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The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ RP: Playing Houses

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 05:17 AM

Hello, and welcome to our Elder Scrolls Role Playing threads, where we adventure and socialize in the vibrant land of Tamriel.

Before we begin, we'd like to clarify a few things:

Newcomers, we ask you to http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=141737&view=findpost&p=2871855 before starting up; everyone will be happier for it Also, read http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=141737 as soon as possible; this will give you an idea of who is in the RP.

This is an 'open roleplay' and everyone is encouraged to join in at any time!

'Open' roleplay does not mean 'unorganized' or 'limitless', however. The events in this story are usually planned, and if something BIG happens, you can be certain that it is the result of much discussion between players, usually in the mIRC chat (#Loranna_RP, Chatspike server). This is not just a bunch of disorganized individuals doing what they think would be fun for their character at the time.

So, while everyone is welcome to join in, they are NOT welcome to jump in and do big, world-changing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST. Let me be very clear about what cannot be done without permission:

1:
Any action that effects another person's character, for ill or good. Although most people realize they can't harm another person's character without permission, many don't realize that you can't HELP another character without permission, either. Many characters have flaws for a reason. Don't go healing, saving, or otherwise fixing another character without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the player involved.

2:
Any event that would drastically change things that have been done to the world, whether the change is physical (rebuilding destroyed locations), political (converting a population to a new cause), military (killing off all the badguys) or anything else. Almost every situation, good or bad, that exists in the RP was done for some reason. Don't go changing or fixing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the group.

Everyone who is involved in the RP is welcome in the mIRC chat channel #Loranna_RP, on the Chatspike server. If you have a plot idea then you are encouraged to go there and discuss it. If you cannot get on the channel for some reason, or if the player whos character you would affect with your plan is not there, then PM them using this board's PM function. That's what it's there for.

If you do not have MIRC, you can http://www.chatspike.net/?p=javairc. Enter in a nickname where prompted and hit Submit. You'll be asked if you want to trust the signed applet. Hit Yes, and you'll be in the main chatspike channel. From there, type /join #Loranna_RP

You'll enter our chat channel and we can talk to you.

Not following the above advice will only result in one thing: your post is likely to be completely ignored by everyone as if it did not happen. This is obvously not good for anyone, so please, discuss major events before doing them.

Remember: Secret plans and surprises are seldom fun for anyone else. Before they're revealed they're boring, because nobody knows about them, and afterwards they're just annoying, because nobody knew about them.
Thank you, and have fun!

===

Summary for Loranna: Loranna is in Wayrest, outside Elysana's Dome of Wayrest with Goranthir and Allerleirauh. The three of them have come to rescue Ciel and Tris from Elysana's clutches, after both men willingly turned themselves over to the Queen at Tris's father's funeral.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 05:19 AM

ooc summaries:

Tris is in the Royal Dome of Wayrest, facing Elysana, after attending his father's funeral.

Allerleirauh is outside the Royal Dome of Wayrest, planning to rescue Tris by force since Void Ranger abilities cannot be used in the Dome.

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 16 2005, 10:04 PM)

The Royal Dome of Wayrest
"You're confused," Elysana nodded her head. "You need only know that your actions were not your own. You are not to blame for your treacherous acts ... I witnessed myself how Laurent's ring controlled and then befuddled its victims. The Lyonswurst family has always been a plague on Wayrest, and he used you to continue it after they were forced out. Now, with his death, we can put all that behind us and start anew."

Tris's eyes flooded with tears. He didn't understand what was happening, but they seemed to have been granted a reprieve.

"I never thought... it never crossed my mind to harm your Majesty in any way," Tris said.

It was true. She was the Queen, their queen, soft and beautiful and strong enough to cast Helseth from the throne. As a small boy, Tris had cheered himself hoarse on Princess Elysana's wedding day. He had grown up going to parties where she was the most honored guest, listening to the fanfare when she entered. She was Wayrest.

Tris had known how much exile from Wayrest hurt Ciel. What he didn't know, until it was over, was how much it had hurt him. There was a place in him that came alive again with a sudden pain. He had a country again.

Posted by: Solin Oct 17 2005, 05:19 AM

Summary:

Solin briefly discussed several issues he had with the surviving Ordinators in Ald Raathim's Drunken Guar.

Ciel, tired, grey, and contemplating his remaining life, is being befuddled in Elsyana's throne room in the Great Dome of Wayrest.

Posted by: Nylus Oct 17 2005, 05:23 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 16 2005, 10:04 PM)

He caught the small carving and examined it. "This is actually really good. Where did you learn to do this? Extreme boredom?"

"Actually, yes thats exactly how I learned it. When you set in trees alot, eventually you have to find something to do" stated Nlyus as he took a drink from his flask. "Its not that hard to do...atleast for me. I'd like to see you do it with that claymore of yours" chuckled Nylus.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 17 2005, 05:25 AM

QUOTE(Nylus @ Oct 16 2005, 09:23 PM)

Thom laughed. "I could do it. It would take a very long time, and be very painful, but I could manage."

As he was speaking, Nylus had drifted off to sleep beside the fire. Seeing this, Thom grinned then thought That works. Now, I know I am forgetting something...oh yea, I meant to go get some more supplies.. Shaking his head, Thom rose and made his way back to town.

Posted by: syronj Oct 17 2005, 05:48 AM

Summary: Shaka, an Argonian battlemage, is walking in Ald Raathim after visiting Isidor and Kethiah in their new tavern, the Nymph and Noggin. He is weighing his options after speaking to them on the subject of changing his race.

Posted by: Xyber02 Oct 17 2005, 06:13 AM

Summary:

Anya's alone, in the woods. She likes to be alone, especially when people provide more confusion than companionship. Well, not alone, Lotus is there. God know's what a cliffracer thinks about relationships.

Posted by: Shardie Oct 17 2005, 07:51 AM

Since we are in the topics of summaries

Maranda is in the Imperial City, doing various odd jobs for the Order of the Lily, slowly making her way up the ranks

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 08:05 AM

Summary:

Kethiah, ex-assassin, is planning on opening the new tavern, The Nymph and Noggin with her partner and lover Isidor tomorrow.

Goranthir, Prince of Firsthold, is outside the royal dome of Wayrest with Allerleirauh and Loranna.

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 16 2005, 10:51 PM)

"Goranthir, do we really want to excite Elysana's paranoid side?" Loranna asks. "Persoanlly, I think she gets more dangerous when she's paranoid, not less."

"Look, let's find where the two men are first, before we make any plans," Loranna says. "No point in crashing in without knowing what we're doing - not in this place."

“That’s why I sent in scouts first,” said Goranthir with a wink.

A sparrow alighted on the chain of the gate and called out.

“They’re in the throne room,” he said. “Just … talking.”

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 16 2005, 08:19 PM)

"I never thought... it never crossed my mind to harm your Majesty in any way," Tris said.

It was true. She was the Queen, their queen, soft and beautiful and strong enough to cast Helseth from the throne. As a small boy, Tris had cheered himself hoarse on Princess Elysana's wedding day. He had grown up going to parties where she was the most honored guest, listening to the fanfare when she entered. She was Wayrest.

Tris had known how much exile from Wayrest hurt Ciel. What he didn't know, until it was over, was how much it had hurt him. There was a place in him that came alive again with a sudden pain. He had a country again.

"No, I can see that," Elysana, the Queen of Wayrest, said, her voice soothing. "I can see I have nothing to worry about from either of you, now that Laurent Lyonswurst is dead ..."

Trafficking with daedra, she thought to herself. I imagine he was also the chief necromancer behind all that ghost business a while back as well ...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 08:12 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 01:05 AM)

QUOTE

"Your majesty," Tris said. "Forgive me for sounding like an idiot... but is it over? Ciel can come home again? That's what we risked death for. I don't mind so much for myself."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 08:17 AM

Outside the Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 16 2005, 11:12 PM)

"It's only an act of war if they hurt Tris," Goranthir said. "My scouts can't say what people are saying, and they're not completely reliable on tone either ... just as you can guess whether a bird call is for mating or for telling an aggressor to go away, but you can't be sure ... My point was that my resemblance to my uncle could be used to our advantage. I can distract Elysana if need be."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 08:20 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 02:12 AM)

Allerleirauh looked troubled.

"Goranthir... coming here with you could almost be considered an act of war. When Tris was an outlaw, it didn't matter. If relations are cordial... well, I don't know what to think. But I can't imagine that relations are cordial. Elysana's not one to change her mind."
"Your majesty," Tris said. "Forgive me for sounding like an idiot... but is it over? Ciel can come home again? That's what we risked death for. I don't mind so much for myself."

Loranna likewise looked troubled.

"I don't feel like starting a war, no matter how much I love Tris and Ciel," she says. "They came here to settle conflicts, not escalate them."

She looks to Goranthir, and says " ... Just how can we get into the palace, and how likely are we to be able to stay unnoticed? I have my magic of course but if the Dome's like Daggerfall's castle that won't be of much help."

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 02:17 AM)

Outside the Royal Dome of Wayrest
"It's only an act of war if they hurt Tris," Goranthir said. "My scouts can't say what people are saying, and they're not completely reliable on tone either ... just as you can guess whether a bird call is for mating or for telling an aggressor to go away, but you can't be sure ... My point was that my resemblance to my uncle could be used to our advantage. I can distract Elysana if need be."

"And impersonating Helseth to distract Elysana can end up causing Helseth and Barenziah no end of trouble later, if Elysana decides this whole thing was a ploy of her brother's to get at her," Loranna says, grimacing. "And do they and we need those problems right now?"

This whole plan was sounding more and more untenable the more Loranna thought about it; they should have just grabbed Tris before he went to the Dome ...

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 08:24 AM

Inside the Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 16 2005, 11:12 PM)

"Your majesty," Tris said. "Forgive me for sounding like an idiot... but is it over? Ciel can come home again? That's what we risked death for. I don't mind so much for myself."

"Oh, but you should mind," the Queen said, and called to a servant for some wine. "The most recent vintage is sublime, and I have the entire reserve. Yes, Count Sternhart, I think you both should come home. But, Sir Dolbinien, we must find another position for you, a suitable one ... perhaps a teacher, provided your lessons to my soldiery is all about the importance of following orders to the letter."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 08:25 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 01:17 AM)

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 01:20 AM)

Allerleirauh laughed.

"That's funny, coming from you, Loranna... you're gearing up for war right now, there will BE war."

She turned to Goranthir.

"You don't look like Helseth, you know. Even though Helseth was handsome when he was younger - he had an easy way about him. He used to sit on the table in the great hall, thinking dark thoughts. Don't you realize who you are, and that this place is far more dangerous for you than for Tris? I don't know what I was thinking. You are not going in that palace. We'll find a better way."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 08:27 AM

Outside the Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 16 2005, 11:20 PM)

"Trust me on this," Goranthir said. "My uncle and grandmother would not consider whether something was an inconvenience to you if it was necessary for them."

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 16 2005, 11:25 PM)

"You don't look like Helseth, you know. Even though Helseth was handsome when he was younger - he had an easy way about him. He used to sit on the table in the great hall, thinking dark thoughts. Don't you realize who you are, and that this place is far more dangerous for you than for Tris? I don't know what I was thinking. You are not going in that palace. We'll find a better way."

"I could fill the place with mice," Goranthir said, letting out a few squeaks. "Though it might take a couple days."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 08:33 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 01:24 AM)

Inside the Dome of Wayrest
"Oh, but you should mind," the Queen said, and called to a servant for some wine. "The most recent vintage is sublime, and I have the entire reserve. Yes, Count Sternhart, I think you both should come home. But, Sir Dolbinien, we must find another position for you, a suitable one ... perhaps a teacher, provided your lessons to my soldiery is all about the importance of following orders to the letter."

Tris felt a frisson run down his spine. Count Sternhart was his father; almost, he turned and looked over his shoulder to see if the old man was standing behind him.

"Your majesty, I'm not Count Sternhart," he said. "The baby is, my father's widow's child."

That was right, wasn't it? Tris tried to remember what the dark-robed solicitor had been saying, while his cousin was embracing him. Something about the terms of succession being fulfilled, something about long minorities...

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 08:37 AM

The Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 16 2005, 11:33 PM)

"I don't see any reason why that child shouldn't be well cared for," Elysana replied. "He should be raised in luxury, sent to the best schools, made comfortable for the rest of his life. You needn't think that it's a question of you or him ... or Odo, or your sister. I have a very unpleasant family feud you may remember from your childhood. I wouldn't visit that on anyone, but it's wrong for you to disinherit yourself. The title is not only an honor, but a duty. Allowing it to be bestowed on a child, that does no one good."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 08:41 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 02:25 AM)

"Yes there's going to be war," Loranna says. "A war in Morrowind. Preferably only involving Morrowind, and no one else this time."

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 02:27 AM)

Outside the Royal Dome of Wayrest
"Trust me on this," Goranthir said. "My uncle and grandmother would not consider whether something was an inconvenience to you if it was necessary for them."
"I could fill the place with mice," Goranthir said, letting out a few squeaks. "Though it might take a couple days."

Loranna sighs.

"Want to know what the best plan is right now?" she says. "The best plan is to tell Allie how to get into the palace, then I work my strongest chameleon spell on her, and she goes to see what's going on and what needs to be done. She's a one-woman army after all. You, Goran, should get away from here, like she suggests, and I ... well, I don't know at this point. I'm a healer, not an army, but I took my potions this morning ..."

She stops, and frowns. "I don't know; I just don't see any good coming from storming in there. They're talking; for all we know, Elysana's has in fact had a change of heart, or she's just being cordial before sending them to the axeman's block. But either way we might as well look before we jump in, is all I'm saying."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 08:46 AM

Outside the Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 16 2005, 11:41 PM)

"Yes there's going to be war," Loranna says. "A war in Morrowind. Preferably only involving Morrowind, and no one else this time."
Loranna sighs.

"Want to know what the best plan is right now?" she says. "The best plan is to tell Allie how to get into the palace, then I work my strongest chameleon spell on her, and she goes to see what's going on and what needs to be done. She's a one-woman army after all. You, Goran, should get away from here, like she suggests, and I ... well, I don't know at this point. I'm a healer, not an army, but I took my potions this morning ..."

She stops, and frowns. "I don't know; I just don't see any good coming from storming in there. They're talking; for all we know, Elysana's has in fact had a change of heart, or she's just being cordial before sending them to the axeman's block. But either way we might as well look before we jump in, is all I'm saying."

"I think you think I'm a little more impetuous than I am," Goranthir grinned. "I didn't advocate storming the palace ... Well, I did suggest filling it with mice, but that was a joke ... I put in scouts, I remarked that it's interesting that the guards think I have some passing resemblance to my uncle in his youth ..."

He put his hand on her arm, gently. "I have spies all through the palace now. They will let me know if Tris and Ciel are going to the axeman's block, but until they do, I agree -- we do nothing ... I only disagree with the idea of me going anywhere."

Goranthir raised his hood. "There."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 08:50 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 01:37 AM)

The Royal Dome of Wayrest
"I don't see any reason why that child shouldn't be well cared for," Elysana replied. "He should be raised in luxury, sent to the best schools, made comfortable for the rest of his life. You needn't think that it's a question of you or him ... or Oro, or your sister. I have a very unpleasant family feud you may remember from your childhood. I wouldn't visit that on anyone, but it's wrong for you to disinherit yourself. The title is not only an honor, but a duty. Allowing it to be bestowed on a child, that does no one good."

"I came partly because of Oro," Tris said, troubled. "A ten year old child in the middle of a pack of wolves like that... it's too much money. A tiny portion of it was too much money for me, when I was a boy."

He realized, suddenly, that Elysana was not Barenziah, and that he was being rude.

"Your majesty," Tris said. "Am I really Count Sternhart? That means... what does that mean? I'm your vassal, and you are my liege..."

He had expected the money. He hadn't expected the title. It felt very strange, like going through his father's closets and putting on his clothes.

Elysana could see that Tris was very pale.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 08:51 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 01:46 AM)

Outside the Dome of Wayrest
"I think you think I'm a little more impetuous than I am," Goranthir grinned. "I didn't advocate storming the palace ... Well, I did suggest filling it with mice, but that was a joke ... I put in scouts, I remarked that it's interesting that the guards think I have some passing resemblance to my uncle in his youth ..."

He put his hand on her arm, gently. "I have spies all through the palace now. They will let me know if Tris and Ciel are going to the axeman's block, but until they do, I agree -- we do nothing ... I only disagree with the idea of me going anywhere."

Goranthir raised his hood. "There."

"Thank you, dearest heart," Allerleirauh said, when he put the hood up.

"As far as I'm concerned, the mice were a good idea. Although it's not kind to the mice."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 08:55 AM

The Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 16 2005, 11:50 PM)

"I have asked the solicitors already, even before I knew you were going to be here, to have the discussion over your father's will here at the palace," Elysana said. "I could obviously overrule any will I wished, but it is a bad precedent. So far I have never had to do to it ... more than a few times, immediately after gaining the throne ... but I will let it be known that you should be Count Sternhart, and I will ask for a rational reason why you should not be, as well as the controlling member of your family's estate."

"Won't you have some wine? You could use some color, my lord."

The scampering of mice could not be heard as large as the room was.

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 08:57 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 12:46 AM)

The great palace doors, only one of two obvious ways into the palace, opened and Herwyn Brand started down the steps, reading a report and waving away the saluting guard.

Glancing up from his papers, he caught sight of three, tense people standing a cautious distance away from the Dome.

He smiled his funny, upside-down smile, and walked straight up to them.

"It might be less obvious if you blew trumpets," he said.

"Your friends are safe."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 08:59 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 02:51 AM)

"Thank you, dearest heart," Allerleirauh said, when he put the hood up.

"As far as I'm concerned, the mice were a good idea. Although it's not kind to the mice."

Especially not if Elysana hears about any of this, Loranna thinks to herself, envisioning the lengths to which Elysana would go to keep mice and any other creature out of her castle lest they be a spy for another ...

"... Sorry Goran," she says, smiling a bit. "I get like this when I'm worried; the mice were a nice idea."

" ... Should we find someplace else to loiter?" she asks, still feeling on edge. Not knowing what was going on inside that impossible dome, being out here wanting to jump in and save her friends while also not wanting to make a possibly peaceful solution go up in smoke ...

I do better at staying calm when there's swords and spells cutting through the air, she thinks. Lying in wait is something I need to work on ...

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 02:57 AM)

Loranna turns on Herwyn with an expression that suggests she's ready to punt his head clear over the Dome, or maybe die of embarrassement; the way her tearstreaks gleam on her cheeks it's a bit hard to tell.

" ... Don't give me ideas dear," she says, and then she feels relief wash through her, and she starts to laugh, leaning on Goranthir for support.

"I need a drink," she chuckles, her laughter turning rueful, contining the hints of sobbing.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:04 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 01:55 AM)

The Royal Dome of Wayrest
"I have asked the solicitors already, even before I knew you were going to be here, to have the discussion over your father's will here at the palace," Elysana said. "I could obviously overrule any will I wished, but it is a bad precedent. So far I have never had to do to it ... more than a few times, immediately after gaining the throne ... but I will let it be known that you should be Count Sternhart, and I will ask for a rational reason why you should not be, as well as the controlling member of your family's estate."

"Won't you have some wine? You could use some color, my lord."

The scampering of mice could not be heard as large as the room was.

"Your majesty is very kind," Tris said. What he needed even more than the wine was a chair.

If he was Count Sternhart, that meant the estate was his. No, both estates. It meant Ymalna and her baby - the baby's name was Aubrian - only had a place to live as long as he provided one. It meant he was his younger brother Oro's guardian.

I don't want to move back to Wayrest.

It meant no more long lazy days lying in nests in the top of trees...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:07 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 01:57 AM)

"Tell me what's happening," Allerleirauh said. She wasn't elegant, or in control; she was almost pleading.

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:09 AM

Outside the Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 16 2005, 11:51 PM)

"Your friends are safe."

Goranthir takes in a sharp intake of breath.

"Thank Nirni, are you sure?"

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 16 2005, 11:59 PM)

" ... Don't give me ideas dear," she says, and then she feels relief wash through her, and she starts to laugh, leaning on Goranthir for support.

"I need a drink," she chuckles, her laughter turning rueful, contining the hints of sobbing.

Goranthir laughs back, holding her.

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:11 AM

The Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 12:04 AM)

The Queen frowned. "If I'm so kind, why does it look like you're about to vomit?"

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 09:12 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 01:07 AM)

"Tell me what's happening," Allerleirauh said. She wasn't elegant, or in control; she was almost pleading.

Herwyn cleared his throat. He wasn't comfortable speaking to Allerleirauh at the best of times, let alone when she was distressed. Herwyn didn't imagine that happened easily.

"Her Majesty Elysana has acquired evidence that clearly shows how Laurent Lyonswurst was using a magical ring to manipulate the minds of Tris, and Sir Dolbinen in a plot against the Throne.

Herwyn looked at his shoes, which just happened to be spotlessly polished, as usual.

"In light of this evidence, she has pardoned them both."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:16 AM

Outside the Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 12:12 AM)

"The one crime Laurent Lyonswurst was not guilty of, that I know of," Goranthir gasped involuntarily. "You did this?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:20 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 02:11 AM)

The Dome of Wayrest
The Queen frowned. "If I'm so kind, why does it look like you're about to vomit?"

"Forgive me, your majesty," Tris said, trying to laugh. "I suppose I do."

He couldn't think of any explanation he could give that didn't sound hopelessly childish. Had there ever been a time when Elysana hadn't wanted the responsibility of kingdom and family? She had fought for it, all her life.

"My father was supposed to live forever," Tris said. "That's all, really. It's a sudden change in plans."

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 09:25 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 01:16 AM)

Outside the Dome of Wayrest
"The one crime Laurent Lyonswurst was not guilty of, that I know of," Goranthir gasped involuntarily. "You did this?"

Herwyn looked up at the young prince, his face pale but unreadable.

"Lord Lyonswurst was very good at hiding his crimes, your Highness. Who is to say what atrocities he commited that we will never know of.

"His life, and his crimes, are at an end now. We should put thoughts of him behind us."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:28 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 12:20 AM)

"Welcome to the world of business, my lord," Elysana nodded, taking a sip of her wine. "Fortunes fall and rise. Do you fear you are not up to the challenge? You needn't. Creating a fortune takes talent and hard work, but you know the nobility of Wayrest well enough to know that those two adjectives do not regularly apply to our gentry."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 09:29 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 03:25 AM)

"Indeed," Loranna says, guessing the reason for Herwyn's distress; she puts a comforting hand on Allie's shoulder, and squeezes Goranthir with a friendly, warning strength.

"Thank you for telling us this," she says to Herwyn. "At long last, this ordeal is over."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:30 AM

Outside the Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 12:25 AM)

"I would not challenge that," Goranthir replied carefully, and then grinned. "Loranna said she needed a drink. May I buy you one?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:32 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 02:25 AM)

Allerleirauh lifted Herwyn Brand's hand to her lips, and kissed it. Then she looked him in the eyes, a measuring look.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:34 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 02:28 AM)

"I know how to spend money anyway, your majesty," Tris said."It's the rest I wasn't prepared for. My brother - brothers. My father's widow."

And I'm in love right now, he wanted to say. I'm busy.

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 09:36 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 01:32 AM)

Allerleirauh lifted Herwyn Brand's hand to her lips, and kissed it. Then she looked him in the eyes, a measuring look.

Herwyn went from pale to purple in an instant, and, as quick as was marginally polite, thrust his hand in his coat pocket.

Speaking to Goranthir but looking at Allerleirauh, he forced a smile and said, "A drink would be welcome, if my company is, but allow me to buy. It is my country, after all."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:39 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 02:36 AM)

"Are we safe here?" Allerleirauh asked. "No, let me be more specific: is he safe here?"

She indicated Goranthir with a nod.

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:40 AM

The Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 12:34 AM)

"Don't be absurd," the Queen frowned. "You came to Wayrest a wanted criminal, and I've pardoned you and said I would use my influence to clear the way for your inheritance ... You were prepared for execution, I take it, and not actual responsibility? I understand that you are a dilletante, but I did not think you that perverse."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:42 AM

Outside the Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 12:39 AM)

"Are we safe here?" Allerleirauh asked. "No, let me be more specific: is he safe here?"

She indicated Goranthir with a nod.

Though they could not see it, under his hood, Goranthir rolled his eyes. "I am."

As soon as he was the one in potential danger and not his friends, he was a 16-year-old again, not The King With A Plan.

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 09:43 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 01:39 AM)

"Are we safe here?" Allerleirauh asked. "No, let me be more specific: is he safe here?"

She indicated Goranthir with a nod.

"Well," said Herwyn, "I don't have orders to apprehend him.

"And I know a place where they'll serve your drinks in a little garden courtyard, and there are hummingbirds... and nobody will look for us there. Nobody."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:46 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 12:43 AM)

"Lead the way, o fellow Eightman of the Spheres," Goranthir smiled, taking Allerleirauh's and Loranna's arms, and following Herwyn where he led.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:47 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 02:40 AM)

The Royal Dome of Wayrest
"Don't be absurd," the Queen frowned. "You came to Wayrest a wanted criminal, and I've pardoned you and said I would use my influence to clear the way for your inheritance ... You were prepared for execution, I take it, and not actual responsibility? I understand that you are a dilletante, but I did not think you that perverse."

If she had been Barenziah, or even Aubk-i, Tris would have jokingly said that he was probably more perverse than you could imagine. But it wasn't the sort of joke Elysana would find funny, and it was even less funny with Laurent's journal fresh in everyone's minds.

He almost said, Execution is easier than responsibility... it only takes a moment, and then it's over. But Elysana wouldn't find that amusing either.

"Responsibility is not something I have much experience with, your majesty," Tris said. "I am very good at tasks that reward courage, and impulse."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 09:54 AM

The Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 12:47 AM)

"Responsibility is not something I have much experience with, your majesty," Tris said. "I am very good at tasks that reward courage, and impulse."

"The Gaerington fortune at present rewards diligence and conservatism," Elysana replied cooly, handing her glass to a servant who appeared the moment she seemed to be finished with it. "You can change that, you can change yourself, or you can surrender to me and that pack of wolves you call a family. It all means the same to me. Now, you must excuse me ..."

A servant had been signaling to her discreetly, and she gave him a discreet signal in return.

"I believe our audience is at an end, until tomorrow, if you intend to come for the reading of your father's will."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 09:58 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 02:54 AM)

The Royal Dome of Wayrest
"The Gaerington fortune at present rewards diligence and conservatism," Elysana replied cooly, handing her glass to a servant who appeared the moment she seemed to be finished with it. "You can change that, you can change yourself, or you can surrender to me and that pack of wolves you call a family. It all means the same to me. Now, you must excuse me ..."

A servant had been signaling to her discreetly, and she gave him a discreet signal in return.

"I believe our audience is at an end, until tomorrow, if you intend to come for the reading of your father's will."

There's an interim plan, Tris thought. Picking people who have the skills I don't.

"Your majesty," Tris said, kneeling. "I won't forget what I owe you."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 10:05 AM

The Royal Dome of Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 12:58 AM)

There's an interim plan, Tris thought. Picking people who have the skills I don't.

"Your majesty," Tris said, kneeling. "I won't forget what I owe you."

"I know you won't," the Queen of Wayrest said, and then added. "And as I neglected to mention it, my condolences on the death of your father."

The audience was at an end.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 10:06 AM

It was late in the year for hummingbirds. But Herwyn Brand hadn't lied. There were hummingbirds in the courtyard. Like a little corner of paradise, in the middle of a stolid Wayrest garden.

Tris had most of his color back, by the time he came to greet his friends. But he kept moving his mouth as though expecting someone else's words to come out of it.

"Ciel is with the Knights of the Rose," Tris said. "And I'm Count Sternhart."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 10:09 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 04:06 AM)

Loranna had been enjoying the sight of the hummingbirds and the Wayrest vintage when Tris came to tell them the news; she ran his words through her mind a couple of times to make sure she had heard him correctly.

Then, wordlessly, she got up and wrapped her arms around him; one way or another, it was appropriate.

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 10:10 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 02:06 AM)

"The title fits you well," Herwyn said, pouring a glass for Tris.

"Condolences and congratulations. We should drink to both."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 10:14 AM

The Little Inn With Hummingbirds, Wayrest

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 01:10 AM)

"The title fits you well," Herwyn said, pouring a glass for Tris.

"Condolences and congratulations. We should drink to both."

"Stern heart?" Goranthir giggled. Yes, giggled. It wasn't a chortle, or a chuckle, or anything more manly, it was what he did after a glass and a half of wine. He wasn't drunk, but he was in an extraordinarily good mood. "You think that title fits him well? I don't know, but I'm very pleased to see your head is still on your neck. And jolly good for Ciel too."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 10:17 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 03:14 AM)

The Little Inn With Hummingbirds, Wayrest
"Stern heart?" Goranthir giggled. Yes, giggled. It wasn't a chortle, or a chuckle, or anything more manly, it was what he did after a glass and a half of wine. He wasn't drunk, but he was in an extraordinarily good mood. "You think that title fits him well? I don't know, but I'm very pleased to see your head is still on your neck."

Tris smiled at Loranna's embrace, politely waved away the drink, and didn't look directly at Allie, who was regarding him with an expression he recognized - the look of a victor trying not to pity the fallen.

"She expects me to move back to Wayrest," he said, very quietly, reaching for Goranthir's hand under the table.

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 10:21 AM

Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 01:17 AM)

Goranthir took the hand, and most indiscreetly kissed it.

"What do you think about that?" he asked. "It's a pretty enough city."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 10:24 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 04:17 AM)

Loranna slowly lets out a breath. "A reason for me to come to Wayrest more often," she says, putting on an encouraging smile. "Two, you and Sir Ciel."

She gives the embrace one last, sympathetic squeeze before letting Tris go, her eyes saying I can relate - I went from barmaid to Lady myself.

"To the new Count Sternhart and the reinstated Knight of the Rose," She says, taking up her drink. "To Tris and Ciel, our friends. To the future, whatever it may bring, whatever we need to do to make it good."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 10:25 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 03:21 AM)

Wayrest
Goranthir took the hand, and most indiscreetly kissed it.

"What do you think about that?" he asked. "It's a pretty enough city."

Tris had planned to speak later, in private. He knew Herwyn was probably squirming in his seat. But it seemed to need to be said now.

"I don't want to leave you," Tris said, feeling his face go from pale to flushed during the course of a single sentence. His voice wasn't doing what he told it to either. "You can't live in Wayrest... Herwyn, you were with Elysana in Vivec City, tell him what members of this family do to each other when they catch each other."

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 10:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 02:25 AM)

Tris had planned to speak later, in private. He knew Herwyn was probably squirming in his seat. But it seemed to need to be said now.

"I don't want to leave you," Tris said, feeling his face go from pale to flushed in the course of one sentence. His voice wasn't doing what he told it to either. "You can't live in Wayrest... Herwyn, you were with Elysana in Vivec City, tell him what members of this family do to each other when they catch each other."

Herwyn smiled a flickering smile, took an awkward drink of his wine, and said, "He's right. You can't live here."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 10:34 AM

Wayrest

Goranthir was raising his hand to Loranna's toast when Tris interrupted him. His smile wavered ...

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 01:27 AM)

Herwyn smiled a flickering smile, took an awkward drink of his wine, and said, "He's right. You can't live here."

And fell.

"That's ridiculous, I can do whatever I want to," Goranthir said, glumly, knowing that wasn't true.

He drained his glass. "None of this matters. Tris and Ciel weren't executed, and that's a damn good thing."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 10:39 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 03:34 AM)

Wayrest

Goranthir was raising his hand to Loranna's toast when Tris interrupted him. His smile wavered ...
And fell.

"That's ridiculous, I can do whatever I want to," Goranthir said, glumly, knowing that wasn't true.

He drained his glass. "None of this matters. Tris and Ciel weren't executed, and that's a damn good thing."

"I won't leave you," Tris said, putting an arm around Goranthir's neck and pulling him close. "I said so just last night, damn it."

"Tris," Allerleirauh said carefully. "Melodrama aside. You can live anywhere in the world, and still spend as much time as you like together."

Posted by: S'reddit Oct 17 2005, 10:46 AM

Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 01:39 AM)

"Good, we got that settled," Goranthir laughed. "And it's true. Half my father's nobles spend half their time elsewhere."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 10:50 AM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 03:46 AM)

Wayrest
"Good, we got that settled," Goranthir laughed. "And it's true. Half my father's nobles spend half their time elsewhere."

"What was that toast again?" Tris asked, after a long moment. "To the future, whatever we need to make it good? I'll drink to that. And I'll drink to Ciel, too."

And he did. Somehow, Wayrest wine tasted better in Wayrest.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 01:36 PM

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Oct 17 2005, 02:05 AM)

Summary:

Kethiah, ex-assassin, is planning on opening the new tavern, The Nymph and Noggin with her partner and lover Isidor tomorrow.

Isidor, male nord, is planning on opening the new tavern, The Nymph and Noggin, with his partner and lover Kethiah, later today.

Tyradil and Tilitalia are getting ready for school.

Tsei, female argonian, is back in Black Marsh, doing Aktosh knows what.

Solise, female breton, is ... more on this later.

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 07:19 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 02:50 AM)

(Wayrest:)

"I suppose," Herwyn said quietly after draining his third glass of dark wine, "I should explain to you why you'e still alive, Tris.

"As I told Allerleirauh earlier, her Majesty learned that Laurent Lyonswurst was plotting against the throne... which is common for his family, you see... and was using powerful magic to control you and Sir Dolbinen and force you to take part in his plans.

"Due to the power of the ring, I'm sure you won't remember any of this, Tris."

Herwyn looked down at the table again, and reached for the wine bottle.

Posted by: Slashes-With-Claws Oct 17 2005, 07:23 PM

Caves near Ald Raathim

Searching for the leader of the bandits that have been attacking travelers aong the road to Ald Raathim, Slashes-With-Claws has entered a cave Along with three dunmer guards and another warrior.

They reached a fork in the tunnels, the sounds of voices comming from them.

The two heros decide to split up, Slashes will first fire his last two flame burst arrows.

Slashes informs the dunmerguard whos life he had saved earlier to follow him.

Slashes notches the first arrow and fires it to the right tunnel. There is the flash of flame and numerous shouts.

He notches the last arrow and fires it down the left passage. another burst of flame and more shouts.

Slashes draws his claymore and enters the left tunnel. Two bandits are busy attempting to put out small flmes that lick at their clothes.

The dunmer charges one, Slashes the other. Slashes' dwarven claymore easily slides through the bandit's guts.

The dunmer guard pierces the other bandit through the heart.

Leaving the corpses Slashes continues down the next tunnel, the dunmer following.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 07:25 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 12:19 PM)

"You did this?" Tris asked.

He reached for the wine bottle, beating Herwyn to it, and poured for him, then for himself.

It took him a few moments of thinking to put all the pieces in place.

"I owe you now. I mean, I really owe you."

Tris made a highly inappropriate suggestion about what he owed Herwyn Brand in return for all he had done.

"Doesn't have to be me... you tell me, I'll set it up. The Queen of Daggerfall, nice looking lady if you like older women. Some fair nymph from the wilds of Wrothgaria. Doll - I understand she's in love with Nalion, but she'll understand it's a matter of guild honor. Does it say something about me that I'm finding the first of these suggestions really funny right now?"

Posted by: Rhedd Oct 17 2005, 07:27 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 11:25 AM)

Herwyn's face turned as many colors as he found ways to say, "No, thank you," and he finally said, rather loudly, "Tris, please! There are ladies at this table.

"Besides, it wasn't at all my idea. You should make your offer to Queen Barenziah."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 07:40 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Oct 17 2005, 12:27 PM)

Herwyn's face turned as many colors as he found ways to say, "No, thank you," and he finally said, rather loudly, "Tris, please! There are ladies at this table.

"That's not a nice thing to say about Goranthir, Herwyn," Tris said, laughing at the thought of either Allie or Loranna being shocked by the conversation.

QUOTE

"Besides, it wasn't at all my idea. You should make your offer to Queen Barenziah."

Barenziah had said she would help Ciel for him. What had she said? That she'd see what could be done. Resourceful. That's what she was.

"You should speak of her Majesty the Dower Queen of Morrowind with more respect," Tris said. He filled the glass again. "To her Majesty Barenziah of Mournhold."

He drained the glass.

"That's enough for me. I want to be just barely in possession of all my faculties when I face my family."

It was that time.

An endless stream of black carriages pulled up to the front doors of the stately house on the docks, discharged passengers, and then departed. Outside the house, a slim young woman in black, her hair pulled severely back from her face, sat on the steps, reading a book. Few of Tris's companions had seen the elder Gaerington before his death, but she had his nose: powerful, and strongly aquiline. She had his penetrating stare, too.

The book was "On the Properties of Theoretical Substances." She snapped it shut and stood up as they approached.

"Tris, you haven't changed a bit," Iolanthe said. "You've been drinking, and in public, too! How incredibly appropriate on the day of Father's funeral."

"Hello, sister dear," Tris said. "I've come prepared to forgive you for being an overbearing know-it-all if you're willing to forgive me for being an insufferable prat."

"Done," his sister said. "Although the deal doesn't include me forgiving you for being Mother's favorite. For that, I want money."

"Done," Tris said. They embraced.

"Speaking of money, I brought you a present," Iolanthe said. She reached into the folds of her skirt - she wore a heavily decorated 'apron' in the front, in the old Wayrest fashion - and produced a dagger with a glass blade.

"It's a dagger," Tris said.

"Oh, right first time! It's a glass jinkblade. It's our dear stepmother's, to kill you with. I replaced it with one that isn't enchanted. I imagined she had less chance of stabbing you to death if you weren't paralyzed."

"Ymalna..." Tris said. "How did you know? She's surely not wandering around the funeral reception telling everyone she plans to kill me."

"She forgets that the servants in this house have lived here far longer than she has," Iolanthe said. "I have always been a perfect mistress, and besides I'm a sympathetic character, the oppressed-but-studious dutiful daughter. You, well, you said it yourself, were an overbearing prat. And besides no one's forgiven you for getting that tutor fired for fooling around with you."

"Oh that poor man," Tris said. "One of my past sins I'd almost forgotten. Is he still alive, do you think?"

"Buried in the halls of Julianos far from any children, report has it," Iolanthe said. "Tris, it was hardly your sin, he was exactly four times your age."

"He never laid a finger on me until I laid one on him," Tris said. "It was something I did out of fascination, to see if I could, and besides I needed better grades. The first time, he was trembling as if a snake were crawling on him."

"Well, he never trembled when he stuck his hand up my skirt," Iolanthe said, matter-of-factly. "You have a tender conscience; it allows all sorts of people to play you for a fool."

Tris gaped in surprise. "You never told anyone."

"What, tell father? The man was already risking his job teaching me at all. And he knew just how far he could push me without making me angry. Just as he knew with you, Tris. He had done it many times before."

"You never told me," Tris said.

She gave him a contemptuous look. "Why would I tell you anything? Look, it's getting cold out here as the sun drops. I'll pretend you introduced me to your friends; I'm sure they're very nice ones. Hello, Tris's friends. Goodbye, now."

Iolanthe trotted up the almost vertical flight of stairs to the huge oak doors, hung with mourning streamers, and disappeared inside.

"And that," Tris said, "Is the easiest encounter I expect to have this evening."

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 17 2005, 08:31 PM

Tris's "Homecoming," Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 01:40 PM)

"And that," Tris said, "Is the easiest encounter I expect to have this evening."

Goranthir had been thinking about his grandmother. For some reason, he couldn't be jealous of her, but he ought to be. While plotting her little war, she had found time to arrange for Tris's pardon and inheritance in a kingdom that was not friendly to her. No doubt without raising a drop of sweat.

He watched the exchange between brother and sister, and smiled at Tris.

"And I thought showing up ninety-percent naked at my parents' masque was awkward," he said.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 17 2005, 08:47 PM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

Kethiah, Isidor, and Trason finished up the menu for the Grand Opening of the tavern tonight. There would be cheeses and scuttle. Pan roasted oysters. Kwama crisps. Smoked slaughterfish with a peppery pastry leaf.

It would be hearty food, simple but elegant. And they had the serving and kitchen staff to handle it.

An abbreviated version of the orchestra that played at Barenziah’s party at the castle had been hired on as well. The back of the tavern would be open to the air for dancing.

Isidor would make sure that everyone knew about the party, but just to be sure, Kethiah had one other job to do as well. She only wasn’t sure how she’d be able to do it.

She walked the children to school as usual.

Posted by: Loranna Oct 17 2005, 09:05 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 02:31 PM)

Tris's "Homecoming," Wayrest
Goranthir had been thinking about his grandmother. For some reason, he couldn't be jealous of her, but he ought to be. While plotting her little war, she had found time to arrange for Tris's pardon and inheritance in a kingdom that was not friendly to her. No doubt without raising a drop of sweat.

He watched the exchange between brother and sister, and smiled at Tris.

"And I thought showing up ninety-percent naked at my parents' masque was awkward," he said.

Loranna was still marveling at Tris's conversation with Iolanthe - which was to say, she was trying to figure out if Iolanthe loved Tris more, hated Ymalna more, or simply acted out of sisterly duty by switching glass blades.

Somehow, Elysana's pardoning of Tris seemed a bit less like royal mercy.

"Ackward family moments seem to be a hallmark of the adventurer," she mutters, mentally running over the knick-knacks she keeps on her person to see if she had packed a spare resist poison potion for Tris ...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 10:50 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 01:31 PM)

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 02:05 PM)

Loranna was still marveling at Tris's conversation with Iolanthe - which was to say, she was trying to figure out if Iolanthe loved Tris more, hated Ymalna more, or simply acted out of sisterly duty by switching glass blades.

Somehow, Elysana's pardoning of Tris seemed a bit less like royal mercy.

"Awkward family moments seem to be a hallmark of the adventurer," she mutters, mentally running over the knick-knacks she keeps on her person to see if she had packed a spare resist poison potion for Tris ...

"Iolanthe is like that with everyone, don't take it personally," Tris said. "She and I had an agreement, growing up. I kept Father's attention focused on me so she could read in peace. She's probably pleading a headache right now so she can escape to one of the upstairs bedrooms."

A departing visitor craned his neck at them, as if trying to decide whether he recognized Tris.

"As for Ymalna," Tris continued, "Can you blame her? She's at my mercy now, I could kick her into the street. And she's led a very sheltered life. I need to find her and tell her everything is going to be all right. Goranthir, tell me how I should introduce you."

Posted by: Slashes-With-Claws Oct 17 2005, 10:53 PM

Caves near Ald Raathim

Slashes and the dumner guard reach what appears to be a dead end in the cave. A pool of water shimmers to the side.

Slashes notices marks on the stone floor leading into the water. Something heavy had been dragged into the pool.

Slashes turns to the dunmer guard. "Wait here for me."

Equily at home on land and in the water the argonian enters the pool. There is a large opening in the wall under the water.

He goes through the opening and looks up, another chamber, with lights.

Slashes-With-Claws carefuly pokes his head out of the water. Two dunmer sit on a crate sorting through assorted valuables. So this is where they keep their stollen loot. A good place.

Slashes quietly readies his bow. Taking careful aim he fires, hitting one of the bandits in the back. There is the ting on metal and the arrow skips off at an odd angle.

The bandit he hit turns and looks at the pool. Slashes swares as the bandit shouts, "What's that s'wit doing here?"

He lunges out of the water drawing his claymore.

The bandits spread out, trying to surround him.

Slashes swings at the first, but the bandit rolls backwards avoiding the swing. The bandit grabs a shield.

The second bandit lunges swinging his longsword, Slashes dodges, the tip glances off the argonian's chitin armor.

Slashes kicks to the side his foot hiting the bandit square in the chest. Had he not been wearing armor Slashes toe claws would have gored him. The bandit stumbles to the ground.

The first bandit approaches, his shield ready. Slashes swings at him tearing a large rent in the worn iron shield. He swinds again slicing farther into the shield. The bandit falls to the ground, blood running down his arm.

the second bandit makes a good hit on slashes arm, the chitin armor cracks, blood flows from a deep cut.

The argonian make a quick sweep towards the second bandit, driving him backwards. He continues the sweep around in an arc that ends at the first bandit. There is a brief grunt from the bandit and he lies still.

Slashes spins to the side avoiding the blow from the second bandit. He calmly waits for the bandit to make the next move.

The bandit attacks, his sword is paried and turned aside. Slashes reverses the motion of his claymore in moments driving it into the bandit's chest.

After casting a healing spell on his slashed arm he examines the room, finding numerous items of value. Not highly valuable, but with enough worth to try to keep them safe.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 17 2005, 10:54 PM

Tris's Happy Homecoming, Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 04:50 PM)

"So everyone knows that you're going to be the Count?" Goranthir whispered. "I didn't think the will had been read ... Why don't you just introduce me as Goran? It's easier to remember than making up something right now ..."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 11:01 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 02:47 PM)

Isidor was up at the castle, looking for Loranna. Not finding her, he looked for Kallen, who might know where she was.

Posted by: syronj Oct 17 2005, 11:03 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 05:01 PM)

Isidor was up at the castle, looking for Loranna. Not finding her, he looked for Kallen, who might know where she was.

Shaka saw Isidor down the corridor, and lifted a hand. "Hail. Isidor. Today's the grand opening, right?"

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 11:04 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 05:03 PM)

Shaka saw Isidor down the corridor, and lifted a hand. "Hail. Isidor. Today's the grand opening, right?"

Isidor looked up, and said with a smile, "Yes, tonight. A nice menu, a band, some dancing. It should be a lot of fun. Will you be able to come?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 17 2005, 11:04 PM

Castle Daruhn, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 05:01 PM)

Isidor was up at the castle, looking for Loranna. Not finding her, he looked for Kallen, who might know where she was.

"Her Ladyship was called away suddenly," Kallen said, involved in multiple projects and calm as usual. "I'm afraid I don't know when she'll return. If this is an emergency, I can use the Mirror to contact her ..."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 11:07 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 05:04 PM)

Castle Daruhn, Ald Raathim
"Her Ladyship was called away suddenly," Kallen said, involved in multiple projects and calm as usual. "I'm afraid I don't know when she'll return. If this is an emergency, I can use the Mirror to contact her ..."

"Ah." Isidor said, "No, nothing urgent. Just wanted to invite her to an event. Thank you, Kallen."

Posted by: syronj Oct 17 2005, 11:08 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 05:04 PM)

Isidor looked up, and said with a smile, "Yes, tonight. A nice menu, a band, some dancing. It should be a lot of fun. Will you be able to come?"

"I didn't know you and Kethiah had music laid on too. Sure, I wouldn't miss it."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 11:16 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 05:08 PM)

"I didn't know you and Kethiah had music laid on too. Sure, I wouldn't miss it."

"Yep, a whole band. See you there, then." He clapped Shaka on the shoulder, and made his way out of the castle, and back into the town.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 17 2005, 11:17 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 03:54 PM)

Tris's Happy Homecoming, Wayrest
"So everyone knows that you're going to be the Count?" Goranthir whispered. "I didn't think the will had been read ... Why don't you just introduce me as Goran? It's easier to remember than making up something right now ..."

"Wayrest law is complicated," Tris said. "It's more about centuries of common law than about one man's will. My father couldn't keep me from inheriting my mother's money - that's called estrangement - and believe me, he wanted to. But patents of nobility - and grants of land - that's different from money. It's not common law, it's whatever was set down when the title was established. Patents tend to be based on the principle of defense in time of war. And they're all different. There's one very highly-placed lord who has to provide her Majesty with a gilded Harpy's Tongue every year for the New Life Festival.

"I'm guessing the County's establishment says something like, if an able bodied male heir of military age is available, the title passes to him. There is a county, you know. Not that it matters much, comparatively; my father owns property everywhere. There's a big house in the Imperial City too, which we used when my mother went there on pilgrimage."

He was chattering too much; he stopped himself.

"What I'm saying is that yes, Ymalna probably knows, or suspects, and rumors move quickly. So, you're Goran. Of Ald Raathim, if anybody asks."

He stopped on the topmost step. A servant held the door open for them. Tris stood on the threshold, in full view of the room, and kissed Goranthir on the mouth.

"That's because I could," he whispered, winking. "The old bastard's dead, and this is my house now."

Conversation paused. But only for a heartbeat. Then people were approaching, arms outstretched, to offer polite sympathy.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 17 2005, 11:28 PM

Tris's Happy Happy Homecoming, Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 05:17 PM)

He stopped on the topmost step. A servant held the door open for them. Tris stood on the threshold, in full view of the room, and kissed Goranthir on the mouth.

"That's because I could," he whispered, winking. "The old bastard's dead, and this is my house now."

Conversation paused. But only for a heartbeat. Then people were approaching, arms outstretched, to offer polite sympathy.

Goranthir laughed. He still felt a little tipsy from the two glasses of wine. "I wish all my civics law tutorials had ended with a kiss."

He looked around at the crowd and the house. For a moment, he indulged in the fantasy of what they could do there, in Tris's house, once all the people had left ... But then he was reminded of the reality, that he couldn't live in Wayrest. This might be the only time he'd see the place.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 11:37 PM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 16 2005, 11:25 PM)

Thom laughed. "I could do it. It would take a very long time, and be very painful, but I could manage."

As he was speaking, Nylus had drifted off to sleep beside the fire. Seeing this, Thom grinned then thought That works. Now, I know I am forgetting something...oh yea, I meant to go get some more supplies. Shaking his head, Thom rose and made his way back to town.

As Isidor made his way through town, back to the Nymph and Noggin, he saw Thom, and waved to the ranger. "Hail, Thom! Are you busy tonight?"

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 17 2005, 11:42 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 03:37 PM)

As Isidor made his way through town, back to the Nymph and Noggin, he saw Thom, and waved to the ranger. "Hail, Thom! Are you busy tonight?"

Thom grinned as he heard Isidor. "Hello, Isidor. Tonight? Nothing, I don't think. Whats going on? Something to do with your new tavern?"

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 11:44 PM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 05:42 PM)

Thom grinned as he heard Isidor. "Hello, Isidor. Tonight? Nothing, I don't think. Whats going on? Something to do with your new tavern?"

"Ah, good. Yes, the tavern's grand opening is tonight. Drinking, dancing, good food, good company. I hope you'll be able to come."

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 17 2005, 11:48 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 03:44 PM)

"Ah, good. Yes, the tavern's grand opening is tonight. Drinking, dancing, good food, good company. I hope you'll be able to come."

Thom laughed and slapped the Nord on the back. "Hope I'll be able to come? Friend, people would have to tie me down to keep me from coming."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 17 2005, 11:49 PM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 05:48 PM)

Thom laughed and slapped the Nord on the back. "Hope I'll be able to come? Friend, people would have to tie me down to keep me from coming."

Isidor laughed, and smiled. "I'll see you there then." He shook hands with Thom, and made his way back to the Nymph and the Noggin.

Posted by: syronj Oct 17 2005, 11:49 PM

Shaka used Recall to return to his campsite and change for the grand opening. Once inside the yurt, he moved a rug to reveal a pit dug into the forest floor. Shaka left the Spear and his armor within it, and sealed the wooden trapdoor with a spell.

Shaka dressed a little better for the evening, and decided to wear the sheathed Glass kukri on his back, under the coat.

He started walking back to town.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 17 2005, 11:55 PM

The Drunken Guar, Ald Raathim

Kethiah left the Drunken Guar, smiling.

They would close their bar that night, and direct anyone who was hungry or thirsty to the new tavern, the Nymph and Noggin down on the docks.

Isidor and Kethiah owed that innkeeper one, for sure.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 12:01 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 05:55 PM)

Isidor was making his way back to the tavern, at the same time as Kethiah. He smiled when he saw her, and said, "So, everything's set for tonight, it looks like. I've invited who needs to be invited, though it seems Loranna is out of town, though."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 12:02 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 04:28 PM)

Tris's Happy Happy Homecoming, Wayrest
Goranthir laughed. He still felt a little tipsy from the two glasses of wine. "I wish all my civics law tutorials had ended with a kiss."

He looked around at the crowd and the house. For a moment, he indulged in the fantasy of what they could do there, in Tris's house, once all the people had left ... But then he was reminded of the reality, that he couldn't live in Wayrest. This might be the only time he'd see the place.

Tris's knife-wielding evil stepmother and vengeful ex-lover was revealed, on closer inspection, to be a plump, not strikingly attractive brunette girl of Goranthir's own age.

When Tris had first met Ymalna, her skin had been radiant as a pearl. But she had been several months pregnant then. Now she was anything but radiant; in fact, she had two badly-concealed pimples and a cold sore. She sat on the large divan, surrounded by matronly women who were talking across her, primarily about their growing children. Periodically someone would bring the conversation back to the subject of the deceased; voices would drop, and for a moment everyone would look mournful. But in a few moments the conversation would wander again, and everyone would laugh and look brighter.

Over the divan was a lifesized portrait of the elder Gaerington in his prime. Tris paused for a second to stare at it; where had it been stored, all these years?

His father, unmistakably. Ruddy cheeked, fair haired, square-faced, with a mercurial gleam in his eye. That monumental nose. No beard, so long ago. And though his father had never been slender, this portrait had been taken before he went all to fat. He had the powerful build of a man who had gotten his start breaking up fights in the shipping yards. Probably a wedding portrait, Tris decided, commissioned when he had married his first wife, the only child of his business partner, Tris's mother. And put away afterwards who knows why, perhaps because it was too good a likeness.

The surprising thing was how much the portrait looked like Tris.

"Ymalna, may we speak?" Tris said, bowing. "Alone?"

Goranthir found himself confronted by another man who looked like Tris. A slightly older, heavier, coarser version of Tris, with blonder hair, freckles, and a snub nose.

"Fredelar Gaerington," the man said, offering his hand. "You're Tris's friends from the funeral? I'm so happy he was able to come. Stupid that we wait until such sad occasions to visit each other. You wouldn't happen to know what he's planning to do about my house?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 12:07 AM

Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 06:01 PM)

"Well, that's a pity. Shame to be doing the Grand Opening without Loranna around," Kethiah frowned. "I suppose we could postpone it, but I just got the innkeeper at the Guar to agree to close his bar down tonight ... and there's the food, and drink, and music all prepared ... You don't know when she's going to be back?"

Posted by: Draak Oct 18 2005, 12:10 AM

Gnisis

The Redoran Council is still meeting with the Indoril Emissary. Messengers and Couriors periodicly come and go but no one else is allowed inside. Security in Gnisis though already quite adequate has been tightened further.

Outside the Temporary Council Hall a number of people have started to gather. Rumors abound about what is takeing place inside. One rumor spreads like wildfire that the Redorans and the Indoril have entered into a Full Allience, as word spreads the rumor gets bigger and even more unbelievable.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 12:12 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 06:07 PM)

Ald Raathim
"Well, that's a pity. Shame to be doing the Grand Opening without Loranna around," Kethiah frowned. "I suppose we could postpone it, but I just got the innkeeper at the Guar to agree to close his bar down tonight ... and there's the food, and drink, and music all prepared ... You don't know when she's going to be back?"

"Hmm, no Kallen didn't mention when she would be back. If you want, we could have a small get together tonight, and then have the Grand Opening when Loranna gets back. Or vise-versa, have the Grand Opening tonight, and a small party when she gets back. Whatever you think is best."

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 12:14 AM

Tris's Homecoming, Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 06:02 PM)

Goranthir found himself confronted by another man who looked like Tris. A slightly older, heavier, coarser version of Tris, with blonder hair, freckles, and a snub nose.

"Fredelar Gaerington," the man said, offering his hand. "You're Tris's friends from the funeral? I'm so happy he was able to come. Stupid that we wait until such sad occasions to visit each other. You wouldn't happen to know what he's planning to do about my house?"

Goranthir shook it. "Goran of Ald Raathim. I'm afraid Tris hasn't confided in me any of his future plans. I imagine he's got a lot to go over."

The man was the one who had embraced Tris at the funeral, the friendliest member of the family. Had he already known that Tris was coming into his fortune, or were they genuinely friends? Goranthir knew a fair amount of Tris's immediate family, but not the extended one ...

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 12:20 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 06:12 PM)

"Well, if we knew when she was coming back, we could delay it," Kethiah replied. "The people we really need to make sure are available are all the various merchants and captains who use the docks. They're going to be our most regular customers."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 12:22 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 06:20 PM)

"Good point. Well, I guess we'll hold it tonight, and see if she's able to show up." Isidor said, frowning slightly.

ooc: Back in forty five minutes/ half hour.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 12:33 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 05:14 PM)

Tris's Homecoming, Wayrest
Goranthir shook it. "Goran of Ald Raathim. I'm afraid Tris has confided in me any of his future plans. I imagine he's got a lot to go over."

The man was the one who had embraced Tris at the funeral, the friendliest member of the family. Had he already known that Tris was coming into his fortune, or were they genuinely friends? Goranthir knew a fair amount of Tris's immediate family, but not the extended one ...

"Oh, I'm sorry," Fredelar said. "I'm as bad as Aunt Merribeth, she asked first thing through the door if Ymalna was planning on redecorating the house and if so could she have the Mara tapestry. It's just that he's my landlord now, I don't imagine he's thought twice about the old Gaerington place... we spent a lot of summers there together, growing up. You could say I'm Tris's country cousin, father's sister's son."

Allerleirauh smiled. "He's mentioned you. Vacation to Cyrodiil, right?"

"Oh, I see you are good friends of his," Fredelar said. "I'm never going to live that down. Corrupting youth, his father said. Let me just say that the Priestesses of Dibella on that trip did not show him anything he hadn't seen before."

Across the room, Tris's little brother Oro was staring at them. Now he approached. At the funeral, he had looked as if he had been crying. Now he was dry-eyed.

"You might as well not bother kissing up to him," Oro said. "The money won't last two years after Tris gets his hands on it. Might as well throw it in the Bjoulsae. This house is going to ruin, mark my words."

The little boy spoke with the intonation of an adult. In fact, it was exactly his deceased father's tone. The effect would have been laughable if it wasn't so ghoulish.

Fredelar stopped talking, clearly at a loss how to respond to a child who was being horribly rude but who had also just lost his father and therefore could not be punished.

Oro said one more word - not a polite word - directed at Goranthir. And stood his ground, staring, like a street bully trying to start a fight.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 12:36 AM

Castle Mournhold

QUOTE(Draak @ Oct 17 2005, 06:10 PM)

"The spies say there's no alliance," Barenziah said. She and Dres Vendama were sitting in the throne room, watching a parade of beautiful Dunmer women walk by, in various wedding gowns. They pointed out which parts of which they liked.

Wedding gowns did not interest Helseth in the slightest. But a possible alliance between Redoran and Indoril did.

"It has been over a month since we met with the Redoran, and gave the councilor our proposal for an alliance," Helseth replied. "And they have not returned with a response."

"True," said Barenziah.

"I like the bodice on that one," said Dres Vendama, pointing.

"It is pretty," the Queen Mother nodded.

"It has also been weeks since the attempted assassination on your life. The Indoril have given a formal and sincere apology, but they have not found the conspirators responsible," Helseth added.

"True," said Barenziah.

"I like the sleeves on that one," said Dres Vendama, pointing. "Why don't you have another meeting with them, Helseth?"

"If I keep asking for the meetings, then I am in a disadvantageous position," Helseth said. "What I need to do is apply pressure."

"You know best," Dres Vendama replied.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 12:56 AM

Tris's Homey Hapcoming, Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 06:33 PM)

Across the room, Tris's little brother Oro was staring at them. Now he approached. At the funeral, he had looked as if he had been crying. Now he was dry-eyed.

"You might as well not bother kissing up to him," Oro said. "The money won't last two years after Tris gets his hands on it. Might as well throw it in the Bjoulsae. This house is going to ruin, mark my words."

The little boy spoke with the intonation of an adult. In fact, it was exactly his deceased father's tone. The effect would have been laughable if it wasn't so ghoulish.

Fredelar stopped talking, clearly at a loss how to respond to a child who was being horribly rude but who had also just lost his father and therefore could not be punished.

Oro said one more word - not a polite word - directed at Goranthir. And stood his ground, staring, like a street bully trying to start a fight.

Goranthir smiled. "You have a good vocabulary, Oro. You express yourself well and succinctly for someone of your age. Your father would be proud of that. You take risks by being rude to perfect strangers, but I can see you've calculated those, and judged them to be acceptible, worth the satisfaction you'd get. All in all, you show impressive maturity for circumstances like this ... No wonder your brother is so fond of you."

"My only response would be --" Goranthir made a low, weird lowing bray. It was Minotaur for "What a nasty little creature you are" which made him feel better, but was more bizarre than offensive as a response.

Except if you're a Minotaur.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 01:02 AM

Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 06:22 PM)

"Good point. Well, I guess we'll hold it tonight, and see if she's able to show up." Isidor said, frowning slightly.

ooc: Back in forty five minutes/ half hour.

Isidor and Kethiah spent the rest of the afternoon, until it was time to pick the children up from school, speaking to the various captains, merchants, sailors, and other regulars on the dock, making sure they were all coming to the opening of the Nymph and Noggin tonight.

They also made quite a few excellent contacts for directly shipping exotic foodstuffs.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 01:16 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 05:56 PM)

Tris's Homey Hapcoming, Wayrest
Goranthir smiled. "You have a good vocabulary, Oro. You express yourself well and succinctly for someone of your age. Your father would be proud of that. You take risks by being rude to perfect strangers, but I can see you've calculated those, and judged them to be acceptible, worth the satisfaction you'd get. All in all, you show impressive maturity for circumstances like this ... No wonder your brother is so fond of you."

"My only response would be --" Goranthir made a low, weird lowing bray. It was Minotaur for "What a nasty little creature you are" which made him feel better, but was more bizarre than offensive as a response.

Except if you're a Minotaur.

Allerleirauh had slipped away, looking for an older family member with authority.

Goranthir's response was more confusing than offensive to Oro. When Oro frowned, his nose wrinkled like a wolf's. A trait he shared with his father, but not with Tris. He was trying to work out whether the strange Dunmer could be safely laughed at, or whether he should punch him.

Tris came down the stairs from the bedrooms, without Ymalna. He wished there was a mirror in the upstairs hall. His jerkin was missing a button, and there was a small bloodstain on the white collar of his linen undershirt.

He stood watching the confrontation. He hadn't heard the insult, or Goranthir's response, but he saw his little brother standing in exactly his father's stance - so perfect that he could have done it on the Wayrest stage for laughs. Loyal Oro. Tris was reminded of a dog the city guard had been forced to kill to get into a house after its master died in bed.

"That's about enough, kid," Fredelar said, scooping Oro up from behind. "Someone's going to bed."

They could only hear part of what Fredelar whispered in Oro's ear. Something about struggling, and looking like a child.

"We should probably go," Tris said. "Everything's settled, but no one's happy."

Posted by: Argonians rule Oct 18 2005, 01:24 AM

Meanwhile, Somewhere East of The province of Morrowind....

Falco surveyed his crew. Each was rigidly standing at attention for his very first weekly inspection. He would find pirates he found unsanitary, (AKA all of them) and sentence them to wash themselves, cut their hair, and put some clean clothes on. The purpose of these were to force a little hygiene on the pirates. One nord hadn't bathed in two years, and Falco was sick of the appauling smell.

Their captain wanted a clean-cut professional crew. Not the disorderly mob he was used to working with. Tomorrow we start organized combat training. But for now I better pick a man for laundry duty...

And so their captain began teaching full grown men the purpose of personal Hygiene.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 01:24 AM

Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:16 PM)

"We should probably go," Tris said. "Everything's settled, but no one's happy."

"If we leave without Allerleirauh, she'll snap our necks," Goranthir said. "Though I'm almost willing to take that chance."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 01:32 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:16 PM)

The dignified and monied aunts at Tris's house were keenly interested in several wieghty and important matters. And, as was their solemn duty, they saw to it to approach one of Tris's friends to ferret out the necessary information. With keen eyes and sharp minds they chose their quarry ...

The tall, silver-haired woman with the manner of a princess, or a goddess?

The strange Dunmer youth with the gorgeous yet odd hair, who kissed Tris full on the lips and brayed like an animal at Oro?

Or ... the exotically beautiful in a common barmaid sort of way woman with the sort of face that said she was easily approachable, who looked just old enough to have the answers they needed and just young enough to be swayed by the matrons' dignity and presence?

Loranna eventually finds her way back to Tris, her eyes looking like she just waded through a den of Twilights - or, she'd have rathered the Twilight den.

"Your family are quite intriguing people," she says in a frazzled tone, noting his jerkin. " ... You okay?"

Posted by: Axe the Brave Oct 18 2005, 01:32 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

Trason had been overlooking the menu and making some practice dishes. They were a little disgusting at first, but he adjusted the measurements of ingredients and found a way to cook them deliciously. He had informed his cooking staff how to cook what and how it should be done. The cooking squad was a few teenagers looking for a partime job around the city, but that gave Trason even more motivation to turn them into great cooks. They were forced to do pushups if they did something wrong, which may be a little extreme, but they made fewer errors from then on. The night was looking to be a great success. The tavern looked astounding, and the people all over the town were talking about it. Word had spread that Loranna herself might be going. Trason was going to be busy, but it would pay off in the end.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 01:41 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 06:24 PM)

Wayrest
"If we leave without Allerleirauh, she'll snap our necks," Goranthir said. "Though I'm almost willing to take that chance."

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 06:32 PM)

"I'm here," Allerleirauh said, returning to them. "Tris, are you bleeding?"

"Not anymore," Tris said. "Loranna, only a tiny fraction of these people are related to me. My father had lots of connections."

He smiled. "You'll have to give me the gossip later. Right now I want to go somewhere and relax."

"Let's go back to Ald Raathim, then," Allerleirauh said.

They called a carriage to take them to the Mages's Guild.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 01:44 AM

Wayrest

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:41 PM)

In the carriage, Goranthir unbuttoned Tris's jerkin to look at the wound. While he did it, he told him about the conversations he had. "Your cousin wants to know what you intend to do about his house."

Posted by: SpartanShea117 Oct 18 2005, 01:46 AM

Summary:

Kratos has given his proposal to Archpatriarch Allerleirauh of the New Temple on the subject of reestablishing the Ordinator society in Ald Raathim.

He and his Ordinator colleague Vaan had an encounter with another of the Triune, Solin, in the Drunken Guar.

He is currently reading at his place of residence in Ald Raathim.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 01:50 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Axe the Brave @ Oct 17 2005, 07:32 PM)

Trason had been overlooking the menu and making some practice dishes. They were a little disgusting at first, but he adjusted the measurements of ingredients and found a way to cook them deliciously. He had informed his cooking staff how to cook what and how it should be done. The cooking squad was a few teenagers looking for a partime job around the city, but that gave Trason even more motivation to turn them into great cooks. They were forced to do pushups if they did something wrong, which may be a little extreme, but they made fewer errors from then on. The night was looking to be a great success. The tavern looked astounding, and the people all over the town were talking about it. Word had spread that Loranna herself might be going. Trason was going to be busy, but it would pay off in the end.

Kethiah thought that blue should be the color of the wait staff, to go with the theme of the docklands, and she and Isidor, Tyradil, and Tilitalia also dressed in blue, albeit in their own individual styles.

In a nod to the conventional outfit of tavernmistresses everywhere, her own dress had a pinched corseted waist and a cunning bodice that pushed her modestly proportioned breasts together. She dyed her hair back to its natural black. Having a red eye and a violet eye would be enough idiosyncrasy. No need to be a blonde Dunmer anymore.

She tasted the kitchen's fare, offered her praise and suggestions, and made certain that the band had a lively set of tunes to play.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 01:55 AM

The Drunken Guar, Ald Raathim

Keeping his promise to Kethiah, the innkeeper at the Drunken Guar ceased serving drinks and food for that night, though he continued to rent rooms. All who were thirsty, hungry, or in need of companionship, he sent to the Nymph and Noggin.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 01:58 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 06:44 PM)

Wayrest
In the carriage, Goranthir unbuttoned Tris's jerkin to look at the wound. While he did it, he told him about the conversations he had. "Your cousin wants to know what you intend to do about his house."

"I'm all right, she just clawed my face a little," Tris said. "I healed it before I came downstairs, but there was no mirror to make myself presentable. I'm a wretch, a cad, and a bounder, which is a very nice word, isn't it? She's not living off my charity, especially since it's her father's title and her ancient name, and she'd rather be dipped in boiling pitch than have to look at me each morning before eating breakfast. I told her, charming lad that I am, that being put off her breakfast wouldn't do her any harm, and she came at me with the knife, and I said, About time you got around to that."

He heaved a sigh.

"She's miserable. Her family's dead, my father was kind to her and now he's dead, I was kind to her and then I disappeared. So then we made it up. I apologized. And that's when she tried to rip my clothes off. I have really done it to myself this time."

He changed the subject. "Freder's great, we'll have to make time together before he heads back out to the country. This chat, did it seem like he needed money? My father always kept him on a tight leash. Resented him for being a friend I could flee to when I was growing up. Why am I even asking, of course he needs money, and it would make me sick all over to make him beg. Goran, I see you're getting along well with my brother."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 02:02 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 07:50 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim
Kethiah thought that blue should be the color of the wait staff, to go with the theme of the docklands, and she and Isidor, Tyradil, and Tilitalia also dressed in blue, albeit in their own individual styles.

In a nod to the conventional outfit of tavernmistresses everywhere, her own dress had a pinched corseted waist and a cunning bodice that pushed her modestly proportioned breasts together. She dyed her hair back to its natural black. Having a red eye and a violet eye would be enough idiosyncrasy. No need to be a blonde Dunmer anymore.

She tasted the kitchen's fare, offered her praise and suggestions, and made certain that the band had a lively set of tunes to play.

With everything set for the grand opening to begin, Isidor smoothed out his blue cloak, and pushed open the front doors of the Nymph and Noggin tavern. He put a rock in front of each door, to serve as a doorstop, then stood outside, as the crowd began to slowly trickle in.

They were open for business.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:03 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:58 PM)

Goranthir listened to the description of the meeting, such as it was, with Ymalna, eyes widening, head shaking, and then when Tris mentioned Olo, he smiled. "Yes, I think we're off to a good start. He called me a name, and I made animal noises at him."

He rubbed Tris's neck. "I'm proud of you. You're handling all this very well."

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:07 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 08:02 PM)

The back door out the garden, where the band was, were also open. Kethiah was glad that they hadn't waited for Loranna to return -- they might not have another night as beautiful as this one.

The music flowed through the tavern, and out over the docks and into the village, attracting even those who hadn't heard there was a grand opening of the new tavern in town.

Posted by: SpartanShea117 Oct 18 2005, 02:08 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 05:02 PM)

Ald Raathim

Kratos put down his book as he saw everyone heading to The Nymph and Noggin through his window.

He thought about changing his appearance to go to the grand opening, but in the end he decided to wear his armor as usual.

He locked up and followed the crowd to the new tavern.

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 02:08 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 08:02 PM)

Shaka was one of the earlier arrivals. He clapped Isidor on the shoulder and went in to get a stout.

Seeing Kethiah at the bar, he nodded appreciately at her garb. "Arr, mum, ye're looking foine this evenin'," he said, smiling. "Could I get a stout, Kethiah?"

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 02:11 AM

Hearing of the Opening, Thom decided to skip shopping for supplies, and to go see if Ahjaar would like to come to the tavern with him. Seeing people filing into the Nymph and Noggin' already, he quickly made his way to the castle, and walked torward the Khajiit's room. As he turned a corner, Thom saw her and Luxi walking torward him. Smiling, he said, "Hey, Ahjaar, Luxi. Have you heard about the opening of the new tavern?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:11 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 08:08 PM)

Kethiah laughed, and gestured to the other tavernmaids, Diamond among them, who were getting into position behind the bar. "Ask thems what is servin, me foine man."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 02:12 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:58 PM)

Loranna closes her eyes, imagining Tris's stepmother clawing at Tris's face, and then his clothes. "I'm afraid I didn't catch much gossip," she says. "I was busy being interrogated, asked if you were, in fact, interested in women - but Akatosh forbid I or Allie or any other woman that's not one of their daughters be showing any interest in you, under pain of a heavily-implied one-way trip off the next pier."

She gives Tris a worried smile.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:14 AM

Wayrest

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 08:12 PM)

They had arrived at the Mages Guild.

"People around here need to watch out for their daughters," Goranthir grinned, getting out.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 02:15 AM

QUOTE(SpartanShea117 @ Oct 17 2005, 08:08 PM)

Isidor waved at Kratos as he walked toward the tavern. "Evening, Kratos. First drink's on me, in exchange for that armor repairing hammer you gave me."

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 02:15 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:11 PM)

Ahjaar looked at him, confused. "No... I haven't..."

This wasn't a surprise to her, the fact that she hadn't heard of the new tavern. She didn't talk to others much, so she was usally ignorant of things like this.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 02:17 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 06:15 PM)

"I thought you had heard...well, anyway, it's opening right now. And Isidor and Kethiah own it. Would you two like to come? I was just about to head over there."

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 02:18 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:11 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim
Kethiah laughed, and gestured to the other tavernmaids, Diamond among them, who were getting into position behind the bar. "Ask thems what is servin, me foine man."

Shaka bowed and headed for Diamond's station at the bar. He wondered how far along she was with the carving.

The cheerful music reminded him for a moment of the harvest festival, more than four months gone by now, when he had first come to Ald Raathim. Paper lanterns and candles added to the party's festivities.

Posted by: SpartanShea117 Oct 18 2005, 02:19 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 05:15 PM)

Isidor waved at Kratos as he walked toward the tavern. "Evening, Kratos. First drink's on me, in exchange for that armor repairing hammer you gave me."

"I thank you, Isidor." He replied, waving back.

"Quite a place you have here." Kratos said, laconically.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 02:19 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 07:12 PM)

"Well, yes," Tris said. "I'm rich again. Being rich is third on my list of motivations for sleeping with men. You can easily guess what number one is, which leaves number two a mystery, eh?"

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 07:03 PM)

Goranthir listened to the description of the meeting, such as it was, with Ymalna, eyes widening, head shaking, and then when Tris mentioned Oro, he smiled. "Yes, I think we're off to a good start. He called me a name, and I made animal noises at him."

He rubbed Tris's neck. "I'm proud of you. You're handling all this very well."

"You have got to stop making animal noises in public," Allerleirauh said. "It provokes two reactions. People think you are insane, or people think you are speaking Dunmer. I don't know which is worse."

"Oro and my father were close," Tris said. "He's hurting right now."

Tris rubbed his head against Goranthir's chest, like a cat marking his territory.

"Number two is easy," Allerleirauh said. "Men don't usually try to claw your face. They use fists."

"Well, there is that," Tris said, laughing.

They had arrived at Ald Raathim.

"Is there some sort of party?" Tris asked, watching the stream of lights leading to the dock.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 02:21 AM

QUOTE(SpartanShea117 @ Oct 17 2005, 08:19 PM)

"I thank you, Isidor." He replied, waving back.

"Quite a place you have here." Kratos said, laconically.

"Anytime, buddy. And, thanks. I hope you'll be a regular." Isidor said, with a wink.

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 02:21 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:17 PM)

"I thought you had heard...well, anyway, it's opening right now. And Isidor and Kethiah own it. Would you two like to come? I was just about to head over there."

"Isidor bought a tavern?" Ahjaar shook her head. "Ah, tell me about it when we get there."

The khajiit looked down at her daughter. "You want to come?"

Luxi shrugged. "Sure."

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:25 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:19 PM)

"I don't usually do it if I can think of something else to say," Goranthir replied, chastened. "I got out of a lot of fights when I was on my own because people thought I was crazy, and might be dangerous."

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:19 PM)

They had arrived at Ald Raathim.

"Is there some sort of party?" Tris asked, watching the stream of lights leading to the dock.

"Nirni, don't tell me my grandmother's back again," Goranthir said, walking towards the sound of the music.

Posted by: SpartanShea117 Oct 18 2005, 02:25 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 05:21 PM)

"Anytime, buddy. And, thanks. I hope you'll be a regular." Isidor said, with a wink.

"Looks like a nice step up from the Guar." He said, smiling. "You are going to give them a run for their money, Isidor." He continued.

"How are the kids doing?" Kratos asked.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 02:26 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 06:21 PM)

"Isidor bought a tavern?" Ahjaar shook her head. "Ah, tell me about it when we get there."

The khajiit looked down at her daughter. "You want to come?"

Luxi shrugged. "Sure."

Thom smiled. "Good, I was hoping you two would come."

They exited the castle and made there way to the crowd of people entering the tavern. After waiting in line for several moments, the three of them finally got through the doorway, where they saw Isidor greeting his new guests. "Isidor, congratulations!" said Thom as he hugged the tall Nord.

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 02:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:19 PM)

"Well, yes," Tris said. "I'm rich again. Being rich is third on my list of motivations for sleeping with men. You can easily guess what number one is, which leaves number two a mystery, eh?"
"You have got to stop making animal noises in public," Allerleirauh said. "It provokes two reactions. People think you are insane, or people think you are speaking Dunmer. I don't know which is worse."

"Oro and my father were close," Tris said. "He's hurting right now."

Tris rubbed his head against Goranthir's chest, like a cat marking his territory.

"Number two is easy," Allerleirauh said. "Men don't usually try to claw your face. They use fists."

"Well, there is that," Tris said, laughing.

They had arrived at Ald Raathim.

"Is there some sort of party?" Tris asked, watching the stream of lights leading to the dock.

Loranna simply raises her eyebrows at the conversation between Allie and Tris.

At Ald Raathim, she frowns, thinking for a moment, and then it hits her. "Kethiah's and Isidor's new tavern - they must be having their big opening tonight," she says, a smile breaking out on her face.

"Come on; we all could use a drink and something hot to eat," she says, following Goranthir.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 02:28 AM

QUOTE(SpartanShea117 @ Oct 17 2005, 08:25 PM)

"Looks like a nice step up from the Guar." He said, smiling. "You are going to give them a run for their money, Isidor." He continued.

"How are the kids doing?" Kratos asked.

"Kids are doing good. School's been a hassle, as always." He patted Kratos on the back and said, "See you inside."

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:26 PM)

Isidor hugged Thom back and said, "Thanks, Thom. Good to see you, Ahjaar, Luxi. Make yourselves at home, and enjoy!"

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:30 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 08:28 PM)

Isidor hugged Thom back and said, "Thanks, Thom. Good to see you, Ahjaar, Luxi. Make yourselves at home, and enjoy!"

Kethiah grabbed Isidor's hand. "Come on, it's bad luck if we don't have the first dance. We can meet and greet people after."

The band out in the garden was playing a lively song, one that everyone knew had bawdy lyrics, but fortunately there was no singer to deliver them.

Other couples came out to the garden and began to dance after Kethiah and Isidor got them started.

Posted by: SpartanShea117 Oct 18 2005, 02:31 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 05:28 PM)

"Kids are doing good. School's been a hassle, as always." He patted Kratos on the back and said, "See you inside."
Isidor hugged Thom back and said, "Thanks, Thom. Good to see you, Ahjaar, Luxi. Make yourselves at home, and enjoy!"

Kratos nodded to him and entered.

He immediately found his way to the bar. "I'll have some sujamma if you will, keep." He handed him some money and took his mug with him around the tavern.

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 02:32 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 07:28 PM)

Isidor hugged Thom back and said, "Thanks, Thom. Good to see you, Ahjaar, Luxi. Make yourselves at home, and enjoy!"

Ahjaar greeted Isidor and looked around. "Wow..." she said, taking in the crowd and her surroundings.

Luxi darted off into the crowd before Ahjaar could stop her.
"Luxi, come back here!"

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 02:38 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 06:32 PM)

Ahjaar greeted Isidor and looked around. "Wow..." she said, taking in the crowd and her surroundings.

Luxi darted off into the crowd before Ahjaar could stop her.
"Luxi, come back here!"

Thom saw Luxi dart off, then turned to Ahjaar. "I think she'll be okay; we'll find her in a bit. Lets get a drink." Eventually, they made their way to the bar, and ordered some drinks. "I think I'll have something special tonight, your finest brandy. Two, please" Thom said to a barmaid, handing her some gold.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 02:39 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:30 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim
Kethiah grabbed Isidor's hand. "Come on, it's bad luck if we don't have the first dance. We can meet and greet people after."

The band out in the garden was playing a lively song, one that everyone knew had bawdy lyrics, but fortunately there was no singer to deliver them.

Other couples came out to the garden and began to dance after Kethiah and Isidor got them started.

Isidor danced with Kethiah, taking in all of his surroundings. He looked at Kethiah, and how beautiful she was, with her violet eye, and dark black hair. He looked at the happy people, smiling, dancing, drinking, and eating.

This is what made Isidor happy. Making people happy. He twirled Kethiah, and said, with a smile, "You're a good dancer, sorry if I'm not."

Posted by: Tri Oct 18 2005, 02:39 AM

Diamond waved Shaka behind the bar. "It's finished," she whispered. "Right here, under the bar..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:42 AM

The Nymph and Noggin

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 08:39 PM)

"You are, actually," Kethiah smiled. "It's not about knowing all the steps to all the dances ... It's about knowing your partner ..."

She kissed him, and then looked at all the other dancers. "This is wonderful. We've done a good thing."

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 02:43 AM

QUOTE(Tri @ Oct 17 2005, 08:39 PM)

Diamond waved Shaka behind the bar. "It's finished," she whispered. "Right here, under the bar..."

"That's fast work, Diamond. I know it'll be good. Maybe we can wait to give it to Isidor and Kethiah until later this evening."

Diamond looked happy. Working with the public seemed to suit her more than Shaka might have expected.

"I guess you've heard about Shai hitting the road. I hope she will have a good walkabout, however long it takes. Could I get a stout?" he added.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:46 AM

Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 08:27 PM)

"Come on; we all could use a drink and something hot to eat," she says, following Goranthir.

They wandered down to the docks. "Beautiful night for this," Goranthir said.

Kallen was standing outside the tavern, looking in.

"Ah," he said when he saw the group. "They'll be happy to know you arrived in time, my lady. Isidor had asked when you'd be returning and I wasn't sure."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 02:47 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:46 PM)

Ald Raathim
They wandered down to the docks. "Beautiful night for this," Goranthir said.

Kallen was standing outside the tavern, looking in.

"Ah," he said when he saw the group. "They'll be happy to know you arrived in time, my lady. Isidor had asked when you'd be returning and I wasn't sure."

Loranna smiles to Kallen. "A beautiful night indeed; we're glad we could make it too, Kallen. This is a perfect time for a party."

She turns to Tris. "Would you care for a dance, now or later?" she asks.

Posted by: Tri Oct 18 2005, 02:51 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 04:43 PM)

"It was no magnificent feat," she said modestly. "I had about a week, and at a few hours a night I managed easily. I'm afraid it could have been more detailed, but I thought it best to have it ready for the big night."

Passing the drink up, she said, "I hear everything - it all goes through here - so I heard about Shai of course. From the sound of it she won't be back for months. It's a pity, but maybe the time off will do her some good."

She slid two expensive brandies down to Ahjaar and Thom, and wiped the bar hastily.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 02:51 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:42 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin
"You are, actually," Kethiah smiled. "It's not about knowing all the steps to all the dances ... It's about knowing your partner ..."

She kissed him, and then looked at all the other dancers. "This is wonderful. We've done a good thing."

Isidor kissed her back, and then looked around at the dancers, "I hope this place will do well, I really do. And judging by this crowd, the chances are good."

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 02:52 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:38 PM)

Thom saw Luxi dart off, then turned to Ahjaar. "I think she'll be okay. We'll find her in a bit. Lets get a drink." Eventually, they made their way to the bar, and ordered some drinks. "I think I'll have something special tonight, your finest brandy. Two, please" Thom said to a barmaid, handing her some gold.

Ahjaar sipped her brandy. "You did it again." she said, grinning. "Next time I pay."

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Oct 18 2005, 02:53 AM

Slyvos was making his way to the tavern by now, not wanting to miss the opening night. After all, best to keep his mind off of the problems raining upon his brain.

He could see they were still opening from the looks of it, but well this worked nicely. He walked up, seeing the others in front of the place and smiling.

'well, looks like I showed up just in time.'

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 02:54 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 07:47 PM)

Tris shivered, then laughed. "Cold breeze down my back a moment there; I can just feel the little Countess of Ivytyde looking over my shoulder after I said something to her about dancing on the day after her mother's death."

He took Loranna's hand, and her waist. "Come on. Let's show these people real dancing."

Dragon had been mysteriously absent all day. Now he arrived, wearing armor, and looking more serious than festive. "General, a word," he said.

Allerleirauh gave Goranthir a kiss that promised a prompt return, and followed him.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:55 AM

The Nymph and Noggin

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 08:51 PM)

Isidor kissed her back, and then looked around at the dancers, "I hope this place will do well, I really do. And judging by this crowd, the chances are good."

The band began another song.

Kethiah laughed. "Well, we better get back to our guests. We can't keep dancing all night ... "

She gave him another kiss, and hand-in-hand, they came in from the garden into the tavern.

The flow of the party was perfect. With two main bars, no one had to wait long for a drink. The stewards and wait staff passed out food, and set up more on the tables. The open doors to the garden let in fresh air, and kept it so the music was present but not too loud.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 02:56 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 06:52 PM)

Ahjaar sipped her brandy. "You did it again." she said, grinning. "Next time I pay."

Thom chuckled. "Now who's faster, eh?" The Imperial took a drink of his own brandy, then looked at Isidor and Kethiah dancing. Thom set his drink down and bowed to Ahjaar. "May I have this dance?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 02:59 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:54 PM)

Tyradil and Tilitalia had been put up on the beams above the tavern with specific instructions. They were to throw flower petals when given the signal.

On seeing the Lady of Daruhn, who had not been expected, they decided to improvise, and rained a shower of petals down on Loranna and Tris.

Kethiah saw the petals before she saw the two of them.

"My Lady," she beamed. "You made it!"

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 03:00 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 07:56 PM)

Thom chuckled. "Now who's faster, eh?" The Imperial took a drink of his own brandy, then looked at Isidor and Kethiah dancing. Thom set his drink down and bowed to Ahjaar. "May I have this dance?"

Ahjaar laughed. "I can't dance.."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 03:00 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:54 PM)

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:59 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim
Tyradil and Tilitalia had been put up on the beams above the tavern with specific instructions. They were to throw flower petals when given the signal.

On seeing the Lady of Daruhn, who had not been expected, they decided to improvise, and rained a shower of petals down on Loranna and Tris.

Kethiah saw the petals before she saw the two of them.

"My Lady," she beamed. "You made it!"

"Kethiah; congratulations on a wonderful opening night," Loranna says, beaming back; the former assassin woman looked completely different in her new tavernmistress outfit, just as tough and savvy as ever but with her natural beauty shining through.

Then, she lets Tris take the lead ...

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Oct 18 2005, 03:00 AM

Slyvos looked around, wondering what he would see; kethiah and isidor dancing, some people drinking, others arriving, and Tris and Loranna about to dance?

'interesting...'

He leaned back against the wall near the door, opposite of where the door ends up when opened so that it doesn't hit him in the face, and just observed.

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 03:02 AM

QUOTE(Tri @ Oct 17 2005, 08:51 PM)

Shaka nodded. "Sometimes I've half a mind to follow her lead myself, but this is my home now." He paused, a little surprised at his own words.

"Diamond, I'll check back with you later tonight. Thanks again."

Shaka wandered off to watch the dancing. For some reason he was tempted to seek out Telera, or even Anya if she were here; but no, the Bosmer wouldn't want that yet.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 03:02 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 07:00 PM)

Ahjaar laughed. "I can't dance.."

Thom laughed. "Well, I can't either. I guess it's time we learn." Quickly, Thom grabbed Ahjaar's hand, then pulled her out on the dance floor.

Posted by: Tri Oct 18 2005, 03:02 AM

Shai, camped on the Cyrodiilic-Morrowind border, was settling into a simple, wild, routine lifestyle. Each morning she would wake at five hours after midnight and sit quietly, meditating, contemplating, and taking in the nature around her, for two full hours. Perhaps it was because she did nothing to attract their attention; perhaps they were directly affected by her meditation; but for whatever reason, as Shai sat still in her little clearing, she was untouched by beasts and bandits. After this, she woke and hunted breakfast; it was a wild breakfast, of mushrooms, berries, nuts and the like. Occasionally she would treat her to stolen Kwama eggs, but only those she retrieved herself.

Breakfast was generally light, and then she would get on to the substance of her daily routine: training. First, to transition from meditation to motion, she would quietly stretch out her muscles, training herself to be more flexible; the metaphorical ironies were not lost on her. She began in the stance of a split, which she knew she could do, and rotate her upper body to touch the knee before her and the calf behind. She could not complete this task, so it would remain one of her benchmark goals.

A distance run was always good for stamina, but didn’t work too much on the upper body or reaction time, so Shai kept the running at a minimum. What she did do, that was still taxing and aerobic but far better on the body as a whole, was to swim in the nearest body of water. It fascinated her so, to feel the rushing liquid next to her, and flow with it, giving with the motion of the river, trying all sorts of exercises underwater. On the dry land, pushups, situps, and pullups were all part of her routine.

She also worked with weapons. She had found a lost (or more likely dumped in flight) claymore early in her travels, and she trained with this in her early afternoon, swinging at trees, spinning, parrying. It was later in the day that she would move to more creative maneuvers: What if the sword were lying on the ground a few feet away? Well, that would depend on her position. If she were standing she could dive at it…or, kicking it up, if she could master the technique, seemed effective as well – but from the ground, she would have to roll towards it, or spring up from the ground and land, crouching, above the sword…this was too vulnerable, though, unless she immediately thrust behind her…and so it went. What if she had possession of the sword and she used it not as a weapon but a tool, to plant into the soft ground and leap at her opponent? Would she be able to draw the claymore back out in time, or would it matter? This creative training was a large part of her work, and over time she worked at considering multiple opponents, different weapons, attacks from behind…

The physical training ended a few hours after noon each day. After hunting and cooking a meaty lunch, Shai would go into the nearest town for a few hours under the self-imposed condition of not eating anything there. This was the real reason she had gone – to learn how to be around people. In every tavern there were people – interesting people, boring people, killers, pacifists, men who approached her and people with whom to converse. She never told them that she was not planning on returning, she simply focused on making conversation, interacting, observing.

At night, Shai would run once more, this time to cover ground. She would stop in the woods, near water, outside a town, every night. What she ate for dinner carried over from her lunch, and she carried her food (as well as the weaponry she collected) on her back as she ran. This she despised, for she had always made it her fighting philosophy not to be reliant on that which you carried but rather that which was around you, and that which you knew. Before turning in for the night she would prepare a small circle for a fire the next day, meditate for a half-hour on what she had learned that day, and then, on any surface, hard, soft, wild, tame, Shai would sink into the blissful depths of sleep.

Posted by: Aki Oct 18 2005, 03:03 AM

OOC Summary

Reichi is well, getting to the grand opening.

---

Reichi moved through the streets of Ald Raathim like a ghost, swiftly and silently. Dressed formally of course, but he still kept his Dagger Of Senses about him. The sensory deprivation of not having it, and having the senses granted to him simply by the limits of his body was a bit uncomfortable to him, it made him uneasy. Like how he guessed Loranna or Nalion or any of the other mages felt without their magic.

He entered the new Tavern, hearing the music soft in the background. Just the way background music should be used. He noticed people he knew, but first thing was first, he had to get a drink.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 03:04 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:55 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin
The band began another song.

Kethiah laughed. "Well, we better get back to our guests. We can't keep dancing all night ... "

She gave him another kiss, and hand-in-hand, they came in from the garden into the tavern.

The flow of the party was perfect. With two main bars, no one had to wait long for a drink. The stewards and wait staff passed out food, and set up more on the tables. The open doors to the garden let in fresh air, and kept it so the music was present but not too loud.

Isidor walked through the crowd with Kethiah, grinning broadly. He walked over to Shaka, who was sitting at the bar, and said, "So, how do you like it so far?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 03:07 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 08:00 PM)

Loranna blushes, but just for a second, at Tris's mention of the doomed Countess, beofre accepting his hand and saying "Yes, let's."

She catches sight of Slyvos as Tris leads her to the dance floor, and whispers to Tris "A favor; let's give Slyvos especially a show that'll make his eyeballs pop out of their sockets. A taste of what I have in mind for him next, if you will."
"Kethiah; congratulations on a wonderful opening night," Loranna says, beaming back; the former assassin woman looked completely different in her new tavernmistress outfit, just as tough and savvy as ever but with her natural beauty shining through.

Then, she lets Tris take the lead ...

Tris gestured expansively to Kethiah, the meaning being that he was impressed by everything.

"This is called 'Strip the Lily,'" he whispered to Loranna. "Don't hold back."

It was a Breton dance, but one that had been invented during the wars with Hammerfell, in imitation of 'Redguard dancing.' Fast, exotic, and a little suggestive.

Posted by: Tri Oct 18 2005, 03:08 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Oct 17 2005, 05:03 PM)

Reichi moved through the streets of Ald Raathim like a ghost, swiftly and silently. Dressed formally of course, but he still kept his Dagger Of Senses about him. The sensory deprivation of not having it, and having the senses granted to him simply by the limits of his body was a bit uncomfortable to him, it made him uneasy. Like how he guessed Loranna or Nalion or any of the other mages felt without their magic.

He entered the new Tavern, hearing the music soft in the background. Just the way background music should be used. He noticed people he knew, but first thing was first, he had to get a drink.

"Hello, Reichi," called Diamond to the werewolf. "Can I help you? Perhaps I could interest you in one of our many drinks - the first are on the house - and some of this food is simply fantastic - I recommend some of this meat, personally. What sounds good?"

She expected that he would be surprised to see her behind the bar.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 03:09 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 09:00 PM)

"Thank you," Kethiah said, bowing, as Loranna and Tris went to the garden to dance.

Then the ex-assassin took one moment, never losing her smile, to step up behind one of the teenaged wait-staff and whisper in her ear. "My dear, if you eat one more roasted oyster which is meant for the guests, I'll cut you open and take them back."

The girl swallowed hard, and Kethiah returned to the party.

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 03:15 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 09:04 PM)

Isidor walked through the crowd with Kethiah, grinning broadly. He walked over to Shaka, who was sitting at the bar, and said, "So, how do you like it so far?"

Shaka put a hand on Isidor's shoulder. "It's great, Iz. I'm almost afraid to praise the evening too much for fear of jinxing it."

"You've come a long way from the Dagon Fel hermit who burned his bridges behind him to join us. I'm glad."

Suddenly Shaka didn't look as glad. "I just remembered who else we picked up in the North. Falco. I guess you could say he's come a long way too, in the wrong direction."

"Well, none of that tonight. Thank you and Kethiah again, for everything."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 03:23 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 09:15 PM)

"Thanks. Yep, the past is the past, though, and I'm glad the future is the future. I couldn't be happier, now." Isidor smiled and said, "Speaking of happiness ... is Anya here?"

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 03:26 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:07 PM)

Loranna's mind flashes back to her last confession with Harmann, and she gets a slow, anticipatory grin, borrowing a tambourine and slipping of her shoes.

"Trust me, I won't," she promises, and then they danced.

Loranna taps the tambourine in time to the tempo Tris sets, her legs flashing, her skirts swirling, her hips shimmying, her arms and torso swaying. She becomes the lily and Tris's movements deftly stripped her, revealing the heart of the dance with every twist.

It is wild, it is energetic, it is naughty and just a little obscene - and it is breathtaking to watch, this blond-haired, ashen-skinned, tearstreaked woman dancing with the trim, handsome, flashing young man, both of them dancing in their own little world and yet dancing perfectly in time with one another - two performnces becoming one, and all the more breathtaking - and naughty - because of it.

And then, finally ... it's over, and Loranna puts the tambourine down, glistening and looking more energetic, not less, smiling and calling for a drink and saying to Tris " ... That was wonderful; if I have boys, you have to teach them how to dance ..." as she looks over to Slyvos, her tearstreaks catching the light as she downs her mead.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 03:27 AM

Allerleirauh returned to Goranthir's side. Dragon was not with her.

"Politics," she said, very quietly, smiling a smile that was perfectly appropriate for a party. "Shall we dance, my dearest?"

It did not escape her, as she listened to the music, looked at the lights, and smelled the food, that this tavern only existed for one reason: Barenziah had given Loranna money to assure her allegience in the coming war.

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 03:28 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:02 PM)

Thom laughed. "Well, I can't either. I guess it's time we learn." Quickly, Thom grabbed Ahjaar's hand, then pulled her out on the dance floor.

They began to "dance", obviously not knowing what they were doing. Though they both were trying to concentrate, both stumbled at times, which caused much laughter between them.

Posted by: Aki Oct 18 2005, 03:28 AM

QUOTE(Tri @ Oct 17 2005, 09:08 PM)

Reichi was surprised, but managed a grin. "The meat and drink sounds good," he said. "But what are you doing here of all places Diamond, behind the bar?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 03:29 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Oct 17 2005, 08:26 PM)

"I'm going to hand you over to Sly before he kills me," Tris said, through a smile.

He led Loranna over to Slyvos, bowed, and handed him her hand.

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 03:29 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 09:23 PM)

"Thanks. Yep, the past is the past, though, and I'm glad the future is the future. I couldn't be happier, now." Isidor smiled and said, "Speaking of happiness ... is Anya here?"

Shaka was a little distracted by Loranna and Tris' dancing. He looked back at Isidor. "I don't know yet. She's been talking lately of travelling, to understand herself better. I can empathize with that."

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Oct 18 2005, 03:30 AM

Slyvos gave a little grin, holding back the urge to clap at that; never knew anyone could dance like that.... course, even after all his years there were alot of things he didn't know.

'impressive. very impressive...'

He saw loranna being brought over, and smiled rather widely considering how small most of them are...

Posted by: Tri Oct 18 2005, 03:36 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Oct 17 2005, 05:28 PM)

Reichi was surprised, but managed a grin. "The meat and drink sounds good," he said. "But what are you doing here of all places Diamond, behind the bar?"

"I've found new employment," said Diamond, cheerily pouring out some of the brandy she had given Thom and Ahjaar and laying the finest of the meat selections onto Reichi's plate. She handed him a fork and knife, also, though she suspected he would not need it, and told him so.

"It helps pay for the art - a recent piece of mine had embedded rubies - that wasn't cheap. Besides, I'm rather enjoying myself. There's work to be done, fine food to be had, people to be entertained...and I'll never be behind on the goings-on in town, or even the world."

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 03:37 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 07:28 PM)

They began to "dance", obviously not knowing what they were doing. Though they both were trying to concentrate, both stumbled at times, which caused much laughter between them.

Thom laughed as the danced. Taking a deep breath, he said "Though I don't have one clue what I am doing, I am having alot of fun."

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 03:37 AM

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:27 PM)

Goranthir had been watching Tris and Loranna dance, eyes and mouth inelegantly open. He guided Allerleirauh to the garden, thinking to himself that if he danced like that, he wouldn't be wanting to return to drinking and chatting afterwards ...

The next song was slow.

"I remember our first dance," Goranthir said as they began, and chuckled. "You bit me."

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 03:39 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:37 PM)

Thom laughed as the danced. Taking a deep breath, he said "Though I don't have one clue what I am doing, I am having alot of fun."

Smiled and kissed him. "Enough of this." She sat back down at the bar, laughing.

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 03:48 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 09:29 PM)

"Ah." Isidor patted his friend on the shoulder and said, "Good luck." He got up from his seat, and wandered back into the crowd.

After doing their job, Tyradil and Tilitalia had dissapeared back into the throng. Tilitalia was eating, and chatting with a barmaid, but in a secluded corner of the garden, Tyradil was dancing, silently with Davala.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 03:48 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:37 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim
Goranthir had been watching Tris and Loranna dance, eyes and mouth inelegantly open. He guided Allerleirauh to the garden, thinking to himself that if he danced like that, he wouldn't be wanting to return to drinking and chatting afterwards ...

The next song was slow.

"I remember our first dance," Goranthir said as they began, and chuckled. "You bit me."

"I do that," she said, fitting her body against his. "But then, you know that now."

In such a short time, he had become unbelievably precious to her. No, that wasn't true. He had been just that precious to her almost from the first moment she had set eyes on him. In the garden of True Solunastra. She had given him her hand to lick, with honey on it. Teasing. What had she been thinking?

There was a part of her that knew things she didn't know herself. It was good to trust it, sometimes.

Posted by: Argonians rule Oct 18 2005, 03:49 AM

Eats-With-Claws stood and watched the dancing. He held no drink in his hand, as between the rent on the little place in the working district and food, his laborer's pay was already stretched thin. As he watched the dancing he remebered many years ago when his wife was still alive. That had been the time when he could buy this place ten times over with what amounted to pocket change for him.

But, it was not the lack of money that troubled him. It was the lonliness. He had spent so many years without seeing his wife. So many years, hoping that both she and their son were alive and well. Then he discovered his son's choice of life and the fact that his wife was an azurite, and thus dead he was crushed. The gloomy argonian sat down wondering if there was someone in this world for a finacially-troubled old argonian worker. He sncerely doubted it. He continued watchingt the dancing, lost in memories of much happier times.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 03:50 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 07:39 PM)

Smiled and kissed him. "Enough of this." She sat back down at the bar, laughing.

Thom followed her back to the bar, and sat down beside her. Picking up his drink and still laughing, he said, "Know what? I think that we were meant to dance." The Imperial laughed again.

Posted by: Xyber02 Oct 18 2005, 03:51 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 07:48 PM)

Anya tapped his shoulder, whispering in his ear, "I'm right behind you silly."

She smiled, quickly giving him a big hug, "I've been her for a while now, I just didn't feel like making a scene. Next time I'll hire a herald."

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 03:52 AM

Shaka noticed Telera watching the dancers. On an impulse, he walked over to her.

"Would you like this dance, Telera?"

A part of him recognized the scent of the dunmer mix. Telera smelled like ash, but to Shaka, in a good way. A combination of wood fire, smoked tea, and a woman's musk.

As a woodelf, Anya smelled different but equally good.

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 03:53 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:50 PM)

Thom followed her back to the bar, and sat down beside her. Picking up his drink and still laughing, he said, "Know what? I think that we were meant to dance." The Imperial laughed again.

Ahjaar laughed. "And waht makes you say that?"

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 03:54 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:29 PM)

"I'm going to hand you over to Sly before he kills me," Tris said, through a smile.

He led Loranna over to Slyvos, bowed, and handed him her hand.

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Oct 17 2005, 09:30 PM)

Loranna smiles at Slyvos, pulling him in for a kiss. "A little indication of what's to come tonight," she whispers to Slyvos, inhaling the fragranace of his hair and thinking to herself how lucky she was to have him.

"Sorry about stepping out so quickly like that; I just heard Tris's father passed way," she explains to Slyvos, her tone becoming more somber. "It turned into quite the little adventure too ..."

Posted by: Stargazey Oct 18 2005, 03:55 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Oct 17 2005, 09:51 PM)

Isidor smiled, hugged her back. "Hello, Anya! I'd say that all of your drinks are on the house, tonight, but then we'd have no liquor left." He smiled, and said, "Of course, I'm just teasing."

Posted by: Teleran Oct 18 2005, 03:55 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 06:52 PM)

“I’d love to Shaka,” Telera said, grabbing a hold of his hand and heading for the dance floor. “Sure you can keep up?”

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 03:56 AM

The Nymph and Noggin

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:48 PM)

"But you never draw blood," Goranthir said, kissing her neck. "And you can still catch me off guard everytime."

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 03:56 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 07:53 PM)

Ahjaar laughed. "And waht makes you say that?"

"You saw us out there; we put Loranna and her partner to shame" joked Thom. He took a drink of his brandy, then looked at Ahjaar. "So, how have you been? I haven't seen you in a couple of days."

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Oct 18 2005, 04:00 AM

The khajiit raised an eyebrow, chuckling to himself a bit before coughing slightly to stop himself. Likewise he was lucky... of course he felt like saying it but right now wasn't the time.

'and adventure? and you forget to drag me along? oh I'm hurt."

His tone was obviously mocking, wondering just how wierd that must have been to meet those particular people.

'so, shall we dance, love?'

Posted by: Aki Oct 18 2005, 04:02 AM

QUOTE(Tri @ Oct 17 2005, 09:36 PM)

Reichi nodded. "I see," he said before biting into the meat without using the fork. "What is this anyways?" he asked after he swallowed the first bite of the meat.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 04:04 AM

Tris smiled, watching Goranthir dance with Allerleirauh. His best friend, and his other best friend. And Loranna was with Sly for a change, that was nice. Sly didn't get out much. Doll was on a boat trip with Nalion. Mirea was no doubt tangled up in impossible contortionist positions with her circus acrobat.

Ciel was happy again. That was a good thing.

It was bad luck to be unhappy at the opening of a business. Tris climbed the hill overlooking the garden and sat in the dark, his arms crossed on his knees.

Posted by: Xyber02 Oct 18 2005, 04:04 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Oct 17 2005, 07:55 PM)

Isidor smiled, hugged her back. "Hello, Anya! I'd say that all of your drinks are on the house, tonight, but then we'd have no liquor left." He smiled, and said, "Of course, I'm just teasing."

"On the house?" Anya perked up, then teased back, "You may be kidding, but it's true!"

Posted by: Tri Oct 18 2005, 04:05 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Oct 17 2005, 06:02 PM)

Reichi nodded. "I see," he said before biting into the meat without using the fork. "What is this anyways?" he asked after he swallowed the first bite of the meat.

"It's a variety sampler," explained Diamond. "It's got all sorts of meat, from Kwama Egg to Crab, all sauteed in a spice over a fire...You can ask our cook, Trason, some night when he's less busy."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 04:05 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 08:56 PM)

The Nymph and Noggin
"But you never draw blood," Goranthir said, kissing her neck. "And you can still catch me off guard everytime."

"Do I?" Allerleirauh asked, teasing him. "I thought you were pretending, to flatter me."

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 04:12 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Oct 17 2005, 10:00 PM)

"Sorry; I kind of jumped when I heard the news," Loranna says, her tone apologetic. "I'll tell you the details later tonight. But for right now - yes, I want very much to dance."

She smiles, and whispers to him "And we've all night."

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 04:13 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 08:56 PM)

"You saw us out there; we put Loranna and her partner to shame" joked Thom. He took a drink of his brandy, then looked at Ahjaar. "So, how have you been? I haven't seen you in a couple of days."

"Oh... just looking around for jobs..."
She sipped her brandy. "I haven't found anything yet... maybe I could ask the lady for work... or something..."

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 04:18 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Oct 17 2005, 09:55 PM)

“I’d love to Shaka,” Telera said, grabbing a hold of his hand and heading for the dance floor. “Sure you can keep up?”

"Since it's a slow number, no problem," said Shaka as they joined the other couples. "At the wedding, I kept up with the fast dances too . . . (with Anya, he thought to himself)."

There was a certain unreality to dancing with someone he had fought beside as a comrade, but Telera had settled into a convincing woman. The dunmer's piercing blue eyes betrayed her Nordic half.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 04:18 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 10:05 PM)

"Do I?" Allerleirauh asked, teasing him. "I thought you were pretending, to flatter me."

Goranthir laughed softly. "More often than not, I'm holding back to maintain some dignity. If I acted how I felt, I'd be slack-jawed and moony-eyed all day long, and that can't be very attractive to anyone."

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 04:19 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 08:13 PM)

"Oh... just looking around for jobs..."
She sipped her brandy. "I haven't found anything yet... maybe I could ask the lady for work... or something..."

The Ranger nodded. "I hope you find something. Actually, I was going to do the same soon."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 04:20 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 09:18 PM)

"You have no idea," Allerleirauh said, stopping in the middle of the dance area to kiss him. The music changed, but she didn't move.

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 04:21 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:19 PM)

The Ranger nodded. "I hope you find something. Actually, I was going to do the same soon."

"So what do you do?" The khajiit sipped her brandy, looking at Thom.

Posted by: Aki Oct 18 2005, 04:21 AM

QUOTE(Tri @ Oct 17 2005, 10:05 PM)

"It's a variety sampler," explained Diamond. "It's got all sorts of meat, from Kwama Egg to Crab, all sauteed in a spice over a fire...You can ask our cook, Trason, some night when he's less busy."

Reichi nodded. "Thats why I didn't recognize it, alll kinds of different stuff," he said before taking a drink of his brandy. Reichi finished the sampler off , and excused himself before wandering into the party with the brandy.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 04:23 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 10:04 PM)

Two of the servers were taking a break, drinking some of the sujamma, on the hill below him. Kethiah, moving faster than anyone should in that tight blue dress, was on them like a cat.

"You each get one warning," she said.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 04:24 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 08:21 PM)

"So what do you do?" The khajiit sipped her brandy, looking at Thom.

"Well, I am a Ranger. I am hoping that there is a need for my abilities." Thom took a drink. "What about you?"

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Oct 18 2005, 04:24 AM

Slyvos wrapped an arm around Loranna, getting one of his rare smug looks on his face as he glanced to the floor.

'hmm.. now when was the last time we danced? actually don't answer that, probably too long....'

He hoped he still remembered how, after all this time.

Posted by: Teleran Oct 18 2005, 04:28 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 07:18 PM)

“We’ll need to get on a fast one again then,” Telera said, doing a twirl. Returning to Shaka, she added, “How have you been? I haven’t talked to you since I first changed.”

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 04:30 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:24 PM)

"Well, I am a Ranger. I am hoping that there is a need for my abilities." Thom took a drink. "What about you?"

Ahjaar gritted her teeth. "I'm a.. umm... fighter... like I'd work as a guard or something that had to do with combat..."

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 04:32 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Oct 17 2005, 10:28 PM)

“We’ll need to get on a fast one again then,” Telera said, doing a twirl. Returning to Shaka, she added, “How have you been? I haven’t talked to you since I first changed.”

"Surprisingly good lately, though there are some . . . complicated issues I've been turning over."

Shaka bent Telera back for a second, then resumed the dance, smiling. He would be hard-pressed to decide who was better, Anya or Telera. On second thought, Anya would win, on agility.

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 04:33 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Oct 17 2005, 10:24 PM)

Loranna's smile turns sad for a moment.

"I've been letting myself get caught up in work and other things," she says. "I'd like to do something about that. Tonight, I'm all yours - or you're all mine."

She found herself liking the slow dance; it was a good change of pace from her last dance. "Somewhere between all this construction and upcoming war, we'll find the time for each other," she says, hoping she isn't proved wrong.

It was hard to stay unhppy in Slyvos's arms for long, though.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 04:33 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 08:30 PM)

Ahjaar gritted her teeth. "I'm a.. umm... fighter... like I'd work as a guard or something that had to do with combat..."

"Well, you would certainly be good at it. Still have a bruise from that hit." Thom smiled.

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 04:34 AM

The Nymph and Noggin

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 10:20 PM)

"You have no idea," Allerleirauh said, stopping in the middle of the dance area to kiss him. The music changed, but she didn't move.

Nor did he.

Long lip locks may not be the thing to do at many of the social events -- the weddings, the receptions, the funerals, the masques -- he had been to lately, but at the opening of a tavern on the waterfront, it was right and necessary.

(OOC -- Outta here for a couple hours, maybe the night )

Posted by: Allerleirauh Oct 18 2005, 04:34 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Oct 17 2005, 09:23 PM)

Tris knew Kethiah was aware of him. Could probably see him plainly.

I'll go down in a minute, he told himself. He had plenty of friends there, he saw two faces from the guard he knew, and a Nord he had fought with at the Blue Dawn. The travelers from the spheres were there. Shaka, Anya; Teleran was down there.

He should find out where Dragon was, and bring him back, and sing that song they had made up together. That always went over well, even if you had to get Dragon drunk first.

"Kethiah," he called softly. "Bring me something, would you? Something warm, maybe mulled wine."

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 04:37 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:33 PM)

"Well, you would certainly be good at it. Still have a bruise from that hit." Thom smiled.

Ahjaar laughed. "I hope I didn't hurtm you too bad." She smiled at him.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 04:38 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 08:37 PM)

Ahjaar laughed. "I hope I didn't hurt you too bad." She smiled at him.

Thom laughed with her. "You didn't, but I don't doubt that you could."

"So, is Luxi feeling better?"

Posted by: Teleran Oct 18 2005, 04:38 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Oct 17 2005, 07:32 PM)

“Oh?” Telera said, ‘Complicated issues. Seems to be common among … wonder if this one is my fault. If it isn’t I probably make it even more tangled.’

Posted by: Sheogorath Oct 18 2005, 04:39 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Oct 17 2005, 10:34 PM)

"Kethiah," he called softly. "Bring me something, would you? Something warm, maybe mulled wine."

Kethiah actually hadn't seen him, and jumped a bit, in a move that clearly was left over from her days as an assassin. When she looked up at him, he saw the one violet eye together with the red eye. Her vision was off.

But she laughed. "Well, normally we don't have service in the hill, Tris, but we'll make an exception for you."

She took him in, considered asking him what was wrong, but she didn't know him well enough. He had friends inside he could talk to, but he didn't want to. It was unlikely he was just waiting for a relative stranger to give him a sympathetic ear.

So, instead Kethiah went back into the tavern, got him his drink, gave it to him with a warm smile, and went back in to continue to meet and greet.

(OOC -- Now, I really mean it. )

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Oct 18 2005, 04:40 AM

Slyvos let himself flow slowly with the music, his mind automatically going over the notes which led to him eventually humming to himself as he and Loranna danced. It just came naturally if he let himself go like this...

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 04:42 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:38 PM)

Thom laughed with her. "You didn't, but I don't doubt that you could."

"So, is Luxi feeling better?"

Ahjaar didn't answer for a moment. "I.... I donno.... she's been acting... strange lately... more jumpy..."
She looked away, studying the crowd.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 04:43 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 08:42 PM)

Ahjaar didn't answer for a moment. "I.... I donno.... she's been acting... strange lately... more jumpy..."
She looked away, studying the crowd.

Thom frowned. "Do you have an ideas why?"

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 04:44 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:43 PM)

Thom frowned. "Do you have an ideas why?"

"No...." she said, still looking at the crowd.

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 04:45 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 08:44 PM)

"No...." she said, still looking at the crowd.

Thom put his arm around Ahjaar and looked into her eyes. "Have you asked her about it?"

Posted by: Ahuxi Oct 18 2005, 04:47 AM

QUOTE(Thommeh @ Oct 17 2005, 09:45 PM)

Thom put his arm around Ahjaar and looked into her eyes. "Have you asked her about it?"

Ahjaar didn't answer.

"She won't talk to me.." she said after a while.

Posted by: syronj Oct 18 2005, 04:47 AM

QUOTE(Teleran @ Oct 17 2005, 10:38 PM)

“Oh?” Telera said, ‘Complicated issues. Seems to be common among … wonder if this one is my fault. If it isn’t I probably make it even more tangled.’

Shaka saw Allerleirauh and Goranthir kiss, and those who knew him best would be able to tell his gaze became wistful, or as much as an Argonian could appear.

"Must be nice, to have lips," he murmured to Telera. "I knew what it was like in the Spheres, briefly."

Posted by: Thommeh Oct 18 2005, 04:49 AM

QUOTE(Ahuxi @ Oct 17 2005, 08:47 PM)

Ahjaar didn't answer.
"She won't talk to me.." she said after a while.

Thom frowned. "I'm sorry." Thom kissed her cheek and said, "Do you want me to talk to her?"

Posted by: Loranna Oct 18 2005, 04:50 AM

And now, it is time to make a new thread.

LOCK ON!!!

Loranna