Fears and Forests

The warm and cheerful Fernwood stands in stark contrast to the dark and bleak weather outside. Those who've braved the cold, wet and slippery conditions are greeted with hot food and warm drinks, and a comfortable stool or chair to settle in.

A game of cards is in full swing near the bar, four old codgers laughing and carrying on, and probably half of them cheating.

Near the warm, roaring fire, a Gnome sits huddled in a chair, with her feet thrust out at the flickering flames. A mug of something hot is cupped by her hands as she attempts to warm herself, her damp dress indicating her recent... adventures in winter wonderland. Her stockings are laid out on the hearth to dry, as well her well-worn boots and cloak.

Above, a small, grey owl prowls along the rafters, focused upon a small rodent, its doom comes on silent, grey wings.

A gust of cold wind slips through the front door as Lucius ducks inside. A few large clumps of wet snow drop to the ground from his cloak as he quickly closes the door behind. He exhales and lifts the hood of his cloak, taking in the merry scene inside the Fernwood. As he weaves between the tables, pausing for a moment to observe the card game, Lucius eyes the roaring fireplace with apprehension. Before he can avert his gaze, he notices a familiar figure seated beside the flames. He swallows hard.

With measured steps, Lucius tentatively approaches the fireplace. "Hello, Xasany," he greets. "It's good to see you again, particularly since it's so cold outside." His jade-green eyes stare fixedly at the Gnome, though he is close enough to the fireplace that flickering flames can be seen in his eyes' reflection. He swallows again and smiles faintly. "Too bad neither of us could escape the wind and the snow entirely unscathed."

The Gnome remains oblivious, even with the chill breeze wafting briefly through the Pub, her eyes peering into the fire. Occasionally she sips of the warm, brown liquid in her mug.

The card game the codgers play is one using a board, where as the cards are laid out and scores called, small coloured pins are moved around the board. "Tha's three times ye have pulled up three fives an' the knave for his heels.", one of them grumbles, tossing his cards into the pile. Cackling, the 'accused' pulls in the coins wagered and won. "Aye, but yer jus' sour 'cos ye dealt them!" The other two hoot and snort and holler, and the cards are shuffled and dealt.

Xas blinks and peers up at Lucius, her expression curious for a moment before recognition registers in her eyes. "Oh.. from the library... Lucius!" She smiles pleasantly, and offers a little wave. "Aw, you got caught out in the messy weather too. Well, come and sit, warm yourself, yes?" She begins to rearrange the articles of clothing so that he might sit on the hearth, or at least place his feet there. "The fire is delightful, as is the apple cider."

Luke's eyes widen as the Gnome begins rearranging her clothes. "Why, thank you, but it's quite alright," he gasps. "I'm, uh, used to the cold. On the other hand, cider sounds absolutely lovely. Excuse me."

He darts toward the bar and places the order, returning after a minute holding a near identical mug. With his other hand, Luke fetches a chair from an unoccupied table and places it next to Xasany. He inhales deeply again.

"How should I put it? Fire and I do not get along very well," he explains to Xasany, his voice slightly calmer. "But it was kind of you to do that, and I appreciate it." He stares down into the contents of his mug and, a moment later, raises it to his lips.

She moves to sit upon the hearth, and settles her feet upon a crossbrace of his chair. "Oh, a phobia of fire? I can sympathize. Fire can harm as much as help, if things go poorly." Her toes wiggle and she smiles. "It can dry and warm your cloak or boots, if they are wet. I won't let it hurt you."

She sips her own cider, and lets out a pleased sigh. "Humans are so inventive when it comes to sweet, alcoholic drinks. It's half the reason why I love big cities. So, how have you been?"

"You never know when it is going to hurt you," Lucius whispers. "But you're right. Fire provides light and warmth. It would be good to use this opportunity to dry my clothes. Fire provides light and warmth," he repeats as he sets his mug aside and removes his cloak and boots. Lucius takes a step toward the dancing flames and places both items just below the hearth. With great haste, he retreats back to his seat and cups his face with a trembling hand.

"I've been well," he tells Xasany. "I'm doing my best to cope with these unrelenting storms. It could be worse, all things considered." His faint smile reappears. "And how about yourself? I can only imagine at the moment you've got a bit more on your plate than I do."

As he settles himself back into the chair, the Gnome carefully straightens and squares up his cloak. She reaches out a hand to pat his knee. "You are right, and it is good to be prepared. You did well. Little steps, yes?"

Xasany stretches, a few vertebrae popping in her back. "I am well enough, thank you. And actually, the cold has brought relief, for a time. It seems our would-be demon summoners are none-to-pleased at going out in the cold and deep snow too much. So they have taken a break. Gives me some time to relax a touch. And enjoy my favourite pub, and the company of new friends."

"Little steps," Luke agrees with a shudder. He carefully lifts his mug and takes another sip. The tension in his posture partially dissolves at the Gnome's touch, and he leans back in his chair with a sound halfway between a grunt and a sigh. "Thanks, and it's good to hear such news. One hopes that they might use this time to come to their senses and cease their folly. I bet whatever demon they tried to summon would also have been none too pleased with this kind of weather," he jokes.

His gaze sweeps across the Fernwood. "I quite like it here myself," he remarks, grinning. "The food and drink are superb. My room is cozy and well furnished, at least by my standards. I couldn't have hoped for any better, really. It's hard to find a thing to complain about." He looks back at Xasany. "Do you also rent a room here, or do you live elsewhere?"

The green-haired Gnome shrugs her shoulders faintly. "I would hope that they do, before they get hurt, or worse, innocents do. Maybe they'll be distracted by other things by the time it's warm enough to be romping around in the forest again." She chuckles and pats his knee once more.

"Indeed, I do live here, much of the late Autumn, Winter, and early Spring. In the warmer months, I spend a lot of time out in the forest, hunting herbs and potion reagents." She leans back a little, and crosses her legs, still resting her feet upon the small crossbrace of the chair. "It is a comfortable place, and I am cheered to know that a friend is close by."

Luke nods. "I am likewise grateful to have made such a friend," he replies warmly. "Is it the Eldwyn you speak of? I traversed it very briefly on my way to Alexandria, but I've yet to spend more time there." He crosses his legs and blinks. "In truth, I know very little about it, or about forests in general, and I wonder what it must be like to live in such an environment. What kind of herbs and materials do you seek from the forest in summertime?" He wipes his mouth with the back of one hand.

Xas sits up straight, and pulls her legs in, settling into a cross-legged position. "Oh yes, the Eldwyn encompasses many old woods... Mythwood, Felwood and the Feywood just to name a few. It is beautiful, and seemingly endless."

"Those are trade secrets.", she says coyly, grinning broadly. "I could tell you, but then you'd have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and spend a year in a convent."

"How dangerous knowledge can be!" Lucius laughs, and shakes his head. "Forgive me, I shouldn't have presumed," he continues. "There is little, perhaps nothing, in my knightly training that could be anything in the vein of a trade secret. We Myrrish are proud, some might say too proud, of our cavalier traditions. Then again, we have neither the capacity nor the need to work with magic. Even so, maybe we ought to guard our methods with more caution, should they be abused for nefarious purposes," he muses.

Lucius drinks some more of the tasty cider from his mug. "Someday, I'd like to visit the forests you mentioned," he reflects. "It wouldn't surprise me if any of them were dangerous, but there must be so many things in there that I've yet to experience. I'll keep an eye out for Guild jobs that involve any undertakings nearby."

The green-haired Witch laughs a little, holding her sides. "I am just teasing. But would you not be bored with a list of plants and flowers that I must pick? Or the slow, methodical preparation involved in the creation of potions? If you got me started, I would go on and on about it all. It is a passion of mine, you might say. All Gnome have something they obsess over."

She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and her chin on her hands. "I expect it is quite fetching to see your knights on parade, perhaps breathtaking to see them in a charge against some foe. As for the woods and forests, I could show you some, if you like? Come Spring, when we wouldn't freeze solid to your horse's saddle? There are many sights of interest within a day or two's travel."

Luke blinks. "And I believed your every word. Of course I should have known better," he laughs self-consciously. "Though I'd love to take you up on your offer, and if you ever find yourself in need of an extra pair of hands, I would be glad to help to the limits of my ability." He smiles and risks a glance toward the roaring hearth. "Until then, it might not be the worst idea to rely on the comforts of fire and friendship to help us last through these seemingly endless winter storms."

The Gnome laughs again, and moves to settle onto one of his legs, sitting daintily. "And I shall take advantage of your good nature to sit comfortably and warmly." She nods then. "I have a few little camps here and there, to make the trek easier. We might get lucky with a guild mission to a place of interest, we can see the sights and get paid. Sounds like a good idea."