Kartakass: Interlude in Martira Bay

[ewancummins]

As Cornelius goes for an evening walk with Hobert and Delsenora, he points out local buildings along the way, the ones which have architectural features that he finds interesting. He also pauses to look at people's gardens [not actually enetring, of course].

[BigBadQDaddy]

William looks a bit surprised as Deari grabs his arm. He is more surprised by her comment.

"Party, fer me as well?" He says with no small amount of shock in his voice. "Whatever for?" He reluctantly follows her. After a moment it dawns on him and he stops in his tracks.
"Deari, I am so embarassed. Ye see, I decided not to leave, er, not right off any ways. Ye see, I was plannin on spending some time up 'ere at the university studyin' and whot not fer a wee bit 'fore I left on personal business." He gives her an apologetic expression as he continues.
"I guess the word nerver got 'round to the rest o' ya?"

[steveflam]

"Cornelius, thanks for the information, but I've actually been here for the last ten years. It took some adjusting but I got used to being here and have made a name for myself in my chosen career. I'll only say that the less fortunate of the city benefit from my activities.

So, tell me about yourself. What's a good looking man like yourself like to do?"

[A G Thing]

William looks a bit surprised as Deari grabs his arm. He is more surprised by her comment.

"Party, fer me as well?" He says with no small amount of shock in his voice. "Whatever for?" He reluctantly follows her. After a moment it dawns on him and he stops in his tracks.
"Deari, I am so embarassed. Ye see, I decided not to leave, er, not right off any ways. Ye see, I was plannin on spending some time up 'ere at the university studyin' and whot not fer a wee bit 'fore I left on personal business." He gives her an apologetic expression as he continues.
"I guess the word nerver got 'round to the rest o' ya?"

Deari is suprised by this and yet she quickly turns that feeling into a rather warm smile to express the joy she has at the moment and even laughs a little...
"Well then that settles it... We have to celebrate that you are not leaving just yet! Besides Jacob is studying as well, and I know everyone would want it to be this way."
Her violet and gray eyes shine as she begins to pull him on again with her arm... She watches as his rather apologetic expression turns into a slight smile and guides him to the main room. Where all but Lucius are talking and milling before she serves dinner.
"Well I found our second guest of honor relaxing back there, and made sure that he realises this party is for him as well..."
She guides him over to a seat next to where Jacob is sitting for the night, and once he sit's down, she smiles and gives a rather kind peck of a kiss on his cheek.
"Now, if everyone is ready I will bring out the food for the dinner!"

[steveflam]

April 5th
Thunderstorm residence

"I am rather surprised at this turn of events. Thank you very much. I guess I can stay for supper, ha ha ha!"

"Jacob, don't forget I want to show my spell to everyone. I think Lucius will be impressed."

Jacob smiles. "Be patient, young man. Everything in good time, Vassili. Once we are done eating, then you can show everyone, ok?"

"Yes, sir"

[ewancummins]

"Cornelius, thanks for the information, but I've actually been here for the last ten years. It took some adjusting but I got used to being here and have made a name for myself in my chosen career. I'll only say that the less fortunate of the city benefit from my activities.

So, tell me about yourself. What's a good looking man like yourself like to do?"

''Ah, of course you know the buildings and the gardens, then.''

Cornelius pauses as Hobert sniffs at the corner of one of the streetfront buildings.


''As I said, I work as a finder of lost objects and treasures- and missing persons, as well. I'm actually not working for anyone just now, although I do have a particular object in mind, something I'd like to retrieve for study I've only just begun to look for it...

[steveflam]

April 5th
Streets of Martira bay

"Well, I do get around. Maybe I could ask around for you? It can't hurt. I do know people. And they know people. That notwithstanding, I can ask questions in places you might not get answers. I assure you, I am known here and that if I want information, it eventually ends up in my lap. On a few occasions, it's literally fallen into my lap."

She grins at this admission, then winks at the dwarf. Seeing Hobert relieve himself on the side of a building made her giggle. They'd almost returned to Van's residence now, and Hobert moves to stand next to Delsenora, looking up at her with puppy eyes. She smiles down at the canine and hands him the huge bone! He takes it from her hand without harming her with his teeth and sits between both the dwarf and dark elf in contentment.

They'd returned to the Thunderstorm residence.

[Ail]

After taking the food off the oven, Lucius makes his best effort to lay the contents on platters and dishes. Feeling that Deari is taking a bit longer than expected, and beginning to hear some noise from the outside, he tries to clean his clothes as best he can, dusting off the flour and whatever was not originally on them.

Then he opens the door and goes to the living room, where he sees a rather surprised Jacob and an excited Vassili. Deari is there as well, standing behind William, just as she leans to kiss him so very lightly on the cheek.

[A G Thing]

"Now, if everyone is ready I will bring out the food for the dinner!"

She steps back and turns seeing the door close slightly as she enters... Lucius is rather quietly standing next to the bread dough that he had made looking it over. He had even cleaned himself some and yet he looked as if he was concentrating hard...

"I am sorry for taking so long Lucius... Though everything looks good and I am proud to have left you in charge... I got rather caught up in leading William to the party... He was kind of distracted and I wanted him to cheer up because he worries so much about everything... Even for us..." She hugs him from behind and feels a slight tenseness about him... Perhaps he had been at the door he might have taken that kiss wrong... Still she does not let on in her tone or actions that she knows... Only in her next words to him... "He is like a watchful father, and I think it will be sad when he finally leaves so I had to give him something... So here... I will show you!!!"

Lucius tenses and is somewhat confused at this answer, still he turns to her and she produces a cloth wrapped bundle... She hands it over and walks over to grab the salad and cheese for the first part of the meal... "Tell me what you think when I come back... It was supposed to be a suprise but I want you to see it first!" She smiles brightly as she walks out to with the first course of the meal to the others and set her own and Lucius places as well...

[Ail]

Lucius unwraps the small bundle Deari left him, and opening it with care, a smile flourished in his lips. It's beautiful. And so meaningful... I think he'll like it.

He remained a bit lost in daydreaming, happy with Deari's explanation, and taken aback with how much she meant to him now that he could have been disturbed by that simple kiss. He decided to shrug it off and take another of starters to the room. As Deari was returning, she cast him an alluring sidelong glance, as if she were sure everything was ok.

He didn't return right away, instead greeting Jacob and Vassili heartily.

"Jacob, I'm glad you have come. And I do hope you enjoy our little surprise! And you Vassili, so dressed up. You look like one my students in Port-a-Lucine. Only brighter and more dilligent" he said with a smile, ruffling the boy's hair.

[BigBadQDaddy]

Sitting at the table, looking around at all the faces of his friends and in one particular case, their family, the old sailor feels a sense of pride. He has a crew of mates again and he has a future.

It is hard to believe that just a short while ago they were in the den of beasts, living life by the moment. He had been fearful for Lucius, who at any moment it seemed could turn into an enemy through no fault of his own. Now he and Deari had grown so close in such a short amount of time.

And Cornelius, eating grubs! William smiled to himself at the thought. He remembered barely being able to hold back a retch at the sight of it. And now it looked as if he was the next victim of the fey of love as the daughter of Jacob, Delsenora made no attempt to disguise her advanced towards him.

Van had surprised him with his understanding of the situation William had put himself in. Even though William still withheld information from him, at least his friend knew he kept secrets, and understood they needed to stay secret.

Not long ago he had decided he was going to stick by his mates for a little while longer. But eventually their lives would lead down different paths. Jacob had already started down his, choosing to look after the young boy, Vassili. Maybe there would be a union in the future that would take Deari and Lucius out of this lifestyle. Maybe Van would become so enraptured in the pursuit of arcane knowledge as to devote his life to study. And then there is Cornelius, who knows where the Dwarf and his endless sense of wonder would lead him.

William knew that this life, hunting those who would harm the defenseless be it by nature or be it by desire, was his now. He could feel it like a pendulum dangling from his heart, pulling him closer and closer to the shadows with each passing second. One day he would welcome them, with his pistol leading the way. And he wasn't alone.

He decided he should probably let everyone know he was in fact not leaving any time relatively soon. So he smiled and cleared his throat. He slowly stood and made a motion to get the rooms attention.

"Now that we are all here, I just want to make somethin clear 'fore we have anymore awkwardness.
For the time being, I am not leavin' Martiria Bay. I plan on stickin' 'round and doin' some studyin' at the University and whot not. So you all will still have plenty o' this surly mug to look at for a while anyway's." He smiles a bit before continuing.
"This is Jacob's night." He says raising his glass of water. "He who stuck by us even though he had not been here on that evenin' so long ago. Thanks for standin' by us and seein' this through to the end. It is a shame that we are losing such a fine captain."

He raises his glass of water, and takes a drink before sitting down.

[Ail]

Lucius smiles and nods approvingly at William's felt speech. He looks at all the others around. "Well, guess this is the day for big advertisements" he says smilingly.

"I have one too. Should I just talk about it now, or do we leave it for after dinner?"

[steveflam]

"Say it now, Lucius! I also have something I'd like to show you all!"

Jacob laughs. Boys will be boys. He wondered how Cornelius was faring with Del and had an inward laugh. I bet he can take good care of himself even with that daughter of mine. She is so incorrigible!

"Vassili! Be patient, lad. Lucius it is really up to you what you'd like to do. I'd just like to say I am thankful of having met you all and I sincerely feel we should not forget our fallen comrade, Tarlyn, whom without this would not have all been possible really."

He stands and raises his glass "To Tarlyn, may he rest in peace"

"Now what is taking Del and Cornelius so long?"

From the kitchen emerge Cornelius, Hobert and then Delsenora. Hobert walks happily over to Deari, a massive bone in his maw and tail wagging. Cornelius finds a seat and Delsenora spies her father. Forgoing any real etiquette she hurries up to him and hugs him tight, sobbing. "Father, it's so good to see you. I really missed your nagging."

The brash young dark elf hides her face in Jacob's shoulder, embarassed yet content to be with her father. "Now now, don't be shy. These are my close friends and I want you to get to know them. They're really good people, Del. Now, after supper, I want to hear about what you've been doing with yourself here in Martira Bay. ANd no lies, young lady cause I'll cast that spell before, understood!"

"Yes father, I do." She wipes her eyes and stands next to him, observing his friends. He has chosen well, I think. I hope I get to go off and have fun with them. They look like a bunch who can take care of themselves.

Just then, she feels a weight on her shoulder and realizes it can only be one being. Rizzen! The faerie dragon familiar now resides on her shoulder. "Hey, you silly dragon, what you doing there on my shoulder? You know I've got that treat you so like, don't you? Bah, I'm too easy, you bad bad familiar!" Reaching into her pouch she removes a small wrapped object. Unraveling it she reveals an icing coated cupcake! She hand it to the faerie dragon who gobs it down in one fell gulp!

[Ail]

(OOC: guess it's time to get this going again)

Some time after the whole group is reunited, when the cheerings begin to dwindle or visibly last for too long, Lucius says, with a glass in his hand.

"Well, now that we're all here and since the food is already on the table, why don't we start? Let's not let all this effort go to waste! Better to leave serious matters for after dinner."

[steveflam]

April 5th
Evening at the Thunderstorm residence

The evening meal goes off without a hitch. Everyone eats to their hearts content and samples more than enough wine. You'll all notice that Delsenora is an avid fan of eating, but doesn't touch one drop of alchohol. You all learn during the course of the meal that Delsenora has been in Martira Bay for the last ten years, but nothing more pertaining to her activities. Sated and content with your full stomachs, the meal is at an end, though the wine and aperatifs are plentiful.

Once the meal is terminated, you all retire to the den. There's ample place to sit and be merry, even for Hobert. The dog strolls happily to the fireplace and plops down, content with life. Cornelius and Delsenora fed him so much that he can't budge a muscle more.

When everyone is seated, Jacob whispers to Vassili a few words. The lad nods and moves to stand in the middle of the den. A tad nervous, he removes a tiny item from his pocket. Those of you who are spellcasters recognize it as a piece of phosphorescent moss. Vassili clears his throat and begins casting his first spell. With the final word of his spell, all in drow at that, the tip of his finger glows with the essence of a light!

"Well... that is the spell Jacob has taught me. I hope you like it." The lad holds his hand up high, shy yet in certain ways, proud of his accomplishment. He quickly moves to sit close to Jacob.