Tangled Fates

[Knot]

Knot waited under an arch in the common ground of the Circle of Creation.

The stars are out.

His eyes are on the door to the Mysterium's wing.

He twirls a ordinary BIC Crystal in one hand.

He hates what he thinks that says about him.

He's waiting for Someone.

The scratches on his face and hands itch, under their bandages.

At least it's cooling off.

[Campanella]

Campanella arrives after what seems like a long time. Of course, it isn't and the Acanthus most likely knows this; knows how time is experienced and the peculiar effects that can have. Campanella is not slow about getting to the Circle, but he is not fast, either - mindful as he is about the fine wine sitting in his gut and not wanting to get a traffic ticket (and possibly the sort of cop who likes asking questions...)

When the Moros arrives his hair is mussed and his shirt collar hangs open. Otherwise, it looks like he has come from his office.

"Knot? You wished to see me?"

He emerges from the shadow and lets his eyes drift over to the Athenaeum.

As usual, Campanella does not place spells on his person when he goes out to the Sanctuary. Respect and complacency run side by side.

[Knot]

Knot doesn't jump, but he flips his pen up and tucks it behind one ear before bowing his head respectfully. "I apologize for calling you so late. You wouldn't know any spells to determine if someone is lying, or intending to lie, would you?"

They seemed like the kind of spells a Dadouchos might know, and there wasn't any harm in asking.

If he did, this would be much simpler.

[Campanella]

The tilt of Campanella's head suggested he was considering his options. His eyes remained on Knot.

"Not exactly. Ann an Initiate of the Mind Arcanum... my capabilities in that area are somewhat limited. I doubt I can create a scan to reveal specific lies but I suppose one might study a subjects auric field for any sudden changes that could... indicate... a lie or an attempt to deceive on some level. I could not do it alone, however. Someone else would need to be asking the questions. And possibly a lot of them to work out some sort of baseline. Perhaps."

He had started to stroke his chin.

The Daduchos' eyes remained fixed on the other mystagogue. Words remained unsaid. They were not entirely needed at this point.

[Knot]

"Fuck," Knot swears, then waves a hand. "Sorry. I had hoped you'd of had something you could cast to let you know if I was being truthful." It would have made him feel better, considering he differences in rank between himself an Epitaph. And the fact that this was his first meeting with Campanella outside of the first day he had been in the city. He had a means that would let him determine if someone was lying, but he also knew any a dozen ways to defeat it, or skew it if he chose to, making it practically useless for a third party's benefit unless they could scrutinize the spell beforehand.

He shakes his head, he'd just have to trust the fact that he was doing this for the right reason would show through. "I just had a meeting with Epitaph," He begins, aware of the fact that they were in a somewhat public space, "where she shared a theory about the nature of the Oracles, the Watchtowers and Awakening that seems..." Heretical? He didn't want to say that out loud. "... Incompatible with my experiences and what others have taught me in the past. When I expressed this, Epitaph became defensive and tried to convince me that it was simply a test that I had passed, but I have my doubts and when I read the Omens they suggested that the truth was a great deal more murky than it being a simple test. I think she's lost her path, but I also know that I'm not qualified to determine that, or do anything about it if my fears are well founded."

He gestures towards Camanella. "So I called you when I was out of earshot."

[Campanella]

Puzzlement continues, writ into the Moros' posture as he reacts to Knot's words.

"Well. If it came to that, auric vision could also be applied you..." Campanella began.

Then he paused.

"Epitaph?"

The Dadouchos' posture shifted again - gaining height even as he his shoulders slumped in something close to defeat or resignation.

"What exactly did she say?"

[Knot]

Knot opens his mouth, then closes it and looks around furtively.

The Guardian wing was right there.

He steps closer to the man, and leans into Campanella's space, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "She said she thinks the Oracles are either Exarchs, or working for them, and that the Watchtowers are traps, lures to keep the realms from drifting too far apart."

[Campanella]

Campanella holds still. He notes Knot's furtive movements and the Moros, too, eyes the Guardian's wing.

"Walk with me."

Campanella walks in silence - back into the cloisters and a fair way around. His pacing is slow and deliberate. As they near the chapter house Athanaeum, he speaks quietly.

"Theoricus Epitaph has communicated similar thoughts to me as well. They soured a rather interesting conversation, as I recall. At the time I was not certain if she was expounding her personal belief system or positioning herself as some kind of devil's advocate. Her thoughts did not become her and so I left. Perhaps that was not the right course of action."

He stopped.

"Do you believe Theoricus Epitaph is in error? Simple error..." He added, hoping he was being upbeat. "...Or do you think it is much more sinister than that?" He tactfully left it at that. Error could mean so many things - confusion; misunderstanding; heresy; Abyssal corruption; Seer lies.

[Knot]

Knot can't help it, he rolls his eyes. Devil's Advocate. He matches his voice to Campanella's as he follows him. "All respect, sir? If I thought it was a simple mistake, I wouldn't have called you this late. I'm not going to say that I'm never going to be wrong, but I am an Acanthus. The fact that she suggests we worship the Oracles would concern me. Combined with the deeper meanings she suggests they embody?" He shakes his head. "As I said, she tried to claim it was a test when I disagreed with her theory. This isn't the first time someone's used that tactic on me. I don't see why she would have reacted the way she did if that was true."

He makes a gesture with a hand. "Before we go in, do you mind if I cast?"

[Campanella]

Campanella raised an eyebrow.

"She still here?"

A coy smile flared briefly, struggled, then his lips fell back into a serious line. He gestured toward the door.

"Of course. Please."