Chapter 1 (Arc A): Investigation in the Library

Reading through the last bit of the journal, before the translated note, Marie-Louise cringes, like she hears an unpleasant sound. She quickly takes out a sheet of parchment and her inkbottle and pen. She writes, in her flowy curly handwriting, a translation of the text, slightly different from the one in the book:

Today I set upon my destiny. No more wishing and wanting, the day of realization is here. I am the herald of the chaos to come. Madness is my pawn and the lands shall be my board. I have spent these many months cajoling and pleading with that grandest of demons, that lord of the unruly. His promises of power have been good. I feel the surge of energy deep in my soul, opening my minds. I commit now to the last wish of my great patron, He Who Shall Rule The Lands. C'thalet the Lord of Insanity. I finally have the items to summon him and to pledge to him for this taste of power. It shall be glorious. The Mage Lords will rue the day they shunned me. The name Abbalonian Descargo will echo throughout time immemorial!

With a small nod she quickly adds

Mortal scum! Heed now the words of the immortal C'thalet! Your time has come and you will all perish before the mighty darkness!
Souls feeding his gluttony???

She looks at Ci and Uriel, who she just noticed is back. I don't understand everything that's in this book, there are words, letters in here I can't read. But they seem to be parts of a recipe of some sort, I think to make something to set C'thalet free, as if says here in this last entry. They got the translation wrong at some points, but I got it. Also here he says the same thing as the man in the square yelled. Where is the other book Uriel?

They won't allow us to have it. Unless a professor gives us permission to acess it.

With his presumptions somewhat confirmed, Ci asks "Does anybody know a professor? Where do they usually gather? Wanna ask around the corridors?"

He spies ML's piece and wonders if there were any dates.

"Hmm... Why would this Cargo guy placate demons? Maybe we could also pry on his relationship with the Mage Lords."

Marie-Louise's Eyes grew very large at Uriel's words, a mix of sadness and disappointment in them, her bottom lip sticking out in a big pout. She focusses her thoughts just on Uriel. But... You know we need that book, why can't you give it to me? I thought I could trust you... She let's her head fall for a second or two before focussing on both Uriel and Ci again. Her face has transformed into a serious and determined one. So we need to find a professor who will help us. One that knows about C'thalet. A professor from the department of religion, or magic, someone specialised in rituals perhaps. "Secrets of the soul and flesh" sounds like someone specialised in history won't do. I think we can find a list of professors in the great hall. Shall we go?

Uriel's own lower lips quivers, I will go do it. Sorry Marie. Uriel moves off to find a professor obviously pained he let his little friend down.

"Maybe a cursory look at a directory or a tour around the premises should give us some clue on who to brownnose. Let me return the journal for a bit and we could a have a stroll."

Before Uriel could walk away Marie-Louise send her stern voice into his head. Don't be ridiculous, we go togheter. I can tell the professor much more details than you. Please carry me to the great hall She reaches towards Uriel, but then her eyes shift to Ci and she drops her arms. You should come with us to the great hall, we will find what we are looking for there. Perhaps you can carry me this time? Marie thinks hopeful, wishing to be even closer to Ci so she could feel the texture of his feathers and take a closer look at his beak.

The avian scrunches his brows for a bit before realizing his folly. "Oh! You meant a hall, as in a specific place, and not a general nudge for us to go towards large rooms." He then considers the appeal and answers back in kind with "I see no problem with that. I have to ask though. Is it fine for you if I carry you in my arms? I don't believe my back nor my shoulders a good perch, considering."

Uriel heads back and scoops Marie up to carry her to the great hall.

Marie-Louise practically screams is Uriel's head. GIVE ME TO THE BIRDMAN! I WANT HIM TO CARRY ME! She tries to get away from Uriel, reaching for Ci, trying to jump in his arms.

Uriel grips his ears and winces.

Ci is taken aback by the display. Surprised and bewildered, he puts his arms out to try and catch Marie.

During the walk towards the great hall Marie-Louise softly strokes Ci's feathers, softly laying her head against his shoulder, feeling the feathers on his neck tickle her nose. She giggles, turning her head, fingers still investigating the smooth feathers.

When they reach the registration office she, points towards the catalogue, letting Ci take her over to it. She picks it up and smiles at Ci Can you put me down please? I want to look at this for a while.
Once she's on the floor she puts the catalogue down and lays in front of it, letting one finger glide over the pages, looking for information about courses given at the religion department and the magic department, but quickly scanning every page, hoping to spot something about rituals.

Uriel mopes nearby.

With every page she reads Marie-Louise's eyes grow bigger, sparkling brightly as her finger presses harder onto the pages. Her mind is racing, thinking about herself roaming these grounds, a student in some obscure study. She growls internally at the low chuckle in the back of her head, knowing Perse has other plans for her. She focusses on the memory of her father, having her on his shoulders, talking about how he's saving for her study, wanting nothing but the best for his bright minded little girl.

Marie-Louise sighs heavily, a single tear rolling over her cheek, angrily wiping it away with her hand before grabbing Antoinette, scowling at the headless body and hissing between her teeth. Stop it! I can do it if I want to! I can do both at the same time!
She pushes the doll back in her pocket, and looks back up at Uriel and Ci, pointing out the different names to them as she thinkspeaks. There are interesting names in here. I think we should try to find Galadreel Snowlotus, professor of Introduction to Ritualistic Magicks. If we can't find him we look into to the next best option. She quickly scribbles the names and departments on the price of parchment she used for the information on C'thalet so far.

"Perhaps surprises is what I should expect from this one" he thinks to himself. "Gladly. Lead the way dear. I grow weary that they might strike again." The avian is visibly disturbed by the clues that they have found. He is unfamiliar with the variety of magic men wield and the is always anxiety in uncertainty.

When they reach the office Marie-Louise puts on what she thinks is her most innocent smile and starts to enter, thinking to the woman in her sweetest voice. Excuse me, madame, I'm very sorry if we disturb you in your work, but I was wondering if I could ask you some questions? We are searching for some information about something, or someone, that caused a series of attacks throughout the city. There have been people hurt and... Well we think you might have some answers that could help us help the Green Legion stop these attacks. We've been to the library already, that's wat lead us here. The book I read seemed to have information on performing a ritual, so we came to see you to find some answers.
While thinkspeaking Marie keeps her smile on her face, slowly moving a few steps inside the office.