[hr][center][h3][b][u][Stoneworks - Interior][/u][/b][/h3][/center]
[center][A Chaotix14 / XianaEvermor collaboration][/center][hr]

[Silver] thread slithered through the gold filigree, consuming it and framing the cover in Shinto symbolism.  A winged dragon clawed its way of the spine of the book, perching on the corner as its tail curled around the crescent moon forming on the cover.

[b][color=#CE2B95]"That's Tsukimoyo,"[/color][/b] Yue muttered, with a raised eyebrow.  [b][color=#CE2B95]"The book knows my family religion?"[/color][/b]

The binding cracked, peeling away and dissolving as draconic claws of brilliant [Silver] pierced through the cover.  The book seemed to grow in thickness, silver pages glimmering throughout.   A deep resonance thrummed throughout the Stoneworks, and though it made no sound its intent was understood.

[center][b][color=#dbc5db][LEARN][/color][/b][/center]

[b][color=#CE2B95]"Uh..."[/color][/b]

[b][color=#c45302]"Going a little heavy on the theatrics, Freyja?"[/color][/b] Archer asked jokingly, with the widest grin.

[color=#018c3b][b]"Nah, I didn't anticipate that she was that closely affiliated with a primal aspect. Though now I'm not so sure I want her in the Black moon society, these sort of things always come in three's so I'm pretty sure somewhere in the future she's going to recruit a favorite of a primal as well."[/b][/color] She responded with a mixed smile. [color=#0050ff][b]"To quote her mentor when she got handed the book, 'Oh great, now I have to deal with that.' Heh, primals."[/b][/color] Raudd teased with his grin widening to match that of Archer and giving both Zolya and Archer a few glances.

Zolya sighed before addressing Yue. [color=#018c3b][b]"Well it would seem Tsukimoyo-no-Mikoto would prefer you to learn his traditions first, not that much of a problem Freyja did something similar to me. It does however mean that it no longer works as intended, and one of the reasons I'd like you to have that book is because it's one of the few convenient communication methods between the UnderCity and the surface."[/b][/color] She said before placing her hand above the savant book once more and calling [color=#018c3b][b]"[Reproduire, apprenti.]"[/b][/color], producing another book.

She slid the book towards Archer on the table. [color=#018c3b][b]"Tsukimoyo-no-Mikoto will likely do the same to this book if I immediately give it to you, so until you've gotten a chance to read the first few chapters in his book this one will stay with Archer for safekeeping and communications..."[/b][/color] She explained to Yue before turning her head towards Archer. [color=#018c3b][b]"And only those things, understood [color=#c45302][b]Artemis[/b][/color]?"[/b][/color] She said with a 'friendly' smile wanting to make explicitly sure Archer wouldn't take the opportunity to pull some similar fuckery. 

[b][color=#c45302]"Honey please... I would [i]never[/i]...,"[/color][/b] Archer chirped, taking the book with a sly smile.  He spun it by its corner on one finger, then pressed it into his palm with his free hand.  The book flattened and vanished, and he held up a card: 2 - The High Priestess, before it vanished with a flick.

[color=#0050ff][b]"I had to learn it from a specially prepared physical copy, but this book is perhaps the most sterile and scientific method aligned explanation for magic. Technically it would suffice as a tradition for a magic user, but it's more designed to provide a mage with foundational knowledge and understanding of magic. Kinda like how learning chemistry can give you a better understanding of biology. Which is why everyone learns (or develops) at least one other tradition somewhere along their study."[/b][/color] Raudd explained to both Archer and Yue. Mostly to temper some of Yue's expectations about the book set by Archer, and to make clear that regardless of which of the many traditions she wanted to learn from there was always a gain in learning the contents of the book.

[b][color=#c45302]"To be fair, 'Sterile and Scientific' [i]is[/i] a tradition unto itself: those who study it exclusively are called 'Students of the Will.'  Although the practice isn't incredibly common due to a... kerfluffle that happened some time back.  There were some bad eggs, and now the practice is kind of frowned upon even though some wonderful things came from it,"[/color][/b] he explained.

Yue leaned back in her seat, staring at the cover of the book with a bewildered expression.  She [i]did[/i] ask for concrete evidence... but now she wasn't sure she hadn't been handed something infinitely scarier than the troubled naivete she'd been struggling with before.  She set the book down beside her, slightly unnerved by the way the whole room seemed to resonate around it, begging to be read.

[b][color=#CE2B95]"OK,"[/color][/b]  she huffed.  [b][color=#CE2B95]"I'm... a little overwhelmed.  I think... I just need some time to come to terms with everything that's happening,"[/color][/b] she muttered, rubbing her eyes as if that would wipe away all the things she was seeing.

[color=#0050ff][b]"I can imagine. I'm going to set up the guest room for two, at least I'm presuming it might be better for there to be a familiar face when you wake up. Feel free to roam the house, It should be free of any magic entities other than these two over here."[/b][/color] He said pointing at Zolya and Archer with his final sentence.

Raudd stood up and walked off to do as he said and once Raudd had left the room Zolya turned to Yue with a cheeky smile. [color=#018c3b][b]"Whenever he needs some time to think things through he always retreats to his back garden, I've never been allowed in there but I hear it is quite beautiful and serene place, and you've gotten permission to 'roam' the house."[/b][/color] As much as she was egging her on to kind of trespass into the garden, Zolya thought it might be one of the places around that could lend itself well to quiet reflection that wasn't infested with the magic.

[b][color=#c45302]"Ooh!  Sleepover!"[/color][/b]

[b][color=#CE2B95]"Archer...,"[/color][/b] Yue groaned softly.

[b][color=#c45302]"No magic talk, I promise,"[/color][/b] he grinned, holding his hand over his heart.  [b][color=#c45302]"Just office gossip and boys,"[/color][/b] he grinned.  Yue rolled her eyes.

[b][color=#CE2B95]"Fiiiine,"[/color][/b] she sighed, a smile cracking the corner of her lips.  [b][color=#CE2B95]"I need a few minutes of... [i]Quiet[/i]... Thanks, Fr- ... Zolya.  All of... [i]this[/i],"[/color][/b] Yue gestured vaguely at everything.  [b][color=#CE2B95]"Isn't easy for me, but I feel a little better just being validated and knowing I have people in my corner.  I'm gonna get some air,"[/color][/b] she announced, scooping up her book, which gave a soothing, low crystal tone before quieting.  

At least it wasn't screaming at her for attention anymore.