A brief meeting

[Skye]

Lying down upon a cleaned off workbench dressed in her usual color, head hanging down over the edge with a book turned towards the open door as she looks up at it. Slowly reading through the pages, trying to put it to memory and follow along with the new terms left and right. Occasionally making a sit up, shaking her head for a moment and writing upon a notepad next to her before falling back down again to continue the reading. Half annoyed that she had been recommended to look into this aspect as well, but more annoyed with herself for having started with it before getting more familiar with the topic at hand as a whole.

Every now and again throwing an eye out the open door to see if her guest would be arriving, and give her a chance to pause this headache inducing reading of the book.

[Aurora]

Aurora would arrive at the time they agreed to, she was never late. Dressed today in jeans and a white tank top she walks up the path and finds the door open, and pauses.

Spying Skye inside, a hand was raised, “Hey Skye.” Not entering the other Shamans Sanctum until invited, manners and all. But she did have a basket with her this time, it appeared to have fresh fruit and veggies in it, holding it up, “I stopped by a local Farmers Market and picked up some organic fruits and veggies, thought you might enjoy them.” She offers. Her knew her usual gifts of beer were not a thing for Skye, but she always saw her enjoy fruits and veggies. So maybe she’d like them. If not, she tried.

[Skye]

Spying her expected guest, wagging her upper body back and forth, one leg raising into the air, and kicking off with the other one to make herself fall off the workbench in a backwards tumble. Slamming the book shut and cracking her neck as she puts it down, glad for the reprieve, financial aspects of an empire were certainly not an easy read.

Spinning to face her her arrived guest with eyes immediately scanning over the woman and over to her basket.
”Hello Aurora thank you for coming, and nice belt, don´t think I have ever seen such a belt before.” Gesturing for her to come inside. ”Feel free to come in, the door is not just opened for ventilation.” Looking over the held up basket, scanning its contents without touching it. ”Mind if I take a pear, or are there any mandarin oranges? Or maybe some clementine's?” Thinking for a moment. ”I think it´s the pink lady apples that are common in this part of the country right? They have a really nice tart to them in combination with the sweetness.”

Nodding her head towards the stairs leading up to the actual living part.
”Shall we head up, and can I get you anything? I have some teas, beer, cider, a few kinds of sodas along with both chocolate powder, syrup and strawberry syrup. And of course ice cream.” Beginning to walk towards the stairs herself. ”Please close the door behind you and leave your shoes at the bottom of the stairs, or take a pair of shoe covers, they will need to be burned as you leave though.” Having learned the lesson after her last visitor.

[Aurora]

Glancing at the basket after the questions, “Uh, not sure. I got a little of everything, not sure what you would like. But figured you always show up with something and that I would return the favor. So if you want it, the whole basket is yours. If not, that’s fine.” She was just trying to be nice.

Walking in, she takes her sandals off, “Oh, uh, tea is ok if it’s not too much trouble.” She wasn’t sure what this meeting was about, so tea seemed the better choice then beer.

Closing the door, an eyebrow was raised at the mention of shoe covers and them needing to be burned if she used them.

Okkkk.

Barefoot it was.

She follows her fellow Shaman up the stairs, “So how are things?”

[Skye]

Turning silent for a moment before accepting the basket with a thankful look upon her.
”That is very sweet of you, thank you. You can never have to much fruit, or veggies.” Nor meat in any kind but that was best when you hunted it for yourself.

”Of course not I wouldn´t have offered otherwise.” Besides a host should always offer something to their guests.

”They are good but stressful, a lot of patrols, a lot of books to read and memorize things from, and new responsibilities to get accustomed to.” Veering of to the right to get into the kitchen and prepare some hot water. ”Feel free to make yourself comfortable in the living room I will be there in a moment.” The living room looking the same as usual, one three seat couch, one two seater and a single big soft comforter with a built in leg rest, pillows placed out over the couches along with neatly folded blankets, the table housing two bowls of grapes, the shelf underneath the table filled with books in mixed languages of English, Chinese and Romanian along with a stack of notebooks. To the side heavy blackout curtains covering her little sleeping nook.

Taking a couple of minutes before coming in with a tray of two tea cups filled with hot water, honey, sugar cubes, some small cookies and two boxes, one with mixed tea bags the other with loose teas and a little can filled with milk, along with the basket. Placing down the tray upon the table and placing the basket next to it.
”Sorry for the delay, how are things faring with you?”

[Aurora]

“I always see you enjoying various fruits and veggies, so I thought it would be a safe gift.” The Shaman wasn’t a gift giver, it just wasn’t something she did.

A nod as she finds herself a seat on the couch, crossing her legs.

“If you ever need help with the patrols, I’m happy to lend a hand. I used to help Phoenyx with them here and there when she needed. I know the layout of the city pretty well.” She had lived in the city the longest, but wanted to offer to help in case it was needed.

“Oh, no delay at all, and thank you for the tea.” A smile offered as she selects a tea bag and gently placing it in the hot water to seep for a couple minutes.

“I’ve been busy with my own studies, both for my Order and for my own personal education. Seems like there is just not enough time in the day. But otherwise then that, nothing too exciting.”

[Skye]

”Quick, simple and delicious, what could ever go wrong with fruits, veggies, and beef jerky? Especially when you get the good brands of jerky.” The cheaper stuff not so much.

Seating herself down in the comforter for once, still a bit surprised at how seldom guests ever went for it.
”I would deeply appreciate any and all help with close around the circle regular patrols, I do have plans on starting to organize deeper more through patrols around the city in the near future. At current I make patrols around the general city as a whole, but due to the area size so are they not truly deep enough dives, if you would like to come with me during the deeper dives so would it be good.” It was a lot of ground to cover. ”My last deep dive with success yielded information about the San Fran mages here thanks to Jenga Girl being able to decipher the code.”

A simple nod of confirmation at the delay.
”I know all to well how that goes, no matter how much you try there is always more and even multitasking does not leave enough time. How are your studies in the Arabic tongue progressing?” Pouring herself a cup of hot water. ”On the notes of order though so is that what I would like to seek your counsel about, as you undoubtfully heard so have I been chosen to serve as First Talon for the time being. And whilst I have visions and ideas for my own order so do I lack experience in a official leadership position within our community, you on the other hand have both had it, have it, and seen many which I figure means good and bad.” Placing in some loose leaves with a tea infuser. ”So with that, I would like to ask for your counsel or any guidance you might have to offer on how to do it right, how to not let anyone down.”

[Aurora]

Picking up her cup and gently blowing on it, “Sure, I really enjoyed helping Phoenyx, so it would be great to help you as well.” Taking a careful sip, making sure it wasn’t too hot, “No problem, just let me know when and I’ll be there. I found the patrols were a good way to get to know the city better and Phoenyx better as well.” It was no secret that her and Phoenyx worked very well together in the past. “I’m looking forward to helping.” It would be good to get back into the practice of doing patrols again.

“Arabic is progressing along; it’s just one of the languages I’m currently learning.” Truth be told, she decided to focus on another one.

A single nod, “I had heard, and congratulations on your appointment.” It was weird to not see Phoenyx as First Talon, but, people come and go, things change.

The question was unexpected though.

“That’s an interesting question, and one without an easy or right answer. Leadership doesn’t come with instructions, you learn as you go and you lead as you have seen others lead. You will make mistakes, we all do, and you will learn from them. I never wanted to be in a leadership position, but I did it because I didn’t like how the leadership we had was acting, it was embarrassing and making the Shamans look like fools. So when I took it, I promised myself that I would never make my Path look like that, I would always make them proud, hear them out, and always be there for them. Always be there for those that look to you, listen to them, let them know you hear them and that they matter. If they fuck up, be gentle if you can, no is perfect, but sometimes a strong hand is needed, learn that balance.” Sighing, “It’s not easy Skye, but you have a good head on your shoulders, and sometimes you just need to trust it. You’re not stupid, you know your shit, you know right from wrong. But don’t be afraid to be harsh if you feel the situation calls for it. Just be aware that sometimes, doing what is right as a leader means not making friends and having people upset with you. It sucks, but, it happens. Doing the best you can, and doing what you feel is right will never let anyone down.”

[Skye]

Glancing to her own tea, a silent thought passing her by in memory.
”Thank you, she always covered the area close to the circle so I guess I just fell back into my old habit of trying to be all around the city, taking it all in.” The reason she often wandered all over the city each day. ”As you said before, we have never truly worked together so it would be a nice experience to share in.” A brief thankful look towards her guest. ”It will be enjoyable, haven´t had someone to patrol with since the brief time with Jenga girl and she ditched as soon as we found a lead to dig into.”

Raising her eyes in half surprise.
”Do I even dare to ponder how many you actually speak?” Each one was just harder and harder to keep straight for her, but at least she had always focused on one at a time and kept reading in the languages to keep them afloat in her mind.

Turning her eyes away.
”Thank you, I apologize for how you found out. I had hoped to get a chance to see you in private and let you know.” Knowing all to well how close she and Phoenyx were it was the least she had wanted to do.

Sitting silent, eyes locked upon her fellow shaman, hanging on each and every word with undivided attention knowing fully well it might have been a question that might come of quite bad.
”So in essence no wider difference than when leading Sleepers, I do have experience with that.” So many camps. ”Be there to listen to everyone, make them feel seen and heard, guide them when possible but never believe that you are superior by default. Be ready to take in and learn from everyone around you, make sure that they know that they are valued for their own individual selves. Still keep a gentle guiding hand for those that need it, but always be prepared to strengthen it and be stern when there is an absolute must for it, as you said there is a balance and that must be learned with time.” Sipping her own tea. ”Please, you are one few that by confirmation know that my smile is just hiding what is underneath, I have never cared what people think of me in such a sense. The one thing I care about is that no one will question that I keep my word.” Now that mattered. ”I am aware the question might have been odd, and I am thankful for your guidance on the matter.”

[Aurora]

Smiling, “I’m looking forward to it.” Getting back into the groove of helping out with patrols would be nice. It would take her away from her studies, but maybe a break here and there would be a good thing.

“Not as many as I want. I haven’t been able to focus solely on languages anymore like I was before due to things I am learning for my Order. But I do speak and understand numerous languages fluently right now.” The exact number wasn’t really important, she liked to keep that to herself.

Shrugging, “Nothing to apologize for, I knew with Phoenyx being gone that there would be the need for a new First Talon. It’s how things work, an Order loses someone, someone else steps forward to take the position. If not you, then someone else.” It was life, it was how it worked.

Shaking her head, “Not really, except we use magic and there tend to be more egos involved.” Truth be told. “I didn’t find it an odd question, stepping into a leadership role in our community can be a bit daunting. We, as a whole, have to work together to fight against the Lie and the Seer’s. So we want to have a good relationship and build trust. Which can be very difficult to do, especially if there are clashing personalities and someone is just being difficult to be difficult. It’s learning to navigate those types of personalities and work with them that can be challenging, and knowing who you are and standing firm. I don’t doubt you can, but you are going to have those that will. Don’t be afraid to show your teeth when you need to.”