General Studies

Log Info

• Title: General Studies
• Emitter: Aryia
• Characters: Aryia, Verna, Culix, Jinks
• Place: City Library
• Time: November 8th, 2021
• Summary: The library, a place for learning a broad range of topics. From dead languages to sophisticated cuisine, from monsters to genealogy, almost all could be found there. Partaking in the prior is Aryia and Verna, as Culix returns some books on studying some more dangerous creatures. Aryia introduces the two to one another, while Aryia subtly supports Verna's new plan. Culix figures out why Aryia is learning Kulthian, and the group learns of an establishment remaining open. The elf gleams Culix's favorite color, and notes some vague measurements for later. Jinks arrives to do some pen and paper work, though is assaulted by Aryia, her taking revenge for a poorly made pun on an earlier excursion. No charges were pressed. Him and Aryia share about the excursion they went on, and how Aryia pulled the carriage after the horse was slain. Culix can't breathe from how much she laughs from it all. The two small folk take their leave, and Aryia requests aid for further insight from Verna at a later date about her developing affiliations with luminosity. The Mourner promises to try and shed some light on it.

City Library, Midday

It's been an interesting couple of days. Many a things happening out and about, from ghosts hugging, to supposedly undead kobolds about, to undead spiders, oh my! So reprieve is needed. Laying atop one of the rafters in the library is Aryia, her on her back and flipping through a book. A leg dangles off the side, a hint of a bandage peeking out of her right pant leg. She's about... oh, twenty feet up? certainly able to lean over amd grab something off the top shelf if needed.

Indeed, much has occured in the past few days. Lycanthropes, vampires, and demons. Oh my? It may well be unsurprising to any who frequent the library, or that know her personally, that Verna is present. She is seated at a table, several tomes about her, hood doffed as she peruses one book open before her with interest.

Culix slips into the library this afternoon- perhaps an unusual sight, some might assume, Culix doesn't look the bookish sort. But she has mentioned once or twice that she's taken to researching the various nasties one can find in the world, largely so she knows where to stick it to do the most damage. Which likely explains why she trundles over to the returns desk to check back in a selection of books on magical beasts, from hippogryphs to hydra she seems to have tomes detailing all sorts. And she seems to be done with them for now.

The dangling leg from above swings idly as the soft sound of a page being turned comes from there. Leisure time, as well some moments afforded to think about recent on goings. To reflect.

A shiny eye peers from over the ledge, spotting a gobbo at the return desk, then a Mourner at a table a few aisles over. Snapping her book shut, she turns, eyeballs the fall, and slips off.

She's done stupider at this point.

Landing softly with no more than the sound of a foot step in an intersection between both friends- err, friend and... acquaintance? She wasn't so sure about the Mourner just yet, but she stands up straight and dusts off her jacket with a hand. She catches Culix's gaze, tilts her chin up at them in greeting, then nods towards further in the library before slipping into an aisle to approach Verna.

While there is little sound, the movement afterwards is caught in Verna's peripheral vision. The book is closed and another opened atop it before the Mourner snaps her head around to see whom approaches. Upon recognition, the tension of relfex(?) eases. "Ah. Good day to you, Aryia."

Culix offers the librarian manning the desk a thumbs up after they give the returned books a cursory examination for broken spines or missing pages, then she puts her hands into her pockets and takes a half step back from the desk just in time to spot Aryia. "Hey hey." she offers the Mul, tilting her head quizzically at the unspoken invitation, she skirts around the desk to join her.

"Never took you for the bookish sort." the gobber muses to her friend- quietly. She's had enough run ins with the librarian to know that much. "Readin' anything interesting?" she wonders as she follows along, eyes peeled and scanning the spines of books they pass along the way.

"Friend of yours?" she wonders of Aryia as they round the bend and draw nearer Verna who addresses them. She also snags a book from one of the shelves, 'Automatons and Simulcra: An Illustrated Primer.'

"Hey," Aryia waves with both hands to the two of them. "Good day." She tilts her head at what Verna suddenly closed, torch-like gaze flicking down to the tome then back to the half-mul.

She takes a step to the side so all could see her signs, her giving a small smile to Culix. "I'm not, but Violet has made me have some interests I'm trying to sort out. I usually I just read trashy fiction," she answers Culix, holding up a tome that Verna would recognize as a series on dead languages. 'Practical and Daily Application of Lost Languages: Kulthian Edition' it reads on the front in Trade.

The mute woman gives a nod, setting the book down on the table to gesture to both of them at the same time.

To Culix: "This is V-E-R-N-A."

To Verna: "This is C-U-L-I-X" <Handspeech>

"A pleasure, Culix," Verna dips her head to the gobber before noting, "That is an informative, yet digestible, primer for Kulthian... and there is no reason not to expand one's knowledge. This is an excellent place to do so."

As to her own reading, the tome currently before her, on top, is marked in ancient Mynsrandaal. The spine of the one beneath, formerly perused, is noted, in syldanyari as 'Llyranosti Cuisine.'

Culix chuckles, shaking her head absently as she makes her way over, inviting herself to join Verna's table. "Nothing wrong with trashy fiction." she muses. "Them and shut were about the only books I could get my hand on when I was teaching myself my letters in prison." she adds then. She shows off the cover of her own book, "I'm still studyin' up on beasties and what not. Sticking 'em with the pointy end is all well and good but sometimes you need to know exactly where to stick 'em and it's not always obvious." she muses with a shrug.

Back to Verna, the beady eyed gobber offers a dip of her head in greeting, "Nice to meet ya." she offers in return.

"It's good you're figuring out stuff to get interested in, though." she adds to Aryia. "How is she, anyhow? Ain't seen her since, well, yaknow."

So normally, Aryia would not have a lick of understanding of what Verna held in her hands. But someone has been reteaching her native language. And it's obvious from the way her eyes gleam and from the tug of a smirk at the corner of her lips. Verna was smart. Aryia knew Verna knew that Aryia knew. "G-d l-ck," she hisses out in a foreign tongue and winks. <Undercommon>

She bobs her head in agreement. Yes, this was a good place to learn. "I remember you cramming books in the guild a while back to do the same thing," she gestures towards Culix. She pulls down a sleeve on the jacket, her adjusting some fresh bandages on an arm as the others talk. The mention of Violet get's her expression to soften. "She's good," she answers simply. "Keeping busy." <Handspeech>

Verna blinks once at the whispered well-wishing and wink. She is able to promptly parse it, though it was unexpected. "...Thank you, and I am pleased that you, and she, are both well. Or so I presume?" She gives a pointed glance at Aryia's arm.

The comment is not left hanging for long as she turns to nod to Culix. "Yours is a wise course of study, and rather practical. The odds of encountering such a ... beastie is far higher than, for example, obscure matters of history. For the most part."

Culix nods her head and then flops back, "Yeah maybe but academic types kind of love talking their way around the point. Or writing around it." she replies to Verna. "So you end up learning that, too, whether you want to or not." she shrugs.

Attention goes back to Aryia, and she offers a grin and a nod of her head. "Good to hear." she muses. "So, Kulthos, huh?" she wonders. "Planning some ancient ruin excursions?" she wonders.

Aryia bobs her head and gives a reassuring thumbs up. She glances to her arm, then rolls her shoulder. She opts for action rather than signs, fingers gripping at the waist of her shirt and lifting it to show her the flank of her torso, opposite of the treated spider bite. It looks like there was another gnawing, with a set of teeth that went from ribs to hip. Pink flesh, recently healed over. In time it will fade to light grey to join the rest of the scars on the canvas. "Fought some weird fucking half-lizard half-person thing. And zombie kobolds. I'm good now." She drops the shirt to resting.

The question primed at her makes Aryia look away to the shelves and purse her lips. Was that...? Yep. She was bashful. "...n... no..." she gestures slowly, tapping the tips of her fingers together. <Handspeech>

Verna's eyes drop to Aryia's demonstration of health and welfare briefly. An assurance of current health, if not of wise or fortunate occurances prior. "If I may, I suggest that you bring alternate sources of food for the creatures that seem to find you a delicacy. That or disagree more adamantly with something that wishes to eat you."

To Culix, she proposes an alternate explanation given the full-blood's sudden... reluctance. "She may simply expand her knowledge and interests due to suggestions from, or to better coincide with the interests of others. Many interests are more efficient, or even more entertaining, when approached as a group."

Perhaps because Aryia knows that Verna knows that Aryia knows that...

Culix pushes herself forward, leaning on the table to peek over at Aryia's wounds. She winces at that one. "Looks like they tried to take a chunk right out of you." she says before settling back into her seat. "I'd advise a visit to the TarRaCe but..." she sighs and shrugs dramatically.

She tilts her head at Aryia's response to her question and Verna's cryptic reply, and she blinks once. "You ain't holding out on me, are ya, if you got a lead on some untouched ruins full of ancient artifacts, you know I' your gal for dealing with tricks and traps."

Aryia snerks. "Don't worry, I disagreed very heavily. With my skull. And broke its head with it." She taps the top of her dome, smirking.

She looks to Culix, then Verna, and then back to Culix. "...... What Verna is saying is I'm learning it because of Violet."

Perhaps more explanation is needed. "... so I can impress her."

... maybe more? "... I like to see her smile when I use it." a soft smile suffuses her features. "Yes, it would be a good visit, but I already had that covered, don't worry."

Pause. Face goes crimson immedietly. "..... the two topics are completely unrelated." Abort, abort, abort. "I'm going to shut up now." <Handspeech>

"As I stated," Verna glances to Aryia though her comment may be intended for Culix, "you have valid reason to learn the language not related to ruins nor the past. If you encounter any pronunciation difficulties, I would be pleased to assist. You might also consider some rudimentary investigation into artifice, as it and the Kulthian tongue are closely inter-related."

Back to Culix, she inquires, "As well, are there any creatures in particular of which you would learn the most efficient means to dispatch?" She recalls the gobber's original statement of interest, though now it may be an intentional segue.

Culix scoffs, "Psh, so that's it." she says rolling her eyes, "Should have known once you started getting all bashful it was about her." she adds then, leaning forwards a bit, on the table. "I reckon you never think about anything else." she teases.

Culix pauses a mo, and then grins slightly, "Is that so? Speaking of... did you two ever manage to go on that date? At the TarRaCe, before they closed up shop?" she wonders.

Another beat, "Then again. Maybe it'd be more fun in one of them little tubs you can get 'em to fill for you at regular inns. More... cosy, anyhow." she teases, offering a grin and a wink.

"Uhhh, not in particular I guess." She says to Verna. "Mostly, just trying to get a decent idea what sorta tools I ought to carry with me for various situations. Got some silver and cold iron bolts for dealing with stuff what's allergic to them, already."

Aryia continues looking off to the side, her gestures going towards Verna's vague direction. "... was going to look at some gun designs later to see if I can decipher it..." she mentions. From what Culix knew of Violet, that... makes a lot of sense. "I'll keep that in mind if I get tongue tied."

The elf glances down at Culix past her rubored visage. "Oh fuck off," she chuffs, lightly thudding a shoulder on the gobbo. "I have plenty of other things to think about too. No, we didn't get to go. Rumor has it though that there might be a spa opening up near Wilderness Pointe though..."

She blinks, then the color in her face redoubles at the mention of a tub. Her lips purse, and she looks away. Yeeeep. That's what happened instead. <Handspeech>

Verna notes Aryia's initial response on firearms and linguistics, but misses the expletive as her head whirls around to stare in surprise at Culix as a few words register before others. "How did you know? I-" A pause as her brain catches up, parses the rest of the gobber's comment to realize the actual intended target. She does not blush, per se (and certainly not in comparison to the ever-talented Aryia), though her expression is ... uncomfortable? Perturbed?

Another pause before she looks to Aryia again and catches the last bits (and more color). "The TarRaCe is reopened or reopening. I reserved space and time for a small gathering. I expected two, yet... it could be expanded to four, if you were interested?" A brow lifts some. A polite offering, of course, and certainly not due to "...I believe that I would welcome the possible assistance."

Culix ohs at that, "I thought about getting a gun some time. I know how to use one. But they're kinda noisy, right?" she offers and then shrugs. "But I don't doubt more boomsticks would make her even more of a force to be reckoned with."

She pauses a moment to look between the two of then, and then cracks into a toothy grin and a giggle- though she bites her knuckle to keep the volume down before she turns heads. It is a library, after all. "I always know." she teases Verna then, and just offers Aryia a smug grin.

As the topic moves to Bath House alternatives, she huffs, "Wilderness Pointe is so far, though..." she says then, clearly not thrilled at that idea... but then she perks up at Verna. "Oh has it? I know Irshya was keen on keeping the place going. I don't think she ever leaves the baths."

"Who? Violet doesn't use guns..." she simply gestures. Though, Aryia stares at the smug grin, then she huffs, turning her body away to mask all the stupid tells she can't control. She rubs at her face, bringing proper color back to it before shaking her hands off and returning to the conversa-

She blinks. "It's open again?!" she briskly gestures, surprised. "Oh, well, shit! Nice!" The offer, however, tapers her excitement. A sigh leaves her, and she bites her lip. "... I would be interested, but, um. Violet is..." she glances to Culix for a beat, holding a hand up for the next sign before returning to Verna. "... very, very shy." <Handspeech>

Verna is dubious of Culix's claim of omniscience, blaming more her own (unexpected) leap to false conclusions. Following Aryia's excited follow-up, she nods to both. "It appeared so. Irshya was adamant that it would remain open, though, yes,we did converse in the baths."

Her lips purse at Aryia's concerns, though not in any judgement of her nor others. "I understand. I would not wish to make anyone uncomfortable."

Culix nods her head, "I'm figuring that." she says then in response to Aryia's comment. "I guess I understand where she's coming from I used to be pretty shy myself, till I went to prison. There's only so long you can stay shy there." she shrugs one shoulder.

"That's good news, though. They closed up jus' when I was getting used to visiting regular." she comments then. "I'll be happy to go back again."

Aryia sighs, shoulders sagging a bit. "Sorry Verna," she motions towards the Mourner. "I don't want to either, so I try to respect her decision so she's not uncomfortable."

A lot of subtle hints there for the gobbo to pick apart for later.

There is a sort of happy smile that crosses her lips. "... I missed the baths. Need to go back, I got a sore in my arm that needs it."

Then, a question comes from somewhere in the mute's mind. "... Culix, you got a favorite color?" <Handspeech>

"Of course," Verna accepts that. "There is no need for apologies. As I said, I do not wish to hamper any relationships..." There may be more implied by the soft ending. Perhaps an unspoken gem such as 'I am still practicing to fail one!'

"I regret that I have not yet sampled the TarRaCe's amenities. I intend to rectify that lapse." With that, she looks to Culix following the off-hand inquiry.

Culix nods her head again then, before glancing up to Aryia, "You ever had a massage there? I never fancied it. Not super keen on folks manhandling me when I have my back to 'em, you know? But Irshya bent my arm into giving it a go. Felt pretty amazing, even better than just a soak for getting rid of aches and pains." she says then. And then the question catches her off guard.

She scratches her cheek as she thinks on the answer to that, "Never really thought about it. Yellow, I guess." she answers after a sec. "Why?" she wonders.

To Verna, she says, "It's pretty great. You can get dinner, your clothes washed, and a bath all in one place. Plus the baths are huge, not like your usual tub, so you can sit around in 'em and chat with folks."

Aryia nods towards Verna. "The food is good, can confirm that."

The elf slowly shakes her head. "I... want to. But I'm a little weird with people touching me without me seeing them," she admits, revealing a minor phobia. "Especially if it's my back." A sigh leaves her, looking a bit saddned at the prospect, but she gets her confidence back in the same beat. "But, I think I'd be willing to try it if I had someone I trusted with me, or the person doing it was someone I trusted. I get what you mean"

At the answer, she smiles warmly, kneeling down to get to eye level with Culix. She holds out a flat palm beside the gobbo, turns it sideways and closes a torch-lit eye. It passes over Culix across, then up and down, then around as the mute mouths numbers to herself...

"Noted," she snaps a finger, winking and standing. <Handspeech>

She doesn't elaborate.

"I do not doubt that the offerings are well-prepared and the cooks talented," Verna notes plainly, "yet my first meal there will not be prepared by their staff." She then adds, less confidently, "If all goes as planned, of course." Another thought that distorts her features.

To banish that and shift back to the points the other two make, she informs, "While the perceived vulnerability, or perhaps modesty, in such a situation is understandable, one is far more likely to perish due to a slip and fall upon wet stone, or possibly drowning within the baths, than from a conspiring assassin masquerading as a masseuse. By serval orders of magnitude."

Culix tilts her head quizzically at Verna's comment, and then she is eye to eye with Aryia, "Uh..." she says, confused as the Mul examines her closely. "I'm nervous." she admits then...

But then she sighs at Verna's comment and nods her head, "I know, I know." she says then. "But I still get the jitters when someone I don't know very well is close up behind me. 'specially when I'm buck naked."

Aryia reaches out to pat Verna on the shoulder over the willowy robes. "I'd practice a few times before you commit." She gives a reassuring smile, and cants her head towards the under-book.

The elf snerks at that, shoving a hand into a pocket. "Yes, bad things rarely happen in there." The light in her eyes banished the dark thoughts of that little cop-out.

She looks down to her gobbo friend growing unsettled. "... I made this jacket-" she rattles her verdant green buckle jacket, the buckles softly clanking against one another. "-I like making clothes." She leaves those hints out to let Culix connect the dots. <Handspeech>

Verna's eyes widen at Aryia's comment, then her lips purse, then she follows the head cant and fits the pieces and implications together. "Ah!" Her head shakes in the negative. "This was research for the most likely require ingredients. She is the one who enjoys cooking, and has not had an opportunity to do so in some time. Thus the rental of kitchen space." An entirely logical and appropriate line of thought. Save, perhaps, for the reveal of the same. "It is intended a surprise," she glances between the mul and the gobber, "so your discretion is greatly appreciated."

Culix makes an o with her mouth when Aryia points that out and she grins, "Ohhh... alrighty, gotcha." she says to her then and hmms. "Maybe I ought to learn to do... something. I dunno if making clothes or cooking are for me... but something." she says glancing between the other two for a moment.

She peers at Verna, curious- but doesn't know the other woman well enough to be /too/ nosy about just who she's talking about.

Jinks isn't a fan of this place. Between the bring-your-own liquor policy (and then drinking it without anyone noticing) and the frowning on singing, well... there are other venues more the gnome's speed. It's not that he looks down on a good library; knowledge and the books containing written record of that knowledge are important. He's just more of a People Person.

The ghostly giant squid trying to crush him to paste on a previous visit might color matters some, too.

The gnome steps through the door, the sky framing him a gorgeous oil painting of oranges, reds, and purples as the sun sets outside. He offers his winningest smile to the watchmen flanking the doors and the lady at the frontdesk. "Transcribing in the genealogies again. Pen, ink, and paper, please. Hold the ghosts," he jokes. Octagna's assistant is as unamused as the retired oruch watchperson would be. Always a tough crowd; probably why they call them 'the Racks.'

Aryia looks a bit quizzical at Verna's flow of expressions, but she just softly 'heh's and shrugs her shoulders. "It's a good idea. Besides, I don't even know the person. Who are you talking about...?" That last bit is given a cheeky wink.

The elf gives a thumbs up from the hip towards Culix. "It's apparently something I used to be very, very good at," she mentions, casting a knowing glance towards Verna.

From the tables off to the side, one of the trio raises their gaze up to the other smallfolk that entered the establishment. She blinks, then scowls. Was she actually angry? Bemusement? Something else?

There a brisk ruffle of clothes from the table's direction as an arm is snapped forward, finger briskly jabbing towards Jinks. "YOU!" was all was said. <Handspeech>

"Shhhh!" the ever omniscient librarian hisses from no where. The elf cringes, abating her petty fury some. Wait, that was sign. Was she signing too loud? How?!

Verna lifts a brow partly, perhaps unsure whether Aryia is jesting or genuine. She would know more than most, however-ah, the wink implies the former. After the latter comment and knowing look, Verna returns the wink: less cheeky and more a mechanical blink, but the effort is present.

The firm shushing, followed by Aryia's gesture, subsequently draws her attention towards the latest arrival. Even so, she comments to Culix, "Not all are destined for all hobbies or skills." Perhaps this is why her browsing was only for ingredients and not practical application.

Culix huffs, and folds her arms across her chest as she settles back into her seat. "Hate being left out of a secret." she complains, though the curl at the corner of her lips hints at amusement rather than genuine upset.

Her mouth opens, to say something- but then Aryia is gesticulating violently at someone. She cranes her neck to see who, and spies Jinks.

Jinks leaves his coined deposit and accepts the short stack of papers, stoppered well of ink, and just-sharpened pen as his smile fades to be replaced by a defeated frown. If drudgery has a harbinger the gnome now holds it in his hands. He bends the paper loosely so the long edges touch, taking a better grip before he hops off the step he'd ascended to interact with librarian's assistnt.

"(me?)" He mouths, turning to look left and right, then point the loosely-rolled papers back at his chest. He'd sign proper but his hands are full. Thin lips purse, nonplussed, and the gnome walks over to see what's riled the mulblood. It's not procrastinating if you're being polite, right?

Aryia strides up to meet Jinks halfway, her nodding and gesturing briskly (but less heated so she wouldn't draw more ire. Seriously, how did she know she was yelling in /sign/?) "Yes you!"

She glowers over him, squinting heavily before a fist rises. Oh no. He's seen first hand the destruction she can wrought with just her limbs. It cocks back. And...-

Slowly lowers to his face, as an index finger flicks out and thwacks him gently on the forehead. "That's for the horse pun, fucker," she huffs with a sharp sign, and her petty vengeance is sated. <Handspeech>

Verna has witnessed Aryia in a few different moods, though not so much the current. There is some concern as she watches the full-blood moves briskly towards the gnome and lifts a fist... The punchline, so to speak, is not what may have been expected, but it is perhaps a relief? She need not promptly attend to her divine duties, nor be concerned that irreplaceable writings might be forever stained, at the least. A curious glance is cast to Culix, as the gobber might supply more context?

Culix watches Aryia rise from her seat and stomp over towards the Gnome. She blinks, tilting her head and braces as it seems like the mul'niessa is is about to start a scrap, but then she just gives him the flick. She relaxes.

She looks back and shrugs at Verna, "Don't look at me. I dunno what this is about."

Jinks flinches back with one eye closing and his nose wrinkled, choking out a little sound of surprise. Up comes the bundle of papers in a meager effort of self-defense. It takes a moment of puzzling through her grievance before he's remembered the wunder Punkt and chuckles quietly in spite of himself.

"Have you met my pony?" He wonders, looking past Aryia briefly and offering a mild wave at the two she'd abandoned. He grins, softly biting his tongue and shaking his head in amusement. "He was a racing pony that never so much as placed. He was set to be rendered into meats and used for glue. I bought him on the cheap and had him trained to be a combat steed against the advisory of his previous owner." The gnome speaks quietly, his voice a breathy half-whisper to avoid the ire of the library staff. His onyx-black eyes twinkle as he leans in closer to Aryia, "He's named Neighsayers." And then he makes a quiet, horselike 'neigh' to knock home the point.

Aryia listens closely, wondering if this would be some heartfelt tale. But then she blinks. And her face bunches up into a grimace. Oh son of a b- Two could play at that game! "Fuck you and the horse you rode in on." An interesting display, the sign for the act was placed atop an identifier for an animal, and rode off into the distance. She grins, rolls her eyes, then rejoins the group.

She offers some explanation, "Our wagon horse died during an ambush. I had to be the horse. I said no horse puns." No more needed to be explained. <Handspeech>

Verna returns some of Culix's shrug to her before looking to Aryia for that context. While she may already be technically fluent in Handspeech, her vernacular vocabulary receives quite the boost all the same. It may take a moment for her to decipher some of the metaphors from literals.

Jinks provides further context before Aryia's more direct explanation and Verna nods. She gestures back with a morsel of wisdom, "Horses are commonly known to kick those that annoy or spook them. Something for you to both consider in the future, perhaps?"

Culix just watches for the time being, leaning one elbow on the table as she peers towards Aryia and Jinks as they do their little exchange. She.scoffs and rolls her eyes at the pun at the end of the story and shakes her head. "Ugh that was awful." she complains then.

When Aryia turns and signs her explanation Culix just stares at her for a few moments, dumbfounded for a few seconds. And then she snorts, and begins to cackle, leaning forwards in her chair and biting on her knuckle as she tries to stifle her laughter before the librarian boots her out.

"Oh gods that's hilarious! I mean, not the horse dieing that's shite, but you had to pull the wagon?" she chokes out wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

And then Verna's comment sets her off again, shoulders shaking in suppressed laughter.

"Yes, well," Jinks comments, stepping around Aryia to set the papers down on the table across from Verna and Culix. He tests his forehead where he was flicked and then rubs it gently, one eye squinting. "I did help pull the cart." And he looks like he'd be a big help at such a thing, too.

"Didn't even sing 'the Cart before the Mul' like I'd wanted," he mumbles. "Jinks," adds the gnome re-plastering on his smile. He's fairly certain he hasn't met these people before. Maybe the goblin? But they all kind of blend together. His expression relays half the inner monologue as he considers Culix from a side-eye.

Aryia blinks owlishly between Verna, Culix, and Jinks, her face dusting a rubor. "... I volunteered to do it!" she elaborates with a hand, but that did /not/ help her case in the slightest.

She simply buries her face into her hands, silvered ears drooping some as she was to preoccupied removing the foot out of her mouth to make introductions. <Handspeech>

"Sage Mourner Verna," she offers to Jinks as a return of the introduction. She further notes to Aryia, "Thus you were the one most willing, and apparently most capable, given that you succeeded. There is no cause for embarassment in that. You played to your strengths."

Eyes return to Jinks. "As did he, I presume, though the practical benefits of excessive humor are ... a subject of debate."

Culix continues laughing for a bit longer, Aryia's protestations just driving her deeper into her giggle fit before she finally manages to catch her breath. "Hoooo" she says then and sighs, "Alright, alright, I'm good now." she says then. "Culix." she manages to offer by way of introduction. She turns towards a scowling librarian and winces, offering a placating gesture.

"It was the reptilian horde's ill humor that got us into the mess in the first place," Jinks agrees with Verna. He blinks, somewhat taken aback by Aryia's reaction. Perhaps a side of the woman he hadn't seen before. "But the Bardic colleges and Coyote, both, can find many good uses for laughter."

The gnome makes to tap his lapel but the brooch isn't there. Right. He sniffs and sighs, considering Aryia further. "More Kulthian studies today?"

Aryia shakes her head, rubbing at her face to get the grey color back into scarred cheeks. Jinks has always caught the elf when she's being stubborn or out on a job. In a normal situation like this... it's clear she's incredibly easy to fluster.

Inhale, a slooooow exhale to center herself. "Yes, we did good." Finally, she looks over to Jinks. "-ff-rm-t-v-" she nods, hissing softly in the mentioned tongue.<Kulthian> "Getting better at it. Taking a break after all that madness. Leg's still sore from getting bit a bunch," her hands continue on. <Handspeech>

Culix settles down finally, and she shuffles off her seat. "Well, I best make a move." she says then. "Good to meet you Verna, Jinks. Good seeing you as usual, Aryia." she says as she tucks the book she'd selected for herself under arm, offers each a wave, and then begins heading for the desk to check it out.

Verna bids Culix farewell as the other two discuss Kulthian, in Kulthian. Immersion is a proven tool for learning, so it is appropriate. Aryia's motivation for said immersion (re)sparks a thought and Verna pulls out the second-most tome from the pile before her and opens it to peruse a moment.

"One down, two to go. Best not to dwell on half that remainder being a dragon." Jinks reminds Aryia with a cant of his head. "... and then whatever pieces of the warband that don't break and scatter."

The gnome picks up his papers and considers one of the stairwells up to the second floor of the library. "I genuinely don't know if I'd rather be fighting a dragon or doing this research..." he's surprised to admit.

Aryia gives Culix a pat on the shoulder as they go, the mute woman leaning against the table as the gnome gets settled in. A glance is stolen to the book Verna picks up, but her attention shifts off that to address Jinks. "I know, I know. It just feels good to actually get something done rather than running away with our tails between our legs." She does shudder at the thought of the draconic half. She really fought that fucking thing head on...?

Her brows pinch. "What are you researching that makes you say that?" <Handspeech>

"Research is not likely to be as ...exciting as combatting a dragon," Verna notes as she glances up from the pages of what appears to be a sildanyari recipe book (that is, recipes -by- sildanyari, not -of- sildanyari), "nor as perilous. It may prove more productive, as well, depending on the topic and scope. Further, the two are not mutually-exclusive. From what I understand, there was a dragon in the vicinity quite recently."

Concerning Aryia's comment, she exhales something of a sigh. "At times, avoidance can still be a victory, even if it does not seem such."

"Transcribing family histories and genealogies for someone." Jinks answers, only somewhat cagily. "I could pull the broad strokes from the Hymn and put it to paper but they deserve a precise account. And if I don't take the time to do it no one else can."

"Maybe they won't care but it seems a thing worth doing." The gnome makes a face, as if confounded by the sentiment. This opposite side of this new leaf is frequently unpleasant. He turns to look squarely at Aryia. "Did Strike's event put frustrating, inescapable ideas into your head? Insidious..."

His consideration of the halfblood-mul falters with a glance at Verna. "That was a sith-makar sorceress trying to stop Aya from killing her lover-- if you mean the structural... bother in the Noble's district not long ago."

Aryia glances to Verna, sighing. "Yes, but it still doesn't mean it still sucks any less if all you do is run. It's just a nice change of pace is all..."

Attention focused on Jinks now, her lips purse sidewise. "... yes. Strike's gathering has... giving me much to think about. Including my past. I have learned a number of things, and it makes my history all the more confusing."

She puts two and two together from Jinks's answer, and the mute mul'neissa just raises a brow. Did she figure it out? Who knows, she doesn't sign it.

The mention of a certain shadowy mul'neissa and their lover makes the torch-light eyes dim to a candle for a brief moment. Her lips thin to a line, and she shifts her weight to the other foot. She disliked this topic immensely. <Handspeech>

"Ah." A short sound from Verna. The comment was perhaps an attempt at jest. Given her innate ineptitude at such, combined her lack of details on the event... She chooses to leave the matter with "My apologies." She also leaves the matter of bravely running away versus bravely becoming eaten fade on by.

"Yeah... that's all just shite, isn't it?" Jinks sighs, shaking his head. He tucks the papers under his arm and shrugs. "I should get to it." Admits the gnome reluctantly, nodding to each woman in turn before heading up the stairs towards another corner of the library.

Aryia nods solemnly in agreement, her closing her eyes and sighing deeply. "It does. Good luck with your searching."

And then he goes. Now it was just one and a half mul's. Whatever lingering thoughts were banished as her eyes reopen, them back to their torch-bright luminosity. "... is your invitation for aid still open? I may need your help with understanding something..." she asks, shifting topics as she gets to her feet properly. <Handspeech>

Verna is uncertain whether it is better that she turn her attention to her book given the apparent murder of conversation, then followed by Jinks' departure or ... attempt to- Ah, she is saved by Aryia. Again? Perhaps?

She looks up to the rising full-blood. "Yes, of course. What is it you wish aid concerning?" Her typical caveat/reminder/statement that she can only guarantee aid and not answers is witheld; it could be repetitive now, between the two of them... or she realizes that it may be presumed?

Aryia glances to the window, checking the time of day before returning back to Verna's request for the topic of aid. "The Celestial stuff," she broaches. "I've been... meditating on some things. And it's... it's getting really obvious now. When I was fighting that thing the other day- it's what got my side and leg,- I just felt so... I don't know. I felt like I was burning inside. Not like... you know, actually on fire. Just... yes. That's the best way I can describe it."

A glance to the librarians. "Just wanted to ask more about what you might know later. I don't want to try anything in here, else I might get kicked out." <Handspeech>

Verna absorbs the request: the topic, itself, and the information surrounding it. She follows Aryia's glance aside towards Lady Octagna or one of her aides before nodding. "Understood, and agreed that now is not the most opportune place or time. I will collate what I can for a discussion in the near future." A pause to glance at the tome before her, close it, and then pinch the bridge of her nose briefly. "In truth, it is a far more beneficial and productive pursuit than llyranosti appetizers."

Aryia nods, smirking lightly. "Something to mull over while you mull over what dish to prepare," her signs tease before reaching out to pat the Mourner on the shoulder once more. "Don't over think it." The hand leaves.

There's a brief shift of the air pressure. And when the Mourner looks back to see more signs from the elf, she's simply gone. <Handspeech>

-End Scene-