As the two head back into the bedroom, Shamara lets out something that sounds between a yawn and a sigh before circling the rug in the living room, and laying down in front of the fire.
Completely wore out from the previous nights activities, Rajni sleeps just slightly longer than she means to. Waking up with a start she sits up in the bed and rubs her eyes before stretching. Looking groggily through the window and noting the position of the sun as it rises over the horizon, Rajni moans and gets out of the bed.
She moves quickly about the room, picking up her clothing from the night before and putting it back in her bag as she hurries to get the change of clothes on that she had brought with her.
She had wanted to try making them breakfast, but she still wasn't too confident in her ability to cook.
Sitting on the bed she runs her hand along Dillon's back, "Hey, you awake?"
Dillon inhales sharply. "Mm, yeah."
Arista hears a knock on the door.
Having gotten up a bit earlier to start breakfast, Arista already has her robe around her as she goes to open the door.
Running her fingers through his hair she asks, "Did you want breakfast before heading to the school? I have a little time before I have to be at work."
Dillon smiles. "Breakfast sounds great."
Baron Trepphorn bows his head as Arista opens the door. He is flanked by four other people. "I hope I'm not disturbing you. I spoke with Barclay and he guided me to your house."
Giving him a smile she gestures for them to come in, "I was just about to get breakfast started, so no, you're not disturbing me. W
It's good to see you again. Would you all like to join us for breakfast? I can always make more." She rambles on before stopping herself, "I'm sorry, I probably should have just asked how I can help you first, but it really is good to see you again. Won't youj come in?"
"Would you like to go out for breakfast, or eat at home?" She asks as she sits next to him on the bed.
Dillon sits up. "Maybe we can eat here and enjoy a little more peace and quiet."
The baron nods and ushers the people following him inside. "These are the teachers you asked for but we can worry about that after breakfast."
Smiling she gives him a kiss, "Okay, so what kind of groceries to we have here, and what do you feel like eating?" She asks before getting her boots on.
Arista closes the door behind them, "If you'd like, you can all join me in the kitchen as I prepare breakfast. I have a table in there, and can get you all something to drink before starting on the meal. Would anyone like coffee or tea? I also have milk, juice, and water." She says, as she has them follow her to the kitchen.
"I have some eggs, milk, bread, a bit of meat and some juice," Dillon says. "And a bit of flour if you want to make some hot cakes or something."
One of the baron's companions, a young half-elf woman, tucks a lock of hair behind her slightly pointed ear. "I'll take some coffee, please."
Another, a stern-looking dwarven woman, speaks up. Her soft voice at odds with her countenance. "Tea sounds nice."
The third, a male elf looking uncomfortable, looks at Arista. "Tea for me too."
The fourth, a chubby, jolly-looking halfling woman, smiles. "Make that two coffees."
"I'll take some water for myself," the baron answers. "I will try to make this visit as productive as possible, but there's been some trouble in Lysse and I'll have to hurry back as fast as reasonably possible. My business with Barclay will have to wait."
Nodding as she finishes putting on her boots she stands up, "Okay, I'll see what I can come up with and I'll really try not to burn down your kitchen." Leaning down slightly, she gives him a kiss before heading into the kitchen.
She takes out the meat, eggs, and bread. She slices up some bread to toast, and whips up some eggs.
As hard as she tries not to, things just don't go quite right with the meat and eggs. She curses as grease splatters from the meat and creates a small fire on the stove.
She nods, a troubled look on her face at the mention of problems in Lysse. She fills the tea kettle and sets it on the stove to heat up for the tea, before starting the coffee. Getting some tankards down, she fills up six of them with some cold water before passing them out. She needed to drink some water and thought that some wouldn't hurt the others either as they waited on their other drinks.
Setting the tankards of water in front of them, Arista starts making dough for biscuits before slicing up some ham, and whipping up some eggs. Going to the fridge she takes out the milk and sets it on the table for those that wanted it in their tea or coffee, as well as the sugar, and honey.
Looking over at the Baron as she waits on the coffee and water for the tea she gets a concerned look on her face, "So...what has happened in Lysse?"
Dillon comes down the stairs and smells the smoke. "Rajni?"
Baron Trepphorn takes a drink of water. "I'm not sure yet. I just received a message from one of couriers that the city's walls have suffered some damage, prisoners have escaped from the asylum and my manor has been destroyed."
Rajni opens up a window to let the smoke out, "Yeah...I'm not sure a quite breakfast at home is going to be possible." She says, sounding rather frustrated. "You really sure you wanna marry someone that can't even cook a simple breakfast?" Her tone is pouty as she starts to clean up her mess.
Her eyes getting a little large as she pours the coffee and tea she says, "Oh...that's awful. I'm so sorry. I hope that everyone is okay. We'll try not to keep you any longer than absolutely necessary then. After breakfast we can talk and I'll go see Jelks about where we could possibly put up a school for all the other children in this town that aren't magical. I'm just so sorry about what's happened in Lysse. If you need any help or anything, make sure to send word to us and we will try to get some people out there to help out until things are settled down. Things have been a little hectic around here too, though nothing of that scale."
As they talk, the puppy and a sleepy looking Celine come shuffling into the kitchen. Seeing all the strange people in the kitchen, Celine goes to her mommy and puts her arms up.
Arista picks up her daughter and hugs her tight, "Good morning sunshine. Ready for something to eat?"
Celine nods and Arista sets her back down, "Okay, then go use the potty and wash up. Make sure you let Honey outside as well, and don't go stomping around in the puddles."
Celine nods and shuffles off to the bathroom.
Looking at the others she says, "Things are not likely to get any less busy around here any time soon."
She sets the cups of tea and coffee on the table, while fixing a cup of tea for herself.
Dillon comes up behind Rajni and kisses her neck. "You are more than your ability to cook."
Rajni sniffles and nods, "I better be because my cooking sucks."
Dillon cleans the kitchen with a wave of his hand. "Let's go to Hadrinn's."
Rajni sighs, "Okay, sorry love. I know you wanted to have a little more time to ourselves this morning before having to face the world."
"It's fine," Dillon says, rubbing Rajni's back. "Michael's only having us work half-days for the next week or so. Then we'll be out for the winter, depending on the weather."
"Hopefully, I can help you with your problem," the baron says. "I've been asking around town for volunteers to help with my problem, but I don't expect much."
She nods while starting the breakfast. She expected Alethrio and Theon to be in soon from chopping firewood, and they would be hungry.
As she starts cooking she looks thoughtful. After a few moments she says, "You know, it seems to me that we've had quite a few people come through recently. I'm sure if you ask around, you can find some people that are able to come and help you out for a while, even if they aren't able to stay on a permanent basis. I will be grateful for anything you can do to help us, especially considering everything the people of your own town are going through." Looking over at the teachers that came with him she says, "We've had a large influx of children, and some of us are contributing to that number, so I really appreciate you coming to a place you're not familiar with to help us. Our weather has been pretty rough as of late though, so actually starting the children in school might have to wait until after the winter break. In the meantime, we will set you all up with a place to live and get the school built. Something I will have to see Jelks about today. I'm really glad you're all here though."
Arista puts the biscuits in the oven as she starts preparing the meat, griddle potatoes, and eggs.
Rajni nods again, "Okay love...that's actually pretty great because then we'll have time to plan our wedding...but, I'm okay with it not being as elaborate as Kama and Elena's. I'm really not that fussy....but, if it makes my mama and aunti Pryia happy, then I guess I'll let them fuss a little bit." She says with a smile, while putting on her heavy winter cloak and calling Shamara to her.
Before leaving she turns to Dillon, "So....what did Toni say?" Rajni was afraid what she might find out, but she just had to know.
"I've worked out the basics with Barclay. Since he has a sizable home, these four will stay with him for the time being," Baron Trepphorn says. "He has also taken responsibility for talking to Miss Jelks and getting the school erected. Since it is winter, it isn't a priority over housing."
Dillon smiles as Rajni talks about their wedding, before growing somber at the question of Toni. "I wasn't able to help much. I know what she's after and where it is...but I don't know how to deal with that problem. There's a...friend of mine who might be able to give her the answers she needs. He lives in Lysse and keeps an antique store there."
As the breakfast finishes cooking she nods, "Well, that's good then. I'm glad you were able to get all that worked out." Arista says as she sets butter, honey, and different jams on the table.
As she finishes getting breakfast ready, Arista looks over at the Baron. Giving him a curious smile she asks while getting the table set as the breakfast finishes cooking, "So, how can I be of assistance then? Was there anything that you needed from me?"
Arista pulls the hot biscuits out of the oven and sets them on the table within everyone's reach. She platters up the ham and bacon on one plate, then puts the griddle potatoes and eggs in different bowls and puts spoons and forks in the dishes.
Going to the back door she opens it, "Breakfast is ready, come get cleaned up." Going back inside, she tops off everyone's drinks, before pouring a glass of juice for herself and Celine. She pours coffee for Alethiro and Theon.
She calls Celine to the table, who comes running to the table and shows her mommy her clean hands before climbing up into a chair and putting a napkin in her lap.
Looking up at her guests she says, "Everyone just go ahead and help yourselves. Make yourselves at home." She then puts a little portion of everything on Celine's plate, and cuts up the ham into small bite sized pieces for her before sitting down and putting a decent portion of everything on her own plate. She waits for Alethiro and Theon to come to the table before she starts eating.
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Dillon smiles as Rajni talks about their wedding, before growing somber at the question of Toni. "I wasn't able to help much. I know what she's after and where it is...but I don't know how to deal with that problem. There's a...friend of mine who might be able to give her the answers she needs. He lives in Lysse and keeps an antique store there."
Rajni looks thoughtful for a moment as they walk, "Well, at least you were able to direct her to someone that might be able to help her figure stuff out. Sooo....what was she after then? Was it an item or something that she was needing?"
"It's a place, in the depths of Blackcrown," Dillon answers. "Where the first Summoner met his eidolon."
Theon walks into the kitchen, gives everyone a polite nod before going to the bathroom to wash up.
Alethiro follows after Theon, wiping his hands on his breeches. He pauses as he sees the elf seated at the table. "Meranus, is that you?"
The elf looks up. "Yes...oh, Alethiro...it's been quite a while."
Alethiro smiles broadly. "About eighty years, give or take. Arista, this is...well, was a friend from back home. We grew up together. What are...well, what brings you here?"
"It's...it's a long story, but I'm here now to teach children, yes...that's it," Meranus says, a bit out of sorts. "Since I know a fair bit about flora and fauna, the baron thought I'd be of great help teaching young children about what to watch out for and things that would help them out in a pinch. Survival skills, sort of...for children, right."
"Alright," Alethiro says. "I better get washed up. We can catch up later."
He heads to the bathroom to clean up.
The baron chuckles at the exchange between the two elves before redirecting his attention to Arista. "Since you asked for my help with getting a school started here, I figured you'd like to interview these teachers and see if they'll be a good fit for what you're after."
Trying to understand she asks, "Why does she want to know about that place? I mean...how could it help her deal with what's going on? Did she tell you anything about what it was she was needing to do or anything? I'm just worried....." Unable to vocalize her fears, and what it was she was really worried about, Rajni closes her mouth and gets quiet.
Giving them a smile she nods, "Of course, I'd be happy to. I just feel that I should tell you, I never really went to school myself, so I'm not sure I would be a good judge of what constitutes a good teacher. I guess all we'd really need to know if they have any experience dealing with children, and what they're different areas of knowledge are that they can use to teach the children different skills. We can talk all about that later though, after we've had a chance to eat and enjoy our breakfast."
Looking over at Meranus she says, "It's nice to meet a friend from Alethiro's past. I look forward to getting to know you better."
Something about the elf seemed off. She couldn't tell if he was just nervous about being somewhere new and unfamiliar, or if he was hiding something from them though. For now, she would just keep a close eye on him.
Having mixed feelings about Alethiro's childhood pal, Arista pays close attention to his mannerisms and speech pattern to try and see if there was something he wasn't being completely honest about.
To Arista, Marenus just seems nervous.