Kartakass: Interlude in Martira Bay

[VAN]

Van looks at the paper and smiles. Balfour's help will be what he needs. He gives Ithan some food and then join the others.

"Guys, tomorrow morning I'll go to meet Balfour. As I have already told you I want to craft an amulet for Lucius but for doing so I need some components. I'm sure Balfour can help me."

He checks the food and the decoration and says:

"We have all done great job! And thank you for buying the gift Lucius and Deari. Jacob will be very happy!"

[Ail]

Taking the chance that everyone except Jacob is there, Lucius shows them the case and the maps they bought, hoping that everyone is satisfied with the present.

"Well, together with the food, it all cost us 240gp". 200gp for the maps, 40gp for the catering. "A tad expensive, but actually a bargain considering it is a for Jacob"

[A G Thing]

Deari was being as stealthful as she could in the shop while Lucius was looking about... The shop keep smiled as she directed him to the item that she wished to buy... She had seen it across the way and it would be perfect for William. So quitely she was informed of the price and told him just as quietly that
"If you can ingrave it with these names I will give you twice that!"
He nodded quite seriously and placed the item in back as she passed over the promised amount plus a bonus...
It would be a good suprise, and she wandered back over as Lucius began to look as if ready to decide...

-------------------------------

Deari wandered about making herself quite busy before Jacob arrived there... She wanted it to go smoothly when they finally got underway so she spread herself between cooking and planning the table... She smiled but held a laugh of her own when she saw Cornelius and Delsenora as she saw how oblivious her Dwarven friend was...

Lucius was showing off the gift that they had all decided on and was glad that it was such a hit... She then thought back to earlier when Lucius had been busy browsing and she had spoken to the sales man at that shop... It had been one hundred gold but it would be worth it and no sense to not to celebrate it as well...

Hobert was moving around her and she leaned to pet him upon the head as she moved about... He bounded away and began to jump up on Cornelius and lick his face rather relentlessly forcing him to drop his dowsing rods to defend from the affectionate assault.

Deari did laugh this time as the dog proceeded to drench his face quite well...

[Ail]

Hearing Van speak about Balfour, Lucius adds

"I've been thinking about the old man lately, too. After tomorrow, I'll be taking some important decisions for my future, and I think I would benefit from talking with Balfour again. He seems to be a good source of information. Care if I went with you, Van? Or if not, you could at least relay a message of mine to him..."

<Later on>

Lucius entered the kitchen as Deari started to prepare everything. Coming to her and holding her from behind, he said at her ear
"You know, I've never learnt anything about cooking, but if you be a patient teacher, I would like to help you and begin learning something from it."

[A G Thing]

Hearing these words from Lucius Deari gives him a happy but wondering look as she moves about still preparing... What he was refering to she had little idea, but little came to mind as she went back to thoughts of work. He would tell her what it was when he was ready she was sure. When she went into the other room once more she began to count the days in her mind... She knew that they would speak seriously soon... Still she kept the smile on her face and set off to keep the food cooking well.

<Later>

Lucius entered the kitchen as Deari started to prepare everything. Coming to her and holding her from behind, he said at her ear
"You know, I've never learnt anything about cooking, but if you be a patient teacher, I would like to help you and begin learning something from it."

Deari relaxed into his arms for a moment and stopped to reach up from what she was cutting for the meal and touch his arm...
"Well if you wish then you might start by cutting these carrots into even portions..." She reached around and brought him forward guiding his hand in the first few cuts... He however was no slouch and she then soon grabbed another knife began to cut another of the ingredients for the pie next to him.
She did her best to try and make time to teach him, and he made no real mistakes... She did however give both him and his accomplice a kidding look as she caught him trying to hide feeding Hobert some bits of the meat she gave him to cut and tenderise. Hobert walked away as if ashamed, tail between his legs to perhaps go and find Cornelius once more. She felt a little bad but remembered with a smile that even he had not been forgotten in her many dinner preparations...
She was proud as the time went on and from the several small venison meat pies as well as the two dessert pies ( Cherry and Apple! ) she baked the fine bird in the brick oven she felt the meal would run smoothly. It would be done soon along with the fine sweet ham ( With a rather large bone for Hobert! ) nearing its finish as well on the fire, and the mixed salad was sitting to the side, the slight soup bubbled and kept it's self with little care, she set out the cheese and several sliced fruits, and lastly the bread would go in after Lucius had rolled it as she explained to keep it warm and fresh for when they ate...
She smiled and laughed slightly as she saw how dirty lucius clothes had gotten, yet he would still be somewhat presentable. It had taken her quite a while to learn how to avoid becoming so, but even she had some of the flour on her skin...
However from the other room she heard the arrival of the second guest of honor and she looked down at herself, deciding she needed a bit of clean up. She kissed Lucius cheek leaving a perhaps a small amount of flour behind but probably taking more with her...
"It is almost done love... Watch it for a moment and I will return after I clean myself up a bit! Then we will try to take care of you!" She laughed a little as she walked out to make herself presentable to keep the evening what it should be.

[VAN]

Van looks at Lucius a little worried.

"Are you ok my friend? What decisions you want to take? I'll craft the amulet for you and you will have one thing less to worry about. About Balfour, personally I have no problem. You are a wizard too and you have many knowledges and of course the amulet will be for you! So maybe is better if Balfour meets you in person. You will explain him your situation
far better than I would and maybe more information he has more he can help. So yes, just try to be at my place at 8-8:15. Lipzig will come at 8:30 sharp and I don't want to make Balfour wait for us."

[Ail]

Lucius smiles back at Van, and grins especially at his mention that he is a wizard, and says.

"It's not anything to be worried. Just that I've been musing a lot recently about my role in life... I feel like some apprehension has come over me since we met the Weathermays.

But I thank you, and I do really mean that, that you are willing to craft me that amulet. Also... "

He was thinking about the letter Dubois had given him. He wanted to share it with his friends, and had naturally hoped to do it with Jacob present also. But now that he thought better, he didn't finish the sentence. Wasn't it imposing on them one more task, one more journey, after all they had done? And especially on Jacob, now that he almost had decided to retire himself? He turned to Van and said.

"I'll be here tomorrow early then. Thank you".

Then he whirled and entered the kitchen, temporarily erasing his worries from his mind.

(OOC: ok, so this should connect to the other part of my earlier post.)

[Ail]

Lucius smirked as Deari pointed his inability to stay clean. Men never liked women telling them off, but he had to admit he should have used an apron.
Good thing I didn't bring my fancy clothes he thought to himself as he watched the oven, very unsure of when he should sound the alarm.

Looking around, he barely registered that he had seen Delsenora and Cornelius around earlier, but now he was alone in the kitchen... and the responsability scared him a bit.

[VAN]

Van smiles at Lucius.

"Ok then."

As finishing his phrase he heard his door knocking. He goes to open and sees Desenora.

"Hello Deselnora, glad you make it."

After half an hour Van heard another knock at his door.

"Jacob, Vassili! Please come in!"

Says Van a little louder than normal so everyone can hear him.

[steveflam]

Jacob let's the young man enter then follows suit. closing the door behind him. "Thank you Van. Nice residence you have here, by the way. Thank you again for inviting me. So what have you been doing with yourself and what do you plan to do for the next few weeks off?" As he says so he looks around.

[VAN]

"Thank you Jacob, my house isn't very big, but has everything I need! As for my plans, I'll craft an amulet for Lucius with the spell Cornelius found. Will be very useful for him."

[ewancummins]

After fending off, gently, the onlsaught of solbbering Hobert, Cornelius puts his dowsing rod back into his pack. He holds the big dog in a hug while he says to Delsenora-

''Ah, well, you'll have to hear the rest of the tale at a later hour, as it seems that Hobert wants to go for a walk. Hobert likes my stories, but he has a funny way of showing it. Hobert, this is Delsenora.''

[A G Thing]

Hobert wags his tail happily as Cornelius seems to be quite affectionate... He turns in circles glancing between the two of them excitedly as the word walk came and the new tall dark one seemed to be liking his playmate as well. A playful bark and more excited turning signaled all his built up enthusiasum...

[steveflam]

Delsenora reached into her bag and grinned. She knew she had it in there somewhere. YES! There it is. Nice big bone I was saving for Gordo the Knife's dog. Meh, this Hobert seems more interesting anyhow. And maybe I can score some points with Cornelius, sigh...

Pulling a wrapped cloth out of her magical bag, she looks at Hobert and smiles. "I bet you know what's in here, big boy. Nice big bone, just for you Hobert. I am Delsenora, very nice to meet you, big fella."

She offers her hand to the big dog so he can know her smell. Her manner is friendly and that delicious smell coming from the cloth called to the big mutt. He wags his tail as he eyes follow the now open cloth revealing what he smelled! A big meat bone. "Ooooo Hobert I bet you'd like this, huh? What say you got for a walk with Cornelius and I then you can have it ok?"

Hobert doesn't understand but with the dwarf holding the door open and motioning for him to come out and Hobert understanding walk, well the bone comes second. Looking expectantly at Delsenora then the bone, he tugs on her sleeve so she folloows him and Cornelius. He liked this dark skinned female, she reminded him of the other dark skinned one, but younger and more fun!

And so Delsenora joins Cornelius and Hobert for a walk, the big bone in her hand for a reward when they return from the walk.

[A G Thing]

"Jacob, Vassili! Please come in!"

Says Van a little louder than normal so everyone can hear him.

Deari is almost finished cleaning and adding the slightest touches of makeup when Vans voice announces Jacob and Vassili's arrival.
She rushes it a little more as she realizes that she has taken a few more minutes than she planned, but luckily most of dinner is ready. Nothing should be burned and she turns to go back to the kitchen before going to greet him as well.

On her way she passes the open doorway to the small sitting room, and see's William looking thoughtfully out the window. He is seemingly distracted and she enters with a curious look on her face. She places a hand on his shoulder and bends slightly wrapping it in his arm as well when he looks up... She does not pull but leaves it open for him to rise and follow her or decline.
"There you are William! Jacob and Vassili have arrived and you shouldn't be hiding away here... This party is as much for you as well tonight."
Her voice is rather cheerful but still light and her smile is just as earnest, as she wonders if he might be tired or perhaps not in spirits for such... Still with such fancy dress and his clean shaven face he appears younger and more vital. Still the same kind eyes however and she wants him to cheer up.
"You look very sophisticated, and quite handsome tonight..."

Meanwhile

Lucius is still sitting by the oven and watching as the meats are sitting there... He has no idea whether to take them out or leave them be, and yet as the minutes press on he decides to act in caution. The ham and the large goose are removed and he places them on their assigned platters with some minor difficulty...

He wonders why it is taking Deari so long but still he thinks he handled the situation quite well.