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[summonere]

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[sealeted]

Oh. That's... that's not a specific school.

[A faltering reaction, but there's a lot firing behind her eyes for a moment, as she digests the answer. She rubs a thumb over the lip of her mug, staring into the fruity depths as if searching for something.

At length, she speaks.]

...they're burning the candle at both ends, doing that. If you're looking into it as a way to summon more demons from home, then... V, it's really not worth the price. Please trust me on that.

[summonere]

Hah! That's what she thinks of you, V!

[ Griffon just laughs and V doesn't bother to shoosh him. ]

I know. Both Temperance and the Warlock were clear on that matter.

[sealeted]

I think it's entirely normal to look at the thing that brings us here and think of what else it could bring us, if it was altered or fine-tuned, somehow. My research into the magic loss has just made me... well, it's made me pretty leery of any 'big purchases' on that front.

[She blinks, looking up.]

...wait, you spoke with the Warlock? When?

[She saw Temperance at the party, but she's certain her friend wouldn't have reached out so publicly to an Otherworlder. Not now, at least.]

[summonere]

A few days ago. There was a summons to the Landing in my cloak.

This asshole thought it would be a great idea to head home with one of your buddy's violins.

[ Just! Hey! He's telling this story. ]

It did get me an audience with the Warlock, didn't it.

[sealeted]

You took one of—

[She blinks again, tilting her head as she thinks it over.]

...huh. Okay. So, what do you owe him, now?

[Notably, she doesn't ask him why or what he was thinking. She knows the place V is coming from; the point he's growing from. He needed it for some reason, and it was there, so he took it. She doubts its for anything insidious, or that the Warlock was cruel over it.

She hasn't claimed him as a friend, publicly, since he withdrew from the public eye, but her expression doesn't show the momentary jolt that runs through her before she remembers that she did admit to being fond of him. Griffon's just being Griffon, or connecting dots she hadn't fully obscured to begin with.

Plus, neither of them are going to bring it up with the Priestess, she's pretty sure. Certainly not if they think it might get her unwanted scrutiny.]

For future reference, if you have something to say to him, offering bowls are usually a safe bet.

[summonere]

I told him what I thought of Lady Temperance, and he gave it to me in exchange. And then we discussed the merits of her methods.

[ And that's why he's researching the ceremony without pledging himself to her. ]

[sealeted]

And lack thereof, I imagine.

[Given what she recalls of what Warlock said to her about Temperance.]

The Ceremony came up then?

[summonere]

While unmoved to commit to the Lady's cause... I asked her what the most pressing matter in Fellden's survival was. As you've described, the Ceremony is only accelerating the death of this world. I asked the Magician how I might intervene. He is allowing me to come to him for certain information as long as I don't involve him further.

[ And it's obvious why; the neutral kingdom had to stay neutral. ]

[sealeted]

That's good. Um—he doesn't like that title much, I don't think. You can just call him the Warlock.

[In several ways. She swallows back a relieved sigh.]

I... wouldn't bring it up, publicly. The gods here react... emphatically, when they're led to believe a Neutral party might be biased towards a certain side.

[summonere]

So I hear. I don't intend to speak of him much at all. I want my own autonomy and have no desire to be beholden to him.

He definitely said that to that guy's face.

[ Look! He was just being honest. He doesn't want to be wrapped up in that. ]

[sealeted]

That's a hot potato I'm sure he was happy enough to drop.

[She rubs her arms, and doesn't think of brusque farewells or tea-that-wasn't.]

It's weird, actually being impacted by politics, isn't it?

[summonere]

It's not going to stop me.

This guy, he really just doesn't know how to relax.

[sealeted]

Tell you what; whenever he stresses himself out too much, you can come to me and we'll conspire for his own good.

[summonere]

[ Wow what is this extremely not secret cabal. ]

How much is too much?

[ At least slightly stressed out is his default state here guys. ]

[sealeted]

V, please, I'm trying to have a serious, private conversation with Griffon.

[In plain view of V himself.]

[summonere]

Butt out, Shakespeare.

[ Oh well. He'll just have to read until the two of you are finished. ]

He's just not that sturdy of a guy, I don't think he should be runnin' around trying to fuck over that ritual.

[sealeted]

No, I definitely see your point. Taking a more... administrative role might be safer.

[Because he's a squishy summoner.]

At least he'll be more concerned with how to do it, to start with?

[summonere]

He's been reading about magic theory and shit, it's boring.

[sealeted]

Seems like a good start to me.

[A bit dry for the uninitiated, sure, but still important.]

Or are you missing the poetry already?

[summonere]

Like he's stopped. He's been memorizing this fucking awful poem--

[ V interrupts this chatter to be helpful: ]

"About the Dead Man and Medusa."

And it just goes on and on and on and on.

[sealeted]

I'm not actually familiar with that one.

[Her mind just leaps to the various Medusa mythos, because her instincts are geared in a very specific direction for the sake of her own survival.]

Is it an epic, or is Griffon just being dramatic?

[summonere]

It's only a few pages, he's very dramatic.

You keep readin' it over and over! Of course it goes on forever!

[ Griffon flaps his wings in defiance!!! ]

[sealeted]

[Griffon, inside wings!!]

You could always distract yourself with learning one you like while he does that, you know.

[summonere]

DO I LOOK LIKE SHAKESPEARE?

[ Such a squawking... ]

[sealeted]

Are you asking me if you look like V or...?

[You know, the bard himself.]