Ruse's eyes glistened a bit in the light, as if exhibiting his interest in this matter.

"You may not know me, although Balverstus did. He and I were on good terms before he died. - he knew how to respect my secrets and keep them to himself. I also am the new bearer of Cashmathar and a secretary of Councilor Roid - of whom I am fully aware had a connection with the deceased. I am an acquaintance of Max/Maxilita's as well, although she surely must consider me a true friend by now as much as I've saved her from the Conclave's disfavor, as well as oathblade destruction by a potentially turncoat god of words. Truth be told, I came here both for my Conclave duties as well as my own agenda, although my intentions are benign as far as you are concerned."

Ruse flicked back his soft, lustrous white hair. It hung down his head and past his ears like locks of living silk.

"I wanted to make an offer to you that may help your fallen lord, as well as ask you for some information. I am about to be capable of resurrection magic - not necromantic mockeries but true revival, and I wanted to offer this service to you dhaal - I don't want anything in particular in exchange for this, so would settle with a favor or something to be called in later. I won't be too picky about this as I'd also be doing it as a favor to Roid. I'm fully aware that the dhaal have decided Balverstus should rest for the time being, but I wanted to let you know of this opportunity in person, for your own future reference."

"Also, can you tell me any interesting information surrounding the death of Balverstus? Also, do you know anything about the fierce god, Max, and Osiris-Ra? How about the plague of sand, or anything along those lines that is associated with the cult of Osiris? This would involve a man named Charles, the husband of Riddel Summers and an earthborn (and a damn tech-savvy one at that). Feel free to tell me any sensitive information completely telepathically if you'd like. I'm aware you spiders communicate like that and I am not uncomfortable with that mode of communication."

Curious he pauses his meditation done, he is now listening observing watching every single thing unfolding in the funeral. He waves for crailek to approach him at one point, but other then that stays stern watching over the others. Some strange thoughts began going through his head. One of which is his desire to go to the hall of the sun and to discuss his ideas for science, alchemy, and magiscience.

Crailek waits calmly, deciding to watch rather then join in anything, so he would be ready for whatever the next part was.

Msonus nods slowly. He does not cry, but sounds particularly saddened as he says, "I... see. Somewhat. Oh, holes of holes.

Barely met... and gone. I am sorry as well, friend in sorrow."

He shakes his head now, as if responding to someone.

Anik winced slightly as he heard the stakes, he wasn't expecting such a large deal. He quickly remembered that he didn't have much to loose in this way (lost potential doesn't count) and that it was only if he lost (which would be stupid to invoke a bet without a plan to win). "Tree time ((RL)), and as I said, I shall agree to any fair stakes, so I accept." He didn't hold out a hand to shake, this was not a place to gain intelligence. He looks at the line dwindling down. He bows to the other systemarchs. "Dearly sorry for taking up your time with an argument of pride. I shall let you continue without our distraction." He gave one nod to his challenger, not willing to give a bow, and left them, internally smiling, already knowing what wonder he would make.

Anik begins leaving the Garden of Spiders, but before he does, he spots a girl with a fairy moveing away form her. She has a strange look to often associated with telepathy on her, that "I'm talking to someone not here" face he himself often had seen in previous lives. He doesn't stop, but does give her a questioning look while leaving.

Anik went over to Crailek casually and whispered to him.

Crailek nods to Anik, then responds in kind.
He then continues to stand quietly.

She nodded her thanks. There was another ally to consult.

Divine Master Sword. I am not the sort of deity who relishes combat, who devotes his divinity to nothing but strength. You are my sole ally when I am alone, my greatest defense, my greatest weapon. I fear I have mistreated you, thinking of you as simply a tool. I do not fight simply fight with you, I fight ALONGSIDE you. There.. there are beings who use their strength to harm others, beings I am too weak to defeat on my own. In the coming battles, I ask you lend me your strength and your guidance.

She happened to glance to her left while speaking to her blade, and caught a god looking at her. Knowing that in her life things rarely happened without reason, she waved and and made her way over to him. She bowed slightly in greeting- as she would to an equal- and smiled. "I am Maxilita of Xi, close friend of Balverstus. It is nice to meet you."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:01, Fri 08 Jan 2010.

Foun watches all this unfold, observing the area as he was. He notes crailek and anik's whispering. He notes maxilita. He watches all this and wonders at it all, he remembers. Suddenly a memory hits him that worries him, but he couldn't think of this now. He needed anik's help he realizes. Something would be coming soon if he was right and he could feel it in the bones that he was. Approaching anik and crailek although of course he stands by and waits for them to finish first not wanting to intrude.

Anik was watching Foun coming when a voice behind him turned his attention. "You as well, I am Anik, God of Craft. You say you knew him well? I am told I did once as well." He turned to Crailek and motioned him towards Found. "Go ahead and speak with..." he wasn't sure he wanted to say the name "him, I will get back to you two in a moment." He moved past the goddess so they may speak without interrupting his other friends... or hear their private talks.

"So then Ms. Maxilitia, how may I help you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Sat 09 Jan 2010.

She followed the stranger god- Anik, God of Craft? -quietly. One hand still touching the pommel of her sabre to allow contact, she spoke. "A God of Craft? Interesting. Most gods I meet are either fighters or mysteries. It's refreshing to meet a god that can be helpful in other ways. I am something of a bounty hunter, and as you can imagine the more lucrative bounties are on unique, powerful individuals. For example, Chalybis, God of Metal. Do you think you could fashion a shield of durable glass that would be able to deflect a metal lance? It must be light- I am small- but also strong. The bounty is 2,000 conclave stones. Provide me with a shield such as this, and I will pay you the entire bounty as compensation if the item protects me well. That is my oath."

Anik listened patiently, considering the offer. "Well for one thing I have no need for conclave stones I rarely need to buy anything since I can make almost anything I need, but there are... other ways of payment, particularly to a god such as my talents, but that can be discussed later." He thought for a moment. "Something does irk me though, the Conclave Herald says there is a Chalybis, God of Industry for that exact sum, is that a different bounty or are they the same?" He stops for the answer to that question, then continues.

"There are some other things I'm questioning. For example, you would make no profit on an venture that could end your life, so logically it seems either you are very pro-justice or you have a vendetta against this god. Of course while normally I would say this means if he also came to me I would also service him, except he is an outlaw which means I don't have a mind to do so. The second is that 2000 for a small diamond-nanorod shield (that would be much better than glass)... that is a hefty sum for it not being enchanted."

Crailek takes a step towards Foun, and whispers something to him as well.

He whispers back

The Reunion - Anik & Crailek & Foun & Max

"I accept your terms," said the Systemarch, and the others nodded, clearly shocked. They wandered off.

The tall man with grim eyes came to speak with Anik, as did the young heroine. Max's blade shivered in her hands, as if pleased, as she did so. Anik saw the blade - it looked familiar, somehow..

Had he forged that himself?

Before he could ponder further, Foun approached the group.

The time passed pleasantly, with many secrets passed and certain bargains offered.

The Line - Ruse

Iszzz.. cannot answer your questionsz. Apolzogies.. we shall.. ressszt for a while.. perhaps we will szee if you can help when we wishz to rise.. perhaps.. Charlszes - perhapzs ask him about the Operationszz of the Moons.. apolzogies..

The Dhaal would speak no more. Ruse knew he was finished.

Msonus

"Yes.. his Dhaal lay in rest. Condolence- condolences. Perhaps you could see them.. but they sleep."

"I hold a vendetta and am very pro-justice, and have little need for money. If it's a hefty sum, I wouldn't mind and enchantment of some sort. My primary goal is destroy Chalybyis- ASAP. I don't know how long it would take you to make a suitable shield, but the deal is done if you wish it to be so."<

She stroked her blade a little, to calm it.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:44, Fri 15 Jan 2010.

Ruse nodded, and gave a polite curtsey before departing.

"Very well, we will be in touch as needed. You may rest now." Ruse replied, using the "royal we" to refer to himself as he did so, probably unintentionally. He understood how the Dhaal were feeling, for the most part. And they did give him something to ask Roid about later.

Ruse walked past some other sytemarchs who were glaring at Anik, and gave them a "I won't forgive even you if you act out of line here" look. But he noticed that the god of craft and the systemarch clique had concluded whatever business they had, so Ruse really didn't care about the rest. He only cared that the event proceeded smoothly and in an orderly fashion.

He proceeded back toward Roid to check how he and Wyrn were doing, and to wait for the next phase of the funeral to begin.

"Sleep." Msonus slowly echoes.

"They sleep... But do Dhaal dream?"

"Alright then, it shouldn't take me too long as soon as I am back from Conclave business in my realm. May I see your blade?" He asked. "I just wish to examine it, it's exquisite." He looked at, sensing something about it.

Crailek nods to Foun, then answers silenty.

Maxillita hesitated, the drew her blade and handed it to Anik pommel first. "Okay.. treat him nice, though. He likes you."

The Reunion - Anik & Crailek & Foun & Max

The conversation passed nicely. Crailek saw the line to the Dhaal dwindle, and knew that the next stage in the ceremony would be soon.

The Line - Ruse

Roid was nowhere to be seen. Ruse did see Wyrn, however, and Wyrn smiled at him and nodded - the shadowy Councilman had two glasses of wine in his hands and motioned for Ruse to join him.

Msonus

"Perhaps," said the Systemarch. "Some say they do."

Anik held the blade firmly, and moved it around getting a feel for the make. After a non-supernatural evaluation he used both his Legend and Make ability to examine it fully.

Ruse drifted over to Wyrn, keeping an eye on the funeral and making sure people were behaving as he did so. No wonder the Conclave had guards at places, as well as official conclave service people like himself there.

When he drifted to Wyrn, seeing all was at peace thankfully, he noted Roid had scuttled off somewhere. He could have tracked him with telepathy or SUIT, but decided not to since he'd see him soon anyways. But it would be rude not to accept Wyrn's wave-over, and the next part of the funeral still hadn't begun yet. So it was fine.

"Ah hello Wyrn. I see Roid left you all by yourself. I am done with the Dhaal, and I believe the next phase of this event should begin shortly. Are you enjoying yourself?"

The Reunion - Anik & Crailek & Foun & Max

As Anik held the blade, an officious Systemarch in grey came to the small party. "I'm afraid it is time for you all to be seated," said the Systemarch. "The ceremony is to begin shortly." The Systemarch gestured towards the huge circle of seats about the main, steel alter.

Anik's eyes fluttered as he read the Divine Master Sword.. felt the static, the rushing of white noise, as he realized it was now a part of Max's theoelectromagnetic field - but not always, no, because some information belonged to Anik by right.. it was he who originally crafted the sword, after all, taming the wild metal and giving it form, a pattern which it could not escape.. he saw that the thing could speak to all other metals, all other ores, converse with them in their own secret language - and even command them.. he saw it abandoned, and felt sadness and regret, as it was lost within the jungles of time for hundreds of years, learning the languages of beasts and birds.. finally, however, he saw it attach itself to a new master, and bind itself to that warrior: Maxilita. He saw the sword developing abilities over the disembodiment of air and water, and over the physical element of the winds..

Ruse

"I am enjoying myself as much as I can, considering the circumstances," said Wyrn. He motioned towards a handful of Systemarch officials who were ushering the mourners to their seats. "We should sit. Come. Today, I think, you can be my official date."

Wyrn wandered over to an empty space of chairs, and sat.

Msonus

"Perhaps," said the Systemarch. "Some say they do."

A polite Systemarch tapped Msonus on the back.

"Forgive me, friend," he said, "but it is time to be seated. The ceremony begins shortly."

Anik gave the sword back and suddenly a glowing shield appeared in his hands. With hundreds of diamonds in the center and clear like glass around the edges, except it is lighter, harder, and not as cold. "Just a bit of your blood will bind you to the shield." With her consent he cut her hand and dripped it over the shield. Turning a couple of the diamonds red suddenly in the shape of the letter M. With one final touch, a strange symbol that was the mark of Anik. An upside down A with a verticle line. He whispers a bit to the girl. After this quick finish, he took a seat with the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Tue 19 Jan 2010.