"We all do, Jovian, we all do.  Have you met my wife, Queen Vialle?"
            Random is standing in a doorway and the soon-to-be-crowned Queen is beside him.

Vere nods his head towards the doorway, murmurs "Majesties" in a low voice, and fades back into quiet stillness.

Robin's heart gives one hard thud before she gets it under control and smiles pleasantly to the King and Queen.

For an instant, Folly seems to be filing something away for future reference. Then she, too, smiles at the newcomers.

Brennan has been uncharacteristically silent during the ride in, pre-occupied with the various notions of the events in Arden, the project Ossian has proposed and a few other things.  He's also been taking the chance to observe everyone else, especially Robin's body language, through this.
            When Random and Vialle come in, he was still standing, so he doesn't
have to rise.  Ordinarily, he'd just nod, but he says, "Majesties," for Vialle's benefit.  Like Lilly, he's also armed (his default condition) and is curious to see just what the etiquette on that is. He's completely un-selfconscious about the sword at his belt, and it doesn't look like the idea of removing it even crosses his mind.

Random either doesn't notice or doesn't care, because he doesn't say anything.

Aisling rises, its eyes a little higher than Random's until it steps a bit to the side and down.

Ossian will stay quiet.

As usual the King's demeanor amused Lilly. Amused in a good way, but still amused. Vialle might never get the exact husband she wanted. That was fine with Lilly though so long as Amber got the exact King they needed. Rather than interrupt with undue niceties Lilly simply bowed her head slightly in Random and Vialle's direction.

"I haven't had the pleasure," Jovian admits, approaching and starting to extend a hand, then remembering the disability Julian mentioned, his hand pauses halfway until she offers hers. "I'm honored, my Lady."

Vialle inclines her head in the direction of Jovian's voice and does, indeed, extend her hand to Jovian.

He takes it in one hand, covers it with the other and bows low over it, almost but not quite touching with his forehead.

"Welcome to the big rockpile.  Robin, welcome back.  Kourin, isn't it?"

The Ranger's blonde head bobs once to Random in response.

"Yes, it is. King Random, Queen Vialle, Kourin, gold Hoshith's rider."
            "The Lord and Lady Holder of Amber," he adds, should Kourin look faintly puzzled by the titles.

Kourin bows to the royal couple. "My Lord, My Lady," she says.

"So, I heard my brother was with you."

Jovian nods. "Dad arrived with us, and went off straightaway. To either you or Gerard, I presumed."

That answers that questions, Lilly thought to herself. It was interesting to note the behaviors of her aunts and uncles as she was still feeling out alliances and such.
            Lilly has been armed throughout the entire time. Her sword is at her left hip.

Vialle says, "We'll look for him there, then. I've had Steward Vent set aside a room for you, Jovian, and I've had to move your things, Robin. I hope that's all right; with all the new arrivals we've had to shift people about. Kourin, I've already asked Steward Vent to prepare a room in the guest wing for you. A page will be here later to show you there. Don't hesitate to let them know of anything you may require."

Folly shoots a discreet "been there, done that, got the cat pee stories to prove it" look in Robin's direction.

Before Robin can quite figure out how to answer the blind lady without interrupting her, the Queen has moved on.  So the Ranger supplements her nod with a quiet 'Okay.'

She adds, "Folly, I would appreciate it if you advised the newcomers on the schedule for the next few days. Steward Vent is already aware that Julian's children and their guest will need some tailoring in the next day or so and has arranged to have someone at their disposal."

"I'm on it," Folly replies pleasantly.  Asking her to take care of newcomers is like offering a stray kitten to a confirmed Cat Lady.

"Thank you, my Lady. I'm sure everything will be fine. I've heard the Coronation ball is to be a masque. I'll have to brainstorm a bit," he considers with a wily little half-grin.

Folly looks Jovian and Kourin up and down in appraisal -- dressing them with her eyes, as it were.  "Well, if it's creativity you're after, I'm told I'm full of it," she offers with a wry twist of her mouth and a merry twinkle in her eye.  "We'll get you hooked up."

"That's not what I'm usually told I'm full of," Jovian responds with a look to Kourin that really ought to be accompanied by a stuck-out tongue. "We'll come up with something, I'm sure."

Aisling catches Folly's eye and waggles one hand.  It mentioned something about Knightly preparations for this in the courtyard; it's pointing out it might should be included in this bit, at least.

Folly smiles at Aisling and inclines her head slightly in understanding.

"If you have any difficulties, let me know and I will do what I can to smooth them," Vialle says.

Random touches Vialle's shoulder and some marital communication, obscure and incomprehensible to outsiders, passes between them. Vialle smiles at Random, and he returns it as an insouciant grin.

"I have a brother to find. Ladies, gentlemen," Random says.

"Good afternoon," Vialle adds by way of farewell, and Random takes her arm.  Then they are gone in a direction that those familiar with the castle know will take them towards Gerard's office.

Once they have departed, Folly says, "Right.  Schedule.  Today is... what... Tirsday?  That means tomorrow's big event is the afternoon memorial service for Oberon and Deirdre and those lost in the war.

"Day after tomorrow is the big party:  The Coronation part, with all the oath-swearing and honors and sh-- ...stuff, is in the morning -- *not* my idea, for what it's worth; I don't do mornings if I can help it -- followed by a big family procession down to the harbor in the afternoon for the annual Blessing of the Fleet.  We don't have to do much for that except stand around looking pretty.  The Masquerade, which has a small chance of involving *actual fun*, is in the evening.

"The day after that is Freeday, which one hopes will live up to its name." Folly grins and looks from Jovian to Kourin to Robin and back again. "Any questions?"

The Ranger purses her lips as her thoughts swirl.  But she looks back to Folly and shakes her head with a quiet smile.  Nope, she's got it.

"I suppose the oaths, honors and shtuff includes investiture of the new Order?" Jovian says, directing it as much to Aisling as Folly.

Aisling nods.

"We can fill you in on those details later if you wish Jovian." Lilly says from her corner of the room. Feeling she has sufficiently garnered the attention of those gathered, she continues on. "Perhaps we should also fill you in on the prophecies and such? Unless of course Robin has all ready done so?" After all if the end of the world truly was coming, they should perhaps be informed.

Jovian groans, rolling his eyes ceilingward. "You think we should get out of the rain?" he asks, consciously quoting his missing brother.  "Who's saying the world ended five minutes ago *this* week?"

The flat line of a repressed ironic smile dances across Robin's lips, and she shrugs one shoulder off-handedly.  It didn't seem like a priority, so she didn't mention it earlier.

"I think that one's yours, Vere," Folly says, meeting his eyes and smiling slightly as she addresses him.  He can probably tell, even if the others cannot, that she's concerned for him after hearing the news of his homeland.

Vere nods and holds Folly's eyes for a few seconds before turning to the newcomers.  "There has been some debate about how seriously to take this," he says, "With the majority opinion being that it is not a matter of importance."  His voice gives no clue as to whether he holds with the majority or not.
            "Early in the Regency we became aware of a religious group that was planning to leave the city.  When questioned, they revealed that their leader has received a vision that the world had been destroyed, and that Amber was lingering and would shortly follow.  By shortly he meant a period of some years, in which they wished to remove themselves from the distractions of the city to a place where they could meditate and prepare themselves for the end.
            "Certain incidents indicated that their leader might indeed have some ability to perceive spirits and/or receive visions, although the question of how accurate his assessment of these visions might be is clearly a matter of conjecture. 
            "An interesting fact was the specificity of the date of the destruction of the world."  A small, tight smile crosses Vere's face as he pauses, then concludes, "That date, told to me 721 days ago, is for the day after tomorrow.  Random's coronation."

"It could be a coincidence. But it certainly will not hurt to keep it in mind. If one stops to consider all of the negative things that have occurred as of late including but not limited to the incident with Daeon which forced the retreat from Heather Vale, Bleys and Brennan's meeting with the moonriders on their return trip, and of course the lack of pattern the idea that Amber may be in danger can not simply be written off.
            "However, I do realize that I could be overreacting due to my lack of experience here in the city. Still it never hurts to be prepared." There is little emotion in Lilly's voice as she speaks. There was no point in wasting that much effort just yet.

"How is the end reputed to come, when it does?" Jovian arches a Julianic brow at Vere. "Disintegrative collapse into the void? Floods, hails of fire? Giant carpenter ants eating it all away to nothing?"

"They were annoyingly vague," Vere replies.  "They maintained that the universe had already ended, and that Amber was merely somewhat tardy in following it."  His eyes grow distant, and when he speaks again it is clear that he is quoting.
            "The signs are clear, for those with eyes to see. I have seen bodies raining into the sea, the great castle lying in a heap and the mountain peak above it shaved away. The messengers speak constantly of it. We of the Paresh are sensitive to such things, which is why I was granted such visions.
            "Our founder came to me, in a dream, and made me promise to lead the people to safety. We cannot save ourselves, but we can save our souls. The doom of Amber is absolute and the sealing of it happens in less than three years. We are not some doomsaying cult--look at our history. But in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are called for."
            Vere's gaze comes back into focus and locks on Jovian.  "So spake Elder  Germaine," he says.

Brennan, who had been fairly quiet until now, asks, "Messengers?"

"Elder Germaine saw spirits," Vere states.  "They told him things, and gave him  visions."  He allows a very small smile to appear on his lips, "The exact nature of these spirits would be an interesting thing to know.  Enemy action is certainly one possibility.
            "However, I did observe what appeared to be a temporal rift of some kind in their building once the Paresh had left Amber and Prince Jerod and I were investigating it.  Elder Germaine, as a child, was clearly able to perceive me, as was his mentor.  I infer from this that the Paresh prophets' ability to see spirits was more than mere superstition, and they might well have had some form of precognitive power."

"Hmph," he snorts.  "I would be positively fascinated to see this building.  Is it supposed to be a temple of some sort?"

All trace of emotion vanishes from Vere's face.  "That might be possible after the Coronation," he says without inflection.

Lilly looks at Brennan. "Provided of course we are still alive." There is little emotion in Lilly's voice. More then Vere's perhaps but certainly much less then the average mortal. However there is a glimmer in her eye as she looks at her friend that suggest she sees a certain absurdity in all of this. And for the first time in her life, Lilly is considering doing something rather rash. Whatever that may be though remains unvoiced. For now anyway.

Brennan shoots an amused look, but lets it pass.  His young cousin is learning bad habits already....

Aisling grabs its chance to divert this conversation into less uncomfortable land; it  defines Lilly's words as a jest and backs this definition with a rich, rolling chuckle. 
            "Perhaps," it suggests with a grin, "we should make the most of this meal, then.  For the wonderful ability of food in Amber to retain its foodlike qualities even without attention is not a gift to be taken for granted..."
            Aisling's definitely laughing just below these words, and looks perfectly willing to elucidate if there is an indication of interest.

The Ranger's head cocks and her brow furrows for a moment as she works on that.

Brennan looks interested.
            He stifles the urge to offer her a glass of milk three days warmed.  That wouldn't be cousinly at all.  But probably instructive.

Jovian, who has been making some effort not to groan audibly through the apocalyptic speculation, perks up at this. "The taste even stays the same no matter what you're thinking about. I highly recommend it." And with that, he starts tucking away his lunch in earnest.

Settling itself back on its haunches, Aisling neatly arranges all the bits of itself around it, adopting a storytelling posture.  "It is mine to see and to report what I see," it starts, in tones harmonious and mellow.
            "Know, then, that in the place where it is said that I originated, that which is eaten is not quite so discrete as food here.  Indeed, while there is a great deal of discretion in Chaos, there is very little that is discrete," it says, grinning merrily and just barely not chuckling out loud.
            "When one notices one is hungry, and there is something to hand fit to serve that desire, there is, as in Amber, the option of not finishing the thing off.  However, one tends to eat it in parts, and while you may find yourselves leaving the pickles or the ham, there you would be more likely to leave the iridescence.
            "Yet, without some will holding this quality in place, it has a tendency to slump into the background; such that the next time you came that way, there might be more of a nacreous quality to the breakfast nook...  Or not," Aisling shrugs, "such is Chaos."
            "Upon arriving here, I found it odd that the remains of my hunting...
Remained," it grins widely again, "Though I had been warned that this was the case. And, in fact, I was so taken by the effect that I built up stash after stash of leftovers, delightedly checking on them as time passed for them and for me at the same rate, and they retained will to form without life."
            Aisling pauses and stretches a bit, smiling.  "Of course, as time went by, this food did follow the course of Chaos; either being stolen by other creatures, or slumping into the earth.  And yet, even the weakest creatures partaking of it remained as they were, just as the food had remained, and the earth remained.  And after many a long watch spent pondering, I tentatively decided that this remaining, or unbreakable gift to be as one is, was in fact the quality known as Order...  And that it was rather pleasant to be able to idly build up a larder."
            "And when I had studied the ways of you who are at the highest peak of Order for some time, and one day managed to make off with a tin of sardines  which Prince Gerard had caused to appear in some far distant Shadow and then brought here-- food which could very well stay as it was for ages--why, then I felt exceedingly smug!"  Aisling chuckles at itself very softly, bowing its head to those around the room in appreciation for their attention.

Robin finds herself gently clapping before she notices.  There's a soft smile to her face, and the shadows of a merry sparkle in her eyes.

"Now, if you will excuse me, gentlebeings, it seems to me that the appreciation of lunch is a noble cause, and one that would be better answered by a form for which the lunch was designed.  I shall return anon..."
            And Aisling stands, and gracefully weaves its way out of the room.

Lilly is a bit surprised to find herself smiling as Aisling finishes.  Aisling had indeed told them much with her story but had done so in a most entertaining way. As "it" left the room Lilly found herself wondering what gender would return. With Aisling that was a fair enough question.

The Ranger cocks her head, and shoots a questioning look to Jovian.

"Shapeshifter," he whispers to his sister. "Her human form is quite..."  He gestures vaguely as if grasping for a word. "Personable," he decides.

Robin's brows furrow, "But... this one was personable.  What is it about the appreciation of lunch that doesn't agree with air-reclining?"  She whispers back.

"Metabolism, maybe? Taste and smell receptors? I didn't inquire." The wingleader shrugs noncommittally.

"Hunh."  Robin blows out a soft breathe.  "Change the eater to match the lunch."  It's said in that 'what'll they think of next' voice of hers that gets such a work-out at the Castle.

For those taking notes, when Aisling gets back, she's in the usual "female with streamers" form.  She devotes herself to lunch, chipping in enough to keep the conversation burbling along, but also disposing of food with planned efficiency.

As lunch is breaking up, Folly comes over to the window on the pretense of collecting Robin's well-cleared plate.
            "Hey," she says quietly.  "I know you're probably gonna have a million things to do today, but if you've got some time tonight and wanna get outta here for a little while, come find me.  We can take a walk up the hill or ride down into town for a pint, your choice."

Robin looks up with quiet eyes.  "Thanks, Folly.  I'll do that."  She smiles quietly and releases her plate to Folly's tender care.