Re: The Aswadim, Hope and Despair IC Thread 5

[Adley]

He nodded to Mara on his way, not expecting her to acknowledge him but there wasn't harm in being polite when he could. After he got the message from his pater, he allowed himself a brief sigh of relief before he pulled himself upright and went to his closet, shoving over his a fire extinguisher. He pulled out a small duffel bag with basic first materials, checked it over and then got some blankets. If anything was missing, he would try to find a suitable replacement before heading quickly to his mentor's office before his fifteen minutes were out.

// waves at Warp = )

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Adley:

Your first aid kit have the basics, bandages, antiseptics, scissors the things you would generally find in a kit you would normally have in a car or bring with you camping.

You arrive at the door to your mentor's office and after a few minutes you see Jeffry come in from the door to the garage. The old mage could not hide his fatigue now, a few strands of dark brown, graying hair had escaped his ponytail and he had not bothered to fix it, dark circles underlined the man's eyes and he looked about ready to drop.
"Adley...good..."
Jeffry said as he motioned for him to follow you.
"We need to get going I will explain on the way."
The old war mage said.
"And if you would not mind driving...it would be safer."
The Flambeau said and it was clear it smarted to admit just how tired he was, the proud man did not like to admit a weakness.
"First of all I am sorry for the message I sent my imp to deliver, I needed to communicate discreetly and make sure Steelhaven got the information if something should have happened to me."
Jeffry said as he quickly walked towards the car, handing you the keys.
"I...where should I start...I am sorry I have been involved in a...hour long ritual to destroy that corrupted tass, I did not dare to just leave it there...I...am not thinking clearly..."
Your mentor said and drew a deep breath to try to clear his head.
"Short explanation I found residues of qlippothic magick at Lux Itineris and the tass resonated with someone. I know there is a Fallen there and it would also explain why the Nephandi know so much. I have some suspicions of who it is but...to even voice such accusations without proof would be a risk, so I sent my little fiery friend to give you all a heads up. Now as for the tass it was dealt with but...well I think it was dealt with but when it comes to such...and abomination is it even possible to..."
Jeffry trailed of he clearly was pretty out of it to be so scatterbrained.
"In any case there might be a person who can bare witness about what is rotten among our allies...but I fear she might already be dead..."

Colin:

You have two messages, one of them are from a company selling diet pills promising to loose pounds while living on a diet of bacon and chocolate, which would not be possible unless someone was planning on getting Paradox. The other is from Adley sent in the middle of the night where he asks for your help watching over Beatrice while the healers do their job, clearly someone was wounded in the night. Freddy had replied to that message asking Adley if she should try to shake you awake. Other than that there are no news on your phone.

[Warpmind]

Colin frowned at the spam message and looked at Freddy, "I don't suppose you could give these people the honorable lady D'Angelo's number for a lark? No, bad idea, the consequences would probably be quite unpalatable for everyone even peripherally involved... hm, I would guess Adley got someone to watch over Beatrice after all."
He scratched his nose a bit bashfully, "Was I really that far gone? I normally sleep quite lightly..."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Freddy got a evil grin.
"Sure I could and a few dozen Viagra sellers as well if it would make you happy, perhaps a few Nigerian ehm...princes to when I am at it."
She giggled then she sigh.
"Well I guess you are right it would be problematic if it was discovered, the whole respect those of greater knowledge even if they assholes be...ok I might have added that last part."
Freddy nodded.
"Yes I tried to wake you last night but all I got was you turning around and snoring a bit more so I thought you needed the rest rather than me teleporting a few gallons of a frozen Norwegian river straight over your head...thought I bet that would have woken you up. I guess he did get someone to watch over your Cabalmate though. Hum...that reminds me I wonder who was hurt and if they are okey."
The young Virtual Adept said and sounded somewhat worried.

[Warpmind]

Colin nodded, "I appreciate not acquiring an unexpected waterbed, too. We had better look for Adley and the Chief, though. Allons-y!"
He smirked, "I really need a blue box for the madman act, though. I don't suppose you would be interested in helping me build a Police Box bigger on the inside? No matter - derailings can wait until we're back to our regular schedule of mayhem and chaos."

[Adley]

"Adley...good..." Jeffry said as he motioned for him to follow you. "We need to get going I will explain on the way." The old war mage said.

"I could have met you at the garage...we should tell Narim and the Primus you are safe, I thought you were bringing someone back with you that was injured. I have explained the situation to them but not to anyone else. And I need a gun, if there is time."

"Short explanation I found residues of qlippothic magick at Lux Itineris and the tass resonated with someone. I know there is a Fallen there and it would also explain why the Nephandi know so much. I have some suspicions of who it is but...to even voice such accusations without proof would be a risk, so I sent my little fiery friend to give you all a heads up. Now as for the tass it was dealt with but...well I think it was dealt with but when it comes to such...and abomination is it even possible to..." Jeffry trailed of he clearly was pretty out of it to be so scatterbrained. "In any case there might be a person who can bare witness about what is rotten among our allies...but I fear she might already be dead..."

"I assume that's where we're going?" He frowned. "This is bad news. If there is someone's life at stake then we should make haste." He did not like seeing how exhausted he was, that he was still trying to push himself onward. "Here give me your keys...you can explain more on the way."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin:

Colin nodded, "I appreciate not acquiring an unexpected waterbed, too. We had better look for Adley and the Chief, though. Allons-y!"

"Yeah we should find them and find out if all is well."
Freddy agreed then she smiles a little at your jokes.

"I really need a blue box for the madman act, though. I don't suppose you would be interested in helping me build a Police Box bigger on the inside?

"I would love to but I am afraid that level of spacial manipulations are still beyond my abilities."
The Virtual Adept said and scratched her head.

No matter - derailings can wait until we're back to our regular schedule of mayhem and chaos."

"Yes well let us go and see if we can find out who was wounded last night and where fireball slinger senior and junior is then."

Adley:

"I could have met you at the garage...we should tell Narim and the Primus you are safe, I thought you were bringing someone back with you that was injured. I have explained the situation to them but not to anyone else. And I need a gun, if there is time."

"Yes that would probably have been wiser."
Jeffry said and sigh.
"I am sorry I...am rather fatigued."
The old mage admitted.
"A gun yes, I have a spare I will get that for you in my office if you will call Narim and let them know I am back safely."
Your mentor said and turned around so he could quickly drop by his office and get that gun.
"It might be wise to bring along just to be safe."

"I assume that's where we're going?" He frowned. "This is bad news. If there is someone's life at stake then we should make haste." He did not like seeing how exhausted he was, that he was still trying to push himself onward. "Here give me your keys...you can explain more on the way."

Jeffry quickly returned from his office he handed you his spare Glock, the weapon was well kept through you see two sigils lightly marked on the grip.
"I use them Coincidental effect to improve aiming."
Jeffry explained then he sigh as you walk towards the garage and he begin to explain what the problem was.
"Our allies have a young Verditius living at their Chantry. Nico Marcov, she slipped me a note saying she had important information for me but that she could not talk out in the open. I was more concerned with the tass at the time and decided to see her later, but by the time I got to it one of the leaders of the Chantry, the one I suspect of being our infiltrator had discovered some small slight the girl was supposed to have done against her Chantry...I suspect she was the one who warned you the Masters where coming the night that Miss Alexander...well anyway this call was discovered and the one I suspect had Marcov beaten severely and tossed on the street with nothing but her indoor clothes in the cold and no money to fend for herself for three days. Now worse still the girl is a Verditius, no not one of the Ruby Children but one from the old House, a artificer she is as helpless as a sleeper without her tools and in addition she is from Horizon she have no idea how to survive on Earth. I discovered Marcov was dropped wounded and bleeding in one of the tougher parts of town, defenseless it is clear the one who ordered this hope she will either get herself killed or freeze to death or if she survive be to intimidated to tell me whatever it was she wanted me to know."
Jeffry sigh.
"I can not be sure her information is about the infiltrator off course but the girl was scared and it is quite a coincidence that the very person I suspect are also the one who give as harsh a punishment as possible for a tiny infraction and doing so in a way that could very easily kill the Verditius. Yes Lux Itineris have a harsher power structure than Steelhaven and corporal punishments are not uncommon, but this is an assassination disguised as a punishment."

[Adley]

"Yes that would probably have been wiser." Jeffry said and sigh.  "I am sorry I...am rather fatigued."The old mage admitted. "A gun yes, I have a spare I will get that for you in my office if you will call Narim and let them know I am back safely." Your mentor said and turned around so he could quickly drop by his office and get that gun. "It might be wise to bring along just to be safe."

"Get it if there is time," he said, otherwise he'd just make do. Then he called to leave Narim a message, "He's returned but we are following up something else, related to what I told you earlier."

"I can not be sure her information is about the infiltrator off course but the girl was scared and it is quite a coincidence that the very person I suspect are also the one who give as harsh a punishment as possible for a tiny infraction and doing so in a way that could very easily kill the Verditius. Yes Lux Itineris have a harsher power structure than Steelhaven and corporal punishments are not uncommon, but this is an assassination disguised as a punishment."

Adley frowned at his mentor and hurried to the car. "Yes, I know Nico. She -did- warn me about Beatrice, she did not deserve that...three days...I hope we can find her." He sighed, shaking his head in concern for her. She was a good person. "It looks like my concern from earlier is bearing more weight. I wish it was not...however I did voice concern about that person to the Primus and Narim. Perhaps it was unwise to do so but they were speaking about sending someone if you did not return. We need to be careful that this is not a trap. Another trap..." he corrected.

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

"Get it if there is time," he said, otherwise he'd just make do. Then he called to leave Narim a message, "He's returned but we are following up something else, related to what I told you earlier."

You leave the message on the Virtual Adept's phone, Narim is probably sleeping right now, but off course you never know, he like your mentor seamed to be up just about constantly.

Adley frowned at his mentor and hurried to the car. "Yes, I know Nico. She -did- warn me about Beatrice, she did not deserve that...three days...I hope we can find her."

"No she did not deserve that. Here at Steelhaven such a phone call would have gotten the offender a reprimand, perhaps some hours of kitchen duty. However it is technically legal and many will be tolerant of any mistreatment of Miss Marcov because she is a Rebis...the hatred left behind after Heylel's actions still sour the air for those born in two bodies."
Jeffry said as he reached the car and got into the passenger seat.
"I hope we can find her as well, both because she is a kind woman who did not deserve to be caught up in this, and she have rare skills very valuable to the Traditions, but also because if she know what I think she knows then that will be invaluable information."

He sighed, shaking his head in concern for her. She was a good person. "It looks like my concern from earlier is bearing more weight. I wish it was not...however I did voice concern about that person to the Primus and Narim. Perhaps it was unwise to do so but they were speaking about sending someone if you did not return. We need to be careful that this is not a trap. Another trap..." he corrected.

"I was not in allot of danger, disappearing visiting Deacons are far harder than a Rebis girl, I am sorry I worried you though but I did not want the information to die with me if something went wrong. I fear however that it might be worse than you think when it comes to who the infiltrator is but I will not speak of it more before I have more proof."
Your mentor said and leaned back in the seat, at least it seamed like his shoulder had been healed but it was rare or you to see him this exhausted, dealing with that tass had taken allot of of him.
"Marcov was dropped of at Mattapan under the pretense that it was less likely to have Technocrats and true it probably are not many of the Union there, the place if a ghetto, but the place is pretty rough and for someone who have lived her whole life in a Chantry and do not understand Sleeper society it can be a deathtrap, also worse it is generally a place young mages are told to avoid due to it being known as a hot spot for Massasa."

[Warpmind]

Colin started veering off in the direction of Morgan's office, tapping out a message to Adley, "My apologies for my being unavailable tonight. What's the situation, are you rested, and can we have a chat?"

[Adley]

He frowned as he got voicemail; he did not want to leave the Chantry unattended with no one knowing where he had gone or what had happened to his pater. If there was enough time he would slip a note underneath the door of the Primus's room, or if he saw one of the guards he would try to catch their ear a moment.

"I was not in allot of danger, disappearing visiting Deacons are far harder than a Rebis girl, I am sorry I worried you though but I did not want the information to die with me if something went wrong. I fear however that it might be worse than you think when it comes to who the infiltrator is but I will not speak of it more before I have more proof."

"As you wish," he said, not pressing him for more information about it for the moment. "But you are tired and it would be better if you could stay at the Chantry with the information you found." He sighed. "How are we going to find Nico? Mattapan is dense, it would take us some time to do a systematic search and three days leaves a lot of opportunity for changed circumstances; if we can narrow it down that would be good..." he mused out loud. Then he said, "I got Narim's machine, I don't like leaving without anyone knowing where we went..."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Adley:

He frowned as he got voicemail; he did not want to leave the Chantry unattended with no one knowing where he had gone or what had happened to his pater. If there was enough time he would slip a note underneath the door of the Primus's room, or if he saw one of the guards he would try to catch their ear a moment.

You find Adjan who have been one of the night guards he is just rounding the corner by the library when you see him, the Euthanatoi looked pretty well, a little tired after a night of guard duty but after his leg was healed he did not appear much worse for wear.
"Adley."
The death mage said and gave you a nod.
"Good morning."

"As you wish," he said, not pressing him for more information about it for the moment. "But you are tired and it would be better if you could stay at the Chantry with the information you found." He sighed.

"You are probably right but the artificer could have vital information and I can not allow myself rest before we have found her."
The old mage said stubbornly, Jeffry Morgan demanded much of others but even more of himself.
"That is unless you think me so tired and unfocused I would be a burden and not a boon in this task."
The war mage said looking at you expecting a honest answer, not a polite one, sometimes fatigue could mage one's judgment flawed and he was not beyond accepting that such lapses could affect him as well.
"However if you think I am then I do not want you to go alone."
Your mentor certainly was pretty out of and you could imagine Cita at least order him to bed.

"How are we going to find Nico? Mattapan is dense, it would take us some time to do a systematic search and three days leaves a lot of opportunity for changed circumstances; if we can narrow it down that would be good..."

"That is where the Euthanatos' most beloved aspect of reality comes into play, you would be amazed at how lucky one can be looking for someone, and if that fails a numerological chart to try to locate her."
Jeffry said and nodded to himself.
"Such methods are not fool proof but often give a good place to start."

he mused out loud. Then he said, "I got Narim's machine, I don't like leaving without anyone knowing where we went..."

"His machine? Which machine? Do he have something similar to Miss Adlebloom's automaton familiar?"
The old mage asked with a puzzled look on his face fatigue did nothing to improve his somewhat shaky understanding of modern technology.

Three hours later you get Colin's text message I am going to assume you are still in the Ghetto looking for Nico three hours later but it is hard to know for sure.

Colin:

The Chief's office is locked, which is unusual this time a day though a note on the door say.
"In case of emergency all me or Mr Sharaya."
As you stand there you see Ulv Torgeir Bergen a member of a Norse Cult of Ecstasy group, through there did appear to be some debate around what Tradition the Hagalaz actually was and in many way they where more Verbena than Cultist in either case this particular member of the contested faction came walking up to the Chiefs office and sigh when he see the note.
"Strange the old firecracker are not often away from his post."
The rune mage said you did not know him well though ou had seen him around the Chantry.
"Do you know where he is Mr...ehm...Wainwright? Was it?"
Ulv said as he glanced at you, the Cultist was a fairly new addition to Steelhaven he had only lived her for about six months.

[Warpmind]

Colin scratched his chin, looking at the note, "Under the current circumstances, I was rather afraid he might be out... And no, I'm afraid I don't know. I've tried contacting the prodigy, but I'm still awaiting a response. Mister, ah, Bergen, wasn't it? Runes, as I recall?"
He smiled and gave a short bow, "Yes, I'm Colin Wainwright, pilot, artisan and persistent talker, at your service. Was there something you needed the Chief for, as well?"

[Adley]

"Adley." The death mage said and gave you a nod."Good morning."

"Adjan, I'm glad to see you're looking better. Thank you for watching over the Chantry, after all of that. I hope Ms Mandis and Mr Reyes are improved as well. Can I ask you to pass on a message? I'm on my way out with the Chief to check on something with him but wanted the Primus and Narim to know that the Chief did arrive back this morning, but we had to go back out. I left Narim a message on his phone, as well."

"That is unless you think me so tired and unfocused I would be a burden and not a boon in this task." The war mage said looking at you expecting a honest answer, not a polite one, sometimes fatigue could mage one's judgment flawed and he was not beyond accepting that such lapses could affect him as well. "However if you think I am then I do not want you to go alone."

'I have never seen you so tired in my life; you look like you are about to drop," he said bluntly. "Helena would tell you to go to bed immediately and also probably tell me that I should have told you to do so far sooner." He frowned. "We need you in the best shape as possible, given what is coming. But if it is true that you will not rest until you have moved to find her, given the importance of what she knows, then at least may I suggest this: we will do our best to look for her for a set amount of time, say two hours at the most. If we do not find any leads by then, we will turn this over to someone trusted who can look at it with fresh eyes and perhaps a different technique and you will get rest." There was the risk he still would not get time to rest that something -else- might happen...this was the best compromise he could think of at the moment that might get him to actually take a break. "But yes pater, you are exhausted. I am concerned."

Jeffry said and nodded to himself. "Such methods are not fool proof but often give a good place to start."

Adley nodded. "I have her phone number but they probably took her phone, if they took her other things. Still, the paper does have her hand writing if you think that can help in any way." He dug his wallet out and pulled out the piece of paper she'd given to him with her number on it. He'd gotten it when she took him to see Laisa, when he first found out about Gwen, and she'd taken his...she'd called him to let him know about Beatrice and now she was dumped somewhere in the ghetto like so much trash. He frowned.

"His machine? Which machine? Do he have something similar to Miss Adlebloom's automaton familiar?" The old mage asked with a puzzled look on his face fatigue did nothing to improve his somewhat shaky understanding of modern technology.

"His voicemail, on his cell phone. I also told Adjan to let the Primus and Narim know that we'd gone out. But I did not feel that I should share too many details at this time, though I do trust him. Mostly as I did not have too many details..."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin

Colin scratched his chin, looking at the note, "Under the current circumstances, I was rather afraid he might be out... And no, I'm afraid I don't know. I've tried contacting the prodigy, but I'm still awaiting a response. Mister, ah, Bergen, wasn't it? Runes, as I recall?"

"Yes Bergen, I guess that is the part of my name the easiest to pronounce for the rest of you."
The Cultist and and nodded.
"Runes and other parts of the old Norse magick system yes."
He said and nodded again.
"Well I guess the Chief do not live at his office."
He muttered.

He smiled and gave a short bow, "Yes, I'm Colin Wainwright, pilot, artisan and persistent talker, at your service. Was there something you needed the Chief for, as well?"

"My, my that is quite a list. Yes well not so much needed as there is one of those sleeper messengers of the the Hermetics at the door looking for him."

Adley:

"Adjan, I'm glad to see you're looking better. Thank you for watching over the Chantry, after all of that. I hope Ms Mandis and Mr Reyes are improved as well.

"Thank you, well I was not badly hurt and we all have to do our part."
The Euthanatos said then the looked concerned.
"Francesca have not woken up yet, her body is repaired, now we just have to see how long it takes for her to recover. As for Antonio, when last I saw him he was fully healed but was sent to bed by Master Nassa for his body to get a chance to get over the shock."

Can I ask you to pass on a message? I'm on my way out with the Chief to check on something with him but wanted the Primus and Narim to know that the Chief did arrive back this morning, but we had to go back out. I left Narim a message on his phone, as well."

"Off course, I am on my way that direction on my rounds anyway. I will get your message delivered right away, and if none of the two Deacons are awake I will pass a note under their doors for now and try again later."
The Euthanatos agreed.

'I have never seen you so tired in my life; you look like you are about to drop," he said bluntly. "Helena would tell you to go to bed immediately and also probably tell me that I should have told you to do so far sooner." He frowned.

Jeffry nodded he scratched his head.
"You are probably right about that mea filius, and she would now wouldn't she."
He muttered and gave a slight smile at the thought of your sister and how she would take no bullshit from anyone, including her own mentor.

"We need you in the best shape as possible, given what is coming. But if it is true that you will not rest until you have moved to find her, given the importance of what she knows, then at least may I suggest this: we will do our best to look for her for a set amount of time, say two hours at the most. If we do not find any leads by then, we will turn this over to someone trusted who can look at it with fresh eyes and perhaps a different technique and you will get rest."

Jeffry considered for a moment then he sigh.
"Very well, two hours then we give the task and what leads we have to someone else."
The old mage said and nodded.
"And I promise I will get some rest then if it is at all possible."

There was the risk he still would not get time to rest that something -else- might happen...this was the best compromise he could think of at the moment that might get him to actually take a break. "But yes pater, you are exhausted. I am concerned."

"Don't worry about me I will be fine, it is just a culmination of everything in addition to little sleep and then taking part of a four hour ritual decided to do something that is at the edge of my ability. I am tired but I will be fine with a few hours of rest."

Adley nodded. "I have her phone number but they probably took her phone, if they took her other things. Still, the paper does have her hand writing if you think that can help in any way."

"Yes that would be a second tier arcane connection, it will help allot."
Jeffry said and nodded. You remember his lesson on this some time ago where he told you that knowing the true name of someone, possessing a bit of Quintessence straight from their Avatars, like a ritual tool that had soaked up their personal energies or tass made from personal Quintessence, or blood was considered a first tier arcane connection. Other body fluids, hair, skin, handwriting or possessions worn close on the skin for a long period of time would be second tier, other personal possessions was third and a photograph or their craft name would be forth.

He dug his wallet out and pulled out the piece of paper she'd given to him with her number on it. He'd gotten it when she took him to see Laisa, when he first found out about Gwen, and she'd taken his...she'd called him to let him know about Beatrice and now she was dumped somewhere in the ghetto like so much trash. He frowned.

"Drive and I will work the rote."
Your mentor said and took the piece of paper and his hands begun moving elegantly as he summoned his powers to alter the threads of chance a low Latin murmur escaping his lips. He was tired but his spellcasting was a sharp as ever, at least with these simple rotes.

"His voicemail, on his cell phone. I also told Adjan to let the Primus and Narim know that we'd gone out. But I did not feel that I should share too many details at this time, though I do trust him. Mostly as I did not have too many details..."

Jeffry nodded as he worked and once he was done he said.
"Good and you did the right thing there is no need to share to many details just yet. Ah voicemail yes...I know what that is."
The old mage muttered then he added.
"In my day we employed a servant to take our messages for us, far more personal."
He grumbled.

As you drive Narim call you back. If you answer then the Virtual Adept sounded a bit tired as if he had just woken up.
"Adley? I just wanted to let you know I got your message. I could not rely as the battery of my phone had died in fact it had started leaking which is odd as I have preservation magick on my phone, but I guess I messed it up. Anyway I had to change it before I could reply back to you."
The Virtual Adept said.
"Is everything all right on your end?"

(OOC: Ok then Adley and Jeffry are back in two hours then Jeffry will be sleeping when Colin comes to his office but Adley would be at the Chantry so he can reply to Colin's text and interact with him even if that will be a scene a few hours later than the one where they look for Nico.)

[Warpmind]

Colin arched an eyebrow, "A Mercere? You let them in, I hope? Wouldn't do to leave them standing outside nowadays... I'll go have a word in lieu of the Chief's availability; I should probably be able to determine whether to have them wait, or if it is urgent enough to send them to Master Narim or Master Steelhaven instead."
Turning to head for the entrance, he added, "Now, if you'll indulge my curiosity, I'd like to ask how you use runes. I mean, do you draw stones from a bag? Write out long sentences, perhaps, or just a few letters to represent whole concepts?"

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

"I did let him in yes, I sent him to the common room to wait."
Ulv said and shrugged.
"Ok then thank you, it will be dealt with then and I can get back to my tasks today?"
The rune mage asked as he arched an eyebrow.
"Why do the Order even bother to employ sleepers with talismans as messengers?"
He muttered and shook his head.
"If they are not at least hedge wizards what good are they to us?"

The rune mage glanced at you when you asked him about his Paradigm.
"How I use them depend on what I am doing with them but no I do not draw them from a bag, that is a pretty current practice. Generally I write out what I want to happen or focus on the symbolism on one for a greater working. Now it is actually a myth that the old Norse used runes for magick, at least for the most part, it was a written language in middle ages Northern Europe but no examples of rune magick have been found. The magick used by for example the Order of Odin was far more similar to a mix of shamanism and herb lore however runes have been used from the late middle ages and the system I use are more similar to that than the oh draw a rune from a bag like a bloody lottery number."
Ulv muttered.

[Warpmind]

Colin smiled, "I was not trying to disparage. I myself am an Orphan; I largely rely on methods and techniques found in fantasy novels. Though, I do try to see what I can glean from those with a more concise formal training than myself. Even a deck of cards can be used to great effect in the right hands, after all."
He frowned a bit, "As for the Mercere... I do believe they are as likely former Magi as Sleepers. And they are exceedingly good to us as couriers, since they know magic, but are significantly less likely to be noticed by Technocrats or any other big nasties that have a grudge against us. You should not disparage them, just because you don't see any overt power, young man. A word in the right place, a letter delivered to the right hand can be far more powerful and less immediately obvious than the mightiest fireball."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin smiled, "I was not trying to disparage. I myself am an Orphan; I largely rely on methods and techniques found in fantasy novels. Though, I do try to see what I can glean from those with a more concise formal training than myself. Even a deck of cards can be used to great effect in the right hands, after all."

"Yes well in the end of the day it is all tools."
The rune mage said and shrugged.
"I have heard worse ideas than taking ideas from fantasy books. I mean a Paradigm thought out for entertainment are still a Paradigm right. I am sorry for sounding so defensive it is just that runes have been twisted with so much bullshit by the New Age industry that, well it is infuriating."

He frowned a bit, "As for the Mercere... I do believe they are as likely former Magi as Sleepers. And they are exceedingly good to us as couriers, since they know magic, but are significantly less likely to be noticed by Technocrats or any other big nasties that have a grudge against us.

"Well if they are anything like in the stories the Order of Odin tell from the time they warred with the Hermetics most of them are failed apprentices or others who are regular sleepers, though true believers who for some reason join the Mercere but you have a few...ehm former mages and even a few Gifted as well.."
The rune mage muttered.
"I guess you are right they can easier pass under the radar though."

You should not disparage them, just because you don't see any overt power, young man. A word in the right place, a letter delivered to the right hand can be far more powerful and less immediately obvious than the mightiest fireball."

"Hum...politics eh. Well perhaps there is a reason why the Order of Reason when they first started their blasted Pogrom, their first targets where the Mercere safe houses taking out the Hermetics' communication lines, but do we really need them today when we have text messages?"

[Warpmind]

Colin chuckled, "Be wary of your words, now - you sound surprisingly much like our venerable superiors now."
He pondered for a moment, "Perhaps with the exception of Master Steelhaven; he seems somewhat less dismissive of novelty. And as for text messages - honestly, now, do you really think those are safe if the Technocrats start looking? In fact, the mobile networks are one of the most notoriously insecure and leaky communications systems around."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin chuckled, "Be wary of your words, now - you sound surprisingly much like our venerable superiors now."

"Well we would not want that now would we."
The rune mage said with a smirk.

He pondered for a moment, "Perhaps with the exception of Master Steelhaven; he seems somewhat less dismissive of novelty. And as for text messages - honestly, now, do you really think those are safe if the Technocrats start looking? In fact, the mobile networks are one of the most notoriously insecure and leaky communications systems around."

"Well I guess there is a chance th Union could get their hands on text messages, but they can end up getting their hands on a messenger as well and without magick they are pretty vulnerable."
Ulv said and shrug.
"Well it is no skin off my nose either way but I will not trust someone who is not themselves a mage. I am pretty vary of those Hedge Wizards of ours as well."

[Warpmind]

Colin smiled slyly, "As a military veteran, a good communications branch is worth its weight in primium. A messenger without magic will be harder for the Technocracy to track, the Mercere seem to have extensive training in avoiding trouble and navigating the worlds... Actually, I'll offer you a challenge. The day you can have a hand-knitted sweater delivered to Chief Morgan's hand while he is on another plane of existence, such as in a chantry in a pocket dimension, in a manner available to all Magi regardless of Paradigm or Spheres of mastery... that day, you can dismiss the Mercere as no longer necessary. Whether or not you personally trust non-Magi is a matter concerning you alone; they've proven reliable and dependable, with or without magic."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin smiled slyly, "As a military veteran, a good communications branch is worth its weight in primium. A messenger without magic will be harder for the Technocracy to track, the Mercere seem to have extensive training in avoiding trouble and navigating the worlds... Actually,

"Well I guess they have to teach them something, they are apprentices for years, but the fact remains if they are discovered then they are helpless, yes granted they do seam to have talismans on their person to even the odds a bit, but even so, they are mundanes, well most of them are anyway."
Ulv protested.

Actually, I'll offer you a challenge. The day you can have a hand-knitted sweater delivered to Chief Morgan's hand while he is on another plane of existence, such as in a chantry in a pocket dimension, in a manner available to all Magi regardless of Paradigm or Spheres of mastery... that day, you can dismiss the Mercere as no longer necessary.

"Well ehm...well most of the Mercere go by Umbral ships though I guess some of them can have talismans that let them navigate the Umbra. However everyone can use the ships if they can pay for it."

Whether or not you personally trust non-Magi is a matter concerning you alone; they've proven reliable and dependable, with or without magic."

"Reliable perhaps but they still do not have magick and I mean some of them are pretty damaged goods as well. I mean I get it some mundanes find a way through them to be useful in the Ascension war and I guess that is nice enough but the ones who where once mages, not to many of them but still...they are just creepy. And their Founder was like that I hear, their bloody Founder."

[Warpmind]

Colin gave Ulv an even stare, tracing a finger along one of his larger scars, voice taking on an edge of calm, incredibly British authority, "My boy, you are young and relatively inexperienced, I'd say. At some point, we all - Sleeper or Awakened - gain scars that never fade away. Some get those scars on the flesh, some in the mind, and a few truly unfortunate get those scars on their very soul. And those are always unsettling to those who have yet had to face their own frailty. And those who are able to recover, to give themselves a constructive purpose, you should never dismiss them out of hand. They are the strongest of us, and should be respected as such. Good day, Mr. Bergen."
Turning for the common room, he seemed to remember something, and fished out a business card. "By the way, Mr. Bergen, if you ever need silverwork done, my shop offers a modest discount for the work for Chantry members. A slightly larger discount if the work is particularly unique or otherwise interesting."

[Anja Rebekka Schultze]

Colin gave Ulv an even stare, tracing a finger along one of his larger scars, voice taking on an edge of calm, incredibly British authority, "My boy, you are young and relatively inexperienced, I'd say. At some point, we all - Sleeper or Awakened - gain scars that never fade away. Some get those scars on the flesh, some in the mind, and a few truly unfortunate get those scars on their very soul. And those are always unsettling to those who have yet had to face their own frailty.

Ulv frowned he did not look like he appreciated being talked to as if he was a wet behind the ears apprentice still trapped in the confusion of his first Epiphany.
"Well ehm..."
The young mage begun though he did not have time to continue his reply before you continued speaking.

And those who are able to recover, to give themselves a constructive purpose, you should never dismiss them out of hand. They are the strongest of us, and should be respected as such. Good day, Mr. Bergen."

"Well those who have ended up in such a...state there are good reason for it, why should we trust them."
The young mage muttered, it was a comfortable belief, unless one was a Nephandus it could never, ever happen to oneself, a very comfortable belief indeed.

Turning for the common room, he seemed to remember something, and fished out a business card. "By the way, Mr. Bergen, if you ever need silverwork done, my shop offers a modest discount for the work for Chantry members. A slightly larger discount if the work is particularly unique or otherwise interesting."

The Cultist looked like a question mark he looked down at the business card.
"First you lecture me like a schoolboy and then you tell me where to buy silverware?"
He muttered then he sigh and put the card in his pocket.
"Well I guess it could come in handy at some point."
He said now clearly pushed just a bit off balance.
"You are a odd one are you not Mr Wainwright."
Ulv stated.

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