[The Sanctuary] Do We Expand Or Not?

[Kavala]

Timestamp: 25th of Winter, 513 AV

Kavala knew things were restless around The Within. Caelum had a whole host of diverse skills that he was both remembering and honing from the past, and that was leading him to want to get away from animals and work more with people. Sybel was busy buried in the brewery a great deal, and Vanator with her. So Kavala knew that there was an opportunity to do something to make her friends happy. She just wasn't sure what that was. Sybel had oft mentioned perhaps opening a business in town, someplace to sell her and Vanator's brews. And Kavala knew that with the season progressing, Winter was a good time to sit down and do some planning.

She also knew it was a good time for everyone to lay out what exactly they wanted to do on the table so that the remainder of the season, the staff could focus on working towards everyone's goals so that the core of the Cytali that was just starting to bloom here would thrive when the warmer months came.

And to that end she'd called a staff meeting, wanting everyone to show up and voice their opinions. Kavala still wasn't well enough to go out much anyhow, so a planning session was something she could absolutely do. She had Ia’del in a baby sling, keeping the tiny girl close. While Ralac and his dark brother Inadan were in a bouncy seat perched on the table about ten inches away from Shayru who was busy tweaking the seat forcefully about every five seconds, much to Inadan's delight. Kavala would have put a stop to it, but the boys were obviously bonding and the infant in the bouncy seat wasn't protesting at all. In fact he was laughing and waving his fists out as if trying to slug the dark blue Akontak child that was just out of his reach. Shayru was making face at him and eventually reached over, grabbed the babies fists, and was pretending to get hit by them in slow motion. Kavala just shook her head, trying not to smile as she glanced down at the tiny girl sleeping in her arms.

It was taking all her herbalism skill, all her gnosis ability, and most of her stubbornness to keep the tiny premature Konti alive. She still routinely stopped breathing, which meant Kavala couldn't leave her alone long, and though she was doing much better, Kavala often slept with her in a bath of salt water because the girl seemed to do better underwater than above ground... something the Konti had learned about premature babies in her days at the Opal Temple.

At this point, the Healer was fairly certain Ia’del would live. But she still spent every waking hour with her anyhow, making sure that feeling manifested. Cadra and Larik were great too. Ralac and Inadan were thriving, so Kavala didn't mind when the twins watched him or at least took him off her hands for period of time so she could rest or keep her daughter alive. The other healers helped too. When Kavala simply just needed sleep, sometimes they'd sit with Ia'del a while and make sure she had no issues. It was a nice feeling for Kavala to be so surrounded by help. When she'd had Tasival, there'd been few extra hands around at all.

So she waited at the big table in the Within, curious as too what everyone would say and grateful that Cadra was pouring hot cocoa and setting out baskets of warm scones to get everyone started off right.

[Caelum]

Caelum brought the scent of the wind with him when he arrived. He had been out in the afternoon light, making his way from the healing clinic back to the Within when it was time for the meeting. He moved passed the table that Shayru was busy half playing, half teasing his baby brother at and shot the children an easy smile. He paused by Cadra, sniffing lightly at the air because with the sun up beyond he wasn’t interested in the scones but he was absolutely tempted by the smell of chocolate. “Thanks, love,” he told the cat, the corners of golden eyes crinkling when she placed a warm mug in his hands. He turned and carried it with him to the big table whereupon he rocked back on his heels and kicked out a chair beside Kavala to drop himself into. A few pieces of paper and a sharpened stick of charcoal were deposited onto the table along with his mug. A roll of lean shoulders shrugged his jacket free, leaving him in a long sleeved tunic, and he slid an elbow to the arm of his chair so that he could lean toward Kavala and unapologetically get a gander at little Ia’del. Long fingers twitched, restless with the need to heal both mother and daughter, but he had done and was still doing all that he could thus far. Unfortunately, he was short a few gnosis mark from Avalis’ dark sister to perform any miracles on the spot. “Hey,” he greeted Kavala, smile warming back up for her. It was accidentally breathtaking. “How are you feeling? Any chance I can hold the tiny one?” He reached over to lift his mug for a swallow, eyes floating between mother and child while his brain ran on two distinct tracks – their physical care and that all of the various things he had been thinking about regarding centralizing his variety of skills, responsibilities, and personal goals. “Thanks for calling this meeting,” he continued. “There’s some things I’d like to talk to everyone about.”

[Vanator]

Vanator stalked into the room, holding a rag to his face. His mood was dark, evident in the unamused scowl on his face. He nodded to Caelum and Kavala as he approached the large table, glancing to Cadra as she set a hot mug before the chair he pulled out to sit. The rag came down, revealing a cut down his cheek. It was not deep, and had already stopped bleeding. Van had lugged several sacks of grain down to the brewery, and had just set up the target, looking forward to shooting a few practice arrows when his bowstring had snapped mid draw, the line whipping across his face.

Dark, gold-flecked eyes went to the bouncing contraption holding his infant nephew as Shayru played with his little brother, evoking a small glimmer of a smile at the corner of the eldest Denusk's mouth. Then Van looked at Kavala, she still seemed tired, Van knowing her relentless effort to keep the newborn she held alive. His eyes softening as his gaze drifted down to the Konti infant slung close to her mother. Van was pained by Ia’del's frailty, compelling him to pray for her health more than he had prayed for anyone or anything in his life. The little baby girl had captured her uncle's heart already, and would most likely have it wrapped around her tiny pinky in no time."She is looking better today." Vanator commented, convincing himself that she did, though the baby still seemed so small and vulnerable.

Van lifted the mug to sip at the rich hot beverage, reaching for a scone from the nearest basket and shamelessly devouring it.

[Kavala]

Kavala waited for Caelum to get settled and then gently handed Ia'del over to him. "She hasn't stopped breathing once today, so I think her lungs are getting stronger, but it still could happen. But I need to stop counting her breaths. Thank you for taking her for a bit." The Konti said softly, glancing at the little bundle of paleness that she gently pass to Caelum, sling and all, helping the Eth slip his arm through the carrier and pass its soft cloth fabric over his head. Once Ia was settled, Kavala gave Tasi a warning look - he had Ralac's feet captured and was tickling them mercilessly, and then rose to assist Vanator. She touched his cut and winced, sealing the wound and giving him one of her notorious 'be more careful' looks.

"That was too near the eye for comfort. What caused the string to snap?" She asked, knowing more about crossbows and less about bows than she cared to admit. Kavala took the bloody rag from Van, deposited it with the other kitchen towels that needed cleaning in a basket under the counter, and got back to her cocoa without missing a beat. She sipped the chocolate, smiled because her stomach did not protest and immediately eject it, and then decided to expand out and try a scone.

There was something about being pregnant that really bothered her system, but once she'd had the babies, like almost immediately afterwards, she was fine. And truth be told, it wasn't a moment too soon. Her arms were skeletal and she was doing her best to pack on the weight so she could get back to training and get rid of the horrible looking mid-driff she'd developed carrying two children at once. And plus... she was hungry. Kavala was nearly always starved now that the children were roughly fifteen days old. She cared for them, ate, slept, and woke to care for them again. Flesh was building back up on her again, but it would be a slow process. And she'd promised herself, regardless of Riaris' wishes or anyone else's demands, that this was the last pregnancy she'd go through. Three children were enough, by and large, especially with Ia so ill. Nothing was functioning right with her youngest, and Kavala knew it was because nothing was finished developing before she had to be born in order to free Ralac from his prison. Ralac had waited as long as he could, and everyone at the table sincerely hoped it was long enough.

"So whats with all the paperwork, Caelum? I just wanted to talk about possibly opening a retail store in the city for our students to start selling medicines and healing things they've made as part of their classes. I want to get the college open in the fall.. which I think is a doable goal." Kavala said, looking curiously at the Eth's gathered plans.

[Caelum]

"Hullo, sweeting," Caelum murmured to the infant when she was settled into his arms. Bright eyes lingered on Kavala's face for a few moments. "You're most welcome," he assured her before before sinking his regard to Ia'del. Like Vanator, he was a swift sucker for the fall when it came to this tiny little girl. He rolled back his shoulder, helping Kavala slip the sling over him and into his place. Calloused hands were absurdly gentle as he cradled the child, helping her get settled in a snuggle with him and the sling. "Congratulations on breathing," he informed Ia'del, voice mellow and low. "Let's keep doing that, yeah? Keeps your mother and I's stress levels down which, frankly, is good for just about everyone in Riverfall. You'll understand when you get older." Smiling to himself, he looked up to watch Vanator stalk in. He winced at the sight of his face, muscles already tensing in reaction to the spark at his healing gnosis. "Damn, Vanator," he muttered. "Who would have thought you'd be such a clutz?" He smirked, but he only relaxed again once the man's sister had seen to the injury. When Kavala settled back into her seat with her cocoa and Vanator began his unapologetic destruction of a scone, Caelum gave a glance to his papers and lifted out one hand to slide the top sheets aside. One was pushed across the table toward Vanator and the other nudged over where Kavala could see it. In Caelum's painstakingly neat handwriting, small and elegant, he had listed the items he intended to sell at the business he was about to bring up. Ale (mug) – 1sm Ale (pitcher) – 3sm House Wine (glass) – 1gm House Wine (bottle) – 10gm Specialty Wine (glass) – 5gm Specialty Wine (bottle) – 20gm House Tea (cup) – 1sm House Tea (pot) – 3sm Juice (cup) – 1sm Juice (pitcher) – 2sm Coffee (cup) – 1gm Coffee (pot) – 10gm Medicinal/Therapeutic Herbs Added to Single Serving Beverage: *Price includes basic health consultation to determine type of herbs. Common– 2gm Uncommon– 3gm Rare– 4gm Medicinal/Therapeutic Herbs Added to Pitchers/Pots/Bottles Beverage: *Price includes basic health consultation to determine type of herbs. Common – 8gm Uncommon – 12gm Rare –16gm Specialty Tinctures: *3gm per cup/12gm per pitcher. Weeper’s Wine – Calming solution and stress relief. Problem Solver’s Spritzer – Clarity of mind. Libation Liberator - Hangover cure. Wake Up Wine - Energy booster. Snake Oil – the Cure All. Fruit, Cheese, & Nuts Plate (1 serving) – 2sm Fruit, Cheese, & Nuts Platter (6 servings) – 1gm "I want to open a tavern," he announced without further ceremony. "Only not a typical tavern. This is going to be a place where you can come for cures, cures of all kinds." He settled back again, an absent hand drifting down the curve of the infant as he looked between Kavala and Vanator and then Cadra and Larik beyond. He sounded confident, and he was; but it had also been some long while since he had had any close friends to worry whether or not they approved of him. "And I want your help. All of your help if you want to give it. When the healing college is up and running, we can intern students in herbalism studies there. Teach them other helpful skills. Brewing." He raised an eyebrow at Vanator. "Leadership. Organization. Numbers and the social skills necessary in a good physician. Furthermore, it's the perfect sort of vehicle to cull and recruit potential members of the Cytali." He fell silent then. There dozens of more details, but he needed to know what they thought of the idea first.

[Tia'aria]

Deleted, like a boss. Sorry for the bother.

[Kavala]

OOCI'm going to try and keep this thread going since its important that we go shopping for space soon.

Kavala merely raised an eyebrow at Tia's appearance. Having not seen the Konti for what... two seasons or more... she was fairly sure 'late' didn't cover the extent of Tia's situation. Instead she turned her full attention on Caelum after once more stopping Tasival from trying to color a lock of Ralac and Inadan's hair black with the writing material provided for the meeting. Ia'del seemed fine in Caelum's care, so Kavala relaxed and concentrated on eating her scone and sipping the cocoa while she listened.

When the paperwork was provided, Kavala nodded, and looked over the business plan and what Caelum had thought up. She smiled, thinking the concept completely doable and told him so. "This is a great idea. And if you worked it right, we could really take advantage of a building and get multiple uses out of the place. Not to mention have a venue for hosting events as well in the city. And a place for Sybel and Vanator to sell their brews... this looks fantastic. Do you have enough cash for this, Caelum or do you need some help with maybe the overhead or structures? I wanted to buy a retail space for the school.. if we got a big enough place, we could double function it... or even more." Kavala mused, but then ultimately sat back and let Caelum talk, wanting him to tell her what he needed and not let her needs dictate his actions.

[Vanator]

Van sat sill as Kavala pressed her pale fingers to the laceration on his cheek, which sealed up after a moment of tingling. He smiled sheepishly at her matronly glance. "It was one of the armory bows, I need to remember to grease the bowstrings to keep them supple." Once His sister regained her seat, Caelum began his proposal.

The man, Eth, was still a bit of a puzzle to Vanator, everything about him from his celestial nature to his Ranuri mark set Caelum apart from most men. Even now, watching him cradle the tiny baby Ia, Caelum defied the dictates of traditions. Regardless, the Ethaefal and Vanator had become fast friends, though Vanator kept a measure of distance from Caelum in order to protect his friend from enduring the sensation of the Drykas' needs.

Van listened carefully as Caelum revealed his proposal, leaning at times, trying to look at the paperwork to which the Eth referred. His eyes darted frequently to the boys and Ia, as well as Kavala, helping to ensure that Tasival didn't become too rough with his little brother. Caelum's concept was rather brilliant. A tavern geared towards wellbeing was something he had not heard of. Van imagined a classier type of establishment, not the drinking establishments where one went to get drunk or rowdy. Certainly a niche in a city like Riverfall.

Van echoed Kavala's sentiment. "It is a sharp idea, Doc". Vanator had taken to the nickname, knowing it amused Caelum. I like it's potential to serve in so many ways. More income for Sanctuary, opportunity for practical learning for students, and it gives us a presence in the city." Van paused to sip at his cocoa. "I am sure Bel would agree with me that the brewery can become a business with a retail place like this. And to be honest, it would give us some eyes and ears into the goings on around town."

Vanator had been mulling over several things, spurred by Kavala's recent expressed desires get the school started, and finding new ways to expand Sanctuary's business and affordability. The brewery definitely has potential, as did Kavala's bee hives. But Van's mind had drifted more than once to the spot on his sister's design sketches where she planned to locate a forge. That was an idea he needed to flesh out before bringing it up.

Absent-mindedly reaching to touch his now healed cheek, Vanator focused again on Caelum's list of suggested offerings and listened.

[Caelum]

A smile loosened along the line of Caelum’s mouth and something in him relaxed. The immediate approval of his friends eased some the healer’s larger concerns and he expelled a brief breath through his nose before sliding a fresh piece of paper in front of him and lifting the sharpened charcoal stick. It was waggled between his fingers, a thoughtful sort of fidget that took the place of his far more typical pacing. He was a man who thought best on his feet, or at least while in motion. He moved. He had always moved. He had crawled out of the ocean and hit the ground running. It would probably take a literal act of gods to get him to sit still in both body and mind. “A retail store,” he echoed Kavala, eyes searching. He ducked his chin in a nod while pairing that concept up in his mind with his own. Meanwhile, his makeshift pencil traced an idle curve atop the top of the page, not unlike a rising sun. It didn’t mean anything. It was just another way of distracting some aspects of himself with activity so that the more necessary parts of him could work on their objectives. So, basically, the little sketch of a sunrise was for Ia’del whose tiny, bubbling needs rose softly through him. He slanted a look sideways to Vanator and nodded again. “Eyes and ears in the city, yes. I intend to not only keep up with the word in Riverfall and to lookout for potential Cytali, but I feel that it would not be unwise if I sharpened some of my old intelligencing skills by helping out the Kuvay’nas.” He paused, pencil stopping too. “Obviously, that’s strictly between us.” His grin flashed, full of wry charm, and he ducked his head to begin penciling in numbers beneath his sunrise drawing. “I’ve got about four thousand mizas, Kav. That’s not going to be enough to buy a structure of the size I think we’re talking about. It’d be foolish not to include a kitchen if we can afford it, and some of the goods will need the cold storage an ice box provides. Follow?”

[Kavala]

Kavala nodded, listening attentively to both Caelum and Vanator. Only once did her eyes stray, and that was when Tasi put his nose right up against Ralacs, and made a face. He wasn't prepared for the infant balling up his fist and clobbering him. Tasi blinked as his nose smarted, not quite bloody, but then again the baby was only days old. Kavala shifted, slipped the dark child from the baby seat, and tucked him up against her chest. His face was already screwing up, getting ready for a good scream. Her youngest son had quite the pair of lungs on him, more vocal than her oldest son had been at that age by far. She glanced apologetically at the males, slipped open the oversized shirt she wore, and freed a breast to immediately distract the boy from any sort of protest. Ralac liked to eat. He liked to eat far more than he liked to scream, even if he was just screaming because his older brother had forced him to slug him in the nose.

With the child pulling healthily at her breast, Kavala leaned back, sighed in contentment, and adjusted her open shirt to keep both them warm. She picked up another scone - sniffed it suspiciously - and popped a bite of it into her mouth and began chewing. She wasn't so sure Ralac liked eating more than she did. Having not eaten anything she'd wanted to for a year and having dropped to a dangerous weight, Kavala was more than willing to make up for it by eating everything put before her now. She would not rest until that plate of scones was just crumbs. Ralac seemed to like the idea too because he curled around his mother's chest, the small body impossibly large for having been born just days ago, and fisted his hands in her shirt and in her hair. His skin was so black he hadn't decided what color to be yet, and seemed content to let him take his time.

The matter settled - Tasi having taken a scone and wandered over to crawl up on Vanator's lap for comfort - Kavala nodded at both Vanator and Caelum's ideas.

"There's enough coin in the coffers. We can pick up a retail business, no problem. We can probably afford a tavern, with kitchens, infirmary, retail space and.... I know it sounds silly but if we are going to ship beer and herbs from The Sanctuary, why don't we get something on the plunge pool bay level with a dock, if we can, so that we don't always have to ride in to town but we can sail if we'd like. It would make transporting goods from here to there easier." Kavala said, throwing that out on the table. "And maybe... who knows.. we could get something or expand later... that has a large dock, warf, patio seating... something... I dont know. I don't think Riverfall has anything like that yet." She offered, finishing her scone, taking a drink, and settling back to let the infant feed. Kavala stroked his silky white hair, glancing between Tasival and Ralac. Her sons were so strong... both of them. Her eyes strayed to her daughter, looking at the tiny bundle nestled in Caelum's arms. Ia'del was so tiny. It was like she changed everything. The children all had.

Tasival was not someone she had supposed to been able to keep. But he was alone in the world without her... no without them. Now he had a further reason to stay with Kavala and her family. He had siblings - ones he was already bonding with - and what Kavala did now might mean the world for him in his future.

"We must grow. There is no question about it. It's not about power. It's about strength. We have to be stronger. Vanator, I know you feel it too. We must do this for our children. All of them. And Caelum.. once you get this tavern open... we need to go get the child that should have been your daughter. I haven't told you this before... but its time. She belongs here with us. Part of this, a small part of this, is because of her as well. We can't forget her. She's growing up with a human. She needs to come here, with her own kind, and an immortal father that will never leave her." Kavala said softly, meaning it in every way possible.