AWRR2 Chapter 7

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Summary

Session date:2025-10-22

The chapter started on an Airship enroute to Simmerwater, the small estate that Mol won at cards. Yarr drops off the group at the small local village, where they are greeted by locals before making their way to the manor. there the group breaks up to explore. Upstairs is most bedrooms and accidental innuendo. Downstairs, Galatea fixes up some of the furniture, and folks chat for a while until they hear a strange sound! The basement crew finds a hidden chamber with a creepy shrine, and outside, Norn and Raveni get to spend some quality time together hunting, and then mess with those who had found the secret passage,m as it connects outdoors through a trapdoor out into the bog away from the house

After this, the group grathers to prepare and eat dinner.

That night, Saiya sneaks into Fritz's room, and they talk a bit about what they both want before indulging in just that!

In the morning, Fritz and his cousin talk about their interests in the Callais/Harrowden siblings.

Session

Session Start: Wed Oct 22 19:31:23 2025

Everyone is excited as the airship approaches

* Fritz is standing out on the deck, watching the landscape pass beneath us
* Molgrin perhaps did not give Yarr an accurate accounting of just how many people were coming on this trip >.>
<Fritz> Are we getting lower? are we nearly there?
* Galatea is now known as Yarr
<Trev> We're still dashed high up, even if not so much as we have been
<Fritz> its so exciting!
<Yarr> We're coming in under the cloud cover; we'll be there soon Lord Frederick.
<Fritz> thank you captain!
* Yarr refrains from adding "Not soon enough."
<Mitula> I do so like it above the clouds.
* Yarr is now known as Galatea
<Euphrastus> It makes one feel small, for once.
* Saiya scritches the large black panther-like creature that she has accompanying her on this trip (along with ample luggage for such a short journey)
<Trev> Ha! Not me, I feel like the king of the world!
<Fritz> they are quite pretty but I like seeing all the landscapes as we go above them!
<Galatea> You should come visit Mythragal. When the city rises above a storm, it's an amazing view.
* Fritz nods to his cousin
<Mitula> that sounds beautiful. I would love to visit.
<Fritz> Mythragal is such a wonderful city!
<Trev> I bet you'd love the temple there, Euphrastus, I hear the libraries and museums are something to see
* Molgrin is nervous about what might await us at our destination, and hopes he hasn't just brought a ton of nobles out to a ruin in a swamp for the weekend.
<Euphrastus> Mm, I suspect you're right. Although I always am afraid of bashing into things, if built for smaller folk.
<Galatea> Oh, some of the galleries are built on a grand scale. Or as grand as space allows, but certainly large enough for you.
* Fritz nods enthusiastically
<Trev> the landscape does look quite a bit more boggy, I think
<Euphrastus> I once had a client in Highmark whose house was so cluttered with antiquities that it was hardly possible to take a step.
<Euphrastus> It was all tremendously valuable ... and breakable.
<Mitula> that poor fellow. How could they live like that?
<Norn> Were you able to help them sort it all out?
<Trev> Did they bring things outside for you to examine?
<Euphrastus> I managed as best as I could. But in the end I couldn't help them too much. Not my place to tell them to keep their stuff off the floor.
<Euphrastus> Only having the one eye does put limits on one's depth perception ... it wouldn't have been professionally responsible to traipse around there.
<Fritz> maybe they were part dragon :V
<Trev> Hah!
* Fritz realizes that could be racist against dragonborn and looks ashamed
<Trev> You should have seen Shom a week or so after it first rose - there hadn't been enough time to go through all the buildings, but there had *definitely
* been enough time for a great deal of the foodstuffs to turn
<Fritz> were you there so early?
* Galatea nods at Fritz's question.
<Trev> Yes, though I was still rather small, so mostly I stayed with the work crews in the already-explored areas
<Fritz> that would have been so fascinating :o
<Fritz> well, I'm sure it still is, really
<Fritz> there's still so much to discover, I'm sure
<Molgrin> If there's anything of any interest in the house, I hope you'll examine it :)
* Molgrin says to Euphrastus
* Galatea is now known as Narrator
<Trev> oh, scads of things, I'm sure, but a lot of the places are almost copies of each other. For some reason almost all of them painted their walls some form of beige or white, not even a whitewash but actual paint!
<Narrator> There's a call from a crewman at the front of the ship; the village is within sight.
* Raveni comes staggering out of the hold, looking green
<Fritz> that's sadly dull...
<Raveni> oh thank the gods, land
* Molgrin peers out to see what he can make out below
<Fritz> oh no - are you still suffering?
* Fritz asks Raveni
<Raveni> If I was meant to fly, I'd have wings
<Fritz> well, we'll be down soon enough!
<Mitula> I should be able to help you with your nausea, if you are willing to let me. I can't stop it from coming back, but we have almost landed.
* Narrator is now known as Galatea
<Raveni> Please, if you can do anything it'll be a relief
* Mitula will step forward and take off her gloves. She places two fingers on each of Raveni's temples. Raveni feels a slight pressure, and a flow of rejuvenating energy filling him, washing away the nausea.
* Macen will some out on deck as we are descending
<Mitula> There. That should be better, for at least a little while.
* Mitula smiles brightly at you
* Raveni lets out a somewhat embarrassing whimper of gratitude
<Galatea> I hope you weren't feeling poorly as well, L-Macen.
<Raveni> Thank you, that's much better
<Macen> oh, no, just having a nap
* Mitula will put her gloves back on.
<Mitula> I'm glad to have helped.
* Norn has been peering over the railing, watching the great swamp pass beneath.
* Galatea smiles.
<Galatea> We've almost arrived.
<Macen> that sure is a lot of green. Grandfather would probably love it.

The group arrives and disembarks, greeted by some locals

<Molgrin> [The village as you can see it from above consists of perhaps a couple dozen buildings around a central field. You can make out some sheep grazing there, and the small figures of people milling around, some certainly looking up as the airship descends. The village sits on a patch of higher ground, with boggy swamp and some sparse trees around it. On the other side of what is either a shallow lake or more bog, sits a large house - presumably the manor.]
* Raveni looks over the railing despite himself while hanging on to the railing for dear life
<Euphrastus> So is the estate called Simmerwater, or the village, or both?
<Macen> or the swamp
<Molgrin> I think all of the above?
<Fritz> does the manor have a name? I suppose you could give it one if it doesn't!
<Trev> You could call it something silly, like Jim.
<Fritz> Jim?
<Norn> (q, to Raveni) I'm sorry the journey hasn't agreed with you.
<Trev> Yeah, instead of like Simmerwater Manor, it would just be Jim.
<Galatea> Jimothy.
<Molgrin> Well it might already have a name, I suppose, I don't know all that much about it.
* Galatea is now known as Yarr
<Macen> Guess we'll find out soon enough
<Raveni> (q, to Norn) Thanks. The opportunity to explore somewhere new is worth it, at least
<Yarr> We'll put down on that central field, I think. Best make ready to depart, my lords, leids, and ladies.
<Macen> aye cap
* Yarr is now known as Mhireen
<Mhireen> Stole my line.
* Mhireen salutes Yarr and goes to do that.
<Fritz> oh yes, i think I'm all ready...
* Mitula will pick up her one small bag.
* Trev hops down from Everett's shoulders so his servant can go collect their things
<Fritz> oh, you're still connected there!
* Raveni picks up their rucksack, their only baggage
* Fritz will say before Everett drags his master away :V
* Euphrastus hefts two giant trunks of stuff, one in each hand.
* Saiya has probably like 3 trunks worth of belongings, fortunately with Macen's help that should be fine ;)
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
<Trev> Oh, goodness, thank you
* Galatea will retrieve her one comically large trunk, eyeing Saiya's now-animated ones with envy.
* Molgrin has mostly things like food supplies - sacks of rice and other such basic rations - plus a bag of personal items that he can carry for himself.
<Macen> oh, do you need help with that?
* Norn has his bag over his shoulder, hanging over his finely-carved greatclub he has brought just in case.
* Macen asks her
<Galatea> Oh-oof-well-ah!-I don't want to be a bother.
<Macen> its not at all.
* Macen hardly seems to do anything at all to have it animated and walking after her
<Galatea> Oh thank the gods! And you, Macen.
* Galatea gives him a dazzling smile.
<Galatea> I am in your debt.
* Firrin will emerge when once we have landed, also looking a little grey, with his neatly packed luggage being toted by a skeleton
<Yarr> Alright, we have a schedule to keep. Everyone ready to descend?
* Yarr is now known as Paiza
<Macen> Oh, it's, nothing....
<Molgrin> I think so. Thank you very much, Captain Yarr.
* Macen pushes his hair back out of his face
<Paiza> We're coming captain, sorry, just finishing reassembly. Does anyone need any help with their luggage?
<Macen> does anyone else need a hand?
* Macen says at the same time
* Paiza will come up on deck from below leading a small pack of skeletons.
* Paiza smiles.
<Macen> oooh boney friends
<Paiza> Oh, well, we seem to be well-prepared then.
<Fritz> oh, well... if someone wouldn't mind...
* Fritz says, not having quite so much as his cousin but still not nothing
* Paiza will direct a skeleton to take Fritz's stuff.
* Molgrin will descend and give a nervous wave to the assorted inhabitants
<Fritz> so kind of you!
<Paiza> Happy to help. :)
<Molgrin> Hello! My name is Molgrin Braalk and it appears I've come into possession of the manor over there. I brought some friends to see the place. I hope we won't be any trouble to you.
* Paiza is now known as Villager
* Molgrin says, trying not to sound too poncey OR too scared
<Villager> -_-
* Firrin smiles at the locals :)
<Fritz> Hello there!
* Fritz waves cheerfully
<Villager> No one's been over to the manner for a while.
* Molgrin nods
<Molgrin> Well, we will be there for a few days, to check out what repairs it might need and look around the local area.
<Villager> Look around for what?
<Firrin> ahh, how long has it been empty? :)
<Molgrin> Um... well, I mostly want to look for plants and insects.
* Molgrin says, a bit embarrassed
* Villager looks actually a little surprised at that.
<Villager> For what?
<Fritz> for studying :D
<Molgrin> For... interest? I imagine there are some quite fascinating ones here.
<Trev> I'm just here for a fun weekend, honestly
<Villager> Oh. Uh, well, I'd reckon there are. There's some dangerous plants out there, and we have more'n a few fire beetles hereabouts.
<Molgrin> Ooh!
<Villager> Some folks keep 'em for the light.
<Molgrin> How brilliant :D
<Firrin> Dangerous plants?
* Raveni grins at Norn at the mention of dangerous plants
* Norn smiles back.
<Villager> Assassin vine, bloodmoss, creepers...best be careful if you go wandering.
<Molgrin> Well, I will be very interested to learn more about the local wildlife and plants. And I do hope we can talk further at some point. Is there anything in the way of an inn or tavern here? We don't want to impose of course, but we might like to purchase a keg of your ... I believe it's cranberry wine? :)
<Villager> Well, we don't have an inn, really, but I can bring a few bottles or a barrel out to the manor if you want.
* Firrin looks a little concerned
<Fritz> Oh wonderful :D
<Molgrin> That would be great, thank you!
* Villager nods.
* Norn is now known as Paiza
<Paiza> (q, to Firrin) I'm sure it's perfectly safe at the manor.
* Firrin nods
* Firrin is just sure not everyone is planning to *stay* there...
<Firrin> well, we should be on our way, then....
<Molgrin> Well, we'll make our way over there, and we'll try not to disturb you too much. Thank you again!
* Villager nods, now a little more just bewildered rather than glumly disinterested.
<Raveni> Shall we head over to the manor and settle our luggage, then?
<Macen> let's go.
* Macen will start herding luggage ahead of him
* Molgrin looks around, trying to ascertain the path to the manor, which is somewhat overgrown.
<Molgrin> This way, I believe...
* Paiza is now known as Norn
* Molgrin leads the way, trying to appear more confident than he feels, hoping we aren't about to fall into a bog in front of all these people.
* Raveni keeps increasing his speed without realizing it and having to readjust it every couple of minutes. He seems more lively and full of energy than most of the group has ever seen him
* Norn will make sure the plants move out of our way where possible.
* Trev will keep up as best he can, but he does have little legs
* Euphrastus will try to avoid stepping anywhere where his weight might be too much in the boggy soil

The group arrives at the manor, and splits up to explore

<Molgrin> [The manor is around the other side of what proves to be a shallow, possibly seasonal large pond or small lake. It is a good-sized stone building, and as promised, the roof is intact, but it does look quite run down and as though it's been abandoned for a while.]
<Molgrin> Well, here we are!
* Molgrin says, looking at the place with some trepidation
<Firrin> well then. Let's see about settling in :)
* Molgrin heads up and opens the door, which swings open with a loud creak.
<Molgrin> Oh, we'll have to get that looked at :p
* Firrin goes up with him
<Firrin> nothing a little oil won't fix :)
* Molgrin nods
<Molgrin> The vines and so on can be cleared off, and that will help a lot.
<Fritz> none of them are... assassin vines, are they?
* Fritz glances at Norn for confirmation
* Molgrin steps inside and takes a first look around the interior. There are some items of furniture, mainly larger items that would be difficult to move or repurpose elsewhere, but it seems like the place has been stripped of most of its comforts - rugs or decorations or small valuables.
<Norn> No, this is all perfectly docile plants, I promise.
<Norn> We can get a lot of this relocated or cleared out easily enough.
<Molgrin> It's quite ....serviceable, I think.
* Villager is now known as Galatea
<Galatea> Oh, yes, I can get a lot of this furniture in better shape easily. :)
* Raveni knocks on a wooden pillar
<Raveni> The bones seem in good shape
* Paiza smirks at that.
<Molgrin> Yes - I was a bit worried it would be entirely empty, or falling down or something.
<Raveni> No offence, Paiza
* Raveni grins charmingly at her
* Paiza chuckles.
<Paiza> Shall I set the Risen to gathering some firewood?
<Molgrin> That would be wonderful, thank you.
* Paiza will go do that.
<Raveni> Do we have food for the evening or should I head out and try to snag some rabbits?
<
<Molgrin> And I suppose, given I don't know what rooms are available, if you see somewhere you think you'd like to sleep, just claim it :)
<Molgrin> I brought some staples - rice and beans and some spices of course - but if you could, that would be wonderful!
* Firrin will look around as well
<Raveni> Sure
<Firrin> Hmmm. It does have good bones. I'm surprised there's no squatters...
<Saiya> Kleio could go with you too, I'm sure she'd like an excuse to roam around a swamp and hunt for small animals :)
* Raveni drops their bag in a corner and starts walking back out the door
<Macen> Maybe the last owners were assholes.
<Raveni> Kleio is more than welcome! So is anyone else who wants to join me
* Saiya says, nudging her ... companion? displacer beast
<Mitula> I want to explore this old house!
<Molgrin> Yes, me too!
<Molgrin> Feel free to go wherever you like, and let me know if you find anything interesting :D
<Norn> I wouldn't mind getting to see the surroundings.
* Norn heads towards the door.
* Galatea is fiddling around with the furniture.
<Trev> Honestly, just because there's no *visible* squatters right *now* doesn't mean there's not someone living here
* Euphrastus walks around, avoiding touching anything too closely for now
<Molgrin> The fellow who had the place before might have cleared them out? I don't really know. It doesn't seem like he owned it for very long, though.
<Trev> Maybe there's spooooky ghoooosts
* Firrin glances at Paiza
<Mitula> That would be interesting. I haven't seen a ghost.
* Trev is now known as Trev
<Macen> I might go out
<Macen> maybe.
* Macen looks at the bog, and over at Mhireen to see what he's doing
<Trev> Check out the grounds, or looking for a ghost?
<Molgrin> I imagine the local folks are a bit dubious at having another new landholder in just a few months' time after the last one, or whatever it's been.
* Macen glances at Galatea as well
<Firrin> that could be.
<Firrin> well. I think I'll focus on accommodation rather than exploration, for now
<Molgrin> I will try to stick around longer than he did, at any rate.
<Molgrin> I'm going to go see what is on the upper floors. Hopefully some bedrooms, to begin with!
<Euphrastus> You, ahh, never really got a sense of why he wagered the deed in the first place, did you?
<Molgrin> well, no, I didn't.
<Euphrastus> Hmmm.
<Trev> Give it a knock, see what horrible secrets we might find!
<Molgrin> I suppose there could be something dreadfully wrong with the place that isn't immediately evident....
<Molgrin> maybe it's cursed or something
* Mhireen is already wandering around the house, nosing in whatever corners he can find.
* Galatea is now known as Paiza
* Paiza concentrates.
<Paiza> I don't sense anything like that, at least not immediately.
<Mitula> Up the stairs then.
* Fritz is also wandering around and looking in corners and rooms and so on
<Paiza> Though you're better off getting an expert to check.
* Mitula glides towards them
* Trev gives a wink over to the ladies
<Fritz> oh, let me see...
<Trev> See, now when it's just a normal house everyone will be so relieved, eh?
* Molgrin will head upstairs too
* Fritz take a moment to examine the stairs to be sure they're actually safe :x
<Trev> I wonder if there's a secret wine cellar we might discover
* Molgrin waits for Fritz to complete his examination
<Euphrastus> I, ahh ... will just stay down here. Let me know if it seems well-built.
* Mhireen is now known as Norn
<Trev> I think the kitchens are this way!
<Fritz> sees quite solid!
<Fritz> you should be alright on the stairs at least
<Molgrin> thank you!
* Molgrin will proceed upwards with greater confidence, then

Upstairs

* Mitula flows up the stairs, moving with surprising alacrity
* Molgrin follows with normal person speed ;)
* Molgrin will wander down the long hall, looking in each room to see what might be there
* Mitula follows along looking curiously
<Mitula> Are you excited for your new place?
<Molgrin> Bedroom... bedroom... maybe this was an office or a study or something? it has more shelves.
<Molgrin> I am, but also a bit nervous. I haven't been a landowner before - I feel like I have a lot to live up to. I don't want to mess things up.
<Molgrin> And it's obviously going to need a lot of work... I am not sure how best to approach such a big task.
<Fritz> oh its an exciting project though!
<Molgrin> Do you have any suggestions of where to begin?
<Fritz> it really does seem to have good bones, so far as I have seen so far
<Mitula> New experiences such as these are what broadens ourselves and helps bring out the best in us. I think its all very exciting.
<Fritz> I can look into it more closely if hyou like?
<Molgrin> That would be great, if you don't mind? I don't want to put you to any trouble, of course. But if you have any insight.... I would very much appreciate it.
<Mitula> are we going to have enough rooms for everyone?
* Mitula is looking around, now a little concerned.
<Fritz> I don't mind at all!
<Molgrin> I was just thinking I could move my entire family in here, including all my aunts and uncles and cousins, and still have room left over. it's huge @_@
<Fritz> And I think we shall manage, some of us might need to double up but I think that's manageable
<Molgrin> I suppose some people may share, though.
* Molgrin nods
<Fritz> depends on how strict people feel about sleeping in *bedrooms
* :V
<Molgrin> Also true - and how well we can get the fire going, and how cold it might get overnight....
<Mitula> Any place you lay your blanket can be a bedroom.
<Molgrin> I hope people won't mind the rustic lodgings.
<Mitula> I am fine with it. I've slept under the sky many a time. I'm sure there are others that my want more comfort.
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Mitula> And that's fine too.
* Molgrin smiles
<Molgrin> I'm glad you're so accepting :)
<Mitula> Everyone has been so accepting of me, its the least I can do.
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Molgrin> well, I count ten rooms, I suppose not all might have been bedrooms originally, but they can serve for now. And of course there are the chambers downstairs as well, if anyone wants to sleep there.
<Mitula> Sounds like we should be good for numbers, although if its gets very cold at night, some of these may be worse than others.
<Molgrin> Several of them even have beds remaining, although... I don't know how much trust I put in them.
<Fritz> well, they'd just have frames as well...
<Mitula> If its just a frame, I don't believe that will work as a bed.
* Mitula takes a look at in her little bag.
<Molgrin> yes, I just mean, I don't know if they might collapse, or have bugs in the mattress, or who knows what else. And no bed linens or the like.
<Mitula> This little thing wouldn't fit a mattress.
<Mitula> Mice. I've heard mice like old mattresses
* Molgrin nods
<Molgrin> Well, people can make themselves comfortable however they are able, I hope.
<Fritz> roughing it for sure!
<Mitula> In various definitions.
<Molgrin> Hopefully by the next time I have guests out here, I will have managed to get things in more hospitable fashion...
<Mitula> Yourselves, do you plan to be roughing it?
<Molgrin> Oh, I don't mind sleeping on the floor if necessary. I did bring some blankets and a couple of cushions, so I think I can manage :)
<Fritz> I'm sure we can all manage!
* Fritz says with enthusiasm but maybe not the most confidence
<Mitula> If its a bit rough, I do know several techniques that can be used to relieve stiffness.
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
* Mitula blushes just realizing what she said.
<Fritz> ha ha!
* Fritz laughs, also blushing
<Fritz> surely we can manage a little discomfort for a few days!
<Mitula> Oh my... I mean for back or joint pain.
<Molgrin> Oh, heh, well... that's good to know :D
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Mitula> Well we didn't fall through the floor, and there is not much else up here, shall we head back down, see if anyone else lucked into some ghosts.
* Mitula fans herself, trying to cool herself from her mispeak.
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
<Molgrin> Yes, very well. I think I'll claim this room for myself for the moment.
* Molgrin says, putting his bag in one of the bedrooms
<Molgrin> It has a nice view :)
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Fritz> sounds good!

Downstairs crew becomes Secret Passage Crew

<Galatea> (to Euphrastus) Do you have to concentrate for your 'mark, or is it more an effort to keep it from activating like Fritz's? I hope a new place like this isn't overwhelming.
<Euphrastus> I do have control over it, normally.
* Galatea nods.
<Euphrastus> But in a new environment like this, where I may happen to touch things randomly, it is always trickier.
<Euphrastus> Things can come upon me suddenly in a place so ... ill-kept and full of potential strange impressions.
<Galatea> I imagine that can be overwhelming. :/
<Euphrastus> I should be all right.
<Euphrastus> I knew what I might be getting into from Mr. Braalk's invitation.
* Galatea is currently examining a large table that was probably too big to take, and was originally nice enough no one has smashed it for firewood or anything yet. She places a hand on it, and the blue inlays on her currently more utilitarian than normal prostheses glows softly.
* Galatea nods.
<Galatea> I'm sure there will be lots to discover.
<Euphrastus> The table seems in good condition.
<Macen> what did you do to it?
<Galatea> It does. It needs a little shoring up, but that's relatively easy. Might lose...a few centimeters, maybe?
<Galatea> Oh, nothing yet. I'm just getting a feel for it.
<Galatea> But I just need to...
* Saiya watches curiously
* Macen also
* Galatea 's arm glows again, and a substance like fine sawdust will fall lightly from the table here and there with a slight creaking noise.
<Galatea> There. Good as new. :)
<Saiya> Wow! That's so cool :D
<Macen> is that a mark? Or just cool magic arms?
<Galatea> I just reinforced the weakened sections, and got rid of the little bit of rot.
<Galatea> Oh, a bit of both. My 'mark lets me do that, and these residuum inlays let me channel it through my prosthetics.
<Trev> I say, you'd make a killing in Shom should you ever go that way
<Galatea> Otherwise it'd be a lot more awkward, needing physical contact. >.>
* Macen nods
<Galatea> Macen, would you mind getting it to move around a little? That'd test its fitness without us risking a spill or other disaster. :)
* Macen can make the table wander around and even stretch like a cat
<Galatea> Oh, purrfect. ;)
<Galatea> We can help Molgrin get this place in good shape in no time.
<Macen> great!
<Euphrastus> It will need a good deal of new decoration.
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Saiya> And airing out :p It's quite dusty.
* Saiya runs a finger idly over the mantlepiece above the fireplace
* Saiya pushes in a brick and looks startled
<Saiya> Oh! I think I pushed something loose here
<Saiya> No wait - is it a SECRET compartment? ooooh :D
* Saiya pushes it harder and a little door springs open from the wood panels at the side of the room.
<Galatea> Really? That's amazing!
<Euphrastus> Oh my!
<Fritz> huh
<Saiya> Is there actually anything inside?
<Macen> huh
* Macen goes to look
<Macen> it goes... somewhere
<Saiya> a passageway? :o
<Macen> yeah!
<Galatea> Shall we then?
<Macen> well...
* Macen glances at Euphrastus
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Euphrastus> It is a bit tight.
<Saiya> You go ahead and let us know what you find ;)
* Galatea gives Saiya a significant glance and smirks.
<Euphrastus> All right. But I'd hate to have to use all our cooking oil to extract me from a tight spot. Why, that happened once in ... ahh, never mind.
* Macen gives his sister a Look, then shrugs
<Macen> come on
* Euphrastus heads into the little passageway, and while it is very tight, he can just squeeze through.
<Euphrastus> Oh ... oh my.
<Macen> what is it?
<Euphrastus> You'd just better see it.
<Macen> I'm not sure I can get past you...
<Euphrastus> Here ... just let me ... there.
<Euphrastus> I'm through all the way now.
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
* Macen will follow along behind, having a much easier time
<Euphrastus> These stairs are much older than most of the building, or at least, the facade.
<Euphrastus> So either the whole manor, or part of it, is much older than we thought, or the house was built atop ... whatever this is.
<Macen> are they?
<Euphrastus> I believe so.
<Macen> ...dd you hear that?
<Euphrastus> I did. Was that you?
<Macen> no...
<Macen> Hello???
* Macen calls back
<Macen> what *is* that?
<Macen> ugh you know what this is silly
* Macen will call up a light
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
* Galatea will hold onto Macen's arm.
* Macen has scrawny elf-nerd arms :x
<Macen> hey woah

the upstairs crew comes back down, and Mol joins the others in the secret passage

* Saiya is cheerfully listening to the commotion drifting up from the secret room
* Molgrin and Mitula and Fritz make it back down to the ground floor eventually
<Molgrin> What's going on?
<Fritz> where is everyone?
<Saiya> Oh, I found a SECRET PASSAGE and the others are exploring it :D
<Fritz> you didn't go in the secret passage? :p
<Fritz> :o
<Saiya> well... it was rather narrow stairs and... I was worried I might fall.
* Saiya says, a bit embarrassed
<Fritz> oh, right
<Fritz> well, if you wanted to go, you could hold my arm?
<Saiya> Besides, with Mr. Euphrastus there, it was going to be crowded enough...
* Saiya smiles at that
<Saiya> But, yes, all right :D
<Molgrin> Is this ... normal?
* Molgrin asks Fritz
<Molgrin> secret doors and so on?
<Fritz> normal for what?
<Fritz> for a manor house?
<Molgrin> a.... house?
* Molgrin nods
<Fritz> I know there are some passages in Stillmarch btu they're more defensive, mostly
<Molgrin> how odd...
<Saiya> [I assume we hear that shriek up here too, at least faintly]
<Fritz> I don't think I've really encountered them a lot elsewhere but it isn't the sort of thing one always tells?
<Fritz> oh no!
* Molgrin jumps, startled
* Molgrin heads cautiously down the stairs and will call to the others.
<Molgrin> Everyone okay down here?
* Fritz looks to Saiya to see if she still wants to go down
* Mhireen is now known as Narrator
<Saiya> I think I'm fine staying up here for now!
<Fritz> okay...
* Fritz will at least go and peek into the door so he doesn't look like a total weenie :x
* Saiya goes to her cases and opens one and gets out a .. small lute? and will sit down and start playing.
<Saiya> This is supposed to encourage people so they aren't scared :p if they can even hear it from here.
<Fritz> do you think they're alright?
<Saiya> oh probably.. my brothers are there, so they can take care of whatever it is, I imagine
<Saiya> unless it's REALLY bad
<Fritz> oh yes I suppose, Mhireen must have some experience adventuring at least...
* Saiya nods
<Saiya> Ada taught me this, and a few other songs, so I can help people out a little bit :)
<Fritz> ada?
<Saiya> oh, my other father. I mean I have Dad, and Ada, and Mama.
<Fritz> oh yes! which one is which?
<Saiya> Dad is Aleyn and Ada is Vedran and I suppose it's probably obvious which one is my mother, but she's Ardith :)
* Saiya says cheerfully, as if people aren't shitting themselves downstairs
<Saiya> I don't suppose I'll ever make an adventurer, but I can at least do a little bit of morale boosting assistance here and there :)
<Saiya> I mean not that I would WANT to be, it sounds very uncomfortable and messy and nasty a lot of the time ;p
<Fritz> ...yes...
* Fritz looks dubiously at the sounds coming out of the tunnel

Trev leads an expedition to the basement!

<Trev> Ooh, stairs going down! Who wants to find the SECRET wine cellar?
<Mhireen> Stairs down? In this bog? Somebody really wanted a basement...
<Trev> Indoor pool, maybe?
<Mhireen> Worth checking out.
* Mhireen will head that way.
<Trev> Hmm, some old wood bits, looks like this used to be a cellar of some kind
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Trev> Whatever magic or masonry is keeping the damp out is.... well, mostly effective
* Mhireen nods.
<Trev> No puddles, anyway
<Mhireen> That's a minor miracle in itself.
<Trev> Could work as a cheese cave, maybe?
<Mhireen> A what?
<Trev> at least in the colder months
<Trev> A cheese cave, a cool, wet-ish place for aging moldy cheeses
<Mhireen> There has to be a better name for that.
<Trev> the ones with the blue and green bits in them, smell like feet?
<Mhireen> 'Cheese cave' sounds dirty.
<Trev> If there was any alcohol in here looks like the locals made off with it, along with the shelving
<Trev> Oh, that's terrifying!
<Mhireen> You're the one who said 'cheese cave'.
* Trev skips over to a dark corner and comes back with an overgrown potato, all vines and roots and a shrivelled center
<Trev> Look at that beast, it's got to be at least as long as I am!
<Mhireen> So to speak?
<Mhireen> You don't think that's one of the *less
* docile plants Norn mentioned, do you?
* Trev eyes the potato with sudden suspicion
<Trev> I really hope not
* Trev yeets it back into a corner
* Mhireen pauses, watching to see if the potato moves.
<Mhireen> Seems good?
* Trev examines his hand closely
<Trev> Yes, no sucker marks or leftover vines trying to burrow
<Trev> We vanquished the fell potato-beastie!
* Mhireen keeps looking around.
<Mhireen> Huh.
<Mhireen> This wall section is cooler than the surrounding bits.
* Trev pokes around at various bricks and things, as if that's going to do anything
<Trev> Oh, really?
* Mhireen knocks on it, eliciting a hollow sound.
<Mhireen> I think there's a space back here.
<Trev> Ooh, that sounds promising! Do you think you can crack it, or should we call the others?
<Mhireen> I imagine there's got to be a mechanism here somewhere, but if you want to go let people know...
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
<Trev> No, I'll stay with you, best not to leave people alone if we can help it, right?
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
* Mhireen nods.
* Mhireen feels along the walls for a switch or similar, eventually pushing in a brick, causing the wall to slide open.
* Mhireen glances at Trev and grins.
<Mhireen> Not bad, huh?
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
<Trev> I bow before your prowess!
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Mhireen> Wait, do you hear something?
<Mhireen> Hello?
<Mhireen> Weird.
* Mhireen shrugs and will walk further inside.
<Trev> I didn't hear anything before, but is that... something above us? Maybe just everyone upstairs
* Mhireen stops short as he spots a central altar sporting an idol of a large skull with a one staring eye.
<Mhireen> Well that doesn't seem good.
<Trev> Oh, ew
<Trev> Do you think it's a real skull?
* Trev reaches out to poke it

The secret passage explorers spill into the Creepy Shrine Room

* Macen pushes out through another hidden door, spillign himself, Glaatea, and Euphrastus into the shrine wroom with his light
<Macen> woah!
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Mhireen> Ah!
<Euphrastus> Oh!
* Mhireen wheels at the sound and draws his sword on his brother.
* Mhireen immediately lowers it.
<Mhireen> Gods, you scared the crap out of me!
* Trev pauses, finger a moment from the altar's one eye, then lets out an 'Eek!' and falls back
<Macen> fuck Mhireen, really?
<Euphrastus> Well, this really is quite snug with us down here, isn't it?
<Raveni> [the sound of a cat-like shriek suddenly echoes into the room]
<Macen> what the...
* Mhireen wheels on that, pulling up a magical shield.
<Mhireen> Trev, get behind me with the others.
* Macen stays just behind his brother, though there isn't much here he could animate
<Trev> You got it!
* Trev hides behind all the bigfolk
<Mhireen> Is someone there?
* Mhireen calls out loudly.
* Molgrin reaches the bottom of the stairs and finds the others
<Molgrin> What's going on??
<Mhireen> Maybe we should have brought a cleric along...
<Macen> if I have to animate this creepy shrine I will, but no one is gonna like that so just show yourself!
<Trev> I especially would not like that!
<Molgrin> creepy shrine? ... oh. yes. that.
* Molgrin says, looking around at whatever this place is
* Mhireen is now known as Narrator
<Narrator> [A loud roar thunders off the stone walls of the shrine]
<Galatea> That was different...
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
* Mhireen frowns, and will head towards the direction of the sound.
<Mhireen> There's another tunnel over here.
<Trev> What was that? I'm too pretty to die!
* Macen frowns, and will pull something out of his pocket and toss it into the passageway
<Macen> (It skitters down the passage)
<Macen> just wait
<Macen> hey!
<Mhireen> Problem?
<Macen> did you not hear that?
<Macen> come on
* Macen prods his brother forward
* Mhireen will head down the tunnel with his brother, mystic shield and sword still held up.
* Mhireen pauses when he sees the keys scrambling back towards them.
* Macen crouches to scoop them up
<Macen> what?
<Mhireen> What's that on them?
* Macen looks at confusion at his hands
<Macen> uhhh
<Macen> well. its wet and red so....
* Mhireen frowns.
<Mhireen> There can't be too much more tunnel. Do you have a weapon on you?
<Macen> I can improvise if I need to
<Mhireen> [There's a low growl interrupted momentarily with a rumbling laugh]
<Mhireen> Okay now...
<Macen> -_-
* Mhireen strides forward more confidently to where light is shining down from the trapdoor.
* Macen follows
* Mhireen sighs and sheathes his sword.
<Mhireen> Pretty sure someone's been messing with us.
<Macen> mmm....
* Macen sounds disgruntled
<Macen> poor Keyth :(
<Mhireen> Think you can reach if I give you a boost?
* Macen wipes his keys
<Mhireen> ...did you name your keys?
<Macen> what?
* Mhireen chuckles.
<Mhireen> Nothing.
<Macen> anyway, yeah
* Mhireen will lace his hands together to give Macen a boost up.
<Trev> Is it safe out there? Are there murderers?
<Trev> You can't always tell if they're murderers, sometimes they look like regular, even handsome, women!
* Trev mutters 'handsome women with evil, evil drinks'
<Molgrin> that's... oddly specific.
* Trev rolls his eyes and lifts a side of his shirt to show a boot-shaped bruise
<Trev> Met one recently
<Molgrin> a murderer?
<Molgrin> whose weapon was ... a boot?
<Trev> Well, an evil woman, anyway
<Trev> I suppose I didn't get murdered *all the way*, but that's probably because I'm so handsome
<Trev> even the hardest of hearts has to soften a little, you know?
<Molgrin> I suppose?
<Trev> Mmm. Don't suppose I could get a hoist?
* Molgrin can boost you up

Norn and Raveni hunt, forage.... and then decide to mess with those in the house

* Norn kneels down and places his hand on the ground, his eyes closed.
<Norn> Anything?
<Raveni> Maybe... *there*
* Raveni points to the southwest about 80 feet away. Their head lowers and they begin to stalk forward in the direction they pointed
* Norn nods and will stay still, monitoring.
<Norn> (q) There's something in that little thicket...
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
* Raveni nods. As they walk their tail appears, their arms lengthen, and they fluidly shift down on to all fours. The extent of their shift far exceeds the usual limits of a Shifter's transformation, and though they maintain much of their humanoid form they are clearly lost in their focus on the fluffy white tail ahead.
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
* Raveni a small scuffle later and he comes back in his more usual form, a small marsh deer slung over his shoulders
<Raveni> It's a bit bigger than a rabbit but this should feed everyone nicely with Molgrin's supplies.
<Norn> Very impressive. :)
<Norn> We'll be eating quite well tonight.
<Norn> Do you usually hunt like that?
* Raveni looks suddenly self-conscious
<Raveni> Not always, but I've needed to get out of the city for a while. It gets to be an itch if I go too long.
* Norn smiles.
<Norn> I know that feeling. Highmark is lovely, but even Vanilorra rankles after a while.
<Raveni> What is it like there?
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
<Norn> Beautiful. It's...more grown than built, really. The [elven word for giant trees I need to make up] are shaped to provide shelter and the basis for building.
<Norn> It's part of the great forest, rather than a separate thing.
<Raveni> That sounds amazing, I'll have to visit some time. Maybe you could show me around some day?
<Norn> But it's still very *full*. It's nice to get out into true wilderness.
* Norn smiles.
<Norn> I would be honored.
* Raveni smiles back
<Raveni> Maybe we can find some edible plants to add to our feast this evening. Are there any around here that you can see?
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
* Norn nods.
<Norn> There's some burdock over there...
<Norn> We could make a nice stew.
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Raveni> I did bring a camping pot for just that endeavour!
* Raveni 's ear twitches.
<Norn> What is it?
<Raveni> Huh. There was a weird noise from over here, a kind of thunk and then... voices, I think?
<Norn> Can you pinpoint them?
<Raveni> Maybe...
* Raveni listens for a moment and then walks slowly toward a sort of low, grassy hillock
<Raveni> Here, help me move some of these plants. I think there's something under here
* Norn will do so.
* Raveni a small, wooden trapdoor is built into the ground under the vegetation.
<Raveni> Well, that's odd.
<Raveni> I swear I can still hear voices coming from it, though I can't make out what they're saying
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
* Raveni jumps as a clear "Hello?" echoes through the door
* Norn frowns.
<Norn> Some kind of tunnel from the house?
<Raveni> It must be. Maybe they were running some kind of illicit operation out of this place - I can't imagine why there would be a secret tunnel this far out, otherwise.
* Norn nods.
<Norn> Should we scout it out?
<Raveni> Why not? It might be fun to play a little prank on the others, if that is them.
* Norn grins and will open the trapdoor to peer in.
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
* Raveni gives Norn a mischievous smile as the sound of their friends apparently meeting up by surprise at the end of the tunnel becomes clearer
<Raveni> RAAAAAAA
* Raveni shrieks into the tunnel
* Norn does his best to stifle his laughter.
* Raveni laughs into the crook of his arm, leaning into Norn
<Raveni> (q) you do one now
* Norn leans forward into the trapdoor.
* Mhireen is now known as Narrator
* Narrator is now known as Galatea
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Fritz> (you hear some quiet clinking, and then a set of keys appear beneath you, seem to look up, then skitters back away)
<Norn> What was that?
* Raveni pounces on the keys
<Raveni> (Yowls loudly in triumph)
<Fritz> (they will try and squirm away but i'm confident Raveni can defeat some keys ;)
* Raveni picks them up, jabs them into the fang-marks on the dead deer’s neck, and then lets them scurry off
<Raveni> (q) Let’s see what they make of bloody keys
<Norn> (q) You have quite a knack for this, I think. :)
<Raveni> (q) I may or may not have a certain reputation back in my hometown
* Raveni grins cheekily
* Norn chuckles.
<Raveni> (q) quick, give them a scary growl
* Norn leans forward again to do so, but mangles it a little from still laughing.
<Raveni> oh shit I think they're coming. Let's get the cover back on and pretend we don't know what happened
* Norn scrambles back away from the trapdoor with Raveni.
* Raveni picks up the deer and, with a struggle, assumes an innocently curious expression

Macen emerges and confronts the jokesters

* Macen will scramble out of the hole and look around
<Norn> Oh, Macen! Where did you come from?
* Macen scrambles out of the trap door and then glowers
<Raveni> Were you making those noises?
<Macen> un hun
<Macen> that's right
<Macen> been learning ventriloquism in my spare time
<Raveni> I think you scared the pants off of our friends, we heard screams
* Macen eyes the deer and Raveni's bloody hands
<Macen> (deer)
<Raveni> What? I said I was going hunting
<Macen> Keyth - are these the people that accosted you?
* Macen pulls the keys back out, and they make nodding and flailing motions
<Raveni> ...you named your keys?
<Macen> hey!
<Macen> no changing the subject!
<Macen> ...wait where are we?
* Raveni has a perfect poker face
<Macen> is the house way over there?
<Raveni> Yeah. Is that where you came from?
<Norn> There's a tunnel under the house?
<Macen> no I teleported from hell.
<Macen> but that *was
* you.
<Raveni> What was us?
<Macen> Look.
<Norn> He has us, Raveni.
<Macen> Look. You're very good! vey clever!
<Norn> We meant no harm.
<Macen> but Saiya is my sister, see, so....
<Raveni> Aw, Norn! I almost had him!
<Norn> And Raveni *did* acquire dinner.
<Macen> cats.
<Mhireen> (calling up from below) Everything good up there?
* Macen calls down
<Macen> Yeah its fine!
<Raveni> (calling back down) How's hell treating you, Mhireen?
<Mhireen> Not as warm as I would have thought!
<Mhireen> You guys coming down or just walking back to the house?
<Macen> They have a dead deer?
<Macen> I feel like. that would be awkward. Also, don't put food in the creepy shrine?
<Trev> How wet is it up there?
<Norn> Best we just walk back aboveground, I think.
<Trev> also, how dark?
<Macen> not dark
<Trev> ... and wet?
<Macen> but like. squelchy?
<Macen> is there a dry path?
<Macen> Trev is asking
<Raveni> It was pretty dry how we came.
* Norn nods.
<Raveni> Wait, did you just say "creepy shrine"?
<Mhireen> Big stone skull and everything!
<Macen> yes, several times! there's a skull and everything! Maybe a cyclops? I didn't get to look closely.
<Macen> oh, is it stone?
<Mhireen> Yeah. Look, why don't we meet you guys back at the house so I'm not just yelling up a hole?
<Macen> oh!
* Macen steps back when Trev pops up
<Raveni> *snorts at the hole comment*
* Paiza steps out of the woods, her skeletons laden with armfuls of gathered wood.
<Paiza> ...What have I missed?
<Mhireen> ...What have I missed?
<Trev> Mhireen yelling in a hole, mostly
<Raveni> Also a creepy shrine, apparently
<Paiza> ...
<Macen> and secret passages
<Trev> So many secret passages!
<Macen> and some tomfoolery, but all is well

Everyone comes together for dinner :)

* Firrin has indeed made the kitchen useable, and managed to get a fire going in the large hearth as well
* Firrin has got a space cleared where we can sit and eat, because there aren't wnough chairs for everyone to sit
* Molgrin will eventually make it out of the secret tunnel and come to the kitchen to see what Firrin is up to
<Molgrin> That was interesting...
<Euphrastus> Very much so.
<Euphrastus> I wonder if it floods often.
<Molgrin> It smells good in here :) rather better than in the weird ... basement... temple... thing
<Trev> I didn't see a lot of moss, or algae, or.... whatever that goopy stuff is that comes in with the damp
* Raveni hauls in the cleaned and skinned deer for cooking
<Trev> There's so many damp goops
<Molgrin> mold?
<Firrin> Not in here :)
<Trev> That one too
<Raveni> Hello, Firrin! Brought something for dinner
<Firrin> Oh, good
<Firrin> thatt's hmm..
* Firrin looks at the hearth
<Firrin> Do... do you know how to cook a whole deer?
<Molgrin> maybe it could be done in .... quarters? sections?
<Raveni> It's a bit bigger than a rabbit, but I figure we can chop it up and make a stew. I brought a cooking skin just in case
* Molgrin guesses
<Molgrin> or stew, yes, that works well :)
<Raveni> Norn's foraged some greens to add to it as well
<Molgrin> marvellous!
* Raveni grins at Firrin
<Raveni> Don't worry, I've done this before
<Firrin> oh, good...
* Firrin seems a little relieved
<Fritz> I'm happy to help, of course
* Fritz says a bit dubiously, never having cooked a food in his entire life
<Molgrin> I did make sure to bring salt and spices, so I'm sure it will turn out delicious :)
<Saiya> [spongebob gif: 2 hours later....]
<Saiya> I'm staaaarving.. is it almost ready?
<Raveni> Just about! I think we can dish up now
* Molgrin pulls out an assortment of battered dishes that look like they were probably someone's adventuring supplies back in the day
<Firrin> oh, good
<Molgrin> Mrs. Aelindar loaned me these :) I think they used to be hers when she was an adventurer? or something like that.
<Firrin> :o
<Molgrin> probably not all of them I mean... I assume she didn't need a dozen plates.
<Molgrin> unless she was carrying the entire party's set?
<Trev> Maybe she had a bag of holding
<Macen> pfft
<Macen> I mean she might have? But if anyone was carrying *everyone*'s dishes, it was Roscoe
<Molgrin> Oh! Well, I imagine he didn't need these anymore, then.
<Raveni> I'd quite like to be an adventurer some day. It sounds so exciting
<Norn> Really? With one of the guilds?
<Saiya> It is EXTREMELY exciting, I'm sure, but in between the exciting parts I gather there is a lot of walking and other tediousness.
<Raveni> Maybe. I could choose to freelance, I suppose.
<Firrin> nnnnn. thats how you get beaten up by adventurers
<Firrin> the kind of people who hire freelance....
<Raveni> They'd have to catch me first!
<Macen> No he's right - people who hire freelance adventures are, uh, mostly people who don't want to abide by guild ethics standards which, well
<Macen> aren't great to start with so.
<Macen> plus there's no benefits
<Macen> which, again, not always great with the guilds but it at least something
<Macen> but hey you *might
* know some people who have some ins in Highmark anyway. Maybe.
<Raveni> I have to confess I don't know all of the logistics of actually getting started.
<Raveni> I was going to learn, but then my grandfather found me and, well (gestures)
<Macen> lots of nobles go adventuring
<Raveni> Learning how to move in high society took up all of my time
<Mhireen> It's not so bad. The entrance exams can get tedious, but they're not too bad.
<Mhireen> At least at the Union. Each guild does it a little differently.
<Raveni> What about you all? Any interest in adventuring?
<Molgrin> I feel like I've got my hands full at the moment @_@
<Galatea> I don't even know what I'd try for. Artificer, I guess?
<Firrin> I'll stick to the novelizations :)
<Macen> makes sense
<Euphrastus> I get quite enough adventure as it is. I don't think I'm constitutionally suited for it.
<Saiya> .... so much walking.....
* Saiya says between bites of stew
<Norn> That's not the worst thing in the world, depending upon where you are.
<Macen> the walking?
<Mhireen> I'll take sailing over it any day.
* Raveni looks a little green at just the mention of sailing
<Mhireen> Though I do actually have my license, if you want someone to go with you, Raveni.
<Macen> If you wanted to do it Sai, we'd find a way
<Mhireen> Not that I use it much.
<Saiya> mm.
<Mhireen> Yeah, Sai, we could do a floating disk or something. :)
* Saiya giggles at that
<Fritz> is it something that interests you?
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
<Saiya> well if I could just sit back and play my lute and let others do the fighting and such, I suppose it wouldn't be SO awful.
* Galatea laughs.
<Galatea> It would be like adventuring on your own palanquin.
<Saiya> I imagine people would object though :)
<Saiya> something about pulling one's weight
<Macen> not with the right party
<Mhireen> I think Ada might have tried it if he thought the other 'bolts would have let him get away with it.
<Raveni> Providing a suitable soundtrack is a valid type of work!
<Mhireen> Didn't he always use that cleanliness ritual of his out in the field?
<Macen> yes.
<Trev> Emotional support, very handy!
<Macen> He uses it *at home* still
* Saiya nods
<Macen> it is actually pretty useful, though
<Norn> He used a ritual every day for...staying clean?
<Saiya> It's really quite remarkable he puts up with Dad :p
<Mhireen> Heh
<Saiya> who would absolutely forget to wash unless someone reminded him, and always has bits of... ALCHEMY THINGS... on his shirt cuffs and so on.
<Macen> probably because he has a ritual
<Norn> This stew came out fantastic. Compliments to the chefs. :)
<Firrin> it *does
* sound useful...
<Saiya> oh except when he's going to the temple, he does manage to bathe before that ;p although I prefer not to think about it!
<Molgrin> Yes, the stew is great :D
* Raveni smiles at Norn
<Trev> Which temple? Erathis?
<Mhireen> No, that's mom.
<Mhireen> If only it was Erathis.
<Saiya> Sehanine.
<Trev> ... Ah.
<Raveni> I think I'm missing some context here
<Raveni> What happens at Sehanine's temple?
<Trev> Celebrations of the... union of bodies.
<Macen> lots of things.
* Raveni blushes
<Raveni> Ah
<Raveni> It's *that* one
<Norn> That is a surprisingly polite way of phrasing it, Trev.
* Galatea likewise blushes.
<Macen> She does secrets and the moon and doomed loves
<Saiya> oh have you never BEEN? Well honestly it's worth it if you get a chance, except that of course I can't go to the main temple in Highmark because my FATHER will be there :p
<Trev> Hey, it can be a truly beautiful thing
<Trev> .... *or*, a very fun one
<Norn> And other sorts of loves, of course.
<Raveni> Doomed loves? That's sad.
<Macen> not just doomed but like.
<Macen> Star crossed?
<Saiya> Complicated loves!
<Macen> goes with the secrets
* Raveni tosses Mshauri a leg bone as he thinks about complicated loves, avoiding Norn's eyes
<Galatea> It's terribly romantic, really.
<Saiya> Well why do you think Dad is a priest... I know HE says it was an accident but of course he WOULD.
<Macen> Sai....
* Saiya sighs
<Saiya> yes okay
<Saiya> secrets and all that :p
<Macen> mm.
* Fritz looks between Saiya and her brother
<Saiya> Anyway I think she does HELP people with complicated loves :) it's not just doomed things of course.
* Galatea is now known as Mhireen
<Mhireen> Dad just says she has a strange sense of humor about these things.
* Saiya nods firmly at that
* Molgrin glances at Firrin
* Mhireen is now known as Galatea
<Galatea> Oh! Perhaps we should toast? To Molgrin for inviting us, and to his first night in his new home?
<Raveni> To Molgrin!
<Molgrin> oh! well, that's very kind :) I hope everyone will be comfortable as possible, and get a good night's rest :)
<Norn> To Molgrin!
* Molgrin blushes
<Euphrastus> To Molgrin! And to bog secrets!
* Saiya will toast to that
* Galatea is now known as Paiza
<Trev> I'll drink to that!
* Paiza smiles and lifts her cup towards Molgrin.
* Fritz will also toast
* Firrin will toast with a smile just for Mol
<Mhireen> To our gracious host!
* Molgrin sips his drink and tries not to die of happy embarrassment
* Molgrin also tries not to worry about the weird shrine and secret passage and just concentrate on having a nice evening with friends :)

Saiya sneaks into Frit'z room in the night >:3

* Fritz has got himself set up in one of the upstairs bedrooms, but is not really sleeping in this unfamiliar house with the creepy shrine
* Fritz is *trying* though....
* Saiya will wait until she thinks people are asleep and then slip out of the room she's in, go down the hallway as quietly as she can, and tap lightly with her nails at Fritz's door
<Fritz> huh?
* Fritz sits up, looking at the door somewhat apprehensively
<Saiya> <w> it's me
<Fritz> Sa- Saiya?
<Saiya> <w> yes!
<Fritz> is everything all right?
<Saiya> <w> everything is fine, I just wanted to see you...
* Fritz keeps his voice low
<Fritz> Oh, I'm already...ahh, in bed...
<Saiya>
<w> I don't mind :3
<Fritz> ...oh
* Fritz has some kind of cot situation which may have been Lamont's, but that he more or less managed to figure out how to set up on his own
<Fritz> ...shouldn't you be in bed?
<Fritz> (I'm not gonna
<> the whole time ;)
* Fritz asks, a bit nervously
<Saiya> (did he actually let her in yet or are we still talking through the closed door?)
* Fritz will get up and go to the door
<Fritz> (...for some reason I was thinking they doors were not super...present but IDk why!
<Saiya> I was lonely, it's a little creepy here
* Fritz is only wearing a shirt, and didn't bring any kind of housecoat, so just has the door cracked slightly
* Saiya is wearing a shift and her hair is down
<Saiya> are you going to let me in? ;p
<Fritz> ...
<Fritz> I... all right...
* Fritz says, peeking out into the hallway
* Fritz has a lit candle, and it looks like maybe he was reading.... he is also still wering his gloves
* Saiya slips inside once you open the door
* Fritz has pathetic useless human eyes so can't see you very well in the weak light
* Fritz is definitely blushing though
<Saiya> were you reading?
<Fritz> I couldn't sleep... it is a little creepy...
* Saiya nods
<Saiya> and it's not very comfortable. Not that that is Mol's fault. The beds are not really in a good state, but it can't be helped.
<Fritz> he did warn us...
* Saiya nods
<Fritz> I.... Ummm....
<Saiya> I see you were clever and brought a cot :)
<Fritz> I didn't know if there would be any beds!
<Saiya> very prudent of you
<Fritz> It's my brothers, I think, from when he was on border patrols...
<Fritz> which um..
<Fritz> You do have *two
* brothers here... and... Macen is my friend and... Mhireen is, well, he has that sword, and it's a little intimidating...
<Saiya> oh but they are not going to know I'm here :3
* Saiya says with confidence
<Fritz> I just.... I don't want to get in - or get *you* in any trouble...
* Fritz sounds so so nervous
<Saiya> I'll make sure we don't get into any trouble ^-^
<Fritz> ...h...how?
<Saiya> honestly, Fritz, do you want me to go? If you are too nervous...
* Saiya says, pouting a little bit
<Fritz> I am nervous. I just don't know....what you want... exactly...
<Saiya> I wanted to have a chance to be alone with you :3
<Saiya> Like at the theatre except without the bother of a chaperone who might return at any second :)
<Fritz> ngh
* Saiya glances down
<Saiya> and without the bother of quite so many clothes in the way
* Fritz hauls down the hem of his long shirt, which does not really help the situation
<Fritz> (hauls)
* Saiya smiles sweetly
<Fritz> I...
<Fritz> You don't think its'..... too... forward?
<Saiya> do you?
* Fritz looks away, completely unsure how to handle this situation. or rather knowing what he *should
* say versus what he wants here...
<Saiya> ..oh... you do :(
<Fritz> well... Isn't it? I...
<Fritz> I do like you very much, but
<Fritz> I don't know anything else D:
<Saiya> you think I'm too forward :(
* Saiya looks embarrassed and a bit upset
<Fritz> you came to my room in the middle of the night when I'm... not even dressed! that's' quite forward @_@
<Saiya> but I thought you would like it...
<Fritz> And you seem to know what you want and what you are doing...
<Fritz> it's not that I don't like it I just...
<Saiya> well.. I do know what I want. It isn't bad to know what I want, is it?
<Saiya> surely it's better than not knowing anything and winding up married to someone who isn't at all what I want...
<Fritz> is that what you want... from me?
<Saiya> I thought maybe you would like to find out some more things you want :3
<Saiya> I don't mean we must marry, of course. We're a bit young for that, surely?
<Fritz> surely
* Fritz says with some relief
<Saiya> Maybe someday, if we both wanted? but I don't know if we do both want that.
<Saiya> Promises are very easily said and easily broken, after all. I would rather... just see how things go :3
<Fritz> I just... I really don't know what I'm doing, Sayaia, and I don't want to... make a fool of myself, or, or wind up in some scandal...
<Saiya> I like you very much. I suppose that means I'm forward, if I say what I like, and what I would like... but I'm not trying to, um.. entrap you or anything awful.
<Saiya> As for knowing what you're doing, I could show you....
* Saiya offers, moving a step closer
<Fritz> I don't think you're awful at all @_@
<Fritz> I mean, doing anything awful...
<Saiya> The only time I've been in a scandal it was because people said untrue things about me, which wasn't my fault.
<Fritz> oh, that is awful...
* Fritz also takes a step closer
<Saiya> but I don't think you would do anything like that
<Fritz> no.
<Fritz> but people say such Things about my family....
<Saiya> Mine too. I mean... perhaps not the same things. But ... they do talk. It's not as if one can stop people from saying nonsense.
<Fritz> And I don't want to be talked about! but I don't want to... miss things, that might be.... quite nice
<Saiya> well, if no one knows....
* Saiya suggests, moving close enough to touch, just within arm's reach
<Fritz> nnnnn.... I suppose it is.... very friendly, here....
* Fritz takes another half step forward
<Saiya> I think it is :3

The cousins talk over an early breakfast

<Galatea> (How do we want to set this up?)
* Lan-home is now known as Fritz
<Fritz> (breakfast in bogland, maybe others are either not up yet or at least not around?
<Galatea> (Sounds good to me)
* Galatea will be steeping tea and sitting at the table she fixed the day prior, reading one of the books she brought with her just in case.
* Fritz wanders in, dressed, but looking a little dazed/lost, and gives a bit yawn
<Galatea> Didn't sleep well?
* Fritz goes a bit red
<Fritz> um, well....
* Galatea looks up from her book, now genuinely curious.
<Fritz> I have that cot from Monty you know, i don't know how he managed with it...... >.>
<Fritz> ...is that tea?
* Galatea nods.
<Galatea> Sit. I'll fetch a cup.
<Galatea> Are you saying the cot has "impressions" on it?
* Galatea puts down her book with a ribbon bookmark in it and will go to the sideboard to get a cup for Fritz.
* Fritz makes a face
* Fritz sits
<Fritz> Well. I'm certainly not going to ask Euphrastus about it :x
<Fritz> it's *clean*...
<Galatea> Oh, so it's just regular uncomfortable?
<Fritz> >.>
<Fritz> maybe I just... don't have it put together right....
* Fritz stifles another yawn
<Galatea> I could take a look at it if you like. I slept reasonably well.
<Fritz> ha ha no that's. it's fine!
* Fritz says looking even more red now
<Fritz> I'm just not used to it...
* Galatea sets the tea down in front of Fritz.
<Galatea> What am I missing here?
<Fritz> mmm...missing? Nothing!
* Galatea narrows her eyes at her cousin, taking her seat again.
* Fritz covers his face, possibly stifling another yawn or just trying to hide how shifty he is being
<Fritz> I had a very good night :3
<Fritz> I'm just a little tired.
<Galatea> Ah.
* Galatea nods and takes a sip of her tea, then pauses and looks sharply back at Fritz.
<Galatea> **How** good a night? o.O
* Fritz freezes guiltily
<Fritz> A... normal... good... night?
* Galatea looks around a moment.
<Galatea> (whisper) Saiya?
* Fritz gets a dreamy look
* Galatea grins.
<Fritz> She's so nice, and funny, and clever, and pretty...
<Galatea> These are all true things, yes. :)
<Fritz> she's very mature too, I think...
* Galatea smirks.
<Galatea> How do you mean, exactly?
<Fritz> oh well... She just... knows a lot about....the world and.. has given a lot of thought to it
<Fritz> or maybe its just that I don't know *anything*, but I'd like to.
<Galatea> How do you mean?
<Fritz> well... I don't know. I just.... I like her very much.
<Fritz> But not in a way that has to be so *serious*, is what she said.
<Fritz> well I don't know, I could like her seriously!
<Fritz> I'm not making any sense, I'm sorry
<Galatea> No, I think you are, even if not to yourself.
<Galatea> I don't think liking her seriously and casually are necessarily opposites.
* Fritz nods
<Fritz> yes!
<Fritz> I can *like* her seriously but it doesn't have to *go* somewhere serious?
* Galatea nods.
<Fritz> Monty and Nik, you know that was *very* fast, but it doens't have to be like that.
<Galatea> I'm pretty sure Monty and Nik had some extenuating circumstances to their getting together.
<Fritz> well... yes.
<Galatea> I'm not entirely clear on what they all are, but it wasn't *just* passion, from what I gather.
* Fritz looks troubled at that
<Fritz> no, there was I think... some peril..... but *now* they are very happy!
<Fritz> though I don't know, maybe there might still be some peril.... of a different kind. he said in his letter that if things get too dangerous, he would send Nik home
<Fritz> anyway
<Fritz> Before this season, I had such a hard time finding any friends, really, even at school
<Galatea> I suppose he did get assigned to Ahkas very quickly afterwards...
<Fritz> so now to meet this wonderful *girl*, too...
* Galatea gives Fritz a smile that's a little pitying but not patronizing.
<Fritz> .... am I being a fool?
<Galatea> No, I don't think so.
<Galatea> I was looking forward to the season, but I didn't imagine all this. Or, rather, I imagined different things, and this is better. :)
<Fritz> are you having a good time?
<Fritz> with the season I mean
<Fritz> well also with this adventure I suppose :D
<Galatea> Very much so. You know I grew up fairly isolated, private tutors instead of school, very little contact with people our age.
* Fritz grins but has to stifle another yawn, and then drinks some eat
<Fritz> (tea lol)
<Fritz> oh yes I know
<Galatea> To have found a group like this, from our first night?
<Galatea> It's amazing. Saiya's been a real friend.
<Fritz> I'm so glad!
<Galatea> Her brothers are...very amusing, to say the least.
<Fritz> Oh yes, I had noticed... you might have an interest there...
* Galatea blushes herself.
<Galatea> I don't want to presume.
<Fritz> to presume your own interest?
<Galatea> To presume either of them might return it.
<Galatea> Mhireen is so dashing, and has seen so much of the world. And Macen is...it's hard to explain. I just like making him smile.
<Galatea> It feels a little like he doesn't always get much chance.
<Fritz> No... He and I were friends of a sort at school but, mostly because so many others were so awful!
* Galatea frowns at that.
<Galatea> To you or him or both?
<Fritz> he is younger than us, but he is very powerful, and people would Say such things, because of his mark, or his heritage...
<Fritz> well, both.
<Galatea> His heritage? His father's a Thunderbolt, his mother is a patrician of an old family if I remember correctly.
<Galatea> His grandfather is one of the most prominent men in Highmark.
<Fritz> well yes, but they are not *together*
<Galatea> Hmph.
<Fritz> apparently people have a lot of things to say about his father and his family
<Fritz> and Macen has always had to move around between the two households
<Fritz> though he doesn't like to talk about it in detail
<Fritz> but he did say that
<Galatea> Well, I can imagine that took some getting used to.
<Fritz> yes
<Galatea> But I don't see how his parents' decisions reflect on him. Certainly nothing to mock him about. I'm sure it was very difficult...and personal.
* Fritz nods
<Fritz> well people do take family very seriously.
<Fritz> but did you know he has had his mark since he was a *child* :o
<Fritz> can you imagine?
<Galatea> Yes, of course, but-exactly!
<Galatea> He's intelligent, he's diligent, he's clearly powerful. If Ioun, Erathis, or any of our other patrons wouldn't find fault with him, why should anyone else?
<Galatea> It must have been strange for him and his parents, with a mark coming that early.
<Fritz> well honestly I think many of them are jealous
<Fritz> of him, anyway
<Galatea> Hmph. That's their own problem, then.
<Galatea> Was it really that bad in school? For you or him, I mean. Either.
<Galatea> It's outside my experience. >.>
<Fritz> well Imaging tea if all of a sudden you were sent - or, no that's not fair, I *wanted* to get away, which I am sure you understand
<Fritz> But I had met some of the other student but they all knew each other and many of them had already been to school
<Fritz> and then I didn't know *anything*.
<Fritz> Well, about how to get along ....
<Fritz> the *education
* was very good but the rest was very difficult!
<Galatea> :/
<Galatea> Maybe it's good I missed it.
<Fritz> and there wasn't anyone I could ask what I *should* be doing
<Fritz> and I was still new to *my* mark, and... ugh
* Fritz fidgets with his gloves, then makes himself stop, and drinks more tea
<Fritz> None of the people we have met at the season went to school :p
<Fritz> well. Maybe Norn? Valencirca I mean
* Fritz seems dubious about that though
<Galatea> I think perhaps in Vanilorra. I think I recall him saying something about training there.
<Fritz> yes but I don't know if that was *school* quite the same way
<Fritz> I think he might have preferred if it was!
<Galatea> Do you think so? I have heard...rumors about him. >.>
<Fritz> oh that he killed someone?
<Fritz> I heard that too!
* Galatea nods.
<Fritz> But, Saiya says - it is unfair to listen to what is said *about
* people without listening to their side of things, which may be very different
<Fritz> and, knowing how people can talk about, well, anything! out of nothing!
<Fritz> I try to keep that in mind.
<Galatea> I wouldn't have thought it at all true, except that club he brought *is* very big, and he *is* very strong. I can't imagine him really using it in anger, though.
<Fritz> no, I can hardly imagine him that angry at all :o
<Galatea> Right? He's so...stoic. Except when it comes to Mëoirista. Have you noticed?
<Fritz> noticed what?
<Fritz> Well, I mean, its almost like there are two pairs see, those two, and then Braalk and Malassar
* Galatea smiles.
<Fritz> you mean you think there is anything to it?
* Galatea nods.
<Fritz> oh...Oh!
<Galatea> The latter seem much more comfortable with each other than they were at your dinner, at least.
<Fritz> yes, I Know Mol was quite upset that they had had some kind of falling out, I'm glad they made up
<Fritz> but... Lady Paiza :o
<Galatea> It is an...interesting situation.
<Galatea> Lady Paiza doesn't strike me as oblivious, but she seems to get along with Mr. Braalk just fine.
<Fritz> Mr. Malassar.... I feel I know him less than the others? But he seems so attentive to her?
* Galatea shrugs.
<Fritz> well surely tis none of my affair.....
* Galatea snickers.
<Galatea> Interesting choice of words.
* Fritz blushes in distress
<Galatea> If they aren't perturbed by it, it's none of our business.
* Fritz nods, uncertainly
<Galatea> I suppose we never *really
* everything that's going on with people.
<Fritz> But no one has spoken for the other two so surely they are free to comport themselves how they like!
* Galatea nods.
<Fritz> I should be very happy for my friends to find happiness :3
<Fritz> and you too, Tea!
* Galatea laughs.
<Galatea> I will be keeping my hopes well-reined, but I appreciate the thought.
<Galatea> To your and all our friends' happiness.
* Galatea raises her cup of tea in salute and takes a sip.
* Fritz will also drink (tea) to that!

Rumor and Scandal

(include only every second chapter)