Ptotally Ptolemaic Pthrowdown

[Tearen Wover]

The sounds of seabirds, shouts from the bazaar, and the hiss of distant surf along the edges of the limestone docks echoed dimly through the dry and cool atrium. The smell of papyrus and lantern oil suffused the still air, where the crinkly unraveling of a Vedic scroll was the most startling thing to cut through the otherwise suffocating tranquility of this most sacred of loci. Earthtones awash with the oranges and purples of fading daylight threw the soft, sensual curves of the lounge furniture and its sole occupant into sharp relief. Of all the countless projects sprung from Alexander's conquests, Tearen had always been fond of the library in the eponymous Alexandria. True, while its value to human history and knowledge was often overstated in millennia to come, it was certainly a hallmark of a step in the right direction; the desire of the human spirit to learn from past mistakes chiseled into marble and sandstone with immaculate care.

The irony, then, of sensing the presence of one of his most tempestuous and destructive disciples was not lost on the Shadow. Though Rockwell's mind was guarded against all practical forms of telepathic probing, the man still vented frustration and anger into the psychic air like a freight train. Perhaps it was an apt metaphor, consider the deliberation and determination with which Strazio approached his lounging former teacher. Granted, Tearen was not exactly hard to pick out of a crowd for one who had the sort of sensitivity that Strazio did. Though the Shadow certainly did not visibly stick out in his humble cloth robes and dark complexion, the Elder Prime exuded his own presence in a way both as subtle and profound as a towering bank of nimbus clouds.

"We need to talk." Strazio blurted, crossing his arms sourly over his chest. Tearen paused his perusal of the large scroll in front of him before rolling it away and shooting the rage mage a knowing glance.

"Really Strazio, not even a hello?" Tearen quipped raising an eyebrow. He could tell his disciple was not exactly in the mood, but the ex-enigma would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy pushing Rockwell's buttons every now and then.

"You already know why I'm here." Strazio snapped back, his fists balled up into their signature fists. Tearen chuckled.

"You're giving me too much credit, friend...but I'm guessing we had better step outside?" the eldritch human said. His voice still retained hints of a smile, even if it was a tad melancholy. The true context of this situation was not lost on him, but if this was the only way he would get to see his beloved Enigmas on occasion, it would have to suffice...