Wraps and Hiccups

     Fate's Spire, midday

The weather outside is cold, damp, and foggy, but that can't stop some things. The sun still fiercely burns in the sky (even if it's not as warm in the winter months), and people still visit their friends.

Telamon's visited the monastery so often the door wardens just nod and pass the man through. His expression is genial, a spring in his step and his haversack slung on his shoulder, his starry eyes cheerful as he walks through the stone halls towards Simony's cell. The stoves are still stoked and burning, keeping the monastery at a reasonable temperature, which makes him smile.

Dressed in a simple pale blue tunic over woolen trousers and his boots, with his fur and leather longcoat wrapped around him, he stops at the appropriate door and knocks politely. After all, wouldn't be seemly to just go bursting in.

The door is closed this time around, which is something unusual for the Goblin. A moment goes by before the door opens, and her wee face peers out at Telamon. The skin around her eyes is darkened, and she looks fairly tired, but her expression lights up after a moment, her lips opening in a wide grin. The door is opened further, and Simony hops lightly to hug at the Half-Sil.

"Telamon!" Now of much better cheer, she reaches for his hand, tugging gently.

The room is cheerful, with several candles lit in various corners of the room. The fire within the little, pot-bellied stove crackles, the heat radiating nicely into the room.

The room has been reorganized once more, with much of the clutter sorted and stacked in neat piles, or simply packed away somewhere. Her artwork still adorns the walls, as well, the fresco above. Her table has several books scattered about it, including three notebooks, as well, a small obelisk of grey stone, covered in writing.

Stifling a yawn, she offers Telamon a chair. "Come and sit, I was just about to put some water on to boil, for tea. It's so good to see you! How are you and Cor'lana doing?"

The half-elf smiles back cheerily, letting Simony tug him inside. "All is well! I figured I'd come by, bring lunch, see how you were doing. Cor'lana sends her best, of course. We're investigating a few things." Telamon makes a face. "Might be going on the road again with Sir Seldan, but we're trying to get some particulars first. But I didn't come to talk about that."

He removes his longcoat, hanging it up before taking a seat and opening his haversack. "As cold as it gets, it's good to have a warm place to retreat to. How are you doing? Everything holding together?"

"Bring lunch?" There's a growling sound from somewhere around her midsection, and she looks embarrassed. "I knew there was something I'd forgotten." She settles her kettle onto the stove, and turns to Telamon. Her expression is a mix of emotions. "Would you talk about it with me though, before you go? I am curious to know, and I do worry after you... and the others... when you go on these journeys."

The Goblin drags a chair closer to the man, and settles into it, leaning her head on her hand. With her other, she stretches out to snag the obelisk. "I am working on translating this and writing what it says down. It's in draconic, but an older version, almost archaic. It seems to be some sort of shopping list, or perhaps, a listing of goods in ... storage. It's kept me awake a few nights, the writing is very intricate, I'm having to cross-reference several tomes and someone's personal notes... which are all in chicken scratch."

"But other than being tired, I'm doing well. Keeping busy, keeping warm..." Simony nods and smiles once more. "I do enjoy my little stove. On some days I am tempted to hug it."

Telamon removes a couple of bags from his haversack, containing a variety of wraps. "Wyvern Wraps is doing a brisk business," he comments with a grin. "Even in the winter. I recommend the jack-wyvern tail but the chicken is good too."

Tel's expression looks thoughtful, and then he continues, "Well... fair enough. We're dealing with the messes left by a certain fellow. I prefer to not use his name, for the same reasons we didn't talk about a certain devil -- don't want to draw attention. If you recall our discussion about recovering the Star of Tears, same fellow." Telamon taps his fingers together. "We think he did, in fact, murder Animus. He has targeted followers of Taara, and tried to frame Ni'essa -- Eluna -- for his crimes. So we are following up a lead."

He tilts his head, looking at the obelisk with interest. "Curious. I didn't think draconic had changed that much -- dragons are not known for their changing natures, and the language reflects that. It must be very old indeed, or at least it came from someone who didn't want their inventory to be easily read."

"Wyvern.. wraps? Are you saying these are made from wyverns? Or uhm... what's a jack-wyvern tail>" Her stomach growls again, and The Gobbo reaches for one of the wraps and sniffs at it curiously. "It smells delicious! Thanks very much!" A little burble and hiss indicates the kettle's almost at a boil. "I'll be able to return the favour, somewhat, with a cup of strong, hot tea!" Without waiting for an answer as to what, exactly, a jack-wyvern tail is, Simony digs into the wrap. True to form, the wrap is quickly wolfed down in a dainty fashion.

She pauses a moment, a curious expression on her face, and then the hiccups start.

"So... *hic* I was curious about that too. It might not be *hic* very old, well okay, it's old but not uhm, unfathomably ancient... I think perhaps it is a different dialect of draconic. It might not be a dragon's writing, but another race descended from them. It was found in a bandit camp somewhat recently. These bandits were known to smuggle illicit goods and sell to the highest bidder. This thing could be from anywhere, honestly. If I were a geologist, I might be able to identify the rock, and I am sure the people who now possess this will employ one in their research, I will make sure to suggest it."

<OOC> Simony says, "Fix: Remove the ">" from the end of the first sentence and replace with "?" please. :D"

"That's just the name of the eatery. Though there is some interest in wyvern tail -- it is quite tasty -- but of course, the wyverns tend to be stubborn about getting cooked. Jack wyvern tail is an approximation, made from pork, turkey, and rabbit meat chopped together." Telamon grins as Simony wolfs hers down. "And that's why I brought a bag of wraps," he quips.

As Simony begins to hiccup, Telamon carefully conceals a smile. "A different dialect? Hm. Good point. I'm so used to... well, what might be called 'common draconic', I didn't think of that. A variation, perhaps by the Tsuran dragons? They are very different from the dragons we might see here on the continent." He nods at Simony's thoughts. "Sometimes the material can tell you something if the text cannot. Father told me a story once about identifying a forged scroll that way. The missive had been written in the right language, with the right signature -- but the wax seal on it was the wrong color."

While Telamon speaks, her hand reaches out for another wrap, and this too is eaten quickly. When the kettle begins to whistle, she hops up to fetch it, still working on half the wrap. A few moments later, a tea service is set upon the table, the Goblin looking proud. "I bought myself this with gold from one of my last commissions." The tea set is in silver, and nicely polished. Her hand goes to the little teapot, and she grins. "This is the fanciest thing I've ever owned and I'm proud that you're the first one I get to serve tea with it. Just have to let the tea steep a bit."

Simony fights off another round of hiccups, merely shaking a few times. "They are very delicious, thank you so much for bringing them. It is a very nice mix of meat."

"Ooh, Tsuran dragons? The Jade Isles? It has come very far indeed, though, not unexpected if it travelled by sea, I expect. So far in my translating, it appears to be a list of artworks. Statues, carpets, and most exciting... a fresco. I am very curious about that. It hints that the fresco is from some famous building, and that it had been moved. I wonder very much how that was accomplished. Did they remove the whole ceiling? That must have been a big undertaking."

Telamon looks over the tea set approvingly, and nods to Simony. "Oh, -well- done. Where did you get it? I like the designs and engravings -- if the artist does commissions he'll be getting a visit very soon." His starry eyes glint happily.

"In any case, Wyvern Wraps does a brisk business with couriers, traders, and adventurers -- anyone on the go, really, who needs a quick meal. Doesn't hurt that the food's good. Pothy approved." He grins at the last bit.

"But yes. It could've come far indeed, by boat or magic. Hmmm. Statues, carpets... I wonder. Some dragons do not limit themselves to collecting coin. I wonder if it's an inventory of a hoard? A dragon of sufficient size, power, and wealth could remove a ceiling, or arrange to have someone else do it."

"Oh?" She smiles broadly, her cheeks going a bright red, pleased at the praise. "It's a little place in Goblintown, Fenwick's Finery. He employs a number of tinsmiths, coppersmiths, silversmiths and goldsmiths. They make all manner of finely made household things. Fenwick is a cousin of mine. If you would like, when you next visit, we could go down. I'll introduce you!"

Telamon's mention of wraps has her reaching for another. "Oh, how is Pothy? I've some sunflower seeds for him, if I could ask you to take them back with you?" The Goblin begins to pour tea into delicate porcelain cups, one sized for her, another more appropriate for bigger people. "It is black tea infused with oil of bergamot. It is a very pleasant tea... I tried one of the fruits before." The face she makes indicates it is not palatable in her opinion. "So very sour, I thought my lips would never unpucker."

"If I find detailed listing of massive amounts of coin, that would probably be a big indicator of it being a dragon. I would not be surprised to learn of dragons enjoying sitting on both a pile of coin and being surrounded in artwork. It does sound appealing..." She gestures at the artwork above and on the walls. "I am simply lacking in a horde of coin." The Goblin snorts and giggles.

Telamon nods, repeating it. "Fenwick's Finery. I'm sure he won't mind having me drop in for a consultation at some point -- but I certainly wouldn't object to an introduction." He takes up his teacup, sniffing at the tea. "A strong one. Yes, I think I've had bergamot before." He makes a similar face to Simony's. "Sour is almost an understatement. You definitely want to cut that with something to keep your mouth from trying to turn inside-out."

"Pothy is well. Always wants a snack, but what else is new? He's happy, like Lana and I, that the facade we had to put up has been discarded. For all his jibes at us, he's pleased when Lana is really happy. As am I." Tel grins. "Sunflower seeds, like any tribute, will be well received."

"As far as the dragon's hoard goes..." Telamon sips his tea, thinking. "Hard to say. I have only stood in the vault of one dragon, and I did not dare touch so much as a copper penny. A dragon can spend their coin just as any other mortal might -- they probably drive a harder bargain, though. But I remember reading an excellent tale of a dragon who hoarded his coin only to invest it in portable wealth and magical gear. A ring of invisibility works just as well for a dragon as it would for you or me, after all."

"I expect it would make great lemonade, but you'd definitely have to cut it with something sweet, perhaps honey?" Simony giggles, "Now that's a funny thought, my mouth trying to turn itself inside out. Something right out of a horror story."

Her expression turns sad and she shuffles forward to hug at the man again. "It was very sad, I could see how much it pained you both. It is good, though, the ending of that whole charade. We have put paid to the beast." The Goblin squeezes tightly. "A tribute of sunflower seeds shall be sent, then! Ooh, I also have something yourself and Lana may enjoy." She releases Telamon and goes to rummage through her desk drawers, returning with a small, red box. "It's a chocolate sampler. Each one is filled with a variety of cremes or liquors, made from different fruits. I pouted and they gave me two. I saved it for you."

Her eyes blink. "Who could make a ring big enough to fit on a dragon's finger?"

Telamon returns the hug. "It -was- sad. But the important word here is 'was'. It is past now, and Lana and I no longer need to maintain the illusion. Even more importantly, Legus'elain will no longer haunt our family, and he will ruin no more lives. That makes it worth all the pain we endured."

"So yes, Pothy will be happy to accept the sunflower seeds. And I'm sure Lana won't mind the chocolate. Hells, Simony, that's expensive even here in Alexandria, with the Am'shere portal so close. You know, every few years someone tries to figure out how to grow the xolocouatl trees here. Never works. The tribes of Am'shere who've figured out how to farm them, you just know they're doing well."

He snorts. "Magic rings can resize themselves, you know. And even then, a dragon who wants something, well... they've got a pretty good chance of getting it."

The Goblin smiles toothily. "I was lucky. The saying 'the early bird gets the worm' is appropriate here. I was their first customer. And they were happy to take my coin. I uhm almost made myself sick, but I tried a little bit of everything. I think I scared them a little." She snorts at the memory.

"There's quite a bit of good that comes out of Am'shere. I would not mind visiting, when I am not doing a mission there." Simony's grin broadens further. "Have you seen the size of the fruits they bring in from the other side of the portal? Amaaaazing." Her head cants to one side. "I did not know that was a property such rings possessed. I am not surprised, though, magic is pretty versatile. And I suppose a dragon would be able to get exactly what they want." She lets out another snort.

He laughs softly. "See, I told you that you need to actually -taste- what you're trying, instead of just swallowing it whole." Another pull from his teacup, before Telamon remarks, "Still, I think chocolate tea is actually easier to get than chocolate. Most don't realize the bean shells can be used that way."

"Indeed, Am'shere is a wild, untamed place, but not without beauty or things to behold. At some point, I should take you to the new settlement there, Talkuatika Tepetl. It is being constructed as something of a holy site to propitiate the behemoth slumbering there. Very much a frontier town, but it has its charms -- and of course, a creature the size of a mountain is always worth looking at."

Simony laughs and shakes her head. "It does go over my tongue, Tel, so I can taste it just fine." She takes a dainty sip of her tea. "When you have seventeen siblings, you learn to eat your food quickly, before they finish and decide to covet yours." Her cheeks are rosy once more, and she nods. "Once more I am thankful for your gift, it is a delicious tea and I am trying my best to savour it slowly."

Her head cants lightly to one side. "Is that the town where you arranged for the werefolk to go to? Is that one of the towns you've founded? Talkuatika Tepetl. It is interesting on the tongue, I will say. I've never seen a slumbering behemoth before."

"Seventeen? Good gods. I think we had that many in the house when all my cousins were gathered, but that was when the whole Atlon family was there and then some." Telamon pauses, counting on his fingertips. "In fact, I think a few of those were just friends of the family, not family-by-blood or adoption. Not that it mattered to us."

"Well, you are very welcome, Simony. You've been a good friend to Lana and I, and don't forget it because I won't. You know if you need help I'll always be there to give you a hand." Telamon reaches over to pat Simony's shoulder with a smile.

"No, Talkuatika Tepetl is a new settlement in Am'shere. The Charnethi filth had located this behemoth, and were trying to rouse it, control it." Telamon's eyes twinkle with grim humor. "Fortunately, I found them, and used magic to break their control over the creature. Unfortunately, this also woke it up, and it started chasing us. We finally managed to pummel it so that it agreed to go back to sleep -- and as part of its conditions, it demanded that the makari and other tribes build a town next to it." He heaves a sigh. "Such creatures... are difficult, if not impossible to slay with mortal magic. Even the magic of archmages. They are divine wrath made manifest."

GAME: Simony rolls strength++8: (16)+1++8: 25

She snatches at his hand, holding it close, "You've been far more the greater friend, Telamon. I shall not forget that, til my dying day. I will endeavour to give you the same helping hand. Oh, that reminds me... hold still." The Gobbo disappears behind the Half-Sil, and after a moment, the chair begins to move upwards. "For all the times you've given me a lift...", she says with a chuckle."

He doesn't go far upwards, and she lets him down shortly afterwards. "Hah!"

Settling herself down once more, Simony nods. "I have read a few entries on such creatures. A bit of a uhm... hmmm... a bit of a loophole when it comes to the God's not directly interfering with the mortal world, aren't they?"

Telamon's reaction is all one could hope for. He makes a startled sound, though he's canny and agile enough to not spill his tea as Simony lifts the chair, and himself, off the floor. "I keep forgetting you can do that," he jokes, as she puts him back down.

"Well, to an extent. The gods do intervene from time to time -- I mean, the granting of divine spells to their priests is interferences in itself. But sometimes you need more than just a cleric. Sometimes, something is so bad it calls for what might be called 'an excessive response'." He finishes his cup of tea. "That's where behemoths and other such titans come in. They are not unleashed lightly, nor are they simply let loose. Normally such creatures have targets. The Charnethi had planned to unleash it on a holy mountain held by the makari tribes." Tel makes a face. "I suspect simply breaking the control on it was not the -best- solution, but it was the best thing I could come up with on short notice."

Looking very pleased with herself, she chuckles. "I often feel that clerical magic gets the short end of the magical stick, but lately my opinion has softened. It is often not as flashy, which I feel is a slight defect, but it makes up for it in other ways."

"Well, it's one thing to grant your followers some of your divine power, but another thing entirely to say to your followers, "Go and put an end to so-and-so", right? It may be splitting hairs, I admit. As for the behemoth, that must have been some chase. I don't think you should worry so much, since you were able to bargain with it. Glad that one was not so singled-minded as to ignore simpler, non-violent solutions."

Telamon shakes his head. "Don't sell divine magic short. And flash is nice, but it can be overrated. Sometimes you want subtlety. Sometimes you need to heal, to strengthen, instead of simply blast away." He grins. "Remember, Verna is a priestess of Vardama, after all. I've seen both sides, close up."

He heaves a sigh. "I agree. We did have to fight it, for a time, until Zeke was able to reach some kind of rapport with it. I would've preferred to not fight it at all -- both for practical reasons and because whether I liked it or not, it was not merely some rampaging beast but a divine servant. It's never good to fight things like that."

Simony nods. "It's just my frustration. My growing powers and responsibilities seems glacial compared to others. It has stretched even my patience." She reaches for another wrap, pausing. "Are... you going to have any? I shouldn't be eating all of these, despite their deliciousness."

Nodding, "A divine servant whose purpose had been, or was being, perverted. And it, awakening from its slumber, was probably unsure of what was happening and decided to do what it did best. I would have been scared to death, but impressed by it's size and power."

Telamon blinks, then laughs. "Goodness. Here I am chattering away and forgot completely." He reaches in to take a wrap for himself, starting to eat. "Mmm. Chicken and vegetables. A good mix of both." After a few bites he grins. "Well, we were ALL impressed. There's something about a creature so big it can devour a thunder-lizard like a candied treat... it just defies imagination. I really should take you to see it."

"Which reminds me! A letter arrived from mother the other day. She said if you were interested in painting a family portrait, she had cleared it with father and uncle Telgari. So when you have some free time... and the world's not spinning out of control -again-..." Telamon rolls his eyes. "Maybe we can slip up to Ylvaliel to get some sketches done."

She pauses in devouring hers and nods. "I have missed out on meals and sleep, deciphering this obelisk. It may be a dull thing to research, but I have found it interesting, and frankly, compared to uh the usual dangers of research and odd jobs from the Guild, this has been comfortable and peaceful. Adventuring in one's own home is quite enjoyable."

Telamon's next pronouncement prevents her from finishing her wrap in hand. "OH? That is excellent news! Barring any last minute duties or surprises, I am at your convenience. I'd be most happy to paint a portrait, and also provide the preliminary sketches too. Ahh, it's been a while since I've been to a new city. Will we have enough time to explore? I'd like to find some souvenirs and keepsakes for friends, and for something here. I can't wait!"

"Research projects can be tiresome, but I daresay they're less dangerous than slugging it out with any manner of undead, fiends, or terrors from beyond." Telamon refills his teacup, before smiling. "I know as much as I enjoy feats of derring-do, there's something to be said for curling up on the couch with a good book instead."

At Simony's acceptance, Telamon grins. "Splendid. I'll let you know when we'll set out. The good news is that getting there and back should be easy -- we can teleport, or I can use phantom steeds for fast travel. I know sometimes you're not fond of translocating, so I figured I'd make the option available." He chuckles. "Once we're there, I'm sure there'll be time to look around. I'm not the sort to demand you work -all- the time you're there. Ylvaliel's an interesting place -- in some ways it's like Alexandria, in that it's a border and trading city. Smaller though."

"Well, I do love books and reading, they replaced my toys as I grew up. I saw the world through them, through other people's eyes and words. I daresay I could spend my entire life never setting foot out the door, so absorbed in books." Simony snorts and laughs, "But my suntan would definitely suffer."

Reminded that the tea exists, she finishes her cup and refills hers after Telamon.

"Oh, given the cold, I think I am willing to suffer through teleportation. I just wish there were a way to avoid the feeling of my stomach threatening to turn itself inside out, and crawling out my throat. Teleport is a very convenient and powerful spell, and I wish I could take advantage of it more. Hah, I wonder how many out there have the same problem, but will never know, because teleport isn't available to them?"

She gestures with her hand. "Bah, work? Painting is enjoyable, Tel, though sometimes working with the subjects of the painting is difficult. Small worry, though. I suspect most of your family is refined, as you are. Perhaps a rebellious spirit, but also considerate, and polite. It will be joyful." The Goblin nods enthusiastically. "Oh yes, those are the most interesting places. All the different people, and many, many neat things to see, taste and enjoy. Is it mostly an Elven city, or has it become more cosmopolitan, with noticeable amounts of others, like Khazad and Goblins and such?"

"I've found soothe syrup works for calming the stomach during teleporting. I always carry some just in case I'm bringing passengers." Telamon smiles at Simony. "So no worries. I'll put a bottle in your hand before we go, and that way you won't lose your dignity when we arrive."

He shrugs at the question. "Impossible to say. A lot of people simply don't trust teleportation -- even airships and magical flight seem safer. And there is -some- merit to the argument -- after all, wards can block teleportation, and if you don't know where you're going, you can find yourself winding up someplace else. But then, most people aren't zooming all over Ea, either."

Tel focuses on the last, most important question. "I think it's gotten more cosmopolitan over the years, or at least more accepting. It's still primarily an elven city, but... there are many half-sil there as well as humans. So long as one doesn't cause trouble, it's a welcoming place."

The Goblin laughs. "You mean, so I don't yarf onto your mother's carpet?"

Another wrap is had, but this time, she is slow to eat it, actually chewing for once. "But I will try the syrup, do you take it before the trip or after?"

"I have to say, flying magic is scary. You need to have a lot of trust, it's not something most people do, right? The Egalrin, even the Makari, have experience with natural flying, so they've long ago abandoned fear of it. I don't know if I will ever get used to it, even though it is power invested into me by my deity."

Another bite is had before she continues. "And I have no intention to be a troublemaker. I don't wish to embarrass you. Or have people think ill of me. I do wish to be invited back, after all."

Telamon shakes his head. "Simony, you are many things but I never believed you to be a troublemaker. Have no fear of that. You'll have to face my father, of course, and he can be slightly intimidating... but then again, you handled yourself well with my mother and Grandfather Alud'rigan, so you should be fine on that score."

He hmms. "Well, I've usually dosed people -afterward-, but it might be a good idea to take it beforehand since we know you're prone to being ill from it. We'll see how it goes. Just in case, we won't jump directly to my home, but just to the city outskirts -- just in case you have any problems." He looks at Simony. "If nothing else, it'll give me time to give you any last minute pointers."

He raises his cup in a toast. "Here's to a successful trip!"