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Post by Admin on Aug 8, 2023 20:48:10 GMT
"That you spent so long there, so far from your natural home and kin, we all suspected you had trapped yourself in something or someone.
"I don't think I will be able to fill in any voids as I know little of the places you've dwelled and the people you have consorted with. But come, your tale may teach me something. However, I have little time to hear it. You and Brian have stirred up a piranha's nest of troubles, and the Queen will require my council."
She leads them down passageways, upstairs to a drawing room, speaking little as she walks. Except: "Lorelei, I don't believe your presence at the 'Terror would be welcome. To have royal guests in the place will ruin its cachet."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Aug 9, 2023 6:06:37 GMT
Cody follows Princess Llewella to the drawing room along with Princess Lorelei. It has been a while since he first met his cousin in the undersea grotto of the Kraken. The sting of losing his M-unit wasn't as sharp as it once was but now there is a fresh wound inflicted this day: To discover that she isn't well loved in this place.
Getting directly to the meat of his story Cody begins, "To be pithy, I am born and raised quite happily in Shadow where I was blissfully unaware of my Amber heritage."
"M-unit had conceived me and didn't know or want to reveal my sire. As I was raised in a creche with multiple parental figures and plenty of creche-mates, I never felt a desire to press for an answer. Although, just recently Princess Fiona may have insinuated that my sire may have been Chaosite."
Cody pauses a moment before continuing, "It was brought to my attention this evening that you and M- had been close at one time. So maybe you or Fiona know?"
"But, I digress."
"With the Black Road pressing into Amber and the Pattern defiled M-unit whisked me through Shadow to Amber and gave me a crash course in genealogy. Explaining her father's penchant for instigating rivalries between his heirs and her desire to keep me out of family politics for as long as possible."
"I was only teen-aged at the time. Cloistered in her chambers in the guise of a paige."
"I was suddenly pulled into Oberon's Funeral Procession and we marched the length of the Black Road into the Courts of Chaos."
"Along the way I listened and heard the histories of Oberon being told. As well as the news being relayed up the line from the battles raging ahead of us to the edge of the Abyss."
"At the edge of the Abyss..."
Cody stops as his throat tightens. Catching his breath he continues, "Where the power-mad prince dragged M- over the brink and the damnedable Unicorn only saw fit to rescue a bauble..."
Cody blinks away a tear, "So, anyway, when I heard this I dove into the Abyss myself to try and rescue her."
"And that's where I have been all this time. Living at the edge of the Abyss and delving in to search for her."
"Until these Shadow Storms made searching more difficult. They also brought Princess Fiona who pressed me to go to Amber where I might find a way to stop the Shadow Storms."
Cody takes a couple of deep breaths, "So recent revelations are that my existence wasn't a secret, so I'd like to know what was known by who. As well as why no one saw fit to come to the Courts and pay me a visit and consol a grieving child."
"Then, while I am here in your presence, I'd also like to understand what transpired here in Rebma that caused such animosity. Especially because M- had only ever spoken, however briefly, of this place as being a haven."
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Post by Lorelei on Aug 10, 2023 19:46:13 GMT
Lorelei steps over and in Rebman fashion gives Cody a full-body (AKA Pyche-based) hug, allowing it to linger for as long as he needs it. She says, "Even where there is an overlap the Rebman family and Amber family don't mingle often. I, too, was young, and perhaps a bit over-sheltered, when those events took place. As much as I want to ease your mind, I don't have any answers for you. I do hope that you get at least some answers that hopefully make sense..." Stepping back and to the side, so they are all facing each other, she leaves a reassuring hand on his shoulder. This first flesh-to-flesh touch has been electric, a thing of power all of its own...
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Post by Admin on Aug 13, 2023 2:54:44 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/bgtgXcd/trumps-of-amber-llewella-by-pulpaction-gal-d7ycufz-pre-jpg-token-ey-J0e-XAi-Oi-JKV1-Qi-LCJhb-Gci-Oi~jpg "While I am no expert, it is said that falling into the Abyss is certain death. That you somehow survived and pulled yourself out is a testament to your strength and does lend credence to the hypothesis that your father is from the Courts of Chaos.
"I suppose your mother and I were as close as any two daughters of Oberon could be - strained at the best of times, made worse when she resided here. Many of us talked during the war of our children. Not unusual when it was doubtful that we all would survive. Deirdre did tell me of you and where you were, but after we all saw you jump..." Llewella gives a small shrug of her shoulders. "It was assumed that you were another casualty. Fiona, of course, had an inkling of the truth and didn't tell the rest of us, as is her way."She takes a dainty sip of her drink. "A more immediate topic of interest is your saying Amber and Rebma are conjoined twins. Equals, one might claim. One and the same. As a Lord of Amber and a member of the royal family, speaking at a diplomatic function in such a way will not make Flora happy. Or, if you were to be considered an emissary from the Courts of Chaos, then you would be interfering in Amber and Rebma's affairs would also be considered poor form. You may wish to delay your return to Amber for a decade or two.
So, Lorelei, you have returned home. Will you be staying for long or is this a brief rest before your next adventure?" |
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Aug 13, 2023 4:04:16 GMT
Cody absorbs the comfort Lorelei gives gratefully and gives her a smile.
"Sometimes you can accomplish something because you don't know that you can't." Cody jokes. "Like the cat that walks through walls."
"The Unicorn climbed out of the Pit, so..."
"Anyway, when I went in I discovered that the environment is very much like the Flux. The plane of existence connecting Interstellar Space in my home Shadow."
"My first time in was extremely rough and after the initial impressions of the place I don't remember what all happened. I woke up very battered and bruised on the doorstep of the Sheltering Coils Temple and Mission House where they took me in and cared for me."
"When I was revived enough, I went back into the Abyss. Each time hardened me for the next."
"I didn't actually pull myself out, though. The first couple of times, the local Pit-Divers of DaggerWays did."
"M- is a trained and experienced Flux Pilot used to traversing that type of chaotic environment. I wasn't much more than a child, so I have to believe that if I survived then she survives. Albeit, perhaps not in her right mind."
Cody takes a swig of tea and contemplates the diplomatic ramifications...
<OOC> To be continued... </OOC>
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Aug 13, 2023 5:43:17 GMT
"Although I strive to be diplomatic in all things, I hadn't considered myself to be an emissary in any official capacity."
"Unofficially, I intended to petition Thelbane on behalf of my colleagues in DaggerWays that they should be doing something to protect us from the Shadow Storms which are impeding our livelihood as Pit-Divers."
However, I was interrupted by a fellow who insisted that I meet his master on some business which I assumed to be another Pit-Diving commission."
"On the way we were ambushed. Making my escape I conveniently landed on Princess Fiona's doorstep. She told me, among other things, that I was long overdue to make an appearance in Amber."
"If I am to effect any resolution to the Shadow Storms and return to my previous endeavors, then I can do it from here as much as I can do it from there."
Cody swigs some more tea and thinks a moment.
"I've slipped off topic a bit."
"Both Great cities house a Pattern: That cojoins them. For anyone wishing to control or destroy such power it makes both or either a target."
"Your Lord N'Realle is quite the firebrand. Calling to strike back against Amber for all insults and injuries. I, as myself and representing no one else, tried to impress upon him that this was not a good idea. Dividing Rebma from Amber could make Rebma vulnerable. It certainly won't help Amber."
"I told Lord N'Realle that I would convey any grievances to the Regent so that they may hopefully be addressed and remedied. That Rebma and Amber are stronger together."
"I can't see how Princess Flora can find fault in that."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Aug 13, 2023 5:52:01 GMT
</OOC> Although Llewella addressed Cody first and Lorelei second, Cody would wait for Lorelei to respond first. ~ I just happen to be up at 2 a.m. making my post first ~ </OOC>
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Post by Lorelei on Aug 14, 2023 7:26:19 GMT
"I had to go Castle Amber to speak with an Elder on my return from Shadow. Lord Derek did something foolish and activated a Trump Trap," Lorelei explains. "After speaking with his mother, Fiona, she said to leave him wherever he is for a time so that maybe he will learn to heed her lessons. On the way to Amber, I met Lord Ovid and those with whom he travelled. I agreed to travel through Garnath with Ovid the following morning. It is possible that being the child of my father, my blood connection to him will either make me more sensitive or oblivious to the lingering effects of Corwin's blood curse. That shouldn't take more than a few hours once I have rested. I still need to speak with Merlin on Dionisia's behalf and ensure that Dorian is freed both physically and mentally. At the moment I don't know how I will accomplish either of these acts..."
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Post by Admin on Aug 23, 2023 4:33:51 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/DDdDQ0K/trumps-of-amber-llewella-by-pulpaction-gal-d7ycufz-pre-jpg-token-ey-J0e-XAi-Oi-JKV1-Qi-LCJhb-Gci-Oi~jpg "I imagine that Merlin is quite busy and will have little time or concern to spend on an errant child of the Courts. The Dionisia case sounds more like a Fiona thing; maybe consult with her. Though, I imagine she already has devised some scheme involving Dio.
"Dorian is an interesting case. His return safe and sound to Amber would improve Flora's position with Chantris and the other houses in its wake. His staying lost and compromised benefits Motius and its partisans. With Harold back, I'm sure Flora holds Motius in higher regard, but if Gerard's other son falls into Chantris' orbit, Flora's calculus may need to change.
"Cody, as a descendant of Oberon, your words will always be heard. That you flaunt your royal lineage with constant talk of Deirdre - women not remembered with affection here - adds further scrutiny. They will try to gauge your meaning below the surface of your words - this is Rebma; searching below the surface is what we do. I am certain that the Queen thinks about your words this evening. It would have been better to have spoken bland nothings as Brian chose to do." |
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Aug 23, 2023 5:30:22 GMT
Cody feels a swell of anger and quickly suppresses it. Placing his teacup on its saucer in a very careful and controlled manner he thinks about several retorts and casts them all aside.
A moment of consideration and a simple reply, "Then consider me mute from now on."
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Post by Admin on Aug 29, 2023 1:42:04 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/bgtgXcd/trumps-of-amber-llewella-by-pulpaction-gal-d7ycufz-pre-jpg-token-ey-J0e-XAi-Oi-JKV1-Qi-LCJhb-Gci-Oi~jpg "Petulant pouting is unbecoming to one of your stature. Consider the good your words will do, N'Realle was certainly moved by them. He and his followers will be emboldened to enact whatever they have planned, and their plots brought to the surface." |
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Aug 29, 2023 2:30:19 GMT
"Now you're confusing me. Tell me to keep my nose out of Rebma's affairs; then tell me I did a good deed?"
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Post by Lorelei on Aug 30, 2023 18:30:21 GMT
"Cody... She is saying the blood that flows in your veins makes you special... important... whether you believe it or not. People will make assumptions and will selective hear what you say and apply it in alliance or opposition to their plans or ideas, whether you were talking about them of not. Moreover, while men, in general, are simple in their mode of communication, that is not so for women... or nobles - often speaking with multiple levels of meaning and verbal misdirection. Almost anything you say can be used out of context against you. I know I have been in situations where I have not watched my words as closely as I should. I would spare you as many of those aggravations as possible if it were in my power to do so."
"Think of it this way... I like you. Because of who we are, especially if they know I have already said so, they would say that I like you too much; a shadow of how our parents felt toward each other, based on the old stories... Maybe there is some truth to that, or it could all be skewed perceptions. Either way tongues will wag, and in the wagging the ridiculous will become gospel and truth will erode."
"In this case your words have brought a hidden potential problem into the light for Rebma so that it can be monitored and acted upon at need."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Aug 30, 2023 20:44:14 GMT
Cody really doesn't want to be the catalyst for flushing out insurrectionists, if that is the thing that is being implied by Princess Llewella. So he considers Princess Lorelei's words.
"Well, in this case it's willful stupidity! To interpret my saying that it is a BAD idea to rebel against Amber as being a good one..."
"Now I have no choice but to drag N'Realle up to Amber with me and have him petition the Regent directly."
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Post by Admin on Sept 4, 2023 5:58:24 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/bgtgXcd/trumps-of-amber-llewella-by-pulpaction-gal-d7ycufz-pre-jpg-token-ey-J0e-XAi-Oi-JKV1-Qi-LCJhb-Gci-Oi~jpg "Your plan is to kidnap a nobleman of Rebma and deliver him to the regent," There's a rare smile from Llewella as she says this. "That certainly would shake things up even further.
"Lorelei, perhaps you should go to Amber and act as our representative before the rumours travel up the mountain?" |
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