The dim glow of a desk lamp cast long shadows across the basement walls, illuminating a quiet corner where Tyler sat hunched over a stack of thick, blank sheets, each carefully numbered at the bottom. A large, worn book lay open beside him, pages brittle and slightly yellowed with age, its deer-hide binding a reminder of its strange and distant past. He leaned over it with an almost reverent focus, eyes moving carefully along each line as he transcribed the text by hand onto the blank sheets, using a meticulous block print. Occasionally, his brow furrowed, and he'd reach for a red pen to mark over certain words he'd crossed out, updating his translation with small corrections. Some phrases had been revised so many times that a faint, dark smear sat below them, evidence of his struggle to capture the author's ancient meanings accurately.
Pausing, he glanced back at the original page, mouthing the foreign phrases as he mentally parsed through the structure. Tyler took a breath, allowing himself to sit back in his chair for a moment, rotating his wrist to stretch it out. A light tremor still lingered in his hand from hours of work, though his curiosity was undampened. This was more than a transcription-it was a dialogue with history, an opportunity to piece together hidden intentions from nearly seven centuries past.
The sound of Vivian's heels against the steps heralds her approach and while she is dressed as sharp as ever, there is obvious and awful fatigue in her eyes and on her face. She looks exhausted, mentally and physically, though she's trying to keep it together. She arrives to the basement and takes a quick look around before her gaze settles on Tyler reading through the ancient text. She paces towards him, lifting a hand to wave at him as she speaks softly. "Good afternoon Tyler, how's the studying going?" Her usual level of energy is simply absent.
Tyler looked up at the sound of her heels, a hint of a warm smile crossing his face. But as his eyes took in Vivian's obvious exhaustion, he paused, setting his pen down carefully on the stack of half-transcribed pages.
"Vivian," he greeted, his voice softening. "Good afternoon. Studying's... a bit of a marathon at this point." He glanced briefly at the sprawling notes and the battered old text beside him, as though seeing it with fresh eyes. "But Long is the way and narrow is the path, for I am..." he flips back to one of the translated passages to get this right, "...a Pilgrim on the Lonely Road."
He let a quiet moment linger, his gaze searching hers with concern. "Are you all right? You look like you've been through the wringer." He stopped himself from saying more, knowing Vivian's boundaries well enough to offer a place to land without overstepping. Instead, he slid a chair out for her, gesturing gently. "Come on, sit for a minute. Guessing you're not sleeping?"
Vivian offers a weak smile back to Tyler and gratefully accepts that seat. She settles into it and looks almost as if she might pass out the moment she's resting somewhere. Her eyes close for a moment before she snaps back up and shakes her head, taking and releasing a few quick breaths. "What? Sorry, no. Not sleeping well." For reasons that Tyler would most likely be aware of. "Sleeping.. it's just not restful." She looks miserable, head dipping forward again before her eyes cut over to him.
"I'll be fine. Costs must be paid. Lessons learned. Dealing with the awakened is.. dangerous. It could have gone far worse for me if I hadn't immediately thrown myself at her mercy." Her eyes then drift to the book, curiosity rousing her for a moment. "Are you finding it useful? Or.. interesting? You never told me what happened to you that made you get so spooked."
Tyler watched her with a steady, sympathetic gaze, his brow creasing as she spoke. He knew the weight she carried, and he didn't miss the toll it had clearly taken. "Restless sleep isn't going to make dealing with Lyra's?brand of 'education' any easier," he murmured, carefully choosing his words. "Still, I'm glad it wasn't worse for you. That woman plays by rules only she seems to understand. You did the right thing, treading carefully."
He glanced down at the old book before him, thoughtfully running a hand along its cracked spine. "As for this," he said with a faint smile, "I'd say 'useful' might be stretching it. But it's? captivating. If nothing else, it's helping me understand where Lyra's mind lives. I think I'll get more out of that than anything else written on these pages."
Tyler's expression tightened slightly, his gaze sharpening. "There's a line, Vivian, even with all this mysticism we're knee-deep in. If Lyra felt her thoughts were fair game, she'd offer them up. But prying like that? You're lucky she didn't turn you inside out." He ran a hand over the worn leather cover of the book, as though grounding himself. "It's dangerous enough out here without stirring the pot on purpose."
Vivian sighs softly at the reprimand from Tyler, lifting her right hand in a halting gesture as she shakes her head. "I know Tyler. I made a mistake. For me.." she considers her next words for a moment, "most minds are like open windows. It's simply too easy to look in, even reach in, without anyone knowing the wiser. I often check on people's intentions towards me before I.. do something or go somewhere with them just as a safety measure for myself. Her mind was so powerful I.. I pushed. And I pushed hard and I couldn't even put a crack in her defenses."
Vivian bites her bottom lip, thinking back on the moment before she speaks again. "It was a mistake. I don't need you to tell me that. One that I won't make again. So, the book is giving you insight into -her-? What have you learned so far?"
Tyler nodded, his gaze softening at her admission. "It's hard not to reach out for information when that's your instinct. But Lyra's? well, she's something else. This book she lent me has been a puzzle, but it's grounded me in a time and place. I've managed to date it, more or less, to around 1357. Between the binding style, the condition, and certain linguistic quirks, it all points to that era."
He leaned back, tapping the cover. "So, either Lyra's far older than she looks, or she's connected to someone who has a historic archive for a private collection. I don't know what to make of her yet, honestly. But this?" he said, nodding to the book, "This feels like something more than just old parchment and ink. There's a weight to it. Like it's been handled by people who knew things we've only just started to uncover."
Vivian's eyes linger on that book, focusing as Tyler discusses more and more of its details. Her mouth opens to speak but words don't come, not immediately. Her eyes close as there's some sort of internal debate going on within her and when they reopen she seems to have made a decision. "You have to be careful when handling things like this. Old things connnected to powerful mages." A slight moment of pause and then she adds, "But.. they can also be very educational. Very illuminating. Maybe it would be beneficial if we looked through it together and compared our notes? I may catch something you miss and you may catch something I miss."
Tyler looked down at his scattered notes and carefully lifted a few pages. "I'd appreciate a second set of eyes," he admitted, motioning for her to take a look. "The original text is? eclectic. It's written like a personal journal but reads almost like some strange combination of revelry and obsession. The writer goes into explicit detail about his gatherings-like a cross between a debauched celebration and something ritualistic. The level of indulgence is?" he hesitated, searching for the right word, "...intense."
He pointed to a few paragraphs he'd transcribed, the red ink of his corrections standing out against the page. "And then he shifts to thoughts on the spirit world, talking about 'The Neverborn'-true spirits, not ghosts. He seems to draw a firm line between the two. It's fascinating, but also? unsettling. The way he writes about them almost makes it feel like he could see them, maybe even interact with them directly. If you're up for the challenge, I think comparing notes could give us a better idea of just what he was experiencing."
Vivian scoots in, seeming to rouse just a bit now that there's ancient lore in front of her. "Did you ask permission to transcribe the book? I would make sure Lyra is okay with that, she may not appreciate an unauthorized copy floating around." She places her hand on the text and traces her finger under a few lines as she reads before she glances back over to the pages of transcription. "Yes, spirits are different from ghosts. I know a great deal about spirits, more than most I imagine. I'm a shaman, of sorts, my first inklings of magic were interacting with Spirits and their realm."
Vivian pulls her hand away from the page and sighs, shaking her head. "But.. ghosts? I see the ones around you. I see the land of the dead. But.. I don't truly know anything about them. I've never had access to instruction in that regard." She arches an eyebrow as she considers Tyler, "Are you familiar with them? Their hidden secrets?"
Tyler blinked, clearly not expecting her question. "I... didn't even think to ask. Taking notes just comes naturally-more of a reflex than anything intentional. It's what I do." He glanced at the pages before him, a faint crease in his brow as he thought it over. "But yeah, you're right; she might see it differently. I'll bring it up with her."
Shifting gears to her mention of spirits and the Shadowlands, he looked back at her, something like a quiet pride in his expression. "As for the ghosts? I actually have my own monograph on the Shadowlands. Observations, memories, all of it. I've tried to catalog as much as possible-it's no easy topic, but I'd be happy to share it with you sometime. There's... a lot to unpack. But I'm also a visual journalist so it's half sketchbook and half monograph. I tried to add any visuals that I could remember from there but a lot was just too vague and freaky to draw."
Vivian smiles excitedly, eyes lighting up and briefly overcoming the fatigue. "I would love that! And I of course could trade some knowledge of Spirits if you're interested. No reason for this to be a one way street. I would absolutely cherish an opportunity to see your sketches and notes." She then pauses for a moment, considering what he just said. "Shadowlands. That's.. the realm of the dead? Right?" She sighs, again frustrated by her own lack of knowledge on the subject.
"You do have me at some disadvantage Tyler, you heard me recount -all- of my talents and skills but I don't know anything at all of what you're capable of. Are you completely self-taught or have you had mentors in the past?"
Tyler considers her question, fingers tapping idly on the table beside his notes. "A little of both, really. Some parts are just experience-and a lot of trial and error. But I did have guidance here and there, mentors who offered hints or an occasional push in the right direction. Though mostly, it's been digging into the edges of what I know, trying to expand on it through...whatever resources I've been able to find." His mouth quirks in a slight smile. "I suppose, to an academic mind, I've managed to curate an unconventional education."
He gestures to his notes and sketches, the product of countless late nights piecing together fragments. "I think that's how we all get there, don't we? One small revelation at a time." The question of his talents is something that he has to consider for a moment or three. "Suriving the /Other/ place... empowered me with the ability to see, hear and channel the Dead as well as a few other minor talents. One I've discovered recently is the ability to sense various magical energies in much the same way that I sense residual thoughts and emotions in items and places." Pausing a moment to recall the more academic term for the discipline he adds, "An Arcane variation of psychometry."
"Psychometry." Vivian smiles at that, nodding her head. "Very interesting. I've heard of it though it's not a talent of mine. And you said you survived there? You were -in- the Shadowlands? Is that a story you'd be willing to tell? I don't wish to dredge up painful memories if you'd prefer not to. And yes, self-study and mentors. When I was in college I had an awakened mage that helped me learn.. a great deal. He was disappointed, and I was disappointed, that I never awakened. But.. such is life. We don't always get what we want."
Vivian sighs, clearly thinking back on past events and experiences. "I remember you talking about familiars. Lyra may not be able to assist you in that regard but.." Vivian stares at Tyler with amusement in her eyes. "I have a 'familiar' so to speak. More of a guide. She teaches me a great deal about a great deal of things. My.. eternal tutor. And companion. She's a powerful spirit." Her eyes drift off to the side and she reaches out her left hand, brushing over something that is not there in the physical world as she speaks to that empty space. "Yes yes, I haven't forgotten."
Tyler leans back slightly in his chair, intrigued by Vivian's mention of her spirit guide. "That sounds fascinating, to have a constant source of wisdom by your side. I can't help but wonder what it's like to have that kind of connection. My experiences in the Shadowlands-well, they were... complicated." He hesitates for a moment, weighing his words. "It's not something I like to revisit often. The memories are heavy, tinged with loss and uncertainty."
Tyler's curiosity is palpable as he leans forward slightly, his academic instincts kicking in. "I'm genuinely fascinated by your guide. It's intriguing to think about the different ways these connections manifest. How do you summon her? Is there a ritual involved, or is it more spontaneous? I've read about familiars and guides, and it seems like their presence can offer not just companionship but also insights into the unseen world."
He pauses, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "For someone like me, who's exploring the depths of magic and the complexities of the spirit realm, understanding how these bonds are formed and nurtured could be incredibly valuable. It might even help me in my own journey to find a familiar or whatever they're called. Knowing how others have cultivated their relationships with their guides could provide me with the tools or perspective I need to unlock that part of my experience."
Vivian glances away from whatever ephemeral thing she was interacting with and looks back to Tyler. She nods her head, some of the fatigue re-emerging as her eyes threaten to close before she snaps awake again. She -really- doesn't want to sleep. "Mm.. no need to talk about it if it's painful memories. Those sorts of moments tend to be very private.
"Crawls-Between-Spaces, my guide, found me when I was still in college just learning the basics of my craft. She became.. rather attached to me." Vivian chuckles at that, all smiles for the moment. "I don't summon her, goodness no. She comes and goes as she pleases, I would never seek to bind her. We have a mutual relationship. She has taught me -so much- about the realms and Spirits and.. other things. And in return I have made a particular promise to her that I always make good on." Vivian does not spell out the details of that promise though.
"A guide. You want a guide. It's a more mutual relationship than forcing a familiar into service. They provide company, teach you, guide you, and in return they will ask for something that you must give them."
Tyler listens intently, captivated by the dynamics of Vivian's relationship with Crawls-Between-Spaces. "It sounds like an interesting connection," he replies, his tone thoughtful. "A guide that chooses to be with you - so this isn't a ritual to call out to the spirits like the legends suggest but more like being found by a stray cat? I can understand why binding a familiar might feel limiting. I've often wondered how to find that kind of partnership myself." He leans back slightly, reflecting on her words. "Something of a tutor...or guide I guess if you choose that word."
He then glances at the book sprawled across the table, contemplating its ancient wisdom. "The literature suggests that familiar's require shelter, like we're protecting them from the harshness of the world they come from while they hide in ours. I've been curious what it would be like to meet a Neverborn." His curiosity is genuine, each question layered with the hope of understanding the deeper intricacies of their shared magical landscape.
Vivian shrugs, shaking her head slightly. "That's not my relationship with Crawley." Yes she had a nickname for her guide. "She doesn't require me to shelter her from anything. She resides within the realm of Spirits and I reside here. Though I have met sorcerors who have guides in the physical world with them as well." Vivian nods her head at that. "I wouldn't call it like finding a stray cat and I'm sure there's more than one way to build the relationship."
She then tilts her head to the side, hearing a word that is unfamiliar to her. "Never.. born? What's a neverborn?" She arches an eyebrow, finding the term rather odd.
Tyler pauses at the mention of "Neverborn," his expression shifting as he contemplates the term's weight. "Neverborn refers to true spirits, beings that exist outside the realm of the living and the dead. They're not just echoes or remnants; they're entities with their own will and purpose, often tied to specific concepts or elements," he explains, his academic side taking over as he elaborates. "In the text I'm transcribing, the author discusses encounters with these spirits and how they influence the living world."
He leans forward slightly, intrigued by Vivian's curiosity. "It's a fascinating yet often misunderstood aspect of the spirit realm. Unlike ghosts, which are often trapped by their unfinished business or attachments, Neverborn are free to roam, influencing events and people in ways we might not even perceive. The author paints a picture of their interactions as both enlightening and treacherous."
Pausing to gauge Vivian's reaction, he continues, "It's crucial to understand the distinction. If I want to navigate these realms safely, knowing the nature of these entities is essential. Have you encountered any Neverborn in your own experiences?" The question lingers in the air, a genuine interest in her knowledge intertwining with his academic curiosity.
Vivian nods her head, seeming to understand now. "I see. I don't call them neverborn but I understand the concept now." The idea, if not the word, is clearly known to her. "You describe 'true' spirits. Well.. my guide is a true spirit. But there are greater spirits.."
Vivian sighs and glances off to the side holding up her hands in a mollifying gesture, "No.. no I didn't just call you lesser.." She rolls her eyes and then glances back to tyler. "There are -powerful- spirits that embody entire concepts. Have I ever met one in person? No. Far beyond me. You generally should avoid trafficking with such things, it's not for us."
Tyler absorbs her words, nodding thoughtfully as she elaborates on the distinction between true spirits and the greater entities that embody entire concepts. "I understand," he replies, trying to convey that he grasps both the idea and the caution that comes with it. "It makes sense that those powerful spirits would be best approached with care, if at all. Lovecraft was right when he warned against such contact."
He leans back slightly, arms crossed, and allows his gaze to drift momentarily, considering the implications of what Vivian has shared. "The more I delve into this material," he muses, "the more I realize how little I actually know. It's like peering into a vast, dark abyss; we can see some shapes and outlines, but the deeper truths remain obscured."
"All I have known has been the things that walk, crawl and skulk in the /Other/ place," he seems either unwilling or unable to even mention the name of the Shadowlands."... it would be interesting to experience to meet a spirit not wanting to kill me...at least immediately."
Vivian muses on that for a mmoment and then shakes her head. "Unfortunately Crawley is across the Gauntlet and my ability to see into that space was something I was born with. I'm not sure if I could really teach it to you. Though.. perhaps with developing some shamanistic skills you could learn to interact with spirits more? Or maybe summon them." Vivian then shrugs. "I've never practiced summoning spirits. I don't consider it a wise practice, I imagine many of them wouldn't appreciate it being forced to appear when called. But yes.. there are more questions than answers and I think that that will always be true. If you'd like we could set aside some time later and I could delve into a deeper explanation of spirits and their realms? In exchange for instruction on the lands of the dead and its occupants?"
Tyler's brow furrows in thought as he considers her suggestion. "That sounds like a fair trade," he replies, his curiosity piqued. He pauses, looking at Vivian with a newfound seriousness. "I want to be able to navigate both realms more effectively. It's not just about knowledge for me; it's about safety and respect. The last thing I want is to inadvertently offend something powerful." Glancing over to his canvas and leather messenger bag, which is closer to her end of the table than his from where he originally set it, he asks if she could slide it over to him. "Here," he offers a palm-sized notebook with a snap closure. The book, just about as big as an adult hand, is roughly four inches across, five inches wide and three fingers / two inches thick. The contents are a visual record of his time in the Shadowlands with sketches here and there and lots and lots and LOTS of notes. "It'll get ya started."
Vivian slides it over to him and then curiously stares at the small notebook as she accepts it. She smiles gratefully, nodding her head to him. "Thank you. I greatly appreciate it. Let mme know when you're.." she yawns softly and then shakes her head, "So.. sorry. I.." She closes her eyes again and holds the book in both hands as her head drifts to the side with eyes closing. "I.. I'm looking forward to..." and Vivian slips off to sleep mid-sentence sitting in the chair as her fatigue finally catches up to her. There's a moment of calm on her face and then her face scrunches up in an expression of discomfort, a slight whimper escaping her throat. The nightmares begin again the moment she's asleep.
As Tyler stands to gather his papers from the table, he glances over at Vivian, noting the distress that has crept into her slumbering features. Concerned, he gently shakes her shoulder. "Vivian," he calls softly, hoping to rouse her from the depths of her dreams. "Hey, wake up."
Assuming she's lost to the images and might take a bit more than his voice to wake her, he tries the direct approach. Tyler frowns, shaking her a bit more insistently. "Vivian, come on. You need to wake up."
Vivian's whimpers start coming more insistent, something awful haunting her thoughts. She doesn't wake from the gentle rousing but the firmer shake gets her eyes to snap open as she lets out a short shriek. Her hands come up defensively but then she realizes where she is. She's physically shaking, eyes wide with terror as she breathes rapidly. Her eyes take a moment to focus on Tyler but eventually they do. Slowly she gets control of her breathing and nods her head, pushing herself up to her feet. "So.. sorry. Thank you." She rubs at her eyes with her left hand, holding the book in her right. "I should get home.." She glances back to Tyler, managing a gentle smile. "I'll uh.. I'll see you around."
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