Arcane Bonds

Log Info

• Title: Arcane Bonds
• Characters: Cassia, Zelany
• Time: March 18th, 2023

With big, fluffy white clouds floating across a bright blue sky, the day slowly moves towards lunchtime. Many people move through the University, some with purpose, others seemingly wandering where ever their feet take them. In the Arcanist's Society courtyard, masters and students move more quickly, some to classes, some to the city at large, and not a few to the famed Cafeteria.

A few student engage in contests of magical prowess, under the watchful eye of stern-faced masters, who offer critique and paise in equally measured amounts.

Watching it all, from a little nook off one of the paths, is a small, white-haired Gnome. Settled comfortably on a stone bench, she pages through a narrow booklet, occasionally pausing to watch passersby, and laughing at the duelists flashier exploits.

It has been a while since Cassia gave any lessons, and when she had done so it wasn't in such grand surrounds, nor anywhere near as open with the demonstrations of power. The dark-haired woman has a certain no-nonsense aspect to her demeanor. Maybe it's the boots, which definitely add enough 'clomp' to her step to imply that she is not given to stopping. Nevertheless, she does find herself forced to halt and try to get her bearings. Squinting in the direction of the library, the colleges, the dormitories.

Halting causes her bag to jostle on her back and ring out with a series of glassy jangles, and that too seems to frustrate her. She sucks her teeth for a moment and then, spying the small Gnome and her impressive staff apparently with nothing more important to do than watch others, approaches the woman. "Excuse me." She says, "If I might trouble you for a moment of your time. Which of these buildings handles administration?"

The Gnome seems oblivious to the woman's progress through the courtyard, even the jangling of glass elicits nothing more than a slight twitch of one ear. She straightens, however, upon being directly addressed. "Oh, pardon me. Erm." Zelany squints, looks around, and then points to a non-descript building nestled behind the cafeteria.

"If I recall correctly, it is that one. Purposefully less impressive to make it harder to find.", the Gnome says cheerfully. "Are you new to the city, or just the University or Society?"

Cassia moves closer, to free the path in the event that some of the others bustling through the area might need to get through her, and unslings her pack to set it down in front of her. The weight off her shoulders makes it less of a trial to engage in casual conversation, albeit her general level of energy is far less on the 'cheery' spectrum, seeming more... tense. Perhaps even agitated.

"Somewhat." She says, "I visited Alexandria once a long time ago, before all the ... unpleasantness. I did not linger. But I suspect my stay this time might be more extended."

Zelany moves more to the side, allowing Cassia more room to settle down should she choose. "Please, have a seat.", the Gnome says with a gesture of her hand. "Is there anything else I could assist with?"

Her head cants gently to one side. "Which unpleasantness is this? I do not mean to sound cheeky, it is just that Alexandria has experienced many... we'll just call them interesting... things. Some experiences were universally upsetting, while others did not have the same impact on everyone, if you see my meaning?"

Cassia considers the offer. Her brow furrows, her lips purse, and then she seems to win some inner argument with herself and she takes Zelany up on the offer, settling down with her pack tucked between her knees, one ankle absently weaving through the straps out of sheer force of habit.

"A fair point." She says, "I was referring to the disappearance. As I recall the Guild still had quite a presence within Alexandria when I was last passing through. A lot has changed in that time." She gives a meaningful look towards the staff, "Which implies that such things, if reputation is to be believed, are no longer so great a consideration."

The Gnome's expression is one of puzzlement, but revelation dawns and she nods. "Ah, that particular unpleasantness. Yes, that was a bit of work. Taara has stuck Alexandria a few blows, certainly." She rubs at a cheek, "Do you mean the Adventurer's guild? They still have a presence in the city, and they still do their good works, as do the adventurer's who flock to the banner."

She leans towards Cassia a little, her voice lowering. "You seemed a little, erm, annoyed at something. At least, that was my impression on first look."

Cassia smiles thinly, "Ah, no. Rune. Apologies, I'm used to speaking in somewhat... roundabout terms. Even now. It's a hard habit to break." At the question of her perpetual annoyance she gives a shrug of her shoulders. "I am just ... not a fan of bureaucracy, but it feels as though such things are unavoidable when you move to a habitation of any appreciable size. I am also not a fan of being bled for coins, but again, such is life in the city. My name is Cassia, by the way. Cassia Sloane. You are...?"

"Oh gosh, Rune! No need for apology, I perfectly understand." She nods slowly, fussing with her hair a moment. "That was a hard lesson to learn, travelling here to begin studies. Sign here, sign there, oh you don't have this form? Five silver. Six silver for that. A gold, or hours of work, your CHOICE!" The Gnome lets out a breath. "I've been asked, what can you do? My suggestion is usually burn it down, which for some odd reason doesn't earn one friends among the bureaucr... professors, I mean. Don't say that out loud, even if you think it."

She nods, "Nice to meet you, Cassia. I am Zelany." A little hand is offered up for shaking.

Cassia takes the offered hand and shakes it gently. At last, it seems, the gnome's cheerfulness might be becoming infectious. The frown turns to a faint smile, and she gives a single, firm nod. "It is a pleasure." She says, "I'm glad to meet another kindred spirit when it comes to such things. I understand that some level of organization is, required, but it does feel as though every moment I spend dealing with such things is a moment I am not dealing with something... valuable."

She looks out, briefly, at the students, the displays of magic and all. "I resented it when I was in training, though I hear that things aren't, quite, so stifling under new leadership here."

"It does not do us any favours, sometimes. It robs one of valuable time, which is worth everything for people who have to spend much of their lives working towards something. But, a short time ago, I learned the secret."

At this point she really leans in, and whispers, "The trick is... hire someone to do it for you. Costs a premium, obviously, but they will see to everything being done, on time, without the need to bother you, except for a signature or coin or what have you."

Cassia listens, and when the 'secret' is revealed, she actually laughs. For a woman who had made a rather furious and focused first impression, she has a lovely laugh; sweet and high. Nor does she seem self-ashamed of it when she ceases, instead she shakes her head, amusement twinkling in her eyes.

"I shall certainly take it under consideration." She says, "I have traditionally struggled with money, but that is why one comes here, is it not? To seek fame and fortune in the Lord's City."

The Gnome cannot help but giggle along, looking delighted that her humor has been a hit. "Though, in seriousness, it does work." Zelany nods then, "I can empathize. I am often scraping even the pennies for extra copper... figuratively speaking."

Her voice drops low once more. "If you need some coin, I would be willing to offer you some, to help you get by a bit, yes? Can't have you starving."

That offer gets a raised eyebrow. Cassia's surprise registering quite clearly. "Don't worry, I'm in no danger of going hungry. I'm just not certain that employing a personal assistant is within the range of my funds at present." She says, "You're an interesting person, Zelany. We've known each other less than ten minutes and you'd already trust me with a loan?"

Zelany shakes her head, "Goodness, no. But I wasn't offering a loan. I was helped by generous people when I first arrived here. They refused to allow me to repay them. So instead, I pass it forward." Her grin is shrewd, "I suppose I could make some coin lending money, however, wizarding folk can be... difficult to collect from, sometimes, as you might understand."

Cassia nods her head seriously at that. "They can." She agrees, "Though, I have it on good authority from certain moneylenders I have dealt with in the past that their main lesson with such things has been that they begin by breaking one's fingers rather than one's kneecaps. But it is quite an unpleasant business. I wouldn't recommend getting involved. Far better to... pay it forward, and so on."

Zelany blinks, "I shall have to note that down. On the one hand you're potentially depriving someone who owes you money a means to making a living. On the other hand, that is pretty devious." She ponders that for a moment. "They are less likely to run, though, if you get their kneecaps."

Her serious expression quickly cracks and she giggles at length. "But... with helpers, it could work!"

Cassia nods her head, as though she too were seriously considering the logistics of such things, though she doesn't keep the illusion up for long. "May I ask what it is you do?" She settles on at last, "I've done much talking but aside from knowing that you are both generous and clearly a fellow studier of the arcane, I couldn't guess where your focus lays."

An odd look crosses her expression, and she lets out a long breath.

She reaches out for her staff, bring propped up against the bench's back. Zel carefully presents the staff to Cassia, intending to show off the skull, and the minute, circular markings of wax left behind by candles.

"I will let you have one guess. If you are correct, I shall award you one silver. If you are incorrect, uh... I dunno."

Cassia looks at the staff, the markings, and then her new Gnomish acquaintance again. In this, Cassia is not a difficult person to read. She clearly does not want to offend. Nor does she have much experience discussing these matters in either a clandestine or open fashion. In the end, though, she takes a valiant stab at it, saying in her best deadpan tone:

"Freelance, enthusiastic taxidermist?"

It is very obvious that the Gnome wants to be serious, but Zel is struggling mightily to avoid bursting out into laughter.

Leaning in close once more, she shakes her head. "No, I am a necromancer. However, I feel I should offer a caveat, yes? When I was younger, perhaps twenty or so, hardly even an adult yet, undead overran my town. I am one of only a few survivors, none of my immediate family survived. It is why I do not divulge my last name, should someone be searching for it's mention."

Rubbing at her face, she lets out a sigh, her expression as if looking at something very far away. "I hunt them. Undead. Necromancers. I study their methods to learn how to undo them. I am guided by Vardama, to keep me on the narrowest of paths, to keep me from falling."

Cassia does not flinch at the word, but she keeps her expression controlled as the explanation comes. "I'm sorry for your loss. Such tragedies are far too common. And it is noble of you to dedicate yourself to combatting such menaces. The prohibition on studying such things never sat well with me. Not because I have any desire to learn those secrets myself... but because it keeps us ignorant of the weapons our enemies use against us. To truly defeat a threat it isn't enough to deal with the blunt instruments, you must comprehend it in its totality, and then you can destroy it at the source."

"I understand your point of view, and for the most part, I agree with you. However, having the prohibition stops many of the sillier people from doing stupid things. Anyone serious enough to go through with raising a skeleton, or zombie, would do that with or without a prohibition. Sadly it drives it underground... but that also usually means it's not done in large populated areas like the city."

Zel gestures with a hand, wiggling it back and forth in a "kinda sorta" gesture. "Advantages and disadvantages."

There is a certain... intensity, to Cassia's expression as the conversation moves away from the personal and towards the theoretical. An area which she is far more comfortable discussing. "Indeed. My frustration is that prohibition lends mystique whilst simultaneously denying innovation in methods to combat such entities. We are still using the same methods to hunt down the practicioners which have been used for decades, if not longer. Though, again, I will stress... this is very much not my area. To craft such things one would have to be steeped in them, and that is not something which appeals to me."

"At times it feels a little icky, to say the least. The reading alone is enough to make one bathe." Zelany rolls her shoulder in a shrug. "But I find I must push forward. I'll have revenge, one undead, one necromancer, at a time... but I will have it."

Cassia nods her head slowly. "I can't say that I have had much success with revenge." She says, "But I wish you luck with it. And of course, it goes without saying that should I run into any necromantic horrors in my work, I shall burn them in your honour."

Zelany laughs and raises her arms in a victory pose. "I would appreciate it. Though, if you bring me news of any undead encounters you hear of, or perhaps information about it, and notable necromancers, I would be most appreciative of that." She chuckles. "It won't be a fast revenge, but it will be methodical."

Cassia favours Zelany with another rare smile. "Of course. I do attempt to keep relatively accurate notes myself. It is a useful habit to get into, though one which does start to get... unwieldy, over time. One of these days I'll figure out a more efficient way of storing information than lugging it around in a large bag."

"A bag of holding, perhaps? Or maybe one of those artifacts that is basically a mansion that you can pick up and put into your pocket?" The Gnome grins, "Not sure of the proper solution, but magic is likely the way to go."

Cassia nods her head, "Yes, most likely." She agrees, "But I dislike relying on anything that I do not know how to make myself, and I haven't yet had the time to study those particular wonders. I'm sure that I'll get around to it sooner rather than later, just for practicality's sake."

The Gnome giggles, "Then for now your only choice is to have a really good memory, or don't do anything dangerous too far away from home. If you can run back and do research, then you should be okay." Zelany chuckles. "That is an interesting hangup, I get it though."

Now it is Cassia's turn to shrug. "I have gotten used to losing my possessions." She says, "It's, frustrating, and it is worse when you don't know that you will be able to recover what has been lost." A glance towards the administration building, and she purses her lips, "Perhaps those days are behind me, though. Change needn't always be for the worse, I suppose."

"This is true, change doesn't have to mean worse. I hope it will be good to you. And I'm willing to listen if it doesn't turn out too well, okay?" She sets her staff to lean against the back of the bench once more. "If it's not to intrusive to offer such?"

Cassia takes a grip on her bag as she stands again, "I appreciate that, truly." She says, "I did not expect to make a friend today. And yet, here we are. If you wish for someone to speak with as well, whether for troubles or just for company, please do feel free to seek me out. Though, alas, I have been putting off the bureaucracy for as long as I can. I really ought to go and fill out some of these forms."

The Gnome hops up when Cassia stands, and she offers a curtsey and a smile. "I am happy to be considered a friend, and I am happy to have made a new friend today too. Be well, and I hope to see you around again soon!"