[open]

[entitles]

[1 – The Royal Observatory – Open to All]

As detached as he acted, Balem did have a certain fondness for some places in London, and this was one of them. It was where he went whenever he felt like mingling with humans, or whenever he needed a change of scenery from his own observatory. While he knew a lot about space and the stars and planets in general, the humans knew them in a different way than he did. He was taught about magic and constellations and what the alignment of Earth and other planets in comparison to the stars meant, but not about physics and elements and the rest of the science behind it all. He learned that as the humans did.

He was dressed in a navy-blue suit and appeared to be a normal young man, although he had a certain dreamlike aura about him and those with a talent for seeing through magic would be able to tell that he was still wearing his golden collar, although he charmed it to be invisible to most. He stood alone, running one hand slowly over the old meteor that was on display. As with everything else here, he seemed to attach some deep significance to it.

[2 – Balem’s Observatory – Open to Fae (or anyone who would be in the Other Realm)]

The stars were finally more favorable to him than they had been the last few weeks, so Balem was in a much better mood than he had been. Redbright’s announcement still hung over his thoughts at times, but generally he was in a pleasant mood. And so, he decided to open his doors to visitors once more instead of sulking alone. The observatory itself as well as several rooms holding various artifacts he’d collected over the years were open; the only room closed off completely was the master bedroom, which had a marble slab blocking the knobs.

Balem himself was seated on a large ornate couch in the center of the observatory, bathed in starlight. Although it was night, the stars could be seen bright enough through the clear crystal roof that there was more than enough light to see by. Once in a while a lower-ranking fae in his servitude would scuttle by and ask him a question, but he was otherwise alone.

[3 – Wildcard!]

[Have another idea? Feel free to run with it!]

Comments

2

[detectiveofthewest]

Ah, the doors were open. Balem had been a bit of a recluse lately, but Heiji took his offer at face value. Thus it was that a servant ended up showing him into the room. Ornate couches weren't really Heiji's thing, but he enjoyed the starlight.

For once, Heiji didn't look entirely human. Instead, dark-furred ears poked out from beneath his hair and a set of six long fox tails trailed behind him. He was wearing a dark blue yukata. "I thought I should drop by and take you up on your offer."

[entitles]

"Of course. I've been expecting you," he said, standing up, his long cloak dragging behind him as he approached Heiji.

The observatory itself was relatively bare. Aside from the couch there were a few telescopes of varying size and power, and some bookshelves to the side filled with human-written books on astronomy and astrophysics, some new and some old enough to be severely dated and filled with inaccuracies, but he kept them all the same.

"Lovely, isn't it?" he said, gazing up at the dome, "But I believe you'll be more interested in the galleries."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Well, I am interested in the galleries," admitted Heiji. "But I do love the starlight. In London, the light pollution blots out the sky." A shame, really, because what Heiji loved nature and the wild best of all.

"Your title suits you quite well, I think." And gosh, was that a copy of A Brief History of Time?

[entitles]

"Cities were a lot more pleasant at night before all the light. It's convenient for humans, I suppose," he said, not particularly caring about what humans needed, "And thank you. I've always been fascinated with them, the stars. We are connected, like old friends."

And yes, it was, along with Cosmos and many other popular astronomy books. He intuitively knew how the celestial bodies functioned, but there was no harm in knowing the why.

[detectiveofthewest]

"I'd have to agree with you there," said Heiji. "Back then, night was true darkness... or at least as close as you could get to it." Which seemed like a bit of a strange thing for a Seelie fae to like, but maybe not if you counted in the fact that Heiji was a fox.

"Oh, before I forget -- have you heard? The Kings and Queens are in general agreement. We'll be moving on London soon, I think... though it seems they won't agree on the dates until a bit later on."

[entitles]

"Night has always been bright enough for me - starlight was enough to read or work by, at least. Sunlight is far too bright. That star in particular is more fond of you," he said, and by 'you' he meant 'Seelie'.

"Good. If they leave us alone, we'll leave them alone, as it has always been, but if they insist on involving us they cannot expect us to stay back," he said.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji looked up at the star that Balem indicated, tails waving slowly in the air as he did so. He'd heard about the way Balem withdrew when the stars were not in his favor. Perhaps this was an extension of that proclivity?

"I agree. Besides, it's good to show we're still around every now and then. No matter the lesson, humans always seem to forget in a generation or two..."

[entitles]

"When they start to forget about us, they also become easier to deal with," Balem said, "There were times throughout history when most humans knew how to tell if they were talking to a fae, and how to avoid their tricks. Nowadays they seem oblivious, or they simply don't believe it."

They used to take advantage of his inability to lie, and would avoid faerie rings as much as they'd avoid a predator's den. Not usually the case anymore.

[detectiveofthewest]

There was a gleam of mischievous interest in Heiji's eye just now. "Oh? Fool anyone interesting lately?"

Of course, for Heiji it was a bit of an inconvenience. Hard to interact with people when they viewed your kind as some monolithic hive mind. "Where I come from, children at least know one fae from another. Maybe not the difference between a kotengu and a daitengu, but they'd definitely recognize my kind."

Which Heiji rather liked overall. People knew the drill, basically, which meant that you received something like celebrity status. And also that there was less screaming before they got to the good part.

2 obv.

[rules_winter]

Protocol dictated she at least try to make inroads with the other Fae near her own rank, and this one seemed more reclusive. The Lord of Stars, they'd said in court. Normally she would not intrude on another fae's domain without express permission but he'd opened the doors. And word had flitted back through the lesser fae that the observatory was worth the visit for the view alone.

Her dress trailed up the steps but she never stepped on it, sometimes it was handy being a magical creature. She spent a little time drifting through displays, noting the presentation. The man was proud. And that point was only punctuated by the fact that he'd arranged himself in the center of the room, like another of his treasured items, starlight making an already inhuman sidhe appear even more ethereal. One could never say the fae were not vain. Every one of them preened in their own way. Fickle as well. She came to a stop at the edge of the starlight, and it made her own pale skin nearly glow.

"Lord of Stars." There was no concern in the voice, she sounded absolutely confident. "It seemed time to become acquainted." Frozen-berry tinted lips lifted at the corners like frozen blood against her pale skin as she gazed at him. The woman waited for him to look before dipping her head forward like a bow to an equal. A sign of respect.

[entitles]

"Ah, you must be the Lady of Air and Darkness," he said, standing up and returning the slight bow. Although he couldn't be bothered to keep track of every imp and pixie, a Lady of the court was different, and news of them traveled fast to him even during his reclusive periods.

"It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance," he said, starlight dancing upon his dark cloak as he stepped towards her, making it look like a piece of the night sky itself.

[rules_winter]

She breathed out, pleased by the reception. "I am." She agreed, gaze travelling over him as starlight glinted here and there, the faerie make of his clothes and neck piece twinkling in answer. A lovely picture. Her own clothing looked like freshly fallen snow, the starlight glinting off of it in sparkles like the northern lights. It was not a dog an pony show, but it never hurt to project yourself properly. And one had to make good impressions on those who might prove to be allies.

"It is reassuring to know I have not intruded." If he didn't want her in his domain she would not be there, but it was polite to acknowledge his hospitality. And now that she had she let her eyes wander across the room in a slow sweep and then up to the ceiling where they focused on the glittering darkness. She took a moment of pure admiration, not having settled herself there was a twinge of appreciating a place that felt... akin to her in some way. Her eyes dropped back to his and she smiled. "Enchanting." And that could be describing a great many things right now.

[entitles]

"Isn't it?" he said with a flourish of his robe, revealing several obsidian stones interwoven in the fabric, "They are not as appreciated as they once were, now that humans have other means of navigation. But the stars will tell you things a map or a compass never will if you listen."

"And you need not worry about intruding if the doors are open. I live alone here now that my siblings have gone their own way, and this observatory was built to hold many."

His mother used to throw the most extravagant feasts and balls beneath the starlight, a tradition he hadn't kept up with since her death, but he could still be social.

[rules_winter]

It is rather large for one person. But he has the servants at the very least, the move about occasionally but as all good servants, one does not notice them unless one wishes to. "The mortals choose not to notice a great many things. Some would call it willing blindness. Though I notice some have been quite actively taking action against us." And no doubt the humans would mention that maps actually talked now. Not that Mab knew that, she had yet to meet a Smart Phone.

His speaking voice is soft but in the large room it isn't a strain to hear him the shape of room seems to amplify sound. Mab's own voice, while musical is more significantly pronounced, and she does not try to match his cadence as some might. Like being shushed in a library.

"I am given to understand you enjoy the solitude." No one in the Other Realm can avoid gossip. "Do you attend court functions?" Will she see him there is really the question. And she feels him out a little to see if he is someone she needs to keep an eye on. Or perhaps they will have similar interests. That is the entire point of coming here, after all.

[entitles]

"I'm not in solitude. Not entirely," he said, and by the way he looked back up at the dome it was clear he didn't mean his servants, "And yes, I attend them, for the most part. It is my duty."

He did notice that the mentioned the humans taking action against them. A recent arrival to London and already she's noticed the hostilities - they have certainly increased within the last few decades. Had he known how much trouble the Night Council and Redbright would be causing, he may have chosen another place of residence, but now he couldn't leave without looking like he was accepting defeat.

"The Night Council along with Redbright and her ilk are determined to restrict us," he said, pacing slowly around his couch, "When I was young there were no cities, and our kind could have wiped theirs out entirely without much effort. They can dispute territory among each other as they please, but I'll not be ordered around by them."

[rules_winter]

Yes the stars, she took his meaning. Heavenly bodies that were his domain. Just as she could hear whispers on the winds and felt at home in darkness, he could likely speak to the stars. At least she could expect him at court functions. Another face to match the name. She was getting better acquainted with the court now. Knowledge was power, after all. "No, I don't imagine you are." She tilted her head in acknowledgement.

And that knowledge included knowing why there were places she couldn't cross between realms. Like being fenced out. It was vastly irritating. The mortals could be most presumptive.

"I have heard the same thing." Her voice sounded icy, little crackles of ice crept along the floor before she stopped it. It was satsifying to see someone else as aggravated as she was. "The age of iron made things more complicated." But she said it as if she still believed if the fae really wanted to they could destroy everything the humans held dear. It just took a little more creativity. She wasn't ready to announce that she was looking into the dark witches, she did not know this fae well enough yet to know if he would become direct competition. Instead she murmured, "I feel quite the same way myself. I am new here, do you have any plans as of yet, knowing the area better than I?"

[entitles]

"I am discussing some...potential solutions, at the moment. I will keep you updated," he said, "Needless to say, I won't be sitting idle."

He pauses for a moment, and thinks, "I am Balem, if you please."

His last name was a well-kept secret even among his fellow fae, and he refused to share so much as his first name with humans, but he could tell other fae that much. If one of his own betrayed him, they would answer to his celestial allies.

1

[emotioneater]

"Amazing to think how old it is." Cooper stared up at the meteor with a thoughtful expression that seemed out of place on such a young face. Most of the teenagers in the building were busy on their cell phones, but not him. "It can make you feel insignificant. We're all just seconds passing by in time in comparison."

[entitles]

"As old as our sun, and a third as old as our entire universe," he said, running his fingers over it again, "Most lives are like a blink of an eye in the greater scheme of things."

Most lives. Not his, he would like to think. He'd never heard of a fae living for millions of years let alone billions, but he would certainly try.

[emotioneater]

"Yet human beings have only been around for about two-hundred thousand years or so." He was going to have to stop complaining about how being around for two centuries had made him feel old. It could be worse. So much worse. "And they're the only creatures on the green earth t'look up at the stars instead of down at the dirt." Cooper stared out the nearest window at the darkness gathering outside. Self-awareness was humanity's great gift.

[entitles]

"The stars have been looking down on Earth long before Earth has looked up at them. There are stars being born and stars dying, of course, but the sky is very similar to the way it was when Earth was formed," he said, relishing any opportunity to wax poetic about stars.

"It can make one feel a bit small," he said, and he still felt that way even though he was fifty-thousand years old, "But it is nonetheless fascinating."

[emotioneater]

Cooper listened, thinking that Balem put it in much better words than he ever could. "Sounds like you're more than just a bit into all this stuff." He made a circling hand gesture that encompassed the sky and stars. "I never used t'really think about it all until a little while back." Give a man a long enough lifespan and he'd start to learn about all sorts of things he'd never thought about before. It had been that way with Cooper and abstract concepts like the sky.

[entitles]

"I've been thinking about it for a long, long while," he said, although he couldn't be older than thirty or so by looks alone, "It is my life's work, I suppose. It's a shame, not many people even know the names of the stars anymore, or they can't point out more than a few common constellations. Easier navigational methods have made it somewhat of a lost art."

[emotioneater]

The mention of thinking about the stars for a "long, long time" makes Cooper look a little bit harder at Balem. That's the same time of phrasing he uses himself when he's talking with normal human beings. He puts the thought into the back of his mind and focuses instead on what is actually being said to him. "People are dumb. It's a known fact. So are you one of those astrologer types that believes in the zodiac or are you more of a practical thinker?

[entitles]

"Astrology! No. The stars and planets at the time of one's birth can have an affect, but not like what's usually described, and it's not so static that you could group a month's worth of births into the same category," he said.

And now he looked like some sort of strange conspiracy theorist, all because he couldn't keep his mouth shut about his disdain for human astrology.

"What I mean to say is, I'm more interested in the practical. Physics and the like."