Ridahne seated herself and got comfortable while the section master gathered a few books to start with. Browsing the shelves on one's own was allowed, but Ridahne knew it would be easier for her and for the archivists to just let them do it. Eventually, the Eluri woman brought a stack of tomes, indicated the titles of each, gave a neutral bow, and left Ridahne to peruse them. The books were mostly written in the flowing script of the Azurei, which was used less commonly now that common Astran became the norm. It occurred to Ridahne that the section master must be able to read them, and could likely read ojih, too. She knew who Ridahne was, but did not indicate that she felt any particular way about her presence. Ridahne knew the Archives were a sacred place of common neutrality, where all were on equal footing, but she hadn't realized just how deep that sentiment really went. 

She was glad to find a quill and ink and a stack of blank papers on the desk in the room. This was going to take a lot of notes and perhaps some sketching. Ridahne had promised Darin she would create but also add her new mark before they left Lihaelen, so she hoped to at least find some history on the existing marks and give her choice some context. Ridahne opened the first book and marveled at the calligraphy and the sheer artistry of it. The script was not flowery or over embellished, but it was absolute subtle perfection. Whoever wrote the tome must have been a master tattooist to not only know so much, but to write it so beautifully. It was also interesting to see that the style of the marks she found had not really changed in the centuries since the tome had been written. Ojih artistry, it seemed, was a carefully preserved art handed down over generations. 

When Darin eventually found her way to Ridahne's room, she found the elf softly humming to herself as she took a few hurried notes beside a rough sketch. It wasn't often that Ridahne sang, in fact, the only time she had while they'd traveled together was at the Farm when she'd been asked to. If it was anyone else that came inside, she would have clammed up immediately, and admittedly she did falter a little. But then, it was Darin. She had nothing to fear from Darin, no hesitation of showing vulnerability with her, so she kept up the tune until she distractedly asked, "Did you find anything interesting? What do you think of the Archives? Massive, aren't they?" 

The scratching of Ridahne's quill filled the soft silence between their words. Even though her notes were a little rushed, her penmanship was as neat and poetic as her swordplay. Sharp, decisive, intentional, graceful. "I've been trying to get some context for coming up with a new ojih mark. It's...more daunting than I thought. Whatever I choose, it will be recorded and passed down for...well...for as long as Azurei culture thrives. Not only that, but the design itself will stand to be the mark of every guardian to come after me." She blinked. "If I ever re-enter Azurei society, I'll have to change my sigil..." She already had a small stack of pages of sketches, some crossed out decidedly and others surrounded by uncertain notes. "I've been trying to find a way to make the mark absolutely Azurei, but also paying homage to the other nations, and the other Children of Astra. I have thoughts..." Her words were a little distant, distracted, but pleasant. "Right now I just know it needs to be black ink. Black is a far more neutral color, and since it's the darkest, it often is associated with finality, or very important things. 

Ridahne sat up straight suddenly, slapping one hand against the desk. "I almost forgot! I found something I wanted to show you." She took a book that had been lying open beside her and showed it to Darin. It was a lexicon of ojih marks, with a brief description and context for each. One was achingly familiar. A bold black mark, three pointed with gentle curves in between. The description indicated when the mark had first been conceived, where is goes on the face, and what it was for. Ridahne didn't know if Darin could read the ancient Azurian script, but she didn't need to translate; Ridahne had pointed to her own many times in their journeys. "The original treason mark," she said, as if it needed any explanation at all. "But, below it, see?" She pointed to a nearly identical mark, except this one was ringed in a halo of blue. "If all goes well, and I am considered redeemed in the eyes of the Sols and allowed to return, it will look like this." She smiled at Darin, a gleam of hope in her honey eyes.