Jolyon reached for his pocket watch and clicked it open. "I do hope that keeper remembers I said someone was going to meet me..." and he looked towards the main pathway just as they arrived. "Oh, excellent, excellent." He stood to greet them.

?Jesus Christ..,? whispered softly under her breath at the sight of Jolyon and all of his books and notes. She took a deep breath and worked up a smile, keeping her voice low as befits a library setting. ?Evening Jolyon.?

Mason couldn't help but chuckle as Jolyon stood up. ?Hey.?

"Evening, evening." He motioned to seats and started to pull some of the books closer. A flash of a sheepish smile, somewhat embarrassed by the wall of texts his gathered. A pointed look to Mason, "How are you feeling?" Then a nod to Eva, "Both of you."

Mason pulled a chair out for Eva. She took the offered seat, declining to answer Jolyon due to recent events, simply offering a nod to Mason with a quiet, ?Thank you.?

?Doing alright. You?? Mason shrugged out of his coat and sat down in the other chair. The peacoat across his lap. Reading upside down, Eva let her eyes skim over the texts Jolyon had selected.

Looking down at his books, mostly mythologies on tricksters, but there are a few on paintings, art work, and some criticisms of a book called The Portrait of Dorian Grey as well as the book itself. He glanced to the chair, he looked at them, and felt a bit lost. He rather liked to move while he was thinking, but, no, that would certainly not make them feel better if he were to do that. He sat, half on and half off the chair to be precise. "Doing well, thank you.

"Right then, won't be wasting your time, precious thing it is, damn nuisance, too, which is partly why I asked you to meet me here. So, right, how much do you want to know or shall I cut right to my current theories and see if you can help me refine or toss them out, what?" A shuffle of a few notes one way and then another.

Mason glanced at the spread of papers and books before looking to Jolyon again. He glanced at Eva. ?Uhmm..,? then back to Jolyon. ?Why don't we go with current theories??

Eva remained quiet, her eyes moving between the two. She leaned forward, unzipping her leather jacket and then leaning left and right before sliding it off. A quick drape over the back of her chair, and her attention was back on Jolyon, hand extended beneath the table towards Mason, searching for his.

A nod, he flipped a notebook page one way and then the other. There were a few theories. It was difficult to decide which one. "Right then, so first, the whole premise of the Muse. I must ask, has this Muse worked with other mediums than paintings? Words, poetry, dance?"

Mason found Eva's hand, thankfully before he had to answer the question. ?Paintings. All I know are paintings. I haven't seen anything else.?

"Hmm, so I thought. Well then, that completely tosses out any relationship or ties to the Greek or Roman Muses. Excellent, getting somewhere now, aren't we? So, Muse is an affectation or one that I have yet to find any information on, which is not exactly unexpected in this world, but..." realizing he is rambling, he gets back on topic. "So, it comes down to this. I need more time, your time is unknown, and we need to buy more. Here is my theory. The Muse works with paintings, effecting others -- are you familiar with the story the Portrait of Dorian Gray?"

Mason nodded slowly. ?It's been a while. Read it as a kid.?

?Something about a guy who never wants to grow old, right?? Reaching back to her own high school education, Eva frowned, looking at Jolyon. ?The painting ages for him??

"Among other things. It takes the vices, the harms he does to himself and to others and all show on the painting while he stays young, healthy, and impervious." An uncertain wobble of his head. "Of course when the painting is destroyed it all comes back upon him. However, this theory is based on the premise only. If we could in some way divert the Muse's effect upon you by creating a counterfeit. I have no idea if it would work."

Mason started to frown slightly. ?The things that are in her paintings happened.?

Eva nodded in agreement with Mason. ?I feel like... like it's inverted... like... the things that happen in the painting happen... in... in real life...?? A look towards Mason... does she have that right? Mason nodded to Eva. He agreed with what she was saying and he didn't mind her speaking freely.

At Mason's frown, he halted his explanation of why he thinks it might work. "Even the Red Riding Hood one? I found that actually rather cryptic myself. Several explanations for it. Then again, if I understand correctly the painter was only inspired by a Muse and could have no relationship at all to the matter at hand." There was no allegation or seeking of explanation. He flipped a page in his notebook, ready to dismiss it and move to the next theory.

His eyes widened at hearing Jolyon. ?What??

Eva looked at Jolyon for a long time, then glanced towards Mason, before looking back. ?Jolyon... have you been sleeping??

"As needed," which was the truth given plain and honestly.

?Excuse me.? Mason gave Eva's hand a squeeze before he let go and got up from his chair. He walked off, in search of a bathroom before he threw-up.

Eva's brow furrowed as she watched Mason, frowning, then lowered her head and pushed a hand through her hair. ?It's a lot... for him.?

"I am sorry, Eva, I truly am. I wish there was more I could do than bring more trouble to your doorstep." Rubbing his mouth with an ink stained hand, he looked over his notes again.

?No... Jolyon... neither of us think that.? Her eyes held on him as he looked at his notes. ?Even if there are no answers... maybe we could at least... you know... start asking the right questions.?

"Time. Time, time, time..." He drew out his pocketwatch and slammed it on the table. "I need more of it. Rena and I spoke earlier this week. Beyond the thoughts of tricksters -- which I think this so called Muse is for no Muse or like Muse I have read has a vindictive nature such as this one -- I need to get more time and the only way I can think to do that is somehow divert the effect to something harmless. I just...can't find anything else. Of course, the heart of my questions are why Mason?" The ramble stopped and he inhaled and held it. It was to dangerous to breath out for a moment lest he say something else. It was time for thoughtfulness, not spouting theories. Eventually, the breath is slowly released.

Eva's brow furrowed. ?There will be enough time. There will. We just need to do whatever it is. We need to start. But there will be enough time for whatever we do.? Trying to convince herself of it, as she looked at him intently.

When Mason returned he was flushed. One hand was clenched into a fist at his side. Most likely to prevent him from rubbing at his chest. He glanced at them both as he took his seat again. He had caught just what Eva was saying on his return.

"Yes, of course. You're right." Jolyon was trying to convince himself as well.

?There are some things you don't know, Jolyon,? Mason quietly began.

Eva looked up at Mason. There was no possible world in which she could smile at Mason right now, but her eyes looked to him with the support she offered, hand reaching up for him, if he was ready. His hand was cold and clammy but he needed her touch. Her hand was taken as soon as it was offered.

A slow nod to Mason. That much he had gathered, but still he would not ask. The man may not be ready to share, but Jolyon watched him openly.

He took a breath. ?She has...she can pull us out of the paintings. To do her bidding. I was...originally I was sent to hunt someone for her.? Mason was staring at the scribble of notes again.

Eva let Mason offer what he was prepared to offer, falling quiet, letting the men speak.

Jolyon sat back once more, elbow on the arm of the chair and his inky left hand moving back and forth over his mouth as he took in the information to store in his mind and not on paper. Some things were not meant to be indelible.

?Something is different though. These others she pulls out, they aren't flesh and blood. They are paint. The look alive but they aren't. They are sh*t hard to kill. Eva and I managed to kill one a few days ago. It wasn't easy and we were able to do it by breaking his stick.? He realized how crazy all of this sounded.

A slow nod, he took it in, all the information he could grasp. It was imagined, pictured in his mind's eye, analyzed, turned about, reached back to and he slowly spoke. "You were a painting come to life given flesh and blood?" The question Jolyon asked was devoid of skepticism, pure desire to understand.

Mason?s jaw ticked again. One of his fears. Mason looked at Jolyon to see what he would make of it. Eva?s hand shifted in Mason's, fingers weaving with his, a reminder that she was there. Her eyes held on Jolyon

He pieced it together with what Mason had said before. His rebirth. Yes, that, of course, there's the tie there. And there's Lirssa. He looked to Mason and tried to reassure him. "I would say a good bit of luck you had there. I am not exactly sure what is going on with Lirssa, but I have a feeling things could have been much worse. Would you like me to speak with her?"

?I just...I didn't mean to hurt her. I'm worried about her. The touches...they can really f*ck you up.? Mason squeezed Eva's hand.

"I understand," a sober nod. "She is usually out at the duels, and I will look for her there. I know of one of the foster homes, and I will see if they might know where she is as well. I am sure she is fine, Mason. The girl is one tough thing." Trying to reassure the man.

He nodded but he was still worried about the girl. That reminded him of something else. ?I know another that they painted that is still alive. This woman, Blue. She's..,? he looked at Eva as he tried to find a way to describe Blue.

She took a breath, looking from Mason to Jolyon. ?She has a shy, quiet, but sweet nature. Friendly with Eless and many others at the inn. I haven't seen her or her girlfriend for some time.

A thoughtful nod, head bobbed like a cork on a lake. "Could there be others do you think? Would the Muse have a reason to?"

Mason added. ?She's kind of crazy. Like...she isn't in touch with reality.? Would he wind up like that? That question left unasked. ?I think she was a mistake. I don't think she was supposed to survive.?

A shaky breath inhaled then released, eyes shifting down to the notes and books on the table.

"Then perhaps before the painted ones you have fought. The error." Did that mean there might be doubt in the Muse? A slow shake of his head, no he would not start second guessing. "Tell me then, Mason, this painting she made, this rebirth into a form she could control, you broke from it and she is harming you or is the harm in and of itself part of that rebirth?"

He looked at Eva and let go of her hand. His hands went to open his flannel shirt and roll up the thermal shirt beneath it. On his chest was a tattoo. Black tribal rendering of a wolf symbol over his heart. ?I didn't have this when I died. She put it on..in me.?

Eva was quiet, letting Mason offer what he was willing to offer. Her shoulder moved suddenly, a brief flinch of her brow, but still she said nothing.

"By the..." Jolyon looked hard upon it, studying the lines, the work, mind shuffling through symbols he had studied. "So, there you are, damn tricky thing. The mark. The ownership. It's..." he paused and curbed his enthusiasm. Briefly and intensely reminded why he did so poorly in society. A more sober nod, he cleared his throat. He looked to Mason with both brows raised to question if there was more he might need to know. The night had been enlightening so far and his mind was afire with new avenues of research to find the answers.

Ownership. That word cut deep because of the truth of it. He tried to push that thought aside. ?When she is too near, I can't move...she can make me move. Like a f*cking puppet.?

The temptation to reassert his proposal too near, too fixed in his mind, he rubbed his hands hard over the scruff of his cheek. "I ask you, are you certain you think trying to construct a counterfeit painting of you will not work? Perhaps a mage and artists, surely in this varied place of people there is a mage who is also an artist could draw you....paint you... imbue the work as in the Golden Key to divert if not all, nor likely would it break a sealed construct," he winced at his own words, "to lessen the effect the Muse carries?"

Eva looked from Jolyon to Mason, a deep frown furrowing her brow::

?You want me to let some mage paint me into another portrait?? That is how he heard what Jolyon had said. His body tense. The muscles straining to keep him from bolting out of his chair and out the door.

He saw the tension in the man, heard the reasonable doubt and skepticism in letting someone else grasp a part of him, but he nodded. "Yes. The symbolic part of you." A nod to where the tattoo rested. "I know it is a great deal to ask, and I will only ask it once. The decision you speak will set it aside forever. I will find other ways," damn determined to, "but it will take time."

?Joly...I don't know. I don't know if it will work and I don't know if I could do it. You don't know what it's like...? He took a slow breath.

Eva looked at Jolyon, a plead for understanding, her eyes on his face. She wouldn't push Mason into this. She'd just got him to even talk to Lucien about it.

"No, you are right. I don't know what it is like, but I do understand. You have told me a great deal, and I respect how difficult that must have been. But each bit helps me that more to help you. I will not pursue that possibility any longer. I will," he smiled and repeated, "I will find something else."

Mason sighed and spoke a quiet aside to Eva, ?I'm sorry.?

She looked over at Mason, a gentle squeeze of his hand. She smiled softly and shook her head. ?Nothing to be sorry for.?

It was one of those nods. The kind that said Okay, but really meant that he still thought there was something to be sorry for.

Jolyon selected a few of the books that still had pertinent information. "Who all knows of this? It would help me think out possibilities if I had others to confer with. Rena knows some at least I should think, considering her interest in acquiring that painting. I will refrain from telling Lirssa, but I would recommend you keep your distance from her in light of the past encounter." He realized it might have sounded like a warning, and he hastened to add a smile.

She kept her eyes on Mason a moment longer, trying to reassure, before finally looking towards Jolyon.

Mason looked across at Jolyon when he warned him off of Lirssa. ?Yeah. Uhmm. Rena knows some, Eless. Blue and Mac. I haven't talked to many about it.?

"Eless does? That is good fortune. Excellent, excellent, though I do not see her much, yes that will be helpful, both she and Rena, as I lack any practical understanding of magic at all." With a sigh soaked with regret, he looked to the couple. "I fear after all this time, I have not much more to offer you. The other theories are without merit in light of the information, but I do have direction now. I will keep working on it."

?I don't want you getting sick over this, Jolyon. You need to sleep sometimes.?

Eva took a breath, looked at Mason, then back at Jolyon. ?I... I hadn't realized...? She glanced at Mason again, abandoning that approach, and then looked back to Jolyon and quietly said, ?Thank you.?

"Oh, no, I will sleep. I am just grateful you have not given up on me." The disappointment of his other dismissal sent a tremor through him, but it only slightly diminished the smile.

?No,? Mason was quick to answer, ?I..we appreciate it. More than I can say. But, as your friend...? He shrugged. He looked at Eva. Nodding again when she thanked Jolyon.

?I am no use to you dead, Mason. I will keep myself in good enough health. Thank you both for meeting with me. I do realize it was a little short notice, but I wanted to share something with you before the harvest took up more of my time in the coming days."

Eva got to her feet, and reached across the table, her entire body leaning across the sea of books and notes, to gently set her free hand down on his shoulder. ?Try to enjoy the season, Jolyon.?

Mason fidgeted with his coat. He was in need of fresh air. He stood up and put on his coat as he watched Eva and Jolyon. He started to reach his hand across for a shake but stopped himself. Second guessing himself. The hand got shoved into a pocket. ?Yes...I hope you have a good harvest.?

At the touch of friendship, Jolyon smiled and nodded. "I will. I know it may be difficult, but I do hope you both might attend the harvest party at the vineyard. And you both are always welcome to visit if you need days of fresher air." A lopsided smile. "I have a few more things I want to find here. I wish you both the best."

Eva nodded with a soft smile, then turned to retrieve her jacket, pulling it on, and stepping beside Mason, hand extended towards his once more.

?Thanks, Joly. Appreciate that.? He did take Eva's hand. Fingers weaving with hers. ?Don't stay too late.?

A nod in reply, Jolyon moved down the lane of shelves.