Being the Journal of Carolyne Embeth Mandrake

A Plague of Possibilities

2008-04-22T21:08:22Z

The Plague spreads, little tendrils reaching up to sink into Amber herself. Theo's been fighting this all his life, and now that he's here, it is, too.

Coincidence, or good timing?

I've worked battlefields. I've been the Royal Physician and braved Oberon's quarters. I've worked as a breeder, and as a coronor.

But plagues are the worst. It's not the danger...I never get sick...well, there was that one time, when I was pregnant with Erasmus, but that was the effects of a parasite on the body. Yes, a willing parasite, but I can be excused for that illness*. It's just dealing with a plague victim in general. A triage on a battlefield is preferable to that. Or a burn ward.

We have to stop this here, now, while there's still a chance.

*What's bizarre is that I'm exibiting those symptoms again...which makes no sense, because I KNOW my body, and know that's not overly possibly, after last time.

Is all life sacred?

2008-01-30T15:56:17Z

As a doctor, one might assume the answer is yes, but the reality is more complicated than that.

For instance:

* Testing subjects put themselves at risk, in order to help others. Sometimes this is voluntary, sometimes it isn't.

* Sometimes the removal of one (or several) lives will ensure life for many others. This isn't "the greater good," this is cold, hard numbers.

* Sometimes it is a one to one ratio. One person gives up their life for another. Sometimes the first is dying anyway, other times, it's done for different reasons.

Thoughts?

Reflections

2008-01-28T16:08:38Z

I wonder what happens if you open your eyes when going through a mirror. Perhaps I should try one day.

Unless it's like sneezing with your eyes open. I won't try THAT again.

I suspect V took me to his lair so he could see me in the round. Still, he took me to his LAIR. I mean, that's pretty serious.

Hmm.

PS: Must bring juggling equipment next time. Interesting optical tricks. Do NOT drop equipment, or fling off somewhere.

Breaking a sweat....

2008-01-26T06:43:07Z

Sebastopol says, "Your clothes are getting damp."
Carolyne says, "It's spidersilk. It wicks."
Sebastopol blinks slowly.
Sebastopol opens and closes his mouth a few times.
Carolyne says, "Yes?"
Carolyne is looking damp in the hair, mind.
Sebastopol says, "You have clothes made out of spiderwebs?"
Carolyne grins. "Essentially, yes."
Sebastopol continues nearly speechless. Finally, he just says "Why?"
Carolyne says, "It's very, very strong. And, well, it's silk."
Sebastopol says, "I know Viktor's people sometimes raid...I mean, trade for silk. But it's not useful in the north. We wear wool and furs and shoes stuffed with dry grasses."
Carolyne grins lopsidedly. "I am fully aware of Viktor's activities, Thane, but yes, it would be a bit nippy up north."
Sebastopol says, "But it wicks. I hesitate to ask how you wash it."
Carolyne says, "With fire and ash."
Sebastopol blinks stupidly for a moment, and then says "That must be very uncomfortable for the people who do your washing. How long do you think before I start feeling my old strength again?"
Carolyne says, "Lucretia's more the expert on this. I have only recently found out about the road...I was in Rebma the past year, missed all the excitement."
Sebastopol says, "...where Mostyn is from."
Carolyne nods. "Different host, however. I only just met him."
Sebastopol says, "I call him friend. Did you heal his leg, too?"
Carolyne nods. "Yes. I'm rather fond of his uncle."
Sebastopol processes slowly. "His uncle is the ambassador. I have not met the man. Different circles. No reason our paths would cross."
Carolyne chuckles. "Unless Viktor makes another pass at Rebma."
Sebastopol says, "It is not beyond question. But I cannot imagine it would be any time soon. We have too many wounds of our own to lick, without causing wounds to others."
Carolyne nods, and a tiny bead of sweat falls off.
Sebastopol says, "If you are becoming too hot, I can leave. I have been sweating long enough. It draws out the bad from your blood, you know."
Carolyne nods. "The toxins."
Sebastopol says, "Toks.... Is that like vaksins?"
Carolyne says, "It's the bad in the blood."
Sebastopol rubs a wet hand across his wet face, and gets up. He mutters, "I'm not stupid, you know. I just don't know half the words you folks use."
Carolyne says, "I didn't say you were. That's the easy way to define it."
Sebastopol mutters, "Been feeling pretty stupid lately. Mind you, being told I was stupid didn't help. I'm not....used to healing by *healing*."
Carolyne chuckles, then laughs. "Alright, I can see that."
Sebastopol mutters, as he shuffles past Carolyne toward the door and the cooler air, "I've never been so...sick as I was. I don't remember most of it. Just the shivering so hard, and all the voices in my head. I don't know what to expect. At other times, people would have just killed me and let the dawn sort it out."
Carolyne says, "Welcome to the happy land of fevers."
Sebastopol gives Carolyne a dark look, before pushing open the door. Air so much colder than the sauna's heat that it feels frigid rushes in, swirling the steam. "After you, lady healer."
Carolyne passes through the door, raising her chin to catch the cool.
Sebastopol takes up another rough cloth from outside the door and starts to rub his scarred arms and chest.
Sebastopol says, "Some of the dreams were true, you know."
Sebastopol says, "Maybe all of them."
Carolyne says, "Oh?"
Sebastopol says, "Rae was there. Freyja was there. Actually, Freyja speaks to me a lot lately. I'm not so sure about father, because he's dead. But he might be true too."
Carolyne arches a brow?
Sebastopol spreads his hands, flopping the towel in one of them. "In my dreams. It's how gods talk to you, you know. Rae's not a goddess, but *she* was real enough."
Carolyne grins and starts to move off. "Thane? Always call a woman a goddess."
Sebastopol smiles faintly. He goes back to drying himself off. "That's only useful if you're trying to talk them into joy-in-bed. Which contrary to any rumors you may have heard about me, is not the driving force in my life."
Carolyne says, "Oh, I hadn't heard any...until now. Enjoy your rest, Thane."
Sebastopol says, "Thank you for coming, lady Carolyne. I think I may live."
Carolyne says, "That would be a good thing, yes."

Alphabet Soup

2008-01-24T21:36:47Z

Dear Diary-

L dropped by last night to tell me that Y is back in town and needs to talk to V. Problem is, V is with O, and M (not that M, but the other M) suggested having V (the other V) create a cypher with B12 PDQ. IIRC, he's OAB, possibly MIB, but said he would BRB, but you KNOW how he is. UTItE.

Anyways, here's the cypher:

LKVIHJBVICJ hyLbVIYUIVGji,m ';:PUHOIBNjiHUvgiTvkin;.HTYKIUF HGFKJUHVGHJL JKHJVJKK<ghKK;LGCVGH BKHUKGBKILJVYDKL":PJKNJN MKL:M<OPUIOBVK<LGHGH

I swear, it's like cat scratchings to me.

Anyways, A and A4 got together with Linear-A to discuss the MOtD. Wait a second, need to go AFQ.

Ok, back.

Anyways, been considering comissioning a new alphabet, this one is too limited. WAYT?

I gues the main question is...WWDD?

Note left for the Royal Physician

2008-01-24T02:38:55Z

*Mostyn's tattoos have stopped. Well, mostly.

*Sebawhassit weak, but healing from the stitches. Taint is another matter, but he has yet to sprout fangs and tentacles.

*Raphaela De Sorgo broke a rib when Patient Fiamme (sp?) fell on her. Apparently, she was suffering from side effects of the vaccine by being insanely hyper, and was tossing books about in the library. Benedict cut the table she was on out from under her. She landed on Raphaela De Sorgo.

*Note: Curb bedside manner with Benedict. Asking "how did you manage to misplace your hand?" not a good greeting. Should you find me cut into little bitty pieces later, please let Ambassador Servalle know. Do not tell my son, he'll just be conflicted and frown alot.

Shame about the name....

2008-01-21T13:54:57Z

Went to Kitezh. Sewed up a Thane. More importantly, watched Lucretia work...I was only really there as support.

The child definitely has potential, and is filling my old post well. Her field mode is distinct from her social one and her research one. Interestingly familiar.

Politics is apparently alive and well everywhere...Thane Heart and some servant of the Kitezh gods Had Words. And there was a lack of decision on using the vaccine on Seba...Sepatopash...Thane North. Lucretia says she knows someone who can temporarily remove the corruption...my hunch is that would be the best time to apply the vaccine.

Regardless, the man is not going to die of his wounds.

Overall, I'm starting to approve of our new field doctor.

Shame about the name, though. Cosimo really does like tempting fate.

A certain blonde Rebman got lucky

2008-01-20T05:07:59Z

Four deep slashes in Mostyn's leg, not in the best of shape, or clean gashes. "Well," Cay says, "That doesn't look good."

Servalle says, "Can you treat it?"

Carolyne chuckles. "Of course. But he needs to be bedridden for a few days, and splint it a few days after."

Mostyn looks distinctly alarmed. "Couldn't I just keep it propped while at my desk?"

Servalle looks at Mostyn, but speaks to Carolyne. "Bed rest and a splint, of course."

Carolyne says, "I'll need to treat it mostly in the traditional way, unless you have somene you dislike intensely that you wish to transfer the wounds to."

Servalle's look at Mostyn is suddenly sharp and warning.

Mostyn suppresses his brief expression of bright-eyed hope. "I'm sure the traditional way will be fine, m'lady."

Surprise Visits

2008-01-19T14:30:28Z

Unexpected: Depends on who you ask

Apricot Brandy Bottles: 1

Truths: Dangerous

Daring: Definitely

Feet: Jello

Fires died down: 1

Fires seriously kindled: 1

Overheard at the Goose

2008-01-18T03:20:11Z

The bowls disappear in the same mysterious way that they appeared, and glasses suitable to a white wine take their place. A bottle of just such a thing is presented to and approved by Servalle, and then the glasses are occupied. Taking his up, Servalle smiles. "Is it a good thing, that I amuse you so?"

Carolyne takes hers as well. "From my side? Good. Yours is for you to decide. Answer may vary over time."

Servalle sips his wine, just before the dish to accompany it is brought. A small medallion of some white fish, set atop a matched cylinder of fragrant rice and sauced with a lightly acidic citrus concoction. "Hm. I believe that I enjoy seeing you smile, and would like to be the cause of it."

Carolyne arches both eyebrows amusedly, and says, jokingly, "You are aware," she begins, flaking off a bite of the fish, "That I have no actual tangible power in my house," She spears the fishbit. "So that should be a sincere sentiment." She nibbles on it.

Servalle swallows a piece of fish. "Oh, in that case..." he leaves her hanging long enough to take a sip of wine. "My statement stands."

Once again, Cay completely fails at suppressing a grin. And a slight flush. "You keep this up, and you may add a rather rare accomplishment to your trophies."

Servalle says, "Oh? What might that be?"

Carolyne says, "Striking me speechless."

Servalle says, "My. I find myself conflicted."

Carolyne eats more fish. "Oh?"

Servalle says, "One the one hand, I am not known for letting a challenge lie." He eats. "On the other hand, it would cost me your conversation, and that is a heavy price to pay."

Carolyne seems to be avoiding the rice itself. Not to the point of keeping stray bits off the fish, just not actually delving in. "Oh, well, it doesn't last long, so you should fare alright."

Servalle seems satisfied, perhaps understandably, with a small portion of his fish. Instead, he concentrates on his wine. "In that case, I accept."

Carolyne blinks, finishing off the medallions. "Well. How much trouble did I just get myself into?

Servalle smiles, subliminally sharklike. "My Lady, I am now sworn to find the words to take yours away."

Carolyne takes her wine up. "Words. Not TOO much then. Or all too much, mostlike."

Servalle leans back in his chair for a moment as plates are removed, and small sorbets are brought out to accompany the last of the white wine. "I am not a man given to hurrying along an enjoyment, Carolyne."

Carolyne says, "Cay. At this point, if innuendo is bantered about, you may call me Cay."

Servalle smiles. "It still feels so inequitable, but if you insist. Cay."

Carolyne says, "Well, I just keep saying Ambassador because I like the word." Carolyne winks and pokes at the sorbet.

Servalle says, "Now, we cannot have such a broad gulf in our familiarity. It is simply not done, and I will have to tell you embarassing tales of my youth to bridge it."

Carolyne chuckles. "Baby pictures, too?" Well, that was pseudo-random. She takes a bite, grinning around the fork.

Servalle says, "Only if you insisted on using my full title would a bridge so long be required."

Carolyne says, "I could call you Abby."

Er?

2008-01-16T22:59:44Z

I've been asked out on a date.

I think I was.

I'm not sure.

Oh, my.

Imagine the Devastation....

2008-01-16T21:39:12Z

Carolyne is sitting in a chair opposite Servalle, leaning back, legs crossed at the knee.

Heulwen slips out of the secretary's office with a smug little grin. She looks as if she is trying to decide if she can get around the room without her Uncle noticing her.

Servalle looks up and over at Heulwen, very clearly noticing her. He does not say anything, though.

Carolyne looks up, as well, head cocking to one side, watching the girl as she goes.

Heulwen curtseys briefly to her uncle, then tries to make a straight line to the door. The grin is gone, she now looks as if she expects to be called out on some shortcoming of her own.

Servalle tracks Heulwen's movement by pivoting his head, eyes locked on her and voice silent.

Heulwen's fingers splay briefly over her abdomen as she walks just a touch faster toward that door. She's definately guilty, but her fingers close about the knob as if freedom were so very close and releases the sigh just an instant early of actually escaping the room.

Servalle, perhaps contrary to expectation, lets her leave. "My niece," he comments, "Who unfortunately /does/ take after her mother."

Carolyne says, "Ah. She...is very comely. I expect that's part of the problem."

Servalle says, "Yes. Some scandal or another had her shipped off to my doorstep."

Carolyne says, "Ah." She seems to like that word. "And you have to find something to do with her, or is she merely flirting with your secretary and shouldn't be?"

Servalle says, "They have a history of antagonism."

Carolyne arches both eyebrows. "They're married?"

Servalle's eyes widen in alarm. "Goodness, no. She's his sister. Siblings, you know."

Carolyne blinks. "Oh. Well, then." A pause. "It is good that they're not married."

Servalle says, "I cannot even begin to imagine the devastation."

Fragments found in a Hearth

2008-01-16T06:32:57Z

Bits and pieces of a torn letter, found in the fire.

..debonair...

...rare find, he's actually older tha...

damn fine liquor

secretary

...cute...

~~creche~~

Missive in a Bottle

2008-01-15T20:24:16Z

(A letter arrives for Cosimo...sealed in a blue glass bottle. The script inside is in flowing script, the ink black.)

Dearest-

I have returned from Rebma, safe and sound. I fear the Hommunculus I made of you does not appear to be working, so I am resorted to using paper, quill, and Sigmund to notify you thus. I will be staying, for a short while, at the Ygrayne House in Amber, as they've modified it to remind them of home (it's so quaint!)...so I'll be using it as a sort of halfway house until I get my land legs. Besides, this is where we're setting up the octopus creche.

Is my room at the Goose still available, or have you rented it out? ~~I bet you rented it out. A year gone, you could have made money off that suite, why am I even asking?~~ I will be setting up shop back at the Hospital, in my research wing. Must send for more sweets from the ranchero...the recent leather crop should have produced plenty of pairs for soaking. Hopefully, they got the solution right this time...too much cinnamon last time, and not quite enough agave.

Must also check on the spidersilk farm.

Regards-

Aunt Cay

PS: Don't let Erasmus know. I want to suprise him.

Overheard in the Coffee Shop

2008-01-15T05:34:15Z

Desirats's pen waggles in the air, and dances with the same golden flame that seems to spark in the brunette's gaze. "But you said you were studying marine life, yes?"

Carolyne says, "Oh, yes. The octopus creche should arrive soon."

"The... what..." Desirata seems only able to blink at Carolyne after such a statement.

Carolyne says, "Creche. Breeding tank, really."

Desirata shakes her head and pushes around a few vials. Mostly positioning ot see the next. "I'm not familiar with a creche or breeding tanks for that matter. My heart lies more with the more flora, I fear."

Carolyne says, "I've discovered a passion for tentacles. They're FRIGHTFULLY useful."

"... tentacles," notes Desirata. Her shoulders rolls and twitch with an involuntary shiver. "May I ask why?'

Carolyne says, "They're not restricted by joints and straight bone, mostly."

Desirata nods, still not ready to go squid-hugging. "Yes, but they don't seem the most... well, tentacles tend to draw ones mind to think of sea-monsters or deadly cephalopods or something."

Carolyne says, "Well, yes...NOW. But they could be adapted."

To Do List, In No Order of Import

2008-01-14T19:23:14Z

* Check on Erasmus. Make sure he's feeding his hounds.

* Check in with this Servalle fellow. I'm sure I probably should have done that BEFORE going to Rebma, but better late than never. He might be quite relieved to have me out of his water.

* Remember to pack blowfish.

* Remember baby octupus creche.

* Milk Sigmund. Travel can upset him. Besides, may need the ink.