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Misa	It's a cool sort of afternoon outside Great Forks- and a curious little tucked-away locale in the midst of a few copses of trees. Still bearing some lingering green stains from recently-cleared moss and vines and the like, a small old shrine sits near the bank of one of the rivers running from the south to meet with the major rivers on the way to the inland sea. A raised stone platform with a few open walls- mostly to keep some of the river wind off certain sections of the grounds. A modest actual building- perhaps two or three small rooms sectioned off, along with a more open indoor practice space with no door sheltering it from the outside more than modestly. There's precisely one person here at the moment- a woman with the appearance of a Lookshyan, binding handfuls of old straw around some of the straightest sticks and branches from the forests- or bamboo in some cases. There are holes in the dirt next to where she works, clearly the intended destination for these simplified practice figures.
Ignis	in contrast to his peers, life for the past season or so for Ignis has been decidedly mundane. His foster father was a Scavenger Lord of some resources and upon his passing, certain levels of responsibility fell to Ignis through his inheritance. He's certainly done his best to try and divest himself of any responsibilities and to allow things to largely run on their own, taking advantage of financial benefit or satiating his curiosity in ancient discoveries as time permits ?.but sometimes his own personal attention is required. Thus he's spent much time in Nexus, the city of his birth and street running days. Nostalgia was far from his mind though and he was glad to finally be free of the place and to be on his way. He's unsure why but..Great Forks continues to draw him back to it. He could really go anywhere..but a certain mystery and tug at his instincts pulls his path back to this region and city over and over again. And so once more he comes, having travelled with a caravan or two or three and now opted to meander on foot with his simple belongings and travelers gear carried about him and hiding those slight hints of his nature being more then that of a mere wandering mortal. A search for a short cut has taken him off the beaten path and, as fate would have it, close enough to the unusual and solitary dwelling to be able to see it and the figure therein. He pauses, curious, and then begins a n approach with confidence building as he draws neaer, "Hmm?.what do we have here?"
Misa	The woman glances up for a moment as she finishes off a knot- standing from having been seated on the edge of the raised stone platform. She's quiet by nature and apparently sticking to that- she waits for the man to draw properly close before speaking. She busies herself in the meantime with laying the latest target alongside a series of others leaning against the side of the platform. "Good afternoon. This is... for lack of a better term, what will hopefully be a small school of swordplay. Do pardon the lack of actual students, I only recently was able to stake claim to the place and begin cleaning up and preparing. A trip back to Great Forks will be in order soon, I think, to handle that matter."
Ignis	"A school of swordplay?" The eyes of the newcomer seem to light up with true interest and curiosity. He studies the quiet woman for a period of long drawn out seconds before he takes to visually studying the location. He tempers his movements, not wanting to seem rude, but his body language should give a hint that he's eager to prowl and take a closer look around. "Misa..isn't it? We've met a number of times but I'm afraid haven't had an opportunity to speak at length?." His voice trails off before continuing, "How many students do you hope to obtain and will you be teaching all on your own? Is there a particular discipline at work here?"
Misa	"I have not yet decided how many- space here is limited, but I suppose building an additional living quarter might be fine exercise for the students that requite it. As for your other question... I practice a dual sword style I learned in some travels since leaving home- though I am familiar with a variety of techniques in truth." Misa pauses, nodding over to a pair of sheathed short blades leaning against the platform near to the practice targets. "And, I do believe you are correct, in brief perhaps alongside those I undertook some investigations for," she affirms, nodding a little. "Another venture of mine, albeit one that is perhaps on pause while I pursue this."
Ignis	"I see. I've more then a passing interest in swordmanship myself but I can't say I have the patience or dedication to be able to instruct others.." notes Ignis after some self reflection. "That's a gift, to be willing and able to teach others?and I think starting small is wise.." RInwardly, Ignis calls up a degree of restraint and decency to temper any bubbling excitement for the concept lest his own runaway passions for arts of swordplay lead to him rudely trying to barge into Misa's endeavors but he does find himself studying her more closely, "I believe I remember the rest though. Are you speaking of Bright Journey and her allies? There was ..a matter under investigation. Cultists was it? You had been attacked, yourself?"
Misa	"Well, patience and willingness yes. Ability? That remains to be seen. I am self-aware enough to know I am not an... overly assertive person in a crowd, nor particularly magnetic to hold attention," she says with a shrug, waving it off before waving Ignis to follow her up the stairs onto the platform- in a corner between two of the open grounds walls is a small stone table with seats. "I had been, yes- though that is not... especially odd for me. I spent some time in Great Forks testing the ability of local schools of the martial arts. Some of the students and members of those schools... did not care for the results." She shrugs that off as well as she takes a seat. "Oh and, of course, yes- you have the names correct."
Ignis	That being true and them being familiar with her allows Ignis to guess at some things..which isn't to say he just discerns her true nature as that would be a foolish leap of logic and the imagination..but Bright Journey and her company would well not involve someone in their dealings who was not capable enough to impress them. "Yes, Bright Journey then. I've had many dealings with them myself though it's been some time. There was some sort of business with a portal they'd discovered but I lost touch with them on it. Last I spoke with them they were planning on a trip to the Dreaming Sea on behalf of one of their comrades.." Ignis considers the rest and then asks, "You speak true about the needed methods to teach. Charisma, the ability to hold attention.. but if you lack these then how do you plan to instruct without aid? Plus..it sounds like you've made a bit of a reputation for yourself then.." His eyes drift to the swords nearby, "Let me guess. When put to the test, the skill they claimed to have was more then just a little lacking?"
Misa	"In fairness to them, I myself had multiple excellent teachers. At the risk of braggadocio, I would consider myself... above average among most masters of their styles," Misa says, waving it off and somehow managing to sound embarassed about it. "But, well, among the young ones pride and ego in their choice of master can... lead to rash decisions. As for how to hold attention- I intend to simply be selective in choosing a student or two, and opt for those who are already focused upon the task, rather than those I will need to engage the interests of day to day. Perhaps as I... learn more of teaching, I can expand from there." She shrugs it off for the moment. She certainly doesn't have the energetic bravado one might assume of a young exalt, but they do come in all stripes.
Ignis	He does not presume or suspect exaltation. After all, what are the odds? But that doesn't preclude godblooded, especially here in Great Forks of all places. Even an exceptionally talented mortal isn't out of the question though in the back fo his mind he can't se Bright Journey, Silk and the others involving one in matters of cults, Malfeas and portals. Stranger judgement calls have been made though. "It seems you have a plan just..be careful I suppose. I'm hardly some aged elder myself but the young can be..a hassle. If you are as selective as you say then I suppose you will maintain the control you need to have. Starting small seems wise, yes, though their social development should be considered as well. .." His voice trails off and then he admits, "I confess that strict schools and martial disciplines are not my method. I have trained and studied much but I seem to have developed into a more free stykle sort of method. You would know best on how to actuall impart the discipline needed for dedicated techniques."
Misa	Misa nods slightly, head tilting as she studies the man for a longish moment. "Perhaps- I was raised amid strict training and the like, then broadened my skills on the road- perhaps, indeed, including some... 'free style' sorts of swordplay. Ultimately I consider it a matter of practice and repetition in either case. I simply find the formalized styles fascinating, useful, and an excellent introductory method for newcomers who lack the understanding to identify the useful elements of a less formalized tutelage. And well- some offer some advantages in particular areas." She waves it off for the moment. "And well, to not put too fine a point on it, I suspect I am capable enough to put any young and unstable egos well into check via demonstration if nothing else. You are correct, however- this is not my area of expertise by any means. And I suspect on some level my hope is that others do here what I did in Great Forks' schools- come to challenge my students or myself, that I might acquaint myself with more techniques from far-flung places."
Ignis	Seeing, perhaps, a path forward here, Ignis allows a slight smile and then a light bow to Misa, "Then..perhaps allow me to offer my services to you, if they can be of any assistance and use." He straightens back up and rests a hand on his sword belt, "The teaching and mastery of this place is yours of course and anything else you desire but if I can ever be helpful in a lesson or in helping you explore your own skills don't hesitate to ask." He pauses, turning his gaze in the direction of the city and he studies It before continuing, "I'm not overly fond of slavery, despite it being all around us, so I keep my visits to the arena somewhat infrequent. Still.. I would be glad of more opportunities to test myself and assist others without it necessarily involving my life being on the line out in the wilds.."
Misa	Misa chuckles at that, head tilting. "Well, I do like to think of myself as passable at reading people- I had a feeling you were looking for something in that vein. I would certainly welcome the challenges and assistance. So long as I have you word, of course, that I will not be assaulted while gathering firewood should I happen to come out the victor too often," she says with a smirk and some mirth in her tone. "In turn, space may be limited here, but you are welcome to rest yourself here if it is of aid to you in some fashion. Certainly I of all people understand the need to be away from the noise of Great Forks proper from time to time, let alone those late evenings where there are too few hours to complete the trek from elsewhere."
Ignis	"I'm afraid I'd be far too embarrassed at myself for so many losses that I wouldn't be able to properly plan any sort of ambush to begin with." Ignis offers a smirk of his own at that and rubs his jaw, "But you have my word..presuming of course I have yours for the same circumstance." He draws closer now, arms folded and head looking back to the city, "And I appreciate the offer of this place as a place to rest. All of your assessments are correct, including my interest in what you were doing here from the very beginning.." He offers a smile once more, unfolding his arms and resting his hands on his hips, "I'd hoped I wasn't that obvious but I guess I can't help it."
Misa	She chuckles at that, head shaking. "I am all too keenly aware that there are better blademasters than I in the world. You've nothing to fear if you prove to be among them, worry not." She crosses one leg over the other absently, thoughtful for a moment. "Well, in fairness to you, I have mostly made my living in understanding people's motivations and following those back to evidence of their deeds. The metaphorical deck, in this circumstance, was somewhat stacked against you."
Ignis	"well then..I won't consider myself an abject failure in such matters this once." remarks Ignis with a grin, "You have my thanks, Misa. I'm sure your school will prove everything you're hoping it to be and more."