A Family Reunion

Log Info

• Title: A Family Reunion

• Emitter: Telamon

• Characters: Fizzy, Ravenstongue, Telamon

• Place: Ravenstongue and Telamon's house

• Summary: Ravenstongue and Telamon are at home when they receive unexpected visitors: Telamon's cousin, Algar, and Algar's newly-discovered half-sister, Fizzy. The half-elf sorcerers invite them inside and talk with Fizzy about herself and how she came to find her long-lost relatives. The adorable capybara-familiar Xote is also introduced.

Lúpecyll-Atlon home, evening

The sun has dipped down, and the weather outside is positively... well, it's damp, cold, and nasty. Sensible people are indoors, staying out of the weather, and the fires are lit and banked to banish the chill. But there are lights, and happiness, and merriment as the Yule season is fast approaching.

In the home of Telamon and Cor'lana Lúpecyll-Atlon, there's hot mulled cider, and a half-elven sorcerer writing in a notebook, to start with. He frowns, tapping his pencil against his chin. "Hmph. I swear, poetry wasn't this hard when I started..." He glances up, thinking furiously. "What rhymes with..." Then he pauses, and chuckles. "Okay, maybe start this over..."

Outside, a pair of heavily wrapped figures approach the house. Swathed in furs to ward off the cold, Algar Atlon looks to his companion a bit nervously. "Well... here we are. Ready to meet your cousins?" His usually serene elven face crinkles with a smile. "Just relax. Lana and Tel are really nice people, and father wouldn't have suggested anyone else. It's always good to draw on family."

The smaller of the two looks up into the face, well, the eyes of her companion, observing the smile evident there. Her own reflect her nerves. She's already confessed to Algar that she doesn't really know how to be around people she really wants to have like her. But here she goes again.

"I know you say they're nice and good people, but I'm, well, I'm me. You've met me! I'm really awkward and weird and maybe they won't like me. I mean, I'm not even full Sil. You're sure that won't bother them? It bothers me, after all."

She pauses there, looks down at her feet that have scuffed the snow around the stoop, now that we're actually on it, at the door, ready to knock.

Inside the home, Cor'lana is looking over her husband's shoulder, a mug of the mulled cider in her own hands. The two sorcerers are on the couch in the living room, and it appears that both of them are working on poetry, although Cor'lana's notebook is shut and set aside in favor of savoring a warm drink for now. "Rhyming that word would have been pretty hard," she comments. "I mean, it's not as bad as rhyming the word 'orange' in Tradespeak--"

She's interrupted by a flurry of white wings out of the study as Pothy lands on the coffee table, jostling the bowl of pretzels that's currently there (but not spilling it). "Oranges? Where did you even get oranges this time of year!? Unless you're talking about chocolate oranges--" The cherubic little boy's voice falls flat as he looks around. "Aww, no oranges?"

Cor'lana rolls her eyes. "No oranges, Pothy. How was your nap, though?" She leans over and offers her hand to the bird--and then she makes a face. "Someone's at the door, I think," she murmurs. "Think I heard footfall."

She gets up from the couch and walks over to the front door, opening it just a tad with her other hand already forming the first gesture needed for some sort of spell--and then it disappears when she sees Algar. "Oh, Algar!" she exclaims--and then she turns to the unknown woman, quirking her head in curiosity. "Friend of yours?" she asks.

Algar is, of course, standing on the stoop with a slight grin. "Hello, Lana," the elf replies. "Can we come in? This is... well, it's a bit of an explanation and by Gilead's ghost it is cold out here." He offers his companion a smile, before looking to Lana. "This is... correct me if I mispronounce this, Fisy-le'athavara Bellatoriaterra." Pause. "I, uh, find it easier to call her Fizzy."

When Lana goes to the door, Telamon smoothly levers himself upright, and there's a subtle hint of readiness in his posture. That vanishes when he hears Lana greet Algar, and he beckons. "Good gods, come in! I'll get the tea kettle, we've got some on the stove. Or cider, if you like." The elegant half-elf is dressed in a simple linen tunic and trousers, with slightly battered-looking fuzzy bear slippers on his feet. At Algar's introduction, Tel comments, "There's a name to conjure with, ma'am. I take it you're a friend of Algar's?"

If her dusky cheeks could turn pink, they would, but as it is, the short elf's face just darkens to a deeper shade of grayish lavender. "Yeah, I'm.. You can call me Fizzy, too." She pauses, gulps, glances at Algar.

Algar nods encouragingly, and Fizzy takes a deep, steadying breath. "I'm, well, I'm Algar's half-sister, if that's okay?" As if any permission would change that at all. Fizzy then lowers her gaze back to her shoes.

She's never had a place to call home, or people to call family besides her parents, until Algar and Telgari. And now she hopes she can count Telamon and Cor'lana, whose names she learned on the frigid journey here with Algar. It's clear she's used to experiencing prejudice in the past.

Well, the revelation is enough to make Cor'lana blink on its own--but then the 'asking for permission' makes her blink twice. She recovers quickly, however, once the words actually take root somewhere in the sensible part of her head, and she nods... And then she smiles widely. "Half-sister? You're right, Algar. It does sound like a bit of an explanation. Both of you, please come in."

The sorceress steps inside the home and waves them both in, showing the Telgari children into the living room. The house hasn't changed much from Algar's last visit--there's bits of greenery everywhere, mostly thin vines climbing up walls and wrapping around furniture. The odd flower does stick out here and there, but it is otherwise a living room with a sofa, a couple of chairs, and a large rocking chair in the corner--all surrounding a coffee table, where a certain white raven sits.

His blue eyes peer at Fizzy in particular. He stares at her for a long moment, and it's... a little unnerving? But then he opens his mouth and says in a very polite young boy's voice: "Would you like to share a snack, Fisy-le'athavara?" He doesn't stumble, not even a little.

Telamon looks stunned at that revelation. His eyes move from Algar to Fizzy, and he blinks slowly. "...Well. Yeah, this is going to be one hell of a story." He crooks his fingers, and there's a faint susurrus in the air. Cups begin moving over to the coffee table where Pothy sits, as Telamon helps Fizzy and Algar doff their heavy fur robes.

"But yes... family is always welcome here, Fizzy. I am very pleased to meet you." His lips curl up in a grin. "As is Pothy, as you can see. He's a good fellow." Once the robes are hung up to dry, and cups of tea and cider are disbursed as needed, Telamon takes a seat, regarding Algar with a raised eyebrow.

Algar takes the hint. "It was a little while back -- you may remember I sent you a letter about heading to the Mythwood before visiting. Well, when I got there it turns out Fizzy had found her way to Father. I didn't know I had a half-sister -- sorry, a sister -- until I walked in and the introductions were made."

Fisy-le'athavara, and yes, it's probably best to just call her Fizzy, opens her eyes wide at this beautiful and communicative bird whose feathers are maybe even snowier than her own hair. She unconsciously reaches down for her "baby," an animal that may be look rather equine, but also very small for even a donkey, or maybe muridine, or some strange combination of the two. Scritching the little animal's head and ears affectionately, and maybe it's okay here. The house is warm and the inhabitants, family, seem warmer. "Uhm, hello, all of you. Yes, you can call my Fizzy, and, uhm, this is Xote."

She looks up toward Algar, almost as if she's asking for permission or approval. The sil merely quirks an eyebrow like he doesn't know why Fizzy's looking at him. Therefore, Fizzy returns her gaze to her cousin and his wife. "Um, I'm very pleased to meet you, and ... And Pothy. Thank you for allowing me into your home, and, uhm, I look forward to getting to know you and your city."

Cor'lana takes a seat next to Telamon on the couch, moving their now-neglected poetry notebooks off to the side in the process. "Welcome to our home," Cor'lana says with a bright smile, her violet eyes carrying a happiness to match her expression. "I'm sure Algar's already told you, but you can call me Cor'lana--or Lana for short. The sweet boy on the table is Apotheosis, but you can call him Pothy."

Pothy, meanwhile, looks at Xote. The feathered creature stares down the furry one, blue eyes scanning the white hairs that make up Xote's coat. He makes his conclusion--

"I have no clue what snacks Xote would like, but I bet we have some he can eat!" Pothy declares, and he takes flight into the kitchen in the other room.

Cor'lana smirks a little, but she folds her hands politely into her lap. "I'm Telamon's wife--we've been married for almost two months now," she explains. "We're adventurers who work with the Explorers' Guild, but when we aren't dealing with danger, I write poetry. Which is to say we've seen it all--this isn't even the first unknown family member to turn up at our doorstep before. You're at peace here, Fizzy." A wry grin spreads on her face there.

<OOC> Telamon makes a check to see if he can identify Xote :)
GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/nature+4: (4)+11+4: 19

Telamon laughs softly. "Don't be afraid, Fizzy. Unburden your heart, tell your tale." He tilts his head, studying the furry creature that's leaning into her warmly. "That's... ah, that's what they call a donkey rat, right?" His eyes flick back to Fizzy's again, his gaze dark and shot with stars in them. "An interesting friend, indeed."

Tel sits back, steepling his fingers, as Algar continues, "I mean, father has always been a wanderer, but he also takes responsibility for his kids. So when he found out Fizzy was his, he took her under his wing for a bit." Algar reaches into his tunic, and removes a folded letter, which he offers to Telamon. "He sent a letter along as well."

Telamon opens the folded parchment, scanning it briefly, before smiling at Fizzy again. "You must have a thousand questions. I can promise I'll try to answer them, cousin." His free hand absently rests on Lana's, squeezing briefly.

Fizzy 's gaze flicks from Telamon to Algar, back to Telamon, then to Lana, and Pothy, and again and again in varying order. "Oh, ummm.. er, well. There isn't much to tell. My mothers moved us around a lot, and I didn't get to know very many people. When I found out that my father's identity was, in fact, known, and that I could find him, I decided to do that, so I could get to know him, with Mom and Mom-M's blessings."

A deep breath because she uttered that all at once without taking one, gives Fizzy the ability to continue. "So, I consulted some witches along the way and found my father Telgari. He is very kind, and I liked him very much from the start. Oh! I still do, nothing's happened to him, he's fine. And then he told me about you, Tel, and your new bride, and of course I was eager to meet you both. Algar, my ha--my brother, was also very warm and kind, and I like him, too. I mean, as a brother." She flusters a lot as she seeks the words for the thoughts and ideas she wants to convey.

"So, here we are?" she finishes with a kind of helpless, hopeful, terrified expression.

Cor'lana listens to Fizzy talk. The sorceress nods along here and there, a small smile finding her face. This maybe doesn't help Fizzy; after all, it could be amusement, or maybe even mockery? That's not helped when she giggles once Fizzy finishes.

"I'm sorry," she says. "You just--you remind me a bit of when I first arrived to the city. And parts of your story remind me of my own, too. But it's not polite to talk about that when you're the focus here, Fizzy."

Cor'lana smiles more widely and more warmly now. "Tel and I are more than happy to get to know you, and perhaps even show you around the city. That is, of course, if your brother hasn't already given you the tour. It's easy to get lost, however. Tel asked me when we first met if I happened to have a map of the city, as I recall."

Telamon listens with interest, fingertips still steepled. He's a study in contrasts; handsome half-elf, dressed in casual garments with ridiculous slippers. "Lana really was in a similar frame of mind, Fizzy. I suspect you two are going to find a lot of common ground -- and I assure you, Lana is an excellent listener. She's also a bit wiser than me -- I tend to be somewhat impulsive."

"Any friend of Algar's is going to be a friend of mine to start with," Tel continues. "And you're family, so of course we'll help you find your path. I won't tell you it'll be easy -- I suspect you've had a fair bit of rocky roads along the way -- but it might just lead you to some place new and wonderful." His eyes shine with confidence, and gentle hope.

At Lana's last comment, Tel's lips quirk. "Well, I learned the necessity of a good map on my way here. Remember, I managed to get lost trying to get to Alexandria." He snickers. "When I told Dolan about that I thought he was going to fall down laughing."

Fizzy , while naive anyway, also doesn't have any idea who this Dolan is, and reaches down to scritch Xote. Checking with Algar for a cue or a hint or something, she goes ahead and takes an empty seat, very, very gently guiding Xote to move next to her. It's not like she actually needs to, but it seems to comfort Fizzy to do so.

"I think, with how much I've traveled--well, I hope that I might be able to figure out how to get places and stuff. But I would be happy and thankful for any guidance you would be willing to give. But if I may? I don't want to be the focus of attention. It makes, well, it makes me nervous. There's not much more of my story to tell. Maybe you could tell me about yourselves? Algar's told me some, and I'm grateful for it, too! But I like hearing stories from those who lived them, if that makes sense?"

With that, Fizzy pauses, her gaze doing that traveling thing again. She seems to be warming up, too, as her shivering is giving way to a more casual posture. Xote, likewise, is settling into somnolence next to his best friend. Or so one would think. On occasion, one of his eyes peeks open to check on Pothy's whereabouts. Maybe Pothy will provide snacks.

As though on cue, Pothy does bring a snack over to Xote. He flies back in from the kitchen carrying... An apple! Which he presents to Xote by placing it on the floor in front of him, and then he returns to the kitchen to find an apple of his own. The alabaster avian touches down on the coffee table with the fruit of his labor, chomping at it with that beak of his.

Cor'lana gives Telamon a look for a moment, but whatever answer she needed, she apparently got from his eyes alone or found it within her, as she turns back to Fizzy with a nod. "I will tell you parts of what we've lived through and done," she says. "My... upbringing is sort of a lonely and sad tale until the point I arrived at Alexandria. Telamon's had a much nicer life, even if he does get lost on donkeyback from time to time."

Tel smiles approvingly as Pothy returns with snacks for the capybara, and inquires, "Do either of you need anything to eat? Lana and I had dinner already, but we can put something together." Algar shakes his head, but glances to Fizzy just in case she wants anything.

Continuing, Telamon regards Fizzy with those kind eyes. "I won't press you, Fizzy. You're an honored guest here." He grins at Cor'lana fondly, letting her get that dig in. "I blame Raspberry," he says with an impish smile. "But my early life was spent learning I was different -- the 'talent' as I call it -- and then studying and traveling with my father, Telperius."

Putting on a thoughtful expression, Fizzy decides to express how she relates to what's just been said. "I... I guess, my moms knew from the time I was young that I had some sort of talent. Mom spent a lot of time trying to teach me or bring it out in me, to her great consternation. Mom-M sometimes chided her for it, saying, 'Let her find her own path!' I did, finally. While traveling to the coast for passage here, I met," she gives Xote an emotional, loving glance, "Xote. And he was perfect. I'm sure you can figure out we had an instant bond, and suddenly the dam burst and I could cast my first spell. I'm still learning, of course, but I only needed a familiar."

Her eyes shine with the memory. "I mean, I kind of was born then, it felt like." She pauses and her eyes widen. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stop your stories!" And she quiets, glances at Algar, and then down at Xote, who is very, very happily eating the gifted apple.

The story about Xote and magic causes Cor'lana to look at the albino donkey-rat, inspecting him as he chews his apple. "A familiar and magic, hmm," she says, her voice slow and thoughtful. Then she looks back up to Fizzy, her violet eyes full of curiosity. "Our stories do have similarities."

She gestures to Pothy on the coffee table. "My mother, like me, was a sorceress, and Pothy was her familiar. Pothy has, in fact, served one sorcerer at a time along my matrilineal bloodline for ages--we assume it's been centuries. Someone or something blessed one of her ancestors with 'the gift of knowledge'--which was considerable magic power and a little white raven familiar that was to act as a repository of knowledge. Only one person could have this 'gift' at a time, and when they passed, Pothy would pass onto someone else in the family and awaken the magic bloodline within them."

Cor'lana smiles at Fizzy. "I was capable of a basic little light magic when I was a child," she says, "and I even figured out how to charm people before I inherited Pothy. That was when my mother passed, and I inherited Pothy."

Telamon gives Fizzy a smile. "Don't you think we're just as interested in your story, as you are in ours?" He laughs quietly. "When I find out I have a cousin I didn't know about, you better believe I'll want to hear the details."

Algar chuckles. "It was a bit of a surprise to me to find out I had a sister. No sympathy here, Tel."

Tel gives Algar an amused look. "You hush," he says with a grin. "In any case, father wanted me to learn, and develop my powers. A diplomat is a useful thing. A sorcerer-diplomat, now... it's a lot harder to interfere with getting people around the table if one of them can turn you into a newt."

Algar interjects, "Say, isn't that part of the plot from--"

Telamon stares at Algar balefully. "Not the point. In any case, I come trundling into Alexandria after a couple completely understandable side trips. Started meeting people, got asked to tag along on some jobs for the Adventurer's Guild."

Fizzy may not appear entirely at ease yet, but her demeanor shows her very, very slowly inching that way. Maybe in a few weeks, "semi-comfortable" could describe her. "Why did you travel to Alexandria? Forgive me if you already said and I missed it. This is all so overwhelming."

A short pause as she thinks back, and her mind rests on something specific. "Oh, yes, please. Something warm, maybe? I'm familiar with hunger, so I'm not desperate for food, but a steaming mug of something warm to drink would be welcome. I think I'm just getting feeling back in my fingers. Gloves just don't do the trick sometimes."

Xote never did check with Fizzy for permission to eat Pothy's apple. Clearly the capybara is more comfortable with his position in Fizzy's life, and vice versa, than Fizzy is anywhere else. As it is, the elf reaches down to give her companion some more ear scriffles even while glancing at Algar. "Are you hungry?"

Cor'lana shakes her head. "I didn't say why," she says. "I didn't grow up with my father--it was just my mother and I in a little village in Rune, so when she passed... I had nowhere to go. Time passed, and I decided to come to Alexandria because I wanted to learn more about my magic, if I could, and... because there was nothing left at home for me. Nothing but grief."

She looks at Telamon and takes his hand, offering him a warm smile. "Then, of course, I met Telamon months after I arrived in Alexandria--I was part of the "some people" he met--and we ended up helplessly in love with each other some time after that. Now, before I nauseate the whole room with more sentences like that..." She picks up a cup of cider that's been lying in wait on the table for Fizzy and passes it to her. Pothy stares idly at the exchange as he continues to tear at his apple.

"There," Cor'lana says as she settles back into the couch. "Telamon and I mostly do adventure together, too, but my poetry... I hesitate to call it a career, but whatever it is, I seem to have a knack at it, and I'm usually in the Theatre Districts either attending or performing at poetry readings."

Telamon smiles back at Lana, their fingers interlacing, before picking up the tale. "Lana is a lovely lady, and a half-elf -- and Pothy was hell bent on not letting her turn into a recluse. Every time she turned around he was accosting someone for snacks. That was how we met, in fact." He grins impishly. "Oh, there's been adventure, fear, weirdness, and learning about ourselves. But it's all been worth it."

"When I'm not adventuring," Telamon explains, "I'm a member of the Shining Chalice, a group of sorcerers who meet to discuss arcane theory and application. I also do work for the university, and I've represented my family's business interests a time or two. It pays the bills and keeps the pantry full."

He picks up his own mug of cider, taking a sip. "Though I've branched out into a couple other hobbies. But those are more for my own edification."

Fizzy shakes her head. "Not nauseated," and takes the cider by wrapping her fingers around it with a soft sigh. A lingering pull later and she settles a little more, but she's not comfortable for the fleeting humor that just passed through her mind and vanished as quickly.

"I don't think I've found my place, my journey, yet. I envy you all." Her glance includes Algar, Pothy, and, of course, Xote, as well as Tel and Lana. "I hope that someplace I can call home, er, calls to me. I haven't really been able to see much of Alexandria here, though, yet, as it's kind of blanketed with snow and stuff. Um, is there an inn I should look for? You know, to stay in tonight?"

Cor'lana looks thoughtful. "Well, I think there's a couple of places here in the University District," she says. "Occasionally there are traveling lecturers who come to the Arcanists' Society from all over, and they might not want to teleport back home right away. I stayed a few nights at the Fernwood Pub down in the Trade District when I was still getting my bearings here, however."

She offers a slight smile of embarrassment. "I'd offer you the couch, Fizzy, but then Algar wouldn't have much of anywhere to sleep."

"Algar can just sleep outside," Pothy pipes up in that innocent boyish voice of his. "You brought your tent, right?"

Cor'lana rolls her eyes. "He's an outdoorsman, Pothy, but I don't think he wants to sleep outside in the winter unless he has to."

Algar shakes his head and smiles at Lana. "There's outdoorsmen and then there's 'why am I out here?'. I arranged for a couple rooms at the Fernwood, just in case something came up." The elf's eyes shift to Fizzy's. "We can stay there, or..."

Telamon completes the thought, "Or you can stay here with us for the night. It's your decision, Fizzy. I know we're still new to you, and that you'll need time to get your balance here in Alexandria. But you're welcome in this home." He grins at Xote. "We're pretty used to having all manner of curious guests. You and Xote won't be the oddest."

The color of Fizzy's cheeks deepens again, and she loses her gaze in her cider. "Oh, I, I don't know. Maybe.. I think, uhm. It .... " She's struggling for words, quite desperately, so she takes a moment to breathe and begins again, with a slight explanation, "Mom always said to get your breath to get your bearings. I, think I would feel more comfortable at the inn for now, if it's all the same? Maybe soon, you'd be willing to help me find room and board here, if I like it."

Fizzy doesn't say what she's thinking, but her expression belies her hesitance. Her expression says, "I really want to stay because you're both really really cool and I want to get to know you better and I can only do that here so I really hope it all works out here in Alexandria!" And clearly, her expression is less hesitant to speak than she is.

Cor'lana smiles again, her violet eyes twinkling a little as she nods at Fizzy. "You'll find home soon enough, I think," she says. "I found it, but it was in the form of a person. People, even. I can't let Telamon have all the credit."

"And in familiars," Pothy complains. He gets a headpat for the complaining.

"It'll all work out, so long as you allow yourself to overcome your hesitation and shyness," Cor'lana promises. "Telamon and I are more than happy to talk--one of us is usually here at home, if not the both of us, and Pothy's an easy enough tell if you happen to come across us out in the city."

The meeting concludes not long after, with Fizzy and Algar seen off. "Lana, you have to get more snacks for Xote when he comes to visit next," Pothy insists once the visitors are gone. "I like him a lot. He's quiet and respectful!"

"You're completely right," Cor'lana agrees. "Which means you could learn a lot from him."

Pothy might never recover from this.