Cult Of The Stars

Sunset is hours away, but that doesn't stop the vixen from having set herself up a camp; a tent is deployed, a gathering of stones roughly arranged for a firepit, and a stack of branches - dragged from elsewhere, obviously given the nature of the terrain around them - stacked nearby. There's also the beginnings of what could be a telescope stand, which Estelle is fiddling with. The occasional glance is stolen towards Aincrad to the southeast, though, distracted and thoughtful. But then it turns back to her awkward work.

She hasn't mentioned why she's out there, though the mess of star charts hung on lines between poles around her might clarify things a /little/. The scenery might play a part, too, since the position looks out over the lake surrounding the Tower, and the yellow-purple blossoms all around sway in the wind; the fox has a small crown of the blossoms on her head, even.

But it's obvious she plans to be here for awhile, all the same.

    Merek walks along to meet up with the fox, wearing the dark attire with the a nice accents, while he takes the time to adjust his beltcape. When he comes upon Estelle, he notices all the camp with the star charts. "Good evening, you are doing well?" he asks.

The vixen's tails swish a bit more energetically, as the human speaks up - but she doesn't seem too startled. He was expected, after all. "I've been well, yes. The Heavens' blessing has seen me well through my trials, though they've had their downs as well as their ups." She fiddles with the stand a bit more, finally getting it properly erected.

"And yourself? How has your fate been, since last we spoke?" Her gaze flicks towards his sword. "And have you had any further... troubles?"

    Merek nods a bit to Estelle, "I'm doing well enough, and no issues," the man notes, while he takes a moment to check on the flask that he keeps with him, "What are you learning about the stars?" the man asks, while he finds a place to settle in and listen while he watches the sky in thought.

For now, the skies above are good for cloud-watching, drifting vaguely towards the west. Blue peeks through here and there, but white and grey dominate the view.

"Working with Jazz, and doing some research of my own, I've worked out a few things. But it's mostly been charting things anew, since I don't have my usual references - and the twin moons do mean I've got to rework some of my methods..." Estelle's tone is thoughtful, as she sits down upon a nearby pillow; the green fabric blends in well with the grass. "I can't remember; were you around when we discussed the Eclipse matter, on the chim-link? That's the most notable discovery so far." Her tails curl in around herself a bit, acting like a second skirt.

    Merek seems to think about it, while he nods to Estelle, "I don't know, I might recall a little bit. Was going to mention to you the Cult of the Lost. It is basically a support group which seems to do a lot of divination and works along with people," he notes, taking a look to the tails thoughtfully, while he seems to relax a little bit back into place.

"Mm! We're still working out the timing on it, but it seems to be a World Event that causes aberrations in monster behavior. What kind, exactly, I'm not sure, but likely more aggressive. Thankfully it does seem to be rare, and my divinations indicate that it isn't going to occur anytime soon." After a moment, the fox gets up and putters about. If they're going to be sitting and chatting, it may as well be over tea. The spit is raised, and a kettle filled with water hung upon it. "The Cult of the Lost? Tell me more, then. Other seekers of truth are worth knowing, after all..."

    Merek takes a moment to take off the beltcape, while beginning to adjust the scarf which he wears along his features. There's a look to the tea, while he seems to think about it, "It's a group of people who look into and researches the nature of things. They like to assist people that aren't doing well with the changes of the world."

"That would explain the 'lost' portion of its name." Estelle muses aloud, as she sorts through her tea leaves. She settles for something sweeter after long moments, a mix that is admittedly closer to a tisane. Two bundles are separated out and set into clay mugs, to be filled with the hot water when the kettle reaches a boil. "And there are plenty in need of such." Her gaze flicks towards Carmina Gadelica.

"What sort of services do they offer? A shoulder to lean on, an ear to listne...?"

    Merek nods a bit while he waits for that tea, taking the time to think about it all, "Well, that is mostly what they offer, as well as a little research into the world, you know things like that," he notes. "Anyway, it's mostly groups that gather along and do it together, not really anyone that owns the thing."

"Is this an invitation to a meeting of one such group, then?" The vixen asks, head canting (And her ears tipping in the other direction, to remain perfectly upright). Her tails swish behind her a little as she settles back in, starry patterns changing with the motions. "Or do you think I'm lost, yet, and need a hand?" Her smile is a bit mischievous. "Or do you have a specific research topic in mind, this afternoon?"

    Merek takes one of the teas, when it looks to be prepared, nodding to Estelle. "I suppose I can invite you to meet," he notes, "As for research. I would not know, I'm invested in a lot of projects, at the moment." The man takes a sip from the tea, while he watches the tails, "I admit I would like to look into star charting, and magic related to celestial spheres."

The herbal fragrance spreads through the camp, as the steam rises from the mugs. Estelle gives hers time to cool, just holding it in her lap. "I've lent some expertise to a few projects as well, I'll admit." Her tails still a little, under his scrutiny. "But most of time is spent working on my charts these days, yes, though I'll admit I've got some ideas for further work; personal and more public. Like a three-dimensional astrolabe, as a magical and divinatory focus - I'll need the help of someone skill in careful metalwork for that, though."

    "I am just an alchemist," Merek notes then to Estelle, while he takes a sip of the tea. He peeks to the tails thoughtfully, and perhaps wondering if they are a little bit sentient. Then he nods to Estelle, "I am working to make a garden. With the trade company I own as well as the shop, well it takes a bit of work to do."

"I've a bit of talent in that arena as well." A beat. "Alchemy, that is." She blows on her mug a moment, and then takes a sip of the tea. "Gardening not so much. I've never had much of a green thumb, Before, nor have I tried much of it here in this realm... though perhaps the blessings of Crater or Seiryuu could help it?"

She glances over towards some of her charts, at the names of those constellations. "The Cup of the Sun and the Azure Dragon have associations with... well, the sun and healing, for the former, and wood and growth, for the later."

    Merek nods a little bit to Estelle, "Indeed. Anyway, I am thinking about relaxing for a little while. With the war being managed, we can probably find time to focus upon things," the man notes. There's a look to the star charts, "What did you do before all this?"

"I was a student, mostly. Studying history and the stars." The vixen waves one hand skyward, even if it's the wrong time, with her fingers spread. "I didn't get out much. Most of my free time was spent exploring new worlds, to learn their history and secrets." The start of that line is... heavy. The end wistful and fond. Her tails remain coiled protectly around her, though, from the former.

"... you?"

    "Programmer. I work for CC as a Beta Tester," Merek notes then to Estelle, while he nods a bit to the woman, "I do like a lot of classes, I actually was a student of chemistry."

"Ahhh. Are you one of the people trying to push the limits of what the world's 'code' allows for, then?" Her tone is a touch teasing, as she turns that information around in her head. "Or just enjoying the epitome of what's been accomplished, here, in immersion?"

"... Though I'm not terribly surprised a chemist focuses on alchemy. The two do have their real-world connections, after all, even if one divorced itself from philosophy and focused on the material interactions. Any insights of your own, in differences between the two?"

    "Ya, it's about the same, except the mechanics," Merek notes, while he nods a bit to Estelle. "I do like to test, seeing what's possible," the man notes. There's a shift while he takes a look to Estelle, "Anyway, it's always useful to know new things." There's a sip from the tea.

"Fair enough." Estelle murmurs, at the first point. "Though isn't it still best when you work it through normally?" Still, she shrugs that off after a moment. "And, yes, knowing everything about the world we can is important. Hence some of my studies into the stars, and the eclipses. Even if the details, there, are rare and buried amongst other things." There's a shake of her head, astral hair swinging around her. "Though I'll admit I do just enjoy the research."

    "Perhaps that will be the point," Merek notes then to Estelle. "Anyway, I should probably take a little nap for a little while," he states while he finishes the tea.

There's a nod at that, as she finishes off her own mug of drink. "Alright. If you have your own bedroll, you can spread it in the tent and nap there - I've still some setup to do, and a few places to look around and place markers." She glances around the floral field around them, and then back. "But rest well, and safe travels if I'm absent when you wake."