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When deep in conversation, the plumes of smoke could easily be missed. The mysterious man at he bar held the pipe responsible for the absurd amount of smoke pouring out and looming about. A slight tilt of his head came at different punctuations in the conversation that Philomela and Ash were having.

The regulars around the bar were due to pass out relatively quick or start seeing soothing illusions. For now the man with the pipe remained silent. The smoke made a point to avoid the area Ash and Philomela took residence. He was interested in that conversation.

Philomela relaxed a little more when he didn't even seem the least bit angry. "But...then they'd be just like...people. Really powerful people...but...." She'd look down at the table again, "That just doesn't make sense to me." Could he really blame her for feeling that way?

She'd look up at him when he mentioned it, "It's a lot to take in...that's all." She's going to pull her hair over her shoulder and she'll start braiding it, for something to do with her hands. "Well...if we're going to be here awhile...I might go back to the library. They had some very interesting texts. I'm not sure if they'll let me in though, what with the string of thefts that have happened lately."

"Powerful, at times. Aged--typically wise and often hardened. Often that wisdom can outshine a mortal; that does not mean they are without fault. Were that the case, you would never hear of quarrels in Olympus." Everybody can't be right in that kind of scenario, after all. The rest drew a nod. "I'd offer to escort you, but I've taken up enough of your time. You should have some to think for yourself. I'll be here, if you need me." His eye drifted aside over the bar. There was a familiar, if intangible and unidentifiable feeling. He couldn't particularly peg the sense of haunting. Ultimately, it settled back on her. "As for the thefts... I'll look into it if any particular titles you seek are missing. Now go on."

That pipe returned to the face hidden by the man's cowl for anothe deep inhale. Philosophy and thefts, eh? Those two had a very interesting dialogue. It was a shame that he came in during the closing of it. An elbow nudged at the man next to him, already in a dreamlike state. Nope, nothing. He gave a low chuckle before shoving from his seat, careful to keep his features hidden as he shifted to his feet. He intended to be out as quietly as he slipped in.

*another

Philomela stood then, "Thank you for your time Lord." She'd bow again, and then she'd shift, "May I...ask a favor? They won't let Namine into the library...." She'd trail off and she'd give him a hopeful look. Keep an eye on her goat? Not as if Pan seemed to mind having the creature around.

"I have much to think about...it might be late before I return." Hopefully she wouldn't run into any trouble along the way, but she seemed to do fairly well on her own. She hadn't even noticed the man at the bar, which was probably a good thing.

Upon hearing her name, the drowsing goat perked up and stood, stretching before trotting over to Ash and looking at him and then Philomela, then back to Ash. Who was she going with? "Naahh!!" She'd cock her head and she'd look at the bar, but didn't notice the man either, or simply didn't voice it.

Her request for a favor earned a nod, and the rest was almost dismissive. "Don't be silly. It's as much favor to me to leave me with her as it is for me to watch her." The goat didn't seem entirely upset, either. Namine's bleating earned the typical head-pat. "If you return by night and I am not here, you know how to find me."

The smoke which billowed unnaturally seemed to chase the man out the door as he shoved through it. With the looming presence retreating, confused patrons returned to their senses at their own pace. There was another matter he intended to check in on. Thefts at a library. Now that deserved some attention.

Philomela bowed again, "Thank you Lord." She'd move over to her goat, "Now be good. No stealing okay?" She'd kiss the animal on the head and then she'd head out into the streets. She's going to attempt to head back to the library, but she'd only been there a few times before. Hopefully she wouldn't get lost!


Namine would watch her mistress go, and she wagged her stubby tail when she was told to be good. Then she's turning her attention to Ash and bleating about something odd in the tavern. Ash might not even know what she was talking about, since the moment had passed.

"I know, girl. I sensed it too." He stared out the door after Philomela's departure. "It's gone, now." While that should have brought peace, it actually provoked a sense of concern.

Populus, keep an eye on her and the library for me. Via probably wasn't the best idea, considering, well, every guard dog for several miles would be baying. Always catching the scent, never finding the trickster.

He didn't need to hear the confirmation to feel the subtle affirmative. She should be coming from the direction of Rhakotis.

Ferous didn't particularly mind the library. Actually, it was a favored post. So when the direction was given, an inconsequential leather-cloaked, white-haired figure would be studying in the first chamber near the main doorway.

After exiting the building a few strides rounded the corner and the man's form dissipated into serpentine strands of smoke and vapor. The smokey forms seperated into different directions, waning down to nigh invisible as they traveled. When the library had been identified the smokey form was all but gone. Far easier to slip through a crack that way.

As if riding a heat current, the smoke rose for the ceiling. A bird's eye view would be best for discerning the least populated stretch of library. After identifying that the smoke descended towards the floor, thickening and amassing until the form of the man was again realised. Should anyone bare witness he'd simply blow a plume of smoke their way and wait to see if that either put them in a trance or to sleep. Otherwise he'd pull out that pipe and get to work flaring out a rather large smoke screen. He had questions and plenty were there to answer them. As long as they didn't notice anything wrong before inhaling the mind altering smoke he'd be sure to gain the answers.

Philomela was pretty sure she was headed in the right direction and she was soon rewarded with a distant view of the library. She beamed and picked up the pace, wanting to get there as quickly as she could. It isn't long before she's wandering in, and she'll likely spot Ferous before she notices anything else. "Lord?" She'd hesitantly approach, "Hello again." It had been a few days since she had seen the goddess.


Namine would bleat and then pace in a circle. Whatever was here had clearly bothered her quiet a bit, and she seemed eager to get out of the tavern even though the feeling was gone.

"Mm." Full of words today, this one. ...Ferous turned a page. "Hello."

"Well then, where to, friend? Not too far; I told Philomela I would be here, should she return." He'd let the goat lead on, as long as she didn't stray too far. That is, after holding up a finger to let him finish his drink. Then, he was good to go.

Philomela always felt as if Ferous were angry with her whenever she spoke. She'd finally just blurt out the first thing that popped into her head, "You're very intimidating." She'd turn a little pink, "But I suppose you know that." She'd look around, "Well...have a good day." She had wanted to ask for suggestions on what to research next, but she didn't think that was a good idea after her comment. She'd just stick with the topic she had been looking at, which was Apollo and Hermes.

Namine would grab his clothes with her teeth and tug once he finished his drink, and then she's trotting off to the barn. That's likely close enough for Philomela to find them, should she want to.

Undetered, he was soon shaking down a guard for information. He didn't speak himself, but one guard speaking all on his own is due to draw attention. After a few sentences n suspicious characters and what had been stolen, he'd relocate to another guard for further expounding. Very perterbing indeed when he had a fuller picture to look at. Everything seemed either historic or personal in some sense. The only question was... how was it personal?

The last guard he spoke with seems to be jabbering on about a wolf with wings. Awareness that all wasn't right seemed to be spreading, so it was time to again take his leave, but not before leaving behind a parchment. with a cloud of smoke looming in its vicinity. Philomela seemed a bright girl, so the smoke was intended not to affect her. With Ferous' presence in mind, she too was probably immune. By the time they reached it there would probably be a group of guards asleep on the floor, surrounding the message.

[Beseech I do the youth, a fond pursuit of truth. Ever opened eyes, to reach the breadth of skies. The measure not be man, but what we think we can. Travel on, little butterfly. Do not worry, little butterfly.]

His steps were measured and the path led him in a roundabout for the door. He couldn't risk dispersing before her eyes, that would ruin the mystique. Instead he aimed to slip out unnoticed. If successful he'd be rounding another corner and dispersing as he had earlier.

"Mm." Came another grunt of acknowledgment. Philomela went to take her leave, and Ferous was ready to leave it at a nod. There came hesitation. "...What is that smell?" It was perturbing enough for someone to be smoking in a library full of priceless scripts, much less something distantly familiar. Philomela was allowed to depart on her way for a hall's length before being followed, tome closed carefully and tucked under one arm before pursuing with steady stride. Philomela was likely first to stumble upon the cluster of unconscious guards, with Ferous near-silently approaching behind. "...Ah." As if that explained everything. Philomela would need to read her note, Ferous was squatting to inspect the dazed visage and dialated eyes of the nearest guard. "It looks like someone left a message."

Ash has no arguments moving over to the barn.