JulianaWeirdnessSceneThree

From IMiA

When Juliana next enters her sitting room, Deirdre is sitting in a chair with her legs curled under her.

Once again, Juliana is reminded of a great cat. Deirdre has her hair worn up today. She's wearing a black

silk shirt that shimmers with silver flecks. Her long skirt black with a tracery of crimson throughout. It

is split very high. She is wearing gorgeous calf-high leather boots.

Juliana, dressed in more traditional clothing, takes one look at Deirdre and says, "I'm changing."

Deirdre laughs.

She heads right back into the bedroom, leaving the door open, and digs deeper into the closet for clothes

she'd usually save for entertaining Eric. Preferably something siren red, tight, and floor length, with a

slit that would match what Deirdre has. Black stockings. Red Shoes, with straps. Black lingerie, lacy,

not padded. (Doesn't matter much to Juliana if a bit of the lace shows itself occasionally, especially

when bending over.) If she finds a little thigh sling for a dagger, she'll add that too. May as well.

Hair, brushed out, left to hang dry.

Deirdre does not follow Juliana. She sits quietly and looks quite content and catlike. When Juliana is

finally dressed, Deirdre nods and smiles her approval. "You look lovely."

"I have to, going about with you. Well, I hope we're taking a carriage, because I hate side saddle."

Deirdre smiles. "Of course we are taking a carriage. You've had enough riding for one day. Besides," she

grins, "we can get into more trouble with a carriage."

Juliana smiles. "Well, let's go. I'm not for castles today."

Deirdre laughs. "Dreary things."

They eventually make their way through the palace to a waiting carriage. Once inside, Deirdre examines the

alcohol selection. "Would you care for anything?' Then, "Tell me about your day. Eric is grumpy."

"It's complicated. Better if he tells you when he wants to," she says, and plays with her blonde hair.

Deirdre chuckles. "Someone else is grumpy, I see. And hiding something." She smiles. "Be that way. It will

only arouse my curiosity and you know what I'm like then..."

"I'm not grumpy at all. As a matter of fact, I consider tonight my little vacation from everything, so

please, try not to pester me too much about your brother, princess," she smiles.

Deirdre arches an eyebrow. "Pester?' she shakes her head. She sips the drink she has poured for herself.

Then, 'So, where to?"

"Southside. Something crazy?" Juliana asks.

"It's your adventure," Deirdre smiles. She gives the driver directions.

"So how has your day been, besides Eric being grumpy?" Juliana asks.

"Merely acceptable," Deirdre replies. "And Eric's grumpiness is really more your problem than mine, dear

girl." she smiles and laughs.

"But he can never stay grumpy with me," Juliana laughs. "He tries. Doesn't work."

Deirdre laughs. "I'm sure I do not want to know what your trick is."

"I'm sure you know. Not all of us can throw them down and bring them to heel, you know." Juliana fusses

around and pours herself a light drink.

Deirdre laughs. "I, myself, prefer blackmail."

"Too easy," Juliana laughs. "Although only the Unicorn knows what kind of blackmail material you'll get

tonight. I am in a mood - I don't feel quite myself."

"As though I need more material on you, dear girl." Deirdre smiles and laughs and pours another drink for

Juliana and herself.

Juliana takes her drink with a grin, and downs the first. "I suppose you don't. But perhaps that's why I

picked you for this trip. I'm already doomed."

Deirdre laughs. "That makes it sound so bad."

"So, do you think I'll get a good turn-out for my party this year?" Juliana changes the subject.

"You are such an insecure little schoolgirl sometimes," Deirdre laughs. "Every year you get a bigger

turn-out, but every year you whine and bitch and moan and complain that no one will come."

Juliana shrugs and drinks. "I blame my mother. And you know the wicked can find no rest."

"I blame your mother too. She deserves it. And even if she didn't, I hear mothers are good to blame,"

Deirdre says. "Though I have no real experience to base this on." Then, she smiles again, and adds, "And

don't tell me how wicked you are little girl. I know you."

Juliana just smiles and drinks.

The carriage eventually reaches its destination. Juliana can smell the sea and it is not a particularly

pleasant scent. Clearly they are somewhere near the seedier side of the docks.

The coachman opens the door and Deirdre hops out with a smile. Juliana finds herself, as expected, in a

particularly run-down looking section of dock and warehouses.

Deirdre looks toward a particularly decrepit warehouse. With a smile, she grabs Juliana by the arm and

says, "Come on, you wicked one."

"Ooh boy," says Juliana, with a big smile. She happily goes along with Deirdre.

Deirdre leads Juliana past a man who looks to be one of the local toughs. The doorman hands each a mask of

crimson silk. Deirdre quickly secures her mask and insists on helping Juliana with hers. With the masks in

place, the doorman opens the door. Inside, Juliana can see a mass of people dancing.

The floor is covered with dancers. There are cages where dancers move in pairs or singly. Julian spies

several bars placed strategically about the floor. Lights flash but there is no sound.

"Abandon all hope, ye who enter, little girl," Deirdre laughs and drags Juliana inside. Once the threshold

is crossed, Juliana is buffeted by loud vibrant music.

"What did you do?" Juliana yells accusingly over the music. "Your father will kill you."

"For taking you to a party? Hardly."

"That's not..." Juliana's voice is drown out in the noise.

There is a huge crowd in attendance in the warehouse. Many gather around the bars and drink, but most

dance. The dancing is vibrant, alive, frenzied, and intimate. Contact is very close and personal. Strange

lights fill the air above the dance floor, like an aurora.

Deirdre releases Juliana. "Time to mingle, wicked girl," she says and pushes her gently but firmly toward

the dance floor. "I think I'll go have some fun," she says mischievously and looks toward one of the cages

where a couple dances closely together.

Deirdre climbs into the cage and places herself literally between the couple. Soon, the three are a mass of

tangled bodies moving with the music. A small crowd gathers to watch.

Juliana shrugs and tries to have something resembling class on entering the dance floor, although it takes

her a moment to adjust to the intimacy of the situation. Shortly, after searching masked faces and

recognizing no one, she relaxes and remembers she's masked too, and it's unlikely anyone would recognize

her either. And this is a situation where polite ignorance will definitely hold in the future.

She dances a while, before she hits the bar for a drink. Before long, Deirdre joins her at the bar. She

almost glows with energy from the dance. She orders a drink. A few people-men and women follow her to the

bar. Without looking up, she says, "Come back later. I'm with her now." and indicates Juliana with a tilt

of her head.

Juliana cracks up and waves to the people. "This is fun. Thank you," she says loudly over the music.

"Very alive. Very edge. Makes me miss my... Makes me feel younger."

"Younger? You're still but a wee sexy lass," Deirdre laughs. "Drink you drink, little girl. You may need

it. I am dragging you out there soon," she nods toward the dance floor and the cages.

Juliana smiles and slams her drink. "Four," she says. She orders another. "Got married too young, you

know? Still making up for it."

Deirdre chuckles. "Notice me avoiding it like the plague, sweetheart." She orders herself a drink and downs

it quickly.

Juliana imitates this behavior with her new drink. "Five." She nods. "Has this place always been here?"

Deirdre pauses, orders another drink and downs it. Then, she feigns poutiness. "I don't know about

• always*. Just how old do you think I am anyway? But it's been here for a long time and only during

Carnival."

"I'd never ask you how old you are. That's just wrong," Juliana laughs, and orders them whiskey shots.

"I'm just amazed I've never been here before now." _Must see if I can find this place back home._

"Is..." she trails off. "Nice place. I needed this. Thank you."

She downs a shot. "Six," she smiles.

Deirdre downs her shot. With the mask, it’s hard to tell her expressions, but Juliana has a hint that

Deirdre is studying her closely. Then, the moment passes. Deirdre sets her drink down.

"Are you about ready to come dance with me and show these people how its really done or do you want to

drink the bar dry first?" Deirdre laughs a happy laugh.

"We can dance. I've got a little buzz. Can't we just have them bring us a new drink every fifteen

minutes, while we dance?" she asks, adjusting her mask.

"Dear girl," Deirdre laughs, "even Random couldn't drink while dancing here." She gently helps Juliana from

her seat and takes her hand. She looks to the bartender. "Make certain the drinks find us anyway."

Deirdre leads Juliana onto the dance floor. The mass of closely dancing people part for her. Many stop

dancing to watch her walk with Juliana. She leads Juliana to one of the cages. The group inside look at

Juliana and Deirdre appreciatively, but clear out nonetheless.

"Ready?" Deirdre asks and squeezes Juliana's hand.

"Ready. Hope no one recognizes us," she laments, but follows Deirdre into this cage.

Deirdre laughs. "It's Carnival. It is come as you are not." She squeezes Juliana's hand reassuringly.

As soon as they enter the cage, the music changes again. Deirdre appears pleased by the selection. Deirdre

takes Juliana by both wrists and spins her around until her back is pressed to Deirdre’s chest. The

movement is swift and sudden, but not ungentle. Juliana remembers that with but slightest effort, Deirdre

could snap her wrists in twain rather than caress them as she does.

They dance. A crowd gathers bellow the cage. Deirdre ignores them, her every thought and movement

apparently only for Juliana. Juliana closes her eyes and ignores the crowd. Masks, masks, polite

ignorance later. No one will ever mention this - or she would have heard of such a place before now.

Juliana just enjoys the feeling of her skin in the air, against Deirdre's, against Dee's dress, her buzz...

it's like dancing in a primal lightning storm.

How does one keep track of time in such a situation? Perhaps a minute later or ten or fifteen or an

hour-it's impossible to tell- Deirdre spins Juliana around to face her.

Juliana throws her head back and keeps dancing, lost to the world. She knows anyone could be watching, and

doesn't care.

Time passes. They keep dancing. There comes a magical moment when Deirdre and Juliana's breathing and

movements are perfect. Everything is perfect. Both reach that moment in perfect unison.

When it passes, if there is a drink at hand, she will grab it, down it (without caring much about spilling)

and keep dancing. "Seven!" she smiles.

Deirdre smiles. A servant holding a tray of drinks offers one to her. She downs it in one quick movement.

She smiles happily at Juliana and continues dancing. Juliana notes that there were a total of 8 glasses on

the tray. Assuming a drink apiece every fifteen minutes as requested, only an hour has passed.

Juliana downs another. "Eight." Deirdre seems delighted by Juliana. The music slows and the dancing

becomes softer and more romantic.

Juliana is in a bit of a daze. _It's all a dream anyway. Would Eric be pissed? Does it matter? Can't

escape with the powder room excuse, may as well stay. Don't want to escape anyway._ She sighs, and it's a

complicated sigh, but she stays there, opening her eyes enough to take in the crowd a moment. Who is

watching? Is anyone recognizable?

There is less interest from onlookers while Juliana and Deirdre are simply slow dancing. Juliana does not

recognize anyone either by subconscious intent, the masks, or some magic of the place, she cannot say.

_Ah, well, good,_ she thinks.

Juliana and Deirdre drink and dance through the night. The dances alternate between crazy-making intense

full contact dances and the slower softer dances. Sometimes Deirdre allows others to dance with them, but

she seems almost possessive of Juliana.

An hour or two before dawn, Deirdre leads Juliana back to the carriage laughing as she walks. The coachman

opens the door and Deirdre helps Juliana inside. She pulls off her mask. Her eyes are almost glowing they

seem so bright in the dark coach. She makes an almost purring sound of contentment.

Juliana, pretty drunk at this point, slumps against the opposite side of the carriage. She smiles at

Deirdre. "That was different."

Deirdre smiles. "I'm glad you liked it." She studies Juliana for a moment, then asks, '"What now, little

wicked one?" she reaches over and removes Juliana's mask, running her fingers through her hair and subtly

caressing her face as she does so.

"What do you follow that with?" Juliana asks, smiling. "I feel so nice. Whatever you'd like."

Deirdre laughs for a long time. "That," she smiles, "is a far more dangerous statement than you might

think." Then, "You haven't truly eaten. Food before we put you to bed?"

"Food is, without a doubt, an excellent idea, my princess," she drawls. "Is there a place where men serve

it without shirts? Big, buff men, without shirts, and with good manners..."

Deirdre laughs. "My, you still have lots of energy. Very well. I was originally thinking something quiet,

but your wish is my command..."

"Live life while you can, highness. Because tomorrow, your friends might get burned up, murdered,

exploded, or possessed. Or you, I mean me. I could be next. Or Phillip, Holy Mother, but he's already

dead... so in the meantime... living, yes. And lovely well built men... hmm..." She rattles, drunkenly.

Deirdre laughs and gives instructions to the driver. It is hard for Juliana to determine how much time

passes before the carriage stops next. "We're here, Jay," Deirdre says as the coachman opens the door.

Juliana carefully exits the coach, being very careful of her drunkenness in heels this high. She gives the

coachman a kiss on the cheek, leaning heavily on his hand. And she grins at the scene, wondering what

she's gotten herself into now.

She's still in Southside she thinks. Possibly near the House of Flowers. There is nothing remarkable or

noteworthy about the place at all. Deirdre takes Juliana's arm and leads her into the building. They are

soon met by a huge and handsome half dressed man. Deirdre whispers something to him. He nods. Deirdre leads

Juliana past the man and into a room. Juliana can hear music from within.

Inside, she finds what appears to be a small theatre. Patrons sit at tables and booths facing a stage.

Where men, human and otherwise, dancing in various states of undress. A host approaches and Juliana and

Deirdre are quickly taken to a booth with a magnificent view of the stage.

Deirdre orders drinks and the host departs. She smiles. "Maybe you'll get lucky and the centaur will be

here."

Juliana just puts her hand over her mouth to cover it's hanging open.

"Now I know I'm dreaming," she laughs. She gives Deirdre the big look-over. "Do you come here often?"

Deirdre laughs. "Not particularly," she smiles. "But it is Carnival. It's come as you aren't." The drinks

arrive and Deirdre downs hers quickly. Juliana follows suit.

"You keep saying that. Well, I've definitely come as I aren't," she laughs. "Are you as you aren't?"

Another drink is sent for. Menus arrive. Deirdre smiles at Juliana. "The food is surprisingly good here."

"Oh, good, because you worked up my appetite." Juliana tilts her head and looks at Deirdre closely. And

maybe a touch drunkenly.

Deirdre smiles and takes Julian's hand and softly caresses it. "Best not to give me ideas..."

Juliana shrugs. "I can be me tomorrow. You can be you tomorrow. So who are you, anyway?" She doesn't

try to take her hand away.

"I should be asking you that question," Deirdre says. Then, she smiles again. "Which answer do you want?

Eldest princess? Shameless manipulator of her older brothers? Ruthless amazon? Flora's rival? Juliana's

best friend?"

"Are you being all these things right now? I need another drink," Juliana says.

Deirdre laughs. "Well," she muses, "I am some constantly whether I will it or no. I can't very well stop

being the eldest princess, can I?" She smiles. "And I am always your friend," she continues caressing

Juliana's hand.

Juliana smiles at the princess. _I like her so much better when Phillip's dead._

The waiter arrives with more drinks. Deirdre orders and looks to see if Juliana will order for herself or

if she is ordering for her.

Juliana orders for herself. A serious meal. Been dancing for hours. "And water too. Water with every

drink, please."

"How many drinks have I had? Damn, I lost count!" she laughs.

"I don't think you want to know," Deirdre smiles. "Fortunately, your stamina is legendary."

Juliana snorts. "He won't be mad I'm here," she states. Then she sighs. "You get any weird or bad

feelings, we leave, okay?" she asks.

Deirdre arches an eyebrow. "Sure. Anything in particular I should be worried about?"

Juliana shrugs. "I had a dream last night, about a fire at one of the brothels, and then some sort of

magical explosion at Wesson's. It was... very real."

The meals are consumed and Deirdre pays the bill and tips well.

She leads Juliana back to the carriage. The coachman opens the door and helps the ladies inside. Deirdre

stretches like a very content cat. She smiles at Juliana and reaches out to run her finger gently down

Juliana's cheekbone. "This has been a lovely night, Jay. And not yet sunrise. What is your wish?"

"I am tired," she sighs. "But... it's Carnival. Let's go get Janet, and let's do something insane. Let's

go buy out a bakery and get some baskets... baskets first... and hand out food. Let's do that," she

smiles.

For a split second, it almost looks as though Deirdre pouts. "That is substantially more work than I had

considered," Deirdre responds. "But," she sighs, "I suppose it is your night out. Day soon," she corrects.

After grabbing Janet and spending every last coin on her person on food, Juliana, Janet, and Deirdre hand

out food in Southside as dawn rises. With Juliana's money, and almost the last of her energy, spent, Janet

gets dropped back off. In the carriage Juliana throws her arms around Deirdre.

"Thank you. I needed to do that so much. I've been so..." _cooped up_ she shrugs, and tears well up.

Deirdre hugs Juliana to her. She gently brushes tears from Juliana's eyes. "Oh, Jay," she whispers and

continues to hold her and try to comfort her. If you want to talk, I'll listen. If you need to cry, I'll

hold you. You're safe and loved here."

The carriage appears not to be immediately going to the palace, but instead seems to be staying in the

city. Juliana doesn't care at the moment.

"I'm worried about Eric."

Unless Juliana moves, Deirdre will continue to hold her. "Why?" Deirdre asks.

The carriage slows and appears to be coming to a stop.

"I can't tell you," she says quietly.

"Okay," Deirdre replies. "If you do decide you need to talk, you know I will listen."

The carriage stops. "Ah. We're here," Deirdre says. She looks to Juliana and lifts her chin with her finger

so she can look into her eyes. "You had a long day and were up all night. I thought you should rest before

going back to the palace. Best we go back changed and refreshed and looking our best so all the men will

drool and the women will be jealous, don't you agree?"

Juliana blinks up at Deirdre through wet lashes and smiles. "Of course, wouldn't do to let Flora catch me

in the hall looking like someone who has been out... doing what we've been doing. Where are we?"

Deirdre frowns slightly. "You are overtired, aren't you, Jay?" The coachman opens the door and helps

Deirdre and Juliana from the coach. Juliana finds herself in the courtyard of a gated manor house. "We're

at my place, silly girl."

Juliana blinks and grins. _Now I'm going to lose my ability to fool her._

Deirdre leads Juliana to the door. A servant opens it. He's a distinguished older gentleman. "Good morning,

Miles," Deirdre says cheerfully.

"Good morning your highness," he nods and smiles. "Good morning, my lady."

"Miles," she smiles. Juliana follows Deirdre in.

Miles closes the door behind them. "Can I get you anything?" he asks. Deirdre asks for a brandy. She looks

to Juliana to see if she wants anything.

"The same, thank you," Juliana says.

The house is exquisite. It is no surprise that Deirdre has excellent taste in furniture and art. Dark hard

woods seem especially popular. Much of the furnishings appear that they were selected for their tactile

value. Velvet coverings and the like.

Juliana stays quiet now, horribly afraid she's going to give herself away... on purpose.

Miles brings the drinks. Deirdre has Juliana join her on a sinfully comfortable love seat. "Doing better

now, Jay?"

"I could die and find paradise right here, Dee. Love this sofa." Juliana smiles and turns her head,

laying back against the cushion, to look at Deirdre. "I just almost trust you."

Deirdre smiles. "You should. I am trustworthy and loyal and virtuous."

"I think you're sleeping with my husband, only, that's not you," Juliana sighs. "And I'm not your Juliana

either."

Deirdre watches her for a moment. She sips her brandy and sets it down. "Indeed you are not. I am glad you

decided to tell me. It saves me from relying on other means of information." She studies Juliana some more

and continues. "The question then is how you got here without my knowledge and where my Juliana has been

taken."

"I'm not sure she's been taken anywhere. In my version... of Amber," she purses her lips, unhappy with

this explanation, "bad things are happening. Very bad things. Nightmares. Something magical happened.

Something beyond my understanding - which is far more limited than your Juliana's understanding of such

things here, it seems. I had... a vision of the future, or a delusion. Don't know which. It was ugly, at

any rate."

"Phillip is alive there," she says, and her entire chest restricts in pain. "For now."

"I woke from that vision - other people are having the same kind of visions - it seems to be an effect of

the magics. I'd gone to bed, alone, because I didn't ask you to stay, and Phillip was working on breaking

out the people who were still trapped in this trance, or whatever it is. I think, when I fell asleep, I

fell back into the magic. Phillip is busy. No one may come to check on me until morning. Which I

certainly don't expect to run the same as time here. In the last vision, I was there right around a day -

but I was only unconscious a few minutes, if that."

"You understand that there is another, more likely, possibility?" Deirdre asks. "It is more probable that

you are a Shadow Juliana. If so, all of those things would be true, but not here. Yet it does seem unlikely

that someone could switch Julianas without my knowledge." She picks up her drink and sips it again while

watching Juliana.

Juliana looks more than slightly pissed off at this suggestion. "That sucks. I don't want to be a Shadow

Juliana. If I'm a Shadow Juliana, someone has set up a duplicate of Amber so close... as to seem

impossible. In my Amber..." she hesitates, and then shrugs. "My Eric took me to see the Great Pattern

last night. It was the only really safe place we could talk."

Deirdre nods. "Interesting," she says about the last revelation. "I understand your annoyance. I am certain

I would find it annoying as well. It is perhaps a better suggestion than that my Juliana has gone mad,"

she forces a smile.

Juliana blanches.

"It is a mystery to be certain and I do love mysteries."  Miles returns to refill their drinks. Deirdre 

takes another sip of hers. "In any event, we are unlikely to solve the mystery this morning. The fact that

you need rest remains." Deirdre chuckles then. "You win," she says at last. "Carnival is come as you are

not and you certainly have accomplished that. You should look on this as an opportunity, you know. I

certainly would. If it is a dream, then nothing matters and you have nothing to lose. If you are mad, then

it is already to late and you might as well enjoy it. If you are a Shadow Juliana, then think of this as a

vacation."

"Humor me a moment. What if I'm from someplace else, I've temporarily bumped your Juliana out of her

body... what if I go back there and... what if there is the possibility for a physical transfer. That

chance... the risk, it means there are only so many chances I'm willing to take here."

Deirdre frowns slightly.

"And it is complicated by relationships. I have a husband, who is alive and well, for the time being.

I've been desperately trying, despite my nature, to be a good and faithful wife since Aidran. I've only

ever failed once, in fact. Then again I almost did today. But does it matter if it's a dream, if I'm

cognizant of the fact that I'm married? I can make all kinds of excuses for having exquisite friendships

with women. But men..."

She just looks unhappy. She takes a few big sips of her brandy.

"I do not know what to tell you, Jay," Deirdre frowns. "Your relationship with Phillip is just that: yours.

I cannot second-guess it. You have to do what your heart tells you to do."

She sips her brandy and then smiles at Juliana. "Enough of this. It is only making you unhappy again. I

don't like that. Whether you are my Jay or no." She reaches out and puts her arm around Juliana's shoulder.

Juliana moves closer to Dee and slips her free arm behind her back. "So tell me about you and the Juliana

here. How did I give myself away?"

Deirdre chuckles. "Little things. But they are enough. I tend to notice details." With her free hand, she

sips her drink. "You have a subtly different body language. You do not phrase things precisely the same way

she does. And," she smiles, "Jay had been to the clubs and my home before." She smiles and looks deep into

Juliana's eyes. "You covered it well. It took all night to be certain. She is my best friend. I know her

very well."

Juliana nods. "And Eric wasn't very clear about that. Except for asking me perhaps three times if I

wanted you and Patrice. That should have clued me in, I suppose. But I have to get home. They need me

there," she sighs, part of her really never wanting to leave this spot.

Deirdre listens I in silence. With her free hand, she works to knead the tension from Juliana's shoulders.

"I shouldn't tell you this. He'd tell you if he wanted you to know, I'm sure... but... where I'm from,

something is wrong. There are ghosts breaking through, influencing events, even. Magics working that

perhaps shouldn't be possible. And the King... he disappeared this morning, and I don't think he's coming

back. None of these things seem to be happening here, except - Eric and I saw what might have been a

ghost, or might have been a casting, this afternoon, in Arden. I think," she licks her lips and moves a

little closer to Dee in comfort, "it may have been your mother."

It's a sign of Deirdre's self-control that she does not reflexively close her hand. Had she done so,

Juliana knows that she would have shattered her collarbone. Instead, Juliana feels just a hint of

uncomfortable pressure before it releases. Deirdre's eyes are wider and her complexion paler than ever

Juliana has seen them before.

"What did it do? What did it say?"

"It didn't. We came up on it. A woman washing clothes in the water. It was... strange, out in the middle

of Arden. I thought it might be a nymph, so I was ready to move. He rode up and stopped, she turned and

looked up at him. He... I moved between them, telling him it was a trick. She disappeared. The horses

were increasingly nervous the closer we got to it. It never said anything. Neither did he."

"He'll be unhappy I told you but... well, hopefully I'll be gone by the time he finds out. The two of you

need to support each other in this."

Deirdre suddenly looks as if she might cry. "Beansidhe," she whispers.

Juliana sets down her drink. She wraps her arms around Deirdre. "I'm so sorry, honey. God."

Deirdre buries her head in Juliana's shoulder. Her drink rests in her hand forgotten.

Miles enters. He looks at Juliana and then approaches Deirdre. "I will take that, your highness," he says

and gently removes the drink from her hand. He sets it back on the table and looks to Juliana to see if she

might need help.

Juliana just shakes her head at him. He nods and silently departs.

"He wouldn't have told you, and this is why," Juliana whispers regretfully. She runs her hands over

Deirdre's hair. "Your mother rests, Dee. The King would not have allowed her to wash away eternity. This

is a trick, an illusion or something. It is someone trying to hurt you." She shifts and holds her closer.

Deirdre looks up. "Or warn us."

Juliana's eyes well up with tears and she nods.

Deirdre looks deep into Juliana's tearing eyes. "Don't," she whispers and wipes the tears away. "Oh, little

Jaybird, we are quite the pair today." She attempts a smile.

Juliana smiles sadly. "I'm just tired of being helpless. I've been letting Phillip take care of me for so

long, and then resenting him for it. Let me help. Give me things to do. I can't fight, and I don't know

a damn thing about sorcery, but I can still think. And I've got fifty years more as an Ambassador than

your Juliana had." She looks pleadingly at Deirdre.

Deirdre straightens up and smiles. She reaches up her hand to Juliana's chin and gently tilts it upwards.

"You know I never consider you helpless. I trust you. I value your advice. I rely on you. I need you."

"Good," Juliana breathes. "Even though I think you think I'm mad, or a Shadow, or something," she scowls

playfully.

"It doesn't matter," Deirdre smiles. "You're here now. As long as you are, you are my Jay. Be you mad or a

Shadow or ensorcelled or simply over-tired, you're precious to me."

"Oh, thank you," Juliana says gratefully. "Tell me things I need to know about myself, please. Like,

what's really the deal with Eric? What's this about Phillip watching over me from beyond the grave? What

the f--k happened in Aidran, here? Is it really as bad as I imagine it must be? I haven't looked for

scars - on purpose."

"Lords, I'll need more to drink for this conversation. Can we move this somewhere with greater privacy or

will you be more comfortable if we stay here?"

"Wherever you think would be best. I'll probably need more to drink too."

"Let's go upstairs." Deirdre rises and helps Juliana from her seat. She makes no effort to let go of

Juliana's hand.

Juliana is led to a luxurious bedroom. It is as tastefully and sensually furnished as the rest of the

house. Juliana's eyes are immediately drawn to the huge four-posted canopied bed that dominates the room.

The bed seems to be covered in some dark fur that looks like it would be exquisite to touch.

Deirdre enters the room. "Enter freely and of your own will," she smiles.

"When you say things like that I get nervous," Juliana says. "But I suppose I have. Drinks?"

Deirdre chuckles. She releases Juliana's hand. She nods toward a little bar on one wall. "Help yourself.

Help me too," she smiles. She pulls off her shoes.

Deirdre looks about the room. She smiles, and then shakes her head without comment.

Juliana pours them both strong drinks. She takes Deirdre hers and smiles. "Well, where do we do this? Am

I going to cry? Does that fur absorb tears well?"

"Yes, we will probably cry," Deirdre admits. "If it doesn't absorb tears I can simply replace it, love.

Also," she smiles and shakes her head, "Miles has prepared a bath. Wretched man."

"Oh, boy. Bath it is then. I could use one, dancing in these shoes, my back aches," she admits.

"He'll have towels and robes waiting for us of course." She gives Juliana an odd little look, and then

adds. "Shall I leave you alone change? I have to remind myself that you are not precisely my Jay."

Juliana shrugs. "Do you usually bathe together? Just be blunt with me. Given, this is your prime

opportunity to take advantage, but she'll probably wake with all the memories," Juliana smiles a little

meanly.

"We have been known to," Deirdre replies. "When the mood or need strikes."

Juliana shrugs again. "Let's do it then. Bathing with you is hardly going to get me pregnant, anyway."

Juliana starts stripping.

"It seems improbable," Deirdre agrees. She is soon free of her dress. She lays it on her bed and runs her

fingers through the fur.

Deirdre studies Juliana's dress. She frowns. "We really must talk about dresses that require a small army

to get into and out of. Let me help." Deirdre soon has Juliana unbuttoned and freed. When Juliana is

ready, she takes her hand and leads her through a door into another room. She closes the door behind.

Juliana finds herself in a steam-filled room. The center of the room is a large circular sunken tub of

sable and crimson marble with fleck of silver throughout. Juliana spies a closest that must house robes and

extra towels and the like. Two sinfully comfortable looking robes lie near large towels on a bench within

reach of the tub. Nearby is a small bar with bottles and glasses also within reach of the tub.

The water is quite warm and topped with glistening bubbles. Deirdre slides into the tub.

Before Juliana follows, she grabs the bottle of whatever drinks she poured. She makes small pleasure/pain

noises once she gets in and her muscles unknot. "I want one of these. Phillip will be spoken with about

this."

She sighs and looks at Deirdre. "Okay, my princess, when I tried to poke at Eric for some details on what

happened in Aidran, he looked... well, I don't think he can tell me. I don't know if he's told you

everything, but I'd like to know, and not just for the sake of academics."

Deirdre frowns. She pours herself a drink. Drains it. Pours another. Sips it. "I do not know where to

begin," she says at last." Phillip died. You were rescued. The offenders were killed."

"Well, I got this much from Eric. Was Phillip's body recovered? Can you give me the medical chart

overview on what my condition was? Do I have any lasting problems beside a dead husband and possible

Stress Post-Trauma resulting in Self-Delusion?" Juliana asks, and drains her own drink.

Deirdre refills the drink. "Phillip is buried at Carlisle. Aside from the emotional trauma, you were

relatively unharmed," Deirdre says while taking a sip from her drink. "They were too scared to harm you."

Juliana looks at Deirdre with confusion. "What were they scared of?"

Deirdre is silent for a moment. "Phillip. Us." She sips her drink. "Phillip did not die alone. When he

died, they knew they had made a terrible mistake. It was one thing to massacre their own, but quite another

to kill the Ambassador from Amber. They knew they had no chance of survival if harm were to come to you."

Deirdre sips her drink again. She smiles a terribly cold smile. "As it was, your safety ensured their lives

only as long as you were with them. When we had you back, we dealt with them. All of them."

"Oh." Juliana finishes her drink and pours another. "In my Aidran Phillip lived. I did not fair as well

as I did here," she smiles sarcastically. "But they all died too. Can't ask for much more than that.

What killed Phillip, exactly?"

"Guns," Deirdre replies with evident distaste.

Juliana shudders. "He must not have fallen. Or one of those," her voice twists into something awful,

"bullets was a few centimeters different and hit something vital."

She shudders again. Guns in the past. Cass saw guns in the future. Juliana slams the new drink, and just

picks up the bottle.

"How does he watch over me from beyond the grave?" she asks more quietly.

"I haven't examined it too closely for obvious reasons," Deirdre replies after a time. "I am not certain

that it is an actual haunting. It may be more in order of a blessing. In any event, it appears that as he

died, a portion of his sorcerous ability was bound to you. Evidence suggests that whether by guidance or

no, it acts to protect you."

Juliana nods. "That explains some things, actually."

She muses.

"Okay, so... what's with Eric?"

Deirdre looks slightly relieved by the change of subject. "What about him? You eventually got back

together. Or do you mean something else?"

"Why does talking about Aidran make you uncomfortable, beside the obvious?" Juliana asks, jumping right

back.

Deirdre sighs. "Bitch," she says and smiles. "It was an unpleasant business," Deirdre says. "You and

Phillip were friends and we made our displeasure with Aidran known in the strongest possible terms."

"So you're uncomfortable with the slaughter on your part?" she asks.

Deirdre laughs. It’s not a comforting sound. "Not in the least. I am unhappy about its cause."

"You miss him?"

"We all do. He was a good friend."

Juliana nods. "I miss him, and mine's not even dead yet. Although... I suspect I'm just beginning to know

him. I hope," she sighs, and takes a hit off the bottle. "I hope he's going to let me get to know him.

You'd think after a quarter of a century of marriage this wouldn't be a problem..."

Deirdre doesn't reply to that.

"I'm rambling. I should be focusing. So some of his sorcery sits about me. Can you tell if it's still

there? I suspect it is, though, because he'd take care of me, anyway, even if I wasn't his."

"I am assuming it is still present," Deirdre says.

"Well, that's helpful," Juliana says, and sticks her tongue out at Deirdre.

"Don't tempt me, Jay," Deirdre smiles. She turns serious again. "I'm not about to go poking at the spell to

see if its still there. That would be dangerous for both of us."

Juliana sighs again. "Eric... I mean... what's the relationship? Is it at where it's going? How's the

King dealing with it?"

"Dad was pissed when Phillip was killed. That may have been obvious in the way Aidran was dealt with,"

Deirdre replies. "As for Eric," she pauses, "I imagine he's simply waiting for enough time before he asks

you to marry him."

Juliana, as always, looks surprised by this. "Would I think you're right about that, or is he something we

don't often discuss?"

Deirdre smiles. "I, of course, think I am correct. However, it is not often talked about. I think you are

both hesitant to talk about it. It is obvious to everyone else however.”

"Well, in 16 years you might still be saying the same thing," Juliana states dryly. "I meant, do you think

the King would be fine with Eric marrying me?"

"I believe so," she replies. "He has always liked you."

Juliana looks unbelieving. "What about Patrice? What are my two best friends like? What do we do? How

did we bond?"

Deirdre sighs. Drains her drink. Fills it again. "Jay, love, I can't bring you up to speed on 50 years of

life all at once. Weren't you and Patrice friends in your world?"

Juliana sighs. "In my world, after Aidran, I came back to Amber for the first time in 200 years with a

comatose husband. She was a comfort, and she needed comfort. He woke up. He recovered, eventually, more

or less. Once Phillip could walk and talk, the King sent us right back out to Gaiga. I was busy trying to

do twice the work and take care of him. Patrice fell away, except for her visits. And then we were sent

further in. I got caught up in trying to have a baby, and failing, and failing. Almost died more than

once. Had a boy about 12 years ago, who lived for a few days. He came too early, but it was the closest

we got. Phillip... was afraid I was going to die if we tried again. So we..."

She shakes her head. She hits the bottle again to burn through the lump.

"I guess we stopped talking and I started being what I thought he wanted, at least somewhat, and he... kept

doing what he does, whatever that is. We just got back to Amber a bit over a year ago, when Hallman died.

Patrice and I are becoming friends. I am trying, anyway. She's busy, with a life and her own circle of

friends. So," she shrugs, "can't you sum up? This sucks, because I don't know how much was different

here before Phillip died. My Phillip and I were forced to marry."

Deirdre reaches out and gently places her hand on Juliana's shoulder. “You and Phillip were ordered

married," Deirdre says. "You travelled the Golden Circle. You came home after he died in Aidran. You and

Patrice became close then. Hallman never really recovered from Phillip's death."

Juliana pulls away from Deirdre and looks very unhappy. "Of course not. But he's still alive, right?" she

asks, not remembering Eric already told her earlier he wasn't.

"I'm not staying. It doesn't matter, except I have to get by, in the meantime. Just... fifty years of

difference is a lot of difference. My support structure - Marlette, mainly, doesn't exist here. I know

there is one, but I'm blind to it. That's it exactly. This is like walking around missing a sense."

Deirdre frowns. She sips her drink. "Hallman died years ago. I'm sorry." She refills her glass and looks to

see if Juliana wishes her glass refilled as well.

Juliana sets the bottle down and nods. "Now, I'm getting drunk again." She shrugs. "I never got to know

him, really. I liked what I knew of him. It's hard to grieve what you never knew. At home I grieve for

Phillip, and Vanessa, and Patrice, who tried so hard to be Phillip for him, at the end, when Phillip

couldn't be there."

She sighs. "It's just... it's just... I feel like I should be trying to get back. But I don't know how."

"All you can do is your best, Jay," Deirdre replies. "You always do. I'll do what I can for you. You know

that." She puts her hand on Juliana's shoulder once more and gives it a gentle comforting squeeze.

"You must think I'm insane. No drugs, Dee. Don't try to medicate it." Juliana doesn't pull away from

Deirdre's hand this time. "Eric... marriage... you know, she may not realize, if she's still taking the

potion - Your Juliana is still protecting Eric against unplanned babies, right?"

"Yes," she says, “though I do not believe it is necessary. We are a terribly infertile lot."

"Well, I haven't. I stopped taking the potion after Aidran - well, in Aidran, actually. I've been told by

doctors and healers that the potion is bad bad news, and that it f--ked my system up." She looks at Dee

drunkenly, the warm water taking the alcohol right to her head.

"You have to convince her to stop. If he's ever going to want to have a baby with her, she needs to stop

now. Otherwise, it will just be miscarriage after miscarriage until she's dead. Will you try?"

"I'll do what I can, love," Deirdre smiles and squeezes Juliana's shoulder in support. Juliana nods and

drinks again.

She shrugs, she sighs. She shifts. She gets her hair wet. Finally, she splashes Dee.

Deirdre feigns annoyance. 'Bitch," she smiles.

"I'm such a mess. I should just relax. I sincerely doubt there is anything I can do to affect the spell

from within it."

"If there is, we will find it, Jay," Deirdre says. She refills the drinks. "But, yes, you do need to

relax. You'll be no good to Eric, yourself, or Phillip if you do not unwind. How can I help?"

"Hell, hon. If I knew the answer to that we would have been doing it four hours ago. But perhaps we

were." She salutes Deirdre with her glass. "Have we had sex?"

Deirdre laughs. It's a long amused happy laugh. Clearly, it wasn’t a question she was expecting just then.

She manages to stop herself before she slides under the water. She picks herself up and smiles. "I'd say a 

lady never kisses and tells, but you'd just say something rude," she grins. "Yes, Jay, we have."

Juliana smiles. She squirms and takes another drink. "Damn," she says, amused with herself. "Does Eric

know?"

"Perhaps I should just leave that at 'Yes, he does'."

"He was there, right?" she laughs. "Bloody men." She just giggles horribly.

Dierdre pours herself another drink. She laughs. "We are so not talking about this..."

"Coward," Juliana laughs. "What about Patrice?"

"She was definitely not there," Deirdre laughs.

"I haven't taken any comfort from Patrice?" Juliana slurs, but she's serious.

"That's a different question," Deirdre says. "Yes. Now what? Do you want me to draw you pictures or tell

you naughty stories?"

Juliana laughs. "Oh, that'd be fun. Do you draw naughty pictures?"

"The whole thing is strange. Life parallels, one way or another," she sighs.

"It is rather like travelling in Shadow," Deirdre replies. "It is easy to find yourself in a place that

feels familiar but in which the people are subtly different."

"Joy," Juliana says bitterly. "I don't think I can scream loud enough for him to hear me from here."

She stands, swaying, clearly feeling her buzz, and starts yelling. "Phillip. Love. Over here. Your wife.

Wrong Universe."

She waves her arms like she's trying to get his attention. "Hallo! The naked princess is very nice but

doesn't want to tell me any details. Perhaps you can wake me up?" She screams in annoyance.

Deirdre arches an eyebrow. "You realize Miles will be rushing to your rescue momentarily?"

Juliana puts her hands on her hips, not caring at all about being nude. "Have I slept with him too? Maybe

I should. He likely deserves a good one-off the most."

Deirdre sighs.

Then Juliana realizes Miles probably will be walking in any moment, and sits back down.

There is a quiet knock at the door. "Your highness, is everything well?" Miles asks from the other side.

"Yes, Miles," Deirdre replies. "I've just been a poor hostess and annoyed our guest. I'll behave myself."

"Very good, your highness," Miles answers.

Deirdre turns to look at Juliana. "What am I going to do with you, Jay? You know I'll help however I can

but at this moment there is little we can do. Later, when we have rested, we will see what can be done. I

promise."

"What if I go to sleep and I never wake up?" Juliana asks, knowing damn well it's a ludicrious question.

Deirdre looks at Juliana as though something terribly ludicrous has just been said. "I imagine I'll have a

lot of explaining to do with Eric."

Juliana pouts.

Juliana suddenly feels a weight on her shoulder as though someone were resting there hand there. She turns

and looks, rather surprised, within an inch of jumping out of her skin.

There is no one there. Deirdre watches carefully. Juliana can still feel the sensation on her shoulder and

almost thinks she can smell vinegar. "Use your powers," she hisses at Deirdre. "Who is there?"

Deirdre arches an eyebrow. She suddenly has a silver blade in her hand.

"Vinegar..." she whispers. "I don't know. Phillip?"

There is a smell of blood now. And perhaps the sea? The hand on Juliana's shoulder feels strong and

capable but somehow feminine.

Consternation knots Juliana's brow. "Sean? Maybe it's..." she glances at the beautiful naked wet Deirdre

with the blade, "my Deirdre?"

She reaches up a hand and lays it over where she feels the phantom hand on her shoulder. "I'm ready, get

me home," she says. Juliana's head swims. Her vision gets fuzzy. There is a sudden pain in her hand as

though her palm had been sliced open almost to the bone.

-- Main.LizTrumitch - 24 Apr 2006