Session 50: Baby Steps (10/9/02)When we last left our heroes, Elayne and Gabrielle were in Fractal, Elayne's portion of Clarissa's shadow, and Tighe had said exactly the wrong thing to Gabrielle. Sinclair punches Tighe. Elayne blinks a moment and then bends reality so that blows are slowed to inconsequentiality. Tighe attempts to dodge; Sinclair looks pissed as hell, and Gabrielle is failing to stop hyperventilating. Kynan isn't going to intervene with Tighe; he steps forward to ask Gabrielle if she needs any help. She asks for a glass of water. Elayne moves Tighe off to a separate room. It's clear Tighe realized he'd said the wrong thing, and it doesn't seem to have been on purpose. Sinclair makes no move toward Elayne but seems to be in a towering rage and pondering hitting the wall that now separates him from his target. Kynan looks at Sinclair: "So Gabrielle, do you want me to take him somewhere where he can beat the crap out of something?" Gabrielle looks wide-eyed and agrees that it might be a good idea. Sinclair growls, hits the wall one more time and looks frustrated Elayne: "I can't let you beat up my bodyguard, whatever he might have done or said." Sinclair: "Keep him out of my way." Gabrielle says she doesn't think Tighe intentionally set her off and asks Sinclair if he wants to go off with Kynan to kill things. Sinclair considers the option. Kynan says he also thinks it wasn't intentional; Tighe looked appalled at Gabrielle's reaction. However: "I think, Elayne, that once Tighe has posed for his trump, he should probably steer clear of my lady here." Elayne: "Too bad, I thought he might be useful." Kynan tells Gabrielle that Tighe's an empath. Elayne adds that's why he knew he'd said the wrong thing but not until after he'd said it Gabrielle: "No wonder he had so much fun and games earlier." Elayne: "It wasn't fun and games. He thought you might need help." Kynan: "Yes, I think he was at least a little bit concerned that I might be a threat to you. And if I was a threat to you, I would be a threat to Elayne." Sinclair has clamped down on his temper. He seems to realize that if Kynan might have been a threat, so would he. There's only so many people who might have hurt Gabrielle, and he and Kynan rank highly among the possibilities. Kynan is looking at Elayne for input. Elayne: "I don't think that was quite it." Sinclair: "Oh. What do you think it is?" Elayne states that she doesn't want to air Gabrielle's dirty laundry; Gabrielle tells her to go on. Elayne says that Tighe knew Gabrielle was afraid of Kynan and wanted to know why. Gabrielle denies that she's afraid of Kynan. Kynan contradicts her, and Elayne supports him. Gabrielle gets angry, states she's going to shower now, and stalks out of the room. Elayne: "She's difficult." Sinclair: "Am I supposed to follow her and offer support and comfort, or is this one of those 'Stay away or I'll kill you' times?" Elayne: "How am I supposed to know?" Sinclair: "You're a woman." Elayne: "I don't get like that. I think she's pissed at me and Kynan for talking about her behind her back. You should be fine." Sinclair: "But should I go to her?" Elayne: "I don't know. It doesn't matter what she wants -- what do you want to do? If you want to be there, you have a right to be there." Sinclair mopes. "That's not true. Every time she's about to do something dangerous or stupid, she wants me to go away." Elayne: "She can't do much that's dangerous or stupid right here." Everyone looks dubious. Kynan: "All the danger she needs right now is inside her head. She doesn't need anything else." Sinclair: "So, are you going to keep stopping me from beating the crap out of Tighe?" Elayne: "I think so." Sinclair leaves to look for Gabrielle. Kynan: "You do realize that eventually, she's going to do something nasty to Tighe. Just a little bit of 'How do you like it?'" Elayne asks if it's for being invasive or for what he just said. Kynan replies that it's mostly for being invasive, but her tone will be effected by the other. Elayne: "I think someone needs to be a little invasive with her. She wants to pretend there's nothing wrong." Kynan: "Yes, but it's a problem that leave her horribly vulnerable. And Tighe's the easiest target. I would recommend never letting her capture him He'd come out of it alive, but it wouldn't be pleasant." Elayne ponders asking Merlin to do Tighe's trump; Kynan comments that this will piss Gabrielle off even more. ***** After showering, Gabrielle finds Sinclair bearing chocolate. She apologizes to him, saying she never wanted him to see the images he'd just seen inside her head. Sinclair: "I'm not that fragile. Which one of them was it?" Gabrielle: "Why do you need to know?"' Sinclair doesn't' let her distract him: "I do. Which one of them was that?" Gabrielle admits it was Prentice. Sinclair asks if she's still planning on doing something nasty to Prentice; Gabrielle says she is. Then she says her regret isn't because she thought Sinclair was too fragile to handle what he saw; she seems to have problems finding words for what she means. Sinclair: "Then you don't think much of me, do you?" Gabrielle says that's not it, either. She just doesn't want to be associated with unpleasantness in his mind. He assures her she isn't. She says she needs to go apologize to Elayne now. ***** Elayne goes to check on Tighe. He's slightly bruised and very shaken but not badly hurt. Tighe. "I screwed up. I don't know what it is, but those words set off something real bad in her head." Elayne: "I think she's calmed down." Tighe:: "I think she kinda wants to kill me. I know her boyfriend does." Elayne: "I'm sorry." Tighe: "It's not your fault your sister's a time bomb." Elayne says she'll do what she can to keep Gabrielle from going after Tighe. Tighe: "When she's feeling this angry at me, I'm not going to be very useful in helping her. What would it take to get her over it?" Elayne: "You're asking the wrong person." Tighe: "Well, I can't ask her." Elayne: "She said it was something one of her brothers said to her." Tighe: "Ah. Real charming fellows, aren't they?" He looks pissed. Elayne: "Even if you killed him, the problem still wouldn't go away." Tighe: "No, the only way that sort of problem goes away is if she kills him." Elayne: "Well, I'd like to see that happen, but I'm guessing he's ducked down into the Abyss." Tighe: "Your family is real charming." Elayne: "Family only in the sense of sharing blood." Tighe: "Well, either he comes out of the Abyss and we can kill him, or he doesn't, in which case there isn't a problem." Elayne comments that unfortunately things have been coming out of the Abyss lately. Tighe asks what will happen if Gabrielle can't deal with him. Elayne says she'll send him back. Tighe asks if that's back to Amber or out of her service altogether. Elayne: "That would be going back to Amber. I like you Tighe, more than I thought I would." Tighe: "It's part of my charm." Elayne: "Or maybe it's the fact that you seem to care, unlike my family." Tighe: "Your sister cares." Elayne: "She just can't afford to show it often." If he has to go back to Amber, she'll take him when she picks up the other bodyguards. **** Gabrielle finds Elayne and apologizes and hugs her. Gabrielle explains that the phrase was what Prentice said to her that day, and since he was in psychic contact with her, Sinclair got a smaller version of what Rufus got. He probably knew that Tighe didn't do it on purpose, but he was still very unhappy -- and Tighe was the closest thing to a target around. Gabrielle also apologizes for being difficult and says she's scared. Even after the hug is over, Gabrielle keeps a hold of Elayne's hand, as if she's almost afraid Elayne will disappear. Elayne says she has a favor to ask in return for her favor of letting Gabrielle stay here -- that Gabrielle not hurt Tighe. Elayne says that she likes Tighe. Gabrielle asks if she can be verbally nasty, especially if he starts poking at her again. Gabrielle explains that in order to deal most safely with the twins she learned to hide her emotional reactions. Even thought Tighe works for Elayne and probably won't hurt her, all of Gabrielle's instincts say he's totally unsafe. Elayne says that Tighe could be very useful to Gabrielle and that he's only trying to help. Gabrielle: "I kinda like to pick who I get naked in front of. Even emotionally." But she says she'll table any plans to hurt him, including the notion of introducing him to their brothers -- since Tighe seemed so interested. Elayne observes that all Gabrielle has to do to hurt him is to think about her brothers; Gabrielle says that's true, but she herself doesn't much enjoy thinking about the twins. Gabrielle comments that she ought to talk to Tobias before she starts work on her head. Elayne asks why, and Gabrielle says they ought to find Kynan so she only has to explain it once. Then they can all yell at each other again. ***** Darian wakes up tired. It had been a long night. Electra fusses over him, making sure he eats a big breakfast and all that. Darian allows it. Afterwards, Darian visits Alden first, to tell him they might be able to move the children soon. Alden asks to be trumped once Darian knows for sure, since it will take a lot of organization and he doesn't want to get anyone's hopes up without reason. Darian goes Arden. A guide takes him on a long and winding tour, at the end of which is another artistic camp. Julian is there, but thankfully not posing dramatically. Darian holds up Gerard's letter as he approaches. Julian: "Good. But I believe you had some business with me." Darian: "I did have a request." Julian asks him to sit and notes that Darian shows a certain wilderness savvy in picking his seat. Julian: "So, what is this personal request? Looking to get out of Amber?" Darian: "That's not a problem of mine. I'm looking to get some other people out of Amber. The sewage system was damaged in the war, and that's leading to a shortage of sanitary living space." He explains he wants to move some children and caretakers to a nearby shadow that's not under so much strain. Julian says he could take them in. Darian asks about his play school facilities. Julian says there aren't any now, but Arden is large. Darian says he doesn't mind, but others might. Julian asks if it's up to the others; Darian asks for some assurances. Julian: "What assurances do you want? I won't kill them, I won't torture them, I won't sell them. Besides, would Merlin care?" Darian: "No." Julian: "I seriously doubt I could get anything out of Alden. How about you?" Darian hesitates. "You had to think about that. Interesting." Darian: "Yeah, you caught me. I'm a softie. I'll roll over backwards." Julian: "It's good to know. Of course, if I do take them in, I can't promise I'm going to give them back." Darian: "Why not?" Julian: "Why should I?" Darian asks if there is a use for them here. Julian admits he has no desire to build a city and some might not make good wilderness dwellers. But for the rest --other people's unwanted population can be useful. And children learn much better than adults. Darian: "It wasn't what I had ideally in mind, but if that's what it takes, I'm willing to agree to this. I need to receive final agreement from Alden on this idea. Rather than wasting time with extraneous messages, can I assume that if I start marching a boatload of children through Arden that you'll conclude I've accepted your proposal?" Julian: "Do you find it likely that you will?" Darian:: "Yes. No matter who I talk to, giving children who were going to die in the city to you won't sound that bad." Julian thinks that some people would disagree. His dear brother Benedict, for example... Darian says Benedict doesn't need to know. Darian: "I'm just moving them to someplace safer." Julian reads the letter while Darian eats. He takes a while but eventually comes back and sits down. "So, apart from having an interest in seeing Merlin more secure, what do you think I should do? What would you do if you were me... I... whatever the grammatical construction is." Darian admits he'd just sit there. It's a lose-lose situation. Julian: "Even if one side had both of my sons, they would still be hostages. I cannot say that your experience fills me with optimism." Darian: "If I could deliver optimism on demand, I would be in high demand." Julian: "But at least my sons had some idea of the stakes involved." Darian: "Some." Julian: "Are things settling in the city?" Darian: "Somewhat. There's these few minor... OK, major problems to deal with in terms of getting the city repaired." Julian: "You did a lot of damage coming in, did you?" Darian: "Not me, personally." He admits it is mostly 'our own fault', which makes it hard to pity them Julian: "How fares Rebma?" Darian: "With the stairs destroyed, there hasn't been much communication." Julian: "No talk of invasion?" Darian: "None that I'm aware of, though they keep me busy in the city." Julian: "So I heard a rumor that Merlin's bride escaped." Darian admits 'they' got both of the girls. Julian: "Who?" Darian: "There was some indication by a trump trace of Gabrielle." Julian: "That took some guts. Was there anyone else involved?" Darian admits that Corwin was involved. Julian wants to know how many people Corwin killed. Darian: "A few guardsmen." Julian: "He's becoming practically subtle in his old age. So, how angry is Merlin?" Darian:: "Surprisingly, he doesn't seem that angry. He has Elayne to console him." Julian: "Elayne doesn't come with a throne." Darian: "I think she has other interesting features." J: "Really?" He comments that it will be some time before Random could even try to attack again, even if Julian were in his camp. Admittedly, with Benedict's troops not currently in Amber, this is the easiest time to attack there w ill be. Julian doesn't know what Random's got right now; for some reason Random's not inviting Julian to briefings. Not that Julian would go if invited. Darian says he doesn't envy Julian's position but hopes for a happy outcome for him. Julian asks after Electra. Darian says she's excited to be moving into the Castle. Julian: "I suppose bringing her there is a good idea. It makes her one of the great ladies of the court. Kerana was one, and she wasn't even married to Bleys." Julian says he's willing to have Darian visit from time to time, as long as Darian doesn't abuse his hospitality. Darian:"I wouldn't think of it." Julian gives him a look. Darian: "Ok, I might think it, but I wouldn't do it." Julian: "That's better. If you wouldn't think it, I'd wonder if there was something wrong with your bloodline, whatever it may be." Darian says that he should know quickly if others will agree to Julian taking the children. If they don't agree, he'll have to watch children die. Julian says that would be a pity and asks if Darian would take a trump call from him. Darian says he would. Julian: "I don't have an answer for Gerard." Darian: "He'll be disappointed." Julian: "If he isn't, you should let me know." Darian takes his leave, admitting he doesn't need a guide. ***** Gabrielle decides she needs to include Sinclair in this discussion. Elayne isn't happy about it: "Can't you do anything behind his back?" Gabrielle: "Well,,, after scaring him... I asked him what he needed to feel a little more safe..." Elayne: "You didn't give him control, did you?" Gabrielle: "No, he didn't ask for that. He just doesn't want me to go anywhere without either he or Kynan with me." Elayne approves of that. Gabrielle is miffed but explains that she's trying to be a bit more honest with Sinclair; she feels she owes him that. Elayne: "If I encourage you to not mention things to him, I suppose you'll just do it to me." Gabrielle: "I would never do such a thing. Unless it was better for you. I don't want to worry you." It is Elayne's turn to be miffed. They find Kynan easily. Gabrielle says that she's anticipating another shouting match and thought she'd better get everyone in one space first. Gabrielle apologizes and badgers Kynan into accepting it. They find Sinclair sparring with Artemas. Sinclair is better all-around, but Artemas has focused on sword work and has the edge there. Gabrielle shoos Artemas out and says that, before she works on her head, she needs to talk to Tobias. Kynan: "Is this just a talk?" Gabrielle says she anticipates that being the extent of it. She explains that if Tobias tries to trump her and cannot reach her, he is likely to panic and start looking for her. And while he cannot get into Fractal, he can cause Elayne a great deal of trouble in his attempts and make Gabrielle's life very difficult once she leaves. She lifts a hand to the scar beneath her collarbone and says: "And he will be able to find me, because of this." Kynan demands to know what 'this' is. Gabrielle: "You remember the discussion with Klemet? Well, Tobias did... It's just a locator spell, but...." Kynan becomes absolutely still; Gabrielle recognizes this as a sign that his temper is almost at the snapping point.. "First the head. Then the body. You *will* take it out afterwards." Gabrielle starts to say that might not be a good idea, at least not when she still needs Tobias, when Sinclair interrupts, wanting some clarification. Gabrielle explains that the scar he had noticed on her is actually a spell Tobias put into her flesh. Sinclair snarls and hits the wall. Elayne makes it crack a bit, just to make him feel better. Gabrielle rather nervously goes on to reiterate that Tobias will come looking for her if he can't reach her by trump. But if she calls him ahead of time to let him know she'll be refusing trump while conducting an experiment, there won't be a problem. Elayne points out that if Tobias notices what Gabrielle is doing to her head, he will have to report it to Fiona. Gabrielle admits that's the case but feels the risk of that is less than the risk of him not being able to reach her. She adds that Tobias is at his worst when he's scared. Sinclair is muttering under his breath. Kynan says that as long as she just talks to Tobias, it ought to be all right. Gabrielle asks Sinclair what's wrong; he says he hates having her interact with Tobias at all. Gabrielle starts to argue, and Sinclair cuts her off: "Whatever." Gabrielle drags Sinclair off for a brief private conversation. She tells him she knows he's still angry and would rather he expressed it rather than trying to smother it. Sinclair: "I'm not Corwin." Gabrielle: "I didn't mean that. Rant and rave, argue, whatever... Just let it out. What's wrong?" Sinclair: "You shouldn't have to do this. Any of this." Gabrielle: "The sins of the mothers... " Sinclair says he'd like to see Fiona pay for her sins. Gabrielle says that's not how it works; the sins always come to roost with the children. She says Dalt is still paying for the sin Oberon committed against his mother, and that Luke is struggling with Brand's legacy. That's just the way it is. Sinclair says that's how it has been, but it doesn't have to be that way. Gabrielle is doubtful. She says she isn't sure what price Sinclair is paying for his parents; she thinks it's tied in to the reason he stays with her but isn't quite certain. Sinclair says she can figure it out later. Gabrielle lightens the topic by asking if Sinclair would like Elayne to bring Elliott back as a sparring partner. She reminds him that Elliott is very good unarmed; Sinclair finds that interesting. Gabrielle: "Just don't be startled if he calls me doll." Sinclair: "You let him call you doll?" Gabrielle: "He calls Elayne missy." Sinclair: "Missy? Elayne, you let your bodyguards call you missy?" Elayne: "He hasn't done it in front of anyone important." Sinclair: "It's a bad precedent." Kynan is finding this very amusing. Gabrielle explains that she wanted to know what kind of man was bodyguarding her sister, and thought she might be more likely to see the true man if she didn't go in as Lady Gabrielle but as someone who was supposed to patch him up. Elliott said she looked like a china doll, and she just never bothered to make him stop it.... And then she gave him gut-rot whiskey and some people to gamble with. Sinclair observes that gut-rot whiskeys sounds good right now. Kynan: "That's right. Invite a lot of people in and we can all get drunk." Everyone seems to see a certain appeal to the idea. Gabrielle doesn't want to gamble with Elliott, but Sinclair says Uriana's more of a risk. Elayne gets embarrassed when Uriana is mentioned and Sinclair repeats the "She's likely to seduce your father. Is that a problem?" story. Gabrielle tries to do the trump of Tighe again. ***** Elayne goes to Amber. She can't find Merlin; there were riots n the city last night. Nothing reached the Castle, but the aftermath is keeping Merlin busy. She leaves a note saying she's borrowing Agnes to talk about 'kids.' The Castle is glad to see Elayne back. Elayne finds Agnes. It's afternoon snack time in the nursery -- oatmeal cookies and milk all around. There are a lot of hostages still in the nursery who haven't been returned to foster homes yet. Elayne: "Agnes, is it?" Agnes: "So what can I do for you, my lady?" Elayne: "I was wondering if you could get away for a day or two." Agnes: "Why? Are you not happy with what I've done here?" Elayne: "Nothing like that. I need some advice." Agnes gives her a long look up and down. "I will be having a kid someday." Agnes: "You're not showing yet." Elayne says she wants advice before she gets pregnant; Agnes says she can do that. Elayne says she needs the advice away from prying ears. Agnes says she'd need an hour or two to organize some people. Elayne tells her to pack for a couple days. Arrangements to meet in two hours are made. Elayne's bodyguards are lounging in their quarters. Artemas and Uriana are with her, and Artemas frowns at the sight of people lounging. Elliott flips him off. Elayne goes up to Elliott. Elayne: "I found a sparring partner for you if you're willing?" Elliott: "Someone interesting?" Elayne: "Quite." Elliott: "So he's good. How's his stamina? Or is it her?" Elayne: "Him." Elliott seems interested. Elayne tells Adeva and Klemet that she'll need them eventually, but until then, they can relax. They've been using the library. Adeva talks a bit about a different approach to healing that they have here, where shapeshifting isn't common. In the middle of the lecture Electra stops by. She asks if Elayne is back for good again and is disappointed when Elayne says, "Not quite yet." Electra has a pressing question: "What does a lady-in-waiting do?" Elayne says, in general, things like running errands, mending clothes, taking care of her correspondence, helping with hair and makeup, keeping her company, and all sorts of other things. Electra asks what Elayne wants her to do. Elayne isn't sure, aside from keeping her company. Elayne says she's kind of casual, in case Electra hadn't noticed. Electra: "I know. That's why I call you Elayne rather than Your Grace, or Excellence, or... And by the way, if I'm your lady-in-waiting, do I wear your colors or Darian's?" They decide Electra should remain in Darian's colors. Electra: "Right now, I'm in the middle of decorating my quarters, but once I'm done with that, I don't know what I'm supposed to do." Elayne: "If you want something to do, I can think of something that you'd be much better at than me. Can you decorate my quarters? Now that I have colors, I should probably decorate my room in them." Artemas: "It's not secure to have someone traipsing in and out of your quarters, putting things there." Elayne asks Electra not to bring anything in until Elayne returns. Artemas mutters that it's not whether Elayne is there or not that matters to the security... Elayne: "Please let me introduce to you my bodyguards. Artemas, he's their leader... fearless. And this is Klemet, Edeva, and Elliott. There are more of them, but they're out right now. Everyone, this is Lady Electra." They nod politely, except for Elliott who looks Electra up and down, probably looking for a good nickname for her. They wander over to Elayne's quarters. Electra: "You're right. This does need work. How would you feel about a lighter wood?" They ponder lilac highlights and other decorating touches. ***** Darian seeks out Alden and tells him about Julian's offer. Alden asks if Julian would give them back. Darian says no. "The way I see it, we either allow him to take care of them, or we watch people die." Alden: "I don't object." Darian: "I don't know what others think." Alden: "Do we care about others?" Darian say no, and Alden says that once the kids are on their way, it's harder to stop them -- so the sooner the move starts, the better. Alden will have to pick the children he sends carefully, as some parents won't welcome Julian's terms -- not that they can be blamed. Alden wants to keep things quiet. Alden should have people ready to go the next morning, although they won't have much in the way of supplies. Alden: "Can you have your guards do a sweep, looking for unattached children? They're at the greatest risk." Darian will have it done. "Of course I'll make sure they're unattached before I have them brought here." Alden: "There are so many wrong things that could mean, Darian." Darian says that if he was that way, their population problems would be easily solved. Alden says he'll also be sending some nervous young women to Julian, killing two birds with one stone. Darian sets the guards to the task of bringing orphan children to the Cathedral and goes to the Castle, looking for his wife. ***** Elliott makes rude comments about the decorating plans. Elayne wonders how he'd look upon the wall. Electra looks Elliott over and asks if Elayne wants him animate or inanimate. Elayne: "Posable ." Darian walks up to Elayne's quarters, and sees Artemas giving a death look to the hall in general. He asks to see his wife; Artemas has him wait in the hall while he gets Elayne's permission. Darian surrenders his sword to Artemas before going in; Artemas is impressed by the balance of the blade. Elayne: "Your wife and I were just talking about how to hang Elliott on the wall." Darian whispers to Elliott: "I didn't think that was one of your responsibilities." Elliott: "It's not. They think I'd be decorative. I'm just thinking I need to get thoroughly drunk, roll in the gutter, and not bathe for a month. I'd be very decorative then." Darian asks what they're really talking about. Electra asks his opinion about lighter wood and lilac highlights, and Elayne asks his opinion on the placement of a vanity. Darian advises putting a large photograph over the bed of dogs playing poker. Electra explains that this is one of her jobs -- but she can't do it without supervision. Darian: "From whom?" Electra: "What's-his-name in the hall." Darian: "Oh, he's fun." Elayne notices Darian isn't wearing his sword. She comments that giving up weapons before entering her quarters wasn't required of family members. Darian says it was more fun that way. He takes his leave of the ladies, making sure to collect his weapon. Elayne asks if she harassed Darian too much. Electra says no. "There's a limit to how much I can harass him. He can always walk away from me." Elayne says perhaps Electra should learn trump, so as to be able to follow him. At the appropriate time, Elayne finds Agnes, who is giving a never-ending last-minute instructions to her assistants and forcibly drags her out. Elayne: "There are some things about this visit that need to remain a secret." Agnes has no problem with that. ****** Darian stops by and tells Gerard that he doesn't have a message from Julian for him. Gerard looks a little bit annoyed. Darian: "He did read your note." Gerard: "Good." As Darian leaves, he hears the noise of something being hit very hard in Gerard's office. ***** Tighe is very quiet as Gabrielle begins his trump. Eventually she reassures him that Elayne has requested that Tighe not be hurt, so he doesn't need to worry. Tighe says that if she needs to hurt him, she can. Gabrielle says that would upset Elayne, and Tighe says Elayne doesn't have to know. Gabrielle says that once she's feeling better, she probably won't want to hurt him anymore, just perhaps make him miserable for a bit. He says he can and will tolerate that; Gabrielle says his willingness takes the fun out of it. He repeats that what she needs to do, she can do. Gabrielle: "Do you genuinely feel that bad?" She looks at him. "No. So why?" Tighe: "I'm an empath, my lady. That hurt you very badly. And you are angry at me." Gabrielle: "I can manage my anger." Tighe doesn't want her dislike of him to be a problem. She says she can deal with him so long as he isn't rude again. Gabrielle: "But don't ever use me as a relief from boredom again." Tighe: "That wasn't it. I'm a bodyguard for your sister. Since she's obviously not going to stop spending time with you, it's my job to find a way to make you less unsafe." Gabrielle accepts that. Tighe points out that he could be useful to her. Gabrielle hates to admit it, but agrees. He tells her that if he's going to help her, he won't pull any punches. Gabrielle states that her problem is that she's removing spells from her head and shattering her self to do that. "That's the problem, you know what it is, so you don't need to poke anymore." Tighe makes no promises, and Kynan doesn't say anything. ***** Elayne does emphasize the need for secrecy again as she leads Agnes to the room where Gabrielle is finishing the trump. Agnes: "Runt!" She embraces Gabrielle. Everyone else: "Runt?" Gabrielle hugs her back: "What are you doing here?" Agnes explains that Elayne brought her here, and launches into a mother-who-hasn't-seen-her-child-for-too-long set of questions. "How are you? What have you been doing? I hear you have a young man..." Tighe asks if he can smoke. Gabrielle says yes, but only if she can bum one. He agrees and lights her a cigarette. Elayne: "I have never seen you smoke." Gabrielle: "I rarely do." Tighe comments that smoking is relaxing. Agnes scolds and says that smoking will stunt her growth. Gabrielle says she's finished her growth; Agnes maintains that with the strange way Amberites age make her think Gabrielle might get another inch or two. Gabrielle asks again why Agnes is here. Agnes says she's here to give Elayne some advice, and Elayne says she's here to help Gabrielle. Agnes begins scolding Gabrielle about whether she's eating properly and so on. Gabrielle admits to having had a bad week. Agnes decides she needs to make dinner and asks if Gabrielle's 'young man' will be there. Gabrielle says yes. Agnes asks if he's polite; Gabrielle says yes again but comments that she's given him a bad few days, so Agnes should cut him some slack. Agnes seems suspicious. She leaves to make dinner. Elayne: "You don't hate me?" She gives Gabrielle a puppy-dog-eye look. Gabrielle: "Stop that!" Kynan:"I think it's obvious that someone needs to mother Gabrielle. Your mother won't do it. Sinclair's mother won't do it." Gabrielle says that their mother is in the Abyss Kynan: "The best place for her." Gabrielle: "Sadly, she'll come out." She tells Elayne that Jasra is very scary. Elayne tells her seriously that Agnes is her mother figure and Gabrielle should appreciate her while she can. Gabrielle changes the subject and plots with Elayne to put Lethea and Kynan by each other at dinner. Perhaps if they were at the end of the table with only Artemas nearby.... Elayne ponders putting them across from each other so they have to play footsie. Gabrielle: "I don't think you want two people with combat reflexes like that forced to play footsie." Before dinner, Gabrielle fetches Elliott and Sinclair from their sparring. Right before walking in to the dining room Gabrielle turns to Sinclair. "Oh, by the way... Dinner will be made by and eaten with Agnes, the woman who raised me. She's looking forward to meeting you." Sinclair gets wild-eyed. Gabrielle: "Don't worry, I told her that you're a nice boy." (Darian: "Boy? That's the father of my child you're talking about!") |