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Chu had been paying attention to what was being said between Kyras and Imuri, that was until he grew bored with the games those two seemed to be playing. As he angled his serpentine head to take in the room, he set his chin in his palm and tapped the tip of his muzzle absently. He wasn't bored per se, merely unamused since Lin Ming had stopped singing, he found his thoughts drifting between his current task, the deaths in the palace and the strange weather they were having.
When Lin Ming started her tea ceremony Chu was attentive and relaxed his hands carefully, placing them in his lap as he watched. With perfect precision he took his cup when it was appropriate and sipped it delicately as he savored the taste. There had been far to few of times, in the first century of his life, that he could enjoy something that was perfected so well. He was impressed by the Shoto hostess. Howeve though he was more interest as to what gambit the Shoto, Imuri was no fool and it was hard for Chu to figure out the man's angle.
At the mention of gifts Chu's refrained from raising an eyebrow in surprise and suspicion, but when Azami tried to gracefully deny the gift. Chu tried not to look even more surprised, but his frill lifted ever so slightly against his will. He watched the pair respond to one another, back and forth. The Imuri was cool, confident and calculating, while Azami was full of fire and firm resolve. Chu had respectfor the warrior woman, how she fought so hard to keep things civil when she looked ready to fight.
He marhalled his features as he peered at the pair through half open eyelids. His eyes were like golden pools as he spoke. "Let us not forget what happened this night past and give silent thanks to those who remained loyal, fought with honor and gave their greatest gift so that others could live. Let their honorable sacrifices set tone of this meeting because despite foresight, wisdom and experiance. Enemies of the Empire and our Emperor, May he live forever, have taken from us what cannot be replaced and stand ready to strike where we least expect it. So let us remain civil and do what we can to stop it from happening again." His eyes open slowly as his frill rises and he looks from the Shoto to Azami. He was trying to be respectful as he was only a guest but he was very intereted in what the Shoto had planned.
"Forgive me Shoto-san if I spoke out of turn, I mean't no disrespect and do look forward to what you propose we do collectively. Instead of pursuing individual agendeas seperately."
He looked to Azami then and allowed the slightest hint of respect in his tone as he spoke. "In matters of warfare and strategy, I will respect your opinion and bow to your experiance since I am not a Samurai. Sadly though the direct route is not always the most sound, sometimes subtlety and guile allow us to get close to our enemies. So that we may return the honor they have so grievously bestowed upon us. However, your straightforward and honest nature is refreshing."
He finishes with Lin Ming, giving her a slight bow of his head in respect for the Courtier's talent and precision. "I have not seen such a perfect tea ceremony in a few decades, I am honored to have been graced with such a fine hostess." He takes a short sip of his tea for good measure before nodding respectfully to her again. He closed his eyes and sipped at the tea, savoring the ever changing flavor.
A minor Shoto functionary enters the tea house and bows low before delivering a message to Imuri.
Princess del Solarian is here, and has brough Shoto Asago with her.
Imuri nods with pleasure. Turning to the gathered group he bows slightly. It seems we are finally all here, he says. A brief glance at Azami makes his unspoken message clear, I was trying not to begin before all had arrived.
He turns to the Spider page, She must be shown in at once. Events hang on her presence this morning.
After the functionary leaves, he turns to Lin Ming. Please check with Sumuro that the gifts are in the order I specified. After greeting the gaijin princess, we will proceed.
After several more seconds, Imuri tilts his head, as if listening for the rustle of fine silk hundreds of paces away. Abruptly, he stands, turning toward the shoji screen door and preparing a flowery greeting.
The door opens to reveal Erudima standing tall in the entrance. She is clad in an elegant and flowing robe of modest but very refined cut (something not unlike this little number except the hood would be part of the cloak and have gold trim, and ALL of her chest would be covered), the cloth is entirely white and trimmed with gold, set off with a gold sash around her tiny waist. A solid gold sigil of Sarenrae is prominent, hanging off the sash, and her long braid of platinum hair winds out from under the hood.
Standing just behind the young princess, barely a step back and just over her left shoulder, is Shoto Asago. The Gift is also clad entirely in white and gold, with a small spray of silver threadwork at the shoulder depicting, in subtle tones, a group of spiders.
"Greetings, everyone. I apologize for being late, but there were matters to which I had to attend."
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Chu rises politely and bows his head respectfully to Erudima, quietly greeting her as he didn't wish to speak over their host. He kept his features marshalled as he recognized the social and political pattern that Eru and Asago are arrayed but he could not discern anymore from their subtle movements.
Tokine smiles and nods at Adviser Chujitsuna's word., and then further welcomes the distraction of the Princess' arrival to break the early tension of the gathering.
She gives the Princess a welcoming smile and bow from her position at the table.
Chu: You know that House del Solarian, of Mamban, controls the Wharf district in that city, and is very rich and powerful. They are comprised entirely of elves and place great value on civilization and peace.
The current matriarch of the house, the leader, is Valaniel del Qua del Solarian. You do not know her relationship with Eru.
No apology is necessary, Princess, says Imuri, bowing low. We in fact were just discussing the large number of items that present themselves to each of us today. We were quite content to wait for you, but this assembly has quite a bit to discuss.
Eru bows deeply. "Again, I am sorry. There is indeed much to discuss, I...I have much on my mind..." She trails off absently. Shoto Asago gently touches her elbow and the coltish elf gives a distracted smile and moves to take her seat. With Asago-san close behind she lightly steps over and sits down in one graceful and perfect maneuver, the product of years of noble upbringing. The ways of Mamban may be different from the ways of Lanzhu, but High breeding is High breeding, and certain manners and customs carry from culture to culture with nothing lost in translation; a certain grace is one of them.
"Please do begin. Rhon and the others...will not be joining us."
Kyras raises his eyebrow just a little. The body language between Erudima and Asago is the sort of thing that he would notice. While the subtleties of delicate insults and tea are more or less lost on him, that is the sort of bit of interaction that he feels quite comfortable gauging. He exchanges a quick look with Azami before returning to watching. This sort of thing isn't his strong suit.
Still chafing from Imuri's slight, as well as the Advisor's admonition, she greets Imuri's pointed unspoken message with a stony countenance. Why didn't he just SAY that they were waiting for someone else? Who else? Her thoughts turn to takes note of how her katana lies across her lap, how best to rise and draw at the same time...
The arrival of Erudima causes the hardness in her features to lessen, obviously not expecting the princess; her eyes cast down to the cup in her hands, and then back up as Asago steps into place behind Erudima. Azami's mouth twitches upward into an almost wry pleasantness to the princess as long-forgotten lessons resurface in her awareness.
At Kyras' look, a note of uncertainty draws that smile back to its straight line.
Eru takes several moments to savor the bouquet and liquor of her tea, then takes a single gentle sip. Pleasure is plain on her face. She opens her eyes and speaks. "I hear a great actor will be giving a reading tonight at the State Dinner, I should very much like to see that. Have any of you witnessed one of Toshiro-san's performances before?" The princess asks politely.
"I have. It is a joy to behold. You can imagine this news has struck in the hearts of the more junior of my acolytes." Tokikine lets that sit a few seconds. Rhon is in grave danger, this is a time of focus
"I have been tasked to contribute to a backdrop to his performance...well asked, but how does one pass up the opportunity? I have the staff assembling some likely pieces, but I also created something this morning, with a little help, that may be the perfect fit for his mono no aware performance. I hope it might be well received."
Azami nods her head to Erudima, using her cooling frustration with Imuri control her urge to interrupt again.
We are all breathless with anticipation for your performance, Tokine-san. It is my hope that if I am chosen to perform haiku before the presentation, I might be placed after you. After your display, I am certain no one will be paying attention to my meager effort. In this way, the assembly will also be awake and in a pleasant mood to receive your offering.
Imuri says this with an uncharacteristic wink, displaying the courtier's gift for poking fun at himself. As quickly, he withdraws from speaking about himself and nods to a servant at the far end of the room.
As is the custom I was describing earlier, my proud mother, daimyo of the Spider, has arranged a special set of gifts. It is the desire of the Shoto family to express friendship and gratitude in the wake of the last few days' events. I am as humbled by the opportunity as I am honored. I am a most terrible gift giver, and rather the shame of my parents when it comes to courtly behavior.
At this, a number of silk pillows are brought in and laid on the tatami mat near the door. Each pillow has a small box, reminiscent of a paper shoji screen, fitted to the pillow's borders. A few of the pillows are larger than others.
Imuri smiles pleasantly and bows very lightly. Before we proceed to the ceremony, shall we discuss what it is we have learned about our EMpire in the last two days, and learn how it is we can help one another?
She smiles warmly upon receiving her gift and bows to Immuri. She blushes slightly although the statement was in no way embarrassing, Oh.. the performance is done. It is ...well it might be the back panel for his performance. I will judge it with a fresh eye later."
With the notice that business is at hand, Tokine pulls the scroll tube from her sleeve and lays it upon the table. She pulls the Plum Blussom symbol cap off the tube. "If I may be allowed to start, for the first thing I need to say will affect how long we sit in deliberation." She slides the cap out on to the table showing the Plum Blossom symbol for all to see.
She looks up and down the table ensuring that she has everyone's attention. She settles on the Princess as she begins, "Two of Rhon's associates, Gwen and Naradil, arrived at my Temple this morning, dragging the soulless form of Rhon himself. They arrived through a secret passage beneath my temple that both them and I were unaware of. They had just fought their way out of what appears to be the Plum Blossom's stronghold beneath the city. They lost some members of their party down there, as well as Rhon's condition, means they plan to return later today for a rescue. I have volunteered my services. I would need to send word to ensure that they know I mean to join them."
Imuri bows lightly to Princess Eru. Of course, I have resources to assign in the recapture of your brave friends. If a capable fighter and excellent healer such as the Curator is committed to assisting you, we can share our information, decide on a course of events, and then see how strong a presence we can send.
He is quiet for another second, as if trying to find the money for a sorely desired impulse purchase. I am afraid I cannot pledge myself to this errand at this time. I will contact some associates and see if there are other rumored entrances to take advantage of. If nothing else, I can send a few Spider who will serve you loyally. And of course, you will have friends who know where you have gone and why.
He looks serious again. Business has been broached and the conversation seems to have shifted to something more pragmatic.
Erudima nods graciously. "I thank you all for your concern and offers of assistance, whatever thoughts or resources you send are welcome." She pulls a fan out of her sleeve and gracefully slides it open. The positioning of her arms is Shoto carriage, to be sure, and meant as a clear compliment to the House of her host, but her hand position and the placement of the fan at neck level is classic clan Sera form. Apparently Aki-chan also taught the young princess some lessons of actual value when she was forcing her to wear questionable clothes.
"I will certainly seek whatever assistance I can." she says, the fan moving gently, "Gwen and Naradil are great warriors, but they are Gorumites, and their bloodlust and overconfidence will be their undoing in this endeavor unless they are properly guided."
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Chu nodded to the Princess before he spoke quietly from where he was sitting despite the rain and pleasant sounds within the Tea Shop his voice carried well. He had been growing more disturbed as of late over wthe strange happenings occuring in the empure as of late. Knowing that there was a threat in the cities underworld, he couldn't tolerate knowing that a threat was right beneath their feet.
"After what I witnessed at the University, I too am commited to ensuring the security of the Empire, please consider my knowledge and understanding of the arcane at your service. Perhaps I can help your friend Rhon, I can't guarrantee anything but I can try to see what can be done for him. You need only ask and lucky for you I don't sleep much, so feel free to contact me day or night." He looks to Imuri and nods his head to their host, indicating the offer is not just for the Princess.
She pointedly ignores the pillows behind screens--too pointedly as to draw even more attention to them. They are discussing business, and that is the most important part. Azami glances at Kyras for a moment before turning her attention towards Erudima and Tokine, taking in Imuri and Chu in the same gaze.
"I, too, wish to offer my assistance to their intention to go back this evening, after the final presentation at Court. Before then, I have some inquiries to make that may add value."
Her tone hitches a bit into cautiousness. "There are some difficulties for me in this - I am sworn to protect Kyras, and the Emperor has already made his intention known that he will send us away after this evening; I believe he may have the means to do so whether we would wish it or not. The tasks set before us reach far beyond the Empire, could be meaningful to many nations, but also, more personally, to my family and to my cause. I do not wish to abandon them."
"There is also some reason to question where allegiances ultimately lie. I have no love for the Plum Blossom syndicate, nor anyone affiliated with them. To strike against them is a tempting thing - not only to save Rhon and others, but to avenge my former lord and master." Her hand unnecessarily moves to sweep back hair that is not in the way - a nervous gesture that obviously communicates that there is quite a bit left unsaid...or perhaps just speaking so personally unnerves her.
"Much of my decision depends on where your interests lie, Kyras." She turns back to him with a questionning look - uncertain how much to say when so much of the story belongs to him.
"Knowledge of these tunnels may be vital to know before tonight's dinner. Plum Blossom in the Palace. Another disruption of the Emporer's function. The face they seek to see him lose. It is all tied together. It is part of what bothered me so much, that such a passage existed under my temple...we can only assume other tunnels exist and have likely been used to infiltrate other localities throughout the city. The palace is an obvious target for such a network of secret tunnels."
Tokine taps her fingers on the scroll tube as she contemplates for a second. "I hold here, part of the WHY these attacks are occurring. I truly wish Rhon were here, as he seemed to understand some of the bigger picture here. She lifts the scroll tube and hold it in front of her. "That is what this is...literally...the bigger picture. What the Plum Blossom's are after is bigger than the city, bigger than the Empire and the Emperor, I dare say. It is likely why the West has suddenly arrived on our doorstep"
"I hesitate opening with this information as it can distract us from some of the details of these attacks, but perhaps knowing their goal will help fit the pieces together."
She pulls out three small drawings. They are stylized representations of landscapes with crude figures. What is striking of them, immediately obvious to anyone at the table are that the colors used in the drawings are vibrant and seem to lift from the page. And if anyone were called upon to name any of the individual colors, they would find themselves lacking the capacity to accurately describe the exact shades or hues.
"The first of these I discovered years ago in the ruins of an ancient city near Dambulla. I felt it to be quite unique until Rhon brought me this second one, just two days ago. He felt it safer with me, as he hinted that others would love to find it. Even now I am not sure if he was gifting me or setting me up, but he did seemed concerned for the piece, so I took it in for safe keeping."
She takes a moment to stare at the second drawing before turning it to show the others. "It was soon after that the attacks began.
She turns to Immuri and gives a small bow, "You helped me at the first attack. A brazen street attack upon Sifu San Pen and myself. Not understanding the nature of the attack, it was not until I returned to my temple and found it under assault, my acolytes attacked and poisoned, and these two pieces of art stolen. Gwen, Naradil, and Rhon other associates helped my defend the temple and retrieved the art. The thief had placed the art in this tube, with a Plum Blossom cap."
"There is a bit more to that story but it deviates from what I have to show you." She lifts up the third drawing. "This was delivered to me last night by Banad del Cova. Most here will remember he delivered news to us of art thefts elsewhere in the city. With no explanation of how or where he recovered the stolen piece."
She now arranged them three in a row. "Now why are these so important? why the attacks, the murders, the poisonings? These were made by the Telestari, an ancient race driven off by..well I will let you see, but I think they are the other piece of the puzzle behind what is going on here in the city. But the Telestari, in small evidence of these pieces of art were great workers of magic and knowledge. They are gone now, but I do not think they were all killed, more...they were driven off by the barbarity of ..our..ancestors. And by driven off, I do not mean they sailed across an ocean, I think...well Rhon thinks..that a door may have been created. Where that door is, or how to open it have been lost through time."
And here she looks up again at all those assembled. She had slowly built up a level of tension within herself as she laid out each of the steps that led her to this moment. Her face a bit wild with excitement, a look none her had seen her wear. "But, what if they left a map? Not an map as we would know it, but a map of arcane magic and wonder and beauty, for they were a graceful and peaceful culture."
"I believe all THIS, the attacks, the demons, the duplicates, the murders, all have their basis in opening the door to the world the Telestari fled too. Power, knowledge, wealth would be open to ones you found the door and sought to continue the persecution of the Telestari. "
"Now the Plum Blossom Syndicate has been active in this. The other player..." And here she pushes out the other scroll tube cap onto the table, it shows a crescent moon and seven stars. "...the Chan Dynasty. They wear bright blue robes and claim to be the actual descendants from the ancient dynasty and claim to have the interest of the Empire at heart. But as I will show you, their link to the Telestari is even stronger."
Tokine pauses to takes a sip of tea.
"Now I don't know what form the Door or Key may take, but I do know the form of the map."
"Friends, I present to you the Telestari map." She leans over the table and nudges the drawings on the left and right, each closer to the center drawing, until they touch. From her position, the colors from the Telestari drawings seem to dance and swirl on her face. With a look of almost rapture she steps back to real what she had discovered.
At first there is nothing. Then, after a few enormous and slow moments, a transformation begins.
Before your eyes, the frames of the paintings melt and move and merge. What were three become one; you are now looking at one giant painting. The scene moves and shifts. You are looking at the ocean, but it is not the ocean. A vast velvety blackness fills the canvases. Tall, thin figures clad in deepest blue, brightest crimson, most verdant green are on strange boats, floating at odd angles, dodging great, horrid tentacles. Something about the route they are taking, the weaving leaves traceries as they go past, there is a pattern there...
But it is gone. A hillside comes into view. It is summer, they are in the heart of the Land, the multi-colored denizens of the paintings. They are speaking with elves, the ones clad in green most prominent, and they tower over the fey creatures. There is music. You smell nightflowers and hear the call of birds. A dance begins. The brightly clad figures start the mesmerizing and powerfully fluid steps of the dance, and the elves do their best to join in.
There is a shout, and there is fire. Humans come in from the far left of the frame, all clad in blue, bearing the sign of the Crescent Moon banded by Seven Stars, the sign of the House of Chan, first emperor of Lanzhu.
The Uniter.
The painting shifts and the tall creatures that are clad in deepest blue are now fighting these other lapis-clothed humans, and it is brutal. Movements similar to the dance steps you just witnessed are embedded in the martial movements of these lethal and fluid warriors as they mow down an impossible number of interlopers.
The scene ends, and all the creatures who are clad in the bright colors gather, then move off the right side of the giant frame, and it all ends. A number appears: 1163. You are staring for a moment at the number, then simply the blood-soaked hillside. Then the frames slowly shift back to their normal proper shapes and positions, and you are once again looking at the paintings as they originally were.
You realize that all three of the "types" of tall creatures had their faces hidden; the tall blue ones wore bizarre masks like those worn by young fencers, the green ones had their mouths covered by fine cloth, and the red ones had their eyes hidden by a dark, bourqha-like mesh. All of this adds up and clicks in your heads; you have been watching the early history of the Telestari, those who were said to be the first travelers to the Explored Land, and its greatest warriors and magicians. They have also been extinct for over 2000 years.
Despite having seen this already last night at the palace, Chu and Imuri cannot help but again be moved by whatever magic powers these strange artifacts from another time.
Kyras, however, looks pained.
You wish you could tell if they were getting closer.
Eru turns ash-white. "I have seen this before." she says in a hushed and reverent voice. "Not this...this movement, but this artwork. My House has two pairs of paintings like these, and we know where the third is to each triptych, and are engaged in trying to purchase them! One is in the fair City of Arts, Manacapuru, which sits on the Mana river at the end of the falls. The other is in a...um...private collection."
After Eru's comments there is another tapping from behind of the screens/doors, and a servant delivers a note to Imuri, then bows and departs.
Lord Imuri,
Though I was not invited to your tea, I humbly ask you to consider allowing me to attend, as I am a friend of Tokine's. Indeed, she and I spoke yesterday, where she told me how much she was looking forward to this meeting. I am former royalty from the west, from the land of Iridian, if that helps ease my passage at all, and I come with gifts, as I have been led to understand is proper.
Your humble servant,
Baslav Meriko
Imuri allows one eyebrow to raise for a split second - probably an intentional 'slip' of his On. He raises his gaze from the flat rice paper to his guests, and then announces quietly. It appears another party would like to join us. As this is less a court hosted by the Spider and more a meeting of defenders of the Empire to share information and decide a course of action, I will ask you to decide whether this newcomer merits inclusion in our early discussion.
He claims his name is Baslav Mariko, and that he brought important information to our beloved Curator last night. He claims to be former royalty, though his name is too old, under normal circumstances, for him to have been so recently.
The Spider turns to Tokine, the silk of his kimono not rustling or wrinkling in the slightest. Will you vouch for this man, Curator-san, or shall we add him to our business after other conversation has been made?
"The man has a special quality about him." Tokine has a strange look about her as she says this, but it is a gentle expression. "He appeared and aided in a great time of need. He had proved to be of great value to me and my Temple. It does not surprise me that he somehow shows up at this meeting, and I would advise that we hear his council."
Kyras grits his teeth and speaks quietly to himself. "Let them come. I'm ready." He looks up, dedication and determination in his eyes. "Before this new guy gets in, let's see if I understand this. The Telestari are the original inhabitants of the Land, but have been extinct for a few thousand years, or at least fled to some other world. The Chan Dynasty and Plum Blossom Syndicate have both been trying to open the gate to this other world. Coincidentally, the Dragonflights arrive to threaten their way in, but with a pretty obvious interest in the Gate as well. Somehow, a five-bodied hellbeast, pretending to be Wong Tsai, is involved. My sister Bethany got mixed up in all of this when she went to Mount Shih looking for the Tomb of the First Emperor, and is now missing." His eyes flicker over to Shoto Imuri. "A number of the people looking for the Gate think that Bethany has knowledge of it, but she doesn't. The Kagawa family controlled Bethany's holdings, which is why the Plum Blossom Syndicate attacked them. Finding her is vital to our case, as the Emperor told me and Azami. He also explained that there are four Gates that we have to find, which I can only guess are the Gates to the Telestari. He said that they are called the Gates of Deception, Protection, Knowledge, and Destruction."
There are still a few details that Kyras is withholding, though what he has said thus far is all true.
The host turns and nods to the page, turning his tea cup a fraction of an inch as he does so. The young Spider servant bows deeply and leaves to detain the new arrival.
All that we have been told fits into your narrative, Kyras-san. But there is more. There are creatures from beyond our world that have taken interest. Not just the devils and demons, but also there are the mysterious hounds and whomever they serve. And, of course, if we are to work together in this matter, we must be fully honest with one another. What other light can you shed, apart from your summary, that we can discuss? Remember, we may still be pledging our lives and our service to a course of action - even today if we descend the maze below the city. You must make us aware of every detail - communication from your sister, legends from your people, clues left by the hounds, and more. Perhaps a comment from the fox spirit who once worked for your sister, and who then tried to kill you.
At this, he produces a small shuriken from the pockets of his kimono sleeves. He tosses it diagonally across the table toward Lin Ming, severing two of the strings of her instrument, which results in a metallic squeal and a hideous chord. Neither Imuri nor Lin Ming flinch, but the vibrations of the mismatched strings hangs in the air for a moment.
Without every part, the instrument will fail, and the work will be incomplete. We all know this.
"The Hounds of Tindalos... One of them tried to eat me two days ago when I discovered the statuette that was conveniently stolen from me last night, and now they've got my scent. I can hear them howling from time to time, but so long as we are in a place with corners and angles, they can pop out unannounced. Since that is pretty much everywhere, I've decided not to worry about it and simply deal with it when it comes up." Kyras regards the broken instrument for a few moments. "You're right, but I'm not the one who's been holding out. I know that Bethany and Vu were still working together, that Vu betrayed or was going to betray her to the Children of the Uniter, and that Bethany tried to have me captured so that I wouldn't get mixed up in all of this like she did. I know that Vu was going to meet her after kidnapping the Princess, but that she wasn't there because someone disguised as me took her. That is the same plan that you and I agreed upon. Do I have proof? Not a bit. Is Vu really a trustworthy source? Not even a little. However, I believe her when it comes to this, because she knew too many details."
He stops for a moment again, snapping his fingers and causing a little spark between them. "Look, it's time for a little trust between us. I know that there's more to this than you're telling me, and you know that there's more to this than I'm telling you. We don't really trust one another, and that's fine. But, we do trust Tokine. Here's what I propose: I tell her what I know about the Gates and the Hounds, and you tell her what you know about my sister. When she's satisfied, she tells everybody and we can go on being a nice happy family and actually accomplish something. I'm willing to set an oath to the matter, on the Emperor's trust in me, which Azami can vouch for."
Kyras is telling the truth with his explanation, but not quite the whole truth. Whatever detail he is leaving out, it would explain what the Hounds like to Kyras actually is. He is also being quite serious about his offer.
Shoto Imuri actually breaks his On. It might be intentional, to punctuate his reply. But there is a visible thinning of his lips, and that noticable effort not to roll his eyes.
I will remind you, Kyras-san, that not only are you a guest in a noble house, but you are an outsider to our culture. We settled this matter last night, when I reminded you that your "informant" was disloyal to your sister, and that she herself attempted to kill you. We settled this last night when you asked, and I told you I do not hold Bethany Erodel hostage. The question of trust should have been settled when I risked my life to find out who wanted to kidnap you and why. So now, with a gift waiting in the corner, and the man who risked death to uncover the plots against you, you choose to accuse him publically, again? You have no evidence for your claim, your source attempted to murder you, and for all we know, murdered your sister. Did she cower beneath you and tell some story to save her life? I will do no such thing. You will let this issue go and resolve to find your sister without making accusations against me or this house, much less while you sit under its roof and drink its tea.
Imuri allows the moment to hang in the air, but it is clear there is more coming.
Tell me, Azami-san, he says this without breaking his gaze. How long would I last in your homeland if I recklessly accused prominent families of lying, kidnapping, etc. How much tolerance would your people have for an outsider who makes brash accusations and attempts to control their way of life after a few days among them?
It is clear to anyone from Lanzhu that Imuri is incensed. Though his voice does not rise and his speech does not give way to mere epithets, he has that cold calmness of a courtier who will tolerate no more.
Tokine, Princess, I will not be insulted, nor will I allow my offer of alliance between my resources and yours to be tainted with some proposition that you are the arbiter of my worth. I trust you understand it is an inappropriate position Kyras-san places me into. I will keep my word about getting you help below the city, and I will do all I can to protect our way of life from those who seek to do us harm. If we ned travel to one of these ancient sites to piece together the puzzle, I will go with you myself if need be. But I will not continue to answer the same question every few hours while what the Shoto have already given goes unnoticed. I am trustworthy as a member of the Empire, whose family is known for loyalty, or I am an unworthy ally. These are the principles you decide on, Tokine-san. Your friends can use our help, or they cannot.
DRA:
Imuri will make an example of the barbarian if this escalates. He studies Kyras' movements. If he moves to attack, Imuri will quickdraw with an iai move and strike. This will likely not be necessary, but I wanted you to know Imuri is no longer flatfooted, and prepared for this to go sideways if the gaijin freaks out.
Everything the Curator says is like a tidal wave to Azami - so many things she does not understand. When she says the words Door or key Azami raises her brows and drinks from her teacup as Tokine starts to arrange the three paintings together.
She nearly chokes on that tea as the paintings begin to meld together and ...move. Her grey gaze is riveted to the piece, gleaming with fascination as the scenes come to life, until she realizes she is watching a history of a people die before her eyes.
Her brow furrows with concern as Kyras seems affected by the scene, gaze flickering between him and the paintings, only half listening to Erudima talk about other paintings that exist.
It seems that Tokine knows of the new guest that wishes to join them, so Azami does not voice her concerns that already too many other ears are privy to these conversations. Instead, she attends closely to the exchange between Imuri and Kyras.
After Kyras' proposal about confessions to Tokine (likely just a reason to whisper close to her ear. The man is incorrigible, really), Azami speaks up."What Kyras says about the Hounds and the Gates is true, according to what has been spoken to us from the Emperor himself. The Plum Blossom syndicate did slaughter my household in connection with Bethany Erodal, believing she had the key to this Gate. The Emperor believed that Bethany may know how to contact a Telestari, and was seeking the Lich Queen. And that there is something called a Great Confluence. I...I admit, I do not understand all of these things."
She takes a breath. "Separately, there is a threat contained in something my father has on a terrible island far from here - something about Tears of the Deathless and the last words of the Lightning God."
Azami cooly responds to Imuri, her own features hardening. "You would be disgraced, Imuri-san, and likely challenged - whether your accusations were true or false. Pride of family does not hinge on truth. You and I, both from merchant families, know this."
Just as stonily, she turns over a hand, palm up, glancing at its square, open shape before her gaze rises to Imuri's. "Imuri-san, I see a way to resolve this. We are missing the tale of your efforts to uncover the plot against Kyras. Please. Tell us what you risked life and limb to discover on our behalf. That may go far to explain these conflicts of information that pose a wall between trusting each other."
Tokine's usual smile fades a bit. "Yes there should be trust here. Twice Imuri and the Shoto have done me a great assistance in the past two days. They are above reproach here. I have more to tell as well, from last night, and would hear Imuri's tale as well, but we have a guest. Knowing him but briefly, I would not imagine he will stay long. Let his presence soothe the feelings here and we get back to our tales upon his departure.
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Chu sat quietly, taking in everything being said and the raw emotions he was seeing from those present. The comments about the great Confluence caught his attention and as he started to think of a response, the Curator saved him the trouble of speaking before his thoughts were aligned. Much was at risk here and one false step would cost him, and others, more then they had already given today.
As Kyras continued to target Imuri with well placed prods and the Shoto responded in kind to the gaijan's attempts with his own carefully said comments. Chu grew bored again, if this was his homeland the accuser would follow his words with a challenge and by the end of the hour there would only be one left alive and no one would dare question or accuse the victor. Hence why his kind were never active in the world of men, they were far to busy killing one another to care about the scaleless.
Having been forgotten in his corner by all except Azami had its uses. He fixed everyone with a slitted golden gaze, betraying nothing as his voice fell into the cold, emotionless, tones of his kind. "You were gracefully invited to the Shoto's house and while in his house you will show respect, you are guests here and until then proper etiquette is essential. If you have evidence of misconduct or betrayal then challenge him, but this endless prodding both boors and annoys me. Thankfully we are in Lanzhu and, unlike other nations, even challenges of honor have their place and time. Which is not now." He nods to Tokine as he continues. "I look forward to meeting this person you speak highly of and hope that they bring something of use to the table." He finishes his tea and leans forward, steepling his fingers as he returns to quietly watching but, unlike before, he would take a more active presence.
@Imuri:
As Chu's words hang in the air, there is a tap at the door, as per custom, and it is opened to reveal a gaijin, a silver-haired man in his fifties with excellent manner and upright bearing. He is dressed in understated finery after the fashion of men of the western coast, and his skin is tan and healthy. His gait is strong and regular, but he has a walking stick in his right hand. He carries a small bag and no visible weapons.
"Greetings, all of you. My name is Baslav Meriko. I am sorry, but I am not familiar with all the customs of this place, do I sit on a pillow? On the floor? I'm terribly, terribly sorry if I am being rude..." Shoto servants step flawlessly forward to assist the noble-looking fellow, gently guiding him to a comfortable spot and seeing to his wishes, asking what he'd like to drink. "It's...tea here, yes? I had the most lovely tea with a grand lady today, she had the most amazing shop. She made me a tea of pine and plum blossoms, stirred with a sliver of bamboo. It was...beyond reproach! So amazing. Where I'm from it's all coffee and klah. Which is fine, of course, I love a bracing cup of the ol' K, but for real refinement, there's nothing quite like tea. Ah me."
His eyes sparkle as he takes you each in, looking from one to the next. He stops on Tokine last and positively beams. "Ah. My dear Tokine. I did tell you, when we met yesterday, how proud your father would be of you, did I not? You are a credit to your kind. Have you prepared for your journey, yet? It's tonight, yes? Ah me. But I digress! I am sorry. Thank you, all of you, for letting me attend. Seeing you all here...all in one place...it...it does this old heart good, I'll tell you that. So! Carry on, or if you need me to be gone before you can continue, I'll just give you your gifts and be on my way. Don't wish to presume after all! Don't wish to presume."
Kyras watches the man and takes note of the slightly incongruous details, but keeps quiet. Verbal sparring with Shoto Imuri is equally grating for Kyras as it is for Imuri. He would much rather be at home, where men speak their mind and a good fight would settle things far easier. His muscles ache to lash out, and the magic of the Dragon tingles in his hands. In Warbane, there is no method or custom for dueling. One party simply attacked the other, and whoever is left standing at the end was the winner. He sizes up his opponent, fairly certain that he could take him down if it came to it; but that would likely put Azami in an awkward position. He settles his temper, but idly vows to somehow get Imuri to Warbane so that they could play by the rules of his people.
Inwardly, and more seriously, he is simply frustrated. Imuri having Bethany is the only scenario that makes sense (as much as anything makes sense with so many moving parts in play) to Kyras. Now that it's clear that her knowledge is important to their plans of saving the world, it's even more frustrating to Kyras to see Imuri dig his heels in and not give her up. Kyras will probably have to grit his teeth and apologize (again) for his strange foreign ways, then offer some face-saving way to get her without Imuri having to show any weakness. Ironically, that is what he intended to do with his last offer, but it likely shouldn't have been put in a way that would let him show weakness. Kyras, not being obsessed with honor and face-saving, could easily swallow his pride for the sake of his sister.
To hear someone speaking of klah in the same breath of a tea based on the Suihan Sanyou sounds remarkably disjointed, and yet this silver-haired man manages to connect them seamlessly. He seems to recognize them all, but she does not recognize him. She marks his reference to a journey - tonight - and his overly-familiar bearing causes her to speak up in spite of herself - and possibly out of turn, since this is Shoto's home. "Meriko-san, have we met before?"
It's frankly a relief to not be wasting time staring down Imuri anymore, although she resolves to request his story again if he does not supply it on his own.
Tokine smiles warmly upon seeing their guest.
"Baslav it is so good to see you again so soon. I have many questions for you, but for the sake of my companions, may I start out by asking, how did you come to be here? Oh, and introductions. We are guests here of Shoto Imuri, and the others are Princess Erudima del Fana del Solarian and her companion Shoto Asago, Advior Chujitsuna Kage, the Emeror's Loyal Shadow, Kyras Erodal of Warbane, and Azami Ito of the Emperor's Guard."
Ohhh, I so many questions for you Baslav....trips and my father indeed you old tease. Her smile takes on a more sly quality the longer she sits there.
Baslav's eyes twinkle as Tokine makes introductions. At first he nods politely to each of you, but then remembers where he is and starts bowing as she names names, or at least he tries. Unfortunately, while the spirit is willing, the flesh is, well, rather unpracticed, and the bows end up looking rather comical; more like a bird stretching its neck for a fish than a practiced courtier.
He turns to Azami. "Met? Us? Um....ah-heh...well, it's certainly possible, I suppose. I mean, I'm rather old, and I do tend to get around. I've been at sea awhile so I've been in all the ports. Are ye...my daughter?" He asks, and seems honestly interested, even though there is zero resemblance between the old Midlander and the redheaded warrior from Mamban.
Kyras smirks a little, the old man's strange ways dampening the tension. "Isn't that question usually supposed to be the other way around?"
Baslav chuckles at Kyras's remark and says. "Ye wouldn't know it to look at me now, but I was a charmer in my time. Quite possible I left behind a sprat or two I didn't know about somewhere in the south." He looks at Azami in mock horror. "I MEAN! Not that I don't love ye! Er. If you are my daughter that is."
Color creeps up unbidden to Azami's cheeks at this surprising exchange, flustered by the quick spiral of ridiculous leaps that have resulted in Baslav proclaiming fatherly love for her.
"Erm, err, n-no, you aren't my father." Shooting a glance to Kyras that says Don't encourage him, Azami turns towards Tokine for a redirect to important matters...and to rescue her from the attention.
Chuckling at the exchange, "But what brings you here, as it seems not to have been to proclaim any patrimony."
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As tensions wind down momentarily, Chu refrains from breathing a sigh of relief. This Baslav had swooped in and completely changed the atmosphere with only a few words, it was a thankful change and he didn't even use magic to do so. Chu couldn't help but feel this one needed to be watched, at least for as long as he needed to to make sure he was what he appeared to be.
As Tokine introduced him to the man, he politely bowed his head in response. Chu didn't know what rank Baslav held while within the Glorious lands of the Empire, but he wouldn't be rude until he knew more. As the conversation turned comical, with Azami's cheeks coloring at the sudden exchange, Chu set his muzzle delicately into his palm. He didn't smile, nor laugh, as Serpentfolk were unaccustomed to showing such emotion visibly. He merely continued watching, Tokine had already asked the question that danced upon his forked tongue and he was on edge to hear the answer.
"Heh. Ah-heh. Ohhh boy." Baslav's chuckles die down and he looks contemplatively at his tea. "I'm here to find the Uniter. He was my sworn enemy when I was alive, and now I have less than two months to find him. He has to stop his son, you see, who is trying to raise the Khoda, God of Lightning so he, in turn, will raise Kalaroth the Dragon God and plunge all the Land into another age of darkness, horror, slavery and death for all non-draconic races. Millennia of that stuff, just like before, before the Sacrifice of Zon-Kuthon. That's why I'm here, in the center of the land of worship of Shelyn. The Confluence is coming...I don't have much time." Baslav notices the Telestari paintings Tokine has out and says, as an aside, "Mm. Those things. You know you can't believe everything you see in them. Grain of salt and all that."
"So...yes. That's why I'm here. I need to find the Uniter. The first emperor Chan." Baslav takes a sip of his tea. "Seen him?"