February 1, 2002

To the image of Alix, Lisle is in the Amber rooms, clear from the corner of the fireplace visible behind her.

The image of Alix turns into the contact, drawing a hand over her eyes; she blinks. "Aye. Lisle?"

To the image of Alix, Lisle says, "Alix. Will you bring to where you're at? I've spoken to our father this morning."

The image of Alix's eyes narrow slightly. "Is that so?" She sighs, and extends her hand. "Come, little sister. He's in fine fettle of late."

To the image of Alix, Lisle says, "He was calmer this morning. I think he's made plans, through the night.

The Trump contact vanishes.

You feel a tingling sensation in the back of your head. Someone attempts to make contact with you. Type '+trump/answer' to answer it, '+trump/page' to request that the caller page you, or '+trump/ignore' to ignore it.

You have established contact with Alix.

As you stare at the image before you, it slowly becomes more real.

Yhe Watchtower of Day -- Birnamwald(#9197RFL)

The Tower of Day, so long abandoned and empty, shows new signs of light and life. Of its five levels, only one stands in use: the fourth. The rest are cluttered and musty, though the structural damage is minor. A wide, stone stair twists about the tower's inner wall.

The fourth floor has been returned to its original glory. It is a place of sunlight and warmth and strength, with wide windows open to the sun. The walls are taken up in golden fresco, attempting to capture of the sun's glory.

There are a handful of quarters here, each having a study, bed chamber, and water closet.

Obvious exits:

Out

You stare at the image of Alix...

You have established contact with Alix.

You offer to pull Alix through.

Alix grasps your hand and you pull her through.

Alix presses back a stray thread of hair with a sigh and embraces her sister warmly. "I take it he's in fine form, still.

You come through in the study of a set of rooms filled with paintings, Caivar's touch, many of them Lisle, others of Flora, Laurent, Stone. She embraces Alix before pocketing the card, "I think he's doing better."

"Is he? I decided that I needed a few days off." Alix withdraws and glances about, picking out a chair for a perch. She folds hands before her and rests elbows on her knees; her posture is tense.

Lisle also sits, the chairs leather, but comfortable. Caivar's formal taste. "You seemed disturbed Alyssan. Is something wrong?" She sounds concerned.

Alix shrugs very slightly. "What was the topic, Lisle?" she prompts gently. "I notice that you're not in Amber either."

Lisle sits back a little, lashes lowered. "Last time I had trumped you, and asked you to come back to Amber, it had been suggested that you and I go together and try to find Desdinova. See what's afoot. But father was reluctant, you know how he is. Still, I saw him this morning. He has bid is do this task and keep it quite, and discuss it with /no one/ save between ourselves and in a safe place. I don't know any safer place than this, but I was hoping you did."

Alix's eyes narrow very slightly. "How curious. He suggested that same course to me, and instructed me in no mean terms that I was to speak with no one - not Flora, and not you." She shifts restlessly. "It feels like a fool's errand to me." The words are blunt and clipped.

Lisle says, "Maybe he thought it too late," but she has to laugh, "This was Aunt Flora's idea, actually."

Alix is silent for quite some time. Her expressionlessness hints at some dark irritation just under the surface.

Lisle must notice this, especially having spent so much time with Alix in the recent past. "Alyssan, something bothers, I see that. I don't think this is so hopeless as you think. Uncle Benedict nearly told me where they were last night. We won't search blindly."

"Ah. So now you may speak of it to Benedict; how curious; that too was declared off-limits." Alix comes to her feet and paces, prowls, over to one of the windows where she puts an arm up to lean upon and broods out at the sunshine.

Lisle says, "I didn't speak to Benedict of this, not in the least. I only said I was concerned about our cousin, Evariste. Benedict began volunteering other information."

Lisle says, "Alix you seem angry."

Alix's fingers rub lightly together, a miniscule friction between index- and thumb-tip. "I've had a bad couple of days. Aye, we can go looking." She smiles, very slightly, a flattish curve of the lips. "You are better at the gentle coaxing of information than I, and perhaps we can turn it into a useful lesson."

Lisle says, "That is what I was hoping, but I cannot help interpreting your irritation that you think our father is being unreasonable and, possibly, incomprehensible. Which I quite agree. He didn't tell me you already knew of this task, either."

Alix shrugs, and addresses the matter no further. With some effort and a small shift of shoulders she relaxes by a few degrees. "Then I suppose we shall be dutiful daughters and do as we are told."

Lisle says, "We could, but I wish you'd tell me what makes you so angry. If dad is doing something stupid, I should know about it too."

"He is being himself. What difference does it make how?" Alix slides hands into her pockets. "Perhaps you extracted a few small hints as to where we might start?"

Lisle inclines her head, as if she understand exactly what Alix means. So, she, too, moves on, saying, "No," a little weary. "But I plan to continue. Uncle Benedict, who is the man who put Desdinova on the throne in the first place, has been opening up to me. I hope to know a few things there. However, I also spoke to Sarah, and you know? She might have some ideas. She didn't seem to pleased about Eric being regent, and she also said a few things about Desdinova and company. She's thick with Benedict. I thought we might try her, too.

Alix nods, just a shade. "I can try contacting Sarah. It would probably be well not to drag her to Amber...it's true, she has issues with Father, and not without some reason. There's Syrissa as well."

Lisle says, "Sarah told me Syrissa was ordered home a few days ago, and I have not found her anywhere in the palace. But perhaps she'd consent to seeing one or both of us, and in that way we may find them."

Lisle says, "I think concern for Syrissa or Evariste with gain such information."

Alix smiles a shade. "I suppose that we tend to forget that some people -want- them found." She is distracted, dark-eyed, and her glance is drawn to the window again.

Lisle's hands come put, palms up, even though Alyssan glances out the window, and not at herself. "Well, I'd like to find them. I'd like to know if Desdinova even lives. I don't say I want them back. But I do feel that our father is the rightful King, and if Desdinova is insane...."

Lisle shrugs.

"Then matters are more or less sealed, and we can do something about it without Father being under a vague cloud of usurpation for all time, or being trapped in a Regency for an absent King." Alix shrugs a little in reply. "Ah, damn. I apologize, Lisle. Father and I did not manage to say good-night on good terms, and his discussion with you...." She sticks out her lower lip slightly.

Alix says at last, conjuring a chuckle, "He hasn't the least clue about tact, or how to handle us. I am glad that you fared better."

Lisle says, "That's right. It's better if we know..." Her voice trails off. "Father was being silly, telling you not to speak of this to me or Flora. Or maybe he hoped Flora forgot it was her idea to send us, or that I'd forget that he thought it was a good plan, and just gave up and decided to send me with you." And then more earnestly, "He trusts you and needs you more than me... It isn't as though dad and I are close anymore. But there is blood involved, there is loyalty, and he is our father." As if that is important.

Alix folds her arms and settles against the window-frame, head bowed. "I don't know any longer, Lisle." Her tone is very soft, as though some fundamental faith had been shaken. "I am beginning to think that I will finally cast Amber off for good. Or at least for another century or two."

Lisle says, sitting up straight, "No!" as if this is the worst thing she's heard. "What did he say to you to make you say that!? I know you love Siir better, but Alyssan, without you Dad has no heir. You are the first of all of us, the only one who is legitimate. You know how to command troops, and you've managed to suffer our cruel-hearted father this long. What did he do to make you feel this way?" Lisle sounds angry. Angry at Eric.

Alix's nose crinkles a little. "Go gently, Lise," she murmurs. "It's not so bad as all that. No more than vague flirtation with the idea. Simply enough, it goes back to Father not -treating- me as his heir, or as anything other than a decorative, albeit occasionally useful, object." Her shoulders roll in a vague shrug. "If only I had been born a man. Ah, well. It is just, Lise, that duty has very little reward. Most of the time it does not trouble me. This time, for whatever reason, it does."

Lisle relaxes a little, blond head leaning on the back of the chair. "All I can say, Alyssan, is that father is an hundred times worse with our brothers than he ever was with us. If you were a man, you wouldn't know dad. Be glad you are who you are, despite his awful comments." Her voice quiets, "When dad is needful, there is only you. -That- is how you know you are his heir. That is how you know he's relying on you. Everything else ...is just in the noise."

Alix shakes her bowed head once. "It's hardly news," she whispers. "At any rate, I suppose it will do us well to be occupied and out from underfoot."

Lisle says, earnestly, "You're making feel like defending him. But this is important, to know if Desdinova is insane. We are the only two people alive who would co nsidered doing this task for dad and keeping it quiet. It's important. But I'm sure it won't be so bad if we're at it together, will it? Or maybe you wish he'd set you this task alone?"

Alix permits a long silence. She has closed in on herself. "Lise," she says at last, "I apologize. I am not fit company for man nor beast." Smoothly, she straightens, rolling her shoulders back. "I'd best go and see what I can do to improve my mood. The Trumps will work...but I may be missing for a day or two."

Lisle considers this, "I didn't mean I thought you didn't want my company, Alix. I wondered only if our father had insulted you. But Aye, I understand you feeling. Do as you need. Meantime I'll try to speak with Benedict once more."

"Probably for the best. I have never managed to break through that aura." Alix fishes out her Trump-case and sifts through it one-handed, pressing out a momentary sigh. "I'm sorry, Lise. It is a combination of many things. Perhaps we are lucky and it is merely hormones. I'll call...or call me, if you like, anytime you wish."

Lisle says, "I'm always glad to see you." She stands when Alix takes out her trump case, hands folded in front of her. "Please don't stay away too long. I need you too."

"I'm sorry, Lisilka." Alix leans in to touch her sister's chin and kiss her brow lightly. "I'll return soon enough. Good luck with Benedict."

Lisle seems less apprehensive at Alix's affection. Her smile is generous. "All right."

Alix's features are still a little pained, but she flashes a wink nonetheless, and after a moment's focus steps through the Trump and vanishes.

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

End of Scene