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Bright Journey	One of the nice things about a city as dense as Great Forks is you don't actually have to go all that far to find new and interesting experiences, culinary and otherwise. On a nice, breezy, warm evening like tonight, Bright Journey has invited Wandering Tree to one of those restaurants the tourists don't always know about, but the locals? Regulars, all the time. She's invited him to the Auroch in the northern Temple District, a restaurant with a large open air patio, the sounds of delicious sizzling coming from the comically huge grill in the kitchen area, and--oh yes--an assortment of young men and women, all deft in broken-field running, carrying skewers of roast auroch here, grilled chicken there, one particularly harried young lady with the skewer of braised austrech in an herbed glaze. The wine and ale are flowing, the conversation is merry, and on one side of the patio sit Bright Journey and Wandering Tree. Bright has a goblet of hot mulled wine in hand as she flips her complimentary stone tile over, revealing the High Realm kanji for 'service' and, hopefully, attracting the attention of the wait staff. "So," Bright says with an impish grin. "Hopefully this will meet with your approval, and don't worry about a thing. I have you covered."
Misa	It's not long past the flip that a familiar face steps onto the patio in question- she's in a deep hood, but then, that doesn't change much when the heavy bangs you habitually keep obscure much of your upper face anyways. Misa, as she's known locally, is... perhaps not the first person one would expect in an establishment like this. Much liveliness, and she's mostly seemed a modest eater favouring staples and, occasionally, fares of a rather more southwestern bent. But then- perhaps that's the point. A person like her wouldn't take many accostings for their performance in the local tournament before deciding to change up habits. As trained as her awareness of a room is, she's hardly even in the entryway when she pause, offering a slight nod to Bright Journey as she goes about removing outerwear before entering properly.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree gazes around the patio with a wide grin, his nostrils flaring as they work to draw in the smell of sizzling meat. He keeps himself folded into his seat with his elbows tucked in close, taking care to not get his arms in the way of the passing servers. He follows Bright's lead in flipping over his tile, his mouth already watering in anticipation. He does differ in his choice of drink though, opting for a large vessel of ale. Tree's voice carries as he answers, failing to keep his volume down in his excitement. "Approval? The word does not carry enough weight for such as this. This is an astounding place, I now just wish there was one on every corner!"
Tepet Makara	The scent of grilled auroch meat excite Makara as it's one of his favored foods back in the Blessed Isle. It was one of the few meats he secretly tasted in his childhood since he was raised a vegetarian. However besides trying out such savory dishes, it seems he was invited here by one of the exalts in this city. Besides Bright Journey, he sees an unfamiliar face besides here. He arrives and it seems he is dressed in his usual grey kimono with his house's mons rather than being armored. "Hello there Bright, is this a new friend of yours?" He inquires with curiousity as he takes a seat to order a glass of wine or possibly beer. He then takes a notice of the dojo master he briefly met once near Great Forks as he nods at her presence as well
Bright Journey	Well, that didn't take long, did it? There's a private, amused little smile on Bright's face as she watches Misa slowly, and Makara quickly, walk in. She sips her goblet of wine and leans back, with a happy little sigh. "I didn't exactly -plan- to meet people here, Tree, I swear to you. But there are times when it happens, and part of me is glad for it, because I think it's important that you meet some of the people that I know before -stuff- happens." Her voice is dry as the desert. "And trust me, it will. Here's two examples of different kinds of trouble already." She chuckles, even as she reaches up one hand and gaily waves Misa over. "Not allowed to be shy today, dear, especially if you're hungry." "And this is Makara, who, to be blunt, is not who he seems. Explaining -that- is his problem, though to some degree I can vouch for him--we might have done him a big favor a few months back, so he's only allowed to make fun of me a little bit. That's -also- a story you should hear, but this is the wrong time and place. And this here--she gestures to the woman who hasn't even done more than vaguely acknowledge Bright from across the restaurant yet--"is Misa. She's rather more popular now than she was when the tournament began."
Misa	"Are any of us so straightforward?" carries Misa's voice from across the patio- though honestly, even with her raising it her habitual quietude maybe makes it hard to hear. She crosses the floor much as though she had no aversion at all- her physical movements are all quite sure. "Indeed- apparently defeating a seemingly-mortal monk who took an upset victory against one of the dragon-blooded draws some attention. Which is certainly not all bad, though is perhaps noisy when simply trying to walk down the street some afternoons."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree turns his attention to those gestured at by Bright. His hands rest on his knees in a relaxed pose, but his eyes look them over intently at the mention of trouble. Once Misa draws closer than shouting distance, he answers her directly. "I am usually straightforward myself. My name is Wandering Tree, and I am no stranger to trouble. But if Bright is vouching for you, I imagine that we won't have the sort of trouble today that might disrupt everyone's meal?"
Tepet Makara	Makara then notices something once Misa refers to her opponent back at the arena. "Oh you're Perfect Question's sifu right? I also know the monk personally since she mentioned I meet her during my house's campaign in the North. I could not recognize her sadly but it may be that I meet too many faces at the campaign that I can't keep track" He says with a baffled tone as he still cannot recall if he truly does know the monk from his past. He then turns to the man besides Bright. "I'm Tepet Makara, pleased to meet you"
Bright Journey	There's a cheery grin on Bright's face as she leans over to her right, pulling out a chair for Misa. "Come on over here, have a seat and have some meat. If you're asking whether I'm straightforward? Well...yes, if I can get away with it. Usually." She chuckles, but pauses as one of the waiters stops by, collecting drink orders, and a very short time after one of the serving boys arrives with, sure enough, roast auroch. The house specialty, no doubt, given the name. Bright accepts a slice and offers Tree a grin. "I know you're a big boy, Tree, but still. Pace yourself if you want to try everything they have." As the staff take care of business, she sips her mulled wine. "To answer the question for real, though, Misa, I'm straightforward as I can be, which sometimes isn't as much as I'd like, you know? My big secret, if you didn't know, is I'm best at convincing people of things when I believe it myself. I -can- lie but I don't think it's much fun. You, however, seemed to have a lot of fun in that fight. I had no idea you're that good!"
Misa	"I am not prone to showing that off, admittedly," says Misa with a wry smile. "So I am not surprised- I would rather not make more work for myself should a business owner take umbrage to my other profession being pointed at them, out of sheer repute, no?" She waves it off, for the moment. "That being said- you are correct. He's a capable student- likely not in need of me much longer. Reaching a point where it will become a rather personal exploration and the like. But- yes. For the time being he takes some teaching from me. We shall see if there is much more of that time left." "And to answer the question... I have little interest in troublemaking or any such. You might call me Hanase Misa, if you like."
Wandering Tree	Tree's fingers tighten over his knees, and his head slowly swivels towards Tepet Makara as he makes his introduction. His gaze is now much more intense, and much less friendly. "Your house's campaign, is it? Now that does sound like trouble. Perhaps the kind that can be gone into more detail, after dinner..." His gaze lingers for a few seconds longer before he forces it away and back to the other at his table. With a clear exercise of will, he takes a long deep breath to settle himself. Only then does he manage a smile for the server and collect the first of many morsels for his plate. He looks back to Bright and Misa, going back over what was just said and trying to catch back up with the conversation. "I expect that they will tire of me being here before I tire of eating, but I will try to keep myself under control. And what's this, you were also a competitor in the arena? I saw very few of the matches, myself."
Fudou the Mountain	"Weeelllll! What have we here!?" Fudou's deep rolling voice descends from above as the behemoth of a mans upper torso lift up from behind the outside patio wall and he reaches up to bring his swamp tree thick arms to rest them atop the wall as he leans in. The wall supports his great weight but his expression is both impish and brutish as he peers towards the table bearing familiar faces like some grinning massive siaka looking upo a collection of potential dining experiences. "What's a group of tastey lil'morsels like yourselves doing at a party like this without inviting me?" he rumbles with that big full toothed grin still evident on his face. The use of the term 'morsels' probably not helping the shark like comparisons to his big grin. "Wandering Tree!" he then adds, "I greet you again! You owe me an armwrestling match you know. Think of it as giving you a chance to 'impress'."
Tepet Makara	"I guess you don't favor the Realm that much huh? I understand since not many like us especially in the East and the past invasions didn't help at all." He sighs as he regretted mentioning his surname. "But don't worry, I'm not that type of dynast that wants to rule over Threshold nations and subjugate them to become satrapies" He eats some of the grilled auroch while sipping on a beer that has just arrived. When he notices the arrival of the "exigent" of strength whose one of the tournament's champions, he greets him "Even if not intentional, I guess this is a meeting of champions?"
Bright Journey	Bright looks a little nonplussed herself at how the conversation between Makara and Tree has shifted, and she sighs, forcefully blowing a few strands of hair out of her eyes. "Makara, dear, I understand that you don't want to just spill all the beans out here in public, but I was..." She sighs. "Never mind. It's probably my fault for assuming everyone thinks on the same 'relaxing tensions' path that I do." She leans forward and looks at Tree. "The situation is...a great deal more complicated than it seems on the surface. I promise I'll explain more later. For now, please just trust that Makara has..." She sighs again. "I can't say more without revealing too much. Besides which," she adds lightly. "Makara has seen me in action. I don't think you have anything to worry about, Tree." Fudou's larger-than-life entrance never fails to put a fondly amused smile on Bright's face, and so it is now. She's taking a bite of auroch when he comes up from the other side of the patio wall. "Fudou dear, there's a reason we didn't invite you. We wanted there to be some auroch left for us!" She laughs. "Come over here, you big lug, and have a seat." She eyes him judiciously. "Or two. Not sure I can pay for you, though."
Misa	There's a brief moment, as Fudou finishes his 'what have we here' comment, where Misa simply mildly suggests; "Flip that tile again?" In the meantime, she watches Makara and Tree with a curious eye, one brow raising slightly- more visible from context than anything, given her hair situation. She sits back in her chair a moment- simply eating a small bit of the small side of farofa she has largely picked at for the time being. "Might I remind you of your question about troublemaking?" she questions of Tree, quietly.
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree raises a hand to greet Fudou as he looms over the wall. "Hello again, indeed! I think we should put off any arm wrestling matches for a little longer, these tables are happily full of meat at the moment, and I'd hate to cause a fuss at dinner. Any more than I already have, that is." Tree turns back to Misa and Bright, bowing his head. "I apologize, that was an old habit rudely rising up on my part. No more trouble from me today. At the very least, a hearing out in private conversation seems well deserved."
Fudou the Mountain	"Oooh come on. A little bit of trouble is always a little bit of excitment! Why they'd thank us for the entertainment and shower us with praise but okay, okay." The tension between Makara and Tree is noticed but Fudou simply grins even larger as if enjoying some sort of secret joke. A moment later and he's vaulted up into the air, pressing up over the wall to come down into the patio with the grace of a massive wrestler jumping over the top ropes of a makeshift ring. As his massive feet touch down, he manages to actually avoid making too much of a tremble to the area though it's undeniable that one happens, startling a few servers and patrons. He then straightens up and walks closer while wagging a finger at Bright, "You owe me a lunch though! But no worries, I've already eaten yes. If I snack, I will get something for myself. I couldn't resist such charming company though!" His massive arms reach around, clasping one huge hand towards one of Tree's huge shoulders and his other hand coming down for Makara's back as he presses in onto the two. "After all with such a brave member of the great houses here..I certainly couldn't just walk by! Not from a man bold enough to challenge an anathema out in the open while I'm supposed to be getting my victory accolades!"
Tepet Makara	"Ah right, that silver anathema who foolishly shapeshifted in public and people watching. Too bad she escaped me! That vixen was fast for me like a quicksilver devil" Although when he says it out loud, he sounds zealous but beneath it is nothing more than sarcasm for those who know. "Apologies If I did disrupt your accolades, chosen of strength." He then shifts to the topic of the arena. "I may participate in the tournament myself but I'm too preoccupied with training under my monk sifu since I am close to mastering Water Dragon Style"
Bright Journey	Bright actually pauses for a moment, chuckling. "You're right, Fudou. I -do- owe you lunch, don't I? Ah, well." She pauses, giving Misa a sidelong glance, followed by a cheeky grin. "You see what I have to work with now, Misa, don't you? When I give hints, they don't just ignore them, they take it as a challenge. That said, it looks like the Beef Brigade has returned," she says cheerfully as about four young waiters and waitresses are making a beeline for them, delectable entrees in hand. Just in time." Bright gladly makes her choices, but keeps a visible eye on the self-proclaimed (and quite accurate!) troublemakers. She can't quite keep the amused grin off her face, though. "So, anyway. Since we have two people still in the tournament here, I cannot let the chance go by without asking if you two have a chance of running into each other in the ring. It'd be a hell of a fight to watch."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree's mood elevates several more notches at the sight and smell of more food being brought out, issues relating to the Realm all but forgotten for the moment. He bids them to fill his plate, two pieces from each skewer. Before filling his maw with them though, he turns a smiling face toward Bright. "The Beef Brigade is a wonderful name. And if this is how they do battle, then they would be a joy to share the field with. If only actual war could be a tenth as pleasant. So, which two are still in the competition?"
Misa	A half smirk from Misa at Bright's comment, and she shrugs slightly. "Some days, I needn't even leave home to find the more colourful elements of the city. I can certainly understand." And Misa doesn't even live in great forks proper, these days. She's still modest, and perhaps simply not that starved after a quiet day. "I am not certain I would look forward to it- Fudou is a... remarkably resilient fellow, as I have seen things. It can be a difficult element to deal with." Still, she looks aside on that point- and something in her face makes that 'not look forward to it' element of the comment fall somewhat flat.
Fudou the Mountain	"Weellll...who is to say if it even happens." deflects Fudou, running a massive hand along his lightly bearded jaw after Misa speaks, "After all.. General Raullaur is still involved in the competition and I've heard.." He looks around in an exagerrated fashion as if checking for would be spies and then finally says, "That a certain large red headed woman of fine proportions and great strength has returned to the city and expressed interest in forcing her way into the tournament. I'm not sure if the Consortium will allow it. I'm also not sure if she'll take no for an answer..." He gestures at Tree, "I wanted this one to step in as well but alas he refuses. Too modest!"
Tepet Makara	"Is this red headed woman in particular named Imperfect Brazen Mantra, Fudou?" It seems he has meet her before at some point. "I meet her in one of the abandoned ruins of the Hundred Kingdoms while I was doing some..." He then gives a cough "practice with certain arts" The scion of House Tepet then continues "I saw her practicing nearby punching trees to the points where one was knocked down. I think I may be the reason on why she returned, since I met her while I was using a fake name and in a different guise if you know what I mean"
Bright Journey	"Oh, Tree, I keep some interesting company some days." She grins cheekily. "Fudou and Misa are both still going strong. And...hrm. Red headed woman. "I think I've heard -of- someone like that, but I'm not sure I met her. Anyway, there's only one person I know of who has ever driven Fudou to his knees, though to be fair it was not an even fight--there wasn't really enough room to maneuver. And I don't know of anyone who has ever actually managed to wound him. But seeing Misa fight...she just might. Not sure." Bright grins and leans over, looking at Misa. "You're selling yourself short, dear. You're good enough, I think. Fudou is tough, but no one is invincible." She turns to look at Tree again. "Speaking of which, Tree, tournament or not, we should spar sometime. We're kind of to the point where we're straining the..." She frowns. "Hrm. Actually skip that, we'll talk about that in private. Fudou knows what I mean. But we'll have to make time for that later." Bright looks at Makara curiously. "I'm not familiar with the name, and I don't think I'd forget someone named 'Imperfect Brazenn Mantra'..."
Wandering Tree	Wandering Tree's eyes follow the conversation while his hands are busy continuing the flow of roasted meat into his mouth at a steady pace. Eventually he takes a short break to rejoin the conversation. "I had considered myself retired from arena battles, sorry. And it also seemed like I was too late to join when I found out about it anyway. Interesting that some others are not so deterred? Anyway, as Bright said, perhaps some less official and more private matches would be entertaining at some point?"
Misa	"Capable or not- there is only so much strength in steel, and Fudou just mentioned a man in an ancient suit of superlative golden plate," Misa notes, a wry sort of smile on her face. She shakes her head, pushing food aside for the moment as she considers the other elements of conversation at hand. She glances at Wandering Tree a moment. "I hold a dojo some ways west of the city. It may well serve for someone to practice out of the way of prying eyes. Other than the odd... interesting visitor."
Fudou the Mountain	"You should not think of it as....the type of blood letting gladitorial combat that is meant to entertain the rich and the fat." offers FUdou as he turns to look at Tree, "Rather..it is a martial arts competition. A gathering of soldiers, warriors, monks, competitors, from far and wide in the name of personal testing of their strengths, clout and...." he waves a hand back and forth, "...Okay fame. Sure.. I think, perhaps, the thought of owned gladitors and such may be looming overhead but this is quite different. Of course I spent time as A Champion Gladiator of the Hundred Kingdoms. Battle there were fought for territory...for war. To settle disputes and draw lines in the name of the ever changing face of those lands. THis is not that." Misa's words draw his attention and Fudou slowly grins and then finally shrugs but ends up turning his attention back towards Bright, "I think we have spoken -about- Brazen but perhaps you didn't meet her directly. She is distinct and it makes sense that if she heard of the tournament from our friend here, she'd return."
Tepet Makara	"I see she's still interested despite my warnings about the tournament but hopefully she is careful" Makara says with a hint of concern at such a strange exalt he meet back in the Hundred Kingdoms. "By the way, do you know what sort of exalt is she, Fudou? I only saw her essence manifesting viridian light but not enough for her mark to manifest."
Bright Journey	"Hum," Bright murmurs. "I thought the mark came first. But stranger things have happened, I suppose." Anyway, Misa, personally I'd welcome the opportunity to spar with one or more of you, and Tree, I definitely want to see what you can do! But for now, this glazed austrech is calling my name." She chuckles and starts to dig in.