[Flashback] One Nuit, Two Nuit (Rayage)

[Lenore]

Timestamp: 32nd of Spring, 309 AV

Lenore had been present in Ravok for nearly half a season. Still no evidence had surfaced to substantiate the reports of nuit in the human settlement. Lenore was not privy to the actual documents but the claim had not been denied, nor for that matter extrapolated upon, when posed. This answer was part of the bureaucratic language which roughly translated to an affirmative.

She sought her master though the animator had not received a single communication from her creator in over three centuries, still the nuit vaguely searched. But no longer were her trips so single-minded in their purposes. Instead that had a secondary function now; to seek unique materials and inspiration.

While traversing the streets filled with the flesh-bound humans on one otherwise conventional day Lenore caught sight of fabric of a uniquely bright hue passing just around the next bend. Stepping lightly the nuit trailed behind and received tentative confirmation around the next corner; the fabric belonged to the robe of one Magus Rayage, or if not his then some other being with strange perception of attire. For certainty Lenore would need to eliminate the distance barrier. Rather than carelessly racing after the subject, she followed at an easy pace eventually the subject would enter an establishment and confrontation could occur.

Much to Lenore’s astonishment the subject went into a portal which she had previously dismissed as a wall. If this was not the magus then at the very least it was an interesting individual, perhaps the habits warranted study. Following through the hidden door as the subject had been simple, but it led only to a hallway and another peculiar door. Instead of simply following through this door Lenore assumed this might be the true entry way and instead south permission. Rapping confidently upon the entrance the studious nuit announced its desire to enter; “Rayage, it is an associate. Please open the door.”

Should entrance be granted, Lenore in her stout gray robes would fill the threshold. The largest wrinkle in her façade was the antique brass spectacles that say upon her nose. Such glasses were largely foreign to the masses, but anyone as old as the majority of nuits would recognize them instantly. While they served no tangible purpose to the animator, some items from life were not easily sloughed away.

[Rayage]

There was nothing quite like the admiration of change. No, change was a good thing, and one of the most unstoppable forces. Without change time could not move on, people would not advance, and day would not become night. Change was everywhere, with age, with every breath; it was instilled in the very essence of Mizahar. It is lifeblood of innovation and Ray was all too glad, maybe a bit too glad, to be able to excite and control the flow of change. That was the power granted to him by Alchemy. He had took the chance years ago to proclaim himself an agent of change, and by the unworthy gods, he would live up to the challenge. He will produce change in every form, and eventually change in himself.

That is what brought him to the market that day. He was looking for suitable persons in need of changing, in need of a transformation, in need of being risen to a higher state of being. That is what he was looking for. He was looking for an opportunity to change and to use his science, his art, and his life to oversee and direct that change. Though he had to direct himself in the market, yes. Restraint was half the battle when one so high on himself sees so much that could be changed in the world. It almost made him sick to see change so stagnant in these people. Why, why do they resist change?

Nonetheless feeling that he had made good progress for the day, taking a few notable people that stuck out into consideration for a later occasion, he would start to return to his hideout. It was a simple building, and upon reaching the hidden door he would do the correct number of knocks to undo the simple lock that the animator Reaver gifted to him some years ago. It had worked like a charm. Simple but effective. Pushing on the door he let himself in after he head the click, the sound being an indication that the door was indeed unlocked. Not closing it all the way, the door didn’t have a chance to re-lock itself, which will in turn allow the other in, but for now Ray made his way down the dark and gloomy hall and opened the door on the other end.

While he was in the market he had acquired a variety of fruit, but most notable was the apples and the peaches. These foul fruit need changed too. Although it would not be as dramatic as changing a human it would be good practice. Going to his desk he set the fruit, his next victims, down on the piles of paper which were sticking out everywhere. His research was scattered and important to him. Perhaps he has gotten a little lax with the safety that the lock provided to leave his research out in the open. Or maybe it wasn’t that. Maybe it was the fact that the most people couldn’t read the language he wrote in nowadays. Perhaps he felt safety in his knowledge of the Ancient Tongue. However, such speculation would be left to interpretation as the nuit had work to do and not enough time to do it. How could he make the pear and an apple taste better? Not the most important question, but it was always good practice.

Preparing and organizing his thoughts into a mini experiment that he could try he would hurriedly grab an inkwell and some more paper, or blanker paper than the scratches that were one some. Dipping the quill in the ink he was about to lift it and set the tip to paper when he heard a rasping on the door behind him, along with a voice that was… vaguely familiar. Well not the voice itself because it changes from body to body, but the way of speaking. The voice itself had the power to pause the nuit. At least it was someone interesting.

Swiftly he grabbed papers left and right and shoved them in drawers. Anything that looked important or held what he considered ‘secret knowledge’ of his experiments hurriedly went into the drawers. The papers scattered and in no order at all. Soon the desk was cleared expect for the inkwell, the blank paper he was going to write on, and his next test subjects. It was then, and only then, would he go to the door and open it, ”Magus” he looked at the supposed nuit before him and recognized the glasses, ah how signature. He liked them, ”Magus Lenore,” he said clasping his hands together as if to be happy to see her, ”You have found my little hideout.” he made it sound like he was surprised, ”Well, do come in after coming all this way.” he invited the other in confident that everything that he did not want her to see was hidden away within the wood of the desk that sat just beyond the alchemy circle. ”What brings you here?”

[Lenore]

Ah, yes. I was correct, it is Rayage; those robes stand out anywhere.

Lenore looked about the space acutely, focusing too hard on small details to seem subtle. She stepped through the door way at the other nuit’s offer. “I am in Ravok for research. But the pulselings seem to have grown further inept since last I interacted with them. No ability to judge suitable materials.” She pulled out a large block of wood from her robe’s pockets. “This was the finest specimen I could locate amongst their… ‘market’. It’s nothing unique in the least, merely solid pine.” The nuit’s inflection sounded dissatisfied as she ran her fingers over the nearly perfectly grained wood. “It is a disappointment. So I have sought out individuals who might have knowledge about more refined materials. In your case, you might very well be able to make them. If I recall your specialty correctly…” The mage pointed to the circle, “Alchemy?”

The smaller nuit adjusted her spectacles. On further inspection she realized the room seemed awfully sparse, and there was little evidence of any work being done. “Or perhaps I have been mistaken, are you not currently working on research?” The alchemy circle implied the other mage was still working on something, but exactly what was a mystery.

Roving over the room once more with scholarly eyes, this time Lenore noted the fruit. Fruit? Really?… Useless. She made no comment but after a long look at the produce she turned to Rayage with a purposefully raised eyebrow. After a chime she finally let the inquiry go and returned to the subject at hand.

“If you are not working, I can perhaps find another source. Though it could be beneficial to work together; an alchemist and an animator? History has shown the combination… potent.” That was the hook, if he really was researching two nuits could work the experiment more than twice as well as one nuit with twice the time. She saw him as no threat to her research, an alchemist couldn't exactly take over in her place, he had no chance to steal it; she suspected the same could be said for his regarding an animator.There was no question of how much superior even one nuit’s work as compared to a pulser’s though, that idea never even slipped into the female’s mind.

Unabashedly she pulled out a carving knife and began to carve away at the block while she waited for Rayage to process her queries. Lenore would not waste time for social niceties, not when she could work and filter information at one time.

The block would eventually take the form of a miniature torso, reminiscent of the basic shape of a human’s, but that would take much time. It was simply important for the nuit to keep her intended result in mind even at the very beginning.

[Rayage]

The Alchemist watched the other nuit as she entered. She was doing research. How… Interesting. Though he doubted any of it could interest him he only laughed a little when she mentioned the lack of quality nowadays. Things definitely were not what they were used to, that was for sure. His eyes looked over and examined the block of wood she pulled out. What was she expecting? Wood, well, wood is wood to the best of the nuits knowledge. Though she snapped him from his thoughts on the intricacies of wood when she mentioned his discipline, ”Your memory serves you well.” he answered, his mind quickly switching from the subpar quality of the wood involved to ways he could perhaps help Lenore with this problem of hers. Besides, his art was changing the mundane to the extraordinary, was it not?

Clasping his hands together he nodded at her second question, ”Oh yes, research. Important research, but… it seems you have come at the most opportune time. I have no pressing research at the moment.” he paused for a moment as if to collect his thoughts, and he was about to speak again when Lenore piped up, but this time with an offer. This made Ray want to smile. The proposition of research, or even combining efforts, could be.. well, more than profitable for both sides. Shaking his head, agreeing with the voices in his head, he looked at her, ”Why not?” he shrugged as if it were not a big deal and paced to the circle, ”Perhaps we can finally bring about change,” he started, eyes glued on the alchemy circle, ”Yes, Ill work with you if” if put up a finger to state the number of requirements he had, ”you help me change this place.” He looked around at the bare walls, ”And I do not mean my lab. I mean,” he laughed some as the idea was about of his mouth, ”the world!” he exclaimed boldly. ”Help me change this world.” he said holding a hand out motioning to the block of wood that the nuit began carving, ”and Ill lend you all my ability.”

If the block was willing given to him he would take it; if the block wasn’t willing given to him he would just snatch it out of her handsGot player permission to do so. Then without a second glance at the nuit in question he would walk over to the small storage area, open the door, and go in. Moments later he would come out, a glob of silver in hand, a glob of gold atop the wood, and walk over to the Alchemy circle, ”And I specialize, Magus Lenore, in turning the mundane, the ordinary, the boring, the dull, the unexciting object into something extraordinary. That is Alchemy. That is change.” he said placing the wood in the center of the doorway, ”And this is just a sample of my abilities.” he told her, placing the silver hunk in a fount section and the gold in the filter section. The most common similarity between silver and gold would be the malleability. So by using silver as fount and gold as a filter its more or less assured of filtering out malleability, or softness of the medal.

Stepping out of the circle he gave an almost worried glance at Lenore, that is if nuits could feel worry, ”Id advise you to step away. Perhaps to the wall for safe measure.” he said quickly before rolling up the sleeves of his cloak and reaching in the confines of folds to pull out a knife. A quick prick to the finger was all that was needed and then he hurriedly put the knife away while he watched the precious ichor pool on his decaying hand. Oh what a rush just thinking about doing alchemy gives him. He could almost shiver.

Walking over to the keystones the nuit set a bare foot on the keystone and holding his hand over the stone he turned it over as the ichor was pooling on his finger. The result being the nuits essence dripping from his finger in one drop to splash onto the stone below, granting power to the Alchemist, this was always the best part. As soon as the blood hit the keystone Ray began to concentrate. This wasn’t a complex reaction, but still, everything deserved his all. Lowering his hand to his side he started to will the djed present in the circle to move. It needed to move because he now commanded it. He now had control over everything inside the circle. The Djed… oh how he could feel his connection slowly growing. This feeling, there was nothing like it in the world. It was one of absolute power. Yes, for in this short amount of time, he commanded the powers of change!

Slowly the Djed started to trickle into motion by the sheer force of the practiced nuits will. Ray, yes, the commander of change, would now turn this block of wood into something extraordinary. He would show Lenore there that Alchemy isn’t to be trifled with. It was funny how he had an odd compulsion to prove himself to every nuit he met, and he hoped that this would do the job. Slowly the nuit concentrated more and more on the reaction, on the spinning, on the circle, and on the fount banishing all other thoughts out of his mind. Right now, he was focused on only feeling that power, that godly power, which he feels when doing any reaction. More and more the Djed began to inch around the circle, more and more it moved, and with each passing second it sped up; moving faster, but only slight.

Alchemy took great concentration to not lose control of the Djed stream. Yes, great concentration indeed. The djed needed to be felt, watched, and commanded all at the same time. Yes, it was a careful and slow process, but one that brought results. This experiment was going to be one to record. Indeed.

Soon though the Djed was spinning quite faithfully, and his command over it was just about absolute. This was power right here. The power to change the world was all summed up in this circle. The power of transformation… And then there would be a slight hum of energy as the Djed could be seen now spinning across the circle, pure silver djed. Yes, soon… Soon this all would end. Faster and faster and faster he willed it. He knew he could go faster than that and so he willed it to do so. The djed however didn’t respond with the aptitude that he would have liked, the djed delayed to his commands if only by a second or two it still annoyed him.

Then at the peak of his concentration, at the peak speed of the swirling magic circle, he broke into a smile. Just about there. Just a little longer. He mentally prepared himself for this trip of his to end, and then he stepped off the keystone willing the energy to go forth into the wood which was placed at the center. He had just activated the circle. Now it was time to watch the show. With a quick spark, a sudden flash of pure energy and light, the reaction was over. How can transformation be so beautiful?

Not taking the time to examine his work he quickly grabbed the cloak off his back and wrapped the item around in it. Secured he hurried over to a barrel of water, which he kept for such purposes as to ‘cool down’ alchemically made items, and threw the ‘wood’ in unraveling it from his cloak. Putting his cloak back on he heard a slight hiss as the item contacted the water. It seemed like he was used to this ritual.

Waiting a couple chimes, he watched the water with an intense look before reaching a hand in there and grabbing the half carved hunk of wood which was transmuted with silver. ”And I present to Magus Lenore” he said, his back still turned to her, ”A one of a kind item. Wood like you have never seen before!” he said as if he were trying to sell her back the wood he took from her, ”I give you silverwood.” he smiled at the name turning to her and holding his hands out to present what had been crafted: wood but silver. Yes one hundred percent silver mixed with wood. Hopefully it would be still soft enough to carve with that knife of hers.

[Lenore]

Lenore handed over the block of wood and began to answer but waited; if alchemy held any similarities with animation it would require concentration. At his warning she moved back against the wall but kept her focus acute, trying to glean anything of this magical process that she could. The animator had only the vaguest of theoretical knowledge pertaining to this magic and she’d never actually seen it done in person. Not wanting to waste valuable time she chose to attempt to learn what she could.

The process was performed smoothly; clearly Rayage knew his art and so many of the finer details escaped Lenore’s inspection. Her observations were further hindered by the fact that she wasn’t a mage who practiced enhanced eye sight, although she had her spectacles. Adjusting the bronze frame she enhanced her vision by more mundane methods and tried to catch the procedure. What she ended up getting, was a glimpse of some sort of mixing technique, presumably using djed though she would need to ask to confirm. It looked quite a vat of ingredients being churned. Then with no more warning than a spark the entire concoction seemed to ignite in a blinding flash. Lenore’s gaze flinched away at the light.

When the female mage returned her gaze to her associate, he was rushing across the room to toss something into a barrel of water. It seemed the reaction was done and so Lenore moved closer, as she neared him he spun around. Sounding somewhat like a barker in a common good’s stall Rayage announced his new creation. “Silverwood? It sounds apt.” She reached out and took the block. It felt unique; extraordinary! Without turning her eyes to Rayage she wondered away across the room, turning the new material over in her palms.

She pressed her fingers against the block, it seemed to offer the same resistance as the wood had before its transformation. “Excellent Rayage.” Was all her praise, she acquisitioned a chair and began testing the block with her carving knife. “If only I had materials prepared for joints. I do not, but I can’t put this of—I have to know! Could this be recreated Mage?”

It was lucky she had not gotten far in her earlier carving of the wood, it left much of it intact. Her plan needed to change, she would animate it, today. A simple shape with a simple task, she couldn’t give it much power. Who knew what properties the new material might provide the automaton? No, simple first. She began to carve away for a sphere, it would take time. There was much to be done anyways; she would not waste time on silence. “Rayage, you mentioned changing everything. Do you care how it changes or only that it does? If the later, I believe we may have just come upon a fortuitous partnership.”

Continuing her quick removal of the corners, Lenore began a series of questions. She never even stopped to consider Rayage might not be willing to help her further in this experiment, social niceties were unnecessary for geniuses of course! “Rayage, do you have blank paper? Ink? A quill? It will require directives.”

“The first is simple.” She stated candidly, “Loyalty to the mages known as Rayage and Lenore. Second, attempting assault on any who do not utter the pass-code within… a fourth of a chime. You need to determine a key phrase there, write it down.” Breifly she stopped her carving and looked up at Rayage, You are getting this written down correct? This is crucial.” The female nuit returned her gaze to the quickly shaving Silverwood and the carving began anew. “Third, the only form of assault employed shall be to cause tripping. Fourth, a kill phrase that when uttered by a mage to whom the automaton is loyal shall cease all functions permanently. You should make it something obscure so it's not called on accident.”

At this point the silvery lump was beginning to resemble a sphere and her quick shaving strokes began to slow for more precision. “Strike that. Make it see. Make the key something seen, a hand signal perhaps. And the kill sign… a glyph, something nonsensical so that it cannot be an accident.” She nodded, “Yes, it'll need to be polished before given motion.”

“Now, we must try to find ways to break the rules. Be sure, the construct will misconstrue any directive given time, and it'll have ample time.” The glossy surfaced wood was shaping up to be a very nice ball at this point, but a knife couldn’t smooth it further. Shoving the knife in her pocket the mage began searching around for a scrap of sandpaper, surely she had some. She only hoped it would be enough to sand down the rough patches of the construct’s body.

[Rayage]

The nuit watched her accept the newly formed wood. This Silverwood could turn into something grand. He just knew it, and although he had a rather basic understanding of Animation, thanks to Reaver, he was unsure what the other nuit would do with it. Frankly, the idea of silverwood just came to him put of the blue and so he questioned its usefulness. Though, it seemed Lenore was more than satisfied with the product. Listening to her as she further examined the wood he nodded at her question, ”Easily recreated.” he confirmed, ”All we’d need is more wood, silver, and gold.” he shrugged, it was easy as that. Simple as pie. Alchemy that was below his level, but the basics did have their use too. Change was change, but any change would change too transforming into something else. Everything came with time, but Alchemys transformations were predictable. The substance would degrade, slowly shedding the silver properties until it was just wood once again. Change changes too. What a concept.

His interest peaked as he watched her start carving away at the block. He wondered what she intended to make. A mystery indeed, but time reveals all. He would wait and see. As Lenore carved she asked him a question. She wanted him to elaborate on the deal that he had proposed. That could be done, ”Change is change. It matters not what changes as long as change occurs.” he said, ”This world and its inhabitants move along too slowly for my taste. Events span days, and they waste time dwelling on the past when they should be looking towards the future.” he said, ”To the future,” he nodded letting his sentence trail off for a bit before picking it up again, ”To the future. They shouldn’t dwell, but use the knowledge of the past to help create the future. That is the problem with things today.” his critical eyes never leaving the shape that the knife was forming, ”Things move too slow. That is my only complaint. A little change here and there would sure spice things up.” he paused as if thinking of something, but then he asked the nuits opinion, ”Do you not agree?”

He was quick however when the subject changed from change to writing things down he went to his desk and dipped the quill into the ink and started scratching on the paper what Lenore asked him to write down.

• Loyalty to the mages known as Rayage and Lenore
• Key phrase??
• Only form of assault shall be tripping
• Kill phrase… No kill sign.

He listed the words of the mage, but he looked up from the notes when she told him to scratch that. Ink wasn’t the easiest thing to acquire. Or maybe it was the nuits personality, he just didn’t like to waste it. ”Now, Lenore, Animation is your forte. Your words are slightly… confusing.” He reminded her. He didn’t explain the process of Alchemy to her, why was she having him write down random things? He had no clue what she was talking about. Not that he would care if he hadn’t already used ink and the page. ”I can offer little venture into these ideas without a proper explanation of the art.” he told her, ”You would be better off doing it yourself, like I did with Alchemy.” he did not want to sound closed to the idea of gaining more knowledge, but he was slightly perplexed by the whole situation coming to him now. He hated himself for admitting that he, Rayage, was confused.

[Verilian]

Lenore +1 Observation +2 Carving Lores: Reunited with old Acquaintances, Listing Directives Rayage +2 Alchemy Lores: Reunited with old Acquaintances, How to Create Silverwood You Question My Logic? : Any questions, send me a PM. Notes: Hmm.. too bad the thread had to end. You could have created something interesting. Oh well. Good writing, and keep up the good work! PS: Since this request was posted before the season change, you can ignore the notice below.. although I think your CS is up to date already, so you're fine anyway. Notice As per the request of the Founders, threads cannot be graded unless your CS is up to date. This means you need to add threads to your thread list when you make new threads, keep your skills up to date, ledger, living expenses, ect. If you aren't up to date, you'll get a PM from me before i grade your thread.