"Is this from ASCHWAR??!"

Warmly, you ask Binky Tailsnap, "Hello, Binky. Are you occupied right now?"

Binky Tailsnap's ears perk up with a sudden interest.

You have emoted: Lief shoulders a pack carrying something bulky. In her hand is folded stationery as she hovers, beaming.

Binky Tailsnap bows low before you, his tail lifting behind him. "Ms. Lief! It's been a long time!" He rises and clasps his little hands together. "Hello!"

"I've missed you so much!" she laughs. "I've missed seeing everyone!"

You smile broadly and say to Binky Tailsnap, "How have you been?"

Whiskers twitching, Binky Tailsnap exclaims, "I'm all right! I've been... I got the oil out of my fur, at least!"

You have emoted: "Oil?" Lief asks, then peers suspiciously about for Miaei Wildbriar.

In a whisper, Binky Tailsnap exclaims, "At the Gala. There was dwarf wrestling, and I got entirely soaked in oil!"

You have emoted: Lief's eyes widen, and she covers her mouth with her empty hand. "Oh, goodness!" The hand stifles a small laugh as she shakes her antlered head. "I remember seeing them at one gala - they *do* put on a rather enthusiastic show, don't they?"

Binky Tailsnap nods his head enthusiastically.

You beam broadly at Binky Tailsnap.
Binky Tailsnap blinks at you with a thoughtful air.

Grabbing his tail and holding it in both hands, Binky Tailsnap says, "It was exciting, except for all the oil."

Laughing, you say to Binky Tailsnap, "I hear there were so many people there, too! I'm so glad you - and everyone - came to help us and see a bit more of the Basin."

You have emoted: Lief flashes a smile over at Duethielle Ladrennbenn and Miaei Wildbriar before her eyes return to Binky Tailsnap, twinkling with merry color.

Binky Tailsnap beams, his eyes straying to the bulge in your pack. His ears perk up along with his whiskers.

Lief proffers forth the stationery, a little grin tugging at her lips as she adjusts the pack on her shoulder. "It is an official invitation for you three to join us at a musical we will be putting on in the amphitheatre. I will post to the commune as a whole as well, of course, but I wanted to be certain you three saw it."

Grinning, you give stationery flecked with merry songbirds to Binky Tailsnap.

Lowering her voice, you say to Binky Tailsnap, "Aschwar hopes to make it, too."

Binky Tailsnap gives a horrified gasp.

Binky Tailsnap says, "Really??"

You nod your head enthusiastically at Binky Tailsnap.
Binky Tailsnap clasps his tiny hands together.

You smile broadly and say to Binky Tailsnap, "I just received word from them late last night! I'm so excited, and do very much hope they can be there."

Binky Tailsnap exclaims, "I hope to see them there! I hope-" He breathes rapidly, almost hyperventilating. "That I can make it!"

You have emoted: Laughing a bit in her own excitement, Lief finally unshoulders the pack on her shoulder. "That brings me to the second ulterior motive I had!"

You have emoted: Lief draws a small painting from its protective cover and holds it, image facing herself. "This is a gift for you," she beams, "from Aschwar."

Turning it so he might see, you give a painting of cookie-bound bliss to Binky Tailsnap.

Binky Tailsnap takes a moment to compose himself, his whiskers twitching as he receives the painting.

Binky Tailsnap's mouth falls open, his eyes growing wide. He passes a hand over it's surface, his tiny fingers tracing the cookies, the marshmallows, and then the mouse-kin and tae'dae.

His voice rising to a high squeak, Binky Tailsnap exclaims, "Is this from ASCHWAR??!"

You have emoted: Lief clasps her hands together before her kimono's lap, her eyes twinkling with excitement as she watches Binky Tailsnap. "It is!" she assures Binky Tailsnap. "Painted by their own hand! And they were thinking of you the whole time - even the canvas is the perfect size, even though they're so tall!"

Binky Tailsnap hugs the painting tightly, bouncing up and down. He quickly scurries over to his shelves, unveiling the shrine of mouldy cookies, and placing the painting directly in their middle. He then lifts his gaze to the painting reverentially, whiskers twitching. "Oh MY GODS! They were, they were... thinking-" He squeaks again.

You have emoted: Lief's eyes stray to the mouldy cookies, and she covers her mouth. The gesture might hide her beaming smile, but it does nothing to keep it from her gaze. "If you or they can't make it to the musical, I've spoken with Gurashi," she adds, her words muffled. "They'll help me with bringing you to see Aschwar in their chateau, or bringing Aschwar here to see you. You *will* get to see them soon, I hope."

Binky Tailsnap turns to you and throws his little arms around you. "THANK YOU! Thank you for bringing this..." He suddenly catches himself, drawing back. "This uh, very lovely piece of art to me. I want to thank Aschwar properly, properly too!" His ears twitch as he looks down, slightly embarrassed.

You have emoted: The hug takes Lief by surprise, but she laughs and returns it before it breaks. "Do you know what you'd like to give to them?" she asks, clapping her hands together. "I can bring you some origami to send to them, or to Gurashi, who sees them often and will make *sure* it gets to them!"

Binky Tailsnap's whiskers twitch as he blinks for a moment. "I will have to think very hard... about what I will give them." He turns towards the painting again. "I will definitely let you know, Ms. Lief." His face is of absolute admiration as he clasps his hands together and holds them before himself, as if in prayer.

You have emoted: Lief holds her hands up to her heart, and she smiles deeper at Binky Tailsnap. "Just let me know if I can help. I hope to see you at the musical, but I will leave you to your thoughts."

You have emoted: Lief offers Duethielle Ladrennbenn and Miaei Wildbriar a merry wave as her wings lift her from the earth and she turns to depart.