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Fudou the Mountain	It's such a wonderful little toy. A dojo whose magic and sorcery is so powerful it can prevent serious injury and death, thus enabling those within it to unleash their most devestating techniques against each other without fear of consequences. How does it work? Who made it? Does it have limits? Who cares! That's Fudou's perspective at least. In recent days he's been here at the invite of Amethyst who wished to show him her latest abilities and test herself against him in light of rumor and more of an upcoming tournament of champions. It didn't go so well. He ended up falling ontop of her from the heights of the ceiling of the tall training room and following that..things had gotten a little verbally testy. A small dragonblooded and a gigantic lunar. Not exactly the usual participants of a verbal spat but Great Forks has made strange bedfellows. And so he's here again. He roamed in as a cat and now a monstrous building sized behemoth of a lunar sits, crossed legged, in the middle of the room in a semi thinkers pose as he ponders the patterns on the floor and waits.
Bright Journey	"I thought I heard someone down here." The voice is familiar, of course. Sure enough, Bright Journey rounds the corner from the hallway outside, mild concern on her face. She relaxes a bit when she sees who is inside, though the tension is not entirely gone--not yet. She gives Fudou's face a long, thoughtful, searching look as she steps into the dojo and stops just inside the door. "Fudou," she starts, "you know you're free to use the dojo, if it's not too restrictive." She grins a bit, a reference to another day in this very room so long ago. "But it -is- polite to let us know you're coming. "So what's on your mind," she asks, still studying the huge man's expression. "Quite a bit, I imagine."
Fudou the Mountain	"Huh. Still got it! Here I was thinking that I'd forgotten how to sneak around and be unseen but it seems I've got a knack for subterfuge!" The behemoth slips into a more affably brutish tone shortly after being addressed. If he was troubled he makes an attempt to hide whatever is dominating his mood and thoughts and instead simply lifts his head up and gives Bright Journey a broad grin. "You owe me a match, Bright Journey. You did't even get a chance to see me test our Malfeas empowered Exalted mystery girl." He slowly rises now, creaking up and up to his full height like some sort of tree uprooting itself. "But you are right. I did come to see you. I thought maybe -you- had something to talk to -me- about..yes?"
Bright Journey	Bright gets a touch of a smile on her lips. "After how disparaging you were of the dojo last time we sparred here, I'm surprised you're here of all places. If you got a chance to fight that girl from the Arena, though, I have to admit to some curiosity on how it went. It sounds like you two had fun." She chuckles as she steps inside, then leans on the wall just inside the door. "Whirlwind fight or whirlwind romance? Or both? It's okay, you can tell me." She laughs but soon enough, her expression turns a bit more serious. "We can talk about matches another time. You're right, of course--I do need to talk to you. I'm hard at work getting ready, but while that's going on...the last time we spoke, I heard a few things that really concerned me. From Raullaur and Makara both." She pauses, giving Fudou an intent look, waiting for him to respond.
Fudou the Mountain	There was a lot said there that Fudou is just bursting at the seams to respond to and a Fudou looking like he wants to burst at the seams internally is a curious sight indeed. But her line of question quickly refocuses him and he looks long at her before he slowly sits down once again, this time on a large stone so he's not flat on the floor. "Before I answer you.. How exactly are you 'getting ready' and what did you hear that concerned you?" He seems to know exactly what she heard. His gaze doing little to hide that fact from her, but he looks on her intently, waiting.
Bright Journey	"You were there, of course," she responds. Granted, she's no martial artist, but still...there comes a time when being in a dojo, and being polite, means doing what is expected of anyone in a dojo. Her blouse and skirt aren't especially suited to it, perhaps, but she's more than acceptably graceful as she walks to a reasonable distance and sinks into a kneeling posture opposite the huge man. My goals...and in this case, maybe my -life- depend on my ability to convince this Raksi of what I'm saying. Maybe all our lives will eventually depend on it, but we can think about that part another time. I've been trying to work out exactly what I'm going to say, think of as many possible rebuttals as she might throw out, and be ready for each one. I won't be able to think of everything, obviously, but I plan on being as prepared as I possibly can be...not just to walk away, but hopefully to win her over." Bright pauses to refocus her thoughts, looking down at her hands as they rest on her knees. She then looks back up (and up!) at Fudou. "As for what I heard...you know. You were there. Every time someone spoke of a petty plan to visit Raksi for fun, or worse to lean on any good faith I might generate with her for a personal end, just drove me frankly insane. I think you were still around when I finally tore a strip out of Makara for treating this like a jungle safari. He of anyone should -know- better. Raullaur is very, very tough, but I really don't think he realizes that will not impress anyone there."
Fudou the Mountain	The immense man listens and nods as Bright speaks. "Yes, I was there." Fudou confirms, just in case there was any lingering questions. "I just wanted to hear it from you to see what you perceived, luv. But yes." He rubs his jaw, thoughtfully, and then finally rumbles, "I will give you some additional perspective to consider. First, I've spoken with Makara and I have also talked again with Tiziri since that event. Makara is.." he frowns a little and then says, "He does -not- know better. He's avoided much..I suppose you might say...fraternizing..with many of his fellow Lunars until his time in here in Great Forks. He comes from a family deep in The Realm and has exalted as a lunar and is afraid for them and doesn't want to leave them. His situation has...created someone that is unsteady. I think he knwos this. I told him he wasns't ready for Raksi as he is. I don't think he will be a problem.." He pauses and then says, "When you first asked me about meeting leaders among The Pact I told you then that you needed more clout and growth and I believe you are ready for this. When I met Tiziri and learned that Raksi taught and mentored her, I realized that she could make an introduction and that Raksi would possibly be a better start for you because of her position as a sorceress. Perhaps the strongest alive. I thought you would be able to..learn from her and that she would apreciate that as a commmon ground. But.." He pauses and then says, "You should temper your expectations to somethign that you know you can do. In this case. To impress her. She is ancient beyond reckoning. SHe remembers the before time. She was there. SHe knows what -you- were like back then and she will weigh that with what you have to say -now-. She craves things that will make her thinking and entertain her and she will test your resolve and your will. She will hear what you have to say but if you can walk away with her being impressed with you and willing to lend you her ear and her advice - that will be a victory. You may not move her from her seat with one visit and you might not like the solutions she has to the problems you present her with but if you can make her see your strength of resolve and purpose then that will be an accomplishment that will reverbrate through the Pact."
Bright Journey	Bright Journey is carefully listening to every words Fudou utters, of course. Her gaze on Fudou's is intense and unwavering, focused and direct. As she weighs each basso profundo word coming from Fudou, considering it before speaking, Fudou may come to the realization that talking with him--heck, maybe talking with -anyone- is all part of Bright's self training. Instead, she weighs every word like she's judging arrows for her quiver. Maybe that's exactly what she's doing. At the very least she's not taking a day off in chatting with Fudou. "All right," Bright replies. "I'm glad you got through to Makara. I'm hoping he will get better with time, but I'm more than relieved he shouldn't try to come along. I'm guessing, though, that you haven't talked to Raullaur. I imagine speaking to him about this falls to me. I will do what I can to get him to rethink trying to join us. I'm as worried as you are about making Raksi wonder why -two- Solar Exalted were coming to visit." She pauses for a long moment, studying Fudou's expression again. "I have been putting some long thought into how to approach this, and I think we're already in agreement. I may find some common ground with her by 'talking shop', so to speak, I will never be able to impress her with sorcery, no matter how skilled I am. I'm good, but not the best that ever was. More importantly, it doesn't...well, -define- me in the same way. I agree that the best I can hope for is to impress her. I...do not know much about my own past life. I can't even remember my name. Just...flashes, images. She grins a little goofily. "Mostly memories of my mate, you understand. They're a bit private. But she might know more about who I was than -I- do. I won't lie, that worries me."
Fudou the Mountain	"Don't let it worry you. It's a long shot unless you remember much of those days and share it with her. I was speaking more generally." notes Fudou, "The idea that..she remembers those days and what the Solars were like. Those who are so old..that sort of thinking guiides many of them. Many are stuck in that past and defined by it. Raksi may be one such being. She may have a vision of Creation that depends heavily on how she views the solars and what she thinks of them. I can't say. I can only say that Tiziri seems to be betting on that she will find you intersting and that will be your gateway in but..Mahlanka is... I've never been but I've heard rumors. It's decadent. It's morality is..not what your'e used to. Even me. You will have to stand your ground on some matters and be diplomatic on others. It's all part of the test as she seeks to see who you are." He pauses and then says, "Don't speak to him yet. I mentioned to Tiziri that he may not be a good fit but she raised this point. Raullaur seeks a place for his people. A land to call their own. Consider Raksi being brought a Solar general and his army who wishes a place free of persecution and being mercenaries in order to build a nation. He may be able to strike a bargain with her and settle his people on the borders of Mahlanka. She would gain a Solar ally to protect her lands and he a place for his people..and you? Youw ill have brought him to her..."
Bright Journey	Bright taps her chin in thought as she listens to Fudou speak. "Perhaps she will appreciate my asking what we were like back then...and what -she- thinks we could do better. Asking for her wisdom, in small, measured doses, could be seen as flattering. Too much and she'll surely feel taken advantage of." Bright nods slowly as Fudou speaks of Mahlanka. "That all seems very...non-specific. Hopefully I'll be able to see in her eyes which I'm better off resisting and which I should go along with. If it's a test...she'll at least be looking for some kind of right answer. You said her morals are...different...so I'm not sure I'll be able to guess what she wants right away." She stops, eyebrows raised in surprise at the mention of Raullaur. "Well. Now -that- is a different kettle of fish, as they say. I hadn't thought he might want more than Great Forks can provide, in all honesty. I'll keep silent on that, then."