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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 22, 2018 21:37:25 GMT
The inner courtyard of the Draegyr household is a shady area surrounding a garden. Micaela sat on a stone bench covered with a cushioned chair but looked up as the servant announced Jonarth. "Master Dabrezzio. Welcome. How have you been?" She put a ribbon in the book to mark her place then set it aside.
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Post by Jonarth Dabrezzio on Dec 22, 2018 21:42:54 GMT
Jonarth looked around and silently took it in. His own house in the Valyrian quarter was a suitable but small stone structure with some design but no courtyard. For his extracurricular activities the opacity suited him, but he did enjoy a good view of the sun. “Please, my lady,” he said, “call me Jonarth. I’m not exactly a master of anything.” He smiled at her. “What are you reading?”
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 22, 2018 21:52:54 GMT
"Valyrian poetry," she said. "Come sit with me. There's plenty of room. What brings you here today?"
Indeed, the bench was easily big enough to fit Jonarth as well as Micaela and her book. A short distance away, Byka could be seen swooping around the plants.
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Post by Jonarth Dabrezzio on Dec 22, 2018 22:04:10 GMT
Jonarth took his seat and drew a small bottle of plum wine from his bag. “Do you like plums?” He asked. “I think the sweetness suits these humid days quite well.” He lets her decide whether she wants some or not then he continues on. “I talked to Lord Santygar,” he said. “We came to an arrangement.” He decided to see her reaction before he continued.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 22, 2018 22:10:18 GMT
Her face visibly brightened. "Oh good! Plum wine sounds very good. I'll have some glasses fetched and then we can drink while you tell me about the arrangement."
She called for the maid by ringing a small bell, and told the woman to bring two glasses.
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Post by Jonarth Dabrezzio on Dec 22, 2018 22:22:39 GMT
As they waited, Jon started talking. “The gist of it is that I’m fronting the gold for at least one ship, hopefully two, and enough swords to keep the expedition safe. Well, hopefully,” he amended. “We will have supplies for about a month and our first order of business is setting up an outpost near the waterfall so we can see what is there, map the area, and hope we find something to pay for more searches,” he said. “It’s probably not the grand quest you are hoping for?” He said the last as a question, looking at her profile as they sat next to each other.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 22, 2018 22:28:17 GMT
"Not exactly, but it's a start, and that's what counts. What about the passage the priest told us about? We have to think about that."
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Post by Jonarth Dabrezzio on Dec 22, 2018 22:51:09 GMT
Jonarth modded. “Like I said, I want to set up an outpost where the waterfall meets the river, or as secure a spot as we can find, then move inland. Haste is our enemy,” he added. “And we can’t afford for this to fail.” He frowned slightly. “We will have to pick the expedition members carefully. Baelor could have as elaborate a setup as he wanted but he got careless. I don’t plan on getting either careless or greedy.” He rubbed his jaw. “I assume you plan on coming?” He didn’t sound overly thrilled at the idea.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 22, 2018 23:21:03 GMT
"Of course. I think I mentioned that before. This is my chance to do something big and meaningful." Her face was set with determination. "I'll learn much more being present. Besides, if I stay behind nobody outside the Society will give a fig for my role in the beginning of this. I'll be forgotten. I mean to be taken seriously," she said.
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Post by Jonarth Dabrezzio on Dec 22, 2018 23:29:09 GMT
The innkeeper nodded along. “I see,” he said thoughtfully. “I’m making a list of everyone going and their jobs, necessary supplies, and the like,” he noted. “I’m not sure how they used to do this but I want to be as methodical as possible.” He grinned. “So how can you help the expedition and what will you need?”
The plum wine was a very light and sweet one, nothing that would overpower the tongue on a brutal hot day that they often got.
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 23, 2018 8:27:16 GMT
She met his gaze coolly. "I'll keep a journal of our activities. I'll sketch flora, fauna and any interesting landmarks. I'll be bringing Daerion, who will help to protect us from danger, and Byka too. I should think even a small dragon would be of some use if we're threatened by natives."
She paused to sip her drink. "I'll need a supply of paper and ink, charcoal for drawing, and perhaps, some method of bringing samples of plants and flowers back for further study."
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Post by Jonarth Dabrezzio on Dec 23, 2018 16:07:39 GMT
“Have you ever tried your hand at actual cartography?” Jonarth asked. “Writing supplies will be easy enough, do you happen to know how to use surveying equipment? If we can get a good map of the areas we explore then returning will be even easier.” He looked at the cat sized dragon. Hopefully it didn’t try fighting a particularly large bird or anything. “I’d just hate for you to get hurt.”
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 23, 2018 16:21:35 GMT
"I appreciate the concern, but I'll be damned if I sit at home like a caged bird while everyone else has an adventure." She smiled mischievously at him. "I've never drawn a map, but I've seen a few in my time, certainly enough to know how they are drawn, and the common symbols used by Volantene cartographers. I've never used surveying equipment, though I sure I could learn easily enough. It can't be difficult to take measurements and so forth."
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Post by Jonarth Dabrezzio on Dec 23, 2018 16:53:02 GMT
Jonarth nodded. “That’s be extremely useful,” he said. “I know you and your friends are doing this for adventure and research and curiosity. You’re well aware my purposes are mostly more mundane. Not,” he added, “that I don’t think it will be interesting.” He grinned at her. “But interesting doesn’t keep the bill collectors at bay.”
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Post by Micaela Vaenys on Dec 23, 2018 17:01:34 GMT
"You don't need to tell me that," she agreed with a laugh. "I'm hoping to make a profit as well. My pride won't permit me to write home to Father for financial aid. I think Mother would insist I came back home, instead, and I don't wish to go. But I'll need funds if I'm to remain here as long as I please. So perhaps our goals are not quite as different as they seem."
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