Promise Faire Friends From the North - RPLOG
Participants
Date
27/4/480
Log
The Thera'Doran Contingent is out and about this afternoon! A little group of beings has just stepped, blinking into the mid-day sun from the pleasant dimness of the Golden Hind, a rather well-appointed inn. Among the group are three well, if over-dressed moles, a pair of stately reindeer, one male and one female, a massive, surly looking polar bear, and a stocky anklyosaurus.
The group seems a bit lost, and the moles especially seem a bit overwhelmed by the city around them.
Flora appears to be out and about herself, perhaps even looking for the Thera'Doran representatives. Her tails flick behind her, and she moves through the square, smiling brightly as she moves closer to the delegation, golem by her side, and guards trailing behind her.
Her leather outfit unmistakably marks her as a member of LongTech industries, with the emblems of both the company and the House it is tied to clearly visible on the shoulders, as she offers a smile and a short bow to the beings. "Flora apologizes for not being able to meet the Thera'Doran delegation at the docks, yes. Flora hopes Firmament is agreeable so far, though?" she asks, smiling brightly at the other beings, taking note of whom have been chosen to represent Thera'Dor at the Promise Fair.
Milling about the city, her hood raised completely to keep the sun off of her, Zalthar notices Flora talking to the Ther'Doran deligates, and makes her way over, practically unseen. She stays quiet for the time being, preferring to listen and observe for a while before interacting, as her twin tails flick behind her.
The two Reindeer only nod their antlered heads in recognition at the highlady. The saurian looks older, and bows formally to Flora, Heinrich, the familiar polar bear manages a grin for the tigress. "Hello, little Highlady!" he blusters, "We are thinking that maybe you had fallen into your science!"
The Moles are all dressed in heavy coats and elaborate capes and look very, very uncomfortable. And not just because of the temperature. The leader of the threesome, designated by a heavy chain of office around his neck, coughs and extends a hand to Flora.
"Highlady Flora Longtail?" he asks, "I am Undercouncilor Dmitri Underhill."
One of his attendants keeps looking nervously up at the clear, blue sky. "Is it always like that?" he asks no one in particular.
"Flora had to deal with a few things at the fairground, yes. A bit of unfortunate timing, but everything is fine, yes," the she-cat offers with a smile, before looking towards the mole, and, onc again, bowing. "Flora is... Not too fond of touching, no," she offers, before scratching the back of her head. "But! Flora would like to welcome the Lords Underhill and Caldera, Mister Heinrich, and of course, Lady Aldermann to Firmament, and to Sweetwater as a whole."
For a moment, she looks up at the sky, flicking her ears. "Like what? Clear? Sometimes it rains. And sometimes it rains a lot. Not the rain-season right now, though."
Zalthar bows as well, and in the sunlight it's revealed that she's adorned her tails with little highlights of gold. She looks up and nods, cloak fluttering in the wind. Still, she doesn't say anything, topaz eyes peering out, taking in every interaction, every motion and action.
Dmitri's assistant looks embarrassed, just to add to his over-heated look. "Uh," he mutters, "Yes. Um. Clear. Yes."
Dmitri shoots a glare at his underling, but quickly turns his attention back to Flora, taking back his hand. "Well," he says, his accent pronounced, but not so indecipherable as some Thera'Dorans, "No harm done. Thankfully, Anton was there to meet us and he managed to secure us lodgings here." The mole waves at the Inn behind him. "Our entire delegation is not here, I am sorry to say. I hope you will excuse Lord Snowmark and Captain Schlaufuchs. We did not expect you to meet us here."
"Flora figured it only fair to come meet the delegation as soon as possible, yes?" she offers, as she takes a short glance at the inn, a small smile on her lips. "Flora won't have to recommend lodgings then, yes. The golden Hind is not a bad inn, no," she rumbles, tails still swaying behind her. "Mister Sven Snowmark, or one of his cousins?" she offers after a moment, before rumbling softly. "Flora understands House Underhill spends a lot of time indoors and underground, yes? If it is easier on the eyes, Flora has no issue heading inside, or arranging for a parasol or something, yes. Were there any particular sights you were interested in seeing around the city?" she offers, looking at the entire delegation, not just the Underhill.
"I'll go get a few." says Zalthar quietly, and with that, she dissappears into the crowds, tails dissappearing last as they tend to do. It takes her a couple of minutes, but soon she returns, carrying three parasols with both arms, and offers them up to the moles. They're presented almost like a gift of friendship, if one didn't know Zalthar better.
"Only Sven," Anton says with a smile, "He and the Captain are otherwise occupied for a while. He wished to show his old friend the Aurora."
Heinrich, the polar bear, snorts loudly. "Da, I am sure that is exactly what the idiot is showing our captain," he rumbles. Unlike the Underhills, he has stripped down to a thin, sleeveless shirt and his sturdy trousers, better preparied for the heat, and certainly more used to the naked sky. "Now, I will be getting something to drink," he declares, lumbering away, more familiar with the city.
The three moles are surprised at the gift, though they accept it graciously. "Thank you, Miss. . . " Dmitri starts and looks at Flora, "This is your. . . assistant?" he asks.
So far, the female reindeer and the dinosaur only watch with thoughtful interest.
"A friend, yes. Not assistant. Miss Zalthar is a friend, though," the she-cat offers with a smile on her lips, a flick of her tails as she watches Heinrich wander off in search of a drink.
"So, is there anything you would like to see? The church? The marketplace? We could take a walk through the new district, although not every merchant has set up shop just yet... With the fair planned for at least a month, though, Flora has no doubt it'll take too long."
Zalthar bows slightly "My name is Zalthar." she says, almost at the same time as Flora. "A local freesword, no title." she appends. She does give a curious look up at Flora, tilting her head as the word Friend is said, one ear folding back. "It should be interesting to see the stalls. I have not been over there yet."
Dmitri nods and looks around at his cohorts. It is obvious who has taken the reigns of leadership among the group.
Well, at least who THINKS they hold the reigns, at least. "I believe that we should all very much like to see the new district," he says, carefully opening the parasol that Zalthar has brought him. The other two moles do the same and sigh a bit as it brings some relief from the unrelenting sunlight. It does not help any with the heat though, and while Dmitri himself hides his discomfort well, his assistants look utterly miserable.
The others seem game to follow along. "I confess," the stately old reindeer, Anton, says, "I have been curious about this great construction project of yours, Highlady."
"Sweetwater's project. Just Flora's original idea, yes. Nothing more," the she-cat offers, shrugging lightly, as she steers the beings along the streets of firmament, further to the south. "The district is designed in a Sweetwater-esque style, with certain shralestan influences," she offers, as she looks towards Zalthar for just a short moment, flicking her ears lightly as she guides the group towards an inner-city gate.
Zalthar follows along, her short legs and soft paws easily jogging to keep up with her longer-legged companions. "I see." she says, curiosity only partially sated for now. A double nod is given to flora, ears returning to their usual position, swiveling this way and that as she listens "The weather is hot today. Perhaps some cool drink of some kind, if we can find them, is in order?" she asks, her gaze looking towards the three moles.
The new district is not really a district yet. Guards stand at what used to be the city gate. They don't exactly deny access, but it is apparent that casual traffic is discouraged.
The small, walled district is quiet, compared to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city, though carts and the occasional being move along the streets among the unusual columns and arches, carrying goods to new shops and un-opened eateries. Much like a stage days before a performance.
The Moles look hopeful at the mention of a cold drink, but it does not seem that there is much chance of that just now.
"There are a few inns set up in the district right now, and one of the three primary squares is doing quite well, yes. A little to the east, yes," she offers, as she guides the beings further along, allowing them to view the various inns and shops being set up, gesturing at some of the storefronts. "Flora is actually thinking of setting up a small storefront here, yes. Since most of these inns are meant for travelers, it'd be a good place to show LongTech's wares to beings from abroad, yes.
"We can go to mister Ernest's restaurant, yes, if anyone wants something to eat, too."
"What does Mister Anton think?" she finally offers, as she gestures at the domed building in the distance?
Zalthar looks simultaneously uneasy at the quietness of the new district, as she witnesses just how empty and open it is. "New storefronts, hmm..." she says mostly to herself, looking about "What would it take to open up a stall here?" she asks curiously, before nodding wordlessly at Flora's suggestion, but looking back up at the moles for their take on things.
"Anything out of the sun," one of Dmitri's hangers on mutters, but has the good grace to look embarrassed. Dmitri turns his glare away from his underling and nods to Flora. "I am sure we could all use a bit of refreshment," he says, "This Ernest is a good cook?"
The stocky saurian grins and speaks up for the first time. "Now you have my attention!" he says, "I have been looking forward to trying Sweetwater food! I hear that you had a bit of a culinary revolution not so long ago."
Anton smiles a little and nods his antlered head to Flora. "I think it is very impressive," he says, "I look forward to seeing it up close."
"An -ongoing- revolution. The arts, scholarly or otherwise, march on. And the fair is the perfect place to exchange ideas in all fields, including the art of cooking, yes," the she-cat offers with a smile on her lips, a flick of her tail. "Mister Ernest is one of the caterers at the fair. Flora would hope so, yes. His creator steaks are nice, and he's recently developed a few new recipes. Although Flora should probably ask if anyone is allergic to peanuts, yes," she offers after a moment of pause, guiding the beings along to the restaurant.
"A chat with Flora or Mister Lord Blackback. Our approval, and the King's seal. And of course, regular payments of rent, yes. Most of the proceeds go to the crown, a small fraction goes to House Longtail and House Blackback."
Zalthar nods and her tails almost wag at the thought. The small cat dips off to the side briefly, scampering over to the small shade of an empty stall, watching the group for a few moments, before returning "Perhaps I will look into this. Leather goods are plentiful for those who hunt the woods." she says, licking her lips in anticipation of delicious food.
The front of the little restaurant is not hard to find. It is in one of the neat, new buildings and has a freshly painted sign reading, "Ernest & Celestine's Fine Dining" Hanging over the door with a cartoonish bear holding up a little mouse, both wearing enormous chef's hats. One of the beings that they are based upon is seated outside the cafe, fanning himself slowly in the midday heat. The large, grey bear heaves himself to his feet and bows when he sees Flora and the others.
"Hello, Highlady," he says around thick, heavy tusks, "I'm sorry, I did not realize you were coming today! I would have had things ready for you! Will you be wanting a table?" He looks at Flora's current entourage, "Er, maybe a few tables?"
"Mister Ernest! Flora is showing the Thera'Doran ambassadors around town, yes. And since they were feeling a bit peckish, Flora figured it'd be a nice idea to give them a bit of a taste of some of the food that will be served during the fair, yes," she offers. "Flora would think some of those ragout-balls with various sauces would be nice, for now, yes? A snack. Unless, of course, the ambassadors want a full meal," she offers tails still flicking behind her, as she gestures to a sizable, round table. "Should be large enough, yes?"
"And some drinks, of course," she offers.
Zalthar nods and silently stays about the edges for the most part. But she does, when she's presented with the chance, ask up to one of the aides, or underlings "If it is not rude to ask, what are you looking forward to at the fair the most?"
"Of course, Highlady," Ernest says, bobbing respectfully, "Please, sit! Sit! I was just taking a short break while things were baking, you see. I can whip something up in no time." The tusked bear bobs bows all round to the visitors. "Maybe you would all be willing to try out something new for me? I think it would be a fine treat on a hot day like this. If you don't mind having a bit of dessert before you have your tea. Or lunch. Or whatever it is you like."
A little mouse woman slips out the door of the restaurant, expertly carrying a large tray of glasses all filled with ice and some sort of slightly green tinged drink with a sprig of some kind of herb floating in it. Celestine, because who else could it be, slides the tray onto a table and ushers beings to chairs.
The overheated moles do not resist in the least and the others follow suit. "I'm happy to try something new," the old anklyosaur says, his smile causing wrinkling lines to appear at the corners of his eyes. And no one else seems to have any objections.
Flora smiles and nods. "Flora supposes, yes. Not too much for Flora, though," she offers after a while, looking at the glass for a moment, before shrugging lightly. "And Flora's applejuice?" she offers after a moment, tails twitching behind her.
Zalthar climbs up into a seat, next to flora (or next to one of her guards, whichever doesnt' get her dirty looks). She folds her feet underneath her to sit at the proper height, sipping at the presented drink "This is very delicious, Ernest and Celestine." she says "What do you call this?"
"Yes Highlady," Celestine says, turning her tray around and placing the only remaining glass, filled with clear, amber liquid in front of Flora.
While the beings all seat themselves and get comfortable, the bear has vanished inside and returned with another large tray, filled with ceramic ramkins. "Just a bit of lemonade, Miss," he says to Zalthar, "With some herbs for a bit of flavor." He starts to distribute the ramkins, revealing a golden brown ball of some sort of crispy fried mixture in each, laying a spoon beside each place. "You all just enjoy that," he says, "And I'll get to work on your food. Anything else you want before I head to the kitchen? Don't have a lot of customers yet."
The Thera'Dorans, for the most part are drinking deeply of their cups, though the dinosaur and Anton are curiously considering the dish that Ernest has provided.
Flora, for her own part, is toying a little with the fried ball, lifting it with her spoon first to figure out its weight, before moving on to grab it with two fingers for a little bit, just to test the temperature and similar properties, before putting it down and carefully breaking it open. She is nothing if not methodical. Even if it's probably meant to be eaten in one or two bites.
Zalthar's nose can be seen twitching, and after observing Flora, she digs her own spoon in. As the spoon sinks in, her ears perk up in anticipation, and she doesn't hesitate to take a small spoonful, putting it directly into her muzzle. Her eyes cross and she slowly eats, ears folding back in confusion. SHe looks this way and that at the dessert, as though staring from a different angle would reveal something previously unseen.
The attacking spoons of the group crack neatly through the crispy, fried exterior of the little balls and into cold, creamy, pink ice cream on the inside! The Thera'Doran party, less meticulous than Flora have already started to dig in, mostly taking small bites and savoring the surprising, frozen treat.
Flora flicks her ears as she takes slow, careful bites, savouring the mixture of flavours, as she leans back in her seat, slowly but surely working through the ice-cream, smile on her lips.
Zalthar devours the rest of her ice cream contentedly, ready for the snack to follow later. Her drink is finished soon ater, leaving the small cat apparently very content.
No one could ask for a better welcome to Firmament than Ernest's new fried ice cream! If the rest of the Faire goes over as well, it will be an affair to remember!
