135/Devlish Details (Occult Consulting Agency)

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Query: SELECT `cargo\_\_Characters`.`\_pageID` AS `cargo\_backlink\_page\_id\_Characters`,`\_pageName` AS `\_pageName` FROM `cargo\_\_Characters` WHERE ID=x ORDER BY `cargo\_\_Characters`.`\_pageID`,`\_pageName` LIMIT 100

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 Approaching the offices of Devlish Details, you can see that the space has recently been converted from a somewhat in disrepair warehouse to something else. The work is as yet uncompleted, there being painting and some brickwork still to be done, some sections of the roof have been quickly patched (but only as a stopgap, as much of the roof, while holding up for the time being, still needed some work), and some of the windows remain borded up. The door though, at least, is solid and sturdy, and it's framing is new.
      Pushing it open you can hear a soft jingling of bells (they have strange markings, Intelligence + Occult) and you are greeted by the scent of softly smoldering incense (placed in various points in the room, their orientation might mean something Intelligence + Occult). The floors are freshly sanded and polished, as well as all other wooden surfaces. The front of the warehouse has been sectioned off into a waiting area that could seat perhaps twenty, along with a front desk area that is part of a glassless window in the wall, separating the front office from the waiting area. In the window at the front desk sits a young man diligently working on some paperwork. There are also end tables in the corner and a sitting table in the middle of the room. On all of them are various pamphlets "Demons & You", "On Demonic Contracts and Legalese", and "How to Spot a Meddling Demon". All in all, while it is currently fairly bland in decoration, the interior is well on its way to being comfortable.
      As you walk in the young man looks up with a smile and waits for you to approach.

**Jin (48) has posed:**
Jin had thought, as he approached the demonologist's office, that he'd be underdressed for the occasion (not that he ever dressed up to any occasion). Here and there, wealthy merchants from the upper city had been setting up destinations for upper-city patrons interested in "slumming it" among the shins of the colossi that held Palanquin aloft. As he looks at the unfinished structure, he feels right at home.

    Stepping into the front office, Jin hears bells. Though he's no interest in such things, Jin recognizes the arrangement of bells as a ward against spirit intrusion. Not have any place to call home, he's not familiar with the idea of having enough stability to ward a particular area. Jin takes a few steps toward the man seated at the front desk, not at all self-conscious of his shabby, well-worn gi or the 5-o'clock shadow gracing his face at midday.

    "I guess that I should have made an appointment," Jin begins affably. Sticking out his hand, he continues, "The name's Jin, and I'm here to talk to a demonologist.

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 The man nods affable, "You are in luck, she is in today. We only just started out so things havent been too busy quite yet. We'll have to make an appointment for you to get your demon summoned though, as its a lengthly process. I'll check on available dates while you speak with her." He gets up and opens the door to the back offices. The door opens and he begins to lead you down the hallway. You pass a door that is marked with warning signs in several languages. In the back of the hallway is a another door that you seem to be heading to.

**Jin (48) has posed:**
Jin nods and taps two fingers to his forehead in thanks, an affectation from his childhood spent in the far South, as he follows the man into the back offices. "I have no need of a demon," Jin responds, "but I could use a conversation with a demon summoner." Reading warnings in at least a couple of languages that he speaks, Jin takes a deft step to his left, slightly further away from the warded door, as he passes by; no need to take changes where demons are concerned.

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 The man looks at you intrigued, but shrugs, "Well then, this should be quick. Normally you have to wait three weeks get one summoned." The young man knocks at the door and you can hear the reply "Yes?" coming from the other side. He opens it and sticks his head in, and quickly explains that she has a guest who would like to have a 'conversation with a demon summoner'. There is a slight pause, and then "Send him in", she can be heard saying. The door opens to reveal a young woman sitting at a desk, herself pouring over papers and books, but you can gather by some of the covers, that they are of an altogether different nature than those used for accounting or record keeping. She leans back in her chair, comfortably, and looks you over, the feather of her quill brushing her chin as she does so. "Well, I suppose I'm in need of a break anyway. Please take a seat."

**Jin (48) has posed:**
Again, two fingers tapped against his forehead in thanks before Jin sprawls over the offered chair. As the assistant leaves, closing the door behind him, Jin levels an even gaze at the woman behind the desk, taking in her measure. Having not been in the presence of too many sorcerers in his time, especially avowed demon summoners, he's not entirely sure how to approached the sorceress.

    He begins with uncharacteristic caution, "My name is Jin, and I have need of a..." before thinking better of it and starting again: "My name is Jin, and you are a demon summoner. You make no bones about it, so I guess I don't have to tiptoe around it. I don't need a demon, don't consort with them," he makes a warding sign commonly used by the Realms subjects in the Threshold, "but I am search for for people with particular abilities."

    Jin's tone had become increasing intense, but that intensity is gone in a moment, replaced with a smile and an outstretched hand, "Like I said, the name's Jin, and I hope to learn something from you Ms...?"

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 She cleans the quill and sets it aside before taking your hand and shaking it. "My name Student Eternally Rising, and though an uncontrolled demon can be dangerous, in the proper hands they are merely a tool to be used, as any other, including blades." She reaches down and opens a drawer in her desk, removing a bottle and two glasses, setting them down on the table in front of her seat and Jin's, she pours herself a finger of amber liquid and sets the bottle down next to Jin's glass, the intent that if he wants some he can have some clear. Her fingers gracefully cradle her own glass as she sips at the golden liquid and sighs. "I suppose one such as you would have more interest in the spirituality of a sorcerer, and how we do what we do. I can tell you, it is not easy, if it is the sorcerer's path you wish to walk, there will be lots of study in your future, and most fail."

**Jin (48) has posed:**
Jin lets out a loud, heartfelt laugh, "No, I don't want to become a sorcerer." He takes up to offered glass, "I will, however, accept you offer of a drink." With that, he takes of the glass and downs the contents in a single gulp before replacing the class on the desk. "Thanks for that," he says as he savors aftertaste of the drink, "I could use a drink."

    "No, I don't want to be a sorcerer, Student Eternally Rising. I study martial arts, and that pursuit consumes all of my dedication. Body and soul, I put everything I have into the martial arts, into pushing my mind and my first as far as they can go. In my travels, I've have seen the Dragon-Blooded practices martial arts on a level that is utterly beyond mortal ability. Things that I would have thought impossible were the playthings of the Princes of the Earth. I have stood in awe and watched as they used their martial arts to push the bounds of what is possible." Pausing for a moment, Jin takes a deep breath before continuing.

    "Essence, that's what separates what they can do from what I can do. The Dragon-Blooded can breathe Essence into their martial arts. The Dragon-Blooded are, by their nature, beyond the limitations of the mortal frame; they can do things that I can't. That... that can't be the end of it, though. I know that there's more out there; I see it, but I can't touch it."

    "That's what brings me to you. Mere mortals can't channel Essence, at least not into martial arts. There are a few, though, that can't touch it. Of course, I'm talking sorcerers such as yourself. I won't - I can't be content until I've achieved mastery, and I know that Essence stands between me and that master."

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 She sips at her drink, savoring it's taste, "Well, from what I understand, which about this is actually a great deal, the two are separate in a way that other things are not. You may or may not have noticed in your travels, that there is no god in creation, at least none to my knowledge, of sorcery," she shrugs taking another sip. "This is because sorcery lies somehow outside of the grand scheme of things in a way that other things do not, and one can either master it or not. This seems to be true of even demons and to my knowledge spirits in general." She shakes her head sadly, "The problem is that supernatural martial arts and sorcery work in different ways. As a sorcerer I scour what bits of creation I can perceive and understand for essence which has been cast off and is freely available, as warmth from the road on a hot day. Sometimes there is an abundance, and some times there is very little. Sometimes it is flavored towards one aspect or another of the natural world, and is not suitable for my purpose or seems to be more effective." She shrugs, "The essence is not of me, though. It is something that, with my will, I can guide and control, a tool. It is ink, not writing, do you see?"

**Jin (48) has posed:**
Jin listens to Student's explanation with rapt attention. "So..." he begins slowly as he thinks through the implications of what he's heard, "The Dragon-Blooded monks, when they channel their Essence into their martial arts, are doing something unlike what you sorcerers do when you cast spells?" He thinks on this a moment, "That complicates things."

    "I've seen the monks, seen them punch and kick and express their will through their martial arts. I'm sure that they channel Essence from their souls into their gongfu." Jin shifts a little in his seat and continues, "I've not seen many sorcerers, but, if it's as you say, then I may need to find one of the Dragon-Blooded to learn more about channeling one's internal energies at that level."

    Leaning forward, Jin asks the question that he really came to ask, "What is it like to channel Essence? Even if it's this external Essence, as you say, what does it FEEL like to tap it, to let it flow through you, to command it to express your will?"

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 She sets her glass down and leans forward, fingers laced together and her chin on her hands. She looks at you very intently "What I'm about to show you, you can never speak over to anyone. I can appreciate a man on a mission, but I dont reveal any secrets lightly. Do you agree?"

**Jin (48) has posed:**
Jin leans back, still very much at ease. "You put up a giant sign that basically says 'DEMONS HERE' and you're worried about keeping your secrets? Are you going to tell me that you're actually the Scarlet Empress, taking a light vacation on the Dreaming Sea?" Jin chuckles to himself, but adopts of serious enough tone when he nods slowly and says, "I won't share your secrets." "I've come to you for knowledge, not to harm you."

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 Student leans back, her body becoming outligned in a twilight aura as a mark appears luminescent in gold on her forhead, her eyes seem to flash green for a moment as she does so. "I /am/ skilled at both sorcery and supernatural martial arts, and I can tell you exactly how both feel. Supernatural martial arts are entirely different. In that instance I am channeling my own inner well of potential, but it must be aligned by training and experience to the flows of essence inherent in the style itself, thereby gaining the abilities and powers offered by a particular style. This is the peice that you are missing."

**Jin (48) has posed:**
Jin raises an eyebrow as he sees the golden mark on Student's forehead, unsure but suspicious about exactly what it signifies. Raising half out of his chair, Jin stammers a bit, "You, you're able to channel Essence into your martial arts? How is that possible?" Is this exactly what Jin has been searching for? Thinking through the implications, Jin arrives at the first and simplest conclusion: rising fully out of his chair, he hesitantly sketches a little bow. "Are you... Dragon-blooded?" he asks.

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 Student chuckles and shakes her head, "No, they like to kill my kind on sight, never giving us the chance to prove our innocence or virtue," she motions to the chair, and pours him another drink. "Please sit," she takes another sip of her own. "Yes, I can channel Essence into my martial arts, though I will not tell you which school I practice." She sighs, "I can tell you that to achieve what you want, you will have to change into something not what you are. As you are now, you are fundamentally incapable of achieving your goals."

**Jin (48) has posed:**
With Student's denial, Jin lets himself fall back into the chair, releasing a held breath as he does. There's a smile on his face, but his eyes are fierce. He begins, his voice quiet but intense: "Don't tell me what I'm capable of... Anathema." He names clearly what Student has so heavily implied. "What do you know of my goals? I was a slave, and now I'm free. I was weak, and now I'm strong. I've come so far... don't tell me what I'm capable of."

    Carefully, Jin continues: "You've given me a lot to think about. Talk is cheap; I need to see. There's a dojo, all but abandoned, not too far from here. You might know it: it overlooks a cliff, but it's not easily seen from any of the nearby buildings. Meet me there, and show me what you can do. Some things cannot be told, only experienced in the thrust of a punch or the snap of a kick. I want to... I have to see."

    With that, Jin raises from his chair. "I'll keep your secrets, as I said I would. Meet me at the dojo." Turning to go, he raises his right hand slightly a makes a warding gesture against evil known to anyone even passing familiar with the teachings of the Immaculate Order. Even as he does it, he cracks a smile, "It might have been easier if you just told me that you were the Scarlet Empress."

**Student Eternally Rising (56) has posed:**
 "I never said that you weren't incapable of achieving them, only that it was impossible as you currently are. I do not pretend to know where your path will lead, and what sort of man will arrive at the end." She stands and sees him towards the door, even though he cast the sign of the Anethema at her, "Just you think on this, former slave. If somebody wanted to control you, but couldn't, wouldn't labeling you as anathema make you all the easier to deal with? Or such labels as Unclean, or Unintillegent, or Slave, for that matter?" With that she ushers him out, and quietly shuts the door.