[hr][hr][hr] [center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjEwNi5kMTBkYTQuVEdWdVlTQk5ZWEpwWlNCTmIyOXVjMmhoWkc5My4w/junggle.regular.webp[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/joJImSL.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjEwNi4wODhhNzEuUVhWdWIzUm9JRlpsYjIxaGRtVmhJRXBoWTJ0emIyNGdVM1J2Ym1VLjI/sharp-ist-font.regular.webp[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/og8JWf8.png[/img][/center] [right][code] “Tuesday, April 15th 00:10’[/code][/right] [hr][hr][hr] The room fell into a moment of silence for the destroyed bust, save for the faint shuffle of shoes on the ground and the occasional nervous cough. Lena leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, as she surveyed the small group of people who had gathered. Her eyes landed on a short, stocky figure with damp hair and a faint smell of lake water clinging to them. Beside them stood a half-elf clutching the remains of what had once been a cherry pie, now reduced to a sad, smushed mess. Lena couldn’t resist raising the mood. She listened as everyone introduced themself and waited for her moment to strike. Eventually, a smell wafted her way and she had it. [color=FF00FF]“Hey, Cailean,”[/color] she called out, her voice dripping with mock concern. [color=FF00FF]“I love the smell of your cologne, is that Eau de Dockwater? It’s very,”[/color] Lena flashed a genuine smile, [color=FF00FF]“fresh. Good thinking on the pie, though, who would’ve thought we would be down one already.”[/color] Her eyes flashed to Jackson who simply shook his head. He had always told her that her jokes could sometimes go from good-natured fun to mean quickly, and judging by his reaction she may be perceived as mean. Lena did not like that and she knew she had to change the story. [color=FF00FF]“It was dark in here and Jackson was hearing voices and seeing shadows,”[/color] Lena forgot to mention that it was she who heard the voice, and she paused as she pointed towards the destroyed bust, [color=FF00FF]“he got scared and the bust was what he took that fear out on. A sad story.”[/color] [color=008B8B]“That is not how I remember it going,“[/color] Jackson said as he crossed his arms. [color=008B8B]“I recall-“[/color] [color=FF00FF]“Shush, shush, shush”[/color] Lena started but paused as she heard a tapping sound. [i]*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*[/i] Lena turned her head to the doorway to the next room. The tapping sound was harsh and sounded like a thin object striking the tile floor and it sounded like it was coming from above them. The room fell silent as measured footsteps echoed down a staircase and filled the room of these would-be mages. The steps continued downward, out of sight, but each one was deliberate and measured. Eventually, they stopped just around the corner and the room was once again silent. Then, a man turned the corner and the group was face-to-face with The Archivist. He was an imposing figure, tall and lean, who carried with him an air of calculated precision that bordered on arrogance. A neatly trimmed beard framed his sharp features, and his piercing eyes seemed to dissect the room with a single, dismissive glance. Dressed in a tailored suit that looked like it belonged to another era, he carried himself with the kind of authority that made it clear he expected obedience. His ears were pointed, giving away his Elvish lineage. A silver cane rested in one hand, though he didn’t seem to need it for support—it was more like a prop, a tool to emphasize his superiority. [color=DAA520]“Ah,”[/color] he said, his voice smooth and dripping with condescension, each syllable enunciated with a crisp British accent. [color=DAA520]“The rabble hath arrived. How… quaint. I suppose punctuality is too much to ask from those unaccustomed to the concept of [i]timekeeping[/i].”[/color] The man paused as he pulled out his stopwatch. While he knew that it was set five minutes ahead, that did not excuse this sorry excuse for a group from not being early. He stepped further into the room, the cane tapping lightly against the floor with each deliberate step. His gaze swept over the assembled group, lingering briefly on each face as if mentally cataloging their flaws. When his eyes landed on Lena and Jackson, there was a flicker of something—amusement, perhaps, or disdain. They followed the smell and landed on Cailean, and his face recoiled with disgust. Mason drew a dismissive look. Azure warranted a longer look, and the Archivist chuckled ever so at the way this man carried himself. Every member of the group drew a look, and overall it seemed this man before them was not impressed by what he saw. The Archivist’s gaze lingered on the group for a moment longer, his expression a mix of disdain and faint amusement as if he were observing a collection of particularly unimpressive insects. He snapped his stopwatch shut with a sharp click and tucked it back into his pocket, the sound echoing in the tense silence. [color=DAA520]“Well,”[/color] he said, his tone dry and dripping with condescension, [color=DAA520]“I suppose we must make do with what we have. However, I must say, that the universe’s standards appear to have… slipped. I mean really, is this the best magic could bring?”[/color] His eyes flicked to Cailean and his nose wrinkled slightly. [color=DAA520]“And you,”[/color] he said, pointing the tip of his cane in their direction, [color=DAA520]“might consider investing in a towel. Or perhaps a bath. The smell is… terrible.”[/color] The Archivist raised an eyebrow as he pointed toward Pom, his lips curling into a faint, mocking smile. [color=DAA520]“How generous that you too brought pie. Though I fail to see how a destroyed pastry has brought anything of value to this gathering.”[/color] Lena snorted, unable to help herself. [color=FF00FF]“He does not like pie,”[/color] she whispered towards Cailean. The Archivist’s sharp eyes snapped to her, and she quickly schooled her expression into something resembling innocence. [color=FF00FF]“Sorry,”[/color] she said, holding up her hands. [color=FF00FF]“Just… appreciating the feedback. Really constructive stuff. You are doing really great with this first impression and all. I like it.”[/color] The Archivist’s gaze narrowed, but before he could respond, Jackson stepped in. He got in between the man and Lena, and used his massive frame to look down on The Archivist. As he did this, Burnie Cinder floated over his head and grew larger and more vibrant in color. [color=008B8B]“We’re not here to be scolded, nor are we looking for your approval. So, how about we skip the critiques and get to the part where you tell us why we’re here, how you knew we had magic, and what you know before I make a doorway through your wall over there and leave.”[/color] Lena remained silent, the tension thickening as the Archivist turned his full attention to Jackson by craning his neck back. For a moment, it seemed like he might unleash a scathing retort, but then he chuckled—a low, humorless sound. He placed his cane in his armpit and then clapped three times before he took a step forward. [color=DAA520]“Bravo! Brave words,”[/color] the Archivist said, his tone icy. [color=DAA520]“But bravery without competence is merely recklessness. Let us hope, for your sake, that you possess at least a modicum of the latter.”[/color] [color=FF00FF]“Brave words,”[/color] Lena whispered, mimicking the Archivist’s tone. [color=FF00FF]“But recklessness wit-”[/color] Jackson tapped Lena on the shoulder to hush her as he grinned, though his eyes were still wary. He had a bad feeling about the man, and wondered if it was worth it to even The Archivist simply looked at Lena with the sides of his eyes and scoffed. [color=DAA520]“I have lived a long life, [i]girl[/i],”[/color] he started and leaned forward, [color=DAA520]“and you have already proven yourself to be as annoying as anyone I have met so congratulations.”[/color] He tapped his cane on the ground sharply. [color=DAA520]“We don’t have time to waste. Follow me and-”[/color] [color=FF00FF]“Hold up for just a minute,”[/color] Lena paused as she took a step towards the middle of the group, [color=FF00FF]“we have a lot of questions that you need to answer first. Like what is magic, why did we develop it, and why the fuck are you such a cunt”[/color] Lena paused as she threw her arms out wide, [color=FF00FF]“I think we deserve to have some questions answered [i]first[/i], before we do anything with you.”[/color] [color=DAA520]“We’ll get to that when we-”[/color] [color=red]“NO.”[/color] Burnie Cinders spelled into the air as it flew from it’s perch above Jackson and landed in front of The Archivist [color=FF00FF]“You heard the fire. We have questions, you have answers, and we want them [i]now[/i].”[/color] [color=DAA520]“Very well,”[/color] The Archivist placed the cane on the ground and put one hand on top of the other on top of the cane. A look of profound annoyance fell over his face, and he looked at the group with a particular disdain. [color=DAA520]“Ask away.”[/color]