Arriving in Prime (Open)

[Calysta Enakai]

11th brightening of Imperos, in the Season of Autumn, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

Calysta stepped down from the carriage taking the hand of the coachman. Her hair fell around her face as she looked down to watch her footing and take up some of her white and green printed dress. It hugged her shoulders, fitting snug around her arms to the elbows where the fabric then flowed gracefully (almost ruffled) down the rest of its length, the bodice outlining her delicate figure with a sweetheart neck and V-line waist, and the skirt comfortably falling from her hips.

As soon as she was settled upon the firm ground, she let out a small sigh of relief. It had been an extremely long trip, but it was now over. The carriage had passed the gates where she had shown her citizen's visa and the rest had seemed almost a dream. She had never been to a city such as Prime. She felt almost childish as she looked out the window in awe.

Calysta looked up at the Crown Inn building and smiled. Yes, she had most definitely made it. The coachman had already entered the Inn returning with a key to the room and was holding it out to her, bringing her back to reality. She smiled and nodded as she took the key from his hand. He quickly moved to get her 2 bags, (she didn't have much) and she entered the Crown Inn.

Making her way up the stairs, she found the room. The Inn was well cared for, and quite comfortable. Upon entering the room, she found comfortable accommodations, a large bed in a offset room, a small living area with 2 wingchairs and small sofa, and a well-prepared bathroom with bath salts and perfumes. She waved and nodded to the coachman after giving him a few crowns for his work before closing the door behind him.

She couldn't help but smile as she looked around the room. This was far more than she had ever had. Her stomach growled a bit, she wondered where Elmaryia's room was, but her curiosity was quickly overcome by her hunger. Taking one last look at her room, she left, locking the door and making her way back downstairs to the restaurant below.

She found a booth in a far corner and smiled at the waitress that came, an elven female with blonde hair and green eyes. "Why hello! Welcome to the Crown Inn! I haven't seen you before, so I imagine this is your first day here. Would you like something to eat or drink after your travels?" Calysta nodded and said with a chuckle, "Oh, yes! I'm famished, but I'd have no idea what to order! Feel free to surprise me with perhaps some typical dish in Prime."

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

The ambassador had done the calucaltions in her head from Calysta's departure from Trysvale and her arrival in Archadoon and she calculated that she would be arriving this brightening.

It nearing mid brightening when Elmaryia ventured to the downstairs eating area of the Crown. This brightening Elmaryia was dressed in a ice blue silk dress with silver jewles, that had a sloping neckline. The fabric clung to her silver form. With soft footstops she walked down the stairs in her silver heeled open toed shoes.

Ever projecting an air of confidence she still often felt like an unsure farm girl. Still she was learning her role here and beginning to play the part of ambassador quite well.

Seeing her assistant at a booth Elmaryia smiled softly. She sensed that Prime would be quite an adjustment for her. It was far more buiser and crowded and louder then Trysvale.

Motioning her way to the table Elmaryia took an offered seat. " I am pleased that you have come to Prime well.The craftiest lobster feast is divine if you love sea food." Turning her head to the barmaid she smiled, " I will have that and two glasses of Nuryondi White."

Smiling at Calysta. " I have never fancied wine but the vintage is quite good."

[Lyssoryl]

A young halfling woman entered the bar. Her masses of curly blonde hair trailed her like the tail of a comet, and her eyes were wide with wonder as she stared at the decor, obviously not used to such fine places. Her garb was simple gray trousers and a white blouse that laced up the front.

She approached the bar, and paused to consider her options. Then she began to hop up and down so that her face became intermittantly visible to the bartender over the height of the bar, speaking to him only when at the zenith of a hop.

"Hello!" She said.

"I believe...I would like...a tankard...of...traveller's beer."

"Certainly." The bartender replied. "But you know, if you have a seat a waitress will serve you and you can save yourself the hopping."

The girl considered this information for a moment, then replied. "That's OK, I have a new undergarment and I am testing it's tenacity and devotion to duty. One always likes to know the worst."

With that, she began casting about for an open seat.

[Calysta Enakai]

Calysta smiled brightly at Elmayria and chuckled as she addressed the waitress again. "Well, I spose I should at least try the recommended dish and I do love a good wine! Please bring two of both the meal and wine. Thanks!" With a slight nod, the waitress quickly left the table, directing herself towards a small person hopping at the bar. The hopping girl caught Calysta's eye, and her lips curled into a smile as she let out a quiet laugh. She couldn't help but think that was the cutest/funniest thing ever.

Looking back at Elmayria still smiling, she leaned back into the cushioned bench and said, "Thank you. The trip was horribly long, I don't think I've ever travelled this far. This city is immense! I was shocked to see so many people, businesses, and the grandeur of all these buildings! It's a beautiful city and I'm glad to finally have made it! How has your trip been so far? Have your meetings gone well? Did the information we put together give you enough to present? I received the last tracts of land and their stats from the landsbrokers, as well as a few extra documents with agricultural products that should be considered for imports and exports. I have the information in my room, we can look over them when you are ready. Your gown is beautiful, by the way."

Calysta chuckled, realizing that she had asked a bunch of questions and not given a minute for Elmaryia to answer. She decided to start over, "I'm sorry! I haven't given you a second to answer. Please, tell me everything since you arrived!"

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

The questions that came out of Calysta's lips bombarded her mind. Her exctiment was contagious then again she too was over whelmed when first setting foot in the city. It was far more vast and more racialy diverse then Trysvale. Sitting down infront of the young woman, Elmaryia raised an eyebrow perplexed to what the woman was laughing at. Turning her head she too seen the hafling at the bar searching for a seat.

This was the first hafling that she had seen in her life. She is small like a child.

Giving the woman a friendly smile she motioned to a space beside her. " If you are looking for a seat you are more then welcome to join us." She said to the hafling in a friendly tone. Turning her head to Calysta she smiled.

" Well I have had a few meetings with the govenor Liselle. She is a young and very intellegent and kind. I have discussed some of the amenities of Trysvale. Also discussed an idea for a gadgeetering tournament in the winter. That is going to be a busy month for me I am also getting married. Which reminds me I wanted to ask if you would stand in the wedding party."

[Lyssoryl]

Lyssoryl gave the two women a suspicious appraisal, as if her first assumption was that the invitation to sit down was some sort of trick. Then she smiled.

"Why thank you!" She climbed into the booth, and placed her mug of beer on the table, then slid it to the side so she could see, her head only barely clearing the table when she sat. "I must admit that this is the fanciest place I've ever visited, and was half expecting to be tossed out on the street as inappropriately financed for such a fine establisment. Still, one likes to treat one's self on occasion. Oh yes! My name's Lyssoryl. I've very pleased to meet you both."

[Calysta Enakai]

"It sounds like the visit has been quite productive so far! Wonderful! And I'd be honored to stand at your wedding! You are going to be quite busy, aren't you? There's so much to do between now and then!" Calysta put a finger to her chin and pouted her lips a little trying to retrieve a memory she had misplaced in her mind, "I don't remember you mentioning a gadgeteering tournament before. What will that be about?"

"It's quite a pleasure to meet you too!" Calysta said to the halfling with a smile. "My name is Calysta." She nodded towards Elmayria, "She is Elmayria. We're visiting from Trysvale. Where are you from, Lyssoryl?" Calysta had never known a halfling.

[Lyssoryl]

I’m very pleased to meet you! As to where I’m from, I suppose this is my home city. Being an orphan, the details of my earlier life are a bit on the uncertain side but Prime is all I really know. I hear it’s quite big as cities go, though I’ve not been elsewhere to compare. Do you have Halflings in Trysvale? And if not, who cooks your food? Must you make do with rough human cookery?”

To Elmaryia she said “How exciting that you’re to be married! I hope to one day be a Bard and perhaps sing blessings at weddings; I think that would be ever so much fun.” She tugged self-consciously at her hair as if trying to get it to behave. “I’m sorry, but I’ve never had the chance to meet with visiting dignitaries of the sort who casually have chats with the governor. I hope you’ll make allowances for my inexperience and let me know when I’m supposed to curtsy or stand at attention or some such thing.”

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

" Yes the visit to Prime has been quite productive. I am pleased that you will stand. Their is still much to do, we are in the process of setting up the office and bringing citizens in to learn about Trysvale. Our town may lack the grandness of the capitol but we make up for it in community."

When the pretty hafling woman joined them a friendly smile curved Elmaryia's lips. " Oh that is a new event the gadgeetering tournament. I plan on hosting that in the winter months. That season is going to be quite busy for me. Straylor and I have yet started planning our wedding. It will most likely be a small ceremony a few friends and family. Mostly his family as I have few family."

The little family that I do have has abandoned me like a working woman of the night once her trick is completed.

Speaking to the women with a friendly tone they would not know the thoughts that echoed in her head.

" I do want a beautiful flowing wedding dress though and perhaps a tiara. While I do not believe in fairy tales I think it would be lovely to feel like a princess even for a brightening without the manners or responsibilities." Elmaryia said with a soft chuckle.

The haflings remarks made her smile. " Oh their will be no curtsying on my accord, and I do not think that Govenor Liselle is concerned about such frivilous things as well. A bard my fiance has a talent for music." Amongst other things. The wicked thought caused an almost sly smile to curve her lips.

" Tell me Lyssoryl where do you hail from and what brings you to prime?"

[Lyssoryl]

Lyssoryl was visibly growing more relaxed, not in small part because her 25 pound frame gave the alcohol she was drinking a decisive advantage over her. She watched Elmaryia carefully as she spoke.

"Tell me, does it bother you to have few family? As an Orphan of course I have none whatever, but I wonder if in a way that doesn't make me the luckier of the two of us, as I haven't had a taste of family to leave me wanting more.

"And as long as I'm being nosy, I'd love to hear all about your fiance! A bard you say? I'm sure you've had your pick wonderful men so he really must be a prize. I've questions about the gadgeteering contest as well, but one thing at a time."

"As to where I hail from, well, I fear I cannot say. I was born in one of the small farming villages that support the hungry mouths of Prime, but I've never been able to discover which one. If you like though, I can regale you with the tale of how my parents died."

"As to my business here, now that I'm of age I believe I shall get out and see a bit of the world. I met a giant the other day and we rather hit it off, and we're planning to apply to the Three Sun's Trading company as caravan guards. I'm hoping they find use for me as a scout."

[Calysta Enakai]

Calysta smiled at Elmaryia and nodded with increased interest. "Looks like we'll have to put together an itenerary and a 'to do' list! Now that we're in Prime, I'm sure we can locate some of the things you'll need for the wedding that you wouldn't be able to find in Trysvale. Do you have any idea who can give us recommendations on the local shops? We have so much to do while we are here! I'd be very interested to meet some of the people you've met here. You'll have to tell me what you have planned for the rest of our visit."

Calysta listened to the questions placed by the young halfling and added her own curiosity of the gadgeteering tournament. "What exactly is a gadgeteering tournament? You won't be lacking any stress in the winter it seems!" She replied with a chuckle.

Looking towards the 2 women that sat across from her, she found it interesting that the young halfling would ask such a bold question on the matter of family. Though, her heart went out to the woman as she stated she was an orphan. She had been fortunate enough to be raised by her grandmother who at the very least provided her with a roof over her head and the occasional meal. Calysta's childhood was not one of carefree stories, but rather difficult. Though she found it better to shake herself free from those thoughts and make a simple comment. "It seems we all have something in common. I don't have much family either, though I would venture to say that in some cases, it's better that way."

Calysta's eyes widened at the mention of a giant. She had never met a halfling, much less a giant, though the thought left her speechless. Before she could compile her thoughts, a plate was lowered before her with heaping servings of lobster and another plate was placed across the table before Elmaryia. Calysta looked up at the smiling waitress and thanked her as the wine was also placed on the table. "Would you like anything to compliment your beer Lysorryl? Or perhaps you'd like to have some of this lobster?" She said looking down at the ghastly amount of food on her plate. She didn't think she could possibly finish it all.

[Lyssoryl]

Lyssoryl watched as Calysta spoke to Elmaryia with her usual great attention.

"I would be glad to give you my opinion of shops and what is in them, but you'd probably prefer to hear from someone with enough money to actually patronize them."

When Calysta offered her some of her food, Lyssoryl considered as if it were a weighty question.

"I should very much enjoy some of your lobster, but only if you're offering because you do not want it all. I would feel very badly indeed if I've made you feel guilty by sitting here with no food before me while you ate."

She considered a moment longer, then said with a smile: "Also, as you are a newcomer to this city, I should advise you to be careful how you feed halfling street urchins. We're famous for our loyalty, which is only a good thing if you want any of it. You don't want to spend the rest of your visit stumbling about with a dozen or so halflings underfoot, as well intentioned as they may be."

[Calysta Enakai]

"I would be glad to give you my opinion of shops and what is in them, but you'd probably prefer to hear from someone with enough money to actually patronize them."

Calysta knew very well that she had never had more than a few coins to her name at any given moment, but were she in Trysvale she could tell anyone where to find the best quality items without spending a coin more than what it was worth. She had seen all to often how those with stature rushed about to the shops that their friends/rivals spoke of and demand a more expensive item or something else that would put them ahead. Calysta had known many other humble shopkeepers and seamstresses that with patience and great care, made gowns more elegant than those sold to those people. She shook her head as she took a sip of her wine. "No, no. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I tend to believe that those with the best eye for exquisite items are those whose shopping choices are not limited to the highest price tag or what will outdo their neighbor. I would value your recommendations."

She began placing some of her lobster on a small salad plate that had been left on the table for what was to be disposed of from the meal. Piling the plate with what she thought was a generous portion for the small halfling, she pushed the plate across the table in front of Lysorryl with a smile, slightly chuckling at the description of the "halfling street urchins" Lysorryl mentioned as if they were kittens that quickly crowded around a doorstep that from time to time blessed them with a bowl of sweet milk. "It would be my pleasure to share my meal with you, Lysorryl. Please, enjoy. Thank you for the warning, I'll make sure to be mindful of street urchins."

[Lyssoryl]

"No, no. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I tend to believe that those with the best eye for exquisite items are those whose shopping choices are not limited to the highest price tag or what will outdo their neighbor. I would value your recommendations."

Lyssoryl Replied, "Well then I am entirely at your service! I am most ecstatic to help!"

"It would be my pleasure to share my meal with you, Lysorryl. Please, enjoy. Thank you for the warning, I'll make sure to be mindful of street urchins."

Lyssoryl tucked in without hesitation. "Oh, you take my word for it, I am an experienced urchin. Shall I tell you how I came into this status?"

She chewed thoughtfully for a moment, collecting her thoughts.

"Now, my mother died in childbirth, a tragic but not unusual circumstance. But the interesting part was she died giving birth to my *older* brother. Here is what happened."

"When my parents were wed, my father made it well known that he was quite fond of children and wished to have them by the score. My mother also liked children, but was more pragmatic, and would do her best to quell his excessive enthusiasm. ‘You would drown us in a sea of diapers,’ she would complain. ‘And never would we get a full night’s sleep.’ In the end, she promised to bear him at least once child of each gender, and he was able to make himself content with that."

"Before long, she found herself pregnant, and he was ecstatic! Shortly though he became a bit worried when she began to have pregnancy cravings for onions, which is thought to be a sign of weak blood. Still, he did his best for her, even though as her time progressed the reek of the burrow brought tears to the eyes of the neighbors."

"My mother’s labor was quite difficult. It lasted all of one brightening and into the next, and when at last the midwife emerged from the natal bedroom her face was grim. “Your son is healthy and doing fine,” she said, but your wife has lost a lot of blood. I’ve done my best for her but I fear the worst.” At those words my father rushed to her side. There was time for them to exchange a few sad sentences and vows of eternal love, and then she slipped away. She was buried two days later, nestled in the roots of a great oak tree. My father was inconsolable with grief, and went home to hold his new baby close."

"That night, there was a knock at the door. Not wanting to be bothered by consoling relatives he did not answer at first, but the visitor was insistent and at least, bleary-eyed, he opened the door. To his astonishment, it was his wife! “How!?” Was all he could manage. “I’ve come back to you,” she said, let me in out of the chill.”

"The happy couple fell in loving embrace on the bed, and despite the recent birth, one thing led to another, and she did not seem to mind at all."

"It soon became apparent that my mother was again pregnant. My father was guardedly happy, but after the last birth he was worried. This time, my mother’s cravings were bizarre, and for the most part she demanded a stew made of acorns, sprinkled with the tiny blue flowers of forget-me-nots. My father did his best for her, and together they were happy."

"When my mother’s time came, my father took no chances and called in two midwifes, with an aunt or two to provide assistance. There was little need for such a crew, as I slipped from my mother’s womb quite easily, with hardly a pang caused to her. My father was overjoyed as he sat by her side, but noticed a strange look in her eye. "

“I take my promises very seriously,” She said. “But I’ve done as I’ve sworn I’d do, and I must be going now. Take good care of my children for me.” As the moonlight fell on her, and she seemed quite frail. You could almost see the bedspread through her tiny frame. My father grabbed her hand, determined not to let her go, but a cloud passed before the moon and a draft blew the bedside candle out. When he managed to relight it she was gone, and he found he held only an oak leaf in his hand."

Lyssoryl considered a moment further.

“Now my father, oddly enough, died of complications of stepping on a cat’s tail.”

“You see, this cat was a favorite of my mother, and after she died my father lavished an unrestrained affection on it, as he considered it a strong living link to her memory. This worked out well for the both of them as the cat was in no way averse to being pampered. Unfortunately one day my father came home late with a load of firewood which he could not easily see around, and the cat was waiting at the door to be let in, and what with one thing or another he trod heavily upon its tail.”

“Now, the cat was not badly injured, and in many ways it was a forgiving sort of cat. But it was also a rather conniving creature, and it recognized how much guilt my father felt for his abominable crime and saw fit to press home its advantage and win every ounce of being made up to that it possibly could. From that evening on it would cringe and whimper, and my father would spend hours coaxing it and cajoling it and plying it with smoked fish and cream, and eventually it would consent to sit on his lap and be petted, only to revert to cringing the next brightening.”

“My father resolved that he would perform one great act of contrition that would surely win the cat over once in for all. For this purpose, he obtained a small pouch full of the finest catnip seeds he could lay hands on, and planted them in a secret plot outside of town. It had to be outside of town you see, because if any of the town cats got wind of what he was planning it would be all over in a flash.”

“Cycle after cycle he tended his small plot, fertilizing it with the finest of well composted mice, and watering it in the evenings with Halfling Thunderhead ale, a rich dark brew which is much like a distillations of the nicer sorts of sin. The stalks grew to such an amazing size that he took to tying a hammock between them and taking a nap on warm days.”

“In due course, harvest time was upon him, and he cut down his plants with great care, tied them in a sheaf (upside down to preserve the sap), and carried them back into down with them on his back.”

“Unfortunately, no sooner had he gotten back to town than he ran into two Katta mercenaries who had just apprehended a notorious human bandit. They got one sniff of his burden and he was done for, when they were finished there was nothing left but my father’s best walking hat (which had fallen off early in the melee) and a brown stain in the road. The bandit escaped, taking my father’s hat with him as a memento of his good luck, and went on to become notorious as “Small-hat Liam” with a reign of terror lasting many patterns. They used to say that my father’s ghost would aid him in his exploits, but I don’t believe a word of it. My father was a good man, he just tended to overdo.”

[Elmaryia Grey Leonard]

OOC: Awsome post Lyssoryl

INC: The topic of her family was one that Elmaryia did her best to avoid. Saerunn did not love her and Elloria enough to fight to keep them and Talan did not recognize them as his kin. Some brightening's Elmaryia longed for the ignorance of not knowing whom her parents were. With the ignorance came the fantasy and farfetched hope that her parents loved her and would one brightening come for her.

As a child she held on to that hope and made up various scenarios in her mind about who her parents were and how she was taken from them. Though meeting Saerunn her mother had shattered that fantasy.

" My twin sister became ill and died as did my parents." While Elmaryia's sire was still alive in her mind Talan was dead.

" I do have a few surviving cousins and I get along with my soon to be brother in law quite well."

That was all the words that she would speak about her family. Though on the matter of Straylor Elmaryia would talk openly and quite fondly of. Her love for him was strong and all consuming.

" Straylor is skilled in the matter of music, and has a wonderful voice. He is also the constable of Trysvale. I love him very much and look forward to our joining. He is a handsome man with a beautiful soul."

With Calysta just arriving the clerk had much to catch up on. " The tournament will be an event for the gadgeeters of each skill level to showcase their inventions and be judged accordingly. I do not think that such an event has been done before. So it will be a new and entertaining event for Trysvale." Her tone was warmed with enthusiasm and excitment.

" You have not missed much though we are just getting things in order and setting up the office."

Quietly Elmaryia listened as the hafling woman spoke of the strange death of her mother and how she was birthed. " I am sorry for the death of your father. Are you close to your brother?"