MacLaaran Village

[WilliamTaillur]

Busy about the new and improved Iron Lance  .... trying to trust the travels of Mine love, Damiana.. yet seems strange that She should pretty up so nicely for Her trip... getting Mine mind back to the Iron Lance .. hiring help cleaning up a bit .... thankful for the Lady RaeAnns help with a few rooms.. and to Lady Killashandra for finding some interested servants for the Iron Lance .... chuckling at one wench.. chuckling at the thought she may detract Tris from the Velvet Hammer... hmmmmmm Tris as a bouncer??

Finding a cook  .... and a waitress... ... and hearing of a ladd interested in moving luggage

Traveling to Emaine, didst transact Merchant business with their merchant .. the Lady Darsheil... and visiting with Clan a Ched.. and trading with Sir Calvin.  Business is booming.

Later returning via Emaine.. didst again bargain for some unusual herbs with tri'ana and her.. mud garden??? No wonder her feet look dirty all the time.

Heading back to MacLaaran... and dives into bed alone in the cottage .. having caught a vicious head cold .... and tries to hibernate till it be over.. yeah right... Knock on the door... and the Iron Lance cook be wondering where to find food supplies and the maids be askin bout rugs for the floors.. So off I go again.. trying to help them.. asking Rita NPC to talk with Maureen NPC bout all the cooking needs.. and perhaps they could share in food preparation for the upcomming Yule party and Iron Lance grand re-opening.

What a weekend.. still fighting this cold and sooo busy too.. Where be the warmth o Mine Damiana when I need Her.. Why now for that trip?  Yet knowing those answers.

[Lady RaeAnn]

*smothers a giggle as Lady KillShandra and I sneak quietly into Trist's Chambers.. Hearing him snore I roll my eyes at Shandra and we both try not to wake him as our shoulders shake with laughter... Armed with some very sticky tacky glue and a big bag of wool just shorn from one of my sheep* *whispers* This outta teach him ...*big smile as I begin to very gently and carefully take the glue and start spreading it over his body.. lifting back the covers we both gasp.. as he is nae wearing anything to bed...quickly puts glue on and throws some wool over to cover his ummm.. parts..slaps a hand over my mouth as I smother another giggle**while I continue to spread glue all over him, Shandra takes my colored paints and paints on his face.. smothers a giggle as we both laugh as he swats at her in his sleep thinking its a pesky fly* *after gently putting glue over his entire body.. we both take the wool and cover him from head to toe..gently patting the wool into its place.. making sure its everywhere and I do mean EVERYWHERE.. knowing he is gonna have a heck of a time getting it off as this glue is like super glue and once it sticks ..it STICKS. ..* *Shandra and I exchange looks and try not to laugh.. as I find a parchment and a pen and we write a message to the Dear Captain of the Guards*

Dearest Captain Wooly,

This is for tricking Shandra into the spanking machine and also for ..well for just being Trist *shrugs as I can't think of anything at the moment*  Im sure if you are reading this you have found yourself covered in Wool... oh yeah and if you can't get it off.. that would be the super glue thats over your ENTIRE body...Do not be alarmed.. well not to much anyways as the glue should wear off in a couple weeks or so...or is that months *stops to think* No I think weeks is correct.. *takes a picture and makes copies and posts it alll over Maclaaren* *captioned as " King of the Sheeps" to be or not to be Wooly.. Ask Trist he should know.

Sincerely,
The Coalition to show the Rogues..that they not be messing with us ..signed Trouble 1 and Trouble 2

[WilliamTaillur]

Wandering through the village on this fine morning, didst see Two Ladies from a distance. Each were giggleing about something and one carried what looked like a nearly empty sack.  "Hmmmmm " I thought to myself and went on my way to look over the Iron Lance.

Opening the door to the Iron Lance, my first thought was "This place needs lots of work if it be open in grand shape soon."  The few workers I had hired were busy about trying their best.  I smiled at each as I passed them throughout the building, noting the progress.

Gathering a few things and heading to the stables, didst tip the stable boy for preparing Mine stallion, Lucky, and for preparing the wagon of goods for a journey over to Emaine.  While in Emaine, I finished Mine trading with their Lady Darsheil and We were happy with the deal.  She was extreemly happy to receive Mine extra leather hides and extra metal bars. I was happy gaining silk cloth, thread, and a variety of rare gems.

Returning to MacLaaran, I had the stable boy put the horses to pasture after a good rub down and feeding. Then I went into the castle to store the received goods and take care of the bookkeeping.

Hearing noises down in the Main Hall, didst join the O/others for a pleasant evening.  Looking about, I frowned a little seeing "dust balls?" around the stairs and in a few corners about.  Picking one up and looking it over, I realized it was not a dust ball... it was a small tuft o wool.

Thinking to Mineself "Doest appear the Lady RaeAnn hast done Her last shearing o the season. I must soon finish Mine trading with Her so the tailors about can make smaller clothing items for winter warmth."  They had been nearly begging for MacLaaran's high quality, long stranded wool.  They hated the shorter stranded wools from other places. (( yes.. some breeds of sheep have shorter and finer strands of wool making them harder to card and spin ))  I was definitely looking forward to trading for their cotton materials.

The up comming holidays would bring new opportunities to meet the jewelers where I could trade the gems for necklace's and fancy circlets.  Mine mind was buzzing with ideas.... yet I knew I had to relax.  So, taking Mine love, Damiana, to the bathes, didst have a joyous and relaxing time together in the warm water.  Tis very nice how the servants keep those bathes always warm and ready for the Nobles.

[WilliamTaillur]

What a day! I wast trying to make Mine way around the village by foot. The ground was soggy from all the rains.  Mine feet left squishy impressions between the rocks. I decided to head back to the castle on more solid ground. Upon reaching the castle, I spoke with seth (NPC), asking a favor of him.

We were sure Tris and the guards would keep everything secure. Seth (NPC) and I retrieved a wagon and a two horse team from the stables. We then parked the wagon just outside the castle doors, where, with Rita's (NPC) help, several things were loaded onto the wagon. 

Once the wagon was loaded, Seth (NPC) drove the wagon team to the Iron Lance while I rode in the wagon with Rita (NPC).  Remind Me to do the driving next time. I think he hit nearly every stone on the path.  Seth (NPC) then helped Me move those loaded items from the wagon and into the Iron Lance dining area.  Tables were dusted again, cloths placed on several, and a nice three candle candleabra was set on the center table.

The old wood cooking fireplace was set ablaze and a burning piece of kindling was used to light the long taipered candles in the candleabra.  Full tableware settings for two were placed on either side of the candleabra.  Each of the settings were then covered to keep the dust out.  Rita (NPC) brought in her necessary food and cooking supplies.

Rita (NPC) remained at the Iron Lance for the rest of the afternoon making sure all would be ready. Seth and I then returned to the castle in order to pretend nothing was amiss.  I was confident Dami had no clue what to expect when She was to meet Me per special instructions when She arrived at the Main Hall early this eve.

Upon Dami's arrival to the Maclaaran main hall, Seth (NPC) was to direct Dami's attention to a card sitting on the hall table. In fancy claigraphy on the top, it read:

For the Lady Damiana

Turning over the card, it read:

The beauty of Ye presence has been requested.
Please assend to Ye Castle Chamber where Ye
Will find one o Ye fine dresses waiting on the bed.
(Use your nicest gown AV)

Once dressed as requested, allow seth (NPC)
to escourt Ye by wagon for a very special
supprise.

LWT

Once everything was in place, I then headed off to take care of some other business matters, hoping to be back in time.

[Serenitee]

~waking, sighing, softly humming a tune from her dream, slipping from her bed, tugging the sheet, wrapping it snuggly around her...securing it with a little tuck. Slowly tilting her head to one side, then the other....closing her eyes as she lets out a soft breath between parched lips.  Letting her tongue slip across them, easing the dryness before lightly grazing her bottom lip with her teeth.~ 

~lifting her left shoulder, resting her cheek there for a moment while her right hand lifts, its fingers lightly lacing through her ruffled curls....her fingertips trailing down the side of her neck, across her collarbone then up the other side of her neck, tilting her head the opposite way, resting her right cheek on her shoulder while her left hand repeats a similar path....closing her eyes....leaning her head back, closing her eyes again as her hands cross over her chest, feathering across and up her arms to grasp her shoulders....arching her back as she firmly hugs her arms about her, blowing out a long, soft breath~

~relaxing her arms, sighing softly again, as she can't stop the music playing in her mind, the music drawing her into a world miles away from where she now stands. One hand placed lightly near the hollow of her throat....her shoulders slowly starting to sway....lifting her other hand upward, every so softly brushing the its back across her cheek...turning her slightly parted lips so they drag across her fingertips...the tip of her tongue lightly grazing the tips before letting her hands drop to her sides as she continues to sway~

~her swaying loosening the sheet about her, using one hand to keep the fabric secured as her hips start to roll slowly in a figure eight, pausing at the height of each hip's movement, pressing up to her tip toes then down again. Lifting her ribcage with each side movement, gracefully following the flowing motion through with her shoulders.....her free hand floating upward, creating little swirls of ribbon like movement. Letting  it slowly lower, her back arching, leaning her head back....her fingers threading through her tresses, sliding down, lightly touching the back of her neck then back....gliding across her shoulder.....sliding down the gentle swells...lower still over her hip....flattening her palm to smoothly shift down her thigh....her other leg snaking out between the linen's edge as she moves..all the while keeping a hand clutched at the center of her bosom~

~smiling softly, ruefully...as the music plays in her mind endlessly...feeling so lost in the moment. Closing her eyes, letting out one last breath before tuning out the music in her mind as she turns to get ready for her day~

[WilliamTaillur]

Returning to MacLaaran in hastey manner.. alerting the Guards to something heard in Emaine.. from Lord Trost personally... a threat to attack MacLaaran.. and reasoning to reduce of boredom.. or perhaps He hates that fox that keeps bugging Emaine.. and wants to take revenge on nearest and most friendly of neighbors.. MacLaaran.

Shaking Mine head as to why Trost would take such action and jeapordize relations between Emaine and MacLaaran.  And here We were thinking of including Our neighbors in a Yule party.. Hmmm thinks I better order lots of rum for that party.. and keep Trost's tankard overflowing ... if He attends..

Helping the guards double the watch.. and secure the castle... with only two places remaining to enter... both very heavily guarded..

[~lava~]

While cleaning around MacLaaran this evening...(stop laughing..i do clean!)...i discovered the following note from our friend,  Lord Trost….

i do believe Lord Trost needs a hobby…*chuckles*

(16:39:54 ) LordTrost : Leaves some more scotch and several bouquets of flowers for the Lords and Ladies of Castle Mac along with a note that reads* M'Lords and Ladies, I have dropped by and brought these gifts in hopes of clarifying a misconception that I was the instigator of yesterday. Yesterday I was bored........really, Really bored...and as any that knows Me.........when I get bored...I oft get into touble. Such was the case yesterday...........

(16:42:43 ) LordTrost : Lord Trailuer was visiting in Emaine...and it is true that I suggested that it might be....uhhh...something to break the boredom by....well....uuhhh...atttacking Castle Mac and I may have said somethin about tiein up the Men....and ...and....well...kidnapping the Women. Now I know this SOUNDS bad............

(16:48:44 ) LordTrost : I also have to make it very well understood that tho I spend much time in Emaine...I am not actually a memeber there, and that My suggestion was no way known to The King and Queen of Emaine....in fact...as much trouble as I may be in with You good people..........I beleive I be in about as much trouble with the Good Queen Ashura.


(16:55:37 ) LordTrost : Now in My defense....I never really intended any real harm to any and had also inteneded to suggest to Lord Trailleur that perhaps an RP might be disccussed and coordinated before such a thing would happen....Unfortunatly...before I got that far, M'Lord Tailluer had left Emaine. Having heard only what He heard...it is not unresnable that there could be some cause for concern.


*smiles as i read the note, then makes arrangements to send a case of Trost’s favorite rum to His favorite tavern…and another case to Emaine, to show all is well*... and then ponders how many Mac females might like the idea of being kidnapped....*giggles*....

[WilliamTaillur]

Seeing the rum and flowers (( out of season?? must be special late fall flowers LOL )) sent by Trost, doest ask the castle guards to stand down their alert for Trost and maintain standard vigile over the castle.

OOC... I do enjoy interactions with Emaine and MacLaaran as long as they stay in the "just for fun" arena. This I determine as general antics and mischief.  Threats of war between castles do go beyond that "just for fun" window.

I do thank those involved for getting clarification, and to Trost for His appology.

For Trost... Aye.. that Fox NPC can be a wiley character and is Mine hope that Ye and Emaine and MacLaaran all treat that Fox NPC as only a mischievious and elusive nuisance, never to be caught inspite of simple and reasonable chases, and yet, petable given softness and kindness. The Fox NPC is intended only for bringing a few smiles to any room it visits and should not be considered as belonging to any castle. He is a wild animal with a curiosity of castles, people, and food He may find.  He will act acording to treatment given.

*sending Trost a fox skin and tail from a previous hunt with a note* Trost. If Ye need to take agressions out on a fox.. perhaps this will help so other Lords, Ladies, and lass's nay feel threatened.


And nay be supprised if William enters as the Fox NPC leaves.

[WilliamTaillur]

The well meaning Lord Trost and I have spoken with each other regarding the recent event.  His attack was to send roses and ale to MacLaaran.  Definitely a strange attack. LOL Tis nay easy to deal with impulsive ideas, especially when O/one gets bored.  This does remind A/all... how important it is to PM or at least discuss RP ideas before putting them into action.  Tis Mine hope that MacLaaran and Emaine can still enjoy a Yule celebration in a week or two.

May peace continue to reign between E/everyone..

[Aurora]

~a messenger arrives in the Castle with several large trays which are placed around the room.. once uncovered the trays are filled with various garishly frosted cookies and candies, along with some that are more pleasing to the eye (and possibly to taste as well. *chuckle*)... a card is also amoungst the trays and this is placed near Kyle's chair but is for all to read~

Merry Christmas to My friends of MacLaaran! Enjoy these goodies made by the children of Fussen House (and also some I purchased). Have a wonderful holiday and thank you all for putting up with me this year. 

Much love to each of you... Aurora

~the lad then sets a good sized bag of brown jelly beans on Tris' chair, tied with a bright red bow, the leaves the Castle~

[Aurora]

: finding Her way to the Castle, a large box in Her arms.. giggles as seth tries to help with the cloak.. then walking to the Hall...nearly running into a column.. muttering.. "oh.. sorry.." then realizing it was only a column.. snickers at Herself and peers around the box, pushing the lid down...carefully walking over to where Tim normally sits near the hearth.. setting the box on a table there, nibbling Her lower lip as She looks around... moving to Kyle's chair, thinking there must be parchment and quill around somewhere.. looking over the table, finding a drawer, pulling it open... "Ah ha!"  : grinning as She slips a sheet of parchment from the drawer and a quill.. quickly dipping it into the inkwell and writing in large letters... " FOR TIM, FROM THE CHILDREN OF FUSSEN HOUSE. ENJOY!" blowing the ink to dry it and setting the quill back in the drawer pushing it closed....going back to the box on the table, peeking in at all the cookies inside, then closing the lid again, setting the note on top... then looking around the room..another glance around the Hall.. then at the box.. hoping Tim gets it.. moving back to the door.. a smile for seth as he hands Her the cloak again.. swinging it over Her shoulders and leaving the Castle..

walking down to the village.. She walks quickly along the streets of the village, coming to the tavern.. pulling open the door stepping into the warmth of the tavern, looking around for Nova.. waving to Cook as she looks out.. saying Nova's gone to pick up a few things... She nods and asks for a cup of tea...Cook smile and ducks back into the kitchen... sitting at the bar, pulling a small parcel out and setting it on the counter.. smiling warmly as Cook returns with the tea... This is for Nova.. and you also... some cookies the children made at Fussen House.. Cook grins and peeks into the box at the cookies, saying She'll make sure Nova gets them... She nods and stirs sugar into the tea, wrapping chilled fingers around the cup, glancing around the nearly empty tavern... not recognizing any of the villagers seated within.. hearing Cook bustling about in the kitchen, She finishes Her tea, leaving Her coins on the bar, and calling Her goodbyes back to the kitchen as She slips off the stool.. waving as Cook pokes her head out again... then turning to leave ...

[TimTheEnchanter]

Appearing at the bottom of the staircase... he wanders into the scullery to see if there might be something there to nibble on... (having already nibbled on cea, and it left him a bit famished)... He looks about but see's Rita has nae left a New Years Pie or anything on the table to cool... frowning he walks back into the main hall and spies a wrapped package near the hearth... walkin' to it he bends and reads the bit of parchment laid atop...  " FOR TIM, FROM THE CHILDREN OF FUSSEN HOUSE. ENJOY! "

Awww... that was sweet o' her...

Opens the box and looks inside... it is filled with all sorts of Christmas cookies... selecting an iced one that looks like a Christmas tree he bites the top off of it and says...

Mmm... good too... this will do nicely... Thank you Aurora and children...

Packes up the box and heads upstairs with it... thinks cea might need a little sugar as a pick-me-up as well... chuckling

[Sir Kyle]

January 13, 1321

Last night lava and I were interrupted in the gardens while playing on the thick ice that covered the fountain. We were joking about David and Brooke, the two statues that had to be freezing since they're naked.

What I heard was whimpering and moaning that appeared to be coming from behind the nearby shrubbery. We walked our way back there to find Nova curled up in the fetal position hugging a tree. She was crying and blathering about an uncle she thought might kill her because she'd allowed that stranger, Lord Dragonis, to kiss her.

We finally consoled her enough to get her back in the castle and lava had Rita bring Nova some tea. We calmed her down, told her we would protect her from her uncle, gave her a mug of rum to help her sleep. Rita took her up to an empty servants room in the tower and tucked her in. I place one of Tris' guards at her door.

We'll learn more after Nova gets some sleep and calms down. All we know is she ran away from her uncle. Her mother and father are apparently dead, killed in some distorted affair where men were fighting over her beautiful mother. Nova says her uncle thinks she's cursed like her mother and he doesn't want her associating with men, period.

[Sir Kyle]

I was extremely pleased to learn that Lord Gray has found his way back to MacLaaran. We've kept His 4th floor chambers clean and waiting.

I saw Him spending the evening wi' Lady Alexis who also returned and has been busy cleaning up that old farm East of the castle that She shared wi' cyn for a while in the past.

I am a tad concerned about Dami's absence. We know Will is worried.

Last night Tris offered Nova a shot at replacing ceanna as the head waitress in His Velvet Hammer. cea is too busy dealing wi' other things and recommended the change. I think Tim was even happy wi' this idea. More time in the sack, Tim?
 

[TimTheEnchanter]

Coming downstairs before dawn... covering my mouth with my left hand as I yawn, my right hand firmly entwined with cea's slender fingers.  We meet seth at the foot of the stairs wondering if the man does ever sleep. We answer his question about belongings, and he sends two other servants upstairs to fetch the large trunk that we have packed our things into.  We were comforted by lava's assurance the night before that our chambers would remain "just as we left them". 

Looking around the darkened hall... quiet now... how different it seems with no laughter, no conversations, no ferrets... chuckling to ourselves as we cross to the light spilling from the scullery.  We can hear Rita in there fussing with breakfast.  Poking our heads into the scullery we hear her say that she's packed a lunch for us already in a hamper, lunch for Davie and the guards as well in a separate pack, and that she won't hear of us leaving before we eat some breakfast.

After a breakfast of oatmeal, honey, and tea we give our thanks to Rita.  She hugs the stuffing out of both of us and we chuckle at the contrast to chasing us out of the scullery with the wooden spoon that we usually get from her.  With tears welling in her eyes she sends us on our way with the food making sure we know that she wants that hamper back... Good old Rita.

We make our way back through the main hall to the door... cea canting a head back o'er her shoulder... looking around like she may never see the place again.  She grabs my arm tight and we exit Castle MacLaaran.  The two servants have already carried the large trunk from our chambers and are just now lashing it to the back of the covered carriage that Kyle was kind enough to arrange for us.  Davie is sitting up top with a scone stuck in his mouth.  He hops down quickly, and wiping the crumbs from the corners of his lips opens the door for cea.  I help her up and into the carriage and then follow her inside, thanking Davie and handing him the packed lunch from Rita for he and Tris's two guards.

Davie closes the door to the carriage and both cea and I look out on Castle MacLaaran as the dawn light breaks over the hill and lights the facade.  It really is a beautiful castle.  We will miss her.  Davie snaps the reigns, and the horses step quickly... the carriage turns... and we are on our way, first to Glasgow and then ... Ireland.