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March 12, 2003
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Gideon Club, Lounge ...
Yosannah climbs the stairs with a book in
her hands. It is open and she appears to have been reading.
Laurent is heading towards the
conservatory when Yosannah arrives. He stops though when he hears
her enter.
Yosannah's footsteps echo lightly on the
hardwood floor as she moves toward one of the easy chairs. She
pauses, abruptly at the sight of Laurent.
Laurent nods politely. "Evening." He
offers a smile.
Yosannah closes the text and lowers it to
her side, "Hello. I'm sorry, are you supposed to be here?" She smiles
lightly, "Perhaps I can help you find what you are looking for?"
Laurent laughs lightly, musically, and
kindly. "It has been awhile, I suppose. But aye, I am very much
where I intend to be."
Yosannah raises a free hand and scratches
softly at her jaw-line, "Am I missing something ?"
Laurent says, "Well. Unless there has
been a change of management in the club, or something."
"Why don't we assume the
latter."
Laurent runs a hand through his hair.
"I'm a friend of Stone's."
Yosannah hehs, "Stone has many friends,"
She lingers on the word 'friend', "So, forgive me if that word means
very little to me in the context of this conversation."
Laurent considers her for a moment. "He does. I have a standing invite. Though, again, it has been awhile."
Yosannah crosses her hands over her
chest, "Well then, why don't you start by introducing yourself. That
would be the most proper thing to do."
Laurent replies, "My name is Laurent. And
who do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
Yosannah tucks the text under her arm and
holds out her right hand, "Yosannah."
Laurent moves forward and takes her hand
in his and bows over it, courtly and polished, and lightly kisses the
back of her hand. A familiar gesture from Laurent, one might
suspect, "Piacere."
Yosannah raises a brow at the gesture, "I
have no idea what you just said, but somehow, I don't mind."
Laurent says "it means, pleased ... as in
pleased to meet you." Laurent lets her hand go and steps back
slightly. He looks quite relaxed.
Yosannah sets her book atop the table at
the center of the room, "Well, Laurent, this *is* a members only
establishment, and so I must ask you," Her manner is coy, "What are
hoping to find here." She steps toward the small sofa and sits.
Laurent says "I /am/ sorry, Yosannah. May
I ask on what grounds you inquire? My understanding is that Stone
had, for the forseeable future, some years back, given me full rights
to be here. I have been here many times before. Do ask the staff."
He sounds apologetic, "I come here to think, to have a brandy, and
to meet people from time to time. I've been coming here for years ...
am I a member? Honestly, I never asked."
Yosannah motions to the recliners and
sofas that are placed around the cherry table, "Please." And then, "I
don't doubt that Stone has extended his generousity to you. It is
hard to keep track sometimes." She offers a light smile.
Laurent takes a seat near her and shrugs
lightly, "I did not consider myself a member. And yet, nor did I
expect to find my presence questioned? Although as interrogators go,
I am not displeased."
Yosannah teases, "Yes, well, I'm a very
well kept secret."
"The best secrets usually
are."
Yosannah rests an elbow on the arm of the
recliner, "In any event, if you were looking for Stone, I'm afraid
he's not here. You'll have to put up with me
unfortunately."
Laurent says "A tragedy I am sure I shall
recover from someday, with counselling and shock-therapy. Or perhaps
a good glass of brandy?"
Yosannah hmms, "What brings you from
Amber?"
Laurent replies, "I like it
here."
Yosannah nods as if in agreement, "Yes."
And then, "Not that I am from Amber, mind you."
Laurent smiles, "Few of us make it out
this way."
Yosannah allows a small grin escape her
lips, "Thank goodness."
Laurent chuckles. "That's more or less
what Nash said the other day."
Yosannah rolls her eyes briefly as she
studies something at floor level, "Nash." She smiles, "Poor messed up
Nash."
Laurent says "friend of yours?"
Yosannah exhales delicately, "Hmmmm.
Something like that." She traces a fingertip over the ring on her
hand, almost absent-mindedly.
Laurent smiles. "So shall we play some
questions? Pass the time?"
Yosannah smiles, "Certainly a good way to
start any new relationship. Perhaps you can start."
Laurent says "Would you like me to fetch
you a drink? And what? I know where the bar is in the
study."
Yosannah waves her hand dismissively, "No
thank you."
Laurent nods and smiles. "Alright." He
reaches into an inner pocket and removes a small silver-metal flask.
He opens it and takes a small sip.
Yosannah clasps her fingers together and
sits back in her recliner.
Laurent smiles and looks to her
expectantly.
Yosannah chuckles as she shakes her head,
"No no. You go first."
"I did."
Yosannah hehs "And I suppose you think
you're clever now, don't you?"
Laurent smiles absently. "I am clever, my
lady, I believe. But I did inquire as to her beverage preference. But
do feel free to inquire as to something trivial for me as well, if
you prefer." He shrugs a little.
Yosannah teases, " I did. Your turn."
Laurent smiles pleasantly. "Where do you
reside?"
Yosannah nods just once, "Elbridge. Your
parents?"
Laurent replies, "My father was the Comte
de Duchane, in a place called France. My mother is the Princess
Florimel of Amber. Yours?"
"Anthony and Gianna." She lingers on this
for a moment and then asks, "Do you realize, there are many closer to
me then you that do not know what I've just said." And then, "Hmmm.
I'm not sure I like this game."
Laurent says "One can end the game at any time."
Yosannah regards the chessboard on the
table before them. She leans forward and picks up a white bishop,
rolling it in her hands, "Significant other?"
Laurent shakes his head, "Many are
significant to my heart and mind. But none share my bed. Where are
Anthony and Gianna?"
Yosannah sets the bishop atop the black
square from which it was lifted, "They've passed." And then, "What
are your initial thoughts regarding me?"
Laurent pauses to say, "I am sorry. I
never met my father, he had died before I was born, though I
inherited his title and build, though not his features. I meant to
say who were they, then. As in, my Mother is a Princess of Amber, and
father a nobleman of the shadow in which I was born." He takes
another nip from his flask
"But that's two questions, and you
haven't answered mine."
Laurent nods. "I was just explaining." He
pauses. "I thought to myself, initially, who is this lovely and
confident young woman."
Yosannah laughs at that, "Liar. But
that's quite alright, I forgive you."
Laurent smiles crookedly, lips quirking
as if in effort to be charming ."I never lie about important things,
Yosannah. But your forgiveness /is/ appreciated."
"Mmmm." She inhales, "Well, it's time to
cut our game short. I have a prior engagement if you don't mind." She
moves to stand."
Laurent nods. "Of course not, Yosannah."
He stands. "Though I can withdraw my question if it would convince
you to stay."
Yosannah is obviously flattered, "Believe
me, it's not the question." She holds out her hand as if to shake
his, "I'm sure we can resume the game again later."
Laurent takes the hand and performs the
same ritual, kissing its back. "A pleasure, Yosannah. I shall see you
soon."
Yosannah tilts her head to the man in
thanks and then gathers up her book, making her way to the
stairwell.
Later at an Apartment in
Berkeley...
The room is dark, except for a single orb
of light round the desk in the corner, at which Merlin sits hunched
over a large sheet of drafting paper, a mechanical pencil in hand.
Yosannah wanders toward him, footsteps
falling lightly. She peers over his shoulder to peek at what he's
sketching.
Merlin turns, a hand moving to pull
another blank sheet over the drawing, though not quick enough to stop
it from being seen, if that was his intention. The drawing makes
little sense, however, though it appears to be a design for some sort
of elaborate object. "Oh," he says, bringing up a smile.
"Hi."
Yosannah crosses her arms over her chest,
raising a brow as a light smirk plays on her lips, "You'd think you
had learned your lesson."
Merlin taps his pencil idly against
pursed lips. His brows lift slightly. "Lesson? What
lesson?"
Yosannah playfull peeks at the covered
sketch again, "You're not gonna let me see then...?"
Merlin puts a hand down flat on the
covering sheet. "See what?" he says. "There's nothing to see."
Yosannah hehs, "Okay okay. I'll play
along. I didn't see nothing." She runs herhands over her jacket in an
effort to smooth out any creases.
This young woman has almond
shaped green eyes and auburn hair that hangs well below her
shoulders. Dressed for business, she dons a black, fitted skirt-suit
that hangs at her ankles and is slit up the front to just below her
knees. A low cut burgundy top can be seen under the buttoned jacket.
A silver ring adorns her left ring finger and her nails are freshly
painted in a shade which matches her attire. The plain silver collar
which is usually clasped around her neck is missing and a large scar
can be seen running down the right side of her neck. The gash seems
to be in the very late stages of healing.
Merlin smiles, setting down his pencil.
"How are you doing, anyway?" he asks. He reaches out, flipping a
switch to an overhead light.
Yosannah winces at the bright light, She
reaches toward the switch, "May I? The mood was so much nicer the
other way."
Merlin shrugs his shoulders. "Be my
guest," he says. He steps away from the desk, wandering over towards
the couch, which he drops himself heavily into.
Yosannah runs a finger over the switch
and the room is, once again, filled with long shadow. She follows him
over to the couch and drops herself at his right. Her gaze falls to
the band on his ring finger. She reaches out as if to trace a finger
over it as she asks, "Where'd you get this?"
Merlin lifts his hand, spreading his
fingers. "Why? You like it?"
Yosannah tugs at her lower lip with her
teeth, "It's kinda pretty. So simple. Was it a gift?"
Merlin tilts his head to one side. "I
suppose you could say that. But it's functional, as well as
fashionable."
Yosannah smiles, "Oh?"
Merlin winks and eye. "Keeps the flies
off," he says, leaning back and lacing his fingers behind his
head.
Yosannah chuckles, "Mmm hmm." She rests
her head against the couch and gazes up at the ceiling, "You know, I
was thinking..."
Merlin tsks, shaking his head. "Always a
mistake."
Yosannah smiles at that and then
considers, "You know, maybe you're right."
Merlin smirks, and his head rolls
sideways to look at Yosannah. "All right, I'll bite," he says. "What
were you thinking?"
Yosannah hmms, "No. You might be right,
now that you mention it. I was thinking of leaving the prosecutor's
office in New York." She lets her gaze fall from the ceiling, "Maybe
relocating out here and trying to waive into the Bar."
Merlin's brow lifts. "Yeah?"
Yosannah let's out a sigh, "Well, I don't
know now, all of a sudden. It sounded good when I was thinking on the
issue yesterday. What do you think?"
Merlin shakes his head. "Don't look at
me. I'm not really a good person to look to for advice on what one
should or shouldn't do."
Yosannah smiles knowingly, "I suppose
you're right. Though you're indifference kinda makes me think my
sudden doubt is appropriate."
Merlin's lips turn faintly downwards in
the corners. "I'm not -indifferent-..."
Yosannah wipes a stray strand of hair
from her face, "If you say so."