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the Project	By : theLureln Category: +M through R > Magic: The Gathering Views: 11900 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Magic the Gathering characters or settings, anything else is mine. This story is not being written for profit.

Chapter List
- 1-the Project
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-10
- 11-Eleven
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Thirteen
- 14-Fourteen
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-18
- 19-19
- 20-20
- 21-21
- 22-22
- 23-23
- 24-24
- 25-25
- 26-26
- 27-27
- 28-28
- 29-29
- 30-30
- 31-31
- 32-32
- 33-33
- 34-34
- 35-35
- 36-36
- 37-37
- 38-38
- 39-39
- 40-40
- 41-41
- 42-42
- 43-43
- 44-44
- 45-45
- 46-46
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A/N: This story can be found in three forms: Fanfiction.net is totally safe for work. Thelureln.com has a mid range version. Adultfanfiction.org is uncut.

All the land was still and yet his mind never rested. His madness could be attributed in part to his inability to stifle his ever wandering thoughts. He had pondered infinite matters over the course of centuries, but on this night he found himself returning to the one question that it seemed every sentient being dwelled upon at least once in their existence. What was the meaning of life? He supposed he would answer to attain as much knowledge as possible before fading away to time, but there had to be more to it than that. He was always restless, and this night he took to wandering the meandering halls of the aerie, making his way down floors as he drifted along lost in his musings.
            The hour was so late he was astonished when he discovered activity in his library. Easily the size of a large residence, the area was lined from floor to ceiling with books, scrolls, and every other conceivable form of the written word. Decorated in muted colors of the guild, the rooms were a peaceful foil to the whirling thoughts of their master and had been deliberately designed to be relaxing. It was easier to focus one's attention in such an environment. Tasteful furniture was scattered throughout the space, elaborately carved tables and cushioned chairs that put comfort first. He was much too large for any of it, of course, but he did occasionally exceed the needs of his servants.
            In one corner of the archives, near the great vault where he kept his most valuable spells locked away, a woman sat poring over an enormous tome outlining the contents of that section of the bibliotheca. Clearly she was reorganizing the space and had presumably lost track of time. He was bemused by her devotion, more so as he drew near to her and realized she was nothing more than an archivist. She wasn't a mage, alchemist, nothing. She was just a girl. Interesting she'd managed to get a position in the library, but it perhaps explained her dedication to the job. There was a legion of novice magic users who would kill for her position.
            She went still as he approached, carefully setting down her pen and placing her hands in her lap before training her eyes on the vicinity of his chest.
            "My lord," she greeted him, the slight tremble in her voice giving away her anxiety and possibly fear.
            She was right to be afraid. He could be a tyrant when the mood struck him. At the moment though his curiosity was piqued. "It would be much faster to catalog the texts by using magic instead of taking down everything by hand and rearranging it manually."
            Her chin rose in the air slightly, not enough to meet his gaze but the action amused him nonetheless. She was cautious but not a coward. "I am incapable of casting spells, my liege."
            Honesty was a refreshing and rare quality when it was given voluntarily. Particularly since her lack of power would ordinarily cost her the job now that he was aware of her existence. "How did you manage to enter the employ of the guild without magic?"
            Her mouth curved into a slight smile as she replied, "I have the gift of extreme detail to organization, my lord. I was originally brought here to assist another mage, but I performed so well I was offered a position of my own. It also helps that I have no personal life whatsoever so I spend most of my free time here."
            Her words surprised a laugh out of him. Normally by this time his mind was being drawn into a myriad of directions as he grew bored with mundane conversation, and while it was true pressing questions were whispering in the background, they were muted for the moment. He was not used to such frankness from his lower subordinates. He could add courage to her list of qualities, or perhaps foolishness. Either trait was admirable in the right circumstances and for the time being he chose to be amused.
            "Such devotion is to be commended, if not recommended. A child your age should occasionally venture out in the world instead of burying yourself in work," he pointed out.
            Her shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly, insulted perhaps by his own frankness. "I'm certain the daily activities of one such as myself is beneath your notice my liege. You have come to the library for the first time since my employment here, and while I am sure you know the ins and outs of this place far better than I, I feel compelled to ask if there is anything I can assist you with?"
            Clever words to disguise what could be taken as a reprimand, or not. The ambiguity only improved his humor. Courageous or foolish indeed. It was a shame she was merely human. "I came here for no particular reason. I was merely thinking to myself and wandered this way. But since you are so generously offering your assistance, it would be remiss of me to not accept it. What do you suppose is the meaning of life?"
            Now he surprised her into laughing, and in that unguarded moment she forgot herself enough to raise her eyes to his. "I would never presume to have an encompassing answer for a query like that, particularly when presented by you. However if you genuinely want to know, I can say that I feel there is no one reason for all but rather one per person. For instance, I think the meaning of life is love in all of it's facets."
            He would normally dismiss such an answer, love being of minimal interest to him, except she had mentioned it in terms of aspects and in a way that indicated she knew her answer was one he would most likely not agree with. Her subjective surmising was distinctly wise despite her simple status. "That's a surprising answer coming from someone who claims to have no personal life."
            The laughter abruptly died from her face as she lowered her eyes once again. "Yes well, such a remarkable thing as love frequently overlooks the ordinary."
            She had a shrewd opinion of herself. Although he was not human, he knew her to be no great beauty for the species. Not unattractive but not outstanding either. Her lack of magic would be a deterrent to the greater population. Her intelligence, while capable of balancing her merely pretty appearance, was not something one would discover without approaching her first. It wasn't hard to conclude she would most likely end up alone. He was surprised to find himself annoyed by that fact. It just seemed a waste, considering her honesty and courage.
            "Perhaps, but then again, something as 'remarkable' as love might just be taking it's time until the moment is right," he finally answered her, a series of minor thoughts floating through his mind. "What is your name, girl?"
            She shifted in her seat, clearly surprised by his question, rightly thinking she was beneath the attention of her guildmaster as a mere archivist. "I am called Lorissa deCar my lord."
            "Look at me when you speak," he commanded, his arrogance at last asserting itself, waiting until her eyes once again met his. "I, of course, am Niv-Mizzet. Well met Lorissa deCar."

A/N: This story is not being written for profit, all MTG characters and settings are property of WOTC. Anything else is mine.
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