AetherMUX - Tuesday, June 06, 2000, 7:57 PM
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*===========================< In Character Time >===========================*
             Time of day:  Afternoon
          Date on Aether:  Tuesday, August 4, 3906.
           Year on Earth:  1506 A.D. 
       Phase of the Moon:  New
                  Season:  Summer
                 Weather:  Clear Skies
             Temperature:  Hot
*==========================================================================*

Garden - Palladium - Haven

     Water droplets spray upward from a marble fountain,
glinting like diamonds when the sunlight streams in and 
patterns the ground. A trellis overhead holds grapevines that 
shade the paths below, mingled with a wild tangle of 
rosebushes. In the warm months, they bloom in a riot of 
color; ranging from a red so deep it's almost black, to the 
purest white bud delicately laced with veins of pink. Petals 
are strewn over the walkways, and their scent perfumes the 
air with a heady aroma that is vaguely seductive.
     Warm sunlight or the cooler glow of the moon reflects 
off the marble columns supporting the various structures of 
the Palladium, yet it is easy to forget a world beyond this 
garden. A few stone benches provide 'places' where visitors 
may sit and converse, or simply absorb this rich tapestry of 
sight, smell, and sound.

Contents:
Pandora, sitting at the edge of the fountain.       
A reflection in the fountain 




It's a hot one. The kind of day that makes clothing stick and 
pavement broil. The garden's vibrant hues are raped by the 
brightness of the sun; adding a blinding whiteness to 
everything. Red turns a sad sunset orange; pink a filtered 
russet. The light even dims the red hair of the Empyrean 
woman sitting at the edge of the fountain, so laxly running 
her fingers through the pristine water to create ripples that 
gently lap at the side. Mindful of fair skin, she is tucked 
gently underneath one of the fountains overhanging ornaments, 
though one thin leg still hangs out to be tainted by burn. 
She is pretty oblivious to her surroundings, transfixed 
dumbly on her hand and the supple water underneath.

Maybe that man is mindfull too; out of the halls of the 
nobles exits a thin silver-haired man wearing a long black 
cloak. The thick fabric covers his shoulders like curtains, 
obscuring whatever that odd hump upon his back might be. That 
same hump shifts oddly, in a side to side fashion, bringing 
the rustling of feathers with the motion. He speaks quietly 
with one of the servants of House Jove, it seems by the 
girl's blue and gold tunic, and she shuffles back to the 
living quarters, leaving him alone.... or so he thought.

Aelia enters the garden from the living quarters situated off 
to the right.
Aelia has arrived.

Pandora's hand sweeps up from the water to relegate cold 
droplets to her face, spraying from flicking fingertips. This 
motion is repeated a few times, with mouth open to catch some 
of the refreshing water, until she becomes aware of a 
presence of another. Like a deer caught in headlights; she 
freezes, peering around the bulk of the fountain to view the 
"intruder" and his exiting servant. Being the ever social 
darling, she curls up her free leg and hunches over the 
rim of the fountain. Is she trying to /hide/? Seemingly out 
of instinct more than anything else. It might even all work 
if it weren't for her wings, still deplumed and poking up, 
casting silverish light on the water.

Julius pauses a moment before taking a deep breath and walking down the paths of the garden, which will inevitably lead him near the fountain. His walk is slightly halting, the barest of limps suggecting old injury, and when he is near enough he takes a moment to stop in his path and nod to the woman by the foutain in a respectful fashion. "Ave... Domina," he says in a harsh and raspy voice.


PANDORA
        Disarming; reflecting the extremes of her inner 
nature. Win