Date: January 1, 1999
Place: Plaza - House Tritonis - Palladium - Haven
Cast: Kalypso, Oriane
Scene: Kalypso shares some news with Oriane about the girl's family, who were at Callisar's Eyrie when the Varati stormed the place for a second time.

Plaza - House Tritonis - Palladium - Haven:
      You find yourself in the airy plaza of the Tritonis quarters. Elegant Ionic columns of pale, gold-veined marble frame the perfectly squared space. Between the scrolling capitals spring smooth arches, and above the arches are the creamy plastered walls and square windows of the second story. Large marble urns holding fragrant miniature orange, pomegranate, and date trees rise among neatly tiled pathways, which lead to a square fountain in the center of the yard. The basin of the fountain is a mosaic in shades of gold, cream and cerulean portraying Empyreans flying through the heavens. From the center of the fountain rises a glimmering bronze statue of Pallas Athena, sparkling droplets of water springing from her outstretched palms.
      Glimpses of personal chambers can be seen through opened doors in several archways, other archways with no doors at all leading to servants quarters and the kitchen. No visible stairs lead upwards to the second level, but none are needed for the graceful, winged occupants of those chambers. The warmth of the daytime sun brings a glow into the plaza, elegance emphasized in the flattering rays.

Oriane sits in one of the window seats, turned sideways with her wings tucked behind her back and her legs pulled up to her chest. A closed book sits beside her and she stares off into the gray, cloudy sky.

Kalypso steps out of her room, shutting the door behind her with an abrupt slam. She shakes out the sleeves of her diaphanous chimere, a brief shake of her head sending golden tendrils flying about her shoulders.

The sound of wings rustling follows Oriane's startled shake as she hears the door slam. Woken out of her thoughts, she looks over and blinks, "Kaly?"

The smile worn on the face of the young matriarch is bright as she whirls to where the voice is. "Hallo, Oriane. I fancy that I'm tiring of young Khalan already... he's even worse than Ariel and Leonidas where when they were just young gryphons." She giggles softly, shaking her head as she moves further into the Atrium.

Oriane blinks several times at Kalypso, but nods once. Quietly, she summons a partial smile. "I heard him playing this morning. He is a rambunctious pup."

Kalypso snorts lightly, a most unladylike sound, to be sure. "He's downright unruly. He's ruined two of my best chitons, not to mention gone after the curtains and the spread covering my bed." She shakes her head. "T'appears I've had my first child, aye?" She grins brightly again, shaking her head as she seats herself on one of the benches . "I fear that if I let him loose in the garden to get rid of some energy, we'll lose some of our best flowers. And then all may get mad with me."

Oriane shifts on her bench and swings her legs over the edge and shakes out her wings behind her. Smiling quietly, she nods, "Though hopefully a child would be a little more reasonable. A puppy will always be a puppy, I guess."

Kalypso grins, as she nods. "Aye, until he ages, and calms down. At least. I hope he calms down. I think he shall go back to Leto and his bride if he doesn't."

A soft chuckle sounds, "Is that where he came from, then?" Oriane remains subdued and quiet, but the humor in her voice is clear, "Perhaps Leto gave him to you out of a perverse sense of pleasure."

Kalypso grins, a brief shake of her head as she draws her legs up under her. "Perhaps... he knows I will never have children. Well... may never have children, I s'pose..." She sighs softly, a brief shrug as her voice trails off. She suddenly speaks up again, but the words are short. "So instead, I've a hound."

Oriane rises and moves over to the same bench as Kalypso, her sandals brushing quietly against the floor. Expression sympathetic, the darkling girl gently smiles, "A rather cute hound, you must admit."

Kalypso snorts lightly, the woeful expression vanishing from her finely-crafted features. "Aye, he is rather cute. Such is luck, I fancy." She shakes her head slowly, a small smile on her face. "D'you remember what we talked about the night I returned? About your family?"

Smile fading slightly, Oriane gives a quiet nod, "Aye, I do."

Kalypso nods slowly. "Aye, well... I sent a messenger to Atesh-Gah, to inquire of Arslan if he had heard any news of them. He only knows of your mother, and she is well, still in the Eyrie, as a 'guest of his father,' such as he said." She sighs lightly, "But... no word of your sister. He presumed that she had escaped before the battle began."

Oriane 's dark eyes widen and she inhales softly but sharply, "M-mother is safe? She... she is a... prisoner?" The information filters through slowly, "And... and no sign of Riana? Oh, Kaly... she's so helpless..."

Kalypso shrugs again, "As the Varati know no signs of her, then perhaps she has just... gotten herself lost somewhere. And I trust that your mother is in the safest care, and that she will come to no misfortune at Varati hands. Arslan assured me of that."

Turning her face down to her lap and the hands clenching one another, Oriane struggles to keep her breathing steady. The faintest hint of a breeze begins to move through the chilled chamber before she speaks, "She is not free. And those... those... Varati are in my home."

Kalypso's voice is sharp, "Oriane, control yourself." Her gaze is stormy, at the hint of a breeze. "The Varati are in your home, yes, but your mother is alive. And recovering nicely from a wound. Think yourself fortunate that she is not dead."

The breeze flares as Oriane turns with wide eyes, "She was hurt?!?"

Kalypso shrugs lightly, "A minor wound to her wing... she wasn't able to leave the Eyrie. I'm sure it was an accident." Not a flicker of emotion crosses the young Dea's face with the bald-faced lie. "Perhaps that... Varati... will allow a message to pass from her, though I am sure it will not be of her own thoughts."

Rising suddenly, Oriane begins pacing with wings tense and flared slightly behind her. Emotions rage across her face with abandon, like the flood gates were released and she cannot control them, "Alive... she's alive... But Riana is lost... and alone. Oh gods." The anger flares in her voice, "And they're in my home... The people of Callisar's were artisans and farmers! I... I cannot stand to think of them in my valley!" The skirts of her chimere and outer garment sway with the barely controlled breeze that swirls angry around her, hinting at the power lying beneath the surface.

Kalypso shakes her head slowly as she vaults to her feet. "Oriane, get hold of yourself. Anger will not solve anything." She moves around so that she can see the girl's face. "And Riana may not be alone, she may be traveling with others from the Eyrie. We cannot know until... she is found."

The pacing stops, but the darkling girl's voice rises in pitch, "This is Riana we're speaking of, Kaly... She's a child in her mind. A simple butterfly would draw her away from whoever might be with... Even the sparkle off a distant lake would be enough to make her think it was a simple bauble." Fists clench at her side, and her eyes close tight over a furious expression. The almost violent breeze does not stop, but it does calm with her mental command.

Kalypso shakes her head, "She may well be perfectly fine, Oriane. Give her credit for some mental fortitude. Perhaps she's merely holed up with a handsome specimen of the Praetorians until it is safe to escape, and return here. Do not lose faith, for once that is gone..." Her eyes are pleading, as her fingers tangle into the sleeves of her gown. "And for Jove's sake, stop this blasted wind."

Oriane takes a deep, shuddering breath while her shoulders and wings lift and then relax slightly. As she opens her eyes, the wind stills to the faintest of whispers, but her anger has not left her eyes. "You are right. Someone would see to her safety."

Kalypso nods. "Aye. To think that someone wouldn't dishonors them." She turns, moving back to her seat near the fountain. "Compose a letter to her, if you wish. I can ask that blasted Varati if can give it to her for you."

She does not move to take a seat, but Oriane's arms slide around her middle as she furrows her brow in a frown, "They would open it and read it, if they would even consider such a thing."

Kalypso nods. "Aye, I would expect that of them. But it may be a way for you to send word to your mother." She shrugs lightly, "I don't even know if he would allow for such a thing." She looks down at her feet, "Blast, how I hate asking him for favors. He's such a... a..." It appears whatever word the young matriarch was going to use has faded away. "Well, blast him anyhow."

A very faint, mostly rueful smile forms on Oriane's face as she murmurs softly, "I would if he were here."

Kalypso blinks at her cousin, and then starts giggling, although very softly. It just... bubbles up from beneath the surface. "Yes, you would, now wouldn't you."

Oriane's anger slips to the background as the giggle makes her smile more honestly. Almost embarrassed, she nods, "I would." Glancing to the floor, she absently brushes a hand over her rumpled clothing.

The giggles continue as Kalypso slowly shakes her head, drawing her legs back under her. "I thought you would like to know, Oriane. I am sorry I do not know more."

Shoulders framed by black wings slump slightly and Oriane nods, moving to finally sit on the bench beside Kalypso. Quietly, she reaches out to put a hand on the other girl's, "I .. I am grateful for knowing this. It just makes me feel so... helpless."

Kalypso nods, "Aye, the war makes us such. Only when it is over will we feel some sort of ... redemption."

Oriane heaves a sigh, "I... I hope so. So much... so much stands to be lost."

Kalypso nods as she reaches over to gently pat her cousin's hand in a manner that she hopes is comforting. "Aye, but... some feel it was necessary to show force to gain... respect." She sighs softly, shaking her head. "Respect shall be best regained when peace conquers."

Oriane closes her eyes, "It's all... So much is based on pride. Pride and stubbornness. Who would think the leaders of nations would so often react like children."

Kalypso grins gently. "And they scoffed when I was made Matriarch. Makes one laugh, doesn't it?"

Glancing up, Oriane gives a rueful little smile, "Likely you have more wisdom than all of them put together. But it will take time for them to truly hear your voice."

Kalypso laughs softly, shaking her head. "Nay, I don't have more wisdom than they... it's just that I have... ideas. A multitude of ideas, but when nobody listens, they can be fruitless."

Oriane gives her cousin a sideways glance, "You're sly, though, Kalypso. You can make them listen without them realizing that's what they're doing." Her smile widens slightly, "Make them think it's their own idea."

Kalypso grins, shaking her head. "I'm doing what I can, Oriane... but it will take time."

Oriane nods slowly, "I know. I just hope there is enough time to wait." Glancing across the plaza, she murmurs, "Part of me wishes Drusus was here. He keeps me... steady."

Kalypso sighs softly, and nods. "I... I have hopes that Drusus will return, before too long. I do not like him being so far away from... the center."

Oriane lifts her head and looks over, "You know that he will not be... happy with the plans for him. I know there is part of him that realizes the possibility, but he will think himself too unsuitable a choice."

Kalypso nods. "There is no other choice, Oriane. He is the most suitable candidate, in my opinion."

Though it is hard, Oriane gives a soft sigh and a nod, "I agree. He would be a good... one."

Kalypso nods gently, patting the girl's hand again. "Aye, Oriane. If... well, we need to work on some things, but he will be good."

Oriane closes her eyes for a moment and nods, "He has the strength for it, and the heart. I know he views himself only as a soldier, but there is so much more there." Even if she doesn't mean to, she comes as close to gushing as she ever does.

Kalypso grins slightly, and nods slowly. "Aye, but it takes more than strength and heart, methinks. This isn't really the place to discuss this, however."

Dark eyes open and a faint pink comes to Oriane's cheeks, "I'm sorry. I should have known better."

Kalypso nods slightly, a small smile crossing her face. "Aye, well... have you heard from him recently? Is he still in Parnassus?"

Unbidden, a smile comes to Oriane's face and she nods, "He is still in Parnassus. It's snowed there, and he described the way it covered the land." Glancing down, she touches the owl pinned to her outer garment, "He sent me this..."

Kalypso grins, her eyes glancing at the owl. "It is beautiful. And a symbol of this House, truly a wise gift."

Oriane smiles softly and nods, "His purpose for sending it was twofold. As a gift, and as a means of marking me as a Tritonides. They have heard of the Khalid's decree about our House."

Kalypso grins slowly, "Perhaps he should've kept it for himself. We would claim him, if he came into harm's way. As a friend."

A soft chuckle sounds, but Oriane shakes her head, "I don't think he would do that. He would see it as hiding from his duty."

Kalypso grins, a slight shrug of the youth's shoulders. "He would still be in the field, performing his duties. He simply would not come to... harm."

Oriane's fingers brush fondly over the pin as she nods, "Perhaps. I will have to write to him with the news about my mother. He has asked after my family in each letter." Pausing, Oriane looks up with wide eyes, "I'll also need to write my father. He should know."

Kalypso grins slightly. "Perhaps... just make sure they aren't... compelled to do something rash. Your mother is safe, where she is. I suggest we let her stay there until we can arrange for a safe journey to Palladium, or Civitas Dei."

Giving another nod, Oriane murmurs, "You're right. And I will write a letter to her, even if they do not send it. It will make me feel better."

Kalypso nods, "Aye, of course. I'll send a message with it as well, for the Varati. Don't write anything... sensitive in it, aye?"

Oriane smiles quietly, giving Kalypso a look, "Of course not."

Kalypso grins slightly. "Good." She unfolds her legs from beneath her, rising onto her feet. "I s'pose I shall leave you to your letters, then. I have some business that requires my attention."

Oriane smiles quietly upward, her hands folded in her lap, "Thank you, Kaly."

Kalypso grins slightly, a brief nod of her head as she heads for the outer gate. "I wish I could do more, Oriane...." She disappears after that, the gate shutting quietly behind her.

FIN  

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