I'd like a bit of summary thread about what Folly and Reid are doing when they take Merlin down into the city. Is Ossian joining them, or is he going to see the Thrush Pack? Or will they go with him?
Well, let's see.... I believe this evening's plan was to hit a few pubs (in particular the ones that have music tonight -- who says you can't mix business and pleasure?) to start generating buzz about the upcoming coronation and festival. We'll throw back a pint or two, chat with our friends and acquaintances -- especially those most prone to spread enthusiastic rumors -- and express glee at how great it'll be to get Amber back to a peace-time state, with a spiffy new king and the soldiers returned victorious from the war.
Given who's involved in this outing, I suspect we'll also do some brainstorming of how to get various groups -- musicians, tradespeople, sailors, and so forth -- caught up in the planning of the festivities. Do we want to plant ideas in the heads of some of the pub proprietors that they really ought to throw their own "Yay, a King!" bashes, for example? Do we want to try to get some of the dockside musicians recruited to play at the ball? That sort of thing. [Opinions or other suggestions from Reid or Ossian?]
Ossian wants the whole city to be _partying_ at the coronation. So we want to build up some anticipation of a great party. We should probably not recruit any musicians at this stage, but certainly spread the rumour that we will do so.
Ossian is of course welcome to join Reid and Folly, and Folly would be happy to join Ossian in paying a visit to the Thrush Pack. They amuse her.
Ossian joins his cousins. He will suggest that they visit the Thrush to hear Adreano's daily poem. That wouldn't take too long, and should give many opportunities to influence some of the artists in town.
Merlin is willing to do this if Folly is. (He seems to want Reid to be agreeable too, but he's pretty clearly following Folly's lead.)
Yes, Folly is happy to go.
By the time the merry band gets to about the third place on its tour, musicians are chatting them up and buying them drinks. People are asking Folly, Ossian, and Reid about coronation plans, festival plans, and all sorts of related concerns with an eye to getting in on the fun or at least getting paid for it.
Ever wants to know whether Lady Vialle, excuse me, the Queen, is likely to distribute the leftovers to the needy again.
Folly thinks so, and says so. She promises to bring it up with Vialle herself to make sure.
How are you all explaining things to Merlin? He's been trained in court manners, but pub-hopping in Amber will be a new experience.
You mean, how are we explaining the concept of pub-hopping? Folly describes it as being a common social and recreational activity, like a cocktail hour but not as formal.
"And quite a bit louder," Ossian adds.
Merlin agrees with the latter.
In general, on the way into town and whenever they're not actively engaged in talking to other people, Folly is providing a running commentary of stories and facts about Amber, her people, the pubs, local music, customs, and anything else she can think of that might be of use or interest to Merlin -- it's almost like a big Social Studies lesson, but with a lab at the end.
Merlin is interested in the entire business but doesn't offer much in the way of commentary. He seems less overwhelmed by non-relatives than by relatives, but this is still a lot of people and a lot of places, and he's a little bug-eyed and nervous.
Am I right in thinking Merlin doesn't drink alcohol, at least in unfamiliar situations? (He turned down his father's offer of a drink at the cocktail hour, as I recall.) If this is the case, Folly will order a glass of water to go with her pint, and give the water to Merlin.
Since Ossian doesn't drink very much himself, he will drink water too, if Merlin does, just to make Merlin feel more comfortable.
Merlin does drink water.
When the group breaks up for the night, where do people go? IIRC, Folly was taking Merlin back to the Prince. Is Ossian going back to see the Thrush Pack, going forward on his own, etc.? What about Reid?
Folly is, indeed, taking Merlin back to the Prince.
Reid swings back by whichever pub had the largest group of his friends present, which coincidentally is the pub that has the music going on the longest into the morning, and holds court with his friends and fellows. He'll make his way back to the castle when there's nowhere else to go.
Ossian goes to the castle, to catch some sleep, but before the group splits up he asks: "Reid and Merlin, could you help me with a Trump experiment tomorrow night, say after dinner? It could take an hour or so.
"Bring your Trumps. Folly, could I borrow the one I gave you?"
"Of course," Folly replies, smiling. She reaches into an inner pocket of her jacket, pulls out a card case, and produces the requested card without looking, as if the order of her cards were a matter of instinct. (Ossian's card, it turns out, is in the middle.)
"I'll make a point of being there." Reid replies.
"Good. I hope you have a Trump of youself somewhere."
"I'm one of my better subjects, as I work for cheap and am often available on short notice. Some time I'll have to show you my technique for using two mirrors at right angles to get a left-right reversed self image..." Reid muses.
Ossian nods. "We could both benefit from some exchange."
Ossian takes his Trump from Folly. "Thanks. You'll get it back as soon as we are finished."
"Hold on to it as long as you need to," Folly replies, pleased nonetheless that he plans to return it to her.
[Ossian]
"Hopefully we are finished tomorrow night."
Merlin has remained silent through this entire exchange, soaking it in like a sponge.
Ossian turns to Merlin, smiling. "You will come tomorrow too, I hope? We need to be three."
"I shall be pleased to attend," Merlin says formally.
"Good." Ossian is still smiling. "See you tomorrow then. Good night everyone."
When the pub-hopping winds down for the night, Folly makes her way to the Prince with Merlin. En route, she explains to Merlin that Paige used to own the club, and still keeps rooms there.
When they arrive, she greets Michelle warmly and introduces Merlin to her. They spend a few minutes in pleasant gossip: Folly makes sure to mention about the coronation, and also asks how the mood among the members and the staff has been since the return of the new king.
Michelle is happy to gossip. Apparently everyone feels like things will soon be improving with the return of the new king, especially with the prospect of the armed forces returning, and trade looking up.
Michelle doesn't say that the club in particular stands to prosper under a change of regimes, nor that the Regency has not been good to the Prince, but Folly can gather that from her tone and comments.
Before excusing themselves for the evening, Folly asks if perhaps some bread and cheese, and maybe a pot of tea, could be sent up for them. Though she doesn't say so, she's quite sure Merlin couldn't possibly have gotten enough to eat at dinner, between being forced to be on his best behavior in unfamiliar surroundings and being... well, one of her male cousins.
Michelle arranges to send something up. Since she's reasonably well acquainted with the royal eating habits, it may be more substantial than bread and cheese.
Then Folly offers Merlin her arm and heads upstairs.
When they get to the room, Folly gestures to the couch. "Please, make yourself comfortable," she says, and smiles. "You've had quite a day." Her smile gets a little wistful as she adds, "We both have."
"I imagine so," says Merlin. "In my home, it is the objects that are changeable and the people who are stable. Here, it seems to be the other way around sometimes."
Folly smiles, knowing full well that she herself hasn't exactly been the picture of stability today. "I'm sorry if I worried you earlier," she says. "I just --"
She trails off as her thoughts turn to the comments made at dinner about Merlin's mother. Perhaps he already knows how scary it is, learning that someone in a position of power may wish you ill. Or maybe it seems completely natural to him.
She wonders with grim amusement whether a threat to his safety might make him feel more at home. But in almost the same instant, she promises herself not to let anyone test the theory.
"Things here in Amber are changing," she says after a moment, trying to turn her thoughts to calmer topics. "The war is over, we've got a new king and queen, the army is returned to a home that isn't quite how they left it -- and I guess some of us are still trying to figure out how to adapt." From the emotion behind her voice, it's completely obvious to Merlin which of the recent changes concerns her the most.
"Adaptivity is a useful quality," Merlin says neutrally. "I have found it to be so, in any case."
He pauses for a moment, then continues, equally neutrally, "You seem to be on very good terms with Martin and Paige."
"I am, indeed," Folly replies, her own tone warm but also a bit cautious as she wonders where he's going with this. "They've both been true and constant friends to me since I arrived in Amber."
"As they have both been to me," says Merlin. "As they also once were to each other," he adds, looking at Folly.
_Not exactly,_ Folly thinks. But she remembers Paige's comments during their ride to Arden, about Merlin not really understanding Amberite sexuality, and decides perhaps that's a conversation for another time.
So instead she nods, her lips pressed together in a thin line. "And perhaps they will be again, someday," she says, but she doesn't sound very optimistic.
"I don't know, Merlin -- maybe you're right, maybe people really do change -- but I think they still care about each other. It just takes a different form now, one that they're still getting used to."
"But they are no longer lovers," Merlin says.
"Yeah," Folly says. She stares into her lap and twists a loose thread around her little finger. "That part... didn't work out so well."
Folly takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly before raising her head again to look at Merlin. "Have you ever been in love, cousin?"
Merlin starts to answer, but...
A knock at the door interrupts, prefacing a gentle voice, "Anyone hungry?"
Merlin gives Folly a _this conversation is not finished_ look before straightening his expression for the arrival of the recognized newcomer.
Folly nods, a mix of relief and frustration visible in her eyes. It's not clear which sentiment is for the interruption and which is for the promise -- or dread -- of continuing the conversation later.
But then she, too, smoothes her expression into a warm smile for their arriving cousin.
Paige enters with a large tray in one hand as she turns the door knob and then steadies it with both, using her hip to close it behind her. Among assorted fruits and cheeses are a few small loaves of bread and cold slices of meat from the evening's dinner here at the Prince. Precariously balanced in the center is a carafe of water.
"The boys will bring the rest," she says, setting the tray on the table nearest Folly. Without the tray blocking the view, it's obvious that Paige is planning on spending the night here herself. She's dressed in a lined silk robe of golden hues and matching slippers. Her hair is obviously still wet, but currently pulled back in a long ponytail.
From the one pocket of the robe she produces a bottle of wine which she doesn't hesitate in opening after finding the room's glasses. She pours a healthy measure for herself and Folly and pours Merle a glass of water.
Raising her glass, she smiles a smile that suggests to Folly that this is far from her first glass for the night. "Here's to departures and returns, though not in that order," she offers before quaffing her drink and pouring another.
Folly brings her glass to her lips and is about to drink when the details of Paige's day all snap into place in her mind. She looks at Paige with a pained expression on her face, fearing the worst. But before she can offer any words of concern or comfort, Paige continues....
"Merlin, it's taken many a year, but I've come to agree..." she says sitting beside him, laying her head on his shoulder. "I apparently don't understand human relations either."
"What has happened, Paige?" asks Merlin, sounding concerned.
Paige smiles at him and resists the kiss on the cheek he deserves for his concern. "I've come to the decision that I'm just not meant to have a lasting relationship with a man," she answers. "Not at least the kind that will eventually lead to marriage and children.
"Now just children, that apparently, for all my precautions, is a possibility." Paige sips quietly at her wine, giving Folly a slight look as a drowning woman might offer the air above the waves.
Folly, for her part, is looking increasingly concerned, if still a little confused about exactly what Paige is getting at. But then Paige connects the dots:
A mock accusing look quickly covers the soul laid bare. "Why didn't someone tell me our cousin was a fertility god? Everyone should've know better than to leave a naked man in my care, shouldn't they?"
"Oh, god --" Folly begins, then winces and lets out a little nervous laugh at the unintentional pun, as well as at Paige's grim humor.
Paige chuckles, "Exactly!"
[Folly]
But then bits of her conversation with Adonis come rushing back to her,
and she gets very still, thinking. Suddenly it all starts to make a lot
of sense.
"How did you find out about... what he is?" she asks after a moment. "And...."
Folly fixes Paige with a look the latter recognizes: _It doesn't matter what happened, we'll get through it._ "What did Worth say?"
"Jude," she chuckles at her own joke, though none in this room might understand, "took me aside to warn me of the possibility of impending motherhood," which sounds much more like _impending doom_, "earlier, before we returned for this evening's festivities. It's several weeks too early to worry, at least yet," Paige decides.
"I should have a better idea just in time for the coronation. I guess the Paresh were right..." she trails off finishing her glass of wine.
Folly offers what might be best described as a sympathetic smirk. She stays quiet, though, letting Paige continue her tale.
"Worth? He said he's requesting a captaincy, or whatever they call it. He can't live with his girlfriend cuckolding him in front of the troops, so he's leaving. I haven't told him that reminders and rumors of this day might be toddling around in a couple years."
She smiles at Merlin, her tone taking on that of a lecturing professor, not lecturing a specific student, but a full class. "For those who joined our program late in the Interregnum, I will summarize... After the ill-fated romance with your best friend, some time later I developed a friendship with Admiral Worth, which grew into much more."
Paige's smile twists a bit, "Dare I name it, could it be? Love, well that is yet to be seen."
Her tale takes on a the lilt of a minstrel, "They were common companions at several social events, but alas, alack, alarm. 'Tis no longer to be. Lady, ha that's a laugh, Lady Sommers had the lack of moral fiber and allowed herself to be lured into the arms of a wickedly beautiful youth, a knight of the Order of the Ruby, in fact. And by lured I mean she initiated everything and was relieved of blame in her twisted conscience by his firm belief that "wine, women and song" were the primary therapies prescribed for his injuries.
"Such therapy was just ending when the young knight's father and uncle cared to check on his recovery. Like wildfire the rumors that the Admiral's lover had been found enflagrante with another. Now, while the Admiral and his Lady never had any sort of formal discussion about such matters, it is logical to assume that she would never wish to sully his reputation, but her lack of forethought in relation to foreskin was to be her downfall."
Folly, who has been looking increasingly concerned, lets out an amused snort at this turn of phrase but still doesn't interrupt the tale....
"So, she sought to be the first to speak with him, to ask his forgiveness, because after two centuries she finally felt shame. She wasn't quick enough to beat the rumor to her lover's ears, but she asked forgiveness all the same. But her dire passions had already done their work. He was unable to bear living with her and thus was returning to one lady constant in his life, the sea.
"In final, I realized through loss how much I loved a man, who now is running from me. I'm obliged that the Queen's planning a masque, as I, who had three escorts for her last affair, might be able to hide within a costume somewhere and not draw notice that I'm alone."
Folly shakes her head very slightly at this last.
"And last but not least, I fear I'm going to ruin not just my life but that of an innocent child."
She shakes her head and lets loose a breathy sigh. "I fail the test. I will diminish and go into Shadow and remain Paige.
"Now that such silly worries are behind us, how was your evening?" She seems fully serious in her intent to put the other conversation behind and focus on their journey of the night. "I suppose Amber's pubs were an easier stroll than Key West."
Merlin is not to be diverted. He has remained silent through the lecture portion of the class, but now looks very concerned. "Paige," he says, "I will miss you terribly if you forget me when you have spawned. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Folly looks at Merlin, her mouth slightly open as if to ask a question. But she can't even begin to fathom what the right question might be, so instead she just smiles, sits back, and prepares to be educated.
"Having children our way, Merlin, doesn't consist of me losing any significant portions of my psyche." Paige smiles at Folly, "At least not other than figuratively.
"The child grows within and in several months is ready to exist without the mother's body. I won't share any memories or emotions with the child other than those we make together." Paige's voice seems accepting of the idea of motherhood, if not pleased. "We'll always be friends, Merle. I don't know what I'd do without you. If such a thing happened, I'd miss you.
"You, too," she adds with a wink.
Folly smiles and comes to sit on the floor in front of Paige. "You're not alone, sweetheart, no matter what happens with Worth. You know that. And don't you dare go disappearing off into Shadow, either."
She hesitates for just a moment before adding, "I already promised I'd stay here."
Merlin gives Folly a sidewise look, but doesn't say anything.
"I don't have any plans to, but a faster time Shadow might help run some of this under the radar," Paige comments.
"If you need me to stay, you know I'm here, and I really don't have plans dear, it was more a corrupted literary quote than plans.
"And I know I'm not alone. It's half the reason I can handle this. Worth's totally justified in leaving me, even I can see that. Doesn't make it any easier, not after I spilled my guts to him on how I felt." Paige sighs.
Merlin is looking confused. "I do not understand. You and this man Worth are--lovers? as you and Martin were? But you have chosen to make a child with someone else? Who is this knight? If you require a champion, and Martin will not stand for you, I will." He gets a very determined set to his chin.
"With either the Admiral or the knight," he adds. "I assume they are both warriors, not sorcerers. Pity."
Paige's smile reaches to her eyes as she hugs him close, "Oh, Merlin..."
She sighs before she tries to explain, "Yes, Admiral Worth and I are," she begins only to correct herself, "...were lovers. Due to my indiscretions, I took another lover - the knight, he has chosen to return to sea, effectively ending the relationship. I respect that and have to honor his wishes." She gives Merlin the _Are you listening?_ look when she adds, "Just as I learned to do with Martin's.
"The knight? Our cousin Daeon. There's no need for any sort of duel, although you flatter me with your offer, Merle. I still don't know if I am with child, and likely won't know for a few weeks either way. Conception, our way, need not always be premeditated. I've taken precautions over the years, but it seems that Adonis's divinity might've overcome those." Paige looks thoughtful for a moment.
"But you might be able to do something for me, Merle. As I understand the science of conception, if I am, then there should be cells dividing and such already. You can't tell if that's happening, can you?"
Folly, who had been watching Paige's face as she spoke, now shifts her gaze to - through, really - the redhead's abdomen, imagining the mystery possibly unfolding within. There's a peculiar set to Folly's jaw, as if she can't quite decide whether to be worried or excited.
She looks at Merlin, awaiting his answer.
"I do not know this 'science' of which you speak," Merlin says. "But I can scry the future for you, to see that you will survive, and whether you have a child." He thinks for a moment. "A year ahead will be far enough, yes? I can get the things I will need from your kitchen. It should take me about a watch to be able to see that far."
"Merle," Paige says with a stunned look on her face, "Even after all these years , you still surprise me." She obviously hadn't expected any true help from her question.
With the assistance of Paige, Folly, and Michelle, Merlin acquires a number of unusual items from the kitchen. The most obviously useful is a large silver bowl. He also asks for water from the cistern to fill it. The other things he asks for have no rhyme or reason to either Folly or Paige, except for the paper and charcoal.
No Fortunes, no live chicken? Paige is stumped, but explains it away to Michelle and the staff under the idea that Lord Merlin is a fine artist was inspired to draw a still life. Well trained staff will accept this and move on, new or untrained will do well to not question the whims of the Lady.
Merlin closes up his chamber against the two of them when he is ready to work the magic, saying only "Sorcery is dangerous to the uninitiated." Folly and Paige retreat to the comfort of Paige's chambers to nap, if they're not too nervous, or to otherwise entertain themselves for a couple of hours.
After the allotted watch, Merlin knocks for admittance to Paige's chamber. He is holding a sketch, which he hands to her. It shows a woman who is recognizably Paige, perhaps a little plumper than she is now, holding two small babylike bundles. They are tiny and bald, and look to the eye of an experienced midwife such as Paige like newborns.
Paige boggles a moment, falling back onto the couch in the sitting room. Her Artist's eye discerns the features and their similarity to the babies' parents, her fingers brushing softly at their chubby faces before passing it to Folly.
"Will you still love me when I'm fat?" she jokes a little flatly. Shock is more than likely the appropriate term. _Twins?_
Folly looks at the picture, then at Paige - then back at the picture, as if she can't quite believe what she just saw.
"Oh, Paige --" Folly says, but she can't even begin to find the right words. Instead, she joins Paige on the couch, pulling her into a warm, supportive hug, one hand straying to Paige's stomach as if to include the wee nubbins in the embrace as well.
"Merlin," Paige begins, obviously wanting to say more, but all that she can seem to muster is a soft, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Paige." Merlin sits down on the other side of Paige on the couch and puts a comforting arm around her. He looks very tired.
Folly smiles her thanks to Merlin, as much for the comfort he offers Paige as for the feats of sorcery. "You look exhausted, cousin," she says. "You've had quite a day. I guess we all have."
"We should get you to bed, Merle. The other room is yours if you want it, or you're welcome enough to crash here on the couch." Paige is obviously trying to give Merlin the privacy he needs.
"Just... well, let's keep this between us for now, OK?" she asks. "I've got to decide how and who to tell."
Folly nods.
Paige will walk Merlin to her door, kiss him on the cheek, holding him close for a long moment before letting go. "We'll see you for breakfast."
She watches him make it to his door before closing hers and leaning back against it. "OK, now I need a drink. But I can't anymore," she sighs. "This is going to be a change, huh?" She smiles ironically.
Folly laughs. "Clearly, we need to introduce a fashionable new cocktail to Amber: alcohol-free, but chock full of yummy prenatal vitamins."
Paige offers her hand to Folly and leads them to the bedchamber. There's nothing predatory in her nature. If anything she seems like she wants to just cuddle. Her cuddle resivoir is kinda empty... or still slightly full, but somehow just got twins... twice as big.
Folly is happy to cuddle. She also sings a soothing lullaby, directed at least partially toward Paige's abdomen (despite the fact that zygotes don't have ears), 'til first Paige and then Folly drift into sleep.
Last modified: 1 October 2002