June 8, 2003

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Chambers, Church of theSerpent - Courts of Chaos...

Yosannah hears someone knocking on Spiral Staircase. She calls out, "Hello..."

From beyond Spiral Staircase, a man calls out, "Good Turning, my lady. It's Corianton of Jasner. May I enter?"

Yosannah move inside the room, footsteps approaching the door, handle turning, head peeking out with a smile, "Of course. Please..." He auburn hair hangs well below her shoulders and is clasped at the back of her head. She is dressed comfortably, wearing a white linen tank - light, airy and scooping at her neck. Matching pants brush at her ankles and are tied low on her hips.

Corianton steps in and bow, careful not to spill the tray he carries. "I hope I am not disturbing my lady's rest?"

Yosannah smiles lightly as she inspects the tray, hand rising to fondle the pendant at her neck, "No, I'm going stir crazy though." She licks at her lips in effort to soften them, "What this?"

Corianton says "Tea, coffee, and some fruit." he looks for a place to set the tray down. "You look much better than when I last saw you."

Yosannah runs a hand over her hair and smiles, sheepishly, "You dote on me, Sir. I'm not used to such things. Thank you."

Corianton sets the tray down carefully and mutters. "You are a quest, My lady. If I am the only that has doted on you, then there is something terribly wrong." He allows a broad grin to split his features, teeth white against ebony features. "I must also admit that you are something of an enigma. I had thought perhaps We might relieve each other's bordom.

Yosannah gestures to a table that sits before a plush couch. She moves in the same direction, reaching down to the table to a few tarots that rests there, gathering them up, "Enigma. Heh." She smiles at that, "I don't know that I have everbeen called an Enigma before." She sits herself lightly on the edge of the sofa, cards in her hand.

Yosannah eyes go hazy, she blinks onces or twice and mutters to Corianton, "Excuse me sir..." After a moment she mutters softly again...

To the image of Despil, Yosannah says "Despil...?"

The image of Despil says "Yo? Are you all right?"

To the image of Despil, Yosannah nods lightly, "I'm okay. You must have gotten my message... I'm sorry I couldn't call you, I'm having a difficult time concentrating to make trump contact."

The image of Despil nods and says, "I did. Where are you? What happened?"

Corianton sits patiently, muffling a cough in a fit.

To the image of Despil, Yosannah furrows a brow, "Perhaps you could come here, this is difficult for me..." She reaches out her hand.

Despil grasps herr hand and she pulls him through....

Despil comes in on Yo's trump, looking a bit alarmed, which is unusual for him.

Yosannah's hand lingers on Despil's for a moment. She smiles at the man. "Despil," She nods at Corianton, "This is Lord Corianton."

Despil nods to Corianton. "Lord Corianton. I'm Lord Despil Sawall."

Despil looks back over to Yo and looks her over, while bringing the Logrus to mind.

Corianton bows lowly. "An honnor to meet you." he rises and rumbles even as he wipes persperation from his brow. "Should I leave my lady to her company, or mayI be of service?"

Yosannah looks up at Despil from her place on the sofa as he regards her, probing. To Corianton she shakes her head, "No, that's quite all right." And then, "Sir, you're ill, aren't you." She shakes her head, "I'm so sorry for this."

Despil smiles a bit to Corianton, and bows back. "An honor as well," he says, if a bit distracted. He looks between Yo and Corianton, back and forth, intently.

Corianton frowns. "I had hoped to be less abrupt, however I do have some questions as to what you might know of Ada-shazandra's illness."

Yosannah offers for Despil's benefit, "Perhaps I shouldn't have let you come here, Despil. The thing that I have been dreading for weeks now..." She shakes her head and then drops her forehead into her hands, "Pestilence was taken from me the other day." She looks upon Corianton with a certain degree of pity, "Before I could get your brother's charm," She raises a hand to her neck, touching the pendant there softly, "Ada tried to help... I think I've made all these people very ill."

Corianton comfirms. "The Lady Prelate is very ill, but refuses treatment. I've not heard of anyone else falling ill." it's obvious he has questions, but for now he holds them.

Despil says, "I see that it's gone, yes. What sort of charm was Merle trying to produce?"

Yosannah shakes her head as she studies Corianton, "Not trying. Made." She lifts the pendant at her neck, "He made this for me several years ago when the being first found me. Now it is serving to keep the disease that I carry in check." She nods at Corianton, "I've heard Ada is unable to shift her illness." She lifts her head, shaking it again, "I can't do anything. Not without Pestilence. I can't help."

Despil looks at the charm and listens to the conversation. "I would be willing to try to help Lady Ada, myself."

Yosannah shrugs, "How? And what about Corianton... and the others?"

Corianton says "I'm certain many would be greatful if you could convince her to accept treat-" his words are cut off by a deep agressive cough that forces him to take a deep breath before continuing. "If you convince her to be treated."

Despil says "I'd be willing to help Lord Corianton as well, and you too Yo."

Despil asks, "Is this one of those faith things?"

Yosannah furrows a brow, questioning, "faith things? I don't follow you."

Corianton says "I am uncertain. I am only reciently aquainted with the Lady Prelate. It perhaps could be a pride or faith issue."

Despil nods. "I see. Offer my assistance, if you would."

Corianton says "I shall."

Yosannah scratches at her temple, reflecting for a moment, "And what would you do, Despil?"

Despil replies, "What I can. I'm not completely without resources."

Yosannah looks up to him, "Then do something for me."

Despil nods to Yo. "Of course."

Yosannah lifts her hand in Corianton's direction as she addresses Despil, "When you have more time, let's talk again. Help me find this person - this thing that did this to me and Pestilence." She nods her head, "Please."

Despil nods to Yo. "I shall. Let me go to my library. I'll be back soon, either personally, or by Logrus."

Yosannah smiles greatfully at Despil, "Thank you. You're a daisy, Despil."

Despil winks. "I'll take that as a compliment." He bows to Corianton again. "Serpent bless."

Despil says to Yo, "Don't panic."

Corianton says "Serpent guard, Lord Despil." He bows.

Despil flickers for a time and then fanishes

Yosannah exhales slowly, rubbing her palms together as she does, "Don't panic." She looks up at Corianton and offers to him, "Don't panic."

Corianton chuckles, a deep rumbling sound. "I am not anywhere near panicing, My lady." his amusement lingers even as he wipes more weat from his brow. "I am certain this is well within control...though I will admit being a little out of the loop."

Yosannah stares at the tabletop before her, "There is no loop." She raises her gaze to meet his, "Are you a shifter?"

Corianton says "Supposed to be. Not common knowledge that I've not been able to yet. I figured that's why I got sick, no big deal." he shrugs broad shoulders. "Unless there's more to the Lady Prelate's illness than the number which she absorbed."

Yosannah bites at her lower lip and rubs at her eyes, "I wouldn't doubt it." She sighs, "I shouldn't have let her do what she did the other day, I susected something like this could happen."

Corianton says "You did not look as if you were any condition to argue, My lady." he crosses his powerful arms. "What is done is done, and a solution appears to be forthcoming." he is interrupted again by a vicious fit of coughing. "..and a cough is unlikely to be the end of me, and I'm sure those that can shift have avoided illnesses already."

Yosannah offers, matter of factly, "Ada has not."

Corianton says "She also took it on directly, and took on a number of them. I imagine her case is an exception, and one I am charged with convincing her to accept Despil's gracious offer."

Yosannah extends a hand toward the table, fingers sliding around a mug of tea. Warm vapors drift into the air as she lifts the drink to her lips, "He is a gracious man." She smiles thoughtfully, "Amazes me sometimes."

Corianton says "How are you aquainted with Lord Sawall?"

Yosannah cups the mug with both hands, twining her fingers together as she does, "His brother and I have been," she pauses to reflect on the best descriptive word, "involved for some time. Despil and I met because of that common interest."

Corianton nods. "How do you imagine he is equipped to treat the Lady Prelate?"

Yosannah lifts the tea to her mouth again, letting the mug rest against her lips as she offers, "I'm not sure. Perhaps if I knew exactly what it was that Ada was dealing with." She shrugs her shoulders, "And, quite frankly, Despil and Corey have abilities that I don't exactly comprehand. I'm not Chaosian." She smiles, "I don't understand half the things that you folks do."

Corianton says "I'm only chaosian by blood, My lady. I was raised away from Chaos, and am more a stranger here than most." his expression is wry. "And understand half the things chaosians do, you are indeed ahead of the curb."

Yosannah chuckles lightly at this - just a single short exhileration, "Well, thank you." She regards the man, "I hate to think that I've caused you this discomfort. You should be home, with family. Have someone dote on you the way you have for me."

Corianton gives you a broad wolfish grin. "Chivalric honor is mostly a masculine burden, I'm afriad. Alas, I have only the distruction of my invinceble image. If you shall keep that to yourself, I shall keep that and the pleasure of becoming better acquainted with you as consolation."

 

Gideon Club Study...

Damen smiles, "If I was one to take my foot out of my mouth, I would." He winks, "I'm sure she's got a good head on her shoulders.....who is she, anyways?"

Yosannah wanders into the study with Ryker, mid-conversation, "... I don't know. But Ada's not well and..."

Damen frowns faintly as Yosannah enters the room. As Ryker appears, he offers a slight nod.

Lisle seems particularly glad to see Ryker. She bows her head graciously.

Damen shrugs, "I've kept myself out of Amber for some time now. Too many smiling people."

Lisle asides to Damen, "Then you must not know either my father, or Desdinova. No smiling there."

Ryker grunts, hands going to his hip. "Evening." A matching nod for Damen, familiarity there, Lisle gaining a nod and half-smile from him.

Ryker tells Lisle, "Funny to see you here." Adds to Damen, "You too, at that matter. Come out of your cave?"

Damen smiles faintly. "I know Des. Old school." He looks to Ryker, "Some would say I never leave my cave, Ryker."

Lisle folds her hands before her, "Ben and I are good friends."

Yosannah stand quietly next to Ryker, face drawn slightly. She smirks at Ryker's words.

Lisle says, "In fact, you both just missed him."

Yosannah mmms, "Did we. That's too bad."

Ryker informs Lisle as he heads for the bar, "Sorry to hear that." It's not sure to which statement of hers he's replying to. Ryker waves a hand around the room. "Hardly a cave, here."

Lisle slips her hands in her jeans pockets, weight more on one foot than the other. She studies Ryker, Damen, and Yosannah in turn. Deeply thoughtful.

Damen leans back against the bar, drink in hand.

Ryker is quite casual, getting himself an ale from the bar. A look to Yosannah, should she request anything while he's reaching. He insists, "Don't let us interrupt."

Yosannah shakes her head, silently at Ryker. Instead she gestures toward a recliner, apparently needing to sit.

Lisle says, "You're not interrupting." Retaking her own chair, legs crossing at the knees. "I was just lamenting that my sister has been charmed by that loser, Joshua. He now resides in Amber."

Damen nods, "And Stone seems to have an interest in him."

Yosannah scawfs at the mention of Joshua's name, "There's no charm in that one." She sits herself, slowly, in the chair. Closing her eyes and resting her head against the plush back.

Ryker huhs. "Is that so."

Ryker comments, "I don't know about that, Yosannah. He sure seems to have an impressive track record with the ladies." There's something in his voice, vague.

Lisle says, "Aye, he is a villain," and adds, strongly, "And a scoundrel."

Yosannah says, "If heard the boys in this room called far worse..."

Ryker confirms, "We are worse than Joshua, but he's young yet by our standards."

Yosannah open's her eyes and regards Ryker, "I split pea has more personality, Ryker."

Ryker says "Give him time."

Ryker says "And opportunity."

Damen says "Or a bullet to the head."

Ryker decides to lean against the bar, like Damen, a few feet to his side.

Lisle says, "Not by me. Ben has been my strength the last few weeks, and Ryker..." she doesn't finish that sentance. Instead she looks off toward the doorway, wistful, or thoughtful.

Lisle says, "I must agree it is a matter of perspective."

Ryker, lacking much emotion, "Most things are."

Lisle inclines her head to Ryker a fraction.

Ryker suggests, "Amber must be pretty desperate for blood."

Damen chuckles at nothing in particular, yet he seems fairlyamused at something. "Haven't seen you for awhile, Ryker...been up to anything interesting?"

Lisle says, "Or its Regent blind, and charmed."

Rohan comes in from the lobby.

Lisle says, "She's made him her -bodyguard-."

Rohan walks in and looks around. He doesn't say anything.

Ryker says "Well, who does she have to chose from? Scant people I know. I can't remember when Marat was in good favor with the Crown. Niccolo is secluding himself. Where are the badasses that still toe the Amber line?"

Ryker glances at Rohan, eyeing him. A softer response for Damen.

Lisle says, "She doesn't need a body guard. I have seen her strong-arm an uncle." Her hands rest on her thighs. She rises.

Despil comes in from the lobby.

Rohan walks over to the bar and bows to Lisle, "Evening Princess."

Damen nods at Ryker's words and regards Rohan. "Can I help you? You're young and looking lost...I presume you're one of Stone's......he always went the Roman-way."

Lisle sees Rohan as she rises. Her smile is faint, "Ah. Hello."

Rohan asks, "The Roman way?"

Ryker's nose wrinkles, but Damen earns a single chuckle from him.

Lisle gives Damen a long-eyed, disapproving glance.

Yosannah sits quietly in the recliner. She scratches at her temple, offering a light smirk at Damen. She lifts her chin as Despil arrives, "Dez, hey."

Damen turns his gaze towards the new arrival. There is recognition in his eyes,

although no familiarity.

Rohan asks, "What does he mean?"

Ryker mutters to Damen, "... of..."

Despil smiles as he is shown in. "Hello, Yo. Good to see you."

Ryker leans against the bar, an ale in hand, Damen a few feet to side.

Lisle is standing, hands in jeans pockets. She looks at Despil. No recognition.

Damen nods to Ryker. "I think they wait until Stone leaves."

Ryker sizes up Despil next, expression blank.

Damen mutters to Ryker, "... if... you... my... on,... should... more."

Yosannah curls a strand of hair around her finger, "Despil, these are my friends." She indicates in turn, "Ryker, Damen, Lisle... And" She regards Rohan, "I'm sorry, I don't recall your name."

Ryker nods faintly. He mutters to Damen, "... there... and... line."

Despil nods to each as they're introduced. "Hello."

Rohan says "My name is Rohan."

Damen nods at Ryker's final remark and looks back to Despil.

Lisle inclines her head graciously to Despil. "Pleased." Left hand in her jean's pocket rummages for something.

Yosannah regards Damen for a moment and then offers, "Damen, this is the gentleman that Stone wanted you to meet."

Damen nods and pushes away from the bar, putting his gin and tonic down. He offers his hand to Despil. "Prince Sawall."

Lisle says, "Yosannah, I was hoping to run into you here. But I have to be going. Maybe in day or two?" She has a card in her hand now.

Yosannah turns her attention to Lisle, "Sure. If you don't mind, just leave word here when you plan on stopping by. I'll get it." She nods.

Ryker makes no effort to move, or greet Despil more personally.

Lisle has a little more interest in Despil now. She studies him from under dark-rooted blonde lashes. Isn't smiling. Lisle to Yosannah, "I'll do that." She spares a last, lean smile for Ryker, then studies the card.

Despil smiles broadly to Damen and shakes his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Lord Damen. I've heard many good things about you."

Ryker hehs, wry.

Damen chuckles softly, "Who have you been talking to? I'll have to hire them."

Despil chuckles, too. "Yosannah, certainly."

Rohan extends his hand to Despil, "My name is Rohan. Nice to meet you."

Yosannah tilts her head at the mention of her name, regarding Damen cooly.

Damen raises an eyebrow up. "Ah. Sometimes that is surprising. Last we spoke she called me an ass." He moves back to the bar. "Has she introduced you to Stone yet?"

Despil shakes Rohan's hand and says, "Despil Sawall. A pleasure." He looks over to Damen and says, "We met here, yes."

Yosannah seems as if she might comment but, apparently, thinks better of it. Instead she asks, "Ryker. Would you mind a pouring me some water." She shakes her head, "It suddenly feels very warm in here."

Rohan offers his hand to Ryker, "Rohan Red."

Damen nods, "Good." Then retrieves his drink. "Did he tell you a little about the club? Do you have any questions? Complaints? Requests? Allergies?" He smiles.

Despil says to Damen, "I'm sure she meant it in the nicest possible way."

Ryker turns to fulfill Yo's request as Rohan comes at him, giving the kid his moderately broad back.

Damen chuckles at that, "Doesn't she always, though?"

Ryker goes behind the bar, acquiring a ready glass, filling it with ice water.

Despil replies, "He told me a bit. Apparently, it's a very hush-hush place until one gets the background check and security clearance."

Rohan puts his hands away and shrugs. He has a lot of attitude and looks Ryker over with the expression of 'who the hell are you?'.

Yosannah runs a hand over her forehead and blinks once or twice. She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees and her forehead in her hands.

Damen adds, "And the deposit." He notices Yosannah's posture and studies her a moment, his expression muted.

Despil mmms and says, "I hadn't heard about the deposit."

Ryker doesn't react or reply to Rohan's expression, certainly noticing it, and most things in the room. A heavily roaming gaze. Comes out from behind the bar, passing Rohan and bringing Yosannah her water.

Damen smiles, "Details details. It's good to finally meet you. Yosannah speaks highly of you."

Yosannah lifts her head from her hands as Ryker approaches, she licks her lips and offers a forced, meek smile to Ryker. She reaches for the glass, mouthing a 'thank you'.

Rohan asks Yosannah, "May I have something to drink?"

Ryker takes up a new lean, finding a comfortable spot against the wall behind Yosannah, facing the others. Doesn't look particularly social.

Despil nods a bit and says, "I'm glad to meet you, as well. It's quite the place you have here."

Damen shrugs, "Personally, I think it hardly compares to the intricacy of the Courts....but we find it comfortable on nuetral ground, so to speak. I would love a tour of Sawall at some point after we become acquainted. But thank you for saying such."

Yosannah nods once at Rohan, but says nothing. She sips the water instead. Small beads of perspiration having formed on her forehead.

Rohan asks, "Do want me to get it myself?"

Yosannah offers abruptly, "Ryker certainly isn't going to be fetching it for you." She sniffles and then slumps back into the chair.

Despil smiles. "I'd be honored to give it. We're quite proud of the ways, but we don't think all of shadow revolves around us. Well -- at least I don't."

Rohan gives Yo a look and goes to the fridge.

Despil says "I have only recently returned to them from a long absence, which I spent in a place not unlike this."

Damen quirks an eyebrow up, "Oh? Where?"

Ryker's smirk is small and brief as Rohan turns.

Despil shrugs a bit and says, "Not this very shadow, but it was the wilds of New Jersey."

Rohan pulls out a large bottle of beer and pops the cap with an opener. He takes a sip and looks at everyone.

Ryker remarks, "Never heard of it." As if that makes it not work mentioning.

Yosannah looks over her shoulder at Ryker and smirks at him lightly. She shakes her head.

Despil says, "It is out of the way."

Damen nods at Despil's words, although Rohan's actions are not lost on him. "Beer makes you a bedwetter, boy. You prepared for that?" He turns and regards the boy.

Rohan looks to all in the room and smiles. He then says, "Why don't you all have a bit of Roman fun with yourselves." He takes another swig and moves casually towards the door.

Damen laughs outright at that.

Ryker doesn't smile, watching him.

Yosannah mutters, perhaps to herself, "My god.." She rolls her eyes.

When he gets to the door, Rohan turns and bows with the beer in hand, "Good evening." He takes another swig and walks out. Rohan shuts the door behind him. It's not slammed but its a bit loud.

Despil waves. "Have fun roaming."

Ryker decides to participate, apparently. "So. Despil. How is that King deal in Chaos coming? I can't help but notice nobody has been suckered into the throne for awhile now."

Ryker drinks. Empty hand rubs roughly at his jawline.

Despil says, "I managed to escape, myself. Considered it, and then remembered what a pain it is. The caucus caucuses."

Yosannah mutters, "Seems to run in the family, doesn't it."

Despil nods to Yo. "It does."

Damen chuckles softly, "Isn't someone in line? I didn't realize you could just say 'unh, no thanks' to the monarchy." He looks to Yosannah then and walks to her side, kneeling down beside her chair. Damen whispers "Yo, are you okay?"

Ryker says "I remember when Cecilia had a death grip on it for ages. Lot of people bitching about it. When she finally lets it go, now nobody can sit two minutes in the throne."

Despil finds a seat at the bar. "When I left, she was on it."

Yosannah lifts her water to her mouth and lets the glass rest against her lip. She tilts it slightly so as to let an icecube caress her skin. She nods at Damen - just once - and whispers "Nothing I can't handle, Damen."

Damen frowns faintly and whispers, "Are you just saying that to be a tough girl?"

Yosannah nods at Damen again. A single gesture and a smile.

Ryker keeps Despil busy. "So how do things look now?"

Ryker says "Pardon me for repeating myself."

Damen nods and takes to his feet again, moving back to the bar.

Despil says "Oh, oh. Many things are for the better, at least from my point of view."

Ryker's regard is a little heavy on Despil. "Better without a King? Probably so, yeah."

Damen smiles at that, "Hell, it's the secretaries that really run the show anyways, right?"

Ryker suggests, "You might be onto something. Ditch the Council, and maybe you guys we'll finally start making some progress."

Yosannah's gaze follows Damen back to the bar. She adjusts herself in the recliner, glancing over her shoulder at Ryker, a vague attempt to return to the conversation.

Despil nods. "That's always an option, Ryker, and not a bad one."

Ryker inclines his head, slow. "I've got a knack for good ideas."

Ryker says "Probably why they let me in the door, here."

Yosannah chuckles at that and inquires of Damen, "Why did you let him in the door?"

Damen adds, "And for pushing peoples buttons....I applaud Lord Sawall's reserveat your barrage, Ryker." He grins.

Despil chuckles.

Damen turns to Yo, "He pressed the right button."

Ryker shrugs, blase. Maybe relenting. "Nobody around here should be thin-skinned."

Despil nods, listening.

Yosannah says, "While we're on the subject of thin skin..."

Damen says "Yosannah, of course, slept her way to the top."

Ryker hehs, what had been a half-stern face cracking.

Yosannah she pauses at Damen's comment, smirking, "...Yes. The top of what? This?" She gestures about the room. "Right."

Damen seems about to gesture elsewhere....but then thinks better of it.

Despil says in a fake posh accent, "I believe what the minister meant to say, Yo, was that you could rise to the top in your sleep." He chuckles.

Ryker murmurs, half-aloud, "It's not like I was given the key to the house on the first interview."

Yosannah simply shakes her head at the banter, free hand going to her forehead where she wipes at the perspiration.

Ryker finishes his ale.

Damen nods at Ryker's words. "Nor has anyone."

Ryker explains for Despil's benefit, "I was on the violent, rash side, in my misspent youth."

Ryker states, "All gone now, of course."

Yosannah offers, "Of course."

Despil replies to Ryker, "That's what youth is for -- misspending. I have a bit of a past, myself."

Ryker spares a moment to adjust his sword, beneath the white trenchcoat.

Yosannah regards Damen, "I don't suppose now would be a good time to discuss Mora."

Damen looks to Yosannah. "What about her?"

Ryker grunts, vague and indiscernible as agreement or dis.

Yosannah holds her glass between her hands, "Let's be frank, it's not secret to any of us, or her for that matter, that you all dislike her." She turns her head over her shoulder to regard Ryker's response to her comment.

Despil leans back against the bar to listen.

Ryker blinks back at her. Little is offered beyond eyes flicking to Damen and the words, "Do I?"

Yosannah reconsiders her words, "No, you are right. Detest is more like it."

Damen raises an eyebrow, "*You* all, Yosannah?" His chuckle holds no humor. "The last time we were all in the same room with each other was the *first* time you have ever took her side. You have exhibited the same behavior as we." There is a pregnant pause. "And if we are being frank....she has been on the list of being ousted from this organization for some time now....all that has hampered that has been a sorely pathetic show at recent gatherings, mainly due to Stone's negligence."

Ryker tisks at Yo. "Perhaps, much like yourself, she carried a chip on her shoulder because I never put the moves on her."

Damen smirks faintly at that.

Yosannah shakes her head, "Ryker. Please." To Damen she adds, "I'm not suggesting that she's my best buddy, Damen. But I have -never- disrespected her the way you did the other night. And that's not even the point." She licks her lips, the conversation requiring more energy then she has to spare, "The point is this. If she's to be ousted... then it needs to be done. Sooner then later." She shrugs.

Ryker states, more serious, "I'll admit to not being a fan of Mora's. She assumes too much, grasps too widely, and more importantly, has /earned/ nothing from me."

Ryker says, perhaps for Despil's benefit, "A presence in this room is just that, far as I'm concerned. Access does not imply acceptance."

Damen regards Yosannah, "Yet even after saying that, Yosannah. I don't think ousting her was the point you were trying to direct home. If you're going to start your litany about being frank.....be frank. He adds, "If I can rip out the woman's backbone with a mere sentence....she has no place here."

Ryker adds, "Agreed."

Yosannah shakes her head and lifts her free hand, defensively, "You're wrong about me, Damen. That is -exactly- why I brought this up. Just bbe done with her if that's what you feel."

Ryker snorts. "You make it sound like we were using her. Speaking only for myself, I got nothing out of the deal."

Yosannah scawfs, "Absolutely not. But I can't stand to watch anyone belittle that woman. It's beneath you and it's a waste of time."

Damen shakes his head. "I don't think I am. I think this blends into the personal between us. Your tongue has always been as sharp as mine....and on more than one occasion I have seen you lap at the blood of a victim as would any hyena in the pack. Why is this different?

Yosannah considers, "Because she is one of us. Whether you agree with the choice to have her here in the first place or not. It speaks poorly of -us-."

Ryker clears his throat, though adds nothing.

Damen scoffs, "This isn't a quilting club, Yosannah."

Yosannah says, "Get rid of her, Damen. That's all I am saying."

Damen nods, "It's done."

Yosannah slumps back into her chair and repeats, "It's done." She nods, digesting what that might mean. "Fine."

Ryker, sarcastic but approving, "Good. Such a well-oiled machine we are."

Yosannah turns to regard Ryker. She considers both men's words, offering only a light grunt.

Despil laughs. "Almost."

Ryker continues, "And, to be thorough, I'm not against new members outright. Mora simply rubbed me wrong, and did nothing to change that impression." He frowns at his empty glass.

Yosannah lifts herself from her chair, offering a glance in Despil's direction, searching his face for any expression, "I have to get back to the Courts..."

Despil asks, "Would you like a lift?"

Ryker pushes off the wall. "Yeah. After such a discussion, I'm spent."

Damen raises an eyebrow, "The Courts?"

Ryker comes up besides Yo. "I can take you."

Ryker guesses, or maybe not, "The Church, yeah?"

Damen's jaw clenches slightly. Obviously not pleased that he is out of the loop. He merely regards Yosannah.

Yosannah smiles at the men, no question that she appreciate's their offers, "Church, yes." To Damen she offers, "Take a look Damen. I'm surprised your eyes haven't already figured it out." A short pause, and then, "Or maybe you're just too preoccupied with being angry with me."

Damen merely says, "Who wanted space, Yosannah?"

Ryker assures, "I'll be in touch, Damen." A nod, nearly friendly.

Damen nods to Ryker.

Despil waves. "Take care, you two."

Damen looks to Despil and offers him a nod as well, "Lord Sawall."

Ryker gives Yo his arm.

Yosannah reaches for Ryker's hand, not commenting to Damen.

Despil says "If you have a moment, Lord Damen?"

 

Cathedral of the Church of the Serpent ...

Yosannah appears with Ryker near the top of the stairway, by the doors.

Yosannah releases Ryker's arm immediately upon arrival. She bites at her lip and closes her eyes, "God damn him."

Ryker remarks, "That wasn't too friendly an exchange, no."

Ryker holds back any usual quips or teases. He turns a circle, checking occupants. Nobody noteworthy, which he grunts an approval of.

Yosannah exhales. A short, sharp exhileration of breath. She tilts her head to regard him. After a pause she offers, "No, it was not." She mutters to herself, "... he's gonna think this is about Corey..." She shakes her head, "I don't need this right now."

Ryker prompts, "Corey?"

Yosannah studies him for a moment and then shakes her head, "You're the last person I'm gonna...." She cuts herself short and grinds her teeth, "Forget it."

Ryker smoothes a hand through his hair, worn visage passive, but interest in his eyes. His own jaw works, twice.

Ryker squints a little, his mind at work. After just a few seconds, he mildly suggests, "Are you sure Damen wasn't right. That you didn't mean you and him, not us and Mora."

Yosannah considers this, eyes flash, thoughtful, "What are you saying? You don't agree with the decision regarding Mora?"

Ryker thumbs his lower lip. States, "No, I meant what I said. I agree. I'm saying maybe you want to end the relationship with Damen. As for him, just because he doesn't know, doesn't mean he doesn't suspect about this guy. And in many things, especially relationships, suspicions can be as effective as facts."

Ryker spreads his hands. "I've been through this too many times myself. It's why you don't see any women on my arm."

Yosannah shakes her head, "No. The discussion about Mora has nothing to do with he and I. And, not that it's any of your business, Ryker - but he and I have been off for a number of months." She shakes her head, "I can't make it work with what I am. This isn't a fairy tale - I know that. If he knew about Corey, he'd use that as an excuse to deny the fact that there is no happy ending for us. You of all people should understand how this works."

Ryker confirms, "I understand, yeah, and it's not a fairy tale, no." He checks the room anew. "Still ... some people still have hope. I'm sorry to see you two seem to have ran out of it." He steps, opening the door. "This isn't the friendliest locale for me, I'm sure you're shocked to hear. Best get you to your room."

Ryker mutters something to himself about not being in the mood to draw blood.

Yosannah murmers softly, "..hope." She shakes her head and crosses her arms over her chest, "Okay. Thanks for the lift back. Trumping is a pain in the ass for me as of late." She turns her gaze toward the Archway, "Take care, Ryker."

Ryker assures, "I'll attempt to."