One Windy Day

Auranar was bundled up in her chair, a cup of tea planted firmly in her hands. Hunter was curled up at her feet in the deep happy slumber that only a kitten can have. Both of them safe and sound from the weather that threatened outside. Safe from the threats of the city. She sighed and drank her tea in little sips. "I'd much rather be baking you know." She half-muttered, half-spoke to the other woman in the room.

"I am aware," Verna notes in response as she tends to dishes and sundries, taking them to the kitchen and returning. "I am also aware that you deserve some respite." Her tone is firm. "Today moreso than others. We can bake on the morrow... or perhaps the weather will turn and you would prefer to be out of doors?" A carrot dangled after the stick? "If naught else, we are both aware that I am in need of the practice, love."

A firm *clump clump clump* up the stairs of the porch is not fast, but it's steady and determined, and it heralds the arrival of another. It is followed by a firm rap on the door that is short and quick.

Eagerly Auranar sets her tea aside and starts to struggle with her blanket. "We have a guest!" Trying to untangle herself from the blanket without waking Hunter is more a struggle than she would like to admit.

Verna eyes Aura and moves briskly towards the door. "I will answer it. Relax, else you will wake Hunter." There. Flawless, infallible logic. The door opens partly, at first, both in caution of visitors and to ensure the storming outside remains outside.

Today, the pair have been visited by a drowning victim. Or so it appears, at first, until a soaked Dolan pulls the twin hoods off of his face to reveal the unmistakable golden eye set into the right side of his face. The cloaks, at least, appear to have done a mostly reasonable job of keeping much of his clothing no more than damp, from the sheepskin jacket to the low-collared shirt beneath, its front tied close to his neck against the early-spring chill. His boots are soaked, but the trousers beneath are no more than splashed with water. "I'd offer you the brightest of days, Verna, but that seems like a damned cruel joke, just at the moment," he offers with a quirk of a grin that colors at least the mobile half of his features. "Is this a bad time? I wanted to ask a thing of you, and I only wanted to have to go out in this abominable weather once."

From the living room, Aurnar is leaning over in her chair to get a better look at their guest. "Dolan? Hey Dolan! Come in! We're not doing anything." There's a slight tinge to the tone there 'anything'. She adds a wave to her words.

Verna blinks at the sodden solicitor at the doorstep and opens the door wide. "Please, come in. Dry and warm yourself." She steps aside to allow and welcome him entry, and offers to take at least one of his cloaks. "We were simply relaxing. You do not intrude, and are always welcome." After a pause, she thinks to offer, "Would you desire a dry set of clothing temporarily?" Not that men's wear is likely in great abundance within the residence.

GAME: Dolan rolls sense motive: (17)+18: 35

Dolan at least has the grace to leave the boots in a place where they will not get the floor wet, and steps inside, passing off both cloaks. The inner one appears to be finer than a simple weatherproof garment, but the outer one is voluminous enough to be intended for precisely that purpose.

"I - think I'd better not," he replies uncomfortably after a moment of thought. "I've been worse. Thanks, though." He pauses in the doorway, notably keeping the sheepskin jacket and the leather cuff he wears over his weak shoulder on, but his eyes land almost immediately on Auranar, huddled up in a chair in a blanket. "Are you all right?" he asks keenly.

Auranar settles back into her chair as Dolan enters the house. She doesn't really cover back up with the blanket and her dress is more 'comfy' fair than her usual bright, cheerful, and fashionable choices. "I'm fine." She says, dryly looking at Verna before offering Dolan a more warm smile. "There was an incident at the Temple of Eluna and I'm a little under the weather, but mostly fine. Verna worries overly much."

Verna moves to hang the cloaks on pegs nearer the hearth to aid in drying. She then proceeds to relocate one of the simple, unupholstered chairs across the lounge to rest near the hearth, again to aid in drying. "Please," she directs to Dolan, with a motion to the chair.

After stepping to her own chair aside Auranar's and sitting, she makes a point to adjust Auranar's blanket back up. Just a small adjustment. "The healer recommended rest for the day, and we are following that recommendation," she clarifies with a warm yet firm smile to her wife. Her attention pans back to Dolan, curiosity piqued yet she does not press in favor of him making himself comfortable. "Would you care for some tea?"

It is an interesting thing, watching Dolan raise his right eyebrow. With no eye, no ability to move the eye, and only remnants left of an eyebrow, the expression is almost entirely a shift of the facial ridge where an eyebrow once was, towards his hairline, just a fraction of an inch, but the mobile half of his features is much more expressive. _Uh HUH,_ it reads, quite clearly.

He seats himself as invited, letting out a small breath and then nodding. "If it's no trouble. He doesn't sound overly enthusiastic so much as polite. "An incident at the Temple of Eluna that caused you to take ill? It had better not be more of those furry ba-" He stops short, clamping his lips shut, with an awkward and sheepish look, and coughs. "Individuals who are where they haven't any right to be," he concludes, his grin sheepish, but the stare he directs at the two women keen.

Auranar hesitates at Dolan's question, but offers an alternatives to the tea first. "We have water and some juice?" She looks down at her tea and sighs, picking it up with a little shift of the blanket. The kitten, only slightly disturbed by her antics is still fast asleep. "I'm not sure who he was to be honest, but he certainly wasn't the paladin of Eluna he was pretending to be. He wanted Albus. Magpie and I were not inclined to hand him over to someone who looked like they'd never worn armor a day before in their lives. To be honest I didn't notice at first how strange he looked, but Magpie did and... well. It all worked out in the end."

"It is no trouble at all," Verna rises to serve as hostess as Auranar recounts. The side table is moved slightly to be near Dolan's chair. The tea service tray and a cup for his use are places upon it. Mindful of Auranar's alternative offerings, and Dolan's hesitance regarding tea, she departs to the kitchen briefly.

"Any and all would be inclined to trust those within a temple are as they claim," she offers some assurance as she returns with hands full. A small pitcher of juice and one of water are set down in offering. They are followed, last, by a sealed bottle of Blue Moon ale. "Yet, as she noted, all is well in the end." Verna then returns to her seat.

"You didn't have to do that," Dolan is startled out of his keen observation by the beverage offerings, but pours himself a glass of juice, for the moment, and settles back in his chair. "I'd sure as sunrise hope that anyone in the Sunlord's Temple was who they were claiming to be, and if they weren't, I might find myself doing penance for spilling blood on holy ground. Still -" He fixes Auranar with that keen, unsettling stare for a moment long, then decides to let it go.

"Thank you both," he adds, taking an appraising sip from the glass. "What I'd wanted to ask Verna about -" He slows down, turning his attention to Verna. "You remember the mountain in the distance, that we could see from that lake Tanith took us to?"

Released from Dolan's gaze, Auranar relaxes, taking a sip of her tea and wincing a little at the bitter flavor within. She sighs and then attentively turns her attention to the conversation at hand. The subject of Tanith clearly interests her.

Verna retrieves her own teacup to sip lightly from it as she listens with the shift in discussion. A brief glance is made to Auranar as she considers. "I recall its presence," she confirms, "though I did not study it in any detail. I was rather... distracted during our stay in Quelynos," her lips purse. And prior, though that much is unsaid. "It is significant, I presume?" Her curiosity returns.

"Yeah, I remember." Dolan leans forward in the chair, elbows on his knees, glass in hand. "I asked the Knight to show me the magic in the place," he explains. "He did. I couldn't look long because it made my eye go wild, and I damned near went blind," he snorts quietly. "That still doesn't work right. Anyway, Tanith and that mountain look pretty much identical magic-wise. Lana says Tanith's a divine servant of Eluna. If that's true, that mountain's got something to do with Eluna, which means our furry friends might be after it."

"Ohhh. Do you think she took you there so you'd learn of it? Or that it was just incidental?" Auranar asks curiously. "I don't know that much about her. Does she do things with a purpose in mind, or is she more... erratic?"

Verna's brow furrows in thought. "I recall your reaction, Dolan, though I had attributed it merely to the excess of magic in Quelynos..." She hmms softly, "which was where one of the first ... pieces of Eluna was found, as well. I agree that there is cause enough to investigate further; we bear so little information. If you seek transportation, I can provide such."

Her attention shifts to Auranar, thoughts still mulling. "Tanithariairisixchel has ever been rather ... chaotic, in my experiences, yes. Yet, she has also seemed to ever appear when she is most needed, to aid as is needed. At times, the revelations might even seem unintentional, but if she is a divine servant... it might all be Eluna's underlying guidance."

"That's kind of what I think," Dolan agrees, wrapping hands around his juice glass. "Tanith herself probably didn't have a plan beyond _somewhere safe_, but if she's really a divine servant of Eluna - maybe Eluna did." He takes his left elbow off his knee and rotates it gingerly, but his mind seems quite focused on the conversation at hand. "It's like Verna says. She seems to show up when she's needed most, though I've got the impression she's got a thing for Telamon - or anyone who feeds her fish."

"I was going to ask if you were up for going with us, Verna," he goes on, but his eyes go to Auranar. "I'm not going to ask if you're in the care of a healer, though, Auranar." Again, that keen gaze, but this time, it holds concern.

Auranar smiles warmly at the talk of Tanith, imagining the little dragon that she'd only met once. While she was sleeping, but just the same. Yet her lips fall into a frown when Dolan suggests that Auranar can not care for herself. "I'm fine Dolan, really. You can't keep me down long, and even Verna has to admit that I'm not that bad. Just a day of downtime for me and I'll be back to my usual self."

"She -is- well," Verna does, indeed, admit, still regarding Auranar. "More than that, we are partners in all things. You are ever welcome by my side, love." To Dolan, she adds, "As well, the lands of the fae are quite the family tie, and Aura's insight rivals that of Cor'lana or Telamon. Far more keen than my own. When might you wish us ready?"

"You don't want to know what Andie said when I brought up the idea. I can ask if she's willing to feed your cat too." Dolan quirks a smile, knowing full well that him arguing anyone else's fitness to travel would be a hypocrisy worthy of the worst evangelist. "How long do you think you need to be ready? Within the week, if you can manage it. I'd like to beat Zinskas there." He takes a long, slow pull of the juice. "I'm no expert in the fae, but I want to know what's there."

"Someone to feed Hunter while we're gone just in case we lose some time there would be a good idea." Aurnar admits, pleased that Verna is including her in this. "I'd suggest as soon as possible. Maybe not today, since Verna is likely to disapprove of that notion, but as soon as possible." She thinks for a moment. "Particularly since there's something of a ticking clock if you will."

Verna arches a brow at the mention of Andelena, though did not forget her ... displeasure at their stay in Quelynos. "Hunter would welcome the attention, and we the peace of mind, certainly." She pauses momentarily before nodding agreement. "We can be ready on the morrow or after, indeed. My apologies, Dolan, I did not mean to imply that any great preparation was required." Their most recent discussion of preparation time is also not forgotten. "There is indeed urgency."

Dolan lets out a breath of relief. _They are willing to move._ "Good. I'll let Andie and Dirk and Tel and Lana know. Can we live off the land in Quelynos, or should we rely on our own supplies?" The warmth of the fire is beginning to seep through the damp in his clothes and the cold in his bones, and both benisons are serving to improve his initial sharp mood.

"From what I remember, eating in the fae lands is really dangerous. I don't remember why? But it is probably best if we bring our own food and politely turn down any food offered to us there. Or that we find." Auranar says thoughtfully. "Just let us know when everyone is ready to go."

"We should bring our own supplies," Verna nods agreement with Auranar. "Gifts from denizens should certainly be declined..." A thought strikes yet she continues. "Ideally, we would not need remain long, but it is best to be prepared. There is also the matter of time. We have already witnessed its flow in Quelynos being unrelated to that upon Ea. Andelena, and any others remaining behind, should be informed. Days here could be weeks there, or even the reverse."

Dolan's frown is pensive, and he remains leaning forward. "That's pretty tricky when we don't even know how long we'll be gone for. I don't suppose you've got a means to provide food and water by magic, if that's what we have to do? I can carry trail rations, but only so much, and-" He hesitates suddenly, and shakes his head, a negation, but for what is unclear, and he stares suddenly down at the floor.

"I'll bring some food too. Just to be safe. I know how to make trail rations." Auranar smiles at this and looks at Dolan. "What's on your mind Dolan?"

"If anyone can make a dry ration delectable..." Verna begins, pausing at Dolan's look to the floor and Aura's inquiry. "You are ever welcome to speak freely."

The mobile half of Dolan's features droop in embarrassment, and even the scarred parts follow suit to the extent they are able to do so. The look is decidedly uneven and a little strange. "We should figure out how much we're carrying," he starts, slowly, as if not quite knowing how to word this. "I've got a pack that lightens my load, but anything beyond that -" It's a thing he doesn't want to admit. "I've got to be pretty careful how much I carry," he admits, his gaze remaining on the floor.

"That's alright. We'll travel as light as is wise. I doubt we'll need more than a week's worth of rations in any case and if we do... we come back and collect more food from where it's safe to do so." Auranar makes it sound so simple, but then she's not been on too many 'longer' missions.

"We can account for this fact," Verna agrees then expounds softly, "It is a simple truth, nothing more. A temporary one, as well. It is most helpful that we are aware." An attempt to assuage his discomfort, though she is not the most adept.

"I'll take as much as I can, that pack holds more than it looks like it should," Dolan replies quickly, although his shoulders relax a little at the assurances. "I'm not trying to shirk. The healers were pretty clear about how much I'm supposed to lift. We should probably take a couple of weeks' worth, just in case."

-End