Staff Holiday

Log Info

• Title: Staff Holiday
• Emitter: Robert
• Characters: Nemori, Robert
• Place: A04: Theatre District, Robert's home
• Time: Saturday, April 23, 2022, 8:00 PM
• Summary: Nemor'i is ready to leave the Soldier's Defense and Robert escorts her back to his home. The mul'niessa gets a brief tour of the artificer's retirement home and a priceless item is returned to her.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  At a glance around A04: Theatre District  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Nemori       4'10"    110 Lb     Mul'niessa        Female    A tall and slender, dark skinned elf.                                      
Robert       6'3"     235 Lb     Human             Male      A middle-aged Cerenzan with a friendly, fatherly vibe.                    
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The Soldier's Defense to the Theatre District, mid-morning

It's a lovely spring morning and the whole world smells fresh, green, and new leaving the Soldier's Defense. The warm sun is set into a bright blue sky and thin clouds stretch across the heavens like smeared cotton. Bob waits to arrive until shortly after the morning meal and comes bearing one more gift: a wide- and floppy-brimmed hat that seems to go with the second-hand dress he'd brought the day before.

The big Cerenzan is dressed simply in his faded cotton tunic and brown breeches and he also sports a hat-- though his is a simple straw affair. He makes sure Nemor'i is up for a little bit of a walk and then takes her through the trades district to the west and into the theatre row south of that. The red-skinned man points out a few landmarks along the way-- favorite shops and eateries-- and waves or says 'hello' to a half-dozen familiar folk as he goes.

The streets of the theatre district take you pass the grand performance halls and raised pavillions to the scattered blocks of modest family homes and smaller apartments. Bob seems to be aiming towards a fairly narrow building with a jettied second floor built maybe a hand's width from its neighbor on either side. The timber frame is unpainted and the walls are whitewashed with a plain door on the first floor and a large window on the second facing the street.

The building is simple and only made to look moreso by his neighbor to the right; his oft talked-about Tsura neighbors. The larger building has two windows on the lower floor thrown open to allow the drapes to dance in the wind. Troughs filled with flowers run along the facade beneath paintings of complex geometric knots. The door is held open wide with a brick and the sounds of laughter spill out into the street.

Nemori can only stay at the hospital for so long, and truth to tell it was beginning to wear on her. So she finds herself following the big human... it's the smart thing to do. Offered shelter, implied protection. She has no connections, no friends save this pair, and perhaps trio, who have stuck their necks out for her. The clothes he presented with her don't fit all that well; made for a typically more robust people than herself, it will take some time with a needle and thread to change them to fit. If they don't turn out to be loaners. So many questions. But the length was right, at least. And if they're maybe a bit rougher than what she's used to, the recent days and weeks have been much, much rougher.

The hat didn't quite earn a smile; she seems out of those for the time being. But once she'd pulled as much of her hair over as she cold to disguise the bandaging on the right side, she settled the hat into place.. then nodded in satisfaction. She has not had occasion to look at herself yet. Perhaps she's been avoiding it and doing her best not to dwell on it. She knows, though, as the small pouch of poultice she was given to reapply to her wound for the next few days tucked under her arm can attest.

And then, at least, Nemori is brought to Robert's house. She had no real idea of what to think, of course. City architecture being much different than what she's been used to. All she can ask is, "How large of a family did you raise in this?" Huh? (Type “help” for help.)

"I raised my family in Dragonier for a time," Robert tells Nemori as they approach his home. "Sendor after that; the Myrrish Kingdoms. That's where I met IC-- Integrity." He reaches between his belt and his waist, fishing out a key from a hidden fold. The key he uses to point at the small and simple home they walk towards now.

"This is new. My oldest boy and his family live in the city so I came here to be close to them," he continues to explain as the key slides into the lock. It slides in easily and turns with a wonderfully-smooth action, the lock well cared for with a locksmith living on-site. "I'm from this city originally. I think that's why Codrin decided to come here and raise his family; take back what he'd heard his grandmother lamenting lost to the Witch Queen." He gives a little shrug and pushes the door open.

"This place is small but it suits my needs... and I liked the neighbors," he finishes as he steps inside. He flips open a box on the stand by the door and an animated stone floats out to shed light on the room's interior.

The first floor is a single, long room with sitting space, a kitchen, dining area, cupboards at the far end, and a narrow stairwell leading up to the higher floor. Intended for one or two, it could seat three comfortably but four would quickly become very familiar. It's made to feel closer filled with a lifetime of furniture, trinkets, and memories.

If Robert was expecting commentary, he's likely to be disappointed. Whatever her reasons for her outbursts the previous day, she's been more withdrawn since. Or perhaps not withdrawn so much as playing her cards a little closer to her chest. Words had been said, perhaps regretted.

Not to mention it is very likely so much different than what she's used to. Outsiders can typically only imagine what one of the Mul'niessan underground cities might look like. Homes made out of rock cleared from cavern walls? Towering structures built from crystal in great, underground clearings? Houses built out of giant mushrooms? Certainly not... this. Her arms do creep up to hug around herself a little bit, giving a slight indication to a cramped feeling, but when she bobs her head, and sets the floopy had to flooping a little bit, she only says, "I won't be in the way?"

"It's not a palace, lady, but I take tea with the neighbors enough to know there's room enough for two," Bob answers as he ushers Nemor'i in and closes the door behind her. "The bedroom is upstairs and it's yours; the sheets are clean." He holds out the key that he just used to get inside for the sil woman. "I've installed a latch on the inside of the door so you have som privacy. There's a washroom upstairs as well with water off a pump. I can show you how to use the pump if needs be. There's also a latch on the inside of that door, too."

The Cerenzan maneuvers around the furniture closest the door-- a low table, a tall-backed and well-stuffed reading chair, and a bookhself-- into the dining and kitchen area. A pot-bellied stove is close to a stonework patch of wall with a wide pipe leading up to the second floor. "Water in the pitcher on the table. Spirits, bread, cheeses, and some dried meats in the pantry." He waves a hand around. The 'pantry' is the cupboard at the back. There's also a narrower door out into the alley on the far wall. "Help yourself."

Nemori turns her head to the side just a little bit, partially obscuring the bandaged side of her head. "Yesterday you said you would have a cot for me in the sitting room, unless I am mistaken. If you are giving me the bedroom.." Her eyes narrow just a little bit. "Well, you did mention you like to take... tea... with your neighbour." This doesn't stop her from taking the offered key, of course.

Bob smiles his kind smile and shakes his head, "I said I found a cot; I'll be sleeping on it." His stubbled chin cants at a rolled up bit of canvas with a few pieces of lumber all leaning into a corner. "My neighbors and I are just friends... you need not worry about anything scandalous."

He takes a few steps and idles at the table long enough to pick up the pitcher and pour water into a waiting glass, then extends it to Nemori. After she takes it he steps to the stove and opens a panel on the flue. It takes some maneuver but he works out a long sack dotted with patches of soot. He pats it clean as best he can and then smears his dirtied palms on his pants.

"If you'd like to take it upstairs... I won't be offended," he holds out what's obviously the staff in a long adhoc sock.

Nemori's hand, the one not holding the glass she accepted, twitches towards the bundle. More than twitches; she has reached halfway across the distance for it, her hand moving like a viper before she pulls it back. Restraint. Though her eyes seem fixed upon it. Instead, she raises the glass to her lips, taking a long sip. Trying not to reveal how important it is to her, though the chances of /that/ are long gone. Finally, "I do not know the right words to thank you for that," she admits. "You cannot possibly know what it means."

"Just... give me the chance to try and help if you end up in a bind again," Bob suggests with another soft smile. "No more running off alone." He reaches out to take the glass so Nemor'i can have both hands at the ready, setting it down again on the table.

The big man turns and gives her some space-- as much as he can given the room's design, at least. "Kezia said she'd have other things for you to wear but wanted a look at you," his smile turns a tad apologetic when he glances over his shoulder. He's shuffling towards the back door. "We'll have lunch with her family if you're up for it. If not I'll have lunch with them and bring her back here after," he's leaning into the wall, drawing a click and pulling open a door that reveals closet space where his adventuring equipment is stored; storage space beneath the stairs. "I'll warn you now: she has a grandchild, niece, or nephew that would be perfect for you..."

The big man is shifting things around, reorganizing to get to and extract his book of blueprints.

Nemori listens. Surely she does. But once the package is in her hands, she is clutching it to her chest. She doesn't unwrap it. Instead she just clings to it, pushing her cheeck up against it.. all in all possibly displaying a rather unhealthy attachement to it. When he finally opens her eyes and looks back at Robert, she just nods her head, eyes glistening. "Whatever you would like," she says, though in truth she probably has no idea what she is agreeing to.

The Cerenzan is close by again, looming tall with the heavy book tucked under one arm. He just stands there for a moment before he surrenders to impulse and rests a comforting hand against Nemori's upper-arm. "I spent most of my life looking after and being looked after by my family. Even a place this small can feel empty when you're all alone." There's a gentle-but-firm squeeze of reassurance.

"You're doing me a favor, lady Nemor'i," he promises, stepping past and settling into his chair with the book in his lap. "Take some time to get settled in. If you need anything I'll be right here." He taps the cover of the book with two strong fingers.

"Oh," he remembers something. "There's a little family shrine in the bedroom. It has to sit under the window facing the newday sun. Tradition," he smiles. "Pay them no mind or say hello as you please."

Nemori flinches, which is hardly a surprise. She doesn't go for her knife... which would have done her little good, as she doesn't have it anymore anyways. But she is tense enough one might wonder why her bones aren't popping from the strain. The moment passes, and she pulls her arm away from the reassuring gesture, looking away from the large man and towards the stairs. "That is well, then. Thank you, Robert. I will settle in.. and be sure not to disturb your family. Do you have a washing chamber?"

"Off the landing," Bob responds with a nod, shifting a loose paper out to compare the diagrams with those painstakingly duplicated in his book. "Can't miss it. It's the door that isn't the bedroom."

There's a quick glance up and he reinforces his smile. "If the pump is less than intuitive just give a shout." Then he's looking down at the book and saying "Bob" to remind her.

Nemori's expression twists a little bit again. Like the very act of using that shortened version of Robert's name is... something. "Thank you... Bob. Shadow..." Another grimace, though for a different reason this time. "I will need some time alone. I will need to wash. And... I just need some time. And then I believe you mentioned an afternoon meal with your... friend? I will be presentable." That said, she makes her way to the narrow staircase and begins the climb.

End