Session Start: Sat Feb 08 10:17:31 2003

<ST> Garland and Arobryn, you are climbing the stairs in the 
"Castle", which serves as the main admin building for the Monarch 
School for the Arts.

<ST> You are in Monarch, Virginia.

<ST> You are following a very worried boggan named Emilina Robards, 
who has introduced herself to you as Lady Sariona's private 
secretary.  

<ST> Emilina is taking you to see Duke Redarien, the acting head of 
the school, since Lady Sariona was attacked.

<Emilina> "So follow me, and remember, Duke Rendarien is trying to be 
helpful."

* Arobryn nods, and follows.

* Garland scratches his chin a little, following.

<Emilina> "But do be careful around those twins."

<Emilina> "You two are awfully quiet.  That's a good thing, 
sometimes.  But my advice to you is, learn what you can."

<Emilina> "When you can."

* Arobryn glances at Garland - do I know him from before /now/?

<ST> [no]

* Garland smiles a little at the boggan, then casts a sidelong glance 
to Arobryn to see his reaction.

<Emilina> "The twins are kind of in his bad books."

<Arobryn> "What'd they do?"

* Garland looks more directly at Arobryn, nodding to him and touching 
the tip of his head, about to say something before Emilina speaks.

<Emilina> "I don't know myself.  It was apparently something to do 
with a snake.  And the local MayMayGwayShees."

* Arobryn raises an eyebrow at Garland, then looks back at Emilina.

<Arobryn> "When-ish?"

<Emilina> "Oh, about a week or two ago.  Anyway, the Duke is making 
them do kind of ... menial things."

* Garland clasps his hands behind his back and glances around the 
staircase a bit, before looking back to Emilina. "How are they taking 
to that?" He smiles.

<Emilina> "They really don't like it.  They can be mean to newcomers.  
They won't like it that you two new students are seeing them like 
that."

* Arobryn chuckles.

<Arobryn> "And yet.  Hrm."

* Garland glances at Arobryn and raises his eyebrows. "And yet...?"

<Arobryn> "What /does/ he want with us, exactly?"

* Arobryn doesn't particularly aim the question at one or the other.

<Garland> "Good question."

<Emilina> "Oh, all new students have to get the lec... that is, the 
explanations about things."

* Arobryn grins.

<Arobryn> "Lovely."

* Garland takes a breath and nods. "Goodie."

* Garland looks over to Arobryn.

* Arobryn looks back and extends a hand.

<Garland> "I'm Garland.  Musical Theatre."

<Arobryn> "Arobryn".  Grinning.

<Arobryn> "Really!  Technical theatre myself.  Cool."

* Garland takes his hand and shakes it, keeping the other resting 
behind his own back.

* Arobryn shakes, nods, and lets his hand fall.

<Garland> "It's the place to be." Grins, takes his hand back as well.

* Arobryn smirks a little.

<Arobryn> "Yes, I suppose it is.  But I'm dying to get a good look at 
the facilities here.... sets, theatres, workshops..."

<Emilina> "Yes, you both being in theatre is interesting.  We don't 
have many students here right now.  A lot left a couple of days ago.  
I am a bit ..."

<Garland> "Trapdoors, lighting, actresses..." 

* Garland nods, pleased.

* Arobryn raises and eyebrow, and snickers.

<Arobryn> "Yes, I suppose those could come in handy..."

* Garland turns his attention back to Emilina, "I'm sorry?"

* Arobryn does likewise.

<Emilina> "Oh, it's just, well, so many of them.  And I didn't like 
them taking that Willy.  He tried to kill Sariona, you know."

<Emilina> "And they acted as if he was just fine.  A REDCAp!"

* Garland frowns, raising an eyebrow. "What happened?"

<Arobryn> "Are there many redcaps at the school?"

<Emilina> "Well, he came out of nowhere during a party, and used a 
writhen blade on the Duchess!"

* Garland frowns deeper, glancing from Arobryn to Emilina again. "So 
where have they sent him?"

<Arobryn> "God.  Yech.  They get him?"

<Emilina> "She would have died if it weren't for some of our amazing 
students.  You should meet them, but they all left with Willy, and 
that troll Ebon, and the Sidhe lady.  I'm just so worried."

<Arobryn> "With Willy?"

<Emilina> "Yes, they all went with Willy, the one who tried to kill 
the Duchess.  That was after they got the Dreamflowers, though, and 
saved Her Ladyship's life.  But she's still so sick."

<Garland> "... -why- did he try to do that to her?"

<Emilina> "I don't know all the details.  Jack the Whistler did, but 
he left yesterday.  And now we're all trying to be normal, with the 
Duke in charge of things..  But he's a stickler.  And I'm afraid 
he's, er, Unseelie."..

<Arobryn> ".....I see.  Hmm."

* Arobryn looks around at the hall/stairwell itself as we walk.

* Garland pauses, then nods a little and looks down.

<Emilina> "No, Arobryn, there are no other redcaps here at the 
moment.  Though of course we give safe haven to all who are trying to 
escape the War.  And who have any artistic talent.  If they don't, 
well, we just let them work on the grounds or something."

* Arobryn nods again.

<ST> You have reached the third floor landing.  There is an open door 
at the end of the hall in front of you.

<ST> "My Door is Always Open", says a discreet sign with silver 
writing on black.  It hangs without strings in the air just inside 
the doorway, with the sigils of Eilunedd decorating it in silver in 
appropriately beautiful places.  The door itself is pushed 180 
degrees open.  There is a sign on it.  Sariona's study is clearly 
a place designed for comfort.  There is a chaise longue beside a large 
floor-height window, and the view of the gardens, three storeys 
below, is stunning in this August sunshine.  No one is in this 
comfortable lounge.  Beside it is a table of drinks, and at each end 
is a stand of floor vases are overflowing with chimerical flowers 
that change colours every moment. There is a gorgeous black walnut 
desk in the room, whose legs are scrolled.  The head of a griffen 
peers out from the front of the solitary drawer.  The desk is a 
little dusty.  The chair has been moved to a clearly brand-new 
computer desk which sits in a corner on the left-hand wall as you 
come in the door. 

<ST> Rendarien is at the moment sitting in a comfortable 
leather chair, his back to the fireplace beside the computer desk, 
his sword arm toward the open door.  He is a tall, lean, lined Sidhe 
grump, attractive despite his years.  A streak of silver runs through 
his black hair, emphasizing his clothing, which is all black, except 
for a silver sword belt.  The sheath of his sword is a gorgeous 
thing, black backgrounded, in which is worked the sigils of his 
house, the crescent moons above a crown-marked silver cone containing 
a black star.  His cloak, which is knee-length only, is lined with 
silver.  A couple of large trolls in black and silver are standing 
guard, one behind Rendarien's chair, the other just inside the open 
doorway.  One carries a battle axe, and the other a heavy mace. A 
female Sidhe is at the computer desk beside the fireplace, peering 
into the screen.  There are strange silver markings on the screen, 
nothing like ordinary text. The Sidhe is very thin, with long red 
hair.  She wears clothes that match Rendarien's, except that her 
cloak is full length, and she wears no sword. A male and female Sidhe 
in plain black clothing are standing beside Rendarien.  One, the 
male, is holding a real chalkboard, and the female stands ready to 
write on it with chalk.  They are strikingly blond, very good 
looking, but their faces are discontented.  Both have sword belts, 
but in both cases their sheaths are empty. 

<Rendarien> "Please do not sit.  I find these talks go more quickly 
if the listeners stand."

* Arobryn blinks, nods, and watches Rendarian, expectantly.

* Garland glances around at the others in the room briefly, then 
looks to Rendarian and stands quietly.

***

<ST> Ken-Ken, you appear poof out of nowhere.

* KenKen appears out of nowhere. POOF. He looks around.

<Flora> "What on earth?"

* KenKen looks over at Flora. "Um. HI."

<ST> [you see a female mortal in front of you.  She is red-haired, 
deeply tanned, and sitting on the bench you are facing, two feet away.]

<KenKen> "Sorry.  Drama practice."

<KenKen> [/me would like to ken to see if she's sleeping fae.  
Whatever that's called.]

<ST> Roll perception plus kenning.

<ST> Difficulty 6.

<KenKen> [3 successes]

<ST> You can see this is no sleeping changeling.  You sense something unusual 
however.  Some feeling of glamour.

<KenKen> [anything I'm able to ID?  Enchanted mortal?]

<ST> Roll Wits + Kenning, difficulty 5

<KenKen> [3 successes.]

<ST> You sense that this is a kinain.  A mortal with faery blood.  She 
doesn't know.

* KenKen sweeps a bow. "How was my entry?"

<Flora> "Excuse me?  I saw you appear out of nowhere.  I know you.  
You're that art student, Ken.  What did you do?"

<KenKen> "I'm an understudy in the drama club!  I didn't do 
anything wrong!  And you are?"

<Flora> "My name, as I've told you, as I keep telling people, is Flora 
McLean.  I write.  That is,I write fiction.  But you can't stop me from 
believing something weird is going on here."

<KenKen> "Weird?  I'll take that as a complement.  Want to exchange 
numbers?"

<Flora> "Stop it right now.  You appeared out of nowhere.  I'm going 
to have an explanation, or I'm going to have to ask admin."

<KenKen> "Well, why don't we go to the admin together, honey?" 
[bright smile]

<Flora> "Well, er, sure."  [You can tell this is one determined 
young woman.]

<Flora> "I think we should go straight to Duke Rendarien."

<Emilina> "I wonder why he calls himself Duke?  He's just a Dean, 
like Dean Sarah.  But he sure acts like one."

<KenKen> "Sure thing.  Let's go RIGHT THERE.  Like, NOW.  I'm gonna 
hold your hand." He takes her hand and starts walking briskly to 
Rendarien Castle.

* Flora is so startled, and so pleased, that someone wants to hold her 
hand, she takes it happily.

* KenKen beams at her, friendly and harmless and certainly not 
any sort of strange supernatural being who appears out of thin 
air. Nope!

<Flora> "Well, so we have to see Duke Rendarien."

<KenKen> "I actually, um.  Okay, here's the truth.  It's silly to 
bother Rendarien with.  But you know that tree up above where you 
were sitting?"

<Flora> "Yes."

<KenKen> "Well, uh." He turns and takes her other hand. "I fancy 
you.  And I just wanted to watch you at... you know, relaxing, 
doing your thing... I know it sounds crazy.  But I really like you!  
Only I fell out of the tree."

<Flora> "No you didn't.  I saw." [she takes her hand away.]

<KenKen> "That's kind of weird... you WANT to believe a 
supernatural explanation rather than, you know, a banal one?"

* KenKen digs in his pocket for a candy Token.

<Flora> "No.  That is, I ...  Well, I know what I saw, that's
 all."

<KenKen> "That's kind of sweet, though, you know.  Seriously." 
His eyes are bright and he grins infectuously.  "Here.  Sweets 
for the sweet?" He holds out a candy. (Which happens to be an 
Enchantment token.)

<Flora> "Well..." [she hesitates.]  "I don't know.  What kind of 
candy is it?"

* KenKen peers at it. It's one of those Lindor Choclates. "...the 
good kind?"

<Flora> "My fav --er, well, are you sure you want me to have 
it?  I mean, it's not your last or anything, is it?"

<KenKen> "No, no! Not my last! Really."

<Flora> "Well, thanks."

* Flora takes it and eats it.

<Flora> "Yum....  Holy Wow!"

* KenKen beams and swishes his tail.

<Flora> "You, you, aren't, you aren't normal."

<Flora> "Nothing's normal.  Look at the lights!  Look, my holy wow, 
look at the Castle!  It's a REAL castle!  Holy WWWWOOOOWWWW!"

* KenKen grins. "Let's go towards it!" He reaches for her hand again.

<Flora> "What are you?"

<KenKen> "...Different?" He grins, playful.

<Flora> "Yeah, I'd say so.  You've got a tail.  A tale?"  (smiles 
hopefully. She seems to be unsure if he will see the joke.)

<KenKen> "Oh, Stories?  Let's go to the castle!"

<Flora> "Kay.  But, Ken, this is so weird.  I've never felt like 
this before.  Everything is so fresh.  So beautiful."

* KenKen beams and hugs her, spinning her around a little. "Yay!"

<Flora> [She laughs and hugs him back.]  "I love this.  Oh, I love 
this so much.  Is it real?"

<KenKen> "Are YOU real?  If so, would this be?" [grins]

<Flora> "I think I'm real.  But I don't feel the way I usually do.  
Oh, Ken, is this a dream?"

<KenKen> "How does that rhyme go again - 'If we shadows have offended/ 
think on this, and all is mended...'"

<Flora> "That's from The Tempest.  I love Shakespeare.  Oh, don't 
let me wake up from this.  Someone who knows The Tempest as well as I do!"

<KenKen> "Was it the Tempest?  You must be right!  Let's go." [grins 
and tugs her in the direction of the Castle, all playful.]

* Flora is willing to be pulled.  She is dazed, but smiling joyfully.  
Everything is new.  It is like being born, only with an adult type mind.

* KenKen laughs, delightedly, walking with her to the castle, 
occassionally pointing things out.

<ST> [you get to the main door.  Emilina's office is empty.]

* KenKen looks around for a note of where she is. Obsessively 
organized Boggans, you know.

<ST> "Up in Duchess Sariona's Study", the note says.

* KenKen goes hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. He looks around for particularly 
fascinating glamour things in this room.

<ST> [There is a ball hanging from nowhere, whirling.  It changes colours 
in swirls as it twirls.]

* KenKen glances at Fiona to see if she's fascinated by it.

<ST> (she's staring at it as if she is.)

* KenKen says "Can you stay here for a bit, watching that? I'll be back 
in JUUUUUUST a moment!"

<Flora> "Sure", (but she lets her eyes flicker for a moment to Ken-Ken).  
[Roll perception + alertness diff 8 Ken-Ken, since you're distracted by 
what you need to tell Rendarien.]

<KenKen> [two successes.]

<ST> [you maybe notice a slight flicker of her eyes your way.] 

* KenKen comes over and hugs her, smiling. "Or is it boring you?"

<Flora> "No, no, I want to watch it.  Really."  [stares in fascination.]

* KenKen grins. [1 success on will roll] "I WILL be back. I promise. 
I just gotta tell something to my Fairy Lord right away!"

<Flora> (absently) "Bye."

***

<Emilina> "Lord Rendarien, these are the two new students."

<Rendarien> "Well, well, I can see that, Emilina.  But I didn't quite 
expect..." [looks at Arobryn, taken aback.] "You have filing to do, I 
expect."

* Arobryn smiles, politely.

* Emilina nods and bows awkwardly, then backs out of the open door.

* Arobryn stands politely, hands behind his back, waiting for 
Rendarien to start.

<Rendarien> (pointedly ignoring Arobryn).  You would be Garland.  The 
new voice student.  I like musical theatre."

* Garland nods, smiling a touch. "Any favourites, your grace?"

<Rendarien> "Oh, G&S for mortal operetta.  But of course, anything by 
Rhymer Rellasa is wonderful, don't you find?"

* Garland tilts his head back and forth, nodding finally. "I do, I 
do," he smiles again, a bit.

<Rendarien> "Can you sing "Rolf and Roanna have been bad twins?"

<ST> The two twins jerk, as one.  Neither moves again.  Their eyes 
are drilling Garland as if the eyes are four guns.

* Garland raises his eyebrows, glancing at the twins briefly before 
sliding his gaze back to the Duke. "Only if someone was able to hum a 
few bars for me first, your Grace." Smiles good naturedly, glancing 
at the two Sidhe again briefly.

<Rendarien> "Ah, a tactful satyr.  Unusual, in one so young, but I 
can see you will be a fine addition to the school."

<Rendarien> "Now, the first thing to remember is that there are 
mortals here as well as changelings.  The Duchess has declared this 
school a place of safety for all fae willing to abstain from the 
violence of the outside world, and as her co-ruler, it is not 
honourable for me to go against her declarations. ...To keep all fae 
here safe, you must not reveal to any mortal, or even to outside fae, 
that there are many fae here.  Some of your fellow students, while 
gifted in the arts, are here in exile.  Others are in great danger.  
Possibly you, young Arobryn of ---  I'm sorry, the name of your 
freehold escapes me?"

<Arobryn> "Shining Shield, your grace."

* Arobryn gives a wan smile.

<Rendarien> "Ah, yes.  Shining Shield.  A gift to your father for 
service to High King David.  Yes.  And I had heard he had made a... 
liaison with a commoner, but I didn't realize...  And YOU are his 
heir?"

* Arobryn nods, grinning /slightly/.

<Arobryn> "I am, your grace."

* Arobryn gives a faint chuckle.

<Arobryn> "You haven't met my mother."

<Rendarien> "Ahem.  Well.  Nocker, I assume?" (turns to Rolf and 
Roanna.)  "You haven't been writing down the rules."

* Arobryn nods.

<Rolf> (woodenly) "Excuse us, your grace."

<Roanna> (equally woodenly).  "We do know them by heart, your grace.  
Would you like us to write them down now?"

<Rendarien> "Perhaps not right now.  Do YOU remember them by heart, 
Garland, and, er, Arobryn ap Dougal?

<Arobryn> [........./would/ we?]

<ST> [roll intelligence + alertness, diff 6]

<Arobryn> [2 successes]

<Garland> [No successes.]

<ST> [Arobryn, you can recite back one of the two rules Rendarien 
stated.  Consider it done.  Then you can add whatever you want.  
Garland, you can't recite either back.]

* Garland stands watching Arobryn and looks pretty.

* Arobryn just stands there, looking polite.

<Rendarien> "A typical Dougal in some ways, I see.  Now, then, I have 
a word of warning for you new students."

<Rendarien> "The mortals are a good cover for you. You must keep the 
secret of this school from them.  You must not play tricks on them.  
You must not enchant them. It is highly unlikely that you will ever 
be so low on glamour that you need to use them as Dreamers. So..." 
[pauses]

<ST> [The twins are doing their thing with the chalkboard.]

<ST> (troll at door looks out.)  "Pooka coming down the hall, your 
Grace."

* KenKen barrels through the door, then!

<ST> [troll would not be knocked back, but the energy causes him to 
turn his body.]

* Arobryn glances at the newcomer.

<KenKen> "MY LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORD RENDARIEN!" 

* Garland blinks and looks over.

<Rendarien> "KenKen!  What are you doing here?  Where is my ward?  
Where are the rest of your party?"

* KenKen puts his hands on his knees and breathes deeply. "Um, it's 
...." [gestures] "Er. Weird?"

* KenKen drops to his knees in apology and knee wiggles to Rendarien, 
then draws in a DEEP breath to explain.

* Rendarien is so worried he doesn't notice that the two new students 
are still there.  "Which means it isn't wyrd?  They are in the 
Dreaming?

<Rolf> "You abandoned the Lady Elyria, didn't you, pooka?"

<Roanna> "No, she wouldn't have allowed that, Rolf.  Be quiet."

* KenKen sticks his tongue out at Rolf, then turns back to Rendarien. 
"Gimme a moment, I'll tell you..."

<Rendarien> (sighs impatiently.)  "Is Elyria safe?"

<KenKen> "I don't KNOW."

<Rendarien> "So you DO know.  Yes or no answers.  Yes means no.  No 
means yes.  Do you understand, Ken-Ken?  This is urgent."

* KenKen grits his teeth and lets his shoulders slump. "No-my-lord-I-
don't-understand."

<Rendarien> "Okay, so you do understand.  First question.  Did you 
leave your party willingly?"

<KenKen> "Yes, of course.  Duh."

<Rendarien> "Right.  Was your party in Washington at the time you 
left the party?"

<KenKen> "Yes.  Just ask Keiko."

* KenKen sulks quietly.

<Rendarien> "Had you taken the trod to the Blue One's home?"

<KenKen> "No.  Nor did we get attacked by weird spider things."

<Rendarien> "I... see."  (thinks).  "Did the Blue One give the -- "  
(pauses, looks for the first time at Arobryn and Garland.)  "Excuse 
me.  Jelissia?"

<ST> A red-haired woman at computer desk gives him her full 
attention.  Previously, she had been staring quite hungrily at Ken-
Ken.

* KenKen is used to that attention from creepy unseelie women.

<Jelissia> "Yes, your Grace?"

<Rendarien> "Could you please escort these newcomers to -- " (pauses 
again.)  "No.  Wait."

<Rendarien> (turns back to Ken-Ken.)  "Did the Blue One give the 
object to Elyria?"

<KenKen> "No.  Why would he?"

<Rendarien> "Then what happened?"  

<KenKen> "Okay, like, so you sent us off and we went to you know that 
city, and we met Keiko I think her name was, and there was weird 
thing with the other door but we took the right door and were on the 
way and it's kinda woozy but like we walked a bit and there was this 
WATER OF DOOM over the path, right?"

<ST> [all the NPC's have rolled perception + alertness, but 
everyone is too fascinated by Ken-Ken.  Garland, and Arobryn, roll 
Perception + Alertness, diff 9.]

<Arobryn> [.......botch.]

<Rendarien> "Stop!  Stop!"

<KenKen> "Anyway, your ward was KILLER smart and we continued on and 
got attacked by spider thingies and I found interesthing and Elyria 
met some kin or something s'all woozy and we ended up in the cold 
place and Elyria and I did some little conspiratorial work and freed 
the big green giant and then she got the item in question and I THINK 
he was about to cast a Primal spell on us or something but then there 
was a flash and I was at the school..."

<KenKen> "...Oh, sorry, M'lord."

<ST> [Arobryn, you are distracted by a bird flying past the open 
window.]

* Garland glances away from KenKen, and towards the door curiously.

<Rendarien> "Wait.  I need to think.  Stop for a moment, please."

* Arobryn glances out the window, fascinated by...... /that bird 
there/.

* KenKen mimes zipping his lips and looks around curiously at the 
people.

<Rendarien> "Now, you said the Blue One was about to cast a Primal 
Spell.  Yes or No.  Was it a Primal Spell?"

* Garland smiles a little, his brow furrowing, and glances around to 
see where the other people in the room are looking.

<KenKen> "Yes, it was a Primal spell!  That's why I said it was 
one." He adds, redundantly, "You know how we Pooka like Primal 
spells."

* Arobryn watches the "performance", then.

<Rendarien> "Ken-Ken.  Did the Blue One try to cast a Legerdemain 
Cantrip?"

<KenKen> "Yes.  Yes, that's right."

<KenKen> "I always get the two confused!"

<Rendarien> "A Chicanery?"

* Garland tries to catch Arobryn's gaze with his own.

<Rendarien> [Garland rolls wits + empathy, difficulty 7]

* KenKen , btw, looks like a young man in his early twenties, wearing 
mismatched clothing and with gel-slicked hair and big, animal-like 
brown eyes. His fae mein, laid over top, shows a otter-like tail and 
very small ears, as well as light furring. 

<ST> [Arobryn, you feel as if Garland is trying to catch your gaze.]

* Arobryn glances over, and meets Garland's eye, subtly as he can. He 
raises an eyebrow.

<KenKen> "................Oh, wait.  Yes.  Yes he did.  My bad."

<Rendarien> (sighs).  "Did the Blue One try to cast Soothsay?"

* Garland pointedly looks over to the open door, moving his head 
towards it slightly.

<KenKen> "What's Soothsay?"

* Arobryn glances over at Rendarien, to see where his attention is.

<Rendarien> "Never mind.  Yes or no:  Did the Blue One begin to cast 
Wayfarer on your party?"

<KenKen> "No.  Nonono.  Not at all.  I'm sure of that."

<Rendarien> "Finally.  At last.  All right, now Ken-Ken, I need to 
ask you something.  Would you please allow me to cast the Cantrip 
Backward Glance on you?  Before you say Yes or No, let me explain..."

* KenKen waits, big-eyed.

* Arobryn looks back at Garland, and nods a touch.

<Rendarien> "The thing is, you came back, and your party didn't.  
Now, a Wayfarer Cantrip doesn't work through the Mists.  I MUST know 
how you got back without going through the Mists.  It is vitally 
important.  The Escheat is in question here.  You do all know the 
Escheat, do you not?  The right to rescue?  If any of your party is 
in danger..."

* KenKen looks blank but nods, of course.

* Garland slowly backs up towards the door, trying to look around it 
at a better angle.

<Rendarien> "So you will allow it?"  [this cantrip is considered very 
bad form, without the permission of the person it is cast on, because 
it allows the caster to see ALL of what the person did in the last x 
minutes, depending on successes.  All changelings know this.]

* Arobryn gives Garland a few moments' head start, then does 
likewise.

<KenKen> "Um, sure!  I'm sure you won't be upset that I didn't break 
the rules when I came back, of course.  Because I'm good and um.  
Fire away!"

<ST> [the trolls roll perception + alertness.  One says, "Er 
boss..."  The other says,  "Look at that bird out there!"

* Arobryn pauses, by the door, still watching all.

<Rendarien> [nods.]  "I think I understand.  Consider anything you 
did to be my own knowledge and not punishable."

* Garland keeps an eye on what's going on between the Duke and 
KenKen, then backs out the door and looks around.

<KenKen> "Awww.  Thanks, Lord!"  He clambers into Rendarien's lap, 
greatly daring.

<Rendarien> "What is it, Erlanien?" (to the troll)

<Rendarien> "Lord Rendarien, Sir, the two newcomers..."

<Rendarien> "Please, I'm trying to concentrate!"

<Rendarien> "Get off me!  Pooka!  Off!!!!"

* KenKen clambers off, tail tucked between his legs, and cowers at 
Rendarien's feet, looking up at him with big tormented eyes.

<Rendarien> "I can't cast Backward Glance on someone in my lap.  WHAT 
are you doing?"

* Arobryn tries to catch Erlanien's eye, still not moving.

<Rendarien> "Why are you looking like that?  I didn't mean...  Oh, 
Tuatha take it."

<ST> [roll wits + empathy diff 6, Arobryn]

* KenKen perks up a little at 'didn't mean' and gives a cute smile.

<Rendarien> "Now, little KenKen, I didn't mean to hurt your 
feelings."  [all Seelie roll perception + empathy here, diff 7 for 
Rendarien's retinue, diff 8 for all those except Ken-Ken, who has 
diff 6]

<Arobryn> [PFF.  Nope. :P]

<KenKen> [3 successes]

* Garland frowns a little and eases back into the room with a couple 
slow steps, looking back at the Duke. He tilts his head and watches 
him.

* Arobryn still stands, watching. He keeps trying to catch one of the 
guards' eyes.

* KenKen beams up at Lord Rendarien. "Aww." He doesn't move to climb 
up in Rendarien's lap but looks perfectly comfortable again.

<ST> [Arobryn can roll wits + empahthy but diff is one higher 
each time.]

<Rendarien> "So, little pooka, may I please cast the cantrip?"

* KenKen spreads his arms helpfully/invitingly.

<ST> [okay, you watch Rendarien.  He takes a watch out of his pocket, 
stands, drops the watch to the ground, and stamps on it.  As it 
shatters, glamour makes a brilliantly rainbow coloured halo around 
him.  He mutters to himself.

<KenKen> [<Rendarien> .oO(I go through more pocket watches that 
way.)]

<ST> At last Rendarien shakes his head.  His face is sweating.  The 
glamour fades.  "This is terrible."

* KenKen starts looking worried. "What...?"

* Arobryn watches with a touch more concentration, now.

<Rendarien> "Ken-Ken, the Blue One's place was attacked just as he 
cast the Wayfare Spell on you all.  There was panic.  I couldn't see 
much except a person all in red, and a patrol of House Balor, and a 
bunch of fell dogs.  The cantrip was successful, in  a way..."

* KenKen 's eyes go HUGE.

<Rendarien> "... but though I caught "Duke Egan's Hold" in the 
location of the Cantrip, you came here instead.  And what's worse..."

<Rendarien> "... the item.  It was dropped."

<KenKen> "I.......tem?" 

* KenKen checks his pocket, then catches on.

<KenKen> "OH NO.  Not *really*.  Really?"

<KenKen> "Is EL okay?!"

<Rendarien> "Yes.  The thing my ward has been trying for over a year 
to obtain.  She dropped it just before she disappeared?"

<Rendarien> "I don't know.  She's gone.  I don't know if the Wayfarer 
cantrip took her to her father Duke Egan's Hold in the Wyldweir, or 
if the intruders had their way."

* KenKen bites his lip and worries at it with sharp little teeth.

<KenKen> "Can't you send Lord Egan an email?"

<ST> "Er, Lord Rendarien," says Erlanien the troll.

<Rendarien> "I can't.  Perhaps my Sluagh can.  Or..."  [turns to 
Arobryn.]  "Your Dougal House has been working on such a network 
within the Dreaming, has it not?"

* Arobryn nods, sombre.

<Rendarien> "Are you, er,"  (says impatiently to Erlanien), "Please, 
this is important."  all there subside, astonished by the world 
"please".

* KenKen BEAMS.

<Rendarien> "I mean, Arobryn ap Dougal, are you capable of using the 
computer?"

* Arobryn nods, face serious, eyes focussed.

<Rendarien> "Jelissia?  Could you please let this young Squire have 
your seat?"

* Arobryn waits.

<Rendarien> [TWO pleases.  Jelissia stands, eyes round in 
astonishment.]  "Yes, your Grace.  Er, Squire Arobryn, I believe?  I 
have her set to the Sluagh network, but I don't know how to interpret 
it.  Feel free to do as you will..."

* Arobryn nods, gives a tight smile, then goes and sits at the 
computer.

* KenKen hugs Rendarien's leg impulsively, comfortingly.

* Garland angles himself a little to better see what Arobryn is 
doing, looking disquieted himself.

<ST> [this might take you some time, Arobryn.  It will not be a 
single action.  It will be an extended action.  Keep rolling 
intelligence + computer, difficulty 10 (you are not in the Dreaming) 
until you get 5 successes.  A botch will take off two successes.  
negative successes are allowed.  Each roll takes one action round.  
About 3 sentences worth of talk, in this case.]

***

<Arobryn> ....so that first roll, I kid you not, is 2, 3, 3, 10, 
10, 10, 10.

<ST> So four successes.  You are into the network.

<ST> Now you need one more success to get yourself recognized by 
the web master.

<Arobryn> Okay.  Rerolled: one success, no 1's.

<ST> Wait for a few minutes.

<Arobryn> I shall.

<ST> Words are typed on screen.  Password required.

<Arobryn> Do I have such a thing?

<ST> I think you would.  Make it up now and memorize it.

<ST> Then type it in.

<Arobryn> [deleted after the fact. ;)]

<ST> "Access to Near Dreaming allowed."

<ST> 'address please'

<Arobryn> .....o_O

<Arobryn> Can I tell by context what address it wants?

<ST> no

<ST> you will need to do some computer work.

<Arobryn> I'm really not sure what I'm trying to get into.  
I don't know if it's my server or theirs.  Is it something I 
/should/ have access to, and it's just not working?  Am I trying to 
break in to something?

<ST> You're trying to figure out whether it's asking for your address 
here or your address in the Dreaming our the address to which you wish 
to send.  Roll intelligence + computer difficulty 8

<Arobryn> 'S a /badly designed interface/, then. ;)

<Arobryn> .......5 successes.  Mein gott.  These dice like me.

<ST> Good.  Kay, I don't design interfaces, you do.  So, you know it's 
asking you for the address you wish to write to.

<Arobryn> Would I know Egan's address, or will I need to ask?

<ST> You can ask someone in your own freehold.  They have a directory.

<Arobryn> .......................okay then.  Does my father have a trusted 
clerk or secretary or someone just under him?

<ST> go for your father directly.

<Arobryn> Are messages in the dreaming network moderately well encrypted 
while they're in transit?

<ST> incredibly well.

<Arobryn> [Cool.]

<Arobryn> Am I able to get at my own e-mail account?

<ST> You would have, but something seems to have gone wrong 
with your mouse.

<Arobryn> .....it seems to have!  Something that carried over to the 
screen! :P

<Arobryn> Okay.  What can /Arobryn/ tell?

<ST> That he has to start over.

<Arobryn> ........okay, so it seems to still be /working/, just /off/?

<Arobryn> First four rolls - nothing, one way or the other.

<Arobryn> Fifth roll - botch.  By a difference of /3/, if that's relevant.

<ST> You think the computer cable needs replacing.

<ST> The power cable.

<ST> Kay, you can email your own directory if you want.

<Arobryn> Arrighty.  Off to Pengaled, then - "Urgent - got an e-mail 
address on Lord Egan, or someone high at his hold?  I'll 
explain later.  -A"

***

<Rendarien> "Now, Ken-Ken, while your fellow student is busy, I need 
you to tell me something."

<KenKen> "Ummmhmm?"

<Rendarien> "Ken-Ken, did you do anything different than any of your 
comrades while the Wayfarer Spell was being cast by the Blue One?"

* KenKen looks like he's thinking hard, as if the memory's not all 
that clear.

<KenKen> "Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm..."

<Rendarien> "Yes, I know, it was very confused.  The very fact that I 
could use it at all means, you see, that you got out of the Dreaming 
without going through the Mists.  I'm trying to understand what you 
did, or why this happened."

* KenKen digs in his pocket and hangs his head, then silently holds 
out the brooch.

<Rendarien> [Looks at the brooch in Ken-Ken's hand.]  "I didn't see 
you find this, when I cast the cantrip on you.  Did you find it in 
the Forest of Lies, young pooka?  Yes or no, please."

<KenKen> "Um.  Is that what it was called?"

<KenKen> "The place with the nasty spider thingses?"

<Rendarien> "Where the Blue One lived.  Yes."

<KenKen> "It was after the place with the blue guy."

<Rendarien> "Before it then.  Yes or no.  Did you find it before?"

<KenKen> "No."

* KenKen looks a bit put-upon again.

<Rendarien> "I see."  (looks worriedly at brooch.)  "May I hold it?"

* KenKen mumbles something about birthday presents and preciouses, 
and hands it over. Because Rendarien said 'may I'.

<ST> [Just at that moment a scream comes from the corridor.]

* KenKen 's head whips around.

* Garland stops and heads for the door quickly.

* KenKen skitters in that direction, because he's a curious little 
Pooka.

<ST> [and of course, so do the trolls.]

* Arobryn looks up.

* Garland gets out a step, and looks down the corridor.

<ST> [Garland, you see a young red-haired girl, about sixteen, who 
would be very pretty if she weren't lying on the floor, jerking 
and screaming.]

<KenKen> [/me must start feeling guilty now.]

* Garland rushes down to see if there are any visible injuries on 
her, calling for help.

<ST> [the girl screams again.  "White, Green, Black, Red..."]

* Arobryn remains at teh computer, but glances up to watch fairly 
frequently.

* KenKen calls out "FLORA!" and skitters over.

* Garland blinks at the pooka but doesn't quite back up, attempting 
to make sure the girl doesn't injure herself amidst the jerking.

<Flora> "White, Green, Black, Red, Terrors of the beaked-ones' 
head!"

* KenKen reaches down and tries to hold her still. "Flora, Flora, 
it's okay, Flora!"

<KenKen> <== Lies like a rug.

<ST> [The troll says.  "Outta the way.  She's in a trance.  Gotta get 
her to the Duke."]

* KenKen is all big-eyed and unhappy looking and nods, letting the 
Troll take her.

* Garland tries to help the girl up, and give her to the Troll.

<ST> [The troll carries Flora into the study.  BTW does anyone look 
at the sign on the door?]

* KenKen sits on all fours, looking very guilty.

<Rendarien> "Shut the door, please, Fromond."  (to the second troll).  
"Put her on the longue, please.  The rest of you, if you don't mind, 
I need a little room here."

* Garland looks down at KenKen, brow furrowed in worry, then starts 
back into the study quickly.

<Rendarien> [roll perception +alertness, diff 7]

* KenKen follows, worriedly

<Rendarien> [roll perception + alertness, KK, diff 9]

<KenKen> [1 success]

(<ST> You see the sign on the door and it says "Closed until further 
notice.")

* Garland glances shortly at the sign on the door, but is too 
distracted by the Duke and Flora.

* KenKen skitters and sits, big-eyed. "It's not my fault," he says, 
earnestly.

<Rendarien> "Actually, KenKen, it isn't." [Rendarien smiles a little 
at KenKen. Rolf and Roanna are pop-eyed.]  

* KenKen looks a bit relieved.

<Fiona> [moans] "White, Green, Black, Red, Terrors of the Beaked 
Ones' Head.  They stir in their darkness.  They know what they want.  
ooooh!  Sorrow comes!"

<Roanna> "She is not kithain."

<KenKen> "Yes, she is."

<Rendarien> "No, she is not.  She is kinain, and I think she is 
enchanted."

<Garland> "I saw her, by the door, shortly after the pooka came in," 
the satyr frowns.  

<Rendarien> "Rolf, go for Emilina.  She took the back staircase, I 
believe."

* Rolf bows, puts down the chalkboard, and leaves.

<Rendarien> "Roanna, you have some skill here.  Is she soothsaying?"

<Roanna> "I do not believe so.  I am not sure."

<Rendarien> "F, please get her some water."  (to the troll whose name 
starts with F.)

<ST> [the troll pours a glass of water, then holds it uncertainly.]  
"She's unconscious, I think, your Grace.

<Roanna> "I can help her.  You want her fully healed, your Grace?"

<Rendarien> "Of course."

* Roanna takes a jar of handcream from the computer table, brushes 
absently against Arobryn's mouse, and the screen goes blank.  She 
seems not to notice, but goes straight with the cream to Flora.

* Arobryn blinks, and looks up at the action in the room.

* Arobryn looks back at the computer with a paramedic's eye.

* Roanna opens the jar, spreads a little on Flora's forehead.  
Glamour fills the room, most noticeably around Roanna.  She seems, 
suddenly, as beautiful as an angel, and her hands look glorious as 
she traces a letter in the handcream on Flora's forehead.  Flora 
blinks, and her eyeballs face Roanna.  "Oh, you're so lovely!" she 
whispers

* KenKen watches this, tail swishing against the floor.

* Garland watches as well, tilting his head.

<ST> [the glamour fades.  Roanna steps back.]  "Done, your grace."

* Rendarien comes to the lounge.  "Your name is Flora?"

<ST> [Emilina Robards comes into the room, followed by the troll F.]

<Emilina> "Oh, my, poor little Flora."

* KenKen makes big gooey eyes at Emilina.

<Rendarien> "Tell me about this student, Emilina,"

<Emilina> "Her name is Flora Agnes McLean.  She is sixteen years old, 
and a very talented writer.  She does not, did not, know about the, 
er, nature of some of her other students."

<Roanna> "She's enchanted."

* KenKen suddenly finds the floor amazingly interesting.

<Rendarien> "I see." [looks at Ken Ken looking at the floor.]

* Arobryn sits back, turns away from the computer, and turns his 
whole attention to the room.

* Garland looks down at KenKen curiously. "How did you know her?"

* Arobryn stands up, and walks a bit towards The Action.

* KenKen says, "Satyr, where are we?" [gestures out at the school]

<Rendarien> "I thought I asked you to work on the computer, Arobryn ap Dougal."

<Arobryn> "It died as Roanna went by, your grace."

* Arobryn meets Rendarien's gaze, stolid.

<Rendarien> "Roanna?"

* Garland frowns a little. "Did you bring her up here with you when 
you came? She was peering around the doorway, before she went into.. 
that."

* Garland gestures a little towards the girl.

* Arobryn glances at Roanna when Rendarien addresses her.

<KenKen> "Um.......... er.  If I say that she was supposed to stay 
safe in Emilina's office, would you think that's silly? I'd think 
it's silly.  Why WOULD she stay still, after all?"

<Roanna> "I didn't mean to, your Grace.  Maybe I just brushed the 
power cable."

<Flora> "I'm sorry.  I followed you.  I wanted to know.  Most people 
don't notice me.  I don't know why.  I can just about go anywhere and 
people don't see."

<Garland> "... safe?" He arches an eyebrow, then looks towards Flora 
as she speaks.

* Arobryn waits.

<Rendarien> [is trying to listen to both Roanna and Flora at once.  
When he sorts it out, he says:]

<Rendarien> "Roanna, perhaps you could fix that power cable."

<Rendarien> "Now, Flora, I asked Ms Robards to come because she knows 
your background.  Your parents, and so on.  Emilina?"

* Roanna smiles sadistically at Arobryn and goes over to the power 
cable, which is lying on the floor unplugged.  She plugs it in, wipes 
her hands as if she had to work hard, and says:] "It's working now."

* Arobryn rolls his eyes, nods, and returns to the computer.

<Flora> [to Garland] "Yes, I'm usually safe.  That is, you saw 
me, but most people don't." 

* KenKen inches closer and pats Flora's hand.

<Rendarien> The Duke is starting to look a bit annoyed.  "Roanna has 
fixed the computer now, young Dougal.  I wonder if you would..."

<Emilina> "Her great-great-grandfather was eshu, Lord."  (very 
quietly.)

* Garland nods to Flora, looking somewhat thoughtful. "At least, I 
saw you before you seemed to disappear again..."

<Rendarien> "I see." (turns to Flora) "My dear, you are related to 
the people you see here.  You have some faerie blood in your veins.  
Can you bear to know this?"

<KenKen> [If she starts gibbering, that's a 'no'.]

<Flora> [whispers] "I always knew I was different."

<Rendarien> "You said something before you fell into a faint.  Do you 
remember anything at all?"

<Flora> "Birds.  I remember birds.  Four of them.  They all have 
different eyes."

<KenKen> ".......Oo."

<Rendarien> "Ken Ken?"

* KenKen says, helpful, "Precious!"

<Rendarien> "The brooch!  See, everyone?  I will place it on the 
desk.  Please do not touch it.  You, young Dougal, can you come, 
too?"

* Arobryn looks up... presumably having finished the e-mail? ..... 
and stands up and steps away from the comp.

* Garland steps over to get a better look.

* Arobryn steps up and looks.

<ST> The brooch is shaped like the picture, though the hues are 
perhaps a little darker than appear on your screen. It is round.  It 
has no pin on the back, but its back sticks slightly to Rendarien's 
cloak before he places it on the desk.

<ST> The brooch is of gold, with a copper-like rim.  There are four 
bird-like creatures in coloured enamels connected to one another by 
claw-like feet. The birds are set into a blue enamel base mounted 
onto the gold of the brooch. Each bird is identical except that the 
one eye shown on each of the birds is a different gem...

<ST> There is a pure green bloodstone, with no trace of iron in it.  
There is a black pearl.  There is a red ruby.  There is a white opal 
that has no fire in it, just sparkles.

* Arobryn observes.

<ST> The four birds are paired, so that within each pair the birds 
seem almost like mirror images, with minor changes such as the 
orientation of the head feather.> Set into the centre of the brooch 
is a flawed white diamond, whose flaws look like glittery soot. This 
diamond is cut like a kite, with all four sides equal in length and 
perhaps somewhat curved. The diamond fits exactly within the four 
innermost legs of the birds.> In fact the legs of the birds and the 
sides of the diamond are contiguous.

<ST> There are also nine gems or gem-like objects set into the gold 
around the blue enamel base.  They are of marvellous workmanship, 
being not pure gems at all but rather gems or ingots that have been 
shaped to be perfectly round, though carved so that certain shapes 
appear in the topmost flat surface, and these shapes are coloured 
with some kind of enamel or metal.  Imagine that you are looking at 
the brooch but not wearing it.  Find the bird with > the black eye, 
and orient it to be at the top left of the brooch.  Then, just above 
it, and to the left, set into the gold, beyond the blue enamel base, 
you would see a red garnet carved with a  silver shape that looks a 
little like the teeth in a gear or open maw.  Continuing clockwise,
there is a round black ebony ingot, with a silver shape, as shown in 
the picture, carved into it. Still clockwise, there is a gold ingot 
with a black shape as shown in the picture. Next is an amethyst, with 
a shape in gold carved in it. Next is black adamant, as lustrous as a 
diamond, carved with a silver star with a circular hole in the 
centre. Next is an aventurine, with no hint of brown amid the green, 
or perhaps, the brownish gold of this particular gemstone was found 
totally in the centre, and was then shaped as the picture shows.

<ST> Next is an ingot of silver, carved with a black metal shape that 
is hard to decipher, perhaps it is a tree with one branch sticking 
out separate and farther than the others, and a thick misshapen 
trunk. Next is a glorious sapphire, with a silver shape like a sharp 
pointed oak leaf marred with two black lines. Finally there is a 
clear green emerald, set with a black shape of gold, as shown.  
Careful examination of the brooch reveals that each of the nine gems 
on the outer gold of the brooch is connected by a line of sooty 
brilliance to the diamond in the centre.

<ST> [Arobryn, roll your perception + etiquette or politics, 
whichever is higher, diff 5.]

<Arobryn> [3 successes.  They like me again.]

* KenKen asks Flora, "Do you need to rest?"

<Flora> "No, Ken, I want to look at the brooch, too."

* KenKen bites his lip and looks to Rendarien for guidance, 
uncertainly.

<Rendarien> "Let the eshu kinain look, Ken-Ken.  She may need help 
getting up though."

* Arobryn glances down at the girl on the chaise lounge.

* Garland leans in a bit to look at the brooch, then straightens 
again. He gestures to some of the outer stones. "All these others... 
are they noble houses as well? I only recognize four."

* KenKen helps Flora up.

<Rendarien> [to Garland] "Well, well, you are indeed as intelligent 
as you first seemed.  I think you will be a definite asset.  To -- 
the school."

* Garland pauses a moment, glancing to the Duke. "... thank you."

<Rendarien> [Arobryn, gain one WP for your legacy, if you have spent 
any.]

* Arobryn speaks, quietly.

<Arobryn> "I see one."

<Rendarien> "Which four do you recognize, Garland?"

* KenKen keeps his arm around Flora as she looks.

* Flora strains to look at the brooch.  She shakes her head in a 
terrified way.  "They stir in their Darkness!"

* Garland indicates four stones - the sapphire, the ebony, the 
garnet, and the gold.

<Rendarien> "Ah, yes, so you know of Liam, Eilunedd (of course), 
Fiona, and Gwydion."

<Rendarien> "Do you know who stirs, Flora?"

* Garland nods and shrugs a bit, taking his hand back and looking to 
Flora.

* Flora shakes her head vehemently.

<Flora> "I want to, though.  I don't like it when things scare 
me, sir."

<ST> [the computer is beeping, Arobryn.]

* Arobryn looks back, and returns to the computer.

***

<ST> Kay, you get an email address for Lord Egan.

* Arobryn closes the message, and starts up a new one, punching the
address in.

* Arobryn starts typing...

<ST> Fortunately, Egan's secretary is online.  A moment later, a reply comes.

<ST> "Isn't she with Rendarien?"

<Arobryn> "We don't know."

<Arobryn> "I'm asking on his behalf."

<ST> "Tell Rendarien I will put a soothsayer to work.  He should 
also, outside the dreaming."

<Arobryn> "Thank you."

***

<Emilina> "She is a brave one, Lord Rendarien.  She always tells the 
truth, as far as I can tell.  Even when it gets her in trouble.  I 
believe she has a black belt in karate."

* Arobryn turns back.

<Arobryn> "Your grace."

<Rendarien> "Yes."

<Arobryn> "What do you want to say?"

<Emilina> "And she takes on fourth Dan black belts twice her height, 
and sometimes even wins."

<Rendarien> "Ask if my ward, Elyria, is in Duke Egan's hold, please, 
young Dougal."

* Garland is looking suitable impressed with what Emilina is saying, 
raising his eyebrows and glancing over at the girl with a mild grin.

<Flora> "I only won twice, Ms. Robards."

* KenKen looks shocked at 'always tells the truth'.

<ST> "And," Flora adds, "both times the guy was sick."

<Flora> "I'm good, but I'm not that good."

<Garland> "I'm betting he told you he was sick only -after- you had 
whooped him, right?" Smiles.

* KenKen grins at Garland.

<Arobryn> "Your grace, we have response."

<Flora> "Well..."  [She thinks hard.]  "Yes, I do think so.  But he 
kept blowing his nose afterward."

<Rendarien> "Yes, Arobryn?"

<Arobryn> "They'll put a soothsayer on it, and suggest we do 
likewise, /outside/ the dreaming."

<Rendarien> "Then, she isn't there."

<Garland> "Probably crying." Grins a bit, then looks over to what 
Arobryn was doing.

* Rendarien looks sick.

<Flora> "Oh, no, he wasn't crying! What's your name?"

* Garland extends his hand, looking back at Flora. "Garland."

<Rendarien> [to KenKen:] "I saw the attack.  But I didn't see the 
Horn."

<ST> [in the middle of reaching her hand out to Garland, smiling 
happily, Flora freezes.  She moans.]

<KenKen> "....oh... didn't you say...?"

* KenKen glances back towards Flora, startled.

<Rendarien> "Where they dropped t."

* Garland frowns. "What's the matter?"

<Flora> "The Horn!"  Her eyes are going weird again.  She totters.

* Garland attempts to steady her.

<ST> Garland steadies Flora.  She swallows, sickly.  "Horn Blast in 
White Land," she chokes out.

<Garland> "What's she talking about?" Looks towards the Duke.

<Rendarien> "F troll and E troll, please wait outside."

* KenKen is looking all panicky.

* Rendarien waits till they leave.  Then he says, "Are you all right, 
Flora?"

* Arobryn has turned away from the computer, staying connected in 
case we need to send anything else.

<Flora> [she shakes her head, as if shaking away a vision.]  "I don't 
know.  Sometimes, I see things.  I never see things twice in one day, 
though.  But I guess today is different."

<Rendarien> "What's wrong, KenKen?"

* KenKen shrugs and just looks worried, stroking Flora's back.

<Rendarien> "KenKen, I need you to speak!"

* KenKen looks at Rendarien in confusion. "What?"

<Rendarien> "You look as if you know something.  Tell me." says 
Rendarien to KK.

* Garland looks at Flora, frowning. "What did you just see?"

* KenKen goes uh. "Ask Flora?"

<Flora> "I saw a kind of hunting horn.  Someone was blowing it.  It 
was wintry all around.  A big deer with a lot of antlers came."

<KenKen> "How many?"

<Flora> "I don't remember."

<Rendarien> "Ken-Ken?"

* KenKen looks back at Rendarien, distracted. "..hmm?"

<Flora> "And then the person blowing it got onto the deer's back." 

* Garland lets go of Flora now that she seems all right, but stays 
close in case it happens again. He also looks towards Ken Ken.

<Rendarien> "KenKen, your comrades have been taken prisoner.  The 
horn was dropped.  It may be still there.  It is a treasure.  It 
needs to be rescued, and so do your comrades.  You have the hearts of 
all changelings in your heroic hands."

* KenKen 's ears/tail droop.

* Arobryn blinks.

<KenKen> "What do you know of my Crysalis, Lord?"

* Garland arches an eyebrow, looking from Duke to Pooka.

<Rendarien> "Why, nothing, KenKen.  Nothing at all.  Emelina may have 
some information, if you forget..."

* KenKen makes an exasperated face. "Anyway, just thinking about 
that. A Lord with twelve points."

<Emilina> "KenKen, you know the stag your father shot had 12 points 
on his antlers."

<Flora> "I don't think KenKen was talking about an ordinary deer."

* KenKen shrugs and looks momentarily depressed.

<Flora> "I think he was talking about the deer in my dream."

<Rendarien> "All right.  You, Roanna, will try to find Elyria's Dan.  
You, KenKen, will lead a party into the Dreaming.  I will send Rolf 
if you like, and any others you choose to come with you, or who might 
volunteer.

<Rendarien> "You must rescue the Horn.  You must find clues of what 
happened to your party."

* KenKen looks *askanse* at Rendarien at 'Rolf'.

<Rolf> "I do not wish to go without Roanna, Lord."

<KenKen> "Much as I like Rest and Recreation, Lord Rendarien, I fear 
the feeling isn't mutual."

<Rendarien> "I did not ask you your wishes, Rolf."

<Roanna> "It will not take me long to try to find Elyria's Dan, 
your Grace, since we have a number of her personal belongings still 
in her room."

<Flora> "I will go."

<Flora> "I like KenKen, and I want to find that deer."

* KenKen feels more like a spectator than someone involved, as his 
words go unheard.

<Rolf> [hisses] "Stop looking so miserable. I'm not going with a 
stupid little pooka.  If there's a treasure to be found, I'll find 
it."  All this in Ken-Ken's ear, though anyone nearby can hear a 
little.

* KenKen says, aloud, "Treasure like more snakes to capture and 
torture against your Lord's wishes, Rest?"

<ST> [all those who want to can roll perception + alertness.   Diff 
10 for anyone far from KenKen or Rolf, diff 8 for anyone near, diff 7 
for Garland.]

<Arobryn> [1]

<ST> [Arobryn hears a threatening tone.]

* Garland looks around a little, then takes a breath and looks at the 
Duke. "I'll go. Gilbert and Sullivan aren't going anywhere, after 
all." Pauses, then shrugs a little, "I've heard I'm a real good 
asset, besides." Grins to the side.

* Arobryn says nothing.

* KenKen glances at Rendarien to see if he reacts to his comment

* Garland glances at Rolf and KK briefly, but doesn't show any 
reaction, and looks back at the Duke.

<Rendarien> "So, KenKen, will you take Rolf and Roanna, Garland and 
Flora, and retrace your footsteps to the Blue One's hold?"

<Rendarien> [Rendarien looks upset.]  "Did you refer to that snake 
incident for some reason, KenKen?"

<KenKen> "Oh, no reason.  I love having your boy Rest whispering such 
sweet nothings in my ear as he was."

* Arobryn watches Kenken and Rendarien's exchange.

<Rendarien> [suddenly angry.]  "Rolf.  You will take Roanna to 
Elyria's room, and you will stay with her while she tries to find 
Elyria's Dan.  Go NOW."

* KenKen resists sticking his tongue out at Rolf again.

<Rolf> [almost sneering] "Yes, your GRACE." He and Roanna leave.

* KenKen says "My. What a way to talk to one's Lord."

<ST> [roll WP KK, diff 9]

<KenKen> [Fffffffft]

<KenKen> [...1 success!]

<ST> [you do resist sticking out your tongue.  My, my.]

<KenKen> [I didn't resist talking snide, though. ^^]

<Rendarien> "It is indeed no way to speak to one's Lord.  I used to 
think I could trust Rolf and Roanna to the grave.  But lately they 
have not been working as hard for me as they used to."

<KenKen> "Now, if I were an all-powerful beautiful Sidhe lord - which 
of course I am, in my own way [wink] - I would wonder how isolated 
the snake incident was.  But, you know, I'd be a weird Sidhe LOrd."

<Emilina>  "Your grace, if there's nothing more, there are three 
business people from the town waiting for me."

<Rendarien> "You may go, Emilina.  Thank you."  [she looks astonished 
and pleased as she leaves.]

<Rendarien> [to KenKen] "You would indeed be a strange Sidhe lord."

* KenKen beams. "Thank you!"

* Garland nods to Emilina as she leaves, then looks back at the 
exchange between the Sidhe and Pooka with some puzzlement.

<KenKen> [/me is such a tattletale.]

<Rendarien> "Now then, young Arobryn.  You know the Dreaming well.  
And you have a noble nature, despite your somewhat odd appearance.  
Forgive me.  Will you go with the others to seek the Horn that Flora 
has seen in her vision, and that Ken-Ken has actually held in his 
hands?"

* Arobryn nods.

<Arobryn> "Of course, your grace."

<Rendarien> "Thank you, young Squire.  You are as good with that bow 
and that sword as you need to be?"

* Arobryn nods.

* Arobryn is grave.

<KenKen> "Well.  I guess we should go!  El and Cheer Brigade and the 
others may be in Mortal Danger!"

<Rendarien> "There is little time for delay.  As soon as Roanna has 
made an attempt to contact the Fates to find the Dan (destiny, Flora) 
of my poor Elyria, you should leave."

<Flora> "Should we bring anything?"

<Flora> "Ken Ken, you seem to know all about these things."  [smiles 
shyly at Ken Ken.]

<KenKen> "Um.  I, uh.  Um." He looks blank.

<Jelissia> "Well, what might we find along the way?"

* Jelissia is looking hungrier than ever.

* KenKen smiles brightly at Jelissia and puts an arm around Flora.

* Jelissia's eyes narrow as she looks at the arm around Flora.  It 
is, of course, Flora she is looking at most hungrily.  Being humanish 
and all, and creative...

<KenKen> [I am the WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD to have as the person to 
give exposition about things to do and not to do in the Dreaming.]

* KenKen 's smile shows some teeth.

<Arobryn> [No, no you're not. :P]

<KenKen> [Yes.  Yes, I am.  "We don't need anything!  Scorn the 
silver path!"]

<KenKen> "Why, Jelissia.  Has anyone told you you look *ravishing* 
today?"

<Rendarien> "So do I take it that all five of you are going?  I have 
thought twice about sending Rolf and Roanna."

<KenKen> "Positivaly delicious.  I feel so lucky to be working with 
you on this."

<Rendarien> "Excuse me, Jelissia does not, why, she is not, 
ravishing!  Does she?  I mean..."  For once, you feel sure Rendarien 
is shaken to his bones.

* KenKen ...raises an eyebrow at Rendarien.

* Arobryn does likewise.

* Garland looks around at the group, then back to the Duke and nods. 
"I think we five are a pretty good group..." Trails off as the focus 
goes to Jelissia, glancing from to the Duke with a bit of a frown.

<Jelissia> "Dear Lord, you know I would never do such a thing.  
Ravaging is for brutes."

<Rendarien> "Ken-Ken, I would speak with you privately," says 
Rendarien, beckoning Ken-Ken to one side.

* KenKen beams at Jilessia and hands Flora ceremonially into 
Garland's protection as he goes aside with Rendarien.

* Garland blinks a bit at Flora as KenKen passes her off, and smiles 
again before trying to hear what's being said.

<ST> They will go to the window, beside the vase of flowers on the 
left side.  They are far enough away that low voices will defeat all 
but the keenest eared or softest movers or people who tend not to be 
notice.

* Garland lowers his voice to Flora, "Can you hear what they're 
saying?"

<ST> Arobryn, roll perception plus alertness, diff 8

<Arobryn> [Botch.]

<Flora> "No, but maybe I could go nearer.  Should I?"

* Arobryn watches Flora and Garland, glancing over at KenKen and 
Rendarien once.

<ST> Arobryn, you hear a buzzing in your ears that you think is the 
computer.

<Garland> "If you can, sure."

* Arobryn glances back at the computer, to see if he can see anything 
really untowards.

<ST> [now you really are watching Flora, you two, right?  But you 
know what, while you watch her, you somehow just lose track of the 
idea that you want to watch her.  And you forget that she's gone away 
from Garland.]

* Arobryn shrugs and.......... well, I guess I look at Garland, then.

* Garland looks at Arobryn and raises his eyebrows in acknoledgement, 
just waitin' for the moment.

* Arobryn nods, glances at KenKen and Rendarien, then takes a closer 
look at the room around him.

***

<Rendarien> "I have been watching over my Lady Sariona for days now, 
young pooka.  I know she trusts you.  I trust you too.  You saved 
Elyria for me once.  You are honest, in a pooka's way.  I feel 
actually as if I could confide in you.  May I?"

<KenKen> "Oh, certainly, my Lord!"

<Rendarien> "Well, you know how I have been relying on those two trolls 
and Jelissia and Rolf and Roanna?"

* KenKen nodnods, enthusiastically

<Rendarien> "Well, the last few days, I have been feeling uncertain..."

<ST> [roll your spill the guts roll KK vs diff 5.]

<KenKen> [4 successes]

<Rendarien> "Young pooka, as I have been watching over my wife's bed, I have 
been feeling more and more as if the last black few years should 
never have been..."

<Rendarien> "I wish I could have been at her side, as I should have 
been, when that writhen blade came down."

<Rendarien> "It was all because I isolated myself that she was alone.

* KenKen looks sympathetic.

<Rendarien> "Now, I no longer even feel as if I can trust Jelissia, 
let alone those two twins.  Those two have betrayed my confidence once.  
Is there anything you can tell me about Jelissia?"

* KenKen goes hmm. "Well, do you remember that Boggan we'd had with 
us that one time?"

<Rendarien> "The one Herne gave the torc to?"

* KenKen grins and continues. "Hey, I was wondering - can one Ravage 
another Changeling?"

<Rendarien> "Are you saying that Jelissia ravaged that boggan?"  [horrified]

<KenKen> "I'm saying no such thing.  And I'm not even saying she *tried*.  
And I'm sure that when I came in, it was my ass she was staring at 
so hungrily."

<Rendarien> "Your... I see.  Yes.  I do see.  Listen, young pooka, I 
do not want you to take only three into danger.  But could you just 
go and come back again?"

<KenKen> "Go in and not do anything?"

<Rendarien> "No, look for clues.  If the horn is there, get it.  I do 
not want it for myself anymore."  He shakes his head as if in surprise.

* KenKen smiles. "I'm sure we'd be perfectly safe."

<Rendarien> "But I do believe the horn is vital.  And any clues as to 
the location of the others in your party would be helpful."

<Rendarien> "I have none I can trust to send."

* KenKen nods. then... [quick willpower check.]

<Rendarien> "But young Arobryn knows the Dreaming, and you know the silver 
path to the Blue One's home."

<KenKen> [two 10s! Woo]

* KenKen nods again. "...My Lord?" He looks up, something honest creeping 
into his eyes. "Lady Sariona still loves you."

<Rendarien> "And that girl, where is she gone? That Flora, she might be 
useful, with her black belt, and her second sight.  That is what she 
has.  It is a fae gift.  Eh?  You are saying something?"

<Rendarien> "What, you think Sariona still -- after all I -- no, you 
are a pooka, you are simply being a pooka, but still, I did not ask 
you to say that.  And you do have a strange honesty in your eyes."  
[rolls his perception + empathy, diff 8 to believe.  "Ah, I wish I 
could believe you, KenKen.  Thank you for trying to make me feel 
better."

* KenKen adds, that kind of raw look still present, "I'm sure of it."

<ST> [tries again, diff 9]

<Rendarien> "Do you know, little pooka, I actually find myself 
believing you?"  He laughs.  No one has heard Rendarien laugh 
for so long the sound is strange.

* KenKen smiles and leans up and gives him a hug.

<ST> And guess what, Rendarien actually pats him awkwardly on the 
shoulder.

<KenKen> "Well then!  To the Dreaming to be heros." [wink]

<Rendarien> "I will check first on my own with That Roanna.  She 
will tell me the truth about her Dan.  She must.  Wait here 
with your comrades."

* KenKen nods

***

* KenKen is nodding at Rendarien

* KenKen leans up and gives Rendarien a hug.

<Rendarien> And you all see Rendarien pat KenKen on the shoulder!

* KenKen flounces back to the group

* Arobryn looks up at the approaching pooka.

* Rendarien smiles briefly at Garland and Arobryn, looks puzzled, as 
if he thinks there might be someone else there but can't remember, 
then leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.

* Arobryn watches him go, then turns to look at the group remaining.

* Garland glances after Rendarien as he leaves, then looks at KenKen. 
"... So?"

* KenKen gives a thumb's up.

* Arobryn blinks twice, and smiles, politely.

* Flora appears as if out of nowhere.

* KenKen looks very pleased with himself.

* Garland looks around. "So how long d'you think it'll be before we 
leave?"

<KenKen> "Oh, he's gotta see a man about a Dan first."

<Garland> ".. Right." Grins.

<Flora> "Dean, I mean Duke, Rendarien, he really is married to Dean 
Sara!  And he loves her!  And Ken Ken says that Lady Jelissia 
ravishes people.  Ravages?"

* Garland looks over at Flora. "Uh... yeah, we can tell you more 
about that later."

<Flora> "And guess what, Duke Rendarien doesn't trust his own people 
anymore."

<KenKen> "Amazing."

<Flora> "I don't know how it is that I'm able to find out these 
things.  I mean, I don't try to hide or anything."

<Flora> "YOu saw me, didn't you, Garland?  I mean, you said for me to 
go, and I did."

<KenKen> "Your grandmam loved you, I guess!"

<Flora> "I just went right over to them and listened.  It wasn't 
eavesdropping...  My grandmam?  Oh.  I get it.  You have to lie, 
right?  You meant my great-grandfather.  He was fae, right?  That's 
what Duke Rendarien said."

* Garland raises his eyebrows and shrugs a little. "I didn't see you 
since then until ... now. Honestly, didn't really know you had gone 
until you were back." Grins. "That's quite a talent."

<Flora> "It's always been like that.  I don't know what it is."

<ST> [Anyone who has lore of any kind can role wits or intelligence + 
lore, difficulty 8)

<Arobryn> [Nothin. :P]

<KenKen> [Botch]

<Garland> "Sounds familiar though..." He scratches behind his ear a 
moment. "I know it's a gift some kinain have.... but, I think it's 
rare.  Never met anyone who could do that before, m'self."

<Flora> "Wow.  So I really am kinain." [she looks so happy, you can 
hardly believe you never noticed her before, KenKen.  She is gorgeous 
when she is happy.]

* KenKen smiles, happy.

* Garland keeps looking thoughtful. "What's it called? ... veed, 
weed... no. Veead. Veth Veead, or something along those lines."

* Rendarien enters the room.

<Rendarien> "Feth Fiada?  Is that what you are trying to say, 
Garland?"

* Arobryn glances up at Rendarien, then back at Garland.

* Rendarien looks worried. "Roanna says she could find no sign of 
Elyria's Dan."

* Garland looks up, taken out of his thoughts. "Hm? Yeah.. yeah, I 
think that's what it was. Flora here seems to have it."

<Rendarien> "Hmm, Flora, I thought there were four of you, right, 
Flora.  Now where is she?  Oh, yes.  I see you now."

<Flora> "I wasn't hiding."

<Rendarien> "No, you don't need to.  It isn't always a happy fae 
gift, but for one who needs to go into the Dreaming, it may prove 
very useful."

<Rendarien> "Flora, you will be forgotten again and again, except by 
those who come to care about you.  You will go places and not be 
seen.  You must not trust this completely, because all fae gifts can 
fail.  But yours seems very strong."

<Rendarien> "Is there any among you who count yourselves Flora's 
friend?"

* KenKen raises a hand!

* Garland shrugs. "On the way there, at least."

* Arobryn just meets Rendarien's gaze.

<Rendarien> "That is good.  KenKen, please memorize Flora's face.  
You -- draw, do you not?  Could you give a sketch of Flora to the 
others?  They must not forget her, once you are in the Dreaming.  She 
must not get lost."

* KenKen nods and digs out a sketchbook. He finds pages missing in it 
and blinks at them for a moment.

<Rendarien> "I have decided not to send anyone of my retinue with 
you.  They disappoint me.  I send my blessings with you, however."

<Rendarien> "Here is money for the train trip to Washington.  You 
know how to go from there."

* Rendarien gives money to KenKen.

* KenKen goes heheh.

* KenKen pockets the money.

* Garland watches him pocket it.

* Arobryn does likewise.

[Game Off]