Corkscrew and Wine

Log Info

• Title: Corkscrew and Wine
• Emitter: Slixvah
• Characters: Slixvah, Mikilos, Patch, Jay, Robert, Nemori
• Place: Fernwood Pub
• Time: July 16th, 2022
• Summary: It's a busy night at the Fernwood Pub, many refugees fill their tables and rooms, making it difficult for a party of six to find a seat. But they manage. Slixvah, Mikilos, Patch, Jay, Robert, and Nemori filter in, the latter most doing their best to not shoot daggers, metaphorical and literal at the two dawn elves at the table. The legality of Speak with Dead in a court of law is thrown around, as well as some contact information as a very elvish wine is passed around to try. There's favors recounted for those out of the loop, and jesting being thrown around. People slowly filter out, leaving just Slixvah, Jay, and Mikilos, the former deep in their cups. The energy dies down. Some talk shop. One gets drunker. The party ends on a dull, somber note.

Fernwood Pub, Sunet

The dreary mist from the outdoors finds no welcome within the Fernwood, as it was ousted by the starting trickle of folks coming in for a meal and a drink from daily work closing down. And, not to mention, the amount of refugees coming into the city has it already quite packed. A little stuffy, but the drink and food is moving, and the air is lively.

Much needed after the horrors of the past few weeks.

A rust red and white feathered egalrin woman has already sniped a table after all but running in. One of the last few as she throws her robes over the seats to 'claim' them for the friends, old and new, coming in.

"Just bring a pitcher!" she yells over to the bar over the noise.

Mikilos heads for the bar proper as he enters, raising a hand in greeting to Slixvah as he passes, but not joining the table just yet. "Pitcher of ale, another of cider, bottle of wine, red, the regular stuff. Plate of cheese and meats, large, basket of rolls, platter of black bread, butter, and couple bowls of stew. To start." The elf smiles to the bartender and plunks down a small bag that jingles. Might not cover the night, but as he said, it's to start.

Patch has to pause and appreciate this place after she had passed through the doorway, stepping left to let other patron's by. She had been following Slixvah, Mikilos and the others, but with her dull-green glance the bard folds arm before breast in thought "It's charming." she admits, suddenly crossing towards the table the rust-colored Egalrin claimed. "You're right, this is nice." a glance cast back to Mikilos as he orders. "Wine? This place has wine?" yes, she isn't known to dwell in savory places. "Can I try?"

Immediately following Patch, so close he bumps into her, is Integrity C Truefeather, esquire. The 'C' is for clumsy. Fortunately, he's a light bird with a lot of feather padding, so it is similar to being hit in the back with a down pillow.

The bluejay was, of course, paying attention to Slixvah and not where he was going. "Sorry! Sorry! Oh Hi."

Jingling coins get his attention too, his attention snapping towards the bar, then back to the red and white feathered egalrin, "Sorry, was trying to catch up with Slix. Hi Slix!"

Slixvah perks up at seeing what Mikilos is getting for them. "Oh hell yeah, thanks, Miki-mo!" she calls out to him. They plop into a chair, reclaiming her robes as people arrive, kicking out their chair for them.

Though, there's a pause that runs through her. She perks up, and peers over to the blue newcomer.

Oh. A glance to Patch. Back to the bluejay.

Oh no.

She sucks in a breath, smoooooths her crown feathers back. And exhales. "Heya Blue," she coos warmly. "What's up, sugar? How ya doin'?"

Mikilos blinks to Patch. "They have a wine cellar, pretty decent selection. The mulled wine is pretty standard for chill days, but a bottle cellar chilled goes better today."

Grining to the blue bird, Mikilos raises a hand in greetings. "Come join us, Squire...TruthFeather?" Okay, so he's a bit off on the name.

Order placed and paid, the wizard picks a seat at the chosen table.

Patch had never been one to mind a few bumps and tussles. This was a mild night to her, laughing and looking back, letting eyes roam over Jay as he had been so preoccupied with Silxvah. It amuses her enough to wave a hand at the other Egalrin, her friend Slixvah, trying to get her attention and realizing she does! A sharp and playful gesture with a thumb at Jay with a coy smirk. "It's okay, Blue. She's gotten me to miss a few steps. I understand." continuing to find her seat, and flashing the lawyer wink. "TruthFeather?" suddenly curious.

To Mikilos, Patch oh's and nods. "I would try the red you mentioned. I have coin, and we can share a bottle."

As promised, Bob isn't far behind. The Cerenzan has packed his leather apron away and untucked a baggy tunic that's revealed to be a kaftan that now hangs well passed his knees. His cuffs hang long without the benefit of the sleeve garters he wears in the forge to keep them away from the flames and smoldering coals. His workboots are somewhere in the smithy, too, and his toes catch the air only half-covered by a pair of sandals.

Bob's gone casual.

"--be nice, lady," he says, half-turned and talking over his shoulder as he comes in. He waits long enough to hold the door open for the smaller figure following in his wake. "I finished the order for the colosseum, the next isn't due until Tariday, and you still haven't told me about this favor you did for Kezia..."

"Truefeather! Integrity 'C' Truefeather, esquire! I'm a lawyer. Lawyer!" The bluejay egalrin announces, answering Patch and Mikilos too loudly. A few glances are sent his way.

"Bob!" He's clearly happy to see the man. He steps back from Patch and maneuvers around her, heading over to Slix's table.

"I could be using this time to practice working mythril," Nemori remarks, a complaint of sorts if delivered with a mild tone. "I mean to finish my..." and her words trail off as the rest of the pub's main room opens up to her when she steps in behind and around the bulkier cerenzan. Yes, she sees her friends... but she also sees, "Sunbloods!" she hisses, little more than a whisper, but the sudden expression of anger, disdain... and when she looks at Robert, a small hint of betrayal. It's all she can do to not spit at her feet.

The movement of her head, followed by a shift in her body, conveniently puts the majority of the right side of her face away from the ones at the table. "You did not say there would be llyranesi with them."

Slixvah, once drinks get disseminated and passed around, opts to just have a pitcher of whatever it was she ordered when bursting in here. Fluttering in behind Robert is a white plumed thrush, and they make a beeline for Slixvah, them pecking around the robes until they vanish into a pocket. She waves to him, "Hey Robby," she calls out once he was close enough.

The beribboned egalrin has two empty seats next to her. She takes a long, long pull from her drink.

And there's Nemori! "Heya Mo-"

The hand lowers. Oh this is going to be a complex night.

More drinking.

Mikilos nods to Patch. "You're perfectly welcome to a glass, or more if you end up liking it." A nod to Blue. "TrueFeather, my mistake Squire. What have you been up to of late?"

Roberts companion is noticed, and while the words are unheard, the tone and stance are clear enough. The Dawn Elf makes sure to keep his expression mild and friendly.

"Well that's because most llyranesi SUCK!" Pouch snaps out as the Mul's words, if even a whisper, were not low enough for the Bard's ear. It was sent to twitching. "If you want one you can punch, I have a mother I could introduce you to." Patch's glance finding it's way to Robert, and Nemori. Then she suddenly drops the topic, focusing back at the table, and waiting for Mikilos and wine. "Truefeather.... a neat name." her minds several places as she crosses her arms and leans back into her seat.

Bob's stymied expression at Nemori's reaction was plain for the whole pub to see; there's a simple reason why the big man doesn't play cards. When Mikilos continues to smile and Patch adds her two copper, the Cerenzan just gestures over with a hand and smiles. 'See?' it seems to say 'no problems.'

Leaning lower, the Cerenzan employs sotto voce to add "I think master Mithralla is part jotunn, regardless. So perhaps your reflexive dislike is only for half the man?" He considers the too-tall elf. "Less than that, even; a quarter?"

Then he's standing tall again (wincing, grabbing his back for a moment) and waving. "IC! I thought you had a deposition?" He, too, is pleased to see the bluejay egalrin.

"Please, lady Nemori. A drink. Two at most. Mithral is a plastic, light, and transmutative metal; forgetting it for an evening will only enhance your understanding." Hopefully people are wearing their boots.

"Lady Nemori." Jay says cautiously, his crest raising. He's bright eyed and apparently happy to see her, but there is that murderous mood, echoed and encouraged by Patch. "See? You've got a lot in common! You both hate your families. You could..."

His voice trails off, "Actually, collusions would be a bad idea. Allegedly."

Turning to face Mikilos he continues, "Oh, well I've been appointed Standby Council for a citizen who absolutely insists on handling his own case. So far he's gotten two magistrates removed for conflict, and has tried to do that with opposing counsel."

"I did Bob, I was there, my client was there, the prosecutor was there, but the prosecution's witness didn't show up, so we adjourned." His head bounces again, "A guard. On Wight duty. So... he might not show up." He looks briefly thoughtful, "I need to look up the local rules regarding 'Speak with Dead' testimony. I wonder if there's wiggle-room for undead."

Slixvah blinks at Patch's outburst, a brow raising as that gets filed away for later. She settles into her seat. Listening, watching, learning. "Wouldn't that fall under 'last words'?" she offers to Jay.

She looks to Patch, gesturing to her fellow elagrin. "Tergri's a real keen mind for the law, if ya can't tell. If you need representation. Well... the 'C' stands for 'consistent'."

Patch smiles to Mikilos, turning to share in that drink as things seem to settle. She just listens, flashing a grin to Slixvah and then to Mikilos with a shrug as she finally takes a sip of wine. "So he's a barrister or something? He seems to have a mind of it. I look at those kinds of books and I go cross-eyed."

Nemori's hand may have drifted towards the knife at her belt... though she's learned not to draw it. At least not in public. When people are watching. When there's no room for plausible deniability. (See, Jay, she's learning.) Instead her fingers close into clenched fists, like one might see when about to witness a tantrum of sorts... a sidelong glance at the two elves, and though giant one might be and the other estranged, perhaps, from family... but then she remembers another friend. Her eyes close, she takes a few, visible breaths, but then she nods and follows. One of the fists relaxes into an open hand which she raises in a brief, begrudged greeting. "Is that wine?" she asks.

Mikilos smiles to Bob. "The Mirthralla line traces back to the First Age, elves all the way. I can list the details if you're in need of a nap. We go back before the Breaking, so all Sildanyar are cousins... if a few hundred times removed." Frowning thoughtfully, he looks to Jay. "I know they've had a vampire stand witness, but I don't know the details... laws may have changed, since the witness was proven to be lying and exicuted." He nods to Patch. "A mind for it, certainly, though I'm not sure his formal education."

Finally he turns to Nemori, nodding. "You're welcome to a glass if you like. There's also ale and cider, should you prefer."

"Yes! I am a barrister. Oh I love the books. I've got a couple right here." Jay says, lifting up and showing off his briefcase, patting the side. He moves smoothly through the crowded pub to Slixvah's table, finding a place to perch, and beak-clacks at Nemori, "Right! Wine will make everything better. Lots of wine. Slix has the right idea."

"Well, the issues with undead is they can be controlled, so one can't easily trust their testimony. With 'Speak with Dead', it's up to the deceased to answer, but the questions can be leading so they have to be agreed to ahead of time. This makes follow-up for new material difficult." He waves a wing, "Of course, a good lawyer makes sure there's won't be unknowns introduced. That also makes the dead difficult witnesses, they can't be 'coached'."

"I completed my education in the Sky Curtain aerie, and passed the bar in Blar and again here." He crows proudly.

Slixvah shrugs lightly, eyes crinkling in a smile. "See? He is a real legal eagle." Relaxing a tinge as things seem to be smoothing over. If not. Well-

She catches a server and orders a bowl of popcorn.

"Take a seat Nemori. I made some friends! This is..." she looks to the tall sun elf. "... Mikilos, his name is too long. And this is Patch! He's a stinky wizard. And she's a ball of fun," she freely tosses teases about.

Her attentino shifts to Jay, head tilting to the side. "... oh. Damn. Man's got creds," she coos, actually impressed. "Hm. Didn't know that about that spell. Note... ed..."

"It's pretty good too." Patch's words to Nemori come with a twirl of glass between her fingers as she inspects the drink in hand. It's scent taken when held to nose. "What kind of red is this, Miki?" a glance shot to the other Dawn Elf, smirking. "I can easily drink it, but it's not the ale at Irshya's." looking then back to Namori and Bob. "Please, have a seat." motioning for them to sit. "I'm called Patch." introducing herself as she tries to meet Neamori's eyes. Until Jay sand Slixvah speak.

To Jay, Patch turns and laughs at the clear excitement he exudes. "Do you have an office and address? I think I'd have to write your information down.". Though a small writing pad is produced when she reaches into the flap of her coat. It has many scribbles, a childish drawing of two orcs boxing, and something scrawled about Lady Sandiel and a vest if people were too curious.

The Cerenzan looms large over the table, holding a chair out long enough for Nemori to settle-- having picked one furthest from the dawn elves in the name of diplomacy (he's used to big family gatherings for the holidays). After the lady is seated, Bob detours over next to Jay and gives the egalrin a hug. The important stuff handled, he finds a seat for himself and drapes his satchel over the back of the chair.

Then, finally, he can sit. The middle-aged man grunts and braces against the table as he settles. The options are weighed and he, too, goes for the wine. "Muse' grace," he toasts before trying the first sip.

Mikilos nods to Jay. "Living can be controled as well, it's just a different spell. I imagine part of the problem is diserning if a magical effect upon an undead witness is one of control, or part of their animation. The base spells are easy enough to tell apart, but if someone is going to all the trouble to control a witness, disguising magics is a clear course."

Glancing to Patch he frowns mildly. "A Merlot, I think? I can never tell, and just had them bring whatever was handy. Should say on the bottle somewhere."

He grins to Slixvah before looking back to Nemori. "Archmage Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Lord of Estranillia, Builder Arcane, Irregular Veteran of Sendor, and probably a couple more titles if I bother to think about it. Mother wasn't pretentious, but Grandma was, so they tended to collect."

"Oh! Popcorn!" Jay helps himself, keeping his eyes on Nemori and Patch, either concerned or intrigued. Robert's hug is enthusiastically returned with some wing-flapping.

"Yes, I've got a small apartment on top of one of the Redstone tenements in the Lower Trades and a small office in the Noble District near the courts. I can also be reached through the Explorer's Guild. I have a bunch of cards there, as Alexandria has a complicated relationship with its adventuring class. Here." He has his own pen, it looks like the quill is made from one of his feathers although the nib is clearly metal, shiny, perhaps mithril. He writes out his addresses.

His penmanship resembles chickenscratch, but there are numbers, and what could be interpreted as street names. Hopefully his legal counsel is more comprehensible.

He beak-clacks at Mikilos, nodding hard, "Exactly! It's not impossible but it does require expert witnesses and friends of the court who can supply the magic and are trustworthy. Obviously the Sunguards and Mourners are credible, but it still varies."

He simply beak-gapes at the mage's name.

With the air of someone who knows ahead of time that there will be much regret later, but being compelled to move forward anyways, Nemori settles into the offered chair. WIth yet another glass (perhaps brought by pub staff upon seeing the crowd at the table grow) she helps herself to the wine. It was offered, after all. She feels no hesitation about filling her glass to the brim, then putting it to her lips and draining the entire thing in one go. Someone seems of a mind of Slixvah's earlier thoughts, and Jay's supporting ones...

The shadow elf puts her glass to the table, then fills it again, though she makes no move to sip from it this time. Not yet. Perhaps she'd been prepared to suffer through the sitting without offering a word.. but then Mikilos is offering the full introduction that Slixvah had refrained from. Pathches was simple enough.. but by the time Mikilos is finished with his litany of a name, she's reaching for her glass and drinking from it again. The clink when it is placed back on the table is a little forced. "Pretention in a dawn elf? I never would have guessed," she responds, shoulders tight.

Then she gives a bit of a start. The kind one might give if their chair were kicked or nudged. She glowers, reaches up and presses her hand to the right side of her head, then says, "I am Nemori. Apprentice smith at Robert's smithy." If that hadn't been deduced just yet. She shifts her attention to Patches. "Integrity is correct. I have no love for my family. Alas, mine is far from reach.. but perhaps we can discuss yours?"

Slixvah gets her popcorn and reclines back, quaffing bitter drink and munching on salty snacks as the others parley pleasantries. She casts a glance over to the notepad, then abruptly snorts at spying the drawing.

"That's why I called him Miki-mo-names," she blurts out, holding out the bowl towards Jay so he could nap some popcorn.

She's refilling her flagon from the pitcher, and going for more drink.

She lied about being able to handle it, by the by. But no one needs to know that. Oooh, look, drama. Popcorn!

"You should of seen the face of my mother when I chose the hurdy-gurdy over a violin. She yelled at me that she would die. DIE! Over an instrument!" Patch muses towards Nemori, the Mul's words drawing a curious glance. "An apprentice? What do you make? I have been meaning to corner Robert about some projects, but..." a glance shot to Slixvah. "I have been carousing since classes this summer are closing."

As Jay offers to write, Patch is eager to hand over her notepad and let him scribble. "Thanks, Truefeather. I'll keep you in mind... I mean, you're the only barrister I know."

"Oh yes, I hang out at the Ilife Smithy also, Bob's Smithy, watching Nemori hit things!" Jay say hapily, "Oh, she makes knives. She's very good with them."

He scribbles way, adding the Ilife's address to the others. He even draws a few small maps, intersections of main roads. Oddly there are a few Xs and Os scattered about them. He hands the notebook back, his head tilts.

"Oh, Carousing! always good." He looks Patches over, "A hurdy-gurdy is a lot more instruments than a violin."

Mikilos smiles to Nemori. "Pretention is something of a sport in Llyranost, cultural, not racial... though nobility and wizardy add into it as well, so I was doomed from the start." Flagging down a waitress he inquires "Another bottle of red wine, please, and is there any ElvenBlossom in stock? Yes, please. Ah, of course." Another small sack of coins is exchanged. Turning back to Nemori, he shrugs. "I assume you were kidding, but if you'd really like to hear more of the Mithralla, there's plenty to say. If you'd prefer to talk about bladecraft, I'm perfectly fine with that topic as well. And of course there's always brooding chitchat over nothing particular at all."

"The whole point of the gird-y is so you don't get the hurt-y," Bob offers with a bit of a snort. He shakes his head and lifts a gloved hand to ward off the groans. He turns in his chair and catches a serving girl as she passes, putting in a heart order after his day at the forge. Meat. Root vegetables. A gravy. He regards the table to make sure no one else needs supper.

Slixvah shares the glance with Patch as she hides it away behind a cup. She sways a bit in her seat. "Yes. Carousing," she echoes. "It's a pretty rad instrument, I gotta say. Really lookin' forward to seein' it at work some day."

Monch.

A thumbs up to Robert that she was good on supper.

Patch smirks at Bob and his joke, a chuckle first, but at his snort she laughs harder. "Robert, you should surely know that sometimes a little hurt is good." smirking as she sips her wine, and looks again at those across the table. With Jay she takes his scrawling and maps, glancing at them once he's through. "Oh! I think I know a couple of these!" talking of the roads and pointing a finger to one, almost spilling her wine as she had bent forward to do so. She corrects quickly, saving the drink with a quick flick of wrist. She tries to play it off. "Do I have to be in trouble to stop by and talk about services?"

It's Slixvah that causes the bard to lightly flush, eyes finding the female Egalrin with a firm nod. "I didn't bring it... but soon. Soon I'll show you more."

The smile Nemori puts on is perfect in all ways except how it doesn't seem to touch her eyes. It's pleasant, almost bright. And toothy. "I really would not," she tells Mikilos, then raises her glass for another drink to briefly hide that smile before she sets it down again. Patch's explanation about her own falling out with her mother draws a bit of a disappointed "Aah" from the shadow elf. The kind of regretful acknowledgement one might offer when it seems their knife will be going dull after all. But she shrugs. It was a vague hope.

Recalling Robert's earlier question, then, she looks sideways at the master smith. "Kezia's favour was.. handled. I am not entirely sure she had any idea of what the problem had been, and it certainly did not end happy for everyone. But.. Slixvah would better relate that story. I am still... eh." Another sip.

Jay is taking too much popcorn to have had dinner. He looks over at Robert and swallows a bunch of kernels, "Oh! Yes. I'll have soup. Soup! And some bread."

A glance in Nemori's direction, "You should eat something too." Something filling and lethargy inducing.

"You don't need to be in trouble to talk with a lawyer. I can review contracts for trap clauses, prepare a will, notarize letters and file official documents." He says cheerfully, "Stop by any time, I have great rates. Great!"

Bob looks from Nemori to Slixvah, his eyebrow quirking up. He winces and sighs again, leaning his bulk into the back of the chair and making it creek as he takes a mouthful and does his best to appreciate the complex flavors.

"She mentioned it was just a little thing..." he wonders with a statement. "But this is the woman who asked if I could look at a music box only to try and pair me of with one of her nieces."

Slixvah just elbows Patch in the side lightly and chuckles warmly. "Lookin' forward to it, March. I still want tickets."

Her attention snaps to Nemori, her brows high. "Oooooh. Riiiiight. That."

She cracks her neck, downs the last of her second drink, and leans forward after pushing the bowl on the table. She inhales.

Oh no. She's tipsy.

"Right. So. Kezia's favor was to try and play savior for some unatoned neighbors."

"We did some diggin' and found a couple that's been pinoned, causin' a stir that's been makin' stinging. We give 'em a chat: almost me, Mori, and Eztli giving it a wrap, and find the man's been finding other places for clap.

She sighs, pinching the bridge between her eyes as she leans back. "Turns out the man was a bit of a scam, went to a discount brothel and got more than he can. Was kinda a bitch and blamed a witch, and now all of the refugees know of the sitch."

"We scared him shitless for being an inconsiderate cleft tit, fixed his prideless wit and told him to fix his fit," she finishes, preening her nails.

"Yeah, she yelled a lot." Patch's statement matter-o-fact with a shrug to Nemori's words, setting her drink on the table, and putting away her notes. "The city is busy with life, and fun tonight. There is drink, but there can be food too." turning to Jay and watching him with a single nod. "Circle made, Friend."

As Slixvah recounts this story, Patch settles in to listen, growing quiet and even offering a clap with a wider grin at the end. "Well said! Better than the bard!"

Mikilos nods, unsurprised, perking somewhat as the waitress returns with a small platter. A small crystal bottle, or perhaps a large vial, and a number of small glass thimbles. "ElvenBlossom wine, brewed from flower nectar. Has a light, floral flavor, a hint of citrus afterbite, and a delayed kick like a sledge between the eyes. It's more inhaled than drank. And have yet to meet a non-elf who can stand the stuff."

It's basically perfume. There's little scent, but one can see the vapors boiling off as he pours a glass... which is really just a few drops.

Jay listens, enraptured and just a little confused. "Glad it worked out! I had no idea. Doesn't sound like you needed me. Discount brothel running a scam?"

Now there's a source of potential clients!

"I missed +Mistakes!+ parade too! I was hoping to see that. I was just a hireling." He picks up one of the thimbles of ElvenBlossom and ends up holding it near his nostrils, "How delayed a kick? You know some chemicals work the same way. Nice scent, horrible headache, brain damage to follow."

Bob frowns as he listens to Slixvah, nodding along and narrowing his eyes to try and sort of the sense from the rhyme. Nemori earns a side-eye look. Then he turns and half-opens his mouth to ask about a parade for mistakes. He grunts and finishes his wine instead.

What sort of madness spurred these misadventures?

"Well, I appreciate you both doing the favor for Kezia. She's all smiles if you decline but..." he reaches out and just pours himself some more wine with a look on his face. Clearly, he has great respect for the woman. "I can always consent to marrying one of her nieces if she gets too upset." The snort of a laugh only slightly beats out a long and consider look into the middle-distance. On second thought, it might actually come to that.

Mikilos smiles to Jay. "Varies. Most humans have just stopped gagging on the flavor when the kick hits. Usually strikes me just about the time I start to wonder if something's gone wrong. No idea for Egalrin."

Slix shakes her head at Jay. "Naw. Wasn't a brothel. He hired a lass for-" she pauses, rubbing her face. "... I need to stop rhymin'. He hired a lass to have some fun, but the lass wasn't clean," she clarifies out of her prose. "Sorry Robby it wasn't too clean. But we did the best we could with what we had."

"Ooooh. Shit, yeah I saw +Mistakes+ get beamed up at the tail end of it. Was wild. I almost choked on sunflower seeds as I was watching it happen!" She swivels to the others. "I'm aware of the low hangin' joke there."

She does seem to enjoy the compliments for the recounting, her pouring a third one out for herself and humming softly. Which might be a mistake, as she's eying whatever Mikilos is pouring out.

Nemori tries to ignore Robert's sidelong glance, sipping again.. but finally she sighs and scowls at him. "I did not wish to get blood all over your smithy. The smell lasts for days." Another drink... and then she is empty again. And then, "Is it Odelia? Please tell me it is not Odelia." Nemori might have some familiarity with at least some of Kezia's neices.

Patch stops a laugh at Slix, a shocked look at her cutting her words short. "Oh, now we can't be scandalous?" winking at Robert as she calms. "Sorry, Rob. I didn't realize it bugs you." sincere at least, taking up her glass and killing it with a quick upturn.

"What was this called?" Patch asks of Mikilos, motioning to the bottle of Elvelblossom, eyeing it as she is a bit flushed of cheek. "Is it really elven, or is it marketing?"

The bluejay nods, sniffing more of the ElvenBlossom, blinking. His eyes briefly glaze. "For science!"

"For her... right. And unclean or not clean?" He asks Slix, then shakes his head, "Actually, no need. So what happened when he was beamed up? Like a regular teleport? Did everything turn grey?"

He starts in on his soup, slurping away at it.

Mikilos nods to Patch. "ElvenBlossom Wine. Rather, that's the general name in Trade, most stick to a brand name of some sort. And yes, it's authintically elven. No one else bothers to make the stuff." The wizard takes a thimble, toasts, and tosses it back, smiling. A smile that cracks as his eyes start to water.

Slix snorts. "Naw Patch, wasn't talking about that. Just a lil sorry it wasn't so cut and dry. Made the best we could outta a shitty sitch. Yeah, Mori did real good on not obliterating the guy, 'cause, Hell, I wanted to too!"

She opens her beak towards Jay, and then shakes her head. "I dunno man. There was a light from the sky, he floated on up. And then he just... wasn't there no mo'."

She knocks her third back and holds the empty mug out for the fancy wine. "I wanna try...!"

"It wouldn't be so bad if she didn't keep talking about how wide Odelia's hips are," Bob agrees with Nemori, taking his turn to flush. He's worked up a little sweat as the second glass of wine settles into his belly. His food still hasn't arrived. "... as if she's livestock.

"No, it's fine. Please," he adds, waving off Patch and Slixvah. "You kids--" up he stands, pulling the satchel off the back of the chair. He tosses a thumb over his shoulder, "I just remembered I have a loaf that won't keep much longer." He digs out coins to pay for the meal coming and leaves it stacked on the table.

The Cerenzan sways a little on his way to giving Jay another hug on the way out. "Stay out of trouble, IC." Then he turns and cups the back of Nemori's head affectionately as he looks down at her as a father might. Something catches and he realizes what he's done, leaving him standing there frozen and awkward for a moment.

Finding the wherewithal to draw his hand back, he clears his throat. "Ah... help yourself to the meal, lady Nemori. Please. It'd be a shame to waste.

"Muse' grace," he offers before heading out.

Patch sighs to Slix and nods. "Yeah, no. When things aren't cut and dry you can only do your best, and sometimes?" a shrug. "It isn't the 'best' that could be done." sitting on the dour thought a moment before nodding with Slix's second set of words. "I'll try it too."

To, Robert. Patch smiles. "Be well, Robert. It was a pleasure. I'll bug you soon about some work."

Integrity passes a thimblefull of the wine towards Slixvah. He tilts his head at Robert, cawing, "How wide are they?" As if he's setting up for a jape. Then, his friend has to go, "You can tell me later. I will. Save a slice!"

Nemori goes stiff with Robert's paternal familiarity, her eyes not exactl wide... but unblinking. The only sign of movement is the hand in her lap, vibrating. Certainly not trembling. She remains like this while Robert crosses the room to leave, and for several moments after he is gone. Finally she breaks her trance, or whatever it was, and looks at her glass.. empty. Just as well. She swiftly rises, sharply enough that the chair she was sitting almost tips over backwards before the back legs finally release their hold on the floor and slide back, the front legs coming down with a sharp rap. Coins get fished from a pocket, and then tossed on to the table. Maybe it's not enough to pay for the drinks... maybe it's too much. The shadow elf doesn't bother to count, nor watch them as they land before she abruptly, and wordlessly, turns and leaves. Her manner is less one trying to chase after someone, and more someone simply trying to escape.

Slixvah bobs her head along with Patch. "Ye. Best ya can do is the your best that you can do."

She mutters a thanks to Tegri as she gets her wine, but she almost spills it from coughing at his line of questioning. She eyes him, then looks to Patch before sighing. Swaying in her seat, she peers over to the lone human of the group. "Ohh, later Robby! Thanks for hanging!" she chirps happily. "Catch ya on the flip flop!"

And then... Nemori leaves in such a manner. ".. ah... she's still gettin' used to this place. I'll check in on her later once she has some space. Bye Mori!"

Stupidly, she shoots it in one go. Then starts coughing up a storm. "O-Oh. Godsda-... feels like... *cough* drank a flower...!"

Mikilos waves as Robert departs, tsking mildly as Nemori soon follows. He tries not to laugh at Slixvah. "I mean, you basically did." The wizard blinks hard, shaking off the worst of his own shot. Well, trying to shake off.

Patch fills her own glass, taking up the Elvenblossom with a raised brow. She watches it as she pours, setting the bottle aside and sniffing the glass' rim. "Why is it so acrid?" a wrinkle and puzzled expression as she does as they had, and suddenly downs the drink, coughing hard enough to almost gag. "Whoah!" is about all she gets out, her face contorted, and fighting the strong flavor. Nemori only gets half a glance, worry and confusion before she hears Slix's words. "Do that then. Check on her." affirming with nod, standing quickly to find she has wobbly legs. Not a new sensation, but it causes a smile. "Well... I need to see lady about a coat. Ya'll have a good evening."

Integrity obtains his second thimblefull, "This would be a hit back home. Good luck with the coat." He waves.

His attention turns towards Mikilos, "You do enchantments, right? The big sword on the mountain? I might want a couple."

Oddly, he avoids looking at Nemori, both as she suffers through the familial gesture, then quickly departs. "Sometimes it's best to let her have her space. Allegedly."

Slixvah raises her head slightly to see Patch getting up. Her features fall briefly before it rises to a smile in the eyes. "... ah. Okay Patch. It was nice ta drink with ya. Stay safe!"

She shakes her head, opting for her bitter brew than more floral wine. ".. rather stick ta seeds if I wanna eat flowers. But yeah, she needs space. She'll come 'round when she's ready."

Fourth... fifth ale? It's hard the tell. The pitcher is nearing empty. She's staring into her cup more from lazy and drifting gazes.

Mikilos waves to Patch as she heads off, not certain if that's a metaphor. Blinking hard again, he frowns at Jay. "...you want a couple giant swords?"

"Oh, no, protection from giant swords." Jay clarifies. He watches as the table clears out, and the number of empty glasses in front of Slixvah. "Have things been ok for you Slix?"

Slixvah hiccups a chuckle. "Yeah, giant swordss. Sucks ta get hit by those..." she rambles off.

There's a nudge in her robe. Oh, right, the question. Sky blues raise to Jay. Her beak opens slightly, closes. A sigh escapes. "... for the most part, yeah. Been aight..." she mumbles.

Mikilos takes a moment to process. "...a giant shield? No, regular sized protection would work fine, against both giant or regular sized swords. Do you have anything particular in mind? Armor, shield, proective ring, amulate, belt to move and dodge faster, cloak to not be seen in the first place? Are LOTS of potential options."

"I have some armour, so maybe an enchantment on that. Oh a cloak sounds neat! What sorts of cloaks are there? I'd like something that brings my bolas back, so I don't have to chase them around after I throw them." The bluejay egalrin speculates on some options.

Despite this, he is also watching Slixvah, carefully. Noting her tone, her posture, and the tell-tale drinking sign. "Are you sure you're ok? Are your wings still hurting? Are the refugees making the nest feel too crowded? Do you have your own place to stay?"

Slixvah's ribbons dangle limply. Some feathers on her face stick out in odd places. Eyes distant and a tinge of a sad downturn. "Lil ol' Slix is right as rain," she pumps a fist, lying through her beak as she sounds as confident as a wet noodle. "Wings still hurtin' but its alright. Just can't fly for a bit at the moment."

She sinks more. "... there's a lot of people. The nest is crowded. I never sleep in one place more than twice so.. no I don't."

A long pause. Her attention settling on the bluejay. Watching him."... you ever get lonely, Blue?" she blurbles out in a croak.

Mikilos nods, glancing sidelong at Slixvah, but not being familiar with the situation. "Cloak of Invisibility is what sprang to ming, though are many alternatives. Enchanted armor is a solid choice. Bolas... I might be able to make a sheath they return to? But might be better to enchant the bola itself to return when you call it."

"No." The bluejay shakes his head, "there's always lots of people to talk to, and Robert's smithy to hang out at, and I'm busy at the courts. Granted a lot of people there don't seem happy to see me arrive, but I secretly know they are. They're just pretending I'm a nuisance and they don't want to talk to me."

It's not the right answer. He notes the ribbons, looking loose and unkempt, feathers that haven't been preened properly, the faux cheer. His hand drops to his rapier at his hip, he touches the pommel, brushes his fingers over the grip. "Sometimes I miss my family, but I know they're thinking about me, and we write letters. It feels like they're here."

He moves his hand to rest it on Slix's shoulder, and squeeze. "I never asked about your family, or why you're here. I missed seeing you. I've got space in my apartment if you want to stay. It's great, you can get some decent glide distance... once your wings work again."

And there's business to attend, of course, he laughs at Mikilos without looking away from the other egalrin, "Those all sound very expensive. I will have to budget, but it sounds like I should stop by."

Focus on Slixvah, "You don't have to feel lonely."

Slixvah cringes and curls in slightly at the wrong answer, her looking away and imbibing the fifth cup, setting it down and shoving it away. Her throat bobs. There's someone else here? Right Miki-mo-names. "Might... take you up on the... bola thing," she mutters to him, floundering for energy, spiraling.

These drinks aren't helping.

Touch of the shoulder, she looks over. "My family is big," she murmurs. "I left because I... I couldn't stay."

She looks down to her hands. "... I can't stay, I can never stay," Slix repeats, weaker. Quieter."

A hand rises to wipe the building tears out of her eyes. "... but for a night, I could. Things won't go whack," she sadly twitters. <Auran>

Mikilos nods, pretending to not understand. "You're welcome to the shop, any time. I've also a library and lab you're welcome to spend time in."

"You can stay." Integrity says, moving from his seat and hugging Slixvah, with his lawyer arms, and then his wings. His embrace is firm, "Things won't go wack."

He rubs his beak against hers, "I'll help, if things can be fixed with your family. I'll file so many papers! And if they can't, you still have us. Me and Robert and Nemori, and she's got family problems too so you'd have lots to talk about."

Another squeeze, and an assertation, "You can always stay. It's a great apartment, and if you need to be alone I can sleep in Miki-no-name's library."

"Oh!" He says suddenly and brightly, "and if it's a curse where you have to keep moving like halflings do, well, there's LOTS of wiggle-room in curses."

Slixvah all but collapses into the embrace. She shakes her head, doing a half drunken, half sad laugh. "Gods, Blue. You're so dense it's adorable," she murmurs into his feathers. But she ends up tightening against him- "No. Please. I don't wanna be alone. Not tonight. Not... tonight..."

She returns the beak rub weakly. "... it's not a curse. It's a backwards ass blessing..." she whispers, closing her eyes slowly. As...

Yep. She passed out.

Mikilos tsks mildly, and shrugs. "Might be best to share a room upstairs rather than try to carry her anyplace." the elf suggests. "Am curiously about the backwards blessing, but not really my business."

"You won't be alone." Jay whispers, holding onto Slix, supporting her. "You'll have the softest featherbed ever."

And she's passed out, he keeps her upright, slipping some coins on the table and looking over at Mikilos, "I'll stop by in a few days. I need to get her home."

She needs a friend, and understanding. The bluejay can provide at least one of those. Carefully rising, he lifts the other egalrin and holds her to his side, glancing at the upper rooms and the generally crowded pub.

"I think they're all full, two or three families each. It's been pretty hard with the whole countryside evacuated. I'll get a carriage though, we'll only have to brave a few flights of stairs."

Starting towards the door with her he adds, "If she wants to talk about it when she's sober, I'll suggest that. It was great meeting you, sorry to drink and run." Carefully, wedging his way with a wing to part the people, he carries Slixvah to the door. Outside, he is clearly heard, cawing for a cab. A rattling of wheels on cobblestones signals his success.

-End Scene-