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[inklongdry]

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"Arthur Inkwell here.
I've no earthly idea how this thing is supposed to work, but leave me a message if you're so inclined. I'll retrieve it at some point or another!"

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[velluminous]

[ the sentiment is warm, but "when this is over" is such a raw, frayed edge that she all but stops breathing for a moment. it's coming. like waking from a dream. the horror and the love both worlds away.

when she next takes breath, it's heavy. ]

I will find you again. Believe that.

[inklongdry]

[ He feels the way she stills against him, and his hand over her arm gives a squeeze. He knows. Oh, does he know. ]

I do believe it. And don't think for a moment that I won't be looking for you in turn.

[velluminous]

You don't get to live without me again. Alright? Only for little while.

[inklongdry]

Only for a little while.

[ He gives a little hum. ]

There are many things I wish to show you. Places I would love for you to see.

[velluminous]

[ she has things she has to do at home. now she has to survive them, too. that was always the plan, but now there are people who will know if she fails to deliver.

she slowly straightens up, only to press her cheek against the hair at the back of his head ]

Tell me...

[inklongdry]

The libraries, Sprezzatura. The things I could show you... rows and rows of books, shelves lining the walls, stacked stories upon stories high. You could spend your life within those walls and not come close to cracking open every tome.

[velluminous]

Oh... I would love that. [ her sigh is wistful, achy ] I always meant to visit Candlekeep. It is like what you describe.

[inklongdry]

Is it? Well, then mayhap we can see it, too.

[velluminous]

[ "we"... she heaves another heavy sigh, kisses his crown ]

I have been disallowed to most libraries on Sword Coast. But it will not be forever.

[ she'll do whatever it takes. ]

[inklongdry]

Ah. In that case, I hope to see the day they reopen their doors to you.

[ A considering little pause. ]

Gubal's doors are not technically open to anyone anymore, but that hasn't stopped me in the past.

[ What's a little breaking and entering when there are books involved? ]

[velluminous]

And you can get away with this? How?

[inklongdry]

I get away with it by not getting caught. I'm not the first adventurer to have broken into the place. I doubt I'll be the last.

[velluminous]

[ she lets out a laugh which ruffles his hair, then straightens at last and lowers her hands to his shoulders. ]

I do not believe you would find Candlekeep so easy.

[inklongdry]

Mm. [ Leans into her touch. ] And why is that?

[velluminous]

Because it is library-fortress and protected absolutely. Its rules and wards are countless... And it is guarded by armed monks, and you must have written permission to enter its Inner Ward, and you may only remain for tenday at one time. There is even great mythal, which is ... hm. Imagine persistent magical field, so incandescently powerful it permanently alters Weave and how it functions.

[ and so, of course, she is so hungry to see it herself. ]

I do not think even you could break in unnoticed.

[inklongdry]

By the Twelve. I'm no master thief by a wide, wide margin. Something like that is well beyond my skill.

[ A beat. ]

But gods, if I'm not intrigued.

[velluminous]

One day I will see it with my own eyes.

[inklongdry]

You had best take me with you when you do. Or else I will require a very detailed account of the experience.

[velluminous]

I want you with me, Arthur.

[ that's all for a moment while she works his shoulders ]

I never told you what I am doing when I go back.

[inklongdry]

[ He's happy to sit in silence for a bit, though one ear does swivel in her general direction when next she speaks, curious. ]

You have not. What might that be?

[velluminous]

[ by now, saying these things comes almost too easy: with a soft sigh, in a murmur ]

I study. I unearth as many magical secrets as I can before money runs out. Then, I become like mythal, bending Weave as I wish, not as it is known to be, and I bring end to Eunoia and Selcouth Vaux. I will seal them in time. I will ruin them using my theories they bastardized.

[inklongdry]

[ He listens, and much of it is what he expects. Much of it is what he suspected, even. He turns, slipping his shoulders from her grip so he can face her, gaze turned up at her from where he sits on the floor. ]

You mean to have your revenge.

[ It isn't a question. ]

[velluminous]

[ there is nothing else she could make it out to be. she draws her hands back and folds them in her lap. ]

Yes. I will have it.

[inklongdry]

[ He looks at her a moment, eyes sweeping over her face. At last he gets up, easing himself back onto the couch to sit next to her. His hands curl around her own, where they rest in her lap. ]

I'm sorry, my sky, for the evil they have done you. I would like to tell you that you owe them nothing. Not forgiveness, not revenge, but I know it is not that simple. So instead, I will simply ask you to be careful. And please, whatever happens, come back to me.

[velluminous]

[ she starts to shake. ]

I will.

[ she doesn't know that. the only guarantee is that she will be evil to them in turn. after, she may end up in jail, or worse, and there is no promise besides her own capability that she'll be able to find Arthur or anyone ever again. it may all just be smokescreen. ]

I will.