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September 3, 2003 |
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World's End Bar...
Lisle comes in from right under the corner, in fact. She seems in high spirits, sapphire blue eyes shining. Seeing Yosannah she says, "Greetings."
Yosannah turns fully to regard the woman, she crosses her arms across her chest, weight resting on one leg, "Haven't seen you in a bit. Been out to the Sun at all lately?"
Lisle is a tall woman, the fall of her hair meeting the small of her back. A hand rests on a nearby chair, only the table separating her and Yosannah. "I've been hunting someone. And finally found him."
Aurelia laughs out loud at the bar, but goes back to speaking with Sarah and watching people in the bar mirror.
Yosannah furrows her brow as she regards Lisle, considering her comment and then nodding. "I could use a drink, how 'bout we grab a table." She pauses for a brief moment to regard Aurelia and her outburst but then turns back to Lisle, "If you're up for it."
Lisle glances at Aurelia, and sees Sarah just beyond. She calls, "Cousin. I hope you're well." Ramrod straight posture turns, shoulders facing Yosannah, "I'd enjoy a drink exceedingly, in fact. I just must catch up on Ben."
Sarah says "Hello, Lisle, yes, very well."
Yosannah smirks lightly at the mention of 'Ben'. She says nothing on this point, however, and begins to move toward a booth.
Lisle says to Sarah, even as she sits, "I'm glad to hear it."
Yosannah waves in the direction of the bar in an effort to get the attention of a server.
At your booth, Yosannah regards the woman for a long moment, "Lisle, what's wrong?"
At your booth, Lisle says, "Nothing's wrong," with perhaps a little glow. "I only think I might soon be married. I'm afraid I'm a little," blue eyes lift to consider the ceiling, "Hopeful."
At your booth, Yosannah purses her lips into a smile, gaze softening, "Lisle. Really." A server arrives at that moment and Yosannah orders, "Wine for me. Reisling." To Lisle, "What are you having. It's on me."
At your booth, Lisle says, "I'll have a pinot noir." She seems a little dreamy, but happy. "And yes. But I'm not exactly engaged. I don't know -what- I am, in fact. Except a little happy and hoping that my father doesn't show up and changehis mind."
At your booth, Yosannah nods at the server as he leaves to fill their order. She then asks, "Who is the lucky devil?"
At your booth, Lisle says, "Ah, well, " pausing, "I cannot say just yet." And explaining, "My father has given his blessing, though grudgingly, and I fear -something- will happen to ruin everything."
At your booth, Yosannah smiles and nods, "Do I know the fellow? Can you at least tell me that?"
At your booth, Lisle says, "I think you must have met him. But you'll forgive me keeping it a bit of a secret. I do promise that if its possible, if the wedding is large enough, then I'll make sure to send you an invitation. You could meet him then."
At your booth, Yosannah holds her hands up, palms outward in a defensive gesture as she chuckles, "Ok, ok." The server returns with their drinks as she adds with a joking wink, "Mind if I bring Stoner as my date?"
At your booth, Lisle says, "Good chance he'll be the best man." Such a smile.
At your booth, Lisle says, "Truthfully I never thought my father'd let me marry anyone."
At your booth, Yosannah inquires, "Why is that?" She lifts the wine glass to her lips, sipping lightly.
At your booth, Lisle says, "Oh, you haven't -met- my father have you? No man is good enough." She seems, perhaps, a little bitter about that.
At your booth, Yosannah nods and offers a reassuring smile, "Eric, yes? Corey's uncle."
At your booth, Lisle says, "Aye. He wants a Prince, but all the Princes are my cousins, which he won't have. You see the problem, I think."
At your booth, Yosannah smiles, "I see the problem. Yes. Though, if he has given his blessing now, then there is nothing to worry about."
At your booth, Lisle says, "He could change his mind."
At your booth, Yosannah snaps her fingers and chuckles, "Well then, get to it, girl."
At your booth, Lisle says, "I plan on it. I hope it'll be soon." But then, "But I've seen my future and there's no love there."
At your booth, Yosannah holds her glass to her lips. She doesn't sip, rather, she looks at the girl from behind the rim, "Well..." She lowers it to the table and seems to consider for a long moment, perhaps thinking of an appropriate response, "Well, maybe with time then."
At your booth, Lisle sips her own wine. Barely tasting any, but then Lisle rarely drinks drugs. She claims, "Well, my sister is regent, and she approved it despite the fact he's a cousin."
At your booth, Yosannah shakes her head, "Lisle, you're killing me here." She chuckles, "And I think you want to tell me, so why don't you just have out with it." A light smile plays on her lips.
At your booth, Lisle says, "I really can't, Yosannah. I just can't. I've just -seen- all the doom. I must wait until there's no turning back."
At your booth, Yosannah exhales, audibly, and slump back into the booth, "Fair enough." She nods and sits silently for a moment, gaze lingering on her wine, "So." Another nod, "So, how 'bout this... Tell me what you know about broken patterns."
At your booth, Lisle says, "Aye," a glint in her eyes. "I know something of broken patterns."
At your booth, Yosannah bites at her lip, seeming rather hesitant, "Yeah? I uh... It's something I've been pondering for some time now." She finally lifts her gaze to meet Lisle's.
At your booth, Lisle looks right at Yosannah, "I've seen three, in my life. Terrible dark things. Do not do it."
At your booth, Yosannah smiles, "Somehow I suspected that you were going to say that. I appreciate your sentiment, Lisle. I really do."
At your booth, Lisle says, "Let me take you to see one." She looks deeply into Yosannah's eyes, if she allows.
Yosannah nods silently to something Lisle says.
At your booth, Yosannah offers softly, "Ok."
Lisle stands and leaves the booth by the bar. Standing straight and lordly, offers her hand to Yosannah.
Yosannah reaches her hand to Lisle, expression reticent.
Lisle says, "A dark blight upon the land. A coldness."
Yosannah offers, "I expect nothing less..."
The Watchtower of Day -- Birnamwald...
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.
They come into the tower on the upper floor, upon the landing.
Yosannah looks about the tower, "Where are we?"
Lisle takes the stairs down swiftly, "The abode of the man I once loved. Years ago. Eons ago. He thought to master the darkness."
Yosannah follows after Lisle, outside and into the forsts of Birnamwald...
Forest Glade -- Birnamwald...
The forest grows thin, then opens into the a serene little grove of vibrant green. The sun beams down on the hand-high grasses, unhindred by the cross of great limbs and leaves; a place of light amidst the darkness. A broken and blackened trunk leans against a great and heavy boulder, still attached to its lightning-struck stump. The violence is old and forgotten, even in the long memories of trees.
Yosannah inquires as they step outside the tower, "Where are we going, Lisle?" She studies her surroundings, taking in the area, "I don't believe I have ever been to this place."
Lisle says, "This is the tower of the day, Yossanah, in a realm called Birnamwald. Caivar dwelled here, and I with him a time. He knew Ben. Now he's dead." She walks with confidence toward the forest, thick grass brushing her boots. "We go to the place where all is sickness."
Yosannah steps after her, "Dead? I'm so sorry. What happened." She turns an ear to the forest, listning. Studying. As if her level of alertness were somehow increased at their arrival.
Lisle says, voice hushed, "It lives, this forest. Caivar sought to master it." She follows the great path to the west, disappearing into the darkened forest.
Dark Forest -- Birnamwald...
The giant trees that follow the largest path through this area of the forest allow very little light through their branches. The permanent twilight gives a sense of closeness for whatever might be within the depths of the forest. Ominous sounds echo along the length of the path. For those brave enough to stop, there are stones and trees providing a suitable rest. There are diverging trails here, some even widen into full crossroads, but in the distance the darkness consumes them.
Yosannah nods, knowingly, "Yes. I think I sense what you mean." She treds after the woman, arms crossed over her chest as if she might be chilled.
Lisle says, "Don't look to the left or right."
Yosannah inquires, "What am I not supposed to see?"
Lisle wanders toward the crossroads, but makes sure Yosannah is walking beside her by then. "Creatures," voice hushed. She follows a nearly invisible path leading even deeper into the forest.
The Crossroads - Birnamwald...
Life turns at the crossroads, taking this path or that, breaking away from what looms ahead. There is no green of living things, only muddy greys of stone and the dry brown of old grass. And blackness. Etched into the earth beyond the crossing roads is a shattered path, light-swallowing darkness staining the twists and turns that lead on to the pattern's center. The air smells of ancient things, the rot of the natural world.
She looks to Lisle, noting the obvious change in the tenor of their conversation since having left the bar, "Creatures? You've being very cryptic, Lisle. What is it that has you so fearful?"
Lisle walks up the crossroads, but when the ignoble pattern in the mud, the grass, comes into view, she puts her arm out to stop Yo, and in fact stops in her own tracks. Memories flit across her features, and so does grief. "This is one of those things you're curious about. Note," as if she's a professor, "Note the darkness of the place. Feel the fear. The design there upon the ground is like one I walked in Amber, only evil."
Yosannah halts abruptly as she regards the pattern before her. Silent and looming. "Have you ever witnessed someone walk this path, Lisle? Tell me, Please."
Lisle's hand lifts to touch Yosannah's elbow, if she allows it, clearly to prevent her from going any futher. And Lisle herself glows, luminous around the edges, a faint white light as pale as silver, as thin as the rim of a planet. "Nay. I never have. But Caivar watched two men burn upon it."
Yosannah nods silently, considering her words for a long moment, "Are they all like this? So..." She shivers and shakes her head.
Lisle says, "They are all different, as different as different bruises might be upon a delicate pear. The one in Kashfa seems less evil. There is another in Begma."
Yosannah nods and takes step backward, away from the form on the ground before them. It is an instintive gesture, one she is probably not even aware of, "And you've seen these others as well?"
Lisle says, "I have. I would not set foot on one, save if you were a master, and I know no one who calls themselves so. I think Jasra, former Queen of Begma was, but I don't know for sure."
Lisle says, "I have. I would not set foot on one, save if you were a master, and I know no one who calls themselves so. I think Jasra, former Queen of Begma was, but I don't knwo for sure."
Yosannah bites at her lips, glancing sidelong at Lisle, "But in order to become a 'master' one must take the first step, yes?"
Lisle turns to Yosannah and says with dread seriousness, "I should not put my foot upon it. Not ever. I would you would think about it. Not twice, not thrice, but a thousand times."
Yosannah nods, seemingly in understanding, "Fair enough." She shakes her head and sighs, a deep, long exhale of breath, "I think I have seen enough."