UoM: The face in the Sand (GT Chyril 26th)

[Ashtallion Urdil]

"Whilst I am appreciative of your concerns, Miss Acerbi, I must decline the offer to conceal myself also. I want them to see me coming. Trust me, they won't attack. Or at least I'm very certain they won't. I have strength enough to hold those beings at bay if need be.....besides....they got what they came for and I am assured they will vacate the University with due haste. I would just like to be certain they do, and do not harm any on their way out."

At least you hope you can hold them.

Ashtallion paused for a moment in his stride, and turned to Becca. "You were in the corridor when the demons left my chambers. Just how much of that conversation did you over hear Miss Acerbi?", though unsure of how much of her he would actually be able to see, he still sought out her general direction, his gold eyes shimmering with expectance. "And I will have the truth young mage."

[Becca Acerbi]

"All right, I offered." Becca said, trying to sound resigned instead of doubtful. She considered leaving the illusions up, just in case, but - he sounded sure enough of himself. "Are you sure you'll be all right?" Becca went quiet for a few flickers, folding the light she'd used into a ball as she walked. "If you're wrong, Professor," she said eventually, and surprisingly evenly considering that he was pretty much promising her that demons were not going to kill people and that has to be idiocy on her own special scale, "I reserve the right to say I told you so before we die. How can you be so sure they got what they're after?"

Becca carried on a few steps after Ashtallion stopped, although when he started talking, Becca froze. If she'd been thankful about her illusions before, that was nothing compared to the relief she felt knowing he couldn't see her gathering her thoughts and trying to scramble for an answer that wouldn't drop her in it for once. She seriously considered giving him a straight answer for all of three flickers, then dismissed the idea. For all her feeling that she'd met him before, she didn't know him, and she didn't want to guess at how he'd react to 'Well, not the whole thing obviously, but I heard you telling the demon to take a girl and go and I imagine that was the most relevant part.' And yet she didn't want to tell him she hadn't heard anything. For one thing, it would be a painfully obvious lie, and for another - well, she'd lasted a lot longer taking advantage of semantics and technicalities than she had with outright lies.

What Becca actually said, the words coming out rather strangled, was "You had a conversation with demons?" She turned, scrabbling for the first thing she'd say if she really hadn't heard the conversation, if her surprise was more at the fact that he'd actually done it than that he was admitting it, and blurted out "You had a conversation with them and they didn't kill you? What the hell did you do? Set one of them on fire?"

[Ashtallion Urdil]

A momentary frown creased his brow, yet it vanished as swiftly as it had appeared. Perhaps she hadn't heard.....better be careful here.

"Yes, I had a conversation with their.....Leader.....I suppose you could call him that. I did fight one of them, and bested the creature by cracking it against a wall and throwing it out of my chambers. They came for something which belonged to them, they collected it and stated they would leave. I can only guess they did not want to start a serious conflict with me. I am no push over when it comes to a fight.", a slight smile flittered across his lips.

"Adding to that they would be vastly outnumbered if the collective mages in this University gathered and faced them. I just want to ensure the demon keeps his side of the agreement."

Ashtallion skirted away from revealing the 'item' they had came to collect and hoped she would not ask. Again, perhaps she had not seen Sezja draped over the demons shoulder.

"Come Miss Acerbi, we had best make a move and see if any stragglers have decided to stay behind. For their sakes they had best not. If we do see any, it would be a good idea for you to run and get help from the other Professors. If necessary. And by all means.......you may tell me you told me so.", at that he smiled also, her attitude reminded him of someone else, someone that was never afraid to tell him straight what they think. His estimation Miss Acerbi grew at that point. He would need to ask the other Professors about her.....yet another task to add to his ever growing list.

[Becca Acerbi]

Becca might have missed the frown appearing and disappearing if she hadn't been watching him so closely for any sign that he hadn't believed her. The frown suggested that she could relax - which she did, very slowly, as Ashtallion started talking.

'He believed me. He actually believed me. ... And he threw one of those crab-things out of his room so hard he cracked its shell open. Can I pick 'em or what?'

"Please don't take this the wrong way, but you remind me of Elvin Motricé. Powerful, slightly creepy, slightly insane." Her tone of one that could be associated with wide-eyed wonder, although she was actually frowning. If she hadn't seen the demon leave, she would be panicking a little now, thinking of the Libre Malificent. As it was, she could feel something remarkably close to worry if he was willing to dismiss that woman as an item. (Not to mention what they were teaching these professors; he really was as bad as Elvin in that they both skimmed topics like that so - transparantly.) The wonder remained when she asked "But what's here that could have belonged to a demon?" - although she was thinking more as to what he could say to such a question.

The wonder was quickly replaced by offended when Ashtallion told her to run and get help if there was trouble. "Excuse me, professor, but I think I can look after myself. And after all, you're powerful enough to throw demonic crabs out of your room, so you don't need the help." She bounced slightly, her wooden shoes clicking on the floor. "And I am going to hold you to that. If we die, I will never let you forget it." Becca didn't realise what she was doing until Ashtallion smiled at her and she started to smile back. It was just a habit - if the topic of messy death and fighting came up, she let her mouth run away with her. Apparantly, that was even if the guy she was talking to was one who handed someone over to demons.

[Tristam]

The roof of the elementalist tower was capped with a honeycomb type dome. It was open to the air to allow free access of that element. The dome itself was carved from bedrock, the bones of the earth, for a strong source of earth. Within the dome was a cunning system for the collection and retention of rainwater which collected in a deep basin. There was no source of eternal flame but a series of lenses set in the honeycomb focused the sunlight into a searing beam on to a patch of serpentine stone on the floor. At night though, it was just an odd patch of stone.

Becca and Ashtallion made their way to the roof unchallenged and found Professor Arden at the edge of the tower looking out into the distance. He turned with a start as they entered and leveled wand topped with a glowing green crystal at them. He lowered it just as quickly in relief. "Well they've gone. You can see them wafting away on unnatural currents. Its like they don't fall because neither the air or the earth can bear to touch them. He spit over the side. "Good riddance."

[Ashtallion Urdil]

"I remind you of Professor Motrice....why thank you Miss Acerbi, I could think no better compliment, even if it was not intended as such.", he wasn't too sure about being called creepy, but if it kept her on her toes, he allowed her to keep thinking such. "Might I remind you Miss Acerbi....I was capable of throwing one demon out my door. There were roughly thirteen scurrying about the University, and while I do not doubt you can take care of yourself, please follow my instructions othewise we will both definately be dead...."

"As for what they wanted. That cannot be shared for now until the other staff members have been informed."

By this point they had reached the roof, and Asht started at the sight of Arden raising a wand towards him, he was about to whip up a stronger shield, but let the weave go unstarted as the Professor lowered it. Before Arden had even finished his sentence, Ashtallion had closed the distance between them and stand beside him, watching the dwindling netheric creatures fade away over the horizon. His golden adhiel eyes flashed, narrowing slightly.

"Good.", he turned to Arden also wondering if he had seen just what they were carrying, "Did you encounter any trouble Professor Arden?"

[Tristam]

"None of Netheric nature." Arden replied. "I was in the middle of an alchemical experiment when all this happened. It took me a while to quell the fires and storms that whipped up. I was just heading out to see what had happened when I got Becca's call. The demons has already gone past me apparently. They last one was jumping off the tower when I arrived."

"What news from you two?" Arden asked. "Ventalla's image dropped in to give me a warning but he saw I was busy and winked out again before saying anything of import."

[Ashtallion Urdil]

"Ventalla warned me....however I was already engaged in a skirmish with one of them.", he wasn't going into intricate detail just now. Not with Becca still nearby.

His hands moved to rest on his hips and brushed his satchel.....the book....the letter from Sezja! He had not yet read it, the clue to eventually unlocking the secret of control to the book. Ashtallion licked his lips, trying to think of a way to excuse himself.

"Well, if they are gone, I had best see what needs done....I can only imagine what damage has been wrought during all of this chaos."

And you were partly the cause, Urdil, don't forget that minor detail. How could he forget it? Would he ever?

"Miss Acerbi.....", his attention once again fixed on Becca, "....I suggest you make your way to the main hall....?"

[Tristam]

Arden merely nodded absently. "I am sure wherever you go, you will find something that needs tending." Arden agreed. "I'm going to go check on the Vaults. Gods help us if these beings got into there. Care to come with me, Becca? Safety in numbers and all that."

[Becca Acerbi]

"It was a compliment," Becca muttered as she followed Ashtallion. "Mostly. Sort of. If you like that blend of paranoia and bossiness." There was a rather exagerated sigh, followed by a put-upon "If you insist, Professor. Forgive me for having faith in your abilities." Becca hummed vaguely at Ashtallion's response to her question, but let it go. The building was more interesting - even if the honeycomb structure was making her paranoid about what could be round corners.

"Arden!" Becca started, sounding relieved - before she ducked behind Ashtallion to avoid whatever Arden was going to do with that staff. When he started speaking, Becs darted over to the wall and stared after the figures. The thought that they'd got away - that there hadn't been a fight and the demons had got away made her feel queasy. "I'm glad they're gone," she said eventually, turning to the two men. "And I'm glad you're alright Arden - I should've known you'd end up here. Especially seeing as you told me not to do anything stupid."

Becca hesitated, shooting a glance at Ashtallion before she answered Arden. "Professor Peckerton said that the students were being evacuated to the dining hall. Don't know how well that's going, but I know Morgan was helping with it so it's probably worked out alright." Becca glanced at Ashtallion again, not sure how much she could say about what she'd seen with him there, and so skipped over it entirely. At least until he was out of earshot.

"The vaults? Where they keep the magical junk?" There was a short pause, while Becca considered the sense of letting Ashtallion out of their sight - she couldn't think of a good enough excuse to hang around him that didn't involve shouting accusations, so instead she chirped "Sure," putting a hand on Arden's arm so he could keep track of her. "Someone's got to keep an eye on you and make sure you don't get kidnapped again. Professor Urdil -" 'Gods help you if anyone's hurt...' "- thank you for escorting me. It was... Informative to say the least." Becca bowed briefly, not changing her illusions so he could see the gesture, and started to tug Arden towards the steps.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Ashtallion just smiled lightly towards Becca before his glittering eyes glanced towards the horizon once more. The view was soo.....different....where exactly where they? Where had the spell transported the entire University to?

Turning to Arden, Asht gave a polite nod of his head, then stode swiftly back down the stairs. He was still not entirely convinced that Becca did not know of his conversation with the demon, yet he was not prepared to interrogate her at present. He had something considerably more important to think about.

The adhiel mage descended the stairs as quickly as possible, still keeping his eyes wide open for any sign of straggler demonic crabs. His black robes flared, the hem whispering upon the stone floors.

He came to the wreackage that used to be the door to his chambers, and the mage heaved a small sigh. Stepping over any obscuring bits of wood, Asht entered his chambers, glancing to the desk where Sezja had previously been slumped before the demons carted her away. Asht shook his head and then reached in to his satchel.

It took some effort to prevent his hands from shaking. Between the spell casting, adrenaline and fear, his current excitement threatened to over whelm him. As steadily as he could, the 'Golden One' opened the scroll written by Sezja.

[Tristam]

Slipping into summary mode here.

Ashtallion found the scroll contained a series of astronomical coordinates dealing with conjunctions of the stars and beside them words of power in an unfamiliar script followed by what looked like a phonetic approximation. Just like hearing Sezja speak the words though, Ashtallion wondered how a normal throat could make those sounds. Some practice or trick was in order.

Becca and Arden encountered no further demons or dangers but they found that the vault doors opened to reveal the stairs leading down into deep blue water. From what they could see the stairs had disappeared beyond the first two and the stone walls beneath the water looked natural and not carved.

Let me know if there is anything else you want to do, else I am fine leaving it here.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

OOC: Nothing else from me! Ashtallion will pretty much be studying the scroll.

[Becca Acerbi]

OOC: That's it from me too. Thank you for the fun!

[Tristam]

Thread skilled!