"Of course" Chance replies with twinkling eyes, and begins lighting a candleabra
helpfully lowered by one of the shades, while Winter lights the candles
surrounding the bar. "This is a busy time of year for me" Chance explained, "but
it's one of my favourites." The Ravenlord and Rhiobahn looked closely- around
Chance images seemed to flicker. Places that looked like Florida, New York,
small towns, empty flats. A used bookstore where two people purchase the same
book. A tenner on the ground brightens a worn face. A woman born on christmas
passes on before she can celebrate her birthday. But overall there is light,
surprise, and joy.

The first white flakes began to settle outside.

Chance smiles.

---

Joyous Yule everyone,

~elisabeth

In a message dated 12/24/2003 10:52:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,
ravnlord@... writes:

>
> Leaving Winter and Chance to ponder the onset of a new
> adventure, the Ravenlord drifted over to the large fireplace. The
> hearth was cold and dark. He lifted a hefty log from the bin and
> tossed it onto the grate, then gathered some kindling beneath it.
> The Ravenlord took a long match from a box on the wall, struck it,
> and set the flame to the kindling. Soon, he had a cheery blaze
> going, and warmth and light began to fill the empty hall.
> Tossing what was left of the match into the flames, the
> Ravenlord stood back from the hearth and stared into the fire. The
> flickering glow mingled with the Ravenlord's fiery gaze, and he let
> out a long, heavy sigh. The shadows swirling around him subsided in
> their riotous dance, and stole away to remote corners of the hall.
> The Ravenlord spoke into the flames: *In the darkest time of year,
> Nightmare grants a reprieve to all ...*
> With that, he reached out with one hand. It disappeared into
> a void beyond sight and reason. The Ravenlord stepped back from this
> void, and his hand emerged from nothingness, holding onto someone
> else's hand. As the Ravenlord moved further back, a slender,
> tattooed arm emerged, followed by the rest of a somewhat disoriented
> Rhiobhan. She looked around, confusion twitching on her face. Her
> eyes were bloodshot from tears lately shed. The Ravenlord touched
> his slender hand to her cheek, and she looked up into his single,
> burning eye. He spoke again: *The Scarlet One overestimates
> himself ... You are never hidden from me ... All I need to find you
> is to look into my heart ...*
> Rhiobhan smiled and rested her head on his chest. With one
> arm wrapped around her, the Ravenlord reached up to the mantle and
> removed two tapers from their holders. One he handed to her, the
> other he held into the fire to light. This one he held to
> Rhiobhan's, so that her candle flamed into light and life. He took
> two more tapers from the mantle and walked over to Chance and
> Winter. He handed one to both and, in turn, lit them from his own.
> *Will you join me in drawing light into this darkened place?*
> asked the Ravenlord. He started lighting candles along the bar.
>
>
>
> <OCC: What can I say, I get wistful and nostalgic around
> Yule-time.
> Happy holidays, to one and all.>
>
> Poe
>
>
>
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> 88 Arcadia Street
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