March 3, 2003

]

Amber

Trump Deck

Logs

RL Pictures

Main

World's End bar...

Merlin appears suddenly from shadow.

Yosannah sits at the bar, she seems to be sticking her fingers in her drink, fishing around for something.

Merlin idly rocks back on his heels, looking over the room. He spies Yosannah at the bar, and aims himself in that direction.

Yosannah mumbles at her drink, "...damnit all to hell."

Merlin slides ono a stool beside her. "Lose something?"

Merlin sits down at the bar.

Yosannah startles, "Jesus Christ." She gasps and raises a hand to her chest. "Hello to you too."

Merlin smirks slightly. "Sorry," he says. "Something wrong with the way they made your drink, or what?"

Yosannah chuckles, "You saw that. Hmmm." She reaches for a napkin, "I was trying to get at the fruit in the bottom there." She points, "See. Though, my hands too big to fit in the glass."

Merlin gestures towards the bartender with a nod of his head. "You know you could just ask for some fruit if you wanted some fruit, right?"

Yosannah dries her fingers with the napkin and then nods, all serious like, "I could. True. But it wouldn't be the fruit *in* my glass" She points at her glass again.

Merlin nods. Slowly. "Uh huh."

Yosannah chuckles, "What are you doing here? Slum'n it?"

Merlin shrugs. "Thought I'd pop in, see if it's how I remembered it." He leans over a little to order a beer while the bartender is nearby. "You know," he says, continuing. "I don't remember it being so quiet in here."

Recusia has arrived.

Yosannah looks about the room, "Yeah. I think you might be right. Then again," She stretches and says, as she yawns, "it is Monday night."

Recusia says "Evening, gentlefolk."

Yosannah offers a nod to Recusia.

Merlin points up to a random corner. "They should have football on."

Recusia suggests the bartender deliver her scotch. He complies.

Merlin gives Recusia a nod as well, just as the bartender sets a bottle of beer in front of him.

Yosannah chuckles, "I think it's off season." She studies his drink and looks back at her own empty glass. As if in after thought, "Hey, I think I met a cousin of yours or something the other day."

Merlin's brows lift slightly as he raises his bottle to his lips. "Yeah?" he says, pausing to sip. "Which one?"

Yosannah bites at her lower lip, "I am horrible with names, give me a second." She lifts her glass to her mouth and tilts it back so as to get at an icecube, "Despil." She crunches and nods.

Recusia smiles. "He performed my first marriage. Was going to marry a cousin of mine, before some ... unpleasantness."

Merlin's head tilts back bit. "I wouldn't have thought he'd come to a place like this."

Yosannah regards Recusia, "Oh. I'm very sorry to hear that." To Merlin, "He did. Sat at that table over there. Shared some tea." She points at the table in the center of the room.

Recusia shrugs. "People get stabbed to death. Happens pretty regularly."

Yosannah turns back to Recusia and blinks once or twice.

Merlin's lips purse faintly at Recusia's comment, and he tips his bottle back and forth absently. "...Right," he says.

Yosannah looks back at Merlin, turning her back to Recusia slightly, she rolls her eyes and makes a face.

Recusia says "This place isn't as dangerous as it used to be, you know. I think the slow death of the gladiatorial aspect is what keeps people at home."

Yosannah tries to stifle a smirk but fails, "Oh? You think so?"

Recusia nods. "If Jurt were here to dump a quantity of molten lava on someone, for example, I think I could rustle up a crowd to watch."

"Yeah." After a moment Yosannah turns to Merlin, "What were you saying about football and televisions, Corey?"

Recusia idly considers the space above Yosannah. Just for a second.

Merlin scratches his beard. "You know Jurt?"

Yosannah humphs and sets an elbow on the bartop and her chin in her hand.

Recusia says "Rrm? No, never been in the room with him for more than fifteen seconds or so. Caught a sneer, here and there. Just that I was reminiscing the other day about the Hall of Mirrors. The old decor. I know his Mom, though. Most of his brothers. The sense I get is that he's a cautionary example."

He looks to Yosannah, gesturing with his bottle to the space behind the bar. "I was saying they could probably still bring in some people if they'd put a couple of televisions up."

Yosannah contemplates Merlin's beer. After a moment she snatches it out of his hand and takes a swig. She frowns at the taste and hands it back, "I suppose so. Too many distractions though. ou know?"

Merlin's brow furrows slightly. And he stares a moment at his beer now that it's been returned to his hand, tilting it back and forth. "Right..." he murmurs.

Recusia says "Right. The dhemonh so enchanted by the magic box it forgets to disembowel you. Call me cynical, but I don't think Jonathan Carson has that magnetic a personality."

Yosannah motions for the bartender who is standing at the far end of the bar polishing a glass.

Merlin shrugs. "Still, it beats watching the dust settle." He raises his bottle again and takes a good, long swig.

Yosannah snaps at the bartender, "Yeah, if you say so... Hey! Can I get some more fruit over here."

Recusia says "Mix plaids and florals. That'll draw 'em like bees."

Brandon appears suddenly.

Yosannah pauses mid snap and regards Recusia, "What on earth are you talking about?"

Merlin's eyes narrow slightly, then slide over to Yosannah.

Brandon walks out of the wall in a strange assortment of rainbows flickering about. He pauses and move toward the bar, he tilts his head in Merlin's direction but just simply takes a seat.

Recusia shakes her head. "Never mind. Colloquial designation for a pursuant of same-gender relations."

Brandon takes a seat nodding to the bar. "Good turnings everyone." he leans in and orders a gingerale from Arnold.

Yosannah's eyes *slide* over to Merlin, "What?" She chuckles.

Merlin shakes his head. "Don't ask."

Yosannah makes a motion with her hand as if zipping her lips.

Yosannah smiles at Brandon, lifting her empty glass in his direction - empty, that is, except for the fruit and the ice-cubes sitting on the bottom, "Corey, when you going to take me to another hockey game?"

Recusia has a private snicker at Yosannah's glass.

Merlin smiles slightly and nods in that direction as well. He points back above the bar. "See, if they had tvs in here there might have been a game on now."

Recusia nudges Merlin. "Fruit on ice. And without the fuss of strapping a pair of skates to Danyea Jesby."

Merlin cannot suppress a snort at that. He laughs, actually having to set his bottle down.

Yosannah chuckles at Recusia's comment then asks Merlin, "Did you just snort? Good lord."

Brandon stays mostly quiet, taking drinks periodicly from his glass.

Recusia asks, of Merlin, "You talk to your sister much?"

Yosannah looks from Recusia to Merlin, "So, you know one another. Huh. Who'dah thought."

Recusia says "I haven't introduced myself, as it happens. I've just been in Sawall before. And the Courts long enough to know an ex-monarch when I see one."

Merlin wipes his eyes, he exhales. "I guess the beard isn't fooling anyone."

Brandon shakes his head, "Nope, but I figured there might be a reason you had it." he chuckles a bit.

Recusia says "You look too much like Despil. And your sister. And the guy who swears he's not the omnipotent version of himself."

Yosannah purses her lips together, closes her eyes and does her best to stifle a nother laugh, "Oh boyee."

Merlin scratches at his beard. "But... Do you like it?"

Yosannah snaps her fingers, "Ah ha! Yes, I'm curious to know that too. Do you like it?"

Recusia says "It's distinctive. Distinguished. A touch of grey or a ponytail might be overdoing it."

Brandon hmms, quirking his lips to think for a moment. "It fits, and yet dosn't somehow. Perhaps it is all the history book pictures and such."

Yosannah curses under her breath, "Damnit."

Merlin waves a hand. "See? Distinguished!" he says, to Yosannah. "I told you."

"You told me nothing. And you suck at making popcorn." Yosannah nods triumphantly.

Merlin frowns, his shoulders drooping slightly.

Recusia says "When I want to ditch history, I switch genders or species."

Recusia says "'Cause a bearded lady is pretty much the opposite of blending in."

Yosannah regards Recusia again, a blank look on her face.

Recusia says, to Yosannah, "Eat your fruit. Vitamins and fashion sense."

Merlin picks up his bottle and tosses back the remainder of its contents in one go. "Bah," he says, as he sets it down again, empty, and begins rising to his feet.

Yosannah asks of Merlin, "What? It wasn't the popcorn comment was it?"

Merlin smirks and shakes his head. "No, no. Listen, why don't you pop by later, or something?"

Yosannah nods, "Yeah. I gotta finish my drink here though, okay?"

Merlin turns and gives the other two a smile and a nod. "Good night to the both of you."

Brandon nods, "Serpents Blessings." he says to Merlin.

Recusia says "Take care, then."

Merlin flickers for a time and then vanishes.

Yosannah lets out a laugh, "Poor guy."

Recusia finishes her scotch. "Home for me, as well."

Yosannah awes, "So soon?" She looks to Brandon, "Braondon! You're driving everyone out!"

Brandon chuckles, "I can see that."

Recusia perches her chin on a palm, supported by an elbow, "You don't really mean that." She considers Yosannah, pointedly and silently.

Yosannah chuckles, "No, really."

Recusia says "Aw, c'mon. I had a great joke about capturing your likeness for a dartboard." She pouts.

Yosannah blinks, "What? That wouldn't be so nice. Tell her, Brandon."

Brandon shakes his head, "Not so nice." he smirks a bit taking his drink to hand once more.

Recusia says "What's she to you, Rathorne? 'Cause she just keeps staring at me like I have six tits and horns."

Brandon turns to Recusia, "Just tell me before ya do capture her essence and such, It might get messy."

"Oh brother, here we go." Yosannah sighs.

Yosannah offers Brandon a piece of fruit, an orange slice to be exact.

Recusia shrugs. "Meh." To Yosannah, "Be more worldly, next time." She stands and leaves the bar.

Yosannah mumbles, "Blah blah blah."

Brandon takes the orange slice and eats it whole, then withdraws the skin from his mouth.

Yosannah offers to Brandon, "Not bad, eh?"

Recusia has left.

Yosannah notes Michael's arrival and offers a wave.

Michael trumps in and looks around. He walks to the bar. He waves to Yosannah and smiles as he grabs a stool. "Hi Yosannah. Hi Brandon."

Brandon nods, "Turnings Michael."

Michael chuckles, "What's going on?"

Yosannah says "I don't know. I think Brandon pissed some woman off."

Brandon smirks, "Yes, that is /exactly/ what happen." he said a bit sarcasticly.

Yosannah nods.

Michael orders a pint of beer. The bartender pushes it across the bar and it slides to a stop in front of him. "What are you talking about?"

Riva appears suddenly and walks up the staircase to the balcony.

Yosannah says "Just some lady. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what was up her bottom."

Michael says "Who?"

Yosannah notes Riva's arrival and offers a light wave. She shrugs, "Dunno. Did she say her name, Bran?"

Brandon turns, and nods with a smile towards Riva. He speaks at the bar, "Her name is Recusia. She was once a Count I belive. Not any more however. I think she was also once being threatened with death or some such."

Riva waggles fingers to Brandon and Yosannah. She pulls out a gun and sets it on the table with a solid *thud*

Michael says "What?"

Brandon hmms, "She was just here, that was the woman that /I/ pissed off." he smirks a bit.

Yosannah hehs, "The short and narrow of it is this. The next time she needs a favor from me, she can forget it because of the way she treated our friend Brandon." She holds out her glass to Michael, "Fruit?"

Michael nods, "Sure. Thank you."

Apartment in Berkeley (later that night)...

Yosannah looks about the main area of the apartment, not seeing anything or anyone, she tip toes over to the couch and peers over, "I know you must be awake."

Merlin presses his eyes closed as Yosannah peers over the couch.

Yosannah wanders around to the front of the couch and sits on the floor, back propped up against it, "I know you didn't sleap through me trumping in." She starts to slide out of her jacket.

Merlin opens one eye. "Well," he says, smirking slightly. "Who can sleep with all that racket you're making?"

Yosannah tosses her jacket over the coffee table and turns her upper body to face him. She crosses her arms on the sofa and props her head in them, "What's on the agenda for the rest of the night?"

Merlin laces his fingers together behind his head. "You know," he says, "I hadn't really thought that far ahead."

Yosannah inhales and exhales slowly, "You know, that lady wasn't so nice to me and my friend after you left."

Merlin shakes his head slightly. "She didn't seem all that nice to begin with."

Yosannah chuckles, "Yeah. Well, it seems you attract all sorts."

Merlin grins. "What can I say? I'm like a magnet."

"That you are." She rests her head in her arm and stifles a yawn with her free hand.

Merlin tilts his head. "You're tired, huh?"

Yosannah nods, her eyes drowsy. She scratches at her neck, "Yeah." She considers, "What're you gonna do now that you're back. You haven't said yet."

Merlin's lips purse. "Well... that's because now that I'm back, I'm probably going to leave."

Yosannah props her head back up, "Whatahya mean?"

Merlin says "I might have some things to take care of that might make me kind of scarce for a while."

Yosannah bites at her lip and sighs lightly, "I don't suppose I can be of any help, or that you're gonna share what sorts of 'things' need taking care of."

Merlin shakes his head slightly. "I'm not even exactly sure what they are yet."

Yosannah smiles knowingly, "Ah. I see. " She wonders, "When? For how long? Do you even know?"

Merlin shakes his head again. "I haven't figured it all out yet."

Yosannah kicks off her shoes, first one and then the other, "How come all the boys in my life are shrouded in ambiguity?" She chuckles.

Merlin smirks. "I guess you're just a magnet for it."

Yosannah tilts her head with a smirk, "Yeah. Well, if you need my help for anything," She shrugs, "for what its worth anyway, feel free."

Merlin nods his head. "Duely noted."

Yosannah stretches, "I don't suppose you can make room up there?"

Merlin sighs dramatically. "Oh, I suppose," he says, making room.

Yosannah winks as she moves to climb onto the couch, "Come on now, you can make more room then that."

Merlin laughs. "See? You give them an inch..."

Yosannah nestles beside him, resting her head at his chest, "Ah, nice." She settles and then adds, "Hey, remember that charm that you gave me. The one I 'misplaced'?"

Merlin murmurs, "Mmhmm."

Yosannah places a hand over her mouth as she yawns again, "I wanted to let you know that I think I'm going to be able to get it back." She nods, perhaps to reassure herself more than anything, "I just wanted you to know that. Cuz I don't want you to think that I would ever betray a confidence."

Merlin's lips purse, and he grunts faintly, and vaguely.

Yosannah nods ever so slightly again as she closes her eyes. She whispers, ".. cuz I wouldn't..." And then, "..'night, Corey."

Merlin smiles slightly. Perhaps belatedly, he says, "Good night."