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April 22, 2003
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Hell's Kitchen - Hellmaids
Club..
Mariko says, "It goes well . . . " and
then she stiffens.
Yosannah pauses at the entryway in an
effort to examine the club. Her eyes fall to Mariko.
Norman frowns as he sees Mariko stiffen.
He than slips back into some shadows.
Yosannah regards the two individuals, her
gaze lingering on Norman - studying him.
Mariko rises and what is left of the
night's crowd parts to form a corridor (the sheets also). She holds
out her hand, palm up, "Dearest sister, what brings your to our
realm?"
Yosannah hehs at that, "Your realm? I
suppose that is the case given the fact that you are trapped here."
Mariko says "Come, join me, my
sister."
Norman bows deeply to Mariko, turns and
does the same for Yosannah. He than turns to leave.
Yosannah rubs at her right wrist as she
moves toward Mariko. She makes little note of Norman as he leaves.
Quickly, everyone else leaves the bar as
well.
Yosannah's gaze lingers on the woman,
arms at her sides, "This isn't all for my account, is it?"
Mariko says "It is for their protection.
It would not do to have my flock contaminated with your
diseases."
Yosannah blinks just once. Slowly and
deliberately, "You misjudge me. Do you think I came to this festering
hole to," she mimics Mariko's words, "contaminate your flock?" She
waves a hand, dismissively.
Mariko says "Accidents can happen. Come,
sit."
Yosannah moves to sit where Mariko has
indicated, "There are no accidents, Mariko." She is visiably
uncomfortable as the woman's name is articulated.
"I have questions. And I'd like you to
answer them."
Mariko nods, "I see."
Yosannah nods as there seems to be an
understanding, "Tell me first of Kitsune."
Mariko smiles, "Your concern for my
daughter is touching." She turns to the side and sticks her finger in
her throat, pretends to gag, then returns to normal and looks at you.
"What do you care?"
Yosannah pointedly ignores the question,
"Where is she. Or are you she. I wouldn't be surprised."
Mariko says "She's gone."
"Tell me."
Mariko says "She was destroyed when she
sacrificed herself for this world."
Yosannah seems doubtful, "And you. You
rose from the ashes then. Is that it?"
Mariko says "So it seems."
"You understand that I saw you but a
matter of weeks past. You were quite insane it seemed. So forgive me
if I do not believe you." She adds, "Particularly since I saw your
dead body five years ago."
Mariko says "Do you think bringing back
someone from the realm beyond is impossible for Death?"
Yosannah seems intrigued at the notion,
"While my personal beliefs on the matter are of little
significance... I don't believe it is in the power of that Rider to
'bring someone back'." She pauses, "However, I also know that it is
not my place to judge the Serpent's desires." She smirks, "Because
I'm sure there is some great purpose for which all of Chaos depends
on your reincarnation." Her tone is obviously sarcastic on that last
point.
Mariko laughs, then ends with a
whimsical, "Hmmm." She looks off. "I'm not insane, my dear sister. I
am the definition of sanity within *this* world."
"For whatever -that- is worth. Listen,
let me be frank," she states, "I don't believe you are the woman I
once knew as Mariko. Not for a second. I think you are her daughter,
Kitsune. I think the destruction in this shadow caused an
unintentional shifting." She admits, "Though, I am not sure
how."
Mariko says "Could be worse. I could be
Erzsebet. Don't you think she'd be fun to have around
again?"
Yosannah exhales and answers simply,
"No."
Mariko says "Not that it matters whether
you know or not, but let me tell you what I think, for I have been
pondering it for quite sometime. I have all of my memories. I'm not
just a wishful fantasy of Kitsune's. I remember the time you came to
the web beging for me to come save Stone's life. I remember taking
Enki's life and my banishment from Chaos. I even remember dying,
though the latter memory is not my own, but rather Ryker's. Ryker,
it seems, brutalized and strangled me, though he didn't, ultimately,
kill me. That was his henchman's task. Can't recall his name. You'd
think you'd remember the man who murdered you, but since hewas
himself killed later, I suspose my thirst for vengence has faded.
Ryker did always like attacking me without warning. Then again, it
was my own damned fault. I was cocky and ignored the spells that were
being woven about me, thinking that sitting with Stone afforded me
some protection. Won't make that mistake again."
Yosannah nods at that, "I spoke to Ryker
about what happened to Mariko... as well as the spirit he carried. Do
you not think it is possible that the same spirit came to Kitsune and
she has been carrying Mariko's memories all along?" She urges, "I've
conversed with Kitsune. There have been moments when I was quite
certain her psyche tottered on the edge of insanity thinking of you.
Her mother."
Mariko says "In fact, that was what
happened. Through the poor girl for a loop when Erszebet invaded her
mind. Kitsune had a powerful mind, but Erszebet was ten thousand
years old if she was a day. The memories overwhelmed the poor girl,
and she latched on to my own memories to hold on to herself. She
ultimately defeated the demon by becoming it, herself, and me. Then,
it seems, Death decided she'd make a perfect host. It's no wonder the
poor girl went off her rocker. I think she might have made it were it
not for Death."
Yosannah is apparently disgusted, "The
-girl- was your daughter."<
Mariko says "You might have shown more
concern when her obviously fractured personality was coming apart in
front of you."
"The way you apperentlly are showing
concern. She was not -my- daughter."
Mariko says "I am here, she is gone.
Anyway, let me finish my story."
Yosannah absent-mindedly twists the band
on her arm around her wrist.
Mariko says "Somehow or another, we got
our hands on a crystal, in which the Spirit of Famine was entrapped.
I don't exactly remember how, but I do remember that Kitsune was a
rather merciful Death. She was reall into the life-death-rebirth,
death as a gift thing. As I said, she has a very powerful mind.
Clever girl figured out a way to release the dead for a holiday,
letting their souls wander the worlds in which she moved. Then she
came here, and it went rather ary. This world, it seems, has quite
the mess of angry dead. Well, you remember how that turned out.
Demons and undead spirits taking control of inanimate
objects."
Yosannah exhales at the memory, "I
recall."
Mariko says "In order to set things
right, she cast a mighty spell to destroy all things living and dead
on this island. She herself was the final spell component. She was
consumed in the casting, and this world was made whole again. I
became aware sometime after this, months, maybe a year. I have no
memory of the time in between. Kitsune is gone. Consumed by her
spell. I remain. Of course, I'm not really sure that I exist. Maybe
I'm just an echo, a shadow created by this world as a response to the
energies she unleashed. It would explain why I can't travel beyond
this world. A reflection of things past. And yet, I know I am Death
and one of the Horsemen."
Yosannah nods at this, "As I mentioned
previously, Death exists elsewhere outside of this shadow. I am not
sure why the fragment within you remains, but I have some ideas how
to remedy the situation."
Mariko says "Oh?"
"It entails exorcising, for lack of a
better word, what remains of Death from you and reuniting the aspect
you carry with the avatar that exists outside this shadow." She
shrugs, "In theory, you'd then be free to leave this shadow."
Mariko taps her chin, "I care not what
you do to this meat puppet. If you can get me whole once again . . .
" She nods and smiles.
Yosannah nods, "I've paid a few visits to
the Church of the Serpent. The Prelate has been very supportive of
the Riders. I'm hoping a logrus master from the Church might be of
some assistance, but we will see." She moves to stand, pausing once
she does, "Oh, and there is one more thing."
Mariko says "Yes?"
"Did Kitsune leave behind any items. A
trinket that might belong to Death. You'd sense it, I'm sure, as
Death's. Even with what little of the aspect remains within you."
Mariko smiles and looks up at you. "I
have my cloak and scythe, but that's all."
Yosannah furrows her brow. This is
obviously disappointing. Is it possible that, due to the gap in your
memory, you do not recall?"
Mariko says "What are you hoping to find,
my dear?"
Yosannah hmms, "The item is attuned to
Death. It has the ability to summon her mount. If you have found it,
Mariko, You'd do well to give it to me. Once Death is freed from you
completely, the new avatar will certainly come looking for it." She
studies the woman for a moment, "If you truly do want the freedom to
get out of this shadow, you will find it and give it to
me."
Mariko says "I never had it."
"You'll find it. And when you do, I'll
consider bringing the help for you I spoke of." She turns as if to
leave, "Until then..."
Mariko says "Adieu."
Banished Sun, Club
Enigma...
Stone gestures towards Yosannah, saying
something to Tena.
Yosannah raises a hand at the sight of
Stone. She makes her way towards the booth.
Tena sits down at the small booth
reserved for Stone.
Stone stands as Yosannah nears, "Oh
that's right. I forgot you both were at the Avalon
shindig."
Yosannah seemingly has a difficult time
hearing Stone's words over the steady gush of music, "Hu?"
Tena smiles, and winks to Yo. "It appears
Stone is losing his memory in his centuries of age."
Yosannah raises a brow and mouths,
'centuries'?
Stone grins, taking a seat as Yosannah
gets near, "You know. I..." He coughs, "I'm ancient and powerful and
all."
Yosannah winks at Stone, making no effort
to conceal the gesture from Tena, "Ooh! Yeah. Powerful and all." She
nods at Stone and demands, "Scoot over."
Tena sips at the coke, "What brings you
by, Yosannah?"
Yosannah says "I was looking for Damen,
actually. We're co-owners of this place. I thought he might be here
working..." She glances sidelong at Stone and explains, "He has been
answering his trump."
Stone nods, telling Yosannah, "I've run
into him on occasion myself. He doesn't answer my memos, but hey, you
can't ask for everything."
Yosannah bites at her lower lip, "Mmmm.
So," She perks up, "Wanna hear my news?"
Tena sips at her coke,
listening.
Stone says "I'm all ears."
Yosannah taunts, "You'll never guess this
one." She drags out the 'news'. Perhaps for suspense sake she nods at
Tena. "Go on. Guess."
Tena says "Your pregnant?"
Stone says "You and Damen are finally
getting married?"
Yosannah snaps her fingers, "See, I told
you that you'd never guess. No! On both accounts." She shakes her
head and rolls her eyes, "One word... Mariko."
Tena looks clueless...
Stone says "Mariko's marrying
Damen?"
Yosannah exhales, dramatically. "No. I
think she's alive. I wasn't so sure at first... Hell. I'm still not
sure. But I think it's her." She shrugs.
Stone thinks, "At one point in time there
was a shifter who thought she was Mariko running around. Of course,
this was ages ago. They came into the Club I think."
Yosannah sighs as she considers his
words, "See, and that was my first inclination. I thought perhaps her
crazy daughter, Kitsune, had really lost her mind and had shifted to
Mariko. But I talked to her again today and now..." She shrugs. "I
dunno."
Stone says "Why, what'd she
say?"
Yosannah mimics Mariko's voice, "I am
Mariko reborn. Trust me in all things." She hehs, "Or some shit like
that."
Stone smirks, "Reborn how
exactly?"
Yosannah explains, though obviously not
believing what she reports, "Something about Death having the power
to bring her back." She shakes her head, "This I don't believe. I
don't think 'Death' has the ability to raise the dead. The undead,
maybe. But to create life," her head still shakes, "No
way."
Stone nods, "Seems counter to what Death
does. I mean, I don't see Scordis in the WEB handing out flowers and
little white doves."
Yosannah nods at that, "Touche. Which is
why I only half believe what she's telling me. I just can't accept
that the woman I just saw is really Mariko."
Stone nods, "Where'd you meet
her?"
Yosannah reaches for Stone's diet coke,
"The Kitchen."
Stone lets her have it and calls for
another one. He says, "That place still gone to Hell?
Literally?"
Yosannah says "Mmm hmm." She sips the
drink. Whether she notices that he orders another is up for debate,
"But she's trapped there for now, so..." She shrugs her
shoulders."
Stone frowns, "Trapped how?"
Yosannah glances at Tena as she sits
quietly and then back to Stone, "I think we may have talked about his
before... I think Death has splintered and Mar is a piece of that
shattered being. She is Death only in The Kitchen."
Tena says "Is she a friend of
Calis'?"
Stone says "Mariko?" He gets his new soda
and has a sip before saying somberly, "He and I fought beside her in
her last battle."
Yosannah adds to Stone's comment,
"Though, from what I recall, you didn't do much to help her, Stoner."
She recalls, "We had a big fight over that, remember?"
Tena gets lost again. Sips.
Stone frowns, "Yeah, and I remember not
agreeing with you because you weren't there and were just talking out
of your ass." He then adds, "But back to this Death thing ... so
Death brought Mariko back as a host? That seems more probable." He
adds to Tena, "Death of The Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse."
Tena says "And they are?"
Yosannah mutters, "I never talk out of my
ass... "
Tena says "That could be messy"
Stone tells Tena, "Death, War, Famine and
Yo."
Yosannah chuckles at the sound of that.
But then she shares with Tena, "And the Serpent looked upon Its works
and saw Its children struggle to grow stronger. So in Its Holy
Wisdom, It created four more children, and named them to be the
Riders, to go amongst the rest to aid in the struggle ... blah blah
blah."
Tena says "Sounds Chaosie"
Yosannah raises her brows, widens her
eyes, smiles and nods repeatedly in agreement.
Stone says "Both symbolic and
physical."
Yosannah moves to stand, "In any
event...."
Stone gives a wave, "Time to get back
home? Be seeing you, then."
Tena waves, "Take care, have
fun."
Yosannah smiles at them both, "Thanks.
Stoner, think on this Mariko thing. I'll catch up with you
later."