| Hot and Cold Q&A |
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| Summary: | Following the debacle at the museum, Gilderman comes to the ISC to check in with the Integrated and answer some questions. Some really tough questions. |
Mr. Gilderman arrives at the complex finally a week later. Word is sent that he is coming and would gladly meet with Integrated in the Common Room. In fact, its a deal enough some cool fruit is put on trays in the common room and it looks almost like an Art opening, even some wine. Much more an affair than his last arrival even. Waiting for a few to arrive at first, he enters the room when some are gathered. "Hello Integrated," he says, not knowing any of them personally, "I would like to thank you for the effort to get the Stone. And I'm sorry we did not better help to prepare you for this quest." Even he uses the funny term for doing a task/chore/whatever. "I would be glad to discuss this in depth, lets have some refreshments?" He waves towards the table, and moves to get some water and honey melon balls on a little plate. The plates are not paper but ceramic, the look old.
*
Lingering somewhat off to the side only there to observe and listen and learn, Silvermist doesn't partake of any of the fruit or the wine. Or the conversation for that matter. Just a matter of unity, most likely, and there to support the Integrated in the complex.
*
Did someone say wine? Aurelie is there, sleek and well-groomed as always, hair hanging in a black, thick braid down her back with green eyes trained upon everyone in the room as they linger or arrive. Poised in her hand is a glass of white wine with a plate of fruit comprised of melon, strawberries, grapes.. etc etc. She takes a moment to look the plates over, always having an eye for age and antiques. Of course Auri would be drawn to old ceramics! She looks up from beneath her lashes once Gilderman speaks, not yet piping up herself but waiting for the right moment. Though her eyes travel to Silvermist on occasion, comforted by the Tinkling's presence. If the warrior returns her gaze, Auri will give a quick smile of greeting.
*
Alexander sits for a long while just glaring at Gilderman, He crosses his arms finally and says in that soft rough silken voice "Aaron and August, Yes we have names Fucker, Almost dead cuz your oversight… And that's your apology? And you cant even bother to learn our names." he says from behind the mask printed with the wide grin in a voice of forced jovial politeness "I would like to formal invite you to Eat A DICK".
*
Peter has made his way inside as well, although he's placed himself a bit off to the side, simply observing for now. There's a pause as he hears Alexander's words, though. Followed by a mutter to himself in German, along with the shake of his head.
*
A honey melon ball in hand, or really, a tooth pick, he has one to pick at the balls that he grabbed from the end of the table, Gilderman holds it a moment and turns as he's addressed by Alexander. "My oversight? … Alexander is it?" He pops the ball in, puts the toothpick on his plate and puts a hand to smooth his hair. It already had a product of some sort, its slicked back already (Sam Neill as Reilly Ace of Spices). "Let me assure you I have no magic to track the goblins. It is my fault for not expressing to you the importance of the Stone or that the goblins may want it. I fear to say this is something the Integrated are responsible for, protection of earth and all that." A pause, he grabs his toothpick. "I do apologize for not warning enough other than goblin activity was suspected near the campus which is why we asked you to seek out the stone."
*
A riot of gooseflesh arises up and along Auri's spine at Alexander's blunt yet truthful retort. Welp, he just said what she is feeling but put it in ways that her polite, cultivated demeanor could never hope to emulate. She turns to what the man in the mask, studying him for a few moments. This could get interesting, she takes a healthy swig of wine.
*
There's a smile given over to Aurelie from Silvermist as she catches the look, however the words from Alexander have her stiffening slightly and since she is there on behalf of the Integrated, she steps nearer to visiting dignitary as it were. She has nothing to say, remaining quiet and slightly stoic other than the smile to Aurelie earlier.
*
Alexander 's brow draws down as he growls his voice cracking a bit "You Pompous overblown wannabe, That's right we have the magic and the responsibility, but you sent us in Blind, with no information with a man so cowardly he's afraid of his shadow, and no idea of what we could be facing. But yes your right its our responsibility, Or role, Our sacred duty., So explain to me why for One minute, one flying fuck we we should give a shit about anything you say ever again Since your superfluous, we can do this on our own. So either put up or shut up.
*
As Alexander continues to address him, Gilderman hunts out a water melon ball and spears it. Chewing and nodding as Alexander speaks from his heart as it where. "As I said, my apologies Alexander." He puts the toothpick down and grabs a napkin that his plate hand is holding between palm and plate. A dab of his lips before tucking it back there. "It has not been expressed properly, anything potentially important to your work and magic comes with that element of danger. I am the head of the Detroit cell of the Scions. The sons and daughters of the Keepers Academy, we have no magic, we are here to assist the Integrated as we have done centuries before. We try to keep record of items that some of you may need or use. We can help research your bloodlines, to awaken more within you. That is all, and as you have said, we have failed in this regard." Though he seems pompous all the same. "I can assure you that Stone is vital to what may be happening, this period of Integrated that should not be."
*
The slender violinist's cool, fluting voice adds in at the proper moment. Not quite as intense as Alexander's rapport, but just as serious. It flows softly yet firmly in the wake of the man's growl, "I, to, wish to know what we can do to expand out abilities to detect such diabolical creatures, to have an upper hand in preparing. An incantation? A sense? How can we be better prepared for the next death trap that we, as those still finding our way, could undoubtedly walk into?" Ah, Auri… no vulgarities spoken, but the expletive can be seen in her body language: the tilting of her head atop a ballerina neck, the unblinking gaze in Gilderman's direction. "In times where we are given more warning, what more can we do to prepare?"
Then, the man alights upon Alex's concern and that answers some of Auri's previously posed queries, "We need to learn faster, or we're in dire straits." There, wine sip.
*
Peter just shakes his head a bit as he listens, expression relatively unreadable. Although as he hears Alexander's words, he reaches into the inner pocket of his coat to bring out a flask and take a long sip from it.
*
Alexander crosses his arms at least Gilderman answered even if he clearly still doesn't like the man or how he spoke. He looks like he really wants to walk over and punch Gilderman in his fat nose. His boiling glare moves off of Gilderman and to Silvermist the eyes softening as he works to control his temper, Her presence and his respect for her is probably the only thing keeping him from striking the man. Finally he just says "Tell us what we need to know about the Stone and where to look next." this seems to be him dropping it for "now"
*
He finds a honey melon ball and rolls it with the pick before stabbing it, and looks towards Aurelie. "There is some magic that allows you to detect living beings through walls, in holes and out of sight. Some advanced magi or artifacts could have them remain hidden while scouting. Its a matter of knowing your magic." He sighs a little, "Again, my fault, we did not expect the goblins to find it so quick." Then he eats the honey melon ball and taps the tooth pick like getting the juice off it that remains. Nothing falls off it. Turning his attention towards Alexander, "We suspect it is the Avalon Bridge Keystone. The next step would be to find goblins and see if they know anything about it or who wants it. It should be of no use without the Bridge itself but we don't know what magic the goblins could extract from it. This is new to us, nothing in the annals about Keystones like this."
*
The musician nods gently, "It is best that we move forward and fortify ourselves, know more. I, for one, would like to know more on how my own magic, for example, can detect or sense malevolence….. I tried that one time but.. nothing." A shrug, now is not the time to rehash her failure. Talk of the stone silences Auri and she listens carefully.
*
Peter frowns as he listens, letting out another breath. "Now if I could even control it…" he mutters, meant for himself, as he listens to the other questions.
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Alexander pointedly turns to ask Silvermist rather then Gilderman his harsh voice having softened in tone "Is Avalon another world like Jade Valley?"
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As a question is directed to her, Silvermist offers a smile to Alexander, "Indeed," she responds, "Avalon is another world like Jade Valley, when Arthur sailed for Avalon after the Battle of Camlan, Arthur crossed the Bridge, the bridge was destroyed to protect the realm with the intent to restore it again once magic had awakened. It has done so sooner than it should have. All of this should not have happened yet, for an eternity more." An eternity in her world anyway. "That it has done so, speaks of the urgency and dire straits the worlds are now in. Magic has awakened as the last force able to protect humanity and the worlds beyond. The worlds of the legends."
*
Gilderman takes a moment to consider Aurelie and her pondering. "You are on the right track, to try the spells or magic. I wish I could offer more on your quest." To learn spells? As Alexander questions Silvermist and she replies, he takes a moment to put his plate down and instead grab some wine. Swirling it, looking at the tears and viscosity, he deems a drink is inevitable and takes one. She explains all and more. He adds on, "It was kept in the line of Ronain and Tristan, the stone. When the descendants of Ivar the Boneless crossed the ocean over a thousand years ago, it made its way to Minnesota. We brought it back here when the Jade Crossing was opened again but wanted to see if old messages had worn off." Hence why it was at the University most likely.
*
Peter just goes back to listening now, taking a sip from his flask every now and then.
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Silent, ponderous Aurelie is silent and ponderous. It's just what she do. Her plate is empty and her wine half-consumed (she savors it) by the time she tunes back in proper, seeing fit to ask randomly, "How much of a boon would it be to begin researching our ancestors, to discover more of our capabilities and how best to deal with matters of the Stone and other such things? Is this a needle in a haystack?"
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Alexander nods to Auri and walks over to lean against the wall, He seems to have said or asked all he intends to. And goes back to silently brooding. God help Gilderman if he is rude to Auri though even then Silvermist might not be enough to keep Alexander from teaching him a lesion.
*
The area of research seems more interesting to Gilderman, he moves more when asked about that then his stoic (pompous) self as regards other things. He nods to Aurelie, "It would be advisable. It may seem a needle in a haystack, but it would help you eventually if we knew your ancestor … ancestors." He takes a drink again from his wine, catching up to her as she savors her drink, "But it could be we find clues to how to help you with spells or items, depending. A family motto, a quote written in a book. Old heirlooms that we can help you find. In fact, you are all welcome to the resources in Book Tower to help, included the Scions. That is what we can help best with."
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Silvermist interjects nothing unless she is directly spoken to, and as things seem to be under control for now, she also falls silent and listens. At the allowance to Book Tower, she looks to the others to see if they were pleased or continued disheartened.
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Hm.. could be onto something. Solemn green eyes peer between Peter, Alexander and Silvermist and then slide on back to Gilderman. "I would like access to such resources." Said softly, "It feels counter-productive to straight-up discovering how to act in the here and now. Someone back in our lineages is responsible for the passing along of this magic. I feel that if we were to know more about that, alongside actual training, it would help us all-the-more. Because I suspect things will not get easier from here." She looks down at her drink, not being melancholic.. just sincere. But not disheartened.
*
As the others stay more silent for now, Gilderman addresses Aurelie and her interest. "Yes, there is no telling what we could find. This is new to us, we were but preserving what artifacts we know of, keeping the knowledge. The top floors are ours alone, it is full of books and items. They can help and if not, we can trace lineage to find other reservoirs that may contain nuggets." More willing to talk or on a little more wine, "I think there is an increase in sightings in the area of Foxtown. Maybe some goblins could be found there to help get a lead on the stone. Until then, we'll have badges sent for all of you, to access the top floors in the tower.