Yodec212003.htm

December 21, 2003

Lady,

I have a favor to ask of you. If you have a moment, please leave word for me at Gideon when we might have a chance to talk. As always, I hope you are well.

Y.

Gideon Club - Conservatory...

Lisle walks into the conservatory. She's dressed in a classic Amber riding habit, boots flecked with dry mud -- though she's not shedding any.

Yosannah sits on the bench that faces the vast expansive of property outside the Gideon Club. She leans forward, elbows resting on her knees and head bowed slightly. In her hands she fondles a piece of silver jewelry: an intricately woven celtic charm dangles from a braided chain. She lifts her head and glances at the woman over her shoulder, "Lady."

Lisle walks further into the room, removing her cobalt blue overcoat. Sleeves balloon, reaching the sapphire points at her wrists. "Yosannah. I am come as requested. Nothing is amiss, I hope?" She crosses the distance to the bench, fall of blonde hair slipping in front of her shoulder.

Yosannah slides along the length of the bench as if meaning to make room so that the woman might join her, "Not at the moment but I um.." She purses her lips, creases forming at the corners of her eyes as she reflex, "Might I consider you a friend, Lisle." She slides her gaze to the woman.

Lisle folds the coat formally over her arm and sits next to Yosannah, arm drawing near to her chest. She considers a moment, "It is hard for someone like me to have friends. But," Lisle looks into Yosannah's eyes, if she's looking at Lisle, "keeping that in mind, I hope you do consider me a friend. I certainly think of you as my own friend."

Yosannah smiles, seemingly satisfied with the woman's response. She reaches a hand to the lady's arm, reassuring. It lingers only for a moment, her head nodding and her gaze lowering to the trinket in her fingers. She leans back and tucks it away into a pocket at her pants. "You remind me of a friend I once knew. Sincere. Trustworthy." A crooked smile escapes the corner of her lips as she reflects, "To a fault." And then, "I'm glad you came."

Lisle smiles at the touch, though she isn't the sort to like close contact. "Aye? I feel honored to be thought ofo that way. And I am glad I came as well, but I am curious who this other friend was. You speak of her, or him, as if she's gone."

Yosannah nods slowly as she offers, "Delerium Greenmoon, daughter of Rinaen Jasner, the White Lady. She was something of a confidant to me for a time. She left us for shadow a couple years back." Her elbows resume their position at her knees and her gaze goes out beyond the windows and to the yard of the mansion.

Lisle is turned a little to face Yosannah, but when she looks out the windows, so does Lisle. "I'm afraid I do not know her. But I do not know very many from Chaos. In fact, just a few Jesbys and a few Hendrakes."

Yosannah clasps her hands, fingers twining, "Would that I could say that were unfortunate. I don't know more then a handful of Chaosians myself that are worth their spit. But then again, I suppose that's true no matter where in shadow you are."

Lisle says, "I'm certain that's the truth of the matter. Many from Amber and the Courts seem so concerned about, well, their immediate pleasure, they miss the joy and wonder of the places we live and see. But I have found jewels among the stones, too.

Yosannah repeats, testing the phrase, "Jewels among the stones. Yes." There is a long moment of silence and her brow furrows as she ponders. "The favor, then. For which I asked you to come. Should we get to that?" As they look out over the expanse of property belonging to the Club, the sky in the southwest begins to darken, sun having set some half hour ago.

Lisle is silent while Yosannah is. Lisle doesn't mind comfortable silences. Her own ramrod straight posture relaxes just the fraction of an inch and she sets the blue coat aside on the bench. "Aye, for who knows when I shall have to depart."

Yosannah nods, attention turning to the woman, watching as her coat is set to the side, "You are a daughter of Amber. I assume you have skill over shadow. The ability to work with the Pattern." The question is rhetorical, though she seems to wait for the lady's response.

Lisle's chin dips, "Aye. I have such skill. I have studied this for years." Pauses, to say, "Is someone hunting you?"

Yosannah exhales, looking to her hands as she spreads them, palms up, fingertips touching, "Something like that, yes. He is a creature of Chaos. And he has used the Logrus twice now to summon me through shadow." She swallows, "I am told that such a skill is extremely time consuming and difficult. Which says to me that he finds me worth the effort, her he has taken the time to study my haunts so that he might find me easily. Either way, the thought is disturbing."

Lisle takes a thoughtful moment before saying, "I think I can help you, but I'm not certain. The skill I have is strong, but sometimes, when juxtaposed to the power of the Logrus, it isn't clear what can succeed and what will fail. Does this creature have a name? I know Mallik Hendrake who has this ability, for example. I may want to consult with him. But it could be he is involved with this creature?"

Yosannah scawfs, "The creature," she spats, "Is the Hierophant himself. Magnus. Self proclaimed voice of the Serpent."

Lisle straightens, her own expression changing to one of distaste. "He is ...he is... Awful. I do not think Mallik likes him, but Mallik may have some political agenda, and therefore I propose a thing or two on my own. The first thing I can try to do is to make some of your favorite places difficult to see. And yes, of course I will try to help you." She adds, "Disgusting creature."

Yosannah exhales slowly, cheeks billowing. She is obviously relieved, "I am most greatful, Lisle." She nods, repeatedly and slowly, gaze sliding to the woman again, "He is not the only one with designs on me and the others. The other Riders. Joshua Spade and the woman Sarah are scheming as well it would seem."

Lisle says, "Ah, I know Sarah and Joshua. They are my cousins, and not the most noble. Aye, they are among the least noble. Why should they desire you? And who are these others?"

Yosannah rises now and brings her hands to the back of her head, locking her fingers as she steps foward toward the massive windows, "I believe you once told me of your dislike for Joshua Spade. Particularly where it concerned your sister, Alix." She nods, "My guess is that Spade would use what we are against Amber herself." Her image reflex in the glass of the window. A close eye might note that the reflection regards Lisle's image, "As for the others, it is not a secret at this point that Nash serves as Famine's host. I last saw Death in the man Arion some months back. And War." She pauses here, "Lingers within Ryker."

Lisle's spine straightens to its usual uncomfortable, formal posture. And Yosannah will get to see, if she happens to look, Lisle get angry. An Eric kind of angry with dark, thundrous blue eyes and narrowed brows. "I have no regard for Joshua, though I am fond of Sarah. I fear, sometimes, she's been charmed by his love-making. But Ryker, now, Ryker, he means something to me. My fondness for him is deep, and what's more, he looked after me, once. Nash I also know, and admire. I know not Arion, but I would like to meet him. Perhaps, in fact, my sister's skills would also be useful here. I wonder, though, if they'd be half so interested if the Horseman left their hosts."

Yosannah turns to regard the lady, "And why should they do that? Or, better still, why would we want them to, Lisle? To be sure, it is not my wish that Pestilence leave or be forced from me. Ryker and Nash are quite safe I can promise you. I would go so far as to say they are greatful for the shared relationships they have acquired. What is it that you have in mind?"

Lisle says, "I don't mean I think the right course of action is for you and Pestilence to part ways. I was only making certain you wanted it that way. Not that I'd know how to part you, mind. But the first thing I think I can do is protect a place for you all. A single place where you know you'd be safe. For this I might need a trump master, too."

Yosannah lowers her arms and crosses them over her chest, "There are some of us that have the talent," she nods, "Perhaps together?" She pauses, considering. "But what of Sarah, lady? If she is corrupted by Spade and we must protect ourselves. I have no wish to alienate your friendship."

Lisle says, "Aye, let us strategize together, first to make a single safe place, then we'll plan more long term strategies. I must also consult Alix. But Sara his well aware how it would go with me and Alix were she to do anything against Amber."

Yosannah adds, "I am more concerened about your reaction if we are forced to do something against Sarah, Lisle."

Lisle says, "She is not my sister, Yosannah. Indeed, both you and Ryker are dearer to me than she. Fear not my reaction. But I just had another idea, too." At this, there is a twinkle in her eyes.

Yosannah nods, satisfied with her reply it would seem. She raises a brow at the woman's later comment, smirk playing at the corner of her lips, crooked, "Oh?"

Lisle says, "Aye, well, I am certain I can do something to slow down the Amberites, even though both Sarah and Joshua are very competent with the pattern. But I think I will make for you all objects imbued with pattern that you can wear upon your person, or better yet, get a shifter to slip it a little under your skin. When the Logrus master tries to grab you, he will certainly be in for an unpleasant surprise."

Yosannah's gaze narrows slightly as she considers this, "I have heard that a Chaosian may not touch one who wields the pattern with their logrus without receiving something of a shock. Are you suggesting this will work for us just by carring an item imbued with the pattern?"

Lisle says, "I think it is possible. I don't mean they'd feel what they'd feel if they tried to touch /me/, but I think it could work. Perhaps we could consult Nash, for I know he is a master of shape changing."

Yosannah nods, "He is." She shakes her head, raises a brow and smiles, reluctantly it would seem, "Though don't tell him I said so. He'll never let me live it down."

Lisle says, "I won't," with warm laughter. "Besides, Ben introduced me to him /as/ a master of shape change that I might interview him. I don't think it made Nash very fond of /me/. But it did make me fond of him."

Yosannah drums her fingers along her arms, tenor of the conversation having changed, her own expression seems to have softened, "There are only two with whom Ihave ever seen Nash warm. One is the shifter Anubis. The other is a young man who I have only recently come to know called Jamie Killjoy. Truth be told, I have yet to see our friend Nash warm to a woman." She smirks, "Which has made me wonder about the man, honestly."

Lisle says, "Maybe so, but I think he'd be willing to work with me to help all of you. And Aye, well, he might not like women, but he especially does not like Amber. He's prejudice."

Yosannah agrees, "I suspect he will. He is extremely suspect of Magnus, first and foremost. As are the rest of us. To this end, I think he will be civil and helpful. I'll make a point of discussing it with him soon."

Lisle says, "I wish I had a card to give you, Yosannah."

Yosannah purses her lips together and offers, "If I have your trust, I will create one of you for myself." She reaches a hand to her back pocket and removes several tarots. She begins to thumb through them.

Lisle says, "You do have my trust. Please do not give it to /anyone/ else, though." She adds, "My enemies are many."

Yosannah nods, expression understanding, "Then we understand one another. I would not betray the confidence, Lisle. Here." She extends her hand, single tarot in her fingers, "It is only fair."

Lisle takes the card in one gentle-wristed hand, turning it around so she can look at right side up. She inclines her head graciously, "My thanks."