abraxaslogs | august catch-all; open

[Alucard likes to lie to himself about things such as having a poker face. He really doesn't, subtle doesn't become him. He lifts an eyebrow at the inital request. It is reasonable, although when the other man finished speaking, he offers a single caveat to the first point.]

If there is anything that compromises their safety - if their being apart is a choice and does not seem to imply that there is a threat to the Summoned collectively - I reserve the right to exclude that information.

[As for the rest, he nods.]

Easily done. I like my privacy and assume others do as well. So far as I am concerned, we've only met once in passing in Nocwich, and I'm hearing not a single word in the next five minutes.

[ He considers the caveat for a moment, then nods. It's not ideal, but he can't say it's unreasonable. It makes it seem more likely that Alucard will keep his word for Kahlil's requirements as well.

Another pause before he continues. ]

What I have been told is that the Ninth Mage's Summoning was experimental in some way. The Summoned that arrived... something changed them. That they became unhinged and dangerous, beyond help. [ He grimaces. ] When I asked what became of them... the answer I received was that they were treated as a threat to the country.

[ The strong implication being that they were eliminated. But he doesn't have anything to confirm this, or whether it's possible any of them could have survived. ]

Well, that explains why Thorne imprisoned half of us immediately after pulling us out of our own spheres.

[The explanation is almost too neat, but sometimes an explanation is just that simple.]

Treated as a threat doesn't mean a successful elimination, especially if there are non-human lifespans involved.

[ He shakes his head, but in agreement. It doesn't mean they managed to kill everyone, but it's all speculation. ]

You were in one of the earlier groups to be Summoned? [ By Ambrose. He's always curious about the ones who arrived first. ]

The first group. [The less said about Ambrose the better, so he gently tries to sidestep details that still provoke anger.]

Were the other nations performing the ritual, or was it only Thorne's high mage?

[ There are so few Summoned from the first batch remaining, he looks a little surprised. That also means he was there for when the two mysterious saviors appeared.

Kahlil raises both eyebrows. ]

It was only Thorne. The Free Cities hadn't been founded yet.

[ And as he mentioned Solvunn wouldn't be founded until after the Ninth High Mage's exile. ]

Whatever questions you have, ask them now.

[There isn't much to tell, but Alucard can speak of the past as a simple fact.]

Mm. So one other possibility at hand may be that there are descendants of those Summoned around. I don't know if that might foster a light connection to the Singularity, but it isn't something I can rule out either.

Is this my only chance to ask, then?

[ Despite his initial caution he's definitely not against meeting again in Horizon again, if that's not off the table. ]

I hadn't considered that. [ There's a frown and a punch at his brow at the mention of a connection through the descendants. ] I guess we don't know for certain what our link is...

[ If it's in the blood or bones, something that can be passed on. It seems unlikely, but something about the thought makes him uncomfortable, and it plays across his expression. ]

I need to be in the right frame of mind to speak of that particular point in time. As you might imagine, I found it unpleasant.

[Translation: no, but it might not present itself again for a little while.]

No, we really don't. What I see here are a number of theories, all of which have the potential to be true, but we can't validate any of them at the moment.

[ He considers that answer for a moment, then nods slowly again. ]

I'll keep that in mind. I've spoken to some others already.

[ Meaning, he won't trouble Alucard with questions on that topic when he can probably get answers elsewhere. Besides, he's not sure what specifically he wants to ask right now. ]

No, we can't. It's... hard for me to even wrap my head around a world with a history so old.

[ 20,000 years. ]

Thank you.

[There's a note of genuine relief in Alucard's response, even if he is quick to move beyond it. Indulging in his feelings about those first few month is ill advised at best, and Alucard is coming to accept that.

He exhales, slow and considering.]

And only parts of it written down for us to make any sense of. The easiest place to begin is to chunk out what we think we can follow up on.

[ Kahlil notes that small bit of relief, letting it go with the rest of that topic. ]

You have some ideas?

[ Because truthfully, after the reveal about the Ninth High Mage's summoning, he's hit a wall again. ]

Based on what we just discussed, I think I can sit down and try and draw out a map of potential paths to information. [They've covered so much ground so quickly, after all.]

We have to assume that Thorne won't give us a straight answer, that the Free Cities won't have the information in the first place, and that Solvunn might consider some information a matter of traditional privilege that can't be shared widely. It leaves the Fae and the residents of Nocwich, and I'm inclined towards the latter. Thorne's smaller towns might have some inklings though, but I suspect asking will get back to the crown eventually. [There's a real point here.]

This place has lost information over the centuries. So we'll never have a complete picture. That is the only thing I'm confident in saying at this point.

[ Kahlil is pleasantly surprised by Alucard's response to all of this, especially given how long he's been here. He tips his head to vaguely indicate the library itself, this domain: ]

This place belongs to a man named Istredd. I trust him, and he already knows about the information I gave you, so this would be a safe place to bring anything like that.

[ Because Kahlil is definitely interested.

He glances toward the entranceway. ]

You're also welcome to bring anything to my domain. It's a tower with two large statues. [ A wry look. ] Hard to miss.

[ So everyone tells him. ]

Statues of....?

[He'll probably be able to find it, but a little specificity helps.]

The source of that information. Is it something you could return to with follow ups?

Gods. [ A pause, and he clarifies. ] Men. One in white stone, one in black.

[ At the next question, he grimaces. ]

Not likely. At the time I tried to ask more, but... I got the sense that continuing to push wouldn't have led anywhere good.

[ He'd been surprised to get the audience in the first place. He didn't need that door immediately closed in his face. ]

That'll do.

[Alucard nods in acceptance to how much more use that particular source can provide. It is a shame to be certain, but there are always going to be limitations.

Quietly, his eyes track to the door.]

We'll be in touch. And please know I appreciate your trust in sharing what you have. It will not go unreturned.

august catch-all; open

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I think we can leave it here and focus on the event.