Full of Joy

Outside it might be gloomy, but inside the TarRaCe there's a grand celebration going on. Well grand might have been a strong word for it, but it certainly was a celebration. Auranar was standing on the stage singing, her cheeks rosy enough that the color shows even through the dark color of her skin. Her voice isn't the best that's ever been heard, but she sings the song enthusiastically. Which is something.

The tables are filled with food. Little snack-sized tasty treats of every variation that Auranar could cook in her kitchen. Her dress, which is a plum-red today has its sleeves rolled up, and there's a bit of flour on one. Her song finishes and she hands the floor over to an old gnome with a deep voice singing a sad song about being unable to fix what's broken.

The wild elf woman flushes harder at the smattering of applause that she gets and immediately rushes over toward Verna. It's hard to tell what's being celebrated, but the drinks are flowing and the food is good, so no one's complaining yet.

Kard is not celebrating, he is drinking quietly while watching the goings on.

Even if the weather's bad outside, there's light and life and happiness to be found away from the wind and wet. A pair of half-elves step inside, cloaked and hooded against the rain. Reaching up, Telamon pushes his hood back, eyebrows rising fractionally at what appears to be a bit of a party going on.

"Was there an invitation we missed? Or are we... what's the term? Crashing?" He smiles at his companion, linked arm-in-arm with her. "Not that I'm complaining, I definitely don't mind going places with you." His dark eyes sparkle with good humor.

Verna watches and listens to Auranar's performance with rapt attention, and is dressed conspicuously for the occasion. Neither gray robes, nor muddied work tunic now, and no gloves; instead, a violet asymmetrical dress that leaves one shoulder bare. Similarly bare joins the applause early in its formation and is one of the last to cease, doing so only as Auranar nears.

Her countenance is lit with a smile that remains as she notes, "Your flushing only serves to make you more fetching." It is an empirical observation, of course.

"It's the TarRaCe, my love," Ravenstongue answers, slipping into Sylvan at the end for her affectionate words. She smiles up at Telamon, her violet eyes twinkling with amusement. "There's always something going on."

The white raven on her shoulder, however, isn't cloaked and hooded. He has natural waterproofing on his feathers... But that doesn't mean he looks happy about it. "Snacks!" he demands--

Right before he decides /now/ is the best time to shake off all of the water. Ravenstongue pouts as it, of course, lands onto her right as she pulls her hood down. "Thanks, Pothy."

Kard is not at all sociable today, but he is watching the celebration with interest.

Auranar doesn't _quite_ glow as she slides beside Verna, but its the very next thing. She smiles at Verna's words and ducks her head enough for her curls to bounce a little. "You're just saying that! Oh look Verna! More people are coming in!" She waves, recognizing Ravenstongue and she's not certain she's met the man at her side. "Hello Cor'lana! Apotheosis!"

It is in fact something of a snack wonderland in here. Vegetables stuffed with other veggies. Little sausages in wraps of bread. Fruit of various sorts either baked or fresh and dripping with sauce.

Telamon gestures out a prestidigitation cantrip to brush away the worst of the water from Cor'lana's hair, smiling ruefully. "I think he did that on purpose. Really, Pothy..." He helps Raven out of her cloak, before removing his own and hanging them up.

Once the two have divested themselves of their wet cloaks, he glances over at Auranar's call. He doesn't recognize the dusky elf, but he offers a friendly smile, before nudging Raven. "Friend of yours?" he inquires cheerfully. He seems perfectly happy if Raven wants to head over to greet her.

"I state it because it is truth," Verna assures Auranar, though whether her smile aids or diminishes the factual nature of her claim is open to interpretation. Her attention turns as others arriving are directly indicated and a had lifts to the familiar. Rather, those familiar, to include the familiar. "Good day, and welcome. There is ample food," she offers, with caveat, "... for the moment."

Turns out Kard is watching the snacks with interest. He leaves his armor standing on its own where he was seated and wanders over to get a fresh drink. On the way back he 'not-so-subtly' lingers by the food trays, looking at the plethora of options available.

Kard's not the only one interested in the food trays. The avian terror of foodstuffs lifts off from his half-elf platform and flies over to a tray of vegetable-stuffed-vegetables. One might imagine that the careful arrangement skills involved in their creation are what has piqued Pothy's attention--but if that's the case, he's not saying.

Instead, he's consuming. Down they go...

"He did probably do it on purpose," Ravenstongue says with a sigh as she's dried off with the help of her beau's magical skills. "He's a little brat like that."

But then Auranar greets them and she's smiling again. "Hi Auranar! Hello, Verna! Umm, right, you haven't really met Auranar yet, have you," Ravenstongue comments as she looks at Telamon briefly.

Ravenstongue wraps an arm around Telamon's, slinking in through the crook of his elbow. "Auranar, this is my fiance, Telamon Atlon." She gives a very wide smile beaming with joy.

Auranar smiles at first Verna, shaking her head slightly at the other woman's complements and then Kard as he approaches the food she's made. "You're welcome to anything you want as long as it lasts." She offers to the unfamiliar man, and then chuckles at Pothy as he starts downing the vegetables.

She's grateful to Ravenstongue for the introduction to Telamon and she offers a gentle curtsey to the man. "Hello! Happy to meet you. Welcome to the party!" Auranar seems thrilled to have more people joining in on the celebration. As the gnome on the stage steps down Auranar beams at Verna. "You should try a song Verna! It's fun even if it is embarrassing!"

If wandering birds are allowed to eat from the tray, then Kard doesn't think anyone will protest if he takes a little. He reaches out and plucks something new and different, just to try something different. Then he looks around to see if anyone is watching him.

Telamon laces his fingers with Raven's when she slides her arm around his, but he bows politely to Auranar in turn. "Thank you. I didn't realize the party had started without us -- I'm not one for being 'fashionably late'." His dark eyes dance merrily. "Is there an occasion, or are we merely invoking 'while we live, let us -live-'?"

His eyes follow Pothy as the gluttonous raven practically attacks one of the trays. "Gods, where does he put it? I've met oruch striplings who ate less." Deftly, he picks up a glass of wine, passing it to Raven before claiming one for himself.

"Congratulations," Verna offers to Ravenstongue and Telamon. The introduction may not be new to hear, though some of the clarifications may. Her gaze shifts briefly to the raven-ous Pothy before she adds, "Which may not be long, thus I suggest claiming food sooner rather than later." And so she also makes note of Kard indulging in the offerings and gives him a nod of acknowledgement and greeting.

Her attention turns back in time for Telamon's inquiring. "This is a celebration of occasion, yes. Specifically, the construction of our new home." Her near hand lifts to Auranar's shoulder to help clarify the plural possessive pronoun. Also, it is a convenient excuse to do so.

Ravenstongue takes the wine glass, still smiling brightly. "Oh! A new home party! Tel, we've committed the greatest faux pas and not brought a gift with us. Perhaps Pothy can stand to part with one of his feathers?"

Pothy stops in the middle of his eating to stare daggers through Ravenstongue. He whistles at her from across the room, and she gives him a whistle back before rolling her eyes.

"He is /really/ bratty today," Ravenstongue says as she looks back to Verna and Auranar. "Still, congratulations on the home! Where is it? Tel and I bought a house in the University District--wouldn't it be something if we were neighbors?"

Kard returns to his seat with his drink and settles in again.

Auranar politely keeps an eye on Kard, to see if he likes what she's made, but is quickly distracted by Verna and the ability to slip a little closer to her. She does so, and then with sparkling eyes and much enthusiasm explains a bit about their house. "It's on the edge of the temple district. Verna _made_ it! Literally formed the stone from the cliff so that we could make our own place. I... did most of the decorating and design." She smiles warmly. "It was so exciting to learn a new skill and to make a place that's exactly what we wanted."

Telamon's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Shaped from the stone itself? I've read about that sort of magic, but... then, I'm aware you are not exactly a newcomer to magic, ma'am." He smiles at Verna, genuinely impressed. "At some point I would like to see it, if only for technical study. Perhaps one day I might try my hand at such an endeavor."

He sips his wine contentedly, and grins at Raven. "Indeed, we'll have to bring a housewarming present at some point. Make up for our error here." His eyes move to Auranar. "Anything you've got your eye on?"

Kard finishes his drink and heads for the door. His social graces match his gracelessness as he exits.

The hand on Aura's shoulder slides down her arm to take her hand as Verna adds and clarifies, "-We- made it. She crafted all of the details and aesthetics. I merely provided a foundation and raw materials. As well as a kitchen." The last is appended with some emphasis, more granted by her other hand gesturing to the tables of food. "Aura is a most wondrous chef."

Telamon's inquiry draws Verna's glance and curiosity to Auranar, as well. If there is something further she might wish for the home, she is certainly interested. As well, it reminds her that, "On that note, I have a gift for you, dearest."

"Shaped it from stone. Gods, that must have taken a long time," Ravenstongue says, her eyes wide with awe. "But that must feel so fulfilling to say you've designed and made something from scratch. I'm afraid all I can say that for are my poems."

Pothy sees that Kard departs from the building. His blue eyes glint with something... impish. Maybe even evil. All a matter of perspective, perhaps.

He takes one vegetable-in-vegetable snack. Then two. Then three. Then /four/. They all stack neatly in his beak, although they look precarious and could fall at any moment if his vice grip on them gives way at any point.

Pothy flies back to Ravenstongue's shoulder, displays his snack trick (in lieu of a hat trick), and then he opens his beak... and the food slides down his gullet.

"Burp," he says. He doesn't /actually/ burp. He just says the word.

Auranar has the grace to look embarrassed by Verna's correction, but lets it stand. Then Verna complements her cooking skills and she ducks her head, leaning into the woman. "I've still a lot to learn about cooking too. It's nice to finally have a place to practice though! I think that cooking and magic are quite a lot alike in that way." She beams and has a surprisingly quick reply for Telamon's question. "I think a plant is a traditional gift isn't it? Anything that grows food would be much appreciated. We're trying to start a garden."

She turns to look at Verna and blinks suddenly speechless. Even Pothy's neat trick doesn't distract her from Verna's words. "A gift? What for?"

Telamon nods. "I think I can come up with something suitable. I'll be honest, I've been thinking about... a little garden in our backyard as well. Flowers mostly, but other things as well." He looks rueful. "I don't want to blow up another alchemy lab."

When Auranar stares at Verna in confusion, Tel suddenly laughs softly. "Pretty sure the same reason I get 'Lana things, and she gets me things. Because we love each other and try to show it." He looks at Raven with an arch little grin. "Perhaps you could offer a soup recipe?"

When Auranar mentions a garden, Ravenstongue practically lights up in the dawn of ideation. "Ah! I could get some of my Grandfather's seeds from his garden. Not all of them can grow on this plane, but some can. Perhaps some lavender? Grandfather loves to make lemon-lavender shortbread cookies. They're one of my favorites."

Then comes the mention of soup. Ravenstongue blushes a little as she snickers. "I /could/, but I don't think it'd have the same impact for them. I also have to ask Grandfather permission before I share the recipe--he mentioned something about that book being full of secrets he's collected, but I'm /pretty/ certain it's just recipes."

"Snacks," Pothy says quietly. He seems a little put out that nobody's noticed his amazing multi-snack trick.

Verna's brows lift at Auranar's surprised inquiry. "For all the reasons that Telamon mentioned, and more." Her smile becomes both more energized and eager, yet also a tinge.. hesitant as she partly kneels to pluck a tiny pouch from the top of her boot. "It is not a plant," she assures. "I entrust the gardening to your expertise." Verna possesses two thumbs, yet both are gray rather than green.

Verna retrieves an appropriately small item from the pouch and holds it up to Auranar in offering as she rises. "This I did craft, and for you, dearest. I hope you will accept it with my affection."

It is, indeed, not a plant. Rather, it is a polished metal band bearing filigree; a ring, and one that appears identical to one upon Verna's hand.

Telamon's eyes widen ever so slightly, and on reflex he slips his arm around Raven to hug her close. "I'd say that's as good a gift as any," he murmurs with a gentle smile. Leaning into Raven, he looks to Auranar to see her reaction. He's definitely pleased to bear witness to this, judging from the light in his eyes.

For a moment, Auranar is sufficiently distracted by the thought of baking for Ravenstongue, but Verna kneels and pulls a small pouch from her boot and then... Auranar's dark eyes go wide. Her breath stops in her chest and... There aren't words for the emotions that course through her. Speech is utterly beyond her for so long that she ultimately makes a horribly embarrassing choked noise in the back of her throat before she throws herself at Verna. "It's beautiful." She manages finally, arms wrapped around Verna's frame, her head ducked into Verna's shoulder. The words are a mere whispers.

Ravenstongue is also grinning ear to ear to witness this sight, clapping her hands together for a little round of applause. "It's just as lovely watching it happen from the outside perspective," she whispers to Telamon, nudging him as well.

"Congratulations!" Pothy crows (ravens?), mimicking his mistress. He's making it abundantly known to the rest of the TarRaCe what's just happened.

"Maybe I /will/ ask to share that soup recipe," Ravenstongue says.

There is a brief flash of surprise on Verna's features, as if she were not expecting the sudden embrace. Not that she appears averse to it in the slightest. At all. Ever. She formally completes it, enwrapping Auranar in return. "Not so much as yourself," she offers softly. Another empirical observation. Mostly. Verna may well be slightly biased. "I am delighted that you like it."

A long moment or four pass this way before Verna's senses remind her of their location and the presence of guests: primarily due to Pothy. She turns her head enough to state to the others, "Apologies. Yes, you may indulge in all the snacks that you wish." The last is for Pothy.

Telamon is holding hands with Raven, but his free hand still has the wineglass. "I will be -slightly- more restrained, ladies, and simply say: to your health, and to a long life together, with all the joys it entails." He then smoothly downs the wine in one draw, looks around... then wisely sets the glass down. "...Yeah, fairly certain we're not supposed to smash the glasses here," he comments with a wry grin.

Ravenstongue snickers as she watches her fiance down the wine in one go and does the same. "Please don't, or I think Irshya will have our heads," she says. "Plus, wouldn't want anyone to end up with 'glass shoes' they weren't expecting. /That/ would be a poor housewarming gift."

Pothy doesn't need another invitation. He cruises back to the snacks and begins to merrily feast from them again, gorging himself on bite-sized sustenance. Auranar blinks several times, then reluctantly releasing Verna slowly. "Thank you." She says to Ravenstongue, Pothy, and Telamon, offering them a small nod so as to hide her features for a moment. She's embarrassed by her emotiveness, but her eyes can't seem to stray from Verna for very long. "Who could have guessed that we'd be here?"

She grins a bit wickedly, remembering their first few meetings and how far from a relationship they'd been back then. "But I'm so grateful that we are." She touches Verna's face with gentle fingers and then lets her hand fall to Verna's hand and the ring therin. "I can't wait to share our home with you."

She motions for the waiter to bring another round of drinks. "Come on. I want to dance with you." She gives the woman's hand a gentle tug. Someone's on stage singing. An elf with a harp who's song is warm and embracing. Perfect for the moment.

Yes, who would have thought, given the ...conflicted nature of their first meeting. Verna's thoughts only flicker there a moment, and not upon the negative enough to diminish her ever-widening smile in response to Aura's. "I would never have foreseen, then... and I am all the more grateful."

Then she blinks in surprise at the words immediately preceding the tug. "Dance?" She is a Mourner, not a Macarenaer, afterall. On the other hand, Auranar wants, and who is she to deny that? Although...

"The ring. I do not wish to drop or misplace it. Would you don it, first?" A practical concern, and not a delay.

Telamon cocks his head, listening to the tune being played on the harp. "I... know this one." He smiles gently. "They play it in the Mythwood. Father likes to dance with mother to it." He looks down at Raven, lifting their linked hands and kissing the back of her hand. "May I have this dance, dear? I promise, if I am clumsy, to take the fall instead of you." His lips quirk. "And besides, it looks like Pothy is quite distracted. This is a good opportunity."

"I think /I/ am more likely to be the clumsy one," Ravenstongue responds, grinning at Telamon as she looks into his eyes. "But there's no one else I'd rather dance with."

Meanwhile, at the snacks...

Pothy is dancing, too! He bobs up and down in time to the music, shaking his tail feathers up and down. He does take the opportunity with appropriate lulls in the rhythm to quickly stuff a snack into his mouth, but it's clear: bird is the word.

Auranar pauses with a little laugh. She hadn't _forgotten_ the ring but... Eagerness is sometimes blinding. She takes the ring gently from Verna's hand and places it on her own finger. It fits perfectly, as it should and Auranar slides her hand back into Verna's. She leans in and whispers something to the other woman. Not a secret, but something that is just for her. She pulls Verna onto the dance floor, smiling as bright as a summer day and finding her smile reflected.

Outside the day may be gloomy, but inside it's full of joy.

-End