Eyes of Light and Secrets Bright
10th of December 2006 A.D.
"Things are about to get a little bright," you warn sheepishly, garnering smiles from Harry and Carlos.
Well, you reason,
I'm going to be glowing in a moment anyway, might as well get something out of it. Looking inwards you ponder the thoughts of Wu Min. No need to take the bait. There is an edge of carefully controlled fear to the thought, a coiled spring about to go off
or break:
Not a consequence of Kemmler's work, she is not acting right for that, not even for an unintended heir to some lost project. Elder Mai overestimates Dresden to think that he would be able to hide such a thing, much less to intentionally empower her in a power play. The man is as ambitious as a carp. No, the insights in the book are not his, they are hers. Then is she a precursor? No, the way is shut, no more shall Heaven's hand dispense such investitures and even should it do so the earth itself would rebel against them. Who is she? What is she?
Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 10/15
As your aura stains the air, a thousand thousand eyes deep amid those eyes you hide your own gaze the doubt, fear and wonderment in them. Here and now unbidden is news of what you are, more than a name, more than simple conformation that there are others. This is not just a thread to pull, it is in in mortal hands... and the Kemmler connection again. All at once the story of Arwan and how he came to be free of Mab comes back to you.
I need to talk to Lydia...
It's all you can do to keep the flare of essence coiling inwards from tangling, to open now the way to the reception. That is right, the reception. Focus on that now, deal with the rest later.
Lost 3 Essence and 1 Willpower (Opening the way and Occult Excellency) -> Now at 7/15 Essence and 7/9 Willpower
***
One of the diplomatic sticking points of this meeting was translating the word 'wizard' not from a magical perspective, but a political one. The closest one might come to in the etiquette of Sanctuary would be either shaman, as an commissary of the spirits, or councilor in matters arcane, all of which come with expectations and implications the White Council does not fit. Fortunately the city of Journeys in general and Enlightened Keeper of the Equal Ledger in particular have dealt with many an odd cultural context. It did not take them more than a few days to advance the notion that the White Council were a kind of secular ascetics, a rare but not unheard of concept and worthy of some respect, but whereas most ascetics deny themselves attachment to the world the Council denies itself power out of a commitment to the free will of the less magically gifted by means of secreting themselves away from the eyes of the world.
So that is what the holo-vids have to work with and that is the context of the reception among the darkly glittering crystal walls of the Hall of Perfect Fellowship. If there is one thing that can be said about your people it is that they do not suffer from a lack of self-confidence. Then again someone did manage to carve a table eight feet across from a single giant onyx somehow.
Of the five Exarchs you reason that Ekel and Wati are the most diplomatic and Arte's very alien nature might be counted disarming, but given that Morgan wished to speak of military matters you could hardly hide away Ancient Luc or Sesil Exarch of Endings, not that anyone really wants to talk to her... then Carlos jokes: "So just making sure there aren't any plucky space rebels around here?" It is almost worth it just for the sight of Harry scandalized by someone else's lack of tact. Almost...
As the machine spirit which had been assigned to translate as a demonstration the many advantages they bring does so mechanical eyes gleaming crimson alight on the young wizard.
"Er... no offense meant, it's a movie thing..."
Sesil does not need a translator, having probably taken advantage of her implants to study at enhanced speed: "The Star Wars Trilogy was a significant milestone in the history of movies, being one of the origins of the term blockbuster, though it was in a sense nostalgic, calling upon the esthetics serialized science fiction 30s and 40s like Flash Gordon it spoke of anti-war and anti-imperial sentiments at home and abroad. To answer your question no, my own citizens have not raised up arms against me, not even a
one."
To your surprise Morgan moves to rescue Carlos from the line of her crimson gaze, "You are interested in Earth History."
"Political science, it is my... I suppose you would say post doc field of choice," she replies smoothly. "I previously served as an intelligence analyst before I was hoisted up by my collar to serve a decision making position, I believe you would say kicked upstairs."Given how long the conversation goes on for it seems that Donald Morgan has found someone who speaks his language at least.
Over the next two days as the political and military discussions continue at the palace do you approach Wu Min about what you just learned?
[] Yes, what your gleamed of her thoughts brought so many more questions than answers
[] No, see if she will approach you
OOC: No roll for the Crown, since you asked what she was thinking you just got a glimpse of her stream of consciousness 
