[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ubDydDb.png[/img][hr][hr][b][colour=006633]Event:[/colour][/b] Tan-Zeno Interview [b]|[/b] [b][colour=006633]Location:[/colour][/b] Ersand'Enise [hr][hr][h3][url=https://youtu.be/aqbO4p-FXYc?si=3L5drrAi_0TOc-JC]♫[/url][/h3][/center]
[hider=An Interview with an Arch-Zeno]The doors are great and wide and a fountain splashes in a palm-tree lined courtyard. In the middle of it, at an ornate table in the Virangish style sits a stylishly-dressed man with long hair and round, tinted glasses. He looks up from his wine and the playing cards he had laid out upon the table. "Oh, welcome." He grins invitingly. "What do you think of card tricks?" He stops himself. "No, never mind that. Would you like to see one?"

Taleja arrived at the courtyard, her initial formal and polite demeanour giving way to relaxation as she surveyed her surroundings. She reached behind her head, as she pulled out a hairpin and allowed her hair to cascade down her shoulders. With an equally disarming smile, she approached the chair she assumed was set aside for her, gesturing silently with a [colour=006633][i]"may I?"[/i][/colour] before accepting his invitation to sit. [colour=006633]"A card trick? I would [b]love[/b] to see one,"[/colour] she exclaimed, placing one hand delicately in front of the other in a manner befitting a noblewoman entranced by his demonstration, on her lips on the verge of a girlish giggle. [colour=006633]"Even when one knows what is going on, the finesse and skill behind such things are masterful works of art."[/colour]

"Ah, but isn't it so much more interesting when one doesn't [i]know[/i] and has to discover?" The Arch Zeno dealt her five cards and then himself. "Tell me, Tally, what do you think of me? How is it that I'm an Arch Zeno?" He glanced up at her from above his glasses before raising his head, and smiled.

[colour=006633]"That is the [i]magic[/i] of it, the wonder and excitement of the unknown,"[/colour] she said, smiling charmingly as she gazed at the cards before her, mouthing an [i]'oh'[/i] at the mystery of it all.  [colour=006633]"Gladly, but I must first say, I am greatly honoured that I was selected by yourself."[/colour] Returning her attention to the cards, she continued, [colour=006633]"I would wager that being Arch-Zeno is not about playing with the cards you are dealt, but more about how you shuffle the deck,"[/colour] indicating the cards before her. [colour=006633]"You are not here solely by the graces of Lady Reshta and her fortune,"[/colour] she added with a twinkle in her eye, speaking softly, [colour=006633][i]"or misfortune."[/i][/colour] Returning to her usual tone, she said, [colour=006633]"You are an impressively intelligent and cunning individual, which I personally find admirable."[/colour] A blush coloured her cheeks as she continued, [colour=006633]"I empathize greatly with your political situation as well; I find it inspiring."[/colour]

Joao Fabio leaned back, downing some of his wine and glanced at her. He smirked. "Shit, you're good - pardon my language." He shook his head and then gestured with his chin at the cards. "You can flip them over, sweetheart. Please do."

Taleja smiled as she flipped over the cards. Her dainty gloved fingers flipped each one, one after the other.

It was all rather mundane. Her hand was a 2, 5, and King. His was an ace, 3, and 8. "So, where's the magic in that?" He swirled his wine a bit. "Oh, by the by, would you like some?"

Taleja peered over the cards and nodded.  [colour=006633]"You make an excellent point,"[/colour] she remarked. She silently mouthed a [i]"please"[/i] and a [i]"thank you"[/i] at his offer of wine.  [colour=006633]"The magic is not in the hand you are dealt, but in what you make of it."[/colour] She moved her hand back to the cards and flipped them face down on the table.  [colour=006633]"Arch-Zeno, please give me the honour of providing me with a low number."[/colour]

Joao Fabio smiled, neither confirming nor denying her assertion. "Four," he replied, pouring her some wine. All about them, birds chirped and life bloomed. The air was sweet with with the scent of flowers.

Taleja cast her hands over the cards as if performing a feat of magic.  [colour=006633]"These cards beneath these hands are magical; what number you say is vitally important to what comes next,"[/colour] she explained. Moving her hand to a card in front of Fabio, she continued,  [colour=006633]"In life, duality is important. The Anh and the Zept. The Male and the Female. Ourselves."[/colour] She turned over the Ace and the Three.  [colour=006633]"You have chosen Four in this great mystery. These two cards create this magical number."[/colour] Turning the Ace face down again, she moved to the card before herself, revealing a Five.  [colour=006633]"Together, this sum creates the number Eight. Double what it was before."[/colour] She turned over the third card in front of Fabio, revealing the Eight, then turned the Three face down again.  [colour=006633]"The great thing about duality is that both halves create an even greater sum."[/colour] Moving her hand to reveal the final card, the thirteen or King card, she concluded,  [colour=006633]"Together, we can make great things happen. All it takes is..."[/colour] She turned over the final card, revealing the Two, and held it up before offering it to him.  [colour=006633]"Do you see the magic in that?"[/colour]

The Arch-Zeno's face had gone from skeptical to intent, to amused. now, it was impressed. "You're a quick study, Miss Drakenknecht." He took a sip of his wine and his eyes seemed to focus on int momentarily: pensive. "Now, tell me, theoretically, how you would respond to being found out?" They snapped up to meet hers and remained there, unflinchingly.

[colour=006633]"Why, Arch-Zeno, you shuffled the deck, did you not?"[/colour] Her green eyes met his, a brow raised, and she simply smiled sweetly. Her hands moved toward the cards as her gaze remained fixed on his. She cleared the table and began to shuffle the cards within her hands, then laid them out again. Her gaze parted from his as she cut the deck into four fairly equal piles. She began to flip them over one after another. Two, Two, Two, [i]Ace[/i]. She softly mouthed an [i]"oops"[/i] as she moved her hand towards her glass.  [colour=006633]"The thing with tricks, as stated, is the magic of not knowing. If you are found out or make a mistake, the magic is spoiled."[/colour] She leaned back, bringing the glass to her lips while revealing the final [i]Two[/i] at the bottom of it, the one she had held in her hand earlier.  [colour=006633]"The magic doesn't [i]truly[/i] stop until it is all over."[/colour]

"And the trick," the Arch-Zeno responded, "is in the conversation and distraction." He shook his head. "Without that, nobody cares and everybody notices what you're doing."
He finished the last of his wine and looked about to say something else, but he shook his head and smiled admiringly. "You don't want them to notice, do you?"

Taleja's expression softened.  [colour=006633]"Play a trick too often, and the audience becomes wise and bored easily. So, you have to keep it interesting to keep their attention captured."[/colour] She drank more of the wine, refreshing her palette with its taste.  [colour=006633]"If I recreated my academic display at the talent show for you, I doubt I would score as highly a second time."[/colour]

"No, and I trust you to know that." Fabio nodded, rising with his empty glass. "By the way, the wine is poisoned." He pulled out his pocketwatch. "You have about a minute to solve the issue. If you do, you pass this interview. If you don't..." He turned on his heel and shrugged. "Well, it was nice meeting you."

Taleja's eyes widened in surprise.  [colour=006633]"Arch-Zeno, I had [i]swapped[/i] the glasses during the last trick. Quick, the antidote."[/colour]

"Well, I suppose you've just killed an Arch-Zeno," he tossed over his shoulder. "That's the end of you." He didn't stop moving, however, away from her with an almost-disturbing nonchalance.

[colour=006633]"I lied."[/colour]

She brought her glass to her lips and vomited the contents into the container, then used binding magic to clear away what remained. Grabbing a nearby plant, she accelerated its carbonization, then placed it into her mouth and swallowed it. Taking the other glass of wine, she began to examine the contents between them.

 [colour=006633]"In the medical treatment of poisoning, the first step is purging, followed by consuming charcoal. The third step is determining the source. The easiest way is to contrast between the mediums, although it becomes more difficult if both were poisoned. Given the advance notice, monitoring for symptoms would narrow down the possibilities, and compensate for the damage with healing to delay."[/colour]

He snapped his fingers. "Well said." For a moment, he twisted and grinned. "I lied too. You had a good few hours. I'll see you soon, Tan-Zeno Drakenknecht." He began whistling as he disappeared behind some plants and through a door.[/hider]

[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ycGwds6.png[/img][hr][hr][b][colour=009fff]Event:[/colour][/b] Tan-Zeno Interview [b]|[/b] [b][colour=009fff]Location:[/colour][/b] Enise'Ersand[hr][hr][/center][center][h3][url=https://youtu.be/Tt9K9-Xyy28?si=o186io8ifZZCHnE4]♫[/url][/h3][/center]
[hider=Interview with the Enthish Queen of Clubs]The office you walk into is one you would expect to radiate gloom and imminent doom. At least, that’s what the rumours would suggest surrounding Tannifer Marbrand’s inclinations for experimental, some say dangerous, methods of teachings and the overbearing expectation she had for her students. But her office is anything but darkness with rows of three arched shaped windows on each side of the rectangle-shaped and spacious room. The drapes are pearl white with the sun’s rays shining bright through them. Where there isn’t thoroughly clean glass are paintings of green sceneries, some supposedly from her home, and others were portraits of people: One of an older gentleman, another of a man bearing a striking resemblance to Arch Zeno Vaughn Marbrand in his youth, one is of herself in a time matching her brother’s snapshot, and finally of a saucy seven or so year old with a mischievous smile that contrasts strongly with the rest of the solemn expressions.

“Give the door a good push, would you?” asks the middle aged Enthish woman with a matching accent. She sits behind an old Wyrmwood desk, one much older than herself, with a pile of folders stacked neatly to her right, a good half-dozen shoved into a bin a few feet away and only one set opposite to the stack. “Well,” she begins as she shoots you her first scrutinising look toward you. “Take a seat and introduce yourself.” she tilted her head slightly to the left with an expectant look and a demanding tone.

Ayla pushed the door with just the right amount of kinetic magic, causing it to open smoothly, while a touch of sonic magic dampened the creak to a mere whisper. With a warm smile, the Torragonese girl entered the room, dressed in her formal Zeno-like attire, embellished with her colourful flair that reflected her personality. As the saying goes, "dress for the job you want." She carried her parchments secured between two boards, her quill poised and ready, a beautifully coloured feather accentuating her preparation. Gracefully gliding to the chair, she nodded appreciatively at the invitation before seating herself.

[colour=009fff]"Thank you, Zeno Marbrand. It's a pleasure to have been invited,"[/colour] Ayla began, her tone composed and confident. [colour=009fff]"My name is Ayla Arslan, and I'm here to demonstrate my suitability for the Tan-Zeno program and to show that I am worthy of your time."[/colour] With a smile, she opened the boards, revealing the neatly handwritten notes she had prepared for the interview.

Tannifer gave a quick bird's eye view of the student file given to her. The duration of Ayla's introduction was how long time she'd confer to the task before she conspicuously closed the folder. A hawkish gaze studied the minuscule girl's composure. "Charmed. You won't be needing these." with only a flick of her pupils, she forced all of Ayla's preparatory gear to seal themselves. The Zeno leaned back without perturbing her straight and proper posture, hands crossed at the level of her wrist over her desk. “What do you bring to the table other than a name and a few 'successful' yet unsanctioned operations in foreign lands?” dry, direct and to the point, she had a whole pile to go through after all.

[colour=009fff]"Courage, compassion, creativity, competence, commitment, and curiosity,"[/colour] Ayla responded confidently, her lips curving into a smile as she met the Zeno's gaze. [colour=009fff]"These are fundamental values and foundational skills that can be applied to any situation we encounter."[/colour] With a graceful motion, she set aside the sealed documents she had brought with her. [colour=009fff]"Knowledge can be acquired; if there's something we don't know, we can always visit the library and return with the answers you seek. However, what cannot be easily learned or changed are the qualities that define a person, and recent events have served as a poignant reminder of this truth."[/colour]

Placing her hands neatly in her lap, she continued, [colour=009fff]"We are here to serve as your junior and aspire to become a future colleague you can rely on in your work."[/colour]

Tannifer raised her chin as she appraised Ayla's structured reply. "A good answer," she decided with her eyes widened as she uttered it. But the lack of drop in her voice suggested a second part to it, and it came very soon after. "for a student. A Tan-Zeno entails both a role of learner and teacher, Lady Arslan." the two claw-rings of her right hand drummed over the old wood. "The question then isn't whether you would make a good Tan-Zeno or not - the answer is clearly yes, in due time. But would you make a good Tan-Zeno right [i]now[/i]?" both index and major fingers hit the surface simultaneously to punctuate her question.

"Why should you, a [i]quasidemon[/i] that has clearly dabbled with aberrations as a Fireblood with a RAS far above the norm, be given this a privilege that few in history ever had to chance to seize?"

[colour=009fff]"Carpe diem, Zeno Marbrand,"[/colour] Ayla began, her smile transitioning into a more serious expression. [colour=009fff]"There is a tendency to often postpone inconvenient tasks, hoping for a sunny day or a stroke of luck. However, reality dictates that we make our own weather. If it's raining, we bring out our umbrellas and face the storm head-on. Adverse conditions will not deter us from doing what's right, no matter how challenging they may be."[/colour] She interlocked her fingers thoughtfully. [colour=009fff]"We understand that the Tan-Zeno position typically involves adeptness in each of the magic schools, with applications usually accepted during our fourth year. But extraordinary times call for extraordinary efforts, going above and beyond expectations. Zeno Marbrand, we have done just that. Whether it's through unofficial trips sanctioned by the late Paradigm and late Zenith or other endeavours, we have achieved more than what is expected of a Biro, and dare I say, even more than a Tan-Zeno. So, to whether we would make a good Tan-Zeno right now, the answer is yes. While our magical skills can be refined with guidance, we have consistently upheld our values and brought others together to achieve great things. The results speak for themselves."[/colour]

With her final statement, her expression softened. [colour=009fff]"We all carry our scars. While some are visible, others are not so apparent, and as a consequence, we each bear our burdens. I am not here for personal gain or glory, nor have my actions reflected such motives. With power comes responsibility, and I am here to accept that responsibility and contribute positively to the academy we all share."[/colour]

Tannifer Marbrand never once gave off the feeling of being disinterested. If she looked away it was to write something, and if she stared into one's soul, she literally did so. "I would recommend being more concise, as a tidbit of advice. I, too, had a tendency to inflate my answers." she spoke with the faintest hint of a smile. Memories of pleasant times, perhaps? "I will not disagree that you are battle forged, but so are others that have partaken in these expeditions, like you." remarked the Zeno with an increasingly inquisitive tone that revealed a growing curiosity within the woman with a reputation for her ruthless and challenging methods. "What makes you more deserving than those with a similar track record to yours? You are several, and there aren't so many seats to be taken, Lady Arslan."

[colour=009fff]"As much as we enjoy blowing our own flute, when it comes to playing in an orchestra, the quality is determined by the worst player. It's about nurturing, supporting, and even adjusting your performance to match the flow to produce a beautiful symphony,"[/colour] she expressed, her smile returning. [colour=009fff]"We may not be the tallest, strongest, or even the most academically brilliant person you'll encounter today, but we can guarantee consistent high performance and reliability in anything we set our mind to. We are determined to achieve what we set out to do, and when there are setbacks, we learn from them. We are not an ornamental gilded rose; this one is the real thing that grows."[/colour]

Tannifer chuckled at Ayla's opening, leaging her with a lingering grin that eventually faded to neutrality halfway through the Arslan's answer. "You would make a good Zenith, one day, Ayla Arslan." the Zeno began to drum her fingers again, her eyes narrowed a little more as if she was trying to find something buried deep within the girl. "But I've yet to see that flame your lineage carries so proudly. Beyond this veneer of nobility you've been taught. You only have so much control over how others perform, but you have all the control when it comes to [i]you[/i]. What makes [i]you[/i] so special, Ayla? What would YOU do to make a difference to this school as one of the youngest Tan-Zenos in history?"

Ayla closed her eyes for a moment, took a breath, and then opened her vibrant blue eyes as she looked towards the Zeno. [colour=009fff]"Because we are that special. We are the rope that ties the sticks together and binds them. If you truly believe that we would make a good Zenith, then you know we have the makings of a great leader. One who leads from the front, inspires others, possesses the courage of a lion to make tough decisions, and takes pride in their work. Whilst we are not applying to be Zenith, and we have a long way to go before we could even consider such a position, the secret is, you don't need to be Zenith to be a great leader; you just [b]do it[/b], and we have done it time and time again."[/colour] She extended her hand towards Tannifer. [colour=009fff]"Help me make this academy one we can be proud of."[/colour]

Zeno Marbrand looked at the hand, chuckled and slowly reached for it with both golden claws pointed right at Ayla. "Whimsical and political, you remind me of someone." she reminisced with a smile, but before their hands could touch, Ayla felt her body momentarily paralyzed. She could only speak, albeit only when allowed. Tannifer stood up and brushed her hand upon the girl's cheek. "If only you weren't such a half-baked record of typical leadership and unity phrases." she frowned.

The room heated up and the sun shining through the windows faded as if the sun had suddenly dropped from the sky. "The truth is that you're not truly that rope, are you?" she raised her chin and spoke with a haughty and challenging tone. "No, you're not even on most people's minds. Outdone by the more radiant, bigger and stronger. Your friends don't rally behind you first, nor do they see you as particularly reliable." Marbrand let her sharp rings slide through the girl's red hair and stared in admiration. "A lot of promise, but much like your parents must have felt, your supposed friends and colleagues see you as none other than ..." she shrugged. "Disappointingly plain. Or perhaps ... Your Torragonese nature lies patiently in wait. We've been done in once by a spider that bidded her time, after all."

Ayla's eyes followed Tannifer as she stood paralyzed in place, listening to her words. Words that she had heard time and time again, especially from her father. A disappointment, a failure, someone whose only worth lies between her legs, much like her sister, except she had the attributes that boys like Rikard desired. She couldn't even do that properly. [colour=009fff]"Soy Torragonese, pero soy un Leon,"[/colour] the lion cub had her fangs bared. [colour=009fff]"People like to talk about how good they are at destroying things, the untold death and destruction they can cause. They see it as their birthright to trample others beneath them. Who can create the biggest explosion, proudly boasting about how many they killed in the revolution."[/colour] Her eyes followed Tannifer. [colour=009fff]"We killed none,"[/colour] she stated firmly, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

[colour=009fff]"Instead, we led with the candles at Intaba's statue, we organized the relief effort, saving civilians, the innocent ones who just want to do their jobs and live a good life with their family. We limited the destruction and death that could have affected a great many more,"[/colour] she continued, her eyes returning to Tannifer. [colour=009fff]"Killing is easy; it takes far more courage not to do it. To brave the tough road, rather than continue to circle the easy path down the drain."[/colour] The corners of her mouth formed a smirk. [colour=009fff]"They’re [b]truly[/b] are the boring ones."[/colour]

The room wavered around Ayla like a mirage in the hottest of deserts. Soon it fizzled out into the brightly lit office Zeno Marbrand enjoyed her work afternoons in. The illusion shattered once Ayla had given her answer, and she found Tannifer with amused grin on her face.

"You're not quite the pushover I was led to believe, young Arslan." the tip of her gold claw tapped her own chin as Tanny studied the girl opposite of her one last time. "Whimsical, over the top and painfully political, but genuine and robust. The quasidemon blemish ... Won't be overlooked, but we'd rather have a hand on that than leaving it in the hands of chance." she gestured upwards. "Rise. The interview's finished." she concluded solemnly.

The door opened at the end of the ornate and specious office. "Good work, young lion." Tannifer smiled before making a single, unseen mark upon Ayla's file.

Ayla blinked as the illusion faded, a soft mew played on her lips as the scene returned to normal. Ayla straightened out her outfit as she collected her belongings. [colour=009fff]"Thank you for your time, Zeno Marbrand,"[/colour] she said, bowing her head respectfully with a smile, showing her appreciation for the compliment, then moved outside the room. She had the decency to remember to use a touch of sonic magic once out of sight.[/hider]

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