Conner sees to checking in and if no one in the castle see fit to snag him, Conner decides to head out into Xanadu city and see how it has been developing. He is particularly interested to see which Amber merchants have settled in.
The city is bigger than ever, and seemingly growing in all directions. Scarlett, who was an innkeeper Conner knew in his sailing days with the Navy, has an upscale establishment now. Rumor has it she has a child by Lucas.
There's a transient camp, where people who came from Amber but haven't finished setting up accommodations are taken care of. In the early days of the trump gateway, it was a tent city, but basically, it has more permanent housing now.
The docks are busy and at this time, even ships that were planning to leave are holding back so they can carry news from Xanadu outward. Lord Captain Marius is in the Portmaster's office, or so they say.
A number of Ambassadors have set up homes in the city, mostly near the Mayor's Palace, which is far from palatial.
On the edge of town, Edan has set up a stables and training grounds for the Knights of the Order of the Lamp. The order is being introduced tonight at a formal ball, and it is the talk of the marketplace. Many of those not attending are providing goods or services for attendees.
The Lord Mayor is still Ash, formerly a confederate of Random and Folly in Texorami.
It is an odd feeling to be nostalgic in a new place but that is exactly what happens when Scarlett is mentioned. Conner decides to see what she has made of herself and this upscale place of hers.
Scarlett's is a large, well-built showroom on the southern arm of Xanadu Bay, near the docks, but not very close. It's closer to the future well-to-do neighborhoods, without being in them.
Conner is greeted at the door by a majordomo who he recognizes as having been employed at many of the finer drinking establishments and clubs of Amber. He seems to have been hired because he knows people. "Lord Conner, an honor to have you join us. May I get you a private table on the second floor, or would you like to be nearer to the stage?" Onstage, a small band is warming up, not a large group, but enough to accompany a singer. "Would you care to dine, or can I send you the wine captain?"
It's a comfortable room, and in some ways reminiscent of the Red Mill. Scarlett is not immediately visible, but the building is large and it's early yet.
"A table by the stage." Conner decides. "Send me the wine captain and tell your cook that I put myself in his or her hands for a light meal. Impress me." He challenges.
Conner is shown a table at the front, where he has an excellent view of the stage, and what is probably most important, he can see and see everyone entering the restaurant. It is definitely a vantage spot for those who wish to see and be seen.
The singer on stage is young, talented, and attentive to her audience. She's just barely old enough to carry off the songs of regret and lost loves. It's not a setlist that would make a man want to go back to sea, except to return to a distant love. Her voice is deep and the three-piece band behind her is versatile, but knows that she's the attraction.
Conner claps politely at all the right points and occasionally graces the singer with a smile.
The wine captain arrives and asks Lord Conner's preferences of the evening. He offers a few choices that Conner assumes came from the cellars at the Prince or the Red Mill.
Conner orders a bottle of sweet white wine, a high end Riesling equivalent.
The kitchen sends out a dish of cold Bellum-style soup. It's a difficult dish to do well, but this is well done.
As the main course is delivered, a striking woman comes over to Conner's table. Conner knows her. Her name is 'Scarlett' and this is her place.
Conner remembers her from years past, before he was a royal. She worked at the Red Mill when she was younger, which explains the quality of service. Both she and he have come up in the world since those days. She sits across from him and smiles. "How nice to see you again, my Lord. Welcome to Scarlett's."
Conner matches her smile with one of his own. "It seems a lifetime ago since we last met, Scarlett. Two actually." He adds after a moment's pause. "I see the move to Xanadu has agreed with you. Has the city discovered this gem in its midst?"
"You flatter me," she says, her face turning slightly red, like her hair. "I have become a fixture of society, my Lord. As have you, though you have come further than I have. While we had a difficult start, 'Scarlett's' is a favorite of Princes and Lords and we are on good terms with Lord Mayor Ashe.
"I took the opportunity to come here early, and to get established before the other places moved. It was a great chance to re-invent myself.
"Xanadu has been very good to me, and I hope I am good to her.
"But speaking of gems hidden in the mists, you spent decades in the Navy and hid your parentage. How did you decide to reveal your true self?"
"As with so many things in life it came down to timing and location." Conner smiles. "I arrived in Amber in the time between the Sundering and His Majesty's return. The method of my arrival made it pretty obvious that I could travel as the Royals did and Amber needed all the help it could get. So I did not try to hide my parentage when asked about it. The need for secrecy had passed."
She smiles back and leans in. "Indeed, and I shall share with you one of my secrets, now well-known to your cousins. My youngest son, Maximillian is your nephew. His father is the late Lord Lucas. While I am not a great Lady of the Court, I am Max's mother, and that seems to matter." She pauses, waiting to see his reaction to the news.
Conner simply nods and eats another spoonful of soup. "I had heard as much and the mother of any of the family most definitely matters." Conner looks up from his soup. "As do grandmothers. Have you come to an arrangement with the Princess Florimel?"
"I have left that challenge for the future. She hasn't yet taken an interest in Max." She lifts a glass and drinks from it. "The King has, and I think that has meaning. And his brother has as well."
Conner nods again and then adds. "If you have not heard already, the King has called a family conclave. I know not my Aunt's mind, but the future may arrive sooner as a result."
"Did you know if you have any children, Lord Conner, from when you were a dashing young sea-captain of Amber's navy? I recall that I was not the only woman who caught your eye."
There is a loud clang of metal on china as Conner's spoon lands heavier than intended. "That is an oddly specific question to ask within minutes of renewing an old acquaintance." Conner notes. "As is your first come to think of it." Conner leans in closer. "I don't recall you as a coy one, Scarlett. If you have something to say, go ahead and say it."
"Fine," she says, not loudly but quickly, as if she needs to get the words out of her mouth fast. "I didn't know it at the time, and you weren't your Lordship then, but Raven is yours. Ours.
"I was thinking you'd've guessed, once you met Raven, seeing as how Raven means 'Corby', which is what you was calling yourself back then, at least to the girls from the Red Mill..."
She looks to see how Conner takes the news.
Conner leans back and drains his wine glass. He grabs the bottle and pours himself another glass. "I have not yet met the estimable Captain Raven." Conner replies evenly. "So if there is any obvious family resemblance, this news has not reached me." Conner shrugs. "We were hardly exclusive Scarlett. How certain are you that Raven is mine?"
"You was the most likely at the time, but you weren't the King's Nephew then. And then you were, and The Vale was lost in the war, so no point in mentioning it.
"Then Raven was back, and had the King's warrant of family. And now you're here, as if you knew we had unfinished business."
She smiles. "I was a popular girl, but not that popular with the Princes. You're the Da."
Conner nods thoughtfully and drains the second glass of wine. He is not conscious of pouring the third. "Very well. There is a test my mother can perform to verify your claim. If it is borne out," Conner winces at the unintended choice of word, "then I will officially claim him as my own. What have you told Raven?"
"She hasn't asked in years, until she turned up royal and all. I told her, back then, that her Da was a handsome Naval officer and I've told Prince Jerod about how we met and you never gave me your name, that one time back dockside, when your man was hurt and couldn't leave because of the curfew and you didn't want to turn him over to the half-hand."
Scarlett smiles. "That was a pleasant night. That was quite a while before the Red Mill, too. Your injured man was the one who told me your name was Corby. I named the baby Corax, after you. You can imagine my shock later when that wasn't really your name."
She looks at her own drink, which Conner suspects is mostly water. "When you talk to Captain Raven, I want you to say that he needs to tell you everything, before you go to the Princess Fiona."
"So I've got Lugg to thanks for the name eh?" Conner chuckles. "Its just as well. Two people with the same name in a family as long lived as ours would be a recipe for trouble. I look forward to meeting Raven. It will be eventful if nothing else."
"Someday Raven might thank me for raising him to be self-sufficient and teaching him to live whatever life he wanted, but right now, I'm still the one who always said 'No'. That's fine. Raven survived the death of two Kings, and didn't end up dead yet, so I count that as something.
"I hope he's not as much trouble to you and to th' King as he were when he was my charge. And that's all the suggesting there might be two sides to things I'm going to do before you introduce yourself to our child."
"Only two sides would be a light change of pace." Conner observes. "I've been juggling five or six sides to stories I've only got half the pages to." Conner sighs. "If Raven finds you before I do, extend an invitation to seek me out. I will do right by our son. Never fear on that score."
She smiles. It's hard to tell if it's a happy smile or not. "I have no fears at all, Lord Conner. I raised him never expecting to see you again. That brings us back to my first question then, but re-phrased. Does Raven have any brothers or sisters? If that's not 'is first question I don't know what will be."
"So far as I know, Raven is an only child." Conner replies. "If you hear any credible rumors to the contrary, do let me know." Conner smiles thinly.
She looks around. "Whatever happens, know you're welcome here. It's not Red Mill and it isn't going to be, but it's mine."
"And you should be proud of it." Conner nods. "Thank you for the welcome and for how you handled things. It is appreciated."
She looks up. "Oh, I made mistakes, I know it. I'll be glad to have everything in the open.
"When I was dabbling at the Red Mill, I never expected to be associated with one Royal, much less a passel of 'em. I have an embarrassment of riches in that department. I'll be honest, it's harder for a normal woman to be tied up to a family like yours than you might think."
She looks up at the stage. The young singer seems a bit nervous. "She's run through her best material and is now performing her second set for Castle folks. Normally, the majordomo would've switched acts by now, but he's a bit short of talent at the moment. Your cousin's party has a lock on the top talent this week.
"Poor girl needs five years of living somewhere to be able to carry off those soulful songs of regret that nobody believes from a teenager..."
The next agenda item for Conner is to talk with his mother. Is Fiona in town or is Conner heading for the Trump booth?
Gilt Winter informs Conner that neither his Sister nor his Mother have arrived. He tells Conner that Lady Sommers has informed the Princess and that she intends to arrive this afternoon with her plus one for the evening's event, but that she will be leaving after breakfast.
Conner heads to the Trump Booth. He does not want to have the conversation about what is so urgent that it cannot wait until tonight with any member of the Family. Besides, Mother hates not knowing something before the rest of the Family.
Conner holds her card for a long moment, takes a breath and concentrates. "It is Conner, Mother." He thinks into the contact.
Hello, Conner. You're in Xanadu? I'll come through if you can bring me. Bleys told me I needed to show the flag for Edan and then said he wasn't there yet. I expect a showy last-minute entrance." She's already reaching for Conner's hand. It's not clear to him where she is but she's not in her lab, at best guess, because she's not in lab working clothes.
Conner takes Fiona's hand and pulls her to him. "I'm sure it will be showy, Mother, but not last minute. I actually arrived by his Trump a few hours ago local time." Conner leans in and kisses her on the cheek. "I have quite a bit of news to share but one piece is personal and I'd like to tell you before either the Family meeting as a whole or our usual Redheaded group think. Shall we find a quiet spot?"
"Of course, my dear." The news about Bleys gets no more than an affectionate eyeroll. Bleys is Bleys, after all, and will do what he will. She's dressed in something like Shadow Earth clothes, though with a pair of trousers and boots instead of a skirt.
On the way out, Fiona catches a page and orders several things to be done, not the least of which is airing her chamber and things, including a particular garment for this evening's festivities, and, on hearing where Conner wants them to go, a light meal to be sent to that chamber. She does not ask what his personal news might be; that will wait until they've had a chance for some privacy.
Conner also sends the page on similar errands for himself. He has them set up in one of the many music rooms of Random's castle. The advantage of a castle belonging to a married percussionist is many rooms that are designed to prevent sounds from carrying.
After pouring drinks and seeing that they are both served from the meal provided, Conner comes straight to the point. "Well, Mother, I received some surprising news while traveling through the city today. I stopped for lunch at the new place run by Scarlett. I knew her from my time in the Navy when she was one of the girls at the Red Mill." Conner pauses for the half-second to let the conclusion be drawn. "According to her, I am the father of Captain Raven." Conner sighs and drains his wine glass.
Fiona blinks a couple of times. "Should I offer my congratulations, or prepare to test Captain Raven's blood?" she asks.
"More the latter than the former." Conner answers. "Brita has already smelled out Raven as Family and the timeline of my relations with Scarlett fit." Conner refills his glass. "I don't think she is lying but it would be best to verify." Another half glass slides down Conner's throat. "I had always accepted something like this as a possibility but never thought it would come out of the blue like this." Conner finishes off his wine and pours again. "Scarlett posed a more disturbing and relevant question though. She asked if Raven had any siblings and the best answer I could give was 'I don't think so'. In light of all the forces out there seeking those of the Blood, that answer will not do. But I also know the near impossibility of seeking out any unknown offspring in Shadow. So I'm not sure what that leaves me with as options aside from a reunion tour of every Shadow I ever visited." Conner looks up from his wineglass to regard his Mother more fully with an expression that clearly hopes she has a better idea.
Fiona shakes her head. "You'd need to ask Brita to go with you to sniff out the likely candidates, I'm afraid. It's much easier for a woman to deal with these things. We know when we've left a child behind us. But this is a question we should broach to Random tomorrow, because I'm sure you're not the only one in that position."
Conner nods. "Yes, I suppose I am hardly unique in this matter." That thought brightens his mood a little and he manages a smile for his Mother. "Anything exciting in your life since we last met?" He asks.
Fiona shakes her head. "Nothing so interesting as what's been going on with you. I've been assisting--mostly by providing a workshop--Ambrose and Signy in their efforts to create more Uxmali code wheels before accelerated entropy ruins them and makes it impossible to decode Brand's notes and diaries. And, intermittently, working with the Queen, but her nightmares seem to have cleared up on their own." Which Fiona says in a way that suggests she has some unpleasant ideas about how they might have done so.
"So the ending of the nightmares does not necessarily signal a positive outcome then?" Conner asks. "What worries you, Mother?"
"I've begun to believe the nightmares are externally caused. And that means something has changed for them to stop. While I'd like to believe it's my own efforts, I don't think that's the case. They seem to have trailed off after her little adventure, the one where she went missing and was rescued, and that's nothing to do with any of my sorcery, to the extent that I can work at all in Xanadu, which is minimal." Fiona makes a noise that in a lesser woman might have been a sigh. "You can understand why that would concern me."
"Very much so." Conner nods. "Especially when a Pattern realm like this one should prevent most forms of external influence. It implies something Ordered, does it not?"
"It should. I'm hoping that when Ambrose manages to decipher Brand's papers, he'll have something that will apply to her case. There's clearly an outside context to her problem that I'm unfamiliar with. Finding the missing parts of the context," Fiona says, smiling in that way that indicates fierceness more than happiness, "now that's the trick."
"Missing parts of the context." Conner repeats thoughtfully. "In a roundabout way that circles back to lede I've buried as I chose to share the more personal news before the metaphysical." Conner announces. "Brennan has been in Avalon and its near environs doing tasks on behalf of Uncle Benedict. Over the course of that he thinks he's found evidence of Moire. More specifically, he has found minions of a woman directing attacks against Avalon that cannot remember what she looks like. Some kind of memory manipulation. Anyway, that led him to a group of shadow magicians called the Maghee. Long story short, Brennan returned to them a letter from a long lost king of theirs that he met and next thing we know the Maghee crown a new king, declare two of three prophecies fulfilled and insist we rush off to witness the fulfillment of the third, namely, the rising of the Silver Towers." Conner pauses for a moment to wet his throat.
"Which is exactly what we witnessed once we sailed to the right spot. The island rose from the sea without any water displacement or tidal wave. A driving rain washed away coral and seaweed so that when the island was fully raised there was no sign that it had once been underwater. The Maghee led us directly to the oldest tower which turned out to a throne room and within it was... Uncle Bleys." Conner shakes his head with a resigned smile. "Apparently Robin had discovered the sunken towers and called him it to investigate them, so he had an insider's view of the proceedings. He told us about the Family summons so we had no time to investigate further. Still, yet another piece of the past returning. Interesting."
"Yes. We've been talking about that. He had some insights to share but I think we might want to wait until we've had a chance to hear what everyone thinks to distill our collective opinion. I'll be interested in hearing Robin's report. This kind of thing isn't her strength but she comes at metaphysics from a different angle, which can be useful," Fiona says, making this more of a compliment than the insult it might be about other people.
"What I really want to know is whether Corwin knew there was a Pattern so close to that place, if it really was his, not to mention the bit about Lir. He's been so blind at times that I could believe he didn't know about it. Or perhaps he kept it secret because Dad wanted him to."
"It will be interesting to see what he says about it in the conclave and what he may tell Celina among monarchs." Conner nods. "I am also curious to see if these Maghee prophecies have any more parts to them as they have proved more accurate than most oracles."
"They're a piece of the puzzle we don't know enough about yet, unless Bleys has something up his sleeve. He hasn't told me if he does, but he does like to make a show of things." Fiona's smile is fond. "Speaking of which, would you like a private conclave tonight or early tomorrow to tell our side of the family about our new relative, or will you announce that at the family conclave as well?"
Conner makes a noncommittal humming sound. "I think the next person I should tell about this is Raven." Conner replies. "So while I should like a more private meeting of our bloodline for discussion and possible introduction, it will depend on when the good Captain returns to Xanadu."
"On that, I cannot yet advise you. Though I hope it will be soon, because we need to put on a show of family unity at this event, and all members of the family need to appear. If Raven can't finish whatever business he's about, he's likely to incur Random's displeasure." Which sounds like Fiona would prefer it not happen.
"Agreed. I would attempt contact via the Trump booth if he does not arrive soon." Conner nods. "Thank you for the advice Mother." Conner drifts off into polite small talk.
Robin is still holding on to Vere's hand as they leave the Kings's-Third-Favorite-Drinking-Hall. After stepping aside for the others to swirl around them and off into the frantic halls of Xanadu Castle, Robin looks over at Vere with happy though questioning eyes.
"Sooo, snuggling, dressing then dinner? Or did you have something else in mind?" she grins at him. She's trying, she's really trying but something in her is giddy just to feel the warmth of his body, the scent of his skin, the rumble of his breath.
Vere squeezes her hand, then gives a quiet raven's alarm cry, signifying "possible large predator near." He leads her towards one of the exits from the palace overlooking the falls. "Let us walk," he says.
"I can do that." Robin chirps cheerfully, but her quick glance to Vere indicates that the message is received, if not fully understood.
Leaning against Vere companionably, Robin follows his lead presumably to the wonderful outdoors, open air and right near the edge of one of Xanadu's many cliffs near the roaring water.
As they stand looking out over the roaring waterfall Vere says, very quietly, under the sound of the falls, "I have no evidence whatsoever that someone might be listening, but what I need to tell you is dangerous enough that I wish to run no chances." He smiles very slightly, "And looking out over the falls should also prevent lip readers from knowing what we say." He leans his head over, resting it on Robin's. "I am so glad to have someone whom I can trust with this," he says.
"You trust me?" Robin peeps quietly, and gives him one of her bonfire bright smiles. "Thank you!" she murmurs with a little nudge of her temple against Vere's chin. "That means the world to me, my Love."
"With all reality," he answers quietly.
Robin gives a happy little wriggle before she continues.
"Sooo," she croons, still very much looking like a love with her lover, but her quiet tone is more businesslike. "What have we got?"
"The relatively unimportant matter first," he says. "While in Tir I saw a vision of the Ladies and their Champions playing a game with living pieces. I suspect this means that they are still more involved as shadowy manipulators than they would have us believe." He shrugs slightly. "But I do not know how much faith we should put in the visions of Tir, and in any case it is better to have them where we can see them than hiding in the shadows. I suggest we go ahead with our plans for settling them, and just be certain that Random, Corwin, and Celina all know of this vision. Caine already has my report on that matter."
He waits a moment to give Robin a chance to comment on this, if she chooses to do so.
"Well, yeah." Robin shrugs, "They couldn't have gotten to be this old without being shadowy and manipulative. So, Celina already has her frondrils up about Lady Morgne and Sir Ophiuchius. In fact, she asked us to keep an eye on them while they are here in Xanadu to see if their behavior or intentions seem to shift. But she doesn't want us to risk ourselves while doing so… she's really cute when she's being both younger cousin and Queen of Rebma at the same time. Poor thing." Robin smiles sympathetically.
"But you're right about telling her, Random and Corwin about the Tir Visions. Verde, I'm getting a lot on my plate to talk to Corwin about..." Robin grumps.
Vere chuckles slightly. "Now," he says, drawing a deep breath. "The reason I am speaking to you in private. While in Tir I saw Cambina's spirit. Not a vision of Tir, but what appeared to be her actual spirit. She led me to the Pattern chamber of Tir, and told me how her death came about, and who is responsible."
Robin looks up at him, eyes wide with shock. "Oh, she didn't. That bit…" Robin's lips press together firmly to cut off her words and to express her annoyance.
"Wow. Jerrod and Brennan are going to *kill* us… Well, maybe not Jerrod. He's softened a little. We might start with him…" But Robin's just muttering and planning out loud. Saving up wing power for the other gust she can hear waiting in Vere's timed delivery. Once she has her current consternation under control, she looks up at him and nods. Ready for the next hit.
"She had vital news, and she is frightened and hiding. I do not blame her for telling me. She does not know who else might be able to see her." He sighs. "Assuming that it is her, and not someone else trying to drive a wedge between Family," he points out. "However, I must operate on the possibility that the story she told me is true."
He hold Robin close to him as he gazes out over the falls and continues, "Cambina's spirit said that Vialle insisted that she be taken to Tir. It was something Cambina had seen herself doing in a vision, so she agreed. Once there Vialle led her to the Pattern chamber and began to walk. Cambina attempted to stop her, but the Queen of Air and Darkness held her in place until Vialle had completed her walk. She completed it just as dawn broke, and Cambina fell."
Robin stiffens against Vere in shock. For a moment, all of Robin's thought birds burst out of her mental trees and fly away. Eventually, they start to drift back.
'Cambina fell. But the Queen didn't?'
'Vialle could walk the Pattern?!'
'So has the QoA&D incarnated? As Vialle? As unborn child? Or is that what she's going for anyway?'
'Morgne is going to flip if she hears about this.'
Which brings her to one thought to make it past her lips. "Who else knows?"
"No one knows the whole story as of yet," Vere tells her. "Edan was my anchor, and heard my side of the conversation through Trump. He agreed to say nothing to anyone until we have had a chance to speak with Random." He shakes his head ruefully. "I returned from Tir to learn the king had announced the queen's pregnancy, and that he is away from Xanadu. I feel I must speak to him, before the family meeting tomorrow, and without the queen present."
Robin nods, absolutely. "Well, then your best bet would be Soren, wouldn't it? If anyone can reach the King, it'd be him."
Vere frowns thoughtfully. "He did not even occur to me," he admits. "I had thought of trying to subtly get to Jerod and Brennan at tonight's events, and ask them to get to the king to arrange a meeting. I worry that any direct contact between myself and the king might be suspicious to the queen, if she had learned that I was a Tir last night."
"You want to have Soren push it through me? Something regarding the Ladies and their Knights? I mean, we'd tell Soren what was really going on, but after that let Soren figure it out. The King did say he was unspeakably brilliant." Robin adds. "Hopefully, he's on site at the dinner too. Maybe in a managerial role?"
Vere nods thoughtfully. "You think Soren is to be trusted in this?" he asks.
Robin thiiiinnnnkkks about it. "For no good reason, my Love. But yes. Yes, I think he is."
Vere's nod is more decisive this time. "So be it. I trust your instincts. Then I think this is the plan - we attend dinner tonight together, then split to hunt separately. You will seek out Soren, I will seek out Jerod and Brennan. We will emphasize to all of them that the queen is to remain ignorant of this. Should the king show up at the dinner then we shall reformulate our plans based on how easy it is to get to him without the queen noticing."
Robin grins and nods herself, pairs hunting with her mate - what could be finer? "Okay, meet you in that little green alcove just shy of the dining hall? Soonest?"
Vere kisses her and softly gives the cry of a hunting hawk. "Soonest!" he agrees.
The castle is in a mad rush when Fiona sends Signy through to Gerard. While she can find pages and servants to do most any task she needs, they are all busy with tasks from the uncomfortably large crowd of visitors the castle is hosting this night.
She interacts briefly with Gilt Winter and he offers to send a seamstress and a selection of gowns for her to choose from for any of the events she might attend. He takes her note for Celina, promising to give it to Celina on her arrival.
And with that, Signy is left alone in chambers. It becomes entirely clear very quickly that almost all interactions in Castle Xanadu happen in the public rooms, not in private quarters.
The seamstress comes and works with Signy to tailor formal wear for her needs as best can be done in the time available. The fitting takes some time, and food is served, and accessories (like shoes) are prepared and...
After crossing through, Signy finds Gerard called away for some matter of business or another almost before she has a chance to finish saying 'thank you' to him.
As she makes her way to the quarters assigned her, she finds her fears that her attempts to put Gilt's wardrobe attentions off failed confirmed at the presence of an array of seamstresses and other...types at her door as the page that brought her there runs off.
The fitting seems to take forever, with many disproving frowns from the head seamstress over the amount of fidgeting and shifting Signy does while they try to complete their task. She manages to score at least one small victory, finding a pair of shoes that more closely resemble lower-cut versions of her serviceable boots, and not some of the fancier, gaudier concoctions they parade past her.
At last finished with their herculean task of trying to outfit Signy for the upcoming evening, at least as much as they could do in the time they had, the seamstresses head out, the door closing to one last scolding frown from the lead seamstress, and Signy luxuriates in the silence as she finishes up the food that was brought, until a knock on the door from a page sends her into the castle once more to head towards the quarters of the Queen of Rebma.
Upon entering, Signy gives Celina a warm smile and a solid and genuine (if impulsive) hug. "Your Majesty. While it took some time to get used to breathing under water, I find I miss Rebma."
Celina responds with a full family hug, the arms strongly holding Signy in place for long enough to share three breaths.
Celina feels the deep breath that exposes itself in a sigh, as Signy for a moment relaxes and allows herself to be folded into the Queen's embrace for as long as it lasts.
[Signy's] initial burst of excitement and joy quickly lose focus with the number of things she refrains from blurting out all at once.
"How is...everything?"
Celina smiles. "Why everything is marvelous. We are at the center of the Universe, and about to have dinner. What could be more certain than that good tidings and fond conversation are just around the corner?" Celina leads Signy to the side table. "Do you mind putting my hair up? It would go faster and you can ask for anything specific you need to know before dinner."
Signy follows the Queen's lead over to the side table, hoping that she isn't looking as she winces slightly at the thought that she might be somehow culpable for the Queen looking less than her impeccable, regal self.
She offers a nodding bow to her request, somehow managing to avoid touching her own hair in a self-conscious reminder just how far out of her depth she is at this moment.
So many things on that table, surely they all aren't related to hair. Or Celina.
"How...how is Tomat?" she manages to get out.
Hard, calloused fingers begin to work at the Queen's hair, somehow managing to power through the knots and tangles with a minimum of while also beginning to knead and work at the hidden layers of tension beneath the base of the Queen's skull. Rough, sandpapery fingers begin to work on the skin of the Queen's neck as they tease out the hair and beging to bring some additional semblance of order.
"Tomat is doing well. I have given him a position in the Archives. I think learning the history of Rebma may be exciting enough an opportunity to keep him focused. He is here. All my Archivists are here to remember Xanadu and the meeting of Random and Celina."
Celina adds, "Fox Claws is in Rebma. And how are you?"
Does this pin go there? Or maybe over there? And what about that stray bit over there? Signy keeps moving, hoping that in the end she somehow manages to make some semblance of order out of whatever it is that she's doing.
"The Archives should suit him well, actually. Thank you."
She pauses, as she starts to see a bit of an end point to her task.
"Things were...frustrating at Aunt Fiona's. I don't know if I'm any further along in helping him with the code wheels, though I did make some amusing mechanical devices.
"I should show them to Silhouette, actually, she might get a kick out of them."
One last pin, and the Queen is at least presentable enough for dinner among family.
"How are things in Rebma?"
Celina uses her fingers to explore and trace the updo for a moment. She turns and stands, apparently satisfied and looking Signy in the eyes. "Rebma is crippled but sane, Huon and good company rebuild the destruction.
"The ocean will flourish again," Celina looks closely at Signy, "was that your question or did it involve something else about Rebma?"
Signy straightens up slightly now that her first foray into hairdressing was a modest success.
"I do want to know how the realm is doing," she confesses, "and Tomat will know how the shop is doing. It's home, as much as any place can be thought of when you can go everywhere."
She gives the Queen am embarrassed smile. "I confess I hadn't really kept up with things at Aunt Fiona's. Anything I should be know before meeting everyone, so I don't embarrass myself?"
Celina arches an eyebrow. "Well, Tomat is still in love with you, and he'll be about the palace, as I understand land things... this might be awkward if he catches his first look of you while you are busy with Family and he walks into a piece of furniture. You might let him know quietly you are about and such." She smiles softly.
"Other than that," Celina adds, "my mother is still missing, my questions are still in shadow, Queen Vialle appears to be pregnant, Dara has not reappeared, Royals seem pleased King Random will have an heir, hopefully Merlin will be here and I get to give him a hug." Celina stops there.
Vere stands in the shadowed recesses of a small green alcove not far from the palace dining hall, observing members of the family as they pass by on their way to dinner, letting the snatches of conversation he catches weave a tapestry of mood and expectation as he waits patiently for Robin.
Robin arrives breathlessly a few moments later. Her eyes sparkle with anticipation as opposed to her usual dread for family meetings. Around her flutter her three little companions: polished, oiled and looking like they mean to be very very well behaved.
Given what he has to work with, Castor is obviously a genius. Robin's hair is neatly tucked up under a dark green button hat. The beads and feathers of Robin’s usual rats-nest styling are now arranged in artful falls at the back of her head. Her face is clean and sparkling, no make-up is required to augment her already rosy cheeks and bright smile.
A soft suede vest in complementary kelly green cradles Robin's... errr, endowments without trapping her or cutting off her breath. A plain but well-made peasant blouse with a higher collar picked out in green embroidery keeps everything civilized. Cocoa trousers, also of soft suede, hug the girl's waist before dropping straight to the floor. The toes of serviceable but clean boots peek out from under the trousers' hem.
An ornately brocaded belt wraps Robin's waist holding a matching sheath at her hip. It's a small knife, really. Only 8" or so.
Catching sight of Vere, Robin bounces up for a quick -- or maybe not so quick -- kiss.
Vere returns the kiss, and is in no hurry to end it. When they finally break apart he smiles, and waits silently for her to speak.
A soft croon is Robin's first sound, then a quiet but sharp hunting call.
"Ready?" she follows up with an actual human word and holds out her elbow for that wonderful-Vere-lead-from-beside-thing.
He nods, links arms with her, and leads her towards the family.
Last modified: 15 March 2017