Light 6

Light and Moray were finishing up a lovely dinner. [3/9/2014 11:26:26 PM] Nation: ((Whoops, sorry.)) [3/9/2014 11:26:48 PM] Nation: But yes! The salmon was very good. [3/9/2014 11:27:27 PM] Light: Dessert? [3/9/2014 11:29:54 PM] Nation: Moray smiles. "... the mousse is very good, if you have a sweet tooth." [3/9/2014 11:30:50 PM] Light: ... I may possibly have eaten too much fish. [3/9/2014 11:33:02 PM] Nation: Moray: I'm going to order some dessert myself. You can share mine. [3/9/2014 11:33:31 PM] Light: Oh, that sounds good. Thanks. The salmon was good, though. You were right. [3/9/2014 11:35:26 PM] Nation: Moray smiles. "I told you." [3/9/2014 11:35:58 PM] Nation: The waiter comes along and clears your plates, and takes the dessert order:  Moray orders some coffee for both of you and some mousse. [3/9/2014 11:36:10 PM] Nation: Moray:  The dessert coffee is quite good. [3/9/2014 11:37:29 PM] Light: That does sound nice. I hope it's not too strong, though. [3/9/2014 11:38:45 PM] Nation: Moray shakes her head. "No.  And they put rasberry essence in it." [3/9/2014 11:39:18 PM] Light: Good. Up all night otherwise. [3/9/2014 11:40:15 PM] Nation: Moray smiles. "Couldn't have that, could we?" [3/9/2014 11:42:18 PM] Light: I get pretty cranky without any sleep. [3/9/2014 11:42:46 PM] Nation: Moray:  That's good to know. [3/9/2014 11:42:52 PM] Nation: She smiles slyly! [3/9/2014 11:44:23 PM] Light: Light smiles back, pretty much completely oblivious. [3/9/2014 11:46:04 PM] Light: You don't, I take it. I can't really imagine you cranky. [3/9/2014 11:46:34 PM] Nation: Moray:  I'm used to going without sleep. Running my various enterprises is very time-consuming. [3/9/2014 11:47:40 PM] Light: Tell me about all these enterprises. [3/9/2014 11:48:34 PM] Nation: Moray:  It is, I'm afraid, extremely boring. Various charitable trusts and business ventures, investments, that sort of thing. [3/9/2014 11:49:07 PM] Light: You think you're boring? You're incapable of being boring. I'm pretty sure. [3/9/2014 11:53:07 PM] Nation: Moray:  Oh, I'm not fishing. I'm not saying I'm boring, just my business ventures. It all amounts to those things that rich people do to get richer. [3/9/2014 11:54:14 PM] Light: ... I have absolutely no idea what rich people do to get richer. Does it involve breaking kneecaps or just a lot of shouting? [3/9/2014 11:55:10 PM] Nation: Moray:  Mostly the kinds of things I spoke of a moment ago. You give money to people who are trying to make money themselves, and if they're successful, you get your money back and then some. [3/9/2014 11:56:37 PM] Light: Investing. [3/9/2014 11:57:51 PM] Light: ... If you donate to St. Bathory's I may have to fill out conflict of interest forms. [3/9/2014 11:58:18 PM] Nation: Moray:  There are forms for that? [3/9/2014 11:59:34 PM] Light: *darkly* There are forms for everything. There are forms for buying forms. [3/10/2014 12:02:05 AM] Nation: Moray:  I'm rich. I have people for forms. [3/10/2014 12:02:13 AM] Nation: Moray:  Would you like me to buy you some money? [3/10/2014 12:02:45 AM] Light: Is that how it works? [3/10/2014 12:05:03 AM] Nation: Moray:  Well, it was intended as a joke, but now that I think of it, yes, that *is* how it works. [3/10/2014 12:05:36 AM] Light: That kind of magic I can't do. My money doesn't multiply, it just gets spent. ... mostly on books. [3/10/2014 12:06:30 AM] Nation: Moray:  Oh, yes? You must have quite a collection. [3/10/2014 12:07:46 AM] Light: It's only not hoarding because they're shelved. [3/10/2014 12:10:30 AM] Nation: Moray:  That's the line, eih? [3/10/2014 12:11:16 AM] Light: ... *neatly* shelved. [3/10/2014 12:15:16 AM] Nation: Moray:  Fair enough. So people with big libraries can't be hoarders? [3/10/2014 12:15:43 AM] Light: Oh, they can be, I'm sure. [3/10/2014 12:18:53 AM] Nation: Moray:  I'll have to get your opinion on mine. [3/10/2014 12:19:07 AM] Light: I'd like to see that. [3/10/2014 12:21:48 AM] Nation: Moray nods, and the waiter brings the dessert and the coffee. [3/10/2014 12:23:00 AM] Light: Light sips the coffee gratefully. [3/10/2014 12:24:26 AM] Nation: It's rather good, for coffee! Rasberry flavored. [3/10/2014 12:28:44 AM] Light: Different, but still recognizably coffee. You're right again. Are you ever wrong? [3/10/2014 12:30:00 AM] Nation: Moray:  The key to never being wrong is to only speak authoritatively on subjects you know. [3/10/2014 12:31:04 AM] Light: What don't you know about? [3/10/2014 12:32:31 AM] Nation: Moray:  Oh, many things. I don't know how to cook. Or swim. Or ride a bike. Or a horse. I don't know anything about animal husbandry. [3/10/2014 12:32:54 AM] Light: I bet you have people for all those things, though. [3/10/2014 12:32:58 AM] Light: Light tries some of her mousse. [3/10/2014 12:34:37 AM] Nation: It's good! It's velvetty and chocolatey. [3/10/2014 12:35:36 AM] Light: That is very good. But very rich. [3/10/2014 12:36:52 AM] Nation: Moray smiles. "That's why one serving is enough for both of us.  So, after we're done here, back to my place?" [3/10/2014 12:37:56 AM] Light: Aha, willing to let me see the paintings? [3/10/2014 12:38:38 AM] Nation: Moray:  of course. And you'll give me your pseudonyms. [3/10/2014 12:39:41 AM] Light: All of them. [3/10/2014 12:41:07 AM] Light: Light smiles. [3/10/2014 12:43:14 AM] Light: Let me ask you a question--is there anything you *don't* have people for? [3/10/2014 12:44:15 AM] Nation: Moray:  Hmmm. Like what? Give me an example. [3/10/2014 12:45:45 AM] Light: Deciphering spellsword techniques is obviously one, but there must be others. [3/10/2014 12:50:45 AM] Nation: Moray:  Oh. I thought you were speaking more specifically. Well, most of my academic hobbies I take care of myself. I also insist on preparing my own tea. [3/10/2014 12:52:43 AM] Light: Ah, but do you share it, is the question. [3/10/2014 12:53:40 AM] Nation: Moray:  Of course. Most people find it a bit strong, though. [3/10/2014 12:54:13 AM] Light: I will take you up on that challenge. [3/10/2014 12:56:13 AM] Nation: Moray smiles. [3/10/2014 12:57:55 AM] Light: Light puts his (empty) cup down. [3/10/2014 12:58:25 AM] Nation: She sips at hers. [3/10/2014 1:00:39 AM] Light: Light watches her. [3/10/2014 1:07:58 AM] Nation: She eyes you over the brim of her cup! [3/10/2014 1:08:14 AM] Light: Light smiles. [3/10/2014 1:14:33 AM] Light: You really are lovely, you know. Intelligent and witty. [3/10/2014 1:20:49 AM] Nation: She smiles. "Why, thank you.  I feel much the same." [3/10/2014 1:21:44 AM] Light: I assure you, you're very far out of my league. [3/10/2014 1:21:55 AM] Nation: Moray:  I wouldn't say that. [3/10/2014 1:22:31 AM] Light: No? [3/10/2014 1:22:50 AM] Nation: Moray:  Well, I'm here, aren't I? [3/10/2014 1:23:10 AM] Light: Somehow. [3/10/2014 1:23:42 AM] Nation: Moray smiles. [3/10/2014 1:23:55 AM] Nation: She finishes off her coffee and asks the waiter for the check! [3/10/2014 1:24:15 AM] Light: I'll catch the next one. I hope there is a next one. [3/10/2014 1:25:49 AM] Nation: Moray:  Almost certainly. [3/10/2014 1:26:03 AM] Nation: Moray:  You can choose the venue, if you wish. [3/10/2014 1:27:34 AM] Light: I'll keep that in mind. [3/10/2014 1:29:02 AM] Nation: Moray smiles and pays the bill! [3/10/2014 1:30:17 AM] Light: Light lets her, because he is not insecure in his manliness. [3/10/2014 1:33:04 AM] Nation: Moray stands and brushes her skirt off. "My carriage is outside.  Shall we?" [3/10/2014 1:33:53 AM] Light: Of course. Do you mind if I take a moment to send a message to a friend? [3/10/2014 1:34:59 AM] Nation: Moray smiles. "Of course.  I'll need to make a driver anyway." [3/10/2014 1:35:28 AM] Light: ... I'd like to watch you do that, though. [3/10/2014 1:35:51 AM] Nation: Moray nods. "I'll wait, then." [3/10/2014 1:36:52 AM] Light: Light sends a message to Rust asking him to meet Dr. M. at the proper place, and that if he can't, he should ask Feather to, but in either case, be careful. [3/10/2014 1:38:36 AM] Nation: Okay! Rust sends an acknowledgement back that he retrieved the message. [3/10/2014 1:38:51 AM] Light: Light steps outside with Moray. [3/10/2014 1:39:50 AM] Nation: It's raining! [3/10/2014 1:40:32 AM] Light: Light puts his hat on. [3/10/2014 1:40:45 AM] Light: Light also conjures an umbrella and holds it over her head. [3/10/2014 1:41:33 AM] Nation: She smiles. "Thanks.  Rain, good.." She goes over to where the carriages and stuff are parked, and pets the horse. [3/10/2014 1:42:08 AM] Light: Light watches her, quite curious about her methods and materials. This is an area of magic that he's only dabbled in. [3/10/2014 1:45:02 AM] Nation: She intones a spell, creating an area of intense cold out in the rain. As the rain falls in that area, it freezes, eventually forming a humanoid shape. [3/10/2014 1:46:09 AM] Light: Clever. [3/10/2014 1:46:31 AM] Light: You make them of earth and water; do you make them of fire and air as well? [3/10/2014 1:47:50 AM] Nation: Moray:  I can. Air golems are largely useless, as they're made of air. Fire has precious few uses beyond combat situations. Ice typically isn't useful except in the short term, but it looks impressive and I find I want to show off to you. [3/10/2014 1:49:00 AM] Light: I'm flattered. And it *is* beautiful. [3/10/2014 1:51:10 AM] Nation: After a couple of minutes, the ice-man seems finished, and Moray touches its head, which glows brieflly, before climbing up to take the drivers position. "Shall we?" [3/10/2014 1:52:16 AM] Light: Light offers her a hand up into the carriage, still holding the umbrella over her head. [3/10/2014 1:52:55 AM] Nation: She takes it, and sits down. It's a very nice carriage. Small and intimate! [3/10/2014 1:53:56 AM] Light: Light climbs in next to her, vanishing the umbrella. [3/10/2014 1:57:40 AM] Nation: The carriage lurches into motion, and Moray leans against Light! [3/10/2014 1:58:11 AM] Light: Light smiles, and puts an arm around her. [3/10/2014 2:10:58 AM] Nation: You ride through the city! She's quietly content. [3/10/2014 2:11:55 AM] Light: You have an unusual specialty, magicwise. [3/10/2014 2:14:35 AM] Nation: Moray:  I suppose I do. When I was a child I would animate my dolls. [3/10/2014 2:15:26 AM] Light: I don't think I'd've thought of that. How intelligent can you make them? [3/10/2014 2:17:33 AM] Nation: Moray:  It depends on the material used in their construction, and howl ong I spend on the construction. [3/10/2014 2:17:57 AM] Light: What do you use them for? [3/10/2014 2:20:43 AM] Nation: Moray:  Small errands, mostly. [3/10/2014 2:21:31 AM] Light: Dealing with importunate college professors? [3/10/2014 2:22:29 AM] Nation: MOray:  That's a good example, yes. [3/10/2014 2:23:17 AM] Light: Light smiles. [3/10/2014 2:23:31 AM] Light: I'm rather glad you decided to do it personally, though. [3/10/2014 2:29:04 AM] Nation: Moray smiles back, and the carriage takes you uptown to her apartment. [3/10/2014 10:36:07 PM] Light: Light mostly keeps his attention on her. [3/10/2014 10:37:47 PM] Nation: You go uptown to your fancy apartment, where a doorman comes along with an umbrella to usher you inside. [3/10/2014 10:40:20 PM] Light: Light cooperates with this and tries not to look impressed. Mostly this works. [3/10/2014 10:40:56 PM] Nation: Light has in fact been here before, at their first face to face meeting. [3/10/2014 10:41:59 PM] Light: Light *exactly.* [3/10/2014 10:42:59 PM] Nation: You go up to her apartment! Luckily, you do not find Rust baking in there. [3/10/2014 10:44:12 PM] Light: ... I half expected to find Rust baking in here. [3/10/2014 10:44:55 PM] Nation: She looks at you. "You're not kidding, are you? [3/10/2014 10:45:32 PM] Light: No. [3/10/2014 10:47:39 PM] Nation: Moray: Well, thank heavens for that, then. [3/10/2014 10:47:47 PM] Nation: She sets about lighting the place up! [3/10/2014 10:48:50 PM] Light: Light watches her, and pulls his coat off. [3/10/2014 10:50:12 PM] Nation: She comes over and offers to take his coat!  "Make yourself at home, I'll put the kettle on." [3/10/2014 10:51:57 PM] Light: Light hands her his coat. [3/10/2014 10:52:38 PM] Nation: She takes it and hangs it up in the closet, along with her own. [3/10/2014 10:54:02 PM] Light: Light watches her; when she leaves, he'll look at the books, or the art. Whatever there is of either. [3/10/2014 10:55:29 PM] Nation: There's a couple of bookshelves here in the sitting room, lots of general-interest sitting room books - books of art, books about magic and famous casters, that sort of thing. [3/10/2014 10:56:26 PM] Light: Hm. [3/10/2014 10:58:46 PM] Nation: It's all very tasteful and neutral -- this is where she met you that day, it's probably where just just meets people in general. [3/10/2014 11:00:07 PM] Light: Hmm. [3/10/2014 11:01:05 PM] Light: Light keeps looking at books until she returns. [3/10/2014 11:01:49 PM] Nation: She returns with the tea tray and sets it down on the small table. [3/10/2014 11:04:03 PM] Light: Mind giving me the grand tour? [3/10/2014 11:07:30 PM] Nation: She smiles. "Of course not.  The kettle is enchanted, it'll stay hot." [3/10/2014 11:10:58 PM] Light: Excellent. [3/10/2014 11:11:14 PM] Light: Light smiles. He's nervous. [3/10/2014 11:11:45 PM] Nation: So she takes Light around her apartment, showing him her office, which doubles as her library. [3/10/2014 11:12:23 PM | Edited 11:14:22 PM] Light: Light examines the books. [3/10/2014 11:13:22 PM] Nation: There's a lot more esoteric stuff in here, really, lots of rare volumes. [3/10/2014 11:14:34 PM] Light: Hm. I'd love to get my hands on some of these. [3/10/2014 11:16:11 PM] Nation: Moray:  Well, you're welcome to borrow one, if you'd like. All of my rarer books are return-enchanted. [3/10/2014 11:17:43 PM] Light: Good. I'd hate to think I could forget something like that, but it could happen. [3/10/2014 11:18:35 PM] Nation: Moray opens a door, to a small bedroom. "Here's the bedroom, but I fall asleep in my office more often than not." [3/10/2014 11:20:28 PM] Light: I like your office. [3/10/2014 11:22:44 PM] Nation: Moray smiles. "You just like that every vertical surface is a bookshelf. [3/10/2014 11:26:01 PM] Light: Light grins. [3/10/2014 11:26:07 PM] Light: Well, yes. I do. [3/10/2014 11:29:37 PM] Nation: She also has a really nice desk, very ostentatious, probably one of the showier pieces of furniture in here.  The rest of her stuff, while very nice, is not exactly elaborate or fancy. [3/10/2014 11:30:05 PM] Light: Beautiful desk. [3/10/2014 11:32:52 PM] Nation: She smiles.  "It was my husband's. It's enchanted to repel dust." [3/10/2014 11:33:55 PM] Light: ... clever. [3/10/2014 11:35:27 PM] Nation: Moray:   It's a very handy enchantment.  Dust gets into all kinds of nooks and crannies. [3/10/2014 11:39:11 PM] Light: It does, and spells don't deal with it well, either. Apparently definition is the problem. [3/10/2014 11:41:38 PM] Nation: Moray:  This is just enchanted to repel particles of solid matter of a certain size or smaller. [3/10/2014 11:43:02 PM] Light: Hmm. [3/10/2014 11:43:08 PM] Light: Dust and crumbs. [3/10/2014 11:43:25 PM] Light: Not a good bench for working with magnetic filings and the like, though. [3/10/2014 11:44:46 PM] Nation: Moray:  No.  But I don't work with those things on the desk -- just paper and ink, largely. [3/10/2014 11:48:18 PM] Light: Light has a very brief moment in which he contemplates ravishing her right there on the desk. But manages to put that right out of his head. [3/10/2014 11:48:22 PM] Light: Still. A nice study. [3/10/2014 11:54:15 PM] Nation: It would leave very little incriminating evidence. [3/10/2014 11:55:53 PM] Light: Light quashes that thought. He is not a babarian. And desperately doesn't want to ruin this. [12:01:04 AM] Nation: She then shows you the dining room, and kitchen. She shows you her tea cabinet, which is extremely fragrant. [12:02:00 AM] Light: That smells wonderful. [12:02:07 AM] Light: Light doesn't even dare to think about *that.* [12:07:37 AM] Nation: She smiles. "Do you approve of my collection, then?" [12:08:01 AM] Light: I do. But you haven't shown me the paintings yet. [12:10:11 AM] Nation: Moray:  I thought you wanted me to show you around. [12:12:23 AM] Light: There's more? There's more. Of course. I forget that not everyone has a very small house. [12:15:38 AM] Nation: She smiles, and takes you out to a covered terrace that doubles as a bit of greenhouse. [12:16:19 AM] Light: Wow, that's beautiful. Fruit all year-round without magic? [12:16:46 AM] Nation: Moray:  My husband's hobby; I have a bit of a black thumb. [12:18:03 AM] Light: When did he... [12:20:54 AM] Nation: Moray:  He died about five years ago. [12:25:26 AM] Light: ... probably the wrong topic of conversation. Sorry. I was just curious. Who maintains it now? [12:28:11 AM] Nation: Moray:  Oh, the maids do. They don't mind;  I've asked them. [12:28:27 AM] Light: Light inspects the flowers. [12:29:57 AM] Nation: They're nice flowers! But DM doesn't know flowers that well. So they're pretty. [12:31:19 AM] Light: Some lilies. [12:32:42 AM] Nation: Moray smiles. "Well then.  Shall we?" [12:33:53 AM] Light: Light takes her arm in a gentlemanly way. [12:36:32 AM] Nation: She lets him, and you go back to her office. [12:38:19 AM] Light: Light does not pour the tea; that's usually the host's job. [12:40:32 AM] Nation: The tea is in the sitting room, still! She goes to her desk and opens up one of the draws, pulling out some parchments! "Okay, you asked for it." [12:40:48 AM] Light: I did. [12:43:55 AM] Nation: She hands them over! [12:45:09 AM] Light: Light inspects them, curiously. [12:46:35 AM] Nation: They are awful. Unquestionably awful. Splotchy and barely recognizable in terms of their subjects. Though you think that one is a clown. [12:47:22 AM] Light: Hm. It's a start. Are you drawing first or just painting? [12:47:52 AM] Nation: Moray:  Just painting. And you're kind to say that. [12:49:06 AM] Light: You should get an instructor if you don't have one. You'll get a good grounding in the basics. Or punch your instructor in the face and switch to a new hobby; either way... [12:49:55 AM] Nation: Moray:  Well, I enjoy it either way, isn't that the point? Like I said, I never anticpated showing anyone. [12:51:16 AM] Light: True. It's up to you, of course. If you like it better on your own, there's no need. [12:51:37 AM] Nation: She smiles. "Well then.  You've seen mine." [12:53:27 AM] Light: I was hoping you'd forget. Well, let me just... fetch. [12:53:57 AM] Light: Light uses a retrieval spell and ends up holding three books of short stories and two magazines. He hands them all to Moray. [12:54:59 AM] Nation: She takes them, fascinated! "Let's go back to the sitting room." [12:57:00 AM] Light: Light nods, and heads back there! And because her hands are full he does pour the tea. [12:58:02 AM] Light: Light pours hers first, of course, and hands it to her. [12:58:24 AM] Nation: It's very good tea. I don't know tea enough to be more specific, but it's good. She sets the books down on the couch and takes the tea. "Thank you." [1:00:11 AM] Light: Light sips it with a happy little sigh and sits on the couch next to the pile of books. [1:00:37 AM] Nation: She takes one of the magazines and starts flipping! [1:02:45 AM] Light: ((It's a magazine full of stories and art and poetry by various different people. He hasn't used his own name at all, but his pseudonym is the name of an early caster, joined with that of an early philosopher, so it's not that hard to work it out.)) [1:05:31 AM] Light: ((He writes genre fiction, and he's reasonably good at it. Mystery, science fiction, space travel and, well. One of the books is full of romances.)) [1:06:25 AM] Nation: Moray:  ... well, aren't you full of surprises? [1:07:04 AM] Light: Light blushes when she gets to that one. [1:09:14 AM] Light: ... I have two in that one. [1:09:45 AM] Light: ((The romances are more historical than the others, and also fairly character-driven. He's not a bad writer.)) [1:11:31 AM] Light: Light sips his tea. [1:14:39 AM] Nation: Moray:  You're very good. Why write under a pseudonym? [1:15:09 AM] Light: The school wouldn't like it. ... particularly not the romances. [1:17:58 AM] Nation: Moray:  Why not those in particular? [1:18:12 AM] Light: They're all full of sex. [1:20:27 AM] Nation: Moray:  ... again, what's wrong with that? [1:21:04 AM] Light: Light reddens. [1:21:11 AM] Light: Uh, well. Schools are conservative. [1:22:59 AM] Light: We're all supposed to be stuffy and tedious and full of virtue. [1:23:43 AM] Nation: Moray:  Hmm. I see. That's too bad. Though its a good way to avoid all the groupies. [1:24:08 AM] Light: I wouldn't have groupies. For one thing, they think a woman wrote that. [1:26:06 AM] Nation: Moray:  I mean the pseudonym is a good way to avoid the groupies. [1:26:50 AM] Light: ... it's not that good. [1:28:36 AM] Nation: Moray:  They're very good. [1:29:12 AM] Nation: Moray:  I'm thinking about chaining you up in my sex dungeon after reading the romances. [1:30:59 AM] Light: Light chokes on his tea, and sputters incoherently, covering his mouth with a napkin to cough. [1:32:38 AM] Nation: Moray laughs lightly. "Of coruse, I'd need to build one, first." [1:33:44 AM] Light: Light 's eyes water and he wheezes a little bit. "Of course. *hem*" [1:36:59 AM] Nation: Moray giggles a little. "The look on your face is priceless.  I wish I was a better painter." [1:38:08 AM] Light: Light smiles a little bit. [1:38:19 AM] Light: ... I'm... just glad it was a joke. [1:39:38 AM] Nation: Moray:  Mostly. I *am* thinking about asking you to stay the night. [1:40:47 AM] Light: Light blushes all over again. [1:41:36 AM] Nation: Moray:  How would you reply? [1:43:06 AM] Light: ... I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Is that going too fast? [1:44:25 AM] Nation: Moray:  I don't know. I rather like you. And I'm a fairly direct person. [1:45:54 AM] Light: ... thankfully. I just... have a habit of messing this up. [1:48:44 AM] Nation: Moray:  .. habit? I didn't think you did this so often. [1:50:08 AM] Light: Every couple of years? [1:51:44 AM] Light: Sometimes the first date goes well, and then... nothing. [1:55:22 AM] Nation: Moray:  Oh, I see. Well, I'll leave it up to you, then -- you can stay, or you can go. Either way, there will be a second date, I promise. [2:02:25 AM] Light: You promise? [2:03:10 AM] Nation: Moray smiles. "Of course.  You're far too interesting." [2:09:30 AM] Light: Light leans over and kisses her. [2:10:59 AM] Nation: She kisses him back! [2:14:20 AM] Light: Light will not be going home tonight. At all. [2:14:42 AM] Nation: Curtain! Nation