[History] Once upon a time, the vulpix and the felid went to war. 

They were alike in many ways, being both predator and prey. Each of them hunted using guile, wit and patience; each of them died by force and brute strength. Their war took place in the shadows and burrows, and all the grox and equis knew of it was the bloodstains and the torn fur. In the end, neither triumphed. The vulpix withdrew to its arctic burrows; the felid to its arid deserts, swearing eternal vengeance against each other, but with too many scars to dare the others wrath once again.

And at this time the octopus peeked up from the rock pool, saw the blood, and shivered in fear. 

When it felt winter's breeze come its skin flushed verdant red. When summer burned bright, it went as black as stone. And through it all, it hoped that the beasts of the earth did not learn to swim.

It has been a long winter.

[Art History] There is always song. From the chapels of the Sisterhood to the cathedrals of the Ecclesiarchs, hymns to His glory are always filling the air somewhere. The music seeps into bone and stone and steel, resonant and sanctified. The history of faith is a history of song.

There will come a time when the music escapes the churches and rushes out onto the streets. There will come a time when all the worlds are united in that song. It is history, it is present in your ears - and it has not happened yet. In the moment of clarity you have created you hear a fragment of it as a vision. It will be a solace amidst the coming darkness.

[Traffic Analysis] But you wanted to check your mail, right? You've got a message from the Lord General who is big mad that a major shipment of lasgun ammunition packs has been delayed. Checking the schedule, the train was loaded and ready to go - and in fact, it had *left* the station before your assassination and the Isohedron shutdown, but then it turned around and came back. Due to the frictionless nature of the operation, the decisiveness with which it occurred, and the marginal utility of the supplies to the Magi, you're pretty sure it's the Skitarii who are responsible. But the question is what they need all of those power packs for?

[Military Science] Theoretically, you can make an improvised solar panel out of lasgun power packs.

[Traffic Analysis] Hm, that's probably why November suggested you don't ask too many questions about where her power supply is coming from. This'll keep for a while - it'll become a problem eventually, but right now there's not a shooting war on so the Lord General won't rise above angry ambassadors.

[High Society] There's no content amongst the messages from the other Magi; those are simple meeting invites. It means you will have access to their Forges, which is non trivial especially for someone in your position. It has been known for confirmed Archmagi to be shot dead when attempting to access their subordinates' Forges uninvited. While Stoll probably wouldn't, especially after your conversation, interrupting PWD-40's work...? Even at the height of your power, what was the exact projection on that again, dear?

[Military Science] 70% of the Skitarii legion slain or wounded, production delays measured in years, major collateral damage to the surrounding Hive. You have never been quite clear which of 'refinery' or 'flamethrower' was the primary objective of the Magi's construction efforts.

[Reassurance] The war hit her harder than most.