09-11-2025, 06:01 PM
Lucien listened with both interest and open curiosity. His expression remained polite, though it was clear his attention came with the sort of diligence that cataloged, cross-referenced, and pondered everything shared quite eagerly. Theron’s ornate language was familiar to him, and he did not get caught in the awe which usually snared his audiences. A few murmured hums punctuated his interest but he did not interrupt, merely absorbed. The manner of the soul was a topic they had discussed, debated and philosophied over many times – and likely would many times more. Though there were numerous routes through that conversation, and numerous conclusions too, the ways were well trodden between them. There was little Lucien enjoyed more than the discovery of a new path.
He turned his attention to Anton, inquisitive but carefully free of judgement. Neutrality was important to him, in both his private work and his role within the Brotherhood. If he had thoughts to share, first he wished to know which answers Anton sought, for sometimes it was not actually understanding which was desired, but simple acceptance. Fortunately Lucien had both to bestow, and also fortunately, the man did not seem shy of sharing his experience through the lens of his own words.
“How very fascinating,” he remarked upon conclusion. His accent was crisp, but the words were personable and warm – Lucien had a far more earthly presence to him than the Luminar, despite the old world charm which made him seem an equally old soul.
“I have indeed encountered such stories,” he replied to Theron, though it was to Anton he directed the rest of his words. “Are you aware of the Orphic Mysteries, Anton? ’I am a child of Earth and Starry Heaven. I am dying of thirst. Now let me drink from the cold waters of Mnemosyne’” He gestured with his gloved hands as he quoted, before returning them to a clasp. The library around them contained many treasures, including texts of Plato and Pythagoras, if Anton was so inclined to such research. There were many other texts, religious or philosophical, which explored the notion of reincarnation of course. But Anton’s revelation of his abilities alongside his experience suggested he might not seek the words of other men to validate himself. It seemed more personal than that, and Lucien wondered if it was the freedom for self-exploration that he really sought.
On the ability itself Lucien didn’t comment, though he did nod to show he understood. He was not an expert, but given his upbringing he had some knowledge of the possibilities, and thus did not feel surprise (or any other of the myriad things he imagined Anton may have felt from those he shared his secret with). Lucien’s own gift was quite different, beyond their shared trigger and shield, but it did offer him unique insight into Anton’s suspicion that it had affected his experience in the Chamber of Echoes. Because Lucien’s touch allowed him to read objects.
All objects, no matter their age, had history, but in truth the history they told was of the people who had interacted with them. Even as a child Lucien had understood, though not necessarily welcomed, that it was really people he read like a storybook. Sometimes that was through objects, but it also occurred through skin contact. He was more versed in the former simply through preference, but the latter was the greater mystery. Less linear, for one. But also, on occasion, a Reading contained information Lucien could not comfortably ascribe to the physical person in front of him. Scraps of theory floated as to why that might be, but he was intimate with very few, and would not in good conscience abuse the insight with strangers.
“The Chamber of Echoes amplifies what exists within us, opens us up to possibilities we might otherwise easily dismiss. I have seen wonders, and I dismiss nothing before all possibility is exhausted. Have you considered that memory might be the correct word, for that is what it was? Emotion and memory are deeply intertwined after all.”
He turned his attention to Anton, inquisitive but carefully free of judgement. Neutrality was important to him, in both his private work and his role within the Brotherhood. If he had thoughts to share, first he wished to know which answers Anton sought, for sometimes it was not actually understanding which was desired, but simple acceptance. Fortunately Lucien had both to bestow, and also fortunately, the man did not seem shy of sharing his experience through the lens of his own words.
“How very fascinating,” he remarked upon conclusion. His accent was crisp, but the words were personable and warm – Lucien had a far more earthly presence to him than the Luminar, despite the old world charm which made him seem an equally old soul.
“I have indeed encountered such stories,” he replied to Theron, though it was to Anton he directed the rest of his words. “Are you aware of the Orphic Mysteries, Anton? ’I am a child of Earth and Starry Heaven. I am dying of thirst. Now let me drink from the cold waters of Mnemosyne’” He gestured with his gloved hands as he quoted, before returning them to a clasp. The library around them contained many treasures, including texts of Plato and Pythagoras, if Anton was so inclined to such research. There were many other texts, religious or philosophical, which explored the notion of reincarnation of course. But Anton’s revelation of his abilities alongside his experience suggested he might not seek the words of other men to validate himself. It seemed more personal than that, and Lucien wondered if it was the freedom for self-exploration that he really sought.
On the ability itself Lucien didn’t comment, though he did nod to show he understood. He was not an expert, but given his upbringing he had some knowledge of the possibilities, and thus did not feel surprise (or any other of the myriad things he imagined Anton may have felt from those he shared his secret with). Lucien’s own gift was quite different, beyond their shared trigger and shield, but it did offer him unique insight into Anton’s suspicion that it had affected his experience in the Chamber of Echoes. Because Lucien’s touch allowed him to read objects.
All objects, no matter their age, had history, but in truth the history they told was of the people who had interacted with them. Even as a child Lucien had understood, though not necessarily welcomed, that it was really people he read like a storybook. Sometimes that was through objects, but it also occurred through skin contact. He was more versed in the former simply through preference, but the latter was the greater mystery. Less linear, for one. But also, on occasion, a Reading contained information Lucien could not comfortably ascribe to the physical person in front of him. Scraps of theory floated as to why that might be, but he was intimate with very few, and would not in good conscience abuse the insight with strangers.
“The Chamber of Echoes amplifies what exists within us, opens us up to possibilities we might otherwise easily dismiss. I have seen wonders, and I dismiss nothing before all possibility is exhausted. Have you considered that memory might be the correct word, for that is what it was? Emotion and memory are deeply intertwined after all.”