The temple of Culnul, Cear

[Kell]

"A Child of the Black Heart.." Yvalee smiled gently, made room for the dark elf to sit if she hadn't enough already. She sat up a bit, made herself taller in her chair. Then she leant over, set her elbow on the desk so she could rest her chin on a folded hand. With healthy curiosity she studied the woman sitting before her, her smile lingered on her lips in amusement of this unexpected interaction. She wasn't afraid nor intimidated.. rather intrigued, inspired by the display so delicately presented.

"I'm afraid my true name, like yours, is also a secret. One that I rarely ever give out freely. It means much to me and I have been ensured that should I tell anyone, I would have to make sure I could trust them. And trusting I’tel'gothrim, as I was explained, is a bad idea.

So finding that humans still do distrust you, as you put it so eloquaintly.. Would you expect it to be otherwise?

As for me.. As of yet, I have been one of them as far as they are concerned. They may suspect, but as long as I am a reliable, stabile source of information and help, they do not seem to care. In the land of humans, hypocrity reigns. As it always will do, I presume. Perhaps in the future that will change. But then perhaps that's only because their future will change."

[Elrith]

"I see you possess some intelligence, trusting no one but yourself."

Clever girl. She is certainly no stranger to the power of spell craft either.

"The humans can think of me whatever they want. I did not come here to discuss their short-sightedness. You on the other hand are here because you want to learn more about necromancy. I am quite the expert when it comes to interacting with Nergal's realm through the arcane. When you grow tired of these books perhaps we can discuss death over a delectable wine. Or something thicker if you prefer."

[Kell]

The dark elf's words landed on willing ears, but so soon Yvalee wasn't about to commit, or admit. Simply, she inclined her head at the offer and nodded.

"My thanks, but as of yet I've only begun to read the basics, of the vast quantity of books I've only so recently stumbled upon. Boredom should, by all means, still be far away. Though, wine or something thicker?.. Surely, necromancy alone couldn't possibly the root of your studies. No necromancer would add the thicker part, without certain benefits. Not just for fun or pleasure, though I understand the attraction to it solely for morbidities sake. What else could I possibly pick from your brain, should you let me.."

The charcoal elfin leans in closer, studying the dark elf's face intently, amused. The flickering of the candle plays with the darker shades in the blonde hair; another soul perhaps would've caught the tone in her voice and would have deemed it sinister.

[Elrith]

"So..."

The dark elf's reaction to her request is one of mild annoyance. Her eyelids narrow, giving the impression she is evaluating a potential pawn or trinket, as she stares at the charcoal elf.

"..you want me to teach you? I know plenty girl; even beyond the realm of magic. Why should I take just any curious muddled elf as an apprentice? Why should I teach one such as you how to sate your darkest desires with what I know?"

She pauses a moment to let Yvalee reflect on her insignificance; shifting a hand to support her head while the elbow rests on the arm of her chair.

[Kell]

A soft blue hue shines through the halfblood's eyes, for a moment changing them from their usual pale color, to untainted, bright.

"Teach? Hardly. You were the one proposing a discussion, cousin, not me. I was merely following up on the thought with my own wonderings. I wouldn't ask a full blood to be my teacher, not even if you were a relative.. I know full well how instable and fickle the full blooded kind can be. After all, I grew up in their company. From that experienced perspective, I daresay I've gained the better part of two worlds.. I know where to look for trouble when I want it, but I've also learned very well how to avoid it. Unlike my relative.

And truthfully. I'm not persuaded just yet whether you are or aren't trouble. So far, you've done nothing but distract me, from what I should be doing for your Master. Which makes me lean towards the first rather than the latter. And despite all your knowledge and education, you speak with vanity rather than wisdom. You know nothing, but assume much..

Now.. Have you anything useful to say other than empty words surrounding vain insults, or will you let me advance my studies?"

[Elrith]

Elrith had been hoping the mixed blooded elf would show some of her worth, but she had responded like all the others.

This girl is no more a master of her emotions than most. It is now clear where her allegiance lies, and it is not with the I'tel'gothrim. Her ability to look beneath the surface of my emotions is limited and she latches on to insults no better than my own. What do you think, old one?

She is a waste of your time.

Elrith's eyes flick to Yvalee's. Perhaps, though she isn't without some intriguing facets. Maybe I will give her another chance once her eyes have been opened.

The dark elf casually uncrosses her legs and stands. A tick of irritation disturbs the otherwise unmoving features of her face.

"Stay here with these books then if you so desire, girl."

She walks to the door and unlocks it, slipping outside as smoothly as the spider-silk robes draped over her frame. "I've grown tired of your company and it is clear you are more interested in your task than what I have to offer."

[Ramblinwomble]

A stained torn page found in a gutter outside the "Secret" Culnulite Temple. The letters are all large looped letters and bold strokes, with a liberal amount of ink splots and smudges, in places the nib of the pen appears to have punctured the parchment.

Ilost had stolen dropped into the sea lost my secret spy journal at some point in the last week, very unhappy, can't for the life of me remember the secret cipher. Very worried, will Sir Twitchy be disappointed and not pay for my efforts. He has the most dreamy lips. New book has a chain!

The cost of acid proof gloves is surprisingly steep, but nothing compared to the cost of acid proof bowstrings, who would have thought?! Fortunately I seem to recall Knightshome has a number of drain pipes so I have resolved to check the cost of homing ferrets when I next visit Morrell and I have constructed a new cipher to let ST know about the secret drop site behind the loose stone at the back of Knightshome. A=1, B=2...

Secret Culnul temple very boring, can't think why the AV would be want it investigated, except for...

*a large ink stain covers much of the page, possibly explaining why it has been discarded, small ink stained footprints hint at the presence of rats*

...is completely creepy, depraved, nonsensical if you ask me!