The Cintamani Ball

[quote=Six Handed Merchant]
&quotYou mean outside of any forced vacations to the Tomb Colonies?&quot The bohemian detective smirked. &quotNot at the moment, I’m afraid, as my work tends to tie me to London.&quot Six pondered their cards for a moment before placing a small bet, while the cephalopod perched on their hat shook its head in disapproval. &quotBut I would love to take a trip abroad! Do you have any recommendations?&quot Six leaned over their cards towards the Honeyaddict and smiled. &quotI’m sure there are many places that a Londoner should visit if they could, and I would love to hear about all of them!&quot[/quote]

[OoC to old man: No-one at the party besides a few people know that Honeyaddict’s first name is August. He is known Honeyaddict overall and prefers to keep it that way. So the old man wouldn’t know it.]

&quotRecommendations in the Neath? Hmm, the Elder Continent has it’s charms, but in moderation. The Iron Republic always leaves a very strong imprint and definitely is a location one should visit once.&quot He said as he drank from his glass, seeing it was empty again. &quotOh my, that’s another glass emptied. As for the second sun thing… I think your friend was just speaking jibberish, our solar system only has one sun after all. Although, in Parabola he might’ve had a terrible honeydream that I’ve heard of before, a dream with two suns where one gets shot out of the sky and then is devoured.&quot
edited by Honeyaddict on 12/26/2019

[quote=Honeyaddict]

[OoC to old man: No-one at the party besides a few people know that Honeyaddict’s first name is August. He is known Honeyaddict overall and prefers to keep it that way. So the old man wouldn’t know it.]

&quotRecommendations in the Neath? Hmm, the Elder Continent has it’s charms, but in moderation. The Iron Republic always leaves a very strong imprint and definitely is a location one should visit once.&quot He said as he drank from his glass, seeing it was empty again. &quotOh my, that’s another glass emptied. As for the second sun thing… I think your friend was just speaking jibberish, our solar system only has one sun after all. Although, in Parabola he might’ve had a terrible honeydream that I’ve heard of before, a dream with two suns where one gets shot out of the sky and then is devoured.&quot
edited by Honeyaddict on 12/26/2019[/quote]

(on the name part my deepest apologies the old man has a good network but not quite so good forgive me)
&quotI had hoped it was some glassman code and he wasn’t just speaking gibberish, then again I’m told he was quite coherent for twenty parabola snakes biting him, pity really still dulset et decorum est pro domum mori as he was fond of saying&quot.
&quotAs for locations one must visit polytherm, it at least makes you appreciate loneliness at worst and at best you may even enjoy it, and of course one must not forget the dream ascending the mountain&quot the old man finishes leaving to get a new wine bottle for the table.

“Oh, I’m a Bohemian through and through! I am entirely debauched. And I have spent some time in Arbor,” Lady Byron answers, smiling. “More than some, far less than some others. I do find Far Arbor magnificent in its intricate splendor; it’s a feast for the eyes! And the library has a great deal to recommend it, too. But you asked if I’ve been to the three Arbors: I’ve only been to two. You’ve obviously spent some time there yourself.”

&quotPolythreme eh? The place where even the roads scream at you for treading them? I’ve heard a lot about the place, and I believed most of it to be mere tales of fancy, but then I’ve seen quite enough of the Clay Men recently so I guess there’s at least some truth in the tales. I think I’d like to visit that isle once.&quot

&quotAh. Out by the Observatory, were you? Well, perhaps you need a pick-me-up before someone asks you to dance. Come with me.&quot Taking Odetteah’s good arm in hers, she leads her through the hall. Along the way, she stops to exchange a few words with a passing cat, a beautiful, smoky grey feline with an amber belly.

They stop at a side door. Ondine produces a small key, and the ladies slip through the door, up a staircase, and down a hall. (Behind her, Odetteah hears the snick of another servant locking the door again.) They finally turn into a lavish boudoir. Ondine directs her guest to a chaise longue, beside which were set a basin of water, a red glass flask, the Professor’s medical kit, and a tea tray with a pot and two steaming cups. Then she removes her feathered mask and sets it gently to the side.

&quotAh! Much better.&quot She surveys with satisfaction the accouterments that have been laid out. &quotIf you want something done right, have a cat give the orders,&quot she remarks offhandedly, reaching for the flask. She tips a dollop in each cup (the flask is clear; it is the contents that sparkle like liquid ruby) and offers one to Odetteah. She sips the other. Tea tea is hot and strong, the additive spicy and comforting.

&quotNow, about marsh-wolves. You have to keep an eye out for them, if you’re on Watchmaker’s Hill or out in the marshes. Did you come that way? If not, well, I would usually say to report to the Department of Menace Eradication, but tonight being what it is, I will just introduce you to Captain Drake when we return to the company. He’ll enjoy the sport. I just hope he doesn’t try to wrestle this one, so close to the wedding.&quot

She takes another sip, a long one that drains the cup. Then she nods to the still-wrapped arm. &quotMay I?&quot
edited by Siankan on 12/26/2019

&quotI’ve only been to two… so far. I’ve heard whispers of a third Arbor. I haven’t found out much, yet, but it’s piqued my morbid curiousity.&quot

the old man arrives back at the table with a vintage. "I got this one from the tomb colonies on one of my less dignified trips. If no one minds I might introduce a new topic of conversation, the most interesting people no wrong word creatures or events you’ve been subjected to.

&quotThe Iron Republic, eh? Is there any way to get safe passage there without being a renowned ally of Hell? Let’s just say that I’ve run into…issues with devils in the past.&quot The scandalous detective muses while swatting a tentacle away from their cards. &quotAs for interesting creatures, I have to say that some of the rubberies have…expanded my horizons considerably.&quot Six sighs wistfully.

&quotAs for interesting creatures, I have to say that some of the rubberies have…expanded my horizons considerably.&quot Six sighs wistfully.[/quote]
&quotI’ve recently had a run-in with a spider-council. Nasty thing. I can still hardly believe I walked away from that one.&quot Thanos Black shuddered &quotAnd I found evidence recently that sorrow-spiders may actually possess speculative travel abilities, which doesn’t let me sleep any easier at night&quot

&quotWhy yes, the Numismatrix has a few she’s reluctant to hand over, unless you have the right amount of her currency. Just like my Violin, I had a special case made for it out of amber.&quot He said with a broad and jolly smile. &quotAh yes, the rubberies, quite some interesting fellows, hard to read but lovely to have a conversation with. And the way Amber can trap colours is just astounding! I believe there is a rumour that the way to their home is near miss Plenty’s carnival.&quot He said with a smile, motioning to his slightly elaborate mask. &quotAs for the Sorrow-Spiders, as long as you have eyelids or swift reflexes you shouldn’t have anything to fear my friend. At worst they’ll bind you up in silk, in which case you just need a sharp knife on your person, or a sharp rosary or just brute strength. And then you’ll have quite a bit of silk scraps you can sell in Spite.&quot

[quote=Thanos Black]
&quotI’ve recently had a run-in with a spider-council. Nasty thing. I can still hardly believe I walked away from that one.&quot Thanos Black shuddered &quotAnd I found evidence recently that sorrow-spiders may actually possess speculative travel abilities, which doesn’t let me sleep any easier at night&quot[/quote]
&quotyes when it comes to that ignorance and irrego are your dearest friends&quot

Jolanda feels the cold of the outside finally leave her bones as she dances. Perhaps a feather cape, beautiful as it is, wasn’t the best idea. “I have kept in touch,” she whispers to Ixc, “been to their Court, once or twice, visited them behind the Parabola mirrors. I am striving to make the connections between them. Without getting scratched by seven inch claws, that is. But before we get into that, who is your friend? I had to dash out so fast, we weren’t properly introduced.”

[quote=Iris Sims]
&quotI’ve only been to two… so far. I’ve heard whispers of a third Arbor. I haven’t found out much, yet, but it’s piqued my morbid curiousity.&quot[/quote]

&quotOooh! Curiosity, there’s something we have in common!&quot Lady Byron remarks as the dance comes to an end. After a bow to her partner, she offers her arm once again. &quotDo let’s find a refreshment or two and while we’re about that business, you simply must tell me what makes your curiosity morbid!&quot

the old man blinks suddenly staring wide eyed ahead and gets up swearing. &quotI’ll be back in a minute d–m d–m d–m, how in all that is [------] holy did they get here.&quot He somehow runs faster than even when he encountered the snake bandages trailing in his wake. On the cards he has thrown down is an ace which seems to depict a single black and red snake.
edited by the old man on 12/27/2019

the old man returns to the ball somewhat shaken, he looks around to mr sian khan not seeing him he goes to a servant and says please tell mr khan im sorry about the mirror and ill recoup any expense. The old man sits back to the game a good degree more taciturn

&quotEverything alright, dear friend? Is there anything we can do to help?&quot Thanos asks while looking up and down at his friend, trying to glean any information about his sudden rushing out.

Iris curtsies and takes her arm. &quotRefreshment sounds lovely – particularly if they have hot mulled wine. It keeps the chill out!&quot And the nightmares at bay. &quot’Morbid’ may not be the right word. I don’t so much seek the morbid, as when something I seek turns morbid, I don’t shy away. Unstoppable curiousity, that’s more accurate.&quot

Iris curtsies and takes her arm. &quotRefreshment sounds lovely – particularly if they have hot mulled wine. It keeps the chill out!&quot And the nightmares at bay. &quot’Morbid’ may not be the right word. I don’t so much seek the morbid, as when something I seek turns morbid, I don’t shy away. Unstoppable curiousity, that’s more accurate.&quot[/quote]

C., who had decided that competing for dance partners was not to her taste just now, overheard Iris’s comment. &quotCuriosity is neither bad nor good nor ‘morbid’. Whether curiosity should be stopped depends on what the likely consequences of satisfying it may be,&quot she remarked.

Iris curtsies and takes her arm. &quotRefreshment sounds lovely – particularly if they have hot mulled wine. It keeps the chill out!&quot And the nightmares at bay. &quot’Morbid’ may not be the right word. I don’t so much seek the morbid, as when something I seek turns morbid, I don’t shy away. Unstoppable curiousity, that’s more accurate.&quot[/quote]

C., who had decided that competing for dance partners was not to her taste just now, overheard Iris’s comment. &quotCuriosity is neither bad nor good nor ‘morbid’. Whether curiosity should be stopped depends on what the likely consequences of satisfying it may be,&quot she remarked.[/quote]

“Ah! Ms …” Lady Byron’s brow furrows in puzzlement as she searches for the name of the woman who has joined them. She only finds it when she glances away. “Ms Raymond. A pleasure to see you here! I trust the season is treating you well?” she asks, passing a glass of mulled wine to Iris and then to Cathy and then taking one for herself.

“A toast to curiosity,” she proposes, and then with a wink to Iris adds, “of all varieties!”

[quote=Thanos Black]
&quotEverything alright, dear friend? Is there anything we can do to help?&quot Thanos asks while looking up and down at his friend, trying to glean any information about his sudden rushing out.[/quote]
nothing you need concern yourself about dear friend, just old sins back to haunt me cant be helped.