2014-08-17 - Love and Patterns

Amy is in the Rose Salon, set up to paint. With as often as she is seated painting, it's a wonder she gets any exercise. She is a Mandrake though - and they are fanatics. Or something.

Krishna is dried, but her hair is bunched in ropes from the dried sea salt and there are blood stains on her nice clothes. Her excuse to the staff: "I was assisting Prince Gerard. It was...messy." She should have gone home to change first, but considering she didn't want to tell them she got Ylva killed and have to wait for her to resurrect, she's avoiding it. So off to the palace!

Krishna is let into the Rose Parlor after she is announced and grunts in greeting, "Just visiting is tedious...doesn't this drive you nuts?"

Amy is relaxed, her expression cool with concentration. As she sees who is announced, she smiles briefly. "Krishna, come on in. Can you sit long enough for me to paint you?" That asked, with a bit of amusement, Amy tilts her head. "I like to paint, actually. So, it doesn't drive me nuts at all. But if I had to sit and not paint, that might be a different story."

"Not sure I'm in a condition to be...painted," but Krishna moves over and finds a place to sit cross-legged on the floor rather than risk staining the furniture even if she is dry at this point. After all, she isn't cleaned up after the battle. "I wanted to ask you some things."

Amy is set up to paint, with her easel, and a bunch of other painting paraphernalia about. She is relaxed, looking picture perfect. She's got a couple blank trump cards already prepared, and she chuckles softly at the arriving Krishna's comment. "That's okay. I can draw with or without the additions. Your choice. And what happened to you?" Amy's eyes flare with Mandrake sight as she does check to make sure that Krishna is not injured.

Gerard arrives shortly after, looking fresh and newly showered. The broad man looks to have had a good day, a sense of jolly smugness underlining his expression. "Niece."

Amy glances up at the new arrival, a smile crossing her face. "Uncle Gerard," she greets, happy to see the man. "You look like you are having a good day."

Krishna looks about to speak, but at Gerard's arrival, what she was going to say is quickly altered. "I was...merely assisting Prince Gerard is all. All is well." Nothing further is mentioned of her questions.

"I am, thank ye." Gerard confirms of Amy's suggestion, smiling at Krishna. "Aye, she did. The salt is still young on her though." He steps forward, hooking hands behind his back. "Ye had something for me?"

Amy looks confused for a moment, and then her expression brightens. "Oh. Yes. I did. I do! Philosophos Nikandros asked me to give this to you. Though I am not sure if he still is of the same mind to help with things, here you go." She finds her own deck of cards, and pulls one out, passing it over to Gerard.

Krishna remains silent for now, letting the royalty speak to one another. She remains seated on the floor cross-legged, seemingly without a care.

Gerard approaches to take the card, "I did not know that I had come to the attention of the Philosphos, or that our interest share common territory. Did he mention what he was seeking to help with?"

Amy glances over at Krishna, arches a brow, and then she nods to Gerard. "He was looking to help out with shadow paths at the least. I also pointed him to Graham, but I think he was hoping to help with your efforts in Kitezh."

Krishna just openly ease-drops. Not knowing the current political relationship between the trio very well, she doesn't interject. Rather, she yawns and asks, "Got anything to drink here? Something strong?"

"I see." Gerard says, "I will try to get in touch with him over the coming days. Ye wish a private discourse between the two of you, yes? I can see myself out."

Amy looks at the bar, and signals that way. "Help yourself, Krishna, please do." To Gerard, she says, "Might I offer you a drink, Uncle? And I have been requested to draw Krishna's trump for Celeste, but - other than that, I've nothing private to discuss. At least not that I am aware of."

Krishna gets up to head to the bar, unfolding herself from her spot on the floor and actually having some grace about it. She mmms and says nothing. "Why don't you tell me how trumps are made Amy?" There is a safe topic, and one that will hopefully make Gerard less suspicious.

"Pour me a drink," Gerard requests as he takes a seat. The gifted card is slid inside the deck, and then tucked away in his coat pocket.

Amy gets to her feet with a great deal of grace, and she smiles at her uncle. "Certainly. Are you drinking rum? Or something else?" She looks over at Krishna, and she makes a bit of a face. "Don't start with the easy ones, do you?"

"If life was easy, everyone would love it," Krishna states. "Instead, they just fear the unknown so cling to what they know." She takes a drink of the own drink she poured for herself, not being girlish about it.

"Rum will be fine, thank ye." Gerard says, considering Krishna's philosophy as Amy provides the refreshments. "Oh, I do not know about that. What is wrong with living a structured life if it makes you happy? Hypothetical happiness is often pipe dreams!"

Amy pours a couple glasses of rum, not being shy about it, and brings one over to Gerard, keeping one for herself. "Cheers," she offers, as she returns to her seat, curling up in it. "I think that everyone has to make that choice for themselves, and probably it's different for everyone. As for the trump, the short answer is that trumps are made by painting them. But that is not exactly an informative answer. So to add to that, they are made through knowledge of the Pattern, artist's vision to see those being painted, and a little magic."

"So can only royalty paint them, or is it merely knowledge of the pattern?" Krishna takes another drink of her own rum, though her eyes flicker toward Gerard at the mention of 'structured life'.

"It is a gift of those who have walked the pattern, and sought the training behind the art. Not a gift for all, of course, for I myself have not a whit of talent for it." Gerard says, chuckling. "Some are more gifted with the brush, able to not only draw individuals bound to shadows but also places or things."

Amy nods to Gerard, and then her attention turns to Krishna. "The magic that I spoke of, Uncle Gerard explains it perfectly," Amy says. She drinks some of her rum, with a thirsty appetite. "And I can paint places, but I can't make them into trumps. I can however find them in Shadow, which is somewhat amusing, depending on the painting." She looks a bit regretful about not being able to make landscapes into trumps but lets it slide.

"Is it because you are not trained your own skill enough Amy, or because that is the extent of your limitations?" Krishna, blunt as she can be, but that is a-typical of her. She remains standing as she drinks the rum.

Gerard takes a large drink, not sipping because he has several glasses to get through thanks to Amy's wisdom. "Ah, I remember Celeste mentioning that in the past."

Amy chuckles and shrugs. "I'm not sure yet," she says honestly. "But I'll keep working at it. Sooner or later, I expect I'll figure it out. Or else one of my respected Elders will tell me to stop being an idiot." That with a nearly saucy look at Gerard.

A quiet hrm from Krishna, and she nods. "I see. Painting...paints I suppose are expensive and the like."

"Do not be an idiot, Amy, who could ever be angry against ye with that face." He pinches at her cheek for emphasis, laughing. "Expenses are probably not the matter that holds her back. It's... just a skill, one that takes much practice to actually perfect."

Amy grins impishly at Gerard's cheek pinching. "It is a skill, and it's more complex to - let me put it this way. In order to paint a trump of a person, I have to see something that is true to their core. And mostly, that is something that I can do. But to find something that is integral to a place is something more difficult. I am hoping that I can learn how to do so, given time and practice. And perhaps I will coax someone who already knows how to give me pointers." She drinks a bit more, and then she looks at her paint. "I think some of the paints are expensive, depending on which you are looking for. I have some I would never recommend for a beginner. Are you looking to learn to paint, Krishna?"

"I...don't know. I've drawn in dirt before or with coal on rock...once on paper in Micah's smith shop with coal. I can get my general idea across, but...I don't know." It seems to be an awkward conversation that for Krishna, someone that was to be a Knight to 'paint'. But she doesn't seem un-interested. "In either case, I'm broke. I'm going to already have to ask Celeste for money for clothes as these are ruined." She shrugs.

"I believe I could probably provide," Gerard notes as he finishes his first glass and reaches for the second. "Can send ye to my personal tailor if ye wish."

Amy glances at Gerard as he offers to help, beaming at the man. "Or I have a seamstress that Izett trained, working for me, if that suits you better," she says softly. She thinks that Gerard's tailor might suit Krishna better, but offers the alternative. "And I have extra painting things, I can certainly loan them to you for a while, which will give you a chance to see if you like it or not, Krishna."

"I...think I'll pass on your tailor, dresses are not my thing." But Krishna actually smiles slightly, "But I'd be honored if I could try the paints. I've never had hobbies or anything like that before, such a thing would have never been permitted. If I like it or not...I will like to experience trying something new." Whoa, gentle expression from Krishna?! That is a rare sight!

Though to Gerard, Krishna states, "If you are paying for him, I wouldn't complain!" A slight smirk on her lips.

"I will consider it payment for service rendered," Gerard says, smacking his lips softly after polishing off his second drink. "You may come recover Ylva on the dawn, Kitezh blood has its advantages sometimes."

Amy blinks, glances back at Krishna, and then to Gerard. "Oh dear that sounds like you had quite an adventure," she murmurs. "No healers required?" Krishna gets a flash of a smile, but Amy does not argue the point.

"I appreciate that Gerard, and will accept your offer. As for Ylva...I am lucky. I was planning to tell Celeste she had run away." Krishna shrugs at that. "I didn't want to get into trouble for getting her killed." Another pause, "Lucian needs one. The idiot soloed a pirate ship and got taken down, but luckily I rescued him."

Amy frowns a bit. "I see. That sounds quite troublesome. I'll keep an eye out for Lucian then. Amy settles in, fiddling with her paints for the moment. She beckons a passing servant over, murmuring softly to the fellow, who then nods and leaves. Amy starts to paint, seemingly idly.

"Here," Gerard says, noting an address upon a napkin and offering it to Krishna. "My tailor is located there, ask for whatever you would like. On my tab."

His three empty glasses are left for a servant to reclaim, "I should go."

Krishna refills her glass and then goes to join Amy, to watch her paint. She has NO idea how to paint, so watches how she picks up paint, uses the brush, and handles the colors. It all looks kind of like Greek to her right now...

Though soon enough, Krishna accepts Gerard's...napkin? "I'll aim not to abuse it Prince Gerard." Krishna kind of stares at the napkin in some shock. Her life doesn't get this good!

"You are very kind, Uncle Gerard," Amy says with a bow of her head. "Thank you. Take care." She glances as Krishna comes over to look over her shoulder, chuckling softly. "I can teach, if you want," she offers, after a moment or two.

Krishna nods, "I will listen then," for the offer to teach. It is like the girl has never seen this before! Though...it isn't as alien as she thought it would be.

Amy starts to talk about painting as she works, explaining why she is mixing the colours she's choosing, and indeed, the properties of the paint as compared to other paints. "I do suggest you start by just taking a brush and putting colour on canvas really. Explore that way rather than worry about how to make it perfect." All the while she works on the small picture on the card.

Krishna finds herself distracted with not only watching the painting itself in how it comes to life, but also watching Amy. Not that she touches the girl. She is still dirty and bloody from the sea battle, smelling of salt and blood even if she is dry. Her hair still clots together as it has a habit of doing when sea water dries in it. The wounds she hasn't bothered to tend much other than clean them up a bit, but they are almost fully healed anyway, from the cuts in her formerly nice clothing.

And that...is what Micah walks into...Krishna actually gazing at Amy as she works, not touching what she admires from afar.

Amy is concentrating on painting a trump - one of Krishna in fact. At the same time, she is giving instruction on how to paint, so she's a little bit busy, not really noting where Krishna's eyes are. The petite blonde has so far managed to not put any paint on her face, but it's occasionally a close call. She pauses to have a drink of rum, and offers a sort of wry, "Have I bored you away from ever trying painting yet?"

Micah has... not actually walked into anywhere yet. But he does, oh he does, after a few minutes. From the outer reaches of this solar accessed via the north wing. He pauses when he sees two familiar women, and then continues on in. "You look like you got into a cat fight, Krishna," he states as he moves closer to Amy. "Hey you. How's the painting?"

Krishna blinks at Amy's question, "Not at all Amy." Though at Micah's arrive, she turns to look. "Old man...got my sword yet, so I can stop borrowing one of Lucian's?" She smirks, "And not a cat fight, a fight with pirates, and I got to save the Dragon General. I'm quite proud of myself today, you should praise me," she says with smirking humor.

Amy reaches a hand out automatically to Micah as he nears, a warm smile crossing her face. "Micah. It's going well, actually. At least so far. How are you doing? There's rum. And whatever Krishna is drinking. And well, you know, the usual. Do help yourself. Her own rum glass by now is just about empty. "Did you now, Krishna? Well done. It's good to keep the Dragon General alive, you know. Or else you might be the next one with that target painted on your back."

The reached out hand is taken without thought or hesitation, and Micah steps closer yet to Amy. He turns to look at Krishna and raises a brow. "I might be older than you, but I'm not an old man." His hair shows no grey, his fair skin no wrinkles or blemishes of any kind, save for a smattering of freckles. "I am well enough, Amy, how are you?. And yes, Krishna, I have your sword." He pats the wrapped package he carries under one arm. He shifts it in his grasp and tosses it at Krishna. "Catch." He snickers. "Fight with pirates. Cat fight." He chuckles. "Either that, or she'd make you do it, Amy."

"What target? Becoming the Dragon General? I suspect I'll need to swear an oath first." A slight smirk, "Still safe for now, only a bodyguard for Celeste," is Krishna's response. She moves to catch the sword tossed at her with ease, and rips over the package like a little girl on Christmas morning, her breath held! Are her hands shaking slightly? All other conversation is forgotten for that moment...


 * Token Description


 * This longsword is three and a half feet in length, the blade is beautifully done, sharp and deadly. The hilt might just draw the eye, with its darkened silver with wires of gold spiraling up its length. Worked into the hilt is the body of a black dragon, twisting about the hilt along with the wires of gold, beneath them as though caged by the gold. The dragon is pointing down, with the tail wrapped around the thorny stem of a black rose, who's petals form the pommel cap, nestled between two sharply clawed hind feet. Each of the thorns seem to settle amongst the dragon's scales as though it was meant to be there, just so.


 * At the base of the hilt, a pair of wings spreads out to form the cross guards, the ribs nice and spiky, a claw upon the end of each, membranes clear as crystal spread between them. The dragon's shoulders are just below the cross guards, the forelegs clawed and supporting the blade on either edge. The dragon's neck and head extend several inches beyond and onto the blade itself, mouth agape and roaring its defiance to the world. The other side of the blade shows the bottom of the forelegs, precisely where they should be, were the dragon sitting upon the blade itself. In the same area as the head and neck on the other side, a single word defines the name of this blade. Defiance.


 * The scabbard is black as midnight, on either side a dragon etched out in gold and roaring defiance to the world, wings outspread behind it, ribs spiky, membranes clear as crystal and shimmering with silver at the edges. Its tail is wrapped about a rose etched out in silver that rises up behind the dragon, between the two wings. Beneath the dragon, and on both sides as well, the word 'Defiance' is etched in both silver and gold.

As Krishna unwraps it and soon pulls the sword out of the beautiful sheath, her breath is fully caught. She stares at it, wide-eyed. It takes a while before she breathes again, moving to slowly slip the sword back into the sheath.

Krishna then approaches Micah, and if the man isn't careful, he will end up with the front of his shirt grabbed and one hell of a kiss as a 'Thank You' for this very beautiful sword!

Amy flashes a grin at that. "Can't. Princess." That is easy enough, if you ask her. Though she squeezes Micah's hand gently, turning to watch Krishna unwrap her present. "Very nice, " she approves once she sees the sword. And as Krishna approaches Micah, Amy just watches, chuckling softly.

Micah says, "You, Dragon General, yes," says Micah to that initial question. He snickers. "It's Celeste. If there's a way to talk you into it, she'll figure that way out. The shield will be done later today or tomorrow." He watches her ripping open the package. The first thing revealed is /black/, with flashes of silver and gold and crystal. As observant as Micah is, he's certainly not going to miss the fact that Krishna is approaching himself with the intent to kiss. He certainly sees it coming, but he doesn't make any move to stop it. Nope, he tucks his free arm around Krishna and the kiss is returned in kind. Micah? Pass up an opportunity for a kiss? Surely you jest!"

When the kiss breaks, Krishna leans up against Micah and into his ear as she whispers something to him with a curve of her lips, before she moves to step back. Happiness mixed with dark sadistic pleasure reflect in Krishna's hazel eyes with green flecks in them. Let's just say, she's a very complicated girl.

Privately, to Micah, Krishna says, "Thank you, Father."

Amy does not seem to mind that kiss, if that means anything. She does watch curiously, eyes dancing with a bit of amusement, at least to start with. "And Celeste is good at talking people into things, but so long as Lucian has that job, I think the rest of us are safe." A pause, and then Amy says, "I think - it's always possible that he quits and goes off to Lyonesse or something." She sets her paintbrush down, so she can finish her rum, finally.

Micah nods to Amy. "Have to agree. So long as Lucian is alive and kicking.... Guess that just means the rest of us need to make sure he stays that way. And doesn't go off to become a count of Lyonesse." He snickers. He shakes his head at Krishna. "Interesting. Father, did you say? How's that?" He still looks amused, hazel eyes sparkling brightly.

Krishna seems as if she is going to reach up to touch Micah's cheek...but if the man isn't fast enough...she will end up punching him instead...a dirty trick!

Amy is watching, and her gaze narrows with Micah's words, even if she doesn't hear Krishna's. "Wait - father? Who - Micah is your father, Krishna?" she asks, adjusting relatively quickly to the new information. Though as Krishna reaches to touch Micah's cheek, Amy simply backs away to let the two sort out whatever new nuances are arising in their relationship. "Wow."

A dirty trick indeed, but Micah is not only observant, he's also dealt with Aio in the past. And sometimes, she likes to hit for no reason, dang it! Micah doesn't even think about it, his body responds and his hand slips from Amy's to bring up the sheathed blade of the sword he habitually wears at his side, even here, bringing it up and between himself and Krishna. Further than that, Micah does not move, waiting for Krishna to make the next move. "Apparently, Amy. She said 'thank you, Father'."

A grunt at impact as Krishna's knuckles bust open on that sheath, splattering blood, and she leaps back. She hasn't pulled her own blade yet, but with the way her hand shifts, it's tempting to her as blood drips down to the floor from her knuckles. "You wouldn't know. Mandrakes seem to like to really spread their seed wildly," her tone dry. Her expression is cold.

Amy considers the two, looking from one to the other. "Huh," she says, softly. She even goes back to painting, though she keeps watch on the two. "Easy there, Krishna. You are a Mandrake too, and let me tell you, there's more to it than what many immediately assume," she suggests. "Maybe you could fill us in on some of the details?" Peace keeper, Amy - good thing there's no such position within Mandrake.

If there were such a position within Mandrake, Amy would be filling it. Or perhaps Micah. Or maybe a little bit of both, though Amy is better suited to it than Micah is. He has a bit too much of a temper sometimes. "No. I don't know. To be quite honest, if your mother had wished me to know, whoever she was, she would have told me, so don't go blaming me for something that isn't my fault. I've never hidden my whereabouts from anybody, and quite frankly, I'm not that hard to find."

A snort at that, "Like I remember her. My earliest memory is being enslaved by Black Knights Micah. The fact I'm a Mandrake? It was unknown to me until I came down with that damn plague." Krishna tilts her chin upward. "I don't even know her name, so what meaning does she have to me now? And if you knew, would you have gone with her, would you have stayed with us? Protected us from the Black Knights?" She shakes her head, "I doubt it. The free spirited Micah, who likes to...have romantic interests in family. Not that I blame you, I do too," and Krishna grins a bit wickedly at that.

"And Amy...forget the peace keeping. I'm not going to kill him," Krishna states.

Amy just listens, learning more than she knew previously about Krishna. "I should hope not," she replies. "I'd take exception to that." Though other than that comment, Amy leaves it, letting Micah and Krishna start to sort that out. "There are rules though, fathers, uncles and brothers off limits," she murmurs, amusement dancing in her own eyes. "And those who are married already - for the most part." That said, she moves to get more rum, pouring a glass for Micah as well.

And Krishna, even though it might not be what Krishna was previously drinking.

Micah contemplates that. "Black Knights. That speaks of Lyonesse. I've spent a great deal of time in Lyonesse, you know. And no, I would not have stayed, probably, but I sure as hell would have brought the both of you with me. Probably back to my mother's place in the countryside here. Lyonesse hasn't ever exactly been... friendly. Or safe." He lifts a shoulder and studies Krishna, dropping the still sheathed, still attached to his belt, blade now, letting it swing back into its normal place. He snorts softly, eyes still sparkling, but it's a rare thing for them /not/ to sparkle. "Cousins are not precisely close in the bloodline trees," he comments. "But, like father like daughter, I guess." He glances to Amy and smiles, then back to Krishna. "This makes you off limits, Chickadee," he states, and winks. Not going to kill him? Bonus. And he's proven he'll defend himself now, so maybe that will give her more to think about, hm? "Married already, unless they're in a place that allows harems?" He winks at Amy. He nods his thanks for the glass of rum. "Thank you."

"Oh good," and Krishna tests a theory, "Grandfathers aren't on the list." She doesn't look like she believes Micah. But she isn't arguing about it. Where would that lead anyway? She finally rips her eyes away from Micah though to look at Amy briefly as she fills her nearby glass.

"Hah, no. Grandfathers should be off limits, like uncles," Amy says. Though her own grandfather? Perhaps more frightening than Krishna's. "Oh. Hey, do you know who your grandfather is then?" Seems a fair question, as Amy looks over at Micah speculatively. "And yes, that's right. Married folks are off limits unless they're allowed that extra marital thing. Not really harems though - I don't really want to belong to one of those." Pause. "Though I suppose I don't mind having one of my own."

It wouldn't lead them anywhere, because in the end, neither can really know what or how the other thinks. Micah chuckles to Amy and nods. "I know. You don't want to be /in/ one, you want to /have/ one. Don't you technically have one already?" He winks at her. "And yes, grandparents are also off limits. Siblings are off limits. Parents are off limits. Children are off limits. Clearly." Pause, beat. "Though the kiss was rather nice. Amy, you should try one. Krishna kisses quite nicely." Not a single bone of shame in Micah's body, nope.

"So...great-uncles aren't on then, and great-aunts." Krishna then raises an eyebrow at Amy, "Don't you know? Apparently I've been informed not only is she straight, but she is marrying an ally of the Mandrake House, and Celeste has advised she is off-bounds. You should be careful Micah."

Amy blinks, and then she laughs, a musical jolly sound of sheer amusement. "Is Celeste looking out for me again? That is so sweet. I am straight, admittedly - I do like men." That with a hint of heat to it, and a glance over at Micah. "But - no worries. I'm not yet married. And I am big enough to decide who stays in my bed, without Celeste's help." Amy takes a moment, considering, as she sips her rum. "I am sure you kiss really well, Krishna, but you are totally not my type. And yes, I've tried."

Micah chuckles. "I would say great uncles and great aunts are very much on," says Micah. "They're as far out as cousins, technically speaking." He shrugs about Celeste. "Celeste can say what she wants. Amy's my friend, too, and that's never going away." He chuckles at that last. Yes, tried? Nothing wrong with that.

"Pity, maybe it just wasn't with the right woman Amy." Though more seriously, "Well...that require me to know who dear old grandpa is to make sure I don't make any bloopers lke today." A wicked little smirk from Krishna. Does she really know who it is or only suspect, or...what is her angle?

Amy chuckles, amused at Krishna indeed. "Maybe," she concedes, though she doesn't sound like she believes it. "Probably depends on the greats - some of mine you might want to avoid out of sheer self preservation." She returns to painting, keeping watch on Krishna, but more now so that she can work on that trump.

Micah snorts softly. "That wasn't a blooper and you know it," he says. "You did that entirely on purpose. Probably hoping to squick me out." Unfortunately for that, Micah has no shame at all. None. As to who his father is... To that, he shrugs. "I don't know who my father is, so sorry. Can't help you there." He nods to Amy. "Likewise. Some of them are downright scary. And unless you want to wind up stuck clean through, I'd suggest you avoid Aio entirely."

"I'm still not sure which one that is. But no, the one I spend the most time with is Corwin," Krishna states. "Though I'm sure he will stuck clean through me when he figures out I'm not only staying at Mandrake Manor, but I /am/ Mandrake. Or maybe he won't, I suppose it depends on his mood when he finds out."

"Uncle Corwin? Well - he hasn't stuck me clean through and he knows I'm Mandrake." And Random's no less, but that's another story. She grins at Micah, already well aware he's shameless. "Krishna, do sit down so I can paint without craning my neck? And Micah, what are your plans for the evening?"

"Met Corwin once. No. Twice. Friendly enough fellow. Aio's one of the cousins. I watched her defeat him once, in battle with blades. And she's highly antisocial and quite prickly. Loves her coffee, though. Don't ever offer her tea, if you meet her." He shakes his head to Amy's question. "Just finishing up Krishna's shield, but I want to let it sit and harden overnight, so nothing, really. Did you have something in mind?"

"I'll get your furniture dirty," Krishna warns, but if Amy still wants her to sit someplace to be more even for her, she will with a brief glance of annoyance. She sprawls across the couch like a man and not a lady.

Amy makes a face, but she does move to find a towel, for Krishna, before settling back to painting. "Just finishing this painting," she says, with a smile to Micah. "And then maybe going out to play." A glance over at Krishna, and Amy says, "Could use some company for that, if you are interested?"

Micah grins. "That's what towels are for." Spoken even as Amy is getting one. He glances to Amy and nods. "I'm always interested in spending time with you, Amy. Playing sounds fun, though."

Krishna settles on the towel as Amy paints her, though she finally says, "I want to walk the pattern," her expression serious. "And I don't want anyone else to know outside of this room till I am ready." Her eyes then look to Micah, "Surely I can request that much from my...Sire." Then she looks from Amy, "And my...friend." Friend, a word that sounds alien on her lips as if she hasn't ever used it before. Krishna isn't here for 'fun'...apparently this has been her agenda the entire time.

Amy pauses to stare at Krishna at her words. "Why?" is the first question that she asks. Quite seriously. "And why need it be secret?"

"No reason for it to be secret, really. There's a lot of us who've walked it." Micah shrugs a bit. Mind, he didn't say he wouldn't keep the secret. Of course, he didn't say he /would/ keep it, either.

"I have my personal reasons. May I trust the two of you or not? It's a simple yes or no. Will you assist me and keep my secret till I am ready to reveal it?" Krishna is serious about this, and looks between the two of you.

"You are asking us to risk your life," Amy says, equally plainly and seriously. "While many of us have walked the pattern successfully, it is something that can kill. What do you know about it? This is not just being asked for my own personal curiosity, Krishna." She pauses, glances over at Micah and then back to Krishna. "I won't tell anyone, but I'm not so sure I will help you yet. I would like more information please."

"Kill hell. When one fails, you're unmade in the most excruciatingly painful way that you can imagine," says Micah. Yes, he's done a little research into it. Before, and after, his own walking of it. He nods to what Amy's said at the end, there. "I won't tell anybody either. Honestly, Amy would be a better mentor than I, she knows far more about it than I do."

"I've been enslaved, raped, beaten, tortured, and humiliated since I was eight years old until I awoke in the Mandrake Hospital. If you think death in a painful way frightens me...no...life is far more scarier," Krishna says seriously and coolly. "I am doing it for several reasons. I want to know more about the shadows, I want my birthright, and of course, I want power. I'm not like Corwin, I'm not going to seek power merely for the sake of power or to rule over others, but I do want power. I know the Pattern can kill me if I fail, I know if I succeed it will change me. Do I know enough? I doubt I will ever know enough now that the thirst for knowledge has been awakened inside me and I have found out I am more than trash that the Black Knights spared to spill their seed in."

Krishna then shrugs afterwards, "Was that melodramatic enough? I thought it had a nice ring to it," and she smirks slightly. "Come now. I am showing you two trust, something I would have never done prior to bonding with Celeste. I am not a danger to House Mandrake or the Royal Family, and if I prove a danger to myself, I will not drag anyone down with me. I would not betray Celeste like that, for she holds my heart, or rather what is left of it."

Amy might be petite, but she gets to her feet, all five foot nothing, and she pads over to stand in front of Krishna. There is no fear in the smaller woman as she stands there, listening to Krishna. "You could in the matter of moments relive every hurtful, painful, torturous moment of your life," she says, determination quite clear in her posture, voice and words. "But if you are of the line of Oberon, then there is strength enough in you to succeed. But you should get the learning, the information that we were - most of us - given. Pick one of the elders - My Dad, if you like, and let them walk you through it. They - Micah said I know more than he does, and that might be true, but I do not wish to lead you astray. Let us get someone truly experienced to aid us."

Micah listens quietly, the sparkle mostly gone from his eyes now for the seriousness of the situation. He hadn't yet sat down, so he's still on his feet when Amy moves to Krishna. "I don't know about Amy, but I did relive every hurtful or painful moment of my life. It wasn't easy. The Pattern tries to stop you, tries to prevent one from going on. But you have to keep going, or it will strip you to the bone, mentally as well as physically. Amy is right. You should learn from one of the elders. Or one of the older pattern walkers. Corwin might be good for it, too, since you already know him."

"Oh yes, I'm sure the wonderful King of Amber has all the time to tutor me. You learn not only by listening, but by doing Amy. I am a woman of action, and it has not betrayed me thus far. There is a reason I went to slave to squire, and was to become a Black Knight till my own mentor betrayed me. It is because I am a survivalist and I act when I must. I have thought on this deeply. Can I fully expression myself? No. But I believe I am doing the right thing for me," Krishna states. "I have decided to trust you two, my trust is not easily given."

"Anyway, I want to face my past. I can't remember my mother Micah...the nightmares wake up at night in a cold sweat. I'm tired of it. I'm ready to move forward, and if that means I need to unlock everything about my past, to relive it all, to prove that no matter what, I /will/ survive, I will do it in a heartbeat. I /will/ control my own life, my own /destiny/ now. Will you help me obtain the power to move on?"

Amy gives Krishna a scowl, a warning flash on her face. That is her father that Krishna is dissing, and Amy very much cares for and trusts her father. She takes a deep breath, and lets that slide, moving to the current topic, as it is more important. "Yes, don't misunderstand. I don't think either Micah or I are talking about any huge delay. Just a short time so that we can make sure you have the information. It's not like years of training - it's like a 10 minute conversation. Does that even make sense?"

Micah is quiet as Krishna speaks. He doesn't interrupt, but he doesn't add, either. "At least talk to Corwin first, see if he can give you any tips. Or if he's willing to give you any tips. After, whether he says yes or no, I'll help you with what I know." as little as it is.

"And there is a reason you cannot give me this 10 minute conversation?" Krishna again purposely does not mention Corwin. Considering one of the reasons she wants to keep her heritage secret is so he doesn't find out.

Amy thinks about that, and she says, "Well, I can try. But what if I miss the one fact which makes the difference for you?" She takes a breath and then she says, "If you are willing to take that risk, then I probably can do my best." She looks over at Micah briefly, though there is a thoughtful look on her face. "And I still think there is perhaps more than you are telling us."

"Because we don't have the experience to give that ten minute conversation. I myself have only walked it the once, and it's not an experience I care to repeat." Micah nods his agreement with Amy, about there being more to this than Krishna is saying.

"Some of it, I don't understand myself Amy. I never had much emotions before. Why bother with them when you helped slaughter defenseless women and children? This is...new to me. Still, I am not ashamed of my past, I did what I had to, to survive though I now wish it could have been different." No guilt? Really? The Pattern will likely make her face the truth of that.

But she then moves to stand, reaching out to actually touch Amy's shoulders, careful not to get blood on them. "Please. Believe in my strength and determination." She then smiles slightly, "You do realize you are actually my first crush, right? Even if you slapped turned me down. I won't betray these new experiences you all have given me."

Wait, what?! Amy's eyes widen, her breath sighing out. Micah likely recognizes that resigned look on her face. "Are you sure you know what you are possibly giving up?" she asks. Then it might be Krishna's turn to move fast or find herself kissed. Rather the same way that Krishna kissed Micah in fact.

"Saw that coming," murmurs Micah, about crushes. He simply nods about the sincerity and doesn't add further. He does grin as Amy goes to apparently do the kissing. He doesn't interrupt.

Oh..hell ya! And boy does Krishna return that kiss, whole-heartedly in fact! And boy will one arm lower to wrap about Amy's waist and pull the short, crazy, purple Dragon shape-shifter girl up against her. Though she is nice enough not to grab Amy's ass again.

Amy doesn't exactly let the kiss go on forever, pulling back after a few moments. Still not really into girls, alas, but - Amy would do a lot for friends. "Are you sure, Krishna? Really truly sure you want to risk losing all you've just found?" She looks over at Micah briefly, but only that, as her attention is currently on Krishna.

Micah meets Amy's gaze after the kiss, and inclines his head once to her, the sparkle of amusement returning. He's a guy. What straight, or at least bi, male isn't turned on by two women kissing? Ahem.

"Yes," Krishna says firmly, but quietly. "I need to stop holding myself back, to feel...I don't know. It's all mixed up, but it feels right. I believe I will survive, because any other result is unacceptable." She reluctantly lets Amy go and steps back as well. She totally ignores the fact her heart is thudding in her chest!

Amy sighs, one hand reaching to her hair, rubbing at the back of her neck for a moment. "Alright, there are 2 key things to remember," she says seriously. "Whatever happens do not stop and do not step off the pattern. Those are absolutely critical, yes?" She pauses, watching Krishna's face.

"Do not stop, do not step off the pattern. I am assuming that equals horrible and terrible and extreme death." Krishna glances over to Micah before looking back to Amy. It is confirmed...she is of royal blood. Her stomach clenches.

"The pattern will fight you, it will get heavy and hard to move, and you will relive your life, in horrifying detail," Amy continues, stretching her mind for what all she was told the first time she got to walk the pattern. "There are - Krishna - honest now, have you ended up Chaos touched? I don't know all the details, but I do know that the pattern and chaos don't seem to get along so well."

"No. Corwin has shown me many things, but I am not Chaos Tainted. I am not particularly tempted by that power. I could see its usefulness, but its destructiveness that I have seen of Mordred's forces are too great. You cannot truly master Chaos, and I am no fool. I...like Corwin, but I worry he will be destroyed by it and his lust to reclaim what once was," Krishna's tone almost sounding...concerned.

Amy nods her head. "Alright. Come with me then." She frowns, and then she says, "Though you know, this isn't going to stay secret, right? There are guards - there will be rumours." She looks at Micah. "You coming with us?"

Micah nods. "Of course I am," he says. He drinks the last of what he'd been drinking, and steps closer to the two women.

"Hopefully ones that could potentially be...squashed? After all, I could just be getting 'shown' the Pattern? Well, I assume the guards aren't in the Pattern room itself." Krishna undoes the belt she had on for the fight at sea, and straps her newly made sword sheath upon it.

Amy frowns, and says, "I don't know about that, but certainly, we can try." She sighs a bit, and then says, "As you walk the pattern, there are veils, each harder than the last, and once through each veil it is a bit easier. You may see sparks - don't be distracted by them. You need to keep your feet on the pattern and keep moving." Yes, she repeated that last bit. "And when you get to the center, you can have the pattern take you anywhere, but be aware - you will be exhausted and the best place to have it take you is right where we are. We can bring you back to my studio and you can sleep there."

"Yes, the last part is important. If I enter and don't come back out, it be pretty...obvious anyway." Krishna moves a hand to caress the hilt of her newly made sword, hiding her nervousness. She then looks over to Micah, not sure how to feel about this all.

Trying to hide the nervousness, but Micah can see it in the hand caressing the hilt. He's quiet as he moves with them.

Amy nods her head, reaching for Micah's hand with one of hers, and for Krishna's with the other. "Come on then, let's go for a walk." That said, she leads the way out and starts roaming the palace, not quite randomly.

Hand...holding, is strange. And just maybe Krishna actually blushes a bit! But she follows.

Pattern Chamber - Royal Palace

Amy walks hand in hand with Micah and Krishna, which gets some smirks, but when a Royal Princess decides to bring her playmates for a walk, most folks don't really much care. Not even the guards. Though it is noted when they go to the pattern room and Amy is sure that her Dad and Gino will get notified. And there's no missing who Amy is, really. She's just not that good at disguise. Still, inside the pattern room, the guards left out, and Amy takes a breath. "here it is," she says softly.

"It is....beautiful." A word that Krishna does not really use often. She can /feel/ the thum of it, and her breath feels short just being near it! Pity she isn't a touchy-feely sort, but she does at least squeeze Amy's hand gently.

Micah is completely immune to smirks and odd looks and he ignores them utterly.

Amy squeezes Krishna's hand and then she says, "Alright, pop quiz time. What do you need to remember?" She turns to face Krishna, the seriousness showing on her face.

"Don't stop moving, don't let myself get distracted, and request to be brought back to your side when I reach the center," Krishna states. "The further in it goes, the easier it is to move, but I will be exhausted and need to sleep, both mentally and physically." She then looks over to her co-conspirators and...realizes she is really happy it is Amy here with her. Sorry Micah!

Micah listens quietly, and then contemplates Krishna. "Say, before you go, if you don't remember your mother, how did you know I'm your father?"

Amy listens, frowns slightly. "Not quite - I must have got that wrong. There are three veils, each more difficult than the last, but between them there are slightly easier bits. Does that make sense?" And then she goes quiet as Micah asks his question.

That is when Krishna grins wickedly, "That's a secret," and she winks at Micah. Hahahahaha! She took pleasure in saying that. But she then leans in to just kiss Amy's cheek if she permits it, "For luck," giving her hand one last squeeze before releasing it. "Basically, don't let the easy bits fool me, cause it's a bitch all the way through."

Micah chuckles at that. "Secrets are overrated," he states, but leaves it at that. "Good luck. Don't die, because I want to know later."

Amy lets go of Krishna's hand as Krishna backs off, letting the other woman kiss her cheek. Amy smiles. "For luck," she agrees. "And yes, that about sums it up. Don't die, good luck, and we'll be here to at least watch." Cause there's no such thing as a rescue.

Krishna walks to the pattern of the pattern to the seeming start point. This feels...right. She takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out, before she places a hand upon her new sword hilt. A sword...makes her feel 'whole'.

She she takes that first step, she almost stops when she feels the sheer FORCE of the Pattern. But she then forces herself to breathe and push on through. As she begins to walk, she feels her body a slight mental tug for the direction she needs to go. She starts to /push/ through, sweat beading on her forehead. The exhaustion of the physical battle earlier today start to assault her muscles, but she ignores them. She has a goal in mind, she cannot lose sight of!

She is making it through the first viel, surviving, proving she is of royal blood. Her mind is spinning, the lights blinding, and her eyes are unfocused as her breathing begins to already labor.

Amy reaches again for Micah's hand, though her gaze doesn't leave Krishna, watching as the other woman starts walking along the path. "I hate feeling helpless," she murmurs.

"To watch and toss advice at you. Mostly to watch." Micah smiles at Krishna. He squeezes Amy's hand and watches. "Me too," he says to her.

There is a stumble and a gag from Krishna, but she doesn't fall. She keeps on moving, achingly slowly once more as she approaches the second veil. Her once dried close are wet with sweat now, and she is gasping for breath. No power is without cost, what are you willing to risk and sacrifice for it?

Amy's breath catches as Krishna stumbles and gags, her hand tightening slightly on Micah's, even if her eyes never leave Krishna. "Come on, you can do it." She does after a moment note - "She passed the first veil. That's a good sign."

Micah is utterly silent, though Amy would be able to feel the tension running through him. He nods to her, about passing the first veil.

As Krishna works her way past the second, she doesn't spot. Each step is with the sheer determination of a trained Knight, or more like a survivor. One more step could mean her salvation, so she will never stop! She waves a hand as if to dismiss something bothering her, though none could see the interference she suffers as she begins to approach the third and final veil, soon pushing herself through it with a gasp for air.

Amy watches, totally engrossed, cheering on Krishna as if will help. She remembers her own first Walk, and her body reflects the tension she is also feeling.

Micah watches, also engrossed. Tension fills him as he watches. His daughter. Apparently. Supposedly. He's not entirely sure he believes it. It's probably one of Krishna's pranks. She's fond of them!

She needs to work on more elaborate ones! But pranks are not what Krishna is thinking of right now as she finishes through the third and final veil and works her way to the center. Her body moves by her inner will alone, her body exhausted, and as she reaches those last final three steps...

Tears start to flow down the young woman's cheeks, and Krishna does not appear to be breathing. Her body lurches as she works through those final three steps and enters the very center...

Amy watches, holding her breath at the last, only to expel it as Krishna is suddenly at the center. "Krishna, you need to come back to us," she calls out, pitching her voice to carry.

Micah waits with baited breath.

You begin to walk the Pattern. When you set your foot upon it, it's outlined by blue-white sparks, and you feel as if a current is passing through your body. With the next step, there is a crackle, and you feel your hair begin to rise.

After some dozen paces, you feel something akin to a black barrier before you. It is the First Veil, and to get past it requires strenuous effort and concentration. Then, the pressure eases.


 * ACTION MESSAGE:


 * You are now well into the Pattern, and you continue to traverse the lines of fire until you feel another barrier begin to rise. It is the Second Veil. You try to overcome the resistance. It is like walking through glue. Your head throbs and your heart hammers with the effort. Then, suddenly, the going is easy again.


 * In ten paces more, a swirling filigree of fire confronts you. It becomes devilishly tricky to stay on the Pattern. You do not dare to raise your eyes from the line before you. You are relieved when you emerge and march along the Grand Curve.


 * You are dizzy by the time you pass the arcs that lead to the Final Veil. It becomes agony to move. Your vision dims. You can barely see the Pattern itself. And to take the last step is like trying to push a concrete wall.


 * But you've done it. You have successfully negotiated the Pattern.

Center of the Pattern - The Pattern


 * You focus...and teleport back to the Pattern Room.

Amy's Suite - Royal Palace

Krishna does make it to that center, and soon teleports to Amy's side. She is exhausted, burnt out, and needs help to get herself together and walk out in a mostly straight line after they leave. In Amy's room, she passes out, just with the softly spoke words, "I...remember her." Her past, opened.