Post by Rae on Apr 25, 2016 20:20:14 GMT -5
19:32:31ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -on first impression, Sorra seemed to have the attention span of a toddler. Yet, having grown up among those that idolized study and learning she understood what it was to be able to multi task. She didn’t know if sorra was that type, but it seemed reasonable given she was a keeper. It was filed away as a hypothesis to be evaluated at a later <
19:32:37ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Time as the girl made her way off to do gods only knew what of the thousand things on her mind to accomplish drawing such immediate attention back to the remaining figure. He had a rugged appearance to him though that might be as the lady had surmised due to where he had spent the night. Yes, she was fond of the keepers and <
19:32:43ǀσℓαηαƲαня : that is why they were dangerous, but not nearly so much as vampires….that’s why she was here wasn’t it? To find out just how reliable the suppression field was. What its vulnerabilities were and if it ever fluxuated. Her time within the city had never been prolonged and now that it was she needed to know as much as she could. –“Yes,<
19:33:32ǀσℓαηαƲαня : I was hoping to read through the studies and information on the suppression field of the city. In my observations it seems to have shifts in the level at which it does its work, but consistent to a certain threshold. I imagine that you, the keepers, have had a much greater length of time to study the phenomena. So…here I am.<
19:35:40ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Iolana Vahr.”- It wasn’t her real name, not that the illithuana put much stock in such things, it was one of a dozen names she used though it was her favorite and as close to the truth as anyone in Eonhiem was going to get in so far as she was concerned. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. She wasn’t the only illithuana in the Eonhiem, but where in <
19:35:47ǀσℓαηαƲαня : where in the gods names he was at was anyones guess.-end-
20:25:45»Charles« : "Ah, I see, well there will be precious little in the way of what most would consider written record, as most would have difficulty understanding the mathematics involved in recording the observations. After all, six axis spatial calculus, is a rather esoteric field." He said as he lead the way into the vast chamber that occupied three floors of one wing, the two upper floors forming deep balconies that left an open atrium beneath the domed skylight that formed the peak of the roof. He lead the way -c-
20:35:00ǀσℓαηαƲαня : “Calculus”- She mused the word seeming to lilt upon her lips with vague amusement though she didn’t explicate-“it’s a lovely language all its own, though really the tricky bits are wrapped up in theoretical mathematics since it delves into the unknown with its assumptions and hypothesis’. It was never my favored field of study, but I think <
20:35:26ǀσℓαηαƲαня : I should manage well enough.”- She intoned gently, their proximity as such that she had dropped the octave of her voice more conducive to such close quarter.- “Have you been with the keepers for very long? – She asked genuinely curious pausing a moment when they had entered the chamber. Those dual colored orbs ravaging the site as <
20:36:45ǀσℓαηαƲαня : if memorizing the room itself in those glances. She wondered if some remnant of history of her people resided in these stores, some vague hint at their existence. If she ever learned it was so she would be obliged to destroy it and the thought of eradicating any book was neigh onto blasphemy for the creature, but there were some laws not<
20:39:04ǀσℓαηαƲαня : even she would break.- “The creepy bits? Now that sounds like my kind of books…perhaps I’ll peruse a few while there. Are the books here to remain in the building or can they be…checked out?”- she did not know what they might call it here, in the roughs it’s how they referred to it, but she was back among the civilized now.-end-
20:44:36»Charles« : "That is a question, that has two answers, and both are true, even though they seem at odds...I was recruited shortly after arriving in the city, less than a month ago...but the manner in which I was trained as a child, has prepared me for this path, so it could also be said that, I have always been a keeper, from a certain point of view. Each of us has our specialty, mine happens to be restoration, translation, and the arcane arts." He said as they reached the third tier, and he lead the way along -c-
20:59:36»Charles« : manner or another. "Your primary concern is the stability of the field, both at rest and under stress?" He inquired as he paused to unlock a gate formed of intricate scroll work that was made from iron, and embellished with silver along some of the sharper edges. There was no key, one simply inserted their hand into the mouth of a stylized dragon, which concealed the combination lock. With the lock released, he slid aside the gate and entered the space, passing beneath a sign some bright boy had -c-
20:59:36»Charles« : manner or another. "Your primary concern is the stability of the field, both at rest and under stress?" He inquired as he paused to unlock a gate formed of intricate scroll work that was made from iron, and embellished with silver along some of the sharper edges. There was no key, one simply inserted their hand into the mouth of a stylized dragon, which concealed the combination lock. With the lock released, he slid aside the gate and entered the space, passing beneath a sign some bright boy had -c-
21:00:46»Charles« : placed above the entrance...Abandon hope, all ye who enter...seriously, some of these duffers needed to get out more -d-
21:06:05ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -That is why he seemed different she thought, not quite like other keepers she had observed in the past. It was hard to narrow it into one thing alone, a shift in accents, the manner by which a person carried themselves, even the aire of thei<
21:06:20ǀσℓαηαƲαня : honing that skill. He was in this way perhaps not so unlike herself, though her training had been comprehensive to include the martial arts and a much wider array of histories and learnings. Languages that would boggle the mind. There was a reason she made a good chameleon. She listened as he explained how their system <
21:06:27ǀσℓαηαƲαня : worked. Somewhat more complex then she had estimated, but not off by much. Her finger itched to reach out to touch the line of books as she had often done in the halls of the ishikar library, but she didn’t think they’d be so understanding here. She’d accumulated a reasonable wealth since having come to Eonhiem. I am not necessarily<
21:06:33ǀσℓαηαƲαня : looking for the core semantics of the field, but more to understand if there is a predictable pattern in its surges or…weakenings. I have noticed there are times where others use magic more freely yet at other time those same people are barely able to keep a minor illusion. As a man who professes to enjoy the arcane arts you can appreciate<
21:06:52ǀσℓαηαƲαня : why understanding such would be useful, yes? But you are correct, I also wish to acquire a basic understanding of its stability. ”-her gaze moved over the gate a soft hurmpf indicating her amusement at the sign.- "It's good to see not all the keepers are...duffers.
21:07:02ǀσℓαηαƲαня : "- she mused thoughtfully- end-
21:13:36»Charles« : He nodded as she explained more in depth what it was she was seeking, a chuckle slipping from him as she reacted to the sign. "I know the phenomenon you speak of, let's see...Felinx...no...The Pilson would be more detailed I think..." he said, thinking aloud as he moved into the secured block of stacks that had been arrange into an open ended rectangle that held a reading stand, work table, and several chairs. "Oh some of us actually do have senses of humor, though some of them are drier than a -c-
21:18:01»Charles« : mummy fart..." He said with a grin as he moved to a specific section of the stacks and took down a tome, which he placed on the reading stand. He adjusted the reading lamp, and turned it on, to better illuminate the pages of the tome, as he opened it revealing the dense tight text, broken by carefully illustrated graphs. He scanned through the pages quickly, then turned back one and secured it by placing a slender brass rod in the valley of the pages. "This is the best representation I have found -c-
21:22:43»Charles« : thus far, the data was collected daily over the course of a year, correlated and plotted." He said as he stepped aside, folding his hands within the sleeves of his robe. In the brief time they were visible, a trained eye would have seen the fine scars, and the thickened callous on the first two knuckles of each hand. There was more to him than just books, after all a truly competent wizard, prepared for those times when he was caught flat footed. Buy enough time to prepare a spell in your mind, and -c-
21:24:20»Charles« : even if you could not speak, well you could take the chance, risking the backlash, which could kill you, just for the chance at taking your opponent with you. -d-
21:32:03ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She thought he likely would given his expressed interest in the use of magic. Of course her interest wasn’t exactly related to wanting to understand how best to use the arcane arts, but there was no need to explain that to him. She much preferred to keep things as simple as possible for this endeavor and found she was glad Arikel had <
21:32:09ǀσℓαηαƲαня : not been present. That was a man with ideas in his head and she felt well and right about her assessment of him. Give him an inch within this house and he’d take a mile. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but given their encounter he would have likely asked more questions then she wanted to answer. A chuckle roused from <
21:32:16ǀσℓαηαƲαня : her throat at he referenced those of his own order and if for no other reason then that she would liked him nearly instantly. Life was too short to take anything overly serious well such was the mortal saying. She moved to stand aside him as he secured the page her eyes beginning to skim over the data that was there. She was good at<
21:32:24ǀσℓαηαƲαня : picking out patterns, so even those times where she didn’t necessarily understand a subject she could see the rhythm of it and that was often enough to get her by or sound more educated then she was on a subject.- Is this a book that can have copies of the pages made?” – her head began to raise eyes lingering on those hands tracing the scars, but<
21:32:32ǀσℓαηαƲαня : continued to lift her head until she was looking directly into his own gaze expectantly waiting upon his reply.-“If not, I would like to submit a schedule at a later date when I might be able to return to study it.”- Her gaze dropped back down as gloved fingers rose hovering just above the page, though never touching. Those fingers dancing <
21:32:49ǀσℓαηαƲαня : from one part of the page to the other and after a moment she pulled her hand back. It was a good reference, it had promise, but she’d need a lot more time with it to discern its worth-
21:38:12»Charles« : He gave some thought to her question, the data contained in the study, did not go into the far more detailed observations concerning the field, it was basically little more informative than a year long observation of the weather that one could find within an almanac. "I can have a copy ready for you in a couple of days, the text is the easy part, but getting the plots right, that takes time." He said with a smile. There was a definite pattern, but the fluctuations were subtle, no real great deviations-c-
21:42:34»Charles« : to the strength of the field. "I have a hypothesis, which may offer some insight, though I have not yet finished testing it...a portion of the variability of the efficacy of magic, may come from how the field works rather than the relative strength of it at any given time. From my own observations, the field affects the flow of available energy, which has its own pattern of ebb and flow, cutting off the highs but doing little to fill the low spots. If one tries to maintain a spell through the coming -c-
21:44:02»Charles« : of dawn, which is a natural ebb in the energy flow, it becomes far more difficult, without the added benefit of the previous rise which peaks at midnight." -d-
21:49:41ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -Iolana was filled with a certain amount confidence that there were better more detailed texts concerning the field. She also decided against pressing to see them at this juncture. Start with the basics, run before you could walk and all that.- “A few days will be fun, there is not pressing issue on the matter. I am staying at the Knights Hall, if<
21:49:57ǀσℓαηαƲαня : you send in advance the cost of labor I will be sure to have it with me when I pick it up.”- Well, they were going to find out sooner or later which house she belonged to, best to divulge it voluntarily she supposed. She listened clearly interested in what he had to say concerning his own observations of the thing.-“That’s an interesting theory <
21:51:21ǀσℓαηαƲαня : and would seem to make a certain amount of sense given it appears to also diminish those attempts made for multiple people trying to feed into a singular spell for greater effect.”- she noted the bit about dawn and midnight. That could be useful to know< though how that might extrapolate to understanding how it affected the suppression
21:52:47ǀσℓαηαƲαня : suppression on abilities she wasn’t sure…yet.- "Thank you Charles, I appreciate it."
21:57:56Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Meanwhile, outside of the House of the Keepers, a young man clad in civilian black was loitering across the street, casually smoking a cigarette. For his lack of pacing he appeared to be waiting, though nothing about it him made it clear what he might be waiting for. He was a tall and lanky 6'4 with short-cropped pale hair, a pale complexion -c-
21:58:54Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : and light eyes, and for all appearances he might as well have been some kind of weird cave creature born out of the sun's gaze. He stayed out of the main path of traffic and didn't bother anyone, so in turn, no one else cared to notice him either despite his particular looks. /E
22:05:30»Charles« : "I'll see that it is done, you are most welcome Iolana." He said with a smile as he took a pair of silk markers and placed them on the pages to be copied. He spoke her name with careful enunciation, clearly one accustomed to the rigors of a craft that did not reward sloppy diction well, in truth some spells, could literally blow up in your face if you muffed a word...that was how he knew that it took his eyebrows precisely three weeks to grow back completely, but that was a story best told over ale. -c-
22:09:03»Charles« : "Is there anything else I can help you with?" He inquired, personally he had never made a study of the fields effects on native abilities, it had little effect on the sight, but that ability was primarily an alteration of perception and required little in the way of energy...but something more potent...that would be an interesting study...but would require a relatively large number of willing subjects over an extended period...and there were few who enjoyed being poked, prodded, and systematically -c-
22:13:40»Charles« : measured for more than a few minutes. He took a small notepad from a pocket of his robe and wrote out instructions, which he left upon the open pages of the tome, weighting it with the brass rod, lest an errant breeze from the ventilation system blow it away. He looked toward the entrance, as Tabatha appeared with a tray holding a pot of tea, and a stack of jaffa cakes...something that without which the various labs would grind to a halt...most often the various scholars for got to eat, unless reminded.
22:13:46»Charles« : -d-
22:17:19ǀσℓαηαƲαня : I was considering going to Todd’s from here. I have been told that it is a place that many within the city converge on as an enjoyable merriment. I’ve not yet been myself and was inclined to sate my curiosity…I would not be unopposed to your companionship should you wish to join.– While she enjoyed conversation with her fellow knights, they often <
22:17:28ǀσℓαηαƲαня : lacked the level of intellectual prowess she was used to, her head tilted towards the right slightly as her eyes lit up almost curiously. Yes, she would have fit right in with them, but that wasn’t her path in this realm nor was it safe. Besides, she was a matched set…a spy to another assassin. They often worked in tandem, trained in pairs in your<
22:17:35ǀσℓαηαƲαня : It wasn’t that she couldn’t act as an assassin if it was required of her, but it was not her preference. She was in this way, far too emotional by the standards of her people, but in her estimations they were as arrogant as they always were and this was the reason the curse remained. They’d not learned their lesson clearly for they still often <
22:17:51ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Felt themselves Above it all or better then others, why should taking a life of one not their own warrant a reaction? No, the elders meddled in the affairs of others as if they were themselves gods…the inherent sin. Her gaze transferred to Tabatha as she entered, the vague waft of pastry and aromatic tea hinting at what was contained on the tray. <
22:18:15ǀσℓαηαƲαня : She had forgotten what that was Like…having someone to remind you to eat or more pointedly to have someone to make it for you. The roughs were as its nickname indicated, rougher and disposed of many of the comforts the houses enjoyed here.-
22:27:05»Charles« : He considered for a moment, then nodded..."An eminently satisfactory idea...If I go back to my lab, I will invariably get stuck back in and have to be pried out like a tick..." He said with a grin, "Tabatha, if you would, show our guest to the waiting area, I will be out shortly, as Sorra suggested, I do need to shower and change into something more suited to the streets. If you will excuse me." He offered with a bow as he gestured toward the open gate. -d
22:32:25ǀσℓαηαƲαня : “Of course”, -she said with a slight incline of her head and then would allow Tabatha to lead her out, but not before snagging one of the cakes. Tabatha eyed her, but said nothing against it. The waiting room was as the rest of the place, emaculate in its keeping. They would have made the Elfhiem proud….which as she thought of it she seemed to <
22:34:13ǀσℓαηαƲαня : think the Elfhiem had had a hand in establishing the keepers, though she was unclear on that. Of course, she hadn't really studied that either. Maybe she would look into it now, it would be good to know and with her seemingly prolonged stay within the gaerdon she would need to brush up on house relations. Her hands clasped behind her back as she<
22:35:52ǀσℓαηαƲαня : stood awaiting a somewhat more put together version of the man. Her eyes cast to one of the windows and her eyes narrowed slightly, was that...quin? She hadn't known he was back, but it made sense that if she had been recalled he would too. A smile spread on her features certain that if Quin didn't approach them on teh street that he might well <
22:36:58ǀσℓαηαƲαня : find his way to Todd's. Sometimes he was like that, needing space to assess. It was their way. She pulled her gaze away ensuring it didn't linger too long uncertain when she would have company such as it was.- end-
22:39:37Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : With his cigarette nearing its end, Quintus let the stubby end burn quietly while he continued his stakeout -- uh I mean casual loiter from across the street. He'd already done the perimeter and merely assumed that the more honoured guests of the Keepers' house would come and go through the front, rather than from the side or back entrances. -c-
22:41:11Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : -c- With no carriage waiting out front, nor horses prepared by grooms, it was also easy to assume that his target planned on exiting on foot, if at all. He wasn't sure if she was the type to, ah, stay overnight, but time would tell, of course. The remains of his cigarette finally fell to ash with one last drag, and he tapped the end of his -c-
22:42:48Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : cigarette-holder as he sighed out the last of his smoke. Oh look, there she was, at the window. He resisted the urge to wave, and instead played it nonchalantly, glancing away as if minding his own business. /E
22:43:27»Charles« : He was not a man to fuss too much over his appearance, but as the quaint expression went, he cleaned up rather well. He opted for the more casual patchwork jacket and a pair of comfortable sail cloth pants that tucked into calf height moccasins of supple leather. A belt of supple much weathered leather went about his waist, plentifully supplied with pouches of varying size to hold the many small items a Magus might find necessary to his craft. Last came the crooked walking stick, with its iron shod -c-
22:48:07»Charles« : tip and silver head forged in the likeness of a dragons claw gripping a Aquamarine orb the size of an apple. His hair and beard had been combed into a semblance of neatness, and thus feeling much more presentable, he presented himself in the archway of the waiting area, the soft tap of his walking stick preceding him, in the relative quiet of the house. He was not one to fuss about with cologne either, it was usually expensive and he had never found a scent that suited him...so he stuck with a soap, -c-
22:49:43»Charles« : subtly scented with balsam and cedar oil...it was a pleasant reminder of home. -d-
22:52:53ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She appraised the man as he re-emerged and made no effort to hide her attentions, that was ludicrous and she’d never understood the mortals pension for piety in that regard, it was dishonest at best which was a violation of one of their treasured values. Her people could appreciate beauty in all its form and it mean nothing more than<
22:53:01ǀσℓαηαƲαня : that and this too was one of the reasons she enjoyed Eonhiem, they didn’t seemed to get as wrapped around the axle about those things. She gave an approving look.-“not bad for a quick change, Charles.” – He would have fit in out in the roughs she thought with his choice of attire and scent that radiated a sentience with nature. Not<
22:55:21ǀσℓαηαƲαня : overbearing, but present. Her eyes then dipped to the staff he carried, the trace of a smile for its design.- Shall we then? – she asked and with that walked with him out the front doors. SHe paused as was her habit to do and looked for Quin uncertain if he was stalking or joining. In either case she'd keep in pace with Charles, able to match step<
22:56:58ǀσℓαηαƲαня : with ease.-"Are you familiar with the work going on at old gaerdon?"- she asked allowing for another conversation to blossom as they made their way to todds-end-
23:01:22Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : By the time Iolana looked for him again, Quintus was gone. Apparently he was going for the stalking approach. /E
23:04:13»Charles« : He smiled at her compliment, "Thank you..." He said, falling into step along side her as they emerged from the building, he did not lean on the walking stick, so it was not a support for an infirmity, but its weight and construction was such that it would make a quite adequate weapon at need, but it had another purpose, that was not so easily divined, as the arcane formula carved into its surface blended into the dark wood, only occasionally catching the light as it shifted across the polished length. -c-
23:09:08»Charles« : Comfortably shod in the well broken in moccasins, he stepped with an unconscious precision that added a subtle grace to his stride, a sign of some form of martial training, though he lacked the muscular build of a hardened warrior accustomed to heavy weapons, one trained in observation might see him making use of a staff, or single sticks. He considered her question for a moment before he answered, "I am familiar with some of the broader aspects, the recovery of artifacts and manuscripts from the old -c-
23:14:23»Charles« : library and to a lesser extent other structures that survived the subsidence and flooding. If memory serves, they have recovered a number of religious relics as well, but beyond some restoration work, that is beyond my expertise. If opportunity allows, I intend to go on one of the expeditions, I'm not completely hopeless outside the city...I was after all, raised on a rural farm." He said the last with a grin. It explained a bit of his humility, having such roots and not being ashamed of them...for -c-
23:20:07»Charles« : to his mind, there was nothing wanting in that beginning, save perhaps for a bit of sophisticated seasoning. His grand mother had taught him much of the rudiments of etiquette, and his grand father had taught him the value of honesty and personal integrity...to be true to himself. Personal honor flowed from that foundation, far from the fragile thing that was family honor, so easily defaced by an insult. "What is it you do for the Knights...surveillance perhaps?" He put forward the guess, not -c-
23:23:30»Charles« : entirely sure, but there was a stillness about her person that seemed to him a good fit for one who observed in a covert manner, though his knowledge of such things was limited to the observing of nature without disturbing the subject. It was a skill he had learned well, though he was not an especially accomplished hunter...he did not take life lightly, it just was not in his nature. -d-
23:24:29ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She could appreciate the utility of a staff as the one he used and she wondered if it might be infused with some property of magic or hidden blade, or some such. That was something to be expected of her, but she wouldn’t put it past someone that used magic’s. Until she knew factually then anything was possible. Assumptions were often a <
23:24:37ǀσℓαηαƲαня : necessary evil, but unless her hand was forced she preferred not to do such. His movements belied his training, her own indicating she was in fact a knight of gaerdon and more then she appeared. No human could move like she did, it was engrained in her and unless she was actively trying to hide such it came without thinking. She listened to his <
23:24:49ǀσℓαηαƲαня : words though at the pronunciation of religion she made a light huff which served to in a singular action tell just what she thought of such institutes. Religion was the greatest racket that ever was in her opinion…not that gods as they were called didn’t exist, but they were just a more powerful creature and if it lived it could die.- “That <
23:28:07ǀσℓαηαƲαня : sounds interesting though, I hope you get to go.”-there was sincerity in those words that were earnest in their intent. She supported curiosity in all its varying forms, it was inherent to the nature of one of her kind.- “Something like that, I’ve been peace keeping in the roughs…they are more a hands on sort of problem, but nothing beyond my <
23:29:58ǀσℓαηαƲαня : my scope. It’s really about knowing how to talk to people in most cases. ”- she wasn’t lying, but she hadn’t told the whole of it either. She’d been sent to keep an eye on some of the outside rising organizations. The roughs wouldn’t be that way forever and the knights wanted to be ready for whatever formed. She paused as they approached the <
23:31:01ǀσℓαηαƲαня : tavern to open the door, her habit of standing sideways as she pushed it open might be noted and after a cursory glance she'd enter no doubt charles in tow. It was a quiet night, but that just mean there was more then one empty table, but never too many in a place like this.- end-
23:36:23Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Only a short distance away but tucked out of sight, Quintus observed Iolana and her companion as they walked and talked, taking note of how they interacted, as well as how they looked. This one preferred to walk softly and carry a large club, given the size of that aquamarine cane topper. And Io, well, she was Io, and Quintus knew her well. -c-
23:38:44Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Taking care to stay within earshot, he also overheard their conversation as well. Farm boy, archivist, local. And observant, given the way Charles eyed Iolana up and down. He wasn't tipping off Quin's gaydar, at any rate. -c-
23:40:06Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Once the pair reached the tavern, Quin then took care to slip away so he could duck into the tav via the kitchens, quietly and unassumingly, and to occupy a seat at the bar as though he had been there all this time. /E
23:45:07»Charles« : He shared her disdain for the superstition attached to religion, and the harm that it could do, if it ever gained enough power over governance. But that did not diminish his ability to appreciate the beauty of the art and architecture it inspired. He did not the manner in which she opened the door, understanding the principles behind it, to present a smaller target. He followed her inside the establishment, offering a wave as he was greeted by name by the barmaid, and chuckled as that worthy -c-
23:45:25»Charles« : proceeded to enfold him in an enthusiastic hug. "Well, I guess that potion worked..." He said with a grin, the bar maid assuring him that indeed it had worked a treat, and her mother was on the mend. "Excellent, give her my regards, and remind her, to stay away from anything milk related for a few days." He said, placing a kiss on the young woman's brow as he extricated himself from the hug in a most gentle manner. She was a sweet girl, but involved in a growing relationship and he knew the power -c
23:49:22»Charles« : of true love. "Tell Tom that if he still wants those reading lessons, I can fit him in on Tuesdays at mid day." He crossed the floor, toward a table situated in the corner, greeting a few of the other regulars as he passed. Some knew him by name, others just recognized his face. -d-
23:56:23ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She stepped lightly to one side as the wench made a bee line for the man taking him up in a hug. Whatever she was thinking there was clear amusement on her features. Not wishing to intrude she would instead settle into one of the chairs, but picked up the important bits. Seemed the man dabbled in healing to. Best watch that lest the house of<
23:58:21ǀσℓαηαƲαня : eonir catch wind. They were picky about their registrations…everyone really was touchy about those things in their purview especially harmony. As the man finally made his way past the lady she rose and fell into step with him as they found a perch at a corner table, that suited her fine. She could keep an eye on things that way.-“seems this is the
00:00:14ǀσℓαηαƲαня : place to be afterall…one you frequent often?”-she asked in a manner meant to tease and then turned to their wench and ordered a whiskey, neat two fingers. She could hold her own when it came to drinking, but she didn’t partake of it for that reason, that was steeped in longer tradition.- "So any advice for someone long absent the city just <
00:00:19ǀσℓαηαƲαня : returning?"
00:03:32Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : At the bar, Quintus ordered a pitcher and three mugs. It was going to be a beer kind of night, he surmised, so he might as well get started sooner rather than later. As the Keeper man chatted with his 'people' and Iolana automatically chose a corner table, Quin paid the tender for the drinks and began winding his way through the clientele -c-
00:05:23Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : towards Io's table with a clay pitcher in one hand, and three mugs clasped together in the other. "The first thing one needs to do upon return to Eonheim is to check up on the quality of the local hooch," he declared as he set the items down onto their table without so much as an invitation. "When the ale has turned, so have the people, you -c-
00:06:04Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : will find. Hello, Iolana. You look well!" /E
00:11:32»Charles« : He had settled himself in, parking that noggin knocker against the table's edge where it seemed to cling of its own accord, more due to its asymmetric balance than any form of enchantment, and a cunningly hidden clip that extended from one of the claws. He chuckled at her question, "Aye, it is not far from the house, it has decent, if simple food, and one can see much of the city represented on a good night as the people come and go...and if one listens, you can learn a great many things..." he said -c-
00:16:27»Charles« : with a smile as he glanced over the crowd, picking out the tall slender form that was approaching, pitcher in one hand and three mugs in the other. He studied the man openly, taking in the manner of movement, dress, the obvious cues that mark the hundreds of people one passes in a city the size of Gaerdon every day, that are usually dismissed, unless they break the expected pattern. This one should have stood out in any crowd, given his appearance, his thin build making him seem even taller. -c-
00:20:48»Charles« : When the man fielded her second question, he laughed..."Finally, someone who understands the importance of ale in a society." He said in a tone that was genuinely warm and welcoming. He didn't know the man, he was just the type who kept an open table and an open mind, and as a result, seldom lacked for at the very least, amusing conversation. But, rather than bid the man sit, he waited for his table mate's reaction. -d-
00:26:13ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Her eyes lifted as Quin made his presence known in usual fashion, always one to make a splash at a social scene. The look that touched her features was genuine and filled with warmth. She didn’t mind people knowing she was affiliated with him, best they understand that she imagined. Where one was the other wasn’t too far away, though this past <
00:26:28ǀσℓαηαƲαня : year had been somewhat trying having been operating on her own. It was a grand time, but she preferred to be in league with him.”Well, I did come to a tavern Quintus….but how you drink that swill called ale I’ll never know.”- she bantered with him, but took the cup anyhow with a sly smile on her lips. Yes, he’d fit in very well with Charles she<
00:26:59ǀσℓαηαƲαня : imagined. She took a drink of the liquid and made a face before pushing the cup away. Her eyes lifting and following someone a moment before she looked back to the pair.- “Charles, sorry to run but there’s something I need to go and check on…I’m leaving you in good company, this is Quintus, a mate of mine.”- She laid a hand on quins shoulder <
00:28:12ǀσℓαηαƲαня : as she rose, affection in that touch-“do try not to tell him all my secrets yes?”- she teased and then added more sincerely-“come find me at dawn, you know where I’ll be.”- she mused thoughtfully and looked to Charles-“and you I am sure I will find here soon enough and we’ll continue our chat.”- and with that she would make her leave-
(Not sure if Charles and Quin continued beyond here..)
19:32:37ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Time as the girl made her way off to do gods only knew what of the thousand things on her mind to accomplish drawing such immediate attention back to the remaining figure. He had a rugged appearance to him though that might be as the lady had surmised due to where he had spent the night. Yes, she was fond of the keepers and <
19:32:43ǀσℓαηαƲαня : that is why they were dangerous, but not nearly so much as vampires….that’s why she was here wasn’t it? To find out just how reliable the suppression field was. What its vulnerabilities were and if it ever fluxuated. Her time within the city had never been prolonged and now that it was she needed to know as much as she could. –“Yes,<
19:33:32ǀσℓαηαƲαня : I was hoping to read through the studies and information on the suppression field of the city. In my observations it seems to have shifts in the level at which it does its work, but consistent to a certain threshold. I imagine that you, the keepers, have had a much greater length of time to study the phenomena. So…here I am.<
19:35:40ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Iolana Vahr.”- It wasn’t her real name, not that the illithuana put much stock in such things, it was one of a dozen names she used though it was her favorite and as close to the truth as anyone in Eonhiem was going to get in so far as she was concerned. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. She wasn’t the only illithuana in the Eonhiem, but where in <
19:35:47ǀσℓαηαƲαня : where in the gods names he was at was anyones guess.-end-
20:25:45»Charles« : "Ah, I see, well there will be precious little in the way of what most would consider written record, as most would have difficulty understanding the mathematics involved in recording the observations. After all, six axis spatial calculus, is a rather esoteric field." He said as he lead the way into the vast chamber that occupied three floors of one wing, the two upper floors forming deep balconies that left an open atrium beneath the domed skylight that formed the peak of the roof. He lead the way -c-
20:35:00ǀσℓαηαƲαня : “Calculus”- She mused the word seeming to lilt upon her lips with vague amusement though she didn’t explicate-“it’s a lovely language all its own, though really the tricky bits are wrapped up in theoretical mathematics since it delves into the unknown with its assumptions and hypothesis’. It was never my favored field of study, but I think <
20:35:26ǀσℓαηαƲαня : I should manage well enough.”- She intoned gently, their proximity as such that she had dropped the octave of her voice more conducive to such close quarter.- “Have you been with the keepers for very long? – She asked genuinely curious pausing a moment when they had entered the chamber. Those dual colored orbs ravaging the site as <
20:36:45ǀσℓαηαƲαня : if memorizing the room itself in those glances. She wondered if some remnant of history of her people resided in these stores, some vague hint at their existence. If she ever learned it was so she would be obliged to destroy it and the thought of eradicating any book was neigh onto blasphemy for the creature, but there were some laws not<
20:39:04ǀσℓαηαƲαня : even she would break.- “The creepy bits? Now that sounds like my kind of books…perhaps I’ll peruse a few while there. Are the books here to remain in the building or can they be…checked out?”- she did not know what they might call it here, in the roughs it’s how they referred to it, but she was back among the civilized now.-end-
20:44:36»Charles« : "That is a question, that has two answers, and both are true, even though they seem at odds...I was recruited shortly after arriving in the city, less than a month ago...but the manner in which I was trained as a child, has prepared me for this path, so it could also be said that, I have always been a keeper, from a certain point of view. Each of us has our specialty, mine happens to be restoration, translation, and the arcane arts." He said as they reached the third tier, and he lead the way along -c-
20:59:36»Charles« : manner or another. "Your primary concern is the stability of the field, both at rest and under stress?" He inquired as he paused to unlock a gate formed of intricate scroll work that was made from iron, and embellished with silver along some of the sharper edges. There was no key, one simply inserted their hand into the mouth of a stylized dragon, which concealed the combination lock. With the lock released, he slid aside the gate and entered the space, passing beneath a sign some bright boy had -c-
20:59:36»Charles« : manner or another. "Your primary concern is the stability of the field, both at rest and under stress?" He inquired as he paused to unlock a gate formed of intricate scroll work that was made from iron, and embellished with silver along some of the sharper edges. There was no key, one simply inserted their hand into the mouth of a stylized dragon, which concealed the combination lock. With the lock released, he slid aside the gate and entered the space, passing beneath a sign some bright boy had -c-
21:00:46»Charles« : placed above the entrance...Abandon hope, all ye who enter...seriously, some of these duffers needed to get out more -d-
21:06:05ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -That is why he seemed different she thought, not quite like other keepers she had observed in the past. It was hard to narrow it into one thing alone, a shift in accents, the manner by which a person carried themselves, even the aire of thei<
21:06:20ǀσℓαηαƲαня : honing that skill. He was in this way perhaps not so unlike herself, though her training had been comprehensive to include the martial arts and a much wider array of histories and learnings. Languages that would boggle the mind. There was a reason she made a good chameleon. She listened as he explained how their system <
21:06:27ǀσℓαηαƲαня : worked. Somewhat more complex then she had estimated, but not off by much. Her finger itched to reach out to touch the line of books as she had often done in the halls of the ishikar library, but she didn’t think they’d be so understanding here. She’d accumulated a reasonable wealth since having come to Eonhiem. I am not necessarily<
21:06:33ǀσℓαηαƲαня : looking for the core semantics of the field, but more to understand if there is a predictable pattern in its surges or…weakenings. I have noticed there are times where others use magic more freely yet at other time those same people are barely able to keep a minor illusion. As a man who professes to enjoy the arcane arts you can appreciate<
21:06:52ǀσℓαηαƲαня : why understanding such would be useful, yes? But you are correct, I also wish to acquire a basic understanding of its stability. ”-her gaze moved over the gate a soft hurmpf indicating her amusement at the sign.- "It's good to see not all the keepers are...duffers.
21:07:02ǀσℓαηαƲαня : "- she mused thoughtfully- end-
21:13:36»Charles« : He nodded as she explained more in depth what it was she was seeking, a chuckle slipping from him as she reacted to the sign. "I know the phenomenon you speak of, let's see...Felinx...no...The Pilson would be more detailed I think..." he said, thinking aloud as he moved into the secured block of stacks that had been arrange into an open ended rectangle that held a reading stand, work table, and several chairs. "Oh some of us actually do have senses of humor, though some of them are drier than a -c-
21:18:01»Charles« : mummy fart..." He said with a grin as he moved to a specific section of the stacks and took down a tome, which he placed on the reading stand. He adjusted the reading lamp, and turned it on, to better illuminate the pages of the tome, as he opened it revealing the dense tight text, broken by carefully illustrated graphs. He scanned through the pages quickly, then turned back one and secured it by placing a slender brass rod in the valley of the pages. "This is the best representation I have found -c-
21:22:43»Charles« : thus far, the data was collected daily over the course of a year, correlated and plotted." He said as he stepped aside, folding his hands within the sleeves of his robe. In the brief time they were visible, a trained eye would have seen the fine scars, and the thickened callous on the first two knuckles of each hand. There was more to him than just books, after all a truly competent wizard, prepared for those times when he was caught flat footed. Buy enough time to prepare a spell in your mind, and -c-
21:24:20»Charles« : even if you could not speak, well you could take the chance, risking the backlash, which could kill you, just for the chance at taking your opponent with you. -d-
21:32:03ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She thought he likely would given his expressed interest in the use of magic. Of course her interest wasn’t exactly related to wanting to understand how best to use the arcane arts, but there was no need to explain that to him. She much preferred to keep things as simple as possible for this endeavor and found she was glad Arikel had <
21:32:09ǀσℓαηαƲαня : not been present. That was a man with ideas in his head and she felt well and right about her assessment of him. Give him an inch within this house and he’d take a mile. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but given their encounter he would have likely asked more questions then she wanted to answer. A chuckle roused from <
21:32:16ǀσℓαηαƲαня : her throat at he referenced those of his own order and if for no other reason then that she would liked him nearly instantly. Life was too short to take anything overly serious well such was the mortal saying. She moved to stand aside him as he secured the page her eyes beginning to skim over the data that was there. She was good at<
21:32:24ǀσℓαηαƲαня : picking out patterns, so even those times where she didn’t necessarily understand a subject she could see the rhythm of it and that was often enough to get her by or sound more educated then she was on a subject.- Is this a book that can have copies of the pages made?” – her head began to raise eyes lingering on those hands tracing the scars, but<
21:32:32ǀσℓαηαƲαня : continued to lift her head until she was looking directly into his own gaze expectantly waiting upon his reply.-“If not, I would like to submit a schedule at a later date when I might be able to return to study it.”- Her gaze dropped back down as gloved fingers rose hovering just above the page, though never touching. Those fingers dancing <
21:32:49ǀσℓαηαƲαня : from one part of the page to the other and after a moment she pulled her hand back. It was a good reference, it had promise, but she’d need a lot more time with it to discern its worth-
21:38:12»Charles« : He gave some thought to her question, the data contained in the study, did not go into the far more detailed observations concerning the field, it was basically little more informative than a year long observation of the weather that one could find within an almanac. "I can have a copy ready for you in a couple of days, the text is the easy part, but getting the plots right, that takes time." He said with a smile. There was a definite pattern, but the fluctuations were subtle, no real great deviations-c-
21:42:34»Charles« : to the strength of the field. "I have a hypothesis, which may offer some insight, though I have not yet finished testing it...a portion of the variability of the efficacy of magic, may come from how the field works rather than the relative strength of it at any given time. From my own observations, the field affects the flow of available energy, which has its own pattern of ebb and flow, cutting off the highs but doing little to fill the low spots. If one tries to maintain a spell through the coming -c-
21:44:02»Charles« : of dawn, which is a natural ebb in the energy flow, it becomes far more difficult, without the added benefit of the previous rise which peaks at midnight." -d-
21:49:41ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -Iolana was filled with a certain amount confidence that there were better more detailed texts concerning the field. She also decided against pressing to see them at this juncture. Start with the basics, run before you could walk and all that.- “A few days will be fun, there is not pressing issue on the matter. I am staying at the Knights Hall, if<
21:49:57ǀσℓαηαƲαня : you send in advance the cost of labor I will be sure to have it with me when I pick it up.”- Well, they were going to find out sooner or later which house she belonged to, best to divulge it voluntarily she supposed. She listened clearly interested in what he had to say concerning his own observations of the thing.-“That’s an interesting theory <
21:51:21ǀσℓαηαƲαня : and would seem to make a certain amount of sense given it appears to also diminish those attempts made for multiple people trying to feed into a singular spell for greater effect.”- she noted the bit about dawn and midnight. That could be useful to know< though how that might extrapolate to understanding how it affected the suppression
21:52:47ǀσℓαηαƲαня : suppression on abilities she wasn’t sure…yet.- "Thank you Charles, I appreciate it."
21:57:56Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Meanwhile, outside of the House of the Keepers, a young man clad in civilian black was loitering across the street, casually smoking a cigarette. For his lack of pacing he appeared to be waiting, though nothing about it him made it clear what he might be waiting for. He was a tall and lanky 6'4 with short-cropped pale hair, a pale complexion -c-
21:58:54Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : and light eyes, and for all appearances he might as well have been some kind of weird cave creature born out of the sun's gaze. He stayed out of the main path of traffic and didn't bother anyone, so in turn, no one else cared to notice him either despite his particular looks. /E
22:05:30»Charles« : "I'll see that it is done, you are most welcome Iolana." He said with a smile as he took a pair of silk markers and placed them on the pages to be copied. He spoke her name with careful enunciation, clearly one accustomed to the rigors of a craft that did not reward sloppy diction well, in truth some spells, could literally blow up in your face if you muffed a word...that was how he knew that it took his eyebrows precisely three weeks to grow back completely, but that was a story best told over ale. -c-
22:09:03»Charles« : "Is there anything else I can help you with?" He inquired, personally he had never made a study of the fields effects on native abilities, it had little effect on the sight, but that ability was primarily an alteration of perception and required little in the way of energy...but something more potent...that would be an interesting study...but would require a relatively large number of willing subjects over an extended period...and there were few who enjoyed being poked, prodded, and systematically -c-
22:13:40»Charles« : measured for more than a few minutes. He took a small notepad from a pocket of his robe and wrote out instructions, which he left upon the open pages of the tome, weighting it with the brass rod, lest an errant breeze from the ventilation system blow it away. He looked toward the entrance, as Tabatha appeared with a tray holding a pot of tea, and a stack of jaffa cakes...something that without which the various labs would grind to a halt...most often the various scholars for got to eat, unless reminded.
22:13:46»Charles« : -d-
22:17:19ǀσℓαηαƲαня : I was considering going to Todd’s from here. I have been told that it is a place that many within the city converge on as an enjoyable merriment. I’ve not yet been myself and was inclined to sate my curiosity…I would not be unopposed to your companionship should you wish to join.– While she enjoyed conversation with her fellow knights, they often <
22:17:28ǀσℓαηαƲαня : lacked the level of intellectual prowess she was used to, her head tilted towards the right slightly as her eyes lit up almost curiously. Yes, she would have fit right in with them, but that wasn’t her path in this realm nor was it safe. Besides, she was a matched set…a spy to another assassin. They often worked in tandem, trained in pairs in your<
22:17:35ǀσℓαηαƲαня : It wasn’t that she couldn’t act as an assassin if it was required of her, but it was not her preference. She was in this way, far too emotional by the standards of her people, but in her estimations they were as arrogant as they always were and this was the reason the curse remained. They’d not learned their lesson clearly for they still often <
22:17:51ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Felt themselves Above it all or better then others, why should taking a life of one not their own warrant a reaction? No, the elders meddled in the affairs of others as if they were themselves gods…the inherent sin. Her gaze transferred to Tabatha as she entered, the vague waft of pastry and aromatic tea hinting at what was contained on the tray. <
22:18:15ǀσℓαηαƲαня : She had forgotten what that was Like…having someone to remind you to eat or more pointedly to have someone to make it for you. The roughs were as its nickname indicated, rougher and disposed of many of the comforts the houses enjoyed here.-
22:27:05»Charles« : He considered for a moment, then nodded..."An eminently satisfactory idea...If I go back to my lab, I will invariably get stuck back in and have to be pried out like a tick..." He said with a grin, "Tabatha, if you would, show our guest to the waiting area, I will be out shortly, as Sorra suggested, I do need to shower and change into something more suited to the streets. If you will excuse me." He offered with a bow as he gestured toward the open gate. -d
22:32:25ǀσℓαηαƲαня : “Of course”, -she said with a slight incline of her head and then would allow Tabatha to lead her out, but not before snagging one of the cakes. Tabatha eyed her, but said nothing against it. The waiting room was as the rest of the place, emaculate in its keeping. They would have made the Elfhiem proud….which as she thought of it she seemed to <
22:34:13ǀσℓαηαƲαня : think the Elfhiem had had a hand in establishing the keepers, though she was unclear on that. Of course, she hadn't really studied that either. Maybe she would look into it now, it would be good to know and with her seemingly prolonged stay within the gaerdon she would need to brush up on house relations. Her hands clasped behind her back as she<
22:35:52ǀσℓαηαƲαня : stood awaiting a somewhat more put together version of the man. Her eyes cast to one of the windows and her eyes narrowed slightly, was that...quin? She hadn't known he was back, but it made sense that if she had been recalled he would too. A smile spread on her features certain that if Quin didn't approach them on teh street that he might well <
22:36:58ǀσℓαηαƲαня : find his way to Todd's. Sometimes he was like that, needing space to assess. It was their way. She pulled her gaze away ensuring it didn't linger too long uncertain when she would have company such as it was.- end-
22:39:37Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : With his cigarette nearing its end, Quintus let the stubby end burn quietly while he continued his stakeout -- uh I mean casual loiter from across the street. He'd already done the perimeter and merely assumed that the more honoured guests of the Keepers' house would come and go through the front, rather than from the side or back entrances. -c-
22:41:11Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : -c- With no carriage waiting out front, nor horses prepared by grooms, it was also easy to assume that his target planned on exiting on foot, if at all. He wasn't sure if she was the type to, ah, stay overnight, but time would tell, of course. The remains of his cigarette finally fell to ash with one last drag, and he tapped the end of his -c-
22:42:48Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : cigarette-holder as he sighed out the last of his smoke. Oh look, there she was, at the window. He resisted the urge to wave, and instead played it nonchalantly, glancing away as if minding his own business. /E
22:43:27»Charles« : He was not a man to fuss too much over his appearance, but as the quaint expression went, he cleaned up rather well. He opted for the more casual patchwork jacket and a pair of comfortable sail cloth pants that tucked into calf height moccasins of supple leather. A belt of supple much weathered leather went about his waist, plentifully supplied with pouches of varying size to hold the many small items a Magus might find necessary to his craft. Last came the crooked walking stick, with its iron shod -c-
22:48:07»Charles« : tip and silver head forged in the likeness of a dragons claw gripping a Aquamarine orb the size of an apple. His hair and beard had been combed into a semblance of neatness, and thus feeling much more presentable, he presented himself in the archway of the waiting area, the soft tap of his walking stick preceding him, in the relative quiet of the house. He was not one to fuss about with cologne either, it was usually expensive and he had never found a scent that suited him...so he stuck with a soap, -c-
22:49:43»Charles« : subtly scented with balsam and cedar oil...it was a pleasant reminder of home. -d-
22:52:53ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She appraised the man as he re-emerged and made no effort to hide her attentions, that was ludicrous and she’d never understood the mortals pension for piety in that regard, it was dishonest at best which was a violation of one of their treasured values. Her people could appreciate beauty in all its form and it mean nothing more than<
22:53:01ǀσℓαηαƲαня : that and this too was one of the reasons she enjoyed Eonhiem, they didn’t seemed to get as wrapped around the axle about those things. She gave an approving look.-“not bad for a quick change, Charles.” – He would have fit in out in the roughs she thought with his choice of attire and scent that radiated a sentience with nature. Not<
22:55:21ǀσℓαηαƲαня : overbearing, but present. Her eyes then dipped to the staff he carried, the trace of a smile for its design.- Shall we then? – she asked and with that walked with him out the front doors. SHe paused as was her habit to do and looked for Quin uncertain if he was stalking or joining. In either case she'd keep in pace with Charles, able to match step<
22:56:58ǀσℓαηαƲαня : with ease.-"Are you familiar with the work going on at old gaerdon?"- she asked allowing for another conversation to blossom as they made their way to todds-end-
23:01:22Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : By the time Iolana looked for him again, Quintus was gone. Apparently he was going for the stalking approach. /E
23:04:13»Charles« : He smiled at her compliment, "Thank you..." He said, falling into step along side her as they emerged from the building, he did not lean on the walking stick, so it was not a support for an infirmity, but its weight and construction was such that it would make a quite adequate weapon at need, but it had another purpose, that was not so easily divined, as the arcane formula carved into its surface blended into the dark wood, only occasionally catching the light as it shifted across the polished length. -c-
23:09:08»Charles« : Comfortably shod in the well broken in moccasins, he stepped with an unconscious precision that added a subtle grace to his stride, a sign of some form of martial training, though he lacked the muscular build of a hardened warrior accustomed to heavy weapons, one trained in observation might see him making use of a staff, or single sticks. He considered her question for a moment before he answered, "I am familiar with some of the broader aspects, the recovery of artifacts and manuscripts from the old -c-
23:14:23»Charles« : library and to a lesser extent other structures that survived the subsidence and flooding. If memory serves, they have recovered a number of religious relics as well, but beyond some restoration work, that is beyond my expertise. If opportunity allows, I intend to go on one of the expeditions, I'm not completely hopeless outside the city...I was after all, raised on a rural farm." He said the last with a grin. It explained a bit of his humility, having such roots and not being ashamed of them...for -c-
23:20:07»Charles« : to his mind, there was nothing wanting in that beginning, save perhaps for a bit of sophisticated seasoning. His grand mother had taught him much of the rudiments of etiquette, and his grand father had taught him the value of honesty and personal integrity...to be true to himself. Personal honor flowed from that foundation, far from the fragile thing that was family honor, so easily defaced by an insult. "What is it you do for the Knights...surveillance perhaps?" He put forward the guess, not -c-
23:23:30»Charles« : entirely sure, but there was a stillness about her person that seemed to him a good fit for one who observed in a covert manner, though his knowledge of such things was limited to the observing of nature without disturbing the subject. It was a skill he had learned well, though he was not an especially accomplished hunter...he did not take life lightly, it just was not in his nature. -d-
23:24:29ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She could appreciate the utility of a staff as the one he used and she wondered if it might be infused with some property of magic or hidden blade, or some such. That was something to be expected of her, but she wouldn’t put it past someone that used magic’s. Until she knew factually then anything was possible. Assumptions were often a <
23:24:37ǀσℓαηαƲαня : necessary evil, but unless her hand was forced she preferred not to do such. His movements belied his training, her own indicating she was in fact a knight of gaerdon and more then she appeared. No human could move like she did, it was engrained in her and unless she was actively trying to hide such it came without thinking. She listened to his <
23:24:49ǀσℓαηαƲαня : words though at the pronunciation of religion she made a light huff which served to in a singular action tell just what she thought of such institutes. Religion was the greatest racket that ever was in her opinion…not that gods as they were called didn’t exist, but they were just a more powerful creature and if it lived it could die.- “That <
23:28:07ǀσℓαηαƲαня : sounds interesting though, I hope you get to go.”-there was sincerity in those words that were earnest in their intent. She supported curiosity in all its varying forms, it was inherent to the nature of one of her kind.- “Something like that, I’ve been peace keeping in the roughs…they are more a hands on sort of problem, but nothing beyond my <
23:29:58ǀσℓαηαƲαня : my scope. It’s really about knowing how to talk to people in most cases. ”- she wasn’t lying, but she hadn’t told the whole of it either. She’d been sent to keep an eye on some of the outside rising organizations. The roughs wouldn’t be that way forever and the knights wanted to be ready for whatever formed. She paused as they approached the <
23:31:01ǀσℓαηαƲαня : tavern to open the door, her habit of standing sideways as she pushed it open might be noted and after a cursory glance she'd enter no doubt charles in tow. It was a quiet night, but that just mean there was more then one empty table, but never too many in a place like this.- end-
23:36:23Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Only a short distance away but tucked out of sight, Quintus observed Iolana and her companion as they walked and talked, taking note of how they interacted, as well as how they looked. This one preferred to walk softly and carry a large club, given the size of that aquamarine cane topper. And Io, well, she was Io, and Quintus knew her well. -c-
23:38:44Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Taking care to stay within earshot, he also overheard their conversation as well. Farm boy, archivist, local. And observant, given the way Charles eyed Iolana up and down. He wasn't tipping off Quin's gaydar, at any rate. -c-
23:40:06Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : Once the pair reached the tavern, Quin then took care to slip away so he could duck into the tav via the kitchens, quietly and unassumingly, and to occupy a seat at the bar as though he had been there all this time. /E
23:45:07»Charles« : He shared her disdain for the superstition attached to religion, and the harm that it could do, if it ever gained enough power over governance. But that did not diminish his ability to appreciate the beauty of the art and architecture it inspired. He did not the manner in which she opened the door, understanding the principles behind it, to present a smaller target. He followed her inside the establishment, offering a wave as he was greeted by name by the barmaid, and chuckled as that worthy -c-
23:45:25»Charles« : proceeded to enfold him in an enthusiastic hug. "Well, I guess that potion worked..." He said with a grin, the bar maid assuring him that indeed it had worked a treat, and her mother was on the mend. "Excellent, give her my regards, and remind her, to stay away from anything milk related for a few days." He said, placing a kiss on the young woman's brow as he extricated himself from the hug in a most gentle manner. She was a sweet girl, but involved in a growing relationship and he knew the power -c
23:49:22»Charles« : of true love. "Tell Tom that if he still wants those reading lessons, I can fit him in on Tuesdays at mid day." He crossed the floor, toward a table situated in the corner, greeting a few of the other regulars as he passed. Some knew him by name, others just recognized his face. -d-
23:56:23ǀσℓαηαƲαня : -She stepped lightly to one side as the wench made a bee line for the man taking him up in a hug. Whatever she was thinking there was clear amusement on her features. Not wishing to intrude she would instead settle into one of the chairs, but picked up the important bits. Seemed the man dabbled in healing to. Best watch that lest the house of<
23:58:21ǀσℓαηαƲαня : eonir catch wind. They were picky about their registrations…everyone really was touchy about those things in their purview especially harmony. As the man finally made his way past the lady she rose and fell into step with him as they found a perch at a corner table, that suited her fine. She could keep an eye on things that way.-“seems this is the
00:00:14ǀσℓαηαƲαня : place to be afterall…one you frequent often?”-she asked in a manner meant to tease and then turned to their wench and ordered a whiskey, neat two fingers. She could hold her own when it came to drinking, but she didn’t partake of it for that reason, that was steeped in longer tradition.- "So any advice for someone long absent the city just <
00:00:19ǀσℓαηαƲαня : returning?"
00:03:32Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : At the bar, Quintus ordered a pitcher and three mugs. It was going to be a beer kind of night, he surmised, so he might as well get started sooner rather than later. As the Keeper man chatted with his 'people' and Iolana automatically chose a corner table, Quin paid the tender for the drinks and began winding his way through the clientele -c-
00:05:23Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : towards Io's table with a clay pitcher in one hand, and three mugs clasped together in the other. "The first thing one needs to do upon return to Eonheim is to check up on the quality of the local hooch," he declared as he set the items down onto their table without so much as an invitation. "When the ale has turned, so have the people, you -c-
00:06:04Qᴜɪɴᴛᴜs : will find. Hello, Iolana. You look well!" /E
00:11:32»Charles« : He had settled himself in, parking that noggin knocker against the table's edge where it seemed to cling of its own accord, more due to its asymmetric balance than any form of enchantment, and a cunningly hidden clip that extended from one of the claws. He chuckled at her question, "Aye, it is not far from the house, it has decent, if simple food, and one can see much of the city represented on a good night as the people come and go...and if one listens, you can learn a great many things..." he said -c-
00:16:27»Charles« : with a smile as he glanced over the crowd, picking out the tall slender form that was approaching, pitcher in one hand and three mugs in the other. He studied the man openly, taking in the manner of movement, dress, the obvious cues that mark the hundreds of people one passes in a city the size of Gaerdon every day, that are usually dismissed, unless they break the expected pattern. This one should have stood out in any crowd, given his appearance, his thin build making him seem even taller. -c-
00:20:48»Charles« : When the man fielded her second question, he laughed..."Finally, someone who understands the importance of ale in a society." He said in a tone that was genuinely warm and welcoming. He didn't know the man, he was just the type who kept an open table and an open mind, and as a result, seldom lacked for at the very least, amusing conversation. But, rather than bid the man sit, he waited for his table mate's reaction. -d-
00:26:13ǀσℓαηαƲαня : Her eyes lifted as Quin made his presence known in usual fashion, always one to make a splash at a social scene. The look that touched her features was genuine and filled with warmth. She didn’t mind people knowing she was affiliated with him, best they understand that she imagined. Where one was the other wasn’t too far away, though this past <
00:26:28ǀσℓαηαƲαня : year had been somewhat trying having been operating on her own. It was a grand time, but she preferred to be in league with him.”Well, I did come to a tavern Quintus….but how you drink that swill called ale I’ll never know.”- she bantered with him, but took the cup anyhow with a sly smile on her lips. Yes, he’d fit in very well with Charles she<
00:26:59ǀσℓαηαƲαня : imagined. She took a drink of the liquid and made a face before pushing the cup away. Her eyes lifting and following someone a moment before she looked back to the pair.- “Charles, sorry to run but there’s something I need to go and check on…I’m leaving you in good company, this is Quintus, a mate of mine.”- She laid a hand on quins shoulder <
00:28:12ǀσℓαηαƲαня : as she rose, affection in that touch-“do try not to tell him all my secrets yes?”- she teased and then added more sincerely-“come find me at dawn, you know where I’ll be.”- she mused thoughtfully and looked to Charles-“and you I am sure I will find here soon enough and we’ll continue our chat.”- and with that she would make her leave-
(Not sure if Charles and Quin continued beyond here..)
