concordancegrimoires | Meeting the Archmage

[ Larsa isn't really sure what he's expecting. All he knows is that they're here for answers about the grimoires. He won't be the first to knock on the door, but he will keep an eye and an ear out on everything around. Admittedly, the young emperor is very happy to be out and about again; he's been very cramped practically locked up in Archadia. With this, though, he's granted the chance to walk around outside without an entourage.

Or, well, not the one he would normally have.

So, glancing around at each person with them, he nods and then looks to Penelo. She's the one who knew of the Archmage, after all. ]

Perhaps you should be the one to request entrance, Penelo?

[ Standing around only ever got anyone nowhere and nowhere isn't at all where Adelle wants to be, which is exactly why she's moving forward even as Lamont's putting the question out to give the door a good, strong rap. Lezaford may be an old man, but he's got ears good enough to hear and hopefully recognize the particular rhythm she's put to the wood. At least, she certainly hopes so. He'd be a sight for sore eyes right about now, not that she's particularly eager to admit it. With everything that's happened, though, there's a lot weighing on her mind and heart and it's that weight that makes her less inclined to cede to pleasantries or hold patience at the door. The answers promised are certainly a plus, but she's missed her friend. His delicious tea, too. ]

You know what they say. "There's no time like the present," right?

Edited 2015-02-13 10:13 (UTC)

[Mjrn, glad for the break in routine of traveling alone here and there for various hunts, is quiet but peering at everything, not having visited this area before. She's starting to regret her hunts not taking her to areas before the Ivalice familiar to her, but at least that can begin to be rectified. As it is, she hangs back when Adelle knocks, figuring that whoever greets this Archmage should be someone he already knows. Hence, not her.]

[Penelo doesn't mind Adelle taking point on this trip now that her big part pulled off with that small hiccup of Basch catching them. She can already tell just from looking that the time away from being emperor is good for Larsa. If there's anyone in Ivalice that understands the necessity of being responsible, it's her. Even so, everyone needs a little break once in a while.]

I hope he doesn't mind that we came with a group. He does like his anonymity.

[The door of the cottage flies open of its own accord. Typically Lezaford's waiting at the entry to welcome whomever his guest is, but he's rather engrossed in this reading and he is expecting Adelle. So a little magic to handle the mundane for just a moment while he finishes up.]

Come in, my dear. I'll only be a moment. Maybe three.

[Just because he's had a hand in creating some of the most powerful magicks known to Ivalice doesn't mean there's not more he can learn, you understand.]

[Mjrn's about to ask if she should wait outside, then, but the cottage door opens before she can voice such an idea. At least he doesn't seem to be upset at their presence, so she takes that as a good sign. The viera waits for Penelo and Adelle to enter first, before following. She nods politely, her voice quiet.]

Thank you for seeing us....

Well, you're certainly looking well!

[ It's the first thing Adelle is inclined to inspect upon sighting the archmage, the second being the surroundings. The grimoire is noticed and the judge's armor has always caught her eye. The presences he'll deem unfamiliar, however, is the second she'll verbally address and she's as quick at it as she was to enter, her manner arguably more relaxed upon crossing the familiar threshold. ]

I hope you don't mind. Penelo had questions and we wound up with two more heads full of the same before we left Rabanastre. I'm assured they'll honor your desire for anonymity.

[ And there's something to be said for anyone in the room who should think to do otherwise, but it is, of course, Lezaford's decision whether he asks them to wait outside or indulges them is what goes largely unspoken save for her subtle implication. ]

[ Being away has been good for him; Penelo is right. Larsa has relaxed into the identity of Lamont, even if he can't quite banish his way of speech or his accent. Unsure if either Adelle or their host know of his real identity, Larsa is careful to remain to the side at first. However, once the door opens and Adelle moves inside, Larsa steps forward to offer a low bow to their host, one hand pressed to the small of his back and the other over his heart. ]

We are the ones who have so appeared on your doorstep. It would be our pleasure and, of course, the least we are able to offer in exchange for your kindness.

[ He's assuming there will be kindnesses involved, but even if there aren't, it's better to be formal and gracious than not. ]

As long as nobody shares where they found their answers, I'm more than happy to provide the ones I can.

[Contrary to- ok not so popular since so few know the sage is still alive- opinion, Lezaford doesn't quite hold the answers to everything under the sun. Just most things magical. And almost always in regards to grimoires.]

Go ahead and ask away. I'll just be putting water on for tea- oh.

[Well well. One young emperor was certainly not quite expected as a visitor in his lifetime. Ah right, the tea.]

Yes, the tea. I did promise. Let me see to that.

[Penelo, I'm lonely.

The dancer's head tilts towards the door, puzzled by that mental nudge from her dragon. It's distracting from their reason for being there, to be certain. How is Lironath lonely? The fire lizards should be with her.

The little cousins were bored and left.

To really add to the atrocious behavior, the baby dragon comes waddling in behind everyone else, not wishing to be left out. Penelo sighs and strokes her head knobs.]

Sorry, Lezaford, she won't say anything either. I'll make sure of that.

[Onto real business...]

Do you know why we've all got grimoires or why there are so many now?

[Mjrn watches Lironath fondly for a moment before turning her attention back to Lezaford at Penelo's question. She takes out her own grimoire, glancing down at it with wary curiosity. It's a familiar expression ever since she acquired hers.]

There must be a reason behind this, certainly. Even if you do not have such knowledge at hand, your advice would be invaluable.

[ Larsa will never quite grow accustomed to a dragon baby just wandering in, but he's giving it a valiant effort for Penelo's sake. It's just a little strange to him. Fascinating, yes. But strange.

Still, he watches them for a moment before looking back towards the Sage. For now, he will allow the others to ask their questions. There is little else he can add to it. ]

[My. This little group just keeps getting more interesting doesn't it?]

A reason. Oh yes, yes of course there's a reason.

[Lezaford picks up his own copy of a grimoire and holds it up demonstratively.]

These aren't quite authentic. Well, one of them is. Which one remains to be seen. They're very like the Grimoire of the Rift aren't they?

[He flips through a few pages, then replaces the book on the desk.]

Luso's was one of a kind, but there is now another one quite like it somewhere. Somewhere. At least, I think there is. These, you'll find, are not my work. I'd venture to say some mage went looking for adventure and accidentally created some for all of us.

[The old sage certainly is flip about all this.]

Looking for adventure is one thing, but dragging people from other worlds into ours seems a little irresponsible to me.

[ Folding her arms over her chest, Adelle is quiet for a second. She's turning a lot over in her head, picking and choosing what to ask and when as expertly as possible. ]

So, it's likely whoever made these only intended to make one, but had a big hiccup of some sort. Is that what you're saying? Why make a grimoire like that to begin with? And the resemblance...

[ The grimoires that have appeared bear a heavy resemblance to the Grimoire of the Rift, which is more than a little concerning to her for a number of reasons. She pauses, certain Lezaford and more likely than not Penelo will follow. Illua and her grimoire is something she plans to bring up in a moment. That Lezaford created the Grimoire of the Rift? Well, she's not quite surprised. That does make sense given how knowledgeable he is about them. ]

My dear, it is not often that mages do anything considered responsible. Though I suppose it does happen from time to time.

[After all, why is it, exactly this particular sage chooses to live like a hermit in the mountains and demands complete anonymity?]

I do believe these should right themselves sooner or later. Only the one like the Grimoire of the Rift has any significant power. Unless of course they're causing rifts and that would be something of a problem. I should, perhaps examine that possibility.

Now then! Let's have some tea and oh, Adelle? A word with you before you leave, if you would? There's a little something I need you to look into.

[None of this is comforting news at all and it just generates more questions for Penelo.]

What happens when they fill up though? Luso went home, right? Will the others go away too? For that matter, what happens to us when ours fill up. We belong here.

[ Larsa is, of course, thinking along the same lines as Penelo. He nods along with her questions before speaking up himself. ]

What manner of rifts would they be causing?

[ His first thought is that maybe the High Seraph is involved and that's why Ultima has been bringing people back from the dead. It's... a troubling thought to be sure. ]

We would all thank you for your hospitality. Tea would be most wonderful to sooth the topic.

[Never let it be said that Lezaford cannot set a nice tea. Aside from the enticing aroma of the warm tea to chase off the chill of the mountains, he starts to set out tiny cakes, decorated cookies, savory finger sandwiches, as well as sugared nuts and candied fruits. He really was expecting guests it seems, and perhaps a larger number than he's let on.]

Why, my dear girl, why should your grimoire fill anytime soon? It will record the story of your life and I should hope that won't be wrapping up anytime soon. As for the others, I presume when theirs is filled with the full measure of their adventures in Ivalice, they'll go right back where they came from.

[The old man starts pouring out for each guest in turn, taking the time to slip a cookie to the young dragon in their midst. Though he does wonder if dragons even like cookies...]

Ah rifts, now there's a spot of trouble, I fear. They are something of a portal between our world and others. In between these worlds is a void, from which fearsome monsters can escape. I do believe that Illua found a way to pull one out? Typically they're quite rare and difficult to reach. With more grimoires about, it's difficult to say what might happen.

Can you give us some examples of what those things might be? Illua found a way to do a lot of things, too. I wanted to ask you about that.

[ She's satisfied with the other answers, but with Illua brought up, Adelle is stepping forward, her concern gaining some severity. ]

Her grimoire was different than Luso's. It seemed like she could do more with it, that it... it had a different element? When she saw Luso's grimoire, it frightened her and she tried to destroy it. I remember that and it got me think. Illua herself might have been an outworlder, too, and if that's the case...

[ An outworlder with a different sort of grimoire who stayed longer than Luso, long enough to integrate into the world and seek to influence it, to control it... who's to say it's the first time or that there is no relation? ]

[Penelo lapses silent, incredibly disturbed by Lezaford's take on the grimoires and people from elsewhere. Lironath picks up her distress and the dragon's eyes start to whirl orange and red. Not even tea is helping settle the sick in the pit of her stomach feeling she's having, so she consoles herself by hugging the young dragon close instead.

Maybe she won't vanish. But what would happen to Lironath? Or Sybaris and Aion? What about Ursula or Kain or Marlene for that matter? She idea that they can and probably will go away like Luso is terribly heartbreaking for her. Not every outworlder is like Illua, after all.]

[Lezaford picks up where Adelle leaves off.]

...then any of these others could just as well turn out aggressive at the possibility of being sent home. Yes and quite possibly they could open a rift and drag out monsters with their own grimoires. It certainly bears investigation as the very least. It would certainly help if we could find the source of this new grimoire outbreak.

At the very least, it's quite possible that monsters could well follow someone into Ivalice from the void as they cross over. I'd dread to think what would come of someone arriving in the middle of the market.

[None of this is sitting well with Larsa, either. A frown of concern crosses his face as he considers his response.]

Perhaps that is something we ought to keep watch for. There is little I may do for the outskirts unless more are sent to guard, but even then...

[He mulls this over for a few seconds. Perhaps this is something the other leaders should be made aware of. At least in the case of Lady Ashe, Marquis Ondore, and Prince Al-Cid.]

Whatever the case, we will all need to be on our guard. This may well be more dangerous again than any could have imagined.

I've been imagining it for a while now.

[ It's said fairly gently and Lamont receives a glance that lingers a second longer. Little he may do for the outskirts unless more are sent to guard? Her hands find her hips now. ]

I'll bring the clan up to date. I think this is exactly what I needed to sell the rest of them about all this. Do you have any ideas about where to start that investigation, Lezaford? I've got the heads for it.

If you meet any of these people, ask them what they remember of the experience. It seems that would be the most practical, although have you met any others, besides Luso?

[Penelo nods slowly. She's met several.]

I have, including a dear friend I made in the Havens.

[Before she can mention having encountered Ursula in Balfonheim or that sweet little girl in Rabanastre, Sybaris pops into the room from Between, chirping and bombarding Penelo with mental images of the new friend they made. There's a man giving them treats outside and a building that looks familiar. It takes her a moment to put the pieces together. They're showing the outside of the cottage and they've never been here before. Which means someone is outside. Not someone. She knows that face. Her eyes widen in shock and she blurts out what she's getting from the fire lizard before she can stop herself.]

Vayne was outside the cottage with the fire lizards.

[Larsa would ask about these people Penelo has met, but the next outburst shocks the question right out of his mind. His eyes widen and he looks likely as shocked as he feels.]

He is here?

[He's slow on the uptake, mostly because he wasn't expecting his brother here at all. Why is he here?

And then he steels himself.] He must be stopped. I shall do it.

Wait a minute. You mean Vayne? As in Vayne Carudas Solidor who was brought back to life by the High Seraph? That Vayne?

[ And if so, why would he be here? That's the first question that springs to Adelle's mind. It makes no sense, not that much had pertaining to him. She had seen the notification of his evident revival by the High Seraph; though, that hadn't made any sense at all to her, really. Why would the High Seraph go about reviving anyone to the point that it would be a notification in the grimoire? How? These questions are halted as she turns her gaze between Penelo and Lamont somewhat critically, wonderingly, but she makes no move to pursue the man just yet despite a glance at the window. 'Was' outside the cottage may very well mean he's gone by now and even if she were to catch him, what exactly is she supposed to be stopping him from doing other than escaping? And why? Clearly, there's something she's not being told and, of course, this sort of thing would happen before they could finish their conversation. Maybe she'd move to stop him simply for that. ]

[There's a mild nod from Penelo who is far from happy at having to confirm the man's identity. Her eyes flit to Larsa, already steeling himself for an encounter, and cringes a little on the inside. The last they'd seen of each other almost killed Larsa. she won't let that happen again, brother or no.]

I'll go with you.

[Lezaford seems far less fussed, at the outset anyway, about that pronouncement than he is fascinated by the blue firelizard's arrival.]

Why my word, it's like a miniature dragon!

[Ah right, the voyeur. He should let the young ones deal with that and satisfy his curiosity later.]

If you'd not mind, my dears, I'd just as soon not have someone snooping about the hedges. You don't mind, I hope?

[Vayne arrives late. Tired from traveling, tired from the events of the previous fete and the subsequent failure of diving into the Waterway, the last thing he wants is to be out in the open air and without another bath.]

[But his Grimoire gave him directions. It clearly wants him to do something and, as it just so happens to be in Jylland which is far away from Princess Ashe and her muddled party, why not? It cannot have anything to do with Larsa, no, never.]

[Don't mind him, he's just going to look halfway like he belongs there, sneaking a very slight glance into the window, and listen quietly to whatever he can get of the conversation. Any movements towards the door, however, and he will slip away again.]

[Penelo left very stern instructions for her little fair that they were to stay together and out of sight. The last thing she wants is some stray hunter to find her baby dragon or fire lizards and decide they were marks. Aion, however, is terrible about listening.

The little gold abandons the "overgrown green" and goes to satisfy her curiosity about the area. Sybaris, the blue, follows behind, equally curious and bullied. Aion orders, Sybaris complies. So both fire lizards are out flitting in the air when they spot a two-legged person hanging outside the cottage. For now they're more interested in seeing if the new one has snacks than ratting him out to someone.]

[Vayne is silent, thinking and regarding the outer wall of the cottage frightfully uncomfortable, and the last thing he expects from this world, supposedly still his own, are speck-sized dragons, ringless and not great and terrible wyrms.]

[That they immediately dive for his pocket where he has kept dried fruits and a strip or two of dried meat without fear and, that is to say, unlike any other animal around the size of his fist makes him quick to assume before he slaps at them that they know other Humes. May even be pets, though why one would keep such tiny, clearly useless, small - oh, all right, they're cute.]

[Whomever owns these small things does not get to see Vayne give a slight glance to one side, then the other before fishing out a dried slice of fruit, a curious tweak to his brow.]

[The little stinkers are liking their newfound friend. He spoils them almost as much as Kain, and those are high standards to aspire to. They're chirping and crooning at Vayne, and greedily taking every nibble of a treat he's offering.

Almost seems a shame that they'll inadvertently rat him out in a little bit by gloating over noms.]

[Alas, Vayne is completely unaware of their skills and combined inclinations to rat him out (though they would never see it as such), using the treats to gently bribe the little creatures into quietness so he can overhear the conversation in the house (though that is difficult to do, to be sure).]

[He finds them to be fascinating, finding himself making soft noises under his breath at them as he would Imperial Hounds trained for the army, though they are anything but those bestial animals - with glimmering wings, and wicked, jeweled eyes - he wants them to come a little closer, fingers curious as to the texture of their skin and deft little claws.]

[Vayne wonders for a few moments what would occur to the little creatures should Cid get his hands on them -]

[He stops his mind.]

[Cid is already gone. Gone for four years.]

[Ah, right.]

[The temptation to ruminate flickers to life. He never did like sitting idly in place for any great length of time.]

[It doesn't take much to bribe them closer. In fact, Aion's quite determined to bask in the attention and pushes her head under his hand for rubbing. Sybaris, the blue, takes his cues from the gold queen and settles quite close as well. They've stopped vocally chattering, but now they're talking at him telepathically, showing mental images of their old home in Fort Weyr and then the more current one that's an airship hangar they share with a very young green dragon. The longer he sits and spoils them, the more determined they'll be to try to prompt answers to their curiosity. Right now, they want to know where he's from.]

[At first Vayne isn't sure what he's getting, a flash here and there of images, places he's never seen, never even dreamed of. Bizarre landscaping, architecture - ]

[It causes him to blanch, eyes blinking rapidly, blood draining from his face. For a few moments he stops petting the little creatures, a mixture of terror and fascination gripping him. Cid would love to play with these little creatures because it can only be these little bizarre animals doing this. He has to turn his head again to look, to settle himself, to make sure, letting out a controlled breath.]

[Vayne does not try to pull away again, taking care as to not frighten them, coming to a very real recognition in his mind that these creatures may betray him.]

[He does not resist, however, answering their question with a murmur, unsure of how to mentally share it without putting out some...uncomfortable associations - he makes sure to strain his hearing.]
"An age ago."
[An age? Four years feels like an age when so much is different and the same - a displaced man, a murderer, once an Emperor. The fall of Nabudis weighs on him, Bahamut's loss, that he is without ally - these choices he has made, they are irrelevant.]

[Such a strange answer to the little curious ones so they try a little harder to ask more. There's more images of Fort Weyr, and then the hearth in the Great Hall. From that warm and comfy spot, there's a flash of Penelo leaned over them offering them little tidbits of fresh meat, as she had when they first hatched. They were so hungry then and just the memory of it is enough for them to project tangible sensations of being utterly famished.

Nudgenudge at Vayne's hands, they're begging for more food, having tricked their own selves into thinking they're as hungry as they were when they first hatched. At least it's a happy enough memory for them both that they manage to project warm feelings of affection for the dancer as well and contentment that she cared for them straight out of the egg.]

[As they push for more information, Vayne is curious, contemplative in turn as to his own mental abilities and limits in contrast - can he push back? Form walls and give them ideas and impressions, feelings and emotions without being so subjected? Though he works still in answering and understanding their questions, he tries to focus, working through the training he recalls from preceding time. He cannot, nay, he does not want give them the images from his mind, only his words.]

[At the very least, he wants to stop the stomach churning sensation of want, hunger, and more permeating his mind, not enjoying that they warble so, His mind seeks, perhaps without realizing it, to push some of his own mental dominance and desire to control what is uncontrolled animal instinct.]

[He doesn't realize that the image of Penelo, a girl he has seen and has known, has slipped through his mind, torn from his grasp at their enthusiasm.]

[That sliver of recognition is all that it takes for the little excitable creatures to forget about their sudden burst of hunger and latch on to the familiar. They start to bombard Vayne with more images of their mistress, from her cozy quarters in the Weyr (which was pretty much a homey cave) to her in Larsa's sitting room with Mjrn and Basch present. His previous pushing back trying to stop the images from coming in gets overridden in their zeal to continue sharing.

Aion chirrups forcefully at Sybaris and without warning, the little blue vanishes into thing air to go tell Penelo he's found a friend.]

[ Stretching her hands over her head, Adelle takes a moment to give her shoulders a good roll from her seat at the table. The trip to Lezaford's cottage had been a long one even if in good company and it's caught up to her and her stomach. Those goodies laid out earlier are set and subject to take a substantial hit for her generally monstrous appetite, which sees her pick and choose what delicacies to test. Delicious? She wouldn't expect anything less from treats made by Lezaford and she's quite happy to try the lot of them while everyone regroups and takes a moment to socialize.

That last thing is particularly important to Adelle, who is rather intently keeping on Lezaford. It's been too long. ]

So, all of this grimoire business aside, I take it you've been keeping your studies up?

[The ancient mage isn't the least bit surprised or taken aback by Adelle's appetite. He himself is simply relishing the last of his tea and giving his sizable collection of books a considering look.]

Oh yes, of course. There's always something new to learn, after all.

[He glances once to the others, mostly to satisfy himself that they are otherwise occupied, and then lowers his voice.]

I do wonder if you'd not mind performing a small favor for me. My studies really don't permit me the freedom to go about like you young people.

[Or he's just wholly committed to being a hermit.]

[ And that prompts the hunter to perk, a grin catching on her face as she sets her cup down atop the table. ]

Name it! It's the least I can do for a friend.

[ Nevermind all the help he's given them in addressing these matters, for that matter. Anyone else might find themselves charged, but Lezaford? Ha! ]

There's a young Helgas lass living in Fluorgis that I'd like you to check in on. She keeps to herself mostly, nothing wrong with that! But I've not heard from her in a while and I'm concerned she's overdoing things again. She runs an apothecary, so I'm certain anyone can point her out to you. She's a remarkably talented alchemist, though she most likely wouldn't agree.

[He clears his throat and looks at Adelle significantly.]

I think you'll find you have a few gifts in common. Though I would advise you against attempting to integrate hers. Tell her I sent you, it'll put her at ease.

The modest type, eh?

[ And Gifted besides. The look was enough, but the inflection drives it home and sees the hunter swallow thoughtfully at that advice. It's a first, certainly, and she'll be sure to heed it, of course, but it's still quite curious and it has been some time since last she met another of the Gifted, rare as they are. She nods after a moment. ]

That sounds like a plan. What's her name?

Her name is Hennesis. Thank you, my dear. I do worry about her.

Hennesis? Strange name... got it! Alright. I'll see about getting in touch with her as soon as we leave. [ And a beat. ] She sounds like a real work-a-holic!

Meeting the Archmage

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/have a cute icon because I love you like that

And a Little Later... (hope this is OK)

of course!

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