( Urianger has been here before.

Not literally, of course — this place isn't like any he's yet had the pleasure of visiting — but to receive a summons across time and space end up in a wholly unfamiliar realm? Yes, he knows this all too well. The most disconcerting difference is the fact that it seems in no way related to the struggle between Astral and Umbral, or between Dark and Light, but rather he's been dragged away from Bestways Burrow to aid in ...

Well. Something altogether different.

Ambrose could have been more helpful in his explanation, truth be told, however it's enough for Urianger that the world is allegedly in great peril. Whether the Ascians have a hand in this star's troubles remain to be seen — thus far it's hard to say for certain — which is why Urianger has resolved to spend what free time he has gathering as much information as he can about the place. Tonight, however, he's doing something far braver than information reconnaissance: he's left the study hall in favour of investigating the communal bathing hall.

That he's chosen a late hour to do so is hardly coincidental. Urianger may have moved on from the shyness of childhood but he's holding on to a little hesitance all the same, and while he aches for a good, long soak, the uncomfortable prospect of being percieved has put him off up until now.

Put aside thy foolishness, he mentally chides himself, armed as he is with a towel, a book, and a thick slab of archon loaf inexplicably provided by the groaning dining-hall table. Thy ablutions take precedence, and t'would be remiss of thee to overlook an opportunity to learn more of the inner workings of this castle.

Which is what he tells himself as he picks his way over to a secluded pool, before quickly shucking his robes and sinking into the water until he's submerged up to his shoulders. The slice of archon loaf? Sits folornly on the other side of the pool, surrounded by the haphazard scattering of the personal effects he so hastily abandoned.

... Somebody help him, before he trashes his brain trying to figure out how to retrieve it without breaking the surface of the water. )

( It only takes a day or so of acclimatisation for Urianger to venture beyond the walls of Castle Thorne. Urianger is a scholar at heart — level-headed, curious, and always eager to learn what he can when faced with a conundrum, and when he'd heard tell there was an impressive bookshop to be found just north of the castle? He'd had to make the trip there himself, after securing himself some floor-skimming robes suited to the look of a scholar. The design is simple — high-collared, black, with a little gold detailing around the cinched waist, and sleeves voluminous enough to suggest him an academic well worth his salt.

... Alright, so the sleeves had been a moment of pure fancy that he may eventually come to regret, but for the time being he's quite enjoying the change from his usual garb.

It's an overcast afternoon, and he's more than happy to take shelter from any impending rain with a thorough investigation of The Dragon's Keep. If there are books to be found, Urianger is sure show up there eventually, and he has opted to begin his exploration of Thorne with a systematic review of works pertaining to its history. Researcher that he is, he's a firm believer in the power of the literature review, however the titles scrawled across the pile of books at his feet suggest a somewhat ... esoteric approach to research.

It's a mess is what it is — instead of focused research it seems to be more of a "grab a little of everything and see what sticks" methodology, but if asked he'd surely insist that there's some kind of reason behind it all. At present his nose is half buried in a tome detailing the history of Thorne's rulers, and he has the look of a man who, if disturbed, would be in for the shock of his life.

Who could resist? )

( Perhaps unsurprisingly, Urianger's research settles upon his sign.

Death, or so he's been told by the residents of the castle, and while those he's asked have been eager to explain positive traits associated with such a sign? Urianger fancies himself well versed enough in the arts of the astrologian to know that there's more to any kind of arcana than that. Disconcerting as it is to think of such things without his planisphere, and while his connection to the stars feels so terribly weak, he is determined to press on in the name of his research.

Once he knows the truth of it — knows whether it's helping or hindering his manipulation of celestial aether — perhaps he can refocus his efforts into finding a way out of this place. Or, in the event of a worst case scenario, a way to save this place as he did with his dear friends back on the First.

... He's getting ahead of himself again, isn't he. One step at a time.

He turns the page of the book he'd procured named simply The Arcana as he sips at a steaming cup of tea, a sleek curve of black and gold against the otherwise cosy decor. Urianger is appreciative of any establishment that can offer him an endless supply of tea and fragrant treats while he studies, and he foresees the Winking Cauldron becoming something of a regular haunt for him. It does, however, seem to be an exceptionally popular spot today, and so if the only free seat happens to be at his table?

Looks like it might be time to distrupt that research! )

( Or hit me up with something else! Feel free to DM this journal / hit me up on Plurk @ scry if you'd like to hash something else out, and please let me know if you'd like me to avoid spoilers at any time! )