[Somewhere up there! A date! Maybe August 24 or something, so we're getting close!] [The gang is almost back to London, but they still have a few more nights and days on the road. They've holed up somewhere - cave? inn? wherever! - for the day. Some of them are off getting dinner. The rest of them are...in a confined space together. We'll see how that goes!] [Start!] New SHOES! Something pretty, without mud. I never, ever want to see mud again. Ever. Can we get horses? 06* Ysabeau again just addresses the cave. So has anyone here actually been to London? I know it won't be Paris, but it is still a city right? 06* Eliana is setting up in a corner of the cave, if "setting up" is equivalent to "spelling who knows what out in blood on the walls and floor". She doesn't stop in her chanting to respond to Ysabeau, but she *does* twitch a little. 06* Cosimo turns to look at Ysabeau. "we all came to Paris from London. so yes, we have been there" 06* Ysabeau is pacing the cave in excitement. Looking at her mud caked shoes. "So, maybe we can find some horses? Put walking aside?" 06* Moriel is sitting crosslegged in the middle of the cave, so as to be out of Eliana's way. So far he's been steadfastly ignoring everyone. He even has his eyes closed, and looks almost like he's meditating. He cracks an eye open with a mental sigh, however, when Ysabeau won't stop talking. "If you can afford to stable one, and find one willing to carry you." I am very skilled with horses. Just wait and see. 06* Moriel shrugs. "As you like then. Not all of the rest of us will be able to follow you, however." You don't like horses? OH, is there art? Like local artists? It has been too long since I've fallen in love with a work of art. No offense, Eliana. Your cave paintings are... nice. 06* Eliana very does not look up to set Ysabeau on fire. Instead, she makes a mental note to do it later, as she continues to murmur and make precise markings on the wall. the steeds you will find in London will qualify as horses, but only just. that is why i brought my own when i came there. Oooh, what is your steed like? 06* Ysabeau grins he is fast and loyal 06* Ysabeau her smile widens. "Fast and loyal is good." 06* Cosimo nods matter-of-factly, but says little else. Horses are such noble creatures. Beautiful, strong. Riding is SO much more elegant than walking. It will be very nice to be around... well, those who appreciate the art of riding. 06* Moriel 's mouth quirks. "Horses are not over-fond of me, since I died." it is easier to catch a fleeing man on a horse. it is a messy kill to run them down, but it is effective. Oh, yeah... well, that is a little out of my personal experience with horses. I never really left court often. Really, this is my first real experience... anywhere. Do all of you, just, wander about like this? Only when our prince sends us off. At least, I do not. 06* Cosimo sits down on a rock with his back against a rather shadowy cave wall. "it is not wandering if there is a purpose" 06* Moriel tilts his head towards Cosimo in a gesture somewhere between acknowledgement and agreement. Often, well, I suppose my purpose in court was to make others forget their purpose for a time. 06* Eliana says the last syllable and finishes her ritual. "Rolf wanders," she offers before licking the rest of the blood off her finger. a sword does not forget its purpose. neither do i. 06* Ysabeau tilts her head and addresses Eliana "do you always play with your food?" 06* Eliana removes her finger from her mouth and raises an eyebrow. "I have no idea what you're talking about." 06* Ysabeau points to the blood on the walls. 06* Moriel raises his eyebrows at Ysabeau. "She's making sure no sunlight gets in and kills us in our sleep." Oh, well then, thank you. 06* Cosimo turns to look at the walls, and then back to Ysabeau. "for the record, i believe that was her own" 01 It was. 06* Ysabeau wrinkles her nose at the suggestion. "I do not understand your ways." 01 It's thaumaturgy. I was doing what Moriel said. 06* Eliana heads over to her corner, settles down, and opens her bag. She pulls out the book that she's probably finished already. So, is anyone here from London originally? 06* Moriel shakes his head. He certainly doesn't sound like he's from London - his accent is Scottish. "Not I." 06* Eliana clucks her tongue. "No." 06* Ysabeau settles down near Eliana, maybe trying to be friendly to make up for her food comment. "So where were you born then?" 06* Eliana lets out a sigh through her nose, which is forced (as all sighs are). She fingers the page - her gloves are in her bag. "Milano." 06* Cosimo turns to look at Eliana and smiles. Oh, what was it like there? I, originally, grew up in a little village outside of Paris, but after everything I was pretty much whisked away to court and not allowed out much. 06* Eliana looks up to Ysabeau. "So you haven't traveled much?" she asks, still fingering the edge of her page. "Try to learn from the experience instead of whining about mud on your shoes." So did you start out by walking everywhere then? When you started traveling for the first time that is. 01 No. 01 But I did trade my horse two days out. Then don't be surprised by me. Still, we heard a bit of Cosimo's story, so how about you, Elaina? 06* Eliana rolls her eyes. "Fine. I'll play." Her voice has taken on an edge - well, more of one than usual - but she closes her book and places it on her lap, curling her fingers around the binding, and she gives Ysabeau her full attention. "What do you want to know?" 06* Ysabeau claps her hands and grins from ear to ear "How about where you first grew up. Did your father own his own land?" 01 Yes. So were you allowed... how do put this, as much education as you seem to have now? 01 If you mean did I know as much as I do now, that would be ridiculous. 06* Moriel hasn't moved from his crosslegged position in the middle of the floor, and he isn't looking at the others. He hasn't closed his eyes again, either, though. 06* Ysabeau glances at Moriel. "Is he okay?" 01 Well, he *is* dead. 06* Moriel 's mouth curls up at the corners at that, but he doesn't otherwise respond. 06* Cosimo turns to look at Moriel, and then turns back to Ysabeau. When he hears Eliana's reply, he cannot help but smile and chuckle softly to himself. 06* Ysabeau furrows her eyebrows, not sure how do socially handle her response. "I just me, what is he doing? Meditation?" 06* Eliana shrugs with one shoulder. "Probably. You could ask him tomorrow." If you remember, she doesn't add. 06* Ysabeau Looks around the room a bit, grasping for conversation points. Dismissing the obvious court gossip because they wouldn't care. 06* Eliana waits for a few minutes, then opens her book again and goes back to reading. So, Cosimo, can you talk about your trade? the one i have now, or the one i had before? The one you had before. if you like do you think you can accept the things i have to say? 06* Ysabeau is thoughtful for a moment. "If I think of it as your artform, yes." 06* Cosimo smiles. "indeed. if it is perfectly executed, it can be quite beautiful" Then I will try to see it through your eyes. few people would care to see the things i have seen We have hours and hours before sunset and I like the way you speak. It is, elegant. So I suppose I am asking for another story. 06* Ysabeau smiles winningly. 06* Cosimo leans back against the rock wall and crosses his arms. i am not a storyteller. the things i have done in this life and the one before are not something to brag about. A true storyteller does not realize they are an artist. It is not about bragging, it is about delivering the truth with the right words. what i do, i do because it is needed. because it is necessary. no more, no less 06* Ysabeau looks a little sly "Unlike, say, someone like myself?" your words, not mine Just because they were left unspoken doesn't mean they aren't yours. Do you really know what it is I do? no. but just as i have my place in this society, so too do you and every other person in this cave 06* Eliana glances up from her book to Cosimo, then goes back to reading, turning a page. but just because your role is more visible and mine tends to lurk in the shadows, we function as players... we bring some semblance of life to what is in essence, really dead 06* Moriel huffs a breath, very quietly. True, we all carry a weight. We all act out of some sense of duty. i gather that your role is one to provide comfort and give breath to those you interact with. is that a fair statement? That is an aspect. However, just as you are able to find a physical vulnerability in your subjects, I have the ability to find an emotional "weak spot". Massage loosens lips as well as muscles. No one is told more than the bedfellow. And I have been used to gather information before. so not only do you comfort and give life to others, but you ensure the society is stable and secure. in essence, you give life to it as well. Sometimes beautiful things are mistaken as safe. So you talk about doing what you had to when you had to. That is a concept I understand. 06* Cosimo leans forward, unfolding his arms. "i kill those who have already died. think on that a moment." what you work to build and nourish, i destroy and undo. much for the same reason You killed? Or were ordered to kill? Who gives the order, or bases the sentence, but the ear that hears the secrets. My words may have killed just as many. it does not matter who pronounces the sentence. that is not my concern. But you don't kill for fun. I'm just saying, much like blades, my work is double-sided and my tongue can be sharp. of that i do not doubt and you are correct, i do not kill for fun Then, maybe we collaborated without ever knowing. 06* Eliana looks up from her book, studying Cosimo. murderers kill for fun. or for love. or hate. or passion. You lack passion? no. i do not. but i do not kill passionately. Probably a mercy. So when do you have passion? when i do not have to kill. So this is you being passionate? 06* Eliana snorts. 06* Ysabeau looks a little disappointed no. this is me preparing for the inevitable job to kill at the end of our mission. there can be no passion in perfection 01 That's ridiculous. Oooh, there we must disagree because the very nature of the quest for perfection is passion. As maybe Eliana agrees? 06* Ysabeau HUGE cheesy grin at Eliana 06* Cosimo turns to look at Eliana, raising his eyebrows inquisitively. oh? 06* Cosimo 's head quickly spins to look directly in Ysabeau's eyes, the predatory gleam flashing bright. 06* Eliana is focused on Cosimo. "There is little *but* passion in perfection. It's an improbable accomplishment; achieving perfection requires far too much drive to not have passion behind it." there is always passion in the pursuit of perfection. but in the execution of perfection, there can be *NO* passion 01 Really. 01 Have you managed it? 06* Cosimo me turns back to Eliana. "you were saying?" 06* Ysabeau looks from Eliana to Cosimo all smiles, leans forward to catch every word. "Have you managed it?" 01 Obviously not. it would depend on who defines perfection No, it only depends on how YOU define it. 06* Cosimo smiles knowingly and leans back against the wall. "indeed. and in that regard, no." Your very nature seems to protest against your theory, since you are passionately seeking perfection. 06* Cosimo nods, still smiling. "quite" Though I must say, passion seems to brighten your eyes a little. 06* Cosimo chuckles softly to himself. so i have been told But you aren't living in this current moment. Not if your thoughts are already with the end of your mission. A shame. I wonder what our little verbal duel would have been like had you been more focused. 06* Ysabeau smiles, kind of cheeky, at him what do you know of my thoughts? 06* Cosimo grins Only what you have shared, though now my imagination is set loose to run wild. 06* Eliana goes back to reading. perhaps that is the best feint in a duel of words Maybe. I am still learning all your facets, sir. a precious few can claim to have even come close I may surprise you. This pool is deeper than she looks. 06* Ysabeau winks at Eliana. nothing surprises me 06* Eliana glances at Ysabeau and looks briefly puzzled, because what does that wink even mean. 06* Eliana shakes it off quickly, though, and comments, "Another ridiculous assertion." And back to the book. Man, when did she even end up on Ysabeau's side. Well now you are just enticing me to a challenge I can't refuse. i am not inciting the challenge, just saying that you were not the only one on the path Oh, but I can be if you want me to. that would be your call to make. i would be careful. she does not like company. Oh, my company is usually welcomed. 06* Cosimo raises his eyebrows, surrendering the point. "you have been warned" Yet boldly I proceed, story of my life. indeed. may the sun go out long before your paths cross I may win her over. I can be very persuasive. she can be very deadly I'm already dead, and I'm currently the property of a powerful ruler. 06* Cosimo chuckles again. "that matters not to her" 06* Ysabeau smiles, "Are you sure you aren't the one feeling a little jealous. Maybe I'll fancy her more, or her me?" would that she would leave me be, my life would be much easier for it 06* Ysabeau smiles sweetly "well I do love a challenge" i am learning this 06* Eliana speaks up: "I would not have thought you have a romantic interest, Cosimo." 06* Cosimo sighs and slowly turns his head towards Eliana. "is that because you think me incapable or simply because you find me to lack intelligence and my conversation is not interesting?" 06* Eliana raises an eyebrow. 01 No. It's because I thought your priorities were different. 01 Intelligence rarely has any bearing as to whether or not someone can find a romantic partner. Look at the majority of the population, both kindred and kine. 06* Cosimo nods. "most people find it easier to assume things about me than to take the time to find out the truth 06* Ysabeau her eyes are VERY wide as she looks for every little expression between the two. 06* Moriel actually turns his head to glance at the two of them. 01 For the most part, that's all one needs. You're an assassin, a vampire, and a noble. The majority of one's interaction with you is satisfied with base knowledge concerning one or a combination of those capacities. is it? 01 I would argue so. It's simple pattern recognition. Everyone sorts others into categories. You did, yourself, with your talk concerning place. Maybe all that talk is him showing simple one of many facets. It is easy to drop out of mind if someone believe you to be two dimensional. a fair assessment. though incorrect. So you believe yourself to be only two sided? i have listened, challenged and observed before i formulated my opinion 06* Cosimo turns to Ysabeau. "what? i'm sorry, i missed your comment" I was just saying that your talk of "place" was possibly you only showing one aspect of a more complicated personality. ah. i see. Much like a tree not only has leaves, but roots. 06* Eliana pinches the top of her nose. "Allow me to be more clear." 06* Cosimo turns back to Eliana. "i would surmise that simple pattern recognition is not your way" 01 I am not saying that Cosimo can be summed up by those three categories. Not only are there other categories to consider - male and Sicilian, for example - but it would be impossible to encompass the whole of a person with any number of patterns. And yet you spoke of assumption, defensively. 01 We all make assumptions, Ysabeau, it's how we *function*. 01 If you don't assume even a small amount, you cannot move through your evening. 06* Cosimo nods at Eliana's point about assumptions. Unless your entire goal is to make your guest banish assumptions with truth. with the parts of your life which seem to have more than passing associations, however, assumptions can be risky Agreed. 06* Eliana rolls her eyes. "Clearly. Back to your question." She looks at Cosimo. "Simple pattern recognition alone is not my way, but the patterns are there and it would be foolish to ignore them. I think that what's important is recognizing every pattern for what it is and trying to make sense out of all of it." 01 So, yes. I was surprised to hear that you have a romantic interest, and now I'll take that into account in the future. 06* Ysabeau rolls HER eyes this time. "That is maybe where you error. Individuals are hardly ever made up of sense." 06* Cosimo nods. "i am not sure interest is the best choice of words. you might consider that in the pattern as well" 06* Eliana raises an eyebrow. 01 Care to redefine, then? would it help you classify me better? 01 Of course. 06* Cosimo looks closely at Eliana and nods, briefly. He stops, thinking about what his next words will be for a moment, and then nods again, either in concession or decision to share more than he might have otherwise. "I loved her once. and perhaps still do, in a way." we grew up together 06* Eliana tilts her head. "What changed?" Her tone is purely curious. for a time, she was my everything... 06* Cosimo continues, ignoring the question. looking back with the sight of time, she was my weakness i could not see it and though we were promised, it was not meant to be. she was too ambitious and did not seem to share my devotion. when i finally awoke and realized that she had been playing me... and using me for her purposes, it made her angry. high clans are like that, though 06* Ysabeau frowns at that last comment 06* Eliana nods, as it's matter of fact from her perspective. she will return in time, i am certain. she will ask me to do something for her, and i will. and she will leave again. that is her way 01 Why, though, if you'd rather not be her pawn. are you asking that for your classification, or your own curiosity now? Can't it be for both? i guess it doesn't really matter. but simply put, if i could escape her, then i could finally achieve perfection The curiosity only helps with the classification. 06* Eliana shrugs with one shoulder. By severing all ties to your humanity? Is that perfection? it is not my ties to my humanity i wish to sever it is the ties to my weakness. she still holds influence 01 Reasonable. For you, maybe, but devotion to another... it can be beautiful in its way. when you meet her, you will understand... When? So we have future plans too then? 06* Ysabeau grins widely at Cosimo. but when you do, and by the heavens and the eternal sands, i hope for your sake, you do not... when you do, you have been warned. 06* Cosimo sits back, nodding slightly to himself I will remember. Have a little faith in my ability to perform the proper social dance steps. then i wish you luck. Hmm, does that mean I warrent concern? Maybe I'm growing on you a bit. 06* Eliana combs her fingers back through her hair and untangles some locks, thoughtfully. perhaps you are. 06* Cosimo nods again, thoughtfully. perhaps 01 [Mini End!]