"I don't like it, Chandy, I don't like it one damn bit," Casse said her eyes fixed on the fireplace still. Quiet annoyed and boredly.

"Chan-dra! Chan-dra, get it right, Riven." The long blonde haired woman chided her from a chair counter hers next to the fire place. She wore a long red gown, which held her tight, leaving no curiosities for any man or woman who glimpsed her. Casse could have cared less about her except her presence was needed. "Can't you get a-"

"Stop it! Both of you!" The voice sounded from across the room at the window. She was a short haired woman, also blonde, with a long flowing cape a great mind that Casse in some aspect would have loved to spend time picking apart in discussion for many reasons.

"Calm, Belle," Casse voice raised slightly in amusement as she flicked another card in the fire place. A soft laugh cantered her next words, too. "Tension rise high, Chandy just needs to calm herself, too. Tension raise and immortals tend to jump even hirer than most of us it seems when they have something to loose."

Chandra bristled at the name and it only made Casse smile widen as she flicked cards steadily at the trashcan in front of her silently. Anyone who was anyone, who knew, knew of, or even about Riven, would know wherever she ended up she'd been in the high, of the bad or the good however and whoever was looking at would depend which, but always among those of power.

"Especially when she herself doubts the courier."

Belle, not Chandra, though reacted to those words. Her own words of venom and of ice like each in the room could be if they chose. "Just like you, Riven?"

"I could care less for your people, Belle. They mean nothing to me at all, less than nothing. I care the same for your courier. I don't care if he's the best of the best or the worst of the worst. I shall think the same of him always."

"He is the best." Chandra stated simply looking up from her drink.

"He is a pawn in a game run by players of the highest accord, Chan-dra" Casse said harshly, accosting the pronunciation even, "And unless he is playing you then he is a nobody and a nothing."

They both stayed silent till Chandra repeated her words again. Casse lacked response this time turning the next card over and clicking it. She watched the joker's face laughing at her all the way to the fire. Laughing at her. Warning her. A warning she'd never realize in a fire that would consumer her fully. One she would fight, and would surrender to.

One day, but for now she was only the string on a bomb, and the match was coming closer and closer. It had coming calling for her without notice or warning at all.

***************

true, in some it would become most annoying in those that appease and tantalize it 'tis a grand thing to watch the fluster of those who enjoy such a mystery