![[previous]](gu-prev.gif){kind=small}
![[next]](gu-next.gif){kind=small}
Back to the index.
The King of Chaos, the King of Amber, Caelin, Calla, bonsai Ilk and bonsai Jean are present. All but Ilk and Calla are playing poker at a table. Caelin is completely unaware that an Ilk exists inside the bonsai tree he conjured of Sauron-Jean.
["We've got the King of Amber and the King of Chaos in the same place, playing cards."]
Caine is apparently playing fair, as he isn't consistently winning. People are eating cookies, intercepting a few for themselves out of the stream that is aimed at the tree. Jean has produced poker chips for everyone. People start speculating as to why they're here, in Shiryu's ways. (no one has said aloud that's where they are, but everyone strongly suspects it)
No one seems to be influencing poker chips, or at least, no one is doing it in a way that others can tell.
Neville attempts to count Caine's chips, but Caine seems to lean across them in just such a way to obscure their numbers.
Caelin counts his chips. They seem to be in order.
Jean is counting his chips in a way that causes other people to win a lot. (Evidently, Corwin taught him to "count" in such a way that helped Corwin win more)
At some point during the game, Neville is positive that he is accumulating more chips than he is winning. He looks at Caine. Caine appears to be acting no differently than he has all game. "Okay," Neville says aloud, "who's adding chips to my pile?"
Caine raises an eyebrow. Jean says, "You are, when you're winning."
"No, I mean there's more here than I've won."
Caelin pipes in. "That's a neat trick. I wish I could have thought of it." He sighs. "Well, on that note, why don't we all count?"
Neville: "Who's missing chips?"
Caelin counts his again. They all seem to be in order.
Neville: "I expected people here to cheat. But I didn't expect for them to frame somebody else for cheating."
Caine: "You're sure you're not doing it yourself?"
Neville: "If I was doing it myself, I think I'd notice." Everyone notices Jean smacking his chips against the table.
Caelin: "What is that gonna do?"
Jean: "I'm checking to see if they're breeding."
Caelin sighs. "Where did you get these chips?"
Jean: "One of my shadows."
Caelin examines some of his chips. They don't seem to be alive.
Neville: "I repeat again: Who's missing chips?" There are denials all the way around the table. Neville singles out the chips that he doesn't think he earned and sets them aside.
Jean: "Are you trying to get them to breed outside the tribe?"
Neville: "I was about to say they're inanimate objects that don't breed, but I don't know where you got them from."
Jean: "Why shouldn't inanimate objects breed?"
Neville: "That's the definition of inanimate objects."
Caelin: "Don't go there, man. Don't go there."
One of the chips that Neville put to the side is on the ground. Neville is certain he didn't jostle it in any way to get it there.
Jean: "See? They're making a run for it."
Caelin: "Well, if they weren't real before, they're real now."
The chip on the floor rolls over in the direction of Calla. Jean thinks it likes her. Calla keeps an eye on it while trying to look like she's paying attention to other things. Much confusion passes back and forth.
Jean suddenly thinks that poker chips are a great way to infiltrate restricted conversations, and has one of him present in the dancer's guild inform the archivist there. "It may already be someone else's great idea, but I just wanted to check."
Calla gets suspicious and starts watching all the chips on the table that are in her vision.
The five or six chips on the table that were set aside by Neville are sometimes five, and sometimes they're six, but every time Neville tries to count them, there are five. Neville plays back a video recording in his helmet to confirm the number, but the helmet is limited to the same input limitations as his own eyes. Neville concludes that someone is messing with them. "Okay, so somebody's messing with us."
Caelin: "Whose place is this anyway? I assume it's not yours?" (looking at Caine)
Caine: "Why do you assume it's not mine?"
Caelin: "Because I think you would have gotten bored and left a long time ago."
Neville: "And furthermore, you wouldn't be trapped in your own place."
So, the gang continues playing cards, every once in a while counting chips. After a time, Caine slaps his hand down on one of his poker chips, picks it up and flicks it off the table.
Neville: "Something wrong?"
Caine: "Not anymore."
Caelin: "What was wrong with that one? Did you not like it?"
Caine: "Nope, didn't like it in the slightest."
Caelin: "Right! Let's play on."
Calla realizes that when Caine flicked away the chip, its trajectory was specifically made to land behind the desk in the other room, out of sight. She decides to watch the doorway. Card playing continues.
Jean observes something happen with the fudgesicles.
Shiryu finishes observing Rainbow's plight, turns to Jean and says, "You can tell your colleagues, they are about to be uninvited...they might want to leave first." Jean is confused. "I know I can move them, but I wanted your permission first," he replies.
"I didn't say that." Shiryu continues, "I said that about your colleagues." Jean is still confused. "Do we have enough time to finish up this hand?" Shiryu confirms that he does.
Bonsai Jean announces, "Okay, last hand." Lots of eyebrows are raised, but no mouths question. He continues. "You have been invited to leave...as soon as the hand is finished. Or more technically, your invitation to be here is about to be removed." More eyebrows, more confusion, more silence, still no explanations.
Neville: "And how do you expect us to leave?"
Jean: "I think I can get you out of here." Caelin is annoyed. "The whale won't fit; we'll have to use the fish," he says.
Neville: "Just why were we invited here?" Jean insists that isn't his department. People fail to be less confused. Jean notices that Shiryu is no longer standing next to him in Chaos. Somewhere in the confusion, it is made official that Shiryu is the one doing the uninviting.
Calla notices that her trumps are still warm. "Jean, honey, are you sure that we're not supposed to stay here a little while longer?"
Jean: "Shiryu said that you're about to be uninvited, and that you might want to leave, before the uninvitation of colleagues happens. But that sounds like one of the things Shiryu says which means it would be bad otherwise."
Everyone wants to leave, and there is some panic upon realizing that they don't have the means to leave. Jean actually manages to reassure people that they are invited. Calla is one of the heads of the Warlord's army, Jean is head of house Swayville, Caelin et al. all have titles and are important enough to be invited.
Finally, Neville asks, "Jean, are there any Dancer's Guild members here' I think they would be your colleagues."
Jean: "Oh, those colleagues." People are amused, and the mystery of why they'd be invited then suddenly uninvited is solved. Jean orders the poker chips back into the fish.
All but two of the poker chips Neville set aside, plus two that he did not set aside, go a-rolling towards the fish. Calla's shoe loses a bit of its sole, and there's an "Eep!", from the other room, and a spidery little thing scuttles at top speed from that room to this one and into the fish. People are amused. Neville speculates that there is no point in fearing Shiryu; he either allows for you to exist or not. Jean fishes the poker chips out and dumps them outside the dancer's guild.
People continue playing the hand with their remaining poker chips. This is the only hand which Neville has the vague suspicion that Caine may have cheated on, but Caine loses anyway.
When the hand finishes, Shiryu is standing in the doorway. As far as anyone can tell, the hand finishing and Shiryu's arrival are simultaneous. Neville and Caelin stand up and each bow as Head of House to Old Lord. Neville's bow isn't as deep as Caelin's, but that's fine because his house is ranked higher than Caelin's. Jean waves as tree to Realms Lord. Caine bows as King of Chaos to Realms Lord. Calla, untrained in the protocols, bows prettily. Ilk, Neville and Jean notice that she bowed as lower ranked guild member to head of the Warrior's guild.
Shiryu looks at the assembly and says, "Caine first." Caine gets up, moves to scoop up his chips, elects against it and just goes with Shiryu into the other room. Caelin laughs aloud.
Time passes. Shiryu comes out of the room with a slightly disgusted look on his face. Caine isn't with him. People are no longer amused. Shiryu says, "Caelin." Caelin is worried, but goes along. he abandons his chips, as they weren't his to begin with.
Caelin sits down in the next room, opposite Shiryu. The Old Lord begins, "Is there any particular reason that you were motivated to second the nomination of our current King?"
Caelin smiles, but then quickly straightens up, however not fast enough that Shiryu doesn't notice. Caelin waffles a bit, but then explains, "Yes, there is a reason. You see, I was very worried about my house second becoming King of Chaos."
"Your house second?"
"Yes."
"Who is known as the archivist?"
"Yes, for now."
"Quite a resemblance. And you were worried, why?"
"Well, he was, as you likely are aware, somewhat new to this reality, and his house status was somewhat in question at the time, and I felt it would be a safer bet to have the pool of nominees for King to be larger, if indeed his nomination was going to be seconded. Furthermore, at the time, my house second was in the undignified position of being in a bucket. Also, considering that my original house second had been captured, I thought that I was running short on house seconds; our house doesn't have quite so many members at this time."
"You should do something about that."
"I will indeed be doing something about that, however there are responsibilities that I have to take care of first."
"Perhaps, a serious plan of recruitment will be in order. I do believe that a house of two members is not a house."
Caelin agrees wholeheartedly with Shiryu on his assessment. "So, are there any other problems? I do understand that responsibility ultimately lies with me that saw Caine seconded for nomination as King of Chaos..."
"You couldn't have picked someone...anyone, other than him?"
"Well, I didn't actually think he would be elected." Shiryu reveals that he would have been much happier with Osric getting nominated and subsequently elected.
[Bush's selection is a shadow of Caine's, for which Caelin is responsible. Oy.]
In Shiryu's Waiting Room, Calla is explaining how she got pulled here, to Neville. She admits that she was ordered to check in with Caine, and thusly trumped him, and ended up here.
Back in the other room, Caelin is still talking with Shiryu. "It would please me, should you get these problems settled with some attention."
Caelin answers that he will see to them at once. Shiryu cautions that immediately isn't necessary, but with deliberate speed. "Also to your wish I would like to add a suggestion; that you see Silver Lyra back on the throne."
"Of course! That was a given!" Caelin exclaims.
"And soon, so I can get these dragons out of my Chaos."
"Yes sir. I understand fully." Caelin changes the subject slightly. "I should ask, where did you drop off the King of Chaos, perchance?"
"I gave him a head-start."
Caelin is amused.
"And one other thing; would you take word to the council of houses that the King might be incommunicado for a while." Caelin agrees to do so immediately. He asks to be transported to Thelbane, to relay said news, which Shiryu vetoes outright; he wants the message to actually -get- to Thelbane. Caelin nods and says, "Well then, House Moonlight would be...fine." Between the "be" and the "fine", he is teleported to the entranceway of House Moonlight.
Shiryu walks back into the main room. Neville is next. "Eric?" he calls him. Neville returns with Shiryu to the seperate room, is gestured to a seat and seats himself. "So," Shiryu begins, "what seems to be the problem?"
Neville says that surely Shiryu's business is more important than his. Shiryu wants to hear about Neville's problems first. Neville details his problems with the reality engine; he has lost access to it, and needs access to it.
Shiryu says, "You could simply wipe it down to its very existence and start again." Neville doubts it is that simple a matter. Shiryu keeps pushing the reboot-it-all-and-start-from-scratch philosophy, then mentions a note about seeing to an issue in the middle of Neville's house. Neville says the importance of that particular issue has gone way down for the time being. Shiryu volunteers an apprentice for the job. Neville mentions the hole in the sky over Amber, confirms that it is being tended to, and then Shiryu brings up issues about Neville's legitimacy/authority in claiming the throne of Amber.
Neville speaks in his defense. "I didn't want to claim the throne at the time; I wanted to wait until I could solidify a support base. I didn't think I was ready for it at the time. As to my legitimacy, it is provable."
"You have proof of the death of your predecessor?"
"Oh that. It's pretty evident that he has abandoned the position."
"And that evidence is...?"
"He's gone."
"But for so short a span of time."
"It's a bit more complex than that. There was a question of his sanity."
"There was a question of his sanity for many more years than you've been alive, my friend."
"There is also the fact that the Crown and sword of state have accepted me."
"Mere toys; they can be coersed."
"Not by me."
"Yes, perhaps not by you. Perhaps someone else wishes to see you on the throne?"
"Who would have the power to do that except Oberon himself? Perhaps Oberon is using me for something."
Shiryu concurs that this is a possibility. "Being that there are powers that be in Chaos that wish a sympathetic crown to be in Amber? A number of Old Lords have that ability; a number of Guild heads and even seconds have that ability. A number of powerful folks even in the Gray Zone..."
Neville points out that he does not have that much favor in Chaos. Shiryu counters with the possibility that someone may want Neville away from his other responsibilities in Chaos. Neville agrees, but notes that anyone who wanted to keep him away from other responsibilities wouldn't have to go to the trouble of seeing to the throne of Amber. "Of course," Shiryu replies, "I am just speculating; I just need to know that on which you base your legitimacy."
Neville sighs. "Amber needed a crown, and I was there. I was the only one who wanted it, and I was the only one willing to accept all the resonsibilities that came with it."
Shiryu nods. "Sounds like a reasonable decision. Seeing that you're the only one who wants it, who is able to take it, shall I see to removing your house to Amber so that it's more convenient for you?"
Neville is not so sure about moving the house; he fears too many members wouldn't be able to adapt to Amber's environs.
"Then your household will have to be comprised of different members soon enough."
Neville does acknowledge that this may solve any problems he has had up to this point with dissention in the ranks of the house, but is still uneasy. Shiryu points out that house members will not have to be present at the actual house. Shiryu is adamant about house heads being in close contact with their physical houses; Neville reluctantly agrees. "Would that cripple my ability to be in touch with Chaos politics?"
"Only if you let it."
Other logistics are discussed. Neville is worried that house members who are shadow lame won't make it to house meetings. Shiryu explains that they've friends in Chaos on whom they may rely. Ways are ruled out. Neville asks if there is a way to convince Rainbow for some sort of dispensation on trump use. Shiryu rules that one out. "He is significantly stubborn, and is an Old Lord. But again, what he does not know..."
Things are eventually agreed upon, and then Shiryu voices his actual concerns. "I am concerned that I have recently had to take a hand in settling some house disagreements recently." This refers to Neville's house and a few others. Various issues are mentioned. Neville inquires as to how Caine ever got elected. Shiryu notes that the major houses elected him. Neville inquires as to what the substance on the Moon over Amber is. The speculation of it's being Oberon's blood is mentioned. Neville opines that there is the possibility then that Oberon is still alive in the event the substance is his blood. Various hypothetical situations are discussed involving Oberon's return. Neville says he is building up Amber's defenses for this very purpose. Shiryu recommends the employment of Zacharias. Zach is currently on an errand, but will be reachable afterwards. Neville inquires about Auricle. Shiryu answers that is what Zach is on an errand for.
Neville brings up the matter of Dara. Shiryu knows little of her, and requests that any information Neville gets on her be relayed to him. The conversation wraps up, and Shiryu offers to transport Neville to wherever he needs to go. Neville answers, "Amber...I need to..." and notices that between "Amber" and "I", he has been transported to Amber. He goes at once to seek out his armor. Neville seeks out the Grey guy and inquires as to whether there is a backup throne. None to speak of. He asks how he can have one constructed; the current throne is covered with shifter poison.
Shiryu walks back into the room. "Calla." Calla is eating cookies and waiting quietly. The bonsai tree is up on a shelf and being rather calm. Jean has stacked up the cards and poker chips neatly, for the next group of visitors.
Calla heads into the private room and sits down. "Yes, Master Shiryu?"
"You have recently come to my attention."
"Under pleasant circumstances I hope?"
"It is never pleasant to come to my attention."
"I see. I beg forgiveness."
"Try and refrain from doing so in the future."
"I will do my best. Any particular reason how I came to you attention?"
"I don't know your reason for coming to my attention."
Calla is surprised, and frightened. "Following orders?"
"Can be dangerous, especially considering who's giving them. You should learn to think for yourself, young lady."
"Yes sir." Calla is still confused, and admits as such.
"I am concerned with my garden and its well-being. You have been invovled in things that disrupt the growing of my garden. Try and refrain from doing so."
"What things disrupt your garden that I was involved in?"
"Get somebody to explain. Perferably someone like Ilkandacian, or a few others. I'm sure any one of them would be more than willing to explain to you the importance of my garden."
"Yes sir. Anything else, sir?"
"Just be careful whom you associate with."
"Are you referring to Caine?"
"I'm not saying anyone in particular. I'm just saying that you should consider your actions."
"I will do my best, sir. Do you have any particular problems with King Eric?"
"I tend not to have problems with individuals. At least, not for long."
"Of course sir. Is there anything else?"
"Is there any place in particular you would like to be placed?"
"I imagine that I need to check in with King Eric, and Jean needs transportation too."
"I am sure Jean will be just fine."
Calla nods, and she is in the throne room of Amber. She reaches for her trumps.
Shiryu returns to the main room once again. Jean can see that this time he has what looks like a watering can. He walks up to Jean and waters him. The water tastes vaguely of hobbit, but not pure hobbit. Jean finds this acceptable. Shiryu asks if Jean is comfortable. Jean thinks so. Shiryu asks that if either Jean or Ilk need anything, to let him know. Jean may require sunlight, but he's not sure. Shiryu offers to arrange for whatever needs the bonsai form requires.
Calla has a talk with Neville. She indicates she had no intention of reporting Neville's actions to Caine. "I actually have to yell at my father for this whole deal."
Back to the index.