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A pair of eyes focused on the pages as it skimmed the book in his hands, to get to know what to expect from it before immersing himself between the pages. The library of their designated headquarters has a lot of interesting books he havent read before, although some are outdated research, it is interesting to know what the writer had gathered at the time. The book in his hand contains researchs of dragons at the time, a still mysterious beast, a puzzle to be solved.
"Professor Volkarin." Speaking of puzzles.
The hand on Emmrich's chin stopped, his mind is pulled from his thoughts by the familiar slightly raspy voice entering the room. The scholar turned his body towards the approaching steps. Rook's silver helmet is the first thing that caught Emmrich's eyes as he turned his head towards them, the glimpse of red in the slit across the helmet's 'eyes'. The scholar took a second to look at the other person from his boots and the hood, no sight of skin or such revealed, Rook is covered head to toe, at this hour?
"Evening Rook, are you heading out?"Emmrich closed the book in his hand, then walk over to the nearest desk to place it.Rook shook his head "No, professor. Im just checking up on everyone, see how everyone is settling " The taller replied.
Emmrich looked up at Rook's 'face', helmet to be exact, there are just a few things Emmrich know of Rook. Rook is just his nickname (obviously), they wield two knifes to battle but clearly uses magic too for his tricks, they bear the Edalvin's royal insignia on the right shoulder plate.Thats 3 things, it doesnt even include his face and such.
"How lovely of you to check in Rook, now that you are here i've been meaning to ask you a few questions, if you dont mind staying for a chat?" Emmrich gave the faceless a small smile, he might as well try to figure out this person given the chance,they are trying to save the world together afterall, its good to know who your allies are. It took a few seconds for Rook to reply, his hand slightly shifted from barely clenching his fist and relaxing it, contemplating. "Alright, you are the last person in my round, i am technically free for the rest of the night." Rook replied as he walked a fee steps closer, Emmrich let out a small chuckle "Saving the best for last? I'm flattered, my friend." Emmrich looked over his shoulder to his skeletal assistant for a moment, who is dusting the place "I'll prepare tea then, Professor" Said Manfred at the other side of the room.
"Oh, you dont have to Manfred." Rook interject, but Emmrich walked over to the taller one with a hand up "Its alright Rook, please do take a seat, try to relax." He pulled a nearby chair, he clasped his hand to the shoulder and lead the faceless to seat infront of the desk.
Now, first order of business. Emmrich took his time to take his seat behind the desk as he consider his question "I have noticed how you fight the last time we were on the field together." He started, now facing the faceless as he sat down "You are quite proficient with the blade, but you are clearly a mage." The expressionless helmet stared back at him, but Rook's hand reached over to the belts on his waist. They pulled out two daggers, both of its handle is dark colored and carved the way a snake slither around it, its eye glowed a familiar blue lyrium. A mage uses their staff as a mean to help them control and channel their magic, and Rook used a more unconventional way to do it.The faceless 'gave' one of them to Emmrich which the scholar catches it as it gently levitate to his extended palm.
"Two birds one stone, i like it." Emmrich smiled as he examined the dagger in his hand, the lyrium pulsated inside the eye, now that he looked at it closer, its more of a dragon head than a snake. Rook visibly nodded "Its a gift from a relative. A... Congratulatory gift for finishing my training." There is hesitant in their voice, he is talking about himself afterall. "Your rogue training, i presume?" Rook nodded at the question "Yes, my uncle is a rogue himself, he asked my mother to let him help train me before i dabled further in magic, i find it rather ridiculous." Emmrich almost could hear a scoff at the end, the scholar processed this information for a moment. The idea of an untrained mage at Rook's age is rather concerning, mages should be able to learn how to control and manage the gift they are born with.
"Its rather unconvenient to not let you learn magic first and foremost." Emmrich commented "His concern may be biased due to the recent conclave incident at the time, but he means well, he is a good man." Rook added solemnly before continuing "I had some knowledge when im still staying with my clan in the Free Marches, that helps me figuring things out on my own." Emmrich blinked at the information, it had not crossed his mind that Rook might be Dalish, well he did curse in dalish sometime. "I see... Its still unfortunate you hadnt given the chance, i've seen you fight, you have potential to be a great mage, Rook."
The faceless perked his head up slightly at Emmrich, at the same time Manfred came in with a tray in their hands. He settled it on the desk, two cups of tea and a small plate of assorted biscuits. The skeleton hands the cups to both of them, Emmrich said his gratitude to his assistant before turning over to Rook once again.
"You know, Rook. I can help you regarding magic, if you want to of course." Emmrich swirled the cup slightly in his hand, the faint smell of lavender is evident. He watched as Rook took a few sugar cubes into his tea, a sweet tooth perhaps? The scholar take a sip of his tea as Rook looked down on their own cup, it took a full minute for him to answer.
"I think i would love that, Professor." Emmrich smiled as Rook looked up from his tea, his voice beaming in excitement. "Anytime Rook, we should discuss this further tomorrow. Also please do call me Emmrich for now on my friend." Rook looked away for a second, he is considering something.
"Then... Call me Rhys, when the others arent around." Emmrich's surprise almost visible for a split second before he adjusted himself, he didnt expect Rook to give his name. The scholar could've have teased him for the last half of the sentence but he decided not to. "Of course Rhys." He smiled instead. Rook shifted in his seat as he grip the chin of his helmet up, just enough room for the cup for him to drink without spilling. Under the shadow, dark pink chapped lips touched the edge of the porcelain cup, the light managed to creep slightly under the cheeks, warm brown skin golden under the orange light of the candles around them.
Emmrich looked away.