A Thirty-Five Foot Pastry

The Fernwood, early evening

The common room is comfortably full, with the dinner hour starting to wane. The bar is packed full of people drinking, with several conversations happening in quiet voices.

About half the tables are occupied, some settled for dinner while others are drinking casually. The low hum of conversation fills the room.

At a table set rather far from the door, sits a small figure, their copper and blue robes marking them as an adherent of Navos. The Navosian sits with their hood completely covering their head, their face shrouded in shadow. Surrounded by the remains of a good meal, the little Temperance sits drawing. A forest landscape, with a woodsman chopping at a downed tree, a dog in the distance chasing a rabbit.

It's been an... interesting few days. But fruitful. That's the important thing. And so Telamon pushes the door open, his eyes a little weary but happy nonetheless. His garments are far more elegant now, a sky-blue tunic with white trim at the cuffs over dark wool breeches and his black, silver-buckled boots. Passing through the tables, pausing occasionally to greet someone he knows with a smile, the sorcerer catches sight of Simony and shifts his course... approaching the table she's sitting at.

"Mind if I join you?" Tel says with a grin. "It's been a busy couple days and I'm quite worn out. And I think it's just getting started."

The Goblin looks up at the sound of the door closing, her expression brightening. A foot under the table is already starting to push a chair out for him to sit, her hood tilting back and forth in the affirmative.

"Hello Tel!", she says cheerfully, starting to sort her dinner dishes together in order to take up less space at the table. "You are always welcome at a table of mine. Oh, it sounds like you need some rest and relaxation. Perhaps another trip to the baths?"

Simony giggles lightly, though her expression, deeply reddened, has a guilty tinge to it. Reddened hands reach up to pull her hood back, showing off a painful looking sunburn. "I apologize for tickling you."

Telamon winces at the sunburn. "I hope you got some ointment for that. If not, I can recommend a couple of apothecaries." He rubs his chin. It's clear he's been exposed to some summer sun as well, but on him it's only resulted in a light tan.

Taking a seat, he chuckles about the tickling. "No harm done. But just so you don't think I'm brushing you off... I have news." When the server comes by, the half-elf orders wine, and a platter of bread and cheese. Once that's done, he continues, "About the recent unpleasantness, particularly..." He points downward at the floor beneath their feet.

"Ous made me something, it seems to work nicely. It feels cool, it eases the pain, and even better, stops the itch. It's just my hands, arms and head, thankfully. Though, I would be interested in the apothecaries. It is useful information for future concerns." Her notebook is flipped a few pages forward to a blank spot.

Her ears perk up noticeably at Tel's offering of news, and while the server is near, the Goblin keeps her curiosity in check. Nodding, a grin spread across her expression. "I have been out in the woods. So I have been out of range of most news. But..." Simony holds up her hand. "What of you and Cor'lana? How are you both faring?"

"Consult with Ibranautha Mayalauriani -- she's an elf in the trades district, studied at both the University -and- the Althean temple to learn herbal and alchemical medicine. She's actually had three credited contributions to the Althean Almanac." Telamon's wine soon arrives, and he takes a sip before continuing, "There's also Sven Egalroth, he came back into town with his two partners, and he does some doctoring as well -- though he prefers studying occult and arcane phenomena." He chuckles. "Last time we talked he was trying to explain to someone why the ley line distortions were a problem. Something about a pastry thirty-five feet long weighing 600 pounds."

Telamon grins. "Lana and I are currently based out of Verna and Auranar's home, out on the east side not far from the temple of Vardama. They're our sisters-by-bond, so it's not a huge imposition. Biggest issue has been Hunter, their kitten, occasionally trying to chase Pothy."

The Goblin dutifully writes down the names, though they are spelled out as pronounced by Telamon. The name of the book is also jotted down. She snorts, however, and eyes the Half-Sil curiously. "A thirty-five foot pastry weighting six hundred pounds? Has it been consumed already, and does he make more?"

Simony's expression falls a little, looking disappointed. "You've been chased ou... Oh, you are having renovations done, I recall now." She laughs then, "Aww, that must look funny, a kitten trying to stalk Pothy. I am sure he is capable of handling a wee kitten."

Telamon nods with a smile. "The house is being rebuilt, yes. Some additions made, since we've got the workers there. And it's not like Lana and I can't get privacy with the magnificent mansion spell, when we need it." He rubs his chin. "Pothy just tends to fly away from Hunter, or perch on a shoulder well away from grabby paws. Fortunately, when Hunter gets tired of playing, he just..." He pantomimes someone falling over. "Out cold."

"Ah... the pastry was metaphor, Simony, I don't think there was an actual pastry involved. Anyways, to business." Telamon leans over a little. "The circle will be shut down in ten days. Sir Seldan, Lana, and I traveled to... well, I'm not -quite- at liberty to discuss where. We met with its creator and asked her -- nicely -- to dismantle its conjuration aspects. Soon it'll just be a sewer system again."

"I hope the new additions and updates make it a more comfortable and safe home. You two deserve it." Her eyes widen a little, "Awwww. That must be adorable. I'll bet Pothy has fun teasing the sleepy kitty then."

The Gobbo looks puzzled for a moment, "But what could a pastry be a meta..." She blinks. "Nevermind."

She leans in a bit as well, her ears perking forward. "I /think/ Seldan mentioned the circle's creator's uhm nature. Just briefly. But that is good news, if it is going to be made unusable for our opponent's plans. I hope we can put an end to their machinations soon."

"They do have their moments. And for all the kitten's recklessness, it could be worse." Telamon makes a face. "Tanith, for example, is prone to some formidable glomps to show her affection for Pothy. And it drives him nuts." He grins at the memory.

At the mention of Seldan and the creator's nature, Tel nods. "I don't want to ... mmmm, disturb her privacy with some idiot tracking her down. She pretty much tolerated us only because Sir Seldan was there, and Lana and I were on our best behavior during the meeting." He heaves a sigh. "But yes. Having this shut down will be one less thing to worry about. Sometimes it feels like there's so many pots on the stove and it's hard to tell which one to take off first."

Her head tilts slightly. "Tanith? Another of the fey creatures roaming the grounds of your home?" Simony grins. "It must be quite interesting to live there full time. Exciting, even!"

Chuckling, the Goblin rubs delicately at her cheeks. "Admit it... you are actually sparing some idiot their lives, because someone who is capable of the manipulation of time, demons, and the construction of an entire system of sewers and water runoff... is certainly no slouch in taking care of themselves. With violence. Unrequited violence. As for your stove problem... it's easy. Get more hands."

Her smile is full of mischief.

Telamon's food arrives at that point, and he slices off a bit of cheese with the bread to eat. At Simony's inquiry, his eyes glint. "You might say that. But here's some free lore. If you should find yourself encountering Tanith -- she likes fish. Cooked or straight from the sea. I'll leave it at that, though -- I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise."

Simony's not the only one who can be mischievous, after all. Tel nods at her assessment. "Probably. I've done some lecturing at the University. Not on arcana, but on ethics. I suspect I even kicked off a bit of renewed interest in that book, 'The Circles of Longing'." He shrugs lightly, and grins. "Whatever works to keep people out of trouble."

"She likes fish. Is... that another metaphor?" More notes are taken down as Telamon speaks. "Surprise? You tease. I'm going to get stuck trying to feed some insatiable fey being's hunger for fish while trying to escape your new house, aren't I?" Simony snorts and giggles then.

"I should try to get invited to one of your parties some day. Assuming you have parties. It'd be fun to see what kind of stuff happens there. I would be a busy little sketcher, that's for certain."

She tilts her head again, "General ethics or a focus on a certain aspect of ethics?" Her head nods. "Or at least, keeping them in the proper sort of trouble."

"Nope. She really likes fish. I once had to bail her out of trouble when she ate a fisherman's entire catch, including a one hundred fifty pound swordfish." Telamon laughs softly at the memory. "She's as bad as Pothy. But no, it's definitely not metaphor."

"Yes. When this is over... or at least calms down a little bit... I think a party is in order. Wine tasting, good food, music, friends, debauchery -- well, maybe not the last, I am a respectable married man now. But you get the idea."

"Ethics and magic," Telamon states. "Think of it as trying to head off the next generation of 'ooh, I'm a powerful wizard, I'm going to do something stupid, unsafe, and possibly unnatural!'."

Simony's jaw hangs down. "That's huge! What is she that she can eat so much? Wait... how much does Pothy eat? I might have to up the number of peanuts I carry for him." More notes are jotted down, the pencil blurring.

"A party is probably what we all need. I'll be sure to bring curry chicken. And some strong alcohol. The perfect combination."

The Goblin's eyes narrow. "You think you are going to be able to change that general attitude... with a course? Are new wizards going to be made to enroll And made to sign wavers, to keep them honest? ... Okay class, this part of the course is called, "Demon Summoning and You." Just don't. Next, Making Deals with Demons for Fun and Prizes! Just don't..." Simony giggles and sighs. "Only people who're serious about magic, and who actually care, will show up..."

"That's why I do it, Simony. Someone has to say, 'This is a bad idea and it -will- be on your conscience'. There's a reason why the university coursework covers abjurations -before- conjurations." Telamon takes another sip of his wine, and frowns at it, before he says, "I'm not lecturing them, either. Just gently pointing out that some mistakes can have grave consequences indeed."

"Getting back to Pothy, and Tanith... well, Pothy's 'upper limit' is only achieved when he consumes magically conjured food. He seems to absorb mundane food and transmute it into mana without a limit. So take care, he -will- eat all your peanuts and demand more."

"Well, I am not an arcane caster, but I would be interested in sitting in some time, if that is allowable. Curious to see the reaction to your gentle nudging, and to see what this next generation looks like. Divine teachings probably has a similar set of ... helpful guidelines. Sadly... they are probably ignored more often than they should be."

"I'm happy to feed Pothy as much as I have. He seems to like me, and it is interesting to see that a bird can have the same condition as I do. I think that is a neat bond to have. Does he come and go from your place as he pleases?"

Telamon smiles genially. "I wouldn't mind. I've had the occasional acolyte sit in, but usually it's been one of the devotees of Daeus or Serriel. The discussions are pretty frank and down to earth as well -- I have to admit, when I get a little older, if I'm not tied down with diplomatic work, I might take up teaching. I find I enjoy it."

He hmms at Simony's offer to feed Pothy. "Careful, he might hold you to that as a creature of Navos. Although I don't think he's -precisely- the same as you -- his eyes are a different color. I'll have to ask Lana about it -- or Pothy himself." At the question, he shakes his head. "Usually he prefers to hang around Lana, like most familiars. He does give us a little space sometimes -- mostly because he gets all -twitchy- when Lana and I are making eyes at each other."

"So what, in a hundred years or so?" Simony giggles lightly. "I think I would enjoy sitting in on your class. I have thought about studying arcane magics... it appears to be quite powerful." She rubs at her cheeks. "It certainly has powerful spells, for smacking down bad guys. As well as for intellectual pursuits and knowledge."

"Well... I have a feeling that he is not a normal raven, I mean, the familiar aspect of it notwithstanding. He was made to appear to be an albino, is my guess. But it is still nice to see something similar..."

The Goblin rubs at her cheeks again, her expression thoughtful. "Uh. You may be the wrong person to ask... but you're here, and you're a guy. What do men like getting for presents?" Her pencil stands ready to write all the advice down... should it come.

Telamon snorts. "I hope not -that- long. I'm a half-elf, not an elf, I wouldn't want to wait a century." He grins. "Still, I have plenty of life -- and living -- ahead, gods willing. But don't let yourself get dazzled by the allure of arcane magic. Divine magic is nothing to sneer at, and arcane magic does require study and focus, as much as devotion to a deity does."

At Simony's question, Tel's eyebrows rise up, and he starts to respond, but then stops, taking another sip of wine. "It... would depend on the man. We're not all alike, after all," he says with a grin. "May I ask who it's for, before I start offering suggestions? I know what -I- like, but what I like might not be what another man likes."

"Oh, I know there is no easy path to the heights of magical prowess. I certainly would not offer a disservice to divine magics either. But there are some aspects of arcane magics that punch above their weight, you know? Sometimes I wish to be... flashy. To be able to revel in the awe of my opponents. Just a little."

Her expression changes, obviously expecting that question but hoping to avoid it. "... Ous. I believe you've met him a few times." Simony smiles lightly. "You are the Tellyman, to him."

Telamon shakes his head. "Flashy is fun, but effectiveness is better. I grant my magic has a lot of flash to it -- but I like to back it up with some fundamentals as well." He offers Simony a smile. "Still, if you seek guidance I'll offer what I can to you."

"Ous... ah. He holds one of the totems, and he was with you when you collected that book." He laughs softly. "He's a bit of a rough-hewn sort, isn't he? Hmmm. A man like that... probably won't like a silk shirt. You might consider his tools, things he might need. Practical things -- he strikes me as the sort who'd appreciate a new set of hunting and game tools rather than something expensive with ruffles."

"Before I do anything rash, I will check with you beforehand. As far as magical er studies go."

Simony nods slowly. "He is rather rough hewn. Oh... that reminds me... why is he still holding that totem? Shouldn't someone of some magical authority have taken from him? To protect it or deconstruct it or ... inspect it? There's enough out there tryin' to kill him as it is... adding some werewolves or some dangerous magical so-and-so isn't helpful."

She blows a huff of breath out her nose. "Practical things. He... doesn't want me to buy things, certainly. But I had one idea, I don't know if it exists. Is... there some way to light cigarettes that doesn't involve using a red hot ember from the stove or fire?"

Telamon arches an eyebrow. "Really? Who would do so? With what authority? Even the temples have had issues with holding onto the totems. No... so long as he does not become known, he is safe. The totem hides itself from divinations to locate it, and I think it hides the bearer as well." He sighs. "So long as he is -careful-, I suspect it will be little more than an interesting knickknack. If he desires to know more, put him in touch with me."

Tel chuckles. "Men occasionally do tend to be that way. But ...hm. An interesting idea. I don't smoke, but there are tindertwigs -- though those are disposable. I'm sure someone has made some kind of reusable device of magic or artifice to do such a thing. You might consult with the artificer Alaryn, I know she dabbles in such curiousities."

Simony frowns lightly, her face clouding now with worry. "I desire to know more about it, Telamon. Look... I just confessed to the man a short time ago. I am not just going to lose him so soon after that. So. I wish to know about it. What its purpose is. Who may come looking for it. What it can do. Everything."

Her pencil wiggles back and forth as she writes down the artificer's name. "I believe I know who she is. My thanks, Telamon, for your help and information. I apologize that I did not have anything of import to impart. Hopefully I can do better the next time. But uhm, right now, I have to go. I have to get some laundry done and do a bit of catchup on my studies. Please say hello to Cor'lana for me?"