Questioning Mei

The wind is cold and bitterly so, driving people into their homes early this dark evening. The clouds cover the moon and stars above the city, leaving the world covered by shadows. The memorial gardens are all but empty. All but one man sitting on a bench. Only the light of a nearby lamp makes it possible to see him. His dark skin marked by bold white roses tell who he is even at a distance. He is wrapped firmly against the cold, a winter cloak to keep him warm and yet his tattoos are bare and thus his arms. Perhaps not so bothered by the cold then?

Verna is not especially fond of the cold, wind, nor wet. She has her ever-present layers of robe(s) and cloak to shield against them, at the least. Unfortunately, they do not ward off the chill of concern which she arrives at the gardens with the Silverguard(s) to address.

Seldan, too, is dressed against the cold, woolen shirt and leather trousers covered with a blue and silver open-front robe, a traveler's winter cloak over his shoulders, over all. Nothing unusual about any of it, nor the swordsman's gloves or warm woolen cap he wears. He seems comfortable enough, despite the wind, and walks with the others quietly enough. "Mei, Her light upon your path. I am grateful for your time."

Serene is dressed as she normally is. Someone might be forgiven for believing she's been permanently encased in her armour such is the rarity that she is seen outside of it. No allowances have been made for the weather, either... lending credence to the amazingly humanlike golem theory. Having been asked along in light of a recent arrest and lead, and having agreed to such in the interest of keeping abreast of things, Serene follows Seldan and Verna. "Light illume," she offers after Seldan's greeting as she takes an initial measure of Mei.

Mei rises from his seat as he spots the group of you, offering his hand to shake to each in turn. "Greetings. A pleasure as always to see you all." He smiles warmly, then takes his hand back and pulls his cloak more firmly around himself. "How can I be of assistance to you this evening?"

"A pleasure, Mei, and good eve," Verna greets him. A moment or two passes before she continues. "We bring some good tidings. A significant conspirator of the demon was removed from the city." She considers further, but limits to this for the moment.

"Lord Altay was arrested for conspiracy to summon a demon," Seldan agrees, assuming a parade-rest stance and letting his cloak settle around his shoulders, beneath the flickering of the mana lamps in the garden. He watches Mei carefully as he speaks.

Serene's lips simply press tight at the mention of the demon conspiracy, her opinion of those who would do traffic with the hellish planes quite clear in her eyes and the stone of her expression. SHe stops short of grilling Mei about this... she isn't sure of his role in this, and Seldan and Verna seem to be on decent terms with him, but she watches.

Mei smiles more broadly, but shakes his head. "A Lord? Summoning demons? That's bad business." He tilts his head at Verna and Seldan though, eyes flickering uncertainly to Serene for a moment. An unknown person to him. "Did he give you some information that I can help you with?"

Verna's hood dips and bobs affirmatively. "Bad business, indeed. He did share a fair amount of information, some of which was known or suspected. As well, he did speak of things with which we do hope that you might aid us. Specifically, he mentioned you by name, and that you would know of true power. Can you expound and clarify this mention?"

Cesran comes flying in from the direction of the Temple District on his carpet of flying and he has to circle a couple of times before he spots who he is looking for. He directs his carpet down to land near the others and he gives a nod in greeting, "Seldan, Serene and Verna it's good to see you again. I have information that is vital I must impart to you." He looks over at the man that he doesn't know and he stares at him for a long moment letting the magic in his eyes tell him what he can see. "Greetings. I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."

GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (1)+42: 43 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (8)+42: 50

Seldan nods agreement with Verna, but lets her speak, and seems content to listen - that is, until Cesran flies up. "Archmage," he greets quietly, inclining his head. "I would hear your news, but should it be spoken here?"

Serene schools her features, perhaps realizing she might be causing at least a little unease with Mei.. the stone softens, at least a touch, and she tilts her head to the man as something of a silent apology. "My apologies, Master Mei... I am not fond of... demons. The entire scenario has left me perturbed." She takes a half step back, still watching the man, and listening... and when Cesran arrives, she does acknowledge him with another of her nods, but keeps her peace for now.

"Think nothing of it." He says, smiling thinly. "Most people dislike demons, and with good reason." He steps back slightly as Cesran flies in and narrows his eyes at the man as if disliking his style and approach. Mei manages a smile for Cesran however. "You may call me, Mei."

GAME: Seldan rolls sense motive: (4)+19: 23
GAME: Serene rolls sense motive: (12)+28: 40

Verna looks to Cesran at his sudden flying entrance, uncertain whether it is serendipitous or not. It is something of a distraction, it seems, at least insofar as Mei's reaction. Speaking of whom, her hood returns to face Mei. "Do you know of what Altay spoke?"

Cesran closes his eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath as he puts on a more calmer demeanor, "Yes this is something that needs to be discussed in the proper place, but at your earliest convenience. I apologize for my rushed entrance. I had some breakthroughs and wanted to inform you right away. I had to wait at the entrance to the Temple District while they sent a messenger back and forth to tell me you were not at the Temple. So I was excited to find you." He sounds a little annoyed but turns towards Mei, "I apologize for intruding. I am Cesran and this is Ral'sara." He introduces his staff, whose dragon head nods politely. "I don't believe we have met before, Mei was it? Is that short for anything? Like is Mei a nickname? I get called Ces sometimes although I don't mind it."

"Ah sorry. This gentleman's appearance quite distracted me from your question." Mei has the grace to look embarrassed. He shrugs then. "What exactly did he say?" Mei glances at Cesran and lets out a low chuckle.

"Yes, it's short for something, but my whole name is absolutely abominable and I choose not to go by it when I can avoid it." He arches an eyebrow. "Must be your own dealings with having a nickname that makes you so astute sir."

Verna is unsure whether Mei(in lieu of the alleged abomination of a name)'s casual nonchalance is comforting or disconcerting. "Altay stated that you, specifically, knew the meaning of true power. What did he mean by this?"

Cesran keeps a polite smile on his face, "Just curious, thank you for indulging me." He tries to keep it short so he doesn't distract Mei from Verna's question again as he looks around as the conversation takes place, trying to keep aware of what's going on around him.

"I, too, would hear more of that. Was Lord Altay known to you?" Seldan's question is quiet, diffident almost, and yet his gaze remains steady. He does not move from that parade-rest stance as he speaks. "I know not if he merely sought to distract, or if he spoke the truth."

Mei's brow furrows at the words that Verna states and then finally shrugs. "I can see why you came to me, if he's making such allusions. The only power that I have is in myself." He smiles wryly and shrugs. "Perhaps he meant the fact that I have helped find the Moons? Perhaps he meant a lot of things, or merely meant to sow discord."

Mei sighs and looks from Cesran to Seldan. "The Lord is known to me. He's had dealings with my father, but we are estranged. I'm not clear on the details and frankly I'm surprised my name came up at all."

"Indeed," Verna concurs with Seldan. "He may have been eager or desperate to sow recriminations or confusion. Much as the fiend with whom he associated." As Mei mentions other dealings, she pauses a breath before inquiring. "Who is your father with whom he dealt? You are of some significant blood, I presume, given Altay's apparent bigotry?"

"It may be an attempt on the criminal's part to mislead us... but some men like him seem to delight in dangling truths before their opponents, to prove how much smarter they are," Serene says, having been silent, but listening. "I am inclined to believe there is some truth to it, though I was not there at Altay's questioning. So please, Mei, tell us anything you can. Once you begin speaking of it, it may spark memories or lead to inspiration."

Cesran looks towards the others, "I think we might want to move this to a more secure location, given the nature of this conversation, unless you have put up protection spells before hand. I don't want anyone dropping any eaves, if you get my meaning. It won't take long, ten or so minutes at the most, and we'll be relatively certain that what we say will stay between us."

"As you say. Given the fear in the city just now, and the state of mind of the guard, we may well all be arrested merely for open discussion on such a topic. Have you the means, Archmage?" Seldan looks around them.

"I have the means." Mei offers his hand out to the open air. "A spell that can take us somewhere private to speak. Somewhere I trust to be safe. If you will allow, and then I will answer your questions."

GAME: Cesran rolls sense motive: (20)+5: 25

Cesran hates that he has to be so suspicious of everyone, about everything, but these are dark times. "I would like to trust you Mei, but I would prefer a meeting on grounds that I choose with spells I use. I understand you want to take us some place safe and secure and I would like to trust you, but my gut is telling me that something not quite right. A prison is safe and secure, but it's still a prison. I'm weary of going someplace that I don't know and if we did follow you and it's not someplace we can get back from you've taken three of Alexandria's greatest defenders off the board and myself. I can't take that risk."

Seldan waits for the discussion to be resolved, not moving from that parade-rest stance. "I would ask your forgiveness for our caution," he explains in low tones, "but ask you to humor it. Too few allies do we have, and too many enemies, and it has been so for long enough that relying on others save ourselves has too oft brought us to grief."

Verna looks between Mei and Cesran, then to the others before making it back to Mei. "In an excess of caution, I must ask the same. I do not believe that Cesran's magic shall force anyone elsewhere, but merely offers an option, if you are concerned, Mei." Her hood pans to Cesran to confirm this.

"The plan is to cast Mage's Magnificent Mansion right here and then once we are inside cast Mage's Private Sanctum. That will give us privacy to speak without being worried about listened in upon and if the spells are dismissed or dispelled we'll be back here in the garden." Cesran lays out his plan.

-TBC