Through Snow, Rain, Sleet, or Sunshine

Log Info

• Title: Through Snow, Rain, Sleet, or Sunshine

• Emitter: Ravenstongue

• Characters: Ravenstongue, Telamon

• Place: The TarRaCe

• Summary: Ravenstongue and Pothy have enjoyed a nice time at the bathhouse at the TarRaCe and are enjoying drying off on the ground floor when Telamon also emerges from the baths. The half-elf couple talk about Boti, with Ravenstongue informing Telamon what she can about the young half-elf's situation, then the conversation turns to Ravenstongue's paternal family and the dirt that her father has gotten himself into. A slip of the tongue reveals that Ravenstongue is quite serious about their relationship, and he reciprocates the notion, so they agree that Ravenstongue will have to meet his parents sooner rather than later. Telamon and Ravenstongue depart the TarRaCe together with Pothy's approval.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* 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.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- 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  
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

It's a nice afternoon at the TarRaCe. There's a an icy wind that blows in from time to time, yes, but the whole place is rather cozy and nice.

Ravenstongue emerges from the bathhouse, her robe tightly tied around her as though she's deathly afraid it will slip off of her. On her shoulder is Pothy, who has a little towel wrapped around himself too--whether it's because he demanded it or because Ravenstongue had the brilliant idea to put it onto him is unknown. But she makes her way to a table and puts in an order of food for Pothy and a glass of water for herself.

"That was nice, huh, Pothy?" she asks him rather rhetorically, as Pothy seems to be more focused with the food coming around on plates around them than he is on conversing. For now, that is. Ravenstongue leans back in her chair and closes her eyes... Eyes that, surprisingly, are free of the glasses, as they dangle right off the neckline of her robe where they've been folded.

Indeed, there's no way in the Hells that Telamon would try this outdoors. The 'men's' section of the bathhouse opens, as Tel steps out with another gentleman of gnomish persuasion, chatting in the fellow's native tongue. Bundled into casual garments, his shaggy hair still damp from bathing, Tel pauses to rub behind his ear before approaching Raven.

Playfully, he places his hands on her shoulders, and leans over to kiss her cheek. "Hey there, pretty girl. I take it you enjoyed the extended bath as much as I did?" He slides around to take a seat next to her.

Ravenstongue's eyes fly right open as Telamon's hands go onto her shoulders, but she relaxes as she hears his voice--well, in terms of body language, that is. She flushes. "I had no clue you were here!" she says, smiling bashfully.

With a quick hand, Ravenstongue unfolds the glasses and returns them to their rightful spot on her face. "It was nice, especially with all the cold we've had recently," she says. "I've never been before, but I decided to give it a try. Pothy wanted to try too, so he also took a dip."

Pothy's feasting on his post-soak snacks as the tray is set down in front of him. Who knew that he was a bathhouse bird?

Telamon settles himself in the chair, ordering food and a glass of wine. "Magic is alright for basic cleaning, but there's really something to be said for a good scrub and soak." He looks out one of the windows. "About the only people who would try to bathe outside in this weather are either inured to it, or insane. Possibly both."

Tel grins at Pothy as the bird starts nomming his treats, and he looks to Raven. "It's odd seeing you without your glasses," he admits. "Then again, I guess it'd be like if I grew a beard, then shaved it off."

"Oh, that's right, you've never seen me without my glasses," Ravenstongue says thoughtfully. She smiles a little. "I've had these for a while. But, um, truth be told?"

She takes off the glasses and her smile widens a little. "I don't actually need them to see. I did need them when I was younger, but... Well, I remember my vision somehow getting better after I got Pothy. I wear these just because I'm used to wearing glasses, and... I like how they look on me." It is a little odd to hear herself praising her own appearance, as she's never really indulged in vanity.

"You can wear them or not, it's up to you." Telamon replies firmly. "You look good either way." His food and wine arrives, and he takes a sip from his glass. "It's pretty well established that arcane familiars have an effect on their masters and mistresses. Something about the feedback loop. I'd have to look it up."

He pauses, eyeing his wine. "This is good. I should ask where they got this one. In any case... I've been spending a little time looking for Boti." His expression becomes a bit stony. "Unfortunately, he seems to have gone to ground."

"I found him last night when grandfather arrived in the wee morning hours--I got out of bed past midnight to go get him from outside the city gates, and on my way back, I found him. He'd run away from the hospital where he's legally supposed to be kept for a year," Ravenstongue explains.

She pinches the bridge of her nose. "We talked. He's... Well, he's an orphan. He'd been living in the woods by himself and foraging all on his own before he was found and infected by the myceloids. Poor boy just wants to run off and go home--back to the woods, because he thinks it's all he has. He gave me back my coin and gave me this."

Ravenstongue leans down to her satchel of items and pulls out a little wooden carved figurine, a raven in a diving pose painted white and with two little blue eyes. "He made it himself. He's sorry. He just is used to taking what he needs to survive. So, I'll forgive him. I understand being an orphan. It's... not easy."

Pothy looks up at Ravenstongue from her remark about being an orphan, but he seems to think better of pointing out that her father is still alive and well, and returns to eating.

Telamon's expression unfreezes a bit, and he relaxes. "Where is he now? Back at the hospital? I promise I'm not going to go harass him. You've accepted his apology, and..." He lightly touches the carved raven. "This is a pretty good display of wanting to make amends."

Noting Raven's eyes when she talks about being an orphan, he reaches over to lay his hand on hers, gently. "If nothing else, he needs to be out from this weather. It'll kill him."

She takes his hand and squeezes it, smiling. When she does, the happiness returns to her eyes. "He's back at the hospital, yeah. I convinced him to go back--and I gave him my spare pair of gloves so he would be warm."

Ravenstongue looks back to the little figurine and smiles. "Isn't it cute? Pothy loves it. When I showed it to him, all of his feathers puffed up and he kept marching around my apartment like he was just awarded a medal for hours. It was so funny."

"Art!" Pothy declares, mimicking some stuffed-up nobleman as he looks at the figurine, too. It's very clear Pothy what Pothy thinks.

He returns the squeeze. "It is very cute. I like the attention to the eyes." Tel chuckles at Pothy's interjection, "You're just happy someone recognizes you, huh?" He reaches over to pat the raven lightly.

He furrows his brow at the mention of gloves, though. "Is the hospital not properly heated? I'm not faulting you for giving him gloves; I'm just surprised he needs them if he's there. Granted, I've not been there, so my knowledge is pretty thin..."

"He hates it there--mostly because there's two soldiers who are there that antagonize him, and trust me, I've already tried to speak to someone about them--not much that can be done without risking them hurting Boti's feelings more. So he sneaks out. That's why I gave him my gloves, because I figured if he's going to sneak out of there anyway, I want him to be warm. I want him to be safe. Most importantly, I want him to be happy. It's why I told him if he needs anything, he can come find me," Ravenstongue says. She looks at the figurine again before she returns it to the satchel.

"Big sister," Pothy chimes in, which makes Ravenstongue smile again, albeit in a sad sort of way as her brows furrow.

"Pothy's not wrong. I'm old enough to be Boti's big sister, so I guess that's why I care about him so much," she says. "That and, well, I saved him from the myceloids to begin with. So I feel responsible, like a big sister might." Ravenstongue sighs before she looks back up at Telamon. "And with any luck, that will be the only way I'm ever a big sister. I don't want to think about my father possibly having children with that... woman. Son'Doriel or no Son'Doriel, she's not very nice."

Wait a second. Son'Doriel?

Telamon steeples his fingers, his brows coming together and giving him a calculating look. "Hmmmm. I need to think a bit on this... but if you'd like help to improve his situation, I'll be happy to pitch in."

He harumphs at the mention of Raven's father, taking a sip of his wine again. "I'm not saying anything about your father. I don't feel like getting off on a tear, but... who's Son'Doriel?" He raises an eyebrow at Raven in curiousity.

"I honestly don't know what more we can do to help him... But if I think of anything, I'll let you know. You're already helping me with the lamia and everything else, it feels like." Ravenstongue smiles. Then, she says, "Lady Ainasse, my father's wife--she's House Son'doriel by birth. She's something like, a thousand places away in the line of succession to the throne of Llyranost, which means she'll never inherit."

Ravenstongue also pauses to take a drink of her water. It's an oddly appropriate gesture when discussing elf politics. "Apparently, she used to be married to my father's younger brother in a political marriage. Then he died in mysterious circumstances a few years ago and she married my father, who was also her lover for the past two decades when his brother was alive and well. Grandfather informed me of all of this after the fact, of course--I suddenly understand his disdain for fey nobility, because if elf nobility is this bad, I don't want to think about what fey nobility is like."

Telamon raises his eyebrows again. "His younger brother dies and he marries his wife, with whom-- alright, let me just stop. That's just going to make me even MORE suspicious." He rubs the bridge of his nose. "Inheritance is kind of overrated. Father used to joke that he was in line to inherit an outhouse and that was pretty much it, which is why he went into the mercantile and diplomatic business. Also explains why he nudged me to expand my talents, since a sorcerer-diplomat is nothing to sneer at."

Tel just shakes his head. "There are some people who measure their importance by where they stand in the social order. Not by merit, or even by power, but some arbitrary idea of being 'more important'. Pfft. Better to forge your own path."

"I think your father is right," Ravenstongue says, smiling. She squeezes Telamon's hand again. "A sorcerer-diplomat is a powerful combo, and you already have a silver tongue. You can only grow more powerful in that regard." There's a bit of a cheeky note to her last words, which she just lets hang in the air as she takes another drink of water.

Pothy stops eating for another moment to just shake his head. The lovebirds are at it again? Oh well. At least he has snacks.

Telamon smiles warmly at Raven. "You're not exactly a slouch either, 'Lana. Keep sweet talking me like that and I might be buying you dinner again." He lightly plays his fingers across hers, petting. "Grandfather, for whatever his flaws, might have the right of it. But then, one wonders what we'd do in place of nobility? Who gets to make the decisions?" He snorts. "Maybe we could roll dice for it."

Ravenstongue looks thoughtful for a moment. "I can't say that I think about what an ideal replacement would be, other than that I am lucky to not have to be tied up in any of their nonsense," she says. "Think about it--if I was my father's legally acknowledged daughter and legitimized bastard, he'd arrange my marriage to some idiot who would put me aside in favor of whatever and whoever else catches my attention anyway. We wouldn't get to be together. Maybe we would have never met to begin with--unless you believe in fate."

She smiles a little. "I think I do, at least, to some degree."

Telamon shrugs gently. "I don't know if I believe in it myself. But... I'm glad we found each other. I'm not saying you should try to forget your past -- it's part of you -- but I want to help you make some better memories. Together." That said, he grins. "Do you think it would annoy your father, knowing our courtship? That you've found yourself a lot happier in the long run?"

"It'd absolutely annoy my father," Ravenstongue says. "At least, I imagine it would, to learn that I'm not going to die alone and childless in a separate plane of reality like he hoped."

She grins impishly at Telamon. "When we do get married, I want to send him a wedding disinvitation. Something to let him know I am getting married, but he can't come be a part of it, and there's nothing he can do about it."

Pothy stops eating as Ravenstongue says when they get married. He resumes eating, but he keeps his eyes on Ravenstongue and Telamon all the while.

Telamon grins back, looking younger for a moment. "When, not if? There's a cheerful thought." He nods. "Part of me says to not burn any bridges... but considering how he treated you, I think that question has been settled. I won't deny there's some wish to watch him chewing out his own liver over it, but I think it's for the best we don't invite him."

Tel catches sight of Pothy staring, and grins. "Ah yes, this would involve you, wouldn't it Pothy? Well, make no mistake, our house would be your house as well." He smiles at the raven. "Would that suit you, my feathered friend?"

Ravenstongue blushes a little. "Oh, I did say 'when', didn't I? Well... It's odd to say, Tel, but I do feel that way. Obviously, it doesn't have to happen anytime soon... But in the time we've been together, I do feel... well, I feel certain about being with you for a long time, as long as you'll permit. So, yes, when--although I'd like to buy us a house first before either of us draw up any grand proposal plans, let alone wedding ceremonies."

Pothy looks at Telamon for a long moment, as though to say, "I've been with her longer than you have, buddy." But he says, "One big happy family!" in Ravenstongue's voice, and resumes eating. It's safe to say he approves.

Telamon nods. "Regardless of how much wandering and adventuring we do, it'll be good to have a place to come home to." He rests his hand on Raven's. "Plus, of course, things like rings, priests, and so on. But as I've said before, we have time. And I'm looking forward to every step down this path."

Tel looks rueful. "I... probably should let my parents know as well. They know I've made friends and good ones, but I suppose I'd better tell them one has become quite serious. Mother might be annoyed if she finds out on short notice."

Ravenstongue looks a little relieved. "I was honestly a little worried you'd tell me I was... Well, that I'd gone off on a different path and you weren't that serious. I like you a lot, Tel. I... Well, I love you." She smiles bashfully. "I hope I've made that clear previously."

She squeezes Telamon's hand again. "I'd love to meet them. Although I'd have to tell Grandfather where I'm going if we're traveling to the Mythwood. I'll have to be careful about how I tell him, otherwise he'll want to come along--and, well, I can't imagine your parents will take, 'Hi Mother, hi Father, here's Cor'lana and here's her ancient fey ancestor the Feathered One, I'm rather serious about her,' very lightly."

"I was thinking I should have Father come here instead. Less stress, less worry. He travels a fair amount with Mother, too, so it wouldn't be unusual." Telamon grins. "We'll... spring the bit about the Feathered One on them a little further down the line. No need to give them too many shocks at once."

He takes a deep breath, focusing. "That's good, though, 'Lana, because I love you too. It... took me a little time to realize how far I'd fallen for you, but, well... you'll never need to charm me, I'm already charmed." He grins playfully, but he's blushing just a touch.

The squeeze on Telamon's hand becomes a bit more of a bearhug, just for a moment. Ravenstongue leans in and kisses him, just a little one. "I'm glad we're on the same page now, then," she says after drawing back. "It's funny, but I never even contemplated charming you. I just sort of... Well, I just hoped you'd feel the same for me eventually. I know my initial confession was sort of a surprise for us both. What did I say again? 'It feels like I'm dying but in a good way... is this what being really good friends with someone is like'?" Ravenstongue laughs. "I know this is what being in love with someone who loves me back is like!"

He squeezes back, but gently, and stays blushing for a bit after the kiss. "I think that's how it's supposed to work out. Two people find each other, and then they realize on some level they... fit together. And they'd rather spend their lives together rather than separate."

Telamon settles a little, drawing his composure together. "There's a comparison there. Who we were before will fade away to make way for who we will be. Our future selves, if that makes any sense." He furrows his brow. "Which... feels like an odd way to look at it but it seems right."

"I like that way of thinking a lot," Ravenstongue says, smiling brightly. "I think there's a poem I read that had a line about that--'The child is the father of the man' or something like that."

Tap, tap, tap. Pothy walks up to the couple with... A leafy green off his snack tray that he's shaped, with a couple of carefully-placed bites from his beak, to look like a heart. He seems intent on interrupting the poetic talk with his rather cute little crafted symbol. Ravenstongue giggles as she sees it. "Aww, Pothy, you made that for us? That's sweet!"

Telamon chuckles, and reaches over to stroke Pothy again. "Thank you for your approval, Pothy. I appreciate it. I don't even want to think of how rough it'd be if you didn't like me."

He reaches up to run his hand through his hair experimentally. "I think my's hair's dry enough now that it won't freeze outside. Shall we head out? The weather isn't going to get better, I fear."

Pothy hops onto Ravenstongue's shoulder, sensing a change in scenery when the opportunity presents itself. He proceeds to eat the heart-shaped leaf he made. ...Hey, no point in food waste when you have a neat waste solution in the form Pothy.

"Oh, yeah, good point," Ravenstongue says, getting her satchel and standing up from her chair. "Let me go change back into regular clothes, and I'll come meet you out here," she says, walking off to do exactly that.

It doesn't take her long, and she emerges in much more normal clothes for walking out into the winter wind. She smiles at Telamon. "Alright. Shall we?" she asks, offering her arm out to him. It's second-nature for her at this point, and might very well be for the foreseeable future.

Telamon retrieves his cloak -- a new one, embroidered with markings along the hems -- and folds it around him before waiting for her to return. Once she's ready, he tucks her hand into his arm, and smiles back. "We shall indeed. Through snow, rain, sleet, or sunshine..." He leans in to steal a kiss, as the two step out to brave the vicious weather outside.