LadyMiho

LordObi

LordDiomedes

PrincessFlora

PrinceEric

Miho and Obi make their way down to the dining room on the main floor. The housekeeper, Carmella, is finishing setting the table and Eric and Flora are there. Eric offers to pour wine, but a tall pitcher of cold beer is out and that's what they're drinking- out of tall glasses.

The Elders offer fairly easy and non-confrontational small talk. Flora is easily drawn out with any talk of what is happening in Amber besides family antics, i.e. social gossip, fashion, and the arts. Likewise Eric takes it easy on everyone so that they can relax and enjoy their meal.

Diomedes arrives just a few minutes later and no one remarks on where's he's been. Rather he too is offered his choice of beverage as Carmella starts to bring out the food. Tonight's menu is steak, thick, hot, juicy, and possibly a little pink for some tastes, but not for most Amberites. Large baked potatoes with butter and sour cream, and fresh tough crusted bread are also served.

Diomedes looks a little askance at the meal offered, but he takes a glass of beer and a typical portion of the food.

Diomedes, perhaps unconsciously looking for it, will notice Flora catching the scent of something. Her blue eyes look around the table, particularly on the men before settling on him. Her eyes rest on his for a moment, but she says nothing and then continues to eat her dinner a second later. If Eric notices, no one can tell. (Miho might notice at her discretion, as might Obi but the chance is slightly less).

Miho and Obi might notice a slight color to Diomedes' cheeks at the attention, as well as a very slight and the briefest of smiles.

If the Elders have some politicking to do, they seem to be waiting till the meal is over.. giving the three cousins the opportunity to broach any subject they want to bring up first.

Obi digs into the food with gusto but remembers his manners. The only topic that hasn't been discussed that he's truely interested in would be his mother and how she fares. He discusses anything else and will offer a few bits of gossip for Flora, a minor scandal in the Diegan Embassy and the rumors of improprieties at the latest cotillion.

Flora eats while Obi dishes out some gossip and listens attentively. It is strange to those who really pay attention; when everyone came to the table Flora initially gave the impression of being very relaxed. However until she actually does start talking and relaxing- one would never known that she was actually tense. In any case she asks Obi a view rather insightful questions about the Diegan courtiers, and offers him a few opinions on how he might interpret the events. Demonstrating that while she might be out of the loop, still has her edge.

On Diegan courtiers, it seems that a minister of finance by the name of Jean Guy has been posted to the embassy in Amber since he's apparently sired a bastard on one of the Queen's ladies in waiting. It's noted publicly that the Queen is very put out and privately that her reasons include that he was her lover.

Flora pouts for a second as she considers this. "Smoke and mirrors," she concludes, "that's what you.. I mean everyone of course, is probably being led to believe."

Obi nods knowingly.

As to City improprieties, they include the snubbing of young Alicia Bayle, youngest daughter of the Baron Bayle, more than likely due to her sister's reputation than the debutante's and the scene that was caused by Lucius Feldane when fisticuffs erupted over the questionable honor of his sister Lillian who also came out that evening.

"That would be Ryessa Bayle," Flora points out. "And it wouldn't surprise me to learn that she's also the author of the rumor concerning Lillian." Flora smirks. "I"m surprised you're not acquainted with her, Obi. She's cut from the same cloth as Corradina, except for the striking red hair."

Obi smiles knowingly but doesn't offer any other comment on his familiarity with the young noblewoman.

Diomedes listens as Obi explains, giving nods at various points, and some quizzical looks as details unfamiliar to him rise. He's not alone either. Eric furrows his brows slightly at Flora. "Alright, I'll bite. I admit I thought Guy must have attended a very 'progressive' school of economics, but why would Winnifred open herself up to rumor and inunenndo if she wasn't so angry she'd flay otherwise him if he stayed in Diega?"

"Because Winnifred doesn't give a damn what we think," Flora replies lightly. "If its even true. And it sets up this Jean Guy to look like an inept halfwit who can't keep it in his pants. Ergo, no one important pays that much attention to him except as a glorified mouthpiece. However, Diega is largest shipping power after Amber herself, and he was Minister of Finance." She shakes her head. "No, mark my words, he's more likely to be a plant, and this is a promotion."

Eric considers, but only frowns to himself in reply. If Flora is at all correct, all of them will realize that this level of intrigue is yet another symptom stemming from Amber's internal division.

Miho digs in and eats with a quiet gusto that certainly betrays her parentage, although she is as neat and ladylike as one might be about it. SHe is quiet through dinner, listening to others talk.

Eric shares her relish and her companionable silence now that Amber gossip is concluded.

Miho waits until everyone has eaten their fill, then as she sips at coffee after the meal, she says quietly, "Earlier something strange happened. I received a Trump contact, and I am uncertain how this could be. There have been no new cards since before I was born." She glances at Diomedes, nodding slightly as if to say none of him either, as they both well know.

Flora lowers her fork and all but blinks. She glances at Eric just in time to see him glancing back at her- as they both look back to Miho at the same time.

Diomedes gives a little nod to Miho, and then speaks, in a voice that suggests that he is revealing a secret that might not be very secret after all. His gaze is mainly on Miho as he responds.

"It emerges that Master Dworkin is not the only person able to create trump cards." Diomedes says quietly.

Obi looks confused perhaps more at Dio's phrasing than revelation before puzzling out that it is an admission rather than a conclusion. This eventually earns him a nod followed by a questioning look.

Miho simply stares at Dio, eyes more hooded than before, then a little uncertainly, she nibbles at her food while thinking.

Their aunt and uncle are surprised on the heels of Diomedes' matter-of-fact observation. They don't look all that surprised, but that's only because they are too fine of actors. The cousins are also too accustomed to not being able to read their elders, not to be able to catch the fact that these two don't know what to say at this first instant, and are both now doing some rapid fire calculations.

"Could he still be alive?" Flora asks Eric; who in turn is looking from Diomedes to Miho. "Are you certain?" he asks her. "Has anything like this ever happened before?"

"I've noted my own odd occurances in Shadow this last foray, but I've never been Trumped by someone without a card," Obi shrugs.

"I am positive it was a Trump," Miho says. "I have made the contact myself enough to recognize one coming in, although it took a moment before I was certain. And no, it has never happened before." Her attention to turns swiftly to Dio, and she asks in a quiet tone that expects an answer, "Who?"

Diomedes swallows, looks at Miho, looks at the Elders, looks at Obi and then looks at his own plate as he speaks, low and quiet.

From his looks around the table, Diomedes will certainly realize that he is center stage and has, at the least, his elders rapt attention. His uncle Eric, particularly, gives him all the due attention that he would give anyone.

His voice is a bit uncertain, and its clear that he is nervous.

Other than watching him carefully, Flora and Eric seem to go to lengths to give Diomedes time to gather his thoughts and his words without interruption. This might make it both easier and more difficult.

"Uncle Bleys, Theia, and Dad were always his best acknowledged students." Diomedes begins, still looking at his plate as if the remnants of dinner upon it were an augury of some sort. "With everything that has happened, and might have happened, you have to understand that I am sort of breaking confidence here, but." he looks up at Miho and gives a shy smile before looking down at the plate again. "its worth it."

The only sound other than his voice is the natural sound of Carmella running some water in the kitchen sink in the adjoining room.

"You all know that I'm a sorcerer, just like Dad, just like Theia, and to an extent, Uncle Bleys. You all don't know that, back when Dad and Aunt Fiona began training me, they tested my aptitude for something else as well." Diomedes makes a dramatic pause before continuing.

"Go on Diomedes," Flora murmurs softly, still watching him. Miho and Obi can feel the dramatic tension. Miho particularly has a sense that events are on a knife edge now, this is a pivotal point.

"The ability to draw trumps. We three decided that my aptitude for magic was greater, and so I've not learned what we call Trump Artistry. Dad and Theia trained me as a sorcerer instead. One day, perhaps..." Diomedes then looks up again and regards Miho.

"I don't know, of Aunt Fiona, Uncle Bleys or Dad, which would trump you or why, especially since it breaks the secret. And I don't know, before you all ask,what Rosalind has learned, if anything." He looks down at his plate again.

"She's the elder cousin, and her secrets and abilities are not open to me. But it would greatly surprise me, Miho, if it wasn't one of my branch of the family who contacted you."

"On the other hand, if we can do it, someone else might have learned in secret, too." Diomedes finishes, regarding Obi, Eric and Flora with that last statement.

"Yes," Eric replies quietly. "That's entirely possible Diomedes." There is an an absent quality to his words, as if his thoughts were somewhere else at this particular moment.

Diomedes nods, noting Eric's response and not commenting on it. He looks down at his food.

Flora delicately reaches for her tall glass of beer. While she doesn't drain it, or behave unladylike- she's clearly taking a moment to process.

Obi shakes his head as he sets down his finished glass of beer. "While I had a few discussions with him regarding paths and crossroads and the making and breaking of both, I never delved deeper into the cards."

Eric clears his throat. "Well, Miho, I would exercise all due caution now. No one having your trump afforded you a small protection at the price of an inconvenience. Now you have the risks without the benefit. You should let your father know when you have the opportunity."

Miho nods.

He turns immediately to Diomedes. "Thank you for confiding this to me, Diomedes. It shows that your heart is in the right place, that is what is best for Amber. Please, call me sometime. We'll talk."

"All right." Diomedes agrees, with a mostly neutral but slightly positive tone with his response.

"I should be going now," Eric adds nonchalantly, if not abruptly, addressing everyone and no one in particular. He tosses the linen napkin on the table, but has not risen yet.

"Thank you... for coming on such short notice, brother," Flora replies, quite unreadable.

Obi nods. "I should make haste as well. The work of a crown messenger is never done," he offers in apology to his hostess. He dabs at the corners of his mouth with his napkin before setting it down. "You'll convey my best wishes to my mother when you see her Uncle?"

Flora smiles briefly at Obi's apology and indicates that its quite alright, but the smile doesn't last long. Its soon replaced by a mildly worried look that Flora probably doesn't realize she's showing.

"Certainly," Eric answers him crisply and with a certain genuineness. Unlike Flora, his uncle doesn't seem put out in the slightest by anything. Rather like he just checked his wrist watch and realized that he's late for some other appointment. Obi might catch Flora watching Eric as he too rises from the table. "Safe travels and", he pauses, "for what its worth, good luck."

"Miho, if you're keen to join me among Shadow for a while, now would be the time," her cousin suggests.

Miho glances at the remnants of food on her plate, then dabs at her mouth and folds her napkin as well. She nods. "I thank you for your hospitality," she murmurs to Florimel and Eric.

"Don't thank me," Eric grins now standing, taking a final drink of beer before setting his glass down on the table for the final time.

Flora flushes however. "Perhaps another time, after things have settled down, we could have a better opportunity to get to know one another," she murmurs.

"I wish I might be of help Dio in your quest for your Father and such, but..." he shrugs, "Priorities are soemtimes hard to explain. Keep in touch and if I can be of help in finding the path, I will be happy to, once my errands are complete. Even if something has happened, it shouldn't be more of a problem than using Dina as a focus for finding Corwin."

"I understand." Diomedes says, the slightly positive tone sliding down to a more neutral resignation. He gives a few nods of the head, and then looks at Obi. "Good luck."

Miho stands and walks to Dio. She sets one hand on his shoulder as she passes, saying quietly, "I wish you best in finding your father, Dio. And if you learn who among our relatives have my card, I would appreciate to know. I do not intend to respond to contact." She squeezes his shoulder.

"I swear to you, before any other oaths." Diomedes begins. is tone is grave and sincere. "that if I discover, Miho, the identity, of he or she who contacted you, I will tell you who did it. And if I learn so, why they did so." Diomedes finishes.

Unless conversation or someone stops him, Obi will see his own way out to the SUV that's already parked in the driveway with or without Miho.

Miho will follow, pausing only long enough for polite replies, unless something stops her.

Eric asks Flora if he might borrow a car, and helps himself to a set of keys from a hooked rack in the kitchen, whose location he already knew.

Diomedes remains behind in the driveway, watching, for a few minutes after Miho and Obi pack up and drive away in the SUV.

Flora joins Diomedes in seeing them off. As Obi and Miho turn the SUV around in the drive way, Eric will be following them out in a black Ferrari.

Diomedes turns to Flora, after they have gone. "Thank you for your hospitality. We will speak again, just as I promised. I hadn't expected to leave here out of the company of my cousins, but it seems that my path is still mine own."

"Eat, drink, and beware," Flora murmurs absently to herself as she watches the vehicles turn out of sight, leaving her property. She turns fully then to stand before Dio face to face, looking at him with the full measure of her attention. "I am going to hold you to that," she tells him. "Just as much as you swore to Miho. So if you don't mean it, then take it back now."

Diomedes looks at Flora levelly and seriously. "I meant what I said before, Aunt Flora, and I see no reason for me to go back on my word, now or later."

She looks away. "It's started now Diomedes. It's really started. You should be careful." She folds her slender arms across her front as the wind catches a bit of her pale gold hair. "Is there anything I can do to send you on your way?"

"I would not deplete your fleet of auto-mobiles any further." Diomedes says with a smile. "Besides, I would be a poor initiate of the Pattern if I could not find one on my own. Or anything else. Your hospitality has been without stain or fault, but now it ends. Goodbye, Aunt Flora. Be safe."

Diomedes bows to Flora after any response from her and then walks down the driveway toward the road. He does not look back...