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BOUQUET ESTATES - CALGWEN'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON
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Calgwen sits in one of the previously unoccupied rooms of the Manor, with the request from Rondelethia that he keep it 'humble', Calgwen has done little to change the decor, only choosing to place a few of his older knick-knacks on the fine wooden desk from which he writes his correspondance. He is doing this now, quill in hand as he writes out a letter back to Sarn. His wings rest comfortably on the shoulders of his suit as he focuses on his calligraphy.
Narrator: While Teis doesn't particularly have much interaction with the dragon outside of dinner or passing one another in the halls, Calgwen's presence is becoming normal to Teis. Rondelethia becoming a touch more mellow also hasn't gone unnoticed by Teis. But the staff? Ugh. She'd hoped Calgwen taking over the management of the Estate's staff would've reduced Rondelethia's annoying influence over them. Instead it's simply a different brand of annoyance. But, as time continues to pass, Teis' hatred of Calgwen has dwindled passively. She's a bit more cheery (Or perhaps tolerant) around him, and seems to be more fine with his presence. Until one day, Teis knocks on Calgwen's office. She's dressed in her lab attire, having come from there after finishing up for the day. She's got questions - Admittedly questions she's had bubbling from day one, but never wanted to ask over her former distain.
Calgwen calls out, "Come in!" He doesn't look up initially, finishing off the current sentence of his letter, before tapping the quill out into the inkwell and setting it aside.
Teis barely enters the office, taking a step into the doorway and leaning against the frame with a hand braced against it. "Hey. . .Uh. How busy are you?" Teis tentatively, nervously, probes.
Calgwen glances up, looking a bit surprised. "Teis? Of course not, come in! Please, take a seat!"
Teis gives a short nod, pushing off the frame and setting forth deeper into Calgwen's office, taking a seat. She's adorably small before Calgwen's hulking form. Not intimidating at all.
Teis: "So. . .I've uh. . .Wanted to know? You're. . .Not really magically inclined at all, right?" Teis questions.
Calgwen takes a breath, folding his hands onto desk in front of him, "Magically inclined? No, I am afraid not, Teis. I've never had the talent for it, I'm afraid."
Teis: "It's just that, the stories I've read, what I learned. . .I thought. . .Well, was taught. . .That all dragons had a connection to the primal or arcane world in some way or another?" Teis replies. "But. . .You don't?"
Calgwen sits back in his seat, "Some truth... some not. I've always been told much the same, that my kind has deeper connections to the 'Flow of Nature' or 'Insights into the Arcana'. I suppose to some, it's just another way of saying 'We're better than everyone else.'." He shakes his head slightly. "I've never felt that way, but maybe that's because I have no greater answers to life's deep mysteries. I am sorry."
Teis nods, leaning back in her chair and pressing her fingers together, as if she'd expected this answer, not even addressing Calgwen's apology and moving on immediately, "So. . ." She clasps her fingers together. "Have you known any other dragons that did?"
Calgwen considers for a moment. "Yes. I met a fellow many years ago who was quite capable at magic, though I can't say if he was any more or less capable then anyone else. He seemed plenty capable to me."
Teis: "And. . .You think he'd have woken up as well?" Teis asks. "Would he be. . .Contactable? Findable?"
Calgwen chuckles, "I could always write some letters to inquire about his state. In regards to 'natural' magic... my dear friend Luella does have some affinity with animals. I don't think that has anything to do with magic, and yet it seems rather special. I shall ask her about that for you as well."
Teis: "Yes!" Teis blurts in response excitedly, then ahems. "Um, yes. I'd appreciate it immensely. And if there's anyone else you can think of as well? Who better to learn about the magicks of the past than those that were actually alive and there. So much knowledge and potential. . ." Teis swoons over her words. She clears her throat again. "Sorry. Yes."
Calgwen: "I quite understand, Teis. I will let you in on a little secret though..." He leans in over the desk, looking a little bashful, "Those folks who tell stories about dragons being superior? Those stories were likely started by dragons themselves. If there is one thing we do better than anyone, it is..." He sighs, looking slightly embarrassed. "...promoting ourselves."
Teis nods, then nods again. "I mean. . .Hummm. . ." She sets her hands down. "Yeah, that's. . .Sort of what history is, I guess. Over and over. But if any of it's true, it's worth a shot. . .Right?" Teis looks unsure.
Calgwen nods, leaning back, "Oh, don't get me wrong, I am sure you will learn from either of them, if they wish to respond. Just don't expect to get all your answers in one, or in this case even two, places."
Teis: "Hm." Teis skews her lip briefly. "Yeah. . .I suppose so." She deflates into the chair.
Calgwen dips his head in apology, "I'm sorry. Is there anything else I can do for you, Teis? We don't talk too often outside of small talk at dinner."
Teis: "Well. . ." Teis pauses, "Unless there's anything you can tell me yourself? Just how old are you? How many eras have you lived through? Societies that have risen and fallen?"
Calgwen: "I may be quite a disappointment, in that regard... I am Four-hundred and Sixty Six years old, rather young, for my kind. I've not seen any societies truly fall, though I suppose I saw much of Sarn's rise. It is one reason I found Respite so interesting.... in another few hundred years, what will this continent be like? It reminds me of the early days, when Glaushire was just a wilderness fort."
Teis: "Is that why you decided to come out here, to Respite? Nostalgia?" Teis questions out of curiosity at first, though then a more cynical thought occurs to her, "Or. . .Was Sarn's rise how you made your fortune and you're hoping you'll get much of the same out here?" That's what you're trying to do, Teis!
Calgwen laughs, "A little bit of all of that. Opportunity, Teis. To make a new fortune? Perhaps! But also to see new things. This is a new land, a new world. Who knows what secrets it holds! New people as well, brave and exciting new people, striving to make this land their own. It's exciting to see... and to leave my own impact upon, somehow. I've yet to decide how, but I want to do something."
Teis: "Hm." Teis hums to herself, attempting to reconcile Calgwen's modest answer with her cynicism. She determines that the answer is, "Fair enough, I suppose." She lets out a little sigh, letting go of her defensiveness. "So. . .What was Sarn like? Back then? Anything like here?"
Calgwen hums, "More trees. Less of the magitech? That all happened while I was asleep, and I'm still not completely comfortable with it. But back then, there was less nobility, more adventurous spirits. Before it became the capital, Glaushire was the furthest point west that had been fully settled. Now, there's towns all through the woods, and roads all around the mountains. ...there used to be a volcano there once."
Teis: ". . .Used to be?" Teis tilts her head. ". . .What do you mean used to be? What happened to it?"
Calgwen shrugs, "Well, it erupted. I imagine it's still technically a volcano, but the whole east side collapsed and filled with water. That was back about three-hundred years ago. Not even a hundred years later and they'd begun building towns around the lake. Fertile soil around it, they say. Ha. I suppose the Singequill family did buy land up in the mountains around that time too, so I suppose even we were a bit crazy."
Teis: "Huh." Teis voices, falling into silence for several seconds. "I, um. I guess I'm out of follow-up questions?"
Calgwen thinks a moment, tilting his head to look at Teis curiously. "Can I ask you one, then?"
Teis nods, "Sure" She affirms.
Calgwen leans forward in interest, "You do your work in your lab, trying to help this business. I know you enjoy spending time with Enver. But I'm just curious... what do you want, hm? If you didn't have to make anyone else happy, what would you do? Study magic full time?"
Teis is taken aback by the question, stiffening up while simultaneously pulling her head back from Calgwen. "I. . .Yeah. Yeah I would, I guess. . ." She mumbles, glancing away and fidgeting her fingers amongst one another.
Calgwen stops himself from leaning forward further, pulling his hand back. "Have... I asked something upsetting? I was just hoping to get to know you better."
Teis: "No!" Teis snaps back briefly to Calgwen, then looks down to her hands, "I mean. . .No. It's just. . .Well. I haven't had to think about it. No one's really asked? Not even Enver. . ." She sighs, then scowls, ". . .Much less Rondelethia."
Calgwen nods slowly, "I think... your sister is trying to figure it out for herself as well. You two are a lot alike in that. You are both working so frantically to keep everyone else around you happy, that you don't stop to consider yourselves."
Teis slouches once more, sighing and her expression slipping into one of sorrow. "I. . .Try to get Rondelethia to think about herself. She. . .Never does. Just doing what Pa wants from her. . ." She lowers her head even further, shielding her face fully from Calgwen's angle. Her voice becomes quiet, low, and shaky,, ". . .The last person I can think of who even asked me that question was Mom."
Calgwen is fairly good at ready people, fortunately, dipping his head down again. "Ahhh... I'm sorry." He folds his hands, taking a long breath. "I shall continue to do what I can. For both of you."
Teis reaches a hand for her face, rubbing her eyes with the back of her paw briefly. Upon lowering her hand, it's visibly stained with her tears. Despite being on the verge of a breakdown, she's still keeping herself together just enough, "I'm. . .Gonna go. . .Lie down." She mumbles as she stands to leave.
Calgwen nods, standing to see her out, "Take care, Teis, please. If you ever need to talk..." He lets the offer sit as he steps past to open the door for her.
Teis: "I'll. . .Keep that in mind, Calgwen. . ." Teis mumbles in response as she finds the energy to hobble out.