Dejected Spirits
From SCross
(OOC Note: Ceris’ second lesson. Effectively pisses the majority of the PC crowd off and starts a mess of OOC waffling near the end that had to be edited out. FACT: Espers are crazy and lok as if rl life.)
[Highwind Point]: Mages' Guild This is the Mage's Guild of Highwind Point. Reflecting the nature of the rather new colony, the large room isn't made of the expensive marbles and gilt of other guild installations, rather reflecting the materials available in the Point, steel and granite. The floors are polished slabs of granite, and the walls are made of local woods. These wooden walls contain many alcoves and shelves for books, and in the north the wood is carved out in the symbol of the mages guild, painted in vibrant colours.
Along the west side are alcoves prepared for magical experiements and investigations, with granite-topped tables and metal-sheeted walls. In the center of the room is the standard meeting table for a guild of this sort, with spaces painted for each of the Masters of each style and colour of magic, and a more ornately carved high-backed chair for the Guildmaster.
Light is provided for by a large, hanging chandelier, lit permanently with beautiful Magelights of different colors. The guild is kept moderately warm by the addition of Heat Rocks secreted throughout the building. Scattered smaller tables are also here and there for conversations and study groups.
Dimitri slips into the guild quietly, his eyes moving about it for a few moments before he crosses his arms over his chest and leans a shoulder against one wall, his strange double bladed sword peacebound to his back.
Argent comes in as well. She moves to sit beside Dimitri and tugs her hat down to wait. She glances about to see who might be around at this point.
Alexandria pads into the guild, the topic of discussion being of interest to this particular fox.
Here Ceris stands, in the little Guild hall. The man has set several chairs in a small circle around the center, the place he currently resides. He's patient, letting crowds wander in an settle before raising his hands for silence. He clears his throat, beginning, "You have come to the Guild of Magi. Today we will speak of spirits and the spirit world. If you have any questions, you may voice them at your leisure or at the end of the session."
Argent nods slightly as he speaks. She continues to listen for now as she folds her sleeve covered hands in her lap.
Kibou moves into the guild himself, bow on his back but also peacebound - in so far as a bow can be, the ribbon tied somewhere prominent and string unstrung - just moments before the lecture begins, and after a glance to the other two members of the.. envoy, small, respectful bow of his head to them to, he moves to sit as near as possible to them in the circle of seats, and looks quietly on toward Ceris, listening.
Dimitri dips his head to Argent and then to Kibou when he steps in. He brushes his hair back from his face with a light touch before he looks back towards Ceris, listening while tilting his head, a slight nod of understanding given.
Alexandria pads over, looking at the respects given to some and nods herself a bit as she swishes her striped tail. Moving over to the circle of chairs, she sits down upon one and listens intently with perked ears.
"Let us first discuss the difference between our world and that of the spirits." Ceris begins to take a slow, steady pace as he patrols the room, explaining, "The spirit world is quite different from ours. Still, it co-exists. You might say they sit on top of each other, only overlapping at certain points. Magic flows through that world like it does this one, only with far more potency."
"That world is more…flexible than ours. It is a realm of thought, which can shift and bend at the will of the spirits themselves. They can change the geography from towering mountains to inexplicable scenes of chaos. What seems like a great distance in our world may only be a few steps in theirs.
Argent smiles a little bit to herself at the explanation. She can be seen lightening up just a slight bit.
Kibou, for his part, also seems to become a tad bit less serious than he had been on entry as he listens, though a few points in Ceris' lecture's start do earn a small blink or two, faint lift of his shoulders as if in answer to.. well, nothing apparently. Still he continues to listen, thoughtful.
There's no interruption from Dimitri thus far. He nods some while the tip of his blue tail flicks slightly and then ducks back behind him once again. His stance doesn't exactly relax though, well no more he already is.
Ceris continues, "There are three things you should know about that world. The first is that, within it, the powers of the greatest spirits are absolute. It is foolish to question them there. The second is that the souls of all things reside there. The dead must pass from our world to that of the spirits before returning to our world. The third is that, while it may appear so in some cases, it is in most cases uninhabitable by humankind."
Argent leans back slightly and continues to listen. Her eyes glimmer slightly as she watches.
Kibou, listening, offers a soft smile to something and a small nod - probably of understanding to some point though if so, the timing was a bit off. A glance to a couple of others in the room, too, though besides that.. he remains attentive, as before.
Dimitri's eyes move towards Kibou for a moment, then back to Ceris while he folds his arms over his chest, his head tilting to the side slightly.
"Now, we will move on to the denizens of that world. We will begin with the greater spirits." Ceris comes to a halt, rapping his cane lightly to the ground. "You have heard of them. Alexander, Ifrit, Shiva, and others. Some worship them as gods or divine manifestations. Essentially, they represent the greatest elements of the world. Their very being pulses with the spark of magic, each having its own respective nature."
Alexandria hrms a bit as she listens, not really saying anything, but absorbing what is being said.
Argent has her eyes dim just a bit like a child might be if their favorite one wasnt mentioned. She continues to listen however.
Kibou, for his part, Gains faintly in his smile - though only a tiny bit and only on one side. Again, a couple of small nods as if in agreement but.. still, he listens, thoughtful, attentive, but far less serious than he had been on entry. More as if enjoying something of interest.
Dimitri, like Argent and Kibou, remains quietly though there's a slightly amused smirk touching his face for a few moments. It's gone quickly in a flash however as he focuses his deep blue eyes upon Ceris.
The old mage shifts to take a stance in the center once again, remarking, "I do not have the time nor the patience to list them at this time. If you require extensive catalogue you may see me at another time. For this lesson, I will give you some simple advice on dealing with them: Do not."
"The greater spirits are a dangerous. Their power is insurmountable and they would not hesitate to end your life in the blink of an eye. Their reach even extends to our realm and their wrath can bring dire winters and scorching summers. They are to be avoided, if possible. If not, then you will do these things:"
Argent tilts her head a little bit at that statement and narrows her eyes with some slight displeasure.
Kibou actually smiles a little, though it's a curious smile, as if at some thought - a tiny nod yet again, and his arms folding lightly in front. Not that there isn't also a hint of surprise and all.. However, he does, indeed, listen as he's so instructed.
Alexandria hrms a bit thoughtfully as she listens to the next part.
Again, a lifted brow touches the half-elvan man's features, but Dimitri casts only a glance towards Argent and then Kibou before looking back at Ceris. For his part, no interruptions are made as he lets the mage continue.
There's a brief pause, the old man scanning the crowd. "Be it real or imaginary, pay your respect. Oftentimes they are worthy of it regardless. If you do not, even what you imagine to be the most benign spirit will rend your fragile soul from your flesh. Follow orders. Do not question, simply do as you are asked. Lastly, do not ever make the mistake of trusting them. They will lie to you and use your worthless life as another piece on their grand gameboard. Your struggles are their amusement, and you may find yourself giving up everything for nothing more than a petty game. To trust a spirit is to gamble with your life, and such a bet will always end poorly."
Kelora wanders quietly into the Mage's guild.
Argent actually twitches a little bit at that set of statements. Her lifestream green eyes glimmer a little bit more as she wonders something in particular. Still. She lets him finish.
Kibou begins to soften his eyes faintly as if calmed, though a blink to the last, head slightly acock - and then a sniff, a little smile, and then, "Hush," whispered very quietly, as if to some aside said him by the person in the next seat. .. Despite the lack of such. Still, he looks to Argent and Dimitri then, expression almost.. placating, if possible, not speaking up but as if trying to warn lightly against the same.
Dimitri looks towards Argent and then murmurs lowly, before he looks back towards Ceris once more after glancing towards Kibou and shaking his head faintly with a smile.
Kelora nods sagely, apparently agreeing with the fact that Spirits can't be trusted.
Ceris leaves an ample pause between his last words and his next, as if to ensure that the words sink in. "Now, we will speak about intermediate spirits. Chiefly, the Espers. I'm sure some of you are familiar with them. They are creatures of magic, brimming with the power of the elements and each possessing their own nature."
Argent glances over to Dimitri and leans over to him as well. She seems to communicate something back without speaking. She then perks up and listens with interest to the next part.
Kibou blinks and all, looking with faintly wider eyes toward the elderly man, though he smiles a little,then has to cover his mouth for some reason, just for a second, unable to help but glance between everyone before finally turning back to their lecturer, interest clear.
Dimitri looks back at Argent and nods a little before glancing back towards Ceris, his eyes focusing upon him while half smiling once again to himself. His whispering ceases now it would seem.
The mage begins to move again, wandering back and forth in a slow circle as he speaks. "Espers act apart from mortal society, though there is the Mortal-Esper pact. It is the agreement of laws between both of our societies. Like any treaty, it is ultimately worthless and prone to failure. What is important is that Espers are not humans, they are spirits. Most can hear the song of the planet much more acutely, and act accordingly. One might compare them to monsters. Or not. They share a similar primal connection. Their abilities are commendable either way."
Alexandria twitches an ear in Dimitri's direction and she can't help but giggle softly before returning her attention to the mage that is speaking.
Argent seems tilts her head and actually smiles at those words. She seems to still be communicating with Dimitri descreetly amongst themselves as well.
Kelora twines her tentacles. "Interesting" she says, in her eerie sort of voice. "And I believe that the King and Queen would be very surprised if they were informed that treaties were worthless.”
Kibou listens, for the most part in simple attentiveness, though a Faint nod is given to Kelora's comment before he raises his hand, looking toward Ceris a little questioningly, "If I may, sir?"
Sion comes out of the shadows, and settles down between Hana and Dimitri, taking a moment to scratch his ear with one hack leg, and then shake out just a bit.
Ceris inclines his head toward Kelora briefly, replying, "Yes. And how much worth was the treaty when the Emperor decided to raze their forest to the ground?" The man raises a hand, gesturing slightly toward Kibou. "You may."
Kelora hisses eerily, "It was quite predictable. After all, the Espers were massing for a treacherous attack on the Capitol."
Dimitri's hand drops to rest on Sion's head lightly, scratching behind one ear, but then his head snaps towards Kelora and he lifts a brow, "interesting.. I'd like to ask if there was proof of this or just rumor, but I believe that you've gone a little off topic."
Alexandria looks to the Mtezeko curiously, but doesn't say anything, merely returning her attention to the one speaking with a flick her her striped tail.
"Well, first, I might note that the fae forest was not razed but for a small portion - the Emperor and his armies merely occupied it for a number of months before leaving, at which point the Espers returned. It was, however, killed utterly and then restored several years beforehand for reasons as yet unknown," Kibou points out, before, "However, as the lady says," a small gesture toward Kelora, "The faerie courts have lived by the tenets of those treaties for approaching a thousand years, in peace and prosperity. Are you absolutely certain that the Mortal - Esper Pact is totally useless?"
Alexandria looks over to Kibou and hrms softly.
Kelora hisses eerily, "That would seem to indicate that the Espers can at least be trusted somewhat to abide by their treaties. As mush as most non-Empire Races. The Wutaiins showed rather less dedication."
Ceris' nods briefly at Kelora, replying, "I believe that I need to speak no further on the matter." Then, his attention turns to toward Kibou. "A thousand years? Quite a long time." The man purses his lips, adding, "It is ultimately useless. It will go, as all things do. And it will fail, as it has before. Yet, for now, it is here. We will continue now."
Argent folds her arms a little more. She doesnt bother to correct or speak up tho it may seem that she might want to.
Respite enters the guild building, looking around briefly as he moves to take a seat. He doesn't pay much heed to most of those here, his gaze quickly settling on Ceris. As he sits, the northerner dryly looks the man over, little more visible in his eyes than a look of cold, neutral appraisal.
Sion gives off a discontented rumble, before licking his chops, and settling down across Argent, Kibou, and Dimitri's feet, his head at the elven man's ankles.
Dimitri's eyes move back and forth, but after his last statement he says naught. His attention turns towards Ceris and he tilts his head for a few moments, but doesn't say a thing more at the moment.
Kibou gives a little nod to the repetition of his stated time frame, a little smile. "A couple of decades past nine hundred, I believe," he replies. however, he looks thoughtful.. as if he'd have been interested to hear the promised exchange between Ceris and Kelora.. and then a little nod, listening resumed, showing quite good restraint for his part - even a small smile and nod to something.
Alexandria looks over to Kelora, at the Wutaiian comment, her eyes narrow somewhat, but she maintains her silence.
"Several things to note: Some are bound by laws and some are not. Because one will not enter a home uninvited does not mean another will do the same. They are specialized, each having a particular affinity for a moral or element. They are a separate people and have their own agenda that may at times diverge with our own. Lastly, we will speak of their death."
Ceris pauses only briefly before continuing, "Espers do not reunite with the planet upon death. At least, not in the sense that a human does. Their magical essence is instead crystallized into a potent magical aid. Obviously, the Espers themselves do not find this amusing. Truthfully, the activity of killing them for magic is somewhat pointless. Most magic is limited already, and condemning yourself to such a dependence is particularly foolish."
Kibou headshakes lightly toward argent a little, smiling slightly. He does, however, smile a little as Ceris continues, and looks like he may offer a small comment - but then thinks better of it, closing his mouth again and leaving the little be as is.
Dimitri frowns faintly, but it's more thoughtful than angry. He folds his arms across his chest once again while shifting a leg to rub his foot against Sion slightly, smile returning as he glances down at the mtezeko.
Argent doesn’t seem to have much more to say as well. She just sits there as if trying her best to be creepy.
Ceris winds down, the man explaining, "Finally, we will speak briefly upon the lesser spirits. Simply bear this in mind: many things have a spirit. All of them, in fact. The spirit of a sword, of fire, all of these things are the work of the magic that threads through this world. While most minor spirits won't offer you much interest, it is always important to remember that they still exist." And then, "That will conclude the lecture for the day. I will accept any questions you have now."
Respite raises his hand, continuing to watch the aged man at the head of the room.
Ceris's head scans the crowd a moment, eventually falling upon Respite. He nods, gesturing for the man to voice his question.
Dimitri's eyes flick around before he glances towards Respite, noticing the raised hand. He glances towards Kibou and Argent once again before looking back towards Respite.
Kibou smiles faintly to the last, giving small nod, then taking a breath and closing his eyes for a moment. After that a curious look ater Respite.. and then one, faintly questioning though non-specific, of Argent and Dimitri. And a curious blink at the Mtezko.
Alexandria hrms a bit and now comments, "An interesting lecture to say the least."
Respite nods once in acknowledgment before speaking. His voice, though loud enough to be heard by all present, is dry and rasping, sounding distinctly dull and impassive. "You seem like a knowledgeable person. Who are you, and what your credentials, if I might ask?"
Argent hmmms a little bit at all of this. She listens to the one questions already asks and her eyes follow to get a respons.
Sion looks a long, fang-bearing yawn, and a claw-raking stretch on the floor before moving to stand and shaking it out a bit more, before looking up at Dimitri.
There's a slight nod in response to the question, the old man leaning lightly upon his cane and replying, "My name is Ceris. I am a teacher, a researcher of all things related to magic."
"Fascinating," is all that Respite says in response, though his voice is devoid of enthusiasm, himself falling silent now.
Dimitri stratches Sion behind a ear idly and then he murmurs, "one question arose for me during your speech, though over all it was a very interesting take on 'our' nature. I wonder.. which spirit did you piss off? Most spirits are happy to leave the mortal world alone unless mortals are creating a problem or monsters are. When they do often a spirit will ask mortals to go deal with the issue. The only other time mortals deal with spirits is when they want something from the spirit usually."
Kibou blinks up after Dimitri, then backtoward Ceris, and just for the moment remains sat, listening again, curiosity remaining evident.
Alexandria looks between Dimitri and Ceris, curious as to how the mage will respond.
Argent glances at Dimitri and chuckles slightly. But waits for a response.
Kelora twines her tentacles, waiting on the response.
"None." Ceris response is brief, his eyes bouncing back and forth over the crowd once again. "Are there are others? If not, you may leave. Or you may voice concerns in private. You may also return at another time to hear the lecture upon the various schools of magic."
Kibou stands then, offering small bow toward Ceris and, "Our thanks. Your lecture was, indeed, interesting," no more words, then, and with a last look between everyone.. the ad slips out.
Respite remains seated for the time being, seeming content to wait patiently for whatever it is that is keeping him here.
Dimitri hmms and he nods, "ah, then so it is your opinion, very well." He looks towards Sion and then towards Argent before he pushes his shoulder from the wall and turns toward the exit as he too makes his way out.
Sion pads towards Ceris, and begins circling him, sniffing at the edges of his robes gently, occasionally giving a chuff or a rumble as he continues his slow circuit, and then sits down and stares up at the elder human.
Argent stands up and stretches a little. She flexes her arms out as she does so tho her hands still dont emerge from beneath her sleeves. She watches Sion a little bit and tilts her head so that her hat sways slightly.
Sion snorts and rumbles deeply, turning away and lumbering out slowly, his tail whipping every so often and sending soft, heatless sparkles from it in one direction or another.
Ceris remains relatively silent as people begin to file outward, lips pressing together lightly. Eventually, he moves backward, taking a seat upon one of the chairs with a faint breath.
