Braddon Hurst |
Braddon allows Lexy to lead him across to the Ghoulette table and gives a polite nod to Liry over the crowd. He pushes some coins into Lexy's hand.
"Make a couple of bets. Win us a fortune."
He grins. "If it works it'll be the second time I get lucky this week."
Gold Goblin |
Having exchanged some coins for chips at the cashiers' windows, Braddon and Lexy wedge themselves into the crowd around Liry Parmenter's Ghoulette table. It takes a few spins before they can press their way close enough for Lexy even to toss the tokens onto the wheel. As at the Gold Goblin, the Ghoulette crowd is heavy on sailors and small bets; at least half the crowd isn't betting at all but just hanging around to hear the insults the decapitated head spouts.
In the meantime, back at the bar, Phil keeps a corner of his eye on Braddon until he and his date merge with the crowd around the Ghoulette table; after that, he can only spy the top of the half-elf's head on occasion. Vern has made good on the sparkling wine, however; the bottle indicates it comes from a Kyonin vineyard, if the Elvish notation on the label can be believed.
Samaritha Beldusc |
Leaving his own room to Snake and Daynadrian for the moment, Gristav steps out into the corridor and next door, to Samaritha's room.
"Samaritha, If you'd have a half-elf's hand at packing or porting... well, you'll have to ask for it.", Gristav smiles faintly, then quizzically creases his brow, and asks, "Will the kitten, be welcome?"
She is gathering her few personal possessions, in readiness for her departure in the morning. At Gristav's question, she pauses, frowns, and sighs with resignation. "I really have no idea what you're talking about. What kitten?"
Braddon Hurst |
As little as Braddon likes the sea, he is familiar with sailors and their attitudes and superstitions and almost relaxes among the crowd. With one hand on Lexy and the other on his belt pouch he trades jokes and japes, gets Lexy to make some bets for him and chatters to her about the many ways that they can spend the fortune that they're sure not to win.
After a while, his throat somewhat hoarse, he offers Lexy another drink and makes his way quickly towards the bar, mindful of the results of his previous absence.
His eyes are drawn to two richly dressed halflings and he is about to look away when a pang of familiarity hits him and he takes a position at the bar behind Phillip.
"Evening."
Phillip Hargreaves |
Turning to face the voice Phillip proffers a nod "And the same to you... I see your path led you here after all." remembering his manners "Braddon, Miss Ethel Braum... Miss Ethel Braum, Braddon. We were just celebrating my failure with some sparkling elven tipple... would you care for some?"
Braddon Hurst |
Braddon looks over his shoulder to the throng of sailors around Lexy with a flicker of deja vous.
"I should be getting back. A pleasure Miss Ethel."
Braddon's eyes glance at the drink.
"Actually, that looks perfect. Can I take a glass of that to my... I'm here with Lexy. She's a... friend."
Braddon grins widely.
"Oh, and Sam is a Cyphermage now. I barely got to chat to her. But it's good to have a cyphermage. Dayne will probably need her to help him. Shorafa put a magic on him or something and now he's a kid. I hope I never have to be a kid again. Especially tonight."
Braddon winks at Phil.
Gristav |
Leaving his own room to Snake and Daynadrian for the moment, Gristav steps out into the corridor and next door, to Samaritha's room.
Gristav wrote:"Samaritha, If you'd have a half-elf's hand at packing or porting... well, you'll have to ask for it.", Gristav smiles faintly, then quizzically creases his brow, and asks, "Will the kitten, be welcome?"She is gathering her few personal possessions, in readiness for her departure in the morning. At Gristav's question, she pauses, frowns, and sighs with resignation. "I really have no idea what you're talking about. What kitten?"
"Thuvalia called out, claimed she'd seen a rat in the kitchen. I found the kitten curled on a bag of flour. Apparently, he'd chased off the rat.", Gristav smiled, at Samaritha, at the interpretation. "There were meat scraps left on the kitchen table, but no water left out. I first suspected Braddon, for the incomplete planning, his general mobility, and the fact all others here either knew nothing of the kitten, or were, to my experience, disinclined to adopt. Braddon later said the kitten was not his, at which point I was at a loss, until Malkith's absence became known. It would fit: the kitten a gift, left behind, by a man in a hurry."
"You've still that other note; you haven't had time to read it, yet. I'll go try to find the kitten, and, if your door is ajar, introduce you?" It was not quite a rhetorical question, and if no answer came quickly, he wouldn't wait long.
Gris walks about, conjuring the scent of fish, hoping to lure the kitten out.
Samaritha Beldusc |
"You've still that other note; you haven't had time to read it, yet. I'll go try to find the kitten, and, if your door is ajar, introduce you?"
Her eyes flash. "I have read it, and it has nothing to do with kittens. And what do you know about that note anyway?"
Gristav |
"What eyes revealed, with it still sealed, and what I've observed since. No trespass there, unless awareness, be so deemed. That's happened, before." Gristav sighs. "Do I search for the kitten, or not? And if found, burden you with that knowledge? Or, I suppose, if he's not your problem, then neither is my searching for him?" Brightening at the freedom, Gristav sobers, and says sadly, "I shan't inflict myself on you, any further. Except this:"
Gristav waits for her eye, then, smiling warmly, says, "Congratulations" After a beat, true to his word, Gris leaves.
Braddon Hurst |
"I knew the first, but the second is news... any idea how he drew Shorafa's ire?"
"You knew?" Braddon whines with surprise.
Braddon shrugs guiltily and addresses Phillip's question."I... didn't get a chance to ask him. She's had it in for Dayn since opening night. He hired one of the street kids to watch for Zincher's guys and Shorafa thinks she owns the brat and took offence. Ignoring the fact that Bott had tried to frame us for abducting the General's daughter. Hey, I wonder how many of her street kids were like Dayn?"
Braddon tries a sip of the wine and nods approvingly.
"I dunno if he's done anything else since then. The Banshee said he'd been missing all day. Malkith's left on some lead. I've disposed of the prisoner. I guess Sam will move to the lodge sometime. She hadn't looked at Dayn when I left, but Gristav said it'll wear off. I hope so. I hated being green. Poor guy."
Braddon pauses quizzically for a moment.
"Celebrating what failure?"
Phillip Hargreaves |
With a wry smile and addressing Braddon's query on the street kids "I'd doubt many... especially if the enspelled keeps their mind. But not a tragedy that can't wait until morning. As to the failure..." sharing a quick glance at Ethel "... I tried to be clever, but my tongue wasn't quite to the task" smile deepening at the non-answer.
Samaritha Beldusc |
Gristav waits for her eye, then, smiling warmly, says, "Congratulations"
Samaritha turns her lips up into a tired smile. "Thank you. It all seemed very thrilling before sunset, but with Malkith gone and Daynadrian's misfortune...." She shrugs wryly, her thunder clearly stolen.
Gristav |
Gristav wrote:Gristav waits for her eye, then, smiling warmly, says, "Congratulations"Samaritha turns her lips up into a tired smile. "Thank you. It all seemed very thrilling before sunset, but with Malkith gone and Daynadrian's misfortune...." She shrugs wryly, her thunder clearly stolen.
"Contrasts, for your brilliance". Gristav flatters sincerely. "And every hope for each to return, to where and how you knew them at thier happiest. Or, happier. And wiser, then, too, they'll be. Each of them like an arrow, in flight toward... tomorrow? You too; it may seem plodding, but listen to your Elven sense for time: you, also, are in flight. Tsori Tsiki." Gristav smiles, as if he might have a right to pride in her.
"But I had said, I'd not burden you further", he reminds himself, about to take his leave.
"Snake" |
As a swarm of people enter the room and then eventually leave, Snake remains silent as he watches it all unfold. Looking to the young elf as the last one leaves outside of himself, "Just let me know when it's time to leave in the morning, bub; I'm turning in. I've had enough of this day. And if it keeps going this way, tomorrow's not gonna be looking to good either."
Braddon Hurst |
Taking her cue from Phillip's frankness that they can be open with Braddon, Ethel smirks as she further explains, "We were supposed to be at the House of Nabin tonight ... but we couldn't get past the doormen."
A look of blankness crosses Braddon's face at the mention of the House of Nabin but he understands the idea of doormen only too well.
"Their loss," he shrugs. "You guys look fantastic."He glances back to the ghoulette table.
"I'd better get going."
He grabs the drinks then pauses briefly and addresses Phil. "Did you cash those gems?"
Ethel Braum |
"Their loss," he shrugs. "You guys look fantastic."
Ethel glows at the half-elf's praise and nods him farewell cordially as he takes his leave to return to the Ghoulette table. "He's much more pleasant than that other fellow you work with," she remarks to Phil, "the tall one with the hat who scared Betta and me."
Lexy |
It takes Braddon some time to worm his way back into the crowd of Ghoulette spectators, especially with two glasses of expensive elven wine he doesn't want to spill. He finally manages to shove his way back to the spot Lexy has claimed up against the table, close enough to smell the pungent stench of undead flesh above the pungent stench of closely-packed sailors.
"Is that for me?" she grins, taking one of the glasses. "Oh, bubbles! Fancy!" She takes a sip. "You want to do something else?" she asks, half-shouting to be heard over the clacking of the wheel and the hum of the crowd.
Young Dayn Nirgassan |
"Just let me know when it's time to leave in the morning, bub; I'm turning in. I've had enough of this day. And if it keeps going this way, tomorrow's not gonna be looking to good either."
"Really?" the elf-child scowls. "You think your day's been bad? Check the hallway for me, up toward Desna, and make sure Thuvalia's not around. Fortunately my room's the other way."
He waits for Snake to let him know the coast is clear before making a mad dash for the far end of the corridor.
Phillip Hargreaves |
Nodding with a wry smile and a slight distance in his eyes "Aye a fair reckoning... he's also much more likely to kill and less likely to have qualms over it." pondering a moment and taking a sip of elvish sparkles "But aye, much more pleasant to work with."
"Should we get a second bottle, or have you other intents within?"
Braddon Hurst |
"Is that for me?" she grins, taking one of the glasses. "Oh, bubbles! Fancy!" She takes a sip. "You want to do something else?" she asks, half-shouting to be heard over the clacking of the wheel and the hum of the crowd.
"The drink is for the fat guy over there and are you broke already?" Braddon teases.
"We can do whatever you want. We can go back to your place. We can go back to my place. We could even stick around here and lose more money. I'm yours." He winks.Gristav |
She shrugs again. "I'll be shelving books and refilling components," she replies realistically. "Still, at least it's a foot in the door. Better than working in a casino. No offense."
"None taken! I'm here for a friend, not as a career course. And it's hardly been typical: hauled some carpet, danced with Thuvalia (Not too taxing), went shopping with a very fetching cypherapplicant, and we made dinner for friends. After the too many long roads, it's been too few short hours. At least, for me."
Sighing, Gristav goes in search of the kitten.
"Snake" |
Snake rolls his eyes at the ridiculousness of the elf. He steps outside and checks in all directions - just to be safe - for the fiery Thuvalia. Nowhere to be found,(totally taking liberties here :)) he looks back into the room. "Not seeing her, bub. It's clear for now. If you're gonna move, now's the time."
Gold Goblin |
Daynadrian dashes out of Gristav's room, using the towering warlock for cover, quickly unlocks his own door at the end of the hall, slips inside, and latches it firmly behind him. With a shake of his head, Snake crosses the corridor to his own door, hoping that the day to come will be an improvement on this one.
Meanwhile, Gristav conducts a rather exhaustive search for young Hero. It's a more time-intensive process that it would have been earlier in the day, before the kitten was sated on table scraps, but the illusive aroma of fish finally draws a feeble mew and a drowsy feline from a lower shelf behind the bar, where it had taken refuge behind a row of bottles. His method of investigation has had the side effect of making the main floor of the casino smell like a fish market, but he takes comfort in the fact that the by-product of his search will burn off like a mist when the cantrip expires in less than an hour. By this time, the crack beneath Samaritha's door is dark, and the lack of any sounds of movement from within lead him to believe that the mage has settled down for her last night of sleep under the brass dome of the Gold Goblin. He will have to effect the introduction in the morning.
Gristav |
...the illusive aroma of fish finally draws a feeble mew and a drowsy feline from a lower shelf behind the bar, where it had taken refuge behind a row of bottles.
"Ah, Hero! Sorry. Worried of you." Gristav lifts and cradles the kitten, feeling, Gris suspects, more warmth because of the kitten than the kitten would feel, because of the armor. "Sorry to mislead you; I'll try for real fish, tomorrow. Come, meet she who most agree is the best of us. Brightest eye and wit of us, and first of us to quit of us..."
By this time, the crack beneath Samaritha's door is dark, and the lack of any sounds of movement from within lead him to believe that the mage has settled down for her last night of sleep under the brass dome of the Gold Goblin. He will have to effect the introduction in the morning.
"Ah, well. You can bunk with me. I've a bowl and waterskin, some sausage too dry, but too porous to stay so. In return, if you've business to do, favor me with not hiding it overwell. I've magics to clean, but none to find. Might serve me right, after that fish trick, eh? Subtle and devious, are we wizards. Except for Sam; she's nice, you'll see."
Setting Hero down inside the closed-doored room, Gristav proffered the promised potable and provender, and secured the salvaged suspicious chemistries against any furtive feline finagling. The kitten largely ignored the half-elf's efforts, as it was busy sniffling about the room. It did seem to favor the caverns formed by leather armor, one set magic and cold, one set freshly-shed and warm. Gristav smiled, and made sure to set both onto the softness of the mattress.
On a pallet formed of the skins of the room, the road-roughened peredhel lay down, and yawned, and set to amusing the kitten with a firefly mote, until one or another of them wearied and flagged.
"Goodnight, Hero", the half-elf hushed.
Lexy |
"We can do whatever you want. We can go back to your place. We can go back to my place. We could even stick around here and lose more money. I'm yours." He winks.
Lexy takes a sip of the wine. "We can't really make a night of it," she says with some regret. "I have to be at work again in the morning, and I need to get some sleep before then. Let's get out of this crowd and go walk around upstairs a bit; then you can take me home."
The pair escape the crush around the Ghoulette table and make their way up one of the sets of stairs. The balcony edges three sides of the building and is less crowded than the main floor; it's equipped with dealers and tables for Golem, all of which are filled and rimmed with both spectators and would-be players waiting for a seat to open up. The clientele is notably more upscale than the sailors watching Ghoulette; Lexy politely greets a couple of clients who recognize her and sees a few more with wives or lady friends whom she studiedly fails to recognize ... and then whispers the truth to Braddon with a giggle afterwards. The Gendarme presence is more pronounced on the upper level as well, either because more coin is at stake at the high rollers' tables or because cheating is both more likely and more lucrative. Leaning over the railing, the pair get a bird's-eye view of the games on offer below that were hidden behind rows of gamblers wagering on both the throw of the dice and the turn of the card.
After another half an hour or so, she somewhat reluctantly suggests it's time to head back to the ferry. A growing crowd is waiting at the dock, as more patrons of Free-Coin are now heading home than freshly arriving. "I had a wonderful time," she tells Braddon. "I can't think the last time I was on a date. I mean ... if this is a date. I feel like ... this one time back home, they had a fair and a boy threw a ball at milk cans until he knocked them over and won me a quilt and a gallon of pickles, and then he carried them home for me. Seems a shame you don't really win anything at a casino, doesn't it? I mean, just coin, which is nice, of course, but it just goes back in your pocket. You don't feel like you're walking home with something new, and you can't put it out where people can see it and breezily say, 'Oh, yes, a boy won that for me' all off-hand like you don't really care much." She considers a moment. "I think I'm a little drunk."
Ethel Braum |
Unlike Lexy, Ethel has no compunctions about having to get up for work in the morning and is in no hurry to return to the east bank of the Velashu. "Let's get another bottle," she decides recklessly, "and then see if you can win your coin back from the house. Do you play Golem? We're dressed fine enough to have a seat at the table with the merchants and businessmen."
Braddon Hurst |
"I have to be at work again in the morning, and I need to get some sleep before then. Let's get out of this crowd and go walk around upstairs a bit; then you can take me home."
"I'm okay if you want to sleep. I was up before dawn killing murdering cultists and can probably do with some sleep myself. By the way, do you know anything about missing girls. We found some disturbing stuff in their lair."
"I think I'm a little drunk."
When they head back to the ferry, Braddon takes Lexy's hand.
"You're very drunk. I'll walk you home, then let you get some sleep."He touches her cheek gently.
"I had a great time. I dunno if we had a date or not, but I'd like to do it again with you. I don't know of any fair, but I could take you to a nice place to eat."
He leans forward and kisses her gently before ushering her through her door.
"I'll see you soon," Braddon promises. When the door closes he thrusts his hands deep into his pockets and wanders back to the Gold Goblin.
Phillip Hargreaves |
Clasping hands Phillip beams a smile "Excellent, after all it will be far more fun to have them work to relieve me of the coin rather than see it taken without recourse" signalling to the barman to add another of the elvish sparkles, but to serve it upstairs. Slipping off his chair with a slight thump and stumble from being not altogether sober he offers a chivalrous elbow... complete with wink and smirk.
Lexy |
"By the way, do you know anything about missing girls. We found some disturbing stuff in their lair."
"None of our girls are missing," Lexy insists. "Except Lil. Shhh!" she looks around as if expecting someone to be eavesdropping. "We shouldn't talk about her. Especially not here."
He leans forward and kisses her gently before ushering her through her door.
"I'll see you soon," Braddon promises.
Lexy lingers at the door. "Just because I'm drunk doesn't mean you can't come in," she invites.
Up to you whether he stays or goes. Just let me know which option he chooses.
Gold Goblin |
Phillip heads up the stairs with Ethel and lets it be known that he is seeking a place at a Golem table. As he isn't picky about which table and who his opponents might be, by the time the elven wine has been sent up the stairs after them, he has been provided with a bolster and seated, Ethel perched on a settee along the railing where ladies can watch both the progress of the hands and the activity on the floor beneath them.
Let me know how much Phil intends to wager, and I'll let you know how he does. He's already spent 12 gp on whisky and wine.
Gold Goblin |
Starday, 3 Arodus 4708
Beyond the ridge at the east side of town, the sun rises, though only the houses in Windward District and those right along the road to the Boneyard Cut are touched by its rays as of yet. The rest of Riddleport that is awake this early only sees the scarp of the eastern ridge limned with faint illumination and the very peak of the Cyphergate rising high over the harbor gleaming.
Gristav |
Gristav rolled, and the soreness woke him. It meant healing, he thought, in the way soreness did, as if some cosmic Malice had a seat at the table when Kindness and Neccessity had invented healing. No, he corrected himself, coming more awake, 'A Wisdom not yet understood is still a Wisdom', he thought. "And a pain in the neck is still a pain in the neck.", he murmured, and opened his eyes.
The kitten was staring at him. Sitting on haunches, not a yard away.
"That's unsettling.", Gris said aloud, but to himself, and then, "Good Morning", to the kitten. He rolled sideways, crosslegged onto his own haunches, not deliberately in imitation of the kitten. And yawned. "Another bit of sausage?", he offered, and yawned again. "Didn't occur to me last night, but I could fake a fishiness... but no, I promised you real fish. So, while I make the magics most mornings demand...", he said, casting his spell, "Chase these a bit, would you?" At a tossing gesture, a half-dozen marbles manifested, bouncing and rolling off and under the furnishings. Gristav stood, and marshalled the magic to a cantripped cleansing. Himself, his garments, his bedding... a sniff gave hope, Hero hadn't given him any other work to do.
He sat, tossed another handful of marbles, and opened his spellbook, telling himself he'd keep an ear on the hallway...
Lexy |
Despite Braddon's best efforts, both he and Lexy do find time for some hours of slumber. He's awakened in the gray pre-dawn by her toes gently nudging between his ribs. "Braddon!" she hisses. "It's morning. You'd better go. I have to get ready for work, and Anya will be home once the sun's up." She pauses, puzzled. "Were there pickles last night? Why am I thinking about pickles?"
Braddon Hurst |
"I don't remember any pickles, but I may be in one if I don't get back to work."
Braddon sighs and kisses Lexy softly.
"Thank you. For everything. See you soon."
He makes his way back to the Gold Goblin huddled against the chill of the early morning.
"Snake" |
Previous night
Snake makes his way back to his room and sits at the end of the bed. "Alright, Luck, you can get out now. Let's go. Get on out." The mongoose shoots out of the pack and takes a spot on one of the pillows. "This has been the longest *&%$ day ever. I've got about a million questions, Luck - a million questions. I sure would've like to have had a chance to speak with Beltias. I just know he had information that would've supplied me with answers, Luck." He then looks over at his diminutive friend, "I bet you know something about me too, don't you, boy." Lucky just simply stares at him from his curled up position. "Yeah." He then rises and readies himself for bed, the exhaustion from the day taken its toll as he manages to fall asleep a bit easier than normal.
Gold Goblin |
Arriving back at the Gold Goblin, you find the basket with the morning's bakery delivery sitting at the back door. Unlocking the door, you carry it into the dark kitchen and set it on one of the tables. The building seems quiet; there's no hint that anyone is up and moving around yet. Heading quietly down the hallway, so as not to disturb anyone still sleeping or any of the spellcasters preparing their minds for the day, you unlock your own door and slip into the bedroom. As you do, your foot comes down on something neither floorboard nor rug; upon further investigation, it appears to be a folded paper that was slipped through the crack beneath your door.
Gristav prepares his mind for the day, keeping a half-distracted ear out for the sounds of anyone moving around in the hallway and a half-distracted eye on the kitten for the symptoms of a call of nature....
Gristav |
Gristav prepares his mind for the day, keeping a half-distracted ear out for the sounds of anyone moving around in the hallway and a half-distracted eye on the kitten for the symptoms of a call of nature....
And even with these distractions, the previous morning's unexpected capacity continued. Gristav took it as an omen, and filled it all similarly. He wondered, if it was arrogance, to feel some disappointment, that Samaritha, who was leaving, might not see these latest notes, given the wealth of wyrdish wisdom into which she was passing. And hoped, that it was not false hope, to expect her to surpass him, surrounded as she would be, in documented, distilled, dweomercraft. And that whatever the cost was, she'd see it before she bore it. Because there was always a cost.
The kitten was watching him again. He managed, this time, not to exclaim how unsettling it was, to look up, and meet ancient wisdoms in unwintered eyes.
"My chores are done. Shall I armor, and we adjourn to the casino, the house at large? Or the kitchen, I think...", the half-elf hushed at the kitten, and set to shrugging into his better armor. "I don't suppose you might tug at the fittings...", he asked, kindly but insincerely.
Braddon Hurst |
Phillip Hargreaves |
Settling in for the gambling easily, Phillip flashes Ethel an impish grin before splaying ten circles of gold unto the table...
He'll put ten down to start, then put another ten down if he goes bust quickly. Otherwise he'll play through what he's got till Ethel's had her fill.
Profession Gambling is at +6
Gold Goblin |
Last night wasn't your most successful night at the tables -- you played your ten yellow chips down to four -- but Ethel enjoyed playing the part of a rich man's consort, drinking up the compliments and attention as eagerly as she drank down the elven wine. She'll undoubtedly feel less sanguine when she wakes, but as she said, she doesn't have to get up and go to work this morning, so you may as well let her sleep it off as long as she's inclined to.
Braddon,
Please come by my room in the morning before breakfast, and don't let anyone know about it. It's important.
Samaritha
"My chores are done. Shall I armor, and we adjourn to the casino, the house at large? Or the kitchen, I think...", the half-elf hushed at the kitten, and set to shrugging into his better armor. "I don't suppose you might tug at the fittings...", he asked, kindly but insincerely.
The kitten evinces no disinclination to tugging at the straps of the armor, but while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak: Even when dangling by one caught claw it hasn't yet experience enough to retract, its body weight is insufficient to tighten the fittings. Gristav must settle for the slower method of donning his armor alone.
Daily spells updated for those who need to (Gristav and Snake)?
Gristav |
Gristav wrote:"My chores are done. Shall I armor, and we adjourn to the casino, the house at large? Or the kitchen, I think...", the half-elf hushed at the kitten, and set to shrugging into his better armor. "I don't suppose you might tug at the fittings...", he asked, kindly but insincerely.The kitten evinces no disinclination to tugging at the straps of the armor, but while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak: Even when dangling by one caught claw it hasn't yet experience enough to retract, its body weight is insufficient to tighten the fittings. Gristav must settle for the slower method of donning his armor alone.
Daily spells updated for those who...
Same package as yesterday; Frostbite, Color Spray, and Silent Image, cantrips are Brand, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, and Ray of Frost.
"Quiet in the hall, now. Some are still sleeping. I expect we might find some milk in the kitchen. Ready?" Gristav picks up and perches the kitten on his shoulder, before thinking better of that, and cuddling him half-cradled.
Once in the kitchen, Gris embezzles a double tablespoon of cream from the tea service, for Hero. "Won't do any harm to them, having less. And if it's your last breakfast here, we'd have you think well of us."
Braddon Hurst |
Gristav |
Warming himself at the hearth of homemaking for the kitten, Gristav feels a sadness coming, but dodges it, ducking into dubious duty, and fae folly.
"Hero, watch this", Gris says as the kitten finishes the cream. Picking the kitten up, safely in hand, and held to heart, Gristav fills the muffin tins with water, as has become routine, and lines them up on the great table.
He says a short susurrus, and a bolt of cold crackles toward one tin, freezing and swelling the liquid at an instant, ejecting the ice with a screech of tin and a clack as the ice hops free of the slope of the pan, falling the slight distance back so soon it seemed all one sound.
At the screech and the clack, Hero startled, and Gristav was happy for the armor, and wondered about gauntlets, as his unarmored hand and arm let Hero make quite instinctively clear his kittenish dislike for unexpected screeches. The kitten had a point, or rather, multiple, needling, razor-sharp, points.
"It's alright, it's alright...", Gristav gentled. "I'm sorry, Hero. I... should have known better. The ice can wait." Softly smiling, Gristav murmured, "But you know, you weren't afraid- of it, but not of me... Thank you."
He scratched at the kitten, hoping it pleased Hero.
Samaritha Beldusc |