GillianRainaJoaoTeaAndGhostsTea and Ghosts He ran his thumb along the edge of the Trump, “But stories can wait. Let’s get home shall we?” Putting the card in front of him, Seabhac began to concentrate. A shimmering portal tore open in the night air, revealing the library depicted on the card. He glanced about, smiling nervously, “I’d really appreciate your candor on this. People outside this circle don’t need to know I have this in my possession. “Step through. It’s my private apartments.” Gillian peered curiously through the portal at Seabhac's library. She glanced around quickly once and stepped through. "Da" Joao said. "I will not say a word about it." he agreed. Once Gillian was clear and through, he urged Raina to precede him, not letting go of her arm until she was ready to step through the card herself. He waited, once she was through, before stepping through himself, giving one last glance back up the tunnel before he did so. Raina stepped through the portal, smiling her thanks to Joao. She was obviously eager to tell him more, but it would have to wait. Seabhac followed them through the shimmering portal. The instant his foot touched the carpeted floor, the image of Corilaine flashed out of existence. They now found themselves in a private library; small and comfortably arranged with a plush chair in one corner, illuminated by a reading lamp. Curtained windows overlooked a lush mountain garden; the lights of Amber glowing beyond a stone wall, the glooming just settling in. They realized that they were actually on a balcony of sorts, a ladder leading down to an open space with more shelves and a couch. Beyond that was the main room. From the large amount of alchemical and thaumaturgical equipment and reagents, it was obviously Seabhac’s laboratory. Gillian looked around, wide-eyed. A small noise like a squeal escaped her mouth before she clamped her hands over it. Hands still over her mouth, she walked over to the Liber Mechanika and started scanning the page. A cursory look revealed that Seabhac was researching the mechanikal artifice for a prosthetic arm. Several coded notes had been inserted throughout the tome like book marks. “Welcome to my home,” he said. “Please, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll go fetch us some tea.” Gillian barely heard him. "Thank you," Raina said politely. When their host departed, she scampered to the window and gazed out at the landscape, her mouth dropping open in awe. "We're in the castle," she breathed. When she turned back to her companions, her expression was a strange mix of delight and dread. Joao stood protectively at a point one third of the distance from Raina and Gillian to the rest of the room. He looked toward both of them as he spoke. "Truly?" His eyes widened. He then gave Raina an alarmed gaze and looked around the room. "What is the time?" he asked, his voice taking on a sudden and palpable urgency, a lump rising in his throat. “Seventh strike,” a dour voice said from the rafters. “And this is not the castle. Although, you may be forgiven for your erroneous assumption. This is Chateau Lorraine. Castle Amber is in close proximity.” These two words, although from an unseen voice, visibly relieved Joao. He exhaled, and looked around for their source. They heard a fluttering of wings in the rafters. The winged feline they’d seen earlier that morning swooped down at them like a diving hawk. He narrowly missed Gillian’s head before landing atop one of the bookshelves. She flinched and stepped to the side. “What a curious find. A fish, a fawn, and a ferret. Your presence here can only mean my master has taken temporarily leave of his senses.” Joao turned up to regard the creature. He took a step toward it, away from Gillian and Raina. A hard look came across his face as he addressed it. "I believe your characterization of the two ladies is at best incomplete, and at worst, insulting. I comment and care not about my own characterization." Joao added. "Insulting the female guests of your bonded is improper and unfair." "He's a familiar," Gillian said to Joao. She had a fleeting hope that it was she characterized as a fawn, but she knew better. "The Proprieties are not a concern of theirs." “How true. I state facts, not insults,” the tressym said. “So, do reserve your righteous fury for someone who cares.” "Well, I don't mind at all," Raina said, dismissing Joao's indignation as she rejoined her companions. "In fact, each has its important qualities. Endurance and speed, grace and alertness, curiousity and tenacity. I'm not insulted at all." She gazed up at the creature curiously. "Do you mean he is mad for bringing us _here_, or mad because of something about _us_?" A response upon his lips to the tressym died like the light of the setting sun upon Raina's dismissal of his indignation. He bowed his head slightly in her direction and said nothing. The tressym rankled at Raina’s unflappability and began to study her as if deciding whether she was a genuine threat or intriguing antagonist. “As I stated, I believe his senses are addled for freely inviting three mere students into his home, let alone his private laboratory. And to do so in such a garish manner is the height of imprudence. Not to mention that association with your kind is beneath his station.” With a chastened look now fully blossomed upon his countenance with the manner of the full extension of the wreath of tentacles of a sea anemone, Joao fully and completely resisted the urge to reply. Instead his gaze, somewhat lowered, looked toward Gillian and Raina to reply to the creature, or not, as they would. Gillian watched Joao's reaction curiously. She drew her attention away from the young man and back to the familiar. "Based on what I've seen and heard so far, I'd hazard a guess he's of Prince Corwin's line, perhaps Merlin's son. How close am I?" The tressym narrowed its eyes and then grumbled to itself. “I will need to speak to my master regarding his apparently deficient ability for subterfuge.” It straightened its back. “Prince Seabhac is the Emperor-in-waiting to the Courts of Chaos and heir to Kashfa. Son of Merlin and Coral. Your power of observation serves you well. I can see why you distract him so. However, it is your discretion that now concerns me.” For the first time in this exchange, Raina seemed to shrink, falling back into the well-known patterns of deference to the noble line. She stepped back toward Joao and looked up at him silently, deferring to his experience with nobility. "He's..._really_? He doesn't act it. I mean...!" Gillian's hands flew to her mouth again. This was coming out all wrong. "He acts...humble. And caring. I just...One just don't often see those traits in nobility," she ended lamely. Joao did not manage to avoid the slightest quirk of an eyebrow. The tressym offered Gillian a look of sympathy, as one might provide an idiot-child begging on the street. “Yes. It is an irritating trait I have long combated. My Creator – His High Lord Mandor - is most displeased with my ward’s empathy for lesser beings.” Gillian gazed back at the familiar darkly. The tressym's declaration, combined with Raina's seeking of his aid, and Gillian's words spurred Joao from silent passivity. He nodded to Raina, his hand briefly touching her shoulder as he passed her. Joao took several steps more toward the tressym, spread his hands and bowed in the Rebman manner. He spoke as he remained bowed. "Da. I can understand that you are concerned of the matter of propriety and trust. Know that I am Joao, son of the Baroness Beatriz of the noble House Galitzin of Rebma." "I was born and raised to understand these things. And as a scion of that line, I give you my Word, and as a Noble, these two ladies under my aegis, that Discretion will be kept, and the nature of your master will be kept by all three of us, with Raina's and Gillian's pledges, of common birth, held in trust and under the wave of my Honor and Word." "I am certain that such an Oath would be sufficient, I trust?" Joao finished, and rose from his bow. The tressym regarded Joao with its green eyes and then nodded. “Agreed and I shall hold you to this Oath, Baron Galitzin, which shall also be made known to my Creator. Praise be to the Serpent that at least one of his new companions possesses an adequate pedigree.” "So it is said, and so it will be kept." Joao bowed his head. Gillian crossed her arms. "I judge people based on their actions, their potential, their accomplishments...not some societal convention they have no control over at all. The latter is not rational. And here I thought tressyms were supposed to be intelligent." Raina's eyes widened in alarm at Gillian's challenge. She glanced back up at the creature nervously. Outwardly, the tressym remained stoic, but Gillian noticed his wings twitch with agitation. “Idealism. How refreshingly quaint. Your peasant parents must be so proud.” Joao turned to regard Gillian. He inclined his head in a gesture of respect. "It may not be rational to you, Miss Talbot." his voice took on a tone of apology. "However, it is in the nature of the society from which the creature springs, as well as mine. And such an arrangement that I just made, even if it rankles against the merit-based point of view does, I humbly submit, does solve the danger presented in our possession of the knowledge of the true nature of our host." Beside Joao, Raina nodded demurely. She had learned her lessons in rank and status well and remained dutifully silent. Gillian inclined her head to Joao, conceding the point. The tressym began to pace, its eyes glowing. He opened his mouth, but it was Seabhac voice that filled the room. “Unless that’s an apology, you’d better shut it, Yo-Yo, or I swear I’ll pluck you like a chicken.” The young prince poked his head over the ladder, cheeks flush with anger. He looked over at Gillian, his anger transforming into embarrassment. She looked down at the floor, not able to meet Seabhac's eyes. “The tea is ready,” he said. "Excellent." Joao stepped forward and smiled even though his tone was formal. "We were just having a spirited discussion with your companion." he nodded to the tressym "about matters of nobility, honor, and merit-based points of view." He paused and then continued. "And we three have made an agreement to keep your nature and status a secret. I formalized it with an Oath on my name." "Tea, now, sounds delightful." he added, lightening his tone. Seabhac nodded and climbed back down the ladder. Yo-Yo leapt from the bookcase, taking some delight in nearly colliding with Gillian’s head before he flew back up into the rafters. She could sense his spiteful gaze following her around from the shadows. Gillian made a point not to look up and instead kept her gaze on the ground in front of her, her thoughts elsewhere as she considered all she'd learned in the last few moments. She climbed down the ladder after Raina, though nearly tripping when she accidentally stepped on her long skirts due to her inattention. Joao followed last, giving both ladies enough of a head start so that his long and lean frame would not accidentally strike Gillian in his passage down. The library’s open bottom floor consisted of more shelves surrounding a large, plush rug on three sides; the fourth opening out into the laboratory. A tray with tea and biscuits sat in the center of the carpet, easily reach from any of the Oriental divans and cushions that provided comfortable places to nestle in and read. Seabhac knelt down to prepare their cups, “Sorry for the informalities of this. I swear the next time I’ll make sure we have a true tea ceremony.” Gillian exchanged a look with Raina, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. The social mores she was used to were turned upside down and wrong side out, starting with an Heir and Prince serving them tea and ending with her wet, entirely inappropriate-for-the-situation clothing. What had started as a simple school lesson was ending as a complicated social occasion with not just one nobility present, but two, and Gillian felt completely out of her element. Raina smiled and stepped over next to Gillian, then with a glance that said "follow me", she knelt formally and folded her hands in her lap silently, politely waiting for the nobles to lead. As a well-respected merchant, Raina's father was well-versed in the etiquette of a double-dozen worlds, so Raina was no stranger to tea ceremonies. True, the aspect of nobility serving them was a bit unusual, but Raina was able to improvise. Gillian smiled at Raina gratefully, though it was strained, and followed her example. "Thank you all the same, Seabhac. I am sure we will more than make do." Joao said. He regarded the ladies for a long moment, and moved to step beside them, standing next to Raina. Recalling lessons from his mother, he bowed formally to Seabhac as host, from the waist. Joao then gave Raina a small, encouraging nod, and choose a place to sit down. It felt odd to sit down before the women, as once again the tangled rules of nobility meshed oddly with the rules of rebman gynarchy. Despite the informalities, they recognized the royal seal on each piece of china; the entire set more than likely equal to their year’s tuition. Seabhac served the ladies first, his attention lingering with Gillian for an instant longer, an apology echoing in his dark eyes. Gillian caught his gaze in a fleeting glance up from her lap and almost dropped the tea bowl he handed her. She murmured something that may have been "thank you" and returned her eyes downward. Joao came next and finally himself. “Please help yourself to the biscuits. Cook flavors them with nutmeg,” he said. He bit into one, staring at the trio as he nervously chewed. “So. Are things always this exciting with you three?” Joao cleared his throat. He looked at the freaked out Gillian, their nervous host, and finally the person he knew best, Raina. "Well, I have only had the pleasure of meeting Miss Talbot this evening, so I cannot provide report on the level of excitement that can expected on a regular basis with her company." Joao replied. "As for Raina and myself, our activities together are not usually *that* exciting. Unlike tonight." "The incident with Professor Dulong and the chocolate cakes is excepted of course." he looked at Raina apologetically. Joao reached for a biscuit and began to masticate it slowly. Raina blushed. Reaching for a biscuit, she replied, "No, we're not exciting. Not exciting at all." Something about her denial was less than convincing. She bit and began chewing slowly. Seabhac raised his dark brow at Raina, “So says the lady who apparently met Princess Sand and chums about with Night Wolves. Yeah, you three are the living personification of humdrum.” He flavored this with a soft smile. “Well, adventure aside, we accomplished your goal,” he said, changing the subject. “You can use my lab to finish the work. Everything is here and yours for the taking. The bonus for being a pampered pet, I suppose.” The fear of making some social impropriety warred with Gillian's desire to explore Seabhac's laboratory. She impulsively raised her gaze to look past her companions to the lab itself, noting the bright glints of light on glass and metal... She drew in a small, quick breath--The research she could accomplish on the Philosopher's Stone with such elaborate equipment! Joao smiled reassuringly to Gillian and Raina and then returned to looking at Seabhac. "That is a kind offer that, if my companions are amenable, we will definitely accept, with our thanks. And despite our misadventures, I thank you again for the opportunity to travel to Corilaine. He stage whispered to Raina "I think Miss Talbot is in love...with Seabhac's not inconsiderable laboratory" Raina giggled into her teacup. "That's understandable. It IS impressive," she answered, with a smile for Gillian. She sipped again quickly, trying to finish her tea without keeping her companions from the laboratory. "And the tea is lovely, Your... Seabhac." Joao took a sip of the tea and nodded in agreement with Raina's observations. Seabhac blushed brightly, his gaze touching Gillian before seeking sanctuary in the brackish contents of his cup. “Thank you. One of the family benefits is a sizable allowance. I haven’t much else to buy outside of books and tools. Well. That’s not true. Aunt Flora informs me that the place needs a woman’s touch. But I’ve been too frightened to let her in here." Joao opened his mouth slightly in surprise. It still was stunning to be in the company of someone who so casually referred to the people who ruled both poles of the multiverse. “Her gaggle of hearth witches is bad enough. I have a system, you know? And it takes me a week to undo most of the damage. Heh.” He sipped his tea, “And please. No need to thank me. For anything. I had fun, to be honest.” Seabhac set his cup down and stood up, offering his hand to Gillian. “I think your eyes are more beautiful in your head. So, before they pop out, would you like a closer look at the lab?” Gillian stared at Seabhac's hand, then raised her eyes to his. She colored, put down her tea self-consciously, and took the offered hand. "Yes...yes, I would." Seabhac had a firm, yet gentle grip as he led Gillian over to his lab. A flutter of restless wings echoed from the shadows far above them; Yo-yo following the pair with keen attentiveness. The young prince ignored their unwelcome chaperone and led her over to a huge cast-iron cauldron. Smokeless flames crackled beneath it, rising from a runic symbol on the floor. A strong smell rose from the bubbling clear liquor within. “I’ve been working on a batch of Bacchus’s Tears for the Church of the Unicorn. This should be ready for bottling soon,” he explained. “They use it in many of their rituals. The priestesses, I mean.” He gave her a shy smile, letting her examine the cauldron and his nearby workbench. Gillian noticed a bowl of crushed, dried Bacchus leaves sitting out. She knew that while the plant's roots were used to make Bacchus’s Tears, the addition of the leaves transformed the liquor into Neverstray, a local ‘marital aid’ for assuring fidelity. "You can see if we need anything else in order to complete our project." Joao urged Gillian. He made no motion to rise, continuing to nurse the cup of tea in front of him. Raina sipped her tea, but her eyes sparkled knowingly over the rim of her cup as she watched the two of them move away. Seeing Joao staying put, she decided to do the same. She glanced up at him and asked, "What happened to you and Gillian? While we were separated?" |
