Session 94.5

Meany has connected.

Ghostwish has connected.

Meany:Hoy.

Liatai:Hoy. :3

Sszeyl:I knew I left this somewhere.

Liatai:Hm, I didn't save Tebryn with his proper token, it seems.

Liatai:There we go.

Liatai:Do you remember what session Sszeyl extended the invitation to the ZL duo in?

Liatai:Never mind, found it.

Sszeyl:sorry ninja summon

GM:So! Dinner! How nice.

Sszeyl: (( Back. ))

GM:Would you like to pick a date for this dinner, or shall I?

Sszeyl:You can. :3 I'm busy taking 20 on food cooking.

Sszeyl:Pike fish. Mmmm.

Sszeyl:Perhaps with some venison, as a side-dish?

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">And of course honey with buscuits, and various beverages. :3

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Plus whatever Leth brings.

GM:<font color="#000000">The invitation was extended on Damarron 12th. Before Sszeyl's purchase of the farm, but after the Crane farm raid. Sszeyl purchased the farm on Damarron 18th, but that was Miron's birthday, so no one was probably in a state to party that night. The last in-game day was Damarron 19th.

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">Tebryn tries to help, but he's certainly not as good of a hand in the kitchen as Sszeyl is. &#171; &#160;1d20+4 = 16 + 4 = 20&#160; <font color="#000000">&#187; assist...

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">:3!

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( What berries are in season at this time of yeae? ))

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">year*

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( My brain says blackberries? ))

GM:<font color="#000000">Not many. It's winter.

GM:<font color="#000000">Well, late-autumn-early-winter. Early November by our calendar.

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( ... ))

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( Pumpkins? :B ))

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Pumpkin pie for dessert? :B

GM:<font color="#000000">... come to think of it I'm not sure if pumpkins qualify as a berry botanically or not. I don't think they do... but that's sidetracking. :B

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">They're squash, technically.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">But I'm looking for pie stuffs.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Er, gourds.

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( 8B ))

GM:<font color="#000000">That's what I figured -- aha! Should have said so. :3 Apple and pumpkin will be the most prevalent this time of year, unless you're like Lethiriss and have a stash of preserves.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Not yet.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">First winter. (:3

Vuz:<font color="#000000">The kitten does as kittens do, and is constantly checking out the kitchen.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">But I do have a pumpkin garden.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Of course Fuzzy is also fed a few large fish the day before, in addition to his mackerel which should have arrived by now, so he doesn't come looking for food at my door. :B

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;... what an unusual little creature that is. Scarcely capable of defending its master. Why do humans keep them in their homes?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;To kill and consume pests which are too small and quick for them to capture.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;They also provide some measure of companionship, with less dependancy than other domesticated animals.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;It seems inefficient. They do not seem to trap their prey. They must not capture many if they simply charge after them.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;Ah.&quot;

Vuz:<font color="#000000">Stalking the wild kitchen scraps. :d

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;That is why homes occasionally have two or three such animals. In less well off homes, it is important that the breed of animal be geared for mousing as the phrase is coined.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Venison scraps for the Vuz.

* Vuz mews in a pleading manner before reaching up and nomming. :9

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Vuz is of the breed that is more meant for companionship and survivability of cold temperatures.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;But she is still young. Her breed can live for up to twelve years.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;I see.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;Unusual choice of name, then.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Zairith's LiNeer is of a breed for mousing. And she is quite good at it.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Vuz? It struck a chord with me. I think one of my recent past selves had a familiar with that name.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;... I have not actually met Zairith. His letters had a well-educated tone and lexicon, but beyond that, his family connection, and his profession as an enchanter and as a trader, I know little. What is he like?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;He is...somber, and has the bearing of carrying a great weight strapped to his back.&quot;

* Vuz sits and looks up at Sszeyl with a pleading &quot;mowww~.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">A bowl of milk is set down for the kitten.

Vuz:<font color="#000000">Lap lap lap. :9

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Task oriented, calculating, and having a steel in his bones that he tries to hide.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;He is as Zilvudar would have been in a brighter world, I think.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">A flicker crosses the other monk's face, but he nods. &quot;... I see. And what of this other guest?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Lethiress is doting and kind. She too has a steel in her bones, but it is much harder to see. If Zairith were the night, Lethiress is the day.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;That is not a drowish name. Nor demeanor.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;She is not Drowish.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;But as for the demeanor, you will find the Ezebekian standard is not the Kellon standard for Drow.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;What is she?&quot;

GM:<font color="#000000">... I just realized I never set a date! Let's say Damarron 17th.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;That is a secret she has asked me to keep. You will have to ask her yourself, I am afraid.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Now pardon me, I must stoke the fires so that the caves are suitably warm.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">MOAR WARM.

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;Very well.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">The stove and bath fires have wood added to them, so that they can heat up the caves to what would be slightly toasty for a normal person, but should be pleasant for Leth.

Vuz:<font color="#000000">The cat is, of course, loving it. |3 She winds between Sszeyl's ankles.

Vuz:<font color="#000000">BALANCE CHECK -- *brick'd*

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">They can pop in anytime, unless you had more Tebryn ideas? :o

GM:<font color="#000000">Nope! Knock knock knock.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Le answer.

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">Lo and behold, a half-drow, a one-eyed cat, and a mount of cloaks bearing a tray of lemon and berry tarts! A yellow slit-pupilled eye peers out of the cloaks. &quot;Ssssszeyl?&quot; :3

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Quite. Welcome to my home. Come in, come in and make yourselves comfortable.&quot;

* Tebryn is standing near the table, watching the door as people enter. What an odd accent.

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">&quot;Sss, thank you! I wasssn't sssure what you were making, sssso I jussst brought desssert...&quot;

LiNeer:<font color="#000000">Oh great. It's the child again. .|

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Thank you. Your cooking is always welcome here.&quot; :3

* Zairith follows, approaching Tebryn... and there's a lengthy silent stand-off between the wizard and the monk.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Sszeyl's motions become slightly more stiff as he sets the table, and lets the two have their moment.

Vuz:<font color="#CC0066">Hiiiiiii, grandma~

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">Both of them are maintaining eye contact with the other and standing rigidly... but eventually, it's Tebryn who bows first.

* Zairith nods ever so slighly in return. &quot;Tebryn. Unless you have chosen a different appelation.&quot;

LiNeer:<font color="#000000">I am not your grandmother, impudent child.

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;Zairith of House Aleanlyl. Unless, as I suspect, you are of House Claddani proper.&quot; A pause. &quot;... You stand taller than I expected.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;You will find that true for most of his friends, too.&quot;

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;Hm.&quot; The wizard sweeps over to the table. &quot;We must converse in more depth on another day. Your smugglers did not see fit to equip you properly, I see.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;What beverages would you two prefer?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Oh, and does Lethiress accept milk?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">ERK.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">LiNeer.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">DAMN YOU, L-NAMES.

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;A student of the Order does not require --&quot; The monk is cut off by a cloth cap being snapped in his direction.

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;Practice with that. Become accustomed to wearing it at all times should you wish to study the surface races in any capacity.&quot; He then turns to Sszeyl. &quot;She does. Water is fine.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">A dish of milk is set out for each cat, and a jug of water drawn from the spring.

* Lethiriss seems to snap back into activity as soon as Tebryn and Zairith break eye contact, bustling about. &quot;Sss, I'll carry that. What can I take to the table?&quot;

* Tebryn seems to be looking at the hat like it will bite him.

LiNeer:<font color="#000000">The one-eyed cat is keeping her eye trained on the kitten, even as she laps up the milk.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;The venison plates, if you would. The pike is rather heavy.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Is the heat sufficient for you? I have a surplus of firewood.&quot;

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">&quot;-- Oh! Sss, don't trouble yourssself, ssssave your firewood. It'sss fine.&quot; :3 &quot;They sssay thissss winter isss going to be harssssh.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Oh dear.&quot;

* Tebryn is clearly a fair bit weirded out.

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">She has actually shed some of her cloaks. Just... the top three layers. :B

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;If I may hazard a guess, a hat of disguise?&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">Tense silence reigns over the table, Tebryn still holding the hat away from him a little as he inspects it, glancing back to Sszeyl and Lethiriss occasionally.

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;It's not going to bite, boy. Pocket it and practice with it later.&quot; To Sszeyl; &quot;Yes.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;You will feel as if underwater while using it, that is the spell resistence pressing against the illusion.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;With a bit of practice, and some creativity...&quot; Sszeyl suddenly shifts, and tranforms into a blonde wood elf, and peels the skin off his arm, revealing drow black beneath. &quot;You can manipulate it directly.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">With a snap, the illusion is undone, and Sszeyl sits at the table.

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;I... see. As you manipulated your beard when in the guise of an ancient human.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Quite. Also having baggy clothing which makes seeing all of one's limbs properly difficult.&quot;

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">Lethiriss sits last, after making double-sure everyone has their plates, silverware, and beverages.

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">&quot;... Sss, I had wondered about that,&quot; Lethiriss starts after seeing that none of the drow is particularly inclined toward starting small talk currently. &quot;Why an old human guisssse?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Sszeyl counts off on his fingers as he speaks, &quot;Aged humans tend to have an elvish patience and long view, so appearing as an older individual with my personality would be easier than a younger. A human because impersonating an elf...did not sit well with me, particularly given my limited knowledge of how elves operate. Mannerisms, body language, accents. Baggy clothing and moving and speaking rarely solve those problems while disguised. The scars and length of the beard indicate some manner of wealth or power, offering a preventative measure against random attacks. Plus being old and human, few people look at me oddly when I talk to myself, or have random spasms.&quot;

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( Brb. ))

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">There's still a tense, wary silence over the drow-heavy end of the table as the meal commences; well, a wariness on Tebryn's side, at least. He alternates between scrutinizing Lethiriss, stealing frequent cautious glances at Zairith, and occasionally looking at Sszeyl to gague his reactions to things.

* Zairith heats his cup of water with a prestidigitation, brewing a cup of tea. Sip. &quot;You have thought through this carefully. Well-chosen.&quot;

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( Back. ))

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Sszeyl's reactions are fluid. When he catches Tebryn's eye, Sszeyl immediately looks at Zairith, then back to Tebryn and motions 'go on.'

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Rhylinar off adventuring again?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Or is he sneaking in through the back door, risking himself being mauled by my neighbor to sneak off with the pies while he thinks I'm not looking.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot; That bear is not so strong, you know. &quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Word of advice, do not look down on anything on the surface that is listed as predator. It can take you by surprise, and kill you just as dead.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Plus if I can find a Druid willing to make him self-aware, I'm hoping to teach him combat.&quot;

* Lethiriss hiss-giggles, before looking at serious Zairith and quelling it to a quiet occasional hiss.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">BRB ^^;

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( Alrighty. :3 ))

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( Brb, myself. ))

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Back.

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( :24 timestamp. ))

Liatai:<font color="#000000">:24 at :24. :3

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( :D ))

Zairith:<font color="#000000">Sip. &quot;I doubt he will be joining us this evening.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;A shame.&quot; Sip.

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">&quot;Ss, it'ss been very ssstrange. We haven't ssseen much of him sssince he'sss been in town. He'sss not even ssstaying with usss.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;I'm sure he would make light of the situation and give you two something to focus on rather than each other, resolving a bit of tension.&quot;

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">&quot;Thisss batch of tartsss went largely unmolessssted during itsss making.&quot; Lethiriss frowns. &gt;:\ &quot;I'm beginning to wonder if he'sss sssick.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Are you sure he even is still in town?&quot;

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;Quite sure.&quot; Sip.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Let me guess, scrying.&quot;

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;Hardly. Daily workplace pestering.&quot; :|

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Hmm.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Tebryn is aware of your profession?&quot;

* Zairith looks to Tebryn.

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;I am aware that he is a peddler of magical items, if that is what you mean.&quot;

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">&quot;Thisss isss very good, Sssssszeyl -- what sssseassssoningssss did you ussse on the fissssh?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Basil.&quot;

* Tebryn peers at Lethiriss. &quot;... Your accent is most peculiar. From where do you hail?&quot;

Lethiriss:<font color="#000000">&quot;Jussst basssil?&quot; :. She smiles to Tebryn. &quot;Nowhere sssspeccccial. The wesssst.&quot; ^^

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;I'm afraid I haven't learned the proper names for all of the spices in my cabinet. I operate by colour, scent, and taste with them.&quot;

* Tebryn is now developing the idea that all westerners speak with terrible lisps.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">:B

* LiNeer hops up onto the table, curling her tail around her paws and waiting. .|

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;In a few days time, I will be taking Tebryn to visit my co-worker, Luethil.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;She operates another hunting lodge, and with your permission I'd like the meeting point to be her lodge if this one is attacked or compromised. It is closer to Castleton, and the clients there more able to help defend it.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">At Zairith.

Sszeyl: <font color="#cc0066">(( In a three-dimensional thing, if I recall correctly, Homely House is closer. It's just that the House is in a less safe area, so it's generally easier to go to the Cave, then the House when traveling there. ))

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;And who, precisely, is this Luethil beyond your coworker?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;She is a wild elf. A powerful warrior who recently helped others of my guild to destroy a Druid Witch who was cavorting with demons.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;She is also reasonable enough to treat me with courtesy, and a limited trust. At least enough that she's stopped checking the food I send to her for poison.&quot;

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;... a wild elf. Reasonable. Hm.&quot; Tea-sip -- has he done anything but sip tea and occasionally nibble something all night?

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;Will wonders never cease.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;She is also an auxillery member of my guild, and able to readily summon them if I am indisposed.&quot;

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot; Auxiliary. &quot;

Sszeyl: <font color="#CC0066">&quot;Curse this human language.&quot;

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;I see. Where is this lodge?&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;About thirty minutes of travel northeast from Castleton. About twenty minutes from here.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;The area is surrounded by dense forest populated with apparently four individual wolf packs, and many large bears, some of whom are rumored to be of the dire species.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;As such, travel directly from Caslteton is rare, and the primary reason my lodge exists is to serve as a rest point on the safe path to Luethil's lodge.&quot;

Zairith:<font color="#000000">&quot;Hm. Very well.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Thank you.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">Om nom pike.

* LiNeer is still waiting. .|

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">When suddenly venison?

* Zairith pushes some pike off to the side of his plate and edges it toward LiNeer. The cat proceeds to om nom nom.

Tebryn:<font color="#000000">&quot;...&quot; Tebryn observes. &quot; Is this normal behavior for cats, Sszeyl? To beg for and steal the food of their companions? &quot;

LiNeer:<font color="#000000">You can't steal what was freely given. Nom nom nom.

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Cats are both predators and scanvengers. Also their skull structure resembles that of many race's infants, which prompt adults of various species to dote on them.&quot;

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;Also LiNeer is his familiar and can pester him mentally.&quot;

LiNeer:<font color="#000000">The cat looks far too pleased at that statement. |3

Liatai:<font color="#000000">... man, it's hard to get two very serious introverts to talk. :B *brick'd*

Sszeyl:<font color="#CC0066">:B

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Any other things Sszeyl wanted to talk about, or should we fade out?

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">I think fade out would be good. :3

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">This was just facetime, after all.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Mmkay. :3

* Meany pushes Liatai into escape pod.

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Quickly, before ghost notices the bomb!

Liatai:<font color="#000000">As a side note, Tebryn kept expecting Zairith to suddenly snap and do something bone-chillingly terrifying thanks to Sszeyl's comparison of him to Zilvudar. :B

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">:B

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Zairith can be scary when he wants to be.

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">But doesn't bleed off him like it does Zilvudar.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">&quot;Nothing yet -- is he just playing mind games with me??&quot;

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;He could be. Let me go get this painting I did of him to break the ice.&quot; :V

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Zaithoughts: &quot;Sszeyl's cooking skill has progressed tremendously.&quot; *brick'd*

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Oh, and Teb totally was shown that painting at some point.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Sszeyl kept a copy? XD

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Ayup.

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;This is Zairith's base form, when he isn't using illusion.&quot;

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">&quot;My cousin is more muscular than Trivoltil?&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">... I'm sorely tempted to have you have Sszeyl roll Bluff. XD

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">OCH.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">OCH.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">OCH.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">OCH.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">OCH.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">OCH.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">OCH.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">OCH.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">Hi. :3

Liatai:<font color="#000000">... do you have OCH. as a macro? XP

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Yo.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">No.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">No.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">No.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">No.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">No.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">No.

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Up arrow key.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Ach. XP

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">:3

Liatai:<font color="#000000">We're all done, Ghost. Thanks for the hosting. :3

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">Aye lassie!

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Da.

Meany:<font color="#CC0066">Much thanks. :3

* Meany pushes Liatai into escape pod before bomb goes off.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">Ta! :3

<font color="#0000ff">Ghostwish is disconnected.

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