The Meeting

 Still November 3rd, 2017

 I hated Second Cup tables. They were always so small. I ordered a large earl grey tea that I could pour into my own cup, to which I added enough milk and sugar to mask how terrible this bagged tea is.  Then I sat at one of those small tables where I can put my back to the wall. I made a neat little pile of a leather journal with a Moonman fountain pen and a bottle of Diamine Ancient Copper. I took out my own journal, a second smaller leather journal, another new Moonman fountain pen, and a bottle of Iroshizuku Kon Peke blue ink. I filled my new pen with ink then poured the crappy tea into my personal cup (hoping the tea in my cup will help me regain some calm and some confidence). I also took out my Art of Peace book. I had a little plan for killing these 2 hours.

I journalled my day so far... having gotten into the habit since I met Levi and moved in with him. I also had acquired a couple more fountain pens and a small collection of inks. If they were drugs, someone would be concerned that I had an addiction problem. I found that journalling with the fountain pen, slowed my writing and my chaotic thots. It gave me another tool, along with healing, martial arts, and tea. These brought calm and focus.

Once the journalling was done, I put it into my backpack and turned my attention to the new little leather bound book I bought at Nota Bene. Time to start transcribing The Art of Peace. I had said that I needed more training, so I have started with this for the moment.

12th statement

Inner principles give coherence to things; the Art of Peace is a method of uncovering those principles.

 

15th statement

Use your body to create forms; use your spirit to transcend forms; unify body and spirit to activate the Art of Peace.

Part of me is certain this man was part of the Akashic Brotherhood. Then again... it is less limited to what I understand of the Akashic Brotherhood. I find his work the closest to what I actually practice and believe. There is so much Verbena in here with the Akashic.... I wish I could meet him in person and learn from him. Did he blend paths as I have?

2nd statement

One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace.

Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train.

 

 That is a good reminder. I have skimmed thru this text before. And as I was about to transcribe another statement, Levi walked in. It was about 2:30pm. He approached the table and I reminded him that he needed to order first here as they don't serve, in case he didn't know. He didn't know. When he sat, I told him that I refused to stay mad at him. And pushed forward the little bundle of leather journal, fountain pen and ink. He was ... beyond flabbergasted and deeply gracious. When we get home (because the apartment is home), I will do a dedication rite for these tools and invite him to what I do. Gifting him felt like the right thing to do, moreso now seeing his reaction.

The Technocrats arrived precisely on time. Should I have expected anything else of them? Riley came in first like a body guard. Then Blythe moved past him removing her shades. She looked like a power corporate now and not like a Westmount Mom. Riley headed off to get them both coffee while she came to sit with us. I made room on the table for their coffees and reminded them that the tea here is crap. They are coffee people. I think it is a Technocrat thing.

My stoic calm clearly is not yet stable. Why? Because they need backup to kill people!!

They called it "taking care of an internal problem" whereby they need to "clean house" and expect some resistance. They were asking for help, asking us if we could bring in help because clearly they have zero confidence in us. Then... why us and not more competent people? I don;t think they are wrong in doubting us. They have three powerful targets they have to hit simultaneously. Thus why they need help.

I am having a conversation about killing people...... They say 2 of them are definitely Nefandi, but are not sure of the third so want to capture him to find out. 

I am having a conversation... about... KILLING PEOPLE!

After a brief discussion about Nefandi and how sure they are of two of their targets, after a discussion about my and Levi's actual capacity to help, I agree to assist them... as a healer. However, I remind them that I am NOT their tool to just... use. That said, I agree to ask my parents, because I don;t know any other mages.

We spent a bit of time... or they did... brainstorming how to take out their targets and trying to understand what Levi and I are capable of. 

I cannot believe it, but I suggested working with my tea as a discrete method of "taking them out" because I am good with tea and can easily work with tea as magical and non-magical things. Medicine and poison are such a fine line. Alas, Technocrats are die hard coffee drinkers. Blythe could not understand why I could manipulate tea and not coffee. Maybe I can manipulate coffee... I have no idea. I KNOW I can manipulate tea. Did they want to experiment with something they need precision with? Apparently not. But to my satisfaction, Blythe concluded she will never drink tea I give her.... in case it is a toxic brew.

Dinner with my parents will be... interesting (likely of the Chinese Curse kind).

Anyhow, the Technocrats provided Levi and I with laptops they have modified (because hell no am I letting them futs with my laptop that has my thesis on it). The shared their information about these targets with us. Apparently Blythe is a data monkey or number cruncher... so.... Riley is like... the big guns. If we were a D&D group.... I would say we are fucked. Not enough fighters, but at least they have a healer. Me. I guess they know this too and that is why they are asking for help. Oh... and they have a 72hr window to do this. 

Three days is NOT enough time to train more and find help..... and yet... apparently that is all we have.

Levi and I headed home with our new Technocratic toys. Walking back from the metro to our apartment, someone was sitting on our steps. A short woman with blond hair wearing a grey coat. Using my senses from a distance, I could detect that she was uncertain, angry, and depressed, and also NOT an awakened or maybe she is hiding it well. I hated how these Technocrats made me so skittish of everything and marred my ability to be a gentleman. I left Levi's side to purposely be a gentleman and ask if she needed help.

Oh... get this...

She is German, named Enke and worked for Blythe as the Murder Nanny. Mirazaki sent her to help protect us.... to be out Murder Nanny. And... we are not to tell Blythe that this is where she was. She is human, ish, but "enhanced" like ... a cyborg ish? Do we trust her? Do we ditch her to the road? I hate that all this has turned me into this horrible person! 

 

I agree with Levi that she can stay. We both trust Mirazaki. My mother trusts and respects Mirazaki, so I will too. We now have a Murder Nanny to protect our home. I hope Brighid likes her. That will be my true test of if she can stay or not. For now, she can crash on the sofa till we figure out better accommodations.

I head to my room, collect up Brighid, and head to the Sanctuary to meet my parents for dinner.