Chance

[Naelona Ezel]

The gardens were always still at night. Some growths seemed to move more than others and come more alive - but they were allowed only to grow a bit from the path for a reason. Their shadows grew long as the sun had set, and now that only the moon and stars patrolled the sky, they snaked away long their own darkened paths.

Pooling together the shadows ran like a puddle down the walkways, over a small footbridge, and around past a bench to a long stretch sided by still barren trees. There they ran into a larger pool of shade, following subtle footsteps as they transversed the worn paths of old. The garden was as old as the Palace itself. Naelona Ezel didn't know the exact age of either structure, but if some of the trees were any indication, then it was very, very old indeed.

It was a late hour, and while nightmares was not the reason for Naelona's wakefulness, worries and causes of worries was. Nightmares in Kristopher's absence had stolen her rest before. Now worries and... fears.. plagued her thoughts now - of his future.. and her own.

Naelona thought back and frowned, pulling her thick woolen shawl closer about her body. She wasn't aware of what Jouhnin was up to these days - so busy things had been that there allowed little time for any correspondence. It was far too late to stop by their residence for a visit, let alone an unannounced one would've been uncouth enough. Still - the younger boogie couldn't help but hope a little bit. Restlessness did oft plague those with power, after all. Perhaps he wouldn't mind a bit of advice seeking from her?

Pausing on a bridge, Nae bit her lip while pressing the nails of one hand into the soft flesh of the thumb on the other. The black water that ran beneath it only shown back the same pale face flanked by dark hair with streaks of white. If anything - at least she could seek a solution with her own mind. Never mind she had yet been able to conclude anything. As detestable as it was - there were just some matters one couldn't solve solely on their own.

[Jasmine Krisp]

A faint melody echoed around the empty gardens, which were not as empty as they seemed. Musical notes of a voice, like a child's, wisped up and around the starry sky like clouds in themselves.

This was one of the many reasons Jasmine was in love with the night. The gardens were alive at this time, more that they were in the day. The flowers, so beautiful, seemed to hum and titter among themselves, sometimes even like the tune of a song. Some trees were lively too, though nowhere like their cousins in the orchard who were walking about at this time. One tree in particular, an oak, was a friend (if one might call the local veg a friend) to the plum Boogie as she fed it human parts quite often.

However, since things with Iugo were still iffy, Jazz had no bag of bits to spare. With a little sigh she continued past the tree, following paths she'd known all her life. "My apologies, friend." She spoke in her tongue, a tongue even flora knew quite well.

The tree shook in understanding.

Continuing down the path, the glowing eyes of the littlest oldest Boogie found themselves following the shadows. Now normally shadows do not move, save for a change in light, but in Wonderland anything was possible with a little magic about. And such manipulation of darkness meant two possibilities. The first and much less fun explanation was that her eyes were playing tricks on her. The second was that one of the shadow-twins, Naelona or Anolean, were in the gardens tonight. Jasmine smiled.

It would be nice to see her again.

Jazz looked up again from the shadows. Immediately she stopped, seeing a figure on a bridge ahead, her suspicions confirmed. Naelona Ezel was always what Jasmine considered to be beautiful, with a wit and wisdom far beyond her years. Still there was something wide-eyed and young about this woman. Approaching the bridge slowly, the black-drabbed plum curtsied.

"It's a welcome delight to see you this evening, miss Ezel," her words flowed like black water, "Whom are you waiting for this late?"

[Naelona Ezel]

Naelona had well sunken into her thoughts long before Jasmine had even shown up, let alone before Naelona had even set foot within the Garden. The matters too pressing and the prospective outcomes too grim to merely leave to chance and happenstance. Something needed to be done, but each solution she concluded was only proved to be more unsettling a conclusion than the last.

The boogie woman looked over towards her with a start, eyes narrowing slightly as though to better deduce why this one of all should be out here, let alone speaking to her. Jasmine was mostly an unknown entity to her. Just another boogie in the palace with nothing spectacular of note or to be aware of. Save - where Jasmine was - Shaehern didn't seem to be too far behind. Considering the last and only two times she had seen the tiny woman, it was a simple conclusion.

However it was Jasmine's choice of words - or rather the mode of them - was the waltz to her diplomacy. It was spoke with an ease and mastery few recalled and even fewer retained. Truly their tongue was a dying one, but magnificent and perfect all the same. "Miss Krisp." Naelona acknowledged the girl, standing a bit straighter upon the bridge so not to lean against the railing anymore. Still her mind was calculating, and the outer surrounding area grew just a slight bit.. darker.

Let the plants nom on him if the prankster were up to foolish things tonight.

Who was she waiting for? Jou would've been a preference, save in hindsight there was little cause or reason for her to be there in the first place. It was night. Beings remained asleep. They didn't wander about upon convenient odds. Least of all here, at this hour. So why was she here in the first place? Jasmine really was one of the last beings the Ezel would expect to hear such words from. But so was their gender. Unpredictable and prone to needless frivolities. Such a mess in the order of a useful life.

For some moment Naelona regarded the boogie silently from her bridge, but said nothing in return. Was it really any of her business what the Ezel was up to at such an hour? No, but she had asked anyway. Honor resided with the aged, after all. "Peace and a sound mind, in whatever form they may be found." Naelona finally responded, turning back to view the stream. Bits of ice still clung to the edges.

Isn't that what anyone wandering about in the night sought? Her voice sounded rough and callous with the old words compared to how finely they floated from Jasmine's lips. A natural mastery she would likely never acquire. "Why are you here, Miss Krisp?" Straight and to the point, as usual. Never mind why the usual day-dwelling boogie was out at night. Ask the nocturnal one instead.

[Jasmine Krisp]

The golden, glowing orbs embedded in the childish face of Jasmine Krisp seemed to grow brighter as the area around her became darker, like little candles in a glass case. She was more interested in Naelona that the change in shade though. The sound of the younger woman's voice as she spoke the same tongue was different to Jazz, almost like an accent, as the words were not as fluent as her own. But she was still much better than certain folk nowadays, and much better than a child her age should be.

Jasmine took a few steps closer to the bridge, delicate little feet in what looked like black ballet slippers. They had more of a sole than actual slippers, though they did tie up around her calves as such shoes. Along with her outfit for this evening, she appeared more of a young dancer than a Boogie. Her words and somewhat sly smile proved otherwise. “Peace is not something you wish for. It's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.” she quoted from a great man, one of her personal favorites.

He had been a human, though he was great nonetheless.

"When else are the nocturnal free to roam but at night, Miss Ezel?" the little plum stepped closer yet again, though still not on the bridge yet. "Night is a peaceful time, and tonight I finally have the chance to wander without interuption...except for seeing you, young shadow rose. But at least this isn't as noisy as other interruptions." Namely blue dress-wearing ones. Jazz was fond of Shaehern, don't get me wrong, but there is only so much one can take of that man. And she had reached that point for now.

He was like medicene...soothing and helpful...in the right dosage.

[Naelona Ezel]

Jasmine's advance went physically unacknowledged. She was female, but mostly nonthreatening. The advance would be tolerated for the moment but it wouldn't be if she came too close. The closing proximity was making the opposite side of the bridge seem increasingly appealing. She didn't look threatening, but Naelona didn't trust individuals by habit. Least of all women.

"If you are suggesting I correct it myself, Miss Krisp, know were it possible I would not have reason to be here." The words came off a bit more coldly than intended but Naelona didn't regret how it sounded to her. If it offended Jasmine's senses enough to make her leave, so be it. That was fine too. Peace came in solitude yet if it could be given, then someone should give Nae's back to her. It had been gone for some time though. Boogies lived for veritable ages, but even a comparatively brief time had seemed an age in it's own right.

Hearing the strange title Nae did look quizzically at Jasmine with a frown. So she had a mark for the poetics. For a moment Nae thought to chastise the young-looking boogie for such unnecessary language and tell her to speak plainly, yet her mastery of language indicated an age much further beyond her years. It was confusing and quite the conflict between listening and watching the small boogie.

"You have the body of a child and a voice of the Aged. Tell me - which is the truth?" ..lest I chastise you out of turn. With most she had no issue letting her barbed tongue fly, but those of age and conduct demanded respect and - to an extent - a blind eye. Jouhnin fit both of these categories, Garland only fit into one of being aged, and while the same factor was questionable of Jasmine she thus far qualified into the other of conduct.. at least as could be expected, so far.

[Jasmine Krisp]

Jasmine continued to watch the young Boogie with a curious gaze. What had brought her out so late this evening? A restless mind, for one, but also something she herself couldn't place. She was seeking peace, and instead she'd been found by the tiny plum of Wonderland. It probably didn't seem like a good replacement for Naelona, but for Jazz, it might work well in her favor. Befriending Nae was something she'd always wanted a shot at, though she knew very much that she disliked women. And Jazz was a friend of Shaehern. That, in addition to her gender, put two marks against her. But it was worth a shot...

...maybe.

When questioned about her true age, the little Boogie's smile twitched into a little smirk. She was used to this by now. After all, though many Boogies were indeed youthful, not many held the appearance of one quite this young. For a second it looked as if Jasmine was making a with-drawl, but instead she leaped with that grace and agility that didn't fit her appearance. But what about her really did fit that? In the air she landed on her left foot, right on the railing like a tightrope walker. She stayed perched there like a bird, smiling sweetly back at Naelona with glowing eyes.

"I've been alive more than you, your father, and even the Takanami fellow you know. I grew up speaking the tongue you use so well...for a child of your generation. And I was born before many of the trees in the Crimson Woods were even seeds, and before the trees before them..." Jasmine placed her right foot on the railing, moving the other and bringing it to 'fifth position', "Does that answer your question, shadow rose?"

Truly the oldest little Boogie in the palace.

[Naelona Ezel]

Naelona eyed the small boogie and stepped back from the railing quietly. Not only did she look like a child, but apparently acted like one as well. Only children would think to hop up upon railings and try walking across them. Fewer still were actually successful let alone with any true acrobatic flair. The way the light struck Jasmine's eyes was unsettling to Naelona. It made them reflect and glow. It wasn't the best thing to come across in the middle of the night. Jaz was as small as a child, and could probably be handled liked one, but that was a trial Naelona would rather not test.

Listening quietly, Naelona lowered her eyes so not to be looking directly up at the woman, and curtsied slightly. Her own sort of a more formal bow. Given the misunderstanding and Naelona's previous perception of Jasmine, the little boogie was owed at least that much. "It does indeed, Miss Krisp." It was slightly unusual conduct for the Ezel, considering it was to another female of her own kind, but 'honor resided with the aged'.. an old phrase that dictated that respect must as well.

She respected Jouhnin and his respective family for multiple reasons, but for age and position by a more formal standpoint. To consider Jasmine was older still.. Naelona had been horribly out of line. Even so Naelona might force herself to respect her and take a few blows in the process, but she was still Naelona Ezel and would conduct herself as such.

"Do see fit to desist use of such a title, Miss Krisp." Standing straight again, she still held her head up proudly. That was where pride resided after all, in the neck. "Madam or Miss Ezel is quite enough."

[Jasmine Krisp]

Jasmine smiled a little softer as Naelona bowed. "You needn't do that, I am hardly the formal kind, as you of all people should know by the company I keep." With this jest of sorts the little Boogie stepped forward and down on the rail, sitting on it like a bird would. The metal was cold to the touch but she could live with it. Her eyes kept on the much younger woman, the light coming from within them rather than a reflection played by the moonlight. "I do not mind if you act like I am younger, I prefer it so. Being treated like I'm so important aged makes me feel...strange."

To those who did not know her age, Jasmine was treated like a child. For those who did, they treated her with a respect she was honestly uncomfortable with. In the end she preferred being 'equal'.

So she wasn't fond of her nickname? This caused another soft laugh from the plum haired woman. Perhaps she was hanging out with Shaehern too much. "If I can not call you by mine own title, I'd prefer Miss Ezel. But might you call me Jasmine? Miss Krisp..." she trailed off a little, wondering what to say. Perhaps her mother had been 'Miss Krisp'. Who knew. Jasmine still wasn't completely sure. One thing she did know was that her last name reminded her of another with it...one she did remember...unfondly.

"Krisp is a sour note to me."

"You know, I wondered if I would be seeing you soon," she said quietly, "But it worries me a little to find you. If you don't mind me asking, why are you waiting out here? Is there something weighing on your mind?" Considering Jazz's track record, those she found were often lost souls or ones already lost. Maybe she was bad luck, or maybe something else? Her smile faded to a line across her face.

Perhaps I am a blackbird of misfortune?

[Naelona Ezel]

Naelona had little to say about the 'company' Jasmine kept. Much could be learned by noting such things but it was a time consuming frivolity that Naelona had little patience for. "Then I will not treat you as your age deserves. Your conduct does not merit the treatment of a child, nor is it suitable for a boogie of your standing."

The boogie frowned with a bit of disapproval. First-name use wasn't something she tossed about with just any individual. There were conditions to be met and a certain familiarity required before such a titleless form could be employed. Jasmine Krisp was still very much a stranger to the woman, and frankly Naelona would prefer to keep it that way.

"Very well, I will address you as 'Jasmine'. However do not expect to hear it often." Simply omitting a name from conversation was a more reserved way of speech for the Ezel, but it was preferable to sounding unusually familiar with the woman instead. 'Miss Jasmine' might also work and would probably be used if it became absolutely necessary to use her name.

"By chance, was a Darion Krisp of relation to you?" It was the only other Krisp Naelona knew of offhand. He had also died the previous fall, landing her and several others in quite the mess. Were the two related, it would certain explain her disdain for the surname. If not? It was worth a shot in the dark. A downside didn't exist to understanding how the family lines reached across Wonderland. A boogie never knew when a line they found might lead to some fortunate information down the road.

Though mostly stoic, her expression still darkened to the slightest degree. Nae turned and made her way off of the bridge. It wasn't in a hurried step as to be rude or seem to be fleeing the woman, but it wasn't a snail's pace either. "My matters are not fit for your ills." It would be best Jasmine didn't have the option to consider them. Naelona wasn't a fan of gossip and didn't doubt twice that was what would happen the following day should she tell her anything. "Your gender is weak and not well prepared for such matters."

[Jasmine Krisp]

The change in the air about the two women might have been missed by most, but not by the little woman still sitting on the railing. Naelona was unsure about her, was she? Jasmine wasn't too surprised. A child like her must not be used to being informal. Her words, her statute, everything about her was something that didn't suit her young age, much as Jasmine's did not fit her own. She remember a whilst back her encounter with the father Ezel on the rooftop. Maybe the way they held themselves so high was genetic...between father and daughter there were many differences.

Almost as many as there were between sister and brother.

Jazz nodded at Naelona's words. "Even if it is spoken only once," she said gently, "Thank you."

But the question about Darion suddenly lit up the ghost-like woman's face, her head turning sharply to look her piercing honey eyes into the coal-colored ones of Naelona. "Did you know him?" she said at first, before backing up a step. "I don't think...yes, he was my younger brother. Though I did not know him well...he..." What? "He made a great effort to keep us out of each others minds." Indeed he did, perhaps even to the degree of erasing himself from her past with the rest of her memories. Brother or not he was an enigma to her. And yet everyone else seemed to know his name. Who was Darion Krisp?

Ah, I set her off.

Jasmine blinked once as the younger Boogie began to retreat from the bridge. At first Jazz thought it would be rude to follow her and press on, but a pierce in her gut said it would be equally as foolish to let her go. With a backward lean the little woman had somersaulted herself back onto the bridge, taking slower steps than Naelona after her. The comment about her gender caused a cool smile to grow on her face.

"Mocking a gender, especially your own, seems more than a tad foolish." Her voice was more mature than before, and a few degree's colder. "You're a smart and sharp-tongued person, Miss Ezel, but resorting to such insults does not a woman make. If anything...you sound very much like the children you reprimand when you use such prejudice. Perhaps instead of assuming a female's tongue is laced with secrets, you should strive to rid the poison in your own mouth."

[Naelona Ezel]

"No. I was not aware of him until the day he died." Right outside her door, more or less. Well - not her door specifically, but to the room that split into the varying boogies' quarters, her own included. Apparently mention of Darion made the woman uneasy. "If you were estranged siblings, then say such." It wasn't that difficult. "I was merely curious as it was a matter brought to my attention some months ago concerning an ownership dispute between a Darion Krisp and a Tristan Blackthorne. I am sure you are well aware of it by now, as you were his sibling. My condolences."

The words that left Naelona's tongue might have comforted a soul at some point, but the way she spoke them was without feeling or emotion. They were just sounds upon the air that retained a meaning, a definition, and nothing more.

Leaving the bridge Naelona followed the path for a few steps before Jasmine's sharp voice reached her. The tone was considerably colder than it had been moments before. Oh what was it the slaves called it.. deja vu? She could swear she'd heard part of such a barb before. At least here there were no doors, and she doubted the small boogie could pick her up let alone throw her.

It was no secret that Naelona's tongue part consisted of venom and quick strikes, yet it didn't snap back. The boogie was actually taken back a moment by Jasmine's abrupt scolding. She could expect no less from someone of her age, however ill-informed Jasmine may be. Turning about Nae leveled a sharp glare at the small woman. She was clearly mislead in her convictions. "Women are overly emotional creatures prone to illness and other travesties. I, for one, do not strive to excel as one save as a sensible being."

"Women operate upon degrees of extreme emotion and misappropriated action. My position requires a sensible mind and a reasonable logic. This includes realizing matters and people for what they are, regardless of how unfortunate and disparaging they may prove be. I may be a woman in gender, but unlike you and the rest of your kind, that is all it is to me. Enjoy your evening, Miss Jasmine." And with that Naelona turned and proceeded to leave. This was precisely why she never strove to communicate with her own sex.

[Jasmine Krisp]

Estranged...the little woman closed her eyes and shook her head. That was not the word for her and Darion's relationship...if they'd ever had one. So much she wished to know about him. And yet she was terrified of that relationship. At least now she had a new name to go by, albeit one she knew too well. Tristan was Iugo's sworn rival...had it been him who killed her brother? Somewhere her heart stung. Darion, an enigma or not, had been kin, and Tristan had taken his life. But if Darion had tried to kill her as her scraps of memories implied...shouldn't she be happy?

Shouldn't I...?

"Estranged siblings are those who remember each other in the back of their mind. I do not remember more than his voice."

Naelona wouldn't hear her. She'd spoken too soft.

Jasmine took a step forward as Naelona snapped back her retort. She hated woman, as rumors and truths had spoken. Still, that chilled expression stayed in place, her glowing eyes brighter and yet darker at the same time. An odd combination of light and dusk. "Being sensible means knowing when to make such comments and when not to. You still are lacking in that respect, Miss Ezel." As the younger woman stepped away the little woman stepped back, leaning forward a little as she did so.

The leap was common fr one who knew of how Jasmine walked normally, but it would surprise Nae. She was fast for such a short individual, and a soon as she'd blinked, her little plum self was right in front of the other Boogie, her pupils just slits in the golden glow. "You place a blackbird in a murder in which it does not belong, Miss Ezel, and I do not take it kindly. Perhaps women have emotions that spiral, but do men not also have such flaws? Are you not in the midsts of such 'illness' as well?" One arm extended to point at Naelona, right at her chest. "And I mean not an illness of the body, but an illness of here."

Emotions and heart are a terrible thing to suppress. Trust me...

"I do not hold my gender above others in the way you might assume a woman does. I am female, but I am also a Boogie, and the latter comes first in my mind. And in a way, your emotions toward women and your 'illness' are the very things you say you hate. Between I and you, child, who is the immature one?"

[Naelona Ezel]

The air was becoming much too thick much to quickly for Naelona. Jasmine's presence was quickly turning from one of surprise and caution to disdain and disgust. Saying hello was the worst decision she could have made this evening.

For a moment Naelona was confident Jasmine would have the sense and reserve to stay where she was upon the bridge as Naelona left. Apparently that wasn't the case. Startled, Nae stepped back from the small boogie as the berating continued. A weaker individual might have flinched, but Naelona's glare only hardened while coal-gray eyes returned the cold look to her bright ones. She took another step back as Jasmine leveled a finger at her chest. Apparently she didn't respect one's personal space either.

Which was more troubling? The fact this diseased woman wouldn't get a hint or that she pegged Naelona with such an illness so simply. She was excellent at masking - no - flat out discarding what would normally go on within someone's mind in such particular circumstances. The fact Jaz could level such an accusation was bothersome. Naelona could disregard it all she wanted, but something told her a boogie of Jasmine's convictions wouldn't be so easily swayed. "I suggest you do not make accusations based upon situations of which you are not aware." It was poor form, and even poorer conduct.

Staring down the small woman, Naelona's lips stayed firmly shut and pressed into a thin line. There was little she could say to this pestilence. She would just twist it some other way and throw it back. "Good Night, Miss Jasmine." The words were crisp and sharp. Naelona stated again, sidestepping the child-sized irritation and walking briskly away. The path behind her darkening unnaturally as she departed. With all luck the little being would get it and leave her alone. She had no more desire to suffer Jasmine's presence anymore than absolutely necessary. That being, just long enough to get out.

[Jasmine Krisp]

Jasmine's pupils were all but little dots, needle-heads in the sea of molten gold. She wasn't mad at Naelona. To put it simply, if mad was fire, she was ice. This young Boogie was being foolish, assuming that Jasmine didn't know the situation. Through connections with the eldest Roberts and Shaehern she knew quite well the situation...not as much as she was sure the blue man knew, but just enough. With the poor excuse of a comeback the littler woman lowered her hand and placed it, holding the other, behind her back. Her eyes were glowing to the point that her bangs were leaving shadows on the ground around her.

"Children and hypocrites must be taught the same way," she mused as the black and white haired woman stepped away from her.

Should I play a cruel game?

Watching Naelona go with a turned head, the plum woman drew a deep breath and released a gentle sigh. "Is he still in the hospital? That light slave of yours. The other one prone to...'illnesses'." Taking a small step to the side as to get a better view of the retreating woman, Jasmine's lips twitched from their cold smile to a sadder expression. Why did she always have to meet the ones that were lost or loosing their way. It was annoying, really. "You know, Miss Naelona..." the use of a first name was odd on her tongue, but she continued anyway.

"To care is not an illness, even if that care is for a human."

Now this was a subject she was most familiar with.

[Naelona Ezel]

Kristopher.

There wasn't a simpler, easier, quicker way to get Naelona's attention than to bring him up in conversation. After years of having to watch out for him, take care of him, and ensuring he stayed alive it wasn't something Naelona could simply ignore anymore. It was the sort of thing she had been unable to ignore for a long time. A simple task years ago, it was nigh impossible now.

Jasmine's words only caused a jab at matters Naelona preferred to leave untouched. The Old words didn't help either and easily halted her departure. Sounds of their own eloquence only seemed to serve as making it sound more pitiful than it actually was.

"Were it not an illness, it would not cause injury." If there was one thing the boogie had learned throughout her life, was that anything beyond absolute and reasonable interactions only ended poorly to one degree or another. It repeated true with all interactions that happened around her. Votes of confidence ended refuted, expectations discarded.

"Illnesses lead to madness which eventually drives one to either take their own life or the lives of those around them. Now tell me which is more wise? Risking the lives and well being of those around you for a doomed endeavor, or holding true to simple laws that preserve all things as they should be?"

Turning, Naelona found it difficult to meet Jasmine's eyes. Not for who they were or what they said, but for their color and shade. It was one to be wary of. It was another thing she had learned at a very young age. "What other feigned secrets has he told you, Jasmine?"