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Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 1:29 pm
by Kala Leukos
The Academy's Archives
53 Searing 121
The art of pictography was not new to Kala, but a great deal of her training had occurred at Starfall before she arrived in Kalzasi and, since then, pushed down the list of her priorities while she focused on the exigencies of being an adult in the capital, seeing to her family's finances. But when she could find time, she did devote herself to her blades, her magic, and even her dancing. Perhaps someday she would be too focused on the economy of Starfall to remain well-rounded, but for the time being, she wanted all her skills honed to be of service to her House.
At her carrel, she had a small collection of books and scrolls, some stacked, others opened, while she made careful notes on her own parchment. There were some things she could do with elemental lodestones, of course, but she was taking her thoughtful path toward creating some dragonshard foci for future endeavors. After all, she was championing a young runeforger to her lady mother, hoping that he would be a good resource under House Leukos' patronage, and he seemed keen to innovate. She wanted to help him with that. But to make her foci, she would require dragonshards. She and Kaus had already survived their Warren March, but going down into the Warrens was still dangerous, even with both of them now considered full-fledged adults. But another dive might yield more interesting dragonshards to work with than she could purchase, and while she wasn't ridiculously frugal, she would rather save her money for things she couldn't acquire herself. And a dive into the Warrens would help her keep herself sharp. Just because she didn't have wings didn't mean she wouldn't defend Kalzasi as fiercely as her brother.
Kaus was nowhere to be found, which wasn't surprising given she was surrounded by lore. He much preferred the open air and the simplicity of weapons training. She could feel him through their bond, of course, and knew he was fine. If she was not fine, she knew he would come running or flying, not ceasing until he was beside her. They made a good team.
She murmured something to herself and set one page aside, thinking it unlikely she would come across a prismatorium in the Warrens. The bit of scrivening she had plotted out on paper looked worthy of development; the theoretical design she had so far seemed workable even if it required impossible resources. She would continue working on designs she was more likely to be able to execute, but first...
Kala imagined a string running from the floor to the ceiling and going through her spine, imagining it stretching as she sat up straight and well-aligned before twisting and holding herself against the chair back. Too much sitting could lead to bad posture. She rose, then, and rested her hand lightly on the chair back as she went through a series of exercises to loosen her muscles and remind them how they ought to carry her, all gleaned from years of dance training.
Re: Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 6:43 pm
by Pahoran
53 Searing 121
The tall Avialae found himself with some free time and in the library. Pah mainly came to read what old literature he could as he found the old stories and poems fascinating. He was hoping to one day be able to write like these old master, and in the mean time he enjoyed reading them, but also studying them and see how they did it with crafting the different text.
Pah had actually found himself selecting a couple titles before he remembered why it was that he was actually here. He still held on of the titles he had picked, a book of poetry that was in Mythrasi. He wasn’t particular skilled at the language, but a book of poetry he would be more willing to wade through trying to translate then say a book on etiquette. He soon found himself wandering through the non fiction section. An area he was less familiar with, he was trying to find the section on animals and creatures but instead found himself in arcanic studies.
The young knight wasn’t stupid by any mean, he just wasn’t particular interested in building blocks of the universe. He used magic, and like to learn practical things but he didn’t have the love for crafting with it that like his sister had. He still wandering the shelves looking at the different titles. He actually did pause on a section on summoning. It was a field of magic his grandmother used and he had wondered about it himself.
He saw one that was fairly interesting on a top shelf. With a little effort Pah could reach, and with a little more effort he could have found one of those little ladders to reach upper shelves. He used different efforts and using his kinetics he pulled down a book on summoning celestials that had caught his interest. His ice blue eyes looked it over his gaze showing interest, but again this wasn’t what he was actually looking for.
He began to walk and it was when he turned a corner he found himself looking at a young woman who was doing some type of exercises. The young knight had done a few long term studies and was aware of how it felt sometimes, and you needed a good stretch. As he looked at her something about her face seemed familiar. Pah paused and turned his head to give her some time to finish her exercises before he loudly began to approach. He smiled and said. “Sorry for interrupting, maybe you can help me find something.” One this particular trial Pah was dressed in his regular clothing with no indication that he was a member of the Sky Guard. He did have a badge of office in his pocket but it wasn’t showing. He really did just look like an ever day laborer.
Re: Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 7:39 pm
by Kala Leukos
When of a sudden a towering man turned the corner, she had to look up. The fact that it made her slightly dizzy might have been embarrassing, but it was more a sense of déjà vu. She smiled faintly as she tried to place him, but to no avail.
"I can certainly try, sir," she replied. She wore layered robes bound in the middle by a wide belt. A feather motif was embroidered into the shoulders. Back home, everyone knew who she was. Here, unless she was accompanied by her twin, nobody knew that she was Avialae. And so she liked to give hints, though she had wondered whether that was not a little pathetic.
Now she had a quest from the Masked Queen Herself, and she hoped it wasn't all vanity. As her hands came together before her, she brushed the relic of Saedene hung from her wrist. The Ara had visited her twice, and she wanted to be prepared with something should the celestial psychopomp return to check on her. But it was slow going in the archives. The stranger offered her a small respite from her studies, and that might be as helpful as the stretching.
"What is it you seek?" she asked. And have we met? But she didn't ask that. She normally had an excellent facial recall, a skill that she had practiced all her youth in preparation for coming to Kalzasi. But perhaps if she was able to help him find whatever he was looking for, there would be a chance to properly introduce themselves. She had the mystery of a lifetime to deal with already; she didn't need another one itching in her mind.
And with more time, her mind might fill in the gaps. Asking if they had met before would either seem rude or as though she were hitting on him.
Re: Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2022 7:01 pm
by Pahoran
53 Searing 121
Pah watched at the young woman straighten and looked at his curiously. His eyes blue eyes noticed the robes with the wide belt. His gaze did take in the feather motif, which given the large population of winged individual one would think would be normal, but honestly it was one of the few times he had actually seen feathers as the theme and decoration. He wondered if she wasn’t trying to say something with that. Pah also had a sister though while not a twin also though of herself as a Avialae and wished for wings. Though he also had another sister who focused more on there Hytori heritage.
He grinned sheepishly his elvish features coming out with the smile. “Well I originally came to find some books on animal care specifically on Ice wing Eagles.” He looked down at the pile in his hands. “Though I got distracted in my efforts to find that section.” He looked up and then said. “The name is Pahoran Rayunia.” He put a fist to his chest and bowed. “A squire with the guards.” He turned pink with a little more embarrassment as it was obvious why he was looking for a book on ice wing eagles. “I have visited a the library before but stick mostly to the poetry and fiction section. Occasionally I visit the history section.” His eyes glanced around at the section they were currently in.
“I am guessing that given the section we are that you are either a mage or do arcane studies?” He asked his eyes and expression curious and interested in what she said. Pah always found theorist and interesting concept since that wasn’t the way her really viewed the world. As he talked he carefully juggled the books he held and waited to see if the young woman would be able to help him.
Re: Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2022 5:44 pm
by Kala Leukos
.
"I am Kala Leukos," she said, bowing in return. His name didn't sound familiar, but he still seemed familiar, and his smile made her turn a touch pink as well.
"I do know my way around the arcane sections of the archives," she admitted. "And the poetry section. My brother is a bit of a poet." She had taken to dance herself, but their parents had wanted all their children to have a creative, artistic outlet. "I can help you find information about the care of icewing eagles."
She looked to the right, her mind's eye on a mental map of the surroundings. When she remembered where the magical sections began to overlap with zoology, she gestured and began to walk in that direction. The movement would get her blood flowing again, which would help her stay focused on her own studies.
"If you will come with me."
It wasn't far and it didn't take long. The archivists of old had been pragmatic creatures, and everything was laid out intentionally and logically. Once a person had a sense for how things were arranged, navigating the place was easy.
"Mm, magical creatures," she murmured, then crouched gracefully to pull an introductory tome out. Ironically, perhaps, the books on the high-flying birds of prey were all low enough in the stacks that Pahoran would have to get down on his hands and knees to peruse them properly. Sometimes being small had its benefits. She rose and held it out to him. "This looks like a good place to start."
.
Re: Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 6:02 pm
by Pahoran
53 Searing 121
Still smiling he said to her, “It is a pleasure to meet you Kala Leukos.” His brain wasn’t able to place the face and name together. The name vaguely range a bell, but more in the regions of something he had heard about and that was only the last name. Which didn’t mean much since there were a lot of families in the city, and some of them actually felt they were important and should be remembered. Pah was sure that either way he hadn’t had direct connections with anyone of that family.
Pah was relieved that Kala appeared to know where it was that they were otherwise he would have to go looking for a librarian, and when you didn’t need them they were easy to find but when you wanted one it was almost easier just to wander and hope you would find what you were looking for instead of trying to find the librarian.
The young man followed Kala towards the section where the Magical beast was located. He still wasn’t sure of the overall layout, but he knew that in the future he would be able to find this section of the library. Watching as she bent down to pick the book off a bottom shelf. Pah grinned imaging him almost having to crawl to get his hands on that book. He took the book and said. “Thank you. You saved me a lot of time.” He gave a soft laughed, “And reduced my risk of collecting more books to my pile.” He then asked. “I hope we get the chance to meet again. We can talk more about the arcane and poetry.” He grinned. “Good luck with your research.”
Re: Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2022 10:01 pm
by Kala Leukos
.
At his quiet laughter, she mimed an angry librarian shushing him, then winked and smiled.
"It was a pleasure to meet you and assist you, Pahoran Rayunia," she replied quietly. "Arcana and poetry next time. Good luck and farewell."
She offered a graceful bow and then turned back toward her own studies, though now that she knew exactly where she was, she took a shortcut through a darker section of the area. These were works that weren't quite rare enough to be in special collections, but which were old enough or delicate enough that they didn't want an excess of light upon them throughout the day. So as not to trip on anything that might have been left upon the ground, she summoned a bit of Fire, but only let it shine through a bubble of Water. Her little lamp floated above and ahead of her, gently lighting her path through the darkness.
Kala wondered if she would meet the handsome Pahoran again and, if she did, whether he would have learned to feed and care for icewing eagles. Sometimes she wished she could ride one to know what her brethren felt like when they took to the skies. She felt blessed to be an Avialae in many ways, but she still didn't understand why her blood didn't afford her wings of her own.
It was just one more question to ask the Gods if she ever got Their attention.
fin.
Re: Among the Stacks [Pahoran]
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2022 10:21 pm
by Finn
Review
Experience: 10 xp, available for magic.
Lore:
Pahoran
Research: Location of Magical Animal Section in the Archives
Research: Location of Arcane in the Archives
Kala
Dancing:
Proper Stretching
Correct Posture
Religion:
Use of Relics
Scrivening:
The Study of Pictography
Plotting Scrivened Schematics
Scrivening Theory
Studying the Work of Others
Zoology:
Icewing Eagles
Injuries: N/A
Loot: N/A
Note: 'Twas fun!