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Nine Roads Alani	There's something nice and decadent about having a quiet place to hang out in what's otherwise a noisy, bustling, frenetic pack of crazy outside. The Arena is in full swing as the second round of competition is just about to get underway, and the bustle outside is rapidly ascending to fever pitch. The crowd in the Arena is primed and ready, and probably half-drunk and/or stoned already. At least judging by the volume of some of the people nearby! In here, though...well, it's not -quiet-, per se, but there's at least a carafe of wine, cider and sweetmeats nearby, enough room to stretch one's legs, and a chance to sit down and yet still be able to see over people's heads to take in the violent sport below. The Arena is spaced out into fewer, but larger circles, allowing for more movement and more strategy in the second round. With the bracket halved, the size of the rings double, and the anticipation of spectacle and slaughter likewise! Nine Roads Alani, or Elena as people here might know her, has a fond smile on her face as she leans forward, elbows on her knees, watching the action below. Her fingers rapidly tap in time to some of the strikes below, often times frowning before an errant strike actually even fails to land. A large, mostly empty mug of cider sits patiently by her elbow, the finger or two left sloshing back and forth in time with her movements.
Serene Herald	The Serene Herald of the Cessation of Strife and Sorrow, known to the city as the scholar Perfect Question comes into the suite. He's faught a couple of times--not spectacularly in any case, and the odds on him progressing, let alone winning, are not that great. Still, he comes in and smiles to Elena, "Good day," he greets her. "I hope you are having fun being here. I have had a fun time, but I think I am coming close to the end of my time in here." He brings a bottle of distiolled liquor, dark, nutty, and slightly sweet. "Things are definitely intriguing."
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Having won her firs round has allowed Scarlet Onyx Sunada, the Wandering Thunder, a chance to enjoy a private box with a few others. Her second mug of ale half empty beside her. She has changed out of the monk's robes into a red silk tunic and leather pants that show off her well tones muscles. Her brown leather boots are well worn. Her staff resting next to her. She has been failly animated about the combatants and cheering them on. She looks over at the man with the bottle and smiles. "I do love it when someone brings the good stuff. Tell me good sir, what do we drink to this evening?"
River Jewel	From the same direction that Serene Herald approached comes some more footsteps. Quiet ones, as they belong to a young woman who can almost fit in his silhouette unseen. Indeed she steps out from behind him, grinning, and carrying what looks to be several woven bags that hang heavily in both hands. "Ah, and here we are! Good day to everyone indeed. Time to see what all the hullabaloo is about, hm? I've never seen a tournament... rare enough to find some would-be town defenders swinging some sticks around."
Nine Roads Alani	Now, here's the thing about being a Sidereal. Have you talked to every other Sidereal? Nah. There's a hundred of you, going hither and yon on four hundred different tasks, trying to do the work of a legion of reality troubleshooters. But have you -seen- every other Sidereal? Most likely. Especially those of a similar age, you've probably sparred with some of them as your respective sifu sat, drank tea, and tore verbal strips out of each of you for turning a foot out three degrees too far. This means that, come hell, high water, or most especially a high profile martial arts tournament, you're going to see some people whom you recognize. People you don't have to be close-mouthed around. People who know what you've been through and the challenges you face. People like other young Sidereals. Elena, or Nine Roads Alani as she's more likely known to everyone here, takes one last half-swig of her cider and downs it, then turns to look at who else is entering the booth. There's a look of genuine glee on her face watching the proceedings, one that widens significantly when she sees who's arrived. "Well, well! A fine day to all of you! Get in, and do close the door." She smirks and stands up, smoothing down her tan and black robes as her grinning smile shows against her tanned face. The hood hides her eyes, of course, but she looks at everyone with satisfaction. "I had an impression that traveling here would be auspicious, and what do you know, I was right. I'm beginning to wish I'd brought a keg, though."
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Scarlet finishes her ale in one quick drink. She gets up from her chair. "It would appear that fortune has brought us together. I did not expect to run into any of you here. I get to keep fighting in the tournement, right?" Scarlet smiles at Nine Roads, "Funny you should mention a keg." She slided her chair back reveiling a half keg that has already been tapped. "I told them I wanted to drink well tonight." Scarlet starts laughing.
River Jewel	River Jewel glides smoothly into the room, feet barely touching the floor only to HEAVE-HO the bags she's toting onto the nearest available raised surface - counter, table, whatever. They settle down with a soft clunk-ruffle. Apparently they're filled with something substantial. "Oh don't you worry too much about that. Wouldn't quite call this a keg, but..." She pulls the bags down to reveal a fair amount of snacks and bottles of this and that. Wines, juices, and other things. Pastries and other munchies. All that she could reasonably carry. Which, for the physically frail River Jewel, is not much. She's definitely better at carrying a tune. "Been traipsing all over town finding the best goods from the little forgotten corners that deserve more recognition." And, no doubt, pulling some strings so those forgotten corners get more attention...
Serene Herald	"Definitely keep going. You are doing better than I am. On the other hand, I don't expect to get too far, let alone win. You have seen the powerhouses they have!" He hands his bottle over and gets a mug himself to have some of the fresh juice. "I have heard tell of several interesting people in the city, and some of them are in the tourament, others...I have not seen yet. For now? I know it is strange for /me/ to say it, but...I could use just a night of being myself, relaxing, and resting."
Nine Roads Alani	Alani brushes her hood back from her head, revealing the long blonde hair, tanned skin and golden eyes. "Well, now all that looks like I'm starting to get hungry all of a sudden." She is still grinning when the door closes and latches, and when it does, she looks no less happy, but there's an intent look that wasn't there before. "Yeah, believe me I wish I could have competed. I think I'd do reasonably well, though...yeah. You're right, Serene Herald. They have some -strong- warriors. I was introduced to a few the other day, and we need to talk about them, actually. "I'm guessing some of you are here just for the tournament?" She pauses and avails herself of River Jewel's goodie bag for a sweet nectar. "Mmm, this -does- look good. And here I thought I'd been everywhere in the city by now." She takes a sip while she looks at everyone meaningfully. "I've been here for a few months. And I don't think it'll come as a huge shock for me to say I was sent here to find out--" Alani's comment is interrupted most suddenly by a short, soft sizzling sound, followed by a distinct 'pop!'. That's a sound everyone here has heard before! It usually heralds a Bureau of Destiny lantern appearing, and sure enough, one has popped into existence, hovering obediently by Scarlet's left elbow. "Auspicious -indeed-. Beginning to think our meeting wasn't a coincidence." She chuckles quietly. "We better have time to drink, at least."
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Scarlet looks at the lantern and sighs audibly. "And I was looking forward to some more fun in this arena." She picks up her mug and fills it up from the keg.
River Jewel	"Interesting people? I can think of more than a few." River Jewel quips, beaming a smile at what's no doubt some great memories of this crazy city and its inhabitants. "And that's without seeing the tournament. Oh, I don't plan on competing in any second go... I don't stand a chance." And no sooner than she has that out than... POP. She blinks a few times, eyes sliding towards the fateful delivery... "Ah... I do hope the festivities aren't over too soon..." She's trying to keep a pleasant tone but there's a distinct tinge of 'NOW WHAT' lurking in it.
Serene Herald	"In the beginning of our celebration is also it's ending," Herald says, with wrya musement. "And in the beginning of this new task is also its ending, if we can pursue it, so...what are our esteemed superiors asking us to do /this/ time? Hopefully more interesting than the poultry census I had to run."
Nine Roads Alani	Since no one seems too excited to be the first to reach in and take out the fateful parchment, Alani leans over the keg and slips two fingers inside, deftly tugging it out of the lantern. She unfolds it with the fingers of one hand and holds it open for everyone to read. "To Serene Herald, Scarlet Onyx Sunada, Nine Roads Alani and River Jewel: You are instructed to form a circle for at least the duration of the Congregation of Victory tournament and possibly longer, depending on circumstances. The Great Forks region has been difficult to predict or control via the Loom for approximately two years. Analysis suggests that beings outside Fate, powerful Exalted, or both plague the city to a far greater degree than before. You are to identify anomalous entities within the city and report their identities to your respective superiors within the Bureau. Do not interfere with these entities, but observe and learn about them. DO NOT INVOLVE THE THREE. Whenever possible, the Great Forks government should not learn of your activities, beyond routine use of the Gate. In addition, the weave of destiny is significantly impacted by the Congregation of Victory tournament. Predictions of post-tournament events wildly diverge, suggesting intervention from outside Fate. Investigate the tournament and discover why. Eliminate the source of external interference. Alani is quiet as she reads the letter. "Well," she murmurs. "I guess I'm official now."
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Scarlet drains her mug in one long drink. "This will be interesting. I think we need to share what we know about the others in the city. I believe I have met a member of house Tepet that did not exalt into his house but as something else. I'm not sure what yet. Maybe we look into him?" Scarlet rolls her shoulders and looks perpared to do what is needed.
Serene Herald	"I have been told about, and am studying with, the swordswoman with a dojo outside the city, Misa" Serene Herald says. "I have also met a woman whom one of the gods here feared, and she had strange skin--a greenish hue like oxidized copper giving it a sheen. Raga was her name."
River Jewel	River Jewel leans over to look at the unrolled parchment, eyes scanning back and forth across the script very quickly. She does nod in acknowledgement to what Serene Herald says. "There is indeed that swordswoman, and I have seen one of Luna's Chosen in her company. They weren't up to anything nefarious, merely sparring. I have suspicions about a few others, though I've yet to find evidence of anyone who seems... of ill-intent."
Nine Roads Alani	"I've had occasion to spar with Misa as well," Alani replies, thinking as she takes another pull of nectar. "We came off even, actually, but I'm sure she was holding back--and I'm sure she realized I was too. And that was before I saw you training with her, Herald." She nods to him. "I...also had a rather interesting little adventure with a woman named Silk Moon Lotus. We're both tomb delvers, you know, so we sort of hit it off fairly quickly. I admit we ran into far more than we bargained for when we actually investigated a ruin." She has a rather wry, guilty look. "I'm shamed to say she has to know I'm not normal, but of course I am also all but certain of her. On the other hand, just the other day she introduced me to a few of her friends right here in the stands, including that absolutely HUGE guy who was in the ring on the first night. There was also a lion-headed man, a mercenary, who I think might have been competing too. I have to wonder if she knew them through more than just the tournament." Alani sighs and finishes the nectar, almost immediately filling the bottle from a wine carafe. "Who was the Chosen of Luna with her, River?"
Serene Herald	Serene Herald says, "@emit "The healer here at the tournament I think--I met her at a temple of change. People would go into the pools of water and come up changed--minor changes, but it meant much to them. She has invested heavily in this city." A giant spider on the ceiling chitters a bit. "Ah, right. Rishi.""
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	"I believe that I should stay in the tournement to see if I can draw out any others. Do we think any of these people are the people or person we are looking for? I'm willing to punch people as needed. I do wish they had given us a little more information from the loom." Scarlet starts watching the fighters in the arena again thinking. "I guess Wandering Thunder will be retiring after the tournement. On the positive side, I get to grow my hair back out.
River Jewel	River Jewel smiles at the mention of the lion-headed man. "If it's who I'm imagining, the lion-features are full-body, not merely his head... the leader of a displaced tribe of beastmen who seem like rather honest mercenaries? Or is it someone literally wearing a lion-head for a mask?" River Jewel asks Alani, blinking questioningly at her.
Nine Roads Alani	"The former," Alani replies thoughtfully. "It was no mask, he was a real beastman from what I could tell. Pretty polite for one, though. I remember he had some mercenaries that worked for the city. I think. We might be talking about the same man." The lantern and paper catch fire and whoosh into nothingness all at once, as their duty has been fulfilled. Alani looks at her empty left hand for a moment, smiling, before taking a swig of wine. "We're lucky we get a chance to pool resources like this. Should make finding them out a lot simpler, though I guess finding out what they're -doing- is a lot more important. Speaking of which, Scarlet, you're dead right. It mentioned the tournament itself. If there's influence outside Fate here, we need to figure out what it is -before- the thing is over--and actually, the sooner the better so as to change destiny the least. I'm sure having this many competitors that might be...special...can't help. Is there a chance it's just because there's a bunch of them here?"
Amethyst	There's a sound beyond the door, the sound of a thump, followed by a ting, and then the sound of wood being scraped rhythmicly and deliberately, almost like someone's carving something. A faint blue-green and violet light shines beneath the door.
River Jewel	"I can't think of anyone else who'd be fitting that description!" River Jewel agrees merrily, before popping a light and fluffy-looking pastry into her mouth. She's halfway done chewing and about to swallow when... "...mmm...?! MMMMMHRRRRRR!!!" Her demeanor goes from pleasant to 'EVERYONE LOOK OUT!' in just a few heartbeats and she's moving to take cover behind seats, tables or whatever's available in case the door's about to explode inwards. While back there, she takes a moment to focus... reaching out through spirit to her Peregrine Falcon familiar, Bolt, who's been hunting around outside and watching everything from high-up perches. What can he see of the outside door...?
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Scarlet spins and kicks her staff into her hand as she turns towards the door. "I feel like fate has brought us a clue." She starts walking perposefully towards the door, her eyes taking on a red tint.
Serene Herald	Serene Herald turns towards the door, and his hand rests on the hilt of his blade. Amethyst eyes are steady as he watches, but does not get to a fully aggressive stance. Those who study the martial arts can certainly see he's adopted a posture asosciated with one.
Amethyst	A faintly glowing Wyld-Touched Dragon-Blooded is whittling away at blank wooden mask, with a knife who's blade resembles some sort of violet crystal. Sitting inexplicably next to the very booth that the various Sidereals have gathered in. She pays no mind to the bird of prey watching her as she goes about whittling down this mask.
Nine Roads Alani	Out of a convenient corner, Alani casually reaches and lifts out what appears to be a rather large, spoked wooden wagon wheel. An arrestingly odd thing to carry, to be sure, but still not something one might want to be clubbed in the head with. From inside the room, all most of the people inside can see is a peculiar glow and the sounds of wood being crafted. Alani just...shrugs slightly and looks at Scarlet with a curious expression. "Open it, I guess? Can't just ignore it with what we're discussing."
River Jewel	"...Ah...hah..." River Jewel rises from behind the table she picked for cover, hands clasping the edge and in use to help hoist herself up to her feet again. She's wearing a rather sheepish look. "False alarm... but also, a likely lead." She remarks, gesturing gently towards the door.
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Scarlet opens the door to find a very odd sight. A woman with a purple crystal knife carving a piece of wood. "Greeting miss, is there something we can help you with?"
Amethyst	The woman looks up, "Oh, hello. Not... particularly?" She lets go of the blade and it vanishes in a flash of violet. "Is there something I can help /you/ with?" She starts to stand. "Should've figured that someone would be in this booth." she murmurs
Nine Roads Alani	Well, now. As Scarlet opens the door, Amethyst can peer in and see four people--three women and one man--in a mix of different clothing styles, mostly robes of one stripe or another. All of them look ready for a fight, but seem to be relaxing a bit now that they see Amethyst on the other side. One is a bronze-skinned young woman in tan robes trimmed with black, with what for all the world looks like a -wagon wheel- resting in one hand, the bottom edge on the floor. She leans forward a bit, the wheel easily able to take her weight, and looks at Amethyst curiously. "Huh. Uh...hello there, I guess. Just, uh, chatting I guess. But we heard something outside and I thought someone might have been trying to listen at the door, so we all kind of got up to see. Sorry if we bothered you." With that, the blonde takes a moment to pull her hair back, letting someone else speak.
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Scarlet looks down at the very odd woman with the chunk of wood. "Where did the carving knife go?" She looks around Amethyst trying to spot it. "Is there a reason you picked our box to sit outside?"
Serene Herald	"Sorry to be of mistrusting," the sole man says. "Trouble we are having been seeing, so trouble we are being ready for." He relaxes, though. "Hearing of a short Water with a mask I have, is that being you?"
Amethyst	A subtle step, and a rush of the feeling of pressure, some manner of sorcerous intent. Adjusting her stance as she stands and notices the alarm on everyone's face, ears folding back. If they're about to attack, she wants to be ready. But then as talk commences, she also calms, ears returning upright and the pressure fades weightlessly. "It's the booth where me and a friend were chatting the other day." Amethyst says, rubbing her head. And then she grins, "This?" And the carving knife reappears just as its vanished. With much satisfaction, she just says, "Magic." Then the blade vanishes once more. And it definitely doesn't /look/ like something a Dragon-Blooded's typical magic. Maybe some sort of sorcery? "It's got some meaning to me, making this mask. I wanted it to be a little more... different than just sitting at home whittling away at it." Amethyst explains like it makes perfect sense. "In any case, I wasn't intending on bothering you lot." "I am Yim Amethyst." She does a little bow, "Alchemist, Sorceress, Contestant. You might've heard of me." She nods at Serene Herald.
Nine Roads Alani	As she finishes pulling back her shaggy blonde hair into a quick and dirty ponytail, the young woman in the tan robe's eyes light up at the mention of 'contestant'. She snaps her fingers, the loud sound punctuating Amethyst's last word. "Aha! -That's- where I saw you from. I saw you fighting the other day." She offers a grave nod, at odds with her otherwise friendly enough demeanor. "Congratulations on your victory over that songstress, by the way. One of the more spectacular fights." She sets the wheel down, leaning it against a chair, and walks out of the private room to offer Amethyst a hand. "Elena. Nice to meet you."
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	"I too am a contestant. I hope that we might engage each other on the field of battle. I regret missing your battle. Elena is a good judge of character when it comes to fighting. I'm Wantering Thunder." She walks back to her chair and sets her staff down. Then picks up some of the treats on the table. "Are you hungry or looking for inspiration for your carving?"
Serene Herald	"A couple of rounds against indistinguished and undistinguishable opponents I am of having been having. Doubting I am of progressing, but seeing we wil be." He reaches out to take a drink from a large tankard. "Perfect Question I am. A pleasure it is, Yim Amethyst."
Amethyst	Amethyst's shakes the hands of those who have offered, and her eyes widen a little as she examines Wandering Thunder. Then she grins widely. "Oh! You're the one who bested the Child of Pasiap!" She chuckles. "I definitely hope we meet in the ring and that I will not be as, mm, undisciplined?" She looks bothered for a moment, then shakes her head and focuses. "I must know, how is it that you were about to best one of my kind? Most folks don't have the sorts of skills and ability, but you almost made it look easy." "As for inspiration? That's why I came here. To listen to the distant sounds of the arena echoing through the halls whenever the crowd cheers, to be in this place between as I craft my new mask." Amethyst looks especially at Elana, "You saw my fight, you saw the magic I employed. My old mask was broken, and not of the intended effect anyway. Thus I am making a new."
Nine Roads Alani	"Well, we all meditate in our own way, a wise person once told me," Elena replies. "Perhaps not just having a new mask, but -making- one, will help you prepare for the next fight." She just nods, and just as interestingly, is not intimidated by the whole magic thing. Instead, she gets an easy grin and comes back inside the room, since everyone's there, and leans casually against a chair once more. She pauses and gives Wandering Thunder a pearly-whites grin. "Thunder, honey, I'm a good judge of character at all times. And Amethyst, if you're wondering why I can talk to a monk that way, well, I can't. But if she jumps me here she'll have to face the second round all bruised." She smirks and sips a glass of wine.
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Wandering Thunder bursts out in a laugh. "At last, someone that recognizes that just because I'm a monk, I'm a person too. Thank you Elani." Thunder turns to Their new guest. "My opponent relied on his exaltation to carry him through the fight. He assumed that I wasn't worth his time as I'm not his equal as a one of the dragons. Hopefully he learned something from the fight. I also used to be soldier in the legions before being discharged and joined the order. that's how I know how to fight so well." "You are a local here, yes? Do you happen to know the medic for the fights? She's very unusual."
Amethyst	This is definitely a curious group. Doubly so for the one who says she's part of the Order. Since when does someone from the Immaculate Order so cordially greet a /sorcerer?/ It also registers that an agent of the Order being /here/, well, it's not unexpected, but! she must be very careful about her words. "The medic, the uh," And she pauses, as though considering, "The one with the bat wings? I've met her, but I can't claim to really know her." Suddenly Amethyst is much more on guard than before. "But yes, I am a local. I do own my own alchemy shop. What about you, Ms. Wandering Monk? You're a bit far from home for a mortal. Especially in this city, it doesn't tend to treat us Immaculates particularly well I can tell you that."
River Jewel	The last of the three ladies Amethyst found in here is lean and delicate like a flower stem, tiptoeing the precipice of healthy body weight and physique. She's dressed in practical but fashionable cerulean robes with a light touch of golden trim, robes that bear the embroidered insignia of Great Forks's House of Learning and several sigils important to organizations and gods of healing and recovery. She looked a little wary of Amethyst at first, but only until everyone began to talk. Now, it seems, she's wandering closer...
Nine Roads Alani	"For a mortal, she says," Elena wryly replies. "Way to twist that knife, I guess." For all of what Elena said, she doesn't seem terribly put out by it. Instead, she looks thoughtful. "Alchemy, hmm. Maybe I'll stop by sometime." She grins. "Maybe you could use a courier, I can always use a bit more business." It looks light Elena might say more, but instead she visibly thinks better of it and holds off, looking curiously at Wandering Thunder and Amethyst.
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Wandering Thunder smiles at Amethyst. "I am an Itinerate Priest. I travel from village to village helping with the issues that are not prepared to deal with. I spent a couple of years making my way out here. One of my duties now that I have arrived is to work on the social station of the Order here is Great Forks. They have lost their way and need guidance back to concordance with divine edict." "I also note that you do not claim membership with any of the great houses. Is that because you do not want to be associated with one or something else?" Her words starting to come out a little harsh. Her eyes flash red for the briefest of moments. "I do look forward to meeting you on the field of battle."
Amethyst	Of course Amethyst was poking the fire a little bit. She's clearly seen this woman could handle herself, but she wanted to test her, see if she could see anything crack. But instead, it was she that was now under fire. One can /see/ her reaction. She stops moving for a bit, and her prismatic tattoos which /had/ been quietly vibing agitate. And everyone can feel her sorcery again, as though augmenting her words. "You've obviously never heard of the household of Peleps Yim, or how it was burned to the ground by a Face-Stealer. Or how the daughter Peleps Yim Ametis is missing." "And look at me, tainted with the blood of the fae due to my bastard of a father." "I theoretically could go back to the Realm, but I think I'd just find ridicule and misery. A sorceress tainted by the wyld is not someone any house would want. And I know it." It's obvious she's showing considerable restraint here. She /wants/ to deck this impertinent monk, but not here, not now. Her eyes glint with the fury of the dragons.
Nine Roads Alani	Well. Even Elena knows better than to stick her neck out in -this- fight, it looks like. She actually smirks a bit and looks very nearly ready to needle Wandering Thunder again, but at the last moment somehow manages to restrain herself with a small grimace. Instead, she picks up the carafe of wine she'd just poured her glass from. Her mouth is for once shut and her attention is entirely on the two warriors, perhaps in the hopes that Round 2 doesn't start a little too early!
Scarlet Onyx Sunada	Wandering Thunder holds up her hands in a gesture of peace. "It was not my desire to touch a sore subject. I have found that most dragons take pride in their house." "I see that being a non exalted priest is my own sensitive subject. I do still look forward to facing you on the battlefield."
Amethyst	Finally, Amethyst lets out a sigh, and the pressure of her sorcery falls like a wave washing against the shore. "Sorry." She makes a gesture for the wine. "I think we both hit each other's sore spots. I dearly wish I could've been part of the Realm, but now I don't think I could. Not with things like they are, and not like I am." "If anything I wish I knew someone who could at least teach me to temper my own essence. To think I used to be calm as still water, now I act like a fire-aspect." She shakes her head and chuckles a little. "And here I am spilling my guts to a monk, and some other folks I just met." She slumps and leans on the table, "I may be a Dragon-Blooded of some renown and quite some talent, but I am also a mess."