The whispers - RPLOG
From Rusted Promises
Participants
Date
21/4/478
Log
The academy library is surprisingly empty at these moments, the beings whom would normally be madly dashing around for research busy attending to their studies, and the ones taking care of the library itself have taken a break for food... Well, save for an eldery porcupine by the entrance, who had fallen into a deep sleep behind his desk. But back here, the library was free of all eyes, and ready for things ones wish to go unnoticed.
Fenris wanders through the stacks with Cassidy and Natska. "Thanks for coming," he says, "I know that the note was a little vague, but I wanted to explain in person." He looks around and is not especially surprised to find the place empty. They must be expected. "Truth is," he continues, browsing some titles, "We are here to talk to a Spirit. Uh, one of the Corrupt Court. The Scholar, to be specific. And I did not want to do it alone."
"Mmmh." Cassidy rolls her shoulders as she follows after Fenris, folding her hands in front of her while the hem of her fancy black and red dress flits about her ankles. "I can't say I like dealing with them, but I trust that you have a good reason, so I will accompany you. Provided Natska does not mind, of course."
Natska thinks for a moment, her ear flicking once, and then she nods. "I can imagine why. I'll watch your back, Fenris, no worries. You are not expecting to have trouble though, are you?"
Fenris nods to the pair with him. "I am not really expecting trouble. I do not think the Scholar works that way," he says, "Besides, I have reason to believe that we are expected. The trick will be the price. I don't know what it will ask for in exchange for its help, but we will need all of the Spirits to help us if we are going to survive the Craige. I promise I will fill you in on everything later. There just has not been time." He looks around for a secluded study alcove and pulls up four chairs, sitting in one himself. "Scholar?" he says quietly, as is appropriate for a library, "I invoke your name in a place of learning, will you speak with us?"
Cassidy settles into one of the chairs, folding one leg over the other as she leans back to listen. "Yes, I don't know what kind of price it will be, either. Hopefully nothing steep. Part of why I dislike dealing with spirits."
Frowning, Natska gives Fenris a faint scowl. "Yes. You, and Kalt, both running around with more information than you care to share." She sighs then, and shrugs her shoulders. "But as I said, you have my aid, as little as I care for the keeping of secrets."
"I shall have you know, I detest riddles, and secrets." A young homely looking feline in scholar's robes steps from the shadows of the book cases, a bit plump all around, though she seems to give off a particular vibe of authority as she speaks with a slight smile. "You are starting on rather poor terms it does seem... Well, you are at least Fenris. Your friends however, are not faring so poorly." Her tail swaying gently behind herself as she reaches up to inspect the spine of a new book, before she turns her gaze back to the group. "But, as they appear to interest me... I will speak, so long as you don't receive a third mark... And what sort of thing, could you all wish to discuss with me, to infer a cost hmmm?" Her lips parting in a grin at Natska's words as she clasps her hands behind her back and leans in. "You see why I do prefere truth and knowledge yes? Lies, half truths, and secrets... All so vexing to progress."
Fenris stands as the being approaches. "I thought you might feel that way, Whisperer," he says amiably, "Which is part of why I brought friends along. Specifically those who know many of my secrets." He indicates the empy chairs to the three ladies. "Please, sit, let us talk a bit," he says, waiting for the others to sit, "We are here to ask for your aid against the Craige. Olg'Ish said that you would be willing to grant your help, but probably for a price." He smiles at the Spirit as he takes his own chair. "And while I may keep secrets, I am no liar," he says, "Anything you ask, I will answer you truthfully."
"Yes, I fully agree. I hate secrets," Cassidy says, furrowing her brow. "All that information that could be ours, kept out of reach." She turns to Natska and smiles. "I intend to visit Kalt later and find out what we're wondering, though. She'll tell us, if she wants our help," she says with a nod before turning her attention back to the feline.
Natska respectfully inclines her head towards the scholarly cat, then takes a seat when Fenris indicates them. She gives Cassidy a smile, raises her eyebrows at Fenris' casual name dropping, and remains quiet as she waits to see what happens.
doesn't even approach the chair, instead wandering all the way around, to lean down to head level with Cassidy as she grins. "It is vexing indeed, almost as if they think themselves so superior to be the sole ones to lord over it all... Or stop you, merely because they do not -like- how you are getting your information. But, they are close minded fools... of which I have little tolerance." The feline purring gently before she looks to Fenris with a raised eyebrow. "I am well aware of what he told you, I am more curious of what you intended to ask, aside from droll question about a force long past that has returned. Honestly, you have better things to ask on... But, if the one of riddles wants to know if I will help? I will. But on two conditions. Firstly, I want my dedicants to be allowed to pursue their studies, without your ignorant interruptions. Secondly, I want a secret..." Her tail swishes gently as she gets an almost predatory grin about herself. "I want a secret, from the Master of Secrets, and not a trivial one."
Fenris is not ruffled. At least, not to look at him. The big tiger sits with his hands folded in his lap, almost in a meditative pose. "I am full of questions, Lady," he says gently, "But I will learn the answers in my own due time. It is the question of the Craige that presses." It is rather unnerving how much the Spirits know, and how interested they seem to be with his personal pursuits. "I can certainly promise the first. I am sure your people already walk these halls unimpeded, and I will not stand in the way of the honest pursuit of knowledge." He hesitates a bit, then continues. "And I can beg the second," he says, "I hate to ask, but is there something specific?"
Cassidy chuckles softly and nods. "Yes. But no one keeps secrets from me when I want to find out," she says, beaming a smile. "One way or another, I always find out. Regardless of what their desire for me to do so. And a secret from the guy of secrets, huh? That's quite something... I certainly wouldn't interfere with your followers, though. I applaud the pursuit of free knowledge."
Natska laces her fingers together in her lap and leans her shoulder against Cassidy. "We do not set the rules for this city. Well, I do not. I suppose Fenris has contacts, though." She turns her smile to the tiger, then looks back to the Scholar. "Hmm... so what should we be asking, then?" she asks, tone curious.
"Why do you assume it is your questions I was interested in? There are more here than yourself child." The spirit's gaze narrowing for a moment at Fenris before she sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose. "I tell you any non-trivial secret, and you want something specific... Fine, if you wish specific, I want a secret that insufferable fool wants to hide away out of fear it is too dangerous. I don't care what the secret is, merely that is not -trivial- and is close to those guidelines. I hope that is not beyond you to understand." Her gaze turni to Cassidy as she seems to soften somewhat, leaning to the fennec as she speaks gently. "I enjoy that, it is good to know there are those whom put the truth above all else..." Her gaze turning to Natska as she chuckles. "No, but you mortals have a habit of knowing people above you... As for what you -should- be asking? Well, what do you -want- to ask?"
Fenris smiles amiably. "I am very selfish, that way," he says, "But I am grateful for your magnanimity. We will find a secret that will make your mouth water, I am sure." He turns his attention to his companions, hoping he chose right for this. They had certainly made the conversation possible, since he doubted that the Scholar would have come had he come alone. Too many secrets. He only hoped that these two were not half so tempted as he was by what the Scholar had to offer.
Cassidy claps her hands together and grins. "Oooh, that sounds like a -delightful- secret. One I could benefit from knowing, as well, perhaps. It won't be easy to get a secret out of him, but... I think we can manage," she says, looking to Fenris. "I think it's a pretty solid deal. Perhaps, even, a secret about magic? Ah, but that is wishful thinking. We'll see what we can get from him."
Natska tilts her head to the side at the Scholar's question, then sits up straight as she considers what she -wants- to ask, her notched ear flicking again. A few moments after Cassidy's statement, she leans forward. "I admit, I do want to know what drives the Craige, but they are far from the most pressing mystery I've encountered. I want to know why our Creators have so many rules and restrictions on us. Why we seem to constantly surprise them... and in some cases, scare them. If they are our Creators, they should already know all there is to know, yes? I want to know where you came from, Lady Scholar, and your bretheren of the Courts. If you were the First here on Promise, and how many others have came and went before our arrival. From where they came, and why they went." The jaguar's ears perk, and she shrugs. "I want to know how you can be anywhere you want to be, even places that don't seem to exist."
Kalt grins ever so widely at Natska as she spreads her arms wide. "Now those, are wonderful questions... As to why your 'creators' are surprised? If you built a golem that could only build a fence, and the next day it was reciting poetry and building cities while breeding... Wouldn't you be shocked? Just look at your fellows that are abandoned here for further proof. As for the origins of the spirits, and where we come from? I am afraid, that there is no way currently to phrase ourselves in a way you'd understand. To put it in the most simple of ways, we are what we rule over." She frowns slightly at the question of those whom whom came and went before them. "There were those before you, you have seen proof in the serpents temple... They, and the Craige, lived here first. None of them remain, now leaving you, the Craige, and us." She finally moves to a chair, taking a seat as her tail flicks and she crosses her legs while looking to Cassidy with a grin. "The truth tends to benefit all who seek it openly to share, instead of hiding it away like little vermin, it is why I champion it's cause." Her gaze merely flicks to Fenris as she responds to Natska once more. "As for what drives the Craige? Oh that is... Hard to put into words. They are power, and hunger mixed together. Repressed to the depths, before declaring lordship over the top, and all 'food' that dwells there."
She grins ever so widely at Natska as she spreads her arms wide. "Now those, are wonderful questions... As to why your 'creators' are surprised? If you built a golem that could only build a fence, and the next day it was reciting poetry and building cities while breeding... Wouldn't you be shocked? Just look at your fellows that are abandoned here for further proof. As for the origins of the spirits, and where we come from? I am afraid, that there is no way currently to phrase ourselves in a way you'd understand. To put it in the most simple of ways, we are what we rule over." She frowns slightly at the question of those whom whom came and went before them. "There were those before you, you have seen proof in the serpents temple... They, and the Craige, lived here first. None of them remain, now leaving you, the Craige, and us." She finally moves to a chair, taking a seat as her tail flicks and she crosses her legs while looking to Cassidy with a grin. "The truth tends to benefit all who seek it openly to share, instead of hiding it away like little vermin, it is why I champion it's cause." Her gaze merely flicks to Fenris as she responds to Natska once more. "As for what drives the Craige? Oh that is... Hard to put into words. They are power, and hunger mixed together. Repressed to the depths, before declaring lordship over the top, and all 'food' that dwells there."
Fenris only sits quietly. Some of these things he knew already, others he did not, but he was old enough to recognize a baited hook when he saw one. This was now in Natska and Cassidy's capable hands.
"Very enlightening," Cassidy says, slowly tilting her head. "But what about that appearing thing that you do? Because... If I could learn how to manifest myself and disappear and reappear at different areas at will... That'd be fantastic. Think it'd be possible for me to learn how to do that?" She asks, ears perked.
"We. Are. Not. Food." The words are sharp and cold, even though the jaguar keeps her tone hushed. "Nor are we... tools, pets, entertainment to be used and discarded." Natska sighs, then shakes her head. "But I am not not surprised. I think... I had already assumed as much, but I did not want to admit it."
Natska falls silent, and thoughtful. "The Bone Lady is death. Vasht is secrets. You are... knowledge? And the Craige are hunger..." she muses. "Is there another spirit behind the Craige? Were they the first to be cast from the Court?"
Kalt laughs gently. "Oh no, a mortal could never manage our 'tricks'. Perhaps though, you could learn something similar, or more... I am sure the Keeper guards plenty of equal, or higher value... Yet sadly, finding them for regular mortals, would be nigh impossible... He does enjoy his position." The spirit looks to Natska with amusement as her tail flicks. "The truth can often be hard on is I do suppose! but it is far better to look it in the eyes, and accept it." Her gaze flicking to fenris as she eyes him over for a moment. "Fallen silent have you?" She turns to Natska and grins slightly. "I am knowledge unbound, and truth,..a the Craige are not of the courts. They were a people whom at the dawn of this world, worshiped the elements greatly, and joined with them... Upon doing so, they stole the hunger of the flames. To them, all are food, and they are the masters above it all."
she laughs gently. "Oh no, a mortal could never manage our 'tricks'. Perhaps though, you could learn something similar, or more... I am sure the Keeper guards plenty of equal, or higher value... Yet sadly, finding them for regular mortals, would be nigh impossible... He does enjoy his position." The spirit looks to Natska with amusement as her tail flicks. "The truth can often be hard on is I do suppose! but it is far better to look it in the eyes, and accept it." Her gaze flicking to fenris as she eyes him over for a moment. "Fallen silent have you?" She turns to Natska and grins slightly. "I am knowledge unbound, and truth,..a the Craige are not of the courts. They were a people whom at the dawn of this world, worshiped the elements greatly, and joined with them... Upon doing so, they stole the hunger of the flames. To them, all are food, and they are the masters above it all."
Fenris nods, unruffled. "Sometimes there is wisdome in silence," he says, "I will leave the speaking to others today. I am grateful to simple sit and listen." The tiger has his own opinions on secrets and knowledge, but he will keep them to himself. To argue with a Spirit seems a useless endeavor and any gifts come with strings innumerable.
Cassidy rubs her chin in thought, humming. "Maybe not all of your tricks. But I am of the mind that there is nothing that it outside of our reach and potential, should we desire it. It's only a matter of... Finding the right way to manipulate the world to shift our being from one location to another."
Natska's ears perk, and then she slowly nods her head. "I see! That... explains much." She smiles and nods her head, then looks over at Cassidy. "We'll continue our research. We've already discovered much with three dimensional magic, and I'm sure we can use that to make the tools we need to discover more."
"Hmmm, of course there is Riddle." The spirit's attention turning to Cassidy as she grins. "Ooooo, see now... That is determination I do enjoy~ Well then? How badly do you want to unlock such forbidden knowledge?" Her eyes flicking to Natska as that grin spreads ever further, her form becoming a little darker and featureless. "Well? Do you both wish to harness the true secrets of this world, and leave them open and bare... so that perhaps, you may surpass your creators?"
Fenris sits up straighter in his chair, but says nothing. This sort of decision was not his to make, but he had been called on more than once to witness a dedication. He had not expected one today, though. The tiger reaches into his coat and produces a strange hat, wide brimmed, green and bearing a purple feather. Surprisingly, it does not seem to have suffered any harm from being folded and rolled in the tiger's pocket. He does not put it on, but holds it in his lap.
Cassidy chuckles softly and glances at Natska before shaking her head. "We do, but... We're not interested in a pact at this time, I think. We seek knowledge, like you do, but... We want to find our own way to it. As I'm sure you know, allegiances can be quite a burden when you have to keep the interests of third parties in mind. On our own, we are free to pursue our own path to the knowledge we seek. We have... Completely unknown potential. We surprised our creators, we still surprise ourselves. Who knows what we can accomplish on our own?"
"Of course we do," Natska replies, then gives Cassidy a small nod. She gives Fenris a little smile as well as he seems to go on alert, and pats Cassidy's leg. "But nobody is speaking of pacts today. We are having a pleasant and enlightening conversion after arranging some business." The Jaguar's attention moves back to the Scholar and she inclines her head. "We are not the sort who let people tell us what we should or should not do. Anyone. And I, for one, have not spent my time and resources discovering the secrets of the Creator's maths in order to just be adequate... some day, we *will* surpass them. Entirely."
"I look forward to seeing how far you progress then, don't be afraid to come around for more tools to your end." The spirit grinning as her form completely turns to black, no features able to be seen as she seems to almost float to her feet. "However, I do believe this shall be enough. As I did say, if you wish to help free yourselves of those whom limit you, I would be happy to speak of the formalities... And as far as your concern over being told what to do? Why... You are already doing just as I'd ask. but you may relax now fenris! your friends are not going to join the 'evil' truth." The spirit turning to look at him as she begins to move to the shadows of the book cases. "See to it though, that the secret you bring is indeed worthwhile."
"There is no evil in truth, Whisperer," Fenris says tucking his hat away. It is surprising to see how the thing manages to fit in such a small pocket. "I only know that knowledge untempered by wisdom quickly becomes a dangerous thing," he says, "And never fear, I will bring you a secret more than worth your while." The tiger stands and bows deeply as the Spirit takes her leave, waiting until she is no longer in sight to turn to Natska and Cassidy. "Well? What did you think of that?" he asks with a smile.
Natska bows her head to the fading Spirit. "I will keep the offer in mind, thank you." She sits quietly then, waiting for the Scholar to make it's exit, and gives Fenris a smile. "I would not want to be the one left owing an unfulfilled boon, Fenris. If you need me to stand at your side when you talk to the Shadow, I will be there." Her nose wrinkles a moment. "And are you implying something about by wisdom?"
Fenris laughs at Natska's question. "Not at all!" he says, "But imagine if there was a word that would cause any lock to spring open. Would you teach that word to Thelergramor?" He lets that sink in. "The Whisperer advocates the unrestrained distribution of knowledge," he says, "Some secrets are not meant to be known. At least, not by everyone. I have my suspicions about the Spirits and their nature, but I think that the Whiperer and the Shadow were different, once."
