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All-Seeing Eye 'Miari, you and I need to have a little... heart to heart.'

     Miari of Melekin had been posing as one of the Sun's Chosen, which, given their history, didn't do much to recommend her trustworthiness at first. For a while, though, things looked good. She'd provided valuable information to Claslat, both geographic and political, going so far as to assist in the apprehension of a dissident at large.

     But then, she was revealed to be an agent of one of Autochthon's oldest enemies. Miari claims that she doesn't serve the Breakers, but that isn't good enough, even if it's true. Bloody Revelations makes the same claim, and her plans are no less anathema to the living for it.

     The time for good faith is over. Eye will find the truth if he has to rip it from the sorceror's throat. He waits in the jungle outside the patropolis of Glocrim, sitting upon a mossy stone. His erhu will help the sorceror find her way--all she has to do is follow the source of the mournful tune it sings to the animals and the insects.
Miari Miari would almost do better in a desert than a jungle. She grouches a bit during the trip through the forests, but none of the larger animals are at all willing to approach her - even if there happen to be some in the area. She has only to worry about a few pesky mosquitos that don't seem capable of piercing her skin.

    This time, on approach, she isn't garbed in her own shadowy disguise. She's dressed in the same fine shogunate-era kimono, but her skin shows dark scale-like markings and gleams with a faint oily sheen. Her eyes are reptilian and bright vermilion, almost like faceted jewels. It's a bit disconcerting to look at sure... and it matches descriptions of the First Circle Demon called a Gethin.

    She doesn't seem armed, but knowing Exalts - especially Sorcerers - that's hardly an assurance of anything. What IS more reassuring is that she seats herself on another boulder, hands in her lap, and politely waits for Eye's song to finish while listening appreciatively.

    Although this meeting has her antsy, as shown by the way she fidgets a bit. She's definitely been raised with manners, but a young woman is still a young woman!
All-Seeing Eye Eye allows the last note to ring out, smiling. His eyes are on the instrument, and the instrument alone as the bow makes it to the other end. Eye sits in silence for a few moments, listening. Not to the insects, the cries of the animals, or the occasional babble of the mostly placid lake behind him, but to Miari's heartbeat. Without looking up, he poses a question.

     "What is the name of your master?" The erhu is lifted over his head and placed against his back. Several whirring and clicking noises can be heard, more similar to clockwork than to the sounds of nearby insects. Releasing it, the instrument disappears into his back. Slowly, he looks up to meet her gaze, and his smile, though still on his face, darkens. He poses another question.

     "Do you value mortal life?"
Miari This turn of events is souring indeed. Miari's mentally bracing herself as the song ends... but to hear a question like THAT posed to her gets a flare of indignation striking through her. "My MASTER." She practically spits the word, as if offended by the very concept.

    "The one who would CLAIM to be my 'Master' is a name that should never be spoken, for anything who hears it falls under her power. The name that she surrounds herself in like a susurrus of prayer. So, even I do not know it, and if I somehow did and were not under her sway, it would be unspeakable. But I will tell you what she is called. 'She Who Lives In Her Name.' 'The Principle of Hierarchy.' 'The Pyre in Which Thoughts are Burned.'" She slaps both hands to her knees and shivers.

    "Although Malfeas, he who was once the Empyreal Chaos, would ultimately claim such rank too, as the king of the Yozis. But MY Master? I have none."

    She's all but scowling at this line of questioning. "Have I really sunk that low in your eyes over the color of my anima?"
All-Seeing Eye When Miari poses a question to him, he brushes it off with a flick of his wrist. "Irrelevant~"

     She does seem to believe what she says, and the information about those who would claim to be her masters registers as true also. But, it isn't enough. "Why did the Breakers give you your power? What means do they have of controlling you to act within their interests?"
Miari Miari seems displeased at being so impersonally questioned... and childishly folds her arms in a way that didn't come out in her previous showings - where she tried to behave with much more poise and manners.

    "The same reason they have had for every single plot of theirs since the Primordial War. Gaining their freedom and reclaiming, destroying, blighting, remaking Creation... whatever they intend to do once out, it won't be a nice place to live for us." She grouches out as if this should be obvious.

    "I wasn't quite aware of the full picture of what I was getting until when they approached me, you know. Before this, I was just a scholar and physician in training, wrapped up in a family dispute. ... One I wouldn't wish on anyone. As for controlling... I've seen the Essence patterns of Glocrim. Your kind's mentality clashes with Autochthon's Primordial Essence, doesn't it? My Exaltation will surge with backlash if I don't do their bidding. ... It's not a pleasant sight to see. But thankfully I've found a few means to keep it at bay."
All-Seeing Eye This one is clever--she's on the verge of discovering Clarity. He'll throw her a bone, just to give her something to think about, keep her off-guard. "Certain actions draw us closer to his ways of thinking." It might even lighten her mood a spell, make her more pliable.

     While she's pondering that, he asks yet another question. "Are you the sole target of this backlash?" The Breakers are despicable in their methods, not to be trusted. He wouldn't put it past them to use innocents to force compliance. Or, for that matter, mind control. "And is this backlash their only method?"
Miari The sudden giving of information DOES have that effect. Miari is ever so curious at all times, and for a brief moment her eyes widen with affirmation and renewed curiosity. Then... she remembers where she is. And kicks a heel against the rock she's seated on.

    "... Truthfully, no, I'm not. It can strike people nearby. Or anyone I have taken a liking to... who is holding me back from their mission, anyways. Right now---" Miari's teeth clench in the middle of speaking. She gulps and pauses for a few moments, gathering her breath.

    Whatever she was on the verge, it might have just been slamming against that Primordial Essence. "It's screaming at me to... rise to power in the East and take control of Great Forks. Sometimes other places. It's not very picky, as long as it involves seizing authority. ... But it really doesn't care what I -do- with that authority, is the thing. That's what I meant by managing it."
All-Seeing Eye It is not the place of Chosen to rule. Early in Autochthonia's history this was known to be true, and eventually codified into law. Creation's state of affairs is testament to this, and it is likely the sole fault of the life-sustaining works of Gaia that all life hasn't ceased to be. Whether she believes she's a fit ruler or not is irrelevant. That Miari will be punished for /not/ seizing power makes her dangerous, especially in Autochthonia.

     One more question is needed to completely and accurately determine the risk she poses. "Would you ever attempt to seize power in Autochthonia, or upon Autochthonian holdings?"
Miari "I've never even BEEN to Autochthonia. How can I form an opinion on it?" Miari flashes back, briefly grinning at the siliness of the question - and once again showing her youthful, more playful side. "... I will be flatly and honest though. I cannot be sure of where this urge will take me if I cannot conquer it. Which is another project of mine... I am NOT fond of what I am, and want to change it. It's my hope that the architect of Exaltation himself would know of methods to undo what has been done... or at least, find a different path."

    She stretches both hands out in front of her. "My Exaltation might bid me head in your direction... but it might not. I am not of THIS particular Creation, and I have not found a Glocrim in this lake in mine. So perhaps it doesn't... work like that. I did mean what I said though. If the Yozis or Neverborn catch wind of Autochthon's presence, they may circle like siaka... -- ... oh, right. You don't know animals. Um." She blushes rather embarassedly at this realization.

    "... Well, you already know what they might do."

    She shivers with more conflicted thoughts, and brings a hand to her forehead.

    Rubs a bit.

    "... As for me personally, I have no right to Autochthonia. But the Solar Exalted do have a duty to Creation. I would see the people live better, even if the luxuries of the First Age are untenable. They needn't live in the squalor and chaos they do now. I... was brought up as a physician. It pains me to see what the world is really like, outside the family's manse. It hurts when I compare what was lost with what is now, from ancient memories not my own..."
All-Seeing Eye One person here thinks the question is silly. The other believes earnestly that thousands of years of civilization are at risk of spiraling into chaos. That it is his duty to prevent that spiral, by any means necessary. He, it hardly needs to be said, does not think it is silly. So, when Miari thinks to show that playful side, it isn't well received.

     It's only because of her admissions, and their veracity, that the venom drains from his smile. Pushing off of the impromptu seat, he approaches Miari, then turns. Slowly encircling her, his vision takes in her appearance and the fine details thereof. "Your assistance to this point, if given under false identity, has been useful. You recognize that Autochthonia is not yours to rule..."

     "However," he chirps, stopping before Miari without turning to look at her. One hand is raised, one finger upon that hand pointed skywards. "Your defective Exaltation makes you dangerous to Autochthonia's mortal inhabitants, and the Breakers may have ways of controlling you--ways kept secret from you."

     He lowers his hand, clasping both behind his back. "Therefore... until such time as you are able to control it completely, you will be put on a watchlist! If you suffer an outburst while on Autochthonian soil, you will be terminated~"
Miari Miari's tense at the circling, but some hints of what might be naive hope still remain in her vermilion - and strangely reptilian - eyes. She's especially tense when he's right behind...

    But he might remember, she doesn't seem to really NEED her hands to Do Things, just as he doesn't necessarily need what LOOK like his only eyes...

    Is that a show? Or just a ntural instinctive fear?

    She's quiet and patiently waits for him to finish... and cannot hide a heavy sigh of relief. "... Absolutely, ruthlessly fair." She admits, sounding exasperated and resigned. "Fairer than most places in Creation too, to be truthful. All reasonable worries. I can say nothing against that. Although... as a scholar, I would be AMAZED if they have such methods. The Yozis are absolute control freaks. Hard to imagine they wouldn't already be using them if they existed. Perhaps they do, and simply have not been pressed hard enough yet." She shrugs helplessly, reclaiming a bit of her playful spunk again.

    "... I have an idea, if I might broach an awkward subject!"
All-Seeing Eye Finally, someone who understands Autochthonian justice. It's a shame she's so entangled with the Breakers, and possessed of that foolish Solar notion of Exalted rule. She might otherwise be a truly welcome addition to society, rather than an exactingly watched, barely tolerated visitor.

     Hands still clasped behind his back, the Alchemical slowly looks over his shoulder towards Miari. A crooked smirk slowly creeps into being, his champagne eyes glimmering with interest.

     "Go on," he says, turning to fully face her. There's no harm in hearing her out. He's under no obligation to follow through, after all. Especially if it's heresy.
Miari "I noticed... your kind change and grow in a very unusual way. The Chosen of Creation do not become cities as they grow in enlightenment." She begins, holding her breath briefly as she ponders her next words... and tilts her head ever so slightly forward and to the side with sharpening inquiry.

    "What might the fate of another Chosen who channels Primordial Essence directly be? Similar?"
All-Seeing Eye Eye shrugs. "Hardly a sensitive topic, dear. I'm a policeman, not a savant! You're better off asking the Orichalcum caste a question like that." Although... she /did/ ask him, which means she values his opinion. As she should! He does make a habit out of being right.

     "If you care for my... unrefined opinion," he says, stowing a giggle, "I suppose it would depend on the given Primordial's portfolio. Hard to say, in other words--but I don't know why you'd want to go emulating them! They're ugly, insane, and stupid besides~"

     He turns his back on Miari, extending a hand. A metal iris opens on the Exalt's seemingly human palm, from which a small cube is dropped. It rapidly unfolds with a series of clicks and whirrs not unlike those the erhu made. In a matter of minutes, a single-rider vehicle hovers before Eye, carried on burning purple jets of Essence.

     The Exalt sits astride the hovering vehicle, hands resting upon its handlebars in preparation to depart. "Anything else before I go, darling Miari?"
Miari The SPECTAACULAR show of artifice Eye breaks out has her eyes going wide. ".. Autochthon WAS known for mastery of Elsewhere technology... incredible." She exclaims just to the air.

    And then, remembering the conversation, she shakes her head. "Only that I'd like you to relay the question to some such Orichalcum Caste. ... Because I don't -want- to emulate them."