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 Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:59 pm
"Who said anything about disliking the place?" he asked bewildered. It was an interesting notion, but not true. Not really. To Keno it was never so much the place as the people that mattered. Knowing that Tama was likely referring to the people of the club and not the club itself, as most people tended to do when they spoke of establishments, he saw no reason to speak his thoughts aloud.
"You know, I spent a lot of time working on a particular technique that defied the natural laws of time, all so I could bear witness to the flow of energies around me. Have you ever studied your opponents as such?"
For a brief moment he was silent, except for that humming sound people make during bouts of pleasant nostalgia.
"At first there was just guesswork. No one could actually see the flow of energy. Sure, they could feel it, and there was a lot of effort put into making it an art, but no one could see it. Combat was always about guesswork and the understanding basic principles of the body. Can you imagine how powerful someone could be if they could see this natural flow between bodies, between beings, between concepts as basic as earth and sea and sky?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:25 pm
Needless to say, Jade had dealt with Taliman a lot in her time at the Club, and prior to it's existence. She had gotten used to his mannerisms, and the way he used words drenched so thickly in sarcasm you had to really listen to understand what the fox demon was saying. With a practiced skill, she effectively ignored the Orinians demeaning comment with just a slight roll of her green eyes.
She put many things to the back of her mind, like Taliman, the sketch in Kaen's book, and the fact that her hot cocoa had been finished off by one of the other kitsune inside the club at the moment. And that had been good hot cocoa too. Oh well, she could make more. Right now though, her concern was for Kaen, who was sitting up, and threatening Taliman gain.
"Kaen-san....what in the world is going on...?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:37 pm
Red was one person that Epithany both admired and found annoying all in one. There was no other person she knew that could so easily point out all the flaws in a given argument or attack the heart of issue with such precision as she. Pursing her lips in silence she listened to the Red head speak in silence.
Sitting up properly the mage replied in a matter of fact way.
"I suppose that's just it. I spend all of my time dealing with the world's problems that when I come "home" it would be nice to actually have someone there to worry about me or to worry about. I suppose the break would be from here. I feel so completely disjointed from this place that its almost like a secondary routine."
Watching Red readily rise and head towards the bar counter to retrieve tea. Spying the ingredients added to the pot she wrinkled her nose preparing a disassociation spell as to separate the water and add her own ingredients. As the Red head returned, Epithany smiled.
"I don't suppose there was any Earl grey amongst what he procured. I am bit partial to English breakfast teas and the such."
Pulsing with newly purposed magic the runes from the spell shone lightly on the table top ready to be utilized.
"I suppose we are in a similar boat when it comes to our significant others. I can't really blame Unks for not being present. We are far from newlyweds anymore and what were doing has been routine for so long, there's no reason to think things would change now."
Glancing at Sasha offering the others some of the tea she shook her head in silence.
"Doesn't ease the loneliness with that knowledge though."
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:17 pm
"THAT is all I see."
Truth to the core as he spoke about himself and thought about that long long time ago.
“Where most see light and colors and objects as they are I see the life with in them, the flowing energies that make them work spiritually. I have been blind from regular site for so many years old friend, it’s both a gift and a curse. I will always see beauty in a form no other can but at the same time I will never see the true crimson red of a rose petal or the clean white of a frosty mountain top. I see only life and the shadows of death that stalk life, mixed in an ever dancing display, like a symphony being played and you can not only hear but see the music as it floats into the air around you.”
Tamashii took a look around and instead of green and brown and white he saw white and black and flowing neon colors that represented the life forces around him. Every tree, every bush, every bird, all could be honed in on and focused to a fine point of concentration beyond that of a normal mind.
“Its not hard really, all you have to do is stop and really look around.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:45 pm
Without reply, Red surveyed the variants of tea to locate an Earl Grey, which was nothing difficult. The tea kettle began to whistle shortly and she withdrew it from the source of heat, pouring for herself and her fellow mage two steaming cups of water, taking care to dunk Epithany's tea bag first before serving it to her silently as she listened.
"No, it does not ease the loneliness. Would that I could make it."
She sighed in her general impatient manner as she began dunking her herbs together into the water. Ironically, her tea had no real 'tea'to speak of in it. Herbal water would perhaps be a better term for her drink. As she let flavor of the contents enhanced the flavor and smell of the water, she wrapped her hands around the mug, appreciating its warmth.
"So will you take Sasha's advice?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:01 am
Dismissing her spell the excess mana filtered back into atmosphere. Accepting the tea graciously she glanced back toward their mentor, letting the tea steep in the water. Feeling the warmth seep through cup she smiled.
"I suppose to some extent. I've lately been leaving the management of the Soul Fountain to some interns from my guild. Perhaps I'll actually spend some time managing my own establishment. Its been a considerable amount of time since did some management."
Lowering her gaze toward the contents of her cup she sighed.
"Who knows maybe I'll check out some of my old stomping ground pre-Orion. I haven't had done much soul searching for some time."
Propping in her chin her palms she seemed considerably more relaxed than even before she had freaked out.
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Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:44 pm
Tea apparently wasn't everyone's "cup of tea". The thought amused the old fox.
"Right...No problem, the offer still stands...'
Bowing his head left behind the small group behind heading back to his protege's
"Hope my departure wasn't missed too much"
Taking seat he waved his hand producing a cup of his own. Settling down at the table pouring himself a cup of the hot water.
"Hmmm green tea sounds good right about now."
Steeping the tea leaves he peered around the table at the two.
"So what are we talking about?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:14 pm
"Many things."
She answered without inflection, without pitch, and without looking at him. Lifting the brew to her lips, she sipped on the herbal concoction, inhaling its aroma as she drank. Her eyes closed as she let the liquid run down her throat warming her body in its own way, her tail curling in approval.
"I was about to change the subject.
"Earlier Sasha mentioned the merits of the mage community, namely the guild to which you are both members. You are close enough to them obviously to entrust your own personal sanctuary to interns. I do not doubt there are positive qualities, but why do you both speak so highly of it?"
Her eyes glowed inquisitively as she watched them both. Their willingness to offer advice and kind words did not go unnoticed, but they did not stand out. An open invitation was offered her, and Epithany seemed to be moments away from immersing herself deeper into the guild, be it intentionally or inadvertently.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:47 pm
Gazing at cup watching the steam rise toward the ceiling.
"Actually, I'm not a member of her guild. My order just has an alliance as I am friends with one of the Solarian guild heads. Otherwise our practices clash on many points. The politics with some of the other guild heads aren't as receptive. But it helps keep the balance so many won't voice disapproval out loud"
Turning his mug in his hands he smiled sifting out the leaves.
"Ironically we Shadow mages are also affiliated with another guild you might know. Does the Pangaea sect ring any bells?"
Sipping his drink, he shook his head his head.
"Small world isn't it. But you know you don't have to join a guild to be affiliated with it. Epithany probably has issues with Archmage's in her guild because of her relationship with me."
Taking in another pull of tea.
"As you can see there are both positives and negatives with allying yourself with other mages. Though I would say benefits out weigh everything else."
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:41 pm
"Your ability is just shy of my ambition," he answered slowly, mulling over his own words. "I am not looking for flowing energies but the flow of energy. The plural sense still marks a division of the greater picture. Singularly, I am sure the cosmos in its entirety has but a single energy that flows through us all. What makes each individual thing's energy unique is the combination of this single energy to a single being, but under it all I am convinced this singular energy flows in its own unique pattern. It would almost be like having the eyes of gods if I could find it."
A certain level of passion was welling up within Keno's voice, and the winds answered in turn, not directly battering Tama, but emphasizing the vigor behind Keno's search. The chorus of split air rang through the branches of the trees over the backdrop of the rustling evergreen needles. Coming to himself, the winds calmed in answer.
"Alive and dead are states of mind as much as states of being. Skiro is neither, you say, but in a very real way, nor am I. I do not live. I have not died. We are not the same, but we are similar. Life and death are but manifestations - two among many - of the singular energy I'm looking for."
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:31 pm
“I find it is deadly to apply ones self to such an ambition, but I have faith you will find your truth with out much trouble, but you may find its not what you really want?”
Tamashii festered around this idea like a fly t o a corpse, knowing the truth and living it were two different things. His tone was steady and calm like the many ages he had lived through.
“I know many things but of what you speak I believe to be nothing but a myth. A single form of energy that flows in concert with everything. Some call it Gods Will, others the Ambrient, some call it the Gutenrag, others the Vigor Jhal. It has many names but one purpose, to keep things flowing as they should. It is the Force of Creation and if I know anything it is that something of that magnitude was not meant for us, no matter how ambitious we are. I don’t ask you to stop your search, I just ask for your sake and mine that when the times comes you look around and decide if all you have now is worth sacrificing for one truth? I plead to you that you be happy, before you try to be right my old friend.”
His words filled with sorrow, a deep regret that dwelled amongst his mind. The words he spoke were saturated with this sadness and it radiate off him and dampen the area around him. He spoke not from legend or lore, he spoke not from a text Book or a Poem, he spoke from his life.
“I once looked for a truth, I found it and the truth became clear that for it I lost…everything. Don’t be me, I have faith you won't, you were always a good man at heart.”
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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:34 pm
Respectfully she listened in silence, merely nodding as her information was corrected, fingers wrapped around the mug as though they had sprouted from it. The history of her senior and mentor grew ever more complex. It did not surprise her that so many networks had developed under the surface of everyday life, but she was reminded yet again just how old Kendo was.
His mention of Pangaea did not go unnoticed, but she did not so much as bat an eye at the mention of them. So far as she was concerned, her hands were washed on the matter. The thought brought Red back to Epithany's husband; what could she saw in him was anyone's guess.
"The Archmages. Forgive me if I stole this information from you unwittingly, but you are still a subordinate are you not? Politics refuse you further advancement?"
Her eyes were set intently on Epithany as though she expected some reaction from this comment. Regardless of where the information came from, Red could not help detecting a layer of bitterness coating Epithany's relationship to the guild, though it was far less severe than what she had let fall between herself and Sasha earlier.
"They seem blind and deaf to your pleas and yet you still beg their audience. Why not simply leave them? If you are not worthy of them, surely they are not worthy of you."
Her tail wrapped around her waist and fell into her lap as she took another drink of her herbal tea; it was a considerably larger gulp as the drink had cooled enough for her tongue's tolerance. Neither eye abandoned Epithany's profile as she awaited an answer.
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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:21 pm
The previously contented expression was rapidly replaced by one of extreme consternation. Listening in silence to Kendo's explanation she stewed against the words she was all to well familiar with. As if to add insult to injury Red stated exactly what she was thinking.
"Yeah your right Red. I'm still an underling despite being probably more skilled than many of the archmages. Some say I'm not ready for the responsibility that it takes to be a archmage. But what it takes to be one, I have yet to see."
Taking deep breath, tipped back a large portion of her tea, burning the roof of her mouth.
"Owww...."
Grimacing she placed fingers to her forehead, reciting a spell. Following a brief white glow beneath her finger tips her expression softened.
"I would prefer not to leave. It would be like admitting that they were right in their wish to hold back my ascension."
Glaring at Kendo continued.
"If you and Tedin interceded, I could get around all this foolishness."
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:00 pm
"I disagree."
Another generous sip interrupted her and grabbed her attention as she placed the mug back on the table. It was nearly empty. She was drinking quickly. A few roasted almonds would complement a basic sencha, or some dried apple chips. Neither was present, but she had not requested additives earlier. She would make to. Lifting her gaze from her cup, she continued.
"Holding you back holds them back as well. It stunts growth. Losing you would be a great folly and a greater detriment. They likely know that, despite what they say aloud."
Her gaze returned to her mug for a moment as she considered the weight of her own words. She did not doubt herself, but the message might have been lost. The swirling particles of herbs floating in her tea was enough to keep her grounded on the thought. By the time the sediments seemingly halted, she determined there could be little misconception. She turned to Kendo to hear his opinion and his defense. As the day was proving to be full of lessons, she might as well learn.
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:29 pm
Knowing all too well what was being said by both women, the elder mage turned his mug in his grasp. His response would likely need delicacy as to not agitate the already aggravated quantum mage.
"Truth be told, I actually agree with their choice to hold back her ascension. Skill alone does not dictate status. An archmage must also have the patience and experience necessary to make decisions that can alter many peoples lives. An Archmage must make choices that serve the greater good of their organization. In many ways you are much more subjugated to your duty than a high mage. Because of this, many deem you more effective in your current capacity. Your power is not restrained in any official capacities"
As he finished he proceeded to sip more of his tea, clearing his throat.
"Or so I have been told..."
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