Yvette has been back in Rhy"Din for about two months. Previously, she'd been in New Orleans, her hometown, dealing with the aftermath of a manmade catastrophe; when hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the city's levees had failed and a substantial portion of Mid-City, the lower Ninth Ward and Lakeview had been flooded. The suburbs hadn't fared much better. Lives and property were lost. Aid was not quick to follow and what did come came late. Yvette could not turn her back on her beloved "City of the Dead" and had rushed home to offer what help she could.

But the job is far bigger and more encompassing then many are aware. Yvette did what she could but in the end it was little more than a dribble down a drain pipe.

While away on her mission of good will, an odd feeling overcame her. A premonition of sorts; a whisper of intuition telling her something was very wrong with her charges: the ladies Bel and Sun.

At first, she'd ignored the niggling feeling, dismissing it as trifle. Both of her charges were want to wander and often got themselves into trouble. Yet they tended to get themselves out just as quickly. Yvette presumed this time would be much the same and forced the bad feelings to take a backseat.

However, when presiding over the traditional Vodun Winter ritual, Legba, (a Loa of great power,) brought her a message from the "Other Side" concerning Belial. It was bad news, since only the dead were meant to walk where Legba claimed Belial now resided.

Yvette had rushed back to Rhy"Din hoping to discover what the heck was going on.

Yvette is no stranger to the ways of Belial's race, or the Lady Sun's. She knew of both their natures and much of their varied pasts. But in recent times change had come upon them and Yvette was aware that they had attracted dangerous attentions. She feared that evil had at last found a way towards their undoings.

What news she was able to dig up did nothing to assuage her fears; both the ladies had gone missing and none seemed to know their current whereabouts. In fact, her alarm was compounded as Yvette discovered that others who would have protected the ladies seemed to have vanished as well. There was no sign of Corwyn, (Sun's wayward husband,) or Vincent, (Bel's self-appointed if questionable bodyguard.) The situation looked indeed grim.

All of her attempts to discern where they could be had been futile. The Loa offered very little information for they did not commune with the Angelic; there was some hostility between the ancient spirits and God's pawns and it seemed that the Angelic were the ones responsible for the holding of Bel. Nor did the Loa know where the Lady Sun had gotten off to. The Lady Sun was considered an aberration, filled with an evil rider or spirit and the Loa considered her "possessed"; her "ti bon ange" captured by evil sorcery . They disapproved of her "existence" and therefore refused to aid Yvette in locating her. (At one time, Yvette may have agreed with the Loa but over the years she'd grown fond of the Lady Sun, if not happy with her "eating" habits.)

Yvette had naught to do but wait and patience is not one of her personal virtues.

Rather than sit around twiddling her thumbs, Yvette tasked herself with readying the newly renovated WestEnd townhouse as well as overseeing the maintenance of HadesDawn. Chores she knew neither of her charges enjoyed or cared to be bothered with, it is one of the reasons why Yvette had been hired; that and Belial's love of Yvette's cooking.

Yvette had been spending more time at the townhouse as it needed the most attention, but today she planned to check on HadesDawn. There were still many things to move in order to create a homier ambience for the ladies upon their return. (Yvette will never give up hope and reassures herself often that the ladies will find their way home one way or another.)

A few years back Yvette had hired Maryann and Merric Donnelly as ground-keepers for the great manse. They were a young married couple with two small children; Madeleine and Thomas. It was a perfect union for all concerned offering security for the Donnelly family as well as guaranteeing the upkeep of the expansive manner.

Merric often served as Yvette's coachman as she is not as talented as her charges and is forced to resort to more typical means of traveling from town to manse. Today as per their established norm, Merric had come to collect her.

As Yvette steps from the townhouse, Merric's son, Thomas holds the coach door open with a wide grin. "I be helpin" me da today, Miss Yvette." He offers as he gives her a sweeping bow.

Yvette chuckles as she mounts the coach stairs, nodding in approval to the lad. "Then I will be sure to add ya're name to ma" list when makin" out the pay checks, young Tommy." a wave of acknowledgment to the lad's father, "Mornin" Merric!"

"Mornin" Miss Yvette, yer lookin" loverly as always." Merric calls down from his coachman's perch.

"Ach, no need, Miss Yvette, I'm jus" helpin" me da!" Tommy comments before closing the coach door, but Yvette notices that the idea pleases the boy.

The trip to the manse takes less than an hour, time Yvette doesn't waste as she tends to the ladies accounts as well as her own. She slips the envelopes containing what bills need paying inside her purse upon arrival, planning to mail them when back in the township proper. Tucking her account books under her arm she accepts Thomas" offer of a hand down.

"Why, thank ya, kind sir." She playfully banters watching him blush from neck to hair roots.

"Yer welcome, Miss Yvette! Da says he's gettin" the cart cuz we're gonna be movin" stuff, so I'm "posed to help ye inside."

"That'll be fine, young Thomas. Looks like I'll be addin" a bonus to yar pay." Yvette teases as she offers him her list. "Here's the list of items I be wantin" from the kitchen, Tommy boy. The boxes are already packed and marked. Ya can read, can't ya"!"

"O"course! Me Ma's taught me and me sis how to read, write and do arithmetic. She says all good children gotta know how."

"Yar mama is right, young Thomas. Ya pay her heed, hear"!" Yvette's words are softened by a chuckle as she heads towards the front door.

Tommy darts ahead to grab the door and tug it open for her with a wide grin. "After ye, Milady." Again with that awkward if touching bow.

Yvette laughs reaching out to tousle the boy's hair affectionately but her hand stops mid way as the sensation hits her.

Belial is inside.

Warm golden eyes widen as purse and books drop to the ground and Yvette dashes for the stairs. Her talents tell her exactly where to find her friend. Wide eyed, young Tommy is quick on her heels, not at all sure what is happening but fairly certain it's something big and his help may be needed.

Up the stairs and down the hallway Yvette practically flies until reaching the closed door of Bel's bedroom. She stops staring at the door knowing she'd left it open a few days past.

"Tommy' Has your mama or papa been in the house since I was last here, child?" her voice a low whisper.

Tommy shakes his head. "Naw, ma said not to, said we were to wait "til ye told us what to pack next."

Yvette reaches for the knob and opens the door while nodding to the boy's response. She can't mentally contact Belial and panic is beginning to rise. She knows something is amiss. She takes in a deep breath then slips into the darkness of Bel's room. There on the bed lies her friend and charge, appearing to be fast asleep.

Belial can't seem to get her thoughts in order" The last thing she clearly recalls is Tix, Maddy and Bert" She was taking on the demonic attorneys with their help and"

And"!

Her memories are as full of holes as Swiss cheese! You know, baby Swiss, lost of small holes, very little cheese" A dark frown knits the pale perfection of her brow as she pushes herself up on her bed, at last letting go of poor Yvette's arm.

"I can't remember" much of anything!" Typical of Bel, she's mad at her loss of memory. "Last thing I can recall is putting the plan into action' then just bits and pieces?"

Dewey and Howe laughing" Laughing in triumph.

Bel shakes her head, propping herself up on an elbow. "I" I" Argh! I just don't remember!"

"Well, Missy Bel, yer home now and safe?" Yvette offers although her tone suggests she understands her words may be of little comfort.

"Yes" I'm home?" Bel nods but she's still trying to put it all together.

"Ya look terrible, child!" Yvette says with a hint of humor. "Perhaps a bath' Then some breakfast I should think. We haven't much in the house since no one was here?"

Angelic Arcane wielded by DCH"

Yes, they had trapped her" using stolen Angelic Arcane" She can almost recall the incident now" Almost. Bel shakes her head hoping to clear it.

Yvette chuckles seeing Belial declining her suggestions, "Wait until ya get a look in the mirror, girl. Ya need a bath, child, and some food wouldn't hurt either."

"No' I didn't mean?" Bel sighs as she leans back against the head board, green eyes resting on her friend and housekeeper. "My head feels stuffed with cotton and I just can't seem to think straight!"

"No worries, Missy Bel." Yvette replies consolingly. "It's all bound to come back soon enough." Although Bel can tell by Yvette's tone that her friend isn't sure if that would be a good thing or a bad one.

Jodiah dead"

Nightmare" Figment' Or real" Belial simply doesn't know" The images of him being trapped in Hell are as clear as if she'd witnessed them personally. Did she" Belial can't remember. Attempting to reach out mentally to him she finds the way blocked. The frown intensifies as her worst fears seem to be confirmed.

"I can't reach him?"

"Who?" Yvette asks as she moves towards Bel's closet intent on retrieving clothes for her charge. "I couldn't reach ya either, child, not until we touched just a few minutes ago." Yvette offers gently.

Belial blinks somewhat bewildered by the news. Maybe she is overreacting?" She decides to test the theory and attempts to make another mental connection, this time to Sid. When it too fails the frown begins to soften a tad. "You're right, Yvette" Maybe it's nothing to worry about after all?"

Yvette pulls out one of the more lively dresses from the closet and heads towards the bathroom. "I'll start a bath for ya, Missy, then head downstairs and see what I can throw together fer breakfast."

"Oh, no, Yvette, not that dress!" Belial complains as she slides her feet off the bed, sitting up proper. Her feet feel weird" no, not just her feet' her whole body. The frown grows anew as she mutters distractedly "Jeans and a tee?"

"Hmph! Tee-shirt and jeans"!" Yvette interrupts, "That's no garb for a lady of your status, Missy!" But Yvette returns the dress to the closet before moving towards the bureau. "You and the Lady Sun! What am I gonna do with the pair of ya"! Uncivilized and tasteless at that!" But her tone is light and teasing.

Belial tests her ability to stand and finds it surprisingly easy' still" She's not sure what?s happened to her" Swiss cheese for a brain, oddly out of step with her physical shell" Not at all typical form for her" At least she's home now all she's got to do is figure out how she got here. Oh' And what happened in-between...

Snow devils danced as she passed, the wind rising and singing through the trees. She had received word and was already on her way towards the Manor House with hard boots heels ringing out along the cleared and salted walkway. It was quiet except for the blowing blustery weather. Few moved about but that wasn't any wonder for the cold would send most inside to find sanctuary from the bone chilling bite it offered.

Of late her days had been spent dealing with the Council. Debating the various courses of the realm of Elfhame. She had become caught up in those intrigues until she had received the message from Lord Lankyn. In less then a day she had turned everything over to her assistant and was on her way. Answering the summons without pause.

Arriving through the portal she wasn't terribly fond of, she stood for a moment, gazing up towards the imposing silhouette of the manor and released a quiet misted breath. It was a place of many memories, both good and bad. It had housed many a broken heart and stood its time in mourning for those lost. It had been built to last, and had over the long years and still drew many back to the safety it offered.

Long fingers caught the flowing of platinum hair drawing it back from crystalline blue eyes then slowly they drifted closed, letting dark lashes rest against pale cheeks and took another breath before eventually forging ahead. Little good ever came from looking back, so ahead she would travel instead.

Nodding to the guards at the door, she made her way up the marble steps and quietly stepped into the grand entrance hall. Feeling activity within, where upon her last trip it had been hollow as a tomb and just shrugged off the heavy dark red duster from her slight frame and hung it up on the peg waiting nearby for that very purpose.

Coming tapered fingers though the flowing waves of pale silver hair, she sought to tame it, bringing some semblance of tidiness to the chaos the wind had caused. Her hands then brushed at the silken shirt, the crush of her coat cast away. Once satisfied she was on her way down the long hall towards the great study where Lankyn likely waited. Considering the tone and urgency of the message, this should prove to be an interesting day.