <Candra> ::laughs, delighted:: Not a fan, Master? How refreshing... I've found most of Malkier's new friends to be convinced that, should he put a little effort into it, he might learn to walk on the waves. * Tarri cheerfully wipes off the bar with her sleeve, then sits Duriel on it, letting him lean back against her chest so he can look around at ease while she enjoys her cider. * Felice perks up, "Do you think Jaret could teach me?" * Rhys grumphs. "And he'd do little to dispel the notion, the gadabout." <Candra> ::touches Rhys's wrist lightly with one hand:: I forsee the beginnings of a beautiful friendship... But he is paying me. So... I persevere. <Rhys> I'm sure the funds are much better off in your hands than his, miss, so all is well. <Candra> Happy accident, though. In researching a manner to avoid certain complications, I discovered the cure to my own... well, bad spell side effects, if you will. Thus, I am really in a fair mood to be forgiving of his less... appealing traits. And here he is, nowhere to be found. By the time he returns, I fear the urge to be kind towards him will have passed. * Rhys beams. "How awful." * Glossaria snores lightly. * Tarri glances sidelong at Candra. "Side effects?" <Candra> ::carefully:: I made... a mistake. In casting a complicated spell. To save myself from one evil, I delivered myself squarely into the hands of another. ::she smiles:: And now I have rectified that mistake. <Tarri> ::obviously entirely in the dark:: Oh. Well, that's good! Congratulations! ::she grins at her own ignorance and toasts Candra with her cider (careful not to slosh on the baby):: <Rhys> Miss Myra, are you new to the area? Someone from Miss Mandeil's hometown, perhaps? Although you've got an accent from farther afield, I think... <Candra> ::smiles:: I thank you. Miss? ::she makes a flutterheaded gesture with one hand that is almost as charming as it is insincere:: I don't know that we've met. Or if we did, I forgot completely. Other things on my mind, you understand. Dreadfully rude of me. <Tarri> Oh, sorry! Mandeil. Tarri Mandeil. ::she grins:: I'd offer a hand, but they're a bit full, just now... <Candra> ::eyes the baby dubiously:: Quite. ::she leans over, looking at the child:: Interesting coloration. Definitely his mother's child, I'd say. * Myra blinks and then smiles at Rhys. "Oh no I just met Tarri the other day. I am new to Marsember, one of the Purple Dragon new recruits." <Myra> I met Tarri through Orlann. <Glossaria> ::Duriel returns Candra's regard, staring at her wide-eyed:: * Candra makes an elaborate gesture with one hand, producing from nowhere a large, bright gold coin. Effortlessly, she sends the coin dancing over her knuckles. <Tarri> Oh yes, certainly. ::she smiles, almost as entranced by the dancing coin as the baby:: <Rhys> Ah, the good lieutenant. Good to hear he's still active and about. What do you think of the city? It doesn't smell this bad in cooler weather, I promise. <Glossaria> ::Duriel watches, fascinated, his eyes tracking the flashing coin:: <Myra> ::she nods with a grin:: I had hoped not. I have thoroughly enjoyed the city thus far. Tarri and Orlann were wonderfully kind and took me around to see all the most interesting things. <Candra> ::dances the coin back across her hand, then makes it vanish into her palm. An instant later, it slides up again between her knuckles and resumes its dance:: <Tarri> ::laughs:: That must take a *lot* of practice. <Rhys> Very good of them. ::he looks over at Tarri, who's watching the coin, and smiles:: Ambassadors for the city. How are things in the Purple Dragon business? All well and quiet? <Glossaria> ::Duriel's lower lip disappears in a pout when the coin does, but he smiles and even laughs once, a short burble, when the coin reappears:: <Candra> ::glances up at Tarri:: Lots of practice. And nimble fingers. But once you have the knack, it's a showy bit of nothing. <Myra> For the most part. Tho I am still fairly new so I don't get to hear all the good gossip. ::she smirks:: <Rhys> Time will come, I'm sure. And once it does, the gossip never is as juicy as you hope. Or at least, so I'm told. Perhaps those who get the good gossip don't complain about it. <Myra> Perhaps. <Tarri> ::giggles at Duriel's interest, and absently pets his soft baby-hair:: Green hair or not, little man, *I* think you look like your daddy. <Candra> ::spins the coin up her arm, nearly to her elbow, then lets it roll back down:: Preservation of the species... encourages the male to bond with the infant and stay with his mate. <Myra> Interesting interpretation of family. <Glossaria> ::Duriel follows the path of the coin, and waves an arm. Gloss releases another gentle snore.:: <Tarri> ::looks a little indignant:: As if he wouldn't stay if the baby looked like his mama! <Candra> ::gently, her eyes never leaving the baby's face:: Forgive me... I have a somewhat... skewed view of 'family'. I was not disparaging the young lady's husband, merely making an evolutionary observation. <Tarri> Evo... ::shakes her head and smiles faintly:: Let's just agree you're smarter than I am, then. <Candra> ::shakes her head:: The results of rather specialized study, Miss Mandeil... nothing more. <Tarri> Well, it's kind of you to say so, I suppose, Miss... I missed your name, I think. I'm sorry. <Rhys> Last call, everyone. ::he looks at Glossaria and sighs:: And someone should probably wake up Lady duNache. <Tarri> Well, at least she got a *bit* of a nap... ::she puts a hand on Gloss's elbow:: Glossaria, dear? * Felice finishes her lemonade and flips Rhys a coin. "Thanks Rhys, you're a prince." <Glossaria> ::murmurs:: Just one more page.... <Tarri> ::grins:: Wake up. Time to go home. * Felice laughs at Glossaria's reply. * Myra stands and places some coins on the bar. "Thank you very much for the ale." <Candra> ::smiles, making her coin disappear again:: Candra. Just... Candra. I've no surname that I wish to make claim to, at present. <Glossaria> Mm? ::opens her eyes and yawns, blinking sleepily:: Where... oh! ::sits up quickly and nearly falls off the stool:: What day is-- ::looks around again:: Oh. Monday. <Rhys> Thank you, Felice. I'm not yet, but I think of myself as a kind of common royalty. ::he drops the coin in the strongbox:: <Rhys> You're welcome, Miss Myra. I hope Marsember gives you a warm welcome. <Tarri> ::nods:: As you like, Miss Candra. I hope we'll see you again. ::she grins at Gloss:: Finish your juice, Gloss. It'll help wake you up, and then you can have the baby back. * Felice bounces on her stool, "Do you need help getting back to the Tower Gloss?" <Glossaria> ::Duriel's face screws up again as the pretty coin disappears, as if he's thinking about crying:: <Myra> ::She smiles:: It very much has already. ::she glance to Tarri:: It was good to see you again Tarri. * Tarri bounces Duriel to distract him, and smiles at Myra. "You, too. I hope we'll see more of you." <Myra> ::she nods as she heads towards the door:: I am sure you will. * Candra considers the child a moment, then reaches into her pouch and pulls out something that looks like a squashed bit of fabric. She shakes it out and presents the child with a small, stuffed dragonette, bright green, with blue dots. <Myra> ::and she heads out into the night:: <Glossaria> ::Duriel reaches out his hands for the stuffie, eyes wide:: Ah! <Candra> ::bows her head to Glossaria:: If you'll permit me, madam? * Glossaria obediently drinks her juice, watching the action with Candra and Duriel sidelong. <Glossaria> ::smiles:: Thank you, it's most kind of you. <Candra> Delightful. I don't think I've ever actually been this close to an infant before. ::she gives over the squashed toy, which still has a bit of fluff on it from its residence in her pouch:: <Glossaria> ::a little drolly:: Neither had I, particularly, aside from some study of my sister-in-law's. ::watches as Duriel grabs the stuffie and delightedly stuffs as much of it into his mouth at once as he can manage:: * Tarri grins, then helps Glossaria tie Duriel back into his sling. "He's very well-behaved." <Glossaria> He had a great deal to distract him here, I think. He seems to take interest in keen observation of his surroundings, at least. ::looking faintly worried:: I almost wish he *would* fuss more. <Glossaria> ::sighs a little:: And sleep more. <Glossaria> ::strokes Duriel's head gently:: <Tarri> ::laughs softly as she recovers her basket:: It'll come. He's still very young. * Candra searches through her pouch again. "Dinner was lovely, Master. How much will it set me back? Given, that, of course, any payment is a mere token on the altar of your magnificent cookery." <Rhys> Be glad for what blessings you have, Lady duNache. Fussing loses its charm quickly, I imagine. <Glossaria> ::sighs a little:: Ninety-five days. I can remember how *I* was at ninety-five days. <Rhys> Flattery will get you everywhere, Miss Candra. 3 silvers, shall we say? * Tarri puts a coin on the bar, and laughs again. "I think Duriel's a *little* different from you, Glossaria. <Candra> ::deposits four coins on the bar:: Entirely reasonable. I am shocked, I tell you, to find myself not near so deep in debt as I feared... * Glossaria searches several pockets before finally remembering to look in her belt pouch for coin, putting a few on the bar. She hesitates with her hand in the pouch. "Lady Candra? May I pay you for the toy?" * Rhys collects the coins. "Always a pleasant experience, that." <Tarri> I should go. But 'Lann will be happy to hear the place is open again. ::she pets Duriel's hair again and smiles at Gloss:: I'll be sure to come, my next day off. <Candra> ::holds up one hand to Gloss:: No need, madam. I am well paid, in your thanks and his delight. * Tarri pauses at the door to wave to everyone, then heads out. * Felice waves at Tarri as she departs. <Glossaria> ::smiles:: My thanks you have. ::smiles fondly at Duriel, who is sucking on a wing now:: Right. I'd best be going, lest I fall asleep in the street this time. Thank you again, Master Rhys! Good night. <Candra> ::looks over Gloss's multiple bags:: Do you... er... need some help? * Felice leans forward eagerly. <Rhys> Good night, Lady duNache. Have a pleasant evening. <Glossaria> I've discovered almost octopoidal talents with the onset of motherhood, but thank you. ::she picks up the two bags easily, slinging one over each shoulder and balancing them with the baby-load:: <Glossaria> Although I occasionally miss the tail. * Candra watches Glossaria balance her load, one eyebrow raised. "Colorful individual..." She murmurs quietly, then drops a quick curtsey to Rhys before leaving. * Glossaria waves (with yet another hand) and departs. * Felice bounces off her stool and heads for the door, holding it open for Gloss as she waves back at Rhys. "Goodnight Rhys." * Rhys closes the Hall up behind the last people out, and locks the door. He collects glasses off the bar top and heads back into the kitchen, humming a quiet, merry tune. |
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