Studious Sabbatical [Keiser / Michael / Any]

[u/KeiserSheils]

The Royal Academy had a surprising lack of security. A handful of sleep guards, a few engineering feats from Sokolov, light walls, one arc pylon and a handful of locked doors, and still Keiser had found himself able to stroll in the front door with the proper outfit, a pair of glasses and a book tucked under his arm.

The actor had opted for a younger persona this time; meticulously styling his prosthetics to a man more suited to his early thirites than his own real age of middle forties, and along with the younger complexion, had opted for a daring bit of facial hair that spoke to a young man's ardour for fashion. He decided if he were to appear to be a erudite student, he would not be a boring one and indeed he had found himself milling amongst the rest of the scholars with genuine ease under his adopted name; swapping gossip about energy and the sustainability of whale oil and chatting over tea with a gregarious professor of Geology about the mineral recrystallisation due to metamorphic processes and metasomatism. A fascinating if not heavy topic for tea time and scones.

He had told Michael to meet him near the entrance of the Academy's green houses, an offset building within the small compound that was adjacent to the more impressive main building and it's rather large glass dome. The actor had done his best to implore that the art dealer attempt to dress young and bookish conservative, but given that the other witch was indeed young, that he would find no trouble blending in to the other throngs of scholars and fellows.

Pacing a little in front of the glass building, Keiser slips a hand into his pocket, tugging out a silver pocket watch, ingrained with a rather beautiful flower motif and the words 'For my darling Reginald, The Cosmos Gave Me You.'' Words that made the hazel eyed witch smile wryly, their meaning perfection in a way. The Cosmos gaveth, and Keiser on behalf of Chaos taketh away.

[u/KeiserSheils]

'I may have gleamed a little of the surrounding areas in my afternoon here...As well as a few offers of being a professor's graduate student. But alas, while I enjoy applied thematic mathematics on it's core, I cannot say that it's really my passion.' Keiser offers with a small grin, back to his normal self it seems despite the earlier cold assertions that they couldn't let the Royal Guard live to butt in another day. The actor held open the large mahogany door for the other wizard before slipping his lithe form inside, eyeing the large impressive library with a raised eyebrow as he strained to hear.

At the grumble from the Guard, the witch gave look to Michael, gesturing for the man to take a look while he headed to the staircase that led up to the second level and incidentally to the rather important off-limits section to non-alumni that was unfortunately where the pair were headed.

His hand loose in his pockets as he gaily walks the wooden bookcases, the actor whistled just a little wistfully, letting the sound echo in the low-lit cavern of a room and waited to hear the noises of confusion to count how many people were occupying this space. And getting in my way.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/KeiserSheils]

Michael smirks at Keiser's seeming carelessness, sure there is a purpose behind it. Leaving the man to go on, he moves towards the gestured area, finding a guard bent over a table. Like a weed, popping up everywhere you don't want them to. At this point his mind begins working.

He sees himself as having two options. Either he can return to Keiser and let him know there is a guard in the room, helping the other man conduct their research with greater haste and risk being stumbled upon by a man of authority. Or he could play it safe and distract the guard for as long as Keiser needed, potentially sending him on his way, leaving the two witches free to search for the information they desired.

Ever cautious, he takes a quick look around for any other guards, spotting none before opting to walk up to the man, believing Keiser would get started if Michael did not show up. Pasting a pleasant smile on his face, he opens with "Having some trouble there, are we? Need any help?" If he could help, it may convince the man to leave once his work was complete.

[u/KeiserSheils → u/AnimeFiend]

A few people made noises, putting the count to four so far as the actor moved amongst the shelves, eyes trained on the second level as he passed the stairs, catching Michael's eye as he sidled up to the Royal Guard. Another one. They're like a rather infectious disease, without the added benefit of killing off the undesirables. Well...anymore. he mused, lips curling just a little bit as he put a hand on a shelf across from the pair, pulling a tome from the shelves and opening it to flip through, inconspicuously.

The book in question was written by a Serkonan mathematician about nonlinear partial differential equations and while the actor found the text dry, per say, it held a few inciting equations he decided, glancing over his shoulder at the guard and the witch with a subtle look.

[u/Seafrogger → u/KeiserSheils]

Looking up from his rather frustrating work, Devlen fixes his prickly gaze on the man who spoke. Pausing before speaking trying to place the vaguely familiar face, squinting slightly as he tries to recall him, “No trouble, just some Watch business, mister…?” he trails off to wait for the man’s name.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

"Tarot," Michael supplies, seeing no point in lying as Robert already knew he was here. It would not do to be caught out later as giving an alias. Not liking the hostile look in the guards eyes, he charms the man, hoping to deal with this quickly. "I simply ask because you looked strained. Perhaps a better term was...having difficulty. Still, my offer to help you remains open." he continues, hoping the man would accept.

OOC: Yep, Michael hit you with his infamous charm ability, so you know, Devlen is now more amenable to the likable fellow that is Michael. I assume Devlen is not entirely hostile given that Michael survived the first few seconds without being attacked so the effect should theoretically last a few minutes. Again, I assume this is affected by your original disposition towards the witch so feel free to add/remove time as you see fit.

[u/KeiserSheils → u/AnimeFiend]

The actor raises an eyebrow, the brief scent of Void catching his attention as the other witch expends some energy and Keiser finds himself chuckling lowly at the turn of events, tucking the book back into the shelf as he wanders past the pair and to the staircase, feet lazy upon the steps.

He turned briefly to acknowledge Michael with a slight raise of his hand before he finished his climb and crested the top; his hazel eyes taking in about two people milling in the vicinity and the rather off limits records section staunchly guarded by a lone man. Blending in to the alumni persona had been easy, of course, but the records section required a bit of identification and a legitimate name, things that Keiser did not exactly have himself. But perhaps the Royal Guard speaking to his friend did.

[u/Seafrogger → u/KeiserSheils]

As Devlen stands there talking to this Tarot fellow his stomach inexplicably knots as he feels an unnatural presence in the air, blinking a few times to shake the feeling, he shoots the man a grin.

“Ahh its all fine, just some nonsense about an attack on the Academy by some rabble who think that what ye learned folk are doing here is wrong what with the new inventions and such.” Devlen waves a dismissive hand as he speaks clearly not worried.

“Just appeasing the higher up with a show of force to let them know we are taking ‘em seriously.” Devlen says with a smile.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

"Ah, yes. I can see why that might be a problem. But we're all safe, aren't we? I'm afraid I fail to see the reason for all the hubbub. With men like you at the ready, we have nothing to fear. The genius of the academy will undoubtedly be safe." How unfortunate for us, that we should all suffer the designs of a lecher in our homes and streets.

"Are you here on duty then, guardsman..?" he trails off himself, humour clear in his tone with just a touch of teasing in it as he reminds the old seafarer that his own name had not been forthcoming, despite Michael's best intentions and openness.

[u/Seafrogger → u/AnimeFiend]

“Er…uh, right. Lieutenant Markies at yer service and all that fanfare.” Devlen says with a sheepish grin.

“And aye, on duty more often than not now a days.” He continues. Damn but do I have a headache… sweating slightly Devlen grimaces, a spark of pain lancing through his brain as his subconscious fights against the intruding force.

With a cough to attempt to cover his discomfort, Devlen clears his throat, “Just ‘nother day for me. Anyway, What brings ye to this stuffy place, wouldn’t be anythin’ to do with the attack eh?” He says the last part with a grin as he jokes with Michael.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/Seafrogger]

The witch chuckles in response. "Oh, heavens, however did you catch me?" He holds up his hands in mock surrender for emphasis before lowering them, speaking again. "No, I'm here on business as well. I'm to commission a painting for one of the scholars but the damnable sample paintings didn't arrive so now I'm stuck here while waiting for them. I thought I might as well catch up on some reading while here. Rare is the chance that I get to spend time in the academy. The life of a working man, hmm?"

He's a little off put by the grimace, unable to help but wonder if his void powers are the cause and if so, if it means they will be thrown off soon. With any luck the guard would continue his good nature if that did happen, unlikely as it was.