|
Post by Althea on Jan 19, 2017 0:25:55 GMT -6
"There are-" Althea abruptly cut off, running her finger down one passage, "-Patterns, I don't know how I didn't see them, but I don't understand them, they don't mean anything. Or, no, they do, but- but-" She trailed off with slightly more warning this time, no less confused but calming down slightly. "I don't know! There has to be something important about it, there's more information encoded here than I've ever seen in any book or tome before. It could be knowledge about the world before the Scouring, or a book about dragons, or..."
Encoded... was it not meant to be read at all, or was it simply meant to be read by another pair of eyes? This language was strange, arcane, but there was a pattern to it, merely one she did not understand. It spiraled and twisted and flowed such that at times she thought the runes themselves were moving, and it was so small and... precise. She had read tomes of course, duh, but never any that had contained so much raw information. She turned to her counterpart, inflamed by belief and certainty that washed over her like a drug. "...I believe that whatever is in here is important, Circe. This - this could be someone's life story, or dangerous magic that should be destroyed before someone without morals finds it."
As her moment of emotion faded, the exhaustion returned and Althea remembered that OH YEAH crap she was really tired. She made it back to the safety of her bed before slumping back on it, almost visibly drained. "I'm - I'm sorry for that outburst, it's been taunting me for months now and I still have no idea how to read it. It's... frustrating."
|
|
Circe Alexandra
Mage
"But I just wanna play it right, We're gonna get there tonight"
Posts: 64
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Circe
OoC Alias: Ars Sanctum/Tsunderis
|
Post by Circe Alexandra on Jan 19, 2017 13:06:35 GMT -6
Somehow Althea saw patterns in that book? And they either made sense or...they didn't? It seemed Althea was still infinitely confused...but she touched on something Circe could consider. Perhaps it wasn't merely the scribblings of someone who went mad long in the past. Perhaps it was a dead language, one not discovered yet, and the book contained important details regarding Elibe, from that era.
Then Althea grew...almost...manic? No, just very intense, more so than Circe had expected. She blinked as the white haired shamaness expressed just how firmly she believed the contents of the book to be invaluable, dangerous or not. Tch, of course it was dangerous. All valuable knowledge could be dangerous when learned by the wrong mind, when it fell into the wrong hands. Perhaps even when in the right hands...
“I understand your frustration. Believe me, I do. I only tried to read that book for a few minutes and found myself more vexed than I've been in...a while.” Circe confessed. She didn't speak softly, but there was sincerity in her voice all the same. Perhaps it would help Althea relax a bit while Circe mulled over everything that she had said.
“As fascinating or even entertaining as it could be to imagine the contents of the text, we don't have any way of knowing them yet. So, let's review what we do know.” Circe held a hand out to Althea and began to count down on her fingers. As she named out the facts they knew for sure were accurate, she tapped down on each finger. “First! We know that the book is very, very old. HOW old is uncertain, and frustrating, but old. Second! We know that neither of us can read it, and we're each at least somewhat versed in every known language in Elibe. Third! You seem to have gained some understanding of the contents of this book, yet you cannot explain how this has happened.”
Circe took a breath to reconsider. Was that all that they knew of the book? That it is old and unfortunately illegible for the most part? “Fourth! It was found in Nabata, in an old temple. Did you find anything else in that temple, Althea? Does the temple still stand? If you needed to return there, could you lead yourself to it?”
There. Somewhere in those four points HAD to be the way to unlocking a deeper understanding of that text. The fact that it had been found in Nabata needed to mean SOMETHING, so perhaps a return to the books origin, or last known location before Althea took it for herself, could lead them to something important. A clue or...anything.
|
|
|
Post by Althea on Jan 20, 2017 1:26:32 GMT -6
Circe's calm tone did help the pale shaman to calm down slightly, the fierce beating of her heart gradually slowing down to something not approximately similar to a horse charging through a hurricane. That... that was a little embarrassing, eheh. It was just so - so FRUSTRATING to not understand the damned book. Months later, she'd tried everything she could think of, and... nothing.
The mage's rhythmic listing of the facts helped a bit as well. There was a sort of hypnotic truth ringing through Circe's upbeat voice, something that forced her to sit and listen and think rather than fret and fray. The temple. Could she re-find it again? Hm... Althea's brow furrowed as her thoughts intensified. "It was far enough out in the Wastes that it would be a difficult journey and take some effort to find. I was blessed to be able to visit in the balmiest section of the year, rather than... now." Though - admittedly, Circe raised a good point, when she thought about it. She could likely gain more information about the temple now if she returned to it with a better idea of what to look for - similar passages to the book for example - or perhaps even enough to decipher the language as a whole if she was extremely fortunate.
"I would likely need a pathfinder to reach it assuredly, but I do believe I could find it once more." Though after a moment, Althea - rarely for her - giggled girlishly, as she realized something. "You know, if this is what practicing magic means, I wish I'd taken it seriously sooner. Being able to defend yourself really does open so many more options that I hadn't thought of... and I get to meet people like you. I can't say as that I enjoy combat, but I am closer to accepting it as a necessary evil."
|
|
Circe Alexandra
Mage
"But I just wanna play it right, We're gonna get there tonight"
Posts: 64
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Circe
OoC Alias: Ars Sanctum/Tsunderis
|
Post by Circe Alexandra on Jan 20, 2017 18:33:42 GMT -6
Ah, hmm. Apparently the uh, temple would not be too easy to find. Especially during this time. Nabata was going through a bit of a harsh season, with more dust and sandstorms common. That tended to hinder exploration and travel quite a bit. Not to mention navigating the great Wastes was no easy fault. Circe certainly couldn't do it. At best she could navigate down the major trade lines, but that was nothing to brag about.
However Althea seemed to grasp something rather interesting from the situation: that power allowed her to protect herself, and thus allow for more opportunities to explore. It was...something very obvious, but a fact that Circe herself had never actually paused to appreciate. She reclined back a bit, now in a kneeling position one her bed, before she offered Althea a smile.
“That's a more positive way to view combat. Unfortunately, Elibe has more to offer to those with the strength to procure it. Some are fine with less, but people like you and I...we have to be ready to turn our knowledge and power alike into weapons, lest we fall prey to people like those men we fought earlier.” She could still hear the echo of his voice. That cold, arrogant tone would like haunt the recesses of her mind for at least a few days, serving as a reminder of just how close to certain death she had come to today.
"Though I...I will say it is likely for the best, though, that you adapt to it as a necessary evil." So much for not commenting on it, Circe. Ah well, she had started, so she'd best finish! "I don't like it either, but if you hesitate to defend yourself then...well, if either of us had held back today, we wouldn't be able to have this conversation."
Well, moving along from that grim note. Circe shuffled on her knees a bit, but she didn't let her own words falter her otherwise calm optimism. “For the record, though, I am glad I got to meet you. Meeting interesting people may not be WHY I practice magic seriously, but it's a very nice perk all the same.” Circe wasn't going to touch on her thoughts about combat. Frankly, she LOVED winning. It was a sign that she was improving. That she was on the right track. And especially against other mages, well, it felt quite good to know she was better.
However, she did not take any pleasure in killing. Today had made that...perfectly clear. If she could avoid a fight to the death then she would, but she would not simply allow herself, or someone innocent, to suffer for it.
“As for the Wastes well...hmmm...you know, I have connections in Khan Yunis.” Circe's mind began to work its magic, heh, as she began to speak. Her eyes brightened more with some excitement as she continued. “I was headed there anyway all the same, but I do know a man who is quite familiar with the wastes. Maybe he could be of service?”
|
|
|
Post by Althea on Jan 20, 2017 22:38:51 GMT -6
Strength... it reminded her all too much of what Donovan had said. Althea hesitated for a moment, chewing on the concept, then responded. "The man who rescued me in Lycia said the same thing. That... everyone needed to know how to defend themselves nowadays." She still didn't like how it sounded. Not that Althea felt Don and Circe had been wrong by any means. She knew they were right. She just didn't have to like it. "I only wish I could argue its necessity. Would that all problems could be solved with reasoned discourse; Elibe would not be in the state it is now."
The albino shaman shook her head regretfully though, accepting the falsehood of that mindset even as she said it. As she had been forced to admit to herself. That was not how the world worked... and never would. She just wished it did. "Though admittedly - it's sort of like an adventure, isn't it? Defending artifacts from evil, traveling across the Wastes to decipher ancient mysteries... the romanticism of pure research died long ago for me, though I still love it. But I - I never got to actually be a part of the stories. I just let the mercenaries handle fighting while I worked, and fled when I have to. To have... agency is... interesting."
"Connections." Her eyes twinkled with interest, curiosity barely held back by the appearance of propriety. Circe certainly did seem like an interesting young lady, the sort to have 'connections', but the way she had worded it was so coquettishly curious that it was all the more amusing. "Well, if that works out it could be quite useful of a resource, though if I may ask, what interests you to that degree? In my brief time with you you have been nothing but open and helpful, and I confess it interests me in your story as well."
|
|
Circe Alexandra
Mage
"But I just wanna play it right, We're gonna get there tonight"
Posts: 64
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Circe
OoC Alias: Ars Sanctum/Tsunderis
|
Post by Circe Alexandra on Jan 21, 2017 12:49:32 GMT -6
Whether Althea liked it or not, the man who had rescued her was right. Circe wasn't sure if there was ever really a time where travelers could walk the lands without fear of bandits or worse. She'd heard about the monsters that plagued Lycia, and that they had even spread out a bit to other countries as well, such as Bern and Sacae. Of course she didn't know nearly as much as she would have liked on that front, but all the same. “An Elibe where healthy discussion and non-violent debate could settle all conflicts...I'd like nothing more.”
Really. Circe didn't care for these battles to the death. Spars were just fine, duels with rules simply to test one's prowess and knowledge. The rampant death that seemed to plague the continent just seemed so wasteful to her. If she was to believe that every life held potential for something good, then the fact that so many were snuffed out on a daily basis was simply...needless. Disappointing. As she said: wasteful.
It seemed she did share something in common with Althea though. Despite the terrible situation there were still thrills to be gained, and beyond simple pleasure those thrills did yield merit all the same. “I feel similarly. While I studied abroad I had my mentor with me, a magus far more skilled than I. There was hardly ever a need for me to battle for myself, any threats could be handled by him alone. I mostly just...observed and practiced. So I suppose I can relate, though I'm not sure I ever wanted to be part of a 'story'. I would love to write my own, though.”
Not that she resented how her earlier studies had gone. Clever though she may have been, she had been a young teenager during those years. Absolutely unfit to bear the burden of taking a life, particularly in the interest of simply moving her own self-interests forward. It would not have been a healthy experience for her, mentally, and perhaps her mentor had known.
Ah, and touching upon their earlier mention of stories, Althea expressed her desire to know Circe's. She didn't quite have a tragedy to tell like Althea did, nor some grand mystery driving her forward. “Well you know part of it. My parents own a jewelry shop, and I was lucky enough to meet my mentor through it. I took to anima magic...extremely well. When my mentor left me a Trinity tome to study it was like some shackles on me had been unlocked.”
Perhaps a bit melodramatic, but all the same that had been what Circe had felt. A smile stretched across her face as she continued on, “My entire life had been preparation to inherit the family shop. The opportunity to study the Trinity tome was the first opportunity I'd ever had to...do something different. To change that. Even better was that I was good at it.”
“With prodding I managed to convince my mentor to...well, become my mentor. The more and more I learned I simply yearned for more. More knowledge about intricacies of magic, and its history throughout Elibe. To travel and see Elibe for my own eyes. To become a researcher proper like yourself and...perhaps most of all.” There was a gleam in Circe's eyes as she made eye contact with her counterpart. “I want to become the greatest anima magic user Elibe has ever seen. I want to master every single element in the anima branch. Every spell that exists. Perhaps then I may be able to create my own, to expand anima and take magic somewhere not even Archsage Athos was able to.”
Circe reclined back a bit on her bed. For some reason it had felt...very good to share that information. Perhaps it wasn't a detailed telling of her story but, frankly, Circe's past left little of interest to share. It was where she wanted to go in her future that held the greatest interest to her and, likely, someone such as Althea.
“As for why I'm being so helpful well...I guess I never truly thought about it. At first I saw a live that needed to be rescued and it would have...haunted me, if I had simply ignored you.” The young magus shifted a bit on her knees as she continued to talk Althea's ear off. It hadn't really occurred to her that she may want to pause, but she wanted to address each of Althea's curiosities. “Now it is because your story interests me. I'm as curious about the contents of that text as you are. We are both mages and researchers, after all.”
|
|
|
Post by Althea on Jan 21, 2017 21:32:46 GMT -6
"Writing your own story..." It wasn't really an actual vocal response so much as Althea's attempt to run the words past herself again, puzzling over them in a way she had not considered before. It was true that one could consider each individual's life their own story, so to speak, but she had always thought of stories as more... mmm... retellings of events, perhaps. None cared to hear of the peasant, the farmer, the locked-away researcher who rarely interacted with others. Stories were about interesting things that happened, or had happened; they were phenomenal feats and terrible tales, full of heroes and villains, good and evil, success and failure.
She had thought it intriguing to be a part of one. To be... one of those who could be a named character in a book. Perhaps supporting the hero, or even one of a merry band. But to be the hero, or rather heroine, of her own story? That was different. It was.. strange. Almost alien. And yet Circe had already begun hers. Rather than accepting her destiny, she had dared to dream, shooting higher than the expectations left on her. Althea didn't know what she would have done if not for Kraft. Probably joined the family business, helped tend to the books and look to master dark magic. But that choice had been made for her, and ever since she had really just been drifting, clinging to all that she really knew.
And beyond just her own path, Circe was also ambitious... far more than Althea could ever see herself being. She wasn't sure if Circe's unrealistic ideals grated on her or not, the shaman thought they were a fine goal to shoot for just probably ought to be toned down a little, but... they weren't HER ideals. She had no right, no say, in what Circe decided was to be her goal. At least the mage DID something about it. Maybe it was unlikely, unreasonable, but there existed at least some small chance that she could succeed. To have no goals at all was to ensure you only succeeded at failing, whereas perhaps shooting too high could take you to the stars. Or just send you crashing into an angry dragon who then promptly ate you. Like Icarus of legend, aloft on on wings of wax, flying too close to the sun had its own unique threats as well.
But looking into the excitement in Circe's eyes as she spoke, there was simply no way for Althea to broach that subject, nor a reason to try. It was Circe's decision after all. "...I see. It feels... underwhelming compared to your aspirations, but... I think I would just like to understand Elibe's past better. So much knowledge has been lost since the Scouring... we hardly even know what the world was like before, when there was peace before races. We did not even know that the Taguel existed until the discovery of Vinland mere months ago. What else have we lost? Could there be entire races forgotten or in hiding? How great of a threat were dragons, truly? And..." The shaman smiled ethereally, admittedly mostly amused that this was probably the only one Circe would actually be interested in, "Is it true that magic from before the Winter was far more potent than the limited tomes of today? Supposedly there existed even magics of flower and time, entire schools beyond what we know today to be the extent of magic. The architecture of old was forged from magic as well, another school lost to us now."
|
|
Circe Alexandra
Mage
"But I just wanna play it right, We're gonna get there tonight"
Posts: 64
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Circe
OoC Alias: Ars Sanctum/Tsunderis
|
Post by Circe Alexandra on Jan 22, 2017 3:43:20 GMT -6
As Althea had listened to Circe's dreams and goals, so to did Circe listen to Althea's. The shaman seemed to seek...heh, she sought knowledge of the past. She seemed enraptured in the lost possibilities of old Elibe, even more so than Circe did. There was a common theme the mage couldn't help but notice, and she giggled a bit before she decided to share her discovery. “So while I focus on forging on into the future, you seek to unearth secrets long since lost to us...”
Though Circe knew why she walked her own path, she could see why Althea would walk hers. Neither was strictly better, and were likely better suited to each of the two magi. Circe had interest in lost knowledge, she certainly had interest in Vinland as well, but if she could not immediately see a way to apply that knowledge. To USE what she has learned then...well, her interest admittedly began to wane. There was much to be learned from the past, but Circe would always place her focus on the future.
Not that Althea didn't look ahead either, she was sure, just ah, hm. She couldn't even break down the difference. Not with words. Instead Circe simply understood, and displayed so with a confident nod.
“Just from what you've said now I'm confident you'll make for an excellent researcher, Althea.” The questions she seemed to want answers to showcased that more than well enough. More importantly, though, was her dedication to that infuriating text. Even if Althea's sudden recognition of patterns was a bit worrisome and strange, Circe had come close to wanting to tear the book's pages out! Not that she ever would, but boy did she sure enjoy briefly fantasizing about it.
“I've heard and pondered on some of what you mentioned. Vinland, notably, is somewhere I would love to visit sometime. Magics that were lost to history is another interest. Information that I can apply to my goals tends to entice me the most...” She trailed off, though, realizing she now had an interesting exception to what was otherwise fairly common for her. “Aside from that book of yours. I'm not sure it has anything that could further me down my path but...honestly, I don't think I care. I'm just so damn curious about it!”
Althea had possessed the thing for HOW long, and just seeing it for a few minutes had left Circe in such a state. If the mage's youth had ever failed to make itself known to Althea then surely she could see it now, with Circe's eyes wide and practically aglow with wonder and excitement.
|
|
|
Post by Althea on Jan 22, 2017 4:13:13 GMT -6
"If you can bring your drive to bear, I can believe that you may actually achieve your goals, Circe. You've certainly made a strong start." While she wasn't... completely happy with how that had been worded, Althea was surprised to find that she actually meant what she had said, despite her hesitation of a moment before. It was an interesting realization, not an unwelcome one but almost out of character for her to be so optimistic. Something about the dark haired mage's irrepressible willpower seemed to have infected her with a bad case of enabling, or at least being willing to view the unlikely as merely that rather than impossible.
Also interesting was the fact that she found that she... envied the other mage, in a way. They each had fairly far reaching goals, but Circe embraced the enormity of hers where Althea simply tried to focus on the smaller bits and let develop from there what may. It was an opposing approach that she wouldn't mind the ability to attain for herself as well, but... she couldn't, really. Not as she was. Maybe not ever. And she would most certainly never quite match Circe's mindset on the matter. For better of for worse, it simply wasn't her style. But at the same time, their disparate approaches did seem to synergize, for the most part, at least when they weren't trying to kill each other!
Vinland was another interesting name of note though. Althea had heard of it of course. Scattered rumors, mostly, and only due to the fact that Khan Yunis was one of the largest ports in Elibe as well as perfectly located nearest to Vinland such that they received news of it first. It was a land of beast-men and monsters, a hardy land full of danger... and possibility. "I have heard of Vinland's temples... one can only wonder what forgotten magics or hints to the history of Elibe they may contain." The thought struck her that it might be fun to visit it with Circe sometime, but the shaman hesitated with the words on the tip of her tongue, unsure if she was being too forwards. "It - it could be interesting to visit sometime?"
|
|
Circe Alexandra
Mage
"But I just wanna play it right, We're gonna get there tonight"
Posts: 64
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Circe
OoC Alias: Ars Sanctum/Tsunderis
|
Post by Circe Alexandra on Jan 22, 2017 13:52:45 GMT -6
“I hope so. Thank you again, Althea.” Circe would be a liar if she said she didn't enjoy the slight praise. Awkwardly worded or restrained though it may be, Althea still held a sincerity to her tone that mattered far more than the actual words spoken. It left Circe glowing, a warm smile on her face to match the excitement in her eyes.
When it came to strange phrasing, though, Circe had to cock her head to the side when the topic to the side when Althea brought up the temples of Vinland. Of course they'd be interesting to visit, Circe would love to do so, but was Althea implying that the two visit sometime in the future? Rather than pause to confirm completely, her building excitement seemed to push Circe straight into giving Althea her answer.
“Oh I agree. It would make for a fascinating expedition!” Excited as she may have been, though, Circe hadn't lost grip of rationality. A hand went to her chin as she continued on. “Of course I've heard Vinland did have its fair share of dangers, both known and unknown to us. Perhaps later down the line, sometime, the two of us could be strong enough to handle such an expedition on our own. We could always hire mercenaries but for such a venture the costs would be quite steep.”
Ah but what an adventure it would be! More importantly, what wonders lost to Elibe could they discover? Aside from ancient artifacts or even texts, like the one Althea had found out in Nabata, there was also the possibility that the Taguel practiced their own style of magic. Circe only knew so much about them, that they were men and women who could take the form of a beast, or perhaps the reverse was closer to the truth.
On that note Circe realized that ah...not that many people seemed to know about Vinland, and even fewer spoke of the Taguel. Granted mainland Elibe had its fair share of problems to distract most from curious discoveries that happened across the sea. The mainland hardly even cared for the Western Isles let alone Vinland. Yet Althea DID know...which meant there was at least a small chance that Althea had information regarding both Vinland and its denizens that Circe was not yet privy to. She simply had to ask by that point.
“Though I admit I didn't really expect the mention of Vinland. Most don't seem to know much about Vinland, myself included, and even fewer know of the Taguel.” Circe began, studying Althea curiously as she spoke. “I'm not SURPRISED you know, but I simply must capitalize on this opportunity. What do you know about Vinland? About the Taguel and these lost temples?”
|
|
|
Post by Althea on Jan 22, 2017 16:47:57 GMT -6
Dangerous... yes, that, um, that was something she had heard as well and... slightly forgotten about in the heat of the moment. They were only very vague rumors, but tales spoke of monsters larger and fiercer than even Elibe's, though she wasn't entirely certain what to make of them given the lack of details. "Yes, the monsters are apparently quite dangerous, and the beast-men, the - the taguel," she said, Circe's comment filling in her memory as the word slipped her mind, "are supposedly quite territorial. One could hope the temples and ruins are safer though at least!"
While she had only really thought of going there with Circe, the other mage did raise the fair point that they would likely need greater strength or at least protection. Althea wasn't actually sure exactly HOW dangerous Vinland was, but it stood to reason that more eyes made for more security, and at the er risk of sounding a little heartless, more guys with armor between her and the slavering fangs of wild beasts would also do a great deal to help keep her heart in her chest. As compared to say, anywhere else, which would be... bad. It would likely be, er, quite expensive though.
"Perhaps if we meet more like-minded adventurers in time, it would be easier, and, er, cheaper to organize an actual expedition," the shaman offered with some degree of trepidation as to her ability to actually recruit an army of friends. She had been fortunate enough with Circe, and she was still a little worried about finding a way to unintentionally ruin that. Speaking of ruining relationships and disappointing others, she did have one last question to respond as underwhelmingly as possible to! "All I know are rumors and stories... information about Vinland reaches Khan Yunis first and Etruria second, so I've merely had the benefit of being close to the source of information... and given the amount of time ships take to travel back, what I do know is weeks outdated to the current state of events there."
|
|
Circe Alexandra
Mage
"But I just wanna play it right, We're gonna get there tonight"
Posts: 64
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Circe
OoC Alias: Ars Sanctum/Tsunderis
|
Post by Circe Alexandra on Jan 22, 2017 17:57:52 GMT -6
Ah, the Taguel were territorial. Given their nature that probably ought not to be surprising. Elimine, HUMANS were territorial, let alone animals and the like. Having elements of both likely served to strengthen those same protective instincts. Really, meeting a Taguel and having an open discussion about their history and biology would be fascinating, but uh, even Circe knew that she was not likely to have such a discussion anytime soon. She'd have to first MEET a Taguel and well, she knew most people didn't enjoy talking about their own biology.
Even she would rather not, but if someone asked for the sake of research, she'd probably share all that she could.
“Temples and ruins, especially the abandoned sort, are usually where the MOST danger lies.” Their little encounter at the dig site was a testament to that, though she supposed really nowhere was more dangerous in Elibe than the Lycian woodlands. With all those monsters that swarmed and lurked about... “But in this case you...could actually be right, heh.”
Circe continued to smile softly, a bit amused at Althea's bit of potentially ironic optimism, but not in a condescending manner. It was just...humorous, likely because she wasn't certain if Althea herself saw the humor in it. Still, rather than dwell on that, Circe latched onto the words that proceeded to leave Althea's mouth.
If they happened upon like-minded adventurers then yes, an expedition to Vinland could be a wondrous journey to plan. Of course the issue there was finding trust-worthy individuals. Circe doubted the two would always have the luxury of impromptu bonding with men and women who leaped into battle to help them against the odds. Er, well, Circe had never had that happen to her. But Althea had, and it had been Circe who did it, so...it still worked.
As for the subject of rumors and stories, Althea raised a fair point. The primary reason Circe knew anything about Vinland at all was because, well, her family owned a jewelry store in Etruria. Not only did wealthy sea captains come to their store to trade and purchase, but they brought with them tales of the seas...or of Vinland, in this case. Circe had also overheard her father express interest in attempting to scope out any mines that Vinland may have. Apparently to expand into Vinland could prove ludicrously lucrative for their business, but it was ah uh, more complex affair given the locals. One that would have to be handled with incredibly delicate hands.
However! Circe was already set to go to Khan Yunis! Perhaps she'd have some good fortune with information on the mysterious island there. Outdated or otherwise.
“Luckily for us I'm headed to Khan Yunis, then. Even luckier that I have some connections I can capitalize on while I'm there.” Circe giggled, shooting Althea a wink. Ah she was excited to finish her journey to the Jewel of the Desert. “Perhaps I can learn something interesting to keep in mind should we ever find ourselves in the position to go. That said, there's still plenty mainland Elibe has to offer us, in terms of mystery.”
Not to mention there was at least one other island that held more than enough mystery to last a millennia...
The earlier surge of excitement had begun to wane, though, in the face of the overwhelming fatigue that had never actually vanished. Circe brought a hand up to cover a small yawn that had crept up on her, and she blinked twice. Circe didn't WANT to pass out on Althea, but her eyes steadily began to feel heavier and heavier all the same.
“But that's where I'll be headed tomorrow. What about you, Althea? Where will you be off to?”
|
|
|
Post by Althea on Jan 22, 2017 23:50:49 GMT -6
"...Recent evidence does support your conclusion," Althea answered seriously and professionally to Circe's initial comment, before dissolving into a momentary fit of giggles. Yes, it was true that they had met through the devastating dangers of an otherwise unassuming dig site, and there were always possible issues. She didn't see them as AS dangerous as Circe apparently did, but the studious shaman did have to admit that the mage had a point. Whether it be thieves or monsters, those sorts of locations could attract all manner of unsavory companionship, and it hardly behooved them to walk into it completely unprepared.
Intriguing that Circe was headed to Khan Yunis though, considering she was planning to go there herself as well given time. However, the difference in schedules was immediately obvious as well. She had another trip planned before heading back to Khan Yunis herself. "It is as you say," Althea smiled gently at Circe's comment about the value of Elibe, and how it led into her last question. "I have one more adventure scheduled, a meeting with a fellow scholar to investigate what may be a glimpse of the ruins of Nan Madol itself - I've been searching for the lost city for some time, and this is one of the best leads I've found yet!"
She chuckled as a thought struck her. "It may not have the hallowed majesty of the mythical Arcadia attached to it, but Nan Madol is almost like a darker twin to it in some ways - a parable of the dangers of unrestrained abuse of magic instead of a celebration of its beauty. Unlike Arcadia, though, I believe Nan Madol actually once existed, and I intend to find it." There was a certain firmness in her words, strong belief mixed with a sense of childlike wonder at the mere concept of the legendary city that had inspired it. In her interest in the subject, Althea missed Circe's... obvious visual cue that they should be winding it down, too carried away to be concerned with such irrelevant things as sleep and sustenance.
|
|
Circe Alexandra
Mage
"But I just wanna play it right, We're gonna get there tonight"
Posts: 64
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Circe
OoC Alias: Ars Sanctum/Tsunderis
|
Post by Circe Alexandra on Jan 23, 2017 0:09:55 GMT -6
There was quite a bit of interesting information dealt out by Althea as she spoke. Namely that while she did not believe in Arcadia, she believed in Nan Madol. It felt almost...hipster, in a way. Every scholar and even some average townsfolk had heard of the mythical Arcadia, but one actually had to go out of their way to learn about Nan Madol. For one to disbelieve the more popular of the two lost cities in favor of the least popular was...Circe couldn't help but giggle. She didn't know Althea too well yet, but somehow it just seemed so LIKE her.
“I see we disagree on Arcadia, but I only know so much about Nan Madol, I'm afraid. I never read too deep into it, and only heard rumor and hearsay otherwise.” Aside from that, usually, scholars and mages that SHE had known tended to discredit it over Arcadia. Perhaps that was some form of bias, though? Perhaps both existed? Perhaps neither. All Circe knew was that if EITHER existed then the secrets said to be lost to them could further her goals infinitely. Unspeakably so, even.
Besides, there was no harm in having an open mind. In fact that was far healthier than the alternative.
“Though I respect your determination to seek it out all the same.” She wanted to speak more, she did, but the long day was indeed taking its tolls on her. “There's a good archive in Khan Yunis. Massive, and well taken care of, nearly on par with Etruria's before...recent events.” Yes, definitely best not to get into Kraft's Etruria as one was settling in for sleep. Circe wormed her way beneath the sheets of her bed, but kept facing Althea as much as possible so her words were not lost in the process.
“I've been to Khan Yunis before but I was younger, and I never had the chance to see the archive for myself. I intend to scour it for a time before I move on.” That was the gist of her reason for going there. Another yawn was stifled by her hand and she blinked a few times, in a vain effort to fight back against her accursed, heavy eyelids.
“Oh, I forgot to touch on one thing: that you found a solid lead! I do hope it pans out, Althea...”
|
|
|
Post by Althea on Jan 23, 2017 18:07:21 GMT -6
Pfft. Disagree on Arcadia. Come up with some peer reviewed research or undeniable evidence to the contrary and then maybe she'd start believing in that ridiculous old wive's tale! If Arcadia was real, someone would have found at least SOME evidence of the city by now, if there really were so many humans and dragons living in it. At least Nan Madol had some circumstantial evidence and the decency to be entirely dead and gone, so it had an excuse to hide.
But her ire against the Arcadia subject aside - maybe sorta partially due to her own earlier failures to find any evidence of it - Althea didn't extend that emotion towards Circe herself; she'd learned long ago that arguing the point never ended well. And in the end, it didn't really matter what either of them thought; the facts would eventually prove one or the other right without the least bit of concern for her feelings, good or ill. So Althea just shrugged and smiled lightly. "It's a dark tale. Perhaps another time when we're na-naaaaaaaaaaaaah" the word trailed off into a cute little yawn that turned into a great one that threatened to consume her body and soul, or at least most assuredly interrupt her speech with all the grace and subtlety of a raging dragon.
Um... yes, maybe sleep was a good idea. Circe seemed to have realized that before her. Looking a tad sheepish, Althea carefully placed the grimoire back into her sack, rolled it under her bed, and blew out the candle on her side before beginning the process of interring herself within the downy coffin in which she would sleep eternally, or uh at least for tonight. "Perhaps I will investigate those archives when I get the chance, but for now, it seems our time is at an end. Good night, Circe, and again... thank you."
|
|