Have A Little Faith

Begman Bedtime Stories?

2008-07-13T07:43:53Z

Navarre nods as Faith draws Cera away, "Auntie Faith will take care of you Cera and I will avoid the bad man. Don't worry about me or your Uncle Simon. I promise to take care of everything." He waits until Faith and Cera leave the room before he begins to look over the body of Auntie Noelle more closely.

Cera releases Delilah's hand and leaps at Aunt Faith seeking reassure even from the woman who thinks coddling is bad. "Please Aunt Faith, tell me a story about the time you stopped the tax bandits?" She looks very relieved to be allowed to leave he 'Death room'.

Faith takes up Cera in her arms, amazingly good with children in spite of her normal crustiness. "Of course, we shall complete the tale. i think you especially liked the time when they lost form 58.6 and it was found under the stack of 57.b's by the most enterprising deductions of the agent."

Cera nods enthusiastically glad to be taken by Faith from the room. "Be careful, Papa," and to Faith, "Yes, please tell me about that stack of fifty-seven bees, Auntie."

OOC Ad: So, you want to be my brother!

2008-06-25T03:51:22Z

You know you want to be Ricky (Cedric) Mountbatten! Why? Because you might know Amelia! Your own sister arrested you! You'd be from BEGMA and Begma is FUN! Dalt is your father! Boatracing is cool! Being bad is sometimes good!

Besides, you know you want to be Dalt's Kid because we decided to recast.:) No one wanted to be Johnny Depp.

And this guy'd look very pretty next to Faith and Navarre.:)

We even have an icon to start you off with:

and by popular demand:

Letter to Ricky

2008-06-23T02:34:29Z

Lord Cedric Mountbatten
Lower Level block #34 cell 5
The Ministry of Safety
Begma

Dearest Ricky,

You might be interested to know that Dalt Braonain, yes, THAT Prince of Lyonesse has requested that your release be pushed forward. I told him of course that it was impossible.

Dr Theobold Chastair informs me that you are doing very well and you are no longer a threat to Begman safety. Once all the paperwork is secure, he assures me that your release will be on schedule.

i suppose it was inevitable that I encounter Prince Caine again. After all, he is a Prince of Amber. The encounter did not result in loss of limbs as you implied it might when last we spoke on the subject. There is a great deal I need to speak with you about, Ricky that I cannot write down in post.

I visited Glansworth's today and it appears they may be able to fix my parasol. Quite a well organized endeavor. I approve. I met some nice people for the first time in a while.

I hope to see you soon

Your Loving Sister
Lady Inspector Faith Mountbatten
Begman Embassy
Amber

Log Excerpt: Sticks and Stones

2008-06-23T01:50:09Z

At the coffeehouse during a very pleasant scene with Raphael, Lilith, Caine and Baksi.

Caine bounces his knife on his fingers a moment, regarding Faith thoughtfully. "Say what you really mean, and not the farce," he says to her.

Faith stands up to face Caine. The picture of pure victorian lady in black and white perfection. She has no parasol to clutch but she does have her reticule. She lifts her chin. "You know exactly how I feel about you, your highness and a gentleman would not request the necessity of repeating myself."

"And you and I know I'm not gentleman, and I want to hear you speak your mind," Caine says patiently. As if aware that handling a knife is not going to inspire confidence, he slips the blade away somewhere.

Faith says, "Very well." she tightens her grip on her reticule. "I don't like you." she says plainly. "Please go away."

Pretty pictures

2008-06-21T23:26:08Z

Fun with Photoshop

Rated G :) Sorry no Porn here

Faith, Dalt, Navarre and the Evil Queen

The ways of the world

2008-06-21T05:13:47Z

Not completely Begman, I always knew this.

I have another brother.

The trip to Lyonesse seems to be taking shape, the more I learn about Lyonesse the curiouser I am.

Perhaps if he signs the forms, I will ask Dalt if we can use one of his ships.

Ricky will be out soon, I should send him a care package.

Dear Ricky,

2008-05-26T21:49:14Z

Dear Ricky

I hear you'll be let out soon and are thinking about coming to Amber. I do look so forward to seeing you again and would like to know more about how rehabilitation went.

Hope to see you soon.

Your loving sister

Faith

*This is a blatant add to recruit Cedric "Ricky" Mountbatten, a gentleman of begma who doesn't quite live up to the high standards of the Ministry of Safety and is on the wrong side of the law*.

The character of Cedric "Ricky" Mountbatten needs a player.

He is a son of Dalt

Lyonesse

2008-05-24T06:31:28Z

I have almost learned all I can learn without actually going there.

It may be time to reconsider my options and contact the watch again.

I will also need to find a way to get more information on this place and I might need to talk to -him-.

Salon Notes

2008-03-20T05:24:11Z

1 Forked Tongue. You don't see that every day.
2 Blackards. Ever abundant
3 Octopuds? Surely I heard wrong.
4.Rebmans. Nice.
5. Feldanes. Huh?
6. Dares. Possible Problem.

Dear Diary,

2008-03-19T05:18:17Z

Everyone in the Embassy is on tiptoes around me.

I can't imagine why.

There's a new King of Amber. This Corwin. Begma seems to approve, but there are bad debts from the previous regency.

It may be my duty to go to the palace and requisition items that have not been paid for. It is not safe as warrantees are only as good the money that is put down for them. Do they have any idea how much trouble they could be in if things are not properly maintained?

I will probably have to inspect each one.

We shall see.

(OOC: Edited)

Notebook entries

2008-03-12T18:59:50Z

1. People of Amber are forward.
2. Respectable places are difficult to find.
3. I am unable to arrest anyone here.
4. How Amber manages to stay so far behind progress amazes me.

Coffee

2008-03-11T16:50:23Z

Lord Cedric Mountbatten
Lower Level block #34 cell 5
The Ministry of Safety
Begma

Dearest Ricky,

I was very pleased to receive your latest news on your progress and understand that you are improving under the fine care of Dr Theobold Chastair. I have found an excellent coffee house in Amber so the city has one thing going for it. Otherwise it is loud, obnoxious and smells. There is no progress to speak of and people run around punching each other on the streets.

Oh, how I wish I had jurisdiction here. I shall have to speak to Featherstone. The RCB in the Ministry of Safety would be overflowing, I tell you that if Begma had the same loose authority that this vile city does. You would have a great deal of company in that case.

The coffeeshop is one saving grace. It seems to have the most peculiar clients from a desert land. I long for home and the tall spiral towers of the Ministry. My sanctuary at the end of the day when the streets have been cleaned of the unsavory. I think this city would suit you very well, Ricky.

Your Loving Sister
Lady Inspector Faith Mountbatten
Begman Embassy
Amber

Alright, Alright. Playlist

2008-03-09T19:50:11Z

She Works Hard for the Money ... Donna Summer.
One Way or Another -- Blondie
Back In Black - AC/DC
Another One Bites the Dust -- Queen
Blaze of Glory - Bon Jovi
White Wedding - Billy Idol

Dear Cedric

2008-03-09T09:12:32Z

Lord Cedric Mountbatten
Lower Level block #34 cell 5
The Ministry of Safety
Begma

Dearest Ricky,

I know you are in some difficulty right now, and it's all for the best really that you remain where you are for now as it is proper to pay your dues to society. I can only believe that it will be good for you. I am in Amber and cannot help you. Our elder brother is serving as your lawyer I hear. I know it's terribly awkward and distressing but I'm sure you can come out of this with a good lesson learned.

I have some disturbing news. He is here. Yes, him. Ricky, I know how much tedium bores you, but stiff upper lip. You need to man up and face what you've done. I need your help here in Amber.

Please let me know if you would like to come to Amber once your term of service is completed.

Your devoted sister,
Lady Inspector Faith Mountbatten.
Begman Embassy
City of Amber

OOC NOTE: Now recruiting Cedric. N'aerdowell Begman.:)

LOG: Word Sparing

2008-03-09T08:28:43Z

Location: Surayya Coffeehouse.

Faith, Kynan, Samas, and Surayya are here.

Faith has arrived.

Kynan's expression falls a bit. "I recall you mentioning that you might. I shall miss your company."

Samas gives Kynan an encouraging smile. "She has to come back. I am not signing papers and organizing libraries for her for very long."

Faith closes her parasol as she enters the building. She sniffs once, and walks purposefully to a table, chin lifted just enough. She pulls out a chair and sits. It's all very unexciting. It’s simply a lady coming to get a cup of coffee.

Surayya, Samas and Kynan share the table in the back, near to the hearth. There's a platter of fruit between them, lightly picked at. Surayya smiles to the men, nodding. "I hope it will be a short trip, into the desert. And to see Basira."

Samas gives Surayya a long studious look as he sips his coffee. He nods, but does not say anything.

Kynan gives Surayya a smile. "Then I will eagerly await your return."

Surayya smiles. "I will look forward to it as well. As much as I have missed the sands." She looks over to the parasol-toting woman, if only briefly.

Faith is served coffee, eventually. She lifts the cup holding her pinky finger out precisely as it might have been taught in a finishing school. A sip is taken and certainly not heard. As it is not polite to listen to conversations across the room, she does not.

Samas glances over to the Lady in cobalt blue. His gaze lingers appreciatively a bit before he returns his attention to his companions.

Samas says, "Sand is sand, Chiya. But I understand your sentiment."

Kynan's eyes follow Samas's for a brief moment, though they do not linger. "I recently had a chance to return home myself. It is a welcome feeling."

Surayya lifts her brows at Samas, as if she might disagree with something he has said, or done. "It is always good, to return to the familiar."

Faith is not inclined to look at or seek out any particular individual. She maintains to the precise second an exactly even interval between sips and offers no greeting or pleasantry. She is clearly there to have coffee.

Dalt comes here from the direction of the Main Concourse and Market Street - Amber City.
Dalt has arrived.

Dalt enters and looks for a server. His attention is drawn toward Faith for a moment as he continues into the coffee house.

Surayya looks to Samas, brows still arched. "Yes?"

Dalt finds a place to sit and a cup of coffee.
Dalt sits down at the setee in the corner.

Faith is a master of the art of polite coffee drinking. She is by herself, parasol closed and at her side. She looks briefly at Dalt as he crosses the room.

Dalt takes a long second look at Faith. It must be all that polite coffee drinking.

Clearly, it appears that Faith knows how to drink coffee, be stared at and not react. There is no change in the intervals of her perfect little sips.

Dalt's smug grin may indicate that Faith's lack of reaction just provokes him to continue to watch her coffee ritual.

As far as coffee rituals go, Faith knows her stuff. The way she holds the cup is exactly at the right angle for the precise amount to be sipped. There isn't even a clink of the cup to the saucer as she puts it down. She does not turn away, she simply continues about her task.

A fascinating thing coffee, as least Dalt seems to think so. He may not be drinking from his cup at all but continues to watch Faith as her cup dips down and up as if each motion of her arm were some work of art.

There may not be any reason to do it, but after three sips of coffee and every three sips thereafter, Faith uses a napkin to dab at her mouth. She must really not be drinking that much of it at a time. Her attention is neither captured nor distracted by eyes on her. A lady never reacts to provocation.

Surayya's tea-sipping is without ritual, and she converses with the two men in her company with a warm smile. Their table seems to be getting exceptional service, for one reason or another.

Dalt remains silent and watching as if he were studying Faith for some future experiment.

Faith presses her lips together, the only indication that she might be displeased. The expression is a fleeting thing. Perhaps she is finished with the coffee for she folds the napkin very neatly by the cup and takes out a long thin black notebook from her reticule along with a thin pen.

Dalt leaves his coffee. He stands and leaves coins for the server. He walks toward the exit now the 'show' is complete.

Faith looks over at Dalt and writes something in her notebook.

Dalt instructs Faith before he leaves, "If you should happen to write home to your 'father' Viscount Ives Mountbatten, do tell him that things aren't settled between us."

Faith's expression does not change. "I rarely see him, Prince Dalt. Should I communicate with him, it will be in the proper form. If you wish me to converse with the Viscount on your behalf, I will be happy to provide you with the proper form." She emphasizes the word Prince as though it is just a title. "But I am certain that he would be pleased to know that you yet live." Faith adds, "He'd be most put out that someone else killed you."

"I'd be most 'put out'" Dalt returns to Faith with a grin, "If anyone else but, perhaps, your sweet innocent mother--killed him."

Samas laughs appreciatively at the Lady in Cobalt Blue words.

Samas laughs appreciatively at the Lady in Cobalt Blue words.

Surayya watches the interplay between Dalt and Faith as one would a tennis match. She doesn't seem overly interested in tennis, however, and her attention returns to the company she keeps instead.

Faith's expression remains prim; there is no smile nor frown. "I am gratified that you think so well of my mother's capabilities, Your -highness-."

"Yes," Dalt drawls out softly with no hint of politeness. "I do hope your youngest brother isn't the *bastard* that your father fears. All that trouble with the law? It must have hurt him politically."

Faith makes another note in her book. “The law will handle what needs to be handled and by the book of course. He is doing well, thank you for asking. Your courtesy is noted.”

Dalt starts to head out but pauses in the archway, "If you decide to converse with your father as I'm sure that you will not--remind him that your mother never really belonged to him. It makes that vein on the side of his neck stand out and his face turn a happy shade of red." He sends Faith a wave but does not check to see if she is taking more notes, "Good luck with your next relationship."

Faith levels a look at Dalt, "It is pleasant to see that no matter where you turn up, your conversation is always a delight. Do have a good day, Your Highness."

Dalt tips an imaginary hat to Faith and does, actually, depart without anymore pieces of advice or news.
Dalt leaves the coffeehouse.
Dalt leaves the setee in the corner.
Dalt has left.

Faith looks at her coffee cup and makes a few more notes.

Destination: Amber.

2008-02-22T19:14:09Z

A coldly black carriage quietly moves through the streets of Amber towards the Begman Embassy

The Coat of Arms of the Begman Ministry of Safety is on it.

In spite of the fact that it has just gone through the country from Begma to Amber there is not a spec of dirt on the carriage. It is drawn by six black horses. It is a carriage that speaks of Quality, Money and Influence. The curtains are drawn and it moves at a very precise pace.

The tall thin man with sunken eyes clicks the reins. He has a dour and grim look to him.

The slogan of the Begman Ministry of Safety is written under the Coat of Arms:

"Will, Shall, Must"

Travel List

2008-02-19T02:12:54Z

1. The Begman Traveler's Guide to Amber. Check.
2. Airtight trunks. 15. Check.
3. Parasol. 1. Check.
4. Dried Fruit. I especially like the apples. Check.
5. Inane Ladies Maid. Will probably fire her during the trip if she doesn't stop talking. Useless Prattle is entirely pointless. Check.
6. Sufficient funds to the exact penny. Check.
7. Letters of Introduction. Check.
8. Badge. Check.
9. Hat. Check.
10. Extra bolts for Parasol. Check.

Notes taken after reading the Begman Traveler's Guide to Amber

2008-02-17T22:12:34Z

Notes on Amber.

Dissenters: Numerous.
Seek Jurisdiction grant, perhaps the Ministry can take a percentage.

Progress: Not as such. Clearly behind the times.
Wonderful.

Law and Order: Not as such. There appears to be a Regent.
Hopefully, he is competent. .

The Begman Traveler's Guide to Amber states precisely that "Amber culture is a varied and unique place but you can be sure that you will find things that you will not find elsewhere. Such as, but not limited to: Bare shoulders, Bad Taste and Bad Manners. The guide suggests to adopt a certain amount of stoicism for the sake of sanity and that generally speaking, their taste in clothing is absurd.
I... See.

The Begman Traveler's Guide to Amber also states that it is known that there are an infinite number of shadows simply because there is an infinite amount of space for them and as such this means that the chance of running across things you haven't seen before is certain. In any case, please relax when confronted with oddities, you are perfectly safe. In Amber, everyone is odd.
Noted.

Insight into Faith

2008-02-16T23:23:23Z

Prime Minister: Hello Inspector.
Faith: Hello, your excellency.
Prime Minister: Sorry about your Fiance.
Faith: Life goes on.
Prime Minister: It can get awfully hairy out there. I'm surprised you weren't snapped up sooner for a nice desk job. That's what I'd do.
Faith: I'm afraid I think my office is out on the street.
Prime Minister: Indeed you do! Your arrest record is four hundred percent higher than any other Inspector, which is why it's high time that such... skills... were put to better use. We're giving you a new position.
Faith: I see.
Prime Minister: [mumbles]
Faith: In where, sorry?
Prime Minister: In Amber..
Faith: But that's out of my jurisdiction.
Prime Minister: Yes! Lovely! There is a Begman Embassy There. You can help the Ambassador.
Faith: Isn't there a position here in Begma?
Prime Minister: Oh, no.
Faith: Can I remain here as a consultant?
Prime Minister: No.
Faith: Do I have any choice in this?
Prime Minister: No!
Faith: Your Excellency, I kinda like it here.
Prime Minister: Well, you've always wanted a transfer to somewhere quiet.
Faith: In five hundred years or so, yes.
Prime Minister: Well done you.

(With apologies to Hot Fuzz)

From the Desk of Lady Inspector Mountbatten

2008-02-16T18:55:14Z

Today's Notes.

Daily QUOTA: 10

Arrests: 27
Confiscations: 25
Pleas: 27
Convictions: 25
Fines:₤257,352.62

Notes:
Memo to self: 5 less than yesterday. ₤3,235.15 less money for the Ministry. Increase tomorrow's QUOTA to 11. Should be sufficient motivation.

Meeting with the Prime Minister 10am, sharp.

Send flowers to Lady Weathers, dead fiance's mother.

Engagement Ring Assessment ₤12,532.60

Hello Amber.

2008-02-12T23:05:25Z

Greetings.

I am Lady Faith Mountbatten of Begma.

This is my 'record'.

You do not want to be mentioned here.

The Ministry of Safety takes Records VERY seriously.

I will eventually post a helpful chart of what the symbols mean when I actually finish my background and character sheet.

That is all.

Carry on.