Checking out some information - (Open, mod)

[Kasumi Adsa]

32rd of Melora, Winter, Era I of the Celestial Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.


Location: Zinn'Sunn Library


On a whim more than anything, the young Adsa decided to visit the library. He had some free time that he didn’t want to waste. The library held a lot of knowledge and who knows what he could find. At the worst it would merely take up his free time, but at the best he could discover some artefact. He could hope for the best, but he didn’t expect much from today’s visit. Anything major that was discovered was reported to the head family and from there they’d normally assign one of their trusted men to continue with the investigation, or whatever was found. He had even been assigned to such an investigation before though it brought no benefit to the clan. He was secretly quite pleased with outcome, but it was still a letdown.

Anyways, he entered the library after making the short trip there. Once he was inside he slowly approached his fellow clan member, Axia, who was the librarian. A few times they had spoken before, but not often. They were more like acquaintances than anything else. “Serale, Axia. Have you come across anything interesting lately?” He enquired. Even though they weren’t exactly close he still figured she’d let him in on something slightly interesting if it came up. If not he’d have to actually do something normal, like study or something. If that was the case, he’d much prefer to spar. Either way he’d end up doing something today, whether it be exciting or just normal.


((OOC: Possibly an adventure thread. I leave it up to the mod who takes it to decide what to do with this.))

[Mn`dharrowrynn]

Her journey from the Outlands was nearly complete, a herald to many roads ending, circling into new journey's, but like a kept promise she remembered to pay a final homage to Zinn'Sunn through its archives. On fleet winds she strode through the door, the dead of winter hanging from her shoulders in soft tufts, the road still wafting about her in heady aromas of alpine, snow, and damp earth. She drew a sprig from her locks and let fall several leaves before adjusting the fur mantle and hood. Poised at the threshold, she scanned over the lined walls, daunted by a search into the history of Zinn'Sunn, curious to know what kept this ancient place from falling into the full clutch of the Empire. Kingdom didn't suit them; after all, everyone was already a vassal.

She subsided the thought for a soft glance, turning to regard the elegantly composed kemite man near the librarians study. The archive felt like a tomb, and she wondered if they were the only people here. Her eyes studied them, forever fascinated by this place, its independence, the freedom, and she wondered where Syl'rosya had went wrong. But she was growing to love this land, despite the strange turmoil that sent her blowing along the cobbled Zinn'Sunnese paths, along rice fields, tiered farms, and elephant groves where the quiet passage of lfie trickles down ageless riverbeds and feeds into exotic and abundant jungles. Winter barely gave this place justice, but deep and intuitive senses could see the dream for its authentic reality.

Her steps circled the study, drifting her gaze toward scrolls and tapestries. The hearing bestowed upon an elf and those elongated, beautiful seelie ears could listen to much. Circling to another rank of study, her pre-occupied face tinged with consternation and focus, slender leaf-like hands searching the binders, and touching the ranks of papyrus; she listened to a living story unfolding behind her shoulders. Embracing the moment, she figured as an elf, she had all the time in aetheria to see what the archives had in store.

[Maven]

Axia smiled. "Of course, young Lord. This is a Library, is it not? It is full of interesting information..."

"I did find a few interesting tidbits on the courting rituals of sea snakes just yesterbrightening," she leaned in, a serious yet whispering tone escaping her mouth. "Unfortunately, nothing you are looking for." She gave Kasumi a dry look, her voice returning to normal as she leaned away. "Or otherwise interesting or helpful." She ended the conversation with a slightly apologetic smile before gliding upstairs.

She hadn't fully made it to the next floor before Kasumi saw him.

He hadn't noticed the man before, but there he was. Leaning back comfortably with his feet upon a small reading desk was a striking, yet olderm, kemite. The man had a full head of short hair, gray appearing around his ears. He wore mostly dark red-garb, with traces of a light-green around his wrists and ankles. His eyes were sharp, dark, and they were pointed straight at Kasumi over a thin goatee.

He obviously had no intention of looking away, as Kasumi soon found out. He sat there, almost to the point of conceit, a lazy arm draped over the hilt of a katana. It seemed as though the elderly kemite was trying to relay a thousand words with his eyes.

Then, in an oddly comforting way, the man smiled. Kasumi then could understand the unspoken message. He was being invited to come and sit.

[Kasumi Adsa]

Her response was not surprising, but it would have been nice if she did have something to share. He’d probably be back on other days and asked the same question, but for now he’d have to settle with what he could find on his own. “True, sea snakes don’t interest me. I guess I’ll just have to do some research of my own. This library does have a lot of interesting fact waiting for me to discover.” He answered. “If you do come across anything you know how to contact me.” He watched as she left while thinking about what he could read about. The two options were either to read about arcana or about warfare. Neither of them would be exactly useful straight away, but knowledge was very useful. The more he knew, the more threatening he’d be.

Before he could follow her up the stairs, which he intended to climb, he noticed out of the side of his eye a person who was staring at him quite weirdly. It appeared he definitely knew something interesting, judging from just how he was sitting there. Kasumi was intrigue, more than simply reading this person might be able to offer something of little more value. After the other man smile Kasumi knew he was invited over to the desk. Kasumi respond silently with his own smile as he approached to table. He was obviously interested in what this man knew, and why he had chosen Kasumi. The interaction could be dangerous in some way, but he remained cautious enough to respond to anything that happened. There weren’t too many other people in the library, but he made sure to keep track of their movements, or to what extent he could. One seemed to be a little suspicious, but he didn’t care enough unless she tried something.


Kasumi took a seat opposite the man removing his swords and held them comfortably in his hands. He couldn’t be too relaxed if the person in front of him was who Kasumi believed him to be. Judging by what he was wearing there could be a good chance he was from the Ancha family. One of the gryphon clan families that had as much fame as his, except they were mostly trained assassins compared to his which were businessmen. He would start the conversation, “I couldn’t help but notice you.” He didn’t care about how pointless his words were but as long as it got things moving in the right direction. “First, why not start with an introduction. I’m Kasumi Adsa, of the gryphon clan. I assume you would know that much though from your actions so far.” Kasumi would give him time to answer and hopefully bring up whatever the man had on his mind.

[Maven]

The man’s eyes narrowed, his smile fading to a slight smirk. “Aye, I know who you are, son of Ansai Adsa. Although, that is of little consequence; Many know of you and your family, obviously.” His feet dropped to the floor before quickly standing up.

“Yes indeed, it should start with introductions.” He offered his hand to Kasumi. “My name is Heecham Ancha, cousin of Jerassa Ancha, who I am sure you are familiar with. She is, of course, the Lordess of my family, much as your father is the Lord of yours. That gives us common ground in a way. Don’t you agree? To be so close to greatness, but out of the light, so to speak?”

He sat back down, the smile returning. He seemed sincere and comfortable. He looked at Kasumi as if they had known each other for eras. As if they were old friends.

“With luck, we should become very good friends indeed. Much as I was friends with another young man. He happened to be heir apparent to the Adsa family holdings… until certain plottings and... well, that is all history.” The man leaned in, his voice quieting to a volume that was much more secretive.

“Know you, young Adsa, the story of which I speak?”

[Kasumi Adsa]

Kasumi was quite happy to let the other man speak. The more he said the easier it would be for him to respond. Kasumi went through the simple greetings, such as shaking the man’s hand. The first thing Kasumi was able to confirm was that, as he had thought, the man was from the Ancha clan. It was all pretty open information though. The man gave him his name and a little information on his birth and such. Kasumi had probably even met the man at some point before, but he couldn’t recall anything at the moment. It did however give him an understanding of who this man was and how he was related to Kasumi, though only basically. There was also a comment about how they were similar, and Kasumi decided to voice his opinion. “What you say is possibly true, though I feel my time in light is approaching ever faster... whether I like it or not.” Afterwards Kasumi followed suit and was seated with his swords appropriately place in his lap.

What followed was a brief pause that was Kasumi would describe as a little weird to say the least. The man, Heecham, appeared to know Kasumi or something. It definitely wasn’t how a stranger looked at someone they just met. Kasumi kept a fairly normal expression, though obviously still quite intrigued. The pause didn’t last for long before he brought up a topic quite close to Kasumi, though in a very roundabout fashion. Quite clever, not many people would know the Gryphon clan history well enough to know about the previous heir to the family. Still Kasumi couldn’t help but think how this person knew his brother. He had claimed they were friends but Kasumi had a few doubts. The Ancha clan were probably a lot better than the other families in this clan, but they were known for their assassins. Kasumi wouldn’t jump to conclusions. He had no clue what happened the day of his brother’s death and this man might be able to inform him.

“I know of what you speak of, though not so much the details of any plots and such.” He answered quite simply. He hoped he wouldn’t have to ask for Heecham to explain things to him. Listening was so much easier and even indirectly asking questions could make things a little more obvious. Kasumi didn’t really want to reveal much of what it was they were talking about to anyone else in the library. If this ever got back to anyone significant it could mean a horrible fate for those involved. “Please continue though, I wouldn’t want my inexperience to slow things down.” Kasumi continued. He had to play a passive role for now. This man hadn’t made his objectives clear and it’d be foolish to be forward in this situation. Whatever Heecham wanted, Kasumi would find out soon enough. The conversation had just started, there was still quite a bit to go.

[Maven]

“Please continue though, I wouldn’t want my inexperience to slow things down,” Kasumi said.

"Well, my dear boy..." Heecham leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. He looked the younger kemite, his dark eye's seemed to be searching Kasumi's.

"It already has."

He leaned back once again, the slight smile returning to his lips, his eyes forgiving. "Of course, not by your own design. You have grown to be a most worthy member of our clan. But there is still much that is required of you." he looked the younger man up and down, testing him with his eyes. "The time is now, young Adsa."

Heecham began rummaging through his shirt, apparently looking for something. "There is much I need to tell you, and you will have many questions. This is not the place. I would have you meet me elsewhere- Somewhere more... private."

The older kemite brought his hand out of his shirt, having found what he was looking for. It was a simple piece of parchment, folded several times. He placed it on the table, before opening his hand and laying his palm across the note.

"Oh, one last thing. It would do to have some company, if you accept to the meeting, of course. How about that elven woman over there?" Before Kasumi could answer, the man stuck two fingers in his mouth and blew hard, a loud whistle getting the attention of everyone in the library.

"Yes, young miss!" He pointed at Mn'dharrowrynn. "You, the one who is not very good at pretending she isn't hearing things she shouldn't be listening to. If you would be so kind, me and my young friend here would like to have a moment of your time!"

[Mn`dharrowrynn]

She'd been swept in the foreign tale, a rousing diatribe of intrigue, murder, advances, rises...indirect with its double-speak, its subtle shifts of tone and timing. So there was obviously a deeper common ground between the feuding noble Houses of Syl'rosya and its human mirror to the far south, with its striving and maneuvering Clans climbing for status in Zinn'Sunn. Her people knew this practice -- this incessant way of life-- and they were paying dearly for it. Her empathy reached out to the story, still she fingered through the tombs, listening to the crafty tongue of the older man, obviously called Heecham, who seemed to narrate with a playful humor. Kasumi, dressed down in the raiment's of a young noble, bore the business end of the poise for the most part. But that notion evaporated into the air like the rustle of leaves in the wind. Assassins? Brothers dying. Clans rising. She wondered if independence brought this as a reward? Conflict was inevitable, and she registered that it was better to have free conflict over the organized mechanitions of global and Imperial conflict.

These people fought their own battles. Or did they? What would be ripped from the young noble this brightening, that he may test his mettle and deem his worth?

Still, she could not deny her allure to the Kemite culture, nor to the inherent grace, even Heecham; she could have been sitting in a court of elves, such was their double speak punctuated by flavor, charisma, or drama. It was a delight to hear just the surface of the--. Oh no. Mn`dharrowrynn suddenly winced as a child does when caught in childs play, dropping one of the tombs to the ground with a resounding THUD. Me? She thought. Was the older kemite indicating her? She looked around inconspicuously, but he declared her by race, and she hadn't seen too many elves since she'd come to town-- since she'd stepped in the library. Apprehended by curiosity and the courtesy upbringing of an elvish court, she found herself advancing without having fully affirmed why. Her tiny crown of raven locks bobbed with her slow addressing nod.

"I didn't mean to offend." Crossing her arms like wings, she bowed once, rigid as a statue. In unpracticed kemite, accented by the sing-song elven, Mn offered a greeting in their native tongue out of consideration.

She had now exhausted all the kemite she knew.

[Maven]

"Well, now. Offense is rarely offered as much as it is taken, is it not?" He smiled at the woman, waving her to the seat next to Kasumi. "Do not worry, though. It seems as though we are in need of you anyway, and the conversation would have reached your long ears regardless. Your name, young miss?" he said, wishing for her to offer him her name.

Once she had answered, Heecham retrieved his hand from the table. The note remained, and would be available for whomever retrieved it.

"On that parchment lies directions to a building outside of city limits." Heecham looked at Mn'dharrowrynn. "The clothing you wear marks you, young one. You are from Silrosia, are you not? Although Kasumi here knows a great deal of our fair city, and much of the power struggles within, I'm sure he has spent little time in the wilderness outside. It would please me to know that he had a companion along the short journey."

He looked back at Kasumi. "What say you, son of Ansai? Will you take me up on my offer? Will you meet with an old man of the Gryphon?"

[Mn`dharrowrynn]

Warmed by his candor, she gravitated, settling into their company and crossing herself like a creature lent down from flight. "I am Mn`dharrowrynn," which was much easier to pronounce once it had been heard. "But you're right-- I've come from the Restwood of Syl'rosya, though I was born of the Dolwood originally." It only mattered to some, she merely emphasized her small cares and recollections of things, keeping soft reminders of home about her whenever she could chance it.

Noting the brief details Heecham presented, she nodded when appropriate, observing Kasumi through a sideways glance, curious to gauge his reaction, but excited by mere involvement just to be present.

"I can move through the woods. I have seen your Outlands, your Forest of Dreams, and the roads from High Peak, Enamoria, Arium, and Arakmat. What does a kemite want of an elf?" She would listen to the whisper of the winds on the rustle of leaves, and take in the heady chase of woodland revelry, of that Heecham could feel assured. But her question, playful in its antagonism, begged just one more taste of the tale thus far.

She was all ears.

[Kasumi Adsa]

Heecham had continued as Kasumi had requested. Not everything was to the young Adsa’s liking but nothing worth giving any decent response to. For the most he remained quiet and listened to the older man’s words. He claimed this public library would be a bad place for them to continue this conversation because of the other people around, but the other people also offered some sort of protection. If Heecham was here for Kasumi’s life, then these people would be obstacles. The clan couldn’t openly target one of their members obviously. So the next move would be to get Kasumi secluded and alone so there would be no witnesses and the clan could claim whatever they wanted. Currently Kasumi couldn’t risk putting any trust in Heecham, but he would continue to listen.

As more time passed, Heecham ended up pulling an elf into the conversation. The one Kasumi had noticed hanging around him. It was a little unexpected, but he was quick to adjust. He was fine with just letting her listen if she wanted. He had no intentions of revealing anything that would define his motives. Kasumi couldn’t trust the person he was talking to as much as he couldn’t trust the elf so it hardly mattered. Kasumi would have rejected Heecham’s offer if it wasn’t for the addition of the elf though. Instead he had remained quite interested in what it was Heecham was thinking. Kasumi hoped that Heecham wasn’t telling the truth. It would be nice to learn about what happened with his brother and all, but it was so much more fun the other way.

Kasumi waited for his time to speak again, and that came soon enough. Heecham direct asked for an answer. Kasumi had made his decision. “Sure, why not.” Kasumi answered. “My time is quite expensive these days, so try not to waste it.” Kasumi seemed to have agreed, but before anything else could be said Kasumi added, “There is a few things I’d like to change though.” Kasumi had no reason to trust this man, and by clan law what he was speaking about could be quite illegal. It was Kasumi’s duty to uphold this law, and he would do so. Kasumi would meet with him and see what he had to say. “I’d like to hold this meeting at a place of my choosing. I happen to know a place in the Outlands that would be perfect for such a thing. I’ll map out the details for you. You don’t mind waiting a little do you?” Kasumi said. He didn’t want there to be any chance of an ambush.

He turned to Mn’dharrowrynn as she had introduced herself as. “I don’t mind if you still want to accompany me, but I will not need you as a guide. You seem to be quite interested in us, so that should keep you happy.” He didn’t really want Heecham suggesting anything else, and if possible he’d prefer to elf not to be involved. Kasumi didn’t really need someone another person he couldn’t trust. Depending on how the situation went he also didn’t want to have to kill her as well.

[Mn`dharrowrynn]

Her brows cinched at the young human; an ice in his tone that made the lithesome elf transform into a statue. Still and poised, she regarded the friendly man, his old and comical expression, then shifted to Kasumi once more, assessing him for the signs of a man who knows how to handle himself in the deep woodlands. Her narrow eyes had weighed, measured, and found Kasumi wanting of that confidence, but rather than interject on behalf of her own trusted experience, she nodded to Kasumi. Some humans were eager to feed the dirt. But she rather fancied that Heecham looked past a young humans impudence, no elf would have curtailed their superiors words unless they had much more than meet's the eye going for them.

She couldn't help but acknowledge the obvious apprehension that Kasumi laid down on the table, either that or his sense of particularity was so precise as to make him potentially anal and controlling. She wondered what was bothering him, but her imagination could conjure their own suspiscions. It was enough that she'd be sure to understand as much as possible before letting herself be fully taken in by the old man. Kasumi seemed to hold reservations behind the easy-going vibrations Heecham brought to this conversation. By all outward accounts she was still, simply waiting to hear any final adjustments before they were under way.

[Maven]

Heecham looked at Kasumi and laughed yet again. "So quick to take control, eh? Although arrogance can be a powerful weapon, it can sometimes stab you in your own foot just a surely, young Adsa."

He nodded as his laughter died down. "You wish to keep yourself protected, which is honorable. However, you ask the same of me, do you not? A place of your choosing, with your armed comrades, no less? No, this will not do at all."

"Now, I can't rightly blame you for being suspicious. I suppose it is a bit to ask of a man in such standing as yourself to walk into such a situation blindly. However, maybe you should ask yourself a question:"

Heecham leaned in towards Kasumi as his eyes narrowed, temporarily ignoring Mn'dharrowrynn's presence. . "With the various... ahem... resources at my disposal, why a charade such as this? If I wished the future head of the Adsa family any harm, what makes you think that I would need to use such a contrived method? Such as an elaborate hoax? Do you believe me, or my family, of needing to deal with such matters outside of the city walls?"

He leaned back, his elbow still resting comfortably on his sword. He sighed, long and loud, lost in thought. There was much for the man to consider, and he took a few moments to do it.

He finally answered, "You may bring two, and only two. Make them men you trust. The meeting place is on that parchment, and will remain as such."

"And know this, young Kasumi, I am here before you on behalf of several men. These men and I have but one goal: to protect the clan Gryphon, and to see it excel. While you do not understand what I have to told you so far, you will in time. You, and only you. Your father and family are to have no part of this, or to know of this meeting's existance."

"Our ears hear much, as do our eyes see. I have come to you honorably, and I ask that you do the same. Keep it secret, and all will be revealed shortly."

With that, Heecham finally stood up, and turned to walk away. The parchment continued to sit on the table.

[Kasumi Adsa]

The elf obviously had very little to add to this conversation, exactly how a woman should act in the presence of men. More important than whatever the elf thought was the man sitting across from the Adsa. Kasumi was quick to return his attention to the Ancha, after all his request to hold the meeting somewhere else wasn’t confirm. Rather than agree to Kasumi’s conditions Heecham would challenge the request with what he believed Kasumi had planned and in fact was right. Accusing Kasumi of such a thing openly was harsh and in many other situations the Adsa wouldn’t have been so lenient. Kasumi was a good liar and even after Heecham had exposed his plan, he followed what was considered a reasonable reaction with very little flaw in his performance. “I would watch what you say. That could easily be taken as an insult on my honour.” Kasumi commented after Heecham had finished his accusation.

What followed was pointless words which would try to convince Kasumi otherwise of his decision. Unluckily for Heecham, Kasumi had already put some thought into the details he brought up. He couldn’t give good reasons to counter everything Heecham had brought up, but there was no need. Kasumi had significant reason regardless to doubt this man’s motives. Taking apart the points Heecham made seemed a little childish, even responding to them was pointless. Kasumi showed openly on his face that he wasn’t convinced. He hoped Heecham would pick up on this, if he didn’t this conversation was going to continue on a pointless path.

Heecham had paused to think. Kasumi remained quiet and waited to see where Heecham would go with this. Kasumi was disappointed when Heecham started again. He was unwilling to change the meeting place at all, and to fix what he believed Kasumi’s reason for wanting to change it he suggested Kasumi bring along two men. This was again pushing the limit on what Kasumi would take openly, but after Heecham had mentioned that he moved on to something a little more interesting to the Adsa. Heecham assured him it was for the clan and it wasn’t just him involved in this. Heecham intended to leave the negotiations at that, but Kasumi wouldn’t agree. It was an interesting offer, but Kasumi wasn’t happy. As Heecham got up Kasumi gave his response. “You accuse me of some plot and then you talk about honour. I will not change my mind. I will give you the map to where I wish to meet, and on my honour I will not resort to such tactics as you have accused me of. I’ll make it now.” Kasumi said before leaving the table with his swords in hand to get whatever tools he would.

It took no more than minute to find what he needed and return to the table. If Heecham bothered to stay around Kasumi would draw his map out, and hand it to the older man. “I’ll be there in two candlemarks, with this elf and the two men. It is either this or we don’t meet. If you really want me to be involved I’m sure you won’t turn down this offer. I wish to hear what you have to say, but choose your words carefully.” Kasumi said, “Is that okay with you?” Kasumi wanted to be sure of the plans before anything else happened. Unlike Heecham, Kasumi wanted to keep things as civil as possible.

[Maven]

"Then, I am afraid we will not meet."

"Young Kasumi, maybe I did not explain the situation completely. There will be a meeting this evening. Maybe you will be there, maybe you will not." The man shrugged his shoulders as he stood up. "The time has been set, and the place. Now, I have already allowed you more than my colleagues will be pleased about, this is sure. I will bend no more."

"Know this, however, this meeting is much to your benefit, whether you would like to believe it or not. If you choose not to come along, then it will be to your own detriment more than any other."

He voice had taken an indifferent quality, as if he was uncaring of the decision that Kasumi would make. In truth, he very much wanted to boy to agree, but there was truth in his words: he would not bend anymore than necessary for that to happen. Kasumi would have to agree to the terms, or be left alone.

"It is up to you. Will you be there?" he asked of Kasumi, pointing down at the parchment left upon the desk.

Heecham looked at the young man, and then back at the elf. She had been sitting by patiently, unable to add much to the conversation, though she was still a player of some sort in the current situation. He smiled at her as he awaited Kasumi's final answer.

If he declined at this point, Heecham would politely leave the younger kemite alone.