Recluse Atheneum
From Changeling Venue
Contents |
Overview
- Location: Portland Oregon
- Freehold: Dormant Fire
- Founding date: Nov 5th 2007
"Both knowledge and darkness should be equally feared and embraced." --Recluse Atheneum Creed
Recluse Atheneum is a collection of like-tempered Changelings who seek companionship and allies among those who favor quiet pursuits to reckless revelry. Words hold special meaning to this group and they excel at auguring knowledge from them and forging them into intricate and beautiful tools. This group is unusually prosperous, stealthy and astute in matters of the occult and wordcraft.
It is a very good choice for Changeling interested or specialized in academic endeavors or surveillance.
A story of strangers, whom are strangers no more; the beginning of a Motley
A story of strangers
Inside the Central Library with the vaulted ceiling high above, and massive windows flooding the rooms with reading light, sat a darkling. Books on history and an impressive collection of literature line row upon row of the shelves not far from where he sat, and he had collected an impressive pile of books which he was pouring over one at a time. He had chosen the spot because even though it lacked privacy it had enough room for the volume of material he intended to research through without too many trips. The tables stretch long down the room, with chair after chair making room for readers of which there weren't many that day. The darkling noticed a rapping, a not so gentle tapping from across the table a several seats down, tap-tap-tap...
Trying to concentrate he ignored it for about a minute before he'd look up. A Changeling wearing glasses, long pitch black coat made of pure darkness and cobwebs was staring intently at him with unblinking spider eyes, which totaled in six. The astute darkling quickly noted the well trimmed mustache, goatee, conservative ivy league haircut and a scowling countenance on the youthful face of the stranger.
"Hello." whispered the strange spider changeling when the darkling looked at him.
The yellow-like-old-paper skinned darkling gave a crooked grin with his incredibly thin face and then whispered back with proper Library Decorum,"Hello, and why do you look so unhappy?"
"I didn't know if you were friendly..." replies the spider with a forced and tight no-tooth smile. He continues to whisper, "I see you where _There_ too."
The inflection the word 'There' gave it an implied meaning both understood as Faerie, the terrible land of the Others, where they had both suffered at the hands or talons of inhuman monsters.
Unpleasant memories shivered through his razor keen mind and the darkling blinked a few times, his grin fell away as he changed the topic, "And many other places to boot."
The spider's face seemed to lighten in mood slightly, his tone more open, "I am from around here, well actually over in Milwaukee but that is close and the MAX hasn't changed." He pauses for a moment.
"I am relatively new to the area, I am originally from the east Coast." said the darkling.
The cobweb covered stranger nodded, acknowledging the greasy blond-haired darkling's disclosure, changed the topic back, "I've been back from _There_ since February."
"Heh, Several years myself" replied the darkling as he avoided mentioning the place of his imprisonment. He continued, "I'm glad you made it though."
The spider changeling winced at the thought and then nods again this time more empathetically,"I come here because it is so nice..." He paused and looked around at the room with the massive windows, wood shelves and paintings, he continued "...and I can listen to music. I missed music a lot. You like to read, huh?"
"It occupies the time, lends itself well to my Nature and it must be done." he replied. After he considered for a moment, he added, "As much as I like anything I guess I like to read."
The strange unblinking changeling nodded as his eyes glistening in the failing light of day, obviously pretending to understand out of politeness. A long moment of silence passed between the two and then the spider changeling said quietly, "You seem nice."
Strangers no more
Once again a grin spread across the darkling's face as he said, "I haven't had a reason to be otherwise, but thank you for the compliment. So what is it that you do?"
The spider glanced about the room as if on edge at that question. The darkling noticed the spider's hands begin to press very firmly against the table and the intense focus the spider began to give to the conversation but his hands did not lift from the table. He whispered low and very quiet, "Do you ever get bad feelings?"
The darkling replied while matching tone, "All the time."
The spider's face relaxed but his hand stayed firm against the table. "Me too," He paused slightly, "Don't do much except try and get by, it's pretty hard though."
After another pause the spider attempted to fill the silence with a question, "So, you have a job then?"
"More or less, I do Research, sometimes for businesses sometimes for Libraries, often for those who have lost their way, either through college or otherwise. It's what I'm good at, and you?"
Warmth filled his face as the spider smiled sincerely for the first time in the conversation, "You are very fortunate. I wish I was good at something, No, I am unable to get a job, heck I don't even basic things to get one."
"I'm sure there's something you can do." the darkling offered politely.
Shaking his head, the spider replied "I've been living off the nickels from collecting bottles because I don't have ID or a social security card. At this point I'd be happy to flip burgers or something like that. Like I said, it has been hard since I've been back. Much, much better mind you and I am not complaining. It would have been nice to be more prepared for real life."
"I see, Well. Perhaps we should look into getting you some paperwork in the future, get you out of the Panhandling stage, unless that's what you like to do." The darkling said voice full of empathy.
The spider's face lit up like he had an idea, and spouted out excitedly "You know how to do that kind of stuff don't you? The paper work I mean..."
"Not well enough to do it myself, the idea of getting my License renewed terrifies me, but I know people who can." The darkling said holding out his hand, he continued, "Most, like us, call me Bible."
The spider simply replied, "I am Twinge."
With that they both shook hands said simultaneously "Pleased to meet you"
Beginning of of a Motley
Silence settled over their conversation and the both sat back down. Bible flips a page and scanned it intently. Twinge eyes were still locked on his new found friend and he reached deep within himself and called forth the power to offer a binding friendship, "We have been through a lot, each of us. In you I see a true friend and an in me I will endeavor to be the same. I swear I will stand by you for a year and a day accepting all misfortune that may fall me if I lie."
The fae part of his being reached out and the darkling could feel the sanctity of the declaration. Twinge sat waiting breathless for Bible's reply.
"You're that willing to put your fate on the line for a complete stranger?" said with an edge of distrust or possibly disbelief in his voice.
Twinge looked quizzically at Bible, some of expression was lost because of his inhuman eyes. Twice he clicked his teeth together and said in a cryptic tone, "You'll only be a stranger if you don't accept the oath, if you do, you'll be family."
They both searched each others face intently. Bible's colored eye narrowed slightly, the faint sound of fallen leaves scrapping across the floor rose up around them. After a moment passed, and Twinge's countenance had the hope within it dim slightly, he said almost apologetically "I understand, I was just hoping maybe since we were having such a good conversation we could be friends." His voice has dropped dejectedly sorrowful. "It has been hard trying to find a friend..."
Twinge stood up slowly to leave. At that split second Bible held his hand out. " I have seen much, and will see much still, Endeavoring the same for you, I swear to stand by you as a brother and family for a year and a day, accepting all misfortune that may fall me if I lie."
The moment where their fate was tied was electric as the vow binding them together was sealed. Twinge face lit up as he took Bible's hand, and shook it vigorously. Forgetting where he was he said loudly, "You will not regret it! I might not be able to get a job but I am not talentless!"
Bible stood, still holding Twinge's hand and leaned over the table to pull him into a brotherly embrace. Twinge leaned over the table and hugged back.
Membership
Twinge; Spider Beast, Steepscrambler
Bible; Darkling, Antiquarian
