IC 3113 BC
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IC 3113 BC
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran Sea”It is a pity we did not meet at least a couple of decades ago. When there was still Mana to be pulled from I could have at least tried to aid you in finding your fellows and maybe their targets as well. If it is not too uncomfortable to ask, you are not human, or one of the other races of this world, are you? If not, that difference could be used to identify your kind and that could be used to find you and others like you. Of course, at this time and for thousands of years to come, that will not be possible. Should we not remain in contact during the Fifth World, you should seek me out in the Sixth. Perhaps we could find your brethren.”
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian grins. ”Perhaps that would have helped, yes. It does give me a greater hope for the Sixth World, though. As you have surmised, I am not human, although there does seem to be some fundamental similarities with the human race here. On my world I am of the race called Simpiri. Do you have the ability to see auras?”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaHe nods to her question. ”That sight is fading fast, with the loss of Mana this world is undergoing. But I do still have some ability left. What did you have in mind?”
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran Sea”I am currently masking my persona but will drop that mask for a few seconds if you would like to see what you can.”
She drops her Mask allowing him to scan her true aura, leaving it down for a few moments.
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaHe quickly uses his Mana Sight to drink in all she will reveal to him.
He finds it difficult to not be stirred by her display, and for a moment he wonders which he would find more stimulating, her revealing her aura to him, or her revealing her body to him.
He sucks in his breath as her Masking drops. The first thing he sees is a wonderful lust swirling through her aura, something he had wished he had seen before. There is more as he studies her. She is indeed the Mage she claimed to be, and unless she was perceiving him as well, she is Dual Aspected. He does sense something deeper. Something that speaks more to her core, that he can’t quite see. Once again, he curses his eyes, although in this case it isn’t the crystals that are failing him.
And before he could fully enjoy it, it was gone again. He couldn’t blame her for hiding that from the world. That didn’t lessen his disappointment at the loss of it. He focused on what he saw, yet didn’t realize while her Mask was down. He was so focused on her lust, he didn’t take much stock of what else was there. As if he couldn’t see it with his crystal eyes, she is quite healthy. And the stillness of her aura indicated she was calm, and likely of a sound mind as well.
That is when he realizes what has caught his attention all this time. It wasn’t just her body, which was very fine. She has a mind and a spirit to match. Those things in such combination are a rare find.
”That… That was incredible and beautiful to behold. I would very much like to see that more in the future, if you are willing.” He blinks away the image his mind keeps showing him. ”I would need to look again when there is more Mana in the world. There was something I missed. Even without that, though, I believe the differences you have can be used to distinguish your kind from the others of this world. There is still a great amount of area to cover, but I think I can assist you in your search.”
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian replaces her Mask after a few seconds, knowing that it is unlikely that Zaor could get a full read in that time, but not really willing to leave it down longer. She laughs gently and puts a hand on his arm. ”Then you will need to consider this a teaser, I guess, as I have been told that the Fifth Age could last several millennia and we are not likely to see a resurgence in magic until near the end of the age. All of my knid are mages, some more skilled than others and in different areas of magic. One of my enemies is a portal builder and another can summon demons from the abyss. My caste brothers are both specialists in combat magics. All of us are skilled in physical attacks as well, although I believe that I am better than the others in that area. I will not give up my search during the next age and I hope to find either my brethren or the traitors.”
”But what of you? Are you going to sleep with your Mistress or wander?”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaHer touch was almost intoxicating to him, and he was left wondering if that is something in her biology causing that, or just the effect she has on him. Her words suggest that she is willing to show him more of her aura, and he finds he wishes the Fifth World to be over tomorrow.
When his head clears from her effect on it, he finds it hard to believe that there are any out there that could come close to being as good as her at anything. Before he could comment on that, she has asked an unexpected question.
”Hmm.” He shifts a bit as he tries to focus on the answer. ”That isn’t clear to me yet. Part of the answer to that will be determined by the outcome of this obligation, here. The rest depends on just what the effect of the lack of Mana will have on me. There is still a possibility I will be sightless and unable to walk until the Sixth World arrives.”
“Now, what in the hell possessed me to say that?” He wonders as the words just fell out of his mouth.
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian gives Zaor a long look. ”Is your body that powered by magic that it fails as the magic dies? If so, it would seem that whoever provided you with your abilities was a bit short-sighted. It is almost as if you are expected to sleep away the Fifth Age. Perhaps I can assist you in seeing and walking should that need arise, at least until such time as we can find a more permanent solution. Perhaps one of our other companions in this endeavor will have an idea.”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaThe thought that Rhiva had given him his spine and eyes in an effort to bind him to her more had crossed his mind already. After all, she was dangling spending the Fifth World in The Court as reward for securing Leonarus’ artifacts for her.
Sian’s offer to spend the Fifth World with him, at least for a time, pulls him away from those darker thoughts.
”My body is not powered by Mana. My eyes, and spine, do draw on that power however. No one is quite sure how they will react without any Mana in the world. Their functionality has decreased with the waning Mana, and it isn’t outside of possibility that they will cease to function all together.”
It took him more effort than it should to resist telling Sian about Rhiva right now. That is something he is going to have to be mindful of in the future. ”When I was gifted with them, some millennia ago, they were a needed blessing. While it is possible that my Mistress had grand plans that included me sleeping the Fifth World away with her, I do not think that was on her mind at the time.”
He lets that thought hang in the air for a few minutes before continuing. ”Would it be wrong of me to hope that we do not have any other companions?” He smiles to Sian desiring to bring the conversation around to something more pleasant than having to be tended to for millennia.
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian smiles. ”Your wish may yet come to pass, Zaor. No others have come to the villa yet and the earthquake might delay others longer than Leonarus can wait. But for now, we must wait longer as we do not know what artifacts he needs help with and I have no desire to force that information from him. I do need to stoke the fire again, so do you need me to warm your cup?”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran Sea”Tell you what, Sian. You tend to the tea, and I will tend to the fire. Just tell me where you draw the wood from, so I do not pick the wrong things to burn.
He places his cup behind him as he rises into a stoop, and waits for her instructions.
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian laughs as she places a hand on Zaor’s shoulder to assist her to stand. She motions about the room at the various piles of debris. ”Take your pick. If it is in a pile and broken, burn it.” She bends over to pick up his cup, again using his shoulder as a prop, standing to place it on the table as she moves to get the teakettle from the fire. ”Hmmmm. I need to go get some more tea leaves from the kitchen. Be right back.”
She leaves moving the wood to Zaor and walks to the kitchen to get the tea for him. The small sips she has had in order to remain polite have not agreed with her and she can feel a slight bout of nausea coming on. She is thankful that she had raised her Mask again in time for him to not see her discomfort. Her eyes water and go a bit blank as she surrenders to the nausea, knowing from experience that it will pass quicker if she does not try to resist.
When the nausea has passed, Sian dabs at her lips with a damp cloth before returning to the living room. Smiling, she pours fresh hot water over the leaves and presents the cup to her companion. ”Sorry, I had to find a second jar of leaves. They smell a bit different so must be another blend. I hope it meets with your approval.”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian returns to find him poking at the fire after he has added more wood to it. He turns when he realizes she is here, and pushes the cushion that was closer to the fire next to the one she was using, and then he sits on the newer cushion.
He laughs as he takes the cup from her. ”If it comes from you, it can’t be bad.” He smiles to her once again. She has caused him to smile more in this past hour than he has in months. ”To be honest, I am not very fond of tea, but I do not find it unpleasant. And the company is more important to me anyway.”
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian laughs back. ”It is not my tea, Zaor, it belongs to Master Leonarus. I am just bringing it to you.”
She sits on the cushion, noting that the other was now a bit closer. She listens to him and laughs again. ”Why are you drinking it if you do not like it? I am not going anywhere just yet, so you do not need that excuse to keep me about.”
She lets a few moments of silence go by before talking again. ”I hope that you do not mind my asking, but what is it that you do for your Mistress? I mean it is obvious that you are here to get an artifact or two from Master Leonarus, but what else do you do?”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaHe sighs comfortably when Sian announces she isn’t leaving, even though he knows full well that her orders to collect the artifact or artifacts is what is really holding her here. She at least allows him to dream a bit.
Then, as has been her pattern so far, just when she lets him think that things might move to more pleasurable topics, she follows up with a more personal question. “Does she think she needs to entice me to answer her? Then again, I have done nothing to change her mind on that regard…” His thoughts trouble him for a moment, before he pushes them away to deal with another time. Sian is asking for his attention now.
”My tasks vary. They mostly involve combat and causing harm to others that do not please my Mistress. Occasionally I will be given a task that will allow me more pleasurable pursuits. And then there is always the time between tasks to enjoy the company of others.”
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian gives Zaor a calculating look. ”You must be very skilled in violence to still be alive. My tasks are usually more prosaic. My Master is a collector of………..things. Tomes, artifacts both mundane and awakened, and general information. He wants them and I find them to bring them back to him. Most of the time this involves a lot of research to locate where something was buried, then an expedition to dig it up. I enjoy the work as it allows me to travel a great deal. Travelling lets me look for the traitors. All in all, it is a good symbiotic relationship.”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaHe nods at her description of her duties. ”We each have the tasks and talents we are best at. And in your case, yours match well with your goals of finding your prey. My talents are much more violent, as you guessed. However, I have branched out a bit. Unfortunately, the waning Mana will hinder some of that as well. At least I can still follow through on research into how the metahuman body works.”
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian pauses a bit. ”And what sort of conclusions have you come up with? How does the body work? Beyond different like and dislikes, or needs in some cases, don’t we all sort of act the same? I mean, once you get past the physical differences?”
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Reaver
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaThere she goes again making him smile. ”Those are the sorts of insights that I look for. There are many similarities, even with the Obsidimen. Several theories exist on what make up the soul, or spirit, of an individual. Where the ability to shape Mana lies, that sort of thing. There is a lot of truth to the theory that a person’s blood holds their power, but there is more to it than that. I am starting to think that it is a combination of many things, sort of like a web. And that all need to be present in some measure to make a person… Well. A person, rather than a walking husk.”
He pauses a moment and thinks he might turn the tables on her a bit. ”What are your thoughts on existence, and power, and all of that? What makes life worth living for most, and then for you in particular”
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Sian
Morning, August 10, 3113 BC; Leonarus’ Residence, Lower Quarter, The Great Island of Thera, Theran SeaSian nods her head. ”That is a lot of philosophy. Are you sure you are a violent man? It sounds like you are more into finding out what makes people work than in killing them. For me? I believe in honor, Zaor. Honor is what drives me forward every day. I have sworn myself to my Master and my life is his. I believe that the essence of a person, a soul, perhaps, is tied to his blood in some fashion, but that is only for as long as there is a body. I am not sure what happens after death, but am positive that I will find out some day. Whatever it is, I hope that my honor in life gives me some sort of peace in death.”
”I also feel that we are partially determined by our personal relationships. Or, rather, that these relationships help develop us. Casual sex has its place in this development, as does something more meaningful. Each in its own way helps define how we look at others and how we are seen by others. SImply talking, as we are now, is also part of the process as it allows us to communicate needs, desires, and conceptual ideas that would otherwise remain locked up inside and perhaps never be developed.”
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