2020-03-21 Joining the Order

*Our community needs more information on this page! Can you help out? Click here to add more.*

## Joining the Order

### PCs

Shiloh Young
K. Malcolm Lawson
Nicholas Perandus
Michael Aurelius

### Location

Lionsgate Apartments (Columbia University Channel)

## Summary

At last, Malcolm is able to convince Shiloh Young to meet with his Mentor Nicholas Perandus and their fellow Hermetic Magus Michael Aurelius at his apartment in Manhattan. The four of them agreed to meet about 9 PM Saturday evening, where Malcolm hosted.

The night's discussion began with talk of the events in Urban Exploration, which resulted in the Awakening of Shiloh Young and Nathan Triggs. Shiloh had since learned that Nathan had come to the attention of the Technocratic Union during a different encounter with Nektaria Spyros, who offered Shiloh the possibility of meeting with Nathan at a later date. Malcolm had already cautioned Shiloh about the Technocrats, sentiments echoed by the other Hermetics. Options for what to do about Nathan's situation were briefly discussed before Nicholas turned the focus of the meeting back to Shiloh herself.

Nicholas asks what the group can do for Shiloh, who in turn says that she wants help using her powers. A brief discussion of magical perspectives followed, coming back around to something Malcolm had said to her the night before, that the Codex Hermeticum prohibits the training of those outside of the Order.

Then Shiloh asked what she would need to do to join their 'little club'.

That set wheels in motion. All three of the Hermetics present knew that joining the Order of Hermes was as simple as finding a mentor willing to teach the prospective student. Of the three Hermetics present, two, Nicholas and Michael, were of the appropriate rank to take an apprentice, but Nicholas already had an apprentice in Malcolm, and Michael did not feel up to taking on an apprentice of his own and demurred. Then Nicholas hit upon the idea of asking Albina Junia Venenatus, the teacher who first instructed Malcolm in matters of Hermeticism, if she was finished with her latest apprentice and was willing to take on another, and made a phone call to see if it could be arranged. In a stroke of luck for the aspiring Alchemist, Albina's apprentice had recently attained the Fourth Rank, and she was willing to consider another. Albina spoke with Shiloh briefly over the phone, and arrangements were made for Albina to travel to join them and meet with Shiloh in person.

The four Magi continued to speak about their methods and beliefs, trying to get a feel for each other's practices and how they could best assist Shiloh. The conversation is interrupted when Albina appears in the center of the room in a plume of purple smoke. Albina had a few more questions for her new potential apprentice, and delivered a warning that Shiloh would be starting at the bottom of the Hermetic Hierarchy, below even some unawakened initates. Shiloh indicated that she would persevere, which satisfied Albina, who gave Shiloh leave to call herself an Apprentice of the Order of Hermes. The other three welcomed her as a Magus of the Order of Hermes, and the group parted ways shortly thereafter.

## Log

> **K. Malcolm Lawson**Lionsgate Apartments, 17th Floor, Apartment 17C - 9:04 PM
>
>
>
>
> Malcolm didn't usually have company like this, and did not really have the seating for it. He had turned the two armchairs to face the center of the room and turned the chair by his desk around, and pulled the stool slightly away from the breakfast bar, intending that to be his perch for the evening to give his guests the benefit of the more comfortable chairs.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Malcolm had informed the Doorman that he was expecting three tonight, and when asked what the occasion was, he said they were studying together - close enough to the truth, yet nowhere near it at the same time.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> As a final bit of preparation before his guests arrived, Malcolm took a moment to concentrate and open the All - Seeing Third Eye, out of an overabundance of caution against magical interference. It was the first time so many Awakened people had gathered in this place, he wanted to be certain they would not be observed.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The steaming kettle was beginning to sing from the kitchen was Malcolm centered his mind and invoked the magic.
>
>
>
> /r 5d10\>\&61;4f1**SidekickBOT**@K. Malcolm Lawson: 5d10\>\&61;4f1 \&61; ( 1 9 2 5 9, 2 successes) \&61; 2**K. Malcolm Lawson**(Rote Spell, Highest Sphere 1, No Specialties)
>
> (@Shiloh Young, @Nicholas Perandus and @Michael Aurelius can arrive in any order they wish. It is likely Nick and Michael will arrive together.)**Michael Aurelius**/ yeah, i'm coming with nich**Nicholas Perandus**/ Nicholas and Michael arrive together, Nicholas appearing much as shown on the tin, though a little haggard with a backpack
>
> / he informs the Doorman who they are here to see and enter**K. Malcolm Lawson**Nick knows the way up, having been Malcolm's guest many times. The apartment is on the 17th floor on the parkside, 17C. The elevator is old, but reliable, and the building is clean and well maintained.**Michael Aurelius**Michael is using his normal attire as shown in the charachter photo. And is whistling some classical music as they go by
>
> but he's using a hat today, a fedora**Shiloh Young**Shiloh is the last roll on by, dressed in her usual wear, but in all black tonight. She's got a bag slung on her shoulder, and she's all nerves.**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm will welcome them all in, Nick and Micheal arrived first, with Shiloh following shortly after. He is wearing a button down collared shirt made of soft cotton in a shade of forest green and a pair of jeans in a medium shade of blue.
>
>
>
> An old fashioned coat rack stands by the door ready to accept hats and coats, and there is a mat on the floor for depositing shoes. Three sets of guest slippers are available, though Malcolm doesn't point them out or comment about them at all. A tea kettle is whistling from the kitchen.
>
>
>
> "Welcome, please have your choice of any seat in the house. I don't normally have company like this, I apologize for the relative lack of chairs. There is a full kettle if anyone wants tea, and I will happily take orders in just a moment, but let me first make some introductions."
>
>
>
> "Shiloh, this is Nicholas Perandus, my mentor within the Order, and our mutual friend Micheal Aurelius, another member of our tradition. Nicholas and Michael, may I present Shiloh Young, newly Awakened member of our secret world. I have been catching her up as quickly as I can on how our world came to be as it is and our place in it, and she has listened patiently as I have discussed the matter at too great a length, most likely. Shiloh has some concerns that she would like to share with us about her friend Nathan, but for the benefit of my friends, Shiloh, would you like to summarize your eye opening experience and its aftermath, and how your friend came to be in the situation you told me about last night?"
>
>
>
> (@Shiloh Young, question to you, I'm about to make a quick post describing the scene for @Michael Aurelius's benefit.)
>
> For @Michael Aurelius's benefit:
>
>
>
> The apartment was modest in size for a unit in Manhattan. The Lionsgate was an older building, mostly used by Law Students, but a few permanent residents owned their units. This was a one bedroom unit, with a small galley kitchen in the corner, and a large window overlooking a balcony facing Central Park. A Red Telescope stood on a tripod on the Balcony, pointing toward the Heavens. A doorway off to the side, closed, probably led to the bedroom. The breakfast bar was clean and clear. Two comfortable chairs were set up facing towards the inside of the living room, roughly in the center of the room. Underneath the window on the opposite wall, a small desk with an open laptop and a stack of books off to the side, one of them propped open. The names on the spines announced them to be Law books, prominent among them a two year old version of Black's Law Dictionary. The desk chair is turned to face the center of the room as well.
>
>
>
> It was a small apartment already, and seemed all the smaller for the fact that every single wall was covered in bookshelves. Every square inch of available wall had a shelf or two, and they were all full of books on every subject imaginable. Michael could tell immediately they were grouped by subject, with Astronomy, Art, Architecture, a whole wall of History, another wall and a Half each of Philosophy and Political Science, a whole shelf filled with classic literature, and tucked off in a corner by the bedroom, a shelf full of hardback Roleplaying books, mostly of 3rd Edition and 5th Edition D&D, and another half shelf of what looked like Graphic Novel Trade Paperback comic books - mostly of Superman, but with a shelf of Wolverine and Doctor Strange as well. Almost all the books had a fine layer of dust on them, except for the roleplaying books, at least the 5E ones seemed to move regularly. There was no TV to be seen.**Michael Aurelius**/ thanks for the description**Shiloh Young**She kicks off her shoes by the front, and takes her customary place up by the window, though she turns the chair to face the rest. Her arms are folded across her chest, and she doesn't quite make eye contact.
>
>
>
> "Hi. Okay, so, to make it quick: my friend and I were investigating this old house - my studies pointed to it being the home of some old alchemist, and I was dying to see some real equipment. So we got in through the window, place looked empty, but I felt something suddenly just drawing me beyond this door. Nathan wanted to leave, but I insisted," she frowned, as if almost regretting that, "I found a secret passage, discovered that there really was an alchemical lab. They had symbols on them - Life and Prime, I think Malcolm called them? - and Nathan & I were drawn into them. There was a... change. Nathan freaked, ran away, and I chased after him. That's when I ran into Malcolm and Tati."**Janothar**(An aside, presumably Nicholas goes by Nicholas Perandus among Hermetics, Malcolm might not know the name "Smit" on him)**K. Malcolm Lawson**(That's actually vaguely important, which name would I have known, @Nicholas Perandus?)**Nicholas Perandus**(Nicholas Perandus)**Michael Aurelius**Michael puts his shoes on the mat on the flor, but doesn't take away his coat neither his hat. He stops humming so he can hear her explanation better, when she ends it he says.
>
> - Well, a pleasure meeting you. From what Malcolm said, you haven't been able to contact him again, correct?
>
> he takes off his sunglasses, revealing his golden eyes wich have a small, noticeable glow to them**Shiloh Young**She nods. "Nathan avoided me ever since, but a few days ago I learned he found some people, that Technocratic Union. They told me he had become 'enlightened,' that he was with them and I might be able to see him if some arrangements were made."**Michael Aurelius**The amicable smile Michael had fades away instantly after she says that he had become enlightened
>
> - Now that's... unexpected**K. Malcolm Lawson**(Edited post above to reflect name change)**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas also removes his shoes and removes his leather jacket and hangs it up and sits**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm looked up at Micheal when he stopped humming, disappointed that he stopped at the best part of Ode to Joy.
>
>
>
> "Which is exactly why I suggested we had to speak to the two of you. I thought we would simply be looking for Nathan and that he would be somewhere lost in the city. Knowing that he is with the Technocrats changes everything. I told Shiloh we don't have a whole lot of options here, and none of them likely to succeed. The Technocrats are unlikely to simply let him go, they're no doubt training and indoctrinating him even now. An attempt to liberate him from their facility by any other means would likely fail in a messy and fatal fashion and would break the ceasefire if attempted. I thought our best bet would be to hope the Technocrats let him out at some point and try to contact him and try to undo whatever they're doing to him in there. I couldn't think of too many other options, maybe the two of you can. And there is one further thing to mention. Shiloh, were you able to confirm your 'appointment' to see him?"
>
>
>
> @Shiloh Young**Shiloh Young**"I'm supposed to meet up with one of their representatives tomorrow. Or, at least, get a call from her seeing if they agreed to let me see him." @K. Malcolm Lawson**Michael Aurelius**he takes a seat and then says:
>
> - If you are going to meet him tomorrow, we can try to convince him before it's too late. Maybe the indoctrination hasn't settled in yet and, if they are accelerating it through arcane means, i can reverse it. I am quite skilled with the Ars Mentis**Shiloh Young**"I somehow doubt they're gonna let you guys join me in talking to him. I got the sense they were gonna take me to his lab, or some secure place."**Michael Aurelius**- Now that's inconvenience incarnate**K. Malcolm Lawson**"I think that's likely, and that they aren't going to just let him go anywhere with her."
>
>
>
> "I also already warned her that taking that invitation to enter their facilities might not be the wisest course of action. The Ceasefire, such as it is, covers members of the Nine Mystic Traditions and the Technocratic Union, not a Magus who is, at least for the moment, an Orphan."**Michael Aurelius**- Yeah, i thought that too. They are already using him as some kind of hostage, technically speaking, i can see they trying something against her too**Nicholas Perandus**"Let's, for the moment talk about you Shiloh, we have some level of understanding how much of a change and shift this is and the Malcolm has been filling you in on some of the history. Outside of helping Nathan, that may be a much longer thing, how can we help, what can we show you or talk to you about to help you have a better understanding of what's going on?"**K. Malcolm Lawson**@Shiloh Young - Question to you**Shiloh Young**"I guess it'd be great to know how to use these powers. I've already gotten plenty of theory and history, but," she sighs, gesturing to Malcolm, "He said you can't teach me unless I formally join or whatever. I want to know how to, like, keep myself safe. Ceasefires don't last forever."**Michael Aurelius**the smile returns to his face
>
> - Forces and Mind are both excellent spheres to teach for self-protection, correspondence too. If you are interested in magickal protection, of course**Nicholas Perandus**"The how, honestly is a personal thing. It is part of the reason that it is the 9 Mystick Traditions, the Technocratic 'Union', not to mention all of the different smaller groups. We all do things, see things, work things differently. At the end of the day, it is a working of will. How you wrap your head around it more than anything else helps decide who can best help you out."**Michael Aurelius**- Yeah, and since you look like this isn't the first time you dwell into the arcane, i believe you have some personal idea of how things work, or should work, on the methaphysical plane, right?**Shiloh Young**"Magical protection, definitely yes. I think I can 'see' those two. The elements, and reading folks feelings. But nothing flashy." Another nod to that last question. "The flashy things can hurt us. Paradox, he called it?"**Michael Aurelius**- Well, the flashy things certainly can hurt you, and paradox also. Did he explain to you how paradox works?
>
> @Shiloh Young**Shiloh Young**"Basically, if the things we do violate the 'consensus' or what people think the world should work like, it hits us, yeah?"**Michael Aurelius**- Yeah, on varying degrees according to what you do, and not only if you do something against consensus, if you make a terrible mistake during the casting of your spells you will suffer paradox too
>
> - Althought much of the mind effects aren't against consensus, so i would recomend you start with this sphere.**Shiloh Young**There's the flicker of a grimace as she imagines what that terrible mistake might look like. "So, like a mental shield? Yeah, yeah, I think I can manage that."
>
>
>
> There's a small pause as she considers something.
>
>
>
> "So, you guys can't formally teach me until I join your little club. Say I wanted to. What would I need to do?"**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm doesn't try to hide the smile as he hears that.**Nicholas Perandus**// @Janothar what is that procedure for bringing in a new apprentice?**Michael Aurelius**As Michael isn't much interested on Order formalities, he simply rests back on the couch and lets the other two explain it**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm looks to Nicholas for this one.**Janothar**(An Initiate Exemptus or higher within the Order says "You are now my apprentice" if it is to bring them in without claiming them, you'll need to call a higher up Hermetic to place them. You only become a Hermetic apprentice when you have a Hermetic mentor)**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas smiles, "Let's make sure we are a good fit for each other, there have been...missteps in the fairly recent past with not being a good fit. Understand that we are an old organization and don't always move the fastest. We do a lot of book learning, repetition and practice. Though there are Houses within the Order that can fit however scientifically minded you are. "**K. Malcolm Lawson**(OOC: Order of Hermes Tradtionbook Revised, Page 42 - Fifth Degree.)**Shiloh Young**"And if someone washes out, or they figure they're not a good fit?" she asks, thoughts drifting to Tati.**Nicholas Perandus**"People can leave the Order to move to a different group, we would try to find a better fit for someone but all of us, Awakened, Enlightened, are will workers and forcing us to do things rarely ends up well."**Shiloh Young**There's another long pause, her lips pursing. "Well, then, I'm willing to try it out, if I can leave. And if you guys are actually helping people and not, like, abandoning folks to the plague like that woman said. She tried to make it seem like alchemy was a thing among them, but it's not the same as chemistry. Not really."**Michael Aurelius**he lets a small laugh escape
>
> - Oh the technocrats, always blaming us for the shortcomings of humanity**Nicholas Perandus**"Heh, definitely not the same, and yes there is a house within the order, Solificati that specializes in it. There is also an outside group, the Children of Knowledge. As for the helping people thing, we very much try to do that, there is some business after this that I need to work on for that very goal."**Michael Aurelius**- Not gonna lie, there are certainly people in the tradition who don't care for those who are dying to the plague, but there certainly are those who care. And, to be honest, they suffer from the same problem. Selfish people are universal, unfortunely**Nicholas Perandus**"Dealing with pathogens, such as they are are by no means something within my area of knowledge at this point. But my family has long been in the business of helping others. Something of a responsibility of gift as we see it."
>
> "Let me make a call and see if someone I know would be willing and able to help more formally teach you."
>
> Nicholas rises and walks to the kitchen to make a call to Albina @Janothar**Janothar**The phone rings several times before a frazzled sounding Albina picks up "Yes?"**Michael Aurelius**then Michel says
>
> - Well, even though i can't take you as a apprentice, you can count on me in case you need any help, we mages gotta stick together. If you need any help, call me
>
> he writes his number on a piece of paper from his notebook he carries around and hands it to her
>
> - Althought i'm not a alchemist, if you need some methaphysical concepts and such things, just call**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm turns to Shiloh
>
>
>
> "By way of explanation, under the Code of Hermes, one joins the Order of Hermes when a Hermetic Magus of at least the Fifth Degree of Mastery formally accepts them as an Apprentice. I cannot do so, as I am only of the Third Degree at the moment, hopefully soon to be the Fourth, and Nicholas already has an Apprentice - Me, at least until I attain the Fourth Degree, swear the Oath, and formally join the Order of Hermes as an Initiate Adeptus. That leaves Michael, but we believe in choice, and Michael may not be willing or able to take on an apprentice. So Nick is putting a call in, and if he's calling who I think he is, you may be in luck."**Nicholas Perandus**"Hi Albina it is Nicholas, I have something of a favor to ask. We have stumbled upon a newly awakened Orphan that looks like a prime recruit for House Solificati and I was wondering, hoping really you would be willing to meet her and take her on as an apprentice."**Shiloh Young**That draws a soft smile, and she slips his number into her own notebook she withdrew from the bag over her shoulder. "I mean, it's not all alchemy, the stuff I do... not that I've done much, yet. But I really do appreciate the help." Her eyes pass over to Malcolm. "Last thing I want is an unwilling teacher."**Janothar**"I just got out from under my last apprentice." she sighs "She any good at labwork? Can she sweep and mop?"**Michael Aurelius**he nods his head in agreement
>
> - Now i'm curious, what exactly is it that you do?**K. Malcolm Lawson**Overhearing Nicholas's greeting, Malcolm smiled
>
>
>
> "I was right about who he was calling. I think Albina may have just finished with the Apprentice she was working with - you may be in luck. She was the Magus who first steered me towards the Order, and has been very helpful to me ever since. And she is, in fact, an Alchemist."**Shiloh Young**"You mean, like, magically? There's the alchemy, obviously. And rituals, I guess you'd call them. If you're mean, like in my day to day, I'm going for a dual bachelors in nursing & western esotericism."
>
> "Just a sophomore, though," she suddenly adds.**Michael Aurelius**- Hmmm... So i take that your rituals are deeply rooted on western esotericism?**Nicholas Perandus**"Yes, I'm sure she can sweep and mop Albina, she looks to be a perfectly normal woman. College sophomore and budding alchemist. If you don't want the opportunity of bringing someone into your house I'm sure I can find the time to do it, I just thought you would want to help keep someone away from the Technocrats and the Children. She apparently knows Tati and likely isn't going to put up with the full do all my scut work servant apprentice crap."**Shiloh Young**Another nod. "Hermetic stuff, actually. Same for the alchemy. It's partially why I was so surprised when Malcolm name dropped your people."**Michael Aurelius**he smiles
>
> - Yeah, i felt the same way when my mentor told me the stories about hermeticism had far more truth to them than i initially thoguht**Janothar**"I have no idea who this Tati is. And part of being an apprentice is doing the work your mentor doesn't want to do, so they can get on with real things...it's payment for being taken on. Ask her if she'll refuse to do cleaning in a lab."**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm looks to Shiloh
>
>
>
> "As I said earlier, we are heirs to ancient arts and a rich legacy of knowledge. You have likely gotten a good head start on your reading list."**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas walks back to the room, phone still to his ear and hand over the mic
>
> "Shiloh, as part of your apprenticeship and as something of a payment, are you opposed to doing things like cleaning up a lab, and such tasks?"**Shiloh Young**Shiloh almost looks offended. "Well, yeah! I'm not a slob." A pause. "...mostly. They make us do worse in class. I'm cool with helping."**Michael Aurelius**Michael whistles
>
> - It seems that not even mages can escape college tuition fees**Shiloh Young**She cringes. "Please. Don't remind me."**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm shudders, thinking about the balance of his student loan payments.
>
>
>
> "Or me either"**Michael Aurelius**he shrugs
>
> - That's why i never went to college. Well, one of the motives at least**K. Malcolm Lawson**"The apprenticeship system has endured for thousands of years - the student learns, and pays the teacher with labor and service. Our Order is highly traditional in this regard."**Michael Aurelius**- Yeah, the fact that you have to pay with labour instead of money is what differentiates it from tuitions. You never run out of labour power**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas turns
>
> "Alright she says she's good with the cleaning, she does that now for school lab work. When are you free for us to bring her in to meet you?"**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm pipes up
>
>
>
> "Nicholas, I would be completely willing to have her join us here tonight if she wants."**Janothar**"Well, she can't come into the Covenant...when and where is good? Traveling under the quarantine is a pain..."**Nicholas Perandus**"We are at Malcolm's apartment currently let me hand you off."
>
> he walks back into the room and proffers the phone to Shiloh
>
> "Albina wants to setup a time to meet you and well, no need for me to play middleman."**Janothar**Once she hears the phone being passed "So you think you have what it takes to be a real alchemist?"**K. Malcolm Lawson**@Shiloh Young - Question to you**Shiloh Young**She gingerly accepts it, brows knitting at what she heard. "I know I have what it takes. I hope you guys are good as they've built you all up to be."**Janothar**"Well, I know I'm not." there's a hint of levity in her voice "You willing to learn how to scrub glassware clean enough to be a safe vessel for the purified essence of existence? To learn how to pierce the illusions of matter and transform one element to another, and without a $50 billion particle accelerator?"**Shiloh Young**"Yes."**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas sits back down and leans back in the chair**Janothar**"And just to be sure, you aren't looking to like, forge magic swords, throw around fireballs, command angels, master all the languages, stuff like that?"**Michael Aurelius**While she's talking at the cellphone, Michael is drawing some things in his notebook to pass time.**Shiloh Young**"I mean, that - well, some of that - sounds nice on the side, but that's not what I'm gonna focus on."**Janothar**"Ok, let them know I'll come over to officially make you my apprentice, and we'll give you the crash course on Houses soon so that we can make sure you're in the right one."**Shiloh Young**"Okay," a pause as she glances up, "She's gonna swing on by to make things official,"**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm nods
>
>
>
> "I'll text her the address. I haven't had her over since I graduated CUNY."
>
>
>
> He pulls out the phone and texts Albina the necessary information.**Janothar**She hangs up the phone, clearly preparing to head out.**Shiloh Young**"...and she hung up." She blinks, holding out the phone to whoever handed it to her.**Michael Aurelius**- Hell yeah, Mentor Delivery working even during quarentine**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas takes the phone back.**Michael Aurelius**Michael looks around, to the shelves, and then says
>
> - You have a lot of books here, Malcolm, what kind of hermeticism do you lean more towards?**Shiloh Young**"So, once she takes me in, is there like some hermetic university I get to go to or something?" she asks after some time.**Michael Aurelius**- Not anymore**Shiloh Young**"Lame." She's 100% disappointed by that.**K. Malcolm Lawson**"I tend to be more of a classical Hermeticist, favoring the old ritual magic, but I find a lot of meaning in the Ars Cupiditae and the basic principles of Alchemy, if not the practice. Self - Refinement is the goal of all Magi, after all, but as I struggle to master the basics of the Ars Materia, I doubt I'll have the bright future of an Alchemist like Shiloh."
>
> Turning to Shiloh
>
>
>
> "What I think Michael means is we don't have a central location for such education anymore, like we used to until about 20 years ago, but I do believe we have plenty of places where the arts are still taught. One of them is here in the city, and once you are formally inducted by Albina's acceptance of you, she will show you how to find it."**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas's face...changes at the mention of the old school
>
> "It was, a unique place." He says quietly**Shiloh Young**There's a small cringe, face gaining a shade of red. "Oh. I'm sorry."**K. Malcolm Lawson**"Well, we hadn't gotten to that part of the History yet. It's a recent loss, and still painful to many of our members."**Michael Aurelius**Michael waves his hand, as if to wave this matter away
>
> - But the covenant is a very interesting place in it's own merit, i'm sure you will like it.**Nicholas Perandus**"agreed"**Shiloh Young**"Well, I look forward to seeing it."**Michael Aurelius**- Now that i come to think about it. Do they teach latin on your course, Malcolm? If so, how much fluent you are?**K. Malcolm Lawson**"Completely. I have completed seven semesters of Classical Latin in undergraduate. I'm also fluent in Greek, French, and Arabic, and working on Spanish and German. I would have been a minor in Modern Language if I wasn't already double majoring at the time."**Michael Aurelius**Michael seems really impressed by all of this
>
> - Wow, congratulations on this, man, knowing so much languages... it's a honour to meet someone like this personally**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm reddens a bit.
>
>
>
> "Thanks. I just really enjoy learning new languages, because they aren't just mediums of communication, they are systems of thought. Like philosophy, to understand language, and how it is constructed, is to learn how the speaker thinks. To understand a person's philosophy is to understand what they think. I always figured that if I could understand both, I could understand the person well enough to truly communicate with them, the first step to genuine understanding. Thus, why I find so much power in the Ars Cupiditae - if you know what another person desires, and find a way to help them achieve it, it doesn't require much magical nudging to get them to move in the direction you desire."**Michael Aurelius**Michael hears all of this with atention, nodding at the end and saying
>
> - yeah, even though one's desires aren't always pointed at the right direction. Your effort to understand someone completly is really interesting, i must say
>
> // ok guys i gotta go to sleep, Michael will stay there until her initiation is complete and such and then he'l return to the covenant with Nich to then go home alone. Farewell guys, GN**K. Malcolm Lawson**"I think the current state of the world is obviously caused by a profound lack of understanding of each other. Everyone talking, no one listening. Everyone wanting to be right, no one wanting to consider the other person might be. Everyone listens to reply, and not to actually understand. There's no magic to it, but I bet with some of your Ars Mentis, I could open some closed minds and allow some real understanding. We'll have to talk about it sometime soon."
>
>
>
> (Understood, though I was enjoying the conversation)**Janothar**The room is suddenly filled with a foul-smelling purple smoke, and the ability to roll Perception + Awareness, difficulty 6**K. Malcolm Lawson**(Given that this is a Correspondence effect, and Malcolm has been sustaining the All - Seeing Third Eye Effect the whole scene, would its' difficulty be reduced appropriately? I got two successes on the activation, which would create a -2 Difficulty)**Janothar**Sure**K. Malcolm Lawson**/r 5d10\>\&61;4f1**SidekickBOT**@K. Malcolm Lawson: 5d10\>\&61;4f1 \&61; ( 3 5 10 9 7, 4 successes) \&61; 4**Shiloh Young**/r 6d10\>\&61;6f1**SidekickBOT**@Shiloh Young: 6d10\>\&61;6f1 \&61; (10 4 10 6 6 5 , 4 successes) \&61; 4**K. Malcolm Lawson**(I don't know if the Astute Specialization would apply here)**Nicholas Perandus**/r 5d6\>\&61;6f1**SidekickBOT**@Nicholas Perandus: 5d6\>\&61;6f1 \&61; ( 2 6 2 2 1 , 0 successes) \&61; 0**Janothar**Malcolm picks up the familiar strongly Transforming and lightly Rotting (that damn putrefaction step!) Resonance of his former mentor. Shiloh gets the same sense, but doesn't know the person who is responsible for it. Nicholas...well, he's surrounded by smoke.**Shiloh Young**Shiloh just about jumps up, shooting questioning glances between the men and the smoke.**K. Malcolm Lawson**waving his hand a bit and coughing some of the smoke out of his lungs, Malcolm laughs
>
>
>
> "Mater, you always know how to make an entrance."**Nicholas Perandus**Nicholas waves his had in front of his face to blow away some of the smoke and with a smile on his face says
>
> "Show off. Welcome Albina"**Janothar**She's wearing an N95 face mask and latex gloves. Through the mask, her voice sounds a little muffled and slightly mechanical "I'm not going out into the plague, are you crazy? I have too much to do. I'm going to feel this in the morning, but it's worth it." she turns to Shiloh "So you're the new kid?"**K. Malcolm Lawson**"Mater, may I present Shiloh Young, newly awakened to our ranks. She aspires to be an Alchemist, and you are the best we know."**Shiloh Young**She tries to wave off the smoke as well, even plucking off her glasses. "Yeah, that's me."**Janothar**She glances back to Malcolm "Well, that's sad. I'm a mess." she pauses, then back to Shiloh "Wait, are you the one who Awakened while messing with random old alchemical equipment in a basement?"**Shiloh Young**"That's definitely me."**Nicholas Perandus**"By the way, i still can't figure out who on Earth owns or owned that place. "**Janothar**"Interesting..." she looks over Shiloh carefully, though keeping a little bit of distance between them. "So what can you do? Best alchemical thing you've done. Lead into gold? Lead into slightly less useful lead? That was my first trick."**Shiloh Young**A frown. "I can perceive a ton of things. I, uh, haven't managed to change anything yet. I don't even have the proper tools to do so."**Janothar**"You'll need proper glassware. I'll tell you what, get the stuff that you left behind in that one basement, and i'll trade it for some of mine..." she stands up. "In the meantime, are you completely certain that you want to become an Apprentice to the Order of Hermes, even knowing that as a new apprentice, you will be of the First Degree, a Neophyte, despite the fact that you are assuredly more powerful than apprentices of the 2nd and some of those of the 3rd Degrees? Will you be able to handle being subordinate to lesser minds?"
>
> Malcolm has a few flashbacks to being a Neophyte under Albina, and it wasn't always pleasant...he learned a lot, but he also had to put up with a lot of nonsense, and when he did meet other apprentices, they would assume being Zelators and Practicuses let them order him around, even if he had progressed farther but hadn't been tested to the next level!**Shiloh Young**"Wouldn't be the first time," she mutters. Her offer led to lip chewing, torn over trading something she felt so possessive over herself. Finally, she sucks in a breath, and sighs. "...Okay. I'll do it. And I'll check out the house for those supplies." Whether she handed over was another matter.**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm nodded gravely at that pronouncement from Albina. It was not easy, being a Hermetic Apprentice, but, then again, Putrefaction always preceded Purification.
>
>
>
> "It is a hard road, Shiloh, but a worthwhile one. Putrefaction is always the first step."
>
>
>
> With a knowing look to Albina, he added
>
>
>
> "Perhaps it is time for some Antinomian Praxis after all."**Janothar**"Alright. You're my student. If anyone asks, you are free to tell them you are an Apprentice to the Order of Hermes without facing the wrath of the Order. Welcome to the first degree, Neophyte. I'm sure Malcolm can show you where the Covenant is, I'll expect you in my lab tomorrow for your first alchemical lesson. Just...don't come if you have a fever or a cough. We can Skype."**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm smiles, turning to Shiloh
>
>
>
> "Welcome to the Order of Hermes, Neophyte Young."**Shiloh Young**She suddenly beams at the lot of them. "Sweet. And I'm healthy, so nothing to worry about there."**Janothar**"Ok, now I only brought enough of this for me, so I'll be going back to my lab. See you tomorrow. Oh, and Malcolm, sometimes this week, would you give her the Houses lecture? Just make sure she wants to stick with Solificati. Angie's looking for an apprentice, so though I don't THINK Shiloh will work there, if you meet a potential Criamon..."**K. Malcolm Lawson**Nods to Albina
>
>
>
> "Absolutely, I will, but If she wants to be an Alchemist, House Solificati is the right place for her. And Mater, I will do all that I can to help you catch her up to speed as quickly as possible, in part to thank you for all you did to prepare me for my own Awakening and initiation into the Order, and in part because, as a witness to Shiloh's Awakening, I feel some sense of responsibility to her as well. I will fulfill my obligation to both of you as best I can, and keep an eye out for that Criamon Apprentice for Angie."**Nicholas Perandus**"Excellent, welcome. When Malcolm brings you tomorrow have him show you to my lab as well just so you have a good bearing on the place. As it is getting late I'm going to take my leave, I have some research to start on another matter."**K. Malcolm Lawson**"Understood, Pater Nicholas. We'll meet again later, but if you get any leads on that old house, let me know. Shiloh needs to get some laboratory equipment out of there."**Shiloh Young**She's all grins. "What's a Solificati?" she blurts, before shaking her head and rising fully. "Right, right, another time. I should head back, too."**Janothar**"It means Crowned Ones, because we practice that royal art of alchemy. We've...had a troubled history. We'll get to that when you read the Fragile Path." she winces a bit knowing how people react to reading about Heylel**K. Malcolm Lawson**"One of the Houses of Hermes, which is another lecture that we don't have time for tonight."
>
>
>
> At the mention of the Fragile Path, Malcolm's eyes reflexively dart to his own copy, given to him by Albina three years before.**Shiloh Young**Noting their reactions, "Is everything about your - this," she corrects, "Order so dramatic or tragic?" she asks as she packs her things.**Janothar**"Get a bunch of people together who are so stubborn that when Reality says no and they say yes, Reality is the one that caves, you end up with a bit of drama."**K. Malcolm Lawson**"Mater Albina has it in one. We are something of a lightning rod in a never - ending thunderstorm. Sometimes, we channel the storm. Sometimes we ride it. Sometimes, we are wrecked by it. But we are never overcome by it."
>
>
>
> Malcolm takes a very solemn tone as he turns to Shiloh.
>
>
>
> "A Magus of the Order of Hermes may occasionally know defeat, but we never surrender. Remember that well."**Janothar**She nods, intoning words solemnly, but even if Shiloh doesn't recognize it directly, there's some sort of joke to them "Never give up, never surrender."**K. Malcolm Lawson**Malcolm, on the other hand, knowing exactly what joke she's making, stifles a laugh that would ruin the moment.
>
>
>
> (Love that movie!)**Shiloh Young**It goes right over her head. She throws a thumbs up, taking their words to heart. "Cool. I'll try not to disappoint you guys."
>
>
>
> And she's off unless stopped. (gotta run for a bit, sorry for cutting out like that)**K. Malcolm Lawson**(Nope, it's a good place to call it a night.)**Janothar**Albina nods "See you tomorrow." and she throws down a beaker like she thinks she's some kind of ninja, and the room fills with that purple smoke again