The Stars' Lament [Hadrian]

[Hadrian]

Hadrian smiled. They did have that in common, as well as tea and late night conversations. Despite Seven's protestations, he was going to have to leave soon. His mother had drilled etiquette into him and it made him uncomfortable to stay when his host so clearly needed to pass out. But those same protestations made him stay despite his better judgment. "I would like to know more of Viratas, too," he said, "but most of what I know is from the Viratassa and lectures about Symenestra culture." He shrugged. "Perhaps someday I will be allowed into Kalinor without threat of, you know, liquified insides. I imagine she will approve of you. That is what mothers are supposed to do, no?" He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and smiled with feigned weariness. "I don't know all that much, but perhaps after you find your mother, you'll go to Zeltiva and study at the university too. But ask a few more questions, and then I should probably depart. You clearly need sleep, so I probably do too."

[Seven Xu]

“You would be safe in Kalinor, I assume, if you just pose as a traveling merchant or something of the like. So long as you’re useful – at least that’s what I’ve been told.” Seven’s nose wrinkled and his lips twisted into an unreadable expression. Auristics would say that he felt a pang of jealousy that Hadrian knew of the Viratassa; it seemed he knew everything. “I wish I was able to go there on my own. I didn’t inherit the ability to climb,” the odd look melted into a smile as he showed Hadrian his smooth palms, wriggling his fingers, “I’ve been told not being a pure Symenestra makes it hard to get anywhere in Kalinor without an escort.”

The mention of sleep felt like water on parched lips. Heavy blonde lashes fluttered behind a mask of a smile, and despite his craving to pick Hadrian’s mind like a well-read book he could not manage to think of any questions in particular. Perhaps the man was just being polite. “If you are tired, I won’t keep you here. I’ve already learned so much from you.” Then a pause, thin white fingers pulled eagerly at the paper he had strewn out across the span of the table as they exchanged words. Seven’s grin grew and he took on an awkward tone. “If our paths cross again, maybe I’ll have more to say. It was really nice to meet you, Hadrian.” Goodbyes were not Seven’s strong point. He rose to his feet and extended his hand across the table.

[Hadrian]

"Ah, but I have plans for Kalinor," he said, and sent waves of his djed pulsing down his arms toward his hands, making them elongate, grow paler, but for his fingernails, which turned black and grew thicker, harder, and stronger. "And I'm not so skilled at this yet, but someday, I will grow wings..." He said it dreamily, and the Morphing never quite achieved the perfect mimicry of Vizyous' hand before fading back into his own pale, long-fingered hand. It was with his own hand that he shook with Seven, drawing himself up to go.

[Seven Xu]

It would have been startling, had the man not already surprised him several times that night. Seven eyed the hand in sheer wonderment as it changed its shape, and just as quickly changed back as Hadrian spoke. “Amazing,” he mumbled. That same hand then was in his, and a short, disciplined shake of his head snapped him back into reality. “I hope you do, I’ve heard it’s beautiful.” There was a moment’s pause as Seven gathered his thoughts with parted lips and vacant eyes before life was blown back into his fragile frame and he tilted his head forward with a smile. “You’re an incredibly talented man. It was a pleasure to meet you, Hadrian.”

The same hospitable grin saw Hadrian out the door of his small apartment with a polite “goodbye” and a respectful bow of his head.

[Leviathan]

Thread Award! Seven   Skills Skill Gain Info. Observation 3 -- Philosophy 2 -- Rhetoric 2 -- Teaching 1 -- Mathematics 2 -- Storytelling 3 -- Cooking 1 For making tea? Interrogation 1 -- Astronomy 1 -- Awkward Socialization 5 -- Rambling 3 --   Lore Mathematics: Triangulation Astronomy: Swalden and Shoyden (Location, Basic) The Ukalas (Basic) Hadrian   Skills Skill Gain Info. Auristics 3 -- Reimancy 2 -- Morphing 1 -- Meditation 1 -- Rhetoric 1 -- Philosophy 2 -- Interrogation 2 -- Astronomy 1 -- Teaching 1 -- Awkward Socialization 5 -- Rambling 3 --   Lore Polite Interrogation Astronomy: Swalden and Shoyden (Location, Basic) The Ukalas (Basic)