"A plethora of faeries, uh? Can't say I dislike the faeries, but I'm not sure I would want any in my sanctum. We know the other Plasmatoris doesn't share the Jerbiton dislike, but what about this Plasmatoris?"
Scratching at his chin, Plasmatoris takes another sip of his drink. "I was given a number of reasons to dislike them, but when you get down to it, the biggest reason to dislike faeries is how readily they prey upon humans. I admit my knowledge of Faeries is.... lacking, and the blanket 'Faeries are Wicked' statement from my House loses some credibility when you decide not to vilify House Merinita."
"At least faeries aren't demons." shrugs "You're probably right about preying on humans, they want our attention, our vitality, our worship sometimes..." he looks at Argentius "Do you really consider all faeries part of the same people, that you think you could find a relative of your father in the desert? You certainly don't look local."
"Don't really know," answers Argentius. "I was five when I was sold to the Tribunal. Just thinking aloud what might be a new direction to take this time around."
The artificer takes another drink.
"Plasmatoris, did you find any pictures of any of us in your lab? Iām curious what I might have looked like a hundred years inā¦ " He chuckles softly.
OPlasmatoreus' works did not go the way of portraits- they seemed to focus more on architecture and classical stories- a fair number of religious scenes from all three of the major religions, some of which you can't be certain which they are supposed to represent.
The Jerbiton shakes his head. "No, sodalis," he replies to Argentius. Then, a heartbeat later, that wide grin of his appears again. "As much as you would be a fantastic subject for a piece, as I am sure you are aware. He did not focus on portraiture or human form, but on architecture, religion, and the spiritual - A tendency which I admit I do share with him, and not surprising." Plasmatoris drains his mug in a slightly-dramatic way, before continuing.
"But as a sign of my respect for you, I would be glad to create a memory of your beauty to keep forever, shouldst you desire to commission the time, someday."
Argentius smiles at Plasmatoris' suggestion that the artificer model for the artist.
"Once we get things settled here, sodales, I would be happy to be a model for your art. I suppose it's one way of putting to good use that portion of my inheritance. No point letting this manifestation of fae and classic Greek beauty go to waste," says the Verditius with nary a tone of sarcasm. He seems to consider this statement about his looks to be a rather academic and obvious statement of fact.
"It might be an interesting thought experiment to consider what kinds of enchantments we might develop to aid you in your art, Plasmatoris. Perhaps a set of spectacles that allow you to see further into the nature of a subject you're painting? Or maybe just a set of invested paint brushes?" He takes another sip.
"And Aetherius, we do need to arrange a time for you to talk to that statue. I'm curious what tales it will tell. I'm kind of curious why my other self crafted that particular ring. I suppose it's quite possible I made it for you: talking to statues and understanding the history of any book you touch the ring to?"
Argentius considers. "I'll have to look at my lab notes and see what they reveal. I wonder what else could be crafted to aid you in your studies of ancient structures and buildingsā¦ Perhaps a way of quickly taking their measure? Assessing their age and provenance?"
Plasmatoris briefly pulls a paintbrush into view from where it has been tucked into his robes. "I already have a paintbrush enchanted - by myself according to lab notes - to do some wonderful things to assist my long-term artistic endeavors." He taps his chin. "I would delight in if you assisted me in my studies of magical aids for painting and sculpting. When I was an apprentice, my parens introduced me to a spell he called Rock of Clay, and I immediately wondered about what other materials could be turned into paint for use in art. I wanted to learn how to paint in flowers, and my mentor refused to continue that discussion." Plasmatoris's manic grin seems to be growing across his face. "I admit it was a foolish, adolescent dream, but I can already think of better ideas."
"You believe that ring was made for me? That's an interesting idea. Although I suppose, if it lets you talk to the statue... it could be useful within the covenant itself, and not just for my hobby." he points to the animated statues in the courtyard
"I'll have to think on what I really need. At this time, it feels like just the next few years will be studying to catch up..."
"I couldn't agree more, Aetherius. I had planned to spend a few years in deep study if I could find a covenant with a reasonably good library," says Argentius. "The library here appears robust but the direction of those studies might need to take a different path."
The artificer looks about the courtyard, and then looks back at the others. "I'll have to chat with one of those animated statues tomorrow. Might learn something useful."
Argentius looks up into the night sky.
"I think this time around, I might choose a more amorous path. My first attempt seemed an awfully lonely road."
Aetherius gets a refill. "Are you feeling like you're falling for someone already?"
"I hope you can find fulfillment in your attempts to catch up. This covenant we have been gifted with is a wonderful resource, and I will gladly accept the troubles it has to not only reap its benefits, but because I believe we can help it thrive." Plasmatoris moves to take a drink from his goblet, before finding it empty. With a shrug, he sets it down and relaxes back into his seat, all his manic energy form before somehow missing.
"I believe that every House in the Order of Hermes has unique secrets that it has stumbled into. In some cases, like your own House, Magus Argentius, those secrets are mysteries of power that we by Oath are bound to leave alone. He lifts that empty goblet from the table in a salute. "You have, however, just discovered a secret of House Jerbiton: 'You should not merely strive to live, but to live well.'"
Argentius sputters a mouthful of the beer at Aetherius's comment. "By the Oath no! Not at all. I was just talking to Lares, and he seems to have a whole family here. I wasn't even able to keep a familiar, it seems."
The Verditius wipes his mouth and tunic off while listening to Plasmatoris. "There seems to be a long tradition of hedonismos among my mother's people. Didn't House Jerbiton have some of its roots in Greece? Thessaloniki perhaps? I have a sense of the principle, but I think I am finding a joy in my own crafting work. A kind of art of it's own, I suppose. Creation by combining form and function?" He takes another drink.
Plasmatoris gives a smile, this one more casual, tired than his more energetic earlier grins. He goes for another drink with his goblet - realizes he never refilled it, and he leans forwards to do so. "The Jerbiton are born from the lands of Thebes, from the Grecian magi. Our home used to be Constantinople, if I remember correctly." He sips his newly refilled goblet, this time not casting any spells over it. "I never paid too much attention to the specific histories, I was more interested in the application of knowledge."
"As for your form and function - Art is defined as created to be art rather than functional. I once asked my Master if a chair carved to a beautiful shape was functional or artistic, and he lead me on a philosophical race in circles. I think my final conclusion was that it was both and neither."
Argentius listens to Plasmatoris, nodding. "Then I suppose my craft isn't art by that definition. Function guides form just as it informs the decisions about what materials one uses to craft. I'm sure we share something there, though for you the function is the art., whereas for me, the end results outward appearance may or may not be considered art. A great ring, for example, may very well be just a simple gold band."
The artificer takes another swig of the beer.
"Were either of you married? Your other selves, I mean?"
Aetherius is quite amused at the reaction.
"I frankly can't say I looked... But I didn't see any significant evidence of a loved one either."