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Post by sky on Jun 1, 2018 6:43:10 GMT -6
Of all the roles that Clair was required to fill as Andra Topin, the most invigorating job was diplomacy. Sure, he had access to all the heads of each house of magic, and yes, he had full reign over all temple activities. He may have had countless advisors and staff to guide, and the eyes of the world on his every move, but Clair always felt as though he had the most impact on the world when he was negotiating and discussing conflict. Even in his Heirus days, his favourite job activity was settling tensions between other temples, calming disputes over land rights and jurisdiction. It was with this mindset that, opposing the stern counsel of his advisors, he had made an agreement to meet with Sylvia Carlsen, the closest Earth's Defenders had to a leader.
After being informed one of his temple's postulants was some sort of spy, a member of the radical group "The First Line", Clair had seized the opportunity to get ahold of its leader hearing of the growing influence of this resistance from a number of sources. He didn't agree with their ideology or more violent methods, having heard of assassinations of a few wealthy mages and witnessed riots caused by the group, but was open to a discussion that would allow the chaos to end before it had gone too far. Hell, he wasn't open to it- he craved it. While part of him held on to his innate desire to live in a world of peace, a voice inside of him feared his rule as Andra would be marked by war and strife. Though he wanted there to be no reason for Earth's Defenders to find issue with Meteora, a part of him couldn't comprehend what issues they had in the first place. With these thoughts, he approached their meeting, assaulted by a barrage of thoughts and anxieties.
With a mutual fear of imprisonment or assassination and Clair's fear of recognition lest his advisors discover the meeting, he and the resistance's leader had agreed to meet in the wood coating Meteora's isle. The Andra was prone to late night walks in the forest and wouldn't arouse suspicion, and the public was free to come and go from the island at all hours in search of spiritual guidance, creating a viable excuse for his guest. Clair had informed them of the statue garden that an Andra twice past had built to honour the gods and they agreed to it as their meeting place, under the cover of night and fog. Clair had never met this person before, nor knew anything about them beyond their ideology, and was anxious because of it.
The garden was illuminated by magically lit candles, scattered at the bases of the statues and hanging occasionally from posts. A diverse array of flora created patterns around walkways and outlined the forest. Tall, thick trees obscured by low, dense fog encompassed the garden, whose statues lay in wait peeking out of areas of black and grey. Swathed in a loose black robe, Clair had paced the garden for a half hour before their meeting time, giving his thanks to each of the Gods, before stopping at his patron God Elior to recite a long prayer before the set time of their meeting. He kneeled in front of it and muttered quietly, light-emanating skin casting a soft yellow glow on the dirt, grass, and stone around him. When his prayer was over he remained in a kneeling position, thinking over what he planned to discuss during this meeting and putting his lies together in case an advisor was curious about his whereabouts. When he felt satisfied, he leaned forward and touched his forehead to the statue's base before standing, bowing and giving the statue a traditional gesture of respect.
He set his goals in mind, thumbing over them mentally, imagining his thoughts as an aged, Old Earth book. He peered past the cover and inspected his motivations-- ultimately, he wanted what was best for mages and shifters, right?-- before closing his thoughts again and taking a deep inhale, stretching his back and correcting his posture. All he could hope is that this meeting went well.
inspire
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Post by inspire on Jun 1, 2018 16:58:49 GMT -6
To say that Sylvia was suspicious, wary and nervous was an understatement. First, one of her spies had been captured, but instead of being put to trial, he had been used as a means to get to her...the bigger fish. But this was the least of her concerns. She was very aware that she was invited to meet none other than Andra Topin. Some could claim that this man was the most important and influential figure in this planet, claiming this position from even the most important Mages.
He was someone whose word counted in the Imperium. Who had the power to settle differences between houses, and who was the undisputed head of the Temple of Meteora. Someone who people claimed could perform miracles, emanating a light not encountered before, and even surrounded by a natural glow, which many believed was a sign from the Gods that this man was their Chosen.
Well...tough luck then, Andra Topin, because Sylvia was also Chosen, by the Dragon and Nature itself. The woman kept repeating that to herself in her mind. She was not a random person meeting Andra Topin. She was his nemesis, his foe, and her steadily glowing influence was a considerable threat. She was not outmatched.
This thought helped her keep calm and exude absolute confidence. However, it wasn't just the man she was meeting, but also the circumstances. The forest was not neutral ground, and while she planned to go alone, she couldn't be sure about the man's intentions and how he would stick to the agreement.
She had gone ahead and did something extreme.
She had formed a temporary Dyad with the most skilled and powerful Mage in her command, a Fire Mage. It was unstable and stressful for both. The mage was meditating and feeding a constant flame in a safe spot, to keep channeling the immense energy Sylvia was providing him. Sylvia on the other hand was trying to stay calm and not excite herself, so as not to unconsciously pour more energy into the man and destroy him. It had to work...she really needed to know that she had an ace in her sleeve, a trump card even Andra Topin wouldn't anticipate.
She had arrived at the meeting spot three hours earlier than the agreed time, dressed in very simple, everyday clothes, not something she'd usually wear. A summer dress reaching under her knees, with an "airy" line and floral patterns, matched with a pair of white sports shoes, giving her a casual but very appealing look. She had idly walked around the entire time, keeping a sharp eye for anyone who seemed to be staying around for too long, trying to detect a trap when it was being set...but she saw nothing.
Soon, the man appeared, with his glow and all. Sylvia was sure that he was consciously producing this effect, a literal "halo effect", to enhance this "holiness" others perceived about him. She waited until it was time for the meeting, then ten more minutes, watching him pray to the gods.
Damn this man. When it was fifteen minutes after the designated time, she approached the man. "My apologies...Andra Topin..?" she asked softly, hesitantly, with the tone and expression of someone who didn't want to bother an important figure. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting your walk...I saw you a few days ago at the streets...you healed a sick child. Thank you for that. I wonder...is it a good time to ask for spiritual guidance, or are you otherwise occupied?" she asked, eyebrows a bit furrowed as if nervous to be asking this, playing the role of a devout person approaching the holy figure.
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Post by sky on Jun 1, 2018 17:54:37 GMT -6
As ten minutes passed, then fifteen, Clair was beginning to lose hope that this leader would appear. He moved to the nearest statue, the towering, shrouded figure of Metia, and prayed to her for fortune in the night and guidance in his thoughts. When he raised his head, he looked around subtly, still finding no-one who matched his expectations of the leader. Hell, even if they were there, he wouldn't know what they looked like- sure, he was expecting someone likely middle-aged, probably concealed to hide their identity, but even that could be a false assumption. He would have been suspicious of foul play if he didn't feel so confident being on his own grounds, by his own people. There was the occasional passerby, many who glanced at him too afraid to approach but watchful of his glow, who could alert the nearby temple if anything were to happen to him. Plus he had told the temple's three Head Heiruses where to find him and what time to expect him back by, as he always did when he insisted on taking walks alone-- all he had to do is call them on his N-Disc if he planned on staying out longer, and if he didn't the grounds would be swarmed by guards and postulants, all of the exits halted and blocked.
His worries fully parsed, he set his forehead to Metia's feet before rising, offering the statue a bow before turning back to the rest of the garden. Not long after he had made his way back to the main ring of gods, a young woman approached him nervously and apologetically.
After bowing in greeting, raised fingers resting in his palm, he stood tall and straight, listening to her words attentively. He gave her a soft, wise smile. "There is no need for thanks. I am bound by my duty to the Light's children." He took a deep inhale through his nose, watching above her head for anyone who was unusual or suspicious. Most of the few other occupants of the garden were a distance away, observing or praying in front of their own statues. He looked back at the woman and gave her a smile and a nod. "I always have time for one of the Gods' people. What guidance do you seek?"
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Post by inspire on Jun 1, 2018 18:09:47 GMT -6
Sylvia was a stunning sight despite the simplicity of her clothing. Or, perhaps it complimented her exotic beauty, the way her natural red hair framed a beautiful, fair face. Her perceptive eyes noticed how the man was still glancing around, looking for someone.
When he performed the greeting, she also did so, raising three fingers and thumb to the forehead. "I am troubled, Andra Topin..." she said eyebrows furrowed, shapely, rosy lips pursed into a bit of a thin line. "I feel I cannot understand how some of the teachings of the gods apply in our daily lives." she tried to explain, and she seemed like she was trying to focus and find the correct words to express what she wanted to say.
"You see, Andra Topin...I am a Shifter." she admitted, lowering her hair a bit. "I...I know, if I'm not wrong, that our faith has it so that Shifters are considered important, valuable companions to Mages." she said softly, her tone soft and a bit sorrowful, her voice made of the softest, most tender silk.
"However...I...cannot see it sometimes." she admitted, her tone as if she was embarrassed about it. "I...us Shifters don't receive the same impressive education as Mages. I feel like I want to know about the world, but my upbringing has not prepared me for it. And it feels like...for that reason, I cannot gain access to a better education now, nor a job that could help me earn more, get a better house perhaps...one that is not an apartment.." she said.
Her body language made it so that she appeared to feel..guilty, greedy for asking for something like that, with a combination of honest curiosity regarding her question and what was her role in this world. "It just feels...like we are given different resources as we grow up, and different chances, less options..." she murmured softly, looking at the ground.
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Post by sky on Jun 2, 2018 0:44:10 GMT -6
As the woman spoke Clair listened attentively, watching her face closely, hands clasped politely at his waist. When she finished he responded with a nod and a low hum, watching the ground as he gathered his thoughts. He then looked back at her with a smile, gesturing forward into the garden with a slight step. "Light be with us, shall we walk?" He took another step forward and anticipated her following.
"Some would indicate it is the will of the Gods that dictates the opportunities that we are given. They would say that the most fortunate are the most blessed, that they are the most righteous, and that all others have strayed from the Light. I would disagree with this sentiment." He looked at the statues around them briefly as he spoke, temporarily distracted from his concerns about the meeting. He looked at her again. "The Prophet spoke that the only way to build our most ideal future is to be one with the Light through compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness. We cannot hope its blessing will shine upon us and lead lives of expectation. When our communities fail us, we must be compassionate and understand why, accept that what has happened has happened, and forgive those we feel responsible for their transgressions. Only then, when we have done those three things, may we right those wrongs. Only once we have reached an understanding with our fates may we work to unravel fate itself."
Clair thought of his childhood spent wandering temple halls, cumbersome to the only family he knew. Gathering his thoughts, he peeled back into the present. "I am not a shifter. I cannot pretend to know what education your people receive. At the same time, I never received a formal mage education, and cannot mark the disparity between those two institutions. All I know is the words of The Prophet and the will of the Gods." He looked down at her with a warm smile, the light cast by his skin brightening softly. "Charity. Honor. Humility. If you find that your communities are not providing the things that people need, help create those resources. If you feel that you are disadvantaged by your birth, remember all of the Light's children have worth, and perhaps others have not seen your value. If you find your options limited, do not be afraid to ask for help."
He stopped and turned to face her, chuckling. "All that to bring it back to something substantive. Though you may not feel the Light always upon you, know that it is still there. You are always welcome to the Temple for help, be it through the rich depths of the library, or to reaffirm your worth as the Gods' creation. Sometimes our teachers and caretakers are not the best at their jobs. Sometimes we must seek to do their jobs for them and dig our noses in books, dip our hands in new communities who may be more constructive to our growth. Once you realise you are being failed, only you as an individual can correct that." He gave her another half bow, this time holding up one hand with three fingers raised, his other hand resting on his stomach. "Remember the virtues. Charity. Honor. Humility. Let them guide your choices." He stood straight once more then pulled up the hem of his skirt, shaking it gently to loosen dirt from the front. "Is there any other guidance I can provide?"
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Post by inspire on Jun 4, 2018 23:56:36 GMT -6
Sylvia nodded when the man asked if they could walk, and started walking along his side. She listened to his words carefully, filtering them and making bullet points out of what the man was saying and advocating. At first she was surprised that he didn't agree with the first sentiment he mentioned, but the rest...the rest was off.
The beautiful woman remained silent the entire time, actively listening and processing those words, until the man bowed and asked if he could provide any other guidance. This probably meant he believed he had addressed the issue. Of course. This was no debate or exchange of opinions. It was the statement of a "god's" will, the teachings, and that's all there was to it, no room for debating or talking back. Since the Andra had explained those, they should be pretty clear to the recepient, perhaps even fill their hearts with joy, light and relief.
They were not.
"No, Andra Topin. I don't think you can provide any other guidance." Sylvia said. Her tone was different than before. When she had sounded troubled, tame and guilty, now she sounded confident, and her voice could cut through steel, yet was contained and calm. It almost felt as she got taller from before too.
"Listening to your beliefs has been useful to provide me insight in regards to what kind of man you are, your merits and your short comings. Now we can truly discuss." she stated and started walking again, expecting him to follow, and expecting it was pretty clear who she was.
But perhaps it wasn't, so she turned to look at him from over her shoulder. "You have been expecting me after all." she added, some amusement in her tone.
"Your first shortcoming, Andra, is your lack of knowledge regarding the world." she started as she walked slowly. "For a man as learned and educated as yourself...how can you say, with a clear conscience, that you haven't tried to learn about the education of Mages and Shifters? For someone who has strived to learn, possibly recognizing the effect of knowledge and education on a person, how have you failed to try and understand such an important factor of the life of your flock?" she asked him.
"Or have you turned a blind eye instead?" she added at the end, eyes locked into his own.
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Post by sky on Jun 5, 2018 7:36:55 GMT -6
Clair's demeanor shifted as the woman's tone changed, and when she walked in front of him a rush of adrenaline shot through his body and down through his fingertips. His glow surged and he looked to the ground briefly, reciting a prayer internally to calm himself. He looked back at the woman and straightened, returning to his dignified demeanor, before making long strides to return to her side. His cape billowed behind him, a gust of wind striking his front.
He observed her as she spoke, feeling almost foolish that he had not caught on earlier. Clair was still caught off guard at how little she fit his expectations- she was so young, and admittedly quite beautiful. He had expected someone his age, someone with a more naturally commanding presence- granted, now that she was speaking, she was a commanding presence after all. He chided himself internally- why set up expectations anyway? As a near-fifty-year-old man who looked to be in his late twenties, he knew plenty about subverting expectations. She definitely had her own secrets.
But still, he had asked her to meet because he was curious- she was likely facing some level of reasonable fear here on the Temple's isle, and he had to admire the audacity of posing as a Mettite. It was a safe entry to the conversation, plus it allowed her to catch him off guard. As he listened to this woman's words he admired her, putting up his walls in anticipation of even more subtle manipulation.
"My people tell me of their problems, the conflicts in their families and communities. There are both shifters and mages struck by poverty and misfortune. I try to understand the whole as a series of parts," Clair responded after a brief pause, matching her pace. He didn't want to seem too hasty, or even worse, superior. Though the people he led were much greater in numbers, this woman clearly inspired something radical in a significant enough population. Or had she just appropriated previously existing radical ideals? He chided himself for his uncertainty.
"I have limited time to dedicate to visitation. My free time is practically nonexistent. I must sacrifice sleep if I wish to do anything for myself." He had been looking at the garden around them and tilted his head to look at her instead, observing her facial features. He didn't think he had ever seen her before. "Hence my invitation. You and your people clearly feel you see something that I do not. Even more, you feel that you see more than the Gods themselves. I have my qualms with this notion, but I am ultimately curious as to what is of enough import to inspire some of the... actions your group has taken."
He lifted a hand to his chin and stroked it, feeling a developing stubble. He needed to shave. "So I'll try to get to the point, if I may. What is the crux of your opposition? Who do you feel the Light does not touch? And- for full disclosure- I know of your mission statement," he interrupted himself, "to you the Gods are invaders, and our Temple is one of lies and propaganda. But I do not understand where this idea lies, or its relevance to the state of our society." He lowered his hands and folded them at his waist, glancing at the statues once again, their watchful eyes making him acutely aware of his own presence.
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Post by inspire on Jun 5, 2018 10:08:51 GMT -6
If anything, Sylvia proved to be a good listener. She did not interrupt him, and it was obvious that he had her full, active attention during his response. At all times, she was trying to stay calm and collected and not allow herself to experience intense emotions, else she might accidentally kill her temporary Dyad from a rush of energy her accomplice would not be able to handle.
"I will not discuss religion during this visit, Adra." she replied in a sharp tone after he was done, making it obvious where she set some lines. "There are more important things to discuss in this visit, and more meaningful things too." she said, wondering if that would rouse the religious leader's protest. "Right now, it's no use if we try to debate on what and who the gods none of us, I trust, has seen are. We should be more practical." she said, showing initiative in dictating the course of the discussion.
Sylvia kept walking with a naturally graceful gait. "You will never, ever have any free time, the way you do things." she said after a moment. "People visit you, suffering, and you help them the way you tried to "help" me. I'd easily liken it to sick people visiting you, and instead of treating the sickness that brought them to your doorstep in the first place, you temporarily numb their pain." she continued. "Because that's exactly what your reply to me was. A figurative pat on the back, kind, gentle words that would encourage me to endure, persevere and believe things will change for the better." she said, her tone more intense for a brief moment, making her pause.
"But you bring no actual change, Padre." she hissed, and used a term from the Old Earth instead of his formal title. "Established, dominant religion is not a force of change, it's a force of conservation. Keeping things the same, because if the gods themselves don't come down and talk to us and say something different, something new, then we stick to what we have, or am I wrong?" she asked.
"You don't treat the sickness. The inequality between Mages and Shifters when it comes to education, opportunities, wealth, social standing. The inequality between Light Mages and Earth Mages. You welcome them in your chambers, soothe their pain, and send them back out there where the world hurts and sickens them." she said, hand clenching into a fist for a moment during an intensity of her emotions.
"Am.I.Wrong?" she asked, each word pronounced, making it obvious that the woman was intense...but not hostile, even if the man was walking at arm's length from her.
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Post by sky on Jun 5, 2018 20:51:03 GMT -6
"I think you misconstrue me, I do not wish to debate theology- it's just a language with which to carry ideas. But I'll attempt to keep the Gods from my words, at this moment," Clair corrected, lowering his chin to his chest and taking a deep inhale. He kept mental notes of the woman's finer points as she spoke, surprised when she used an Old Earth term. Not many studied Old Earth, outside of archaeologists.
It was clear to him she was trying to guide the course of the conversation, though a little accusatorily for Clair's tastes. He had a number of questions of his own, but if he was to gain something from meeting with her, he felt it wisest to let her air her frustrations first. This was exactly like being a Heirus, he joked with himself internally, playing the role of therapist more than a spiritual and intellectual guide. But, he corrected himself, this was about diplomacy- though he had never before met with such a sharp-toothed diplomat. This was a new experience.
"You seem to fundamentally misunderstand the purpose of our meeting if you think I only want conservation of the old ways," Clair spoke once she had finished. "I am able to see a shift in the opinions of the common people. I see the protests and riots, but all I see is action with no philosophy behind it. If you feel I am ignorant, I ask that you enlighten me. How are mages and shifters unequal? This is something you say I am blind to, yet I see mages and shifters in both fortunate and unfortunate situations."
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Post by inspire on Jun 5, 2018 23:54:31 GMT -6
When the man asked to be enlightened about how Mages and Shifters are unequal, Sylvia's eyes widened for a moment in surprise. It took her a few seconds to process that. She even considered that the man was messing with her, or that he was buying time for some people to ambush her. He couldn't really be asking that, right? Perhaps he could...
Sylvia took in a deep breath and controlled her frustration, and when she spoke, she sounded quite calm, her tone of voice even low. "Education. You say you don't know about it, but if you truly care to understand the riots, Padre, you need to learn about it. Be present in one educational session of a Light Mage, then an Earth Mage, and finally a Shifter. It will require only a few hours spread out between three days. Then, things will be clearer to you." she said, raising a slender, feminine finger to count the inequalities.
"Job opportunities." she said, raising a second finger. "What's the percentage of Mages and Shifters covering low skill-low wage jobs? Waiters, manual workers-not supervisors or earth golem makers, actual manual workers-, salespeople...And that's the percentage of Mages and Shifters covering high skill-high wage jobs? Researchers, professors, government officials to name a few. Someone like you should have easy access to archives revealing these percentages." she said.
"Wealth." she continued, raising a second finger. "How many Shifters can be found within the top 5% of the wealthiest people in the city? In the top 10%? Top 20%?" she asked. "Again, you can find that information if you want to, and it might help you understand our cause, for correcting this inequality is fundamental for us." she explained, looking at him in the eye.
"That's practical, fundamental reasons, dealing with society, wealth distribution, education and policies." she said. "There are finer things to consider, such as prejudice and an entire value system supported by your religion, where Mages are the true inheritors of this new world, and Shifters, while described as valuable partners in order to be politically correct, are not portrayed as of equal importance." she stated. "And this was, when society formed, the root of this inequality. Now of course, it's less about religion and more about maintaining the status quo that benefits those who have assumed power, and religion is just one of the means for that." she explained in a calmer tone.
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Post by sky on Jun 7, 2018 6:19:04 GMT -6
Clair held back the urge to spur debate- the schools were led by the houses of magic and by a direct democracy of shifters, so he saw no fault in blaming society as a whole- and instead nodded at her list, pulling a small notebook out of his robes to write down a few things. There were some pieces of information he didn't trust his N-disc with. She made a fair point in pointing out the information he had at his fingertips, and though he generally trusted his advisors to provide him with data relevant to the riots, perhaps it was time for him to take matters in his own hands. Everyone has their ulterior motives, he reminded himself, and as much as he trusted the minds behind him, they were unlikely to let loose their biases. Plus, if he wanted to foster trust in her, as he assumed would be ultimately necessary to bring about peace, he had to commit to his desire to learn. He wasn't lying when he admitted there were things he didn't know.
Clair kept his objections about the function of Meteora to himself, instead responding, "And once I've looked into each point you've laid out- disparity in education, job opportunities, and wealth- are you willing to convene again to discuss these issues?" He looked at his notes again and took a deep breath. Considering his upcoming schedule, this could take a couple weeks. To think half of those meetings would discuss her revolution. He considered for a moment, then spoke again, "Have you ever been inside The Temple, Madame? Perhaps, when next we meet, I could give you a tour. It is one of the finest feats of Earth Mage architectural design. There's no Old Earth infrastructure or materials, just New Earth innovation. It was one of the first constructions of its type." He circled around the point of this intermission. "And we have one of the finest libraries in the world. Almost all of its contents are entirely free for the public to access. Mettite or not."
He stopped slowly and looked down at her with a gentle, knowing smile- a look he was known for, one that apparently inspired calm in the masses. "Perhaps we could discuss there, with the data in front of us. No one else would know who you are, of course. That our secret only. The Light guide me, I swear it."
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Post by inspire on Jun 7, 2018 6:45:39 GMT -6
Sylvia wondered if the man truly noted down what she was saying out of a need to note them down, or if it was a bit of acting to appease her and build a good vibe. The Andra was...quite close to what she had expected of him, having observed his public course and action. A gentle, kind-looking and speaking man who tried to calm those around him. At the same time, she was getting the feeling there had to be more in this man, for him to be the religious leader of the world.
Hearing his offer sent her brain into intense activity, visualizing possible outcomes and scenarios, motives and things that could go wrong. However, her face and look remained expressionless as she considered all those issues.
"Time will tell, Padre. I have learned not to plan too far ahead. What if we bring some important Mage to justice by that time, Padre? Will you still want to see me then? What if the riots intensify? Will I be able to see you? No promises can be made on that matter between the two of us. But I will provide you with a way of reaching out to me." she said.
Then, she closed her eyes, focusing. "I can make a promise, however. I did not come here with my face concealed, and I allowed you to see me. If I notice that I am being observed, I promise you...I will bring my wrath upon every vulnerable agent of the Temple, as retribution, for it would mean you have broken our agreement regarding secrecy." she declared with her eyes closed, her tone deathly calm.
"Also...I stated I would not discuss religion with you at this point, but you should know one thing. People say that the gods have chosen you, and I have no opinion on that." she said. Then...she opened her eyes, and they were unlike any creature in the world. The irises were made of liquid silver, almost shifting slowly, with a faint, lustrus glow, and the pupils were slit like a serpent's, but forming almost a vertically elongated rectangular. "However, something has, for better or for worse, also chosen me, Andra." she stated, gazing straight into his eyes with her own piercing ones.
After a long moment, she blinked and her eyes reverted to normal. "An interesting first meeting. Next time, when you will have seen the data, I'm looking forward to you talking more than me." she said, her lips curling in the slightest smile. With that, she turned around and walked away, long red hair flowing leaving her scent behind.
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Post by sky on Jun 7, 2018 7:51:05 GMT -6
Clair thought over her questions, but ultimately the circumstances of the future mattered little to him. He had a sort of intuition, a Light-borne hope, that things would go well. His goal of peace triumphed over all else, either way. He remembered the last war- he wanted nothing of the sort to occur during his reign as Andra.
When her eyes shifted, her demeanor along with them, Clair felt that shock of adrenaline run through his body once again, a chill cascading down his spine. He attempted to keep his dignity and demeanor, his flitting eyes the only giveaway. Why did something about her make him feel so wrong, so uncomfortable? He was one of the most (if not the most) powerful people on Earth. He had a power only spoken about in legend. But he, a man chosen to rule all of Meteora by the gods, felt an immense power in this woman- a power that he may not have known, but that his body did. When she walked away, dissipating into the trees, Clair allowed himself to relax, his face falling, and prayed.
Gathering all of the information the strange woman required had been easier than Clair had anticipated. The morning after his meeting with the head of Earth's Defenders, he had gone to the library and met with its Heirus, making a request for all the data he had been guided towards. When the day's meetings were over, the Heirus had all that he needed, although she noted that it took hours of calls and transcripts to various research facilities, both run by the Temple and not. He downloaded it all to his N-Disc, and between meetings and during travel, Clair crammed his mind with statistics and data, filling the pages of his notebook. He brushed off his staff when they asked him what he had been reading, claiming it was just Old Earth rabble.
He had one of his advisors schedule tours not just with Light, Earth, and Shifter schools, but with one from every house of magic, and he spent an hour at a different facility each day for a week. He spoke to educators and students alike, asking them how they felt about their lessons and their resources. Visiting the school of Light, in particular, made him reminisce about a life he was never allowed to have, imagining a younger Clair filling the halls with light and healing. Who would he have been if he hadn't been raised by the Temple? He brushed away his visions, deciding that this dream wasn't worth it.
He visited a shifter school last, and was so intrigued by it that he insisted on visiting a different one two days later. Their curriculum was so unfocused and their students generally disinterested, and when he spoke with them many claimed their minds were elsewhere, whether it be on a hobby or violence in their neighborhoods. On the day of his second visit was one of his meetings with the Imperium, and frustrated with what he had seen, he asked to speak with the shifter representatives afterwards, asking them where the funding for their communities had gone, insisting that no other group had allowed their schools to get to such a state. This incited a shouting match with the more aggressive shifter rep, which turned into an argument between the two shifters, and after making a few notes he managed to peel himself away from the argument. Later that night, he contacted the woman again, telling her his quest was complete for the moment.
As Clair awaited her response he reread his notes over and over again, even re-writing them in a different notebook to organize them better. He felt the data on wealth and jobs were insignificant- though there were some interesting numbers, the studies were all too recent to have been replicated and verified- but he was intrigued, even haunted by the state of the schools. Of course, he still saw it as a shifter failing rather than a societal one- it was their democracy that chose what to do with Imperium funding, after all- but how it was even allowed to occur was beyond him. There was so much knowledge available to them even if they only visited the temple, he thought, but no one seemed to be seeking that knowledge. Perhaps it was the lack of learning required to understand their powers? Mages had to train with vigor and persistence to gain use of their Light-given talent, while most shifters had a more innate sense for theirs. Was there a lack of structure and discipline? Was it purely funds-based? He scribbled down thoughts and hypotheses in the margins, his mind filled to the brim, until finally, his N-disc buzzed, jolting him out of his trance. She had responded.
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