𝕸𝖆𝖍𝖏𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖆𝖙 :
NEVER IN A HURRY AND FEIGNING IGNORANCE in the face of threats, Sliske returns a CLOYING smile, pleased. “It’s very nice to be acknowledged, you know. I’m FLATTERED, you know your place.” His expression drops quickly like the mask it is, launching into an impromptu academic slurry. “I don’t mean the carved kind, I mean the elementals, the catalytic runes — where I come from they are mass-produced on altars of power for use of those like yourself, without the gift of natural ARCANE draw. I am not sure if I have some still on hand - as I have no use for pebbles with power.”
Casting his eyes upward momentarily, slender fingers pluck a pouch from deep within his lapels, FIDDLING with the string, before pulling in a sigh, “Like this. THIS — is an air rune. Your basic catalytic and element rune, some double a- I suppose this doesn’t help if you’ve never seen it before.” It’s a common one, made of a PURE essence, as visually normal as any palm stone; grey, plain, and smooth. But the essence is a PORUS stone, willing and ready to be charged with power, marked with an almost fluid, white, marking to symbolize it’s air quality affiliation. Sliske holds it out, small and useless in his massive grasp, bound to be lofty and palm-sized in the haughty knight’s hand. “I’m in a good mood. Perhaps I would teach you.”
As infuriating and condescending as this mage was, Florent’s anger mitigates as he clutches the rune, bemused, nearly entranced by its power --- to be privy to such a thing felt uncanny and an electric sensation of pure excitement startled the tiny hairs on the back of his neck. His knowledge of the occult had amounted to so little despite his devotion, surely this is nothing to behold to a Mahjarrat but a man whose obsession proved ineffectual thus far had plenty to savour like biting into something rich & sweet. He ogled it and held it as adoringly as a lover, much kinder than he ever would a living, breathing thing.
❛ Of course you would. Clearly, we have something of equal value to offer. ❜ His eyes peer from beneath thick lashes and blond locks, habitually tucked behind his ear with a smile that is both appeased and cunning. Again he is beguiled by the stone, admiring it once more as it glints almost knowingly in its reflection against his armour. Already he’s yearning for MORE, desperate to garner all the knowledge he’d spent a decade chasing. ❛ So we have a deal, yes? It’s no concern of mine how you choose to utilise your seat in the council. Your pursuits, whether in the best interest of my people or not, mean nothing to me --- This however . . . This is all that matters. Greatness after all cannot be achieved without sacrifice. ❜
