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Hearth: Hearth had pulled together a simple dinner for whomever was at the loft when the time to eat rolled around, just a simple chicken salad with fresh baked rolls on the side for whomever wanted to sandwichify it. She'd been hard at work most of the day, working on a restoration of a small painting by an unknown Italian artist that was a few hundred years old and had been badly treated. There were holes and tears in the canvas, paint was flaking off, and Heather had been deeply focused on doing what she could to repair the damage... with a few breaks to get the rolls mixed, kneaded, and shaped for dinner tonight.
Jeremiah Hamilton: Jeremiah had been hard at work on his own creative efforts as well, poking and prodding at the chords of the song he was working on until he could get them where he wanted them. Eventually that pesky need for sustinence raised its head and he made his way down to the kitchen, dressed rather casually in a pair of black sweatpants, a grey tanktop and sporting a pair of chunky black glasses.
Alexis Bartram: Alexis has been dropping by on a regular basis all week, to get Mage 101 lessons from whoever had the time to teach her in between taking care of their other business. By now all of them can probably recognize the rapid rythim of her knock at the door. This time she's carrying a nonsuspicous tray covered with a piece of foil. with her, and is wearing a different hoodie, this one detailed to look like armor with the Tree of Gondor on it.
Hearth: "It sounded like your new song is coming together," Heather said with a smile and piled the chicken salad into a roll, then grabbed a tomato from the fridge to slice up and add it to the sandwich. "Ah! Perfect timing," she noted at Alexis' knock and went to open the door. "Come on in!" she invited. "You're just in time for dinner."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "So far so good." Jeremiah replied with a smile, grabbing a roll for himself to load it up. He spared the door a look at the knock, smirking a touch as he spotted Alexis' jacket. "Shepard."
Alexis Bartram: "I brought cookies this time," she says with a grin, hefting the nonsuspicous tray. "Payback for feeding me sweets on Tuesday." She scoots in through the door, giving Jay a wave and a, "Wrex."
Hearth: Hearth lit up and gave her a hug around the tray. "Thank you!" she said excitedly. "I'm sure they're going to be great. Come sit, I'd love to hear about your first days and how you're settling in."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "Ooh, nice." He eyed the tray of cookies with a smirk, moving to grab a drink from the fridge with a sammich in tow. "Want a soda or anything?"
Alexis Bartram: Alexis slides the tray onto the table, plucking off the foil to reveal green tea shortbread cookies that have been half-dipped in dark chocolate. "I think just a glass of water. I suspect I'll have enough sugar in my diet today."
Hearth: Hearth inhaled with delight. "Oh these look beautiful. Are you willing to share the recipe? Or is it a special family one?"
Jeremiah Hamilton: Jeremiah nodded and pulled a pitcher of water along with a soda for himself, letting out a low whistle as he spotted what was underneath the foil. "Those look awesome. Bravo." He said with a smile, offering Alexis the water. "Heather here is a master when it comes to baking, to put it lightly."
Alexis Bartram: "Oh sure, I just got it off the internet, its really simple though. Like, six ingredients if you count the dark chocolate." Alexis shrugs, "The main trick is making sure you're not too busy typing or whatever to keep track of when they're done, otherwise they go from green and crisp to brown and crunch pretty fast. But for some reason I haven't had as much trouble focusing on two things at once lately." She gives them a lopsided smile.
Hearth: "I am but a student," she demurred. "Self taught, off the internet. My mother was never really one for baking. Neither was dad, unfortunately. I'm glad you've started putting your new talents to good practice!
Jeremiah Hamilton: "You sell yourself short, madame." Jeremiah chuckled, a grin following Alexis' comment. "Good...glad it's working for you. Tried out anything else yet?"
Alexis Bartram: "I've been trying to practice as much as I can without going too far. I can't wait until the semester is officially over, though. Then I'll have some time to really focus." Alexis shrugs, "Most of what I've done has been sensory stuff. Although I think I did figure out how to do that SEP field trick."
Hearth: She nodded slowly. "Has anyone talked to you about the structure of our society yet?" she asked innocently. "I remember when I Awoke, there were a lot of 'bidders' for my attention very quickly."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "I can imagine." Jeremiah nodded, taking a bite of his sandwich and chewing it neatly before continuing. "Nice...use that one a decent bit myself. Means you're able to use the second tier of Mind magic, at least."
Alexis Bartram: "I got the quick rundown, yeah. Local council government, selected from experienced members of each of the five Paths. The four Orders make up the Diamond, which is not at all confusing considering Kay, and then the Free Council and the Children of the Tree make up the biggest groups in the Assembly." Alexis rattles off as she assembles a sandwich of her own.
Hearth:"Size isn't always everything," Hearth said, arching an eyebrow. "My Order is actually the smallest. Though funny enough we're also the order than finds the most newly Awakened mages." It was clearly a point of pride for her. "Though most aren't suitable candidates for the Order and generally refer most to Orders that they are best suited for."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "We all do our part in our own way. The Awakened are one nation, as my folks tend to put it." Another small nod from the Warlock. "The folks who forget that and try to push one group out of the way usually find it biting themselves in the ass soon enough."
Diamond: Kay walks into the sanctum from the front door, kicking off her shoes and carrying a rather long box in one hand, which regular attendant to the sanctum would know is her bow she sometimes practice with. "Hey People!" she calls as she makes her way toward the noise. she's in a pair of yoga pants and loose white shirt, hair messy and loose.
Alexis Bartram: "说曹操，曹操到" Alexis waves to Kay, "Hi! We're talking Awakened Society and how I'm probably going to disappoint all of you by joining an Order you don't belong to."
Hearth: Heather laughed. "That's like a parent being disappointed your child becomes a Successful, money making artist instead of a Lawyer. We might not agree or even get why you'd want to make such a silly choice but we'll still be happy for you as long as you're happy."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "Hey hey." Jeremiah gave Kay a salute with his soda can, then looked to Alexis with a smirk. "Getting in where you fit works better in the long run. I've seen folks drag under the wrong leadership becaue they felt compelled to join one group when another one would have been much better at the start. Which one are you looking at?"
Diamond: "Yeah don't worry about it, we're not going to judge you for real. Just, minor teasing." She set her bow case on the floor and moves into the same room and greets Hearth with a kiss on the cheek, writing her food suggestion on the whiteboard 'Ethiopian Food' then she moves to grab herself a glass of water.
Hearth: "Or major teasing," Hearth said with a grin, then mouthed 'Silver Ladder' behind Jeremiah's back.
Alexis Bartram: "Oooh, Ethiopian is so tasty. Gotta get the injera right though..." Alexis frowns, "Can we not with the disappointed parents, though? I...uhh...haven't talked to mine in seven years because of Reasons." She takes a decisive bite of sandwich, chews, and swallows before continuing, "I suspect, though I want to speak with a member or two, that my temperment might be best suited to the Mysterium."
Jeremiah Hamilton: Jeremiah gave Kay a thumbs up at the addition to the board, intrigued to say the least, then gave Alexis a sympathetic look. "Know how that goes. Mine didn't particualrly approve of the whole 'try to make it big in Los Angeles' thing I did after college."
"That would be a good match for you, yeah." He nodded, thinking a moment. "Yaroslav might be a good one to talk to there. She's on our Path along with being a mystegogue."
Diamond: "I'd have lost my bet, honestly. I was figuring you out for a Libertine. Cambyse was, I think, one of the first Moros I met after awakening and she had Questions." A fond smile on her lips. "What made you decide?"
Hearth: "I get reasons," she sighed. "I'm sorry. Seeking knowledge and mysteries to uncover is critical for us. Knowledge is power. Just... be careful. The Mines of Moria tell a very useful tale for any Mysterium to keep in mind."
Alexis Bartram: "Mostly the fact that I'm still pissed about the Library of Alexandria." Alexis quips with a lopsided smile, "Aaaaand already with the Guardian-ness." She sticks her tongue out at Hearth, "I am well aware that I am a very tiny fish in a very, very big pond, yes."
Jeremiah Hamilton: Jeremiah chuckled at the Library crack, sparing Petra an amused look. "Can versus should is something we all have to battle with at times, and even the greatest Master had something new to learn."
He paused a moment as something clicked into place before he looked back to Alexis. "On that note, actually, how do you feel about apprenticing under our Cabal while you're learning the ropes? We'd all be able to give you a hand, and you'd be under our protection if anything comes up."
Diamond: "Plus, if things go as planned, you might have a particularly enticing situation for you to learn from coming up." Kay says with a shrug "We'd love to have you as our protégé, furthermore we would be proud."
Hearth: "It's my job!" She protested. "It's in our bylaws. Anytime a member of the Mysterium thinks about doing something interesting we are required to remind them not to do stupid things. Like not releasing ancient curses from tombs of horrors, or summoning things from the Abyss for 'reasons.' But yeah, we'd be happy to take you on, if you want. Or help you find someone who fits your needs."
Alexis Bartram: Alexis scratches behind one ear briefly, "I'm flattered that you're willing to take me on. I think there are plenty of things that I would like to learn that you all can teach me." She shrugs and admits to Hearth, "Ok, I'll give you the Abyss thing. I've only seen that thing briefly and I don't want to know anything that could come out of that muck."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "We'd be honored." Jeremiah said with a warm smile. "It's part of what we do as a cadre, helping those around us reach their full potential."
Hearth: "You really don't want to know," Heather said fervently. "But that's why the Guardians and Arrows exist though. Arrows take care of the threats you can shoot or blow up... Guardians take care of other things."
Diamond: "Did you select your Official fancy mage name already?" She asks, moving to grab her phone from out of her pocket as she writes something.
Alexis Bartram: "As long as you're fine with my tendency to meddle in things. I have been reliably informed that its my defining flaw," she makes a wry face, "I still feel like I need to unpack everything I saw on the flip side." Alexis grabs a cookie, "I think I'm gonna go with Rashida. Sorta a...triple meaning there."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "Think that'll be fine." Jeremiah smirked, thinking a moment on the name before giving a nod. "What's the significance behind it, if you don't mind me asking?"
Hearth: "Oh we've so got our foibles," she said. "I bake too much when I need to think. And someone has to eat it all."
Diamond: "Luckily a lot of it isn't calorific so." A shrug and a smile. "Rashida, it is our honor and pride to welcome you within our walls as the Soulwardens under our Hospitality and mentorship." she says a bit officially.
Alexis Bartram: "Its my pleasure to accept your offer." Alexis holds out one hand, "On one hand, you've heard of the Rosetta Stone? Its named for a place in Egypt that the English call Rosetta. The people that actually live there most frequently call their home Rashid, its Arabic name. Although that itself is a corruption of the original Coptic place name. The feminine form of that is Rashida. So its a reference to the Rosetta Stone, but undoing a bit of White Colonial Bullshit."
She holds up the other hand, "On the other hand, it also has a meaning, as most place names do. In this case, I am using it to mean 'rightly guided'. Which I am, and I hope also to eventually be able to provide myself."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "A sacrifice we're all willing to make, Heather." Jeremiah looked to the Guardian with a grin. He then looked to Alexis as she offered her explanation, nodding quietly. "Definitely fits. I'll admit I was a bit cheeky with my first Shadow Name, but Sirius has been a better fit over the last couple years."
Hearth: "It's perfect," she agreed, then pointed a finger at Kay. "That is a super secret cadre mystery. You can't just tell people I can make calorie-free treats or they'll demand them all the time."
Diamond: "I picked Diamond partly after the stone, partly because it's a bit confusing with the Diamond order and also because of this..." She moves out of the kitchen and then return quickly to it, showing an old diamond shaped wood piece. "And old grave markers from my adopted family."
Alexis Bartram: "Oh. That's pretty heavy. Then again, I guess it should be at least somewhat expected given your area of mastery." Alexis nods, "Anything worth honoring is worth doing properly." A frown now, "I really want to hear what you all think about something I saw in Pandemonium."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "Oh?" Jeremiah perked up almost instantly, watching Alexis curiously. "Do tell..."
Hearth: Heather took one of the cookies Rashida had brought and nibbled on it.
Diamond: Diamond smiles at the mention of what Rashida was about to tell them, she takes a seat and her eyes focus in intense focus, eager to hear it, she also plop out a note pad.
Alexis Bartram: "So, after winding up on a burning-hot beach filled with the refuse of shit that got lost in the Abyss and opening a door into a cave filled with chained up living flayed victims, while having a conversation with what I assume was a demon and whoever used a blender on my brain from the inside, a fact which I note I was made rather painfully aware of, I arrived at this awful glizy showplace full of fake wealth. Said demon gave me a brief tour."
She noms a cookie before continuing. "One of the things going on was a play, just before which the demon said I was, 'Always nose down in your work, missing the forest for the tree.' A play in which a woman dressed as a tree was being belittled by a bunch of men while pleading her case to a bunch of judges seated high above her."
Jeremiah Hamilton: Jeremiah sat back in his chair as he listened, nodding quietly as Alexis spoke. The mention of the tree and the quip from her demonic guide earned an arch of the eyebrow, however, along with a quiet 'huh.' "What happened after that?"
Diamond: "Yeah the Tree imagery is... interesting." She leans forward, wondering and curious, she is writing down what Rashida is saying, at least in short hand notes.
Alexis Bartram: "I uh...basically missed it. Too busy arguing with the demon because I was in a hurry. Because I was dying and rather aware of it what with the constant pain. But I caught a glimpse before the curtain closed of the chief judge bending down impossibly from above with condemnation, and the woman lighting up from within and all around her." Alexis sighs, rubbing the back of her head, "In my defense, I didn't understand the symbolism until AFTER I got told about the history behind the Consilium."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "...you know, I can't blame you for that, honestly. I was about yeah close to biting it during mine," he held up a hand and put about half an inch between his thumb and pointer finger, "although I admittedly didn't know at the time."
"That is interesting, though. Could be a nod to what happened with the Martyr, maybe." He looked to Kay at that. "Thoughts?"
Diamond: "That... would be kind of an amazing thing." she keeps taking notes and seems overjoyed at the story. "I ate one of the fruits when I was younger, and I awoke from it." she notes further things.
Alexis Bartram: "I spent the entire time having a conversation about lies and truth, and about how they both flow from each other, because language is awful but its the only way we have to communicate even the fragments of truth we can use it to convey. And like...I'm pretty sure everything I saw was both a lie and true, at the same time?" She covers her eyes, "I can write down a verbatum report of every word that was said there, I think. And describe everything. Except the bit I can't remember because they turned the pain all the way up. That's just...well...pain."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "Sounds about right. My run there was like something like Pink Floyd's The Trail, standing there in the middle of a room getting literally and figuratively picked apart by demons until they deemed I was 'ready' and the way to the tower was opened. It was...eye-opening, to put it lightly."
"I'd love to read that, personally, and I imagine the folks with the Mysterium would too."
Diamond: "I'll take your written report and we'll submit it to the council with notes and answers to the about thousands of questions that I will have for you once I had a moment to consider everything." Kay grins at her. "With the writing credits due, of course. I'm the Lorekeeper, so it's sort of my job to keep records of events at the moment."
Alexis Bartram: "Its gonna be so embarrasing. I am snarky when I'm afraid or hurt." She snorts, "Alas, poor dignity. I think I've figured out everything I can do, at least, so we can go over to get me formally recognized. Dunno what it means that my soul decided to be a generalist, though."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "That's not a bad thing, honestly. Gives you a bigger base to build from, at the very least. I mean hell, I've only got three Arcana total under my belt and I've been at this for about a decade." He smirked a touch, taking a sip of his soda before he continued. "We each have out own path, though."
Diamond: "Yeah, what trick did you pick up?" Kay seems rather interested in that, she turns to open the fridge, grabbing an already made sandwich "Ugh, I need to speak with Maddy soon."
Alexis Bartram: "Well, I think I can do Shielding in Fate and Mind. And I can do Unveiling with Prime and Space, but not Shielding. So that pretty well defines my limits at the moment, I think." Alexis elaborates.
Jeremiah Hamilton: "Fate, huh...interesting." He nodded quietly, letting that tidbit percolate. "I'm a Disciple in Mind and Apprentice in Prime and Space myself."
Diamond: "Im a Master in Death and an apprentice in Prime and Matter." She starts to eat her sandwich. "Apprentice Rashida, Mystagogue and Warlock on the Path to Pandemonium, Supernal Realm of Mind and Space, and Abode of Demons. Apprentice of Fate and Mind, Initiate of Space and Prime" Kay says the full title aloud, sounding it off. "Got a nice ring to it."
Alexis Bartram: "Yeah, like a carillon." Alexis snags another cookie with a wry grin, "I think it mostly means I have a lot to learn. Hopefully now that I'm awake I won't have to worry quite as much about someone deciding to explode my head, though. Not that I really knew I needed to worry about that until they did, mind."
Jeremiah Hamilton: "Still looking into that..." Jeremiah shook his head. "I was able to see the connection forged between you and whoever it was that did it, but I'm still working on tracking them down. Once we know more that'll be handled right quick."
Harmony: Is that food? Harmony pokes her head into the kitchen, dressed in an old t-shirt and jeans, ones with a hole in the knee. The reason is explained by traces of dirt under her fingernails and a tray containing several plants in her hands. "Good morning to you all." She offers, seeking a place to put the tray. I thought I'd try nudging things a little along in terms of tea and the like. And I need test subjects at some point." An evil grin. "And how are you settling in?" She asks Alexis. "What name would you prefer for general conversation, by the way?"
Diamond: Kay greets Mary with a warm hug, kissing her cheek once, sneaking away with of the tea cup, like she's stealing it and they weren't offered. She shoulder bumps with Alexis. "counter spelling and armoring up is pretty nice."
Alexis Bartram: Alexis snags a tea cup of her own, "Alexis is fine, I suppose. Its...going to be rather difficult to hide my name without drastic measures. Like, fake my death and move to the other side of the country levels of drastic."
Harmony: "That's fair." She nods to Alexis, kissing Kay's cheek back. "Alexis it is. And I hope you don't go that drastic, it feels good to have you staying with us." A keen nod. "How are you finding your feet thus far?" She sips her own coffee. "I'm gonna sort some tea plants into tea later on." She tells Kay. "Experiment. Hopefully without making you all feel nauseous." An innocent smile.
Diamond: "Hey, by the way, I know Heather is not liking the Hallow's decor with the Mushrooms, but, I would very much like if you could keep it up for the moment. I find it..." Kay smiles in an odd. "Inspiring in a very specific way." she throws a look toward Alexis "Yaroslav on the council work on at the university I think. She might have pointers."
Alexis Bartram: "I will endevor to consult with her about it, especially since she also happens to be my path councilor." Alexis ponders for a moment, "If I'm going to be under your care and using your resources, I would like to contribute what I can. Is there anything I can help with here?"
Harmony: "I know she doesn't, but, mushrooms are really important." Mary nods. "They're not just really nutritious for eating with the right species, but they're nature's recyclers, they break down organic matter and help trees in lots of forests." Oh no, Life Mage 101. "I'm hoping she'll come around when I offer her some for cooking reasons." She turns to Alexis, offering a thoughtful smile. "There'll always be areas we're glad for help with. Did you both hear about that issue with missing people and the rat hosts?"
Diamond: "I heard there was a mention of this through official channels yes." She smiles at Alexis. "As for what you can do for us?" Kay considers for a moment. "As our apprentice, the first task is to learn, as for filling a role in our Cadre, that will come later if we all make the decision for you to join us, I actually think I see you taking my place as Lorekeeper and I could move toward being our Farseeker or Hearthmaster, as weird as that would be, maybe." she tap her finger on her chin. "You could put your skills as a teacher to the test, we're certainly not opposed to you teaching us what you know, or sharing access to libraries you have and the like."
Alexis Bartram: "I feel like there's a joke in Hearth not being the Hearthmaster somewhere. Probably something kinky." Alexis snickers a bit. She certianly does not giggle. Tenured professors do not giggle. "I can certainly teach anything I know. I like to think I've got a reasonable breadth of knowledge in addition to my specialties, although it might surprise you to find that I'm not actually an amazing coder. I'm good, but I'm not Hackerwoman."
Harmony: She nods at Kay. "Good, mm. Just good practice to be careful and all. They don't sound fun. And it's part of my job to keep all your lovely assess safe." A twitch of a grin before she turns back to Alexis. "I'd love you to mention that to her sometime. With us in hearing distance." A quiet laugh. "And that'd be much appreciated. I know my own areas quite well, but there's always more to learn. And books and libraries are also very welcomed."
Diamond: "Each of the roles have specific meanings and duties associated with them and what Hearth is actually good at, is actually best at, is being an Edgetender. She would make a great Hearthmaster too, but you know, limited hours in a day." She chuckles "Also, to avoid stepping on awkward landmines and such, I could probably list a few eccentricities we keep around here, if you're curious." she chuckles.
Alexis Bartram: "I can probably spare most of my home library, in all honesty. I don't actually have to reference it for work very often." Alexis gestures to Kay, "Please, go ahead."
Harmony: "Very much welcomed." Mary nods with a smile, looking to Kay herself as she sips tea.
Diamond: "First thing first. I am barred from cooking in this kitchen. I do my share of the chore, dishes and cleaning instead. This is a story you should get from someone else than me." Kay says with a little smile. "I am super uncomfortable in cars and would prefer walking than getting driven on most days." she pokes Harmony in the ribs. "We're all pretty affectionate with each other, but there are some lines there we've drawn consciously or not." She looks to Mary "You are eventually going to see Mary naked, her clothes don't transform with her when she's around as a cat."
Alexis Bartram: "For some reason I find myself able to live with that." Alexis remarks dryly, before covering a massive yawn, "Oh, wow, its gotten pretty late...uhhh...mind if I crash here again?"
Harmony: She nudges Kay back, grinning. "It's not like I prance around stark naked. I have clothes all over the show for covering up. But yes Alexis, you totally can. You're welcome as our guest after all."
Diamond: "The way I phrased the official statement we're not allowed to kick you out for a while." Kay explains summarily.
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