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Raullaur	The tournament is the talk of all the city, and so, of course among the Pride. Some of them are heading out from the barracks to go sign up. Inside? It's another day: people are training, doing maintenance on weaponry. Others still patrolling in the city, or outside it. All in all, fairly calm, and certainly orderly, with the usual grumbling that soldiers have always done since time immemorial.
Raullaur	And in the office, Rallaur is grumbling louder, at having to deal with...paperwork. Going over letters, a stylus in his hand as he slwoly copies things, eyes narrowed, and ears flattened against his head as he works through the lesson slowly.
Fudou the Mountain	Fudous' arrival is both unnanounced and uninvited but enter he does by means of grabbing ahold of the wall framing the barracks from the otuside and then pulling himself up and vaulting over it with a single clear bounding leap that shakes the ground mightily upon his landing. His garments are his usual loose fitting rugged, shredded and ragged fair with arm and shin guards and sandled feet though much of the rest of him is on display in its usual thunderous fashion. His impact likely shakes the very room Raullaur is in and he wastes no time walking for the building with his office. He should be recognizable at least but he doesn't seem to be asking for permission either. Typical Fudou.
Raullaur	There's a bit of a hullaballoo as Fudou drops in to the courtyard, but as he's rather recognizeable, and recognized, no-one tries to stop him. When he gets close to the door, Raullaur calls out, "Just open it. Don't break it!" Inside, well, there's some spilled ink on the paper, and the lion is standing up with a bit of a resigned air. "I hate this writing. It still seems gibberish and strange. Thanks for interrupting the practice." He pauses a moment, and looks up, "What's happening? Something strange or dire?"
Fudou the Mountain	"Must there be something strange or dire? Perhaps I came to say hello! I can't seem to drag you into the dojo to crack that armor of yours with my fists so I have to satisfy myself by simply coming to see you at work and bother you like a gigantic pest." Fudou's words are good natured though. He's clearly not here for any sort of agressive behavior though he does invite himself in. He pauses long enough to look over the paper work. Eyes sharp and mind actually capable of reading much despite the look of him as a bare chested barbaric brawler and drunke lout. Education doesn' seem to suit such a look but his eyes rove the paper with knowledge and intent. "Contracts? Requests?"
Raullaur	"Worse. Grammar. /Poetry/. And it all has to fit the paper, rather than flow when recited or sung." Raul shakes his head, then grins slightly. "So.../did/ you come by to say hello? And what do you want to drink? We have something...very strong that they tell me was once cherries. Or there are drinks of plum, or apples."
Fudou the Mountain	IF Fudou -did- have another reason, he's throw off from admitiing to it with that bit of a swerve. His mouth drops open slightly. "Why in the world are you doing..poetry!?" He can't seem to fathom this but then he blinks abit back to a more mindful state and rumbles, "Mm..no drink thank you. I will not try and take much of your time. In truth I lied. There is something I wanted to speak to you about.." He gives a glance over his shoulder to look outside and then back to Raullaur, "Will they leave us alone?"
Raullaur	"Learning to read. Write. This is what the scholar has me to do. And in any field of instruction, the Instructor is the One True God at that moment." Raullaur shrugs slightly, and then bellows out a roar in a thick feline tongue for a moment, and then nods. "They'll leave us alone. Unless an emergency, and then they'll be pounding hard enough they won't listen," he says. "And like I said, I don't see you unless there's something happening, so...tell me. Have a seat," he says, gesturing at the largest of the furniture. "And tell me what troubles you."
Fudou the Mountain	"THat is patently not true." counters Fudou with a point of his finger, "You see me often and as often as you'd like but you also are at times either swamped in work or perhaps you avoid me. So I came to you directly. I have no troubles but I do have something to tell you and a proposal. -You- might be troubled. Perhaps insulted. Perhaps elated. But as a Lunar..this is what I do. I stir the pot and I give you somethign to think about and I push change.." He pauses and does grow more serious as he asks, "Do you recall the discussions on visiting Raksi? You were there when it came up."
Raullaur	Raullaur closes his eyes and nods. "I do recall, though it has been a while. I have heard her reputation, and I wonder if I should be as worried of her as I am of Ma Sa Huchi..." He shakes his head, "That was...a trek, going around his lands."
Fudou the Mountain	That causes another pause from the giant. It seems despite his intentions that's twice now Raullaur has surprised him and not the other way around. He seems flustered oddly but then recovers. "WEll two things. First the answer is yes. Maybe moreso for different reasons. But more then that.. that was not something that was you were being openly invited to. Bright and I were going to tell you no." Fudou grows more solemn, "Several of you are..trusted companions. Friends. True enough. Loyal. But at the time the impression that several of us who were planning this received was that..some of you were looking at this like..an adventure. A journey in search of glory and fun orjust go to 'support' .. But Raksi is..from the ancient world. So is Ma Ha Suchi. Her realm is full of wonders both fascinating and gross and she possesses unfathomable knowledge and power. This journey is for Bright's sake as part of her dedicated lifes mission. Because of this, not everyone is suited to go. Makara isn't now. We did not think it would have been wise to include you..." His voice trails off as if waiting ot see Raullaur's reaction to that.
Raullaur	Raullaur nods. "The mission, it must of course be first. Duty, and success, must come first," he says, reasonably. "There are those about here, I would not want to take on a campaign for the same reason. So no offense is taken, and I will wish those who go on the journey well." He chuckles slightly, "I may want to ask questions, about the Hundred Kingdoms certainly. And if there is more of what you do, or speak of, with the honored elder, I will be delighted to hear."
Fudou the Mountain	"Mm...you've matured.." muses Fudou, cryptically and then-- "I'm not finished. I spoke with another about my concerns. Tiziri and she raised a good point, something I hadn't considered before. So I'd like to propose this to you.." He pauses in consideration and then says, "I know you seek a place for your people to thrive. A land to call their own. Raksi commands an empire referred to as the Total Control Zone with a Thousand Fangs Army. In her city, Mahalanka, are wonders and things you would find foul fascinating as well as enticing and intoxicating. But there are other nations, cultures and lands that encircle her domain and regions unconquered and untamed. Imagine, gaining her favor, and settling a nation of your own. Not as a tributary to Mahlanka but an ally. She would gain a neighbor touched by the sun and able to help her armies guard her borders. Your people would gain a home. She might find you interesting and this prospect fascinating and Bright will have brought her a Solar War General seeking her favor and a land for his people..." He inclines his head, "A touch more glorious then some hovel in The Hundred Kingdoms..don't you think?"
Raullaur	Raullaur hmmms. "If glory is all to seek, then certainly. But...I have heard rumors and tales. But I do not know what the /truth/ is of her. How she would be as a neighbor, how hers and mine would interact." His tail flicks slightly, "On the other hand, I know not these things of the Hundred Kingdoms either, so there is a risk either way. So, I ask you, if you know...what would she think of a strong force of proud lionfolk at her borders? What do you think she would think of one of the Rising Sun? And how long before you think we would get amalgamated into the Zone and Army?" He sounds curious, certainly not rejecting the idea.
Fudou the Mountain	"It is not the Lion Folk that would draw her attention, it is you. As a chosen of the sun, if you stoke her interst, to have you as an ally and a protectorate would greately enhance her in many ways. Her beastfolk are reverened. Her ape folk are her csen but many others also dwell there. Numerous cultures. Nations until themselves. The Thousand Fangs army is vast and mighty and the people and cultures that live in the Total Control Zone see her as all mighty absolute being. She protects them but also cultivates stories of her monstrous nature as well. Guardian and witch. Ancient beyond reckoning. One of the few alive who was alive before... all of this.." He gestures loosely, "Who knows. She may have even known your past incarnation. So she -knows-.. Knows what you were all like. Why it fell. It will no doubt color her opinion of things and why she does what she does. I do not suggest that there is no risk just to cinsider it. You don't make an alliance like this strictly because of morality and like minded connections. She -will- test you. Test your limits. Test your will. Test your capacity for standing your ground and knowing when to yield." Fudou inclines his head and says, "She is an elder celestial exalt, Raullaur. That alone should carry weight and warning and also promise of great success if you able to manage that.."
Raullaur	"Of course, you are of power yourself, and I suppose this is a test for me standing my ground or yielding." He grins, "Of course, I have no set plans--yet--so I will say this certainly sounds intriguing. As this is ultimately for the benefit of Bright Journey, should I talk with her about this as well? For yes, this is a great chance, and I do not wish to miss it. But." He stands and stretches slightly, before continuing, "the mission is ultimately hers, so I will not put it in peril. But if I would contribute--if it would benefit for me to come, to test and be tested...it would be a delight to get out of this city and amongst the wilds once again."
Fudou the Mountain	"This part is not ultimately for her benefit. You must rethink your perspective." says Fudou quickly. "I know you put your people first but.." he points at the lion man, "Don't you have drive and fever to see the world changed and golden once more? This an opportunity for you to possibly earn the graces and resources of an ancient one. I'm not merely proposing an alliance with some slovely merchant king or even a mortal empire. Doesn't this do more then intrigue you? DOn't you burn with the thought of Raksi -owing- you something one day as your armies deflect an attempt on her domain by the fae and your people thrive in the far east?" Fudou hoods his eyes, considering Raullaur and then says, "If your'e just content with ..this.." he indicates the barracks, "Then fine but somehow I don't think you are. This is no test. I'm simply stating the facts. If you want to settle then settle. Just approach The Three. See if they'll grant you land near Great FOrks, oryes, migrate to the kingdoms. Ooooor..you can face the gaze of Raksi.." Fudou smirks mildly, "The benefit this might have for Bright Journey is secondary. You're not 'whoring' youreslf out on her behalf. No doubt she'd look good but maybe not. Raksi is mercurial. She might not even care and may just simly want to know what you have to offer. Or not. No pressure...."
Raullaur	Raullaur grumbles slightly. "You say I am excluded for the mission. Then you say I should not put that mission first. Or perhaps slightly hijack it for my own mission." He then shakes his head, "It is not in the nature of the Moon to be constant, so I suppose not in her Chosen's nature's either." Still, there is a glimpse of humor, but then it fades. "I am tired of the city. I am tired of constraint, and order that is haphazard and seemingly corrupt. That is why I thought to strike in the Hundred Kingdoms. But this...it is of far greater scope. And...were I Tiziri, I would want to stretch my wings more than I have been able to here."
Fudou the Mountain	"Well ...My point is that my mention of Bright Journey benefiting from the -appearence- you having come alongside her to entreat Raksi on allowing your people to settle near her borders was a secondary issue. Perhaps I shouldn't have said that. It distracts from the real issue here. That you could -yourself- gain something from this journey that you have been longing for yourself and in doing so yes..you would be of value to the original purpose of this journey. That is all. I think you should consider it. Come with us and decide for yourself if this is for yoru people or not. Besides..Raksi could also just say no." Q Fudou considers that and then says, "But I think it would be worth the experience regardless of what she says but we will have to spend some time preparing you for the various possiblities. I'll let Tiziri know." He then slowly grins and rumbles, "..Actually..this was Tiziri's idea.."
Raullaur	Raullaur nods. "True. And it shifts me from a mere adventurer or support, to somoene with a goal. A purpose. One next to, but not identical to, the main purpose. I look forward to talking more. With you, Tiziri, or others." He gives a toothy grin. "And sometime I'll let you beat me to a pulp just to get out of having to write more..../poetry/." He shakes his head. "At least there is a rhythm and order to it, even if not quite a natural one."
Fudou the Mountain	"You can always enter the tournament." notes Fudou with a grin, "..I'm still working on figuring out a way to truly...be 'me'..without giving away what I am during it but I intend to fight in it. Im sure, given your reputation, people want to see what you can do but..even with our freedom to be ourselves around here..it makes sense to have some caution. I will mention this to TIziri. Bright already knows about this suggestion to you. Tiziri and I will handle the rest.. ANd by the way, you were wise to avoid The Tangle but I think compared to Raksi, my shahan-ya is positively charming..."
Raullaur	"It is too bad there are no war games, or games of strategy to play," Raul says. "And I surely intend to enter the tournament. Several of my men are, and I should show off. For them. For myself. And for our admirers." He chuckles and then ponders. "It will be fun to let loose. Though word would certainly get to the Hunt. It would be...interesting to go againt them some time. And your shahan-ya? Whom followest thou, what teaches he thee?"
Fudou the Mountain	The thou and thee catches him by surprise and Fudou notes sardonically, "Practicing that poetry are we? No need. I'm not so easily wooed." He snorts and then says, "Fighting the hunt is unavoiable though I undrestand some of our peers being cautious and wanting to avoid it. To be certain there will be eyes watching the tournament but if I have enough time to prepare I plan to appear as an Exigent of some god of strength or mountain ranges or whatever." he waves it off dismissively as ff he has't worked out his whole cover story yet. "And if they see through it then..well.. I am rathr strong.." Fudou then grins and rumbles, "Oh..you didn't catch that? It's Ma Ha Suchi. The Tangle is the jungle you avoided. The Nameless Lair lies within along with tribes that he protects and who worship him, not unlke Raksi. A warrior and a diplomat. The wolf of roses. Also ancient as Raksi. Perhaps..older.."
Raullaur	Raullaur grins. "We have old tales that we tell in old ways. And so we remember as much of the old as wey can, lest memory die. So. Speak with those you need to, and we will speak again. As for the tournament...it will be fun to strive. More fun to win. But win or not, strive well, and bask in glory and admiration."