Session 103.3

Ghostwish has connected.

Dr. Hatari has connected.

Ghostwish:ALL OF YOUR METICULOUS MORROWIND DECOR. RUINED.


 * Ghostwish goes and makes breakfest. :3

Liatai:Nooooooo D:

Dr. Hatari:We had spoken earlier about how I like to go into random homes in Oblivion/Skyrim and just Zeus-throw lightning at bookshelves.

Dr. Hatari:Because the physics engine goes haywire.

Dr. Hatari:And spits literature over the house like a frag grenade went off.

Liatai:... well granted my &quot;meticulous Morrowind decor&quot; is just alphabetizing my book collection...

Liatai:D:

Dr. Hatari:83

Dr. Hatari:FROM Y TO G.

Liatai:Ack, dog barking, hold on.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Never mind, she was just letting me know Pepper's on the porch. :B

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">I forgot to save all your token draggin'z from the last time. I figured it wouldn't be important. XP

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Now I know better.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">It's not, I'm just being silly. :B

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">I've still got the Altonot/Serrierr log up. It's super interesting.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">It was a very very good mini. :3

Liatai:<font color="#000000">... though since you've got that log up that means I can take a little time to finish reviewing it myself *slinks off* *BRICK'D*

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">x3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Go ahead. I'm not nearly so worried about a sharp bedtime, now that I've slept off the Akellon weekly scheduled deprivation marathon.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">I'm curious, so I'll ask you, too. What alignment would you pin Lyle as? I honestly am not sure, myself. :B

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Savvy Good. *bricked*

Liatai:<font color="#000000">x3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">It's a question that's hard to answer for a person like Lyle. He's concerned with so much and bursting with strong characterization that has nothing to do with good and evil. He's canny and academic and evasive and smarmy and wise. Ultimately a studen of magical and arcane practices, learning, worldly application, support of society, pursuit of knowledge..

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">..What alignment is that? That's not an alignment at all.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">It would be something that won't have a definitive answer without imposing him in a lifetime of events, and seeing how he lived out wordly events.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Which is why Detect spells are stupid.


 * Dr. Hatari is bricked.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">x3

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Chaotic Neutral or Chaotic Good. Haven't seen enough actions out of him to pin him just yet.

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Hatari's yackity yak was just a long-winded way of saying he's done a very good job of evading any analysis of his inner morality thus far by shrouding it in a quirky, distinctive personality. :3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">DID YOU PUSH A MACRO BUTTON TO SAY THAT

Tathi:<font color="#9933FF">Wait, what? Who is that? What is that? I don't remember this. Did the DM explain that? Is that part of our objectives?

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Enter field A: Player Name:

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Also.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Ghost.

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Enter field B: Topic: 1. Argument. 2. Plotz. 3. RP tomfoolery. 4. Communism discussion with VAE

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">I want you to do something.

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">It better not be take a bath.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">One of your characters.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">With Vae/Miron around. Needs to begin talking about a type of esoteric fiend that's actually good-aligned. Call them Fiendless.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Prepare for lulz.

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Oh dear gods

</i>Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Have Sheyth do it. XP

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Why. XD

Tokens dropped onto map 'Yoriver - Temple of Pelor'Ryiel Ondurius:<font color="#FF0000">Why? That's simple. There is no god of karma. It has no cosmic presence. If we don't enforce karma ourselves, it won't exist! He deserves it! *_* *bricked*

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Dare we ask the Liatai for approval of this? |D

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Pass. XP

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">XP

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">So what is this mini for, hrm? :3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Truly, whatever. Last time Tom went off on a completely unexpected errand.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">But I believe Ed had something to bring up.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">All right, log review complete. Ready anytime. :3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Likewise.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Serrierr/tech were much less offensive in rhetoric and cosmos dictating than I expected to see from IRC. A good log. =w= *bricked*

Liatai:<font color="#000000">x3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Let's see now..

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Welp, I'm gonna go mann up. Get my tickey torn for the day. :3

Ghostwish:<font color="#9933FF">Have fun!

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

</i>Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">I have no idea what that expression means. =3=

Liatai:<font color="#000000">It was also very fun bouncing from Lyle to Altonor. From &quot;academic detatchment and used to power struggles with extraplanar beings, slight disdain&quot; to &quot;hey, let's have a chat, I'll buy you a beer and we'll talk metaphysics.&quot; *brick'd!*

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">X3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Oh man.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Cannot unvoice Altonor as Barney Calhoon.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">LOOK WHAT YOU DID.


 * Liatai isn't exactly sure who that is. ^^;

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">He's a character in Half-Life - a guard and friend of Gordon Freeman - whose most well-known and constantly nodded to line is, &quot;Hey, catch me later and I'll buy ya a beer. |D&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Ahhhh. x3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Anyways.

</i>Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">I forget where we left off exactly!

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Or if we should go back there at all.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">What does Mink think?

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Also is Masabel's hair pink?

GM:<font color="#000000">Mink thinks we left off with Tom leaving Lucina's room in the hospital wing.

Masabel:<font color="#000000">No, it's as white as most drow's hair. The panel this picture came from just had reddish lighting. :B

Tomiko Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">I'm glad I asked before Tomi called her pink-hair then.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">I had wondered, I think someone had referred to her as being pink-haired before. x3 Nope, just reddish lighting.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">If she had, Swallowtail probably would have responded. |D *brick'd*

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">x3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Well.

GM:<font color="#000000">Anyway. Tom, you are free to wander. :3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Tom doesn't outstay his welcome in the sick ward rooms.


 * Thomas Lazarus returns below, contemplating what he had learned. Perhaps he'll yet ask Lyle or commander Scary Eyeball if these clues have any significance. =3=c


 * Liatai should probably not have snerked so much at Commander Scary Eyeball. *brick'd*

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">For a second, I was about to scroll over and check his exact name, since I only remembered the gist and not the specific.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">But then I thought, &quot;That's not how Tom thinks. He's... yep commander Scary Eyeball. =3=&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">x3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">And so he goes!

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;-- Oh hey! There you are.&quot; A bard carrying two steaming mugs had been looking around. :3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">... &gt;.&gt;; I would rather talk to Lyle than the commander. And he's right over there, too. He's probably better informed.


 * Thomas Lazarus looks up from his distraction and smiles.


 * Lyle Petersen may or may not be getting grilled by a celestial at this point in time, so it may be for the best. =3= *brick'd*

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Hello, Ed. Just doing a little detective work.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Detective work?&quot; :.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..How're you doing, by the way?&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">He nods. &quot;I guess it's not really. But I spoke with the young woman we rescued.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;I was just about to ask you the same. Hot chocolate while you investigate?&quot; A mug is offered.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;How's she doing?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles and accepts the mug. &quot; Thank you.&quot; Puff, puff, sip.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;It's a little hard to tell. ... I mean, really tell. But someone on the side of 'good', I'll say. Getting her bearings and recovering fast. Or being brave about it.&quot; He looks into his cup for a second. &quot;..I imagine a lot of people could've been.. shaken up for life, after something like that. She's still scared and shaking like a leaf. But girding up and trying to get a handle. Good signs. But I don't want to push her. ... Just one more reason to end this crisis.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">*somewhere

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;.... Anyways, she mentioned something strange I was hoping to try and learn about. I thought Serrierr or Mr. Petersen might know.&quot; Sip.


 * Thomas Lazarus concentrates for a moment, trying to remember the precise wording. &quot;..She said the last thing she remembered before.. you know.. was exchanging some very Hextorian-colored dialogue with Count Montclaire. I believe he asked, 'Are you willing to do whatever it takes to uphold the law in Yoriver?'&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;She says a lot of her peers answered back in Celestial. ... I have no idea why that might be, and neither did she.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Just a tradition with oaths I've never heard of, maybe?&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Me neither... that's weird. 'Whatever it takes, including hosting a fiend in your body,' huh. ... Then again, that devil who was masquerading as an angel said everything aloud in Celestial, too, didn't she?&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Ah.. did she?&quot; ^^; &quot;I feel like a dummy when it comes to that kind of thing.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Thomas - the only non-trilingual/polyglot in Akellon.


 * Thomas Lazarus peers southeast briefly. &quot;..Looks like Lyle is occupied. I'll just ask him what he thinks later, I suppose.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Well, I'm only guessing, but the words had a similar feel and cadence to the ones Serrierr uses when he's not speaking our language, so I'm guessing it was Celestial.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Considering the masquerade, I wouldn't be surprised. Although I wasn't thinking my straightest at that time..&quot; He frowns a little and sips again.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;True.&quot; Ed also takes a sip from his mug, leaning on the wall to the south.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; It's a really strange feeling. I think for the first time, I'm really, really glad we killed someone.&quot; He closes his eyes and shakes off the thought.


 * Thomas Lazarus is quiet for a bit before looking up with a start. &quot;!&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Hey..&quot; He passes the mug to his other hand and reaches over to Ed. Healing orisons~

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">A small pulse of light takes care of Ed's scratches.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">... I think it's safe to assume that upon entering the Pelorite temple the party members were assaulted with curing orisons to patch up -- oh. x3

Edaric:<font color="#000000">Just as I was about to adjust HP. :3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">CORRECT. BY ME!


 * Thomas Lazarus chuckles. &quot;... You always take care of yourself last.&quot; ^^;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;? -- Oh. I'd forgotten about those.&quot; Ed chuckles, flexing his formerly-bruised arm. &quot;Seems to be a common trend among healers, huh? How many times have you done that, too?&quot; :P


 * Thomas Lazarus opens a palm and sips. &quot;--A lot, I know.&quot; x3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Thanks, by the way.&quot; He strikes a more solemn, earnest tone.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I remember a time where I didn't slack off like I've been doing these days. You're always picking up my slack, now.. or just taking care of everything while I stress, or shout, or.. whatever..&quot; ^^;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I really appreciate it.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs into his mug. &quot;These have been trying times...&quot;


 * Edaric shrugs and smiles. &quot;Hey, you've got a lot on your mind recently. I don't mind.&quot; :3 &quot;... Heck, that's why I was looking for you just now. I wanted to check in and see how you were holding up, and offer an ear if you needed one. ... Plus there was just enough of Lethiriss' hot chocolate mix left for about four mugs, not enough to share with everyone.&quot; &gt;.&gt;


 * Thomas Lazarus laughs a little. &quot;I see. Thanks.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs through his nose and looks around casually. &quot;...&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I feel like sitting down for a while anyways.&quot; He turns and walks upstairs.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Although slightly out of the way, Tom finds a nice sunny spot with a free bench.


 * Edaric follows, unless Tom gives an indication he doesn't want company.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">... where'd you go? -- Oh. :B

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Far from it. Ed gets a beckoning gesture.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Since he got lost. *bricked*

Liatai:<font color="#000000">... I should really add windows to those rooms. :.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">There. x3

Teeny Rin:<font color="#FF0000">IT'LL JUST BE ERASED AGAIN. LIKE THE SECOND FLOOR. *bricked!*

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


 * Thomas Lazarus plumfs into a bench and sets down his more or less finished mug. The bench quietly creaks in protest.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Uhhhhhhhrrrrrhhhgggggggggg...&quot; Tom pinches and massages the bridge of his nose. &quot; I don't even know what to say about them these days..&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I just hope we get back to Castleton before anymore big fights break out.&quot; He shakes his head sadly. &quot;..I was really afraid, there..&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;The Guardians, or another 'them?'&quot; Ed offers a wry smirk.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Our 'them'.&quot; He smirks faintly. &quot;The other thems don't get me to groan and grumble.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">He pauses for a long moment before murmuring, &quot; I thought Braxton was bad.. but this place feels like it's almost ten times rougher and bringing out the worst in me.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus blinks aside after a moment. &quot;..That's.. what I meant when I aplogized to you a while ago. Here, in the temple. I guess I was a little scatterbrained at the time..&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;... I just ... saw that even you had snapped on our folks.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Maybe I felt a little responsible. I don't know..&quot; He frowns. &quot;..I sure don't feel like I've been holding anything together like I might've once been doin'..&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I've never done so much shouting and swearing and steam-blowing as I've done right here in the past day.&quot; He sighs lightly.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Well, to be fair.&quot; Ed begins to tick circumstances off on his fingers. &quot;You're in the middle of a town under siege, in the presence of the enemies of all that live, not to mention the very enemies you swore an oath to defeat, your family's been in danger for the past month or more, as are at least some of your friends now, there's the threat of possession hanging over everyone, there's a dire deadline that's been presented -- I'm running out of fingers -- and to top it all off, folks won't stop fighting each other. I don't blame you for being a little snappish.&quot; =3=


 * Thomas Lazarus actually can't stop himself from breaking into weak laughter.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;You know, you make a very compelling case when you put it like that.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I guess I'll just have to keep rolling with the punches until things get taken care of. I told myself I was going to face hardship on this road.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..I suppose it's one of those things you don't really understand until you're in the thick of it.&quot; =w=;


 * Edaric nods.


 * Thomas Lazarus drapes on the back of the pew and looses a weary sigh. He looks over after a moment.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..How about you?&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;How's Ed doing, hm?&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Hm?&quot; Hey, no fair, I was trying to escape from my issues. =3= *brick'd!*

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">That's the point. *bricked*


 * Thomas Lazarus sobers a little. &quot;... I'm just a little concerned about you, too, you know. I see you catching everything that slips by, taking care of everybody. Getting more than your fair share of it, too.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;You've seemed a bit bummed lately.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Well - a lot, lately, but..&quot; He raises his brows for a moment. &quot;..I'm not usually one to needle.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;... What's wrong?&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; ... Ed's thinking if this conversation is going to shift to how he's doing, he's going to need something stronger than hot chocolate. &quot; &gt;_&gt;; Sip.


 * Thomas Lazarus knits his brow in some cross between consternation and amusement. &gt;|3;


 * Thomas Lazarus considers for a moment like he wishes to argue the point.. but eventually stands. &quot;Alright.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Then he'll get it. I've got all day.&quot;

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">*checks tangledweb for lulz*

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">..No, no, I'm sure that was the Fine Wine he gave to Ed's mother. *erase* &gt;:9


 * Liatai checks Tangledweb as well. &quot;... come to think of it I wonder if Ed has any alcohol in his inventory. :B&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Fortunately, I happen to know a guy..&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Tom heads off, back to the cellar.

<font color="#0000ff">Ghostwish has connected.

</i>Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">For expedience, and

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Wow.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">I was just about to roleplay with Dorf.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">Not as planned. =3=; Sip.

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

Liatai:<font color="#000000">.... wow. XD

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Except by 'roleplay with dorf' I actually meant BUM A DRINK.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">&quot;That's a mairriage proposal in dwarven.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">=w=;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">It figures I would just at this moment notice the wine cellar. But! &quot;Say, Anise.&quot; Tom approaches.

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">&quot;Yeah?&quot; Those barrels are mostly full of water. Pelorites. =3=

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I find myself in need of help I suspect only you could provide.&quot; Tom chinrubs. =3=c

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Are there any hard drinks around here?&quot; =w=

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">&quot;Damn it. That's a bet lost.&quot; =w=


 * Dr. Hatari randomly remembers that Dwarves got a mini-map filter for treasure.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Dorfs: DRINKSENSE.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Heh?&quot; He folds his arms.

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">&quot;I was betting you'd hold out for another day before coming looking for a drink. I owe Dorf a silver.&quot; Anise smirks, setting her pack on the ground... and beginning to draw out a staggering amount of alcohol.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">&quot;Bet sense tingling..&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus chuckles. x3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Well, normally I have a backup, but I guess I forgot to restock.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;...&quot; o_o;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Healer's note: Anise is highly flammable.

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">25 bottles of wine in varying quality, 5 gallons of ale, two gallons of Dwarfhead Stout, two gallons of Dragonbite Bitter -- &quot;this stuff's rare and powerful, go easy on it&quot; -- a bottle of cheap dwarven mushroom wine, a bottle of strong whiskey, and a light blue bottle of clear frostwine -- &quot;and this is for special occasions only. What's your poison?&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;.....&quot; |D;;;

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">What amuses me most

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">Gods

</i><font color="#000000"> I love bags of holding. |D *brick'd*

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Is that my first thought was from Eisen!Muse;

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;She has more drinks than I have knives. =3=c&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">XD

Liatai:<font color="#000000">I'm pretty sure this is over a thousand GP in alcohol. :B

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Huh..&quot; |D;; &quot;I was thinking of just bumming a flask. I didn't know you ran a business.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;But as long as you're offer-ing~..&quot;

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">If you gather booze, they will appear.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Dorf: *APPEARS*

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

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">&quot;Well if you don't care what goes in your gullet, you can always ask the Olidamarrans or Dorf for some rotgut. I'm a collector.&quot; |3


 * Anise Berilan looks over at Dorf, makes a face playfully, and then flips a silver piece into his beard.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Thank you, but no thank you. Consider this a medicinal use.&quot; =w=

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">&quot;Don't forget oor bet aboot wha he wakes up with.&quot; And then he goes fishing for that silver piece.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">He's still looking for it.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">Nope, not yet.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">Okay he found it.

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">|3 !

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;What.&quot; |D;;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; Jeeze.. &quot; Tom takes one of the more modest wine bottles by the neck and examines the label.


 * Thomas Lazarus draws a coin out of his pocket, which gets winged at Anise's gut. &quot;Thank you.&quot; ^^

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">&quot;Essagan Three-Berry Dew, 1219,&quot; it's labelled.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">&quot;Thass fer elves.&quot; The dwarf says, and prods the dwarf mushroom brew.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">&quot;At least huv a go something wi' flavor!&quot;

Anise Berilan:<font color="#000000">&#171; &#160;1d20+9 = 2 + 9 = 11&#160; <font color="#000000">&#187; Reflex save!

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">*at something


 * Anise Berilan gets pinged with a coin. &quot;Umph. No problem. Enjoy.&quot; |3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">You take 1 platinum damage.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">See, that's why I have a beard. Easy deposit.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">x3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Tom heads back up to the ground floor, examining the bottle most of the way. &quot;...&quot;


 * Edaric, surprisingly, has not buggered off.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">BRB, making some tea.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">With an air of dignified triumph, he returns to his seat, whips out a cloth, wipes out his mug, and sets the bottle down between them.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; A drink sounds pretty good, anyways. &quot; =w=

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..And I'm, quite frankly, tired of seeing that burden in the back of your eyes.&quot; Tom snaps the cork off and fills a mug before sliding it over, and repeating for himself.


 * Thomas Lazarus nurses his semi-chocolatey wine and pauses for a moment. &quot;..So the least I can do is share a drink with a comrade over it.&quot; |3

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... Where did you even find a coastal wine up here, that fast?&quot; :.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Trade secret.&quot; |D

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; Anise had it, like, in her pocket.&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Ahhh. Constant Comment. Nice homey warmly spicy tea with a hint of orange. Very Ed. Okay, I'm ready. |3 /teasnob

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;You need to tell me what you drink, some time. You wouldn't believe the selection in there.&quot; He smirks a bit. &quot; I like this, though.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... somehow, I'm not surprised.&quot; Ed offers a weak chuckle. &quot;Tell you what, if we survive this and get back to Castleton in one piece, I'll treat you to a night at the White Rose sometime.&quot; Sip. &quot; Huh, not bad. &quot; :. &#171; &#160;1d20+5 = 20 + 5 = 25&#160; <font color="#000000">&#187; Fort for lulz.


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles. &quot;Sure thing.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">I completely forgot. WELP.. &#171; &#160;1d20+9 = 19 + 9 = 28&#160; <font color="#FF0000">&#187;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">That could've been a hilarious plot twist.

Dorf Aias:<font color="#9933FF">IMMA THINKIN MAH WAGER HAS GONE UP, ANISE.

Teeny Rin:<font color="#FF0000">The party discovers two crying, completely plastered men in a haphazard sleeping pile in the west wing. The Pelorites try to usher the children away. *bricked*

Liatai:<font color="#000000">XD

Dorf Aias: <font color="#9933ff">(( Gonna tank some before class. Ta. :3 ))

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

</i>* Thomas Lazarus frowns a little and looks at his drink. &quot;..I don't wanna seem like I'm chasing you into a corner over anything, Ed.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;If you really don't want to say anything, I won't hold it against you.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..I just worry. You look out for everybody. And I can't shake the thought that there's something bothering you. I really want to help. ... Or atleast hear it out.&quot; {:3

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... nah, it's a fair cop... I'm just thinking about how to word it.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;You'd better; this cost me a plat.&quot; Sip. =w=


 * Edaric chuckles. &quot;I was just gonna say, after conjuring a drink from miles away and wresting it from the resident drunkmonk, I'd be a right ass not to say something.&quot; =3=;


 * Thomas Lazarus smirks a little. &quot; It's fine.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... Tom, do you know anything about elven marriages?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus raises his brows. &quot;...&quot; He considers.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Can't say I'm all that big of an expert, no. ... But ... I was actually under the impression that, usually, they didn't handle it as a civic matter. That most elves simply 'were' or 'were not' couples.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus swirls his drink. &quot;..'Course that could be completely wrong; I also wouldn't know elven culture if it bit me in the face.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus glances aside.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;........................ Aelian didn't answer you in the Livery.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; ... I was worried about that. &quot; Ed drains his mug and pours another one. &#171; &#160;1d20+5-1 = 8 + 5 - 1 = 12&#160; <font color="#000000">&#187; &quot;... I... He was probably joking. Sszeyl, I mean. Though it's hard to tell with him. But I got to thinking... 'hell, Ed, Aelian didn't tell you when he became a lord and joined the nobility. What else isn't he telling you?' ... He wouldn't go and get married behind my back, too, would he?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus considers.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Well.. I suppose with Mr. Ellysaearsthis-- for crying out loud I still can't say it-- Rae... standing right there..&quot; He shrugs.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;I don't even know anymore.&quot; Ed cradles his drink in both hands. &quot;... There are days... gods, don't tell Ael, he doesn't need to know how much of an ass I am. &quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus raises a hand and closes his eyes placatingly. &quot;You may speak your mind, friend. Even like this, I respect confidentiality.&quot; {|3

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... He's been like an entirely different person ever since Redtree.&quot; Almost as though someone else was controlling him -- *BRICK'D*

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Sip. =3=

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Well.. he did meet his beloved, then. In some small way, I imagine that is true.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Relaxed. Joking. Happy.&quot; He stares into his cup. &quot;... gods, I feel like a jerk for even saying this aloud. ... Was there something I missed, all those years? Was all he needed a pair of pointed ears and a pussy before he'd be ready to open up --&quot; Flinch. &quot; Sorry. &quot; =w=;


 * Thomas Lazarus shakes his head and waves it off as nothing. &quot; I don't care. Please speak freely.&quot;

Teeny Rin:<font color="#FF0000">Meanwhile, the spying Archons bristle with dismay. *bricked*

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; I'm sure it's some kind of sin. To look at your friend being happy with his life... and all you can think about is how you wish you could have given it to him. &quot; He rubs at the corner of his eyes with one hand.


 * Thomas Lazarus frowns deeply. It wounds him to see Ed feeling that way, but he can't say anything just yet. &quot;...&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... but I can't be an elf. I can't be a woman. I can't be a powerful elf-maiden with the power of the elements at her fingertips, with a powerful well-to-do family, who can offer him the rest of his life in happiness... I know that.&quot;

Teeny Rin:<font color="#FF0000">Plan A: Discarded. *BRICKED*

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Now is not the time. |T

Dr. Hatari: <font color="#ff0000">(( Actually I'll be right back, little dog wants out. ))

Dr. Hatari: <font color="#ff0000">(( back ))

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... it still hurts, though. I'm -- I'm not sure he's even noticed.&quot; He wipes at his eyes again. &quot;... don't blame him if he hasn't... why would he? He's got a happy life ahead of him to plan. He deserves it. ... but it scares the crap out of me, Tom.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus leans on the pew and quietly sips his cup one last time before setting it down.


 * Thomas Lazarus nods mutely. He doesn't dare interrupt right now.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;All those stories... I'm sure you've heard them, about elves who drift away from their human friends only to come back after a 'short journey' to find their friends old and grey, or dead.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Maybe... maybe it's better this way -- damn it. &quot; He starts searching his pockets for a handkerchief.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">The faintest smile tugs at his mouth. &quot; Now, there.. ... ..he's younger than I am. He won't pull a Rip van Winkle so easily.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">With his already in hand, Tom provides.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; Thanks. &quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;... Ed, please don't say that.&quot; He frowns. &quot;Don't fall into that trap.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;What's there to fall into? You heard him this morning. It's already like I don't exist when Tathi's around.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I am utterly confident you mean so much more to him than that.&quot; He squints slightly and looks to the floor. &quot;You can't sell yourself that short just because of how these days have ended up. ... Tathi is his first love, isn't she? With the things happening the way they have..?&quot; His expression purses before closing his eyes. &quot;..I'm sure you know Aelian a lot better than I do.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;So you must know what he would be saying and doing right now if he were here to hear that.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Maybe you can't be everything to him, like you say. But that does not mean you are nothing. That he doesn't care about you just as much as he did before we even met. ... How much have you discussed this with him, even?&quot;


 * Edaric shakes his head. &quot;None. Why would I? He's happy. He doesn't need to be burdened with me and my selfish worries.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus actually tenses. His fingers writhe. &quot;...&quot; He frowns sharply.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">... Resident Evil soundtrack go away, you are not appropriate right now.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;That ma

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">pffff x3

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Ed..&quot; He sniffs sharply, and looks offended.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;That is..&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus tightens his jaw and glances away briefly. &quot;...&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..You can't look at it that way.. Ed.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;You matter.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;You matter to him. You matter to a lot of people. It isn't fair for you to suffer because of something you.. think you should do for him. I.. see that all the time. You can't do that..&quot; He has trouble finding his words for a moment.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..He would.. smack you upside the head for trying to make that sacrifice for him.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;And at what risk, no less?&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..It doesn't matter what happens in the span of a couple.. days or.. however long any sort of.. whatever would last. An argument, at worst.&quot; He knits his brow and looks back. &quot;You're so giving. You help, and support, and sacrifice. People care about you, too, though. Don't be a martyr over something that important. It wouldn't be doing your best friend any favors to quietly drift from his.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus watches the floor for a long, nearly haunted moment. He falls quiet and picks his mug back up to pour another drink.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Why wouldn't it?&quot; Ed snaps. &quot;I'm fine with it if he wants to drift off and join the elves, if that's what makes him happy. I'd rather he remembers me as a good friend and not a jealous asshole when he goes. ...&quot; He looks down at the floor. &quot; ... I'm just not sure if I'm ready to face life alone yet. &quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;...&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">DRINK &#171; &#160;1d20+9 = 1 + 9 = 10&#160; <font color="#FF0000">&#187; *bricked*


 * Thomas Lazarus draws a long, heavy sigh through his nose. &quot;..Don't say that, Ed.. ... ..I.. ... ..I don't know how long you two've known each other. ... Probably forever ...&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Well, there goes one handful of used tissues into the fireplace so far. :B *brick'd*

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..But I consider you the best friend I've got.&quot;

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">\o/

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; Since I was six. &quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">He tilts his head briefly and nods. &quot;..I don't want you to think you're all by yourself, though. That.. kills me. You're too good of a guy to be worrying about that. You know..?&quot; He swallows and knits his brow.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I can't even imagine Ael.. forgetting about you, or whatever. I mean.. maybe he will move some time.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus seems to struggle for words for a while, looking away. &quot;...&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus swallows again before looking back. &quot;... I don't think ... it's all as doomed and hopeless as your fears are luring you to believe. And I think ... if you try to do nothing and step into the crowd, with this.. then that's the surest tragedy that could come of it.&quot; He furrows his brow. &quot;I mean.. hell.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;He's just a guy. He probably doesn't even have a clue.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Even if you don't care, I would feel better about you saying something.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; ..Besides.. you care. &quot; He looks at the floor guiltily.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;...&quot; Ed looks over to Tom, searching his face.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Ack, Mom's calling, BRB.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">x3;


 * Thomas Lazarus is not calm and reserved, dispensing impartial judgements and support to the best of his wisdom. He's nearly choked up over this, too. The lip of the mug in his hands has been polished to a shine by his thumbs. &quot;...&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Back -- you know there's cat trouble when your mother starts the statement with &quot;Your cat&quot; instead of &quot;our cat.&quot; :B

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">X3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Oh dear.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">She was just hiding in the woodpile and playing keep-away with Mom's hands. :B

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Sounds ornery. :B

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; ... hell, I've done it again. &quot; Ed searches his pockets, then holds out a clean handkerchief for Tom.


 * Thomas Lazarus flinches hard. &quot;..??&quot; He blinks, wide-eyed, before realizing.


 * Thomas Lazarus hesitantly takes it. &quot; Thanks..&quot;


 * Edaric shakes his head. &quot;... seems like I keep saying exactly the wrong thing in these conversations. Sorry.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus sits up straight and swallows again while drying his eyes. He looks at the far wall. &quot; ..No.. Ed..&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I just.. ... ..I hate the thought of you being all torn up over this.&quot; He offers a sad smile aside.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">That falters, though.


 * Thomas Lazarus flounders for a moment of turmoil and awkward silence, staring into space. &quot;......I.......&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; ... and I hate the fact that you're torn up about it. You've already got more than one hand's worth of problems, and here I am -- &quot; Ed cuts off as Tom begins to talk again.


 * Thomas Lazarus shakes his head and hands the cloth back. &quot;I wanted to help you out. It's just.. not.. working very well..&quot; He looks down.


 * Thomas Lazarus pressed his palm to his forehead for a moment.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; I want to make an agreement with you, if you'll indulge in me being weird for a minute.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;...?&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; ..Let's.. agree to stop.. ... ..choking things down for what we think is for the best.. and.. be.. honest about it to the people that matter. For better or for worse.. for ourselves.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I don't wanna see you sitting on this, suffering like this, dying..&quot; He swallows before continuing, &quot;..over this, Ed. That's ... not the way to handle it. I don't want to see that happen. I really don't.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;... Please?&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;...&quot; Sip. &quot; ... How would you do it? &quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus shakily wipes his eyes with an index finger before picking the winebottle back up and refilling. &quot;... Let's see...&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Aha. Finally, music player, you pick a great song for this scene. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgmBA2kKntU

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Why did I expect Happy Synthesizer.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Brain you are dumb.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">XD


 * Thomas Lazarus exhales deeply, letting a lot of tension out before drinking once again. &quot;..Maybe a good start would be..&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Hey. Are you married?&quot; He compulsively smiles a little.


 * Edaric blinks... then starts to chuckle, and laugh.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;... And maybe from there ... you just let him know. You know? ... You guys have a bond closer than any of the rest of us. It shouldn't be that big of a stretch. The truth. That you're ... scared. Concerned. That you want to know how things really are. Where you really still stand. If you've got each others backs. What he's gonna do.. ... ..maybe something like that.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus shakes his head a little. &quot;..Even.. even if..&quot;


 * Edaric takes a deep breath, then a drink, listening.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..he takes it upon himself to go.. live in a tree on the other side of the planet for.. two hundred years.&quot; He gestures with his cup. &quot;..And restart a city.. and have a bunch of kids.. and.. I don't even know.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Even if that's the future he wants.. I think you two should be upfront about it. Nod. Smile. Cuff each others shoulders. Know that you are still the friends you've always been, even if that path happens. Which is crazy, by the way.&quot; He sips.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Not.. quietly suffer thinking it's for the best.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs. &quot;That's what I think you oughta do.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;...&quot; Ed nods. &quot;... all right. We've got an agreement. ... As long as I can hold you to it too, all right?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus nods. &quot;...&quot;


 * Edaric gives a short amused huff. &quot;Could call it the Yoriver Pact or something silly like that.&quot; =3=

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; I... felt like... this couldn't have possibly been a worse time to bring this up. But I would be ... kind of a hypocrite. ... It doesn't even feel like that big of a deal now.&quot; He peers away through squinted eyes.


 * Thomas Lazarus taps his finger on his mug and closes his eyes. &quot;Uhm.......&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus swallows again, and gives the wall a worried look. &quot;...&quot; He shakes his head very faintly. &quot;That.. ... ..'secret.. crush' business..&quot; He looks at the floor.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Yeah. It's always been you.&quot;


 * Edaric looks confused. &quot;... huh?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus dons a look of consternation and confusion. &quot;... Well that was easy.&quot; *BRICK'D*

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;..............&quot; Processing, please wait. &quot;....... wait.......&quot; Dialup noises. &quot;.......................................................&quot;

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


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs through his nose and rubs his brow. &quot;...I mean... I care about you. Really. A lot. I have.. for months. I.. ... ..I love being around you. Your attitude. Your presence. Your outlook. Everything.. about you.&quot; He dons a weak smile and looks as though saying this were the stupidest and most agonizing thing he had ever done. &quot;.. Yeah..&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Huh.&quot; Hand on chin, looking off toward the wall. :.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;........... I didn't want to say anything.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus looks away, blushing terribly. &quot;............... And ...............&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;I don't ............&quot; He bites a lip.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;...&quot; A pause.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..I don't.. know what to expect of me admitting this. I.. certainly don't expect anything of you differently.. ... ..I figured.. ... ..that would've been.. futile. And..&quot; He shrugs and nods to himself.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..Awkward..&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;.....&quot; Ed's eyes suddenly go wide. &quot;Oh hell.&quot; O_O And then he buries his face in his hands, shaking a bit with silent laughter.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;..For pretty self-evident reasons.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus clamps his eyes shut and smirks.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; Probably makes a lot of stuff look silly in retrospect, huh.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Oh, hell. That talk we had in Thalinde -- and Oakride -- damn it, I really have been sticking my foot in my mouth all over the place, haven't I?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus shifts slowly to a worried expression and rubs the back of his head. &quot;...&quot; He shakes it.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">*Oakridge dangit DM spell my hometown right this is serious! XD

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; Don't worry about it, Ed.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus knits his brow and huffs. &quot;...&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Ah.. ... ..I just don't. You know.. want you to be too estranged.. or anything. I know this is out of the blue and weird and I'm pretty sure.. ... ..yeah..&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot; Oh, hell. &quot; Ed straightens. &quot; I need a minute, wait, hold on... &quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;... I just didn't want to say anything because I was afraid. You are my best friend.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus nods. He bites his cup. =///=


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs harshly into it. &quot;... This was supposed to be about your problems.&quot; =w=;;;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">A thoroughly mortified Tom massages his forehead with a few fingers. &quot;...&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... well that explains a lot.&quot; At least he's smiling? &quot;Damn, it looks so obvious in retrospect --&quot; He blinks, then quickly waves it off. &quot;No, wait, it started about your problems, remember? And then it went to my problems, and then -- ... hell. Heh. ... We've all got problems, don't we.&quot; {:3c

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">That earns a faint smile.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... I... should probably try to...&quot; The DM is grabbing lunch, BRB.

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">This was you, by the way; http://s11.postimage.org/4rtdfk3bl/1349072307455.jpg

Liatai:<font color="#000000">XD !


 * Thomas Lazarus sits up.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Hey..&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... remove the foot that's been in my mouth for months, apparently...&quot; =3=; He turns to Tom with an earnest smile. &quot;What I said back in Thalinde... ...?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus raises a hand. &quot;..You don't have to do anything.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus offers a smile. &quot;..I just would've been a real heel if I gave you that whole lecture.. and then.. did exactly that.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Aha,&quot; Ed says, pointing at Tom with a return smile. &quot;But I'd be reneging on our agreement if I didn't say this.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;?&quot; o_o;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;What I said back in Thalinde... it was kind of automatic. ... A defense mechanism, I guess.&quot; Ed takes another drink. &quot;... Have you ever spent any time in a backstage environment in a tavern, Tom?&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus just shakes his head.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Gods, imagine him in there. *bricked*

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Let's say, the vast majority of... you know... men like that I've met... well, picture Barbarus.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Take away the bones and furs and add makeup and costumes.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; That is a weird example but okay Ed.&quot;


 * Edaric laughs. &quot;Yeah. It is. Exactly. So I've never... you know... experimented with that stuff. It's easier and safer to just say 'not me' automaticaly instead of having... Well, a bunch of human Barbaruses in drag flirting with you.&quot; =3=; Drink.


 * Thomas Lazarus compulsively chuckles a little.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">His expression deflates quickly, however, and he squints.


 * Thomas Lazarus gives Ed a confused look. &quot;.. Wait.. what are you saying?&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;... but if I was going to... you know... try having that kind of relationship with a guy... I can't think of anyone else I'd rather try it out with.&quot; He smiles earnestly, before looking away and rubbing the back of his neck. &quot; ... Fharlanghn's bootstraps that sounded cheesy. &quot; =////=;;;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;.....&quot; Tom seems puzzled and shocked for a moment.

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">:| 8|  &gt;8|

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;W...&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;So all this time I've resigned myself to ... and ...&quot;

Liatai:<font color="#000000">I predict bobble commencing in 3... 2... 1...


 * Liatai is brick'd.


 * Thomas Lazarus is staggered.


 * Thomas Lazarus seems stunned, and blinks back some quagmire of simultaneous emotions. He covers his eyes and laughs quietly after a moment. &quot;.......&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">Drink. =3=; (Did I do it again?! D8) *brick'd!*

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot; I.. thought for sure there was no way, and this would just make things weird and.. ... ..I don't even know.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus swallows hard. &quot;...&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;We're still friends, right?&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Huh? Of course.&quot; Ed blinks.


 * Thomas Lazarus immediately throws his mug at Ed's head, which relatively harmlessly bounces away. &quot;Good then everything turned out better than I expected now you better go talk to Aelian!!&quot; =///=

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Ow!&quot; XD

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Okay, okay!&quot; XD


 * Thomas Lazarus laughs nervously - cathartically.


 * Thomas Lazarus sighs after a bit, finally returning to some semblance of being at ease. &quot;... Go on, then. ... I wanna do some ... processing too. Before I say anything else.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;... But I truly hope you feel better. ... What a lousy help I've been this time.&quot;

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;Hey... you've been a better help than you realize.&quot; :3


 * Thomas Lazarus smiles and nods. &quot;..... You too.&quot;

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">&quot;Take it easy.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus picks up the wine bottle. It gets sloshed; nearly empty.


 * Thomas Lazarus raises brows.

Edaric:<font color="#000000">&quot;You too. -- Oh. &quot; Ed tosses a handkerchief to Tom on the way out the door -- one of his, so it's not the dirty one. &quot;Just in case. Never know when you'll need one.&quot;


 * Thomas Lazarus simply nods, having fallen quiet.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Now

</i><font color="#000000"> cue Happy Synthesizer. *BRICK'D!*

Thomas Lazarus:<font color="#FF0000">Well. That's certainly something to think about. Tom looks out the window. &quot;...&quot;

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Oh god it's 3:36 what did you do

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Sorry! D8

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">X3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Just kidding; I knew what time it was. I kept worrying you would point it out and stop. |3

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">But bed for reals.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">Quick, closing lines then let's let you get to bed -- yeah. XD

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

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Certainly. A little more meaty than expected.

Liatai:<font color="#000000">... now it remains to be seen whether Tom will remember to talk about plot. :B *BRICK'D*

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Tom!muse: (&quot;..Huh.. we're still in a devil-infested city slash military campaign.. ... ..this was probably not the right timing Zairith talked about. =3=;c&quot;)

Liatai:<font color="#000000">XD

Dr. Hatari:<font color="#FF0000">Welp, closing down.

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

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

</i> You have disconnected.

</i>