When we last left off

Winter wasn't exactly Ulric's favorite part of the seasons. Not because of the cold, or anything like that. The cold air always felt fresh, and the blanket of snow and ice could be pretty damn gorgeous. But because it often made travel pretty annoying and difficult. This wasn't the season for exploring Fasthold, or sailing the seas and exploring a mysterious new continent. Honestly... He had gotten a bit too old to trudge through snow, or build shelter of cold wet branches. But wanderlust was a feeling he constantly had to attend to. So, for once, he had let his feet carry him to the Gardens. Not exactly the wild and unpredictable nature that he so adored, but probably the closest you'd get in Churchill City. Having stared at the screen of his laptop for about an hour without adding any more words to his newest work; a walk could hardly hurt, right? A day he had planned on spending back in his apartment being productive, had instead lead to him walking a bit aimlessly. He actually hated that. No step was ever worth taking, if not with a purpose in mind. However, sometimes that very purpose was to simply move. As usual, a simple and rather bland long-sleeves shirt was blanketed by his black woolly coat. Complete with his dark jeans, and the worn trail boots he almost always wore. His wardrobe wasn't really that diverse or colorful, but rather practical and perhaps... a bit boring. He didn't even own a suit or dinner-jacket, and had kept the same rucksack and hat for more than twelve years.

Someone had swept the snow from a bench earlier, and he took the opportunity to sit down for a spell. Directly in front of him, not more than ten meters, a frozen fountain stood as a monument. He lost himself in thought for a few moments, thinking of the old grumpy Mallobaude with a discreet smile. Yet no amount of contemplating or distracting revelry could distract Ulric from the bright presence of Nova in her colorful coat. He didn't say anything. Not wanting to interrupt her, or impose himself on her day. Though it didn't seem like she was in any hurry to be anywhere, Ulric was rather content with simply watching her in silence. Waiting for the moment - if that moment came - when their eyes would meet, and she'd notice him. She'd stormed off during their last brief meeting, clearly distraught by something that clearly involved some guy she had trouble with. At least she didn't seem like she was running from anything. He already felt a bit cold sitting there, and shuddered a bit as a chilling sensation rose up along his spine. Quickly adjusting his sitting, he made sure the tail of his woolly coat was between his jeans and the cold bench. And started gently massaging the back of his calf, while leaning on his other knee with his other elbow. He should just start wearing his outdoors pants, and not fool himself to thinking a pair of jeans would be sufficient to keep out the cold.

For a brief moment, while following Nova with his calm eyes, Ulric contemplated mediation and spending a few moments in his Dream. It would certainly distract him from the cold, and then he wouldn't be sitting there intently watching a young woman like some kind of creep. But as quickly as the thought passed his mind, Nova noticed him, and Ulric immediately responded with a discreet smile that she probably wouldn't be able to see anyway. The sound of children playing in the snow, not too far from the bench, reminded him of his duties at the temple later that afternoon/evening. Children were wonderfully honest, crass, uncivilized little creatures. But they could also be a bit... tiring. But working mostly with children, he'd come to view it as a sort of exercise in keeping his own cool. Getting angry at a child was hardly the best way to teach them acceptance and stillness. And since he was often dealing with traumatized children, adding to their trauma wasn't what he wanted to do. Ulric kept his eyes on Nova as she approached, not at all concerned with seeming polite or anything. Being in his presence often meant you had to contend with having his undivided attention, save for the small things that could distract him from time to time. Some shuddered under his watchful and attentive eyes, while others seemed to feel more at ease. Nova, however... was still somewhat of an enigma to Ulric. "If I were, it wouldn't be in this weather." He briefly commented with a small humorous scoff, and followed her gaze towards the fountain. He was quite content with seeing her a bit more at ease and more relaxed. At least, compared to their last meeting, in which he had almost seen an entire spectrum of emotions from her. Despite him not being particularly judgemental, individuals like that tended to introduce more chaos in the lives of others, than peace. Quite frankly, not very useful additions to the lives of others, if he had to be honest. However he held out hope that this particular meeting would shed a more clear light on Nova as an individual, and this was a rather promising start.

Ulric raised his eyebrows a bit at her words. That was surprisingly astute of her to notice about him. "You're right." He said with a small smile. And turned his eyes towards the gardens. "Luckily man made things can be beautiful, so it's not all bad." He added and fell silent again. Watching her curiously, and actually finding her a bit more interesting than the gardens surrounding them, he noticed her cold-blushed cheeks. Not a vampyre, then. He couldn't help himself. With what he knew of the many different common species and races, he was still trying to, in secret, figure out what exactly she was. And he had no idea what she was. An Empusa perhaps? Honestly wouldn't surprise him, they tended to be excruciatingly attractive, and if not satisfied they also tended to go completely off the rails emotionally. Not exactly his proudest moments if he was to be frank, but an experience none the less. Ulric had long since let go of his calf, and was sitting rather straight and squared as she then decided to sit down on the bench beside him. As usual he watched her, despite her not watching him. The profile of her face was rather... noble, almost. Distinctive and chiseled features that spelled both youth AND maturity, in some odd way. An attractive woman to be sure. As she apologized he turned his eyes away from her, smiled, and let his hand rub his slightly grizzled beard for a few moments while answering. "It was an interesting meeting, at the very least." Keeping a relaxed perspective, he smiled a bit after his calm words and turned a quick look towards her, before once again letting the frozen fountain distract his eyes. For a second he thought about asking her if she then had tended to those things, but ultimately decided not to. Those were obviously issues close to her heart, and therefore not really his place to goad out of her once more. So instead of talking, he ended up just contemplating and a bit lost in thought, with his fingertips playing a bit with the beard on his chin.

She had forgotten one important thing, according to Ulric at least. Nature. Ulric did not believe that the chemistry of the old ones was a deliberate thing. It grew and evolved, it didn't create. And he liked to think that the old ones had made it so, to create a force beyond their own control. Something that covered this entire planet, which existed on it's own terms. He had, for instance, trouble imagining that a wolf would ever be tried in the after-life-trial. They - all these different supernatural beings - were of both worlds. Created by the old ones(and faeth), yet made to exist within the confines of the nature that surrounded them constantly. No amount of cobblestones, artificial lights, or articulate works of architecture, could change that. Ulric, however, stayed silent and contently watched both her and the fountain in turn. He didn't need to spell out exactly how he viewed the world, as well as his place in it. Nor did he believe that she needed to hear that. Being an individual partly meant reaching ones own conclusions, and instilling in oneself the strength to live with ones own actions. Frankly, Ulric could go on about such things. Talk her ear off, until she would finally come to regret taking a seat besides him. And he didn't want that. He nodded to her comment about impact, and again, wanted to comment that all made impacts on each other. If only she knew how much he held back. As she leaned back he briefly watched her attentively, and noticed the first tear. This was clearly a woman with many issues troubling her on perhaps a daily basis, and he wasn't certain that she actually wanted help, guidance, or simply someone to vent to. He'd learned that just about seventy-five percent of all people, had absolutely no interest in listening to him, or even taking his words serious. Again, being individuals, they had the right to discard his words; but the fact that they often discarded him in the process for having uttered those words, was rather disappointing.

Ulric stayed silent and contemplated for a moment, still with his fingers rubbing a bit through his beard, and a thoughtful gaze fixed on the frozen fountain. Her words reminded him of Amelia, and a discreet smile painted his lips between his grizzly beard. He finally inhaled thoughtfully. "I think most of us tend to view time as a straight line.." He began. Desperately trying to push away the empathy that he instinctively felt for her. Almost like an aura emanating from her, commanding him to feel as she did. "A line from birth and until death." He continued calmly. "But what if it was a sphere, like this world? And what if those that die never left this sphere? Is your memory of someone you lost, not as real as their presence? If lightning hits the ground, the electricity doesn't just disappear, it's energy is transferred and transformed. Seeping into the ground, into the earth. Into us." Ulric held out both of his hands, the palms turned up, resting on his thighs. "Even though those that we loved no longer have hands with which to touch our bodies, their actions and their words still touch our hearts and our memories. What they did then, what WE did then, is done in this very moment. Endlessly. Again and again. Around and around in the sphere of time and space that we inhabit. Time is not what repeats itself, space is the differentiating factor." Realizing that he had just worked off a bunch of assumptions about his own train of thought, he fell silent and furrowed his brows. Coming to the realization that he probably wasn't as good as he thought he was at explaining his own mind. He then looked at her, and this time, kept his eyes on her. "What if, by assuming that you could have done better... what if that, in and of itself, is actually arrogance?" He smiled a bit broader and raised one eyebrow. Even a bit provocatively. Suggesting that someone who grieved was perhaps being a bit arrogant, wasn't exactly a typical thing to do. "Forgive yourself or not, it matters little." He put his hands back in the pockets of his woolly coat. "What matters, is stepping off the platform that you put yourself on, and accepting that perhaps you are not even good enough to have done better. Maybe what you did was more than enough?" He stopped again, realizing how one could misinterpret what he just said. He looked away again. "Let go, and accept the transformation of those that you loved. From flesh, to memory, to energy." He became thoughtful. Wrinkled his brows. Only to then suddenly smile a bit broader, turn towards her, and poke a finger at her thigh in a careless and relaxed way. "You can either lament what they once were, all while torturing yourself by thinking that you could have done better. Or accept them as they are now. Energy residing within your very soul. And know.." He put his hand back in his pocket again, still looking at her. "That they are still here, simply... transformed."

In a way, Ulric liked when others listened. Probably why he had chosen to be a lecturer, and helped out at the temple. Far from everyone took to any of his wisdom, and they didn't even have to. But he, nonetheless, hoped that his advice and words had helped others through his life. And he knew that it had, in some cases. What was most important, though, was the sharing of minds and thoughts. Thoughts and words not colored by pressure or shame. Untainted by devious thoughts of melancholy or hatred, even grief tainted the mind in ways that often made Ulric ignore such emotions. Grief was a useless emotion. Funerals the act of self-indulgence for those that blamed themselves for their own short-comings. It served no real purpose for the dead. For if dead... then what reasoning was there to make? What was a story truly worth, if it wasn't shared? What value had the actions of mortals and gods alike, if they were not remembered? And that's all he had to look forward to, some days... Forgetfulness. An eternal amnesia. How many lives had his soul already lived, now forgotten and lost to eternity? Did he not owe it to those that shared his soul, and would in the future, to live and remember as vividly as possible? He often pitied the immortal races. They would never truly understand the value of the moment which they inhabited. As Ulric took her question to heart, and fixed his gaze on her, her words reminded him of Mallobaude. An ancient vampyre, that had been troubled by the prospect of eternity. Both that thought and the sight of her, though... played the symphony of empathy in his mind. As he, as a boy, had pitied the old Mallobaude; he now found himself slightly touched by her defiantly melancholic aura. He smiled after perhaps waiting a bit too long to answer her question. "A troubled mind." He answered, quite direct. Though he would never be able to truly identify which or what troubled her. He kept his sympathy out of his words, and instead spoke clearly and openly. Choosing to still occupy a rather philosophical train of thought, since he knew that her question was probably leading in nature.

Sitting there, listening to her, in turn, was rather easy. He might not have enjoyed the cold as much as her, but his coat was pretty damn good at insulating his own body heat, so with something else to occupy his mind; he felt at ease. He finally turned his eyes from her, as she looked to the snow, and found himself instead once again distracted by the fountain. Honestly, he was a bit taken back by how... similar, her words sounded to those of Mallobaude. The musings of a very old creature. For a moment he wanted to be quite blunt. To tell her that her experiences should have armed her with the knowledge to do better, in a way. That if she encountered the same headaches, it might be exactly because she was not perfect; and that such imperfection was the flavor of life itself. "What happens to us, is not important. How we view and value those things, is." He instead ended up saying, while shortly turning his gaze towards her. Choosing to be a bit more concise and precise in his words, this time around. He wasn't trying to convert her to his own way of thinking. Nor was he interested in pandering or telling her what she maybe wanted to hear. All he wanted to do, was express to her a perspective, a truthful perspective. Still a bit odd, really. She was clearly much older than him. Perhaps even wiser, without knowing it. And yet he spoke calmly and still offered his views, as had she been a student of his. Something about her cried out for help, just as she had the first time they had met. This time, however, she stayed by his side. If only she knew what he'd done lately. "To many, the definition of madness, is attempting the same thing over and over, expecting a different result." He added with a bit of a smile. Once again keeping and showing his more relaxed and distanced view on not just the world, but also what the world had to offer. He smiled a bit, flashing a few of his teeth a bit shrouded by his beard. A beard he quickly brushed with his hand, before again putting it into the safety of his pocket. The cold made his skin itch a bit, beneath his beard.

This was rather pleasant, despite the slightly biting chill of the bench he had chosen to sit on. Should probably just have kept moving. Alas, if he had kept moving, he most likely wouldn't have met Nova this fine day. And then the two of them would not have been having such a pleasant conversation. "Certainly, but not important to our ability to do what we believe is right. Events that only hold power or influence over us, if we allow them to." He retorted quickly, yet calmly. Two minds interlinked in conversation and rationale, though he had a strong suspicion they actually agreed, and were more alike than he had first believed. Probably only really disagreeing on whether or not the individual held the power to control their emotions and thoughts. Even though Faeth guided him from time to time, he could still choose not to follow her directions. And in the end he was really only arguing how to live a life of peace and acceptance, instead of one were he was constantly flying around like a leaf in the wind; forever torn and influenced by things that he had no control over. In the end, only trying to help her realize that she didn't have to be constantly tortured by irrational thought or emotion. And in a way suggesting, that if she suffered, it was probably more the cause of her perception of events, rather than events themselves. A thought that sustained the discreet smile on his lips, as her words spoke of a greater plan. To which he nodded calmly, silently letting her know that he actually agreed. "To accept all that fate sends our way with affection, and without discontent, is hardly nihilism. Yet I believe letting ourselves be torn, driven, and tortured by or perception of the events which lie beyond our small spheres of influence, will only sour and embitter our souls. And cause us to needlessly suffer. Which, I'd wager, is of no use or benefit to the whole of which we are only a small and almost insignificant part." He kept looking at the frozen fountain. Inhaling a bit, with thought resting a moment on the importance of humility in the grand 'scheme' of things. Something he thought about elaborating on. He was no more important to the world or from the purview of an endless universe, than a single bee. Still a bit mindful about how the two of them actually seemed to share certain beliefs and convictions; he suddenly frowned his brow, and the eyes that were turning against her, became slightly distracted by his thoughtfulness. As if he was digging through his mind for a moment, still marked by a slight smile on his lips. "'If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.'" He recounted with ease, like a quote from a long time ago, still edged in his mind. A retelling which he ended with a slightly broader smile. Ulric wasn't worried with whatever grand plan or uncertain future was waiting for him, yet was far more concerned with his own directing mind in this very moment, and the innate power he had over it. As well as over his actions and words, and so on. No amount of perceived evil or malice reaped upon him by others, or by events beyond his control, could take away his power to act in accordance with nature, with the chemistry of the old ones. Nor could the actions or intentions of any mortal, immortal, or even god; stop him from doing what he believed was right.

Her gentle bushes against his coat, and the snow she sent flying, drew his attention from her eyes to her hand for a moment. Listening to her words, he raised an eyebrow in thought about her words. Sounded familiar in some way, but certainly didn't do anything to help him pinpoint what kind of immortal she was. However, he had met a few very exceptional individuals, or members of rare species before. Though that did nothing to quell his curiosity. "Let's." He simply answered, motioning to rise form the bench and lazily stretch his back for a single moment. After stepping out into the snow surrounding the bench, he spotted the hand she reached towards him, and smiled a bit. But he didn't grab it. Instead he calmly walked up besides her, and instead opted to point out his elbow towards her. Suggesting in silent that she hold his arm instead, while his hand was still in his pocket. A bit traditional, certainly. But Ulric certainly was a consistent person, and perhaps a bit stuck in his rather old-fashioned and stoic ways. "What I'm trying to say, perhaps." He returned to the conversation they had just left on the bench. "Is that even though things might seem repetitive, troublesome, and maddening, they don't have to be. And that I believe we can control by which values and guiding principles we conduct ourselves. No matter any event since the beginning of creation. And that we, through our actions, can change the world around us for the better. To our benefit, which is also the benefit of the whole." He smiled. "I sincerely doubt anyone in all of creation has ever flourished by allowing their minds to linger on that which they cannot control." That last bit with a slight nod to her clearly troubled mind. He wanted to know more, and hoped the conversation about fate and purpose would help her to reveal more about herself. Or these seemingly complicated conditions under which she existed. And, of course, hoped that any odd and perhaps confusing words of his, could help alleviate the pain and burden that no doubt weighed on her shoulders. Whether or not she accepted to hold his arm as they walked, he kept his eyes somewhat turned towards her. A straight back and hands comfortably hidden away in his nicely warm and insulated coat.

Brazen and wild, unpredictable and courageous; were but a few adjectives which could describe Ulric as he had once been. But, of course, all grew to change and grow in time. The old vampire that, for several years, had raised and influenced Ulric in his youth; had demonstrated how even a vampire could reject the consumption of blood by sheer rational will alone. It had, of course, led the old bloodsucker to his early 'grave'; yet Ulric had since then always admired such stubbornness. The will and drive to be better, to do better. To shape ones lifestyle. To shape, moderate, and control the conditions of ones own existence, despite whatever unforeseen circumstances or consequences might come from it. Damnation be damned, as the old man had been wont to say. Ulric's mind lingered quite often on Mallobaude, these days. The old man was now finally gone. And should the gods have appreciated his effort to redeem himself in his final years, then Ulric hoped the old man was in a better place. Nonetheless. If one wished to know of life's restrictions, one had only but talk to a vampire who remembered the yoke of the sun... a vampire with a conscience. As Nova had spoken of her time in this world, the change of seasons, and her thoughts on the gods; she reminded him a bit of the old vampire. A similarly troubled mind, weighed and burdened by things that he would never be able to understand. Was it simply age? Was it a wealth of experience? Or maybe the imbalance of good and bad experiences? Ulric, once again, smiled a bit at how she addressed him as dear, sweet fenix. Seemed so endearing, in an odd way. He would have preferred professor, but maybe that was more out of habit, really. Wasn't often anyone addressed him in any sort of endearing way; besides professor, or Cedric's usual 'Doc'. That it could have been meant as a term of a more condescending nature, was a thought he didn't entertain. As was, oddly enough, the thought of how much he spoke. Ulric kept his eyes down at her. "Hm." the grumble was the only sound he produced, with a thoughtful gaze that broke from contact towards their surroundings, as hers had done. Her mind crept to dark places, it seemed. And Ulric left the subject for another good time. It felt right to do so. Besides, she didn't seem interested in pursuing the subject right now. Maybe they'd return to the existential subject at another time?

Ulric kept pace, and kept quiet and thoughtful as she spoke of summer and winter. His gaze turned down towards her as she leaned on his arm. It was, difficult, not to be drawn by her pull. An all-together charming - if only a little emotional - woman. And he enjoyed her company, enjoyed her presence. A seemingly good conversationalist, and a mystery, not to mention. Ulric automatically wanted to rant on the symbolism of the seasons, and what his thoughts were. The old wisdom he saw embedded in winter. How the cold brought families and friends - communities, really - together in traditional gatherings. To share warmth and company, as he saw it. And the adventure summer brought with it's warmth. Mountain passes opened by the melting of snow, and new horizons and opportunities beyond the next sun-swept hill. But he instead lingered on her words, once again growing curious as to who, and what she was. Feeling her pull, and having his own empathy to contend with in the face of her charm. "A vampire might have a different opinion." He instead ended up retorting with a smile. A careless comment, really. More humorous and relaxed, as the gears of his minds still raced on. Such words as hers deserved to linger a bit more, and adding perspective to any subject was an easy way of provoking thought.

35 years old. Most didn't believe him when he told them. Not all Fenix' seemed to age and mature as he did. Remaining seemingly drop-dead gorgeous and youthful up until the very last stretch of their lives, when the candle of their lifespans had reached it's base. But he quite honestly liked it. It fit his nature better. A masculinity which fitted his independence, and self-reliant nature. Or hell... he'd spent the last several years studying in darkly lit rooms, going over dusty tomes; and writing those of his own. His life taking a very sudden turn after he had lost his friends, and saved that little girl. Pretty much going underground to study, while press and curious personalities had tried to find him. A child-trafficking ring busted, and corrupt authorities exposed, wasn't exactly everyday stuff. Going from always being on the move, to suddenly being still and mindful. Maybe he just didn't feel young, anymore. No one seemed to know, and it was probably best not to linger too long on the why's and how's. He could not control his body, after all. His eyes met hers again as she noted how she would strive to do better. He mirrored her smile with a discreet one of his own. He suddenly thought about how many chances she might have gotten, to do better, during her apparently long lifespan. Probably a lot more than most others. "I'd call that a healthy approach." He admitted. Of course, understanding that she probably didn't want his approval in any way. But there wasn't much else for him to add to a statement which seemed so rational and in line with his own mind. A pleasant reminder that though they might disagree, they were probably still very much alike. Ulric stopped as soon as she asked him once again. Keeping his eyes on her, suddenly understanding that she probably had suspected his deducing mind. An almost mysterious, and yet discreet, smile crept over his lips shaded by his grizzly beard. "I see what I know and what I suspect." A little cryptic, perhaps. He smiled a bit broader, but kept his eyes at her, and stayed close to her. Demonstrating how his rational mind chose to deduce to her openly. "I know your name is Nova. I know you're older than you seem. And I know you're burdened by circumstances beyond the realm of nature." Ulric spoke calmly and openly. Once again letting his words communicate his mind, quite unlike him. He started moving again, and let his eyes scan his surroundings. "I suspect you might be the member of an elusive and ancient humanoid species. Probably very powerful." He looked at her in passing with the last comment, with an eyebrow suggestively raised. Not power that she had demonstrated to him, but something about her made him suspect that, at least. He looked ahead again, at a smell bend in the snow-covered gravel track he tried to follow. Staying out of the area where the children were throwing around snowballs. "I suspect I've got a few books in my collection that might help shed some light on my suspicions." He almost brazenly added. Not at all afraid to let her know that she was a mystery to him. And even less afraid of her knowing that it was a mystery he had a growing intent to solve. As if she was waving a puzzle in front of his eyes. A puzzle he just couldn't help but try to solve. "Unless, of course..." Ulric stopped again for a brief moment, and looked at her. "You'd like to tell me yourself, who you are?" He added with a smile and fixated yes. The worth of an individual was measured by the worth of what that individual valued. Knowing full well that who she was might be completely irrelevant as opposed to what she thought and what values drove her directing mind. At least to him.

How many things there actually were in this world. How many different species and races, different climates and landscapes. He could certainly boast about having seen quite a lot of both species, climates, and landscapes; but he knew he would never even come close to seeing it all. That didn't mean, though, that his almost natural curiosity wouldn't get the better of him when it came to Nova. Mortals, immortals, or even gods. All were truly fascinating in their own way. Ulric noted her shrug, and simply smiled glancing a bit at her with a secretly knowing raise of the eyebrows. Funny, how all he knew and even suspected of her, came from her. When they had first met, she had expressed concern about Daemons. So perhaps they posed a threat. In the shop he had picked up on frustration, something about a turbulent relationship; along with her apparently immortal existence, having seen the rise and fall of civilizations. Interesting.

Once again, he stayed silent. Instead a bit entranced by Nova's suddenly more confident manner - just as she had been when she had met him the first time and when she had greeted him this day - and with his eyes fixed on her as she motioned with her finger, she spoke. His smile creeping over his lips as the jig was up, and especially rather pleasantly surprised by the easy comfort she seemed to show regarding the situation. Whatever the hopes or expectations she might have had, she seemed very capable of adapting her mindset to enjoy the change. She was a mystery to him. She knew this. And now played on his curiosity; in a, of course, rather polite manner, one might say. And she was right on all counts, what more could he add but a knowing smile and glance? Ulric had started walking again, when she then suggested they go to his apartment. He stopped again, looked at her, and then looked at the sky and the horizon. Trying to tell the time. "Let's." He then said rather bluntly, nodded at her, and then started walking again.

Holding hands could often seem rather childish, he thought. Sweaty, uncomfortable, and a bit awkward. Keeping the right distance as to not have the hands swing against your hips, or staying close enough together so as it didn't seem like simple frolicking. Having a beautiful woman gently hold his arm, though, was rather comfortable. Even while walking. He could stay engaged in her company, AND keep his hand in the nice coat. Having warm and crispy hands, rather than humid and sweaty. Not that it bothered him anyway, it only seemed more... relaxed, being a bit weighted by her, and more co-dependent in their walk. Even if most people would consider hand-holding the same. "All the seasons are beautiful. But it is a bit easier to travel in the spring." He admitted, before letting himself admire the skyline of bright noonday sun, and glistening snowy rooftops. The shops and general traffic in the district didn't really interest him. But people did. There was nothing wrong with the sound of a distant busy street, while reading or writing. Ulric suddenly lead her right, and approached a triangular corner building of seven stories. A library across the street. A hobby shop further down, a museum, and a kiosk open 24/7. Everything he needed. A bit older for an apartment building, and privately owned, if he remembered correctly. An old school from a previous century. A so-called landmark. Less steel and glass, and more brick and wood. "I live under the roof." He said, as he fished out his keys and unlocked the front door. "I hope you like stairs." He then added, and smiled discreetly. "The elevator's out of order." It felt almost like taking a date home, oddly enough. Not that there had been much physical chemistry between them, at least not something he had picked up on. Not besides his own inquisitive eyes that sometimes tended to get distracted pretty easily. That, luckily had presented no problem with her wearing a terrifyingly bright-colored thick coat.

A long and repetitive walk up the stairs. Rather narrow stairs, as well. A bit weathered and wooden, creaking here and there. Past the doors of each other apartment, a few sounds could be heard for a brief moment. A television screen. The buzzing sound of a vacuum cleaner. He smiled at the thought of the vacuum, and glanced back at Nova, while still climbing the stairs. "The lady helping me keep the place clean, is unfortunately sick these days; so there might be a bit of a mess." He mentioned calmly, right before finally reaching the door to his own apartment. Maybe it was just from polite habit. But he literally spent most nights of the year sleeping outdoors, in ship's cabins, tents, or aboard airplanes. And as a result his apartment was probably more of a comfortable study, than an actual place for people to live daily lives. He opened the door, stepped into the small entrance, and stepped aside to let her in. "Keep your shoes on, if you'd like; doesn't matter." He smiled and waved his hand in a careless gesture. He definitely wasn't a man greatly concerned with that sort of thing. Though, he removed his own hiking boots. "Just make yourself at home." He added, and closed the door after her. Locked it, and then preceded to remove his woolly coat and hang it on the rack in the small entrance. A simple entrance, only one way to go. Straight into the sizable living-room of his apartment. Three couches arranged in a semicircle around a large coffee table, all in front of a little fashionable fireplace, and facing with their backs to the entrance. Two large windows, each on either side of the mantelpiece. All of it surrounded by bookshelves brimming with odd literature, trinkets and personal items. Even glass-cabinets with some of the more curious archaeological finds or valuable things. Crowned by the slanted and solid wooden rooftop above. Ulric lead the way, and stepped down into the living-room. Demonstrating briefly with his hands as he spoke. "To the right, the kitchen and bathroom. To the left... a storeroom." He noted calmly, furling his brow a bit. He still hadn't moved all Mallobaude's stuff yet. Standing by the center couch, he took his time to methodically roll up the sleeves of his shirt; smiling discreetly to himself. Still aware of where she were around him. Actually, rather observant of her. Keeping his eyes on her as often as possible, without completely staring at her, of course. But not particularly shy about it either. Interested in keeping an eye on anyone or anything in his private space. Besides, she had his attention now. "So." He'd finished rolling up his sleeves. "Anything I can get you to drink, before we start digging up dirt?"

As soon as Nova gave her answer, Ulric disappeared for a short while. Going into the small kitchen to fix them both something to drink. In the living-room, or study, there was a small cabinet with liquor and alcohol. Well-hidden within a globe, actually. A gift from one of his students, in fact. It was a bit presumptuous, but he liked the charm about it. As well as slightly more exotic tobacco. But those kinds of refreshments were for other times than this. He emerged from the kitchen with a small copper tray. On it, was a glass jug with clear water. Small pieces of ice in it, and two glasses. Water, yeah. He had juice, lemonade, tea, coffee. But a nice cool drink of water was perhaps his most preferred drink. Clearing, refreshing, and natural. As nature intended it, so to speak. Nova might have been some sort of immortal semi-deity, but Ulric was very much mortal. "If you'd want anything but water, let me know." He calmly said with a smile, as he placed the tray on the large oval coffee table. As he took the jug and poured the two glasses, he looked up and followed her with his eyes. Noticing, of course, how her hand brushed his arm, and how she picked up one of the books on the table. "Hm.." He noted thoughtfully, and took his glass of water with him, as he started pacing behind one of the couches, looking at his many rows of curious books. Already looking for something that might have a little 'dirt' on Nova. "Around seventy-four years ago, when the Churchill City authorities first sponsored an archaeological dig of Fasthold; a great deal of precious artifacts were lost." He talked calmly, and still looked at the books, with his back to her. No idea about what she might be looking at. "I collect these things, hoping that... Maybe.. I'd be able to open up a small museum when I'm finally too old to go exploring, myself." He finished. halfway, he had realized he was heading in the direction of a longer tirade of words, and cut himself short with the most simple answer he could give her. Still a bit conscious about how much he had babbled in her company.

After having picked a book from the shelf, he briefly looked at her. Noticing how her attention had been drawn by a stone on another shelf. Curiosity got the best of him, and he slightly furrowed his brows, as he immediately picked up on the slightly sentimental tone of her voice. He silently nodded to her request. It was just a stone, as far as he was concerned. Interesting, surely, but not really of any significant archaeological value. A weight to hold the books upright, truly. Ulric put down his book on the coffee table, and took a sip of the water, all while keeping his eyes on her. Curious. He was about to ask her whether or not it had actually been hers, or whether or not she actually recognized it. But instead ended up smiled discreetly as she offered to restore it. How she might possibly do that, once again, peaked his curiosity. "By all means." He answered briefly, and put away the glass of water on the table. For a moment, then, he discreetly studied her outfit. Or perhaps just her. A rather... eccentric, outfit; if you asked him. Free-spirited, almost. Ulric could almost hear the various jewelries, necklaces, and armbands jingle with every step or movement she made. Certainly not the kind of outfit he often saw someone wear. Always jeans or tight-fitting tops. So boring. Most beautiful women seeming to wear such tight outfits, they might as well have been naked altogether. No mystery. No real concealment. No charm. But her dress did fit her, nonetheless. Even suited her. And what man didn't like such dresses on women? The way that the bottom of the dress swayed gracefully, following her every move with a slight delay. They way that the loose fabric fitted and fell around her body, revealing only slight curves and shapes, while keeping the rest hidden. Though her dress resembled something a preschool home-appliances teacher might be wearing, there was some kind of class to it, nonetheless. A woman with such taste in clothes would probably be surprised to see his own sparse collection of outfits.