|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:37 pm
HearthStone Tavern and Inn HearthStone is located in the second ring of the great city of Ponovoir, and is run by Jean Pierre Sri and his large family. It is a medium sized establishment, with the bar and tables on the first level, as well as the kitchens and a bathroom, and seven large rooms on the second. The third level is the family's private quarters, and is not to be entered by any guests without invitation.
There are many additions to this old building and courtyard, the first being a stable and kennel area. There is also a number of extra, private rooms scattered about the compound, for a higher price, of course. A small whitewashed building serves as what is called the 'great hall,' even if the words do nothing to describe it. This building is scarcely furnished, and used mostly for meetings, daycare, and temple services.
Currenty, there are no guests in the Inn, but the tavern is almost always busy and bustling with customers coming to and fro. As of now, the only employees are the members of the Sri family, who help out with everything from chores to cooking. But, if the tavern becomes busy for the summer season, Jean Pierre may look into hiring some extra help. PM -sugar-coated romance- to apply for a position.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 4:46 pm
It was Autumn in Ponovoir, Veralyn Sri's favorite season. But, unfortunately, she had no time to enjoy the beauty of the falling leaves, the crisp cool air, or the children laughing in the school yard. Vera had to work.
Strangely for a woman already into her majority, Vera was unmarried, still living with her parents above the Tavern her father owned. It was not for a want of suitors, as Vera's hand was highly prized, and asked for often. She was a delicate beauty, and obediant. Her soft voice was rarely heard, unless it was the whisper of a song as she mopped, or the occasional, 'Yes father' she muttered, head lowered respectively as she went about her daily chores and errands. But even though she was asked for, no man would take a wife without a dowry. And even for his daughter's happiness, Jean Pierre Sri was not one to spend money to get rid of something he found useful. And Vera had made herself useful from a young age.
Now Ystria he would have gladly parted with, for she rarely did anything right, but anyone could see that there was something wrong with the girl. In fact, the only child Jean had managed to part with was his eldest, Jacques, now married happily, with a child on the way. He had left home as soon as the opportunity presented itself, and never returned, as he despised his father. But Stella, the wife of Jean, and the support of the family, was loved by all, and so she took the children to visit Jacques and his wife as often as possible, trying to expose them to a normal, loving family before they all ended up like Ystria.
Vera had managed to take enough of her mother's personality that she could put up with her father, and skillfully. If she had the need, she could have put a suggestion in his head, managed to get herself a husband, or a room seperate from the inn, but Vera was not the type to control someone, especially not her father. She feared him, and rightly so, as when in a temper, he became violent.
So Vera did her best to keep him happy, and that meant making sure the inn ran smoothly and well. This goal in mind, Veralyn woke each morning as the sun rose, and started immediately preparing for the day.
Today she dressed as usual, in her pale green skirt, ivory full sleeved shirt and bodice of olive, wrapping a thick scarf about her shoulders to ward off the chill, and tying it securely to keep her hands free. It was her own preference that had her going out the the stables first, where she tended to the horses every morning. Today, it was just Echo and Loba, and there was no stable hand to worry about, as her father did not hire one. So, instead of reaching for the matches to light the lantern, she reached to her magics, and the wick burst into light, a steady, bright flame illuminating the neatly kept stable. Like most of the inn, Vera had cleaned this place, but lovingly, as it housed the precious pets she cared so much for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ariana Shayde Vice Captain
|
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:57 pm
She stood in silence, floating through the shadows, unsure of any solid ground on which to stand. The moon wept, and its tears made a salty ocean. Arvina danced upon the ocean's wave with ease, spinning the waters into outstanding designs the likes of which she couldn't even imagine duplicating in real life. Before her stood her Lord in all his watery glory, a liquid mass of waves and cooling contemplation. She closed her eyes and danced, contented, rocking about by the waters that were in her soul. Then the water turned to fire and she was dancing through the flames, but somehow they didn't hurt. And the one before her was not Jayonfi but Landra, the embodiment of firey glee, and she took the hands of her mistress without a second thought and they danced, unburnt, through the sea of flames.
A fluffy white thing brushed Arvina's cheek, and she smiled sleepily into it, reaching out to encase it in her arms. The thing became liquid and drenched her thoroughly, and Arvina laughed, her eyes opening at the sting of the cold. "Alright, Cree, I get your drift," she said with a sigh, watching as the animal reformed its molecules and became a solid being again, "I'm up, I'm up." Still chuckling at her pet's antics, she rose and made her bed, glad to find that all the water Cree had provided for her abrupt awakening had dried when he had once more become a solid.
Arvina always found small pleasures to be the most enjoyable ones, so when she noted the rat's nest that was her hair she took special care in brushing through every tangle carefully. She could actually see what she was doing now, thanks to the small piece of mirror she'd bought from the market. She pulled on her cotton skirt, poet's shirt and a blue bodice that someone staying at the inn had left behind. Arvina spun around for effect and finally decided to tie a blue ribbon into her hair neatly, brushing it through and surveying herself for effect. Not too shabby for an early morning, and last night's dream had been splendid, though she didn't much remember it.
Pulling on her sandals, which she had conveniently colored blue the night before, Arvina made her way downstairs to see to the horse's, unconsciously echoing her sister's footsteps. There were no customers at the inn, so all was still... Even though Arvina could not deny that she enjoyed the noise, mornings were the only peaceful time she had. All other times were encompassed with suitors and games. A few of them actually HAD asked for her hand, ones traveling through who had no need of a bride price, but Arvina always turned them down. Her father had no problem with that, for even though she might not be as virtuous as Vera she had her own merits.
Deciding to go see if her sister was with the horses, Arvina made her way downstairs and out the front door into the bright coolness of the day. She breathed the fresh air, her eyes closing as she surrendered her sense of smell to the numbing coldness that was autumn's spice. The leaves whirled past and she lost herself in imagination, which was a very rare thing for her. The moment passed, and Arvina lazily sauntered along into the stables, where she found her sister catering to the two steeds in their stalls. Silently, like a panther on padded foot, she made her way up behind Veralyn and leaned forward so that she was right next to her sister's ear.
"Boo."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:03 pm
When Veralyn had woken that morning, Arvina, as always, had been dead asleep still, deep in dreams. So it was a complete surprise to her when said twin snuck up behind her in the stables only minutes after she herself had come down. She jumped a foot in the air, gasping in breath to scream, before clamping a hand over her mouth so she would not wake her father.
Spinning to face her sister, she pointed her finger and placed her hand on her hip, preparing to lecture or some such thing, but instead she sighed loudly and dramatically, turning back to Loba and handing Arvina Echo's brush.
"As long as you're down here, you can help. Da wants the horses looking fine today. 'e said something about a showman rider looking for a good steed to race, an' da'll get a bit of the profit." Vera's eyes were sad as she caressed her horse, the fine chesnut mare still and calm beneath her fingers. She knew how trainers beat their horses to submission, and she didn't want any animal she knew going through that. But she had to do as her father wished, else she and Arvina wouldn't get their lessons. And Jayonfi knows, they needed them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ariana Shayde Vice Captain
|
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:38 pm
When Veralyn gave up on her lecture, as she always did, Arvina could not withhold a giggle. Ah yes, this was one of her sister's many interesting traits-- No matter how Arvina irked her, she much preferred to remain peaceful. Still, Arvina knew how to provoke a fiery reaction from her sister when she wanted it, a reaction so strong that she could almost see her Lady Landra in Vera's face. Just as, occasionally, she could feel Jayonfi within herself. It was such an odd thing, something she had never told anyone, but these faces came easily to her mind. Quite possibly they were only her imagination, or tricks of the light, but the waters often danced brightly for her, and some faces could not be ignored forever.
Arvina took the brush with impassive coolness, jolted out of her internal fancy. She was good at hiding such jumpy moments, having gotten so with years of practice. Father had never liked rabbits unless they were in a stew. She wasn't much inclined to be a stew, so she just gave her sister a trademark smirk and set to work currying Echo.
Lulling circular motions, one stroke and two, listening to Veralyn's chatter. Father was considering selling the horses, was he? Arvina thought distractedly as the brush slowly made its way around and over Echo's somewhat dirtied pelt. She'd figured he'd do something of the sort sooner or later... Father being who he was, he did not allow himself to become attached to pets, much preferring to treat them all as livestock. Still, she could understand the practicality in that, and though it would hurt her dearly to see Echo go she had come to understand that all things came and went in their time, so there wasn't much use moaning about it. Echo would not do very well with being broken, but hopefully he'd come out of the process alive.
"Oh yes," she said absentmindedly, gently stroking Echo's nose with one hand while she curried him with the other, "Father always DID love profit. He'll get quite the price for Echo, wild as he is. Showmen always have loved horses that they can tame with great show and pomp, even if the horses often aren't worth the strain. The hateful whinnies attract more thrill seekers than the most docile and well trained beast could ever do."
Arvina did not get into moods like this very often, but sometimes she would lapse into this foreign, half drowsy sort of speech where it seemed as though she was unaware of what she said. The words sounded hot as fire and cold as the forest stream in winter, yet they were rather pointless ones. At least Arvina always retained enough presence of mind to speak her thoughts quietly, that they might not be overheard by prying ears.
"I wish you luck holding onto your Loba, if she can be held to," she said finally, coming back from that other state and giving her twin a merry grin, "Else we might find ourselves sporting a pair of ponies such as the Calon children have."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:08 pm
Arvina's angry, logical words stung Vera, and she slowed her motions, her brow creased as she tried not to storm around and curse. It was the firey bits of her personality that Veralyn always had to keep in check, else she be punished, or hurt someone. And the times she had been tempted to do so still haunted her, so she kept reign on her baser, elemental instincts as much as possible, trying not to be who she feared she was.
And so it was a bit before Vera realized that Arvina had returned to herself, back from the rambles she habitually took. Just as Vera daydreamed, so did Arvina tend to say too much, all the words falling from her tongue. It had provided them many a laugh, but had also managed to get them both into plenty of scrapes.
Mention of the Calon ponies had Vera's face greying, a disgusted expression twisting her features as she stared at Arvina, her hand paused on Loba's back. The horse blew air from it's nose and neighed, prompting Veralyn to continue, and she did, but her attention was on her sister.
"The Calon ponies? Dear god, no. I'd rather have no horse at all than one like theirs. Good god, the terrors." Shaking the thought away, Vera put away Loba's brush and exited the stall, shoveling some oats into the horses feed basket before she set out water and food for the still lazy dogs and the two cats that never seemed to show themselves.
She did some meaningless cleaning as she awaited her sister, pondering the breakfast special for the day, and what items were cheapest at market this time of year. As usual, it slipped her mind, and she asked Arvina, hoping she had some idea, that they would not have to bother mother for an answer.
"Vina, do you have a notion of what's in season now? I've forgotten."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ariana Shayde Vice Captain
|
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:15 pm
Arvina laughed softly when Vera's brow creased, and the laugh sounded like the tinkling of chimes. She loved her sister's fire, and saw within her a manifestation of the Goddess. It was good, to see the Lords and Ladies of the upper world in everyday people. It gave her a strange kind of relief, and an even stranger kind of satisfaction. She saw the souls of the Gods and Goddesses around her, and even when the manifestations of the Upper World's might troubled Arvina she still found the knowledge that they were here, that they were near, infinitely comforting.
She turned to a bucket of water in the room with her and, with a casual twist of her fingers, sent a perfect globule floating up into the air and towards her, where she carefully put it on her brush and Echo's hair, trying to regulate the temperature by holding it nearer to the fire her sister had created. Contented with its warmth, she used the heated water on her brush to make combing through Echo's mane easier. She took her time and dawdled about, making sure that he was comfortable and dried. Once she was sure of both those facts, Arvina turned and sauntered off with the walk that had taken her 5 moons to get correctly, the walk that had many of the village boys at her side whenever she came through a door. Some people had it, and some didn't, and if Arvina credited her beauty and suitors to Landra or herself, no one could see into her mind to find out.
Chuckling at her sister's disgust at the mere idea of a Calon pony, (even if they were pretty nasty little beasts) Arvina chuckled and reached out a hand to gently stroke the top of a head sticking out from behind the shed. Once noticed and thusly caressed, the miffed cat disappeared from view and Arvina brushed her hands off on her skirt. "Radishes, I believe. Radishes and parsley." Arvina said with a slight grimace. "They'll probably be edible with some kind of meat, though. Rabbit, maybe, or something else that's inexpensive but doesn't taste like roadkill." The answer was absentminded again, because Arvina's gaze had been drawn to the trees. There were birds singing, and they prompted an odd thought to rise into Arvina's head. "Maybe we could kill a few of these songbirds and serve them. Father would never notice, and if he did he'd probably congratulate us for being resourceful, if anything, though he'd be more likely to say nothing at all." She shook her head and picked up a rock, turning it over in her hand and observing the intricate veins.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:59 pm
Vera listened to Arvina's suggestions, and stowed them away for dinner or lunch, but for breakfast, rabbit and radishes just didn't sound that appetizing. It was when Vina mentioned the songbirds that Veralyn turned to her twin and grabbed her by the shoulders, glee showing briefly on her face before it turned to determination.
"Ari, you're a genius. Aren't robin eggs a delicacy or something? I'm sure it has to be much more expensive than regular chicken eggs, but we have plenty of robins right here. And we can throw in some of the spinach from yesterday's salad, if it's still good. Do we have any sausage from that baker that was wooing you last week? That would be delicious!" Already heading for the trees, skirts gathered in her hand, Vera followed the sound of the robin's song, until she reached a low branching tree that seemed to hold some nests.
Looking about to make sure that there was no one in sight but her sister and the horses, Vera clambered up into the canopy, and began to fill her deep pockets with the amazing amount of unhatched eggs that cluttered the nests. The caring, considerate person she was, Veralyn left some of the heavier eggs to hatch, so to be sure there were robins for next spring.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
