A first visit, a first report

[Skye]

Taking a couple of seconds before answering.
”I do believe I might have heard of the storage container before, but I might be mixing things up.” It sounded familiar though. ”The table does sound quite intriguing though, did you know from the start what you wanted it to become or did you let it tell you what it wanted to be remade into? Cannot say that I work much with those kinds of repurposing, my repurposed ones tends to be different.”

Just looking upon her guest, face completely neutral, not really sure how to react.
”Color me surprised, I believed you would have me vastly beat in that department.” Especially as both of them just kept the tea ready for Phoenyx.

Raising her left hand to approximate height of her own face, eyes closing as she softly shakes her head.
”I appreciate the offer, but do not extend it unless you mean it. My attempts thus far to get to know one another has all been for naught, so if you just aren´t interested in that so are there no hard feelings, if you do meant it though so would I quite like that. Otherwise I will simply keep our interactions in mostly official capacity like I have been as of late, be it covert messages or making reports.”

Softly chuckling.
”I am just glad you enjoyed them, do let me know how you liked the Romanian one please, it was one I always wanted to try, but never got the chance to.” Feeling her eyes get a bit misty for a moment, quickly blinking and shaking her head to make it dry up but not really caring if it was seen or not. ”Who knows, you might accidentally create a new top of the line one instead.”

Leaning back with a light shrug.
”I agree, all we can really do is speculate which is pointless in a world where our imagination is truly our single limitation. However I do admit that I know nothing concrete of their golden Consilium, neither in present times nor in the past, so how they operate are fully beyond me.” Then again she was a nomadic one, seldom staying long enough to get involved. ”A cowards way indeed, but at least each path here has the information.”

Having to struggle to keep herself in check, and not let her tone change to much as it gets a bit softer.
”It is a good feat, however Phoenyx is the one person here that I would classify as the easiest to work with under such circumstances. As a group so are we all individuals, whilst I cannot speak for if any order other than my own has some built up strategies so do we lack any cabals that works together, and as a Consilium so are we highly individualistic which if it comes to a fight will hinder our effectiveness.” And I do see some issues from to many corners. ”Agreed, we cannot just sit on this for ages and hope to get a chance to make it known, our meetings are far to slow as it stands now, and focuses on things in manners it should not.” Letting out a sigh. ”We do have an agenda though, with a first comes first serve and roll over method, which as this situation proves is a highly inefficient method.”

Giving a genuine look of a surprise.
”You don´t? Heh, and here I felt like an outlier during my last stay for grasping just some basics about them. I do will discuss matters with Phoenyx there soon though.”

Taking a sip water.
”On another note, I have a question that has been burning in me since I heard Corn´s confession. Feel free to not answer if you do not want to of course, but was it you whom he asked to break the Lex? Given the timeframe, our member count, along with whom would be likely to both have been here and have the prowess of the Life arcanum so are you unfortunately the most likely one.” Not the only one, but a member of our path is the most likely, and they do share an order.

[Skye]

Taking a couple of seconds before answering.
”I do believe I might have heard of the storage container before, but I might be mixing things up.” It sounded familiar though. ”The table does sound quite intriguing though, did you know from the start what you wanted it to become or did you let it tell you what it wanted to be remade into? Cannot say that I work much with those kinds of repurposing, my repurposed ones tends to be different.”

Just looking upon her guest, face completely neutral, not really sure how to react.
”Color me surprised, I believed you would have me vastly beat in that department.” Especially as both of them just kept the tea ready for Phoenyx.

Raising her left hand to approximate height of her own face, eyes closing as she softly shakes her head.
”I appreciate the offer, but do not extend it unless you mean it. My attempts thus far to get to know one another has all been for naught, so if you just aren´t interested in that so are there no hard feelings, if you do meant it though so would I quite like that. Otherwise I will simply keep our interactions in mostly official capacity like I have been as of late, be it covert messages or making reports.”

Softly chuckling.
”I am just glad you enjoyed them, do let me know how you liked the Romanian one please, it was one I always wanted to try, but never got the chance to.” Feeling her eyes get a bit misty for a moment, quickly blinking and shaking her head to make it dry up but not really caring if it was seen or not. ”Who knows, you might accidentally create a new top of the line one instead.”

Leaning back with a light shrug.
”I agree, all we can really do is speculate which is pointless in a world where our imagination is truly our single limitation. However I do admit that I know nothing concrete of their golden Consilium, neither in present times nor in the past, so how they operate are fully beyond me.” Then again she was a nomadic one, seldom staying long enough to get involved. ”A cowards way indeed, but at least each path here has the information.”

Having to struggle to keep herself in check, and not let her tone change to much as it gets a bit softer.
”It is a good feat, however Phoenyx is the one person here that I would classify as the easiest to work with under such circumstances. As a group so are we all individuals, whilst I cannot speak for if any order other than my own has some built up strategies so do we lack any cabals that works together, and as a Consilium so are we highly individualistic which if it comes to a fight will hinder our effectiveness.” And I do see some issues from to many corners. ”Agreed, we cannot just sit on this for ages and hope to get a chance to make it known, our meetings are far to slow as it stands now, and focuses on things in manners it should not.” Letting out a sigh. ”We do have an agenda though, with a first comes first serve and roll over method, which as this situation proves is a highly inefficient method.”

Giving a genuine look of a surprise.
”You don´t? Heh, and here I felt like an outlier during my last stay for grasping just some basics about them. I do will discuss matters with Phoenyx there soon though.”

Taking a sip water.
”On another note, I have a question that has been burning in me since I heard Corn´s confession. Feel free to not answer if you do not want to of course, but was it you whom he asked to break the Lex? Given the timeframe, our member count, along with whom would be likely to both have been here and have the prowess of the Life arcanum so are you unfortunately the most likely one.” Not the only one, but a member of our path is the most likely, and they do share an order.

[Aurora]

“I didn’t need a door, so I need to make it into something else, and a coffee table seemed like a reasonable item. Yeah, the container was seen online and I was curious if I could do it from a picture, but it is a great way to repurpose an old, unused barrel.” Which to her was a good thing.

“I tend to be a private person, years and experience have made me who I am in that department. But I’ve come to realize over the years that it’s ok to open up, though it won’t be an easy task for me personally. I am interested, otherwise I wouldn’t have said anything or offered. I am truly curious about you and what makes you, well, you. You’ve proven to be an enigma of sorts and it’s made me curious. But like I said, I’m not the easiest person to open up, and I’ve lived myself keeping myself to myself.” So it was her way of saying she would like to try. If Skye was ok with that, cool, if not, cool as well.

A curious look, not wanting to get into an emotional thing. Because those were uncomfortable and not her thing. “I know beer isn’t your thing, but I would be willing to set it aside.” There was a story there, clearly. A story with emotions and feelings.

“Everyone has something they’ll be able to bring to the table if this comes to a battle. Some of us better suited to fight, and some might be better suited to hang back and provide support. I don’t want it to come to a battle, I would rather see the Consilium come together and figure a way to deal with it.” Then a shake of her head, “This matter would take top priority with the agenda, this threatens the Consilium as a whole and should be addressed as soon as possible. Another Consilium trying to strong arm us into bowing to them is more important I would hope then whatever else is going on.” Because she was not bowing to another Consilium.

“I have some circumstances that have affected my memory. So, if I did know anything about them, I don’t anymore. But Winter would be my go-to for knowledge on them.”

Sighing, “I don’t know if knowing who he went to would help anything, what does the knowledge get you? I don’t blame you for wanting to know, I’m just curious.” The Shaman had never gone around smearing Corns name after that talk years ago. It had been a convo between the two of them and had remained that way until recently.

[Skye]

”I like that, it’s a shame when people just discard perfectly good wood without giving them a second chance.” And such a waste. ”Have you ever tried taking numerous discarded items and making them into one single one?”

Wait what did she say, has my mask faltered or perhaps enhanced to such a degree that I am an enigma?
”Enigma? In what manner do you find me to be an enigma?” Seeking eye contact with her guest before carrying on. ”I believe you might have misunderstood my intentions, I have never cared about you opening up to some greater extent, I do not need to know your past or anything about you that you do not wish to share. If you do share something when you choose to do so then I will gladly listen of course, but I never need more than what you are willing to share.” She really didn´t. ”Same with me wanting to see your performance skills, its something I can understand and hence possibly something to bond over. A movie or a walk is plenty as well.” Not like I let anyone get more than a semblance of a lot either.

Shaking her head.
”I appreciate the sentiment but there is no need, it is for you, and I will likely never drink alcohol again even if I live for another century.”

”Everyone does, each single one of us does, but proper teamwork and knowing how to work as a team can vastly enhance a groups potentials. Some are easy to work with, know how to fill their roles, others are more wild cards who believes in adding individual strength to create a force of several strong individuals.” Sighing. ”I do agree though, battle should always be a last resort.” Letting out a brief laughter. ”Ohh yes, thank you, I am getting so sick of these petty meetings where all meetings for half a year has revolved around Corn now and nothing really happens. Which reminds me I never did share the names they gave us did I?”

”I am sorry to hear that, but appreciate you sharing it with me, rest assured it will never be willingly spoken of from my lips.”

Giving up any pretense to act professional, calm or like her usual self as a bit of anger shines in her eyes.
”Cause if it was you, or anyone of ours so am I not certain I can ever forgive him. The question yes, the bribe attempts is an utter disrespect to every single one of us who has been to the primal wild.”

[Aurora]

Shrugging, “I think people just don’t want to put the work into it, or the money. Because if you lack the knowledge of how to do it, it can be expensive hiring someone who does. I just happen to not sleep a whole hell of a lot and have the time to research things.” Which was how she had some of the knowledge. Not all of it, but enough to not royally fuck it up. “Uh, no. For one, I don’t have the room. And two, I prefer to just focus on a few items to make them into functional items again. Though I do have a few small boxes of discarded hinges, knobs and such that I can mix and match on other pieces.” Cause sometimes the hardware doesn’t match the new piece.

The eye contact was matched, “I watch people, it’s what I do and it’s how I’ve made a living. You play a sweet, sometimes naïve woman, but there is a fierceness and fire in you that you’ve been trying to keep to yourself. You’re an Arrow, and understand that actions have consequences, yet have a soft spot for some people. It’s just puzzling to me, something I don’t understand personally.” Just being honest. “I know I’m a difficult person to be friends with, to get close with, and it’s something I want to work on. I’m just not sure how to work on it. Everything I have offered to share with you, a performance, a talk about our pasts, have all been honest offers. Maybe we can start with a walk or something? But I would like to try.” After all, wasn’t that how you learned, trying?

The nod was one of understanding, “I understand, I will drink it then and do my best to describe it to you then. Hey, I know they make nonalcoholic ones, maybe I can make one.”

A deep nod, “You and me both, there are other matters we need to address other then him. It’s past time that we focus on something else, like how to bring the Consilium together to spear head this problem.” Even if it meant just the Councilors gathering to discuss it. “Oh, they have?” because why not?

“Thank you for that. There will come a time when I’ll be ready to fully talk about it, why it’s that way, but it’s, well, it’s just, I’m not there yet.” And she didn’t know why.

A pause as she took a sip of her tea, “I’m not trying to make excuses for what he did, but we can’t imagine what he was going through at the time. Emotionally or mentally. Not everyone has the Wisdom to see past their own grief, anger and other emotions. We don’t have that right to play god, and to know he would have if he had the power pisses me off. And to try and ask another to play that role?” a shake of her head, “I just don’t know.” Her voice soft.

[Skye]

”And that is how you invite stagnation, not knowing or lacking the skill means you have a chance to grow. Fail, and what does it matter if you would just discard the material anyway?” Giving her a slightly worried look. ”Are you ok? Is something keeping you from seeking slumber?” Softly chuckling to herself. ”Not that I am one to speak on the matter though.” Offering a light nod. ”I once used a table, wooden sculptures, a shield, and some loose material to make a throne, it was quite enjoyable.”

Grinning as their eyes are interlocked.
”I am impressed, you are the first one to call me out on it, I do wonder if that means that perhaps you know me the best out of everyone in this city.” Raising her left hand with a little wave of her fingers. ”I do not believe I hid the fierceness though, I did literally profess I would utilize my claws should they be needed more than once.” Lowering her hand once more. ”You are right on the soft spots though, so allow me to offer you a bit of insight I wish to see what you will do with. There are only three people alive I have one for, only one is someone you have met.” Simply shrugging. ”We live in a world where the very existence around us is a lie, where we cannot trust our own memories or anything we think we know. The only certainty is that there is none, lets not falter on yesterday, if we do both seek to get to know one another lets both work on it.” Leaning herself back a little. ”Not like you didn´t just call me out for playing a role, or wearing a mask so not like I am good at it either. We have time for doing it all, a walk sounds like a good start though.”

Unable to hide the momentary shine in her eyes along with the briefest of movements of her lips at the words before going back to neutral and looking away ever so slightly.
”I would drink that, but not of that taste please, any other is fine.” No not that one.

Nodding.
”Among other things there is much that lies before us and that needs focus, I do hope my sneakier attempts have been noticed by people though.” Thinking for a moment. ”We have the woman who opened the door for us, she never gave one that I can recall, then we had Athena, Anubis, and Leo. I did get the feeling Leo appreciated my looks and would likely have wanted to get closer, Cavendish and Guru did speak with Leo and Athena more than me though based on their positions when I entered.”

”And I shall not ask, the only thing I desire to know about you without you choosing to tell me is when you are in danger and where, so I can help. Anything else can wait until you are ready.”

Shaking her head.
”I disagree, almost every single one of us who carves our name in the Primal Wild will have to see friends, family, loved ones and the like suffer, get sick, and perish knowing we could change it with ease. That we could grab the floating symbols and make it all a distant memory, yet most of us do not.” Looking out into the empty air for a moment before carrying on with a calm unfaltering voice. ”So to ask one of us, one who likely had to deal with the grief of knowing we could change it so easily yet do not is a cruelty most cannot comprehend. And to go further and offer bribery for it would be despicable.” No that is not a forgivable thing.

[Aurora]

“Personally, I enjoyed the challenge it presented. I learned a lot from my research and I’ve been able to use it in other pieces over the years.” Shrugging, “Some people are just like that I guess, just fail and throw it away.” She never tried to figure people out, it wasn’t her thing. “Oh, I’ve never slept well, just something I’ve lived with my whole life.” It didn’t sound like it bothered her. Laughing, “Now that sounds like it was fun to build!”

Taking another sip, “Like I said, it’s part of my profession, reading people. Being on stage means you have to know how to read your audience to know how to play to them, know who to interact with the most. Know who will be your best customer in a sense. Everyone has a tell, and it’s usually their eyes and mouth, you just need to know when to look for it. I just tend to keep my observations to myself.” Everyone outed themselves if given the time. “Yes, you did. But you also tend to be soft-spoken, so some don’t take you seriously. But your seriousness is in your eyes.” There was no hiding that. “Are you testing me?” a bit surprised, a bit amused.

Not that taste? “Uh, not the taste of the beer?” why not the taste of the beer? “Well, I can see what I can do, might take me a couple months to tweek it, but I’ll give it a shot.” There was a story there, maybe a painful one. But she wasn’t going to ask.

“I’m anxious to hear what the rest of the Consilium has to say on this matter. And how quickly we can come together and put up a united front, because I have a feeling that is what we need.” Could they do it? She wasn’t sure.

“I’m not good about asking for help, I’ve always tended to try and work things out on my own. Which I know, Phoenyx has reminded me numerous times, is not the way to go about things. I’m working on it.” But it took time, and admitting that sometimes she needed help.

“Some of us understand that, and accept it. But not of us. Corn has chosen to take on a life not many Awakened will, a domestic life with a partner and a child. It’s not an excuse, it’s just my way of saying we can’t understand his position, not completely. I’ve seen a parent die, while I had the ability to ease the suffering and I didn’t. It was not my place; I don’t get to make those calls. I don’t believe I would have even stopped the disease from taking his life, we don’t get to play that role in another’s life. But not every Awakened has that kind of understanding of his or her role in this world. They don’t understand the ramifications of such an act, they don’t see past their own suffering or personal gain, don’t see the world as a whole, connected entity. One act can affect so many things.” Gray eyes look distant for a moment, “Masters have the ability to do so much, take away so much, it’s a dangerous power to hold.”

[Skye]

”Then it was what you needed, nothing like seeing what ones hands can do when they get to work and what they can shape into being.” A true marvel at times. ”The world is full of people, its a manner of theirs, and a sadness for the material and thought that went into the making of things.” And a mindset that gives us so much cheap trash. ”I get that, I tend to forget on the regular myself.” Softly joining in on the laughter. ”Ohh it was, and all my younger siblings fought over it.”

Listening with an intrigued look upon her, eyes carefully hanging on each word.
”Interesting, I guess that is a difference between us, my skills were always used for myself, never to entertain, so I learned how to ignore people instead of taking it in.” Merely tilting her head ever so slightly to the side. ”Again true, a price I have chosen to pay, it does have its issues there is no denying that still it serves a meaning. But the mouth a tell? Such dullness, the mouth is so easy to control to your whim, the body as well, the eyes though, you are right they are not easy.” Leaning back against her seat. ”Maybe I am, or maybe I am trying to find someone that can genuinely know me, who knows.”

Slowly shaking her head with open eyes.
”No, never the taste of that beer, I do not wish to know it, any other is fine but not that one.” Never that one.

”As am I, this is against the one area where I do not compromise, and where I cannot deny I will act. I do swear my aid though, use it as you see fit.”

Starting to offer a smile but quickly letting it go to give a warm look yet filled with seriousness.
”It is hard, who can we trust, who can we put in danger, who can we let close, who can we be vulnerable with. Still we cannot do it all alone, we need to be open to reach out and trust at least one other person, no matter how much it might hurt.” Again I have no right to talk though.

”We cannot because we are not as cruel as he is. Understand it or not, you should never attempt to bribe one of the ours in such a manner, others despicable and a breach of our laws yes, but of us, that is unforgivable no matter the circumstances.” Showing no reaction to the tale, each word taken in without movement or visible signs. ”I am sorry that you had to go through that, yet not surprised by your actions. It proves that you do grasp where my words stem from, and does increase my respect for you beyond words of appearance before masses.” Not that she was sure if that had been grasped but a bit curious. ”Life has its course, those who cannot comprehend the lie should be spared from influence of affecting it. To have the abilities we posses is not an excuse to casually wield them, mourn the sleepers, care for them, envy them, be there for them, whichever you prefer but never mix our worlds. The grander our masteries grow the grander we need to fathom that, especially in the fields of our primary arcana.”

[Aurora]

“Which is why I love finding things that are being thrown out and giving them a second chance. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t And when it doesn’t, then I take the material and save it for future projects.” Which sometime works, and sometimes doesn’t.

“It’s one of the stark differences in how we were brought up. My family was one of entertainers, it was what we did to make a living. It’s all I know, which is why it’s been hard to break away from it and find a new career.” Performing was comfortable. “Ah, sometimes it’s easy to control, but not always.” She had found that the body would always try and force a tell someway. “Well, I’d like to know which one as games are not my style.” You want Aurora to know you, tell her.

“Fair enough.” And drops the subject. If she didn’t want to taste that beer, that was fine.

“Thank you, that is nice to know and I will remember that. And the same from me, I am always available to help if it is needed.” Though not many called on her for it.

“I’m not arguing that what he asked, and that he bribed were wrong. Because they were wrong. What he asked another to do, in my opinion, would make that mage no better than a Seer. Using the power, the gifts we have, in such a manner, turns us into the monsters we fight against.” Then a shake of her head, “It happened a while ago, and it was something that helped me define where I stood on such topics. We all live and we all die; it is how things work. We might not agree with death, but we cannot stand in its way, I feel it creates an imbalance. I study Death for that reason, to be able to see both sides to that coin.” A nod of understanding, “With Mastery comes great responsibility, and some just don’t understand that, they simply see the power and not the danger. A couple years ago, when we went into a Seer Sanctum, I took out three Seer’s with one Mastery spell, and I lost part of myself, part of my soul doing that.” Her eyes look far away for a second, “No one tells you about that part, about those dangers you take on. But it helped keep those around me safe, so it was worth it. But it gave me a new respect for my magic. So someone asking a Master of any Arcana, begging and trying to bribe them to do something at that level,” a shake of her head, “just kills me, because they don’t understand just what they are truly asking.”

[Skye]

”Not every project works out, but it gives you experience for the next one to make sure it is ever so slightly better than the last.” And at least got a final love rather than just being discarded.

”Meanwhile mine was so large, so filled with crowds, so many people, so many siblings, and none whom could match my eagerness and willingness to not care if I got hurt that I learned to rely upon myself, to run away and do what I pleased.” Looking down to her hands with a fond look for a brief second. ”Enough to make certain that patterns of truth are hard to distinguish for those who do not know how to look at least.” Letting a moment of silence fall after the question before answering. ”I believe it is up to you, in truth so would it be enjoyable to do have at least one person know me, but that is not something to force upon anyone.”

Closing her eyes with a brief movement upward of the corners of her lips.
”I appreciate that, and will keep it in mind, but I am not the best at it outside my order, and even then so am I to overly focused on building teamwork and try to be prepared for various eventualities to learn to work in unison.”

Slowly spinning her hand with eyes seeming to follow some invisible pattern around it.
”Our abilities easily corrupts, easily makes us believe that we are more, that we have the right to do what we desire, that they are meant to serve us. The more proficient we grow the more we need to root ourselves to remember that they do not make us infallible with the right to do as we please else we will be corrupted, lose ourselves and as you said become the monsters we fight against.” Relaxing herself a little bit more. ”What is the lie, and what is the truth in its sense is not something I fully know, but as the lie has constructed this world so is death the most natural of things there is. For us to go against the natural death of sleepers would not creating anything good, death is a promise, it is a comfort, it is warm, it is not something to deny the sleepers no matter how much it would grieve us.” Snickering at the comment. ”Ignorant fools, arcana is a responsibility to wield, the more proficient the more we need to grasp that simple truth. It is no different from an ever increasing fire, the larger it grow the more it can burn others but also yourself, the more you need to use wisdom in how to utilize it.” Looking up at the symbols dancing in the air in a moment of silence. ”It´s easy to be cruel like that when you are blinded and refuse to see the depths of your own actions and words.”