Crispian chuckled. "Not exactly the same for all, Ayslyn!"

 

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"Aye," she nodded at Crispian. "I wouldn't say the same things motivate us all. For one, I can say with near certainty, Ays, that what motivates ye is far different from what drives me."

Arieanna's brows knit with a slight confusion as she noticed Ayslyn and Tayana speaking with an Alb. She looked back to Hato.


"Tis an odd place indeed..." she murmered to her feline friend. He just mewed once and went back to his milk. Arie sighed. "some conversation you are," she chuckled softly.

Ayslyn chuckled, shaking his head. "No of course the individual will be different. But, as a whole, Albion, Hibernia, and Midgard are all motivated by the same things," he ticked off his fingers, "Love, compassion, friendship. Greed, hatred, jealousy. We are, by far, more similar, than we are different."

 

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Tatton had watched Fatima's embrace with her lover with envy. And it wasn't the flute itself from that seen, but something about the two, that caused Tatton's chest to tighten when the flute hit the floor.


..... He turned away....


And then allowed himself the token of enjoying the many conversations around him, as he sat near Ayslyn and this Tayana. Nodding briefly just to let the rest know he still showed an interest.


But Tatton couldn't help but let out a stifled chuckle at Ayslyn, hearing... "We are, by far, more similar, than we are different."


Tatton took a close whimsical look at Ayslyn's pointed ears, just so his gaze would be noticed by the rest.


Tatton winked at the table nearby, and grinned his familiar grin.

 

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Yual set Fatima down once again after their long embrace. She held his gaze as she gracefully bent her knees and picked up the flute. Returning to standing, she offered it to Yual to inspect.

"What is this?" he asked her as he turned it over in his hands. Fatima smiled and nodded almost imperceptibly in the celtic bard's direction.

Daphnie made her way over to the lonesome Paladin at the corner table. "Argie!" she greeted him with a bright smile, "How are you? What are you doing here? Where is here?" Daphnie took note of his single ale and empty second chair, "Who are you here with?"

He chuckled as she let loose her flurry of questions.

Ayslyn chuckled at Tatton. "I have walked the Ways between the worlds, I have seen lands unknown to most here," he grinned and winked at Tayana, "If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that the man who does not look beyond the physical is as blind as a man without eyes. To judge someone on their appearance is to underestimate them entirely. And as the warriors that are gathered here can attest, that can be a fatal mistake. But enough of that. I fear that I have turned things serious, and such was not my intent. I believe a song will lift everyone's spirits, and I happen to know a perfect one for this fine inn."


I pulled from one of his packs a lute. It was old, obviously so, and just as obviously, well cared for. Not just an instrument, but a cherised treasure. Ayslyn gently ran his hands over it, smiling wistfully. He tuned it, and struck up a lively tune.


Kind friends and companion, come join me in rhyme

Come lift up your voices in chorus with mine

Come lift up your voices all grieve to refrain

For we may or might never all meet here again.


So here's a health to your company and one to my lass

Let's drink and be merry all out of one glass

Let's drink and be merry all grieve to refrain

For we may or might never all meet here again.


Here's a health to the wee lass that I love so well

For style and for beauty there's none can excel

There's a smile on her pretty face when she sits on my knee

There's no man in this wide world as happy as me


So here's a health to your company and one to my lass

Let's drink and be merry all out of one glass

Let's drink and be merry all grieve to refrain

For we may or might never all meet here again.


There's a ship lies at anchore. She's ready to dock

And I wish her safe passage without any shock

And if ever I should need you, by land or by sea

I will always remember your kindness to me


So here's a health to your company and one to my lass

Let's drink and be merry all out of one glass

Let's drink and be merry all grieve to refrain

For we may or might never all meet here again.

For we may or might never all meet here again.

 

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Listening intently, the song tugged at a distant part of the heroine's heart, a barely remembered and often overlooked piece that remembered a life rich in music and magic. Blinking she swayed slightly, reaching out and placing a steadying hand on the bar as a dizzy rush flew through her. It passed quickly, gone with deep breath a slight shake of the head. Then with a warm smile she applauded Ayslyn's performance, and then shaking her head she chuckled. "That was grand! Good lord, is there nothin' ye can't do, Ays?"


Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Arieanna seated further down the bar, conversing with a kitten lapping at a bowl of milk. "Arieanna," Tayana called out to her with a grin. "Come join us, and save me from this crazy elf 'fore he does anything else te surprise me."

Arieanna looked up as she heard her name. Looking over and seeing Tayana she smiled. She looked warily over to the alb Tay and Ays had been talking to before trying to snatch her kitten as it darted over to Tayana and began mewing for attention.


"Aye, we'll join ye. Hato seems to be making all my decisions today." Arie chuckled as she lowered her hood and moved over and hugged Tayana.


"Tis good seeing ye Tay. But I am still unsure as to what this place is. I have never seen it before." She smiled at Ays as she brushed another hair out of her eyes and then bowed to the man they had been talking to.


"And hello to ye, M'lord."