[Mirikon]

Iceblade leaned back in his chair, and said, his eyes shifting between Shivowtnoeh and Arleesh, "There are two ways to keep a secret. The first is to bury it deep. But people are naturally suspicious, naturally looking for an edge. So if they do not find any dirt on you, that convinces them that there is a great deal of dirt out there, and so they dig all the harder. With respect, most dragons are the best example of this. With few exceptions, you reveal as little as you can about yourselves, and what has happened in the ancient past. This leads people to assume that there is something to be hidden, which makes them curious. The only reason more people don't go prying is because of the, shall we say, fiery way your kind have been known to deal with those who annoy them? Some of us do not have the luxuries of such fearsome reputation or ability, and so we must make do."

"Which brings me to the second way of keeping a secret. Perhaps it is ironic that what we're here to discuss involved the late President, for he was a prime example of this. The second way to keep a secret is to live as publicly as you can manage, and arrange for secrets to be revealed from time to time. Once someone's found paydirt, they tend to stop digging. So anything that is hidden deeper still... Well, no one really had any clue just how many pies Dunkelzhan had a claw in until the will was published, and even that was likely just the barest fraction of his plans."

He shrugged. "Not having the resources or reputation of a dragon, I do my best to simply divert attention away from things that I do not wish to discuss. As a former soldier and current runner, I know all about doing something, and someone else getting the credit. I have no problem with doing a run, and not talking about it. I just talk about other things, that people find much more interesting."

"Shark hears the call of blood in the water, yes. But just like any of the predatory totems, Shark will win every fight but his last. Shark is who I am. It is as much a part of me as my magic, or my blade. Few who have not heard the call of a totem can understand what it means to walk that path. But if finding magical threats and neutralizing them is the job, I'm there."

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

"Or you do your work quietly, without fuss or bother, giving people no reason to see you clearly enough to think to try to look for you.  You let other, more flashy individuals take the spotlight."  Arleesh's voice is quiet, an odd mix of resigned and instructive. "If people look at you, you show them what you want them to think - that you are a cog in someone else's great machine.  If they seek further, they see that - because for every one person who is flashy and seeks the spot-light, there are two hundred who are simply working their job to support the person.  You are bland, you are quiet, you are nobody, and this is what they find.  If they discover who you really are - Hawatari outside has done this with Piotyr - then you tell them nothing, and let your choice of enemies and tasks and accomplishments define who you are.  You allow them to see what they can, and find what they can, and draw what conclusions they can.  You are polite, you are courteous, you give away nothing.  You do the job, and you disappear."

Shivowtnoeh rubs the back of his artificial hand with the front of his natural one.  "I think, Iceblade," he says, slowly, "you need to decide which will have your commitment - your lifestyle in spotlight, or this work.  Some shadows are sharpest, best in spotlight; that has been you, and your experience."  He nods at Iceblade, then speaks to Madrecita.  "Some are best in darkness, and I think you know that one best, yes?  We," and by the slight movements of his hands, his expression, it's pretty clear he means himself, the group he belongs to, and probably even Arleesh herself, "work in ... not quite darkness, but very deep shadows, with very little light around.  This is somewhere I think you, Madrecita, are comfortable in.  You, Iceblade ..."  He waggles one hand.  "Perhaps not so much.  But it is how we work, so ..."

[Keita]

Xerena nodded in agreement. "Yes. Most of what I do is hidden, although some of ithave been done in the spotlight. But it is not my preference. But...getting back to  this organisation of yours. How does it work? If I am to accept this offer you make, I must know if I will fit into it. I am, at this time, very much a lone wolf...although that may change in the future." She smiled slightly, glancing briefly at Miri before turning her attention back to Piotyr and Arleesh. "I like the idea of what you do, and how you do it. What I would like to know is what resources you have at your disposal...especially in terms of knowledge...and how much of that I will have access to if I joined. Are there any limits on the things we can learn? And how much additional magic can we learn? Will we also be taught how best to apply it, or are we left to...make it up as we go along? Are there any specific goals and rules besides secrecy? And how much contact will he have with our patron? I'm asking this to assess whether the knowledge and other resources you offer will make up for the additional danger we will face in your service. Miri and I...we have our totems, and they know much, can teach us much. Can you teach us more than they can, give us an advantage over those we hunt i your service that they cannot offer us? I ask this not as a challenge, or out of arrogance. I do not wish to imply that there is nothing you can offer. I merely wish to know how working with you on this will affect us. I get the feeling it may interfere with our, shall we say, regular activities in part or in full, depending on what exactly you expect of us should we agree."

[Mirikon]

Iceblade returned Xerena's smile, before looking back at Shivowtnoeh, and says, "I've made my oaths, and I don't break them. My current lifestyle is part of fulfilling those oaths. I do, however, have a great deal of practice in balancing these oaths and keeping them from coming into conflict. I play the role expected of me, and because of the nature of my cover, I am able to disappear for a few days, and a wink and a few insincere comments, and they believe I was off, entertaining some starlet who doesn't want the tabloids to know she needed a 'friend' over. If I go on a trip to Denver, and happen to shake a few important hands, no one thinks about it, because that's what socialite playboys do. And if when i'm gone suddenly some of those people have a better opinion of my client going into the treaty negotiations, then that's surely just a coincidence."

"I am a freelance worker, as are most who ply the shadows. I do have a few people who call on me more regularly than others, and I could not, in good conscience, forsake those vows, just as I would not consider doing the same to you, Wyrm, or Lady Arleesh. I may not follow Dog, but I do keep the oaths I make. But I do move through circles that I suspect few people who know of your Lady's goals do. As such, I may hear things that would prove of use to you, and I may say things that could spread misinformation as needed. If all your tools act and behave the same way, then you put yourself at risk, since if something is required that is outside the realm of what your tools can do, you either expend far more resources to accomplish your task, or you are forced to rely on outsiders. I am not suggesting that you abandon secrecy and stealth. Indeed, it has served you well, it seems. Rather, I suggest expanding the range of tools on your workbench, so that if a situation arises where you need some flash, you have someone you can call on without divulging secrets, even if it is just a diversion for a deeper thrust by one of the more subtle blades."

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

For a long moment, Piotyr looks at Xerena, then says mildly, "There is a lot of everything of which you ask.  Knowledge, how to apply it, yes.  Patron, you ask of Lady Arleesh?  Depends on if you exhaust the knowledge your others have to teach. After all, this is what is being offered - knowledge, applying it, co-operation in your hunts, helping your, ah, pack-mates with their hunts.  I do not think we are asking you to ... is it replace your totem that you are wondering?"  He gestures with his head towards Arleesh. "Joining her did not make me surrender Svygator; it gave me additional help in applying lessons he teaches, in targeting those whom he would fight if he could."

He glances at Iceblade, then back to Madrecita.  "Would it interfere?  Of course.  To join with others is always to interfere with your own freedom.  Now, though, you must avoid many tough battles if it is surviving you wish to do.  Pick and choose.  Part of else what we offer is ability to ask for aid in choosing larger battles against destroyers.  Working shadows for pay, no, we do not tell you, 'stop this, is bad'.  Become more aware, though, yes.  Answer call of your brothers and sisters, yes."

His attention shifts then to Iceblade.  "Your lifestyle is your choice of manner to complete oaths.  Your oaths may be kept in quiet manner as well or better than as with trumpet sounding.  For all of what you claim, you are fool - fool once to think people who watch events do not see your movements and, suspecting, look; looking, they find.  Fool twice, to think this Lady does not have fingers in your circles already; how is it you think we call you to this place, instead of just Ms. Calderon?  Fool three times, to claim knowledge, surety, wisdom - and show none of them when the showing is of importance.  You wish your flash and lights before thought; you may keep it, for we will have none."

Turning back to Xerena, he says simply, "For you, the offer is open.  For you, the choice is now.  Continue your hunting alone, unsupported but for those with madness in their blood," and he nods at Mirikon, to indicate his meaning, "or pursue larger prey, and return to a clearer light."

[Mirikon]

Iceblade shrugged, though a bit of anger finally showed through his expression. "You may not like my choices, perhaps, but they are my choices. And you'll notice that I never said your lady didn't have claws in the circles I'm in already. Merely that there are different tools for different jobs. You missed the entire point of what I was saying, and don't seem inclined to listen. For instance, constantly insulting someone throughout an interview is considered in bad taste in any civilized country. In some places, the insulted party would be well within their rights to gut you like a fish for some of the things you've said. And it is only out of respect to Xerena and Lady Arleesh that I am still sitting here, after being so consistently insulted, instead of turning you into an exhibition for my garden back home." With that, he leaned back, and looked to Xerena, waiting to see what she would do.

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

Shivowtnoeh shifts his gaze back to Mirikon.  "Your choices are your own.  This is your choice; you have declined our offer in favor of continuing with your fancy flashy lifestyle.  I did not miss your point; it is simply counter to the way we work, because we do have other tools, other information.  You want to be spotlight; you say this is useful.  We do not work that way; there are others who are for the standing in the spotlight.  And if you feel insult, if you believe your abilities are ready to gut me like fish, as you say, you may name time and place.  Or you may strike now - do not use others as excuse for your own cowardice."

His face, throughout all of this, is as it was - bland and perhaps faintly amused.

[Keita]

Xerena sat still through the exchange between the males, glancing briefly at Lady Arleesh, wondering if the males in her society were also as fond of posturing. She shook her head, her face betraying none of her inner amusement.

She lay a hand over Miri's, and with the physical contact, a small mental link through her magic.

He may be playing games with you, and insult you, but keep your eye on the prize. At  the end of the day, he is nothing but an annoyance. He is one more cog in the wheel, so to speak. Don't take him seriously. This is too good an opportunity to let slip by us. Think of all we could learn. That's worth suffering some annoyance for, yes? Besides...you can always gut him later.

She let Miri see her amusement...as well as her resolve.

She turned her attention to Arleesh. "My Lady Arleesh, I am happy to accept your offer. For me...it gives me a long-term purpose that have been long lacking in my life. Better to face the lonely centuries of life ahead of me with a clear path than to forwever be reacting to what is happening, and growing weary of life and living. Yes...I like your offer. I will gladly take it up."

She glanced at Miri, before glaring at Shivowtnoeh. "I have not heard Miri speak of his acceptance or not. Do not draw conclusions for us." She shook her head. "Men."

[Mirikon]

Iceblade sighed. "As I said, out of deference to Xerena and the Lady Arleesh, I won't strike you. I do not start fights in the presence of ladies. Nor do I attack those I know to be the minions of dragons without a contract or the permission of the dragon herself. I am a man who has several ties upon my loyalty already, but I balance them with care, so as not to betray any of those I've sworn oaths to. My public persona is part of those oaths, and so that will not change. Now, where Xerena goes, I go, and that also will not change. I leave it to you to decide the rest."

To Xerena, he sent a simple message, Sorry, my dear, but it has been a long time since someone was allowed to speak to me like that, without at least taking a spell for his trouble.

[Keita]

I understand, Xerena replied, half shocked at the words Miri spoke out loud. Where Xerena goes, I go...Where had she earned that from him? It reminded her of her old team, and it nearly brought a sentimental tear to her eyes. He is a rude person, and I suppose you nobles have that kind of response drilled into you.

She turned her attention back to the Russian, and Arleesh, awaiting their response.

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

"Do not let me stop you," the woman replies in regards to Mirikon's declamation of restraint, sounding like she really doesn't care about the outcome - either of some sort of duel, or of the invitations being offered.  "Be aware, though, that he cheats.  Cheating is wisdom coming the other way; victors write the books.  It is something of which I approve; I play for keeps, as do my people."

Shivowtnoeh sighs and looks up at the ceiling at this, then gives a little grimace, shakes his head, and gets back to business.  Looking at Mirikon, he says simply,  "Then you will have to break one oath or the other."  Shifting his gaze to Xerena, he continues.  "And you misunderstand me.  The Count, ah ha ha, says he keeps flashy lifestyle, there is no way around this.  I think him fool and mad, but this is his choice, to keep this lifestyle.  He now says this is part of his oath, so yes, I respect this, however foolish and mad I think it is.  However, that oath and one I am offering are ... mmmm.  Mutually exclusive, you say, yes?  Other oath require spotlight; this oath require deep shadows.  He has already sworn other oath, so this offer ..." He gives an eloquent shrug.  "We withdraw offer from him.  Not from you, however."

He slides his eyes back over to Iceblade.  "So you see, you cannot follow her into this, unless she declines invitation; this offer is to each of you individually.  Your first oath conflicts with ours; you must decline.  Nor would we have you now; offer to you, withdrawn."

Gaze going back again to Madrecita, he adds, "You may accept or not, depending on what he has just said.  Is up to you.  On one hand,"  he lifts the mechanical one, "teachings you may receive nowhere else."  He gives a slight sideways nod towards Iceblade, adding, "And possibly, should other things fall out, perhaps he can no longer keep other oath, may be available for this one."  A glance sideways, too, and he adds, "Learns wisdom to temper pride.  But that opportunity would require you to be able to offer it to him, as member.  Which means," he adds with a sigh, "you would have to keep secret from him."

[Mirikon]

Mirikon simply shrugged at Shivowtnoeh's words, looking back at Xerena, waiting to see what she would say.

Not just nobles, my dear. Peace Force, as well. A member of your squad can insult you (though you could slug him for it), but when you go outside of rank and unit, then you're asking for trouble. Someone who isn't in the Peace Force at all? A brawl would be the bare minimum response. And as a noble, before the revolution killing a man for speaking to me as he is would earn me nothing more than a fine, unless he was a personal lackey of a Prince.

[Keita]

Xerena shrugged. "So, you're saying that just because he operates differently from you, you won't have him? His methods may make him visible, but I'm willing to bet that there are many things he knows and manages to keep secret. Just because you're visible in one way doesn't mean you can't keep your involvement in something a secret. I don't agree with your reasoning. I think you are wrong, and also, that you are throwing away an opportunity to gain access to circles of knowledge you may not currently have access to. Meaning no disrespect to Lady Arleesh, there are things even dragons don't know. Now, you may already have access to those things...but maybe you don't. I say that Miri have successfully kept his involvement in certain groups secret, in spite of being visible. Well...it is ultimately your loss." She looked Shivowtnoeh straight in the eye. "You suffer the same pride you accuse him of. Most males do, I've noticed..

As for me, and keeping secrets from Miri... I have learned a very valuable lesson from him: keep your private and professional lives seperate. I know there are professional secrets I don't know about - nor do I need to know them. I know him well enough to know his heart...and he mine. I can do this, and he will not question. It would make things easier for everyone to include him, as there is no one I trust more by my side when on a dangerous run.

It is for you to decide. I will accept, with or without him, but it will enhance our ability to serve you, my lady Arleesh, if both are accepted."

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

"I have the power of the veto," replies the Lady, "not the power to require admittance.  To force the groups to admit someone so dead-set against their own practices ..."  She gestures sideways to the Russian.

Shivowtnoeh gives a long-suffering sigh.  "You are self-initiated, yes?  You, either of you, have worked with people, spoken to them, about how group works, yes?  To act in certain ways is to damage links with astral contacts - makes them less useful, less favoring of you.  To be in spotlight the way he is," and he nods at Mirikon, giving no indication that he cares that talking about the Tir elf in the third person right in front of him is rude, "is not good for how we have our oaths given.  And yes," and he shrugs, "it is style I do not like - which maybe you call pride, which is something you can do, but little lone wolfs have their own pride too, hmm?  Is not male thing only."

He waves his hand.  "Your bitching is away from point, misses point entirely.  This is not only service to Lady, it is working together.  Working together in magic means you have similar ways of working, or things are much harder.  We are not going to change entire way for just one person, no matter how well-linked in normal world he is; this disrupts entire working.  This works for us for many years, and we are not going to be changing it.

"So."  He sits forward again, lacing flesh with plastic.  "He is no, she is yes."  Shivowtnoeh nods down to the cases.  "I think the blue would be best - we have not spent so much time as that."

"Not yet," says the Great Feathered Serpent, clearly to Shivowtnoeh's surprise.  Her gaze is upon Mirikon, but clearly not sharpened to the level which 'it is known' that the Great Dragons can bend their thought - intent but not, ah, probing, shall we say.  "Your mate suggests you wish to serve.  Is this true?  And to what depth is this desire set?"

[Mirikon]

Iceblade twitched slightly at yet another insult from the Russian, but didn't say anything. When Arleesh spoke to him directly, he bowed his head, and said, "It is not my custom to speak so openly, but my sister, who loyally served Prince Hestaby until her death, told me that one should never lie to a dragon, for they always know. From what I've heard here today, the work you do is work well worth doing. As I have said, I have sworn Oaths, some binding beyond the limits of my own personal honor, but even the ones without the weight of magic behind them I would not betray lightly. I am Count Mirikon Mollen of Tir Tairngir and a Colonel in the Peace Forces, and I have sworn to protect the Princes of that land, and the country itself. Since events following the Crash, I have been living in Seattle. As I have said, I play the noble in plain sight, and the combat mage in the shadows. Both roles are a part of my oaths, as part of a deeper cover for my service to the Peace Force. I balance these roles with care, and I do not betray the trusts put upon me, whether it is a promise for discretion from a client I'm escorting for a night, or the secrets of the runners I work with, or the jobs I do for my 'handler' here in the city. If you would have my service, I will balance my duties to you as carefully as I do these. I take any oath I make seriously, Milady Arleesh."

"Yes, I wish to help you with this task of destroying magical threats. As I said, a task like this helps me in my other oaths. Also, I wish to be by Xerena's side. Wolf and Shark hunt alone, but together we have done some amazing things. And I would protect her with my life. But I cannot, and will not, forsake my vows. Even should it mean my death, I will not break a vow I've given. So yes, I wish to serve, but there are limits to what I am able to do."