Thom - Ramia's letter

[14:13:07] A letter.

The parchment is taken from the raven, and its words quickly examined. Given how strict Cinderfall was becoming Thom was greatful that it had personally looked for him instead of being given to some courier. Taking his glaive and the rest of his normal equiptment, Thom moved through the trystle cave with the illumination of his eyes mainly.

The meeting place would be far from Cinderfall, though the red haired man minded not. He seemed completely relaxed, perhaps the cackling of the blue lighting composed companion on his shoulder letting Ramia know that he was drawing closer to the location. Finally a mountain would be passed and a hand would be raised, noticing the undead horde that was around but not so much minding them.

"Ramia! Its been a while. How do you do?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:17:23] On the route through the Trystle and toward Nostvale the small party had paused, a certain secluded spot illuminated helpfully by a group of undead humanoid pack mules bearing aloft torches lit with a terrible purple flame.

At the center of the group stands a young man dressed in the usual finery, everything about his appearance from his spectacles to the artifact staff Ayperox resting within his grasp screaming that he were a Magi, and a wealthy one at that.

Thom's arrival is greeted with a curt nod, the greeting prompting a small smile-- albeit somewhat forced. "I've been better. I imagine you know what I'm here to suggest? For the sake of peace... and of course, your interests."

The horned man's emerald gaze appraises his response carefully, a certain rigidness in a proud gait that were ready to do battle at a moment's notice. This was hostile territory, or close to it.

(Ramia Hirano)
[14:22:30] The smile is returned, more so at ease then the other man's forced grin. The red haired man ventures to a nearby rock, taking a seat at it, and glancing towards the grouping of undead. There appears to be a flickering of unnamed emotion on his face, perhaps that of interest or curiousity, but as soon as it is seen it vanishes, glancing towards the man in finery.

"I can venture assumptions. However, I believe that it would be best to hear the words from you. My own guesses could be wrong after all.." Thom would admit, as the monkey crafted of blue eletrical energy digs through a pack on Thom's back. After a moment or two a canteen is removed, placed into the golden armored man's hands and he takes a drink of its contents.

Clearly not alchol based on the way he was still awake.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:26:46] He observes his senior Occultist so casually make himself at ease, a spark of irritation briefly flashing in the Hirano's eyes for the fact. It was but a moment though, a brief pause before he reponds in a level voice.

"Maria is gone, fallen by her own foolishness as we both predicted."

Ramia speaks ill of the recently dead without hesitating, the point elaborated on shortly as he pressed his glasses against the bridge of his nose with his free hand.

"...Isn't it time you claimed leadership of Cinderfall? Already, the one in her place... she courts rivers of blood-- which I doubt either of us are particularly wanting for."

(Ramia Hirano)
[14:33:36] "That she is." Thom noted, a slight frown on his face. "Maria always had a.. Talent for messing up diplomatic meetings." Although Thom disliked to speak bad of the dead, the fact was he had never heard of a single meeting with another faction she had that ended without the drakanite's flames.

Though when mentioned if its time he claimed Cinderfall's leadership.. The red haired man pauses his drinking, spinning the glass a little in his hand as he seemed to think long and hard. "You mean Liara. It is true, her ban on Azraelism is quite.. pushing the line, shall we say? Banning one's own members is never a good idea. It turns those one is aligned with previous against them.

The problem with claiming leadership however is two fold. There was never a set process of obtaining a new leader, and it is difficult to speak with the woman. Her attention is.. Hard to grab. I guess I could go and start saying I am the new leader, but no one would follow."

A glance upwards towards the Hirano.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:37:52] He furrows his brow in thought, the problem presented to him being that of an apparently very smooth succession. According to reports, Liara had been made leader personally by Maria prior to her death-- but he wasn't certain of their validity...

"I doubt she has that spark of charisma in her that kept Maria in charge, then."

Ramia cradles his chin, glancing away a moment to a random rock jutting from the ground as he ponders over solutions.

"...Continuing to claim leadership might bring a challenge in the longer term... but I don't believe we have time. Is there no means of rallying people against her? Or even requesting a duel for command...? I'm certain you're stronger than her."

Because I'm obviously stronger than her, and you defeated me.

He doesn't say that part aloud though.

(Ramia Hirano)
[14:44:41] A shake of her head. "Indeed, the spark of charmisma that was within Maria is not exactly shared by Liara. That is how I would describe someone who turns.. likely less then half, but still a large amount of their people against them the moment they lead." Thom would state, reffering to the azraelites whom were currently in covens in Cinderfall.

"And continuing to claim leadership will indeed prove a challenge. Already I know that at least Nashandra is likely aiming for some sort of leadership power. This much was clear based on how she gathered many of the champions to the church for a meeting without Liara present." Thom said, putting the canteen away back into his sack.

"I don't know if there is a way of requesting a duel for command.. But perhaps that is an idea. Perhaps that is what I will do." A shrug of Thom's shoulders. "Worst that happens is likely being told no. And true, if I were to request a duel for command.. Well I've never fought her, but I've fought Maria. Assuming that Liara is of the same strength she should be no problem."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:49:48] Nashandra?

He was less familiar with them, but had identified them in the past as a prominently depraved resident of Cinderfall. It would give him a little more to think on-- but for the moment, Ramia's only connection remaining to the settlement was immediately before him.

Marked apart from the others the moment they'd met.

"Curious. I say you look into it more closely, and communicate this Nashandra's motives if possible. If nothing works, well... I'm certain, once again, that the Alliance would welcome a practitioner of Occultism as you with open arms-- remember, banning Azrael... it's a step away from the implants of the Republic era. They will rob you of your power, because they fail to understand it."

(Ramia Hirano)
[14:55:47] A slight smirk of Thom's face. "Her motives.. I believe that they currently align with getting more power, protecting herself.." A look as if he were going to say more but for the time being, the conversation was going to move on it seemed. A simple nod towards himself.

"I am.. wholy unfarmilar with the history of the Republic era, but I do know what you mean. I doubt that implants will work on myself but.. I will make it quite difficult for such things to arrive to such a state in any sort or manner." Thom stated. "Occultism is not something to be shunned..

But yes. If it does come down to it I should speak with the alliance. In fact, I was requested to meet with them the other day." Perhaps not that close but indeed it was recently. "I'm soon going to be going on an interesting venture."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[14:59:12] There's agreement, speculation-- Ramia refrains from lecturing, since Thom seemed to understand and appreciate his point. He raises a brow slightly though, at his claim.

"Oh? Do tell... and if you're in need of assistance in meeting with the higher-ups of New Alteros, I'm certain I can provide-- I am one of the Lich King's apprentices."

An opportunity to brag, even if it were unwise perhaps in the presence of one of Maria's former subordinates. Ryan Kyros was said to have executed her personally.

(Ramia Hirano)
[15:05:10] A blink at the mentioning that Ramia was one of the lich king's apprentices. It was not so much a hostile one even, but one of curiousity once more, even interest. A nod of acknowlegement.

"I'm not entirely sure the full details but I believe you know a bit about it already. It was requested by Hauk." A smile from the red haired man. "Find a translation for some Uryan texts detailing on a magic that can solve occultic madness.. The venture will be to an Uryan village to retrieve said translations from." Thom would explain.

"I also understand we are somewhat working together on a project. And it is wonderful that you can assist. Meeting someone in New Alteros would be good later on."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[15:10:17] Ramia blinks in turn, genuine surprised written upon usually stoic features for a moment. He really hadn't expected that... which only gave him more questions to ask of certain parties in future.

This was worth the trip for that alone.

"...I see. Hauk... I'm not sure of how useful those 'Urayans' will be for anything much. I'm franky amazed there's even a village of them left to find... so, if there were to be a war in the near future."

He changes the topic, narrowing his gaze a little as he asks a clear question.

"Would you fight against Alteros, in any scenario? That is my question, since you seem... uncommitted one way or the other."

(Ramia Hirano)
[15:15:24] A shake of Thom's head. "From what I gather its not that the Urayans will assist us with new knowlege of itself. We already have the information. We just need a translation. And I am unaware of how big their village will be at all.. Which is part of why a visist to it will be interesting."

Thom said before hearing Ramia's question. A shake of the red haired man's head as he heard.

"Currently I have no vendetta or urge to fight against Alteros at this given time. There is.. More worth in obtaining knowlege from Alteros then assulting it."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[15:18:49] Ramia allows for a short silence, sceptical eyes yet upon Thom. It wasn't exactly as he had expected, but even then that wasn't a firm commitment either...

Could he be trusted?

"If you fight against Alteros, you will die. Those you're close to will die. It isn't worth it any case-- I think that's all we have to discuss at present, isn't it? We have mutual allies and goals... so don't hesitate to request assistance."

(Ramia Hirano)
[15:23:05] "I am aware of the consequences of fighting against Alteros." The red haired man would say, not even bothered seemingly by the words that Ramia spoke. He was merely calm, like the eye of a storm. "And I assure you, I have no desire to die currently. I've always preffered preventing bloodshed where possible."

A nod then, Thom moving a bit to stand up and streaching, legs having fallen asleep during the time he had been sitting it seemed. " And it appears that it is all we have to discuss. You will likely hear the outcome of my attempt to speak with Liara soon.

And very well. If I am in need of assistance you will be contacted. Thank you for this conversation Ramia."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[15:24:48] Ramia Hirano: Farewell for now then -- I await the good news.
[15:24:48] Thom M. Takashi: -smiles- I hope then that it will be very good news I bring.
[15:24:48] Ramia Hirano: You can't lose.
[15:24:48] Thom M. Takashi: Not if I fight her one on one.
[15:25:39] Ramia Hirano: No...