MR: Helping Hands

[Chambers]

Likely but not confirmed is the same as making assumptions so for the moment that is put to one side. He meets and holds Witch's eyes, not unkindly, but nor is the warmth of his greeting present. "Indeed they do not, and when they do the mysterium is not usually the first port of call I would wager. Given we view how to correctly handle most matters rather differently." The rivalry, the ideological disagreement went as far back as any order member of the two knew. Maybe even back to Atlantis itself. "Destruction and preservation are goals that very rarely align." Even if it did end up considered to the depths of the Censorium, the mysterium did not destroy knowledge. "However if we all stand on unyielding ideology I can't help but feel we shall get nowhere. Equally if i demand the item be surrendered to our possession this will not end in way conductive to us working together." Even if that was the right call. The call he wanted to make. So this must be navigated with great care. "What I can tell you is this. Knowledge on the abyss is not shared. The fewer who know the better. The only exception to this rule is the bare minimum with trusted demon hunters." Which while most likly meant an arrow setting out on some quest to rid the world of an abyssal creature, a guardian might ... might ... qualify if they could get the mysterium to trust them. "And even then right exchange is observed, strictly." He could mention the alternative was memory wiping but seeing as he couldn't do that, the point was moot.


He blinks once to acknowledge he had understood the knife was present, but having stated he did not currently intend to simply take it or have it handed over he does not cast his eyes around, his mage sight was potent enough he would expect to have picked up just about anything in the room by now though which has him silently curious.


The appeal to their standing was noted and a wan half smile flicks briefly into and then out of place. He had caught the attempt at manipulation but equally had shown his own hand by not just resolving the matter in a way most favorable to his own wants and ideology.

For Aurora

Acamoths are abyssal spirits found sleeping in far flung corners of the shadow realms, how they got there Aurora does not know. scelesti, mages who serve or wield the abyss, find or make contact with them and bargain for great power and knowledge known perhaps only to such vile but seemingly ancient creatures. Some times an unwary overconfident or desperate mage makes contact and a deal. Regardless of the who the deal always give the Acamoth contact with the mages awakened soul and inevitably causes moral degeneration, insanity and corruption follow. Acamoth like any spirit can however be destroyed if drained/exhausted of all essence and their corpus then reduced to nothing they cease to be (or maybe are sent back to the abyss) If this method works on acamoths fresh from the abyss Aurora does not know. They like all spirits have bans, however if there are any universal rules to them is unknown to Aurora.

[Aurora]

Well, that was an unexpected piece of knowledge she wasn’t expecting to get.

Witch was a Guardian. And suddenly, things were going to get very complicated.

The blonde nods, Witch has the knife, that was good. Though the way she spoke, it didn’t sound like she was going to just had it to her. Fair.

For now.

Aurora could play nice.

And now they were at that fork in the road. Witch had knowledge on the knife, but wanted to make sure everyone could work together. Especially considering the Orders present.

A slow nod of her head, this was going to a first real test of a lot of things. “I’m willing to work with others when I know the facts of the matter at hand. My standing has nothing to do with who I will and won’t work with, I always want to know the facts of what I am working with. You say we don’t have the time, and I curious as to what that claim is based off. If there are indicators, then it would only serve everyone well to be able to know them, and be able to take educated steps towards resolving this.”

Glancing to Chambers as he spoke, nodding in agreement. But an eyebrow raises at the mention of Right of Exchange, “That would depend on the factors of course.” But she was sure he knew that, hey had just discussed that.

Then the knowledge comes to her and her pen pauses on her notebook.

“So, tell me, how did you hear about Acamoths?”

[Witch]

Witch nodded, not disagreeing with Chambers.

"Sometimes preservation is acceptable. Other times though it is not." It was an acknowledgment that she could bend, but from her tone also an indication that this may not be one of the times. She knew that the Mysterium was more inclined to keep than burn. But if she walked away from this knowing that even an Acamoth would be considered worth the risk ... well, something would definitely have been learned.

Her eyes narrowed slightly and she felt the quickening of anger, but she knew this would be part of the conversation. And so, she forced herself to relax.

She glanced to Aurora, a small smile flickering briefly. For all that on the surface it was good Aurora wanted to jump straight to the working together, Witch knew that her best bargaining tool right now was information. She wasn't about to just hand it over.

"I don't have any issue with setting up formal exchange. Do you have a suggestion on initial terms?" She had an inkling herself but was hesitant to start. She wasn't on equal footing here either given the two mages on the other side of the table as it were.

Supplies

Supplies: Backpack w/collection kit, water, cash. Cell phone. Magical tool. Abyssal Knife

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 0
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 0
Personal Spells: 0

[Chambers]

Well now this really was quite the complicated situation all in all. Witch a guardian was asking for information on abyssal entities. As a rule the mysterium said deals with guardians were a bad idea, the Visus Draconis was deceptive by reputation. But here he was also hierarch in the consilium and not wishing to alienate one of the diamond orders. Further more while he was somehow also the ranking mystagogue in the city such high stakes information was very much not allowed to him. He takes a slow and deep breath. "I have no reason to think anyone in this room can not handle this admittedly rather delicate matter in mature way." He was not trying to slight anyone but the material in question was well sensitive did not cut it. "The precept of right exchange is about showing respect for the information and it's value, not about getting a leg up or taking advantage of others." The precepts were public knowledge so this felt okay. "It is a way for all parties involved to show they recognize the value of what is being given and received." It felt important to stress that this was not an attempt to exploit Witch in vulnerable situation. "You have asked for information on Acamoth, a type abyssal being." Every mage knew that much. "Mages have been executed for knowing to much about such subjects out of fear of it's corrupting influence or risk of exploitation." A glance to Aurora knowing any information, if they had it, was likely going to have to come from her, as he was rather lacking. "But I don't know why you need this information." Which would the crux of if an exchange was even on the cards. "Information of this nature can't simply be handed out." Teams of censors went to great lengths to keep it as secure as possible. "And I am aware of very few thigns you might have to exchange for it." He after all knew very little about Witch herself. "Given I am not about to start asking for your orders secrets.." Which would be an achievement most mystagogues could only dream of. "What would you propose to exchange for it?" Palceing some of the terms back into Witch's hands, giving her some agency in the proceedings. Some because he looks to Aurora gain. "Unless you are aware of anything hat be suitable as an exchange?" She was after all the one looking to push forward in the order.

[Aurora]

Witches’ thoughts on preservation of objects was noted. It spoke to the Shaman of how this could unfold if things went badly. And by things that meant negations. Which she hoped not. She much preferred everyone come to an agreement if the object in question was as dangerous as she believed.

Ok, this was promising.

But one thing.

“I have no issues discussing a Right of Exchange except one. I do not know how valuable said object, the knife is. I have you saying it is a knife that is more than a knife, asking after Acamoths, but nothing more. So, I cannot in good faith being to negotiate a Right of Exchange. You need to give me more to work with first.” She was standing firm on that.

Catching the look from Chambers, “As I stated, without knowing what exactly is being offered for exchange, a fair trade cannot be offered for either party. All we have been told is a knife that is more than a knife. If we are to work together, there has to be some level of trust. Allowing us to see the knife and study it in your presence will allow everyone to be able to come to an agreement on Right of Exchange if that is what is decided. Or, another course of action.”

She didn’t touch the knowledge of the Acamoth. Or share what she knew of them. It wasn’t for Witches ears. She wasn’t even sure she could share what she knew with Chambers. So when he did touch on the subject, she just offered a subtle nod.