Ludovico pauses at the bottom of the stair, adjusting his sleeves absently and watching the other Magus he has noticed with a curious manner. Placing one hand on his hip he frowns slightly as he considers.
[color=blue]Yasmine places one hand Ludo's shoulder, eyeing the other Magus herself and smiling. "My lord, Do you know him?" she asks.
[color=red]"No." is his somewhat dour response as his expression darkens. [color=red]"Perhaps I should introduce myself." he says, noncommitally, clearly not intending to do so in the slightest. He begins to turn back toward the stair and into the wide eyed gaze of one of the valets. The man hurries past, not giving Ludo a second glance... and certainly to gossip about Ludo's 'talking to himself'.
[color=blue]Yasmine seems to like this idea, her smile growing wider. "Indeed my lord, I think you should. You have been too alone of late." She seems in earnest, trying to motivate him. "Perhaps he is a friend you have yet to meet. Not all of your own people are like the other." her manner is a bit more familiar for a moment. Almost warm, perhaps a bit tender.
Gritting his teeth he mutters a name under his breath. [color=red]"Abaddon.." Then he takes a breath and eyes the other man once again before nodding. [color=red]"You are right, and I shall." And with that he moves forward to approach the other man, offering a slight smile and bow as he does so. [color=red]"Good Day Sir."
[color=blue] Yasmine stays with him, one hand on his arm now in the normal 'formal' way of a lady with a gentleman. She doesn't say anything once Ludo is actually speaking to the other man, but her eyes are sparkly and going back and forth between them.
Araris doesn't appear to like this idea so much as Yasmine, yet says nothing other than sighing to himself. He settles one hand on his blade and stays by the other side of Ludo, eyes wary yet mainly focused on the other Magus.
There is a particular woman of note at the side of the magus. She is blonde and mature, one of those older women that still looks smoking hot (late 40's?). She notices you first and whispers something in his ear as you approach.
You introduce yourself, and you notice that you don't get that "creeped out" reaction from the crowd at his table. Still, he clears the table of everyone except his companion and asks you to sit down.
[color=red]We have been expecting you. My name is Antonio Perez of Flambeau. This is my companion Golda, and though not a magus, she is a gifted seer. She fortold of our meeting, yet we do not know your name. But you are surrounded by spirits. Are you one of the Sahir, or a shaman soirit master of some sort?
Your reorganization project seems to be going well. But there is an issue at hand. One visiting Redcap wanted to make use of our scribal service to make a few copies of a book on European Lore. But he was told that all of the Mercere scribes are busy working on a project for one of the Andorra magi.
It is almost certain that you have never heard of Golda unless you frequent the nightlife of Barcelona (where she is still famous, even at her age). Antonio you will probably have heard of; he has the Prestegious reputation at level 4. He is a Flambeau archmagus from Spain, and the leader of a societas known as the Knights of Seneca.
[color=red]Have a seat. Don't worry about Golda, she is used to the Gift, and I covered half the people in this place with my Parma anyway. I didn't always have the Blatant Gift, and in my mature years I find myself spending too much effort trying to overcome it.
Ludovico pauses to consider, drawing in a breath, before nodding his acceptance of the invitation. [color=red]"A fortunate meeting then Archmagus. I am Ludovico of Tytalus. Formerly of Rellantali, now... on my own."
[color=blue]Yasmine slides over to occupy a seat, seen or not, beside Golda, giving the other woman an 'us girls' look with a silvery laugh. Her voice is like bells and sunshine. Somehow sunshine. "It has been a long time since I've met another mortal with the Sight." she says with a manner most friendly. "I think my brother Isandis would like your hair... he had a slave with the Sight once." Or perhaps not so friendly after all. Her eyes however are still bright and playful.
Araris doesn't relax when Ludo does, shifting over to stand a bit between him and Antonio with a resigned look to his features. This earns him an exasperated look from Yasmine who says "You know you probably couldn't hurt the old man anyway." He responds. "I know. But I may give him pause should it come to that. Let us hope it does not."
Kartesh, an arab Djinn of the air and Ludo's manservant, slides out Ludo's chair and quietly goes back to his unobtrusive ways. He positions himself slightly behind the summoner with his arms folded over his chest. He gives a dour look of disapproval to the other two. "Let the master speak." This earns decidedly unappreciative looks from the other two.
The chair slides out before Ludo, then adjusts itself as he sits down.
Ludovico slides into the chair and folds his hands in his lap giving Antonio a smiling if somewhat reserved expression. [color=red]"And I am not a member of either lineage Archmagus. I have spent my career thus far seeking out the magic of the Founder of my House. The Titanoi preserve it well." he says. There he pauses, his expression friendly though his eyes watchfully gauge the reaction of Antonio to his disclosure. After a brief moment though he continues speaking. [color=red]"In fact I'm just now trying to decide what to do with myself next. My latest undertaking in that regard has not turned out ... succesfully to say the least." In the last, as he speaks his expression sours, yet... he doesn't share for the moment. Clearly he is holding back his frustrations for now.
[OOC: Cabal legacy and infamous master flaws both to reflect his association with the lineage of tasgillia and the titanoi and the negative connotations/reputation thereof... so... Antonio may have heard of him by either means.
And I like that trick about sharing your parma with someone to shield them from the gift. Ludo may start making use of that. Hmm. ]
Golda does indeed have the Sight, and she is somewhat uneasy about the number of spirits floating around. Yasmine seems okay though. She whispers something in Catalan in Antonio's ear.
At mention of the Titanoi, Antonio looks uneasy yet intrigued. He hasn't heard of you specifically (that he recalls at the moment), but has knowledge of your tradition, your mistress, and your home covenant.
[color=red]Golda had seen you in a vision not too long ago, and had a preminition that we would meet you here while on vacation. I told the magi of my covenant I was up to some serious covert operations. It is a lie I frequently use when I want to relax undisturbed. I do have much to do, but I am putting it off until spring.
But anyway, we know little about you, save that you "recently escaped from the Prison of Dreams", and that you know the "Secret of the Obsidian Ring". Does any of this ring a bell?
Ludo's expression whitens for a moment, eyes widening slightly. But he recovers quickly. Shifting his weight in his chair he covers his unease a bit, and soon speaks again. [color=red]"The bell has tolled, and the hour is late." he says softly.
[color=blue]Yasmine seems a bit surprised, listening to the conversation shamelessly. She leans over near Golda rather conspiracy-like. "Are all men so upset whenever they lose at something? 'I've' never beaten him at anything, not that I've tried, but... perhaps I shouldn't if this is any indication."
Ludo frowns, eyeing the empty chair next to Golda with some heat to his expression, then turning back to Antonio ... somehow bolstered by his anger. [color=red]"Your Seer is a valuable woman. I would not let her far away from me." he says with a slight smile. When he speaks again however his voice is grim. Clearly he is still rather resentfull of how these events have played out. [color=red]"I sought out Abaddon, for I am through Mercatora's Master of his line. I was told in Fudarus that he was one of the few with the knowledge that I sought. And I found him, though ... it appears things did not go well. I escaped his hold, the prison of dreams is an apt name, yet it seems my memory of my time in ancient Val-Negra has all but vanished from my mind. Surely his work. I can no longer even remember how I found it. But I know that I did. Perhaps in that is the riddle of the ring."
What language does Yasmine speak? Golda speaks Catalonian, a little Hebrew, and a smattering of Castillian. Hand Wave, there is some language they share. [color=green]Golda: [color=red]Hmmm, depends on the game I suppose. I beat Antonio at dice all the time. But, in the ultimate game, we females have the ultimate advantage.
[color=green]Antonio: [color=red]More valuable than you will ever know. She has given me a treasure that no amount of wealth could ever buy. She is more than a seer. She is the light and love of my life, and mother of my only daughter.
[color=red]Abbadon! Yes! Then he still lives! Fantastic! Look, we knew of two specific ways to get to Val-Negra. One was a village that had a special set up and transport from the pylon. But it has been wiped out, that corridor is closed. There were originally several Obsidian Rings. Every member of Val Negra had one. It was an Arcane connection and a repository for vis. We recovered two of them, and they still can manipulate and store vis. But any Arcane Connection they once held is now severed. I haven’t told my covenant yet, but there may be reason to soon panic. According to legend, there is an Iron Door sealing off a terrible danger from the mundane world. Annual rituals keep the door sealed and the being entrapped at bay. It is of immense power, and it took two or more magi to cast the special Mercurian ritual that kept it sealed.
But, if the connection of the Obsidian Rings is severed, that implies something is very wrong there. Who severed it? Why? How? Is the Iron Door still intact? Would you happen to know that much at least? Is that Iron Door intact?
[OOC: I imagine that usually Yasmine speaks latin or italian, because that is where he met her. Maybe. I don't know. What do noble fae daughters get educated with? ]
Ludo's eyes widen now, and he nods slowly. [color=red]"I remember the door. It is, or was, closed when I saw it. Abaddon fears it more than all of Hell. I don't know much more. At least not now. I don't know what is within. But I could feel the presence of a great evil. I don't know if I could hold it back or not, and while I am young... I am not unskilled in my craft. It ... must be powerful." he says, his apparent sense of concern growing. [color=red]"I agree, it should be kept closed if possible. And I have business to settle with Abaddon. If you seek Val-Negra, I will help you. I found it once. Perhaps if I take you with me this time, I'll remember it afterward." he says, finishing with a grim smile.
[color=blue] As the two magi appear to begin getting along in earnest Araris' tension lessens. He turns now, to watch the rest of the room in a manner that is a bit more relaxed and easy, a casual confidence about him now that he is looking out for less potent threats.
Yasmine smiles at Golda, the feminine conspiracy only deepening between them it seems. "Perhaps one day. For now my father would rather I didn't spend time with him. He doesn't see him like I do. All he sees is a mortal." she says, growing wistful.
As the Magi converse Kartesh produces, from nowhere, an ornate silver tea & coffee service and sets it on the table. He begins pouring and adding cream and sugar and little snacks to saucers and soon everyone is served... somehow with what they might have liked, coffee or tea, the right little tasty bit. Kartesh knows his work.
The tea service simply appears on the table, and things begin moving around off of the tray. Soon the things are served out, but Kartesh remains unseen. ( For those without the sight. ) Ludo doesn't bat a lash. He simply picks up his teacup and sips, clearly a tea lover.
Your memory of how you last got to ValNegra is indeed fuzzy. You remember that, at Fudarus, the magus Erat Caeccus of Tytalus assisted you. He had one of those Obsidian Rings, and had summoned a spirit that led you to a village, and from there you took stone boat down a long river...
That can't be right....
What was it again? You almost remember...
And if you are drinking Indian Tea and Ethiopian Coffee, then Antonio is drinking Scotch Whiskey!
[OOC: If anywhere in the western world has anything 'exotic' at this time... it is Venice. And amusingly enough I was just watching a show the other day that was talking about how they were discovering Roman outposts in egypt whose sole purpose was as stations for ships/caravans trading with india. Apparently the roman world was a little bigger than we thought. The same is probably true of medieval europe as well. They probably, like the romans, knew how to do more and had access to more things than is commonly believed. Personal Opinion warning. I tend to think ancient peoples are generally underestimated. If the tea is something that you consider out of period however, consider it gone. Otherwise pretty much whatever 'in period' things he might have wanted will have been what he recieved from Ludo's valet. I'm thinking that is going to be both a function of one of his powers and just a really high ability/skill at 'servanting'.]
We are magi. We have greater access to travel than mundanes do. Trade with India existed in period, and black pepper from India was more valueable in weight than gold. Coffee was something I thought would be out of period, but I discovered that it was available in Ethiopia and Egypt as early as the 9th century.
Whiskey is a hundred years off. But I figure that, as magi, we are ahead of the curve. Marcello brought back some from Scottland, brewed by Gruagachan magi.
Decimus replys. [color=red]First of all please excuse me for not properly introduce my self. Please allow me to introduce my self, I am Decimus Scribonious Lepidus Ex Mercere and leader of this Mercere house until further notice. Our steward here Carbo is responsible for our stores. Make sure that we have everything we need. In terms of inks and parchment. Decimus nods at Carbo and then turns back at Lejla. I intend to see to that we have a separate Mercere quarter where we can decide upon how things are handled so in that way we will get you a laboratory. Is there a special lab project that you intended? If so you can use mine as I am studying books for the moment. I want everyone in my staff to be able to read and write, then I wish that their families learn that skill as well. In the long run we could use someone with some medicus skills.
[color=red]Thanks for telling me that Carbo. I did not know that the lab where such an treasure. I shall see too that it remains and perhaps can be moved once we erect that tower in another location. As I mentioned we need a separate quarter where we can rule and not need to ask the council. If so we can perhaps erect more towers and fit labs and living quarters into them rather than have use the structures that are.
If available Decimus hire and outside scribe to aid the Redcap but if such is not possible then either Pere or Stephanus is assigned the task. They get to decide for them selves as Decimus is not able to determine who can most easily determine who can take a “break†from their work. After all the good of the Mercere house must go before this covenants concerns with rearranging it’s affairs.
Decimus continues reading Dominion Over God’s Creatures in the spring.
[color=red]Well, Allah did not grant me the Gift, so I see it as my task to scribe and to teach. I was thinking of a highly specialised classroom/scriptorium. I've made arrangements to teach one of the Magi, that Tytalus woman, and she has promised to help me with establishing the lab.
[color=red]It would be nice if that lab could be in our section of the covenant so that we does not have to move it later. I will help you as well, but it may take some time, Decimus replies.
With some effort you manage to make things work. But you see the problem? There could be three seasons in a row where the scribbes are doing nothing, so might as well lend them to the covenant. But othertimes, a Redcap may need use of them when they are busy, or a dozen Redcaps show up at once.
BTW, I like the way you have detailed and named the staff. Could you present a list for me? I want to create a census of sorts
]
And amusingly enough I was just watching a show the other day that was talking about how they were discovering Roman outposts in egypt whose sole purpose was as stations for ships/caravans trading with india. Apparently the roman world was a little bigger than we thought. The same is probably true of medieval europe as well. They probably, like the romans, knew how to do more and had access to more things than is commonly believed. Personal Opinion warning. I tend to think ancient peoples are generally underestimated. 