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September 29, 2003 |
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Reception area - Caribe...
Dai shakes his head and mutters as he appears. "I hate that pylon."
Yosannah stands in front of the frosted glass doors, arms crossed over her chest as the woman hugs herslelf. She flicks a glance over her shoulder in Dai's direction, "Dai? What are you doing here?"
Dai smiles and Yosannah. "I come here from time to time. It was my first home after I found my way into WEB." He scratches his head. "I've never seen you here before."
Yosannah turns now, fully facing the man, " I have only been to this shadow once or twice. Despil brought me here last night. I got myself into a bit of trouble and he was kind enough to help me out."
Dai blinks and then frowns. "What sort of trouble? Not with that loud mouth from Niemand's I hope."
She lowers her gaze to the floor, polite smile lingering on her lips, "Something like that, yes."
Dai nods thoughtfully and then smiles. "Why don't we go out to the beach and talk a bit?" he asks as he approaches.
Yosannah is hesitant this evening. She takes a step back as he approaches, almost reflexively. As if realizing that her discomfort is obviously apparent, she offers the man a rather forced smile, hand reaching up to the back of her head. Scratching, "Sure. Probably will be nice to get outside." She gestures toward the door with her free hand.
Dai frowns and regards the lady for a moment. He begins to say something, checks himself with a shake of his head and walks through the door.
Beach - Caribe...
Yosannah walks along quietly with Dai. A gust of wind tosses her hair lightly about her face. She looks at him through auburn strands, "What's on your mind, Dai."
Dai shakes his head to Clarissa as she smiles at him and begins reaching for a guitar. He keeps walking beside Yosannah. "Well I am very curious as to what happened to you last night, but will not pry. Know only that I wish you no harm and consider you a friend." He pauses and then corrects himself, "As much as I consider anyone a friend that is. I am also curious about a few things concerning you and the Riders, these 'Saints' as Magnus calls them."
Yosannah nods lightly at his words. She slides her arms out of her suede jacket and hangs the article over her arm as they walk. "Simple enough inquiries. The answers will probably be more convoluted then you might like; but stories with as much history as these tends to be that way. Which would you like to hear about first, Dai."
Dai rubs his jaw. "I would like to hear about last night first Yosannah. The Riders can wait. I would like to know what is distressing you and help in anyway that I can."
Yosannah nods, a single inclination of her chin, "The gentleman that you saw me with was Damen Raynard. I believe that I spoke of him before during one of our conversations the other day."
Dai's brows furrow as he think for a moment. "I believe you said he was Prince Brand's grandson. And that he also has painful memories, a story similar to my own. You also said that I should speak with him of it sometime."
Yosannah flicks a sidelong glance in Dai's direction, "You were paying attention. I'm impressed. Needless to say, he's rather upset with me at the moment." She reaches a hand to the back of her head again. "Unfortunately, there's little that anyone can do at this point to help me with the issues between he and I." She smiles at him, "I appreciate the sentiment, however."
Dai smiles back at her. "You helped me out even though you had no good reason to do so. That is rare. Very rare indeed." He takes a deep breath. "If you ever need my help or even just someone to talk to let me know, and I'll be there. I'm sorry I don't have a trump of myself to offer you but I have encountered set backs in my endeavors to find a trump artist with time to draw them."
Yosannah seems to agree as evidenced by the sympathetic expression she dons, "I've often found that I stand more to gain with honey then with vinegar, as the expression goes. Those who play close to their chests inevitably find negotiating this existance more difficult, Dai."
Dai nods thoughtfully before looking curiously at Yosannah. "I was very surprised to learn that you have Pestilence, Yosannah. I do not understand anything about the Four. But you do not seem the type of person that would have any of them. Yet I also hear that you sought to have Pestilence. I am curious as to why you burden yourself so."
Yosannah smiles at this, "In the beginning, it was not what I would have wished for myself. Ultimately, we are bound to one another it seems." A reflective nod and a glance at the skay, "An unfortunate side effect of being her host is that I am a living disease, as it were. Without her talents, I would most likely die. For a time, she left me. Or was taken, depending on your perspective. A powerful mage friend of mine conjured an item that kept me alive until the being returned to me."
Dai nods not at all surprised at the response. "Do you have any control over her? Or does she take complete control of you when she manifests herself?"
Yosannah tucks a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, "I have some control, yes. But her will is much greater then mine. When she chooses to manifest, there is little I can do to prevent her from taking me. At the same time, the creature's talents are mine to do with as I please otherwise."
Dai shakes his head and sighs. "As I said a heavy burden. One thing strikes me as very peculiar. The Heirophant calls the Four 'Saints of the Serpent' and yet as I understand it they originated in Hell's Kitchen. That they are a power of Shadow. Which is true?"
Yosannah chuckles lightly, "I am certain that their origins are not in Hell's Kitchen. But whether they are creatures of shadow or the very creatures mentioned in the Serpent's Book..." She shrugs her shoulders, "Who am I to say? My guess is that they are the creatures as mentioned in the Book." She offers him a sidelong glance and a smile, "But I wouldn't bet my life on it."
Dai rubs a temple as he considers this for a moment. "And what do you think of the Heirophant and the Church?"
Yosannah stops abruptly and turns to face him, "One thing that I am weary of doing is offering my oppinion on the people you are apt to meet between the poles of shadow, Dai. What I will tell you is that the Heirophant and the Church have been a great source of comfort for me at times. But I am always cognizant of the fact that there is extreme tension between the Church and the Crown. And I am not one for getting tangled in the troubles of others."
Dai holds his hands up almost defensively. "I meant no offense, but if I have I am sorry. As for getting tangled in those 'tensions' as you call them, I have no idea why you would say so to me. I am a nobody. A nothing. Unimportant in almost everyway possible." He suddenly looks a little angry at the implied accusation.
Yosannah studies the man, his posture and his expression. She seems confused by his reaction, "What is the problem? You asked a question. I gave an answer. Is everything okay, Dai?"
Dai grumbles and folds his arms across his chest. "A lot is the problem actually. There is much that has been getting on my nerves lately and the Heirophant's comments are grating. There have been many other things that have been happening as well."
Yosannah seems to consider for a long moment before direction, "Come on, let's keep walking. We can discuss it, if you like. You mention Magnus' comments. What has he been saying that has upset you so, Dai."
Dai falls in step with Yosannah and takes a deep breath. "There is much that I don't like about recent developments," he mutters. Dai regards Yosannah for a minute. "What I say stays between us?"
Yosannah nods. A simple, sincere, gesture, "I would never betray a confidence. I can promise you that." She smiles,reassuringly, "Please, tell me what's on your mind."
Dai nods. "You are one of the few that I trust. Very well then. Magnus has taken a personal interest in me, why I don't know. And he keeps talking about the suffering of others as if it was a good thing. He rejoices in the events just past with the Horsemen. There is more to it than all of this of course but that is the basic idea. I think he plans on using the Horsemen for some scheme. And you oversimplified the issue some. The issue is more Magnus reaching for secular power." He turns to Yosannah. "He WILL try to use you."
Yosannah regards the man and nods lightly. Her gaze turns out over the water and lingers there, "Would that your words surprised me, Dai. Unfortunately, they do not." She offers him a light smile, "I am very much aware of Magnus' position regarding the Horsemen though I thank you for the information none the less. I suspect you have some thoughts of your own you want to add. Or perhaps you have more questions."
Dai tilts his head and thinks for a moment. "I have many thoughts and questions. You know of my being friends with Riva. That alone is enough to get me killed if mentioned. You also suspect that I work for her, which I will tell you now is true. I must tell you this for many reasons. One being because I do not wish to dissemble with you. Another being that I will need your help concerning matters in Banished Sun. It is not my wish to use you. So am loathe to mention another thought that has crossed my mind about the heirophant, for I did not realize until now that you may view it as me using you to further my own ends."
Yosannah smiles at the man, her gaze sliding from the horizon to him as she chuckles lightly, "Well, now. That's quite a bit of information. Let me assure you that your business with Riva is your own. That having been said, and as much as I am fond of Riva in my own way, remember that Riva is herself a mercenary. You may take your direction from her, but she is frequently holden to someone else at most times. Which means that Riva is not the only person making decisions about your fate." She regards him in an effort to see if he follows her meaning.
Dai grins. "I know what you mean but I also know the nature of my contract. I am not greatly worried about it. I can leave any job I want to if I think it necessary. If someone who has hired Riva tries to shape my fate in away I deem unfit then believe me that person shall have a new enemy."
Yosannah says "Fair enough. Your second thought then."
Dai sighs and nods. "This is entirely my own thought. Magnus speaks of the ills of others but has no idea what that means. He seeks profit from the misery of others. So naturally, the thought crossed my mind that the Four should educate him on that score." He smiles faintly. "It would be very ironic. Of course there are other benefits for those set against Magnus, but I had not thought of that until later. I hate the fact that he uses the misery of others to benefit himself and think he needs to pay for it."
"Have you had an opportunity to read the scripture as it pertains to the Riders? Not that I condone the will of the Church in all matters. Their policies mean very little to me as I am not a Chaosian. But the information might give you a new perspective on this issue."
Dai shakes his head. "I am not a religious person and don't care what the scriptures say. Besides the scriptures and the faith are not the issue. It is the fact that he seeks personal benefits from it as well. I think the Heirophant should concentrate on the faith of the citizens of Chaos and not his own power to affect political change in the Courts. THAT is my problem. I wouldn't suggest this if he was concerned for the faithful and not for himself."
Yosannah nods as she listens to the man, "I don't suggest this in an effort to alter your oppinion regarding Magnus. But it might help you under stand the thing that I am, Dai. If you believe that I am an avatar to one of the Riders, then you might have a new appreciation for the strife they caused in the Courts and the nature of their purpose." She shrugs, "But to each his own. In any event. I'd also like to hear about your association with The Sun. Would you prefer to talk about that now?" She looks back to the cabanas and the bar area, "Maybe in some place less crowded?"
Dai looks back down the beach and nods. "Definitely someplace less crowded. Perhaps we should go to the Club. Perhaps Stone will be there. I would really like to speak with him as well. If not, no big deal. And one more thing Yosannah. I do not wish you to think I don't understand the Four at all. I understand about the scriptures calling for strife as a means of improvement. I don't completely disagree with it. It's Magnus's use of this that angers me. He would wipe out most of the Courts if it would gain him what he wants. Anyway, let us go and speak more of the matters of Banished Sun."
Yosannah withdraws a tarot from a pocket and holds a hand out to Dai...
Gideon Club - Study...
Yosannah smiles as she slides her hand from his, "Welcome to my humble abode. Or something."
Dai looks around and smiles. "We came here after finding Riva. I remember it."
Yosannah nods as she makes her way to an easy chair. "Ah, that's right." She drops herself into the plush seat. "Now, your issue with The Sun. It doesn't, by any chance, have anything to do with Stone's watch?"
Dai nods. "It does. This issue has been consuming much of my time recently. There are many clues, all of which seem to bring up a new theory. There is only one person I can think of to get more answers and information from but he does not like me very much. Do you know much about gypsies?"
At the mention of gypsies she smiles but shakes her head, "No. I do not. Of course, Damen was raised by them." And then, "He's not the man you are talking about, is he?"
Dai shakes his head. "No he is not. The man that I am speaking of is one James Hillier. He more commonly known as Jimbo or the Gypsy Prince. He was married to Myrtle Hillier. But that in it's proper place. I'll try and sum this up as much as possible."
Yosannah clasps her hands together, fingers twined. She sits back in the recliner and nods, listening quietly.
Dai says "How much do you know about the this whole watch business? I don't want to bore you with things you already know."
Yosannah wets her lips before beginning, "I know about the corpse from which it came. I know that a woman named Lila made for herself a copy from some parts of the original. I know that no matter who Stone gives the item to, it always returns to him after a short time." And then, as if this is the part that is important to her, "I also am aware that he has dreams. Premonitions of horrible things that happen to the residents of The Sun. He has had two of me, specifically. One has yet to come to pass." With that she offers a light nod as if to indicate that she is done.
Dai curses. "I wish I had known about this Lila person before now. As for Stone, well I have my own theories about him." He walks behind the bar and grabs a bottle of wine and two glasses.
Yosannah smiles at this, "I trust that the things you have to say reflect well on his character. Especially if you're going to spend time at his Club drinking his wine." She winks at this.
Dai snorts. "I can't say much about the man in terms of his personality as I have yet to meet him. And considering the hell I'm going through trying to figure this watch business out I think I am entitled to a bottle. Tell me, does the name Michael Carr mean anything to you?" He opens the bottle of wine and fills both glasses.
Yosannah tugs at her lower lip with her teeth as she considers, "Michael. Hmm. The only Michael of any note that I am familiar with is a something of an artist. I believe he is also some sort of manager at the World's Bazaar. But, unfortunately, I don't know him well enough to recall a last name."
Dai walks over to the recliners and offers you a glass. "This Michael I think is still around here. Anyway, the power behind all of this is Summertime. I'm trying to think of where to begin with this. I suppose Jimbo might be the place to start."
Yosannah reaches a hand out and slides her fingers around the stem of the glass, cupping it lightly in her hand, "Summertime? Yes, Riva mentioned this person. Said that they ran into each other at the Docks in Dover. I had the dock's security tapes sent to me." She smiles as she lifts the wine to her lips, "Haven't had a chance to view them yet I'm affraid." A light sip, "But please, your tail first."
Dai sits down and sips his wine. "Jimbo is a gypsy and he approached Riva to try to help her with this watch thing. He gave some hints and clues, but I'm afraid he was not very forthcoming. One clue he had dropped was the name Myrtle Hillier. Riva hired a PI to investigate and find out as much about her as possible. It appears that Jimbo's name is James Hillier. He was married to Myrtle. Myrtle also looks like Summertime." He takes another sip of wine.
Yosannah nods and listens quietly, glass held with both hands and elbow resting on the arm of the recliner.
Dai clears his throat. "Now apparently not all was well with the married couple as it is rumoured that Myrtle was having an affair with one Michael Carr. She was then killed in what appears to be an accident with only two witnesses; Jimbo and Michael. Neither was ever charged with anything although Jimbo spent some time in an assylum I believe."
Yosannah suggests, "The asylum in Elbridge, perhaps. The one that is now closed."
Dai rubs his jaw. "Belthelm Royal Hospital is where he was. Is it the same one?"
Yosannah shakes her head, "No." A smile, "So much for that possibility. Go on."
Dai sighs. "Would have been too easy I suppose. It's also called Bedlam Asylum. Anyway, Jimbo does not like me much. I was hoping to find him but I do not think that is possible. Despil and I went looking for him and had a run in with Summertime herself." He hesitates as a new thought occurs to him. "Who is the Fool? Does that mean anything to you?"
Yosannah ahhs and nods on a couple of points made by Dai, "Bedlam. Right. Now that place I am familiar with. In London. Never been there myself." She nods, "As for the Fool..." She sighs and purses her lips, "I'm not sure if I can share that with you Dai." She seems slightly pained at this, "I'd have to get... permission first. If that makes any sense."
Dai grins and nods. "I already know."
She furrows her brow, "Then why do you ask?"
Dai says, "Confirmation is always nice. There are many things I want to talk to the Fool about."
Yosannah studies him from behind her wine glass as she sips, "I see." She says nothing after this, letting the glass rest against her lips for a long moment.
Dai turns to her, his expression serious. "All evidence points to him as being the maker of the watch, and the cause of this whole mess. I'm not making any assumptions as that is supposition. Also the source of the information is exactly one I'm inclined to trust. But I need to speak with him in order to determine if this is so and also to make other matters clear."
Yosannah holds up her hand, palm outward, "Wait a minute. I don't think we are on the same page. Who are you talking about? Who is the Fool as you know him or her?"
Dai smiles a little. "I think we are on the same page. Stone is the Fool. At least I was told his trump is the Fool card. There is much about this that is confusing however as I was told that the Fool died. There was something that was said last by Summertime however that sort of makes me think that Ben Stone IS Michael Carr."
Yosannah furrows her brow at this, "Then you'll have to clearify for me, because I'm not following you, Dai."
Dai nods. "I had thought that the dead man was Michael Carr. But last night Summertime said that Michael is still alive. She also referred to him as the maker. Jimbo referred to the maker of the watch but as the Fool. Said that he made it in order to see the future which is a gift given only to the women of Banished Sun. Apparently did it to prove a point to those who laughed once too often but that he died. And I was told that Stone's card is the Fool. I am not one hundred percent sure that they were referring to the same person but I also doubt that it is coincidence."
Yosannah shakes her head, "I can assure you that Stone has no recollection of this watch. I hardly think he is the one that made it. This is all very interesting."
Dai hmmmms. "Perhaps. There may be other explanations. Tell me more about this Lila person. Who is she? Why did she make a watch with parts of the other? Also, where is that second watch?"
"Lila is Stone's..." She chuckles, "assistant? As for why she made a copy of his watch, I don't know. I think she believes she should somehow figure out what made it work if she had a duplicate. Last I knew she was still wearing the copy."
Dai nods. "I want Ithius to take a look at both copies. He has a theory about it I think." He sips his wine and looks at Yosannah thoughtfully. "I don't want to pry Yosannah, but I think it would be best if I also knew what those premonitions regarding you were."
Yosannah rests her herad against the back of the recliner, gaze going to the ceiling, "The first was a couple months back. He had a vision of me in a storm in Elbridge. Lots of lightening an broken glass as a result of a tree falling on my car. In his dream I was injured." She shrugs, "His dream was correct."
Dai runs a hand through his hair and takes a deep breath. "And the other?"
She smiles now, "The other. On that, I don't know all of the details. He did say I should stay out of Dover. Otherwise I was risking death this time. I guess I don't always listen so good."