Hospitality Repaid

Log Info

• Title: Hospitality Repaid

• Emitter: Karasu

• Characters: Arngrim, Boti (Jinks' NPC), Karasu, Ravenstongue, Telamon

• Place: A07 - Fernwood Pub

• Summary: Ravenstongue, Telamon, and Pothy enter the Fernwood Pub where Karasu appears to be deep in discussions with a mysterious mage. Pothy interrupts the conversation and the man leaves. The quintet of the humanoids and ravens are deep into a meal and conversation when Boti and Arngrim arrive. Boti's immediately recognized and is called over by Ravenstongue, while Pothy playfully antagonizes Arngrim by mimicking his voice. Karasu departs for mysterious reasons, and Boti takes his seat. Arngrim comes over to the table and Ravenstongue discusses her sorcerous bloodline with him while Boti receives precious Pothy-cuddles. Arngrim leaves, and Boti is seemingly emotionally moved by Pothy and Ravenstongue's actions. He hugs Ravenstongue and then takes a jacket from another pubgoer. Later, Ravenstongue discovers that her coinpurse is lighter than it was...

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A07: Fernwood Pub *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The common room of the Fernwood Pub dominates the inn, spacious and airy because of the high, vaulted ceiling. Ornately carved beams of dark, polished wood form a lattice overhead, supporting the arched roof two storeys above the floor. To the right of the double-door entry is a spiral staircase, winding upwards to a balcony that rings and overlooks the main area. Large windows at this level grant an excellent view of the river to the west and colorful market stalls to the north and east. An air of coziness is salvaged by keeping the pub dimly lit; parchment-shrouded mana lanterns hang at intervals from the base of the balcony, nestled amongst lush, magically propagated ivy and ferns that grow over this false demi-ceiling and the struts that support it.

The bar is sleek and simple, comprised of meticulously polished black lacquer. Tables are set under the darker niches formed by the balcony floor as well as on the balcony itself. A few are deliberately sized to accommodate halflings and gnomes, but the majority are meant for human-sized individuals. A large common table is on the main floor, set before a semi-circular stage situated against the western wall. Beside it, with pipes mounted upon the wall and running up past the balcony and almost to the ceiling, is a refurbished pipe organ made to look like the one lost when the Fernwood was destroyed during the Merkabah Siege.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  At a glance around A07: Fernwood Pub  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Arngrim              8'7      876 Lb     Giantborn         Male      
    An outrageously muscled and massive Giantborn. Hyuge.                      
Boti (Jinks' NPC)                     Half-elf             Male      
    A young half-elf man recovering from the pox.                               
Karasu               5'9"     125 Lb     Human             Male      
    Clearly a man of Xian decent with dark hair and eyes.                      
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                      
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Night has fallen, and outside the snow is heavily falling down. It's cold to say the least, but at least the Fernwood Pub is warm. A moderately tall xian man sits with his back to the wall far from the fireplace. Far from its heat and its light where as most of the patrons are gathered close to it. His companion is clearly a mage, and one that doesn't seem particularly pleased. They don't talk to one another, but are instead exchanging hand-gestures.

Whatever conversation is happening between them in the shadows seems to be fairly intense. There's a raven sitting on the xian man's shoulder, keeping an eye on the pub.

Luckily for the raven on the man's shoulder, a familiar face pops in...

More accurately, he flies in. A white-winged raven with blue eyes come in as the door is opened. He sees his friend of another feather and croaks happily, landing on a nearby table. "Merp!"

"Pothy!" a bespectacled half-elf says, her voice full of laughter as she enters the building with her beau in tow, her arm wrapped around his at the elbow. "Did you find food already, or are you still mad about the snowball earlier?"

"No snow!" Pothy responds with a perfect mimic of Ravenstongue's voice. He turns his beak up with a harrumph.

The half-elven man laughs as well at Pothy's antics, patting Raven's hand. "I think he's found a friend," Telamon quips, pointing across the room at where Pothy is now perched opposite the black-feathered raven and his companion. "Well, I guess our table's been chosen for us, at any rate." He leads her over to the table Pothy is perched at, and pulls out the chair for Raven so she can sit down.

Karasu's head turns at the sound of the raven's call. A swift negation made with his hands and the mage sitting in front of him frowns. The expression only sours more when the white raven flies in to land on the table. In fact he looks positively irrate by the time that Telamon is joining the table and Karasu politely rises to his feet, making another little motion with his hand that is clearly 'go'.

The mage makes another hand-gesture in response and storms out of the room without a backwards glance for the group he's leaving behind and Karasu sighs bowing his head to Ravenstongue and to the man with her. "Greetings, and apologies for my... aquaintance."

Meanwhile Wuya is enthusiastically greeting Pothy in the raven manner of such things, clammoring down off of Karasu's shoulder and joining the other bird on the table.

GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (7)+8: 15

"Thank you, Tel," Ravenstongue says with a smile as she sits in the seat Telamon's pulled out for her. But she catches the notions and what appears to be a miniature row between the mage and Karasu. There's the slightest quirk of the brow on her face as she watches the mage leave.

"Umm, sorry if we interrupted on your... business," she says, the smile turning to a frown as she looks to Karasu. "Pothy was just a little too excited to see Wuya again." Ravenstongue looks back to Telamon and she seems to realize something. "Oh gosh, manners. Have you two met before?"

Pothy croaks happily at Wuya, his tail feathers wagging up and down. As far as Pothy is concerned, he is a hero. He has saved Wuya from boring food-bringer business that doesn't involve bringing food.

Telamon nudges Raven's seat in. "We have not." His expression remains open, guileless, and serene, as he sits down next to Raven, steepling his fingers. "That gentleman seemed a bit upset though. Something he ate, perhaps." He inclines his head to Karasu. "I am Telamon of Ylvaliel, sir. I hope the evening finds you well, regardless?"

"It is of no concern." Karasu mumurs, seeming to dismiss the matter. His eyes don't even flicker toward the door. His expression unlike Telamon's is somewhat closed off and emotionless. Yet this doesn't seem to be odd for him. "I am Karasu Himura, and this is Wuya."

He motions to his raven who... seems to have acknowledged Pothy as worthy of at least some praise. Wuya always seems appreciative of seeing the other familiar, but particularly when Pothy breaks up what is boring 'guard duty'. "Should I call the waiter?" He knows enough about Pothy then to know the bird's penchant for snacks.

GAME: Karasu rolls bluff: (19)+8: 27

"That'd be appreciated," Ravenstongue says, a smile coming to her face again. It seems she's used to Karasu's lack of emotions. "Although I already know what I'm getting for Pothy."

She looks at Telamon and says, "And myself too, of course." There's a sheepish note there in her voice and her look.

"Snacks!" Pothy offers very helpfully. It doesn't matter what it is and what kind. He looks back at Wuya, almost to see if he has any input on the matter, too.

Telamon just rolls his eyes and chuckles, patting Raven's hand. His gaze is warm when it's on her, but congenial towards Karasu. "Perhaps a bowl of soup or two, hm 'Lana? Or are you ordering the lamb shank tonight?" He gestures for a waitress to bring them mugs of cider, before continuing, "Karasu Himura. That is an unusual name."

Karasu lifts a hand to wave down the waiter for Ravenstongue, his eyes flicker to Wuya and the bird subtly shakes its head at him before responding to Pothy with a sort of cackling noise that seems to be agreement. The xian man then returns his attention to the two who have joined him at his table. "It may be unusual in Alexandria, but it is less so in Xiang-Sei."

His dark eyes seem to darken slightly. "Though it is less common in more recent years." He blinks away the darkness in his gaze and looks at Telamon. "And where might Ylvaliel be?"

Pothy has received encouragement. This will only bode well. "Snacks! Snacks! Snacks! Snaaaacks"--

Ravenstongue leans down and kisses Pothy on his little feathered head. This stops Pothy's insistence for snacks right in his tracks, the bird even seeming a little bashful for it. "Soup sounds good," she says to Telamon with a smile. She pats Pothy on the head, and the corvid makes soft, happy noises for it.

Telamon reaches over to scratch Pothy under the chin as well. "Excellent," he murmurs to Raven. "And, of course, snacks for Pothy." Turning his regard back to Karasu, he replies, "Ylvaliel is a border town in Mythwood Forest. Very... cosmopolitan, you could say, despite being small. A great deal of trade goes through there, and it makes a good neutral meeting ground. Most outsiders don't see much of the Mythwood, since the elves tend to be... insular at times."

Telamon's words cause Karasu to nod as if this is all information that he expected to hear. The waiter arrives, and he places a conservitive order. A small plate of food, and a cup of hot water. Wuya meanwhile gives him wide adorable eyes, clearly besotted by the attention that Pothy is recieving in mangnatude, but Karasu doesn't seem inclined to join in on 'giving corvid's affection' thing. He simply waits for the pair to place their order and then conitinues. "I admit that I know little of the Mythwood, or its surrounding envioroment."

Ravenstongue looks over at Wuya. She visibly melts a little at how cute the other raven is acting. Once she places her order, she reaches over and also pets Wuya on the head. Just a little bit, to see how he reacts. "Hiii," she says softly.

She looks up to Karasu and Telamon's conversation and nods along. "I was there briefly," she says. "For... Well, for family business."

Pothy doesn't seem jealous of Ravenstongue petting Wuya. For now. He's more busy with watching food come and go to the tables elsewhere in the Fernwood.

Jinks has arrived.

Arngrim has arrived.

Soon, food arrives for Tel, Raven, and Pothy too. Telamon twitches at the mention of Raven's family business, but says nothing. Instead, he comments, "I sent a letter to father, asking if it was true the Veil of Llyranost had fallen. The Mythwood is hidden under a similar ward; it seems like the sort of thing the elves would worry about." He sits back, idly sliding a nut to Pothy.

When the food arrives for the others, it arrives for Karasu and Wuya also. The raven is a veritable puddle in Ravens' grasp. Surely he's never recieved affection before. That's what his wiggling and pleased cooing noises mean. Once the food arrives he hardly seems to notice it at all. Apparently there's one bird with priorities other than food.

Karasu shakes his head at the words that Telamon gives. "I had heard the news also. The elves seem... distrubed by their loss." A notable underselling of the state that the elves are in. Karasu slides the food toward Pothy and pulls a small package from his sleeve which he pours into the hot water.

Ravenstongue is immensely pleased with how Wuya's reacting to her touch and affection. She quietly murmurs to Wuya, "Awww, you're such a wiggly little cutie, aren't you? You're so wiggly, wiggly, wiggly~ Pothy doesn't even dance like this for me. I'm so old hat for him."

Pothy looks up slowly from a bit of sausage he had his eyes on. If ravens could cry... He turns his head back to the sausage and quietly eats. Maybe... Maybe he's taken Ravenstongue for granted all this time?

But then he finishes the sausage slice and looks back at the tray, and he returns to eating with enthusiasm. Down goes another slice of sausage into the Pothy-belly.

"Oh, right, that. Grandfather thinks it's awfully funny to him," Ravenstongue says, looking up from the happy raven under her fingers. "He said something like, 'Oh, first my children abandon their traditions and venerations to play their hands at nobility, now they cry because they've had a blanket taken from them.' Apparently my father and step-mother are quite upset and he knows by virtue of keeping tabs on them."

A markedly short and slight half-Sylvanori walks in from the cold, shuddering and pale. Ha pauses just inside the door to brush a thin layer of fallen snow off of a simple hand-me-down tunic and then shake his hands through his medium-length, sandy-brown hair. He's not properly dressed for the weather at all!

The young man-- he's surely not fully-grown-- folds his arm over his chest and hunches forward, making a straight line for the hearth. He's caught momentarily by the sight of the organ, dark blue eyes going wide as he shivers and his teeth chatters. It's quite the sight! He keeps looking back at it as he goes back to walking and plops down right-near the fire.

Telamon reaches over to lightly lay his fingers on Pothy's back, a reminder that -someone- likes him. "I guess if you've had something for so long only for it to simply... disappear, it can be disconcerting. But... one can't shut the world out forever." His fingertips linger on Pothy's feathers, stroking gently as he glances up to see the rather under-dressed half-elf come stumbling in. "Hmm. Most folk aren't usually out in this weather without a cloak."

Wuya is in corvid-heaven. At least what passes for it as far as Wuya is concerned. He makes little clicks and sighing whirrs and then - eyes- Karasu. It's clear from Karasu's distinct air of disintrest, that there's something passing between the two, but what it is will remain a mystery for Karasu's attention is quickly diverted by Telamon's words. The muscle beside Karasu's eye twitches and he pulls his cloak further around himself as if to ward off a chill which he can feel but no one else at his table can. He says nothing.

The next arrival is quite the contrast from the awe struck young half-elf that has recently arrived. Not but a few minutes have passed and the entire front entrance to the pub becomes impossibly filled with an enormous rumbling presence that seems to squeezes through doors already widened to accomodate the Giantborn. But not this one.

Arngrim seems to emerge without end in sight. A particularly gifted robust immense form that...is simply too massive for the world around him more often then note. Certainly useful in battle or attempts at intimidating others if the slabs of muscle that make up the hundreds of pounds of his body is any indication.

Alas it makes entering pubs for a drink a minor feat of acrobatic skill to avoid bringing the walls down..or simply getting stuck.

But he manages and does so without lifting the front walls up though he causes a minor traffic jam in the process. Wide eyes look up at the behemoth as he regathers his wits, dusts his jacket off and then straightens to his full height as if all was completely normal in the world. He then begins tromping heavily towards the bar. His movements slow and his heavy steps actually rumbling the tables he passes.

"Aww, what's wrong?" Ravenstongue asks Wuya, noticing the bird doing things besides enjoying himself. Although, judging by the cutesy way Ravenstongue has been talking to him, it's more of a, 'do you want to be pet a little lower?' question.

She looks over to the half-elf and the giantborn arrival. Her eyes open--but it's not for the size of the man who comes in through the entrance. At least not at the immediate moment. "Boti! Boti, is that you! Come over here, we have warm food for you," she calls out to him, before looking back to Telamon and Karasu.

"...Actually, are you okay, Karasu?" she asks, frowning. "You suddenly look a little bit like a clam."

Telamon glances back and forth, but then furrows his brow. He doesn't know Karasu, so he's not inclined to pry, but the man does seem to be a little... what his father would call 'frozen-faced'. As Raven calls out to the young half-sil, Telamon raises his eyebrows, and he teases her, "Oh, I see how it is, you're out hunting for young lads, hm?" He does gesture for the waiter to bring another mug of hot cider for the boy, though.

The half-sil flinches at the sound of the name, gathering his legs close and looking ready to run. The snow has melted and drips from his hair to join the wet patches already darkening his shirt. He manages a crouch but seems reluctant to quit the hearth-- and is completely distracted by the giantkin's arrival-- until he eventually recognizes Ravenstongue.

And she says the magic words.

His youth is apparent as he approaches, still firmly in the grip of adolescence, but he's put on a small amount of weight since the sorceress saw him last. The color has begun to rush back into his skin but it's clear he was out in the cold skulking for some time.

"Hi," Boti offers meekly, standing with Ravenstongue between him and the two unfamiliar gentlemen. He lifts cupped hands and puffs hot air into them.

Karasu blinks once at Ravenstongue, but doesn't reply to her question. He seems chilled. Distracted. Wuya shakes off the petting fingers and makes his way to Karasu. Nudging at his fingers until Karasu's hand uncurls and touches the raven. The bird whirrs at him, then clicks twice. Karasu nods to the sounds and rises as the boy comes to the table. "Have my seat." He insists to the boy, his voice somewhat gruff.

GAME: Karasu rolls bluff: (19)+8: 27

GAME: Jinks rolls Perform/Sing: (1)+22: 23 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Telamon rolls sense motive+3: (18)+3+3: 24

The movements of the young half-elf briefly attract Arngrim's attention as he nears the bar and he turns slightly to watch as he approaches the others gathered here. His eyes linger for a few seconds as if attempting to discern if there are any familiar faces but he ends up justs haking his head and frowning idly before looking back to the bartender and gesturing almost absently. "I don't know..something strong. Something to make me not be annoyed at family business and squabbling siblings. And an overbearing mother. Who wants me to get married."

He pauses at that and says, "..No that'd be to strong. Just the part about the siblings. I'll need a hammer to the head for the rest."

"What do you mean, hunting for young lads?" Ravenstongue pouts--which is a bit of an adorable expression on her, as her cheeks puff out a tad. The teasing is rather effective. "Boti here is someone I saved on an adventure. You know, like an adventurer does."

This also explains the sewer adventures, including the recent 'manstealer' incident in the sewers, right? That's what heroes do, right?

"You're talking funny," Pothy says, imitating Ravenstongue's voice as well as her giggles, as he looks at Wuya.

This prompts a look from Ravenstongue. She looks back to Wuya and Karasu, pursing her lips together for a moment. "I'm not going to pry, but it does worry me a little," she says finally. "I'm kind of in the business of helping others."

Pothy looks over at the giantborn man and he calls out, "Hammer to the head!" in a perfect mimic of the giantborn's voice. He seems to like the phrase. Or at the very least, Arngrim's voice.

Telamon just chuckles at that pout, and gestures to Boti. "Sit down, lad. Hot drink is on the way, and I'm happy to share the table." He glances over at Raven with a grin. "Ah, adventuring. That explains why you asked me to cast the cleaning cantrip on your robes the other evening... six times. You're going to have to tell me that tale at some point, I'm curious to hear where you wound up." He eyes Karasu briefly, but then turns his gaze back to Boti now, as a steaming mug is set in front of the boy.

Even after multiple invitations Boti hesitates. He finally nods and takes the chair offered by Karasu, glancing up briefly at the man to mumble a "... sorry" before pulling the chair a little closer to Ravenstongue and sitting down. He loops his arms around his stomach and sits forward, sneaking his hands under his shirt until the mug of cider arrives. "Sorry. Mm, thank you," he tells Telamon without making eye contact.

The half-Sylvanori looks like some variety of ward; maybe an orphan or a servant. His hair is recently cut but it's a bit on the quick-job side. The clothes are nothing special and second-hand. His shoes are too big and recently re-soled. He listens to the mentions of adventures with obvious interest, cupping his red-knuckled hands over the top of the mug for warmth and catching the steam. He makes a little gap in the dome to lean forward and stick his nose in, closing his eyes and making a pleased sound at the scent.

Wuya draws himself up and eyes Pothy, the bird starts to make a noise and Karasu... bumps the table. Totally on accident. The man eyes the bird and Wuya sighs, managing to look contrite. "I think the boy's story is more important than mine." He states simply to Ravenstongue, looking at the boy in question as a hot drink is brought to him. There's quite a lot of attention on the young man at the moment, and Karasu's eyes are cold fathomless things that offer little respite from the cold outside.

Hearing his voice coming from another part of the room is..disconcerting to say the least. It prompts Arngrim to blink in confusion and then straighten up, visibly alarmed and concerned before shaking his head and then turning around in search of his doppleganger. With his back turned, he naturally completely missed the source of the mimicry and he sweeps his gaze over the room, back and forth, in search of the culprit. Unamused.

"..No..I actually do not want a hammer to the head." he clarifies hastily as he swivels hie head to look from one end of the common room to another. His expression now bearing a heavy furrowed brow and a deeply suspicious pair of narrowed eyes.

"A hammer to my head is bad. Now a hammer to someone elses head... That is possible!"

Pothy laughs at Arngrim looking around the room for him. "Haw-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha." It's a strange posh sounding laugh, although it sounds closer to what one might think the typical raven sound than a laugh. "Possible!" he echoes again, using Arngrim's voice.

"Well, I rescued Boti from these fungal creatures who find mortals and infect them. Aryia and the rest were there, of course--I really didn't do a ton," Ravenstongue confesses. She smiles at Boti in... Well, a manner reminiscent of a big sister. They're close enough in age that it could really be the case if you didn't know better. She puts her hand on the boy's shoulder. "How's the cider? We can get you a sandwich, too, if you want. Also, don't tell me you've been going around in only those clothes! I'll take you to Sandy's and get you some nice wool clothes."

Yup. She even acts like a big sister.

The half-sil gives an 'mmm' and nods his head, looking down into the cider mug and holding it with both hands. He turns his head and wipes his chin against his shoulder and glances up at Karasu and Wuya. He shrinks back from the wizard's gaze, getting a little smaller in his chair.

"...mm not supposed to be out," Boti finally tells Ravenstongue, leaning close and mumbling into her space. "Got bored." He leans back and takes another drink of the cider, eyes fixed on Pothy when he does his voices, grinning. "What kind of sandwich?" He asks.

It seemed that someone had an eye out for the boy, and Karasu nods gratefully to the woman. There's just an edge of it in his gaze. In his eyes if nowhere else. With his nod given he holds his hand out to Wuya who chirps at him with half a glance given to Pothy first. Wuya sighs. Jumps on Karasu's wrist and waits to be carried to a shoulder. "I should go. It was a pleasure to see you again." He nods to Ravenstongue one last time. It seems he intends to let the boy keep his seat.

The colossus giantborn purses his lips in confusion as he hears that strange raven like laugh but the confused look turns into a frown as the mimicry begins again. "Now see here.." he begins with rising indignation in the rumbling bass of his voice, "I will not engage in an argument with my own voice. I.."

Something overheard causes him to pause in mid sentence and he turns once more, fixing his gaze fully on the table of Ravenstongue, Karasu and the young half elf.

"..Sandy?" he rumbles curiously while arcing an eyebrow in thought, "You know Sandy?"

His footfalls begin bringing him towards the table now, quaking the seats and drinks of those he passes by and his loomng shadow slowly swallowing the other group up as he draws near. He looks over each of them in turn, his gaze as ponderous as his physique though he takes a few steps backwards to provide more room as Karasu seems intending to rise.

Pothy looks over at Wuya and lifts his beak a little. He's looking deeply at the two, but he doesn't seem to know what to say or make of it. For now, he nods, and so does Ravenstongue, who smiles and gives Karasu and Wuya a little wave. "Have a good night, then! Stay safe out in the cold!" she says.

She looks at Boti now. "Well, they have all kind of sandwiches. You could do the club sandwich. I liked that a lot." Liked, as in past tense. "Now... You snuck out? Where are you supposed to be right now?"

And finally, she looks up to the giantborn. Pothy looks up at him too. It's hard not to, really. But where some would perhaps be terrified of the giantborn, Ravenstongue simply smiles. "Yes, I'm Madame Sandy's apprentice," she says. "Are you a friend of hers?"

The boy is confused by the idea of a club sandwich. It sounds a lot like a knuckle sandwich and he knows he doesn't want one of those so he gives a shallow shrug. He waves a little at Karasu but still doesn't muster the nerve to look up at the man's face a second time.

Boti was going to lean in and answer Ravenstongue's question about where he's meant to be but the giantborn's shadow falls over their table and he's left to gape at the unbelievable size of the man.

Karasu takes this moment to leave, giving half a nod to the giantborn as he passes through. Wuya keeps an eye on Ravenstongue and Pothy as they leave. Ducking his head close to Karasu as the door opens and allows a gust of flurries and cold wind to bustle in. Not much. Just a brief gust and then Karasu is gone.

When he's not looking annoyed, Arngrim is..well...okay yes to most people he would still be terrifying. One does not simply 'turn off' arms that have biceps so massive they look like they could hide a halfling behind them.. unless one were a shapeshifter or magician at least. But his expression and body language are more relaxed at least. More of a resting mountain then a smouldering volcano then. Probably not helping his case with Boti much, especially as he holds the young half elf in his gaze for a few long seconds. He then turns his full attention to Ravenstongue, "Yes... In a sense."

Arngrim pauses to study Pothy as well and then drifts his eyes back to the lady, ""Though she would use other more colorful words to describe me, or laugh at me, or be otherwise abrasive and terrifying as is her way. I come and go from Alexandria fairly often so..it's been some time. I am called Arngrim." He looks back to Boti and after a long pause says, "..Hello."

"It's nice to meet you. You can call me Ravenstongue," the older half-elf says, still smiling to Arngrim. "The raven is Apotheosis, or Pothy for short. He's a big ham. He'll ask you for snacks, but you don't have to get him any. He has plenty as it is."

And Ravenstongue is right. There are indeed plenty of snacks for Pothy on the table, and the white-feathered friend has busied himself with the very serious business of eating them. Ravenstongue gestures to the younger half-elf and says, "This is Boti. He's a friend of mine--I'll go ahead and order a sandwich for you, okay, Boti?" she says.

"... thank you," Boti offers and he manages to stop openly staring at Arngrim. The half-sil has another drink of his cider and offers a belated "hi" that echoes out from the mug for the giantborn, glancing briefly at a treetrunk leg and then at the much-less-intimidating Apotheosis. "Hi, A...poppyotis." He reaches up and scratches at the side of his head. "Why is your bird called that?"

"A talking bird." deadpans Arngrim, "Hmm..."

He then inclines his head in thought and frowns as if having finally managed to solve the greatest of puzzles and mysteries. This results in him wagging his finger at Pothy, "A talking bird... Were -you- the one mimicing my voice?" He shakes his head, eyes hooding slightly as he clucks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Hmph. Very funny.. And also quite talented!"

His attention returns to Boti though and then back to Ravenstongue in anticipation of her answer.

"Snacks!" Pothy says, mimicking Ravenstongue's voice. He is, indeed, a talking bird, and he has just proven to be a master mimic. He even laughs a little again, clearly oh-so-amused with his own cleverness. "Ha-haw-haw-haw-haw. Ha-haw-haw-haw-haw."

Ravenstongue holds out a cracker to Pothy, which he takes and swallows immediately down his gullet. He doesn't break it apart. He just inhales the thing down. It's mesmerizing to behold. "To tell you the truth, Boti, he told me that was his name when I first got him. But it's a mouthful, so I just call him Pothy. I know he was my mother's familiar, and now he's mine, but I don't honestly know much more beyond that."

Arngrim watches Pothy with some degree of fascination as the food simply ceases to be in the birds presence. "I had always thought that familiars were unique to a given magic user. That they were summoned, not gifted from one to another but you are saying yours is different?"

Arngrim looks away from Pothy to study Ravenstongue thoughtfully, "Or perhaps I was simply told wrong and the matter is far more complicated then that."

"Can I..." Boti looks down into his mug and pushes it to one side now that it's empty. "Can I pet him?" He has an elbow on the table and lifts his hand slowly, turning to look at Ravenstongue for approval. He sleeve falls back from his wrist and he has pockmarked scars running along his forearm from where the pox festered especially bad. It's deep enough in places to look as if a chunk was taken from the muscle beneath the skin.

"Lots of people have animals here." He adds, speaking up a little more as he thaws in the room and relaxes. "The other man with the mean eyes had a bird, too. Some of the people at the hospital have animals. I... think I remember a big white bird from before... but a horse-bird."

Ravenstongue motions to Pothy, and the bird flaps over, landing on Boti's shoulder. "Go ahead and pet him. He won't bite." She grins. "He loves being pet. He's pretty soft, too."

She looks back up to Arngrim and nods. The smile on her face dulls significantly. "Well, I get my magic from my mother's bloodline--and Pothy's part of that," she says. "I don't know the mechanics of how it was passed down, though. Part of the reason I'm Madame Sandy's apprentice is because I have partial amnesia around my childhood and teenage years. I can remember some things, but not others. There's a complicated system of memory modification spells on me that Madame Sandy's been studying--I've recovered some of my memories, but not all."

"Merp," Pothy says, a little croak before he nuzzles against Boti.

"And Pothy's not terribly helpful in that regard either," Ravenstongue adds with a smirk.

"My apologies.." rumbles Arngrim after a lengthy pause. "It was not my intention to cause you to have to bring up troubling affairs or matters of personal pain." He nods hs head to Raventongue and then looks away from her to watch Boti interact with the familiar, "I was curious as to the circumstances of your familiar but it is not my intention to pry. I think that if anyone can help you, it is Sandy. She is a powerful sorceress and wise in many ways though a touch insufferable on occasion with her verbal abuses..but I suppose that's what some might call charming." he allows a wane smile, "She will help you."

Boti blinks and forgets all his troubles for a minute as Pothy comes to light on his shoulder and his blue eyes go wide. He pulls his sleeve down and uses his other hand to cup Pothy's hand carefully and oh-so-gingerly draw it down the bird's back. "You... eye... Eyes... to your look high..." He's trying but the words don't come naturally. He grunts and frowns, trying to shape the words.

He stumbles and just makes vowel sounds for a moment and then finally recalls the phrase. "'Your eyes above, Mahal,'" he recites for Pothy, still petting the bird. He gives a little sniffle and stops long enough to draw his sleeve across his face. "'Watch my boy.'" He keeps petting the bird and sniffs again. <sildanyari>

Pothy is fluffy! He makes happy little croaks as he's pet by Boti. He continues to nuzzle against Boti as long as the half-elf boy is continuing to pet him.

Ravenstongue smiles at Arngrim. "It's alright, really. I wouldn't be talking about it if I wasn't comfortable. Pothy and I have been through a lot together, and Sandy seems to like him, too. She feeds him sweet rolls."

Speaking of Pothy, she looks back at Boti and puts a hand on his shoulder. She gives him a sympathetic look, squeezing his shoulder. "It's okay. Pothy makes a great shoulder to cry on. I should know--I've sobbed into his feathers for hours on end before."

The marks on Boti's arms did not go unnoticed either. Arngrim casts his gaze towards the half elf boy and studies him for a few seconds before finally taking a step back to begin disengaging from the encounter. "Very well." he says while turning towards Raven once again, "I will take my leave then. It seems that, once more, I've left the city for family business only to return to much going on. Magical wards and more. I will leave you two to your..sandwich getting and clothes buying." He pauses once more and then adds, "..Leave you three to it..." with a final nod of acknowledgement towards Pothy.

"I don't talk right," sulks Boti, keeping his face pointed towards Pothy and away from the other two as he takes solace in the bird's soft feathers. "Not like them, I mean... can't remember words."

Finally, he reaches up and very carefully takes Pothy in two hands. The familiar could be crafted from the thinnest eggshells and he'd survive the transit back to the tabletop unharmed. "Good Pothy," assures the half-Sil before he shakes his sleeves forward and wipes his face again.

"I'm gonna go back. 'Supposed to be in bed."

Ravenstongue gives Arngrim a little wave and a nod. "There's so much going on--I hope you can manage to get a handle on it, and that we can speak again." She smiles.

On Boti's shoulder, Pothy continues to stay. His feathers are waterproof, after all. "You don't have to," Pothy says to Boti in a voice somewhat like Ravenstongue's in the way she speaks, but with a deeper voice, more maternal in tone in tone. "Just be you." He takes the ride back to the tabletop and croaks softly at Pothy. It's an affectionate tone.

Ravenstongue even gets a little-misty-eyed watching this. She puts an arm around Boti. "Let me get you back in bed, buddy. I'll get you some nice warm clothes tomorrow."

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Perception: (17)+4: 21

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+9: (9)+9: 18

Boti turns into Ravenstongue and wraps her in a tight hug. As rail-thin as his arms are his grip is surprisingly vice-like in its desperation. He mumbles something into her clothes but the sorceress only catches "miss them" before he pulls back. His cheeks shin in the hearthlight and his nose is snotty and he only serves to smear it when he wipes his face with one sleeve-clutching hand. The other arm is folded up under his shirt.

"I have to sneak back in or I'll be in trouble. Not supposed to be out." He nods his head and looks at the floor, "The juice was very good." And he's on his way.

The boy is in a rush and bumps into a Khazadi fellow getting up for another drink. The two of them stumble into the dwarf's chair and table beyond. Somehow, by the time Boti has extracted himself from the tangle and made it to the door, the half-Sil is pulling on a jacket that's much to big for himself.

At least he'll be warmer outside.

Later-- once Ravenstongue and Pothy have finished their repast and decided to leave-- the sorceress finds herself wondering why her coin purse is a little lighter than she remembers it being.