A Pleasant Park Chat 11/16

Maertock would appear to be sitting on his lonesome in the city park on this quiet night, the Captain of the Deep Company as ever adorned in his sifting cloak of shadows, roguish finery, and blackened arcanium plate. With the arrival of the eldest Aertas, he'd bow his head with a flash of his serrated smile to the woman.

"I had my first necromancy lesson from Councillor Gutterrunner right here....Murtock skipped the lesson cause he was having surgery, so it was me and my newest swabbie learning the dark arts for giggles in the middle of arguable active tensions between our two factions."

The reaver lord of the south coast would sigh lightly at that. Where had ten years gone.

"That boy became my first mate, strange how the tide of fate brings things about. It's a pleasure as ever in the presence of your beauty Lady Aertas."

He'd nod his head in greetings at that.

"I'll start boldly. I have a wide variety of incredibly bold, nigh insane sounding projects I need someone as smart and sexy as me to help with. Do you want to do mad science?"
(Maertock Reave)
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The older Aertas would be found lightly placing herself upon an empty stool, legs crossing as her gloved digits clasp upon the rigid surface of the table.

There was an uncanny calm from Amelia. Tired and lifeless eyes survey the captain of the Deep Company as little to no inch of movement would follow from her frail physique.

"Mh, how nostalgic," she comments. She could remember such a time likely was just yesteryear. Now, judging by the outcome of such hasty political movements and the blurriest of lines between friend and foe, she finds herself with the captain once more.

Albeit in a safer environment than the last two times the two crossed paths.

"Now then." With the faintest snap of her fingers, runes along the gloves of her fingers would bur to life as a small synthetic figure slowly drifted closer from the east. Its metallic features and digital eyes peer forward as its rigid arms carried the burden of a peculiar clipboard. One Amelia was all too familiar with.

With the object placed upon the table, its blank page would slightly refract a portion of the nearby lampposts as the Aertas would produces an intriguing metal pen. "I am here to listen. My ears are ready to critique."
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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Maertock would offer a nod of understanding as his own icy blue, shark's eyes met the tinker's own. A businesswoman, cold and calculated; now this was exactly what he required. It was going to be an amusing venture without a doubt, of that at least there would be no concern.

"Painfully nostalgic. I'll ever be in his shadow, even now long after he's dead. I miss him, in truth. But I'm rebuilding the Deep Company piece by piece in his memory. And the way I see it? Why not make actual use of his memory."

A sly smile and a wink offered to Amelia. His flamboyance and theatrics a contrast to her uncanny calm.

"The first matter is simple. You're the most talented tinker and synthetic expert I know on the island. You see, through deals and outings of my brother's regard, the crew came into the possession of the...cadavers of one Alpha and Neoni. It was a deal with Moxtli for the former, back when they weresweet on my big brother and all."

The captain would nod steadily at that, ambiently gesturing with his hands as he continued to speak.

"Now, way I see it, whatever makes your synthetics smart as they are, two brains worth of synthetic is twice the thinking power of one. Now, if it didn't need to move; no, let's say it was staying right smack in the middle of my ship, the materials from the no longer needed limbs and organs could be repurposed into a....central navigational...mainframe of sorts. A nexus of high intelligence requiring but a spark of ….and this is where is gets whacky."

The captain would lean in lightly towards the scientist.

"A pinch of unlife. Once we build this mainframe thinking brain, we take the cursed mirror my brother got that made him sorta immortal, trapped his spirit in a mirror; and this fancy chiron gem I happened to get my hands on in some dirty business, and we turn him into the central nervous system of the ship by using the mirror itself as the personality core."

The reaver lord of the south coast would flash another lighthearted smile to Amelia.

"Any of that catch your interest yet?"
(Maertock Reave)
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 Her hand bearing the pen would lay vehemently upon the dry parchment of her clipboard. Her cold year hospitable pink pupils would lambast between Maertock and the paper. Yet her hand does not author upon the piece just yet. Preferring to attend to the coming explanation firstly.

"For one, I must explain that the intelligence you speak of is easily gone by now from the husks of the Synthetics. I do not believe there is any left within their forms that remain usable." Her expertise upon the matter was impeccably strong, thus it would be easy to ascertain of the genuineness of her words.

Yet she does seem to pause upon the mention of one of the Synthetic's names. One that sparks a moment of confusion within the Aertas' mindspace. "I understand you still possess Neoni, however Alpha was long presented to us by Murtock himself about a few years ago." Her clarification was there to iron out any details she might have missed. "I have seen his... remains myself. Lest I digress that I may be missing something?"

Of course, she would get to the main idea itself eventually; that would be another monster to fillet. "Regardless, as I have mentioned, you will need something much more if you wish to garner the use of an artificial intelliegenc-"

She would cut herself off. She doubles back, likely only realizing the mention of the Chiron gem itself. Two blinks come upon the Aertas. "C-Come again?" She clarifies. "A Chrion gem?"
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 Maertock would clap his hands together with cheer as the alcoholic remembered with sudden clarity that was actually a thing that had happened. A thing that Murtock had told him had happened at that! It made the conversation all the more informative in truth.

"Oh no you're probably right, I was in a two year rum binge somewhere around that time, I probably just removed the memory from my mind during my mourning. Even better, less complicated! A single synthetic chassis is simpler by far to augment with some shiny materials for the plan at hand."

The captain would chuckle lightheartedly at that.

"The question of rare materials is nothing to me. My men and I can find anything and go anywhere; that's the pirate's life. If there's missing parts to this insane proclamation of mine, who better than you my dear to instruct me in what steps must be taken."

At her blinking, he'd offer another smile to Amelia.

"Yes, a chiron gem. Shocking as it might sound, being the reaver lord of the south coast for a decade is a profitable and reputable position. I would come to you with no less than the worker of miracles for an ambition of great minds such as ourselves."
(Maertock Reave)
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Perhaps if Amelia were the type to chuckle at simple and lighthearted joys like this, she would. However it is a shame she wasn't.

"Alcohol in your veins can be quite problematic for your memory. But do not worry, I have seen worse. I once witnessed someone overdosing on Mana Amnesia; a tragic addiction." She seemed to be quite sure with her words. Whether it was funny or worrying to entertain the notion was up to the captain.

However, by now, Amelia's fingers were off to work. Ink lining the pad before her as her rough and ineligible doctor's handwriting would soon begin to cover much of the space.

Thought there may be a semblance of remorse before the old Commander's corpse, yet the prospect of furthering her craft and the efficient reuse of such seems all the more appealing. "A single one will suffice then," she chimes; a bold proclamation.

"I believe I can plan around to whatever materials you all acquire. The only need is their acquisition, but I will see if I can provide general descriptions of the need." Yet there was one thing that seemed to put her mind at motion. What with the oncoming war, the prospect of problems that comes with it, all that. Amelia seemed keen on at least getting something out of this herself other than just experience.

Or at least, something out of this for her city.

"I will be glad to provide aid under one request from you and your crew. It should be simple and even be a smart choice for you all." Her writing ceases. Her eyes shut for but a few moments; inhaling and exhaling as her pupils reveal themselves once more, now making intent eye contact with the captain. "I only ask that you and your crew stay away from any potential dangers of war between Achyon and those that would oppose this fair city. Most especially in this upcoming one. Who knows what lurks and approaches against Achyon these days." A pensive glance would be taken to the horizon. Perhaps one tired of meddlings from outside forces?

"The innovation that you seek is comparable to none lest it comes from the City of Metal, and it would surely be a shame if this fairly interesting tie-in with out scientists and your crew were to be severed due to a few close-minded ideals, none from yours of course." The Moxtli. She seemed to be talking about the Moxtli.
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "*with our scientists"
] Maertock's icy blue eyes appeared to be held by Amelia's mechanical, business-like demeanor. Perhaps it was the contrast to his own flamboyance, or the willingness to correct him where so many did not out of fear. But the reaver lord of the south coast would only chuckle in regards to her examinations, spreading his broad, sinewed arms wide in a gesture of cheer.

"Yes, as a professional and pronounced alcoholic who has sought the depths of oblivion and the abyss at the bottom of a bottle for many years, I can concur. I am, however, entirely curious to hear what happens to someone that overdoses on, let alone is addicted to amnesias...."

The captain would tilt his head with a light series of blinks at that, before barking out once more into boisterous laughter.

When she made eye contact with him, his own icy, blue shark's eyes matched her own with intensity.

"Why, Amelia my dear, this war never had any interest for me. The alliance we once had with Moxtli was one of convenience and my brother's ties to Lannis Grimmore. Two dead folk now, as it were."

Maertock would offer another smile as his gaze matched her own, the expression widening with ambient cheer.

"I've always envied the technology of your people. And having one of their greatest minds helping me with a project that will make a shape out of legend; a synthesis of the rarest materials, the darkest magics, and the greatest innovations of this generation?"

The sharkman would nod slowly at that.

"I'll make it a formal agreement in writing that we remain out of your conflict with Moxtli on one condition. We have dinner in my cabin sometime."

A playful wink; a strange look on a seven foot sharkman made of muscle and shadows.
(Maertock Reave)
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 "A tale for another time perhaps?" Of course, this one was not her patient. So the clearance of confidentiality was easily out of the window. "But I can assure you, it is an interesting occurrence. Even I am baffled."

By the mention of Lannis' death, her head cranes backward. A look of utter flabbergast and intrigue fills her demeanor. He couldn't be talking about another Lannis Grimmore, right? There can be only one. "I did not know that one has... perished."

She only remembered the faintest of interactions she had with him and his brother. Bygone memories that wince in and out of her brain these days. Likely for a purpose. She was never fully fond of them either way.

"I see," she retorts. Flattery did have wonders from time to time, yet upon the faintest insight on Amelia's reactions, it would seem that she was not the type to be overly gracious with them. Did this mean she had no pride? Perhaps, perhaps not. "Regardless, I am glad to hear that you seem quite inclined to agree. Though if you do not mind, I will have to ask the Don for that specific paper work to occur."

Her hands continue to write, this time on a new piece of parchment as the previous one bearing notes on the subject of the pirate's request would be flipped aside. The new writing? Seemingly a letter. Perhaps to the Don himself. "The latter request. Thought I will provide the verbal answer now, I will say that the only thing keeping me from fully providing my agreeance to it—as Murtock himself invited me to something similar actually—is the looming danger of another Moxtli kidnapping."

Amelia shudders. Until now, she seemed adamant about travels outside of the city for this singular reason. Understandable and very very annoying.
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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] "A tale for another time. Another reason for the pleasure of your company; I am a sucker for fables, legends, and stories of all kinds. They are the real magic in the world at the end of the day."

Maertock's smile would appear wistful at that, his gaze briefly flicking off towards the stars as he thought back ten years to the man he'd once been; bright eyed and curious as they'd freshly fallen upon these shores. Now, he was a grown reaver who'd suffered loss and betrayal; and yet it all felt like it had gone by so fast.

"I believe it was actually today. I'd only just gotten news of it myself while passing through Moxtli. It is a rather theatric, if unsurprising occurrence. While my brother favored him, I always gauged he was a playboy who was going to step on the wrong person's feet one day."

The captain would nod grimly at that.

"I am glad you are glad my dear, I personally have bigger aims than such quarrels. The leviathan hunt will offer a cadaver ripe with potential for augmentation and reanimation. A living ship...a living fortress."

The sharkman would hear out the woman's response with a pause however; the obvious frustration she had with being so important as to always be at risk of capture an obvious one.

In a surprising act of gentility, the captain would scoot his stool closer to Amelia, placing a black gloved hand softly upon her arm, his eyes raising to meet her own mechanical visage.

"I can put those worries to rest. I want the pleasure of your company, not whatever bounty the tribes can concoct. I'm armed to the teeth in arcanium and pirate riches, I have no lack of wealth. What I do lack is a beautiful and intelligent woman to commit mad science and eat dinner with."

With a flourish, the ancient cutlass of Captain Saltspite would be raked from Maertock's cutlass, inky shadows trickling down its lank as the blade blackened before the pair as a nigh aegis.

"I'd personally protect you, and kill anyone who attempted to do you harm. Killing people tends to get the message across."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Tales and fables. If there were any other doubts before—which there were none—the Reave brothers' relation would surely be solidified by that statement.

As for the late Grimmore, she had no more words. She was always late on the news of Esshar ever since she stepped down as councilwoman. Perhaps her preferences to working on her own projects and shutting herself off from the rest of the world to focus had its drawbacks.

"A living ship you say?" Now that, that caught her attention. "An artificial intelligence, a large looming vehicle... I believe I am starting to connect dots about this. I will say, whatever the final fruition of this plan of yours, the aid of a competent mind from Achyon is the only one that can push this forward. That, I can assure you."

Of course, aloof gazes would be provided to the captain, his weapon, then the dripping shadows in that order. Not the first time she has seem this type of magic from him, yet this would be as close as she has gotten to it.

"I respect and greatly appreciate the offer. I will have to make amends and plans for it, but I will update you about it sooner or later." But it seems she was raring to help. If anything, the slightest tinges of excitement occasionally drips through her stoic and roboting demeanor. "I will speak to the Don immediately and set up a meeting between us. Once that is finalized, I believe we can begin the planning phase of this leviathan of a project."
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 Maertock would smile a bit wider at that. It was clear that he loved his theater more than anything; though there were obvious differences between his brother and himself. Murtock had been larger, more boisterous, more willing to fight instead of scheming in the shadows.

But their love of mysticism was a bond of blood and heart alike.

"A living ship. The sort that could be used to travel the realms, the depths, the heavens, and all that lay in-between. I see no better use for the colossal carcass of a kraken if not to hollow it out bar for its spinal cord, stomach, heart and brain; fill it to the brim with artillery and all manner of fancy technologies, and turn it into a spatial flagship without equal fit for a pirate king's legend."

The captain would nod lightly once more at that, patting Amelia upon the arm before withdrawing his hand. Flirtatious or not, he wasn't an eighteen year old anymore. There was a time and place to courtproper ladies, and it was at the dinner table.

"I'm glad you appreciate it; in truth the pleasure would be all mine. You're a wonderful conversational partner if you didn't know. I'm always available by letter if you ever seek to reach me."

The captain would offer another wink to Amelia at that.

"A proper meeting sounds like the nines. It will be a massive project, one that is composed of several smaller, also important projects that bring it all together. There was actually another one I desired to speak with you about."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Despite all the flattery, Amelia was likely more oblivious than a sack of bricks. Perhaps it was the only facet she can be deemed in as 'dumb', yet it was her nature—nothing she could do about that.

"I believe I understand your plans. I will begin doing off-hand research myself upon potential designs and aspects of it." With one more flourish of her pen, the letter would be done. Pulling the other pages back as she tucks the clipboard below the table by her legs, she would now provide her unwavering attention to the captain.

Her rubellite eyes coldly looking forward now. "Conversations only become quite good with me if the purpose is made clear. I create a path to reach its end. You have provided the necessary aspects and I merely bridged the gap."

However, it would seem that her plans would not end here. "Another project?" She inquires. "Do tell then."
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 Maertock would snicker to himself with cheer at the ambient chill and impassivity of the scientist. She was cold as ice; and that made her all the more higher standing in the reaver lord's eyes. He'd met far too many ditzy, vulgar women in his days; here at last was one of class and standing.

"Your enthusiasm and expertise is appreciated. Considering the size of the workspace we may have with the leviathan's carcass, feel free to come up with potential ideas and innovations past what I've already suggested. I wouldn't have come to you if I did not consider your intellect and insight valuable."

The captain appeared amused by the woman's respond however.

"You undersell your own charm. It's a bit old fashioned, sure, but there's something to be admired of a thoughtful and determined woman with business on the mind. You contribute as much as myself to the enjoyment."

The captain wouldat last regard the project at hand, drawing the cutlass once more with a nod.

"Right, this is the cutlass of Captain Saltspite, ancient skeleton pirate captain and necromanced hooligan who also owned this hat I wear. Beyond having once been a catalyst of necromancy, it's a pretty standard mithril cutlass."

The captain would nod steadily as he waved it before the pair.

"Now, if I'm going to adequately kill anyone who tries to kidnap you, I'll need something a bit better. My thought was this; what if the quality that made this blade once a conduit of reanimation is reinforced. I have three ingots of arcanium, I plan to acquire some abyssal sebathium soon. I'd reckon an alloy of these two could coat and extend my blade; integrate with its runic fiber and form a sharper, far superior edge that is both longer and wider than its present, anciently thin state. Easier to cut through meat and bone if its more like a cleaver."

Maertock would whistle softly at that.

"But that's only the half of it. Ideally I'd like the blade to be serrated if you can manage it; if anyone could I'd reckon it'd be a master artificer like yourself. The handle is another matter."

Two very strange reagents were withdrawn.

"This is a rare crystal I acquired while fighting in the Shadow Games in the performance that earned us second place; it resonates deeply with unrefined mana. If we could attune it to that necromantic energy, it would serve as a fine conduit for the eventual effort with the chiron gem as well as prove a useful catalyst for my own necromancy."

Maertock would turn his icy blue shark's eyes to meet Amelia's own once more.

"And this? This is an infinitely regeneration tentacle that possesses the mana of my dead god. I want to make it the handle; integrate it via implanted wiring with the blade's runes and the gem. In theory, I could compel the tentacle through black magic to extend and allow me to use this dreadblade as an impromptu whip."

The captain would bob his head.

"What's your gauge on these two?"
(Maertock Reave)
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 Perhaps the influx of soon-to-be-used materials would have Amelia somewhat reeling back. Arcanium and Sebathium would be toss around as if they were just idle names of food recipes, when in-fact these materials—to the Aertas' knowledge—were more than one's corner store Nyeshk.

They were leagues past it.

"Quite a plethora of planned materials," she comments. Her hands ingress further into her form as she somewhat looks all the more dauntless before the request. "I will have to do a bit of research and study myself, but I have no doubt that I can put the work in for you."

"Serration is merely an afterthought, captain. Something that any amateur artificer can do." A bit boastful, yet for good reason. It was merely a clear sign and her odd way of saying 'yes' for the request.

The forging of such a weapon would likely call for being done in-tandem with the ship. Considering their request for a tie-in with it.

Speaking of, by now, her gloved fingertips would hold themselves back as the artificer merely leans forward to look over the presented items. Why the caution? The piece of their 'god' easily tingles her fight or flight senses. The gem however? A clear sign for a focus. She did not even have to think.

"Well, perhaps once we get into the process of creating a weapon fit for you, I will have a much more closer inspection over this... tentacle." She was not one who has shied away from making use of godly aspects and materials in her work. Achlys, Eos, and now a eldritch horror—her repertoire only grew. "I have a few prospective ideas coming, but I will ruminate over them. Good ideas do not come in a day, or at least that is what my grandfather tells me."

Yet her eyes finally fall upon the blade. Slim, light, fitting for a pirate. "My, my. I understand the appeal for this piece's usage now." As if the meres glance upon the weapon, despite its rusty demeanor, the artificer and her trained eyes could easily see worth when one would see trash. "I believe we can indeed renovate this piece. Newer metals, better maerials, stronger outcome."
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "*materials"
 Maertock would offer Amelia a dramatic bow to Amelia with a sense of showmanship. The materials were rare for most people with certainty, but the Deep Company's ill gotten gains had been vast since their landing in the south coast of Siren Beach a decade prior. The fact that a full suit of arcanium armor and an arcanium pendant adorned the Captain said enough in itself.

"I can get anything the world has to provide my dear. There is nothing out of my reach I can't reave. I am the shadows made manifest as it were; they whisper and I listen clearly to the dead god's insight. It is a fortuitous thing. Your willingness to dedicate time to research a project on my behalf is sweet though."

Piracy was profitable.

"I reckon the best way we'll be able to make a weapon fit for me is if you get to know me better. Seems like that dinner I proposed will be business and pleasure."

His smile would widen a degree at seeing Amelia boldly lean in to get a better look at the reagents. She possessed a sense of determination, of that there could be no doubt in the reaver lord of the south coast's mind.

"Also means we can give you time to think on ideas as you said. Don't want to rush your genius; I've learned in my trade as a master of shadow magic and as a pirate that waiting can often produce a bigger take."

Maertock would nod sagely; his sea turtle mentor Raul had told him that once upon a blue moon.

"I know you'll impress me Amelia, I'm excited to see your work and imagination at play. A bonus in that our success will aid in me killing people trying to kill you."
(Maertock Reave)
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 She reservedly nods. There was not much rhyme or reason for her to beat around the bush. Their goal was clarified. All that was left was merely her request being put the paper.

After that? As both him and her Babushka would put it: Mad Science.

"I will do what I can to provide more than just something to impress." Thought there was no smile, an aura of pride slowly began to swell up upon the artificer. "You chose well speaking to an Aertas. If it were any other, you likely might need to do more heavily lifting than you would want," she smugly exhales.

"Then it is settled. Expect a letter from either me or the Don. We meet up, parley and iron out details, then we can begin such an endeavor." Perhaps it could be as simple as that. She would hope it is as politics, despite its grave need in this world, would be something that often flies past the Aertas. Perhaps it was counterbalance to her adeptness in her craft. "Perhaps thenwe can speak much better in detail of the project and your weapon."
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 Maertock would nod slowly as he would yawn, cracking his back, neck, and shoulders as he sheathed his blade once more in a gesture representing his departure. It had been a wonderfully pleasant chat in the park, but they'd have more than enough time to talk at dinner.

"I have no doubt; what you achieve will speak for itself. I'm certain whatever we manage will be something of legend; the accompaniment of the chiron gem in the great project to come will assure that. I couldn't think of a better partner by my side for such an endeavor of mad science."

The shark man would bow his head respectfully to Amelia, offering a playful wink as his inky, drifting shadows flowed about his form with ambient, lively progression.

"Your confidence inspires my own. I want to see what an Aertas can really do; you're my favorite of the four with certainty. Cyril tries, but you just more attractive. It's a hard knock life."

The captain of the Deep Company would bark out in jovial laughter at hthat.

"After that parley is done, we can have that dinner in my cabin in peace. We can talk about all sorts of things my dear. The project, the weapon, the world, and all that lies in-between. I look forward to your company. Until next time, do avoid being kidnapped while I'm not around, yes?"
(Maertock Reave)
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Such an intriguing request, one she could only assume was for the purpose of properly planning the weapon. In her eyes, it was all work, no play; rather than a mixture of work and play.

To the point, as some would call her.

"I assure you that anything my hands grace will surely be nothing but a masterpiece." Again, her unbridled confidence in her own skill. This was merely a stepping point to her.

Yet upon the mention of her estranged brother, her composed and prideful presentation would seem dampened. It was hard to tell if its was melancholy, choler, or grief. Yet it would be clear that that specific subject is a touchy one.

Perhaps that is why it takes a few seconds for her to lag behind and snap back to focus. "Oh, uh, yes. Yes. I look forward to that." She merely mutters, unsure of the exact words that she followed-through. "If you have any other queries that come up after this meeting, do not be afraid to send me a letter. I tend to be busy but I will respond, albeit a few days later."
(Amelia Locke pyr Aertas)
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 Maertock Reave says, "Of course."
 Maertock Reave says, "Take your time, I look forward to the letter. Until next time Amelia, I enjoyed our chat."
 Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "It was a very productive and insightful one."
 Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "I do look forward to the next as well."
 Maertock Reave says, "That makes two of us."
 Amelia Locke pyr Aertas says, "Safe travels back."
 Maertock Reave says, "Ahahaha, it'll only be unsafe for anyone that tries to stop me."