(1902) Shadow Priest in the Corner

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap looks at Adam Exlibrist for a long moment, going perfectly still as if parsing the man's words or pondering his intent with them.

"Huh." Dirt Nap says. "Well, I think you really should call me, 'Mister Carter' then, sir." he says slowly. "Though I never did claim it was my 'True Name'. In fact, it's not True at all."

Turning to Elettra Vitale as she responds, Dirt Nap smiles, "Thank you, Ma'am, Priscus Vitale. I really appreciate that." he says.

He pauses and then says, "You know that's really interesting, that you ask. I believe you're the first person to ask me that since I got here." he says. "And it kind of connects, in a way to what I hoped to ask you about. But anyway, the story goes, I was working a ranch a while ago, and some of the people working with me noticed how I always preferred to sleep outside, and commented on it. They nicknamed me, 'Dirt Nap', cause I was sleeping in the dirt, but also meaning to poke fun at me, cause that's what they called it when they'd shoot coyotes, that the dead ones they shot were 'taking a dirt nap'."

Dirt Nap smiles again, "They had no idea of course, that in my Clan, we have a way of sleeping that is actually much safer for our kind, much more secure than sleeping indoors. But also they didn't know that I am of a kind, where our 'sleep' is a bit closer to death than most, too."

He pauses then says, "So I liked the name, and took to it, thinking it was the most 'Truthful' thing I'd been called since the man I was had passed from this earth."

Dirt Nap is still for a long moment. "I hope you don't mind, if I go ahead and let you know what I had in mind to ask you." he says, "Honestly, I didn't know it would be such a pleasure to talk with you, just for it's own sake. The thing is, as I mentioned, there are some things each Clan can do, teaches how to do, that it could be a touchy thing for someone outside a Clan to ask about, wanting to learn. I do want to learn something, and so I asked my Priscus, Priscus Wood for her advice both about how I could approach it, and what I might teach in return, if it came to that. She spoke highly of you, Priscus Vitale, and said you would be someone it might be good to talk to about it."

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap nods to Adam Exlibrist, "If Truth is what you're after, it's the most True name I got nowadays." he says.

Dirt Nap goes still and listens intently to Elettra Vitale's words. "Thank you very much." he says, receiving her card from her hand. "I apologize for my impatience and lack of proper manners, Ma'am, Priscus Vitale." he says. "I am not much used to formal ways, nor the ways of getting learning from across different groups." he says. "I appreciate all kinds of learning, and I can see you know a lot more about these things than I do."

Turning to Adam Exlibrist, he says, "I hope I didn't offend you, too much."

Dirt Nap smiles when Atticus arrives and greets him warmly. "Glad to see you again, Deputy James." he says, sounding sincere.

[Ruach]

wrong account, sorry.

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap nods, "Well." he says, to Adam Exlibrist.

To Elettra Vitale, he says, "Priscus Wood gave me very good advice, as usual." he nods, "I think I should leave you now, unless there's anything else you want to say, Ma'am, Priscus Vitale." he says. "Otherwise, I guess I should leave you to your business, and I will be sure to call you and find out when is a time to your liking to speak privately." he says. "Thank you again for your time and patience."

Dirt Nap will pause in case anyone has anything further to say to him or ask him, waiting long enough not to be rude. Otherwise he leaves the group.