{ crossing the streams } all your life you've never seen a woman taken by the wind

[ladyquietude]

The opportunity to have a private conversation with Morgana doesn't come as swiftly as she'd like- not when there are so many things to attend to, around the girl's visit and everything else. First her presence must be explained; interrupted by Marpesia on their way upstairs, Petra is forced to think on her feet and god bless her daughters for

Comments

[magicalskeptic]

Since arriving in Deira, there has been a flurry of activity -- a relative which Morgana now knows to look out for, and watching Petrana smoothly explain away the newest arrival. Since everything said was a lie, all Morgana can take come from the conversation is that the woman is not trustworthy

[magicalskeptic]

Well, Morgana is going to choose to accept that Davidas will be fine with the gift for one simple reason -- the lord of Gatas would have a very difficult time trying to get it back.

Morgana's wondering how pretty the kitten would be with a blue ribbon for a collar, attached to a small bell. She's so tiny, it would be useful for finding her.

The description of the expected company is surprising. Uther never permitted such people around her, and she would experience such only when the knights became particularly inebriated, but they are the Countess's friends, leaving Morgana disposed to thinking kindly of them. "I appreciate the advanced knowledge."

The next offer is a little tentative. "Would you like some assistance in the preparations for their arrival?" Sure, some of the details will be different, given the differing culture, but there are certain things all guests need, and this was one of Morgana's primary duties in Camelot. "I do wish to be of some use."

[ladyquietude]

Aithric is the sort of man that twenty years ago, Petra would've point-blank refused to have anything to do with. Today, though...he understands being stared at and whispered about and suspected, and he neither cares nor pussyfoots around it. He calls her the little siren as though it's exactly as ridiculous as she knows it to be and she finds she can't help but like him for it.

"I'd be very glad for that," she admits, beaming. "You're more than welcome to - we should look at what yet needs to be done in the morning."

[magicalskeptic]

The idea of having something to do -- which is much more reassuring than sitting around worrying about having nothing to keep idle hands busy -- is relieving. "I often arranged for visitors back in Camelot."

There is one other thing, and it feels ridiculous, as it is something she's never had to ask for (save from servants) in her life. "Pardon me, Countess, but I am famished."

She literally, did trip into Xanadu with almost nothing.

[ladyquietude]

"We will get you something to eat," Petra decides, "and I will explain a few- small details of my own life here. There are things that never mattered where we were, and...they will matter here."

[magicalskeptic]

Having a sneaking suspicion as to the general idea of some of the details, Morgana nods, appreciatively. She'd been putting off asking for something to eat because, usually, it's an excellent reason for the hostess to excuse herself, particularly if it's not a part of a formal meal, or greeting.

"If you believe I need to be aware, I am more than happy to keep your company," the implication being whatever the Countess needs to tell her will not change that.

[ladyquietude]

The smile she favours Morgana with is genuine and fond- she trusted in that, but it doesn't hurt to hear it. "When I was a girl, we lived outside of Demos toward Cimmura, and our land was quite close by that of the Margrave of Damerel. The Margrave, Lord Romiar, and my father were old friends from the Pandion novitiate- he fell quite badly and he was never knighted, but they remained close."

Morgana has, by now, probably heard reference to Petra's own wolfhound- and indeed, Romiar was named for the Margrave she's referring to now.

"So I grew up with his son, Martel, and there was an understanding." Which her mother would never have permitted - a knight's wife? God, no - if not for the Damerel wealth, a fact that Petra opts to leave out of her retelling. "We were engaged quite properly, but our wedding was delayed by the deaths of his parents, and then the engagement was broken entirely. He was the Pandion Order's apostate disgrace, Morgana- his crimes included forbidden sorcery such as destroyed the minds of lesser men entirely,

[magicalskeptic]

All Morgana can do is sit and listen quietly to the Countess's version of events. It is vastly different from the history she has heard, and difficult to reconcile with the man she met upon her arrival in Xanadu. Thus, Petrana will have to excuse her if she looks confused. It is not judgmental, by any sense of the word, just confused

[ladyquietude]

The query about Romiar's name gets a small laugh- "He and I were very close- Romiar's sire was given to me by his namesake, as an engagement gift."

The rest of it, though, she listens the same way that Morgana listened to her; attentive and without judgement. "I'm sorry that you have to understand it so well," she says, sincerely, "but I'm glad that you're prepared. In Gatas, we're a little removed- unfortunately, not entirely."

[magicalskeptic]

"Then I can presume he took the naming as a compliment." She no longer thinks her kitten's name will bring about the slightest question after this.

"One cannot survive at court, intact in soul without understanding. It will be a nice opportunity to be even slightly removed from it." Morgana's had enough of courtly life at the moment but it doesn't mean she can't play all the games expected there with the best of them. At least is Marepesia is her biggest obstacle, it will be a simple game indeed.

Morgana pauses for a second. She is about to bring up Martel, but realizes the practicalities of the situation in which she finds herself are much more important, and she is some what concerned of disconcerting the Countess. "If I am to be a distant cousin, I would know all that history indeed, but to play the part properly, excuse me for asking, but is there anything else of which I need to be aware?"

Morgana's played a role most of her life. This is just a different one.

[ladyquietude]

"Quite a bit, actually," Petra admits with a rueful look. "We'll need to teach you certain things - I never saw any written language in that other city that resembled Elenic. Quite strange, I thought, since we understand each other well enough...but regardless. Basic things, like literacy and the politics of the day; family history, Pandion history...we should have time to acquaint you with it all before anyone can test it. I'll hold Marpesia at arm's length the best I can."

And she can.

[magicalskeptic]

"I am an apt pupil." Morgana's usually not so forthright with her positive points, too many years of pretending to be demure outside certain circles, but here, it seems appropriate.

While she will have to be careful, for the time being, having to learn such things does promise pleasant companionship.

"Until I am fully versed, I will survive the way I did at court. I looked as though I belonged, and I have found that is well over half of what is necessary to survive anywhere."

[ladyquietude]

"I was told the self-same thing in Cimmura," she reflects, with a hint of approval; Vedetta had taught her how to navigate a world that distrusted and disdained them long before Martel had given any of them further reasons to look down on her, and the lessons had been invaluable. "In the meantime, though, we ought to get you something to eat."

[magicalskeptic]

There is a breath of relief at the suggestion, almost a grateful laugh.

"Thank you, I have not properly eaten since early yesterday." Morgana had been too busy being lost, and anxious to bother to find food.

As per custom in Camelot, Morgana, as keen as she is on satisfying her hunger, has to wait for the Countess to stand first.

This is not the palace, Morgana does not have pride of place here, and she is acutely aware of it.

[ladyquietude]

Rising, Petra arranges the fall of her skirts with the mindless air of something she's done a thousand times and no longer needs to think about- and pauses, as she turns toward the door, her eyes falling on the kitten she'd brought with her. "Do you know what you'll name her?" she asks, with genuine curiosity; it's not so much that she cares for cats (she tolerates their existence despite the fact Davidias still behaves as though his spirit is being oppressed by one dog), but she does care for Morgana.

[magicalskeptic]

When Morgana rises, she picks up the sleeping kitten with her. It opens one eye to acknowledge it has been disturbed, but as it's being securely cradled, it cares for little else.

Should it be permitted, the kitten is coming for food with Morgana.

"Veda," She says with the confidence she spoke of earlier. Making it sound like the name belongs, means it is unlikely to be questioned. "She is named Veda."