Redhead Luncheon

[To occur in summary mode, comments appreciated from those invited...]

Paige's Sommerset House is on the northern edge of the City along the coast, perhaps as far from the Castle as you can get and still be considered within the City. It was first conceived in the minds of architect named Trowel and Lord Ransom. They constructed the country villa approximately 400 years ago and called it "Knoll" after the hill it sits on, overlooking the ocean. It echos the romantic Gothic Revival design of Shadow Earth. Here in Amber it immediately drew attention, not all of it good.

It was known to critics as "Ransom's Folly" for its fanciful turrets and asymmetrical outline, unlike most homes constructed in that day. But Ransom's fascination with the property continued for decades and, as his wealth and status changed over the years, so did the estate, reflecting the tastes and interests of Amber society. It was expanded from the main house to a country villa and then to something more resembling the mansion it is today.

About two hundred years ago, after landing a wonderful contract for some items from Gateway, Ransom had the building almost doubled in size, including the large arched ballroom and a second solarium. The grounds are wonderful; Sweeping lawns accented with shrubs and trees from Shadow, the curving entrance drive revealing "surprise" views, the angular repetition of the roofline in the evergreens, and the quiet rose garden and fernerys.

Since the Sundering, Lord Ransom has had neither the time, nor inclination to maintain the home. Paige and her man Bond finalized the agreement to take it off his hands shortly after the Return and has been working tirelessly to have it in condition to host this luncheon.

Guests mounts and carriages are met at the drive by either Miles or Briar to be taken to the carriage house.

Brita arrives ten minutes early on a horse which she hands over to Briar. She is still dressed in her formal red coat from the Rebman encounter. She is also still silently fuming.

Brennan arrives with nigh-perfect punctuality, as unfashionable as that may happen to be. He also arrives on horseback, because he likes riding. As always, Brennan is dressed nominally to style, but to a more minimalist version of style than the Royal Family might typically wear.

He's in his typical scheme of black with just a bit of red trim, and has added a formal coat to the ensemble. He is bearing arms, but will put them aside if asked. He's noticeably calmer than Brita was at the time of her arrival. Actually, if he's worked up over the court proceedings, it doesn't show at all.

At the head of the steps is Liam, Lady Sommers's page, and her steward, Grant.

Brita takes the steps three at a time and almost runs over Liam in her distraction.

"Pardon," she says as she steadies him. She takes a deep breath, as if trying to calm herself.

Through the main foyer, decorated in subdued but festive tones for the impending coronation, the guests are lead to the small ballroom to the left of the main stairs. The room is filled with a buffet style luncheon, attended by Aura, Rider, Eve, Poesy, and the cook, Gates. The fare is expensive and has a good bit of meat, imported from Heerat should anyone inquire, though Paige is the first to explain how such a party after the expense of the House itself has ruined her financially.

Set in a corner is a stool and cushion in crimson and gold where a lute waits for Lord Rein, if he sees fit to play later in the day. Silently watching the spectacle are Paige's bodyguards, Van and Mace.

Brita takes little note of the decor as she is led to the ballroom. To anyone watching, her breathing is controlled and rythmic as she tries to rein in her sething temper.

Paige is dressed in a simple gown of white and green with subtle gold accents, and she takes time to greet all her guests personally.

Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to:

o Paige's new home, which she's glad to show off to anyone interested,
o The arrival of the Rebman embassy, primarily among the Royals,
o Paige's impending motherhood, and
o The coronation plans, including speculations on costumes.

Comments?

[ See most all the NPC's mentioned above here ]

"Cousin Paige!," Brita greats Paige with a warm hug. "The house is lovely and you have obviously spared no expense to provide us with a real treat" Brita indicates the buffet. "I am sorry that I won't be able to stay too long. I must go back to Arden tonight and continue sorting through the mess of the move from Heather Vale." Paige can probably tell that Brita is ready to bolt for other reasons as well and she can feel the tension in her tall cousin.

Brita will talk plesently with Paige until others start to arrive. She will then drift to the food and start adding a mountain of goodies to a small plate. She asks for water when a servant approaches. She then stands to one side near the door, nibbling on her goodies. She is open to anyone that approaches and makes polite chit-chat, but her friends can tell her mind is elsewhere.

Paige is delighted to see Brita, glad for her attendance, and make plans so that Brita will visit longer her next time in the City. She's also glad to see that we redheads, obviously including Brita, were well represented in Conner's defense.

Brennan always has other business on his mind, but whatever business it is, isn't occupying him so much that it's noticeable. When he arrives, he greets Paige, Brita, and any of the other guests who are already there (especially if Paige makes the introductions-- if not, Brennan has never been shy.)

Being a bit of an architect, Brennan wouldn't mind the grand tour. He will also listen with amusement to speculation on costumes, but no force present will drag from him his own plans for costuming.

Conner arrives just moments after still dressed in his court clothes of that morning. His smile is as warm and inviting as ever and if anything he actually looks happier and more excited than normal after today's court proceedings.

He greets his sister with a hug and Brennan with a handshake, and of course a hug and kiss on the cheek for the radiant hostess. Conner also hands her a package wrapped in a red and blue checkered cloth. It looks to be size and shape of a large book. "Just a little something." He smiles.

Paige breaks protocol among family, since the current number of other people are light and opens the package deftly with a letter opener from a desk in the study just off the foyer.

It is a book bound in rich brown leather. Written on the cover in gold script is Memories, and the book inside is full of fine vellum, perfect for sketching or writing.

A kiss and a place of honor for the book in Paige's study reward her cousin, gratefully.

Lilly was one of the first to arrive at the party. Since then she had done her best to blend into the scenery. It would have been a far easier task had she not been dressed in crimson with gold accents. Her dark her hung freely framing her face and calling attention to her almond shaped eyes. Today she radiated beauty. One might almost think she worked to do so...

She happily chats with anyone who engages her in conversation. There is never anything rude in her demeanor. Her reluctance to involve herself in small talk comes from shyness nothing more. The only two people her she approaches freely are Paige and Brennan.

Brennan will get from her, without much effort, that Lilly and Paige have matching outfits for the coronation ball. He also will quickly note that Lilly seems to know this house quite well. She definitely seems to have been here before.

He notes both of these facts, without seeming to note the second one. The first one gets an elaborately arched eyebrow, but if she wants to keep it a surprise, so be it. THat's all part of the entertainment.

About a quarter-hour past the scheduled start of the party, Paige receives a Trump call. It's Folly. "Hi, sweetie," she says cheerfully when Paige answers. "I, uh, got caught up doing some things here and forgot the part where I was supposed to allow time for, like, transportation and stuff. Pull me through?" She smiles sheepishly, but then brightens again. "Ooh, you could make me appear out of a closet or something!"

Paige stepped to the side to receive her cousin, "How about from the doors to the gardens, when everyone knows there's no way you could be out there?" She walks toward the glass expanses.

When [Folly] appears, she's dressed in a short-sleeved, empire-waist dress of lavender lace layered over a cream-colored underdress, with lavender satin slippers to match. She looks like nothing so much as a Victorian porcelain doll, albeit one with purple-streaked hair.

Paige greets her with a kiss and sweeps her into the room...

She chats at least briefly with each other guest, probably spending the most time enthusiastically talking about music with Lord Rein.

Ossian arrives a few minutes later than Folly, simply dressed in a white shirt and blue hose. When he's welcomed by Paige he will say:

"Would you want a painting by one of your cousins to go with this new house of yours?" he smiles.

"If you saw fit to grace me with one, I'd be overjoyed," Paige answers. "Unless you're talking of another cousin," she jests.

"Then I will paint you one. Where do you want to hang it?" Ossian looks around, taking in the atmosphere. (Paige will of course know that this kind of question comes naturally to Ossian. A painting should fit in its surroundings)

"Oh, and I must show you this," Paige says, leading him toward the second floor library, a room done in rich mahogany tones accented by green upholstery and window treatments. The primary artistic focus of the room is a [landscape, I believe] painting in Brand's hand.

"I found it after the Sundering," she says. "I had to do a bit of digging and a bit of reconstruction and repair later."

Ossian studies the painting. "You know, I thought everything that was left by his hand had perished in the Sundering. I'm glad you took care of this one." he gives out a happy sigh. "I think I will come back here some day and study it closly, if you don't mind."

He will spend most of the time talking pleasantly to whoever he bumps into.

He will however also try to take Bleys to the side and ask about the Trump sketch of Aisling.

Bleys and Fiona arrive fashionably late, together, still in their formal court clothes. They greet Paige, separate and start working the room.

Brennan greets them both, of course, and Fiona gets her traditional kiss on the hand from Brennan. No hand kiss for Bleys, though. When no one else is looking, he does favor Fiona with an otherwise absolutely deadpan wink just to see if he can get a smile out of her.

Then, given odds that Paige will have her hands full a guests arrive, Brennan will attach himself loosely to Bleys as he circulates, and pick up the introductions that way. Perhaps Lilly will join them.

Lilly would be pleased to do so. If nothing else it would be easy to slip behind the presence of Bleys and become relatively invisible if the need arose.

Reid arrives fairly late and seems rather distracted. He doesn't necessarily seek anyone out for conversation, though he is cordial enough with those who greet him. If Rein picks up the lute, Reid will accompany him on flute for a tune or two before wandering off to explore the hosue.

Aunt Felicity arrives a bit late, but before Folly. A whirlwind of greetings follow. She is, as always, happy to see everyone, catch up on the latest gossip, and speculate about masquerade costumes. If she catches any newcomers in the corners, she makes sure to draw them into her conversation.

Earl Raptor, Lord Rein, and Viscountess Wonder all arrive together from the castle. Wonder is pleased to see Paige, but more pleased to see Fiona when the latter arrives. Wonder is one of the first people Fiona approaches after her arrival. Lord Rein greets his favorite apprentice with a kiss. He is pleasant and sociable, and easily engrossed in discussions of music if someone approaches him. Raptor is trying to be sociable, although he seems distracted.

Captains Navneeth and Ramala arrive quite late, but people from the Land of Peace don't seem to have a great sense of time as far as the Amberites can tell. The Captains bear a guest-gift of fine coffee for Paige. Both of them are taken on as charity projects by Felicity, who introduces them around so Paige doesn't have to.

Gilt Winter arrives a few minutes before Raptor, Rein, and Wonder, having ridden down from the castle alone. He's a flamboyant fellow with long, silver hair. He flirts outrageously with all the ladies, but is equally comfortable with the gentlemen. If Bleys weren't here, he'd cut quite the figure.

Ambassador Harper brings a lovely curio of Gatewegian glass art for Paige. It's about paperweight sized. If she's aware of the recent events that have transpired at the castle, there's no indication of it from her demeanor.

Jewel, Laurel, Ransom, and Epicure all show up roughly on time, mingle, and generally do the services of B-grade guests at royal functions.

[Brennan] greets all these newcomers properly, but of course Raptor is not a new acquaintance, and is greeted accordingly.

Initially, Brennan is in his watchful mode as he often is when meeting new people. He's quiet not out of any shyness, but because he's keeping his own counsel. If there's a contrast in the room, it is likely between Brennan and Gilt Winter-- if Winter is flamboyant and flirtatious, Brennan is much more the picture of quiet self-confidence. He's still on the soft-spoken side, but that's because he knows he doesn't have to raise his voice. People will listen when he speaks.

It's no antagonism (unless some reason develops.) Merely a contrast.

He doesn't bring it up himself, but he waits for the topic to turn inexorably to the recent war. As one of the two representatives of the KOR, he's fascinated to hear what other people are saying. But he doesn't raise the subject himself.

At some point Lilly asks the question of Paige and Brennan that has been on her mind since this morning, "How do we know that Rebma has a pattern? Has it been seen since the sundering?"

Paige sips at her drink, fruit juice, before answering, "Conner. He claims he couldn't control Shadow there as we can here. That speaks greatly to the idea that there's still a functioning Pattern beneath the ocean floor."

Brennan nods. Not in the sense of, "I knew that," as much as the sense of, "That's the interpretation I would draw."

"Any other Rebman details you would know?" Conner inquires walking over to join that group.

Lilly smiles politely. "It is kind of you to offer cousin." Someone she manages to sound genuine. "Perhaps one of you could further explain something to me or at least offer your beliefs. Rebma is thought to be the seas reflection of Amber. Could it exist without Amber? And further, could a pattern exist there without a corresponding pattern on land?" Anything any of her cousins had to offer on this subject would be greatly appreciated. When faced with a puzzle Lilly was not satisfied until all the pieces were in place.

"Well the experts are mingling." Conner chuckles. "But if you'll settle for my opinions I'll give it." Commer takes a sip of his drink. "I've always felt reflection was a bit of a misnomer. It is true that the Pattern of Amber and the Pattern of Rebma are inverses of each other, one clockwise one counter clockwise, but beyond that I have seen little to indicate that they are true reflections of each other. Certainly what happens in one does not immediately manifest in the other." Conner takes a second sip. "Are you familiar with the Primal Pattern, Lilly?" He asks.

"Not personally.I have the basics of pattern theory. It is certainly not my area of expertise. To date of have yet to even see a working one." Which may explain at least some of Lilly's interest in the subject.

"The Primal Pattern was the first, the one drawn by Dworkin, damaged by Brand, and repaired by Oberon. The ones in the basement, in Rebma, and in Tir are.." Conner muses for a moment. "Projections of the Primal. I have thought of the Patterns as both blueprint and anchor. They establish the physical laws under which these first shadows operate and then enforce those laws ensuring that is how things are. Now these three projection Patterns are clearly not simply reflections of the Primal else when it was damaged you would have expected corresponding damage to appear on them. Yet it is expected that if the Primal Pattern had been completely destroyed the remaining three would also have been destroyed or somehow lost power. So the way I read things, it is quite possible for the Rebman Pattern to exist without Amber's so long as it is still supported by the Primal."

[Brennan]
Before I know how to react, I need to know how crowded the area is. Is this discussion taking place in a fashion that could be overheard by someone other than Family?

Conner is speaking in quiet tones so that only the four in the message title can hear and moved them to the side as he began his talk.

And Lilly is the type to keep a conversation such as this one away from the ears of non-family as well. I am assuming that we can only be overheard by those of royal blood if anyone.

Lilly takes a moment to repeat the words in her head. Amber's problems were indeed very deep, and very complex. But the lack of pattern had good effects as well. For one, if they were careful, their enemies need never know they did not have a pattern. Those that could shift shadow and change reality could be extremely useful if they came under attack. And then there were the problems in Arden. Let their enemies try to attack them through there. It would be likely they would meet their demise before ever reaching the city. These and many other thoughts like them began to swim through her mind as she reflected upon the information she had been given to this point. Of course she summed everything up for her cousins...

"...Interesting..."

Conner chuckles. "Yes, metaphysics usually is. Of course that is just my interpretation of things. How it differs from the truth is hard to say."

Through all this, Brennan was nodding silently in the sense of agreement through much this, as well as not wanting to interrupt, and wanting to see where Conner would go with it without interruptions.

He's a bit surprised that it's being discussed at all where there's any possible chance of being overheard by people not of the Family, but...

"What about the obvious difference between the Rebman Royal family and the Amber Royal family, then?"

"That we can walk the Patterns and they can't." Conner replies.

"No kidding," [Brennan] says. "And why do you think that might be?"

Under her breath Lilly says, "Perhaps they traded for the ability to be green haired?" The comment is meant for Paige but it is just loud enough for the others to hear. The delivery is absolutely dead pan but the grand children of Oberon can tell she is most certainly joking.

Paige smiles gently at her raven tressed cousin.

Conner chuckles. "Good one." Then he turns to Brennan. "They aren't of our bloodline. Now are you asking to find out or are you leading us towards a grand theory of your own?"

Brennan spreads his hands. "Would that I had a grand theory to lead you to. But Received Wisdom holds with the reflection theory-- Rebma is a reflection of Amber. Extended wisdom might modify that a little so that both are reflections of another source."

Those present can probably feel Brennan mentally picking up a poker chip of Received Wisdom from the stash labelled "Things Brand Said Which Might Be Bullshit," and hefting it to see if he can place it in one of the "Known Bullshit," or "Non-Bullshit," stashes.

"I was wondering where, if at all, the differences in the peoples, and especially the Royal Lines, can be wedged into any of those models. I've never been entirely happy with any of them, but I have nothing better to offer. Yet."

"It is indeed a complex topic. I fear we could easily discuss it for days. I had not considered the monopoly I would be placing upon your time with my simple questions." This does not in any way mean Lilly has lost interest though. It's merely that upon further consideration she has decided now is not the time or place.

"I think you will find that only simple questions have complex answers." Conner smiles. "If you wish to talk more, feel free to call on me."

Brennan really was hoping for Conner's take on that, but I guess it'll have to wait for some other conversation.

[Paige]
"It seems we're ignoring my guests, so perhaps we can speak more as I give a small tour?"

Brennan tags along, but only briefly. Instead, after seeing a good bit of the first floor, he catches sight of Lord Rein in the gathering room, and politely excuses himself into a thread to begin shortly.

Paige leads people through the first floor of the townhouse, from the from sitting room, through the dining room and into the solarium, where the rear gardens can be easily seen. Back to the foyer and up the stairs as she remembers to indicate a closed door they're now almost directly above, as her study. "Kinda cramped, but the most 'homey' room I have so far."

On the second floor she shows a sewing room, a music room, and two bedrooms. "For the twins," she explains looking to Lilly, in hopes that she now understands.

A glimmer of anger flashes across Lilly's features for the briefest moments. It is unclear however who or what she is upset with. Then comes understanding. Paige had given her just enough clues to keep Lilly from being overly surprised. From the understanding burst forth a genuine fondness for Paige. Something about the situation, and more importantly the redhead's handling of it, seems to have endeared her to Lilly.

Lilly does not have the words to express what she is thinking right now. That would have to wait until she and Paige were alone. For now she simply returns her cousin's look with a tender smile and a simple nod.

Conner watches the exchange, and nods to himself in approval.

Slightly surprised she's not fielding more comments, she continues the tour, showing the third floor salon over looking the street and her own chambers that provide a view of the the gardens. Obvious here is a large area for painting, including a work in progress, a painting of Dame Lilly sipping tea. Beside are several sketches of Benedict's daughter. To the Trump initiated, perhaps the one also on the easel has a "sharper" image.

Lilly wanders into the studio and gives the painting an appraising look. A slight frown brushes across her lips. The painting was wonderful. The girl in it... well she was not quite up to royal standards. At least not in Lilly's opinion. Next time perhaps she'd pose in a sword stance. Maybe then attention would go away from her and towards her form.

Finally she turns from the picture and looks towards Paige. "It is coming along wonderfully. When and if you need me to sit for you again I would be delighted to do so."

Ossian studies the painting and the sketches closely, nodding while furrowing his brow. He now and then looks at Lilly for reference.

"Is this the first sketch?" he asks pointing at a paper which would look like Lilly if you watch it out of focus.

"No. Actually, the first one is in my sketchbook and was done from memory after the evening in the Library, but..." Paige cocks her head looking at it herself, "Yes, it's the first 'Sketch'.

"Have you ever found yourself finding the core of the sketch before you can draw the lines to encompass it, and then hating yourself for imposing your will on something of such formless beauty?" she offers in explaination.

Lilly had no experience with drawing or painting. Most people might find a conversation so completely out of their element boring. Of course she was not most people. To Lilly this discussion was fascinating. It offered insight into both Paige and Ossian and their ways of thinking. So she remained nearby for the moment and listened.

"Oh, Paige. It happens..." Ossian flips up a page in his own small sketchbook, that has a sketch of a similar sort on it, and then quickly shows another one, of another person. [My guess is that Paige might recognize the last as Folly, and Lilly might recognise Marius if she knows him well enough. When looking straight at the sketch you cannot tell who is on it, yet the first impression...] "...not as often as my fingers itch to redesign something, though." he adds with a grin.

He looks closer at Paige's sketch (the simple one) yet another time. "This one is really good. You know, Brand mentioned sketches like this, and I have tried to develop it into a technique. I was surprised to see someone else working in the same way."

"You know what they say," Paige jests. "Among Artists, paint is thicker than blood."

With a knowing smile, she adds, "We share both." Her hand unconciously goes to the pendant at her throat.

Ossian's eyes fixes on Paiges for a moment, and he nods. He seems to be a bit surprised.

"I figure to have the Lilly sketch for your 'trumpbooth' before the coronation," she offers.

"That's great! The whole process seems to go faster than I thought it would." with a smile he adds, turning towards Lilly, "although I must confess it is hard to let go of a possiblilty to paint your portrait."

"Perhaps a time will present itself in the future for such an undertaking." Lilly says without a hint of flirtation. It's simply a statement of fact.

Ossian bows. "I will be patient. This is worth waiting for." there is some flirtation in Ossians statement, still Lilly realises that Ossian is sincere about wanting to paint her.

Lilly nods. "Perhaps we should rejoin the group down stairs? I'm certain someone will eventually miss your presence Paige." Again it is minus the flirtation but filled with good cheer. All the same Paige can tell Lilly would be interested in speaking with her alone later.

Peeling himself gracefully away from the other conversation, Brennan makes his way over to Lord Rein and whoever might be around him. If Lord Rein is playing, he'll wait until the man is ready to take a break from it, then introduce himself.

"Lord Rein, yours is a name that I've heard more than once since I've come to Amber. This seemed like a good chance introduce myself. I'm Brennan."

He bows. "Well met, Sir Brennan. I was most impressed by your leadership at the recent battle."

Brennan offers a hand, to shake Lord Rein's. "Thank you, Lord Rein, and likewise. We do what we need to do, don't we? I hadn't the chance to come and speak with you after the Battle or on the road home, but I marked you out among the archers. This wasn't your first time fighting, was it?"

Rein smiles and returns Brennan's handclasp, firmly. "Oberon's lordships did not come cheap, Sir Brennan. I have been going to war for Amber for centuries. There was a time when I felt my contributions as a warrior outweighed those as a chronicler and a minstrel."

Brennan raises an eyebrow. Even more the kind of man Brennan had been hoping to meet, than he had expected. "Really, now? I should have guessed as much from your conduct. I've been looking for someone who can tell me about some of those wars and battles firsthand."

If he tries to suggest that the Family are better sources, Brennan good-naturedly waves that off with, "Useful to a point, but also veiled in politics, Family and otherwise." Brennan's interested in the viewpoints of men who lived through history from somewhere other than the Royal suites.

Along the way of drawing Lord Rein out, he does also inquire after his experiences of integrating back into the City, his music, whether he'd had any thoughts, musical or otherwise on the recent battle, his career, and other such things as would make good smalltalk between them.

Rein is happy to talk and happier to listen. He thinks the Army will be OK for a while, but a lot of people don't know what to do with themselves. He's working on a couple of songs, and he'd be happy to introduce Brennan to his protege who wasn't at the battle. He's reminded of a song he learned a long time ago from a friend who died at Jones Falls. The lad wrote a song predicting his own death. "The minstrel boy to the war is gone, in the ranks of death you shall find him..."

Brennan, too, chats amiably and at length. If Raptor should happen to join the conversation, so much the better, but Brennan isn't going to try to call him over, just yet.

He's speaking to one of Paige's servants.

"If I die today, I'll be one of the last who remembers seeing Prince Benedict at the pass. And the Weirmonken at Jones Falls, and the Seige and both ends of the Black Road." He smiles. "As long as Amber likes martial songs, I have the means of making a living."

"You can't die today, Lord Rein, for just that reason. We won't have it. Have you ever considered putting your memories down in prose, as well as music? As you say, if you perished today, you'd be among the last, outside the Family, to remember any of those events. And I don't think one of us newer breed can make all of those claims, either."

"Oh, I won't die to today. It wouldn't be meet to leave all these songs unwritten."

"Very true."

Brennan will try to keep the chat going, which probably won't be hard, because he is genuinely interested in the history and the defense of Amber. If Rein speaks freely, Brennan asks extremely good questions, and demonstrates by those questions that he'd led men in battle before Patternfall.

Rein does speak freely and his memory is good, but it is possible that some tales have grown in the telling.

And what kind of a bard would he be if he didn't spin a good story?

[Rein] wants to know about the big blue demon and how you ended up on the side of the heroes.

"Ah, the big blue demons," he says, and proceeds to give his fairly accurate version of the tale of the Little Furry Guys vs the Blue Dumb Blue Demons. Breek and his brother figure highly in the tale, but there's no possible way to excise Brennan's own exploits from the episode either.

He doesn't really try.

Besides, it was part of what got him that Knighthood to begin with. And if Rein is going to make a song about it, he might as well have the facts of it.

Brennan can feel him building a tune already...

Is it a catchy tune? Something with drums and the occasional brass that people will find compulsively hum-able?

Very catchy. Sounds good to you.

Excellent.

He tells Brennan an amusing story he has heard about Brennan giving a LFG a sword, and wants to know if it is true that one of them asked Brennan if he wanted them to kill Random.

Brennan isn't sure whether to be amused or alarmed by that. He settles on amused, for the moment, and clarifies. "I returned Breek's sword to him, an he asked me who I wanted killed. I told him nobody. Those boys are... very loyal. Now who would spread an absurd story like that?"

"It wouldn't have made a good song, anyway. Unless you did it." His deadpan delivery is somewhat spoiled by his arched eyebrows.

Brennan gives him a stare mostly good humor and just enough serious to get the point across that, "No, afraid not. No one who dealt with the Little Furry Guys would believe it anyway-- His Majesty is their God of Luck, after all. Who wants to go up against the God of Luck?"

"You'll find that here in Amber, few people have much truck with gods, Sir Brennan. On the other hand," Rein says, "many people will be willing to overlook the god part for the luck part. His Majesty is universally said to be lucky.

"You'll also find that very few people have had much experience with the 'Little Furry Guys', so how they would actually behave is of little moment. Verisimilitude is everything in songcraft. Never let the truth get in the way of a good song."

He adds, "Of course, some songs are best when enjoyed by a discreet audience." His gaze lingers for a moment on the hostess.

Paige meets his smile and uses it as an opening to excuse herself from Lady Epicure, making her way across the room...

"As for the side of the heroes..." Brennan shrugs. "When the chips are down, what could any man have done, other than seek out Prince Benedict and offer his services?"

"You're right, though. I'm afraid more than a few of the men are going to be at loose ends, with life in Amber having passed them by. Or feeling like it. We have some plans as we've been able to make in helping," he mentions the short term plans, such as the Brothel alert, Folly's potluck brigade, such plans of Jerod's that Brennan might be likely to know, and so on. "No doubt there will be opportunities in shipbuilding and in the Rangers, as well. But it's my thought that some of the men will see some advantages to the disciplines of a martial life, and that some of the veterans of the older fights might see it as an honorable way of life for their restless sons."

"Janissaries? Or mercenaries? Amber has had both in her history and neither are...popular. Likewise private armies for the nobles. Suppose there are such men, Sir Brennan. How would you use them, in today's Amber?"

"Neither term has quite the connotation I'd prefer, Lord Rein. But I intend to use them to keep Amber safe, given King Random's permission. Amber is reminded that she has enemies, and the need of both offense and defense. She also has a body of men with some experience, now, a number of whom will be at loose ends and have a hard time adjusting to life as usual, as well as a population of older gentlemen who still remember wars prior."

"The King was opposed to a permanent military class, but the new King may not have the problem of ambitious sons that his father did..."

"Not yet, anyway. Although should that problem ever develop, I intend to have it fixed firmly in their minds and institutions that they serve Amber and the Crown, not factional politics." There's enough cold iron in Brennan's voice to convey that he is quite serious about being able to impose his will-- and that specific will-- on a large body of fighting men.

"That would be an innovation, Sir Brennan."

"So it would. Call it a faction in support of His Majesty and Amber if you absolutely must, but think of it in terms of a small core of professionals surrounded by a larger core of citizenry who have enough training to know which end of a blade to hold.

"Of course, His Majesty may nix the entire concept. And I may always be pleasantly surprised if there turns out to be no need. After centuries of pessimism, I am entitled to at least one pleasant surprise, wouldn't you think? I always thought that was the point of the mindset."

After a bit more talk, "Have you considered that idea of putting down your past experiences into prose, in the form of a history?"

"No, I can't say I have. It's not the done thing in the peerage, you see. My habit of actually performing at court is considered eccentric enough in the circles I move in," Rein says.

Paige smiles, greeting Rein with a kiss on the cheek. "Eccentric? In some circles it's suicidal, especially when it's the Black Prince that you favor," she jests.

"Brennan, I hope you're enjoying yourself."

"Immensely, Paige. Thank you for the invitation."

"Speaking of Uncle Corwin, have you spoken to him since he's returned?" Paige asks Rein.

"Lady Paige," he smiles. "Rumor has it he rode in today with a school of very fishy characters. The Duchess Valeria has a certain reputation in court circles. I wonder if he has a political use for her presence..."

"I'd think it were early for him to be rattling Greyswandir already, especially when he and Random seem to be allies," Paige observes.

"Tell me more about the Duchess and her reputation."

"They say she's a shark. When things were easier between Rebma and Amber she used to come up to look for men, because she had terrorized all the Rebmans. It's just gossip as to why, but she was quite common at social events a few decades ago. If she were a man, Amber would be full of Rebman half-breeds, if half the stories are half-true..."

Lilly would also ask Brennan and any of the other chaos riders (Aunts and Uncles included) if they experienced strange dreams during the trip home. The questions would be in passing over dinner or whenever. She certainly would try to keep the discussions very low key for now.

This might get a little more of a reaction from Brennan than Lilly might have expected. He's not alarmed, but there is suspicion in his narrowing eyes.

"Why do you ask?"

(OOC: Let's say we pencil this discussion in at some point during the party at Paige's? Unless you have a better suggestion... )

The narrowed eyes make Lilly take pause for just a moment, her pulse quickening just a bit. Perhaps it was not a coincidence after all. Her eyes focus intently on Brennan's face and she answers in a slightly hushed tone. "Because in a discussion with Aisling we discovered we had similar dreams, though in her case I'd say it was more of a visions, during our journey." She stops herself there to allow him to react.

Brennan processes that for a moment, then makes a gravelly rumbling somewhere at the back of his throat. "Once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is enemy action," he says.

He's already scanning the room for Bleys or Fiona, when he asks her, "A series of fleeting, but urgent images? Mine included a woman falling down stairs, a woman lifting a bloody body, and a printing press in a burning building, among others."

Bleys is talking to Lord Rein; Fiona is speaking with the Viscountess Wonder.

Lilly nods before reciting the visions in her own dream. "A snowcapped mountain peopled by giants, a man holding a dying boy in his arms, a woman running through an empty city fleeing a fire, a man and a woman sitting cross-legged on pillows while drinking from tiny cups. Aisling mentioned 'great tower falling; a man thrashing another man; a woman smashing a mirror; a woman singing to a group of very hairy deer-things' in her vision. Both of us had a sense of urgency during and a sense of something being very wrong later." Then as something of an after thought she adds, "I don't like this."

"I don't like it either. Not one bit." Then, "Giants?" he muses. "Aren't Brita's folk called Giants?"

Lilly shifts uneasily. "I'm not sure. She's here though. We could ask her. My only fear is that we might unnecessarily alarm her." Her eyes begin to scan the room for Brita.

[Brennan]
"I think she can handle it. If it's true, anyway."

"Very well then." Lilly says. Without waiting for a response from Brennan she goes in search of Brita. If Brennan chooses to follow, great. If not, she'll fill him in later.

Brennan follows with a certain bit of bemusement present in his expressions.

Once Brita is in sight, Lilly approaches with a definite sense of purpose. "Cousin Brita, you and I have not had much of a chance to speak with one another. Could I perhaps have a moment of your time?" It's clear that Lilly means and in a corner of the room were they would most likely not be over heard.

Brennan does not interrupt.

Brita is standing near a window overlooking the gardens. She smiles as Lilly approaches although Lilly can probably tell it is a somewhat strained smile. At Lilly's words, Brita practically jumps at the opportunity to leave the room, "Of course, Cousin Lilly! I was hoping to get out and look at our Cousin Paige's garden. If you would like to accompany me?"

"Certainly. Brennan, would you like to come along?"

Brita would have recognized Brennan's approach as well with a smile of greeting. [the player forgot that Brennan had said he was going with Lilly]

Lilly will make idle small talk until they are well out of hearing range of those inside. Her demeanor then seems to change and become a bit more serious and certainly more guarded. "I was wondering, Brita, about your father and the lands you were raised in. Is it true he was a giant?"

"My Da _is_ not much taller than me," Brita stresses the present tense. She then pauses and cocks her head to the side slightly."That is not what you meant, is it? My Da is the son of a giantess, my Grandma Grid. He is also a god from Grandda Odin's line." Brita does not stress the god part, it is just a fact.

"Interesting." For a moment Lily seems to revert into herself as her thoughts overtake her. It seems as if she might be done with this conversation. Then at is as if a light come on as she decides to trust her instincts... and Brita.

"Several of us, those who journeyed to and from chaos, experienced disturbing dreams during the voyage home. It is only recently that we have come to realize we were each not alone in our visions. While we each dream was different, the tone was the same. Also we believe that timing to be very close. In my dream I saw a snow capped mountain peopled by giants. Brennan suggested that vision may have a basis in reality; your reality."

Brita's eyes flicker at the mention of the mountains. She reaches into her jacket and pulls out a deck of cards. Shuffling through the cards, she settles on one and turns the deck towards Lilly and Brennan reveling a card showing snow-capped mountains above a crystal clear lake.

"Jotunheim." She says. "The home of the giants. My Grandma Grid lives just over this ridge." She taps a spot on the middle of the card. "Traditionally, the giants are not favored by those in Asgard. The Ice Giants are definitely on my Uncle Thor's black list."

"Now that," Brennan says, "is damned disturbing. It was really just a stab in the dark. It'll be more disturbing if that really is the scene from Lilly's dream."

He looks at Lilly, waiting for her to make a judgement.

And Lilly looks to the GM's... How similar are the two?

Frustratingly, Lilly cannot quite recall enough detail of her dreams to be sure. It could be, but it could easily be something else.

"Perhaps." Lilly looks deeply at the card once again. "Or perhaps not. I am afraid the details of my dream are beginning to fade from my mind. That in and of itself is disturbing to me." Rarely did she forget anything. Forgetting something that could be of importance was a more than a bit annoying.

"The fact that it could be though is in some ways enough. It is my thinking that the similarities make it likely that I saw either Jotunheim or a related shadow. It would be interesting to know if any of the other visions fit the backgrounds of our family."