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MacKensie was affable and high in energy throughout the lunch.  She was so glad that Alison was getting along with everyone and that her friends seemed to like the Rogue as much as she did.  When Frederick looked to her for back-up about his new recipe, the frenchwoman was quick to testify to the quality of the spicy stew their host had come up with.

[Colour=Pink]"Oh, it might be the best stew I have ever had in my life,"[/colour] she attested.  [Colour=Pink]"I have no doubt Frederick would be awarded a Michelin star for this one."[/colour]  The owner of The Mended Drum was oblivious to the meaning of 'Michelin stars' but, nevertheless, was looked proud to hear to MacKensie's words.  [Colour=Pink]"I would love to have that again, Frederick, thank you."[/colour]

It was obvious by the atmosphere that everyone was glad to be all together again around a single table.  This moment in the company of eachother was a microcosm of the comfort they all felt by sticking together through thick and thin.  Their was a power in their friendship and MacKensie felt an aura of invincibility around them.  Together they could overcome anything, this much had been proven.  The ogres and skeletons, the direwolves, Zigmund, the wraiths, the cult... they had vanquished everything that stood in their way.  In spite of the impossible task ahead of them, for once, right now - this one moment in time - MacKensie did not fear the future battle.  She drew confidence not from herself but her amazing group of friends.  The smarts of James.  The toughness of Zell.  The skill of Adam.  The unrelenting force that was Fenna.  The literal 'never say die' attitude of Clive.  The power of Barracker.  The projection of undoubtable confidence of Alison.

They could save Valhiem.  She believed.

[Colour=Pink]"I will never forget how my friend, Juliet,"[/colour] MacKensie told everyone, something that was said prompting her to chime in.  [Colour=Pink]"How she  and I, became so close.  I always knew her from my ballet class, as a youth, but we were not friends, per say.  Then, I happened to see her when on a family holiday, in Aspen.  Such a coincidence.  The absent-minded girl had managed to lose her purse, her phone and her cards all at once."[/colour]  MacKensie laughed as she was immersed in the memory.  [Colour=Pink]"It was not the first time she had lost all of her things, and she was so frightened that she would be in a world of trouble.  We spent all day learning how to contact her cell hone company and bank so that we could cancel her cards and SIM.  It was quite the task, we had no clue what we were doing.  But we managed it."[/colour]  The frenchwoman shook her head wistfully.  [Colour=Pink]"She would never have managed alone.  We were fast friends ever since."[/colour]

Her story triggered a comment from Zell.  "Ha, that reminds of this one random time that I had to save my dumbass mate.  The idiot had fallen down a well."

MacKensie laughed, bemused at the absurd notion of Zell trying to drag his friend out of an actual well.  [Colour=Pink][i]And I thought Juliet was a little dopey at times,[/i][/colour] she thought.

James almost choked on his drink in reaction. "Oh yeah? Sounds like the kind of idiot that would steal a horse," the Cleric replied.

MacKensie laughed, completely oblivious to the private joke being shared between her two friends.  Once Clive and Zell went to the bar for a second round of drinks, and the food was served, MacKensie tucked in to her stew with her spoon.  [Colour=Pink][i]Bliss,[/i][/colour] was her review of the first mouthful.  James turned the conversation onto the group's favourite food, with Barracker going first.  MacKensie, cognizant of including Alison in the conversation, smiled at Barracker's choice before redirecting the question to the Rogue.

[Colour=Pink]"What about you, Alison?  I am sure you have sampled many a cuisine in your time,"[/colour] she remarked, rembering how easily Alison had pin-pointed almost down to the city.  The older woman was no-doubt well-travelled.  MacKensie was interested to know what her take on food would be and if there would be any stories to go with it.