Jun 19 01:56:55 105 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Fri Jun 19 01:56:55 105 PA.
Desmond has taken to one of the reading tables on his latest excursion to the library. More and more often he's come here, delving into the myriad books with their stores of knowledge. This day he has but one with him, a rather dry book that covers recent history. But he studies the words within slowly with a focused attention. His jacket is off, laid across the back of his chair, the big male resting both elbows atop the table, chin resting against his cupped hands as his eyes flick back and forth steadily.
Across the expansive room, and currently bathed in shadows, the alien being Tu'ul sits surrounded by a small mounds of books of his own. Pupiless black eyes flick across the pages of the harsh language the books are written in, and long dextrous fingers dance across the pages as he turns them. Other than the gentle rustle of the pages, he is silent, absorbed in his reading. He know's you are there, having sensed you come in, but he says nothing.
Desmond indulges in the history book quietly for a few more minutes before he seems to reach some personal finishing point. Eyes blinking twice before his head lifts and he frowns subtly. With a deep indraw of breath he leans back and gives his shoulders a roll. The breath coming out as he closes up the book and starts to rise. Each movement a slow, languid thing in the wake of his period of inactivity. Turning from his chosen table, he starts to head back towards the shelf from which he plucked his book. Along the way spying Tu'ul and his own stacks of books. Some glimmer of remembrance coming as he considers the being from afar, moving along one of the shelves.
Caliopa enters the library, wearing her work clothes, a bag slung over her shoulder. She approaches the staff, asking a question in a low voice, her cheeks red and deepening red as they answer her with a smile. She turns, heading for some of the shelves, her head bent, hands buried into her pockets. She stops by a shelf, staring hard at the books.
Feeling Desmonds gaze upon him like a physical thing, Tu'ul lifts his gaze to regard the Feline for a moment, nodding his oversized cranium in silent greeting. Saying nothing still, and mindful that most beings resent the mental contact a telepathic greeting would entail, Tu'ul's eyes fall back down to the text he studies, feeling Cali's presense but saying nothing as well.
Desmond nods his head in return to that which is given, slipping into the stacks as Cali enters, before actually seeing her. He replaces his book once he reaches the proper spot and gazes for a moment at the others. Considering if he shall linger to read more. Ultimately he turns from the shelf to move back towards the open area of the library. Along the way, he turns down the aisle that Cali inhabits, his eyes shifting towards her as he rumbles, "Cali." His usual greeting given, though a shade of curiosity comes up as he notes the color in her cheeks. "You are well?" Asked as his eyes casually shift to the side, towards the books she is looking toward.
Caliopa draws her hand back from the book she was reaching for, as if bitter, and turns her head to face him. The colour that had been fading washes up through her face, burning up cheeks and neck. "Uh, Desmond. You here? I'm alright." She averts her eyes from the shelf, trying to avoid looking at it, and drawing attention. "You alright?" She mumbles weakly.
Tu'ul rises from his gloom cloaked spot in the corner of the library and closes two of the books he was reading. Graceful and deliberate movements carry him to the shelf where he got the books and he replaces them there, taking two more in thier stead. He returns to his spot without a word, the alien scholar saying nothing, simply casting his mind out to get a general feel for the well being of those in the room with him.
Desmond returns his eyes to Cali after a moment, head canted slightly to the side. A light understanding dawns and he rumbles in reply, "Yes, I come here often to read and I am well this morning." There is a pause as he considers for a brief moment before offering, "I will leave you to seek the books you need.. unless there is any assistance you might require." Though the offer is a generic one, there is some notable curiosity about his gaze. And too much polite to give anymore than what he has just now.
The flash of relief is too obvious to miss, and Caliopa's smile flashes onto her lips, bright and sunny. "I'll come over in a bit, Desmond, just kinda... looking up some stuff." The colour of her cheeks doesn't fade as she turns back to the shelf, touching her fingers to the spines of the books, a thoughtful expression shining in her eyes.
Pulling his gaze from his studies once more, he glances around the library, as well as sensing where you both are. A mental eyebrow raises as he feels Cali's mixed feelings as to where she is, and a moment later.. unless she's shielded against such things, Cali will feel a feather light touch on her mind. -If you wish for assistance, I am here- A calm male voice says, though it's not audible, instead ringing out in Cali's mind.
Desmond nods his head once in response to Cali's words. "Very well." Curious still, but he turns without added delay to make his way out from the shelves. Thoughtful as he makes it to the open area, his eyes return to Tu'ul, still where he last saw the strange being. After a few moments the big male decides to approach him, striding steadily over to where he is settled. "Greetings.. I don't recall your name, but I do recall that we have met before. I am Desmond," he offers, a hand lifted toward his chest casually as he gives his name.
She responds to the touch on her mind, blushing more deeply, glancing around, her discomfort showing in every line in her body. She reaches up, hurriedly taking down several books, shaking her head several times. She turns, hugging them to her, as she walks to check them out. Her eyes do skitter around the room, uncomfortably.
Lifting his gaze to the big feline man standing before him, Tu'ul hesistates a moment, trying to decipher the meaning behind the hand on his chest. Judging it to mean a greeting, Tu'ul nods once. "I am known as Tu'ul." He says simply, incling his head gently in greeting once more. At the same time though, his mind reaches out to Caliopa once more, giving her a path to follow back to him, visible only in her minds eye. A sense of comfort is imparted, attempting to calm her down as she feels agitate now.
Desmond nods his head once. "Yes.. I believe I recall you. You were able to speak in many languages, yes? Even that of Kesslan, one who holds a form similar to myself. It might interest you to know he has better learned the language of this region through his own means." because Des thinks it would interest the odd being. For now, he remains ignorant of Cali and her troubles.
She makes it to the desk, checking out the book, her face reflecting the growing panic in her mind. Once the books are finished with, she shoves them into her bag, glancing around, spotting Desmond with the man whose vision she sees in her mind. She hesitates, reluctant to approach, tension showing in all her body language.
Tu'ul shakes his head, "No.. I speak all languages. But I am glad that the one called Kesslan has gained use of another language. The device he used to translate proved ineffective at times." He says softly, then turns his inhuman gaze to Cali as she steps into view. "Did you find what you seek?" He asks gently, the words mental and much as audible.
"It is true, the secondary noise from teh translator was a trial to deal with. It is much better that he speaks for himself now. He need only master more words and their usage, that he can express himself clearer." A pause then as Tu'ul's gaze shifts. Desmond looking towards Cali as well. Noting her sense of unease and having no clue as to what might be causing it, he extends a welcoming hand toward her. "What is the matter, Cali?"
"Yeah. If it is you in my mind, I don't want you there." Blunt words, spoken with real fear behind them, that flashes in her expressive eyes and face. "I don't want no folks in my mind, not after that all, Desmond." She gives him an appealing look, hugging her bag to her. "It ain't personal."
Tu'ul considers Caliopa's words for only a breif second, then the contact on her mind is gone. He doesn't bother to announce it was his mind touching hers, as that would likely only bring unwanted hostility down on him. "If you do not mind my Inquiry.. All what?" The being asks simply, on the opposite side of a table laden down with books open to various spots. On the immediate other side of the table, Desmond and Cali stand.
Desmond frowns slightly as Cali speaks, it taking a moment to make a firm connection to just what she means. Understanding dawning, which leads to him shifting his attention to Tu'ul. "If you are using mind powers to communicate with her, then it would be a kindness to refrain," he explains. Though as he asks after all that, he is quiet. Looking back toward Cali, as if to 'give' her full control of what might be said and not said. The understanding expression lingers as he remains, as well as the welcome.
She manages a wobbly version of her sunny smile, the tight grip on her bag with both arms unloosened. "Thank you." She murmurs, giving Desmond a return look, uncertain how to reply to the question. She takes a slow breath, her gaze avoiding Tu'ul's face as she speaks slowly. "I got possessed. A little ago. Something took my mind, made me do things that ain't in me to do." Again, her eyes flicker to Desmond, a pain in them reflected on her face.
Kelley comes into the library, whistling a happy tune to the sunny day. Spotting Desmond, Caliopa, and the even stranger looking Tu'ul, he can't help but be interested in the unusual trio. Angling that direction, papers held in the crook of his arm, he waves and asks, "Hi, gentlemen, Cali, what's up?"
Tu'ul looks up beyond Cali, seeing Kelley arriving. A quick mental greeting is cast that way, being that those of Tu'ul's race communicate as much with words and gestures as with thier minds. Dropping his gaze down to the young woman again though, though his features do not show the concern he feels for the woman. "Possessed? My apologies, I did not know. I normally do not extend myself out to those around me, however I feel your plight deserves special attention. If you like, I can attempt to teach you to keep others out of your mind. Everyone." He says softly, being as gentle as he can.
Desmond moves a bit closer to Cali and lays a hand briefly upon her shoulder. "But all is well now," he replies to her his deep voice rolling with a solid conviction. Showing no concern for what was, no lingering negative emotion. As Kelley nears and speaks, Desmond lifts his gaze to the other man and his expression firms slightly. "Greetings," he replies with simple courtesy. His eyes flicker to Tu'ul as he speaks of some manner of teaching. A mild interest, though for now he remains silent, allowing Cali to address the offer given to her without distraction.
She shakes her head mutely, giving Kelley a smile that is a mockery of her sunny smile. "I don't want someone touching my mind, not at all." The kind offer isn't considered, the instinctive fear showing in her eyes. "No magics, nothing. Ain't half nice of you but ..." Desmond's touch startles her at first, then she reaches up to touch the hand, accepting the comfort, lifting her eyes to Desmond. "Ain't anything I can explain, not logically." This, above all, seems to be a pain to her.
Approaching the group, yet still not knowing what is going on, Kelley simply slides up behind Tu'ul, *thinking* as hard as he can, "Hi, Tu'ul, how're you? What's going on? Don't speak." He doesn't know if this kind of thing actually works, of course, but the being seems to have some pretty impressive psychic powers, so hey, what the hell, maybe it'll work, right?
Tu'ul thinks a moment, pondering Cali's predicament when Kelley comes up behind him. 'Hearing' his words as a surface thought, transmitted to him more as feelings of curiosity and the feeling of trying something new. A silent response is sent back, -I am well, have you lost your voice?- He replies, then turns his attentions back to Cali. "Very well then, perhaps you can teach yourself then.. What is it that you do in life? What is your calling?" He inquires gently, gaze to flicking to Desmond, perhaps for assistance with this.
"Fear, like most emotions, is not a logical thing," Desmond rumbles lightly to Cali. "But it can change in time. I cannot be certain I would be comfortable with such things had I experienced the same as you. With as little as I know of such phenomenon it would be an uncertain thing." He seems understanding enough on the subject, not a sense of negativity in his steady voice. Though when it comes to speaking of Cali, he seems apt to let her speak for herself.
"I don't want nothing messed with in my head." Firm and clear, the fear behind the sentiment showing in face and eyes. "I'm an operator. Machines and the like." She speaks abruptly, unconsciously moving closer to Desmond, her knuckles whitening as she holds her bag. "I'm learnin' to defend myself, 'n' that'll do it." All the colour that had washed her cheeks red earlier has gone, leaving a brush of freckles alone across her nose.
Still feeling left out of the loop, Kelley gently takes a seat at the table and ostensibly begins to go over his papers. He does a pretty good job of ostensibly doing things, really. The Thesbian guild would be quite impressed! But, just to be fair, he stops ostensibly doing things and blatantly looks up to listen in on the conversation, waiting for a time to offer assitance, or at least, a stupid opinion.
Tu'ul shakes his great head. "I mean you no harm, but that I am trying to help you help yourself. You work with machines you say, meaning that you have a strong grasp of numbers and logic. If you feel yourself threatened.. by one like those who took your body, trying thinking of nothing at all but a wall of numbers. Go over figures in your head, do the hardest math you can think of, and concentrate only on that. Occupy your mind with only numbers. Leave the invading mind with no room to work." He says simply, nodding once to her. "It's not impossible to break past such a defence.. but it makes things MUCH harder.." He says softly.
Desmond looks to Cali with some mild curiosity in his expression. "It is good to know you are learning such things, if you had no solid training before. In this world, it is best that all know how to see to their own safety." Quite pleased is he, looking back to Tu'ul as he speaks on means to guard the mind. "The concept of what you speak of is intriguing. Indeed, I wonder if such an exercise would work for me.. though numbers are not something that I am strong with."
She gives Tu'ul a steady look, narrowing honey coloured eyes for a moment before nodding slowly, acceptance of his suggestion. A small smile, less wobbly, more convincing, more Caliesque, curves her lips. "I can do that. Thinkin', I'm good at." She glances at Desmond, her teeth nipping at her lower lip, "Got myself doin' some kick boxin'. I put Atti on his arse." She confides with some pride, the fear slowly fading from her eyes, leaving her to other emotions.
OOoohh, Caliopa's possession. Well, now he at least knows what's being discussed. Unfortunately, he knows practically nothing about this subject, either. He begins, faintly, to feel like the fourth wheel, having nothing useful to add. An oval wheel, at that.
Tu'ul nods at Cali's accomplishment, disdaining violence.. as it tends to break down communication lines, but such things cannot always be helped. His glistening black eyes turn on both Desmond and Kelley. "I can assist you both as well. Desmond, You are a warrior are you not?" He asks gently, choosing to help Desmond first, as he arrived first.
Desmond nods his head once as Cali speaks on her progress into self defense. "I know not of this kickboxing, but I am pleased that you have found a means to better your means of defense," he rumbles to her. "If you would seek a more challenging partner for your training, I would offer myself. I am reasonably certain that you could give your all and have no fear of doing me harm, thus you can test your limits." He turns his attention back to Tu'ul and nods. "I am well trained in various combat arts. Though I know not what manner of thinking when it comes to that would aid me in sheltering my mind."
Caliopa gives Desmond a near miss of her normal sunny smile, the offer to let her practice with him clearly pleasing. "I'll trade you for sittin' for you the other day." She offers quietly, releasing her bag to slide it onto her shoulder, the white knuckles faded now the attention is off her mind. "I got to go, get to work and all that." She gives Tu'ul a nod and a small smile. "Sorry for barkin' at you, weren't meant nasty." Kelley and Desmond each get a quick nod, a reverse greeting as she steps back, turning to leave.
Kelley, out of the loop, eventually places his papers on the table and rises to his feet, his excessively tall frame for once not so excessively tall, with Tu'ul and Desmond around. He wanders over to the nearby books on robot sentience and begins to flip through the books, thankfully, not arranged in that archaic Dewey Decimal System, but simply alphabetic by title, as should have been done hundreds and hundreds of years before.
Tu'ul nods gently to Cali, being unable to show facial expressions like the rest of his race. "Nothing to be sorry for, you have harsh experiences.. my actions reminded you of them. I understand." He says gently, but as the woman beginds to leave Tu'ul turns his attentions of Desmond. "The combat arts will not help you on the battlefield of the mind, but you are most familiar with them, and they are broad enough to avoid giving anything of yourself away. The key is not the content with which you fill your mind, but simply the act of filling and occupying your mind to the point that anyone or anything that touches it, cannot makes sense of it. It is the simplest, and most effective defense I can offer without formal training or powers of your own."
Desmond nods his head once to Caliopa at her offered trade, so to speak. "As you would," he replies. "You need only contact me when you have a proper time," he tells her. "Until then, be well, Cali." Offering his farewell now, before her imminent departure. He then looks to Tu'ul and considers his words. A subtle frown, more reminiscent of focused thought, emerging. After a few moments he offers, "I have taken to a new hobby.. art. And I have read many of the art related books in this place. Perhaps I could fill my mind with the images I have seen within them?" It seems a plausible enough idea to him, his mind rolling back a bit toward some of the ones he remembers most prominently.
Caliopa turns, making her way to the door with a quick pace, her ponytail bouncing as she does so. She zips up her coat, avoiding the cold at this time in the morning, as she vanishes through the door, her books safely in her bag.
"Bye, Cali!" Kelley adds lamely, listening to Tu'ul's suggestions against mind control, and comparing them against those of his own.
Tu'ul shakes his head. "If you speak of just the images, it's not enough. The only way you can make that work is to concentrate on one image, and concentrate of every detail is such stark slarity that nothing else matters." He says gently. Turning to Kelley he appraises the man with a quick glance over. "You might want to try your area's of study. Simply fill your minds with them, it will create another obstacle to get past."
Desmond nods his head once as he continues to consider the concept, that subtle frown lingering as he does so. "Then one image.. I shall have to choose carefully one that comes easiest to my mind," he muses aloud. His head turning, casting a glance vaguely in the direction of those oft considered art books. Though only for a moment before he looks back to Tu'ul. "I thank you for this advice, I will see about making use of the idea. Bettering the strength of my mental defenses is something I am not deeply familiar with. The physical realm has always been my focus."
Tu'ul turns his head from the fleeing Cali back to Desmond. "Language is and always has been my one great gift.. like those of my race. I'm not very physical as you can see.. so we are left with the mental." He says with a shrug.
Desmond nods his head once. "So it seems. All have their focus and their power, so to speak." That concept given a moment of through before he seems to come back to himself and refocus upon Tu'ul. "I should be going as well. I came in early to read briefly before my own work. Something to contrast the physical labor to come. But I thank you for your assistance. I will practice the technique for sure, though I will have to consider how to test it."
"You are welcome Desmond." Tu'ul replies, inwardly thrilled at helping someone of his own volition and not under the orders of another being. "Let me know if you require further assistance."
"I may, if I do not think the technique is working. We shall see, I would give it a firm testing before making such a determination." Desmond dips his head in a nod and offers, "Farewell, Tu'ul." A light note of respect in the big male's deep voice. Turning after a moment to make his steady way out of the library.Tags:caliopa, desmond, kelley, tu'ul
