--George Carlin
A small formal party with permission to be arranged in the back garden of the Castle.
Realizing with all the thing that are going on not too many people know eachother. Or if they do its in passing busness matters. I'm proposing a
party so that we can all let our hair down and finally realize who were supposed to know (umm. stab in the back).
Attire is to be strictly formal. The guards will have orders to turn back any one in polyester.
The open air party, will be an evening event. With a few well placed tourches lighting the area. An orchestra performing the likes of Bach, Mozart, Wangner and other classical types.
Zariya will attend, being fashionably late. She wears a light summer dress, cut in a current Amber style, designed for coolness. It is a pale yellow, accented with hints of golden thread here and there. It is cut reasonably low, showing a modest expanse of cleavage, sleeveless, and cut high on the hip, showing dark flashes of skin when she walks. She wears many bracelets of gold, simple rings around her wrists. She also wears a gold choker, set with a moderately sized emerald. Upon the emerald (if one has sharp eyes, or gets *ahem* close enough to see) is engraved her insignia of the wyvern. Her hair is done up in a long braid, with small bells woven into the braid which chime softly as she moves.
She approaches Scherazade with a bottle of wine in her hands. "For the hostess," Zariya says, giving the bottle to Scherazade. "Our uncle Bleys seems very fond of this vintage."
"My many thanks." Scherazade says curtising as she receves it. A slight bit of color comming to her cheeks. "It is truely a great honor to have you here."
Zariya smiles and inclines her head, "It is an honor to be here, my cousin. Thank you for the invitation."
"It is an honor to have you here cousin." Sherry replies.
Sabine glides into view wearing a sapphire colored silk dress with a plunging back. Her midnight hair is swept forward over one sholder revealing a long, silver chain snaking down between her shoulder blades to end in a diamond tear-drop at the small of her back. The silk falls from her curvey hips down to her high-heels. She is carrying an intricatly carved, wooden box. She offers the item to Scher with a smile and says, "With the comlipents of the people of Dagobert." The box contains 1 pound of rare Chin-Truffles.
When Sabine comes into view, and addresses Scherazade, Zariya will nod politely to Sabine, and step back slightly, so that Schereazade can properly greet Sabine.
The hostess is dressed in a elegant formal gown. Black silk shoulderless, and sleeved, embrodered with violet. Full length skirts, in a modern style off the middle ages style. Her hair is completely done in braids twisted elegantly ontop of her head.
"My sincerist thanks to both you and your people, m'lady." Scherazade replied. Turning another shade of red. She knew that to refuse these would be an insult her guests. She had only wanted everyone to get to know eachother.
Sabine smiles at the blushing Princess and says, "Think of them as emergency rations - you never know how long these things will go on." She motions with a sweep of her hand to indicate the party. Sabine moves her attention to Zariya, allowing the hostess time to recover. "Greetings, Cousin. I must say that of all the family I've met, you have shown me the best time." Sabine grins, "Tell me, should we stuff the FireAngel and put it on display?"
Zariya favors Sabine with a smile, "I am sure it will not be the last good time you will have here. How many of our relatives have you met?"
Sabine looks around for libations as she answers, "Mostly just cousins, newly come to Amber. I've seen the Elders at court, but have had little interaction with any - other than Grandfather. We are not an...... embracing family." She meets Zariya's gaze and winks. "And how do you find Amber, Cousins?", this to both ladies.
"I find Amber to be a wonderful land, full of opportunities and challenges," Zariya replies. "Shahinshah, our grandfather, has been very kind to me so far. It is unfortunate that I do not 'get along' with many more of the family, as I would like to get to know them."
Sabine nods her head to these sentiments, and answers with a gleam in her dark blue eyes, "Well, I can't speak for the rest of them, but I'd say we did well together - nothing like getting to know people during combat. I would say you see more of their true selves at such a time." Sabine hails a passing waiter and orders champagne. Her attention returns to the conversation, "Ah, and here's Laszlo." Sabine gestures to the new arrival.
Laszlo will turn up, not in court clothes, but in extravagant evening wear complete with top hat and tails. The frills of his shirt spill from the waistcoat with silver buttons gleaming. He's wearing his dress sabre and spurs (though he'll surrender the former if the guards insist on it.)
He wanders over to the hostess and offers her a pearly smile. "Good evening, princess. And there was me thinking you were tiring of us already."
"This bunch tiring, You'll see gray hairs on me before I tire of this place." Scherazade cheerfully replies.
"That's the spirit," Laszlo replies affably. "Expecting many tonight?"
"I invited everyone, but who knows how many will show up. I was hoping for a good numbers of them too come. I would be a nice chance to get to know everyone. Thoes that just arived barely know anyone at all unless busness has dictated it."
"Everyone, eh? Well there's a recipe for disaster," Laszlo grins. "I should set your sights a little lower, though. Just because someone shows up, doesn't mean you'll know them any better. As the Great Bard wrote: 'you can smile and smile and be a villian'. In my case, I hope to be the exception that proves the rule. Thank you for the invitation."
(If she allows it) He takes her hand and kisses it.
Sabine joins them, trailing cigerette smoke, "Are you passing those around?" she chuckles, indicating the courtly behavior.
"Manners maketh man," Laszlo replies. "Are you passing those around?" He enquires, indicating the cigarette.
Sabine smiles at him and produces the slim, silver case from somewhere on her person. She flips it open, extracts a black, clove cigerette and hands it to Laszlo, also offering him a light. She snaps shut the case and secrets it away before the moochers make the scene.
Laszlo runs the cigarette under his nose to savour the tabacco scent before accepting a light. "I don't normally, you understand," he says nodding his thanks, "only on special occasions."
Jocko wanders in on Scher's party first. He is a man with dark hair visible past the edges of his black SOX baseball cap. Standing nearly 6 feet he has a sweat shirt hiding a large gut. In jeans and runners he strikes in and goes straight for the bar. His dark eyes survey for alcohol.
Achmed wanders in, this time in Cardinal's traditional red robes with a bright red skullcap over his black hair. His grey blue eyes seem mischievous and on a mission.
Achmed's eyes open and he starts to go to bum a smoke too.
Jocko laughs,"This ain't Haven. Queen Jasra got Boomboom to ban the sale of them. Only cigars remain because Kelric prefers them over smokes cause of Churchill and cause the Mecks love their Cuban stoagies."
Sabine turns cold eyes on Jocko. They remain locked on him for a moment and then she returns her gaze to Laszlo, "Well, cousin..." she holds out her hand and grins at him.
Laszlo takes her hand and kisses it. "Charmed, I'm sure."
Jocko says to Achmed,"Joe... you are scaring the way the chicks. I think you smell."
"Well you stink of too much hair srpay. If Kelric had not used high twister magic, you would still be bald under that baseball cap."
"What a joe." Jocko complains to Achmed
He takes a drag on his cigarette and watches Jocko with mild interest.
Sabine remains quietly by his side for a bit before she goes off to stand near the dance floor with Breyd. In parting she adds, "Save a dance for me Laszlo?"
"I'd be delighted to," Laszlo replies. He watches her walk away from him, his eyes alighting on Breyd. His smile widens noticably.
Jocko growls,"I hate it when you wear that robe. You shouldn't be that. You aren't a true believer. You saw the first Temptation of the Apostle Batholomew. That was banned and I picketted it."
Achmed smiles benevolently,"Calm thyself my son," and sticks out a paw with an amethyst ring."
Jocko bows and kisses the ring,"If you weren't being a Cardinal and Holy, then I'd tell you what a Joe you were."
"Well you can't. So live with it. You're the Joe. Kindly Sainted Paolo says you are just a Joe and I'm a Cardinal so bite me, Joe."
Jocko is confused,"I was hoping we'd be at a party at the Webb. I was DJing in Haven City. Why are we here."
"Because Baktira's throwing a party and, man, she's the best."
"Baktira, that cow." Jocko complains,"Only a Joe would like her stuff."
Achmed grins,"Baktira is hot. Brian and Josie are big JOES "
"She ain't here. Kelric banished her and handed her over to Reinhard to his bad girl's club." Jocko complains," How come women who piss off BoomBoom get sent off to Reinhard?"
Then Jocko adds,"Bakira is a hag....you joe!!!"
Achmed scowls and waves his ring under Jocko's nose who bows again and kisses it, then pops up steps back and says,"I hear she use to be a man!!!!!!"
Jocko adds,"Achmed is a JOE!"
"I doubt that,"Achmed says,"Kelric banned transvestitism. The Havenites call it an offence under Cornelian Law."
Jocko laughs and makes rude noises with his hand under his other underarm.
Achmed pulls out a crucifix and tries to get line of sight to Jocko who dodges having to see it and ducking behind Sabine.
Achmed says to Sabine and Jocko,"Baktira Was not a MAN.. She is like 24 years old.. when was she a man- when she was 12??!!! I think this suggests more about your character than you may wish to divulge ..." Achmed waves his crucifix like a wand and a big fat piebald hog illusion appears.
Jocko balls out,"Actually that picture you magicked was one of her parents."
Sabine cocks an eyebrow at the two interlopers and glides out from between them, stepping to one side. She eyes the illusion and says to the two men, "I think it would look better with wings, don't you?" She smiles at them both and extracts a case cigerette from somewhere on her person. She holds one up and eyes Scher, seemingly asking if a smoke is out of the question in this outdoor setting.
Jocko turns to face her,"Hello, you must be Salllllly," he says with a slight slur to his voice. "Where's Betty or can't she make it cause she's dir-teee."
He turns to Achmed and howls loudly.
Achmed ignores him, nodding to Sabine and holds out his hand with an amethyst ring for her to presumably kiss,"I am Achmed, Cardinal Fitzhelgram, Special Papal Nuncio and Part time confessor to Kindly Saint PAOLO." he says with name dropping emphasis on the Paolo.
Sabine glances down at the offered hand - and does not move. She does not take his offered greeting and seems in short temper with both of them. "Your not my cardinal, boy-o, hell your not even my tweety-bird. I'd pull that back in if I were you."
"Who is your Cardinal?" Achmed asks curiously,"Maybe I do lunch with them. Did you know I am a senior cardinal and Kindly Saint Paolo's representative in Haven?"
Sabine looks less than impressed at his name dropping. She continues to glare at the fellow and says, "I don't have one nor do I wan't one."
"Are you not afraid of losing your immortal soul and burning in hell," Achmed says,"I just signed several excommunications last week. I think I excommunicated Ian Holland eight times this month. I called him a an anti religious mysoginyst bigot this time. He and Kelric called the Fremen scum on the Radio Free Paolo and I censored them. Kelric blew up and pulled all my religious shows off of HBC and the Lizella Press. I excommunicated Lord Handley for helping confuse the King of Haven and I am tomorrow morning excommunicating Lord Badger for being pro Orangeman and a religious bigot. Also Ian Holland is the Grand Master of the NeoTemplars in Haven and Kindly Saint Paolo makes fun of those type."
Scherazade dosen't mind and nodds in agreement to her. She dose how ever seam to call up a guard to lead the sweats and jeans guy to receve proper attire before returning.
The guard looks to her,"They have diplomatic immunity, Your Highness." he says nervously."Will you take responsibility for this?"
"Can we not request that he come in proper attire. I'm sure there is something in the castle that would be suitable for both cultures." Sherry asks the guard. "And to what am I supposed to take responsiblity for?"
"Your Highness," the guard says nervously,"I am only the guard to keep order. I dare not advise Your Highness on policy. I do not know about that culture where those strange guests come from."
Sabine smiles at Scher and nods her thanks for both reactions. She lights a clove cigerette and replaces the silver cigerette case. She blows blue smoke rings at the two interlopers and watches the gaurds approach them. "Think you need a tie, Jocko-man"
"Jeeze, Sally," he complains to her,"You are behaving just like old Boomboom does. Are youse sure you're not born in Haven?"
Alexis arrives at the door, late. She is in a sleeveless strapless black dress, with a slit in the side to the knee. It falls straight, a few tiny glitters stuck to it in a random pattern. Long earrings of diamond and pear pendant to match at her collarbone. She is bearing something in a small gold foil box, about the size of her hand. She moves over to Scherazade. "An excuse to get out of the office, thank you." and offers the small box.
"Save it for later." Alexis tells Scherazade. She also stays away from the two goofs at the bar.....
"My many thinks cousin, It is a pleasure to offer you an excuse to relax and mingle a bit."
"Let's hope they don't level the place." Alexis offers with the nice professional pleasant smile, in low tones.
Alexis has written a note and sent it off with another guard, who returns shortly with some things on hangers. Alexis nods and the guard goes inside.
She steps up to the offender and claps a firm grip on Jocko's shoulder. "Hey chummer, you need a change of wardrobe. Come this way." she says pleasantly but with a firm grip. [6'2" and not a tiny woman either, the smile has a tinge of something else in it.]
Jocko oilily slips out of Alexis' grab,"Hey Another Sally. Do you want to dance?" he starts making silly and badly co-ordinated movements like someone who has been struck by lightning.
Alexis makes another grab, this time collar. One of those where if he can get out of this one he will also be bare from collarbone to waist as he lost his shirt.
Sabine looks to Breyd and motions to the escapee - noting that she has atleast won one of the bets this evening
Breyd shakes her head and points at Alexis trying to collar Jocko. She's got every confidence in her cousin's tenacity. Breyd has her vixenish grin on again.
Sabine may not mind losing this particular bet - after all it might improve the evening. She motions to Breyd that the bet is still on - awaiting the final outcome.
RIPPPPP!
Jocko is shirtless! A ghastly sight. Skinny chest with a gut and a lot of hirsuit black/dark brown fur scattered in patches on his chest and back.
"Hey Big Sally." he says,"You ripped my shirt off."
He yells over to Achmed,"Hey you Joe, That big babe rips my clothes off to get to my body! Hey I'm a stud!"
Achmed turns away in indifference.
Alexis makes another grab, this time the back of his belt and pants. (NOT THE FRONT). She is determined to drag him out of there. IF he doesn't cooperate this will be worse than Major Wedgie. He may never get rid of that falsetto...
He starts to sing the Wild Wild West by the Escape Klub. "Dance to the beat that you love best, Dance to the Wild wild west...."
He then takes dances around her bopping his head up and down as he drops a crystal that suddenly fills the room with:
Achmed goes to the bar to get another drink.
Jocko will go along with Alexis, with a big smirk and letting his feet slap the pavement.
There is darkness and a disco glitter light ball overhead. The walls are black now and there are traffic lights and artificial smoke.
The band suddenly starts vibrating out of no where and it plays the Wild Wild West....
The crystal is hard to see virtually invisible in this light.
Alexis makes a few steps around stomping to find the crystal. Aka, make crystal shards.
So far she misses it while Katerina and the Slaves starts playing.
Achmed smirks to Sabine,"Let's dance. I love this song." he looks to Breyd,"You next and then that Cher gal."
Breyd is torn between falling over laughing and jamming a wallet between Jocko's teeth. "No thanks," Breyd says with a straight face and laughing dark eyes. "I make it a policy never to dance with the uncontrollably unco-ordinated." She turns and walks off, fighting a *bad* case of the giggles.
"see Joe," Achmed hisses to Jocko,"She thinks Im handsome."
He turns to her and smiles and licks his lips,"Would you like to have some dances with me." he starts to prance and dance around as the Crystal plays Katerina and the Slaves,Walking on Moonshine
"Then dance with me, Red," Jocko tells her.
"You smell." Jocko says to Achmed.
"Well, you are a Joe," Achmed says, "And like the babe said you are uncoordinated."
Alexis takes her handful and starts heading that way with it, if he leaves skid marks, so what.
Sabine avoids Achmed's advances and shoots him a withering look. She quits the area that he is in.
Breyd fights the impulse to either wet herself laughing or jam a wallet inbetween Jocko's teeth. She quirks an eyebrow at Achmed. "I see what they mean by dark and handsome now. When it's dark, you're handsome. Pity you're still talking."
Jocko's Tshirt is sweaty and rather unpleasant to the touch... Ewwwww
That got dropped like Toxic Waste. She has a different handful. [if he loses any more clothes, it is grounds to have the guards evict him instead. :) ]
And Breyd will grin smugly at Sabine and make the universal gesture of rubbing her forefinger and thumb that means 'pay up'. "See? I have every faith in Alexis' tenacity."
Sabine shrugs and says, "Faith is something I have very little of. So that's two I owe you." Sabine resumes drinking and watching the partygoers.
"It's all a question of what you have faith IN, dear cousin," Breyd says with a wise finger laid mockingly against her nose as she winks. "I have faith in Alexis' tenacity, I have faith in Zariya's zeal and I have faith in Cher's stupidity. Everybody has a talent..."
Sabine grins through her glass as she raises it to her lips, "Indeed, so what's Achmed's gift?"
"Being obnoxiously egotistical. It's a talent if applied properly," Breyd reaches for her own drink.
Sabine agrees with the smaller woman and resumes 'people watching'. "Atleast Scher allows us to smoke at her bash - can't get a good puff inside the castle with all those blasted alarms." She gestures with her glass at the hostess. "I am rather surprised you came....." Sabine lets the question trail off.
"Really?" Breyd says with a wolfish grin. "I'm not."
Once out of the reception area, he gets slung (propelled, what have you, with as little contact as Alexis can manage) into a side room where four burly guards are waiting, the windows shuttered and fastened tight. Only exit is the door Jocko just entered. Alexis flings the hanger of clothes after him. "Your turn." she tells the guards and pulls the door shut and locks it. She leans on the door listening to the noises...
[all the guards are 7' plus bodybuilders and their orders are to make sure that Jocko gets re-dressed more suitably. If not, they then may eject Jocko from the palace period (he can walk all the way back down those stairs). The guards have all been promised a three day pass and a weeks' pay by Alexis for this foul little task....]
"You should be happy he didn't turn up in Buckywear..." Comes a familiar, droll voice from the doorway. Breyd is more than fasionably late; she's late, late. The flaming orange hair is piled on her head in an elegant display of tumbling curls that hide her ears, but not the garnet crosses dangling from them. The waist of the wine-coloured, Neo-classical, crushed velvet dress is high, starting just under her small breasts and falling in softly draping folds to the floor. She looks like a pre-Raphaelite vision and some how manages to tower imposingly in the doorway, despite her short stature (neat trick). She may look like the runt of the litter, but her attitude is larger than life.
She grabs a flute of champage from a passing tray as she saunters down the entry steps further into the party. "Mind you, Buckywear could at least inject a sense of life into this party. You haven't slipped embalming fluid in the drinks, have you darling?" Breyd drawls to Sabine as she pulls out a full fledged tobacco cherroot of her very own and lights up, ignoring any dirty looks she may get for smoking a cigarello.
Sabine gives Breyd a genuine smile and chuckles at her comment, "No, I'm sure you'll live quite long enough for all of us without me extending the length of your life any. You'll have to thank Scher for the refreshments...." Sabine moves closer to Breyd and scents the air - enjoying the smell of the cigarello. She takes a long drag on her own clove cigerette, enjoying the moment with her cousin.
Breyd beams at Jocko. "Do be a love and slip into something a little less comfortable, eh?"
"Hey Betty." Jocko says to her,"You wanna take off your clothes and we do the nasty?"
"Don't be a Joe," Achmed says to her,"Besides if I was not being a Cardinal tonight, the girl would want to do me."
"Oh, is that what you are?" Breyd says with a ditzy grin. "I thought you were being a Robin. I have to confess I can never keep religion straight."
Achmed smiles indulgently,"I will forgive you." he waves his hand and makes a cross sign at her,"You are forgiven because you are so pretty."
"So what's your excuse?" Breyd asks politely, looking attentive.
"Kindly Saint Paolo gave me my task," Achmed says and smiles,"Are you wanting to disagree with Holy Paolo?" He says pointedly.
Breyd looks startled. "He told you to dress up in red and flounce about like the Queen of the May? He must really dislike you! Red is definately *not* your colour," she assures him, patting his hand. "You poor thing."
Achmed looks surprised,"No one have criticized what I have worn before." He does not let it bother him.
Sabine has had enough of these two - she turns her back on them and makes her way over to Pepper - an improvement!
Jocko follows here. "Hey Sally. Do you want to go outside and maybe neck and exchange tongue spit?"
Sabine pivots on her heel at this parting remark and dashes her drink in Jocko's face. She whirls and departs both men.
"I guess she's playing hard to get," Jocko tells the thin air beside him. "Maybe I should have offered to buy her a beer instead."
Breyd is over by the orchestra at this point, being quiet for a change. There's a distant thoughtful look in the coffee-dark eyes as she watches the dancers while she smokes her cheroot. At least she's not likely to be bumming a smoke from Sabine. The ember-bright head turns and clocks Sabine's approach. "Cousin," she says softly, almost purring it.
Sabine dips her head in greeting to Breyd, drawing on the black cigarette as she stands to one side of the smaller woman - she seems happy enough to share the view of the dancers and Breyd's company. "I must say, you've never looked more lovely." She says with out a trace of her usual sarcasm.
Achmed says to Laszlo. "Cat fight. Cat fight. Cat fight." he smirks to him,"I love it when these happen. The ones in Haven are tremendous. Especially if it is Jasra and Dara. You can see the air sizzle. Sarah and Carol Channicut have a hatred for each other that is unholy and Reinhard was with both of them so he's in the middle and Art defends his Mom, Carol and Sarah's kids dominate the palaces of Haven and Trinity... so..." he rubs his hands together gleefully.
"Yes. The whole formal selection for children in the tailor shops has expanded quite a bit since Olivia arrived," Breyd says in a completely neutral tone of voice. Then a corner of her mouth goes up and she looks up at Sabine with a smile. "You know I'm hating the whole idea of my debut into Amber society. I can't think why anybody would do it voluntarily..."
"Queen Jasra has debutante balls," Achmed says,"My sister went to one. Jasra gave her Dianaways with ten thousand peasants. Too bad that Caine came. It was terrific. Wonderful lakefront and the iron mine was a huge producer. My sister sold them to Brand as serfs in shadow and burned the place down when the Communists took over. I wish they would restore the monarchy in Amber anyways."
He sighs,"Too bad about the lake. She dumped the slag from the iron mine into it just as Caine was getting his greedy mitts on it. Then she hired some kiddie Thulists from Haven to blow the mine up and to poison the rivers and make the soil crap. I liked those trees." he sighs.
"Very drole, but I must confess you look nothing like a child tonight." Sabine smiles at her cousin's joke, "And don't assume many of us are here voluntarily." She blows blue smoke rings for a minute and continues, "Amber may just have been a better choice, if one was given at all." Sabine says all this in a genial tone, enjoying Breyd's quick wit.
"We had a choice?" Breyd asks in quietly shocked tones; but she's still grinning. "You're right though. Not many people would have turned up to this little soiree without an ulterior motive," she comments, turning Sabine's meaning around quite easily with cheeky good-humour. "I've got a fiver that says Alexis gets Chuckles over there into a monkey suit and that he'll be sporting a black eye for offering to help her out of her dress." Breyd gestures with the champagne flute in Alexis and Jocko's direction.
Achmed sashays over,"Hello girls." he winks to them,"Why don't you come to Haven's goth bar - the Webb. I am co-owner and in Haven, the laws there allow me to set aside my religious profession and obligations when no in Habit." he winks again and tries to clumsily flirt with each of them in turn.
"Finally, some service around here!" Breyd remarks and hands Achmed the empty champagne flute. "Get me a refill on this, ugly. And try not to stare at it. You'll scare the booze out of it."
Sabine enjoys the Breyd's rebuff to the Cardinal and says nothing - but does tap her ashes into the empty flute.
Achmed says to her,"Hello dearie," he says passing it to a waiter,"I am Achmed Cardinal Fitzhelgram and I am wellborn rich and powerful. I am an actor, director, cardinal, bar operator, cool dude and really good looking. And outside of Earth Prime I do not have to be celibate." she gets his grin from his photogenic profile.
Sabine laughs outright and says, "Well, I'm sure there are worse places in Shadow, but as to the bet..." Sabine looks over to the other two in question, "I've got five that says he'll slip her clutches and run amok, deal?" She holds out her hand, grinning.
"Deal." Breyd grins wider and shakes Sabine's hand. "I'm looking forward to getting drunk or drinking all of Cher's champagne while trying. Uncle Gerard hasn't turned up yet, has he? he'll drain it faster than Alexis and I teamed up...and it's the only thing that I can think of that will make the evening redeemable. Unless you've got a better idea?" Breyd turns her eyes back to the dancers, watching a few couples with a clinical eye.
"I haven't seen any Elders yet, maybe things like this are passe to them, who knows? As for optonal entertainment for this evening, I agree that mass quantities of bubbly will dull the pain. Then we can either pick some males to dance with or pick a fight. Or both. I wouldn't mind cutting a rug for a bit with some adoring man on my arm." Sabine gestures to those already dancing, "I'd say if you're after the shock factor, skip the fight and dance. Tounges will be wagging..." She trails off, enjoying the idea of confounding the family.
At this moment, Ferris wanders in.... He is wearing a tuxedo and has a curious look on his face as he tries in vain to make his tie straight and it constantly likes to veer if different directions. The Prince of Amber and King of Hathor looks a bit out of place as he takes a champagne flute and sips on it while looking around.
Scherazade quietly makes her way over to Ferris. "Would you like some company?" Her melodic voice asks polietly.
"Thank you." Ferris says politely to her. His blond hair falling over his forehead in an unplanned manner. "I am Ferris. I believe you are Scherazade." he says making sure the name is pronounced properly.
"How do you do?" he offers her his hand to shake.
"You would have it correct, I'm really not too worried about what you call me, or how you pronounce it." Scherazade said with a small polite smile. "As well as can be expected, yourself ?" She finshed with shaking his hand.
"Very well, thank you. This is a very nice gathering." He looks around to where the food is located.
Noticing his gaze, Scherazade shows him to where the food table was, there was a small group of people obscuring most of the table from sight.
His eyes light there!
"Is there something wrong ?" Scherazade asks.
"Your food is well done." Ferris says looking hungrily,"I forgot to have breakfast before I went to Amber."
"Well I want to be polite." Ferris says," Julian keeps calling me Ferret."
Breyd briefly considers rescuing Ferris as she watches from where Laszlo is spinning her around the floor.
Ferris waves hello to her and shoots her a smile.
Breyd smiles back, and when the polka is over, she will abandon Laszlo and walk over to say hello, offering her hand.
Ferris says,"Hello Breyd, how are things going?" He looks shyly away, then,"I hear you have been a bit busy lately."
"A bit," she admits genially. "Otherwise I'd have popped along to Hathor as I've promised. I'll try to get there ASAP. I am sorry about this." She gestures vaguely with a hand, and she could be apologising for her delayed visit or the party. "About the last thing I'd anticipated was becoming Lord Mayor for Amber City. That'll teach me to nod off in Court."
"That is ok. I just built a new wave tank. It keeps screwing up Hi5 from listening in. The water makes it hard for their bugs to hear. Plus its fun. Rory loves it."
Breyd laughs, a merry and sparkling sound. "I'll bet he does. I hear the weather is usually nice there? Salic Hills is lovely and green, but only by the virtue that it seems to rain there a lot. I'm afraid I don't tan very well..."
"No fight? Now that would be scandalous...and breaking with long-standing family tradition." Breyd pauses, her eyes travelling over the prospective bucks for the evening. "Oh, sod it. I've had my daily quota of venom and bile from the usual family spats while I try to sort the damn city out. Believe it or not I never spoil for a fight really. I just never back down from one. Last one to get a dance has to say something honest about their past..." Breyd offers the wager, her voice egging Sabine on as she bears down towards the men loafing about with drinks in their hands. She's giving the gruesome twosome a bit of berth though. Saying somethign honest about her past would be preferable to getting those meathooks on her.
Sabine agrees to the second bet as well and trails after Breyd, in search of likely targets.... um, men.
Caine comes into the room. He is wearing an informal green cape with a single shirt of black open at the neck. His black hair is tied back with a green ribbon and there are several ear rings in each ear. His boots are shined though.
He comes over to Scherazade,"Hello dear girl." he nods to her and puts her hand to his heart in an old gesture and pushes them back to her before opening them.
"Thank you for inviting me. Gerard is at sea and Julian... Is well.... Julian so he will not be attending."
"Flora asked me to convey her apologies and to make up an excuse for her. She's off to a gala at New York City where there are more celebrities and Queen Mother Dara will be there and Flora wants to show off the new necklace she obtained when her agents broke into the People's Museum in Tavischovoci in deep shadow." Caine says.
"Such is understandable Your Highness. I wish them well in the endevors. My many thanks your your attendance. It bring joy to see that not all thought it better to be elsewhere." Scherazade replied.
"Indeed. It is most commendable that you should take the time and effort to make this happen. Congratulations." he says and then offers her a small box. "For you, Your Highness."
Scherazade looks shocked for a second. Taking the small box into her hands carefully. "Thank you Your Highness." She said droping into a formal curtisy.
"Well," Caine says Impatiently,:"Open it."
Scherazade carefully opens the box, keeping her face neturally set. taking out what it contains if needed.
The box contains a necklace of a seagull....
Caine smiles,"While I am not your father, your father and mother want you to have this to think of them until we meet again." Caine then favours her with a warm smile.
Scherazade looked shocked, that she had almost troped the box necklass and all. "You...you know who they are ?"
"Yes and I will tell you in good time. It is not safe now."
"Can you tell me why its not ?" Scherazade asked retreting from the state of awe she was in, to her normal assertive demeaner.
"No." Caine says and gives a bow and retreats and starts to chat with a visiting noblewoman.
Then he goes to Zariya,"Beloved daughter," he kisses her on the cheek, "Know how proud I am of you in your efforts against injustice and for Amber."
Scherazade preceded to blend in with the plants of the garden hiding what sadness there was in her eyes.
Zariya will stand from the bench she was quietly sitting at and watching the proceedings, "Thank you, my father." She gives him a return kiss on the cheek chastely. "Thank you for the kind words."
"You earned them." Caine says favouring her with a wide smile,"You have great intelligence, ability, beauty and wisdom. You will make the reactionaries in Thelbane and Linchester tremble."
Zariya returns his smile with a radiant one of her own, "I suppose we shall see, over time."
She glances around the party, and then back to Caine again, "I believe you have made Scherazade very happy by attending."
"Well she has a long road to travel," Caine says,"She needs a friendly face to come and help her. She is a great cousin and niece for you."
Zariya raises a brow in question, "We all have a long road to travel, some more than most." She turns her head slightly to catch a glimpse of Scherazade talking to Ferris (or whomever she's talking to now), then back to Caine. "I will be sure to aid her--as I would any of my close kin--when she needs it."
"Be wise. She is young and can make mistakes. Be willing to apply a good cuff upside the head if it saves her from worse."
"If the occasion warrants it," Zariya replies. Evidentally, she's either tired of talking about Scherazade, or simply bored, since next she abruptly changes the subject. "Would you dance with me, my father?"
"No I am afraid I don't dance. But I will jig at another time."Caine says," I must be off now. I have to go do something to get my name in the fascist presses. They have not been condemning me enough. Little Miss Breyd has been getting more press clippings in the Thelbane, Haven and Mecklenbastard papers lately."
He bows and then vanishes in a puff of black acrid smoke.
Laszlo wanders over from the dance floor to where Zariya is standing. "I may not be Prince Caine, but would you do me the honour?" He says, offering his arm.
Zariya stands, smiling a touch, "Certainly." She takes his arms and allows him to lead her out to the dance floor.
'Little Miss Breyd' watches Laszlo leading Zariya onto the floor with an impassive expression before turning her attention to Ferris again, nibbling on a canape. She snags another champagne flute and downs it in one go, before grabbing another off a tray. She gives Ferris a bit of a vixenish grin, an edge of daring in it.
Laszlo seems oblivious, concentrating hard on his dance steps.
Zariya is a graceful dancer, even though she's unfamiliar with the steps. She lets Laszlo lead, and gets into step quick enough (assuming Laszlo is a competent dancer that is ;).
(He seems to manage pretty well...)
Then they dance well together, after the first few steps. :)
Sabine looks at the smaller woman with a gleam in her eye, "Have you paid your respects to our hostess yet, cousin?" Her tone sounds like 'this should be fun'. She makes a motion as if to join Scher where she is currently holding court.
Breyd flutters her eyelashes, putting on a parody of well-bred distress. "Oh, why Unicorn above, I haven't! I arrived and our lovely hostess was nowhere to be seen. Of course I was dreadfully late coming through the door and what with all the lights, dancing and champagne, I must have simply forgot," Breyd twitters as she follows Sabine over, all sixty-one inches of her tiny frame oozing deportment.
Sabine snickers and glides over to Scher with Breyd at her side. "Your Highness, look who graced us......." She watches both women closely.
"Your Highness," Breyd sings out merrily, a bright smile on her face as she curtsies only deep enough to cover equal ranking and no further. "It's simply lovely to see you again. You're looking so well! What a wonderful party. It must have been so trying to organise it all...Oh, and of course I wouldn't think of attending without having brought a gift." She turns in time to pick up a flat, beautifully wrapped and be-ribboned present off a tray held by a stiffly formal page that seems to have materialised at her words. She presents it gracefully holding it up.
Anyone watching will notice Sabine rolling her eyes heaveward at this display. She does manage to hold in her snickers.
"I'm supprised that you have found time to attend with all of your work being Mayor and all. It is a pleasure of cource, your are gratefully welcome here. It is so nice to see you mingling with our relative." Scherazades netural melodic voice replies.
"Which relative? I thought there was more than one here. Or are you unsure again?" Breyd asks solicitously, with a politely confused expression on her face. "And of course I'm never too busy to socialise with the people who work for me. How are the sewers doing these days?"
"My many thanks Your illustrious Highness." She said taking the package carefully. "You really shouldn't have."
"You're right," Breyd agrees cheerfully. "I shouldn't have, but I saw it and I just couldn't resist! Go on...open it," she urges and beams benevolently.
Sabine hides a smile in her drink and watches Scher open the gift - she seems to be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Scherazade sets the gift on the table the gift is tilted so the top of it is facing away from her, as she carefully opens it.
The gift may or may not be dangerous...It's a set of three slim books. Depending on who you are, you may want to read them, use them as doorstops, or burn them. The first is entitled, 'How to Manage Your Self-Identity Crisis in 30 Days!" by Noah Ideer. The Second is a slightly smaller volume, "Basic Thari Grammar" by some bloke called Roger Zelazny. The final book seems to be, "Shit Flows Downhill, A Basic Guide to Civic Plumbing," written by I. P. Standing.
“You are too kind,” Scherazade’s melodic voice replied. “I shall add these to my reading collection.” Holding up the first two. “My many thanks.”
“I hate to bring up busness in a pleasurable atmosphere, but did your people find the report that was sent to you yet? If not I can send a second copy of my report to you.”
"No, I haven't had any such report from your people. I trust you found the uniform comfortable? I worked for AGES to find yellow Wellies. I'd really like a copy of the report if you can provide it. I need to know where Amber's shit is," Breyd says conversationally. "I've been thinking about repackaging our shit and sending it to Haven for television script ideas...I think we could make a tidy profit on it -- especially if we get everybody to eat more corn. What do you think?"
“Action superficial to Amber’s improvement. You could benefit better in other ways.” Scherazade sounds like she has ideas for those better ways in mind.
“You would only need a sparing amount to send to Haven let me deal with the rest of it. It would take a burden off of your hands.”
"Pardon, sending what to Haven?" Breyd says, cupping a hand to her ear and looking befuddled. Then she frowns ponderously for a moment. "Oh, no, no, no, no, no......no...I couldn't think of IMPOSING, dear. You didn't like the idea of doing my work for me before, so I've had to start doing the executions myself." Breyd waves her hand around with fussy impatience. "Grandfather had EVERSO much trouble getting SAINTLY PAOLO (which she drops loudly, glancing in Achmed's direction) to agree to letting Alexis and myself over into Haven when we wanted to go shopping. Really, I couldn't DREAM of bothering him again, darling."
Breyd beams in a well-meaning way. "Alexis bought everso many books and we drank everso much coffee...and you know you really just can't get good coffee here. It all tastes like mud. You know, I do declare it probably is mud! It wouldn't shock me"
"Oh I'm not sending it else where, it will be far away from Amber city, but still with in the borders of Amber. It would not be imposing at all. Or should I put up an offer to buy it from you? Come if you will not willingly depart with it how much do you want for it."
Sabine can't resist, "Scher are you actually buying Breyd's shit?" She grins and tries to look sincere.
"You want to buy Amber's shit?" Breyd says, beaming. "Well, that's right patriotic of you. Hang on..." she says holding up a hand and looking across the room. "RORY!" she yells demandingly. "RORY! CHER WANTS TO BUY SHIT! HAVE YOU GOT ANY YOU COULD SPARE HER? THERE'S A GOOD LAD!" She enthuses.
“Very funny, only because I know of others that will buy it from me. All of them with in Amber, that would be very appricative of the ‘product’ they buy it now. But you can imagine that what is here in Amber is much more of a higher quality then that which is at their disposal now.” Scherazade says with a very wicked smile on her face. Knowing that neither of them by their reaction knows her use for it.
“But come, you can give it to me. Or I can fudge the reports so you don’t know where it is.” Scherazade replies. You would get workers that would ship it out, and thus you gain the tax from their wages. You make money even if I don’t pay for what I’m shipping out.”
Breyd frowns for a moment, again puzzling out what Cher is saying in bad Thari. "Oh! Nonononono, dear girl...we don't clip our sheep too closely or they'll get cold. It should be sold SUBSUDISED within Amber. We want our agriculture thriving...and our roses. I like roses. White roses can be sweet-smelling, but red roses are more sentimental."
"I wouldn't suggest trying to steal my shit either," Breyd advises, her lazy drawl taking on a subtle, sharp edge. "I've got a fairly good idea of how much shit Amber City generates and fiddling accounts would be highly frowned upon. That's fraud, you know...and as I've said a few times...that's a public flogging offense. Mustn't go light on family...People will complain about favouritism, you know."
"Oh, I KNOW!" Breyd yelps. "I could make you drink a whole chamberpot...like I do for fouling offenses. Doesn't leave a mark...And it might help you on your diet. You are on a diet, aren't you? I'd suggest it. I hear there's an old wives cure for acne...you rub your face with your first passed water. It should get rid of your spots...Not that anybody else here noticed," she assures Cher, with a comforting hand on Cher's arm.
Zariya, having overheard at least *part* of the conversation (especially the part when Breyd's yellin' ;), steps away from Laszlo (since the dance is probably done anyway--if it's not, she politely excuses herself).
She moves over to the three ladies, and lays a hand on Breyd's arm, "That is enough, Breyd. It is rude to insult your host."
"Insulting?" Breyd looks horribly muddled at this stage. "I wasn't insulting was I? I was trying to be helpful. Cher here wanted to buy a load of sewage to sell at inflated prices back to Amber farmers and sort of intimated that she'd fiddle accounts if I wouldn't sell. I was just being helpful and explaining that you don't fleece your own people too closely...and explaining that I couldnt' take favourites if she decided to defraud the Mayor's office. Mustn't play favourites," she says again. "It'll make people jealous, you know."
"That last bit was just...you know...girly advice..."
Zariya ignores Breyd, and gives Scherazade a half-bow, "I will take my leave. Interesting get-together."
"My many thanks for your attendance cousin. It is my hope that you enjoyed the party." Scherazade replied. "If there is anything else I can do for you. Please don't hesitate to ask."
Turning to Breyd. "This is not a place for business, the matter was briefly mentioned. Not meant to turn into a full-blown conversation. If you would like to continue this conversation at the next earliest opportunity at the time and place of business then I shall."
"If you would be so kind to note, your advice is not needed. But appreciated if it would ever be needed. You might want to take some of your remedies yourself. Truthfully I would suggest a season in a harsher climate, the desert would help your complexion much better then the city. Where the normal pollution will settle in your pours and make them unsightly. Where as in the desert, the heat and lack of humidity would suck the oil from your face. Glowing is one thing but a mirror shine doesn‘t suit you with your hair." Scherazade replies. "I could arrange for your stay in some place nice, if you want to take up the offer."
This text is copyright © the players and GM of Equinox; "Amber" is copyright © Roger Zelazny; "Amber" the diceless RPG is copyright © Phage Press. No copyright infringement is intended.
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