Part of the Family

Log Info

• Title: Part of the Family

• Emitter: Ravenstongue

• Characters: Ravenstongue, Telamon

• Place: Ravenstongue and Telamon's house

• Summary: Luthel Peranus, the lover and traveling partner of Ravenstongue's late mother, arrives at the Lupecyll-Atlon household and is let in by Telamon. Ravenstongue and Telamon are pleasantly surprised to learn that Luthel's moved all the way from the Mythwood to Alexandria, choosing to be closer to the Branfeax family and to Ravenstongue. They readily accept him as one of the family, even if the exact title Luthel has is left undefined for now.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Dramatis Personae =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-      
Ravenstongue         5'0"     99 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair.             
Telamon              5'6"     140 Lb     Half-Elf          Male      A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes
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-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-=-= NPCs of Note =-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-  
Luthel Peranus       5'6"                Wild Elf          Male      A muscular, sandy-blond elf armed to the teeth.  
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Lúpecyll-Atlon residence, noon.

It's a day where things stand still, where the grey clouds blot out the sky and strip the shadows from all things. It's a day that encourages people to keep inside, as there's hardly a use for a summer day so hot and humid without the sunny rays that invites people to the shores of the riverbank. It's a day that sees Cor'lana Lúpecyll pursing her lips in thought as she stares at her journal, charcoal pencil in hand as she tries to find the words to write.

But it seems the words aren't coming, and she puts the journal down onto the coffee table as she rises from the couch in the living room. She tightens the tie on her silk robe, as it'd gone a little too slack for her liking, and she walks over to the kitchen, violet eyes peering out the window as she seems to just... think.

Then there's a knock that comes at the door.

The garden is blooming, splashes of welcome color against the unpleasant gray of the sky above. It's partly Telamon's patient work, and partly the garden fey that happily lend a hand as needed. And unfortunately, Tel currently isn't appreciating it. He's in his study, reading through a set of documents that arrived the other day.

"Gods, I hate this sometimes," he mutters, making sure everything is in order before signing off at the bottom and blowing on the ink to dry it. He glances up at the knock, and hms, rising -- dressed in simple breeches and a tunic, as it's a lazy day for the two of them here in the Lúpecyll-Atlon household.

"I've got it," he calls to Cor'lana, as he walks to the front door, reaching for the lock and latch to open the door.

And... standing at the other side of the door is Luthel Peranus. He's dressed in a much more casual outfit compared to the full adventuring regalia he'd appeared in last time, with a deep blue tunic that hugs his broad and muscular frame and a pair of drawstring pants and boots adorning his legs and feet. More importantly, he's holding a bouquet of white yarrow and lavender juniper flowers--and he seems a little... bashful? as he looks at Telamon.

"Ah, I was sort of hoping you wouldn't be home," he admits. "I--"

The rest of Luthel's train of thought is interrupted by an excited squeal as Pothy flies out of the study and past Telamon's head to land on Luthel's shoulder, nuzzling against the wild elf's cheek. "Luthy!" Pothy says happily. "I was hoping you'd be here for Nadi's birthday!"

Wait. Nadi's what now?

Telamon looks confused, but he smiles at Luthel regardless. "Luthel, it's good to see you again!" He steps back to let Luthel enter if he chooses, beckoning. "Lana will be happy to see you, as well as--" And then Pothy comes piling out to greet the powerfully-built elf. "...Pothy," he finishes with a wry grin.

When Pothy mentions 'Nadi's birthday', his eyebrow rises, but he doesn't make a fuss... instead repeating his beckoning gesture. "Please, Luthel, come inside. Sit down. I don't know what the weather holds today but it's miserably hot and humid out here." Indeed, the windows of the house are open, and the gnomish box fan is spinning to keep a steady breeze, driven by Tel's unseen servant.

"Yes, it's miserable," Luthel agrees, smiling a little. He steps inside the house, but there's a noticeable stiffness in his step, almost a limp as he walks inside. It's something that could be helped with a cane, but it appears Luthel doesn't want one or just hasn't acquired one yet.

Pothy notices, too. "Did you hurt yourself, Luthy?" he asks, a pout rather evident in his voice (if ravens could pout). The white raven peers over Luthel's broad shoulder to stare down at his legs, as if though he could diagnose the problem by staring at them.

Cor'lana pops out of the kitchen and blinks a couple of times as she overhears the conversation. "Oh! Luthel!" she says, and a smile soon chases her words. "This is a complete surprise. What's the occasion?"

"Your mother's birthday," Luthel replies, ignoring Pothy's question. "I was sort of hoping you would all be out somewhere, but... Well, this is fine, too. Here, flowers are for you."

He holds out the bouquet and Cor'lana smiles again. "Oh, these are lovely," she says. "Please, take a seat. I'll go find someplace for these and get changed."

Cor'lana disappears into the bedroom, and Luthel does as he's told. He looks over to Grandfather's rocking chair, which has laid vacant for some time now, and chooses to take another seat instead in the living room. "Looks like you two have managed to keep safe," Luthel observes. "That's good."

Indeed, there are small changes from the last time. While the house isn't littered with flowers like it was when the pixies did their cleaning, there are still indoor vines and plants placed in harmony with the furniture and setting. The best of two worlds, which matches Tel's views on the subject.

"Can I get you anything to drink, Luthel? As miserably stuffy and hot as it is, I highly recommend the chilled tea. Lana and I find it's quite good during this sort of weather." Telamon is a cheerful host, and he clatters around a bit in the kitchen while Lana changes clothes.

At the mention of safety, he manages to keep from twitching, but instead simply says, "It's a tough road doing that, being adventurers." Telamon sighs. "Sometimes I wonder if we're both addicted to the excitement. Was it that way for you?"

Luthel certainly does his fair share of looking around the place, although he does squint at the indoor vines and plants that intertwine with the home--perhaps trying to judge if they're kept alive by magic or if Telamon's gardening skill has turned to inside the home. He turns his attention back to Telamon's question regarding the tea. "Yes," Luthel replies, "chilled tea sounds great. Probably too early in the day for some chilled wine."

Pothy remains on Luthel's shoulder, the raven loving on the wild elf's cheekbones now that he's not trying to get a look at those calves. It's hard to tell whether it's Pothy's affection or Telamon's inquiry that puts another light smile on Luthel's mouth, however. "Yes. That, and love," he replies, "while I had it. I could have retired on the money that we made earlier on in the adventuring career--but Nadina didn't want to call it quits, and I would have sooner gnawed my arm off than let her get into danger without me. She was definitely addicted to the excitement."

Telamon fills three talltankards with the chilled tea, and moves them out to the living area, sitting down on the couch across from Luthel. One for Luthel, one for himself, one for Lana when she finishes changing. "I think... there will come a time when Lana and I are no longer interested in, how shall we say, fighting fires for fun and profit. Probably not tomorrow, but eventually."

Tel takes a sip from his tea, before continuing. "I don't think Lana's quite as thrillseeking as Nadina was, but if something rouses her ire, time to dive for cover." He looks wry. "Not that I've got any room to criticize."

The smile on Luthel's face takes on a wistful note. "Nadina was one of a kind," he replies. "That being said--"

Cor'lana emerges from the room wearing a short-sleeved cotton dress dyed a deep black that goes all the way down to her calves. She takes a seat next to Telamon and smiles. "I put the flowers into the vase in our room," she says with a smile. "We have some lavender at the moment, so it's nice to have some more variety, too."

Luthel nods again. He seems more quiet when Cor'lana's around, his glowing blue eyes darting away from her. "Good. I'm glad to hear it," he says.

Pothy looks between Cor'lana and Luthel for a moment before the bird gives a deep sigh. "Luthy, you didn't come all this way from the Mythwood again for nothing, did you? Come on, spit it out."

Luthel gives Pothy a side-glance, but he nods. "Right," he says, and then he turns his attention back onto the two half-elves. "I've moved to Alexandria. Gerald--Adelaide's father--suggested it the last time I was here, and I did a lot of thinking about it. I bought a house out by the Temple District."

Telamon puts his arm around Lana, almost without thinking. It's second nature at this point, to be honest. "Sounds good to me," he replies to her about the flowers. "Which vase did you use? The blue one?" Then he cants his head to Pothy and Luthel, turning his attention there.

When Luthel explains why he's here, Tel smiles gently. "There are worse places to live in Alexandria. So... I guess you had some time to think about whether you wanted to be involved in Lana's life, and mine? I'm not objecting... I'm pleased to see you again, and I think it'll be good for you in the long run."

"The blue one, yes," Cor'lana says with a smile, but her attention is turned to Luthel afterwards--and her eyes widen a little in surprise. "I honestly didn't expect you to leave the Mythwood. I mean... It's lovely up there. And I'd want to move up there when Tel and I think about having children eventually. His family's up there, and it's closer to..."

Her thoughts trail off as she looks over at Grandfather's rocking chair. Luthel takes a sip of his chilled tea in the meantime, and nods approvingly of the taste. He regards Cor'lana with a cool look from those odd eyes of his that match Nadina's. "Your fey ancestor, yes. The Mythwood is a place closer to Quelynos than others, especially in the parts that are more strictly guarded and patrolled. I understand you already have him, and I'm not going to ever ask you to call me your father--but I do want to be involved in your life. Both of your lives," he adds. "I just want to be here for the two of you. I may not have been there for you like I wanted to be when you were younger due to Nadina's wishes, but I can be here for you now, Cor'lana."

There's a moment where Cor'lana just looks at him in a quiet sense of shock--her jaw open, eyes wide--and then she replaces it with a wide smile. "I don't know about an exact title," she says, "given how I've never had a good history with the word 'father', but I'll be happy to have you in my family, Luthel."

The words have an interesting effect on Luthel. It seems what had been holding back the muscular man this whole time was, in fact, nervousness, as a wide grin dawns on his face, the hesitation and awkwardness that was there before seeming to melt away. "Well, that's far better than anything I was expecting today," Luthel says.

Pothy's tail wags happily. "Yay! Luthy, you're part of the family now! That means you need to come by every Eliday and give me a bag of peanuts."

"Yes. There are places in the Mythwood that are..." Telamon sits back a bit, considering his words. "...Dangerous? No, too pejorative. Not for the unwary, that might be best. And yes, there are a couple that lie very close to Quelynos indeed." He looks sardonic. "Although you may find plenty of danger to sate any desires here in Alexandria, what with crises erupting every other week."

His expression softens at Lana's welcome of Luthel, and he seems pleased by this turn. "While my family and I have made it clear that Lana will be welcome among us, I know her relations with her..." He makes a face. "...sire are better left not discussed. So yes, Luthel, I am more than happy you want to be part of her life. I imagine having you walk her down the aisle might be quite appropriate."

"No, I'm just about forcibly retired," Luthel replies, smirking a little at the mention of crises. "I received an injury years ago from a kraken that we took down as a group. Damn thing near shattered my leg, and while we had it healed... it's a bit difficult to walk on some days. I take a potion on occasion to numb the pain if I really need to be mobile--such as when I was hunting your ancestor."

Cor'lana blinks. "A kraken? Was my mother there?" she asks, drawing closer to Telamon as though she's picturing the two of them facing down one together.

"Yes, and if it wasn't for your mother, I'd be properly dead," Luthel says. "Both on that occasion and many others. Your mother was probably the most formidable person I'd ever met. I've slayed all manner of things and went up against some truly intimidating things--but your mother, Cor'lana, could truly scare me on occasion. I remember thinking, 'I don't know what's more terrifying, her or the damn beast,' as I saw her call lightning down from the sky to strike it."

He smiles a little as he add on, "Which is to say it'd be an honor to walk Cor'lana down the aisle. After all, I don't have to be afraid of your mother turning me into a newt if she thinks I'm not moving fast enough."

"She did that once," Pothy remarks.

Telamon sits back, steepling his fingers. "They always talk about how glorious adventure is, but the stories seem to leave out lingering injuries, trauma, and stress." He snorts. "But no, that doesn't surprise me that she was intimidating. She was, as you say, a formidable woman, and completely self-assured when it came to doing what she wanted or taking action."

He smiles at Cor'lana, "Something to look forward to as we both develop our skills; scaring the hells out of everyone watching us. Which reminds me, love, I need to go by and see Auranar at some point. She's been..." He pauses, searching for the right words. "...a bit critical of herself of late, because she's not developed her talent as much. I think it'd be appropriate for me to offer a little tutoring if she wants it."

His eyes shift back to Luthel, and he grins. "I admit, your return does solve a problem for us of who would walk Lana down the aisle. I was thinking of appealing to Lady Sandiel but she's busier than a one-legged monk in a board-breaking competition."

Cor'lana frowns a little at the mention of Auranar's lack of confidence. "I'd like to offer that, too," she says. "All three of us have the 'talent', as you put it, so perhaps we can be of help to her. I remember being in that position not all that long ago--it's difficult."

Luthel, however, smirks as he knocks back another sip of his chilled tea, and as he pulls his tankard away from his lips, he says, "Well, they'll simply have to deal with me. Worst comes to shove... Nadina did say she'd never let anyone walk her down an aisle if she ever got married. Granted, she was deep into her cups at that point..."

Cor'lana blinks. "Why were you discussing marriage?" she asks.

Luthel can't help but smirk. "We were at a wedding for a former adventuring partner and it was an open bar. It was... a little awkward to be there. You're old enough to know, but, ah, well--"

Cor'lana just looks at Luthel. "Don't tell me. She slept with the groom. ...She slept with the bride."

There's just a look from Luthel's face and Cor'lana sighs. "She slept with both of them?"

"Not at the same time--different times," Luthel says, although he's chuckling about it. "But we were invited anyway. Regardless of awkward moments, we'd all bled for each other. You invite people like that to your wedding."

Telamon nods to Cor'lana. "I definitely wouldn't mind having you along, dear. Talent is... not really the sort of thing you can measure easily, and two different perspectives on it could be useful." That settled, he turns his full attention back to Luthel, listening.

At the revelation that Nadina had slept with the bride AND the groom, he just reaches up to cover his mouth, desperately trying not to laugh. It takes a minute, and he clears his throat before commenting. "Yes. Well. Neither Lana nor I are carrying that kind of baggage. Thankfully. Though suddenly I have a bit more sympathy for Pothy." He smirks at the familiar.

"But yes. Adventuring parties usually don't survive the internal dynamics... or they become, as you say, bound by the blood shed. It's like the arvek nar joke: friends help you move, and real friends help you move the bodies."

Pothy sighs deeply. "Now you get it," he says. "I had to tolerate so much. See so much. Luthel's not innocent, either!"

"We were all consenting adults, Pothy," Luthel reminds the white raven, patting him on the head. "There are worse things in life. Glad to know you haven't lost that childish attitude of yours."

Cor'lana can't help but snicker a little. "Yes, well," she says, "like Telamon says, neither of us have that coming back to haunt us. I'd never even kissed anyone before Tel. I never had the opportunity nor the interest in anyone before him."

Luthel looks at the two half-elves and gives them a warm smile, although there's a bit of amusement in his face. "There's something ironic about that," he says. "I guess that's how life goes. Not all children follow in the footsteps of their parents--some deviate so sharply that they take different roads altogether. I'm just happy to see that you're happy, Cor'lana--it sounds like you've walked a sad and lonely road for a long time, and I'm sorry I didn't fight harder with Nadina for your sake."

That note makes Cor'lana's smile dampen a little, but she nods. "It is what it is," she replies. "There's not much I can do besides to focus on the happiness that Telamon and I have now."

Telamon gives Lana a squeeze. "I can only keep repeating what I've told Lana before. That the best way to cure what came before is to start making a happier story." He kisses her cheek gently, before hugging her close.

"So if you're going to be a regular here in the Lúpecyll-Atlon home, Luthel, just so you know: we have a few minor fey living in the garden. Kind of like groundskeepers." He looks wry. "Expect to have at least one spend some time mooning over you like a teenage girl."

Cor'lana, of course, is never going to object to Telamon hugging her close and giving her affection, even if it's in the face of danger. She blushes and leans into him as he hugs her. But then Telamon brings up the fey, and she snickers again. "Yes," she says. "Currently we have two pixies and one son of a minor fey noblewoman called the Matron Mantidalia--he usually takes the form of a praying mantis and is content to chase pests out of the gardens. Those tomatoes that Auranar gave us haven't been marred by anything wanting to eat them before we get a chance to."

Luthel blinks. "Pixies... and the son of a fey noblewoman. I can deal with them swooning just fine. It's other entities I'm more worried about." He makes a face at his tankard like he suddenly wishes it contained an alcoholic beverage. "Such as... 'Grandfather'? How often does he come around?"

Cor'lana sighs. "He's not been around lately. Which seems to coincide with some other... things we've learned lately."

Luthel nods soberly. He looks at the rocking chair for a moment, before he looks at Telamon and Cor'lana. "Be careful with that man. I have no doubt that he loves you based on our conversation, Cor'lana, but... There's a feeling I got from him that if you hadn't been here, he might have just been happy to tear out my throat."

"He might have," Telamon says a little bluntly. "Grandfather is absolutely devoted to Cor'lana, but... he's fey. And he's ruthless. Maybe I have a different view of things, since I grew up in the Mythwood and father gave me good advice about dealing with such." He glances at Lana. "Remember when he killed that projection of one of the Matron's servants? I told you he wasn't a soft touch. I don't think he'd hurt you or me, directly. But a threat, any threat? He'd be terrifying."

He sighs. "You'll have to make some kind of peace with him, Luthel. He is as much a part of the family as you, or Addy, or uncle Telgari. I won't say it'll be easy, because it never is. But... for the first time in centuries, I think we've actually managed to push Grandfather into changing a little bit. Not much -- just a little -- but it's there."

Luthel listens, and listens--and he finishes off the last of his chilled tea, leaving the tankard on the coffee table. He looks at Telamon soberly, and he nods. "I won't have any quarrel with him," he says. "I have no intentions of unsettling your family dynamic. But... we sylvanori are more than aware of the fey, and we are more than aware of the dangerous games they can play. I just ask for caution."

He rises from his chair and offers smiles to Cor'lana and Telamon. "Now, I'd love to stay and talk," he says, "but I've promised to stop by Gerald's place. It's Nadina's birthday, after all. You both should give him a visit when you have the chance--I think he'd like to meet you both."

Cor'lana nods. "It just hasn't lined up," she says. "He's surprisingly busy."

"Yes, well, when you are one of Alexandria's finest writers, you don't often get a break," Luthel quips. "Thankfully, he's retiring soon."

"Writer?" Cor'lana blinks, watching Luthel make his way to the door. Pothy flaps from Luthel's shoulder (albeit reluctantly) to Cor'lana's in the meantime. "What does he write? I've never seen anything by Gerald Branfeax."

"That's because he uses a pen name. Something to do with colors, if I remember right," Luthel says, stiffly approaching the door. "You two have a pleasant day. I'll stop by again soon--and I'll have a bag of peanuts for Pothy."

Telamon rises to walk Luthel to the door. "Give him our best. We'll try and hack out a time to meet him -- regardless of everything that's happened, you always have to make time for family." He chuckles at the mention of peanuts for Pothy. "Don't rush on that regard. Pothy gets plenty of snacks as is, and he always wants more."

After Luthel leaves, Tel shuts the door, latching it before pausing. His expression becomes thoughtful, then his eyes glitter. "Oh no. Oh, no, no, that cannot be it..." He's still mumbling as he walks back to the living room. "I'm wrong. I have to be wrong."

Cor'lana looks at Telamon. "You heard that, too, right?" she asks him, taking his hand. She looks into his starry eyes. "I mean... Sounds like..."

She laughs nervously. "No way. Addy's father can't be the Crimson Pen. But... I did hear it was a collective of writers, so... maybe?"

Pothy just does a slow blink. "You two can go sort that out," he says, and he takes flight from Cor'lana's shoulder to the coffee table, where he gathers a mouthful of peanuts and then flies into the study. It appears that he has little inclination to discuss the matter.

"Maybe not 'the' Crimson Pen, but maybe 'a' Crimson Pen?" Telamon squeezes her hand, and smiles a bit crookedly. "Well, whatever puts coin in your pocket and food on the table, but... let's just not mention it outside of these walls, alright?" He tugs Lana into an embrace.

"Overall, that went well. I'm glad Luthel is... a little receptive to dealing with Grandfather in a way that doesn't involve swords and magic. We've enough trouble without getting any more from that angle."

Cor'lana smiles as Telamon pulls her into his embrace. Of course, if Telamon wrapping an arm around her is second nature, then so is her finding her happy spot right underneath Telamon's chin. "I'm glad he doesn't want trouble, too," she says. "I'd... really rather not have to see Grandfather's scary side again. Although I have a sinking feeling that's going to happen eventually."

She just nuzzles into Telamon's skin and sighs. "But, like you always say, best to not borrow trouble from the future--"

Pothy flaps out of the study and pokes his head out at Telamon. "You're getting ripped off on that insurance policy from the Shining Chalice to raise you from the dead," he says. "I'm told you can just play chess with Vardama and if you win, you get to come back to life."

Cor'lana blinks. "I... I'm pretty sure that's not how that works," she tells Pothy.

Telamon is more than happy to tuck Lana under his chin and just relax. "I think it'll work out," he says. "I'll handle Luthel -- if necessary, I'll start calling in the family and we'll ALL work on him. Meanwhile, I think Grandfather is loosening up enough to where we don't need to worry about him randomly thrashing people -- at least not without provocation."

Tel glares at Pothy when the familiar comes back in. "For gods' sake Pothy... dammit..." He sighs, rubbing his forehead. "I was actually going to tell you about that," he tells Lana. "All the work I've done for the Chalice, well... they've made some arrangements. In the event of, how do they put it, a 'terminal encounter', they'll cover most of the costs of getting me back from the Halls. So," he grins at Lana, "like I said, you're stuck with me."

Cor'lana pulls back a little from Telamon, just enough so he can see her smiling face. "I know I am," she says, "and I don't mind. Not a moment, not a bit, not even a little. That puts me at ease, really--and it makes me happy to know that you're thinking about things like that. After what Auranar and Verna had to go through recently... It's a good thing to be thinking about."

Pothy is dismayed as he then witnesses Cor'lana push up on her tip-toes to kiss Telamon. "Oh, jeez, okay, don't shove your tongue down his throat! I'm right here!" he complains as he goes into the study.

The sound of Cor'lana's laughter can be heard from outside. In the trees that stand in the yard, a rook with violet eyes looks down from above.

"How droll," the rook murmurs, but the voice is... more playful than the Feathered One's voice. "They do have such a happy life together. It'll be so fun to get involved."

The rook takes flight into the sky and disappears with the clouds.