A mask, a scone, and a slice of orange
Log Info
- Title: A mask, a scone and a slice of orange
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Cryosanthia, Sabina, Faranmidahn, Aya
- Place: A03: The TarRaCe
- Time: Tuesday, November 03, 2020, 3:14 PM
- Summary: Cryosanthia and Lily meet up with Sabina at the Tarrace, the sith'makar inquiring how things have gone for the Tarienite priestess and propritor. Conversation meanders, covering things Cryo has been up to and the difficulties in running the establishment. Cryo offers to help with the accounting in exchange for assistance with scrolls. Lily puts on Sabina's mask and does a variety of attention getting things, sitting on Sabina's lap. Sabina shows off her illusion magic, changing into various people, which fascinates both lizards. Aya appears, and she and Lily continue their play-feud. Faranmidahn arrives, oddly, almost immediately after Cryo takes out the plush of her. Discussion drifts towards the Charnese delegate, with criticism of her appearance and speculation regarding her true purpose, but few facts. Aya demonstrates that Taarans are never to be trusted, Practice Cake is called for, and the evening fades to wine.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* The TarRaCe *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Inside, this two-story structure has been almost completely opened up. Generous windows on both stories allow daytime sunlight and cooling night breezes to flow in as needed, while the brick walls have been whitewashed - contrasting with the dark-stained beams and supports, and the rich polish on the wooden floor. A broad strip of stone runs from the entrance to a framed doorway set into the opposite wall, with a sign above the lintel declaring that the baths are to be found that way.
The ground floor is sprinkled with tables and chairs of assorted sizes, offering welcome to guests both large and small. One whole corner of the building - into which guests are not permitted entry - has been given over to the kitchen, which serves as the domain of the famed monster chef Ligum Serforus. Mundane meals are available, but the chef delights in offering up obscure dishes made from the freshest of monster ingredients.
Opposite the kitchen a small bar runs in front of an array of shelves, displaying a broad selection of beverages (most of them alcoholic). The bar-top has been fashioned from what looks to have been old pieces of armor, fused and welded together before being polished to provide a near-smooth finish. Set above it, three human-sized statues have been built into an alcove in the wall: Tarien, Rada and Ceinara jointly keep benevolent watch over the room and its occupants.
To the right of the entrance, a small stage offers a platform for a handful of performers at a time. To the left of the door, a spiral staircase of wrought iron winds its way up to a balcony dining area, that is chiefly reserved for special events and parties.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Sabina 5'4" 130 Lb Human Female Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes Aya 4'7" 105 Lb Shadow Elf Female Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. Faranmidahn 3'3" 35 Lb Halfling Female Albino Lucht woman in black leather armor with a BIG spider Whirlpool Lb Otyugh I am stinky! -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Outside, it's cold and grey. The sky is overcast, the sun hasn't made an appearance all day. Everything remains wet, and a biting wind comes from the east. It's a strong contrast to the Tarrace, but every time the door opens the patrons are reminded, it's terrible outside.
Another reminder occurs, as a heavily cloaked and oddly hunchbacked figure enters. Sith'makar, presumably, from the visible scales on the hands, and the clatter of clawtips on the floor. Plus the white stormcloak has an extension behind which could conceal a tail.
The large hood is flipped back. Cryosanthia looks around the restaurant temple, and pressed up behind and beside her head, Lily hugs her neck and follows with her gaze. Water drips from them as they stand and seek seats.
Those within the Tarrace are as muted as the outside. Chatter is heard, soft but constant from the different tables of folks. Eyes come up as the pair is revieled and some give nods. Others just look back t owhat they were doing.
Bina is at a table near the kitchen and working with a stack of papers. A inkwell and quill rests near to hand and she is busy going over what's writen. A small frown on her face. Her mithral mask lays next to the inkwell leaving her face uncovered. Yet even if she is busy she's not too busy to look up and smile at the pair. "Lily! Cryosanthia! Come in! Warm yourselves and find a dry spot." Without being asked she calls up a cantrip to start said drying process.
Cryo waves in return, a short gesture which is copied by Lily. The two lizards stare. Sabina is spotted, and Cryosanthia starts forward. Her server skills remain despite the many years, and she expertly threads between tables and patrons to come up on her.
The white sith tilts her head, glancing at the mask, then her friend's frown. She basks in the drying and Lily hops down off her shoulder to land on a chair and place her hands on the table.
"Beansss!" Peeps the little pink lizard. "Peasss."
"Peace on your Nest, Sabina. Thank you. How are you?" Cryo concentrates and the stormcloak vanishes into a more relaxed set of scholarly robes. The water not yet caught by the cantrip remains, and either falls to the ground or follows on the reconfigured clothes. Hooking a stool with her tail, she pulls it close and sits.
Bina continues with her gestures to wisk away more of the water even as she responds to them. "Peace apon your nests, Cryosanthia and Lily. How fair the two of you? I've not seen you in at least a month I'd say." Satisfied with her attempts to dry she leaves off the cantrip and settles back into her seat. "I am pleased to see you both again. How have you faired?" She grins and waves over a server, a fellow Tarienite priest. "Please get them the drinks they desire and something to snack apon?" The priest nods nad looks to the pair expectantly.
"We are well. Lily does not love the cold as much as this one, so the weather is a concern. I have a new magic item, and thus need many scrolls. I've been consulting with Merek and using Mikilos' library." Cryo says softly. One arm rests on the table, she leans close, sapphire eyes intensly focused. As usual, her reptilian expression is hard to read, but the aim of her snout and direct gaze indicates her full attention. "This one apologizes for any offense at our last meeting. The Charnese Delegate was a shock. This one has rarely seen your face. Perhapss, not ever. Are you sure something is not wrong? In need assistance with the Tarrace books?"
Lily meanwhile, is all small toothy grins. She's also a covetous little kobold and that mithril mask looks fantastic. When 'Bina's attention is elsewhere, she takes the mask and slips it on. It's oversized, of course, but her eyes show through the eyeholes of the mask. Cartoonishly distorted reflections of Cryo and Sabina move across the silvery surface as Lily ties it on her head.
"Some fruit snacks would be nice." Cryo says, still watching Sabina's face for cues.
"Offense? No, my firend. No offense was percieved at all. I was very distracted at the time. And Emp was being noisey as well. In my thoughts I mean.." She sighs and shrugs and motions to the papers. "There is more of this then I thought there would be to take care of this place. Were I out in the wilds apon a road I'd have less of this but more headaches to get provisions? Here it is taxes and orders and time schedules and paying staff.." She sighs and blows a breath out, shrugging again. "Time consuming."
Her face turns to take in Lily wearing the coyote mask and grins. "Most fetching, Lily! But then again I like the style of the mask. Coyote looks good on you."
"Scrolls? Of what type? I am a wizard as well as priestess. Well.. mixture of the two these days."
"This one remembers a little of keeping the books, from the Fernwood. Especially the scheduling. Let me see," She shuffles herself closer, turning her neck to stare down at the books. She scans over the figures, "Adventurers only suffer this if they are raising a small army."
Lily grins back at 'Bina, her long jaws and sharp lizard teeth give the mask a fearsome impression. She also manages a passable bark as she snaps at the air and hisses.
"Wizard," says Cryo, "this one has a mnemonic corset. If I review the scrolls in the morning, it allows me to cast one spontaneously, as if I knew it properly. It is like a candy store, all spells are open to me now, this one will have a spell book that is a brace of scroll tubes."
"That sounds like a very handy thing to have!" the priestess says to Cryo and then hmms. "I'll gladly wrtie scrolls for you. It's a thing I've rarely done but and proficient with. Perhaps we could trade? You help me with my book keeping and I help you as I can with scrolls? I can also assist with meals from time to time too. Fresh from the Tarrace's kitchens. And baths."
She then looks over to Lily and pretends to be frightened. "Ooh! A fearsome Lily has come to devour me! Protect me Cryosanthia!"
"Oh no!" Cryo twists, sliding from her seat to crouch beside Sabina. "How will I defend thee from Tarien's messenger dog. Quick, hand me a pen, it's mightier than the sword."
She holds an imaginary, tiny weapon to fend off Lily. The kobold rawrs and hops up on the table, spreading her arms to appear larger. Her carnation colouration an interesting compliment to the mithril mask. Scenes and colours of the Tarrace reflect across its surface. Lily roar-barks again.
HISSSSS! Cryo teases, waving her fingers, also grinning. "This one agrees to that trade. The thought-work will be of worth, this one promises."
Bina eeps! acting afraid as papers are scattered across the table and to the floor. She has the presence of mind to pluck the ink well from the table and at the same time hands the quill to Cryo. "Your weapon, my protector!"
Chuckles can he heard from other tables as the scene unfolds and folk are treated to a fun and playful scene.
"Done and done, Bina says softly for Cryo's ears only.
Cryo takes the quil, and holding it like a rapier feints at Lily, making wide and easily avoided thrusts. The pink kobold ducks and weaves, and then she braces herself in a forward leaning stance. Arms back, fists clenched, she opens her mouth wide. She roars, loud for her, with a heavy exhale that lasts almost half a minute.
She immediately laughs and babbles off something in high-pitched, hissy draconic.
"We're defeated!" Cryo translates, "breath weapon. She's destroyed us both."
Lily dances triumphantly, slapping her tail.
Bina gasps aloud and 'faints' back into the chair then plays dead. This is all ruined as she keeps talking. "Dead! Death by Lily breath! Oh the tradgedy of it all! Cut down in my youth! Alas!"
Some light clapping from the nearby tables as well as more chuckles, celebrating Lily's victory.
Bina comes back to life and then slowly reaches out to the small table-top warrior. "Victory hugs for Lily?"
"Yessssss." Lily squeals, and then she leaps across the table in a flying tackle hug. Which impacts but does not move the Tarien. She warps her arms around 'Bina's neck and rubs her head against her chin. Smooth scales slide against skin and she stares through the coyote mask with gem-like eyes.
"Verily, very victorious. Valid valour and valedictions," Cryo grins, rubbing along the youngling's back, patting out to her tail.
Bina squeeks and then laughs as she's pounced and rubbed apon. She wraps arms about the small one and gives a good warm hug to the scaled one. "Very good! And the mask really does become you. Perhaps I shall gift you with one soon. What do you want it to look like if I do, hmm? A bear? A wolf? Ahhh... a dragon?" She chuckles, looking much happier then she was when the pair first came in.
The server comes back with drinks for the trio as well as a small plater of fresh and dries fruits. He's grinning, being a Tarenite, but also looks troubled back lack of clear place to put the things.
"Here, let me clear." Cryo says, pulling a book towards her and looking down the page. No bookmarks needed. She closes it, then a couple more and stacks them. With the small pile made and Lily off the table, there is space for food and drinks. "Tail down Lily, there iss food."
Lily is snuffling at 'Bina's neck, then bites, lightly. Her teeth don't penetrate. She follows up with several hissing words.
The whitescale laughs, "She wants them all. She has seen Un'eth become each, well, not a dragon, but she wants to be a dragon too."
Bina 'eeeps!' again as she is nipped at and then laughs. "Of course! Silly me! One of everything! That is the way of all children not mater what size, shape or species." She gives Lily another hug and then tries to guide the little one to turn around and have a seat in her lap for food, or assist her into another chair.
The priest giggles and sets down the drinks and food and gives Bina a wink before heading off for other tables.
The little pink kobold is convinced to turn around and sit in Sabina's lap. Her tail is not usual for most children, but bends out of the way easily enough. Faced with all the food on the table, Lily wants one of each again, perhaps the whole place.
"Select firsst, show me, assk." Cryo hisses in tradespeak, then repeats in draconic. Lily looks at her, she stares back. Lily looks at the plate again, asks something.
"That's a dried Fig." The whitescale explains, glancing to 'Bina next, "She'll start with a fig. This one would enjoy a fig also."
Cryo picks up her glass, takes a sip, then holds it for Lily to drink out of.
Bina watches the back and forth and smiles as Cryo goes into 'mom mode'. She nods and places one of the figs on the plate before Lily while she's busy getting the offered drink. "I still should learn your tounge, but it's also good for Lily to learn the trade tounge." She herself reaches out and gets a slice of dried apple to nibble apon. "So. I know a few spells. What were you looking to get ahold of for your just in case casting?"
Lily takes a sip, flicking her tongue into the drink, then takes hold of the fig and bites it. Cryo takes a bite of her own, "Hold in your mouth, try to chew, it's the best way to get the flavour."
Neither of them are suited for chewing, and the temptation is to swallow immediately, which minimizes much of the enjoyment. Cryo takes a sip, then looks contemplative.
"Well. Share Memory is one. This one has many uses for that, so much I may get it in a ring. It is perhaps, a touch of the Mistake, but this one sees some use for Erase Memory also."
She sets her glass on the table, grins widely, "Faran shared several with me, through potions. Reduce Person! This one was small like a halfling. It was incredible. She used Alter Self, and became sith'makar. Beautiful scales, white shifting towards pink. Lily was ecstatic. Enlarge Person, would also be of use, more for Lily, but this one has seen it in combat and it appears effective. Some others, Line in the Sand. There are many options. I intend to go through a full list."
Bina raises a brow and then laughs. "Would that I could do all of those. Some I can and I'll give you one of each I know. Does the complexity of the spell matter or should I just focus on the simpler things I know?"
She looks to Lily and grins. "So you like seeing people chaing into other things with magic, Lily? I agree that magic can be wonderful and /fun/!" She continues to nibble at her slice of apple.
"Yessss." Lily squeals happily, twisting around to look at 'Bina, her mouth full of slightly chewed fig fragments. She rattles off several more words in draconic.
"Lily," Cryo admonishes gently, turning the kobold's head away, "Softskins don't like to see the people eat. Swallow before speaking so you don't talk with your mouth full." This is repeated in draconic, then her foundling's request is translated, "She thinks it is very interesting and wants you to turn into a monster."
The whitescale leans back, winking, "I could tell her you're already disguised as a tax collector or a politician. They look just like everyone else. Spell wise, this one is only capable of the second circle so far, but hope to progress. The simplest spells would be best."
Bina hmms softly and thinks, not bringing up Lily's social inpoliteness seeing as it's racial. "I can not alter myself as Faranmidahn can. But I can shange how I look." She tells Lily with a grin. She raises a hand and speaks the language of magics and casts her simple spell. The dark haired woman turning into another woman entirely. Skin darker of tone and eyes an almost vibrant blue. Her hair growing even longer then it already is and it's color changing to match Lily's scale colors.
"Ooooooaah!" Lily moans in unexpected surprise, sitting upright on Sabina's lap. She turns her head from side to side, staring. First she pulls at the hair, to see if that will make it grow longer, then she rubs at Sabina's skin to see if the colour will come off. She's grasped the concept of makeup, at least.
"Lily, careful! That's her." Cryo grabs, to catch her foundling's hands, "Be gentle."
The whitescale takes time to stare herself, "That is amazing. Is that a spell? This one would change her scale colours sometimes, when meeting delegates or chasing shards. Is how you normally look the real you?"
Bina can't help but laugh as Lily tries to test the spell. The little one will find her hand goes through the false growth like whisps of steam. Illusion. The face is her own and the color, while illusion, can not be smudged. "Yes, easy please. I'm fragile!" She says to Lily warmly. "And would that everyone you saw me in my mask would pause and think the way you do now, Cryosanthia. The answer is that this magic only lasts a short while. Just over an hour for me if I so wish. If I were to scribe a scroll it would last just a double handful of minutes but good enough to make an escape or walk by unnoticed. Thought I did once use it to confound a vampire's henchmen."
"One escape is still a good escape." Cryo concurs, nodding and releasing Lily so she can test the spell a little more gently. The hair that isn't there fascinates her the most. She twists around and asks a question.
The whitescale shakes her head, hissing something back. Her head then tilts, and she gazes at Sabina's altered visage. "The mask is the real you? Is it not odd then, to hold yourself on your lap?"
Sabina cants her head to one side, confused. "Hold myself in my lap?" She looks at the masked Lily and grins. "The mask is how I let everyone know who I serve and what to expect from me. It's the truth of who and what I am. But it is not 'me'. I am me. How I look does not matter. It is changeable and I can do so when I wish and how I wish. Others without magics can do the same though it takes them longer time. It's jsut those of us with sight get caught up in expectations of how we should look and continue to look. Who I am are my words and actions."
Lily listens as if she understands, which she probably does not. She has picked up that nodding is a thing people do when other people are talking, so she does that. Her attention seems rapt, likely she is watching the movements and shape of Sabina's mouth. She's not often this close to one for so long.
"Ah," Cryo understands, though she's not sure wht to reply, "That is more than this one thought about it. This one agrees, in the end it is all words and actions. This one tries not to expect too much from what I see."
Sabina grins widely and reaches out with a hand for something else that Lily hasn't tried. This time coming up with a dried strawberry half. As she does so her skin changes color again to become a deeper yet complementing color then Lily's scales and her hair shortens, brightening to a silvery color. Her face growing older and more matronly. Eyes turning a ice blue. This is all for Lily's entertainment as well as her learning how magic can be. She then offers the strawberry to her.
"AHh? Ahhh! Beanss!" Lily says, taking the dried strawberry which goes immediately into her mouth. There are motions, as if she's attempting to chew it, and her jaws stay closed. She looks between Sabina and Cryo, fixating on their blue eyes, and then running her tiny claws along the matronly creases on the Tarien's face.
"Mind her eyes," Cryo hisses, taking a magic lesson where she can get one as well. "That is an interesting change. Your colour choices are lovely. This one will wonder now if every priestess at the Tarienite temple is you."
Which prompts a thought, "Are things going well there? This one never ended up visiting, and found Ceinara's fold in the Theater District. So much has happened my thoughts of prayer have dwindled."
Bina closes her eyes when clawed fingers get too near and Lily will learn through touch that the elderly wrinkles are again a visual illusion. She continues to chuckle though, finding the leason much to her liking. "That is a complement! Thank you Cryosanthia. The answer is I'm not sure how things are. I've spent the vast majority of my time here or on jobs for the guild. As for your prayers dwindling.. that could be expected. You were suffering through a change. And now you have changed and your purpose is clearer to you then ever before. Much of that purpose sits right here in my lap. is that not so?" She wills another change to occur. Her form growing slightly and changing from female to male! Hair going even shorter and dark black as midnight. A hint of five o'clock shadow appearing on jawline that is harder then Bina's own. When eyes open they are Brown amber in color. Clothing has altered too to become a loose shirt of white and leather pants. All of this is illusion and Lily can feel it by touch.
The kobold youngling makes a lot of surprised and eager noises as the changes occur, clapping and tailwiggling, enough that her sith'mom steadies her so she won't fling herself off 'Binaman's lap. She is quite confused by the beard, the change in hair and contours and checks everything.
Cryo laughs, "This one apologizes. She is very grabby even without excuse. We shall have to check no coins or small holy symbols have gone missing."
Lily looks over at her mother suspiciously. Cryo's words weren't translated, is she understanding more tradespeak. The whitescale grins and also reaches out to test Sabina's hair, which is enough to re-start Lily's examinations.
"Thank you, and she is. It is strange now to weigh decisions with her in it. Before this one wished to be the flamboyant hero, of the flashing blade and quip. Now this one questions, what is the end goal of the mission, does it advance my family or distract? Oh!"
Some more secretive hissing to her foundling, and the sith woman leans forward so her small backpack is in reach.
Bina chuckles at Lily's reactions and her voice has not changed. Under the illusion her body has not either. Hair is still there and long as ever even if sight says otherwise. And of course no beard to be had.
"Those are good and wise questions to ask oneself." She nods to Cryo and watches the sith woman rumage about. "Now.. Lily. You pick what changes I should make, ok? Hair color and length. Skin color. Age. Any and all those things, hm? What do you think auntie Bina should look like?"
Cryo splays her fingers, feeling invisible hair slide off them, a few strands catching on the edges of her scales. She carefully frees them.
Lily is on a mission, she half climbs up Cryo's arm and reaches into the backpack. She pulls out a wooden scorpion, with segmented legs and tail, and working pincers. It looks well chewed. What follows is a dramatic, hissing narration in draconic where she waves it around, joints clacking. She bites it and then makes a 'bloowoosssh' noise what spreading her arms wide. Clearly some sort of explosion.
Tale told and attention available, Cryo repeats Sabina's questions. Lily bounces eagerly, looking around, finally pointing at the Tarien's skin, "Golsss," her eyes, "Rewsss", her hair, "Greesss."
"I think she wants Gold, Ruby and Green, 'Bina. How old Lily? How old should she be?" Cryo says and translates, which gets, "Fang!" as a reply. "I think as young as you can go at your size, is what she means. You'd look... weird, like a Jotun youngling, if you copied her age."
Bina watches Lily act out a story with her scorpion toy and grins. "I'm reminded of a certian bridge and a pair of demon scorpions by watching her play." She then listens to the list of requests and giggles. "Nothing long with looking weird! Especially if it pleases the Lily!" She makes a intense concentration face for the youngsters benefit and Her skin turns a golden-ish yellow. True metalic not an option for her. Her hair turns a vibrant green and when her eyes open they're as red as a cardinal's feathers. Her male looks and clothing return to her own features. The affect is jarring color-wise but she puts her arms out to ither side and says, 'Tada!". Several people in the Tarrace are just outright gawking at this point.
Lily throws her arms wide, echoing, "Tada!" She licks 'Bina's face, the colour might not rub off, but perhaps her auntie tastes like gold. One should also not be surprised the kobold knows what gold tastes like. She's definitely chewed a few if not swallowed some outright.
Cryosanthia grins, "She did enjoy the story. It's become one of her favourite toys. This one is grateful you had the sense in the situation, that we came back. Lily especially likes how they exploded."
Lily makes another 'bloowooshhm' noise and waves her arms.
"She likes explosions almost as much as a goblin, and artifice toys too. You would not believe the things she wanted me to buy." The whitescale grins. "And you look fine, very striking."
Bina looks down at her arms and laughs. "I bet I do." She lets the colors in the magic fade back to her normal self and gives Lily the storyteller her attention. "I was just glad to make it out of there in one piece, to be honest. That's the closest I've ever been to death. And it was painful. And my 'common sense' was more me wanting to stay alive. Had you all found the other one first before healing I'm afraid I would have been just as dead as you all." She peers at Lily and smiles. "Did Cryosanthia tell you how the scorpion laughed?!"
Cryo shakes her head once. Lily looks confused, first at her foster mother then at Sabina. She squeaks, "Nossss."
"This one did not go into the aspect of it speaking." Cryo explains quietly. Lily meanwhile, starts trying different laughs. She manages a few variations. Something which sounds a little like a steam kettle, another which might be a hyena, something coyote-ish which is very appropriate coming from the mask.
Bina ahhs softly and nods. "I think I understand." She says and gives Cryo a look. "A matter of concern about what things are right to do? Or something else?"
Bina grins again at lily as she comes up with a coyote laugh and claps. "Oooh! I like that one! It makes me grin! You make good mimicing noises, Lily. Do you like your nest mother's stories?"
"Yessss!" Lily hisses, then she coyote-barks again, as that was a popular noise. Head thrown back, mouth pointing at the ceiling, the noise carries well.
"Yes," Cryo says, lowering her voice, taking the opportunity while her foundling is performing for the crowd, "Thiss one did not want to confuse her, that it talked, that it was infernal. This one is trying to get away from absolutes, that some races are inherently evil and must be destroyed. Having an example of one when I want her to understand that talking means something might be good, undermines the lesson. When she's older this one will explains the Planes and outsiders."
Lily has managed to bark enough the mask is slipping upwards on her head and she can't see out of the eyes any more.
There is more chuckles and laughter from the nearby tables as well as one rather drunken man who joins in with a wolf-howl of his own. The howl that is broken by a burp and then laughter on his own part.
Bina reaches out the catch hold the mask and slide it back up into place with a giggle. Unable to help herself she tries to pick up Lily and bring her back into her lap. "So cute and yet fearsome at the same time!"
The carnation kobold is easily pulled into a lap. She's light, so small. Full grown kobolds aren't that heavy and an immature one feels delicate. Irshya is easily a heavier lap-sitter. Lily makes some more 'rawr, rawr, rawr' noises, twisting this way and that. She focuses on the man who burped, and does a passable immitation back. Fortunately, her breath smells like fruit.
Cryo giggles, leaning back on her stool and supporting herself by her tail. She takes another dried fig, works on chewing it, then swallows. "Faran and Professor Waywalker are kind enough to watch her when I'm adventuring. I'm helping the professor rebuild her research notes. It's interesting, she knows a great amount about the Everstorm. Oh! Check this out."
The white sith withdraws... a plush Faran. It's practically life-sized. She hugs it the way Sabina hugs Lily.
Bina blinks and then laughs aloud as the doll is brought forth. "Oh my that's /wonderful/! I have to ask if Faranmidhan has seen it and given her approval of it or not. Ohh.. And does it come with a riding spider or small spider familiar too?!" Bina says excitedly. She then leans in to Lily and whispers about spiders crawling on her. Her two hands coming together just so to mimic a spider and tickle-crawling on the little one.
"She did! She does! She made it for me. This is her real hair. See? A small Zephyr tucked behind one ear. No riding Torrent though." Cryo suddenly swishes her tail, gasping, "Perhaps that is another surprise coming."
Lily wriggles, fighting off the tickles, looks at Cryo then hisses a bunch of things to 'Bina.
"Zephyr builds a web between my horns when I visit. She has wanted to conquer them since she first saw me." Cryo grins.
Tries to act as if she understands the whispers but sadly can not make heads or tales of the scaled tounge. Instead she distracts by stopping the spider tickles and then placing a gentle kiss apon Lily's cheek.
To Cryo she grins. "Ohh..Was the web pretty? If she does it again you should get a mirror and draw or paint out it's scructure for posterity."
"Hee, this one shall. She is quick and it is durable but a mobile web encounters many things. I've suggested she build it before this one cleans the Swiftclaw pens. It was pretty, and funny, feeling her moving up there." Cryo grins, and nods towards Lily, "She was talking about Zephyr building her web."
The whitescale sighs happily, hugging the plush, "Faran helped me so much. She had to go and do pennance for not fulfilling her Vow. She was away for several months. This one is glad she's back."
Bina mirrors Cryo with Lily and giggles at first but then gets a more serrious look as well as confused. "I knew I'd not seen her about. Whats this about not fulfilling her vow? You're speaking of her knightly vow I assume?" She reacehs out and takes up her cup adn get a a good sip. She then sets it down and pick up Lily's cup, offering the young one a sip.
Cryosanthia nods solemnly. "Yes. Her knightly vow. To kill the ... Mistake. This... was ultimately not what happened. She felt she still must atone, and was questing to do so. This one feels... things were beyond her control, but would not question."
Lily squeaks happily and drinks from the cup. She ends up lying against Sabina's front, as if she's stealing warmth.
Bina sighs softly looking pained for a moment but then nods. "Sometimes.. Sometimes I guess we need to do things to atone to ourselves. To allow ourselves to be forgiven. Even when things were out of our control. I hope she has returned with some measure of peace that she seemed not to have before she left?" She looks to Cryo for response while soothingly running fingers over Lily's scaled scalp.
"Oh yes, peace and experience. She was showing off those spells, and Zephyr got smarter." Cryo nods enthusiastically, "this one is happy she has returned. Her relationship with her mother improves, and they are teaching Lily things this one can't."
Lily, sussing out the subject of conversation, peeps, "Faranss!"
Cryo nods, rubbing the foundling's head, "Yes, Auntie Faran, we'll see her soon."
"Faran took her riding on Torent, she talked about it for days."
Bina chuckles and leans in a bit to whisper to Lily. "You are blessed to have a good foster mother who has many interesting friends who share love for you, Lily. I doubt that your life will ever be boring. And this is another blessing." She plants another kiss atop Lily's head and smiles again. "I am glad Faran has found some peace and a new zest for life from what it sounds like."
Lily gets wriggly and bitey in Sabina's lap again, cheered on by the kind tones of praise in the Tarien's words, even if she doesn't fully understand them all. Her new life has been all sorts of exciting, experience after experience, far superior than lurking in fear underground. One day the big picture may make sense, for now she squeals and hugs around Sabina's neck, and pushes the mithril mask against her chin.
Cryosanthia sips her tea, "She has. One day soon we plan a day of play, a thing she likes, a thing I like. This one believes it will be jousting and swimming. Lily and the professor may join and choose too, we had not decided."
The white sith leans close, "like our days in the box, but without, in the real world."
Speaking of interesting, a wild Aya appears. Rather than be so gauche at the moment as to use the door, or perhaps to keep Lilly (and Cryo?) on toe-claws, she appears adjacent to the smaller scaled one. "It sounds as if someone has had an adventurous day, and more planned..."
Bina is laughing as she recieves more Lily hugs. That is until Aya makes her shadowy stealthy appearance which causes the priestess to jump and hug Lily protectively. Wide eyes are given Aya briefly and then Bina chuckles and eases her hold apon the kobold and lets her do as she wish again. "You do have a way of making an enterance, Aya. And yes it sounds like a wonderful day to be had."
Lily jumps in surprise also, which is a little painful for laps. Hugged, she goes nowhere but still waves her scorpion toy at the mul'niessa and utters her war-cry, "Aaa-aaa!" Shaking it, the wooden pincers go 'clack' and she also waves the tail.
A real scorpion probably would have stung her already, but if it hadn't, it's a skillful use of poison for one so young.
"AH!" Cryo is also startled up to her toe-claws, her stool tipping over behind her. "Ah, Aya. Peace on your nest. This one had gotten used to you walking up."
She resets her chair and settles down, waving at the table, "Please join, we were discussing, well everything. Adventures, new opportunities, spells, and such."
Aya's lips twist upwards at Lily and she gives the wee one a finger and thumb squishing claw gesture in return. She looks from Bina to Cryosanthia, still with the smile. "I do try; it's best not to become predictable, and so I've heard... Thank you." The last is to the waving offer, and she steps to one side to claim a spot between the three.
Bina pats her chest as her heartbeat comes back to something normal. She waves at the small plater of seaonal fruit and dried fruits of things out of season. "And have some fruit as well. If you'd like something to drink we can make that happen as well." She gets her smile back in place and re-adjusts the mask that is normally on her face but is instead apon Lily's. "Ooop.. there you are. Easier to see now?"
With the weather being what it is, it was too hard a sell, even with the promise of magic. As a result, tonight, a small, dark web shrouded figure makes her way into the TaRaCe. A sigh, and she gives what she can of a lookover from her lower viewpoint before stepping on in, her soggy leg fluff trailing damp brushtrokes in her wake. The sight of a familiar sith, and swiftly, the rest of her table, brings a smile to the Lucht's lips and she fairly trots on over to join them with an exhuberant, "Hi!"
Lily squirms happily on 'Bina's lap, twisting her head around to stare at Aya, her eyes gleaming malevolently under the Mithril mask. She has plans for her rival, but now is not the time.
And upon hearing Faranmidahn's hail, horrible revenge is forgotten. The carnationscale chirps loudly, "Farans!" She shakes her scorpion at the lucht knight also, but in a much for friendly way.
Once again, Cryo echoes her, "Faran! Glad you made it." The whitescale is hugging the plush-Faran on her lap. While she doesn't blush, her tail does curl a little with embarassment. She dips her nose into the plush's hair, asking, "Did you wish to ... take your stand-in's place?"
Bina also echos the call of the new arrival's name. "Ahh! Faranmidhan! It is good to see you again. Forgive me. I'd come and give you a hug but I have a Lily currently. But what I will offer is a place at the table as well s food and drink and a cantrip to dry you off if you wish." She gives the Lucht a warm smile. "We were talking about you just a few minutes ago. Were your ears burning?"
Aya dips her head in a nod to the arriving lucht, though had not noticed the proxy until Cryosanthia draws attention to it. A curl of bemusement, and perhaps thought, twists her lips. There is a plush Faran, a gnawed and/or clawed upon wood and hide mulniessa. If they had a masked mannequin and perhaps a sith carved from ice... perhaps they could all take a care-free vacation, with the objects taking up roles as parent, adventurer, and so on?
Faranmidahn smiles wide and bright as everyone responds. She giggles at her niece's antics and steps up to gently scritch under the carnationscale's chin, "Hello, sweetie, how's my good girl?" Her hand shifts to gently alight on Sabina's arm, "I've missed you, Sabina! How is everything going?"
Then comes Cryo's query, and she blushes a smidge on noting her plushyganger, but she smiles a little, "I had had this wierd feeling someone was sitting in my spot..." she replies with a wink between the women. A giggle, then she turns to Aya and gives a warm, "Hello, again, how are you?"
Cryo slips the plush into her haversack, then leans so her lap is exposed and holds an arm for Faran to climb up.
Lily hisses happily at the lucht, stretching out her chin as she is she is scratched, then adjusting Sabina's mithril mask which is strapped to her face. "Peasss!"
Cryo looks around, "This one took Lily shopping in Goblintown, she's fascinated by artifice."
Bina replies to Faran with a wider grin and a shrug, motioning to the place they sit in. "I am well. Busy but well. It is good to see you again." She then nods to Lily. "That's right, Lily. Peace apon your nest, Faranmidhan." She grins and reaches out for a dried peach from the plate apon the table and offers it to Lily before getting one for herself. "It's getting lively now that we're all here. Rain or no it's good to have you all in the Tarrace."
"Just take care that she doesn't collect anything explosive..." Aya offers advice to Cryosanthia. To Faran, in response, she proclaims, "I am alive, and as well as I can expect."
Faranmidahn climbs up into her offered spot, and reaches up to gently scratch at her sister's neck before she regards the rest of the table with her fond gaze, "I agree.. It's been far too long since we'd just... hung around. I was telling Cryo we should get everyone together and just have a day of having fun together." She regards Aya on her words and she sobers a little, but, "That doesn't sound particularly cheery, is something the matter? Perhaps we can help?"
"This one is saving the Junior Mad Scientist Chemistry Set for later." Cryosanthia say, nodding to Aya's warning. Much like her youngling, she also stretches out her neck to recieve he scratching and exhales happily. The dried peach is taken, along with a bite. "Yes! This one was saying that."
Lily, catching some words in tradespeack, possibly 'goblin' and 'set', launches into a hissy explanation of somethin g in draconic. It involves an arching flight, and her demonstration of an explosion.
Cryo reaches over, petting the kobold's neck, hissing a soft 'shush' noise in draconic before saying something else and looking at Aya. Lily follows suit, making a questioning 'wrrrp?' noise.
"Is there something Aya, that we can assist with?"
Bina looks between those gathered and then settles eyes apon Aya and grins. "Yes. Do tell us if there is something. Perhaps something about our city's recent out of town important person? She strikes me as all sorts of trouble wrapped up in a explosive package. And of course one worried about how not to set her off." She reaches out for another peach slice and nibbles from it.
Aya rolls one shoulder while also waving the arm attached to it in a nonchalant and somewhat dismissive gesture. "Oh, nothing specific." She leans towards Lily to clarify, with a smile despite being withing claw-crushing range, "I didn't intend to make matters sound so glum." After she straightens, she adds, for those taller, "I would not object to the Charnese delegation departing sooner rather than later, however. Then, perhaps, I would be much more able to have fun."
Faranmidahn frowns with open concern as the Charn delegation comes out as the flavor of things. She looks up reflexively, continuing her scritching, maybe putting a little more presure behind it, then looks to Aya, "I haven't the pleasure." For a certain latitude in 'pleasure', "Has she done anything?"
"This one..." Cryo hisses, shaking her head and taking a sip of her tea. A long drink. "Braelnoir and I had to haul Merek off, and everyone, except Silverguard Serene was oblivious to her actions and intent."
Cryo eats her dried peach, a couple snaps and it vanishes. "She did a power play. Walked the streets as if she owned them, openly proclaiming her dark goddess, pleasantly greeting people and demonstrating knowledge of them. Handing out Orange slices."
An activity which seems a mild aside, until Cryo continues. "Oranges come from Am'shere. The people would not trade with the likes of her. For her to have tasty ones, Charnath must have overtaken a fertile section. For the slices to be fresh, the supply line from Am'shere to her hand must be strong and fast. Giving them away as if they were no consequence, implies this impressive magical supply line, from Am'shere to Charn to Alexandria, is barely a fraction of her power. Something she can do effortlessly."
"It may be a ruse, she may have had a servant buy them at market, but it makes me wish to pester the Empress' representative. 'Has something happened in Am'Shere?'. This one does not wish to scurry from her mere action, but..." The whitescale exhales with a strong snort, "... it is political deception, makes me doubt Alexandria's leadership, and no one seems to be reacting to the implied threat. Does Alexandria plan to renneg on the Treaty with the Empress? How can it ally with two opposed Foes? Her presence raises too many questions."
"Their entire presence here is nothing but a play to show power and undermine that of Alexandria," Aya opines. "If they were negotiations from any lack of strength, they would mask or minimize their exposure." She looks to Cryosanthia, lips pursed. "I wasn't aware of the oranges, nor significance. That only proves they are even more bold. I still haven't learned what their alleged presence is for, much less the true details."
Bina listens with some interest. This being all fresh news to her. "I missed all that political byplay witht he fruit. I didn't need it to know she's trouble though. Her focus was on everything and everyone. As if she could touch others and have them influenced. So soon after the magic plauge it was.. disturbing thinking about. And I sensed thoughts behind thoughts as she spoke with folk. Especially you, Aya. Which is why I sugjested it as your source of trouble. I felt she saw you as a tool laying about that could be picked up and used."
She scritches Lily's head and neck as she has learned both Cryo and the little one enjoy.
Faranmidahn closes her eyes and shakes her head. Politics was.... never her strong suit. She opens her eyes anew, still looking concerned, "Maybe that's what she's playing at? Tugging a strand, to see what comes out of the web?"
Aya's input makes her nod anew, and she sighs, "I will mind myself should I see her."
"She lectured Merek on his moral choices. A Priestess of Taara!" Cryo shakes her head, holding tightly to Faran, curling around the lucht knight and looking between Sabina and Aya, "And greeted Serene. Bragged about how happy she was to be back."
"Something is wrong with Alexandria. Did you have any luck determining who she was meeting with? I had hoped they would depart swiftly, now my concern grows." The whitescale admits, "More frustrating too that she sits there, with pleasant voice, pretending... haplessness, while misguided adventurers waltz up and befriend or cast misguided threats that aggravate the Alexandrian guard following her about. This one would not wish their jobs."
"I am sure she will hold out tantalizing morsels of information, each with a hook in it." Cryo takes another dried fig.
Aya rolls one shoulder. "It is safe to say that she has plans within plans with contingencies and alternatives within those," she notes, "and ever looking for new opportunities; for the immediate, for later. I have a fair idea of her methods, if not her plans in detail. That includes her intent for me. She could consider me an ally, a kindred soul... though I would not dare think her so naive."
Bina shakes her head. "Is she strickly a political figure or does she hold rank with the faith or perhaps skill apon the fields of battle or other things we should be aware of? I will most certianly not be attacking her or anything foolish but should I find her squared off against someone I would like to have an idea of what might happen and what I should need to do. Other the run and and take that someone with me. Fighting politcal folk physically never ends well."
Faranmidahn sighs, "Well... sometimes... magic can usurp one's will." the Knight concedes with a blush and a fidget before she turns to smile at her niece. She throws a warm smile her way and reaches out to give her more scritches.
"Maybe we should get her some Crimson Pen novels to keep her occupied for a while?" she tries with the humor thing.
"She is a high ranking Priestess of Taara, from a noble house. This one is unsure of skill, but would suspect divine magic. Plus, Taara is the dark opposite of Eluna, and the Goddess that 'the popular vote' has chosen to be the one that makes room should Animus be restored. She is undoubtedly wrapped in that, and may be a direct threat to Elunites and her temple." Cryo explains, filling in on what she's surmised, "I don't know how she fights, physically."
The whitescale purses her lips, "Even that could be dangerous. The Crimson Pen has stand-ins, Mikilos is one. The fiction could turn her onto targets and tools."
Aya nods in agreement. "She is all of those, and Taara is the one who slew Animus... if the tales are to be believed. She would have every reason to take even more power from these shards and also prevent any return. As for combat," Aya begins, vanishing to re-appear behind Cryosanthia once more, "expect her to strike in the back, or whever is least expected. She is mulniessa, Charneth, and Taaran... all aspects with which I am rather familiar."
Long distance to Elleandra: Cryosanthia nods, "Yes. Well, it more or less ended well. I was sleeping on the couch and had woken up and was watching the door. When the door started opening I screamed and launched off the couch and bodyslammed the door. That wasn't expected and it slammed shut. I hit the locks, the light, the house alarm (which I hadn't armed) and yelled some more. They ran off. I turned on all the yard lights in case they were going around for a back entrance.
Sabina makes a face filled with distaste and reaches out to snag up another slice of fruit to wash some sort of bitterness from both mouth and expression. After that a sip from her cup and a check apon the little one in her lap to ensure she's alright before setting the cup back down. "Ahh.. Politics." She says with a returning smile. "I'd say something about it but truth is there are political aspects in almost anything the intelligent creatures of this world do. From getting food to passing away. The more heated the topic the political it becomes. Such as religion. We shall have to stay vigilant."
So much for buying her a puppy.
Faran purses her lips as the discussion continues down troubling avenues, but, she tries to internalize her misgivings so as to not upset little Lily. Her, she smiles to, and reassures her, "You're being such a good girl, Lily, I'm proud of you!" before she nods to Sabina's words, "Sad, but, true." She looks up to Cryo from her lap, then glances to Aya once more, "So... she's probably been planning something like this for years and years?"
Lily taps Aya with the wooden scorpion's tail. "Aaa-aaa."
Cryo herself stiffens suddenly, her right hand halting halfway through a cast. "This one appreciates the demonstration, Aya, but wishes you would not do that. One day you might not be as fast and I not so slow and I don't want to injure you."
She exhales, relaxes, "I am glad so far my trust is not misplaced." She looks over at Sabina, nodding, "True, but some are deadlier than others."
Lily grins at Faran, her face half covered in Sabina's mithril coyote mask.
"Yes, Lily, you are being excellent." Cryo encourages her foundling, "I don't know, this one has more guesses than facts, and is hoping Lily has not learned much Tradespeak yet."
"Always planning," Aya nods to the lucht. "To undermine or overtake Alexandros? Certainly. For this specific situation? Doubtful, but not impossible. This could have simply proven a strong opportunity..." At the strike of the scorpion's tail, she clutches herself and takes a step back, wobbling with exagerration.
Bina mumbles to herself and then begins to look about the place, checking on coustomers as is her habit now that she's 'in charge' of the place. "I think the gloomy weather outside has affected our conversation. Not that we aught not to discuss needful things." She grins at them all and asks again. "No one else for food or drink? The cooks have whipped up a lovely thick chicken noodle soup with what's left of Irshya's giant chickens."
Faranmidahn frowns a little and looks between Lily and Aya, trying to figure out the dynamics of their game, though it rather eludes her for the time being. Perhaps Mother would better understand. Her hand lifts to scratch again at Cryo's neck and she says, "Well, we should be careful, anyway." Sabina's question reminds the Lucht why she was here in the first place, though the talk of 'giant chickens' widens her eyes, "Oh, do you have any of the cinnaminny mead, and some practice cake?" Because Cryo created a monster, "And some giant chicken soup, please?"
Lily hisses, snickering laughter. Her nemesis has been defeated! She saved her sith'mom. The triumphant kobold gets all squirmy on Sabina's lap, her small tail whipping everywhere. The praise from Cryo and Faran encouraging her extravagance.
Cryo chrrrrs happily, the soft scratching a her throat relaxing her. She slumps just enough to further surround Faranmidahnt, "It may have been opportunity after all, and the weather is not this one's favourite. Chicken soup sounds great, where did Irshya get giant chickens? Also, you have not suggested a thing you would do on our relaxing day. Nor you Aya. What do you enjoy for fun?"
The whitescale drains her glass, "Some wine would be nice, and some grape juice for Lily. Please Sabina. Oh, Faran, I told them about sith you, and being kobold-sized."
She takes another dried peach, "Oh yes, this one would have Practice Cake too!"
Fade to wine.
