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Tenken	Following the events at the strange compound and the towers on its grounds, Tenken had returned to Great Forks to reassess the situation at hand with the cultists. There were gaps in the collected information, like a puzzle missing half of its pieces. Why? To what end were all these folks being kidnapped, taken from their homes? With such uncertainty, all that could be done was to regroup with the others and prepare in the meantime until further leads presented themselves. At his temple, Tenken was beginning to draft plans for a tourney, one that could be held amidst a week of other festivities, one that may help them identify new potential allies, and at the very least would keep his martial skills sharp. Tenken let out a sigh, as his eyes were beginning to strain from reading, he was not equipped for desk work.
Amethyst	It has been some time since Amethyst last visited Tenken's temple. She's been busy, between doing alchemy research for her working, dealing with other happenings in Great Forks, and venturing between here and the cold air demesne that her lunar lovers call home. But perhaps now it's a good time to check in and talk. She looks dressed about the same as usual, sans the extra bag she has strapped to her side.
Tenken	Looking up from the sheets of paper, Tenken smiles and greets his guest, "Hey, Ammie! How are you doing? Its been some time since we talked. How goes your research? Last I heard you were working on some projects right?
Amethyst	Amethyst grins at her friend. The first thing about her is that she is covered head to toe in tattoos now, some are just little lines here and there, but the majority are written in the same runic old realm script that her arms have. It all tells a fairly abstracted story of her life and likely would be fascinating if written out. They shimmer as the little Dragon grins, ears perked. "I've been doing many things Tenken. I figured I would show you some of them, and then talk about the other projects I've been working on." With that, Amethyst closes her eyes for a moment, and her body almost like... unfolds. The little webs of her hands widen substantial, her skin ripples and shimmers as scales rise from beneath its surface. Her skin takes an almost translucent like appearance to it as her feet become more like fins and her body just as a whole more hydrodynamic. And when she opens her eyes, her vibrant violet eyes have a splitted pupil in the center, a certain chaos stirring within, like the sea just before a storm. Someone has done a quite a bit to embrace her wyld heritage. And this someone has a stupid grin on her face.
Tenken	As Amethyst steps more into the light, Tenken notices the tattoos and recognizes Old Realm. To his astonishment, Ame continues to display the fruits of her labor and research, as she displays a shifting in her physical form. Tenken applauds with a chuckle, "It seems that you've gained much knowledge in your research thus far. It also seems like you've picked up some tricks from our friends!" he says as he thinks of the eccentric lunar friends they share. "How did you accomplish all this so quickly?" Tenken asks, as it hasn't been that long since they last spoke. Ame must really be a prodigy in sorcerous workings.
Amethyst	"That's only child's play." Amethyst says reassuringly. "I've learned a lot from my Lunar compatriots. But it was my dedication to fundemental alchemical principles, and the magic of the five elements, that allowed me to do something even more spectacular." A true prodigy she is. "But first, I need to strip." And so she detatches her various belts and pouches, sheds her wraps and tunic, and then her underclothes as well, leaving her quite naked. Looking at the entirety of her tattoos is quite impressive: They almost resemble a moon relfecting in a lake. How her love tamed terrible beasts and how her elemental strength granted her powers beyond what a mere alchemist could be. It is how she braved the freezing cold to find her friend and how too the wyld tried to transform her, and her Terrestrial Essence beat against it and won. The stories go on and on. Now that she's naked, it's also apparent that she has a little finned tail and that her body truly does have some sort of chamleon quality to it. And then she goes to the larger bag, and produces something. "Using Wood and Earth to nuture and preserve the skin of a freshly slain animal, preferrably one I've hunted but that's not necessarily required." The skin is that of a white wolf. Or, it would be white if not for the blood. But the blood isn't dripping, despite how fresh it looks. "In looking to the depths of the Elemental Dragon of Water, Danaa'd, showed me a secret about our kind, in how tho we may be the smallest of the Exalted, our essence is the most mallable. And so it goes, by water I change and merge with the skin. By wood I nuture it and give life back to it just as it gave its life to me. By fire its spark is reignited. By air our minds intertwine. And by earth we stand solid, Dragon and Beast." And so she brings the skin around herself, and drapes herself in it. The moment one half touches the other, it grows into Amethyst, and Amethyst grows into the skin, slumping onto the ground as she grows into the beast. Her anima surges around it, first the inky violet depths of a dark ocean. Then the vibrant green of freshly cut grass. Followed by the red of a gyser spewing steam. Chased with the blue of an airy mist. And finally, the white of a mountain that stands tall. And then the anima fades, as the wolf rises and looks to Tenken. Suddenly, the prismatic tattos from Amethyst's body surges forth, and she barks satified.
Tenken	This time there is no laughter or chuckling, just sheer disbelief. Tenken watches intrigued as Amethyst explains her research, her work, and ultimately, it was in silence that Tenken watched as she became one with the presented skin, and before him stands a wolf. Tenken had learned of lunars throughout his journeys, he had known of their shifting abilities. He was also not a novice in sorcery, but this.. this was beyond his current understanding. Looking to Amethyst, he says, "Ammie, I may need your help. I had hoped to begin a new project, but I now realize my hubris. Honestly, the boundaries of sorcery are less clear to me in this instant than they were before you came in, and for that I thank you. It is also for that reason that I will seek your assistance in the coming weeks. He says, "I wish to secure a place of power, a manse, one that I am already attuned to, but I would like to fortify and raise defenses beyond physical countermeasures... I believe that we are approaching a trying time during which a safe space, a haven, will be necessary." All of his friends have been growing and progressing in their crafts, and he would have to work hard too.
Tenken	Chuckling at the dichotomy of Ammie - the juxtaposition of the ever-glistening blood and her cute nature - all in the form of a lethal huntress, Tenken strokes the fur on top of her head and behind those majestic ears. Thinking on the counsel provided by Ame, Tenken draws elements from it to incorporate into the defenses. Looking to Ame, he says "I've realized that even if we go out and save all of the people and things in Creation that we love and seek to protect, it means nothing ultimately if we can't keep them safe." It was apparent that the constant disappearances were starting to weigh on Tenken, despite their efforts against The Order. He also thought of Ame's quest to find her father, and what they would do if such a mission was successful.
Amethyst	The wolf-alchemist leans into Tenken as she considers. ["If the order can teleport people"/"We can't we? Perhaps we could make"/"Little seals to keep us sake"/"that activate if we are incapacitated"/"Plus for the order"/"I have antidotes."/"Perhaps I could make the antidote more."/"Permanent"]
Tenken	Tenken nods slowly as he thinks it through... "Regarding an antidote and permanence, that I think would be truly invaluable. As for teleportation, thats a good point. If we could ensure that we at least end up in a safe space when certain conditions are triggered, perhaps a place that is only accessible by such means, a place where friends could come and go safely, then much of my worries would be alleviated. I had a dream the other night... it felt very real in a way that was odd. Im unsure of its meaning, if there is any, but I saw shadow fall across the land, then reach up to the sky, until everything was swallowed up in darkness. Behind this darkness I sensed a malevolence, a bloodlust, one aimed at us and those like us."
Amethyst	It's about this point that Amethyst's blood simply forms a circle as she moves just a bit away from Tenken. And again she closes her eyes. And in a moment, the tattoos fade from the wolf and suddenly there's this... unraveling sound. Followed by Amethyst emerging from the bottom of the wolf. She climbs out of the wolf and the wolf returns to being the skin she had earlier. Except now Amethyst is covered in... it's better not to consider what. She stretches and gets up, a little wobbly standing back on two legs. She bows just slightly, still naked. "Hmm, those like me and you, or those like Lunars and Solars?" Amethyst asks. Curious ears are spread wide. "It's an important distinction. As for the dream, all we can do is prepare for it. I have no illusions of the threats we face from all sides. I think you have a good point with making a safe place. Perhaps I could gather a group and we could see if we could find such a Raksha to help us with creating a wyld fortress. In a Freehold, one needn't fear mutation so long as it's a friendly freehold. And it comes with various powers and capabilities, much like a wyld-born manse. There I could put up all sorts of defenses, and perhaps make my true workshop." "Speaking of, my alchemists shop has been rebuilt. You should visit sometime."
Tenken	Nodding, Tenken replies that he will visit the shop, as he will need reagents and components for his upcoming project. "Regarding the dangers in the vision, it was a malevolent entity, and I could 'feel' more than 'notice' that it was a being that was directing bloodlust toward us. I think it is something that goes beyond being like me, a solar, or like our friends the lunars, or like yourself. I got the feeling that there was a hunger, and that we were being looked at more as obstacles that happen to also be great storage cases for essence and spiritual energy." It would seem that, strangely enough, this malevolent force may be the only thing that views all of our kinds equally.
Amethyst	"Mm. Well, we can only prepare. Speaking of, I'm curious of the strength of other Exalted like you or Rishi or the others. I am a prodigal sorceress and alchemist, but I'm curious of how far my martial training goes. My father made sure I was good with nearly any weapon, but of course I specialized in whips." The alchemist considers. "And that's another thought. If we were to train and grow stronger, whatever threats lie beyond would have a harder time conquering us to begin with."
Tenken	"You're right, we do ourselves a disservice not to learn from each other. If we were to train together with our friends, we would all grow stronger and help eachother improve. Perhaps this tourney I have been working on would be a good opportunity to do so. I have a lot to think about now, as you've inspired me to work to progress as much as you have in this short time. As to martial skills, that is my strength and I would be happy to train with you."