Sigil: The City of Doors

''I know a future'' they replied ''One that was already changed but perhaps not prevented. I must remain vigilant to make sure it does not come to pass.''

The flayer's visage was still but their tentacles ondulated slowly

''I am the only one who remembers this future, as far as I know, for the others chose to forget or where made to.'' they paused ''Still, it would be a pleasant surprise to find other rogues like myself''

"Huh?" The pressure eased off. "Well that was different."

It never dawned on him that L'Orr was the reason for the pressure. He seemed to brush it off as sudden onset tinnitus or something.

"Wait a second, you mean you already know your fate? That's rough, you have my sympathies. And here I was hoping to see more Illithid's promoting freedom across the planes." He sighed, "Oh well."

Another sip of beer.

"Maybe in the future I'll give the Free League some more thought. At the moment I'm just, unsure. I want to stay by Akh's side. I enjoy helping her with her Dustmen duties. Even if I don't wish to become a Dustman. As an unaffiliated I even get paid for what help I can provide."

The illithid took notice of the pressure they had been putting on their interlocutor and released it

''My apologies, I thought I heard something...different.''

They seemed to relax almost by sheer will

''My story is not one to be told: A future has been written but I will not see it be. It is your story you should be focusing on...while I may not made the best sell of the Free League, I still think you would fit right in and I cannot see any problems it could cause you''

Cyprian found himself massaging his temple for some reason.

"Just a jest, but I suppose one must assume that..." the massage doesn't seem to help, "...my it's suddenly become harder to think. What was I saying?"

He blinks.

"Something about ripples, multiverses, and Illithids. Was I crafting a joke? Or was I working on the title for your biography? Hmmm."

''Contentment will not preserve this status quo, ser Cyprian.'' the illithid frowned ''Perhaps I erred in approaching the cosmic aspect first, though it is the most important one to my own interests. Perhaps it is also a misunderstanding of how freedom manifests or what freedom truly is. As for the personal reason...I am unsure on how membership in the free league would affect you.''

The rest of the bard's words had L'Orr-hui focus their entire mind on him, bringing with it a sort of uncomfortable mental pressure

''What did you mean by the universe not agreeing much longer?''

"Because I am much too content with the status quo." He took another sip. "But really for personal reasons."

He smiles absently at the absurdity of Sigil.

"I am strangely delighted that one of freedom's greatest champions is a mind flayer. The originality of the tale is worthy of all the multiverse. But if what you've said is true it may be that the multiverse won't agree for much longer."

He raises his beer in salute to L'or.

"I wonder if I shouldn't pen your biography before that happens?" He leans on one arm thoughtfully.

The illithid tilted their head

''In Sigil you are lead to taking one regardless'' they replied at first ''But why do you say so?''

For some time Cyprian was quiet. These revelations gave him much to think on and he'd at some point acquired a beer to nurse in his contemplation. Independence was the one hold up for him. If one ties themselves to the Free League, but also to a Dustman, what might be the result of a conflict between the two? Could he bear to become a traitor to one to support the other? Perhaps once he could have. But this is a new home filled with wonderous new ideas, and also dangers. Walking between the factions as an unaffiliated indep might prove a precarious waltz. But then again he is a most dexterous acrobat.

"Hmmm," he cleared his throat at last. "Well, it pains me to say it but as I am I don't feel comfortable in adopting that cosmic stance." He sighed. "Perhaps in another life, or should circumstances change." He took another sip of his barley brew. Privately wishing it was blood instead.

"Hmmm,"

"Yes," Cyprian thought aloud. "For years such occurrences have been gossiped about by towns people, travelers, far-flung tales in iambic-pentameter." For some reason that explanation was satisfying for Cyprian.

"That... helps." He nodded. "I never would have imagined how malleable the universe is."