Re: Mysteries and Masteries (0.2.8) (Downtime)
Mistral quirked one eyebrow upward slightly at Sal, then said, "You have assumed the identity of a missing man. I think it would behoove you to discover who this man was. He may still be remembered by enemies, family or debtors who would come for you in his place." She picked up one of the spare wooden practice swords and began to twirl it experimentally in one hand, but quickly gaining speed. She remarked, "It has been some time since I've trained the Pangolisi d'Eskrima." Mistral moved the stick in flowing figure-8s timed with her steps and conserving striking momentum while keeping the weapon ready to guard, supported by her other forearm. She looked to Talion and Sal, then twirled the stick once more and asked, "Might I join the spar?"
Mistral narrowed her eyes at being called 'Knight,' but still wore a little smile as she listened to Noah's take, then answered, "Oui. I saw his memories of trillions of lives lost in wars reaching back to before Atlantis. I think he would rather not add to that number. We have sufficient enemies outside the Pentacle, as it is." Mistral turned with Noah, pressing her forehead to his. Then, Mistral's voice spoke up from across the work table, where an exact replica of her was preoccupied in close examination of the weaponry. The Mistral in Noah's arms smirked impishly as the duplicate explained, "The Guardians mean to test Paradox mitigation in the presence of Sleepers. I was obliged to talk a Magister out of une idée débile to test Talion by way of base trickery." The speaking Mistral leaned in for a closer look at some particularly interesting supernal script circling a pistol grip, but the nearer Mistral picked up where she'd left off, "I persuaded the Magister to conduct the testing via la méthode scientifique. A double-blinded experiment conducted with Monsieur Talion's consent. If we can have that, the only problem remaining is how to ward off an Oracle's sight, while allowing Paradox to affect his will-workings."
Both Mistrals looked at the worktable, where sat a containment vessel holding a cube of a rare magically-reactive metal. The duplicate on the other side of the table suggested, "A custom-forged supernal sensory isolation chamber, warded from within to hide outside sources of paradox." The closer Mistral wrapped her arms around Noah and asked, "Could that suffice, en théorie?"