The cages we see

[Chambers]

A gentle smile confirms both are on the same page.

Well a little tale of my own is fair. ''It is said that should the six resident ravens of the tower ever depart crown and country both shall fall.'' Well more of a much contested prophecy then a story truth be told. ''In reference to England and the royal family of course.'' But it gets a little more interesting. ''A saying that is still given substantial credence. Enough that they clip the wings of the ravens so they can't fly away and have several known raven breeding programmes at centres across the country to swiftly replace any that die of illness or age.'' Asking for trouble if it is bound up in fate. ''I've always thought that rather goes against the spirt of the whole idea myself.'' The bloody tower must be a site to see through the grim sight. The thought taking his attention for a moment.

He allows the world to pass him by as he listen to the story careful holding each detail for analysis, symbolism, signs that point to its truth. Only maybe its lack of animal lore that hold him back but he is having a bit of trouble. ''That seems more to reflect the truth of human habits, placed in animal guise to distance us from our own failings then it does inform of any actual knowledge regarding the creatures themselves.'' A place where animals talk ... could be the shadow I guess? that fit much better. ''Or perhaps I am looking at it the wrong way.'' Very possible. ''None the less thank you for sharing.'' ... Unless... wait a moment. He gives the man a quizzical look. ''Don't believe what others tell you hm?'' Was the whole thing some kind of jest or intentional misdirection?

[Salem]

Salem listens to the tale, turning slightly to show his interest. "Hmmm.. The fact that they keep replacing them definitely goes against the spirit of it."

He gives a nod at the Moros. "It largely anthropomorphizes the animals, applying human-like characteristics to them, I agree on that. It does try to reference the fact that otters have been known to show a keenness of mind and playfulness to them. I also never said it was a good story or fable. It's just the only one I could remember that involved an otter." he says with a small laugh. "I don't remember a lot of those old fables and myths." As he sees Chambers work that last part over, he lifts his hands up and chuckles, "That's just how the story ends. How you want to interpret it..." he says, trailing off with a shrug. "I don't know if there's any other meaning behind it other than a bit of amusement, a distraction, but there could be."

[Chambers]

A small chuckle. ''And yet neither crown or country has fallen.'' So either they are playing fate at its own game or. ''So it would seem the original six did not need to survive? or maybe might be buried on the site?'' That was speculation but would definitely qualify as not having left. I wonder if the original six left ghosts? Animals don't do they? ''That or it's a lot of hogwash of course.'' Unlikely, very unlikely something in it had a grain of truth wrapped in lies, all things do. Just what?

Still pulled between thought and conversation on the fable. ''I never said it was bad I just said I don't understand it.'' Which is the point of fables, to hide the true meaning behind symbolism and red herrings. To be hard to understand. ''Oh come now don't give me that.'' The tone suggests good humour. ''Subjectivism is the death of reason, the bane of effort.'' The excuse of the those who don't are to try and work out.

[Salem]

Salem gives a small smile at that, nodding his head in admission. "Quite so. Yet," he says with a chuckle. "It's quite possible that they didn't need to survive, just couldn't leave the area. There is strength in a place and belief in that place," he says, curling his arms over his chest in thought. "Perhaps their spirits still inhabit it, keep crown and country still afloat?" he offers.

He nods and smiles at the man, turning back towards the otters again for a moment. "You'll have to forgive me. I wasn't really expecting my trip to the zoo to turn into a philosophical discussion about fables and their meanings," he says, looking back at Chambers. "Not that I mind it. It's just not my general area of expertise."

[Chambers]

A tilt of the head indicates he has considered the possibility. ''If you believe in those sorts of things of course.'' He doesn't feel the need to admit he does, both men are mages and know spirts and ghosts are real. And the public don't need to hear it said either. ''It was Charles the second that first started the practice I can't help but be morbidly curious now Charles the third is on the throne and known for his outspoken views on the environment and animal welfare if such practices will continue.'' That would be the twist of fate would it not. One Charles tried to hold it fast another undoes it all. Still speculation thus far.

A slight chuckle. ''No the apology is mine I do tend to get Philosophical.'' It was an area of expertise. ''Not many would indulge me even this long, no one has time for the old stories anymore.'' Bar the one or two that break into popular culture. ''Or the effort to try and understand them beyond their own immediate bias and experiences.'' He turns and gives a nod in thanks. ''I do appreciate you taking the time.'' Attention back to the animals. ''So what did bring you here today?''

[Salem]

He nods in agreement. "Of course. If you believe in those sorts of things.." he says, taking a small glance around him for a moment, looking to see if anyone is listening to their conversation. With his arms curled over his chest, the motions of his right hand aren't as noticeable as he quickly works a subtle spell.

Omnivision (2 successes)

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-05-17 02:03:06	Salem rolls 5 to Gnosis + Space (10 Again)	3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 7	2 successes

With his vision spreading around him, taking in the details of those around him, he seems to relax a bit more. "It's something to maybe look into, yeah. He's very pro-nature from what I remember hearing about him. Hopefully he doesn't mess things up," he says with a small laugh.

A smile, "Philosophy is fine and all, I was just a bit surprised is all." He nods his agreement. "Most of this generation are all about the new and the future but there's still a lot to learn from the past. We have to take what we already know and build upon that. That's how we succeed and advance into the future." That's funny, coming from him. He looks barely old enough to drink legally. He nods. "Look at the animals mostly. I'm still settling into my new place and getting things all in place. I needed to take a breather from that and from work and just relax, maybe let my brain think about something else and it'll help get me back on track." A pause, "What about you? What brought you here today?"

[Chambers]

The chill down his spine, the unmistakable sense of the supernatural at work causes his to turn and raise a questioning eyebrow to the newer mage. Which might revel he does not have sight up as he seeks confirmation of the source. If we are being listened to that would be a sure fire way to make us stand out. But sometimes we have to take the risk. If it was him I wonder what he did. ''But that would require someone insanely rich, out of touch and terribly bias to not mess up.'' In short I think he'll do as much good as chocolate teapot in the end, but I've been wrong before.

''Interesting ideology.'' And not unexpected. ''Yet I posit to you this. Do we always need to advance or innovate? What if the lesson from the past is simply the best way. Would moving forward in that case not be worse then moving back?'' Not every innovation is a good one. ''The west is only discovering or rediscovering the benefits of many of the Dharmic religions for example, and their traditions that date back a very long way.'' Mindfulness, balance and the middle way all come to mind as examples.

A small chuckle escapes the Moros. ''I can empathise with that. I've done my fair share of traveling and the unpacking never seemed to get any easier.'' Nodding slightly, he had rather enjoyed a few of those places. ''Taking a break is important, getting to the know the place your hang your hat more so.'' Which lead him nicely into his justification. ''The case for me. I'm seeing what can been seen, getting to know the area, seeing the sights, the people.'' How else would I know to look for changes without a baseline. ''And in truth I had hoped to run into someone here but it seems unlikely now she will be making an appearance.'' He had put the notice up as he said he would but the Sharman must have been busy.

[Salem]

He gives the barest of nods to that questioning eyebrow, his voice a barely above a whisper to the Moros's ears, "Apologies. Just keeping an eye out around us to make sure no one's coming too close to listen in. A bit of paranoia keeps you warm." A wry if slightly cynical smile crosses his lips.

He nods in agreement, "It likely would. Good thing we don't know anybody like that."

He smiles at the comment and the questions a thought. "Need to? That's a hard question to answer. It's a double-edged sword. The past is, well the past, and a good chunk of it is not good. It's along a similar thought pattern that you can you have a good person but it's very hard to find good people. The more you have of something, the worse the overall quality is. There are things that could and probably should be relearned from the past and brought into the future, but the vast majority of people aren't going to want to adapt. Believe me, I've seen it first hand," he says, a suddenly sour expression on his features. "Advancement and innovation are not something you want to, or truthfully, can stop. You have to either learn to adapt with it or adapt it to your needs, or both. Otherwise, you're just as likely to get crushed by the cogs that you're trying to throw a shoe into."

A smile at the chuckle and he nods, "I haven't done a lot of travelling, yet, but I hope to change that in the future. With the path of life that I'm on, it's likely to happen," he says with a smirk. He nods, "Exactly. A bit of fresh air never hurt anybody and it tends to get the creative juices flowing a bit easier." It's his turn to perk an eyebrow. "Ah. Okay.. Someone I might know? If she shows up, I could leave you two alone, if you want."