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Raullaur	The Lion's Pride started out in a warehouse, but has been getting more and more of the surrounding area. Now it's a proper compound with guards at the entrance and along the walls, barracks, armory, kitchen, even an office. There's an area for training, though nowhere near large enough for the full group--apparently that is for outside the city. Still it is orderly, and if there is grumbling and cursing, and quiet (or even loud) complaining, that is a merc's sacred right. Currently, the place is mostly empty, as a number of the lions are out patrolling streets. Aside from a number of them tending to gear, the main activity is Raullaur drilling a contingent using pikes, to use them effectively and in formation.
Bright Journey	It's an open question whether Bright Journey simply asked to come in, since the Lion's Pride know what she looks like by now and that she knows Raullaur, or she simply charmed her way in. Whichever it was doesn't make all that much difference, since while Raullaur was drilling his troops, she made her way in, found an unused section of wall, and leaned against it, arms folded, waiting patiently for Raullaur to notice her with a quiet little smile on her face. As soon as he does, which probably doesn't take too long--surely others around would clue Raullaur in if he hadn't already noticed her himself--she lifts one hand just enough to wave a bit before folding her arms again.
Raullaur	He nods to her, and continues training, at least to the end of the drill. "Next time! We go out, and you experience what happens if not in formation--and then if you are. You'll find /reasons/ for this. For now? Go. Rest, and get ready for a loooong day tomorrow." He gives an almost evil grin, and then walks over towards Bright, before nodding again. "Greetings! What brings you here today?"
Bright Journey	"Well, and a very nice day to you too, Raullaur!" She grins and pushes off the wall with one foot, standing up, but still has to look far higher to look Raullaur in the eye. She's a bit taller than average at 5'8, but compared to him, she looks positively tiny. "Anyway," she continues, gesturing with one hand. "I wanted to stop by to go over some of what we saw in the shadowlands. I'm sure you guessed that was why, right? Really, all of us need to get together, bring in at least Silk and probably Fudou, and discuss what to do. I'm not quite sure what all we found out there while we were helping Makara, but there's a couple different aspects we need to talk about." She frowns deeply and looks up at the sky for a moment, then back to Raullaur. "Like, we -know- there's some kind of...detente...between the city and whoever's now in the shadowland. I'm worried we might have gotten someone's attention out there. And I don't know what group that nutso Lunar was raving about. And the powers that be in the city might have questions, too. Surely they can't be completely ignorant of our presence."
Raullaur	"I guessed. It felt /good/ to let loose, though." Raul chuckles slightly, then shakes his head. "He needed to focus on the tomb, but once out...it is good to plan for the future. I don't know what that crazed Lunar wants either, only that he hates Dragons and /especially/ the Realm. Hate can make a man canny or blind...not sure how far he'd go to bring the Realm down, or Dragons...and if we can lure him that way. Not sure we'd want to try." He mutters a bit, "As for the Shadowlands...whatever was there was...death and ghosts like that /feel/ wrong. I can't put it better than that. I...I'm not sure what we could do. I could lead my lions against any foe of flesh, but those of spirit?"
Bright Journey	"In a way, I think we were lucky. Very lucky, really, that we could touch them. Of course, they could hurt us too, and that was why, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We used that Lunar's arrogance against him. If Makara hadn't had us with him, though, it would have gotten...ugly. I'm glad Rishi asked me to come, and I'm grateful you were willing to join me. I feel like we learned a lot, but..." She sighs and looks out towards a middle distance. "I'm not sure someone didn't learn much about us, too." She chuckles quietly. "Really, I used up almost everything I had. I think I've figured out a trick for getting a few motes back now--believe me, that fight taught me a -lot- about defending myself, and you probably should protect Makara next time rather than myself--but I do need to be more cautious about using everything all at once. I might see if I can't figure out the trick to seeing--and hitting--spirits, too."
Raullaur	"We sall see. And I will definitely guard those who need it--and if that's Makara, that makes sense." He snorts. "For now, I am confident I can withsatnd any attack of the flesh. Behond that..." He nods, "Being able to strike spirits would be a good thing. And defend against them as well. The latter..." He looks into the distance for a moment, and then shrugs. "Sorry, I am thinking of other things. For now...I can guard one at a time. If I can guard /more/ than one...that would suit more. Let their attacks crash against me and let others attack back."
Bright Journey	"I don't doubt there are ways to strike at spirits--in fact, I think I have an inkling how to go about learning. It would take some work, though, and it's pretty specific. I don't know how much work it'd be, though...tell me: How are you at matters of the occult? I know you're not a sorcerer, but that's the kind of learning that leads to making the immaterial material." Bright pauses, thoughtful, and turns to look Raullaur in the eye. "Hey, no one here questions your ability to protect someone. I saw how good you are at that myself, remember. Just remember there are times where you will have to strike as well as protect...just like I had to learn there are times I must avoid instead of endure, or ply my bow instead of my words sometimes. I've had to...be prepared for either, and be ready to do both, on more than one occasion. And I'm never done learning." She chuckles. "Never. Eventually, you need to dive deep...-and- dive in other pools, so to speak." Bright continues, sounding chipper. "Anyway! We kind of slipped off the track there, didn't we? I'm sure we'll deal with spirits again someday...especially if whoever is in charge of that shadowland starts coming here and asking who 'those people' were. Makes me wonder if they'll capture and interrogate that Lunar."
Raullaur	"I wonder...and what they will think of us. The rush of power, well..." He shakes his head. "For a moment, I felt invinvible. I know I shouldn't..." He shakes his head. "But that sort of power is easy to enjoy too much."
Bright Journey	Bright pauses again, quiet for a moment as she studies Raullaur's leonine face. She then chuckles again, shaking her head slightly. "You, my friend, have a one track mind. Fine, I get the idea. I'll quit talking about who might have it in for us. Instead..." She sighs, and slowly nods. "For me...it's not quite the same? I don't feel like a perfect warrior when I light up like that. So it's not really about being...I don't know...-invincible-. It's more about being righteous...in control. I feel like everyone will listen...-must- listen. Because I said so." "I can see why it might be dangerous, though, to be always convinced I'm right. Here, now, I know I don't know everything. That's why I came to talk with you, after all."
Raullaur	"In fighting, often you need that. To lead, though, you need to step back and have a...single track, but a broader one. Victoryz, but that encompasses so much more than just...killing someone in front of you.." His tail flicks behind him. "And...interesting. Yours connects you to others, and what they must do, how you can impress your will upon the world. Mine is the opposite: it impresses on me, and how nothing can change me..." He ponders a moment, "I wonder, which is the greater danger?" He looks over the rest. "My tribe follows me, and the longer they follow, the more trusting they follow. I wonder if they are losing their independence..."
Bright Journey	"Mmmm....well, I see what you mean, Raullaur? But look at it this way." Bright shrugs slightly, one hand upwards. "It doesn't matter which is the greater danger. It's all hubris, you know? One way or another. I..." She sighs. "I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I barely even have to try to get people to give me what I want, at least for ordinary things. It's almost unconscious anymore, and as I get used to it, I think about it and wonder how much is too much? Sometimes I just have to tell myself I can't get much done if I'm working all day to feed and clothe myself like most people have to. And it's true? I just have to wonder if it's justification enough, to accept gifts I know I wouldn't get if I weren't...well, -me-. Heavens forfend if I smile at them or inhale at the wrong moment." She grins, amused. "Anyway. About you and leadership, though. I'm to the point where I'm thinking about maybe finding some people to help me get my message out, so this is something I thought about as well. Just know this: If they do not follow you, they will follow -someone-. People flock to one leader or another, unless they're a leader themselves. And let's be honest. We are, by virtue of what we are. It's a responsibility we have to bear, and with seriousness, you know? All you can do is try to lead with wisdom and grace, as best as possible. And that goes back to what I was talking about with learning how to protect people. Leading them is another direction you could go. Another pool to dive in, to use the same metaphor. If you're thinking about how to lead them wisely and well, you're headed in the right direction. "But never stop until you can question your leadership...and -answer- that question."
Raullaur	"They are kin. Family, one and all. I want them /strong/. /Prosperous/. And lead them I must, but I wish them as part of my success," Raullaur says, and grins. "I had someone suggest that I could find one of the Hundred Kingdoms that is failing and take it over...or carve out one of my own. And the idea has...appeal. To have a place of mine, with people of mine." He smiles then. "And for who...what message do you have? What gloried and storied words will you upend society with as surely as any war would?"
Bright Journey	Bright pauses for a moment, looking at Raullaur curiously. "Oh. Huh. I think perhaps I have been assuming everyone knew, but I might want to start looking at it another way, I guess. "So, here's the thing: I know there will be a time when Creation will face the end times again. -Know- it...because when I took my second breath I was screaming at Creation for purpose...for meaning. And I knew, right then, what I had to do. I don't know what's coming, or when, or how long it will be. All I know is my life's work is to bring the peoples of Creation together...everyone that loves it. Exalted specifically, really. I must bring them together and stand them shoulder to shoulder against the darkness." Bright's voice is different...softer, and yet more intense. Filled with conviction. "I know it will be next to impossible, and take a long, long time. Lifetimes. But..." She looks at Raullaur meaningfully. "We -have- those lifetimes now, don't we? It would be criminal of us to just...use that time to sit on our thumbs, or be a petty satrap. So...my message is one of unity. Ourselves, the Lunar societies, whatever remains of the Realm too, as fractured as they are now, have to be united. So that we can be ready when our reckoning comes."
Raullaur	"That....that makes sense. I...maybe I would be a petty satrap if I just ruled a simple kingdom of my tribe. But...they are important to me, and while I want to join with something bigger, they...also keep me connected to...people, if that makes sense. I don't want peple to just become...shadows? Not the right word, but...not mattering except how they serve me. I don't want that." "And yes, there will be a reckoning. And come that day, I'll lead those who follow, to fight for the best." He nods soberly. "As far as these Moon-chosen...I should like to meet more of them. Try to understand. See how...how we work together."
Bright Journey	Bright gives Raullaur a friendly grin. "Well, ask yourself this: What, exactly, is the difference between being a leader worthy of the Unconquered Sun, and being a petty satrap? I mean, I'm grasping at straw a bit here, but bear with me. "I mean, there's obvious things, like making consistent laws and following them. The ancients called us Lawgivers for a reason, and if we want to be just we can't be exceptions to them, can we? We have to be more than just the strongest. We have to be leaders not just because we can beat up any challengers, right? We have to be strong, of course, but we can't rule -just- because of that. We have to lead by inspiration. We have to show people how to live the right way, do the right thing, I think. It's too easy to forget that. "And when it comes time to fight for Creation...we have to -fight-. Not wait for the fighting to be over and snap up land after the fact. I think that's what a petty satrap would do."
Raullaur	"Might /for/ right, not might /makes/ right?" He thinks a second, and then nods. "I think...we have to do the right thing because it's right. Being an example or leading others is just...something that happens because of it. As for fighing for Creation, oh I will." He smiles at that, and then ears flatten. "Do you think...anyone other than the Shadow folk, the hungry dead and that lunar, noticed us? I do not fear the Immaculates and the Wyld Hunt, but I am...wary."
Bright Journey	Bright grins again. "Well, one can do the right thing and still be a terrible leader. It feels weird for me to say that because...well, face it, we tend to be good at most of what we try to do. We all need skill as well as talent, but I've found that being one of the Chosen means talent isn't that hard to come by. And by terrible I mean crappy, not a tyrant. I think being a skilled leader is separate from being a just one. Is...or was...the Scarlet Empress a -just- leader just because she was very skilled? We're Solar. We don't have to settle for being just one or the other. We can--and in fact we -must- be both skilled and just in...well, everything we do. Leadership, or anything else we set our minds to." Bright pauses, thinking. "The truth is, I'm not sure. I think that Lunar will surely tell the group he works for, but I don't know if they'd want to try to track us down, not when they have the whole Realm as enemies already. I don't know if anyone else in the shadowland saw us, but I think we would be stupid to not at least consider the possibility. Do you think it might be a good idea to see if the leaders in Great Forks have any more dealings with them? I -know- I saw a procession of deathly looking people visiting the palace once, years ago. Maybe that's something we can keep an eye out for." Bright frowns deeply. "I can't help but think if the Dynasts learn anything about this, it might be from Makara. Or does Amethyst still have ties to the Realm? I know Makara does...something about his brother, at least. But I don't know how much he tells them. He certainly has a fantastic reason to stay silent!"
Raullaur	Raul laughs, and nods. "Oh, I know. I have seen it in my own troops--some are very good and well-intentioned, but...just having all the trouble in the world! So...work in skill. Be an exemplar. A paragon. And give others light to be guided by...or guide them." "As for the Three...I think...I should definitely talk with them. It is a matter of security, and they hired me for it, so..." He nods, "I'll seek out their wisdom, or at least let them know that trouble might be coming in the wind," Raullaur says after a moment. "But the Dynasts?" He shakes his head. "I don't know. If they think he's Moon-chosen, he will be killed. Anathematized. Perhaps any of the other Realm Dragons in the city? If they work with us, for whatever reason.../that/ is where any change can come. So Amethyst. Or that Cynis in the Temple district."
Bright Journey	"If the Three don't know who we are, we should consider breaking it to them. Gently. I've thought about it before, but now the need might be more acute. We were never their enemy, after all, and I'd prefer it stay that way. And I can think of better ways to repay the generosity Great Forks has shown us than to drag the -dead- to their door! Regardless, we should start thinking about how to let them know what happened -before- whoever is in charge of the shadowland decides to lie about it." She frowns, head resting on one hand. "Mmm. Yes. And that day may not be far off, Raullaur. I definitely have to talk to some of the others, since once one of us is outed, they're virtually certain to figure out the rest of us soon enough. We should come up with a plan."
Raullaur	"They know who I am. What I am. I made...little secret of it, and they gleaned enough to know they wanted me to help train their armies. They just did not want me to be...obvious in the city. 'Plausible deniability' they said? So go I can and should. Wish you to come with, by all means do." He nods, decisively. "Tomorrow, as the sun rises, I will go. Be well."