It was about an hour till sunset and this was hopefully the correct shop. Jaibah didn't particularly want to entertain thoughts of trying to conduct business with these merchants after dark... after all these sorts of hole in the wall shops were far from the normal beaten paths of tourists but that only meant there was more risk of getting swindled, robbed, or worse. With Essyrni in their blood at least they didn't look the part of total foreigners but it was hardly the safest place for even law abiding citizens of the great city state itself.
A small glance told Cijii to stay outside with their vardo. An eyeroll responded with 'its fiiine'.
Jaibah sighed and headed into the shop, knowing Cijii was not going to accept staying outside despite the fact that they were only looking for a book.
Perhaps it was because Cijii seemed to attract a lot of positive attention in Essyrn. Cijii did look more Essyrni, both physically and in style. His long black and mahogany hair was thick and worn in a large braid that had a few smaller braids woven into it, and his eyes were dark brown. It didn't hurt that the younger male wore clothing more closely resembling the wrapped garments that were so popular here. Jaibah on the other hand took to wearing more ornamental robes and had a half updo for his long wavy blue-black hair. No matter they were not staying long. After they procured what Jaibah was looking for they would be off for a new destination, perhaps Serendipity. Or La'Marri.
Jaibah adjusted his crescent moon shaped glasses on the bridge of his nose and ran his finger across the spines on one of the shelves, ignoring whatever the merchant was saying in common. Cijii however answered the man back in Essyrni. That at least Jaibah was grateful for. He didn't like people to begin with but they were always exponentially worse when they thought they could take advantage of you. His fingers skipped along till he reached the empty spot where the tome rightfully should be. Damn. Where was it?
Imogene squinted as he pressed his face closer to the book in his hands. Once again he cursed himself for his poor eyesight as he struggled to make out the words on the musty parchment and whether or not they spelled out what he was looking for or not. It would be his luck to refuse to use his glasses in public and then purchase the wrong tome for nearly a fortune.
It was due to this musings and stubbornness that he was therefore oblivious to the entrance of the newcomers. With a frustrated sigh he shook his head of braids, the motion nearly threatening to undo the haphazardly and hastily made half-bun perched on the top of his head. His earrings clicked as they were jostled and he sighed heavily in disappointment. He really did need to start bringing his spectacles with him on these excursions or finally decide to use a corrective spell. He was wasting far too much time with the simple things when a quick glance through a pair of curved pieces of glass would right everything in seconds.
The sigh was what made Jaibah's attention snap to the other patron. Those crystals... and- Jaibah's mouth formed a thin line when he saw the book that the other was holding. No. It had taken far to long for him to track down a copy of that tome that had not been destroyed already. Jaibah looked over at Cijii, who apparently already noticed the other.
Jaibah was obviously upset about... something... why were they even in here again? Cijii idly flicked a crystal across one of the tables and... wow. Now that certainly was enchanting. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. She was really pretty. How had this beauty escaped his sight till now? Oh of course, she was using the powerful camouflage that most referred to as 'a book'. Aaaand Jaibah was shooting him a look... for what? He hadn't even hit on her yet! Shouldn't Jaibah be looking for his dumb book anyway- ooooooooooohhhh.
Well. That could be taken care of. Cijii approached the tall slender thing, she seemed frustrated. Hmmm. "What ails you lovely? You sound troubled... might I be of service?" Cijii's smile widened.
Jaibah rolled his eyes and turned away from that display. There were a few other simple supplies that he could gather while Cijii finessed the other out of that book; and knowing him, out of those robes too.
The mage paused in his thoughts at the voice behind him, taking an extra moment to realize that the voice was actually directed to him. He straightened slowly while closing the book gently and folding it against his chest. "I assure you," he spoke in a soothing, low voice. "That I am in perfect health and ail from nothing worthy of your fancy," Imogene turned to face the man, giving him a quick and thorough glance up and down before adding softly, "sir.
"I do not believe we've met before and I was sure I knew every foreigner here in Essyrn," he prompted with a slight quirk of his brow as his eyes twinkled in amusement.
Cijii was hardly deterred by the claim that this lovely lady, with that soft luscious voice, claimed to be well. Nor that she was calling him out. His smile only widened, a genuine expression of happiness and amusement. "But your sigh belies you. I only wish to give aid. I seek little in return I assure you."
Jaibah had to refrain from scoffing. How could Cijii say things like that? How was he so obnoxiously good at speaking with others? Even when he bordered inappropriate he seemed to be sweet and smooth.
"I take offense at that, I may have foreign blood but I also have ancestors that hail from this great nation." The smile didn't waiver, nor did his lighthearted tone. "And come now, new foreigners arrive here daily, surely you can't know everyone."
"Perhaps I should rephrase my statement then. I thought I knew all the foreigners who would frequent such a place as this. We are far and few between especially in this land to enter such a seemingly dark and foreboding premises.
"If you'll excuse me now though I wish to make some purchase and I'm sure you desire to do the same." Imogene bowed slightly, his eyes not once leaving Cijii's as he did so. He then moved to step around the shorter yet persistent young man.
"Can I buy you a drink?" Cijii blurted out as the other moved past him, but he didn't seem to miss a beat, keeping in step behind her. Nice view back here too. "I'd love to spend some time with another foreigner who is brave enough to venture into this dark and foreboding place. We can always discuss our purchases and finds if nothing else."
Jaibah finished purchasing his other supplies and shot a glance at the other patron... he still had the book. Well. Hopefully Cijii would not forget what he was supposed to be doing. Jaibah headed out onto the street to notice someone lurking around the vardo. Wonderful.
Imogene paused at the question. "Well thank you for the kind gesture but I'm not actually thirsty. Truly I am quite well and you needn't worry about me." He offered the other man a cheerful smile then placed the book on the counter. A carnelian crystal on display there though quickly caught his attention so he added it to his small purchase pile and nodded warmly to the owner.
"Twelve gold, two bronze," the shopkeeper spoke brusquely in the country's native dialect.
"Aye, lovely sun," Imogene replied haltingly. His command of the language was at best, horrid.
"Twelve gold, two bronze," the man repeated, growing more and more irritated.
Imogene furrowed his brow in confusion but shook his head and smiled as he pulled out his coinpurse and proceeded to try and count out far too much money while the shopkeeper's eyes gleamed with the prospect of making a steal of a deal.
Cijii stifled a small chuckle when the pretty thing responded with... that was just horrendous Essyrni, what was this lovely even trying to say? He looked at the book and few items the other had and moved them ever so slightly as he spoke to the shop keep.
"12 gold, 2 bronze right... Hmm." At first his intention was to help the lovely out but with all this rebuffing of good will... well there was a different way to play this. "6 silver for these..." He smiled at the shop keep pushing the other items to the retailer, "and I'll give you 15 gold to sell me the book instead." He said pushing the book forward with a smile.
The mage tilted his head in confusion. He did not understand the words said by the stranger but he understood enough of the body language to surmise something was said regarding his purchases. It all seemed off to him but he just could not place his finger on it. None of his crystals or charms seemed to react negatively though so Imogene kept quiet and watchful. His hands were poised to grab his purchases should a possible and sudden row begin between the rather disgruntled shopkeeper and the overly personable stranger.
When nothing happened save the exchange of money between hands, Imogene began to relax. It was meant to last thing though as he watched the items he had meant to purchase for himself be handed over to the stranger instead of himself. Distraught he looked back and forth between the men and gasped in distress.
"There's been a mistake. I was to purchase those," he declared with an expression of hurt and disbelief.
Cijii thanked the shopkeeper and took the book in hand before giving the other items to the tall beauty. "Oh you were huh?" His smile was gentle and charismatic, not sly or cruel in the slightest. "Well... it's going to cost you. Let me buy you a drink? ...and maybe tell me your name." He said over his shoulder as he headed outside.
Meanwhile Jaibah had managed to get the creep away from the vardo before unlocking it with his key and heading inside, locking the door behind him again. He hoped Cijii would hurry up so they could leave before that creep came back. In Jaibah's experience with people it was a matter of when not if, besides they should really move the vardo before it got much darker.
"But I'm not thirsty," he protested again in earnest. "Please I'll pay you back for them," Imogene continued, pouring the contents of his coinpurse into the palm of his hand. "How much was it altogether? Twenty? Twenty-one gold?"
To look up and find the stranger leaving without returning his items caused the mage to panic slightly and hurry to follow with the most cursory of farewells to the shopkeeper. "Please, just return the items to me. If it's money that you want, I'm willing to pay you double. Honestly you seem like a sweet young man. Playing these schemes doesn't suit you at all."
Schemes? Awww! She really was quite cute! He turned to her and smiled brightly. "Are you hungry then? I... am trying to ask for your company... I am not expecting more than the mutual pleasure of conversation though, I assure you.. and you really need to learn Essyrni better... or make them talk to you in common, any shop keep worth their salt knows it, they play these games to swindle foreigners... he almost had you good too."
He moved to the vardo and... well he wasn't sure how to deal with Jaibah just yet. Instead of going inside he put the book in the small bag at his side and started to pull the vardo up the street. They had mounts that normally pulled it but they were stabled at the moment... they should have left the vardo parked there too but Jaibah was busy working on something again and so Cijii just pulled it along with them. Besides, Jaibah hated cities.
Cijii looked over to his tall beauty. "Well, are you coming lovely?"
Imogene pursed his lips and shook his head slightly in exasperation, his jewelry clinking about with the movement. ""No, thank you," he stated smiling politely yet tightly. "Also I have already had several transactions with him before and with no issue until you came along. My Essyrni does need work but that's of course why I'm here and practicing it. Now if you could please be so kind as to stop calling me lovely and hand over my things, I believe we both can be on our way. I'm very interested in the readings you see and I have some very time-sensitive work at home that I'm currently working on. I'm sure you understand," Imogene smiled sweetly, his hand held out and open for receiving."
Cijii chuckled. "12 gold, 2 bronze. What did I just say?" He kept pulling the vardo along. It wasn't as heavy as it looked, it was fairly heavily enchanted so that helped, though it wouldn't be easy for just anyone to pull. "You know I could call you by your name if you would just tell me... My name is Cijii, and yours is?"
She was cute... and seemed very interested in her work. He wondered what she was doing. Why she was interested in the same book Jaibah had been looking for for... shit. He had to give Jaibah the book. He'd almost forgotten.
"That it's pleasant out today," he answered while moving to step directly in front of Cijii in hopes of forcing him to stop abruptly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Cijii. I am Imogene and I'm not going to move out of your way until either I get my things back or you find some way to magically duplicate an impossible to duplicate without damaging, ancient text that happens to be the last in existence. Deal?"
"First of all... I said 12 gold, 2 bronze... which is what that shop keep was trying to charge you... which was actually high since if he knew what the book was worth it would not have just been out on the shelves to begin with. I also know that he was ready to rip you off for even more than that and since you said you have dealt with him before, can safely assume he has already done so. Now Imogene..." Cijii grinned as he winked and both Cijii and the vardo disappeared and reappeared behind the mage.
"You are underestimating me..." He called back, continuing on his way. It might have seemed like he had caused the teleportation when in fact he hadn't. It was one of the enchantments Jaibah had put on the vardo... one he was surely going to get in trouble for activating since the thing couldn't withstand doing that often and it was supposed to be a safety measure to avoid collisions.
"And if you aren't willing to go out with me I just think you are going to have to look elsewhere for your book... there were three of them... you sure the other two are long gone?" She sure was fun to tease... she really was bringing out the worst of him, in the best of ways.
He flushed darkly at having his mistake rubbed in his face but smiled nonetheless. "Well thank you for the correction then." Imogene did not have a chance to say more before Cijii was suddenly popping off and reappearing behind him. The antics were rather childish in his opinion but did not even cause him to sigh as he focused all of his thought on trying to get the result he desired.
From the earth sprung up a leafy green vine that with a mind of its own begin to wind its way throw the spokes of the vardo, effectively tangling in the wheels and bringing it to a stop. "Now as we are indeed already out and together and I cannot fathom how we could become even moreso, I suppose I have no choice but to bid you good day, Cijii. You certainly will have you hands full I think with that vine. A bit of a nasty variety if I remember correctly. It can neither be cut, nor burned, nor removed magically. I suggest asking it nicely though. I've always found that to help," the mage smiled impishly while holding out his hand to shake.
"I meant go out on a date! C'mon Imogene I'm not THAT vague!" He looked at the vine... no cutting it? Craaaaap... Jaibah was going to be pissed. It seemed like some weird riddle that Jaibah would be able to solve easily but it just confused Cijii and dang it! it was starting to climb up the sides!
"Ask it nicely...?" He looked back at the mage, she was smiling! ...why did this make him like her more? And now she was looking to shake hands, well.. he couldn't be rude to such a beauty... besides he was kinda dumbfounded right now. Without really thinking he just took her hand and shook it gently as was customary of a gentleman with a lovely woman.
Imogene's eyes widened in slight shock at the realization that this random stranger was being such a thorn in his side simply because he wanted to pursue amorous relations with the mage. It disappointed him though slightly as Imogene would bet serious money that he had once again been mistaken for a woman despite his attire and manner.
Well if Cijii was going to be like that then the only thing for it would be to let him down in the most gentle manner possible. Accepting the other man's hand in a handshake, Imogene leaned in to kiss his cheek in the proper fashion of one Essyrni male to another.
"I really do not believe you want to court me. Now may I have my book please?"
And then she kissed his cheek. "Whoa! That's not... I mean that is something two guys do-" And it hit him like a bag of bricks. She... was a he. There was no exaggerated body language on Cijii's part, no freaking out or look of disappointment as it clicked. It didn't deter him... Well now he felt foolish for saying that though. He really should have noticed that sooner but... wait..
"...Ok isn't Imogene a girl's name though?" He asked as he leaned in to kiss his cheek in return, that charismatic smile returning. He was actually happy for this newfound opportunity to get closer with this greeting... and was oblivious to the vine wrapping further around the vardo.
"Indeed," he replied unabashedly as he watched the proverbial flame finally catch the wick in Cijii's eyes. "My name is my name. It's what my parents named me," he continued with a slight shrug of his shoulders. Imogene tried to release Cijii's hand and step back though as he noticed the vines he had created now fully encompass the vardo from top to bottom. They were already starting to block the door and creep their way down towards where Cijii had been holding onto the wood. "I do believe you have more pressing problems at hand than the origins of my name though, Cijii."
He was still so taken with the mage he was momentarily confused as to what these more pressing matters could be-
The lock! Shit shit shit shit shit! Cijii went to pull his sword from his bag but- Imogene said it couldn't be cut... or burned or- damnit! He pulled the book out of his bag instead and held it over the vardo door's lock. If something were to jam the lock... Jaibah would be stuck inside. He couldn't let that happen, even as the vine started to entangle his arm, he pressed the book firm against the lock. "Imogene help me! My brother is in there!"
Imogene froze at the panicked sound of Cijii's voice. The book's safety being threatened was not even taken into considered in the face of an innocent possibly being harmed especially by the mage's own antics. He rushed forward to stand close to the shorter man and place a hand on the head of the vine that had now made it up to Cijii's shoulder.
"That's quite enough. Time to return to the earth now dear," he murmured calmly while petting the vine. For a moment it paused its growth then with a mighty shudder it quickly retreated far faster than it had sprouted up from the earth. "Forgive me. I had no intention of causing harm," he whispered, his head bowed in deep apology.
Cijii didn't even have time to acknowledge Imogene's apology, as soon as the vine pulled back he scrambled for his key and unlocked the door, recklessly throwing it open without thinking and rushing inside without noticing the door remained ajar behind him.
Inside was a room at least 100 yards long with decadent high ceilings and intricate glass and metal filigree sky lights that made lovely patterns on the marble floor as the sun filtered in from the windows as well. It wasn't simply a room though, As the tall hardwood shelves indicated with their contents... it was a library. The place practically pulsated with ancient magic, and its sole inhabitant poured over a long oak table that was littered in books and parchment as well as several artifacts.
Jaibah looked up from his research as Cijii entered the Library and threw his arms around his older brother. "C-Cijii what is wrong? Are you alright? I didn't feel any danger befalling you... was there a problem?" He adjusted his glasses as the sudden embrace had knocked them askew and noticed the book in Cijii's hand. "You got it. Thank you Cijii." Jaibah said taking the book in his hands. Finally it was back in the library where it belonged.
The mage did not fault in Cijii's rush to ensure the safety of his brother. However, he was completely blown away in awe by the magic he could practically taste in the air that poured out of the mind-boggling room. Without thought he had already taken several steps into the room and was drinking it all in with complete awe. A thousand questions danced on the tip of his tongue only to be silenced by the thus-far unnamed brother.
Imogene's heart dropped into his stomach. He had been lied to and all as a ploy to steal something from him something that he had been making an effort to purchase. 'Although is it truly stealing when he paid for it before you?' He shook his head and pushed his thoughts away as he finally found his voice again.
"So you had no intention of returning it to me," he spoke, with sad eyes and a heavy heart.
Jaibah was the first to notice the intruder, pushing Cijii away and getting to his feet. "You left the door open?!" He glared at Cijii as he stalked to the door and locked it, looking the other mage over more closely now than he had at the shop. Those crystals... hmm.. "Well... how are we going to deal with... this?" Jaibah asked gesturing to the intruder.
"...We don't have deal with him, Jaibah." Cijii sighed as he headed over to Imogene with an apologetic frown. "...I was kind of hoping we could give him the book when you are done with it Jaibah. He really did want it first..."
Imogene silently observed the back and forth exchange between the brothers with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Being locked in also did nothing to alleviate his concerns. He was quick to step out of the man's way and to keep his back to a wall as the pair all but ignored his presence and instead spoke around him instead of to him.
Mention of the book though only made him softly bark in laughter. "Do not mock me, Cijii. Any mage worth his salt knows better than to let a book such as that out of their grasp once they've acquired it. Twelve gold, fifteen gold, even two hundred gold is a steal in price for what it is truly worth. Even I, who may struggle with the language recognizes that and I'm sure your brother does too." Imogene raised a brow as he looked towards Jaibah who standing closer to him than he would have liked in a room with a locked door.
"He is right. It belongs here in the library anyhow... its where its supposed to be." Jaibah said crossing his arms to his chest as he tried to decide what should be done with the intruder.
Cijii looked between the two, mouth slightly agape and pulled down in a frown. "But... it's just a book with the first part of the fables and a few spells right? You said you needed the first half for one of the riddles but its not much use to anyone without the second book why can't he just have it? Its not like he can do any damage-"
Jaibah's gaze narrowed at Cijii effectively silencing the other.. How could his younger be so daft as to give away such information in front of some unknown mage?! What, just because he was good looking?
"It is hardly where it is supposed to be," Imogene cut in firmly. "It belongs at a university where all scholars can partake in its knowledge and learning. It does not belong in some private collector's library where it can sit and collect dust simply because you felt you needed it. The magicks in this book are old. They deserve to not be lost to time or some collector's fancy!"
Imogene spoke passionately hoping that he could get his point across as he inadvertently took a step closer to Jaibah. "Please understand, this is the last book of its kind. It deserves more respect than what you're proposing for it."
Jaibah glared. What did this man even know? He stepped closer, not backing down just because the other was taller. "This library is not some meager collection. It is an archive. A place of protection for such tomes and this is where that book came from. It was written here. It belongs here." Jaibah adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, scoffing slightly. If he wasn't so sure that he was going to preform an amnesia spell on this man he would not have said any more about it.
Imogene scoffed and shook his head in frustration, his beads and crystals rattling soothingly as he did so. "Call it what you may but it is still the same thing! You are depriving people of the chance to learn. You're depriving people of knowledge! How can you not see that? Not care? Have you no compassion? This information does not solely belong to you whether you think so or not!"
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. It was unfathomable to him that someone could be so selfish with such precious knowledge. Agitatedly, he pulled a polished piece of blue lace agate and rolled it over and over on the palm of his hand, hoping to calm himself. He had never gotten this roused over something so small before. His temper was not easily set off and yet thisahe was beginning to bring out the worst in him.
Cijii stepped between them when Imogene said the bit about 'depriving people of knowledge' bit. He could see how angry Jaibah was, tell that a spell was just hanging on his brother's tongue. "Jaibah... Please. Let me talk to him ok? He doesn't know, he doesn't understand... how could he?" Cijii said in Essyrni and Jaibah rolled his eyes.
Jaibah glared over Cijii's shoulder at the mage. How utterly impudent. He looked back at Cijii who seemed more intent on protecting and aiding this stranger than his own brother. "Fine. Say what you want. Do as you wish. I am wiping his memory of all this at sunrise tomorrow regardless of what prattle you feed him." Jaibah retorted in Thanati, his tone clearly denoting his poor attitude towards the entire situation. He shot one last glare at the other and stalked off toward one of the back rooms with the book and some of his other research materials.
Cijii sighed and turned to Imogene, actually frowning. "I apologize for that... he is not good with people and... While I can understand your opinion on these matters... there is a lot more to it than that." He sighed and tried to force an apologetic smile but the smile aspect refused to take root. "I'm sorry Imogene... I really am."
The mage waited patiently as the pair talked around him. He had no doubt that it was about him. He just did not know what specifically they were discussing about him. When at last the quarrel seemed to be over and Cijii was addressing him personally he could only sigh and shake his head sadly.
"You lied to me. You thought I was nothing more than a woman with a pretty face whom you could charm into letting you steal away the very thing I was after. Had I been a woman I can only imagine what horrors you would have tried to rain down upon me. At least Jaibah, though rude was far more upfront with his displeasure and intentions." Imogene shook his head again in displeasure.
Cijii's frown just seemed to grow. Is that what he had been doing? Maybe it was... part of him had been hoping that Imogene was a she and that she was the one... then it would have been easy to share the book; share the entire library. He had been foolish and overly optimistic- and WAY too imposing of his own desires on her- errr him. "You're right. I'm a jerk. I have been a real jerk to you but... I really wasn't trying to take advantage of you, as contradictory as that might seem. I thought.. maybe you could still use the book and... I don't know... I kinda thought maybe you were the one for us when I thought you were a woman. And I still like you..." He muttered rubbing his neck and blushing a bit. How foolish indeed.
"I have to move the vardo and get us some dinner... why don't you read some of these other books while you wait? I haven't read much of them but there is a wealth of information here." He said heading towards the door.
He did not understand all of the words fluttering from Cijii's mouth. Or rather, he understood the words but not the man's meaning behind them. Their discussion about the deception and Cijii's so-called feelings for him would have to wait until after though. "Go, Cijii. It's not as if I can disappear into thin air. We can continue this when you come back I suppose," he sighed, nodding his head to the other man though not unkindly.
Imogene turned then to the walls upon walls of books. In any other circumstance he would be in a daze, not knowing where to start. He would have loved to spend a lifetime reading every single one of them but at that particular moment in time there was only one book that preyed upon his mind.
Treading softly, it took a great deal of restraint to keep from pausing to read titles or trail his fingertips along the old spines of ancient tomes. "Jaibah," he called out gently, not sure where the other man had gotten to and if he could even hear him in the first place. "Can we at least talk about the book? There is knowledge in it that I needed for my research. Perhaps we could share?"
Cijii left the room and locked the door behind him. He felt terrible for all this. Hopefully he could make it up to Imogene somehow... maybe convince Jaibah not to erase the mage's memory.
Jaibah was holed up in his room toward the back of the library. He was seated at his desk, though it seemed every flat surface in his room was covered in books and parchment- his bed included. He briefly looked up from his work and scoffed aloud when he heard the stranger call for him. "You can talk all you wish but do not expect me to listen to your prattle." He replied loud enough that he was sure the other would hear him.
At the sound of his voice, Imogene moved more confidently down the hall and into the new room. The fact that the varda even had multiple rooms was still mind-boggling yet, Imogene could not spare much thought to it in the face of such rudeness. He approached Jaibah's desk without hesitation and placed his hands on the table to try and get the other man's attention.
"There is no need to be childish and rude when we are both men here, Jaibah. My name is Imogene and all I want to do is talk. Can you at least spare me that simple courtesy or do I need to do something drastic for that?"
Jaibah gazed up at the intruder, over his crescent shaped glasses, for just a moment before turning the page of his new book. "You said something about your research correct? What precisely are you researching?" He muttered, scribbling down a note and a small diagram into a journal of sorts... going out of his way to work around Imogene's hands on his desk.
Imogene stared at Jaibah for a long moment, assessing if the other man was truly taking an interest or was just humoring him in order to blow him off and completely ignore him. His continued working around him though was certainly amusing so the bejeweled mage allowed him to continue.
"My area of interest is in lost magicks and societies. That book if it truly contains what I hope it does, will tell another part of the disappearance and location of an ancient desert city thought long lost to the sands," he spoke softly but with deep passion. "Few people know of this legend though. I would understand if you thought me crazy for even speaking of it but my hope is to perhaps find this city or at the very least learn more of their healing arts. Often times I have found that the old ways were far more advanced than we are today simply because the advancement has been lost to sickness or time."
Jaibah couldn't help but chuckle at that. Actually he had to take off his glasses because his eyes were watering he was laughing so hard. "That's what you are researching?" He said wiping his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. "You have no idea... here. Let me show you."
Jaibah stood up and gestured for Imogene to follow him, trusting that the other mage would follow him as he headed back out into the library and up the stairs to the upper level, walking around until he reached a large window, pointing out of it. "Look out there. That's what you are searching for."
The mage's brow furrowed in skepticism as his eyes followed Jaibah's movements. After a moment of hesitation he finally straightened, smoothing out the front of his robes as he made to follow the other man. Up the stairs they climbed, Imogene's eyes drinking in and admiring the shorter man's form as they moved. It was a pity that Jaibah seemed to be such a stick in the mod, he was rather attractive, at least until he decided to open his mouth.
At the top of the stairs, Imogene hesitated again, casting a silent, questioning glance towards the other mage before turning his gaze to the window. For a moment, all he saw was the Essyrn desert that he expected to see. But then as his heart seized within his chest in shock, Imogene realized how different it all looked. "It cannot be," he breathed, rushing closer to the window to place a hand against it. "How?" he gasped, turning to the mage. "What game are you playing at here?"
The city was revealed to Imogene as it would be to any who looked out side for more than a mere glance. The windows were long ago enchanted to seem innocuous and therefore made guests of the Library pay no mind to them or the view outside and a simple glance would make the viewer believe that what lie outside the Library was whatever they were expecting to see out there. But if one were to truly look outside... well that was another story.
"No game." Jaibah said as he moved to stand beside Imogene, also looking out at their real surroundings. "This Library exists within the city. However the Library is not reachable from the city itself and we cannot reach the city from in here. Only observe. Only watch the people go about their daily lives as their society that has been isolated from us for so long starts to finally dwindle." He said with a sincerely heavy heart. He could tell by Imogene's reaction that the motivation behind finding this place at least came from a source of good intent. Perhaps he had been cold and hasty earlier.
"There are good reasons why things that belong to the Library need to stay in the Library Imogene. I am sorry that our views differ, but I cannot afford to waiver on these matters."
Imogene shuttered his eyes closed, his forehead coming to rest against the cool glass. It was all becoming too much for him to process. A lifetime's worth of work and research suddenly coming to fruition only to be even further from his grasp. He could not believe that it was real and yet there was no doubt in his heart that it was.
"Can they see in? Can the people see us?" he asked, his voice croaking under the weight of his heavy thoughts. He did understand Jaibah's reasons for hoarding the books, though he did not necessarily agree with the man's cruel means of protectiveness.
"I do not believe so. Even if we were lower and it were easier to see into the Library... the windows are enchanted from both sides." He muttered looking down upon the city from their perch.
It was obvious that the Library was part of some larger building from their height. Perhaps the palace or a church? It looked to be grand from what Jaibah could tell. And it was hidden but in plain sight so it must be in a building or part of a building few would have access to.
"I am sorry." He said softly as he pulled himself away from the window and headed for the staircase.
"How is this even possible? This is real? It's not an illusion and I'm not dreaming?" Imogene asked, moving to the banister to look to Jaibah. He was still in shock and could a chill running up and down his spine. There were people living, breathing people trapped in a world they could not leave while he had spent years running around on theories and what if's only to find out it was all real. He had nothing to show for his work either.
"Did you create this? This place and this magic, is it yours?"
Jaibah paused on the stairs and looked the the other man. He had only told Imogene as much as he had, only let him see it because he still planned to wipe it all from the mage's memory. He would still have to... so what harm would telling him more- no.
No he could not reveal to much.
"No. It isn't mine." He turned away from Imogene's gaze and finished his descent of the staircase and headed towards his room.
This stranger, no, this trespasser had to leave. He had to be dealt with and he had to leave the Library. Cijii would return soon and they would deal with this Imogene and return to work as usual.
Imogene climbed down the stairs after Jaibah before gently giving his sleeve a tug to pull him about face. "Please, I was rude before. I had no idea. You probably think I don't deserve it and you'd probably be right but please I don't understand how this is how it is and I desperately want to. I'm sorry for how I was before. I am passionate about my research and," he paused shaking his head as he ran a hand through his long tresses distractedly. "And today I just learned that I'm not chasing fairy-tales and myths. This is real and I want to know more. You have those answers, please I'm begging you, teach me. Show me how this can even be."
Teach him? There was so much even he did not yet know. He did not know what would become of the Library- of generations of Juris Ataraxia work. Work that he was sworn to continue. Secrets he was bound to protect. "I'm sorry. I cannot teach outsiders."
Jaibah said as he pulled away from Imogene. A small twinge of regret present on his face before he turned away from the other mage. "You can read whatever you'd like while you are here. But you won't remember any of this in the morning."
The mage dropped Jaibah's sleeve like a man burned. The other man's words could not have possibly been anymore gutting to hear than they were. Imogene felt himself collapsing on the inside as he retreated backwards to the stairs. "What's the point?" he murmured feeling utterly defeated. "If you're just going to steal that away from me too then what use is reveling in truths I nor anyone else will ever know again? You offer me dreams and my nightmares all in the same breath, offering it as if it is an ultimate favor when it is noting short of being a cruel parlor trick. You should be ashamed of yourself," Imogene rebuked before slinking his way back up the stairs to sulk and watch the people outside the window.