Home is Where the Dreams are

The weather has not markedly improved since the deluge in the woods (for some), though the wind across the Redridge is neither cold nor driving. Adjacent to the mountain road, between the Vardamen temple and the airship field, sits a quaint stone cottage. It rests on the cliff ward side of the road, supported by buttresses extending from the cliff face, itself. A hearth burns brightly within and a mix of mana lamps and a smaller fire burn out on the covered porch front.

Under this cover, in one of several chairs, Verna is seated. In addition to (dry!) cloak and robes, she also has a blanket over her lap. A book hovers above the blanket as she peruses it, interspersed with picking various morsels from a plate on an adjacent side-table.

After a moment of solitude, Verna is joined by Auranar. Who is perhaps less well-known in the adventuring community than her girlfriend. Still, her crimson dress and the quickly-donned red coat that goes with it perfectly is noticeable even from a distance. She holds a red tea pot in one hand, which is amusingly coordinated and suits her mood at the moment. "Verna." She says softly as she opens the door, smiling at the woman resting on the front porch. "Come in and have some tea. It's almost time for dinner."

This is not said without some amusement and no little fondness, for it is often Auranar herself who will sit and read weather-regardless and place-not-mattering even a little.

The weather is of course absolutely putrid by Telamon's standards. Dressed in a deep blue tunic trimmed in silver, with tough reinforced trousers tucked into his well-polished boots and a long cloak over all of this, he glares up at the grey, scudding sky from beneath the protection of his gyroparasol. "Daeus's teeth, I hope this weather's not a sign of things to come." Those walking boots carry the elegant half-sil onward towards the imposing edifice that serves as Verna and Auranar's home. There's no point in stealth, nor does he bother with it, especially as he sees two people on the porch already.

Two more figures make their way up the mountain path, and the one on the right at least has a warm traveler's cloak pulled around him, hood up, against the other, but the pommel of the greatsword at his back proclaims Dolan's identity. He looks much more rested than he had the other night, and appears alert, upright, and much better than most have seen him recently. "I'm hoping she's home," he's saying to the woman on his left, turning his head to study her more fully.

The other figure has her own cloak; going without would either be folly, or hubris. Well, there might be other reasons too. But Halani keeps her own cloak pulled about her, and if it doesn't look so warm as Dolan's it appears to be doing the trick. She turns her head to the right to look at him, half of her face obscured by her cowl. "If she is, she is.. if she isn't, we find out where she is, yeah?" As the cottage and the lit porch come into view, she notes, "Someone's there at least."

Verna looks up from her tome at the voice. True to form, the sight of Auranar's smile invokes one from the Vardamen; not as wide nor bright (and perhaps more tired than even her norm), yet one all the same. "Of course, dearest." They both know that she cannot resist Auranar's culinary creations. Make that the three of them, as her stomach grumbles assent.

The tome is closed and Verna rises from her seat, whereby she then notes several traveling the road; past the temple and nearing, as well. That leaves only two likely destinations, and further study reveals at least one familiar visage. A hand lifts as she calls to Dolan, "The weather remains unpleasant, does it not?" On the slight possibility he was unaware.

Admittedly, with her thoughts on dinner and Verna (not at all in that order), Auranar is slow to realize that they have company incoming. She recognizes no one immediately, thinking them all passing by until Verna waves to Dolan and then... Well they're all close enough for her to realize who they are. All of them but Telamon who is not all that familiar to her. She thinks she remembers seeing him briefly once, perhaps twice, but he is clearly also headed to the house.

The elvish woman with her black and pink hair offers a wave with her free hand, only to quickly steady the tea pot with that same hand. It's a bit full with the intention of having tea for the rest of the evening, and now she's glad of that seeing how many guests they have incoming. "Hello! I wasn't expecting so many guests! Do you all want to come in? Have some tea and take off those sodden cloaks?"

Telamon starts suddenly, his thoughts veering back to the present. Many guests? He turns around in confusion, and sees Halani and Dolan. "Oh! Er... sorry, here I was lost in my thoughts. Good day to you, Dolan... such as it is..." He turns back to Auranar and Verna, and smiles winningly. "And good day to you, Mourner Verna, and Auranar! I'm sorry to have been so dilatory in bringing the housewarming gift," and here he reaches into his haversack to pull out a bottle. "But things have been a touch busy of late."

Dolan, on the other hand, hesitates, still standing out in the rain, pulling the cloak closely around him. "Sorry, I didn't expect you to have visitors tonight," he demurs. "That's mighty gracious of you, but ...." Somehow, he seems - embarrassed?

Halani is.. perhaps a little less quick to avoid accepting hospitality. Though she doesn't know Dolan all that well, aside from the shared bond of hunting lycanthropes, she gives the tall man a gentle elbow and takes a step forward. Only a step, though.. enough to state intent, but not much that she can't turn about and depart if that's what Dolan chooses to do. "Come on, big man.. tea'll warm you up, yeah? And the mourner's here, like you wanted."

Leave it to Auranar to be the more, and first, gracious hostess. Verna now gestures with an inviting beckon and then a directive to the interior. "Please, dry and warm yourselves. It is the least we can offer in this weather, to say nothing of recent events. I regret that I did not share my gratitude previously. You are all well?" She did not even inquire as much, before. She then notes Halani's comment to Dolan and Verna looks to him with some curiosity. "If you had matters to discuss, all the more reason to be comfortable."

Auranar helpfully opens the door, stepping inside and motioning for the others to follow her in. "Please do! You all must be horribly chilled at this point. There's room for all!" She says this as she heads inside and the interior of the home is revealed. It is obvious firstly, that both the women read. A lot. There are bookshelves everywhere. Most of them holding more than their fair share of tomes. All dutifully organized by type and author. Secondly is that one or both of the women is quite fastidious since everything has a place and everything is in that place.

The home is not overly large, but it seems so by virtue of being so well organized. There's not one but a pair of couches, and a pair of comfortable chairs as well arranged around the hearth-fireplace. Auranar makes her way to the table in the middle of this space and sets the tea pot down before walking deeper into the house to where lies a rather spectacularly appointed kitchen. Any chef would be proud to cook here, and Auranar seems happy as a clam in water as she gathers up tea cups and a bowl of fruit off the counter to bring back into the main living area. An upstairs hides further secrets from prying eyes.

The entirety of the home is made of stone, and much of it worked with gentle care. The wall furthest from the fireplace in fact has a mural worked into the stone of a great tree, and the hearth itself - made of stone as well - bears resemblance to another so it bears the illusion that two great trees wrap around the home. One looking up would immediately recognize that a great deal of time was spent shaping leaves into the ceiling. These works of art are not perfect by any means, but they were made with a great deal of time put into them. Enough that the effort shows. "Welcome to our home." Auranar offers, looking a touch embarrassed. These are after all, their first house guests, and she is nervous about how their combined efforts might be seen by others.

After hanging up his cloak, Telamon happily follows Auranar and Verna into the house proper. Politely presenting the bottle to Auranar (a fifteen year sangiovese), the half-elf lets his gaze slide around, inspecting everything with a look of -- no, that's not just interest. It's wonder. His eyes sparkle, as he examines the stonework, reaching out to trace the leaves. "It's beautiful. At some point, with your permission, I'd like to bring Cor'lana out here to look at it as well." He offers Auranar and Verna a cheerful smile. "You've done well."

"Well, if you're sure-" Dolan seems a whole lot more awkward, but eventually accepts the invitation, pausing at the door to remove his own sodden cloak and leave it on the covered porch to dry, followed after a hesitation and a glance around by the harness that holds the greatsword over his back. This he leans up against the wall of the house near the door, then slips his boots off and leaves those as well.

So it is that he pads in hose-feet into the house, looking around him with great interest. "Your house is lovely," he blurts out, almost as an afterthought stepping aside so that Halani can also come in out of the rain.

Halani follows up on to the porch, removing her cloak with a shrug and a snatch, before laying it down beside Dolan's. While he stands in the door, she gives the man all the time he needs before following after he steps aside. "Lots of books," she comments after taking a moment to take in the interior. "Looks homey, yeah?"

Verna trails in after Halani, closing the door behind her. "Yes, we are sure. You are all quite welcome." She then walks to catch up to Auranar, waiting until then to note, "The decor is entirely Auranar's doing," she indicates the walls, "and the collection of literature a combined effort. She had made this dwelling truly a home for us both." The sylvanori receives an affectionate hand upon her shoulder before excuses herself to the kitchen, "I shall fetch additional cups." Surely not to also enjoy the delectable scents of dinner from point-blank range.

Auranar accepts the bottle of wine graciously. It's when he hands her the bottle that Auranar remembers Telamon's name. She's glad to not have said anything out loud, and not for the first time she's glad of her dark complexion to hide the flush on her face as he touches the decorations she made - quite literally by hand. She excuses herself briefly to put the bottle of wine aside for the moment, nodding to Verna's intent to get more tea cups. She had not been able to get enough on her trip to the kitchen what with the bowl of fruit in hand as well. "Make yourselves comfortable! There's some fruit if you're hungry, and in a little bit the stew will be finished, if you are interested in staying for dinner. I made bread as well."

What had been intended for two could easily enough become at least an offering of sorts to five what with a whole loaf of fresh-baked bread to make it go around a little more.

Telamon turns to regard Dolan and Halani with that smile, offering them a bow. "Dolan, it's good to see you again," he says. "How is Andelena doing? I presume all is well on that front?" He doesn't quite know Halani, studying her, before grinning. "My pardon, ma'am. Telamon Atlon, at your service." There's a certain amount of ... not exactly good cheer, but reassuring good spirits in his eyes. An upwelling of happiness that he's willing to pass around like a bottle on a cold night.

"You're very kind." Dolan is still more than a little awkward, but eventually makes his way further into the room, to perch carefully on the edge of one of the couches. "She's fine, she has guard duty tonight. I thought I'd see how Verna was doing." A cheeky grin cracks even the twisted side of his features at that mention. "I think she told off the captain when he tried to put me on the schedule, too."

"Hey.. you didn't tell me I was supposed to bring an offering. People are supposed to tell me these things!" Halani whispers to Dolan as people finish filing in. She lets out a short huff, blowing away some loose strands of hair.. then she shrugs. Nothing to be done about it now. She returns Telamon's bow with a fist-in-palm bow of her own. "I am Halani, of the Illustrious Isles of Jade."

"I do well," Verna offers from the kitchen, "my thanks to all of you..." more quietly, she adds, "if a bit famished and weary, yet." A few moments later she emerges, a suitable quantity of cups in hand. She is quiet as she sets them upon the table, likely due to her jaw being occupied by chewing.

Once able to speak again, she leans to Auranar, "The stew meat on its own was delectable, dearest. I am most eager to sample the stew, itself." She then looks to their guests to add, "There will be enough for all, of course."

The words that Verna says to Auranar aren't quite whispered so that if wanted they could easily be overheard and the reason for Auranar's sudden bloom of smile is more readily gleaned. She steals a light kiss to Verna's cheek before the other woman can pull away and whispers back. "Voracious." Then she politely turns her head back to where people are introducing themselves and has the grace to return to her former state of embarrassment. "OH! I didn't realize that you didn't know one another!"

With this she quickly pours out tea and hands out the cups to each person in turn. "Is it checking on my wayward girlfriend that brings you all in on such a gloomy day, or did you have some other intent?" She doesn't seem to mind either way.

Telamon takes the teacup with a certain aplomb, sniffing at the steam before taking a sip. "I prefer to think of it as 'friends I haven't met yet'. It doesn't hurt that Dolan -is- a friend of mine." Watching the byplay between Auranar and Verna, he can't help but grin. perhaps thinking of his own relationship. "Mostly to deliver the bottle as a housewarming gift. Also to check in and make sure all is well with Verna -- I had commissioned something from her and wanted to make sure she didn't need anything else." He raises his cup politely. "I know, these things take time. I'm not begrudging it."

Dolan, again, seems to be quite sheepish and awkward and out of his element. "Yeah -" he scratches nervously at the back of his neck. "I'm glad to see you're okay, but-" He pauses long enough to take the teacup from Auranar and sip carefully, letting out a sigh when the warmth suffuses him. "I've forgotten the last time I was warm." He opens his mouth, as if to say something else, but shuts it again and looks at Halani.

With everyone inside, Halani makes herself at home, folding cross legged into a corner of a free couch. She rakes her fingers through her hair once (it's still a little damp) then settles her hands in her lap. Seeing Dolan hesitate, she shrugs, gladly accepting the tea, taking a sip. "I -think- what Mister Dolan's trying to say.. is he wanted to check on you after the whole wolfman incident, yeah? Maybe ask about your dreams? I dunno. Can't read minds. Yet. But I know I wanted to ask you about your dreams." So. Straight into it. Another sip. "Oh. This is very good."

The kiss causes color to sprout and bloom upon Verna's cheek. One added appellation, then another, add to this further... yet the growing quirk of the Mourner's lips halts and they firm before returning to their more typical flat line. "I shall endeavor to be less wayward in the future."

Before lamenting too long, she segues to Dolan with, "You should stay warm in this weather. I suggest a good hearth and pleasant company. I presume that Andelena could ensure you are kept warm." An attempt at humor? If it is such, Halani's foresight returns her to the here, now, and factual.

"They are unpleasant," she explains without detail, "and have been so for some time. As I understand, most, if not all, with ties to mana have experienced these. Now, they grow worse."

To Telamon, Verna assures, "Your commission shall be completed. It may be delayed by two days, perhaps three, given recent events. Regrettably, I was unable to focus upon the work these past nights."

Auranar looks at Dolan with just a trace of concern, offering a half-smile at Verna's suggestion. Verna and herself are the last two to recieve tea. Such is the way of being the hostess. Hers is poured lastly of course. Her eyes flicker to Halani at the mention of dreams however and her eyes grow hooded as she takes one of the chairs, fingers wrapped around the tea cup for further warmth. "What she will not, and has not said is that these dreams are keeping her up nights to the point where work and prayers the next day are... Well she says that she can't focus, but I think she's having more trouble than she's trying to let on." It's clear from some stiffness that perhaps even Auranar is not getting the whole story here.

Telamon frowns heavily. "I... was not aware you were being pursued by the dreams again, Verna. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked at all. Both Lana and I went through that and I wouldn't wish it on anyone." He sighs. "Sopor venerum is a stopgap, though I also turned over copies of my dream-walking research to the Soldier's Defense as well as the Temple of Eluna. If you would like copies I am of course at your service." He offers Auranar a reassuring smile. "These nightmares are grim, yes, but they can be fought. They can be beaten."

The half of Dolan's face that remains flexible and expressive looks thoroughly discomfited, and he takes a long, careful draw of the tea. "Yeah. There's a bit more to it than that." Siiiip. "I get 'em too, and they're pretty d-" He stops abruptly, looking around at present company, and cuts himself off sharply. "Sorry." Was it possible for him to look more embarrassed? Apparently. "They're specific. I dream that I'm chasing Andie like Caracoroth chases Eluna across the night sky.

Halani nods once. "Yeah. Well, I was -fine- until the other night... dreaming about Eluna at full glow going dark.. and a howling wolf. And then.. well.. hunting like you." She pauses. "Though, not hunting your girlfriend, yeah? Because that would be awkward." She takes another sip, then sets the teacup upon the end of her index finger, balancing it there. "And I'm not magic, yeah?"

Verna's admonishment deepens, apparent in her glance to Auranar. Telamon receives a light gesture to dismiss his concerns of her, though further words are halted at Dolan's description. With Halani's confirmation, Verna stills rigid. "I saw myself hunting you, Auranar, whenever I closed my eyes. I was concerned... terrified for you." A pause before she states obvious fact. "I should not have kept that from you."

Her eyes shift to Dolan briefly, perhaps seeking some validation, before they move to Halani. The oddity, perhaps. "They only just began? In the dreams, I presume that you hunt one close to you?"

Halani shakes her head at Verna, spinning the cup slowly. "Nope!" She grins broadly. "Maybe it means I don't actually have anyone close to me, yeah?"

Auranar seems a bit uncomfortable with the topic of conversation, her eyes sliding to Verna with growing question until her concerns are validated by the woman's own words. She leans forward then, looking at her girlfriend with worry and just a tinge of - regret? "Why didn't you tell me Verna?" She asks, he voice low and full of softness. "If... What if... I..." She seems at a loss for words suddenly and she looks down at her cup of tea with thoughts swimming across her face but none of them spoken. The elvish woman lapses into silence.

This was _exactly_ what Dolan had been trying to avoid, judging by the crestfallen and now-thoroughly embarrassed look that seems to have parked itself on its features for the evening. He sips at his tea, looking over at Halani, then back into the tea.

"Because this is not the sort of thing anyone wants to reveal to their soulmate." Telamon's eyes glint, the stars deep within his gaze glimmering. "It is an unpleasant permutation of the prior round of nightmares, which involved spellcasters being hunted in their dreams." He looks sympathetically at Auranar, before his eyes flick to Verna. "However... it is better to be open about such things. So they can be addressed. Healed if need be. The dark gods delight in such loathsome, -petty- games. Give them nothing."

"I wish to give them nothing," Verna assures Telamon firmly, though her focus remains upon Auranar as a fist clenches at her side "They deserve nothing." She pauses for a purposeful inhalation, followed by a slow exhalation. "Yet they take."

"My thoughts were once upon all things, everything that might be learned... and then I found one who embodied all that -needed- be known. I would have my focus be only upon you..."

"But no!" - a scowl hardens to match her hand - "Archfiends worm their way into my skull to belittle you! Now The Dread Wolf harries me to harry you?! What might be next?!"

In a less-than-wholly-logical attempt to loosen her fist, she strikes it down upon the table. Fortunately for the table (less so her fist), the table is strong and Verna is not. Cups may rattle, however.

Auranar feels somewhat chastised by Telamon's words and yet when Verna speaks up with such passion she looks up in surprise. Without thinking - after the thud of hand on wood - Auranar puts her cup on the table and lays her hand on Verna's. Trying to calm the woman with a soft worried smile. "Nothing can force us apart Verna. The Gray Lady has brought us together, and what force can separate what she has made whole?" Here she smiles truly. "My worries are only why you and these others are having these... hunting dreams again when no one else is. It must have meaning. Purpose. Purpose perhaps that we can use against our foes."

Still Dolan remains, sipping his tea and looking rather like he wants to crawl in a hole and pull it in after him. He makes no attempt to add to the conversation.

For his part, Telamon nods firmly to Auranar and Verna. "I won't deny the... unpleasantness of such dreams. But for all their horror they are just that: dreams. Do not take counsel of them." He steeples his fingers. "I don't know if my own dream-research will help you, but it can't hurt. I'll make copies and bring it to you as swiftly as I can."

He flicks a look at Dolan, who's looking decidedly unhappy. "Copper for your thoughts, Dolan. Anything you can add on is probably going to be useful."

It may be the sting from the table, or (more likely) Auranar's hand and smile. The bubbling ire fades, Verna's hand -along with the rest of her- losing tension. "My apologies. Forgive me. You are correct, of course." A flicker of smile is returned before she now seems to recall the others. Her head turns. "As are you, Telamaon. I welcome any research on the matter... and your thoughts, as well, Dolan." Awkward and silent or not, it appears that he is managing his own far better than she at the moment.

Auranar lapses into silence herself, and then suddenly gets to her feet. "The stew! Give me a moment please!" She hurries into the kitchen to serve up the food, cutting the loaf of bread into equal portions and then returning to the table with a tray holding everything several moments later.

Telamon smiles as Auranar bounces to her feet again, and as she retreats to the kitchen, he gives Verna a grin but says nothing. Instead, he politely waits for the food to be served, before offering Auranar a smile and a simple, "Thank you." Starting to eat quietly, as he mulls over what's been said thus far.

Halani seems to be largely unaffected by the mood falling over the cottage. When the stew arrives she is more than happy to take part in the elves' hospitality. Though partway through she does shake a spoon at Dolan. She says nothing, though it's a pointed reminder that it was his idea to come out this way in the first place. Still, she doesn't push the issue, polishing off the food and licking the bowl clean. "Hah. That was good. Been a while! I think I might take a walk, yeah? Mister Dolan there seems a bit shy.. might want some privacy for his talk." She does take the time to deliver her dishes to the kitchen wash basin, pausing only once she gets to the door. "Don't anyone go hunting anything without me, yeah?"

Verna notes Telamon's grin and returns it with a brief glance as Auranar darts off to fetch the food. She takes a seat at the table and momentarily joins Dolan in the awkward silence. The moment is brief, however, with Aura's return with the stew and bread. Being famished, she delves into it. It is just as well as perhaps too much was said following too little, before. Both matters to be rectified well after dinner, perhaps in privacy. They have guests, afterall. Speaking of which, as famished as Verna is, Halani's brisk meal and departure may make her appear the more voracious one. That, or perhaps she is merely being polite... another personal issue for the Mourner to address in the future.

-End