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Nine Roads Alani	It's still the middle of the day, several days into the Congregation of Victory. The clouds overhead are a bit darker, covering most of the sky overhead with touches of blue peeking out here and there, but it still manages to be hot and humid. The tournament's seen a bit of a slowdown here and there due to scheduling snafu's, but that happens at basically every event ever held anywhere--one wonders why the organizers don't put more buffer space into the schedule. It's nearing the latter half of the first round, with quite a few warriors already out of the tournament and convalescing. There's still quite a bit of action happening today, though, and while the arena isn't packed to an insane degree--that will happen closer to sunset, after people's shifts are over--there's still plenty of people in the stands. Unsurprisingly, the Nine Sheaves Consortium, owner and sponsor of the tournament, is making talents of silver purveying their wares, from fruit juice and tea to stronger drinks, varieties of tobacco and poppy distillates, and who knows what else. Even now there's a hawker of wares calling out several rows back, offering refreshing beverages to counter the heat, while a tan-robed figure rests her elbows on the railing to watch the action below.
Tiziri	Tiziri is one of those still lingering around. One of those who has some food on hand - in this case it's a plate of steamed meat buns. Truly, looks pretty good! The blue haired waif of a girl seems to be pretty relaxed at the moment, especially given the jar of wine she has sitting beside her. The current match doesn't seem to be providing much to interest her either, as Tiziri is looking around more in the stands than anything else.
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk couldn't resist the opportunity to watch the tournement and see the entertainment. Silk took the opportunity to rent out her box until the evening matches so she can enjoy the promised better fights. She has been walking through the crowd like a ghost. She has decided to move towards the railing to see if the next match will be the better than the last match.
Tepet Makara	Makara was late during that last tournament so he arrives in a nick of time. He wonders who fill fight this time and maybe see a different kind of exigent. The dynast had no time changing, so he's in his "black jade" armor. While watching, he looks around for familiar people while sipping a bottle of beer
Fudou the Mountain	The arrival of 'The Mountain' happens with the usual expected fanfare of a brute of a man too large to effectively move with stealth and to uncaring and both bombastic and gregarious in his demeanor to care. All outrageous rolling muscle and sinew and size that's more appropriate on a roided beast of burden then a man, the gargantua cuts a visible sight as he moves through the arena entrance and comes to a stop like a boulder in the middle of the river that is the movement is the crowd around him. Fudou turns his head, swiveling it on his vastly thick neck to survey the stands nearest to him in search of any familiar faces. Keen eye sight flickers here and there, rushing over the crowds with preternatural perception until he locks onto the casual Tiziri..likely helped by the fact that the stands aren't full anyway. It's unclear, just looking at him, if he intends on a match or has been summoned to one given that he always looks dressed for grappling with a River Dragon.. but his movements starting to take him towards Tiziri probably answers his immediate interest in just talking for now.
Nine Roads Alani	Leaning on the railing, watching the goings-on below, there's a figure in a tan robe with black trim. As it turns out, though, it's in fact really difficult to look aloof and mysterious when it's this hot out here. The whole mysterious stranger bit is somewhat muffled when the person in question is grasping the front of her robe and rapidly waffling it, trying to generate at least a bit of a cool breeze. The railing to her left has two empty fruit juice cups and a half of a third. As a more perceptive sort, she glances up past the edge of her hood to consider the other enthusiasts in the stands. As she's strating to turn back to the action below, she catches sight of a svelte, raven-haired woman headed down the stairs not too far away. From within the hood, she grins, showing even white teeth as she stands up, last cup in hand, and moves down the way a bit to meet Silk at the railing.
Tiziri	Tiziri's head tilts to the side as she starts to notice more figures in the crowd she recognizes, her countenance curled into an enigmatic, almost smugly mischevious sort of smile as she does. A bite is taken of her food for a moment. But things change as suddenly someone is starting to make their way towards her. Specifically someone that is exceptionally hard to miss. That makes her lean back and stretch out before grabbing her wine and taking a deep sip from it while she awaits Fudou's arrival.
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk grabs a wine glass from one of the hawkers and drops a silver on the tray absence-mindedly. She stops at the railing to look down on the arena floor. Disappointed to see the next match hasn't started yet. She starts to look around to see if any of her associates have showed up today. Silk makes note of the figure making there way towards her. She brushes her hand agaist the hidden dagger at the small of her back to make she it is clear in case she needs it. She smiles when she recognizes the cloak wearer, her explorer friend "Elena". Takes a sip from her wine. Not sweating at all in the heat and sunshine.
Tepet Makara	Tepet Makara says, "Hmm I wonder when will this start" Makara mutters to himself while drinking a beer as it seems he arrived too early this time since a fight hasn't even started yet. Out of boredom, be brings out a map of the East itself for something he plans to do. The map has points which signifies a port such as one in Great Fork's rivers, another in one of the few eastern satrapies owned by the Nellens known as Port Caelin, and the last is Lookshy. "Hmm, I wonder which of these has vessels leading to the West" He drinks while reading the map and sighing with impatience."
Fudou the Mountain	"Soooo..." Fudou's deep rumbly voice a profound basso tone as he descends upon Tiziri's position and crouches down besides her. His expressio is expectant. Eager even. The look clear on his face via his upraised eyebrows and the big close lipped smile as he peers at her from behind his silver rimmed spectacles. He lets his rumbling greeting hang i the air as he balances on his sandled feet and rests his arms across his knees while looking to her. And then: "....Any gossip?" A simple question as if he were some old matron in a Tea house looking for the latest bit of news about neighborhood on goings. His gaze drifts beyond her to the crowds once again and he quirks his mouth a little upon seeing Makara not far off but he then looks back to TIziri.
Nine Roads Alani	Well, it is indeed Elena, that's for sure. She flashes a grin at Silk as the two make eye contact, and then settles down at a reasonable conversational range. It feels a little peculiar, and yet perfectly natural--something's ever so slightly different from the last time Silk and Elena met and yet, but Elena is so congenial it doesn't seem like an issue at all. She leans against the railing on one arm, looking at Silk briefly, and is about to greet her before a basso profundo from a few rows away cuts through almost every conversation, despite being not quite loud enough to actually understand. It's certainly difficult to miss the man making that comment, as well! Elena obviously takes note of the big guy and the person he's talking to, before looking back at Silk. "Sorry about that. Anyway, nice to see you again! I barely caught a word from you after we found our prize, there..." She laughs quietly. "But, business has been good, which means more demands on my time. Couldn't miss the fights, though. How about yourself?"
Tiziri	"Nothing worth mentioning. Been a pretty boring set of the tournament all things considered. Not a one I've seen lately someone I think has much chance." Tiziri shrugs and sips her wine in punctuation of it. then picks up a meat bun to take a bite from it as well. "So, yes, nothing of note." She leans back and looks up towards the sky. "So unless you're fighting soon I don't expect much more to happen tonight, not many matches left." She covers her mouth and yawns. "Well, I suppose that means there's still a chance of something interesting, but truly, short of a surprise I'm getting more interested in the afterparty tonight every moment."
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk laughs "The curse of being successful is always an exciting one. I have been doing well. Did you have any luck with copying those books? I would like to have a copy of the journals. If you want, I can make copies instead." Silk finishes her drink and sets the glass down. "I thought for sure you would be one of the competitors today instead of in the stands. You did very well on our expedition." She shakes her head as if to answer the question herself. "I don't want to announce myself and my power in front of all these people. That and I'm worried I wouldn't pull my attack enough to not kill someone."
Fudou the Mountain	"Augh. Am I going to import a Thunder Lizard to wrestle??" Fudou lifts his massive arms up in exasperation, movements sending a literal flesh quake through his bulging sinew before he leans forward and drops his great weight upon his knees and toes again. "I'm afraid business called me away so I've missed an opportuity to do more matches but I think I am..earning enough points or positioning but I've by far not seen all of the fighters or more outward display of the supernatural ability.." He laces his hands together and stretches, cracking his knuckles with a sound like tree trunks splintering. "I don't believe entertaining violence is due this evening but who can say?"
Tepet Makara	Makara almost snores while waiting for the fight to start. He passes the time while continuing to read the map for any possible ports. "Oh Fudou is here" He gives a nod once he sees his fellow Lunars here besides Tiziri. "Wish I can fight mostly for experience but I'm sadly preoccupied for now" He sighs while staring at the empty arena grounds.
Nine Roads Alani	"Bah," Elena says with a smile. "I hate copying. Not that I haven't been doing it, mind you--I'm perfectly competent with my letters. Not my favorite activity, though. I haven't forgotten I owe you a copy of the books, by the way, and if you want we can go over them sometime over a glass of wine. Don't have 'em here, though, of course. There's some interesting things there but nothing that'd blow a sage's skirts up, more's the pity. At least so far." Elena sighs and rests an elbow on the railing, looking down at the competitors below. There's fierce fighting down there to be sure, but nothing like the spectacular Dragon-Blooded versus Exigent fight from before. "Oh, Silk, believe me, I wish I was. Heh...you've seen me, what I do can be pretty awesome looking." She gets a fierce grin. "But you know how it is. Not sure I wouldn't go too far, you know? Besides which, there's some things you can only see when you're not focused on the fight." She pauses for a moment, looking meaningfully at the -huge- guy flexing his massive manhole cover-sized pecs. "Like him. Not the first time I've seen him, but guy that size, you -have- to wonder if he can fight as well as he flexes. Also have to wonder why he's up here and not down there." She pauses, turning and leaning back against the railing, elbows behind her, to look up at the crowd. "Also, this is something I should have done an hour ago. Watch who is watching. Did your sifu preach awareness of your surroundings like mine did? Like...see the man in armor? With a map? I feel like he should be in the field giving a scalelord orders." She blinks once at his comment--she can't possibly hear what he says from here, but that's beside the point. "Aaaand he just addressed the big guy. Isn't that interesting?"
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk looks up into the crowd and spots Fudou and Tiziri talking to each other. "Oh, those two, I know know. What me to introduce you to them?" She asks almost too sweetly. "And yes, he can fight as well as he looks. I've seen him do things you would have to see to believe." Silk turns and start walking up the stairs towards her friends. Over her shoulder she says, "I know you aren't going to want to miss these people. I am curious why he isn't down below. Maybe I need to call in a favor."
Tiziri	"That might be fun to watch." Tiziri agrees in a matter of fact tone that might almost be deadpan. "Hey, might even get some people to give more points! So... might be worth the try?" Is she serious? Perhaps. It's hard to say. She notices Makara making his way over now too. "Salutations." She greets, before holding her jug of wine up in toast then taking another long sip. "Well, if it's watching, I was just telling Fudou here you haven't missed much today. So don't worry too much."
Fudou the Mountain	Seems like somebody isn't being a very high-brow dynast. Or maybe the huge guy is a mercenary of some repute. Or maybe--who knows really. In Creation the reasoning can be legionfold. But that doesn't make it any less interesting looking, especially when the huge man's body language adjusts to seem at ease and comfortable with being so addressed as he sits down more directly on the stairs now and stretches his legs out such that they go from one row down to the other. "H'lo, h'lo." he says with a casual gesture towards Makara, beckoning him nearer. "The business we discussed of the other day? No need to be specific. A yes or no will suffice." This is less the crowded fever pitched street festivals of Great Forks at the moment after all. It's crowded and noisy yes but of a different sort and hardly that ruckus from the other evening. He then turns to look in surprise at Tiziri and address her previous statement, probably loud enough for Silk and Elena to overhear as the near: "Now where would I get a Thunder Lizard from?"
Tiziri	Tiziri shrugs as she says, "That's actually a good question. Yet hardly something insurmountable. Honestly, the adventure of doing so might be worth as much of a story, or more, as actually wrestling one in the arena." She sovers her mouth and giggles almost too prim and proper looking. Especially when she follows by taking a bite of her meat bun and then a sip of her wine. "So yes, who knows?" Then she looks over to Makara and studies a moment before saying, "That armor can't be comfortable here in the stands. Unless you really are expecting some sort of combat to take place? Is there something I need to be aware of? Because I don't think there's any real threats right now, I hope."
Nine Roads Alani	Well. Elena raises one blonde eyebrow just about as far as it will go, before hustling a bit up the stairs to catch up to Silk. She's nothing if not athletic, but still she's close enough to be overheard by the others when she replies, "Wait. You -know- them? All three of them? It's a small Creation, I suppose..." She sighs a bit in self-deprecation as the pair arrive within conversational range of the others. "Though not so small as to not fit a Thunder Lizard or two." She glances at Fudou again. "Or three." Elena falls silent for a moment, letting Silk make the introductions.
Tepet Makara	"Oh hello Tiziri. I actually arrived here in a rush hence why I didn't have time to change to my kimono" He mutters with embarassment while putting the map back in his pockets. He literally flew here all the way from Greyfalls after all. Makara then turns to Fudou to respond to him. "Yes, the map is related to uhh the topic yesterday. Mostly since I'm finding a ship that can head out to the great ocean of the West but I have yet to find one, since most vessels I've seen are only capable in travelling in rivers." He then takes notice of Silk Moon alongside a person he does not recognize yet. Makara wonders if she plans to introduce herself
Fudou the Mountain	It's not often Fudou is speechless but Tiziri seems to be one of the few able to manage it on the regular. He just sort of looks at her, contemplating things, but then turns his attention back to Makara. "I would imagine that would be difficult being where we are. You might have better luck further west or with your...resources.." He's spotted the approach of Silk and Elena by now though and so he seems inclined to swiftly let the matter drop and his attention turns to level on the two as they approach. "Well h'lo luv. Long time no see." he rumbles, cheerfully now. His immense arm lifts to gesture in a sweeping gesture over the arena, "Have you placed your bets? Any favorites?"
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk chuckles. "I should have know that arena combat would bring each of you out to watch. I did expect a couple of you to be down there fighting." She gestures to Elena. "Please allow me to introduce Elena, she is an explorer and courier. We took a field trip East into the forest and founds some interesting things out there a couple of months ago." "Elena, these are some of my boon companions. Fudou the Mountain, Tiziri, and Winglord Tepet Makara." Silk smiles at Fudou, "I've placed many bets today. I didn't see your card in the roster, did you need some help getting a fight? And what is this about a Thunder Lizard?"
Tiziri	"If you know anyone from the Guild, they might be interested in such too." Tiziri adds. But then she too looks over to Silk and Elena, offering a smile, and holds her fist up in her palm in a sort of bow gesture. "Salutations. I hope everyone is doing fine?" She asks, looking over Elena especially with a weird sort of gaze. But it fades by the time she takes another bite of her meat bun. She ends up glancing at Makara for a moment too, appraisingly in a weird sort of way.
Nine Roads Alani	Elena offers a cheery grin and nods to each of the three other people in turn. When Tiziri makes her gesture, Elena falls back on training and immediately comes to attention, clasps one fist with the opposite hand, and bows as to a peer. For all that she's casual about everything else she does, this salute and bow looks serious. Once that's done though, she's back to being casual in an instant. "Hey, don't undersell it, Silk. We explored a bubble of the Wyld, killed a few chimerae, popped the bubble, and got a few interesting things in the bargain. Quite successful, I would say. Anyway, a pleasure to meet all three of you. Silk has told me...um, nothing at all about any of you. I did overhear you were planning to bring tyrant lizards to the Arena, though. I -have got- to see this."
Fudou the Mountain	"Greetings friend!" Fudou's deep voice is a cheerful greeting. Positively affable as he looks upon Elena with a big full toothed grin and gleaming round glasses on his broad nose. Nevermind that the head and face is attached to a body that looks every bit capable of the Thunder Lizard grappling he'd casually thrown out there as if he were some sort of storybook strongman lounging in the arena. As Elena recounts the story, Fudou's eyes widen in surprise and his lounging posture changes. He sits up, almost at attention now, still smiling but clear wonder in his gaze as if a boy just told an adventure worth writing about. "Oh! Now that -is- interesting..." Hd considers the rest of Elena's words but then answers Silk first, "I have fought some." His big grin returns, "But nothing yet on the scale of what good Amethyst experienced. I don't doubt that it something colorful awaits but right now I thought to just talk... But if you would offer help I won't refuse it." He then clasps his hands together, "Thunder Lizard, not Tyrant. -That- might be hard to get approved. Thunder Lizards are abit bigger mind you.." He squeezes, bringing his arms up infront of him and causing the masses there to freakishly bunch up, the flex piling into his chest, forcing sinew and tendons to creak and groan, visibly inflating in a sort of monstrous display. "I jested about wrestling one but Tiziri seems to think I should make it a reality.." His physique relaxes, a landslide of movement.
Tepet Makara	"Ah hello there Elena. I wonder what kind of interesting adventures you did during your trip to the Eastern forests. I hope my satrap deploys me there one day, since bandits threaten trade routes and merchants" He gives a nod to the stranger Silk Moon introduced then turns his attention to Fudou. "Yeah, I'm actually looking for ports further East. The other is in Lookshy while another is in Port Caelin" He does not mutter the dangers of using those ports yet especially since other people might be listening. "Tyrants lizards in an arena huh? that would be interesting"
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk smiles "So, I had heard stories about a village to the east that had strange lights all around it all the time. The nearby village wouldn't go near it as it was haunted. Elena and I decided that we wanted to check it out. So we hopped a ride on her chariot and rode out of to the site. The place was a Shogunate era camp with this strange see through dome of rainbow light around it. We found some eagle-bear chimeras out there. Elena can handle herself in a fight as well as I could. She was using the spare wheel from her chariot to clobber the beasts." "So we got to the center of the place to find the camp sorcerer had inverted his working. Instead of repelling the wyld, it drew it in. Once we turned it off, the dome went away. The buildings half collapsed after we turned it off as well. Like the wyld was keeping them intact."
Tiziri	Tiziri makes a little shrug, "I did. Though it was as much a suggestion as anything. A way to add to the legend of life. That and a heck of a spectacle if it did happen." She grins impishly to go along with the statement. Though as she looks over silk now she raises a brow and adds, "Now you're definitely having some adventures too, it sounds like. I can hardly claim anything of the sort aside from my dusty caravan routes and languid river trips I've participated as a guard." She pauses, then laughs, "Poetry contests? That I can give some better stories about, but those hardly have the same spectacle about them."
Fudou the Mountain	The behemoths display seems to have its intended impact. Merely sitting there and rolling his muscles like some sort of continental shift of tectonic plates has an impact on those who were looking that way or close enough to slightly hear the stretching of sinew like some sort of industrial strength leather and the grindng of bones that and tendons that seem to imply the very true reality of strength to compete with the legendary Thunder Lizards he's so casually discussing grappling with. Fighters who had already been studying the colossus visually look disturbed. A mixture of awe, trepidation and unsettlement as if disturbed by witnessing something that should not be or be seen so casually around them. Those inclined to favor the goliath are just put that much more into his corner. The sort of awe one gets from witnessing a colossal beast of the fields and a favored monstrous force that's on your side. Fudou seems to hardly notice any such reactions. HIs full attention and smile on those infront of him but there is a hint of mischief in his eyes; "Well point me at one then. Do you -know- where to find a random Thunder Lizard?"
Nine Roads Alani	Elena looks at the rest of the group here with a fond smile, listening to the banter. She looks at Silk, then Tiziri, and shrugs with a smile. "Well, as Silk said, I'm a courier as well as an explorer. The latter doesn't put much food on the table, you see. Anything so long as it lets me go fast! ...Well, ruins exploring may not go fast, but it's still exciting as hell. Always something deadly around the next bend, and I admit I can't resist that kind of thing for long. Or racing. Or fighting." She looks at Tiziri appraisingly. "I may not be in the tournament, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good spar now and again. We'll have to fight sometime." Elena pauses to watch Fudou put this half of the Arena in its place, all but literally, with just one massive flex like shifting of tectonic plates. Despite herself, she takes a step back, quieted by the man's immense force of personality. "Er...Thunder Lizard. Right. I don't see them myself, but they're found in the East, right? That's...where I'd look."
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk laughs at the reaction from the crowd. "Now that's a way to make sure they know who the biggest around is. Is there a specific reason you want to fight a Thunder Lizard other than you can? It sounds a little dangerous to wrestle one. I'm sure I could arrange for one to be caught in a few weeks." She nods to Elena "You know, I just realized that I could teach you want I know if you were willing to teach me your technique. You know, like for like."
Nine Roads Alani	Now what's funny isn't that the people in the stands, or the fighters nearby are intimidated. What's hilarious is Fudou's display actually manages to garner the attention of most of the people down in the Arena proper as well. Several stop what they're doing for a brief moment, and one gets her bell rung by a left haymaker from someone who'd been facing the wrong way at the time. She's not out yet but her eardrum will be reminding her of that painful mistake for a while yet.
Tepet Makara	Makara looks at the amazing display of strength Fudou is doing with awe. Such prowess would eclipse that of Pasiap's children. "Well at least there is something to watch while waiting" He wonders why the fight is taking too long to start but at least there is something to do to pass the time
Tiziri	"Perhaps." Tiziri says almost enigmatically in tone. "Though I suppose I need to actually do more than walk around town sometimes." She laughs a little bit then. "And you certainly won't see me trying to wrestle a Thunder lizard for fun!" The laugh continues after that, even as she was gesturing offhandedly towards Fudou's display. "Not that I'm much for grappling either, I'm far more modest in my focus, far more focused on actual combat if I need to protect someone or thing." She sips her wine, "Now, Fudou. Yeah, I'd suggest a Guild contact first. If not? Well, maybe there would be someone out east when you travel there? Definitely an interesting thing to consider all the same, if sadly out of the scope of the tournament."
Fudou the Mountain	Oh oops. Fudou does catch that one match go bad in the Arena and he can't help but cringe inwardly on behalf of the poor lass. HE pretends to not notice, as if he's above all of that and really 'didn't mean' to cause such a disturbance but he can't help but side eye that particular incident for a few more seconds before the talk of the Thunder Lizards pulls him back in. It's now his turn to blanche as the ladies call his bluff. "Ach. I meant it as a joke and you all are making it sound so casual and simple. Maybe -I'm- the one not thinking big enough." He seems mildly embaressed now but still bemused. He sniffs, rubbing the back of his nose and leans back to rest his elbows against the staircase "'Arrange for one to be caught' you say. Contact The Guild. Now my foot is in my mouth for talking too much!" Fudou waves it all off and gives a rumbling chuckle, "You've got me cornered. It's indeed for no other reason then, 'I can', luv. A comment on spicing things up since our good friend here is so bored." He gestures over at Makara at that and then grins once more, lifting his arm up in a casual heavenward gesture, "Don't trouble yourself on that whim. Besides..if I -really- wanted to make it interesting..I'd go get one!"
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk laughs hardily from Fudou's admission. "That isn't the worst reason to want to wrestle one. If any of us have the ability to do it, that would be you." "Tiziri, if you want to go on an adventure, all you had to do was say so, which direction would you like to go? The borderlands and fight the restless dead? North and challenge the Bull? East and search the jungle for lost cities? West past the blessed isle in search of pirates? Tell me and I would gladly join you." There's a glint in Silk's eye at the talk of adventure.
Nine Roads Alani	Elena laughs and looks up (and up!) at the Mountain. "Frankly, I have my doubts you'd send someone else to tame anything you could do yourself. "Anyway," she continues, "Silk, I'll be the first to admit stealth isn't really something I'm best at? But your style is deadly and graceful, and I find myself curious. As for you, Tiziri," Elena says with a tiny little smirk. "Ask Silk whether my grabbing a foe is something that would harm them -less-, or if I do that -instead- of defeating them. Or better yet, do what I asked about before and face me. If you don't respect a grappler I promise you are in for an eye-opening experience." She pauses for a moment at Silk's mention of adventure, considering. "I won't deny I'd enjoy all those things as well. The last time went not too badly."
Tiziri	"Challenge the Bull? Now you're making wrestling a Thunder Lizard seem mild in comparison." Tiziri says while shaking her head. "No, I think I'd stick to ruins, I like learning about the past and that seems to be a far easier way to do things. It's part of why I stick around here, there's just so many to see and something tells me still more to be found, and I like that." Tiziri raises a brow at Elena though. "Not respect? Where did I say I don't respect. I definitely meant nothing of the sort, merely that I'm not very apt at it. I use the spear, and pretty much focus on it entirely. Perfect for the sort of work I do, not so great for other things. I am quite respectful of grapplers."
Tepet Makara	Once he hears of the word "Bull" it caught his attention as there is oddly a slight enmity in his eyes when mentioned. However he does not speak of this as he continues waiting. "I should check Port Caelin when I have the time" He mutters but realizes he ran out of beer and heads to a stall to get some
Nine Roads Alani	"Honestly, it sounds like, besides some sparring and training, finding another ruin to explore sounds like the order of the day. If you -do- find another one, definitely invite me. You know where my storefront is, right, Silk?" As the old friends (and in one case, new sort-of-friend) talk, a figure on the other side of a pillar, perhaps a hundred feet away and not in line of sight, leans back against the ancient stone to stare thoughtfully at the sign etched into his badge. The sign of the Nine Sheaves. Emanating from it in a weak, tinny voice Elena can be heard asking her question. The figure rubs the badge with his left thumb, quieting it, then shuffles off down the tunnel in the opposite direction.