Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: alden@coos.dartmouth.edu (Laurie F. Alden) Subject: [L&S] Welcome! Message-ID: Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1993 22:58:59 GMT Two Catamount kegs were rolled to the shaded portion of the porch, one Gold, one Amber. A keg of sweet cider was already in place beside it. Serene smiled at the freedom to stock her own bar... Sweet strains descended from the upstairs balcony. The minstrels whom Luthor had commissioned had arrived the evening before and rested themselves in the ample, airy attic. Now, filled with savories and sweets from the hearty breakfast spread, they began preparing for a day of music-making. "Lady!" called one of the musicians down to the lawn where Serene was dressing Mista and generally fussing over her daughter. "When will the other musicians be here? We want to discuss placement, acoustics, timing, and the overall course of the music mood..." "In truth," said another, "we are curious to hear their music and see this new form of dancing..." "I appreciate your concern, gentles, but I am not sure when the others will arrive. It is a strange and magical journey, and I can make no guarantees. I asked that they forgo their trip if the least danger presented itself." Serene shook her hair free, delighted to wear it down, in non-working mode. She scooped up Mista and scanned the horizon for weather patterns. Gossamer folds of tropical colours swirled in her skirts and shifts, setting off the jewel green of the lawn. "Does this mean that we'll get to hear elven minstrelsy throughout the festivities?" Luthor had approached form eastward. "I was looking forward to your musicians, my dear, but I will bask in the music which is familiar to my heart..." Serene smiled suddenly. A thick cloud filled the western garden and quickly receded. Five people with various bits and pieces of equipment stood, slightly baffled, squinting int he sudden brightness. One of them spotted the barmaid and hailed her. "S'rayna!" He beamed, set down his load and opened his arms. Serene ran to the group and burrowed straight into his embrace. "I was so worried about you folks!" She smiled broadly. "Hey, Harl, you were right!" The newcomers crowded around Mista. There was much ribbing and jostling. "I tole you there was a bun in th'oven!" "Well, ain't she a cute little critter!" Soon, the baby was cradled in the tall woman's arms and Serene had been picked up and set on the shoulder of a particularly burly fellow. The woman stared at the baby and back again, clearly baffled. One of the men called, "She sore enough looks like her pappy!" Serene giggled and twisted like a cat to the ground. "Oh? Yes, I would agree, but who do you think her daddy is?" There was a bit of silence. "It didn't work, Harl. She ain't telling. No matter how much we pry, she just isn't giving away who beat us to her!" The woman looked up with a slightly pale face and Serene moved close to take Mista back. Quietly she said, "But no one... I mean, this is definitely your baby, but you still... " Serene smiled and nodded. "You're right Winona. Your eyes aren't tricking you. Everything's as it was. We'll talk later." Moving back to address the group. "Folks, I'm rightly glad to see you here. There's a bunch of other music-makers waiting to play, so if you'd set up over on that big stretch of green, I'm thinkin' that's the best place to form up the dancers. Harley, what d'you think?" She gently herded the group with her words and her body into action. Luthor looked on grinning. Trust Serene to be able to slip into the dialect of anyone she wished, to make anyplace feel like home. He moved over to her. "Rightly glad?" he twinkled. Suddenly he pointed to Winona, who was carrying a pole tied to a quite large basin. "Serene, what on earth is that? What have you brought here?" His housemate twinkled like the bit of burnished starlight on her finger. "That, Lord Luthor Anside Eveningstar, First Shade to King Permus, is a gut-bucket." 'Gut Bucket?' Luthor thought to himself, 'Well, maybe it's for the Dwarves when they get sick from too much drink.' He kissed Serene on the forehead and parted saying how much he was looking foreward to expanding his musical horizons as it were. The first guest arrived, Bob Littlefair from the Dragons Inn. He came with a bottle of wine. Luthor spotted the wine and was a bit confused. "Bob, you didn't have to bring your own drink, we have plenty here for everyone," Luthor told him, gesturing to the banquet table filled with a variety of food and drink. "The wine is for you Luthor, it's a housewarming gift." Bob replied holding the bottle out for him. Luthor accepted it. "What a strange custom. It'm my party, I should be the one giving gifts," Luthor said, but quickly added, "I thank you deeply Bob. I'm sure it's an excellent wine. Enter my home and enjoy yourself. Tell Serene or me if there is anything you need. By the way, are your parents coming?" Bob had been entering the house and turned back. "We are here in shifts, someone has to mind the bar now that Serene's away. Mother will be coming in the early evening and Father will come around midnight. That's okay, isn't it?" "Certainly Bob, I'm honored that you all took the time to come to this celebration. Thank you." Luthor bowed deeply (which had always made Bob chuckle, this time was no different). With the bottle in hand, Luthor caught up to Serene who was in the midst of making some last minute arrangements. In the background, the Contra band was warming up to play the first set. "Serene, could I have a word with you?" "Sure, what's the problem?" "There is no problem. It seems that the Littlefairs have given us a 'housewarming gift'. Is this usual or a special case since you used to work for them?" "Luthor, it's customary to bring a small gift to a housewarming party." "Oh, I didn't know that when I invited the whole inn. I hope they didn't think I was expecting to get presents...how embarassing." "Listen, you are worrying about nothing. If they bring a gift, accept it, if not, then things are fine. I'm sure everyone knows by now that you are not a greedy man. They will understand." Notes of strange music filled the house bringing a wide smile to Serene's face. "Do you need me for anything else? I need to stretch for a while before dancing." "No, I'm fine. Thanks Serene." Luthor walked away toward the front door to greet more guests...and there were plenty as the Rablle had just arrived. "Luthor, this party idea is daft!" The Captain was clearly exasperated with the Golden Elf. "You said yourself that and Serene have enemies. I have been in Generica only a short time and even I have heard tails of Mista's kidnapping. And now you want a party. You want to open your house to everyone in the City. What are you thinking of!" Luthor grinned. Serene giggled. Mista stared up at him with wide eyes, and reached for his beard. At least SHE understood the risk her mother and godfather were taking. Mista smiled, a bubble formed on her lips, then broke. And then again, she probably doesn't... "My friend, my enemies are after me whether or not I'm having a party. I, no, We, refuse to live in isolation because of what someone else thinks or does. Serene and I wish to share the joy of our new house with our friends. And with the number of people we expect, it is highly unlikely that anyone will try something serious." "Alright, but I want you to be clear on what you could be opening yourself up to. When something goes wrong, I reserve the right to say 'I told you so.'" With a broad smile on his face, Luthor said "Granted! Now what can we do to minimize any problems?" "My aide, Sargent Alketus, will be here shortly with the rest of our belongings from the boarding house. At that point he will be at your disposal Serene. When you or Mista need to rest, I want him guarding the room. You are to find him when you need him; is that understood?." Serene nodded. "Good. Luthor, you should be able to take care of most things yourself, so I have no such instructions for you. I will be circulating among the guests, but feel free to holler if you need me." "Now about the gifts. You have already received several arrangements of flowers plus a jeweled crown. If the people of Generica are anything like those at home, this is only the beginning of a flood of gifts. Anything other than the flowers should be put in back room, and an acknowledgement card should be put on the hall table." The Captain raised his hand to cut off Luthor's objection. "I know, I know, the rules of etiquette and the rules of security are often at odds. I said the gifts SHOULD be placed in a back room. However, if they are placed in the first parlor off the main hall, the guests will be able to admire your gifts, and one of us will be able to watch them and the main room at the same time. Without more guards that is the best we can do. Is that an acceptable compromise Lord Luthor?" "Now, is there anything else I should know about? You have already told me you are expecting a 'vampire', a 'ghost', and a 'troll'. I do hope there will be no ogres. They and I do not get along well. Any odd eating habits, say, I should know about before I try to separate a guest from his hors d'oeuvre?" "And please, next time you throw a party, would you try to give me at least 24 hours notice?" Welcome, One and All! -- lfa@dartmouth.edu |There's a little bit of dog hair Stat Consultant - Dartmouth College |in everything we do. Chief of Design - JourneyGarb |