----------------------------------------------
BARRACKS - MID-AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Aurelius: Aurelius hovered a moment, before landing gently, and settled himself, checking everything was in order, before stepping inside to the barracks. Again, he approached the reception to arrange a meeting. While he expected that he would be able to speak with Louma right away, it would be impolite to act like she was always available, and so would merely ask to meet up 'When it was next convenient'.
Louma is in her office, much to her own displeasure, and the guard at reception tells Aurelius as much, directing him toward the closed door. The guard gives Aurelius a bit of a look, as if worried the loremaster brings more bad news for the captain, but doesn't voice his concerns.
Aurelius: "Ah, Worry not, I carry good tidings" He pauses "Or, at least, not bad tidings. I require the captain's approval for a facility in the library. It is not dangerous, but it is custom to seek the approval of local authorities, just as so they are aware of it"
Narrator: The reception guard shrugs, casting a look to the door again. "S'long as you're not out to make her mood worse..." He stands up, loping over to the office door and waving Aurelius to follow. After two short knocks, he quickly announces; "Visitor, from the library, Captain." before turning on his heel and heading straight back to his seat.
Louma sighs audibly from inside her office, the door swinging halfway open, done by her tail. She's standing next to her row of filing cabinets, a set of papers in her left hand as the right flits through her archives. Her tone is curt, but not completely unwelcoming. "Good afternoon, loremaster. What brings you by this afternoon?"
Aurelius: "I have something you may be interested in, and wish for you to see before I set it out" He reaches into his bag, and sets out piece of scroll. Louma could see one side of it delicately scribed with glyphs, He unrolls it, and lays the other face, which is blank, upwards. Despite only being unrolled a moment ago, it lays flat "If you pardon the theatrics, would you please scribe the glyph of a more central city of your choice at the top?" He points a talon to an area at the top of the sheet "I am happy to explain what this does, but I feel a demonstration is much more effective"
Louma pauses her search as she watches Aurelius with mild curiosity, but her eyes move from the scroll to his face a few seconds later, a hint of annoyance behind her gaze. She sighs slightly, setting the gate report down on top of the open drawer and slithering to the side of her desk. "Any city?" She picks up her pen, looking at the scroll for a few moments before quickly scribbling 'Odonga' as instructed.
Aurelius: "Okay" He trills gently "Perhaps not as dramatic as I would like" He pauses, picks out a small book from his bag, and checks something. He then takes the paper, and brushes his quill over the ink Louma had placed there, erasing it, before replacing the name with a single symbol, one that would be typically seen around the city (if there was such a thing for the city). "We tend not to use names, as they can be different in other languages. The symbol is more universal" He explains, before rolling up the paper, and sealing with a little bit of ink, and the smallest piece of magic (which still seemed to require non-zero effort from the bird) "And, now, why I brought this here" He broke the seal, and set the page back on the desk, which now was full of writing, of a weekly report of the events in the city. "These are prepared by local loremasters, and made available to any other of the profession, to dispense to the people."
Louma watches Aurelius erase her writing, blushing slightly as she realizes her error. She forgets the mistake quickly though as the report is revealed, curiosity peaked. "You're just full of surprises, hm? This is very intriguing... I... Can actually read it, as well. Makes me wish my guards could be so neat and clear." She's searching the page as she speaks, looking for a few names, but seeing nothing.
Aurelius: "Well, guards typically aren't trained scribes" He chuckles gently "Although, That isn't my writing" He points to the name at the bottom "This loremaster is the one that wrote this. Now, if I am to make this available to the public, there is a requirement that I write a weekly report myself, and submit it, which is why I am seeking your approval first" He has faith in Louma, so he doesn't even mention that he'd have to report to HQ in the case that the approval was declined.
Louma looks to Aurelius as he speaks, though she turns back to the scroll to try determining what that would entail. "So access to reports from around the continents, as long as a loremaster writes about them, and in return Respite does the same. I could see how it might be useful... As our town grows, we've been attracting less... desirable attention, as well." She huffs quietly, straightening up from the desk.
Aurelius: "I couldn't possibly comment" He replies dryly "..I mean that. We stay extremely neutral in a town's affairs. It allows us to work in cities with rather controversial practices and provide services there" Slavery, Bigotry, Putting the milk in before the cereal, the Loremasters stay out of commenting on all of that "Do not be worried, Loremaster reports are always factual, and without editorializing. We would not wish to compete with local newspapers after all"
Louma nods, thinking on the proposal. "I don't doubt your neutrality in reporting on all topics beyond journalism, Aurelius. I think this is above my station to make a decision on, though. This should be something discussed with Commander... Hatnay. Bastard!" She growls last two words, scowling as she catches the name on the scroll before turning away from the desk and taking up the gate report The same name is filled in on the list of a recent traveling party from Bairnell, though her reported Hatnay was listed as a spice merchant from Sarn. "Load of bull." she mutters, turning back to Aurelius as she tries to compose herself. "Already useful, these loremaster reports."
Aurelius: "Ah. I'm glad they are helpful" He keeps a stoic expression as things start to turn to something that looks actually relevant. "If you wish to take time to deliberate, you're welcome to. I'll not set up a reading room until I have an answer" He bowed his head "However, if you have some current matters, I should not keep you"
Louma mirrors the bow, calming a bit. "I think your services with this would be helpful, Aurelius, thank you. I will arrange to speak to the Commander and other captains. Who may get the town head to make the final decision." She blinks after a second of thinking. "Considering the bureaucracy above this office... Why did you choose to come to me with this first, Aurelius?"
Aurelius: "I have already spoken to you before, and I know of your character. It is rather important that this be established, so having an advocate to speak for it is the best way to make this work" He states simply
Louma nods, a light smile appearing. "Well, I am honored to be chosen as an advocate by a loremaster, then. That said, I make no promises on the collective decision." She has a strong feeling the other captains will see the same benefits as her, particularly with her minor discovery just through this demonstration.
Aurelius: "I trust that the best decision for the city will be made" He nods in return "However, it seems that you have other work that has come to light. I would not want to keep you"
Louma: "Yes, unfortunately. Seems our little reprieve from excitement has reached a bump. Take care, Aurelius."
Aurelius: "I shall" He bows, dipping his wings, before taking his leave
Louma bows after Aurelius, watching him head out before closing the door behind him. She turns back to the report, giving it a glare before going back to searching her records for the other names on the list.