From the Journals of Dr. Jacob Theopolis Feldane

Jacob grunts a "Huh." Then, "Sir."

Benedict raises a brow to Jacob. he does it with a little head-tilt, perhaps for the benefit of the waiter, who arrives to bring drinks.

Taleyn takes up her coffee as if the very cup that is its vessel were holy. She inhales its heady aroma, blows a ripple across its dark surface, and sips.

Jacob watches Taleyn a moment, then sips his own drink, rock cubes thunktinkle in the glass. He looks back to Benedict.

Benedict is busy with his tea. He adds sugar and milk, and stirs it carefully.

Taleyn beams.

Taleyn peers at Benedict and Jacob by turns as if to try to suss out what they think of each other. Clearly silence is challenging for her, but she's giving it a game go!

Benedict probably thinks 'ah, tea' right now. He takes his first sip.

The slience stretches. This has nothing to do with the fact that Jacob missed Ben's pose, oh no. Finally, Jacob asks in that gruff voice of his, "You wanted to see me, sir?"

Benedict grunts an affirmative, and is polite enough to put down his tea and turn his back on the gaping hole in the fourth wall. "My Knight tells me you made her weaponry."

Later:

And so, they sit in silence.
Benedict is good at silence.

 

( A discussion on grass roots guild-building. Players: Molly and Jacob. Place: That Alhambran Coffee House Down the Street, You Know The One )

Smithy's up.

Nex is ready.

Annwn's next.

Jez- 

Went out to the country to let an old flame know I was, in fact, not dead.

Unfortunately, she was.

I wonder if she's on your side, wondering where the hell I am. You two should hook up.

So...she's gone, Oberon and his pet monkey are gone, Corwin came BACK, but is now gone, the docks and half of lower city are gone, much of Arden's gone....

Oh, and Mandrake's coming up in the world again. Artemus probably predicted that, with his gardening skills.

Got the forge back up and running, so I can reforge my blade.

Miss you Dearly,

Jake

 Addison waves to a place by him and says, "Uncle Culver arranged for my membership to White's. I've no idea what he paid, I just know he stole the money to pay for it from the Treasury. How are you doing?"

Dearest Jez-


You'd think that a Road would be an easy thing to follow, especially once it got to Arden. But this is the Black Road, and it messes with the head.  And Arden being through a war doesn't help. I swear, that forest is set to become a desert. Burned all to hell and back.

So I wind up further into Shadow, in a place that looks like Kitezh, but isn't...I know because the .50 cal rifle still works. And how do I know it still works? I walk straight into a town defending itself from the Black Road.

Seems a ship bound for Amber had room for the cargo, myself, and my horse. Price was helping defend the folks while they loaded.  Fierce rains, lightning, beasts, even what looked like Weir...but I never even had to dismount.  Black Road as....sorry, Jez...Black Road 'Personages' never made it to the docks before we wiped them out. Someone took out the wizard messing with the rain, and the archers took the rest of them. It was over so quick, I only had to reload once.

Damn glad you taught me how to shoot this thing.

Got on the ship, hunkered down. Amber-bound.

-Jacob

Seriously, Jez.

All those years stuck with no way back, but stuck with you, so that's alright. More than alright.

Then all this time following this Dark Trail, dealing with the bastards that made me usher you through the Door myself....

...and the trail leads to Arden. ARDEN. What the bloodless hell is going on?

Not sure if losing you is the price I wanted to pay to find the way back home.