Pop, Fizz, Clink!

[Virikai Talius]

2nd Day of Cylus
718th Arc

For all his family’s money, Virikai Talius had never left the city state of Viden. As a child, it had been due to his family’s status - there were far too many things for his father - Lord Verity Talius - to do in the city to warrant a family holiday, and he had never entertained such indulgent notions. Since growing through adolescence and young adulthood, however, Virikai had not had the opportunity to leave the city. With his father using his influence to procure work in the Facility of Retrospective Analysis, Virikai had jumped at the opportunity.

He had taken the job willingly (though he wouldn’t have had the chance to fight against his father anyway), and had not thought about the limitations it would have placed on his mobility. Employees of the FRA were, by virtue of their knowledge, restricted to the city. The Talius scion had never looked to leave the city, at least not until the last few arcs. Recently, however, he had wanted to leave, if only to get out from under his father’s thumb.

He would never be able to leave Viden, though. He was shocked that he had been allowed to come as part of the delegation to Scalvoris to celebrate the arc anniversary of the opening of the Viden Academy Scalvoris Campus. It was better than nothing and, exiting the portals, Virikai had found himself wishing that the anniversary was in the Hot Cycle, when he might be able to experience what natural warm air felt like.

Now, dressed in a new suit, he entered the large function hall, two steps behind his father. It was magnificent, with far more elaborately designed than anything found in Viden - more colourful too, though that wasn’t hard when practically everything in Viden was made out of either stone or ice. The young lordling peeled away from his father; they would be able to cover more ground if they split up. This wasn’t a social visit, after all, Viden and Scalvoris were only newly aligned, and such a new relationship took work to cultivate.

The complimentary glass of bubbly was gratefully received by Virikai, who took a sip of the drink before beginning his rounds.What he really wanted to do was to talk to the Videnese scholars who had moved to Scalvoris in order to see the Academy's mission through. To have integrated so well into the island, he was curious to talk to them. But he did not have that luxury, this was about international relations, not talking to old faces. Instead, he sought out the students and scholars who learnt, or taught at, the new Campus facility.

[Pegasus]

As soon as Argus Hamilton-Smith had heard what was to happen, he'd made sure that he was there. Of course, it was expected that he would be, but it was an opportunity. And a good one. Professor Augustin, both of them, were not here because of their badly scheduled spawning of yapping little beasts who would undoubtedly be as unwelcome in the world.. or his version of the world, as their parents. But if there was one thing that Argus was good at, it was making sure that he was in the right place, at the right time. So, he'd been sure to be here before any of the Videnese lot had arrived, ready to watch.

Also, of course, he'd done his homework. One did not get on in this world without doing so and that was where Argus' strength truly lay, he knew. He was thorough, he was prepared and he was not going to rely on a pretty face and a bit of luck to get him further. No, Viden was where the true power was, everyone knew it, and so Argus had read every single bit of information he could find on them all.

It was , therefore, with some delight that he spotted Virikai and without preamble he walked over to him. The young man was young indeed - surely too young to be a member of staff. He gave a charming smile from beneath his curly brown hair and handsome features. He smiled and inclined his head. "Hello, there. I hope you're enjoying this little get together?" He managed to sound laconic, bored and vaguely amused all at once.

"Professor Hamilton-Smith. But please, call me Argus." He smiled and offered his hand. "Professor of Medicine here, but you probably already know that." He looked at Virikai expectantly, waiting to hear his answer.

[Virikai Talius]

It had taken no time at all for Virikai to find his first conversational partner of the evening. Well, to be found by his first conversational partner. But Kai, while a proud man, was not proud enough to dismiss the welcoming words of another. Lowering his glass of champagne, which he had been about to drink from again, he accepted the proffered hand as he plastered a smile onto his lips. “A pleasure, Argus,” he replied, “Lord Virikai Talius. Virikai, student of Medicine.”

“But I assume you are as knowledgeable as I concerning those in attendance.” The teasing repetition of words, in addition to the knowing glint and in the lordling’s eyes, made his smile seem all the more genuine, though he still took a moment to examine the man in front of him. Professor was not a position to be snubbed, rather it was powerful, and to be respected, even by the Videnese politicians in attendance, and especially by a lowly student. Something in his tone made it seem like the man was not taking the evening seriously, yet the way he held himself gave Virikai the distinct impression he had something to gain from it.

It was a new experience for the untrained politician, thrust into the role by a father who found such meet-and-greets beneath him. “It is my first time to Scalvoris,” he finally admitted, “My first time leaving Viden, if I am honest. I confess myself fascinated by the culture - it varies greatly from Viden… but I cannot seem to identify… there seems to be practices from all over Idalos occurring, from what I have read of at least. It seems the stories are true. This evening is, if nothing else, an interesting social experiment.”

Glancing around the room, he was surprised to see that almost all races from all over Idalos were represented here tonight. Not that he had never seen them before; Viden welcomed almost all, but they rarely attended formal functions, and the Academy seemed to cater only to human and eídisi in the elite circles. “But you are not from Scalvoris, are you? You were educated in Viden? How do you find this island since the mists have cleared?”

Off Topic

Massive thank you Pegasus for not leaving me completely abandoned! <3
For anyone else, this thread is still open to be joined if you feel the urge within the next 12 hours. After the season change, this thread will, of course, be closed to any new participants.

[Pegasus]

Argus Hamilton-Smith knew an opportunity when it presented itself to him, and this most certainly was one. "Lord Talius, it is a pleasure." He smiled and then added, in response to Kai's permission, "Virikai. Ah, I would not presume to assume that I know as much about the attendees as you, my Lord, but yes, I have done my homework." He gave a smile and met the gaze of the Viden Lordling with a clear and friendly expression. "Anything else would be socially unacceptable, no?" So it was, as far as he was concerned, anyhow. It would be insulting to those present not to know as much as possible about them.

Watching the Lord who was also a student of medicine, Argus noticed a number of things but said nothing. He nodded his head when Virikai admitted that it was his first time in Scalvoris, although he was surprised to hear it was his first time leaving Viden. Also, to an extent, not so; the Videnese were a strange lot, in Argus' eyes. He simply nodded, however, and listened to the man speak. It must all seem very strange to him, after all. The evening was, if nothing else, an interesting experiment? Argus nodded, thoughtfully. "I take your point. It's all rather traditionally Scalvorian."

As for how he found the island? Well, Argus knew he had to tread carefully there, and so he considered it for a moment. "I did indeed study in Viden. It is very different here. It's a frontier, with hopes and dreams of being more. There are some here who have some meager talent, but none like I've seen in Viden." He gave a smile and a dismissive wave of his hand at the thought of there being any actual talent here. "But you're a student of Medicine? How fare your studies, Lord Talius?" Was this an opportunity, Argus wondered. Possibly. Probably. Best step forward carefully.

[Virikai Talius]

Despite himself, Virikai grinned and inclined his head, “I quite agree,” he murmured, the intonation of his voice overly formal to the point of mocking his own elite status, “It just wouldn’t do.” This Professor Hamilton-Smith seemed nice enough - Virikai did not feel the same expectations were placed on him that would be considered the norm in Viden. Not that he would relax entirely, but there was a fine line between being seen as approachable and friendly, rather than a tightly wound snob, and appearing overly familiar with new acquaintances.

To help new relationships thrive, everyone here had to be cognisant of treading that line. A fledgling in the world of politics, with no father to supervise him for the first time, Virikai was keenly aware of the potential success - or damage - tonight might have. And, either way, the outcome could have consequences reaching far beyond his own personal career trajectory, just because of his status. He cleared his throat, noting the dismissive wave but unwilling to let the subject go. “Ah, se I find the phrase ‘traditionally Scalvorian’ to be a dichotomy in and of itself, no? You must forgive my ignorance if I am way off the mark here, but we have been led to believe that Scalvoris was… almost reborn this past arc?”

“With the mists clearing, and the rather mysterious - from our perspective at least - retreat of the pirate folk. Only recently have so many cultures come together as one… and as you know, Viden has always enjoyed variety in long-term visitors from different regions of Idalos, but nothing like what Scalvoris is currently experiencing.” Virikai glanced around, gesturing at the room in general with his glass, his expression one of muted wonder, “Is this ‘tradition’ an amalgamation of old traditions from these difference cultures, or the original culture of the island? Or even a much younger tradition that has appeared in the past arc? As an academic, the island alone is something worth studying.”

As expected, the Professor enquired after his own studies, seemingly as a method of deflection. As a rather narcissistic individual, the young Talius scion could talk endlessly about himself, and for even longer about topics that fascinated him. Regardless of his father’s opinions in wasting his time with a vocational qualification, Virikai thrived in the world of academia, and much preferred it to the more practical, and ofttimes boring, applications of politics. “Well, this season I will be finishing my Certificate in Developmental Neurology. My hope next season is to continue my studies in medicine, but, oddly, with some supervision from a Linguistics professor - in Behavioural Neurology and Cognition.”

The student paused, trying to find an appropriate way to phrase it - he could not discussed the FRA, which is here the idea came from… “It occurred to me during my involvement in some research that an individual’s world view might be intrinsically linked to her culture or, more importantly, her native language. I will be proposing to undertake research in this area. It is not strictly medicine, but may help us to understand new medical applications and the different rates that races develop.”

[Pegasus]

Virikai's consideration of Scalvoris was an interesting one and he had, perhaps unwittingly, hit upon something which Hamilton-Smith was interested in. "It's an interesting place, Lord Talius. They have a deep sense of history, and their history here does go back many hundreds of arcs. It was first mentioned in history books as settled around five hundred arcs ago, in fact. The diversity you speak of appears to have been part of their society from the very beginning," who knew it, but Argus had an interest in history. "Many of the people who settled here did so after being stranded here, shipwrecked and so on. They pride themselves on it." It made sense that those who survived this place had to be prepared to ignore racial issues, after all, in the face of the need to live. So, Argus shrugged and looked around. "Apparently, the mist and disappearance of the Pirate Lords was not the first time that Scalvoris has changed overnight, it seems. There have been at least three other events which fundamentally shifted the whole island in its history. I suppose overcoming such, emerging again, that's what makes them traditionally Scalvorian." He gave a slight smile to the Eidisi. The island was worth studying? Obviously, Hamilton-Smith agreed.

The man's research sounded interminably dull to Hamilton-Smith and so he gave a wide smile and nodded, "That sounds fascinating!" Not going to tell him just how boring it was but there we were. "I suppose language is a vehicle for culture in many ways. What an interesting topic!" Kill him now. And the boy was only finishing his certificate this season? Was he dull witted? "You must be excited to move on to your Diploma, Lord Talius."

Glancing around the room, Hamilton-Smith wondered about Viden and it's current whisperings. Here, after all, was the perfect person to find that out from. "As a student of medicine in our parent institution, I wonder if I might ask," he said, with a companionable and good natured smile. "What are the views of this place's medical staff and students? Have you been surprised at our caliber?" Of course, what he really wanted to ask was whether Lord Talius had heard of him but that would be too much, so he kept it general.

For now.

[Virikai Talius]

“Ah yes… so your use of ‘tradition’ transcends what the average state would consider. Fascinating. I really must see if I can spend some more time here…” It was highly unlikely that Virikai would ever be given the opportunity to return, due to his knowledge of the FRA, but Professor Hamilton-Smith didn’t need to know that.

He especially didn’t need to know it when the man actually seemed very uninterested in what the less experienced student had to say about his studies. Maybe it was merely because he was Lord Verity Talius’ son, but Virikai had become very used to having scholars give him whatever time and attention he so desired. the young scion was used to having his interests and intellect nurtured, and to be faced with a man who was so plainly uninterested in what he had to say was… new.

It was not that the man was outwardly bored, or that his stance was disinterested. But Virikai was a Xyph and, though he was not a particularly powerful one, he had enough ability gifted from Yvithia that he could sense the swirling colours of emotion around the Professor. The saturated shades were not new to Virikai; he had seen them often around other students in class. Kai had learnt over time that this shades, even if they were different every time, indicated said disinterest.

The young lordling did his best to call upon his reserves of discipline and maintain a neutral expression, “I work with my father alongside my studies. It is not easy to devote endless breaks to studies I enjoy when there are so many other more pressing matters I have a duty to manage.” The words probably came out sounding more defensive than he had intended… but at least he was not coming across as angry. Fecking academics and their superiority complexes.

“Oh, well I cannot say that I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the teachings at the Scalvorian Campus, Professor,” Virikai continued. Now onto a topic where he didn’t feel like he was being scrutinised and judged, he was much more polite. “As I have said, other duties keep me away from my own personal interests, and my short visit to the city of Scalrovis is no exception. But I remember the excitement when this union was first envisioned. Many of Viden’s best applied for posts on the island, and the Academy took a hit last arc, so I can only assume that some of Idalos’ best are currently instructors and researchers at this facility.”

[Pegasus]

Totally unaware that his emotions were being read, Hamilton-Smith did nothing to contain feeling them. By all the Immortals but this man he was talking to was dull. All he did was talking about himself and his duties, and how important he was and Argus smiled at him very politely and with a lot of interest apparently in his expression. "No, I'd say my use of tradition is a usual one, wouldn't you? I mean, something which transcends fashions and fads and maintains throughout history. Scalvoris does have a long one, after all." Argus smiled, sweetly and there was just that hint of superiority in his tone. Like he was lecturing him. "Ah yes, of course. Many other responsibilities," he said and nodded to the Chancellor who was walking past. "I hear that many times from so many of my students." Argus Hamilton-Smith had no idea that Virikai could read his emotions and so could feel the arrogance and sense of smugness coming off him in waves.

And then, Virikai moved to talk about the "best" in Scalvoris as though it had stolen then from Viden. Professor Hamilton-Smith raised an eyebrow and nodded with a gesture around the room. "Yes, some of the Viden folks have done well. Must be said, though, our most prestigious and well renowned are not from Viden at all. Professors Augustin, both for example." Immortals how he hated them both, but he couldn't deny it, "forefront of their fields. Medicine for her and Physics for him. Esme Dashiell, too, in Physics. I would think," he said, as though he was considering it carefully when, in fact, he was just pausing with the aim of winding Virikai up as much as possible, "That someone in the know, someone concerned with the hit Viden has taken might be speaking to them - pioneers of their fields," he hated them both, he really did. But this was too good an opportunity to miss. "to find out why they chose Scalvoris over Viden. And continue to."

Having set it up, Argus now continued. And in that moment, to the Xypha who watched him, a number of things became obvious. Professor Hamilton-Smith was a very very ambitious man and he was conceited, too. Wherever he was, that was the best place to be, without a doubt. However, he was conflicted. Viden, and his credentials from Viden, were one of the ways that he lorded it over others here. "Perhaps what's needed is less bleed from one into the other, Lord Talius, and more collaboration. Maybe you and I could spearhead something?"

And that, it seemed, was what this whole conversation had been leading up to.

[Virikai Talius]

Whilst he had started out liking Professor Hamilton-Smith, the young Talius scion’s initial appraisal of the man had fallen from his mind as a new opinion was fast forming. The man was arrogant, an outward people-pleaser, but only with people he thought would hep further his own goals. He was ambitious, the type who would crawl over the bodies of his superiors to get where he wanted to go. In short, he was Virikai, only with a more inferior start in life, if his manner was anything to go by.

He seemed like the kind of man who had had to push and work and fight to get to where he was. Not that it seemed like he had had a particularly hard time of it; there was no obvious cop on his shoulder…. but there was something about him that… seemed to despise Virikai. Perhaps it was his elite blood the man did not like?

It was of no real matter to Virikai, what the man thought of him. He felt the derision, saw the emotions and, while he was irritated by it, they barely affected him. He knew he would walk away from the man and forget him. “Well, I do not believe Viden had the pleasure of Mrs Augustin, but her husband was a spectacular student, I am led to believe. He did not study in my department, so I did not know him well, except in passing. I have heard of his many successes here, however, and of hers. Remarkable, the pair of them.”

The lordling’s expression was unreadable now, no polite smile. He understood the insult, as if the Professor was expecting Virikai to take personal affront to the successes of the Scalvorian Campus. If Viden was concerned, they would never have created this new and budding alliance with the newly born island. If anything, it was a testament to the teachings of Viden, that Scalvoris was now thriving. “After all, Yvithia believes in learning for all. We are very committed to knowledge, and do not believe in refusing opportunity to anyone. Equality is everything in Viden, and the Academy doesn’t perform that commitment through patronising tokenism. We’re the leaders in every field we engage in and command the largest share of expertise in science and technology, as well as expertise in other markets.”

“This is diversity at its best, in its most pure form. We don’t operate these diverse practices because we already dominate the field and can ‘afford to’; we dominate the fields because of our diversity. If you put a selection of eídisi, high-born males, all coming from similar backgrounds, they are likely to look at a problem from a similar perspective. There’s the danger of sliding towards groupthink. Eliminating opportunities for discrimination of all sorts in the world of academia gives us all a greater diversity of talents to draw on.” The heir took a sip of his drink and glanced around the room. “To think that Viden is at a loss because of this Campus is rather narrow thinking, wouldn’t you say? If anything, Viden is benefitting from this mutual agreement. I am a student, but first and foremost a politician, and the mathematics is simple. Diversity returns the highest dividends.”

But that’s where they got to the crux of the matter. “Collaboration? It would foolish to pass up the opportunity to have more collaboration between the two campuses.”

[Pegasus]

Damnit, but this man was an arrogant tosser, Argus thought to himself. The irony being, of course, that Virikai was correct - those aspects of Virikai which currently irritated Argus were the aspects of his own personality which he did not recognise. Still, he listened to the Eidisi drone on about diversity this and the glory of Viden that. Did the blue idiot not realise that he was the very worst kind of example for what Viden was? A rich born ponce, poncing about and wanting for nothing. Immortals, how Argus hated him.

Immortals, how he envied him.

Still, the end of the conversation was what he wanted. The Videnese Lordling, son of one of the most powerful men in Viden - he agreed to work collaboratively with Argus Hamilton-Smith. Oh, that was wonderful and exactly what his career needed. "I quite agree," he said, pleased with what he was hearing. "So, may I suggest that we make a time to put together a proposal for a piece of collaborative work where we utilise the resources, the unique and diverse nature of Scalvoris and Viden together in order to put forward a proposal?" What they could actually do, of course, that was really rather unimportant as far as Argus was concerned. What mattered to him was that they did something.

Anything.

Hopefully the blue Lord didn't remain as changeable as saying, one bit, that Viden had taken a hit and the next bit that there was strength in diversity and all the other nonsense he'd just spoken. "Behavioural Neurology and Cognition, yes? I'm sure that we can work together there. What's your latest hypothesis?"

Time to nod along for the sake of his career.

Off Topic

I think one more post from you and this relationship is cemented as one destined to go down in history, yes?