GrandmotherlyTalkGrandmotherly TalkKieran nods his head. "All right then;" he says. "Valerian, show Paril the library, I've heard stories about it. Paril, its where they store data here; no holonet, datapads, flimsiplast, or computers though. Paper and parchment, leather bound books and so on." "Really?" Paril says. "I have to see this to believe it." "The library it is." Valerian says, and soon leads Paril off back toward the Castle, leaving Kieran and Deirdre on the practice grounds with relative privacy. "Smoothly done." Deirdre comments as Valerian and Paril head off and away. Kieran nods his head. "Know your audience;" he says softly. "In Paril's case; he's fascinated by all things he and I consider low tech." "He will have endless matter, then, to occupy him while the two of you are here." Deirdre responds. "No doubt;" Kieran replies. "Now, then..." Deirdre continues, as she starts walking with clear expectation that Kieran will follow. Her course seems to perambulate around the outside of the Castle, away from the grounds and toward the rear of the Castle. Kieran, after a moment's hesitation, walks after his grandmother. He stretches his strides until he catches up to her, then he matches her pace. "Tell me what the union of my son and Fiona's daughter has wrought." Kieran chuckles softly. "How to blow one's own horn without sounding too arrogant?" he says more to himself than Deirdre. "You remember the core schools people in my mother's shadow are expected to go to while growing up, and assuming they have the talent? I am a Bard, Druid, Fianna, Kin to the Dragon, a Commodore in the Keltic Space Navy, Ace Starfighter Pilot, Jedi, General, Spy, Merchant, and so on." Kieran can see his grandmother's eyes making a checklist at Kieran's list. "I have learned more than a few things from my parents;" he adds after a moment. "And continue to work on combining them and make them my own. Speaking of my parents;" Kieran raises his left arm and sends a mental command to the HTD to bring up images of Brandeigh and Percy. "Now that we know Trumps work again, would you like to talk to them?" Deirdre waves a dismissing hand in Kieran's direction. "Now that we know the Trumps work, unless the time difference remains a problem, there will be time for me to contact my son and daughter-in-law in good time. It would be using up our time in a less than ideal way." Kieran cancels the command to the HTD and lowers his arm. "Besides." her eyes look mischievous. "I'm sure when my sister sits you down, I will have *plenty* of time to talk to Percy and Brandeigh. I'm mildly surprised she hasn't decided to interrupt us already." "I've heard she was up late last night, working on something or with someone;" Kieran replies. "That would not surprise me." Deirdre replies. "One thing I was curious about, though, especially given the time its been, is if I should expect any more grandchildren to show up here in a few years." Deirdre adds. Kieran grins. "None that I know of;" he says. "Though not for lack of effort on their parts. Or so I've been given to understand. You can ask them about more grandchildren when you talk to them." "Fair enough" Grandmother responds. He pauses for a moment. "What do you know of Cyllene;" he asks carefully. "I believe I've encountered a clone, a Shadow of her in my travels. I'd like to learn more if possible." "Encountering shadows of Amberites is not unheard of." Deirdre says. "My son once told me that a shadow of...my brother once ruled your mother's shadow. A close reflection, from all reports." "Never met him;" Kieran says with a shudder. "Before my time, but I know the tales the Bards have made of that time and have heard Mother's stories as well." "On the subject of Cyllene, I suppose you only know about the family through your parents, and so have a limited window to know about them." Deirdre rounds one of the corners of the Castle, continuing her progress with Kieran "Cyllene is Caine's daughter." Deirdre begins. "Independent, free-willed and spirited, much like her father that way. She likes to sail, but from all reports, she prefers to sail the currents of outer space, in shadows where that is possible." Kieran nods his head, for his Grandmother confirms what little he knew of Cyllene. "An enthusiastic explorer of such shadows, usually with a ship or a flotilla of ships. A space pirate, sometimes, to have heard her father tell it."Deirdre says. "If anything, he was proud of her enthusiasm for such exploits. Does this sound like your shadow?" "She would easily fit in there;" Kieran confirms. "Even if she had no ability to use the Force. Maybe having the Pattern would cover some of that." "A shadow of Cyllene could not have a full Pattern." Deirdre comments. "However, a shadow of her could have a broken Pattern imprint, or some lesser power's aegis." "Some other power, I'm sure;" Kieran comments. "I've observed Mom and Dad use the Pattern enough to recognize when its being used." He frowns in thought. "Narek, her Shadow clone there, is able to use the Force, like me, but went to the Dark Side. We were more than friends for a time, but the tides of war and our duties to our respective sides split us apart. While I was there, I used a variation of my name and never my full name, but Narek learned of it from someone. Someone who told her about the wider multiverse and quite likely trained her in things, powers no one from that Shadow should know about. Someone who has a grudge for members of the family." "Is Cyllene around or her whereabouts known?" Kieran asks. "And how did she take the news of her father's death?" "I understand she went with the group that went with Jayson to Paris to face Apollo." Deirdre says after a moment. "But you are so new as to have no context for what I just said. My sisters may be rubbing off on me." She smiles slightly. Kieran nods his head. "It is a long story." Deirdre sighs, "and it ties in with why I am here walking with my grandson around the Castle, instead of lost in the Abyss." "Well, I am glad that we are both here." Kieran says. "Paris, you said. That would be part of Uncle Corwin's realm, correct?" "Yes" Deirdre says. "My brother's realm begins with a shadow here in this multiverse, a lovely manor House, with his original Pattern. Beyond that Pattern lies a separate multiverse, the multiverse that begins with Paris and extends from there into presumably infinite shadows of its own." "I believe Mom and Dad have been to the manor house, or perhaps a reflection of it;" Kieran comments. Deirdre's eyes brighten, interested. "I assume." Deirdre says "your mother has told you the difference between a Primal Pattern and the Pattern of Amber?" "She has;" Kieran confirms. "But I'd like to learn your views on it as well." "Your mother's influence. My son is less interested in such esoterics." Deirdre says. "Perhaps;" Kieran comments. "It's possible he's picked up more than a few things in order to keep up with Mom." Deirdre nods. "It seems very simple to me, Kieran." she continues. "According to my brother, and I agree, the Primal Pattern of Corwin's universe lies within this one. The manor house, where your mother and father visited, if they visited the real one, is where it lies." "Thus, the Pattern of Corwin's Shadow, in Paris, is to that Manor House shadow as Amber is to the Primal Pattern. It is said to be difficult but not impossible to pass through from Amber to the Primal Pattern. Events seem to have turned the passage from Paris to the Manor House from difficult to impossible." "I am sure." Deirdre adds "your other grandmother will have her own opinions and view on the matter." "When you talk to Mom and Dad, ask them about it;" Kieran replies. He frowns in thought. "If Uncle Corwin's Patternverse has its Primal Pattern in Amber's multiverse, then in what multiverse does Amber's Primal Pattern lie? Has anyone tried to go exploring...;" he shrugs his shoulders while searching for the correct terminology to continue. "Outward, I guess, from it?" "As far as I know." Deirdre responds. "Reading the shadow of Amber's Primal Pattern is difficult enough. I don't know of any explorations of even the worlds where the Primal Pattern is located, much less any worlds that lie beyond its borders." "But, then, Kieran" Deirdre continues "its possible those who have explored there haven't spoken of what they found." "Maybe I'll go find out someday;" Kieran comments as they continue to walk. "Getting back to Uncle Corwin and his Pattern;" Kieran continues. "That is why I'm here now. Cousin Dagny, brought us in, but once I've walked the Pattern, we're heading off to Corwin's realm, or perhaps Shadows of it reflected in Amber's multiverse. The Omphalos have been making attempts to invade and conquer it. I know little more than that at the moment. Have you heard anything about this?" "I've heard of some of the doings of the Omphalos." Deirdre replies after a moment's thought and the crunch of footsteps. "But the Omphalos, tied in with my brother's Pattern and worlds..." She pauses a moment again and shakes her head, a gesture filled with reluctance. "In point of fact, I have not yet met Dagny." Deirdre says. "Perhaps an introduction might be in order before the two of you go out to investigate. And have you thought about approaching any of your cousins about such an expedition?" "I will make sure you get a chance to meet her then;" Kieran comments. "As for bringing more of the family along, I will ask Dagny and let her decide. This is her operation." "Of course." Deirdre responds. "I wouldn't dream of treading on her perogatives. I'd leave it to Random to do such a thing, if he wanted to." Kieran chuckles softly. "And of course, you will actually have to meet more of the family than just Dagny, and myself. I suppose." Deirdre looks at Kieran shrewdly "you might like to meet your other grandmother next?" "Well, yes;" Kieran says while nodding. "But, shall we finish our walk around the walls of the Castle first? Is this part of your daily regimen as well?" "It is" Deirdre says easily. "Its low impact, but your Uncle Gerard tells me that every little bit helps in making a recovery. And so, as improbable and unconsidered a regimen as it might have been to me decades ago, a walk around the Castle walls every morning after sparring is what I've been doing." She looks down at the ground and considers the relatively bare earth, not yet showing the shoots of spring. "It could be worse, Kieran. It could be raining, or snowing." "I've been told by my physician." Deirdre smiles wryly "that those are not valid excuses for not exercising. And when I am stronger, I will start climbing up to the stairs, and back." She glances in the direction of the peak of Kolvir. "I will trust my son and daughter in law warned you in no uncertain terms about the dangers of Tir Na Nogth?" "Weather;" Kieran replies with a smile; "Just adds flavor to the exercise or training. My former instructors seemed to love to go out on field exercises in the worst weather imaginable." He shrugs his shoulders. "They had a point; once you've done something under the worst possible conditions, it becomes second nature under normal ones." "That sounds like a celtic attitude for battle." Deirdre agrees. Kieran nods his head in agreement. Kieran glances up a Kolvir. "Wear your armor and/or a weighted pack once the trek gets easy;" he ventures. Deirdre gives a nod. "And yes, they've warned me about Tir." A pause and then; "Do you know if anyone's tried a parachute, parasail, or hang glider while in Tir?" Another, shorter pause. "Not that I intend on trying any of those or even venturing in Tir anytime soon, mind." "I've heard a story that Merlin considered a hangglider attempt." Deirdre responds. "although I don't know the truth of it. I suspect that if he truly had done, my brother would have made an edict forbidding it after the fact. "So my advice, Kieran." Deirdre says, her blue eyes merry "is that if you were thinking of trying such a thing someday, you tell as few people as possible." "Something along the lines of 'Tis easier to ask forgiveness than permission', I gather?" he says with an innocent expression on his face. "Seriously though, I've no wish to try those methods of egress from Tir. Nor do I wish to visit the place just yet." Deirdre lets a brief moment of satisfaction cross her countenance. "Then, my son and daughter-in-law have taught you how to seek wisdom, as well as knowledge. Good." "They will say they tried;" Kieran opines. "I will say I'm still seeking both. A never ending journey." Deirdre then stops her progress, getting a familiar look in her eyes that suggests she is receiving a trump call. Kieran's grandmother holds up a hand for Kieran to stop. After a few moments, Deirdre turns toward Kieran. "And it seems that your other grandmother would like to speak with you now." Deirdre says. "Who am I to be selfish? After all, after Fi is done with you, you still have a bevy of aunts, uncles, and cousins to meet." Kieran nods. He'll hand Deirdre a pair of trumps of himself and then give a quick explanation on why there are two of them. Deirdre listens to the explanation with a slightly furrowed eyebrow. No questions, but a calculated, penetrating expression is on her face as Kieran explains his set. "Is she coming through, or will you pass me through?" he asks his grandmother. "I could trump her myself, if she'd like." "Oh, she would like me to pass you through to her. I suspect..." Deirdre's expression sours slightly "that thanks to the way Trumps work, she's now has the explanation of your double-set trumps. But..." Deirdre brightens somewhat "I will leave you two to talk about such details." "Ah, but she will get a set as well;" he responds. "Until our next meeting, grandson." Deirdre says, waiting to pass Kieran off. Kieran closes and gives Deirdre a hug before backing away slightly and holding out a hand. "I've enjoyed meeting and spending time with you, Grandmother. I will see you again soon." "I never thought of myself as a Grandmother. It took me centuries to think of myself as a Mother." Deirdre says. "We'll have to see about you getting to meet your Aunt Aura sometime. Until later, Kieran." And then with a hand, Kieran is through the rainbow connection, and finds himself holding the hand of his maternal grandmother. Shorter than Kieran, Fiona looks up with green, pleased eyes at Kieran's arrival. The room that Kieran has been transported to is a sitting room done in tones of purple and gold. On the wall, a tapestry of a griffin and a dragon locked in aerial combat over a mountainous landscape dominates the decor. Other walls are covered by bookcases done in dark wood. Kieran studies the tapestry for a few moments. Does either opponent look to be winning? No, the battle is completely in balance, the two aerial opponents appear to be equally matched. The Griffin seems ready to snap at the dragon's hindquarters, while the dragon seems set to use one of its claws to rake the Griffin's back. All of the chairs have attendant tables. A few of the chairs are plush, and comfort that suggest reading. Somehow avoiding an entire style clash, a few of the chairs are much more spartan, even modern in their design, slender, tall, striking. One of the tables, between two of the chairs, has a tea set, with a pot of tea's curling smoke suggesting that tea is ready to be poured, and two cuprs. "Good morning." Fiona says with a slight smile. She steps back and appraises Kieran and gestures toward the chairs and the tea set. "Please do sit down. I only sometimes live up to my reputation." "Good morning, Seanmhathair;" Kieran replies while taking a seat. "What reputation would that be?" he asks neutrally. "For being fearsome, dangerous, and not to be engaged with except in extremis. I am afraid..." Fiona lets that hang while she pours two cups of tea. "that my quarters and especially my laboratory are considered dangerous territory. As dangerous as their owner." "Mom, and Dad, said you say something like that;" Kieran replies. "Dad believes it." Fiona smiles, slightly, and takes up one of the cups. And as Kieran hears this, he feels something else...the tell tale feel of a trump call. "Maulk;" Kieran says upon feeling the contact. Then, "Pardon my language, grandmother. I'm getting a call and as few people have my Trump..." He raises his left hand and has his HTD cycle through his images as he attempts to identify the caller. Fiona keeps her expression carefully neutral, sipping her tea and watching Kieran's gestures. He can feel the esoteric aspect to Fiona's gaze and scrutiny as he looks through his set of images to determine the caller. Fortunately, the smart heuristics of his HTD comes up with an answer, and quickly. It's Dagny. Kieran looks up at Fiona. "I should probably take this. If that' okay with you?" "Go ahead" Fiona says to Kieran. Kieran accepts the call, having the HTD display Dagny's realtime image in 1/3rd scale. "Dagny? What can I do for you?" Kieran asks. Fiona cages her fingers and watches. Backlinks |
