Samantha opened her mouth to answer, when suddenly an impossibly large
owl entered the room with a red-cloaked stranger. Even Cecily twitched
an eyebrow at this, but Samantha started fumbling madly through her
pockets. Just as she retrieved something that looked suspiciously
like a tricorder, the package was delivered and the unusal pair were
gone.

Cecily seated herself on a chaise nearby and quietly asked a shade for
a glass of merlot- she felt the need for something sustaining.


--- In TheGothHouse@y..., Bynner.Drake@m... wrote:
> At the bar, Rhio said to Rennyb:
> "Have you a tale to add to the archives?"
>
> And Rennyb thought a moment... but then a
> woman dressed in a peasant blouse and skirt of
> black linen entered with a bewildered look.
> He was just turning to look, when the creak
> of a sliding panel heralded the arrival of
> two (rather dusty) black cats and two women...
> one of whom was the very picture of a mad
> scientist...
>
> "So you see," Rennyb continued, turning back
> to Rhio... "the very act of storytelling summons
> storytellers."
>
> "I was about to embark on a recounting of the
> tale of Hieronymous Hazard and the house he built,
> but seeing as we have persons new (or at least,
> new to me) arriving... let's invite them to
> introduce themselves and spin a tale of their own!"
>
> Rennyb lept up and hoisted a foaming tankard (which
> had moments ago, been a rather conventional pub glass)
> from the bar and strode over to greet the latest
> arrivals into the bar. "Hullo, hullo! Where've you all
> been and what've you seen? Come, please, join us at
> the bar and dazzle us with your adventures!"
>
> Rennyb fell backwards suddenly, plopping into a
> great chair (built of fur and mammoth bone and smelling
> of old smoke) which came suddenly into focus to catch him.
> He propped his feet up upon an antique chest which appeared
> to serve as an ottoman. Then, taking a deep pull from whatever
> spiced brew his cup contained, he looked upon the others in
> eager anticipation...
>
> "Why doesn't the woman in the ruby x-ray specs go first, then?
> What's cooking behind those secret panels???"
> ...