Hobo and the Dark Elf

Hobo and the Dark Elf
Date of Scene:	21 December 2012
Location:	Mullonde
Synopsis:	Will attempts to get help from the people of Mullonde about his current situation...and runs into Count Valos.
Cast of Characters:	Will Sherman, Count Valos

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Count Valos has posed:
Trekking from one part of town to another, Gidarch was upon an elongated bridge leading to his destination, which hung high above the ground, presenting a threat if one were to fall. Fortunately, on either side was a sturdy railing, and the bridge itself was comprised of solid stone. A relief was this to the dark elf, who weighed considerably more than one his size normally should, who could easily cause a less durable structure to buckle under his tremendous weight; this was not also due exclusively to the fact that he bore a full suit of silver mail about his body.

Slow in gait, each footstep of his made the immediate space around him tremble as he moved, moreover, they were louder than even the sound of a horse's trot. Seemingly, this didn't bother him in the least, though occasionally he was afforded an odd stare for all the noise he made, but most persons in this city were accustomed enough to the diversity of the World of Ruin that a seven foot something man making more sound than usual wasn't that exceptional enough to pay heed to; after all, at least he still looked moderately humanoid, some sentient forms barely even qualified in that respect!

Slung over the dark elf's shoulder was a burlap sack that looked full, with the shape of the bag conforming to the contents, complete with angular bulges erupting from various locations.... given that he was just at a library, this container is undoubtedly filled with books. The Count's face has a vacant expression adorned, with a jaw showing some sign of slack due to the degree of disinterest he's feeling at the moment.... utter laziness can be easily discerned by stranger and friend alike if they were to gaze on his face; this can also be quite easily interpreted from his slouched posture, bringing him down to about six ten in height from his maximum stature. No.... he's not grumpy, but he's not happy, either.

Will Sherman has posed:
What brings the hobo lad to this place?

Quite simply, knowledge, he needs to know something...anything about his current perdiciment, and who better to know about gods and such than a church devoted to the holy sancity of a god. Right? Certainly there is no foul things afoot!

Will hasn't had much luck in getting an audiance with anyone, or even allowed into libraries. Will, was just as every bit small in stature as he was hobo-rific, these two things together usually lead to people dismissing him...which is good when he needs to punch them out, but not so good when he actually needs acadamia's help!

Being chased out of another library, Will sighs, coming across the bridge and thinking about giving up when he comes across the Dark Elf.

Valos might notice immediately that Will's gaze is odd for someone of his age...specifically he seems to look right through him, something that humans...just don't do. Infact, it's odd when he seems to follow some unknown thing from Valos, before looking right back at him again. He doesn't seem frightened...interested is a better word. It is like looking at a new mystery, but eventually he turns away as he passes.

An interesting diversion, but... he sighs. Man. this was turning out to be a real dead en-wait!

"Hey! You have books! They let you into the libraries and stuff right?"

Count Valos has posed:
Mullonde was, as far as Lord Valos knew, like any other theocracy... a realm built upon people who are either genuine believers, or those who exploit the system and its philosophical protocols in order to elevate their rank within said system. Now, he didn't actually know much, but since his experiences with these kinds of institutions were never the kind that would lead one to assimilating an idealistic outlook, he could only venture to guess that it wasn't much different than those he'd run across in the past.

He was willing to reserve judgement until he had more data on the matter, but for now, a healthy distrust would keep him from being suckered into some scam that'd relieve him of his finances, or freedom. When Will gazes upon Gidarch, the nobleman acknowledges the unusual gaze he's being given, however, due to a lifelessness within him, he doesn't see fit to make mention of the fact that the boy has a different 'feel' to him than many others Count Valos has encountered, or even seen from afar. As Will passes by, Gidarch pauses his stride to ruminate over the nature of the child for a moment.... but allows the curiosity to pass him by as easily as it came, almost forgetting about the whole surreality of the type of person he just had scan him over, until said person addresses the dark one.

Gidarch's lower lip quivers scantily as Will asks him a question- the former individual wondering silently how inconvenient this interaction will be, or how long it'll prolong itself, "Affirmative; I was allowed into the libraries. I happen to have the name of a ranking member of the predominant power structure governing this city, which allowed me access to not only the standard archives, but some of the more exclusive ones, as well. What do you seek of me...?" The drow's last query isn't laced with annoyance, hinting a reluctance to accommodate, though.... his demeanor is certainly not a warm one, either. Whatever power stems from within Will, in defiance of the uniqueness it possesses, Gidarch has far more self-discipline than most.... enough that he doesn't become 'caught up' in whatever force flows through the boy.... not yet, at any rate.

Will Sherman has posed:
Will blinks a few times...

"Geeze formal aren'tcha?" he says, with a more normal response of a person of his stature and age. "Well, you're not chasing me off so that's something." he considers, "Well, you see. There is stuff I need to know, but they won't let me talk to important people or read their stupid books because...well, appearances and all." he says, with a grin.

"I really need to start researching this topic...I mean, it's...pretty freekin' important that I do so." he scratches the back of his head, trying not to reveal too much of what this subject is or why it is so important. However there is something genunine about the request... "Or maybe you can help me research it. I ain't so good with actually doing research and that stuff. I'm much more about doing things."

"Luck only gets you so far, ya know?"

Count Valos has posed:
Gidarch's gaze remains unlively as does his body's posture, still slouching unconcernedly while Will starts to ramble about wanting to do research, but being unable to do so. Patience is one of the dark one's virtues, on the other hand, so he doesn't show signs of nervousness seen in a person trying to bail out on somebody in need, even though the reality is that he'd probably rather continue on his way.

The only saving grace of Will's is that he had a peculiarly piercing look that evoked inquisitiveness within the nobleman, thus preventing an instantaneous self-established ejection from the conversation; Count Valos wouldn't demand Sherman leave, but he might ordinarily just continue to walk on while dismissing the boy. Ever so subtle is the raise of an eyebrow while Will describes his request without actually going into detail, as though the drow is growing suspicious by not being provided with many particulars.... after all, the devil is in the details, and he isn't about to agree to something masked in obscurity. Again.... as a man who tries to stay neutral until such time he can discover the truth behind one's motives, he continually attempts to forestall judgement, in the hopes that the use of his time here will be justified, "In my view, everything is luck. There is, however.... another time and place for such a discussion."

The Count nods to Will, humoring him for the time being, offering the boy a chance to elaborate on the matter of what's being requested, so that Gidarch doesn't have to walk into a situation completely blind, "With what little information I have, I am currently in a position where I shall be forced to either extrapolate, or to seek clarification in order to perform this task. What would you have me do?" Needless to say, the dark one hasn't actually conceded to anything, but he's at least willing to listen; after which, he'll follow up by naming a price, most likely, since he's not a philanthropist. The Count is not a monster, either, regardless of his outward appearance, scars and clawed hands.... he's not going to try to extort Will by charging an arm and a leg,... The Count will try to charge a fair price.

Will Sherman has posed:
Hey! Someone who is listening...and has a interesting view on luck.

Will, idly, decides to grab a coin. He flips it as the conversation continues.

"Well, okay. See...this is going to sound crazy and stupid, so you're gona have to have to listen to me." he continues, "You see...I...well, okay, lets say I know someone who is ageless, well...I guess that isn't true. They just don't age, and found out because...well, they are the only thing holding back a eldrich horror. They are told, though, that the more they use powers that they took for granted...the weaker the seal gets...BUT...that they have a strange power all on their own, and just need to find a way to somehow start using this new magic."

The count might notice that the coin he flips has came up heads. Every. Single. Time. Not once did it come up tails. It continues to hit heads. Without end.

"So I am trying to help this person, so they don't die, and unleash said thing on the world. He'd be really upset if he lost all his friends because of this thing...which kinda sucks for him because he had no coice in the matter of being the seal."

Count Valos has posed:
The Count's take on providence may indeed be unusual, but that's yet to be seen- regardless, he's listening, and willing to give Will the benefit of the doubt by suspending disbelief as humbly requested. As Gidarch hears the tale, he yields a bit of charity by demonstrating a lack of doubt, and confirming that he believes in the possibility of 'immortality', "Hmm. In my world, there was a sub-species of jellyfish that never completely died. When it reached the end of its maturation process, it would revert back into a polyp, which is a jellyfish in its infantile stage of life.... and it would perpetually oscillate between aging and anti-aging.... It was hypothesized that there were probably some specimens somewhere in the world that were thousands of years old, or even beyond that." Being a master of aquatic life and the sciences surrounding it, knowing of such creatures was right up Gidarch's alley(And for Will's player's enjoyment, Valos' player notes that there is a real life organism called the 'Immortal Jellyfish' which can theoretically live forever)!

Pacing back and forth a moment, Gidarch rests one elbow on his other arm, which is crossed over his chest, after placing his sack on the ground, unworried that it'll be successfully pilfered by anyone; not that it's especially extravagant in its noticeability, but the sack is closed tightly by a thick metal clasp. Rubbing his chin as he observes the flipped coin continually land heads up, the dark one has to wonder if the boy before him is versed in coin-flipping, or has some abstract power on his side that grants him this 'lucky' streak; mayhap it originates from the same source that gives Will such an unusual vibrance of fatedness to him.

"I can not lend you any of the books that are in my custody.... nor can I fetch the books you desire and bring them to you, because they would still my responsibility. One option remains...." Punctuating the significance of his next statement, he stops moving, and stares at Will from over his shoulder, "If you were to hear the name, by chance, of the individual whose referral allowed me authority to attain the books I have attained.... that name, if used by yourself, would grant you enough authority to infiltrate the libraries, despite your age; this I assure you." He nods and then pivots to face Will's direction, looking at him with a stern, deadpan expression, "On the other hand, I can not be held accountable for what you might do, so if you somehow got ahold of this zealot's name, there must be no association between my actions bringing about your acquisition of the name. You would also have to tell the caretakers that you were given the referral... which would require that you speak fraudulently, or else seek the individual who could give you a referral, in order to legitimize your declaration."

The Count shrugs, "How you went about enacting the second half of this plan would be at your discretion, but I can not promise that the ranking member of the church would, in fact, give you leave to enter the archives..... which means, you may have to stretch the truth, or be completely dishonest. What you do with the information is up to you."

Will Sherman has posed:
Will blinks at the count for a long time.

"I hate the ocean." he states, bluntly. You can see the shiver go down his back, rather it's a phobia or something else...the kid just /utterly/ hates it.

He realizes that Count Valos is watching the coin, and he stops flipping it, holding it out and showing that is indeed a real coin. He even hands it to the dark elf. "Go ahead. Flip it."
5r If the count does, this time. It is tails. Every. Single. Time. There is no weight to it. No special sensation...no trick. It's a normal coin.

"Heads. Heads. Tails. Tails. Heads. Tails." he says, and if The Dark Elf flips the coin...those results happen.

"Huh...so you are willing to give me the name of the guy who got you access? Okay, I can deal with that...it's better than just trying to sneak into the building myself and causing mischief. I hear they might send me to prison for that." he says, seemingly not very afraid of that. But he's afraid of the ocean. "Well, if you gave me the name, I guess I could either talk to him...or just completely abuse the trust he gave you." Will shrugs, with a small grin.

Count Valos has posed:
When Will shivers, Gidarch's lips curl into a faint smile, as he learns something about the boy... or, thinks he does, but going by the youngling's reaction, he can assume nothing other than that. This information isn't set in stone as solid fact, for only by using the scientific method does the dark one truly place his faith in what he observes, yet, as he said in regards to luck- there is a time and place for everything, and discovering whether Will has a veritable aversion towards the ocean, or water in general, is unproven. One thing is noteworthy, though.... he doesn't actually accept the coin, he keeps his arms crossed.

The tidbit about the ocean being despised is something Gidarch keeps in the corner of his mind, but will not meditate on heavily; there are other things to revere for the time being.... one of which involves allowing this 'bargain' to reach fulfillment. "I did not say that I am willing to give you the name of the entity who gave me access." The dark one stares blankly at Will, without any fear in his expression whatsoever. He bends down, so that he's closer to the boy's eye level as he reiterates, "I said that it could possibly come into your possession, if you are lucky.... but I wish for there to be no direct, incontrovertibly provable link between its entering into your life, and any participation on my part of said event transpiring....."

Returning to a more natural, less stressful stance, though still with a minor slouch, Gidarch remarks, "I am not advising you to give preference to either course of action, mind you.... I am merely suggesting ideas for you, if it so happens that you get ahold of the knowledge you need to pierce the defenses of the library, without there being as likely a chance for negative consequences." Count Valos is not necessarily a delinquent, he's just a man who sees an opportunity, and nudges destiny in a certain direction that could lead to desirable results- perhaps Gidarch, was in fact.... just the right person to solve Will's dilemma,... maybe, just maybe.... his ability to bring destiny to its consummation is an element within the world that has merit to it! But again.... everything comes with a price, "....The question remains.... if you ended up receiving something you desired, I would want something I desired. And.... a chain-reaction that comes about because of your actions /could/ potentially lead to my obtaining something I desired; would you not agree to this.... hypothesis?"

Will Sherman has posed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OmPW3mamSE

The music starts playing, for everyone's enjoyment when the wordy man continues to make his offer. Will blinks at him a few times, taking his hand back and pocketing the coin. Okay, fine, his trick is pretty amazing but HE doesn't get to see it, because he is a stick in the mud.

Will tilt's his head back, trying to process the words of the dark elf, then slowly nods.

"Alright...so...what is it you desire? Maybe I can work out a deal, but you know...you should be careful what you wish for...it might just come true." he says, with a strange...look. That look of someone who might just have gotten his wish...or has seen them come true. Once more, Will seems to be older than he should be...

"So what is it you need me to do, or want from me? If you need a mystery or a crime solved, I know a few guys that can help with that. If you want money...well, I ask you to look at me a bit harder and think about that."

Count Valos has posed:
No, Gidarch is not interested in coin-tricks, but atop that.... a boy who makes a coin land heads up every time is mysterious enough to be someone who might be carrying around cursed items, especially the way he refers to immortality. A stick in the mud? The Count was definitely in the mud not long ago, and thanks to Morrighan, he's still alive.... so maybe the chain of events that led to this moment in time is what will help Will bring about his little transformation of whomever is going through difficult times. "My wish is for events to unfold as they will. Simultaneously, I still, perhaps futilely, attempt to exert enough force originating from my being in order to stimulate certain results that I /believe/ to be preferable."

He allows his eyelids to droop while looking at Will, suggesting that he feels mostly indifferent towards outcome, in spite of all that he aspires to achieve. A contradictory sort of philosophy, but one that has seemed to work for the dark one, up until this point, evidently. Will's tone and his words portend trouble, but defying the possibility of any conceivable consequence, Gidarch remains mostly unfazed by the boy's implied warning; by the same token, for how fastidious the drow is, Will might be able to assume that the dark one is indeed careful.... not in just he wishes for, but in everything he endeavors towards accomplishing.

"I want.... to have a book that can provide details on how to transform a living, or undead entity into solid stone. And, I want the state of their petrification to be irreversible by any means other than that of the most potent magic or resource; an example being something containing the caliber of power of Super-Soft. Currently, I have the power to mineralize persons temporarily, but gold needles can remedy them rather easily, as quaint as that sounds. In my travels.... I have not found such a power.... yet. But it must exist. I will be alive for some time, so I do not need it immediately, but procuring it within a decade or thereabouts would be most ideal." Staring intently at Will, Count Valos inquires, "....How does that sound?"

Will Sherman has posed:
Will looks right at Count Valos with the most horrified expression he could muster. It was litterally the worst thing he has heard, short of turning someone into a heartless, that he has heard in years. Hell, even what he saw of the Third Race was less horrid than the desire of this dark elf. Will just turns away, shaking his head.

"/Hell no./" he comments, and walks. "Whatever is wrong with you, I am not about to even bother with it. Don't let me find you outside the city either, or somewhere with lots of guards to help keep you not beat up." he says, with a growl.

"Screw this. I am just going to find that rat for help." he mutters, not even turning back to give the Dark Elf another glance.

Count Valos has posed:
The horrified expression doesn't affect Gidarch for the most part, though as Will opens his mouth to bark at him, replying with a 'Hell no', the drow's expression contorts remotely into disappointment for but a fraction of a moment, before it resumes its usual, impassive visage. Reaching down to grab his sack, he calmly picks it up, and remarks, rhetorically, "Did you know that it has been said that violence is the recourse of the one who has no intellectual, or logical method of coercion?" With this, he adopts a mildly smug expression for the moment, and then continues on his way across the bridge. Ironic that Will mentions something about asking a 'rat' for help, since the one who Gidarch would have sent him after was indeed, a rodent.... and it was entirely possibly in this world riddled with inevitable destinies, that it was the very same rat they both had on their minds.