EXCOLO

I was floating around on the other side in the library juts waiting. I'm glad Hermia told me about this meeting. She probably wouldn't have thought to except for having to cancel our lesson tonight. Well maybe not just that. I remember a conversation in the cafe when I met a Norse goddess. Wonder if Verdandi will come to this meeting?

The library is quiet and empty. Well as empty as it gets. It still resonates wit the presence of the mysterious Lydia. I've long since given up on trying to locate her essence. It is entirely possible that she's what the Romans called Genius Loci, but really that just means spirit of a place. It doesn't tell me what else she might be. Could be a ghost or other spirit tied to an artifact hidden away somewhere in the library. Might be an elemental of Earth or Wood. Lots of things she might be.

I hear the door open and decide to materialize in one of the stacks. it's so much easier to listen to conversation when I'm physical. One set of footsteps. I poke my nose out of the aisle i'm in. Oh, it's Kate. According to Hermia, she organized this meeting. Of course, she'd be here before everyone else. I pad out to greet her.

"Hey, Doll! howszit goin'?"

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Ridden out to Oakridge and back today. Only got back a half hour ago and I've tried to neaten myself up but there ain't a whole lot you can do dunking your head in the horse trough. Had to vote real quick on my way here, and I still got a bit of a grin 'bout it on me, cause I ain't done nothing like that before. Was sorta nervous, like folk'd tell, but it's only making a mark and I ain't stupid. Mostly.

Boku weren't being Boku at the barbeque, so that was sorta weird, and I kept blushing talking to him when he was Koneko, but it weren't for long, nor half so bad as I reckoned it might be, and I liked seeing Miss Kaeli and loads of others there too. Didn't hang around ages, admittedly, but still. Never said a time for me to come, so I come over pretty fast. reckon maybe I'll go through the library stead of straight up to him, just cause I ain't been in a while. Well. Few days.

Spot Miss O'Hara straight off, sitting at one of the tables, and figure I'll say hello. "Afternoon Miss O'Hara," I start, ducking my head to her. "Hope you're well, I-" Oh god it's that cat what talks. "Um. P-pleased to see you too, again." Just stepped in the damn door and I'm out of my depth.

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I am in the back of the stacks when I hear the door open. I have found that when I am stuck in the project, Lydia will often shift a book if I am near it to assist. I hear Chester speak to someone and decide to avoid him for now and begin to route back to the inner staircase.

Hearing Luke's voice I grin, I had not expected him so soon. I swiftly turn and find not only Luke speaking with Chester but Miss Kate. "Kon ban wa Chester-chan, Kate-san." I walk over and smile at Luke, "Luke-kun."

"Luke-kun was to meet me, but the library may close soon. May I assist you in finding anything, Kate-san?" Lydia can lock up after herself, but I do try and help others when Hermia is not at work.

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"Hey, Doll! howszit goin'?" I look down to see Chester looking at me. It is still very strange, that gravelly voice coming from a white cat.

"Well, I would prefer you didn't call me doll," I say, "but I am quite well, thank you. Are you here for the meeting, or just passing by?" The idea of a cat sitting in on a meeting about fighting gods is quite surreal, but I suppose it's no more odd than anything else that's happened lately...

Then Luke arrives.

"Hello, Luke," I say, smiling. "It's good to see you." Then Boku arrives, and he looks very pleased to see his friend, which is nice.

"Luke-kun was to meet me, but the library may close soon. May I assist you in finding anything, Kate-san?"

"Oh," I say, "I am here to meet a few people. Hermia included. I am sure she is around," I say, looking about. "We're..." I pause, because I'm not sure how much Boku knows about this town's oddness. "We're here to talk about some of the strange things that have happened lately, and what we can do about them."

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I know I just seen him saturday (or yesterday or.. whatever) but I still can't help grinning soon as I see Boku. And course he offers to help her, cause he's real good like that, specially when folks don't know so much as him, which is most of the time, probably, just cause he's been round so long. But she don't seem to be here for the books. Oh, I am here to meet a few people. Hermia included. I am sure she is around. We're..." She sorta gives him a bit of a look, but she's always real polite, Miss Kate, and you can't hardly tell at all. "We're here to talk about some of the strange things that have happened lately, and what we can do about them."

Bite my lip a bit and glance at Boku, cause I'm s'posed to be here seeing him and not talking to folk about weird stuff, which, frankly, I've had about enough of, but... well maybe that's sorta the point. "Um. I reckon I might like to sit in on that miss, if you're willing," I say, and I blush a bit cause usually it ain't polite to just invite yourself to stuff. Only this, right, this is the sorta thing that's important, these days, I reckon. "Um, both of you," I add quickly, cause I dunno if maybe Chester's part of it too, and I don't want to be rude or nothing.

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Before Kate can answer, two more folks show up. The two young men from the party. Well one young man and one cat-shifter. Luke I think his name was, is clearly not good at dealing with things like me. He greets me though rather than ignoring me like Liam did. and Boku greets me very pleasantly indeed though if I am not mistaken there is a subtle insult in being addressed as Chester-chan.

Still I reply to everyone in turn. I also settle myself on a chair near Kate. If we're gonna have meeting with me participating I'm not gonna be standing around on the floor at everyone's feet.too easy to be ignored or kicked or somethin'. Kate says,Well, I would prefer you didn't call me doll," I say, "but I am quite well, thank you. Are you here for the meeting, or just passing by?

"Here for the meeting. Hermia told me of it. And it's a pleasure to see you again too, Luke an Boku."

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hermia-sophia.livejournal.com

Just - one - more -

There!

I balance the stack of books carefully, making sure to keep my back very straight and my chin up to see over the top. Oh, if my governess could only see me now, with a stack of books in my arms instead of on my head! But no, I am drawing on my Athenian education in an entirely different way today. And if this is not a thoroughly Excolo sort of day, I don't know what is. Casting my first vote at lunchtime, and holding a research party on gods and monsters before dinner.

I was in favor of Kate's idea even before she was finished telling me about it. I've spent all afternoon pulling books from the stacks, even making a few notes of my own on what I've learned and what I can remember from my Athenian upbringing

I can hear several people out in the main area already - no, several people and one cat. I hope Kate has already met Chester...

"Oh. I am here to meet a few people. Hermia included. I am sure she is around,"

"I'll be right with you!" I call over the top of the pile of books, as I come out of the stacks.

Luke and Boku both! And still grinning happily - oh, that's a lovely sight! And just Chester and Kate, so far. Well, I'm sure there will be others. And Kate trying to explain to both of them...

"We're...We're here to talk about some of the strange things that have happened lately, and what we can do about them."

"That's right," I say. Oh dear gods, this is heavy! I drop it down onto the nearest table with a gasp, and a slightly louder thump than I had intended. "Sorry. Er. Thank you for coming. It's very good to see you again."

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"We're here to talk about some of the strange things that have happened lately, and what we can do about them." I nod when Kate brings up the oddness of Excolo. After all, I just greeted a talking cat, and she is not aware of my own strangeness. Luke offers to join, of course he would given his caring soul. I smile and pull out chairs for us both. Perhaps my project will assist...

Hermia appears from the stacks with a tower of books just as I am nodding in response to Chester's greeting. I could have sworn I heard no one in the library. Arching a look at the main desk, I wonder just how big Lydia is, and where she routes me at times. "It is pleasant to see you again, Hermia-san. Kate-san, I am aware that there are many things in town that are not always friendly to people. Is this the particular focus of the meeting? Or are we talking of all supernatural phenomena?" I nod my head at the talking cat and grin.

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Suddenly the library seems a lot busier. Hermia emerges with a great pile of books.

"It is pleasant to see you again, Hermia-san. Kate-san, I am aware that there are many things in town that are not always friendly to people. Is this the particular focus of the meeting? Or are we talking of all supernatural phenomena?"

I notice Boku's nod and smile at Chester, and I laugh.

"Oh, no. There are many supernatural things that seem very friendly," I say, smiling at Chester and patting his head. "We are a bit concerned about the - well, the gods in town," I say, but luckily Boku and Luke don't look surprised. Good; I don't have to explain it to them, because I am really not sure I could. "I was talking with some friends last week, and we decided we need to pool our resources so that we feel less... Well, less like victims." I smile at Luke and add: "and of course you're welcome, Luke. We need all the friends we can get." I look at Hermia. "It looks like you have already started working, Hermia! Can I help with any of those?"

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Hermia comes bustling up then, and she don't look upset or nothing 'bout the duel, but then sometimes folk don't look upset on the outside, and that's just how it is. "Sorry. Er. Thank you for coming. It's very good to see you again." Nod and say hey to her, and I'm wondering if maybe she organised the whole thing, then? "You too, Miss Hermia."

Have to look away from Boku grinning at Chester like that cause it sorta makes me want to laugh, and I don't want to be mean, even if I listen careful like to what Miss Kate says. Offers to help Hermia with her books too but it ain't polite to let a woman go round carrying stuff so I nip over before she has to get up, and carry 'em over. Then I settle next to Boku and I ain't blushing even a bit cause he pulled a chair out for me, cause that'd be silly. You ain't a girl, Luke, bloody hell. "We are a bit concerned about the - well, the gods in town," she says, and frankly I reckon she's got cause. And I start to think with some of 'em anyway and then I stop myself. Ain't no need to make excuses for him no more. "I was talking with some friends last week, and we decided we need to pool our resources so that we feel less... Well, less like victims."

"Right. And I- I don't reckon it's even just that," I say, thinking of Johnny. "Cause sometimes they ain't going after folk or nothing. 's just how other folk get caught up when they're fighting, and... all sorts." Smile at her a bit cause it's real nice of her making me feel welcome like that even if it sounds like they all know a good deal more about it than me. Well. Maybe not, no more.

Edited Date: 2009-03-13 01:37 am (UTC)

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Boku asks, I am aware that there are many things in town that are not always friendly to people. Is this the particular focus of the meeting? Or are we talking of all supernatural phenomena? He nods in my direction. That's a good question. I eagerly wait for the answer.
Oh, no. There are many supernatural things that seem very friendly,We are a bit concerned about the - well, the gods in town, Kate laughs and pats my head. I duck my head but do not scratch or bite her because I believe she meant well. but ah! an out, a reason to move away from future head pattings.

and there is Hermia! I can't help it, my ears perk up a bit when she arrives. Greets us by thanking us for coming. I get up and go over to wind about her ankles when she sets the books down.

I was talking with some friends last week, and we decided we need to pool our resources so that we feel less... Well, less like victims.

Ah, so today is about what to do about the gods situation! If Mab isn't on the invite list I will have to make sure she hears about this.

Kate invites Luke an Boku to join us and chairs are pulled up.Right. And I- I don't reckon it's even just that," I say, thinking of Johnny. "Cause sometimes they ain't going after folk or nothing. 's just how other folk get caught up when they're fighting, and... all sorts. Luke says. i wonder what he knows of the gods in flesh?

I claim a chair next to Hermia and curl up on it. "So. How many more people are we expectin'?"

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hermia-sophia.livejournal.com

I can't help smiling a bit to see how eager Chester is to jump down towards me, and then again a bit more when I feel his reassuring warmth around my feet. "Hello, Chester," I murmur. "Good to see you." Luke comes over too, jumping in to help with the books even though Kate's already offered.

"Oh, thank you, Luke - here, can you bring these over, please?" All the books in English, first, I decide, passing those over to Luke - we'll see who else knows any other languages after we've sorted these out. "Here, Kate, I think this will be a good start," I put in, before she starts explaining the meeting. I hope Boku has managed to find some books as well - I know there are some in Japanese, but I wouldn't even begin to know how to find the right ones.

"Right. And I- I don't reckon it's even just that," I say, thinking of Johnny. "Cause sometimes they ain't going after folk or nothing. 's just how other folk get caught up when they're fighting, and... all sorts."

"That's exactly it, Luke. Even when the gods aren't trying to cause any problems for humans, but just quarreling amongst themselves - or even when they're simply going about their own business, sometimes - they're so powerful, and their actions can have such large effects, that their conflicts can spill over into our world." All the great stories of the gods that I read as a child, all of the ancient heroes - that's how they all start. First the gods fight, and then humans get drawn into it, whether they wish it or not...

"And...we need to figure out how to protect ourselves from that."

How many of Ares' quarrels spilled over onto Luke? I find myself wondering. Is that why he left him? I'm glad he's away from it now...

"So. How many more people are we expectin'?"

"A few more than this, I believe? Kate?" I settle into a chair - and Chester takes his own. He chooses his own place, as always...

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"Let's see," I say, helping Hermia put books into different piles, and then I sit back down in my chair. "I spoke about the idea initially with Glass, Reed and Tess - Tess Thiess, if you haven't met her; I know she hasn't been in town long. I mentioned this to Kaeli Whyte when I saw her at a barbecue this weekend," I continue. "I don't know if she'll bring Cain with her or not. I left word at the abbey, too, to see if they could spare someone to come. So hopefully there will be a few of us." I smile hopefully and start looking at the spines of the books Hermia has brought out. Goodness, there are a lot of strange titles...

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I nod towards the new arrivals and look through the books. There is a few good japanese books. But one is a cookbook, how odd. Reviewing it, I see that it has a cooking god mentioned, but I set it to the side. I see at least two that Lydia has written based on my project. It is interesting to see what she has done with the data.

I contemplate going for my maps, but that is more overall data patterns than specifics of protections against deities. Instead, I look at the two apparent leaders, Kate and Hermia and ask, "How is the meeting to be structured? Shall we meet regularly to convey warnings and advice? And what sort of protection are we discussing?" Unfortunately some deities do not respond well to wardings. I think of the battered body of the god of black and blue we left in the woods and grimace.

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Show up and folk are already quietly collecting. Kaeli's something of a surprise, but I suppose she's improved since tormenting the dead at Tez's drunken behest--

--well, can't have gotten worse, at any rate, if it is her. I shake the thoughts off and nod to Kate and Hermia as I set my books down on the front desk and stroll over.

"Afternoon," I say mildly, glancing around the table, coming in time to catch the Oriental man's mention of manner of warding. "Lacking a manner of banishing them from Excolo entire, warding'd suit me."

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More and more people arrive. And I know almost all of them. The only one I don't know is the Redhead. She kisses Cain on the cheek and sits next him though. Must be his girlfriend. The one he was so worried about the day we talked by the river. Looks pretty enough and she seems to have healed up all right from whatever it was.

Reed gives me a nods as she takes a chair and just watches everyone else. i nod back but keep my silence. I do that for anyone who notices me but hold my tongue for now. I'll save it for when I got something besides hello to say. I admit i'm a little reluctant to give up this chair right now, and if we're not full yet i risk losing to some human just because they wouldn't think that it might already have been claimed.

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[cont below]

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pirate-mystic.livejournal.com

Would have asked Miao along to this, if things were normal. As they so very much not normal, I come along on my own. An it gettin' on to evenin' besides, an whatever else been happenin', Miss Miao's a business woman an evenin's when the business come, mostly. Need to be back in a short time myself.

Bunch of folks already chattin' when I come in, includin' some I don't recognise. That cat again, too. Give 'em a nod an just settle in to listen.

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cain-excolo.livejournal.com

I enter the library mere feet behind Reed. A fair sized gathering of people has already accumulated inside. Kate. Hermia. The postal rider, Luke. An Asian male who seems strangely familiar. There is definitely something mystic about him. I catch sight of Chester and nod in greeting to him.

"Good evening, everyone." I take a seat next to Reed and wonder if Kaeli will be making it.

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kaeli-whyte.livejournal.com

When I saw Kate at the barbecue she mentioned the meeting they were having today about the gods in town and invited me to come. Cain said, he would me going and I told him I would make it if I could. I had a few students that were staying late for some extra help, so I wasn't entirely sure.

We finished up earlier than I expected so I stopped to vote and then hurried to the Library. When I walk in, I see quite a few people here already and smile seeing Luke and...another of Koneko's forms, though I don't recall her or him telling me his name. Stopping between them, I give them both a quick hug and then kiss Cain's cheek as I take the seat next to him. "Thank you for inviting me, Kate. I hope I haven't missed anything," I smile.

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I smile at the new arrivals. It warms my heart to see so many people here.

"How is the meeting to be structured? Shall we meet regularly to convey warnings and advice? And what sort of protection are we discussing?"

Boku is looking at me. Oh! Well. I suppose I did arrange the meeting, so I should try to explain... I wait until everyone has a chair.

"Well," I say, "Glass is right. We're not looking to banish them altogether, as I don't think we could, and -" I glance at Kaeli and Cain - "I don't think everyone wants them gone." I would be happy to see them all but Nanshe leave, but perhaps that's not the best way to get help from Kaeli or Cain, and from what I know of Hermia's beliefs, she feels some duty to Eris and Ares, even though she does not like them. "We're not seeking to harm, but rather to protect ourselves." I pause. "Does everyone here know each other?" I say, and I quickly name everyone at the table in case any are strangers to the other. "And I suppose, since we're all here, that all of us know that strange things have been happening in town, and that some people have been hurt. Some even killed. By... beings who are a lot more powerful than us. But I think we have power too, and - " I glance at Hermia and smile, "I think some of that power's here. In this library, in these books. Hermia's been looking for books that might help us learn about weaknesses these... gods have. It seems that a lot of them feel very bound to rules and superstitions, and if we learn about those, we can use them to our advantage."

I pause for breath, because that's a much longer speech than I usually give. I look at the piles of books, and they seem to be divided at least roughly into topics or regions.

"Perhaps if we all take a few books to look through, and we can discuss what we find? We don't have to figure out everything now... Anything we find at all would be useful. We can meet up again too, if people want." I hope that they do want to, for I doubt we'll find enough at our first meeting to make a lot of changes. I smile. "I'm glad you all came."

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hermia-sophia.livejournal.com

Kate is still reluctant to name them as gods? Well, I suppose she is still not used to thinking of more than one god, even if she pays honor to Nanshe. I see her glancing at me and Kaeli and Cain when she speaks of wanting only to protect ourselves against the gods, not banish them, and I offer a weak, apologetic smile. Oh, I would like nothing better than to rid this town of some of the gods...but she is right; it would be sacrilege for me to try to oppose Ares and Eris. Else I would have tried to do so before.

But then when Kate speaks of power here and looks at me again, I meet her eyes once more and a bit of my smile comes back. Oh yes. There is absolutely power to be found here, in the books and in the people (and cat) gathered. Enough to protect ourselves against the gods (except Nanshe, of course, and Verdandi) and whatever is in the Tower? Well, we will have to try.

"Thank you, Kate, for organizing this. I think that we should meet again - as you say, we won't be able to figure everything out right now, and there is enough information to go through that we will probably need more time to sort it out and determine where to go next." I motion to the pile of books that I've gathered. "This isn't even all of the books that I've found; I know there are more." And that thought pulls me up a little taller as well. Books are power.

A sudden, hysterical laugh that rises within me when I think of Lydia pelting Lysander with books - and then just as swiftly, the laugh breaks. Lysander.

I swallow that thought back. I cannot think of it now. Not now. I must think of other things.

"I suppose I'll start with these, then," I say briskly, taking the few books I've found that are in Greek. "And Luke - you speak Latin, don't you?" I seem to remember him taking out some books of Latin poetry - surprising, for I did not think he had had that much formal education, but he is certainly intelligent. I nudge a few of the Latin books towards him.

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now we get down to divying up the work, so I better speak up and mention a couple of important facts. I rise from my chair and jump up on the table. I speak to Hermia but then sweep my gaze round to the others.

"I gotta mention a coupla things. I can read any language but have trouble turning pages neatly. i'm gonna hafta partner up with somebody."

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I shrug. "Don't mind that." Glance over to Hermia. "Let me know if you've anything in Welsh, but that aside, I'll just go through the apotropes again... and there's little enough on the Basque, but I'm thinking that maybe if I look I can find something on other gwyllgi...? And..."

Hesitate a moment, and look over to Kaeli and Cain. "Is what's going to be said here like to be repeated in front of the gods, for those of you who're friendly with them?"

From:

kaeli-whyte.livejournal.com

I nod, "I agree that we should meet again, both for research and communication." I look at Hermia handing out the books, "I can read Irish Gaelic and Latin and I think we might know at least one thing about Ares that's not in any book," I say glancing at Cain. I want to look over at Luke too, hoping he won't be upset, but then Glass asks if anything is going to be repeated, looking at Cain and I. And similar to that night in the cemetery, I feel a small sharp tinge of biting cold rise up, even though I know her concern is not unreasonable.

Didn't I just see her warming up to the dark god the last time I saw her? I'm honestly a bit surprised she's even here, I didn't think she had much interest in the living. But I push the cold away and those thoughts go with it. There's a lot I don't know about Glass and I'm not here to quarrel. I have seen her be kind to people, the past is the past and we're never going to be able to defend anyone if we spend all or our time fighting amongst ourselves.

"If its repeated, it won't be by me," I smile and shrug, "I no longer worship any god in this town. Though I'd like to add that anything said or done here not be repeated in front of anyone who is not already attending the meetings, unless the person plans to attend. Word of any kind seems to travel fast in this town," I say evenly, looking at Glass. "And given its not only gods doing harm in this town, you can never be sure of who or what your speaking to or what is within earshot anymore or even who else may tell them."

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"If its repeated, it won't be by me, I no longer worship any god in this town."

"Wasn't thinking worship," I say dryly, "only fondness."

"Though I'd like to add that anything said or done here not be repeated in front of anyone who is not already attending the meetings, unless the person plans to attend. Word of any kind seems to travel fast in this town." Ah, good, she's finally noticed. Long way from worrying over her reputation and Valmont. "And given its not only gods doing harm in this town, you can never be sure of who or what your speaking to or what is within earshot anymore or even who else may tell them."

"There're ways to be sure of who you're speaking to," I say mildly. "But you're raising yet another question." I glance around. "Anyone here Eris? No? Anyone who can't be her have a way of telling?"

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Then we're off to start the secrecy. with Glass asking that the godfriends not tell them what we find and Kaeli, Cain's girl, going on to say that nothing should be shared with anyone not already in the club.
And given its not only gods doing harm in this town, you can never be sure of who or what your speaking to or what is within earshot anymore or even who else may tell them. Bringing up the point that nothing may be as it seems. And here we get back to one my not so favorite topics of the shapeshifter i keep getting mistaken for. Eris. who ain't so bad in person. Least not when I met her.

Anyone who can't be her have a way of telling?

I raise my paw at this. "I can tell. And so can anyone who reads auras or can sense the specific patterns that mental and soul energy flows in. All we have to do is know what the patterns should be for that person, or know what Eris' pattern is. I've met her so I know what her pattern is. She ain't here."

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I reckon I might like to talk to Glass from the apothecary 'bout gods one day. And frankly I reckon if we ain't trying to get rid of 'em then all we'll be doing for a good while is avoiding 'em, which is sorta like getting rid of ourselves, but I don't say that. Feel like I want to think all this stuff through without folks bickering over it, and course, they are. Lift my head when I hear my name. "And Luke - you speak Latin, don't you?" say Hermia, pushing a few books towards me, and hell, she thinks I can speak it fluent?

"I- no ma'am, just- bits. I mean, a b-bit. Can't promise nothing, mind," I say, and sure I can read a bit but I ain't sure as Ares exactly taught me the most useful bits for meetings of this sort and now I'm feeling pretty bloody stupid having to say so. Ain't her fault for thinking well of me, I guess, better'n I am even. And the cats up on the table giving folks looks and saying 'bout Eris, which I guess is a fair point, but mostly I'm thinking 'bout what Miss Kaeli means when she says "I think we might know at least one thing about Ares that's not in any book," and if I do too, and if I should say it, and if they're gonna ask me right out.

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"Well enough." Look to Kate to settle my nerves, and then back to the table as a whole. "I can ward against the Shuck, with a little help," and I'm careful not looking at Kate as I say that; her enchanting of nails is hers to give up, not mine. "Think he could break it if he pushed, but so far he's always backed off rather than taken it on t'do that. It's not something I do lightly, and him not being a roaring idiot he'll know who worked the ward and maybe start asking questions depends on who holds it, but I mention in case anyone needs it." Look to Luke at that last; post-rider, yes?

"That said, as the warding's not something of story, but what he called new magic..." Look down towards the table, rather than the folk round it, and dammit, I have no gift for words, and why can't Iago be here instead or as well? "May be worth it to try something not found in books, if you judge the risk worth it. So whatever you know of Ares's a point of interest."

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I notice Glass not looking at me when she mentions a little help, and her discretion is welcomed, but it also gets me to thinking about what I accidentally did to Cary. Pushing aside that pang of guilt, I focus on the fact that I did it; I who have no skills in magic, nor any strange blood. It's this town...

"We have another advantage," I say. "The changes that have brought the gods to this town seem to have made it easier to... touch the supernatural. I helped Glass make her ward, and I know nothing of magic, only of faith - but... I don't know. The town seems to want magic to happen. So even those of us who don't have natural gifts for these things can manage them with a little work, somehow." I smile at Glass. "And I agree, any information about the gods could be useful."

I take a stack of books and open the first. We have to start somewhere, after all...

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I smile at Kaeli as she hugs me, that was kind. Listening carefully to everyone, I squeeze Luke's hand under the table when I hear the note in Luke's voice as he confesses his proficiency in Latin. Hermia does not seem very sensitive to how Luke feels about his education, nor to his shyness. Though perhaps she simply does not know him very well.

Although everyone agrees that regular meetings and secrecy is necessary, it appears today is merely an information gathering session. "I am often working on projects in the Library for Lydia, I can ask her to make some reports or books I find available to you, Hermia-san. Perhaps by the next meeting we can take this information and start building strategies." I squeeze Luke's hand once more before letting it drop and rising. "I am going to go look for further books. Luke-kun? Would you like to join me?" It seems an easy excuse to let them go about their studying. "Thank you for including me in this project, it was pleasant to see you," with that, I walk back into the stacks.

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Glass looks over when she says about the charm. I'd brought mine if I'd known, but probably it's the same thing. Ain't too keen on the thought that he might be able to break it, but I ain't taking Freya on night runs no more and that makes me feel better. 'Sides, I trust it cause Boku seemed pretty sure.

"Thank you miss," I say, nodding. "Run into him before now, and I got something like it seems to work. Ain't been out at night since he started up that racket, but Lars carried it with him and ain't had no trouble, so I'd warrant it's good, even if it ain't much to speak of." Bloody glad too, cause I have to go tomorrow.

I'd offer the same as her, and sure I make sure Lars's got it every time he goes out (and since them noises he don't complain about it neither), but I don't know how it got made and it ain't really for me to say, so I don't say nothing more. Seems like Miss O'Hara's right, too, 'bout the magic, but I dunno that I'd be able to do stuff like that. I dunno that I'd want to. Something in me don't trust it, and probably I'd mess it up anyway. Keep my mouth shut 'bout Ares. Ain't nothing I know as can hurt him.

Realise I been holding onto Boku's hand under the table pretty hard since he took it. "I am going to go look for further books. Luke-kun? Would you like to join me?" And I don't want to look like I'm just following him about cause he said so, I really don't, but folk're starting to read and that now, so I nod and take up the books Miss Hermia give me to read, and go with him. I sorta want to talk to him 'bout all this, anyway.

Edited Date: 2009-03-16 12:34 am (UTC)

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