logs | d | a november catchall

[ Cedrik finds himself briefly struck when the hat comes off. It didn't really obscure D's features...but he still looks quite different without it. So much more like the boy he saw in the Echo's vision... ]

--ah, thank you.

[ The thought is put aside. D's come to visit him, not to potentially revisit unhappy memories. ]

I am glad to see it paying off...though already, I wonder at how much more could be done. The different guild chapters back home were always set up in taverns with actual inn rooms for passing adventurers, you see. The same need may not exist in Stygia, but it is something to consider...

[His eyes drop to the ledger on the table with Cedrik, but it doesn't seem like he's trying to snoop or anything, only acknowledging it looks like the guild's ledger for signing in.

Then his eyes lift once more to sweep the interior of the building.]

You could always expand later.

[Especially if the people signing up are willing to offer a hand.]

[ At the glance Cedrik reaches over, congenially flipping through the pages for D's sake. They're all blank save for the first, the one slowly being filled with different names.

It will degrade with time, all things down here do. Cedrik's thought of that and is ready to copy the names into a new book when it gets bad enough. It'll be a shame to lose the original signatures, though. ]

The building's big enough for it! I'll go through the upper floors, see what all needs to be done to make them livable...

But tell me, how have you been?

[Oh. Thank you. He is nosy as much as an investigative hunter and a scientist can be, so he looks. Cedrik has a good deal of people invested already. Even though he worked on the Frontier mostly by reputation, it's not... a bad idea.]

Your members would probably help you if you asked.

[Just saying. He glances up at Cedrik again.]

I've been fine.

Glad to hear it...

[ The very gentle reminder that Cedrik could ask for some god damn help does not go unnoticed and it leaves him briefly chagrined. He knows, and D might have guessed, that he...struggles with that.

But he's already been accused of wanting to make himself 'pack leader' of all those names. Directly asking any of them to take on work that he's responsible for would come too close to proving that person right.

...but, maybe indirectly...? ]

I could put it on the notice board myself. That would do the trick, wouldn't it?

[Begging Cedrik to learn to ask for help I say as D continues to also never want to ask anyone for help.

He sort of brings the conclusions together to understand what Cedrik is trying to do here, why the request is going straight to the notice board.]

Yes, but many who look at the notice board will want some kind of compensation. Like coin.

Deservedly so, yes. Though I may see what else I can offer.

[ It's not like he wouldn't have compensated these hypothetical helpers if he'd managed to ask any of them directly, after all. ]

The local coinage...bothers me. If there's naught else a petitioner can give, I'll take it, but I do all I can to be rid of it as fast as possible.

[ It's not ideal, but unless someone smarter than him comes up with a way to unmake soulsteel and revive the soul within, it's the best he can do. ]

[Cedrik isn't the first or last person who will tell him they dislike soulforging of any kind. He's not sure how he feels about it yet aside from it being a utility. Not something to be taken lightly at least.]

It bothers you because it's crafted from souls?

[No judgement, just clarification.]

Just so.

[ Cedrik folds his arms over his chest, brow furrowing as he repeats for D the questions that have haunted him since first learning about the problem. ]

Is it only the soul, or is the mind trapped as well? Even if they are unaware, it's still no better than death--worse than, in fact. We are asked to hold back 'Oblivium's' call, but we literally objectify our fellows...for what? To be reduced to such a state is only barely better than the nothingness we are all trying to stop.

[He listens quietly, not necessarily disagreeing. There are a good many of them who feel this same way, he thinks.]

Do you intend to find a new way to exchange goods and services here? To introduce it to them if you find it?

[The higher ups seem more concerned with defenses, with helping them adjust.

Who knows if they are searching for ways not souls outside of what academics may find.]

Of course.

[ He says it reflexively even if he knows it won't be simple for someone like him. The task may well be beyond him--he never thought he'd see the day he wished Rowena was near. The woman's relentless with her business, new revenues and increasing profits always on her mind and it makes her a nightmare to work for...but she'd solve the matter handily, he's sure. ]

The trouble is permanence...I barter my services whenever possible, but few other Restless are willing to trade goods they know will decay before long. Finding a means to replace soulsteel is the only way.

[ Wasn't there something new on the notice board, lately? Something about a fallen star out in the Hinterlands? ]

[Yes, there is. As much as he likes to try to pry, he likes more looking into other methods, too. He took notice of the board. He doesn't mind fighting spectres and reapers, but this would be easier for some of the others.]

No one has found another method in all this time, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

[As long as they can keep searching for a way.]

The library or the academy may have clues. Where do you plan to start?

In my experience, naught is truly impossible.

[ His smile turns more confident as he says it, and a little fond, thinking of all the 'impossible' feats he saw accomplished in his living days. The most impressive of those miracles were all collaborative efforts, taking long years of work...

Cedrik will likely not find the answer on his own but, however he can help, he shall. ]

The library, I think. There must have been a time before soulsteel's invention and if records yet remain, there may be clues to be found in how it was developed or potential alternatives that were discarded.

[This feels like such a very Cedrik thing to say, he thinks. Not that he minds the optimism. It's refreshing. And needed in the long run.]

The records of history are curated by those with the power to do so. Sometimes, history is even lost. Or, sometimes, it isn't as old as we think. [He peers from the ledger up to Cedrik's face.] It wouldn't hurt to reach farther back than what's offered to us on the surface.

[Maybe they can be a little naughty in forbidden sections of the library.]

[ In the quieter moments that optimism is becoming more difficult to maintain. His Shadow's urging fills the silence--but here and now, with D's company, it's still easy to talk over those darker thoughts.

At D's suggestion, something mischievous lights up Cedrik's features. ]

A fine point. If this search isn't a thorough one, why bother at all?

[ And if they do, at least they won't have trouble reaching the top shelves. No levitation spells needed with D around.

...

Now he misses G'raha again. ]

Do you have any plans, by chance?

[His following silence is a thoughtful one.]

I would like to continue searching for a way back, if possible, [he admits honestly.] Through whatever avenues are available.

[The library, the academy, the Palace, even the Labyrinth, or the Far Shores no one will speak anything about.]

But I believe to do so, we'll first have to find the truth to this place.

[ Why bother with that? So we can go be dead somewhere else?

A frown like a flinch crosses Cedrik's features. There and gone in an instant.

...it wouldn't be so bad, to return to where he's supposed to be. The aetherial sea may erode his memories over time, but from there he could be reborn...

Yes. It's a worthy goal, D has settled on. ]

Agreed. Whatever secrets we find can only lead us closer to the whole truth. And the sooner we begin, the better.

[If he notices the flinch, he at least doesn't call Cedrik out on it. King of staying in his own lane.]

Were you planning on searching by yourself?

[Truly, he isn't trying to shove himself into the equation or get in Cedrik's way. (He knows Cedrik would probably never say he's getting in the way, silly bun). And he typically does everything alone; of course he does.

But if they wanted to compare notes...]

[ And here Cedrik was trying to hint that he'd welcome D's company. He'll have to be more obvious.

The moment of Shadowy discomfort is nudged aside, Cedrik taking on a warm and slightly self-deprecating grin. ]

This may come as a surprise to you, D, but I'm not actually much of a scholar... Whenever I've delved into libraries before, it's always been with friends of mine who are. If nothing else, a second set of eyes ensure that nothing of import is missed.

[ halp ]

[Cedrik truly puts up with so much from D. He gets the implication and understands finally the invitation offered to him.

It’s just surprising when very rarely was his company ever received without fear and prejudice. Even people immediately infatuated by his looks understood it wasn’t natural at all, that it was frightening.]

I’ll meet you there another time when you’re free then. So you have someone to help you turn the pages.

[A… joke…?!]

[ Yeah...Cedrik is kind of dumb like that. Even before offering D his friendship, he had decided D was a good person. In fact he came to that conclusion almost immediately after striking up a conversation. That's all that matters to Cedrik. That's all that should matter to anyone.

His mouth opens in surprise at D's reply--and then he laughs, brief but warm as he leans back in his seat. ]

You are most kind! We have an agreement. I will send word over the Netherwork when the time is right.

[ It's a date? ]

d | a november catchall

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