Grobk stood still, an amused expression drawn across his face as he watched the unfurling dramatics whip and flap. The Paracelsi, swooned over the Reik magister, who failed to acknowledge its presence. The undead had no patience for the intrigues of social dynamics and stomped off, likely to inflict dynamics of a more physical kind.<br/><br/>The Minotaur, by the name of Teran Kar, had seized his moment as well, introducing himself as a scholar and a linguist with an interest in history.<br/><br/>How keen. Grobk thought noticing the large half-man’s apparent apprehension toward Faye. Was that hesitance one of respect for rank, species, or perhaps due to the magister being a female? Grobk had a passing familiarity with Minotaur social dynamics and the women largely held dominance in both standing and prestige above the males in their society. Does that social grace extend to other species perhaps? The Zozkar made a mental note to investigate further.<br/><br/>Grobk opened his mouth to speak but stopped as the hound Anje returned, and began barking about duty, judgement, ranks and promotions. The Zozkar’s skin tingled. The temperature had changed in the room, warmer, a little drier. His studious black eyes quickly deduced the cause as he watched the Reik magister begin to sizzle with the hounds every utterance. When the hound finished the Faye did what all things of elevating temperature generally do, she reached boiling point. Spitting back the magister marched from the room before emphasizing her point on the wall.<br/><br/>“Scandulous!” Grobk exclaimed, perhaps a little too excitedly. “Congratulations Stabswachtmeister. I am sure that honor was bestowed justly and well deserved. You can count on me to remain steadfast under your command.”<br/><br/>Turning then, the Zozkar addressed Teran. “I would be more than pleased to share what history and lore I’ve learned during my travels. Join me in the library when you are able.”<br/><br/>Grobk turned again, his black cloak drinking at the light in the room when it moved and with his first step his body became like black ink in the air, spilling forwards to the door way before re-materializing.<br/>--<br/><br/>The Library.<br/><br/>Anina’s finger slid along the book’s page. Its course edge dragged against the flesh of her finger, the sound of which felt amplified by the room’s otherwise absolute silence. The page crinkled like a spring against its bindings, bending as she paused to finish the last words, and then she released it, flipping the page like a spring.<br/><br/>Anina, the librarian, was alone. In her library she was always alone. When she had time she would sit herself at the large round table at the center of the room. Sprawled across that table, like a seer might splay a deck of tarot cards, she had a colorful assortment of books. Their varied titles a direct reflection of Anina’s wide ranging tastes and interests. Here she would take her time with each book. Absorbing the smell of their leather bound covers, twisting the pages between her finger tips (to be sure she didn’t miss a page), and chewing on the written words as if they were more delicious than her mother’s home made crumb cake.<br/><br/>She could sit in silence, wrapped in the libraries stillness for hours and had sat down now, intent on doing just that, when she heard it.<br/><br/>A raucous, was the only way to she could think to describe it. Anina’s features scrunched as her sharp ears picked out the sound of jangling metal and clacking wood. All of the noise was spaced between an intermittent knocking that grew closer and closer until finally a creature, with a staff in hand, strolled into view.<br/><br/>The creature paused at the doorway and looked in. Anina sat heavier into her seat and the two stared at each other from across the room.<br/><br/>“This must be the library.” The creature exclaimed to no one in particular.<br/><br/>Anina didn’t answer, at least, out loud. From behind a book her lips mouthed a reply, “Was it the numerous book filled walls that gave it away?”<br/><br/>The creature turned and breached the sanctity of Anina’s, formerly quiet, library. Its staff furthered the desecration as it jangled through the library around the table and toward the Librarian.<br/><br/>“Elf! My name is Grobk. I demand to see your rarest tomes.” It announced.<br/><br/>The Reik Elf balked. This disgusting creature had destroyed her peace with its bumbling clamor and now it dared bark orders? Anina’s cheeks flushed red, with deliberate movement she folded the book in her hands and set it down. Next, she straightened her posture, pushing her shoulders back and her chest out she slid back her chair and stood to face this, thing.<br/><br/>“I don’t care what your name is creature. You do not speak to me in that fashion. Or any fashion unless it’s to thank me as I step on your back to put a book away.” The librarian’s voice, while calm, quivered with effort to restrain the anger she felt boiling up. “Understand?”<br/><br/>“I understand.” Grobk raised a pointed finger at the Elf. It hovered just above eye level, directly in front of her forehead and then drew down to her chin.<br/><br/>“Remove that finger and yourself, creature!” The librarian spat, her heeled foot stomping into the ground. The incredulous situation had left the Elven woman stunned in a fit of rage. Stomping had been more of a spastic reaction then measured action.<br/><br/>“I understand.” Grobk repeated, removing his finger and giving a sparing glance down the hall to make sure they were alone. “Do you?” The Zozkar reached forward suddenly. His fingers peeling into the space between them, as if the line he had drawn with his finger had opened a seam into another dimension. He wrenched at the wound, pulling it apart to reveal a swirl of bubbling ether, of which he pressed his face into the precipice. The Librarian recoiled, whether in awe or fear, Grobk couldn’t decide. All that mattered is she didn’t attempt to flee. The Zozkar’s chin opened at the seam, his mouth a gape as four thick tentacles lunged through the portal. They entered as flesh on one side but out the other they emerged as soft blue wisps of intangible energy. They sunk past the Librarians skull and tethered themselves into her very mind.<br/><br/>“I…” The syllable dribbled past Anina’s lips. The librarian’s eyes were wide and dilated, her state of awareness had become warped. Her mind had been made prisoner inside a cage of whispers and darkness.<br/><br/>Satisfied his charm had taken root, Grobk retracted his tentacles from the bubbling rift. It took another moment for his chin to seal back together seamlessly. The bubbling tear in space dripped. Its edges pooling into the open space of its own wound until it had healed, leaving no trace of it ever existing. The phantom like tentacles faded as well. The Zozkar's black tongue slid over his bottom lip in a long lick, “Now, let us try this again. Show me this libraries most prized possessions, Elf."<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>