Mac's

Fellsgard is the foundation of Khy'eras' history and through reconstruction, it is now a vibrant and lively city. People reside here due to mild climate, opportunities, and safety and stability. Adventures often start from Fellsgard. Read more...
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Dáire
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Re: Mac's

Post by Dáire »

Dáire slipped in the heavy door of Mac’s , careful not to let the door fall closed behind him and draw any unwanted attention. Taking a moment to ensure his hood still was covering the majority of his face and his deepening black eye, he let out a resigned sigh, continuing into the room. Like a shadow he made his way to the bar, placing himself as far away from the rowdy crowd as he possibly could. The noise was already making his aching head throb in time with his heart beat. He grimaced, instantly regretting it as a sharp twinge went through his swollen jaw.

No matter the city he visited, they all made him feel the same – claustrophobic and itchy. He’d only ended up here, after a pair of humans had hired him to guide them from a town on the southern Tviyr border. However, the charming pair of brutes had jumped him this morning just outside the city limits, one slamming his fist into Dáire’s jaw and sending him careening into the other, who was waiting with an oak branch to crack across his head. Knocking him out cold. He’d only woken a short while ago, face down in a ditch as the sky had begun to open up and rain pelted the ground around him. While he towered above nearly all humans, most of them easily outweighed him and he struggled to contend with their brute strength.

Dáire had never been a fan of humans, their shorter life span made them greedy, morally lacking and fickle. While it’s true they all couldn’t be like that, he was yet to come across a human he actually liked. These two hadn’t been smart either; having spent weeks in his company, he knew they hadn’t been cunning enough to feed him false names or keep quiet talk of their plans within the city. Thus, could be easily tracked by someone like him.

While subconsciously massaging his temples, the terse bartender parked herself in front of him. “Ye sufferin a hangover as well, love?” Inwardly recoiling from the endearment Dáire met the human’s bored gaze, “No, just give me something strong. Oh, and a bowl of whatever he’s having.” He grumbled, gesturing to a man sitting off to his left. She gave him a sceptical look before bustling off again towards the other end of the bar, where a dwarf sat in hushed conversation with a cloaked man.

He watched with mild interest as the bartender talked with a man, who wore what he could only consider filthy clothes. To add salt to the wound he stank, strongly enough to cause Dáire to wrinkle his nose in disgust. His more sensitive elvan senses drawing in far more than he wished they would. The pair were discussing spider eggs for the drinks, what sort of ingredients were in these concoctions? He scanned the very exotic (and strange menu) as he considered just how long it had been since he last stepped foot in Fellsgard, was this place even her then? Apart from the humans that overran these cities, he avoided the coastal ones in particular, the smell of fish and salt water too close to the smells of home.

The woman returned, curtly setting down a tall glass of a pale-yellow liquid and a steaming bowl of chowder before him. Grunting thanks at her, he set about devouring his ration, cool grey eyes watching the other patrons cautiously.

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Re: Mac's

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Thankfully, Roger didn't dawdle long next to Dáire. Though he had no idea of the Kerasoka's opinions, Roger agreed that he sorely needed a bath to wash away the grim, blood, and mucus that clung to his clothing after a struggle with the spiders. After giving Dáire his drink and meal, Flore waved good-bye to Roger, a sigh escaping her lips and she turned the corner to deliver the news that the Spider Eggs drink would need to be taken off the menu. Flore was gone for a time in another room, likely trying to create a new drink special with an ever-elusive Mac. During the waitress' absence, a 16 year old woman took place behind the bar and slid a roll on a plate over to Dáire.

The bread had a golden crust to it and wafted steam as though it had just come out of the oven. Dáire had already dug into the chowder, but the roll would be another welcoming accompaniment (unless one did not like bread).

"Here ya go, sir. Flore must have forgotten the bread with the soup. It's been soooo busy 'ere lately."

The waitress lingered nearby, hands pressed against the bar, eagerly awaiting a response from Dáire. After several quiet minutes passed, she sensed that Dáire might not be in the mood for chatter and turned her feet to a couple of hulking men who planted themselves on the stools next to Dáire. They were loud and certainly obnoxious - talking over anyone with earshot, slapping each other on the back, and letting out snorting laughs. The young waitress wrinkled her nose and tried to ask what they wanted to order, until finally one of them heard the meeker voice and turned his face toward her direction. With a wide grin that climbed up the man's cheeks, he reached forward and thrust a pouch of gold in front of the girl, rattling the contents inside it.

"Common, now! Yer finest beverages for me and my buddy 'ere and hop to it! We dun have time to listen to ya blabber all day!"

The man next to him slapped his knee in agreement and roared with laughter. The waitress pursed her lips together, took a step back from the pouch that was less than an inch from her nose, and spun on her heels to grab any drink, doing it with a speed that would allow her to get rid of her new customers. However, in her effort to get away, the belligerent man leaned forward over the bar with unexpected speed, hooked arms around the waitress' waist, and started to drag her over the bar.

"Never mind! Found what I wanted!" the man said.

In his attempt to get the girl over the bar, she let out a scream and kicked the air, trying to wrench her body out of his vice-like grip. Several patrons looked toward the bar, but no one jumped in to assist the waitress that was about to be carried away by the brutes. In her attempts, the waitress' arm arm flew out and knocked Dáire's drink over the side of the bar. In this commotion, the man did briefly look up at Dáire. He gave a wink at the Kerasoka and though it was apparently not clear to him, Dáire might recognize the pair as the same culprits who knocked him out earlier in the day.

Idiots.
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Dáire
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Re: Mac's

Post by Dáire »

Dáire was getting through his meal rightly, when a new woman slid a plate into his peripheral vision. He studied the offering as her voice, although soft, cut through his aching head. When he finally looked up at her to nod his thanks, he saw a woman who was barely more than a child. He wasn’t sure how to feel about someone so young serving in places like this, but then again, he considered he may just be old fashioned -or out of place with foreign concepts, in a place such as this city.


He could feel her gaze upon him as she lingered for several minutes, hoping he’d strike up a conversation no doubt. If he hadn’t been feeling so sorry for himself (not that’d he admit as much) he probably would have, to learn more about his current location if nothing else.


After only a few minutes to himself, the overpowering stench of unwashed men and spirits hit his nose, just before two hulking humans sat in the stools right beside him. A normal person would have seen the space he’d purposely put between himself and the other patrons; and maybe , just maybe taken that into consideration but not these pair. Their deep, rowdy voices boomed through his head like a drum. Dáire could feel the tether on his patience slipping; he tried his best to block them out; but as the larger of the pair bumped into him again - that was becoming increasingly difficult to do. It really wouldn’t do for him to lose his shit in here, it was a nice establishment and he really didn’t want to be barred from one of the best places in the city.

It was the girls high pitched scream that tore him out of his internal grumblings, moments before his drink came flying at him and soaking the front of his tunic. He turned a scathing glare on the men, and when the larger of the friends turned and winked at Dáire, he saw red. His aching body and splitting head ache seemed to fade instantly in the face of his immeasurable anger. Not only had they tried to get one over on him and proceed to knock him out cold in a ditch, now they were manhandling a female who was little more than a child, it was unacceptable.

The moron obviously didn’t recognise death when it stared him in the face. He’d also underestimated just how stupid the pair he’d been traveling with were, no wonder they’d needed his assistance. The one who winked apparently couldn’t even recognise a pissed off elf he’d spent the last month traveling with. The second smaller man however, paled when he got a good look at him. Dáire felt his lips pulling into a sardonic smile as he rose to his feet, the bar stool screeching across the stone slabs of the floor.

“Let the girl go, we have some unsettled business to attend to outside.” Dáire growled, his voice low and menacing as the waitress continued to squirm in the brutes encompassing grasp. The smaller man glanced nervously towards the door; evidently happy to leave his branch wielding accomplice to deal with Dáire, no doubt in order to save his own worthless hide.

“Gideon …” He said, surprising Dáire greatly but he did take that first step back and away, his gaze fixed firmly with Dáire’s stormy grey one. The large brute right in front of him looked perplexed by his companion’s reaction, “It’s just another elf?” he grunted. Dáire struggled to hold back a dark chuckle as he watched the recognition and realisation finally wash over the dim mans’ face. His grip loosening enough for the startled waitress to rush behind the bar, and into one of the back rooms.

Dáire had expected it to take him a few days to track the pair down, maybe his luck was finally changing? Allowing his left hand to slip under his cloak and around the cool hilt of one his ornate Kerasoka made daggers, he stepped right into the brutes’ personal space, staring down into the beefy humans beady eyes.

The human took too long to respond for Dáire’s liking, and the next moment his daggers’ lethally sharp tip was at the pulse point in the man’s throat. It was only now he realised the rest of the tavern had fallen into a frigid silence; all eyes focused on the commotion by the bar. This was one of the rare occasions, that he wished the Kerasoka had magic still. Up close the man smelt so much worse, fresh sweat began to break out across the man’s brow as the small amount of brain matter within his thick skull worked over time. Dáire was vaguely aware of someone near by speaking in a stern voice. Unwilling to spill blood within the walls, without breaking eye contact he picked up the coin purse that had been dropped when the brute had made his grab at the waitress, “I do believe this is rightfully mine.” He leaned in closer to Gideon, whose own anger was now beginning to seep through his panic, “I’d run far and fast if I were you Gideon. For if I See you again - you won’t see me coming.”

Re-sheathing his dagger, Dáire headed for the door in a flurry without looking back at the gawking crowd. He’d be back though, that food had been delicious.
Word count: 942
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Calem Sabathe
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Khy'eras' Okayest Doctor
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Re: Mac's

Post by Calem Sabathe »

In a couple of days, Calem would finally get to fulfil a wish that he had been harboring for some time - he would finally be leaving Fellsgard and exploring Khy’eras. Of course, paperwork had been set in motion for quite some time, as he had been planning to leave Fellsgard for some time now, but without any particularly solid direction or reason the response from the hospital had been rather slow. However, things had sped up quite recently, thanks to an unexpected (though very pleasant) encounter with a brilliant (and quite lovely) professor, one Vanessa LaNore, whom had sponsored him to join her on a trip to Ninraih.

Calem could still remember being called into Dr. Lichthart's office only to be greeted by the old man looking at him with a raised eyebrow - which was more surprise than he usually showed to people. "House Nyshasa tells me you are to escort one of their researchers to Ninraih. You'll be leaving by the end of the week." he stated before returning to his business - dockets for something or another. "Make sure to clear out your examination room - other doctors will need the room."

“And my books, sir?”

Of course, Dr. Lichthart had expected that question. “Clear them out. Some of the doctors have requested borrowing some, and that is between you and them, but this hall is not your personal library. And remember, Dr. Sabathe - until you leave, I expect the same level of professional work from you. That will be all."

It had been quite some effort, but with some concerted effort and a few favours called in, he’d managed to transfer most of his books to the chantry - thank goodness for the kindness of Father Blackwell - and clear out his examination room. The worse challenge was trying to figure out what he could pack to bring with him - even despite his earlier efforts, he had limited space to only bring a few small books and his personal supplies in order to test and develop further medicines. Still, he'd managed it - but as he looked over the now-empty examination room, he couldn't help but feel just a little bit home-sick. He'd said his goodbyes to most of the staff, but he still would miss working here.

Some of the doctors had perhaps noticed. Leon and Anna had put forward the idea of giving him a farewell party. Calem had initially tried to decline, but once Elvera had heard (and then June Merryweather had overheard) he was convinced that it was worth having a celebration. And that was how he found himself sitting at a table at Mac's - a restaurant he'd never been to, though heard wonderful things about. He was somewhere between listening to one of June's tall tales and trying to figure out what half the menu items actually were. Anna was politely listening, Leon was howling in laughter and the grin on June’s face seemed even larger than usual.

Calem was only half-listening, still looking up and down at the menu. He wasn’t particularly averse to seafood, of course, but he’d never really tried many of the more exotic ideas that were portrayed on here.

“Calem? Yoo-hoo, anyone there?”

Calem looked up as June spoke to him. “Ah, I’m sorry. What was that you said?”

June pouted. “Of course you’re all off in your fantasy little world. I asked what you were going to bring me back as a present!”

Calem blinked. “I’m not going on a shopping trip, June, it's for research. Besides, what would you even want?”

“I dunno, something cool." June moaned, taking another swig from a tankard of beer. "You get to go all on your little ‘expeditions’, or whatever you want to call them, and I’m stuck back here in Fellsgard working behind a desk. Do you have any idea how boring it gets around here?”

“Well, June, you’re the one who’s going to have to hunt for your own adventures. I’ll be busy with research on the local fauna. It’s quite fascinating, the potential these plants could have…”

Suddenly, there was a sly grin from June. “Oh, I’ll bet that’s not the only thing you’ll be busy researching…”

Three sets of eyes turned to June as she smiled, her eyes glinting. “Don’t play coy with me, Calem. I heard from one of my friends you went out with that professor's class to The Vaulted Canticle afterwards.”

There was a sudden nervous look in Calem’s eyes. “S-so? The professor and I share similar interests. She invited me over so we could keep talking.”

“Rea~lly~?” June smiled

“Oooooh, details!” Leon smirked, never one to miss a juicy tale.

“Come on, June - don’t be mean to the boy--” Anna tried to stop June, but there was no stopping June when she was on a roll.

“Because I heard that you and her were kiss~ing~…” June stretched out the offending word.

Calem blanched. “W-what?! I-I-I have no idea what you’re talking about!” However, the guilty look on his face betrayed him. For all his good points, Calem was a terrible liar.

Leon smiled just as coy as June. “Well, well, well, doctor! I wasn’t sure you had it in you. And here you are, about to spend who knows how long with a very attractive lady…in the middle of nowhere…all by yourselves…”

“It’s--it’s not like that!”

“Methinks the boy doth protest too much. You’d disappoint your girlfriend if she heard you saying such things, you know?”

She’s not my girlfriend! Calem burst out, perhaps a bit too loudly, as a few people from opposing tables turned towards the noise. Calem’s head sank to the table. ‘The biggest gossip in Fellsgard knows? Everything is ruined. If Vanessa finds out…’

“Aw come on, I want details!” June leaned in. “Do you like her? Is she a good kisser? Did you take her home afterwards? Did you two--ow!” June was interrupted as Anna grabbed her ear and twisted it.

“That’s enough, June. You too, Leon.” Anna shot a sharp look at Leon. “Now you’re just humiliating him.”

It wasn't typically like Anna to be this firm, which surprised Leon a little bit. “Look, I’m just happy for the little guy, alright?” He at least sounded apologetic, perhaps realising he’d pushed a little too hard. "I'm just saying there's a few things more important than the flowers, you know?"

Anna sighed, and patted Calem on the shoulder. “Look, Calem, whatever you two do out there is certainly none of our business. I’m sure you two will learn a lot from each other. Just make sure you keep each other safe, alright?”

Calem groaned, face still on the table. “Can we please just order now?”

Anna nodded, calling over a waiter. Calem took a breath in and forced himself to sit back up. June had almost flawlessly moved to another story, so at least she had Leon's attention, and he might be able to order now without playing twenty sexy questions. Anna on the other hand was already engaging the waiter. “Thank you, can we begin ordering now? I’d like to get the clam chowder, please."

"Ooooh, oooh, do you have any more of those scallops?" June licked her lips. "Those things were delicious last time I was here...man, I've got to come to this place more often. Wonder if there'll be a show on tonight?" she murmured to herself.

"Firstly, we have to get another round of beers for our lucky lad, so he remembers decent beer before he leaves our fair city!" Leon laughed, smacking Calem on the back. "And the last time I was here, I had some rather delicious curry - if that's still on the menu I'll take that. Otherwise I'll just have to go for the oysters again."

Calem, on the other hand, still hadn't been able to make a decision. "Well, er...I'll have the..." He looked around at the others, looked at the menu and then shrugged. "I don't really know what to pick...I guess I'll go for...what's the special?" Calem asked, looking up. There was a sudden grin from the other three members sitting with Calem, though he wasn't quite sure why...
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Re: Mac's

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With the weather turning frigid, Mac's was at their busiest time of the year since patrons wanted to get out of the cold and fill their bellies with warm chowders, soups, and stews - something Mac's specialized in. Still, despite the bustling atmosphere of the place, Mac's continued to retain its reputation with good service and delicious food (as long as you liked seafood that mostly came straight from Fellsgard's docks).

To keep up the pace, it was not long before a waitress approached Calem's table and worked fast, but accurately jotted down the group's order. She was an older woman, with graying hair pulled atop her head in a messy bun but had the appearance of someone who had years of experience waiting tables, taking orders, and throwing out unruly folk. Her name was Beth Anne, she had told the group.

Clam Chowder (A house specialty.)
Scallops (They were indeed in stock.)
Four beers (One for each person at the table.)
Oysters (The curry was seasonally removed from the menu.)
And... The Spec-

"The special?" Beth Anne repeated, eyeing the spectacle-wearing, red-headed man in front of her. "But you're so... small."

She scribbled the order down on her pad of paper (never mind the fact that Calem didn't actually order the item) and turned towards the kitchen. After about 15 minutes, the waitress came back and started her trek towards Calem's table. Instead of a serving tray, Beth Anne was pushing a cart with three plates and behind those plates, a grand dish, covered with a metal dome for unveiling the bounty beneath.

Reaching the table, she slid the three normal-sized plates to their recipient's and then, with a small grunt, eased Calem's giant dish from the cart onto the table. Lifting the shiny, domed lid she finally revealed to Calem his dish which was a steaming, 60-pound lobster with not two claws, but four. Served with it was an ample saucer of butter for dunking.

Distracting Calem momentarily from the task head, Beth Anne handed the doctor a pair of seafood crackers to break through the shell. With the size of the lobster, this tool was bigger than a usual cracking tool and was almost heavy enough that it could be wielded in battle in a pinch. She then moved to tie a bib around Calem's neck which was decorated with a smiling lobster on the front that sported a fork in one claw and a knife in the other.

"This is the Colossaleius Emperor Lobster straight from the Cetnisadel Bay," she said. "Well, enjoy and good luck!"

With that, Beth Anne left their table to tend to customers.
Word count: 440
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Calem Sabathe
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Khy'eras' Okayest Doctor
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Re: Mac's

Post by Calem Sabathe »

“Wait, what does my size have to do with--” But by the time Calem had started to speak, the waitress had already run off to prepare the orders. "What on earth was that all about?" Calem asked, turning back to the three doctors he was seated with.

All of them looked at each other, then turned back to Calem and shrugged. "I mean, they always make a great big deal about the special here. I guess that's all it really is?" Anna suggested. "I've never met the owner myself, but they say she's an absolute genius when it comes to food. Surely you'll be in good hands?"

"Well, I never really looked at what it was." Leon shrugged. "More than likely it's something that's way too expensive and way too much effort."

Calem wondered if that was Leon's way of saying 'I don't have enough money, please take care of me' without admitting it to the ladies at the table. If that was the case, it was likely that he was going to be paying for this wonderful little meal - again. Leon wasn't a bad person, but he did have the frustrating ability to never quite have exactly what he needed when Calem happened to be around.

Still, conversation continued as it was want to, with June merrily over-riding everyone else with another tall story, and everyone nodding along politely when the food came out. Though to everyone's surprise, one plate was much larger than the others. "Man, someone's hungry." June was surprised enough by the size of the plate that even she momentarily forgot the time she wrestled an alligator on an airship (or whatever it was). "Wonder who's the big food buff...?" she started, until suddenly, everyone turned to Calem. A second later, the massive plate was put in front of the young doctor, and the gigantic crustacean was revealed.

Calem went white as a sheet. "Wha--what in Ixaziel's name is this?!" Granted, Father Blackwell would not have appreciated the minor blasphemy, but this thing seemed almost as big as Calem himself was! As the waitress explained exactly what it was - the 'Colossaleius Emperor Lobster' - Calem slowly came to the horrific realisation that he was supposed to eat the thing. "T-this could feed an entire family! For three days!" But the waitress had long gone to serve the other customers. Anna looked at the thing with a shocked expression. Leon was covering his mouth, stomach heaving with suppressed laughter.

June just looked at the food, then looked to Calem. "Come on, doctor - there's no need to be crabby about it."

That point was enough for Leon to burst into uncontrollable laughter, which must have caught the attention of the entire first floor. He pointed at Calem, trying to say something, but through the peals of laughter was simply unable to do so. He clutched his sides as he cackled, to the point he ended up falling off of his chair, still unable to stop. Anna kicked Leon, but it seemed to have no effect. With that, she looked with sympathy at the doctor. "I mean, lobster is quite a delicacy, Calem! I'm sure you'll find it quite delicious - I've only had it a few times myself." At least someone was trying to remain positive.

"It's not even a crab--that's not the point!" Calem looked at the massive thing, hunger almost completely gone simply looking at the thing. "How do you even eat this?"

"Wait...have you never even lobster before?" Anna asked, genuinely surprised. She kicked Leon again who was starting to come down from his laughter, now just giggling. June had already started devouring her food, completely ignoring the others. "That's what you've got the tools for - those little things that look like nutcrackers? Same idea, but with regards to this. Never seen such big ones though...look, let me show you how."

--

After a few minutes of patience, Anna had shown Calem how to crack the lobster open to at least get the meat, and where exactly to pull the lobster apart in order to get to the meat. The trouble was with devouring said meat - Calem had looked to the others, but they had all already started eating their much more normal-size meals. Calem considered asking the waiter for something else - or asking someone in off the street to help him - but as he looked at the massive thing, he'd been determined to ensure that such food wouldn't go to waste. It would have been incredibly rude to the staff, after all, if he were to refuse something he'd ordered.

That had been about 30 minutes ago.

Everyone else at the table, by now, had finished their meals and seemed quite sated. The amount of meat and butter currently swirling around in Calem's stomach on the other hand was starting to make him turn slightly green. It was good meat - Calem couldn't deny that - but after having gotten through the claws and starting on the tail of the lobster he'd already been quite full. The meat in the tail and the legs had started to make his stomach hurt, but with some considerable effort (not to mention some goading from Leon) he'd managed to eat those too. Not to mention that, despite his best efforts, the idea of poking about to get the meat out of the lobster with a fork - much to the amusement of everyone at his table - in order to get the meat out only added to his consternation. Anna tried to patiently explain how to do it, but it was difficult to pay attention between the mountain of food and his aching stomach.

Normally, Calem would have been worried about the reaction of the staff - but at this point, his stomach was too sore to care. Worst, he still hadn't managed to actually attack the main body of the lobster yet - and how he was going to do that, he had no idea. He pushed himself up off of the table. "Excuse me, please." He murmured, and then stumbled off to find the nearest restroom, clutching his stomach.
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Vanessa LaNore
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Seeker of Legends
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Re: Mac's

Post by Vanessa LaNore »

The day had begun with the usual eager tingle of a fast-approaching expedition and Vanessa had indulged in a lazy morning of tea and collecting her relevant research materials. It wasn't often she had a chance to work alongside another researcher, let alone one with experience and passion for the relevant field. It was even rarer to find anyone, researcher or no, who'd managed to seduce her so readily. The series of thoughts had bounced about her head all day, leaving her cheeks faintly aching with the tug of a smile that refused to leave.

Collecting the relevant books and copies of notes into a satchel, Vanessa summoned an entirely normal looking steed behind her Uncle's shop and then made her way to The Grace of Cecilia's Healer's Hall to pass off the materials. Her goal was a simple one, invite the good doctor to pore over the relevant texts with her and a few cups of tea. Then perhaps he would indulge her with a bit more personal study.

Sadly, her arrival at the Grace had found him off duty and well departed. Thankfully, the lovely receptionist Elvera had pointed Vanessa to the infamous Mac's and given a brief description of Calem's farewell party companions. She thanked the woman and made sure to mention she was looking forward to working with a researcher from such a fine institution. Remounting, she made good time to the establishment and made sure to pay for the stabling of her mount to keep up appearances.

Straightening her 'pleasant weather' Reaches coat, the thick fur keeping her frail form comfortable in Fellsgard's gentler chill, Vanessa made her way into the bustling front of Mac's with her scarf still about her face. She held a vain hope that for at least a little while she avoid too many people recognizing her bardic persona, there always seemed to be someone who recognized the potential even if they didn't recognize her in particular.

Once inside she rapidly scanned the room and found the table filled by those Elvera had described. She strode over, removing her scarf to her shoulders as she came to settle beside the table. "Pardon, I see you're well into a meal, but I'm looking for a Doctor Calem Sabathe," she said, giving her most polite and professional muted smile. "The lovely Elvera told me I could find him here celebrating, and I have some important materials for him." She pat her satchel lightly and looked around the table, making sure to make brief eye contact with everyone present.
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Calem Sabathe
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Khy'eras' Okayest Doctor
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Re: Mac's

Post by Calem Sabathe »

The farewell party was in good swing - minus a half-eaten lobster and the disappearance of the guest of honor. Leon had at least by this point recovered enough to sit down, though he still couldn't look at the lobster without cracking a grin. Anna was talking, but still turned a few times towards where Calem had walked off, wondering when he'd get back. Hopefully he would be alright before too long - she didn't want the doctor's last memories of the Grace of Cecilia to be of him sick in a bathroom.

As for June, well, June would have been continuing to tell her stories, but it didn't seem like anyone was listening, so she was simply spinning her thumbs, waiting for Calem to get back so they could get back to some conversation. Or at least for something exciting to happen.

Fortunately, it turned out she didn't have to wait for too long - she was perhaps the first to notice the stranger that was approaching them. "Ooooh, new person!" She looked up with a smile at the approaching stranger - though as she approached, her brow furrowed as she started scanning the stranger's face.

The other two members of the table looked up to see the dark-haired woman approach, and listened as she asked for Calem. "Oh, you're looking for Dr. Sabathe? Well, he is here but he's currently, ah, occupied. The food didn't quite agree with him." Anna admitted. "We'd be happy to give keep your materials and give them to him for you--"

"Or of course, you are more than welcome to stay with us at our table, mademoiselle." Leon interrupted, standing up and offering a slight bow towards the new woman, eyes twinkling. "Might I enquire as to whom I--we have the pleasure of meeting tonight?" In the background, Anna rolled her eyes - she'd been hoping to avoid having to be the group chaperone, and that was looking less likely by the second.

Before the woman could answer, June suddenly spoke up. "Waaaait a second...dark hair, orange eyes...impossibly penetrating look...hang on, it's you!" June's mouth opened. "You're the professor, aren't you? The one who Calem was ki--mmph!" Before June could finish, Anna had slapped a hand over her mouth. "June, now is not the time." With that warning, Anna then turned to the woman. "Please, accept my apologies for the behavior of my colleague. She isn't a bad person, she just never tends to think about what she's saying. It's actually quite scientifically impressive how she can operate without using her brain." she murmured the last part to herself, but still received a glare from June.

If the woman had turned, she would have noticed a disappointed look in Leon's eyes for just a moment, but he'd quickly recovered. "All the same, it is an honor to meet such an magnificent lady as yourself! You are the one that's taking our young baby bird out to spread his wings in the world, correct?" Leon took a seat, gesturing to the empty seat he'd swung next to the table. "But--ah, forgive my rudeness, we've not yet even introduced ourselves! My name is Leon DeWitt, at your service." he gestured to himself, before gesturing across the table.

"Oh, Anna. Anna Cleroux. It's a pleasure to meet you." Anna looked up with a polite smile. "You're welcome to join us, if you wish - if you're Calem's friend, I'm sure he would be very happy to see you here. And of course, you've met our resident bundle of energy here."

"Hello!" June waved. "I'm June Merryweather, receptionist extraordinare and future airship captain!" She declared this with the same kind of tone one might use to declare themselves Queen of Tyivr.

With those introductions out of the way, the three looked up at the woman in front of them, wondering what would happen next. Calem, for his part, still hadn't returned from the bathroom yet.
Word count: 661
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Vanessa LaNore
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Re: Mac's

Post by Vanessa LaNore »

A flicker of a frown crept onto Vanessa's lips as she heard Calem was indisposed, but her concern faded as she noticed the pile of partly consumed lobster before the empty seat. A single eyebrow arched at the eager attempt to ingratiate himself by the gentleman, accompanied promptly by a dismissive eyeroll of his companion. She'd just been about to introduce herself properly when the bouncing bundle of energy who'd been staring at her in silence interjected.

She allowed the trio their energetic conversation, seeing clearly the comfort and expectations of a group of colleagues well used to each other's foibles and follies. She offered small nods of acceptance and thanks as each apology and explanation was given before settling into the offered seat.

"Thank you Leon, you give me far too much praise," she began, shaking her head slightly as she gently deflected further compliments. She softened the words further with a bright smile she reserved for those students who professed unnecessary praise at the sparkle of her eyes or twitch of her lips.

"And yes, as you've discovered, I am in fact Professor LaNore the younger. Though, I wasn't aware my eyes were being called impossibly penetrating these days Lady Merryweather," she continued with a brazen smirk towards June. Finally, Turning her attention to Anna she added, "It is no trouble, I work primarily with university students while in Fellsgard, so this is all rather normal to me."

"As for spreading wings, I doubt I will be truly teaching Calem so much as introducing him to new sources of knowledge to consider. He carries a great deal more competence than I often encounter, though I will be sure he is given every opportunity to experience and explore." It was the usual line she gave to doting or overcautious parents who challenged the safer field expeditions she took students on from time to time.

Vanessa took a moment to remove her heavy coat, using the motion as an excuse to hide a faint chuckle as she realized her words had more meaning than usual. "Has he told you where we are heading yet?" she asked, looking around briefly for a server to request a mead.
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Piers Veritas
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Re: Mac's

Post by Piers Veritas »

"I like it mate, I really do, but the thing is right is it's fragile. See 'ere this has been in your pocket init? It's all bent, yeah right there. I also think mate, and I mean this with all the best intentions that it's not even proper gold, see it's flaking. Gold don't flake does it?

But, it's a pretty thing though, maybe give it to a girl you like eh? Tell her 'ol Syksie gave his blessing and if she don't know who I am, tell her to come to the Bottle at some time and I'll whip up something nice for hair and all that. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to make someone's acquaintance and I can them already hear them calling my name"

Idiot. But that's the learning you have to do when you're that age. Shouldn't have told him what to look for in fake gold though, might be a good source for finding such things in the future. That's a tomorrow problem. There were pressing matters to attend to; I leaned on the bar, looking left and right as if looking for someone

"Eh, wheres Mac?"

Raising my hand in claiming the time old tradition of demanding a namesake you knew full well was probably upstairs to the merriment adding a loud tapping on the bartop in applause. Eventually got the attention of the young thing behind the bar.

"So. I'm thinking a few years younger then I am right. Mid-twenties. Good legs though gotta have the good legs mate"

Emphasis with my hands on this one. They knew what I was talking about

Warm, but not too hot now, I ain't looking to miss anything y'hear. Quick on the tongue bit dry but delicate, I'm in a delicate mood tonight init. So soft. The essence of a memory formed. Yeah that'll do the trick.

Ignoring the raised eyebrow I waved them off with a hand distractedly as I ran a hand across my chin. Why was he still there, I stared him directly in the eyes until he caught my gaze then I nodded at the door and pointed at it mouthing 'Fuck right off' I didn't get to see if he followed orders as well as he presented fake gold as there were two soft thumps behind me. Perfect. I turned and without asking permission I gently took the bottle off the table and started to read the label eager to see what dance I would be chancing this evening.

'Mate, listen yeah? I asked for something my age. Where's the X. Now I can see the O, I can see a V and an S and a P But there is no X. Calvados though, inneresting inneresting. Might do even though she's a bit young init. Where are my manners, get yourself a snifter son, come hurry up hurry up, there's bidness to be had. There we go, May I Sah? Well, of course, I can, just a splash?"

With a long practised hand, I saw that both glasses were poured just under where the curvature of the glass started towards the rims. With the element of ritualism, I raise the glass to my eye level and swirl watching carefully as the deep amber colourings swirled in the light. With a murmur

"Good legs though, look at that. Look at the colour on her, bit of red in her coat though."

Bringing the snifter to chest height holding it under my chin and letting itself introduce itself to my sense.

"Peach, soft. Minerality is present, although not complex. intriguing. Onwards mate."

The glass was raised under my chin and breathing in the now heady aroma's I was starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together

"Definitely Quince, no way that's Apple mate, too soft, too delicate, well-chosen mate. Sprightly, are you getting that, there's brightness there, she wants to play a bit."

Closing my eyes now as I brought the glass rim to my nose, almost poised to drink as I took in a strong deep breath with both my nose and mouth letting all my olfactory senses become overwhelmed as my palette started to fill in the questions I was asking.

"Cinnamon, just a hint init, bit o pepper you reckon, bang on the gold there son. I'm impressed, I'm willing to forgive the transgression with the age given this development. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

The first sip is always small, just enough to wet your mouth. Instantly her character was revealed, I treated it like a game, would I be correct in my guess or would something elude me. In this case, her age let her down, too young to mask any of her subtleties behind her masquerade. The second, slightly bigger was washed around my mouth to embrace the finish. Soft, delicate and long, almost exactly what I asked for. I placed some gold on the bar top and made my way back to my booth alone with my bottle and snifter. It was going to be a good night, then even better. I had the Naij boys coming just after the third bell to discuss some new acquisitions with me.
Word count: 867
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