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Post by Admin on May 22, 2021 7:09:57 GMT
From her careful observations and overhearing the chatter of the gods, Kat has learned something of what they call Shadow and the impermanence of items while travelling from world to world. Yet there is a strange lack of logic to it - the items she draws forth from her cloak are supposedly made of the same shadow-stuff as the ship and its crew, yet they remain with them through the voyage while her creations dissolve. How could such a thing be?
The journey from the cold wastes of Eivor's home to tropical seas is efficient and uneventful. The storms and pirates of the earlier voyage are absent. They sail within an archipelago of palm-covered islands...tacing the coast of a great island...reaching a vast bay with the Golden Sands resort in the distance, yachts elegantly sail the bay, speedboats tear past, spraying their deck with saltwater. Paragliders ride the skies above the ship, diver down flags signal divers below.
Ahead is a marina where the battered old ship is sorely out of place beside the luxury boats and ships docked around them. A society party on the pier stops to watch them pass; at least one monocle pops off the wearer's face and lands in their glass of champagne. Alighting from the ship together, Kat in the fashionable guise of Simone Delambre, Eivor tromping down the gangplank in armour and weapons causes a few more monocles to fly. A waiter carrying a tray of cocktails shimmers in beside them, offering the drinks. Another glides to them with a tray of canapes.
"Welcome to the Golden Sands, madames. I am so glad you have chosen to visit us once more, Lady Simone." the maitre d' says
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Post by Eivor on May 22, 2021 8:33:57 GMT
"The lady is recovering from a heavy cold, it seemed the right place for her recovery," Eivor says smoothly, collecting a cocktail. Her clothing has in fact changed to match the tropical climate, and her spear is now nothing more than an oversized hunting knife on her belt. "Perhaps you would be so good as to show us to her usual apartments?"
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Post by Katerina on May 22, 2021 15:28:10 GMT
Kat as Lady Simone sneezes and then sniffs and nods on cue before taking up her daintily decorated handkerchief and wiping her nose.
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Post by Admin on May 22, 2021 17:21:09 GMT
"Certainly, mademoiselle, right this way. Attendants will see to your luggage."
Eivor and Kat are lead along the pier, through gardens, to a bungalow overlooking the beach. They pass around knots of people some of whom say 'hi' and wave to Kat. Invitations to parties on yachts are offered.
"If I may say so, this is the perfect place for your convalescence. Lady Simone.
"Perhaps I can find suitable quarters for your new assistant?" he asks while glancing at Eivor.
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Post by Katerina on May 23, 2021 9:31:32 GMT
Kat nods at the comments, waves and accepts the party invitations all the while coughing and spluttering to continue her cover, though she has no real intent on necessarily going to them. She has no idea who all of these people are.
"This is Princess Eivor of Amber. A friend of my new husband." She replies with a light yet raspy voice with coughing in between words to try and mask the exact picth of her voice. She makes it seem like the cold is very bad and she does not want to talk extensively, but also afford the Goddess her true status.
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Post by Eivor on May 23, 2021 17:21:36 GMT
Eivor scans the people and nods where appropriate without inviting conversation.
"I am looking after Lady Simone's security. I'm sure the facilities will be fine for the two of us," Eivor responds. "Any changes we should know about since our last visit?"
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Post by Admin on May 23, 2021 23:03:57 GMT
"Princess Eivor, daughter of Prince Julian!" the man says in surprise, "We can't have you staying here in these rooms meant for far lesser nobility. Come, I will take you both to a residence more fitting to your station."
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Post by Katerina on May 24, 2021 17:26:16 GMT
Kat nods, fakes a sneeze and then replies in her high cold ridden voice. "Yes my husband has connections, but I'd prefer to recover in familiar surroundings."
Kat hopes that the Goddess will back her up as she will get vital information from the mirrors in Lady Simone's apartment.
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Post by Eivor on May 24, 2021 18:38:09 GMT
Eivor sighs. "That won't be necessary," she says firmly. "These quarters will be perfectly fine. I am here to relax, not to attract attention. That would be counterproductive as I'm sure you understand."
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2021 1:48:40 GMT
"And I am sure that you understand how our establishment's reputation rests upon the deluxe service provided to our most noble of visitors."
He has completed ignored Simone in his attempt to persuade Eivor.
"And you have adopted the title of 'princess'; we will have to update our files on the marital status of the Beriman family. May I be so bold as to inquire about who the lucky groom is and if he will be joining you here?"
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Post by Eivor on May 25, 2021 10:24:57 GMT
There is an odd sound that might be the grinding of teeth. "No update is necessary. I am here as Lady Eivor and your discretion as to my presence here would be much appreciated."
She offers him a generous tip. "Now if you don't mind we've had a long voyage and my charge would like to relax in her usual surroundings, if you please."
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Post by Katerina on May 25, 2021 12:54:40 GMT
Kat wonders just what all that was about, though sensibly keeps quiet throughout the enxchange and merely nods and sneezes a few times just to ensure that the maitre d' gets that message that she really needs the convalessence and some time alone in her rooms to recover. The little that she can say at this point the better,
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Post by Admin on May 26, 2021 1:20:46 GMT
The maitre d' takes the money and, with practiced deftness, slips it into his pocket. He looks at Eivor and then Simone with a raised eyebrow.
"As you wish. I understand the need for discreet meetings. Though, if I may suggest this, there are other, less public, ways of getting a room in our establishment. We also cater to more clandestine encounters at our other resorts, which are less visited by the press."
He leaves the women.
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Post by Katerina on May 26, 2021 9:06:12 GMT
Kat heads into the apartment quickly and waits for Eivor to join her. Once inside she locks the door to prevent any surprise visits from entering unannounced.
"So far so good. It may take me a while to sort through memories in the mirrors." She comments putting down her case on the table. She moves lithely across to look for mirrors both in the main room, the bedroom and the bathroom. Then she begins scouring them to see if she can find any memories of Lady Simone, Coy or anyone else that she may possibly have seen before.
If she finds any of Simone, then she was closely observe more of her mannerisms and try and copy them as she watches, but its Coy and any reactions with him she is primarily interested in.
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Post by Eivor on May 26, 2021 15:00:11 GMT
Once they are left alone Eivor looks relieved. "There are good reasons why I asked you to just use my first name, and not just because I get tired of formality. I am not a Princess of Amber, or of any place. When you use the wrong title, people make assumptions about your status or your aspirations. Florimel is a princess, I'm the child of a prince but unless the crown chooses to give me other titles I am but a noble lady no better than the woman whose face you wear."
She plops down in a chair and rubs her temples. "Goodness knows what rumours you've just started."
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