Diablotin 2 session 30

Diablotin 2 session logs Previous Session 30 Next

Session

Session date:

Diablotin date:

Prologue

DiablotinNarrator] As Tenth-month proceeds, the situation in the city continues to simmer. Prices for food are still high, but emergency imports of grain from the south, combined with the church's ability to create food for the most desperate cases, have kept more large-scale riots from breaking out... so far.

Alma and Felise

[DiablotinNarrator] Alma, Felise seems to be having some difficulty settling in this time around. She is anxious about her Castalia studies - she has apparently missed her final examinations, and will have to wait some months until she can attempt them.

[DiablotinNarrator] She has also been somewhat under the weather in the short time she has been in your home. You have noticed she seems listless and pale, and Sagesse reports that the girl has been sick to her stomach at least once.

[DiablotinNarrator] She has asked to see her family - the non-cult members, that is: her older brother Ramon and her great-uncle Adrius.

• Felise seeks your advise on whether you think it's a good idea to see them.

[Alma] Of course, I intended to send word to the Duke myself.

[Alma] (SM, that's a strange question)

[Alma] (29)

• Felise just seems sort of out of sorts in general. Maybe she's not thinking too clearly, or maybe being extra-cautious about putting you to any trouble?

[Felise] I just don't want to cause you any further difficulties...

[Alma] We can go to see the Duke anytime, and I can send a message to Ramon for you.

[Felise] Oh... leave here?

• Felise seems anxious at that thought.

[Alma] Well, I did think that we'd go see the Duke...

[Felise] I suppose, if you're with me.

[Alma] If it's difficult for you, I could send your uncle a message, inviting him here.

[Alma] But yes, I would be with you.

[Felise] No, no. I can manage.

[Alma] Ok :)

[Felise] Perhaps we can invite Ramon to come there too, so I can see them both at once.

[Alma] Certainly.

• Felise seems to be trying to pull herself together.

[Felise] Thank you.

[Alma] Is everything alright? Obviously things are out of sorts, but physically, are you OK?

[Felise] I've felt a little unwell.

• Felise admits.

[Felise] I'm sure it will pass in a few days.

[Alma] I know a thing or two about health, perhaps you could tell me what seems wrong, I might be able to help.

[Alma] (I'm just fishing for a heal roll :P)

[Felise] I don't quite know. I've felt sick to my stomach, and like I can't do anything quite right. Maybe it's just nerves.

[DiablotinNarrator] (sure, you can make one)

[Felise] I felt a little better yesterday, but worse again today.

[Alma] (23)

[Alma] (I will be so enraged if she's pregnant.)

[Alma] (Alma will *explode*)

[DiablotinNarrator] (well - pregnancy is certainly one of the possibilities that would occur to Alma. But it could also be anxiety, as she suggested, or something as simple as having eaten something that disagreed with her...)

• Alma nods.

[Felise] Is there something you could do? Pray over me, or anything like that?

[Alma] I could pray for you anytime, Felise :)

• Felise smiles.

[Felise] Or a healing spell? I don't know if that would help or not.

[Alma] I'm trying to think of what might be best.

[Alma] (Would a Heal spell on someone who isn't wounded feel like nothing happened, or would they still feel a positive effect? ie: If she's somehow hurt, a heal spell would work, but if she's fine, it would do nothing?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (I think it wouldn't do anything if she's not hurt)

[Alma] Well, you don't seem hurt but I could try a small healing spell. If you're fine, it won't do anything :)

[DiablotinNarrator] (I mean, she would feel something, probably, but it wouldn't have anything to heal if she's not hurt)

[Felise] Thank you, Sister.

• Alma will reach out to take Felise's hands.
• Felise takes yours. Hers feel quite chill.

[Alma] Owl, please hear my prayer, wrap your child Felise in your wings and protect her.

• Alma will cast Cure Minor wounds, completely not expecting her to be undead...
• Felise smiles.

[Felise] I do feel a little better. Thank you, Sister.

[Alma] :)

[DiablotinNarrator] (okay, let's go on to meeting with the family, then, unless you had more to say here...)

[Alma] Now, if you're feeling very anxious, you can come to me. I can meditate with you to calm your emotions.

[Felise] Thank you. I appreciate that.

• Alma explains how Calm Emotions works. (Sure.)
• Felise accompanies you to her uncle's home, then, arrangements having been made.
• Alma has some of her security accompany us on the carriage ride.

[DiablotinNarrator] (sure)

• Adrius embraces Felise when you arrive.

[Adrius] How are you? Is everything all right?

[Felise] I'm fine, Uncle.

• Felise lies.

[Felise] Thanks to Sister Alma and her friends, I'm doing much better.

[Alma] I'm just glad to see her safe again.

• Felise gives her brother a hug as well.

[Felise] It seems as though it's been ages since I saw you...

[Ramon] Well, it has!

• Ramon chuckles, partly with relief.

[Felise] Oh, I don't think you've met Sister Alma, have you? Sister, this is my brother, Ser Ramon :)

[Ramon] Charmed and indebted!

• Alma will greet Ramon.
• Ramon bows

[Alma] Felise told me a little about you in her time at my home :)

[Ramon] All complementary, I'm sure!

• Ramon winks at his sister.
• Felise smiles.

[Adrius] Well. I sincerely hope we've seen the end of this situation, but I fear we may not have.

• Felise pales a little at that.
• Ramon nods gravely

[Adrius] Sister, I suggest that if my niece or her husband attempt to visit you, you refuse to receive them. It may be rude, but I think it unlikely they would mean well by such a visit.

• Alma nods.

[Alma] I have no need to drink tea with... criminals.

[Adrius] Legally, I think they have little recourse. Felise is an adult, and as such may choose to live where she wishes.

[Alma] Do you think it time to bring a case against them?

[Alma] When Felise was recovered, she was under the effect of an enchantment, Mind Fog.

[Adrius] I don't know.

[Adrius] I'm wary of further antagonizing them, if the case should be unsuccessful.

• Alma nods.

[Adrius] Void, I wish Pavo and Antenia were here - *they* might be able to talk some sense into her.

• Adrius says, half to himself.

[Ramon] Under an enchantment?

[Alma] Of course, whatever you decide I will stand witness to everything I know.

[Adrius] Thank you.

• Alma nods to Ramon.

[Adrius] Ultimately, I believe it's up to Felise if she wishes to press charges.

[Felise] Oh...

[Ramon] She encorcelled you, Felise?

[Alma] Ilphere deQuessenet was forced to dispel it.

• Ramon seems quite worked up.

[Felise] I don't know. I suppose so, but I hardly remember a thing about it.

[Felise] I wouldn't be able to testify... :/

• Felise seems upset.

[Ramon] She makes me so furious sometimes, I swear...

[Felise] I'm feeling unwell.

[Felise] I think some fresh air might help. Maybe I should go for a walk in the garden...

[Adrius] Of course, if you wish, my dear.

• Felise will hurriedly rise and depart.

[Alma] Would you like me to come with you, Felise? Your uncle and brother could take a moment to think.

[Felise] No, no, that's fine. I would rather be alone.

• Alma nods.
• Ramon tries to calm himself
• Alma looks worried.

[Adrius] Sister, is she... is she truly all right?

[Adrius] I understand she has been through a lot, and she must be upset.

[Alma] I'm not entirely sure. It may simply be anxiety, but I'm concerned she may be unwell, even though I can't identify a problem.

[Alma] I believe I may take her to see a physician.

• Adrius nods.

[Ramon] That would be very kind of you, Sister.

[Alma] Felise is welcome to stay with me should that be what she prefers. I haven't asked her what she wishes to do, yet.

[Adrius] Perhaps she doesn't know herself.

• Alma nods.

[Ramon] Well, of course her wishes are foremost, but I am sure that I would be delighted to have her stay with me.

[Alma] Would you like me to encourage her to stay with you, your Grace, or Ramon?

[Adrius] I'll give it some thought. I don't know where would be best. Maybe I could send her to my estate on the seashore. It's quite peaceful, and would give her time to recover...

[DiablotinNarrator] After perhaps ten minutes or so, a guard brings Felise back into the room, kicking and screaming.

[Felise] NO, no, you have to let me go! I can't stay, I have to leave!

[Alma] :o

[Adrius] What's wrong? :o

• Ramon rushes to her

[Guard] found her trying to scale the wall, milord.

• Felise struggles, but seems quite weak, and can't get away.
• Alma casts Detect Magic

[Ramon] You mustn't leave, Felise - you only just got here!

[DiablotinNarrator] You don't detect any magic on her.

[DiablotinNarrator] (apart from her usual necklace, I should say)

[Alma] (I check to make sure the necklace shows the same magic.)

• Ramon continues to try and calm Felise

[Alma] Why must you leave, Felise?

[DiablotinNarrator] (Same as before.)

• Alma will go stand beside her.
• Alma will cast Calm Emotions if it appears she isn't planning to calm down.
• Felise stops struggling and falls limp and seemingly lifeless.

[Alma] :o

• Alma quickly checks to make sure she's alright.
• Ramon gasps
• Felise is unconscious... possibly fading.
• Alma casts Cure Light Wounds
• Felise regains consciousness, looking around woozily.

[Alma] :o

[Felise] I... what happened?

[Alma] (Does this seem like Geas?)

[Alma] Felise, you were trying to leave.

[DiablotinNarrator] (you can roll Spellcraft, I guess)

[Felise] Leave? :o

[Ramon] Yes, most urgently!

[Alma] (30)

[DiablotinNarrator] (Yes, that is a definite possibility, Alma. Although you don't know why you wouldn't have detect it, unless there is some other effect blocking you from doing so.)

[Alma] Duke, I'd like to take off her necklace in case its magic is keeping me from detecting anything.

• Adrius nods.

[Alma] Could you take off your necklace, Felise?

• Felise does so.
• Alma casts Detect Magic

[DiablotinNarrator] Yes, you detect magic on her.

[Alma] (Enchantment?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (yes)

[Alma] Yes, something was hidden.

[Alma] (How strong?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (moderate)

• Alma casts Remove Curse
• Ramon paces a little

[DiablotinNarrator] Nothing seems to happen.

• Alma tries Dispel Magic

[DiablotinNarrator] Nope.

[Adrius] Sister, perhaps we should take her immediately to a physician, as you suggested.

[Alma] Indeed.

[Alma] I cannot remove the enchantment.

• Ramon nods

[Ramon] But... if it is a spell, then surely a physician will be impotent?

• Alma will cast Restoration

[DiablotinNarrator] Nada.

[Alma] Duke, do you know anyone who could help?

[Adrius] I... perhaps, yes.

• Adrius gives it some thought.

[Adrius] Perhaps to the Council of Reverends?

[Alma] Perhaps, or I could try to reach Vianca Belden...

[Adrius] If this is an evil enchantment, would not the Reverends, or even the Patriarch, be best qualified to handle it?

• Felise is weeping quietly.

[Alma] Perhaps, would you be able to reach them?

[Adrius] Certainly.

• Ramon consoles his sister
• Alma will also stand with her and put an arm around her shoulders or somesuch.

[DiablotinNarrator] (okay, since we need to move on, we'll presume Adrius gets you all to the Reverends, explains the basics, and leaves Felise to their attentions.)

Guillame and Portia

[DiablotinNarrator] Guillame, since your unexpected conversation with Portia Larache, Duchess of Corcyra, at Ilphere and Menard's party, it's been difficult to concentrate on your other concerns.

[DiablotinNarrator] The Larache family are among the wealthiest members of your House, though still far below the level of some of the ancient, established families of the other Houses.

[DiablotinNarrator] The lands her grandparents were granted, though not extensive, proved to have several valuable gold mines in the mountains.

[DiablotinNarrator] It is your understanding that Portia's mother died when she was quite young, while her father passed away some six years ago in an accident, his carriage going over the side of a cliff as he returned from inspecting some of his mines. She is an only child; if she dies without issue, the title will presumably pass to some cousin or other.

[DiablotinNarrator] A few days after the party, the duchess sends you an invitation to her estate for tea and conversation.

• Guillame shall return an acceptance, and attend promptly and well-dressed.

[DiablotinNarrator] Her mansion is in the Grand, near the outskirts of the city, with extensive grounds and a tree-lined lane leading up to the door.

• Guillame shall consult mother as to whether to take a carriage or to ride...

[DiablotinNarrator] Oh gods, carriage, you don't want to be all dusty! Also, your mother will be super-excited if you tell her why you're going to talk to Portia ;)

[Guillame] I will give her some vague details, but make it sound very uncertain, and it's ok if she's excited ;)

[DiablotinNarrator] (hee)

• Portia welcomes you in. She wears an elegant, sedate morning gown of a golden-brown hue, with a subtle pattern of flowers and leaves. Her blonde hair is braided and coiled at the nape of her neck.

[Portia] Good day, Guillame. It's a pleasure to see you again so soon.

[Guillame] Why, it is a pleasure to see you too, of course! My thanks.

[Portia] I hope you are well?

[Guillame] Very well, thank you. And yourself?

[Portia] Very well also.

[Portia] Tea?

[Guillame] I would love a cup of tea!

• Portia will pour you one, then, and also one for herself.

[Portia] I hate to be so blunt, but have you had time to consider my suggestion?

[Guillame] I have, indeed, and I'm certainly amenable to discussing details - I must say, I'm both very honoured, and at the same time, waiting to discover the rub!

[Portia] I suppose that is understandable.

[Portia] It's difficult ... I have to trust that you will keep my confidence, even if you refuse my offer.

[Guillame] Of course you must, and you have my word. After all, I'm placing my confidence in you, too.

• Portia nods.

[Portia] Very well.

• Portia takes a deep breath.

[Portia] I can't enjoy sexual intercourse within a relationship. It's not that I haven't tried... but it doesn't work.

• Guillame listens, and nods.

[Portia] I can only get pleasure from sex without strings attached, preferably where I don't know the other person involved at all. So I've found an... outlet in order to satisfy this need. It's not socially acceptable, but it *is* very discreet.

• Guillame nods again, and waits to see if there is more

[Portia] That's all. Of course if we were to marry, I wouldn't interfere in your ... outside interests, provided they were relatively discreet.

• Portia sips her tea.

[Guillame] Well that seems a pretty acceptable arrangement to me, I have to say.

[Portia] I'm glad to hear it.

[Portia] Of course, there would be the question of children.

[Guillame] Have you been ... using this "outlet" long? How well do you trust them?

[Portia] Several years, and yes, I trust them completely.

• Guillame nods

[Portia] If it was agreeable to you, I could in time find someone to, ah, impregnate me without much difficulty. I could even try and find someone who looks like you, if that matters to you.

• Guillame considers this.

[Portia] We wouldn't have to worry about this for a year or two, at least.

• Portia adds.

[Guillame] I... suppose that might be ok. I have to say though, if you were open to it, I'd prefer to be my own child's father - even if it meant going through "the motions", as it were. But as you say, that's maybe an issue for later.

[Portia] Certainly, we could discuss it further at the time.

[Guillame] And... while of course, I wouldn't dream of interfering with your happiness, if we proceed with a marriage - I'd hope that we could trust each other as partners. I think it would be very difficult maintaining an image without a trusting friendship between us, at the least!

[Portia] I would be pleased to be friends.

[Portia] We should probably get to know each other a little better, as well, before we make any final decisions.

[Guillame] Then I believe that this is going to work out very well for both of us - in fact, I'd never dreamed to have such an opportunity.

[Guillame] Once I decided to follow my feeling, that is.

• Portia nods.

[Portia] I understand exactly what you mean.

[Guillame] So, again, I will talk this over with Aden. I won't disclose your secret, but I'll talk to him about our terms, and make sure that it's acceptable to him - while this seems perfect to me, of course it would be useless if he's unhappy.

[Portia] Of course.

[Portia] I'll wait patiently to hear from you.

[Guillame] Fantastic.

• Guillame smiles and drinks his tea
• Portia will make conversation with you, then, for another half hour or so before you leave.
• Guillame enjoys the conversation, and will thank Portia for her hospitality when he leaves.

[DiablotinNarrator] You learn that she studied at the Castalia, that she misses the mountains, and that she likes her tea with tons of sugar in it.

Seth and Gwen

[DiablotinNarrator] Seth, you wished to talk to your Aunt Gwen.

• Seth will arrange to drop by in between his various duties.

[DiablotinNarrator] You can arrange to find her at her home in the Place d'Iena.

• Seth is looking much cleaner and better-dressed than the last time he visited.
• Gwen 's house is simple, even spartan. She doesn't usually spend much time there.

[DiablotinNarrator] When you arrive, a carriage bearing the Kizer insignia is just pulling away.

[Seth] (can I see who is in it?)

[DiablotinNarrator] Inside is a woman, tall and thin and elegant, with short, wavy hair. You think she's one of Menard's aunts.

• Seth will make a mental note of it, and then go inside.

[Gwen] Oh, Seth. Come in.

• Gwen seems a little flushed, as if she's hurried to the door perhaps, or maybe for some other reason.

[Seth] Ah, my apologies, Aunt Gwen. Is this a bad time?

[Gwen] No, no, it's fine.

[Gwen] What do you want?

[Seth] Ah ... I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things.

[Gwen] Sure.

[Seth] Did you know that the emperor, during his youth, was a student of magical binding and summoning spells?

[Gwen] No. Never paid much attention to his studies.

[Seth] Apparently his mentor was the Chancellor, of all people.

[Gwen] Oh, yeah, I know about that. I mean, I don't know if I'd say 'mentor'. He went out to their place in the country for a few months when he was finishing up his studies.

[Gwen] I assumed that was where they met.

[Gwen] But it was practically ten years ago, I don't know if they even kept in touch.

[Seth] Well, at least enough to appoint her his chancellor, right?

[Gwen] I suppose so.

[Seth] Have you heard anything ... about binding, and releasing magical creatures, and that sort of thing, anything at all, lately?

[Gwen] Lately?

[Seth] Well ... there has been a lot of talk, at the Society, about the Order of the Black Down.

[Gwen] That dragon business, I suppose?

[Seth] Yes, and that too.

[Gwen] Those guys are crazy.

[Seth] Well, yes ... but also very well-connected.

[Gwen] I've heard rumours.

[Seth] Well ... I don't know much for sure, but I know some people who know a lot more than I do.

[Gwen] Oh?

[Seth] Well ... that their aim appears to be to restore the Arch, to reinstall an evil entity inside it.

[Gwen] Really? I thought their aim was to get laid :p

[Seth] No doubt that is true of some of them. But I'm serious, here, Aunt Gwen.

[Gwen] I know. I just would like to know the source of your information.

[Gwen] I mean, is this reliable? And if that *were* their goal, can they even do that?

[Seth] If I reveal it, I am afraid I will not have access to more information. But I assure you it is most reliable.

[Seth] Whether they can in fact do it, I do not know.

[Gwen] And... if they worship the whatever-it-is, why would they want to bind it again?

[Seth] I have no idea. But I thought you should know.

[Gwen] Well, I'll file it away.

[Seth] So ... ahh ... has there been any change in the situation with the Hush?

[Gwen] Gods.

[Seth] That bad?

[Gwen] 'Situation' - more like 'giant cockup'.

[Gwen] I don't even know if *they* know whose side they're on anymore.

[Seth] What do you mean?

[Gwen] Some have gone over to the Warlord, some are sticking with the old boss, and some are so confused they don't know where to hang their hats.

[Gwen] Some may have gone rogue, I don't know.

[Seth] Who's really in charge? Or rather, who has the upper hand?

[Gwen] It's hard to say. Right now, I think the Warlord.

[Seth] I'm not even sure why there should be any debate about that.

• Gwen shrugs.

[Gwen] Because some people always think they know best.

[Seth] What's the Hush, if it doesn't serve the Emperor and his appointed advisors?

[Gwen] Damn good question.

[Gwen] If I knew the answer, I'd sell it to Marl for a fat pile of cash.

[Seth] Was that what your visitor was talking to you about?

[Gwen] ....

[Gwen] Oh, that.

[Gwen] No, no.

[Gwen] Unrelated matter.

[Seth] Ah. Anything I can help with?

[Gwen] No. Everything's fine.

• Gwen says hastily.

[Seth] All right. I'm busy enough these days anyway, what with the Imperial weddings and all that.

[Gwen] Aren't we all.

[Gwen] Is there anything else I can help you with?

[Seth] Well ... yeah, maybe.

[Seth] It's kind of private.

[Gwen] oookay....

[Seth] Have you ever ... had feelings for someone who you shouldn't?

• Gwen laughs.

[Gwen] Of course.

[Gwen] Who is it?

[Seth] Right, well, errr ... oh gods I can't talk about this, I'm so confused anyway.

[Gwen] Sorry.

[Gwen] I shouldn't have laughed.

[Gwen] It all seems very serious when you're... whatever age you are.

[Gwen] But I can tell you, it'll sort itself out.

[Gwen] Somehow.

[Gwen] Basically, either you'll fuck them, or you won't, and you'll regret it, or you won't.

[Seth] Ahh.

[Gwen] Sorry, I wish I had some better advice.

[Seth] No, it's all right.

[Seth] I shouldn't have mentioned it.

[Gwen] You know you can talk to me about anything, Seth.

[Gwen] It's not like I don't know how to keep a secret.

[Seth] I know. If I knew what my secret was, I guess I would tell it to you.

[Gwen] Well.

[Gwen] If you figure it out, you know where to find me.

[Seth] Okay, I will ... thanks.

[Gwen] Good luck.

• Seth will take his leave, shaking his head in confusion.

[DiablotinNarrator] As you leave, Gwen discreetly re-does the buttons on her shirt.

Ysabeau and Verity

[DiablotinNarrator] Ysabeau, Verity arrives unexpectedly at your door this evening.

[Verity] Hello, darling :) I found myself with some unexpected free time, and I thought, what better use could I put it to than going to see Ysabeau?

• Ysabeau is startled.
• Ysabeau looks a little worse for wear since she wasn't expecting Verity.

[Ysabeau] Hello Verity...

[Ysabeau] Come in. :)

• Verity will do so.

[Verity] Here, I brought you a little something.

• Ysabeau smiles and moves aside to let her in.
• Verity hands you a fairly flat, rectangular box, tied with a pretty ribbon.

[Ysabeau] Oh...

[Ysabeau] Thank you.

• Ysabeau sets it aside.

[Verity] Go ahead, open it :)

[Ysabeau] I wasn't expecting you... I look a fright.

[Ysabeau] Would you like some wine?

[Verity] Well, all the more reason for you to open it :)

[Verity] I'd love some.

• Ysabeau goes to the kitchen and attempts to make her unruly curls behave themselves a bit better before getting the wine.
• Ysabeau returns with some wine glasses and a bottle of red wine on a tray

[Ysabeau] Here you go...

[Verity] Thank you, darling.

[Ysabeau] You're welcome.

• Ysabeau seems troubled.
• Verity sips her wine.

[Verity] Are you going to make me wait all night for you to open that? :)

• Verity nods to the present.

[Ysabeau] Oh... no.

• Ysabeau smiles slightly and sets down her wine so she can open it up, wondering why now of all times?

[DiablotinNarrator] Inside is a vanity set - a silver comb, brush, and mirror, engraved with delicate tracery.

[DiablotinNarrator] With a chill, you recognize the comb from your nightmare in the sewers.

• Ysabeau drops it and looks very alarmed.

[Verity] Don't you like it?

[Ysabeau] Where did you get that?

[Verity] I bought it...

[Verity] It's magical - it can change your appearance. Not that I don't think you're lovely, of course, but I thought it might be ... entertaining ;)

• Ysabeau looks frightened.

[Verity] What in the world is wrong?

[Ysabeau] I've seen it before. In a dream.

• Verity goes over to you.

[Ysabeau] A bad one.

[Verity] Sweetheart...

[Verity] It can't be the same. I mean, you'd never seen this until just a moment ago.

[Ysabeau] It's the same, exactly the same!

• Verity picks up the comb.
• Ysabeau bends down to pick it up at the same time...

[Ysabeau] Oh - I

• Verity bonks your head accidentally.

[Verity] Oh, I'm sorry!

[Ysabeau] I'm sorry

• Verity laughs slightly.
• Verity kisses your head where she hit it.

[Verity] There, all better? :)

• Ysabeau tries not to cry from her kindness.

[Verity] If you don't like the comb, I'll take it back, get you something else instead.

[Verity] All right?

• Verity strokes your hair gently.

[Ysabeau] No... no. I can't accept it. Oh, Verity...

[Ysabeau] I love you so much, and I don't know how to do this.

[Verity] What's wrong?

[Ysabeau] Some months ago, remember?

• Verity listens.

[Ysabeau] You said you expected I'd leave you some day. I didn't believe you.

• Verity nods slowly.

[Ysabeau] But since then...

[Ysabeau] Since then there's someone with whom I should like to give things a try, and I'm so sorry because I do love you, and I always will...

[Verity] You've met someone else?

• Ysabeau nods.

[Verity] ...

[Verity] A man?

• Ysabeau nods.
• Verity sighs.

[Verity] Well, I can understand that.

[Verity] I'm sure he can give you things I can't...

[Ysabeau] And you have given me things he couldn't.

• Verity smiles faintly at that.
• Ysabeau 's cheeks are glistening with tears.

[Verity] It's all right, Ysa.

[Verity] I knew you wouldn't stay with me forever.

[Ysabeau] I wish I could be with you both.

[Ysabeau] Is that very awful of me?

[Verity] No.

[Verity] How could I say it was? I have a husband, after all.

[Verity] A very understanding husband.

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] I know... I met him, once.

• Verity nods.

[Ysabeau] Would you still want to see me, or would that be too difficult?

[Verity] He's a good man. I hope this one you've found is as good.

[Ysabeau] I know at the beginning you were quite clear about that.

[Ysabeau] I hope he is, too.

[Verity] I don't think I could do that.. drag things out like that. Even if he agreed, what about if you marry? What about children? What if he changes his mind one day? I don't know. It's complicated.

[Ysabeau] [w] Okay...

• Ysabeau looks away, painfully disappointed.

[Verity] When Adam and I married, I didn't know if he would change his mind when he said that it was all right with him if I slept with women. It took me, oh, twenty years or so to feel secure in that.

[Verity] That he wouldn't get jealous.

[Verity] That he wouldn't leave me, take the children...

• Ysabeau nods, trying to understand.

[Verity] All I'm trying to say is, people change, even people we love.

[Verity] I accept that you want to change, Ysa.

[Verity] You should start fresh.

• Ysabeau draws a ragged, sobbing breath.

[Verity] Now, now...

[Ysabeau] Such a large part of me will always be with you.

[Ysabeau] Is it always like that?

[Verity] Not always.

[Verity] It fades, in time.

• Ysabeau shakes her head.

[Ysabeau] I don't want it to.

• Verity smiles.

[Verity] I know.

[Ysabeau] I count myself so lucky to have met you, Verity.

[Verity] And I'm very lucky to have met you.

[Ysabeau] We'll still see one another at the Society...?

[Verity] Of course.

• Ysabeau nods.
• Verity gives you a final kiss.
• Ysabeau kisses her back and tries to pass along in that act how much Verity means to her and how much she will always mean to her.
• Ysabeau pulls away eventually.
• Verity holds you tightly for a long time before finally letting you go.

[Verity] Good night, Ysabeau.

[Ysabeau] Good night, Verity...

• Verity will leave.

[Ysabeau] How soon would you like us out of here?

[Verity] Oh.... take your time.

[Verity] I've paid through the end of the year.

[Ysabeau] I'm so sorry, Verity.

[Verity] Don't be.

[Verity] No regrets, Ysa ;)

• Ysabeau tries to smile.
• Verity departs, leaving behind her gift.

Ilphere and Seth

• Ilphere will accost Seth at the Society one day this week.
• Seth is hurriedly scanning some pages, seemingly distracted.

[Ilphere] Ah, M. Argo...? Seth...?

• Seth looks up.

[Seth] Oh! Ah, hello, Ilphere. Sorry, you startled me somewhat.

[Ilphere] Do you have a moment...?

[Seth] Ah ... yes, of course! Of course! Sorry, my life is very busy now. You people have a lot of correspondents and so my work duties keep me busy. I don't have as much time as I would otherwise like to do my research.

[Ilphere] It is about Menard...

[Seth] All right ...

• Ilphere looks around to make sure no one else is within earshot.

[Seth] (I'd have found an empty room to work in)

[Ilphere] I am Worried... with the Order's activities... that something might happen to him... but I am unsure of what I should say.

[Ilphere] I know that he is not particularly close with his brother... but what is their relationship like, really...?

[Ilphere] If I were to say something of my suspicions, would it do more harm than good...?

[Seth] Ah ... well, that is hard to say, really.

[Seth] Menard and Marl have never gotten along, not really, but always in the way that older and younger siblings often squabble.

• Ilphere nods, listening...

[Seth] Menard ... I fear that he believes himself incapable of living up to Marl's accomplishments.

[Ilphere] Marl is not a role model I would choose... :/

[Seth] Marl's ascendance to the throne has done little to assuage Menard's fears, though.

• Ilphere fusses with a loose thread on her sleeve.

[Seth] Certainly, Menard recognizes that Marl's personality does not match his own. But no one today would dare voice that opinion publicly.

[Ilphere] I just want him to be aware that... something is happening. So that he does not come to harm... :(

[Seth] And you want to know whether telling him something ... would affect his relationship with you? Or something even greater still?

[Ilphere] Partly that... partly I worry that he would try to confront his brother.

[Ilphere] They are very dangerous... moreso than anyone realized...

• Ilphere bites her lip a little.

[Ilphere] I am afraid... that they mean to reforge the Arch.

[Seth] That would be ... most unusual.

• Seth shuffles his feet.

[Ilphere] The order wishes to restore the Ophion to power.

[Seth] Hmm.

[Ilphere] To bind it again to the reunited Arch, without the influence of the Rat...

[Ilphere] Perhaps they have told Marl that it would bring him greater power.

[Seth] Marl is not foolish, though, not in that way. Unless that is in fact true, he will not be swayed by the words of others.

[Ilphere] It would be true

[Ilphere] In that it could certainly be used that way... if they actually let him once it was done.

[Ilphere] This creature, Earric, their leader...

[Ilphere] No-one truly knows what he is, or what he is capable of.

[Seth] I am afraid my knowledge of the Order is highly limited. I have made it a point not to learn too much. But I believe you.

[Ilphere] (SM )

[Ilphere] (haha, 8)

[Seth] (nope)

[Ilphere] (I couldn't sense mothive Captain Kirk)

[Seth] For what it's worth, Ilphere, I don't think Menard would take action against Marl of his own accord.

[Seth] For all his fine qualities, he is not, shall we say, particularly gifted with initiative.

• Ilphere nods, still looking uncertain.

[Ilphere] Well, perhaps I could just leave Marl out of it for now...

[Seth] I do think you will find that whatever you tell Menard, he will be concerned: but for you, Ilphere, rather than broader issues.

• Ilphere smiles a bit.

[Ilphere] He worries too much...! It is sweet...

[Seth] He sees in you something he has never seen before in anyone, I think.

[Seth] One envies him the smile on his face.

[Ilphere] Well... I feel the same...!

• Ilphere blushes a bit.

[Seth] You are both most fortunate. And I want you to know, Ilphere ...

• Seth takes your hand in his.

[Ilphere] Yes...?

• Ilphere looks at you questioningly.

[Seth] I want you to know that I wish you all the best, and that if you need anything, you must not hesitate to ask.

[Ilphere] Oh, thank you...!

[Ilphere] :)

[Ilphere] I only ask that you watch out for him... but I know you do that already...!

[Seth] It appears to be my gods-given appointed role.

[Ilphere] He is fortunate to have such a friend...!

[Seth] You are most kind. :)

[Ilphere] I should be going, then... I am supposed to meet with him this afternoon...!

[Seth] Ahh ... yes, I should get back to my work.

[Seth] Say hello to him for me. I'll see him for dinner this evening.

[Ilphere] Good luck with it...! I will. :)

• Ilphere takes her leave, then.

[Seth] . o O (How ... strange.)

Ilphere and Coco

[DiablotinNarrator] Ilphere, you are curious to try and locate the Emperor's final research project, which should be available at the Castalia's library.

• Coco is pleased to help you, of course, as soon as you let her know what you are looking for.

[Ilphere] Oh, thank you...!

[Coco] Hm, that's odd.

• Coco says when she returns from her search.

[Ilphere] What is it...?

[Coco] The title of the work is on file - "Selected Examples of Binding Magics and Their Use," Marl Kizer, submitted in the Spring term, 2238.

[Coco] But the work itself seems to be missing.

[Ilphere] Oh, how disappointing...!

[Ilphere] Wher could it have gone...?

[Coco] It's funny - I wasn't aware the Emperor was particularly interested in enchantment. He taught for a few years after he finished his studies, and so far as I know it was always Magic Missile for Morons - you know, Intro to Evo, the one everyone likes to take ;)

[Coco] I just assumed that was his specialty.

[Coco] But it's very upsetting that the book is missing. Well, it's upsetting when any book disappears, but especially this one, as it has such historical value!

[Ilphere] Apparently not...

[Coco] I'll look back in the records and see if I can find the last time someone consulted it. Perhaps the last person who used it simply forgot to return it.

• Coco says, but without a great deal of hope.

[Ilphere] Hm... perhaps we could locate it magically...?

[Ilphere] Well, thank you anyway... :/

[Coco] It may take some time, though. It could have been years ago!

• Ilphere is not altogether surprised to find it absent, either.

[Coco] I'll contact you if I find anything, of course.

[Ilphere] Thank you again...

[Coco] You're always welcome.

[Ilphere] Well, I'm sure you'll see me again soon...! ;)

[Coco] Of course!

Ilphere and Menard

[DiablotinNarrator] Your note to Menard asking him to meet you at the Society has not gone unheeded; he arrives at the appointed time, and greets you with a kiss.

• Ilphere returns the embrace...

[Ilphere] I am so glad you could make it...!

[Menard] I missed you :)

[Ilphere] I missed you as well...

[Ilphere] How have you been...?

• Ilphere leads him to one of the private study rooms...

[Menard] Lonely ;)

• Ilphere smiles...

[Menard] Well, apart from Seth.

[Menard] But it's not the same ;)

[Ilphere] I thought we might suffer less scrutiny here...

[Ilphere] No, I should hope not...!

[Menard] Yes, it's pretty quiet here.

• Ilphere shuts the door.

[Menard] Does that door lock?

• Menard wonders semi-idly.

[Ilphere] I am not sure...

• Ilphere takes a look

[Ilphere] Well, it appears that it does...!

[Ilphere] I supose, sometimes members need to conduct ... sensitive research...

[Menard] Of course.

[Menard] There are times when you don't want to be interrupted.

[Ilphere] Indeed...

[Menard] Delicate investigations and the like.

[Ilphere] Very ... delicate...

• Ilphere colours a little, in spite of herself.
• Menard smiles.

[Menard] Well... there was something you needed to talk to me about?

[Ilphere] Ah, yes... a couple of things...!

• Ilphere turns and bolts the door first.

[Ilphere] I have been ... worried for you, about what may be happening at the palace...

[Menard] Worried?

[Ilphere] The cult... they are looking for something there.

[Ilphere] Something that will restore to power the creature that once lived in the Arch.

[Menard] Well, I don't have it :o

[Ilphere] No... I just worry what might happen if they find it.

[Menard] Oh.

[Ilphere] Promise me you will be careful... keep your eyes open...?

[Menard] Of course.

• Ilphere takes your hands and gazes up at you imploringly.

[Menard] Soon you'll be there to keep your eyes on me, too :)

[Ilphere] Good...

[Ilphere] Yes, I can't wait...!

• Ilphere brightens.

[Menard] Neither can I.

[Ilphere] You know, I also have been... lonely...

[Menard] ...oh?

[Ilphere] I have been thinking of you all week...

[Menard] Heh.

[Menard] I mean, uh, you have?

• Ilphere steps a little closer.

[Ilphere] And our conversation and the party...?

• Menard nods.

[Menard] You think you want to...?

[Ilphere] I am, well... I am a bit... afraid still... But I do not... *not* want to.

• Menard smiles at that.
• Ilphere presses herself lightly against the Prince.
• Menard wraps his arms around you.

[Ilphere] I would like to... explore the possibilities...?

[Menard] Gods, yes. Anything you want.

• Menard says immediately.

[Ilphere] You said that you could find somewhere... private...?

• Ilphere reaches up to run her fingers through your hair.

[Menard] Uh... I can try? The palace is big, after all... and your parents can't object to you going there, can they?

[Ilphere] I am sure they cannot...

• Ilphere nuzzles into your neck.

[Menard] It seems pretty private, uh, here, though, right now...

[Ilphere] Hmmmm... It is very quiet...

[Menard] Gods, Ilphere, I want you so much.

[Ilphere] I have been so distracted... all week, thinking of you...

• Menard pushes you back against the desk, a bit awkwardly.

[Menard] Sorry.

[Ilphere] It's fine...

[Menard] Uh... this is probably a stupid question, but how do I undo your dress? I don't want to wreck it.

[Ilphere] It fastens in the back... it is a little complicated I'm afraid...!

• Ilphere turns around, looking over her shoulder with what she hopes is an inviting expression. :)

[Menard] I'm very willing to work at it, believe me.

• Menard will do so.
• Menard fumbles with the buttons.

[Menard] Sorry. I'll do better on our wedding night ;)

[Ilphere] It will be good practice...!

[Menard] Definitely.

[Menard] Uh, you can practice too, if you want. Although mine are a bit easier!

• Ilphere steps out of her gown once he unfastens it, still wearing her many layers of undergarments...

[Menard] You're so beautiful...

[Ilphere] Yes... I think I would like that...

[Ilphere] I want to see you...

• Menard nods.
• Ilphere slides his jacket off his shoulders.
• Menard starts unbuttoning his shirt.
• Ilphere will help!

[Menard] Gods, Ilphere, I'm so glad you decided you wanted this...

[Ilphere] I could not bear to wait...!

• Ilphere says breathlessly.

[Menard] I thought I was going to go mad over three months...

• Menard toys with your hair.
• Ilphere presses herself against his bare chest and cranes her neck back for a kiss... :)

[Menard] Mnh....

[DiablotinNarrator] There is a knock at the door.

[Menard] Shit!

[Ilphere] [w] Shhh!

• Menard hushes

[Ilphere] Ah... who is it...?

[Benalda] Professor Grenrake. Is that you, Miss de Quessenet?

[Ilphere] Yes... what is it...?

[Benalda] Oh, I was hoping to use the room. But if you're busy...?

[Ilphere] Yes... I am working with some materials quite sensitive to light and drafts...

[Benalda] Oh. Of course, dearie.

[Ilphere] I can let you know when I'm done...!

[Benalda] I can do my reading in the main room, I don't really mind.

[Benalda] Good luck with your research!

[Ilphere] Thank you...!

• Menard bites his lip.
• Benalda evidently leaves.
• Menard lets out the breath he was holding.
• Ilphere smiles...

[Menard] [w] Should we stop?

[Ilphere] [w] Do you want to...?

[Menard] No!

[Menard] [w] I mean, no.

[Ilphere] [w] Nor do I...!

[Menard] [w] If you want to keep going...

• Menard nods.

[Ilphere] [w] Come here...

• Menard does.

[DiablotinNarrator] (okay, we'll leave you to your research ;)

[Ilphere] (hehe, excellent)

Dominik and family

[DiablotinNarrator] Dominik, your mother's husband (you find it hard to think of him as your father) is only going to be in the city for a few more days, and the entire family is expected to be present for dinner this evening, you included.

[DiablotinNarrator] It promises to be a delightful evening! Not.

• Zivia corners you in the corridor before the others gather.

[Zivia] Well? How did it go? Did you enjoy yourself? ;)

[Dominik] Enjoy myself? oh.. the Jewel Box.

[Dominik] Yes, I did enjoy myself thank you.

• Zivia smiles.

[Zivia] And did anything come of it? Apart from you, obviously.

[Dominik] I tried my best to learn how one becomes a Jewel. It seems that the easiest way is to have an in with the existing collection.

[Zivia] Oh.

[Zivia] That's no help at all!

[Dominik] as to openings, well, the one I was questioning had no intention of retiring any time soon.

• Zivia looks disappointed.

[Dominik] I'm not sure what you were expecting me to learn.

[Zivia] Well, you didn't really think I wanted to work there, did you? Gods, I do have *some* standards :p

[Zivia] I heard a rumour that the Duchess of Creve Coeur works there, or used to, or something like that. If it's true, then surely Marl would have to put the little slut aside, and then he'd be eligible again...

[Dominik] It was not the Duchess I saw, that was for certain.

[Zivia] Well, I suppose you could go back and ask for a red-head... :/

[Dominik] unless she is in the habit of using magic to disguise herself.

• Zivia laughs.

[Dominik] but the grass did match the leaves...

• Dominik muses

[Zivia] Oh, you can change that too :p

[Zivia] Silly Dom.

[Dominik] something you've learned from experience?

• Zivia shrugs.

[Dominik] Was that the only reason you sent me on your errand? Hopes of hearing some dirt on the Duchess?

• Dominik eyes narrow with suspicion.

[Zivia] I'd do anything against her.

[Zivia] He can't marry her. He just can't.

[Zivia] Well, I don't have a spare hundred lying about at the moment, unless I can wheedle it out of Daddy before he leaves. So I can't send you back for more amusing adventures quite yet.

[Dominik] How close an eye have you been keeping on the Duchess? There may be other ways to get what your looking for.

[Zivia] What?

[Zivia] Dom, you have to tell me if you know something about her that I can use to bring her down!

• Zivia grips you by the front of your jacket.
• Sydona approaches, and Zivia instantly lets go and smiles demurely.

[Sydona] Dinner time, you two.

[Dominik] of course

[DiablotinNarrator] Your entire family is assembled for dinner for the first time in, oh, a couple of years at least.

[DiablotinNarrator] Your brothers are on one side of the table, you and Zivia on the other.

• Darion sits uncomfortably at the head of the table, as though unused to his position.
• Sydona sits at the opposite end of the table, avoiding eye contact with her husband.

[Darion] Well. This is ... nice. Everyone all together.

• Sydona says nothing.

[DiablotinNarrator] Your menu for the evening includes veal consommé, trout stuffed with lemon rice, green beans, an assortment of cheeses, and light meringues for dessert.

• Darion clears his throat.

[Darion] Delicious food.

[DiablotinNarrator] More silence.

[Darion] Well. Jarvis, as you know, I've been giving some thought to the question of your marriage...

[Jarvis] Really.

• Jarvis says dryly.

[Darion] Yes, well, it's getting past time you were married, isn't it.

[Jarvis] As I recall, Father, you were twenty-eight when you married. I'm only twenty-four.

[Darion] It was a different situation, as you well know. I was a younger son, and it wasn't as pressing...

• Jarvis picks at his food.

[Jarvis] I'm not particularly interested in marrying anyone just now, Father.

[Theron] *cough*queer*cough*

[Jarvis] Yes, Theron, I'm a sodomite because I haven't impregnated three serving maids so far this year and all the whores in Pearl don't know my name. At least I haven't caught knob-rot off some harlot.

[Theron] I got that cured.

• Theron says angrily.

[Darion] Well.

• Darion says sternly, trying to bring a modicum of order back to the table.

[Darion] I've taken advantage of my presence in town to have an informal talk with the Count and Countess of Dymera.

[Jarvis] Frankly, Father, you've long since abrogated your responsibility for this family. I hardly think that you can waltz into town and start dictating our lives for us at this point.

[Darion] Their daughter Simonie is of age, will inherit the title when her parents pass on, and would be a very suitable match...

• Darion continues as if Jarvis hadn't spoken.

[Sydona] Of age? She's only fifteen, Darion. She's practically a child.

[Darion] Sixteen, I believe. As you were, Sydona.

[Sydona] Oh yes, what a marvellous idea! Jarvis, you should marry a girl just out of pigtails, impregnate her every fourteen months on schedule, and otherwise ignore her! Your father knows that always works out *so* well.

[Theron] Gods, Jarvis, please, feel free not to marry if it'll involve you reproducing. Ghastly thought.

[Zivia] I can't believe you all! It's like none of you care about our family! I suppose none of you care that I'm the only one who's actually trying to better our position!

[Theron] I didn't realize that 'on one's knees sucking the Emperor's cock' was a better position for all of us, dear sister. I mean, perhaps Jarvis would enjoy it, but...

[Zivia] Go to the Void, Theron! Go fornicate on hilltops and worship demons and whatever else you do to try and put a little excitement into your sad, pathetic little life!

• Zivia screams at him and flounces out of the room.

[Theron] What a marvellous idea. Family, it's been a lovely evening, but I'm afraid I must be going now.

• Theron rises and turns to go, then suddenly falls to the floor, crying out in pain.
• Sydona rushes to her son's side.
• Dominik stands

[Sydona] Theron, what's wrong? Can you answer me?

[Sydona] Jarvis, run and get a healer!

• Jarvis immediately does as he's told.
• Darion approaches and hovers anxiously.

[Darion] Is he all right?

• Dominik will work around the table to see if Theron is muttering anything interesting.

[Sydona] Get away from him! Don't you dare touch him!

• Theron is mostly just screaming.
• Darion 's face goes blank, and he turns to walk away.
• Theron falls still after what seems like a very long time, but is probably no more than a few minutes.

[Theron] Unh... M-mama?

[Sydona] I'm here, cherie, everything will be all right. Do you think you can stand?

• Sydona strokes his hair tenderly.

[Theron] I... I think so. I don't know what came over me.

• Zivia , who has returned to see what all the commotion is about, sneers at her brother.

[Zivia] Show-off. Can't let anyone have the last word.

[Theron] Piss off, Ziv, I'm not faking excruciating agony just to annoy you.

• Theron stands shakily, still leaning heavily on your mother.

[Sydona] We must get you upstairs to lie down, and Jarvis will fetch a healer to see that you're all right.

• Sydona and Theron depart, and Zivia storms off once again in the opposite direction.

[Darion] ... Well.

• Darion turns to you, as if at a loss for words.

[Darion] Dominik, do you ever feel like you're the only sane person in this family?

• Dominik laughs

[Dominik] I'm surprised you even used my name and family in the same sentence.

[Darion] Well.

[Dominik] Besides its your name causing him all his problems.

[Darion] I suppose by this point you and I are about equal in our family status.

[Darion] My name?

[Dominik] Rademacher name to be specific.

[Darion] What do you mean?

[Dominik] Its probably some dark old family secret that's finally rearing its head.

[Dominik] your silly little son has gone and gotten himself mixed up in things he barely understands

[Darion] Oh. Well, there have been a few aunts and uncles who've gone a bit, heh, loopy over the years.

[Dominik] figures.

[Darion] I... I had thought to give my son a gift tonight, a family heirloom I've been working on sprucing up. Somehow I suspect it wouldn't be welcome, though.

[Darion] I'm not carting it all the way back to the estate with me. I don't suppose you'd like it?

[Dominik] what is it?

• Darion leaves the room for a moment and returns with a breastplate, clearly very old but nevertheless gleaming.

[Darion] Neither of them would probably appreciate it anyway.

[Dominik] how... martial.

[Darion] Yes, I know... Not really my sort of thing either.

• Dominik will accept the breastplate to examine it if Darion lets him.
• Darion hands it over to you.

[DiablotinNarrator] It's quite light, but you can tell it's strong.

• Dominik will pick it up and examine it testing the strength and weight of the mettle

[Dominik] would Jarvis even know how to wear this? Fredericia could probably show him.

[Dominik] I might as well keep it for now.

• Darion nods.

[Darion] You go ahead, then. Someone may as well get some use out of it.

• Darion looks rather confused, a sad, lonely, pathetic figure of a man, unable to understand why his family has disintegrated around him.
• Dominik will check the markings on the front (family crest on it)

[DiablotinNarrator] (yes)

[DiablotinNarrator] (A wheel and hammer symbol, along with the usual wolf.)

[Dominik] how old is it...

• Dominik traces the symbol out with his finger

[Darion] I suppose about a thousand years or so? I'm no historian, though.

[Darion] Well, wear it in good health and so forth.

[Darion] I think I shall go and pack now.

• Dominik nods not really paying attention

Ysabeau and Dominik

• Ysabeau is doing dishes after the supper hour while Murienne, who cooked, is doing her homework upstairs in her bedroom.
• Dominik knocks on the door.
• Ysabeau wonders who it could be, knowing it will never be Verity again.
• Ysabeau goes to the door and opens it up a crack since it's dark out.

[Ysabeau] Dom?

[Dominik] My appologies for the late visit... I needed to escape my family and wanted a place to be without the... mess.

[Dominik] If its a bad time I can leave.

• Ysabeau smiles uncertainly, and opens the door wider so he can step in.

[Ysabeau] No, come in, please. It's a pleasant surprise, more than anything.

[Ysabeau] I was just finishing up the dishes.

[Ysabeau] Would you like something to drink? I could put a kettle on or something.

[Dominik] sounds fine.

• Dominik will step inside.
• Ysabeau and Murienne's house is small and tidy. The door opens into the living area which has some soft chairs and a couch - none of it as fine as you'd be used to at your mother's house.
• Ysabeau closes the door behind him.

[Ysabeau] Please, have a seat - and if you don't mind taking off your boots.

[Ysabeau] We just washed the floors today.

• Dominik nods and does so
• Ysabeau explains, in case that request was discourteous or something.
• Ysabeau shows you to the sitting area, not that it's really necessary since it's *right there*. There's a small fire in the hearth.

[Dominik] It was a disaster... I don't know what Darion was thinking. A family dinner. It was minutes of silence and a flurry of insults and people storming out.

[Ysabeau] Oh, Dom...

• Ysabeau smiles sympathetically and gives you a hug.

[Dominik] Not to mention Theron collapsing and screaming in pain for no reason.

• Dominik accepts the hug
• Ysabeau figures it's more important to listen to you than to put the kettle on right now, so she sits down as well.

[Ysabeau] Is he going to be all right?

[Ysabeau] . o O (That's probably a stupid thing to ask, since you hate him. Oh well.)

[Dominik] and it's me... of all people that walks away with the Rademacher heirloom Darion wanted gift to his son.

[Ysabeau] Oh.

[Dominik] Theron will live. Its his own fault for getting messed up in things he doesnt understand.

[Ysabeau] Much to your dismay, hmm?

• Ysabeau gently teases.

[Dominik] No point in hating a dead person.

[Ysabeau] Why *do* you hate each other so much?

[Ysabeau] . o O (I can sort of guess, but I shouldn't make assumptions.)

[Ysabeau] If you don't mind my asking.

[Dominik] he hates me because I'm a bastard and because he can hurt me. I hate him for trying to hurt me.

[Ysabeau] If you do, please pretend I didn't, and I'll go make that tea, or coffee, or whatever else you'd like.

[Dominik] No... just stay

[Ysabeau] All right.

[Dominik] its just nice to have a friendly face around.

• Ysabeau slips her arm around your shoulders comfortingly.

[Ysabeau] Yeah, it is.

[Dominik] are you doing well?

[Ysabeau] I think his hatred is rather misplaced, if you ask me. You didn't decide to be what you are.

[Ysabeau] Oh, me?

[Ysabeau] I'm doing all right, thank you.

[Dominik] good.

[Dominik] trying to understand my family is like warfare with five different sides all wth alliances to some of the other sides, some secret, some open, all with different goals.

• Ysabeau tries not to laugh.

[Dominik] too many games

• Ysabeau nods.
• Dominik rubs his temples

[Ysabeau] But you ended up with the trophy. Seems like a compliment, to me.

[Dominik] it was a breastplate bearing the family crest... must be over a thousand years old... likely magic of made of a rare material.

[Dominik] personally it seems fitting I recieve it as the others have no skill in arms that I am aware

[Ysabeau] A real compliment, then. Treasure it.

[Dominik] although it bears that damn crest.

[Dominik] compliment... I was the only one in the room that hadn't stormed out.

[Ysabeau] Well, that says something good about your character, I think.

[Ysabeau] He didn't have to give you anything.

[Dominik] he didn't want to cart it back to the country with him, thats all

[Dominik] enough of my family. I came here to escape it and all im doing is reliving it.

[Ysabeau] Sometimes people say strange things to cover up what they really feel.

[Ysabeau] All right.

[Ysabeau] I've got a few more dishes to do. You can help if you'd like, or sit here and relax. I'll be right back with that drink I promised you. Hmmm... would you like some wine instead?

[Dominik] some wine would be nice, actually.

[Ysabeau] All right.

• Dominik watches Ysa leave the room and idles his mind by looking around
• Ysabeau smiles fondly and disentangles herself from you, then gets up and wanders into the kitchen, which is just off the living area. You can hear her rattling around in there.

[Ysabeau] (There's a small dining area just off the kitchen and kind of joined to the living area - open-plan sort of thing.)

[Ysabeau] (It's a pretty humble abode, really. No gilt, no portraits of dead ancestors or anything like that. A couple small watercolors are all that's on the walls, and some nice but modern (not antique) vases on the mantelpiece)

• Dominik takes stalk of the room while waiting patiently

[Ysabeau] (The furniture is comfortable and not overburdened with carvings or filigree or anything like that. On a side table between the couch and a chair is the most shiny thing in the room- a ladies’ vanity set, neatly lying in an opened box.

• Ysabeau comes back into the livingroom with a couple of wine glasses and a bottle of red wine on a tray.

[Ysabeau] Here we go.

[Dominik] thank you

• Ysabeau smiles as she puts the tray down on the coffee table.

[Ysabeau] You're welcome.

• Ysabeau pours a glass for you and one for herself before settling back down on the couch.
• Dominik accepts the glass and takes a sip

[Ysabeau] (it's a nice sweet red, after-dinner kind of wine, a good vintage but not the most expensive there is)

[Dominik] I appreciate the haven you have given me.

[Ysabeau] Well, you must have needed it to come all this way.

• Ysabeau sets her wine down to put another log on the fire.

[Dominik] A comfortable place to escape my troubles with excellent company. It would have to be farther away to keep me away.

• Ysabeau smiles and brushes the bark and splinters off her hands before rejoining you on the couch.

[Ysabeau] You're welcome here any time, Dom.

[Dominik] I appreciate that but I wouldnt want to take advantage of your hospitality.

[Dominik] and I fear I may get too comfortable with your company and find it harder to leave than it was coming here.

• Ysabeau laughs.

[Ysabeau] Well, I should hope that it would be!

• Dominik smiles
• Ysabeau sets her wine glass down.

[Dominik] So was your day as exciting as mine?

[Ysabeau] I did it, Dom...

• Ysabeau looks rather more serious now.

[Dominik] did what?

[Ysabeau] The other night, she came by. It was both better and worse than I feared.

[Dominik] so you and Verity are over.

• Ysabeau nods, and quickly looks away, trying to hide a tear or two.

[Ysabeau] She said there's no rush for Murienne and I to leave this place yet; she's paid for it until the year's end anyway.

[Dominik] In the end I hope it is what you wanted.

[Ysabeau] I think it's what I needed, in order to continue growing.

• Dominik will put an arm around Ysabeau

[Ysabeau] But I am going to miss her, a lot. You'd never have met me, if it weren't for her.

• Dominik nods

[Ysabeau] She has done so much for Murienne and I. She'll always be very important to me.

[Ysabeau] At least we can see one another at the Society still, as friends.

[Ysabeau] At least I hope we'll still be able to be friends.

[Dominik] No bridges burned at least.

[Ysabeau] No. I wish you could know her. She was so kind about everything.

• Ysabeau brushes the tears from her eyes.

[Ysabeau] She didn't have to be.

• Ysabeau takes a deep breath.

[Ysabeau] Anyway. It's done.

[Dominik] where does that leave us?

[Ysabeau] Wherever we'd like to go with this.

[Ysabeau] Murienne's upstairs, though, doing homework.

• Dominik nods

[Dominik] I never expected things to be resolved so quickly.

[Dominik] I'm happy just being here with you right now.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] This *is* very nice. Just you, and me, and the fire.

• Dominik will brush his hand against her curls
• Ysabeau snuggles closer to him.
• Dominik welcomes her closer
• Ysabeau seems content to just be close with you and talk a bit, if there's anything to talk about...
• Ysabeau is still trying to get used to the changes.

[Ysabeau] (How late will he stay?)

• Dominik will just talk about the weather and simple things... some of his visits to the country.
• Ysabeau really likes listening to the stories you have to tell about your travels. Seems like she'd love to travel, herself, if she were able.
• Dominik will take advantage of the situation to get a little kissing in but won't stay late.

[Ysabeau] (But then you might have guessed that already from the two conversations you've broken into where she has spoken excitedly about trains)

• Ysabeau is a good kisser. ^-^

Sanadhil and the cult

[DiablotinNarrator] Sanadhil, despite the protection of Vianca's spell, you are perhaps more nervous about attending this meeting of the Order of the Black Down than you have been about any of the others.

[DiablotinNarrator] It is to be held under the full moon, atop the Down, and you have every expectation that you will be having sex with... someone.

[DiablotinNarrator] Donning your mask and cloak, you proceed out of your home and make your way to the Down. At least you don't have far to walk!

[DiablotinNarrator] The autumn air is brisk, and you shiver to think about baring too much skin in such weather.

[DiablotinNarrator] The sky is cloudless, and the moon is bright, casting shadows on the ground.

• Sanadhil will meditate a bit before he goes that he isn't overly anxious, or at leats appear so, and leave a note for ilphere incase somethign shoudl go rerribly wrong

[DiablotinNarrator] (ok)

[DiablotinNarrator] The site of the Arch is as you have seen it before - lit only by a few flickering torches. There look to be somewhat fewer members than the last time you were here, perhaps closer to twenty than thirty.

[Sanadhil] . o ( better than the heat )

• Phedre stands with her head bowed beneath the tall, enigmatic curve of the Arch.

[Sanadhil] . o ( and the stars are nice )

[DiablotinNarrator] The crowd waits in a circle, more or less silently, though full of tension and nervous energy. One girl giggles, but is quickly hushed.

[DiablotinNarrator] When the drumming begins, it startles you, the silence had been so all-encompassing.

• Sanadhil sees if he can spot yanina, or Earric

[DiablotinNarrator] You can see both of them in the group, yes.

• Phedre lifts her head.

[Phedre] Master! We have come to the site of your sacrifice to worship you! You who sees the path of each fragile mortal life, even in the darkest night, show us what we must do, and give us the courage to do your bidding!

[Phedre] Ophion, Ophion, Ophion! Filler of the Void, Devourer of the Darkness, help us to understand your will, to cast off the shackles that hold us back! Lend your blessing, your wisdom, and your strength to our own!

• Phedre lifts her arms, her cloak falling open as she does to to reveal that she is nude beneath it.
• Phedre begins to chant in Abyssal, a low, eerie sound. Other voices soon join hers. (You probably know the lyrics by this point, too ;)

[Sanadhil] (oh sure, why not chant an invocation to a dark god? :V)

[DiablotinNarrator] (what could possibly go wrong!)

[Sanadhil] (¬_¬)

• Sanadhil leaves some words out

[DiablotinNarrator] The group begins to move to the rhythmic beat of the drums, twisting and convulsing. They circle, forming a line that twists its way towards Phedre, and the Arch.

• Sanadhil hopes the spell will protect him...

[DiablotinNarrator] As you pass beneath the Arch, Phedre lays a cool hand on your brow, as if in blessing.

[DiablotinNarrator] You feel as if your mind is clearer, as if things previously beyond your grasp are now within reach.

[DiablotinNarrator] (+2 Int)

[Sanadhil] (she does this with everyone?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (yes)

[Sanadhil] (okay)

[DiablotinNarrator] Those who have passed through the Arch continue to dance, but more freely, joining in pairs or small groups, soon finding their way to the ground to copulate like the beasts they are.

• Yanina is recognizable despite her mask and cloak, and she approaches you quite deliberately, offering you her hand.
• Sanadhil will take it
• Yanina sways with you, soon drawing you down onto the cold ground.
• Yanina 's skin feels warm to the touch, despite the cool air.

[Yanina] Let me open your eyes...

[Sanadhil] oh?

• Yanina draws from her pocket a little vial of some shimmery blue powder.
• Yanina holds it to her nose and takes a deep breath, inhaling some of the substance. Her eyes flutter closed as if in pleasure.
• Yanina then offers it to you - there is still some left...
• Sanadhil smiles, and see if he can work this trick again - the pretend to take it and then palm it
• Yanina is right beneath you, watching you - harder to fake this time

[Sanadhil] (23 soH?)

[Yanina] You'll love it...

[Sanadhil] maybe.

• Sanadhil will kiss her to distrct her

[DiablotinNarrator] (You think she'll notice if you don't take it, but you can just try to distract her in other ways...)

• Yanina grinds beneath you, as if already transported by ecstasy.
• Sanadhil will move on to that plan, then :)

[DiablotinNarrator] The chill in the air seems to vanish, or perhaps it's you who is feeling warm, almost feverish.

[DiablotinNarrator] Everything seems clearer, sharper, as if you can see and name every blade of grass on the Down, every freckle on her breasts, every star in the sky.

[DiablotinNarrator] Time seems to fall away, as if this moment is all that ever was, and ever will be.

[DiablotinNarrator] In the midst of things, you feel a touch, light but firm, on your back.

• Sanadhil starts

[Earric] [m] Such beauty, wrapped around such hunger.

• Yanina doesn't seem to hear, or at least doesn't react to his presence. Her eyes are open but, you think, unseeing - at least, not seeing anything in this world.

[Sanadhil] Stay away

• Earric 's finger traces a cool line down your spine, and he laughs, lightly.

[Sanadhil] from me'

[Earric] Sanadhil. You want *so badly* to understand...

[DiablotinNarrator] Your back is crawling - it's the oddest sensation, a sort of scratching, as if someone is... writing? on your skin?

• Sanadhil tries to pull away from his touch
• Yanina gasps.

[Earric] Let me give you what you're seeking.

[Sanadhil] You couldn't know what I want.

[Earric] You want knowledge. You want understanding. You want ... peace.

[Sanadhil] You're not here to bring anyone peace, are you?

• Earric laughs.
• Sanadhil looks down at Yanina
• Yanina kisses you, biting your lip in the process.

[Earric] I'm here because my wife is here, no more, no less.

[Earric] Since she's... otherwise occupied at the moment, I thought I'd check on our guests.

[Sanadhil] Mm.

[Earric] Did you enjoy her mouth on you?

• Earric asks casually.

[Sanadhil] it would be better wnjoyed with fewer distractions...

[Earric] I meant my wife's, but this one is quite charming too.

[Sanadhil] ...

[Sanadhil] What do you want from me?

[Earric] I find you ... interesting. Is that so upsetting to you?

[Sanadhil] I don't like to be used.

• Yanina 's eyes flutter, as if she's waking.
• Sanadhil kisses her again

[Earric] Yes. It's so much more comfortable to be the one who does the using, is it not.

[Yanina] Mmm...

[Yanina] [m] Kiss him... please, I want to see you...

[Sanadhil] Fine.

[Sanadhil] . o ( this is a trap.... )

• Sanadhil will lean forward a bit, and move to kiss Earric
• Earric 's mouth is open, inviting.
• Sanadhil kisses the demon.
• Earric tastes of salt and wine and fire.
• Earric 's hand caresses your hair.

[DiablotinNarrator] (but you don't feel anything other than, perhaps, aroused)

• Sanadhil puts his hands on his shoulders so that he can at last give himself the illusion of some control here
• Yanina watches the two of you with obvious enjoyment.
• Sanadhil pulls away after a bit then

[Earric] Not so bad, was it?

[Sanadhil] I've had better.

• Earric just laughs.
• Sanadhil looks to Yanina

[Sanadhil] You're much sweeter.

• Yanina smiles at that.
• Yanina draws you back down again.

[Earric] Enjoy yourselves... I'll see you again soon, I'm sure.

• Sanadhil will be drawn, but will take more initiative in moving things along

[DiablotinNarrator] Your reverie is interrupted by a whistle blowing, a bright light, and a man's voice shouting.

[Guards] Here now, you bunch of heathens, clear off!

• Sanadhil frowns and will cast invis sphere on himself and Yanina

[Yanina] Oh...!

[Sanadhil] shh

[Guards] Don't you have homes where you can do this sort of thing?

[DiablotinNarrator] (ok)

[DiablotinNarrator] Seems as though a guard patrol has arrived on the scene.

[DiablotinNarrator] Some people are getting up and running away, trying not to be seen. You hear the occasional shriek as someone's foot slips on the dewy grass.

• Yanina clings to you, keeping as quiet as she can.
• Sanadhil passes her her cloak

[Yanina] [w]How long will this last?

[Sanadhil] [w] i can keep it going for some time...

[DiablotinNarrator] It doesn't seem as though anyone is being arrested, just driven away.

[Yanina] [w] So... we don't have to stop, do we? As long as we're quiet.

• Sanadhil smiles

[Sanadhil] No, we don't.

• Sanadhil will focus on keeping her entertained, though, rather than getting himself off so that he isn't too distracted when he needs to recast
• Yanina bites your hand when she comes, but doesn't make a sound.
• Guards eventually disperse, once the crowd's gone.

[Sanadhil] (is everyone else dispersed?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (so far as you can see)

[Sanadhil] (okay)

• Sanadhil will let the spell slip once it seems we're all alone

[Sanadhil] There...

• Yanina straightens her robes.

[DiablotinNarrator] Several other people appear as well - apparently you're not the only one with invisibility.

[Sanadhil] (not surprised)

• Phedre and Earric and a few others, looking rather embarrassed and/or annoyed.

[Phedre] My apologies.

[Phedre] Anyone who would care to retire to our home may, of course, accompany us.

• Yanina seems like she's going with them.
• Sanadhil hesitates

[Sanadhil] (how many others are?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (well, there aren't that many here - maybe, oh, 3-4 others?

[Sanadhil] (are they all going?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (looks like it, yeah)

[Sanadhil] (alright then!)

[DiablotinNarrator] (okay then!)

[DiablotinNarrator] (we'll see what happens! :o)

[Sanadhil] (calling it there?)

[DiablotinNarrator] The end, for now...

Solos

Sanadhil and the Cult, cont'd

[DiablotinNarrator] The cultists will proceed to the house on Starcross Lane, not too far from the Down, then.

[DiablotinNarrator] You've been there before, of course - it's a nondescript sort of place, much like the other houses on the street.

[DiablotinNarrator] The upstairs room is basically perfect for all your orgy-related needs - spacious, lots of comfy pillows and the like.

[Sanadhil] (Is this the normal cult room?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (yeah, the room with the stars on the ceiling)

• Phedre will light a brazier to warm up the place, and tosses some incense on for good measure.
• Sanadhil will sort of casually size up the ones he does't know

[DiablotinNarrator] Okay - they are a young man, early twenties or so, kind of on the short side, short wavy medium brown hair; two women in their mid-to-late twenties: one tall and blonde, one short with dark brown hair cut into bangs.

[DiablotinNarrator] They're kind of all involved in one another, as far as you can tell, but look like they wouldn't be averse to someone joining in.

• Sanadhil will occupy himself with yanina for now, unless she is clearly interested in expaning things...
• Yanina seems pretty wasted, and mostly just content to lie on the cushions and look at the 'stars', unless you're taking the initiative.

[Sanadhil] (no, I'll leave her happily drugged out - what are P&E doing?)

• Phedre and Earric are setting up the room a bit more comfortably, say, and talking quietly to each other.
• Phedre will approach you if you're looking lonely ;)

[Phedre] I'm glad you decided to join us.

• Sanadhil smiles, considering

[Phedre] I did so enjoy our brief time together ;)

[Sanadhil] Well. I couldn't let the opportunity slip by...

• Sanadhil will step closer to her
• Phedre is just in her loose cloak.

[Phedre] And it seems you've rather satiated your previous companion ;)

• Phedre says with a glance at Yanina.
• Sanadhil sighs a little, reaching up to slide her cloak back off her shoulder

[Sanadhil] She was quite selfish at that.

[Phedre] Oh dear...

• Phedre doesn't seem very sorry for you ;)
• Earric approaches the two of you as well.

[Earric] Am I intruding?

[Sanadhil] (I can't decide how far things went with Y, and therefore what all I should be wearing ;p)

[DiablotinNarrator] (up to you, really)

• Phedre glances to you to see your reaction.
• Sanadhil is hesitant

[Phedre] A little nervous?

[Sanadhil] Somethig like that.

[Earric] No rush - I'd be just as happy to watch. I can be very patient.

[Sanadhil] Then watch...

• Sanadhil will cup Phedre's face in his hands and kiss her

[Phedre] Mmm.

• Earric settles himself on some cushions to watch, seeming quite contented to watch you with his wife.
• Sanadhil will go for the slow build rather than the rapid ravishment

[Sanadhil] (unless she's really impatient ;)

• Phedre can be patient too, she's already gotten some tonight ;)

[Sanadhil] (groove on then)

• Sanadhil will elf-sex-ish up the place
• Yanina eventually comes around a bit and will roll over in your direction.
• Sanadhil will try not to pay too much attention to Earric, anyway, but if Yanina wants in, that's cool
• Yanina is sort of groping whoever's in reach, really.
• Earric can take her in hand, having nothing more pressing to do.

[Sanadhil] (yay)

• Sanadhil will watch how he handles her a bit while he is, say, going down on Phedre
• Earric is fairly easygoing with her, as she's still wasted and kind of weakened.
• Earric will probably just go down on her.

[Sanadhil] (cool)

• Yanina 's a screamer :p

[Sanadhil] (I have the bite marks to prove it :p)

[DiablotinNarrator] (or at least, she is with him ;)

[DiablotinNarrator] (hee)

• Phedre is more... dignified ;)
• Sanadhil will make sure, to the best of his ability, that she is actually satisfied

[Sanadhil] (see if I can get a sensefor what she likes, etc)

[DiablotinNarrator] (actually fucking her?)

[Sanadhil] (eventually, I presume :x)

[DiablotinNarrator] ('k)

• Phedre seems to like it rough.
• Sanadhil will do what he can with that -_-

[DiablotinNarrator] (maybe not your idiom? ^-^)

[Sanadhil] (maaaaaybe not. Also he doesn't like using violence -_-)

[Sanadhil] (I suppose he can improvise with positioning)

[Sanadhil] (take her from behing, holding her hands behind her sort of thing)

[DiablotinNarrator] (yeah - even just pinning her down would be a start - and she isn't going to fight back, after all, so you don't have to be super strong)

[Sanadhil] (how does her neckalce clasp?)

[DiablotinNarrator] It's on a solid chain, looks like it just goes on and off over the head - but it's not super-loose, it couldn't just slip off without her noticing, say ;)

• Yanina finishes off first, and promptly dozes off again.
• Earric moves over and helps hold Phedre down for you - evidently he has a good idea of her preferences ;)

[Sanadhil] (I was wondering if I culd 'accidentally' undo it if, say, i was grabbing her hair roughly ;)

[DiablotinNarrator] (not really)

[Sanadhil] (Okay)

• Sanadhil will try not to be too put off by that, anyway ;p
• Earric isn't touching you, at least.

[Sanadhil] (Is he naked? :x)

• Earric has some loose trousers on.

[Sanadhil] (okay)

• Earric is obviously enjoying the experience, though, shall we say.

[Sanadhil] (is he mostly focused o her?)

• Earric is only touching her, but clearly watching both of you.

[Sanadhil] (Okay)

• Earric is mostly just holding her down, maybe the occasional nipple pinch or what have you.
• Sanadhil will do his best to hold out until she comes, anyway, but it has been a long and demanding night!
• Earric might be of assistance there, really, by putting you off ;)

[Sanadhil] (There is that -_-)

• Phedre comes, arching her back despite the both of you restraining her.

[Earric] She can keep going, if you want.

• Earric tells you.

[Sanadhil] (did he do that on purpose?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (do what?)

• Sanadhil just eyes him for a brief moment

[Sanadhil] (speak up in order to out me of at a near critical moment ;)

[DiablotinNarrator] Maybe? ^-^

[Sanadhil] (I'd sm but I am actually just going to assume he did ;)

[Phedre] No, it's all right - unless you want.

• Phedre says to you.

[Sanadhil] I need.... a little more.

• Phedre nods.

[Phedre] Whatever you need, then.

• Phedre is perfectly willing to help you along.
• Sanadhil will take the assist, then - probably involves more hand holding and a slower pace than she is used to/prefers ;p
• Phedre can do that.
• Phedre 's versatile ;)

[Sanadhil] (hooray! Finally!)

[Earric] Well, I did notice that our companions are at loose ends at the moment.

• Earric says when you're finally done.

[DiablotinNarrator] (The girls seem to have tired out their male companion...)

[Sanadhil] ...

[Sanadhil] I need a drink.

[DiablotinNarrator] I'm sure there's water or wine around.

• Sanadhil pushes his sweat-slicked hair out of his face, frowning at it a little, and will look around for said bevarines, hoping they aren't laced with anything

[DiablotinNarrator] You can help yourself to whatever, and it doesn't seem to be drugged ;)

• Earric will go over to help tend to the poor neglected girls ;)

[Sanadhil] (what is P doing?)

• Phedre is taking it easy, chatting a bit with Yanina.
• Sanadhil will take the opportunity to see if there is anything around here that he coudl potentially take with him when he goes.... maybe the glass?

[DiablotinNarrator] (you can try, but do you want to break a glass in your pocket by accident? ^-^)

[Sanadhil] (well, I assume that by this point I am probably not *wearing* them, but I can figure out the rest when I get dresed to leave ;p

[DiablotinNarrator] (okay)

[Sanadhil] (I'm just looking for the moment, while I take a breather before rejoining the orgy ;p)

[DiablotinNarrator] Okay - you can observe all you like.

• Earric seems basically able to go forever :p

[Sanadhil] 9i mean looking for stuff, thogh when i am more ready i will pay a bit more attention to Earric and the girls so i can consider my approach, so to speak :V)

[DiablotinNarrator] (well, the room is not too furnished - you would have to go downstairs to find more stuff)

[Sanadhil] (yeah. is there a bathroom downstairs?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (probably)

[Sanadhil] (I don't know how believable it is that he woudl habe to pee - I don't know how boys work in that regard ;p)

[DiablotinNarrator] (seems believeable to me.... just from second-hand observation, of course ;)

[Sanadhil] (well then!)

[DiablotinNarrator] (so you're going downstairs?)

[Sanadhil] (yes)

[DiablotinNarrator] Okay - the downstairs is furnished like a regular home, albeit one that isn't very lived-in.

• Sanadhil scans quickly for something small that he can stash nearer the exit

[DiablotinNarrator] So basically you could probably snag a small knick-knack or something like that.

[Sanadhil] (and possibly actually has to pee, who knows

[DiablotinNarrator] (Something you think might be more likely to be Earric's, or just something in general?)

[Sanadhil] (prferably something of his - maybe *also* something of hers, if possible)

[DiablotinNarrator] There's a few odds and ends in the bathroom - maybe a hairbrush? Some perfume? Seems more likely to be hers.

[Sanadhil] (well its a start!)

[DiablotinNarrator] Hm, trying to think what there might be that would plausibly be his.

[Sanadhil] (ribbon or something maybe? razor] ;p)

[DiablotinNarrator] (ribbon, sure - could be either of theirs... I don't think there'd be a razor there.)

• Sanadhil sniffs it?

[DiablotinNarrator] (doesn't really smell like anything)

[Sanadhil] (well, it will do)

[DiablotinNarrator] (ok)

[DiablotinNarrator] (going back upstairs, then?)

[Sanadhil] (yeah, leave the bits with my stuff as I 'finish my water', and then go and join the others ;p)

[DiablotinNarrator] (ok)

• Earric is still occupied with the other girls when you get back.
• Sanadhil will find some way to slip in without puttig himself in the way ;p

[DiablotinNarrator] (though of course one of them could be freed up if you wanted ;)

[Sanadhil] (well, that's what i'm hoping :x)

[DiablotinNarrator] (aiming for the blonde or the brunette? ;)

[Sanadhil] (which one is thinner? ;p)

[DiablotinNarrator] (the brunette is both shorter and thinner)

[Sanadhil] (brunette it is ;x)

• Brunette is glad to make room for you.

[Brunette] Sorry, I don't know your name :)

• Brunette says as she fondles you.
• Sanadhil shrugs

[Sanadhil] do you need to?

• Sanadhil smiles, fondling back

[Brunette] Well, no... but I'd like to :)

[Brunette] I'm Madelen.

[Sanadhil] Sanadhìl

[Madelen] Mmm... very nice to meet you.

[Sanadhil] Likewise

[Madelen] It's so much nicer in here than outside... I mean, I don't mind it, but it gets a bit chilly sometimes!

[Sanadhil] . o ( oh great she is chatty -_- )

[Sanadhil] Much more comfortable

[Madelen] I haven't been coming here for very long... do they keep meeting outside even in the winter? :o

[Sanadhil] I don't know

[Sanadhil] did you come with him?

• Madelen nods.
• Sanadhil inclines his head over to the guy

[Madelen] Both of us did.

• Madelen says with a giggle.

[Sanadhil] Close friends?

[Madelen] They're a couple... I'm just tagging along, really.

[Sanadhil] well, we'll just have to make sure you do't regret it

[Madelen] It's definitely been worth it so far!

• Madelen says with a happy sigh.

[Sanadhil] I'm glad...

[Madelen] I've never been with a Cozovode before - is there anything I should know? ;)

[Sanadhil] Hmmm.... how about I show you?

[Madelen] Okay!

• Sanadhil will do so :x
• Earric finishes up with the other girl... You don't think he's actually come yet, unless it happened during the few minutes you were out of the room.

[Sanadhil] ('k..)

• Earric seems to enjoy it, though, or maybe he's just good at faking?

[Sanadhil] (SM!)

[DiablotinNarrator] (sure, you can roll :)

[Sanadhil] (30 - nat 20!)

[DiablotinNarrator] You think that he enjoys things other than just regular old sex, but can hold back for his partners' sakes - none of them seem disappointed with him, certainly. Maybe he's the type who gets off on pain (inflicting or receiving) or something like that. Maybe he's just got really amazing endurance. Possibly both.

• Sanadhil would not be surprised at either.

[DiablotinNarrator] It does seem fairly remarkable to you, but you're not exactly an expert in male sexual performance ;)

[DiablotinNarrator] (the endurance, I mean - like, he's been through at least three women as far as you know, and worn them out.)

[Sanadhil] (yeah)

• Sanadhil will try not to judge himself too harshly, in any case ;p

[DiablotinNarrator] (hee)

• Sanadhil will probably finish off with Madelen as well then, if everyone else seems to be done?

[DiablotinNarrator] (basically, yeah - people will start to get dressed and head out afterwards)

[Sanadhil] (Okay, well, I gues I will do the same?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (can do - no one seems to notice your theft)

[Sanadhil] (groovy)

• Madelen bids you a very fond farewell ;)
• Sanadhil hopes she is not a castalia student ;p

[DiablotinNarrator] (she seems a bit old for that, San - more like 25 or so)

[Sanadhil] (okay then, good enough)

• Sanadhil will go home, sleep, see Ilphere in the am

[Sanadhil] (I think the only thing i need to know is whether I am under any enchantments other than Viancas)

[Sanadhil] 9And whether they can be dispelled :p)

[DiablotinNarrator] (nope, nothing else)

[DiablotinNarrator] (though after 24 hours or whatever it was last time, you'll lose the Int, plus another -2.)

[Sanadhil] (I thik it was closer to a week)

[DiablotinNarrator] (whatever it was, then - we can look it up)

Sanadhil and Ilphere

• Sanadhil will meet Ilphere at the society as planned
• Ilphere is there early waiting for you!
• Sanadhil arrives looking tired but otherwise fine

[Ilphere] Oh good...! You are here...!

[Ilphere] And you seem unharmed...

• Ilphere casts Detect Magic anyway

[Sanadhil] I am

[Sanadhil] It was fine.

[Sanadhil] (strong whatsit from Verity's spell)

[Sanadhil] (abjuration)

[Ilphere] I can only detect Vianca's abjuration... no enchantments...!

[Ilphere] I am relieved, then...!

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] that was what i sensed as well...

[Sanadhil] we did pass through the arch again, however

[Ilphere] Did anything happen?

[Ilphere] Did you see the stars...?

[Sanadhil] no, but I find that my throught are especially clear, as you described

[Sanadhil] No doubt it will muddle my thinking soon enough

[Sanadhil] but at least it isn't likely to render me invalid again .

• Sanadhil sounds a little bitter, maybe

[Ilphere] No visions... nothing like that...?

[Sanadhil] No, nothing of special interest in that regard.

[Sanadhil] However - the meeting was disrupted by the guard.

[Sanadhil] and those who managed to pass without detection retired to the cult house

[Sanadhil] and I was able to acquire a few things that hope to pass on the the countess de Béziers

[Ilphere] Oh I see...

[Ilphere] Well done...! I should be quite interested to see what she makes of them...!

[Sanadhil] as shall I - i am certain one of the things is Phedre's, and hopefully the other will belong to Earric.

[Sanadhil] I didn't have that much time to look around

[Sanadhil] if necessary, i suppose, we could always go back

[Ilphere] I do hope that I will have the opportunity t attend again...

• Ilphere says somewhat wistfully.
• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] well

[Sanadhil] at least we know if you are invited, it is likely to be of more direct interest

[Ilphere] True, it does rather narrow things down..!

[Sanadhil] Indeed.

[Sanadhil] I am glad my concerns seem to have been for nothing...

[Sanadhil] but I don't think the precautions were unwarranted

[Ilphere] As am I...!

[Ilphere] No indeed.

[Sanadhil] hopefully I can continue to rely on Mme. Belden;s aid as well.

• Ilphere nods...

[Ilphere] Well if this goes the way we think it might...

[Ilphere] I am sure she will be willing to assist us...!

[Sanadhil] indeed.

[Ilphere] Oh I do hope this Rab fellow will meet with us.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] as do I.

[Ilphere] How long did she say it would take him to reach the city, though? Weeks...?

• Sanadhil nods
• Ilphere sighs...

[Sanadhil] I wonder

[Sanadhil] as much as i would like to know moe about Earric

[Ilphere] Hmm?

[Sanadhil] what do you think the countess would do if she learns he is a demon?

[Sanadhil] Run to the church certainly....

[Sanadhil] Would that be a bad thing, do you think?

[Sanadhil] they would certainly want to put an end to things, if they can

[Sanadhil] well, so i imagine.

[Ilphere] I do not know...

[Ilphere] I would like to know what a demon would have to gain here...

[Sanadhil] As would I.

[Ilphere] I would certainly resent being shut out of such information by the clergy...!

[Ilphere] I must say I do not trust them at all to respect our academic interests and how they have forwarded the understanding of what is happening here...!

[Ilphere] *Particularly* after Mme. deBeziers' outburst following our recovery of the atatue.

[Ilphere] (statue)

[Sanadhil] well

[Sanadhil] I am sure we could make arguments for our further involvement

[Sanadhil] if necessary

[Sanadhil] or perhaps other persuasions

[Ilphere] Perhaps...

[Sanadhil] they can't all be as close minded as she is...

[Ilphere] One would hope not...!

[Sanadhil] it may be a moot point, in any case.

[Sanadhil] we shall see.

[Ilphere] They will need our other information anyway...

[Sanadhil] indeed.

[Ilphere] The Church will have a difficult time overpowering the Emperor...

[Sanadhil] it may be easier to work around him if it is known that his fiancée is involved in the cult

[Ilphere] I worry, selfishly, about reprisals against Menard if that card is played...

• Ilphere sighs...

[Ilphere] Well... may I come along for the reading, in any case...?

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] She may not be able to provide all the answers straight away

• Ilphere nods...

[Sanadhil] i thought it might be best to simply leave the ites in her possessino

[Sanadhil] (items)

[Ilphere] I see... I do not really know how it works.

[Sanadhil] she can only ask so many questions at a time

[Sanadhil] and sometimes he answers are not clear, I believe

[BalthCat] (You'd know that I could probably learn one or two things a day about each item at least.)

[BalthCat] (San)

[Sanadhil] but from what I have seen, they are quite accurate

[Ilphere] Well, as long as she actually shares them, it will be to the good...!

[Sanadhil] I am sure she will.

[Sanadhil] Thank you again for meeting me this morning

[Ilphere] I am glad to do it...! Any time...

• Ilphere smiles.
• Sanadhil smiles as well, but is clearly quite tired

[Ilphere] I should be getting to the Castalia...!

• Sanadhil nods

[Ilphere] ANd you should perhaps get some rest if you can...!

[Sanadhil] That was my plan. Perhaps I shall see you this afternoon.

[Ilphere] Until then..]!

• Sanadhil nods and gives you a little bow befoe going back home to sleep, and then get as much reading and resarching in as he can while he is extra smart
• Ilphere hops off to school!

Sanadhil, Ilphere and Alma

• Sanadhil will send a note to Alma's house asking if she has time to meet with him and Ilphere about an important matter.

[Sanadhil] (at the society, possibly, though could be one of our houses also)

• Alma sends back a rather sparse looking number of options, a half-hour here or there at the Society, a few more at her residence.
• Sanadhil will pick whichever works best for both him and Ilphere

[Sanadhil] (castalia might be easiest)

[Sanadhil] (we could use my, I mean, Elisabet's office)

• Alma will meet you both there, then.
• Sanadhil will pick a time when Mlle lawfeld is busy ;p

[Sanadhil] Countess, thank you for coming.

• Ilphere brings Hali.

[Sanadhil] I have some items that I would like you to read, if you can...

[Alma] Of course, M. Orecalo.

• Ilphere sits primly with the bird perched on her forearm.

[Alma] Good afternoon, Ms. deQuessenet.

[Ilphere] Good afternoon, Comtesse.

• Sanadhil sets out the perfume bottle, and a ribbon

[Alma] Ah, certainly.

• Alma will step over to examine them.

[Alma] Are these yours, or are they borrowed?

[Sanadhil] We'll say borrowed.

[Alma] ...

• Ilphere smiles...

[Alma] I uh... what did you want to know?

[Sanadhil] For the bottle....

[Sanadhil] sex and age, to confirm the owner

[Sanadhil] I'm not interested in how the objects were aqruired

[Sanadhil] but more to learn what we can about the owners.

[Sanadhil] Where the owner is a person of scruples or not, I suppose

[Sanadhil] For the ribbon.... the same, but more importantly, race.

[Alma] I see.

[Alma] May I ask why? Knowledge of a living person's soul is... a delicate matter.

[Alma] If one is prejudged based on what I reveal, they may lose their opportunity to ... improve.

[Sanadhil] i am more concerned about how they will be judged after your reading, quite honestly

[Alma] I'm not sure I understand...

[Sanadhil] it is, as you say, a delicate matter.

• Sanadhil considers.

[Sanadhil] this...

• Ilphere lets Hali nibble her fingertips, keeping quiet but vigilant...
• Sanadhil taps the bottle

[Sanadhil] belongs to Mme Lozada-Boyne.

• Alma stiffens.
• Sanadhil will silent cast detect thoughts while Alma chews on that

[Alma] (19 Willsave)

• Alma gives Sanadhil's spare hand an odd look.

[Alma] Well that does change things somewhat.

[Sanadhil] indeed.

[Alma] And the ribbon?

[Sanadhil] I am concerned that if her dauighter was under some form of coersive enchantment, she may be as well

[Alma] I admit I had considered the same thing.

[Sanadhil] It may be hers, or it may be her husband's. or possbly it may belong to someone else.

• Sanadhil nods
• Alma looks up at you.
• Sanadhil has Serious Face on
• Ilphere watches Alma carefully...

[Alma] I am not sure whether my ability circumvents any magical methods of hiding such things. I can say that I did not find Mme. Lozada-Boyne to be evil when she visited my home. I may find the same thing here, with the bottle, and both results may not reveal the truth.

• Sanadhil sms alma :V

[Ilphere] If she is ensorcelled she may *not* be "evil"...

• Ilphere remarks.

[Sanadhil] that is possible - but worth checking?

[Alma] Of course.

[Sanadhil] indeed

[Alma] It is possible that I can circumvent those spells. It is ... perhaps something I should learn.

[Sanadhil] indeed.

[Alma] Very well.

[Alma] Sex, age, and character.

[Sanadhil] for the bottle

• Alma casts Guidance first.

[Sanadhil] as i said.... If the ribbon *is* M. Boyne, I am more curious as to his race.

• Alma reaches out to learn what she can from the bottle.

[Alma] A moment, please.

• Sanadhil nods and crosses his arms
• Alma frowns

[Alma] I cannot ...

[Alma] .oO( What are you hiding, hmm? )

• Sanadhil cocks his head
• Sanadhil casts dispell magic on the bottle?

[Ilphere] Cannot what...?

[Alma] Female, 42.

• Sanadhil nods
• Ilphere SMs Alma.

[Alma] I cannot determine her character.

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Ilphere] (pfff.)

[Sanadhil] The pendant that she wears - I have never noticed her to be without it.... is highly magical

[Sanadhil] perhaps it blocks such detections?

[Alma] It is possible. Felise has a similar pendant.

[Sanadhil] Oh?

[Sanadhil] what did it look like?

[Alma] She was wearing it the night of Ms. deQuessenet's engagement.

• Alma describes it.

[Sanadhil] (does it look anything like Phedre's?)

[Alma] (Julie?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (a silver chain and pendant - no black stone mentioned)

[Alma] It looked nothing like the monstrosity Mme. Lozada-Boyne was wearing when she visited me.

• Sanadhil nods
• Alma picks up the ribbon.

[Alma] And you wish to know race, and what other information?

[Sanadhil] age

[Sanadhil] sex, character

[Sanadhil] anything else of note

[Alma] Well, if he is not human he will likely have no House, so I will not look for that.

• Sanadhil nods
• Alma casts Guidance and picks up the Ribbon

[Alma] ...

[Alma] Oh no...

• Sanadhil waits tensely
• Alma sighs

[Sanadhil] what is it?

[Sanadhil] is he blocked as well?

[Alma] I think it's Viviane's.

• Alma looks a little upset.

[Sanadhil] ahh...

• Ilphere frowns.

[Ilphere] Damnation...!

[Alma] W...

[Alma] You really suspect Earric is not human?

[Alma] That he may be behind all this?

[Alma] Phedre, the cult?

[Sanadhil] it is possible

[Sanadhil] there is no evidence, however.

[Alma] Please, get me something of his.

[Sanadhil] I will try,

[Ilphere] That was the idea.

[Sanadhil] the opportuniies are somewhat hard to come by.

[Alma] Is there some way I could help?

• Sanadhil eyes Ilphère
• Alma doesn't seem to expect there IS a way.

[Ilphere] I find it unlikely he will be any less guarded with a member of the clergy than with M. ORecalo.

[Sanadhil] ironically, the less interference the cult has to operate at this time, the easier it will be to try for something else.

[Ilphere] Unless you wish to attend one of his events.

• Alma looks at Ilphere like she has her head on backwards.
• Ilphere smiles sweetly. O:)
• Sanadhil blionks, and looks at Ilphère, and laughs once.

[Alma] It would be highly suspicious that the woman safeguarding her daughter just suddenly shows up to one of their accursed events.

[Ilphere] Oh but you would have a mask...!

[Alma] It would also look incredibly bad should anyone realise, and not know my motivations.

[Sanadhil] It would not be safe.

[Alma] I could /not/ risk legitimising that dangerous cult.

• Sanadhil says more seriously.
• Ilphere feeds the raven some corn from a little bag, smiling to herself.

[Sanadhil] indeed.

[Alma] I am at your disposal should you find something of Mr. Boyne's

[Sanadhil] Thank you, Countess.

[Sanadhil] hmmm

• Alma stands, but stays put as you hmmm.

[Sanadhil] I suppose i is possible that of of thewse things was a gift from him, but that would not be suficient, would it?

[Alma] ... of course.

[Alma] How foolish of me.

[Alma] Would you mind if I took these to examine their previous owners?

[Alma] I find it much easier to read things now, but still, only once a day...

[Sanadhil] I would prefer to be present when you attemtp your divinations..... it is fascinating

• Sanadhil nods

[Alma] That would be fine.

[Sanadhil] then of course

[Alma] Here at the Castalia?

• Sanadhil nods

[Alma] Very well.

Alma and Sanadhil

• Alma knocks at Sanadhil's door the next day.
• Sanadhil answers
• Alma , seeing he is alone, decides to greet him in Cozovode.

[Alma] Ohayo, Orecalo-san.

• Sanadhil smiles

[Alma] [c from now on]

[Sanadhil] Ohaio.

[Sanadhil] [c] Please, come in

[Alma] I do not often have the opportunity to practice your language, so I will try this afternoon.

[Alma] Thank you.

[Sanadhil] If ever you would like to practice, and have the time, please, drop by anytime.

[Alma] Thank you, I will.

[Sanadhil] Mlle e Quessenet also speaks quite well, and Mlle Chanuier. And other at the society as well, I'm sure.

[Alma] Ah.

[Alma] Well, lets see if we can learn anything of the previous owner of these items.

• Sanadhil nods
• Sanadhil produces them again

[Alma] Ah, foolishness!

[Alma] I sought too much information from the ribbon...

[Sanadhil] how do you mean?

[Alma] I used to be able to pick out only one or two details at a time. I came to realise I could determine more if I tried... but if I try to learn too much, the information slips away.

[Alma] Much like trying to carry too much sand in your hands.

[Sanadhil] Ahh

• Sanadhil sm's her
• Alma looks genuinely irritated with herself.

[Sanadhil] will time help? or is it simple inaccessible?

[Sanadhil] or other enchantments?

[Alma] Until tomorrow, it is useless.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] what about the bottle?

• Alma trades the ribbon for the bottle.

[Alma] A woman of some fifty years.

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Alma] Perhaps a shopkeeper, or a familymember.

[Sanadhil] an older sister perhaps...

[Sanadhil] well, no matter.

[Sanadhil] you are welcome to come back and try again for the ribbom

[Sanadhil] I have an echantment that might help

[Alma] Oh?

[Sanadhil] (well I do if I can be lvel 7 anyway)

[Alma] Which is that?

[Sanadhil] A new spell I've been learning

[Sanadhil] Heroism.

[Alma] Ah, yes I believe that would help.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] Tomorrow, then?

[Alma] Unfortunately not tomorrow, but likely the next day.

[Alma] (This is why I might ask Julie to take this feat a second time at Lv9 :P)

• Sanadhil nods

Alma and Sanadhil... again

[Alma] (Shall we continue or are we taking up too many days, Julie?)

[DiablotinNarrator] uh, it's been... 3?

[DiablotinNarrator] 4?

[Alma] (Yeah, the 4th day I return.)

[DiablotinNarrator] Go ahead, may as well get it over with.

[Sanadhil] 'k

• Alma will return as promised.
• Sanadhil sees her in, casts heroism

[Alma] Good day, once again.

• Alma casts Guidance and tries again

[Sanadhil] you as well...

[Alma] It's more likely Felise's ribbon, than Earrics.

[Alma] Do you still have the bottle?

[Sanadhil] I do.

• Alma will look at it again

[Alma] I was just curious. Seems she purchased it :)

[Alma] I'll need something else, unfortunately.

[Sanadhil] I'll see what i can do.

[Sanadhil] thank you for your efforts.

[Alma] Certainly. Though, I must be going.

• Sanadhil nods

Ysabeau and Dominik

• Ysabeau is waiting to meet Dominik one afternoon at the Castalia after Ilphere has ensconced herself in the library.
• Ysabeau always smiles so happily when he shows up.

[Dominik] What a pleasant surprise to a dull day. How are you?

[Ysabeau] I'm well, thanks. You got my note, then. ^-^

[Ysabeau] What's your day been like so far?

[Dominik] I have the note yes. The day... another one where I am not much use but have too much time to think and too little use of my talents.

[Ysabeau] Maybe you should join the Guards or something. Have you ever thought about it?

[Ysabeau] Your talents would see a lot of use with them. And you wouldn't be setting a precedent, I mean, Empress Tristane was a guard until she went through the Arch.

[Dominik] It has crossed my mind, but I'm not one to bend a knee easily.

[Ysabeau] I'm not sure how much knee-bending Merrow ever does!

• Ysabeau laughs.

[Ysabeau] I should introduce you to him some day. I really should.

[Dominik] might make for an interesting conversation

[Ysabeau] Well, it's only fair, seeing as you've introduced me to *your* family, already.

[Ysabeau] He's the closest thing Muri and I have to a father.

• Dominik nods

[Ysabeau] And you should meet Hettie, some day, too. If you don't mind dressing down a bit. You'd get mugged wearing those clothes to the Shambles. ;)

[Dominik] I'd like to see someone try and mug me

• Ysabeau grins.

[Dominik] might be a nice break in the tidium lately

[Ysabeau] Hey, are you free to go for a walk and grab a coffee or something? Or is your presence required here while Ilphere reads?

[Dominik] she hates having me around... if I loose her ill make something up... lets go.

[Ysabeau] Okay.

• Ysabeau will chat about this and that as we walk.
• Dominik will find a table at a coffee house

[Dominik] I think maybe I should change vocation and start selling coffee with these prices...

• Dominik mutters as he orders

[Ysabeau] Seems like it could be a good alternative to bodyguarding.

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Dominik] it would be harder for me to slip away with beautiful young girls if I was slinging coffee instead of a sword.

[Ysabeau] Oh, but the beautiful young girls would be coming to you, and ordering coffee, see?

[Ysabeau] I think it'd balance out.

[Dominik] I prefer the slip away part

[Ysabeau] Well, you could slip away with them at the end of your shift.

[Ysabeau] Meanwhile, the anticipation would build up, which is never a bad thing. ;)

[Dominik] Coffee tends to build up a completely different kind of anticipation

[Ysabeau] Oh, you could stop at a WC along the way.

• Ysabeau teases.

[Dominik] I suppose

[Ysabeau] And after that small inconvenience, it would have the added advantage of enabling you to stay awake during the long night ahead of you.

[Ysabeau] Win-win, see?

[Dominik] Your putting too much thought and planning into this. Trying to settle me down into a safer lifestlye

• Ysabeau raises an eyebrow.

[Dominik] Or is it you just want me available all night

[Ysabeau] Well... that's never *far* from my thoughts, of course.

[Dominik] I could be free tonight

[Ysabeau] Hmmm... I do have a practice session with the Consort tonight, but after that I'm free.

[Dominik] wont be too winded after practice?

[Dominik] I could come watch.

[Ysabeau] You could, but on one condition: instead of admiring just me, try to admire my *music* as well.

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] You can't give a musician any greater compliment than saying, honestly, that their music moved you.

[Dominik] thats a tall order, but I will endevour to try

[Dominik] I may be far too distracted by the singer

[Ysabeau] Well, I hope you won't be too disappointed if there isn't actually a whole lot of *singing* going on... we play a lot of instrumental music.

[Ysabeau] Most of the people who hire us want us to be in the background for their dinners and dances... they aren't looking for recitals, anyway.

[Dominik] their loss

[Ysabeau] So I don't sing as much as you might think.

[Dominik] I wait to be educated then

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] Excellent. It'll be fun!

• Dominik nods in agreement

[Ysabeau] You know Symon already of course but have you ever met Jehan and Stefan yet?

[Dominik] no

[Ysabeau] Oh they're really nice. I think you'll like them.

• Dominik nods again

[Ysabeau] We'll be in room 10 at [Blah] Hall at the Castalia, around 7:30.

• Dominik nods
• Ysabeau will chat about her fellow musicians, upcoming gigs and such until you either get bored of it or we finish our drinks.

[Dominik] Ill will see you there

[Dominik] (drinks done)

• Ysabeau has something else to ask you on our way back to the library, though!

[Ysabeau] So Dom, I'm curious...

[Dominik] yes?

[Ysabeau] How do you feel about using a 'preventative'?

[Dominik] a what?

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] A sheepsgut?

• Ysabeau wonders if he may not even have heard of them... :o

[Dominik] for what?

[Ysabeau] Okay...

[Ysabeau] You'd wear it so I don't get pregnant. I'll of course be using this herbal tea you can buy, too, which seems to work well. But nothing is *certain* so the more protection I have, the better.

[Ysabeau] It would really be difficult for me to finish school if you knock me up.

[Dominik] I've never heard of anything like that.

[Dominik] I'll give it a go if thats what you want.

• Ysabeau smiles up at you.

[Dominik] you'd think there would be some magic spell or something that they had come up with to prevent that...

[Ysabeau] You'd think, but no one's developed one yet.

• Ysabeau shrugs.

[Ysabeau] I can teach you how to put them on and such. That's no problem.

[Dominik] You may have to show me... it might take a few tries for me to get used to it. Are you up for that?

[Ysabeau] Of course.

[Ysabeau] You might even enjoy having me put one on you. ;)

[Dominik] we can find out tonight, if you want.

[Ysabeau] Sure.

• Dominik smiles at that

[Ysabeau] Did you want to come to my house, or go to a nice little inn, or what?

[Dominik] what works best for you... I know your sister may not appreciate the disruption. How about I find us a nice room.

[Ysabeau] Sure, if you'd like to.

[Dominik] until this evening

• Dominik will kiss Ysabeau goodby
• Ysabeau kisses him back and smiles warmly at him. And perhaps there is a somewhat hungry gleam in her eye as she sees him off.
• Dominik will be restless with anticipation for the rest of the day

Sanadhil, Vica and Eideline

• Vica can spot you somewhere in the Castalia district, say.

[Vica] Hello!

• Vica waves to you.
• Vica is in trousers and a man's jacket, so it might take a second to recognize her ;)
• Sanadhil waves in return

[Sanadhil] Hello, Vica.

• Vica comes over to you.
• Sanadhil smiles

[Vica] How are you doing?

• Vica smiles back.

[Sanadhil] Oh, fairly well.... yourself?

[Sanadhil] How is the theater?

[Vica] Good - just got out of rehearsal, actually.

• Sanadhil nods

[Vica] Hence the trousers.

[Sanadhil] And here I thought you were just dressing sensibly

• Vica chuckles.
• Sanadhil says lightly

[Vica] I think women used to wear this sort of thing more often. It's quite comfortable, really.

[Vica] Inconvenient when you have to pee, though.

[Sanadhil] a trade off, I suppose

• Vica nods.

[Sanadhil] Are you headed anywhere?

[Vica] I was thinking of going to my mother's. If you're not busy, you could join me...

[Sanadhil] Oh?

[Sanadhil] Well, if you don't think it would be intruding...

[Vica] Not at all.

[Sanadhil] I would be curious to meet her.

[Sanadhil] Thank you, then.

[Vica] I'm sure she'd be interested to meet you too.

[Vica] It's a bit of a hike, across the river in Pearl.

[Sanadhil] Hmm...

• Sanadhil still has his cane

[Sanadhil] Perhaps a cab?

[Vica] Sure, if you're paying :)

[Sanadhil] Of course

[Sanadhil] :)

• Vica will walk with you to the nearest big street and hail a passing cab, then.

[Vica] So, what have you been up to lately?

[Sanadhil] Research of various kinds...

[Vica] Anything fun?

[Vica] You can't do research all the time, can you?

[Sanadhil] I can try?

• Sanadhil smileas

[Sanadhil] I did go away for a while, down to the coast

[Sanadhil] That was.... relaxing.

[Vica] Sounds nice.

[Sanadhil] I'd never been to the sea before

[Vica] Did you take the train?

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] I don't really like them, but it was expedient. Otherwise I'd have spent the whole time travelling.

• Sanadhil shrugs
• Vica nods.

[Vica] I've taken them - not so far as that, but just short trips.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] that would probably be more tolerable

[Vica] It's nice to get out of the city sometimes.

[Vica] Only for a little while, though - I'd get bored ;)

[Sanadhil] Do you have anywhere in particular you like to go?

[Vica] Oh, maybe as far as Bonivent.

[Vica] There are nice places to stop between here and there, though, just little villages really.

[Sanadhil] I should try that sometime.

[Sanadhil] I think it would be good for me to get away from here a little more often.

[Vica] How long have you lived here? I forget if you already told me, sorry.

• Sanadhil stops and thinks

[Sanadhil] Almost a year now, I suppose

• Sanadhil sounds a little surprised

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Vica] What?

[Sanadhil] I just didn't realize it had been that long

[Vica] Time flies, eh?

[Sanadhil] apparently!

[Sanadhil] So, what production are you working on now? Anything interesting?

[DiablotinNarrator] Your cab is rattling over the bridge.

[Vica] Oh, it's kind of a farce - not the fun kind, either ;)

[Sanadhil] How so?

[Vica] The Cunning Countess - bedroom hijinks, blatant innuendo, that sort of show. And it's kind of disorganized too, which is annoying.

[Sanadhil] ahh...

[Vica] But, it's paying, so I can't really complain.

[Sanadhil] there is that!

[Vica] And unlike some people in the show, I don't have to show my tits ;)

[Sanadhil] A really classy play, I see...

[Vica] Very. But for some reason, people come to those shows, more than the classy ones ;)

[Sanadhil] Well. Diablotin is such a very classy place, afterall -_-

• Vica laughs.

[Vica] I hope it's not getting to you - it can be a bit much, I'm sure.

[Sanadhil] I'll manage.

• Vica nods.

[Vica] Void, I wish Mother would move out of Pearl. It's so disgusting.

• Vica says, looking out the window.

[Sanadhil] why does she stay?

[Vica] I don't really know.

[Vica] It's hard to believe she might have good memories of this place, but maybe that's it.

[Sanadhil] maybe

[Sanadhil] friends here maybe?

• Sanadhil shrugs

[Vica] A few... most of her friends from back in the day are dead :/

[Sanadhil] Of course...

[Vica] She says she's used to it, living around humans this long.

[Sanadhil] how long has she been here?

[Vica] I guess about eighty years?

[Vica] Around that, anyway,

• Sanadhil nods

[Vica] She's been out of the homelands for... probably a hundred, maybe a hundred and twenty or something like that.

[Vica] She was pretty young when she left.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] does she ever talk about why she left?

[Vica] Not much. I think she had a marriage arranged for her and didn't like the guy, or something like that.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] I think that's fairly common...

[DiablotinNarrator] The carriage pulls up at a nice-looking home, for Pearl standards anyway.

[Vica] Here we are...

• Vica hops out.
• Sanadhil will pay and follow after her

[Sanadhil] (is the neighborhood nice or just this place?)

[DiablotinNarrator] The neighbourhood is a bit on the run-down side - this house is somewhat nicer than most others around it.

[DiablotinNarrator] But the neighbourhood is a residential one, a few shops - not like whorehouse central, anyway.

[Sanadhil] (keen)

• Vica opens the door as if she lives there - which presumably she used to, anyway.
• Sanadhil will follow her in, then :o

[Vica] Mother?

[Eideline] Come in, dear!

• Eideline calls from somewhere back in the house.

[Vica] She's probably cooking.

• Sanadhil nods
• Vica says, heading to the kitchen.

[Vica] I brought a friend, I hope that's all right...

• Sanadhil finds a place to leave his cane and probably hat, and folows after
• Eideline is indeed cooking - the aroma of elven dishes greets you as you enter the kitchen.

[Sanadhil] (nom)

• Eideline is shorter and more slender than her daughter, with a dark complexion and pitch-black hair. She looks no older than 250 or 300 - so maybe in her mid-to-late twenties by human standards, or about the same apparent age as Vica.

[Eideline] Help chop the herbs.

[Sanadhil] Hello...

• Eideline directs her daughter, who does as she's told.

[Eideline] Oh, hello :o

[Vica] Mother, this is Sanadhil. He's a scholar at the Castalia.

[Eideline] Well - a pleasure to meet you.

[Sanadhil] And you as well.

• Eideline brushes her hands off on her apron.

[Eideline] We don't see too many others like you in these parts. You must be from away...

[Sanadhil] I'm here to study, yes.

[Eideline] Your accent is very good, though.

[Sanadhil] I study langauges

• Sanadhil smiles

[Eideline] [c] Would you rather speak ours, then?

[Sanadhil] [c]However you prefer.

[Vica] [c] Talk Aveyronnais, I want to follow you :p

[Vica] Bleah, my accent's awful.

[Sanadhil] Need more practice :)

[Vica] I know, but it's not like there are many people to practice with!

[Vica] And really, I'm never going there, it's not like I need to know it.

[Eideline] Will you stay for dinner, Sanadhil?

[Eideline] There's plenty to go around.

[Sanadhil] If you'll have me, I'd be honoured.

[Eideline] Certainly.

[Sanadhil] thank you.

[Eideline] So, was it your mother or father who was Cozovode?

[Vica] Mother, don't be nosy.

[Eideline] I'm only asking!

[Eideline] He can answer, or not, as he wishes ;)

[Sanadhil] Ahh, well, I don't actually know, I'm afraid.

[Eideline] No?

[Sanadhil] No.

[Eideline] You were abandoned?

• Eideline guesses.

[Sanadhil] Essentially.

[Sanadhil] I grew up in a monastery, for which I am lucky.

[Eideline] Then I will bet you ten imperials it was your mother.

[Sanadhil] That's been my guess.

[Eideline] A human girl, she would keep her baby.

[Eideline] Or kill it, one or the other.

[Sanadhil] Indeed.

[Vica] Mother, this is depressing.

• Sanadhil shrugs

[Sanadhil] Can I help with dinner?

[Eideline] Yes, well, I did not abandon you to a temple, did I?

[Vica] No :p

[Eideline] There is little left to do - and besides, you're the guest. You relax :)

[Sanadhil] Very well, then...

• Sanadhil looks around the little house (or what he can see from here, anyway)

[DiablotinNarrator] Nicely decorated, tasteful, a few paintings on the walls - generally a pleasant middle-class sort of home, few obvious signs of elfiness to be seen.

[Sanadhil] This is a nice place.

[Eideline] Thank you.

[Eideline] I bought it when my daughter was born - she needed somewhere to grow up, after all.

• Sanadhil nods

[Eideline] Matyevica, I can't believe you didn't tell me you'd met another half-human.

• Vica shrugs.

[Vica] I guess I didn't think you'd be interested.

[Eideline] No, very interested! There are not so many of you, after all :)

[Sanadhil] its true...

[Sanadhil] There is another in town, but he isn't Cozovodë

• Sanadhil frowns a bit and shakes his head

[Eideline] Oh?

[Eideline] How unusual. Doubly unusual.

[Sanadhil] yes.

[Sanadhil] He runs some little gang.

[Eideline] Hm.

[Eideline] I know of two others - one I think has left the city since I knew her, but the other is still here.

[Sanadhil] oh?

[Eideline] Indeed. Some years ago, the resident ambassador brought his family with him, including a son. The boy got a human girl pregnant before they left. I believe the family paid some sum of money to her for the child's maintenance - far from enough, I'm sure. In any case, the child was born, a girl, and she now has a little tavern in the Place D'Iena.

[Eideline] I suppose she must be forty or so by now - I haven't seen her in some time. Elyse is her name - not Cozovode, but then, what was the girl to know about proper names?

[Sanadhil] Interesting

[Sanadhil] have you met her?

[Vica] Me?

• Sanadhil asks Vica
• Sanadhil nods

[Vica] I think when I was little, yeah.

[Sanadhil] who was the other?

• Sanadhil asks Eideline

[Eideline] Ah, she was most interesting - thought it was many years ago. She had been raised among our people, as I surmise you were. She was a bodyguard to a Cozovode scholar who came here for a time. Well, "bodyguard"...

[Vica] Don't be crass, Mother.

[Eideline] I don't know what parts of his body she was guarding :p

• Sanadhil raises his eyebreows

[Sanadhil] No one gave *me* a 'bodyguard,' how unfair.

[Eideline] Well, are you very wealthy? Perhaps that is the problem.

[Sanadhil] Oh part of it, I'm sure -_-

• Eideline chuckles.

[Eideline] So, you are... let me guess. Twenty-one? Twenty-two?

[Sanadhil] (crap, sec)

[Eideline] (hee)

[Sanadhil] (I can't remember what I told Vica, ahh well)

[Sanadhil] A little older.

[Eideline] I am a bad judge of your age - I always would treat Vica younger than she was, I'm afraid.

[Vica] This is true.

[Sanadhil] It's hard to gauge, I think...

• Eideline nods.
• Sanadhil would sm her, but I have no dice and no roll alia and no cat -_-
• Eideline has finished cooking, and is serving up food. Delicious vegetarian food :)

[Sanadhil] No one could decide, when I was young, if I was a fast learner or a slow one.

• Vica laughs.

[Vica] When I had my first boyfriend, Mother about killed me because I was 'too young'. I was eighteen!

• Sanadhil chuckles

[Eideline] It still seems too young to me.

[Eideline] But I suppose that is because you're my daughter.

• Vica rolls her eyes behind her mother's back, but smiles.

[Eideline] Here, come, eat.

• Eideline proceeds to give you more food than you can possibly consume.

[Eideline] You look thin.

• Eideline tells you.

[Eideline] Food here does not agree with you, maybe?

[Sanadhil] I mostly do my own cooking...

• Eideline nods.

[Eideline] Here, 'no meat' will get you some boiled cabbage, maybe a carrot if you're lucky.

[Sanadhil] But I have been ill recently

• Sanadhil admits, as though he is not always too thin :p
• Vica excuses herself for a moment after the meal.

[Sanadhil] I mostly stay away from tavern food.

[Eideline] [c] So, are you sleeping with my daughter?

• Sanadhil blinks
• Eideline asks once she's out of the room.

[Sanadhil] [c] No.

[Eideline] [c] Oh.

• Eideline seems perhaps mildly disappointed ;)

[Eideline] [c] There are so few of you, I hoped... well.

[Sanadhil] [c] Ahh.... I'm sorry to disappoint. She is lovely though.

[Eideline] [c] Well, there is still hope, perhaps ;)

• Sanadhil raises his eyebrows

[Eideline] [c] I think she may fancy you.

[Sanadhil] [c] oh?

[Eideline] [c] She does not usually bring men home to meet me, for one thing.

[Eideline] [c] And she keeps looking at you when she thinks you don't notice.

[Sanadhil] [c] I did wonder at her motives...

[Sanadhil] hmm.

[Vica] What did I miss?

• Vica says brightly, returning to the room.

[Eideline] The recipe for my saffron rice.

[Vica] What, add saffron to the rice?

• Sanadhil smiles

[Eideline] That's about it.

[Eideline] I was just telling Sanadhil where he can buy saffron, though - it is hard to come by here.

[Sanadhil] I thik I've just been buying cheap saffron :p

• Eideline nods.

[Eideline] Cheap is no good - you need the best you can find.

[Sanadhil] I'll keep that in mind, then

[Vica] Well, great dinner, as usual, Mother. I should probably get going, though...

• Vica glances at you to see if you're coming with her or staying longer.
• Sanadhil glances between the two briefly

[Sanadhil] Thank you

• Sanadhil says to Eideline

[Eideline] You're welcome - and please, return whenever you like.

[Sanadhil] I shall have to.

• Sanadhil smiles, and will rise to go with Vica, I guess :o

[Vica] Going back across the river?

[Sanadhil] that was the plan. Yourself?

• Vica nods.

[Vica] Evening rehearsal. Probably be a disaster, but I should be there anyway.

[Sanadhil] :/

[Sanadhil] I cn see you there, if you like.

[Vica] I'd like that :)

[Vica] This is what happens when the director casts his lover in the lead, and the poor boy can't remember two lines to save his life.

[Sanadhil] Ouch.

[Vica] Let alone pretending to be interested in a woman ;)

[Vica] I mean, I'm a more convincing man than he is ^-^

• Sanadhil looks her over

[Sanadhil] I would be surprised.

• Vica poses for you.

[Vica] Well, you haven't seen him ;)

[Sanadhil] that is true :)

[Vica] I can hope he'll break his leg before the show opens and they'll have to re-cast.

• Vica says without much enthusiasm.

[Sanadhil] YOu just need to set up the director with a better actor.

• Vica laughs.

[Vica] Some people are more interested in a pretty face, I'm afraid ;)

[Sanadhil] well, leg-breaking it is, then.

• Sanadhil smiles
• Vica smiles back.
• Vica will get dropped off back at the theatre, then.
• Sanadhil heads back to the Castalia for a bit before home.

Ysabeau and Ilphere

• Ysabeau will have given Ilphere directions to her house to come over one afternoon when classes aren't regularly held.
• Ilphere knocks, or rings the bell if there is one...

[Ysabeau] (No bell, you're in Pearl City, my dear. Bells get stolen and melted down for scrap. Or something.)

[Ilphere] (true!)

• Ysabeau answers the door.

[Ysabeau] Ah, there you are!

[Ysabeau] Come in, come in.

• Ysabeau steps aside to let you in.
• Ilphere is wearing one of her new gowns, pale grey with many buttons down the back.
• Ilphere is still wearing her pink goggles though. :V

[Ilphere] Good afternoon...! :)

• Ilphere steps in.
• Ilphere is carrying Hali on her arm.

[Ysabeau] Hello Hali.

[Ilphere] * Hali quorks at you and asks for corn in Archaic Aveyronnais.

[Ysabeau] Hmm... I'm not sure if there's anywhere good for her to perch, unfortunately.

• Ysabeau only knows Middle and Modern Aveyronnais, unfortunately.
• The bird flaps over to a chair and perches there.

[Ysabeau] Did she just say something to me...?

[Ilphere] She's very resourceful..!

[Ilphere] She wants corn... greedy...!

• Ilphere says wth affection.

[Ysabeau] Oh... I'm afraid I have none. I have biscuits and such...

[Ilphere] She will eat anything, really... but don't feel you need to feed her...!

• Ilphere laughs lightly.

[Ilphere] She just had the rest of my croissant...!

[Ilphere] :)

[Ysabeau] Oh well, she's a guest, too, isn't she?

[Ysabeau] Speaking of which, would you like some tea or something?

[Ilphere] Oh certainly, thank you...!

[Ilphere] Is your sister home...?

• Ilphere looks around.
• Ysabeau grins.

[Ysabeau] No, she's out for the afternoon.

• Ilphere nods.

[Ysabeau] Make yourself comfortable.

• Ysabeau indicates the sitting area.

[Ilphere] Oh, thanks... :)

[Ysabeau] I'll just be over there -

• Ysabeau points to the kitchen.

[Ilphere] Do you need any assistance...?

[Ysabeau] Oh! I can boil some water without too much trouble, thanks. ;)

• Ilphere laughs...
• Ysabeau seems pleased that you'd offer, though.

[Ilphere] Very well then...!

• Ilphere seats herself graacefully on one of your chairs.
• Ysabeau rattles about in the kitchen.
• Ilphere hums to herself while she waits.

[Ysabeau] So. What did you want to talk about today?

[Ilphere] Well...!

[Ilphere] I saw Menard yesterday...!

• Ysabeau is close enough that you can hear her quite clearly - such a small house!
• Ysabeau pokes her head around the kitchen doorway.
• Ilphere fusses with her skirt self consciously, but is smiling in an almost giddy fashion...

[Ysabeau] Oh you did, did you?

[Ilphere] Yes I did...!

[Ilphere] At the Society...

[Ysabeau] How did that go?

[Ilphere] Well...

• Ysabeau goes back to doing something in the kitchen; you can hear some cupboard doors open and close.

[Ysabeau] Well...?

• Ilphere clears her throat a little...
• Ilphere blushes...

[Ilphere] You could say that... we engaged in some, ah, 'research'...

[Ilphere] Or experimentation, even...

• Ysabeau comes out with some squares on a plate.

[Ysabeau] Research, huh?

[Ilphere] Ooh, what are these...?

[Ysabeau] Lemon squares.

• Ilphere eyes the snacks

[Ysabeau] Help yourself. :)

[Ilphere] Did you make them? They look lovely...!

[Ysabeau] Muri and I made them, yes.

• Ilphere tries one...

[Ilphere] Mmmm...

• Ilphere says around her mouthful.

[Ilphere] They are delicious...!

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] I'm glad you like them. Oh! That's the water. Be right back.

• Ilphere eyes the plate trying to decide how many she can eat without looking greedy.
• Ysabeau comes bustling back in with a teapot under a cozy and some teacups and linen napkins on a tray.

[Ysabeau] There!

• Ysabeau sits herself down, settling her skirts about her.

[Ysabeau] So what kind of research did you get up to?

[Ilphere] Well, I hadn't intended to start anything... I only wanted to talk to him about it...!

[Ysabeau] Oh, so you got up to something, then?

• Ilphere giggles...

[Ilphere] Yes...!

[Ilphere] You mustn't tell anyone... especially Dominik, of course...!

[Ysabeau] Why would I?

• Ysabeau looks puzzled.

[Ilphere] Well, of course you wouldn't...!

[Ysabeau] Girl talk is among girls only.

• Ysabeau agrees.

[Ilphere] I've never really had anything like this to talk about....!

[Ysabeau] And generally doesn't leave the room it was uttered in.

[Ilphere] Well...!

[Ilphere] It was in one of the private study rooms...!

• Ilphere says with a devilish, conspiratorial grin.
• Ysabeau giggles.

[Ysabeau] Why does that seem so perfectly appropriate for you?

[Ilphere] It was so exciting to be really alone with him... nobody watching me, not Dominik, or my parents...!

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ilphere] ... What do you want to know...? I'm not really sure how to begin talking about this...

[Ysabeau] Well, you don't have to tell me *anything* if you don't wish to, of course.

[Ysabeau] Did you fuck?

[Ilphere] No... I didn't want to go so far right away... I don't think it would have been very comfortable, either...

[Ilphere] It hurt a little just with his finger...

[Ilphere] But we did some other things...!

[Ysabeau] Like what?

[Ilphere] Well.. I touched it...!

[Ysabeau] His cock?

[Ysabeau] I bet he liked that.

• Ilphere nods excitedly.

[Ilphere] Oh yes...!

[Ilphere] And I used my mouth a little...

[Ysabeau] Oh, you gave him a blowjob?

[Ysabeau] How did you like that?

[Ilphere] Well, it did not take very long once I started that... but I guess so...?

[Ilphere] I did not really know what to do. And then it was all over my face.

[Ysabeau] Oh... well. I can give you some tips about what to do. I meant to when you had me over, but our lesson was cut short.

[Ysabeau] He must have liked it if you got him off, though.

[Ilphere] Yes, I think so... ;)

[Ysabeau] Did he get you off, too?

[Ilphere] Oh, yes...

• Ilphere blushes deeply at the memory.
• Ysabeau grins lasciviously.

[Ysabeau] Feels nice, doesn't it?

[Ilphere] Well... I had, well... I have done it myself before.

[Ilphere] But it was very different with someone else...

[Ilphere] It was *very* nice...

• Ilphere grins as well.

[Ysabeau] Yes, it usually is. I generally find I have a much stronger reaction when someone else does it to me.

[Ilphere] Yes, exactly...!

[Ilphere] And it took longer... but I didn't mind... well, once we were properly started that is...!

[Ilphere] He is not that experienced either I don't think... I helped him along, like you said...!

[Ysabeau] Oh great!

[Ysabeau] You told him where it felt nicest?

• Ilphere nods proudly.

[Ysabeau] That's the best way to learn and teach one another, even when you're really experienced, you can learn something new.

[Ilphere] I do love to learn new things...!

• Ysabeau laughs.

[Ilphere] I cannot wait to see him again...!

• Ilphere sighs happily.

[Ysabeau] I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Ysabeau] The tea's probably ready!

[Ilphere] Oh, of course...!

• Ysabeau pours a cup for each of us.

[Ysabeau] Here you go.

[Ilphere] Thank you!

[Ysabeau] You're welcome.

[Ysabeau] Hmm, seeing as we're drinking - here's a tip.

[Ysabeau] If you want to give him another blowjob sometime, it really helps if you have a drink of water before you do it. You don't want your mouth to dry out on you, 'cause that could ruin the rhythm

• Ilphere nods...

[Ilphere] That is a good idea...

• Ysabeau takes a sip of her tea.

[Ilphere] I would have to plan ahead...!

• Ilphere sips hers as well.

[Ysabeau] A little planning never hurts. But spontaneity has its own charms.

[Ilphere] As I have learned...!

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ilphere] So what should I *do* though...? With my mouth?

[Ysabeau] Well, you can do lots of things with it.

[Ysabeau] You can kiss him, lick him, suck him. You can even blow on him.

[Ilphere] Am I supposed to be able to get it all in...?

• Ilphere asks dubiously.

[Ysabeau] You don't have to, to get him off. But a lot of men are *really* turned on if you can.

[Ysabeau] It takes practice though.

• Ilphere nods...

[Ilphere] I shall have to try, then...!

[Ysabeau] You have to get him to relax, you know - it doesn't help if he's thrusting into your mouth. You might choke or gag if he does that.

• Ilphere says with determination.
• Ilphere nods again.

[Ysabeau] You'll want to get his cock really wet, with your spit before you try. That's why it's good to drink some water beforehand.

[Ilphere] I see...!

[Ilphere] How did you learn all this...?

[Ysabeau] Keep one hand on his cock so you can help guide it where you want it to go. You might feel kind of silly, but it helps if you stick out your tongue so there's more room for his cock in your mouth. You can breathe a bit better that way, too.

[Ysabeau] Oh... lots of practice.

[Ilphere] Why doesn't anyone teach girls these things...? I wonder how many women end up staring at their husband on their wedding night with no idea what to do...!

• Ysabeau laughs.

[Ysabeau] Maybe I ought to start a school for young ladies.

[Ilphere] Perhaps so...!

[Ysabeau] You don't think their parents and possibly the church might shut it down? ;)

[Ysabeau] It's not just girls. No one teaches boys what to do, either.

[Ilphere] Ah, the blasted church..!

[Ilphere] It is a shame.

[Ysabeau] Really, most people learn by talking to one another, like we are, or by trying things out.

[Ilphere] I suppose so...

[Ysabeau] And that has its charms too. It's nice to have a really experienced partner, sure... but I think it's also kind of nice to figure things out with someone you love very much.

[Ilphere] I do feel that Menard and I are on the same page, so to speak...

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] He might be having a conversation like this with one of his male friends at this very moment!

[Ilphere] Oh gods... probably Seth Argo...! D:

• Ysabeau giggles.

[Ysabeau] Seriously?

[Ilphere] They are good friends...

[Ilphere] Quite close, I think.

[Ysabeau] Does Seth even know what to do with a woman, himself...? He always seems like he's got a particularly large plug in his butt.

[Ilphere] I am quite ignorant of his personal life... he does not seem unkind to me, though.

[Ysabeau] No, not unkind. Just very... rigid.

[Ilphere] Perhaps he is just very guarded... very private...?

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] Perhaps.

[Ilphere] He is very different with Menard.

[Ysabeau] I should like to see that!

[Ilphere] I had tea with the two of them a while ago... The difference was rather striking.

[Ysabeau] Actually, I should actually like to meet this husband of yours, too. Since I hope we'll still be friends once you're married...

• Ysabeau says, a bit wistful or shy, perhaps.

[Ilphere] Yes, you should... The party was not the best environment for that, unfortunately...!

[Ilphere] I mean, you met him, but we hardly had the chance to talk...

[Ilphere] And don't be ridiculous, of course we shall be friends...!

[Ysabeau] Good. I'm glad.

[Ysabeau] Oh, hey, I have something for you... though I'm not sure you really need it anymore.

[Ilphere] Oh...?

[Ysabeau] And I believe you wanted to see my collection of glass cocks, too.

[Ilphere] Oh yes, I am quite curious...!

[Ysabeau] Purely for research, I know.

• Ysabeau grins.

[Ysabeau] I'll bring them down. Or did you want to come up?

[Ilphere] I'll come up, then you don't have to carry things up and down the stairs...

[Ysabeau] All right.

• Ysabeau stands up and offers you a hand up, as well.
• Ilphere takes it and stands.
• Ysabeau heads upstairs to her bedroom.
• Ilphere follows you; Hali flaps onto her shoulder as she goes up the stairs.
• Ysabeau 's bedroom is warm and inviting and very exotic. It is rather like Inara's living quarters, actually - you know, draped with nice, warmly-coloured cloths and such. It has a nice smell, too, of scented oils or incense.

[Ysabeau] (There's a large bed, and by the window a small table and some chairs)

[Ysabeau] Have a seat, wherever you'd like.

[Ilphere] Do you mind if I sit on your bed..?

[Ysabeau] Not at all.

• Ysabeau smiles.
• Ilphere takes a seat, then..! :)
• Ysabeau pulls a small chest out of her wardrobe, and a small, brightly-coloured package as well.

[Ysabeau] So, this is for you...

• Ysabeau hands you the small package.

[Ilphere] Should I open it now...?

• Ilphere asks eagerly.

[Ysabeau] If you'd like to.

• Ilphere opens it, then!

[Ysabeau] (It contains a few items! Some small crystal vials filled with a light golden substance, and an average-sized 'artificial penis' nicely sculpted in glass.)

[Ysabeau] I thought you might like to practice but maybe you don't need to, now! ;)

• Ysabeau blushes a little.

[Ilphere] Oh my...!

[Ilphere] What are these...?

• Ilphere holds up one of the vials.

[Ysabeau] Those are scented oils...

[Ilphere] What are they for...?

[Ysabeau] You can use them to massage one another, or to make him slick for a handjob.

[Ilphere] Oh I see...!

• Ilphere tentatively examines the toy...

[Ilphere] How... intriguing...

[Ysabeau] If you do want to fuck, they're also helpful for slipping on a preventative, if you want to reduce your chances of getting pregnant.

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ilphere] Where do you get these things...?

[Ysabeau] Oh, there's a little store I know, here in Pearl...

[Ysabeau] Well, there's a bunch, but this one is my favourite.

[Ysabeau] It's got a nice, discreet staff.

[Ilphere] I don't really know my way around Pearl, I'm afraid...!

[Ysabeau] Well, if you don't think it would be too awkward, I could take you there some time.

[Ysabeau] We could even go in a carriage, if you like. A lot of their clientele does.

[Ilphere] Oh, that would be very interesting, I think...!

[Ysabeau] They sell preventatives there, too. And a tea you can take, that also reduces the chance that you'll get knocked up.

[Ilphere] That ... might be something I want...

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ilphere] I don't know if I can wait nearly three months now...!

[Ilphere] I thought it might be easier after we'd done... some other things, but...

[Ilphere] IT really, really isn't...! @_@

• Ysabeau smiles again and gives you a reassuring hug.

[Ysabeau] I'm glad that you are so happy with him.

[Ilphere] Thank you... I truly am...!

[Ysabeau] Don't do anything you'll regret! Since you're already figuring out on your own how to give him good head, you might not need to practice *that* on this... but it will be very handy for teaching you how to put a preventative on Menard. ;)

[Ysabeau] And if you want to practice deep-throating, might I recommend a banana? They're softer and easier to swallow.

• Ilphere nods, and puts it back in the box...

[Ilphere] A banana...?

[Ilphere] But what if it broke...?!

[Ysabeau] Well, that could be unfortunate... but you'd have it in your esophagus - it's not supposed to go in your trachea. That would be bad. I've never heard of it happening, though...

[Ysabeau] You need to use something flexible - this wouldn't work. You'd probably hurt yourself if you tried to deepthroat that dildo.

• Ilphere nods but still looks a bit hesitant....!

[Ysabeau] Well, you've got your own now so I suppose there's no use showing you these.

• Ysabeau gets up to put the chest away again...

[Ilphere] How many have you got...? :o

[Ysabeau] Oh, a few... of different sizes and shapes.

• Ilphere eyes the chest curiously...

[Ilphere] ...What kind of shapes...?

[Ysabeau] You're that curious, are you?

[Ilphere] I've just never really seen ... things like these...!

• Ysabeau giggles.

[Ysabeau] Very well...

• Ysabeau slides out a few drawers from the chest. There is an array of glass cocks, of different sizes and shapes, as she says. One is particularly huge and quite startlingly realistic, even down to the veins. There's your typical egg-shaped dildoes and such (I'm not sure how much variety we can expect in this setting, really.).

[Ysabeau] (Probably no dolphins, for example. ;) )

[Ilphere] (lol)

• Ilphere seems fascinated that these things exist in such variety...! :o

[Ysabeau] (Some of them have handles like Ilphere's does but others seem made to be fitted into something else, perhaps?)

• Ilphere will question you about the function of various ones but seems to shy away freom the grotesquely large one. D:
• Ysabeau kindly and patiently explains each one Ilphere asks about.

Seth and Menard

• Menard will show up at your room, then. It's probably some inconvenient time :p

[Seth] Ah ... oh, hey.

[Menard] Hey, Seth :D

[Seth] What's going on?

• Menard seems very... cheerful.

[Menard] Oh, nothing much ... :D :D

[Seth] Ohhh ... I seeeee!

[Menard] What?

• Menard looks innocent.

[Seth] Well, if you must boast, at least have the good sense to close the door behind you. The entire empire doesn't need to hear about your conquests.

[Menard] Well, I'm not going to make a proclamation and have it published in the Herald or anything :p

• Menard does close the door, however.

[Menard] But yes, she was all over me :D

• Seth has a seat.

[Seth] Well, out with it, then.

[Menard] I met her at the Society, like she asked...

[Menard] She took me into this, I don't know, study or something. The door locked, that's all I really cared about.

[Seth] Oh, gods, you did it in the study? I *work* in that study!

• Menard laughs.

[Menard] Well, you can think of that next time you're reading some really boring book.

[Menard] 'Cause yeah, I had her spread out on that desk.

[Menard] But she started it :p

[Seth] Okay ... she made you do it, then. ;P

• Menard shrugs.

[Menard] She's the one who started taking off clothes, anyway.

[Menard] Why are women's clothes so blasted complicated?

[Seth] To protect women from the likes of you, I'd imagine. ;)

[Menard] Hmph.

[Seth] You know, sorry, love, I'm too tired to ravish you now, that sort of thing.

[Menard] We should get in there when they're changing for dinner, that way they have to have all that under-crap off anyway.

[Menard] Well, not *we* we, but you know what I mean. Men in general.

[Seth] Ah. Yes.

[Menard] Someone knocked at the door, but Ilphere got them to go away.

[Seth] Who was it? :o

[Menard] I don't remember, some old lady.

[Menard] Does it matter?

[Seth] Not unless she saw you or figured out what was going on.

[Menard] Uh.

[Menard] Well, I don't think she saw me, but ... Ilphere said we should be quiet, and that may not have worked out so well.

• Menard coughs.

[Seth] I see ... well, okay, carry on then.

[Menard] Anyway, we didn't actually do *everything*... I mean, Ilphere didn't seem too sure about that yet.

[Menard] But she did go down on me. :D :D :D

[Seth] Well ... that's something. For all the trouble you guys went to, though, you really should have gotten more out of it, don't you think?

[Menard] o_O

[Menard] It was enough, trust me. For now, anyway.

[Seth] Okay, fair enough.

[Menard] What were you expecting? :p

[Seth] Pfft, I don't know. Ilphere is so ... odd.

[Seth] You could get her to do anything if you formulated it as an experiment of some sort.

[Menard] Hahah, oh, that's the best part!

[Seth] Oh?

[Menard] She was saying stuff about having done 'independent investigations' and so forth when she was showing me what she wanted ;)

• Seth doubles over in laughter.

[Menard] Yeah, well, I managed not to laugh.

[Menard] It was cute.

[Seth] Well, watch out, soon enough it will be, "I'm doing independent investigations so I need you to put this mouse in your rectum." or some such.

[Menard] Aiiiee :o

[Menard] Why would you even say that :o

[Seth] I ... don't know.

[Seth] It's just the first thing that popped into my head?

[Menard] Seriously, this is why people think there's something wrong with you :p

[Seth] Who thinks that?

• Menard shrugs.

[Menard] The sane population of the world?\

[Seth] I'm just saying that Ilphere loves scholarship more than anything in the world. And her interests are, well, unorthodox.

[Menard] You were right, too - she makes exactly the same noises when... you know.

• Seth guffaws.

[Seth] So, did she need the goggles? ;P

[Menard] No :p

[Seth] Well I hope you didn't leave the lady lying there dissatisfied.

[Menard] No - didn't I say that already? Well, maybe not in so many words... She seemed pretty satisfied, after I was done with her ;)

[Seth] Well ... that's great.

[Seth] I'm glad for you.

[Menard] Really?

• Menard seems slightly uncertain.

[Seth] Sure, of course, yeah.

[Seth] I guess a little jealous.

[Menard] Aw, you getting lonely, Seth?

[Menard] I told you, I can set you up with some nice girl - one of my cousins or whatever.

[Seth] I don't want that.

• Seth says, perhaps a little too firmly.

[Menard] Well, what *do* you want?

[Seth] Oh, void and bother, I don't have the slightest clue.

[Menard] You miss Vereth?

[Seth] Yes ... no, no, not really.

[Menard] Huh?

[Menard] What does 'yes, no, not really' mean?

[Seth] I guess I miss the idea of having someone. Not Vereth specifically.

[Menard] Oh.

[Seth] And I ... I don't know, I used to think I knew the kind of woman I wanted, but now I just don't know.

[Menard] Hm.

[Menard] Do you.. Seth, are you, um, I don't know how to ask this...

[Menard] Do you like Ilphere?

[Seth] What?

[Menard] I mean, you said you were jealous of me - is it because you want her?

[Seth] Why would you even say that?

• Menard seems concerned.

[Menard] Because, I don't know, you seem sort of... off, lately.

• Menard shrugs.

[Menard] And you two have a lot more in common than I have with her, really...

[Menard] She's a lot smarter than me, and likes all this book crap, like you...

[Seth] Hmm.

[Seth] You know ... the idea hadn't even occurred to me before you mentioned it ... but ... I guess it's possible ...

[Menard] Void, no, forget I said anything!

[Menard] Don't let me go putting ideas into your head :p

[Menard] Remember, she's mine :p

[Seth] No, no, that's not what I meant! I mean, yeah, of course.

[Seth] I just mean, maybe I am thinking that I want someone *like* Ilphere, not her specifically, or something like that.

[Menard] Who is there *like* Ilphere? :o

• Seth laughs.

[Seth] You mean not every noblewoman is a demon-obsessed sex cultist?

[Menard] -_-

[Menard] She's not :p

[Seth] I know, I'm just teasing.

[Menard] I mean, if you went to one of their meetings, I guess maybe you might meet other girls like her? I don't know :o

[Seth] Ahh ... no.

[Seth] Look, Menard, I'm not going to make a move on Ilphere. You know that, right?

[Menard] I know. I just... I don't want this to screw up our friendship, you know?

[Menard] You're like the only person I can talk to.

[Seth] Yeah ... it's the same with me.

[Seth] Maybe it's just that with you getting married, I won't be able to talk to Ilphere about scholarly stuff as much, and I won't be able to talk to you about ... anything else.

[Seth] I'm losing two friends at once.

[Menard] Why won't you be able to talk to me after we're married?

[Menard] I mean, I'll still be around.

[Menard] It doesn't have to change anything between us.

[Seth] Well, you know, you'll be talking to Ilphere. And, you know, whatever, raising your family, that kind of thing.

[Menard] We're rich, that's what nursemaids are for :p

[Menard] Seriously.

• Seth laughs.

[Menard] She's not ... what you are to me. I don't know how to say it without sounding gay :p

[Seth] Don't worry about it.

[Menard] Just, take my word for it, okay?

[Seth] Yeah ... okay.

[Seth] But if you guys decide to do some independent investigations into threesomes, you'll put me on the shortlist, right?

• Menard laughs.

[Menard] You're sick.

[Seth] Am I?

[Menard] Well... you're not serious, are you?

[Seth] No ... of course not.

[Menard] Okay then. I'll go with 'sick'.

[Seth] Fair enough.

[Menard] But really, you obviously need to get laid or something.

[Seth] You're probably right.

[Menard] No prospects there?

[Seth] Not ... really, no.

[Menard] Nobody else in that Society who's interesting?

[Menard] Or, you know, just easy :p

[Seth] Ysabeau Chanuier is very comely, but I almost wonder if she's even weirder than Ilphere in some ways.

[Menard] How so?

[Seth] I don't know, exactly ... she's had a hard life. I don't know her that well.

[Menard] You could try to get to know her better.

[Seth] Ah, yeah, I don't know about that.

[Menard] Well, whatever. If you don't know anyone you fancy, you could always just .. you know, go to a whore or something.

• Menard says a bit awkwardly.

[Seth] Well ... yeah ... I guess I have been sort of thinking that I might.

[Menard] Sometimes I thought I might too, but I could never figure out where to go, or whether I even really wanted to.

[Seth] Yeah.

[Menard] I guess the Jewel Box is the place rich folks go for that sort of thing. I sort of walked by it once, but I couldn't work up the nerve to go in. Pathetic, huh?

[Seth] If you give me a raise, I'll try it out and let you know if it's any good.

• Menard laughs.

[Menard] Early holiday present? ^-^

[Seth] Call it an 'independent investigation' if it makes you feel better. ;P

• Menard laughs.

[Seth] You'd be sponsoring scholarly research.

[Menard] I mean, I would, if you wanted. I have stupid amounts of money and how many new suits do I really need?

[Seth] You should just generally keep that in mind, as a general rule. Every morning, when you wake up, think to yourself, "I wonder if Seth would like any money?"

[Menard] You do get to live in a palace ;)

• Menard points out.\

[Menard] There are some perks to this job, right?

[Seth] It's funny, when Marl was first elected you were annoyed that you "had to" live in the palace.

[Menard] Yeah, I know - but it's growing on me.

[Menard] Oh, that reminds me!

[Seth] Something is growing on you and you need it excised?

[Menard] Fuck you :p

[Menard] No, I have to find someplace secret for Ilphere and I to go, because she wants to do it again soon ;)

[Seth] Okay ... and you would like me to ... find you one?

[Menard] Well, do you know anywhere? In the palace, I mean.

[Seth] In the palace? No, but I could find one.

[Menard] That would be great.

[Menard] If it happened to have a bed, or a couch, or something horizontal, so much the better.

[Seth] I'll see what I can do.

[Menard] Thanks.

[Seth] And, uh, congratulations.

[Menard] Thanks too. She's so great :D

[Menard] I know you'll find someone who makes you feel like this, Seth.

[Seth] Yeah, I know you're right.

[Menard] I should get going... have to change for dinner.

[Seth] Okay, talk to you later.

[Menard] Yep! :D

• Menard leaves.

[DiablotinNarrator] The next day, you find a hundred and twenty Imperials in your room, and a note in Menard's handwriting saying 'spend it wisely'.

Ysabeau and Mijanou

• Ysabeau goes to visit Mijanou one fine autumn afternoon.
• Mijanou is chatting with some of the other girls in the bar - the Boar is fairly quiet at the moment, it seems.
• Ysabeau has been to the Boar not *so* long ago since she had spoken with Marissa about Altheo, but perhaps Mijanou wasn't there at the time.

[DiablotinNarrator] (maybe working, or maybe out, yeah)

• Ysabeau looks around to make sure there aren't any clients right here right now.

[DiablotinNarrator] You see 4-5 girls, and a guy who you think is a bouncer (though you don't know him, he wasn't working there when you were).

[Ysabeau] Hey, ladies! Who wants some of this?

[Mijanou] Oh, Ysa! :D

• Mijanou jumps up to give you a hug.
• Ysabeau jokes, mimicking one of the more obnoxious customers who used to come by.

[DiablotinNarrator] The girls laugh.

• Ysabeau laughs and hugs her back, also gives her a kiss on the cheek.

[Mijanou] How are you doing?

[Ysabeau] How have you been?

• Ysabeau laughs again.

[Ysabeau] I'm doing well enough. How about you, Mijanou?

[Mijanou] All right... things are pretty slow here these days.

[Ysabeau] Oh yeah?

[Mijanou] I guess times are tough, people are saving their coin...

[Ysabeau] If only they could exert such willpower when times are good, eh?

• Mijanou chuckles.

[Mijanou] We're a luxury ;)

[Ysabeau] Or something...

[Ysabeau] Bah, oh well.

[Ysabeau] I hope you're getting by, at least.

[Mijanou] For now.

[Mijanou] A couple of girls have already quit, though - gone to work in factories, I guess.

[Ysabeau] Hard work there... but maybe it's not such a bad step.

[Ysabeau] . o O (You'd have a little more dignity, maybe.)

[Mijanou] It wouldn't be my choice, but you've got to do what you've got to do, I suppose.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] Well, since there's no adolescents clumsily pawing at you for the moment, would you like to go for a walk? We could go have some coffee or something, Mij. :)

[Mijanou] Sure, that would be nice.

• Mijanou will grab her hat and a shawl.

[Ysabeau] Ta-ta ladies! Hold the fort, will ya?

[DiablotinNarrator] The girls wave farewell to you both as you leave.

• Ysabeau waves to the other girls as she heads out with Mijanou.

[Ysabeau] Hopefully things will pick up soon or some opportunity you can't resist will pop up...

[Mijanou] I hope so too.

[Mijanou] We all wish we could find a patron like yours, though ;)

• Ysabeau is a little worried about Mijanou now.

[Ysabeau] Yeah... Verity was lovely. We've, um... broken up, though.

[Mijanou] Oh :o

[Mijanou] What happened?

• Ysabeau looks torn.

[Ysabeau] Well, it's complicated.

[Mijanou] Oh, Ysa - are you and Muri going to be okay? Do you need to come back to the Boar?

[Ysabeau] I met a young man. She understood.

[Ysabeau] Oh no, we'll be all right.

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Mijanou] Oh...!

[Mijanou] Well, good then :)

[Mijanou] Who is he?

[Ysabeau] I've been playing gigs with my quartet since we played at the Emperor's ball. I'm earning enough to get by on.

[Ysabeau] Dominik Rademacher...

[Mijanou] Rademacher, eh? Sounds rich ;)

[Ysabeau] We met through his cousin, my friend.

[Mijanou] Young and handsome too, I hope!

[Ysabeau] Well, he's the youngest son. And *I* think he is. He's a warrior. Oh gods, you need to see his body to believe it.

• Mijanou grins.

[Mijanou] Is that an invitation? ^-^

[Ysabeau] Mostly I like him because he... respects me.

• Ysabeau laughs

[Ysabeau] I could suggest it to him sometime?

[Mijanou] He sounds too good to be true - is it serious?

[Ysabeau] I don't know.

• Mijanou nods.

[Ysabeau] So, how about you?

[Mijanou] Well, I hope it works out for you!

[Ysabeau] Any prospects on the horizon? Have you seen Lord Dryden lately?

[Mijanou] Only once since he got, uh, dismissed... I think he's depressed.

[Ysabeau] Yeah... do you know what happened, really?

[Mijanou] Not in detail.

[Mijanou] He and the Emperor had a disagreement, I guess.

[Ysabeau] I wonder what it might have been about.

[Mijanou] Money? I don't really know, though.

[Mijanou] I think what they said about the Revelator thing was just an excuse.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] I wish I could meet him and ask him myself.

[Mijanou] I could probably arrange it... offer him a two-for-one, if you wanted :)

• Ysabeau looks sidelong at Mijanou.

[Ysabeau] I'm not sure how Dom would feel about me sleeping with another man.

[Ysabeau] And I'm not particularly certain that I'd want to, myself... not so casually, anyway.

[Mijanou] I guess I thought since it wasn't too serious yet, he might not care. It might be one way of finding out, I suppose ;)

[Ysabeau] When I think about going back to that, you know, without any feelings involved between myself and the person I'm with...

[Ysabeau] I don't know. It just makes me feel cold inside.

[Mijanou] It's just business, Ysa.

• Mijanou sounds a bit hurt.

[Ysabeau] I know it is.

[Mijanou] We can't all be choosy.

[Ysabeau] I didn't mean it that way, Mijanou.

[Ysabeau] I just don't know whether it's something I could bring myself to do anymore... It's so hard to explain, but now that I'm out of it, I sometimes wonder how I ever managed.

[Mijanou] You're not out of it, Ysa - you've just moved up the chain a ways.

• Ysabeau looks a little hurt.
• Mijanou sighs.

[Ysabeau] Let's talk about something else, please?

[Mijanou] Like what?

[Ysabeau] Like... I don't know. What would you like to talk about?

[Ysabeau] Do you know when Altheo will be back?

[Mijanou] No, I don't.

• Mijanou says with a sigh.

[Mijanou] I miss him...

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] Me too.

[Ysabeau] Do you know where he went? Marissa was a bit vague on the details.

[Mijanou] Somewhere out of the city - I don't know, and I don't think Marissa really knows either.

[Mijanou] I hope he's all right.

[Ysabeau] Me too.

[Ysabeau] That little cafe looks nice?

• Mijanou agrees.
• Ysabeau points to one, which was the original goal of this little outing.

[Ysabeau] Do you want to give it a try?

[Mijanou] Sure :)

[Ysabeau] Okay.

• Ysabeau holds the door open for Mijanou.
• Mijanou goes in and orders a hot chocolate.
• Ysabeau also does.

[Ysabeau] So anyway, Muri and I are looking for a new place to live.

[Mijanou] What sort of a place?

[Ysabeau] A two bedroom apartment is what we could afford.

[Mijanou] In Pearl, or somewhere nicer?

[Ysabeau] She's seriously considering going into the priesthood, did you know?

• Ysabeau looks and sounds proud.

[Mijanou] Really? Well, good for her :o

[Ysabeau] Mom and Dad would have been so proud of her.

• Ysabeau agrees.

[Ysabeau] We'll probably be staying in Pearl.

[Ysabeau] It's comfortable here.

[Mijanou] I can keep an eye out for places that are renting - but you can probably find a good one these days, I would imagine, if you have the money - lots of people don't, so they've moved into smaller flats.

[Ysabeau] That would be great if you could. We've been looking in the classifieds in the papers as well.

[Mijanou] It's no problem.

• Ysabeau smiles.

[Ysabeau] Mijanou, have you ever gone to a Revelator's meeting?

[Mijanou] Yes...

[Ysabeau] What are they like?

[Ysabeau] Maybe I should go to one sometime. I'm still curious about what they say.

[Mijanou] They have a lot of problems with the church, the way it does things - they say they hide stuff from us, stuff about what happens after we die, that sort of thing, and that we deserve to know the truth.

[Mijanou] I don't really know whether I believe them, but they seem pretty sure of themselves.

[Ysabeau] I'm mostly interested to hear what they have to say about demons and such.

[Mijanou] Oh. Well, they think there are demons who disguise themselves as humans, and they try to tempt people into evil...

[Ysabeau] And whether any of them have some of the spells you could use to uncover such entities.

[Mijanou] I don't know.

• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] So, do you still go...?

[Mijanou] I've only gone a couple of times.

[Mijanou] Nestor wanted me to, so...

• Mijanou shrugs.
• Ysabeau nods.

[Ysabeau] You're so kindhearted.

• Ysabeau smiles warmly.
• Mijanou laughs.

[Ysabeau] How would I get invited to one?

[Mijanou] I think anyone who wants to can just go... there are always all sorts of people there.

[Ysabeau] I wouldn't know where or when to go, though.

[Mijanou] They usually meet at the theatre at [blah address], I think every week or two.

[Ysabeau] Okay.

[Mijanou] And I didn't go out of kindness - I went because I didn't want him to decide to take up with someone else.

[Ysabeau] Well, that's good business sense.

[Mijanou] Yes, well, I suppose I have that.

• Ysabeau smiles.
• Mijanou puts a few small coins down on the table for her drink.

[Mijanou] I should probably be going, Ysa. Thanks for coming by, though.

[Ysabeau] You were always better at it than me, anyway...

[Ysabeau] You should come visit more often.

[Ysabeau] And me likewise.

[Ysabeau] Time seems to slip by so fast these days.

[Ysabeau] It's hard to believe the year's almost done.

[Mijanou] It flies when you're having fun, or so I've heard.

[Mijanou] See you around, Ysa.

[Ysabeau] Yeah.

• Mijanou leaves.
• Ysabeau reflects on where she's going. Life is so confusing.

Sanadhil and Roene

• Roene can be found at the Boar, if you are looking for her.
• Sanadhil will drop by in the late aternoon when there aren't goig to be (m)any customers around, but she is likley to be available
• Roene is at the bar, having a drink, when you arrive.
• Sanadhil heds her way when he spots her then
• Roene looks over in your direction and gives you a nod and smile.

[Sanadhil] hello there..

• Sanadhil smiles

[Roene] Hello yourself.

[Roene] How've you been?

[Sanadhil] well enough - yourself?

[Roene] All right. Things are quiet.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] Its the same everywhere, it seems

[Roene] Want a drink?

• Sanadhil glances around the Boar.

[Sanadhil] how about dinner?

[Roene] Sure.

[Sanadhil] perfect.

[Roene] Where are we going?

• Sanadhil thinks a moment, but doesn't really know the city

[Roene] Want some ideas?

[Sanadhil] Sure - your choice, then.

[Roene] There's a Cozovode place, the Elven Blessing - I like the food there, but maybe it's all changed for humans' tastes.

• Sanadhil raises his eyebrows

[Sanadhil] well, there is one way to find out!

[Roene] All right.

• Roene will lead the way there, then.

[Sanadhil] (does she seem to be in a decent mood and such?)

• Roene seems glad to see you.
• Roene does seem a bit subdued, however.

[Sanadhil] (Mostly in an 'its good to see a customer/regular way?)

[Roene] (yeah)

[Sanadhil] (keen. it is nice to know where you stand with someone ;)

[Sanadhil] (is the EB i pearl?)

[DiablotinNarrator] I think Iena, but now I forget ;)

[Sanadhil] I've heard of this place, but I haven't actually been before....

[Sanadhil] ('k)

[DiablotinNarrator] Yeah, Iena.

[DiablotinNarrator] The food available does seem to be less spicy/complex than you would expect, and they offer some meat dishes, but also some more traditional fare.

• Sanadhil wll order somethig that has no mean and also doesn't take 3 hours to prepare ;p

[DiablotinNarrator] good call ;)

[Sanadhil] (meat)

• Roene orders some rice-and-veggies dish, and soup.

[Sanadhil] So Mr. Renauld is still away?

• Roene nods.

[Roene] I'm starting to wonder if he's ever coming back, truthfully.

[Sanadhil] what woud that mean for the business?

[Roene] Marissa might try to keep it going, or she might sell out to someone else.

[Roene] Whether I'd stay or not would depend who's running the place.

• Sanadhil nods

[Sanadhil] that makes sense...

[Sanadhil] I confess, when I relaized he was still away, I wanted to be sure you hadn't been having any more trouble.

[Roene] Oh... no, nothing like that.

[Sanadhil] Well, good.

[Roene] How about you, how have you been doing?

[Sanadhil] Busy, mostly. research on various things....

• Roene nods.

[Roene] Anything I'd understand?

• Sanadhil smiles

[Sanadhil] Understand, probably, - find interesting, that's another matter.

[Roene] Fair enough.

• Roene eats heartily, as though she doesn't always get quite enough food.

[Sanadhil] (She seems fit enough though, doesn't she?)

[DiablotinNarrator] (yes)

[DiablotinNarrator] (she's on the slender side, but not skinny)

• Sanadhil probably eats more than he normally does, as yay for elve food of quality that he doesn't have to make himself, but that is

still not a whole lot

[Roene] Well...

[Sanadhil] hmm?

[Roene] Did you just come by to check on my well-being, or did you have some other plans?

[Sanadhil] Ahh.... I thought i would see how you were doing and wing it from there :)

• Roene smiles.

[Roene] That's fine - let me know once you've made up your mind.

• Sanadhil smiles back.

[Sanadhil] I think I've decided.

[Sanadhil] I have missed your company - where would you like to go?

[Roene] Wherever you'd like. We can go back to the Boar, or the same place we went last time, or somewhere different... whatever.

[Sanadhil] Same as last time maybe.... that was a good night.

[Roene] I'd like that.

[Sanadhil] shall we then?

• Sanadhil will take care of the check and such, of course.
• Roene will gladly go with you.

[Sanadhil] (hooray! Happy evenings for everyone ^-^)

[DiablotinNarrator] (*g*)