10 July, 2001

Lisle was standing up, as if preparing to go. But overhearing the unlikely commotion.

She goes to look...

You head through the gates leading out to Vine Street.

Amber: Vine District

The Vine district is well named. Its major street winds its way up from the Harbor district, switching back and forth, giving you glimpses of the harbor, and on occasion the Cabra lighthouse. It continues its winding way northwards uptown. The winding streets here are narrower than uptown, but are still respectable and reasonably well-lit. Vine is the business section of Amber, where many shops, fine taverns and the homes of wealthy merchants can be found. Trees line the street, offering shade from sun in the summer and carefully tended flower-boxes line the spaces between them. Benches can be found here and there for the weary traveler who does not wish to partake of the sundry cafes or restaurants.

A curious fountain here outside a restaurant titled simply, 'The Pit' invites closer inspection.

Contents:

Cade

Fauneva

Obvious exits:

Vinechilde Winery Lamp Street Courtyard of Roses McDugal Townhouse Main Concourse East Gate Harbor Road

Vesta arrives from a courtyard full of roses.

Lisle looks outside the opened wrought-iron gates. She's not fully on the sidewalk, just looking one way, then another, long gown drifting at her ankles from the wind of her walking.

Fauneva does not flinch, staring at Cade strait in the eye. "Sir, if you are quiet done?"

Cade:
Dark hair, and blue eyes: he's barely short of six feet, and of middling build. His moustache and beard are neatly cropped close to olive skin, skin which proclaims him to be in his late twenties. A faded duelling scar sits on his cheek. His clothes are made of thick, rough silks, all white and cream to offset his skin: trousers, jacket, shirt, hat. He wears pale boots. A sabre is at his side.

Cade straightens from his feint, and takes his thumbs from his belt. He dusts his palms together. "I am."

Lisle sees Cade and Fauneva. She remarks as she steps out onto the sidewalk. "I thought I recognized that voice. That laugh."

Vesta follows along behind Lisle.

Fauneva sniffs delicately, regarding Cade dubiously. Sensitive ears detect footsteps and she turns to glance at Lisle without turning her back to Cade. "Vestera, Lady Lisle. Are you acquainted with this man?"

Lisle walks up to them, waiting so Vesta so may walk beside her. "I am, Fauneva. You see before you my cousin, Cade." To that gentleman she smiles generously, dimples showing at the corner of her mouth. "I hope nothing is amiss."

Cade shows his teeth. "The sounds of mockery draw you forth -- or perhaps I should not say that." He nods toward Fauneva, "Quite a watchdog you have here."

Fauneva's jaw tightens and she curtsies with grace. "Lady Fauneva Furenor, Sir. You are...?"

Vesta watches somewhat impassively by her expression, though her body speaks of a readiness to move if aught is more amiss than she presently sees.

Lisle says, "Please. Let me introduce."

Cade gives Fauneva a peremptory nod, not saying anything in response to Lisle's words.

Lisle says, "Lady Fauneva, this is my cousin, Cade, Lord of Summer in Begma. Cade, this is the Lady Fauneva who is part of my father's household. And this is Vesta D'Auvalle."

Lisle says, "As for mockery, I was always fond of you, was I not?" That last said to Cade, mirth skating in the warmth of her voice.

Fauneva lifts a finger. "Pardon my lack of manners, but I am merely a guest of your father's house Lady." she curtsies to Cade. "A pleasure to meet you, my lord."

Lisle says, "I stand corrected."

Cade smiles crookedly. "To greater or lesser extent," he agrees with Lisle.

Lisle chides him, "You never let me have the greater extent, as I recall. But maybe we have different memories on some points."

Cade inclines his head to Vesta belatedly. He then raises his eyebrows at Lisle. "I rather think we do," he says.

Fauneva inclines her head to Vesta, Lisle, Cade all in turn then turns on heel.

Vesta offers Cade a faint smile, having remained quiet throughout.

Cade smiles unkindly at Fauneva's back.

Fauneva strides away, without another word. She is all regal dignity and refinement.

Fauneva travels downhill and southwestwards along the winding street, soon disappearing from sight.

Lisle looks between Eva and Cade, eyebrows going up as Eva turns. "Well, I see some things have not changed. Still, I admit I am glad to see your rogue's face and your charming smile."

Cade says "Ah, there's not much charming for me, now."

Cade recollects his cigarette. "Seems a waste of time, and contrary to my nature to boot."

Lisle says, "No? I find that hard to believe. Where have you been?" She turns to Vesta, to include her, "Here you see not only a cousin, but a friend. I know it might not look it." But the way Lise smiles shows real fondness.

Vesta allows herself a soft chuckle, "Well, someone else who has no aspirations to charm in the world. I'm sure we'll get along horribly."

Cade agrees with, "Horribly."

Lisle says, "I'm sure you two will be fast friends. Cade, you find Roses, here. Come, have some wine. Tell me of your life. You owe me. Too much lesser extent, and all that."

Lisle waves back toward the open gate just behind her.

Cade says "My life -- its carrot and its stick, yes, well. But wine I will take."

Vesta smirks faintly, "I think, actually, that I'll absent myself from this reunion. We'll talk later, Lisle?"

Lisle bows her head graciously to Vesta, "Yes, Vesta, we will."

Lisle walks toward the gate, length of her gown drifting on the tiles.

Vesta waves an d heads off in her own direction.

Cade tips his hat to Vesta.

Cade passes through the gates leading into a courtyard of roses.

You pass through the gates leading up to a courtyard full of roses.

A Courtyard Full of Roses(#14270RJL)

This solid old townhouse is built all in dark granite. Slate flagstones pave the breadth of the courtyard, laid in fan patterns resembling abstract waves. Gardens border the periphery. A fountain, centered by a pair of marble mermaids perched atop a fanciful marble tortoise, is set into the middle of the space.

Some changes have been made to the formal facade of the structure. What was once a bay window letting into a parlor has been opened up, becoming a counter of polished, age-darkened oak. Arbors arch overhead along most of the courtyard's depth; these support runners of wild roses. Blossoms in crimson and alabaster tumble down in long bracts all through the summer. Small, worn tables are scattered throughout the shade.

A menuboard of black slate bears the day's specials in scrawled chalk. Coffee and croissants are the only constant. The provisions, the hours of operation and the service are all erratic, but prices are modest and quality high.

Cade says "D'Auvalle's local, isn't it? My peerage lessons are long and long ago ..."

Lisle walks toward a small table in the corner, lamps lit against the wall. There's already a few bottles there, one open. She moves aside the used glasses, reaching for a fresh one, pouring Cade a generous amount. "Yes. Local nobility."

Lisle hands him the glass, blue eyes brightening.

Lisle sits at a place reaching for the glass of wine that waits for her.

Cade takes the glass, and inclines his head to her in thanks. "But the ferocious kitten is not, isn't it? Furenor wasn't it?"

Cade follows her to an opposing seat. "Damned if it'll matter to me in the end, I suppose."

Lisle says, "No. She was taken prisoner during the most recent war with Chaos. She is fierce and proud and a fine swordswoman."

Lisle adds, "Much has changed since I saw you last at the Dancing Unicorn."

Cade says "A prisoner ... out on her own recognizance. An interesting tidbit." He nods, slowly, and drinks deeply of his wine. "I don't doubt it."

Cade says "I feel like a bear coming out of its cave, blinking at the spring."

Lisle says, "Well, she is free now, but has no means to return to her shadow. She's well known in Amber, though."

Cade says "And enjoying being Eric's "guest", I'm sure."

Lisle crosses her legs at the knees, adjusting the fall of slate gray skirt. "Have you been in shadow then? I have so much to tell you. Share with you, if we had time." She shakes her head, "No, she resides with Eric's man, Sir Alaric, somewhere in Amber."

Cade says "Yes, in Shadow. That term is ... accurate in every degree."

Lisle seems more serene than she used to. Tired, perhaps, shadowed in her own way. "Yes?" She searches his face, his eyes. Concerned, yes.

Cade twists his lips. "Look at me. My age, and struck down with ennui. Nigh on crippled by it."

Cade nods to the door to outside. "My amusements, like so." He says lightly, "It would be very disturbing, in other circumstances."

Lisle leans a bit toward him, looking him over again, this time with a bit more drama. "I too suffered from that, as you may remember. But things are different here now, Cade. The city. Begma. I see the city in the sky everything I take to the observatory." More earnestly, "You need not be crippled by it. I don't think."

Cade waves a hand. "Self-pity is never very amusing, is it." He frowns a moment. "Observatory. You got that? Weren't you talking about that, hell, I don't know how long ago."

Cade says "A long while, it seems."

Lisle says, "I was. Desdinova gave it to me. The Kolvir Observatory. I can see the city from up there. The city in the sky. I'm in the throes of some important research too. And this City," Lise's voice changes, holding passion, "This city is on the brink of change."

Cade hahs, "What, elections for Mayor?"

Lisle says, "No. I can't explain it. There's life here where there wasn't before. I know that doesn't make much sense, but there it is, anyway." She sips her wine, then sets it down, neatly. "I wish you'd come home to Amber."

Cade shakes his head. "No. No, I couldn't stay here. Your city in the sky -- the ghost city -- it mocks me, you know. Perhaps that's not the right word. I know it's there, though. Seeing it so close, so far, would just make it worse."

Lisle leans forward. Whispers, "We could go."

Cade looks at Lisle. He licks his lips.

Cade says flatly, "When. How."

Lisle says, "I know how. I just don't know when." She still speaks very quietly, softly.

Cade's hands are shaking ever-so-slightly as he gets a fresh cigarette. He studies its freshly glowing tip. He says softly, heatlessly, "Then how, damn it."

Cade says "Hell." He squints at her. Interrogative, "You really have a way."

Lisle says, "I might have a way. Another thing. I have assayed the pattern below the castle." Quietly said, once more. It is the flash of brightness in her eyes that shows the vibrancy she had of old.

Cade's face fills with blood with each throb of the vein at his neck, turning it darker, and darker. "Congratulations," he says.

Lisle says, "Cade," looking at him levelly, "We can do this. But I cannot do it without you. Of that I'm sure. Don't look at me with envy. I paid for it with an oath."

Cade bares his teeth, and swills his wine, sucking it through his locked teeth. "I am sure you paid," he says. He closes his eyes momentarily. "I don't care how. Just when." He pushes himself up to his feet.

Lisle watches him rise. She remains seated, more queenly and noble than ever before. "You want to go. I need your help."

Cade looks down at her, face still clotted with blood. "And I will give it. Do you understand?"

Lisle says, "I never understood you completely, Cade. Not even when we were very close. But you have the means to contact me. Do so."

Lisle's eyes are alight with her own fire, something hard to place.

Cade turns his head to look at the Kolvir, despite the wall in the way. He looks back. "Damn you," he says heatlessly. "Yes. Soon."

Lisle smiles then, shaking her head. "We'll ride up to the observatory. I have no card. It's about half a days ride from here." But then there is an ache in her voice, affection and concern, "Sit. Take wine. Calm yourself. Or we will walk like we used to, along the concourse."

Cade says, "Outside." He turns his back on her and walks for the gate, briskly.

Lisle follows, leaving the wine and the roses behind her. She walks less briskly, posture straight, hands clasped behind her back.

Cade heads out to Vine Street.

You head through the gates leading out to Vine Street.

Amber: Vine District

The Vine district is well named. Its major street winds its way up from the Harbor district, switching back and forth, giving you glimpses of the harbor, and on occasion the Cabra lighthouse. It continues its winding way northwards uptown. The winding streets here are narrower than uptown, but are still respectable and reasonably well-lit. Vine is the business section of Amber, where many shops, fine taverns and the homes of wealthy merchants can be found. Trees line the street, offering shade from sun in the summer and carefully tended flower-boxes line the spaces between them. Benches can be found here and there for the weary traveler who does not wish to partake of the sundry cafes or restaurants.

A curious fountain here outside a restaurant titled simply, 'The Pit' invites closer inspection.

Contents:

Cade

Obvious exits:

Vinechilde Winery Lamp Street Courtyard of Roses McDugal Townhouse Main Concourse East Gate Harbor Road

Cade erupts as soon as they're outside, "Why the -hell- did you have to tell me that?"

Lisle's voice is raised, "Because you need something to bring your sorry self up out of the gutter you've put it in. You think I don't know you well enough to guess at your ennui? I'd rather see the blood in your face and the fire in your eyes than watch you kill yourself with self pity. Do you think I don't -remember- other times?"

Cade says "Damn your eyes!" He wheels on her and points his forefinger at her throat as if it were a 3 foot rapier. "You think you can push my buttons that easily?"

Lisle's chin lifts, her bearing lordly, "Push your buttons? Since when did ~I~ ever have that luxury? No, not me. I'm offering you your soul, that's all, and why? Because I know you. I cared for you. I loved you." Her hands go to fists, resting on her hips.

Cade lowers his finger. He looks away, and sets his hands on his hips in unconscious mirror to her. "Bah. A cruel tense to use upon me, but not undeserved."

Lisle says, quieter, though she is no less softened, "I still care. Why would I be standing here beside you now otherwise?"

Cade says "Because if it's bloody stupid, and you still need someone, you know I'd do it. Deny that, girl. If you can."

Lisle's smile comes along with warm laughter, hands moving to rest at her sides. Her eyes are bright as sapphires, joy there. "I don't deny it. I have my own reason for wanting to go. I know you do, as well. But trust me on this, Cade, it will be a matter of timing on our part. Some might argue it is a stupid thing to try that place." She lets out a sigh, that same ache coming to her voice once more, "I've seen it come and go in the moonlight."

Cade says roughly, "Yeah."

Lisle steps nearer, beside, hand going to just about the elbow. She turns to walk, the summer night deliciously cool. "You don't want this?"

Cade walks stiffly beside her, still riled. "Hell if I know what I want. Look. I've burned out on whoring. It doesn't interest me any more. Like I'm waiting for something."

Cade says "You know why that worries me, right?"

Lisle looks away for a moment, "There was a time I thought I knew your troubles. I know some. I can't imagine I could know you so well, after all these years that I could guess why that would worry you." Her skirt, fine fabric, drifts around her ankles, swirling as she walks.

Cade waits for her to finish, but it's like he hasn't heard her as he carries on, "It has to be something to do with having kids. There was a Chaosian woman, Meredith Myrys, asked me if I had any ... I checked as much as I could ... you know how hard it is to trace them all down. None."

Cade says "Not one. I don't want a defective kid. You know. Consanguinity."

Cade turns on her. "Am I making any sense at all?"!

Cade's words seem to surprise Lise. She looks back at him, watching his face in profile. Her mouth is drawn in a straight and tremulous line, voice lowered to near whisper. "Some. I don't see how having children, and having children with family connect. You don't want any? Or you don't want any with cousins?"

Cade says "God's teeth -- I don't know. Not with cousins. Definitely not. One of us as parent screws you up enough." He laughs without humour. "Does it ever."

Cade says "All this and defects to boot -- no thanks. And no offense, perhaps."

Lisle says, "I'm not offended. You've the right of it, probably" she seems tired of a sudden, shoulders sagging a little. "We were younger. Young? I don't know. Everything's changed for me, anyway. I doubt I'll ever have any." She lets a breath out, fingers brushing hair from her temple, "But Cade? Children? What's made you think of it. What's made you care?"

Cade scowls at her, more in exasperation than anything. "You were the one who accused me of not loving -- not caring. You try having one of ... yes, one of your passions dry up, be squeezed from you, and not want to know why. Hell. I'd think I was just getting old, if I weren't as strong as ever in, uhh, other ways."

Lisle says, "I did accuse you. I still accuse you." She looks somewhere over his right shoulder, something going on behind her eyes. "But I learned much from you, too, Cade. I might be duller than I was, but you're throwing me off completely. I thought you were so displeased with your own father having children was an anathema to you. Or maybe you refer to some other passion." Lise was, ever, analytical.

Cade says "There's a gap between that other passion and having kids -- and it can be forever, as far as I'm concerned. Papa and I ... well, what if he -had- to have me? He was made to?" He barks another laugh. "That would explain a lot."

Lisle says, "Ah. This makes more sense to me." She folds her arms against the coolness of night, "That could be so. You can but ask, yes? See, I accused you of being so obsessed with him there was no room left for me. I see you're still fierce with it."

Cade says "Fierce? Cankered, perhaps." He scratches at his beard; sighs. "Regardless, there's nothing wrong with being fierce."

Lisle replies with a gracious bow of her head, "I'd rather see you fierce than dead with ennui, that is sure."

Cade looks sideways at her, "Even if I'm tempted to slap you silly in the process of being thus?"

Lisle lifts a forefinger, "You won't touch me. Be mad? By all means. Yell? Yes. I don't even mind if you pick me up and throw me in the sea. And all this I give you for the past we shared, short lived as it was. But never slap me. You'll see my own temper fierce, and though I be gentle, often, I have my father's temper." She might be teasing. Her smile is a tremulous thing, promising something more generous.

Cade stops, turns, and looks at her. First the face, its smile, and then from head to toe. He then flushes, with a color quite distinct from the dull reddish-purple of his rages.

Cade says "Throwing you in the sea would spoil your gown. I'll call you, fear not."

Lisle gives a shallow curtsy, formal and elegant. Or it would be if not for the dimples in her smile. "I shall count on it. But wait to long and we lose the moment.">

Cade says "Soon, then."

Cade reaches for a trump, belatedly gives her a farewell nod, and studies it.

Cade moves forward and vanishes, leaving behind a rapidly fading afterimage.