The Reading (Rosalyn, pre-dawn Wed. 4/4/07)

[Detritus]

As you head upstairs with the other six women, the mood is subdued, reflective. Rebekka leads the way by herself, and doesn't look back as she ascends the stairs. Bonnie and Anneke immediately follow, the latter going back and forth between giving the Prince concerned looks and touching her glass eye. The Sheriff walks alone in a brooding silence, immediately ahead of you, your sire, and the Councilor.

Rebekka leads you to a third-story bedroom. The two Tremere conjure several globes of handfire, either gold or silver in color, to light the room. A large table with several leaves installed to extend its length is surrounded by enough mismatched chairs to seat everyone in the room. Meerlinda and Rebekka sit at either end of the table. You're directed to sit immediately to the Councilor's right, and Gwynnis takes the seat to her left.

Meerlinda produces a silk-wrapped bundle that fits comfortably in one of her hands from one of the folds in her robe. She undoes the wrapping to reveal a deck of cards. She pushes the unbundled deck towards you without touching the cards themselves.

"The Justicar has suggested that a reading might be in order to help shed light on matters, and I agree with her assessment. Though the cards are rarely so specific as to be a definitive guide to deeds, they can help focus one's thoughts on the most important issues, call attention to details that might otherwise be overlooked, and warn in general terms of pitfalls that could befall our efforts. As the most pressing situation is the capture of Sidana, Rosalyn will be the Querent for this reading. Would you please shuffle the deck, Rosalyn?"

((I'm going to need a set of 10 1d13 -- yes, that's right, d13 -- rolls, 10 1d12 rolls, and 10 3d6 rolls. The current secure dice site can handle d13s. You'll have to generate each set individually. The first two rolls will generate the draw for the reading, and the third contains Rosalyn's Cartomancy rolls as each card is turned in order. I'll PM you my UCSD email address since it's been a while since you've had to send me rolls.))

[Detritus]

Kalzazz has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.
Please clean out your PMs, Kal.

Here's my email: _trenbarger_@_ucsd_edu_

Remove all underscores and put a dot before the edu.

[Detritus]

I got your rolls, Kal, but the 10 x 1d10 you sent me has to be 10 x 1d12 rolls instead. 13 x 12 = 156, which is twice the number of cards in a tarot deck. The extra factor of two is for having reversed cards in the reading.

I'll track down a few tarot sites that you can pick and choose from as you see fit for Rosalyn's interpretations of the cards.

[Detritus]

((Here are a couple of tarot sites:

http://www.themysticeye.com/info/tarotcardm.htm
http://www.learntarot.com/cards.htm

there are tons of sites like this, though. I encourage you to have a look around the interwebs if the linked sites don't suit your fancy.))

You shuffle the deck, the upcoming operation to capture Sidana foremost in your mind, and then hand the cards to the Councilor, who lays them out in the Celtic cross.

"The first card, representing the querent's situation," Meerlinda says as she turns the lower card in the middle of the circle over. When she does, you see the likeness of the Councilor herself on the card, but upside down.

"The High Priestess Reversed. She represents knowledge, concentration, wisdom."

"But reversed," Rebekka says. "That suggests knowledge lost to me. Did you remember any of the story I told downstairs, Rosalyn?"

[Kalzazz]

"I remember of it, like a dream"

"The reverse of wisdow. One could say it was the opposite wisdom is the reason I am here. It can also represent shallowness as well as knowledge lost. Much of my own knowledge is lost, as well as the Sabbat seeking to deprive us of knowledge by striking Mr Johnson and Al . . . and Mr. Johnson's shallowness contributed to the beginning"

[Detritus]

"I remember of it, like a dream."
"It's plain to me that you remember very little," Gwynnis says, her voice tinged with sadness, "and that is a shame, for mine was not the only sacrifice that night, and you are robbed of the memory of yours."

"Perhaps we should make a concerted effort to rehabilitate Rosalyn's memories before the confrontation with Sidana," Rebekka says.

"Perhaps," replies Gwynnis, "although we should see what the remaining cards tell us first. Please continue, Councilor."

"Crossing the situation, for better or worse," Meerlinda says, turning over the crossing card, "is... Death." She turns the card clockwise and then says, "Death reversed, to be more precise," when its orientation moves to upside-down.

"Despair, anguish, pain. A great price to be paid," Gwynnis says, a little breathily.

"Yet it is also a card of transition," Meerlinda says, "and hopeful in that respect."

[Detritus]

((Kal, would you like for me to play out the whole reading at once and then save all the reactions for after the cards are on the table? I don't mind giving you the opportunity to give input after each card, but I don't want it to feel like a chore, either.))

[Kalzazz]

((Sorry, school just started again for the semester and finishing up applications. Ill try to reply more promptly))

"Death reversed can also mean cheating death or narrow escapes . . . a view I would hope for, for all of myself. And an end to things, or a beginning as the councilor said, where New Orleans falls"

[Detritus]

((If you're busy, you're busy, no problem. It can sometimes be difficult for me to tell the difference between busy-ness and writer's block without additional info, is all...))

"Yes, it's possible that some of the Jocelin girl's energy is influencing the reading," Anneke says. "From what I understand of what happened to her, her restoration would almost literally be a reversal of death."

"The cards are rarely that specific," Meerlinda says, "but it might be so." She reaches to turn the third card over, at the "South" position of the wheel surrounding two central cards of the reading.

"At the foundation of the querent's situation, The Ace of Swords reversed. Another card signaling transitions, and sacrifice, when reversed."

"It's generally thought of as a card indicating courage and determination as well," says Gwynnis.

"Correct," replies the Councilor. "In the context of the three cards revealed so far, I would say that it will take a great deal of determination and courage to pay the price for the successful restoration of the two girls."

[Kalzazz]

"It also suggests caution, that we make sure not to rush. Though given my uhm, time constraints, certain rushing is required. I wonder if it also pertains to the weapons involved that have power themselves?"

[Detritus]

"Maybe the caution has something to do with the impending meeting with the Garou," says Dee Dee. "We can't really rush them, yet we need to hurry. Could be a tricky situation."

"The reversed Ace of Swords also denotes the possibility of tyranny, in some interpretations," says Anneke.

"Meaning what, exactly?" asks Rebekka.

"We all saw what happened." Rebekka makes to reply again when she is cut short by Gwynnis.

"Can we table any discussion about other matters until we've completed the reading?" the Justicar asks in a tone that brooks no resistance. The sisters subside after making nearly identical tight-lipped faces.

"Thank you. Please continue, Councilor." Meerlinda turns over the fourth card of the reading.

"The receding influence," she says, and then turns over a card bearing your own likeness. You're depicted holding your spear with its point grounded.

"The Page of Wands," the Councilor says. "Curious. The card normally signifies loyalty, courage, and enthusiasm. I should not think that these factors will become less important as events proceed."

"Perhaps it's a warning against over-enthusiasm," Gwynnis muses, "calling attention to the difference between courage and recklessness."

"That would be in keeping with how we got into this mess in the first place, if I'm correct in my understanding of how the rescue mission for Jocelin went down," says Dee Dee.

"That interpretation would also tend to reinforce the caution aspect of the third card," says Meerlinda. "A test of nerve, seeing if we can remain collected if things do not turn out as we wish as quickly as we hope for them to."

[Kalzazz]

"This might mean something of what Dee Dee said, as this card can be a messenger. It is also a sign of youth perhaps, and that New Orleans will be doing a lot of growing up"

[Detritus]

Meerlinda turns over the fifth card in the reading.

"The Four of Wands, a card of excitement and expectation. Of celebration, and reclaiming one's birthright. A hopeful card, all things considered, especially if we can master our impulsiveness in the initial stages of the endeavor. And yet, it is but the alternate future the cards have laid before us."

A momentary silence descends around the table as the import of the Councilor's words sinks in, and more than one pair of eyes strays towards the final card in the reading.

[Kalzazz]

Rosalyn stays silent also

[Detritus]

Meerlinda turns over the sixth card to reveal an inverted image of Gwynnis herself. She holds Caledfwlch in the crook of her arm like a royal scepter, and there is a rose blossom in her hair, over her right ear.

"The Queen of Swords reversed," the Councilor says.

"Mmm, that's me," Gwynnis says, seeming to perk up a bit. "But reversed, that's interesting..." The Justicar trails off, and the Councilor continues in her place.

"The Queen of Swords often represents cunning, wit, and strength and knowledge gained through experience. A survivor, and one who has learned to survive on her own."

"But reversed, and in conjunction with the High Priestess reversed, it suggests that some of Sidana's knowledge lost to Rosalyn might be important in the near future," says Rebekka.

"Could be," Gwynnis says. "Maybe we should try to see what memories of Sidana that Rosalyn might be able to recover for her own."

"That is one possibility," Meerlinda says. "The reversed aspect also suggests that though there will be a number of others with her, the key confrontation with Sidana may have to be with Rosalyn alone. It may well fall to you, and only you, to see that you are ultimately reunited."

"It certainly seems that we won't be able to help, for whatever reason," Gwynnis says as she touches the reversed High Priestess and Queen of Swords.

((The vision will be coming up next -- whenever that will be, it's not written -- but feel free to respond before I post it in the meantime.))

[Kalzazz]

"Reversed . . . it to can relate to thinking more of the heart than the head. Of emotional involvements. It would seem we need to be careful to act with reason even in these times, that we try to balance gains and costs . . . "

Rosalyn looks down a bit, considering the weight of a score and half again Kindred about to be committed to battle to try to continue her existence

[Detritus]

((Go ahead and edit the post above ^ when you have your reply ready. I'm going ahead and posting the first half of the vision/flashback since I managed to write it. There will be some dialog, although that's something I'll handle myself in the remainder of the vision narration.))

Gwynnis lifts her one good eye from her study of the cards to meet your gaze. Despite her injury, she remains the loveliest creature you've ever seen. Your conscious mind begins to shut down as you succumb to the Toreador weakness. Your last coherent thoughts of the present moment are surprise that it catches you off guard every time, and amazement that it doesn't happen more often in your Sire's presence.

You then find yourself at the base of a hill, one you immediately recognize as Glastonbury Tor. In the distance, you can hear the rumble of aircraft delivering ordnance during nighttime bombing raids. Using your spear as a walking staff, your feet seem to drag, weighed down by the burden of the duty you're about to discharge.

Gwynnis walks before you, perhaps ten paces ahead. Her golden hair takes on a silvery sheen from the reflected light of the full moon. She is clad in a sleeveless dress of white linen, and her feet are bare. A glint of reflected moonlight shows that she holds Caledfwlch in the crook of her left arm. She proceeds up the slope at a regal pace, the pride of the warrior queen before whom none can stand radiating from her erect carriage.

Your eyes are drawn next to your Sire's destination. You see Meerlinda standing at the base of the ruins of St. Michael's, the very image of the arcane might of the Tremere. Her placid face betrays none of what she might be feeling about her role in striking down her friend of nearly a millennium, a friendship that began decades before you were even born.

Tearing your eyes away from the unfolding scene, you feel a touch on your left arm. You look over to find Anneke walking next to you, silent yet sympathetic, and draw great comfort from her presence, from the knowledge that it will not be only you and the Councilor there after your Sire's sacrifice. Looking to your right, you see Rebekka walking with you as well. The three of you ascend the hill together in silence, but your steps are lighter knowing that the sisters will be there to share in your grief.

[Detritus]

Gwynnis continues her stately approach to the crown of the tor until she stands two paces from Meerlinda. Those of you following her stop when she does.

"Who dares to tread upon this hallowed ground?" Meerlinda intones. Gwynnis gives an equally sonorous reply.

"One who may by right of birth and marriage."

"Why do you approach this place?"

"To renew my birthright, that I might stand surrogate to the lawful ruler of this land."

"How would you serve after the renewal of your claim?"

"By making the ancient sacrifice of blood in the defense of the realm."

"What token will you give to show your willingness to make this sacrifice freely?"

"The surrender of my blade, the most potent symbol of rulership in this, the land of my birth."

Suiting her words, Gwynnis lays Caledfwlch flat atop both her palms and makes a slight bow as she offers it up to Meerlinda. The Councilor acknowledges the offering with a minute nod before she takes up the blade by its hilt. She then gestures in your direction with the sword, prompting Gwynnis to come out of her bow and walk downslope to you. Meerlinda follows at a respectful distance. You wheel your weapon around and level its point at your sire's breastbone, but cannot bring yourself to make the needed strike.

"Sidana..."

"Say it not, Sire. I know my duty well enough, yet it never gets any easier."

"I should hope not," Gwynnis replies, managing a smile despite the solemnity of the situation. "I would begin to worry if it did. We spend ourselves as we must," she says wistfully.

"We cannot always control the cup placed before us," Meerlinda says, not unkindly, "only whether we drink from it."

With her free hand, the Councilor produces the Five of Cups. Loss, regret, bereavement... it had been the final card in your sire's reading six nights past. A reading that had begun with the Queen of Swords crossed by Death Reversed, no less; rarely had you seen such a specific and emphatic spread. Your hands tighten on your spear.

"The draught is ever bitter, to say nothing of the dregs."

An especially loud rumble from the east punctuates your statement, and Gwynnis turns her head at the sound. Your resolve strengthens during your sire's momentary distraction, and you're finally able to strike while Gwynnis looks away. Yet even having found a way to spare your sire of the anticipation of your approaching blow, your eyes still sting despite tear ducts atrophied through eight centuries of disuse, and dry sobs escape your throat.

"You must release her, Sidana," Anneke says softly into your ear. Unable to tear your gaze from the sight of your sire wounded by your hand, you realize that you're holding up Gwynnis, who slouches immobile, by your spear. You retract your weapon, allowing Gwynnis to complete her fall, and her blood begins to spill on the ground.

"Ego te absolvo," she whispers to you after she turns to lie on her back. Your heart feels as if it breaks in two as you whirl your weapon to strike repeatedly with its haft. Meerlinda also strikes with all her might using the flat of your sire's blade, and within seconds Gwynnis lies motionless at your feet.

"The ritual is completed at last," Rebekka says softly, "I have felt the potentials we managed to set on Lammas Night activating." It is a cold comfort in the face of having just sent your sire to torpor for what will surely be years to come.

"Yes," Meerlinda replies, and you're surprised to hear her voice crack during that single word. You turn to look at her, and motion far above you catches your eye. You see a man atop the ruins of St. Michael's, dressed in white leather and arrayed in golden mail, and he makes a solemn nod of approval before turning and disappearing into the night.

[Detritus]

((At your option, you may dispense with the reply after the Queen of Swords is revealed, and go straight to post-vision dialog.))

"Where were you?" your sire asks, once you finally snap out of your trance.

[Kalzazz]

Rosalyn looks at Gwynnis long moments before replying taking in that yes her sire is here, still here again

" . . . I was . . . Glastonbury Tor. Back, back when you . . " stops a bit. "Back when Rebekka's story took place"

[Detritus]

"It's as much your story as Rebekka's," says Gwynnis. "Perhaps even more so."

"Whatever it was that happened, your reliving it was like hearing a psychic siren go off," says Dee Dee.

"It did cap off a rather remarkable stretch of seven or eight weeks," Anneke replies, and you notice that she relaxed her white-knuckled grasp of the table while she spoke.

"We would do well to remember that Sidana is just as psychically sensitive as Rosalyn," says Meerlinda.

"You don't think she's been alerted to the fact of this reading, do you, Councilor?" asks Gwynnis. "Or of Rosalyn's presence?"

"It is a possibility," replies Meerlinda. "We should proceed." She turns over the lowest card in the staff to reveal a hand coming out of a cloud and gripping a staff that still has leaves on it.

"The Ace of Wands, a card signifying creative force, initiating new endeavors, and abandoning outmoded ways of thinking. Enthusiasm, courage, and confidence are the hallmarks of this card. While patience is indicated in prior cards, when the time comes to make your move, do so decisively, and without hesitation, even if your conclusion suggests an action you would not normally take. If this is so, do not second-guess your conclusion."

Meerlinda turns over the second card in the staff, revealing the Queen of Cups Reversed. You're not sure how you know, but you feel certain that the image is that of Queen Anne, the Prince of London.

"The outside influences," the Councilor says. "When reversed, the Queen of Cups can signify a psychic blockage. I would read it thus, when paired with the reversed Queen of Swords."

"It can also indicate intrigue and scandal," Anneke says with a rather pointed affectation of casualness. Rebekka's jaw clenches and Gwynnis rolls her eyes.

"Come now, there are only two cards left in the reading," the Justicar says, "once they're revealed we can move on to other matters."

Turning over the third card in the staff, Meerlinda reveals the Wheel of Fortune.

"Undoubtedly, the retrieval operation is a key juncture in the campaign to keep New Orleans under Camarilla control. Decisive action properly timed might well tip the balance in our favor."

"Fortune favors the bold," Dee Dee says, prompting Gwynnis to quirk an eyebrow at her. "I saw it on a TV show once," she says a bit defensively.

"A valid summary," says Meerlinda. "Prudent preparations are also important. Luck is the residue of design."

"The Wheel can also represent personal vision," Gwynnis says, "an increase in personal awareness. Another point on the memory-recovery ledger, I would say."

"Agreed," replies Meerlinda. She reaches for the final card in the spread and turns over the Seven of Pentacles Reversed.

"In light of the balance of the other cards in the reading, I would say the Seven of Pentacles Reversed is a warning of impending failure in the absence of proper preparation. Yet it may be difficult to determine exactly which avenues to pursue; thoroughness is called for."

"Be thorough without second-guessing ourselves, and decisive yet patient," Gwynnis says sardonically. "Is that all we have to do? Should be a breeze."

"If we can successfully navigate all the pitfalls, then the alternative outcome of the Four of Wands will be ours," replies Meerlinda.

[Kalzazz]

"If it was easy everyone would be doing it"

"The recovery of memory does indeed seem key . . . . to win, one must know the enemy. And I have met the enemy, and she is I"

[Detritus]

"Can we talk about what happened downstairs now?" asks Anneke. Gwynnis gives a casual wave of assent, at which point Anneke rounds on Rebekka.

"Were you quite yourself when you did that?"

"Yes, perfectly," Rebekka answers in an icy voice. "I won't have such filth spoken about us."

"Us?" Gwynnis asks. "Bit of a stretch there, don't you think? And even if granted, I think there were other options available besides... going nuclear."

"He was being insubordinate."

"You didn't make a peep when François all but threatened to go over your head to the Brujah Justicar earlier, and he was going to take the entire Brujah clan out of play for the recovery mission for Sidana," Bonnie says.

"Yes, there is that," Gwynnis says, turning her one-eyed gaze on the Prince. Rebekka remains silent, and the Justicar continues.

"A Prince must have some leeway in interpreting the Traditions as the needs of the moment dictate. That includes the freedom to make her own mistakes. The imbalance here is François's continued existence. He should be destroyed, really, for consistency's sake. Do you wish to have him destroyed, my Prince?" It's evident from the Justicar's tone how foolish she thinks the idea is.

"No, of course not," Rebekka replies, subdued.

"Very good, we shall consider the matter closed. I trust I do not have to remind you, there's bound to be a number of powerful Kindred descending on the city for Conclave. Make sure you have your mistakes out of your system before then." Rebekka nods once in silence at this.

"Will the others consider the matter closed?" asks Dee Dee.

"The Toreador and the Tremere will, no doubt," Anneke says. "I have some pull with Camille as well, and she has some with Zack. I think he can be managed."

"The deceased was a member of his clan," says Bonnie. "It may be trickier than you think. He'll undoubtedly make a report, at the very least."

"Yes," replies Gwynnis, "but I also have some pull with Wynn. He and Camille should be moderating forces. I think the Brujah are the wild card. Interesting that you should mention François's little speech, Bonnie. Perhaps he should be induced to make a report."

"If we dig Crusher out of whatever trouble he was in, that would be lever with Don Cruez," Rebekka says.

"If he's one of Don Cruez's agents," says Anneke. "The feedings will have to stop. I think we've done all we can do there."

"Agreed," says Gwynnis. "We'll need to start involving him in city operations, too.

EDIT -- "We must remember that the recovery mission does benefit clan Brujah as well, which can be a selling point for the Justicar. And given the role of Bianca, Jocelin and others in this mess . . . well, I think the recovery mission will be more oppurtunity than curse for the Brujah of New Orleans."

Rosalyn smiles, "Of course I may just be a bit biased there."

"That's a good point," says Gwynnis. "There's certainly plenty of mess to go around for all the principal clans in the city."

After a brief lull in the conversation, Gwynnis continues.

"If you would like some unsolicited advice, my Prince, I suggest that Anneke and Dee Dee should coordinate with the others on the meeting with the Garou agent. Bonnie can work with you on preparations for Conclave. I shall work with Rosalyn on seeing what we can do to get her memory back."

"We must also establish a Chantry," Meerlinda says. "I would have preferred to have one already."

"I was planning on setting Col. Beaumont to that task when he arrives, Councilor," says Rebekka. "He'll have to work with Sabine, but they should be able to find a site."

"Very well," Meerlinda replies. "When will he be arriving?"

"I believe the plane will be touching down around 5 am," says Gwynnis. "So perhaps 530?"

"There won't be time to do much more than the initial briefing," Rebekka says. At this point, Sabine enters the room.

"Shall we get to it, then?" Gwynnis says, after which the meeting breaks up.

[Detritus]

Gwynnis lays a hand on your arm as everyone else leaves, and closes her eyes. Rebekka directs Sabine to Anneke and Dee Dee. The Prince leaves talking to Bonnie and Meerlinda, and the two groups head in opposite directions once they're out the door.

When she hears the door close, Gwynnis opens her eyes. Her one-eyed gaze is still a bit disconcerting to you.

"I should have had the Councilor conjure me an eyepatch before she left. No matter. Close your eyes, Rosalyn, and relax."

You do as instructed, and Gwynnis touches your arm again. You feel like you're falling asleep at the touch.

"That's right, just let yourself sink deeper. I shall be your guide." Your sire continues with a string of soothing words, and you find yourself sinking into a trance.

"Now, go back, go back to Glastonbury Tor. It is Lammas Night, with a moonless sky, and we are about to defend the Tremere performing their ritual in the ruins of St. Michael's."

A distant portion of your mind tells you that Gwynnis is prompting you with her own memories of the night, but in a short time you begin reliving the battle through your own eyes.

[Kalzazz]

((add this in to the discussion on the Brujah clan please))

"We must remember that the recovery mission does benefit clan Brujah as well, which can be a selling point for the Justicar. And given the role of Bianca, Jocelin and others in this mess . . . well, I think the recovery mission will be more oppurtunity than curse for the Brujah of New Orleans"

Rosalyn smiles, "Of course I may just be a bit biased there"

[Detritus]

((add this in to the discussion on the Brujah clan please))

"We must remember that the recovery mission does benefit clan Brujah as well, which can be a selling point for the Justicar. And given the role of Bianca, Jocelin and others in this mess . . . well, I think the recovery mission will be more oppurtunity than curse for the Brujah of New Orleans"

Rosalyn smiles, "Of course I may just be a bit biased there"
It is done.