Magic Maid II 36

[19:30:48] <[Multi]_Theo> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[19:31:57] <[Multi]_Theo> [[After his discussions with everyone upstairs, Theodore goes back to the laboratory where he has left Eld.]]
[19:33:39] <[Multi]_Theo> Very well, Eld, the others are forewarned. I assume you're ready to begin your tenure in Adleine's place?
[19:34:28] <[Mirr]_Eld> Indeed
[19:34:45] <[Multi]_Theo> Then you are free to do so.
[19:35:29] * [grant]_Achel is sitting in the common room with a cup in her hand.
[19:37:11] <[Mirr]_Eld> Then I shall take my leave
[19:39:24] * [grant]_Achel absentmindedly scratches into the side with her thumbnail as she grasps it in her hands.
[19:39:59] * [Mirr]_Eld departs fro the room without another word; the dimmed lighting of the room returning to normal as Eld exits
[19:42:53] * [Cy]_River is back at the kitchens absorbing the aromas
[19:47:07] * [Multi]_Theo watches Eld leave, and follows her out after a while, returning to his office.
[19:49:48] * [Mirr]_Eld enters the commons having the same effect on the lighting as she did in the laboratory
[19:51:05] * [Naz]_Zirren exits into the commons from her room, and, seeing Achel and Adeline, scowls. She makes to exit the commons into the rest of the palace.
[19:51:54] * [grant]_Achel looks towards Eld for a moment, not exactly sure what to say.
[19:54:00] * [grant]_Achel places the cup down and turns the obvious scratch marks away from Eld's vision.
[19:54:49] * [Mirr]_Eld stares back at Achel
[19:55:05] <[Mirr]_Eld> Is this what is expected of us?
[19:56:03] * [Naz]_Zirren exits the commons, closing the door behind her.
[19:56:44] <[grant]_Achel> The situation is a little different, even if you were watching the whole time. Adeline and Eld, it will take some time to get used to but I'm willing for things to go how they used to be if you are willing as well.
[19:57:54] * [Naz]_Zirren stops in the hallway, out of sight of any guards or servants, and puts a hand on the wall, steadying and composing herself.
[20:00:01] <[Mirr]_Eld> I have no vendetta with you, any contact I make with you will be entirely professional.
[20:00:31] <[Naz]_Zirren> Father help me, I'm surrounded by fiends, and I don't know if I can win...
[20:01:51] * [Cy]_River looks around for Katerin
[20:02:08] * [Mirr]_Eld turns to follow Zirren out into the hall
[20:02:26] * [Naz]_Zirren takes a deep breath, smooths back her hair, and stands up straight.
[20:02:55] <[Multi]_Theo> [[Katerin is not immediately visible]]
[20:03:42] * [Naz]_Zirren heads towards the library.
[20:04:02] * [Mirr]_Eld is preceded by the obvious effect she has on light as she enters the hall
[20:06:38] * [grant]_Achel finishes her drink and goes to return it to the kitchen.
[20:07:19] * [Mirr]_Eld silently follows in Zirren's wake
[20:07:52] <[Multi]_Theo> [[Achel finds the kitchen much as she usually does: full of hustle, bustle, and clattering dishes.]]
[20:09:48] * [Naz]_Zirren arrives at the library and sets about looking for texts on arcane phenomenon.
[20:10:52] * [grant]_Achel looks for someone next to the sink washing dishes.
[20:11:13] <[Multi]_Theo> [[It is not difficult to find such a person.]]
[20:11:55] <[grant]_Achel> Excuse me, what do you normally do with dishes that are damaged?
[20:12:16] * [Mirr]_Eld arrives in the library shortly after Zirren, her presence is obvious
[20:12:24] <[Multi]_Theo> [[the library's resources are truly impressive in their vastness; Zirren can find many books on arcane phenomena; the question is how to find books on the phenomena that she's particularly concerned about.]]
[20:13:12] * [Naz]_Zirren notices the lights dimming and quickly turns towards the door to find Adeline.
[20:13:46] * [Naz]_Zirren immediately jumps into a fighting stance. "Speak quickly, demon," she barks.
[20:16:23] <[Multi]_Theo> dishwasher: Oh, the damaged dishes? We throw them out, I suppose, we just put them in a rubbish bin. Why?
[20:17:41] <[Mirr]_Eld> Do you greet everyone you meet this way, or just those you scarcely know?
[20:19:22] <[grant]_Achel> Well, I have a request. Instead of throwing this cup away. * She shows the dishwasher the deep scratches in the side. * I would rather you keep it just for me.
[20:20:16] <[Naz]_Zirren> Just the dangerous ones. Your snide remarks are doing little to raise my opinion of you.
[20:24:35] <[Mirr]_Eld> I pose no threat to you, but I would like to know why you believe I am so dangerous
[20:28:56] <[Naz]_Zirren> Hah! I know you know what your host has done to me in the past. Your kind is known for deceit and trickery; can't you try a little harder than that?
[20:29:10] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The dishwasher looks a bit confused.]]
[20:29:34] <[Multi]_Theo> dishwasher: Uh...why me, ma'am? Couldn't you just keep it for yourself?
[20:30:39] <[grant]_Achel> I suppose, you're probably right. Thank you anyway.
[20:32:06] <[Mirr]_Eld> I know that Adeline used a small part of our shared strength in the defense of others, though I approve of her decision I still do not understand why you are so hostile
[20:33:21] * [Cy]_River slips out of the kitchens after having not caught Katerin present
[20:34:19] * [grant]_Achel goes to return to her room, in order to store her newly acquired cup.
[20:36:09] * [grant]_Achel spots River as she leaves the kitchen and follows after her.
[20:38:02] <[Naz]_Zirren> "If you are not going to hurt me, what is your purpose?" She does not let her guard down.
[20:38:40] * [Cy]_River looks around for idle staff having a chat
[20:40:57] <[Multi]_Theo> [[A couple men wearing servant uniforms can be seen talking at the intersection of two corridors.]]
[20:42:04] <[Mirr]_Eld> My purpose, as of now, is to serve you, a dignified role if that kitchen girl Adeline seems to be so fond of is to be believed.
[20:42:22] * [Co]_River sidles closer to the servants to hear what they are saying
[20:43:53] <[Naz]_Zirren> You would serve me? Very well, return the body to its owner and leave this plane in peace. The world of man ill needs the likes of you.
[20:46:42] <[Mirr]_Eld> You speak as though you know all, as though you know of me or my kind
[20:48:16] <[Naz]_Zirren> I know enough to know that you are too dangerous to be allowed to exist.
[20:49:53] <[Mirr]_Eld> Do you? What crime have I committed that I should be put to death?
[20:55:33] * [grant]_Achel makes her way closer to River and attempts to stay out of sight without making too much noise. She mostly just watches.
[20:55:56] <[Naz]_Zirren> You say you will serve me, and yet you question my order. I will not repeat myself. If you will not remove yourself from this plane, remove yourself from my sight.
[20:56:37] <[Naz]_Zirren> I will not repeat myself. You say you will serve me, and yet you question my order. If you will not remove yourself from this plane, remove yourself from my sight.
[20:57:34] <[Multi]_Theo> [[River is able to make herself sufficiently inconspicuous, so that the men don't pay her any mind. Her concentration bent on the men, she doesn't notice Achel.]]
[20:58:31] <[Mirr]_Eld> I will do neither of those, my position is to act in your defense
[21:00:40] <[Naz]_Zirren> "Remove yourself, lest I remove you by force." A shadow creeps across Zirren's face as she growls the command.
[21:00:51] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: ...he said that he would be fine, but you know how Bert is, always so headstrong. I thought he'd bitten off more than he could chew this time.
[21:01:00] <[Naz]_Zirren> !roll 4#d6 Tagging Intimidation
[21:01:01] <Koakuma[g]> [Naz]_Zirren rolled 4#d6 : 5, 3, 5, 5, [0] 04Total: 18 Tagging Intimidation
[21:02:16] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: I should say so! I've never heard of arm wrestling more than one guy at a time. That's ridiculous.
[21:03:00] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: I know! And for the kind of money he putting on it! I could have sworn he had a few too many that night, os I told him, I said, "Bert, you're drunk. You've gotta let this one go."
[21:05:38] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: But that just made him all the more eager, and he was shouting up the crowd, trying to rope people into his gamble, and it was that time in the night, he wasn't the only one that had been drinking.
[21:07:26] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4:Oh, geez, he had takers, didn't he?
[21:08:01] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And not a few! After his former performance, everyone wanted to get a peice of him, to prove they were stronger than the guys he lost to.
[21:09:54] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: So eventually some guys come up with the scratch he wants to put down, which is most of his winnings from earlier in the night, and he sets himself up with a couple tables, and the match starts.
[21:11:41] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: And I know Bert's a strong guy, but geez! And after having matches earlier. How did it go?
[21:11:52] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: Get this -- he wins!
[21:12:23] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: The guy on his right hand goes down easy, but the guy on his left hand takes a while. But he goes down after a minute or two.
[21:15:09] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: Oh, dang. But I mean, were these, like, seriously strong guys, or just some weaklings that had had a bit too much to drink?
[21:15:40] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: I think the guy on his right was probably just soem guy, but the guy on his left was a stablehand or something, I think, he had a bit of brawn.
[21:16:03] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: So what does Bert do but laugh and scoop up his winings and call for more challengers.
[21:16:24] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: Tut tut! That guy...
[21:18:10] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And he's asking for the big guns, too, he doesn't want anyone like the guy on his right again.
[21:19:32] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: So eventually he gets another couple guys with a new pile of coins, and sits 'em down and the match starts.
[21:21:05] <[Multi]_Theo> [[Zirren's menacing posture and grim demeanor have a greated effect on Eld than perhaps she expected; perhaps this desert woman does know something about her kind? Some specialized skills or knowledge? Her bravado may be built on experience after all.]]
[21:21:47] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And these are guys that look pretty strong. Big frames, things like that.
[21:22:08] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: But it's the guy on his left that goes down easy this time, and the guy on his right puts up a good fight.
[21:22:40] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And I can't decide if Bert's a genius or a doofus for doing this, but he calls out for somebody to take the place of the guy that went down, while he still has this other guy on his right!
[21:22:59] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: Oh, man! Ha ha ha ha ha! He's a bit of a showman, isn't he?
[21:23:43] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: To say the least. Oh, and he takes the guy's winnings, too, he wants another challenger with a new pot right there on his left.
[21:24:01] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: I guess that's what he's really after, huh?
[21:25:14] * [Mirr]_Eld betrays no true emotion as she stares at Zirren, though the room does seem a little brighter now
[21:25:41] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: I dunno, I don't think it's just about the money with him. I think he enjoys the attention, too, and he likes proving how strong he is. The money is proof of it, yeah, but what he really wants is the satisfaction of being STRONG.
[21:25:57] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The man makes a face and flexes dramatically as he says that last word.]]
[21:26:08] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: You'd know better than I, I don't really know the guy.
[21:27:40] <[Mirr]_Eld> I am unwilling to risk Adeline's safety over a petty squabble with one like yourself *turns and exits the library*
[21:27:47] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: So yeah, the crowd loves it, and Bert loves that the crowd loves it, and everybody throws in a few coins to get him a new challenger, all while this guy on his right is grunting and sweating. He's winning, too, by a bit. He's got Bert past the vertical.
[21:28:39] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And Bert seems to like this new guy, feels like he's finally got a decent challenget on each arm. This new guy lasts for longer.
[21:28:48] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: But it sounds like he goes down, too?
[21:31:04] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: Oh, yeah, after a minute or two. After he got done yelling about getting a new guy on his left and got serious again, he gets the guy on his right, too. Interesting, too, only a little while of equilibrium, and then the guy gets pushed slowly and steadily down. Like, at the same speed all through the arc. It's slow, but definite.
[21:31:55] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And when the guy on his right goes down, he doesn't ask for a new one. He's busy concentrating on the guy on his left, who isn't giving a finger's width.
[21:32:06] * [Naz]_Zirren waits for the echo of the library door's closing to subside before dropping her guard and fighting stance. Steadying herself on a nearby bookcase, she heaves a great sigh.
[21:33:16] * [Naz]_Zirren mumbles to herself. "I'm going to have to find a way to subdue her, and fast..."
[21:34:18] <[Naz]_Zirren> *Zirren, having calmed herself, resumes her earlier quest to find information on arcane phenomenon - specifically, the summoning and banishing of demons*
[21:34:45] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And that one wasn't like the one on the right, once he's beat, he's beat all the way, just collapses.
[21:35:24] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: And how was he feeling after that?
[21:35:41] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: After that, he wanted a break. He went and got another drink.
[21:36:10] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: I don't think he had another match that night. There were some others, but nothing like what he'd pulled.
[21:36:38] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: Man, I never get tired of hearing about that guy. He's always up to something wild.
[21:38:01] <[Multi]_Theo> [[There are a multitude of books on demons, a few localized to their summoning and banishing. Books from many different languages are available to her.]]
[21:38:19] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: Only after he gets off work. He's all business during the day.
[21:38:47] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: And remind me, what business is that?
[21:39:52] <[Multi]_Theo> doemstic3: Construction, repairs, things like that. He's always moving heavy things around, or swinging some metal thing around. That's how he's gotten so strong.
[21:40:13] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: Well, yeah, but what about the other guys he works with? Shouldn't they be just as strong?
[21:41:02] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: I think some of them are, but I don't hang around those parts as much. Still, I hear he has a reputation even among them. He's known as one of the strongest around in the Palace.
[21:42:17] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: At least, physically speaking. Emotionally, he's a flower.
[21:42:22] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: Oh, really?
[21:43:00] * [Naz]_Zirren selects a promising-looking tome written in Sarahaan and takes it off the shelf. She hesitates, however, and replaces the book, choosing instead one written in the common tongue whose origins seem to be further from home.
[21:43:06] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: Oh, gosh, don't tell him I told you that, but yeah. He's strong, but he's a bit insecure. Like, I think one of the reasons he does all this grandstanding is to prove to himself that he's as strong as he thinks he is.
[21:44:36] * [Naz]_Zirren sits at a nearby table with the book and begins browsing for anything related to banishing or defeating demons.
[21:45:40] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: I think he's actually sort of afraid of being stupid. I get the feeling that he's pround of being STRONG [[the man makes a face for dramatic emphasis]] because he feels like it's the only thing he can be proud of.
[21:47:41] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The book speaks mostly of breaking contracts and magically exhausting demons. There's no obvious mention of exorcism or anything of the like; the demons this book talks about don't superficially resemble what Eld claims to be.]]
[21:48:53] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: Huh. I wonder if there's some reason for that. Like maybe he had a brother who was smart and got all the attention.
[21:49:34] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: You know, I never thought of that, but maybe that's the case. I get the feeling that he has some sort of respect for intellectual-types that he wishes he could have for himself.
[21:49:54] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: And I wouldn't be too surprised if that was tied up in some parental expectations or something.
[21:50:26] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: His mother always wanted a scholar.
[21:50:31] * [Naz]_Zirren grunts in frustration and replaces the book, taking out another seemingly related to demon banishment, and again written in common.
[21:52:31] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: Ha ha ha! For all I know. His mother who's been on her knees scrubbing floors all her life. I don't think his line of work came as a surprise to anybody, and I don't think he knows any shame from his family for it. He does his job right well, I'd say.
[21:52:58] * [Naz]_Zirren returns to the table and leafs through the book by the light of a candle nearby.
[21:55:03] <[Multi]_Theo> [[This book is slightly more archaic, and has many prescriptions for dealing with various beasts, some of which might be fictional. It has some recipes for exorcism, mostly consisting of elaborate rituals.]]
[21:55:22] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: If he's that strong, I feel like he'd have a hard time doing it badly.
[21:57:03] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: Yeah, and he seems happy enough. He's got a good livelihood, and good friends that he enjoys being around. It just comes up sometimes, when someone mentions some thinking man, or if someone insults him in the right way.
[21:57:31] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: I'm guessing I shouldn't call him stupid, then.
[21:57:45] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: That might be a good way to get his knickers in a knot, yeah.
[21:58:09] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic4: And from the sound of it, he's one fellow I don't want to be angry at me.
[21:58:21] <[Multi]_Theo> domestic3: I should say not! Not in any serious way, anyhow.
[21:58:41] * [grant]_Achel goes to sneak off and leave the princess on her own.
[21:58:57] * [Naz]_Zirren slams the tome shut. She replaces it and pulls yet another book written in common from the shelf. Sitting down at the table for the third time and clearly getting impatient, she scans the pages for something, anything, that might be of help with Eld.
[22:00:05] * [grant]_Achel returns to the commons with a sigh.
[22:04:28] * [Mirr]_Eld is standing in the commons, she appears to be performing some kind of magic if the tiny motes of white light floating around her are any indication
[22:04:45] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The book Zirren is reading is a translation of a more techincal document from Oyashiman, and leaves many of the terms untranslated after first introducing them. It has a chapter on /mayoukongo/, which most closely resemble Adeline and Eld's situation, but is still different; in those cases, only one personality is present in the individual.]]
[22:06:53] <[grant]_Achel> What are you doing?
[22:07:15] * [Naz]_Zirren recognize it as the closest thing she's seen to a lead so far and looks for any mention of separating the spirits of these "mayoukongo".
[22:12:25] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The book implies, in part through omission, that there is no way to separate the person from the demon after they are fused.]]
[22:14:35] * [Mirr]_Eld turns to face Achel and the motes fade into nothingness
[22:15:00] * [Co]_River becomes satisfied with this slice of life and stops by the kitchens to see if Katerin is there now
[22:15:05] <[Mirr]_Eld> You might call it preparation
[22:16:22] <[grant]_Achel> Preparation for what exactly?
[22:18:06] <[Multi]_Theo> [[River goes to the kitchens, and, after scouting for a while, catches what looks like Katerin's braid passing through a couple other kitchen workers.]]
[22:18:10] <[Naz]_Zirren> *Zirren's head drops onto the open book as she lets out a groan. Picking herself back up, she returns the book and is about to leave when the Sarahaan one catches her eye. She hesitates a moment before reaching out for the book, then gingerly pulls it off the shelf. Going back to the table, she sighs and opens it.*
[22:19:26] <[Mirr]_Eld> Since Adeline refuses to take proper care of herself I am doing it for her
[22:19:41] <[Co]_River> Hmm
[22:20:03] * [Co]_River goes to the nearest kitchen staff who looks like they have some authority and addresses them
[22:20:18] <[grant]_Achel> Is that related to her powers?
[22:23:09] <[Multi]_Theo> [[The Sarahaan book surprises Zirren little. It contains mostly instructions on identifying demons and then destroying them, using methods that would probably work on non-demons as well. It offers the aspiring demon hunter many warning about what heresies might issue from their mouths, or what abilities and behaviours they might exhibit, but not much on removing a malignant spirit from its host.]]
[22:24:15] * [Naz]_Zirren sighs. "I don't know what I was expecting..."
[22:24:35] * [Naz]_Zirren replaces the book and begins her trek back to the commons.
[22:25:25] <[Mirr]_Eld> It is, her refusal to take care of herself is quite inconvenient
[22:25:58] <[Multi]_Theo> [[River finds a matronly lady coordinating incoming and outgoing tickets.]]
[22:27:11] <[Co]_River> Is a servant named Katerin currently on shift?
[22:28:12] <[Multi]_Theo> lady: Katerin? Yeah, I think she's around here somewhere. Yeah, she came back from delivering something just a while ago, so she shoudl be heading back out before too long.
[22:29:50] <[Co]_River> She sounds rather occupied, thank you for the information.
[22:29:53] <[grant]_Achel> It is probably because it seemed like no one ever explained it to her. Since you are here now maybe you can teach her those things that she was missing.
[22:30:53] * [Co]_River turns on her heel and heads back to her room.
[22:34:05] <[Mirr]_Eld> Indeed, before now she wasn't even aware I had a name. Although she never spoke of it I am certain she believed that I was some malicious fiend
[22:38:36] <[grant]_Achel> What do you see yourself as and what is the main purpose of staying for three days?
[22:40:18] * [Co]_River emerges in the commons
[22:42:22] <[Mirr]_Eld> My intent is to learn and know the future leaders of these lands around Hauterres, and to eliminate these strange misconceptions that appear to be so common outside of Hauterres borders
[22:45:16] <[Co]_River> Indeed?
[22:47:20] <[Mirr]_Eld> Ah, one of the future leaders of which I spoke. That is my intent in these three days
[22:49:16] <[Co]_River> You'll need much more than three days, I would expect.
[22:49:36] <[Co]_River> Perhaps you should stay a while longer.
[22:50:04] * [Co]_River circles around a table and takes a seat
[22:51:12] <[Mirr]_Eld> I cannot, already my control of another is nearly violation of law I am sworn to uphold
[22:53:29] <[Co]_River> Then why are you here?
[22:55:33] <[Mirr]_Eld> As I said, I seek knowledge, and perhaps to demonstrate to Adeline that her task is not the burden she assumes it to be
[22:56:45] <[Co]_River> Your law isn't recognized in these lands, is it? You may as well spend as long as you like to gather the knowledge you desire. As for Adeline, she'll require far more than three days to learn a lifetime of knowledge.
[23:03:26] <[Mirr]_Eld> I will not abandon my methods of conduct simply because I have left my home, and Adeline can learn from the demonstration I provide. Why would you ask me to stay?
[23:03:53] <[Co]_River> I have my reasons. Now, sit down here.
[23:04:41] * [Mirr]_Eld takes the indicated seat
[23:05:33] <[Co]_River> Tell me about Adeline's performance.
[23:05:36] * [Co]_River leans back
[23:12:53] <[Mirr]_Eld> In many respects she has a great deal to learn. Her ability to naturally adapt to my abilities was surprising, but I assume you mean in respect to her inability to be cooperative, most notably in situations she would deem embarrassing or demeaning
[23:14:05] <[Co]_River> She would never believe me when I told her there were alternatives that wouldn't require her to experience embarassment and such. Now, tell me about my performance.
[23:14:11] * [Co]_River steeples her fingers
[23:15:43] <[Mirr]_Eld> She is, in many ways, like her father
[23:41:19] <[Mirr]_Eld> Your performance? By what scale shall I measure you? I am not of your kind, nor have I spent any true length of time at your side, but were I to judge you by my previous mantle I would provide that your skills would prove you to be an unusual creature, and by all accounts no threat to the land.
[23:44:12] <[Co]_River> Mmm. Sensible answers. If only you could tutor Adeline in person, she would become quite capable indeed.
[23:45:07] <[Co]_River> Unfortunately, even if she could see you performing these actions, I am rather convinced that she would simply consider you someone she is watching, entirely separate and of no influence to her own choices.
[23:47:08] <[Co]_River> I remain skeptical of how much Adeline would learn from watching through you. Regardless, you seem to know yourself in relation to the world around you, and what things you do not relate to, a very vital skill when in close support of someone else.
[23:49:50] <[Mirr]_Eld> My nature has always been one of service to others. Though the exact nature my services and of whom I serve have changed in great degree the concepts remain the same.
[23:51:23] <[Co]_River> Do you have any aspirations towards changing your line of work?
[23:56:33] <[Mirr]_Eld> It was my duty to accept an other worldly summons
[23:57:12] <[Co]_River> Is it possible to free you?
[23:59:34] <[Mirr]_Eld> Even if that were a possibility I cannot return across the veil with no form in which to do so
[00:01:40] <[Mirr]_Eld> As I am now I am more capable of restoring Hauterres, and by doing so restore the connection of summoners to what was once my land
[00:03:32] <[Co]_River> I may have something for separating entities. But anyway, do you desire to "restore" that land simply so you aren't without a method of escape from this plane?
[00:05:57] <[Co]_River> From what you've said, there isn't much to restore. Clearly, the former administrators were incompetent to such a degree that they lost the entirety of the physical and cultural resources they were entrusted with.
[00:07:17] <[Co]_River> You would simply be founding a new nation within the carcass of an old one.
[00:09:41] <[Mirr]_Eld> There is no escape for me, my goal is to place Adeline in the land that is her birthright and to reestablish connection to those I would call my superiors. I see what occurred as no different than what has been repeating itself since long before either of our births; wars are waged and many suffer for it, structures can be rebuilt and lessons learned from the past.
[00:13:22] <[Co]_River> Have Adeline replace Theo then.
[00:13:37] <[Co]_River> If you believe that you can have her do things differently, then go for the top.
[00:14:38] <[Co]_River> You will not succeed amongst the systems present on this large-land. You must be above them to show them the way.
[00:14:39] <[Mirr]_Eld> Do you consider his position more important than your homeland?
[00:15:54] <[Mirr]_Eld> Ambitious greed such as that will not serve Adeline well
[00:18:32] <[Co]_River> My homeland still exists, you know. I have a functional social system to uphold, and though I may not return to it, I will do the best for it. Adeline, however, has no such people to represent. This is beyond greed, you are not seizing the throne from Theo for the sake of having the throne. Your ideal of ending conflict will not succeed when you are mired within it, the only way you may foster peace is by being above those who would make
[00:18:33] <[Co]_River> war. Use his achievements to go further than he can for he operates under the paradigm of this land's history and social climate. Take his resources and use it to realize your ideal of peace.
[00:19:38] <[Co]_River> Unless, of course, you are satisfied with his methods and are content in being relegated to a member state caught between militant ones.
[00:23:17] <[Mirr]_Eld> Even now Hauterres is capable of defending itself, considering its position among the mountains it would be difficult for it to be caught between any two states. I would calculate that with its reserves it could easily stand against any other land in their current state
[00:24:58] * [Naz]_Zirren enters the commons and wordlessly passes through them and into the room.
[00:26:23] <[Co]_River> So you do want to fight your way to supremacy, like the rest of them.
[00:26:41] <[Mirr]_Eld> I have no desire for supremacy
[00:27:01] <[Co]_River> You have no desire to see your ideal realized.
[00:27:09] <[Co]_River> It's fine though, works for me, Theo too.
[00:27:20] <[Mirr]_Eld> The one true goal is unity
[00:31:47] <[Co]_River> Which you will not achieve. I have to admit, Theo has achieved something rather impressive. Since our ancestors got killed off this land millennia ago, states have fought other states up until he came by. We've watched with pity and bemusement, merely keeping them at bay. But then he goes around and puts the pieces of the puzzle in their places, and now this land fits together reasonably well. I'm not telling you to kill him and take his
[00:31:47] <[Co]_River> place, but you simply cannot achieve your unity without the groundwork he has done. You must be the nexus of this multi-national project.
[00:33:17] <[Co]_River> There will be no peace or unity unless you do what he did. Thus, you can either wait until he's gone and the pieces fall apart, or you can use what he's got now and take it further than he is willing, and physically able, to
[00:35:13] <[Mirr]_Eld> You think only of unity of nations, what I speak of is unity from across the veil
[00:37:53] <[Co]_River> You want to achieve this trans-planar cooperation without dealing with the cooperation within this one?
[00:43:52] <[Mirr]_Eld> Your lands do not communicate with mine as Hauterres does; and such unification will benefit all, why would you not wish to cooperate?
[00:49:16] <[Co]_River> Have you never met those who care only of their lives in this world? Some beings aren't looking for anything sensible, like cooperation. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. So long as they exist and have a chance to come into power, your ideal of becoming the shining beacon of light in the darkness will only amount to being a bleeding swimmer in a sea of sharks.
[00:59:20] <[Mirr]_Eld> I will remain resolute for my own sake as well as Adeline. There is no shortage of evil in this world, but viewing this as an insurmountable task will bring only failure
[01:00:42] <[Co]_River> I already told you that it is surmountable: use Theo's influence.
[01:01:23] <[Co]_River> I am rather satisfied, however. You aren't so different from Adeline that you are wholly unfamiliar and strange, but definitely see things with some more clarity than she does. It is nice.
[01:01:26] <[Mirr]_Eld> You mean to suggest that I am not already doing so
[01:01:56] <[Co]_River> Not enough, no.
[01:05:11] <[Mirr]_Eld> I will seek his aid when the time is right, but what would you see come of these plans?
[01:09:42] <[Co]_River> Save for a particular matter, your plans will not concern us, so we will watch with mild interest as how a dead state and nation either reaches out of its grave or rises from the ashes to join the other gladiators in the ring or be the messiah for the lost.
[01:09:56] <[Co]_River> Yes, we think it is quite irrelevant to us.
[01:10:30] <[Co]_River> You have my personal approval though, not that it is worth anything.
[01:12:07] <[Mirr]_Eld> Though you say nothing you still have influence, and your master of nations will likely consider your opinions before reaching a final decision
[01:16:00] <[Co]_River> Were it so easy.
[01:16:25] <[Co]_River> What part of your plan involves me, anyway?
[01:17:04] <[Co]_River> Or perhaps I should ask 'what part of your plan involves us' instead.
[01:18:48] <[Mirr]_Eld> Will you not one day control your nation? It is best that you know my goal now and not face it with trepidation when Hauterres is restored
[01:22:07] <[Co]_River> Ha! The very fact that I am here means that I will not. No, it seems my younger brother will be the heir, so long as he completes his studies acceptably.
[01:23:09] <[Co]_River> So I truly am just a simple observer here, perhaps even a representative for my people.
[01:24:26] <[Mirr]_Eld> Your influence will be welcome regardless
[01:25:15] <[Co]_River> So long as you only speak in the present, I have no objections. Should you speak of the future, however, I'd caution you against speaking too soon.
[01:26:07] <[Co]_River> By the way, when I granted Adeline my station a few months ago, how would you have had her act, or acted yourself if you were as you are now?
[01:30:58] <[Mirr]_Eld> Such a change would not be observed by the population, it is beneath my concern
[01:33:21] <[Co]_River> Hmhmm, I see. You too wouldn't have used it to maximum effect either.
[01:33:30] <[Co]_River> Come here.
[01:33:43] * [Co]_River waves towards an indicated spot beside her chair
[01:34:35] * [Mirr]_Eld moves as instructed
[01:34:55] * [Co]_River reaches up and pats Adeline's head
[01:35:23] <[Mirr]_Eld> You seem quite fond of doing that, why?
[01:36:14] <[Co]_River> That body reminded me of my cousins.
[01:36:26] <[Co]_River> I thought I mentioned it to Adeline once.
[01:36:43] <[Co]_River> Regardless, she's just the right size to pet.
[01:43:48] <[Multi]_Theo> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~