Antumbra | Private Conversations: Iago

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This isn't about surviving our arrangement, Iago...

[That was the point he was trying to make!! Wording it like that makes him feel kind of bad.

He glances at the bed...and starts to gather up some of the blankets.]

At least allow me to join you down there.

[psychophant]

[That gets a light laugh out of him, but he moves his blankets over a bit before sitting on the floor and gesturing for Dist to join him.]

Join me, then. I imagine the others would tease us terribly if they had any idea what we were doing.

[This really is a teen girl sleepover, isn't it... All they need to do is talk about crushes and paint each others' nails!!!]

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[Smiling, he grabs his blankets and pillow and starts spreading them out next to Iago's.]

I would say that they were simply jealous.

[Because honestly, he's quite happy about this. He's certainly not going to let the others take that away from him.]

I would have suggested sharing the more comfortable bed, but they are so tiny.

[And that's like...kind of forward.]

[psychophant]

[...You know, he won't even tease Dist for that one for once in his miserable life.]

That would be a bit uncomfortable. They're small enough for only one person, after all.

[Maybe next time he'll get someone to lug the mattress in... because he is not risking losing a nail to that!!]

I'm still not certain why they put us here when the whole point of a hotel is for people to stay in it...

[They probably have way nicer beds there too?? Ugh.]

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[THANKS, BUDDY...

Dist settles down now that his blankets are in order.]

Oh, that is a good point... But I believe you know exactly why. It wouldn't do for us to rest in something upscale. No, we must be relegated to...this.

[You know. This. The clergy housing is so utterly drab.]

I don't suppose it would be too much of a hassle to utilize one of the rooms, though. We face a lack of electricity where we are anyway. The only benefit of remaining here is the certainty of privacy. We have keys here.

[The hotel probably uses electronic keycards...]

[psychophant]

Ah, of course, I hadn't given that too much thought.

[What a shame... Oh well.]

I suppose it could be worse. At least tonight should be pleasant enough.

[Sleeping on the floor aside, of course!!]

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Oh, of course it should! That was simply a thought for another time, I suppose. If we wanted to do this again.

[But that's getting a little ahead of himself.]

Do you have any rituals before turning in for the night...?

[psychophant]

Not particularly. I've already taken care of most of them.

[Changing into looser clothes from the opera house, removing his makeup, and taking care of his hair, along with removing the mask and circlet.]

Usually I update my notes, but that can wait for tomorrow.

[There's going to be another murder and trial to cover tomorrow, after all...]

What about you?

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Once I have freshened up in the bath, I tend to read before going to sleep. I was doing just that when you arrived tonight.

[So Iago caught him at a really good time. He would've been heading to bed soon!]

My sleep schedule was much more erratic back home—when I would often work well into the night—so I must say it was quite the change to be able to develop something structured.

[psychophant]

Oh, I'm the same way. That's why I don't have much of a routine; I simply didn't have time for anything most nights. I'd be lucky if I made it to bed before midnight.

It is nice to have a bit of a break from that, though. What have you been reading lately?

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Alas, there is hardly time to rest for geniuses such as ourselves.

[It's a wonder how they managed to hide their sleep deprivation.]

I thought I would go through the book that Erik found in the Lady's room at the castle. But I am beginning to think that this was something she went through early in our time here. The discoveries that I made with her tools other day rules out anything practical. Something beyond ordinary infrastructure is at play here, and the dead have apparently hinted at such.

[psychophant]

[Makeup and naturally looking great, clearly!!]

I wish we had a better way to communicate with them... There's simply so much we still don't know. It's both fascinating, and a bit frustrating.

[Sigh!!]

But I'm not surprised you're keeping busy, even late at night. You've been a great asset to all of us, and for as irritating as it is, I certainly can't fault the Lady for taking an interest in you. Not that she'll ever get to lay a finger on you, of course.

[.........is he really in any position to be threatening the lady, no, but he will totally try to anyway!!]

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I feel as though we have learned far more from them than our own investigations...which makes it all the more frustrating. [Because that implies dying is the only way to get actual answers??? And no thanks.] The most we can do is continue to keep an eye out for newly lit locations...

[Considering how hard shit is going to hit the fan, they could all use a little more encouraging news.

That last bit gets a genuine laugh out of Dist.]

Is that the intent to fight the Lady for me I hear?

[He asks in a joking tone, but he is actually very happy to hear that... Because he honestly has no idea how else he's going to get out of working for the Lady after this.]

[psychophant]

[The first part gets a nod; it's frustrating, but being dead is the worst possible outcome and not one he's particularly interested in experiencing.]

I have a few ideas in mind, should she decide to be particularly difficult.

[He says with a pleasant smile, like he isn't discussing murder!!]

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Are you sure you're a mage? Because you sound quite like my knight in shining armor at the moment.

[He kind of loves it, honestly...]

[psychophant]

You'd absolutely take that back if you could see my magic at work.

[HIS MAGIC IS OVERWHELMINGLY EVIL]

But I suppose I won't complain about the comparison. Consider yourself lucky.

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Allow me this one attempt to woo you, Iago!

[oh my god]

Fine, fine. You may be my mage cloaked in oppressive shadow magic!

[psychophant]

Oh, don't worry, you're doing perfectly fine even without the attempts.

[IS HE JUST SMILING LIKE THAT OR IS HE WINKING, IS THIS SERIOUS OR JUST IAGO BEING IAGO]

But that is my preferred role. Allow my dark magic to crush your enemies and warp the minds of those who would seek to harm you.

[HE IS STILL SAYING THIS WITH A STRAIGHT FACE]

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O-Oh.

[Iago throws him off again. As much as he tries to look smooth about it, it's still obvious he's also trying not to look like he wants to die.

W-Was that supposed to mean Iago...really does like him already??]

Hm. That does have a much more satisfying ring to it. I am no tactician, but I eagerly await seeing you do away with those in my way.

[psychophant]

[dist is so cute, but he actually recovers this time!!! pro...gress...???]

I would like nothing more. Of course, I do have to figure out how to get my magic back, but I'll be unstoppable once I've managed that.

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At least we know the ability to regain it is out there. It will have to be our top priority once this is all over.

[He realizes that's prioritizing something over his own plans, but...perhaps circumstances have changed his mind on some things.]

[psychophant]

[He's certainly noticed that, if the almost surprised expression is any indication. He gets it under control quickly, though.]

That means a lot to me, Dist. Thank you.

[He settles easily enough once that's out there. They're both willing to make temporary sacrifices for their goals in order to help the other out, it seems.]

I'll be sure to repay you as soon as I have my magic working properly again. You certainly won't have to worry about that.

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I've no doubt that you will. If you have your magic back prior to joining me in my world, I imagine it will translate to incredible potential in fonic artes. You will be fonist to rival Jade, I am sure.

[Which, considering what Dist thinks of Jade's talents, well...it's no wonder why he would love to see Iago at his full potential.]

[psychophant]

[Oh, he knows, and he can't help but be incredibly and obviously pleased with the praise.]

If my magic will adapt well to your world, I certainly would be pleased to lend it to your cause. What I seek is power, but that doesn't mean I can't take some time off from my search to help a friend out.

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Honestly, I have found myself wondering what it would be like to have you at the helm of Malkuth, one of the two kingdoms in Auldrant. Its current emperor is a...former acquaintance of mine from my childhood, and he is part of the reason why Jade decided to give up on Fomicry.

[Surprise, Dist has royal connections. They are bitter connections, but still.]