Cassies Palace 19

September 15
[21:35]	<[GM]Mary>	Last time, on Cassie's Palace:
[21:37]	<[GM]Mary>	Dinner preparation. And then, dinner. The cake was delicious.
[21:39]	<[GM]Mary>	Soon after clean up, Cassandra asks Tabitha into the living room, while making sure the others give them their privacy.
[21:40]	* Tabitha	is in high spirits after the success of her souffle. As least, high for her.
[21:40]	* Cassandra	sits at the edge of the sofa, pat patting the seat next to her.
[21:40]	<Cassandra>	Have a seat, Tabitha.
[21:42]	* Tabitha	sits down on the comfy sofa, setting her knife aside on a nearby table. Best not to get distracted right now.
[21:43]	<Cassandra>	Listen. I know how you feel about father, but I felt that it would be best to talk about this one last time.
[21:44]	* Tabitha	sighs. Not this again?
[21:44]	<Tabitha>	"Sister, I've told you. I've decided to let the past be past. What Andrei has done, he has done."
[21:45]	<Tabitha>	"For the first time in a long time, since my mother passed, I feel...content. At ease."
[21:46]	<Cassandra>	You're sure of this? If you say yes, we will never speak of this man again. I will never share the things I know about him, and I'll put my own curiosities to rest.
[21:47]	* Tabitha	falters a little. The things she knows...
[21:47]	* Cassandra	's hand goes to Tabitha's. She can't look you in the eye, but her face bears a look of utmost importance.
[21:48]	* Tabitha	looks at Cassie's hand in favor to her eyes at the moment.
[21:48]	<Tabitha>	"The things I thought I knew...and the things you've let me know already...How, how much more is there to know? To not know?"
[21:49]	<Tabitha>	"I...I don't know..."
[21:49]	* Tabitha	's mood falls quickly, as seems to be the case whenever Andrei is brought up with her.
[21:49]	<Tabitha>	"I...don't even know if I want to know or not...I don't know..."
[21:50]	<Cassandra>	There's a lot more to know. So far, I've withheld them over my personal concern for you and my own dignity.
[21:50]	<Cassandra>	But listen, Tabitha.
[21:50]	<Cassandra>	We're sisters.
[21:50]	<Cassandra>	Whatever you decide to do, we'll do it together.
[21:50]	* Tabitha	contemplates that word. Sisters...
[21:51]	<Cassandra>	We can either live to make this mansion a family...
[21:51]	* Tabitha	... (Sisters...only sisters by that man I once called father...who was no father to either of us.)
[21:51]	<Cassandra>	...Or we can pursue our Father's mystery.
[21:53]	<Cassandra>	I warn you. The latter will hurt you. It'll likely hurt both of us. It may even be dangerous.
[21:53]	* Tabitha	looks up at Cassie's face, even though she knows it means nothing.
[21:54]	<Tabitha>	"How much might it help, though? What will I gain from all this, these questions? What will YOU gain?"
[21:55]	<Tabitha>	"It's all one giant puzzle...but do we grasp for the right pieces?"
[21:55]	* Cassandra	shrugs.
[21:55]	<Tabitha>	"I...I thought Andrei's motives would answer everything for me. And they answered nothing. Nothing at all."
[21:56]	* Tabitha	stuffs her arms across her chest and frowns.
[21:56]	<Tabitha>	"All of it...it is all useless?"
[21:57]	* Tabitha	stands up and begins to pace around the room.
[21:58]	* Tabitha	... (Perhaps, perhaps this is just my life. My fate, if that is the word for it.)
[21:59]	<Tabitha>	... (To always search and never find. Trouble without reward, except the empty feeling of a so-called job well done.)
[22:00]	* Tabitha	... (And here I thought it was going to be different after I'd turned away from him...)
[22:01]	* Cassandra	sighs.
[22:01]	<Cassandra>	Sorry. I think I rekindled the Andrei in you. But that's why I felt I had to ask.
[22:01]	* Tabitha	glides back over to the couch and sits down, albeit further away from Cassandra as before.
[22:02]	* Tabitha	grabs her knife again and begins to glide her finger over it, toying with the edge which could so easily release her weak blood.
[22:04]	<Tabitha>	"Say what you must. Say all that you wish. I will deal with the aftermath in my own way; hopefully amicably."
[22:05]	* Tabitha	's voice is very cold and businesslike, her good mood evaporated into dust.
[22:12]	<[GM]Mary>	[Andrei path locked in.]
[22:16]	* Cassandra	's expression turns to a grim smile.
[22:18]	<Cassandra>	Hmhm... So, it's too much for you too, isn't it? I was kind of hoping we could dismiss it... But honestly, I don't think either one of us could ever truly forget.
[22:20]	<Cassandra>	Well, then. I have a lot of things to tell you. And I have a lot of questions to ask.
[22:22]	<Cassandra>	Are you sure you want to do this? You have one last chance to turn back. After that, we either uncover the truth about father, or die trying.
[22:24]	* Tabitha	is unshaken. She's made her decision, and she's too stone-hearted to see the bright side now.
[22:24]	<Tabitha>	"I believe most of me died when my mother did. The rest of me simply has some trouble understanding that."
[22:25]	<Cassandra>	Hm... I thought the same, after the accident. But we can still live on, Tabitha. With or without Andrei.
[22:26]	* Tabitha	glances upwards.
[22:26]	<Tabitha>	"I felt like I could live without him. I CAN live without him. But can you? Your words say to me that you cannot."
[22:27]	<Tabitha>	"There is something you know, that I do not. Something important about him, or about you..."
[22:27]	<Cassandra>	I couldn't, at first. But I think I could live without him, with you.
[22:27]	* Tabitha	shakes her head.
[22:29]	<Tabitha>	"That is doubtful. You regret something. Something which I do not understand. Something which brings you back to him, but which does not do so for me."
[22:29]	<Tabitha>	"If you truly believed Andrei is unimportant, you would not have brought him up again after this afternoon."
[22:30]	<Cassandra>	Oh, Andrei is definitely important. The question is, is he more important than making our own lives?
[22:31]	<Cassandra>	This is for you to decide. You say you've already made your decision, but I know doubts rest in your mind.
[22:31]	* Tabitha	glowers at Cassie, and answers her question with another.
[22:31]	<Tabitha>	"Does Andrei still actively effect our lives?"
[22:32]	<Tabitha>	"If he does not, we need not worry. But...if he does..."
[22:32]	<Cassandra>	He does. But he doesn't have to.
[22:32]	<Cassandra>	Tabitha, just think about us.
[22:32]	<Cassandra>	What do you want to do with your sister?
[22:35]	<Tabitha>	"I want...I want..."
[22:35]	* Tabitha	tries to think of something nice, something sisterly...
[22:36]	<Tabitha>	"I want...peace."
[22:37]	* Cassandra	scoots closer, putting a hand on Tabitha's shoulder.
[22:37]	<Tabitha>	"I want to stop worrying...stop searching and stop working without a goal in sight..."
[22:37]	<Cassandra>	So, you reconsider?
[22:38]	* Tabitha	sniffles her nose. She tries to shake her head "yes", and fails...tries to shake her head "no", and fails.
[22:39]	* Cassandra	pulls Tabitha into a hug, despite herself.
[22:39]	* Tabitha	is pulled. She does not resist, but does not embrace back. Nothing more than a life-sized doll...
[22:40]	* Tabitha	wonders... (But how can there be peace when strife is all around us. Ignoring the strife...is it wisdom, or foolishness?)
[22:41]	* Cassandra	Tabitha: /Just say it, sister. Say yes, and he can be gone. We'll find things more important than Andrei Tetromi, and move on./
[22:44]	<Tabitha>	"...why? Why is he so important to you? Why, why do you keep bringing him up around me?"
[22:45]	<Tabitha>	"The things you know about him, that I don't...they must only bring sadness, regret, conflict..."
[22:46]	<Tabitha>	"And you say they can be forgotten...like that? Would you not be living a lie?"
[22:46]	<Cassandra>	I can live for someone else, for a change.
[22:47]	* Cassandra	strokes through Tabitha's hair, swaying gently back and forth. She coils a finger into one of her ringlets.
[22:48]	<Cassandra>	Just decide for yourself. I'll fully give myself to whatever you choose.
[22:49]	* Tabitha	shakes her head in indecision; not quite enough to jar Cassie's finger out of her hair.
[22:50]	<Tabitha>	"How...how can you leave this all to me? What about you? You can't say you don't care one way or the other."
[22:50]	<Tabitha>	"If you didn't care...why did you even ask me?"
[22:52]	<Cassandra>	I do care. I care about you. Us. If forgetting about Andrei is what's best, then I'll do it with all my heart.
[22:53]	* Tabitha	shuts her eyes and holds them tight, as if she can block out all the bad thoughts by doing so.
[22:54]	<Tabitha>	"I didn't know him...I barely knew the him that was only a lie...how can I decide if forgetting about Andrei is what's best? Anything I'd know about him to decide has to come from you..."
[22:55]	<Tabitha>	"And you're telling me to make this choice for us both...?"
[22:57]	* Tabitha	looks into Cassie's sightless eyes, ignoring the crimson and trying to reach the person behind them.
[22:57]	<Tabitha>	"I want you to tell me. If we forget about him, if we pretend that he is no more and live out a new life of our own design..."
[22:59]	<Tabitha>	"Is there any chance, in any way, that he can come back to actively torment us?"
[23:00]	<Tabitha>	"I speak of things beyond what our minds make real. Beyond memories, beyond nightmares, beyond worries of a weak heart..."
[23:00]	<Cassandra>	I don't know. This, itself, is part of the mystery.
[23:01]	* Tabitha	shakes her head. Not good enough.
[23:01]	<Cassandra>	This is the risk, Tabitha.
[23:01]	* Cassandra	holds her at arm's length.
[23:02]	<Cassandra>	But if we choose so, I will destroy every last bit of Andrei I can find in this world. It's a big place. If there's a place without him, we'll be sure to find it.
[23:04]	<Cassandra>	The only certainty I can give you is my support. What you choose to do with it, if anything, is your choice.
[23:05]	* Tabitha	contemplates... (Risk...In everything there is risk...The greater the risk, the greater the reward, and the greater the destruction.)
[23:06]	* Tabitha	... (Luck...I have always had the most abnormal kinds of luck. It is good, or it is bad, but...it is never normal.)
[23:09]	* Tabitha	...smiles.
[23:10]	* Tabitha	... (Mister Anderi, I tell you this: Say what you must...Say all that you wish...I will deal with the aftermath in my own way; hopefully amicably.)
[23:11]	<Tabitha>	"...We will let him go."
[23:11]	* Tabitha	says, finally.
[23:12]	<[GM]Mary>	[Player TABITHA used TIGER KEY...]
[23:12]	<[GM]Mary>	[ANDREI PATH unlocked!]
[23:13]	<[GM]Mary>	[ANDREI PATH falls shut...]
[23:13]	<[GM]Mary>	[And SISTER PATH is chosen!]
[23:13]	<Tabitha>	"Let us bury him away from our hearts and our lives. Let his death be the end of him as far as we are concerned."
[23:15]	* Cassandra	smiles. Despite her lack of tears, her voice cracks with emotion, and she embraces Tabitha tightly.
[23:16]	<Cassandra>	snf... hah... Th-thanks, Tabitha.
[23:19]	* Tabitha	finally hugs back, if weakly.
[23:20]	* Cassandra	's exuberance is not stopped by Tabitha's lack of. She kisses Tabitha on her cheeks, mumbling something in a language she doesn't understand.
[23:23]	<[GM]Mary>	Tabitha: The message, however, comes perfectly clear. She loves you.
[23:29]	<Tabitha>	"I want to treat you like a real sister, Cassie. Not because Andrei was our father...but because he no longer is."
[23:31]	* Tabitha	nuzzles her head into the crook of Cassie's shoulder.
[23:31]	<Cassandra>	ah, I'm glad... This is what I want, too. We can be happy together. You, me... and everyone. We can turn what's left of the Tetromi name into our family.
[23:33]	<Tabitha>	"N-No. Not Tetromi. I don't want that name...I don't want you to have it either."
[23:33]	* Cassandra	smiles.
[23:34]	<Cassandra>	Fine. We don't have to live with a bit of him. What should our new name be?
[23:37]	<Tabitha>	"...My mother's name was Caulder. I never truly was a Tetromi to begin with..."
[23:37]	<Tabitha>	"...What was your mother's maiden name?"
[23:38]	<Cassandra>	White.
[23:39]	<Cassandra>	She was from Westmarch.
[23:39]	<Cassandra>	But... I kinda like "Cassandra Caulder". Is this fine with you?
[23:42]	<Tabitha>	"If you enjoy it, I'll enjoy it with you. Cassandra Caulder...how pleasant to the ears. Yes, a beautiful name."
[23:42]	<Cassandra>	heeheehee...
[23:42]	* Cassandra	kisses Tabitha again.
[23:43]	<Cassandra>	A kiss for the Caulders.
[23:46]	* Tabitha	brushes her hand against her cheek where the kiss was planted. Not sure if want...
[23:46]	* Cassandra	frowns.
[23:47]	* Tabitha	is confused.
[23:47]	<Tabitha>	"Is something the matter?"
[23:48]	<Cassandra>	We've only been sisters for ten seconds, and you're already brushing off my kisses? I feel shamed.
[23:48]	* Cassandra	makes a faux hurt face.
[23:49]	* Tabitha	can't help but express her confusion aloud.
[23:50]	<Tabitha>	"You noticed that? I apologize, but this is...more rapid that I am used to."
[23:51]	<Tabitha>	"Heh, even in embracing a new future, I find myself in skepticism."
[23:52]	<Cassandra>	Hehe, I'm just teasing. I"m going light on you, actually. The traditional way to greet a family member in this country is a kiss on the cheek...
[23:53]	* Cassandra	rubs a soft finger on Tabitha's right cheek.
[23:53]	<Cassandra>	A kiss near the ear...
[23:54]	* Cassandra	touches that spot as well, to the left of Tabitha's face. She also draws her own near it, whispering:
[23:54]	<Cassandra>	then, you tell a secret, just for you and that other person. Even something obvious, like "I love you"...
[23:55]	* Cassandra	backs away, putting two fingers on Tabitha's lips.
[23:56]	<Cassandra>	...And a kiss on the lips. Actually, that's only if they're older than you. If they're younger, you put a kiss on the forehead...
[23:56]	* Cassandra	does so, a gentle peck.
[23:57]	<Cassandra>	ehe, but I don't expect you to do all that. A handshake or a hug will do.
[23:57]	* Tabitha	shrugs, trying to keep a bemused smile on her face.
[23:58]	<Tabitha>	"I'm sure I will think of something. I suppose there are worse ways to greet a friend in foreign lands."
[23:59]	<Tabitha>	"Teprellia has its own fair share of...oddities. But that would be for another conversation."
[00:00]	<Cassandra>	Oh ho, there are some interesting ones. Perhaps we'll learn of some.
[00:00]	* Tabitha	raises an eyebrow.
[00:00]	<Tabitha>	"Miss Cassandra, does your depravity know no bounds?"
[00:01]	<Cassandra>	I mean we'll travel, dummy.
[00:02]	* Tabitha	shakes her head. Sharing last names works no magic on communication, it seems.
[00:02]	<Tabitha>	"I did mean to bring that up, however. Traveling, that is."
[00:03]	* Cassandra	giggles, before relaxing a little.
[00:03]	<Tabitha>	"This house. Are you...happy with this house? Of it's past, perhaps?"
[00:04]	<Cassandra>	Ah, yes. If we truly wish to remove Tetromi from us, we must destroy this very house. This may be going a little too far, but there may also be such things as not far enough.
[00:05]	<Cassandra>	We can either completely rid it or make it the Caulder mansion.
[00:07]	<Tabitha>	"The house is yours, and your decision to make; not mine."
[00:07]	<Cassandra>	You're wrong. This house is ours.
[00:07]	<Cassandra>	That's something you're gonna have to get used to, sis.
[00:09]	<Cassandra>	But anyway. Perhaps we should speak to the others about it. I'm pretty sure we have enough money to move to a nice place; I already have one in mind. A nice, warm place by the sea...
[00:10]	* Tabitha	puts a finger to her chin.
[00:10]	* Cassandra	. o ( And right next to a land deed with Beckett's name on it! )
[00:11]	<Tabitha>	"I've...never seen the sea before."
[00:11]	<Cassandra>	Me neither.
[00:11]	* Cassandra	grins.
[00:12]	* Tabitha	tries to match the grin. Fails, mostly, but it's the thought that counts.
[00:12]	<Tabitha>	"A good spot for a new life, no?"
[00:13]	<Cassandra>	I'll begin making preparations. We'll be out of here by next week at the latest.
[00:15]	<Cassandra>	Alright. Starting tomorrow, we'll never mention Andrei Tetromi again. I'll tell the others of this, so we might be a little busy tonight. Why don't you get some rest? We were gonna play something later too, if you want in on that, we'll be in the game room.
[00:18]	<Tabitha>	"Very well. I doubt I'll rest much, but...perhaps I'll think of something."
[00:19]	<Tabitha>	"And I do believe I could use so time with the others soon."
[00:22]	<Cassandra>	Great. I'll get to it, then.
[00:22]	* Cassandra	turns her cheek to Tabitha.
[00:22]	<Cassandra>	Can I get a kiss from my kid sister before I go~?
[00:24]	* Tabitha	sighs, but without malice.
[00:24]	<Tabitha>	"Oh, very well."
[00:25]	* Tabitha	leans over and lightly brushes her lips against Cassie's cheek. A soft little thing; mainly wouldn't even call it a kiss.
[00:26]	* Cassandra	is surprised, but soon practically glows with delight. She breaks out into a giggling fit.
[00:27]	<Cassandra>	hahaha... See? You're becoming more like me already.
[00:27]	<Cassandra>	I think we're going to be happy together, Tabitha.
[00:28]	<Tabitha>	"I...would like that. I'd like that a lot."
[00:29]	* Tabitha	can't help but blush a little. A real sister, with a real shared last name...this could really work.
[00:33]	<Cassandra>	Excellent. I'll be back soon, okay? Go ahead and decide what you want to take; I'm going to leave everything except the inhabitants.
[00:34]	<Tabitha>	"An interesting way to put it."
[00:34]	* Tabitha	stands up and straightens her skirt.
[00:35]	<Tabitha>	"I'll leave you to yourself, then. Until the game lounge, then...good evening, Cassie."
[00:35]	<Cassandra>	Good evening to you, too.
[00:35]	* Cassandra	stands, takes a deep breath, and walks out of the room. She's not sure where she's going, but she can't stop walking around with this stupid grin on her face. Even though she realizes this, she doesn't stop. . o ( Someone's bound to notice eventually. )
@@-
@@[00:38]	<[GM]Mary>	[Sisters Path finalized. Creating save point.]
@@-
[00:49]	* [Pyg]Victoria	quickly makes her way back into the mansion, shivering as she shuts its large doors.
[00:51]	<[GM]Mary>	Victoria: You notice Cassandra wandering around aimlessly, and upon hearing your entrance, begins to run towards you.
[00:51]	<Cassandra>	Vickiiiiiiie!
[00:51]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	H-huh? WHOA!
[00:53]	* [Pyg]Victoria	staggers back a bit, not expecting the mistress to come at her like this.
[00:53]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Good evening, Mistress.
[00:53]	* Cassandra	thwumps into Victoria, wrapping her arms around her waist and burying her head into her lower chest.
[00:54]	* [Tess]Enrica	is wandering the halls at random while whistling, but stops to listen. What was that?
[00:54]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	You...seem quite lively.
[00:55]	<Cassandra>	heeheheeheehee... I just felt like doing that.
[00:55]	* [Pyg]Victoria	is still shivering, but it's nice that she has the warmth of another person to keep the cold away.
[00:56]	* Cassandra	beams to Enrica: /Hey! Go find Izzy for me, I have an important announcement to make!/
[00:57]	* [Pyg]Victoria	reaches for her shoulders to brush of the snow.
[00:58]	* Cassandra	rubs her back up and down.
[00:58]	<Cassandra>	Are ya cold?
[00:58]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	A little.
[00:59]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Seems like we'll have a blizzard during the night.
[00:59]	* [Tess]Enrica	/Eh? A-ah! Right!/
[01:00]	<Cassandra>	Well, it'll be the last blizzard we'll have to deal with!
[01:00]	* Cassandra	Victoria: /We're moving! The sooner, the better!/
[01:00]	* [Tess]Enrica	turns around and begins wandering the halls more quickly, looking closely in all directions.
[01:00]	* [Tess]Enrica	/Oh. Eh?!/
[01:01]	* [huh]Isabella	rams into Enrica with the speed of a bullet but all the force of a dormouse.
[01:01]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Oh, that explains quite a bit.
[01:03]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Ah, there you are. What a coincidence.
[01:03]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Come along, you. Cassandra wants to talk to us.
[01:04]	<[huh]Isabella>	Cassie does?
[01:04]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Yeah. No idea what she has in mind, but we'd best get to it, right?
[01:05]	<[Tess]Enrica>	C'mon, let's hurry. Double march and all that, you know.
[01:06]	* [Tess]Enrica	starts walking in the opposite direction, tugging Isabella along.
[01:06]	* [huh]Isabella	follows along at a rapid pace.
[01:09]	* Cassandra	turns to the others as they arrive, smiling, and still holding on to Victoria.
[01:10]	<Cassandra>	Guys, guys! I got a lot of big news for all of you to announce.
[01:10]	* [Tess]Enrica	seems confused, but leaves it be.
[01:10]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Okay, shoot.
[01:10]	<[huh]Isabella>	What is it?
[01:11]	<Cassandra>	Tabitha and I have come to a decision about what to do with our family.
[01:12]	* [huh]Isabella	waits with an uncharacteristic muteness.
[01:13]	<Cassandra>	First off, we're not to be called "Tetromi" anymore. We are completely dropping any relation. From now on, It's Cassandra and Tabitha Caulder.
[01:13]	<[huh]Isabella>	Whaaat?
[01:14]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Erm... Understood. Leaving the past behind?
[01:14]	* [Tess]Enrica	smiles, a little slyly but mostly just contented.
[01:15]	* [huh]Isabella	shrinks in order to perch on Cassie's shoulder.
[01:15]	<[huh]Isabella>	Are you sure about this?
[01:15]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Hm, nice to see you two have settled this matter regarding Master Andrei.
[01:15]	<Cassandra>	I've had a very rough time with my past... Especially concerning my father. Our father. We've decided we don't want him anymore.
[01:16]	* Cassandra	Pets Isabella.
[01:16]	<Cassandra>	Certain. One-hundred percent.
[01:16]	* [huh]Isabella	is shocked!
[01:17]	<[huh]Isabella>	Well... but if it's Cassie's decision, then I guess it's the right thing to do!
[01:17]	* Cassandra	Isabella: /Is something the matter, Izzy?/
[01:18]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Oh my, and I've just finally finished packing too.
[01:19]	* [Pyg]Victoria	says quietly to herself.
[01:19]	* [huh]Isabella	/Well, Andy was always so nice to me... But I'm sure you have your own reasons, right?/
[01:20]	* Cassandra	beams back: /Yeah. I'm sorry, Izzy. But it's all or nothing. We've decided that our sisterhood is more important than our father./
[01:21]	<[Tess]Enrica>	I would probably ramble about the mysterious shutters of the impossible at a time like this, but... I'll hold it back this once. Congratulations, I'm glad you've come to a decision that makes you as happy as this.
[01:21]	<Cassandra>	Thanks.
[01:21]	<[huh]Isabella>	Cassie Caulder...
[01:22]	* [huh]Isabella	tests the feel of the name. /It sounds nice! I give it the Izzy seal of approval!/
[01:23]	* Cassandra	answers with a kiss too big for Izzy's cheeks.
[01:23]	<Cassandra>	heehee... There's another thing, too. We're moving. All of us.
[01:24]	<[huh]Isabella>	Whaaaaaaaat?
[01:24]	* [huh]Isabella	exclaims a bit too loudly for sitting right next to Cassie's ear.
[01:24]	* [Tess]Enrica	just gives an expression of genuine surprise, saying nothing.
[01:25]	<Cassandra>	I meant it when I said we're completely disembarking from the name, Izzy. That means this house, too.
[01:26]	* [Pyg]Victoria	starts thinking about how she'll get all those books in the library out of there.
[01:26]	<[huh]Isabella>	This house...
[01:27]	* [huh]Isabella	thinks about all her favorite portraits, and vases, and chairs, and tables, and rugs, and stools, and doors, and mirrors, and baths...
[01:28]	<Cassandra>	Sorry, you'll have to leave them. You too, Victoria.
[01:28]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Ahh, I thought as much.
[01:28]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	What a waste.
[01:28]	* [Tess]Enrica	wonders about the phonograph records. Surely those can be saved somehow?
[01:28]	<[huh]Isabella>	Nnnnnn....
[01:28]	<Cassandra>	Nope.
[01:29]	* [huh]Isabella	makes a sound of disappointment.
[01:29]	<Cassandra>	Hehe, don't worry. We'll fill our new home full of books and other junk.
[01:29]	<Cassandra>	Whatever you guys want.
[01:29]	* [huh]Isabella	brightens when she realizes she'll get to make all-new lists.
[01:30]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Getting those records again would be hard anywhere far from Rom, though... well, I guess it's not such a great concern anyway.
[01:30]	* [Tess]Enrica	Hell, if we go to the right places I might get to conduct again.
[01:36]	<Cassandra>	We'll decide what we'll do with the house later tonight. We're in no hurry, but I'd like to be out of here before this time next week.
[01:39]	<[Tess]Enrica>	No hurry, huh? Do we know where we're going?
[01:39]	<Cassandra>	I have a pretty good idea. We'll talk about that later too.
[01:41]	<Cassandra>	One thing that very important, however. Starting tomorrow, you're all forbidden to mention either Andrei or Tetromi, barring, of course, Victoria's assistance in changing my name.
[01:41]	<Cassandra>	Enrica, I'm leaving it up to you to tell all this to Valea. She's asleep, right?
[01:41]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Assistance?
[01:42]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Yeah, I think. I'll let her know.
[01:43]	<Cassandra>	Yeah, I'll need your help with some of the legal difficulties. Hopefully, all you'll have to do is read some stuff for me and make a few phone calls.
[01:43]	<[huh]Isabella>	Can I help?
[01:44]	<Cassandra>	Sure. Do you know how to spell "Caulder"?
[01:44]	* [huh]Isabella	thinks.
[01:44]	<[huh]Isabella>	K...
[01:44]	<Cassandra>	bzzzzt.
[01:44]	<[huh]Isabella>	Already?!
[01:45]	<Cassandra>	Already.
[01:45]	<[huh]Isabella>	Uuuuu...
[01:45]	<Cassandra>	...Do you know how to spell "Cassandra"?
[01:46]	* [huh]Isabella	thinks.
[01:47]	<[huh]Isabella>	C... a-s-s-i... no, a, n-d-r-a.
[01:48]	* Cassandra	whews.
[01:48]	<Cassandra>	Yep, you got it. Now, how do you spell "Zhannochka"?
[01:48]	<[huh]Isabella>	Your people-letters are hard...
[01:49]	<[huh]Isabella>	Ah...
[01:49]	<[huh]Isabella>	Z-a-n-o-k-a.
[01:50]	<Cassandra>	Long ways off. But I think I like yours better.
[01:52]	<[huh]Isabella>	Like I said, your letters are too weird.
[01:53]	<Cassandra>	My letters? These are Victoria's letters.
[01:53]	* Cassandra	asks a question in Kostovan.
[01:55]	<[huh]Isabella>	Kostovan isn't much better...
[01:55]	* [huh]Isabella	replies in the same language.
[01:56]	* Cassandra	Returns to the western language.
[01:57]	* [Tess]Enrica	whispers to Victoria.
[01:58]	<[Tess]Enrica>	This should go on for a while, huh?
[01:58]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	Looks it.
[01:58]	<Cassandra>	I think it sounds better than the western dialect. A shame it's grown so popular; I rather like some of the regional languages. There's more song to them.
[02:01]	<Cassandra>	Well, anyway. It looks like we're boring some people. I think I'm gonna lay down a bit and start working on a list of things to be done. Do any of you have any questions? Comments? Concerns?
[02:02]	<[huh]Isabella>	Can we go see my parents?
[02:03]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Actions of such energy and rashness that dispose of the past like this, I think, are rather self-justifying. Still, there is one thing...
[02:04]	* Cassandra	is a little... surprised by Isabel's request.
[02:08]	<Cassandra>	...Yeah. We can, if you want.
[02:10]	<Cassandra>	We'd have to make a special trip, but I think it would be fine.
[02:10]	<[huh]Isabella>	Really?
[02:10]	* [huh]Isabella	hugs Cassie tightly.
[02:12]	* Cassandra	. o ( See Izzy's parents... I've almost forgotten Izzy has parents. )
[02:12]	<Cassandra>	Sorry, Enrica, you were saying?
[02:18]	<[Tess]Enrica>	Oh, it's nothing. More of a concern for when we actually get where you have in mind, anyway.
[02:19]	<Cassandra>	Why for?
[02:21]	<[Tess]Enrica>	It's probably preemptive if I start thinking of it now. Conduction, cultural events... stuff I got to do before slavery. Though with a job like this one, I'm probably getting ahead of myself anyway, now that I think of it.
[02:22]	<Cassandra>	Ah, do you want to go back to your home country for a little while as well?
[02:25]	<[Tess]Enrica>	I might. Only if it isn't too much trouble, though.
[02:26]	<Cassandra>	Of course not. We'll all take a little trip around before settling down.
[02:27]	<Cassandra>	Hey, Victoria, is there any place you want to go?
[02:27]	<[Tess]Enrica>	It might be a good chance to get those phonograph records and suprise some people, now that I think of it.
[02:28]	<[Pyg]Victoria>	No place comes to mind at the moment, Mistress.
[02:29]	<Cassandra>	Alright, then. If there's nothing else, I'll be off.
[02:33]	* [Tess]Enrica	gives a bow, standing in place.
[02:33]	* [Tess]Enrica	/Oh, and thanks. I do appreciate your allowance for my ideas in the plan./
[02:34]	* [Tess]Enrica	/I do hope you realize I still have a score to settle with you, though.../
[02:35]	* Cassandra	/ehehehehe... Don't worry about it. You guys are all the family I got now, so I'd be happy to help any of you./
[02:36]	* [Tess]Enrica	gives her usual evil smile.
[02:45]	* Cassandra	To Enrica: /Jeez, the next couple of days are going to be crazy... Before the night's out, though, I wanna talk to you about something. Preferably alone./
[02:46]	* Cassandra	leaves, heading upstairs and to her room, Izzy in tow. She flops herself down on the bed and releases a yawn that could be confused with a roar.
[02:46]	* [huh]Isabella	/Tired?/
[02:47]	* [Tess]Enrica	shrugs, heading back to her room. It's probably best to start getting her stuff together now.
[02:47]	* Cassandra	/Yeah. But not really. I just woke up a couple hours ago... I'm just thinking, I guess./
[02:50]	<Cassandra>	Hehe, kind of a crazy thing to decide all of sudden, isn't it?
[02:50]	<[huh]Isabella>	Yeah, but you've always been sorta like that.
[02:54]	<[huh]Isabella>	And it's one of the things I love about you.
[02:55]	<Cassandra>	Hehe, you know what I love about you?
[02:56]	<[huh]Isabella>	Huh?
[02:58]	* Cassandra	pins the little Isabel to the bed and blows an equally little raspberry on her belly.
[02:59]	<[huh]Isabella>	hehehe...
[03:00]	* [huh]Isabella	laughs.
[03:00]	<Cassandra>	Everything.
[03:01]	* Cassandra	rolls over on her back, gingerly laying Isabel on her chest.
[03:01]	<[huh]Isabella>	Aw, that's sweet, Cassie~
[03:01]	* [huh]Isabella	beams with the compliment.
[03:04]	* Cassandra	pets her absentmindedly.
[03:05]	<Cassandra>	Hey, Izzy.
[03:05]	<[huh]Isabella>	Yeah?
[03:06]	<Cassandra>	What made you think of your parents? You've never really told me much about them, I started to assume...
[03:07]	<[huh]Isabella>	Oh, that?
[03:08]	<Cassandra>	Yeah.
[03:09]	<[huh]Isabella>	I do think about them sometimes, usually at night. So when you talked about travelling, my mind just wandered back to them...
[03:11]	<Cassandra>	Ah, I see...
[03:12]	<Cassandra>	...Would I even be able to see them? They might hold me responsible for your departure.
[03:14]	<[huh]Isabella>	They might... but even if they did, I'll talk to them. You're a good girl, Cassie, so I can't see why they wouldn't like you if they just met you.
[03:15]	<Cassandra>	Well, I don't want to cause any trouble between you and your parents.
[03:16]	<Cassandra>	any more trouble, anyway.
[03:17]	<[huh]Isabella>	But I want them to meet you, Cassie. You're the wonderful girl I've looked after for all of your life and most of mine.
[03:20]	<Cassandra>	Well, if you say so...
[03:21]	<Cassandra>	Jeez. I'll never learn your language, and if I talked to them telepathically... jeez.
[03:26]	<[huh]Isabella>	I could teach you, if you wanted~
[03:26]	<[huh]Isabella>	Elsewise I could act as your interpreter.
[03:27]	<Cassandra>	How am I gonna learn all of that fibbily dibbily hoo-ha in only a week or two?
[03:27]	<[huh]Isabella>	Nnnnn... it's a real language, and a very nice one!
[03:27]	* [huh]Isabella	puffs out her cheeks.
[03:28]	* Cassandra	pinches those puffy cheeks.
[03:28]	<Cassandra>	I'm sure it is, in fairyland.
[03:30]	<[huh]Isabella>	Cassie, stooop iiiit...
[03:31]	* Cassandra	stops it, returning to soft pettings.
[03:32]	<Cassandra>	Hah... I can't even read their thoughts normally.
[03:36]	<[huh]Isabella>	My parents, you mean?
[03:37]	<Cassandra>	Your "people" I guess. It's a bit different, remember?
[03:37]	<[huh]Isabella>	Yeah.
[03:37]	<[huh]Isabella>	I mean, you don't have to go if you don't want to.
[03:38]	<Cassandra>	No, it's fine. I'll meet them if you really want me to. I'd really like to, really, but I'm afraid I might cause trouble.
[03:39]	<[huh]Isabella>	You won't. And if you do, I'll sort it out. Don't worry about it.
[03:39]	<Cassandra>	If you say so.
[03:43]	<[huh]Isabella>	...hey, Cassie.
[03:43]	<Cassandra>	Hmm?
[03:43]	<[huh]Isabella>	You want me to sleep with you tonight?
[03:43]	* Cassandra	smiles a little.
[03:44]	<Cassandra>	Hmm.
[03:45]	<Cassandra>	Yeah, sure. But we might be in for another wild night...
[03:45]	<[huh]Isabella>	Huh?
[03:45]	<Cassandra>	Oh, nevermind. I just mean I hope I don't stay up too late.
[03:46]	<[huh]Isabella>	Alright~
[03:46]	* [huh]Isabella	grows a bit, the better to be held tenderly.
[03:47]	* Cassandra	yawns, and holds tenderly.
[03:47]	<Cassandra>	If I'm not careful, I'm gonna fall asleep right now.
[03:47]	<Cassandra>	I guess another nap wouldn't hurt...
[03:48]	* [huh]Isabella	cuddles close to Cassie as she drifts to sleep.
[03:48]	<[huh]Isabella>	Good night...
[03:49]	<Cassandra>	Heh. Do you want me to wake you up later?
[03:50]	<[huh]Isabella>	If you need to get up and walk around... I'm your eyes, right?
[03:51]	<Cassandra>	I can stumble around perfectly well by myself, thank you very much.
[03:52]	<[huh]Isabella>	I don't like thinking you might hurt yourself.
[03:53]	<Cassandra>	I won't hurt myself, idgit.
[03:53]	<Cassandra>	I'll hurt you.
[03:53]	* Cassandra	squeezes tightly.
[03:54]	<[huh]Isabella>	Nnnnnn...
[03:54]	* [huh]Isabella	wiggles at the uncomfortable pressure.
[03:54]	* Cassandra	eases.
[03:55]	<Cassandra>	In any case, I'm getting up in an hour. Whoop up on sis and everyone else at a few parlor games.
[03:56]	<[huh]Isabella>	Ah, I want to play, too~ Really get me up~
[03:56]	<Cassandra>	Of course.
[03:56]	<Cassandra>	I'll need my partner, right?
[03:56]	* [huh]Isabella	nods.
[03:57]	* Cassandra	drifts off into a meditative state, thinking on the events of the day, and the sudden change in her life. And about Izzy.
[03:58]	<[GM]Mary>	Session Nineteen end!