Faces of Change
Sixteenth Day of the Third Month
Meeting Qyburn for the first time after his transformation is certainly a
unique experience, one that commands your full attention with every echoing thought-form with the glint of moonlight upon fractal wings that seem to break it into more colors than the eye can clearly see or the mind can name. But sitting here on the balcony looking down at the city oddly familiar in substance if not form.
"Your Grace, I am pleased you could find the time to meet with me." As he folds his wings, the flesh-smith looks at you with eyes deep and black as midnight, judging your reaction to his courteous greeting.
"This reminds me of the day Lya proposed making incarnates by shaping souls and flesh alike. She had already taken the first steps along her own arcane transformation, but that was the more dramatic moment," you explain the flash of familiarity. "I supported your plan in substance, Wisdom. I am hardly going to balk now at mere appearance. That is a matter of a single spell to make you into whatever you wish."
It takes a moment to to recognize the faintly echoing rasp as laughing.
"Ah... your Grace, when you say such things it is almost enough to male me believe in fate, if only the concept were not so odious to me."
"Oh fate exists, it is just an infinitely long table with gods betting and squabbling over the pieces rather than any cosmic force," you reply with a smile.
"Much as I would enjoy discussing philosophy, I had some questions for you in light of the knowledge you absorbed. Firstly, would you be willing to teach Jayne and potentially others in mind arts?"
The former maester pauses in perfect stillness without even breath for a moment.
"Talking with another iteration of himself," Varys explains, obviously fascinated by the concept. You are too, to tell the truth. An entirely distinct form of power seen through the eyes of a master, not someone still mastering the fundamentals like Jeyne.
"I know little of teaching, but I am willing to learn the skill and impart what knowledge I possess so long as any students pay me the same courtesy," he replies at last.
You nod, understanding the standards implicit to those simple words. "Good, one other question. I have had a conversation by whispers with the Grandmaster of the Monastery of the Unbroken Circle regarding a joint project into the mental magics. After some careful questioning to ensure they would not react poorly to your new state, I have instead found him to be...
intrigued. Once I was comfortable speaking of you, the Grandmaster asked to meet you. I suspect he is looking for any insight you might give the githzherai into their age-old foes." Before he can reply, you add somewhat ruefully, "I entirely understand if you do not wish to play diplomat as well as teacher, Wisdom. This is not a request, merely an offer."
"Perhaps an exchange of letters would be best," Qyburn sounds faintly relieved, if you have read him aright.
"I could use the opportunity to lay down some preliminary impressions about my transformation and the memories I inherited." He pauses a moment.
"Nothing too substantive though. I would not wish to undermine any future trade with the githzherai."
He might not like to play the game, but he can certainly do it at need. Excellent.
What next?
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OOC: I figured we might as well several Qyburn questions together now rather than stringing them out. Hopefully the indirect mention of gith diplomacy here works. It feels a little odd to have Viserys know things in a conversation that you guys don't yet.Not yet edited.
