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[While Julius wouldn't have minded the small talk, this does make more sense.
Ah, of course. It's been on my mind as well. What are you thinking?
Ah, of course. It's been on my mind as well. What are you thinking?
A gift.
She spoke of reworking her ring into something else, and I think I could convince her to turn it over to us. From there, we'd have some options, but I'd been considering already if it would be fitting to acquire for her a mage staff. Something that would suit her.
She spoke of reworking her ring into something else, and I think I could convince her to turn it over to us. From there, we'd have some options, but I'd been considering already if it would be fitting to acquire for her a mage staff. Something that would suit her.
[He can all but hear Julius's facial expression, brightened interest.]
Oh, that is an idea. Something elegant, perhaps a bit understated but not so plain it would make a poor gift. I think it would suit extremely.
And, perhaps, for the best the ring be reworked into something substantially larger. [It had a metaphorical significance that Julius finds rather pleasing.]
Oh, that is an idea. Something elegant, perhaps a bit understated but not so plain it would make a poor gift. I think it would suit extremely.
And, perhaps, for the best the ring be reworked into something substantially larger. [It had a metaphorical significance that Julius finds rather pleasing.]
[It's a pleasant feeling, when they're on the same page. Perhaps, eventually, Julius will risk taking it for granted. But not yet.]
Have you already started thinking about designs?
Have you already started thinking about designs?
A little. Something light, even hollow, so that she can take it anywhere easily. A pale wood. Perhaps with its own enchantment for her to use.
[ Her magic is not quite the same as theirs, but after training with magic rifters, he doesn't see why it couldn't be shaped to be so, if she wished it. But in the meanwhile, a function, independent of her talents.
Explanatory; ] It was a long day of riding. I've had time to consider it. You should as well.
[ Her magic is not quite the same as theirs, but after training with magic rifters, he doesn't see why it couldn't be shaped to be so, if she wished it. But in the meanwhile, a function, independent of her talents.
Explanatory; ] It was a long day of riding. I've had time to consider it. You should as well.
I will. [It's a pleasant prospect. He might have left it there, but it feels important to say in as many words:]
I'm glad you included me. In the gift, and the planning for it.
I'm glad you included me. In the gift, and the planning for it.
Oh, I did assume it was partly that. [Quietly delighted for the opportunity to joke.]
While you're still in the field, perhaps I'll start looking around for some options. We can make proper decisions once you've returned.
While you're still in the field, perhaps I'll start looking around for some options. We can make proper decisions once you've returned.
A good thought. Though I suspect it may cost a bit more, to have it ready that soon.
[He's not averse.]
I'll make some discreet inquiries about how possible it might be, while I'm at it. Just so we know going in.
[He's not averse.]
I'll make some discreet inquiries about how possible it might be, while I'm at it. Just so we know going in.
Alright. Good.
[ And he should hang up, probably, or make the motions towards letting Julius get back to work, but stubbornly, Marcus would prefer not to. He could probably do better than the topic he picks when he asks; ]
How did Kinloch Hold celebrate?
[ —but then again, not every mention of a Circle, large and looming as it is in their histories, has to be fraught with regret. ]
[ And he should hang up, probably, or make the motions towards letting Julius get back to work, but stubbornly, Marcus would prefer not to. He could probably do better than the topic he picks when he asks; ]
How did Kinloch Hold celebrate?
[ —but then again, not every mention of a Circle, large and looming as it is in their histories, has to be fraught with regret. ]
[As subjects go, he certainly could have done worse. Julius's trauma from Kinloch Hold, to the extent it exists, is centered firmly elsewhere, and his voice is warm when he responds.]
Nothing so lavish as I imagine happened some places. Usually the apprentices were allowed out under supervision to have a good run by the lake: relay races, dancing, that sort of thing. The weather was generally fine enough for a full day of it. In the evening, the adults shared better wine than usual, sometimes a dessert. There was a sort of cake with lemons that I thought quite fine before I was being invited to parties by Orlesian dukes.
We usually didn't do costumes, or even masks. But we did give gifts. Again, nothing lavish, but ... handmade things, or especially rare supplies we knew someone wanted that we'd gotten our hands on, that sort of thing. I remember one year Cian gave me a small music box, which was so unexpectedly fine that I was embarrassed and he noticed and laughed at me for it.
[A warm memory he'd not touched in years.]
And you? Any fine Satinalias past?
Nothing so lavish as I imagine happened some places. Usually the apprentices were allowed out under supervision to have a good run by the lake: relay races, dancing, that sort of thing. The weather was generally fine enough for a full day of it. In the evening, the adults shared better wine than usual, sometimes a dessert. There was a sort of cake with lemons that I thought quite fine before I was being invited to parties by Orlesian dukes.
We usually didn't do costumes, or even masks. But we did give gifts. Again, nothing lavish, but ... handmade things, or especially rare supplies we knew someone wanted that we'd gotten our hands on, that sort of thing. I remember one year Cian gave me a small music box, which was so unexpectedly fine that I was embarrassed and he noticed and laughed at me for it.
[A warm memory he'd not touched in years.]
And you? Any fine Satinalias past?
[ In the private quarters of this inn, so identical to other private quarters of other inns, Marcus sits back on the narrow bed to lean on the headboard. It is an active exercise, to listen and quell whatever quick, fast feelings may fly at this sort of subject, and so,
mostly they're replaced by being glad for the fondness in Julius' voice, warm even through this crystal his fidgets with between his fingers. It's another exercise, similar to the last, to locate something to speak of fondly in return. ]
We did do costumes and masks, a little, [ he says. ] The children did, anyway, normally characters out of fables, animals, and perform to readings. The day was given to the holiday, no recitations or lessons or lectures. We shared wine, too, once we had the evening to ourselves.
[ Dry— ] The presents were more lacking. One of the Senior Enchanters thought it a fine tradition to decorate and exchange candles and little else and wouldn't hear otherwise.
mostly they're replaced by being glad for the fondness in Julius' voice, warm even through this crystal his fidgets with between his fingers. It's another exercise, similar to the last, to locate something to speak of fondly in return. ]
We did do costumes and masks, a little, [ he says. ] The children did, anyway, normally characters out of fables, animals, and perform to readings. The day was given to the holiday, no recitations or lessons or lectures. We shared wine, too, once we had the evening to ourselves.
[ Dry— ] The presents were more lacking. One of the Senior Enchanters thought it a fine tradition to decorate and exchange candles and little else and wouldn't hear otherwise.
Edited 2021-10-03 13:10 (UTC)
Candles. How extravagant, and definitely not a thing you all had access to every other day of the year.
[Dry. He adds, less so:]
Did you ever tell stories? There was one mage at Kinloch, a few years younger than me, who had a talent for them. If it got late enough and there had been enough wine, we could prevail upon her.
[Dry. He adds, less so:]
Did you ever tell stories? There was one mage at Kinloch, a few years younger than me, who had a talent for them. If it got late enough and there had been enough wine, we could prevail upon her.
[ This first part gets a laugh, subtle and quiet, but there. ]
We had some storytellers, [ he agrees. ] I don't know that we had any of particular talent, but I think most stories met our standards quite readily. Starkhaven, [ a little apologetic, almost, to speak more directly of the ways in which these memories lack ] preferred a sort of imaginative austerity for much of the year.
But after we returned from the Gallows, it was different. Kinder, in small ways, with regards to the children at least. And I remember the young ones would shake Tsenka down for stories, just because she'd always change the way they ended, and more than a few of the adults would listen in.
We had some storytellers, [ he agrees. ] I don't know that we had any of particular talent, but I think most stories met our standards quite readily. Starkhaven, [ a little apologetic, almost, to speak more directly of the ways in which these memories lack ] preferred a sort of imaginative austerity for much of the year.
But after we returned from the Gallows, it was different. Kinder, in small ways, with regards to the children at least. And I remember the young ones would shake Tsenka down for stories, just because she'd always change the way they ended, and more than a few of the adults would listen in.
I'll confess, frightening stories in particular were rather more popular before the Blight than after it.
[Possibly for obvious Darkspawn- and Uldred-related reasons.]
Tell me about Tsenka.
[Possibly for obvious Darkspawn- and Uldred-related reasons.]
Tell me about Tsenka.
[ There's a pause, which is actually just a breath let out too quietly for the crystal to pick up. ]
She was close to me, in the Circle, and after the Circle. Powerful, strong willed, as angry as any of us, and still joyful. She was near to my age, and so we shared a cohort. I came to understand all those as my brothers and sisters, but she was the first.
Both of us were fairly average with storytelling, but she was always very capable of surprise, and so.
She was close to me, in the Circle, and after the Circle. Powerful, strong willed, as angry as any of us, and still joyful. She was near to my age, and so we shared a cohort. I came to understand all those as my brothers and sisters, but she was the first.
Both of us were fairly average with storytelling, but she was always very capable of surprise, and so.
I think a story that pleases its listeners can roundly be dubbed a success, [he suggests, with a hint of warmth.] But I wish I had a chance to meet her. Guarding joy is, in itself, a remarkable talent. Worth cultivating.
[There is a brief pause, but maybe he's just getting his crystal from wherever he left it. Maybe.]
I don't, as a rule, see a need to report theoretical research. What about it is potentially inflammatory?
[He is still invested in her safety, because Julius does not un-take responsibility for people, but the second part is mildly more pressing.]
I don't, as a rule, see a need to report theoretical research. What about it is potentially inflammatory?
[He is still invested in her safety, because Julius does not un-take responsibility for people, but the second part is mildly more pressing.]
[That is ... a lot, immediately, and he takes just a moment to digest.]
I can see the case for knowing whether they're possible, I suppose. What did Provost Stark think?
[Because "talking about it" and "having permission" are not necessarily the same.]
I can see the case for knowing whether they're possible, I suppose. What did Provost Stark think?
[Because "talking about it" and "having permission" are not necessarily the same.]
That it's a good idea. ( so there. ) And that we should be discreet, for the time being.
Rifter phylacteries are proven. Myrobalan Shivana created one for Thranduil, a couple of years ago. I want to have a fuller understanding of what's possible, which means I need a mage who can create a phylactery.
Rifter phylacteries are proven. Myrobalan Shivana created one for Thranduil, a couple of years ago. I want to have a fuller understanding of what's possible, which means I need a mage who can create a phylactery.
Given the history of phylacteries, I can't think anyone would begrudge some discretion, no.
[He sounds thoughtful, working the problem through.]
Do you have volunteers, yet, for both situations?
[He sounds thoughtful, working the problem through.]
Do you have volunteers, yet, for both situations?
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