Adam
*Ah, the library. A place of wonder and adventure, books of all kinds! Cuo enjoyed the reading. It helped escape the grim reality, though with the oncoming war, perhaps it was time to check out some useful information.*

*Cuo sat at a table by herself, other patrons clearly steering clear of her. The seemingly innocent girl was happily reading a book, swinging her feet back and forth, head resting on her hand, smiling as she slowly went through the pages. Said book was a dark tale of a hidden cult worshipping the Void Dragons. Shunned in Mentia. To be accused of worshipping them was as severe as a crime. Yet this girl was happily reading it like a bedtime story.*

*The other books next to her were more focused on magic and the history of magic itself. Interestingly, Cuo had a black grimoire strapped to her belt.*

*It was no coincedence that the other people in the library avoided her like the plague. The head nervously looked back at her from time to time, as well as the other patrons. A dark aura could be felt around her.*
Billy
*Terrel had made his way into the library after receiving another job for the day. He had been keeping on the down low with tasks around Mentia, not wanting to get too involved with the warfare after his last visit. He had other things needing to be done elsewhere to be caught up into it in the moment. This job, however, seemed a lot simpler. It appeared a bunch of people were becoming wary of some person practicing some kind of magic that was frowned upon. At least that was as much as Terrel cared to listen about. All magic was the same to him.

After having to ask his way through a few crowds, he eventually winded up here, in the library, where the aura of discomfort was so strong that even he could feel it in the air. He didn't have to roam far to eventually notice Cuo reading some book on her lonesome. It would have been a shot in the dark to assume this issue stemmed from her, but after watching a few other people walk by, it was clear she was being avoided. It didn't seem like this job would be so hard after all.

He approached the table she was at from behind, his pig-like shadow looming over the book she was reading before he finally spoke.*"Enjoying a nice book there?"*He asked her.*
Adam
*Cuo was completely unaware of the Terrel's presence until he was behind her. The mage turned around, a curious look on her face.*

"Hm? Oh! Is that a pig mask??!!"

*Cuo was visibly excited, clasping her hands together before regaining her composure.*

"Sorry about that. Yeah, I am! It's a story about these people worshipping the Mentian Void Dragons. You never hear anything about them ordinarily!"
Billy
*At her reaction to his mask, Terrel rose a finger to his mouth to signify as a reminder that they were in a library. A smirk of mischief had crossed his face, however.*"Can't say I've heard of that story before."*He says to her as he found himself a seat next to her.*"Must be a rare piece of literature. I assume that's what brought you all the way to Mentia's Library? Always has a book for something here."
Adam
"Whoops. I'll be quiet."

*A mischievous grin was matched by Cuo.*

"It's a rare bit indeed. Glad that the library still keeps these things around. It'd be a shame if ancient history was lost. Though, I'm in Mentia for something else."

*The mage was lost in thought for a moment before turning, sitting backwards on the chair to face Terrel.*

"So, what are you here for, Mr..."
Billy
"Pig. If you'd like to call me such."*He says, coming to rest his head in his palm as his elbow met the table.*"Been doing some investigation work around here. It seems like despite the whole nation being at war, the community finds smaller things to worry of."
Adam
"Pig? Isn't that normally an insult?"

*Quizzical now, Cuo leaned her head to the side. Investigation work? At a library?*

"What are you investigating, Mr. Pig? There isn't much here at the library. Unless you're looking for history."
Billy
"Maybe to some. But I find it funny."*He answers to her first question before answering the next.*"Oh something about someone practicing dark magic or something along those lines. I've been following gossip up around until I ended up here. Fairly certain I'm going in circles, but I'm sure I'll eventually get some kind of lead by the end of the day. I figured here would be a nice place to rest for the time being at least. You wouldn't happen to know anything about this case would you?"
Adam
"...Dark magic? Well, that depends on what you consider dark magic, yes?"

*Cuo smiled, holding up a single finger.*

"If a culture despises fire and labels it dark magic, does that mean all fire magic is a form of dark magic? And what if dark magic ends up saving someone? Is it still dark magic?"

*Cuo's smile slightly faltered at the discussion of dark magic, though was still maintained.*

"Anyway, since I can't classify dark magic... I don't know anything!"
Billy
"It's anyone's guess of what they mean by that. I've never been a magic kind of person. I'm sure I'll be able to narrow it down after asking around a bit. But that's my day so far. What brings you to Mentia if not for the book?"
Adam
"Well, *This* Book is just for learning history. Others can teach you magic. Like this one!"

*Cuo holds up a book labeled "Cycle: The relationship of life and death".*

"It's about Life and Death magic and how they're related. Most tend to think that Life is good while Death is evil. But that's not true! Death is simply the lack of life, and can be used to your advantage if utilized properly. The Defy spell can make you fight on for even longer! This is a really basic book though. There's a bunch of others that can make you really strong if you know what they're worth."
Billy
*Terrel eyed her curiously for a moment. While he never cared much for magic, it never failed to capture his interest every now and then.*"Y'know if you really think about it... These two forms of magic do the same thing, just in a different way."*He said thoughtfully.*
Adam
"I know! It's just positive and negative. Have too much of one or the other and you get an imbalance. Of course, one goes more easily out of control than the other."

*'...Kid, you're saying a bit much.'*

"Huh? I'm not saying too much. I'm keeping my voice down. This is a library."

*''Whatever. Just deal with this quickly.'*

"Ok, Garuda."

*'Don't use that so nonchalantly.'*

"Sorry about that. I get distracted easily."
Billy
*Terrel raised an eyebrow in question as she went back and forth with herself. Great, another weirdo. It seemed like this library attracted all of them.*"Who... Were you talking to?"*He dared ask slowly.*
Adam
"Ah, uh... The voices in my head. They speak from time to time."

*'You messed up.'*

*"I know!"*



"I'm not exactly the most sane person. Sorry!"
Billy
*Well at least she could admit to it and he wouldn't have to deal with someone in denial too. The Silnari let out an audible sigh.*"I guess no one is really."*He said idly.*"I reckon the world has driven everyone to madness."*The Silnari let out a small chuckle.*"Don't worry about it. I'm sure it can't be saved regardless."
Adam
*'Shut up'*

*"No! This guy is nice!"*

"The world is a weird place. And a mean one. Thanks for being one of the nice ones!"

"I'm also looking into the war a bit. I don't have a job at the moment, so maybe some pay can come my way."
Billy
*He let out a snort of amusement.*"And what do you plan on doing in the war? I wouldn't assume fighting unless you're planning on using those 'dark magic' spells you've been reading on."*The Elf half-joked.*
Adam
*'Nice, huh?'*

*"Shut up"*

*The expression on Cuo's face soured into a pout.*

"It's not dark. It's just different! It's not like I worship dragons anyway. They're stupid. I'm not even from here!"
Billy
*He lets out a laugh.*"Calm down, I'm just messing with you. You seemed so interested in the topic earlier."*He said.*"What do you plan to do with the war then?"
Adam
"Hmph! Well anyway... I was thinking acting more like a support. I know some buffing spells and some area denial."

*Cuo's pouting face remained, before relaxing once more and sitting cross legged.*

"Tell me Mr. Pig. What do you do?"
Billy
*Terrel closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair as if thinking about the question.*"I travel. Sometimes to places where I'm wanted, sometimes to places where I'm not wanted."*He grinned then gazed back over to Cuo.*"But since being in the area I've just been doing menial tasks. Getting messages delivered, finding stuff, investigations."
Adam
"Really? That's it?"

*Tilting her head, Cuo thought that this man would be doing something more. He certainly was odd, so maybe it wasn't out of the question.*

"So uh, anything else for the investigation of magic?"
Billy
"What? Was hoping for more?"*He asked her teasingly.*"We can't all be having the most interesting lives, eh?"*He sat up more straight as she brought up the magic investigation.*"Right. The case. Definitely feels like I'm around the right spot, but you don't exactly see people just waving around 'dark magic' anywhere. I'll probably give this place another sweep through when I resume. Seems like a lot of people on this place are very nervous about something though."
Adam
"Maybe? You seem interesting. With the pig mask and all. Well, good luck on your investigation of dark ma-"

*'That's enough'*

*Cuo collapses, face falling straight into the book. When she sat back up though, there were several things off. The dark aura surrounding her had noticably increased, and her face no longer had that cheerful, innocent look. Instead it was one that was almost uncaring, indifferent.*
Felipa
"That's enough of the kid talking. She was going to give it away regardless. I'm assuming you're investigating me, Mr. Pig?"
Billy
*Terrel was staring at her with a very blank expression in him hardly understanding what just happened. He paused and blinked for a few moments before finally processing the question. It was enough to get his attention, though now he was confused on who exactly he was talking to.*"That depends..."*He says slowly as if trying to gauge something.*"Who are you exactly?"
Felipa
"The girl you were talking with earlier is someone else. I'll call her Cup, just to keep her name safe. I'm Garuda. I'm currently possessing her. Hm. She's gotten stronger. The difference in our power isn't as noticable. Eh, that'll change eventually."

*Garuda looked to the various books on the table.*

"Looks like she inherited my taste too. These are some good ones."

*The mage then looked towards the Silnari in front of her.*

"We both know your name isn't Pig. I can also tell you're not just any old person running errands."
Billy
"Possession huh... Well that's a first... No second..."*He said thinking of previous encounters aloud.*"I'm just going to hope this isn't a whole different personality kind of thing going on with whatever magic stuff just happened."*He eyed her thoughtfully.*"You seem a bit quicker to the point though. I can respect that. And trust me, if I were any older I'd be the one sending people on errands.

 It won't matter much to you who I am or what I do, but you are correct as far as the investigation goes. People want you gone if that makes things any simpler or rather... If how the people in this library have been acting didn't already show that."
Felipa
"Sorry. It is an entire personality thing. Cup is asleep right now, and I've taken over her body. I'll give it back once I'm done."

*A wry smile comes from Garuda, before closing the book in front of her.*

"Come on now. Can't a woman read her books in peace?"

*Her eyes flash to the older woman at the counter, who is now paralyzed in fear.*
Billy
*Well there went that hope, though that made it even more confusing in the end to the Elf. It wasn't for him to concern over, however. There were too many unstable people in the world for him to care. Terrel looked between Garuda then the older woman, then back to Garuda and proceeded to give Garuda a flick on the forehead.*"Yes, but only at the preference of others."*He answered.*"That's just how the world works."
Felipa
*Garuda seemed completely oblivious to the flick on the forehead, though she did turn back towards him.*

"Fine, fine. What's the deal anyway? Removing me from the premises? Extermination? I hope it's the former, in which case, I'll take some of these with me. And something else I have in mind."

*A sly smile appeared on Garuda's face.*