Cousinly Welcome


Following Caine and Julian's introductions and the brief chat afterwards, everyone mounts up and you all proceed to the castle.

Vere falls in behind everyone else, observing the various interactions among his relatives with concealed interest.

[If Kourin knows how to ride a horse, she'll get one horse, Jovian will take the other, and Robin will ride double with Julian. If not, Kourin will ride double with someone or other.]

Robin so does not have a problem riding double with Julian on Morgenstern and will take the opportunity to sneak the great beast the apple she's been holding and get in a few quick fond thumps and a brief hug.

While he isn't noticeably looking in her direction, a brief smile appears on Vere's face at about this time.

By the time Caine and Julian's party arrives at the castle, Aisling and Folly have also arrived, as has anyone else who got word of the arrival in the city. Servants take the horses and stable them (with the exception of Morgenstern), and other servants go to prepare rooms for Sir Jovian and the lady guest.

Jovian's grin bursts out broad and warm at the sight of the purple air-walker and its mounted companion. "Fledgling!" he hails joyously.

Julian excuses himself to speak with Gerard, and Caine excuses himself to speak with Random. The rest of you are in an outer courtyard, and may either have your discussion here or move on into the castle (or some of each, depending on your mood).

Vere looks off after Julian as he leaves to speak with Gerard, his face once again devoid of any emotion.

Once in the courtyard, Robin eases herself down from Morgenstern and stands beside the Wall of Grey as she looks around at the bustle of activity. Her nostrils flare once or twice as though she were tasting the difference in the air that the return of the Family has wrought.

"Dragonman!" Aisling booms back, with precisely the same tone. Grinning, it quickly unloops its arm from Folly and offers a hand to help her dismount. Then it approaches Robin (though halting at a greater distance than is usual in such situations, out of consideration for Julian's daughter's likely antipathy towards Chaosite things) and bows with its head and a graceful gesture of its arm. "And you are Robin? I am Aisling," it pauses, and then leaves that there. "I am pleased to see that you have returned."

Jovian is still smiling, but the tension that draws up in him is imperfectly hidden as he watches his sister react. One might think he had some sort of emotional stake in those two getting along....

At the booming, friendly beautiful tones greeting her brother, a grin dashes across Robin's face. To be replaced by an obvious 'what the hell?' look when she spots Aisling and Folly in the courtyard. Which shifts rapidly to a 'don't that beat all' gaze as she takes in the purpleness of the two.

With a step that's slow at first, but gaining in confidence, Robin moves out of Morgenstern's shadow to greet Aisling and Folly with a smile and a nod to confirm her identity. The Ranger extends her gauntlet to the purple air-walking multi-eyed lion thing in exactly the same way she did to Brennan.

"Aisling. Well met."

Mid-high water people catch its momentary hesitation (and can possibly guess the cause of this is unease with the custom and memory of Adonis), but mostly it looks relieved and pleased as it shakes her hand with its middle hand.

(Its right hand has only a forlorn two tentacle-fingers, unlike the healthy brush of its other two hands; but this is a lot better than the bloody handless stump Jovian remembers.)

The Shadowflyer relaxes, relief and fondness beaming the grin he shares with Robin and Aisling. He closes the scant distance between and reaches up to lightly scratch the back of the strong purple neck, where a mane would be on a more conventionally leonine beast. "How are you faring, Aisling?"

Jovian can feel it twitch, like it countermanded the orders for an enormous movement a millisecond after they were given. Those watching can see just a very weird expression; and its whip-tail hisses a few feet across the cobbles of the courtyard... But before that even dies, it's chuckling, apparently much amused.

Marius lets go of a deep breath that he didn't even know he had been holding. It would never have occurred to him to _touch_ the beast.

"Oh, well enough at times," it answers, still laughing, picking up his hand and clasping it for a moment before releasing it. "We should speak sometime before the coronation."

When Aisling twitches, Jovian startles for an instant, but it never quite gets past his eyes - and his hand freezing in place. Again, the soothing resonance of the chuckle relaxes him. "Yes, we definitely should. I'm sure we have enough to talk about. How much time does 'before the coronation' give us?"

"Two days," Aisling says. "Tomorrow is the memorial for Oberon and Deirdre and the war dead. The day after, in the morning is the coronation; around noon is the knighting ceremony; afternoon is a familial procession and the blessing of the fleet; evening is a masquerade ball. Don't worry; we've (waving a hand to the assembled knights) got some suggestions about that." It grins, having set up the punchline for Folly.

Folly, looking a bit windblown after her flight, has taken a moment to tidy herself. (This mostly involves shaking her head around really hard and then running her fingers through her hair a few times. The end result is not significantly different from the starting point.) Now she steps forward and greets Robin with a big smile.

"Welcome back, cousin, it's good to see you again," she says warmly. "Not that any of us missed you or anything, mind you." Her eyes twinkle as she punches Robin playfully on the arm.

"Hey, Folly." The ranger companionably nudges Folly with her shoulder. Her smile is a bit sheepish. "Everyone okay?"

"More-or-less, yeah. Everyone who's here, anyway." Folly hesitates, like there's a lot more to say on the subject, but perhaps not 'til after all the introductions have been made. She gives Robin an _I'll fill you in later_ look and then turns to the newcomers.

"And I suppose you'd be Jovian, then," Folly says, extending her hand to the dragonrider. "I'm Folly. Welcome to the party." Her smile is warm and friendly.

Folly is dressed in a simple, slightly rumpled dress the color of heather, which goes nicely with the purple streaks in her dark hair. If Jovian was paying attention when she dismounted, he probably also noticed the jeans and boots she's wearing underneath.

"I suppose you'll be right, Folly," Jovian answers, smile still bright, taking Folly's hand in one of his, covering it with the other and bowing over it. "Glad I didn't miss all the festivities," he adds, with not so much a note as a hornpipe of irony.

Marius watches Folly carefully. Some would say suspiciously. He spends a few more moments seeing the dynamics of the conversation, and then sneaks away to Do Other Things.

Before he does, Jovian flags him down. "Marius, before you go - I need to get a message into the chain of command at the harbor. Who's best to tell?"

"Myself, of course," he says, with a bit of an exaggerated bow. "I should be honoured to carry word for you, for that is my eventual destination."

"That'd be great," Jovian says with a relieved smile. "The dragons, twenty-eight of them, are encamped at Ruby Falls. They'll be fishing offshore sometime today. They should be far enough from the fleet not to cause alarm, but if the lookouts know they're on our side, that'll make things calmer all around.

Marius makes a visible pause at the word, "fleet," with a hint of a frown on his face. He doesn't say anything, though, but nods. "Alas, a dragon can be friend or foe from the distance," he agrees. "I will certainly extend the message onto the appropriate personnel; I would not like to see injury to our largest friends."

He looks around, and with a shrug, smile, and a hint of a wave, runs off towards wherever the naval HQ is today to deliver such a message.

[Jovian]
"Folly of Amber, this is Kourin, gold Hoshith's rider and at least half the brains behind the King's First and Last Air Corps."

"Well met, Kourin," Folly says, extending a hand. "Welcome to Amber."

"Thank you," she says, grasping the hand and squeezing it. She looks down at the roofs of the Pearl of Cities. "It's an amazing place. We don't build in the open back home. Does it go back into the mountain at all?"

"Not the city part, really, no," Folly replies, "although the castle itself is set partly into the mountain."

Vere, still standing a goodly distance from most of his relatives and merely watching and listening, lifts an eyebrow slightly and almost speaks at this point. Then he decides not to do so after all.

"It's dangerous to build in the open where we're from," Jovian clarifies, aside to Vere.

"Here," Vere murmurs quietly, "It can be dangerous to dig too deeply."

"Kourin, you remember Aisling--" [Jovian] squints at the Chaosite's battle form. "Though I don't remember if you saw her in this, uh...shape." His awkwardness is pretty clearly one of uncertain etiquette, not anything intrinsic to the parties involved.

[[ Actually, much of the time Aisling and Kourin were together-- the "horizontal alley of death" time-- Aisling was in this form. Kourin's also seen the wiseass warcrow form, and the cruel golden form... I don't remember if she's even seen the humanish form with her own eyes. ]]

"I do. We were not overly encumbered with flying allies, so our one was quite memorable. It's good to see you back safely where things are normal."

"For a broad range of values of 'normal,'" Jovian adds with a Julianic eyebrow and a twist at the corner of his mouth.

As the introductions get more and more, Robin steps back to allow everyone the room to talk with one another freely. If that takes her away from the center of the conversations, the fond smile on the Ranger's face seems to indicate that she doesn't mind that at all.


[This is mostly a place-holder note to show that Brennan is still there, but mostly watching the various interactions. He's not holding back, per se, he just has nothing he needs to say right now.]

[Ditto for Ossian]

[I think Ossian wanted to talk to Brennan after the Court scene, but I've more or less bowed out of that thread. That's the same day as Paige's party, after all. But Brennan still remembers. In fact, he will even be so bold as to catch Ossian's eye.]

[Well, Ossian was just giving Brennan the opportunity to strike up a conversation with him. Nothing serious.]

Some time during all this, Brennan catches Ossian's eye with an inquiring glance-- he wanted to talk about something the other day?

Ossian furrows his brow and walks over to Brennan. "Brennan?"

"Ossian. You looked like you wanted to talk after the Rebman delegation arrived in Court, but I had no time."

"Oh, that. No I really hadn't anything special on my mind. But I guess you might have some suggestions on the safe-keeping of the Trumps I collect for the king." Ossian shrugs "Although that is not a subject fit for this open place."

Well, now he's got Brennan's interest. "Hmm. Actually, I don't, right now, becuase I don't know what Random is planning on doing with them or how he intends to use them. But I could give it some thought, especially if I knew more details of the plan and the security concerns."

Ossian nods. "Let's have lunch with Jovian and the others, and we'll have a brief chat afterwards?"

"Works for me."

I'm sure Ossian is high enough water to realize that for some reason or other, Brennan doesn't particularly care for him. However, he does seem to have resigned himself to Ossian's presence and adopted a somewhat distant neutrality. Besides, he's not likely to misbehave in front of a large crowd.

Of course. What Ossian thinks about Brennan is a secret.

No problem. That leaves Brennan free to assume the worst.

That is the point.


As the introductions are winding down, Folly pipes up again. "Shall we go in? You must be hungry after your trip. If you like, while you're waiting for your rooms to be readied, I can send for some sandwiches, and we'll give you the 'good parts' version of recent events." She pauses; then, looking a bit grim, amends, "Well, the 'interesting parts' version, anyway. Did Brennan fill you in about your brother's brief return to Arden?"

"Pistil did," says Robin, probably referring to one of the rangers. "Though Brennan was kind enough to check that we knew right away. He mentioned that Brita and... Conner? were involved too?" The blonde heads nods toward Brennan in acknowledgment.

[Jovian]
"No, but Ranger Pistil did. It's On My List," he pronounces with grim clarity. "But meantime, yeah, I could murder a meatroll or four. Shall we?" His gesture includes Vere and Aisling, and Brennan and Ossian if they're still present.

Vere nods a silent acceptance of the invitation.

Lilly had been watching all of the introductions with interest. She did not have much to add so she remained suitably silent. For a brief moment after Folly mentioned food she had thought this a good time to politely excuse herself. That thought quickly faded however when the subject of Daeon came up. Jovian might know very little of what transpired between her and his brother. Certainly he would want to ask Lilly a few questions. Not that she blamed him. If the tables were turned she would want every fact she could get.

There is a slightly imploring look on Lilly's face as she attempts to catch Brennan's eye. She wanted someone she trusted in the room with her in case this got ugly. After all she did not want to injure both of Julian's sons.

Aisling smiles, "I am dancing with curiousity to hear of your trip back. Did the dragons enjoy it?"

What she's asking, oh ye high waters, is whether they're all still allright; but it would be rotten to refer to the memory of dragons not being allright, eh? So she hasn't.

"Some less than others," Jovian admits, chagrined. "Did you meet M'corli, green Antrith's rider?" His tone gives the question unhappy, but not heartbreaking, weight.

Aisling frowns with foreboding. "A little," it says.

"His eyes," Jovian says directly. "There were other injuries, fairly minor, his was the worst. We definitely should talk later." The entreaty in his eyes as they meet two of Aisling's does not spread to his tone or the rest of his face.

Aisling nods once, expressionless.

As people start talking about going inside, Robin looks around to see if Morgenstern is still within the courtyard. Or if he's pulled one of his patented disappearing acts.

Morgenstern has indeed disappeared. There is no reason to do anything but go inside.

Sigh. Except that she doesn't want to go inside. As such she'll wait until the others are firmly on their way and then trail in afterwards - if the social types will let her.

Folly, at least, seems to sense Robin's reluctance. She looks a bit concerned by this, but she leaves Robin to her own devices.

Robin slides her hands into her pockets and tries to keep her grin chipper as she strolls toward the great stone archway that seems to loom over her, leering and chipped, like some senile behemoth.

The girl is aware that she's in the company of some hefty observer-types so she does her best to repress the shudder that goes through her as the shadow of the doorway crosses her form. But she's pretty sure that she doesn't completely succeed.

When they enter the castle, Folly directs those who are interested in continuing the conversation into a comfortable parlor. She sends for refreshment and asks that the staff send word when the newcomers' quarters are ready.

Robin drifts into the parlor and proceeds immediately beside the windows - if there are any. Once there, the girl roots herself, leaning against the wall, with her arms crossed as she smiles at the rest of the room. She notes where Vere (if he enters) chooses to stand with a quick smile. And watches with quiet curiosity to see how Aisling will accommodate itself to the furniture.

Aisling pulls up a comfy spot in the air, settling down so that its eyes are on level with those of the seated folk.

Well, it must be a 'don't that beat all' expression day for Robin, because as she watches Aisling settle--there it is again.

Jovian grins at sister and comrade in turn, impish delight lighting his gaze.

Vere has taken a position with his back to a wall, near a corner, that gives him a clear view of the entire room. As Robin glances over at him a quick smile passes over his face, and he inclines his head the barest fraction in her direction.

She returns the nod, a ripple of green in the depths of her eyes.

When they're all settled, Folly, picking up on Aisling's question, asks, "So, yeah, how was your trip? We hadn't figured it would take quite so long...."

"We and the army have been here eleven days, now; Random appeared a week or so before the army. Did time pass similarly for you?" Aisling adds information and new questions both.

This too was of interest to Lilly. She could not help but to vaguely wonder wether any of the Dragon riders were subject to strange dreams. So she settled in for the tale, content to let the deeds of Daeon fall to the side for the moment. Eventually the subject would return to him. It always did.

Oh. Well, it's a time question. That'd be Jovian's. Robin looks over to her brother.

"Eleven days." For three seconds Jovian looks over the calculus equations written invisibly six inches below the ceiling and two points to starboard. "Given the differentials, yes, that'd be right. It was 38 hours and change less for us. It took so long because we couldn't be sure of keeping the wings together through a Hellflight. The possibility of leaving someone behind was unacceptable."

He looks to his sister. "How long, personal time, since we last slept, Robin?"

The Ranger shrugs one shoulder casually and shakes her head. She wasn't counting the hours.

Thinking again, he works it out himself: "Through the day the first time, back, forward again, long talk with Dad, ride home, Pistil's briefing. Only about 22 hours. The stress makes it feel longer, though."

[Robin knows her brother well enough for this to feel unduly vague. And he's never vague about time.]

When coffee comes, Jovian doses his more than liberally with cinnamon and a bit of chocolate. He blatantly does not like it bitter.

Robin takes a cup of coffee--black--but passes on the snackies.

"Most pressing matters first," [Jovian] says with a sigh, and sips the brew tentatively. "Vere, I'm afraid your homeland may have become hostile territory. Your mother is free and unharmed, but her chancellor is leading an uprising against her. Vianis also had the fardling gall to take hostile action against Robin when she was passing through." This, too, is evidently On His List.

Aisling looks surprised, uncomfortable to be hearing this, and then emotionless.

Vere blinks, once. After a brief pause he says, with no emotion in his voice, "The Chancellor has acted against the Lady? That is most .... unexpected."

When Jovian decides to take the bull by the horn, Robin's gaze drops to the floor. At Vere's lack of tone, the Ranger winces slightly and her eyes flicker Danu-ward. Then, with her lips pressed together, her eyes return to admiring the carpet.

"A full briefing will have to wait for my father to be available, and I'm sure yours will want to hear it. For now, let me only say that I did my best to make life difficult for someone posing a threat to your mother, and if my aid is welcome in the future I will give it freely." There is a subtle emphasis on 'freely' that might even make Vere wonder if Jovian is pronouncing his intent to pay a debt. There is certainly something to be explained later in the intense, but not challenging, directness of his eye contact.

Vere meets Jovian's gaze without expression. After a moment he nods minutely, and says, "There is no need to bore our relatives with the affairs of the Isles. I have no doubt your father has already given, or will shortly give, Prince Gerard whatever information he might have upon this matter. I can wait for further details." There is a brief pause, and Vere's eyes narrow slightly as he adds, "Although if you know of the current welfare of the Princess Avis, I would appreciate having that knowledge now, good or ill."

"Profoundly shaken, truly exhausted, slightly skewered, and kind of disappointed. And home." Robin looks up from the carpet to Vere. "Siege says hi too." A half-smile cocks her lips at some memory.

"Broken out of captivity, thanks to Robin," Jovian adds. He catches his sister's eye and something significant passes between them.

A green sparkle in the depths of Robin's eyes answers her brother.

Vere's attention moves from Jovian to Robin, and he considers her silently for a moment. Then he raises an eyebrow and makes a slight bow towards her. "I suspect your words touch the mere surface of a fascinating tale," he says. "I look forward to hearing it."

Robin looks a little surprised at Vere's slight bow and she nods at the mention of a tale. But her eyes dart around to the rest of the room, and she firmly clamps her lips shut. Obviously, the Ranger feels she's said too much as it is.

[Vere] straightens and adds, "For now, I think we should concentrate on bringing you up to date on what has happened in Amber, and the plans for His Majesty's coronation."

"Yes, please do," Jovian nods. "Day after tomorrow, is it? I'm sure we have a lot to catch up on."

"We all do, Jovian, we all do. Have you met my wife, Queen Vialle?"

Random is standing in a doorway and the soon-to-be-crowned Queen is beside him.

Vere nods his head towards the doorway, murmurs "Majesties" in a low voice, and fades back into quiet stillness.

As usual the King's demeanor amused Lilly. Amused in a good way, but still amused. Vialle might never get the exact husband she wanted. That was fine with Lilly though so long as Amber got the exact King they needed. Rather then interrupt with undue niceties Lilly simply bowed her head slightly in Random and Vialle's direction.

Robin's heart gives one hard thud before she gets it under control and smiles pleasantly to the King and Queen.

For an instant, Folly seems to be filing something away for future reference. Then she, too, smiles at the newcomers.

Brennan has been uncharacteristically silent during the ride in, pre-occupied with the various notions of the events in Arden, the project Ossian has prposed and a few other things. He's also been taking the chance to observe everyone else, especially Robin's body language. through this.

When Random and Vialle come in, he was still standing, so he doesn't have to rise. Ordinarily, he'd just nod, but he says, "Majesties," for Vialle's benefit. Like Lilly, he's also armed (his default condition) and is curious to see just what the etiquette on that is. He's completely un-selfconscious about the sword at his belt, and it doesn't look like the idea of removing it even crosses his mind.

Random either doesn't notice or doesn't care, because he doesn't say anything.

Aisling rises, its eyes a little higher than Random's until it steps a bit to the side and down.

"I haven't had the pleasure," Jovian admits, approaching and starting to extend a hand, then remembering the disability Julian mentioned, his hand pauses halfway until she offers hers. "I'm honored, my Lady."

Vialle inclines her head in the direction of Jovian's voice and does, indeed, extend her hand to Jovian.

He takes it in one hand, covers it with the other and bows low over it, almost but not quite touching with his forehead.

[Random]
"Welcome to the big rockpile. Robin, welcome back. Kourin, isn't it?"

The Ranger's blonde head bobs once to Random in response.

[Jovian]
"Yes, it is. King Random, Queen Vialle, Kourin, gold Hoshith's rider."

("The Lord and Lady Holder of Amber," he adds, should Kourin look faintly puzzled by the titles.)

Kourin bows to the royal couple. "My Lord, My Lady," she says.

[Random]
"So, I heard my brother was with you."

Jovian nods. "Dad arrived with us, and went off straightaway. To either you or Gerard, I presumed."

That answers that questions, Lilly thought to herself. It was interesting to note the behaviors of her aunts and uncles as she was still feeling out alliances and such.

Vialle says, "We'll look for him there, then. I've had Steward Vent set aside a room for you, Jovian, and I've had to move your things, Robin. I hope that's all right; with all the new arrivals we've had to shift people about. Kourin, I've already asked Steward Vent to prepare a room in the guest wing for you. A page will be here later to show you there. Don't hesitate to let them know of anything you may require."

Folly shoots a discreet "been there, done that, got the cat pee stories to prove it" look in Robin's direction.

Before Robin can quite figure out how to answer the blind lady without interrupting her, the Queen has moved on. So the Ranger supplements her nod with a quiet 'Okay.'

[Vialle] adds, "Folly, I would appreciate it if you advised the newcomers on the schedule for the next few days. Steward Vent is already aware that Julian's children and their guest will need some tailoring in the next day or so and has arranged to have someone at their disposal."

"I'm on it," Folly replies pleasantly. Asking her to take care of newcomers is like offering a stray kitten to a confirmed Cat Lady.

"Thank you, my Lady. I'm sure everything will be fine. I've heard the Coronation ball is to be a masque. I'll have to brainstorm a bit," he considers with a wily little half-grin.

Folly looks Jovian and Kourin up and down in appraisal -- dressing them with her eyes, as it were. "Well, if it's creativity you're after, I'm told I'm full of it," she offers with a wry twist of her mouth and a merry twinkle in her eye. "We'll get you hooked up."

Aisling catches Folly's eye and waggles one hand. It mentioned something about Knightly preparations for this in the courtyard; it's pointing out it might should be included in this bit, at least.

Folly smiles at Aisling and inclines her head slightly in understanding.

"That's not what I'm usually told I'm full of," Jovian responds with a look to Kourin that really ought to be accompanied by a stuck-out tongue. "We'll come up with something, I'm sure."

"If you have any difficulties, let me know and I will do what I can to smooth them," Vialle says.

Random touches Vialle's shoulder and some marital communication, obscure and incomprehensible to outsiders, passes between them. Vialle smiles at Random, and he returns it as an insouciant grin.

"I have a brother to find. Ladies, gentlemen," Random says.

"Good afternoon," Vialle adds by way of farewell, and Random takes her arm. Then they are gone in a direction that those familiar with the castle know will take them towards Gerard's office.

Once they have departed, Folly says, "Right. Schedule. Today is... what... Tirsday? That means tomorrow's big event is the afternoon memorial service for Oberon and Deirdre and those lost in the war.

"Day after tomorrow is the big party: The Coronation part, with all the oath-swearing and honors and sh-- ...stuff, is in the morning -- not my idea, for what it's worth; I don't do mornings if I can help it -- followed by a big family procession down to the harbor in the afternoon for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. We don't have to do much for that except stand around looking pretty. The Masquerade, which has a small chance of involving actual fun, is in the evening.

"The day after that is Freeday, which one hopes will live up to its name." Folly grins and looks from Jovian to Kourin to Robin and back again. "Any questions?"

The Ranger purses her lips as her thoughts swirl. But she looks back to Folly and shakes her head with a quiet smile. Nope, she's got it.

"I suppose the oaths, honors and shtuff includes investiture of the new Order?" Jovian says, directing it as much to Aisling as Folly.

Aisling nods.

"We can fill you in on those details later if you wish Jovian." Lilly says from her corner of the room. Feeling she has sufficiently garnered the attention of those gathered, she continues on. "Perhaps we should also fill you in on the prophecies and such? Unless of course Robin has all ready done so?" After all if the end of the world truly was coming, they should perhaps be informed.

Jovian groans, rolling his eyes ceilingward. "You think we should get out of the rain?" he asks, consciously quoting his missing brother. "Who's saying the world ended five minutes ago this week?"

The flat line of a repressed ironic smile dances across Robin's lips, and she shrugs one shoulder off-handedly. It didn't seem like a priority, so she didn't mention it earlier.

"I think that one's yours, Vere," Folly says, meeting his eyes and smiling slightly as she addresses him. He can probably tell, even if the others cannot, that she's concerned for him after hearing the news of his homeland.

Vere nods and holds Folly's eyes for a few seconds before turning to the newcomers. "There has been some debate about how seriously to take this," he says, "With the majority opinion being that it is not a matter of importance." His voice gives no clue as to whether he holds with the majority or not. "Early in the Regency we became aware of a religious group that was planning to leave the city. When questioned, they revealed that their leader has received a vision that the world had been destroyed, and that Amber was lingering and would shortly follow. By shortly he meant a period of some years, in which they wished to remove themselves from the distractions of the city to a place where they could meditate and prepare themselves for the end. Certain incidents indicated that their leader might indeed have some ability to perceive spirits and/or receive visions, although the question of how accurate his assessment of these visions might be is clearly a matter of conjecture. An interesting fact was the specificity of the date of the destruction of the world." A small, tight smile crosses Vere's face as he pauses, then concludes, "That date, told to me 721 days ago, is for the day after tomorrow. Random's coronation."

"It could be a coincidence. But it certainly will not hurt to keep it in mind. If one stops to consider all of the negative things that have occurred as of late including but not limited to the incident with Daeon which forced the retreat from Heather Vale, Bleys and Brennan's meeting with the moonriders on their return trip, and of course the lack of pattern the idea that Amber may be in danger can not simply be written off. However, I do realize that I could be overreacting due to my lack of experience here in the city. Still it never hurts to be prepared." There is little emotion in Lilly's voice as she speaks. There was no point in wasting that much effort just yet.

"How is the end reputed to come, when it does?" Jovian arches a Julianic brow at Vere. "Disintegrative collapse into the void? Floods, hails of fire? Giant carpenter ants eating it all away to nothing?"

"They were annoyingly vague," Vere replies. "They maintained that the universe had already ended, and that Amber was merely somewhat tardy in following it." His eyes grow distant, and when he speaks again it is clear that he is quoting.

"The signs are clear, for those with eyes to see. I have seen bodies raining into the sea, the great castle lying in a heap and the mountain peak above it shaved away. The messengers speak constantly of it. We of the Paresh are sensitive to such things, which is why I was granted such visions. Our founder came to me, in a dream, and made me promise to lead the people to safety. We cannot save ourselves, but we can save our souls. The doom of Amber is absolute and the sealing of it happens in less than three years. We are not some doomsaying cult--look at our history. But in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are called for."

Vere's gaze comes back into focus and locks on Jovian. "So spake Elder Germaine," he says.

Brennan, who had been fiarly quiet until now, asks, "Messengers?"

"Elder Germaine saw spirits," Vere states. "They told him things, and gave him visions." He allows a very small smile to appear on his lips, "The exact nature of these spirits would be an interesting thing to know. Enemy action is certainly one possibility. However, I did observe what appeared to be a temporal rift of some kind in their building once the Paresh had left Amber and Prince Jerod and I were investigating it. Elder Germaine, as a child, was clearly able to perceive me, as was his mentor. I infer from this that the Paresh prophets' ability to see spirits was more than mere superstition, and they might well have had some form of precognitive power."

"Hmph," [Brennan] snorts.

"I would be positively fascinated to see this building. Is it supposed to be a temple of some sort?"

All trace of emotion vanishes from Vere's face. "That might be possible after the Coronation," he says without inflection.

Lilly looks at Brennan. "Provided of course we are still alive." There is little emotion in Lilly's voice. More then Vere's perhaps but certainly much less then the average mortal. However there is a glimmer in her eye as she looks at her friend that suggest she sees a certain absurdity in all of this. And for the first time in her life, Lilly is considering doing something rather rash. Whatever that may be though remains unvoiced. For now anyway.

Brennan shoots an amused look, but lets it pass. His young cousin is learning bad habits already....

Aisling grabs its chance to divert this conversation into less uncomfortable land; it defines Lilly's words as a jest and backs this definition with a rich, rolling chuckle.

"Perhaps," it suggests with a grin, "we should make the most of this meal, then. For the wonderful ability of food in Amber to retain its foodlike qualities even without attention is not a gift to be taken for granted..." Aisling's definitely laughing just below these words, and looks perfectly willing to elucidate if there is an indication of interest.

The Ranger's head cocks and her brow furrows for a moment as she works on that.

Brennan looks interested. He stifles the urge to offer her a glass of milk three days warmed. That wouldn't be cousinly at all. But probably instructive.

Jovian, who has been making some effort not to groan audibly through the apocalyptic speculation, perks up at this. "The taste even stays the same no matter what you're thinking about. I highly recommend it." And with that, he starts tucking away his lunch in earnest.

Settling itself back on its haunches, Aisling neatly arranges all the bits of itself around it, adopting a storytelling posture. "It is mine to see and to report what I see," it starts, in tones harmonious and mellow. "Know, then, that in the place where it is said that I originated, that which is eaten is not quite so discrete as food here. Indeed, while there is a great deal of discretion in Chaos, there is very little that is discrete," it says, grinning merrily and just barely not chuckling out loud.

"When one notices one is hungry, and there is something to hand fit to serve that desire, there is, as in Amber, the option of not finishing the thing off. However, one tends to eat it in parts, and while you may find yourselves leaving the pickles or the ham, there you would be more likely to leave the iridescence. Yet, without some will holding this quality in place, it has a tendency to slump into the background; such that the next time you came that way, there might be more of a nacreous quality to the breakfast nook... Or not," Aisling shrugs, "such is Chaos.

"Upon arriving here, I found it odd that the remains of my hunting... Remained," it grins widely again, "Though I had been warned that this was the case. And, in fact, I was so taken by the effect that I built up stash after stash of leftovers, delightedly checking on them as time passed for them and for me at the same rate, and they retained will to form without life."

Aisling pauses and stretches a bit, smiling. "Of course, as time went by, this food did follow the course of Chaos; either being stolen by other creatures, or slumping into the earth. And yet, even the weakest creatures partaking of it remained as they were, just as the food had remained, and the earth remained. And after many a long watch spent pondering, I tentatively decided that this remaining, or unbreakable gift to be as one is, was in fact the quality known as Order... And that it was rather pleasant to be able to idly build up a larder.

"And when I had studied the ways of you who are at the highest peak of Order for some time, and one day managed to make off with a tin of sardines which Prince Gerard had caused to appear in some far distant Shadow and then brought here-- food which could very well stay as it was for ages-- why, then I felt exceedingly smug!" Aisling chuckles at itself very softly, bowing its head to those around the room in appreciation for their attention.

Robin finds herself gently clapping before she notices. There's a soft smile to her face, and the shadows of a merry sparkle in her eyes.

"Now, if you will excuse me, gentlebeings, it seems to me that the appreciation of lunch is a noble cause, and one that would be better answered by a form for which the lunch was designed. I shall return anon..."

And Aisling stands, and gracefully weaves its way out of the room.

Lilly is a bit surprised to find herself smiling as Aisling finishes. Aisling had indeed told them much with her story but had done so in a most entertaining way. As "it" left the room Lilly found herself wondering what gender would return. With Aisling that was a fair enough question.

The Ranger cocks her head, and shoots a questioning look to Jovian.

"Shapeshifter," he whispers to his sister. "Her human form is quite..." He gestures vaguely as if grasping for a word. "Personable," he decides.

Robin's brows furrow, "But... this one was personable. What is it about the appreciation of lunch that doesn't agree with air-reclining?" She whispers back.

"Metabolism, maybe? Taste and smell receptors? I didn't inquire." The wingleader shrugs noncommitally.

"Huhh." Robin blows out a soft breathe. "Change the eater to match the lunch." It's said in that 'what'll they think of next' voice of hers that gets such a work-out at the Castle.

For those taking notes, when Aisling gets back, she's in the usual "female with streamers" form. She devotes herself to lunch, chipping in enough to keep the conversation burbling along, but also disposing of food with planned efficiency.

Looks like this thread isn't really moving much, so shall we handwave the rest and wrap it?

The only thing out-standing on Robin's plate is to talk to Folly about her earlier comment from the courtyard concerning everyone who is here is okay. But Robin definitely doesn't want to press the issue in this big a group -- or in front of a bunch of seamstresses. :) So yeah, Robin would be quiet through the lunch, slowly and subtly eating a lot ('maybe a trip to the kitchen after lunch' lot.) She'd watch Aisling occassionally with gently curiousity and avoid getting into any serious discussions.

Well, then, as lunch is breaking up, Folly comes over to the window on the pretense of collecting Robin's well-cleared plate.

"Hey," she says quietly. "I know you're probably gonna have a million things to do today, but if you've got some time tonight and wanna get outta here for a little while, come find me. We can take a walk up the hill or ride down into town for a pint, your choice."

Robin looks up with quiet eyes. "Thanks, Folly. I'll do that." She smiles quietly and releases her plate to Folly's tender care.


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Last modified: 12 March 2003