It had been many, many years. I looked in the viewing portal, and noticed a link that bore an old and familiar name. Being in a somewhat fey mood, I touched it, and allowed the pull to take me across distance, perhaps even time. The Inn -- not entirely the same, but not different to any great degree. Where/when was this?
I settled into lotus, sitting just above the hearthstone. My back near the facing of the fireplace, the mantel above; it seemed a safe vantage point from which to observe.
Of the many Inns that have been, this one had the closest to the oldest memories I carry of the place. There was the mix of the intriguing and the disreputable, the varieties of over-indulgence in intoxicating substances, and conversation of variety and depth. M'Lady Rynieyn was kind enough to greet me, and to talk of many things, past and present. (Why she thought that I'd look askance at her beliefs was a puzzlement, for I've never favored the conventional in all my days...) DarkmereAlcar was another familiar sight, and I was introduced to the Doctor, and to a delightful youngling, who, once assured that I was neither scary nor a predator, sat near me for a discussion of the nature of virtue.
The Minotaur was about, one Horam by name, behaving as one has known others of that race to do. Late in the evening, though, there was a surprise -- Lady Rynieyn engaged him in a weaving conversation and got a kiss for her trouble. It seemed to delight her a great deal.
The hour grew late, and I took my leave, but I shall have to return -- it as been too, too long. Perhaps others of the far past will turn up, perhaps a new beginning is.
I settled into lotus, sitting just above the hearthstone. My back near the facing of the fireplace, the mantel above; it seemed a safe vantage point from which to observe.
Of the many Inns that have been, this one had the closest to the oldest memories I carry of the place. There was the mix of the intriguing and the disreputable, the varieties of over-indulgence in intoxicating substances, and conversation of variety and depth. M'Lady Rynieyn was kind enough to greet me, and to talk of many things, past and present. (Why she thought that I'd look askance at her beliefs was a puzzlement, for I've never favored the conventional in all my days...) DarkmereAlcar was another familiar sight, and I was introduced to the Doctor, and to a delightful youngling, who, once assured that I was neither scary nor a predator, sat near me for a discussion of the nature of virtue.
The Minotaur was about, one Horam by name, behaving as one has known others of that race to do. Late in the evening, though, there was a surprise -- Lady Rynieyn engaged him in a weaving conversation and got a kiss for her trouble. It seemed to delight her a great deal.
The hour grew late, and I took my leave, but I shall have to return -- it as been too, too long. Perhaps others of the far past will turn up, perhaps a new beginning is.