TeaForTwo

From IMiA

[Princess Florimel summons Patrice to visit her at Castle Amber.]

Florimel is dressed in a lovely suit of an unfamiliar make. The princess smiles warmly when she sees Patrice. She gives the other woman a light but friendly hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

Patrice returns the hug and the kiss. It's a real kiss, not an air kiss.

"It is good to see you."

"It's good to see you too, my dear. How have your travels been treating you? Well, from the look of you."

Patrice is, as always, wearing a reasonably severe dress of the best quality, with little touches of gold and amber. Other than perhaps the slightest touch of wrinkling around the corners of her eyes and the slightest further deepening of her laugh lines, she hasn't changed since Florimel last saw her.

"Well enough," Florimel replies. "It's a lovely little place, though it can never compare to Amber. It is good to be home and among friends," she smiles.

"Will you stay with us this time, or will you fly back when Carnival is over?" Patrice asks. "I think I'm going to stay in the city for a while. Delia has a suitor and may be about to leave our ranks at long last, and Phillip seems to need me right now, so I can't leave them."

"I am afraid I will be leaving again after Carnival," Florimel answers. "There are interests abroad that are best not left unattended for too long." There is the faintest hint of melancholy in the princess' voice.

"There are interests here that you may not want to leave untended either." A note of concern creeps into Patrice's voice. "Things are happening. I know that overbearing older brothers can be difficult at times"--and her tone changes to exasperated fondness--"but surely you can ask one of them for some help with your interests abroad and come home to help here."

Flora smiles wistfully. "Were it only that simple, dear girl." She shakes her head slowly. Then, "What here requires my help?"

"I'd think your Carnival ball would be top of that list, my dear. I'm sure you have everything under control, but If there's anything you need done, let me know," Patrice replies. "On my end, I'm currently playing aide-de-camp to Phillip's wife for her dinner party on behalf of downtrodden fallen women. I'm sure she'd be thrilled if you came. As things stand, your sister the Princess Deirdre will has agreed to attend."

The last sentence is spoken in a tone of studious neutrality. Florimel certainly knows that Patrice is no fonder of Faiella's daughter than she herself is.

Florimel arches an eyebrow. "Juliana. Deirdre. Phillip. And myself at one dinner party? I am not certain the Weir were as destructive as that mix."

Patrice maintains the air of wide-eyed innocence. "No risk is too great for Juliana's fallen women. As for the Weir, if your sister's brother attends as Juliana hopes, we may even be able to make a direct comparison."

She can't hold it any longer, and begins to laugh, although she's doing her best to stifle it. "Now you'll know what to expect when the invitation arrives, and can plan accordingly."

"Eric too?" Florimel sighs. "is your family mad?"

Patrice stops giggling, and answers the question seriously.

"Phillip may be mad, but he's crazy like a fox. They're inviting all of the princes and princesses currently resident in Amber. Under the circumstances, it would be folly to do anything else. Invitations that favored one of your brothers over another would be ... impolitic, don't you think? And Phillip is not so foolish as to think that you and your sisters are powerless, either."

"He has reason to know differently, alas," Florimel says with a touch of sadness in her voice.

"I know," Patrice says, and she's angrier than sad. "I don't think that's changed in recent years either."

After a moment, she adds, "If you don't care to come to the dinner, people will understand. But let us think of happier things just now." Her tone becomes almost maternally firm as she changes the subject. "I met a charming young girl from Begma the other day. Phillip asked me to call on her and her mother--you know how he picks up strays--and I found her quite amusing company."

Florimel arches an eyebrow. "Tell me more, dear girl."

"Her name is Phoebe Frewin. Her father died a couple of years ago. She's just come of age, and her mother, who is, between you and me, a horribly gauche, is trying to marry her off here in Amber. I'd like to see her introduced to a better class of people than her mother is likely to find for her."

Patrice grins conspiratorially. "She tossed her Costerlitz sheet music out the window while I was standing waiting to be let in. After that wretched concert where Costerlitz--well, you remember--how could I not be charmed?"

"How indeed," Florimel chuckles. The princess sips her tea before adding, "What is your intent with the introductions? Do you wish to find her a match? Or find a way in which she will not need one for some time?"

"I want her to decide what she wants on her own. If duty drives her to wed, let her find a good man; if an independent life is more to her liking, let her learn how to make her way in the world." Patrice frowns. "I may just be setting her up for heartbreak, I know--but it seems to me she should at least know what her choices are."

Florimel smiles. "How may I help?"

Patrice's frown fades, and she returns the Princess' smile. "You are a dear to ask. An invitation to the Carnival ball would set her on her way. And you could try not to hold her mother against her, which may be difficult. Fortunately, I know you're up to the task."

"Done. Is there anything else I may do?"

"Nothing for me--but what can I do for you?"

Florimel smiles. "You could be a dear and bring me up to date on matters of interest."

Patrice briefs Florimel on a variety of interesting social topics, letting her ask questions and inquire about important details, for some time.

When she feels that they're close to winding down, she asks, "Have you heard about the matter of Wesson's Pub?"

"I am told there was a rather odious prank. I suspect it was something far more serious."

"I think so, as well. It affected more people than was let on to the public. I know you wouldn't compromise my sources, but--if I understand what is happening, and I don't pretend to do so fully, it's a sign that the power that has protected Amber is," and Patrice pauses to look for the right terminology. "The wards may have been compromised. Does that make sense to you?"

The princess arches an eyebrow. "Only in the most unpleasant sense."

"I think it is very unpleasant," Patrice replies seriously. "This is why I think Amber might be best served if you remained here."

"Oh? what do you expect me to do, dear girl?"

"I hardly know what you can do, do I? I suppose I have some forlorn hope that under the circumstances that your brothers and sisters will all stand back-to-back against your greater enemies as Phillip and the twins and I do." Patrice smiles, a touch bitterly.

"If there were any who could persuade them to such a thing ... it would be you. But there are probably too many old feuds: Caine and Random, Llewella and Eric, the redheads ... at least Corwin is gone. I shudder to think what would happen if his old grievances with Eric were to come into play just now." She shudders slightly.

The princess pales. Its doubtful anyone who did not know her as well as Patrice would ever notice. Just as suddenly, she brightens again.

"Persuading my brothers is a task for my father. The King."

"What if he doesn't come back for a time?" Patrice asks. Her voice is low and she's a little pale.

"Father always comes back. Perhaps with a new bride or a new child. Perhaps both. But he always comes back," there is something in her tone that most would never catch- something that suggests that the princess is worried.

"You're scared. Good. I'm terrified."

Patrice takes both of Florimel's hands in hers. "I know your father and your brothers think less of you because you're a woman, because you're uninterested and unfit. And I know your sisters can be cruel in striving to make themselves look better in your brothers' eyes. But I know you better. You're a prince of Amber as much as they, and your power is no less than theirs, even if they believe it and try to make you believe it. *I* believe in you, and I believe in your power to help against whatever is coming. You'll be needed."

"Let us all hope it will not come to that," Florimel whispers to herself.

Then, her eyes brighten and she smiles again. "Enough talk of unpleasantness. You must have something amusing you can tell me. What news? What gossip?"

Patrice relinquishes Florimel's hands and smiles wickedly.

"Rumor has Oisenmouth returned to Amber for Carnival. I haven't seen him yet, so I can't speak to their truth or falsehood. But if interesting times are indeed afoot, where else would we find their chronicler?"

Florimel shakes her head. "Some things are better left unwritten.Men always have to brag about everything." Then, "I wonder how his old acquaintences will feel about his return. I imagine your brother has not seen him since he began his travels."

"We haven't discussed him. Phillip has been preoccupied with other business of late, and I'm smarter than to bring some subjects up while fencing with him. I'm not expecting to see him at Juliana's soiree for indigent women, or we'll need the Weir to keep order."

Patrice sighs wistfully. "It seems sometimes like so few of us from the old days are left. We've all scattered and gone on about our business. And yet, like the proverbial bad penny, we're all coming back into circulation."

Florimel smiles. "'When shall we three meet again/In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"

"That's clever. You should have it published. Anonymously, in accordance with custom, of course." Patrice laughs. "The answer depends on which of your many Carnival invitations you accept, of course."

The princess chuckles. "I am just making the point that not all homecomings and reunions are good."

"I didn't call Oisenmouth the good penny," Patrice protests. "Or do you mean someone else? Most of the others from those days are dead, and I don't look for their return."

"It is probably for the best that they do not,' Florimel says with just a hint of regret.

"I know ... I miss them too." Patrice smiles. "But here we have turned to melancholy again, when we should be speaking of pleasant things. I attribute it to a lack of frivolity, and prescribe a ball or two to amend the situation. What say you?"

"As it happens, I am hosting a Ball,' the princess smiles.

"How convenient that is," Patrice says, and turns the topic to the preparations for that event.

-- Main.GingerStampley - 21 Dec 2004