Conrad/Logs/From Russia With Love

Scene I

Airplane

<OOC> Conrad says, "Okie doke. What are you taking with you?"

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "Probbaly clothing and some dross and little else."

<OOC> Conrad says, "Okie doke :)"

<OOC> Ambrosine doesnt have a lot

Summary: Ambrosine and Conrad make for Russia, a roughly 12 hour trip in the confines of the Airplane. Ambrosine becomes uncomfortable due to memories long past of tight spaces. However, an oddity occurs when they pass through the remnant of a supernatural barrier felt by the Kithain.

Conrad and Ambrosine go the airport, which for Changelings is not as uncomfortable as some might think. The security checkpoints of course are a chore, however metal detectors can't pick up chimerical weapons and or armor, so Conrad's duffel bag is passed by with ease though the spike of Banality due to such intricate searches, examinations and security checkpoints complete with x-ray scanners and detector wands can be uncomfortable. The tickets of course are first class, making it a rather comfortable trip to Russia, all 12 hours of it.

The first odd thing one notices is during the flight. As Russia comes into view outside the window both Conrad and Ambrosine get a growing sense of pressure in their ears, and a coldness in the bottom of the gut similar to the checkpoint. It only gets worse the more one approaches Russia. Not enough to come under sickness, but enough to get a feeling that something is tremendously wrong. While Conrad is bearing it, he doesn't seem the least bit worried.

Amber is drugged and tipsy. She has to be. Being in this plane is nerve wracking for her and so most of it she is curled up around a flight pillow and napping between attempts to make her poor ears pop. But when the chill starts to creep in her fingers ind Conrads unconciously and she seems to grow smaller in her seat. Still she's drugged so she's not going to freak out or anything.

Conrad lets out a breath, simply to breathe. His fingers start to tap on his seat, and his leg starts to shake from him bouncing up and down on his toes. The antsyness of being so close to Banality is making him grind his teeth. The feeling lasts for about an hour, until the coldness leaves now being replaced by a subtle feeling that can only be described as feeling as if the world is not as big as it should be and lasts the rest of their time in Russia. It takes several hours after that to reach Novibrisk, where the plane lands without incident.

Novibrisk. Siberian Federal District, Russia

Summary: Ambrosine and Conrad make it to Russia, where they notice that Russia is not as rich in Kithain as Prospect or anything but. Warnings of Dauntain greet them as they begin to travel toward Lake Balkai, a lake to which Conrad remembers an old friend residing who held a path to his former hold.

After the stupid roundabout through Customs and baggage claim Conrad steps outside and lets out a breath. Breathe in, breathe out. It's temperate here, unlike Cali which is still in the throes of summer weather. On one of the main panels outside, looking like directions to various parking areas all written in russian is big, blocky red script written also in Russian written in chimerical spraypaint. Conrad takes a moment to adjust to the feeling and shrugs his shoulders and looks at Ambrosine. "So! This is home. Not what it used to be." He gives her a smirk. "So we're on another continent in another country all on our lonesome. Whatcha feel like doing?"

Amber walks quietly with Conrad. She keeps her eyes well and covered and her hair has been braided and tied back with a kerchief over her head. She's got her light peacoat on so the slightly more tepid temprature wont get too her too much. She carries her own luggage and once they're outside she looks around. She is at Conrad's mercy here since she doesn't speak the language or read it. She smiles, "It is very..." She gestures, "I do not know the word." She licks her lower lip. "I don't know. What is there to do in Russia?" She asks curiously. "If this were France I'd have plenty of ideas."

Conrad eyes the sign, then clucks his tongue realizing that Ambrosine doesn't understand Russian. Whoops. He points to the spraypaint sign. "Beware the Dauntain", he tells her. "Well, think of something you would do in France. I'm pretty sure you can do the same thing here." Aren't all cities the same nowadays? "Romantic cruise down the river, arcades. I would say we could go to the Kremlin but that's about 13 hours that way." He points off in a direction. "You wanna get the party started or you want to find a place to crash first?"

Ambrosine smiles, "Go to the beach. Or the Vineyards. Travel by scooter to the country and ride some horses around the orchards." She replies softly. Take a train to Venice. Go to the Opera. In Germany we went on fox hunts. Went skiiing." She looks back towards Conrad to see if he's interested in any of these. She touches Conrads arm, "This is your trip. You pick. I like to live dangerously."

Conrad gives her a smirk. "Oh. Take the train to Venice. I think you picked that one out on purpose." He gave a light laugh. "Well. Your with me so this is your trip too. However, I'm not over fond the environs here. Need to get out of the city, get to someplace open." He knelt down and pulled out a map which he doodled on before they came here. "Well, best place out here to visit is Lake Balkai. Which is good, since it is our destination. I have a buddy there who might able to get the compass going back in the right direction." He closes the map, and calls a taxi. "At least I used to, way back in the day. We'll see if she is still solid."

Ambrosine smiles at Conrad, "On purpose?" Moi? She just laughs softly and bends to look where he's looking and she touches his shoulder lightly. It's been a near constant thing; it's something she usually does with Max. It's a near constant reassurance for herself that he's there. "Oh good. I would not mind meeting your friend." She says happily, "Ah, your compass?" The question comes on a breath as she notices the taxi pull up and she takes a long deep breath. So far she's handling all this really well for someone who is truely a throwback to old days. "Will we be staying with your friend or in a hotel?"

Conrad laughs. "I have no clue, to be honest I dont even know if she's there. But! We'll find out. If we can stay at her place? Talk about your mind being blown." He chuckles. "Otherwise it's a hotel. There are plenty around the lake so we wont have to backtrack." As he throws his bags into the trunk when the taxi driver arrives, Conrad takes hers too and puts it in the trunk while talking about his compass. "I'm sort of going off of memory on this one? It was an eternity ago, and I don't really remember much. I remember specifics, which I have a vague idea where they are at." He eyes her as she is fidgeting and touching him and otherwise being generally uncomfortable. "You never been in a taxi before?" When everyone is loaded up, he tells the driver to go to Lake Balkai the settles back in the sort of cramped backseat. "They aren't -that- bad."

Ambrosine hmms, "Well I'll be happy to meet a friend of yours." She pushes her hair over her shoulder and nods, "Oh, yes. Back in California. I am no more comfortable with them there." She folds her hands in front of her though and draws herself up and her shoulders back so she can walk over to the car. She sinks into the taxi with a breif smile for the cabby before she continues to talk to Conrad. "You have been used to them though? Yes? From your early life?" She veils her talk while they are in the cab. Even if it in in English. "I am still not entirely comofortable with large hunks of metal traveling at obscene speeds."

Conrad shrugs. "Eh, not really. I sort of rode a bike all over the place when I was younger so I never took a cab." He understood the sudden change in verbage. The taxi drove off out of the airport. He smirks at Ambrosine. "Just wait until you drive a car. It's the best thing ever. You will wonder why you never bothered to learn to drive."

Ambrosine shakes her head, "I will not drive a car. It would be dangerous." She replies, "I prefer modes of transportation that can correct when I loose focus." She jokes softly an then looks out over the city her brows lifting a little. "Everything is so colorful!"

Conrad looks out the window. Novobrisk is the second largest city in Russia, next only to St. Petersburg which is the largest. Needless to say the city lights of the skyline is an impeccible sight. "Welcome to the city." Conrad points out to her, joining in looking out the window. "They may be cramped, strange places but they have a life of their own if one knows how to find it." He smirks leaning back onto the seat again. "Never seen a city like this before?" All looming towers of buildings and all.

Ambrosine shakes her head, "No not really. I've seen cities in France but they are different than this. New Orleans, Prospect and when I was in Germany I only stayed in the keeps in the woods." She says as she looks back at Conrad with a smile before pressing her nose practically to the window again to stare out over the city. Conrad laughs. "I worry the day you see New York City. It's about fifteen times bigger and more looming and more lights." He chuckles seeing her press her face to the window. "We'll take in the sights before we go back home. Dealy?" He crosses his arms and looks forward. "I've only been to Prospect and Seattle, Washington visiting family. Besides that, never been to rural towns or anything like that. Only cities for this boy."

Ambrosine tilts her head, "New York? Oh no. Nono. I only passed through there before my train ride to New Orleans." She shakes her head. She laughs softly and leans back looking back to her companion. "Alright. As long as we're careful. It still feels strange here." She admits softly and takes a long breath. "Only cities for you." She teases softly, "You do not know the joy of open country?"

Conrad chuckles. "Only when I moved from home did I find myself a city urchin." He chuckles at the memory. "Never experienced it before, thought it would be a good idea to try something new. Next thing I know it's the only place I hang. I sneak out every once in a while though, enjoy the trees and the woods. Get back to my roots as it were."

Lake Balkai, Russia

Summary: Ambrosine and Conrad met Olonya, an Ondine Inanimae who lives in Lake Balkai. Remembering Conrad yet not knowing Ambrosine, their intentions are returned with a cryptic warning before departure.

The taxi arrives to Lake Balkai, which is a very snake-like yet large lake with streams and rivers heading off into every direction. A Town and a small port line the shoreline of the lake with various people including tourists roaming the 'shoreline'. Of particular note to them is the fact that the water is the most crystalline blue anyone has ever seen, with no dilution or discoloration. To the more chimerical senses, a suble sense of glamour comes from the lake: a revelation that makes Conrad smirk. Apparently someone is home.

Ambrosine has connected.

Conrad chuckles. "Only when I moved from home did I find myself a city urchin." He chuckles at the memory. "Never experienced it before, thought it would be a good idea to try something new. Next thing I know it's the only place I hang. I sneak out every once in a while though, enjoy the trees and the woods. Get back to my roots as it were."

The taxi arrives to Lake Balkai, which is a very snake-like yet large lake with streams and rivers heading off into every direction. A Town and a small port line the shoreline of the lake with various people including tourists roaming the 'shoreline'. Of particular note to them is the fact that the water is the most crystalline blue anyone has ever seen, with no dilution or discoloration. To the more chimerical senses, a suble sense of glamour comes from the lake: a revelation that makes Conrad smirk. Apparently someone is home.

Connie listens to Conrad and she smiles at him before she looks back out the window. If anything can be said of Amber it is that she is sometimes a little too rooted in the beauty of things. Especially when it comes to landscapes. As time passes she keeps staring out the window and when the lake comes into view her breath catches and her fingers lift to press against the glass her fingers bent.

The taxi stops outside a small hotel in the town, where Conrad gets out and opens the door for Ambrosine while the taxi driver grabs the luggage. Afterwards he pays the man via a credit card from his wallet. *Swipe!* Done, and done. If scenery is what Ambrosine wishes she will get it: The area is complete boonies-style landscape. The lake obviously at it's center, the Altai mountains raise in the far distance distorted by a blue hue caused simply by distance. Woodland areas mesh into the green to black blur that many would define as 'the wilderness'. After the taxi cab lets them go, and Conrad grabs his backpack and chimerical dufflebag he looks around. "Alright...lemme think." He lets his eyes wander, the Sidhe retreating back into daydream more than reality. His eyes stare off at the lake for a full minute until he shakes his head letting out a breath. "Alright. We need two rocks and we need to find a place away from the public eye."

Amber looks suprised when the door opens. Like it's magical that suddenly the glass was there and then not there. She slips out of the cab and thanks to Cabby. 'Merci' is pretty understanable most anywhere. She bends to pick up her luggage before looking out over the lake herself and she shakes her head. "Amazing." She says softly before looking back towards Conrad. "Rocks? There seem to be plenty of rocks." She waits for him to pick a direction before starting with him. "Is it always so beautiful?"

Conrad grabs his bags, to head for the shoreline meanwhile picking up a few rocks on the ground while they walk. "Here? Don't remember really but the lake? Always been this way. It's what happens when the entire lake is a glamour pool." He chuckles. "Been that way ever since I could remember. Probably is still that way because of my friend, if she is awake. That, is what these are for." He juggles a few of the rocks while reading a sign they pass, all in Russian that has the United Nations symbol blazoned on it. "Huh. World Heritage site. Well, that makes sense." The UN doesn't screw around with it's natural landmarks. "I remember the lake, but not the town so it's probably new." As they wander through the town and the shoreline, even throughout the city in the taxi cab there were no chimera and no changelings. It was the Autumn World in all its glory until the lake.

Amber is still not taking off her sunglasses or uncovering her ears. She follows after Conrad looking around. "And this is where you grew up? So lucky. It really is gorgeous Conrad. I could stay here and look at it all day." She's not exaggerating. She could probably space out and stare out over the water for as long as she was left alone. She murmurs, "SO how far til we meet this friend of yours?" She asks Conrad curiously. Really she's starting to get caught up in the wonder of it all. And this is why Max is always with her.

Conrad laughs. "Oh no, I wasn't raised here. I was raised more to the north, more toward the Tundra. The only reason why I remember this place is because this is the fastest way to get home. There's a trod along the river that she can Open." He points out to her. "I have no clue where my house is. I just remember this is how to get there." Their trek lasts until everyone is out of sight and mind, or too far to really make a difference. He sets his stuff down. "We're here. My friend -is- the Lake. We just need to be alone. If my memory serves me right, and it might not...she's prone to dramatic entrances." He takes two of the stones, concentrating and then skips them across the water. One from the right hand, and then one from the left hand so that on the third skip they meet, forming an X.

Amber nods a few times, "I see." She smiles brightly. "Well that's certainly interesting. I'm a little dissapointed. I'd love to have stayed around here." She jokes softly. She hadn't even noticed there were people around them but now that there are not she takes a moment to turn into a circle. The Baroness steps to the side watching Conrad toss the stones, "Dramatic? Do I need an umbrella?" She asks curiously with a small smile before looking out over the lake once more.

Conrad doesn't know how to answer that. "Ugh...maybe? Don't remember." He didn't remember THAT part. At first, there is nothing. Then nothing. Then more nothing. Conrad lets out a breath starting to get frustrated as he looks around to make sure people aren't looking just in case a geyser erupts or a tidal wave suddenly emerges. Neither happens, in fact nothing happens. Only after about ten minutes worth of skipping stones in various ways to create an X, including the same time can the clear water reveal a sudden rush of bubbles near where the stones are making an X. The bubbles don't pop, instead piling on top of each other until the top of a woman's head pops out of the water. The distance between them notes her alien nature: Beautiful cream skin like the foam that has massed atop the water. Black hair matted to her face that dangles like seaweed overtop of the water with eyes so black they would give a Sluagh a run for their money. The foam-with-half-a-head floats...and it looks like it is floating rather than swimming toward the shore gazing at the two of them with completely black eyes. When the woman nears the shore, where a human should be able to stand only the half a head is still visible when she speaks to them in a voice that is depressing to listen to yet curiously fluid in it's tone. "....I remember you." Then the head turns toward Ambrosine, the half-head not doing much but staring. "....Who are you?"

The Sidhe is quiet for a moment however she courtseys in a shallow dip, "Hello. Philomène Antionette De LiliJudicaël of House Beaumayn." She has no fear of saying her name or house to someone not of a Sidhe Court. Only the Sidhe Houses really threw in with the Gwydion. She however sees no reason to include her title. It's not important to the Inanimae so she doesn't make an issue of it. She keeps slightly to the side of Conrad, and back, showing that she's 'with' him as guest. Still her eyes and hair/ears remain covered. She's really anal about it.

Conrad gives the lady a smile and a dip. "Lady Olonya." He isn't slang-talking anymore, more a proper Sidhe when the lady exposes herself. She eventually does make it out of the foam, her body sharing the foam's color from head to toe and naked as the day a baby was born. It was rich and full, but being this close to her made the truth all more real of how her skin was nothing more than water. Conrad kicks himself in his head. THAT was the dramatic entrance. He looks to Ambrosine. "Ambi, this is Olonya of Balkai, Crystal Maiden of the Empire of Tears. A comrade from many moons ago."

Olonya closes her eyes slow, and opens them. Her face is shallow and saddened, a natural frown forming on her face and her brows dipped a bit to lazily. It makes her look...well...perpetually sad. She holds her hand up to Conrad, and eyes Ambrosine instead. "Your House is spoken of in the Water. Are you one of the many who has come to perish for a task unable to be fulfilled?"

Conrad rolled his eyes. He completely forgot, Olonya was a seeress. Dammit.

"Not at this time, Lady Olonya." Amber replies quietly. "My death is unseen to me though so perhaps it will happen someday." Any good Seer knows better than to write a fate in stone. But she's not lying. There are some things the fates don't tell her. She stays back where she is hidden away in her own little elf made trappings. She nods towards Conrad, "This is his journey. I am, in this journey, merely Ambi who will be attempting in vain to keep him out of trouble. Olonya eyes Ambrosine for a long time, not giving any hint other than the constant look of sadness on her features that leaves any emotion to the imagination. Then she looks back to Conrad. "Rystar. What do you wish of me?"

Conrad closes his eyes. "I am trying to get back to my old home. Personal matter. I was hoping you would honor us with passage."

Olonya looks between the two of them then speaks again. "Dreams die in the North, Rystar. The dream of this land is now a prison by design of it's peoples, sharing cells with beings that should not be here. I will take you both but be warned. Say yes, and I will not bring you back." Amber watches her but she doesn't seem to have any reaction herself. It must be a seer thing. Instead she continues to watch Olonya and Conrad folding her fingers in front of her. She takes a deep breath and then exhales slowly. Conrad was never good at puzzles. Patterns yes, but the future always pissed him off. He knew there was a warning, but he couldn't see what it was. "I agree to your terms."

Olonya finally twitches her lips, the closest thing the Inanimae probably has to a smile. "So it seems the Polnoch' Uoden continues to fight his war." She looks at Ambrosine for her answer.

Once Conrad has answered she turns her face to Olonya and though her pale skin has become nigh transluscent with the loss of blood from her features and she trembles a moment she nods as well. "I agree." She replies quietly in her ruined voice.

Olonya twitches a lip at Ambrosine. "I wish you the best of luck. It is not what you remember, Polnoch' Uoden." She turns toward the water and holds her hands out. "Take my hands."

Amber brought a duffel for exactly this reason. She pulls it over her shoulder and moves forward to take the offered hand of the Inanimae with an inclination of her head before she looks towards Conrad.

The North Wind, Deep Dreaming

Summary: Travelling in an underwater trod that resided in an undercurrent in Lake Balkai, Olonya brings them to a lake in the Deep Dreaming, the location of the North Wind, Conrad's old hold and parts of surrounding lands. It is not as it seems, and Ambrosine begins to feel uncomfortable the further they trek into the territory.

Conrad lets out a breath and adjusts his light armor then takes the Ondine's hand. Then she starts walking, and walking, and walking until she descends under the water. For her, breathing is no problem and as such she keeps walking. The trek takes 20 feet underwater as the lake dips sharply downward, the depths below offer a crystaline view of a coral palace seen only by the eyes of the Fae. Suddenly, it is gone, a rushing current under the water opens to a endless ocean of waters clear as air. Only the hint of the water's purest blue makes one realize they are still underwater. Olonya in this place is merely an outline of herself, nothing more than a collection of water that remains firm and solid in her hands. Once in this...place, the current rush happens again, and lasts for only a few seconds before the three of them are walking out of a pond.

The area is dismal. The forest is dead yet cast a shadow on the snow-covered ground as if they were rich in full summer leaves. The night sky is black as pitch, the many stars of the Dreaming giving enough light to not be blind added by the purple hue of the Eye of Balor. Off in the distance, a shadow from where they were was a wooden structure about three stories tall. Olonya, who had since become solid again after leaving the water, let their hands go. "Remember my words. I shall wait." She then returned to the pond.

The Deep Dreaming has an effect on people. Especially Sidhe.(Double Sidhe Birthright bonuses).

Conrad took his orange sunglasses off, staring off in the distance and around before looking up at the sky. A smile hit his face, a subtle laugh. "I...haha. I remember these stars." Nostalgia for home.

Amber is trembling the whole time but she is without protest. Her head tilts downward and she tries not to think too much about the fact she's under a crushing amount of water. She however seems confident that Conrad wouldn't let her go with someone who'd harm her so she bears it without complaint even when they move from tellurian lake, to dreaming ocean and into the epond of the deep dreaming.

It's now that Amber takes off her glasses and headwrap and sets them into a pocket of her bag. She couldn't hide it away if she wanted to here. The slow miasma of change of red and violet in the dark star in her eyes moves faster now a mirror of the one above only showing hints of it's umbral brother. She is nothing short of radiant here though it can be noticed those wicked silvery scars are complete here. Not faded as the Autumn world. Defniative collar marks, filigreed as if the collar had burned her flesh, also at her wrists an ankles. Otherwise her skin is glowing perfection. Her hair is a long steady flow of moonlit spidersilk that drapes around her perfect delicate features. Still for a sidhe she's only good looking not drop and wet your pants. Here her youth shows more than even in the other world. Like a blossoming bud just blooming and turning it's pale petals towards the sky. Her eyes though are the eyes of an old soul; almost crushed beneath the weight of her visions. Her clothing looks seriously drab. "You don't remember one of them." Her voice is lovely. The voice of a broken angel managing somehow to sound perfect even though it's broken.

She reached a hand to brush Conrad's shoulder. "Let us go quickly. I don't hide well in this place."

Conrad looks up at the purple star and then looks to Ambrosine. "True, but -something- was always supposed to be there." He points out to her. But when she says she can't hide, he scoffs. "Hiding is for wimps." He can feel the cool rush in his veins, the strength returning to his Autumn-infused bones. His heart, gone as it was, did nothing but everything else was just fine.

To those of the Sidhe senses, it is Midnight. It is always Midnight, and never leaves Midnight. The stars are always present and always stoic in their placement. As Conrad moves toward the shadowed tower ahead, the building itself becomes visible. For a Sidhe, it's a hole in the ground. The keep is three stories and built more like a fortified house than a fortress or castle. Wooden staves sharpened to points cross in Xs and other shapes to keep horses at bay. There are no lights on, of course, the building is completely deserted.

"Right." He lets out a breath. "Okay. Collect my belongings, and then we leave." He steps through the door into the darkened keep. Ambrosine says, “Hiding is for the hunted." She corrects softly as she too looks around. The pretty elf in her absolutely ridiculous looking oversized second hand boots and leggings and peacoat trudges along after Conrad. She looks up at the building and her brows knit and her lips purse together but she is still quiet clearly with Conrad on this trip. Her fingers though do search for the fingers of his 'off' sword hand. "You know.”

Ambrosine says, “Hiding is for the hunted." She corrects softly as she too looks around. The pretty elf in her absolutely ridiculous looking oversized second hand boots and leggings and peacoat trudges along after Conrad. She looks up at the building and her brows knit and her lips purse together but she is still quiet clearly with Conrad on this trip. Her fingers though do search for the fingers of his 'off' sword hand. "You know." She quips softly, "This explains so much.” Conrad arches a brow. "Explains what?" He gets his hand held, but he takes it away to pull out his duffelbag. He has no problem seeing Ambrosine as he opens his dufflebag and unzips it, rummaging for something. "You make it sound horrible. I loved it here." He pulls out a piece of flint and steel and kneels down against something.

The Dark Star begins to burn in Ambrosine's gut, lighting like a blazing sun.

Her slender fingers fall to her side as she watches him move. "My point exactly." But her tones is teasing, warm even, there's no malice or serious jeer to her tone. Vibrant glowing violet eyes hood and Amber wraps her arms around herself her brow knitting deeply. However she continues to talk though softer now. "I imagine it was much more homey when you lived here." The last word is almost a whisper.

Conrad shrugs. "Eh. It probably won't be as different." He lights the flint and steel into whatever it was he was striking it into, and the light changes everything.

Nightmare, Deep Dreaming

Summary: ITS A TRAP! Kithain lighting the fire in the hold triggered a spell to toss them into a conjoining Nightmare Realm. Of particular interest, was Ambrosine who fell into a Sidhe-style prison and met a strange individual who asked for an odd favor all the while attempting to maintain her sanity.

Ambrosine is in regal noble fineries of deep black and purple hues. All the beautiful and as impressive as she ever was. She was standing in a large audience room, about the size of a very large ballroom. Flanking the walls were floors upon floors of blank doors, ornate in their design yet strong as dragon scales with each door with a nameplate emblazoned on it in words that Ambrosine both recognizes but cant remember what it means. The man before her was tall for a Sidhe, dressed in a deep brown noble vestment that hugged his frail figure. When he stood up and looked to her, his hair was chalk white grizzled with age with a slight growth of a scraggly beard around his lips and dotting his cheeks. He wore a fine, deep red waistcoat underneath with other regalia befitting one of the Dreamlords. Save he was not beautiful. Half of his face was missing, replaced with withered, old bone for a right jawbone, an exposed spinal cord in his neck, and his left hand was nothing but a skeleton. Still, his wrists were clamped with mithril irons, a collar bracing his neck with an almost ornamental chainpiece linking the wrists to the collarbrace that joined together with two leg irons of the same type, connecting them all together in a solid ring of indestructible, gunmetal grey steel. His voice is raspy, but solid. "It is sort of just like home if you ask me." If Ambrosine looks herself over, it is only when she sees the chains on the man in front of her that she feels the tug of the metal against her flesh when she moves one way or another.

Ambrosine says, “I.." She turns her head away a little as the light flares to life allowing her to focus once more on what's in front of her. She takes her time staring at the half man. She blinks and moves as if to bend her head to the vision before her her lips trembling a little and she hardly remembers to breathe, in or out, just frozen there for a moment. She looks back up again after feeling the heavy too failiar weight and a high strained noise escapes her and she tries to move back despite the painful feel. "Lords and Ladies please.." Her voice is a trembling whisper and she tugs at her arms as if she were a marionette uselessly trying to snap the chords that make her alive.”

The man gives Ambrosine a sympathetic look. "I wish they would listen. They stopped listening a long time ago. All of us left here, to rot like maggots and ultimately forgotten for all time." He holds his hand up, the bones frail and fragile-looking in the light. "Some go sooner than others." He slowly stands up from the firepit found at the center of the audience chamber. "Though color me surprised. I'm not used to seeing one of your kind in this wing. What brings you over here? I thought the Beaumayn stuck together?" He brushes his hands suddenly. "I am sorry, where are my manners. I guess I have not seen a Sidhe in some time, I have forgotten my manners." He holds his hand out for a gentleman's shake. "I am Koschei."

Amber is pushing at her wrists but she stares at the man with huge eyes. She shakes her head at him and reaches up to her neck trying to make sure she's not back in her own personal hell. "I don't know. I don't even know how I got here. I cannot be here." She starts taking deep slow breaths trying to calm herself. "Koschei? How did we get here, Kochei?" She's tryhing hard to divest herself of all of it. Of the fine clothing she refuses to wear, of the chains, of everything. Fighting against it like a frightened animal.

Koschei gives her a delicate frown. "You are beginning to forget, to join one of the Lost." He walks over to her, resting his hands on her shoulders and the bones feel brittle against her skin. "You must never forget, why your House is here. It is your only anchor." The sound of a door opening is heard up above. On the third floor hallway overlooking the ballroom three fae dressed in brilliant red armor inlaid with black are dragging out a Sidhe with the trappings of a Gwydion noble. He is hollaring 'WHO AM I!?!' 'WHY DID I GET PUT HERE?!?!' As the armored knights drag him by the feet off into another hallway and away from view, the Gwydion clawing at the floor like a man possessed.

Koschei closes his eyes, letting out a feeble breath. "Never forget." He shakes his head. "None of us are leaving, and it is the only way to remain true. This place hollows you out from the inside until the only thing you know is fear, or rage, or nothing." He walks over to a table in the room with a few ornate chairs and slowly sits down.

Shaking and staring round her watching the newest addition to the cells with fat crystal tears flowing down her lovel cheeks like droplets from that same lake they'd stepped into this place from. "I didn't ask why I asked how. Why is not important and it never was." She gestures to the gwydion wincing at the familiary in those chains. "How we got here though. That is someting that needs an answer." She doesn't shy away from the bones. Indeed she touches the flesh part of the old Sidhe's face gently. She knows the pain can be unbearable. "We'll leave. There will be a time we will leave. One way or another. I simply pray it's not to the Winter." Koschei closes his eyes when she touches his face. His skin is leathery with age, and the warmth, moreso than the gentleness of the touch is what makes him let out a withered breath. "It is the same for everyone. We get called, we appear. Forever removed from our lives." He looked toward where the Gwydion was as an ominous 'THUD' is heard as the door to the Gwydion's cell closed, forever to remain so.

A bell is heard from somewhere. Koschei's eyes go wild. "Hurry, you must return to your cell before they find you. Go go. We shall talk later." He then gets up from the chair to hurry toward a staircase, probably racing for his cell.

Amber shakes her head watching him go but she doesn't hurry away. "I'll die first before going back to it.." First fo all she's a Sidhe and fuck if she's going to stay in a filthy dungeon. Even in captivity the Beaumayne House was treated 'well' by prisoners stanards. She turns to face whatevers coming her tiny slender hands balled into fists and looking ready to make them take her back.

The bell continues to toll, and then it stops. The audience room becomes almost deafeningly quiet after the last door is heard closing, along with the fizzure of glamour that erupts across the Prison re-sealing the prisoners in their rooms. It only takes a moment for the glamour to receed for three fae, dressed in the same armors as the others enter the ballroom. Seeing Ambrosine one of them begins to unwrap a chain wrapped around his waist. "Lady. Come with us or you will be disciplined for your insolence." Their words carry a weight unknown to Ambrosine. Certainty and truth with the power of the dreaming to back up their claims. "Do not resist." One of the Sidhe, the one with the hook attached to a chain begins to approach her.

Amber looks at the chains and she shakes her head and looks back at them. "No. No I wont. I will. not. go. back. to. it. I wont." She's terrified, truely, but the crushing weight of imprisonment; of madness is too much to bear again. She puts her hands down in front of her balling them up. She has no weapon but her chains but she intends to fight that cell. There are some burdens she's willing to take but she really would rather die than go back to that..

And so she gathers her glamour up around her, all the painful memories of the past, all the spots that aren't blanked out by spells or the monotony of an Arcadian eternity in chains. And she launches herself like an ineffective if terrifying little hellcat at the nearest guard.

The Dragon's Ire is summoned, and the full might of the Sidhe puts the guards at full alert and attention. Even a disarmed and disabled sidhe pulling the strength of their power into their body is a force to be wary of. They are quick to get on her, though one guard gets clocked head on in the helmet by Ambrosine's fist before suddenly everything goes black.

She awakens in her room, and it is as if she lived in a five-star hotel. A Queen sized bed with proper colors denoting house, an armoire cabinet, a washroom, and a window that no force can break that looks out into a blank fog. The walls are thick and unbreakable, the door won't even budge. A tinkling bell jangles and a full course meal is found on the table complete with elegantly designed silverware, a small glass of water and a goblet of wine. No one comes to the door, and no one talks to her.

It is like this, for 3 years. The day begins with a plate full of breakfast, a small glass of water and milk. Then comes an hour outside the cell with the coming of the bell. The tinkling bell for a full lunch, another bell for another hour outside the cell, the last tinkling bell for dinner and then she is left to her own devices for the evening. Everytime she resists, the guards put her down. After the upteenth time, they begin to take her to the Pit for 'censure', employing torture the likes of which humans wish they could invent. Each day gets more gloomy, more dark, more hopeless.

She doesn't ever give up. But eventually it all gets too much and she starts writing her visions encoded however she can. She eats what it takes to keep her alive and each day she tries to find a new way to escape. Even when she's tourtured (Some of which the poor Guards will find she enjoys -- her previous captor was a madman). Thankfully her voilence is laughable. She learns some tricks of course but never anything that truely helps her. She throws herself into trying to get away and into writing her coded preditions. Always switching it and sometimes writing it on different pages. The visions keep her going; where others find a prison in their head she finds it a freedom. A sign that things are still a war outside and not just mop up. Even after three years beteen and broken she fights them; even if she cannot do it so well. She always fights in dirty little ways that make it worthwhile. Making them search for the silverware. Loosing her clothing during outtings. Everything. Even writing on the walls. She no longer has her training to keep her from despair and madness like so many of the others in her house so this is how she keeps ehrself sane. By being Mina the Brat.

Ambrosine is just lucky the folks at home can't see her.

Some exploits earn her more time in 'censure', others do not. Time ticks by as if an eternity is passing. Finally, sometime within the fourth year there is a knock on her door. It means that a guard is a delivering a message, as prisoners are allowed to receive comminique's from other prisoners. Some use for prison love, or playing games and trading moves by paper. The guards always scope them, sometimes Ambrosine would get a letter from a looker from afar that writes as if a token of some kind is with it. There never is. Save this time.

Letters typically appear like food, on the table in a sudden appearance without fanfare and the seal is always broken suggesting someone has read it. This time however, the letter is forcibly pushed under the door as something grinds against the top of the door and then the sound of footsteps hurries off elsewhere in the complex. Ever dutiful; Amber writes those who write her back. Simple elegant but vary rarely anything worth reading at all. Always rebuffing any attempts at romance for simple friendship and affection. She will not lie. Even in here.

When the letter arrives she moves over to the door, out of the ay should it open and snatches up the letter. She looks around and then opens it to scan it quickly before she'll tuck it away for more serious consideration after any potential snooping guards come by. She opens the letter, which in truth acts more like a parcel. When she quickly scans it something like a very small oval-shaped pearl falls into her hand, but the letter is left behind for later. Guards do make rounds, but they are patrolling rounds, not inspections. After the footsteps vanish she can read the letter without worry.

Lady,

I apologize for no formality, but I have forgotten your name. Everything is becoming dark, hazy and I find myself lost. In truth the concerted effort to write this letter is taking it's toll on me.

My time is growing short, but there is hope for you. The day is coming for the Quarterlies, and it was told my block was selected.' The Quarterlies, which she has heard about is a time of festivities in prison. Because in one randomly selected cell-block, one inmate has the chance to be released of their punishment to return. If I get selected, I wish to give you my chance to escape. Even if I get selected, I will perish only in a short few months, mayhap aa year at best. You still Remember, are still full of life.

All I ask is you take this token with you. I do not remember why I have it, but something tells me that it belongs in the ocean, a promise I believe, I made to something or someone long ago. That is all I ask, so at least one thing in this prison will have turned for betterment than for Autumn.

If not, return the token to me in our wing's audience room at midday's lounge (the term used to describe 'free time'). No words will be needed, lest the guards attempt to force the rules to change by the Lord Baron.

May the Dreaming light your way,

Koschei

Amber blinks and reads the script a few times. She frowns a little and rolls the little pearl in her hand. She reads the letter again and sits down for a moment taking a deep breath. She sits there for a long while staring off into space and feeling rather like the world is blank for a moment until she looks down at the pearl again. She folds the letter up and tucks it away with the others so it wont be in a suspicious place. The pearl itself gets hidden away in shoe. Sure it's not comfortable but it's better uncomfortable than found. With that she takes her sleep as she normally doe and continues with her 'routine' including giving the guards a hard time. She spends time thinking of how to get people out but in the end she is no miltary stratigist. At best she might get one or two stronger sidhe out. However she does find a way to leave itty bitty things behind. Small intimate foci incase she ever can escape and then come back and destroy this place.

Ambrosine lays her tricks and her traps, reminding herself of this place and giving herself markers to remember what happened here. Three days pass, celebrations and festivities occur within free time. Even if they have no chance, they celebrate somewhat. Someone is going to get out. That is important to them and so they celebrate to refuel themselves with what glamour can come from the soul imagining it free. It is morning on the third day, and without warning there is a loud banging on her door. No tinkling bell. No food. The voice is entrancing to listen to. "Step away from the door and connect your chain to the provided clasp please." Like everything else, a bulky chain with a clasp on the end becomes lodged in the table.

Amber walks over to the clasp but she isn't going to start obeying everything they say now. She just stares at the door with her chin up and her brows are drawn down. But the knock and the tone has in the very least not got her throwing things at the door.

A burst of glamour, and the guards enter followed in their wake by a person who the appearance stat doesn't have numbers for. Raw power eminates from him like a waterfall contains water. He is Sidhe...ish, but more than a Sidhe in many ways. He is dressed in the same colors as the guards, all noble fineries and vestments of ruby and black colors. When he enters, his walk is a slow pace as he eyes the room, the stacks of papers and parchments. He notices the clasp unhinged, and smiles. "My Lady, I am no guard." He snaps his fingers, and the clasp suddenly clamps to the circular brass ring of her chains. Then he begins to peruse her room, fingering through letters as if this was his personal chambers. "Today, happens to be your lucky day Lady. The Quarterlies is over, and it seems your half-damned friend has beckoned your release." He turns to look at her, his eyes a swirl of the purest colors you have ever seen. "I must ask praytell, for curiosity so always gets the best of us...why you?"

Amber steps back at the power and her chin lifts up a little when the chain is raised to the clasp. She is, however, nice enough not to fight against someone who clearly has title. Her glittering eyes watch the darkly dressed man her lips pressed into a thin line. She's quiet for a long moment before replying, "If what I was told is correct it's because I have so much life to live." The raspy Sidhe's voice replies. "Or maybe he just wanted me to stop making the guards grumpy." Her first guess is truer than her last but they're both equally thoughtful. She moves away from the Lord and tries to fold her shackled arms over her middle.

The man slowly nods. "I see. You such a life to live." He slides a paper from the stack, opening it gently and looking it over. "A dark blue sky, a purple fire burns as rocks crash across mountains of snow and ice, a splash of blood and a woman's scream." He eyes her. "Such is your life, contained herewithin these cherished pages of yours?" He gently folds the paper and slides it back where it went to. "What sort of life is such, if I may ask? To grasp at straws when naught any exist? A spark of the mind, leading one to insanity?" He eyes her. "Well, it is your lucky day for I am in a good mood. I have asked about you, apparently one who has smitten so many yet refused all in turn." He pats the stack of papers. "Your items of station shall be returned to you. Please settle your affairs within a half hour and be down in your (her wing's) communal chambers within ten minutes, lest I be led to believe that you believe that thine is worthy of such righteous punishment and require more before being cleansed of ill intent." He gives her a dip worthy of status, an equal dip in light, and then departs followed by the guards. The door remains open yet her chains suddenly break open, clamoring down onto the ground with a thick racket.

She returns the dip and waits for him to leave before she swiftly gets to work. Her affairs in order consist, simply, burning everything in the fireplace. Yes. Her many jumbled and confused writings and even the letters All but one. In three years the young elven face hasn't seemed to age more than six months. Such is the way of eternal youth. When she's completed the task, quickly, she makes her way down towards the cell fo the man who'd set her free. The less horrid visions less encoded and written inside a little thank you. She is no good at goodbyes and so she flees quickly to make it to the pumpkin before the stroke of midnight. You find his room, which you can figure out by how many times he has bolted toward it and slip it under his door and walk on. Reaching your old wing the man is standing there simply waiting and when you arrive, he gives you a smirk. "Ah. You made it. I was beginning to wonder if the Quarterlies were going to have no celebrations. When she reaches him, the man approaches her and gives her a dip, followed by resting his hands on her upper biceps with a grip. "My sweet lady."

The North Wind, Deep Dreaming

Summary: Ambrosine awakens, and Conrad is wounded from a Thallain attack but has recovered his Sidhe Plate armor. Their attempts to escape made them lost, leading their random trail to an oceanside. Or was it coincidence? Ambrosine makes her choice.

A sudden slap hits Ambrosine's face.

"I swear to god, if you've been off to la-la-land I swear to the Dreaming I will toss your ass in the nearest stream." Conrad is shaking her, after having slapped her. He is coated in blood, his hair is a blooded mess and he is dressed in shimmering black armor lined with gold around the oval plates. Etchings of a sun adorn certain circles, and all the plates have a soft underline of fur to keep him warm.

He's walking towards her and this makes the Beaumayne step back and her eyes widen. She is about to bot when his hands take ahold of her arms and she protests, "Please.."

OUCH....

Amber's brows lift and she takes in a breath of air that feels for all it's worth like the sweetest air ever. Only the second sweetest she's ever tasted. And then Connor's shaking her and she hiccups a little, groping at his face and hair to be sure it's real even taking a moment to ken him and then, if Conrad is his real name, she throws herself into Conrad wrapping him into a hug and letting out a relieved sob.

Conrad gets accosted. He should save unconscious Sidhe more often. "It's...it's okay." He pats her on the back, brushing at her back. He looks her over. "What happened?" Amber shakes her head at Conrad, "Later." She murmurs quietly. She pretty much forces him to hold her unless like something evil shows up; or rather something else. She does eventually pull away and then blinks at him checking him for wounds. "You're okay?"

Conrad nods. "Ten fingers, ten toes and a whole lot of blood that isn't mine. Besides that I feel like shit and I am tired." He slowly gets on his feet, picking her up piggyback style and carrying her. "After you dropped I saw a whole bunch of weird stuff, by the time I came to there were Thallain incoming. I took care of them all, but...some of them were more difficult than others." His walk is at a limp. "But no stress! No pain, no gain."

Amber feels the limp and squirms, "No. Let me down. I'm okay to walk on my own and you need to be free if something else comes up." She pats his shoulder and walks along with him. She's quiet and makes sure she stays near him though once she's let off. Her fingers find his off hand again as she moves along with him. The two of them eventually breach land, hitting a frozen shoreline to blue, still ocean. "Dammit." He groans, leaning down to catch his breath. "I've been at this hike for three stinking days! I can't find the damn lake!" He grumbles, kicking a batch of snow in the water and thus making him hiss in pain. He sets his sword on the ground to lean on it as he catches his breath. He looks behind him, the now open sky where there is no more keep. His face looks lost, but he closes his eyes and swallows it. He won't deal with it right now.

Amber touches his shoulder. "Let's get you cleaned up really fast. You smell so strongly of blood I don't think a predator would have a hard time finding out. While the rugged look suits you I think for the moment getting a look at your physical wounds will be helpful.

Conrad eyes her for a while, then nods. "Fine." He begins to unstrap his armor, which he doesn't want to. He just got comfy in them! And it made him feel more whole than anything else. It takes about five minutes to unstrap everything, leaving him in thin cloth clothing made to wear with the armor. The plates provided ample amounts of protection, but various puncture marks were made where there are chinks in the armor as it were (Wounded). As Ambrosine settles in, the feeling of the pearl rubbing against her foot is still felt.

She feels it. She knows it's there. But for the moment she does a quick check over of Conrads wounds and using one of her shirts from her bag she cleans the blood off him. She's still not smiling and she's still not all there. She's still thrown because it had all been too real. But she's used to too much time spanning in what seems like moments. "Thank you for looking out for me." She wipes some of the blood away from his forehead and meets his eyes for a moment before pulling away. She's very thorough in her inspection of him before making sure the gunk os cleaned from his armor, well the chunks anyway, and then if he wishes will help him back into it. Everything is done with her expression distant and in deep and troubled thought.

Conrad takes the help, now all bandaged and no longer bleeding. He fits back into his armor and when everything is strapped back into place he gives a rolling shrug. "Alright. I am good to go for another few hours before breaktime." He looks around and tries to get his bearings. He doesn't remember this, not like he remembered his keep, how he could find weapons by reflex. He let out a breath and looked toward the sky to get his bearings. "...Okay, now that I am not on the run from hungry hungry hippos now." Takes a moment then points his finger in various places before he says "We need to go this way." He sheathes his sword and begins to walk, not bothering to say your welcome for protecting her. It's not that he's mad, he's distracted and off sorts too.

Ambrosine touches his shoulder. She bends to slip off her boot and tips it so the pearl comes out. Boot back on she rolls the pearl and shudders and her withdrawn state doubles. She rolls the pearl in her hand and moves over towards the ocean and squeezes the pearl in her hand before throwing it out into the water.

Conrad was walking off, only to realize that Ambrosine wasn't following him. When he turned around to look, she tossed the pearl in the water and furrowed his brows. "What was that?"

Ambrosine turns back to Conrad to trudge after him. "A last wish." She murmurs softly before joining him back on the trail. Once more reaching for his off hand and starts to walk with the poor beaten Varich but keeps her eyes and face turned away to hide the tears as he leads the way.

Conrad arches a brow. "A last wish?...Okay." He shakes his head, moving on. It is another 3 hours of hiking with one break before they get back to the lake, where Oloya waits for them on a rock. Seeing Conrad battered and bruises makes nothing seem out of the ordinary. Ambrosine however gets a quirk of the eye. The pale sidhe does, at some point, tell Conrad she'll tell him later after a warm bath and a cup of tea. But she's still processing everything. When they arrive Amber stands quietly waiting for Conrad to negotiate their trip back.

Conrad lets out a breath. "Well! We're back. All...sort of safe and sound. We're ready to go back now."

Oloya eyes Conrad and Ambrosine. "One of you accepted a bargain. I can smell -him- on you."

Conrad furrows his brows. "I was offered power to restore me to my place of power, and I said no, and got swarmed by Thallian and managed to escape....for a time." He then looks to Ambrosine.

Ambrosine tilts her head and shakes her head a little in confusion. She's exsausted. She has no right to be so she is so she sits down and puts her face in her hands. "I don't even know." She admits. "I probably did. Thats what I get for trusting I suppose. Go back Conrad." She's confused; this is part and parcel of Amber. She gets confused so easily especially when she's in severe mental distress.

Conrad arches a brow at Ambrosine. "Wait wait hold up. -Who-, are you smelling exactly?"

Oloya eyes Conrad, her face still depressed. "Koschei."

Conrad purses his lips, then his eyes go wide. "Wait...you mean...Koschei, Koschei?

Oloya nods.

Conrad looks as if he is wearing a dunce cap, then looks at Ambrosine. "Was there a guy, who looked like a half-emaciated corpse?" Ambrosine rubs her forehead and nods. She doesn't really speak right now instead she curls up. She's not self pitying; she's peeved. Not at anyne else but at herself. Conrad lets out a breath. It's times like this Conrad would be angry, but then again...he had completely forgotten about the guy until Oloya said his name. "Okay. Nobody panic." He clucks his tongue. He's trying not to panic. "Nooobody panic." He then just sits down on the ground. "Maybe it's not as bad as we think! What did you do? Was it the thingy you tossed in the water?"

Ambrosine winces and looks over at Oloya and then back down. "Maybe I ought to start from the begining?

Oloya blinked, then spoke. "Start where you like."

Ambrosine isnt going to repete the whole goshdarn story to someone who just told it to her!

So instead she recaps.

The beaumayne, who really wishes she had a wall to smack her head against right now, tells it from the moment that the light came up from Conrad. She tells a fairly detailed version though she does leave out some of the more gruesome bits in favor of the one word explination. But Conrad knows some of what she's gone through so she figures at least he gets it. SHe's pretty much beating herself up and at the end she aplogizes again, and once more to Conrad for forgetting what he's been trying to tell her.

Conrad is silent after she finishes. "...Okay. Sounds like Koschei." He looks to Oloya. "Does that mean anything to you? The whole...pebble thing."

Oloya blinks and then speaks. "Koschei is bound here to this land, much as most creatures still are since the erection of the Autumn Veil and cannot leave. Unlike his fellow Fomorians, he has sidestepped his imprisonment due to his powers of magic. A part of him exists in the world of the real, and as such only his body is imprisoned. A sliver of him is free, and by tossing the pebble given by him off the land, a part of him is now past the Autumn Veil, able to move where he will. You should know this." She eyes Conrad. "You fought him plenty of times."

Conrad grunts. "So. Fomorian fiend-"

"Archduke." Oloya responds.

Conrad just sort of dies a little inside. "Archduke. Sliver of him though? Not the full package?"

Oloya blinks. "A sliver is enough for Koschei to possess a body and return to the world." It's amazing how small one little Sidhe can get. It really is. It's pretty heartrending; not that they can see it. She's helped a fomorian and therefore has twofold betrayed her house and the oaths her family makes. "I need to go to New Orleans, Sir Conrad. I will need to face a council about this." Her voice is quiet but firm. "If I make it back."

Conrad holds his hand up. "No. No no. You ain't doing anything." He looks back to Oloya. "Is there a way we can sort of undo this? You know, bring the pebble back to land? Cut him off at the pass so to speak? It's only been off ground for what...3 hours?" He looks at Ambrosine. "We still have a whole 3 days here. We get the pebble, bring it back and then destroy it. That would cut off his potential right?"

Oloya responds. "Yes. That would mean you would have to return into your homeland, as you have seen the current condition it is in. You are also now hunted by Thallain. Do you believe you can cover the ground you have, retrieve the pebble, return to ground and be able to destroy it before either Koschei or Thallain find you?"

Conrad looks at Ambrosine then back to Oloya. "Damned if we do, damned if we don't right?"

He looks to Ambosine. "Right?"

Ambrosine says, “Certainly, it should be simple to find a pearl in the sea." There, a dark hint of something, well.. it's not sweet Seelie Ambi that's for certain. "You're not damned in this, Conrad." She stands up brushing herself off. "I am though. You know I will not turn you away but I will not ask you to come with me if you wish to return home." She looks up at him and then pulls her bag over her shoulder. "If we cannot find the pearl I will be lucky to die here. It will be the kinder punishment for my naievety." She looks to Oloya and nods to the Lady of the water and inclines her head. "Thank you."”

Conrad smiles. "See? Your better already." He taps Ambrosine on the shoulder. "Me? Of course I'll go. I mean...I may be beat up, but I can still trash a thallain or two. Otherwise how else am I to impress you with my slick skills for when the time comes you ask me to beat things?" He slowly gets on his feet.

Oloya eyes the both of them. "You have friends amidst the wood, if one has the eyes to see them. Light footsteps, and should you lose your path, follow the ruby carpet." Conrad looks at Ambrosine, and like his nature, fistpumps himself. "Duh duh duh duuuuuh! Quest time." Conrad is a secret video gamer, leave him alone.

Conrads words get no reply from Amber. Sure the mental fucking had given her quite the traumatic event but betraying the tenants of her own House? That's a different matter. What may be subtle changes in the Autumn world bleed through in magnificent color in this world. "No doubt, Conrad, you'll find a way to impress me." She can't hide it so she makes no attempt to though her face is a ridgid mask. White hair, lovely and snowfall in moonlight pale bleeds to an inky tenebrous blue-black and her eyes find their dominate color in red rather than violet though they are still those acpocalyptic stars. She still looks and sounds like Amber but the closed offness? Not so much. "Thank you, Lady Oloya, fair seas to you should our paths not cross again."

Conrad does another fistbump when she says she will find a way to impress him. "Awesome." He gets back up, setting himself upright. "Well, let's get crackin'. The sooner we get that pearl the better off we're all gonna be." Conrad is ready to go.

Oloya remains sitting on the water of the small pond. "I will go nowhere. Should your task succeed, one will needs take you home. For one to admit fault, and seek to rectify you do far better than others."

And they are off!

Ambrosine has disconnected.

Ending Summary: By taking the pearl from Koschei and tossing it into the ocean, Ambrosine has unknowingly allowed Koschei to allow a sliver of himself roam free across the entirety of the Dreaming, not just Russia as a part of him is now beyond the barrier. Ambrosine decides to take on the task of righting her wrongs and returning to the dangerous woods in an effort to retrace steps to hunt for the pearl, with the hopes of keeping Thallain off their trail. Olonya says they have friends in the woods if they have the eyes to see them. What does THAT mean? Ambrosine and Conrad embark, Ambrosine slipping into her Unseelie nature as they brave once more the subarctic lands of the North Wind.

Scene II

Summary: Ambrosine and Conrad made their way into the North Wind once more, attempting to follow the trail they made. Luck was on their side, as little time has passed since their arrival and thus the tracks were still somewhat fresh. However, their luck did not last long as one of the Thallain found them and sought to bring them low. Or worse.

LAST EPISODE!

Conrad and Ambrosine arrived at Olonya, who realized that one of them took one of Koschei's infernal bargains. After realizing what Ambrosine has done, the Beaumayn learned of Koschei's true nature: A Fomorian Archduke, a peerless Sorcerer and a Lich who is bound to Russia via the Iron Curtain. With the pearl where it is, that ban no longer applies allowing Koschei's 'slivers' to roam where it will with the possibility of possessing anyone in the world: A Favorite tactic of his and leading to his nickname 'the Undying'. Ambrosine switched to her Unseelie Nature, and Conrad is still wounded. Now they are heading back to the subartic traiga once more attempting to follow their tracks in the ever-shifting snow while evading the Thallain, thralls of Koschei, who are attempting to hunt them down.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls Perception(3) + Survival(2) (5 dice) vs 6 for 0 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Conrad tries to find the trail, however can't find any tracks and now you are somewhere in the woods.

<OOC> Conrad says, "Would you like to try Per+Sur?"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ambrosine rolls Perception vs 7 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "And you find them! They are snowed in, but you see the faint outlines."

<OOC> Conrad says, "Now for your hunters!"

<OOC> Ambrosine whimpers.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 4 (4 dice) vs 8 for 1 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "Dex+Stealth vs 6"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 4 (4 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "The hunters do not spot conrad, roll them bones!"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ambrosine rolls Dexterity vs 6 for 1 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "And you are not spotted either!"

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "Yay"

<OOC> Conrad says, "Next set! FYI, you need an accumulation of 7 suxx on Per+Survival to properly find your way back to the spot where you guys were at."

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls Perception(3) + Survival(2) (5 dice) vs 6 for 0 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "Conrad is still worthless. Your roll :D"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ambrosine rolls Perception vs 7 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "So your at 4. For hunters!"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 4 (4 dice) vs 8 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad will pop a WP

You lose one Willpower

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 4 (4 dice) vs 6 for -1 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "HA! At least I don't botch. Your roll."

Ambrosine loses one Willpower

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ambrosine rolls Dexterity vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

So Ambrosine and Conrad are poking around looking for clues to their passing. Conrad sees nothing, always leading off in another direction but Ambrosine keeps the two of them on point. The deeper they go in the forest following the trail the more they begin to hear the howls of the Thallain in the distance, rambling and hissing and the other insanity they bring with them as if to scare them out. They spot shadows moving along in the distance, but they always manage to keep themselves out of sight and mind. One such occasion does not work for them. Like Ambrosine said, Conrad smells like open game, and maybe that is why? Or just coincidence. As they move along their tracking trail a shadow is seen moving towards them, followed by a hissing cackle and begins to race toward them. When he gets visible it is a Goblin, wearing a simple leather chestpiece made out of hide and a pickaxe. However, he has two thick bags full of...'stuff'? is the best word, on both sides of his waist. Conrad of course is in full plate armor and a sword. He can't stealth very well, and he's also hurt. That makes things difficult. He looks at Ambrosine and nods his head off in the distance. "Keep going, I'll hold them off."

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "Okay.. She's not going far. She's going to Fowl is Fair Conrad and Fowl is Fair his opponents."

Conrad has rolled initiative: 11

This form allows a player to make a roll that is added to an open job that can be verified by staff. You can use +request to create such a job.

<OOC> Conrad says, "So it is Goblin (on a 9) and Conrad. Since your casting now, go ahead and do whichever your doing first."

Ambrosine has rolled initiative: 11

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "...don't you laugh"

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "...what do I roll again? Is it just the art?"

<OOC> Conrad says, "You roll your Arts' Attribute, which for Soothsay is Intelligence + the Realm your affecting which in this case, is Fae (Conrad is a Changeling, the Goblin is a Changeling). Your difficulty depends on your Bunk, which you will need to post doing."

Amber's eyes come up and she's quick to respond. She draws a ribbon from her hair and bites it, and her lip. Half of the ribbon is stained in blood and the other left plain. The bloodied part is thrust into Conrad's armor before she moves off a bit but stays on guard picking up a rock. So..helpful.

<OOC> Conrad says, "Okie! Your using blood which is always powerful, so we'll go with a 2pt Bunk. So Int+Fae vs 6"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ambrosine rolls Intelligence + Fae vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "So Conrad has a +2 to his rolls as luck is now on his side! And, as such. he now rolls."

<OOC> Conrad says, "The Goblin is being Observed. And rolling."

You lose one Willpower

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 8 (8 dice) vs 6 for 4 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "Of course, and the Goblin's armor"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 1 (1 dice) vs 6 for -1 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "Gobby stab stab"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 5 (5 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 4 (4 dice) vs 6 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "Armor soak"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 6 (6 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "Conrad takes 2."

<OOC> Conrad says, "Next round. Do you bunk on the gobby!"

Ambrosine takes the rock and wraps it up in a handkerchief. Tying it in knots all the while he backs up to put her back against a tree. Focusing so intently on the bunk that she doesn't care that she's chewing on her already bloddied lip.

<OOC> Conrad says, "Alrighty, so your cursing him with rocklike slowness! which is a 1pt bunk, so Int+Fae vs 7"

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "I think you can Spend a willpower for a cantrip right/"

<OOC> Conrad says, "Yes you can."

Ambrosine loses one Willpower

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ambrosine rolls Intelligence + Fae vs 7 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "4!"

<OOC> Conrad says, "Huzzah!"

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "Fuck that goblin"

<OOC> Conrad says, "Conrad is going to call-shot neck the Goblin."

You lose one Willpower

<OOC> Conrad says, "He is Wounded (-2), is blessed (+2) and is going for the neck (+2 diff)"

<OOC> Conrad says, "And he is wearing sidhe plate (-1)"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 7 (7 dice) vs 8 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "4!"

<OOC> Conrad says, "So Str(3)+Longsword(2)+Neck(2)+Successes(2)"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 6 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

THERE WAS A FIREFIGHT!!!

Conrad approached the Goblin first, after getting a token of luck from Ambrosine to gift him with Luck. His sword swung true, striking the Goblin only glancingly in the side, clinking off of the Goblin's brestplate.

Conrad was too close! The Goblin didnt want to risk blowing himself up, so he struck at Conrad with his pickaxe. The sidhe plate deflected most of the blow, the pick sliding to a crease in the armor that dug into Conrad's waist. The Sidhe gritted his teeth, the rush of combat coming to him as if it was only yesterday that he did this almost all the time.

Ambrosine hid behind a tree, praying for the Goblin's misfortune while Conrad spied a chink in the Goblin's armor, more precisely where the Goblin wasn't wearing Armor and went straight for the neck. The sword buried itself in the Goblin's neck, blood spraying over the Goblin and Conrad but not enough to cleanly cut the head off the Goblin. The Thallain shakes and shudders from shock, unable to act this turn.

<OOC> Conrad says, "What are you doing Ambi?"

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "wishing Max were here"

<OOC> Conrad says, "Fair enough!"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 7 (7 dice) vs 8 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Conrad rolls 9 (9 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Conrad says, "And the Goblin gets decapitated (5 suxx total)"

Conrad hacks at the shuddering Goblin one more time, clearing the sword through the Goblin's neck as the Thallain falls limp, it's head cut from his shoulders. Conrad spits some of the blood out of his mouth. "Okay....Mischief managed." He leans on his sword again, this time far more wounded than he was before. "Let's go before others decide to show up."

Amber remains near the treee and keeps her eyes on Conrad and the Goblin. She shivers a little and gasps a little but she continues to watch the fight. Watching Conrad and the goblin with an eerie almost disturbing fascination as they come to blows and as the goblin's head flies off. She moves from the tree and looks around keeping alert to see if the creature had friends before moving past Conrad to start looting the corpse. The cad! Ambrosine says, “Wait..first..we look.”

Conrad eyes Ambrosine when she wants to loot. Conrad likes this side of Ambrosine! He joins her in the loots!

<OOC> Conrad says, "Okie. The Goblin had a light breastplate made of hide. Armor rating of 1 with no dex penalty."

<OOC> Conrad says, "The bags contain various gadgets and gizmos, all of them of Goblin make so you can assume while they could do some serious damage, they might also just blow your head off. There is also the Pickaxe, which suxx as a weapon."

<OOC> Conrad says, "Though if you were to work on the pickaxe, such as sharpening it (it's dull from picking) you could make it armor-piercing. +1 damage weapon."

<OOC> Conrad says, "Feel free to post what your taking. Since your looting first, you get access to the first dibs!"

<OOC> Ambrosine says, "Nothing that looks like it's for healing? No bandages or anything at all?"

<OOC> Ambrosine will ken the crap out of this stuff. <---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ambrosine rolls Perception + Kenning vs 6 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

A few tiny metal springs and some rocks give off the dull humm of glamour, dross.

Three of the items give off far more, and are all the same. They are circular balls bashed into shape, all three made of tin. Each of them have a cap that you can flip with your thumb. They appear to be Grenades.

Ambrosine hmms softly. She hands Conrad two of the grenades and keeps a third for herself and splits the dross between them as well as taking the armor for herself. She doesn't seem to care how strange it looks. She looks back at Conrad. "Let me dress your wounds quickly." She murmurs, "I shouldn't have left Max." Conrad eyerolls. "Well, I didn't expect my home to be a fucking Thallain party. So sue me." He grunts, taking the grenades and then gets settled while Ambrosine dresses his wounds. He puts the grenades in a small belt pouch near his sword sheath along with the dross.

<OOC> Conrad says, "Each of them get 3 dross."

Ambrosine shakes her head, "No I am equally as guilty. I should have augered the place before going blind. Which, if you don't mind, I'm going to do for about ten minutes while you rest. She rips up one of her tightly knit sweaters and a cotton shirt to make a rather good bandage. "I'm also going to see if I remember anything at all about how to use this thing." She eyes the pickaxe. Yes, a whole ten minutes. She's very generous.

Conrad arches a brow. "Go for it. I'll just chill here, in a Thallain trap. You know, just mindin' mah business.

Ending Summary: The Goblin was defeated, leaving Conrad at Wounded Health. Ambrosine looted the Goblin's breastplate, giving her a small amount of protection as well as acquiring 6 dross worth of small parts and rocks, as well as three goblin grenades. Conrad was given two, Ambrosine has 1. Now she is beginning to perform an Augury while Conrad rests, attempting to give Destiny a stab to make their task a little bit easier as well as attempting to remember how to fight so she can help during the duration of their journey.

Scene III

Amber for the last two days has been silent. Not walls off really because often times if allowed she'll spend time with Conrad in companionable silence while they go about their tasks or idle activities. She's gone out once or twice by herself or with Conrad it was no matter. Mostly to buy herself a book and a pen and then to go stare at the lake for a while. She hasn't been very talkative nor, since when he comforted her after her nightmares, has see really allowed him to touch if she notices it coming. However as days slip by Amber has slowly begun to relax again and whatever had messed with her so hard starts to bleed off. This morning Amber's actually smiling if a little as she peers out the window towards the lake. She's up and dressed and seems like she's ready to venture out again. Conrad hasn't really be out and about. He's been bedridden healing, though he has gone to see the Ondine who with a bit of Dross has tended to his wounds more magically. He's still hurt a bit and thus doesn't do many activities like Ambrosine has. He also hasn't tried to get in the way of Ambrosine when she does her own thing. Today he is upright, watching a tv show while eating a bowl of soup from some of the canned goods Ambrosine got. He looks over to Ambrosine and arches a brow. "Your usually not as contemplative before heading out into the wide world. What's up?" Ambrosine hmm's toward Conrad peering at him with eyes made dark by contact lenses. She's brought the black-brown ones out so though it seems a little off not even a hint of the violet light can be seen. "I feel better today." The delicate Baroness murmurs softly to the Hedge Knight. "I can think again. It's nice. I'm going to go out and sketch the lake today I think. Maybe have a walk around it. Are you going to be okay? Do you need supplies?" She's pulled her hair back and up off her neck and she's wearing a scarf around her head keeping her ears in check. She's done what she can to keep from being too noticable in the dreaming or the real world. "When are our tickets to leave?" Conrad leans over in the bed, opening the drawer in the nightstand and pulling out the tickets and checks the departure date. Two days from now." He tosses the tickets on the tabletop. "I can tell your tired of this place already." He takes another spoonful of soup. "It's okay, I'd be ready to run out of her like a bat out of hell too. Russia has never been...hospitable." He takes another spoonful. Ambrosine nods. "Alright." She says thoughtfully. "It's beautiful here Conrad." Amber's face falls a little, "I wish I could truly appreciate it. Perhaps next time I return I will not be so incapable of handling my own." She moves to get her jacket to pull it on. "Do you need anything?" She re asks the question he hadn't answered. It probably doesn't take a wizard let alone a Varich to notice that she's been giving him as much time as she can to himself after that first night she woke up screaming (and thrashing, and bashing her hand on the headboard, and the several other loud and terrible various wakeing from nightmares that have happened in the succeeding nights). It also doesn't take a genius to see she is -very- uncomfortable with him seeing it. Conrad doesn't press. He'll talk to her about it one day. Though the fact that every now and again she will find spare pillows on her bed or bundled up sheets near her head whereas his bed doesn't have anything lets it speak for itself. He doesn't talk about, he learned that the first time he tried to ask. "No. Go, have fun. Be merry." He takes another spoonful of soup. "Might as well get some enjoyment in to make the trip worthwhile." Ambrosine nods. "You should too." She tells him softly. "We came here for you. Just please be safe if you do I rather like you in one piece." She teases quietly before she opens the door and shuts it behind her. Taking a deep breath of the lakeside air she starts past the window and off into another mini-adventure by herself. She walks the pathway to the lakeside with several variations from the other times she's gone. Conrad laughs. "I'm still puzzling some pieces out." He waves his hand. "Go! Do the wandering thing." When she leaves he rests his head back on the pillow. The lakeside town is active, people wandering the streets and many going to the lake to go swimming or snorkeling, which seems to be the pasttime due to the water's clarity. In dealing with the lakeside town it is obvious there is no Kithain population here, no chimerical letters on walls or telephone poles hinting at trods or freeholds. It's completely barren of Changeling life. Amber would have rolled her eyes but with a fond smile at his comment before she left. She doesn't seem to mind so much the lack of changelings here though she is always keeping an eye on things and she never gets too close to the lake prefering to remain a respectful distance. She doesn't want the locals to think she's poaching. She wanders out to find a nice quiet place out among a green grassy spot so she can lean against a rock and put in an earbud and start to sketch the lake much like she'd said she was going to do. Out here away from the constant bustle of people and the city Amber is able to focus a lot more and it gives her the ability to do things she could not otherwise when constantly confused by the sheer amount of sensory information. It's about 30 minutes after she starts to sketch when Conrad finally pipes up. "So! This is what you do when you run off into the wild blue yonder." He pokes his head next to her looking over her shoulder. "I always wondered if you went to go buy a suitor to go frollick in the woods or snorkel the lakedepths. Here you are sketching." He'd caught her singing quietly to herself -- Pink Floyd -- she jumps and looks up at Conrad with wide eyes and blushes a bit. "I wouldn't intrude on the Lake's Lady." She wrinkles her nose and then leans against him but it's breif but it is an improvement. "And I know better to go into the woods without someone with me. I'd get lost." She jokes closing her book and then turning to look up at him more fully her brows knitting a little. "I thought you'd like some time to yourself though. Can't be easy for you having to keep an eye on me." Along with the lake from memory Amber had been sketching the outline of the thing she'd seen following her back when she'd gone to fix her error with the Thallian. Conrad settles down behind her. "You've been giving me space ever since we got back to the hotel room. I think there's been enough space don't you think? Besides, can't have someone poaching your eye and have it be simple." He looks over toward the swimmers and the snorkellers. "Oh she wouldn't mind if you went for a dip. Water is meant to be enjoyed. The lake may be hers but she only demands the bottom where her hold lies. Snorkelling and skinny dipping as you like to do don't bother her." He chuckles. "And no, it's not easy. Watching you shroud yourself, not just this," He tugs at her scarf, "But emotionally, as if cracking a smile would have the entirety of Nightmare would chew you to bits if you could. You walk through town with a bubble of your own construction, in a throng of people yet eternally apart from them." He must have been keeping tabs on her during her wanderings. "No, not very easy at all." She's looking over her shoulder at him as he settles behind her with that comment. She takes a long moment thinking over what he's saying then smiles a little and nods to him once. "Very well. I... Poaching?" She wrinklesher nose at him laughing and shakes her head at him. "My dear man I wouldn't worry so muh about my eyes as much as your own." She's practically laughing and it cracks some of that thin veneer that's been icing her expression for days. She looks back out over the water and thinks about it, "Maybe I don't know about the skinny dipping though. You don't think that's a bad idea with all the people who could wander by?" She's trying not to think about the other bits of what he's saying because she turns away from him when he tugs her scarf pullig it back to shoe some of her pale glittering hair suddenly uncomfortable. "I thought we'd have seperate rooms." She admits resting her hands on the top of the book. Conrad arches a brow. "Separate rooms? We've sort of been together to such an extent I don't think we need to worry about any violations of privacy." He then looks at the back of her head. "Or do you mean the nightmare thing? And of course not, you could go skinny dipping if you wanted. Haven't you ever heard the chances of being caught just makes things better?" He chuckles behind her standing up. He doesn't undress though, instead he walks past her to skip rocks. Ambrosine shakes her head, "You'd think by now you'd know I'm not really worried too much about my physical state in front of you or anyone I know." Mental though? That's a bit harder. "I am very sorry about that. They've been bad since our trip. I'm sure that I'll get them back under control soon enough." She lifts her eyes to watch him stand and walk past her. "No. I hadn't heard that especially when those who stumble on you might be authorities. The Dogma in Russia is rather frightening." Conrad chuckles. "Then why the comment about separate rooms? That makes it sound like there was something you didn't want me to see. If it wasnt your body, or whatever, then the only thing left is your sleep-fits. Which you have a lot of them to be honest. Did you know that if it wasn't for the fact I put a pillow between you and the nightstand you would have smashed your skull against the corner of the table?" He looks at her. "That would have been an awkward experience, if you were by yourself in your own room." Amber reaches back and tugs her scarf back over her forehead leaving a smudge of charcoal on her white skin. "I didn't want you to see me having nightmares, Conrad. Is that strange to you for some reason? And no I did not, thank you, but it would not be the first time. Max usually takes care of any bruises I might aquire." She sets her book on top of her bag and leans forward. "Why is it so hard for you to imagine I wouldn't want anyone to see that sort of thing let alone someone who is my friend? That and I talk in my sleep sometimes and it's not always pleasent." He probably knew that as well. Fevered whispered French in waves of breathless terror and pain. "I can't just let someone crawl into my mind, Conrad. You may want nothing to do wth the Fates and the Dan but they don't feel that way about me." Conrad turns and looks at Amber. He's wearing far different clothing than he was in the hotel room, since he changed his clothes. Now, to the eyes of the fae he was more well-dressed the noble. He was wearing a yellow silken shirt with silver pendant attached at the collar, a jacket of sable cloth and velvet that draped down to about his kneecaps with woven yellow/orange sunbursts in various positions on the jacket. Like most things noble and Sidhe, it looked priceless to the eyes. He turned to look at her and then smiled, turning back to the lake. "The person who crawled into your head, Ambrosine was a man who is slightly below Balor himself on the 'fuck me' ladder. Why do you think I got a single room in the first place? No one is ever the same once he's been in your head, and I mean no one." He skips another stone. There's some pretty epic music coming from Amber's abandoned earbuds. Seems like some sort of metal now. In contrast to the Knight's change Amber's strictly remained the same. Second hand clothing at best and things that aren't tailored for her or if they are they are plain. She lifts her masked eyes to meet his and her brows knit for a moment and she looks of to the water and the ice creeps back into her expression. "I would not betray my loyalty to my House or my Cause for anyone or anything, Conrad. It is the only thing I have that cannot be -taken- from me." The statement is enlightening for those willing to look deeper into it. However it's clear she doesn't want to talk about it. The hesitant way she's talking and the raspy soft sound. She'd told the story of what had happened completely and honestly as she remembered it even to her own foolish mistakes. She hadn't expressed her feelings on the subject though. "I'm not -talking- about your House or your loyalty." Conrad almost spits at her the words. "You know? Nevermind." He waves his hand. "I'm going to Novibisk to the goblin market. Enjoy your sketches." He tosses the last stone rather than skips it and heads back to the hotel to get his dross. Time to go shopping! Ambrosine winces and looks at him. "I know." She snaps back at him. "I know, Conrad. I just don't know what the hell you want me to do about it. I can't rely on you for everything. I can't ask you to help em with everything!" Ah, look, someone poked a wound. She looks away, "Please be safe." She shovers her balled fists between her knees.

• me

Conrad stopped, hearing her words and then turned back to her. "Who said I -want- you to?" Ambrosine throws her hands in the air and falls back against the grass staring up at the sky. "I don't think you do and that's why I'm /not/. But how do you know when it's too much? How do you know? When do you know when to ask for help and when not too? I don't. I really don't. How much informaiton is too much information? How much is too little. I don't even know how to approach it with anyone else let alone you. I'm trying but every time I do I get it wrong. I have my House calling on me to keep my nightmares, my visions, to myself so that people -may- choose their own fates. I have my Courtly training telling me to keep everything to myself unless I am -asked- for more information. I have a past that tells me even my friends will turn on me eventually. And I have me trusting you but not knowing where the line is. Where your limit is. I can't even.." She waes her hand at the sky and she's to the point where she's laughing at the absurdity of it all. "I'm so broken, Conrad." Yup she's lost it because the laughing's not stopping. Ambrosine throws her hands in the air and falls back against the grass staring up at the sky. "I don't think you do and that's why I'm /not/. But how do you know when it's too much? How do you know? When do you know when to ask for help and when not too? I don't. I really don't. How much informaiton is too much information? How much is too little. I don't even know how to approach it with anyone else let alone you. I'm trying but every time I do I get it wrong. I have my House calling on me to keep my nightmares, my visions, to myself so that people -may- choose their own fates. I have my Courtly training telling me to keep everything to myself unless I am -asked- for more information. I have a past that tells me even my friends will turn on me eventually. And I have me trusting you but not knowing where the line is. Where your limit is. I can't even.." She waes her hand at the sky and she's to the point where she's laughing at the absurdity of it all. "I'm so broken, Conrad. I'm sorry." Yup she's lost it because the laughing's not stopping. Conrad listens with one brow arched over his left eye. "Let me get this straight." He puts a finger to his lips. "Tell me if I get this right." "I am Ambie, Baroness of the Beaumayn of Lodestone Island. No no! No one knows who I am. I stand behind a window drape and speak to my vassals and lessers behind a curtain lest they see me, otherwise the earth will burst open and meteorites will scorch the earth." A satire to how she constantly covers herself. Ambrosine eyes him and laughs harder for a long few moments before it dies off and she's gasping for air through titters. "It sounds so simple when -you- say it." She's joking of course and she turns her head to look at him and shakes her head. "I know how it looks from outside myself. Max tells me often." She exhales and and closes her eyes. "I just don't want to hurt anyone, Conrad. Especially not my friends who at time are masked or addressed as my vassals and lessers." She lifts a hand to gesture with long fingers towards the sky, "I'm still a prisoner just of a far different kind now." Conrad shakes his head. "Your a prisoner of a gilded cage of your own making. Not your House or your Oaths. You crafted your prison of your own gold, and stepped inside it and threw away the key." He scratches his neck. "Ambi. The reason I had us shack together was because Balor-lite brainfucked you. I wanted to make sure you were okay. It wasn't some...underlying test. The thing at the massage parlor was a prank yes, a prank to give a lesson but this? This is just...to make sure you were fine, not to coddle you like some wetnurse with a newborn babe." He shakes his head. "I -know- what your problem is, and it is far more than being a prisoner. Your rose-tinted shades toward everything around belies that truth, and I don't even need to be a Varich to see it." Ambrosine's eyes move to Conrad and she looks confused by his statement. She very much does and then she looks towards the sky and her lips press togther. "You're probably right about all of that to some degree, Conrad. All except the wet nurse thing, I don't think you could coddle me if you tried, and that last bit. The rose colored glasses thing?" She shakes her head slowly. "A desperate attempt to accept a world I do not understand anything of other than the visions in my dreams ever since after we last met." She sits up and takes a deep cleansing breath. "I try very hard to appreciate everything that I can see before it's gone even if I don't understand it. I try hard not to take anything for granted." She looks to the water, "In truth I don't think it can be helped. Maybe that's why I like you so much, because every day you prove me wrong." She stands and gathers her things slowly adding as an after thought, "The Thallian did a number on me, you're right. Probably in ways I don't even understand. This world needs hope before it ends up cold and empty like him though." Conrad steps forward and grips her by her arms near the shoulder. "It's more than accepting the world too." He tries to find the right words. "From my perspective, take it as you will. You are acting like a phantom. You are -afraid- of -everything-. You step on eggshells about everything, afraid of putting your mark on anything. Be it decisions, or imagry or anything. Maybe it was because you were trained to be a submissive housewife hellbent to please your husband. Maybe it's the visions that barrage you? I dunno, but I dont think I've met a more fearful Sidhe as you. The world won't change for you, Ambi. If you want control? You need to take it." He takes off her Sunglass. "And not hide from it. If something comes? Fuck it, at least face it with pride and not torment." It's when he grabs her suddenly and violently that the recoil comes back. He finds her eyes wide and she's trying to pull away from him pushing at one hand while the other takes off her sunglasses. When he lets her go she's more than two arms lengths from him in an instant and shaking like a leaf and it's hard to say if he's gotten through to her at all. Slowly whatever memory gripped her more fully than he had is torn away and she she does respond to him and she doesn't run; odds are if he -wasn't- Conrad she would have fled. "I'm trying." She hisses through a paniced breath. "Can't you even fucking see I'm trying, Conrad?" She hugs herself and looks like she's fighting off wanting to vomit. Conrad gives her a once over. If she really wants help? He'll give her help. He drops the glasses on the ground. "Then try harder." He smashes the sunglasses with his foot crushing it under his boot. "Enjoy your afternoon, Ambi." He then turns and begins to leave. She's gripping her arms in a death grip an her eyes on the ground where his boot meets her sunglasses and she stares at the spot. There are no words forth coming she's just staring at the spot for a moment. "Fuck you, Conrad." She whispers quietly as he walks away. She grabs her bag and turns to walk the opposite direction from him away from the lake as well. Conrad goes to the Goblin Market! To get drunk, buy stuff and unwind. Ambrosine's wanderings lead her to a satisfying scenery view of the outlands, the lake still engulfing much of the area. The highway is farther ahead but unlike before there is no lingering Varich or people. A far more countryside setting, with a horse in the distance grazing on grass. Ambrosine eventually walks off the frustration and then looks around to see where she's taken herself. She looks off towards the highway but it's the horse that gets her attention. She smiles to herself and moves closer, not too close, but when she finds a good spot she unslings her bag from her back and sits down to watch the horse for a moment before she starts drawing again. The horse grazes. He looks over to Ambrosine's direction then continues to graze. Soon there is a voice that comes from somewhere, a female voice as it would happen. "Why are you drawing me?" Ambrosine jumps and looks up from where she's drawing and around then towards the Horse again. "Um. I'm sorry, excuse me?" She looks back to the horse watching the creature for a long moment.

It's gnawing on grass. Yum. "Why are you drawing me?"

Ambrosine looks around again. "I'm very sorry who are you? I did not mean to cause offense but I find drawing calming." She's drawing a lot of things. Maybe it's another Inanimae. "I needed a little pick me up."

The horse continues to graze. Then, it stops grazing and while chewing walks over and lowers it's head, pushing it's head against Ambrosine. Amber's eyes move to the large mammal as it approaches and she seems rather amazed when the mare pushes her had against the Baroness. She blinks and smiles and reaches over to rub the horses' cheek and then up to scratch behind her ears. She's not unfamiliar with horses. "Hello there."

The horse continues to bump it's head against her, even if it's unsettling or may topple her over. "You said you needed to be picked up." The voice apparently is talking literally.

Ambrosine squeaks and laughs a little as she moves to stand. "Oh. It's you. I'm sorry I don't think I've ever met a talking horse in the real world before. I meant an emotional pick me up however. Something to calm myself." She laughs.

The horse then goes upright. It stares at her. "I can't pick up emtions."

Ambrosine laughs, "You were doing just fine while I was watching you. I'm Philomene, or well I guess everyone calls me Amber. What's your name?" She finally takes a moment to -really- give the horse a once over when she finishes standing.

The horse is obviously a Chimera, not really a being of the real world. Then again it gets difficult to differentiate chimera from real creatures sometimes for fae. "Hello. I don't have a name." It's just a horse.

Ambrosine looks confused. "You don't have a name?" She sounds surprised at this as her fingers move back to brush over the animal's mane. "So you live out here by yourself. No Herd? Where do you come from?" Amber is extremely curious and the past few hours seem almost forgotten. The horse grazes on more grass. "South." She chews on grass. Then she isn't. "Migrated with family. Family is gone now."

Ambrosine frowns even more. "They are? Where did they go? Do you need help to find them?" There she goes again her Seelie side getting the best of her. She moves along to continue inspecting the mare marveling idly at the creature.

The horse continued to graze. "Banality or Thallain. Some were forgotten, others erased. Others taken and eaten."

THere's a ripple in the air of the dreaming around the pale delicate woman. She's already been irritated a few times today but the news of what happened to the horses family kicks it in the teeth and that 'pissed off sidhe' vibe radiates out from her and has the expected effect on the dreaming. "You need to get away from here then."

The horse simply grazes. "Can't go home." She tells her. "Stuck here. So I stay near the lake. The lake is soothing."

Ambrosine nods, "It is but you cannot stay here. It's not safe. If I could find a way to get you somewhere else safe where you could be looked after and possibly find others like yourself would you come?"

The horse doesn't speak for a bit. Instead it just eats. Then it begins to trot toward the water. "Where?" The horse starts to drink water from the lake. On closer inspection, the horse's two front hooves are on top of the lakewater.

Ambrosine says, “With me. To place not quite as ravaged with the banal. It might take you a bit to get there but I'm sure I could arrange safe and comfortable transport for you. I have an island there or I will soon and there is land to roam." She reaches out to stroke along the mares coat again. "Please. I couldn't bear the thought of something else dying in this place.”

The horse continues to drink as you pet her. The feeling of the horse is one of disbelief. "If you can help me leave, I will go."

The horse continues to drink as you pet her. The feeling of the horse is one of disbelief. "If you can help me leave, I will go." (re)

Ambrosine nods. "I can help you leave. Will you stay near here? I have to go back to the hotel room and do a couple of things. But I think I can manage to get you started on your way as soon as possible. It just will require pulling in some favors." And a train ride for the horse to France.

The horse is silent for a moment, but eventually relents. "Okay."

Ambrosine smiles. "Good. I will be back before the sun sets." She tells the mare and then turns to hurry back for the hotel room to call her House and pull in some favors and give out some others to arrange for the mare to be transported.

The first thing the House does is be utterly dumbfounded that Ambrosine is in Russia, saying such things as 'what madness caused you to go /there/?' 'Are you -touched-?' and other things that paint Russia as a place only idiot-savants go. When Ambrosine speaks of getting passage for a horse to be transported out of Russia, a few particular individuals are heard in the background in silent discussion, the phone changing hands to one Leone Antonine ap Beaumayn, a Squire to the man on the phone. Ambrosine gives her request and granting of a favor to get it and the Squire gives one question.

"What of the Iron Curtain?"

Ambrosine takes a deep breath on the phone and she's quiet for a long moment and she exhales. "What about it, surely if their littlest Baroness can survive here by herself so can they. They know I'm good for the payment."

"The Iron Curtain is a strange thing. To put it best...it is a barrier of banality that envelops the entirety of that country. For you it is simple, as part of us is now banal, and we can withstand it to a degree. For those who do not, it is a death sentence." It would explain why everything is so tilted toward banality, even the warning in Novisbisk. The man on the other end is heard typing something, before he speaks on the phone again. "There is currently an inbound train carrying animal cargo to Novisbisk and will return to Lyon. I cannot guarantee the horses' survival of the Curtain, but it will have passage."

Ambrosine replies, "She's strong." She replies simply, "She's strong and I'll have to figure out a way to give her some glamour just in case but I have faith she will survive. We cannot leave her here to be torn apart by Balanity an Thallian like the rest of her kind. I'll get her to the station. Thank you." She murmurs, "Tell my Lords and Ladies that they have my gratitude."

"Of course, Baronness." The Squire hands the phone off to his lord, who then after a few moments of polite pleasantries hangs up the phone.

Ambrosine blows a breath out and rubs her face and then stands taking the notes she has and getting ready to head off to buy tack that will be needed for transport. She leaves a breif note for Conrad saying she'll be back when she can. And then turns to hurry out the door again.

The note is left successfully without incident. The horse is still grazing near the lake, and there are no sudden deathmages burning the town to ash. So far, everything seems to be going well.

Ambrosine takes a breath when she gets back and smiles to the mare. "Hello, Lovely, I've returned. I've found you passage but there's a few things I'm going to need to do to get you read. Are you willing to do this with me?" She asks softly, "I will need to hve you take some of my blood and ask you to wear these AUtumn trappings." The horse turns and says to her. "Why?" It doesn't seem to mind the trappings, but the blood thing is kind of odd

Ambrosine smiles, "I'm going to give you all the Glamour I can to fortify you against the Balanity that will certainly cause issue to you as you pass through it." She replies, "It is a gift. Some extra strength for you. I promise I'll do everything in my power to grant you safe passage."

The horse lets out a huff, shaking his head. It's obviously scared, the Curtain is probably why it says it can't go home. It doesn't refuse though, but it starts to become unnerved, it's hooves making it move from place to place.

Ambrosine strokes the horse's hair and then reaches up to touch her cheek. "Would you feel better if I traveled with you? To France and then home?" She asks softly as she starts to put in the basic autumn tack.

The horse is still unnerved, even though she is petting it. "It would." It's always better to face near-certain death with someone.

Ambrosine nods. "Very well. Your passage is booked. Come with me I will pretend to tie you to a post while I go let my companion know I am changing my plans." She rubs the mare's cheek. "And then we can go."

The horse nods, deciding to trust Ambrosine and follows along with her. Duh duh duh dduuuuuh! Horse has joined Ambrosine's Entourage. Amber gets her to the hotel. Thankfully in russia this isn't too weird. She gets the horse 'tied' to a safe spot before running into th hotel to pack her things and planning on scribbling out her old note and writing a new one.

Conrad still hasn't come back yet. Granted, Novisbisk is a poke. The old note is exchanged for a new one! And she packs her things

Getting everything arranged and telling Conrad she'll see him at home and to refund her ticket. She'll pay what she can back from her savings at home. She also leaves the time and locaion of the train that will be leaving incase he wants to join them. There will be a bit of work getting the tickets, boarding the animal, getting her own ticket and other such things so there may still be time. She has faith that he'll be back.

Writing reality out to disk. Please wait... Reality saved. Thank you for your patience.

Everything is set, the horse is properly tended and the note is left behind. Once everything is in order, the time comes to go to Novisbisk. Ambrosine can tell that there will be two peculiar things about going to Novisbisk. First is that it is a city, and while a remote place like this may not mind the casual horseback rider considering it's proximity to Siberia, Novisbisk is...to use american terms, Chicago. People don't casually ride into the city on a horse and not get stared down by everyone for being a weirdo which may (or may not) cause it's own problems. The second of course is the language barrier. While not terrible hurdles to overcome (there are ways of course), they are things to contemplate as she begins the long march to Novisbisk.

She's not far into her travel when she realizes this and mutters. "Crap." She sighs and rubs the mare's neck. "We're going to have to go back. And we're going to have to hope I beat Conrad, he's my a friend of mine..usually, back. Otherwise he's going to be crowing about me running off half cocked again." She grumbles but also laughs. She turns the horse around, "Sorry he's much more use to this real world junk."

The horse doesn't seem to mind. Walking seems to be the horses pastime. "Okay." It seems to follow her along, still nervous and jumpy about what's about to happen. So she returns to the lakeside town, the little pocket of okayness they have been staying at. Conrad, thankfully, has not returned yet. And he doesn't return until a few hours later, spending most of the afternoon in Novisbisk. He gets out of the cab and tips, heading into the hotel room to go about the rest of his evening as he has no clue what is going on.

After Conrad gets home and all evidence has been erased of any note she arrives back at the Hotel room. "Conrad." She asks poking her head in the door. "Conrad we have a bit of a change of plans."

Conrad hadn't even gotten a chance to pee. "One sec." He holds up a finger and does so. Seven to ten seconds of epic relief later, he returns out of the bathroom drying his hands off on a hand towel after washing them. "What's up?"

Ambrosine smiles and nods to her packed bags. "I need to be on a train to France tomorrow and um." She coughs. "I have a friend. But...uh you know real world stuff." She rubs the back of her head and smiles sheepishly. "You wanna meet her?"

Conrad arches a brow. He knew she was upset and frazzled, but this was different. "oookay. Sure." He tosses the handtowel back into the bathroom.

Ambrosine grins and grabs his hand. Upset, frazzled and pretty irritated with him but despite all that she grabs his hand beaming at him from behind her contacts. break those Conrad! She drags himout the door and off to where she's got the mare waiting for her. Her fingers laced with his squeezing with the discovery of the mare and even more with the idea of saving her.

Conrad gets grabbed! Whoooooaaa! And out the door they go, and down the stairs they go and there is the horse. Conrad looks around at first, thinking that she is talking about a person. Eventually though it's obvious that it's the horse. He arches a brow at her, then look at the horse. "Huh." He is surprised. "Well! That's quite a friend." He's not really putting anything together, like why his knowledge of the real world was so important. But hey! He's done trying to solve puzzles when it comes to Ambrosine. It just makes him run off to game stores to play Magic, which he has been doing the past several hours.

Amber smiles, "She doesn't have a name yet." She strokes the horses mane. "Her herd died, banality and the thallian." She watches Conrad. "My House has arranged passage for her on a train to France and from there to California on one of the House ships." She bites her lower lip and then meets Conrads eyes. "But I.. I don't speak Russian and I don't know exactly how to do some things." She bites her lower lip watching the other Sidhe for a long moment. She's asking for his help, it's clear, but she's not demanding it.

Conrad looks at the horse, then Ambrosine. He's pretty laid back considering all of a sudden there is a horse that has joined the entourage. "Okay, so what do you need me to do?"

Conrad looks at the horse, then Ambrosine. He's pretty laid back considering all of a sudden there is a horse that has joined the entourage. "Okay, so what do you need me to do?" (re)

Ambrosine bites her lip. "Can you get our plane tickets changed to train tickets?" She asks quietly her hand going to his arm. For the moment her will to save the mare is overshadowing the haunted anger that she's aimed at him. "And we need to get her to the train station so a rented truck and trailer." She pauses a moment and murmurs, "I'll pay you back. I promise."

Conrad rubs the side of his head. "The tickets I can do, you can't really swap them out." That's not really how it works. "But that's easy. I just need to know what Train we're hopping onto to get the tickets. The truck and trailer though I can't do." He just says it simply. "Unless your talking like a U-haul type truck, I can't pull that out of my butt. Sorry, Ambi."

Ambrosine tilts her head, "We just need a way to get her to the train station." She watches Conrad intently and smiles as he agrees to help and starts making sense of all that autumn world crap. "I mean, there have to be livestock trucks you can rent or something?" There's a lot of animal transport out here isn't there? Poor Amber. She does dig in her pocket and offer him the hotel paper she'd written the information for the train on then takes his hand again. "Thank you, Conrad. I appreciate that you can keep be grounded." She moves back to the mare, "But we'll need a name for you. We can't just call you Horse."

Conrad takes the paper and looks at it. "I'll make some calls, see what I can do." He then lets her hand go and heads back to the hotel to make said calls. The horse doesn't respond to Ambrosine, it just sorts of stands there as she talks to it. She has no idea what to call herself.

Ambrosine hmms softly watching Conrad go. "How about Grusha?" She asks softly, "I knew one once when I was little. I think she knew Conrad and I both. She was one of the Daughters of a Knight working with .. someone." She frowns with confusion after a moment. "But I remember her once telling me her name mean Wild Horse." She nods, "What do you think?

"Grusha." The horse responds back to Ambrosine. It doesn't give an approval or a disapproval, it simply says the name she said. Ambrosine nods and rubs the mare's cheek. She will wait out here until Conrad has figured things out and gotten back to her. She spends the time with the mare deep in thought or drawing letting the mare get comfortable with her around.

Conrad comes back out about ten minutes later and tells her that she has tickets to the stuff she indicated. He however is not going. He says something about 'saving far more money not going'. He leaves the price tag out of it. The truck and trailer also got rented, though it took him forever in the yellow pages to find something and roughly two hours later the truck and trailer arrive. Conrad already paid for it of course. When the man hands him the keys and hops in the car that came along behind it, Conrad turns and tosses her the keys. "There you go hot stuff."

Ambrosine blinks as she catches the keys and she looks at Conrad and she shakes her head, "Don't call me that, Conrad." It's a very human statement. Human and wry. "We both know that's not how this is going. You could have found a better way to get rid of me. I've never driven a car." She laughs and turns to start packing her things. "I'll see you if I get home?"

Conrad snorts. "I'm not trying to get rid of you, but damn if I'm paying that excessive cab fare again. Besides, I have more stuff to do here. Personal stuff." He gives her a sheet of paper that has her station information on it, a UPC bar code and information about the horse. The name given doesn't match Grusha, it's 'Matushka' but the horse is registered for an animal stall. He then gives her a two finger salute with his fingers. "Peace. See you back home." He looks at the horse, arching a brow at it and doing the same. "Peace?" The horse, actually does speak in response. "Goodbye." Which startles Conrad, and then looks at Ambrosine and then gets a face of 'you know? whatevs.' and turns back to head toward the hotel.

Leaving Ambrosine of course the august duties of putting the horse in the trailer and driving to Novibisk.

Ambrosine nods after Conrad. "Be safe." She tells him and then turns to get started on the daunting task of trying to drive a truck having never driven before. It's a slow process and she probably will get looks but enetually she gets the idea and starts on the way.

Thankfully it's one of those 'new school trucks'. Automatics don't take that much to learn compared to stick shifts, and with hours worth of open road it is easy to learn the jist of driving. Most important of course is driving with a trailer, which is a task in and of itself. Not slowing down fast to keep the trailer grounded, but it's all easy stuff. She arrives in Novisbisk without incident.

Novisbisk is a tad harder. Now Ambrosine has to deal with....cars. Ew. And stop lights. Eww. And yellow lights, which just serve to frustrate you. The directions to the train station, as well as the necessary steps to get onto the train were written on the back by Conrad. Oh, and one can't forget parking. Thankfully, the rental store for the vehicles and trailers is next to the train station and the directions say to leave it parked there.

The train station itself is a maze. Not a simple platform like they are in America. First she has to get checked in, which for her is simple. Conrad's directions? "Put the odd bar on the bottom of the page underneath where it says 'blllaaaah(in Russian)'. Finding a sign that says something like it but not quite, it gets scanned through and a ticket pops out. Victory!

The second part is the horse, which the paper instructs to give the form labelled 'animal passenger form'(he wrote that in English on the page about the horse) to the man at the booth, who would take the horse and fit it into the stall. That done, the only thing left is getting to the train. There are a few trains in wait, and the instructions on the paper are extremely lengthy. It says to look for any man or woman in uniform, point to a train and say the following which is written phonetically so she can say it. If they say blah, then that is your train. If they say no, follow where they point you.

Amber remembers how to do things she's told! Who's surprised!? So Amber obeys those rules, all fo them. Traffic laws, parking rules, getting oneself and ones cargo to proper ports A and B and inserting Tab C into slot M. She's got it all down! She does it all with the intent focus of someone who /needs to do this thing!/. The horse gets taken away, put into one of the many animal stalls on the train and after asking two attendants, finds the right train. When she gets inside and finds her seat. There isn't much else to worry about! The conductor says some strange stuff in russian, people start walking the aisles saying things in Russian, it's all greek to Ambrosine. Then the doors lock automatically, the horn toot toots, and the train starts to move. And move and move and move and move.

Trains aren't like planes, though they are getting there. Animal stalls ensure it's not a bullet train, but it does move faster than the usual train. Still, it takes hours before it's first stop which is Moscow. If Ambrosine likes cityscapes and skylines, Moscow has it, complete with the Kremlin off in the distance. About 30 minutes of waiting and the train leaves again, the only thing she can really understand is 'Kiev', if she know where that is.

The train continues to fly across the country for another few hours. Only then do things start to get a little...cold. Unlike banality, which tends to hit hardest immediately this one is a creeping feeling. Like an encroaching beast ready to strike. It's an instinctual impulse that makes Ambrosine feel cold, rather than banality itself. Like suddenly realizing there is a dragon in your way and it is about to eat you. The feeling is 'huge', unlike anything Ambrosine has felt before either in Siberia or Prospect, and makes that shivering cold stab when they first entered feel like a walk in the park.

She follows instructions to a T each time. However at every stop she's gone back, taken dross, given the Mare as much glamour as she can, and then gone back. She just ensures those who can udnerstand ehr she's nervous about her prized mare. However she always makes it back to her seat. About the time the cold starts to creep in Amber starts to shrink into herself. She might well be catatonic except that if anyone comes by she looks at them. She tries not to react humming to herself softly or trying to play little games to keep her mind and imagination active. But it's hard and there are times she stares bleakly out into the distance.

As the train flies, out the window Ambrosine with her changeling eyes can see a phantasmal image. The image is massive, a wall of iron the length of the sky, darkened with resilance and power. It is more burned into vision than a structure, and the feeling of seeing it makes a cold snap burst in her gut. Every mile or so along the symbol of a hammer and sickle are slabbed against the iron like a vestige of power. When it comes into view her heart stiffens and any fae would think the same thing: This is going to hurt.

<OOC> Conrad says, "Doing anything in preparation?" <OOC> Ambrosine has to be honest doesn't know enough about the iron curtain so winging it. :D <OOC> Ambrosine has given what she can tot he mare. She's consuming the last of the dross she brought and then delving into the books she brought with her. The Sandman series by Neil Gaimen. <OOC> Ambrosine says, "ack that was supposed to be IC" <OOC> Conrad says, "That's fine, and to be honest the iron curtain is something I made up. The Shadow Curtain is the only thing that is gone into in depth, and that was up until Baba Yaga poofed (which is pretty much a supernatural KEEP OUT sign that didn't let people travel to Russia very easy). The Iron Curtain however sort of makes sense, if you consider the dream of Russia? On top of the fact that anything I have read about Russia in the changeling books says it's riddled with Dauntain and Autumn Fae? Yeah." <OOC> Conrad says, "But it was mostly if you were downing Glamour and such." <OOC> Conrad says, "But yeah, Russia sucks. No wonder the High Lord of Varich lives in Cali :D :D" <OOC> Ambrosine says, "LOL" <OOC> Ambrosine says, "It's a pretty neat idea I like it"

The wall eventually catches up to Ambrosine, and then all of a sudden it seems like everything goes in slow motion. Her Fae mein slams into the wall as if someone hurled her against it with a catapult. Raw unbelief only matched by the indomitable will to control all things with no room for anything else, everything that Banality commands seeps into her bones to such a point it feels like her fae self is about to be ripped out of her mortal body. The feeling is akin to violatory, as if going through the wall breaks some taboo.

The pain eventually passes, and everything is back to normal, the train is trudging along as if nothing ever happened and Ambrosine is left a little more empty inside.

<OOC> Conrad says, "How much glamour do you have + dross?" <OOC> Ambrosine imagines she probably has about 15 on her. <OOC> Ambrosine says, "Plus the ..3 from the goblin?" <OOC> Ambrosine says, "or 2?" <OOC> Conrad says, "Alright, after Sidhe frailty you have 10 banality incoming." <OOC> Ambrosine nods. <OOC> Conrad says, "So you can do any of the following: Burn glamour 1 for 1, burn dross 1 for 1, or convert banality to nightmare dice." <OOC> Conrad says, "Essentially with dross you are consuming it's glamour like a mad women to burn the banality as it comes." <OOC> Ambrosine thinks she would have given the mare 7. <OOC> Conrad nodnods. "Noted!" <OOC> Ambrosine says, "So i guess I get 4 mightmare dince." <OOC> Ambrosine says, "Since she wouldn't spend the last" <OOC> Conrad says, "4 nightmare dice and you suffer no banality!" <OOC> Ambrosine says, "Whee?" <OOC> Conrad says, "You could always just take a few beats of banality :P" <OOC> Conrad says, "2 is better than 4." <OOC> Ambrosine says, "Oh fine, 2 temp?" <OOC> Conrad says, "I mean...I'm trying to make this somewhat on-the-edge-of-your-seat, I'm not going to be a douche and go 'and you get out at Lyon and you find an Autumn Person who tells you to mind your manners, have 2 banality! HA YOU GET A PERM! HAHAHHAHA'" <OOC> Conrad says, "2 temp!" <OOC> Conrad says, "2 temp banality, so you dont banal pop, and 2 nightmare dice." <OOC> Conrad says, "So! You gorge yourself on glamour through the wall, and you come out a bit tired, extremely sick (as per Seelie with Banality) and strangely enough? Nothing else." <OOC> Ambrosine says, "brb" <OOC> Ambrosine laughs. <OOC> Ambrosine says, "Okay"

Ambrosine makes it through, sort of, it's not the best tine in the world but she makes it. She, though, is clearly not made for travel as her mortal counterparts will note. It's going to take her some time to get through all of this. But her main concern is still for the mare. When she gets cell reception again she tests Conrad that she is all right.

The train stops at Kiev, in which Ambrosine like always checks on the horse and texts Conrad. The horse is now just a horse, having forgotten it's fae nature due to the wall. So, thankfully it's still alive, the glamour Ambrosine pumped it with ensure that it didn't fade from the world entirely. It's just forgotten, so for now it's just a horse. The train picks up heading toward Slovenia, then upwards into Germany, then into Switzerland and finally into France. From there it's a night stay, as almost an entire day has passed on the trainride, and then it's on a vessel toward Prospect and the end of her journey. The horse does eventually get better. Once given some more glamour, a feat easy when in France, the horse returns to it's splendor. Though it forgot the name Ambrosine gave it, which is easily enough handled. Thankfully Ambrosine doesn't get embroiled in Nuestrian political affairs, as I don't think I could make up so many political intrigues in one sitting.

Cast of Characters

Ambrosine

Seelie Beaumayn Sidhe. Accompanied Conrad so he did not have to travel such distances alone. A friend.

Conrad

Unseelie Varich Sidhe. Returned home to search/collect lost articles from his old home.

Olonya

Ondine Inanimae, resident of Lake Balkai, known as the Crystal Maiden amongst the Empire of Tears. Old companion of Conrads, to what extent is unknown.

Koschei

Fomorian Archduke and Lich, also known as Koschei the Undying. Powerful Fae Sorcerer, rumored to only have his body captured by Tuatha, his soul still runs free yet is bound to the dreams of Russia unable to leave. Ambrosine tossing the token into the water broke this fact.

Goblin

Thallain thug. Beheaded by Conrad. Looted by Ambrosine.