[Venice] Capulet Manor

[B.D.C.]

A tower window that has long remained dark suddenly glows with a soft blue flash, then a softer orange color as though a candle has been lit. All of Venice goes silent, as if the city itself holds its collective breath for just a second, then resumes its normal routine. Anyone who happens to be looking up at the window at that precise moment may think they see the vaguest shadow of a cat in the candlelight, but can not be too certain... After a minute or so the window goes black once more.

[B.D.C.]

A few days later a black and red portal opens up  in the courtyard of the mansion and a lrage robbed figure carrying  a bundle wrapped up in a trench coat steps through . The bundle has an arm trailing from it  the hand clasped tightly by a smaller robbed figure stepping through the portal.Sillis steps through behind her  as the portal closes and surveys the darkened estate.
   Blood drips from the bundle in Spew's arms  as he carrys his burden up to the front door and kicks it open . The bundle coughs and vomits black bile and blood onto the threshold of his ancestral home . When he speaks it is the strained voice of one on his death bed . "Spew Tafkas, true head of house ares ,present in 5 of the iterrations of the nexus ,present in 314 prophicies, primary figure in 43 , ritual master of the nexus . soul bound three fold." once again the huddled figure vomits forth blood" Sillis , master thief and manipulator of the 4 houses in which he was/is/will be a member ,master mentalist , appears in 26 prophicies, primary figure in 2 , suspected refrence in omens  4356 times"the injured man takes a ragged shuddering  breath " My dearest daughter ,please bring me to my bed  I must recover before it is Two Late. The citidel has fallen ,and the blades have been drawn, the sheltering hand raises a fist and clips the wings ........there is more  but .........so foggy.....please inside the master of the wraiths will be attending shortly  and the family may want to visit  "
Spew Sillis and the young lady exchange puzzled and worried glances before bringing the dying man in and

(OOC waiting for the reaction of the house staff I.E. avie )   

[Avie]

The staff has been expecting Tybalt's return for months -- a portend was spoken of a grand return and a soothing of all the sorrow of all the women of the family.  To have the Lord of the Manor return vomiting blood and one daughter exchanged for the other, the staff is flabberghast.  There's a great rustle as the ever-faithful staff is torn between abject horror (and unmitigated terror) and a rippling sadness.

A quiet order is murmured and the house explodes into activity.  A pallet is dragged into the main entryway rather than to put the Capulet patriarch through the agony of a trip up the stairs.  Flagons of wine are brought forth and combined with envelopes of carefully measured herbs.  Hot water, strips of clean cloth.  As though the Lord of the Manor were returning from war, the household moves with a cool efficiency.

(look! Writer's Block resolved!)

[B.D.C.]

Tybalt  Capulet gratefully takes  his repose on the pallet brought out to him . He mutters soothing words and thanks each of the servants by name  as he is cleaned up . His daughter Bishop of the Capulets wipes his face and helps him sip his wine while the servants tend to his wounds, wrapping his ribs and splinting a wrist . The lord of the house lets out a scream that echo's through Venice  as various bones are re set in place and splinted  including all the fingers on his right hand . After tending to his wounds ,cleaning the blood and bile from him and dressing him in a dressing robe the servants see to bringing the quests and lady Capulet refreshments and basins of water that they might clean themselves. Once they have been seen to , Tybalt propped sitting up with pillows address his companions/saviors "Thank you thank all of you" he bows his head  to each in turn "I Need to rest and recover And I assume you have lots of questions as well as a lot of answers  but they will have to wait till both my mind and my body are in better order......"his eyes roll back in his head as if he were having a seizure  with shuddering difficulty he speaks"trailing off trying to speak with no air left in his lungs his mouth moves yet not sounds escapes as  his lips begin to turn blue. The vein vaults,,seats...swords...orbs  the lost are found the cold dark winds blow smelling of Pluto's breath. the steel fist gives lie to the satin glove .the public enemies in private conspire  house against house souls against gods house destroyed and by payment rebuilt mumble mumble mumble mumble beacon mumble mumble widow mumble mumble sword held high mumble mumble mumble ....."veins throb in his face  as his lips continue to move  speaking soundless prophecy and refusing to breath. swaying back and forth he passes out from lack of air . As his head hits the pallet  his eyes roll back to normal and his body takes an involuntary gasp for air .Shuddering and coughing  Moments pass before lord Capulet  is able to sit up right again and take a sip of wine . Looking back up at his companions his eyes and face wet from the effort to re gain his breath  he sighs " forgive me It appears I am in more need of recovery then I thought . Spew, Sillis  I will send message when I can receive you and thank you properly. Daughter of my blood Please go let the rest of the family know we have both returned . oh and Lucas too I guess "
Nodding Bishop bends to kiss her fathers hand  and shifts into the form of an adult  black and white calico cat with specks of blue and a blue collar and follows spew and sillis out the door . When the door shuts he address the servants" You All have done me , my house and your names a great honor. You have been loyal and steadfast in the face of unbelievable difficulties  and tribulations . You have shown great courage , loyalty  and faith  throughout everything . I am sorry That I have failed you as your lord and forced you to such trials. I promise you I will do everything I can to re earn that trust and heal the pain I have caused . I will do the best i can to restore the house of Capulet . But enough of this doom and gloom there is always plenty of time for that ,Instead  Prepare a grand feast  light the house to make the stars jealous  decry it throughout Venice  The lord is in the manor and we shall Drink and feast to my return and  all join me  tonight we party and feast like its mayday  there needs to be drink and good cheer to light this house once more "He bows as best he is able to all the gathered servants" and while you see to the preparations  I shall rest and recover as best as I am able "Lord capulet stretches out and soon drifts to a rest full sleep. every so often muttering in his slumber

[cattana423]

Decorative lanterns are lite through out the city of venice . Hung from every bridge,outcropping and gondola the lanterns emit a sparkling light that suffuses through the mist surrounding the city. Doors are open across the city and music fills the air. The Lord of Venice has returned as has one of its daughters. Despite the sadness that the absence of the rest of the Capulet family the people are in good cheer. If anything their festivities are all the more excessive for the absence as if the city and the lord of it are hoping that such load and boisterous parting might summon its missing back to it's loving embrace. Tonight The capulet manor will throw open its doors and Lord capulet with show himself to his city and make everything alright ....wont he.......



The lord in question sits in the open air on the balcony attached to the master bedroom. His wounds are tended to and his bones splinted, the herbed tea he drank has dulled most of the pain and the unending stream of prophecy that fills his thoughts since his return. Leaning looking out at the wall of mist surrounding the city he closes his eyes and just feels the music of the city and the city itself wash over him. Relaxing he opens his micn and attempts to reach out . Finding no response on any mental link he shakes his head. Spread his hand apart fingers open he tries to touch the tapestry of creation and also fails  to trace any of the threads he is searching for . Sighing he draws a ragged breath and speaks" Cody I don't know if you can hear me daughter dear but it is time to come home  . You are needed here and needed now . The time has come to dance the dance ." He turns away from the mists and looks up to the sky and shouts"BELLA VERDA  I know you can hear me  or at least I hope you can . I do not know why you have yet to welcome me back  but I can make some guesses .You are very cordially invited to join us for the feasting and I think we must talk Mother before the others arrive .Please RSVP"
Downing the rest of his wine he waits a moment

[Avie]

Never one to disappoint, La Bella Verde, in all her frightful, glorious Manifestationhood appears.  Dark and dreadful, dressed in the richest emeralds and inkiest blacks, she sparkles with pride and something more dangerous. 

"She HAS danced the dance.  She IS the dance." her tone is dry.

A large, red-leather bound ledger appears, on a small table, beside Tybalt.  "Here's what has happened while you were gone.  I suggest making a study of it." She grins. "Everything that has happened in Venice, that is.  The steadier daughter has been seeing to the affairs neglected by the rest of her family.  You'd do well to understand what she means to this city, for their revel tonight is likely to turn to acid in their throat tomorrow when they realize that you've brought no more good fortune or answers than the last time you returned." The pages flip as though caught by a passing breeze, and page after page of the accounts of a noblewoman flip past, almost slowly enough to be read.  midway through the thick book, a page ends half-filled and Green stares at it sadly for a split second. 

She grimaces. "I would ask you to call me anything but Bella, in the space between you and I.  You took Her with you, and what you left behind is no more Her than She is Me." A deep breath, drawn over pointed incisors. "Did you request my attention to reassure yourself that you were welcome or did you need more?  For you are not welcome - your presence here indicates a far greater risk to the fabric of the tapestry you hold so dear than you can fathom, and I cannot guess why you relegate yourself to floundering philosopher of now rather than glowing presence of comfort and certainty to those who looked to you as something Beyond." A small sigh. "You will find your role much changed, because you weren't content to be a legend."

[cattana423]

**** As the book appears tybalt considers it for the briefest moment before picking it up. When she grins at her own cleverness tybalt nods his head and returns a wry smile .During greens sad moment of silence tybalt replies in the tone of someone trying to comfort a small favored child” she was doing as she should in her place and from the looks of it she did a passing  fine job  though there is still something’s she needs to be taught correctly. As For my people They will know that their love for their daughter is shared  by her father and that we are festive not to celebrate just my return but as well to call home all of Venice’s lost and shout gleeful defiance to the powers that resist them .Cody I am sure would rather return to a life affirming celebration then a dour wake my dear bella ”*******

She grimaces. "I would ask you to call me anything but Bella, in the space between you and I. You took Her with you, and what you left behind is no more Her than She is Me." A deep breath, drawn over pointed incisors

*****He nods “That is a pity but it will make what’s to come  much easier all around “*****


. "Did you request my attention to reassure yourself that you were welcome or did you need more? For you are not welcome - your presence here indicates a far greater risk to the fabric of the tapestry you hold so dear than you can fathom, and I cannot guess why you relegate yourself to floundering philosopher of now rather than glowing presence of comfort and certainty to those who looked to you as something Beyond."

***Again he sighs a tired sigh and speaks “ I called for you for several reasons , to gauge your view of me , to determine your state of being , to apologize if I thought it would help , to determine  when we were in the nexus and not least of all because of a lady of Venice you are welcome to join us in making  Venice a glowing Bright spot to bring back Cody . Though it seems most of those reasons are now fulfilled or otherwise pointless. I am aware of what me returning to this form means and I would not risk it but to fix a greater threat .And let that be a lesson to you if you are still capable of  learning them , You may not be able to fathom my thoughts but I know the plumb and depths of yours .That is why you underestimate  cody, myself , and the venetians’ . The comfortable and certain path is one that goes no where .” his voice begins to grow louder as he gets more insistent  Avatars  can do better then merely worrying about comfort and certainty . They can survive more then you will ever be able to comprehend . They can grow and evolve . You are static . You are dead . You are GOD. How could you ever fathom the minds of those avatars so far below you . …. “ shaking his head he puts his finger tips to his temples and begins to rub them . “ I say to much forgive me I fear seeing you here  more lovely then I could imagine has loosened my tongue  or may help the  herbs I have taken to dull my pain  but regardless I am sorry  for my speech  and my anger “********


A small sigh. "You will find your role much changed, because you weren't content to be a legend."

***there is  a time for everyone’s role to change my dear , But a moment of business if you will. I would ask you did not punish  this city for any feelings you might have towards me . I would ask what you would like me to call you and to that point I have not chosen a house am I still welcome among mine ? I am aware of your ability to say no to that question .

[Avie]

"You under estimate me, Tybalt.  and yourself, if you imagine me static and dead.  I love you, as you TAUGHT me to.  That does not change.  cannot change. But do not swoop back in here with a jaunty wave and expect that hearts haven't hardened against your constant comings and goings.  It wears a soul down."

She summons her red velvet armchair and flops into it. "You will leave again. and again. It's in your nature, and those you love will be stony to protect themselves from loss.  Of course you may choose your house at will, and of course you may act as a free Avatar.  You and I both know how you have bound yourself to the fate of this place, of Me.  I expect you to be who you have always been and will always be.  Any less would be the greatest heartbreak of all."

She seems to ignore the outburst, although he knows her better than to assume she missed it or will forget it.

[cattana423]

as she summons a comfy chair he walks across the balcony and drags a cold heavy wrought iron chair so that he can sit across from her. His knees an angels breath from hers. His hands are intertwined on his lap .

"My return was hardly jaunty " he says with a gentle laugh raising his arm in its bandage" though my feelings for you are likewise unchanged , I have never understood why absence should change the feelings of the heart , I have not seen juliet in ages and eons yet my heart has not " hardened against her". You are right I will leave one last time  and our fates are bound more tightly then you can know . But It has been a while  since we have enjoyed each others company so I propose a game to reacquaint ourselves so how about this . A question answered for a question answered?you may even go first after all beauty before age ." He settles back into his chair obviously still in pain  from his fall

[Avie]

"Oh, a game!"  She breathes, ever the innocent.  "My first question is easy.  It was the first thing I thought when I felt you clarify into the physical.  Where's Bella?"

[cattana423]

Leaning back he smiles " well I said I would answer to the best of my ability . The problem comes in with me coming into the physical I lost a lot of the nigh infinite information I contained when i squeezed into this physicality . I am afraid I can give you no less corny answer then in my heart and in my head. I really wish i could give you a better answer . "He sips his herbed wine as one of the menservants comes out onto the porch and bows respectfully. Acknowledging him  with a nod and a gesture to stand " yes antonio I am taking my medicine no need to fuss " The older greyhaired man bows his head "Yes My lord  should be very proud he can take his medicine like a big boy  but begging the lady's pardon  you Must prepare for the feast  you have called for . Would his lordship prefer I dressed him in swaddling or can I assume that he is a big enough boy to dress himself ?"The servant finishes all in a very servile and soft almost sarcastic tone . Tybalts smile becomes wider as he blushes a bit " You know old man I should have lett the cook carry you off to the wedding chapel years ago perhaps she could have done more to curb your speech better then I have  . But very well less i give you a heart attack of vexation I will attire myself forthwith . bring my outfit out here " Turning and standing he faces  the young lady sitting in front of him " Well  guess It is my turn to ask the question " what prevents my daughter cody from continuing her good works here in venice . Or more to the point how else Might I help remove any obstacles in her path between her and here?" as he asks the question antonio brings out a full set of black and silver venietian  clothes .  Tybalt begins to undress seemingly unaware of any sort of shyness. His body is covered in bandages and small scares  tattooed over his heart is the delphi eye . several of the scars on his neck are obviouslly puncture wounds .

[Avie]

Vexation creases Green's features.  "You're lousy at this game.  You could have just asked that one without a game."  She beams Antonio a million-watt smile - they have become fast friends in the last cycle, plus some, thanks to Green's regular appearances at Venice. The frown melts and she seems honestly glad to see the man, and the bantering between him and Tybalt.

"There is nothing metaphysical restraining Cody, as you would have known, had you started by checking the notes from the last Council meeting.  I keep a copy in the blue-bound book to the left of your blotter on your desk, for future reference."  She glances away as he begins to dress - unlike the woman Tybalt married, this Manifestation remembers only too well the very proper behavior exhibited by the Venetian in the past and has no experience to indicate that the inhibitions have changed.  a faint blush touches her cheeks for the briefest of moments.

"Cody's failure to return is either because she's doing good works elsewhere, she doesn't want to come back, she isn't ready to come back, she's allergic to ghost rock and has sneezed herself into next Saturday or ..." Her voice trails off. "If there's an obstacle, it's Cody specific, and not cosmic in nature. Circumstance, personal preference..."  She shrugs eloquently.

"Would you like another question, since that one was free for the taking?" 

[cattana423]

He smiles both at her response to his question and to his nudity ." And you asked a question as easy to ascertain if not easier. After all  What happened between me and bella is a matter of common history in this time is it not ? The specifics as I said are lost for the moment to my being in this form" he ties on black and silver pants  seemingly taking no concern of his entire body being on view as he does so ." my question wasnt just  if there were cosmic or metaphysical obstacles. It was if there was anything  at all that could be done to assist her in her return  "He pulls his slashed doublet over his head and  tries to shoo antonio away from tying it up and begins doing it himself while antonio mutters "oh Mighty lord capulet is so kind to save this poor old man from tying knots  shame he is not grown up enough not to show his bait and tackle to  elegant ladies " It is obvious from the reproachful look antonio receives that tybalt heard him " If codys absence is not a matter for my concern why the venom in your eyes and the hearts of the nexus ? It was mearly this that caused me to use the question to check up on her I have full confidence that any Patron of venice let alone any capulet can handle themselves regardless of where she might find herself . " The pride in his voice shines more then the threads of silver in his clothes  and is reflected in the nod and glint in the servants eyes . " very well spoken my lord I am Sure Lady Cody would be honored to hear you speak of her with such confidence but if Lord wishes to be listened to by the masses perhaps lord should sit down so that I might help him look more like a lord and less like an urchin no matter how  finely dressed. " Tybalt sighs and drops inton his seat as His long trusted freind and servant begins to brush his hair . Tybalts face conveys that same emotion as a cat might when suffering an unwanted petting  especially when antonio keeps grabbing his head to hold it straight . Looking up almost comiclly into the ladies eyes  he speaks to her " But Regardless of how bad we both are at a game even children can master the turn is yours what else might I answer?"

[Avie]

"I strongly suspect that 'what can we do to bring Cody home' is one of those things that depends on where she is and what she's doing.  and that's hidden to me currently -- seems a habit of the Capulet family to do their good works where their strongest alllies cannot see to aid the cause." A mask familiar to him and supposedly unknown to her flashes in her eyes.  "If I were to guess, I'd say she's in a dream state, and needs to be woken.  However, with all that... filth in the air out there," She waves towards Proper, "damaging the waking AND sleeping minds of all Avatars - AND moving the nightmares of the sleeper into the walking world - I suspect she is unable to awaken.  Or unwilling.  If I were to guess, my guess would be that it's necessary to fathom the nature of that stuff and figure out how to break a thrall."

Green shrugs. "In my heart and in my head." She echoes his words back to him.  "Cody scarcely feels gone to me, unlike the times you've taken walk abouts.  It's not like I've lost a limb, or half my head or most of my heart to a catastrophy or a small personal betrayal.  Instead, this time, it's... quiet."  She flashes Antonio a smile. "Only elegant on the surface - and only embarrassed because I assume it's the medicine causing your lord's lack of modesty.  When his head clears, I suspect he might well regret his brazen behavior.  I'll refrain from reminding him if you will."  A conspiratorial wink before she turns her attention back to Tybalt.

"Curiousity isn't running strong in my blood right now, pet.  I'll hold my turn.  Is there anything you wish to know which you are restraining yourself from asking, either deliberately or unconsciously?"

 

[cattana423]

he nods  as she speaks about cody and when she mentions personal betrayl and heartbreak a moment of pain flits across his face. Muttering under his breath " careful ant". Antonio brushes even harder as he shares a smile and wink with the lovely lady as she speaks to him. The whole time tybalt sits there and takes the grooming like an unhappy house cat , if he had a tail it would be twitching ." The reason I show no shyness in front of you is three fold. First you apear not unlike the Lady Capulet whose children bear witness to hher having seen me undressed . Secondly you are family of a sorts and mature enough to have seen anything i might present  before. Thirdly" he gumbles and shoots a look at antonio and green" I have been force fed  this medicine like I am ten years old and scrapped my knee."
  Antonio finshes braiding and fixing tyablts hair dropps the brush in his lap" I am sure my learned  Lord can tell the difference between a scrapped knee and multiple broken bones. But then again I am just a lowly manservant so wracked with age as to be  a burden on my kind lord . Now that the lord is prepared I will see to the rest of the house . How many places shall I set at high table ?"
  Tybalt smiles a sincere smile while being verbally assaulted by antonio" As always I stand corrected old man . Perhaps I should send you to live with the rest of the retired servants in the grey manner "tybalt pauses to stroke his goatee in consideration as Antonio looks nervous for the briefest moment "nah I would be forever bothered by reports of you chasing all those poor ladies about and drunken debackles  and duels . Best i keep you where I might be a good influence on you . " Tybalt smile and nods at the lovely lady sitting across from him " Assuming the lady will do me the honor of sitting with us i should think the head table might be best set at 13 places . "Turning to face the lady in question " As for our game I am not one to rush such a lovely and endearing creature as yourself so let us pause this game for the time being " standing he offers her his arm " Instead let us retire inside "