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Amethyst	A message had been sent out to Rishi, Black Pearl, and Fudou the Mountain, requesting that the three meet with Amethyst. Her infallable messengers held a more weary voice than usual, it's not hard to tell that something spooked her. And so, she's made her way to her destination, where to she called the three: The Chateau of Resplendant Delights. At least she's sure there will be a safe place to talk within.
Black Pearl	One of the more lavishly appointed, if not too large, rooms has been set aside, for Black Pearl to welcome the guests, along with an array of food and drink, faint sounds of music from the main room, and traces of incense to promote calmness and tranquility. The water-caste herself is dressed in sleek silks, ready to great all as the come in.
Fudou the Mountain	"Hello, what's all this?" Fudou arrives as if he's come straight from either the arena or out in the wilds. Not exactly dressed for comfort or class but somewhat worn with the dust of the road or of the arena floor. Maybe both. He's got his full long jacket on, and a wide brimmed hat but otherwise seems dressed as per usual. ROpe belts and straps and all though his grand goremaul is absent. "What is the trouble. I stopped what I was doing simply for this." he adds.
Amethyst	Amethyst arrives, looking much calmer then she was when she first sent out those messengers. She's still obviously nervous, but she's had time to properly calm down between then and now. And so it makes it a little awkward when Fudou announces himself like this, and now she's stuck looking for the right words. "There's really good odds that at least one of us or one of our friends is on the hitlist for a Wyld Hunt that's being assembled. I thought it better to tell those closest to me sooner than later." "And, there might be a chance for us to stop that information from reaching their hands. So the sooner we can act, the better."
Black Pearl	Pearl frowns slightly, "This is...not nearly the best news I could have had, but it is the sort of thing that comes up. You wouldn't happen to know names, would you? And is this comapny merely a front for the Wyld Hunt and Immaculate Order, or are they just providing information somehow?" She shakes her head, "No. I get too far ahead. If you tell us what you discovered, and how, we can start making plans to deal with the situation, yes?"
Fudou the Mountain	"Hmm.." muses Fudou. He seems oddlyc alm in contrast to Amethyst's nervousness and he folds his arms slowly while looking her over and rubbinb his lightly bearded jaw. "Do you think that it is likely they'd risk the wrath of the Three to attempt attacking someone inside Great Forks...? Or are you suspecting an ambush somewhere else. Or poison. Or some other sort of subterfuge or even luring someone out of the city?" It's a lot of questions but she did just drop some large information. "Yes, you'll need to give more information." he concurs, nodding towards Pearl and then back to Amethyst.
Amethyst	"When they're not putting on intense and amazing fights and entertainment, well, their main business is actually collecting all the juicy secrets that they can, selling them to those who can pay the great. And their latest venture seems to be partnering with some agency in the Realm to provide information on potential or confirmed 'Anathema', in exchange for one hell of a tidy sum and some other benefits that aren't exactly clear." "I got this information when we, myself, Bright Journey, Misa, and some weird wood dragon (it's a long story) ended up searching one of their offices. Misa figured out that their main business is secrets, I found their hidden journal that contained the bit about their partnership. They were very careful not to mention names, but apparently 'Wyld Hunt' doesn't bare censoring." "Bright has the journal, she's gonna be looking into seeing what else we can gleam from it I'm sure. In the meantime, we don't know when the transaction will take place, but I'd imagine they'd probably wait until the later rounds of the tournament. When you have the strongest of the strong up against each other. Where animas will flare and one's nature will be revealed." "So we all of us that are in the tournament need to be careful about what we do or show. Nevermind that they got to see me transform in the arena the other day so I'm sure I'm somewhere on their list." She takes a hand to her face. "All in all we don't think the Hunt will try challenging the Three, that just seems stupid. But I didn't even consider the idea of poison or other such subterfuge. More thinking of ambushes, catching us alone. But I really don't know. All I'm sure of is that we all should be more careful."
Black Pearl	"I would not be surprised if they asked me to intervene. At least if they know I represent the All-Seeing Eye here. And then yes, they would expect things to be subtle." Salara muses, then smiles, fiercely. "I shall have to ask Bright about the journal, to see if I may tease secrets out of it as well. And perhaps I may try to infiltrate and weaken their organization--it is part of my training. Though if they try to get secrets on me...then I will have all the more reason to silence them."
Fudou the Mountain	"First, it's fine." says Fudou, tone oddly calm and even. His deep voice a rumbling effort at pacifying any nervousness. A soothing bass perhaps. "Secondly, related to the first, is anyone surprised? A tournament of this scale is bound to attract all sorts of attention and it was inevitable that those with sueprnatural gifts would rise to the top. I said it from the beginning and again when the artifact was found..that a group like this would be best served trading in information and in secrets and they no doubt have many they've discovered in their travels. We're hardly the only 'anatehma' in Great Forks. Let alone the east." He shakes his head, "Thirdly, do not delay in informaing Raullaur. I think he's a fasle sense of security and understanding in how the city and The THree works and wants to fight in the tournamnent but has not indicated he's any ability to hide his abilities. IF someone forces him to show his essence then he's exposed. MIsa no doubt knows to take care now. The Three may not care but tha doesn't speak to merchants, the populace, visitors....and now the wyld hunt potentially. Finally..don't worry about us lunars. Rishi and I both have abilties that flawlessly hide our natures in public. They can't discern us as being anything more then an exigent..whom they dislike but hav eno reason to hunt. That being noted...Do we have any guesses as to who they suspect?" He then glances back to Salara, "Perhaps using your clout to suss out more particulars of who is in charge in The Consortium may be worthy effort?"
Amethyst	Amethyst takes a deep breath, and nods. "I'm not really surprised, I even expected as much. The thing that does surprise me is that it seems like the Hunt is already organizing behind the scenes. Why else would they get such a contract with Nine Sheaves?" "I'm sure they'll go after the loudest and easiest first. Then they'll work on focusing on others. And yeah I'll be sure to inform Raul. I was actually already thinking of him too. He's not one to... hmm, let's just say subtlety isn't his nature." "And of all the things we did find, finding their actual book of secrets, as it were, was not one of them. We have no idea who they do or don't suspect." Then she gets a wicked grin on my face, "I don't remember if I said it when we found the artifact, but us Dragons wouldn't have a need for such a thing for listening from afar. Perhaps I could look into doing some espionage myself. But if I can figure out the secrets of the artifact I won't have any need for that." "And I know I don't need to /really/ worry about Rishi. I think they'd dull their blades before they could meaningfully hurt her. I mean, she cut off her own arm to make a point about that. Though they could still do terrible things to her even if they can't kill her."
Black Pearl	Black Pearl nods. "Well, I will have to see what I can find out about their secrets, then." She smiles wryly, and shakes her head, "And just when I was starting to feel complacent...now I am feeling more at home. Or more like how things were back on the Isle." A long sigh, "I know it is not a good thing, but it is familiar, and so...I am glad to help." She pauses a moment, and then speaks, "I wish I would hesitate to ask this, but it is an obvious question: Are there any here we /wish/ to give to the Wyld Hunt? And if there are any, is it /acceptable/ to let them be caught?"
Fudou the Mountain	"They can kill her." says Fudou with a certainity that is perhaps a touch -too- certain, as if he's reason to know this for a fact. "She bleeds. She can die." he adds, "It is the heart of foolishness fo rany celestial tot hink them truly invulnerable and Rishi has learned this recently. Enough force. The right tactics. They could corner her, catch her by surprise, sap her abilities. The Wyld Hunt work in groups and not with inexperienced monks if they truly supsect a mighty celestial that must be dealt with. But I don't think they'd risk such a force in Great Forks. No.. I think the true danger here is less in a hunt arriving and more in them simply knowing about us and drawing us out." Fudou shakes his head, "Honestly..that may be unavoidable." He then turns towards Black Pearl at her question and he seems utterly thrown off by it..and then pauses as if thinking, "Hmm..before I answer. WHy suggest such a thing?"
Amethyst	Amethyst pauses, there's a look on her face, and she asks, "Rishi /is/ alright, right?" Now she'll have more questions for Rishi, certainly. "In a way," Amethyst says to Pearls, "It might be good to stretch your secret mongering muscles again. You do thrive off doing this sorta thing, don't you? I don't think it's a bad thing, not any worse than me going out and getting my ass kicked in sparring sessions." "I do wonder though, what could they do to draw us out? Most of what I care about at least is within the boarders of this city. Although I was considering trying to expand beyond the walls of this city, maybe I should put that idea on hold for the time being."
Black Pearl	Salara smiles sadly, "Because it is second nature to those of us who deal with intrigue and espionage: using others as cat's-paws to do the work we wish done, with no trace leading back to us. What is the best way to defeat an enemey? Use someone else to defeat them, preferably putting that someone else in your debt. Or perhaps a second enemmy, and set them against each other to take the weakened out first." Salara pauses and takes a sip of wine, "So that is why I suggest it, and ask if there is someone we /wish/ to bring to the Hunt's attention. Because this /must/ be considered. It may certainly be rejected, but it should only be rejected after being thought through," she concludes." "What could they do to draw us out? Again, cat's-paws to push us. Raullaur could easily be given a contract that brings him and his warband into a trap. They could get close to Misa through martial arts--purporting to study, to teach, or simply to challenge, school to school. Silk? Targeted arson on her buildings, and otherwise trying to take over gambling to weaken her in the city. Other ways for the rest of us, yes?"
Fudou the Mountain	"You are correct but let us consider this as well. Are celestials mere pieces on a game board to be sacrificed as need be or are they the ones moving the pieces to begin with? What is the value of a 'single' Solar exalted? A chosen of Luna? Hmm? This is a different sort of game. One being played on tiers that involve the heights of Yushan and the depths of Malfeas. A lost celestial is a new incarnation elsewhere in Creation, lost and confused and unable to claim their birthright and further set back against the forces setup against them as Creation dips further and further into confusion and chaos. Such a sacrifice is not simply made with a casual smile as fi one were letting someone go at a business in order to balance their budget. THe morality of such a choice a side what true value is there in that? Little I think..." Fudou rests a hand on his hip, not looking incensed but thoughtful in his mild rebuke of the concept. 'Rishi is fine." he hastily adds to Amethyst, "...and this much I agree with yes. IF they know -who- to target then they'd best tailor how to deal with them. You should also speak with Tiziri. She's fought the WYld Hunt..where the rest of us are just speculating."
Amethyst	Amethyst frowns at Salara's remarks, but there's a understanding in her eyes. "I think I grasp it. But I think I'm with Fudou here. I know quite some foolish Celestials, but I don't think I'd throw them to the hounds. The only ones I'd target would be those who are truly deserving of being called 'Anathema'. And I don't know anyone like that, anyone that vile or disgusting." "And so, how can we prepare, if one or more of us happens to be targeted by the Hunt?"
Black Pearl	"And I ought to know if fae are plaguing the city...I think the Three keep them on a leash while within the bounds, so I think it does not come into play," Salara says. "And....I /do not like/ thinking this way. But it was how I was taught, and how I worked for years. It is what Princess Manaa did to us in the Dreaming Sea. In that case /I/ was the cat's-paw used to kill her enemies because they were mine, but at no risk to her. As for morality? Morality means my friends and family survive intact." A slight smile, "Though that also means not causing them to see me in a horrific light, or as a threat that they may need to neutralize."
Fudou the Mountain	"Even then." says Fudou to Amethyst, "There are lunars with grudges against each other measured in centuries and they still would not turn one another over into the hands of The Realm to do with them as they did. Not when our situation is rooted in betrayel and the world being run into the ground. We can deal with our own and direct the Wyld Hunt against forces it's better used for. Deathlords or the -actual= wyld. Not this misguided hunting of Creations leaders.." He shakes his head again to Pearl and then says, "That's different. A joint plan where someone is willing to -act- as a scapegoat or a target to draw our enemies out and deal with them is another matter then simply turning someone over to their hands in hopes they go away.. As to preparing....? It's impossible to say until we know more. Besides, initially you were implying preventing this information from reaching them in the first place? We should focus on that and perhaps preventing The Consortium from doing something like this again. In the meantime I'll speak with Tiziri on tactics we should be ready for..."
Amethyst	"I think I'd know if there were fae causing issues in this city. I think I'd be causing issues to those fae if they were. No need to involve the hunt in that." Amethyst draws her athame, "I was trained to hunt and kill fae if the need arose. This blade was originally given to me to help with the effort. Much harder to deal with a wound inflicted by iron." She sheaths it again. And as she listens to Fudou, she contemplates. "Or the chosen of hell. They might not have made themselves as well known as the Deathlords, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Speaking of, maybe if the Realm wasn't preparing for a civil war they would've actually done something about Thorns by now." "It's something to hear though that the Lunars' loyalties to each other run so deeply. It's something I should remember well." She says. And then addresses them both, "I don't think it's worth it to have the Wyld Hunt target anyone we know of." "And yes, right, our focus should be on stopping it before it happens. Bright is going to put together another meeting soon where we'll discuss what we'll do. For now, I think I'm going to try to relax and focus on uncovering the secrets of that artifact."