Passage to Paradise

[madtinker]

"mama says if we go outside the wall the beasties will eat us up!"

"Is that what I say?" a plump, dark haired woman asks as she reaches the too of the stairs. "what ideas are you filling their heads with this time Tobias?"

[Manwhoisthisman]

"Today, the same as you; outside the wall is dangerous."

[madtinker]

"What happened out there today? We just saw a whole group of hunters coming into town."

[Manwhoisthisman]

"A... larger than usual clawfoot came up to the wall. It probably smelled the crew of oxen. Anyway, everyone was able to get inside the wall and the archers managed to convince it to leave."

[madtinker]

"How much larger?" Devian has finally made it up the stairs. "Some of those men looked like they had been struck dumb by Pelor himself."

OOC

Spoiler

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We can fast-forward through family dinner, etc. if you like. No rush though; this background stuff is cool.

[Manwhoisthisman]

"It was big, almost as tall as the wall if you can believe that."

Spoiler: OOC

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I think this is the most I've gotten to really roleplay in a play-by-post game. I'm usually not very good/into the roleplaying in person, but I have been enjoying this very much and I think it really fleshes the character out.

[madtinker]

Devian whistles through his teeth while the others gasp in surprise.

"Wow. Thank Pelor the wall held." a pause. "It did hold, right?"

OOC

Spoiler

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oh good, I felt the same way.

[Manwhoisthisman]

"It did. I'm sure you'd have seen a lot fewer hunters walking back if it hadn't." I wave my hands a bit dismissively, "But enough about that for now, there's dinner to be had. Anything interesting happen here while I was out?"

[madtinker]

Everyone murmurs, in semi-unison. "Thank the light."

Sasha tugs on your hand, "I have a loose toof!" she exclaims excitedly while wiggling one of her cuspids.

"Sasha, it's rude to talk with your hand in your mouth," Loren reminds her.

"And Ivan pushed me when we were playing, and I fell down and tore my pants," interrupts Igor, showing a scabbed-over knee and shredded pants.

[Manwhoisthisman]

I chuckle some. "Hey, that's a good one." I say to Igor, and then turning to my mom, "Mom, do we have an apple for Sasha? That always used to work with me."

[madtinker]

"after we eat i'll look for one. Now come on everyone, the chili's getting chilly."

Laughing at her own joke, your mother sits next to your father at the head of the table.

[Manwhoisthisman]

I also chuckle at the pun and take a seat at the table, much better prepared to eat clawfoot this time.

[madtinker]

The others take their places as well, and the steaming chili is passed around with fresh bread. It's a hearty meal, and at the smell of home cooking you remember that you haven't actually eaten all day. Spoons busily move food from bowls to mouths; your father is the first to speak.

"So, Tobias, does your adventure today mean you'll be joining the hunters?"

[Manwhoisthisman]

After getting a good start in on the chili myself, I answer, "I'm not sure. I learned a lot today, but I'm not sure I'd be happy with it... I dunno, what do you think?"

[madtinker]

"You need something more exciting than tapers Tobias. Tom seems to think you'd make a fine hunter. I just want to see you doing something you enjoy, and I know it won't be candles."

Your mother glares at him. "Jonas, don't encourage him. Couldn't you arrange an apprenticeship with one of the other craftsmen?"

[Manwhoisthisman]

"Probably, I've done enough errands around town that most folks feel I'm useful enough. Maybe I should talk with Father Feodor about it."

[madtinker]

Your mother seems to like that idea a lot better. "He is on the council, he would know what we will be needing in the next few years."

Your father nods. "A fine place to start. Anyway, you're probably too old for an apprenticeship."

Devian joins the discussion. "You could become a coppersmith. I've had a few ideas on how to make candles more visually appealing. I just need someone who can work in metal."

[Manwhoisthisman]

I chuckle softly, "You're always coming up with ways to make candles new. That's good though. I still think that if you perfected your clock candles you could convince Father Feodor to use them for evening services."

[madtinker]

"I'm still waiting on Pyotr the tinsmith to make my molds, and I need a better parting compound that doesn't mix with the wax. I'm almost there you know."

"When did he say he'd have those new molds?"

"He's having trouble getting them round. Said the trouble was in the long solder joint. I may have to settle for a much shorter candle. And then there's the trouble that the drippings of the upper half will change the burn time of the lower half. That's why the reverse taper is so important. But my calculations show that you will be able to accurately tell time to the nearest quarter hour for ten hours or more."

Your father nods proudly. "You'll keep this place in business for years to come Devian."

Loren snorts into her chili. "For all his talk of candles, he had better. Can you imagine Devian as a miner?"

[Manwhoisthisman]

"I can imagine him in a mine... selling candles." I say with a wry grin.

[madtinker]

"miners need candles too. Especially need them, in fact, " Devian says defensively.

"now boys, that's enough. We're proud of both of you. And your brothers too, bless their hearts. Now Loren, help me clear the table so we can have some dessert."

[Manwhoisthisman]

I'll hop up and help out as well.

[madtinker]

The bowls are cleared quickly, and after a few minutes at the wash basin all is clean.

Your mother bends over the ice chest and pulls out a beautiful cream pudding topped with berries from the garden and slices of pear preserves.

"A double helping to Tobias and Loren for helping with the dishes," she announces while setting it on the table.

[Manwhoisthisman]

Perfect! After I've gotten my dessert I'll try to sneak the extra bits to Igor and Sasha's bowls.

[madtinker]

It's a delicious dessert, perfectly chilled and it melts in your mouth. It's too yummy to ruin with words, so it is eaten in silence except for your father's "Delicious as ever luv."

You're pretty sure your mother winked at you as you tipped the extras to your niece and nephew, but nobody says anything. Sasha and Igor excitedly gobble up your gift.

[Manwhoisthisman]

I'll once again help with dishes when the dessert is done.

[madtinker]

With the dishes cleared away your father reaches for his accordian case. "who's up for a tune?"

[Manwhoisthisman]

I smile, I do enjoy watching dad play but, "I think I'll try to catch Father Feodor before it gets too much later. Don't let me put a damper on the fun though."

[madtinker]

"I thought you were going to wait until morning," your mother protests.

[Manwhoisthisman]

After a moment of thought I say, "Perhaps your right, it won't hurt to wait until morning."

OOC: Trying to find fun accordion music on pandora/grooveshark.