Reconnecting Roots (Open)

[Mysteria]

How many years had it been? A hundred? Had it been that long or perhaps longer?… No, The number seemed about right.

Mysteria pondered, having had traveled for several days to reach the Arch of Ages. Now she stood waiting outside in its courtyard in the middle of the night.. Her eyes staring up at the massive tree that was illuminated by the lit orbs floating around. Never in her years had she imagined a settlement would have popped up in the past year, but to her surprise, Mysteria had to enter the village just to reach the great tree she once called ‘home’. Much had changed since she last been to the Arch of Ages. Did her journey turn out to be a waste? Would her ‘things’ still be untouched for all these years? One way to find out if her barrier spell had worked, would be to see for herself.

Mysteria sighed; Some what regretting the thought of having to ‘sneak’ into the Arch, but perhaps its security hadn’t improved over the years. Mysteria jumped down from the courtyard wall. Her attire nothing like her norm, in dark boiled leather pants, matching boots, corset top, and a earthy brown cloak. She carefully snuck around the wall’s using it shadows casted by the moon. Then she approached the massive tree and looked down at her real hand, then over to one kail had crafted.

‘ Well, might as well test this now.’

She thought, taking in a deep breath. Her eyes were the first to transform when she exhaled; The pupils turning into that of a reptile's; Then she let down her hair.. Jet black horns begun to twist out from her skull, while her real hand began to grow claws.

With little hesitation Mysteria began to scale the tree on the outside. Her claws making the climb much faster and easier, her speed rather impressive as she scaled the huge truck of the tree. Also doing her best to avoid anything that looked like a window or balcony for the first few ‘floors’ of the school. When she finally saw a familiar area. Mysteria’s pace increased as she managed to reach the destination of her climb. A branch; which hid the location of her secret for so very long. For by light of the moon, would one see the glimmer of the door if standing on this branch.. Her barrier had held up, for it took a minute to see the quick gleam before the leaves blocked out the light. She placed her hand on the hidden door and softly spoke. “ 1. I un hano.”

Her voice activating the barrier, dropping it to reveal the oval shape green and floral decorative door that hugged the trunk. With a flick of her wrist, the lock open and she managed to pull the door open. The smell of dust filling her nostrils causing her to cough upon entry as she ducked her head and stepped in. Not really sure what to expect when she entered, though she was surprised.. Nothing had changed since she last left; All except now everything was covered in layers of dust... Her room was still the same. The moment she stepped foot into the room. Candles automatically lit themselves, which bathed the entire room with light for the first time in years.

Mysteria stared at her room in a moment of silence; Then slowly walked over to the old wooden desk that still had drawings from her youth scattered about its surface. “ I hope it's still here. “ She spoke in a serious tone, the nostalgia pushed aside for now while she began to search the desk.

(( Kray language: "1: I am Home." ))

[Deleted]

Something had roused the Headmaster that night. While sleep was already elusive as Adrain kept running simulations and research into the Deyu threat that Ai had made him aware of. Helena wasn't able to be reached and even he dared not sneak or attack her keep alone. A presence had occurred to him though, he could feel that something was scurrying around outside, a mana signature of some sort that was active. In the dark of night it struck out. While the security inside had been improved for the entryway and inside, the presence on the outside was eluding the patrols, golems, and motion sensing security spells.

He followed the presence with his mind's eye and immediately moved to conceal his own presence, surrounding himself in shadows and dampening his own presence greatly. It appeared that it was on the residential level in an unused wing that was slated for routine decontamination this year to allow for mana built up to return to natural levels. Mages will experiment after all and for the health of the Arch every so often wings are cleared on a schedule to allow for the balance to be maintained.

Hovering just off the ground, he willed himself to the entrance that the purple haired intruded had opened, and found a very long haired woman rummaging about a desk. This was a mage and to be treated carefully...the room was dusty, unkept for years. Come to think of it, he didn't remember this passageway when he inspected this wing during the winter. Was this the elusive hidden room that Breton couldn't find? He had meant to search for it himself upon his departure but priorities shift and compelled his attention elsewhere.

However, hostility would be used only when needed. He spoke aloud, preparing to put up an arcane barrier in case she lashed out at him with magic.

"Why hello there. I fear this wing is closed off to students, I'll have to ask you to leave the premises." he says, playing dumb for the moment to see what information the intruder might volunteer.

[Mysteria]

Mysteria had stopped rummaging her hand through the desk when she felt a presence stand at the entrance of the old bed chamber. Someone had found her? No, that couldn’t of been it...Had she been so careless to leave the door wide open for any man and god to witness?! What a fool she had been. Mysteria cursed under her breath: keeping her features hidden for the time being as she stared at the wall to think. Her lavender-teal eyes blinking a few times; when taking note of a piece of fabric on the desk. Cautiously she moved her hand to pick up the blue, old cloth and placed it up on her face. Her hand still holding onto the fabric as she turned her head to look over her shoulder. Her eyes locked onto the man with an un-amused stare when he asked her to ‘leave the premises’ in a roundabout manner.

“ This room isn’t attached to any wing….. The only real entrance is out the door behind you, you know the one you came in from... So are you a teacher, student? Or perhaps?” She asked, turning her body around to lean her rump against the lip of the desk. Her trask arm crossed over her stomach, while her other hand held the cloth up against her face still to cover her identity. . Her head tilted slightly to the left, when she looked him over. She studied his posture and determined his status in the world. From what she could tell. This man was a mage and was far from what she would call a commoner… In fact, his face seemed familiar to her. She was certain she had seen him before around the court. However, she couldn’t place a name.

“ Are you the headmaster here now? “ She asked, keeping her voice calm while keeping note of his defensive stance. He could attack her any moment if he wanted to; so for now she kept herself on guard. Her true emotions hidden behind the cloth and the emotionless gaze she gave him.

[Deleted]

"Yes, I am the Headmaster. Have been for about a year now. I see now...this room is inaccessible from the interior part of the wing, digging into the layer that is normally untouched by the Treeshapers for the health of the tree...so this must be quite an old room of residence from before the policies were changed." Adrain responds simply to the inquiry from the woman before him. Just looking at her, he was reminded of something that he couldn't place, and one that wasn't just passive memory from wanted posters. Yet he couldn't place it, but it was more powerful than the rest. A curiosity he might have to write down for recollection later.

"But the real question is, why is someone that I do not recognize as a current student slinking around in the dead of night to a hidden room that apparently hasn't been touched in ages? he says, his gaze shifting around every so often to try to take in what was around.

[Mysteria]

Ah, so she was right to assume he worked within the Arch. His first name coming back to her, while memories of his presence flooded her mind like pages in a story. How silly of her to forget such a mage from all those years in the Novian Court. When he responded to her question, she quirked a brow. It seemed like he was having a monologue with himself rather than talking to her. Both her violet-teal eyes following him while he glanced around the room. Her hand held firmly over the cloth in suspicion; Her own thoughts reeling with assumptions that he too knew her identity. So perhaps holding onto the cloth might be pointless, but she would keep up the act for the time being until all her doubts were cleared.

Then he began to speak again; This time actually asking her a question. Her head tilted to the right side; Some what curious to know if telling him such details would be wise on her part. If she were vague, maybe it would buy her some more time to search the contents of her old room. Perhaps figure out if he were friend or foe. A risky shot, but anything would be better than this slightly awkward stand off.

“ I have every right to enter this room; Be it dead of night or the middle of the day. For the Arch accepts all, be it current or former student into its doors. Or at least that’s how the rules used to be…. Am I wrong, headmaster? “ Mysteria asked, her tone some what serious and her gaze not lifting from the man who stood in her path. Not once did she relax, knowing very well that her wanted posters were plastered all over Nova. She would be a fool to think anywhere was actually safe around any damn Noble loyal to the castle...

“ I am here to grab something that was left behind by me. If you would be so kind, I would like to take it back with me. I would of retrieved it sooner, but I haven't been able to come out this way in some time you see. So, now you know why I’m out during the middle of the night. So if there isn’t a problem, I would like to continue what I’m doing and leave without qualm. “ Mysteria spoke in a calm fashion behind the cloth she held over her face.

Mysteria then dared to turn back around; Her back to the headmaster and her hand pressed flat on her desk's surface. With slow cautious movements, she moved her trask arm to reach down and open the desks compartments. Carefully looking through the contents of the desk, while still keeping a conscious watch of the magic presence within the room.

" So what are your intentions now that you stand here? Are you wishing to chat, watch, or is there something else? " She asked, opening up another desk drawer to rummage through; Her head titling to the side for a brief moment to peer over her shoulder back at him, taking careful notes of details on this 'humanoid' .. Her nostrils picking up the scent of kray and something else.

[Deleted]

"Yes, that is absolutely true, at least for those who are law abiding citizens though normally at least a courtesy is given to the staff active in the residence halls for a visit in such a place. Further, the Arch policy is that personal belongings are to be vacated unless an individual has a tenure as a part time instructor and assigned room space. Such a room usually has air elementals to clear out dust and the like...this room is not one of those." he says, his eyes, scanning around and watching Myst carefully as she turned around and began to search through the desk again. A brave one this was.

"The problem with that, Mysteria, is I understand you are wanted for Treason. I am not a violent man unless my hand is forced, and you see the regent was searching for a room when he was here, most likely this room. Clearly there is something of importance here, for you to risk coming here in the dead of night as you did. I am worried about some spell or weapon being unleashed that can harm the innocent or the students under my wing. You are renowned for intelligence, so I hope you understand that it's not as simple as saying okay do as you wish when there are too many unknowns." he says, watching Myst carefully. In the event that she should attack, he would summon vines from the tree to try to restrain the woman.

[Mysteria]

Mysteria stopped rummaging her hand through the desk the moment Adrain spoke and called her out on policies that were set up by the most recently retired headmaster. Her pupils turning to slits when he was finished; Her hands sliding out of the drawer to close it after she had finished searching the contents within. She went to open another drawer when she felt a shift in the atmosphere. The presence of magic was radiating off him; He was obviously reading himself for some kind of spell by the manna she could feel circulating behind her.

Mysteria stopped and turned her head to look over her shoulder when he spoke her name. Her attention focused on him the entire time until he was done speaking; Her eyes dropping down to the desk and the drawer that had random old notes and parchments within.

“ So the regent remembers this place? That unsettles me a bit..” mysteria paused, placing one hand on the desk surface. “ It's not a spell that will cause harm, but prevent it. A scroll mind you; one that belongs to me and I’m sure you, you don’t want it in the regents hands… .He may have labeled me a traitor, but he is a wolf in sheep's wool. Now are you going to arrest me or what? I have no intent in harming anyone at your school or the kingdom. My only intent is to take what belongs to me under my own destiny. I will not accept being caged under ‘that’ man.” Mysteria sighed, glancing back over her shoulder to see what his intentions were, keeping on guard as she remained calm and focused.

[Deleted]

"Well...you see it's complicated. I look in your eyes and I see innocence to some degree. A guilty person runs typically or attacks. You seem to know about the regent, I'll admit the man has struck me as...peculiar." he says, crossing his arms as his amethyst eyes looked at Mysteria's that were in some ways similar to his own. Curious...

"Why don't we talk under less...tense conditions. I would actually like to know a bit more about this spell and the other details. I know what the wanted posters have said but I'd like to hear your side of the things since the regent isn't someone I blindly trust and I am well aware the noble court has quite a bit of cloak and dagger behind it. This room can be resealed yes? I can do as such if not." he indicates, then stepping out of the room, watching Mysteria but giving her the berth to exit at least if she were to agree.

Assuming that Myst agreed or complied, he would indicate for her to go to the Headmaster's Terrace at the top of the Arch, figuring that since she could get up here in the first place she could go farther. If she did, he would follow her and wait for her to settle before saying anything more. The Headmaster's Terrace would be a large platform carefully built around the brances of the Arch with a fountain in the middle that radiated prismatic light from the water and mana within, a canopy of the Arch's verdant leaves overhead with the sky open where the leaves were not. A number of human implements such as a large dining table for company, a study parlor with librams and couches in a corner, as well as some other implements such as a half finished golem in a far corner.

[Mysteria]

“ Doesn’t seem too complicated…” Mysteria quirked a brow, not letting her guard down while he spoke. This man had a funny way of speaking; His words sounding soft and pleasant, however the underlying tone of interrogation was obvious. He was definitely was part of Noku’s Court. The request to talk in another place with ‘less tense conditions’ suggested he was wary of continuing the conversation in a place he has little knowledge and understanding of. Perhaps her paranoia was getting the best of her, but she frowned at his request and just nodded in compliance.

“ Yes this room can be resealed by me…. “ Mysteria stated, turning her head to glance down over to a small stack of drawings and papers on her side table next to her bed. She did watch him from the corner of her eye, noticing him back up and exit her room. Her first thought was to grab what she needed and run, however, doing so might not go so well in her favor. Grumbling under her breath Mysteria left the desk to walk over to the side table and pick up the stack of papers. She stared down at the first drawing on the stack; The lines made with charcoal and showed two poorly drawn ‘people’ holding each other's hands. The parchment had to be a older than most humans, but she carefully rolled up the papers and stuck them within a loop of her belt. Her eyes trailing back to Adrain who stood outside and gestured to a terrace up above.

Her features scrunched as she stepped out on the branch, closing the door behind her and placing her hand on the wooden surface. “ 1: Lucra da so ne.” She whispered under her breath, A barrier formed on the door masking itself to look as part of the bark like it had before. Mysteria then turned to look up the tree, digging her claw like hands into the tree as she began to climb. Her memories flooding back of this horrible place the moment she grabbed hold of the terrace guard railing and pulled herself up. She climbed over the rail and stood on the familiar terrace floor and paused.

The last time she stood here was when Caster was headmistress, when she was a student and the headmistress assistant…. Before Fate had sealed her away the first time. The decor had changed over the years with the new headmaster, but the flashes of the old decor still remained fresh in her memory. The likeness gone, but the familiarity bothered her as she walked around the fountain and took in the pleasantries. Her eyes darting to the half finished golem before walking over to the couch in the corner to take a seat at the end. Her legs crossed as she continued to eye the golem.

“ You still didn’t say if you are planning to arrest me… So far I’ve been more compliant than you have… Headmaster. So tell me, complicated or not. Do you plan on bringing me back to the palace even if you ‘admit’ you ‘feel’ he is peculiar?”

[Deleted]

He says nothing, noting that Mysteria was very wary. Adrain supposed that was the natural reaction when one is a wanted criminal and concerned for one's own well being. Adrain teleported up when it seemed Mysteria was able to make her way up. He noted that she observed her pocketing something, possibly her spell as far as he knew. The purple eyes of the male watched the woman as she seemed at unease slightly. The attention to the golem obvious.

"That's not going to animate and attack you or anything. It's a new model I'm working on based of some ancient design of a golem that I have come into possession of. Emulating the smooth movement of metal with the cores needed isn't the easiest, but I'm sure there's a solution." he says, then listening as Mysteria questioned his intents.

"If I were going to arrest you, I would have attempted to do so already. If you are a threat to the King I may have to act in his interest...but I'm sure some creative means to cover your escape with, maybe knocking me out with some light flash spell or something...if it isn't to come back to haunt me in any shape or form that is. The fact of the matter is, I have observed the King and the Regent at a distance, as I'm sure you're aware he isn't...in love with mages...aside from his betrothed anyway. During the trial of Severine, I noticed some things that alarmed me...just before Severine was strapped to some horrid device there was a very unusual magic emnating from her...a curse magic that was impacting her flesh...odd considering that Noku would likely not bother with having a mage curse her or something when he wanted to stab her himself...Breton isn't a mage allegedly, and Severine isn't magical in the least." he says, his expression turning a fair bit more serious. Exhaling, he reaches into a cabinet and pulls out a bottle of aged wine, a Kantonese blend and a pair of crystal glasses, filling one and offering it to his guest first.

"I imagine you are parched, perhaps this can help you to relax your lovely eyes a bit for a more relaxed conversation, at least as much as it can be." he says, smiling softly before pouring one himself and sitting on a seat opposite of Mysteria and sipping it. As paranoid as she had been so far she would probably assume poison or something.

[Mysteria]

Mysteria’s gaze turned to glance over to the golems once again. Still getting an uneasy feel about the machinations that stood like statues. Her eyes scanning over the amount of detail she could see from where she sat. Her hand pushing back a few strains of wild hair behind pointed ears, while remaining silent when adrian began to speak. First encouraging her that the golems would not animate and begin attacking her. Which made her chuckle a little at the very thought.

“ I’m not worried of your creations attacking me. I’m worried about the design you used.” Mysteria paused; Her gaze slowly turning back to him. While she watched his reactions and tones, doing her best to read his intentions. Somewhat amused at the suggestion he made and became more intrigued that he would even voice out a ‘solution’ for her escape. A brow raised at him the whole time while she calmly stared at him.

“ I see… So that is how the trial went down.” Mysteria spoke softly, before letting out a heavy sigh. “ I had only heard rumors of what happened that day. If circumstances were different, I would give lady Aveline my condolences of the loss and the heavy blow the Zoe family name. However, such news is disturbing to say the least. Though I can not say if Breton is the cause, you would need to find evidence as they say to find your culprit.” Mysteria stated, her voice also serious and spoken in a low calm tone. Her eyes following him to the cabinet to remove a bottle and some glasses.

“ You’re rather hospitable to your guests. I’m flattered that you offered a drink, even if talking to me would get you in trouble with the crown.” She smirked, watching him pour himself a glass. “ Yes I would like a glass, since you offered.” She replied in a somewhat cautious manner; attempting to trust the man not to do anything stupid that he would regret.

[Deleted]

"Oh? Do you know something about the design?" Adrain says, standing up with his glass and walking over to where the golems were, he looks at them with a slight sense of pride to him, the three standing golems along with the parts. "I captured the progenitor of the design, Drei, from a ruin in the forest that I was assisting with an endeavor and a student gone rogue. It is a fascinating design, advanced. Even mechanical. I haven't fully been able to replicate Drei, Drei having an advanced memory golem core and even a personality if you can believe it." he says, looking at the parts on the floor.

"Regardless, the work I've done so far can benefit sentient beings immensely, I already use them to aid in the Mana Farm project, they can supply patrols like they do in Concordia, even stand in with the army in the event of war. Surely a battle line would be intimidated by a line of nine foot metal soldiers. A deterrent if you will. They are far more resilient than conjured stone or clay golems, and can be customized for a variety of tasks." he says, obviously having a very idealistic approach with regards to these golems.

"But making them takes time, a large part of the final construction I do personally." he says, then waiting to see what Melania would say before carrying on. He raises a brow as to when she stated he would have to find evidence to the cause, though she seemed to still have some degree of concern for the court of nobility by virtue of the fact that she would offer condolences to the others.

"Breton has been quiet since that trial, at least nothing notable has come to my own attention. Though the fact you suggest and specify it may have been Breton among the names and requiring evidence to pin it to him is...interesting. If he got a hold of such a detestable way to torture someone that is a dishonor to mages everywhere. But to look into the event so long after the fact would raise suspicion, and the warden of Nova is no fool as to accept it as idle curiosity if I were to try to look at records or Severine's belongings for an origin for the curse." he says.

He poured the wine for her and then looks at his guest, raising a brow. "There are many unknowns in this world. I am taking a risk in treating you casually, and I hope that you have some degree of honour as to not rat me out in the event something should cause you to end up captured. I may just need to feign ignorance but I hope it doesn't come to that. I would rather work with the King to see to a great success of his realm and the world." he says, then looking at his guest with intense eyes.

"So this spell you came to the Arch for so badly...what is it? You are a capable mage just by virtue of reputation I imagine, I can sense that you are a shadow innate like myself, it lends to other base elements a little easier. The spell itself I imagine isn't the issue but you need an object or catalyst to make it manifest?" he says, leaning back a little and looking otherwise at ease.