Oct 12, 2008#38
I can't help but grin a little at his disdain. I shake my head, "No, feel free to go about what ever it is you normally do, I can take care of myself."

I quickly wash and change, I find a red top with black pants. This is most certainly not the time for dresses and skirts. I then head down stairs to see if my father will be joining me for breakfast...or if he is already out and about...

If I don't see him I suppose I shall just ask Aunt Fiona. Granted, after upsetting her last night by not letting her look at my trump deck I will wait for what would be considered a more decent hour at court before contacting her. It's a good thing I did turn in early last night.

I find a decent array of breakfast choices on the table, probably more than my father's usual affair because of me.

Oct 12, 2008#39
Julian is standing near the fire arrayed in his gleaming white armor. A cup of steaming coffee in his hand. Today mustn't be a hunting trip, at least not one for beasts of the wood.

A feeling overcomes you as you walk down the stairs. Here in the house with your father. Like a childhood fantasy come true. You grab a plate, pour a cup of coffee, and begin to decide on what to eat, when he speaks.

"You look well this morning Aria."

"I'm feeling much better," you say selecting a furry orange fruit from a bowl near the center of the table.

"Good. Have you given any thought to how long you will be staying?" And the childhood fantasy shatters to reality. You can't tell if it's the armor, or just the delusion you suffered, but you see him as a cold and distant man. The fires light is warm, but you can't tell if he is using it to warm a cold spot inside him where his heart should be, or if it is just trappings to make the room and this conversation more comfortable.

Oct 12, 2008#40
"Actually I was thinking about going back to the savannah to see if there is anything I can do," I sit down and sip my coffee looking for any kind of response.

"I was hoping you may want to come along, perhaps the two of us would have better luck."

I decide then not to tell him if his answer is no I am going to ask aunt Fiona. I also am not sure if I should return here...depending on what I find at the savannah. Perhaps it is time to stay at Castle Amber if I wish to stay longer. That would certainly make it easier to get to know more of my aunts and uncles...which ever ones may be currently staying at the castle as well and not about in shadow.

"If all can be made well at the savannah I may stay there a while, if not, well, I haven't really figured that much out yet."

I bit into my fruit and take another sip of coffee. I also wonder why he is dressed in his armor, but do not actually ask that much.

Oct 12, 2008#41
"The Savannah doesn't seem safe for you at this time Aria. I realize you are over the illness, but there is little need to go back there, and certainly no need for you to be statying there."

"Even if I were to say yes to you going back there, I can not attend you this day. I have been called to a meeting that has more importance than mere shadow."

As if on que from a director off stage, the large grandmother clock hanging on the wall clicks and begins the mechanical whirring and chiming indicating the top of the hour. Julian sets his coffee mug on the table, and begins gathering the final few things to leave.

Oct 12, 2008#42
"Well father I have a few shadows that I have visited that I would like to return to, I'll get out of your way by this evening."

I get up having finished my own breakfast, walk over to my father, rise up on tip toes to give him a little kiss on the cheek.

"First I will take Epee out to have some breakfast."

I figure once Epee has eaten I will contact Aunt Fiona to see what she says. I know the savannah is just another mere shadow, but it is where I grew up, it is where the few memories I have of my mother were created, it is where my mother died...I realize that if I say anything about wanting to still go and investigate I may get stuck here whether my father wants me around or not.

I pat Epee and and head toward the door.

Oct 12, 2008#43
"No need to be, 'out-of-the-way' dear. In fact, you are welcome to stay here. You still haven't had a chance to review everything with me from the Savannah, and I am interested to hear what has developed that put you in the dire situation in which you arrived here."

He leans forward accepting your kiss, and then moves to hug you, but reconsiders. Perhaps he is thinking of what enameled plate armor would feel like against soft skin and silken shirts.

"I'm sure there is much for us to discuss, tonight when I return. Shall we say seven-ish?"

Oct 12, 2008#44
I think to myself, damn it, now I'm stuck here. The last thing I want is to go to the savannah with or without anyone and not make it back here.

I smile, "That would be fine. I just didn't want to impose on you too much."

I figure I can still see if Fiona would be willing to investigate the savannah, perhaps tomorrow. Not to mention I know she is interested in my trump. Plus, it would be intersting to see if she is going to this same meeting that my father is. Hence I head out to the forest so that I can let Epee transform and run around, hunt if she desires, and just get some exercise for a bit.

"I will see you then father."

Oct 12, 2008#45
Julian leaves, and you quickly move over to the window. You peek out from a corner and watch him gather his men, giving commands, and bring out that behemoth Morganstern. With an efficiency born of practice they mount and head out through the gates, a pack of at least a dozen hounds running along with him and his men.

Oct 12, 2008#46
I run upstairs and grab my trump deck. Epee's exercise can wait. I find the one aunt Fiona gave me and begin to concentrate on it. I figure that if I am willing to let her look at my trumps she will be quick to let me come chat, if she isn't too busy. Hopefully it's not too early for her, but I want as much time as I can have before having to be back to meet with my father.

Oct 13, 2008#47
Settling on the edge of your bed, you stare at the photo. There is a distinct difference in the feel of this new card, and the ones you are more familiar with. Almost as if this one is a crude tool compared to the instant memory recognition you feel with your own.

The picture is more distinct this time, and you drive it with the memories of your last conversation you had with Fiona in the library.

There is delay after delay in which you continue to apply the techniques you had been shown. Finally the miniature painting in your hand, turns its head to you, and the lips move Fiona's voice comes across, "Wait."

You feel something across the trump, but it isn't quite a connection. After another moment or two your mind is just beginning to wander to things of the day, and what you will be doing, when the figure comes more alive again, and changes from the demure colors to a living red head, your aunt. She is dressed in a fine white outfit, with matching tops and bottoms.

"Good morning Aria. You are looking well." Fiona wears her hair up today, and pulled back into a braid. It is strikingly different from yesterday when her hair flowed over her shoulders.

"What a pleasure it is to see you again my dear! I trust all is well? Or is this call something other than social?"

Oct 13, 2008#48
"Oh now, all is well Aunt Fiona. I am feeling much more rested, so I figured we could continue our discussion. I know you were interested in seeing my trump cards."

I go through the trump at my aunt's invitation, the past few days I have been getting a lot of practice with trump.

Immediately I hand her my trumps, hoping to start out making her happy, feeling that I trust her, even if I really have not made up my mind yet.

"I was also wondering if you would be willing to investigate the savannah with me. Perhaps we can figure out what is going on there." I ask as she is intently examinging my trumps.

Oct 13, 2008#49
Fiona welcomes you across. You arrive into her private study in Amber. You recognize the layout as the sitting and entertaining area just inside some of the larger bedroom suites. Fiona's has some dark wallpaper with gold trimwork. The furniture seems to be handcrafted pieces finished in a dark walnut, and the cushions are a tan and gold weave bringing out the lightn accents all around.

"It is good to see you again dear." Fiona takes your hands and leans forward giving you a kiss on each cheek. The pleasantries being observed, she offers you a seat across from her. A beautiful walnut coffee table sits between you. "Would you like something to drink or eat my dear?"

As if on que a servant enters the room with a tray containing a carafe of coffee, two small cups, cream, sugar, and a plate of breakfast pastries. Pouring you each a cup, she sweetens it to your liking and accepts your offer to look at your trumps.

"They are a most unusual design. You say you picked them up in shadow dear. What was the artists name?"

When she finds out there is more than one of you, she tells you it would be a delight to be able to contact you in similar fashion, and asks you if she may have one. Further, she explains that she is willing to sit for a trump portrait by your friend if you would like to then have a trump of her to keep rather than borrowing her own.

"The savannah dear? What is that?" She continues to examine everything on the cards from the flexibility to the similarities between trump duplicates.

Oct 13, 2008#50
[ooc: npc actions cleared with story guide prior to write-up]

"There is a trump there of the savannah. It is the shadow that I grew up on. I believe it is where my mother was from originally, but I am not sure really. I know little of her, she was killed when I was 7 and father does not speak of her."

I sip my coffee, grateful for a second cup, and even choose a pastry to nibble on.

"It was at the savannah that I was attacked before coming to Arden. I had been away exploring other shadows for about 40 years and something happened while I was gone to the point that I was attacked upon my return. Things have changed far more than I had expected in that amount of time. Perhaps there is something more I could find out with your help"

I question aunt Fiona about what I remember, but she doesn't recognize the people scenarios or the darts I describe. She does offer to try a different route, and asks me to extend my hands into hers. This makes me think of the fortune tellers I saw in New York, and I unconciously look to the coffee cups wondering if any grounds are visible.

My aunt smiles warmly, and I lay my hands in hers. "It's a bit like telepathy she says. You just start telling me about what you remember, and your mind will fill in the details."

I am a little wary of someone reading my thoughts, but my desire to know more about what happened wins out. Not knowing where to begin, I start earlier, so she can understand the changes in the Savannah I am referring to.

"I can remember being a child," I begin. I tell her about the flashes of people and places leading up to one of the most traumatic scenes of my life. "I see my mother's death." Fiona asks one or two questions, guiding the conversation, and I describe the few visits from my father, and my return to Amber. She asks about where I've been in shadow, but I don't see the relevance and she skips over it.

"Tell me about your return to the Savannah Aria."

I begin the final journey of the moments that almost ended my life where it began, the attack. I tell her about my questioning of the leader. And finally going through my trump to Arden.

Once the contact is broken Fiona replies, "I did not notice anything of signifigance my dear."

I would say it was an incredible waste of time, but in talking to her, having her hold my hands I somehow feel much better. Having someone older than me, listening to me, caring just about what I have to say felt like. Well, it felt like family. A family I had never known. She smiles at me in that tender way she has, and releases my hands. The moment gently fades, but the feeling remains. Family.

I return to my breakfast and after another sip of coffee I start thinking about Inderproof, who made my trumps. "Mmm, well, the gemtleman that made those for me is named Inderproof. There is one of him there as well. I actually haven't contacted him since we met in shadow."

I reach over to thumb through my trumps and show her the savannah as well as Inderproof and then search through the ones of myself, "Here, you may have this one of me."

I hand Aunt Fiona a trump of me and look through the ones of myself. I am not missing one.

"Even my father doesn't have a trump of me," I pause, "well, at least not that I am aware of."

Oct 12, 2008#51
"What a delightful expedition Aria! I can see so many possibilities. I'm sure your father would dearly love to have a trump of you, so that would be an even better reason to meet him and have a sitting. You could replace the ones that you are giving away." She pats the trump you gave her. "I dearly appreciate this gift Aria. I can't tell you what it means to me!"

"You really are my most favorite neice!"

"You may not realize that, as one of the princesses of Amber, when I am here I do tend to have a busy schedule my dear." She sees the look in your eye and continues, "But perhaps there is something I can do for you. You seem to really want me to go. The fact that you were attacked while you were there last, means that we will have to prepare. I certainly am not dressed for it."

Fiona continues to sip her coffee, and tries one of the pastries.

Oct 12, 2008#52
"Oh yes, I did not expect to go in there not prepared. I was thinking that perhaps tomorrow. Time to get ready, do what needs to be done, clear your own schedule as needs be."

I finish off the pastry I was eating and my coffee, "I am glad you like the trump, I will have to see if I can get into contact with Inderproof and perhaps you and I can go visit him. I hate to say for sure without knowing what he is up to of course."

I stand, preparing to leave, "For now I must be off though, I have not let Epee exercise yet today, I so wished to get a chance to chat before anything else occured today. I do apologize if I had awoken you, I realize it was still a bit early."

I go through my trumps and find the one of Arden yet again, there is certainly enough space there for Epee to run around and hunt if she needs to.

Oct 12, 2008#53
You bid your aunt goodbye, and disappearing in a rainbow of color arrive in the Pathways of Arden.

The glade is empty, and no one is around.

Oct 12, 2008#54
I lay Epee down and allow her to transform, once I give her the usual scratch behing her ears and tell her to go run for a bit. I will be around, I want to take a walk and think about all that has transpired.

(With Epee off, I do carry a dagger on my side. Epee is on the left, my dagger on the right)

I wonder what more my father wants to talk about. I hope that Aunt Fiona will be able to arrange something to investigate the savannah tomorrow. I wonder if I should try and contact Inderproof for a visit with Fiona...hmmm...

After walking around for about 30 minutes or so I decide to climb a tree and see if I can spot Epee.

The forest is relatively quiet. Peaceful. I could get used to this.

Oct 12, 2008#55
Time passes, as you listen to the birds and sounds of the wind in the trees. It is vastly different from your time growing up on the Savannah, where there were no large forests concealing and speaking with the breezes. Yet somehow it reminds you of home, the peaceful stillness.

The roar of Epee' shatters the stillness of the forest, and while a few birds take flight, the other smaller sounds go silent. A predator has announced itself. The contact is immediate, and Epee' lets you know that she has tree'd her prey, and it is human.

Oct 12, 2008#56
I swing down quickly from my perch and race towrad the sound of Epee's roar.

"What is it girl?"

Upon reaching her side I look up into the tree to see just who she has run up it.

Oct 12, 2008#57
You don't have to run far. A tree not 20 meters into the south area of the woods beyond the glade reveals Epee looking up. Her tail swishing back and forth anxiously. She looks to you, her large eyes blinking, and then moving back to the man higher up.

You recognize the garb instantly. He belongs to Julian.

"I scented him some time back. He doesn't seem to be hunting us, and he hasn't made a move towards that bow he carries."

The man, seeing your arrival calls out, "I am one of your fathers men! This tiger is yours, is it not? Call it off."

Oct 12, 2008#58
I look up into the tree and shake my head. I cannot believe my father is spying on me, well, yes I can.

I scratch Epee behind her ears, "Come girl"

We head back toward the hunting lodge, I allow Epee to stay in her tigress form. I realize my father may be upset, but he took his hounds with him, and I am in the mood to have at least some kind of intelligent and friendly companionship.

Perhaps if my father's man follows us I will ask him exactly what his orders are...with Epee in the form she is he may just answer me even...

Oct 12, 2008#59
The man climbs down the tree while you are still visible, seeing that the tiger, like Morganstern with Julian, is docile to your control.

"Hai! Wait up! I wanted to say, 'thank-you'!" He jogs gingerly to catch up. It is surprising how quietly and quickly he moves. Epee picks up the thought, and tells you she could have heard him from half way across the forest.

Oct 12, 2008#60
I smile at Epee, knowing her sense of hearing is much keener than mine.

"Of course, Epee would not harm you if you mean no harm to me. Exactly what were you doing wandering about Arden?"

Epee growls at my side, knowing that it will startle the man even though he knows in the back of his mind without a word from me Epee will be harmless to him. It can be nice to have a tigress as a companion. Of course, no one here knows how deadly she can be when I use her in her sword form as well. I have learned a lot through the years.

"Do you know where my father went? I'm sorry you got left behind. Perhaps we could saddle up a couple of horses and have a hunt of our own."

I am hoping I can perhaps befriend him enough to at least leak a little information that he may not otherwise.

Oct 12, 2008#61
The man closes to within about ten feet before Epee' lets out her growl. At that point, he expands the distance to about twenty feet.

"I am one of Julians Protectors, sworn to guard and watch these woods. It is my duty."

He pauses as you angle a second open line at him.

"Ummm... I do have my duties to attend to... Where were you coming from? You don't look dressed for the hunt you describe."

When you ask about Julian, he does not hesitate in telling you that he does not know where Julian went. "I answer to him, not the other way around." While his voice holds no scorn, you can not tell if he is just stating the simple order of their relationship or something more in the way of subtle sarcasm.

"I am Galoro."

Oct 12, 2008#62
"Please to meet you Galoro," I extend my hand for a shake.

"Ah no, I am most certainly not dressed for a hunt, but I can change in a jiffy if you wish to go on one with me. I was just walking around the forest with Epee, she needs exercise after all."

His question confirms that he was left behind to keep an eye on me, not the forest. I'll be damned if I am going to tell him what I was really about. It's not my problem he can't follow me through trump, and he may just accept that I was really just roaming the forest. Of course, he may have seen me leave and return through the trump, but I doubt he will push that furthur, he may be under orders to keep an eye on me, but how hard would he actually want to push for an answer from me.

I smile and ask once more, "So, what do you say about a hunt?"
This message was last updated by the player at 11:29, Thu 03 Dec 2020.