As the odd rider and his steed departed, and Rhio unwrapped her gift, Christiane
went behind the bar and started to look for some
Stoli. She hadn't heard from Zophiel in months, he had seemingly disappeared,
and if there were any messages, she hadn't received
them. Except for the small group gathered by the bar, the Goth House seemed to
be abandoned. She found the vodka, poured herself a
shot, tossed it down her throat, then found a rag and started polishing the bar
top. Someone had to get the party started. Perhaps
then, Zophiel would be compelled to return.

With a brittle smile, she poured a merlot for Cecily and one of the shadows
brought it over to her.

"So folks, being that my husband is away, but Anpu still stands by the door,
we're still in business. Who needs a drink or something
to eat?"



--- In TheGothHouse@y..., grassmarin@v... wrote:
> 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???"
> > ...