Roland, Katarzyna, Siodmak in Amber

[Wired*Nun]

Servants appear to conduct Roland and Siodmak at the appointed time. The small dining room can hold about twenty. Random is not there yet, so there is some time for drinks and small talk. Those present include Roland, Siodmak, Flora, Martin and Llewella, as well as others introduced as Lady Patrisia of Rebma, Lady Elress of Arden, Lord Rein, Baron Delton of Begma, and two tall, pale men in some kind of tribal finery, Cirrodon and Lunotor. There are fourteen places set.

When Roland and Siodmak arrive, Flora pairs Roland up with Patrisia, and Siodmak with Elress.

Patrisia looks Roland up from under dark green tresses, blue eyes demure behind too-long bangs. "Pleased to meet you," she almost whispers. A slight lisp might be why, or maybe she is just quiet. "I hear you are being introduced tomorrow evening. Welcome to your birthright."

Elress grabs Siomak's hand and pumps it, manlike, with a good deal of strength behind it. "Well met, Siodmak. What kind of name is that? I've never heard it's like. It does remind me of a time when..." and he finds himself being regaled of a story about mistaken identity, when a knight kidnapped her from her comfortable shadow castle, thinking she needed to be rescued. She seems to be quite a talker.

[Wolkhaffen]

*Oh, great,* thinks Siodmak, smiling and nodding as one is wont to do with the simple or insane.

[Shutter]

"A pleasure to meet you Lady Patrisia." Roland bows to the young lady. "Yes, I guess I will be announced tommorow. It is good to be in my father's homeland, but birthright? I don't know about that. I'm still very new here, in fact, perhaps I could beg you to tell me some about how Amber is run? May I get you a drink?"

[Wired*Nun]

"Well, hmm. Good question. You mean the City, the Castle, or the Continent?" Her voice is quiet and sibilant. "There is the King, of course, and certain of the family have their areas of expertise. Prince Gerard is Admiral of the Fleet, Prince Benedict is the de-facto Lord-Marshal of all military forces, though General Lieu runs things day-to-day. Princess Florimel runs the palace, though Hendon has the official position. Princess Fiona is, I suppose, the power behind, or next to, the throne, I hear. After that's it's more or less a bureaucracy, but it all gets pretty boring. Is that what you meant?"

[Shutter]

Seeing that the lady doesn't want a drink Roland picks up a glass of red wine from a passing steward as he listens, nodding.

"Yes, that's essentialy what I mean. I've been to a few other kingdoms, some where the royalty are kind and humble, and some where they treat anyone not of royal birth as far beneath them. I am interested to see how things are here."

"So, tell me about yourself milady, what is Rebma like? I've heard stories but never been there."

[Wired*Nun]

Patrisia turns and picks up a glass of pale liquid shot through strands of floating green, which had been resting on a sidebar behind her. She dips her finger in it, swirling. "I suppose any time you have a royal family who not only believe themselves to be super-human, but in some ways really are, there's bound to be elitism. Frankly, I think they keep it under control more than some shadow kingdoms I have visited. It's like anything; if you are insecure, you have to prove yourself to people. If you are not, you don't."

"As for my home...it is very different, yet much the same. It is a very special place, I believe; as Tir-na Nog'th defies natural law by floating in the air under moonlight, so does Rebma, to allow us to live a normal life under the sea when on almost any other shadow, crushing pressure and lack of oxygen would make this impossible. We eat, we drink, we love, we squabble. Like many places, there are wonders so common as to see mundane, until one leaves. Fortunately, I haven't left, so I am content not to bore you with picayune stories of giant pearls, fish who swim upside down, and talking squid. Tell me about your own travels. What is the strangest shadow you ever visited?"

[Wolkhaffen]

Without seeming to question her, Siodmak will seek any information his dinner partner knows about Rinaldo, his court, and country.

[Wired*Nun]

She knows very little about Rinaldo, having never met him. She knows Llewella would know a lot more than she does.

[Wolkhaffen]

When dinner is over Siodmak will seek out Llewella, asking to speak privately.

[Shutter]

Well that's an interesting beverage. I think I'll have to try one at some point.

"The strangest shadow? Hard to say really...I suspect it all depends on your point of view to a certain extent." Roland swirls his wine and thinks for a moment...

"I was mountaineering once, somewhere out in shadow, I don't know if it had a name. In a tall mountain range, well above the tree line, I came upon tracks that I had never seen before. Large feet, four toed and there seemed to be a spur or something that dug in at the back of the heel at the beginning of every step. Each imprint was an easy two feet long. What impressed me wasn't so much the size, as the fact that I hadn't known they would be there. I was still new to shadow and didn't fully understand how and when we move it...Heh. Likely I still don't fully understand how we do the things we do. In any case, I tracked it for several miles. The tracks were fresh and I wanted to see what had made them, so I jogged. Difficult in ankle deep snow, but possible. Eventualy more tracks joined the original. Soon the wind brought sounds to me."

"I had expected giants. Giant savages, wearing pelts, carrying clubs, maybe feasting on something unnappetizing. Life so often conforms to expectations, it can be a wonderful surprise when it does not. The wind did not bring the crunching of bones, or gutteral war cries. It brought the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I am not a singer, nor do I have the vocabulary to describe adequately the song that I heard...No...I have tried to explain it before, and I cannot do it justice. Forgive me my lady, mere words like "beautiful" and "inspiring" will simply have to suffice for now."

"I slowed my pace and grew stealthy. I came over a small rise and I saw them. There were four, and they were giants, but as far from savage as you yourself. They stood tall, thin and proud in a semi-circle, facing the setting of a large reddish sun. I watched them against that sun as their voices rose and fell together. They were nude and appeared to have no gender. What I had taken for spurs was a decoration that hung low from their ankles, how they wore it without being tripped I do not know. Each giant was between twenty and twenty-five feet tall, their skin was black as ebony and seemed to glow in the red light of that red sun...It was stark and beautiful and pure."

"When the sun was just a glow beyond the horizon they stopped their song and began to move. I snuck away from the trail they had made earlier and made my way down the mountain, raising the sun again as I did so...It wasn't that I feared them, they were so respectful, so holy, and they had given me a gift of such beauty...I simply did not wish to disturb them. So, I left their shadow and have not been back."

"I have only been in shadow for a few years, certainly less than ten. My father, my uncles and aunts, they have all had centuries. It is no wonder that our family is so difficult to awe. The weight of experience can be crushing on the appreciation of the present."

Roland finishes his wine and looks down again, meeting the Lady Patrisia's eyes.

"Perhaps not the strangest thing in all of shadow, but one of the more interesting that I have ever seen."

[Wired*Nun]

Patricia smiles. "Thank you, sir Roland, you are as courteous with a guest in your court as any could be." Turning to look past Roland, her eyes light up and she holds up her hands for an embrace.

"Martin, meet Roland. Roland, Martin." She keeps hold of Martin's left arm, and lays her head demurely on his shoulder. Martin kisses her forehead absently and holds out a hand for a firm handshake. He has a kind of surfer haircut this time, is wearing buckskin pants with fringes and beads, and a loose-fitting shirt of tie-dyed linen.

"Roland, good to meet you. Julian's, I hear. You play anything?"

[Shutter]

Roland returns the handshake with a smile, and a nod.

"Nothing that makes music I'm afraid. Good to meet you Martin."

Son of the king of all the world...curious burden to bear. He seems to have gone the route of not worrying about it too much...Fair enough.

[Wired*Nun]

A herald steps in, saying, "Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please take your places." Everyone stands behind their chairs, which have name cards printed on them. The order seats the King at the head of the table, Vialle on his right hand. Next to Vialle is Cirrodon and Lunotor, then Martin, Patrisia and Rein. Across from them, starting with Llewella on Random's left, are the Baron, Elress, Siodmak, Roland, and Katarzyna. Fiona's place is at the other end of the table to the King. None would dare call it foot.

The King walks in, then Vialle, Fiona and Katarzyna, and everyone is seated.

[Pygysys]

Luckily for Kat, given where the King, Queen and Fiona move, so as to be seated, that leaves an obviously vacant spot for herself. Moving to stand between Siodmak and Roland, she gives both gentlemen strangers a polite smile and a whispered greeting, "Good evening, Sirs."

Her mode of dress is uniform; jacket, black pants, boots and belt. The jacket is a double breasted affair with its gold buttons and deep shade of burgundy, save for the collar and internal lining that are black. There don't appear to be any weapons on her person as she takes her seat, sitting down without concern about a sword hitting the chair or a dagger poking into her ribs, etc.

Once seated, Kat waits to see how formal this dinner is and whether conversation will flow as easily as one course after another.

[Wired*Nun]

Random picks up his wineglass, already filled, and gives the traditional King's Toast:

"May the Blessings of the Unicorn smile upon us, upon Amber, and upon all deserving Shadow. For all that we have, let us truly be thankful."

Siting down, he immediately begins eating his soup. The rest start as well, the two tribal men somewhat carefully, watching others as if so as not to make a mistake. They are not bumpkins, but rather, look as if they would be much more at home on horseback, out in the bush.

Conversations start up immediately between the Baron and Llewella, who seems to be angling for some diplomatic advantage, Vialle making pleasantries with Cirrodon, Martin asking Lonodor about hunting methods or somesuch, and Elress immediately downs her wine and launches into the story of how she tracked down and punished the kidnappers of her prize falcon. Fiona gives Kat a raised-eyebrow look, stands, bows to Random, and heads out of the room. A moment later, Flora comes in.

"Sorry I am late, Your Majesty, everyone." Flora sits down in Fiona's place, asks Rein, "Did I just see Fiona bolt out of here? Where was she going in such a hurry?" "Uknown, milady, she did not say," is the reply. "Hmmph. Well. That's all right, she's not the social light I am anyway." Not sure if that was an intended pun or not... However, contrary to this pronouncement, Flora keeps her mouth shut and eats heartily through the first several courses.

[Shutter]

Roland raises his glass and drinks deeply at the toast. May those be more than words, and may my family be a good one.

The raised eyebrow puts a brief kink in Roland's plan of making polite conversation with his attractive neighbor. What was that all about? Bah, I'm getting paranoid already. Might as well say hello.

"Evening milady. My name is Roland, and I do not believe we've been introduced."

Roland is well dressed in dark green pants and a light grey shirt. If anyone is travelling armed he has a plainly mounted sword slung from his left hip. The grip is well worn, and he does not seem to require any effort to avoid knocking it in to people or chairs.

[Pygysys]

Kat sips at her drink in acknowledgement of the King's toast. She watches the exchange of one princess for another without comment, choosing to spend the time consuming her own meal. During such consumption, she glances often at those beside her and those opposite her, apparently ready to be engaged in conversation should anyone wish to speak to her but not ready to begin such herself.

At Roland's introduction she lowers her glass and smiles warmly, "It is a pleasure to help you remedy that situation, Roland, I am Katarzyna. Please forgive my inquistive nature, but having only arrived and knowing none other save for His Majesty and Princess Fiona, I find my topics of conversation are rather limited. So with that in mind, are you a regular of the King's court here in Amber?"

[Wolkhaffen]

Siodmak is at the mercy of a 'Chatty Kathy' and is none too pleased.

[Shutter]

"A pleasure to meet you Katarzyna. No, far from a regular here at court. My father, Julian, kept me away as a child. I've spent the last few years travelling and am only just today beginning to meet the family."

[Pygysys]

"So you are somewhat in the same position as I, newly arrived that is. I must confess that I find Amber a little overwhelming but I am indebted to my Lord for this assignment." Kat smiles and leans back from the table slightly, so as to put some distance between herself and her plate so the servants can remove her finished course with ease. "Julian? Family? So you are related to His Majesty then and the Royal Family?"

[Shutter]

"The royal family? Yes, I suppose I am. King Random is my uncle. And yourself milady? How do you come to grace the halls of Amber?"

[Pygysys]

Lifting her glass, Kat sees to wetting her throat before giving a reply. "My Lord needed a message delivered to the King and the reward for success was a stay here in Amber. I'm not certain how long I will tarry, that depends I suppose on circumstance. Perhaps you know his Lordship, Gen... " Quickly she corrects herself, "I mean Prince Benedict? I am not certain the title he prefers here in Amber. And will you be visiting for a time Roland? If so, perhaps we may investigate the sights of Amber together sometime."

[Shutter]

"I haven't met him yet, but I have heard a few stories. In fact, I think my father is visiting him as we speak. I would be happy to explore the palace and the city with you. Apparently I am being announced tommorow. I don't know yet what all that entails...I must admit I'm a bit aprehensive."

[Pygysys]

Kat chuckles lightly, "You're not nervous are you? If you were, one could not blame you for being apprehensive. I know I would be if I was in your shoes. Besides, if it all gets too much, we can slip out through some side door somewhere and explore the countryside." She glances downwards to Roland's left, "I see you are a martial man of sorts, so I suspect you ride as well. We should entertain the idea of a picnic with anyone else looking to get away once the festivities are done with. Well that is if your announcement entails such."

[Shutter]

Ten years ago Roland might have blushed slightly, today he smiles with a hint of ruefulness.

"My father didn't raise me with a great love of ceremony. In the land where I grew up pomp and circumstance were low on our list of priorities. But I have the rudiments of courtesy, so I should manage." Another bite of food to give some time to think.

"Yes, I would be happy to ride for a picnic tommorow. I hear this land is beautiful." A pause and a small chuckle. "Nearly by definition."

[Pygysys]

Kat grins, "Like all things, there is a time and place for everything including ceremony and picnics. Now there is one thing I definitely look forward to on the morrow." Apparently still hungry, she continues eating as well the conversation. "All that remains is to find stables and abscond with some horses for the day and trust that we don't get charged with the theft of horseflesh." Leaning towards Roland, she adds in a whisper, "I trust you have a coin or two to hire some steeds for the day. My own purse does not hold the coin of Amber."

[Shutter]

Roland returns the grin as well as he can, his mouth being full at the moment.

"I have my horse, Bill, here in the stables. I don't have any coin yet...I probably ought to see to getting some. The coins I have are gold and silver, fairly universal in their appeal I find. I suspect though that borrowing a horse for the day is one of those things where I'm just supposed to wave around my name and expect things for free." Another sip of wine, blatantly pausing for effect, but doing it well.

"In short, if we can't convert my coins, we'll have to share Bill. He's sturdy if nothing else."

[Pygysys]

"It wouldn't be the first time I've had to share a horse and I can't imagine it would be the last either." She holds up her glass, "Here's to Bill and to hoping he won't hold it against us if forced to carry us both and our basket." Kat smiles, "And mercy help us if he's forced to carry any who wish to accompany us as well. Though if waving your hand and spouting your name works, best to take advantage of it and acquire at least a good bottle of wine." Suddenly realising what she's just said, she hastens to add, "Much like this wonderful vintage we're sampling tonight. Here. At dinner." Good one, Kat. Insult the Chef next, why don't you?

[Shutter]

Roland raises his glass and clinks it gently with Katarzyna's.

"To Bill, and excellent wine." Roland finishes his glass and refills with more red.

"I can see if my father perhaps has some private stores about that we can ransack, in case the kitchen proves stingy with the better wines." He gives an impish little grin. "I don't think he'd mind."

[Pygysys]

Finishing what's left in her own glass, Kat chooses not to refill it. "My day has been a long one, so it best I not overindulge this evening." For now she seems happy with chilled water with a twist of lemon. "If your father is still absent on business with my Lord, then I don't think he'll notice a missing bottle or two."

Smiling, she looks down at the fare provided, "I'd best concentrate on this for a little while otherwise I'll be in danger of letting it grow cold. Our other dinner companions might also be waiting for a moment to get a word in edgewise." Her gaze flits about the table to those nearest her and Roland, murmuring yet another question to the charming man on her left, "Do you know our companions?"

[Wired*Nun]

[Unfortunately I flubbed the listing of the order - wrote it down in a diagram, then mistyped it. Kat is on Roland's left, she is next to Flora. Feel free to go on while all this is happening.]

After soup comes salad, a sorbet, then roast birds in a delicate marinade, vegetables.

A couple of times, Lunotor looks angry, perturbed. Given that tribal cultures are generally not given to hiding their emotions, he seems quite upset. Cirrodon appears older and more mature, and calms him in both instances. Each time he was angry, he was looking at Roland...or at least in Roland's direction. He doesn't seem to be trying to make aggressive eye contact, as much as just looking, the way a child might not be able to stop looking at another child's toy. Martin has also made some effort to distract him, and it seems to have worked, for now.

Flora and Rein have been gossiping about some palace happenings - assignations and rendez-vous, errors at work, hirings and firings. Nothing of interest, until Rein brings up that someone might have visited the basement today. He starts, and look of pain crosses his face for a moment. Flora is wearing a bland look and remarks, "Oh, I doubt that," and moves on to less interesting things.

Another sorbet, and a lovely duck in peppercorn sauce, brussels sprouts with bernaise, served with an astringently dry rose`. Patrisia eats rather sparingly of the first poultry, and when the duck is brought out, she gets a special plate. Some kind of seafood bouillabase, it looks like. Martin finishes off anything she doesn't eat. That seals it, they must be a couple.

Finally comes dessert, coffee, tea, dessert wines, digestives; a relief for some, the ending of an opportunity for others. The Baron looks vaguely pleased, but seems unsure why. Probably all it takes is a few words and a few bats of Llewella's eyelashes to make him happy. Likely didn't get whatever he came here for, though.

[Shutter]

Looking around the table Roland realizes that the only person he knows here is the fairly creepy pale-skinned man with a penchant for violence. Not the kind of friend you really want to introduce to the lady you're just getting to know. Ah well, facts are facts.

"That gentleman I met a few days ago, by chance. His name is Siodmak, but I don't know much else about him. Before dinner I met Prince Martin and the Lady Patrisia, right over there, but we barely exchanged a few words. Our other companions are unknown to me, leading me to wonder how much they know about me." That man seems to be looking at me again...did I spill some food on myself? Roland surreptitiously checks his chest for stray bits of food, or spilled soup perhaps.

"This duck is wonderful." Between mouthfuls. Focus on the food or focus on the pretty woman? Life is full of such delightful choices.


"I'd wager that you know more of the family than I do at this point. Did I see you come in with my aunt Fiona?" Basement?...The pattern is down there...why doesn't Flora want us to hear about that?...Gods, it's starting, just like dad said. I'm reading murder and innuendo into every comment and look. Very well, let's mark it for the records. Six hours is too long at Court for me.

[Wolkhaffen]

All the mindless chatter from his dinner companion is spoiling Siodmak's digestion. Seeking a bit of a pause or entertainment later: "Look," he interupts, "you're pretty enough - want to get squelchy after the festivities?"

[Wired*Nun]

Without missing a beat Elress smiles. "If that means, would I like to spend time with you, sure. If that means, do I want to sleep with you, I'm not sure yet, but maybe. Take a chance, white boy? When dinner's over, let's blow this popsicle stand and hit the bars, I know them all. And, I can drink you under the table, I'll bet you."

[Pygysys]

"That gentleman I met a few days ago, by chance. His name is Siodmak, but I don't know much else about him. Before dinner I met Prince Martin and the Lady Patrisia, right over there, but we barely exchanged a few words. Our other companions are unknown to me, leading me to wonder how much they know about me."
Kat glances at the various individuals that Roland indicates by name and smiles their way if they happen to look back. "That would make you and Martin cousins. It must be strange meeting your extended family in this manner, at dinner with visiting dignitaries and the like?"

"I'd wager that you know more of the family than I do at this point. Did I see you come in with my aunt Fiona?"
"I do?" Kat chuckles, "Let's see, does that include yourself as well? If so, then I would say I know four, possibly five in total or thereabouts. Numbers, sometimes I wonder if they're worth keeping track of." Kat doesn't have much duck left on her plate, she might be eating with as much decorum as she can muster, but she's also eating as quickly as she can without bringing on indigestion. The girl is hungry.

"Your aunt Fiona? Yes, but also with your Uncle the King and his wife, the Queen." Name dropping already? Kat gets a curious expression on her face at the mention of basement visiting and leans over to Roland so as to murmur, "It must be some peculiar custom here in Amber, visiting the King's basement. A strange people these Amberites." It does seem very much tongue in cheek, especially when she flashes him a quick grin before returning to her meal and almost choking when she overhears someone suggest squelchy activities after the festivities.

[Shutter]

Roland nods to the whispered comment.

"So I am beginning to suspect." She's fishing boy, you're not even looking out for hooks. And she's better at this than you are. The duck, finished, is removed and replaced with the next dish, which, like its predecessors is devoured in short order. He switches to coffee to accompany it.

"So, Lady Katarzyna, where do you come from? How do you know my uncle? I've heard about him, the man is legend in his own family I suppose, but I haven't met him yet." Not the subtlest creature in the world are we?

[Wolkhaffen]

His interest piqued, “Why my dear Lady Elress! I have sent word to Princess Llewella that I seek an audience after the festivities. There are matters concerning King Rinaldo’s upcoming visit I need to discuss with her.” The ghoulish man turns to face her more directly for the first time during dinner. “Would you be willing to liaison following?”

[Pygysys]

"Me? And please, call me Kat, I hold no title here." Katarzyna smiles at Roland over her cup of hot chocolate. "My home was past Avalon a ways and it was there I was inducted into his forces. I figured I could do worse as I just don't think I have it in me to farm the land. Do you?" She shrugs and continues, glancing away, "Home will be wherever I am until I move on again, most likely chased away by Kings and Queens if I abuse their hospitality no doubt, or until your Uncle sends for me I suppose." Her gaze does drift towards Random as she says this. How long will this stay be?

Looking back she seems thoughtful, "As for the General, I would rather not prejudice your opinion of him any more than it has been. You should be free to judge him on your own dealings with him and not the myths, true or false, that surround him and his deeds. Besides, I think there are many here in Amber who you are likely to meet before he especially once you have been announced."

[Shutter]

"Kat then. Good to meet you...You are probably right about not getting any more preconcieved notions than need be."

"I have sent word to Princess Llewella that I seek an audience after the festivities. There are matters concerning King Rinaldo’s upcoming visit I need to discuss with her.”
Ah, so he is still on the trail.

"Pardon me for a moment Kat." Waiting until she nods, or in some way recognizes his request, he leans over to Siodmak (whom I think is sitting next to Roland) and speaks quietly.

"Siodmak, never got a chance to tell you earlier. Dunstan, annoying little thing that he is, doesn't seem intent on hunting us down. Maybe not by-gones-be-by-gones, but close. Did I hear that Rinaldo is coming soon?" And now I find out how he feels about grudges...

[Pygysys]

"And you Roland, it has been nice making your acquaintance." When Roland excuses himself from the conversation for a moment, she smiles. "Of course, I have my cocoa to comfort me."

Whilst Roland converses with Siodmak, Katarzyna lets her attention drift to those opposite her and Princess Florimel to her left. "This has been a wonderful meal," she says to nobody in particular, almost as if by making conversation she won't deliberately eavesdrop on Roland and the gentleman stranger on his right.

[Wired*Nun]

"Quite so, Katarzyna, I do so love these affairs. As a noted figure back on Earth once said, 'you can see a lot by observing.' All the innuendo, secrets being flashed like a bedouin woman's veiled face, small talk and large. You'll have to get used to it when you're around here...and even when you're not, I imagine. You are rubbing elbows with a different world than your usual martial haunts. If you think of words as troops, marshal and employ them well, and you will remain secure. Rein here, now, is a man of words, more in the way of lyrics, though."

Rein smiles, nods. "I suppose if I have any skill it is as a lyricist. A minor poet. Do you have any such inclinations...Katarzyna is it?"

[Wired*Nun]

His interest piqued, “Why my dear Lady Elress! I have sent word to Princess Llewella that I seek an audience after the festivities. There are matters concerning King Rinaldo’s upcoming visit I need to discuss with her.” The ghoulish man turns to face her more directly for the first time during dinner. “Would you be willing to liaison following?”
"You certainly have a funny manner. First it's 'squelchy,' then 'liaison'...why don't we just go party, and see what comes up? In fact, I think I can get us out of here right now." She excuses herself for a moment, and comes back looking pale and sweaty. Talking to Flora, she says, "Auntie, I'm not feeling well, I think I ate a bad oyster. Make my apologies to the King and Queen, would you? Siodmak, would you walk me to my room, I think I need a steadying hand."

Flora raises her eyebrow at this transparent ploy, but as dessert has already been served, she lets it go. "Sure, kiddo, try not to have too much fun." She dismisses Elress with an airy wave.

[Pygysys]

"Quite so, Katarzyna, I do so love these affairs. As a noted figure back on Earth once said, 'you can see a lot by observing.' All the innuendo, secrets being flashed like a bedouin woman's veiled face, small talk and large. You'll have to get used to it when you're around here...and even when you're not, I imagine. You are rubbing elbows with a different world than your usual martial haunts. If you think of words as troops, marshal and employ them well, and you will remain secure. Rein here, now, is a man of words, more in the way of lyrics, though."

Rein smiles, nods. "I suppose if I have any skill it is as a lyricist. A minor poet. Do you have any such inclinations...Katarzyna is it?"
"Earth? Can't say I've ever heard of the place. Is it worth visiting?" Kat smiles, "As for conversation, I've never been opposed to such. It's a healthy thing at times to exercise the mind with spoken thoughts, your own and another's." Glancing across at Rein, Kat nods, "Katarzyna, yes. I have never dabbled with poetry or song unfortunately. I think at some age I must have made the decision that it wasn't to be my forte so was best left to those with a talent for it."

[Wolkhaffen]

Siodmak provides support, escorting Elress from the dining hall.

[Shutter]

Auntie? Hunting, Falconing...Is Siodmak hitting on my sister?

"Lady Flora, I don't believe we have met yet. I am Roland. Could you tell me who that lady was who just left? I noticed she called you auntie?" Should have stayed talking to Kat, was more pleasant and more simple.

[Wired*Nun]

"Lady Flora, I don't believe we have met yet. I am Roland. Could you tell me who that lady was who just left? I noticed she called you auntie?" "All you youngers around here calls me Auntie, if you are on my good side. Her name is Elress, and she's Bleys' get, though she has settled in Arden and fancies herself aristocracy. Takes more than blood to make a noble, but she's another that doesn't listen to me much. That's all right, she'll get hers in the end, I am sure. Both ends, perhaps, unless I miss my guess."

At this point, Random rises, as does everyone else after. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, it has been a day." He leaves, with Vialle.

[Wired*Nun]

Siodmak provides support, escorting Elress from the dining hall.
As soon as they are out the door, Elress straightens up, shakes off Siodmak's hand. "I don't care if they bought it, they expect it of me. I'm the wild child, didn't you know? Tell you what, walk me to my room so you can find it later, go have your little discussion with Aunt Llewella, and come get me when you are ready. I'll get my spurs on in the mean time."

Soon they are at the door. Elress grabs Siodmak by the hair and pulls him in to a full-tongue embrace, then pushes him away with a grin. "Get on with it, Si-man, I'll wait." She turns and goes into her room.

[Pygysys]

Kat pays no mind to Siodmak and Elress' departure but when the King and Queen leave, she seems ready to follow suit. Bidding Rein a good night, she then turns to Roland and when a gap in his conversation with Flora opens, "Again Roland, it was wonderful to meet you. Unfortunately it has been an extremely long day, so I think I shall retire now before I fall asleep in a corner of the room somewhere." She smiles, "Don't be too nervous about whatever transpires with your introduction tomorrow, I'm sure you'll be fine and there's a picnic afterwards to calm your nerves if need be. Good night."

From Roland she looks to Florimel, "Your Highness would it be possible to get someone to direct me to my guest quarters. I should have paid more attention to the route I took to get here."

[Wired*Nun]

Flora looks amused, says, "You're going to have to learn to do things on your own, Captain. I'm sure one of the servants can direct you. They know you're a guest here."

Sure enough, a page leads Kat right back to her rooms. The four Amberite armsmen waiting outside her door salute her and depart when she gets there. The two inside look ready for mayhem, then relax when they see her enter.

[Pygysys]

Flora looks amused, says, "You're going to have to learn to do things on your own, Captain. I'm sure one of the servants can direct you. They know you're a guest here."
Kat nods, "You're quite right of course. Thank you, good night."

Sure enough, a page leads Kat right back to her rooms. The four Amberite armsmen waiting outside her door salute her and depart when she gets there. The two inside look ready for mayhem, then relax when they see her enter.
Kat follows the page without question, nods to the guards and is inwardly pleased when they depart. Once inside her room, she relaxes and advises those already there that she will fill them in come the morning. Without another word she heads to bed for a well earned night's sleep. Well earned in her opinion. Unless anything disturbs her during the night, she'll sleep it through.

[Wired*Nun]

Fitful dreams disturb Katarzyna's sleep, dreams of loss and anger, confusion, nakedness and solitude. Twice she wakes up, heart pounding, only to fall back into troubled sleep. She awakes late in the morning, feeling unrested.

[Shutter]

"Sleep well Kat. I hope to see you again tommorow." Captain? Curious...

Once people begin walking off Roland takes a few moments to get another cup of coffee. Coffee in hand, he begins to wander aimlessly through the castle, getting lost, finding his way, for at least an hour or so. Time to think, time to plan, time to drink coffee.

So damn much to do...

[Pygysys]

Fitful dreams disturb Katarzyna's sleep, dreams of loss and anger, confusion, nakedness and solitude. Twice she wakes up, heart pounding, only to fall back into troubled sleep. She awakes late in the morning, feeling unrested.
Kat's thoughts on waking up the next morning feeling unrested and annoyed: Damn! So much for trying to forget yesterday and those letters. I wonder what today holds and if the King has made any decision yet? Am I to stay or not?

Having no window with which to guess at the hour of the day, she has no choice but to ready herself for it regardless. At least now I might be able to seek out a dictionary for translation. I wonder how long the festivities of Roland's announcement will take and if we'll be able to have that picnic before or after them? There's still so much I don't know about this place.

Once dressed, though not feeling particularly sociable, she goes to inspect her companions and find out if there is any news about breakfast. If she's missed breakfast, howabout brunch? No brunch, perhaps lunch?