Theory and Application
A fair sky, warm sun and yet also a balancing light breeze. All told, rather amenable conditions for time out of doors. The number of pedestrian travellers within the plaza is increased by one as Verna descends the road the winds up the Redridge. Mourner's robes are currently in place, yet the hood is doffed; a sign that she is not currently under temple business, is enjoying some of the sun upon ashen cheeks, or perhaps both. A tome hovers open before her as she ensures efficiency with the combination of travel time and reading, her sparing just enough attention to the well-familiar path and surroundings to reasonably avoid collision with hazards or peers.
Leaving the LLyranesi embassy, Asphodel is seemingly stuck in her own thoughts. She trails as if without purpose through the square, stopping before the Artificer's Hall, and very nearly running into Verna. A quick "Oh, goodness, sorry!" and she is stepping out of the woman's way. She too takes a long moment to appreciate the sun in the sky, and the relative warmth of the day. What comfort drawn is difficult to say, as she seems lost in a book of her own.
Verna was not expecting the emergence and unintended intercept, and is warned only by the other's abrupt apology. She comes to a halt, eyes lifting from the tome to the Llyranesi. "My apologies, as well. Two are required for a potential collision, afterall." The tome is closed and then grasped with a gloved hand to be returned to within her robes in light of the increased traffic. "All the same, a good day to you."
Asphodel waves a gloved hand of her own, although judging from her case, this is a fashion choice. The Llyranesi woman appears as detached from the immediate environment as her people are wont to be.
"That's quite an impressive trick," She says, observing the book's progress. "I always wanted for a knowledge spirit that would narrate and take notes for me. Alas..." She shrugs. "I am but a sorcerer. Enchantment is not exactly my thing."
"It is a convenience," Verna notes. "I would not consider it impressive nor excessive. An indulgence, perhaps," she admits. "That your talents with mana is more innate and hereditary than studied does not make it any less potent, nor more limited. It is simply different than others. I consider myself a student of mana as a whole, and the various disciplines of its manipulation are not so dissimilar in my opinion."
Asphodel's eyes do not glaze over. No, the woman leans forward with rapt attention, her own gaze dark and intent. "I suppose so," she says. "But it feels more like being chosen. No complaints," She raises her hands, smiling. "I wouldn't change anything. I have yet to meet another of my bloodline anyway; I suspect most would prefer the heat of combat and attendant proficiencies.
"Where did you study, if I may ask?" Asphodel then asks. "Many of the people for whom I make cloth are artificers looking to reupholster or, I can only guess, use for enchantment. I should like to do so myself one day."
Verna's brows lift at the mention of Artifice and cloth. "I admit that I would expect those skilled in artifice to be most interested in metals more than cloth, not to imply that cloth is not a general necessity." A pause before she offers, "My apologies. I am Sage Mourner Verna." One hand gestures to the Society buildings nearby. "All of my recent studies occured there," the hand the moves towards the mountain path she recently descended, "and The Harpist's Hall upon the mountain. That said, I have visited the Artificer's Hall, as well, on occassion. Artifice is a fascinating amalgam, though, for myself, it would be considered more of a hobby than a profession."
"Really?" Asphodel asks, seeming genuinely surprised. "I would have thought that, given what I understand to be the thrust of your research, enchantment would be the workhorse in your sanctum to conduct research. But again, I know very little. I was in contact recently-- Oh! Forgive me, Sage Mourner Verna." Asphodel steps back into a proper curtsey, her head lowered in deference before she rises. "I am Asphodel Carrough." Her wry glance focuses on the Llyranesi embassy before returning to Verna. "Technically Asphodel Lady Carrough, but, well, with things are the way that they are..."
"Our perspectives run at right angles, I suspect. Not that I disagree; I do not possess the education on such. For me, all mana just came to me. And when it did, it awoke something deep in the bones that still sings in my dreams. For that reason, I chose art over philosophy. I had to make sense of what was happening somehow."
Verna dips her head in a nod deepened with respect and acknowledgement. "Well met, Lady Asphodel Carrough. Titles may carry varying significance dependent on circumstance, yet that does not mean they cease to exist. The impetus for my own research is for the sake of knowledge; the research, itself. Certainly, there are topics of focus when one concern or another arises, yet knowledge is knowledge. Whether it be art, occultism, theology, philosphy, engineering, or even martial studies, all is valuable."
She now gestures a hand to Asphodel. "Even the personal ties to mana you and others experience require practice and development of an understanding. One that is likely as unique as the individual, yet could benefit from the guidance of mentorship from those more experienced, or so I believe. My wife bears such a tie to mana, and currently trains under such an apprenticeship, for lack of a better term."
Asphodel listens with her full attention, the sort of patient gaze one develops after what must be long periods of conversation.
"I have considered such an apprenticeship. Right now, I am only a casual member of the Progressive Arcanist's Society, but I suspect my aims lay more with the Shining Chalice, for reasons you just mentioned. I want more than a mere education in this endeavor; I would like one day to be a scholar such as yourself. Or a very content weaver; either way. By the by, I am hosting a soiree tonight. I expect many Shining Chalice members, and other Arcanists, to show up, pass through, gossip, and more or less make small talk. Are you interested, Sage Mourner Verna?"
Asphodel listens with her full attention, the sort of patient gaze one develops after what must be long periods of conversation.
"I have considered such an apprenticeship. Right now, I am only a casual member of the Progressive Arcanist's Society, but I suspect my aims lay more with the Shining Chalice, for reasons you just mentioned. I want more than a mere education in this endeavor; I would like one day to be a scholar such as yourself. Or a very content weaver; either way. By the by, I am hosting a soiree tonight. I expect many Shining Chalice members, and other Arcanists, to show up, pass through, gossip, and more or less make small talk. Are you interested, Sage Mourner Verna?"
"I spoke in general terms," Verna clarifies, "in the context that the various sources and disciplines are yet interwined by their nature. What is best for you is what you would know best, of course." She considers the mention and invitation. "I am ever interested in discussions and conversation, yet I must admit that my abilities are not hereditary, as is my understanding is the focus demographic for that particular organization? I am a Mourner in service to The Harpist and a student of wizardry, afterall."
"It seems to me less organized than the Arcanist's Society, in that they generally accept any and all practitioners of the art. Their point appears to be to mix and mingle all sorts of ideas, which is why I thought it may appeal to you," Asphodel admits. "I'm not one for strict pedagogy myself. I left the Llyranesi court as soon as I could. And... I myself serve Eluna. Or, I ought to say, She certainly seems interested in my dreams."
"Such an idea is appealing, indeed. I may well attend, if my duties do not preclude." A nod is given to the mention of courts and the goddess. "Much has occured as of late, concerning both Llyranost and the Godess Eluna. Dreams, nightmares, The Veil... All these things involved and more. Alexandria oft proves quite the focal point for activity. I would not claim all of it to be boon, regretably."
"Well. I tell you what," Asphodel says, pausing to set her canvas bag down so she may sort through the bolts of fabric. "I have this portable artificer's lab, which I am never going to use. Brand new, yours, for free. Even if you cannot attend tonight, at least you can take a burden of my shoulders?" She asks.
Verna blinks at the unexpected offering. "I do not understand. While I am not ungrateful for the offer, I expect there might well be those there," she gestures to the arachnid-like Artificer's Hall, "who could benefit most from such tools and your generosity. As well, they might well compensate you, even if such were to be a donation. As noted, my ventures and creations in artifice are all quite simplistic. Those items which I have forged or otherwise imbued with mana or knowledge are all of a non-mechanical nature. Scrolls, mana-infused rods, and rings, predominantly."