Joss, Raevyn, Siodmak, Roland in Amber Until Dinner

[Wired*Nun]

[Gerard did not drag you guys through, just reached for anyone who would reach back. ]

("Good luck, I am staying here at the Keep," Roland calls, as the contact fades.)

Introductions over for the three who are here, Gerard replies to Siodmak, "We are in Amber." Shifting attention away from the pale man, Gerard regards Joss for a long time, emotions playing across his face - interest, wonder, hope, suspicion...

He takes a neutral tone. "Told by whom, may I ask?" he questions mildly. "And I have other questions that may need to be answered first. Like, Raevyn, what happened since you went off in Josh's care? Where did you pick up these fellows? And suchlike. Let's go get something to eat and sit down, I'm hungry anyway, and you can tell me your story."

Here he pauses, turning back toward Joss with hand held out for a clasp. "If it comes out to be true, then we have much to talk about, you and I, but there are other things need doing right now. If you are my son, then hail and well met, and welcome to the Family, heavens help you."

Gerard leads the four out of the stables into the bright sunlight, then across the carriage yard to the back of the castle, up stone steps and onto a wide veranda slightly overlooking the back gardens. Snagging one of the guards, he tells the man to send for food and drink for six - double portions for Gerard and Joss? - and finds a shaded table under the wisteria arbor. The smell of the flowers and cut grass mingle on the breeze, making for an idyllic setting.

"So tell me all about it," he rumbles.

[LynMars]

Raevyn sits primly and glances at the other two. "Well, I suppose I should start. Josh and I went out to Neptune House to look at the scene and to gather a few of my things since we thought I'd be staying here for a bit. Then we Shadowrode out to his mother's home, so he could get a few of his tools and effects and consult with Vela. We decided to try and make a Trump of Joss, which worked with...interesting results. I ended up at the keep with them, but Josh was left behind. I should really call him and let him know what's going on...They'll have to explain the rest, as they have a better idea as to what was going on there."

She reaches into the case on her belt and pulls out a blank sheet and pencils, and will proceed to make a Sketch of Josh while the others talk.

[Wired*Nun]

"Keep? What keep? What can you gentlemen tell me about this keep, and the situation?"

[Knarr]

“The keep of four worlds.” Joss says. ‘In for a penny, in for a pound.’ Joss thinks.
Joss gives Gerard a rundown on what happened to him since jumping through the glowing doorway at his house.
“So that’s how I met Raevyn and why Dunstan wanted us there. Both her and Dunstan thought I might be related to you in some way.”

[I did not give him my life story, it is not the time or place.]

[Wolkhaffen]

Siodmak remains politely silent as Joss tells their story.

[LynMars]

After a few minutes, Raevyn looks up. "Excuse me; I think I'm getting a call." She stands and moves away from the table a bit.

'Hello...'

[Wired*Nun]

"Joss...where did you say you came from? I mean originally? Where did you grow up? Tell me of your life...before all this." He looks at Joss intently, searching for..something. Familiarity, perhaps. A connection, possibly. Fraternity...paternity...

[LynMars]

From the edge of the arbor, Raevyn speaks softly. "I'm fine; it was a little crazy there, but I found what we were looking for. I'm back in Amber with Father now. Do you want to hear about it? ((Raevyn spends some time apparently filling someone in about what happened at the Keep))...Yes, that was the place...How so? Do you mean Dunstan, or the others? Do you know something about Rinaldo?...Okay, let me know later, then. Bye." Raevyn heads back to the table smiling apologetically.

"Sorry." She glances at Gerard. "Don't mean to interupt, but that was Josh, checking in. He's looking into some things and says he'll get back to me...oh, drat, my things are still at his mother's house; I should have asked him to send them. Oh well." She shrugs.

[Wired*Nun]

Another trump call...Roland this time. What am I, the central exchange?

[Roland, assume she answers, if its not private, just post or come through or whatever. -GM]

[Shutter]

"Raevyn. It's Roland, I'm done here at the keep. Can you bring me and my horse through? I'm mounted, you might want to get to a stable first."

[I'd rather not auto-move Raevyn, but once Roland comes through he'll want to introduce himself to Gerard and get his input on events, then call his father to verify that he isn't dead or being tortured.]

[Wired*Nun]

Raevyn brings him through after moving off the veranda and onto the lawn. "Stables are that way, just around the corner."

[Shutter]

Roland sees that Bill is looked after and moves off to a quiet corner where he pulls out his trumps and shuffles out his father's. He focuses on it, trying to establish contact.

[Wired*Nun]

Contact comes immediately. He seems to be in his usual haunts, doing his usual things. "Yes, Roland? Is something the matter?"

[Shutter]

"I'm not sure. Not any more I think. I just needed to make sure that my Trumps were working properly, and that you were ok...kind of a long story and I'm affraid I can't go into it all now. Nothing pressing though, I assure you. I'll call again soon and fill you in ok?"

[Knarr]

["Joss...where did you say you came from? I mean originally? Where did you grow up? Tell me of your life...before all this." He looks at Joss intently, searching for..something. Familiarity, perhaps. A connection, possibly. Fraternity...paternity...]

Joss gives Gerard an abbreviated account of his life as a sailor, including as much detail as he can about his mother and birthplace. He has hopes that this will jar some memories of Gerard’s. When it comes to the year on earth he was born, Joss swallows a little and leans forward to tell him. This is the first person he has admitted his age to.

[Wired*Nun]

Gerard looks stunned, then his eyes tear up. "It could be...it could be...but I must know for sure. Tell me...what was your mother's given name?"

[Wired*Nun]

"I'm not sure. Not any more I think. I just needed to make sure that my Trumps were working properly, and that you were ok...kind of a long story and I'm affraid I can't go into it all now. Nothing pressing though, I assure you. I'll call again soon and fill you in ok?"
"All right." A searching look. "I'm here. Later." The contact closes.

[Shutter]

Roland passes his hand over the card, severing the contact. With a sigh he puts them away and makes his way in to join Raevyn and company.

Damn...real nice. "Hi Dad, crazy things are afoot, can't tell you about it. See ya." Real nice kid...ok, so, no need to tell Gerard I'm his nephew right now. That'll be a small deal compared to a newfound son....What a day.

Seeing Gerard and Joss deep in talk he quietly pulls up a chair next to Raevyn and seats himself, nodding to anyone at the table who bother's to meet his eye. To Raevyn he also offers a politely apologetic smile.

[Knarr]

"My mothers name was Rebecca McTavish." Joss says with a smile.

[LynMars]

As Roland was busy seeing to Bill, Raevyn had snagged a servant and asked for another meal and more drink to be brought out for Roland, and to replenish what's already been drunk.

She returns Roland's smile, and turns to Siodmak, playing hostess while Gerard and Joss talk. "Anything else you need at the moment, Siodmak? I was thinking that maybe when Roland's finished eating, I could show you two around a bit. I'm not the best castle tour guide, but I can point out the highlights."

'And give these two time to talk and figure things out.'

[Wired*Nun]

"My mothers name was Rebecca McTavish." Joss says with a smile.
"Rebecca..." He searches wordlessly for memories... "She said she was tired of sailors, tired of the come and go. I...thought she had a lubber suitor. I remember that was the impression I got. Maybe she already knew. About you, I mean. Maybe she thought no father at all was better than one who was never home...I don't know. I didn't know." He reaches over and takes both of Joss's hands in his and sqeezes, hard.

Joss has never felt such a grip, and suddenly realizes it must be true. He had known other strong men before, but his own strength had always been of another order entirely. But this man in front of him, his..father...he felt could probably overmatch even him.

[Knarr]

“Holy shit. You are my father.” Joss says, squeezing back as hard as he can.
Releasing Gerard’s hands, Joss puts his hands on his face, resting his elbows on the table. (He looks a little pale.) After a minute or two, he takes a deep breath and blows it out.
Reaching into his ever-present sea chest, Joss pulls out a bottle of rum and drinks, draining half of it. Passing the bottle to Gerard, Joss says nothing as he thinks.
A little while later Joss looks better and he says,
“Ok, I have a father. Up to now I have lived as if I were alone in the universe and I now find this isn’t so. It will take me some time to figure out what that means, but how is this going to affect you? There seems to be a lot more going on around here than I am aware of. How do you want to handle the situation we find ourselves in?”

[Wired*Nun]

Gerard's eyes, then the rest of his face, smiles with the squeeze. "Well, that proves it to me." Taking the bottle passed to him, Gerard finishes the rest. He stands up, arms thrown wide, and turns to the universe crying in his distinctive basso profundo, "I have a SON! And he has come Home!" The yell echoes off the palace walls, vying with Gerard's laughter. Putting an arm around Joss's shoulders and pulling the other man around in an impromptu jig, Gerard pronounces, "Problems be damned, we're having a party!"

And it is so, in the way that only a royal decree can make it. A word from Gerard to Hendon, and the whole city begins preparations for a bash to be thrown in the Grand Plaza on the morrow's eve.

The table where the five are sitting becomes the center of the eye of a storm of activity. A few moments later, a petite woman in blazing red approaches. Her chestnut hair is tinged with the deepest of green.

Gerard immediately drops to one knee, saying, "Your Majesty."

[LynMars]

Raevyn winces a bit when Gerard's voice booms not too far above her head, but it's more of a yeah-I'm-used-to-that-happening-when-he-gets-excited-about-something look. She grins sheepishly at the other two.

"On the other hand, looks like Dad's figured it out already...We may get busy awfully fast."

When the Queen enters the scene, Raevyn bows, indicating the others should maybe do something similar.

[Shutter]

Roland drops to one knee the instant he realises that the Queen has just arrived. I hope dad didn't have any burning need to keep me stealthy for much longer...

[Wolkhaffen]

Siodmak, intent on his food, merely mumbled some reply to Raevyn's offer to serve as tour guide.

He nods a few times not pausing at his meal when a party is announced.

In the silence that follows the queen's arrival he says, "This stuff is great. What is it?" (Some sort of egg dish - he's never had an egg before.)

Then he'll notice everyone acting with deference towards a new arrival. The warlord stands in recognition of an equal, a nod of his head in respect.

[Knarr]

Joss (a bit startled of his father reaction) gets over it in record time and begins partying heavily, using his father as a guide. (Parties that he had really enjoyed in his past had leveled a few towns.) Not wanting to screw up, Joss keeps an eye on his father for clues. When the Queen arrives, Joss will follow his father and drop to one knee.
Not used to this sort of thing, Joss damn near takes out somebody’s foot.

[Wired*Nun]

Vialle smiles in Gerard's direction, and says, "Rise, please, all of you. Gerard, would your introduce me to the newest family member?"

"Of course, milady. This is Joss. I believe...no, I am certain, he is my long-lost son. I will tell you the story on some occasion when we have much time and little to do. And Raevyn is here," Vialle inclines her head in Raevyn's direction, "along with her friend Roland," - "Roland," she says. "And Siodmak, a friend of Joss'." Another nod. "And this is Vialle, Queen of Amber."

"May I?" asked Vialle, reaching fine-boned hands out toward Joss' face. Assuming he has no objection, she runs her fingertips lightly over Joss' face. "Yes, I see it now. He does resemble you strongly, Gerard." A pause, and a pursing of lips. "I sincerely hope you turn out to be as good a friend as Gerard has been to me these last few years." With this, she steps back, perhaps to leave.

[Knarr]

Joss looks a little uncomfortable (the queen part, not the hands) and lets her touch his face. Afterwards he says,
“I hope so too your majesty.”

[LynMars]

Raevyn leans a bit closer to Roland, whispering, hoping the Queen's sharp hearing doesn't pick up too much of what she says. "Do you think we should introduce you properly now, or do you wish to wait on that?"

[Shutter]

Roland smiles and nods to Raevyn. Phew...deep breath there kid. You're about to meet real royalty...and enter the family game, for better or worse. Really should call dad and let him know....ah, how often is he surprised at his age anyway?

[LynMars]

Raevyn clears her throat and steps forward before the Queen can get any farther. "Please, your Majesty, Dad, there's something that needs to be clarified. Roland is also a member of the family; Julian's son."

[Shutter]

Roland waits a beat until the Queen and Gerard are listening and looking (respectively) at him. He bows.

"An honor to meet you both." ...What else does one say to a Queen and an uncle you just met?

[Wired*Nun]

"Hmm, well..." Gerard seems nonplussed. "I suppose that shouldn't surprise me, that the women around me seem to know more about what's going on than I do. Julian's not going to be too pleased that he didn't do the introductions, but he'll get over it."

Vialle makes a small whistling noise. "Well, the day is just full of revelations. Welcome, Roland." She turns to Siodmak, as if awaiting some pronouncement of descendancy from him as well.

[LynMars]

"We're not sure about Siodmak, though our erstwhile host seemed to indicate something of the sort, but nothing beyond a vague hint."

[Shutter]

"You're right Gerard...I should go fill him in now. If you'll excuse me." Should someone indicate that he is free to go Roland will slip away to a quiet corner and Trump Julian again. This time he'll explain everything that's been going on, apologize for not letting him do the introductions, and generaly try to soothe the concerns he must have that his son is wrapped up in all this.

[Wolkhaffen]

"Well I'm sure about me, Your Majesty." Sidmak says wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I'm a self-made man. It looks like I've signed on with some of your kin to do a little detective work."

[Wired*Nun]

"You're right Gerard...I should go fill him in now. If you'll excuse me." Should someone indicate that he is free to go Roland will slip away to a quiet corner and Trump Julian again. This time he'll explain everything that's been going on, apologize for not letting him do the introductions, and generaly try to soothe the concerns he must have that his son is wrapped up in all this.
Julian listens to the story, seemingly as controlled as ever. "I taught you as well as I knew how. You have all the tools to be part of life as we know it, and I can't live your life for you. It had to happen sometime. All right. I'm not big on ceremony anyway. I'm glad Vialle was there, though." He strokes his beard a couple of times. "Well, no harm no foul, I suppose. I'm going to visit Benedict in Avalon for a time, starting tomorrow. Keep me informed as things develop." He ends the contact after any parting words from Roland.

[Wired*Nun]

Vialle cocks an eyebrow, but seems to be staring past Siodmak. Damn, for a minute there I actually forgot she is blind... An impish grin suddenly splits her face. "Praying to your maker must be something of a bore, then. Good day, everyone, I think I have a party to attend to. I will add your names to the VIP list, should you desire to come, and Roland's name to the reason for the party. The people need to know who their rulers are...Sir Roland, Sir Joss. Random can can formalize all that later." She then departs.

[Shutter]

"Alright. Take care dad...I appreciate the trust." Roland wipes his hand over the card, severing the contact. After putting his deck back in order he returns to Raevyn, Joss, Gerard and Siodmak. He looks at them all with a questioning What now? look.

[LynMars]

"Well, we have until tomorrow night before this party...I can see about arranging rooms for you all, then I think I should do some Trump work; proper ones, not just Sketches. That'll keep me busy for quite some time, though...Anything in particular any of you want to do?" She glances up at Joss, smiling warmly. 'Never had a brother before...'

[Wolkhaffen]

"Would it be possible to have access to a private studio?" Siodmak asks. "I, too, would like to get some work done."

[Wired*Nun]

Gerard grabs a passing page - gently - and says, "Tell Hendon's staff to get four guest rooms ready, some standard painting supplies in each, and send someone to get us here when they are." The page runs off.

[Raevyn, incoming Trump call from Vela]

"That should take care of that, in a few minutes you can all go up to get set up. Joss, Raevyn, let's have dinner, just the three of us, in my rooms tonight. It will avoid all the usual crap that goes on at the normal palace dinner. Roland, Siodmak, you will have to make do on your own. Lots to see and do here, shouldn't have any problems. Here, let me show you all a few people, just to be sure."

He pulls out his Trump deck and spreads out a number of cards on the table. Flora, Fiona, Random, Julian, Benedict, Corwin, Llewella, Bleys, Martin, Rinaldo, Merlin, Dalt, Dworkin, Loric, Joshua. All but Dalt he identifies as members of the royal family that might be seen about the palace from time to time. Dalt he says is presently unwelcome in Amber, armed and dangerous. Loric is Benedict's son, a serious-looking Eurasian man, dressed in traditional Japanese Samurai clothing of brown and white. Joshua is Caine's son, Raevyn has met him. He wears lilac and black.

"Any questions?"

[LynMars]

Raevyn nods. "I should already have a room set up, from before; Flora took care of that. Dinner later sounds great....Excuse me."

She turns and steps off to the side. "Yes, Vela?" She asks quietly.

[Wired*Nun]

Raevyn nods. "I should already have a room set up, from before; Flora took care of that. Dinner later sounds great....Excuse me."

She turns and steps off to the side. "Yes, Vela?" She asks quietly.
Vela delivers Raevyn's things, with a smile and a delicious smell. "I put some of my blueberry biscuits in there, I'm sure that hoity-toity palace food can get tiring. Come back and visit sometime. Bye!"

[LynMars]

"Wait a second; there's a party tomorrow night, and I'm sure you're both welcome; seems the gentleman from before is my brother, and another cousin's been announced. And thank you for my things, and the biscuits." Raevyn smiles as she accepts her things from the older woman.

[Wired*Nun]

"Oh, no dearie, thank you, I'm just not comfortable at those things. Joshua is off somewhere looking into that whole mess from before, so I don't think he can make it either, but feel free to call him if you like. Thank you for the kind offer."

[Shutter]

Roland leaves for his quarters, walking slowly taking a scenic route that involves him getting slightly lost once. When he finds himself alone in a cooridor he pulls out his sketch of Raevyn and focuses, trying to make contact.

[Wired*Nun]

[Sure, talk among yourselves. Post me the gist in one of your private forums]

[Knarr]

Joss goes with the flow, going to his room and getting washed up before the dinner with Gerard and Raevyn. He seems to be in a quiet mood. If there is any time before dinner, he will tell a page to get him up 10 min. before dinner and take a nap.

[Wolkhaffen]

If permited, Siodmak will avail himself of the library.

[LynMars]

Raevyn takes her things up to her room, if she still has the same one Flora got for her. She puts her things away and sets up her painting supplies to start working on Trumps, starting with her own image to give out to the others; she'll have to stop at some point to get ready for dinner, and somewhere in there, she receives the call from Roland.

[Wolkhaffen]

His research done Siodmak will retreat to his rooms.

[Shutter]

When his conversation with Raevyn is finished Roland puts his Trumps away and heads to his rooms. There he sets down his satchel, removes his boots and spends some time pacing back and forth, poring over the details of the last few hours.

This is madness...why is no one more concerned about a little madman sitting on a fountain of power rounding up young Amberites? Shouldn't that be cause for concern?

[Wired*Nun]

Dinnertime arrives, heralded by servants tracking down whomever remains in the castle. Those who wish to dine with the King, other family members and VIPs, will be directed to the dining room. Gerard, Joss and Raevyn have their own dinner planned, in Gerard's quarters.

[Roland and Siodmak, please let me know if you plan to attend. Obviously if not, it makes my work easier! I will need to know where you are going before I split off threads appropriately. I know Roland indicated he would be heading out into the city.]

[Shutter]

Roland is taken aback when the servant arrives to ask about his plans for dinner.

Dinner with the Court? I had no idea I'd be invited.

"Yes, I will dine with the Court if I am being invited. I'll need to change clothes, can something be brought up for me that would be more appropriate?" Roland asks, indicating his well worn travelling clothes. Chosen for riding through the forests of Middle Earth, not dining with the King of Amber.

[Wired*Nun]

A selection of appropriate clothing off the rack is brought up for Roland's selection. As a member of the royal household, he's pretty much entitled to anything he wishes, within reason.

If Siodmak decides to dine with the rest, this will be done as well, as an official guest of a memeber of the family. In both cases, if they have time, tailors will make anything they like over the next few days, just visit the palace tailors' workshop.

[Wolkhaffen]

Siodmak will dine with the king. He just hopes he's not seated below the salt.