RP:The Ginavi's Choice
Part of the The Cenrilian Connection Arc
Black Library, Vailkrin
Satoshi had a small fiasco with Daisy earlier in the day, and has since left the sleeping druid in the care of her guardian couatl, tucked safely (by Vailkrin standards) away in a quiet part of the library. And now, the magus finds herself crouched in an aisle, warily prodding a book. The tome, large enough to serve as a cushion on a couch, lies open with battered, hole-punched pages. Beneath it and drying in a sticky mess, is a pool of thick, multi-colored ink. Satoshi frowns as she pokes the book, as if she's expecting an inanimate object to react to harassment. "That tail did a number on you, eh?"
Kasyr is around, in a loose sense of the word. Specifically, the revenant's currently trying to seek refuge in the library, so that he might gather his wits and formulate a proper course of action, in regards to the political pandemonium that's taken hold of the city since the Gala. Things have been particular messy given the fact that the revenant had chosen not to intervene in the Lady Ginavi's death, and the crippling of her house has only made the whispers more fervent. Maybe he should have offered a lackluster, "No. Stop.", but really, the damage has been done, and he also has matters relevant to Cenril, and the recent power vacuum to also take into consideration. What to do about the remnants, the vassals- It was a problem. It's with these dilemmas in mind that the Revenant finally pokes his head into the library proper.
Celiann had finally plucked up enough courage to head to the Black Library as Satoshi had said, she half-expected to be killed upon arrival for her slaughter of the remnants of House Ginavi, plus her technical looting of the House trinkets and treasures. In her effort to get down the ladder, her foot caught on the hem of her robe and the vampire fell onto her rump with a groan. It wasn’t the first, it wouldn’t be the last, this much she was sure! The necromancer rose to her feet to watch her undead servant clamber down the ladder far more easily than she had, “Sh-Sh-Show off,” she remarked, stepping backwards as she dusted off her robe, only to glimpse something in her peripheral. “Oh.”
Satoshi straightens, her boot kicking the cover closed on the damaged book as she stands and turns toward the noise of an arrival. Head cocked, the kit watches Celiann's mishap with a half grin. She can't help but wonder if the necromancer is putting on a show for the world, for it was not a bumbling and awkward creature Satoshi witnesssed tearing through House Ginavi. Certainly, Celiann had still retained her trademark stutter, but she had moved with purpose, reacted with confidence, and killed without hesitation. To see the necromancer now is to see an entirely different person, and Satoshi finds herself all the more curious for it. "I see you decided to pay a visit after, Mouselion."
Celiann attempted to push up her large, round silver rimmed glasses only to find that they were as far up as they would go already: meaning they nudged against her face uncomfortably at the gesture. “Y-Yes, w-well, I deduced that if I w-w-wanted to r-read books, I’d have to c-c-come here e-eventually.” The necromancer looked Satoshi over, as if considering what else she might say. “B-Besides, I th-think it’s i-ill advised t-to ignore the w-w-words of a p-p-p-p-p,” she struggles, eyes shutting with effort to try and force the word out, she almost sounds breathless when the word is squeezed out, “powerful mage.”
Satoshi accepts the compliment as fact, because this is Satoshi and thus all flattery is truth. And as if to emphasize Celiann's remark, the magus uses a beckoning gesture and a dulcet whistle then to conjure a pair of elegant ice chairs, pristine as glass but considerably sturdier. The one nearest Celiann is indicated with a nod, inviting the necromancer to sit down beside Satoshi. "Well then," the kit fixes Celiann with an unwavering amber-flecked gaze, "now that you're here... You don't strike me as the sort that acts without forethought and planning. There is too much of the air of a scholar around you. Which means you have weighed your options a hundred times by now. What course of action are you thinking of pursuing? Your road has forked since your actions at House Ginavi."
Celiann would not refuse a seat offered by Satoshi, let alone one that had been genuinely made by her. The scholar hikes up the bottom of her robe and shuffles over to Satoshi’s icy seat, promptly sitting down and smoothing out the robe again. “It f-f-forked, y-yes, but p-paths con-converged into only o-one route again,” she told Satoshi coolly. The master ice mage knew that the necromancer, while mousy, was a vain and selfish sort. Yes, family came first, but when there was no family: she came first. “If I d-d-do not a-abandon G-Ginavi fully then I w-w-will become p-prey to s-s-some d-dark b-being. I d-don’t know h-his name. But he…” she frowned, “he f-felt dark.” And Celiann knew what darkness and evil felt like, it was her area of study after all.
Satoshi frowns. 'Dark being' is a vague description to go off in Vailkrin, however if the darkness was potent enough for a trained necromancer to consider it a point of observation, it is no average vampire or undead. "Can you tell me more about this being? Appearance, perhaps? A certain nature to their presence?" Aside from 'dark', of course. "You did not seem keen on retaining ties to Ginavi when last we spoke and yet the way you spoke now... Are you reconsidering it, to spite this creature?" It's what Satoshi would do.
Celiann shook her head, “This p-p-power w-was beyond m-me,” meaning that she wouldn’t be challenging it for the meantime. “He w-w-was at the G-Gala,” she recognised the aura, “looks like a h-h-hermit. W-Walking stick. V-V-Voice like a p-p-panto v-v-villain.” The scholar shifted slightly in her icy seat, “G-Ginavi is n-n-not a n-name I w-want to associate myself w-w-with. I am C-Celiann E-E-E’stel of n-no house c-currently.”
Satoshi does not recognize the description, although she does log it away for further consideration. At the very least, she can ask Kasyr, in hopes he is familiar with the figure. But at present, there are other thoughts on Satoshi's mind. "Tell me, Mouselion. In your studies, how familiar have you become in regards to blood magicks? Or binding and contract magicks? You must have some knowledge, naturally, else he would be following you about." A jerk of the chin indicates Celiann's reanimated servant. "Have you ever encountered lore on a means to re-Sire a vampire? So that their allegiance no longer lies with the original Sire?"
Celiann is now in extremely comfortable territory. Talk of her studies is probably the best way to make the Mouse of Ginavi – or the houseless mouse now – a chatterbox. Rising immediately from her seat, the scholar begins to search the bookcases lining the black library. “B-Blood m-magic I know,” she murmured, as if it were a side note, “I u-u-use it when b-binding c-certain s-servants t-to my will, the ones l-likely to re-resist,” she explained quietly as her fingertips softly traced over the spines of numerous tomes. But it was more the other part that really caught her attention, “T-There is l-lore,” she pulled out one tome, then another, piling them up and up with little notice, “and then th-there is s-s-study. They b-blend together at the b-b-best of times. T-Talks of r-r-rituals or spells, wh-what works, wh-what d-doesn't. The l-l-lore, while at t-t-times v-very f-f-f-f-f,” she takes a breath to try and ease herself and permit the word out, “v-very f-f-fantastical, is interesting. Th-There are t-t-truths behind e-every myth.”
Satoshi's are alight with interest, her tails as animated as the necromancer. Here indeed is a fellow lover of knowledge, another soul to talk theories and debunk myths with, not unlike Svilfon. As Celiann speaks, Satoshi listens, ears perked forward and head dipping in eager nods. "I've heard snippets and rumors myself, although I've never delved deeply into the lore. Such whisperings crop up as frequently as talk of a cure to vampirism. And yet, how many times has the world seen such a thing truly happen? I believe the means exists because, as you said, there are truths to every myth. But to find it... would be quite a feat of skills, don't you think?" Satoshi's whiskers quiver as she grins at the necromancer. "What do you say, Mouselion? Do you think you are up to such a task? Do you want to truly rid yourself of all ties to the Ginavi?"
Celiann now held a pile of books in the crook of her arm, yet she didn’t pass or offer a single one to Satoshi just yet. “I l-l-like to r-read,” she said quietly, as if this might somehow suggest she had delved somewhat more deeply into the lore. “In the l-l-lore, there is a c-connection b-between the supposed c-cure and this… r-reversal of s-s-siring,” she admitted, “as if th-they are o-one in the s-s-same. Of c-course, you c-can in-interpret the c-c-cure as… well, death. The only r-real cure. B-But th-this ritual b-brings a v-v-vampire as c-c-close to r-r-real death as it can. A painful p-process, if you c-c-can extract the r-r-ritual from the lore,” which meant she felt she had successfully done so and knew about it. “Wh-What, administering a r-r-ritual or… or being the centre of it… as I th-think your l-last q-question implies.”
Kasyr , as noted earlier, has sought sanctuary within the library- in his efforts to gather his thoughts, and avoid being placed in such a position as to make any decisions which might have longstanding repercussions before he could properly gather his thoughts. That said, The black library is hardly unstaffed- and so the revenant had ended up addressed by one of the many undead who served as librarians. Something which has since led to him fielding a number of questions, the likes of which he'd spent the last while providing vague answers- at least until he could find a means to surreptiously sidle away. Now back on track, he finishes his sideways shuffe, bringing himself within the vicinity of both Magus and Necromancer.
Satoshi swivels a vulpine ear toward one of the nearby shelves. She could have sworn she heard a shuffling step, which could easily be one of the undead attendants were it not for the familiarity of the sound. Despite this, the magus doesn't take her gaze off Celiann, and only smirks all the more. "I imagine you'd be the center of it, if you chose. It is one of only two options to shed the Ginavi name, for Ginavi blood flows in your veins despite their deaths. I sincerely doubt option two is what you want either, that being death~."
Celiann didn’t want to die, so the ritual really was her only choice unless she wanted to rebuild Ginavi by herself. “And wh-wh-who would be the s-s-sire?” she asked, casually opening one of the tomes to an earmarked page. “R-Rebirth is a th-theme,” the scholar muttered, glancing up at Satoshi, “it is n-n-not p-pleasant. Y-You will o-oversee it?” she asked.
Kasyr is in the process of gingerly sliding out a chair, and settling some books nearby so he can evade anyone looking for him (at least if they don't exert any undue scrutiny in his direction), when he catches wind of the latest question. Instinctively, he clears his throat- the delightfully dramatic opening too good for the revenant to resist. Without skipping a beat, he finishes sliding into the seat, his legs sweeping up to the table so that they're just on it's edge- and poised in such a manner that he can tilt the chair back onto it's hind legs. In effect, it's so he looks wholly casual, and to obfuscate when he actually arrived. (These things take effort!) "J'imagine, given her invitation, she certainly has someone at the forefront for suggestions."
Satoshi glances at Kasyr with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't let me prepare the fanfare for your arrival~. But no matter. Celiann, here's precisely who I had in mind." Yes, the strange fellow learning back dangerously in a chair. Perfect candidate. "Rid yourself of the stain of Ginavi blood, and gain a sturdier family in the process. It seemed an idea worth proposing to you, considering the invitation I had already extended."
Celiann glanced between Kasyr and Satoshi, “If y-y-you are b-b-both alright with this, I w-w-would like to d-d-do it,” she said finally. Finally, the scholar hugs her books closer to her chest and says rather proudly, “I sh-shall m-make study notes for y-y-you. I’d r-r-rather not d-die during this,” she meant it seriously, “I w-w-will make n-notes, y-you will l-learn them. After all, I c-c-cannot oversee it or d-d-do it alone.”
Kasyr quickly steals a glance over towards Satoshi at the mention of 'Study Notes', before his attention redirects towards Celiann. Clearly, he's going to want a little bit of guidance, in case this turns out to be some extremely dry studies. To his credit, however, his response is without any real hesitation, ringing out with a certain fondness, "Et bien, Madamoiselle, I will do my utmost to fulfill my role. Et would be honored to have tu amidst those I know as family." Silver lining, though the ramifications of this paperwork may be grave, it's at least not those normally tied to Vailkrinian politics, or financial forms.
Satoshi wordlessly watches Celiann retrieve a few more intimidatingly heavy tomes before scrambling off, the kit left blinking where she's sitting. Study guides? Hellfire, wait until she tells Svilfon about -this-. Satoshi looks sidelong at Kasyr and, after ensuring the little necromancer has departed and is fully out of earshot, remarks quietly, "Do... do you think she'd change her mind, if I told her our usual approach to new things is 'what's the worst that could happen'?" Still, if making study notes is what makes Celiann happy and possibly adds her to the family, Satoshi is all for it. Kasyr might have to start recruiting knights as fledgelings soon, or he'll be further outnumbered by bookworm mages (and wizards).
Kasyr's expression quirks, more amused than anything, "Considering her alternatives, and her willingness to engage in a dangerous venture in the first place- I think she'll adapt well enough. Et hell, she might even serve to curb our tendancies. ...Slightly. Maybe. Je m'en doute." The revenant shrugs broadly, before steepling his hands together, "I wonder, however, what this will mean for the remnants of Ginavi- or for those whispering about what's occured and will occur to the house." Vailkrin politics seem lively as ever, these days.
Satoshi echoes Kasyr's shrug, and moments later is also leaning back in her frozen chair, so that she's eyeing him from an upside-down angle. "I think a fairly clear message was sent about the ramifications of betrayal, and you didn't even have to lift a finger. What the remnants do depends on whether they followed their leader's beliefs, or felt deceived and abandoned like Celiann. I imagine those like her will find other Houses to call home, where they can remain loyal and dutiful. The rest... well, Vailkrin's not unused to rogue or crazed necromancers roaming about. We'll just have to wait and see what comes of their choices."
Kasyr s' hands move so that they're resting over his stomach, his askew stance continued, "For those that believe she was part of the betrayal. There are likely those who are as of yet unconvinced, who may still believe that I had ulterior motives in allowing her to be ended." The revenant isn't quite certain he could have stopped that from occuring, all given. ...Or if he could have even forced himself to care. "I've considered asking Asharam et a few other houses to pour over the journal, verify it's contents, peut-etre, et make it available to those who desire answers, along with other information pertaining to the investigation. Transparency might help to convert some of the nay-sayers, et at least serve to quiet others." Apparently, the revenant has no intention on coup de gras'ing that house, despite everything.
Satoshi said to Kasyr, "If it can't hurt you for the journals to be public, then release them, by all means. Vailkrin politics are a toxic swamp to navigate, no sense in bypassing a piece of helpful driftwood." Satoshi stretches then, arms extended above her head and back arched, yet the chair doesn't so much as teeter despite all logic suggesting it should. "On that prior note, have -you- heard of there ever being a successful Sire transfer? Of course there are myths aplenty. And they likewise say a vampire cannot be cured either, but we've seen a few cases of it. How likely do you think we are to lose the necromancer with this?"
Kasyr closes both his eyes in thought, before opening one to glance at Satoshi, "Seen a few cases of vampires being cured- never seen one of a vampire transferring sire as a ritual. Although." The revenant closes his eyes again, if only to switch which one was open, "I think one of the ones that was cured got bit again by someone new. So, I suppose one instance, peut-etre. That said, messy business for just the cure, itself. Near deaths, et deaths seemed to be common, except when gods were involved." The revenant's eyes shut again, as his tipped chair edges back just a touch, "I suppose Transparency es decided, then. Won't do much about Mahara, et such. But maybe they'll step back in line, with the loss of Ginavi. ...Et it might ensure that if Ginavi does not fully collapse, that it will have a trickier time restoring itself." The revenant taps his chin, before casually stating, " Especially since, I'm aware not all of House Kikei was ruined when the purges happened after the Civil war. I've considered offering clemency to the remnants. A little bit of mercy, to measure against all the brute force, et quoi-ce-soit. ...Et competition amongst them et Ginavi will likely serve to keep hostility off me." Nothing like a pair of houses that would be relatively matched Vying for power against each other.
Satoshi snickers quietly to herself. Vailkrin is an entirely different monster compared to Frostmaw, and the kit can't help but miss the simplicity of Giant culture. "If only you could encourage them all that hash out their issues in the arena. Let them improve their standings through victory while beating grudges out of one another. Although... I suppose vampires are a bit like cats, the more times you step on their tails--no matter how legitimately or accidently--the more bitter they get. Whereas Giants become the best of friends after they've whomped each other into unconsciousness. Pity, really. I'd love to watch a few of the noble ones bring out their claws for once, instead of just their barbed tongues." Again Satoshi laughs, amused by the image of finely dressed vampires scuffling like tavern brawlers. It's enough for her to send Kasyr a childishly pleading look. "Can't we host a tournament~? Or some sort of contest that takes as much strength as wit? The sort of thing that requires teaming up with other Houses to succeed, or fail by standing alone."
Kasyr purses his lips at the cat analogy, and just how fitting it is. There was something dangerous about the possibility of Kikei and Ginavi choosing to put aside differences, if they decided they had a common enemy in House Azakhaer. Especially if they both had a legitimate standing. And whilst not all of Kikei had been part of the event that had led to their expulsion- there was likely a certain degree of shared bitterness over the result. It's these thoughts that the revenant mulls on, until Satoshi's continued words catch his attention, "...That's not a bad idea, en fait. The idea of solidarity has been put forth, et the newest conflict with Cenril will likely provide a concrete example of it- but something like a tournament ou competition would also serve adequately well, et allow people to compete et...ease certain tensions." Well, hopefully. Some people are -really- sore losers.
Satoshi's grin widens, taking on a wolfish quality. "You may even be able to entice them to work together moreso, if their competition are races they tend to look down upon--or envy. Aramoth knows how the 'noble'," Satoshi even lifts her hands here to create air quotations with her fingers, followed by rolled eyes, "races view themselves above races like Giants, Orcs, and Trolls. Propose a competition with Frostmaw and Gualon, for the pride of Vailkrin, and they'll band together. Add Rynvale's High Elves or Schezerade's Avians, and you have snooty foe's presence that should put the whip to the laziest of the bunch. No self-serving vampire wants to lose to a pointy earred sea-sipper or cloud-headed feather-fluffer~."
Kasyr s' thumbs are casually twiddled as he mulls over the Magus' proposition. As an idea, it was certainly sound, and the funding the influx of visitors would bring to the city would certainly be useful. And if it -did- serve to succesfully build ties, the stability in itself would be invaluable."Certainly something to look into. But we'll need to contend with the church first, et foremost. Plus, then we can kick off the tournament by throwing Avantine, and that other fellow in the ring with that Dire Owlbear." War crimes? Infringement of Civil rights? What are those. "We need to act soon, however, I'd rather not give them ample time to spin this event in their favour." Well, it's likely a bit late for that, but, you know.
Satoshi's gaze drifts to the dark ceiling, expression thoughtful. "I'm not sure they've had the time. Whispers have reached me about a nasty storm on Cenril's coast. Flooding, wind and rain damage, an overall big mess. The church must be scrambling to fortify itself. Y'know... we -could- send aid--supplies, food, offers of shelter--to Alice and the city guard. It'd only serve to improve Vailkrin's image with those that side with Alice, while rubbing it in the church's face that they're not lifting a finger to help those in need."
Satoshi is all about good PR.
Kasyr can't help but grin, the expression fairly dark, "Et if by chance any of the supplies she received could be used in a more warlike endeavour- well, c'est la vie." The Kensai's head cants at about this point, his expression turning somewhat thoughtful. "...Hrm. We'll see, en fait. I suppose I ought to send her a missive, so that she might be aware of what es available to her."
Satoshi nods along, although she adds to the end of Kasyr's remark, "It needs to be public. Can't win over a portion of Cenril, if they don't even know you've offered to help them. And give them a chance to accept~. People are a fair bit less willing to turn away food from 'those filthy, evil vampires' if they're starving and the church has no aid to provide." The grin Satoshi wears at this point leaves her next remark unspoken but intentions plain to her Empath of a husband, 'Because even if the church had intentions to assist the needy, sabotage can see to that matter'.
Kasyr is of a like mind, though he hardly feels a need to emphasize this. Instead, he simply leans back in his seat, "Well, then- I suppose I ought to see about the disclosure of information, et then penning a proper offer of aid to the Madamoiselle Alice. Though, I'd be thoroughly pleased if tu would aid moi in this endeavour." And in the meantime, he can contemplate just what routes he'll go to, to make the Church miserable as hell.
Satoshi looks less than pleased about being recruited to write letters. First study notes, now homework? Yeesh. When Satoshi had told Hildegarde that a mage is always learning, this is not what she meant by any stretch of the imagination.