Hoping for a Warm Welcome|Malagard, Khelek

[Kender Bard]

"That's wonderful to hear," Filly mused. "Harmony's quite the young woman now. Still looks strongly like her father but I'm beginning to see some of myself come out in her looks as she fills out more. In five or so more years, she'll be absolutely radiant. And she's found young love in Libre. And she gained a second sign. In another year or two she'll be able to teleport to just about anywhere in Naruta." Filly repressed a sigh. "No doubt she'll be wanting to exercise the privilege as well. She's always so restless! Did you wander much when you were a younger man?"

[Darastrix]

Zack waggled his hand in a so-so motion. "I did wander a bit, but that was because of the...misunderstanding? I'm not sure what to call it anymore. Keeping a long story short, Zira let his feelings get the better of him when we were still living in Talen'sul. He kissed me, panicked, cut off communication, and like an idiot, I finally left."

"Well." Zack cocked his head to the side. "Maybe not so much an idiot because everything's worked out so well. Might not have if we hadn't split for a while." He shook his head. "Anyway, I like meeting new people, so the travel was fun, but considering the route I took--" Zack traced a circle in the air with one finger. "--I was just working my way back around to him. Now, I'm a little restless, I think. I swear, if it's not music, my timing is all over the place."

[Kender Bard]

"At least you have Zira to travel with," Filly remarked, grinning. "And I'm happy to give you a destination, loathe the climate though you might." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "It's really not so bad once you get used to it, though. In a way, it makes you appreciate some of the little things even more. Like waking up next to another warm body under thick covers, watching the morning sunlight creep in. Or cuddling with handsome men in front of the fire."

She reached out a hand to stroke his hair and play with his feathers. "How long will you be staying, anyway?"

[Darastrix]

"Schuldig was a little vague about how long I'd be welcome," Zack said, letting his eyes shut partway. "'A while' can be pretty much anything from a couple days to a couple months. But I was thinking a week, at least? Maybe more if everyone's agreeable. We haven't seen each other in so long."

[Kender Bard]

"I can't imagine anyone being disagreeable to your presence," Filly remarked, letting her fingers continue to stroke idly. "You're certainly charming enough that Delilah and Locket will insist on holding you hostage here a while longer. And who knows when we'll see each other again; I'd like as much of your time as considered reasonable."

She cuddled closely with him. "It'll be so nice to have you near." ~I've had to tread carefully around Brad since Delilah. I tell Schuldig it's because I don't want to make them uncomfortable or upset, which is true, but I admit that it's also partly because I'm not looking forward to, well, those awkward moments from transitioning away from lovers and back to simply friends.~ She grimaced. ~Cowardly, but there you have it.~

[Darastrix]

I can't say I've ever been on that end of things, Zack thought. Zira has-- There was a sharp, quick stab of guilt as he thought of Kleio, then he pushed the thought away. --but I've never felt any sort of awkwardness around anyone I used to be lovers with.

[Kender Bard]

~Zira hmm?~ Perhaps she ought to speak with Zira after all. Well, she could try to corner him sometime later. ~Then you are fortunate.~

Just then they were interrupted as Locket and Delilah tore into the room, laughing and tumbling down together in front of the fire.

"I beat you!" Locket laughed, laying on her back. "I beat you, I beat you!"

"You did not!" Delilah giggled.

"Hello you two," Filly greeted them, causing the two to jump. They hadn't even noticed anyone else in the room.

"We were racing!" Locket announced. "I won."

Delilah didn't bother to rebuttal. She was looking at Zack quizzically. "You seem very familiar... Have we met?"

[Darastrix]

"Indeed we have, lovely," Zack said with a warm laugh. "Though I wasn't bundled under a blanket at the time. We met at the royal ball in New Anarlina. Zack Riel, at your service, so long as the service doesn't involve me getting up until I'm properly warm."

[Kender Bard]

"Zack! Yes I remember you!" Delilah exclaimed. "And you can stay there. I know well the feeling. Some days I'm about ready to crawl into the fireplace."

"Then I will push you in!" Locket declared and pounced on Delilah, making the other woman squeal. Laughing, she asked Filly, "So what brings such a handsome guest into our home, hmm? From the looks of things, I'd say you."

"He is my guest, yes," Filly confirmed with a small grin. "He'll be around for at least a week."

"If you really want to get warm quickly you could always get a drink of icewater," Locket giggled. "Though if you're a lightweight like me, you're better off just where you are. Then again, the cold doesn't bother me."

"That's because you're made of ice," Delilah declared and pushed Locket over playfully. "How has the courtly life been treating you, Zack?"

[Darastrix]

"Can't complain," Zack replied. "Things are more or less as they were before I decided to take my title; Anarlina's just got the oddity of having a noble court bard now. And I'm an ambassador now, too. Spent six months in Sensatia's embassy. After having the chance to visit, I want our whole family to take a holiday there."

[Kender Bard]

"I would like to have an excuse to go to Naurorod," Delilah replied. "Blessed and proper heat."

"Oh don't whine," Locket teased. "Or I'll throw you in a snowbank."

Delilah scooted away from her and cowered at Zack's feet while Locket laughed.

"I love going to Sensatia," Filly mused. "I have a friend there named Mikasi. The things he can do with his mind... Just amazing."

"I went there with Nagi to visit while I was still carrying the triplets," Locket told Zack. "Best place in the world for us both during that time. Though I think I'd enjoy it even more now. What was your favorite place to visit? I favored the hot springs."

[Darastrix]

"This time of year, the hot springs definitely ranks high on my list," Zack agreed. "In general, though, I'd be hard-pressed to pick one favourite. I liked pretty much everything they had to offer. One of the places I visited a good bit used scent to stir up memories. You'd pick some scents you liked and whatever good thing you remembered with the smell, the Minds there would make it feel like you were actually reliving it."

[Kender Bard]

"Ooh, I never noticed that place," Locket remarked. "Something new to look forward to the next time I go!"

"Speaking of going places," Filly told her sweetly.

Locket peered at Filly and then at Zack. "All right," she agreed reluctantly. "But I have a lot more questions."

"No doubt," Filly replied, grinning.

"Come on, Delilah, I'll race you to the other fire," Locket said and took off running.

Delilah had her fill of racing about though and just flashed both of them a smile. "I'll speak with you later, Lord Zack." With a wave, she set off at a calmer stroll after Locket.

"She would have talked your ear right off," Filly told Zack. "And she still will the next time she sees you."

[Darastrix]

"That's fine by me," Zack chuckled. "I've got two. Later on, I'll be happy to answer whatever questions I can. But now that our lovely friends have left us, what do you have in mind for the present?"

[Kender Bard]

"That depends," Filly answered, leaning in closely. "Are you still in need of warming? Because I can think of cozier places and warmer things we could be doing. Or else we could simply stay here and cuddle as we talk of pleasant things. Though I do admit that Schuldig has come up with some new concoction that I am eager to see the results of. I'm not certain how familiar you are with the Lustful's little treats."