Bound Up by the Strings of Fate

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

LadyStLaurence: What did Claramae St. Laurence do to pass a time when all things were considered at a stand still? The answer to the question was intact with the action rendering a verdict: apply formula to that which is idle to amplify the potential of unseen inertia. Through a row of Noviates walked the emeraldine queen of impass; the color aforestated in satin swung in strange contrast to the leather vambraces and chest coverings the students wore. "No. If you do it that way, you will only hasten your own demise, which defeats the purpose does it not? Attack again, but remain lower. Spring not out of a need to strike back, as out of th enecessity of the act." Through another line, she corrected the offensive of one partner, while instructor the other how to tear down an opponent with a defensive move. Outside and in, the Laurence House was ordered. Outside and In, Ebony Hall was the same. Two portions of life balanced well but it was the second in need of amplification. What remained of the lesser noviates requirede cultivation, and of those first inducted? A thesis to test their readiness. No more games. No more metaphor for what lay beyond the estate's guilded dark door. A war was at hand, and it was time to assemble weaponry conducive to the environment (d)

Poised Illusion: Amongst the noviates, she was prepared to do, to learn all she could to help the order. It was the least she could do after her little encounter with Vance that left a dark and ugly bruise across her cheek connected to the right side of her lips. She felt, horrible, so having obeyed Alen in laying low. She didn't understand why she had been told to hide while others had clearly fought. Fought and died, but was it to say the same thing would of happened to her. There was to much that hadn't been told. To much that had been skirted around and she was, essentially sick of it. She trusted Alen, of that there was no doubt but eventually the bird in the cage, either gave up singing or died. Of which two scenario's she was close to was still a mystery. On the outside, she was a courtesan, a symbol of grace and poise of the Gilded Lily, inside...well even that to was a mystery. She had always seen herself as a black hole of which nothing had yet filled. This place, this opportunity was a chance to fill that void, to be something more then just a name. Her opponent had her in a lock, his arm around her neck, the other around her waist. Done for? Not at all, hands raised to grip his arm around her neck while her foot slid back and with a hard yank and a roll, the 'little man' was heaved over her shoulder and to his back on the ground. He huffed out the breath within his chest before glowering eyes looked up at her. "I dun like fightin' a girl!". Ursula only let out a laugh as she offered him a hand up. "Again?" He glowered even more "No!" He hissed and strolled past her though at the last second he turned and let out a wild sound as he launched at her backside. Ursula turned, dark curls flying as she gripped his arm as he landed at her, rolling so when they fell, he fell first and she to his back as his arm was arm was yanked behind his back. He let out a howl of agony but she refused to let go as her jaw tensed in anger. "You attack out of anger and you make a wrong move". She yanked on his arm as she spoke before releasing him to lift up off his backside.*

LadyStLaurence: "Some of you may be of a fortune to rarely sully your hands. Others of you may prove to be the ones who favor that passage in doing business. Either way, you will be the fool for going forth in an uncontrolled rage." There were several skirmishes in place, but Claramae was interested in the one wherein Ursula Darling was curving her artistic tool into a weapon. One wondered how far the skill would take her. Did she prefer the esbionage or the physical aspects of direct contact. In a great room one corridor and six doors down from the entrance was wear the collective was being trained. As the fighting space grew larger with each pair a servant would undo a golden joining in the molding, pushing the entire entity further to the back, right, or left. A turn of a pane pressed light in the floor where the errant beams marked the final destination. Should a foot leave the area, the master would scold. Thus far she found little fault in one of Sorschal's personal favorites. "Very good, Lady Darling. Brava. She is besting you, noviate, because you see her in the wrong context. " What did that mean? A dark network of tendrils splayed out wheel spokes, hands of each in constant flight like mating birds. In the end there was only one correction that she would offer Lady Darling. "Remind your opponent not of his mistakes nor appraisals, your focus will skew." As the the little man nursed a bit of wounded pride the emeraldine woman walked over to Ursuala, following the round lines of light on the floor. "I am very impressed. Sorschal has a keen eye, though you're anger, no matter how well controlled suffered the same flaw as you spoke to your opponent of. Why hold for longer and talk of philsophy and not make a finishing move? You will hardly have time to do so beyond these walls, I assure you." (d

Poised Illusion: The truth was, she wasn't even sure where she belonged in all of this. Only coming to some grips that Alen saw something in her, that she didn't see in herself, or really that she was just coming to grips with. When one was told bad things about yourself. It was easier to believe then the good things another was saying. It took time and continued persistence to believe that any good could come out of a bad life. Her head turned at Clara's appearance and she tipped her head to the comment but she wasn't about to say she was the better fighter here. With only a week of learning it? Justin, her opponent, was new and less inclined to know how to fight then she. With only a week of training above him, no doubt he would be better then her in the end. "Thank you Lady St. Laurence.." Chocolate hues ran to Justin then back, as her head tilted to the side just a bit at the question as she thought over it. Delicate brows pressed downward as she gave a shake of her head. "I am not sure I understand, why display a finishing move when this is training? I can not see Justin as anything but a companion. Were he different, I wouldn't give him the time of day to explain his attack but merely do away with him."*

LadyStLaurence: "You are aware that had you not grasped him with the level of strength you did, Justin was revealing a concealed weapon?" The master stepped closer to the noviate. Consider the image of them frozen in a portrait captured for all time, a pair of women discussing the finer points of the fight. Claramae would be the one undoing but half a loose lace at the edge of her wrist sleeve to reveal the real edition of what Justin had in his of practice wood. "It would not have killed you, of course, but it exemplifies a particular focus, an almost concentrated obsession. He has attended a lesson on weapon's concealment no doubt with Master Vance Evans. The sleeve is common, a street tool. While you gave him a lecture it was almost at full extension." The other students began to leave the room to find rest perhaps, to go to other trades that were done in daylight. Some might even attend another class, but it seemed that few were privileged a moment of private tutelage but the likes of the hand-selected. Ursula. Nairne. "See him as a companion, but remember the business of what you are learning." A lady could be told by her hands; no blemish besmirched the dexterous digits of St. Laurence. With the left hand she tugged the thin lace back into place, closing the compartment that housed an end-game for the foolish. (d)

Poised Illusion: "No I was not aware.." If Ursula felt foolish over the revealed practice weapon, it did not show. Foolish indeed though, for the one concealed on her person was, well less then practice and a gift from Alen. She had picked up quickly how to conceal it and were so that it was not displayed anywhere unless she choose to do so. Her jaw visibly flexed though at the mention of Vance, as painful as it was to move her cheek as it were with the bruise. "Vance.."She mumbled under her breath and shook her head. "Two faced arsehole." Chocolate hues watched the students filing out, Justin was the last as he waited, his weapon displayed then hidden again, he was still scowling when he left the room and Ursula waited until they were the last two bodies in the room. "My apologies, my comments should be kept to myself." She offered on calling Vance a two faced arsehole. Fingers laced behind her back as she pulled in a breath then let out a sigh. "An I have to apologize still, my mind is not completely on lessons...I'm hoping that will change within the next few days. I would like to say though, that I am pleased to have finally met you Lady Laurence."*

LadyStLaurence: Displeasure creased no line on the face where no trace of anything was deemed to have ever happened. The eyes, too, were devoid of example while the voice rose only a decipal of requisite firm, "A Lady does not engage in the use of explicitives for it shows a lack of self control and manners. Here, no matter our unorthodoxy we will not sacrifice manners. Master Evan's language is brutal enough, Lady Darling." A woman needn't surrender her claim to glory because she was a force of nature to be reckoned with. From a plateau of traditionalism all things are re-shaped, for this is the foundation. "A lady also keeps her opinions to heself, unless she can find way to voice them in an appropriate fashion. There are far many other words in the English language, you are a thespian, are not? You have read them in droves. Despite his lack of couth or the brashness of his company, Master Evans is still a Master and in this place you will accord him the respect he so deserves." Would that Evans had only heard a defense of his rank above Ursula he may have fallen by the wayside in a shock so thorough he'd never be revived. Turning from the Darling woman she began to make progression towards the door wherein nothing spoke on her person. No skirt rustle, no shifting of shoes. "You may come to company if you'd like, lady-noviate. Equal in scope is the opportunity to have met Sorschal's star pupil. Tell me along the way why your mind is not on lesson." (d

Poised Illusion: "Very true, a less well learned." She gave a nod of her head. She was getting quite the tongue-lashing from the lady and Mistress in her own right of the Order but it was well deserved and she could not find it within herself to be upset that she was being reprimanded for her actions and words. Though she could of argued that she was no Lady, only portraying one but well, even that would probably find her in more hot water then what she was in now. She would honor in thinking Vance a Master only in the company of others but what she and the man said in private was between them. but if Vance had been listening and fallen over in shock, she wasn't going to be the one to revive him either! The thought alone of the man falling over in any kind of shock would of brought a smile to her face in any other circumstance. Shifting her feet, she followed the Lady out as the offer eas given. A pointed chin dipped downward to watch her feet moving more then where they were going. "Master Sorchal is a very..."She paused to find the right words. "Is very important to me, he is a trusted companion and friend. I have a lot of respect for him." She offered before giving a small shake of her head. "In truth Mistress Laurence, what else would keep a Lady from her mind on her lessons? A man."She tried to smile and couldn't. There wasn't much she revealed to people she did not know. Even with Alen, she was hard pressed to admit things. There was one fatal flaw, she couldn't avoid or deny a question that was asked. It just not was in her nature. Though she could lie like the richardens, or twist the truth, the question would be answered.*

LadyStLaurence: "Quite." One word to a few offered after dispensing several for the purpose of admonishment. There was no need to look over her shoulder to find out if the noviate was coming. Evidently the company to be kept was suitable to her, so they could begin relations on a note worthy of a riveting page-turner. True, the bulk of the meeting thus far seemed a dry catalogue of speech but there was more than meets the eye to either. A conversation arose on the subject of the one Master Sorschal and his place in the girl's life. "He has taken you as his personal apprentice then, or so seems to. That is a most sacred relationship in our world, lady-noviate. We are not the sort to keep a bevy of friends nor personal relations. As for what would deter your head from lessons, that is a dangerous thing. Your head should never be anywhere but where your body is, thinking only so far a head of a situation that it takes you only over the next wall, not onto the plains. I find that a real lady, again, among the things she is ought never scatter her mind" Why refer to the prentender as a lady? Well, let us be frank in assesment. They found noviates in courtesans, not dock whores. In elegance, not crumbs of trash. To go where they would send her would require a level of poise, manners, forebearence, and grace that no woman on earth should possess but was the hallmark of the Lady of the House. " I would imagine Sorschal would like his noviate to remain in one piece. He has a mind of a sharp, singular focus to each situation. Often noviates acquire some of the traits of their masters. What man is this in personality, that skews your focus. Tell me no names, I assume that a personal matter." (d)

Poised Illusion: "So it would seem.."She commented on Alen taking her as his personal apprentice. Aside from them she would not, or really could not. How his mind worked was way beyond her understanding. Again fingers laced behind her back as she kept a pace one step behind the ladies but no less by her side. Head still dipped, it finally rose. "Only here, and the Lily does my mind wander. Perhaps in the safety of the walls. I find my head firmly on my shoulders otherwise. Yet I can't help but to admit that lately, within walls such as these, I would rather my head be away from my shoulders then connected with my body." She shook her head with a sigh. "No names, no. I hope you will understand, I do not know you well enough to be laying my whole life story and those within it at your feet. Regardless of that, you haven't asked me for such either and it is not an exciting story anyway's but it is a singular situation of which my mind is focused now and of a man. I say it will lighten in a few days for the situation that is to happen. Which will also relieve my thoughts of such a person. To say, I met this person before my duties started here, and now that I wish to devote my time here, then, well...he can not be apart of it. Not because it can not be that way but I do not wish it that way." Silently she wondered how much Clara knew of her situation with Marke? It was not that Ursula did not trust the Mistress, but simply that she did not know her. Jonathan had been the only one she had trusted and look what had happened in the end? Alen had earned her trust rather fast but he had been the only one of any interest in her and likewise, her to him. Ursula could of been a fly on the wall in any else's eyes and it didn't bother her in the least. An odd assessment for a courtesan(now turned spy).*

LadyStLaurence: "Yes, I fathom. That is why I said no names?" A rather had task master. It was also a lesson in conversation, the good thing was that Nairne was the focal point of the excruciating shaping to follow in St. Laurence's tiny footsteps while Sorschal devised his own plans. Her ability to listen there after was brilliant; no detail missed, no nuance left to the wayside. In fact, it was downright eerie when one considered no one living should have the ability to mimic the dead. "Go right to the heart of the question, lady-noviate. Too much round about will leave you as open for viewing as a skin under glass." No, she asked for but one specific, but often in their world more was learned so then in having the second over the first, it requires double the focus, the diligience, and you risk being drained. The first requires care, but is easier than the second. Given your trades-- " What was known versus what was not was not the topic of conversation, nor would it due to lay ones bones bare. She wanted to come to know the woman (if such was possible, let it be known the Lady had few feminine companions herself) given her proximity to her own favorite former student. "You already know that some people retain certain uses. If you can not carry him with you forward, you must find a way to leave him behind in a certain finality that will broker no question later. It is a taxing requirement of a woman in this line of work. The adage says your friends close, you enemies closer. You will even find that those noviates you are with now may not last the times ahead without remembering this. To the world Ursula we are as ghosts: ghosts of men, ghosts of women, this is why we would haunt you so." Their steps carried them toward a room where in they stood upon a floor but seemed to step out onto a glass floor to look through a glass wall at a world beyond that. "This house is no more nor less than anything along this row, yet to gaze here, it is a vast property. Dipping down, spreading three over upon each side. To find this, you must have a key. As you may , or may not know, Sorschal was my apprentice. Come, there is something I want to show you." (d)

Poised Illusion: "I figured as much." Her head dipped in a nod as a faint smile touched her lips. Was it the practice of many to make assessments of other people knowing so little information? Nothing she judged of the woman was bad or harsh, merely observing the woman as reserved, and very intelligent. A delicate brow inched upward. Was there supposed to be a question she was to ask the woman? She had merely been making light conversation on why she was so scatterbrained lately. "I fathomed as much. In this line of work, I cannot afford companionship that isn't within the order itself and he is not. His standing on society is not what would call to bring him into such. I have no connections that would be harmed where something happen to me here but he does. This is one thing I have kept in mind in my decision. Where I go in this, he can not follow and for many reasons. It is not a worry of my stamina of my decision but a will not to be selfish, we both of us have paths to follow, his can not be mine." Chocolate hues moved to the glass floor as the woman spoke of being ghosts. That was what worried her, to be a ghost in Marke's world. She knew the outcome of her decision, or at least could fathom it, it didn't sit well in breaking his heart but it had to be done. To save him, she had to hurt him and there was no changing her mind in that. Alen had been her apprentice, if he had told her, she couldn't remember though she didn't allow any surprise of the knowledge cross her face. A blank canvas of alabaster skin was her face as she gave a nod of her head that the woman had something to show her. "Of course, please, lead on."*

LadyStLaurence: Yes, dear Ursula. It was the practice of the established to make assesment on but a handful of facts to lay one bare on the floor. The fewer facts presented, the less that could be said. Still, there was a pleasing rhythm to her voice and an acceptable nature to her company that Claramae found fascinating. "You can only afford companions whom you trust, simply because they are within the order does not make them acceptable. You will have many associaties, and there is a difference between them and companions. It is a hard choice to make, but in that you have come this far your mind is keen. You are willing, and able." One could hardly tell if that was a compliment or another observation based on something. Coming to the end of the glass hall where the outside world was shown but they were not seen, they came to another door, and it lead to an obstacle in the courtyard. "It is my understanding, my lady that you have had some challenge upon scaling walls. I am sorry, Master Evans is not very discrete." Meaning the man was often a drunken open book and if you found him at the right moment he would relay a hissing life story of the day or night's events. Reaching to the front of her, she unlaced the over-robe gown of satin to reveal that beneath it lay a functional attire suitable for expanding work. The light skins were a deter from her usual leather, but one did not want to raise the stenches while well dressed in satin now did they? A sort of doe-skin pair of tights, and a long split skirt-like piece went with the chemise, doeskin half bodice and the vambraces. (d)

Poised Illusion: It was quite funny, if she thought about it long enough. Clara company was the most she kept with a female in well, a very long time. Lessons at the Lily usually meant strict listening and then a break. Not that the ladies were not, in some way fun to be with but aside from Nairne being a spy in training, she hadn't had much relation with women in general. Yet even she wasn't sure if the statement was a compliment or meant in some other way. She wasn't one to take compliments well anyway's and so just gave her a wavering smile as they crossed the glass floor room. A burst of a laugh left her lips at the sight of the obstacle accompanied by the ladies words. Big mouthed jerk! The side of her mouth cracked into a grin as her shoulders rose and fell. "In my defense, it was raining when I attempted the high wall.." she offered, re framing from saying any sour comments about the arsehole more. "I do not see a need to apologize my lady, clearly he felt the need to discuss a flaw and I am willing to correct such a flaw that it no longer exists." Still in a pair of slacks and tunic top for training, there was no reason for her to change so she waited patiently while the lady comprised herself for the course. Ursula herself was rather impressed, one flick of the wrist it seemed, the skirt was off and the woman was ready. Impressive.*

LadyStLaurence: Indeed. One might wonder what the Lady was capable of with the satin on! That however was not occuring this afternoon for it was one of her favorite arsenal pieces. "Shall we? Let me see what you have accomplished from a night in the rain." Vance could be a pain - Lady Laurence would lie if she did not give testament to this fact and lady's in the company of loyal constituets should not feel the need to sully the truth. The sign of laughter was met with quick flicker of a smile's ghost painting face before dissolving to placid indifference. Brown strands were coiled around where in the center of her hair a flower resided that had come to be a favored decoration. By bending one of the petals, it held the bun in place. It was the shortest sentence of their dialogue thus far but accomplished the coming to business aspect of earlier mention. To be frank, save for Danae, Claramae had not many relations with women. Those she knew were obviously indisposed. (d)

Poised Illusion: One would wonder long and hard for time to come in what the woman could do in the company of skirts. In their line of work, more often then not, skirts were not a henderance but well, in the essence of fleeing, they could be. Still, a leather cord was taken from her belt and dark curls bound back before she gave a nod of her head to the question. Indeed, she would show the woman where she had gotten most of her bruises, sans the one on her cheek compliment of Vance Evan! At least the ground had dried, she would not flop on her behind to many times. Taking one step back and then another, it was as if she were ignoring Clara, really she was now concentrating on the wall before her. Inhaling a breath, she held it before letting it out as she launched herself at it in a run. Even without rain, she waited till the last minute to jump upward, her foot kicked against the wall pushing upward till the other foot matched it heightening her rise up the wall. Hands gripped the edge pulling her up and throwing her weight over the top, she fell, landing in a crouch with a huff of a breath. Aha! Now she was proud of herself.*

LadyStLaurence: That was the way it should be. If the man had distanced her mind during the fight no doubt Lord Marke would not help her progression over walls, either. To not be able to climb out was to be trapped, and to be trapped risked finality. They were only supposed to bring the end game, not be the end game. Putting her hands behind her back, she watched as with great determination Ursula pulled herself up and over the obstacle. "That was passable, though the objective is to in eventuality make it a might more effortless for yourself, lest you plod on the other side. The maneuver you used is good for rain, though come back about the other side. As you know women are not possed of a great deal of upper body strength, so us pulling over a wall takes more effort. Try it again, and spring from lower. You do this, the only thing you will need your hands for -- " The master merely took a few steps back from the wall, then a few more. Leaning low into her back and sitting almost atop her ankles she dashed at the structure. From the low point, while springing up she pulled her lower limbs under, so instead of elongating she was well on her way to the top and used her hands only to steady the situation and push her over to the other side. "Use your assets. Especially if it is not a high wall and you can land on the otherside without a great deal of work. We are strong legged, and strong cored. (d)

Poised Illusion: While she was ever ready to learn. She took a moment to bask in the glory of actually making it over when last time she had merely bruised the inside of her thighs just to sit on the top. There was a lot of madness to her method of doing things. Constructive criticism taken, she moved to watch Clara take on the wall. Physically showing what she was trying to put across. Shifting back, she matched the point where Clara had taken off and crouched low. For a moment she was still, staring intensely ahead. Her back inclined as she rushed the wall in the same as the master had except this time, she couldn't seem to do it. She stalled then then dropped to the ground. With a small huff, she moved back to the 'starting' point. Crouching low again, she inhaled then exhaled, staring against at the wall. Spring from lower..Spring from the ground, she stayed low, tucking in as the lady had done and using her hands as she was near the top to steady before she was over the side and landing on the ground again. Second times a charm in this case but ask her to do any other portion of the course and it would probably be a long day.*

LadyStLaurence: "Focus, lady. Be as a coil of muslce. The advantage of the feminine form is that we are naturally lithe in these portions of our bodies." There was some instruction a man couldn't give, and you might call this the finer point of the spy feminine. If a man were talkin on the nature of a female's legs it was because he wanted them wrapped around his waist or in some other such unsavory posture that curb's their sense and heightens an instinctual idiocy. Claramae watched as the procedure was attempted and failed. On a second try she did the move, pulling herself in tighter, utilizing her core muscles to continue propoltion instead of as a landing platform to splay across to the other side. "Brava." She let onto a lower wall nearby, two footed, and landed the same with no correction of arm. "Come, do this task and we will talk further. I find the company quite delightful." The woman didn't exhibit 'delightful'. Wind picked up, making the ability to remain harder..or so it should be..but she stood there like gargoyles on the face of a church. "Your closeness to Sorschal is a good thing, he will watch out for you better interests. All I ask in return, is you have a care with him. The presence of particular women prove taxing after a time." Meaning as much as Sorschal might care for his master or apprentice, they were the sorts that would tax his mind to borderline insanity with the way they naturally were. (d)

Poised Illusion: Even though it seemed as if she hadn't heard the Mistress giving her a monitone of encouragement and direction. She had. The compliment, brava was met again with a wavering smile. She just really didn't take any compliment well even when she knew she did a good job. With the wind pick up, it was hard to match the second wall but she followed after the woman as if her shadow. Her hands moved then as if to take her hair out of its binding but tightened it against the force of the wind, tucking the long tail around into a bun and winding the ends of the leather strap around the bun to keep it in place before she was turning her attention back the Lady. "He all ready has and I have doubts will continue to." Her face tilted up into the wind. Some people like the warmth of the sun, Ursula liked the wind. It was a mystical breath, sometimes gentle, caressing like a lover and sometimes harsh, demanding and shoving. "I will do as you ask, not only because I find I have respect for you My lady and not just because of these teachings and that you are a Master.." What she meant by this would of course be left to chance and mystery. "Coupled with the fact, I worry of such things myself all ready. "Honestly it was hard to explain her relationship with Alen as even Ursula was unsure of it. He was a Best Friend to her but the feelings and interests there seemed so much more then just a best friend. It wasn't that she was in love with her mentor, but hard to explain, even harder to understand herself. "He means a lot to me." She finally offered and it was as much as she could give, willingly and in understanding what was between mentor and student.*

LadyStLaurence: "Good show." Short one for praise words but long on explanations the Lady was the pinacle of success. Ursula had the promise of that, and seeing it made her wish to drive her forward in the smallest of ways. It was not her place to overstep the teachings of her own Master, but they all encouraged for who had these ebony dwellers, but one another? As the young woman explained her standing with the Master, Claramae found in herself a moment's pause. Relationships were complex things that needed little defining for the devil in the details twisted the essence too hard. As the cool air increased it began to toy with errant locks of hair that in wistful waltz caressed the sides of an angeless face. She did not expect absolutions in titles only so in loyalty. Like her, the relationship she had with Sorschal was confusing in that it held the symbiotic similarities of many things. One thing was clear, in that while years had seperated them it would never do so again. One would not be far from where the other could not reach. At once matrilineal and paternal, a pair of siblings and a set of strangers, they were as enduring as the sun and moon. "Do so of your own principle. That is good. You will not go far in this world without them." A time later, still standing on the lower wall she looked to Ursula before saying. "He means a great deal to me, as well."(d)

Poised Illusion: "Thank you" She offered to the short praise with yet another tip of her head. They needed to get away from the subject of her. She felt as if she had been training all day, frankly, she was done for the day. It was the distraction she had needed. Coupled with the presence of the Lady st. Laurence and it had been quite a good day. Arms locked behind her back, pushing a moderate chest forward as she inhaled of the spring wind, held it then let it out in a slow sigh. There was much that was still on the woman's mind, so much so it had taken her away from the Ebony Hall, into another place. Apart from the passive look on her face, there was that faraway look within her face and finally she blinked, her head turning downward from the gentle press of the wind and her attention went to the lady once more. A crack of a smile touched her lips. "Glad to see we have more in common then...well this place." Feet slid against the wall as she turned her body more towards the woman. "You said he was once your apprentice but he mentioned a Master, well a man. I didn't inquire further then what he told me but when did you come into the picture?"*

LadyStLaurence: "You are welcome." A subject change was always pleasant and it seemed Ursula was also quick in skill with conversation in how to speak to Lady St. Laurence. The woman's mind moved in a bafflign array of circles that could constitute as cruelty when exposed to the average process of thought. She lent her body to gravity and moved lower, sitting on her soles of her shoes, weighing herself on the thin top of the wall as she considered the shift of subject became takl of history " We have a great many things in common, it is simply that a vast majority of women either do not find my company ..how shall we say...enjoyable. Or they are simply afraid. Yes, I did say that, didn't I. We are all apprentices and masters, and the cycle is quite long. My master took on Sorschal, and in a sense gave him to me as he felt my time as an apprentice coming to an end. Sorschal came to us by way of my master's former student. Vittergaust was a master to us all. He kept us together for a years. Elusha Vittergaust was unlike any other in his say, as a man of science his genius was unparalleled in England. As a spy, the Earl of Canterbury could have no greater eyes. As an assasin, nothing touched him, until the end of his days (d)
Vittergaust had two of us before Sorschal came to one of his students - Myself, and a name you may be familiar with. Gottschalk. Gottschalk was Alendral's master until realizing his student's madness, Vittergaust bid me draw Alendral to us, and then it was (d)

Poised Illusion: Shifting on the wall as the lady kneeled down, balancing on the thin wall, Ursula straddled it, using her hands to balance her from falling off. "If you'll allow me to say so..."She paused to turn her attention completely to the woman, away from the wind. "You are not like many women here. You are reserved and quiet but no less intelligent, no less a Lady but I think for those women, bubbly and rose cheeked, it is hard to see a woman of your pose. Had I no knowledge of you, I would say you were cold and distant and people tend to reframe from that rather then find out why their opinion leads them to that. I do not find you cold nor distant. You do hold restrain but as you said, a Lady must do so, especially in our profession and not lend to much first hand. At least to the wrong source." She fell silent to listen to her explain about Alen. In truth it created more questions then it answered anything. "Gottchalk madness you mean?" She wanted to make that perfectly clear, though she hardly doubted Alen had madness in him, no more then usual and she wouldn't blame him for some madness when she herself was prone to it. Life such as they had lead, a little madness was expected. "So Alen was not..."She paused again, trying to find the right way to phrase her question. "Well under Gottchalk tutelage, he lead a dark life?"*

LadyStLaurence: "I have always been rather inparticular to displays of vast emotion. This is not to say that the likes of happiness, or anger or the ilk never touch my life but it has done so never to translate in my face before an open populace. Companionship in life, beyond this trade, is a privelege. Emotions can be crippling if one knows not how to mind them. I am in earnest as I was bred. Vittergaust was far livelier than me. " Nobility bred nobility to be serious substance with a pretty face while her own father enjoyed the zealous mind his daughter had to be fed. How glorious a match she would have made. To pin hopes on a star is to watch the celestial body fly until it falls far from grace "No, I mean simply Gottschalk was mad. What you know as the Gottschalkian madness is the malady they shape his predacessors to hold. Vittergaust thought it was just a zealousness for learning but...when he took me, even I told him it was dark. In time this proved true, no truer than when he took Sorschal as his apprentice. He taught him of only murder, and the body, to break it, and to twist. He took such pleasure in this and was so impassive as to it all that it made poor Sorschal quites stone faced for a youth. I was not much older than Sorschal, enough, but not too far beyond. Gottschalk began to go rogue, murder for murder's sake. He was protecting nor aiding any. It began when he went for those in Earl's household..." The remainder of that angle was not explored, seamless she went to another. "When he was cast away from us and took to fleeing, Sorschal stayed, and the three of us left from an appointment at the Earl's estate back to where we had all met, the court of London, and there we remained for a time." (d)

Poised Illusion: She knew nothing of being nobility though it could be say she saw nobility better then they saw themselves. She had been in their midst before, it was one trait she could not break and perhaps one Alen liked the most, her ability to see more in a situation then most people did. Her head tipped in a slow nod of understanding. It was hard to picture either of them in a situation as this, simply because the names did not match any face she knew. True she had never met Vitterguast or Gottchalk, probably better for her but it made it harder to see the past or imagine how it was. "I see.."She stated simply. To know Alen knew how to twist and break a body was not unsettling, not as much as it should of been. She had been taught similar traits, though it wasn't how to twist or break a body, it was how to twist the minds and emotions. Again the blank canvas had been molded to others whims and dreams. Never had she had one of her own. Yet this hadn't been forced on her. It had been chosen. The blank canvas was being molded by her, what she wanted to learn. "So, what happened from there?" She knew the story didn't end there. There was still a gap. What happened from London to here?*

LadyStLaurence: "Gottschalk acquired such infamy in his work that there was a lesser number of English spies because of it. It was so terrible that those of the Italian states could not subdue him, and so we followed him there. Therein, a great many things happened, of which I will only say we survived - and barely. Before we'd left London Vittergaust was murdered, and so that was the start in the chain of events. After the time in Italy, sorschal and I parted ways for years until last summer, when I had worked for one of Skye's allies. Avaria is now gone, as is commonly known. With the fall of that reign I became installed herein with Sorschal, and we have been working on behalf of their grace's ever since." there was more to that story - so much more - so much more that enigma would be set in the noviate's brain. "Undermining them and their works is our chief concern now in the absence of the war and English interference." (d)

Poised Illusion: It was clear there was much more to the story then the Lady St Laurence was telling, however, even Ursula knew when and when not to press the issue. For reasons unknown to her, these details were kept quiet. Shifting on the wall, shoulders rolled back as she moved her bottom from getting sore and falling asleep. "So one question remains, well, there are many questions remaining but this one doesn't pertain to your story. It's clear now that spies of your caliber, you and Alen especially, have been around here, Skye and Avaria for quite some time. So why the need for people like me to become spies?" Chocolate hues raised from the ground up to the lady beside her.*

LadyStLaurence: "We maneuver in pairs, in trios this is true, but there is a core of us more oft than naught. In these wars you will see that without you, Lady Darling, we would be sorely outnumbered. No matter how quick, how clever, how bold there comes a time your skill gives way to exhaustion." Claramae stayed the same along the wall, brown eyes with hazel influence would shift in following Ursula's movements. "Sorschal and I are some of the finest from the islands and perhaps amidst the Continent as well. But so are those we face, of the same caliber towards a hell bent obsession to finish what their master started." d)

Poised Illusion: She was attentive as the woman spoke for a long time after she was silent. After moving to get her blood flowing in her bottom again, she maneuvered back to the same position and for the span of her silence, she was unmoving until she was rocking, feet kicking to give her momentum. Hands pressed tight to the thin line of the top of the wall as her feet kicked back, her weight was thrown upward and she jumped to a crouching position on the wall. She looked for a wolf about to pounce before she found the balance of her feet in place enough to lift up to stand upon the wall again. Shoulders rolled back, cracking with the movement. "I'll endeavor not to let you or Alen down. Although, I have a feeling, not everyone is going to make it out of this particular war alive." A faint ghost of a smile touched her lips but with the passing of a breath of wind, it was gone. "Alen says I should trust my instincts. I'm no soothsayer, but I feel an ill wind approaching. Like even though the world is unchanged, its changed more then people realize.."*

LadyStLaurence: "So you should. Your mind is able to perceive things quickly. I see why Sorschal favors you so" While Ursula called him Alen Claramae did not use the lesser term. Was it in that her formality did not bid such a thing or in that only if bid she could use a name fit for stage and not life. So accustomed was she to old address that to a strange one the monicher seemed out of place. Drawing to a rise she placed one foot before the other to look in the direction toward the sea "Yes, the wind bodes well for no one. A great many people are going to die, and it will be a war that will laud us few honors. We fight under no great banners. There are times this is an empty venture of praise or thanks. Though our sovereigns are by far kinder than any on the Continent, there are things even we will not tell them in the bid to protect them. We are lauded among cohorts but may vanish come morning. When Vittergaust was murdered there were only four of us to mourn him among the many lives he moved through. That we might be so lucky should our time come." (d)

Poised Illusion: "hmmm"she mused in a small moan of understanding. Only that she had not been wrong in her assumption, in her instincts. Chocolate hues turned towards her companion for the evening. "You and Alen will, of that I have no doubt but I would see no one mourn for me, not because there are not many and there are not but because I believe in neither heaven nor hell. Once death comes, we cease to exist but in memory and I would rather people remember me then mourn what is no longer here." Strange that a girl brought up in a orphanage run by nuns would not believe in God or the devil nor the existence of heaven and hell but in living as she had, she saw no reason to believe in either. If you could see it and touch it, then it was real. Why believe otherwise in her opinion. People could believe in what they wanted, she wouldn't argue the point of supernatural existence. To each his or her own.*

LadyStLaurence: "Memory goes on long after we are dead, an if we are fortunate enough to have but one person tell our story, then it is for something, isn't it? You might say I share my master's belief in God, in an afterworld who's paradoxes for all we imagine, write, or are taught is too complex to understand. I believe that we are elected for certain things in life be it by God himself or the nearness our paths take to others. Religion is often the excuse of zealots or fools emassing greed. I would say that God has agents of his wrath that walk in darkness but find a light in his face. My master would not let us kill on feast days of saints, nor our saints day, or the sabbath. He would not kill on his Sabbath either, which was strange for he cultivated further faith in us when he himself was a man of the old testament, a Jew. "(d)

Poised Illusion: "I have not followed religion or religious days in a very long time. The nuns of the orphanage instilled in all the kids religion but somehow..I guess I do not have imagination enough to believe in what you can not see and touch. Strange coming from a thespian right?" She hummed as a ghost of a smile touched at her lips again. "Besides, being around a man like Jonathan, it was hard to believe any supernatural being of good could allow such bad things to happen." Her shoulders rolled in a shrug before she realized she had said more then she wanted to. chyt! She silently cursed at herself. Shaden and Clara could try instilling being a lady into her, however, she had come from scraps, you could take the streetrat out of the streets but some essence of the rat still stayed behind.*

LadyStLaurence: "The noiblity are bred to be believers or precise pretenders. I portended to custom even in times of waning faith, and find like some things it rises and falls. Man quarrels with God. Even his angels quarreled with him. Perhaps it is easy for me to believe in hell for having seen far too much of the sort with my eyes, and then to believe in Heaven in a few blessings received." At long last she leapt down from the wall, landing like a cat from a roof. Thankfully she'd gone no hire or Ursula would have been holding on for dear life from the heights of Ebony Hall. "Shall we sup? The hour grows longer and too much air can be no good for a thespian voice." One might have ventured maternal instinct were it not a custom observed. Feminine company. Quite the concept. Few of the women she could fathom stood it such as the Duchess or the wife of Talion Apollius were far and few between these days. That Ursula did what few would was in some small way, rather thrilling. "The supper for today will be a choice of either fish or a good cut of beef, either is quite pleasing to the palet I assure you." It must have been the strangest invitation to dinner ever offered on the face of the isle. A porcupine had more mirth. (d)

Poised Illusion: "I actually find mens quarell with this so called God quite, well funny actually. It's more to be a dealing in their own conscious then anything else." She offered, silently letting out relief that nothing was picked up on her mentally kicking her own behind. Sometimes her mouth ran with her thoughts before she had time to stop it. She HAD to work on that. Shifting on the top of the wall, she jumped off to fall in beside Claramae. "I don't doubt the existence of evil, but I have a hard time believing that below of feet, many many miles down is a place of constant fire were people burn every day for all eternity. To me, there are well better ways to torture the evil hearted."Shoulders rolled in a shrug. This wasn't a disagreement between, merely conversation. "Actually, its cold air that's not good for a thespian voice or a singers voice..but I've rather stopped singing, I doubt I would sound very angelic right now." She naturally assumed Claramae knew she could sing but then it hit her that perhaps the woman didn't. Did Alen even know? Oh well, she shrugged it off, it wasn't a talent useful to spies now was it? One hand pressed against her grumbling stomach at the mention of food while the other moved to uncurl the binding in her hair. The leather cord tucked into her belt before her fingers were ruffling through ebony strands to loosen it up. "Oh well, both sound delectable, I would be pleased to join you." Anything sounds good when your starving!*

LadyStLaurence: "Master Vittergaust presented to me a vision of Hell the Jews embrace, often believing the Christian bible holding mis-translations of the Hebrew. Hell is called Gehenna, and this is a place of seperation from God - from love, from joy, from the things that make us in his image. I would venture to hold to that and say that Hell is then what we would make it. Of course these ideas are quite heretical, but when one is for all intents making penance for constant seeking and murder, one's mind is suddenly unfettered of thought." And when your world was bred for intrigues with the death of one beloved person. When you have been captive in the hands of the living Satan, your thoughts are a great deal freer. If Ursula knew such things one would venture to say that some part of the Master must have gone mad years ago and simply diminished into a pristine, exalted form of passive agression. "If you'd like you may bathe and such before supper? " If one ventured to think they had no wardrobe to fit the size of a woman, any that ventured in the door, one wouldn't know how much of a fortune the seamstresses of this hall were making, what with so many noviates to outfit. "I think I shall peer in upon Miss Viscreed and see how she is feeling." (d)

Poised Illusion: "I suppose hell can be portrayed many ways depending on culture then."she commented lightly as she moved with the lady back through the course into the halls. Undescreetly, she sniffed at herself to see if well, she smelled. Finding no offense in her odor or lack there of, she shook her head and offered with a gesture of her hand. "Actually, if you do not mind, I would like to go with you. I heard the young woman was hurt and I have yet to meet her as it is. If that is all right with you. However, if you find offense in my bodily odor, then I could go bathe before supper." At least she was giving the woman a choice. She didn't find any offense but that did not mean Claramae did not.*

LadyStLaurence: " I do not find offense in your presence, simply making the offer. Some women are particular of dirt, others are not. I play to attend supper in this fashion given there is no formality at the supper table right now and in earnest,one can indulge a woman of independent means. You may come." She nodded, finding no fault in this idea, "it is good for Janice to have visitors. She has come out of the room, gone out, recovered quite well it is just a matter of restoring color to her face, her balance, and a sense of ..presence..: Up the stairs they would go to the levels above, to a pair of guilded doors and a room that would be every young girls fancy of large solar, large four poster bed in the master suite and greecian columns. The accessories were tasteful but far more decadent than a convent girl was used to. In fact they'd come upon said convent girl, sitting in a chair by the fireplace with her nose perpetualy suck in a book (d)

Poised Illusion: The room would be any woman's dream, anywhere. Even Ursula couldn't help the smile that slid over her lips at just the look of the room. It took great imagination to come up with this as well as much of Ebony Hall as it was. A girl who had come from nothing, could admire the finery with perhaps a better eye then the rich could. Perhaps. She stayed silent for the most part as they traveled up the stairs and to the girls room. She was suddenly feeling naked without the dresses that comprised of the mask of the spy seen as just a courtesan but a full day of training, she couldn't come to regret her clothing all that much. A full set of deep brown slacks and a navy top, with a leather belt that angled just so on her hips. Her fingers looped into the belt as she stayed a breath behind Claramae, in plain sight but not staring at the girl. Really she admired the room first before turning her attention elsewhere.*

Aslan Burning: Being born of privilege came with grace, fashioned only by proper breeding and educated minds. Always dressed in the finest fashion, perhaps one would think this man of noble birth, but from humble beginning, Jean-Claude had been given but one chance to place his mark upon the stars. Having been born a farmers son, he kept that secret well; but even from his early years a mother knew poise and precision. His days were spent dreaming, with hands dirty of earth, and fingers stained with the blood of early victims. The Devil! He is the Devil's son! A mother cried into the night having found their family pet dissected, with each organ perfectly labeled and pinned to later be studied. Perhaps it was then she as well realized that he would be one of the minds to shape history, a man who stood in the shadows to watch, but never be seen. She had sent him away, this mother that understood very little, only to find him years later nose first in a scholar's finery, and learning a trade..that would find him standing before the doors of the Ebony Hall. The night was dawning and with it he would turn to meet the falling day as he welcomed the feeling of seclusion only the moon behind the clouds could bring. "Bonjour, mes ami.." Out from under the brim of his silk hat his words left his lips like a sigh, the gentle breath of winter still holding tight to his very body. From the shadows he stepped, the night pulling back like a veil an equal marvel as any magicians, and one would have to wonder if he was a trade of smoke and mirrors. (d

LadyStLaurence: "Janice, may we call upon you a moment?" An unorthodox level of softeness increased in the tone of St. Laurence. It was feminine, neither delicate or lacking substance, but one might venture it as close to warmth as the woman camebefore certain parties. No matter affiliation, one could not look on the eyes of Janice Viscreed without feeling that it was a pity not to be so simple in joy. "Hmm...Good evening, Master Laurence! I haven't seen you all day, nor Master Sorschal, I've missed you both so much!" Missed? Who missed Death? The book so coveted was placed on the table nearby. Claramae found a certain pleasure in watching the comportment the young woman demonstrated. A curtsy was made for good impressions though it need not be. "Janice, this is Lady Darling, she wanted to come to wish you well. How do you feel?" Scrutiny manifested instantly to survey the progress of her own handiwork. "Sore, but this is all. I..I fear it may be my dress over the bandages. " Lady St. Laurence accepted an offered hand, rolling gently back the sleeved to see irritation beneath the bandage. "The sleeves are too long, too close, . It is Spring, after all. No reason a young girl should not have fine new things to meet the season. They will even prove a benefit to your healing." "Of course, Master Laurence. Hello, Lady Darling! You look as if you have been at work with the Master today." Given one observation Janice had seen the Masters move like cats with no joints, and though not quite fathoming the extent of it had a firm grasp of the reason why, at long last. Below a servant would return the french greeting Sage veillée , s'il vous plaît viens dans. ( good evening, please come in.) Voltaire was an elegant doorman to an elegantly arrayed guest (d)

Poised Illusion: Fingers locked behind her back as she stayed near the frame of the door, even with the door closed behind her. Shoulders rolled back bringing her posture into perfection. It was a habit Lady Aramoire had instilled in her despite the less then perfect rouse of being a courtesan now. Her mouth worked open and closed, working out the stiffness in her cheek were it was black and blue. She would have to remember to put a cold compress on it later to bring the swelling down. Chocolate hues pulled upward at the mention of her name and she strolled forward, a step and then a second. With no skirts, a curtsy would seem ridiculous and so her head bowed respectfully with a slight tilt at her waist in way of a greeting. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Just as she had thought, an innocent. "A pleasure Lady Janice. Very observant, yes I have." She purred as she lifted up from her little bow. She didn't have the movements of a cat, yet, but there was no telling she would actually be that good. Oh if Vance were here without the aid of Lady st. Laurence, he would be irritated beyond belief that Ursula was with Janice. The thought made her grin all the more, an irritation she could suffer that man was just peachy keen to her!*

Aslan Burning: All in the world had purpose as with every direction a reason held it's worth, and folded inside a gloved hand would be his own. The small works of an artisan in all it's finery had very little meaning, but to one person it could be worth it's weight in gold. "Je recherche le petit..Pouvez-vous me diriger ?" The French leaving his lips almost as if it were a song, and spoken from the heart. The guard would look the man's eyes over searching for misplace, no doubt a master of his trade, would he find what he was searching so hard? It was clear upon vacant expression his desire leaned not towards the Frenchmen's favor, and it would be then Jean would straighten, his back and switch his tongue in ways to..perhaps to come down upon his level. "I have heard she has fallen ill, and wish only to give her this." Long fingers opened over the package that held within what appeared to be any ordinary book covered by wrap, and tied with a bow. "Would you be so kind as to give it to her for me? Perhaps it will help with passing the time. " The guard would take said book, and without words leave the frill of a man standing upon the steps. The night had much to offer, and Jean-Claude turned upon the kingdom with a spirit born of new, every night was a new day as now he could move along the streets alone. The guard would be quick to see to it Janice received her gift, the fine lines of the leather bound cover a given under his glove he would dare not open. However, if he did he would see an ivory cover with a golden peacoke whose eyes were made up of pearl, and tail feathers fanned out upon the cover. A journal empty for now save the small elegant script that read, "With every new day, dawn shines upon a new life, and someday you will look back and wonder where the time has gone. I do hope you will forgive me," The signature a very scripted, delicate and decorated JC. (d