[What is that tapping at the window? A little bird? One of the manor cats? No, it's the local abominable snowman, perched on the windowsill and waiting to be let in.]
Mm, yeah. I get why they're doing the barrier. And I think the request is the best thing they can do right now with the resources they have.
[ Tatara seems, at least, sympathetic to the idea.
He's got a lot of other thoughts on the situation at large, but that doesn't seem to be the topic at hand. So speaking of hands, he nestles his chin in one of his and stares unblinking at Ithaqua, eyes blank. ]
I'm guessing you have some thoughts on it, too?
[ A gentle nudge to encourage Ithaqua to speak his mind. ]
[ Tatara nods, neutral. Totally oblivious to any Vibes (tm) Ithaqua might be giving off. ]
And that you're asking me means you know, too. [ Just an observation, not accusatory or anything. He tilts his head. ] I can't feel anything, but did you sense their presences, then?
[ Hmm. Tatara's impressed, actually, if Ithaqua could sneak into the castle like that.
But that also means the castle needs a bit better security. ]
I spend a lot of my mornings at meetings in the castle. [ He gives a wry little smile. ] And if we can't find the last sage, they'd end up being wizards under my care. I guess I have to know.
Do they seem suspicious? Is it because they're trying to keep it a secret?
[ He draws up his legs to fold them, getting comfortable. ]
Ithaqua, you need to listen to me. I get how it must seem to find out like this. [ Firsthand, instead of through official announcement. ] But this information about Oz and the prince can't leave the manor. It'd be disastrous if someone besides us found out.
[Tatara really isn't helping his point, when he insists on taking this slow despite all of Ithaqua's pointed questions.]
Do you believe I would go about gossiping to just anyone? [His tone is icy. He's not expecting a response to that, and he feels he would be quite cross if Tatara actually did.]
[ Tatara smiles. That Ithaqua finds Tatara's request offensive is a good thing in his mind. His trust in him solidifies!
But besides that— ]
The West could power a superweapon that could raze all of their competition (see: the rest of the world) with Oz's mana stones. [ Tatara gestures with his hand, like there's a big death machine outside right now. ] That's probably a worst case scenario, but still not a risk anyone wants to take, I think.
[ Tatara skipped a couple of steps in his thought process, but. Hopefully Ithaqua can keep up. ]
[Ithaqua doesn't even need to take too long to understand exactly what Tatara is saying. The man still frustrates him because he just never says anything outright, but he understands what is actually being implied here.]
You trust the humans enough with the lives of two wizards. [Obviously, Ithaqua does not.] Granted, one of them is their own, but the other?
[He'll let that silence hang there. The fact of the matter is that Tatara trusts the humans. Ithaqua doesn't agree.]
I dunno if I'd say I trust them... But I do trust you.
[ They're strangers with doublespeak and ulterior motives and larger roles to play. Ithaqua lives under the same roof as him, working towards the same goal as him. It's pretty obvious to him who he trusts more. ]
I think the barrier you're putting up is good. But...you're right. We probably can't transport Oz here without attracting a lot of attention, but...hmm. [ He thinks for a second, then looks at Ithaqua. ] There must be something we could add to the barrier, or something else to keep him and the prince safer from the people at the castle, too. Would you be down for that?
[He has to think about this, because he's fairly sure that this is another test from Tatara... he's simply not making it obvious. Then he crosses his legs and taps at his knee, considering options.]
Well, if you insist. [More than anything, he doesn't want to seem incapable. He doesn't want to be incapable. He must always strive to excel, because he's a witch's son.]
I shall be doing it myself, given the nature of the assignment.
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during the event
[What is that tapping at the window? A little bird? One of the manor cats? No, it's the local abominable snowman, perched on the windowsill and waiting to be let in.]
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And it's another Northern wizard! Do y'all use doors... ]
Oh, hey Ithaqua. [ Tatara smiles when he sees the local cryptid, and lifts the window. ] Need something?
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Anyway, Ithaqua makes himself comfortable on the windowsill, perching like a bird.]
In any case, I was bidden to come here and speak to you.
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[ Tatara turns around and similarly perches on the edge of his bed. ]
What's up?
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[Getting right into it.]
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[ Tatara seems, at least, sympathetic to the idea.
He's got a lot of other thoughts on the situation at large, but that doesn't seem to be the topic at hand. So speaking of hands, he nestles his chin in one of his and stares unblinking at Ithaqua, eyes blank. ]
I'm guessing you have some thoughts on it, too?
[ A gentle nudge to encourage Ithaqua to speak his mind. ]
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That in itself is suspicious, but he shouldn't jump to conclusions this early on.]
So you're aware of the wizards they're keeping in the castle?
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And that you're asking me means you know, too. [ Just an observation, not accusatory or anything. He tilts his head. ] I can't feel anything, but did you sense their presences, then?
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I was in the castle recently.
How did you become aware of who they were keeping? [And what's his stance on that?]
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But that also means the castle needs a bit better security. ]
I spend a lot of my mornings at meetings in the castle. [ He gives a wry little smile. ] And if we can't find the last sage, they'd end up being wizards under my care. I guess I have to know.
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[Surely there's a reason?]
Why?
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[ He draws up his legs to fold them, getting comfortable. ]
Ithaqua, you need to listen to me. I get how it must seem to find out like this. [ Firsthand, instead of through official announcement. ] But this information about Oz and the prince can't leave the manor. It'd be disastrous if someone besides us found out.
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Do you believe I would go about gossiping to just anyone? [His tone is icy. He's not expecting a response to that, and he feels he would be quite cross if Tatara actually did.]
Why are they keeping the wizards hidden?
[Because of course, he doesn't trust humans.]
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But besides that— ]
The West could power a superweapon that could raze all of their competition (see: the rest of the world) with Oz's mana stones. [ Tatara gestures with his hand, like there's a big death machine outside right now. ] That's probably a worst case scenario, but still not a risk anyone wants to take, I think.
[ Tatara skipped a couple of steps in his thought process, but. Hopefully Ithaqua can keep up. ]
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You trust the humans enough with the lives of two wizards. [Obviously, Ithaqua does not.] Granted, one of them is their own, but the other?
[He'll let that silence hang there. The fact of the matter is that Tatara trusts the humans. Ithaqua doesn't agree.]
We'll see if they deserve that trust.
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I dunno if I'd say I trust them... But I do trust you.
[ They're strangers with doublespeak and ulterior motives and larger roles to play. Ithaqua lives under the same roof as him, working towards the same goal as him. It's pretty obvious to him who he trusts more. ]
I think the barrier you're putting up is good. But...you're right. We probably can't transport Oz here without attracting a lot of attention, but...hmm. [ He thinks for a second, then looks at Ithaqua. ] There must be something we could add to the barrier, or something else to keep him and the prince safer from the people at the castle, too. Would you be down for that?
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I've not accepted the request. [He's a North wizard, as well. He may be studying potions, but barriers? They still confuse him.]
Do you still want me to offer?
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[ He smiles a little at that.
Not that Ithaqua's off the hook, though. ]
But it won't be a bad idea to gather a group of others that could work on it. What do you think?
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Well, if you insist. [More than anything, he doesn't want to seem incapable. He doesn't want to be incapable. He must always strive to excel, because he's a witch's son.]
I shall be doing it myself, given the nature of the assignment.
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Ithaqua gives in, and Tatara smiles wider. He's proud of himself, mostly! Can he sage? ]
All right. I'm glad. [ He shifts as well, crossing his own legs off his bed to mirror Ithaqua. ] If you ever need a boost though, I'm always around.
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If you've nothing else to assign to me, I'll be getting to work.
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Nothing for now. [ Tatara smiles, and gives a little wave. ] Thanks for dropping by, Ithaqua.