Mar 31 08:37:53 106 PA.
From Chronicles
Golden Carafe - Tirzah' Rooms
This room has a rather solid feel to it. The first sign of which being the first step onto the charcoal shaded tile floor. The type of feel a mid upper class apartment affords, the cultured slates give a nice semi gloss sheen off their dark surface. In contrast to the dark floors the walls are a pleasantly light pastel blue. Serene one might say. Both are pretty sparse in decoration. A sole lush white rug takes up the area immediatly around a queen wallbed. As opposed to pictures, mirrors hang framed on the walls, showing various tints of the red spectrum.
The furniture consists of two half circle couches around a central open fireplace. Simplistic coffee tables and fire. The bronze sconces are everywhere about the room, cradling everything from small candles to the large oil wick at the center of her small dining table. They serve as the sole light for the apartment at night. Scenting the air with a sweet sugary taste, inherent to the oil she burns. The queen wall bed spends most time folded away, making the bachelor suite much more open and inviting. Though when it is down the white and bronze silk sheets merely complement the room.
The Kitchen and bath are impressive, full in design and in commodities. Spices and herbs fill the shelves above the wracks of utensils for preparing them. The fridge is modest, adequate for a single person. Her copper cookware hangs gleaming from the ceiling rack to add to the fiery decor of the suite. Its sheen indicating she is particular about her cookware. Given her history to those who know it and her decor choice, Tirzah appears to be quite taken with the amenities of city life.
Zachary will come at the appointed hour, nearly on the dot. He's simply dressed, a dark pair of pants, spotless and wrinkle free along with a dark blue, button down shirt and soft shoes. Stepping up to the door, he wastes little time in rapping firmly upon it, his hands slid back to link behind his back. Posture straight, expression relaxed, he waits.
Tirzah promptly answers the timely knock. Opening the door and stepping aside to wave Zachary in. her white gown looking immaculate and professional, something one my expect a warlock to wear. Her pendant flickering in the firelight as it dangles from her wrist. "Aren't you prompt." she notes as she closes the door behind him. "Would you like a drink or anything?" She asks as she gestures towards the couches to make himself comfortable.
Zachary nods simply to the note of his punctuality, stepping into the rooms steadily, his hands remaining linked behind him. "Orange juice, if you have it," he will request as he glances about the main living space. Noticing her motion towards the couches in an abstract way, head half turned towards. A slight nod of his head before he moves towards the nearest of the two couches to settle himself. Sitting with a proper, if subtly relaxed posture.
Tirzah nods, her pitcher from breakfast still vibrant as she collects it from the fridge with two tumblers. Carrying them over she sets them down and pours her own glass before seating herself. "I'm glad you came. I thought we might fill in the gaps we have respectively. Seems we'll be working together so knowing our capabilities is to our benefit." She notes in review, as it was all stated in the invite.
Zachary waits patiently, his eyes roaming a bit before the young woman returns, pitcher and glasses in hand. His attention moves to her then and he considers her words as she speaks. His brow crinkles a bit towards the end. "I suppose this is true, though what manner of.. capabilities do you mean? That is a broad term and I don't anticipate that all of my varied talents will come into play when it comes to this trip." With a glass near to hand, he picks it up and lifts it for a light sip.
Tirzah nods, taking a small sip before setting her glass down and reaching in to poke the embers of the fire a bit. "I'm referring to your arcane mastery in particular and who you apply it to your craft. But I don't think we should limit the horizons to this trip just yet. If i know you can do it, I'll look to you and what you want to get it done, whenever the task arises." She explains before sitting back and blowing the ash from her finger tips.
Zachary eyes Tirzah speculatively as she prods at the fire with her fingers. But not so much that he misses her words. "If you wish me to explain Techno-Wizardry to you, I will have to disappoint you. The precise theory behind it is to complex for so relaxed a setting. But.. to make it simple I make use of machinery, gemstones and precious metals to form matrices that can hold and channel magical energy. It takes some exacting precision to effect. More so the more complex the device."
Tirzah smiles considering the words, to make sure they don't escape her. "So you design the matrices to replicate the processes of the spell. That allows the mechanism to cast them. From what I know of standard arcana its a simple concept that gets complicated in actual execution. Easier said than done so to speak. So given the materials any spell you can cast can be duplicated. Do you have to cast the spell?" She asks, her gaze curious.
Zachary nods his head once to her summation of his words, the glass lifted for another sip. However her next question gets a shake of his he ad. "I don't have to be the one to cast or know the spell. With the assistance of another who knows such a spell, it can be incorporated into a device. But the process is far more cumbersome and difficult. There are even processes to involve spells that belong to other magical disciplines. Of course, it still requires the unwieldy assistance of another to accomplish."
Tirzah grins at that revelation. "So you could incorporate the spells from my discipline, interesting. I think you just showed part of the feasible means to the beneficial device we hope for. There is a spell in my discipline, it would allow me to eat fire. I'm not quite adept enough for it yet but it will be in reach soon. Or, Kaili can cast it on the trip. Such a device could make a significant dent in hunger no?" She proposes, looking to him to see what he thinks.
"Perhaps," allows Zach. "Though the nature of such a thing.. it must be translated into a physical form that makes coherent sense," he explains. "In such a case, it would be the device that consumes the flame, because it is the focus of the spell. A valid means of.. transferring that energy to a person would be required." He pauses, considering the spells he has at his fingertips before adding, "I don't know that I have knowledge of a spell that could do so."
Tirzah thinks that through and shakes her head, finding dead ends with her limited perspective. "That's tricky then. Earth spells would be more apt, such a device could turn a garden into an eden. But that's not my discipline." She admits, reluctantly. "Still that's good to know, it broadens your resources considerably. If you'd like to make a device based on a spell of fire or air, just ask." She offers before taking a swallow from her juice.
"If i have such a need, I will remember that you know of such spells," Zach nods, lifting his glass to sip lightly again. "Though for the moment my efforts in that field are minimal. To be honest, I did begin to sketch out some basic schematics on the idea you had. Nothing enough for a full design, but the concept of what comes to mind is rather simple. Globe of Daylight is a simple spell and requires little in the way of resources. I think, however, your thoughts of powering them via a Ley Line may well take a creation of infrastructure. I've read that Tolkeen has a very complex, integrated Techno-Wizard power system. An industrial level construct for various high power devices that protect the city." As he speaks of these vague things, there is a faint edge of longing in his voice. "One can only imagine how expensive such a project would be. A pity it has become too dangerous to go to the city now."
Tirzah considers that, not having heard of such a system, though the possibilities it would bring are not beyond her scope. Then she smirks at the word expensive. "Things only really get expensive when you start trying to buy them. If you collect them, build them, win them, trade for them, its all much more feasible. Further more if a group sets its mind to the task, collaborating their resources, then such things start to get within reach."
Zachary arches a brow slightly at Tirzah. "Perhaps this is so, but what you're speaking of is the work of years.. perhaps decades for a gathering of highly skilled and experienced Techno-Wizards. And while it is possible to perhaps find gem deposits, even if one could provide all the gems required, the machinery required would cost as well. Are you actually contemplating such a thing?"
Tirzah nods and snickers a bit. "Decades, but worth the input? They thought so. I don't think that will be within the bounds of my aspirations no. My aspirations extend to a commune, a place of learning and collaboration and belief. Place of shelter where belief in oneself is rekindled. That's my vision." She explains with a distant look, an expression of hope. And then the knock comes and she nods, "That must be Leonard, be right back." She promises as she goes to open the door...
"Worth it for the scale of their projects, yes," Zachary replies. Though her expression of her own aspirations leaves him with a soft sense of bemusement. Though the knock forestalls a verbal response, his head turning slightly to consider the door a moment before he lifts his glass of orange juice again as he remains on the couch, sitting straight, yet relaxed in his dark pants, dark blue shirt.
The door opens, revealing an impeccably-dressed suit filled with a dark figure. The sort that haunts dreams, and if you're very lucky, is just a figment of a fertile imagination. In one hand he holds a large silver platter, laden with what appears to be a small pyramid. Each block an ice cube, forming a stairstep to the apex. There's even an open maw halfway up, though inside is mercifully just more ice. His opposite hand waves over the top, a fresh sprinkle of snow falling from his fingertips to lightly dust the sculpture as the silvered surface below frosts over once again. Not the slick ice one meets in the last snows of March, but a hard frost borne of the icy depths of winter. "You never knocked," rumbles that voice, silvered eyes finding Tirzah.
Tirzah nods steeping aside to let the dark creature in. "I thought I made it clear I wouldn't. I'm not easily played, preferring to be the cause not the reaction. When you accept that you'll find things easier with me." She clairifies as she closes the door behind him. Looking at the ice she smirks. "Nice, but um what should i do with it?" She asks, her apartment is not exactly frigid.
Zachary is without too much curiosity about the door and who lies behind it. Perhaps expecting just who Tirzah mentioned. Right up to the sounding of the unfamiliar voice. He blinks, then turns his head, glancing over his shoulder back towards the door. His brows rise when he lays eyes on Ahriman, a soft alarm coming to and lingering with him. Their conversation only adding a sprinkle of confusion to his expression as he, for now, merely observes.
"It is not a gift," Ahriman rumbles, eyes passing from one sconce to the next. Each radiates heat and light, enveloping their immediate surroundings with a circle of fickle illumination and casting wandering shadows about the room. It's hard to tell, but the dark creature might just be smirking at that. He drifts into the room, gliding deeper into the abode in a way that seems to bely his legs to plant the sculpture on a table nearby. "In most things," Ahriman rumbles again, "the cause is subtle. The most minute nudge, that initiates a chain reaction that alters history. Are you subtle?"
Tirzah gives the creature a sly smile. "When I want to be." She replies to Ahriman as she makes her way back to the couch. "Zachary, Ahriman. Ahriman, Zachary." She introduces, gesturing to each in turn. "I'll let you two decide how much you want the other to know about you." She decides before looking to Ahriman. "I suppose you still have questions? We were just discussion ambitions."
"I think names are enough for now," Zachary replies simply, seeming a touch uncomfortable, even as he returns himself to a more natural sitting posture. As the dark.. person comes back into his range of view he glances towards him, but otherwise focuses on his glass of juice. Letting Tirzah guide on the talk for now, left to silence for the moment.
"Zachary," Ahriman repeats, eyes finding the young man. One presumes so. His head is pointed in that way, though with no pupils nor irises, it's hard to say. "You are not of this Earth," he rumbles finally, a declarative statement. "Your kind is beyond the sight of Zurvan. He will not save you." The dark being falls still then, head unmoving and eyes unblinking. Watching Zachary a moment longer.
Tirzah gives Ahriman a lazy glare. "Don't be rude Ahriman, or just leave. I wont tolerate antagonism here." She warns firmly before giving an apologetic look to Zachary. "Sorry, hes not exactly right in the head I don't think."
Zachary responds to the shadow person's words with a furrowed brow. "I was born in Lazlo," he states, not quite sure just what to make out of the words given to him. "I don't understand what you're talking about," he concludes after a moment. He then looks to Tirzah and shakes his head slightly. "It isn't your fault. Perhaps we should continue.. what you wish to discus."
"Ten thousand years for your kind to scramble from the mud," Ahriman notes, as quietly as he can. As his voice drops it becomes more syllabant, the rumble descending into a series of pops with a slithering undertone that's harder to make out. "His kind was here. All ancient texts speak of giants living amongst humans six thousand years ago. Did you think they were lies?" The dark one turns his attention to Tirzah, hands slipping easily into pockets. One pulls free a silver watch on its chain, the device popping open with the push of a latch. "They tried to be gods. And when Atlantis fell, they left. They were bad gods. They could not stomach the magic going away. But please. Tell of ambition."
Tirzah holds her glare at Ahriman, finding herself derailed from the conversation before. Her expression setting with determination she starts anew. "What do you honestly expect Ahriman, when you pose as if we are so insignificant to you? You want to here of ambition, of action, of immortal remembrance? That's been you're topic both times we've met anyway. Sorry, no such grand plans here. I just wnat a small congregation, making a noticeable difference in the dregs. Showing those there who live without hope or faith, that there is something to believe in. Themselves." She illustrates, retaking the stage of the conversation.
Zachary really doesn't seem to know what to make of what the shadow person says. Indeed, he shows the confusion. Not that Tirzah helps matters much. Her own vision not seeming to strike a resonance with him in a grand way. And with her talking at Ahriman, he falls back again on telling the shadow man, "I don't understand what you're talking about." And he does bring out a softly annoyed edge to go along with that assertion.
Ahriman's eyes turn to Tirzah, head tilting. His eyes widen a touch, all the black blown away to reveal a clear, shining silver. Zachary's words fall about him, not touching the dark man as he glides around a chair to stand more squarely before the redhead, subtly interceding between the elf and the woman. "Say that again," he commands.
Tirzah cocks her head at the dark being, her expression resolute if curious as to why she should reiterate. "I'm going to rekindle the fire in those who have lost, and help them burn brighter than any." She claims confidently, unflinching.
Affront upon affront. Zachary glances up slightly at Ahriman as he makes his move, so to speak, annoyance obvious in his expression. Though he doesn't miss what Tirzah has been saying. "Why do you cloak something so simple in the trappings of religion? Self confidence is a simple psychological state. No more, no less."
Darkness reenters Ahriman's eyes, touching the edges with storm clouds. "That is not what you said before," he utters succinctly. "You said congregation. Faith. Are you a priest? Would you find a way for a power to manifest on this realm, or do you offer only a polite lie?" Ahriman saps shut that pocket watch, slipping it again in his pocket.
Tirzah sighs, directing it a both of them. "Why is it that with every nuance of the word faith people assume I'm going to start some cult of worship and ignorance? Yes it is similar to that broken model to take advantage of others, but there is no intention. The only aims is to build faith in their own capabilities, not any deity or following." She explains, a bit exasperated.
"The trappings are as important as the core," Zachary responds. "But I made no such disparaging remarks. I wondered why you would couch something in such terms. It seems.. unnecessary. If you wish to bolster the confidence in those people, then it is as simple as that. Of course, how you might do that is another matter. I will admit I know little of the Dregs and tend to a void entering the place."
"Occam's razor," Ahriman replies, that darkness billowing away. His lids narrow as he stares at Tirzah a moment, then he steps back to consider Zachary. His mane raises as his chin drops, fanning behind his head. "Find a shifter. Someone with a tie to the Other. Either of you can be a priest. This being needs be little more than a figurehead, though more is better. Your kind is growing to a sophistication requiring authenticity. They already have one another. You must give them more."
Tirzah cocks her head at Ahriman as he misses her point entirely. "I don't need a shifter to link with another deity." She notes as she touches her link and holds her hand out to the floor as she gathers the energy. In a soft flash an embery humanoid is kneeling before her outstretched hand awaiting orders. "I have a very close link to a higher plane already. But I wont be using that for my intentions. Belief in oneself. The gods dont care so why even bother with them?" She asks before looking to Zachary. "I'll use those trappings because its worked, it helps people believe to this day."
Zachary looks to Ahriman again with the haze of confusion dropping into place again. "For one who refers to Occam's Razor, you don't adhere to it's precepts when you speak," he opines. "I've expressed no desire to be a priest.. nor do I see what a shifter would have to do with this. Perhaps you might speak plainly with your next breath to clear up such vagaries." Then he blinks and glances towards Tirzah as she summons the fire thing. Her response provoking a shake of his head. "Then your aim will be complicated by them. Perhaps to no effect, but perhaps to tainting or diluting your ends."
Ahriman's chin ducks, one hand pointing towards Tirzah. "Humans abhor self-determination. They would rather be safe rule their own destiny. To suggest that a race of flaming men might protect the faithful would be a strong incentive to sacrifice freedoms. And perhaps you could even help them in ways they cannot help themselves. Nothing sells like the truth. Face it." Ahriman steps aside, the half-melted pyramid behind him sagging beneath its own weight, bleeding rivulets of icy water in what looks vaguely like the ravages of time. "Even the mightiest of man's creations could not survive without a little help from something greater."
Tirzah shakes her head, dismissing the aide with a gesture. "I think I prefer those who label me a heretic from my concept to your encouragement to become one. I'll not deviate from my chosen path. its mine to walk and I'll walk it as I wish and accept the price of doing so. And that's enough of this conversation, or any. I grow weary now so I'll ask you both to take your leave for today, we can talk more another time." She promises, finding a light grin despite the confrontation of wills as she combs her hair back.
"Very well." Zachary sets down his glass, still only half done. He glances at Ahriman for a moment, considering before he shakes his head and rises to his feet smoothly. "Good evening to you both," he says softly, extending the words to them by a sweep of his eyes as well. With that he turns to take his leave.
A sound emanates from Ahriman's throat, soft and indistinct. Like six whispered conversations overlapping, with a little slither thrown in for flavor. He drifts towards that platter, raising a hand over it once again, that hissing slipping from his throat moments before the whole of it freezes hard as a small skating rink. The dark one stands, and glides towards the door.
