The Ballad of Demelza Hollyfield

Demelza Hollyfield - Faw - Sister of Sylad and Twylla - co-owner of The Merriwick Inn

[the-love-of-luciana]

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that."

[demelzastale]

"Ah, I forget you don't really have that here,"

[rosamund-protects-you]

[demelzastale]

[the-heat-of-isak]

"I wouldn't recommend that course of action... unless your goal was to become someone's meal tonight," Isak cautioned as he observed the other person. "Not that you have that to worry about from me anyways. I have alternative appetites than most of the guest list."

[demelzastale]

"Oh I would never actually do that," she gave him an amused smile. "I'd like to believe I'm not that foolish,"

[demelzastale]

Winter Solstice at the Merriwick Inn

It was early evening but the sky was already a velvety black, dotted with brightly shining stars. The snow made sure the night wasn't completely dark though. A few curling trails for smoke headed for the sky lazily from the chimneys of the Merriwick Inn. The Inn itself seemed to wear a hat of glistening snow and each window was dressed with a garland of evergreen. There was a garland over the front door too, illuminated by the lantern hanging beside the door.

In the entrance hall there was a fire blazing in the hearth, another evergreen garland on the mantle above it. Oranges with cloves stuck into them and ribbons tied round them sat nestled amongst the greenery. Several coats already hung from the pegs beside it, with a few pairs of snow boots sat beneath. The wrought iron chandelier hanging from the centre of the ceiling was wrapped in ivy, with white candles shinning bright. There was yet another garland wound round the bannister of the stairs, this one with red berries in, and another over the door way to the dinning hall.

The Dinning hall itself was similarly decorated. Sprigs of fir, holly and ivy could be found above windows, on shelves and on the bar. With the largest garland of all over the mantle of the fireplace so large you could step into it. And in that fireplace the Yule Log burned merrily.

The whole place smelled pleasantly of pine and sweet spices. Several small groups already huddled round tables, chatting, eating and laughing. The sound carried faintly through to the entrance hall.

On hearing the front door open Demelza left Twylla at the bar and headed for the entrance, a tray in hand carrying a cup of hot mulled wine for the new arrival. "Good Yule," she greeted as she approached them.

[demelzastale]

Outside the Merriwick Inn

"Yes. Stumbling upon us is, I would say, how most people find us,"

[the-second-carnelion]

"And is the inside as charming as the exterior?"

[demelzastale]

"I suppose you'd have to be the judge of that yourself. I'm rather biased I'm afraid,"

[demelzastale]

Outside the Merriwick Inn

"Yes. Stumbling upon us is, I would say, how most people find us,"

[rosamund-protects-you]

"Rather mysterious... Is it an imposition to ask for a tour?"

[demelzastale]

"A lot of people find us that too, at least at first," she replied with a small chuckle. "Not at all, I'd be more than happy to give you one," As she spoked she started heading towards the front door. "I'm Demelza," she introduced. "One of the co-owners and keepers of the Inn."

[demelzastale]

Outside the Merriwick Inn

"Yes. Stumbling upon us is, I would say, how most people find us,"

[officer-daire-oneill]

"I didn't mean to offend you by saying that. Was just a bit of a surprise addition to the landscape."

[demelzastale]

"You didn't, do not worry. It is something I'm quite used to hearing actually." She smiled, "I imagine so. Not an unpleasant surprise though I hope?"

[demelzastale]

Outside the Merriwick Inn

"Yes. Stumbling upon us is, I would say, how most people find us,"

[levi-uses-maximum-effort]

[demelzastale]

"Oh?"

[demelzastale]

Outside the Merriwick Inn

"Yes. Stumbling upon us is, I would say, how most people find us,"

[magnus-fucking-bane]

"Don't sound so happy to see me."

[demelzastale]

"Not at all. I can't think of any reason to not be happy to see you. Unless you meant some harm,"

[demelzastale]

Outside the Merriwick Inn

"Yes. Stumbling upon us is, I would say, how most people find us,"

[dax-likes-to-sing]

"Doesn't sound so great for business." He mumbled, taking the inn in. "I'm looking for a job. In any case."

[demelzastale]

"You would think that. Yet it has served us quite well for almost five hundred year," Demelza replied. She had to smile at his next remark. "And you chose to enquire here? At an Inn you just stumbled upon and know nothing about?"

[demelzastale]

Outside the Merriwick Inn

"Yes. Stumbling upon us is, I would say, how most people find us,"