May 6, 2003

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Amber Trump Deck Logs RL Pictures Main

Cathedral of the Church of the Serpent...

Rhiannon arrives near the wall, letting her trump slip inside of a book she's holding. She glances about.

Yosannah's gaze seems focused on her hands as if in deep thought. If she is aware of Rhiannon, she does not show it.

Rhiannon notices Yosannah and lifts hand to greet her, but realizes soon enough that it's hardly proper to interrupt people's prayers like that and freezes the greeting before her hands fold again around the book. She finds herself a seat and lowers her head-praying, napping, thinking, daydreaming...who knows.

After a long moment, Yosannah lifts her head with a sigh and a soft inaudible whisper. She begins to slide out of the pew, first making a gesture with her hand that begins at her forehead and ends at her right shoulder. She stands.

Rhiannon hears the motion and looks up. She offers a nod with a smile to the lady.

Yosannah notes the woman and offers a nod of her own though her expression is fairly emplty. "Hello. I didn't realize there was anyone else here." Her voice echoes lightly throughout the room.

Rhiannon smiles "Turnings. I'm glad my presence did not disturb you in your toughts."

There is a glint of kindess in Yosannah's eyes, "Thoughtful of you." She holds out her hand, "Yo."

Rhiannon inclines her head and accepts the offered hand "Rhiannon, if too long, just Rhi."

Yosannah studies the woman as their hands clasp, "Are you a student here... or perhaps an acolyte?"

Rhiannon smiles "Well, I'm not an acolyte, yet."

Yosannah releases the woman's hand and nods in understanding, "I see. I've only recently made my way in these halls." She looks back toward the dias and the candles scattered upon it, "Comforting somehow." She looks back toward the woman, "But I suppose you already know that."

Rhiannon shrugs lightly "It was scary first time I was here. Now..." she glances about "It's just beautiful. And I should be used to shrines and holy places..." she smiles.

Yosannah raises a brow, "Scary? How so, I wonder."

Rhiannon hmms "Too...person can feel so hopelessly small here..."

Yosannah considers, "I would think one would feel a sense of connectedness." She inclines her head slightly.

Rhiannon nods, just a bit, "First I stood in awe and then I begun to feel...inner peace."she glances around "Places where you can hear your soul are so rare."

Selene arrives from the Cathedral itself.

Yosannah smiles at that, seemingly understanding, "Exactly..." She pauses, mid-sentence at Selene's arrival.

Selene walks in acting if she owned the place and stops seeing Yosannah.

Rhiannon also notices Selene and nods.

The two women are located at the back of the Cathedral. Rhiannon is sitting in a pew and Yosannah stands at its edge. Yosannah's gaze follows Rhiannon's to Selene.

Selene says "Hello Rhiannon, and greetness to you as well Yosannah."

Yosannah slides her right hand in the pocket of her suit jacket, casually. She offers a light nod to Selene.

Selene mutters softly, "Yo I am...sorry."

Yosannah furrows her brow and regards Selene, "What is it, Sel?"

Selene says "I..was rude...and have...done what...was....requested."

Yosannah exhales, "Sel, perhaps we should talk of this privately." She turns to Rhiannon with a smile, "With all due respect." And then back to Selene, "Right now may not be a good time."

Selene comments to Rhiannon, "The Prelate Ada-Shazandra has told others Lady Yosannah is to be treated like a guest."

Rhiannon smiles and nods "I understand."

Yosannah Inquires of Selene, "You talked to her then. I hope that put your mind at ease, Sel."

Selene doesn't seem happy, "My opinions do not matter on this subject matter, since you were welcomed by one of my equal rank, I have no choice but to respect it."

Yosannah senses that Selene seems to be putting on a show for Rhiannon. She nods at that, "Fair enough. Thank you."

Rhiannon stays out of the conversation, sitting in a pew and looking at her hands folded upon the book in her lap.

Selene says "Later on Ms. Yosannah we need to speak alone."

"I have no means to reach you, Sel. Suggestions?"

Selene says "Let's just say, we will meet soon as fate has written it."

Yosannah strokes the bracelet at her wrist, absent-mindedly, "Of course."

Rhiannon offers "I could leave if you need privacy."

Selene shakes her head to Rhiannon, "No you two were talking before I came in, I shall leave you two alone."

"Please, that is quite all right. I have a few things to attend to either way. Later then, Sel." She turns to Rhiannon and holds out her hand to the woman again, "Well met."

Rhiannon nods and shakes the hand "Indeed. Good turnings."

Selene nods once to Yosannah and speaks softly to her,"Feel as if something is wrong, as if you must be doing something?"

Yosannah's gaze meets Selene's. It is a knowing look - something stiring behind it, "Later." She pulls forth a tarot from her jacket and focuses her attention on it...

A trump call in the evening...

The image of Despil says "Yosannah. It's Despil."

To the image of Despil, Yosannah tugs at her lower lip with her teeth. She seems relieved and she exhales as if she had been holding her breath, "I see that."

The image of Despil nods to you and asks, "How can I help?"

To the image of Despil, Yosannah nods lightly, "Can I ... can you come here or...?"

The image of Despil says "Yes, I can, or you can. Where are you?"

To the image of Despil, Yosannah licks her lips, "Elbridge. Maybe where you are might be better."

The image of Despil says "I'm in my quarters in Sawall."

The image of Despil offers to pull her through...

Despil's Chambers...

A pleasant and warm room, even if a little large. The walls of the room are dark wood and brass. Plush rugs cover wood floors, cushiony underfoot. The rooms furnishings are carefully set about the room, each placed with a precise eye. The furnishings are dominated by two items in particular, the four-poster bed which is draped in dark green silk; and the large desk of mahogany with a matching and padded wooden chair. Along one wall is a large wardrobe and two nightstands, one to either side of the bed. Also found in the room are a loveseat and two comfortable, padded chairs. All about the room are tall bookshelves. So many, that one might mistake this for a library of sorts, were it lacking a bed. Set across from the bed is a fireplace set in deep green marble. Before the fireplace is carefully laid a large fur of white, which appears quite soft. All of this is lit by a small chandelier hanging from above, which gives off a gentle magical light.

Despil says, "You look worried, what's the problem?" He actually looks not entirely focused for a bit, studying you, and even a bit to the side.

Yosannah makes an effort to follow his gaze but answers, "I'm not sure, and that's the problem. And I don't mean to involve you"

Despil nods and says, "Tell me what you are wondering about, then."

Yosannah nods, "Remember what I showed you that night in the bar. You, me and your brother."

Despil nods and says, "Yes, I remember."

Yosannah talks with her hands, gesturing as she speaks, "Something is wrong. Like a growing threat in the back of my mind. When you helped me connect with Ada,I thought I just needed some guidance to work through things." She swallows, "But the feeling has gotten worse. I feel like I'm going out of my mind."

Despil says, "Have a seat if you like. Want me to pour you something? Tell me more."

Yosannah nods and looks about the room, soaking it in for the first time, "Please." She moves to sit in the loveseat, "I'm so sorry for involving you in this, I truly am."

Despil heads to the bar and pours two scotches. He says, "Not a problem."

Yosannah watches him for a moment, "You don't believe me, do you. About what I showed you." She runs her hand over her hair and continues to bite at her lip.

Despil hands her a drink and says, "I'm keeping an open mind about it."

Yosannah reaches for the glass, "Thank you. I was hoping you'd say that," she lifts the glass to her lips, "We haven't known each other that long. My thought is that you wouldn't have any preconceived notions about my situation." She drinks deeply and then mutters, "Of course, the flip side of that is you could tell me to go to hell."

Despil smiles a bit. "It's not that nice a place."

Yosannah breathes in slowly and then exhales, "Precisely the point."

Despil says "What -do- you feel is wrong with you?"

Yosannah tilts her head back and finishes off the drink, "It's not so much that something is wrong. It's a persistant urgency. A need to seek out ..." She pauses as if not sure how to continue, "something." She adds, "I keep finding myself drawn to the Courts. I spent the night in the Cathedral just waiting. And nothing came."

Despil pours you some more and says, "I'm not surprised."

Yosannah watches as the liquid flows into her glass, "What do you mean?" Her voice is a soft whisper.

Despil says "I'm catty when it comes to the church."

Yosannah looks up at him, "I don't understand."

Despil replies, "I view the church as a political organization."

Yosannah nods, "I see." She rocks the glass, swirling the liquid therein, "I'm not sure why I share this with you except that something is happening that I -don't- understand and it scares me."

Despil says, "There is something that is part of you, yes. I can see it."

Yosannah draws back. It is a slight gesture and she looks down at her person as she does so, "You can see it..."

Despil nods and says, "-I- can, but I don't think it's easy at all."

The glass in her hand shakes lightly and she is forced to set it down. "Despil, I just found out that Death was -taken- from its avatar by some unknown individual. Taken. I don't know how that's possible, but if this 'individual' is what I'm being drawn to, and he or she takes Pestilence, what will happen to me."

Despil says, "I can't say. It could be good or bad for you. I wouldn't think it could be taken from you, though."

Yosannah runs her fingers over the bracelet at her wrist, "What makes you say that?"

Despil says "It seems that you and whatever else that is are very tightly joined."

Yosannah claps her fingers together and nods, "Right." She ponders that for a moment, "Unless this feeling..." She lowers her head muttering, "What if, what if..."

Despil says "What happened to Death?"

Yosannah eyes her drink, "The story I coaxed from Nash Cragvale was that Death was drawn somewhere and that a stranger somehow took Death from its avatar." She sighs, "I couldn't force much more then that out of Nash. And he couldn't tell me where the avatar is now either." She shrugs, "I don't understand what's going on."

Despil drinks some more and says, "What if Nash Cragvale is lying or simply mistaken?"

Yosannah considers, "Lying? Not possible - that I am certain of. Mistaken aboutt what he thinks he saw? Possible. Though, I spoke with an old aquaintance of Famine's avatar early tonight. And this person confirmed that Famine is having the same feelings of urgency as I." She lets a smirk escape her lips, "I suppose it's quite possible that everyone is conspiring to drive me crazy. But I'm not so egotistical that I believe that."

Despil smiles and says, "I seem to have been let out of this conspiracy. I'm disappointed."

Yosannah is obviously warmed by his smile, "Disappointed that you won't have the opportunity to push me to the point of insanity? Poor you."

Despil says, "Well, more disappointed that I'm not being trusted with the secret."

Yosannah smiles lightly, "I'd think you were trusted with quite a bit if information this evening. You're never satisfied, are you."

Despil laughs and says, "Never."

After a long moment, "Tell me something."

Despil says "What do you want to be told?"

Yosannah smiles, "Something to distract me. Tell me... Your parents. Tell me about them."

Despil says "My father -- Gramble -- is dead. He was one of the great art collectors of Sawall. Good fellow. I liked him. He had a thing for strong women." He drinks some more and says, "My mother -- well, she's a strong woman. Dara. She's still around, and lots of people have heard of her."

Yosannah nods, "Including me. I met her once. Well, actually, we were never formally introduced. She and your brother got into a trist a few years back that I'd rather I wasn't witness to." She smiles at the thought.

Despil hmmms. "Which brother? Merlin?"

Yosannah nods, "Yes. And while we're on that topic... how many siblings -do- you have."

Despil says "Three brothers. Mandor, Merlin, and Jurt. One sister, Faiel."

Yosannah inquires, "Are you the youngest?"

Despil shakes his head. "Jurt is."

Yosannah smiles at that, "Ahh. Actually, that makes sense." And then, "Kids?"

Despil nods and says, "I have --" a short pause and then, "two. Sons. Both dead. Many grand descendents and more."

Yosannah hmms, "I'm sorry to hear that."

Despil shrugs. "It happens. With one of them, it was a relief."

Yosannah raises a brow at that, "Oh?" She doesn't press further, perhaps waiting to see if he wants to expand.

Despil pauses for a second and then says, "Ishmael. He was a rotter. However, my -decent- descendents come from his line, including Mirth."

Yosannah nods, "What of their mother?"

Despil says, "Erisa." He twitches his lips and says, "She died on the Logrus. Broke my heart."

Yosannah smiles softly at him, "You're a tragic character, Despil. I had no idea."

Despil smiles back and says, "Thank you, I think."

Yosannah leans back into the couch, "Oh, but you'll be quite a catch for someone someday, I'm sure."

Despil grins. "I'll make some gal a good little husband, I'm sure."

Yosannah stretches as she smirks, "Absolutely." She is more at ease then earlier in their conversation. She covers her mouth with her hand in effort to stifle a yawn.

Despil laughs and says, "Now I just have to find such a gal."

Yosannah chuckles, "I"m sure there are plenty shadows of me out there to go around." She rolls her eyes.

Despil tsks and says, "My shadows can settle for them."

Yosannah smiles at that without comment. "Anyway. I don't suppose you'd mind if I borrowed your couch here... I'm not so comfortable going back to Elbridge, and it's getting late."

Despil shakes his head. "I don't mind, no."

Yosannah scratches lightly at her neck, "Thank you. Again. You're a good man, Despil."

Despil smiles back. "You're welcome, and thank you, Yo."

"For what?"

Despil says "For the compliment. If you want, I can be all domestic and get you a robe and a toothbrush."

Yosannah rests her head against the back of the couch, closes her eyes and mutters, "That would be great, honey. Don't forget to let the dog out."

Despil laughs and says, "Of course not." He gets her a blanket, and a robe, and also a toothbrush.