misha itaul

the right hand of darkness demon, 759 years old, half-sister of Varamadras Itaul

[misha-itaul]

Quiet Study | Misha & Ream

[ream-toalk]

Ream followed the woman donw the asile between the sehlves. Of course whatever they had on Lath Magic was seperated from the rest. Sometimes that’s how Ream’s life felt too. Of course she has been to the library quiet a few times, and she believed she had read those books at least once already, but she wanted to go through them again, hoping she might skipped one or two books too.

Her hands brushed over the backs of some ancient books and she shrugged. “General curiousity, you could say. There are not many people around who could teach me and tell me more about my magic, so I always aim for new information. But… there is also something - and idea I had and I want to see if there are any records of something similar.” She smiled and turned to face Misha. “That’s quiet vague, isn’t it? Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you. This is probably a lost cause, it’s not like we have a book on how to be a Lath Magician and you probably have more important things to do.”

[misha-itaul]

Misha shook her head quickly. “Not at all, it’s not a bother. What is the idea, if you don’t mind my asking?” Kneeling, she scanned some of the titles as Ream apologized, seeing if anything jumped out that might be of particular interest to the Lath Magician. She tilted her head thoughtfully, and let out a small laugh. “There will always be more to do, so I do not mind taking a break to hear something unexpected,” she assured Ream, glancing up at the other woman. 

Turning back to the shelf, she caught sight of a familiar name, and withdrew a slim volume. “This may be of some interest, if you haven’t seen it already? If I remember correctly, Master Gydion was largely concerned with studying the differences between Lath Magic and the way it interacted with other Magic forms? How precisely it could evaluate a type, and he has several theories as to why it works the way it does---some wilder than others, he was quite imaginative,” she warned, chuckling.

[danealoas-blog]

Dany nodded.It was very hard just to bring himself to make new friends to replace his own. He would probably find himself worrying too much when they went on missions. He’d probably bother everyone with his general presence anyway. Dany tilted his head as he listened to her. “I guess though I’m not really sure what I’d be able to teach them to be honest. My trade is fishing so that’s really all I know. Fishing and ships.” He admitted, he’d never had a very big skill set to begin with. “I’d really like that though, I like working with kids.”

Dany listened though he wasn’t over surprised at her tale. He had known the knights to be a bit more…brutal than he liked. But this was war. Everything was fair game during war. He’d seen a lot of things that he didn’t really want to tell anyone about. Things that he was going to keep bottled up.  “I’m sorry to hear about that, I met the demon lord once, he came over, demanded to know everything. I told him what I could. It wasn’t very helpful or anything so you know he probably think’s I;m an idiot or something like that.”

Dany sighed. “No I can go back honestly I dont want to be any trouble or anything. I’m just sick and tired of just everything. I’m really sorry I should learn to keep my mouth shut.”

[misha-itaul]

A smile ghosted across her features. “Fishing and ships is perfect, actually. The idea is to train young Magicians in other practical ways to use their Magic, that will still be beneficial to whoever they’re allied with. Agricultural skills, sciences, medicine, and engineering will all have focuses. We want to find a way, for instance, that a Green Magician need not become an archer, or a Yellow Magician an interrogator. It will be difficult to co-ordinate on both sides of the War, so your time here might also be beneficial--- we will have problems if those at the school believe Dark Souls to be monsters, amoung other things.” She was watching him with an evaluating look, to see what his reaction might be to that added information.

At his concern about her brother, she let out a laugh. “Most likely he was trying to decide if you are the type to try to deceive us in an interrogation. Evidently he decided otherwise--- unless the Yellow Magicians have been to see you for more than the cursory examinations?” she questioned. She hadn’t heard, but she also had been distracted by other matters lately.

She nodded. “It would mean a lot, if we could count on you for that. And I would repay the favour of your cooperation if I am at all successful with the school. Perhaps your days as a soldier can see an end.” It would be beneficial for the Mancers not to have to supply all the educators on their own, as they didn’t have many to spare.

[misha-itaul]

Old Friend || Misha & Michael

[michaeljudiut]

‘Oh by the Gods! Misha!’ 

Michael recognized the silly voice of the person sneaking up on him right away. She had one that ringed clear like a doorbell, and warm as a tropical thunder storm. He turned almost abruptly, grabbed her shoulder and drew her in for a hug. He couldn’t help it, seeing her again was such a joy. He had always felt loved and loving about Misha. 

‘You have not lost your wit. You know, I saw Marius the other day, was is it about you guys throwing jokes whenever I’m around. Next Varamadras is going to make some odd comparison about seeing my dumb face again.’ He laughed then. ‘And no, I’m not picking up a broom, never have never will.’ He let go of her and whispered in her ear: ‘Brooms are evil.’ Then looked her in the eyes. ‘Did you get more beautiful? Don’t tell me, I’m pretty sure you did.’ 

[misha-itaul]

Misha’s chest was tight with emotion when Michael swept her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around him for a moment, and then pulled away slightly. Telling herself not to get too carried away, she swallowed a lump in her throat and stepped back, greeting her dead friend with a smile. “We do still joke when you’re not here, just not as frequently,” she said, amused. 

“If by ‘more beautiful’ you mean ‘older and more tired’, then yes, I have. But don’t let my fiance hear you speak like that,” she said wickedly, knowing full well that Michael had passed before she and Se’ref had announced their engagement---though he had known of the relationship, even before they told Varamadras. He’d found out by accident, and it had sparked a long and embarrassing lecture from her to him, on the importance of knocking before entering a room. Michael, of course, had smirked through the entire thing. The memory made her smile to herself.

[seref-fveran-blog]

Like I Can

She had always been an enigma for Se’ref in everything that she did. Misha Itaul had quickly become someone he trusted and admired very deeply. And yet, even though they had such happy memories together, he was still sitting outside under a balcony in silence. He’d managed to sneak away from everyone else in an effort to alleviate the pain and anger that he held. Eddesiel Margroi had managed to get on his nerves too easily that night and in order to stop himself from jumping across the table at him, Se’ref left.

It was quite obvious to him that Eddesiel was simply trying to get a reaction out of him that would cause an altercation that could possibly put him in a bad position with Varamadras. Misha had been on the farther end of the table, enthralled with some of the other Mancers’ stories and tales. Everything about the night was just horrible to Se’ref.

Ever since—he shook his head and hit it against the wall behind him. He didn’t want to think about it, the incident went horribly wrong in his book and he was feeling not only frustrated but also a little hurt by it all.

A snide comment from Eddesiel began the entire argument that had caused Misha to walk away from him. He didn’t really blame her in the end considering how angry he had been, but they hadn’t spoken in over a day and that hadn’t happened in a very long while. So there he was sitting outside while his secret girlfriend was inside smiling and laughing as if nothing was wrong, and her ex was smirking to himself for causing Se’ref to leave.

The entire situation was intolerable.

The door to squeaked open and he would have cringed if he wasn’t already grimacing. He’d hoped whoever it was would continue walking, yet they didn’t and he forced himself to look sideways. Of course it was her.

He held no indication he was going to speak first and as much as he would rather things go back to how they were, the demon just couldn’t push back the feelings within him.

“Are you alright?” She didn’t sit down beside him, but there was a genuine look of concern on her face.

“Perfectly.” His tone was even, not at all like his usual voice that tended to be hinted with affection for her.

“Why are you still so upset?” His gaze returned to being angry.

“You know damn well why, Misha. How can you even expect me to sit near him now?”

“I had hoped that you’d be a civilized person, Se’ref.” With full first names being thrown around, another argument was on the horizon, and he couldn’t find it in himself to stop it because at least now he could get out everything he held in.

“Tell that to your ex-lover. How can you ignore that he still pines after you? And how could you even keep that from me?”

“It wasn’t of your concern! You should not doubt my loyalty to you.”

“It’s hard not to when you keep something like that from me. You two have history, I deserved to know.” His jealousy as well as deep rooted insecurity filled him and Se’ref found himself standing to stare down at her. A voice in the back of his mind reminded him how much he enjoyed seeing the passion in her eyes. “Then again you don’t even want others to know we’re together, so I suppose that deems me unworthy again.” The strike was low and he knew very well it was too far, but he couldn’t take it back now and he had been frustrated with their entire situation for a while.

“Fine. If you want to act this way and insult me than I see no reason for us to continue on. If you cannot respect me and my wishes, if you cannot—we are through.” He knew the words that she nearly spewed and they were the same that had been tugging on the edges of his lips as well.

As he contemplated, however, Misha was already storming through the rain towards home. He clenched his jaw and fists with a split decision before him. He took two long strides and he had caught up with her, the water around them bouncing off their angered and hurt forms. His arm caught onto her arm and tugged her back tightly. His lips pressed against his and his hands held her against him. She pushed against him only slightly before giving into the kiss. He pulled away, resting his forehead against hers, with a sigh that was lost in the rain.

“You are utterly frustrating, My Lady,” his lips brushed against hers once more, “but I love you.” He was tired of her walking away from him and he was tired of having to control his urge to just hold her hand or kiss her in public. “I just wish to show everyone else.” A slight smirk appeared on his lips, “And be able to brag to Eddesiel.” Her arms hit against his chest but the situation had quickly changed from anger to adoration. He didn’t mind that she hadn’t responded yet as his hands went up to cup her cheek.

Her gaze stayed on his as she looked as serious as he’d ever seen her. “I love you too.”

[misha-itaul]

Old Friend || Misha & Michael

Word of the Shini had spread rapidly, and rumours specifically of who they were---but Misha was still taken by surprise when she caught sight of Michael in the hallway of the HagaFosiel keep. She couldn’t stop her heart from missing a beat, to see the dead was a bizarre and unsettling thing, but steadied herself and came up quietly behind the man. He looked so solid, but she wasn’t sure if she should touch him, despite the impulse she had to embrace her friend, unexpectedly returned to them after too long. It was painful to think this was still only temporary.

He was standing in front of an open door, and she was curious as to what he was looking at, but when she drew nearer, she realized it was... a storage cupboard. Cocking her head to one side, she asked, amused, “Thinking of doing some house cleaning while you are here? They told me the dead might be a little different, but still---I suppose it would take divine intervention to make you pick up a broom.”

[danealoas-blog]

Dany shook his head. “Nah its not that I want to sign up or anything it’s just i’m done with everything, with the war, fighting, being too scared to make new friends because all of mine are currently either dead or missing in action.” Dany sighed letting out a small fraction of his bottled up frustration. He held up his hands.  “Sorry I shouldn’t have said that please excuse me.” Dany began to recompose himself. Dany shrugged when she mentioned Calat.  “I don’t know much honestly. We didn’t know him, well my compan didn’t we’re kind of the babies of the knights. Everyone’s much older than us so we wouldn’t have gone to school with him or anything. All we heard was that he was found out and it was a sad blow to the war effort.” Dany said trying to recall the day that it had been announced but the memory was fuzzy and unclear.  “Honestly I was pre occupied with my own things that I don’t really remember, but I can understand why they’re not as accepting.” 

“Listen it’s quite obvious that I’m not very tough. I mean you saw the sorry state I was in when you found me. I’m shit at fighting on land. I’m from a fishing family and I was almost a professional swimmer before the state paid for my education. So as you can imagine I’m not too well adjusted to being on land. I rely too much on being in a body of water for fighting.” He explained to her being honest about his poor fighting skills. “I hope who ever they have is okay. They probably feel a little shitty like I do.” 

[misha-itaul]

Misha listened carefully to Dany’s words, and then nodded. “I understand that feeling all too well, I’m afraid. Every few decades I tend to pull back despite myself, just to recuperate from the inevitable pain of being friends with our Mancers.” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Have you any interest in perhaps teaching young Magicians to use their powers for non-combat purposes? We are thinking of setting up a school. These papers,” she said, lifting the stack, “are actually to help win over one of the advisors who would sanction me taking a group to talk with King Deas about it.” Her mouth twisted. “No one is particularly eager to allow me to make the journey.” Especially those concerned that an Itaul on GoodLands soil would be the perfect revenge target for someone looking for payback from Karadas’ assassination.

“I am not surprised that is all you heard, frankly, but things were quite more complicated for us. Rast Grants joined our forces after leaving a group of Hunters, and he was charming and sweet, a fine warrior, and a good friend to many of us, for several years. And then, under pretence of a hostage exchange, he led the DemonLord into a trap, where Varamadras was badly beaten, and had to use his Magic to escape, something he has avoided for a very long time, due to its devastating nature. Varamadras is not a cruel man, and I do not say that just as his kin,” she qualified, her voice quiet. “We caught and executed Calat Reide, but it was very much as though we had to kill one of our own, not an enemy spy or a traitor.” She stayed quiet for a moment, before pushing away the past, back where it belonged. It still stung, to think of.

A smile showed at the corners of her eyes, though, when he mentioned the prisoner. “Her name is Maia. She’s formidable a warrior as they come, but the sweetest soul outside the battlefield. I do worry what this might do to her,” she admitted. “And that is part of why, if you have no desire to go back to the Knights, we have a slight issue. It’s no longer a straight, simple exchange of prisoners.”

[danealoas-blog]

Dany held up his hands when she mentioned Markus having attachments to the other side. “What no I’m not an attachment. I Just don’t want to cause trouble or get people in trouble honestly.” Dany said at least trying to get Markus out of a little bit of trouble. “You both should have let me die anyway. I don’t really want to go back to be honest.” He had grown quite tired and sick of his life as a knight. It was never what he wanted, only something he was obliged to do by contract. “I’m just kind of sick of it all really and I’ve really grown to hate the colour green. They just won’t take me up on whole color reform of the goodlands.”

Dany nodded seeing her point. “Well seeing as I’m standing in front of you they didn’t really did too good of a job did they?” He winked laughing a little. “Please like I could kill you where you stand. You probably eat knights like me for breakfast give yourself a little credit where it’s due.” Dany nodded in response to her qustion. “I wouldn’t say….talked. per say…more like…well have you ever had a potato thrown at your face?” Dany asked recalling an incident that had happened only a few days ago.

[misha-itaul]

Misha smiled to herself. Not an attachment? That was quite the claim, and she didn’t believe it, but if he wanted her to, she’d accept that. At his admission that he was done with the Knights, she pursed her lips, thinking. In the end, she decided to be honest with him. “While normally I would tell you that the Mancers are more... open to the idea of those who have changed allegiances, your timing is something terrible. We’ve accepted former Knights before into the ranks, or other positions, but we were recently burned, and badly, by our tendency to trust those who claim to wish us well.” She turned a curious eye to him. “Tell me, what did the Knights hear of the one called Calat Reide? Or, as we knew him, Rast Grants?”

She smiled softly at his claim that she could eat him alive, and then explained, “Unlike Varamadras, I have no magic. I am old, yes, but my strength is rather average for a demon, and I am not accustomed to being in my other form, unlike most of our warriors. But I’m flattered that you think I give that impression.” She didn’t mention her training with swords, or the precautions she took against assassins. Better for everyone to believe they knew more-or-less what her capabilities and defences were. With merely a small chuckle, though she did want to laugh loudly at his potato question, she replied, “No, not a potato. I can’t imagine that’s a very pleasant experience. I may have the officers and Group Leaders gently remind their groups that one of our own is currently in the GoodLands’ hands, and that we should treat our prisoners with the respect we hope that she is receiving from them.”

[onlycelebritiess]

[misha-itaul]

Quiet Study | Misha & Ream

[ream-toalk]

She couldn’t help but smile back once she recognized the smile on Misha’s lips. Ream liked her, she was charming and very inteligent, a quiet nice company. The redhead liked to spend time with people she could learn from and Misha was definitely one of those people. 

She stepped closer to the shelf and started ot read the titles on the backs of the books, following with her fingers. “I’m looking for any books about Lath Magic. Nice idea, but I already looked at Tarac’s he doesn’t have anythng… Or at least nothing useful.” The woman sighed and pouted slightly. “The thought that the books could hide somewhere is not all too comforting. This place is huge.” Now she turned heer back to the shelf to face misa again. “Have you seen anything?” She couldn’t help but notice the pile of books the other woman collected, besides, she just offered her help, so it was not so off to ask for her help.

[misha-itaul]

Ream’s request, of course, made sense, with her magic. “I believe they’re separated from most of the studies done on other Magic forms,” she said, and led the way a few shelves over. “I believe... yes, it’s down this one.” She remembered studying several dozen of these texts when she’d been learning about Magic’s effects on physiology---how Purple Magicians weren’t torn limb from limb with their speed, how Fire Magicians weren’t burnt by their own or any other flame.

Down the aisle, she passed by most of the books that would cover things like that, finally coming to a shelf that was half filled with volumes dealing with Lath magic. “Is there anything in particular? I believe some of these are just histories and accounts of famous Lath Magicians in the past, but there should also be some studies on the Magic itself. Not much, however, and most of it vague...” She frowned. Studying the mental Magics, and especially one that seemed so specialized and different in its operation, was particularly difficult for their scientists to manage, so there might not have been all that much to help Ream, depending on why she needed it.

[danealoas-blog]

Dany perked up at her offer. The guards were more likely to believe him about bumping in to Misha if she arrived up there with him.  “Thanks I have this one guard that’s a real piece of work hopefully he’s not on nighht duty.” Dany made a face thinking about him. Though he had heard a few guards outside the door talking about how he was quite handsome so that had been a nice pick me up from all the slander he was getting form some of the older mancers for being a baby killer. Oh how they were far from wrong. 

Dany bit his lip at the mention of Markus. He had been meaning to thank him in person but he had always been either too shy or thought better of it and turned away as soon as he’d seen him. He’d been doing plenty of admiring from afar. “I’ve heald quite well I do still have some bruising and My memory still isn’t great but my wound’s healed up nicely. Or well that’s what the nurses say.” 

Dany swallowed. “Um…how is Markus? I haven’t really seen him since. He’s not going to get in to trouble is he?” Dany asked but then shook his head. “I mean you don’t have to answer if that’s out of line I’m very sorry. I don’t want to get someone court marshaled or in trouble or something. I’m harmless honestly. This one guy has been calling me Dean and I’m too scared to correct him.”

[misha-itaul]

Misha liked the Knight, he was proving to be polite and honourable, and he hadn’t caused anyone harm since his capture. It was commendable. She would never forget where he came from of course, but she could easily believe there was more to him than a rank. “The memory may or may not recover, but I am glad to hear the worst of it is taken care of,” she said with a nod.

“Trouble?” She pursed her lips. “I doubt it. He’s not the first to have... attachments... on the other side, what with so many of our Mancers being originally born in those territories. Many have family that they would wish to know, if not for the War. A person trying to protect those they care for is admirable, even if it is more complicated in this instance.”

She gave him an amused look, her mouth twisting up at one corner. “I don’t doubt your sincerity, but the Knights of Jewantes do not train kittens, they train fighters. Perhaps it would be better if you did not deny you could kill me where I stand.” It was said very mildly. Without missing a beat, she continued, “Have people spoken to you, then? I know how harsh soldiers can be, when faced with something they are trained to fear or hate.”

[danealoas-blog]

Dany mentally freaked out just a little bit. That was the demon lady. The demon lady. The one that you know saved his ass though it wasn’t like he could remember much of the battle and what went on.  “Oh uh….Hi oh er….I mean hello Mrs Demon lady ma’am.” Smooth Dany. Real smooth. Dany bent over and picked up the scrolls for her wiping the dirt ff them with his sleeve. It was the least he could do for startling her like that.  “I’m sorry that I startled you. I didn’t mean to. It’s fine though I’m pretty sure the guards won’t mind if I was late because of you.” Dany swallowed slightly wishing there was a clock around so he could see the time.  “I uh..never really got to thank you for you know saving my as that was real nice of you. Honestly. Not many people would have done that for just a knight.”

[misha-itaul]

Misha laughed at the boy’s greeting, a sound like ringing crystal. “Please, just Misha. They never did find a good title for me, not one that I can tolerate, at least. Thank you.” She appreciated his help with her handful. “I must make a note---when attempting to bribe a librarian next, opt for full volumes or at least stackable folios.”

He looked nervous. It must have been difficult, not knowing what the consequences for disobedience were. She’d known captives who were much more impolite and unworried with their ‘guidelines’, and it hadn’t gone as smoothly. She would make a note of his consideration and possibly allow them to extend his privileges. “I will escort you back,” she replied with a polite smile, which turned wicked a moment later. “I doubt they will protest, you’re right.” 

At his thanks, she inclined her head. “I am a healer, first, a politician second, and no one in their right mind would deem me a warrior,” she informed him. “I am just thankful your recovery went smoothly, or I think Markus Arcain would have some words for me.”

[danealoas-blog]

He wasn’t fond of being out side his apartment, it was no better than a cell but at least it kept him mostly away from the glaring eyes of the Mancers. Dany felt like a fish out of water. Forced out by his guards to get some fresh air he was instructed to stay in the walls and to get back before nightfall. No doubt that every armed guard in the whole damn place was watching him. The fresh clothes were nice though. He’d honestly thought that he would end up in his uniform but the Mancers had provided him with some fresh clothes and new boots that still cut his heels. He cleared his throat trying to get the attention of someone who was blocking his way.  “E-excuse me, I don’t want to bother you but i need to  get around. I have a curfew I need to be back for.”

[misha-itaul]

Misha was preparing herself to have a series of conversations that would no doubt end in yelling, consternation, and a lot of ‘for your own good’ sort of responses. She planned on rallying support for her planned trip to conference with the new King of Troilian by first approaching Tarac, then Marius, then Se’ref, and finally Varamadras. It seemed the order that would ease the way for her best. But in order to butter up the librarian, she’d collected a series of manuscripts on Angelic and Alien lore, and when the wind kicked them from her hands, she was caught in the narrow walkway leading up to the palace for a good five minutes in a juggling act she seemed to be failing at. A voice from behind her made her straighten from where she’d been stooped, and she cursed under her breath as another roll of parchment escaped her grasp. “Gods--- oh.” Catching sight of the man, her mind quickly placed his face, though he looked significantly better now that he was not on the verge of death. “Mister Oas,” she exclaimed, the scrolls lying forgotten for the moment. “I’m glad to see you’re out and around. Please pardon my delaying you.”

[misha-itaul]

Habitual | Misha & Orinda

[orindagwozdek-deactivated201602]

Things didn’t seem as bad as the initial first few days and Orinda decided she wanted to eat out for once. She was careful to avoid the people she talked to on a regular because she didn’t want to engage in too heavy of conversations, and she eventually made it to the dining hall with just a couple hello’s. Or that was until someone brushed against her after she’d just taken a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

Orinda turned to glance at them before her eyes widen slightly and she quickly swallowed the food. “It’s alright– No trouble, Ms. Itaul.” With a dry throat, her voice sounded slightly gruff and so she took a sip from her cup. “I’m Orinda Gwozdek, by the way.” She contemplated stating her status for a moment, wondering if it’d impress the elite and make her memorable to Misha or make her sound like a pretentious asshole. She took the chance and added awkwardly, “Um, Groupleader…Is the stew good?”

[misha-itaul]

Misha glanced down to see a dark-haired woman, and recognition sparked in her mind. “Of course, Groupleader Gwozdek,” she greeted the woman cordially. “It’s a pleasure to see you.” Orinda was one of the newer Mancers to have the position, and Misha hadn’t ever spoken to her at length, that she remembered. But it was always a pleasure to meet those that her brother trusted with such responsibilities. 

“Do you mind if I sit and eat with you?” she inquired, and in answer to her query about the stew, responded, “I haven’t the slightest idea, but it smells amazing, and I have the utmost faith in the cooks here.” The group leader seemed somewhat unnerved by Misha’s presence, which was very typical. She gave her a warm smile, hoping that might allow her to relax a little.

[misha-itaul]

Quiet Study | Misha & Ream

[ream-toalk]

She needed answers and there was only one place where she could get them, or at least she hoped she would. The elf was not sure, if she would ever have all the answers about her magic. Sometimes it was nice to explore new things, but when she needed those answers urgently, than it was rather annoying. She already planned to go to the library to do some other research, so it was rather practical now.

Now she was skimming through the shelves, searching through the books without knowing what exactly she was looking for. The library was actually one of her favorite places, the smell of the old books calmed her, made her feel safe and secure. As she turned around the corner and noticed the other person, she was surprised and about to turn around and look at another shelf, when she turned and spoke to her. “Oh, I didn’t expect you here… Actually I didn’t expect anyone here, I mean… No.” She realized how silly she sounded, so she stopped talking.

[misha-itaul]

Misha turned and recognized the red haired Mancer immediately, and felt a lifting of her spirits as she normally did when encountering someone whose company she enjoyed. “Ream! How delightful to see you.” She laughed lightly. “No apologies necessary,” she told her, taking a few steps back to allow her total access to the shelf. “Help yourself--- although, if I may inquire as to what you’re looking for? I might be able to help. I know the library can sometimes be less intuitively organized than we might hope, and some books tend to hide away... or might have been taken by Tarac.” He did have a tendency to hoard.

She was keeping her voice low, as that often felt most appropriate in this tranquil atmosphere. There were a few others milling about, some reading. Misha re-examined the book she’d taken from the shelf. It looked potentially intriguing. She turned back to Ream with a smile, to see what the other woman was looking at.

[misha-itaul]

Quiet Study | Misha & Ream

Misha idly ran her hands along the spines of some of the books as she wandered down the stacks of Haga’s Great Library. She’d gotten a list of recommendations from Tarac---it seemed every time she was away for even a short while he began to make her up a new one---but she really felt like something unexpected. Some of her favourite books were ones she had picked up on a whim---that was partially how her interest in anatomy started.

She turned into the section reserved for books on magic, books both speculative and theoretical as well as practical. Of course, so much of their knowledge about Magic was guesswork and supposition, but each year the research grew a little more. She recognized one book detailing the anatomy of Red and Purple Magicians that she’d read several decades back, and next to it was another by the same researcher. She removed it and was just examining the first few pages when she became aware of a presence behind her, and she turned. “Were you wanting to get by...?” she asked automatically.

[misha-itaul]

Habitual | Misha & Orinda

Misha had gone back to her normal duties around HagaFosiel, but there was still only so much she could take of sitting and reading dispatches from ambassadors and emissaries, or writing plans for meetings and dinners to be held for this or that sovereign. With Orractous still in hospital, it had become increasingly torturous to be there, only marking the lack of any change in his condition. So, she’d returned to the keep, and in an attempt to resume her more normal activities, she went to take her afternoon meal in the dining hall where most of the Mancers and staff would eat when they happened to be in the area.

Taking a seat with a bowl of some sort of delicious smelling stew, Misha’s mind was wandering back to her work and she accidentally brushed the elbow of a woman who was already seated. “Oh, pardon me,” she exclaimed. It was very unlike her to accidentally invade someone’s personal space in such a way---she clearly must have been more distracted than she’d previously thought.

[misha-itaul]

Continuing || Self-Para

How many times would she be here, Misha wondered. She couldn’t sit beside Orractous for longer than a few minutes before, in the shadows of her mind, he became Dras, became Se’ref, became countless friends and loved ones and patients as she stood and watched, helpless to change fate.

Varamadras had thrown himself into trying to organize the post-battle chaos, dealing with the loss of two Mancers and the capture of another, not to mention Daneal their captive Knight. Misha had no such distraction, so she had to force herself away from Orractous’ bedside with menial things---fetching water, chatting with hospital staff about their days, visiting Lukas as they both tactfully avoided discussing the state of the small form that lay in that bed.

And he was small, unnaturally so, without motion. It seemed while he was awake, Orractous was always moving, always unsettled. Full of energy. It gave the illusion that he was larger than he actually was.

Now, she only glanced into his room as she passed by it, and wondered why she did that. There was the glimmer of hope that one time she’d look in and he’d be sitting up, awake and irate at being kept in hospital for so long. But it hadn’t happened yet, and every time she did this, she grew more and more used to the idea that it never would.

Se’ref had been a ghostly sort of support to her. In his soft way, unobtrusive and gently present, taking care of people’s needs when they forgot. She wasn’t ready to discuss it in any length, or to think of the future. Her argument with Dras had faded to irrelevance in the wake of the battle. Neither of them broached the subject of her leaving, probably because she had no intention of doing such a thing, and Dras would be aware of the futility of suggesting she ought to.

She was running out of normal, harmless things to do, though.

Visiting the prisoner wasn’t an option, not yet. Misha knew her own mind enough to know how she became irrational when her family was at stake---the memory of her fingernails pooling blood as they broke the skin of Calat Reid’s neck---but she was aware that a list was growing in her mind. Things she ought to do when she felt more herself---thank Milian Zarkof, for one, as the Amber Magician had been instrumental in releasing Orractous from his morbid prison. Not allow herself near the files that would tell her the identity of the Amber Magicians under the Knights’ employ. It would be tempting revenge to know too much, and she was no assassin. Maybe speak again to Markus Arcain, although like her disagreement with her brother, his splintered regard for her held little importance anymore. Make sure Loriente was holding up with the capture of Maia, who Misha also counted as a friend. Organize the exchange of prisoners, or at least assist with it. Check on Marius’s state of mind, if she could find him. He hadn’t been by, but she knew he was a sort of mentor to Orractous, not to the same extent as Dras, but still significant enough that she ought to find out how he was. Do the same for Borus Garkouw, assuming their brief stint working together had formed some sort of bond between them...

And so the list continued to grow, and she was reminded suddenly of the weeks after Patric’s disappearance. How, improbably, life had continued through the unknown, and the pain became background noise like vibrations in the atmosphere. How nothing truly stopped, even when everything had changed.