SorceressAtWorkSorceress at workOnce Ederyn, the Weir, Lorius and Aura are out of Random's office, and the first three are off on their own errands, Nick perches forward on Aura's shoulder as if he is ready to spring off into midair. "So where do we begin?" Nick asks. Aura hums and looks around the hallway for a moment as if trying to decide for herself. "Lorius is going to be awhile. I think I shall get Random's collection of Atlantean goodies put together and take it it by his rooms first." Heading for the stairs, she continues her musings to her familiar. "I suppose I could go offer my services to Julian - they did say he was in the infirmary, yes? We could get the grove fixed right up. Assuming I can save the house, that would take longer. Not a today chore. But restoring the landscaping would be easy enough to get started." "Will they care about the shrubbery more than the house?" Nick wonders aloud. Aura shrugs. "Who knows? You've heard the same stories I have about the Warder." Shrugging, Aura continues: "Of course, if you were just speaking rhetorically, use those years you have to come up with something different." She pauses to study one of the tapestries on the wall. Atlantis didn't have many tapestries; they didn't need them to keep the chill at bay and the artists didn't seem to ever take to the idea of fabric as a canvas for art. At least not this type of art. "Why do they seem to like immortalizing hunts on these things?" she asks of no one in particular as she continued on her way. "Battles and hunts." Although Aura was only talking to herself, she gets an answer, from behind her. "Because they are mostly, cousin, meant to glorify the men of the Castle. And those ladies who fancy picking up an axe or a sword. More gentle arts are not as prized, or not as easily depicted in a work of art. The speaker is a young blond haired woman that Aura recognizes from the doings a couple of nights ago at the Ball. Random's daughter, Dulcinea. Aura turns on the balls of her feet and smiles. "That sounds about right," she agrees. "Dulcinea, isn't it?" "It is. You are Deirdre's daughter, Aura, aren't you?" She shifts her blue eyes to Nick. "And you are her familiar and companion, Nicholas. Like Hadrian's Dora?" "Just Nick, baby" Nick says. "And I'm not a Dragon or whatever she is." he says, almost too casually. "Nick, then." Dulcinea says agreeably. She then regards Aura. "My father is doing his level best to keep me out of the affairs with the Omphalos Doors, even though I was involved in the business with Dagny, Valerian and Paris. I'd rather not sit on my hands, and you appear to be up to your armpits in this affair." She smiles. "Unless I am very much mistaken." "Fathers are that way with their daughters," Aura grins. "Mine tried that once. I pouted about it until he was out of sight, then talked my way into the Prince's Guard and went anyway." "I'm just on my way to my rooms to put something together." Aura gestured towards her room with a sweep of her hand. "Walk with me and we can speak on this Omphalos issue. Lorius and I will be working on something but it is just in its infancy stage at the moment. We didn't really hear what happened at your location. What did we miss?" Dulcinea easily slips into formation with Aura on progression through the Castle. Although Aura is relatively unknown and despite Dulcinea's remark about how long the King knew who she was, the guards they pass all know her, and all give greetings. "I like Lorius, even if he seems a bit flighty...I mean floaty. Thari is not my first language" Dulcinea says apologetically. Nick chuckles Aura grins. "Flighty, floaty; either works, really." "Dagny asked me with helping her and Valerian on an operation to visit Paris, some shadow of Uncle Corwin's. Dagny had been there, discovered it crawling with Omphalos. She and Valerian decided to investigate in more detail, and do some spying." "I kept a link open to them and watched them infiltrate some sort of General Staff Headquarters. They got plenty of intel posing as Secret Police officers or something, but something didn't work right, because they started shutting down the shadow barriers." Dulcinea pauses. "Valerian got noble and shoved Dagny through, leaving himself behind. Maybe he figured he'd blend in better." "Dagny decided that would not do. So, we asked the Queen for help, she directed us to a Rebman Trump Artist who owed her favors. With his help, we managed to pull Valerian out of Paris, although it took the starch out of Valerian and Corlianus both to get him across. It was about then that the Doors started popping off here and in Rebma." Dulcinea tilts her head. "I don't know if its a coincidence or not, since the Doors did *not* originate from Paris, I understand." Aura purses her lips thoughtfully. "We will have to ask Lorius if there is possibly a connection between the rescue and the Doors, but I do not see how there would be myself. Granted, I do not know much about either subject." They walk a bit more before Aura continues speaking. "I suspect you will just have to be patient with your father. Fathers are just naturally more protective of daughters, though they tend to ease up as we get older. But he didn't raise you, so having a daughter is new to him. It will take some getting used to, I would think, and he doesn't really have a lot of free time to devote to it at the moment." "I have heard him grumble that he needs a vacation. Or a Regent." she replies with a nod. [Aura] smiles at Dulcinea. "Part of the problem is he likely remembers what *he* was like as a younger man and wants desperately to keep you away from the likes of his younger self." "I have heard stories and whispers." Dulcinea says seriously. "About many of the Royal Family, really." She pauses a moment and then continues. "My mother considered marriage alliances for me as I grew up, although Queen Sand, Jayson's mother, had ideas of her own about that. I wonder if my father will do the same for me. But from what I have been told, it is not generally done in Amber, save perhaps for Uncle Gerard. And King Oberon himself." "Goddess, I hope they don't do that to you or any of us," Aura exclaimed with a note of disbelief at the very idea. Not wanting the other woman to think she didn't believe her, she went on to explain: "Marriage is very, very rare where I grew up. Those who do enter into it do so later in their lives and by choice. As longed lived as my father's people are - and my mother's come to think of it - the whole idea of binding yourself to one person just seems silly. And a bit optimistic. Of course, the whole concept of paternity isn't as important to us as the maternal line and there is no question about who the mother is." Aura scrunches her nose. "I can't imagine decades with the same single lover. Day in, day out for years and years. Maybe in a century or few I'd consider it just to try something new, but I don't imagine I would be very good at it." "I've never heard of a place like that. Atlantis must be very far away." Dulcinea says after listening to Aura's description. "Even when things are upside down, like in Rebma, I think there is plenty of marriage, just its the women who run things, rather than the reverse." "I don't think the royal family of amber are paragons of fidelity" Dulcinea continues. "But its not the same as what you describe. I can't imagine how children are raised when the partners are not married and not bound by law to take care of the children." "Or is it that children among your people are so rare, because they are so long lived?" she asks. "Atlanteans are very much bound to care for their families," Aura says somewhat sharply. "Laws are not needed. Family is very important. But they are also fluid. After Deirdre left there was nothing to stop my father from seeking out another beyond his own desire not to." Dulcinea nods her head. "Very different than the realms I am used to." she responds. "Is it that children among your people are so rare, because they are so long lived?" she adds. "Or is it that children among your people are so rare, because they are so long lived?" she asks. "I don't know if I would say children are rare," Aura replies after a moment's thought. "It seems whenever someone decides they want children they easily have them. But we are conscious of our resources and everyone makes an effort to keep that in mind. You won't find any large families. Most people only have one or two. I don't think I know anyone who has more than three." "More of that enlightenment and concern for resources" Dulcinea muses as they continue along. "There is often no such rhyme, reason or forethought in the shadows that I know." "Sometimes, I think this family of ours, at least the men, would have fifty children apiece if not for the general infertility that our shared family has" Dulcinea muses. Nick snickers. And at this point, Aura has reached her rooms. "I am curious as to what you are putting together for my father." She pauses a beat. "If you don't mind a witness, that is." "Not at all," replies Aura airily before pushing open the door and gesturing Dulcinea inside. "It is just a collection of some of the things I brought from Atlantis for my own comforts." Dulcinea wanders in behind Aura into the rooms set aside from her, humming to herself. "I'm given to understand that eventually we'll be given permanent quarters with the chance to decorate them to our tastes." Dulcinea says, looking around. "Pollux says the decor in these quarters are done in the style of "Aunt Florimel's Bed and Breakfast". I don't quite understand what he meant, though." Aura pauses and looks around the room again. "I am not sure I do either. I am equally unsure I will ever feel truly comfortable living in a castle." "So what are you putting together for your father?" Dulcinea stops her patter. "Your father is a high noble of your shadow Atlantis, right?" "My father is descended from one of the four original founding Houses" Aura answers absently while flipping through trunks. "Though I get more from that than he does." Aura summons a pillow and drops it on the floor before seating herself upon it in front of two opened trunks. She ponders a moment before summoning a basket from the bedroom. It is woven of silvery grey, lavender and blue branches from trees that grow on the mountains of Atlantis. A length of shimmering fabric goes in to line it. The fabric is one of Aura's personal favorites. What color you see is entirely dependent on the angle it's viewed from. "What is known about Atlantis in Amber can fit on a single sheet of paper with space left over. Your father has never seen it, never experienced anything of what it has to offer. Until today really. I would like him to have an idea of what Atlantis can offer Amber before the diplomats get involved and break it all down to stuffy facts and figures." "Mother would be proud, you'd make a good Emissary" Dulcinea says, reaching to touch the fabric. "Given how little Atlantis is known to Amber, my father should know something of what an alliance can offer." "So how did your mother find Atlantis, do you know?" Dulcinea pauses a beat. "And how did Lorius find it? They are the only members of our family besides you ever to have gone there, right?" Nick snickers. "You shush," she scolds her familiar good-naturedly. She pulls another length of the fabric out and hands it to her guest. "For you." “Oh. Thank you” Dulcinea says. “Multichromatic.” She says in admiration. "It has been only Lorius and Mother. Lorius was sent there by Mother," Aura says as she pulls a pair of wine bottles from a chest - one bottle of black glass, the other looking as if it had been carved from a large opal. "After she left when the troubles between Amber and Chaos started." She pauses to study both bottles, then just decides to send them both. They go to either end of the basket. "She felt he would not be too shocked by the place and could teach me what I needed to know about Amber and the power that comes with being of the bloodline." She smirks at Dulcinea. "She made him responsible." Dulcinea smiles. “I understand that is a difficult feat to manage, to keep him in line. There must be a story behind there, but it would be for him, or your mother to tell.” Aura went back to picking through the chests. "I don't recall ever hearing how Mother found herself there. Not any particulars. I think she just stumbled upon it. The protections around Atlantis must have recognized something about her - or felt she would be well served by being there - and allowed her entrance. It caused a bit of a stir; it has been centuries since someone wandered in from beyond the boundaries." "Maybe she was drawn by the power there. I don't believe she created Atlantis, but some in the family say that sort of thing." Dulcinea says. "Ah!" Aura pulled two boxes out; both made of wood and beautifully inlaid - the smaller of two with a detailed depiction of the underwater ruins of Atla and the larger of a night sky dominated by a multicolored veil-like aurora among the stars. "The glasses that go with the drinks," she explained before settling them beside their respective bottles. "They are special, together?" Dulcinea asks "I am not at all sure I would make a good Emissary," Aura says, addressing Dulcinea's first comment. "I have a short attention span for posturing and rules. But Random plans on sending me to Rebma in spite of that. Hopefully I won't start a war." “It could certainly be worse.” Dulcinea says. “That idiot they had for a Rebman emissary seemed to want to start one the other night at the Ball. I think Random wants you because you are a woman.” she smiles. “And you are tough enough not to let Queen Moire and her Court push you around.” “Also” Dulcinea lowers her voice. “I’m pretty sure Father wants answers on what Rebma is really doing, how and why. Aunt Fiona is too obvious to send, and most of the other sorcerers are male. So, that’s why he picked you, right?” “You probably need a beard though” Dulcinea says. “Even if my father didn’t suggest it. Lorius would be an awful choice, but one of the other male cousins to, um, distract the women and let you get to business.” "A what?" laughed the Atlantean Princess. "I have never heard that expression. If it is what it sounds like, does it have to be a cousin? I could always bring an Atlantean male along. Prince Kovikin would love to volunteer, but now may not be a good time for him to be out of Atlantis. It would be host of new sensations for whoever I choose, and we Atlanteans are all about discovering new sensual experiences. Perhaps his brother. He's always fun." "An hedonistic Atlantean might be an even better choice" Dulcinea agrees. "From what you have told me, this brother of the Prince would have no qualms acting as, ah, distraction. He'll be confused if the Rebman Houses try and get him into a marriage contract, though." "I shall explain it to whomever I bring along," Aura promises. "Because that could get ugly otherwise." Aura finally finds two silvery pearls that hold selections of the wonders of Atlantis she stored ages ago when they were flying around on Nasir's carpet and one from a a tour of the palace's public areas and gardens. They're more for Vialle than Random since he's already seen much of it from her earlier presentation. Because they play in the holder's mind and don't require sight at all, she hopes the Queen can enjoy it. They goes in a small box carved into the shape of a leaping dolphin. Into a small drawstring pouch embroidered with colorful firebirds she adds one each of the yellow, rose and glowing white moon pearls. She'll have to write an explanation of all this before taking the gifts to the Royal apartments. Settling those in the basket, she looks around thoughtfully before turning to Dulcinea. "Do your parents have favorite colors?" "Well" Dulcinea says. "I know Random likes orange, red and brown. As far as my mother..." She stops a moment "My mother, you mean and not Queen Vialle?" Dulcinea blinks uncertainly. "Well" she thinks for a moment. "Royal purple of course, sea green and white. I prefer blue to the purple, although if I succeed her, I'll change." "If you meant Vialle, she likes Rebman colors. I think she sees them, in some way. Maybe its a Rebman thing." Actually, Aura did mean Vialle, but she decides to let it pass for now. Her mistake. "I'm her only daughter and heir." Dulcinea says "and the man who she thought I was going to marry is...gone. And I really am a Princess of Amber. It is going to be difficult for my mother, for Maeonis. And for me." Aura pulls a tin of her favorite Persan sweets into her lap and sits back on her heels. But she gives Dulcinea her full attention for the moment. "Why is that?" Dulcinea closes her eyes in thought for a moment, purses her lips, and then opens them again. "My mother is mortal and will not live forever, Aura. I, like you, am a child of the Pattern and have a naturally long lifespan. They say Benedict is thousands of years old, and even Random, the youngest, is hundreds of years old. Whether I want to rule that long, or not, its going to be a big change for Maeonis to have, well, a goddess on the throne. Or someone with the lifespan of a goddess. And I don't even know how long I could rule Maeonis before I would tire of it, but what do I do then? How would the people of my land react if I decided to retire, but still lived decades, centuries afterwards?" "And then there is the fact that I'd be a ruler of Maeonis, and the daughter of the King of Amber. The politics of that are...tricky. Even our cousin Rinaldo must get grief ruling over Kashfa because of that. Or Merlin, ruling Chaos." Shrugging, Aura continues: "Of course, if you were just speaking rhetorically, use those years you have to come up with something different." "I was not speaking rhetorically." she shakes the curls of her blond hair. "Maeonis is similar to Antioch, where our cousins Castor and Pollux are thought of as demigods, and our Uncle Gerard is considered to be Heracles, incarnate.Once it becomes well known where my descent comes from. |
