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Bright Journey The Arena is bustling, not to say jam packed. There's a festival going on outside (as usual), a celebration of some obscure Northern martial god. As red-painted tributes to the Maiden of Battles parade around the Colosseum outside, the fighting inside has continued all day and night. It's been an impressive spectacle to say the least.

Inside the westernmost VIP booth, the clientene looks a touch unusual. Instead of the usual assortment of well-to-do merchants and proper nobles, there's just a few people inside.

One is a young woman ner the front of the booth, legs crossed, leaning forward to absorb the action. She's having a grand old time as she picks from a bunch of grapes at her side, clearly with no one specific to root for but enjoying herself all the same.

Lin Lin is also inside the western VIP booth, although given that she's dressed in the festively-colored casual style of the locals and not something fancy or outlandish like the nobles, it doesn't really look like she belongs there all that much. She's seated up at the balcony's edge, watching the fight.

Great Forks is strange on this topic. Officially, their culture is very pacifistic. Harming another is only permiissible in sanctioned duels with consent and self-defense, of course. Thus, such celebrations focus on the skill and heart of a warrior, instead of any notion of glory in victory.

In theory, anyways.

In practice, the arena can get a little rough.

"Alright! Just a matter of time until that warrior with the armor has their go at it!"

Faolan Winter Star Bright Journey to Faolan that she would save her a seat in the box. What she neglected to tell her was that should would have to make her own way into the box. There are a couple of young attendants this day who are going to be heart-broken when Faolan doesn't return. She has managed to get into the box to find the pink haired beauty watching the fights in the arena below.
Faolan picks up a random goblet from a nearby tray and takes a seat nearby. "Challenge completed Bright Journey." Faolan leans over the railing to see the fighting below. Perhaps someone who would be willing to fight for coin, once she has some.
Bright Journey "Well! Don't you look charming today?"

Bright offers Faolan a friendly wave, then beckons to the empty seat next to her. Bright is wearing a short, white one-piece dress and thigh high boots, with no armor or cloak in sight. Her straight pink hair catches the breeze like a flag over a ship.

"I knew you could sweet talk your way in, my dear." She grins. "It's just a matter of having faith in you. Come on, have a seat. This is the best VIP booth in the Colosseum." She smirks. "Mainly because we're gracing it, though the lack of boorish nobles definitely helps."

At this point, the redhead a couple seats on Bright's other side starts showing her own excitement. Bright turns and offers the young woman a winning smile. "Sounds like you have someone you know down there, my dear. We haven't really been paying close attention...is there a story to this fight we should know?"

Lin Lin sits back into her chair once so addressed, turning to look at the others that she's been ignoring for the moment. A few confused blinks are aimed at the two of them before her cheeks puff with a bit of pride and she annouces, "One of them's gonna be wearing my finest work. Which I say is the best articulated plate mail in town! ... that's made outta ordinary steel, anyways..." She shows a proud and satisfied smile to the two women, beaming!
Faolan Winter Star Faolan takes the preoffered seat. She wears more practical if out of place clothing from Bright Journey. She has on a plain if well made tunic of gray linen and light gray leggings that are made of hide. Watching the fighting below seems to be amusing but not overly entertaining for her. "Do people this far south choose to fight each other for fun? I see the value in knowing a warrior's worth. I would be interested to know if any of them are interested in mercenary work once I have coin to pay for them. The Fae will rue the day they crossed me."
Faolan looks at the red haired woman with a curious gaze. "Interesting, you have sponsored this warrior?"
Bright Journey "Well, I certainly enjoy it," Bright replies. "Not that I'm useless in a fight, mind you, but the Arena isn't the place for my talents for a couple reasons. Best to hold my hidden barbs in reserve until they're truly needed." She chuckles dryly.

As Lin answers Bright, the woman gives another smile in return. "So you're a smith, then? And so young! We'll see how your champion performs, but I'll guarantee this: He wouldn't go in there unless -he- thought it was the best gear he could lay hands on. And it looks very nice from here, but I haven't a smith's eye, I fear. Especially from this distance."

Bright pauses and eyes Faolan curiously. "The gladiators are here partly to test themselves and partly to earn jade, I imagine. I'm sure most of them see it as fun, or at least necessary. I'm sure at least some of them would take mercenary work. I know a man who has a force of mercenaries, actually. I could put you in touch with him--I don't know how good his men are but I've fought alongside him before. He's pretty tough."

Lin Lin vigorously nods. But then points out, "Jade? Not much trade in Jade out here. Silver dinars, all the way. ... and if this stuff went on the open market it'd be worth a fortune... almost too much. Dunno who I'd sell it to."
Faolan Winter Star Faolan nods her head in understanding and smailes. "I to do not think it wise for me to engage in combat in the arena below. I would have to fight unarmed. My preferred weapons would cause issues I believe."
Faolan looks to Lin "The armor he wears is most splended. I have a reinforced buff coat myself that is of the finest quality. I am not sure about that heavy of armor but I would be willing to try it on if given the chance. Do you have a shop in the city?" 
"Ah, this makes the most sense. A warrior must prove their value to potential employees. You say you know a warrior who leads mercenaries? I know one as well. Perhaps they would both be willing to assist me?"
Bright Journey "Well, putting it on the market one way or another is how to put food in your belly. And you look like you make a decent living, at the very least--a good sign." Bright grins and offers Lin some of her grapes. "Care for a bite? It does get dry up here, and the servant won't be by with more wine for a few minutes, at least."

Bright nods to Faolan. "I would imagine so. Running a mercenary company isn't cheap, after all. I'm pretty sure Raullaur has started advertising, actually, so he shouldn't be all that hard to find."

She grins wickedly and looks pointedly at Lin. "And he is no doubt in need of quality equipment. If your armor does well, I -could- arrange an introduction."

Faolan Winter Star Faolan chuckles and smiles wryly. "Raullaur you say, that would be the man I was referring to as well. He is quite the leader. I did some scouting work for him as I was heading into the city."
Turning to Lin "Yes, he could definately benefit from your talents. Do you have any issues working with beastmen, specifically lionids?" She appears very interested in your answer.
Lin "Oh, thank you!" Lin makes a grab, plucking several grapes off the bunch and popping one in her mouth. Much as she appears, Lin is as casual as any commoner with her manners, but at least her choice and tone of words is friendly and sincere as it gets.

"Lion-sorts... ah, Raullaur. Seems like everyone around here knows of him and his... pride of mercenaries. We've met! Already discussing business." An excited and bold grin's aimed at both the ladies. Seems she really does love her work!

Bright Journey Bright looks rueful for a moment. "Ah, figures. Raullaur gets around more than I thought, obviously. I hate it when I'm not the indispensable one, but I suppose I can be graceful in defeat." She quietly chuckles, clearly not completely serious.

"Now," Bright continues. "Offhand I think your champion is about to take the ring. Before he does, though, what's your name? They call me Bright Journey."

Faolan Winter Star Faolan chuckles a bit a well "He truely does. I am glad that he is making good contacts in the city. I will be sure to negotiate in good faith with him when I have need of his services." She looks to Lin and bows her head slightly. "I am known as Faolan Winter Star."
Lin "Such fancy names... I'm just Lin." The redhead answers, sounding almost embarassed as she reaches behind her head to scratch at it sheepishly. "Well, I had my own reason to seek him out. We've both got some great things in common it turns out. It's gonna be a great show once we get it moving!" Whatever 'it' is, anyways. Lin doesn't hold back at showing her enthusiasm at working with him over... this strange project.

"And why should anyone care if he's a beastman? Guy seems more human than a bunch of people I've run into who just LOOK it..."

Bright Journey "Well, to be fair, Great Forks is one of those places where you get used to unusual people or you go insane. Anyone who's been out in the Temple District on a festival night especially knows what I mean. It's just something that took a little..." She shrugs. "Getting used to. At least for me. A lot of my childhood was in a fairly remote village, not a lot of variety." She chuckles again. "Though when I was -really- young, I was in Nexus. Now that's no place for a kid, even with her mum.

"Anyway," Bright continues, "there's other things I can think of that might benefit from a good artisan. Not necessarily a smith, but...hmm." Bright thinks for a moment. "Architecture, especially with some occult expertise, might be helpful. Do you know anyone like that?"

Faolan Winter Star "You are correct Lin, being a beastman shouldn't matter. I know many that look down upon them due to their heritage. I have seen several children of the dragons look down upon the rest of us as we are not their kith or kin."
Faolan looks at Bright with a questioning look "What kind of building would you be looking to make that requires an architect with occult knowledge? Are you looking for someone to restore some First Age structure?" She chuckles to herself at what she believes is Bright's joke.
Lin "Architecture... by occult, you mean geomantic designs? A Manse?" Lin blinks a few times, leaning towards Bright Journey and peering at her a bit more carefully than before.
Bright Journey Bright's smile turns a bit wan, but she still replies immediately. "No, not a manse. I'm actually not sure if an architext is correct...maybe a sculptor would fit the bill better. Someone who works in stone, in any event." She shrugs. "Unfortunately, the details are not my secret to spill, and I'm not even sure if it will be necessary, so...well, I have to hold back any further information. So far. If it turns out we don't need anything, it's -definitely- better I leave well enough alone. If you know someone like that, though, that information might be helpful." Bright looks somewhat apologetic, but not to a great degree.
Lin "Uhhh... working with stone, that'd be a mason? If it's a building. Are you trying to make a stone structure or some kind of art?" Lin just starts blinking confusedly at Bright Journey, tilting her head.
Faolan Winter Star Faolan nods her head in understanding. "One should never betray the trust of another."
She turns back to Lin "Do you work with stone as a sculptor does? Do you work with more than just armor?"