[Milestone2] The Answer (Knowledge is Power only when Used)

Mephostopheles and Faustus were not alone when the two joined the Oneiroi. They had brought along with them the Shades who had not only named these two cats of divine lineage, but had guided them in many facets of life. The two were still fairly young and the trio of leaders happily welcomed them at the time to learn more with the Oneiroi, who constantly sought knowledge. 

Faustus, the smaller of the two, had been the first to approach a different trio, that being Thanatos, Eris, and Hypnos. Those three were about their age, and they were the firstborn children of the Oneiroi’s leaders, but they had a distance from their parents. Mephostopheles was not far behind in his own approach to them, but he trusted Faustus to lead the way.

Eris was wary of Faustus, at first, though she did not shy away. Instead, she responded with a fierce bluntness questioning their intent that only seemed to amuse Faustus. “My intent is the same as yours,” Faustus had spoken then, though that only caused Eris to further bristle at their presumption of similarity along with their vagueness.

Thanatos, ever thoughtful, studied Faustus. “And what intent do you believe that to be?” they inquired, gaze ever curious, if slightly cold. Vague answers were the sort that Thanatos had grown tired of.

Hypnos shared a quiet glance of understanding towards Thanatos, and though he remained quiet, patient enough to await an answer, there was a silent understanding among the three firstborn that they would mutually agree with Eris should the answer prove unsatisfactory.

Faustus had let out an amused purr. “Why, our purpose is to gain knowledge, and then use it.” And even Eris had been struck silent by the words. They seemed innocent, and yet that had been the answer they had been searching for all this time, this trio of littermates.

Mephostopheles prowled closer then, and his tall, long form perhaps would have been intimidating if not for the enthrallment the three had been captured in. “We had heard from a Shade that travels about your questions,” he murmured, tone softer than one would expect from the long-limbed cat.

“We have brought many a Shade with us, and they would be happy to guide you as they have guided us,” Mephostopheles offered, words warm and gaze steely with promise.

That night, Mephostopheles introduced them to the Shades in the Dreaming that had taught and guided the both of them, Faustus standing proudly by his side.

After all, their purpose was indeed to gain knowledge and use it. And as it happened, learning of the opportunity that was these three cats was quite the lucky knowledge indeed, at least for Faustus and Mephostopheles.

And perhaps for Eris, Thanatos, and Hypnos, as well. They had gotten so many answers, and they finally found a purpose for their knowledge… After all, was knowledge truly power if one did not use that power?

So the Council of the Kindly Ones began then, with the simple answer of a question.