Day 21: Celebrate Toilday the 9th Lamashan, 4707
Savah asked me if I would be willing to give her a massage, and I agreed immediately. I told her that I had a trick that I wanted to try, that it might take me about thirty seconds to get ready, but that I didn't think that she should have anything to worry about. She told me that she never felt the need to worry around me. I did some chicanery with my prestidigitation power to make a nearby wall damp, then collecting all of the moisture from it. She rolled over onto her stomach. I used my prestidigitation power then to transmute the collected moisture to massage oil, and then heated it a little. I started to give her a good massage, as best as I could anyway.
She really seemed to enjoy it. She rolled over when I was done and asked where I got the oil from and I explained the process. I told her that the best thing about this is that it should go away in an hour and not cause any staining or permanent issues. She told me that it seemed like a really good work around for stuff. I told her that I would have given up just about anything to be able to do this back where I was from. She smirked and said what, give a woman that desires you a massage? I said that wasn't a bad thing either. She asked me to repeat the trick and she motioned for me to lay down on my stomach. I decided to close out the file and do so.
Today is my last official day of vacation from work. As from now on, I'd only have personal days. Well, that was if I was ever going to make it home. I know I fell asleep while Savah was giving me the back rub, and I think that she rolled me over and cuddled up to me. I woke up and she was next to me still. When I woke up she stirred. I apologized that I fell asleep like that and she just shrugged. Savah told me that I probably needed the sleep and that she had already agreed to not do anything with me, no matter how much she might have wanted to last night. I thanked her again for her patience. She grumbled playfully and accepted it.
I got dressed in my sleep clothes and helped Savah into hers. We all went upstairs to the ESR and Jonathan was in the kitchen already, making breakfast. Shayliss was here as well, enjoying coffee and some sweetmeats. I noted to Jonathan that we definitely needed a refrigerator. He looked confused, as did everyone else in the room. I told them that it was an invention from my world where we kept food cold to keep it from going bad. Faunra was amused by our solutions to problems without magic.
I told him that it would probably be much easier with magic than recreating a functional refrigerant system from scratch. I noted that it would difficult to get everything to the right specifications, but adding the fact that I would need create a refrigerant, which the easiest one would be Ammonia. They let me trail on as Faunra and Dame Rebekah came in. I told them that I would try to get everything set up early so that we could get all four armors done today. Dame Rebekah raised an eyebrow, and asked four?
I told her that it wasn't right that just Savah had something from my world to keep her safe. I was figuring that we would get sets done up for Chelger, Shayliss, and Shalelu. I had no reason to not have the ones we loved able to be as protected as we were. I noted that we could get even more done if we had something capable of cutting the fabric. Faunra pulled out an arrowhead that had a little stone dust on it. She nicked the flexible portion of her armor and it cut with a little difficulty. I inspected the cut and Savah smiled. I used my mending powers to get it back to the proper condition. She looked at me a bit odd and said that she thought the armor was self-repairing.
Savah told her that the hard plates were because they contained living metal. I smiled at her and told her that she was exactly right. The Boron Carbide was just extremely hard and durable. Savah said that if we had a few more of those arrowheads we could easily do the cuts that we need and make the things even easier. I told them that we could make this process a lot quicker if we had people who were skilled tailors and seamstresses too. I told them that we could look at this in the future. Right now, we needed to get the ovens up and going. Savah and Jonathan went with me, with him getting the large amounts of coal needed to be loaded into the two largest ovens. Savah got her oven lit shortly after I did. I cheated and used magic, she didn't. I considered her to have won because of it.
I worked with her to get the fabric coated quickly but thoroughly. I didn't want to risk it with using magic for this part. She smiled at me while she slathered the mixture on her set of fabric. I smiled back to her as I did the same. Jonathan lifted the panels of fabric and put them into place quickly and easily. We got both of the sets of fabric set up, a copper coin in each of the depressions, and shut the tanks up. We tested each of the tanks for leaks with some smoke and then purged the containers with the Argon. Jonathan moved the tanks in the ovens while Savah and me watched the ovens get up to temperature.
While the temperatures rose Savah asked me why we put the copper coins in the tanks. I smiled and told her that the temperature that was needed for the chemical reaction to occur was around the temperature that was required to melt copper. I told her that I used three techniques to judge the temperature of the material to make sure that it was kept at a consistent temperature. I told her that I monitored the color of the flame, because that told what the temperature was for the flames. She nodded and I continued, adding that I watched the color of the iron tanks. Also added that I had one last thing that I watched for, and that this was to watch for the glass melting. Since I could cool things down now, I could keep the process even tighter.
Savah thanked me for the explanation, and asked if I could write it up for her. I looked to her and thought that she was trying to get rid of me. I told her that I would get the entire procedure written down for her and Ameiko after we finish the four suits today. She must have noticed that it seemed like I was hurt, because she came over from her watching point to tell me that she'd like to have me more free to pursue other, more important, activities with a smile. I thanked her for the reassurance. I told her that I did promise to get her the procedure. I must have been avoiding it so that I was still of importance to her.
She looked me in the eyes and hugged me tightly. She told me that I mean more to her than a new type of armor, even if it is magnificently cheap and quick to manufacture and still strong enough to be a competitor to steel. I leaned in to kiss her and she kissed me back. She said that even if I didn't have this process, she'd still be with me. I thanked her again. We went back to watching our tanks and she asked me minor questions about how it would be observed in my world. I told her that we had methods of telling the temperature that were more advanced than what I had rigged up here.
I told her that back home, the temperature would be regulated by a system that would adjust the flow of a gas that was being burned to keep the temperature steady. She nodded and asked if that meant that people didn't need to keep close watch over the process. I told her that with the Argon, we had some leeway with the temperatures, since it would keep the material from bursting into flames. She nodded and asked me a completely different question. She asked me if I was just stringing her along. I looked at her oddly, because I just didn't understand what was wrong. I asked her if she was worried about me leaving?
It took a minute for her to answer, but she quietly said yes. I told her that she knew what my decision would be. She had gotten the answers from both me and Odin. I was staying here, with her if she was willing. She looked a little dubious at that. I told her that I would be perfectly willing to go to another priest of Abadar to prove anything that she wanted, if that would help. I told her that I wanted to try to get this deal with the Barghest out of the way before we went further. She asked me why. I blurted out that I didn't want to propose to her before I left and have her end up engaged to a dead man.
She looked at me processing it. I realized what I had said after the fact. I pulled out the ring that was in a box. I told her that I was just trying to find the right time. She was silent for a good minute. I passed my eyes back and forth from her to the fires and back. She walked up to me and asked if I was serious. I told her that I had told Cyrdak that we'd be getting married at the Crystalhue event. She was silent as she reached out to me. I asked her if her not saying anything is a no. She damn near crushed me when she hugged me, even with the fact that we both wearing our armor.
She said yes. I asked her if the yes means yes it's a no, or yes you will marry me. She put her finger in front of my lips. I slid the ring on her hand and she ran off. She didn't tell me where but I continued looking at the fires. Jonathan told me that he couldn't handle the squeeing in the break room. Chelger and Shayliss were both here and both chiming in at different times about different things. He figured that since she was in here, I might be the only one in the workshop keeping an eye out for the ovens. I thanked him for coming in to help. He laughed and said he wasn't in here to help, just to get away from the racket. I welcomed him in anyway, and offered him a dew cooler, as I had determined I'd call the process I developed of making a large area of something damp and then collecting all of the dew into one area, and then flavoring, then cooling. My personal favorite so far was Dr. Pepper. I offered him the fake Dr. Pepper, and he said that he'd prefer something different. I gave it a thought and repeated the process but made a fake Mountain Dew.
Jonathan loved that and I muttered that it figured. He hung around for a bit and asked if there was anything that he could actually help with. I told him that it would be a big help to move the bed and everything up from the round room to his old room. He told that he would do so for another flavor of the drink. I asked him what kind, he said to surprise him, and headed out in the direction of the stairs going down to the catacombs. I got a few empty mugs from nearby and cleaned them out. I worked for few minutes getting them filled with conjured water and then flavored them a few different mountain dew flavors. I didn't like them but I expected him to. Livewire, Baja Blast, Code Red, White Out, and Throwback. Then I added a sneaky competitor, Cheerwine. I hoped that he would like the latter, but I didn't expect it. He came back through the doors and didn't have the bed with him. I was a bit upset but I didn't even have one of the drinks yet, so I kind of brushed it aside. He continued walking out through the back of the workshop onto the beach area.
I kept alternating between working on the drinks and monitoring the tanks. Savah rushed back in and leapt up on me. She looked me straight in the eyes and said yes. She kissed me as Jonathan opened the back doors of the workshop again. He had a ball of sand a little more than four feet in diameter floating behind him. He continued past us as Savah continued kissing me. I hope that I had not pissed him off or something. After a minute or something, he came back through and repeated the process again. When He came back up the third time, he had the bed and was floating it to the room. Savah looked a little weirded out by this and I suggested that she just wait for him to get back.
Jonathan came back and noted that he recognized the howls as being like those Yes Hounds that we dealt with in Thistletop. I asked him if he meant Yeth Hounds? He said oh, so that's how you pronounce it. I thought it was just a lisp. He grabbed one of the drinks, Livewire. He nodded appreciatively. He said that he'd be heading back and forth for a bit, so we might want to keep an eye on the first. Savah nodded and went back to looking at her fire. She sat right next to me though. I smiled and held her hand as I watched mine. Every second time that Jonathan came back through he'd get a drink and try it out. Turns out he liked Baja Blast the most. Cheerwine was a miss after all. Occasionally one of us would have to stoke the fires a bit or add more coal.
I mentioned to Savah that I could probably make a system to make a gas that would make this easier on us. She asked if it would be easier for the people who might replace us watching this. I told her that if I took enough time, then yes. She told me that we'd get whatever we need from Magnimar the next time we went to the big city. I thanked her for her vote of confidence. She smiled and said that she wanted me more to herself than in front of this.
I told her that the biggest thing that I would need to get going is pipe threading and tapping technology. She asked what that was, and I used my prestidigitation to make a small drawing of how when you make the pipe and cut these grooves into it, another pipe can attach to it and form a good seal. She nodded and said that it would take longer if we couldn't use magic but she was sure that Pug would know who to go to. I had forgotten to go to Pug to get some of those caster gauntlets. I asked if she could hold down the fort for a minute while I got my tablet to make sure I wrote down these notes to remind myself.
It was close to noon when the first two batches of Boron Carbide cloth were complete. Shayliss and Chelger were already there so Dame Rebekah and Jonathan got their fittings done while Savah and I got the next batches put in. I had enough Argon to do a complete refill and not too much more, so we hot racked the first batch out. Faunra and I cooled the tank's interior enough to get the next batch in and sealed up before I put the Argon in to replace the oxygen. It was close but it looked to work. We got the tanks back into the ovens and back up to heat. I took the materials that were required for the hardening of the armor and mixed it up. I asked Shayliss if she wanted anything specific as an emblem or icon on her armor. She looked over to Jonathan and said three daggers pointing in. I showed her the example design, and both Jonathan and her approved. I set the copper material into place and asked the same thing of Chelger. He gave me a holy symbol and I installed it onto the hardening plate. I told the both of them should be done by evening meal. Chelger and Shayliss were both appreciative but noted that they had to go deal with other things.
Jonathan and Dame Rebekah volunteered to keep watch over the next shift of oven observation while Savah and I caught a break. I got some drinks set up to bring to Dame Rebekah and Jonathan, and Faunra headed out to get Ameiko and Shalelu to notify them of their fittings. Savah went to our new room to check it out and make sure that everything was okay. I came back in to the break room from dropping off a fair amount of snacks and drinks and started updating my notes again. After a minute I heard Savah clear her throat. I looked up to see Savah waiting in the door way to the break room in her satiny bed clothes. She just beckoned with her finger and I followed her into our new room.
It was just before evening meal when the four of them, Ameiko, Chelger, Shalelu and Shayliss got back to the Armory. Savah and I had taken back over as monitor duty as Dame Rebekah noted that she wanted to get us set up with some different food options. Jonathan was heading out to help her. They locked up behind them and it was just Savah and me, alone. Savah looked happy to have more time with me.
She asked me when the first time I felt that I might die here was. I told her that I had just been attacked by the Vargouille in the catacombs below. I was told that there was a disease that could cause me to become one of them. I went on to finish off the combat and sat through six hours of being in absolute darkness before it was determined that I didn't have the disease. I told them that it might be wise to have someone with the ability to magically determine if someone has a disease in town to minimize the possibility of spreads.
She asked me if I felt worried about this Barghest. I told her that of all of the things I had fought so far, this was the first to make me run in terror. I granted that it was due to a spell, but the laughter after that was just as terrible. The little that I had seen in the room had not worked to help with the situation. She nodded and rested her head against my shoulder. Neither Savah nor I had never gotten re-equipped after our chance to have a "break". I showed her my new party trick of transforming air to moisture, then collecting the moisture, then cooling it and then flavoring it. She nodded but said that Dr. Pepper was a bit to acrid for her. I nodded and said it was an acquired taste. I offered her what Jonathan had tried before, and over the course of a few hours she tried every soda type that I had ever drank.
She said that she didn't mind the Cheerwine but she liked the Birch Beer and that one Chocolate Soda that I had a long time ago. She asked if there was a way to have this stuff handy whenever. I told her that it would be a little unlikely, but that I'd look into it. She smiled and said that she would like that. I told her that I might not be able to get the bubble effect, but the flavors are something that Jonathan could probably work on. She accepted that. I added that it might be a good gimmick option for his Tavern. Savah asked, speaking about Taverns, where were we going to eat tonight?
I told her it was up to her, but that I'd really like to spend what could be my last meal before the battle with my friends and family. Savah looked a little upset at first, and I told her that I really did treasure my time with her. She smiled a little. I told her that we could go somewhere if she wanted after the dinner. I'd love to just have her with me where ever we go. I think that helped a little. She told me that she just wanted tonight to be special. I apologized that I had wanted to plan a special night, where I would introduce her as my fiancée and everything. Savah noted that she would like that. I thought for a second and asked if she would like us to have another night at the theater, since our first date was there? She looked like she would be okay with that. I told her that we can check with the others if she'd like or not. She said that all four of the engaged couples should show up together. I asked, all dressed up. She smirked at me and said maybe just her dress up, but that should be later. I smiled at her and we kissed.
We continued our watch and made sure that the process was a success. Ameiko and Shalelu showed up with Faunra just in time to for the fitting. Ameiko was a little impressed with the adaptions that we have made to the process to make it easier and more efficient. By making whole blocks of the material, we can cut out what we need and use the boron carbide threads to stitch up the sections. Faunra did most of the measuring and fitting. I mainly got the materials mixed up and ready. Both Ameiko's and Shalelu's armors would be done by tomorrow morning.
Savah nudged me, and I asked Faunra and Shalelu if they had any plans tonight. They responded that they didn't, why? I told them that we should all go to the Sandpoint Theater, since we could use a night out before heading off to certain our certain demise. I added that Ameiko is of course invited as she was there for our first time heading to the theater. Ameiko said that after what I did the Cyrdak yesterday, she wouldn't miss this for the world. I asked Ameiko if I entered into a conflict that I didn't know about by my actions yesterday. She told me that she never liked to fight a battle against someone who didn't know they were fighting. She said it with a smile. I asked if I should expect the same from Cyrdak. She said that from what she knew of him, it could only go one way.
I told them that Savah and I had to get ready for this, and asked if they could notify Jonathan and Shayliss that we'd all be going to the Theater tonight. I took Savah to the ESR and told her that I didn't know if I could keep up with the two of them. Savah looked at me and told me that she believed in me. I thanked her but told her that I didn't know why. She said that I had such great ideas from my home-world that it would easily put me in the lead. I thanked her again for the vote of confidence. We got dressed with only minimal distractions, and I got everything pressed, cleaned, and coifed as needed. I even scented some of the clothes. I told Savah that she looked stunning as I helped her put her necklace on. I cautioned her that once we got Dame Rebekah to consecrate the rings, if either one of them took them off the other's ring would break. The same would also happen if the other died, but that we'd be able to tell the difference. She asked me if I was serious about this and I told her of course, as I helped her into her fox fur stole, especially after earlier. She had joy and happiness in her eyes when she looked up at me.
We walked out and saw Faunra and Shalelu both dressed up very nice as well. They told us that they had gotten word to Jonathan and Shayliss and that they were going to be meeting us there, since they were now living much closer. I raised an eyebrow, and they told me that after the sea salt evaporator came through and people started buying the jerky flavors, Faunra noted that she still like the fruit leathers, Ven had a much better appreciation of the wishes of his daughters. Especially after Banny Harker asked him for his Daughter's hand in marriage.
Ven had actually permitted Shayliss to live with Jonathan, especially after the show we performed yesterday. Putting Titus in his place seemed to warm us up to some of the common man. I thanked Faunra for the updates and told her that I was upset that I had not been around to hear that. She noted that not much else was going on, but that there was a pair of carriages outside. We locked up the doors behind us and headed out to the carriages. The first one was the one that Faunra and Shalelu climbed into. It left and we had the last one.
We opened the carriage to see that it was very well appointed, with a complementary bottle of Raspberry Wine. I asked the porter who had sent this for us. He told us that he was specifically told not to tell us. I thanked him for his service and asked if there was anything mentioned about a tip. He told me that everything had been taken care of, and that if I did leave him with a further tip, he was commanded to report it and that the person or persons would make sure it got back to us somehow. I asked him if he'd be asked to pay anything back to the person or persons if I did leave a tip. He told us no with a smile, and I asked him to take us to the Barett's first. He was confused, but I flipped him a gold. He nodded with a smile and we got in.
We got to the Barett's house, and I kissed Savah hand as I exited the cab. I told her that I would be right back. I knocked on the door and someone I didn't recognize answer. She looked kind of familiar but I could not place where. She asked who I was looking for. I told her I was looking for Amele and Alergast. She shut the door and got her sister. I asked if everything was okay. Amele told us yes, her sister was just visiting from Magnimar. I asked her if her and her husband would like to accompany us to the theater. She was a bit floored and about to say no, when Savah jumped out of the cab and walked over. She told Amele that this wasn't a trick, or an insult. She told her that they didn't have to, but that her sister could watch the children for the night and that she'd like to have the two of them come with us.
Alergast got to the door, and I repeated the offer to him. They both kind of balked. I told them that if they really didn't want to go, we wouldn't pressure them, but that they shouldn't feel bad about clothes or anything. I added that we didn't care what they were wearing, that we just wanted to learn more about them and their issues in town. Alergast told us that he wanted to talk to his wife for a minute, and I added before they left that they didn't need to worry about paying for the theater or anything, we were covering it happily.
They closed the door and went inside. After a minute of waiting, I pulled Savah close to me and she rested her head on my chest. I told her that I always felt stronger when she did that. She looked up at me and smiled. We waited for a while longer and I was about to ask Savah if we should just knock and ask again or just leave when Alergast and Amele both were pushed out of the house in their Sunday best by Amele's Sister. We helped them both up into the carriage and I asked if they needed anything before we went to the theater. I They both declined, and I told the porter that we could head straight to the Theater. He nodded and we started off.
I asked if they would like some of the Raspberry wine. They declined at first, and Savah insisted. I uncorked the bottle and handed them the glasses. The took them carefully and I filled them both half way. The timidly took drinks and I told them that they can relax. Neither of us are royalty or even nobility here. Alergast asked why we wanted them to come to the theater with us. Savah showed Amele the ring and said that we were celebrating. Amele instantly got enamored with talking with her about every little detail. I am glad that some things don't change. I pulled Alergast to the side and told him that his family was the first family that my group helped after the Swallowtail festival. I said that it was kind of selfish for me, but that knowing that the people who I helped are still doing well helps keep me grounded.
Alergast nodded to that, and I asked him if he didn't mind telling me where he works. He told me that he is a farmer. I perked up and asked him what kind? I added that I was a chicken farmer back home. He looked a bit odd to that and asked how a chicken farmer could afford everything that I had. Savah and Amele were both looking at me at this point. I told everyone that I wasn't a full time farmer. I told them that I also worked outside of the house at a much larger building repairing things. Alergast nodded, saying that there's been times when he had to do the same. Savah smiled at me and said it was good to hear these little tidbits from my past that I just let slip out. Alergast added that he was a produce farmer, and that he mainly dealt with three main crops, being rye, wheat, and peas. I asked if he rotated the crops on a yearly basis and had a fallow field. He told me that yes, this was the prevailing custom. I told him that back where I was from, they had found a way to get rid of the fallow year by adding in a fourth crop. His eyes lit up when I asked him if he would like the details. I told him that I would get him the details tomorrow morning if he was available.
Amele asked how we met. Savah told the story of how she had seen the group fighting off the goblins at the Swallowtail Festival, and seen this oddly dressed man taking aim at the goblins and firing with his odd weapon. She said that she was smitten at first sight. I smiled to her and said that unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to see Savah when the Festival raid was occurring. I had seen her earlier but figured that she'd be beyond me. When we stopped by her Armory after, I seduced her into talking to me by offering to let her check out the rifle. She laughed and said that she still hasn't gotten a chance to see that gun and winked at me. I told her that I was holding out on showing it to her so that she didn't leave. I winked back at her. Amele and Alergast both laughed with us.
A few minutes before we arrived, I noticed that they were still acting a little self-conscious. I asked, and told them that it was okay to tell us anything, if there was anything wrong. Alergast said that they didn't feel that comfortable being here with us dressed up as much as we were and them not. I apologized and asked if there was anything we could do to make them feel better. Amele just said that she had wished that she had a chance to get the clothes washed and pressed first. Savah asked me if I could give their clothes a once over. I said that I didn't mind if they were okay with it. The both of the Baretts were confused by this and I volunteered to do Alergast's clothes first, before making any moves towards working on his wife's. Alergast accepted and I started using my prestidigitation power to clean and press all of his clothes and him, top to bottom.
Amele was impressed when I styled his hair, all without moving. I conjured a mirror for him to look at and he was a bit taken aback. He asked how I had done that and I told him that I think that my deity gave me the ability to use these powers and that I was trying to use them for good as best I can. I asked if he was willing for Amele to undergo the same process. He asked if I saw anything that I did. I told him no, that I just kind of wished that it everything in a space this big, motioning for a one-foot cube, was cleaned before working on his hair. His hair was all that I had really needed to look at. He said that he was okay with it as Amele was. She nodded, and I gave her the same treatment. When I got back to her hair I whispered to Savah, asking her advice.
She gave me a recommendation, and I got the hair done up in that design. I conjured another mirror and showed Amele while Alergast looked as well. They were both happy with what was done. I told them that I had one more thing that I could do, but that it would require touching a part of their clothing items. They could decide which. Alergast lifted his arm, and I used my mending power when I touched his shirt. It was restored to pristine condition, I touched the base of his trouser leg and did the same. He thanked me. I asked if it was okay to do the same for Amele, and they both said yes. I touched the hem of her dress and it was like she had just bought it.
I told them that I had been given these powers by my god after I had helped the people of this town so I thought that I it would only be proper to use the powers to help them further. They both smiled and thanked me. I told them that they were welcome, and then Savah asked if Aeron was going to be attending the Turandarok Academy when he gets a little older. Alergast noted that they were planning on him being a farmer. I said that it was an honorable profession, and a much needed one. I offered to get them as much information as I could to help them out. I told him that where I was from, we had learned things that helped farming and that I would help them all in whatever ways I could. I looked to Savah and gave her a "we should table this look". She nodded and just as fate would have it, we arrived at the Theater.
I was wearing my tuxedo, top hat, oxfords, and I had added my enchanted cape. The one that makes me look like a prince. I stepped out of the carriage before Alergast could do so and motioned for him to come out to. We both helped Amele and Savah out. Savah took my arm and Amele took Alergast's. We walked to the Theater, and the attendant escorted all of us up to the balcony, giving us a table. We sat down and Cyrdak asked to see me privately. I told Savah that I should probably take my lumps and that I should be fine. We got off to an area that seemed acoustically dead. I noted this and he told me that it was designed as such for moments just like this.
I told him that if he killed me that Savah would be very cross, since I just proposed to her today. He smiled and told me that he just wanted to explain what the situation was. Apparently he discussed this with Ameiko earlier and they decided to include me in on their little game. They had been making the town think that they hated each other to see who was the better actor. I had apparently stumbled into this game so thoroughly that I couldn't be extricated without massive effort. He said that I had a choice now. I could either try to join their game and it could be a three-way hate thing, or I could try and extricate myself. I thought about it for a second and offered that I might have a different solution. He told me that he was listening.
I told him that where I was from was famous for the concept of hate-gifting. I added that it was the concept of giving every more extravagant and thoughtful gifts to shame the other person into doing the same. Basically, one person would give a rival a gift, even with everyone knowing that they were rivals. That forced the rival to try and think of a thoughtful gift for a person that they hated, and try to make it even more thoughtful and extravagant, to make that first person have to think even harder about the perfect gift. Cyrdak looked at me and thought for a second. He blurted out that I really do come from an insidious group of people, don't I? I told him that where I was from, they could turn the phrase "Bless your heart" into an insult. I told him that I haven't mastered the perfect delivery yet, but that I was taught in the ways of the masters, with a wink.
I did caution him to not go too big at first, but to try to work it up slowly, so that we had a long time to continue the shadow play. He nodded that it did seem logical. I also told him that if we were going to do this right, it did have to be spread out to be that one of my master strokes was when we got the Proctor to show up for Crystalhue. He told me that it would take some work, but that he'd talk to Ameiko for it. He also noted that it would mean that we couldn't be friendly in public anymore. I told him that this was the best part. Another aspect of the kind of hostile hospitality is that you can be outwardly friendly while still being rivals. It could just be an evolution of the shadow play that they are currently facing. Especially if a newcomer ended up messing up the power dynamic between you two. I mean you trying to steal me away from performing at Ameiko's could be the origination of it. Wait, you've already done that.
Cyrdak smiled at that. I told him that I can't act for shit, but that I can still spin a good yarn. I can "talk" to people in such a way as to spread the preferred narrative. I added that in similar situations, a short détente might even be expected, as each person gets their bearings in the new power dynamic. He said that he'd propose it to Ameiko and that one of their agents would get back to me. Before we left the plotting space, he told me that he really was thankful for that proclamation that I had gotten and that it was the best gift that I could have gotten them as a wedding gift. I told him that they deserved happiness, that as my elf friend had told me, life is too short even for them. He laughed and said that we should get out of here. I asked how he wanted to leave. He said that we should probably make it look good. I noted that Savah would have to be my contact because she'd have to know that I didn't ruin our celebration on purpose.
He told me that he'd keep it on the side of hospitable and not throw us out or anything, but that him and Jaspar were going to have to ignore us for the rest of the night. I told him that was fine, and that I'd try to second fiddle his performance. He nodded, got himself composed, and rushed out of the alcove. He looked back at me and asked me how I could work for Ameiko like that. I told him that I was a performer and that I'd work for whoever paid me for my performance. He told me that I better remember that I had a show this Fire day coming up and that I better be ready. I told him to just get me the damn script, I'd be ready. We each huffed off to our tables.
Savah was worried for a second, but I told her it was fine, that there were no issues. She was a bit worried and I told her that I would go over it with her later. Alergast was a bit confused and I told both him and Amele that I was sorry for causing a scene. I told them that I had trusted Cyrdak to keep things professional, but that I still had a contract with him for a performance. They didn't have to worry about anything. They nodded and I asked if they would like anything to drink or eat. They were a bit confused and I asked them if they had any time to eat before they left. Alergast noted that they had not. I noted to Savah that we had not either. I whispered something to the attendant and gave them five platinum pieces and told them afterwards that they could keep the change if they got it here quickly. I told them that if there were any questions that they should tell them that it was me who was ordering. They grabbed another attendant and ran off. I called over another attendant, and asked them to get the other tables an order of drunkfish vittles each, and handed them five gold.
Alergast asked why I was spending as much as I did on everyone. I told them that I was ecstatic that Savah had agreed to marry me, and that I was going to make sure that there was nothing to bring her down. She smiled to me and gripped my hand under the table. It didn't take long for all of the drunkfish vittles to make it back to the tables. Cyrdak played his role masterfully by giving me a forced smile and a slight head tip. Dame Rebekah was there with Chelger and looked at me and was confused. I made the motion that it was okay, and she calmed a little. It was soon thereafter that the first attendants arrived back with the fondue set. The cheese was still hot, so we got right in to dipping the various things. Alergast was a bit skeptical at first, but I told him to just try it. There would be other food later.
I thanked the attendants greatly as they also produced the bottle of Director's Choice. They popped the cork and poured it out into four glasses. After all of this Alergast looked at us and asked what we really wanted. I told him that really, I was just trying to have them have a good night with us. Nothing to be required of him or his family except for them to try to enjoy themselves. He looked a little skeptical, and Savah noted that it was true. We were not looking for anything from them other than them being here and enjoying themselves. He asked if it amused us that the common folk were up here with us. I looked at him and told him that I was a chicken farmer back where I was from. I told him that I got here with no gold and only the silver that I still wore. I was not rich due to my own hands, but because I was lucky. I thought it that the only decent thing to do was to try to share our good times with others. I added that I valued the opinions of the common folk such as him and his wife over the opinions of nobles.
He seemed to accept that and it wasn't long before the show started. I didn't know how things were going wrong, but they were. I didn't expect anything but trying to make more friends, but that seems to be out the window. I looked apologetically at Savah and she just held my hand and looked back at me. We watched the show for a bit and the attendants brought in the steaks. They placed them in front of the four of us and set down some nice flatware. I thanked them and Savah and I started cutting up our food and eating. Alergast and Amele started shortly thereafter and they seemed like they enjoyed the food at least.
It was the show's second act before we were all finished with our meals. The attendants took away the plates and ran out. I told the Alergast that I had one more thing coming, but that if they didn't want to try it, it was fine. He looked to Amele and said that they would probably be more comfortable sitting somewhere else. I looked over to Jonathan and Shayliss, and he picked up on my look to come talk to me. I nodded and asked if he would be willing to swap tables with Alergast and Amele. He said that Shayliss and he would love to. They were seated with Ameiko and Bethana. I asked the Baretts if they would be more comfortable sitting with Ameiko and Bethana. They agreed and the swap was made. I told them that they could take the wine with them and they refused.
Shayliss and Jonathan came and sat down with us and asked how our celebration was going. I looked to Savah and she said that she was just happy to be here with me. I told her that I was happy as well, but that I was sorry I made a mess of things. It was then that the attendants brought a GIANT tiramisu to the table. The attendant whispered that Garridan had made some slight modifications and that he hoped we enjoyed it. All four of us dug in. It was splendid. Jonathan told me that I was right, Garridan can make this for the ceremony. I told him that he'd be busy enough that he didn't need to worry about dealing with baking all of this as well. He nodded.
We finished up the play with other people dropping by to congratulate Savah and me on our engagement, and to sneak a taste of the tiramisu. There was no way we could finish all of it. Ameiko was especially enjoying of it, and asked where I had it made. I told her that it was a secret, but that she would find out on Crystalhue if should could wait that long. She stormed off in a (mock) huff and I guess that the game is underway. Cyrdak asked about it after reluctantly coming over to try it after Sir Jaspar did. He asked about it, and I told him as well that it would be at the Crystalhue ceremony. He nodded and walked off. Ultimately, we got lots of congratulations, including from Amele. I told her that we were grateful for even having their company for the brief period of time that we did, and that they were free to use the carriage to get home. I looked to Savah and said that we were likely going to walk along the beach to get home. She thanked us and went back to her table, bringing back a little of the desert for Alergast to try.
We all filed out of the Theater with Jonathan and Shayliss asking if we would be heading to Cracktooth's after. Savah noted that we would probably be heading home, the long way. We bid the young couple well, and walked off down Festival Street to hit Water Street. We made our way down to the beach and walked in the sand with our shoes off. I looked to Savah and told her that I really only was trying to make friends with them. She told me that some people might not respond well to what I did, and that I put them in a hard situation, being that someone with money was imposing their will on the young family. I told her that I had not even thought about that, and that I hope that I find some way to make sure I don't do that again.
She laughed and said that she'd try to keep a better handle on me. I thanked her and we walked up the beach to the back entrance of the Glassworks. The door was ajar and there were wet footprints heading in and going back out. We looked around and couldn't find anything damaged or taken. The ESR was still locked. Our bedroom was still locked. The charging room was still locked. I knew that no one had taken their radios and all of the radios were accounted for. I looked at the downstairs and I didn't see anything disturbed. I told Savah that We should check everything from top to bottom. She agreed and we headed down to the catacombs. We went first to the round room and on the way saw that Jonathan had used the sand to fill in sections of the stairs going down. We didn't see any footprints down here but it only paid to check anyway. We checked out the rest of the catacombs before coming back upstairs.
We did a thorough search of the entire Glassworks and found no one or nothing. I realized that the back door must have been left unlocked when Jonathan had made those treks down to the beach to get the sand. I must have forgotten to lock it. Savah told me that we can let the watch know tomorrow morning. We got into the ESR and changed. It wasn't a quick process. We got to our bedroom and I got leave to finish writing this up before turning the table off and going to bed. Savah is laying there, fully naked laying stomach down, head resting on her hands watching me. I think that's all I need to add. Tonight.