that perfect tranquillity of life ( OPEN )

[flecks]

Date & Time: April 10, late afternoon & evening
Location: The library
Characters: Leo Baskerville & YOU.
Summary: There's some weird guy sitting on the floor, come trip over him or be weirded out at him because hey, there are perfectly fine seats in the library!!
Warnings: idek

[ When Leo isn't busy with the extra training the Initiative forces him to do and the community service at the orphanage, he can be found reading in the library. Reading books now isn't the same as it was before. He can't quite enjoy it like he used to, but it's the only way of coping he knows and so he keeps on reading. Not knowing what else to do, it's easy to fall back on old habits. Old habits die hard after all and his only escape from reality had always been books.

The Initiative library isn't nearly as grand as the one in Lutwidge Academy or even the Nightray family library, but it's plenty spacious and there's a lot of chairs to sit in, at a table or otherwise. However, Leo sits on the floor. Also out of force of habit. The library at his orphanage had been quite small with not much room for any chairs at all, but no one ever came there and that's why Leo loved it and willingly resorted to sitting on the floor. It's become so normal to him that he has actually come to prefer sitting on the floor when he's reading, no matter how comfortable a chair or bed is. That hasn't changed here either.

He's found a nice beanbag though, but rather than sit on it, he leans back against it. The beanbag is big enough to hide him out of sight and he's placed it near some bookshelves so he has new books within reach. Unfortunately this also means he's made himself an obstacle for the unwitting and he's too caught up in his current reading to realize it. ]

Comments

[flecks]

[ He shakes his head at the words of gratitude. ]

It's nothing. Will you tell me about the song? [ They had a deal after all. ]

[allsongs]

[her eyebrow quirks for just a moment – just at 'nothing' – before she smiles in return, nodding. they have a deal, after all.]

It is a song for peoples who learn. There is a place in the land where they go, and all of the buildings are there for learning. Men go to learn their magic.

[flecks]

[ The more Simmaeri explains, the more Leo seems positively entranced. Of course, he instantly realizes what she's talking about. ]

A school. [ He supplies absent-mindedly, eyes widening with curiosity and wonder. ] A school for magic? They teach magic where you're from?

[allsongs]

School... [hm...]

Teach to use, not to have. This is the way. [she clasps her hands, situating herself more comfortably.] Peoples who want to use it learn, and some will learn in school. [her eyebrows lift, questioning; is she using the word right?]

[flecks]

[ He nods at the silent question, encouragingly. A school where they taught how to use magic, something that back home he'd only find in books, but in Exsilium to some it seemed to be a reality. It's fascinating.

Leo shifts, turning to fully face Simmaeri and put his arms on the beanbag. ]

Did you ever go to one?

[allsongs]

I have seen them. [she nods, reflecting.] The first, before it is ruins. There are others, but one that is very big. Men from many lands came before, but no longer. It is... [she unlaces her fingers, curling and cupping them together.] Together, away from other peoples. It will not let them in now.

[flecks]

[ He watches the gesture closely, trying to put it together with her words to figure out what she might mean. ]

Like it's closed or do people still learn there but no one else is allowed?

[allsongs]

No one else is allowed. [she matches his rhythm, nodding slow.] This is true. War has happened again, and the doors are closed to the outside.

[flecks]

Really? That's a shame.

[ A small pondering pause. ]

Does that mean magic is dying where you're from? Since no one can learn it.

[allsongs]

No. [her head shakes slow, once.] Always, magic is here. It is not only for schools, big buildings, kings... It is like air. Something everywhere, yes?

[flecks]

[ He hums thoughtfully as he nods once in confirmation. ]

Can people still use it even when they're not taught how to in a school?

[allsongs]

Yes. This can be done by some. This is the way of the world.

But not this one. The magic is empty here.

[flecks]

[ No magic in the air doesn't surprise him. There wasn't a trace of the Abyss to be found here either, so really, it's to be expected. ]

That's right, it seems they just rely on technology here.

[allsongs]

Technology. [she likes the rhythm of those -ology words. she nods.] Yes. But very little call for magic here.

[she puts a hand to her chest.] I call for the gods and listen, but I do not know the language they have in this place.

[flecks]

[ Of course, people come from many wildly different places and are capable of amazing things. He himself isn't exactly normal as a Baskerville, but that still surprises him.

His interest is definitely piqued more. ]

You can speak with the gods?

[allsongs]

[she smiles a broad smile, flashing teeth.]

If they speak first and wish to listen, it can be done. Many can. You, too.

[flecks]

[ Well, he's connected to the Abyss and in turn to the Will of the Abyss whom could be considered a god(dess) so in that sense, she's right. The thought makes him smile wryly, but it's probably not what she means. ]

Perhaps where you're from. It's not the same where I come from.

[allsongs]

No? [the question is faint in her voice, as if she's only asking out of courtesy.] This is yours to know, certainly? What gods will speak or be spoken to...This is not known to me. [her eyes crinkle again.] I live very long, but never will know.

[flecks]

[ Leo . . . shrugs at the lack of an answer to give. Gods and such had always been more something to read about than believe in to him. 'Live very long' though, now that could mean different things as 'long' could be considered differently depending on the person. ]

Oh? How old are you then?

[allsongs]

Very. [it's almost a grin, her smile.] I do not have a number for you.

[flecks]

[ Curious and curiouser.

After a surprised beat, he returns the smile again. ]

A name then? I'm Leo.