2.4 An unexpected party

Raoudha bows gracefully
Your kind words are appreciated, and I hope Cijara will be able to count on you as you'll be able to count on it
... although I doubt it, she thinks. Words are cheaper than acts. Yet, better a nice, useless, hypocritical resident than a reckless, dangerous one like Claudia would have been :unamused:

(OOC: It's hard to play a nice character having such bad thoughts!!!)

Now, that would be interesting. Etienne is a nice fellow, and seemed pretty competent, despite the lack of preparation and direction his master gave him. If he doesn't see the value of his servant, she certainly sees it, and it is pretty clear to her he would be a great help in administring Cijara. Being a man, he would also be useful when needed to send a representative away.
This... This is a very generous offer, and it is well appreciated. In the short time I spend with Etienne, I had a glimpse of his skills, and must say I quite need the help given the turmoil here. But what would he think of it? Would it be okay for him?

She'll make sure the family are fed, well housed, explain them the basics of Cijara navigation, and attach them a maid or two, possibly children, so that they have help should they need it. She'll then excuse herself, and go on towards resuming her accounting T-T

"Raoudha, Étienne must learn to follow for a time. While you may consider it generous I find it expedient. In many ways, though he is a middle aged man, he is a child. He was born of wealth and privelege and is prone indulges his appetites indiscriminantly." Pausing a moment and giving her a direct look before continuing, "he has seduced countless women across all classes: nobles, maids, and even Maga. He must be kept occupied. He and I have discussed that I will use his talents ruthlessly, for a time, since he has tended to squander them. Had he lived his life differently he wouldn't be with me, and he recognizes that. Through a situation entirely of his own making he has found himself in my service. It may be after serving sufficient penance he can return to his old life, or has lived well enough and learned well enough to build a good life here. It is a second chance for him, at a point in life where one rarely gets second chances." Ra'am then goes on to describe how Étienne lost his ear, to a jealous husband of a woman he'd seduced. Raoudha likely never noticed that Étienne stood on the same side to hear her all the time or the fact that his ear was missing, since he'd grown his hair longer to cover it up.

"At some point my duties or research may preclude me from keeping him occupied sufficiently well. Should that happen, I encourage you to find something for him to do without consulting me. And if I'm not distracted, I may suggest it to you. If you ever notice or hear gossip of him pursuing women, feel free to find something for him to do. He is smart enough to know if what you've asked him to do will interfere with some task I've assigned him. In those situations we three will discuss any accomodation that must be made together. For the time being, I have many tasks for him, notably seeing to the comfort and assimilation of Julien my new shield grog and Lucia. Neither speak a language other than their home tongue which they share with Étienne and I know a smattering of. I'm hoping someone here can teach them the basics of Castilian, or I'll end up having to do it myself, and that will be ineffective."

As she leaves, he says, "I'll discuss Étienne's service with you again, sometime after the council meeting, when I have a better idea of what we need. Sometime on Sunday? I'm assuming I can have anyone lead me to your offices?"

OOC: Note, since there's no Aegis about, it's entirely possible that Étienne's warder, Vivienne, is spying on his behalf. It is equally likely that she is about the Casa looking for willing participants in bedsport. I am unsure how to proceed with this particular issue.

When she gets a chance, Claudia will let the staff know to keep an eye out Jaime Lannister and to let her know where he is as soon as possible.

Claudia gets a nervous knot in the pit of her stomach when she receives the summons from the magus Ra'am. What does he want of me? she wonders. Have I offended him somehow? Does he have a task for me already? She tries not to think too deeply on what he wants of her, in fear that it might be more dreadful than she can imagine.

More than a little nervous, she makes her way to where the Jewish magus is quartered. Part of her is hoping that she happens across Abdul Fati or one of the..."guards" that he's been working with, just in case, but she holds little hope that she will happen. Once there, she takes a deep, steadying breath and knocks meekly at his door.

"Ahh, Claudia, thank you for coming back. I had a few questions." Ra'am invites her in giving her a warm smile. "Would you object if I shared my Parma Magica with you?" Assming no objections, he extends his Parma. "My wife and majordomo are seeing to my retinue, while Samuel and my kids are in the room next door," indicating the partially ajar door where sounds of the two girls and the young man can be heard.

"I was wondering about that dinner council meeting you had mentioned. I haven't met any actual Magus of the council, yet. Do you have the authority to invite me on their behalf? Regardless, would you escort me there so I can greet my sodales before the meeting starts?"

After discussing the council matter, "I know you speak Latin, do you know your letters in Latin? I have something I'd like to show you, if you do." OOC: the wiki indicates she is literate in Latin, so unless she demurs...I'll assume she says yes and continue and will edit this accordingly if she says no.

Walking over to an amarius, he opens it up and expresses a bit of suprise. Inside the chest is a scroll above what appears to be expensive purple cloth covering the contents of the chest. Crying out in alarm, "Prospero! Aurelius! What did you do? Excuse me while I read this, something I was expecting to be here is not. This is probably some suprise a house warming gift from my parentes." He quickly scans the letter, "Yes, as I suspected." He places the scroll back in the case and closes the lid. "So, let's look at this one," and opens the chest next to the first one.
"Ahh, yes, at least this one is here." He carries the book over to a table and waits for her to read the title.
Prospero's Treatise on the Nature of Magic "Tell me child, do you know what this is?"

While Claudia doesn't know just how the Parma Magica works (and probably never will), she knows enough about it that she knows that it would (1) probably offer her some magical protection and (2) help settle the uneasy feelings that she has around him (and any other magi). Thus, Claudia has no objections, and in fact feels more relaxed and at ease when he does so.

Claudia seems a little hesitant as she answers. "He did not tell me to invite you to the meeting, specifically...I have not had a chance to speak with him since you arrived. He has, however, indicated that any new magi, especially those replying to his request for aid, are to be introduced to the Council. Until recently, however, he was the council." She pauses again. "If I have overstepped my bounds, Magus, I apologize. I would, however, be honored to escort you to the meeting."

"Yes, I do read and write Latin."

Claudia looks intently at the title and thinks. Order of Hermes Lore to recognize the name: Int 3 + OoHL 1 + die roll of 8 = 12. Not sure if it would be another Order of Hermes Lore to recognize the treatise, or a Magic Theory to surmise what it's about. So...Int 3 + either 1 (if OoH Lore) or 4 (if Magic Theory) + die roll of 3 = either 7 (OoHL) or 10 (MT).

Soooo...she probably knows who Prospero of Bonisagus is...and may likely be able to ferret out what the treatise is about. Either way, she nods knowingly.

"No, of course you didn't do anything wrong, at least not in my eyes. I'm just trying to get a sense of protocol here."

"This was the first book I read as an apprentice, as you can tell it's on Bonisagus' theory of magic. It was an early work by my pater, and I've been urging him to revisit the subject as his knowledge is so vast now. It is of sentimental value, and I brought it with me, though I've mastered its secrets long ago." Closing the book he takes it back to the chest.
"If I am able to join the Covenant, I'm going to place it in the library and reserve it for you. When you're ready to continue your studies. You may no longer be an apprentice, but there's no reason to not continue quenching the thirst for knowledge. Before I was a Magus, I was a teacher, and I think it is important that people keep seeking knowledge."

"So, can you tell me about any of the others who've arrived, my sodales? And then, if I'm not keeping you, I'd like to get a better sense of the history of the covenant." Ra'am intends to keep her talking and continues to pump her for information about his potential new home, using the best charm he can muster. Com (3) + Charm (2+1, speciality) + roll of 8=14. If it's a Pre (1) it'd be 12.

Contents of the letter in the case...
Dear Ra’am

I hope that your journey to your new home was quick and safe and that this letter finds you well. I want to thank you for waiting to open the chest until you arrived at your new home. I had Pinarius, as he is a most excellent artificer construct a housewarming gift for you. I hope you use it as soon as you’re able. In order to create room for it Prospero and I removed the tractatus you glossed for him so many years ago, I hope you don’t mind. We will send it with a Redcap once we’ve heard from you.

Yours,
Aurelius

Oh great... Yet another spoiled child, and, worse, a lecherous one, Raoudha thinks... I don't need this, and neither do Cijara. Maybe I can push him into the arms of the new head maid, it looks like they could keep themselves busy. I'll have to speak to Gerard, maybe he 'll have an idea.

But... could this be jealousy she hears in the magus voice? Maybe he's right, maybe he's exagerating the truth, maybe he's just spreading lies and gossip. She'll make her own opinion, then, and be wary of both

Uneasy: I... thank you for the warning, and shall keep it in mind. Hopefully, we'll all be the better for it.

(OOC: Roleplaying the gift is awesome IMO, but also quite tiring!!)

Sure, it'll be a pleasure.
I ain't much in my office, since I try to assert our ressources and get in touch with everyone, but I am sure we'll be able to manage something.

This is hard for her, exactly like it was with Hiems. On the one hand, she doesn't trust him, and feels like he has some ulterior motive. On the other, she tries to judge people by their acts and keep an open mind. So there's this internal struggle going on.

(I think it's better if raoudha got out of this thread now, probably to see abdul. She is busy, I tell you!!!)

"Ahh, thank you for settling us in, if I need anything else I'll send for someone," dismissing Raoudha as politely as he can. While he knows the effects of the Gift he attempts to choose his words carefully. He must discuss Raoudha with someone, to see if she knows what Parma is and how it can be extended. He fears that the conversation she's had with him well end up being attributed to a crazy middle-aged man. Perhaps, as he's busy with other tasks, he can set Regina in motion. She's more capable than he'd ever imagined she could be when they were married 25 years earlier.

"As you may have heard, Magus, Archmagus Jaime is the last of the Phoenix magi. By sending out the invitation, he has brought any who wish to join. And the Archmagus has decided to yield to the newcomers. So, in a way, just as you are, as you say, 'getting a sense of protocol' here, all the magi are in their own ways helping to determine what is proper." She pauses. "So we are all in the same proverbial boat, Magus."

As she speaks, Ra'am would notice that she never looks him in the eyes as she speaks...or when he does, either. In fact, thinking back to when she met him a short while earlier, he can't recall her making eye contact with anybody.

Claudia is speechless for a minute. "Th...thank you, Magus...I am touched by your concern. I will remember that this book is in the library, and will study from it when it is not in use and when I am not occupied elsewhere."

Keeping in mind that (save for Jaime Lannister) none of the others have been there for more than a few days, none of the newcomers have extended their Parma over her, and she's uncertain (as magi can often be a rather secretive lot) if she should be telling tales after school. So, this is what she will divulge about the others:

  • Jaime Lannister, the last of the Founding Members of the covenant, is a powerful combat specialist Flambeau who is very strongin his beliefs...among them that the Islamic culture and heritage should be preserved in these troubled times. He has lost all of his fellow magi of the covenant in recent years, especially at the Battle of Las Navas (where he lost his sister Cersei, who was also a maga of the covenant). The losses have taken a great toll on his body and soul, and her heart bleeds for him.
  • Viscaria the Verditius was the first to answer the archmagus's call. She seems a little young to be a maga, and at times she seems a little...impulsive? (obviously not her first choice of an adjective, but she's trying to be polite...she has no idea how much of this might get back to the other magi in question). Regardless, she seems to be more powerful than she looks, if what Claudia heard about her escape from captivity is true. Claudia believes that she has claimed a sanctum and laboratory in the cavern's beneath the covenant. She also thinks that Viscaria is Castillian.
  • Amos Constantine of Flambeau arrived just a couple of days ago. He's obviously Theban (from his name), but he tends to be rather quiet, so Claudia doesn't know much about him...and isn't sure what his interests or magical talents might be.
  • Hiems ex Miscellanea arrived shortly after Amos. He seems very cold, impersonal, heartless. She has no idea what his interests are, or his magical abilities. She does know that he has claimed as his sanctum the ruined tower that belonged to Salamandrus of Flambeau before he disappeared. (Claudia seems to tear up as she mentions Salamandrus). She believes Hiems to be Provençal.
  • Cygna the Bjornaer arrived with Hiems, but she doesn't think they're together. Cygna has expressed an interest in Mentem, and (Claudia thinks) has mentioned ghosts. So, Phoenix should suit her rather well. Claudia hesitates before she volunteers that Cygna has been seen around the covenant talking, and even yelling, at the air...even during the council meeting two days before. On the other hand, she was able to harvest some Mentem vis from the Vintners. To the best of Claudia's knowledge, the maga from Stonehenge has yet to claim a sanctum in the covenant.

She will present an abridged, though fairly accurate, history of the covenant...or at least what she knows of. She actually happens to have Covenant Lore: Phoenix with a specialty in History, soooo...Int 3 + Covenant Lore 2 + die roll of 5 = 10...should suffice for a good overview, methinks. Basically, she relates what's in the Wiki, history-wise.

Delighted at all he has learned in such a short time, he compliments Claudia, "Child, you are a treasure and a delight."

Turning serious, though, "We do have a problem, though. With the rabbi here at Phoenix we will need to tread carefully. Had you sent him my invitation for dinner, already? If so, you must fly and rescind it, expressing my regrets and tell him his true nature could upset my family and our rabbi. I will visit him at some point and serve as the bridge between rabbis. Since you've told me so much, and I've kept you from your duties, I'm sure, I don't think I need you to escort me to the council. I wish to be clear, because, sometimes Magi are misunderstood. If you should wish to escort me there, that would be fine, however, if you would rather see to your other duties, then that is also fine. It is your choice. In any event, I'd like to see you after breakfast on Sunday morning, have you show me about the covenant, take me to the library and help me find a lab."

As Claudia departs, he considers her carefully, Salamandrus must have been her pater, given the emotion she showed. He will tread carefully on the subject for some time. He wonder if Aurelius or Tria know about Cygna or at least her covenant, speaking to himself quietly, "I could've even been there, met her, or her pater. If only I'd been more open to my lessons when I was with Tria. It's the one thing I wish I had done better, to pay attention to that world that was around me back then."

Claudia looks down, seemingly embarrassed at the unexpected praise.

"I will relay your regrets to the Rabbi Warder.
"I believe I would like to escort you to the meeting," Claudia says with a smile in her voice. "This is your first time here, and it is not an easy path through the Regio...I would hate to have you lost."

When she does escort him to the council meeting, and this is assuming that there is a little bit of leeway in the exact manner of traveling the paths, where to turn and spin, and so on, she will make it as...adventurous as she can. Simply for her own indulgence, and totally heedless of whether Ra'am will be able to keep up, let alone remember how she made it through. After all, she is reckless and...well...what can be more reckless than ad-libbing a regio passage? :smiley:

Ooc – since Ra'am is a Bonisagus, and I think that word of what their members do, both good and bad, tends to get around. It stands to reason that he may have heard of Adorjan Megidézó, who was marched a couple of years ago for diabolism and for the murder of a Redcap...and may remember that he had been a member of the Covenant at Riversedge...the same covenant that Cygna hails from, according to Claudia.

Oh...and sometime in the next couple of days, she is going to want to talk to Raoudha (nothing major, simply some pure rp and exploiting Covenant Hooks).

I'd forgotten that Adorjan was a Bonisagus! It is VERY likely that she and Ra'am met, since he would have been tramping around with Tria. No, the problem is whether he remembers Adorjan or Cygna is another matter entirely. It was a dark time in Ra'am's life, doing something he didn't want to be doing and not taking maximum advantage of his capabilities. For examle, he was dead set against learning English, out of spite, though he easily could've picked up a bit with his Linquist virtue.

OOC: I heart you guys! Excellent RP!

Claudia leaps forward, making up her own little dance through the regio. Ra'am tries to follow her, but his old body just isn't as agile. At one point, he nearly trips. A hand grabs his, white marble, immaculate. An adrogynous figure helps him, surprisingly strong. The impassive face fills Ra'am with a sense of moral disquiet. The more she looks at him, the more he wants to find a nice dunce-cap and sit in a corner, or repent all his sins.

"Come. We need you to go this way."

Still holding Ra'am firmly by the arm, she walks out of the regio.

A small squad of ghosts wait on the other side, guarding the entrance. To a man, they all appear deeply shocked by her appearance. After two heartbeats, one salutes smartly. The others quickly follow.

A mocking voice cuts in from behind them. "Yes, salute, you useless dogs. Act all compliant and maybe she won't drag you back to where you came from." Adorjan scowls.

"You were not expected to arrive at this moment."
"Oh, hush. I am here to speak of That For Which We Are Of One Purpose."

"Not in front of The Living. His Grace does not want them to know of this threat. She begins marching forward, still dragging Ra'am along with her/him.
"I am telling you, this covenant has broken The Limit of Time."
"There is no such limit."
"The Old Ones could..."
"Not in front of the living!

The three of you pass (literally) through a stout iron and wood door, into a small wine cellar, filled with casks of wine. The androgynous figure addresses Ra'am again. "Go. Up there, to meet those who will fight The Thirty with you. Tell them they can have their chess piece when they solve the riddle of my being. And do not return to your quarters until after you have left them."

She then turns, and beckons to the insolent ghost who walked with you both, "This way."

Adorjan only laughs, and melts into the ground. "It will not be that easy, you ambrosia-sniffing surrender-bot. Do you really think I am so simple?

Though it had been well on sunset when Ra'am had left his room, morning sunlight filters down from the stairwell.

(Please join the lab scouting thread.)

Ra'am feels so... retconned

Hey, at least it wasn't all just a dream!

And I want to emphatically point out that you never learned Adorjan's name.

Yeah i never saw the name in dialogue. When I get to a PC I'll do a roll to remember details. Or PM me the details he can reasonably remember if you don't want to leave it to chance. After nearly a month of travel I'd expect his old mind might miss a thing or two.

I leave it to player discretion. I don't mind if you remember it all.