Xander and the Lady discuss matters

Characters in this scene: Xander, Lady, Jack

Setting Location: Sanctuary

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

Xander had slept late after everything the night before. He would have stayed in his room all day, but part of the point of Sanctuary was to connect with people. So he instead sat in the lobby, a stack of books beside him as he read through the opening of his copy of *Connections Intermittent*.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Lady is wearing her typical 'conspicuously inconspicuous' outfit of a white Sunday hat and sunglasses. She's carrying an awkwardly large tote bag. She seems a little weary but in good spirits. She finds a seat in the lobby, close-ish to Xander. Taking a paper wrapped package from her bag, she opens to reveal a book, which she carefully picks up before turning open a page. The front cover reads, *Incarnate Practices: How to Channel Ideas*.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

The Knight looked up as he heard someone sit nearby and smiled as he saw who it was. "Afternoon, Lady Christine. How are you?"

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"Lady Christine" looks around when Knight spoke, as if she didn't know who she might be talking to. "Oh, are you talking to this Humble Fortune Teller? Why, that is a complicated question in deed." Lady lifts up her sunglasses and gives the Knight a wink, "It's been a long day, no weeks or years. It is in my nature to want to have Control when I think I can do good with that power - so I am just doing my best to surrender. That the Fate of Sanctuary is out of my hands and in the Spirit's is somewhat of a relief, actually."

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"I see. I'm glad you are at ease with everything." Xander dipped his head and set his book aside. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there to help things go easier last night."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"I'm not sure what there was to help with, honestly." Lady says. She sounds sincere and nonjudgmental, "I am in the business of using Augury often and seeing the natural trends of the world, and while I knew something might happen last night...I didn't expect Oliver to..." Lady doesn't quite finish her statement, looking a little contemplative.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

He nods in understanding. "It's not a very clear-cut case. I hope the decision made is one that allows Sanctuary to continue, though. Not just for me, but for all of the people who might need a place to stay, and for the people who want somewhere to meet up and discuss their Practice without fear of deception."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"As do I, Sir Knight, as do I."

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"How are you finding your copy of *Incarnate Practices*?"

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"I just started, but I'm already finding your father's notes to be most helpful. I know quite a bit of the Practice and while books have been a part of that, nothing can replace a good tutor. This copy of Incarnate Practices in many ways is like the best of both worlds. It is an excellent gift and I am most appreciative."

"If you don't mind me asking - and please, feel free to decline, how was your relationship with your father? That you, today are a Harbinger of Chivalry...certainly that cannot be a coincidence?"

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"He raised me. Stories every night for ten years, just about everything I could have asked for growing up. He didn't tell me about the family line until it was necessary. I am both glad for his shelter, and wishful that he had given me more time to prepare." Knight sighed and looked aside. "I wish he were here... I have *so much* I wish I could ask him." He gestured towards the book. "That was the first thing I read after awakening. I went over it three times just trying to make sense of it all, and all of the advice he put in there stuck with me. I hope you get as much use of it."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Lady just listened with her full attention on Xander as he spoke, not interrupting, just waiting until he finished. "I know I will." She hums to herself, thinking before going on, "Would you mind if I gave you a tarot reading in my office?"

Timestamper — 03/29/2021

Jack, a mid twenties skinny white male in overalls and a short sleeve t-shirt, had just walked in and spotted the Lady of House Lim. "Oh hey there!" He called over as he jogged over to talk more plainly, "I've been wanting to talk to you." He said with a giddiness to his voice. Straightening up he glanced at Knight, "May I sit with y'all?"

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Lady replaces her sunglasses, but smiles at Jack. She indicates a seat nearby but looks to Xander to make sure it's alright.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

Xander nods. "Please, do so." He smiles and gestures towards a seat. "We can do that reading later, Lady."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Lady nods.

Timestamper — 03/29/2021

He takes the indicated seat with a big smile across his face. "So I had been wanting to ask about that chronomancy the other day. How long have you been doing all that?" His eyes flick to her book and then to her obscured eyes. He was taking it all in.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Internally Lady was having a conniption over the breach of protocols - Jack hadn't yet introduced himself to her and though she knew each guest in Sanctuary by name that didn't well count. And then, you were supposed to offer the Host stories before you asked questions yourself...and then...you didn't necessarily ask questions like that....and then... Lady sighed. She guessed she was taking the 'Fortune Teller' role today and not really 'The Lady of House Lim' "On and off since I was 15, so for a very long time now." Christine responded.

Timestamper — 03/29/2021

"You're pretty good ya think?" Before she could even answer he glanced at Knight and fell into the next question, "You know any?" He still had a look of a man fascinated by everything before him.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

The Knight gave a polite smile. "Chronomancy? None at all. I'm still new to the Practice and am focused on other things for now. Maybe I'll dabble in it later."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

*One of the best,* Christine thought but simply smiled as Jack buzzed on to the next topic of conversation. His energy was inspiring and she let the Knight and him take the stage.

Timestamper — 03/29/2021

"Would you like to learn? It isn't all that hard to learn the basics. We could teach you." Jack said as if he could offer the lady's services.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Lady's temple pulses with an incoming headache. This is strange because she was sure that, not having standard human biology, that wasn't necessarily possible anymore.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"Perhaps some other time. I still need to get my essentials covered." Xander chuckled. "Right now, I'm looking into improving on my Self."

Timestamper — 03/29/2021

Jack shrugs before turning back to Christine, "So how do you like to bank time? Memory sacrifice? Healing stagnation? I'm partial to abuse discrepancies in time delineation but it is a hassle."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"Believe it or not, I've followed some of your posts and work." Christine says, "I think the work you are doing in pushing the boundaries of Chronomancy and trying to find greater returns is fascinating - very dangerous due to the forces we're talking about - but ultimately, promising."

"I am not privvy to discuss too many secrets of my family's Chronomancy in public, but I could do a private chat sometime. I also received a recent gift from the Collections and Consulting Company that does exactly what I believe you are trying to do. Perhaps you could - non-instrusively - study the gift to see if it could help you with your Practice?"

Timestamper — 03/29/2021

If he looked giddy before, than he was on cloud 9 now. "I... I would love that. It would be an honor to work with you. Did ya hear that..." his focus shifted to Knight. "I'm sorry, I don't know your name. I'm Jack. Jack Finnigan." His expression mixed embarrassment into his excitement.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"I am Alex, Xander, or Knight. Alexander Cruize."

Timestamper — 03/29/2021

"Wonderful to meet you. Let me know if you ever want to learn chronomancy. I should get going though. I'll definetly get in touch with you Lady of House Lim." he hopped up and began to make his exit. He quite literally skips to the stairs.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

Xander chuckled a bit. "Sanctuary plays host to interesting folks."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"Sounds great, Jack. Ni...I am gl...I'll look for...you are welcome to contact me."

Lady looks back to Xander, "That we do," she says, emphasizing the 'we.'

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

He smiled. "If you need to take some time, I understand, but I wouldn't mind doing that reading in your office."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"Would you mind helping me with my things?" Lady indicates her bag, as well as opening the crook of her arm to be accompanied. She holds Xander's fathers book still with her other hand, carrying it with great care and reverence.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

The KNight stood and carefully took the Lady's bag. He wrapped the handles over his wrist, offering the Lady that arm while his other hand carefully lifted the stack of books he'd brought down from his room. "After you, Lady Christine."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Lady smiles brilliantly at the Knight, in a way she was felt like she was in some sort of fairy tale. Funnily enough, since taking the mantle of 'Lady' she had yet to find someone quite so chivalrous as this. But, this Xander was young and still relatively knew to the Practice - though she had hopes for him, she knew it was so important that he make his own decision, that he make his own fate. She would do her best not to steer him in a direction she wanted, but instead of his own destiny. They made a simple trek up the stairs of the Lobby, through the bar and to the right, to her office.

Lady's office is large but not intimidatingly so. To the left, a wooden 'board' is displayed vertically, some kind of scene carved into it. To the right, a comfortable looking couch. Hanging lanterns, and in the middle centerpiece of the room - a large wooden desk. Lady indicated the Knight place the bag to the side of the desk and then took her seat behind it. She indicated the chair in front of the desk for Xander to sit.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

Xander carefully placed the bag down, set his books on the corner of the desk, and took the seat. "It's a lovely office."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

The Knight inclined his head. "I see. I have heard such stories end in tragedy as often as not, as a foolish knight seeks to avert a dreadful prophecy and brings it to pass instead." He smiled a rueful smile. "I do hope that there's not a dread omen hanging over my head."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"I don't *believe* there is so, but if you like - we can easily check. My butler is a Psychopomp with an Green Eye that sees threads of Death and a Golden one that sees threads of Fate." Lady casually offers as if it was asking the Knight about which tea they might prefer. "But it is in my experience many such fates can be deterred with effort and resourcefulness. What I am offering is not a pre-made story, but a lens into the journey you are already on...and honestly, some people would rather not know where they are at or what they destiny they have already wrought for themselves. Consider this your one warning."

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"Thank you for that warning, Lady. With that in mind, I will accept the knowledge of my path, and accept that it does not give me guidance on how to find my way along that path." He smiled lightly. "Does that suit?"

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"That does, Sir Knight."

Lady moves without any dynamicism or flourish, it is a simple matter of opening a drawer, retrieving several wooden boards which she sorts through while humming - chooses one, and then slides it over to the Knight. "I'm afraid I've already seen the answer, as at times I am rather curious. A Knight in a Lady's domain? Of course I had to take a peak at your fate. I hope you'll forgive me." She says, teasingly.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"Have you any familiarity with the Tarot?"

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"I am familiar with some of the Major Arcana, but otherwise, no." Xander took in the cards before him, his eyebrows raised. "And I know that some readings do inversions on the cards, but this doesn't appear to be that."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"It isn't."

"Before we begin, curiously, were you hoping to see yourself reflected in one of the Knight suite?"

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

He chuckled. "Knight is the name I chose online because it seemed appropriate given my patron. I'm not disappointed to not see it reflected here, I'll admit."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"Interesting. A good answer, even. I talked up the mystery of the Tarot and fates but ultimately I think it is simply a tool - if you find anything in what I'm about to say helpful, even if challenging I ask you consider taking it - but if you find that none of this applies or helps, please discard it."

"That said, I would argue you are in my office today because you are at a crossroads, a juncture. Perhaps a decision where you really do adopt the path and even aesthetic of a Knight, following in the lines of tradition - or perhaps you will decide to make your own path while still being Chivalrous."

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

Xander nodded. "It's why I haven't used my Practice much since Awakening. Every time I transform, I give up a bit of my Self to Chivalry, and I don't know if that's the path I should take or not."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"I don't know your exact contract, but generally I wouldn't phrase it as giving up your Self - so much as aligning a part of your Self to match something that Chivalry can use as a conduit...but that's more theoretical, I will start with the tarot."

"You come to me not as a Knight but as a Dreamer. Someone who has seen through the illusions of the world - or at least some of them - and has experienced loss. I see this first part of the reading indicating an Idealist who has become disillusioned and found the world for lack of a better word, wanting."

"Despite this, there is yet still a world of possibilities - but one born of the imagination, of the stories your father told you - not necessarily paths you've seen others take in the land many of us call 'reality.' This path you are on is further complicated by a lack of resources - you are not starting with the same benefits that many of us who are from long Practitioners lines gain along the path." "Yet, you've somehow made your peace with this fact and have moved on."

"This part of the reading is straight forward: You can't escape a Loss you've had in your life - the loss of your father? It haunts you in your sleep at times, denying you rest and proper peace. Because of this, your future's path is especially unclear to you, you have a difficulty seeing what is ahead or even Right anymore."

"But what you may not understand is that within your Loss is also your Answer. You must explore that part of you further, see past any Illusions you may have - perhaps who you believe your father was - now seen through the lens of your current self - doesn't match up who he was. Once you reconcile this you finally have the peace you so rightfully deserve. Your path will become a thing that gives you strength, not saps it."

"These are what the cards are telling me - it is not an easy read, I understand. But perhaps take a moment of silence, let it absorb not consciously but as a feeling, and then let me know your thoughts?" Lady offers.

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

Xander sat in contemplation for a moment. He could feel the stinging in his eyes and the lump in his throat. This reading went beyond what he had expected, it had shown him that things like this were *real* now. He'd been shouldering the loss of his father and the sudden change to his world as he became a Practitioner, and the Lady had used three simple cards to show him how heavy that burden had weighed on him.

"I am a Harbinger of Chivalry, the latest in a lineage that spans over seven-hundred years. Every man who came before me did his best to be good and true, and my father exemplified that to a profound degree. To be a Knight is to do more than dress in armor and rush headlong into battle. It is to lift up those around you by actions and words. I thought he was a coward, for he never used harsh words or violence to solve problems, but I see the truth now. Never did he use harsh words or actions to solve his problems..."

Xander reached up to wipe at the tears on his face. "I seek to honor him. I do not need to be a knight in appearance, only in deed. To bolster others, to defend those who cannot defend themselves, these are the duties of a Knight of Chivalry."

He bowed his head and reached a hand across the desk. "Thank you, Lady, for showing me my path."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

Lady listened intently, taking everything in. When Xander wiped the tears in his face, he noticed the Lady doing the same with her own face. She returns his bow, just as deep. "You are most welcome, Xander. This is but one light, one lantern on a path that at times may seem very dark. May you find your next lantern safely and well."

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"I... I should go, I have taken enough of your time, and I have much to think on. But before I do, I pledge myself, Lady, to the aid and defense of this Sanctuary. Should there ever be cause, even once I have taken my leave of this place, you must simply call and I will do my best to come to its aid."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/29/2021

"My time is mine as I wish to give - should you wish more of it, I shall grant it. That said, I understand a need for space. One quick warning - be careful of the answers that seem simple. Even if you have found an Answer today, it is likely you will find that Answer tested." "Sanctuary appreciates and accepts your pledge of defense. Please make certain - and do not promise me this but just endeavor - to keep yourself safe, well, and whole, so you may come to that defense should Sanctuary need you, at your best."

"Before you leave Sanctuary, stop by my office again and I will have an offer for you. But first, I want to give you the opportunity to sit with your past, present, and future."

Xan || Unknownmercury — 03/29/2021

"Thank you, Lady, I will endeavor to do so." Xander stood and picked up his books. He offered another bow before heading for the door.