(2303) Edna's Open Kitchen

[Anatole]

Darkness closes in on the Funderland fair but not everywhere is shut up for the night. Lights still glimmer from within the depths of Edna's Haunted House - that rambling old building linked to so many urban myths, now transposed and tamed as a ghostly family fun house. By day, the building wares a mask of kitsch, gormless, fear but by night Edna's comes alive. This house really was a scene of horror, and even the home of an actual witch...

Anatole the Paladin of Shadows has opened the kitchen up for guests. The door yawns wide and inviting. The table is set with steaming pots of tea and coffee; pretzels, breads and other savoury treats fill the air with fresh scent; preserves and honey are laid out in easy reach.

The wizened is working away, drying some cups, mugs, and saucers. He stands so that he can keep one eye (at least one eye!) on the door.

Guests are welcome for a chat

[Jasper]

The giant Beast makes his way through Funderland's relatively empty passageways. It's a winter night in California so it's not that chilly, but he still holds his jacket about him, keeping it from fluttering too much in the wind. As he approaches Edna's Haunted House, his snout perks up at the smells of freshly made baked goods and he makes his way towards the attraction-not-attraction. He knocks firmly on the door before trying to open it.

[Anatole]

"Door is open!"

Anatole calls back. He finishes cleaning and fixes a grandfatherly smile onto his face, gesturing to the table.

"Come in. Take a seat. Eat! Coffee?"

[Saber Sloth]

quick reminder this will have to close by the 20th for the Spring Equinox!

[Jasper]

Jasper can't help the smile that appears on his face at the familiar sound of the dwarf's voice. He stoops down as he steps inside, not wanting to bang his head or brush the canine ears he has against the jamb. He looks over at the Autumn courtier as he straightens back up to his full height, "Evenin', Anatole. A coffee would be splendid." he says, making his way over towards the table indicated. "How is your night goin'?" he asks, sniffing at the air as he sinks carefully into the chair, curling his gangly frame into place. He doesn't wait long before he starts picking up some of the assorted breads and treats onto a plate before him.

[Anatole]

Anatole moves swiftly to making coffee. He grunts and nods as best he can, until he brings the steaming beverages over to the table.

"How is my night? Quiet. Very quiet until I received a guest."

He smiled, turning to bring across sugar and sweeteners.

"Someone has to leave the lights on and the Freehold Commons have been a little too quiet of late. So here we are - or I am, I should say. Edna's old house serves us well as a little base. I've become quite fond of this kitchen."

The Wizened's thieving hands snatched a crisp bread and purloined some preserves.

[Jasper]

Jasper grins at Anatole and nods, accepting the coffee and adding a few spoonsful of sugar once it's brought over. "Cheers," he says before taking a few sips to check that it's to his liking before adding one more spoon. "Quiet can be good sometimes."

The Beast listens to the Wizened as he takes a bite of preserve-laden bread, chewing and swallowing before responding with. "It does serve us well, yeah. Same as you." he says with a grin to the old man, his friend. "So things have been quiet out here for the most part? That's good. You been up to anything this winter or just laying low?"

[Anatole]

The Wizened was wiping crumbs from his moustaches.

"Me? Laying low. Research..."

He waved a hand as if batting away something unwholesome.

"Not had much success."

[Jasper]

The Beast licks a bit of marmalade off of his snout before asking. "What sorta research?" he asks curiously. "Anything Ah could help you with?" he asks, always willing to help this one, even when he probably can't do it.

[Anatole]

"Research on the Hedge..."

Anatole replied smoothly as he lifted his cup to his lips.

"More specifically... Hell... You'll hear soon enough once the grape vine gets going... There is a problem with a local trod: it has been infected by some bad goblin fruit. A working party has already been convened to look into the matter and no doubt the news will revealed soon."

He put down his cup and gestured across the table.

"You do Hedge Patrols for the Freehold right? Keep an eye out for anything that looks off or sickly with the Thorns."