| Logs |
2009 April 05
| When The Bough Breaks |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Bough Logs |
Third Movement, Entre'Act
The day has become brightest after the Dawn -- which is to say, it's about noon to the group. Tomas has gone off on his own path, and the consular aide -- bandaged up a little, bruised, but looking a bit better after a good night's sleep -- has informed the group that the consul has asked to meet with them.
Mikal is also feeling much, much better after actually sleeping. She sits up, blinking a bit as she looks around, murmuring, "Uh...?" then looks relieved at sight of Raphael. Without thinking, she reaches out to put hands on the people near her. Jareth is within arm's reach.
Jareth perks up as the aide comes in, smiling at him, "Feeling a little better this morning? I'm sorry we didn't get to you more quickly."
Mikal blinks at Jareth, and without thinking says, "Azriel's hunting Raven but she's all right still." She blinks again, wondering where that came from... then sighs relaxedly and cuddles down between Jareth and Raphael again. Sleepily she adds, "How're you feeling, Ja- Cat?"
The aide smiles wanly. "It's all right. You got to me as soon as you could, which was just in time; so I'm not going to complain."
Norris is on the top bunk, so is not in reach. He does tilt his head to one side, though, when the aide enters. "Enneh word bout that black armored fella what got ugly taste in knives?"
The aide shakes his head. "None yet, no. I haven't been watching him personally, I admit. I believe the prefects are going to be taking him into custody later today.
Jareth loops an arm loosely around Mikal and nods to the aide, "I was going to ask that same thing, actually. He and I got a little too up close and personal that I really like." He clears his throat and says, "I'd strip him and put him in other clothes."
Mikal mutters bleakly, "If any..."
Norris groans. "S one way o' putting it." he mumbles. Even though Jareth is back among the living, he's not entirely happy that Raven's intercession was required.
The aide nods. "The prefects are working with the consul regarding him. While I would very much like him to be gotten rid of as soon as possible, I do understand that certain precautions need to be taken.
Mikal sighs, realizing she's going to have to get up, and stretches lazily. Lying curled between two packmates as she is, she stretches like a cat -- right over everyone else! Raphael grins and gently grabs one arm in his fanged mouth, teasing his half-sister. She giggles at him, not realizing she's stretched her legs across Jareth's lap.
Norris climbs out of his bunk. "Well...iffn we're gonna meet wi' the consul, suppose we should be presentable, annat."
Mikal rolls smoothly out of the bunk and to her feet, straightening her clothes, "All right! Let me get my stuff, and we'll be ready." To the aide she adds, "Where's the consul, then?"
"She's upstairs, still talking with the prefects. They have some soldiers around the embassy to keep an eye on things.
Jareth thought briefly about tickling Mikal's feet, but by the time he'd decided to do it, she was already up. Stretching a bit himself, he climbs out of the bed and starts looking for the cleaner clothes.
Mikal nods, almost perky now she's recovered from working so hard the night before, "All right. Is that where we're to meet her?"
After a few minutes of getting presentable after their nap, they head upstairs into the open-air consulate. Consul Swanlinde is seated at a desk, with a trio of headdressed prefects standing before her desk and discussing with her quietly. Through the faintly billowing curtains, there are the occasional glimpses of Theban soldiers with spears, shields, and sickle-swords.
Swanlinde spots the group as they come up, then nods to the prefects, asking them to excuse her for a moment as she stands. She walks over to the group, looking worn and exhausted; she doesn't seem to have gotten any sleep. "Thank you again for what you did last night," she says quietly. "I'm personally grateful, above and beyond whatever thanks the Winter Palace will give."
Mikal smiles shyly up at the tall woman from slightly behind her friends. "We, um... well, you know, because, er... um... you're welcome!"
Jareth takes Swanlinde's hand in both of his and says, "We are only disappointed we didn't get here sooner."
Norris smiles grimly. "Happy t' help. Doan like folk killing each other, annat. Wish we coul' know what the purpose of it all is, tho. Most confusin."
Mikal blinks at Norris, "Capturing the consul and getting access to her files, Bear. I thought that was obvious from what the attackers were saying to the aide? The fire was to distract everyone."
It's hard to tell when a dokkalfar blushes, but Swanlinde seems to when Jareth takes her hand. She smiles faintly, though, saying, "Well, you came when you could, and you came before anyone lost their lives. That's the important thing, and what will be remembered." She nods at Mikal's words. "That seems to be the gist of it. With an attempt on their part to frame someone else for this deed, and thus letting Thebes fall into the sway of the Mordredites."
Mikal tilts her head curiously, "So... the Mordredites were framing the non-Mordredites for both the fire and the attack on you? Weird. Mordred must have a lot of money to be hiring an assassin like that. Will you be safe?"
Jareth smiles and bows over Swanlinde's hand before releasing it. His smile fades and he says, "Sometimes you don't need money when you have a quick tongue and a lot of influence."
Norris didn't seem to have pieced that together, especially since he didn't remember clearly what the men with the aide had said. But when it's explained, comprehension crosses his face.
Mikal grins at Jareth, assuming he's talking about himself.
Norris snaps his fingers. "Oh, yah! What, uh, happened t' the tracker we brought with? She okee?"
She nods. "I should be. Thanks to you, the plot was revealed and Thebes is placing protection around the consulate, and is starting to take a position against Mordred. The problem will be linking the assassin to Mordred, which may be difficult."
Ghaniyah's voice comes from the doorway, "I'm fine, but it sounds like you had some interesting times without me last night!" Ataraxos is with her.
Mikal grins and waves shyly to her, "Hi again! Glad to see you're both all right."
Jareth chuckles, "Isn't there a curse that says 'May you live in interesting times.'?"
Mikal looks curiously back at the consul, "So... now what? Do we go back to the... to the..." Her voice trails off as she vaguely recalls something, and she eventually murmurs, "The Library of Alexandria. That should be next, yes?"
Ghaniyah smirks a litle, "Only for those who want a boring and static life. 'Interesting' is a quality, not a 'yes/no' thing.
Norris looks relieved at Ghaniyah's appearance. "Innerestin' is one way o putting it." he agrees with the woman. "Coul do with less innerestin, mahself. Spose not gonna get mah wish, tho, what with all that's goin around." He looks between her and Ataraxos. "What's next fer you? You stay here, or gonna come wi' us?"
Ghaniyah considers. "Well, I was thinking of heading back to the Winter Palace with you, but I'll make my way there on my own if you aren't head there yourselves.
Norris ahs. "Afraid you'll get 'inneresting' on your clothes iffn y' hang around us?" he queries, a half-smile crossing his face.
Mikal grins quietly.
Ghaniyah snerks. "No, that's not it at all. You're the ones who suggested I go to the Winter Palace soonest and help out there."
Mikal nods thoughtfully, "Good point -- unless you want to help the consul here." She glances at the consul, adding, "You never answered my question, lady -- what's next?"
Jareth laughs, eyes twinkling as Norris makes the joke. To Ghaniyah, he says, "We're headed that way, but there are other things on the way."
Norris seems surprised himself that he's making jokes. "Ah kin see that. An iffn that's what y' wanna do, well then...good luck t' ya. Certainly caint pay ya lak th' Palace can. Jus thinkin'...well, that yer off on this journey cause'a us, kinda feel responsible for, hey? Want ya t' stay safe."
Swanlinde is looking thoughtful. "Well, there is nothing more that we need of you here. I can have a courier let the Winter Palace know what's transpired here, so there is no need for you to bring word to the Palace yourselves. I am sure that when you get back to the Winter Palace, though, Seneschal Rowan will have more projects or plans for you to help out with."
Mikal nods to the consul, then adds shyly, "So, um... do you kn-now how to find books in the Library?"
Swanlinde looks a little surprised. "The Library? The Library of Alexandria? No, I'm afraid I don't. I've not been to the Library."
Mikal nods silently, fading back behind Norris. Her voice is uncertain, "Um... all right. C-can we go there next, guys?"
Mikal says, "I want to find the books of rules the aethyrs have to follow."
Norris looks at MIkal. "Whyzat, lil Rabbit?" he queries, not remembering having heard of this.
Mikal thinks a bit, leaning against Norris as she tries to remember. "It was... a dream? R-raven -- she says the books are there. Azriel has to follow the rules, so... so wouldn't they be good to know? Oh!" She straightens up and peeks out from behind Norris again at the consul, "May I have a bag of salt, please?"
The consul looks surprised again. I... think we have some in the storeroom down below." She turns to the aide, but he's already going below to retrieve it.
Mikal whispers, "Thanks!"
Jareth wraps a comforting arm around Mikal, still smiling at Ghaniyah, "There might be some interesting information for you. You're a desert tracker, after all."
Mikal feels better between Norris and Jareth. She wishes she could remember her dream clearly, though.
Norris starts to look lost again, and then remembers who this Azriel is. "Ahuh." He turns that over in his head, and looks at Ghaniyah. "Also, yer trained fighter, annat...an after th' last fight we got int', feel better iffn we have an extra hand. Gots t' keep th' pretty boy safe." he adds.
Mikal nods firmly at that.
Jareth smirks wryly at Norris and shrugs, "I should probably get you and Mikal to show me a few more things to keep from getting myself sliced into tiny pieces."
Mikal nods firmly at that too! She murmurs quietly, "Crossbow. Need another one, yes?"
Norris snaps fingers. "That's good start."
Ghaniyah purses her lips, then nods, "All right, I'll travel with you back o the Palace, even if it's a bit more roundabout."
Ataraxos nods as well, looking a little nervous. "I shall accompany you as well. I can still guide you at least through the areas closer to the Palace and near Alexandria."
Mikal smiles at Ataraxos, "Thank you! Um... why are you nervous, though?"
Norris's face lights up. "Good! Glad t' have yah." he beams at Ghaniyah.
Jareth nods to Ataraxos, "I have a few questions to ask you, anyway. A few thoughts it might be good to have a mind from here think over."
Ataraxos says carefully, "I am loyal to the Winter Palace, Rabbit, and I believe in what we are trying to do. I simply didn't expect... assassins. You can understand, I hope.
He looks to Jareth. "Certainly; what sort of questions?"
Mikal nods wryly, "They scare me too."
Mikal adds hopefully, "If we go soon, might they miss us?"
Jareth says, "About the stories surrounding Raven."
Mikal tugs gently on the nearest sleeve, "We could be ready really soon... and I think the consul's done with us?" She peeks at the consul, "Yes? No?"
Norris looks grimly at Mikal. "S'not a bad idee. We gots nothin else keepin us here's."
Mikal nods enthusiastically! She's starting to worry about assassins, now she isn't crazy-tired and worried for her packmates.
Swanlinde smiles quietly. "Yes, I have nothing more for you. Thank you again for all the help you have done for us.
Mikal looks relieved, then adds firmly, "I'll go bring the horses around, all right?"
Ataraxos purses his lips. "I know some of them. I can speak about them on the way to Alexandria."
The trip takes a week or so to go from Thebes through the river valley, to where Alexandria lies. The city is somewhat busy now, with greater activity in the marketplace and in the caravans travelling into and through it.
Mikal has by now managed to remember, and share with the others, that she had a dream with Raven in it, and that she is hunted now by Azrael for breaking the rules, and that the rules are written down in books in the Library at Alexandria. Mikal doesn't know which books, but she figures it would be wise for them all to know what the rules are that the minions of the One must follow, in order to better avoid them. Also, she mentioned a Mara Sith who is the avatar of Dreams and has dealt with spider-wasps previously and for whom the Rowan at the Winter Palace works.
Norris gets a little bent outta shape over this. "An who is this Azrial t' be saying what she did and dinna do, ennehway? E' works fer th' Architect, who's the damnfool that started this t' begin with." he grumps when Mikal explains this."
Mikal adds, "I think she's at the Winter Palace too. She's got consorts there -- Freyr the ljosalf and Elbrecht the dokkalf." She grins in some sympathy at Norris, shrugging her shoulders, "Don't know, Norr."
Jareth says quietly, "Azrael's the angel of death. The one with the fiery eyes and the enormous bloody sword. The one Raven wouldn't..." He cuts his eyes at the two people with them, "The stories I know say they're adversaries."
Mikal nods to Jareth, "He wants her position, I think."
Norris shakes his head. "Well, ah preciate that y' wanna do sommat about it...but what d' we do even iffn we find out? oh! Wait, yew's thinkin we tell this Mara lady about it?"
Mikal blinks at Norris -- then smiles and shakes her head, "Nono, Norris. I want to learn what we need to keep Azrael away from us. Raven said he likely wouldn't be around us at all, but it can't hurt to know more. And then we can go see what Mara Sith has for us to do to stop the spider wasps, you know?"
Jareth murmurs with a strange look in his eyes, "They can't take you from here if you don't consent."
Mikal glances at Jareth, "Are you sure, Jarr? If Azrael is the new avatar of Death, I doubt we'll have many options open to us, you know?"
Jareth shakes his head, "He's not new. He and Raven... they're..." He makes a balancing motion with his hands, "...both representatives of death." His lips tighten and he says, "They have separate domains."
Mikal blinks at a sudden thought, then pulls her pack around, "Wait a bit... didn't I put, uh..." A second later she emerges triumphant, holding up the Bail, "Found you! So, what are the rules the minions of the One have to follow?"
There is a quiet chime from the bail, then the sphere intones, [tt]"I do not know the complete answer to that question. The most accurate of such records is at the Library of Alexandria. I know of three such rules however: Obedience to the Architect; They must strive to be the embodiment of moral absolutism; And they are most vulnerable to salt, especially 'fixed' or permanent salt."[/tt]
Mikal looks confusedly at Jareth, "Um... okaaay?" then looks back at the ball. She nods thoughtfully at the information, then adds, "Er... what's moral absolutism, please?"
Mikal says, "And what's fixed or permanent salt?"
Jareth says, "I think maybe it has to be fixed, set... like with awen."
[tt]"Salt which has been made permanent by means of awen."[/tt]
Mikal says, "Oh, all right." She waits for the other answer as she adds absently to the others, "The salt we have is still there, so it must be fixed..."
Norris considers. "So, wait...we's gonna attack th' Angel o dead with a condiment?" he queries dubiously.
Mikal says, "Nope. Going to use it to keep it back."
Norris scratches his chin. "but if we's dead, how kin we hold th' salt? Less yer saying th' angel hasta retrieve us from th' dead bodies, an he caint come near th' bodies iffn we gots salt?"
Jareth says, "Remember that body with the awen embedded that Raven couldn't take?"
Mikal says, "If he comes near us," her voice is unexpectedly fierce as she looks up at Norris, "He's going to get a whole facefull of salt!"
Jareth reaches to squeeze Mikal's hand and pats Norris' shoulder.
Mikal smiles a bit tightly up at Jareth, then looks back at the ball, still waiting for her second answer.
The bail takes a little while longer to answer. [tt]"Moral Absolutism. The belief that there is an objective 'right' and wrong' in the universe. As believed by the servants of the Architect, that there is an absolute good embodied in the form of the Architect. In short, whatever the Architect says is 'good' is 'good.'"[/tt]
Norris ohhhhs. "Ohyeah. Ah member now." He ponders that as the horse ambles on. "Course, iffn that happens, we be stuck in th body ferever."
Mikal sighs softly, then glances at the others, "Does anyone else have any questions? I don't know what to ask to get good answers."
Jareth shakes his head and shrugs, "Rather be stuck than be set down before the Architect for the bastard to judge me."
Jareth thinks, "What books and where are they in the library?"
Mikal brightens, "Oh, good one!" She repeats the question for the ball she's holding.
The Bail rattles off a string of titles and authors, and gives locations -- they seem to all be in the same section, a place called the Conservatory.
Norris hnhs. "Caint argue much wi' that." he agrees grimly.
Norris oohs. "Heya, helpful lil ball."
The Bail does not answer, but Norris gets the impression it is waiting for his question.
Mikal beams and makes a mental note: the Conservatory. She considers a bit, then adds, "What does Mara Sith need the most to defeat the spiderwasps?"
The Bail answers Mikal: [tt]"The Throne of Dreams needs, first, weapons which can harm the Aqal spider-wasps; and second, mortals to wield such weapons, if the weapon so requires it."[/tt]
Norris headtilts, then. "S'a bit off topic..but kin ya ask th' bail where kitsune congregate?" he queries of Mikal.
Mikal hmmms thoughtfully, then asks, "Does the Throne of-" She pauses, then grins at Norris, "Sure!" She asks the ball the same question.
The Bail says, [t]"Kitsune, fox-spirits, are mostly found in the region of Mount Fiji. Their population is low, however, and an accurate census have not been taken of them. They are shy and private, and notorious for disliking such surveys as it is."[/tt]
Jareth has gone quiet and thoughtful. The news of the tender-hearted Raven being hunted because she gave him a second chance at life is difficult for him to take philosophically and it's slowly creeping through his mind and shifting his thoughts toward what they ought to do next.
Mikal giggles at that, then grins at Norris, "How's that?"
Norris can't help but laugh at that. "Huh. Wonder if'n we go to Fuji sometime. Ah's just thinkin'...poor Okori's all lonely. Mebbe we kin get some o' her kin t' visit."
Mikal adds to the ball, "So does the Throne of Dreams have any weapons she knows of that can harm the spider-wasps? And why would such a weapon need a mortal to wield it? Wouldn't an aethyr be stronger and sturdier?"
Mikal nods happily to Norris, "Good idea!'
Jareth raises his head and says, thinking, "They're sturdier, in a way, but we're more..." He searches for a word not to offend the non-mortal with them, "We're... we can walk between things in a way they can't."
Mikal gives Jareth a confused look, unsure as to what precisely he means.
Jareth rubs the center of his forehead, wrestling with an idea that doesn't want to quite gel. That and it's getting interfered with by his worry that it's his fault Raven is in danger from Azrael. "They're stuck here. They're part of this place."
Mikal looks puzzled again, glancing at the ball once to check if it's ready to answer. "But that guy... and the dragon -- they both came out where we were?"
The Bail replies, [tt]"There are three such weapons in the arsenal of the Winter Palace. One is the Thunder Blade, wielded by the Captain of the Palace Guard. It is usable against a spider-wasp only once every three hundred and sixty-five Dawns. Another is the Hecatomb Staff, wielded by the Archmage of the Court. It is only usable against a spider-wasp in concert with most of the senior sorcerers of the Magi's Tower. The third is the Lotus Seed, full name: 'The Seed of the Lotus With A Thousand Swords For Petals.' It has not been used; it cannot be used except by a mortal who has the knowledge to use it.[/tt]
[tt]"Mortals are required for the most effective weapons against the Aqal because only mortals can wield such weapons. Most such weapons were originally created by mortals and hidden away in the Dreamtime and elsewhere, in the time before the Godswar. Also, only mortals may function outside their paradigm--"[/tt] The Bail makes a horrid little noise, something sounding like a glass vase breaking in a shallow vat of molasses being run through a mill, and then is silent for a moment. [tt]"Only mortals can become more than who they are,"[/tt] it finally says, almost apologetically.
Mikal blinks startledly at the sound, "What was that?!"
Mikal adds a moment later, as she remembers the peculiar comment, "What's the knowledge necessary to use the Lotus Seed?"
Jareth looks worried himself. "That sounded almost like the time one of the goats ate the jar of bad pickled beets I hadn't gotten to throw away yet. Sounded almost like that as it threw everything back up."
Mikal blinks startledly at Jareth, her eyes wide -- then giggles in spite of herself!
Norris vaguely remembers mention of the Lotus Seed. "Think yew already asked about taht one, back at th' Palace. Th' Bail don't know."
The Bail does not answer the first of Mikal's questions, instead charging on with her second. [tt]"I do not have the answer to that question. That knowledge has been lost since the Godswar. Many believe, however, that such knowledge can still be found in the Deep Wyld of the Dreamtime, along with other and more weapons such as the Lotus Seed."[/tt]
Mikal bouncies excitedly on the fey stag's back, earning her an exasperated flick of Iron Antlers' ears, "That's it! We need to go to the Deep Wyld next with that guy -- what was his name, Jareth? Tiger Mouse or something?"
Norris arches a brow. "Yeah. Sounds like a trip t' the Wyld gots moved up on th' agenda."
Jareth chuckles, Mikal's bouncing pulling him a bit out of his grey mood, "Tigernmus, little fox."
Mikal beams at Jareth, "Yes!" then blinks, "Er, no... aren't I Rabbit?"
Norris gestures at Alexandria looming before them. "But afore we's kin do that...there's books what need reading!" he asserts.
Mikal says, "The kitsune's the fox!" She grins at Norris, "I hope so! So, first the Library, then the Winter Palace so we can see if the Tigernmus is still there -- then off to the Wylde!"
Jareth chuckles at Mikal and shrugs, "Maybe." He nods to Norris and says, "We'll probably need to split up a bit."
Mikal looks puzzledly at Jareth, "Split up? In the Wylde? Umm... are you sure that's wise, Jarr?"
Jareth shakes his head, "In the Library."
Mikal says, "Oh! All right."
The group is before the gates of the city, through which there are thronging crowds coming and going. It's actually a lot busier now than it was before. The group finds themselves entering the city in between two merchants: the one in front is pulling a cart with a variety of dried fruits, while the one behind them... well, it's hard to tell what he's carrying, only that there's a dromedary pulling the cart.
Mikal grins over her shoulder at the dromedary, remembering the one she helped with back in the town of the shark-people. After a moment she frowns thoughtfully... then glances at her companions, "Hey... do you think the cute little llamas are related to the dromedary there? Don't you think they look a little similar?"
Norris checks out what Mikal is referring to. "uh...doan remember, Rabbit." he murmurs apologetically.
Jareth thinks about it for a moment and then laughs, realizing he has no idea about most animals outside his dogs and his goats. For a moment, he misses them both intensely.
Mikal grins at Norris, "It's all right! They're both nice animals." She turns to look forward again, happily adding, "Can't wait to get to the Library! I hope a lot of the books are in a readable form for me."
Norris looks around at the throngs, though, listening to the commotion curiously. "Wonder iffn we's kin get anneh news about what's going on with Mordred's fanatics." At Mikal's commentary on books, he looks thoughtful. "What Jareth said about splitting up...mebbe yew's kin help us learn a bit oh the readin? make things go faster, hey? Kin at least help ya find books?"
Mikal is quietly happy she's up on Iron Antlers' back. No one is likely to shove her or step on her here!
THe group winds their way through the busy streets to the Library. This is the first time for Norris and Jareth, but the building's elegance is exceeded only by it's sheer size. It looks like it could almost be a city unto itself, and that isn't even counting the annexes and outlying buildings. Even so, the area around the library is a little quieter, out of deference to the scholars within it's halls.
Mikal knows the way, as does Ataraxos, and the two of them lead the others to the correct area of the city.
It isn;t hard to find the Conservatory. It is a tall cloister, with a veritable forest in the center. The various books and scrolls and tablets are stored and ordered in the rooms along the sides of the cloister. While it is cool and slightly humid, it is not so humid as to damage the more delicate of parchments shelved here. In some ways, some of the rooms remind them of Amaros's cabin a the Winter Palace with the variety of printed media they have.
The Bail leads them -- discretely -- through the nearly silent Conservatory. There are no librarians here to assist the group, as this section seems to be solely for researchers who know what they are looking for.
The room that they are looking for is large enough for the group, and then some -- which is good, because there are others here. Against the far wall, opposite the entrance, sits a mortal, and an aethyr who appears as a young human. The mortal, on the other hand, looks ancient, gnarled and grizzled like the walking stick he holds before him. He sits in a seat, not towards the desk, and not looking at anything in particular; this is because his eyes are blank, milky white. The aethyr barely glances up as the group appears in the doorway, and continues what he was doing: reading aloud from a large, leatherbound book in a rythmic language that none in the group understand.
Mikal smiles at the sight of the reader and the listener, then continues following the quiet instructions of the Bail to find the most useful three books.
The aethyr continues to read, then the mortal holds up a hand. "Wait, Vassillio," he says, in a voice so gravelly it could sand wood down smooth. "We appear to have guests here. Indulge the curiosity of an old man -- here I thought I was the only one who would be interested in these old books." The aethyr simply remains silent.
Jareth tips his head, smiling at the odd voice. It's a strangely inviting sort of sound.
Mikal looks a bit startledly at the two men, then at her companions. She whispers nervously, "D-does he mean us?!"
Norris looks apologetic. "Didn'a mean to disturbya, sir. It's these big boots. They clomp. Plus, they gots big feets in em." he says to the aged man
Mikal giggles nervously behind one hand at Norris's comment.
The mortal says, a touch kindly and a touch crotchety, "You are the only others in this room besides myself and Vassillio. Forgive me, blindness has made my hearing sharper than most."
Mikal squeaks startledly again, hastily ducking behind Norris, then realizing how fruitless that is with the blind. She takes a deep breath, then says in a nervously high voice, "Uh -- hello, sir! I, um, I'm R-r-rabbitsorrytobotheryou!"
Jareth smiles affectionately at Mikal and says, "And I'm called Cat. The big fellow's Bear. We're here to do a little research, actually. We're sorry if we disturbed you and Vassillio. Can we ask your name?"
Mikal whispers to Jareth, "And Wolf! Don't forget him too!"
Jareth smiles and nods, "And Wolf." He looks fondly at the raptor wolf.
The mortal's voice is accented, hinting at ancient stone buildings and wines and breads. "My name is Jorge, a simple scholar. And this... this is Vassillio, who has agreed to help me. You have not disturbed me. To be honest, I was growing weary of naught but the words in these books to keep me company.
Norris huhs. "You know th' books well, Sir Jorge?" he asks respectfully.
Raphael snorts amusedly, settling down next to Mikal, who peeks out from behind Norris and asks hopefully, "D-do you know anything about the rules aethyrs have to follow? Uh, or the books they're in?"
"I am no 'sir.' I would not want to ever be a knight, for all the good that they might do. But I would say I know the books well." He looks a little surprised at Mikal's question, though the group is starting to realize his expression is generally inscrutable. "The books? Come forward, child, please."
Mikal looks even more nervous, but tiptoes silently forward. She's not trying to be difficult; she just hasn't ever dealt with the blind before. Her voice quavers a bit, much closer this time, "Y-yees?"
Jareth instinctively moves with Mikal, feeling that he wants to keep the already-diminished group close.
Mikal throws her companion a grateful glance, and huddles a bit closer to him.
Norris bobs his head, forgetting the old man can't see. "Guess we's hopin fer some help, sir. We's lookin fer the books what Rabbit was talkin bout, but we's got...well, readin's a bit o' a trick. Rabbit reads a bit, but books got lotsa words, annat. Might take a bit o time t' find what we need with onleh one set o, uh...eyes."
Jorge seems to look at Mikal, but it's clear it's just him being polite in looking at the person he's talking to. "Your voice sounds young. Whyever would you want to bother with such dusty and ancient lore when you've surely other concerns in your life?" He 'looks' at Norris. "Ah. You cannot read? Perhaps I might be of assistence, then. Or rather, Vassillio, if he would be so kind....?"
Vassillio inclines his head. "Not at all, Venerable Jorge."
Mikal tries to sound mature, "Wh-who, me?" and of course her voice cracks. She winces, then sighs and swiftly gabbles, "W-we want to find out w-what the rules are for the aethyrs of the One so we know w-what to do to get them to leave us alone!" She hesitates, then adds nervously, "Raven too. Leave her alone, I mean."
Jareth smiles and it's audible in his voice, "These are dangerous times for folk like us and it's best to be armed with knowledge. Especially for those of us that are a little lacking in the martial arts."
Mikal nods emphatically -- then remembers Jorge can't see and adds weakly, "Uh... yeah..."
Jorge tilts his head to the side. "Ah. Yes, I think I see. The One you say? Is that the name or title of a god?"
Mikal says, "Um... yes? I mean, um," she glances at the others for help, "What's the name Rowan told us again?"
Mikal adds helpfully, "The, um, the big bad guy?"
Jareth says, "The Architect."
Mikal says, "Yes! That's him." She looks back at the mortal, "You know of him?"
Jorge ahhhs, "I understand now. Yes... as good a name for him as any.... My dear, it is not hard to know of the Architect. So yes, I know of him. And you seek the rules that govern the aethyrs in his service?"
Mikal nods interestedly, then once again remembers. She gives a small squeak of embarrassment, "Yes! er, please?"
Norris mutters to himself. "The One. Always the One. Why can't we ever have some big cheese calling himself the Two. or the Five. Or the Eleven." he grumbles. And then trails off. Blinking, as he suddenly realizes that he was speaking clearly, without his usual drawl. "Th' hell?" Now he's normal again. Creeeepy.
Norris looks like a frozen deer when people start looking at him. "Nothin' t' see, gowan bout yer business." he mumbles.
Mikal gives her companion a slightly startled grin, then looks back at the man.
Jorge gives a quiet laugh. "Becuase if there were two, then there would have to be cooperation -- and thus no strife and thus no struggle -- or opposition -- and thus conflict, and each would consider themselves the 'one.'"
Norris opens his mouth...and then closes it. "Huh."
Mikal waits with bated breath for the answer to her request.
Jorge shifts a little in his seat. "Well, then. The answers you're looking for are to be found in here, but the languages they're in are many, sundry, and old. I will be pleased to help in what ways I can.
Mikal sighs, her shoulders slumping a bit. This may take longer than she'd realized.
Jareth keeps his pleasant smile on his face, but he also puts a hand on Mikal's shoulder. The grip is a little tighter than he'd normally use, but not enough to make her squeak.
Mikal frowns as she studies the old man silently. He seems... a little strange. Maybe a bit too eager to help? It's a little creepy. Still, maybe he's like the mill wife's crazy old grandfather -- you didn't want to get in reach of him when you were alone, but as long as there were other folks around he was fine. Da had always said the man was just lonely and sad... she blinks as her thoughts are interrupted, glancing up worriedly at Jareth.
Mikal whispers softly, "Um... all right. I think." She gives Jareth another inquiring glance.
Jareth smiles down at Mikal and it's not quite his normal easy-going smile. He doesn't even want to whisper around the keen-eared old man, "We mostly wanted to see the place before we started looking in earnest. Are you often here?"
Mikal nods silently to Jareth and keeps her mouth shut -- Jareth is better with strange people than she is, after all.
Norris doesn't feel particularly bothered by the old man. He figures he'd be glad to help, if only for the company it brings. And that's a small price to pay for his assistance. But he's looking at his friends, and getting odd vibes off them.
Jorge says, "Certainly. If you will be taking your time about your research, I can be found here in the Library most every day. I will be glad to help enlighten you in these books if that is what you so choose.
Mikal nods silently.
At Mikal's assent, he brightens. "Well, that's mighty kind o' yew. Thankya Jorge."
Jorge nods. "I should not be hard to find."
[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]