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− | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/EighthMovement|Eighth Movement]]
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− | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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− | == Blessing of Diaries ==
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' Relocation, as far as Gennadi was concerned, is only the best thing to do. While the diaries are carefully moved to the more comfortable environs of Gennadi's study, and some notes of apology and small bribes are collated for the right craftsmen and bureacrats, Gennadi finds a long incense stick, the color of jade and shimmering with the sheer intensity of the prayer wrapped around it.. After a moment's thought, he slides another out of the case and offers it to Alexsei. "Sorry for the wait. You'l understand that I didn't particularly plan for my home to have a hole blown in the side of it."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He shakes his head, putting ahnd to his chin as he looks slightly distracted - pondering, perhaps, the implications of what had just been spring upon them.
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− | "Do not worry about that, Gennadi... There are more worrysome facts to ponder - and more dangerous, it would seem." He adjusts the spectacles on the bridge of his nose, and looks around for a moment, tapping a finger on his cheek softly.
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− | "And what do you figure we should do at this point?"
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "Personally, I was planning on getting a drink." He lights one end of the prayer stick and places the other between his teeth, chewing carefully. "A stiff one. We're going to need to get those translated anyhow... and I think your own division would agree that we don't want the idea of a demon appearing in heaven to get out through the entire bureacracy. Panic is not what we need in this day and age."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "That was my thought, actually. The idea that the demon-lock has been placed here without anyone's knowledge will certainly make a few people uncomfortable, and for once, it would be justified. It shows that there are certain things we are, in our current state, not as well prepared to face."
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− | "Which leads to the analysis of these diaries of yours - the evidence contained within might prove crucial in revealing exactly where all of this fits together."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "Oh, no.... someone knows. I got a bit of a personal warning from Nara-O some time ago..." He shrugs. "But that might as well be no one. Grab a comfortable chair, I'm afraid that I've only the one in there by default, and now's not the time to tease you about two fitting if they're friendly enough."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' A faint smile crosses his lips at the mention of the God of the Division of Secrets, but he refrains to make any comment on the matter.
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− | "Thank you." He simply says, waiting a moment before taking the chair offered to him, and peering back at the books that led them to this worrying situation.
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− | "Well then. Shall we begin again, then?"
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "No time like the present..." It takes a bit or re-arranging, but finally everything is ready once again, with the minor difference of Gennadi forgoing bombastic claims. Not that that had anything to do with it, of course...
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "Well then." He says, reaching for the first logical diary in the pile, and opening it carefully, much more guardedly than then first time. He lies his hands on either sides of the tome, and peers at the writings within, once gain trying to reach the state of focus required to decipher the encoded messages hidden inside...
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− | '''Diaries: ''' Alexsei, now knowing what the code is, manages to use it skillfully to translate large parts of the text...and try to find the chronological order that explains them all. Many menial entries go by... those diaries, although chronicling large swaths of his life and not his day-to-day affairs, are still full of long periods where nothing much had happenned. It is an interesting view of many intricacies of the First Age, however, even if some entries are devoid of context for their modern eyes.
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− | And, of course, missing some volumes, most of them do not begin and do not end!
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− | But some, however, are... quite interesting.
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− | On the first volley of translations, two jump to the Starchosen's eyes...<br>''Things have been very productive, so far. They are brazen, fiery, strong... you know, if they were not so dangerous, it might be just perfect. The challenge their relationships prevent would usually be so exciting if so much was not at stake. It seems I finally swayed Fintan. His passion for Moranine was unsettling, especially on the light of the relationship I had so crafted for her and Ofaniel. But his envy... that would not work, I cannot have my Emperor angry with his best Warrior, now, can I? But Alraune was a masterstroke. Attracted to him like a Moth to the Flame, and I only had to set the right circumstances in motion... Venus be praised, it worked. He still looks at Moranine at times, oddly... I could not quench that fire, but he loves Alraune, and she warms him. Ofaniel and Fintan, however... I need to strenghten their bonds. I wonder what menace could draw them together... and how to make sure the rest of the Circle is away then. I could speak to Her again. They have not found out about her so far, it is not now that they will.. ''
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− | It cuts there. But another, soon, clearly from a farther time(the writing is much more skillful)...<br>''I spent the Season of Fire in Serenair. It was Bastian’s idea, he said the northern winter is more comfortable than the temperate spring. He has a point, I suppose... at least, in Serenair. But I would never have gone if not for bussiness. I had to talk to him. To ascertain a few things. To make sure he could not interfere. And he trusts me. He trusts me still. ''
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− | ''How could this happen? ''
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− | ''I ask myself this every time I look at him. I am one of the few to know she is still alive, dancing there, with the ghosts of another time, with their wyld children, amidst walking stairs of Pandemonium. It was so wondrous, once. But now... his smile. Her smile. I have no words. I have used Venus’ blessings and rewritten this three times tonight, trying to convey it. I cannot. I have no words. They look like my friends. They smile like my friends. They smile to me, and push me to dance, the beautiful smiling fox and my best friend covered in a weapon that terrifies us all. And I know they are insane. The things they do. The way they think. I do not know how they think. Unpredictable. Strange. Chaotic. And not in any way I can understand. They think I still do. I smile. I nod. And they... they just terrify me. ''
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− | ''Do not let them grow, if you are reading this. Arrange a beautiful end. A beautiful last party. ''
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− | ''Do not let them grow, or they will still love you. ''
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− | ''And you will fear them. ''
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− | ''If anyone reads this after I am gone, I plead. ''
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− | ''Cut the branch while it is still young and wondrous. ''<br>
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− | ''Before this wonder can destroy your heart, your sanity... ''
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' There is an awkward silence in the room. A void that must be filled, an unspoken question that must be answered, and who better than serenity to do it? He clears his throat. "I was... afraid of that."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He peers at the writings, his forehead creasing as more of it starts to be brought together... There is no real clarity as to exactly what happened, no real certainty in certain aspects of the tale - only speculation, and theories.
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− | "...It seems you former self has spun so much webs he got tangled in them, yes."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "Oh, not that. That's what we all do, in the end. It's... the repetition... While of course we support Fate, because it is our function... you'd think we'd learn from our mistakes."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "Isn't that also part of the very nature of our people? When the contagion struck, or the servants of the Deathlords appeared... None of us truly was prepared, no matter what anyone said. And yet, the majority still clings to the notion that their plans have all the necessary contingencies. History repeats itself, Gennadi, and the only hubris I see here is that our kind somehow believe they are above this flaw."
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− | He ponders further, then nods. "And I believe it is that very flaw that was exploited then, and is sought to be exploited now."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "I suppose so... Of course, for all our superior wisdom, we run into the same thing. We're learning of deceptions that no one must ever know of..." He smiles. "And, I suspect, given that you can recognize the issues here... no one will ever know of."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He nods, slowly, as he peers back at the book. "Perhaps."
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− | "Whatever managed to ensnare your previous advent has managed to have the right cards played in its hand at the right time. It has, and in all likelihood, it will play on the hubris we have, and the certainties we hold about our plans and the nature of our duties."
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− | He taps his fingers lightly upon one of the tome, his mouth formed into a frown. "Serenair, it is. I wonder now, what has happened there."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "Given the way the narrative is shaped... perhaps we'll find out... and perhaps that is our next stop. We are missing books, and I have reason to believe that someone is attempting to collect them before myself."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He nods in agreement, lifting his head up to meet Gennadi's gaze. "Yes, most definitely. And this... Serenair. It apparently holds connections to Bastian. Which most probably means... Tahira's footprints will most likely be in that place."
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− | "All of this also brings into consideration the possible connection between your diaries and the awakening of the Binds upon Cael's body." He ponders again, shaking his head. "At this point, it would not surprise me if the Sly Fox-Woman was the one trying to collect these books, Gennadi. Or even, in a case even more dire, if she held one or more in her hands already."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "That would be most unfortunate. I am not certain my arts would work on her at all, and she can't simply be slain... Perhaps it won't come to that."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' Once again, he nods at Gennadi's remark. "That is the most obvious problem to consider. She cannot just be marked to be taken down. If that is the case, we will have to outmaneuver her."
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− | * Gennadi makes a note on a small piece of paper, taps the ash from the burning prayer stick into a small wooden bowl, like those employed by itinerant monks, and nods. "Let's keep going... We've time to handle her after this is done."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "Indeed. Let us proceed onwards." is his only answer, as he looks back to the books, once again concentrating on the possible meanings hidden within...
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− | '''Diaries: ''' This time, the diaries are a little less helpful. While the first one ended to continue in a volume they do not have, and the second one was in full, as far as they know, they at least presented full bodies of text. Other important entries have a little less on that front.
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− | Like an early entry..<br>
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− | ''... screw them. It is my best friend laying on the bed beside me. What do they expect me to do? What else? This is not hiding. She is stronger than us, Ofaniel is down, damnit. She would rip me to shreds like she did to Neria. And I have no time for sickening butterfly metaphors. She is dead, and I have to make sure Bastian can recover. I have to make sure he forgets seeing his wife cut in half in front of him. Ofaniel's wounds will not heal, and they want me in the front lines? What are they, insane? I am doing all I can. And it is harder than throwing myself suicidally... ''
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− | And another, from quite a long time afterwards...<br>
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− | ''... again. It is hard not to wait that so anxiously. Her black hair... her white smile... everything makes sense when she whispers. Everything. Yes, she is death. But so what that I am playing with fire? Tahira has shown me that a sharp edge and the touch of blood brings beauty unparallaled. I wonder if I should tell her... if anyone, she would understand. Heh. Look at me, like a lovestruck village boy. That... ''
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− | And yet another, from even farther to the future...<br>
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− | ''... love. I have learned the value of fleeting love. Oh, the epic tragedies! Oh, the bind of Venus, ruling over one's heart and clouding all his judgement! Oh, the wonder! To love and die for your loved one... and now this. I talked to him why. He loved her, that is why. He trusted her. Trust in insanity, that is what! He trusted she would do the right thing, that is where love get you! Damned be all of them, I handed the enemy a great weapon with love. And he said I should go, after all, they did what they did to save my life. He forgets how much I wanted to be saved! For that price? A daughter is missing, two others hate me, and four that are... ''
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− | And one from farther before, from little after the first...<br>
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− | ''... and Thanatas continue to journey into the Underworld. Am I the only suspicious one here? I understand Thanatas being so curious about the Underworld, I am no prude, but no good will come out of it! Bastian should understand we have no tracts with the dead for a reason! I know that is from whence Pluto came, but immersing ourselves in that is not a sure way to stop that from happening again, any more than spending time in Malfeas will stop Demons! Does Myria even... ''
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "While it is terribly crass... I told them so, it seems."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He shakes his head, his forehead creasing as he peruses more of the diaries' content. "...This continues to be more and more complicated. Could the 'daughters be related to Adorjan somehow?"
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− | "Tahira is also in the tale, as are Bastian's expeditions to the Underworld."
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− | "What have they found, in its depths?"
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− | '''Gennadi: '''"I suspect the answer, comrade, is trouble."
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− | '''Narrator: ''' Seven is the number of daughters of Adorjan.
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− | Four of them are the Weather Patterns of Malfeas...<br>
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− | Who have no minds, although they once did.<br>
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− | And three of them have gone to the Mortal world.
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He pauses for moment, then narrows his eyes as he remembers a particular passage, and then shake his head at the thought.
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− | "...Well then. Congratulations, Gennadi it's a girl... Or girls, I should say." He lifts his gaze to meet the Chosen of Serenity's, then pushes his spectacles up the bridge of his nose.
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− | "It looks like your former self is the proud father of Adorjan's progeny."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "... Hooray?" He sighs, sinking back in his chair. "I knew I should have taken that stiff drink."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "Oh I believe that it must look like a good idea, at this point." He shakes his head again, pursing his lips. "Then it starts making more sense, about the security measures your former self used. Could it have been then, that the one we just found was...." The sentence trails off as he contemplates the implications of such a claim.
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− | He purses his lips, then folds his hands together as he lifts his gaze again. "Also... Could Iselsis be... harboring one of these 'daughters'?"
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "I wouldn't think so. The odds are best that such a daughter would dislike me, and her bodymate only seems to care when I'm affectionate."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He nods. "Well, the facts I seem to remember account for one daughter born from this union has gone missing. So it is not quite an impossibility, I am saddened to admit."
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− | "If not, there is the matter of the 'Mother'... If Iselsis is not one of the Daughters, then, there must be some sort of conduit for Adorjan to reach the Essence she identifies as the father of some of her children. The purpose is still unclear, although we could speculate..."
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− | "...Adorjan is reaching, through her daughters and her previous contact with you, into this world. She apparently seeks either the repetition or the completion of something she seems to have started with your previous self a millenia ago... Some unfinished business she seems to want to pursue."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "I suppose it will be difficult for her that I have no interest in completing what my forebear started. And, so long as she's locked away safely in her prison, I would seem to be fairly safe... so long as I stop testing the lock." He notes that down as well.
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "Yes. That grants us respite, at the very least." He leanns back in his seat, removing his spectacles for a moment to clean the lenses, which he does as he speaks. "In the meantime, I believe this should become a priority to find out exactly what this entails - I do believe you will hold your ground against Her, but there are other people and agents to consider. We are not quite as efficient while in the dark."
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− | "Of course," he continues, putting his spectacles back on the bridge of his nose, "on the other hand, there is also the danger of being overly zealous, for there is always a possibility that our enemy wants us to find more - if not careful, we might end up unearthing the very thing we seek to avoid. Vigilance will have to prevail, as always, hence we do our opponents' work for them."
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− | He cannot help a short, tired smile, at this point. "This is pretty far removed from landing a desk job, yes?"
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "Extremely far removed. At least I don't have to worry about five thousand years of boredom." He claps Alexsei on the shoulder. "You're doing an amazing job, and I appreciate it. But... so far, things are only getting worse, so we might want to finish the diaris before assigning top priority."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "This is what I meant, in all actuality. Though I suppose I should have worded it better. Should we try to find more interesting passages, then?"
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− | '''Gennadi: '''"I think the interesting passages will find us."
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− | '''Diaries: ''' This one, from, apparently, about the same time as their expeditions to the Underworld thing...<br>
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− | ''... from Neria. He stopped going to her grave, even. Cian helped it by making him the ship. A way to see all of Creation. I went with him, of course... and we met this Priestess of Luna in the far east, in Daien, East of Sperimim. She is very interesting, and I think he can lift his spirits. She is the opposite of Neria, a Hunting Fox, not a Mighty, beautiful Butterfly. And what she told... ''
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− | And another, in a period after the last...<br>
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− | ''... far. It is enough. Half the North lost to Chaos. Cian is back, Righteous Guide, Ma-Ha-Suchi, Quen, Greenie, Lonan, Legian, Sophia.. we got enough reinforcements. Thanatas joined Kalavilla, Miriamelle, Myria and the rest of the Guardians of Destiny. They intend to weave the North back. Which allows us to do what we are supposed to, to destroy them. And I do not care how much Ofaniel is angry with Sangoful, he is nowhere near as angry as I am, and I have developed a fighting style made for no other reason than to make that smarmy little chaos-spawned fucker suffer. Ofaniel may be angry about what he did to Myria... but nowhere near as angry as me. Their relationship is a masterpiece, and causing a rift in it? Almost killing the epic I have been woving for centuries? Daring to have a more arrogant smile than my... ''
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− | And another, the second-latest so far, from after the time he slandered epic, endless love,<br>
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− | ''... ashes. I warned them. But it was my fault. Myria... well, Moranine. Losing her own name... but Ofaniel stood with her because of me. And they are dead now, together with most northern integrity. The only reason Bastian is not dead is not even due to turning coat in the last minute... most of them still wanted him dead. It was me. And now he tells me he only pretend to kill Tahira. But this is not right. He should be dead. He... even he should be dead. Myria, the Spider, the Tiger, Fintan, Sophia... it was all the Underworld. It was all that crazy woman’s ideas. I should have stopped them when I had the chance. ''
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− | And another... near the end of the First Age. It is easy to tell.<br>
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− | ''... party. I was being prophetic. ''
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− | ''That is how we decided to do it. ''
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− | ''They are looking up to me. Aphrodite and Minako are the only ones around who could be voted, but they are following my lead. It will be in Meru, this Calibration. One last party. I did not want it that way. I meant to create a threat... a great threat they could ride to one last, heroic battle against. But that only works individually. To kill them all, each and every one of them, will be terrible. It will be treachery, it will a massacre, it will be horrible. But we... ''
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− | And another... this one, much earlier than the last, and not long before the war with Moranine.<br>
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− | ''... came for me. Bastian, Cian, Fintan, Alraune, Ofaniel and Myria. They tried to help. They braved into Malfeas for me, Venus damn the fools. They were not happy with my secrets, neither was I with their interruption when I was so close, Ofaniel and Myria had their quarrel with my love... and for all the good intentions, everything It does not end there. '' It becomes blank. Blank. Alexsei follows the directions to the excerpts continuing... and it is blank. And blank. And blank. The space where text should be is there, but all blank.
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− | * Gennadi doesn't say anything. He hardly seems to react, or even to breathe. Finally, he cracks a smile. "I'd always had my suspicions about how unhelpful my memories of training were..."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "They are traces, and nothing more." He looks down for a moment, as if trying to fit the pieces together... But this would require more thinking than a single read-through. It would take some pondering, some analyzing of possible meanings... They would have to mull over these words, and try to find the connections that were traced back then, whose repercussions are still felt now.
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− | "We are far from having a full picture here. In fact, we are not really having an outline either. However... I am not certain I would say these diaries are unhelpful. We might not have a picture, of course, but what we do have is what composes it: Paint. Brushes. Even the canvas. more and more, the artist's touch is revealed to us. With a bit more thought, perseverance, and more clues gathered from theones we have now, we might reach that picture again."
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− | "I know, for one, I have a few records to cross examine to put everything in there in accordance to the facts we know. I will have to pay a visit to the Libraries in between my sessions with Laisdach, and try to put these events into their historical context - mostly the events that have sundered the North, all the way to the events of the Usurpation... Of course, there will be no mention of these events as is. But the faint traces will be present. No one can eradicate traves with that level of perfection, barred Nara-O himself... And he would not have warned you if he thought there was no chance for this mystery to be revealed."
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− | He rubs his head for a moment, and exchanges a tired smile with Gennadi. "Well... It looks like we have a framework ahead of us... But it will not, under any circumstance, be easy."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "It seems that, perhaps, we should consider gaining information from the sources... Tahira, the second wife. Even Adorjan, should it be possible with safety..."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "Yes. But we will have to approach with caution - it is not improbable at all that they already know of our discoveries, and will most likely be prepared with the relevant solutions - including misleading us."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "No doubt. It hardly seems right... but it can only be the truth." He puts out the now burned down prayer stick. "I seem to have entangled you as well, Alexsei... should we talk of repayment now?"
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' He ponders for a moment, then shakes his head. "It seems hardly the time for that. There is still much to do, and I am not that greedy, Gennadi." He chuckles softly, then shakes his head.
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− | "The faster we get answers, the better."
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "Mrm, as you wish. My suspicion, Alexsei, is that the more we know... the more we'll need to know. It only goes downhill from here... so It's best to enjoy our last few quiet moments." He shrugs. "If you don't wish to worry about the prospects of treachery and betrayal between us, the least I can do is do likewise."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "It seems like a wise decision, yes. This task will most likely consume our time for a long wihle, for better or worse." He nods, then chuckles at the suggestion. "I have so much to prepare for, that I am unsure these moments will be calm either... But at the very least, I will try, Gennadi."
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− | * Gennadi sighs."You just had to be happily married, didn't you? The handbook I got on my first day doesn't have anything in it tht doesn't involve drugs, women, and inventive uses of household objects for quiet celebration."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' A faint laughter escapes his lips, and he shakes his head at the thought. "Ah well, you can amuse yourself with my blessings, but you are indeed right - these events are not much my type. Fun has a different meaning, according to who you ask, I suppose, but mine is not less thrilling for me." He smiles, letting the subject drop there.
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− | Of course, thoughts of Ryshassa always reminded him of the distance, and of the things left undone, that he would have to accomplish before heading back to her side... ''I miss you, Beloved. ''
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− | "And on this note... Perhaps it would be time I actually take my leave, for now. I must be ready for my training with Laisdach, and I have to ponder these facts some more. You know where to find me in case you need me, yes?"
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− | '''Gennadi: ''' "Yes, I do. I'm afraid it'll likely be after your training is complete that I'm in a proper position to do much of anything about these revelations... but if things are accomplished ahead of schedule, I'll give you a ring."
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− | '''Alexsei Krauser: ''' "Then it is settled." He says, rising from his chair as he closes one of the diaries carefully. "Should any important discovery come from my side, I shall contact you also."
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− | '''Gennadi: '''"Do be careful, Alexsei. While i am not intimately aware of your history... I suspect this sort of thing is new to you as well. I'll make sure to leave you out of the explosion tale."
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− | ----
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− | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/EighthMovement|Eighth Movement]]
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− | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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