Guildmerge

[Rushton]

*strolls in to circular tower room*

Thank you everyone, please take your seats.

(Where is Elspeth? Oh, over by the fire, she looks so dreamy in those trews and that cloak.)

*Gives Elspeth a meaningful glance that hopefully communicates burning passion*

This Guildmerge is now officially open. Our first order of business comes from the Coercer Guild who have asked for a new Pool table.

(Why is Dameon sitting next to her? He should be across from her, why are they whispering... Aaaaaaaargh!)

[Elspeth]

Bunne-as-Elspeth

(I'm really, really hot over here. Perhaps I should take my cloak off. Or move away from the fire.)

(Is Rushton looking at me? No, of course not. Why would he do so?)

Dameon.

(I smile. I will have his friendly presence by my side. I must not let Rushton think I am free to make my own choices.)

[Dameon]

(Oh Lud, I can feel Rushton's barely-concealed man-lust from here. Who does he think he is, anyway?)

(Did Elspeth just say my name?)

Yes, Elf?

(Ooh... Rushton's angry. Hehe... Better keep talking to Elspeth then. Lud, I hate that man. Oop... Miky's looking at me, I think. And I'm feeling confusion. Better slam up that shield.)

[Elspeth]

Bunne-as-Elspeth

It's been too long since we've talked. Sit with me.

(He smiles that gentle smile. I wonder what his true thoughts are. But I do not dare search the mind of a friend.)

(Is Miky looking at me? Why is she looking so worried?)

...

(DOES SHE KNOW MY SECRETS?)

(I raise my hand.)

If the coercers are to get a pool table, then what will the other guilds receive?

(Why does Rushton look at me so? What is he trying to tell me?)

[Rushton]

*clears throat*

Well, Miryum has assured me that of course all misfits are welcome to come and use the pool table.

*gets shouted down by outraged guildmembers*

People! We do have a budget to think about you know!

(Honestly, do they think gold coins grow on trees. It's hard running Obernewtyn, why don't any of them see that, perhaps if I give the Farseekers something Elspeth will notice me.)

Yes I know we had a good harvest this year. That dandelion wine was a surprise hit in Arborium.

(Rushton you genius! Make it something that will involve lots of meetings for planning and oh so many opportunities to be alone)

I'll hear suggestions.

*smouldering look at Elspeth*

[Elspeth]

Bunne-as-Elspeth

(Does Rushton have something in his eye? I shouldn't really stare - it will just make him feel uncomfortable.)

I think perhaps the guilds should discuss this matter amongst themselves first.

(Of course, I could farseek my entire guild and hear their thoughts on the matter, but I need time away from him to think.)

Unless, Dameon, you have some other ideas?

(Please, have some other ideas. Say something that will stop Rushton from looking at me like that. I am far from the fire now, but I still feel too warm for comfort.)

[Emerald]

(... an' then I could come ridin' in with... what was it those old beforetimers had? Oh! a sword and shinin' armour... hmmm, that might cost a bit, what was Ruston saying about money?)

*tunes back into guildmerge*

(Hmmm, I wonder if Elspeth will let me get armour... naa, at least a sword maybe, I'll need it if I have ta fight Soldier Guards... I should petition for one, it could be part of the Ward uniform... Damn, now Dameon's gonna say somethin' and I... i mean, we won't get anythin!)

*sigh*

(Oh man, Dameon's got that look on his face, he's beyond hope... An' talkin' about faces... What's wrong with Rushton's?)

[Dameon]

(She always puts the onus back on me. What am I, made of ideas?)

I'd like to recommend the empaths and the farseekers work together on a project. Our two guilds have so much in common, I'm certain it would be valuable to pool our resources.

(Hehe... Rushton's anger is rising, by gum!)

Perhaps Elspeth and I can work on some ideas together this evening.

(Oh, Dameon you sexy thing. You're so BAD!)

[Rushton]

*glares at Dameon*

(Bloody Empaths and their mind reading ways!)

Well, I...umm... (Quick! Think of something, you have to stop them!)

That's a good idea, I'd like to see our Guildens and Wards work together on this project and really work on their leadership skills.

Matthew, you look like you have some ideas.

(I think I need a ten point plan, How to woo Elspeth in 10 steps or less...)

[Elspeth]

Bunne-as-Elspeth

(How much longer must I sit here? These guildmerges can be so tedious and I am sure Rushton and Dameon are playing games with their words.)

Why must we drag it out? Can't we just sort it out tonight?

(Some of us would like to go back to our rooms and have something to eat.)

[Emerald]

(oh smooth Damo, very smooth, but it looks like he's on to ye. Oh bugger, well, here goes...)

Yes, lets sort it out tonight... What about, rather then just gannin'somethin' that only benefits the one guild, why don't you get something for all of us... Like swords! You know, so we can defend ourselves from... Soldier guards an'... (evil black nights) an' bandits an' stuff.

(Damn, that was pretty weak... I probably should've talked about it to Elspeth first. She's got that look on her face again. Ooops...)

Or...er... pool tables are fine...

[Rushton]

(Rushton's Super Spiffy Plan For Winning the Affection of Elspeth Gordie, and Doing Away With All Possible Rivals Whilst Leading the Misfits and Guiding the Land to a Better and More Harmonious Society In That Order.)

(Point the first: Lock Dameon away in cupboard - preferably in out of the way place note to self: check stables for suitable hidey hole, or if none found, investigate possibility of long walks off short cliffs.)

(Point the Second: Work on looks of smouldering affection. Remember to switch between:
(a) Subtle-Glance-of-Interested-Attention
(b) Gaze-of-Enraptured-Obsession
(c) Fleeting-Glimpse-of-Vulnerable-Heart-Beneath-Stony-Exterior
(d) Concerned-Frown-of-Worried-Devotion
(e) Slow-Head-Turn-With-Eye-Flicker-of-Passion
(f) Mutual-Eye-Contact-of-Devoted-Regard

Remember: Subtlety is key! Can't come out and actually say anything, being direct is overrated.)

(Point the Third: Work on allusive metaphors:
(a) Ivory Tower
(b) Hidden Eyrie
(c) Lofty Mountain
(d) Cavernous... erm... Cavern)

(Point the Fourth: Convince dangerous Gypsy known as Swallow to emigrate to Sador, or LotRQ, or Herder Isle, or Mythical Land Beyond the Blacklands. Note: Must be far away and preferably involve ocean travel/long arduous journey. Probably wouldn't hurt to spread rumours about "loose" Gypsy lifestyle - bet he has a girl in every port...)

(Point the Fifth: Emphasise to Elspeth how important she is to everyone and hope she'll infer that everyone really means me.)

*catches Elspeth shifting position slightly out of corner of eye*

(It's working! Those looks of smouldering affection are finally paying off!)

(Swords... wtf??? Matthew, I think you might be drinking too much of Gryffudd's homebrew...)

Swords you say Matthew?

[Dragon]

*continues to stare at Matthew who is looking at Rushton*

(I wonder if he will come see Gal-ta with Dragon later?)

*Listens to Rushton while watching Matthew*

(Pool tables sound boring, I like Matthew's swords)

[Kella]

*Tries not to fall asleep*

(Is it really necessary for me to be here while they're talking about swords? I could be in the healer hall doing something more useful!)

*Stares at Domick and dreams to pass the time*

(He has changed so much... I want the old Domick back)

*Sighs*

[Elspeth]

Bunne-as-Elspeth

(Is Rushton ill? Perhaps I should ask Kella to see if there's something wrong with him.)

(Wait... what was Matthew saying about swords? Does he realise he said that out loud?)

*Please keep your dramatic fantasties to yourself* - I send to him, covering the harshness with the mental equivalent of a smile.

(Why is Dameon shaking like that? It looks like he's trying to hide... laughter? Then why is he looking in Rushton's direction and not at Matthew?)

We are achieving nothing here. Surely there are more important issues for Guildmerge to discuss?

(I hope The Call comes in the middle of a Guildmerge. I would do anything to avoid one.)

[Domick]

(Matthew hasn't changed a bit...swords. Is Kella looking at me? More importantly, how is Kella looking at me?)

(Hm...dreamy. An improvement on downright misery. What is wrong with Rushton? Is he ill? Oh, wait. I see. He's trying to look dark and sexily brooding. I think. Perhaps I should give lessons. And Dameon. He looks suspiciously like he's snickering into his hands. What is going on between those three?)

We should discuss the defence of Obernewtyn. The pass will open soon and we should be prepared for anything.

(Was that an eye roll from Kella? Why do these people never focus on the real necessities?)

[Kella]

(Why does he always think of the defence? He should be thinking of the healing everything is going to involve whether we try to stop it or not... I think he's figured out that I'm looking at him. Oh well maybe if I talk to Garth he'll ignore me again)

*Whispers to Garth* So what are the tecknoguilders up to lately?
*Tries to look interested as Garth starts a speech about the beforetimers and their wonderful inventions*

(If they were wonderful how'd the great white happen? Why is Domick looking like that? Me talking to Garth was supposed to make him look away... I'll never understand that man...)

[Domick]

(Why is she talking to Garth? She never talks to Garth. Not that I'm jealous. I am not jealous. I am not jealous. Why's she glancing at me? Is this in fact a cunning ploy to make me jealous?)

Perhaps the Coercer's should train members of other guilds to defend themselves better, or volunteers could get more involved. Defence shouldn't just be for the coercers.

(Why is Kella glaring? What have I done now?)

[Kella]

(Oh yea, what does he expect us to do? Train healers to fight? Sometimes his ideas can be so unreasonable... And now Rushton thinks that it's a good idea! If they expect healers to do the very opposite of what their cause is then they must... I don't know... What's wrong with Elspeth? She looks pale... I'll talk to her after guildmerge... When she doesn't have Rushton and Dameon fighting for her affections. Now why is Domick looking at me? Time to talk to Garth again...)

*Sighs*

*Whispers again to Garth* You were talking about machines that healed?

[Dragon]

(Why is guildmerge so boring always?)

*picks at loose thread on trews*

(Dragon will make blue smoke)

*coerces image of blue smoke infront of Rushton*

[Elspeth]

(Oh Lud, Dragon's bored. Dameon, do something. Matthew?)

(Anyone?)

*sigh*

(Fine.)

Dragon. No.

(Although I secretly want her to continue her illusion. It protects me from Rushton's confusing glances.)

Domick, I'm just as concerned about our safety as the coercers, but this isn't going to help anything. We just can't fight people the way you want us to.

(We can't fight prejudice with fists and swords.)

(Maruman's voice is in my head. Foolish/crazy funaga. You must/will fight battles with claws/wit.)

(Is he even more delusional than normal, or is that just me?)

[Dragon]

*frowns at Elspeth*

(now what can Dragon do? Sit and listen to silly talk...Esspess say no smoke)

*looks back at Matthew*

(Matthew not even look at blue smoke, he thinking about silly swords)

*looks at Kella, then Domick, then back to Kella*

(Icky feelings)

[Domick]

(Damn it. If battles could be won with words we wouldn't all be sitting here. Why in Lud's name does everyone seem to think I want to leap into battle and slay a thousand soldierguards? That's Matthew. Come on Dragon, a little more distraction if you please. With any luck that will stop Kella boring holes in my skull.)

Guildmistress, you misunderstand me, I'm not suggesting we go and attack the soldierguards in a grandiose manner. What I do think is that all members of obernewtyn should be taught how to defend themselves against attacks. We're young, and that makes us vulnerable, not just to those prejudiced against us but to many others as well. Of course, it's foolish to expect us to fight, but dont' you think all of us deserve the ability to fend of attackers?

(Ha! Perhaps that will stop the eye rolling. It was a nice, rightwously indignant speech if I say so myself. With any luck, we'll be out of here soon and I can go and work off some of this in the streams. I need to be alone. Well, unless Kella wans to join me, and I feel being doubtful is optimistic here.)

[Dragon]

Dragon fight soldiergards!!

Use mind!

*looks over at Matthew who is looking at Dameon*

*coerces a sword infronto of him*

(a sword for Matthew)

[Rushton]

*espies blue smoke*

OH MY LUD!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!

*dives under table*

(and I never even kissed her! I'm going to die a virgin!)