All Roads/Tea With Voltaire

Voltaire: You recieve an email from Voltaire enquiring on the possibility of meeting for coffee late in the week. At his sanctum.
Nebuchadnezzar: Nebuchadnezzar replies to the email confirming he will visit.
Voltaire: The inherent dryness comes through in his tone. He barely makes an attempt to cover the fact he wants to speak with you with the 'friendly' offer.
Voltaire: It's an unseasonably warm day as you arrive outside Voltaire's sanctum - the clean, modern townhouse you've visited numerous times in the past.
Voltaire: There's a buzzer to press.
Nebuchadnezzar: Nebuchadnezzar walks up pressing the buzzer. He is unshaven and dressed in his casuals
Voltaire: "Hello?" It crackles.
Nebuchadnezzar: "Afternoon." Nebuchadnezzar says to the buzzer. Trusting Voltaire to know his voice.
Voltaire: "In the lounge." The lock clacks as it's opened. Nebuchadnezzar strides in hands in his pockets.
Nebuchadnezzar: "Shall I say no ahead of time and save you the speech Voltaire." He says wandering into the lounge. Nebuchadnezzar seems amused and for once rested
Voltaire: Your mentor doesn't stand as you enter. He's sitting on an armchair, a book open on his lap as he sips something from a tumbler that looks a little stronger than coffee. Nebuchadnezzar will examine the book he is reading)
Voltaire: "Yes, yes. So kind of you to come." He flips the book closed and plants it on the short table ahead, then gestures to the sofa. "Drink?"
Voltaire: The book isn't mystical, it seems. The title is Blood Meridian, the author Cormack Mccarthy.
Nebuchadnezzar: "Certainly." He sits where indicated.
Voltaire: Voltaire looks a little dishevelled himself. Less in the way of Nebuchadnezzar's chronic scruffiness, though, and more of a man who's trying to relax.
Voltaire: There's a second tumbler prepared, and he pours you a small glass without ice, nudging it across the table towards you.
Voltaire: "I know your stance on pleasantries, Nebuchadnezzar, but humor me this time, please. How are you?"
Nebuchadnezzar: "As well as I can be." He sips. "Sleeping less and working more."
Nebuchadnezzar: "How are you?" He says after another sip.
Voltaire: It's brandy. Neither good nor bad.
Nebuchadnezzar: "Had I known we were skipping tea and moving straight to Brandy I would have brought you a decent bottle." Nebuchadnezzar says examining the liquid.
Voltaire: "I'm afraid I've worked my way down to the cheap bottles." He grunts a bit, takes another sip and then puts the glass down. "If that answers your question."
Nebuchadnezzar: "And you picked a Moros as the companion to elevate your mood?" Nebuchadnezzar says without emotion. "How unconventional a choice."
Voltaire: "Misery loves company."
Nebuchadnezzar: "That is does." Nebuchadnezzar says studying Voltaire with a much more critical eye and trying to disguise he is doing it
Voltaire: "Speaking of which, I hear that you have a new visitor to your household?"
Nebuchadnezzar: "An interesting way to change the subject." Nebuchadnezzar says raising an eyebrow. "Though I must say I didn't expect you to share."
Nebuchadnezzar: "Tell you what, my old friend. I will trade you details of the visitor if you let me know what has you wallowing in misery."
Nebuchadnezzar: "After all that is my role in this relationship."
Voltaire: Voltaire looks like he's going to grin, but covers it with a quick sip. "Nebuchadnezzar, you having many enviable qualities, but your sympathetic ear is not one of them."
Voltaire: He sighs, then, and it's clear how weary he is.
Nebuchadnezzar: "Who said I was offering sympathy?" He says taking another drink. "Clarity, a fresh if cold perspective on the matter. It would be good to return the favour to someone who has shaken me from doing likewise."
Voltaire: "My problem is, unfortunately, that I am always right."
Voltaire: "The Arrows' attempt at office isn't turning out to be the renaissance that Arclight and his rabble thought it would be."
Nebuchadnezzar: "I could have told you that. Hell I think I did." Nebuchadnezzar says with another drink, "Latimer is convinced he needs an army but London is remarkably..." he thinks a moment picking his word carefully, "bereft of enemies to use it on."
Voltaire: "It wouldn't be my concern if I didn't have him turning my ear every day. He seems to believe that I have farm ore reach than I'm letting on."
Voltaire: He frowns then, and waves a hand. "London has plenty of enemies, far more than you might believe."
Voltaire: "But only a fool would believe that they will meet us in open war."
Nebuchadnezzar: "And that is one of the only purposes an army is good for." Nebuchadnezzar agrees. "Well unless he plans on turning them against his political enemies."
Voltaire: "That all depends on whether you believe he is as short-sighted as he seems."
Voltaire: "His experience comes from open conflict. And Arrow tradition. Do you think he's really just the soldier he seems to be?"
Nebuchadnezzar: "I'd say he is a better politician than a soldier. Rare in his order but..." Nebuchadnezzar doesn't finish the sentence, "One of the reasons I despise politics."
Voltaire: Voltaire isn't giving much away - he smirks slightly, seeming more interested in your response.
Voltaire: "For all our sake I hope his lack of vision is genuine."
Voltaire: "Or we might have more to fear than the Old Foe nibbling our toes in the dark."
Nebuchadnezzar: "The Seers.?Yes they would prove troublesome."
Nebuchadnezzar: "You have a burden of leadership in the new order. I suspect you can appreciate why I've always avoided it."
Voltaire: "Quite accutely."
Voltaire: "Now, what about your part in this exchange? How are you finding life with your new guest?"
Nebuchadnezzar: "Interesting. The man has an obsession with the underworld I find somewhat unwholesome but all in all he has his uses. Certainly his presence has aided my research."
Voltaire: "Unwholesome, or uncomfortable?"
Nebuchadnezzar: "Uncomfortable. Probably a better way of phrasing it. You are one of the few who know why I have reason to avoid the underworld."
Nebuchadnezzar: "After all Master, you were the one who saw my state after my awakening." He says it without humour, his eyes distant coldly reflecting on something he doesn't care too.
Voltaire: Voltaire is likewise solemn. "Yes. I know."
Voltaire: "But this fear, Nebuchadnezzar, is one that you can't keep unresolved."
Voltaire: "Your studies will not allow it."
Voltaire: He puts the smallest bit of emphasis on 'studies'.
Nebuchadnezzar: Nebuchadnezzar shrugs, "Your correct of course. The same as they will not allow politics to get in the way." He looks at Voltaire. "However my friend I owe you a great many favours. If you have need of me and I am about let me know I will try and aid you in this political mess you've gotten yourself into."
Nebuchadnezzar: He stands up and as you told me, "You shouldn't drink to hide from your woes." He looks at his watch. "I fancy something to eat. Do you fancy a visit to one of the bistro on the corner?"
Voltaire: "There is one thing you can do for me."
Nebuchadnezzar: Nebuchadnezzar glances at him "Which is?"
Voltaire: "I wish to borrow an item from the Library. Considering your new position, I would appreciate if you would vouch in my favor."
Nebuchadnezzar: "I can vouch in your favour." Nebuchadnezzar sighs. "But we both know it likely won't do any good. Your defection and subsequent recruiting from our members hasn't left you many friends in the order."
Voltaire: "Yes, and I would not fancy my chances were it not such a trifling thing in question. I have plenty to offer in return, so we'll see if I can't bait the Curator."
Nebuchadnezzar: "I will give you my support. Now did you want to get something to soak up all the alcohol or did you want to sit here reading bleak post-modern westerns and drinking yourself into an early grave?"
Voltaire: He hesitate, mostly with just inertia, then finally heaves himself up. "Aye, aye. I'll get my coat."