Samheen 28th, Morningtide
The personal chambers of a mere archive staffer were not luxurious enough to have windows with a view. So there was no light to let Barrett know that he had overslept. But there were footfalls in the halls. . Other archivists going about there duties. Folk seeking advice. Chamber servants (although all of these had orders to avoid the Querist’s room - due to his odd sleep schedule). Activity, such as it was in the minimally staffed archives of the great Citadel.
Barrett’s fatigue from his recent journey and activities had made drafting his report a less than thrilling task, but he had felt he owed Tabeann at least something in exchange for all of her help. Unfortunately, he had fallen asleep whilst trying to decide exactly how much of his impression of spirit and ancestor magicks to include. But sleep had brought its own rewards… to be explored later.
The lanky Dortman rose and practiced some stretches and Salaura sequences to remove the kinks from his joints and muscles. He was tempted to skip the morning ablutions, but today was the Council meeting. He was forced instead to spend almost triple the amount of time normally required to dress for Citadel duties.
That left just enough time to dance though the dining hall and grab a handful of bread and cheese before heading to Mistress Tabeann’s desk to confer with her.
Erwin, Andolin, Sosa… no time now to sneak in a meeting with anyone else before the meeting. Perhaps that’s for the best.
A quick meeting before the meeting...
Moderator: Mods
Mistress Tabeann was right where he went. She was sharpening a number of quills, preparing her writing supplies for the meeting. A full ink bottle sat stoppered on the table before her, along with a thick sheath of papers. She was preparing for the meeting, as she had no idea how much the Council members will have to say. It was her duty to write all that was said down and keep it in the Archives. She could not simply say Hold on, please, Duke Erwin, my quill broke. Nor would she do that, even if it happened.
Stopping for a flicker as Barrett approached, the elderly scribe smiled. "Oh, I see you managed to wake up, Barrett. Have a seat. I'm just preparing myself for the meeting. So, we were to discuss your duties, right?" It was a rhetorical question, but still she gave him a short time to reply should he wish to. "It's quite simply. Just be there and be ready to help. I'll be busy writing down what is going on. So be close at hand to hand me the things I need and perhaps perform some chore if I ask you. Can you do that?"
Stopping for a flicker as Barrett approached, the elderly scribe smiled. "Oh, I see you managed to wake up, Barrett. Have a seat. I'm just preparing myself for the meeting. So, we were to discuss your duties, right?" It was a rhetorical question, but still she gave him a short time to reply should he wish to. "It's quite simply. Just be there and be ready to help. I'll be busy writing down what is going on. So be close at hand to hand me the things I need and perhaps perform some chore if I ask you. Can you do that?"
The diplomacy is the art of saying "Good dog", while you are searching for a big rock.
Barrett smiled at the preparations being made. His custom vest would look appropriate as well as serving its intended function.
"Of course, Mistress Tabeann."
Had she forgotten her promise to look into Nether references? Or was it simply too late to discuss other matters before the Council Meeting?
"Did you have a chance to track down that research I asked about? I didn't quite complete my report but there is a preliminary draft available for you to read."
He pulled out a sheaf of neatly bound papers and deposited them on her desk.
"Perhaps you could point me in the direction of the, er, alternative source materials that I require after the meeting?"
"Of course, Mistress Tabeann."
Had she forgotten her promise to look into Nether references? Or was it simply too late to discuss other matters before the Council Meeting?
"Did you have a chance to track down that research I asked about? I didn't quite complete my report but there is a preliminary draft available for you to read."
He pulled out a sheaf of neatly bound papers and deposited them on her desk.
"Perhaps you could point me in the direction of the, er, alternative source materials that I require after the meeting?"
Her eyes looked up and she smiled. "I may be an elderly lady Barrett, but I am not that old. My assistants are gathering you the works you needed. They will await for you on my desk when we return from the meeting." Taking his report she merely skimmed through the first page and then left it on the side. There was no time to read it properly now, but she would most definitely take a look. If it was information of any kind she was loathe to miss it. She would of course make a copy and place it in the Archives as well. For future reference.
"All the information you requested will be waiting for you. But, even though I hate to admit it, you may need to seek the Repository once more. I can write a letter of recommendation so you can ask without fear of being shunned. They have some rather interesting works in the venue of what you seek. But, that shall have to wait till later. Till after the meeting. Do you need to get something else. If not we might as well leave. We are not important enough to be able to afford being late."
"All the information you requested will be waiting for you. But, even though I hate to admit it, you may need to seek the Repository once more. I can write a letter of recommendation so you can ask without fear of being shunned. They have some rather interesting works in the venue of what you seek. But, that shall have to wait till later. Till after the meeting. Do you need to get something else. If not we might as well leave. We are not important enough to be able to afford being late."
The diplomacy is the art of saying "Good dog", while you are searching for a big rock.
"Despite your vast knowledge and wisdom, I would hardly refer to you as elderly, my lady."
Despite the blush on his cheeks, there was a certain look of mischief in his eyes and the hint of a chuckle.
"The Repository... I should have mentioned yesterday. I met a young fellow thinker there. Named Danomel. He was interested in seeking you out - for magickal instruction? And for access to the archives. I find him sincere enough to have invited him to study here and, I gave him my word that I would try to arrange an appointment with you. I hope I have not gone too far?"
"But you are right, we should get to the meeting. I am sure even the arrivals are worth noticing."
Despite the blush on his cheeks, there was a certain look of mischief in his eyes and the hint of a chuckle.
"The Repository... I should have mentioned yesterday. I met a young fellow thinker there. Named Danomel. He was interested in seeking you out - for magickal instruction? And for access to the archives. I find him sincere enough to have invited him to study here and, I gave him my word that I would try to arrange an appointment with you. I hope I have not gone too far?"
"But you are right, we should get to the meeting. I am sure even the arrivals are worth noticing."
She chuckled at his compliment, but the smile was gone by the time Barrett spoke of Danomel. Still, she simply nodded when he was done. "No, no. It is fine. As long as they behave and don't damage the books, everyone is welcome here. You might want to escort him though, since this place can be fairly intimidating to newcomers. Next morning tide would be a nice time for such a meeting. Or whatever is suitable to him. Just inform me beforehand. That's all I ask."
She rose and started gathering her things, pointing to a pile of papers a bit to the side. "Please, be a dear and carry those for me. You are right. The sooner we are there, the better. I am not particularly fond of waiting, but the members often have questions regarding the protocol and procedures, and guess who it is they come to ask for advice. So, I try to be there early, so I can answer their questions. So, any last question or are we ready to go?"
OOC: You can join the Council Meeting thread I already PMed you about.
She rose and started gathering her things, pointing to a pile of papers a bit to the side. "Please, be a dear and carry those for me. You are right. The sooner we are there, the better. I am not particularly fond of waiting, but the members often have questions regarding the protocol and procedures, and guess who it is they come to ask for advice. So, I try to be there early, so I can answer their questions. So, any last question or are we ready to go?"
OOC: You can join the Council Meeting thread I already PMed you about.
The diplomacy is the art of saying "Good dog", while you are searching for a big rock.
"Ready."
It was true: he was ready, even eager. And that sensation came as a warning to him. His participation must be limited to observer and asistant. Both roles required an impartiality - an almost inhuman aloofness. But Barrett already was caught up in affairs that the Council would hold great influence over.
He steadied himself. A few deep, calming breaths. A systematic relaxation of his muscles, particularly those of his face. A neutral expression and posture were key. Key in remaining on the sidelines and key to keeping his own interests and opinions to himself.
My Lord, Aurelius, lend me wisdom to fulfill the task for which I am called today. The observation and recording of the meeting about to transpire, both official speech and unofficial minutiae of expressions and relations of those who attend. For history - the passing along of this knowledge. And for possible utility in the more active tasks to which I am called of late. Let me prove a worthy instrument for the Archives and for the Empire as your representative.
His silent prayer was offered en route, for there was likely no need to voice his concerns to the Mistress of the Archives. He admired Tabeann's composure. Perhaps she had her own inner struggles. Or perhaps age and experience gave her the proper distance from which to maintain the duties of an Observer...
(OOC: See you at the meeting.
)
It was true: he was ready, even eager. And that sensation came as a warning to him. His participation must be limited to observer and asistant. Both roles required an impartiality - an almost inhuman aloofness. But Barrett already was caught up in affairs that the Council would hold great influence over.
He steadied himself. A few deep, calming breaths. A systematic relaxation of his muscles, particularly those of his face. A neutral expression and posture were key. Key in remaining on the sidelines and key to keeping his own interests and opinions to himself.
My Lord, Aurelius, lend me wisdom to fulfill the task for which I am called today. The observation and recording of the meeting about to transpire, both official speech and unofficial minutiae of expressions and relations of those who attend. For history - the passing along of this knowledge. And for possible utility in the more active tasks to which I am called of late. Let me prove a worthy instrument for the Archives and for the Empire as your representative.
His silent prayer was offered en route, for there was likely no need to voice his concerns to the Mistress of the Archives. He admired Tabeann's composure. Perhaps she had her own inner struggles. Or perhaps age and experience gave her the proper distance from which to maintain the duties of an Observer...
(OOC: See you at the meeting.
)