Journal No 22

9th July
O Captain, My Captain,

Spring has long past and we are now in the midst of Summer. Goatswood seems almost to be bursting with life and the cries of small babes and felines. An amazing part of nature to be sure, but one I find I want no part of, as charming as little Horus, Master Ethan and Miss Jacqueline may be. I find my heart rather warmed by the sight of all the felines darting about the town. It was almost a week ago now that I had the delight to stumble upon a small trade market set up near the Butter Cross. I count myself quite lucky to have found Miss Amber in the mood for reading the cards. I do so enjoy having my fortune told, fascinating the little tid-bits that seem to be pulled from the cards. I did my best to commit the event to memory, and have penned it below, for your perusal. The telling is slightly disturbing as it speaks of deception. The cards, or at least the interpretation points to a woman of mutual acquaintance, and one whom I would consider myself on friendly terms with, or at least the potential for a friendship. It is vexing, but I find myself too cautious to brazenly knock upon the Lady's door and demand the truth. Why, imagine if someone knocked upon our door, wanting to know the whys and ways of things. I cannot say I would be very pleased, welcoming or truthful if I was placed in her shoes. For now, I think it might be best to be polite and cordial given the whole situation. Perhaps given time all will be revealed, if not, well truth has a rather nasty way of boiling up to the surface one way or another.
Amongst other things there is a rumor going around about gateway and the new moon. I think it has something to do with Miss Amber and her Lamarchand's box. By the gods I would not mind adding that to my collection. Two configurations are far better than one, in my humble opinion. It seems I am not the only one to take notice of such a dark bit of treasure. If memory serves correct the Lady E and Doctor C are also most interested in the device.
It was regrettable that you were unable to come to Lady Wormwood's tantric lecture at the Villa. It was most insightful.Lady Wormwood demonstrated the technique upon James. I do believe that Doctor Cantis took away a great deal of information. I am again reminded that we have such diverse and unique talents among us.
Achingly Yours, Angeline~

Angeline's Reading 7 July
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff waves farewell to the Major, before turning to Angeline, blushing at Lauren's words, she shuffles them, all the while her eyes are locked on Mrs. Blackrain, "Now I'm goin' t' ask ya t' think 'ard on yer question, then cu' th' deck" she hands the shuffled deck to the woman
[Angeline] kept rolling the cigarette holder between her palms, as she focused upon her question, forming it in her mind. Once the question had come to her stopped rolling the cigarette holder and took a long drag before reaching out to cut the deck with her left hand.


Tarot: whispers: Two of Pentacles [Reversed]: Difficulty with handling problems, expect a discouraging message
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff (amber.palowakski): takes the cards from Angeline, and lays them out in the venerable Celtic Cross spread, "Th' firs' car' be th' central issue car', it tells the basic issue at 'and... " she frowns, "Well, th' two o' pen'acles...tha' car' tells us, tha' b'fer ya can 'andle yer problem, ya will 'ave t' learn t' 'andle problems..." she gives her a serious, but compassionate look, and says as kindly as possible, in almost a whisper, "Sometimes ya 'ave t' face yer problems sober, m'lady..."
[Angeline] leaned forward, intent of hearing what the cards would reveal. " I see. All things in moderation, I will be the first to admit I over indulge in my habits."


Tarot: whispers: King of Wands [Reversed]: Severe, unyielding, strict, intolerance, prejudice, quarrels
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff turns over the second card, "Ahhh, this 'xplains things, i' can drive me t' drink too" she grins at Angeline, "One o' th' bigges' forces workin' agains' ya is societal norms, wha' our British cilture deman's o' us in our be'aviour, ya know, stiff upper lip an' all tha'...though I suspec' there is a deeper meanin' 'ere too, so I mus' delve on..." [Angeline] nods her eyes bright as she watches Miss Amber turn another card.


Tarot: whispers: Queen of Pentacles: Intelligence, thoughtfulness, a creative person, talents are used well, melancholy
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff nods, as she turns the nex' car', she looks up to Angeline, "See, 'ere is th' roo' ma''er, m'lady, yer intelligen', an' 'ave a grasp o' things deeper than mos'....ya fin' yerself buckin' agains' this rigid socie'y, whenever ya see th' fooolishness o' i'...in frustration tha's why ya turn t' drink an' smike..."
[Angeline] blinked and looked on with a touch of surprise. "You know they do say ignorance is bliss. Still, I'd rather know what lies beyond, than go about with pretty blinders."


Tarot: whispers: Knight of Cups [Reversed]: Trickery, fraud, sensuality, idleness, an untruthful person
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff nods to Angeline, "Aye, tha' be true.." she turns over the nex' card, "Now this be th' immedia'e pas', jes' very recen'ly ya were decieve' bu someone ya 'ad trus'ed, ya migh' no' know this yet...bu' this 'appened less than a week ago..."
[Angeline] suddenly goes quite still. When she spoke it was in a careful even tone. " Who dares. Who in their right mind would try to device me.." She took a deep breath, not knowing the matter or extent of the deception.


Tarot: whispers: Two of Cups [Reversed]: A loss of balance in a relationship, a violent passion, love turning bad, a misunderstanding
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff nods, lips tight, she felt there was something deep in this reading, as she turns the next card, her face darkens, "Th' person 'o is decievin' ya, when ya fin' ou' th' deception, it will affec' yer relationship wit' them, whether ya patch i' up or no', is 'ard t' say, bu' at th' time, i' will be 'ard on ya..." [Angeline] tried to maintain a calm composure as she listened to the reading. Her mind raced, trying to put together a list of her friends and acquaintances running through each name trying to ferret out the deceiver amongst them. The Captain was ruled out immediately, for she knew despite all, she could count on him always.


Tarot: whispers: Nine of Wands: Preparedness, eventual victory, good health, strength in reserve, tendency to obstinacy
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff smiles...while she felt there was something here she should be seeing for herself, this reading was nowhere near as dark as Arielle's was; she gives Angeline a knowing look, "Bu' ye are string, i' don' matter iffn ya like yer drink an' smoke, ya 'ave an inner strength, ya are rea'y to 'andle an' deal wit' this, an' any problem" [Angeline] let out a small sound of surprise as she recalls the event at the Mill Fields. The memory creeping up though her scattered thoughts


Tarot: whispers: King of Pentacles [Reversed]: Materialistic, slow to anger, 'head is on the ground', bribes
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff smiles softly, "This car' is 'ow ya see yerself, ya like th' things o' this worl', th' creature comforts, ye' ya feel yer a sensible person"
[Angeline] nods along in agreement. " All one anyone can ever take with them is memories. I would look back on times of enjoyment and comfort, not of wanting and need."


Tarot: whispers: III - The Empress [Reversed]: Vacillation, inaction, lack on concentration, indecision, anxiety, infidelity
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff nods, flips the next card, "Yet there are those that see your indulgences in drink an' smoke as an inability t' concentrate in things aroun' ya, people think i' detrac's from your talen's..." [Angeline] shrugs, " To each his own. I find that what works for me may not work so well for others." Tarot: whispers: King of Cups [Reversed]: A powerful man but a double-dealer, crafty, violent, scandal Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff gasps, her eyes grow wide, she sees the connection..."Good gods!" she mutters, she bites her lower lip, "I know the deceivers..." she glances at James, finally putting together what he had been doing...Montwyte's spell, which she knew he cast...her pendan't's reaction to Ellori's spell, she turns to Angeline and cryptically says, "Your 'usban' knows 'o is decievin' you both, 'e foun' out th' answer today...'
Angeline rolled the cigarette holder between her fingers. " Ah-hmm. Yes.' she clicked her cigarette holder against her teeth as an idea was beginning to take hold. She took a drag off her cigarette, as she began to collect her thoughts
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff at that particular moment was too intent on the reading she didn't see Lin's wave, her right thumb on the upside down Empress...clearly a pregnant woman,...but reversed...and her right index finger on the King of Cup...reversed, "G'dammi'" she mutters...
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff her lips tighten as she turns the final card, "Th' unitiated will read a Page as a young boy, bu' tha' ain' so...ya 'ave the king an' Queen as a match...an' th' knigh' an' page as a match...male an' female....this card 'ere represents a woman...fakin' ill 'ealth..."
[Angeline] clamped down on her cigarette holder with a dark smouldering look in her eyes. "I see." She saw, or at least thought she saw the pattern laid out by the cards. " By the dreaming dark, my question has been answered. Give your gods their due for your gift O sibyl." With that Angeline laid out two stacks of coin
Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff takes the stack of coins, her face is solemn, "When th' moon is new, my gods shall receive th benefi' o' this gif', Lady Blackrain" she closes her eyes, and looks down the lane, at the house where an innocent newborn lies sleeping [Angeline] stood , fluffing out her skirts. "I need to meet up with the Captain...and discuss some matters.'