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July 26, 2003 |
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Elbridge - Banished Sun ...
Yosannah stands next to a royal blue Lexis, back driver's side door open. She seems to be removing some packages, one at a time, and setting them on the roof of the vehicle.
Riva arrives on a Valkyrie, quiet as bikes go. She pulls up and parks near the Inn, kicking down the stand and cutting the engine.
Yosannah notes Riva with a smile. She leans against the car, crossing her arms atop the roof and resting her chin there, "Riva. Hello."
Riva dismounts and reties her gray pony-tail. "Hello Yosannah." she peers at the packages. "Need help carrying those somewhere?
"If you don't mind, sure." She reaches for a two of the four paper bags and motions toward Webber's. "Just a few things for the Inn. Thanks." She moves toward the front door of the establishment."
Riva grabs the other two and follows you in.
Webber's Wayside Inn - Banished Sun...
Yosannah sets the items atop the bar and begins unpacking the bags: bottles of liquor, lemons and limes. "What are you doing out this way, Riv?"
Riva says "Wanted to talk to you about some things." She sets the boxes down and slides them next to the ones you carried in.
Yosannah pauses, box of miniature, plastic, drink swords in hand. She purses her lips and seems to bite at the inside lining of her mouth. Nodding, she states, "I probably know what about, right?"
Riva nods. "The general nature, certainly. I'm not here to pry. In fact, I only need to know one thing."
Yosannah bites at her lower lip now, "Shoot."
Riva says "Pestilence. Do you want it back?"
Yosannah lowers her gaze to the bartop, reflectively. She offers, quietly, "You don't know how many years I spent thinking of one thing." She looks up, gaze meeting yours, "How the hell do I get rid of this thing." The corners of her mouth upturn in a forced smile, "Now," she shrugs, "Things are different now. Since I met Ada-Shazandra. Since I realized that Pestilence and I are more connected then I had previously thought. Since a lot of things." She pauses. And then, "Yes. To answer your question. Yes. For these reasons, and for other reasons I don't care to share. Why do you ask?"
Riva says "Because I've made it my business to see to it that after the horsemen are recharged, they make it safely back to their hosts. If you didn't want it back, I was of I mind seeing if there is a way to find another suitable host. The horsemen have gotten a lot of attention, and there are an increasing number of people who want to destroy, or exploit them."
Yosannah nods at this. "Recharging." She nods again, "I hadn't thought of their situation that way, but now that you say it, it makes sense. At first I thought that the person who assaulted me stole Pestilence. I begain to realize... to sense... that she wanted to go." She chuckles, "That sounds strange I know. But, I think you're right."
Yosannah begins to unpack her groceries again as the two women chat.
Riva nods and murmurs. "I've been going about this all wrong. Too thick headed to actually check references. It's said no one can take the horsemen unwillingly...but I'm not willing to risk having that theory tested. I've been trying to stop it, and hitting nothing but dead ends. For a reason." she purses her lips and sighs. "I've changed my goals from stopping, to trying to run damage control. Let what needs to happen, happen.." she snorts. "As If I could stop it. Anyway, That's all I needed to know."
Yosannah rests her arms atop the bar, "For what it's worth... I believe in these creatures. There is a wisdom about them that I can't put my finger on. Despite my intimate relationship with Pestilence." She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and wets her lips, "When the time comes, you won't have to find them new avatars. They'll do it themselves - with or without your help. With or without my desire to have the honor back."
Riva murmurs. "I've never been one for faith in anything except my own abilities, and trying to stop this had damn near broken my faith in myself. It's so wild how everything Bones said came into clarity at the same moment, and to be honest it makes me feel a little freaked out." she crosses her arms with the creak of leather. "I don't much fancy not being able to influence things."
Yosannah smiles at this, "That's not so unusual. That's just being human." She lifts her chin in Riva's direction, "Or maybe it has something to do with the new you. Tell me," she asks, "what's happened to you?"
Riva smiles gently. "What do you mean?"
Yosannah shrugs, "I don't know what it is. Maybe it's motherhood. You tell me."
Riva says "I've been gone fifteen years, in a quiet, simple shadow raising my son. Maybe I'm just wiser in my old age. I wouldn't bet on it." she grins at you. "Maybe just in less of a hurry to kill myself in some extraordinary fashion."
Yosannah nods lightly, "I suspected something like that. I am sincere when I say that the time has suited you. And you wear it well." She offers a light smile as she begins to fold the empty paper bags, "I suspect the sensation must be strange. Returning to this existance and finding that so little has changed."
Riva nods and murmurs. She makes a sour face. "It put things in perspective. I had quiet a few people believeing I could 'fix' this business with the horsemen. They've since been unimpressed with my lack of progeress on the matter." she chuckles. "And As much as I hate to let people down, I don't think it needs fixing." she hrrms. "I still think I can influence it, but only the damage done by war who I'm certain will manifest soon now."
Yosannah stacks the folder paper bags, one atop the other, and sets them under the bar, "I wonder, who are these people that you are refering to?"
Riva says "That would be telling, Yosannah."
Yosannah chuckles lightly, "That's why I am asking, Riva."
Riva says "You may assume I've inserted that to inflate my own ego, if you like."
Yosannah chuckles again, "Fair enough." She steps away from the bar and wanders toward the juke box. She flips through the music selection as she asks, "So, now what? What will you do now that we've had this discussion?"
Riva chuckles. "That too, would be telling." she considers you from the corner of her eye. "I'm still working on it, but I have a plan. As for what I will do now I've spoken with you, just what I told you I was going to do: make sure the horsemen get what they need and are sent to their homes happy and fat."
Yosannah presses a few buttons and the machine begins to churn, "I almost wonder if I really want to know what it is that you have in mind." After a moment the soft sounds of Sinatra can be heard ~... I've got you.. under my skin...~
Riva's lips form a small smile at the familar song. "You probably don't, no. Do me a favor, though."
Yosannah turns her back to the juke box, resting against it and crossing her arms as she does, "Hmm?"
Riva says "You rember in HK, when I had the refugees holed up in the church, and diease broke out. Do you rember what happened?"
Yosannah shakes her head, "Vaguely. I wasn't myself so to speak. Pestilence had me completely at that time. I have only random images and recollections of that time. Why?"
Riva says "Because Pestilence healed my refugees. I thought it might have been you, because I don't see why pestilence would do that. Anyway, if there's any chance...see what can be done about the Fever, if anything. If PEstilence was compelled to heal the refugees, maybe it might be compelled to alleviate the worest of that which was set upon chaos once she is returned to you."
Yosannah nods, "There are times when I've been able to effect what she does, yes." She shrugs her shoulders, "It's been my experience that it is difficult for any of Them to completely ignore the soul or personality of the host they choose." She chuckles, a single short exhileration of breath, "But, what you're asking me... I don't know if I could exhert that much influence. The best I can say is that I'll try."
Riva says "Note the: if possible. I don't pretend to understand these matters anymore, but it doesn't hurt to ask...not as if you owe me anything. Probly the other way around, but all the same."
Yosannah nods, "Of course." She smiles, "There are a lot of assumptions we're making. And a lot of what-ifs. But, if possible. Certainly."
Riva nods and murmurs. "I'm trying to box in the more bad what-if's. Like: what if the horsemen can be messed with or exploited. What if we're *supposed* to be doing something other than watching the carnage. What if someone finds a way to destroy or trap them. Those things." she purses her lips and looks at you, pondering. "Do you think I'm wasting my time? That I should step back like everyone else despite the burning need to act?"
Yosannah shakes her head, "I don't know. I'm as much in the dark about what's going on as you are. But," she offers, "if what I have researched in the Book of the Serpent is more then just dogma, this is a test of sorts. Now I know you're not a spiritual person by nature," she scratches at her temple, "but the Book says that they are here to test the Serpent's followers. To make them stronger, more fit to serve him." She shrugs, "Maybe this is your test. And it's something you have to figure out for yourself."
Riva rrrms. "Maybe I should talk to Bones again, now that I understand what he said last time." she chuckles, though theres a troubled line between her eyebrows. "A few months from then it'll sink in and more will become crystal clear.
Yosannah offers, matter of factly, "Time has a way of doing that, doesn't it?"
Riva nods and murmurs. "Maybe my 'change' will grease the wheels now." she leans off the bar and pauses. "And for it's worth, thanks. "
Yosannah nods, "Sure." She inquires, "Are you off then?"
Riva nods slowly. "I have quiet a bit to get done. Do you have my card?"
Yosannah consders, "Mmm. No. I know that Damen does, but," she sighs, "He's got Amberite wonderlust again it seems. Perhaps if you have a spare one?"
Riva pulls out a card and smirks. "I may not be married to a trump artist, but it comes in handy to have a few on my payroll." She offers it to you. "If you need something, call me."
Yosannah nods as she reaches for the card, "Thank you for the confidence." She indicates the tarot.
Riva says "Least I can do after the irritation I've been over the years, and you still don't slam the door in my face when I come to talk." she smiles. "Anyway, Take care of yourself and don't hesitate to call if you should need something."
Yosannah nods with a light smile, "Slamming doors is not my way. Anyway, take care, Riva."
Riva moves forward and vanishes, leaving behind a rapidly fading afterimage.