A matter of gods.

[ixis]

That ugly wizard is still in the Nexus, though he's not shouting near as much as he did upon arrival. He has about a half-dozen books on hand, stacked next to him on a sofa seat while he leafs through one. Seems he's got a lot of notes taken as well on whatever the subject is.

"Tell me..."

A page is turned and Ixis Naugus considers it briefly before continuing.

"What are the gods like where you come from? Do you have any at all? One? Many? Beings of wrath, omnipresent creatures, or hidden and impotent figments? Indulge my religious curiosity."

Comments

[ixis]

Naug's already got the look of a Greybeard, might as well go the whole way! And that does grab his interest and attention, this talk of it being something that can be studied. "I am nothing if not studious and ambitious. Incidentally, do you have a clear portal back to your realm or are you trapped here like some of us?"

Just curious!

[drehnifusbahi]

[Just curious, right. And he's the High King of Skyrim.]

Sadly, no. That so many have been pulled from Nirn at different times and places complicates the search.

[Not that he'd likely tell Naugus even if he had found one.]

[ixis]

"A pity. Though you have a grand opportunity for unique study were you to find and take these others from differing times. Imagine the history you'd witness firsthand! Quite extraordinary."

[drehnifusbahi]

True enough. [And don't think for a moment he wasn't tempted to do just that.] But I'd be trapped if they sealed behind me, and I have obligations back home that I can't simply abandon.

[Like his children, and seeing that the ceasefire he engineered between the Empire and the Stormcloaks continues indefinitely.]

[ixis]

"Perhaps if there were means of ensuring they stay open, would you go? Being a mage well-versed in portals myself, perhaps a deal can be struck should the interest ever become greater than you can resist." Going from cheesing the guy off with aggravation spells to offering his services; that's just how the Ixis Naugus rolls.

[drehnifusbahi]

[And he doesn't trust it any more than he'd trust the same words coming from the thin blond man who lurks around here for the express purpose of making deals with the desperate.]

Perhaps. If that day ever comes, I shall certainly let you know.

[It's almost pleasant, for a refusal - especially considering that he nearly came to blows with Naugus over said aggravation spell.]

[ixis]

Naugus may someday angle to become direct competition with that guy. Because that's just the kind of business draw he'll respond to and the goods he's got to offer. Just need a bit more time and research and he'll set it up like a lemonade stand, just you wait.

"Do let me know; I certainly believe the educational value in such a decision would be nothing short of incredible. And better than loitering around this place, isn't it?"

[drehnifusbahi]

[Oh dear. Dare we hope he won't find enough desperate people in the Nexus to make it a successful venture?]

It certainly would. [He's spent a good chunk of his life traveling, so to be trapped anywhere grates on him.]

[ixis]

"Oh, before I forget." He holds up a single finger. "How do you intend to replace the books? Payment? Direct copies?" He'll get what he's owed, he always makes sure of that. "I don't suppose you have conjuration powers amongst your own magical arsenal or that would be an easy fix."

[drehnifusbahi]

To conjure up new books? No, I'm afraid not. [About the only thing he can conjure that would be able to retrieve them would be a flame atronach - and that wouldn't really solve the burned books problem.]

I'll find as many new copies as I can. If there are any I can't find, I'll pay their value in gold. [Judging by his coin purse, he can certainly afford to.]

[ixis]

"Excellent, excellent. I'll take either. As I said, any titles on these 'norse' gods would do." He says the word 'norse' like it's clearly as foreign to him as it is to Vanyel. "If you find any publications with a specific focus on a fellow named Loki, do pick it up. The young lady I'm doing this study for has a particular interest in that one."

[drehnifusbahi]

[Foreign, maybe, but it's short enough not to mangle. And really, where better than the Nexus to find that sort of thing?]

Duly noted.

[Norse gods. Particular emphasis on Loki; you can almost see him making mental notes.]