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Fudou the Mountain	There is cleanup yet to do. People yet to return to their homes. Dead that have yet to be properly cared for and buried...but that hasn't stopped celebrations from happening! Indeed, citizens both above and below are engaged in an atmosphere of festivities and celebratory cheer in light of their preservation and survival in the face of what certainly could have been a disaster unlike anything they have faced before. Street parties, music, dance and the simple things of people mingling and interacting with each other in the aftermath of having dodged catastrophe, is the mood of the moment and it is in this atmosphere that one can find a certain gigantic man of south eastern origins...and 'unholy' power. While not exactly stand-offish, Fudou has largely stayed away from larger throngs of citizens. He's greeted any who approached him but, despite his very visible actions to preserve the city, fear of the Moon-Mad isn't something that just 'goes away'. His actions have to be reconciled with many of their long held beliefs and he's not ignorant that such things are not simply undone in one day. So following his conversation with Grave Saint deep in the streets of the city, he's returned to the walls where large rubble is still being removed and cleaned up...and perched upon a large fallen boulder to keep watch over the events from afar while considering his next moves.
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	The party had been ongoing, even as the spirits of the dead quietly returned to their realm for their own celebrations (though the need for a catapult from the shops was a bit of an odd request). In turn, the throng of zombies that had aided Fudou had been sent to stand in ranks before the wall, in silent defense against Shenanigans from Jormus and his survivors (just in case). Still, one would expect a victorious general to revel with his men, hoist a tankard and celebrate. Instead, Fudou saw the familiar shape of Ashes' armor passing through the rubble - approaching him, without so much as a by-your-leave. He stopped, some distance away, standing in silence, save for the hiss of steam escaping his joints now and again. His staff was slung over his shoulder, rather than in his hand - no obvious threat, beyond his ominous silhouette. After the better part of a moment - he nodded, politely. "...is this a poor time to speak?"
Fudou the Mountain	Fudou cranes his attention into the direction of the approaching Deathknight, raising an eyebrow towads him as he draws near and simply waiting and allowing the moment of silence to pass with some patience and idle curiousity. When the general actually speaks, the giant lunar lifts a massive hand up in casual gesture....as if beckoning the Abyssal to come closer. "...You did well!" he declares, deep bass voice rumbling out with confidence. "...I knew I something of you when I led you to that wyld-touched bear in order to slay it. I saw you made good use of it in the aftermath of that as well..." His other hand sweeps down to the other side of his boulder perch, retrieving a massive jug filled with some form of local alchohol. He slowhes it about a few times before lifting it to his mouht...pausing only long enough to add, "..You are welcome to stay and talk, of course. I'm in no particular hurry to go anywhere."
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	Another long pause - then a quiet huff, another brief hiss of steam escaping from the neck-vents. Ashes approached, folding his arms with a heavy 'clank' - staying silent for another few moments. The cloak of wyld bear-hide billowed in the warm breeze, the pyres of dead icewalkers still burning some distance away. An ancient lesson in that, perhaps. This is defeat - avoid it. "I owe you thanks." came a blunt rumble. "And an apology. I ought to have been more diplomatic, before. Your arrival was timely, as was your aid, regardless. Thank you."
Fudou the Mountain	The immense lunar begins taking a long drink as Ashes starts speaking and then pulls the jug from his mouth with an audible *pop* as the general continues. He looks towards him, expression seemingly neutral at first as he allows the pondreous silence to begin once again and then to linger on and then on for a heavy beat. Then Fudou smiles slightly, a lopsided sort of smile as his eyes narrow just a touch...and he nods his head. "You are welcome, of course." he rumbles, "..But I must be honest and transparent. I was not entirely acting at my best...and while I confess I'm not accustomed to being ignored or spoken to as I was... I also very clearly asked for it and deserved it. Hindsight breeds wisdom. My actions and those of my bond mate towards me both before I met you and after...created complications that could have been avoided. It took others to set me straight. Perhaps some lives could have been spared or the battle gone differently had I simply taken a different tact. The fault is not yours."
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	Ashes shrugged with a clank, lowering his arms, and gestured towards Fudou. "It needed to be said." There was a sincerity in his metallic rasp. A firm belief in his words, in the necessity thereof. That he meant what he said and he said what he meant. "Your bond mate - that would be the blackened jewel. One of the Abyssal Exalted present, I presume - that would explain the earlier enthusiasm, and your appearance on the walls." He canted his helmet slightly, the ghostflame in the visor swirling. "...I have heard of such things, but never encountered it. Does it truly drive such..." A pause, searching for a word. Desperation wasn't the right one, perhaps- "...fervor? Such passionate action?"
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	There wasn't a judgment in his words. More a genuine curiosity. This was from the other side of the equation, and lacking the baggage Grave Saint might have had.
Fudou the Mountain	Fudou studies the Deathknight now, eyes hooding in thought and careful consideration before he looks away, seemingly becoming more reflective...quieting as he searches his own thoughts for a moment. Finally he rumbles, "It did to me. Because of the circumstances. I had been...taught...that the circumstances of the bond are between Solars and Lunars... the Sun. The Moon. I had created my own sense of expectations of what that might mean for me...especially given the return of the Solars in such numbers to Creation. I had never considered the possiblity that ...one of your kind would end up being my bond-mate. I had...concepts of what Deathknights were all about. What we'd witnessed in Thorns...and related things. This shattered that." After a pause he considers matters and then says, "Grave Saint...and I did not care for one another. We felt the bond but didn't acknowledge it. She even threatened, once, to have me killed. To have a Wyld Hunt set upon me. I threatened her back of course.." Fudou grins a little at that, amost nostalgic and then says, "..Which should explain to you why I wasn't exactly torn up by your own threat. I've been threatened by your kind before. Had the pressure of your fury fall upon my mind. Quite troubling! Took all of my will to push back and return the favor..." He makes an idle gesture. "Anyway... It was that and more that was creating turmoil in me when I came to you and that was exagerrated by Grave Saint refusing to see me, fearing for her own safety. Later this was compounded by memories of past lives returning to us both. I saw things that both...fascinated me and also highly disturbed me. I didn't know what to do." Fudou quiets once more and then nods his head to himself, "Perhaps if you find your mate it will be a Lunar more receptive to you then I was to mine. I still have much to learn...."
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	Silence from Ashes, as he contemplated. This begged questions, so many questions. The Solars and the Lunars were bonded? The bond could reach from Lunars to Abyssals? Then - what made that of the Abyssals? What was the connection? History clouded once again, mists both of time and effort occluding truth. Another quiet hiss of steam, and he leaned on a nearby pile of rubble. Body language contemplative, if understanding. "...a thorny issue, and one not easily solved by brute force. By your own words, you addressed it with greater care than I might." Admitting without shame. He was aware he was a blunt instrument, in his own fashion - put him on a battlefield, and he was brilliant, but interpersonal relations... "Mm. There is much I needs must learn, as well." Shaking his head, looking back to Fudou. "...a curiosity, if you'd indulge me. What do the Lunars teach of that bond - and the fall of the First Age, the fall of the Solar Exalted and rise of the Shogunate?"
Fudou the Mountain	" had friends who helped me handle it. One was named Rishi. She was here in residence while this was going on. She's a dear companion who helped me understand some things. Then I had time to brood ...and I observed your actions... the actions of The Envoy...of the city...readying for war. I watched as you marched into the wilderness. Saw the citizens readying themselves. Learned more of Potentate's intentions and his own failings... I take no credit for how I acted. It was others that helped me come to the right actions to take...even if some motivations remained selfish.." That siad, the massive lunar considers the rest of Ashes questions and he turns to look at him again, studying his body language and thinking on his words. "..I can guess at what you may be thinking and I have had the same thoughts. What relation is there between teh Deathknights and the Lawgivers if the Lunar bond can be equally and deeply attached to both? It raises ...thoughts..." Fudou quiets once again and then says, "As to your question... Imagine, for moment, being tied both politically...and by spirit and soul...to another. Twin aspects of...ancient glory. Then imagine that being pulled from you. Ripped. Slaughtered. Betrayed..." Fudous' voice darkens as he looks away once again, staring beyond the battered walls towards the burning fires as he rumbles, "...The mass death of your partners.. The murder of your fellows. What would you be left with? The need to survive - and the fuel for that survival: Rage. Rage and vengeance that seeks to deny, destroy and trample over the force that represents the source of that outrage. I would say to you that there are luminaires who remember the end of The First Age...who would crash upon the Shogunate, the Dragon Blood and all they have built and tear it and bur it to the ground and shed no tear for the sea of blood they'd leave in their wake."
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	A quiet hum, at that. One of a measure of understanding - something he'd achieved a long time ago, but now, hearing it from a Lunar themselves? Ashes contemplated, for a long few moments - then gave a quiet, mirthless chuckle. "...you're aware of what myself and my kind are ordained to do, yes? Our purpose, set forth by the Neverborn - to give Creation that gentle push over the edge into Oblivion?" Another gentle shake of his visor, as he folded his arms. "...not for the first time, I have had the same thought. What need does Creation have for us, when powers like the Dragonblooded and the Lunars make war with wonders of a fallen age, and with each step more and more is lost and destroyed. Those luminaries are as much contributors to entropy as we are, I think."
Fudou the Mountain	"Because they are trapped in the nightmare of their past and unable to come to terms with the world as it is today. Make no mistake, I believe The REalm and The Immaculate Order as it stands must be dismantled for us to move forward in any way.... and also that while many Lunars despire The Realm, THe Order..the Hunt..and make war against them all - they do not all lump every single Dragonblood into the same category. Merely...that there is an undrestanding that for change to happen - violence and war is inevitable. But the ancient ones - yes.... they must change or be left behind. It's as simple as that. As to the rest..." Fudou takes a heavy breath and rumbles, "...That -is- an interesting connundrum isn't it. How am I - one who loves Creation and wants to defend it and see it propser.....how am I supposed to operate with a bond-mate that is the stuff of death and decay? Eventually this to be addressed. You -saved- a city of both dead -and- the living.. but you have a liege who is the very embodiment of death and terror to many... " Fudou inclines his head, "...Nd I know ther are other unaccounted for Deathknights here as well. It is a problem but one for another time. One day.. AFter all - there is clearly more to Deathknights then their name alone. You've somehow managed to gain the favor of a sorceress who dreams of a brighter tomorrow...not one filled with shadow and nothingness. She believes in you. That seems to count for something, now doens't it?"
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	Ashes simply shrugged. "I am what I am. I made a black bargain with entities that even the mightiest Lunar would baulk at dealing with. I am Anathema, by the strictest definition." He didn't sound overly rueful, though there was a pensive nature to his statement. After a moment, though, his voice softened - slightly. "...yet, I have more free will than that embodiment of death and terror does, in some ways. My choices are my own - does that make that make my actions better, or my bargain worse? A question for the philosophers." A shrug. "But that, I think, will be something to help you answer your own conundrum. Find out, one day, what happened to your Mate - when she died, and why she took the bargain when it came to her door. What she might have been, before her name and all she was was cast into Oblivion, to make what she is now." A tilt of the head. "In the end, it all comes down to personal choices and accountability, I suppose. We're all responsible for how we choose to act, whether on vengeance, hatred, love." A shrug. "I can hardly judge the elder Lunar for desiring dragon's blood."
Fudou the Mountain	The massive man stirs slightly. Something siad there seems to have caught his attention. It's not that he wasns't paying attention before, mind you,but a certain thing seems to trigger a thoguht within him. "Bargain...?" he rumbles, while letting his mind drift. THen...he nods his head. "Ah...now that makes a lot of sense now..." Whatever Ashes said seems to have enabled him to connect some missing dots and after a moment of thought he simply says, "I perhaps already know...and it makes some of her actions here in Iron Simhata make more sense along with some things she said to me. Now that is an interesting bit of information. A bargain, hmm? Yet you do have your free will. THis is good. May it stay that way. As to the ancient ones - I do not take from them or any who hae experienced things...the right to have feelings or thoughts about those things. But one must be careful that we don't allow that undrestanding to lapse into making excuses for them. It is a thin line to tread but, as you said, we have our free will. We must make our own choices and live or die by them. I choose to live and see Creation live." Fudou then shrugs, rolling his massie shouldrs and grinning, "I kind of live in it an have need of it."
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	A very amused noise, at that one. "Visit the Underworld. The dead can party just as enthusiastically as the living - some more so." Consideration, then, to the second point. "One can understand, but still act against. I can hardly judge those elders, yet I have my own reasons why I would baulk their efforts, if it came to it. Perhaps one day that will become...interesting." Musing. "As it stands, I choose to act as I see fit, and Creation will collapse in it's own time - with, or without my help." Fudou could hear the wry tone in his voice. "Death's Chivalry or the Old Laws. Deathlord, Neverborn, and older powers. Memories of the living, and memories of the dead. We are pulled in many directions, in our own fashion." Lifting both hands, miming a balance. "If you wish to understand the Abyssal, Fudou the Mountain, understand the nature of the Underworld and the dead. Your blackened jewel will have many facets, carved to fit in whatever jewelry her liege saw fit. Whether or not she stays in that setting, well." He lowered his hands. "Up to her."
Fudou the Mountain	"Parties in Heaven, Hell or The Underworld...all have their unique appeal. I like to make sure I have a sense of grounding though. It helps me continue to appreciate everything around me, even if I can break it all like so much wet tissue.." Fudou grins mildly at that and then leans forward, clasping his enormous hands together as he considers Ashes again. "I am curoius.. You say you might stand against the elders of my kind...if they were to move against The Realm? Is that what you mean? Why would you take a stand to defend something that would just as soon see you trampled by a Wyld Hunt as me? Unless you mean something else by what you just said. What tie as a Deathknight do you have to see The Realm or Lookshy persist as is?" He makes a vague gesture to the armor Ashes bears, "Your past? Does that even matter anymore, given the circumstances?"
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	"That is my own business." Blunt, and final. Then again, asking someone how they died (even tangentially) is generally a fairly rough conversation to have. "I have said my likely choice, and the reason is immaterial. I will own it when and if it becomes relevant."
Fudou the Mountain	"That is not an unfair answer." concedes Fudou, "It is a paradox to me but The Exalted can be, if nothing else, contradictory. I"m sure if it happens and if our paths cross during it... it will be something that can be surmised." It was an idle question and apparently not one of major import to him as he waves it all off and just like that, moves on from it. "As to the rest of your words... Perhaps I will visit The Underworld if I must learn more but she likewise needs to learn of me and mine. In time these things will happen. Now then..where will you go from here? Are you sworn to continue protecting this city or are you going to leave to seek other adventure?"
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	A considering tilt of the helmet. "I have some unfinished business to attend to and avenues of revenue to pursue here, but likely no more than a week or two. Back to Nexus, perhaps - pursue another contract. Or see if Tycoon or Dream have any endeavors they would pursue; the Mask paid exceptionally well for this contract, and I am in no rush for a second." A considering tilt the other way. "Then again, idle hands are the Yozis' tools. Perhaps I will seek out further work to keep my men busy." A wry noise of amusement. "...you are likely aware of the kinds of shithousery bored soldiers can get up to. Imagine that, combined with transparent bodies possessing armor and no real threat of physical injury."
Fudou the Mountain	"Then iti fortunate for us all that they have such a balanced,, professional and mature general to keep them in line and not someone like Potentate, hmm?" remarks Fudou while slowly standing. A slight twinkle seems to hit ihs gaze however. Some mischief lurking in his mind for a moment as he cinlines his head and then brings a finger to rub at his beard. "You know....I know another Exalted general of considerable skill.. A solar...no less..who leads a people great, proud and strong. He was stationed around Great Forks for some time before he and his own mercenaries and troops sought pasture elsewhere on behalf of his new wife. I also know another general though he is of The Wyld and perhaps harder to get to considering he's under THe Dreaming Sea but..still.. I wonder...." There is a pause and then the giant says, turning slightly with a loose gesture, "..War Games ...might be games worth playing. Especially these days. If your'e interested I can arrange a meeting. If not..." he shrugs lightly, "I'm sure you'll find something...interesting to do regardless.."
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	A thoughtful hum at the idea, clearly not averse to the idea. Ashes inclined his head to Fudou, then, pushing himself off the rubble. "By all means, if you think they would consider me a colleague." A rough laugh. "I'm fairly certain if you wished to find me, you could do so regardless of where I go." A tilt of his head, indicating the Bleak Tower. "There is a celebration soon, there. I go to wave the proverbial flag - will you attend?"
Fudou the Mountain	"If you are not adverse to the idea I will speak to him and see what he thinks. His name is Raullaur. I think you would find him very intersting and he would think the same of you. As to the celebration..." Fudou considers this and looks to the tower.. He seems to think on it for a few more seconds and thens ays, "Yes..I think I will attend. An invitation then! That is better then what I was planning on doing bys imply sneaking in on my own accord eventually...." Fudou grins at that and then turns to step away< "By the way...perhaps you should see to the mischief making of your men sooner rather then later, else they accidentally catapult themselves into a brothel. On 'accident' of course.." WIth that, the giant man turns and begins to take his leave..starting to trod heavily up the streets.
Ashes Of A Fire Unkindled	An amused huff, as he followed. Two very different worlds, walking side by side. At peace - for now.