Log View

Source	Contents
Misa	The day has drawn long, the sun approaching the horizon far beyond the river by which this repurposed shrine sits. Its proprietor of sorts stands in the training yard outside, the signs of a long day of one form of training or another littered about. Brazenly, a weapon rack next to where she drinks and eats in a quiet moment, there rests sheathed not one, nor two, but four gently curved daiklaves- the woman losing more of her willingness to remain discreet as the days pass. As she stands from her brief respite, all four of the blades draw from their scabbard seemingly of their own volition. Two of jade, blue and red, and two of a protean silver that might be familiar to certain observers. The blades whirl about the yard around the woman, carving through makeshift dummy targets effortlessly as the woman stands with arms crossed in the center of the flying blades.
Fudou the Mountain	As chance would have it - a large bird of prey has decided to land upon the highest heights of what remains of a tall tree that had likely suffered the stroke of a burst of lightning at some point in the past. Greyed and devoid of visible signs of life, it still provides a a high perching point and a great survey of the immediate region including the ancient repurposed shrine the sword maiden has claimed as her own. Her movements are studied with the sort of cague disinterest that most creatures of the natural world give to the strange antics of mankind save when they threaten or otherwise harass them. That is until the daiklaives begin floating through the air. Can a hawk double take? This one sure did. As the blades whirl and fly, the hawk continues to stare until the last dummy target falls...at which point it spreads its wings and takes flight. Wisdom might suggest it's flying for safety and much more normal 'prey'.. But the truth is far from that as shortly after it's gone...the ground begins rumbling with the faint heavy tread usually associated with a passing massive wagon or gigantic beast of burden. The source: Fudou the Mountain. He hurries up the road, making for the shrine with unusual haste for any who might know his usual relaxed and unconcerned view of the world. IT's almost as if he's trying to not miss a show.
Misa	As the massive man rounds the way to see Misa through the archway that marks the 'entrance' to the unwalled grounds, Misa is running a finger along the blunt edge of one of the silvery blades as it hovers before her. As he approaches, the scabbards lift into the air as well, sailing across the gap to enclose their respective weapons once more. The four of them move into vertical alignment to Misa's right, vaguely reminiscent of how her mundane blade is sheathed or carried at her side, often. In a remarkable semblance of the sorts of sheathed slashes she's gained some repute for around Great Forks, each one flashes from its sheath in tandem, making multiple chunks of a small tree that clatter to the ground. The blades re-sheathe and gather, lined up, behind her back as she turns to see the cause of the rumbling. She bows her head slightly, stepping to draw closer and meet partway. "Good evening," she offers. "To what do I owe the visit?"
Fudou the Mountain	The large man slows his approach, reaching his hand up for his wide brim hat and then slowly removing it as he peers at the woman from behind his rounded glasses. He inclines his head and...says nothing at first. Instead he continues a slow approach, gripping his hat in one massive hand as his long green jacket drags behind him as his crunches closer and closer. Some -might- consider the movement threatenintg but any study of Fudou's face would reveal he just looks..intensely curious at the moment. Then: "Now -that- doesn't look like any sort of martial arts or swordsmanship a dojo in Great Forks would teach, luv..." He steps closer again, a vague hint of lumbering prowling like motions subtly entering his movements like some sort of gigantic bear circling a campsite. "I don't suppose they teach you how to do that through some sort of manual easily purchased in a market?" His eyes flicker over the area thoughtfully, "..Not exactly 'tournmanet appropriate' I assume?"
Misa	"There are a few, that know the method, scattered about the East," says Misa, head tilting with a curious lift to one brow under her bangs. "The magic of the blades happens to help," she adds dryly. Huge and imposing though he may be, Misa is almost pathologically inexpressive beyond her pointed head movements and, well. She's the one with the panoply of magical blades at her beck and call. "Though, no, not something I would flaunt around Great Forks typically. Is this where I learn the launching of opponents into the sky came from your Immaculate training and I am under some sort of suspicion now? I think it unlikely, but..."
Fudou the Mountain	"is it not possible I simply hit him hard enough?" asks Fudou, allowing a big grin on his face now as he continues circling her slowly. "After all..I am Yennin by birth and Exigent by selection. As a Yennin, along, a Champion of Volivat, I might could have had such power. We're gifted in the use of essence and built to be superhumans..a match even for those of Prasad if we must though Volivat doesn't crave warfare." He then shrugs lightly, "THen I became much more... Just as the monk we saw who of the earth and yet still lost his battle." He looks the floating weapons over and then muses, "..That an impressive array of weaponry. I thought you were mundane... Who...pray tell..practices these arts. This...." He gestures at the blades themselves, "...That lets you lift weapons without using your hands..."
Misa	Another dry comment from Misa as she answers: "Well, I practice these arts. As does a woman who came to my aid in a troublesome moment. Mind, she didn't teach so much as I observed." As Fudou circles around her she turns her head but little else. "I may not be Yennin, but I do stem from the blood of dragons, if that helps."
Fudou the Mountain	"You learn to float swords in the air by observing? Swords of these materials? That's some careful observing. I think there is more to the story...But how cna I prompt you to reveal more..?" Fudou finally stops his prowling and lifts his hand up to place his hat more firmly atop his head as he smils at her. "You may be from a bloodline but you are no actual Prince of the Earth. For one, you're far too serene and would have had no reason to hide your elemental heritage during the tournament. Don't forget, I've seen you fight." He gestures with a massive hand, pointing at the swords, "...Maybe it'd explain these blades, sure, assuming you had a very generous family from where.. Prasad?" he inclines his head, thinking on her accent as one familiar with such matters would be. His Volivat origins are certainly never far from the surface in the cadence of his voice. "...I'm curious then. -Who- did you 'observe'..so closely?"
Misa	Something among all of that elicits a rare thing: Misa actually smirking at something. She shakes her head a little. "All this time in and around Great Forks, and you are the first person to call my not actually coming from Lookshy directly," she says with a light chuckle. She takes a few idle steps, the blades spreading to equal distances from one another circling her and lazily spinning around her. "These blades I acquired recently from a tomb, and a ghost whom some seem to think I have inherited something else from before then. The blood I take from Prasad and Lookshy both. The magical bladework I learned in observing and sparring with a woman who came to me in the form of a bird. And the rest..." She pauses for a long moment, blades still circling as she stands still again a moment. And then: "I tire of games and such about it." She turns back to Fudou, and the telltale sunburst glows clear through the thick dark hair covering her forehead. "I was touched by the sun in the middle of Kamthahar. If not for an elder moon-touched, I would likely have died in short order. She is who I speak of."
Fudou the Mountain	A moon-touched trained you..." He doesn't sound like he disbelives her, no. In fact...perhaps it's telling that -that- is what he repeats and not sheer shock and awe or horror at her revelation of being one of the sun's chosen. The thought that a chosen of the moon took to her and attended to her though? That has caught this ones attention. That she's a solar is amazing as well, granted, but... "What was her name?" he asks...prompting for more. "The one that came to you and showed you...this..and more besides no doubt. As to not wanting to play games anymore? Well what do you expect? Even now there are some who make great pains and efforts to stop a Wyld Hunt from riding. Do you intend to just go fight them all?"
Misa	"I had considered it," says Misa, simply and matter-of-factly. "To say she 'trained' me might be a generous statement but we have kept touch and sparred at times." "I have my doubts but she often calls herself Sublime Danger. Which perhaps might explain to you my mind to consider simply taking what comes." She stretches a moment, rolling her neck. "I've been too idle too long. That tomb was something of a taste or reminder, you might call it. Might be nice to take the joy in the things I do again, and that means giving away some safety."
Fudou the Mountain	"It is true that Great Forks offers a bit of a place and time to simply be comfortable." admits Fuduou, folding his arms now and leaning back up against a tree that seems sturdy enough to support his body. "I have to admit that I've gotten....comfortable. Another time and I might not have cared for long term...repercussions but.." he gestures lightly, "You likely already know that one action leads to another and impacts more then just...yourself. Those reasons restrain me, more then anything else. Even if you were to fight a wyld hunt on your own successfully they'd just send another and the ones hiding in Great Forks who aren't equiped to fight would be rootd out eventually. Maybe. Maybe that's good for them. I dont' know yet.." He rubs his jaw, lightly pulling at what passes for a beard before glancing up again and noting, "So...Sublime Danger eh? Tha'ts ....impressive. There is some honor in that."
Misa	"I think she just enjoyed the challenge of the rescue, and took a liking to the fact of the sword style I grew up with," explains Misa, shrugging a little. "And well- what of the consequences of inaction, by contrast?" she asks innocently enough. "Where else are problems caused meanwhile?"
Fudou the Mountain	"Alright, alright, enough of the subterfuge. I'm only slightly good at it due to another." The sigil of the full moon shines to life atop Fudou's brow as the behemoth dismisses the effects used to hide his tattoos as well. The silver of the tattoos gleams softly under the reflective light of the reveal of his castemark as he continues. "You konw as well as I do where other problems may be caused. Others like us who are also in the city who would be caught up in any sort of wyld hunt that is triggered by either of us deciding to go off the bend...." He thens shrugs lightly and gesturs somewhat, "...Although...it might simply be neecssary. An attempt to stamp out a fire simply spreads it after all. It might be for the best to force them, and ourselves, to be more aggressive. We certainly can't stop The Realm simply by talking about it all the time. or Lookshy."
Misa	"This is perhaps where I ought to mention that my mother was well-respected for her efforts in Wyld Hunts, and my apparent father gave his life for one. I know the dangers," Misa notes, shaking her head a little and pausing a moment, eyes and thoughts elsewhere. "But I digress- with the state of the Realm, and the desires of rulers... I doubt this sort of stability will last anyways. For one example alone- picture the dragon castes of Prasad, unburdened by tribute to a realm that has declined, taking more earnest action to envelop more of the southeast to build their power base, end the dreaming sea stalemate, and work their way to the river provinces. Just one of countless possible occurrences. Change will come- no sense in playing at otherwise." The swords finally cease spinning about her, returning to their tidy row behind her back, almost like an offset cape of some bizarre design. "And call me strange or out of my mind or callous, but... I'd look forward to the challenges those tumultous times would bring, right now. Perhaps I ought spend some time among the scavenger lands? Rather more active there, I suspect."
Fudou the Mountain	"I think you under estimate things." notes Fudou rather simply, "These times are different then the your mother or father's age. A lunar here. A solar there. Clashes with the forces of my peers or attempts to deal with them.. Much different. Everything changes when the Solars returned in full. Look at what happened with The Bull? ANd now here? in Great Forks? They know several of us are here. I'm sure you're aware of the happenings with teh organizers of the tournament. Now we have a time and place to intercept and deal with attempts at passing names that they have on along with descriptions. All the result of speaking too freely without realizing that a crystal that could transmit sounds was present.." Fudou seems calm, despite it all..and in fact shrugs. "If a hunt rides, we should surely destroy them. Then what after thqat? Turn the confderation of rivers against Great Forks? Be rooted out? Or besieged in Great Forks? What will The Three do? The mortals cauhgt in the middle? It's a choice that should be taken into careful consideration. Of course....I could simply do as my shahan-ya would likely do and simply..seek to crush them. I'm simply trying to think...bigger than all that." He grins a little, looking mildly amused at his phrasing and then he frowns again slowly, "Volivat and Ysyr would not simply allow Prasad to do as it wishes though. That information is quite interesting...."
Misa	"I *found* a fair portion of the evidence at that tournament, yes. And I find it somewhat interesting to take my statements for anything more than an off-the-cuff example, regarding Prasad. Just as easily Ysyr could complete some world-shattering working and win the Sea, or Volivat develop some hundred-fathered child or whatever you might call it," Misa notes, one corner of her mouth twisting more wryly than anything. "I am quite specifically -not- underestimating. I am, on some level, -hoping- for overwhelming odds. On another, certainly, there will be damage along the way. But I think your comments about the Bull or wyld hunts already coming due to idle conversation simply prove my point. Those tumultuous times will come whether I happen to battle a Magistrate and their retinue on a bridge in the manner of storybooks or not." She turns about, hands resting on her waist as she gazes out over the river next to her small shrine-turned-dojo. "Call me callous or cold- certainly you would not be the first. But I would rather test myself, push my limits- and be as ready as possible for when the times of tumult come. It requires risks- but I've spent too much time as an investigator to pretend I cannot see a hundred other ways those dangers will come." She looks back over her shoulder again, that corner of her mouth twisted up further. "And between you and I? If Creation as we know it is to break, I should like to enjoy myself along the way."
Fudou the Mountain	"Yennin." says Fudou simply as she finishes. He sounds mildly insulted though not necessarily in a way to imply he's upset. "We are called 'Yennin'.. and we are fathered for the building up of our nation in more then just war but the arts, philosphy, leadership, inspiration.. Super human, yes, but not to conquer but Volivat will fight to protect itself...." He pauses and then says, "And it's secrets. They don't even understand exactly how the process that enables The Yennin works beyond the basics. A relic of -your- ilk I think...that Volivat maintains at its most limited capability. IT makes me wonder what might happen if greater minds and skilld id get ahold of the method.." Fudou smirks lightly, thinking and then says, "But I believe you. I'm simply pointing out reasons why some are urging a more light tread versus triggering something that proves probelmatic. You and I can sit here and discuss how much we'd enjoy fighting an army but the minute a village along the way is turned into a smoking crater, well....some find it easier to sleep at night then others."
Misa	A faint laugh from Misa as she waves her hand about in a languid circular motion, the floating blades returning to the rack for the moment. She rests a hand on the more mundane blade at her hip instead, the other hanging at her side. "Yennin, of course. And the names of the three major clans of the Dragon caste?" she says in a joke that maybe doesn't sound *entirely* like one, given how flat her affect can be. "I am not -without- concern for damages that might be caused, but part of me wonders how many of those burned villages might be saved not by caution but by swifter action, by contrast. Meeting the threat on the road before it reaches them on its way to you, so to speak. One cannot know, really. If there are others who have their plan, I will not interfere- but neither am I all that willing to shut myself down in my own home anymore- so if the next person to see my blades flying is a Shikari- so be it, and I will handle the matter per my particular idiom instead, most likely."
Fudou the Mountain	"Tell me, what do you think has more legend or clout to its name. The name of Dragonblood Families or the fact that a nation of their peers has supposed mere 'mortals' who are capable of meeting them on their own levels. I daresay the term 'Yennin' might fall from the average persons lips more frequentlY!" insists fudou with a bemused huff that still manages to sound mildly frustrated. However, he pauses and brings a hand up to his massive jaw as he listens. " don't disagreew ithyou. I would much prefer to fight. I simply know what our 'peers' might attempt to insist. In part that's guided my restraint this far." He then shakes his head once again and waves a huge hand slightly, "So far there is no plan. I think one of our good friends, Tiziri, is mildly annoyed with us due to not wanting to immediately simplyg o and kill these merchant messengers or what have you before the information is exchanged. I admit that would be...'easy' enough to do but I dont think it'd actually solve anything as certainly the fact that he knows something has been shared already. Still, well have to do something quickly if we don't want the information leaving the area when the tournament ends. Or before."
Misa	"And yet one of those two groups rules Creation," quips Misa back, head shaking- she's facing away, but rather unlike her usual demeanour one can almost feel the amused smile playing about her mouth at the exchange. "Well then, seems we're not so different after all. Though I hadn't taken Tiziri for quite so direct. Does make sense though, she seems tightly wound on some matters. As for this messenger situation- can be hard to make someone stop speaking on a matter forever. Perhaps one of our more persuasive acquaintances can work some angles to discredit the organization and obfuscate the truth and trail."
Fudou the Mountain	She can't see him but she can probably guess at his expression well enough. Pursed lips and mild annoyance at her final arguement. No disputing that reality without getting into matters that far exceed the present discussion so he simply gives her a "Hmmph." followed by a, "Yes they do...and this group is bent on ending -our- existence and rights of rulership which brings us back full circle..." His grouchy tone lightens slightly but only slightly as he considers and says, "Tiziri normally is one for taking a more cautious approach but I would say that is less a matter of her being cautious and more her simply being pragmatic. IF the easiest solution is to simply kill then that is the path she may lean towards to avoid the alternative. She, like yourself, also hsa experiences with The Wyld Hunt. However---I haven't seen her since our last meeting and I wonder if she's opted for another path all together. We still need to deal with the situation regardless..." Fudou rests a hand on his hip and nods, "I suggested one of our peers who is..good with making individuals agree to matters without ever speaking of it. It may be an option though that doesn't mean there could be ways to undo that later, I suppose. It's a risk either way."
Misa	"Again, keenly aware of the threats of wyld hunts. Consider that it might be a little -more- personal when there is a very real chance your own mother will be the one leading the hunt that comes for you," says Misa with a rather less amused expression as she turns around again. "Cannot say I much care for rulership, 'Lawgiver' or no. Interesting challenges, arts to learn, and perhaps a student or two here and there and I am contented."
Fudou the Mountain	"I know." says FUdou, mildly sharply, but then he relaxes as he repeats, "I know that you are aware. I was saying so to explain why Tiziri herself may be wound up and have her own reasons and experiences...." He seems to grow more sympathetic as he considers her words regarding her mother. THe thought that her mother still lives hadn't even occured to him and he looks at Misa very closely and is siletn for awhile before nodding his head, "Our personal feelings and goals aside...as Chosen we do have some stewardship over Creation. It doesn't mean we need to literally sit on a throne or can't leave matters to others more suited. MOre ot the point it's just knowing that there is a past and that something was taken from us. That's all. Like you I have other things I'd rather pursue, I don't think that will change." He steps away from the tree now and then tips his hat to Misa. "This was most enlightening! I will have to reveal myself to others more often!"
Misa	A slight shake of the head. "The others at the tomb spoke of predecessors as though they were personal past too. Can never quite tell if people are being metaphorical or literally see this as some kind of past self. I've always thought of it a little more like coming into possession of a particularly deadly weapon that someone impressive or important wielded in the past. A blessing and a responsibility to ensure it is not used wastefully, but I have a hard time really... seeing much connection to the hungry ghost I struck down in those depths beyond collecting weapons- which just seems a natural byproduct of the type of thing I am now." She shrugs it off, bowing her head as he gestures as if about to leave. "Certainly an interesting evening's chat. Do be well, hm? And let me know how the matter of the messengers turns out, should I not be there."