Roland and Raevyn (ex Landon) oh my

[Wired*Nun]

Down the main hall, Roland notices Raevyn storming out of the main dining hall and heading toward him. He realizes there were some raised voices beforehand, though he couldn't make out anything being said.

[Shutter]

Roland shuffles away Heldrik's Trump, shoving it deep in the deck. Right, so he's serious about not taking calls, not even when his call to me was cut short just a few minutes earlier? Duly noted.

Down the main hall, Roland notices Raevyn storming out of the main dining hall and heading toward him. He realizes there were some raised voices beforehand, though he couldn't make out anything being said.
Roland ventures a smile, open to talk, but not about to press the matter. Dining hall...is it meal time? He glances out a nearby window trying to figure out what time of day it might be.

[Wired*Nun]

It's darkening, mid-evening, eightish or nineish, probably.

[LynMars]

Raevyn pauses in her flight from the dining hall and looks up at Roland, letting out a deep breath and forcing a tight smile. "Evening," she manages, gesturing back to the dining hall. "Not much there to worry about right now, unless you're hungry. Or willing to hand-hold someone who thinks he's so much older and wiser, but still can't handle the simplest tasks on his own."

She sighs heavily. "I'm sorry. It really shouldn't have annoyed me as much as it did, and I shouldn't snap at you for it..."

[Wired*Nun]

Flora replies, "Ahhh, let's head for the dining room. You never know what you might pick up or who you might meet."

Arm in arm they proceed across the great hall and down the corridor toward the family dining room. In the corridor they see Roland, putting away his Trumps, and Raevyn, looking a bit uncomfortable, having some kind of conversation.

Approaching them, Flora says brightly, "Anyone headed for dinner - would you like to join us?"

[TreyKincaide]

Landon stands quietly at Flora's side looking more than a tad uncomfortable. He wears a thoughtful look as he chews upon some matter that refuses to touch his lips. He manages to flash a polite smile to Roland and Raevyn on approach.

Flora, you know exactly who we're going to meet in the dining room, and I can't say if that's a good or a bad thing. What's going to happen that you want everyone to see? How are you going to rock the boat, or how am I?

[LynMars]

Raevyn looks over at Flora and her companion, definately trying to relax now in the presence of their composed aunt. "No, thank you, I just came from there, and would rather not go back. I..." She peers a bit more at the man next to Flora, finally realizing that she does in fact know him.

"Landon? Last I'd heard, you were still MIA and...Well, you look...Different. It's a good change. I hope you're having a better time recently than I am."

[TreyKincaide]

"Thanks Raevyn. I've had a few ups and downs of my own. I've heard things haven't gone well in your investigation, and I'm sorry." Landon's words flow unrehearsed, confident, and sincere.

She seems troubled. Pushing her unduly would be unproductive. A hollow statement would be just that. Hollow. Besides, I can't tell her I suspect her father of foul play.

"Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can provide assistance. I've garnered several insights in my sordid travels that may be of use, but I certainly understand should you prefer the aid of more intimate acquaintances."

[Shutter]

Raevyn pauses in her flight from the dining hall and looks up at Roland, letting out a deep breath and forcing a tight smile. "Evening," she manages, gesturing back to the dining hall. "Not much there to worry about right now, unless you're hungry. Or willing to hand-hold someone who thinks he's so much older and wiser, but still can't handle the simplest tasks on his own."

She sighs heavily. "I'm sorry. It really shouldn't have annoyed me as much as it did, and I shouldn't snap at you for it..."

"No apologies needed Rae, I don't see you snapping at folks without cause much. I don't....Ah, hello again."

Enter Landon & Flora...

"Thank you for the invitation Flora, but I had a late breakfast not long ago. I think I'll wander the grounds for a while. Perhaps pay a few visits after dinner."

[LynMars]

"The only ones present there currently are Julian, Fiona, Martin, Arrotel, and--" Her nose wrinkles slightly; she's still a little miffed, though keeping it much more under control now. "--Heldrik. Rein was there, but left."

She smiles, a bit more like usual, though there's still a hint of the strain. "So if you need any of those folks, that's where you'll find them. I really can't be much more help on anyone else's locations currently, sad to say."

'Roland can decide as he likes, though if he goes walking, I may see about going along and chatting; seems like it's been awhile since we've talked. As for those two...Whatever Flora's up to now, Landon at least deserves a little forewarning about what he may get drug into after being out of the loop so long. I wonder what happened there, and why he looks...Hrm. Perhaps I'll have to ask later. I doubt he'll be too forthcoming, but never know.'

[Shutter]

"Heldrik is here?" He opens his mouth to say something more, looks puzzled and closes it back up. "Ah well. Would either of you mind telling my father I'll be giving him a call later on this evening?" If they agree.."Thank you. Have a good dinner." With a polite nod he is off down the hallway, walking slowly.

[LynMars]

Rae smiles at Flora and Landon. "Have a nice time at dinner."

She follows after Roland, looking up at her cousin. "Mind if I walk with you, Roland? We haven't had the chance to talk since...Well, I think since the Keep, wasn't it?"

[TreyKincaide]

Landon watches his cousins breeze by offering only a token nod acknowledging Roland's request.

Intimate indeed. Probably better she learn from Roland. Hell, that's why you confided in him isn't it?

In low tones so that Flora can hear, "Well that was remarkably brief. Shall we?"

By all means, lets speed on to whatever mischief you have planned. Which of the party guests do you mean to show up? Julian or Fiona perhaps? Maybe Martin.

I wonder what Heldrik did to tie Raevyn's panties in a bunch. That's the closest I believe I've seen her coming to speaking ill of another save Siodmak. Roland certainly seemed speechless.

[Shutter]

"Certainly, it's been a while Raevyn. I needed some time after the Keep and slipped back home for a while. Now that I think about it perhaps it was too indulgent of a span, but there you have it I suppose." He smiles and shrugs, but still seems a bit...distant. Enslaved demons and chaos lords in one breath, polite conversation with your cousin the next...it's an odd life you're back in Roland. "How have you been? It has been...a few days? A week?" Did I get the time flow right?

[LynMars]

"I think so. Kat and I were brought back to Amber, I rested briefly, then spent some time in Jordan resting and painting. Josh is a gracious host when he wants to be." She smiles, then her voice drops a little. "Since then...My father wants to resume the search for answers about Joss' death, but I'm afraid I'm a terrible investigator. Elress is...sulking, I suppose, in her home in Rebma. Can't blame her really, and I bet she doesn't want to talk to me, anyway. Only other thing I can think of is to go see Dunstan and his family again, see how they're faring, and see if they have anymore answers they're willing to impart.

"You seemed to have spoken to Landon earlier; know what happened to cause that change in him? His whole demeanor seems rather different than before, not to mention his appearance."

[Shutter]

"Well the details are probably his to give, but I gather the man has been to hell and back. Years, perhaps, I think it's been for him. You could say he's a new man, and I find that I rather like him."

"So Elress has been found? Siodmak is...did anyone give you the rundown on how things ended at the Keep?"

[LynMars]

"Benedict gave us a very brief rundown, yes. I...hit Elress with an arrow in the Maze Chamber, where she was with Siodmak and...another." She frowns a little again, then continues. "I didn't kill her though, and she was brought back here. Siodmak is dead. Luke, I believe, brought his mother and brother here, and then probably to Kashfa. Heldrik lost his sword and got it back, and I think Kat went to look for the men she lost. Josh recovered at his home. Arrotel has some concern for the friend who joined him there, and was likely captured, though he's apparantly yet to make an active rescue attempt. And I think that about covers what I know of the aftermath of that little disaster."

[Shutter]

"Ah...That would explain why you don't think she'd want to talk to you right now I suppose? Any word from her to anyone on what she and Siodmak were up to? Where they'd been, that sort of thing?" As though it's ever that easy... I'd fill you in on the rest of what happened at the Keep but you seem to know already. Hendrake has taken it as their new home it would seem."

"I'm glad you met up again with Josh, he was quite worried about you. Kind of adorable really. I had to promise him that we'd ride off directly to vengeance and destruction if you didn't show up healthy and well very soon." He cocks his head and smiles. "Glad that that wasn't called for."

[LynMars]

Raevyn blushes and looks away from Roland. "Um, yes, uh...Me too...Ahem..."

Her train of thought seems derailed now.

[Shutter]

Oops...I forgot how easily she blushes...

"So, no word from Elress on what she and Siodmak had been up to?" He prompts. Facts are always a good way to regain one's composure...Oh...but maybe not facts about someone that you shot recently...nice job Roland...

[Wired*Nun]

Watching under heavy-lidded eyes as Roland and Raevyn walk away, eavesdropping, that is, Flora eventually turns back to the man on her arm and says, "Of course, Landon, let's get some dinner." The wheels are turning visibly behind her corneas and her eyes are bright with the energy of filing and fitting new information into her mental drawers.

Entering the dining room, they see Arrotel and Martin conversing, Fiona and Julian as well, and Heldrik sitting alone, apparently engrossed in his meal. Martin waves at Landon, winks at Flora. Julian gives them a general nod, and Fiona, her back more or less toward the entrance, doesn't seem to notice.

((Move to the dining room))

[LynMars]

"We went to see her, but she's very...delicate right now, I guess you could say. Arrotel isn't exactly the most well-spoken of us, and he means well, but...She's got a lot more than just this, I think, on her mind. I think I'll still try to see her again. But maybe alone would be better. Maybe give her a little more time, too. I don't know."

[Shutter]

"I'm somewhat surprised that none of the elders got anything from her." He pauses a breath. "But then, who's to say they didn't right? I don't imagine I'm among the first to be informed of anything remotely secret...Probably very close to last in fact...." He trails off. Being family might keep her safe from having her mind pried open, if only for politics...

[LynMars]

"I know the feeling, believe me. I feel like I must be walking ground someone else has surely tread upon before, but they need something to keep me busy."

She follows along, letting him pretty much lead the meandering, though she takes note of where they end up walking and the surroundings. Including who may be visibly nearby.

"So then, has resting up in old haunts the only thing you've been doing since the Keep?"

[Wired*Nun]

It occurs to Roland that the elders can't be everywhere at once, nor should they be overestimated. With great power often comes a great many things to exercise it on...and they aren't infallible.

[Shutter]

Roland nods. "Aye, until this morning that was about it. I practiced a bit, a few tricks from Corwin's book, I trained with the blade, and the fist. Let my nose heal up. I guess you weren't in the room at the time, I rather got my ass kicked back at the Keep." He shrugs. "Bound to happen I suppose, bu I guess I wanted some time to lick my wounds."

"This may sound odd....Are Chaos-folk less likely to hold a grudge about losing a limb for a bit, than say, our family would be?"

[LynMars]

"I really wouldn't know; with the ability to shape-shift, I almost wouldn't think so, but...I honestly don't know. I guess there's only so much mass to go around.

"So then, if I may, what do you plan to do next, now that you've recovered from your injuries?"

[Shutter]

Roland's brings his thoughts back to the present, away from hypothetical vendettas from halfmad chaosites. "I'm not sure yet...Landon and I were just approached with a very odd proposal, in a very odd place, and I'm still mulling over what to do about it. The extremely short version of the story is that the slave demons of Chaos are undergoing some sort of revolt, and they're looking to us for help...Sounds rather insane when I put it that way doesn't it? But there it is, sane or otherwise."

Their steps, Raevynn may notice, are leading them gradualy toward the staircase leading to the dungeons, to the Pattern.

[LynMars]

"That sounds a bit heavy-handed and political for my tastes, personally. If you decide to get involved in such matters, Roland, be very careful. And mind the reaction here; I'm guessing you'll have to present it to someone, or going to let Landon handle that? Because, well no offense, but you aren't the most diplomatic always." She grins up at him, then notes their course.

'I wonder what the plan is here? Does he want to walk it again for some reason?'

[Shutter]

"I can be diplomatic...No, it's true! I just...oh, I don't know, I don't mesh well with crazy people or fanatics...Ok, so perhaps I'm not the right person to be bringing this to the Court. You can see why I'm adrift then? Most of the...obligation as it were, lies with Landon I think, but still. I saw their plight, or a presentation of it, and I was compelled. I'lll say something....to someone...Oh..." Roland slows his pace a bit, suddenly noticing where his feet had been taking him. A glance at Raevyn shows that she figured it out first. Makes sense...she's been here more than once I reckon.

"Up for a long staircase?"

[LynMars]

"Um, sure. But why exactly are you going down there?" She continues to follow along.

[Shutter]

"I'm not sure. Maybe nothing. I saw the Maze back at the Keep I'd kind of like to refresh my view of the Pattern. I've only seen it the one time, five maybe six years ago. Perhaps it will inspire me, hell, perhaps it will direct me. You certainly don't have to come with me. We can go elsewhere, talk there perhaps? The Pattern isn't going anywhere..."

[LynMars]

"Uh, sure, I suppose. Any insight is better than none. Although, you may be right; it may be good to compare what we each saw in the chamber in the Keep with the Pattern. Do you intend to walk it, though?"

[Shutter]

"No, I don't think so. No memory gaps need restoring, no teleportation called for, no jewel of judgement to worry about. No I'm just taking another look, hoping the oddity of the sight will jog loose a useful notion."

[LynMars]

Raevyn simply nods and follows Roland then. "I don't think I've been down here since my own Pattern Walk, actually..."

[Wired*Nun]

It is a long time, and not too long before they stand before the door to the Pattern. The door is locked, and there is no key.

Something Flora - or was it Fiona - mentioned in Raevyn's presence reminds her, that the Pattern chamber was kept locked and warded now, with recent misuses of its powers.

[LynMars]

"Guess they're getting a bit more serious on security. I think it was mentioned once awhile ago, now that I think about it...Too much time in other places, I guess, making it seem longer ago than it may have actually been. Sorry I didn't think of it sooner. If you still want to look at the pattern, you'll have to find another way."

She looks back toward the stairs with some trepidation. "I normally don't advocate frivolous use of Trump, but I don't think this case counts.
Unless you really want to go back up all those stairs?"

[Shutter]

Roland reaches up and gives the door a polite knock. "Well, that's a bit of a letdown...Sorry to drag you down here for no reason Rae." He sighs and toys with his Trump case. Could call someone to see about getting the door opened...but that's a lot of pestering people for no particular reason. Damn. Ah well.

"Yeah, the stairs don't look too fun to me, Trump sounds smarter. Hrmmm....I have a Sketch of my room around here somewhere..." He starts fishing out his sketchbook unless Raevyn produces a more useful Trump.

[Wired*Nun]

The lock turns and the door swings open.

There is no one in sight on either side...except the Pattern.

[Shutter]

At the sound of a lock Roland turns to watch the door open. With a smile he reshoulders his bag and stands. Well now...

"Perhaps we are welcome after all." He says to Raevyn with a broad smile. Did the Pattern do that or are we under surveilance? Wouldn't be hard to have Trumps set up to observe this place...And I bet magic could move the door.

With a couple of long strides Roland enters the room and lets his gaze wander over the Pattern for only the second time in his life. "Beautiful," he murmurs.

[LynMars]

Rae starts pulling out her own deck--then blinks in surprise when it seems Roland's knock has an effect. "Well, I wasn't expecting that. I wonder who did that exactly...I always have found it somewhat odd that the room's locked from the outside anyway..."

She follows her cousin inside, silently agreeing with his utterance. In her mind, she starts comparing it to the Maze she saw at the Keep.

[Wired*Nun]

The cold blue fire of the Pattern washes like cool sea-spray over the two, and they are reminded again that the entire universe, or at least the configuration of it at present, consists by this thing's will. It's the closest thing to a god that we have, we who don't believe in deity.

There is no comparison to the Maze - or at least, no correlation. Where the Maze was pulsing, warm and alive, the Pattern is cold and hot, machinelike. Where the Maze exuded a kind of controlled Chaos, the Pattern radiates order, stability, stasis.

Of course, all things change...and all things contain order. Ultimate Chaos would be random. Ultimate Order would be frozen.

Still, the one congruency she notices is the apparent intent of the Maze and the Pattern both to be traversed from outside to spiral inward. Derivation, perhaps? It contains a certain amount of originality, but not that much...a construct or artifact that bestows an initiation, needing an ordeal, exerting influence.

[LynMars]

Rae considers the differences, walking around the outer edge as much as is possible. She wonders idly what Roland hopes to gain being here and seeing it.

"It's really not the same at all, other than they both focus on the center..."

She stops, near the starting point, eyeing that line, recalling her first terrifying and exhilarating Walk. Rae closes her eyes and tries to recall that fight in the Maze's chamber, attempting again to recapture what it is that's been niggling at her mind all day.

[Shutter]

Roland also walks the circumference of the Pattern, but in the opposite direction from Raevyn. Such immensity. What's your role in all this, you force of existence? He tries to remember the Maze as clearly as possible. Was that walked clockwise or counterclockwise? Does it mean anything...

"I know what you mean Rae. Impressive how different two grand spiral designs of power can be...Makes sense though, Jasra made the Maze, and she's walked at least a broken Pattern." He calls out before they get all that far apart. Roland pulls up a Pattern lens to look through, still very curious about how such a thing works. Wish I could have done this with the Maze...

[Wired*Nun]

The Lens comes to Roland instantaneously - perhaps a proximity effect? Or is the Pattern actively helping me? Looking around with it, though, he sees nothing unexpected - the near-blinding radiation of power from the icon of order itself, the echoes from Raevyn's Trump, Smoke's muted glow.

He remembers that the Maze was a clockwise spiral.

[LynMars]

Raevyn opens her eyes, frowning, arms wrapped around herself as she eyes the Pattern, before making her way back to Roland.

"Are we about done here, then? I have some things I'd like to do, I think."

[Shutter]

"Hmm? Yeah...Yeah, I guess I'm done. Don't know why I wanted to come down here really. Thanks for the company though Raevyn." He runs his gaze over the Pattern one more time. "Trump back up shall we?" Why did I feel like coming down here?

[LynMars]

Ravyn nods, still distracted it seems. She pulls out her Trumps, shuffles until she finds her Trump of the Main Hall--she's obviously been adding to the deck recently.

Rae pushes aside other thoughts for the moment and concentrates on the cool card in her hands until the image starts to become three dimensional. "Ready?" She asks Roland

[Shutter]

Roland begins to reach out to Raevyn to join the contact, but then draws his hand back.

"On second thought, I think I'll stay for a bit. Hard to explain, but there's this little tickle in the back of my mind that tells me I need more time here. I hope you'll forgive my rudeness." He says with a slight bow and an apologetic smile. "I'm sure I'll see you again soon yes?"

[LynMars]

Raevyn blinks, almost losing her concentration. "Oh...No, that's quite all right. I'll see you later then, Roland." She smiles to him before stepping through the rainbow-swirled air herself to the castle proper.

[Wired*Nun]

The cavern and the castle are still there when the contact is broken, and Roland and Raevyn contemplate their next moves.

[Wired*Nun]

Raevyn blinks, almost losing her concentration. "Oh...No, that's quite all right. I'll see you later then, Roland." She smiles to him before stepping through the rainbow-swirled air herself to the castle proper.

Raevyn still stands, in the main hall, contemplating her next actions.