[Wright Memorial Library] Brat (Evalin)

[Wrenmae]

Shroud glanced down at the book, the design within the circles, the little girl who was not a little girl. He didn't trust her, a wise beginning. But, she held some knowledge he could use and that made them partners of a sort.

Without so much as a word, he stood and approached the circulation desk.

The librarian behind it looked up and smiled at the Waveguard, recognizing and immediately inferring a sense of safety from the colors he wore. Before Wrenmae even began speaking, he'd laid the subtle lines of hypnotism, easing any existing fears, imparting a sense of calm and deliberate kindness.

"Good afternoon, Lady librarian."

"And to you, Murdock," she said, "What can I help you with?"

"I regret that I'm here to return some bad news." He frowned, "The culprit who stole the book on Summoning was tracked to a boat that left Zeltiva a day ago. I asked to go after him, but my superiors need me here...in Zeltiva. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to make up the loss to you."

Snapping his Djed, Shroud sent three memories into her mind, recollections of past events. First she'd noticed the missing book from its place in the shelves, noting that it had not been returned by the one who last checked it out. She had not called the waveguards, but Murdock was a student of the university who had offered his services after overhearing her speak about the loss.

Just yesterday she remembered him coming in and asking the occupants about the one who checked out the book, a record she had surrendered to him in the investigation.

"Oh..." Her face fell, "It was donated to our library by a former colleague...I fear it will be greatly missed."

"I'm terribly sorry," Murdock comforted, hanging his head, "I just wish I'd been faster."

"You tried your best, and that's all any one of us could expect you to do. Thank you for taking an interest in our troubles...I suppose I'll have to try and procure another book on the subject."

"Please keep me appraised of anything I can do to help in the future," Shroud insisted, grinning false sincerity, "I would be grateful."

She nodded and Shroud bowed, sauntering back to the table and grabbing the book. "We're free to take it," he assured the girl with a wolfish smile, "Now, let's find a slightly safer place to put theory into practice."

[Evalin]

Evalin watched as the man moved away, taking his seat and crossing her legs in a very non-child like fashion. Her mind turned over the course of events which had lead her to this moment, mulling over the man's words and actions and weighing them against her years, A strange child, and a bit too consumed with his own greatness for my liking.

Think you that because his greatness surpasses your own?

Evalin smiled, absently touching the sealed familiar that dangled around her neck, There now my dear Tsenrika or I might suspect you of impertinence. The slightest hint of a threat echoed behind the chilled comment as her finger pressed against his sufrace, But I know you far better than that, and I know you say such simply for my betterment.

The chilled words took a moment to return to Evalin's mind, Of course...

The immortal's attention returned to Wrenmae as he spoke with the LIbrarian, tilting her head and whispering softly, "Well now... what is he doing?" Raising an eyebrow as he returned Evalin stood, leaning on her staff to look up at Wrenmae, "Curious... This library does not simply release its books to those who ask." She paused, smiling slowly, "Yet there be little purpose in dwelling upon this. Very well your price is paid, let us see to your first circle shall we?"

Turning Evalin began to walk from the library, all false pretenses and childish behaviors long since discarded. She lead Wrenmae through the twisting corridors of the University as if it were second nature to her, like she had lived her all her life. Well in truth she had spent much time here in the past, and thus Evalin was quick to find an empty classroom for them to work with.

Steping across teh portal into the room Evalin waved her hand at the desks, "First we must clear a space with which to work. Press them against the walls as far back as possible. I shall collect our needed supplies." It seemed that tone of authority came easily to the child like creature. Within her mind Evalin was falling back to those days long since past, to the time when she was still a professor within these halls. A small spark of enjoyment lit her soul as she nodded at Wrenmae as she walked to the door, "Pepare the room and I shall return shortly." With that she would exit the room, off to recover supplies that would aid them in this endeavor.

[Wrenmae]

Interesting, no?

I'm still getting over the fact we're taking orders from a child

Not a child, Zan. Your suspicions were correct. She is more than she appears.

More than she appears? Like...what? Is she hiding three extra feet in her dress?

No...I mean, she is not a child.

You checked?

I...no. I...what do you mean, checked?

Well, in my culture, size indicates age.

My culture is not made of blob people.

Obviously. Things would be a lot easier if they were.

Shut up, Zan

As you wish, Maaaaaaaster.

Left in the room, Murdock wasted no time pushing the desks across the room and against the wall. He had no idea how long Evalin would need to gather her supplies, but he worked as fast as he could to clear a large space in the center of the classroom.

What he'd gleaned from the book told him that Summoning was much like most other world arts of magic. Nearly every application involves the immortal and endless circle. Unsure how large it needed to be, he stacked chairs and desks atop each other and cleared as much space as he could. Grunting, straining, he moved the teacher's desk against the wall as well, reclining against it as he waited for Evalin.

What was she?

That was a question he'd need to answer before long...because an unknown ally was an unknown enemy in equal parts.

Crossing his fingers into a net, he waited, eyes on the door.

[Evalin]

Evalin's return was not long in coming, a few ticks at most, and when she walked through the door she could be seen carrying an arm full of candles, as well as coal. Setting her arm load on the desk Evalin turned and leaned against her staff, inspecting Wrenmae's work. Tilting her head she spoke softly with a lingering smile, "Well done. It is good to see that you can follow simple instructions." Picking up a candle from the desk she tossed it to Wrenmae, "Now then help me set these up around the room."

There were 6 candles in all, and with Wren's help Evalin would have them arranged around the space in a circular fashion. When all was complete Evalin would stand in the center of this ring, setting her staff on the ground and clasping her hands together she would close her eyes. Within her the power would stir, filling her and rising to flow up her form, into her arms and collect just beneath the skin of her palms. Concentrating the res would begin to trickle out, pouring forth from every pour in her palm to fill the small space that formed as she widened the opening between her hands, keeping her fingers touching. Once she had enough res to measure the size of a large apple she ceased the flow, cutting off the power and letting the balance return once more within her mind.

Opening her eyes the immortal would cup her hands, letting the formless mass of res sit upon her skin. The res appeared as a distortion of the air, like looking through heatwaves. Leaning close Evalin would whisper softly, almost lovingly to the power she held, "Shi-kai." Those words held power in Evalin's mind, a hidden meaning known only to her. In response the res began to bubble, splintering off into six smaller masses and shaping themselves into relatively smooth spheres. Extending her hands out to her sides Evalin commanded, "Nai." and each of the six spheres shot out, moving to float on the wick of a single candle in the circle. Clapping her hands together once more Evalin whispered, "Hakin." and all of the 6 candles were lit at once, casting flickering shadows over the room.

Stepping back Evalin returned to the desk, taking up a piece of coal and once more tossing it to Wrenmae, "Now then lets begin shall we? Draw your first circle three paces across, and then draw a second circle half a pace within the larger one. In the space between the two you must add in the 16 coordinate circles which will be important for later." Evalin would then proceed in aiding Wrenmae in is creation of a simple, four lined circle. Critiquing as he went, making him erase and start over when he made mistakes and of course speaking to him about the importance of perfection in this noble art of summoning. When the circle was finally complete she would look to Wrenmae, "Well then, what would you summon with this circle you have now drawn?"

[Wrenmae]

She speaks the tongue of my people.

Shut up Zan.

What? You don't want to believe complete and utter gibberish is the tongue of my people?

Your people don't have tongues.

And your people don't have sezvas.

...what?

The word I made up to describe whatever organ I seem to be made of.

That would be water.

No water can dance like I can.

No water would want to.

Beginners...they envy my mobility. Maybe one day I'll take a protege.

I have enough voices in my head with just you.

But you only have one now.

Exactly.


Wrenmae watched Evalin perform the ritual, following her instructions without question. In the instruction of magic, there was a certain solemnity about presentation and poise. Wren drew the circles as instructed on the inside of her own circle, replacing the chalk at the head of the room before stepping back to admire their joint handiwork. Untasked djed waited to open the portal to the beyond.

"Let's begin simply." he said, knowing no other world than Fyrden. "Show me Fyrden, home of the familiars."

His gaze now lingered on her...too small body and too big mind creating a convolution of impossibility. She was something more, certainly, but what?

And why was that old book so important to her?

[Evalin]

Evalin tilted her head, a strange smile touching her lips, "Fyrden you say? What a curious world for you to wish to see, and more curious that you would know of it and what resides upon its surface." Evalin's eyes flickered over Wrenmae, searching him for anything she could detect as a possible sealed familiar, After all, it is rare for those to know of Fyrden to have not sought a companion there as well. As if unconsciously Evalin touched the cold gem that hung from her neck as well.

Half guessed upon perceptions are as useful as no perception at all.

Yet still it is interesting still. Let us open the door to your home world then my dear Tsenrika.

Nodding Evalin would gesture to the chalk once more, "Take that up once more and write the coordinates I tell you, one number in each of the 16 circles." Waiting for him to get into place Evalin would speak at a slow place, reciting the Astral Coordinates for the Planet of the Familiars from memory alone, "6701984710485453."

Once he was finished Evalin would wave a hand at Wren, "I trust you carry something sharp with you. Make a sacrifice of blood over the circle, and the portal shall open."

Now then let us see what his hard work has brought us.

OOCI will let you describe the portals opening

[Wrenmae]

She commanded with the authority of a teacher, the poise of an adult. Wrenmae only held her in his glance for a few moment before returning to his work. Each number found their place on the circle, each coordinate...it's home. He worked with careful consideration of both location and time. The library was not always so empty and to be set upon now, in an unsanctioned place practicing magic...well that wouldn't do at all.

With the last symbol in place, he stood and looked back to the small girl. Gone was that veneer of innocence she'd had in the library when they first met. Petulance replaced by guile replaced by arrogance and ambition. There was something to like about the not-child, and it wasn't simply his instruction in the arcane arts.

Reaching to his belt, he pulled his blade and pricked the pad of his thumb, turning it down toward the center of what he'd drawn and letting the blood fall upon it. Of course, as with any other application of world magic he'd learned...maladiction, alchemy, he followed the drop of blood with a fount of his own djed, his soul twisting and turning to beg entrance of a door that would not ordinarily be available to him.

What might have taken several tries, under Evalin's tutalage, was not as difficult. The air steamed and warped above the circle, a blinding glow filling the room.

Oh hey, Zan said within him, Home sweet home.

This is your home?

Yeah. Awesome, right? Like swimming in the sun.

I fail to see the appeal.

Almost makes you wonder why I bonded with a petched up guy like you.

I see your point.

From within the portal, shapes moved across the lightface of Fyrden. The sky was awash with black smoke...called Avavali by Zan, and the blobs of his own people and the rare floating silver pyramids and spheres (Pascids) crawled across its surface.

The portal was open for a moment, maybe two before shutting with a draft of hot air and a sulferous aftersmell.

It filled the room like a signature and Wren stepped away, swatting at the air in front of his face.

But he was grinning.

"Amazing," he said, turning back to Evalin with an even wider grin, "Absolutely incredible."

He gestured at the crumbling circle, then to the chalk he'd laid aside.

"What other worlds do you know?"

[Evalin]

The twist and tingle of familiar magic lit the air, and Evalin watched with a small hint of satisfaction at her adopted pupil. How strange that in such a short time, turly the briefest of encounters, Evalin could feel anything but contempt for this damnable man.

Yet, she thought, I would hold higher standings for those who admire my craft for the wonder that it is.

Leaning upon her staff Evalin gazed at the world of the Familiars. Its cold, almost tranquil beauty brought back memories from many years back when she had called forth Tsenrika from that very surface, Remember you that day my dear Tsenrika?

Ever so. I could never forget the day when I escaped that damnable place.

Have you no fond memories of your time there?

Of the past we speak, yet the present and future are what is important.

Sighing to herself Evalin took that to mean that the Familiar had nothing he wished to share about his home world, and soon the portal closed and the sight of the distant world was lost once more. It was then that Evalin noticed something upon the man, a look that seemed so out of place upon his features. A smile, a grin like a child who had seen the most wondrous thing. A faint stirring from deep within Evalin's soul responded to the sight. The sight of one who accepted her craft and gave it the respect it deserved.

Incredible he says... this brought a small smile to Evalin's own lips, Perhaps... Just perhaps this child has potential after all.

Walking to stand on the other side of the circle opposite Wren Evalin would push back her hood, fully revealing her features for the first time. Her red eyes glimmered in the flickering light of the candles, and the smile she wore was ever so slightly less hostile than before, "It gives me greater confidence in this generation when children such as you show such interest in mine arts." Looking down at the circle and back Evalin would continue, "I know of many worlds of interest. I have seen a world which holds great rings of stones which hold the knowledge of countless mages before our time, ancient knowledge now long since lost to the world. From another I have formed a contracted with a barbaric race distorted by the ravages of war. I know of others of course, though they quickly become too numerous to count." Absently touching the sealed familiar that hung from her neck Evalin's eyes searched the man before her, "Tell me then, why have you such a fascination with my craft?"

[Wrenmae]

The echo of the world had left the room. The swirling portal was gone and in its place there was new respect for the not-child he had spoken to. She was nuit. He knew that now, gazing upon her small statue, the dry pride by which she spoke...her poise and lack of breath. At first, his mind buckled at the thought of using a child's body, wasting potential just to wear its skin. But he drowned it in the deluge of new magic, of the discovery he had been given today. Summoning, the art of using ones own soul to contact worlds away from this.

Mizahar was small, but a dot in the cosmic possibility. Were there other gods? People? She spoke of wondrous things...of stones that held memory, of warped and twisted tribes, all these things that Wrenmae had never dreamed possible. He'd traveled much of Mizahar, and yet he found it still amazed him.

This not-child had shown him something marvelous.

He almost felt in debt to return the favor.


"Magic has always fascinated me," The mage admitted, a green res oozed from his palm and briefly lit to flame. Meanwhile, his hand twitched and moved, shifting colors and shape to claws and back to fingers once more, "I am a practitioner of many arts within the manipulation of Djed...but I find new applications all the time, and this is truly remarkable."

He bent to recreate the circles, moving swiftly, but carefully to draw out the shapes of the circles, "They call mages mad, don't they? But I suppose the paramount offense of magic is your state, is it not? Nuitification, escaping the wheel of Dira by becoming something wholly inhuman...magic, djed, soul, the whole mess of it." He looked up at her, an easy feat even so close to the ground, and grinned. "Once upon a time, magic had to be discovered. Do you believe that Djed only had so many shapes to take? Mages refined and practiced Djed into the magical arts we know today...but they were built from the desire to manipulate the fabric of reality around us. Magic is infinite, Evalin, infinite. If I can teach my djed to reshape my skin or turn to flames and wind, who is to say I cannot use it for more things? Can I not see what is otherwise hidden? Can I not combine elements together? Make items of bones and teeth? Truly, magical instruction safely relies on its distance from the true art of Djed. One day I will master the art of Djed so completely that I will learn to unlock the potential of that very being, that core, and use it to create new disciplines."

He shook his head, completing the last circle and standing, hold his hand out to her. "Choose the next world, and tell me of it. I want to see what powers this new art can unlock. You will find me an eager student and quick study...so tell me, that necklace you have...you touch it every so often. Does it hold significance?"

[Evalin]

The more he talked the more the Immortal felt a strange sort of connection with this boy. His words, his speech and his mannerisms... all of them reminded Evalin of a girl who sought so long and hard to reach a goal. He reminded her of herself so long ago. So eager and so ambitious to learn, but unlike how she had been this child was born with far more talent. There awoke a strange sort of resentment in that cold heart, yet it quickly faded to nothing as other pondering filled the echoing infinity that was her mind.

"Infinite possibilities..." Evalin echoed, closing her eyes as she mulled the words over in her mind, "I believe you right in this. With those like you and I there certainly is an endless possibility. There is the potential to do so much, even..." Slay a god...

That small smile brushed her lips once more as she continued, "To think that one so young as you could speak so strongly to one such as myself. Let it be know that Evalin, the Immortal Witch of Flame and Shadow, looks upon you with respect well earned."

As Evalin was choosing a new world to present to this child, her student as she had begun to say to herself, Evalin's attention was grabbed by the boy's last question. Raising the icy gem before her eyes she would gently kill its cold surface, "This... This is my truest companion through eternity. Perhaps the only companion I might ever truly have." Her eyes misted over for the briefest moment as she felt the barest sentiments over the truth hidden in those words.

Touching that you would speak thusly to me.

Evalin raised an eyebrow opening her eyes and letting the necklace fall back into place, "Though at times he can be rather bothersome."