Founders Reunited
Log Info
- Title: Founders Reunited
- Emitter: Irshya
- Place: The City Library - Alexandria
- Summary: Surprises, snuggles, and soppiness ensue when the three founders of the TarRaCe reunite after an unexpectedly prolonged separation.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* The TarRaCe *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Inside, this two-story structure has been almost completely opened up. Generous windows on both stories allow daytime sunlight and cooling night breezes to flow in as needed, while the brick walls have been whitewashed - contrasting with the dark-stained beams and supports, and the rich polish on the wooden floor. A broad strip of stone runs from the entrance to a framed doorway set into the opposite wall, with a sign above the lintel declaring that the baths are to be found that way.
The ground floor is sprinkled with tables and chairs of assorted sizes, offering welcome to guests both large and small. One whole corner of the building - into which guests are not permitted entry - has been given over to the kitchen, which serves as the domain of the famed monster chef Ligum Serforus. Mundane meals are available, but the chef delights in offering up obscure dishes made from the freshest of monster ingredients.
Opposite the kitchen a small bar runs in front of an array of shelves, displaying a broad selection of beverages (most of them alcoholic). The bar-top has been fashioned from what looks to have been old pieces of armor, fused and welded together before being polished to provide a near-smooth finish. Set above it, three human-sized statues have been built into an alcove in the wall: Tarien, Rada and Ceinara jointly keep benevolent watch over the room and its occupants.
To the right of the entrance, a small stage offers a platform for a handful of performers at a time. To the left of the door, a spiral staircase of wrought iron winds its way up to a balcony dining area, that is chiefly reserved for special events and parties.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
While the wind howls outside, and causes the odd whistling inside, and rattles the shutters, the bright sunlight and cloudless sky add a cheeriness to the warmth inside the Tarrace. The small number of patrons are waiting on by the staff, served hot drinks and the daily specials of cockatrice stew, and mutant cranberry pie.
Irshya has spent most of the day tending to the bar, running back and forth between the kitchen and the bar, ferrying hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee by the trayful. When not serving on, or chatting with customers, the Gobbo cleans, dealing with spills, dropped food and polishing the bar's myriad collection of glasses and mugs.
The door opens, letting in an unpleasant blast of wind as well as a new arrival - who then spends a couple of moments struggling to seal the portal once more behind her. Laughing softly, she puts her back to it, gulping in a little warm air before pushing herself upright and setting about disentangling her cloak. Finally flipping her hood back from her face, she peers around with evident interest... and a happy smile on her lips.
That broadens into a grin when she spots a familiar little figure. Starting into the room, she tries to angle her approach so as to be able to come up behind Irshya... though the peregrinations of the goblin make it rather hard to predict where she might be or what direction she might face in more than a few seconds ahead of time.
While the wind howls outside, and causes the odd whistling inside, and rattles the shutters, the bright sunlight and cloudless sky add a cheeriness to the warmth inside the Tarrace. The small number of patrons are waiting on by the staff, served hot drinks and the daily specials of cockatrice stew, and mutant cranberry pie.
Irshya has spent most of the day tending to the bar, running back and forth between the kitchen and the bar, ferrying hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee by the trayful. When not serving on, or chatting with customers, the Gobbo cleans, dealing with spills, dropped food and polishing the bar's myriad collection of glasses and mugs.
The door opens, letting in an unpleasant blast of wind as well as a new arrival - who then spends a couple of moments struggling to seal the portal once more behind her. Laughing softly, she puts her back to it, gulping in a little warm air before pushing herself upright and setting about disentangling her cloak. Finally flipping her hood back from her face, she peers around with evident interest... and a happy smile on her lips.
That broadens into a grin when she spots a familiar little figure. Starting into the room, she tries to angle her approach so as to be able to come up behind Irshya... though the peregrinations of the goblin make it rather hard to predict where she might be or what direction she might face in more than a few seconds ahead of time.
Irshya is putting some effort into assembling the glass mugs into a little pyramid, after polishing them to a fine sheen. She pauses a moment, and sniffs at the air. Her expression brightens considerable, and she turns to move from the bar... faceplanting into looming Ygraine's stomach.
"Oof!"
Not exactly in line with *any* of the greetings that Ygraine had considered delivering... but the exhalation of sound and air is rapidly followed by a somewhat breathy laugh. "Err. Boo! Though I think you found me before I managed to say that," she says with a grin and a wink.
Irshya manages to look surprised, but she laughs when recognition sets in, and she hugs at Ygraine's waist. "And a good oof to you, too!", she says with a giggle. "Ygraine! It is good to see you again, so soon after your victorious return!" She pauses a moment to pour an ale for a customer gesturing at the end of the bar, and the glass is slid down the bartop to the man.
"Did you wish for something hot to warm you up? The apple cider is delicious, Dwarven-made and hot."
Ygraine happily snares Irshya for another hug upon her return, crouching down to deliver it on mere equal terms. "That sounds lovely, thank you. Would you like a hand with anything? I think that I might have missed a *few* shifts in which I should have provided some assistance.... But if I can keep you company, I Shall be glad indeed."
Sabina litteraly appears from nothingness beside Ygraine and with a wide grin speaks into Ygraines ear. "You could keep me company too?" The maskless priestess giggles and winks to Irshya.
The Gobbo blinks and squeaks, "Sabina, too?!" She joyfully hugs at the fresh hug-target. "Irshya is about to get some apple cider for Ygraine, would you like some too? It's hot, perfect to warm up with." Giggling, she shakes her head to Ygraine, "No, you need not help out. You are an honoured guest. We can talk about shifts later, yes?"
Letting out a startled yelp, Ygraine then finds herself laughing awkwardly - before double-taking and blinking up at the new arrival. "S-Sabina? Wow. I... I don't think I've ever seen you looking quite like that," she says, while taking her first-ever opportunity to study her friend's face. "Wow. Ummm. *Hello*." She laughs, resting a hand on Irshya's shoulder, while the goblin is glomped onto her new target. "And certainly. I bow to your wisdom, my friend."
Bina continues to chuckle and puts a hand to Irshya's back while giving Ygraine a one armed hug. "It's good to see you, Ygraine. It's been too long. But I can say that you are looking well."
She looks down to the little gob and nods. "I would love some, thank you Irshya."
Irshya seems to be reluctant to let go, but she grins toothily, and runs off towards the Kitchen. There's an uptick in chatter in the kitchen, and the door opens a crack, eyes peering through it, before the Gobbo comes running out with a mug in each hand.
"One for you, and one for you!", she says cheerfully, offering each lady a modest sized mug filled with a golden liquid that lets off a little wafts of steam. "It's hot, please blow on it before drinking."
Ygraine takes advantage of Irshya's absence to rise to her feet, and - slightly diffidently - offer Sabina a full hug. "I have missed you," she says softly. "And I am sorry. I have already apologised to Irshya, but I have not yet had the chance to do so to you."
Then she pulls away enough to accept her mug, grinning fondly down at the shark-goblin, albeit with somewhat wet eyes.
Bina blinks once, "Appologise? For what? I can't think of a thing you need to apologise for, Ygraine."
She takes the drink from Irshya with a smile and a bend to kiss the smaller one on the top of her long hair. "Thank you, Shya, I'll be careful."
Irshya spends a few moments tending to drink orders, loading up a tray for one of the servers, who is tending to a party of six customers.
"It is good that both of you have returned. Irshya missed you both greatly, both your friendship and your leadership here. You're both welcome to return to duties. Irshya has some coins for both of you, and Irshya would happily share the Tarrace with you both. At times, it is too much for one person to handle."
"I left 'for a short time'... and took two years to return from trying to help my blood-family," Ygraine notes dryly, flashing Sabina a smile. "And in that time, some things have changed, rather evidently! Though..." She beams fondly down at Irshya. "Some seem not to. It is *wonderful* to see both of you. And if I can be of use to you, Irshya, then I would love to help. I have been spending quite a bit of time here, when I can, but have tried to keep out of the way and not pester anyone. I wanted to try to meet both of you first, before risking anything so grand as venturing into the kitchen."
Bina smiles to Irshya and rolls her eyes a little. "I did paperwork while I was here, Shya. And talked a lot. Tarien knows I wasn't very good at it, and had lots of help keeping things straight. I'll help here and there but this is your place even if it's 'our place' too."
Ygraine gets another side hug. "You did what you had to do, Ygraine. I can not and will not fault you for that. Nor, I think, will Shya."
"Irshya does not fault her, but does admit she was upset at one point." Irshya reaches for one of Ygraine's hands, to press her little face into. "And paperwork is still an important thing to do, Bina! You still served people. Customers adored you, also. That is another way to help." The Gobbo sniffles. "Irshya doesn't want to do it alone any more. She wants her dear friends back, it is you who made the Tarrace the special place it is, at least for Irshya."
Allowing her hand to be snared, Ygraine looks deeply touched - lightly stroking at the goblin's face. She might crouch down to deliver another hug, but fortunately remembers the mug of hot cider in her other hand!
"I'm trying to make sure that I am around more, and for longer," she says quietly. "And I would very much like to help here, as best I can. I am still far too unskilled a performer to take a key role on-stage myself, but I might be able to aid an act every now and then in a supporting role... and I can certainly try to help *you*. And I also hope that I might manage to accomplish an occasional feat of derring-do! I returned with a couple of new items to try to help me in that... but it was returning *here*, and to the two of you, that I dreamt of far more than anything else."
Bina smiles tenderly at the two embracing and nods. "I shall try to assist, Shya. I promise. But I'll need someone with a wiser head to look over my numbers and figures if I do paperwork. Chatting now.. chatting I can do without issue."
She crouches as well and wraps the two up in a hug after setting down her cider. "The three have reunited. It's been a long while. It feels good."
Irshya decides now is the time for tears, and snuffles and sobs into the embrace, clinging to each of the others.
Ygraine carefully sets her mug aside, so that she can use both arms while crouching and leaning into the double embrace. "Awwwwww. We're all here now," she murmurs soothingly... while trying to fight back her own tears. "And I am very, very glad indeed to be with the two of you."