An appointment with heirtothearcane

[chiron_survivor]

Adia sits eagerly in the waiting room of Viatorus's office, a small notebook and pen in her hands. Surprised that the dreamwalker had agreed to meet with her so soon after Khan's invasion, she leapt at the chance anyway. The anti-violence was restored, after all, and Isidor surely wouldn't have let her brother return to the Nexus if any danger remained.

In a way, Adia, too, was restored, freed from a filthy settlement and returned to her spaceship. She is once again dressed semi-professionally, her hair clean, the mottled bruise on the left side of her face the only reminder of her close call on New Caprica. More importantly, her heart is filled with hope -- hope for her people's future, and hope for her own.

Absently doodling a tulip in the corner of her notebook, she glances up every so often at the office door in anticipation of it opening. She can't wait to talk to Viatorus about the possibility of a research lab in the Nexus, one that caters to both magic and science. Oh, and maybe she should mention Iphigenia's idea of building a shrine to their gods in the Nexus, too...

And her nightmares. She's supposed to ask about how to stop her nightmares.

Her excitement tempered by the unpleasant reminder, she scratches out the tulip while she waits. By the time Viatorus arrives, it's nothing but an angry blue blot.

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

"Are there vampires on your Earth?" She hopes it isn't absurd for her to ask. On a world where magic is real and gods talk to humans, it's hard for her to predict what is outlandish and what is commonplace. "We had scary stories of them, but I... you know, I try not to judge anyone in the Nexus based on their physical nature. If I did, I doubt I'd have any friends." She certainly never would have befriended any robots.

"That sounds inconvenient, that his visions are so unpredictable. Does he know when one's coming on?" The description reminds her of seizures, curiously enough, and she almost asks if his cousin also had them as a child, but she thinks better of it. That's not her business. But it does make her wonder if there's any sort of hereditary connection between the two. "That's unfortunate, that people react that way. My friend's visions weren't the most reassuring, but I appreciated them anyway."

"Good," she says immediately. "Good for her." She relaxes immediately at the news, leaning back again and rewarding Lyra's patience with a good head scratch. "It was pretty bad, yeah. Khan tore up nearly half the Industrial District looking for Jim..." She trails off without going into detail, not wanting to give him any disturbing images. "And I was there... for a while, actually. I was using my first aid training to help the injured, but I wasn't anywhere near the fighting."

Adia had not forgotten their earlier conversation of magic and bloodlines. It again reminds her of royalty, although she can't help but frown a little as she considers the converse of his statement. "What about people with weak magic? What do they do?"

[heirtothearcane]

"Yes. I-I think so. I mean, I've never actually seen one, or talked to one. But I've heard about them." He's quiet, nodding in agreement with her while she talks. "I try to as well. I'm… I'm not sure I'm very good at it, but I do try." He hesitates, wondering briefly whether to continue or not. "Sometimes… Sometimes when I'm finding it difficult I like to think that everyone has similar dreams. That no matter what they are or what they look like, a person still dreams of home and family, of fears and embarrassment… It makes people more normal when I think of that."

"If he can then he's never told us. There are times we're in the middle of a conversation and he'll start talking about something completely different, or calling me by the wrong name." To Viatorus it has always been described exclusively as a magical or divine affliction. Associating it with physical maladies never even crossed his mind. "Was she careful about who she shared her visions with? I suppose as a vampire she could always take care of herself if it brought her any trouble."

Viatorus' shoulders shake as a shiver runs down his spine. He swallows hard and takes a deep breath. "I should visit him. I should visit all my friends. Everything's been so chaotic… I…" He glances at Adia and sighs, shoulders lifting guiltily. "I don't know what to do out there. All I can do is be glad that people like you are around to help."

"Whatever they like," he answers with a blink. It takes him a minute to realise where the confusion might be. "It's my family that only considers people with strong magic for marriage. Well, not just my family, but mainly mine. Some mages live like normal people in normal families. They're able to marry whoever they like."

[chiron_survivor]

As much as she'd like to reassure him that he's good at not judging others, she can't really know. She's human, after all, about as harmless as they come. She's more sure of it, though, when he explains himself. "That's a wonderful sentiment," she says, smiling appreciatively. "I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I meet someone very different from myself."

"That sudden, then," she murmurs, her brow creased in thought. If she didn't know that his cousin was a Seer, she'd assume it was some sort of delirium. Good thing he has others looking out for him. "I'm not sure, actually. I know that she was very generous with her ability in the Nexus." Laughing a little, she adds, "Yeah, she could definitely take care of herself. She had super strength and speed, and was a skilled fighter... she was beautiful, too, and so kind. Sometimes I wished that I could be more like her... minus the blood-drinking, of course."

Hearing the guilt in his voice, she places a reassuring hand on his arm. "I stayed because I've been through something like that before," she explains. "But I spent just as much time helping other people to portals or shelter. I'm glad you weren't there. No one should have to witness something like that if they can help it." Lyra complains a little at being neglected, so Adia withdraws her hand and resumes petting her. "You know Jim, too?" if she holds Jim at fault at all for bringing Khan’s wrath to the Nexus, she doesn’t show it. "I have to admit, I'm incredibly jealous of the amount of research he's doing on his ship. It sounds light years ahead of mine."

"Oh." She blushes a little at her initial assumption, that only certain people could get married as a way of "culling the herd" of weak magic users. His answer sounds far less draconian. "Well, that's... good for them, I guess. Does that noticeably dilute the magical ability of future generations?"

[heirtothearcane]

Whether or not it actually ever helps Adia, V feels a knock of pride that she would consider his perspective in future. It brings a bright, if flickering, smile to his face and he dips his head in acknowledgement. "I hope it helps."

"The Nexus does allow people to be more generous," he says, both agreeing and thoughtful at once. As Adia lists off all the wonderful things about her friend, he briefly wonders how close they were. Seers do have a tendency to get close to people, though, when they can see and know such personal things. Not unlike himself. Viatorus smiles gently. "I've said that about Isidor before. N-Not the blood drinking part, but the rest. That's when I get told that the world needs people like me, like you, too. Oraskis always says it would be terrible if everyone was the same."

The reassuring contact surprises him, but he's quick to try for a smile to make sure she knows he doesn't mind it. It's kind of her to try and console him, but there's something there in the pit of his stomach, the tip of his tongue. The subject has changed onto Jim before he can properly put whatever it is into words. "I don't know him well, but I know him... Maybe he can show you some of the things in his world some day? Or would you think that's cheating, to see things from a more advanced world?"

"I've been told it does, but I don't really pay attention to that." He lifts his shoulders and smiles apologetically. "I don't usually take part in those conversations if I can help it. Isidor would have to, sometimes, but I avoid them. I'm more interested in the people and what sort of things they do than how powerful they are... But anyone who comes to my family's parties are busy trying to justify being there." He thinks for a minute. "I've heard of unexpectedly powerful mages whose heritage is barely traceable, so I suppose you don't need pure magical blood to be powerfully magical."

[chiron_survivor]

She smiles back, happy to see such a bright smile on his face, if only for a moment. "You've given me a lot to think about when it comes to dreams, applying them in ways I hadn't considered... somehow I don't think microscopic organisms are nearly as universal, although I'd be surprised to meet someone who didn't have bacteria on them somewhere."

Considering that she was a bridesmaid for her friend, they must have been fairly close. But as a shy, insecure newcomer to the Nexus, there might have been a natural imbalance to that friendship. She'd likely say the same thing about Isidor, if given a chance. "My mom used to say that it takes all kinds," she comments, in thoughtful agreement with his words. "We all have value, as people."

There's a slight pause before she replies. She can tell that something is eating away at him, but she doesn't want to pry. If it's more guilt at not being there to help, she could only tell him again how glad she was that he wasn't there. Rather than resent his innocence from war and violent destruction, she wants to preserve it. He didn't have the childhood that she had, so let him have the adulthood that she cannot. It's a fair trade, in her mind. "I only met him once," she replies, moving along, "But from the way he described his ship, I'd love a tour." She shrugs a little at the question. "No... I mean, it's... it's a little like reading a science fiction novel, you know? I can see the advanced technology, but I can't reverse engineer it." She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "And honestly, if there was something I could use, I'd jump at the chance. Our fleet needs all the help it can get."

Adia listens to his explanation with growing unease as it dawns on her that her question might be considered inappropriate in certain social circles. She blushes, embarrassed that her scientific curiosity got the best of her. "Sorry, I... I was, um, just thinking about genes again... your attitude is much better."

[heirtothearcane]

With so many people continuously questioning the purpose of his research it's little wonder he's slowly becoming more and more articulate in expressing how dreams affect him. He's a little surprised to hear her admission. "I'm sure you've learned things from working in... in microbiology," he says slowly to make sure he gets it right. "But we don't always know we've learned lessons until we're made to think about them."

There's sympathy in his smile as he nods his agreement. It's hard not to understand the twang of grief in the bittersweet memory of her mother's encouragement. "She's right." A breathless laugh slips from his lips. "Although it's a hard thing to remember sometimes."

Again he nods as she talks. Magic is so variable even on his world that he's not sure how much he could be inspired or influenced by visiting and learning in another world. Science, on the other hand, has always sounded firmer, hard set. To think she could get help here is encouraging. "That's true... I'm sure he'd let you his ship. He's the captain, after all. At least, it wouldn't hurt to ask some day."

"Oh." He blinks. His mind had drifted off the scientific path and he hadn't noticed the disconnect. "Oh, that's all right. I was just... I was just rambling. I really don't know much about genes. There are lots of people I know who would talk to you about bloodlines until their throats were raw, but I don't know enough to do that."

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh, I've learned plenty of things. I'm just not sure how they translate into life lessons." He's right, though. Learning some truth about yourself or the nature of the world usually only comes after a lot of thought. She wonders if that sort of insight comes easily to him, or if it comes from working with dreams. Either way, she takes his opinion on the matter seriously.

It is the memory of her mother's encouragement that pushes Adia to be more social, even if her instinct is to hide behind a computer screen. If she can't do it for herself, she can do it to honor her mother. But it is with a great deal of uncertainty that she replies to his suggestion. "Some day, sure. If, um, if I get to know him better..." She can't imagine going up to Captain Kirk and asking to see his ship, even if he'd probably say yes.

"Genes are fascinating, but... it's a touchy subject. Or it can be." As curious as she is about inherited magic, she's not sure she'd enjoy talking about that with the kind of people who attend Durant parties, if they only see their bloodlines as bragging rights. "People can get fixated on genetics, thinking it's the ultimate explanation for the way people are. But we're more than the sum of our genes."

A quiet beep comes from Adia's pocket. She pulls it out and shields it from curious cat paws while she reads the screen. "I need to go soon," she says apologetically. "I'm sure I've taken up enough of your time, anyway..." Chatting about this and that, they had veered from the discussion of a shared research center some time ago. She's glad to have gotten to know him better, though, and hopes he feels the same way.

[heirtothearcane]

"You'll know when you have to explain something to someone you thought everyone already knew," he tells her with a knowing nod. It's how he realises most of the lessons he's picked up after all; when he goes to pass them on.

He won't hold her to his idea. He threw it out there, she can do something or nothing with it if she likes. It's not like he'd be any position to needle her on her anxieties even if he were the type to.

Viatorus nods in agreement with her thoughts when her alarm goes. The realisation that they've passed so much time makes him jump up on his seat. "Oh! Of course." He stands and gives her a lopsided smile. "I should really have a clock in here, I know, but the ticking... Sometimes it's so loud when you're trying to get to sleep... Would you like me to take Lyra from you? I have a lint roller in the cabinet by the door, too, if she's left any hairs."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia isn't sure if that day will ever come for her, but she appreciates the advice. She smiles a little when Viatorus jumps in his seat, glad that she's not the only one who had lost track of time. "A digital clock wouldn't tick," she suggests, "Although it might not go with the aesthetic... oh, yes, if you don't mind." She stops petting Lyra so that he can scoop her up, albeit reluctantly. Having a sweet cat in her lap is a treat she will miss.

[heirtothearcane]

Lyra doesn't sound too happy about the change, either, making a small 'mirr' of protest as Viatorus lifts her up. Thankfully, getting to half stand on his shoulder and see everything from a new vantage point distracts her. He hums, thinking about a digital clock while he goes to root out the lint roller. For some reason he'd never thought of it. Alright, he'd never really needed to worry about time much. "I'll have to look into it."

He sets Lyra back on the ground, the cat looking somewhat stunned and lost at having no human cuddling her, and then hands the roller over to Adia. "She doesn't shed much, but it's sort of become an essential."

[chiron_survivor]

Not worrying about time is a luxury Adia can't afford, as evidenced when her PINpoint beeps again. "Sorry," she says, looking down at her screen before tucking it away. "It's not so easy to get away from my ship sometimes." It's difficult to explain where you've been when you have nowhere to go but deep space. At least she doesn't have to worry any longer about Cylons questioning her whereabouts.

Poor Lyra! She thanks Viatorus for the roller and swipes it a few times on her blouse and pants. "The orange hairs stand out," she agrees. She doesn't seem to mind, though, handing back the roller with a smile. "Let me know what Isidor thinks of my schematics. A lot of that is negotiable, honestly. It depends on how many researchers we'd like to accommodate at a time."

[heirtothearcane]

The slight fretting is met with a sympathetic smile. Though he doesn't have to worry about keeping up a ruse, he knows what it's like to have to adhere to constraints he wishes he could break. "I understand. We all have our responsibilities."

"We can talk about expansion later if it becomes popular," he points out. Anything is possible when you have money, a Nexus and Isidor Durant. He opens the door for her and smiles widely. "I'll let you know as soon as I can about any updates. It was really very good to talk to you again, Adia."

[chiron_survivor]

"It's better than it was, at least," she replies with an optimistic smile. One she keeps when he talks about expansion. It's so nice to have hope in her life again, both for finding Earth and for collaborating on well-funded projects in the Nexus. She doesn't even let herself consider if she's taking on too much responsibility. She will always make time for science, and her friends.

"It was good talking to you, too." She pats his arm, in lieu of a handshake. "Thanks again, for everything. I'll see you again soon."

She pauses a moment in the waiting room, looking more closely at the flowers his fiancee brought. They really are quite pretty... she hopes it works out for them. She'll leave the building itself before she teleports away.