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Atalo keeps his shop open late, but even he closes up eventually. The sign is flipped to closed, but the lights are still on as he goes about shutting everything up and checking over last minute details. Cerberus pads back and forth as he waits a little impatiently, the vampire chuckling quietly. "Patience."
Phaedra arrives at the shop, looking...well, not especially nice, but a bit more composed than usual. Her hair has been detangled and braided back, and she’s dressed in a short sleeved blouse and jeans with actual sneakers, not just sandals on her feet tonight. It’s an awfully tamed down look for her.
Henevi's usual style looks a lot less like she's trying to blend in with human society than her choices tonight reflect. Tonight she's wearing jeans and a floral patterned blouse with a modern cut, and her long hair is loose and all swept to one side in a luxuriant cascade over one shoulder. She still cuts an eye catching figure, especially since the high-waisted jeans she's wearing are seriously flattering for her figure, but at least she looks like she belongs in the modern world when she comes through the door.
When she comes in and finds Atalo and Phaedra both in the shop already her smile brightens considerably. "What fortune!" she declares. "Two of the very people I've been hoping to run into."
Atalo looks up, then his teeth glint in a wide smile and he moves forward, nodding to both and offering Henevi an embrace in greeting. "It should not be too surprising for you to find me here." He notes a little dryly. "But you do both have good timing, it seems. How are you?" Eyes move between them. "I'm not used to seeing you n these styles." He admits after a moment.
"I've got plans to go out walking tonight with someone, thought it might be better to have good shoes. And maybe-maybe better to dress like I want to get taken seriously, maybe." She shrugs, then looks at Henevi. "Looking for me, Mother?"
"Quiet, Atalo, I'm proclaiming right now. What fortune!" Henevi repeats with a laugh. "Lamara keeps reminding me that sometimes there's actually a benefit to trying to blend in and not play my typical role. I'm trying it for her sake. It does seem to be effective at getting people's attention, I will have to admit. I think partly she likes looking at my ass in tight clothing, though." With a shrug she just moves on. "I was hoping for your help, Phaedra." She glances around, confirms again there's nobody in the shop, and adds, "with spirits. Possibly your protection too, Atalo, just in case."
He lowers his head, letting Henevi finish before he speaks with a twitch of amusement. "Your proclamation has been heard. Though given Lamara's ability for subtly, possible ulterior motives wouldn't surprise me, no." He chuckles, though it sobers as he considers. "You have my help, Mother. " He holds up a finger in the gesture for 'one minute' and heads into the back, calling out. "Those with sense will take you seriously Haurspex. Those without will learn, I feel. If they're worth your efforts."
Returning he now carries an axe with some degree of reverence across both hands, a far cry from the one he held previously. The double headed labrys is of silver overlaid on steel is a wicked thing. Etched upon it is a silver stag with the moon held in its antlers. The long shaft of the weapon is made of ash wood, reinforced with steel and silver, and carved into a sharp point.
"You have my axe." He states formally. If he knows the literacy reference of his words, he shows no sign of it.
"Oh!" Phaedra looks at the axe with BIG delight in her eyes, reaching out toward it, then pulling her hand back. "What a shiny new friend! It needs to get blood on it at some point, though. That's what a weapon is for, right?"
Then she looks at Henevi, offering what would clearly be a curtsy if she was in one of her dresses. "You know I'm eager to help. Though I can only speak to spirits yet, I haven't learned to call them. But still!"
"I think you mean posterior motives," points out Henevi with another laugh. Either she's just in a mood, or dressing in a more modern fashion brings something out of her. In many ways it feels like she's playing a role now just as much as when she's being a self-proclaimed goddess, just a different one.
"What a marvelous axe," she says when Atalo comes out with it. "Let's hope that you don't need to use it often, and that it cuts true when the time does come. Phaedra, that's exactly what skill I'm hoping to make use of. I want to call upon spirits that might know, or find out, where Adelgrief's library is. I'm good at calling them and setting them to my bidding, but I don't have the talent for talking with them. I was hoping we could cooperate on that."
He carefully offers it to Phaedra. "A weapon isn't a weapon without use." He agrees. "And it'd be an insult to it and its maker if it lacked purpose." A wry look Henevi's way. "Lamara has met its maker, and might have mentioned him."
Atalo looks to Henevi as she explains, nodding once. "I would need to ensure it could harm spirits if they became a threat. But yes, I will stand with you both in case of that."
(Gee, I'm going to have to go off-book slightly for questions. 1. Strongest emotion associated? 2. Has it been used to draw blood? 3. What emotion was the creator experiencing while making this? 4. Was the creator a Kindred?)
She doesn't take the weapon from Atalo, instead running her fingertips over the design on the head of the labrys and closing her eyes, letting her Beast brush against the truth of the thing even as she feels its surface. For a moment, the only thing she's aware of is the axe, and the tangle of emotions surrounding it.
"Atalo...what have you gotten yourself into?"
Henevi isn't sure what's going on in the interplay between Phaedra and Atalo and the axe, or she is but she's not a part of it, and that doesn't seem to bother the elder Daeva, who lets them have their moment. All that she offers is, "Lamara seems to meet everyone eventually, so it's possible she mentioned him but I don't remember if she did or not."
His head cants curiously at Phaedra's question. "It was a gift from someone very close to me. Who is extremely talented at creation. One designed specifically for me and my strength."
A nod towards Henevi. "His name is Drake and he is, hm, a partner? A lover? I am not sure what term is best. But he and Lamara met, and that was a good moment." He smiles.
She shakes her head, tutting quietly with one last brush of her fingers against the face of the axe. "Drake seems like an awfully on-the-nose name for him. Anyway, I'd be glad to speak to any spirits you call, Henevi."
Henevi responds, "oh, yes!" That seems to cause a spark of recognition to catch. "She mentioned a Drake. Another lover of yours? One who looks like he might be quite talented with his hands." If she meant that to be innuendo she doesn't show it. "Thank you, Phaedra. We should do this soon. Atalo, you can produce claws as well, can't you? If we work a ritual together we should be able to make them a bane to any spirit we summon. Ideally it won't come to that, and the spirits will leave well rewarded, but you never do know. Now, we just have to decide what kind of spirit might know about the library in the first place."
"You're troubled by this?" Atalo asks Phaedra, lightly running fingers over the blade of the axe. "Can I ask why?" He turns to Henevi with a smile. "I can, if needed. I'm better with weapons like these, but I've claws if needed. As for the nature of the spirit, I am best leaving that judgement to you both."
"I'm not troubled. You know what you're doing better than I know what you're doing." She shakes her head slightly.
"What do you think abot spirits of knowledge or information? Or maybe secrets? Though we might have to trade secrets in kind, to one of those."
"The ritual that I use to call the spirit to me in the first place does provide some considerable reward if it performs the ask I ask of it," Henevi explains. "Which may or may not satisfy it, of course. I have some secrets I might be willing to trade. Things that are long lost to the mists of time, except probably in my own head. I'm not sure that any of them are particularly valuable secrets, aside from their rarity."
Atalo pauses, unsure, but nods quietly. "A spirit of secrets and hidden truths, it might try to take secrets that give it more power, access to greater knowledge. But what it sees as valuable might be very different to our perspective."
"I know some secrets also. Some that I'd be cruel to share, but that might make them all the more useful." She looks up at the ceiling for a moment. "I think...this might be a plan."
"We can certainly try it, and I'm reasonably sure that the worst case is that we fail to get the answers we're looking for," Henevi says without any concern. "And we grow a little closer to one another for having performed the rituals together."
Atalo smiles. "Agreed. I have a basic grasp of ritual, thanks to your teachings Mother, but if need be, I'll stay back to guard against any hostile actions."
"I look forward to mingling my magic with yours." A pause. "I may even maybe be able to bring a couple of chickens to sacrifice. I'll need to ask a friend."
"That would be wonderful." Henevi shows a bright smile for both of the other acolytes. "Thank you both. I'll make some arrangements. I should probably get going. I think I might go pick up a snack on the way home."
"Are sacrifices good?" Atalo asks, on that note. "I can bring some of my own if need be." He offers a warm smile back to Henevi, ducking his head. "Of course. It's always good to see you and I hope to again soon."
"Be safe our there, Mother." She grins. "I'll be thinking of you."
Atalo smiles wryly, nodding and turning to rest the axe on the counter. "Did I ask how you were?" He comes out with after a moment. "That's polite, and I should have done."
"You did ask. I didn't so much answer, but that's okay, because I'm about the same as usual, mostly. Cian and me are going out on a walk tonight, so that'll be fun."
"Ah. That is good." He smiles, nodding agreeably before stopping. "Ah. You are happy with that, I am hoping? But, of course, if you are taking a walk." A faint huff. "I'm asking obvious questions, but I'm glad things are well."
"We're planning on going out to spend some time digging into the local Cacophony. I'm kind of hoping to see traces of Rihat in it, but even if we don't, there's a lot to learn. Right?" She toys with the end of her braid. "Especially from Cian."
"I'm unsure." Atalo admits. "It's not something I'm very in time with, but from what I hear, yes. Even if you don't find Rihat, there's still information and thoughts. And clearly this Cian has some of your admiration, which is good."
"Admiration?" Her smile turns almost sly. "Mmm, I suppose. But I also like seeing him squirm when I surprise him. He doesn't know what to make of me."
He cants his head, considering with a slight grin. "You've a great deal more then eyes see to you. I'm hardly surprised myself to know you catch him off guard."
"Well, part of it is that he's spent most of his years in Kindred society in a much crueller city than this. He's coming in braced to be met with opposition and politicking and cutthroat games of society. So all it takes to catch him off-balance sometimes is to be gentle."
"I do know the name, I should note." Atalo hums. "He's clan and meeting him properly when I can would be good. And I can appreciate that. It took me time to adjust when I first arrived. Is he trying to change and adapt?"
"He's trying to decide if he's safe to be someone he didn't think he could be, here." She shakes her head. "So it goes. Don't we all wonder what of ourselves we can show?"
"Very much so." Atalo sinks into a chair, gesturing to another as invite. "I'm different from how I used to be. The same in ways, but still, yes, different. Environment affects too. The real me.. that's hard to quantify. It might be for Cian too."
"I think I'm changing too, slowly. I'm not sure I'll be a Maiden for the whole rest of my existence." She takes the offered seat, perching on it quietly. "Someday, I may need to learn to be fierce."
"Fierce can be another word for brave. You risked a loss of your self to seek answers." The Gangrel nods simply. "But yes, change happens to all, even those of us who seem to be in stasis. You're a Maiden now. You won't be forever."
She nods, chewing over the thought briefly, before looking up at Atalo. "You know you're in love with a dragon, right?"
His eyes glint with amusement. "The risk of fire did offer me brief concern at first. But I'm aware, mm. Luckily the aspect of that nature he holds to most seems to be a desire for hoarding. Which does remind me that I need to find a suitable gift. And not just for him." He touches a hand to his chest, to where something hangs from a leather strap around his neck. "But I'm unsure what to get a dragon and a wise ghoul."
"He wants the axe to be used. He put it in your hands, knowing he was making a weapon for a warrior." This is what you get for letting a Mekhet touch your things.
"It'll see use." Atalo agrees quietly. "Sooner or later." He laces his fingers, musing. "Perhaps against Rihat, though I'm unsure if a physical fight is how this'll be resolved. Either way, when the time's right, I'll bloody the blade."
"And then tell him about it. That will be a gift to Drake." She nods, certain of the fact, despite never having met the man.
A nod, a muse. "Thank you Phaedra." He offers quietly. "And I am hoping to find a carpet, a rug for Lamara. One of Circassian design and work if I can. I feel that's a suitable gift in return."
"A taste of her original home? I think she'll appreciate it, yes." She nods.
"Then I'll make efforts there." Atalo reaches out, patting Cerberus lightly. "I'm curious. Cian is becoming a friend to you? If he can learn to trust others here."
"I think the ball's in his court there. I've shown him I'm not a threat, and he seems to believe that, at least. The rest will come, or it won't." She shrugs.
"Hm." Dark eyes regard her. "You are a threat, and quite capable of being dangerous. But you don't intend to be to him, that's the distinction he needs to learn."
"Me? A threat?" She puts on the world's most innocent expression, but it certainly doesn't fool Atalo.
"You." He answers simply. "I take you seriously." As a reference to her earlier comment. A quiet chuckle. "I will keep that knowledge to myself, however. An unseen danger is far harder to avoid."
"That's very kind, Atalo." She reaches out to touch his cheek gently, a bare brush of fingertips.
He tilts his head, closing eyes briefly against that touch, but making no other movement. "Truth, as I see it. I rarely lie. And even if I was inclined, I suspect trying with you would be foolish."
The hand lingers for a moment. "You just want petting as much as Cerberus, huh? Maybe even more." A tiny blep, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Touch matters." He admits. "Though that is one of my own secrets. A possible weakness."
"I don't think it's a weakness, so long as you know who you can trust." She stands, stepping closer to brush her lips against his forehead.
"I do, for the most part." He closes his eyes with a nod. "You are one of those." He half raises a hand, then stills the motion, dropping it to his knee. "Thank you."
"I will not abuse your trust, Atalo. I will not spread your secrets." She pulls away slowly, sitting back down again. And then holds out her hand, offering to hold his.
"I wouldn't share them with you if I thought you might." Not that it's easy to keep things hidden from a Mehket. He glances at her hand, then reaches out to carefully, gently take it. "What I see of you is also hidden."
"What do you want to know about me, then?" She raises both eyebrows. "I'm not trying to hide from you."
Atalo smiles. "I'm unsure of what questions are good to ask. Perhaps if you might enjoy the challenge of finding this library."
"You're a hunter, Atalo--so am I, one who hunts for answers, for meaning, for secrets. That's what a Haruspex is for." Her thumb strokes the back of his hand.
A pause. "You don't remind me so much as my uncle, now that I know you better."
"Then this quarry, the chase, it sharpens the senses, focuses your mind, makes you feel alive and sharp, yes?" He pauses himself, then nods faintly. "I've sins of my own, but not like his. I'll protect you, and never harm you."
"Yes, that's my hunt. That's what gives me purpose." She nods immediately.
"Then we'll find it." His teeth gleam in a grin. "We'll seek the trail, track it, and run it to ground. And you'll find your knowledge and many more secrets."
She grins broadly. "Thank you, Atalo. I should go get ready for my walk. But I hope you and Cerberus have a good night."
"We will." He smiles, nodding. "Enjoy your walk. And invite Cian to meet me if he wants. I'm less surprising than you can be, but I'll be pleasant to him."
She nods, letting go of his hand. "I'll pass that along to him."
The Gangrel nods, dipping his head. "Be well. I'll see you soon."
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