Guildmerge

[Elspeth]

Dragon!

(It's too hard to stop from smiling at her. She sees things so simply.)

Domick, please believe that I understand you. I know only too well how vulnerable we are. But can you really see Dameon or Maryon learning how to fight? Even to protect themselves? It simply isn't possible.

(When did a discussion about pool tables turn into this?)

(Um, why is Rushton under the table?)

...

(WHO TOUCHED MY LEG??)

[Kella]

(Awwww that's so cute she wants to give Matthew a sword)

*Is brought back to Earth by a smirk appearing on Domick's face*

(Does he really think that little speech impressed me? Oh can't this be over soon so I can go back to the healer hall and do what I'm good at? I can't stand this hide and seek thing with Domick...)

See what this talk of swords and battles has done to Dragon? She's already got a fragile mind and you are corrupting it! I don't know what it is about you men and your weapons! There are other ways to solve our problems that don't involev the healers working overtime and us loosing half of our population.

(I see that has wiped the smirk off of their faces. Job well done I must say so myself. Hopefully they'll think more clearly now that I have spoken some sense into them.)

[Rushton]

(Why am I the only one down here?)

*espies legs under the table*

(I wonder if I...)

*strokes Elspeth's leg*

(Funny... it's very muscular... almost like she's really been working out a lot lately...)

[Min]

(I wonder what it would have been like in Sador...)

*jolts to reality at Elbow-From-Domick*

(Ouch! Where are we...that's right, defense...lud, Domick's prompting me to take over...Kella must have really done some work on him to make him call in backup...all right, here goes...)

But Kella, would you leave yourself defenseless? Or Dragon? Or, rather, would you have someone else shield and take an arrow for you? Shouldn't each person have the right to chose to defend themselves or not, rather than have us make that decision for them? In fact...

(...what the hell is that tickling...?)
(looks under desk)

What the hell are you doing to my leg?!

[Elspeth]

(Maruman's voice is in my head again: Rushton/green-eyes is afflicted by the madness.)

(I send back: What was your first clue? Those mad, squinting looks he was giving me or the way he threw himself under the table for no reason?)

What is who doing to your leg?

(I look around the table but everyone seems equally bewildered. Except Dameon. He looks rather... smug.)

(Blindone sees)

[Min]

*BOOT!*

Take THAT!

(there's a weak scream from under the table)

[Elspeth]

(What is going on? When did Guildmerge turn into such a farce?)

Miryum... what are you doing?

(I'm glad I'm not sitting too close to her. She can't accidentally bruise me by patting me on the arm if she's not close enough to reach me.)

(Oh Lud, I just realised something truly horrible! Since Rushton's under the table now, does that make me the one in charge of Guildmerge?)

*looks warily around the table*

(Maybe if I don't say anything, no-one will think of it.)

[Dameon]

(MUST... STOP... LAUGHING...)

I wonder, dear friends, if it might not be a good idea to get back to the original pool table discussion.

*looks under the table and sees Rushton clutching his face in pain*

(Nope... can't stop! COVER FACE!!! Mustn't let them see you sn!ggering. You are sweet and delightful!)

*Dragon begins making dancing pandas*

I have to leave the room for a moment.

*gets up and runs like hell for the door*

[Kella]

(Won't these people give up? We can't fight forever! Oh I give up if they want to kill themselves so be it. Doesn't mean that I'm going to join in... Wait, where's Rushton? And why is Domick looking at me like that? And why is he whispering to Miryum?)

*Scowls at Miryum giggling and Domick whispering into the nape of her neck*

(If he's trying to make me jealous he is doing a really good job of it. Wait I can't let him know that...)

*Looks purposely in the opposite direction. Catches Domick's annoyed face out of the corner of her eye*

(Now what is he going to do?)

*Is answered by a scowl of disappointment on Domick's face and him retreating back to his normal seating place quietly*

(Thank Lud! On no! Now Elspeth is looking for a rebut from me about her last comment... Well she's not getting one I only just got Domick off my back. Where is Dameon going? Wait that is quite a good idea... Only I won't be able to get away with leaving... Was he sn!ggering?)

[Elspeth]

I hope you're not thinking of leaving, Kella.

(Did I keep the desperation out of my voice? Everything is falling apart! Why is Rushton rolling about under the table? Why did Dameon run out like that?)

(I hope he didn't hurt himself too badly when he ran into the doorframe.)

The empath guildmaster is right.

(Even if my supposed "dear friend" just abandoned me in the middle of this mad-house.)

This is hardly the time to discuss defence. We came here for a simple discussion about pool tables and I suggest we stick to it.

(Oh Lud, did I just sound all forceful and leader-ish then? I hope no-one noticed.)

(Rushton, you fool, get out from under the table and start running Guildmerge again.)

*kicks about randomly and connects with something*

*notices a sudden scowl from Domick*

(Did I just kick him? I think it's time to stare soulfully out of the window again...)

[Domick]

(OUCH! Ouchity-ouchity-ouch! What was that for? I bet it was bloody Kella. Could she reach me from there?)

Kicks back and connects with something hard. There is another strangled howl from beneath the table

(Oops. Something tells me that wasn't Kella's leg. I'll settle for scowling darkly at her.)

Scowls darkly

[Kella]

(I thought he was finished with scowling at me? Now I have to put up with more scowling just because Elspeth kicked him... He didn't seriously think it was me did he? I can't reach him from over here)

*Flicks hair back over shoulder in what she hopes will distract Domick from scowling at her*

Elspeth I do not plan on leaving until the guildmerge is over but all this talk of battles is very unsettling. And I can't help it if there are patients in the healer hall that need my attention.

(Oh no, now I'm getting scowls from Roland too. I don't think he likes this talk anymore than I do.)

Now, back to the pooltable discussion: Do we want a traditional green one or a different colour?

*Scowls at Roland*

[Elspeth]

(Honestly, does Kella have to be so obvious? The way she keeps needling Domick like that... I am sure they have a secret language of scowls and hair-flicks.)

(And I do not know how to play pool, nor do I have the time. How can I play a mere game when the fate of the entire world depends on me? But I cannot tell a soul. I must bear this burden alone.)

(Funaga, Maruman snorts in my mind.)

We are simply back where we started! Why must it be a pool table? Why can we not have something that everyone can use?

(I hope they don't ask me what. I simply want to return to my tower room.)

*pokes about randomly with her feet, more gently this time*

(Where is Rushton? And why hasn't Dameon come back? Why must I constantly bear burdens for everybody else?)

[Min]

(How dare the Master of Obernewtyn embarrass me like that...trying to make fun of me again?)

*clears throat*
But Elspeth, we're so looking forward to a pool table in the wing. At the moment all we have is that broken down pinball machine Jak found in the caves, and idle coercers makes for much mischief, as I'm sure you're well aware.

(Unless of course we're not important enough to receive a bit of furniture for our guild...all we do is defend you-no, wait, the defense discussion is over)

As for colours, we were thinking a red felt one, to match the curtains?

(Luddamnit, why is Rushton still under the table? Did I knock him out cold?)

[Kella]

Red felt would look a bit funny with those curtains... They are red too but they're a lighter red and less textured. Maybe we could just buy new curtains to go with the pool table?

*Purposely ignores Elspeth's comment about something that everyone will use*

(I might not use the pool table but maybe if I annoy Elspeth enough I could get this guildmerge to end a little earlier. Domick is scowling at me again. When will he stop? This is getting so annoying!)

Can we please send out a search party for Dameon and Rushton? Where have they gotten to?

[Elspeth]

(Maybe I should just send Kella back to the Healer's Hall... I give her a brief but pointed look before turning back to Miryum.)

And all we have is a broken kettle and some furniture taken from a storage room.

(I am always snappy around Miryum and more than grateful for the distance of the table between us.)

I do not see why you should have such a pointless thing in your wing.

(Did Rushton just bump his head under the table?)

*listens*

(I didn't know Rushton knew such language!)

And would somebody please fetch Dameon back? The least we can do is carry out this guildmerge in a dignified fashion.

(I am sick of talking! And I cannot find Rushton with my feet, no matter how hard I search. Is it worth accidentally kicking Domick again?)

(Hmm... judging by that glare he's giving Kella, it would be safer not to risk it.)

(Blindone is laughing/mirthful, Maruman tells me. Through the old cat's eyes, I catch a glimpse of the empath guildmaster, contorted with giggles.)

(At least someone is enjoying themselves.)

[Domick]

(Hmm...hair flicking. I see I'm getting to her. What the bloody hell is that? Oh, it's Rushton. Good Lud, I don't know where her learnt that from. Let's hope Dragon doesn't hear and repeat it...)

Perhaps each of the guilds could receive something different and then we could share? It would be better than everyone getting the same thing. We could invest in an air hockey table as well...

(Ouch. If looks could kill...What is it with these people and sharing? DAMNIT! Who the hell is kicking me this time? When did Guildmerges get so violent?)

I'll go and find Dameon.

(Perhaps Dameon and I can stage a break for it...We've never really had anything against each other)

[Min]

(Domick!! Don't leave me here with them!)

(Great. Now Domick's abandoning me with the Coercer's plight, and he didn't defend the pool table we all wanted! Does he even listen at coercer meetings anymore, or is he just too busy angsting over Kella?)

Of course, the pool table was just a suggestion from our guild. As much as the coercers really want one, if there's a better idea out there that'd suit everyone, I'll be happy to accept it. You might need to discuss the idea with all of your members, rather than decide for them, though?

(Because it's not like we couldn't share a pool table now, is it..? *sigh* Settle down Miryum, anger's getting the better of you, you already knocked out Rushton with your boot. Must be honourable. Must be chivalrous. Must be willing to compromise...)

[Kella]

(Now Domick decides to go join Dameon! Well at least he can't scowl at me from there)

I think we need more healing items for our guild. We are running dangerously low.

(Oh Lud I shouldn't have said that now they're all scowling at me... At least Roland thinks it's a good idea by the way he's smirking)

[Domick]

(Thank Lud! Although Miryum's going to maim me when she gets me alone for leaving her...wait a sec, there's Dameon and he's...laughing?)

Dameon?

*Dameon frantically stifles his laughter*

(Hmm...could this have anything to do with Rushton being under the table? I've never been able to fathom those two.)

Hey, Damo, Elspeth needs you back in there. She's got her tortured and aloof look on. There's been some conflict over what's appropriate in the way of pool tables, and Rushton's not really putting his foot down. Mainly because Miryum put her foot down. On him.

(And now Rushton's using language I don't generally use in company. Next thing you know he'll be wearing leather and spikes and starting a band...)

[Min]

(Yes, sure, the healers can have anything they want, they protect us from getting a terrible case of sniffles over winter. But Lud be damned if the coercers want anything to stem the boredom of protecting a bunch of pacifists. Do they wonder why there's so many supporting the Coercer Knights with me?)

(Gah, be fair Miryum. They're healers. They mean well)

(Oh good, here come Domick and Dameon. Dameon looks like he's trying not to choke on something?)

Well, the healers need supplies, the coercers need supplies -

(Oh, stop scoffing you lot, a pool table is a form of supplies)

- and I daresay everyone else is running short. What is our budget? Rather than bickering over who gets what, why don't we actually split our budget for each guild and decide what to do with it outside guildmerge?

(I look pointedly to Elspeth to answer, since Rushton is swearing fitfully under the table. One of the healers should really do their job and see to him before his head starts spinning and he starts speaking in tongues)

Domick *takes his seat again*: Good - good save Miryum. Pool table and mini bar, here we come!

(I smile at Domick - planning on belting him later for leaving me to do all the defending of our Guild's decision - and get a glare and flick of hair from Kella. Oh, come on girl, I'm not after your man...)

[Kella]

(what does miryum think she's doing? he's mine get your own)

That's a good idea Miryum.

(That was a good idea but if she goes near Domick I'm not going to stand up for her anymore)

That would mean we could all put the money to good use. Could someone help me get Rushton out from under the table he sounds like he's hurt.

[Domick]

(Tehe. Kella's jealous. Come on sweetie, really, Miryum's nice and all but...no. Still, no use leaving the opportunity unutilised. I'll just lean over to whisper something to Miryum...)

Nice idea, but I feel we're going to meet with opposition from the masses.

(Ha. Kella's looking p!ssed. The hair flicking has almost doubled since we started here. From the expression on her face, I'm going to be stuck here for a while. Maybe provoking her isn't so smart.)

I think Miryum's right. We're going to be more productive in our guilds, and that way we can get opinions from everyone before making a decision.

[Min]

(Whoa...Kella looks like she's either going to burst into tears, or tear Dom's hair out)

(Luddamnit Domick, why do you keep egging poor Kella on? This can't be healthy for a relationship, even an ex-relationship...Kella dear, as if he'd ever be interested in me, honestly, no man is seriously ever interested in me...and it's Domick, I mean, I've seen this guy in the showers after training.)

(Besides, doesn't she realise the vows I've taken against relationships and attachment?)

Are you telling me the healers and coercers finally agree on something?

(I raise my eyebrows to Roland and Kella, smiling. They're both trying to drag Rushton out from under the table still?)

(Dameon's coughing an awful lot, isn't he?)

[Domick]

(Note-as-Bec: Min - PMSL over the shower comment)

(Whoa. Perhaps I should lay of Kella. Last time I saw that expression was right before she smacked me one with that small bag of flour. You ever tried to get that stuff out of hair? Surely she doesn't seriously think I'm interested in Miryum? Perhaps I should back of a little bit. Besides, I don't want poor Miryum getting the wrong idea...all I want is for Kella to get the right one!)

I think it's the most sensible solution, what does everyone else think?

(Ah. Rushton has emerged from beneath the table.)