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September 20, 2003 |
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| Amber | Trump Deck | Logs | RL Pictures | Main |
Niemands...
Dai is standing by the bar ordering a bottle of scotch. He notices Morgan and bows. "Good turning my lady. "He gives a slight start at Yosannah's greeting and then smiles. "I am fine Yosannah. Yourself?"
Morgan peers over to the shadows, herself.
Yosannah lifts her wine glass in a toast to Dai, "I'd be better if I had your company." She gestures toward the empty chairs at her table.
The table in the shadows seems to stretch out and engulf Dai as he sits down, obscuring him from view.
Morgan says, "Of course." She takes a seat at the bar.
At your table, Dai opens his bottle and smiles at Yosannah. "So how have you been Yosannah? It's been a few days since I last saw you."
At your table, Yosannah says "I'm good, Dai." Her fingers trace along the stem of her glass, slowly, with a gentle caress, "Have you had any more luck with your memories?"
At your table, Dai grimaces. "Too much luck unfortunately. It was not a... pleasant experience. Would you care for some scotch?"
At your table, Yosannah shakes her head, "Scotch has never been my style." She offers the man a reassuring smile, "And I have not finished my wine. Thank you though." A short pause, "Would you care to share your experience with me?"
At your table, Dai takes a long pull from the bottle. "I wouldn't mind sharing it. It would probably help me deal with it in fact. The question is: are you sure you want to hear about it."
At your table, Yosannah smiles at him lightly. The corners of her mouth upturned and her lips pursed thoughtfully, "I wouldn't have asked you if I did not want to hear it, Dai. And if you are attempting to warn me that what you have to say may somehow be offensive to my sensibilities, by all means, put that worry to rest." She raps at her wine glass with the finger-nail from her index finger, "I'll stop you if it becomes to difficult for me to hear."
At your table, Dai shrugs and leans back rubbing his jaw. "Where to start?" He sighs. "The first very clear memory I have is of being married. This was in a Hell's Kitchen. We got a small apartment at first, not having very much money. Times got pretty bad, and I eventually decided to hire myself out to the clans as I had training in some martial arts. So I moved from clan to clan taking the contract that was worth the most money but always honouring the contract. Eventually I settled in with one clan that paid me very well and always matched or beat the other offers."
At your table, Yosannah sits quietly. She cups her hands around her glass, nodding as he tells his story.
At your table, Dai says, "Well naturally, as was always the case our clan got into a war with another clan. I received many offers from the other clan to switch sides but refused to do so." He takes a deep breath. "Trish was pregnant at the time." Dai takes another long swig from the bottle and he continues his voice soft. "The other clan was furious at my refusals. They decided to teach me a lesson and strike a blow at my clan at the same time. I came home one night to find Trish murdered and her body mutilated." He sets the bottle down as his hand starts shaking.
At your table, Yosannah says "I am sorry, Dai. Unfortunately, it is an all to familiar story for your kind." She shakes her head, voice low and soft, "I'm sorry."
At your table, Dai nods. "I've been giving you the short version. I went insane, blaming myself for what happened." His voice sinks lower. "I had my revenge, on both clans for what happened. That's all I remember before the madness completely took a hold of me."
At your table, Yosannah nods at this, expression pensive, "There is a man, very close to my heart, who experienced something very similar. It took him many years to come to terms with the memories that plagued him. Perhaps you should speak with him sometime."
At your table, Dai looks up clears his throat. "And who would that be, my lady?"
At your table, Yosannah lifts the glass to her lips, letting the rim rest there before tilting her head back and consuming the clear liquid, "Damen Raynard." She sniffs as she sets the glass back atop the table, "Are you familiar with the elder families of Amber, Dai?"
At your table, Dai thinks for a minute. "I'm not sure what you mean by that Yosannah. I have met some people from Amber and some of the royalty as well. I have also heard about other members of the royal family in passing."
At your table, Yosannah nods at this as she runs her hand over her hair, "Then it might mean something to you if I said that Damen is Prince Brand's grandson."
At your table, Dai shrugs. "Not really. I've heard the name but I've heard more about Eric and his line."
At your table, Yosannah let's a smirk escape the corner of her mouth, "Eric, yes. Brand would be Eric's brother. Eric's line does seem to be fairly active as of late, don't they?" She chuckles lightly at this, as if it amuses her.
At your table, Dai shrugs. "A little yes." He hesitates slightly. "Do you know a woman by the name of Riva?"
At your table, Yosannah chuckles and shakes her head. "Yes. You could say that."
At your table, Dai says, "And would you consider her a friend?"
At your table, Yosannah exhales as she considers his question, hands cupped about her wine glass, "Friend. I don't know that I'd consider her a friend, no. But certainly someone I can share certain confidences with. Particularly those that we both have interests in, if you take my meaning."
At your table, Dai nods. "I don't suppose you have seen her lately?"
At your table, Yosannah bites lightly at her lower lip, "Lately? Let me think. I believe I saw her about a week ago. World's End time, actually. Why do you ask?"
At your table, Dai says "She hasn't been around lately. I can't even contact her through her trump. Any idea on why this might be? Or what she was working on?"
At your table, Yosannah furrows her brow at his words. She reaches a hand into her jacket pocket and pulls forth a mish-mash of tarots. She begins to thumb through them, "I don' t know, truthfully. Let me see..." She ahhs, settling on one card in particular before stuffing the others back into her jacket pocket. "Let me see what I can do." She smiles at the man, "Sometimes some folks are stronger in the art then others, eh?"
At your table, Dai nods and leans back in his chair. "Be my guest."
At your table, Yosannah nods and begins to focus intently on the tarot in her hand, eyes seem to glass over.
At your table, Dai waits patiently, sipping from his bottle of scotch every now and then.
At your table, Yosannah's jaw clenches and crease lines begin to form on her brow.
The image of the picture comes into focus...
A small child, roughly 6 to seven years of age from the looks of her. Her face is covered with soot, tears having etched trails in the thick grime on her face.
In the background: As you make your way down the path, the menacing presence of the mansion can not be ignored... but then the contact ends as Yosannah withdraws her efforts.
At your table, Yosannah blinks once or twice and exhales abruptly as if she had been holding her breath. Her eyes begin to refocus on the room and, ultimately, on Dai. She wets her lips and nods, "Interesting."
At your table, Dai nods. "Very interesting." He reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out his deck. He searches through the small deck until he finds the one he wants. He shows the trump to Yosannah. "Do you know this man?"
At your table, Yosannah nods at his question, "Yes. I know him. He gives out his trumps too freely, if you ask me." She chuckles, "But regarding Riva. I was able to make contact. I even know her current location if you are interested. Which of your curiousities do you want to explore first?"
At your table, Dai grunts in surprise. "You contacted her! I didn't think you would be able to. I want to have a LONG talk with her." He slips the trump back into his pocket. "And he didn't give it to me. A friend of mine did since I was looking for Riva. He said Stone would be able to help me."
At your table, Yosannah nods, "Clearly my point. There are too many of him in circulation. In any event," She reaches back into her pocket, "I can take you to Riva if you'd like... though, she doesn't seem to be in her right mind. We may have to tred lightly, Dai."
At your table, Dai looks worried. "She isn't hurt is she?"
At your table, Yosannah considers before she answers, "She doesn't appear to be. I didn't speak with her as I am not sure of her mental state. And, truth be told, I'm not the type of mage to pry into one's mind." She adds, muttering, "If I can help it." She settles on another card, "You ready?" She slides from the table.
At your table, Dai quickly checks to make sure he is suitably armed. He nods after a moment. "I seem to be." He stands and leaves the table in the shadows.
Yosannah reaches out a hand, palm up, to Dai, "Let's be off then."
Dai takes Yosannah's hand and nods...
Elbridge - Banished Sun...
Dai releases Yosannah's hand and quickly but carefully looks around, taking in every detail.
Yosannah tucks the card away and retrieves a set of keys. She motions toward the midnight blue Lexus parked outside the Inn, "It's a short drive, we should take my car." She points a tiny black box on the keychain at the vehicle and presses a button. 'Bleep, bleep. Click' . She opens the driver's side door and gestures toward the passenger door, "Please."
Dai walks over, opens the passenger door, and hops into the car.
Yosannah closes the driver's side door after her and inserts the keys into the ignition. She backs the vehicle out into the road and nods her head down the road, "It's not too far." Shift and the car begins to head northernly, into the 'Woods'.
Dai says "So where is she exactly?"
They drive through the woods of Elbridge. They skyline is suddenly shrouded over by the towering trees that stand like sentinels. "I think she is just a ways off. There." She points with one hand to the cemetery, "Just up a little ways."
Yosannah drive through the cemetery in a midnight blue Lexus. If Yosannah notes the man that lingers there (Flit) as they pass through, she does not slow or indicate as such.
Path to the Haunted Mansion - Banished Sun...
The car slows as Yosannah and Dai arrive just outside the mansion. She mutters quietly to the man from inside the vehicle, "There." She points again, "See that child over there? I believe that is Riva."
A small child is wallking along the road, armed with a 2x4. She appears to be roughly 6 to seven years of age from the looks of her. She is a handful of inches short of four feet, and very slender in build, save for some residual pudginess in clearly oriental features. Despite this, cobalt eyes and dark blue hair suggest this diminutive child sports mingles heritage. This girl is given to somber and pensive mein unusual for a child so young. She's missing her two front teeth which causes the child to lisp extensively. A towel tightly wrapped about her is the only thing this child wears. Her face and neck is covered in black powder and tears stream down her young face. As the sound of the car and headlights, she turns and hobbles off the road, seeking the cover of a tree.
Dai blinks in surprise. "You're kidding me!" He sighs. "This week is going to just get worse and worse."
Yosannah nods at the man inside the car as she keeps a keen but coy eye on the child. The vehicle slows to a stop and she moves as if to exit. "Well. If you have a plan, now would be a good time to hear it. I'm not sure what has happened to her. Last I knew she was not adept at shifting, but I could be wrong."
Dai opens the passenger door and gets out of the vehicle. He eyes the girl a little suspiciously.
Lil'Gurl presses herself against the tree, turning her head so she can peer around the tree warily. She carefully ajusts her hold on her modest weapon.
Dai walks slowly towards the tree checking to make sure his odachi is loose in it's sheathe. He begins humming a song as he approaches. "I know you're there child. Come out. I want to talk to you."
Yosannah casts a gaze between Dai and the child. She furrows her brow slightly and reaches out a hand as if feeling about the area and, perhaps the little girl, for any indication that magics may be at work.
Lil'Gurl peers out, eyes red and tearing. Whatever blewup in her face is still irritating her eyes, "Dai?" she hobbles out from around the tree, favoring a tiny ankle and positively filthy. "Oh, thank ancestors. Can you give me a lift the rest of the way to the club? My feet are killing me."
Dai reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a gun. He aims at the little girl. "Excuse me little girl, but I want to know exactly WHO you are. And don't try any thing funny with that block of wood."
Yosannah shakes her head and reaches out her hand to Dai, touching his arm if he will let her, "Dai, it's Riva. That much I am certain. Let's lower the weapons here, okay."
Lil'Gurl says "It's me, you moron. Who else you know with blue eyes and blue... nevermind. It's me. I *really* need to watch my face, this shit burns."
Dai grunts still uncertain. "Well I'm not." He lowers the gun at Yosannah's insistance. "Okay little girl, if you are Riva then tell me the exact circumstances of how we first became friends. The WHOLE truth."
Yosannah raises a brow as she regards the child, something about her having caused some interest. She then offers a smirk at Dai's insistance, crossing her arms over her chest as she watches the exchange play out.
Lil'Gurl limps towards the car, "Friends? Feh. Get your ass in the car before I shove this stick up your ass sideways." Her speech lisps on certain sounds, missing her two front teeth.
Dai seethes. "Well I suppose that answers that. Although who's going to get the stick shoved up their ass is uncertain as of yet." He holters his gun.
Yosannah continues to shake her head as she turns back to the car. Her gaze does linger heavenward as a smirk plays on her lips, "What happened to you, Riva. And why do I sense certain magics about you. Not very much unlike ..." She pauses before the driver's side door and struggles for the correct words, "... like that damn watch?"
Lil'Gurl pauses to glare up at Dai, the expression more comic than intimidating before climbing into the car. "I'll explain after shower and food."
Yosannah offers a smile do Dai and climbs into the car herself. Once everyone is settled she heads off toward the mansion just up the road. She parks the car, exits the vehicle without a word, and closes the door after her...
Gideon Club - Study...
At the bar sits Yosannah and Dai. They share light conversation when the child that is Riva enters the study. Yosannah looks up from her drink and a light chuckle escapes her lips, "I'd offer you a drink, but I don't think you are of age. In this shadow or any other for that matter."
Lil'Gurl says "I'll settle for some ice water. I'm wasting away from thrist and hunger. Thanks for letting me use your shower."
Yosannah slides off her stool and moves behind the bar to fetch Riva's ice water. She sets it atop the bar but remains behind the counter rather then return to her stool.
Dai regards Riva. "Okay. Tell us what the hell happened."
Yosannah smiles at Dai, "To the point. A man after my own heart."
Dai smiles at Yosannah and winks. He turns back to Riva expectantly.
Lil'Gurl reaches up to grab the water, managing not to spill it on herself. She chugs down a few and limps to a chair, "I ran into the thing responsible for Stone's problem. Clocks starting acting weird and I was damned with bad luck like when I had Lila's watch. I got a hotel, and crashed. I woke up two days ago, everything I owned had beemn stolen, even the ring from my finger...and I'd shrunk, or something."
Fingers drum lightly on the bartop as Yosannah considers the child's words, "Clocks started acting weird? They didn't, by chance, start going in reverse?"
Dai sips his scotch. "Shrunk? It looks more like a regression into childhood."
Lil'Gurl says "Yeah."
Yosannah offers, off the cuff, "So in two days time you'll be little more then a glint in your momma's eye. That doesn't leave much time to figure out what happened. Unless you know what has happened."
Lil'Gurl murmurs, "I'm in big trouble. I had lots of trumps." she looks at Yosannah meaningful, "Some might land me in deep doo doo depending where they end up." She idly inspects her swollen ankle and torn up feet, "I'm not staying. I'm hitching a ride home with Dai, see if Despil can help me get back to me..or at least make sure when I come back I don't regress more." she frowns, childish features much more expressive than her adult visage was. "Dai, how'd you end up here anyway?"
Dai arches an eyebrow. "Why, this beautiful woman drove me here. Didn't you see us pull up in the car?"
Yosannah nods as if this should explain everything.
Lil'Gurl guzzles more water, "Yosannah, do me a favor and let Stone know I need some basic trumps to get around? Also let him no someone's walking around with one of his. I need to get out of here before I regress more...and I'm starving."
Yosannah chuckles, "Yeah, sure. Though, I'd get some basics from someone with a less hefty price than Boner, Riv. Really now."
Dai nods. "Also inform Stone that I'm not the one that stole his trump, as I do have one."
Yosannah laughs, "Yeah yeah. I'll be sure to write all this down for the man." She pats down her jacket, "Let me see now... where did I leave my pen..."
Lil'Gurl says "He owes me, and it's time he paid up." she loks to Dai, suprised. "How did you get his trump?"
Yosannah offers, flatly, "Everybody has a trump of Stone. They're like assholes, actually."
Dai grins. "I'm just that damn good Riva." He chuckles at Yosannah. He looks at Riva. "Want me to bring you to Lorgrim? I don't have a trump of Caribe though. We'll have to walk a bit." He looks at Yosannah. "Thank you very much. If you ever need help with anything let me know."