There is so little to do in winter--or you permit yourself the luxury of thinking so.

[glass_beddau]

[Mid-afternoon of Thursday, November 26 (day 179)]
[The Miskatonic Café]Not sure if it's the weather or the unsettling of moving, but I'm not feeling particular well of late. I've not quite slipped 'round to sleeping through the days again, with neither of them quite doing it, but all joking aside I've been particular disinclined to get out of bed

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[glass_beddau]

"Where did you find her?” Lannie says over the matter of the dead woman, and while it’s a question I’ve expect to hear I’m not finding any ghoulishness in her tone. Well enough, then.

"Wired up on the east fence of the graveyard,” I say, “you know where it stands, behind the Abbey? Fortnight and a day ago.” I shoot Iago a knowing look and add “Wednesdays.”

"Miss you too, sweet girl,” he says, grinning gently. ”That's why I'm here." Rain dripping from the ends of his hair and a quick wink and I move my other hand over t’his, rest my fingers light along the back of his hand and his wrist. The smell of rain’s rising from his jacket, and I’m wreathed in fine memories a moment.

Tess and Iago make introductions, and he’s courteous fine, for all that the mistaken name pleases him. "Beddau's a fine name. If it's good enough for my love, then it's good enough for me," he teases Lannie afore turning to me. "Iago Beddau. It has a nice ring to it and since more than a few have already assumed it, I believe we shouldn't fight it."

“I’ll call you any name that pleases you, cariad,” and I’m smiling as he laughs, and know he’s no love particular for his father’s name, so why not my mother’s and mine? Rather glad to be able to bring him something of the kind from our wedding, in truth, no matter how small, and I gently tighten my fingers where they’re laced ‘tween his. "Let it stand when it’s laid out, then. Iago Beddau."

"I like it,” Lannie says, but in a moment when I turn from Iago to look to her, she’s dropped her eyes and her hands. Not sure why, though maybe between Iago and I being wed and the mentioned size of the Thiess family she’s been left a feeling a touch alone. Wish I'd some mind for what to say, but while I can guess at the feeling alone, I've no particular gift for how one sets it aside.

[iago_excolo]

"Not as such, no. We know each other through Kate O'Hara, and I've bin rentin' her apartment fer the time bein'. And yeah, my brother Johnny's in town, works at the bakery fer Mr. White. Some 'a the others come in now 'n again too." I smile politely. It's as I expected and I can't help grinning a tad when she names Johnny her brother. "I've seen him, Johnny. He's come to the tavern a few times but I don't believe I've seen the others." I continue, trying to not think of my own family, "There's a resemblance between you."

Lannie and Glass are both explaining my last name and I wonder briefly if Tess believed I was teasing her. I sigh internally, hoping she leans more towards Glass' sense of humor, rather than not. I name myself anew, taking Glass' name as my own and it's met with great approval by both women, pleasing me immensely. My fingers tighten with my sweet wife's and were we in private, I would kiss her soundly but as we're in public, I content myself with gazing at her in adoration and saying, "You've already named me, love. Beddau will be the name we share with everyone else."

I am Her Stormcrow.

I grin happily at my sweet wife before asking, "This will be my first winter in Excolo." I look at Tess, nodding to include her in my next words, "And as both of you are long-time residents, certainly longer than me, what's the weather normally like? I'll bet Lannie wants to know as well." I gesture to include her as well before adding, "She's the newcomer amongst the tavern-folk."

[tess_thiess]

We finish talkin' 'bout the body Mrs. Beddau found, and it's got somethin' t'do with Wednesdays, but maybe that's some private joke with her 'n her husband. Lannie takes me sayin' 'bout my family strange, 'n I'm definitely goin' t'have t'figure her out some, in case she's a threat t'us, 'cause she's definitely reactin' weird t'some stuff 'n I'm pretty sure it ain't t'Mrs. Beddau.

Everyone goes on 'bout Mr. Beddau's name 'n I guess I stumbled on t'somethin' regardin' his family, 'n I wish they'd just drop it 'stead 'a goin' on 'bout it. I'm happy when he asks me 'bout the weather in town, 'cause even if it's borin' at least it's somethin' else. "It's dry - there ain't much snow, but you get a fair wind if you ain't right new the trees 'r sheltered by a ridge. That's why they built the wind farm way back. I dunt think it gets so cold here as it does up north," I add, lookin' over at Mrs. Beddau, "but I can't say fer certain since I'm so used t'it here."

[glass_beddau]

"I've seen him, Johnny," Iago says in answer to Tess. "He's come to the tavern a few times but I don't believe I've seen the others."

Trying not to grin at that, recalling the first time I ran into John at the Tavern. Hell of an early morning for us both. "Ah cariad, you ever bestirred yourself to Saturday market, you might've seen them," I tease. Near to sure the Thiess family came in a time or two over fall.

And "You've already named me, love," and our fingers close on each other's. Can feel the blood rising to my face a touch, and find as well I'm not minding. Well enough his changed name's something that'll be set out for others. "Coll ti, brân tymestl," I say soft as he turns back to the table as a whole.

"And as both of you are long-time residents, certainly longer than me, what's the weather normally like?" Weave of words and gesture to draw everyone in, and I'm glad of him again, his gift for speaking.

"It's dry - there ain't much snow, but you get a fair wind if you ain't right new the trees 'r sheltered by a ridge. That's why they built the wind farm way back. I dunt think it gets so cold here as it does up north," Tess adds, looking to me and I nod, "but I can't say fer certain since I'm so used t'it here."

"Not near to as cold," I say in agreement. "Excolo... It's not as if the weather never changes sudden, but keep fuel and food to hand and while you're in town it's no particular threat." My mouth twists a little, remembering times I had to be on the road in winter. "Mind, if you need travel, I'd do it by daylight--" well, I wouldn't, but others ought-- "and with cautious measures."

Grin a touch, looking to Iago. "And sometimes trade's slow in coming. Ought make sure you've cigarettes enough to last, case of them not coming into town one fortnight or another," I add. "And I'd have Dorian find you a sweater and gloves."

[melania_lowell]

I nod when Glass tells me where the body was found, "I've been by it." Wonder if someone's got it out for the Abbey. Not sure why they would, that Nanse-Kam guy seemed nice and kinda fun ---cute smile too--- if they're all like that then why? And who?

Tess still seems a little bristly about the name thing so, still feeling kinda bad, I don't add anymore to that. Just because her brother or brothers are what they are doesn't mean she's like the rest. And I know she's not one just from her scent.

I'm glad when Iago changes the topic to the weather and I stop fidgeting with my hands and smile, looking up with a quick nod. "Yeah, good to know what to expect. Verdi suggested I see that Dorian guy for some clothes." Think that was mainly cos, I only had one bag and just a few outfits to my name. One of which already got ruined several nights back. "Mind, if you need travel, I'd do it by daylight--and with cautious measures."

"You're not the first to mention that," I say with a small smile. I know she goes out at night from time to time, I've heard her come in, and if she can, I'm sure I'll be fine. But I wonder what, if anything, she's seen, I'll have to ask her about that sometime. Over some drinks wouldn't hurt.

[iago_excolo]

"Coll ti, brân tymestl," and even though I'm not clear on their meaning, I cherish her tone with a grin. Tess discusses the weather and she seems reserved, as my love was when we first met, and I nod as my Glass adds her comments as well. Cold, cold and more cold. Perhaps I should've moved further south but then I'd have never met Milady Glass.

"Yeah, good to know what to expect. Verdi suggested I see that Dorian guy for some clothes." I nod to Lannie, agreeing, "He runs the Sacred Whore, the clothing store and I'm sure he'd enjoy helping you out." I chuckle as I light a cig, taking a deep, first drag before blowing the smoke up.

Glass continues on, saying, "Mind, if you need travel, I'd do it by daylight--and with cautious measures." Lannie adds, "You're not the first to mention that."

"It's good advice. Nights in Excolo can be full of misadventures, if you're not careful."

"And sometimes trade's slow in coming. Ought make sure you've cigarettes enough to last, case of them not coming into town one fortnight or another. And I'd have Dorian find you a sweater and gloves."

I look at Glass, vaguely alarmed as I say, "I'll see about stocking up, love. Thanks for the warning though," and I wink at her before asking her and Tess, "Does the river ice up? Or is it too warm in the winter? I'd not mind some ice-skating or such."

[tess_thiess]

"Ah cariad, you ever bestirred yourself to Saturday market, you might've seen them," Mrs. Beddau tells her husband lightly, 'n I nod 'long with her. "Yeah, we do come in sometimes fer trade 'n the like." She lays out how she sees the weather knowin' how it is away, and warns us too. "Mind, if you need travel, I'd do it by daylight - and with cautious measures."

Lannie smiles. "You're not the first to mention that," she comments and I add "Same. There's plenty out at night as you wouldn't want t'run into."

They're all talkin' 'bout this Dorian, and I guess they're comfortable 'nough with everythin' t'speak like that in public. "Does the river ice up," Mr. Beddau asks as his wife tells him 'bout gettin' heavier clothes, "or is it too warm in the winter? I'd not mind some ice-skating or such." I shake my head. "The river dunt freeze up like that, not 'less there's bin a drought 'n it's real shallow, but there's some big ponds out 'a town that go solid 'nough t'skate. There's parties 'n such sometimes too, with skatin' and sleddin' and roastin' food 'n the like." I wonder if Kate'd like t'go skatin'? I can see us bundled up, sittin' by a fire 'n drinkin' cocoa... The thought makes me smile.

[glass_beddau]

"He runs the Sacred Whore," Iago says in answer to Lannie's mention of Dorian, "and I'm sure he'd enjoy helping you out." Smile a bit at that and raise an eyebrow as Iago lights up a cigarette, blowing the smoke away from us all.

"He's like to have something tart t'say about whatever you go in wearing," I add. "Just humour him, really."

Matter of travelling by night gone over, and I was meaning more on the roads as I'd not count walking about town travelling exact, but it's sound advice so I'm hardly minded to dispute. Iago, meanwhile, 's seeming a touch on edge over the thought of not having his cigarettes. I'd honestly not thought to mention it afore; glad I did now.

On to ice-skating, and "The river dunt freeze up like that," Tess says, "not 'less there's bin a drought 'n it's real shallow, but there's some big ponds out 'a town that go solid 'nough t'skate." My mouth twists a little at the thought, but really, suppose there's little enough to worry about there.

"One in the park, 's well," I say quietly. "Suppose Cain could make you blades, you care to do that." Manage something of a smile, looking at him curious. "You skate much, afore Excolo?" Tess is talking of the times folk'll go out in company for that... it's one way to set the season aside, surely. Leaves her smiling, in any case.

[melania_lowell]

"He runs the Sacred Whore, the clothing store and I'm sure he'd enjoy helping you out." Iago says and my brow arches at that chuckle of his. Heard it before, doesn't mean anything good. Usually get it when him an Thomas are fucking with me or setting me up. Then Glass adds "He's like to have something tart t'say about whatever you go in wearing, Just humour him, really."

Sipping my drink I pause and snort "It'll all depend on his sense of humor, I guess," I say with a shrug and grin that I'm sure Iago knows by now. I don't care about what anyone think of my clothes and even less about what they have to say about them. Heard enough about that Dorian guy to have the thought that he's losing anything of his that touches anything of mine in the wrong way.

Iago and Tess add to the warnings about being out at night and sighing deeply I nod, " I know." And I do too. That one night and the surprise. I handled it well enough, no one got hurt or killed and though it was seriously fucked up, we both walked away. But then they don't know I have better senses then they do either and yeah, if I need to I will run away.

They talk about ice skating and I smile, I always had fun doing it even though I fell a lot. Wonder if I'm any better at it now? "Oh that sounds like fun, we should all go sometime. I'll bring the score cards," I laugh.

[iago_excolo]

There's talk of Dorian and clothing, and I make a comment about Dorian's help. Both Glass and Lannie give me a skeptical look as I chuckle. It's not like I lied and my love says, "He's like to have something tart t'say about whatever you go in wearing. Just humour him, really." Lannie replies, "It'll all depend on his sense of humor, I guess," and she shrugs. She's not yet met him and I chuckle again, suddenly having the burning desire to witness their meeting with my own eyes.

There's warnings to Lannie about the night and perhaps she'll give them heed. She does look as though she's taking them seriously.

I ask about ice-skating and Tess replies, "The river dunt freeze up like that, not 'less there's bin a drought 'n it's real shallow, but there's some big ponds out 'a town that go solid 'nough t'skate. There's parties 'n such sometimes too, with skatin' and sleddin' and roastin' food 'n the like." She smiles, perhaps with fond memories and my love adds, "One in the park, 's well. Suppose Cain could make you blades, you care to do that." Lannie chimes in with a laugh, "Oh that sounds like fun, we should all go sometime. I'll bring the score cards."

My sweet girl asks with a soft smile, You skate much, afore Excolo?" I nod, saying, "I did but it's been some time since then. It was grand though," I look to Tess, continuing with a grin, "And from the sound of your description, it could be again. We played a few games, ice hockey and such as well but we did much of the same." I chuckle, looking at Lannie as say with a mock-heavy sigh, "I suppose you could but don't expect any mercy when we score your technique."

I laugh, pleased with the idea as I lean over and ask my love, "Do you skate? If not, I could teach you. And we should get some skates as well, if you don't already have them."

[glass_beddau]

"It'll all depend on his sense of humor, I guess," Lannie says, grinning, and I finish my tea.

"He has a fine sense of humour," I say dryly over Iago's chuckling. "'s the only thing that makes his boredom with life and all in it tolerable, t'hear him tell it."

"Oh that sounds like fun, we should all go sometime," Lannie says, smiling, and Iago's taking the whole thing for grand indeed. "I'll bring the score cards."

"I suppose you could but don't expect any mercy when we score your technique," Iago shoots back, grinning. Smile a touch to see them banter at each other; 's rather like watching him and Dorian needle each other, no harm meant. "Do you skate?" he says, turning to me. "If not, I could teach you. And we should get some skates as well, if you don't already have them."

"I don't--" I shake my head, glancing down. "A time or two when I was a child," I say after a moment, "but never had much of a chance at it. Don't own any." Hesitate a moment, shifting a little closer to him. "I'll ask Simon for some," I promise, curling my hand into his a touch more.

[tess_thiess]

The talk passes me by some as I'm musin' on winter, but I look back up as Mr. Beddau goes "And from the sound of your description, it could be again. We played a few games, ice hockey and such as well but we did much of the same." I nod absently, and listen t'em teasin' each other. I think I ought t'get that food 'n bring it by Kate's 'afore it gets cold, and everythin' I could want t'say's bin said.

'Sides, if Mrs. Beddau 'n I are gettin' 'long some it's best t'leave 'afore that changes. I stand up, gettin' out some coin fer the coffee. "I got t'go," I say, lookin' 'round the table. "It's bin nice meetin' you folks," I say with a nod t'Lannie 'n Mr. Beddau. "And I'm glad we spoke," I say t'Mrs. Beddau. "You all have a good afternoon."

It's still rainin' outside, 'n I rush t'get under cover 'a the Store's porch, pushin' the door open t'find Kate inside.

[melania_lowell]

Iago chuckles and Glass explains more about that Dorian guy, "He has a fine sense of humour. 's the only thing that makes his boredom with life and all in it tolerable, t'hear him tell it."

I roll my eyes, thinking the more I hear, the more he sounds like a total ass. But we'll see, its not like I can go to another store for clothes. The conversation continues on the weather and winter play. Which I admit does sound fun. "I suppose you could but don't expect any mercy when we score your technique."

I laugh. "Don't expect any when I knock you flat on your back and score a goal," I grin back. Not like I'm not used to horseplay with a bunch of guys. It'll be fun. Tess stays quiet then stands, saying she's gotta go. "It's bin nice meetin' you folks. "You all have a good afternoon."

"Nice to meet you too Tess," I say smiling back. I watch as she leaves thinking she's not so bad, even if she's related to them. Still, is nice to know. Right after Tess leaves, someone else comes in and I hop up from my seat, "Duty calls, gotta go," I say smiling at them both. "Let me know if you need anything else. Was good seeing you two, take care," I say with a wave as I go to greet the new customer at the counter.

[glass_beddau]

"And I'm glad we spoke," Tess says, and I nod my farewells to her, quietly glad that went well as it did. Think it'll be interesting to see Iago and Lannie playing on skates, and with that comes slow thought that he's now surely not as alone as I took him for this summer. 's enough to leave me smiling even tired as I am as Lannie takes herself up to the counter.

Look down and I've finished my tea, and find I'm not really interested in the food still left, which to be true is most of't. Push the plate aside and turn to Iago. "Care t'head home?" I say quietly, sitting back a bit. Pull on my coat and leave coin on the table as he gets the rest of the hash browns bagged to carry back. Grin a bit at the thought of how Dorian'll take that, and make note t'see about getting that pan Iago broke fixed. Sure Cain could manage it.

Take Iago's free hand as we go out into the rain and down to Silk. Seems a decent day t'curl up at home and listen to the rain on the windows.