From: hamlin_graves	Date: 08/30/2007 23:45:32

Hamlin strolled around from the back. He'd been enjoying the river for a good part of the afternoon, serenely taking part in nature as an observer. "Why hello," he called, as if he hadn't expected and partially arranged this meeting. "Good to see you," he added as he approached ever neared and extended his hand to shake. "Glad you came," he added, extending an arm towards the front of the hall as if beckoning the man inside.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 08/31/2007 08:48:37

Chai looked up at Hamlin's appearance and after a brief hesitation came forward and shook his hand. "Thank you again for your invitation, Hamlin. Again, i have to say, I'm very flattered." He started forward, into the hall, curious to see what it was like inside.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/01/2007 04:56:42

"Well," he smiled, "I don't know why anyone would be flattered. It's just a building." He was grinning like a kid with his hand in the candy jar all the same. "I'm more flattered that you'd come."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/01/2007 11:51:41

Chai gave him a small smile in return. "Not so much the building, but the invitation was what was flattering. How are you, by the way? It's not exactly often we have any time to sit and chat.

Chai wasn't sure what he was expecting when it came to entering graves hall, but he was focusing on speaking with Hamlin at the moment anyway as they entered the building.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/01/2007 12:51:32

Hamlin smiled and watched the door slip shut behind them. Sometimes it would hang ajar, as if someone wasn't yet ready to enter. But this time is shut easily, quietly. He might have known that Chai would be a good fit, even if he had doubts in his mind; he belonged in the hall and once he pushed those thoughts away he'd fall into his place. Maybe even sooner than Hamlin expected. "I'm quite well," he said. "Well, if you become a regular at the hall we can catch up very often. Even if you don't, we could always make time when we run into one another at Parliament. How have you been?" he asked, observing casually how the hall adapted itself to suit Chai's expectations.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/01/2007 13:10:29

Apparently Chai expected a grand hall with domed ceilings, elegant tapestries, and marble floors, because that's what he saw. In other words, the sight of the inside of the hall didn't disappoint him in the least. he was pleased to see it was exactly what he expected, and if he'd had any real reservations about being here, they were fading fast.

"I've been busy as usual," Chai responded. "Busier, even. Meeting new people daily and catching up with old ones." Oharu, Jones, and Bethany fell into the first category, and of course Evie and DeVries fell into the latter. His face softened a little at the thought of Evie before he looked back at Hamlin.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/01/2007 14:40:26

Hamlin was impressed by Chai's expectations, though he always had to guard his surprise at whatever it was the hall put out. "Good to keep busy. I find myself with inordinate amounts of time to do nothing these days," he said, almost cheerfully though there was a tiny hint of discord in his tone. He hadn't been spending as much time with Samra as he usually did, mostly because he was terrified she'd realize how he felt for her, and also because he wanted to give her the space to work on her marriage.

"Now I will tell you this about the hall: it's always a pleasant surprise." He tapped his nose as if playing a guessing game, which it could easily turn into here. "There are plenty of rooms, more or less given the need, and always just what you need. So if you get peckish I can imagine we'll find something good to eat in the kitchen. Or bad, depending on how you like your food," he smiled. "I myself have a deep love of wines and ice cream, so I find them quite frequently here."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/01/2007 17:41:39

Chai had no idea it was his own expectations coloring the hall, and it was only when Hamlin made a statement about the rooms giving in to one's needs did the idea occur to him. Apparently that was the same time Chai felt the desire for a warm cup of good tea because there was suddenly a little table near him. He was certain it wasn't there moments ago, but now it was, and adorning it was a lace doily and a steaming kettle of tea with two cups, looking for all the world like his grandmother's own. Chai raised his eyebrows. "Now that's service," he murmured. "This is an amazing thing Hamlin," he said in awe, helping himself to some tea after offering a cup to the other mage.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/02/2007 07:06:24

Hamlin smiled into his cup of tea. He was always pleased when someone found his hall satisfactory (how could they not?), but in his new incarnation he couldn't admit that it was his doing. "It really is," he said quietly and sipped carefully at the hot tea. "It's really just a convenient place for people of like minds and ambitions to meet. We can do what we want when we want with no fear of being disturbed. You can come anytime you like," he added. "There's no need for specific meetings. It's just as much for recreation as anything else," he added, leaving that last thought delightfully vague.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/02/2007 10:58:08

Chai was finding the hall more than satisfactory. It was nothing short of wonderful. He sipped at the tea and then looked back at Hamlin. "I was wondering if I might ask what exactly garnered me this invitation? I'm definitely thankful for it," he amended. He was leaning toward accept the invite to become a member; he wanted to see a bit more, but he couldn't find any reason so far to refuse.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/02/2007 11:55:12

Hamlin smiled again. He didn't reveal his methods of choosing and it was more to do with the hall itself than he'd ever admit. "Your magic," he said simply. "And you, as a person. I think you have something to offer here, though what I'm not entirely clear on. I never am," he added ruefully.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/02/2007 13:16:49

Chai was silent for a moment as he sipped more at his tea. "I think I would like to accept your invitation, Hamlin. I would be very interested to see who else is a member here as well." It would be nice to know who else he might soon becoming acquaintances with, friends with via meetings here in the hall.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/02/2007 14:36:53

Hamlin grinned and clapped Chai on the back with a friendly pat. "Wonderful," he said. "I could tell you who is currently using the hall. Some of our alumni don't come out as much as they used to," he continued. "Right now it's Evie Chanson, Samra Chance, yourself, me, and I have another outstanding invitation, perhaps one more after that."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/02/2007 15:55:12

"Ah, I see." Chai knew the names Hamlin mentioned, even if he didn't know the people themselves. At that last bit, the outstanding invitation, Chai tilted his head at Hamlin. "Outstanding invitations, hmm? And one of those would be Evelyn Wilheard, am I right?" He knew full well Evie had been invited; they had mentioned in in passing to each other, and then in further depth when they discovered they were both invited.

He would be far more likely to join the hall if Evie were to do the same, though he was already pretty set on doing so himself.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/02/2007 16:18:55

"It would indeed," he replied amiably. "I do hope he accepts."

Hamlin sipped some more of the tea. Chai had fine tastes that Hamlin certainly appreciated. "Our hall has been so empty lately."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/02/2007 16:43:31

"I suspect he will," Chai murmured in reply. He hoped so at least. Someplace else for them to be able to meet, talk, relax, in a hall that anticipated needs. "Well, whatever gut instinct told you to invite us - me -" He and Evie were not an 'us,' he told himself, "-maybe you'll find more people to invite soon. Fill the place more."

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/02/2007 17:11:40

"We'll see," Hamlin replied. They usually did come in waves. The hall could be empty for years before Hamlin would get the feeling that they needed new members. "Of course, don't be surprised if you decided you'd like to stay that you become tuned into the house. You'll know when there are people here and if they want company. There have been a handful of times when Sam and Evie get bored and want to hang out. They'll come down and I just get this feeling they'd like me to come too."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/02/2007 19:42:39

Chai looked at Hamlin in some surprise. "Tuned to the house? Really? Would it matter where I am? How far away?" The thought was intriguing, and Chai found himself wondering just what kind of magic went into creating the hall.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/02/2007 20:16:56

"I've never noticed a difference in distance," he said with a peculiar smile. He always felt the pull in the most inconvenient places. "I've traveled a lot," he said vaguely. "Doesn't seem to matter how far from home I am. As for where you are," and here he laughed, "that doesn't seem to matter either." He smiled freely though and shrugged. "It's not an irritating feeling, just a little tug that goes away if you decide to join in the hall activities or not."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/02/2007 21:00:30

Chai nodded, and finally put down the teacup. He had made up his mind. "Hamlin, I accept your invitation. I would very much like to be a part of Graves Hall." It hadn't taken much convincing really, not when the place seemed to want him there.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/02/2007 23:25:08

Mission accomplished, and quicker than he thought. "Wonderful!" he exclaimed. "The only other thing I haven't said is that the hall doesn't allow guests. I have to invite them personally or they won't be allowed in. Only members and pending members can enter. I think we've settled everything else," he said happily, pleased that Chai was now a full-fledged member of the hall.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/04/2007 08:22:54

Chai nodded. There wasn't anyone he could think of he'd like to to invite, except Evie, and he was already invited. He almost said as much aloud. "That's perfectly fine. I don't think there's anyone I'd be wanting to bring as a guest anyhow."

Well that was all settled. Chai wondered what was to happen now.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/04/2007 10:37:10

Hamlin grinned. "Well, welcome again and I'm sure that you'll feel the tug in the coming weeks." He winked and headed back towards the door. He had no known skills at divining, but no doubt that the hall would be convening again soon. "Until then, please come and go as you please. I hate to think that the hall won't be put to good use."

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/04/2007 22:47:50

"Thank you," Chai said again smoothing down his uniform. "I'll be certain to put it to good use. But I think for now I should be getting home." It was getting a bit late and Chai had promised his grandmother he'd actually be home for dinner for once.

	From: hamlin_graves	Date: 09/05/2007 08:17:53

"Ah yes, I should as well. My stomach is chastising me for not having dinner before our meeting." He laughed lightly. "Do take care Chai," he added and passed through the doors. He kissed his fingers briefly and pressed them to the door frame as he passed, as if thanking the building for its good sense of judgment.

	From: notvanilla_chai	Date: 09/05/2007 22:26:59

Chai lingered just a while longer, laying a hand on one wall as if introducing himself to the house. Only then did he head for the door, a small smile on his lips, and an odd sense of satifaction in his soul.