[The Court of Love, Paris, July 11 1261. Not long before dawn.] [Most of the Court of Love dispersed when the night's entertainment was over and Matriarch Salianna disappeared, and Our Heroes retired to their rooms not long after. At least, most of them did. Moriel hesitated outside his door, and then turned away from it to walk down the hall towards another.] [Begin!] 06* Cosimo is already packed to depart the following night. so instead, he is in his room, seated cross-legged in the center of the bed. His eyes are closed in meditation. 06* Moriel arrives at Cosimo's door and knocks. 06* Cosimo opens his eyes and looks towards the door. "enter" 06* Moriel opens the door just wide enough to look inside. He pauses a moment on the threshhold, and then since Cosimo did actually already say to come in, he slips inside, closing the door quietly behind him. I am sorry if I interrupted. no interruption. what may i do for you? 06* Moriel hesitates again, looking uncertain. "I just...I am sorry to see you go." He sighs. "And sorrier yet for the reason." 06* Cosimo nods. he gestures towards a chair. "i also regret that i must part ways. but this is where my path leads me." 06* Moriel wanders over to the indicated chair and takes a seat without quite relaxing. He nods. "Of course. I would not try to dissuade you." He smiles faintly, though his eyes are still pained. 06* Cosimo nods. "and yet you are still troubled" 06* Moriel 's smile widens a touch. "...I will miss you. Even if I understand why you go." He looks away again. "I...still have not learned Italian. It seemed more urgent to learn the cant you and and Eliana Casale devised, for this journey... I had hoped...to discuss your theology book with you, when I could read it." 06* Cosimo nods. "the fact that you were willing to read it at all, especially given your own beliefs, gives me hope." he smiles slightly, though there is a hint of sadness in his eyes as well. 06* Moriel 's brows knit. "...if that hope bears fruit, it will not be soon enough. And even if it did...how often do humans orchestrate their own wars, and how often is it our kind agitating for them from the shadows? If it were not faith they would find another excuse." 06* Moriel 's gaze flicks back up to Cosimo. "I wonder who wants your clan otherwise occupied." does it matter? 06* Moriel frowns. "Not in the short term, I suppose. And in truth I wish to stay as far from the squabbles and power struggles of the courts as possible." 06* Moriel sighs again. 06* Cosimo smiles. "perhaps it is for the best. when the Children of Haqim return to the sands, we go together. not all of my Brothers were as unaligned as i was in this war," he says, gesturing all around. 06* Moriel blinks. "They cannot have backed Carthage, given your enmity with the Baali?" 06* Cosimo nods. "some have. just as some have joined with Mithras. but then again, when you welcome a viper into your house, there is only time before you get bitten." he smiles, the predatory gleam sparkles brightly in the dim light. 06* Moriel eyes Cosimo for a moment, but whatever he's thinking, he elects not to say it. Instead, he laces his fingers together. "Mm. A double-edged sword, that. One might say the same of Prince Mithras' Masquerade. Not that I am particularly fond of it, but it does not seem Carthage will be ended any other way." 06* Cosimo shakes his head. "no... likely it will not. but fondness aside, you have a role to play in the coming storm." he leans forward. "you have a voice of reason and of temperance" 06* Moriel grimaces. "I do not see why anyone in court would listen to me." And then his tone turns wry. "I am not actually so very reasonable, you know. Nor is my response to Carthage particularly temperate." it does not matter who hears the word, so long as someone is there to listen. we both know this. 06* Moriel 's face tightens. "Sometimes. Sometimes merely 'someone' is not enough. Or you would not be leaving." 06* Cosimo nods. that is fair 06* Cosimo nods thoughtfully and doesn't say anything for a few moments. 06* Moriel is quiet for a bit too, and then he shifts and rises. "I'll take my leave. I'm sure you need to rest before your journey." 06* Cosimo looks up, and then upon seeing Moriel rise, he stands as well. "i always have time for my Brothers." he smiles warmly. 06* Moriel smiles. "Yes, but even so you need rest." And then his smile fades. "Master Castelletti...Cosimo..." He can't seem to figure out what to say at first, but then he says softly, "I will pray for your safety." 06* Cosimo looks at Moriel closely and nods. "thank you, Brother," he says clasping Moriel's arm and shaking it. "i shall pray for yours as well." 06* Moriel shakes automatically. He stares down at their clasped arms for a moment and then back up at Cosimo. "...thank you." He steps back and bows, then slips back out the door as quietly as he came. 06* Cosimo watches Moriel leave. "keep an eye on the others for me," he says softly. "i know not if we will meet again." 06* Moriel hesitates a moment with the door nearly shut. He nods wordlessly, and then the latch clicks as he closes the door behind him. [End!]