Crisaryn Melkial

Continuing to work at shelling the nuts, Crisaryn nods politely to Lorelei at her compliment. She looks a bit uncomfortable though at it. "Thank you," she says tentatively. "It's not my usual style..."  Her eyes focus in on her task as she seems a bit embarrassed at the attention. Still sitting close by the fire, she turns herself so her back is to the flames. It only enhances the reflection of the light from the golden scales at her neck. 

"I think there might be some mead and mulled cider," she says softly to Lorelei. "And I think Lysana is offering dinner for us all." After a pause she asks, "Is Annabelle recovering well? She must be pleased to be back with her family." 

Lorelei Dawnwarden

"Yes, well I think so..." The young blonde priestess says softly, briefly staring at the glimmering scales of the other. "...I am happy for her and her parents, but I feel a restlessness over Strahd's continued reign of terror over these lands." She continues with a grim tone. "Some warm food and mulled cider would be appreciated though." She adds in a lighter tone, giving the other a brief warm smile. "Anyway, I wouldn't know the first thing about dressing styles, that was one subject my mentor never really brought up." She says with a small smile while shaking her head. "Perhaps one day I will learn how to enjoy myself. For now I would be content with admiring your beautiful golden scales, bright as the sun they shine in the light of the fire, quite extraordinary." She says with sincere appreciation, but seemingly oblivious to any possible reluctancy of the dragon sorceress to have them mentioned at all.

Illmirth 

When Ellis left to fetch his harp Illmirth grabbed his lute.  He sat cross-legged near the fire, plucking each string softly and listening with a practiced ear.  A little twist here, a minor tweak there,  and in a few minutes the lute was tuned to the bard's exacting standards.  He plucked the strings softly, humming a soft, sweet melody that brought to mind a sense  of tranquility and peace.

Crisaryn Melkial

Hearing Lorelei's comment, Crisaryn pulls at her blouse, seemingly trying to get the collar to cover her scales. It's not really effective. "Oh, it's... umm... well, really nothing," she replies in almost a whisper. "You're just being silly."  She turns a bit, perhaps in part to conceal the back of her neck, but also to catch a glimpse of the cleric. "You're teasing me, aren't you?" she asks, clearly embarrassed by the attention. 

Holding up the chestnuts, she glances about. "I probably should get these to Lysana." She moves as though to start to stand. 

Lorelei Dawnwarden

"Teasing you? No, why would you think that..." The young blonde priestess starts saying, but sort of fades out as Crisaryn moves to stand, making the blonde look down. She could sense vile and sinister deceptions easily, but when it came to simple socializing she had always felt so lost, and her feeble attempts to connect was nothing but a catastrophy. She wondered if an apology would be in order but settled for staying silent, more words would likely only make things more awkward, and there was quite enough of that already. Soon they would continue with their quest to overthrow the evil rule of these lands and then at least she would know what to do.

Illmirth

Illmirth's song for the Vistsni celebration.

Crisaryn Melkial

With Lorelei's silence, Crisaryn walks off to wherever she sees Lysana to hand off the chestnuts she had been working on. (Or wherever she thought Lysana might have gone.) She pulls her arms closer around her body as she moves away from the warmth of the fire. Once she does find the woman, she asks, "Is there anything else I could help you with?" 

Alerya

The blue skinned girl takes comfort in the fire and the sense of restoration it gives. Her friends are so talented and brave. She feels lucky to be found by them.

Lysana took the nuts from Crisaryn, Thank you she murmurs. If you still feel the need to help, cut up some redroots and add them to the cauldron of vegetables. Passing a muslin sack full of potatoes. It has been a busy day, we feared that Annabelle had been snatched by Strahd or one of his consorts. You have surprised us, in a good way.

Ellis listened to Illmirths song then strummed a counter tune on the bell like brass strings of his lap harp. You seem to be puzzled as to why we have so many celebrations? Life is normally short here, and elders few and far between. We celebrate the simple fact that we are still alive each and every day. Musicians and songsters are always welcome amongst us, some of them even stay and marry into the clans. Vallaki is no different the burgomeister is fighting a battle for the hearts and souls of his people, trying desperately to help them fight their fears with his own celebrations.

Illmirth 

The bard listens to Ellis with rapt attention.  He nods in understanding as the man explains the need for such constant merriment.  To his understanding, the people of this miserable place use the fiestas as a distraction as much as anything.

"Not all have the luxury to enjoy music for its artistic beauty in and of itself," he says softly, placing a hand on Lorele's shoulder.  "Our ultimate task is to free these people from the rule of an undead tyrant.  We will never lose sight of this, but perhaps we can spread a little joy as we go."

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young blonde priestess looks up in surprise as she feels the hand on her shoulder, seeming a bit awkward with the physical contact. "I'm...I'm not really good with spreading of joy..." She says quietly, trying to collect herself while changing positions slightly to rid herself of the hand in a not too obvious way. "...but it seems to me you have that all covered Illmirth." She adds with the faintest of smiles. "If I had to accept living in this evil tyranny I too would likely seek remedies in music and dancing, but as it is, I can't stop thinking about what we can do to change things."

Illmirth

"The realm is vast, the stages many; never are they covered!" he says in jest.  As if sensing her discomfort he removed his hand from her shoulder, replacing it with a sincere, thoughtful smile.  He grew quiet for a moment, lost in thought or memory.  When he spoke again, his sincerity was evident.  "I was born in darkness.  Darkness is the realm of my people.  Deceit and wicked schemes are the ways of darkness.  The light I had to learn.  My light, my joy is the art, the music, the graceful beauty of dance.  Your light is no less bright, it is just more subtle.  Joy, compassion, healing, justice; these are the ways of the light.  Your faith and compassion are your light, and through your healing hands joy is spread; each life saved affecting countless others that you may never know.  You are better at spreading joy than you realize."

Crisaryn Melkial

Without a word, Crisaryn takes the sack and finds a place to cut the potatoes as Lysana suggested.  Quickly to work, she listens to the woman.  "I'm very glad we could help Annabelle. Hopefully she will recover from this ordeal quickly."

After pausing to grab another of the red roots to cut up, she asks.  "Is it a common thing, for Strahd to snatch some child? And who are these consorts of his that you mentioned? Others like him?"

You watch Lysana shiver as you ask about Strahd. She pauses a moment then her voice whispers. Strahd is a dangerous enemy,  he is a good warrior and mage and he just gets more powerful as the years go by. He has made himself companions, fully draining their blood and turning them into vampires like himself. The consorts were all women that reminded him of his dead love, Tatyana. He dogs their steps in all they do drinking of them each night until they succumb to his deathly embrace. They are worse than Strahd, he only takes women, but his consorts take children, something they can never have. The children tend to die young as the consorts loose patience with them. We try to safeguard our clan, and so far it has worked.

Her words make you think of Gertruda from Barovia village.

Lysana stirred the cauldron and poured some beans into it, she opens a small pouch and takes a handful of spices out, tossing them into the pot.

Crisaryn Melkial

As Crisaryn finishes up with the potatoes, she steps over to dump them into the cauldron of vegetables. "I'm sorry to have brought up the foul ruler of these lands. I can see even the name disturbs you. And rightfully so if he has done as you say to many consorts. And to think of having them go after children like that. It is not a pleasant thought."  With her hands now empty she just stands, patiently watching Lysana at her work. "I can only hope that perhaps our group will eventually make a difference."  

Illmirth 

The bard listens intently when the Dark Lord of Barovia was brought up.  His delicate brow furrowed in disapproval when the children were mentioned.  Truly nothing was sacred here.  He shook his head to clear the grim thoughts, but didn't intrude on their conversation. 

Ellis nodded at Lysana. You speak the truth, we have only the protection of supplying him with wine and other consumables from afar. Strahd looks elsewhere and so do his consorts. Your quest to aid Irena has stopped him dead in his tracks. Let us drink to the fact that he hasn't become interested in you. He pulls at a small barrel and pours some cider. Tomorrow we will go to Vallaki and play for the dancing the burgomeister has planned. It would give you a chance to find allies in the town.

Lysana watched Crisaryn closely, you know with the desire to use your hands at night do you knit stockings? If so I can provide you with needles and yarn. They say that the devil finds work for idle hands. Dinner will be ready soon, the venison is crispy on one side and slightly raw on the other. No matter how you eat your meat you can cut a portion that you'd like. As for your group, you have already stood against evil, you make a difference wherever you go.

Illmirth 

"We are fortunate that we encountered Strahd so near dawn.  His ghouls seemed neverending and driven to overrun the holy grounds of the church in Barovia Village.  Even from some distance, his aura of dark power was palpable," Illmirth  says with a slight shiver.  He decided to work on a new song, but the shadow of the Vampyre worked into his subconscious. 

He hummed a haunting melody, swaying gently to a beat that was being born as much as it was being written.

She fears to be the one in his sights, hunted and hounded in dark of nigh.

Watch out, love bites, love bleeds, your blood is what it needs.

When you wake up, do you look in your mirror? 

Are you pale and sickly, and is the sun your fear.  

Oohhhhh, yaaa!  Come on love bites!  Love bleeds, your blood is what it needs...

His voice trailed off as the last note seemed hang in the air, like a stubborn whisp of smoke.

Crisaryn Melkial

"Knit stockings?" Crisaryn asks in response to Lysana's question. "No, I can't say that I have ever done such a thing or even thought about it. Is it difficult to learn?"  She isn't quite sure what sort of 'devil's work' the woman thinks she might do, but she is willing to humor her after all her kindness. "I just don't like to be idle, especially when there is work to be done. But if you would show me then I suppose I would at least try knitting." 

She glances around for the others, not sure exactly where they might have all gone.  Though she does hear Illmirth still, working on his song. 

Lysana saw the incredulity cross Crisaryns face. She draws up her skirt showing long intricately patterned stocking up to her knees. We make our own from sheeps wool, and the winter will soon be upon us, they alleviate the cold. It may not be your thing, I was just asking. We spend the winter knitting, spinning and weaving. There is quite the trade for luxury goods both here and through the mists. I'll show you how if you are interested. She says.