Good to see you Petronicus please come in and enjoy yourself. Here is some food for now and I will make sure that I send some home with you as well. You look famished and a bit paler than I remember. ARe you feeling ok?
Taking Petronicus into the kitchen Lily whipsers to him. I need you word that you will keep all women away from Tal while at that party you understand me. Perhaps it is the meat fork that she is pointing at Petronicus's chest but she appears to be deadly serious. Do whatever it takes to make sure no one tries to enchant or ensorcell my husband. Good, now here is the food I promised you.
An uninvited Meraxilar arrives at Tal's the night before this mayoral feast, "I have heard whispers in dark places that there might be soup here, Tal." Upon seeing Lily through the kitchen door with a fork to Petronicus' chest, his eyes narrow slightly. "It would appear that Mr. Crispin might have offended your wife, Gorumite. I would be honored if you would let me take out the refuse for you." He says half jokingly, as his one-handed grip tightens on his axe.
You notice that Merax seems to be in somewhat good spirits, which is somewhat alarming. He leans his axe on the wall by the door, takes a seat at the table, then pours himself a drink of whatever is available.
Surprised that Meraxilar would show up this evening, but not put off at all, Tal welcomes the man inside. How goes it friend? You seem to be in good spirits this evening. I take it since the play you have had a good time with your endeavors?
Hearing about Lily and Petronicus, Tal whispers back I have heard no offense yet this evening. If so Lily would tell me or settle the matter herself. I shall have to ask what the matter is about of course. Pity, Petronicus seemed like a nice sort. I would hate to have Lily kill him just after he came back into the fold. You see she has been a bit protective of me since the play. Not that I am in harm or danger, but from all the women who keep sending gifts and offers. That has put her on edge lately and I hope she doesn't snap and do something to Petronicus.
Merax pours another for his host. "My personal endeavor has only met with failure. I have been working on another.... Task." With that, you notice a rather disturbing gleam in his eyes.
"As for Petronicus, Seeing Lily kill a man would be interesting. Is she also a Gorumite? I had no idea she had other skills aligned with ours."
Chuckling at the thought of Lily being a Gorumite, No, Meraxilar, Lily is not a Gorumite in the sense that I am. However, she does have a warrior's heart and spirit and will do what is necessary to protect what she holds dear. In some ways you could almost say that she is worse. It is my religion, for her it is passion. I would not want to be on the wrong side of her passion. that is why I have not been around or available much. I have been trying to temper that passion so it isnt released on some random woman that says "Hi" to me. You have no idea the public art works I have seen or the ballads I have heard the last three days. It is almost enough to submit myself to actual torture at your hands. Enough about those dreary long days, your first task is not going so well? Anything I can do to help matters, or is it too delicate at the moment for any assistance?
Tal does notice the gleam and stays away from that part of the conversation.
Looking at Lily with a slight grin Petronicus look at the meat fork. "My lady, surly you know I would never intentionally let anyone enchant your husband. I also assume you know of your husbands deep affection and loyalty to you. You know you have nothing to fear of these libertine women for Tal only keeps you in his heart.
...... besides, I think you have more to fear from Caldazar, or should I say Krona?"
Petronicus stares at Lily to see her reaction. She looks to him and then the meat fork she is threatening him with. Suddenly the ridiculousness of the situation strikes her as she cracks a small smile. Lowering her fork the two begin laughing boisterously in the kitchen.
Enough about those dreary long days, your first task is not going so well? Anything I can do to help matters, or is it too delicate at the moment for any assistance?[/b]
"Unless you have contacts in certain noble houses, no."
Merax walks to the stove, "There will be soup this evening, will there not?" With that, you get the impression that any discussion about his first task has been ended.
CAldazar finds the priest has been behaving as well as can be expected. The orphanage looks somewhat nicer than before. Digging about CAldazar finds no outward wrongdoing as it seems the noble who once graced the rare orphan with the opportunity to die has more or less become a shut in since the hunting incident with the Drovenge house.
Sclivian finds the process of getting in good with the church of Abadar somewhat slow. The man is a low level pastor, and not entirely respected due to his choice of keeping his orphanage out of the church's regular style (in Cheliax abadar orphanages are run very differently. Put simply those orphans unable to make payments on the care they received as children when they grow up are sold into slavery or expected to join the priesthood). He drops some names for you and gives you a reference but warns that the church is loathe to trust lawyers who aren't also priests.
Looking down at the irony of holding a meat fork at Petronicus chest, Lily does laugh a little at the absurdity of the situation. One done with the small laugh, she sobers up again to thank Petronicus for watching out and using whatever means necessary to keep Tal from being bewitched.
Well then, there is nothing for it then but to have supper. Come, eat, Meraxilar for I am sure your tasks can not. Be completed on an empty stomach. Perhaps after this 'party' I may know a couple of nobles, but I highly doubt that.
Enjoying the laugh Petronicus look at the Lady Mainz "My I needed that. Come let me help you bring some of this to the table."
Walking out of the kitchen Petronicus sees that Meraxilar has joined them.
"Greetings my abrasive aggressor. How have you fared of late?"
Heh, heh. Abrasive aggressor. That was witty I must say. A good play on words, and descriptive enough of his temperament.
Setting the platter down he looks to Tal "I must say Tal, your wife is quite the culinary queen. Thank you again for having me."
"Better than you, Mr. Crispin, although your unmaking must have made for an interesting experience." Merax pours another glass for Petronicus.
Perhaps its best not to be openly suspicious in case something else is indeed dwelling inside Petronicus.
"In truth my dear Mr. Zoon, I do not recall.... although, I surmise it must have been horrible. You see, I took the liberty of magically removing the memory. I would imagine that having the creature burrowing in my skin must have been nothing but horrible."
Somewhat disappointed that stronger measures were not required, Caldazar leaves the Abadarian with merely a strong warning to continue to walk the path... and that he would be watching.
Please you two, perhaps we can leave the details out of what we went through. Lily has a good heart and strong stomach, but this is not something we need to discuss over the dinner table. Thanks gentlement. Now, let's eat.
As the day approaches the storm clouds which were before now merely thundering and releasing infrequent bouts of rain finishtheir warm up and go into full on drench mode.
The rain is thick and unrelenting hammering Westcrown to the point where even the loud slave merchants and louder auctioneers decide it's best to stay indoors for a while. To the northwest of the city some parts become flooded adding a whole new danger to the dead part of the city.
By the third day Arael and Janiven organize efforts with the league to aid those in the flooded areas seek temporary shelter on higher ground outside the city. Janiven notes bitterly that the most the Dottari have done is sandbag the wealthier portions of the city.
By the fourth day the rain has barely relented enough and the people evacuated to the point where you can retrieve your costumes and make your way to the estate. Gearing up as best you can and preparing for a soul twisting trial that would make last weeks play seem like a trifle in comparison.
Please note by what method you plan on arriving at the estate the rain can have a detrimental effect on your costume, makeup, and general appearance. As if you didn't already know.
A corpulent building of iron and stone looms over its neighbors in southern Westcrown—the mayor’s abode is anything but subtle. This is no mere house, but rather a bloated near-castle of ochre and black, a huge manor with rusting gargoyles dancing upon its gables among hooks and nails to prevent the birds from settling. Iron gutters vomit rainwater onto the cobbled streets below, but bright lights burn fierce in every window while plumes of smoke boiling up from nearly two dozen chimneys promise an interior as warm and welcome as the exterior is cold and forbidding. Carriages arrive,belching forth their well-dressed contents at the end of a long canvas-topped walkway extending from the manor grounds’ front gates to the villa’s front doors, offering new arrivals protection from the rain on the short trip by carriage to Cornucopia.
When you arrive please make diplomacy checks for first impressions.
With the rain Petronicus realizes he has no choice but to hire a carriage to take him to the gala.
Upon entering Petronicus removes the old robes he had over his costume to protect it from the rain. Having just bought the attire he was determined to keep them dry as best as he could. I can not believe the deluge on this, my first occasion to wear my new apparel
Checking his appearance one last time he waits until he is announced.
As soon as he is announced he enters and booms to the gathered aristocracy.
"Why you shiny beetle! You quivering pall-o-dine of a sniveling young welp tuend demigod! You plump kettle! I’ll bring the all-encompassing powers of a thousand worlds crashing down upon your head! The keening song of dead gods warble at my command. I’ll leave your mind a tatterdemalion of a sad rag. Die!" Raising his arms to the air he has fire erupt from his hands and rise in the air. Finished, he bows.
Meraxilar arrives by coach during Petronicus's performance, dressed in the garb of Tybain once more. He gives the stage name of Xarem Rail to the one making the announcements.
Once his arrival is formally announced, he tears a page out of Petronicus's book, whirling his axe in a show of skill.
"By Aroden's fallen grace, none may bar the path between my company and the dinner table of our most gracious host, The Lord Mayor. Prepare yourselves, soon the legendary Larazod will arrive. For now, stand aside and pour me a drink."
Combining a final spin of the Greataxe, he bows.
Diplomacy:
Tal's mood is in stark contrast to the weather. Not only does he not have to go out to look at this art piece or this sculpture, but the weather kept the 'wild women' away. All in all it was a quiet and relaxing four days as Tal prepared to go to the Cornicopia hosted by the mayor. Kissing lily goodbye, Tal makes his way to the theater to don his costume. Before he arrives however, he swings into a shop to make one last discreet purchase. He knew he had to wait and make this purchase after he left Lily or she would have found it...a flask of blood from some animal it didn't matter which. Arriving at the theater Tal sits and lets the makeup artists and costume designers work their magic. Once done he has a coach take him and Krona to the mayors house.
After stepping out of the coach, but before he goes too far, tal takes the flask and coats the axe and splashes the blood on his shield, armor, and helm. The rest of the blood is then pouredr on the whip to create a dripping mess. When at the door, he tells the man to introduce him simply as 'Drovalid, the Torturer' and nothing more. As his name and title are called, Tal steps forward and gives the crowd a stare, making sure it is obvious that he is looking at the whole crowd gathered.
Perception check to see who is in the room and where the exits and entrances are.
May you always fear the end of this lash and the power of the one who wields it.
Intimidate if appropriate to aid the diplomacy check
Diplomacy
Considering the state of his costume by the end of the play Pollux does what he can with cleaning and cantrips to make repairs. Mind given his lack of skill and Castor's able assistance the final result is rather more striking than perhaps intended.
On the day Pollux accepts that a carriage is required though given the neighborhood he starts from "Carriage" is an overstatement and "hastily converted dunny-wagon" closer to the truth.
Arriving at the pile. Castor and Pollux promenade to the entrance. The rain does some damage to the costume but somehow having the dyes and old blood run together a bit only aids the effect.
As "Lazarod" is introduced Pollux hands the major-domo the remains of the solid and simple sack lunch the former actor ate on the way over.
"Ah my loyal kinsmen. The flowers of Westcrown, truly the best of the best of this happy city. I thank you for taking me to your bosom and inviting us.." At this point Castor pops his mobile nose out of the headgear. "..to your table."
Caldazar applies his make-up and costume with all the enthusiasm of a man getting dolled up for his own execution before stepping into a cheap and threadbare carriage. Breathing to center himself during the trip, Caldazar clothes himself once more in Krona's persona.
Arriving, she glares at all and juts her tusks threateningly. However when she spies her dear Drovalid she growls with latent intent before rushing at him to envelop him entire in as best a bear hug as she can manage around his iron skin... for now at least he is spared the rough embrace of her tongue... but does give his ear a playful nibble before releasing him and casting an arm around his waist as they enter.
Diplomacy:
Entering the banquet hall proper a servant offers to take your hats, cloaks, and cloaks if you have any and ushers you quickly into the banquet hall after passing through the entrance hall and across a quaint garden bridge indoors that passes over a small creek that emerges from the wall via a waterfall pouring from a devil's mouth. Above this creek on the ceiling is the twilight sky bright and brilliant, a sharp contrast to the gloomy and torrential flood weather just outside.
Your arrivals are met with a mixed bag of adoration, interest and disdain.
Petronicus's dramatic and hammy entrances are met with small applause as you enter the villa properly. The mayor beams nervously but proudly perhaps finding your sudden boldness and desire to play the part an unexpected surprise.
Tal, never being the dramatic sort, falls flat out in his introduction earning the worst possible response, none.
Pollux, however seems to move with a bizzarre kind of grace. Seeing him among the prettied up flock of nobles the mad vagabond scraped off the streets by the mercy of Janiven a few months ago seems much more at home here among what westcrown might deem among the rich and famous then even among you. Though his manner is still off putting his recognition of ettiquette comes naturally, and naturally it is responded to as if he's suddenly become one of the flock. Whether this is another of the strange mans mysterious charms or a rare insight into the mystery of Pollux himself. THe major domo herself of course does not take the lunch that Pollux offers. She ahs people for that. An unfortunate sort who tries not to make a face as he carries it off with as little contact with himself as possible.
The last to arrive, Krona, is met with a tired applause, but not unwelcome. With the guests arrive you begin to mingle, and are introduced to the room at large.
The banquet hall is an immense chamber is pleasantly heated by six huge fireplaces and lit by constantly glowing crystal chandeliers. The walls are decorated with unsettling landscapes of twisted hellish realms that, upon closer inspection, seem to depict Westcrown as if it were located in Hell itself. Two thick, wooden pillars carved to represent tangles of serpents rise to support the roof above, and a balcony for observing the banquets here from below winds along the east and west walls at a height of 15 feet. The largest feature in the room is a huge, “H”-shaped table—this is where the Cornucopia takes place.
Two other features are present in here. To the northeast stands an immense grandfather clock whose sides are carved to depict hungry devils chasing 12 unicorns, its bells deep and ominous when they strike the hour. About 20 feet south of the clock in the eastern wall is a huge black stone door, 6 feet wide and 14 feet tall.
Around forty people loiter around in this room in small clusters with individuals having a quiet drink or good hard frowning from their respective corners. All the cast from the play is here sans Millech, Thesing, and the stage hands. Delour is having a polite conversation with some minor nobles while Robahl is surrounded by a handful of attractive women who seem to be absolutely enthralled by a tale he is telling of some adventure he had in his army days.
The mayor, Aberian, is a rotund, balding man with a quick and somewhat too-wide smile. He wears the Westcrown colors in his elegant suit,along with a cloak made of winter wolf fur. He greets all of you and introduces you briefly and your introductions are met with a polite applause before the mayor shakes your hand tells you how he thoroughly enjoyed the play and hustles off to take care of some other hostly duty before you can even mouth "thank you". Laving you to your own devices before the official beginning of the Cornucopia.
You easily recognize the mayor. And one other person standing by the fire. General Vorne of the Gemcrown Bay Fleet. He is a grizzled mean looking middle aged man with a small goatee wearing black ceremonial leather armor. He stands stiffly with his arms behind his back wearing a deep frown that does much to drive away foppish nobles from minor houses. He appears to be on the verge of a disgusted grimace.
You get the information from the above plus the following:
You see two nobles from minor houses in westcrown that you recognize. The first is the head of the Obiergo family a man by the name of Eirtein Oberigo. He is s thin man wearing a long flowing robe of black peackock feathers that has the look of a sleazy pawn shop owner or a salesman of questionably counterfeit goods. When people approach they more or less sidle up to him as if not wanting to be seen heading to him directly he greets them all with the same warmth and smile as if one would give to a visiting relative.
The second is Sascar Tilernos. A delicately featured woman who wears far
too much makeup. Her silver hair is up in an extremely tightbun, over which she wears an outrageous headpiece shaped like a winged, erupting volcano. Her laughter is shrill and can be heard from across the banquet hall. A flushness in her cheeks suggests she has already had plenty of wine.
You recognize two others in the crowd in addition to the information above. First you note the presence of the mayor's majordomo. Crosael is a relatively attractive, middleaged
woman who has long served the Arvanxi family. She wears dark robes and she's barely noticeable in the crowd looking as if she's keeping an ear open or politely taking care of some business occasionally stopping a servant here or there to whisper some instructions to them before they bow and bustle off.
The second person is a woman by the name of Chammady Drovenge. Chammady is a beautiful but dangerous-looking woman. She is dressed in a scanty blue gown cut high along the sides and low in the front, her long crimson hair up in a ponytail and a strange fur draped over her shoulders—what appears to be a serpentine, wolf-headed creature with wings. Several nobles are being politely ignored as they attempt to draw her attention away from the general proceedings of the banquet and that of her companion. Her date is a mystery woman of fine features and a face that has aged beautifully around bright hazel eyes.
All of the above plus:
You recognize the woman that Chammady is with as one Avaya Carthage a recent acquisition by the family's matriarch. Little is known about her outside of a rumored engagement to Ecarrdian Drovenge Chammady's younger brother and none other than the golden skinned tiefling you've met before.
The last easily recognized man is Caithan Kalson a third cousin to Imperatrix Abrogail himself. He wears a ceremonial breastplate on top of stylish dark green outfit more suited to a modern Taldan or varisian gathering than anything Chelish. He is loitering in a corner by the massive grandfather clock with a very large and dangerous looking Mastiff hound with a spiked collar lying next to him staring into the crowd. Him and General Vorne are intentionally avoiding each other's stares and consciously make moves to get away from one another. This is likely because Caithan is a known black sheep of the family. He chafes heavily under his cousins rule and disdains many of its laws. It's rumored that he secretly worships some god other than asmodeus (popular belief says its Gorum due to his penchant for combat). The only reason he has not been quietly assassinated or straight up erased from Cheliax's history is due to the many accomplishments he has made in such theaters as the Worldwound, or The Shackles, and even the Belzeken plains. He is popular among the populace thus making it politically hazardous to do away with him. Like Vorne he appears extremely uncomfortable.
Knowledge (Local-Untrained):
Recognizing only the Mayor and General Vorne, the details of the rest of the crush of nobility is lost on Krona. Thinking that the best way for him to navigate the sea of uncertainty is to hold to character - Krona remains attached to Drovalid's arm.
Her eyes do roam to see if anyone take a particular interest or beckons them to join them...
Perception:
Knowledge local
Pollux surveys the flickering multitude. (softly)"So much fire, so many dead.. I need more flake white, much more."
Moving easily through the crowd, not as easily as Crosael perhaps but easily enough to look at home. Pollux wanders over to the paintings. Seemingly lost in thought the actor covers one eye and then the other as he and Castor try to understand how this much effort could make something this ugly.
Then they remember where they are.
and laugh.
Petronicus looks around wondering if he should cast his Detect Thoughts spell. I wonder if they are secured against such magic?
He looks around to see if there would be any place that would allow him to cast from his scroll without detection.
Tal eyes with contempt the gathering of nobility in front of him. The fact that they pay him not the slightest attention pleases Tal. With them acting that way, it will be easier to feign ignorance and avoid them later. However, in the meantime it would do to be seen talking to a few of the people present. Of those gathered that Tal recognizes only two that he is willing to speak with, Kalson and Vorne.
Moving up to Kalson, Tal continues to be gruff yet still respectful of the man's position and abilities. The name's Tal. Didn't expect to see you here, sir. Perhaps this affair isnt going to be as boring as I first thought. Being a man of combat myself I would enjoy hearing about your time in the Belzeken Plains. Get away from the riff-raff as we talk. Tal makes a point of not caring if other nobles hear him calling them riff-raff. Also, Tal makes sure that he is not intimidated by the massive Mastiff.
Meraxilar gazes around the room to see if he recognizes anyone from almost two decades ago.
Knowledge Nobility:
All these years and these infernal vermin yet endure. May Rovagug give me the opportunity to bathe this place in blood in his name.
Merax's knuckles whiten before he realizes he's gripping his axe handle that hard as he finally notices his long lost sister as well as the other woman with her. He grabs another drink as he gets a little closer feigning interest in the conversations of the attending nobles.
His eyes never leaving his sister for too long, he hopes to make eye contact to see if there is a spark of recognition from her.
IF meraxilar expected anything from the woman he recieves nothing. Her gaze passes right through him as another face in the crowd and a part of you, the still human part, feels slightly hurt by this. But then a man in costume after spending fifteen years in one of the nastiest prisons on the planet may look very different indeed.
Petronicus can find an alcove or two to cast his spell in secret.
Caithan smiles as the dog looks up passively. It occurs to you standing next to it that its eyes glow ever so slightly. And the feeling of being strangled to death in that massive maw just can't leave your mind. Still the man warms up easily.
"BEtter watch your tongue boy." Caithan says without malice. "You see riff raff. I see a vile den of vile murderers and miscreants standing atop a pile of bodies of their own personal making. But enough about the riff raff."
The lay out of the room has an H shaped table in the center. The room is largish just big enough to fit the 60 or so people here comfortably but not big enough to make for a more official ball room.
Krona continues to linger near her Drovalid, but does not engage anyone in conversation so early in the night.
Lowering his voice a touch to Caithan, Tal nods. You call them what you will, it is the same to me. Maintaining their position through the works of others: you, me, the rest of Westcrown. We are nothing to them, yet without us they would not be where they are now. Meh, what do I know? I am here because I didn't die and survived the unsurvivable play. These issues are above me I suppose. I am a man of action, not banquets. Tal walks off and prepares himself for the droll monotony of the feast.
Disappointed, Meraxilar joins the rest of the cast and prepares himself for a dangerous evening among these nobles. Perhaps an opportunity to talk with his sister will arise later.
Pollux and Castor finished with their minute inspection of the paintings wander over to the table. Pollux to admire the tortured reflections on the polished silver and Castor to see if there is something he can 'flavor' with impunity.
thinking 'I have seen the golden one before. Strange that so obvious a devil blood should rise this far. He is standing on shoulders or skeletons. Does it matter which?"
Pollux and Castor finished with their minute inspection of the paintings wander over to the table. Pollux to admire the tortured reflections on the polished silver and Castor to see if there is something he can 'flavor' with impunity.
thinking 'I have seen the golden one before. Strange that so obvious a devil blood should rise this far. He is standing on shoulders or skeletons. Does it matter which?'
Petronicus walks to one of the alcoves and casts Detect Magic. He then walks back into the room and has a look around.
I wonder how much magic they have employed here?
Petronicus sees a number of auras, and finds the time to pick through the variety of the schools; abjuration, transmutation, necromancy. All of it emitting from articles of clothing, individuals, and plenty from the fireplace. It's the fireplace that makes you stop however. You remember using this simple cantrip from your apprenticeship days and never before have you ever "Seen" images beyond soft glows. But the terrible and awesome power from the fireplace staggers you and you fall back to shield your eyes as your mind is assaulted with terrible images of creatures dancing in flames beckoning you to join within before they rip out your soft mortal heart.
Swallowing back your gut wrenching terror you shakenly manage to join the others at the table for the course of the gluttonous wolf.
This course consists of beef marrow fritters, boiled side of axebeak,
loach flavored with spices and sage, eels in jelly, and smoked fillet of giant gar set in jellied aspic.
It's now that you notice that in addition )if I did not make it clear earlier) that the rest of the crew is here as well. The only two not present are Thesing and Millech. Robahl is proving is reputation as a lady's man as three pretty young ladies hang on his every word as he downs wine and seems to be telling quite a dirty tale about his time in Magnimar.
Krona sticks to the side of her torturer love for at least the first course - which she eats a middling portion, trying to eat only enough to not be seen to be abstaining. He looks to Delour and Calsenica to gauge if she is required to keep to character or if it would be acceptable to at least drop some of the facade.
Tal sits in his chair feeling quite uncomfortable in the opulence. As the food is passed, tale takes a few things to taste but finds the palette much to rich for him. Declining more than he accepts, Tal tries to remove most of the sauces and jellies on anything he eats. What he wouldn't give for just a simple slab of meat and some baked potatoes.
Tal doesn't make much chit chat during the meal. He will respond if asked a question, but otherwise remains quiet. Even the sight of Robahl hamming it up to the ladies does not get much of a rise from him.
Seeing Petronicus shaken, he walks over to assist him to the dinner table with a smirk. "Trembling already, Mr. Crispin? Dinner hasn't even started yet. Have a drink or two, liquid courage as they say."
After maneuvering himself next to Sachia Carthage patiently (oddly enough), Merax waits until all of the women have been seated at the table before he sits. After looking over the course, Meraxilar helps himself to some beef marrow fritters, a haunch of the Axebeak, and a small piece of the smoked Gar. Looking over to Mayor Aberian, "Now this is an exquisite meal. My compliments on your excellent tastes, Lord Mayor."
Pollux Quite enjoys the meal though those unfortunate enough to be seated near him may not.
First, Pollux appears to be rather obsessed with the word Loach. He repeats it several times regardless of the fishes relevance to the current topic and will regale his seating partners with a through if eccentrically organized dissertation on the loach, its symbolism, uses in cookery and alchemy as well at its care and feeding. Particular attention is paid to the loach mating habits with some impromptu dissections of the comestible to clarify some anatomic points.
Second, the sight of Castor really getting into a meal is not for the faint of heart. But then if any of these walking putrescence factories had a heart at all it was eaten some time ago so there you are.
Castor makes a point of eating his share of the Gar without disturbing the aspic. The now hollow dome of congealed meat gelatin serves as an observation dome and napping den for the remainder of this feast.
loach.