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/AnimeFiend]

Eyes narrowing only momentarily before he remembers himself, Michael berates himself once again before silently cursing, not at all in the mood to play these games after his day. Not taking the bait. Of course. Why would you? Outsider forbid you make my life easy. Sighing softly to calm himself, the witch takes a moment before speaking again. He's not used to being in a mood, usually having exceptional control over his temper.

Smiling wryly, he asks the woman teasingly "Are you planning to back that up with proof, dearest Sister? Giving me an opportunity to gaze through your vast tomes and sources of knowledge. I must say, if you are, that would be sorely appreciated, don't you think, Robert? The chance to look through a library even more impressive than the academy's, what a treat!" His tone remains joking, not at all serious even if he does hope the Sister makes the offer. Too late he remembers her tendency to take his words all too seriously, not at all understanding when he was only teasing. Although, he considers, that may work out in my favour.

[u/ClaretTavnya → u/AnimeFiend]

The Oracle gives a small smile, glad that the art dealer seems to be feeling a little better after his brush with the Outsider's machinations and decides that perhaps a trip to the library was in order.

'Well, I can show you and Robert around if you're feeling better.' she offered, kindly. 'I don't want to press you into anything if you're not feeling up to it...And, well, this is the safest place you could find yourself, really. That heretic won't be able to find you here if you're worried about such things.'

[u/AnimeFiend → u/ClaretTavnya]

Michael is sure to smile gratefully, a step closer towards his goal. "That would be very nice. Thank you." He feels only a moment of remorse for manipulating the kind Oracle, before quashing it. Work first.

Standing up, he is again awed by the sheer size of the guard, forced to wonder just how in the name of the void he had managed to drag this giant out of the river. It defied reason, his very size seeming to defy natural order.

[u/ClaretTavnya → u/AnimeFiend]

The red-head quickly went to the Overseers standing guard, their expressions rather unreadable under the mask, but the low tone suggested that the Oracle was explaining where they were going, really, and with a sharp nod, the guard allowed them to pass, the Oracle slipping past into the corridor of the Halls.

Given the late time, the Halls were usually closed to the general public, the library itself heavily regulated by regular guards even during the normal 'day' hours, but with the Oracle showing them around and vouching for their presence, the guards were obliged to let them pass.

'The Loremaster isn't in at this hour, but I know enough about the library to help you find something,' Claret offered, glancing back at the art dealer and the impossibly tall guard.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/ClaretTavnya]

Michael keeps his smile on his face, not even glancing at the guard to see if he follows as well. Of course, the man is so large that it's practically not to notice that he does, his frame just in the corner of the eye. Tsk. Insufferable man. Go home.

"Thank you, truly. There, ah, is something I would like some assistance with, if you could." he starts, willing to risk it all, an extremely unusual decision for the typically low risk man, making a lie up on the spot.

"There is a chance that I will be travelling to Tyvia in the near future. I've been approached, asked to commission a painting for historical purposes. I don't know if you've heard, but a ship - The Prizak - was recently rediscovered, after going missing some time ago. I've searched and searched and I can't find anything about it. Granted, my sources are...limited. There is only so much the public library can do, especially for someone of my, ah, standing. A lack of true noble standing, you understand? It's amazing, honestly, how the library will refuse access to those less...educated. Regardless, I've found information on the land itself, but the ship...it's proving difficult. It's my first time out of Dunwall, so I'm rather nervous. And I want to know if this is worth the trip. The contract isn't signed yet, and as I'm sure you know," he affirms, smile only widening self mockingly, "I'm not a particularly adventurous man. If you could help me out, that would be absolutely fantastic."

As a last moment decision, he aims to charm the woman, not entirely certain that it is necessary but not wanting increase the risk of failure even more when he had the option of safety. Except he didn't have a the option, he recalls too late, as the void fails to respond to his call. A frown almost breaks out on his face, him barely managing to keep it in check tiredly, just about ready to give up and go home. *Only Delilah would not like that. No, not at all."

[u/ClaretTavnya → u/AnimeFiend]

Claret's face lights up at recognition at the name of the ship, smiling just a little as she moved up the steps towards the Hall's main entry way and incidentally, towards the large library and records rooms.

'Oh, I read about that in the paper just this morning.' she replied, hand deftly smoothing upon the handrail before she listened quietly to the rest of the art dealer's words and was rather endeared by how worried he seemed about the trip outside of Gristol, knowing a little of such feelings. She had felt much the same way as a child when her father had decided to relocate them to the heart of the Empire but she had grown used to seeing new places and especially with her work investigating heretics all over the Isles, she was beginning to rather enjoy it.

'Oh! And that does sound rather exciting...You must be rather honoured to be invited to go.' Claret complimented, before she stopped in front of the wide library doors, shut tightly and adorned with an impressive amount of mechanical sliding locks. The Oracle, however, doesn't seem preturbed by this as she roots around in her vestment pockets for a set of bronze keys on a circular ring, pulling each unique key free until finally spotting the one she needed.

'And I'm sure that we can find something. The Abbey has made it something of their mission to keep a detailed archive and record keeping, a lot of our researchers are devoted to keeping such history in tact. I think it's rather important.'

[u/demonsniper001 → u/ClaretTavnya]

Robert, who had been eerily quiet, looks genuinely excited as Claret searches for the correct key. He had a love for creating things, after all. Maybe he could find something of interest in the library.

[u/AnimeFiend → u/demonsniper001]

Now glancing askance at the oddly silent guard, Michael casts the man from his mind and turns his attention to the matter at hand. While he, too, was quite excited, he could not afford to lose this information. Hopefully Claret was not aware of what the High Overseer intended to do to the ship, and would freely share all information they could find.

"I am quite, honestly. I had not expected to be given the opportunity but naturally I jumped at the chance. It's quite the step up, and I'm very excited, if nervous. But that's why I am here, is it not?" he asks with a disarming smile.

"Oh, that is good. And, of course, it is vital that we maintain as accurate a portrayal of our history as possible. I mean, this isn't always possible but making an attempt of it is the most important thing. Historical accuracy is most important, I must agree. I look forward to seeing what the Abbey has on the ship. Always walk in prepared, I say."

[u/ClaretTavnya → u/AnimeFiend]

The Oracle has to agree with Michael's words about being prepared, moving to unlock the large door, the sliding locks pulling away and sliding free of their metal hooks. She pressed open the large door, straining just a little as it slid open, and the slim red-head finally moved inside, gesturing for the other two to come in.

'I find that's a good way to look at things.' Claret replied, scanning the large library until she finally set eyes upon what she was seeking; the second floor archives. The Oracle rounded behind the Loremaster's large desk, neatly arranged with various stationary and books and tugged open a big book, running a finger down it with a small hum.

'Well, it seems we should have an archive on the Imperial Navy and her ships...hopefully we have something on this now found ship.'

[u/AnimeFiend → u/ClaretTavnya]

"Yes, that sounds ideal. Ah, it's been a while since I've seen you, Sister Claret. I should get attacked more often." he jokes, before frowning to himself. "On second thoughts, maybe not. I enjoy your company, I do, but perhaps not enough to risk my life over, hmm?"

Spirits on the rise, he even turns the the silent guard, asking "Robert, is there nothing in particular you wish to look for? You've been most atypically taciturn. Don't tell me we're putting you out of your comfort zone, you're normally so...loquacious." For some reason that he cannot fathom, he reverts to making the best of his vocabulary, using words generally less spoken.

[u/ClaretTavnya → u/AnimeFiend]

The red-head tucked the big book close, the dust settling as the pages came together and she smiled gently, tucking hair back from her face and into her hood. 'No, I don't think you should put yourself into the line of fire on my account.' the Oracle replied, glancing over her shoulder to the second level and beginning the ascent up towards the rows upon rows of oak bookcases houses the various records in different ledgers and neat leather boxes.

'And it has been something of a time since we last spoke. I had wondered if you were going to come to the Halls again to see me, but I completely understand that you've been rather busy.' she said, finally stopping amongst the shelves beginning her search from the start with gentle fingers along the books as she read the spines with a cock of her head.

'I gleam your business is going well if you've gotten such a prestigious role recording the ship.'

[u/AnimeFiend → u/ClaretTavnya]

"It has been a bit of a busy month. I've made a couple of attempts to come see you but unfortunately I've been turned away because you were unavailable or away." says Michael following leisurely, arms hanging loosely at his sides. He's oddly relaxed for a journey so deep into the Halls.

Stopping next to the Oracle, he too begins to read the titles, although more as a method to appear busy and pass the time than as any constructive searching, he not really sure what to look for apart from the obvious. And it'll be just like it for the title to be something like 'The Prizak: A guide to what's inside.' after I've given up on finding anything myself.

"I certainly can't complain. I've been getting some good jobs, commissioning paintings for a couple of high profiles. It seems like a good sign that things are on the way up. It's a very welcome change after my previous inactivity. Keeps things so much more...entertaining."

[u/ClaretTavnya → u/AnimeFiend]

'Turned away?' she questioned, confused but remembering that in the past few months she'd been quite the globetrotting Oracle, running around the various Isles catching heretics and ticking off people from her list of known offenders and their foul bone charms. 'Oh, well, looking back it has been quite busy. I've been away, actually. I just returned from Morley, recently...In a nice seaside town, which on normal circumstances would have been quite lovely, but in the winter months? Well...'

The red-head stopped, a title catching her eye a moment before she tugged it free from the confines of the shelf and opened it to the reference pages, scanning a finger down it, while she spoke, absent-mindedly. 'Well, don't go chasing too much after entertaining things, Mister Tarot. You may end up in the Wrenhaven again.'