[Just outside of London, at a certain mostly-abandoned farmhouse. November 22, 1251.] [Moriel left a note last night at Cosimo's preferred drop (in the back corner stall of a particular stable, occupied by a rather nightmarish black horse). In it, he requested Cosimo meet him at that abandoned farmhouse, but the note didn't specify anything else. Most likely, Cosimo will arrive first, since he has a shorter distance to travel - if he chooses to come. Hopefully he will.] [Begin!] #06* Cosimo cautiously rides up to the rather familiar farmhouse, his approach cloaked in the comforting silence of Quietus. He was not certain what to think when he first read the note. But as it came from one of his associates, he was obliged to appear. If nothing else, to see what had Moriel so desperate as to actively seek his presence. #06* Moriel doesn't keep Cosimo waiting long, typically punctual. He walks up, but stops a few feet away from Cosimo. "Good evening, Master Castelletti. Thank you for meeting me." #06* Cosimo nods in acknowledgment. "Lord MacRae. I must confess your request for my presence caught me somewhat by surprise." #06* Moriel hesitates for a moment, then says quietly, "Please don't call me lord." #06* Cosimo nods. "as you wish" but i gather that is not the only thing which bothers you this evening #06* Moriel 's eyes crinkle, though no smile is visible on his lips. "No." #06* Moriel 's gaze on Cosimo sharpens. "When we went to the crypt where Troile was imprisoned, you offered to scout ahead even though you said you would be ineffective. You worried you would not be able to see. Correct?" #06* Cosimo stares intently at Moriel's eyes for a moment, the predatory gleam flashing brightly in the muted silver light of the first quarter moon. He tenses slightly, but his voice remains calm and tempered. "and this is something that bothered you" #06* Moriel tilts his head to one side, confusion flashing briefly in his eyes. "You offered to put yourself at great risk for little gain. I would not say that 'bothered' me. But it seems to me that we are likely to be called up by our prince again, and it would be useful if you were not thus constrained." #06* Cosimo relaxes slightly. His expression softens. "You are correct in your assessment. I am not as capable in this regard as yourself or the rest of our associates." but i understand my place and my role #06* Moriel shrugs. "Luck. Would you like to rectify that problem? I cannot help you to see in true darkness, as Master Rolf might. But you might see as well as the rest of us. And hear, as well, and all the other senses." and you would teach me? If you would accept it. it would be... useful. very well, what are your conditions? #06* Moriel considers Cosimo for a moment. "I had not thought to offer conditions. Would you be more comfortable if I did?" #06* Cosimo laughs. "i have never known a man to seek out an assassin and make a bargain without hoping for something in the exchange. do you mean to tell me you ask for nothing in return? #06* Moriel shrugs. "It will be useful. Is that not enough?" #06* Cosimo smiles. "you are an interesting man, Moriel. you have the opportunity to barter your terms and yet you offer something to me freely." but i am a man who honors his debts. the balance must be maintained lest one side becomes beholden to the other #06* Moriel tilts his head. "As you wish." He thinks for a moment. "You are better with a blade than I. And what skills I have will become rusty, with no one to practice against. Will that suit as an exchange?" #06* Cosimo nods and extends his arm. "that will be acceptable." #06* Moriel steps forward and shakes, a brief smile lighting his face. "Agreed, then." #06* Cosimo smiles warmly. "i look forward to our sessions. you have my word that you shall not be harmed in this." #06* Moriel gives Cosimo a rather odd look. "I did not expect I would be." you are an interesting man, Moriel. #06* Moriel doesn't seem to know how to respond to this at first. Then he smiles faintly. "You are not the only one who seems to think so." you have someone in particular in mind if you do not wish to speak of it, i understand. but your expression betrays your thoughts. It often does. But it is not my place to speak of others. #06* Cosimo nods. "i shall speak no more of it, then" #06* Moriel nods. "Would you like to begin? I have time, if you do." we can if you have the time this evening #06* Moriel nods. "I do." He pauses to think. "Unfortunately, I do not think the way that I learned Auspex will work for you." More thinking. #06* Cosimo looks at Moriel inquisitively. "the way you learned? how do you mean?" #06* Moriel pauses. "I was...in something of a fugue state when I learned Auspex. In fact. You are...rather more alert than that." i see so this is something i should meditate on? #06* Cosimo kneels down in the cool grass, places his hands on his knees and bows his head in meditation. #06* Moriel shakes his head. "Like many disciplines, I expect it works differently for different Kindred. It may be that meditation would be helpful to you, but I do not imagine that that is how, for instance, Mistress Casale uses it." #06* Cosimo looks up at Moriel, tilts his head slightly, considering his words for a moment. "indeed. there are many things about that one that do not conform. she too is... interesting" #06* Moriel smiles faintly again, but then his expression creases into unhappiness. "Yes." He sits down next to Cosimo with a sigh. "This is how I learned. The world is already there; it will come to you if you let it. Most people are simply too bound up in themselves to do so." #06* Cosimo nods and closes his eyes again. "the world is constant. but it does not accept everyone. i will try to let it, though like everyone else, it tends to shun my presence and distrust my actions" #06* Moriel purses his lips. "The world does not shun you. You are a part of it." Albeit a somewhat unnatural part. But so am I. you are more human than you let yourself be. more so than i. #06* Moriel pauses. "In any case. It is not a matter of the world accepting you. It is..." #06* Cosimo opens his eyes and looks at Moriel. "it is?" If you still yourself. Your desires, thoughts, fears. They focus you on insignificant things, what you want in the world rather than what is. If you still yourself the world will be waiting for you. when you say 'still'... what do you mean? there are many ways to still oneself. for this to work, i gather i must understand your way. or at least your interpretation" Your mind. It helps - at least, it helped me - to still the body as well, at first. But the mind is more important. #06* Moriel frowns faintly. "Your pardon. I have never attempted to teach this before." think nothing of it. i am just trying to understand your ways. please continue #06* Moriel shifts, trying to think how else to explain this. "When you go into a field. At first all seems silent. But if you wait, if you pay attention to the sounds around you rather than how the grass scratches your skin, you will find it is full of life. It is a little like that." do i need to make the field silent? #06* Moriel shakes his head. "Oh, no. I'm sorry, I did not think of that. It would make it more difficult, I think." #06* Cosimo nods. #06* Cosimo tilts his head slightly, studying Moriel closely. "are you doing it now?" #06* Moriel nods. "Yes. Although...it is not a continuous effort, any more. It only takes me a moment, and then it lasts as long as I wish." tell me then, what do you see? what do you hear? #06* Moriel tilts his face to the sky. "I hear insects. The breeze, in tree boughs, in the grasses, around the corners of the house and through broken windows. Nightbirds. Small rodents scurrying about. You, when you move. Your clothing rustling." The plants all look dead or dying, but there is life in them, waiting dormant for spring. I can smell it. And the loam beneath. #06* Cosimo raises his eyebrows. that is quite impressive. i had no idea that you were aware of so much #06* Moriel looks back down at Cosimo. "I have been practicing for some time." indeed. In truth, most people sense more than they realize. They simply don't pay attention to it. And...one must be careful with Auspex not to become overwhelmed. Lights can become blinding, strong scents overpowering. #06* Cosimo nods. is that why you close your eyes when we pass through the town? #06* Moriel blinks, then pauses. "No. If that were the case, I need merely lower my awareness level. And I usually do." He looks away again. "I do it to keep my madness from rising." #06* Cosimo nods. "i see" tell me, is it difficult? #06* Moriel glances at Cosimo, then away again. "It...troubles me particularly on certain sights. I avoid them where I may." forgive me. i did not mean to inquire about your personal struggles, merely to ask if it was difficult in lowering awareness. but if it makes you feel better, for one whose clan is governed by madness, you seem less afflicted than all others i have known. you are a strong man, Moriel Ah. if there is something that i can do to help in your trials, however, you have but to ask. #06* Moriel looks down at his hands and huffs a breath. "I do not think so. But it is kind of you to offer." He looks back up again. "To answer the question you intended, however, no, it is not difficult to lower your awareness level. As you are first learning - or at least, as I was - it is much easier to lose your grasp of a higher awareness level than it is to maintain it." #06* Cosimo nods. not many have called me kind. #06* Moriel glances up at Cosimo, smiling a little. "It was kind of you to offer," he repeats. "In truth, it is possible to be occasionally kind without being a kind person. I do not know if you are a kind person." my own assessment of kindness does not matter. i cannot convince someone to believe as i do. i can only live and act in a manner that is true to myself and let others decide for themselves if i am kind. #06* Moriel 's glance at Cosimo contains a twinkle of amusement this time. "I was not asking for an assessment. Merely remarking." #06* Cosimo nods. you said you do not know if i am a kind person. but we have known each other for some time... surely you have an opinion in mind. i am an assassin. i take lives. as i have said before, not many have called me kind. but tell me... how do you see me? #06* Moriel blinks at Cosimo for a moment, surprised, and then his expression turns thoughtful. "We met some years ago, but we have not spent much time together over that span of years. Still." You are honest, when you need not be otherwise. I do not know why you do as you do, but you do not seem to take any pleasure in it. You are not the only person in the world who makes a profession of killing. #06* Cosimo nods. #06* Moriel sighs. "I cannot pretend I like it. But...I do not know your reasons." He shrugs. #06* Moriel looks away, his expression going distant. "And I cannot say I have never killed, either." did you enjoy it? #06* Moriel actually recoils, staring at Cosimo. "No - not - " And then he stops, putting his face in his hands. "Ach." #06* Cosimo looks at Moriel somewhat concerned. "you are a strong man, Moriel MacRae. and a thoughtful one. i did not ask to accuse, merely to understand. the fact that you did not enjoy it proves your strength of character" #06* Moriel presses the heels of his hands harder into his eyes. "I...really do not wish to discuss this," he says as steadily as he can. i understand. i press no further. so you were saying... at first the field is silent #06* Cosimo closes his eyes. #06* Moriel pulls his hands away from his face and looks at Cosimo, nonplussed. Fortunately, Cosimo can't see his expression. He takes a silent breath and does his best to compose himself to try to teach, even if he doesn't really know how. [Mini end!]