Appointments

[knowitowl]

Wan Shi Tong is a very busy spirit owl, but he might be willing to spare you some time if it's important enough. However, he does request that you label it in a orderly fashion with the type of entry and the date for cataloging.

Comments

[@ the library, May 4th]

[relictusdeus]

He would see you grovel at his feet before his adoring audience... [A pause, as though for effect] and were you the sort to consider it an option for but the slightest moment, he would only laugh in your face for your troubles and deny you.

[He snorts softly, pale, uncanny eyes flickering back up every now and again between pencil strokes.]

I knew many of his sort.

[@ the library, May 4th]

[knowitowl]

That sort of behavior would not surprise me. However, I do not intend to bend to his will.

[@ the library, May 4th]

[relictusdeus]

Ah; an irresistible force meeting an unmoving object~? [He peters off, a smile touching his thin lips at the paradoxical thought.]

[@ the library, May 4th]

[knowitowl]

I suppose you could see it that way.

[@ the library, May 4th]

[relictusdeus]

With no foreseeable compromise in the future, one side is destined to be the victor. But which, I wonder?

[He holds up his pencil a moment, using its length to scale his drawing properly.]

Naturally, Loki is far more popular with the humans, seeing as he has amassed quite the gaggle of giggling fools. 'twould come as no surprise to me were they to band together in their efforts to resist you. [The smile on his lips grows grim and mirthless.] I find that forming mindless mobs are what humans do very well. But you could make short work of those who insist on challenging you, couldn't you?

[knowitowl]

I have no desire, nor intention, to start a conflict. However, I will do what I must to see that the books return to their rightful place. Preferably with as few involved as possible.

[relictusdeus]

Oh, but the conflict has already started, my dear spirit.

[A soft chuckle.]

I visited the school rather recently and saw there were several guardsmen keeping watch for sight and sound of you and your allies. Those leaving with books are stopped and questioned most... severely... as to ensure they are not being delivered to you. Curious, really; they claim the books are for all, and yet refuse to grant you the very same privilege as the others.

[knowitowl]

If I expected them to be reasonable, I would have not imposed my rules to begin with. Humans think of little more than themselves. Claiming to do things for the good of all when it is simply in their own best interests.

[relictusdeus]

Of course... [he cants his head amusedly] and 'tis you they regard as being most unreasonable. Many revere Loki as a sort of hero for his defiance, but like you, I am under no illusions that this was a grand act of generosity. His own selfish desires simply happened to align this time with most in the village, and the cheering simpletons appear to have forgotten just how treacherous and disdainful of them he not only has been but remains. Clearly, not only humans can be self-serving creatures...

[Trailing off, he gently lifts a hand.] Ah, would you mind turning very slightly to the left?

[knowitowl]

[He doesn't move.]

I am well aware of this. However, I am uncertain as to the purpose of this conversation. Are you trying to arouse my anger? I assure you, it does not need your help.

[He is a naturally suspicious spirit.]

[relictusdeus]

[Still smiling thinly, he shakes his head.] Oh, no; [A beat.] others have already, I’m aware. But, you may find that you require assistance of a different sort.

[Setting down his sketchbook and pen, he swings his legs off the table after a moment.]

I can offer you a means of safeguarding what materials your allies are capable of bringing to you. A living chest that, even if unlocked, cannot easily be opened – and will sink its teeth into the hands of any that manage.

[He gazes back steadily, his amusement not reaching his eyes.]

I know what it means to be hated and outnumbered; to have that which you care for dearly torn from your grasp by others who decide you are undeserving. Your choice is yours alone to make; but my offer stands, should it be of interest to you.

[knowitowl]

Hm. Intriguing.

And what do you expect in return for this favor?

[relictusdeus]

Consider it a gift.

[Why not? It presents a fun little project as well.]

All I ask is that you remember it well.

[knowitowl]

Very well, I will accept this.

[He's curious as well to see if it will work as he says. For the sake of knowledge if not anything else.]

[relictusdeus]

So be it. [He purrs, quietly pleased.] Perhaps I ought to begin by sharing with you a smaller variation of what I had in mind.

[knowitowl]

[Wan Shi Tong waits in expectant silence, perhaps even a bit curious as to what he is referring to.]

[relictusdeus]

[A magic circle spreads open at his feet, sigils glowing softly.] A moment, if I may.

[The portal fires off shafts of light towards the ceiling to form a pillar. And in it he vanishes, leather and flesh and bone dissolving into empty space. Within half a minute's time he'll phase back into existence with a pretty little box sitting in the palm of his hand - the end result of bored experimentation along the lines of the boneheads, or the dragoyles Hector had created.]