Book Thief
Tenebrae - Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 9:10 PM
-=--=--=--=--=<* A14: Sage Orum's Plaza, University District *>-=--=--=--=--=-
Named after one of Alexandria's most learned (and perhaps addled) minds, the new University District of the city contains a number of entertainment spots as well as areas of culture and learning. Though many structures and sculptures can be found here, two buildings dominate the plaza with an air of friendly animosity--the grand buildings of the Society for Progressive Arcanists and the Artificer's Guild.
Poised on opposite sides of the central plaza, the two face one another like old misers, each uncertain as to what the other's up to, and pranks between students are a rule of thumb. A series of levies and fines exists should they get too far out of hand, though at times the results may be spectacular. Performers often make use of the great plaza by filling it with music, and rare is the visit without passing a performer's hat or three, five, or nine. Likewise, ramshackle shops selling every sort of magic bauble line the ways, all of varying (and often questionable) quality. A grand statue of Sage Orum overlooks it all, his expression slightly perplexed perhaps, at its mixture of grandeur, invention, glass-filled baubles, and chaos.
At the far end of the area, is the city library. From public records to research into the history of the city and the region itself, there is much one can learn at the city library. Many stories tall, the building towers up over well-lit, tightly-packed cobblestone streets.
In the distance, the Redridge Mountains rise overhead in all their glory. At their peaks, one can see the airships docking, landing, and flying off again under the banners of not only Alexandria but many great nations.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Contents --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Elycia Short, blonde Veyshanti woman 8m 7h
Mikilos Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. 0s 41m
Boshter has arrived.
Vekson has arrived.
"Okay, good work today! Make sure you get your reports turned in by noon tomarrow. That's a two page MINIMUM. Otherwise you're dismissed. I'll be in the southeast lab this evening if anyone has questions. BILLY, spit that out right now!!" Mikilos sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. A small gaggle of arcane students break up from their field trip, many carrying small baskets of recently collected components. The elf leans against a mana-lamp post, waving fare well and the students head off to thier various tasks.
Vekson clutches a small book to his chest, his eyes darting here and there as he appears to be trying to sneak out of the arcanists society building. He moves furitivly from column to statue, trying not to be seen.
Elycia is sitting outside of the city library, eating a sandwich and watching as 'class' is let out. She blinks quietly as she looks at the guy trying to sneak out with the book. "Uh.....you know someone's trying to sneak out with a book, right?" She says to Mikilos.
Mikilos is, technically, a gawky scarecrow of a wimpy elf. But, he's also a wizard. One who, if pressed, could likely find a way to rip someone out of reality and convince the universe they never existed in the first place. It's not a power he abuses often. But he's also a nerd. Books are like family. He's quite protective of his family.
-*AHEM*-
"Can I help you with something?" the wizard asks the goblin with a smile. Not a happy smile. Because looking like you're sneaking is the best way to atract attention. Espically of a teacher.
Vekson squeeks as he is caught, backing up against the closest wall. "WHAT!" he looks around a moment to see if he can find a way out, then looks up. "I must read this book, that is all! I bring it back when done!"
Elycia snerks at seeing this and just rolls her eyes. "You had to read the book so badly that you couldn't ask to borrow it?"
Mikilos glances to Elycia. "Many books aren't supposed to leave the library grounds." He turns back to Vekson. It's a little like turn back a spotlight in a darken room. "-Some- books are not ment for unauthorized reading at all. Which book is it?"
Vekson shifts his feet slightly, looking around again as if seeking some escape, then finally holds out the book. From the title its simply a book of intermediate theories, something beyond apprentice, but nothing too advanced or dangerous. "He said I should read this book! So I take book to read! He told me to do it!"
Zarya has arrived.
Elycia tilts her head at Vekson. "who told you to read the book?" She says curiously.
Zarya walks cautiously down the path, the hood of her robe up concealing her features. She gazes about quietly while making her way along, her progress beelining towards the Arcanist Society.
Mikilos eyes the book. Valuable, but not irreplaceable. He relaxes a half breath, from 'wrathful' to merely 'annoyed'. "Read -inside- the library. There are many quiet and private places to do so. Inside."
Vekson blinks a few times, apparently surpised he isn't in trouble, but then starts to protest "But what if it gone! I cannot read it all tonight! I come back and its gone, he will be mad and stop teaching me magics!"
Elycia says, "Er........perhaps you could take classes if you're so into learning magics." She then looks to Mikilos like 'who IS this crackpot, what is he smoking, and where's mine?'"
Zarya pauses at the talk about magics, her vibrant hues beneath the hood peering between the conversationalists. She hrms quietly to herself and listens for a spell. Pun absolutely intended.
Oh, the goblin is still in trouble. Just not so much as he might be. "There -is- a Reservation desk. And an entire school dedicated to teaching magic. Which I assure you, will be difficult if you fail to return the book properly." A wordless glance to Elycia, of the 'heck if I know, but must be strong stuff' variety. An idle glance is spared for Zarya as well; but she doesn't appear to be stealing books, so is a lower prioriety.
Vekson frowns slightly, his head tilting a little. "Reservation desk? But I have book now! Can I borrow for little time? I promise I return as soon as finished reading!" He shifts slightly to the side, possibly maneuvering into a better position to make a run for it.
Zarya adjusts her hood as she continues to /lurk/. That's what she is all about right now, yo. She looks to Elyciana mostly since she seems to be the one that the convo is all about for the moment. After several beats of just being a shadow amongst shadows, she pipes up,"Is this school that you speak of at the society? Do they offer courses for those whose magic is inborn?"
Elycia makes a bit of a face. "uh.....you really need to return the book. And you'll have to be taking turns with other people to read the book." She then looks to Zarya. "Uhm, they don't have classes for sorcerers. I'm guessing you're a sorcerer yourself?"
Mikilos reaches out, and grabs a bit of reality, twisting it slightly in preperation for his spell. "Don't." Okay, so it's really just a minor cantrip to look impressive. The actual start of spell have a bad habit of not looking impressive unless you know what you're looking at. "In. Side." The elf frowns. "You -could- be banned altogether for trying to walk out with a book. Be thankful for what mercy is shown. From whom are you attempting to learn magic, anyway?"
When Zarya speaks, his attention shifts her direction. For a moment, goblin remains the priority. "Next to, technically. The College of Magic used to be run by the Mage's Guild, but with the fall of Rune, things have been... uncertain. But classes remain, and yes, there are ones for most every magic type. Though for the inborn it tends to be more suggestions for continued self-study, and general theory."
Vekson cringes back slightly from Mikilos "But I no want to go to school!" he whines somewhat, "He teaches me good magics! Him? He has no name, but he let me call him....Lord Scruffykins!" the goblin reaches into his pocket to pull out something furry, with a tail....a rat. "He is very wise! He knows alot of magics!"
Zarya nods slowly at this, her expression relatively unreadable otherwise as she turns her attention now to Vekson. She inquires with mild curiosity,"A familiar perhaps? Hmm. I suppose I should just continue with my parents." She sounds a little disappointed at this.
Elycia says, "Maybe not. Since I'm a sorcerer too, but it's hard to teach someone who learns spells naturally rather than instead of learning from books."
Mikilos twitches. Then sighs, and shrugs. Learning magic from a rat is hardly the weirdest he's heard. "You aren't required to attend the school. But you are required to return the book, and leave it within the library. Thatis not up for debate, and I begin to grow weary of your delays. Yes, there is a chance you will need to share the book. But if you dedicate yourself to reading it, is unlikely will be anyone else who'd like to see it before you're done. Not a very popular title." He nods to Elycia again. "Still, there are a number of Sorcerers in the College to offer what guidance they may. And knowledge of wizardly ways isn't all useless to one who's abilities are inborn."
Vekson shifts side to side for a moment, looking at the rat, he nods a few times. "Very well! Lord Scruffykins agrees to your terms, we shall leave the book here!" He then looks down at the rat again, and nods, reaching a hand into another pocket to pull out a piece of cheese, he starts to feed the rat, smiling happily as the creature eats.
Zarya groans as she watches the goblin, shaking her head perceptibly. She replies to Miki and Elycia,"Well, I would like to see. I mostly want to be a better astrologer." She nods a bit at this, her arms folding in the sleeves of her robe.
Karelin has arrived.
Mikilos nods, but continues to keep an eye on the goblin, as the book isn't back inside yet. But his focus shifts to Zarya with a quirked brow. "Not a common asperation. I'm sure the college has instraments of sky-watching, but the Temple of Eluna is better known for its observations of the heavens."
Cesran has arrived.
Vekson is standing against a wall, with Mikilos having just turned his attention away from him. The goblin is currently feeding a rat in his hand, and holding a small book under his arm as he does.
Zarya is hooded with her arms folded in the sleeves of her robe. She is relatively quiet for the moment in her attempts at anonymity during discourse.
Karelin comes down the street from the west, striding towards the library. Honest.
Mikilos is a magic man. He protects the books. Or at elast he tries very hard to do so. Goblins make this task difficult. Well, so far just the one goblin, but you know how gobs can be.
Vekson finishes feeding the rat, murmering quietly to it and then slipping it back into a pocket. "Lord Scruffykins says we will read tommorow, and return the book tonight." He turns and starts back towards the door to the arcanists, slipping inside quickly and vanishing.
Cesran comes up the road on his way towards the Arcanist Society. He spots other all ready out and about. He makes his way over towards them, "Good day."
Zarya nods agreeably to the decision of the rat,"Sounds sensible to me." She looks to those showing up, inquiring now to noone in particular,"Who should I speak to to enroll in this case?"
Mikilos eyes the goblin as he departs, but offers no further challenge. Seems an honest enough fellow, so far as goblins go. Raising a hand in greetings to Cesran, he turns attention to Zarya again, frowning faintly. "I... am not sure who's in charge of sorcerous enrollment just now." Not knowing random trivia? The shame! "The front desk should be able to guide you thru whatever steps need made."
Karelin's arms fold on his chest . "Enroll in what, now?" He's late to the party. A glance at Mikilos. "You don't? I'm shocked. Imagine not knowing about sorcerers, a wizard."
Vekson has left.
Cesran glances over at Karelin, "Do you have a problem with wizards? If so this probably isn't the best place that you want to be." He smiles brightly, "I'm Cesran by the way, a wizard."
Zarya is peering now between the more impressive looking individuals here. She isn't sure who is supposed to be offended by wizards, and voices this,"I'm not sure who could be offended by wizards, I myself am the daughter of one." She shrugs mildly then and offers,"I'm Zarya. A sorceress, and looking to perhaps enroll in one of the schools around here."
Karelin looks irritatedly at Cesran, "Do you have any idea how many times you've introduced yourself to me, Cesran?" A dismissive wave at his other words, then he looks back at Zarya. "Might as well start by tracking down Sandy."
Mikilos wilts a little. Sure, just rub it in. Sorcerers have personality, but wizards, they know things. It's what they do. Specifically, they know magic. "....anyway, I'm Mikilos, wizard and Builder Arcane." For those who didn't already know.
Zarya cants her head ever so slightly now, she replies,"Knowing things is nice. It really is. Like...I'm curious, who is Sandy and where can I find her?"
Elycia has disconnected.
"Listen for the sound of dispair, and the death of hope. There, the Lady Sandiel shall be found." Mikilos intones softly... then snerks, unable to keep a straight face. "Sandy's one of the more powerful magic users in the area, and a veteran adventurer. She's not all bad, but is sorta rough around the edges and a little confrontational. Not sure where she tends to hang out, but likely likely get ahold of her through the Guild of Explorers."
Karelin points towards the mountain road. "She's got a manor around somewhere. Look for the sparkles and leaf boats."
Zarya nods at that and goes up the mountain road, offering behind her as she goes,"I will see if I can find it. Thank you for the lead." With that she is off to track down Oz! Er...Sandy, whatever.
Karelin pauses. "Are you always so quick to rush in?" He laughs, waves. "Good luck!"
Mikilos blinks, and shrugs. "She'll probably be okay. With the cold weather over Sandy tends to mellow a bit. By Sandy standards, anyway."
Zarya laughs at that from down the way, she's already well along. Life's too short, even for an elf. Gotta get a move on!
Zarya has left.
Karelin starts laughing. Oh, entertainment.
Mikilos shrugs, and turns focus to Karelin. "So what brings you up this way? Anything in particular?"
Karelin gestures towards the library. "Just some research of my own."
Mikilos nods. "What topic? I'm a bit between projects at the moment, and seeking insperation... though now that I think on it, I shouldn't say that aloud. Hartrose might overhear."
Karelin grins. "I've been looking at old swordsmanship manuals and treatises. I'm sure it would be endlessly fascinating to others."
Mikilos nods, frowning thoughtfully. "I know is a small section on the arts of martial combat, though I think are more theory than practical application. But might try looking thru some of the historical documents, are quite a few journals and diaries of warriors past."
Karelin keeps smiling. "I'm already there. The line between theory and practical application is as thin as one makes it."
Mikilos grins. "Only if the theory is correct."
Cesran has disconnected.
Karelin just looks at Mikilos for a moment. "Trust in my ability to extract the useful. I am no stranger to the practical side of battle."
Mikilos nods. "I'd not ment to suggest otherwise. Merely to state that the diffrence between a flawed theory, and reality, can be a deceptive gulf."
Karelin nods. "Yup. And I've made many pay for that, too."
Mikilos snorts and nods. "Hadn't quite looked at it in that way, but when comes down to it, I suppose I have as well."
Karelin shrugs. "May be so. Sometimes, the theory was right but the execution lacking, too. Sometimes, it was blind fucking luck."
Mikilos nods. "Combat tends to be a wide range of factors, all playing together, not always in obvious ways. Know more than a few theorisits who tend to forget that."
Karelin smiles affably. "Or just people who are in love with their own ability."
Mikilos ponders a moment. "Well, that can be justified. Typically isn't, but one can have graet ability and ego about it."
Karelin shrugs. "Sure. And that's why I could shove a sword into Asumit's chest. I'm sure his confidence is justified, most of the time."
Mikilos nods. "Certainly something to be said of that. Ability alone, without the focus to use it properly, isn't so good as a lesser ability used to it's full potential."
Karelin smiles faintly. "You can't help it, can you." He waves. "Good evening, Mikilos."
Karelin has left.
- TinyMUX Disconnected ***