Plans For A Tasting

GAME: Irshya rolls stealth: (9)+3: 12

       The TarRaCe baths, early evening.

The miserable day outside has made for a relatively quiet day in the TarRaCe. Some of the staff have begged off early, to avoid potentially worse weather, while others have stayed, having an easy night. The place has been cleaned from top to bottom at least once.

Excited conversation can be heard from the small shop inside the main room, several Gnomes and Goblins discussing the merits of various systems of magic. While it sounds heated at times, the voices are all relaxed and easygoing.

THe baths, too, have been cleaned from top to bottom, the tile flooring seemingly gleaming in the soft glow of magical lamps above, and from within the main pool. The two side pools, one each for men and women, are closed, with the sounds of quiet conversation, and scrubbing, to be heard from within.

The pool itself is quiet, aside from the odd burble and splash as the water is circulated by little jets of water. A little shadow moves along the very bottom of the pool, slowly circling with the rotation of the water.

GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (8)+33: 41

The door to the men's changing room swings open to admit Telamon, now stripped down to a pair of swimming-breeches, like those a sailor might wear. Emblazoned across his back is the elaborate star chart in gold, silver, and blue, as he paces down into the central pool. His starry eyes don't miss much, and he takes note of the shadow at the bottom, but shrugs and sits down on one of the underwater 'benches', leaning back against the pool side and closing his eyes for a moment.

Absently, he looks at the smaller tattoo on the back of his hand, depicting the wreath of feathers, and lightly touches it, smiling faintly as his thoughts go elsewhere.

The small shadow emits a burble of bubbles, and it begins to move, slowly rising in the pool and moving towards Telamon.

A Goblin face appears above the water, blue-tinged and grinning broadly. Little slits open and close on the side of her neck. Her one piece bathing suit, like her skin, match the colour of the pool nearly exactly.

"Good evening, Lord Telamon. It's a pleasure to see you this evening. If you do not know, my name is Irshya. I'm the proprietor of the TarRaCe. Did you want anything to eat or drink? We have little floating trays for guests." The Goblin leans in closer. "For guests that I can trust not to spill into the pool." A wink.

Telamon watches the fish-goblin hybrid swim upward, eyebrows rising, before smiling. "A pleasure. Actually, miss Irshya, we have met a while back -- though it was definitely under less congenial circumstances. Animated, aggressive books attacking people in the University library." He runs his hand through his hair. "Nasty business, that was. But it's good to meet you again."

At the offer, he nods. "Some wine wouldn't hurt. I'm just getting a deep soak after a long day trying to browbeat people into being reasonable. Then it's home for me." He looks wry. "What a thing for an adventurer to say."

"Oh, I do recall you, sir." She smiles brightly. "I just like to politely remind people, saves them having to ask again, you know?" The Goblin moves to stand on the bench, rising up slightly, able to look the Half-Sil in the eye. "Perhaps a nice sparkling wine? It's chilled to keep it bubbly, and it should keep you from dozing off, hmm? Not a good night to be groggy while heading home. We also have some nice Jade Island-style fish dishes. They're bite sized morsels of fish, rolled in rice and wrapped in a thin layer of seaweed. Very flavourful, and goes decently well with the sparkling wine."

Irshya gently reaches out to pat at Tel's forearm. "And please, call me Irshya. No need for formality. As for heading home, and likely to bed? Haha, if you've been on a regular guild mission... that nap is usually well earned, almost a requirement."

The half-sil sorcerer hmms. "It shouldn't surprise me that you'd be educated in wines, Irshya. I should bring by some of my own experiments, now that I'm back up to speed. I've been studying a tome on arcane infusions into spirits and wine, and I've come up with some startlingly good results. Perhaps a tasting here at some point?"

Telamon looks thoughtful. "Yes, the fish morsels... I've read about those somewhere. Yuushi? I can never remember what they're called. Anyways, while it wasn't a formal guild mission... I'm still getting my feet back from a little trip I took with some friends to deal with a haunted mansion."

The Giblin's expression takes on a tinge of pride, her ears perking up, and she lets out a little laugh. "Self taught, but I took the trouble to learn the basics ages ago. I also have two very good chefs working for me, they are classically well trained. I tend to take their advice, but I know enough that I may overrule them, and have it turn out well." The thought of a wine tasting at the TarRaCe has her clapping her hands in glee. "Oh gosh, I would be delighted to host such an event, my Lord. Erm. Telamon, I mean. I'll have an appetizer tray brought in. We have some crab fresh this morning."

The little woman quickly climbs out of the pool, a trail of wet footprints following her out the door. Irshya returns a few moments later, shivering, and immediately diving gracefully into the pool. Swimming once around the pool, she surfaces again beside Telamon. "Brrr, someone walked in just as I was going past the door. I'm glad we have heated pools!"

Telamon lifts his eyebrows. "While there's something to be said for formal education, at some point you -have- to experience things yourself. I don't look down on 'self-taught' experts, as long as they can back it up with competence and results." His eyes twinkle. "Also, getting good advice is an excellent way to round out one's rough edges."

He smiles. "Just Telamon, please. I forget the 'lord' myself half the time, and the other half of the time when someone mentions 'the archmage' I look around to see who they're talking about." As Irshya zips out and back in, he makes a tsk'ing sound. "Have you considered building a small foyer, either inside or out? It'd cut down on those drafts."

"It would, it would, but typically customers are fully clothed when they walk into here, and the same when they walk out. I'm the only silly one running around practically nude." She snorts and laughs, "If I were the me who arrived here in Alexandrea years ago, I'd have made that mistake a few times by now. As for a foyer, it was considered, however, it tends to get fairly busy, and having people stopping inside a foyer, it becomes a bit of a choke point. We tend to just suck it up, and throw a few more logs on the fire."

Irshya snorts at the man. "I like you. You seem rather down to earth, for a lord. It means your power and wealth haven't gone to your head. You remember where you came from, and remain humble. A self-made lord, yes?" Her facial expression brightens as a large, Oruch woman arrives, carrying a tray with what looks like a large water- or wineskin affixed to the bottom. She lowers the tray to the surface of the pool, and it bobs there beside Tel. A small selection of two sorts of sushi are laid out in a circle around a bottle of wine, with an empty, short wine glass awaits the pour. Which the barkeep tends to. "The ones with the darker green centers are a bit spicy, while the other ones have a very delightful cream cheese holding the contents together. Both have crab in them, with the cream cheese ones having a selection of finely sliced vegetables in them.", Irshay informs. "Thank you, Kravia. Are you staying overnight?" The Oruch woman nods, "Yes. I thought it not worth the hassle of trying to navigate Goblintown in this weather. I can also get a head start on the inventory count tomorrow." The Gobbo nods, "If you're done what you can do, got get some sleep." The tall woman offers a nod to Telamon, and Irshay, before heading out of the baths area.

Telamon snorts. "Well, if they make the mistake once, they're not likely to make it again when a draft rolls through." He shakes his head. "That's definitely something I don't miss. Being cold. I mean, I can tell it's chilly, but it doesn't seem to affect me. Lana's pretty resistant to it too -- I suspect if we didn't keep growing plants in the house we'd forget to stoke the fireplace."

He tilts his head. "Self-made... yes, I suppose I am. Forged through trial and error, fear and victory. There are worse beginnings. And I suppose if I hadn't been up to the challenge, well, I wouldn't be here." When the snacks and wine arrive, he deftly pours himself a glass, before looking inquiringly to Irshya. "None for you? I do like to share, after all."

"Hmm, while I am not bothered much by cold water, the chill in the air is another matter. But I do have clerical spells to assist in that when needed. But having made my own way in life, with the help of friends, I find myself not feeling guilty about the comforts I can muster." She rubs at her chin a moment, before splashing out of the baths once more, returning presently with a smaller glass well suited to her, it has small sharks engraved on the sides.

Holding the glass aloft for Telamon to fill, she smiles. "I don't normally drink, but I'm making an exception. Now, some of those are spicy, as I mentioned, but I did ask the chefs to ease up on it a little, so it should be a pleasing feeling and not overwhelming. Some people like more heat than others."

"I hope that you can at least feel the warmth of the pool, and that it's relaxing. You'll be missing out if you cannot."

A soft laugh. "Oh, I still feel the warmth and the cold. But I can handle a hot coal without flinching, as well. And as you say, there are spells for when more is needed -- like when something tries to spray or cast something nasty at you." He deftly fills Irshya's glass, before sipping his. "Mmm. This -is- a good vintage. My compliments."

Cautiously, he picks up one of the ones she's flagged as spicy. "I'm not usually good with spicy food, though," he admits ruefully. "But still, nothing ventured..." He pops it into his mouth and chews, and while his eyes widen a touch, he doesn't react more than that. "...It does have a bit of a kick," he comments with a grin.

"Oh, thank you. It's a dwarven wine, of all things. But brewed by a friend's family for a few generations now. Struck up a conversation one day, went on a guild mission or two, and he cam to me with a business proposition. This sparkling wine, a nice port, and three or four beers and ales. Only spot in Alexandria, aside from the family's establishment in the mountains, that sell their vintages and brews."

The Goblin is obviously proud of this fact. "Both my friend and the chefs agreed that it went well with seafood, which makes it perfect for a port city. Not to mention near and dear to my heart. And don't worry too much, unlike some spices, the 'burn' is different, and it shouldn't bother your stomach as much, but you will feel it more in your mouth and taste buds."

Irshya smiles at his reaction. "Have one of the cream cheese ones, and then a bit of the wine, that will cleanse your palette of the heat."

Telamon is already taking one of the cream-cheese morsels, popping it in his mouth. He nods, chewing, before responding finally. "I see. I'm going to have to learn about this -- I had to learn a number of fish recipes quickly a while back, and while both my wife and I are fond of good meals, it did get a bit boring." He grins, taking a sip of wine. "The things we do for houseguests."

"But it doesn't surprise me that dwarves know how to make wine. I mean, you hear more about their ales and whiskey, but like any good drink, making wine requires patience and attention to detail -- both things that khazadi understand pretty well."

Irshya leans in closer once more, showing off an almost typical Goblin lack of personal space awareness, her voice lowering. "Oh, the Khazad are very good at making all manner of spirits and ales. But, these particular recipes are of Elven heritage. Something a Khazad might keep to themselves, and an Elf would not admit to needing a Dwarf's favor, nor offering up one of their treasured spirits to repay that favor. Hah, the two races love to hate each other, and hate to love each other, but here we are."

"Oh yes, fish might be boring, but I know a number of ways to spice things up. If you would like... I will add some delicious fish dishes to go with your wine tasting. I'll also supply you with the recipes, and show you the techniques required for making them."

Telamon furrows his brow. "Usually wine tastings are done with fairly simple fare... but why not? If nothing else, it'll be a good show." He pauses. "Ah... just to practice some full disclosure here, the wines I've brewed are not strictly speaking 'mundane'. There's a little magic in them -- not as much as a potion, but they do have some entertaining effects."

"So, if you're concerned about that sort of thing, I can at least attest the effects are harmless. I just don't want you getting startled when the tasters start exhaling clouds of smoke or talk about seeing the starry sky." He smirks at the whole dwarf-elf relationship. "Yes, I've heard as much. Sometimes people will open up to a half-elf, after all -- it's why I went into diplomacy."

Her eyebrows rise up and she giggles. "Oho, this should be interesting. Some of this fey bs that I've heard so much about? Seeing a starry sky, you say? Now that sounds interesting. If you bring nothing else, bring that one at the least. I've a few people who will be pleased to try that."

Irshya giggles and rubs her hands together. "I do so love little events like this. Thank you, Telamon. I am excited for this now, and will do everything I can to make it a memorable night."

She nods to the man, "It's why I became, essentially, a barkeep. People open up to me. Sometimes more than I would like, but you take the good with the bad. Also, being a cleric of Rada on top of that, also gives me lots of opportunities to talk to people!"

Telamon laughs. "Yes, I suppose there is some fey foolishness in this. But also exploration, discovering new things. Sometimes it's found in a book as opposed to on the road. But I'll bring samples of everything I can. The biggest problem is how difficult some of them are to make."

"And don't think getting people to talk is a bad thing, Irshya. It's far better to talk than fight, and even though it can be hard to get to know people, it's almost always preferable to bloodshed." Telamon leans back, picking up another one of the sushi rolls, and eating it. "After all, without talking, there's little point in good food and good wine."