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* Ennis saunters down from upstairs as he hears activity below. He's dressed much the same as last week, but his boots are clean, and he looks much better-rested. * Adam fills a mug for himself as Ennis enters, "Evening Ennis. Can I get you anything?" * Ennis smiles genially. "Master... Adam, wasn't it? Did'na know ye worked bar, too. Hm. Tried th' meade last week... this week... p'raps a stout, if'n ye pour one?" * Jaret waltzes in, dressed in peacock blues and greens. "Good evening, gentles." He bows, grins, and glides towards Adam. He leaves his hat on a chair at a table. "Could I, perchance, get some Arabellan Red, good barkeep?" * Tarri enters, looking slightly tired. She blinks once at Ennis, then gives him a bright smile before taking a seat at the bar. She starts to put her small basket at her feet, then rests it on her lap instead. "Good evening, Master Adam." * Adam picks up a mug and selects from among the myriad taps, seemingly at random and fills the mug, "There you go." <Adam> Good evening Jaret, Tarri. What can I get the two of you? * Adam opens a bottle of Jaret's usual and fills a glass for him, "There you go Jaret." <Jaret> Thank you very much. A multitude of well-deserved blessings on your house and your kin. ::he has some of the wine:: <Tarri> Chilled cider, please? ::she gives Adam a winsome smile:: And... is there any strawberry ice cream left? * Ennis returns Tarri's smile and leans back on his stool, waiting for his ale and smiling faintly to himself. * Candra wanders in, only one small pseudodragonette fluttering around her head like a high-strung balloon. She has her nose very close to a worn piece of parchment and is frowning. * Adam grins at Tarri, "I'll see what we have." Notices Candra, "Good evening Candra. Can I get you anything?" * Adam fills a mug for Tarri and sets it down in front of her, "There you go Tarri." * Ennis accepts the mug from Adam with a nod and thanks, and sips experimentally, breaking into a broad grin as he tastes it. <Tarri> Thank you. ::she takes a long pull from her mug, and sighs:: Oh, that's good. I can't wait for summer to be done. <Candra> ::squints:: A magnifying glass, if you've got one. And a glass of wine would be lovely. * Jaret stands as Candra enters. "Good evening, Candra. Have a glass of Arabellan with me." * Adam pours a glass of Jaret's wine for Candra and sets it down within easy reach. "'Fraid I dont' have a magnifying glass, but I've got a jeweler's glass if that would help." <Candra> ::plasters the piece of parchment onto the bar, spreading the corners down as it threatens to roll up on her, revealing a large map, drawn very very tiny.:: Well, I can try that. <Ennis> Mite busier than yesterweek... ::turns on his stool a little to study the other patrons, regarding Candra's pseudodragonette with particular interest.:: * Adam fishes in a pocket and pulls out a jeweler's glass, "There you go. Anyone want anything from the kitchen while I'm looking for Tarri's ice cream?" <Ennis> ::looking up:: Bread an' cheese, if ye will? <Jaret> The wine is enough for me, thank you, Adam. <Candra> ::nods:: Sounds good, I'll have some of... ::she blinks at Ennis:: Oh, you're new. <Tarri> ::gives Ennis a mock-scandalized look:: Bread and cheese? When there's *ice cream* to be had? <Ennis> ::grins at Candra:: Nay, dama, I'm at least 32 years of age. 'R so they tell me. <Candra> ::nods:: All right then. But I probably shouldn't eat off your plate, either. ::she gives him a wide smile, then bends closer to her map again:: But if you could, some dinner would be lovely. <Ennis> ::looks over at Tarri's exclamation, raising an eyebrow:: I've no' had me dinner yet, lass, and I've never had *iced* cream, but cream sounds like a dessert t' me. <Tarri> Well... ::hedging:: It's got fruit in it. ::she grins:: <Adam> Alright, I'll be back shortly. ::Adam disappears into the kitchen:: <Ennis> ::chuckles:: Some f'r after, p'raps. But dinner first. ::grins back, and holds out a hand:: I'm Ennis. I'm... ::glances towards Candra with a sly grin:: ...recently arrived t' Marsember. * Tarri takes Ennis's hand with a smile. "Tarri. What brings you to Marsember, Master Ennis?" * Candra attempts to use the base of the wine glass to magnify a little spot in the very north-eastern part of her map. * Tarri glances at Candra with a grin. "And that's Lady Candra." <Ennis> Ah, this an' that. Mainly that I've not been here afore. <Candra> ::mutters:: This is so not going to be fun. <Tarri> ::glances at Candra again:: Planning a trip, Lady Candra? * Jaret peers at Candra's parchment, handing her the jeweler's loupe that Adam put on the bar. "What are you looking at?" * Candra takes the loupe and squints again. "This... stupid gnomish map. I don't even read gnomish that well, but I *think* that says -" She leans closer "- 'fire-breathing white dragon'. In gnomish, of course, which means it goes on and on for three paragraphs in this micro-writing..." <Ennis> ::raises his eyebrows:: Ye read gnomish? ::blinks:: Why? * Adam returns from the kitchen carrying a large tray. Setting the tray down Adam puts a fresh loaf a bread and an assortment of spread within easy reach along with a stack of plates and a block of hard cheese. * Adam removes a bowl from the tray and hands it to Tarri, "I'm afraid someone seems to have eaten all of the strawberry ice cream, but I did find some raspberry if you'd like." * Candra absently makes herself a sandwich. Very absently, as she appears to have spread jam and cream cheese on the bread before adding a slice of cheese. * Adam turns to Candra, "We've got some nice steaks in back if you'd like Candra." <Jaret> Fire-breathing white dragon? Not the one you already spotted, but a different one? <Ennis> ::takes another swallow of stout and reaches for the knife stuck in the cheese, glancing at Candra:: Dama? May I... er... p'raps not, then. ::he cuts a few more slices of cheese and assembles a sandwich of his own:: * Tarri takes the bowl with a mild look of disappointment. "I suppose it'll do. Thank you, Master Adam." * Candra snarfs her sandwich easily, talking all the while. "Definitely a ::chew chew:: different one. This one ::munch:: is much, much older. This map is ::snarf:: at least five hundred years old and might ::chew:: actually be a copy of an older one." She licks her fingers. "Which means we may luck out and it might even already be dead." <Ennis> ::eyes Candra dubiously:: Ye don't mean t' go *lookin'* fer the beastie, d' ye? An'... a map that old, mightn't it ha' moved? <Tarri> ::gives Jaret and Candra an extremely dubious look, then takes a bite of ice cream before turning back to Ennis:: They probably do, Master Ennis, I'm afraid... * Jaret dubiously watches Candra, and then makes her another sandwich, approximately like her first, and hands it to her. "That would be nice, but I don't think it's what I'll expect." <Candra> I don't actually think so, though. I got this map from Gnormishandalpatrailminable a few weeks back, after an explorer group came back from this location. Well, they teleported back, and unfortunately, the entire team died, but it's hard to tell if the burns were from being toasted by a dragon or a malfunction of the spell itself. <Ennis> Huh. ::mutters:: P'raps th' gate-guard weren't havin' me on so much as all that, then? <Tarri> ::wryly, and in a bit of an undertone:: Lord Malkier is... a bit of a thrill-seeker. <Candra> So, it might still be alive... always a possibility, and certainly one that we'll have to keep close in mind, but gnomish spells are often unreliable... they were, however, *looking* for the dragon. <Candra> Or, more precisely, looking for some artifact thing said dragon was supposed to be guarding. Which I'm not remotely interested in, although I suppose it couldn't hurt to look into it, if we're going anyway. * Adam grins at Ennis, "Look at is this way, if you're alive this time next week you'll have beaten all the odds makers in town." * Candra takes the other sandwich and eats it as well. <Ennis> ::eyes showing a bit more white than usual, his accent coming out more strongly in his whispered distress:: A bit? Lass, they're talkin' aboot a farkin' foive-hunnert year-old dragon! <Candra> Thank you, Malkier. ::she beams at him:: Very nice of you. <Jaret> Very welcome. Have you become absorbed in your research again, and neglected a day's meals, by any chance? <Tarri> ::grins at Ennis, albeit weakly:: They tell me the dragon who was behind the orcwar was undead, as well. <Candra> ::considers:: Oh, probably. <Candra> Come to think of it, I really am a bit peckish. ::chews her lip a moment:: What week is it? <Jaret> Today is the twenty-fifth. Of Flamerule. <Ennis> ::Looking puzzled:: An undead dragon an'-- orcs? What's that t' do with it? <Candra> ::counts backwards:: Ah, yes, dear Master Bretaque... I ate day before yesterday, then. ::she smiles again:: <Tarri> Well, Lord Malkier was one of the ones who took on the dragon. <Ennis> ::looking stunned:: Ne'er say 't! <Jaret> Who's Master Bretaque? And how much do I owe him for your map? <Tarri> Well, it was actually the Regent who *killed* it, but... ::she gives Ennis a grin:: The gate guards don't tell very many exaggerations about this place, Master Ennis. There's not much room left for them to expand into. <Candra> The map? Oh, pish. I got this out of a pile of junk in someone's attic. I took it as payment for helping them get rid of a very nasty gargoyle that had taken up residence. I think I got the better deal, however. <Tarri> ::very earnestly soothing:: If it makes you feel any better, though - there's nothing remotely adventuresome about *me*. I'm just a simple healer. <Ennis> ::grins, covertly giving Jaret a glance:: Jes' goes t' show, one should ne'er judge by appearances. ::shakes his head admiringly:: Now that's a tale I'd delight t' hear. <Candra> I do like dealing with gnomes... although the ceilings have a lot to be desired. And don't even get me started on the elevating roof that... never mind. Long story, not worth mentioning. But ::and here she looks up at Jaret:: I may have found you a dragon. <Candra> On the other hand ::she deflates slightly:: Sossal is a long, long way from here. <Ennis> ::smiles warmly at Tarri:: Naught t' apologize for, lass. 'M a horseleech, m' self. <Jaret> Sossal? ::He frowns, looking at the floor for a moment.:: That's... up near the Great Glacier, isn't it? * Candra points to the map. The spot indicated appears to be a chain of mountain peaks in the *middle* of the Great Glacier. "Indeed." <Tarri> ::raises an eyebrow at Ennis:: I wasn't apologizing... But it's nice to see someone else fairly normal in here. * Jaret looks at the map. "I'll have to bring my warm blankets." <Candra> I can teleport us as close as Eltabbar, but that's not really very close. I was thinking of going to Candlekeep and see if I can't find someone with better coordinates than mine. <Tarri> ::interjecting hesitantly:: What about Lady Aldis? <Candra> ::blinks:: Who? ::she turns to look at Tarri:: <Jaret> ::nodding to Tarri:: I think she has acquaintances in Candlekeep. I could ask her for introductions, perhaps. ::to Candra:: Lisl's mother, Lady Aldis. She's an accomplished mage. <Tarri> ::nods:: She 'ported me and- and Sanriel, once. <Candra> Lisl's mother? That... ::coughs:: nice young lady, of course she has a mother. How's her carpet doing, anyway? * Ennis has another swallow of stout and arranges another sandwich for himself of cream cheese and jelly. With a sidelong glance at Candra, he adds a slice of hard cheese, and nibbles experimentally. His eyebrows go up, and he takes a larger bite. <Jaret> Her... carpet? Fine, I suppose. <Candra> ::smiles:: Excellent. ::she takes a sip of wine:: Now, here's the thing, Malkier... Do we - meaning, of course, me - want to make a scouting run first, to verify the domicile of said dragon, as well as species, or do we want to pack up your entire cadre of experienced dragon hunters and hope for the best? <Jaret> Well, I suppose that depends on what we, that is to say you or I, are able to discern after a visit to Candlekeep, to obtain teleporting co-ordinates vis-à-vis the lair, which we may have to pay for in currency other than coin, as the Candlekeep folk are funny about that. Too much time around only books and each other. <Candra> ::snickers:: True enough. I have the worst time with them. But... they do know. Usually. It's getting them to *tell* you, that's the problem. I think they adore keeping secrets. <Jaret> I've heard... stories. Wanting information in exchange for information. ::he looks somewhat grumpy:: It'd be easier if they were of a mind to simply be *helpful*... <Candra> Well, it would be very, very bad to try and teleport with bad coordinates. ::she shudders delicately:: <Candra> And ::briskly:: it's not really the sort of place most sane people want to *go*. <Ennis> I'll drink t' that! ::suiting word to deed:: * Tarri laughs and joins in the toast, something in her expression conveying her certainty that the tally of sane people is not getting any higher with this jaunt, either. * Adam drinks to the toast as well. * Tarri scrapes up the last of the ice cream, then pushes the bowl down the counter a bit. "That was lovely." <Adam> You're quite welcome Tarri. * Ennis finishes off another sandwich and nods to Tarri's now-empty bowl. "I'd try me one o' those, would ye be willin' t' serve me one, barkeep." <Adam> Certainly. ::Adam disappears into the kitchen once more:: * Jaret looks down at his wine glass which he's been rudely ignoring ever since Candra said what the map was for. He quickly reintroduces himself with a polite swallow. <Candra> So... you'll introduce me to Lisl's lovely mother, Aldis, who will - hopefully - provide some profitable introductions at Candlekeep... and we'll play it from there? <Jaret> And I'll make the rounds and see if anyone is interested in taking a trip to cooler climes, as a break from the oppressive summer heat. * Adam returns holding another bowl of ice cream that he sets down in front of Ennis. "There you are." <Ennis> ::picks up his spoon and grins at Jaret:: An' ye'll be sure t' mention th' warm an' toasty fire at th' end, as an added enticement, aye? <Jaret> Oh, if you think it necessary... <Candra> Much, much cooler... I think I'll lay in a stock of hotstones. Not going to be much firewood on a glacier... ::she bounces a little, clapping her hands together and disturbing her dragonette:: * Ennis watches Candra's little chair-dance with a somewhat disbelieving smile. "So, ye... do this sort o' thing often, then?" <Candra> ::gives Ennis a dazzling smile:: It's seldom dull... <Candra> ::glances at Jaret:: That reminds me, are we going to bring your... budding adventuress? What was her name? Temil? I forget exactly. <Ennis> ::blinks a little at the force of the smile:: Nay, I reckon not... ::grins:: Leave me out o' it, if ye will, dama, but be sure t' tell me th' tale o' it after, aye? Drinks on me. <Jaret> Temire? No, I think it's best if she sits this one out. Perhaps next time. Or the time after that. <Candra> Bah! ::she finishes off her wine:: We always need *someone* to carry the torches... <Tarri> ::half-smiling:: You'd better bring her a present, then. <Jaret> There's usually presents aplenty, in a dragon's lair. If it's not a dragon's lair, I'll bring a snowball, as that's all there'll be to bring back. * Adam chuckles, "I suspect Temire will forgive you if you go out there and find nothing." <Tarri> ::grins:: Of course she will. You'd have saved her from even more boredom. I swear, I never met a girl with as little patience. <Ennis> ::gets a light in his eye and opens his mouth, but quickly shakes his head and has a spoonful of ice cream, instead:: Naaaa.... oooh, this is good! <Jaret> Patience... is sometimes a very cold companion. I can understand shunning it. <Adam> ::To Candra and Jaret:: I don't think I'll be much use to you, but if you need any equipment let me know. If I can't make it for you I can probably tell you the best place to get it here in Marsember. <Ennis> ::squeezes his eyes shut suddenly and puts a hand to his head:: An' *cold*! <Tarri> Don't eat it so *fast*. <Jaret> Thank you, Adam. We may need some cold weather gear. Like those spiky things that people fit over boots, to keep from slipping on ice. That could be useful. <Ennis> ::rubs his temple as the pain eases, glancing up at Adam:: Ye're a blacksmith, then? <Candra> ::snorts:: You've gotten cautious in your advanced years, Malkier. What were you, all of sixteen years old when you skewered your first hill giant? * Adam nods in agreement with Jaret, then turns to Ennis, "Smith, mason, jeweler, potter. If it comes out of the ground I probably work with it. Though my shop is technically registered as a smithy." <Ennis> E'er do any farrier work? * Tarri finishes off her cider, and gently pushes the mug toward the kitchen. "I'd best be going. I promised 'Lann I wouldn't stay out too late, since he's on the night shift again." <Adam> Some. I'm usually too busy with better paying projects, but I've done it on occasion when the customer was there for something else and needed it done. <Candra> ::blinks:: Jeweler? Do you do repairs? On magical items, perhaps? * Jaret has some of what's left of his wine. "Would you like an escort home, Miss Mandeil?" * Ennis stops eating and watches, wide-eyed, as Tarri's mug starts to walk down the bar towards the kitchen. He pulls in his bowl of ice cream quickly to let it pass. * Candra suddenly realizes she's still wearing Adam's loupe around her neck and takes it off to place on the bar. "Before I run off with that..." * Adam turns to Candra, "I can do repairs. Magic items are tricky though, and I'm not a mage. I might be able to fix something for you, but I'd probably be just as likely to break the enchantment while fixing the object. Now if you wanted something of sufficient quality for enchantment then I can definitely help you." <Tarri> Only if it's not too much trouble, Lord Malkier. ::she gives him a smile:: Maybe soon they'll realize it wasn't his fault, and stop giving him all these horrible shifts. * Adam pockets his loupe. <Ennis> Er... ::clears his throat:: Th' mug... ::glances at Candra:: Did *ye* do that, dama? * Adam glances out the window, "Last call everyone." <Jaret> No trouble at all. ::he finishes his wine:: His fault? It sounds like you have gossip to share. I see a delightful walk ahead of us. ::he fetches his hat from the nearby table:: Whenever you are ready, I am at your service. <Candra> Hmmm? Oh, no. The whole establishment's been like that for a while now... ::peers at him:: What does 'dama' mean? It makes me feel like a horse. <Ennis> ::grins:: Nae so much honor, dama. 'Tis th' word f'r a noble lady, where I hail from. <Tarri> I'd be very much surprised if you hadn't heard it already, my lord... ::she waves at the others:: Good night, everyone! <Adam> Goodnight Tarri, Jaret. <Ennis> A pleasure t' meet ye, Tarri lass! <Candra> ::snorts, sounding remarkably horselike:: All right. But I should go... ::she drops a few silver coins on the bar:: Fair evening! <Ennis> A fair evenin' t' ye as well, dama. ::smiles and offers her a rather graceful seated bow:: * Jaret holds the door open for Tarri as she leaves, and follows close behind her. * Candra rolls up her map and fetches her hatchling down from where it has snuggled up with a candle, then leaves the Hall. * Adam sweeps the coins into the strong box and begins shooing the dishes into the kitchen. * Ennis finishes his bowl of ice cream, tosses back the last of his stout, and pushes bowl and mug experimentally with a finger, starting a bit as they grow legs and walk off. He watches in amazement. <Ennis> Right. Best be t' bed m'self. ::puts a few more coins on the bar and heads up the stairs with a genial wave:: Fair evenin' t' ye, Master Adam! <Adam> Goodnight Ennis. * Adam finishes cleaning up and locks the door behind him as he leaves. |
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