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August 20, 2003 |
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Trump call ...
To the image of Merlin, Yosannah says "Corey." She sits in a pew, pensive and weary, "You there..."
The image of Merlin rubs at his eyes as he comes into view, seated in an armchair, a discarded book nearby. He blinks slowly, as thou just waking up. "Well," he murmurs. "Hello there."
To the image of Merlin, Yosannah runs a hand over her hair as she studies him, perhaps in an effort to determine his location, "Corey, I'm in trouble..."
The image of Merlin's eyes widen slightly, and he sits forward, knocking his book onto the floor. "Trouble?"
To the image of Merlin, Yosannah nods, voice is soft and trembling, "I'm in the Courts. At the Cathedral. I think they are looking for us, and I don't know where to go."
The image of Merlin's eyes narrow. "What are you doing there? And who's looking for you?"
To the image of Merlin, Yosannah lifts both hands to her face, rubbing at both her temples. The image flickers as a result of her lack of concentration on the trump contact but then quickly returns, "The Minister of Defense... I think there's going to be a war."
The image of Merlin's head tilts back. "Whoa, whoa," he says. "I think you need to back up a bit. What's going on?"
To the image of Merlin, Yosannah bites at her lip and nods, "Can I come to you?"
The image of Merlin nods his head. "Sure, sure." He offers his hand. "Come through".
She grasps Merlin's hand and he pulls her through.
Merlinways, House Sawall ...
Yosannah releases his hand immediately upon arrival. Her gaze darts about the room, sizing up her location - she recognizes his Ways immediately, "You've been back?!"
Merlin nods his head. "Yes," he says. "I've been back." He leans over, picking up his fallen book. A cloud of dust appears in the air as he closes it and sets it aside. "Now, tell me, what's going on?"
Yosannah wets her lips, considering for a moment. She steps toward him and reaches for his hand, if he'll allow it, and presses the palm of it to her temple, "Look." She nods and urges more sternly, "Look."
Merlin doesn't resist, only furrows his brow a little.
Yosannah nods, encouraging, "... the Logrus will show you. Do it, I'm not afraid."
Merlin's lips press thin for a moment, and he nods. He closes his eyes, then opens them again to look upon her with different eyes.
She startles as the Logrus invades her being, probing. Broadly at first and then there is recognition at a molecular level: cells that should not coexist in a human being. Cancerous, viral organisms of an infinite variety. Not an unusual state for the woman except for the fact that the normal form of containment is absent - the creature pestilence. Instead, a more familiar sensation emanating from the pendant at her neck. An item he will be quick to recognize as his own work - imbued with the power of the Logrus, it sustains her, preventing her cells from deteriorating.
Merlin's head tilts faintly to one side, and his lips curl downward in the corners. He blinks and shakes his head, banishing the sign of the Logrus from his vision.
Yosannah offers, "Taken. By a man." She swallows a knot from her throat. "Or maybe coaxed from me is more appropriate. The people blame this man, blame the church, blame us... me for what's happening in the Courts. What am I going to do?" She shakes her head and reaches for the pendant at her neck, "What if this stops working?"
Merlin reaches out, gently pulling Yosannah's hand away from the pendant. "Shh," he says, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We'll just... make sure it doesn't."
She lowers her gaze to where his fingers clasp hers with a look of doubt. Eyes clench closed, weary. Chin fall to her chest so that her cheek might rest against his hand, soft. "I didn't want to trouble you. I'd have called you sooner, but," she shakes her head, voice trailing off, fingers clasping tightly about his, "maybe I have been too preoccupied with ridiculous notions of needing independence. I feel so foolish."
Merlin says, "It's all right... Here..." He turns slightly, glancing at his recently-vacated armchair. "Why don't you sit down? I'll get you a drink or something, and you can tell me more about all of this so that maybe I can do something to help."
Yosannah tugs at her lip with her teeth and steps to the recliner. She sits, watching him as she does, absorbing his gestures.
Merlin steps back and raises a hand, which suddenly holds a snifter of brandy it didn't a moment ago. He sniffs at the lip of the glass, tipping it back and forth from side to side until he's certain it's all right. "Here," he says, handing it to her. "Try this."
She reaches for the glass with a nod of thanks. "I don't know what has happened. Not for certain. All four of these beings were coaxed from their respective hosts. I don't know why, I don't understand it. I had my theories, but they change every time I learn something new." She slumps back into the recliner and exhales audibly, "At first I went to the Church looking for an explanation. I began to believe that the creatures were the Rider's mentioned in the Serpent's Book. Now I'm not so sure. Maybe they aren't. " She lifts the glass to her lips, "I mean to get pestilence back if I can - but I don't know if that's possible now. The situation has grown beyond me."
Merlin asks, "Who did you say was looking for you?"
Yosannah looks to him, "The word I'm hearing is that the Ministry of Defense is now involved. They're searching for the Horsemen. I don't know if they realize that mine is not with me anymore. I don't know that anyone cares, to tell you the truth." She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. Glass dangling in her hand.
Merlin frowns. "Why are they searching for them? What do they want with them?"
Yosannah traces a finger over the rim of her glass, "Riva, who apparently has a child in common with the Minister, Solomon, came to me with a plan to retrieve the creatures. She believes the they needed to be restored in their hosts. She believes that they are creatures of the Serpent. If I am to understand correctly, the new administration and Solomon mean to destroy them." She shrugs her shoulders and mocks, "And put an end to the threat and the terror that has ravaged the Courts these last two months."
Merlin lifts a hand, pulling absently at his beard. "Mm," he murmurs. "I see."
Yosannah lifts her gaze from her glass and regards him, coolly; "I don't like that look in your eyes."
Merlin blinks and glances away. "It'll be fine," he says. "Do you want to lay low here for a few days?"
Yosannah doesn't answer right away. Instead, she stands and sets the brandy glass aside. Wandering across the room, she pauses before him and inclines her head so as to force his gaze to meet hers. She searches, testing his resolve and the level of belief behind his words.
Merlin somewhat reluctantly meets her eyes. He brings up a smile. "It'll be fine," he says.
Yosannah takes a step away from him and nods, a single inclination of her chin. Something in her visage suggests that she only half believes his words but says, nonetheless, "I believe you. Okay," she exhales a sigh of relief, "I'd like that. I'm glad you're here."
Two days later, a missive...
Kind Gentry,
Those of you who receive this missive are cordially invited to a soiree at Montmouth Manor to be held two turnings hence. Many of you proved to be exceptionally insightful in the wake of the torment that plagues Chaos and I urge you all to come so that I too may reveal crucial information pertaining to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. If you know of others who may whish to attend, I urge you to pass on this invitation.
My grace and gratitude to you all,
Ada-Shazandra, Dowager Montmouth.
Followed by a letter...
Corey,
Please forgive me for having to take my leave of you with little more notice then this message. I appreciate the invitation to stay in Sawall and I trust you know that I'd love nothing more then to linger here a few more days with you. Unfortunately, my wanting it or wishing it doesn't change the reality of my situation.
Priestess, Ada-Shazandra, has arranged a meeting regarding the current state of affairs in the Courts. Apparently, she has acquired some information that might have some bearing on that which I am inadvertently and unwillingly a part of.
Unexpected absences are par for the course for us it seems. I'll be in touch as soon as I'm able.
Yo.