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Random shows everyone who comes with him around the castle. While the castle is defensible, the primary defense seems to be that it's on a high ledge next to a waterfall and it reaches deep into a cliff face. There is no good vantage from which to attack from above, although there are paths and switchbacks up the mountain from the landing below as well as trails going further up.
Inside the castle is well-lit by electric lighting. It isn't used as prominently in areas that are near the front or have good windows. There are stairs everywhere, and most rooms are large and tall.
Solange winces, thinking of Gerard with his wheelchair. Hannah, on the other hand, just seems thoughtful as she looks about at the potential challenges to her patient.
Once Solange starts looking, she notices that there are also ramps. However, the design is vertical and it's not going to be great for Gerard. There are no elevators.
The main hall, just inside the castle from the balcony that overlooks the falls, is very large.
There are a few outbuildings nearby, but it looks as if most of the workspaces have been brought into Castle Xanadu. Random takes the tour back to where the rooms stop having windows and are carved into the rock itself. Other than the lack of windows and the change of lighting, it would be hard to tell.
Hannah runs her hands along the walls, and grins, like she's had a funny thought.
The expected rooms are there: state halls, private residences, libraries, armories, kitchens, servant's quarters, barracks, distilleries, offices, recording studios. Random never quite gets to a back, or else there isn't one. In some areas, there are servants and guards. Random nods and says hello to them, by name, as he enters.
Lucas seems to take an inordinate amount of interest in the colour schemes and soft furnishings. Several times he purses his lips and narrows his eyes while flaring his nostrils. Once he gives a faint shudder.
Folly, on the other hand, by all appearances seems to think it is all just perfect. Of course recording studios need giant beanbag chairs in hideous colors....
And mini trampolines, also in hideous colors.
She does peek into the control room to see whether there's any equipment in the racks yet.
Just the Right Hook stuff they brought with them. And an elderly cat who didn't really want to be disturbed until he realized it was Folly.
If she can do so without causing him too much discomfort, she'll scoop him up and carry him along on the rest of the tour. Either way, she makes sure to draw Celina's attention to him and in a whisper indicates that that's what a full-grown cat looks like. Folly seems quite happy to have found him, and whispers to him as if they go way back.
Yep, Folly and cat continue along on the tour.
Other than the fact that it's clearly only partially occupied, [the castle] seems quite functional.
Celina maps out in her head locations and uses (if any) of mirrors, also taking time to evaluate reflective surfaces, such as shiny equipment panels.
It's much more heavily decorated with crystals and cut glass than Amber. Also, the electric lights The studio has black walls and ceilings, but other than that, the rooms are painted or papered in light colors.
Solange has a few questions:
"What's the tech level here? What works and what doesn't?"
"Umm. I dunno, I never really thought about it like that. Guns don't work, but some electronics do. It shouldn't be too different from Amber, generally."
"Are rooms assigned, or do we just stake a claim?"
Random grins. "Don't take the one with the cat door."
"Unless you want company," Folly adds, also grinning. It's not entirely clear whether she means the cat or herself.
"Isn't a Random Pattern a contradiction in terms?" This asked with a grin and a twinkle in Solange's eye.
"This is my niece, Solange, everyone. She's working on advanced studies at Smartass University. She's a legacy student, of course. It's nice to see her picking up the family trade."
Perhaps Lucas and Folly will see the widened eyes and slight stillness that drapes Celina's features when Solange gets her special commentary from Random.
Folly, who seems amused by the exchange, shoots Celina a reassuring look.
"Speaking of Patterns, can we see the new one?"
"Oh, yes. It's completely visible at all times."
Lilly shakes her head slightly and fights back the urge to grin. She should have expected such a reply from her uncle.
Solange grins. "Sorry. May we see the new Pattern?"
Some of us will see it soon enough, Lilly thinks to herself. It might be better to have it be a mystery until then. Of course if he does give in and allow it... well her curiosity simply would not allow her to not take the opprotunity.
He nods. "Yes, you may. After dinner."
Hannah doesn't ask questions, just quietly listens and watches everyone else. She is rather interested in the answer to the last question, though.
Lilly spends most of the time watching the others. She is interested in their reactions. It has become a sort of game for her, trying to read and understand people. Of course she is also paying attention to the tour guide. Chances are important information will come mixed with banter and she wants to be sure she does not miss something important. Only when the question about the pattern is asked, does she really seem to perk up and become interested however. Until that point her own behavior has been mostly passive.
Folly and Lilly for sure catch the point at which Martin and Brennan drift off and their return later in the tour.
[Once all the questions have been answered.... [And feel free to add more as desired.]]
"OK, so that's it in a nutshell. Or something. We'll have dinner in a while and then it's off to the basement. I'm gonna go catch up on some drive-by Kinging that needs doing. You all are welcome to see the many and varied sights of Xanadu and environs, but you'll need to be back in a few hours. You can also hit the showers, find a place to stay, man the battlements, or whatever it is you'd rather do. Mi casa es su casa, and all that."
Lilly pales at the mention of the basement. Tonight. It would be tonight. A few short hours might be all she had left. Strength, she reminded herself as the fingers of her right hand fumbled for the ring. His and yours. It will all be over shortly and then life can continue without the threat of the walk looming. With a deep breath she calms once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Lucas starts to leave the tour group, Solange appears at his elbow. "May I ask you a question before you disappear? It won't take long."
"Certainly," says Lucas with his usual urbane courtesy.
Solange leads him off a little ways from the main group of people and keeps her voice low. "I started perusing the Hardwind account records this afternoon in Amber. What exactly tipped you off that some of the funds were diverted to the Paresh? I saw some expenditures that were denoted only by a symbol. Was it one of those?"
"My methods were slightly different," said Lucas. "Did you know that - in addition to Opal Hardwind - your late foster uncle had two sons? One was a bastard who lived on a trade route - and disappeared during the Sundering.
"The Amber-based son - did you know him? ---"
She shakes her head.
"--- left during the Regency, with the Paresh. He was then, on the surface at least, disowned. However ... the pattern of outgoings in the account books around that time is particularly interesting. And afterwards it tails off abruptly."
"Interesting. I'll take another look at those particular entries. Regardless of whether those funds were actually diverted to the Paresh or not, my role in all of this now is just to straighten out the books, right? Settle all accounts?
"Do you know who is overseeing Lord Hardwind's will?"
"I believe affairs are being handled by the men of business for the two primary legatees - Lady Hardwind and Opal Hardwind. In the former's case, that's a well-meaning but inadequate boy named Seek; in the latter's, it's a hard nosed leaned-faced individual named Lyre who I wouldn't mind poaching for my service. Or at all events putting down on the little list I'm keeping.
"I wish you joy of dealing with both of them."
"Why, thank you, you're too kind," Solange replies wryly, affecting a curtsey and a smile. "I'll be in touch."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucas stakes out a suite of rooms on one of the higher levels, with a wide terraced balcony, positioned at an interesting angle; it should catch the best of the morning sun (for breakfasts en famille) while also offering an excellent view of sunsets as one enjoys a pre-dinner martini.
As the castle is on an east-facing cliffside, sunset is around 2PM. One could have a post-lunch martini, if one had such a balcony.
There are four rooms that fit the description (corners with wraparound balconies). Two of them are in what is apparently the King's wing and have been claimed by Random and Martin.
While Garrett was looking around earlier, he found the Royal wing where Martin's and Random's suites are located. He can choose from one of a number of rooms in that wing on two floors. Apparently the castle thinks he's going to have brothers and sisters.
Garrett claims a two-room suite in the same corridor as Random and Martin, but not directly next to either of them. The rooms face downhill toward the marketplace and the sea beyond. Furnishings are standard castle-issue, which is still more luxurious than Garrett has ever seen in his life.
Bleys claims the third [corner balcony room] and he and Caine pointedly comment that the fourth would be perfect for Gerard.
Solange will look for rooms next door to Gerard, wherever he ends up.
(Lucas will want sufficient rooms for a day and night nursery, living room, bedroom for him and Solace, dressing rooms for them both, and a study. Possibly a small kitchen for heating morning croissants etc). On the other hand, he's still planning a main residence outside the castle, so his territorial demands aren't excessive. However, he'll make sure there are a few empty rooms close by that he can expand into if the out-of-castle option looks impossible. Presumably the fact that he has two small children who have so-very-recently demonstrated their willing and readiness to demonstrate their skills with fife and drum (well, bugle and drum, actually) will assist here.
Castle living is not hotel living. Most living space is public. Most people have two rooms, or at most three. There are no private kitchens and servants live in quarters. Bedrooms have doors, but not locks. Public rooms usually do not have doors. There are lots of long galleries with sitting areas. The area described as "the studio" has doors, and they're soundproofed. But it has doors because of the soundproofing.
Castle Xanadu is much more regular in its form than Castle Amber, but it hasn't accreted outbuildings for 3000 years.
Lucas takes a room, wherever, no wraparound balcony, for himself and Solace, and one next to it for the children. His own room will have a nice view for whenever Solace is stuck within the palace being ill.
(OOC - sorry; I was working on the Kensington Palace principle, where you have a bunch of royals living together, and everyone gets their own apartments)
After that, he heads for the nascent city (or town), making his way down to the harbour.
(OOC - does he need to walk or ride, or are there other forms of transport - e.g. the Royal Funicular?)
There's a great Funicular shortage. Castle X is about the same distance up the cliff face that Castle Amber is on Kolvir (funny, that). If there were good roads, like in Amber, it would be about a 45 minute ride. As it is, it's a good 90 minute walk, or a bit faster if one exercises one's superhuman fire and earth.
It is possible to use Martin's method of getting to the harbor quickly, which should take less than 45 seconds. And it's also possible, if one is suitably accoutered in the playing card department, to return promptly.
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XXXVI: Escape to Xanadu | Index | XXXVIII: A Visit to Xanadu 'town'
