How Exactly to Procede? (Nikki L'Evienne)

[Parreyon Syndicus]

The Month of Immanis, in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

Parreyon had set up a comfortable surrounding in the study of his office. There was a table in the center of the room but only big enough for two. The desk and chairs were a coffee colored mohagony wood made in an antique style of Arakmatian origin where he was from. It had reminded him of the dining table his mother had in their house in Imperia when he was a boy. His mother had always loved the finer things in life.

Four main bookshelves lined the walls. Each one of the same stain as the table and chairs. Most of the books were of legal origin from the universitas through out the Empire. Parreyon had found joy in reading the debates of law but also found it quite 'chicken' to hold a one sided debate. It was easy to hide behind a book than through actual table side discussion and most men of law found a fear in confrontation. It was something that seperated men such as Parreyon and Milo from the rest. Both found debate healthy and invigorating. It was how they met eras ago; Milo as the legal advisor on a case that Parreyon was serving as Imperial Magistrate over. Life was simple then.

In one corner of the room about fifteen feet from the table was a relaxing chair. Well padded and covered in leather, Parreyon enjoyed spending evenings in this stufy reading in this chair while sipping Zerdargian Brandy or Arakmatan Tea. Next to the chair was an old end table that did not fit the room. The stain was half gone and the table itself had been repaired multiple times. It was the table that was next to his bed when he was a child. Parr would read late into the night and rest his books upon the stand when he finally fell asleep. It was one of the few items not destroyed when the meteor shower of Imperia laid waste to his home and killed his parents.

Parreyon sat at the table studying the Annarian Code waiting patiently for Nikki to arrive. It was time to question her regarding the Fists of Rage, and Parreyon knew it was a delicate situation for her. Parreyon could only imagine the trauma she had suffered. But he had been tasked with Solving this crime and bringing the men responsible to justice. He had a plan but was unsure if Nikki would approve. Spread across the table was a large tray filled with cheeses, breads, meats, and jams of a quantity to feed four. Too much to some was never enough.

[Nikki L'Evienne]

She lifted the hairbrush to her hair and pulled it gently through her long chocolate curls, watching them bounce into place and resolutely ignoring Teresa's tutting behind her.

I don't want to do this..

She thought to herself as she pulled the curls into place. She reached into her jewelry box and pulled out a pair of earrings, ignoring the increasing huffing and puffing that was going on behind her and slowly, deliberately, putting the earrings on.

I don't want to do this, not today...

She could not get the mantra out of her head, could not move it. Nor could she shake the feeling like lead in her stomach, that feeling of dread. Her face was set, but her cheeks were pale and her eyes showed that she had been dreading this meeting, not least by the dark circles beneath them. Nikki was not good when she had an interrupted nights sleep, and so the smudges under her eyes had been carefully and cleverly concealed with make-up.

Finally, she could procrastinate no longer and Nikki stood up. She glanced at Teresa and then swept out of the room, not looking back.

I don't want to do this, because I've got things to do....

And she made her way down to Parreyon's office. When she walked into the room, he would see that she was wearing a pair of cream-coloured trousers and a creamy top. The trousers were belted with a wide brown belt and she wore a brown bolero over the top itself. The earrings that she had put in so painstakingly...

.....I really don't want to do this, why have I got to do this?.....

...were gold drops, twisting in a small but intricate design down till they weer level with her chin. She wore a long gold chain with a locket at the end which matched her earrings. She walked in and offered her hand to Parreyon, once she was allowed entrance.

"Serale, Parreyon." she said, rather surprised to hear that her voice was shaking. She looked at the food and could not repress a grin as she wondered if Parreyon shared a tendency to over-feed in the way that Nana did, or whether the fiery old dwarf had been in here. Nikki rather thought it was the first, as she suspected that, had Nana known what was happening here, she'd have come in with her.

"How does the brightening find you?" she asked, politely, noticing that not only was her voice shaking, the hand that she was offering to him was too. She continued on regardless and offered him the best smile she could.

....... I don't want to do this because I'm afraid.....

The fear was palpable to her and she tried her best to calm herself down. Nikki L'Evienne was a composed young woman and she disliked showing any weakness at all. So she breathed in deeply and asked

"How would you like to proceed?"

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon rose from his chair and offered her a courtly bow when Miss L'Evienne arrived. Parreyon was not one that could judge smoothskins very well by appearance for he di dnot find them extremely attractive. They were not ugly either, they were simply smoothskins. He always assumed that furless races probably felt the same way about him.

"Nikki ... may I call you Nikki? It is indeed a pleasure to meet with you."

Parreyon accepted her hand in his own. He could feel the tension in the shaking hand of Nikki and here the concern in her shaky voice. This would not do at all. It was such fear that made people forget over over think a situation. A great emotion if you are actually interrogating someone, but Parreyon was simply wanting to know the events that transpired. she was not guilty of anything save being assualted and desrving justice. He clasped his other hand over the top of her hand that rested in his to show comfort.

"I find my brightening rather stressful. I have this task ahead of me to seek information from a young woman who has gone through a tremendous and painful experience. I desire the knowledge in order to seek justice. but I am a katta of compassion and do not wish to stress the mind of this adorable lady by having her relive this trauma. It is a heavy burden on my soul."

Parreyon gave Nikki a gentle smile in hopes of showing her his own feelings and trying to unite in emotion with Nikki. It was a good way to gain confidence which he used when questioning people who had suffered such as Nikki had. The information was invaluable, but he refused to think that there was no cost to the individual who had to share it.

"For now, I do not wish to procede. My desire is to learn who Nikki is and let her learn of me. This is always easiest to do over appetizers or even a full meal. So let us get started there."

Parreyon reached over and poured a cup of Arakmatan Tea then handed it to Nikki before pouring his own. He added a few droplets of honey to his cup and stirred. Thanks to the sultan of Arakmat, Parreyon had grown a fondness for the tea of his home land. The table had a variety of tea additives such as cream, honey, and sugar cubes based on the individual's desire. Parreyon also filled his dish with a few pieces of the dried meats and breads not really having a fondness for cheese. He took a bite of the meat before striking up conversation again.

"This is how we'll do it. We will take turns asking each other questions one at a time. Please, I'd love for you to start. This is a secure room and nothing is sacred. You may ask me anything you like."

[Nikki L'Evienne]

She felt a rush of affection towards the katta in front of her when he told her how his brightening was faring. She smiled gently at him and nodded. "I understand. Please, call me Nikki, it's my name. I don't envy you your job, but I'll do my best, I promise you. I've... I don't want to do this, Parreyon" echoing finally the mantra that had been repeated in her head all morning "I'm afraid. Afraid of what I might say, that I might tell you something that isn't right, even though I believe it.... "

But then he said that he did not wish to proceed and she raised an eyebrow, listening. She smiled slightly and waved a hand in the air, almost dismissively. He wanted to learn who Nikki was? She felt a wave of nausea at that, as him getting to know her might well be something that he was trying to do in order to trick her. She had real fear about this and didn't want to share, didn't want to get to know him. If he got to know her, she thought, her mind whirling, then he might even pity her or, worse still, judge her as lacking somehow. Milo valued this katta's opinion, and valued it a lot. She did not want to find herself in the situation where he told Milo....

told Milo what?

...she thought to herself. That secret, hidden away there that she did not want anyone to know, that she would keep to herself no matter what. That secret that she did not want to share, not with this katta, not with her brother, not with anyone.

So she smiled a brief, tense smile and nodded "That sounds nice" she lied and then sat herself down and picked up a plate. She put a little piece of cheese on it and a few slices of meat. These she did not touch as she sat there, but instead sipped her tea, which she had also sweetened with a spoon of honey.

And he wanted her to ask questions. Ask questions of him. Oh, gods, what did she want to ask?

...will you, could you possibly begin to understand? ....
...
... was it my fault?....
...
...
... will Milo hate me?...

"Well, I'm not sure" she said, with a smile. "Why don't you tell me about yourself... why do you enjoy your job?" she asked, looking at him with interest "Or maybe more appropriately, why do you do your job? I'm sure it's as thankless a task as Milo's and I know why he does it. Why do you?"

Maybe getting him to talk about himself would stop him from asking too many questions about her, she reasoned. She knew it wouldn't and just as she was about to sit back and listen to the answer, she found herself speaking again

"No.. no, that's not what I want to ask. What if there are things I don't want you to repeat? Who will you have to tell this stuff to? How many people will know? I want to know...."

....because I am ashamed, and I don't want anyone to know...

........ least of all my brother.....

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon watched her mannerisms and could see some sort of conflict existing in her. She was nervous but there was something more. Criminals during interrogations spent time fidgeting in such a way. She wasn't necessarily hiding something like most criminals; that didn't seem like it was it. It was more like what if she revealed something she had never revealed before.

Nikki took a few choice pieces of food, but then did not eat them. The tea, on the other hand, she began to drink. This was a sign of dryness which was associated with nervousness. It was even more apparent when she was given choice to ask anything she wanted of him with his word he'd answer. Even this seemed confusing to the young woman who changed her question midstream as Parreyon was about to answer the first. All of this brought a warm smile to his face; a gentle smile that was not filled with biased opinion or overbearing control.

"What I promise you Nikki, as a Knight Turned Earl by the hand of your Brother who's word is as sacred to Milo as it is now offered to you, not a soul will here what takes place between you and I unless you so allow it. Milo has asked me to solve this crime, not write a report on it. What is said between you and I will stay between you and I."

Parreyon took a sip of his tea and let the aroma capture the essence of the blend as it crossed the taste buds of his tongue and slowly ran down his throat. He decided to answer the first question in turn because it was vital for them to get to know each other.

"There was a brightening I served in an old guild called The Sacred Circle. In history The Sacred Circle has made a name for itself as a caring organization helping those in need. The guild was restructuring because old members had moved on and new ones had joined. I was one such new member. As they tried to determine leaders, I saw a break down in the way they handled themselves. They had laws in place that governed the way they acted and yet they chose to ignore them. It made me think of my brightenings in the military and how each person acted in accordance with the rules or laws taught to them for the militia. If any of them had strayed from the law, the unison of the military was broken and made them vulnerable to attacks. The Laws helped the military act as one cohesive unit even though some did not necessarily agree with all aspects of the military law.

I had befriended a fine elven woman, later a mentor of mine until her untimely death, Elanara Al'lende. She was the one that taught me how to get on the path of the law, and I took every bit of advice she could give me and then asked for more. She was governor, at the time, for Enamoria. I remember to thank her in my prayers every brightening for helping me to get to where I was.

Later in life when Audrey De'Lylles was fighting for the Empress seat and trying to dipose Julos the Mad. I had become knighted by her in the fields of Centripax. I saw the chaos that was left behind by Julos. People were uncertain how to act and think fearful of the government. I remembered my training and felt a calling to offer my services. Audrey and I had become friends then, and she had decided to make me an Imperial Magistrate of the High Courts. It was during one of my trials that I met and became friends with your brither. He was defending a man whom I thought was completely guilty ... but that is another story all together.

I felt as if by enforcing the laws, that people would begin to move forward with their lives and act in a way that bettered not only themselves, but also The Empire. Audrey was elavated to Empress and made me a member of The Crown Court in charge of Law. When the ancient aelyrians had returned that time, they had created a new government ... the one we have now ... and Audrey's niece, a woman I had been charge with her perosnal protection, became the new Empress, Arabella De'Lylles. Audrey left with the ancient aelyrians and has never been seen since. My position switched with the new system and is the title I currently hold, Imperial Judicator, Minister of Law.

I still believe that I can effect the lives of the citizens in a good way through the law; in a way that will help them and the Second Kingdom prosper. Wow, I think about each change of government and each leader who has sat on the throne ... and all the sudden, I feel old."

Parreyon gave out a heart laugh having never thought of the entire chain of his life and the legal system in such a way. Reflecting was good for the soul and helped it to heal when there was hurt, and Parreyon had felt a lot of hurt in his life. It was because of his own trials, that he would never judge the disposition of a person for all men and women suffered trauma of some type. Judgements such as blame or pit only created a harder road for recovery. No one deserved that. Even a criminal had the right to rehibilitation if the law deemed them worthy of a jail cell over death. Death itself was a form of rehibilitation. Every person had the opportunity to confess and leave their crimes in this life to free their souls from the afterlife.

[Nikki L'Evienne]

That he had held so many offices and so many roles was something that Nikki was impressed with, but not so much that it blinded her to what he was saying. He had spent his life thusfar following Law and she could only respect him for that. He and Milo had met when they had experienced a fundamental disagreement, and yet they were firm friends. This meant that the man in front of her was.. exceptional. Not for the office he held, but for the trust he had. Not for the jobs he did, but for the way that he seemed to do them.

"Well, it's possible that you are old, of course, given the amount you've experienced, but I think that youth is something that you hold in your heart, rather than count in cycles" she said and then she sat back and looked at him.

Picking up her tea, she sipped it again, her mouth dry and her entire body tingling with that feeling of nervousness. Her stomach leaden and her mouth like sandpaper, Nikki sighed and then put the cup down.

"I.... you haven't asked me your question" she said, looking at him. "I think though, that your question will be for me to tell you about me. I'm a thief" she said, looking at him calmly "You are one of only three people who know that. I'm a thief and a bodyguard from the thieves guild in Medonia. I trained there and I worked there. Then I found Milo and I came here. I act like I'm stupid and shallow and petty, because that's what people expect and it helps me if they're underestimating me. Because while they do that, I can have Milo's back. I was raised by my mother and my stepfather who hated me for the fact that I am Rioughe's daughter, so I got out of there as quickly as I could. I... I haven't actually achieved much of anything in my life, but I do my best to be useful to my brother."

She shrugged and then looked at him with green eyes that shone like emeralds in that moment. She looked straight at him and asked her next question.

"So when are you going to ask me what happened?" she asked, calmly, setting her teacup down and watching him carefully.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon listened with great intrigue as nikki told him of her profession and her experience with it. This was a key moment between them, a bond if you will, of trust. Many things crossed his mind as she told him. First was that Milo already knew and provided her with a security that nothing would happen to her because of this past. Second lie in the fact that he was now only one of three people who knew this past of hers that she had told. Third fact being that he was in the position he was and yet she was still willing to tell him.

These were key companents in helping her to calm down in front of him. He had to gain her trust. Not as an interrogator would the criminal, but in this case as a new friend would another. This was not to be a meeting where they met and disregarded each other when they were doen. Parreyon meant this to be the beginning of a friendship that was not based upon the evidence that might ... or might not ... be received on this brightening. He meant it and hoped that she could feel it. Friends often met in strange circumstances such as what had occured between he and Milo.

"A thief is not necessarily an illegal occupation. It is what you do with the tradeskill that becomes illegal. I am sure you will find a use for your talents that will benefit both Milo and the Royal Family. As for achieving little yet, i've always been of the belief that achievement is not what you accomplish but more what you are remembered by. I have held many titles, but have I done anything yet that will be remembered when i'm gone? If not, then i've achieved nothing myself. We both have plenty of time to place our names in the historias."

It was a philosophy told to him by his old mentor in the Imperia Suns Shaaaskah training. Parreyon had kept it with him and held it dear to him. He hoped that his history would be remembered with the kattas of Kyathis for he hoped to get the city to open its gates some brightening and rejoin the Second Kingdom. It might not mean much to non katta, but to Parr it would be quite significant.

"As for when I plan to ask my question, quite simply ... I don't," Parreyon gave a wink before explaining further. "I am a unique individual in this land and follow an untraditional Deity. It is yet another long story which I will shorten for you ... ask if you'd like the full details ... but I am a Chosen Follower of Kaimelea, Mistress of Dreams. More specifically, I am a DreamWalker. I have the ability to enter a dream and control it.

I believe this will be useful in understanding what has happened to you without you having to remember what took place. A mind is a fragile object, and I do not want to put you into any kind of reccession with what has taken place. When we have finished, I will make sure that your dream is not remembered unless you want it to be remembered. That choice is yours.

What do you tthink of my methods?" He expected a bad response but promised to be honest with her in all things.

[Nikki L'Evienne]

She looked at him and nodded as he spoke, listening intently. He seemed to be the kind of person who would pay attention to her and Nikki appreciated that a great deal. His philosophy was something that she found difficult to follow, but follow it she did and she nodded her assent to him. It was strange, in this land, to have those ideals, but then he was a katta amongst humans and that was something that was bound to promote difference.

And then he answered her question about when he would answer and she sat back and listened. Her face told him a lot more than her voice ever could when he had explained."So you can make me dream about what happened and then you can enter my dream and I will never remember?" she said, carefully. Then, her face took on a look that was so like Milo's that they could have been twins at that point.

"I would rather the pain and call it my own than to give my mind to another, no matter who he is"she said, honestly "I am sorry, Parreyon, but it is how it is. I experienced what I experienced and I will not hand it over to another who I do not know. I will trust you with my words, with my body since I am present here with you, but I do not know you and I will *not* trust you with my mind, my dreams....

She looked at him and opened her hands, displaying them to him in a gesture of defeat "So ask your questions, and I will give you the best answers I can. I will be awake and I will control what I tell you, no one else"she said, and it seemed that in this, at least, she was determined.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"Please allow me to explain further. I may enter and observe your dreams. I will not deny that I can make dreams and nightmares, but they are the Will of Kaimelea. i do not do anything without a thought from Her that tells me it is what she desires. I cannot control your mind nor change your mind. Your memories are your own and completely untouchable by me. All I am saying is that I can help you not remember that you just had a dream so that the thought of the dream does not trouble you. I have no controls over the mind. That is for mystics such as Odyleon, Milo's friend."

Parreyon wished he had explained it better the first time and hoped his explanation made more snese to Nikki. What she knew she would always know. He could not control that anymore than tell a person they are a chicken and to act like one. He merely had the ability to see dreams and walk in them. He could create fantasy dreams or nightmares if that was The Will of Kaimelea which in this case, it was not.

"Nikki please. If you do not allow me to enter your dream, I will not do it. I could do it without your permission but I promised to be upfront and respect all that takes place between you and I. I will not lie or hold anything from you, and what happens in this room will forever remain between you and I alone.

But so much more will be learned from your dream than from your lips. Your lips will only speak what is consciously remembered. A Dream can be from the subconscious memories. This is not always the case, but it is possible. Dreams bring forth details the conscious tend to forget. Just one hint could tell me where you were hidden and put this situation completely in the past.

The choice is your, but I plead with you one time, as a friend, to trust in me adn in Milo whom sent me. I will never harm you; that is my vow."

He could only hope, pray, that she would allow it to be so. Either way, he had begged and was ready to do whatever she wanted.

[Nikki L'Evienne]

His explanation of what it was that he would do only served to make her more uncomfortable, but she listened carefully nonetheless. She listened to him tell her everything and then he asked her, so nicely, to let him do it. He was right, she did trust Milo, but... but there was so much that this katta did not know and she did not want him to find out.
"I.. I understand why you are asking, Parreyon" she said, quietly "But... I am not accustomed to sharing my subconscious with people. If you gave me dreams or nightmares, that would be your choosing, but what you are asking here is for me to open up my subconscious to you, showing you my weaknesses, my flaws... I..."
She flushed a deep red, then, startling contrast to her skin and she turned and stood up,

I'm so ashamed

walking over to the window in the room. She stood there and looked out, seemingly lost in her own thoughts

I don't want anyone to know, not Milo, not anyone...
and if he reads my dreams he'll know..
he'll know..
and I don't want him to.
It's my secret,
my own...
not one that I want to share....

...as she examined the external world, the world of peace and harmony and quiet. The world where this had never happened to her. She stood with her hands wrapped round her waist and spoke quietly, long pauses between the words sometimes. "The thing is Parreyon... the thing is there's something I need to tell you before you do that.."

....before you find out my secret....

".. I.. I was married you see"

I loved him. I really loved him.

"While I was kidnapped, that is, I got married. I know Milo told you that but.."

..but he doesn't understand....

"but you see, the thing is that there are things that you don't talk about with your brother... I lived with Jasoal for the time that we were married, and we...... well, the thing is..." she said, her cheeks burning more fiercely than ever

we loved each other.......
I don't believe it was a lie...
I can't believe that.....

She paused a while as though maybe she wasn't going to carry on, but then she took in a gulping breath and continued "The thing is that I've never... I'd never been with a man in that way before... and... "

I love him.
He's my husband.

Her eyes turned to Parreyon then, looking at him calmly and with a sadness in them which had not been there before. But the voice which spoke the words was clear. "It's hurtful to think that it was a lie. I am worried about showing anyone those emotions, those feelings"

I love a man who used me.
I loved him then, and I think I still do.....
....
....
I miss him.. I miss them, him and our little girl...

"I just don't want anything to be misconstrewed you see, and I want to be clear with you about that" she said, and then she moved back over and sat down, looking up at him with the best smile that she could muster. "So now that we've got that over with, how about we do this, then? You have my permission, Parreyon, it's something that needs to be done, I understand..." She looked around at the room and saw the grandiose nature of the place, looked down at her beautiful clothes and sighed slightly.

I wish I could go back to him... to her. To them.
I don't want to be here any more.
I want to go home.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon had already entered the dream state as Nikki began to speak. It was not the purest realm of dreams, but a place where he could look upon the soul of a person and see the emotions that were given off. His katta nose had already sent him mixed emotions all backed by fear. In the dream state, he could even determine lie from truth; quite the gift that could be used during interrogations.

Something about all of this troubled Parreyon as he listened to her words while reading her soul. She did not show signs of abduction. She did not act as if there was a wrong that had been commited. Quite the opposite, she seemed to enjoy the thoughts of where she had been and what had transpired. Maybe he was reading her wrong, but he could not tell.

"Milo has not told me anything that has taken place with you. I am only aware of an abduction and a mental trauma that was endured."

It was true, Milo had not told him any further. The fact that Nikki was married ot the man who supposedly abducted her made things even worse. Was this a quest by Milo to seek the truth because thus far, Nikki did not seem like she wanted any charges pressed against this 'husband' of hers. What would he see in her dreams?

"The things you chose not to speak to Milo of, will not be spoken by me either. For that matter, I wil not focus on the specifics of your relationship. My goal is to look at the boundries of your dream in hopes of seeing something like the abduction, possible drugging, or something out of the ordinary. If what you see as real, is real, then I am at a loss on what can be done.

Let us start with some questions then to help me understand a bit more. Let us start from the beginning as far as you can remember. Was there a courtship that led up to the marraige? Do you remember the brightening you got married? How was the marraige? Why did you chose to leave and come back to Milo? Take your time, I know I asked a lot fo questions." Parreyon continued to watch her soul looking for the emotions that surged from her body as she spoke each situation to determine if she was happy, sad, angry, confused, etc.