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Misa	It's a fairly pleasant afternoon this far outside of Great Forks. There's little sound beyond the river coursing by and the wind through the trees- and, of course, the sounds of the dojo. Specifically, a lone woman who stands in the midst of the training yard that has more or less simply been beaten into existence by frequent use of the open section next to the main, small shrine structure. But she's not... moving. Rather, her swords are. Two of silvery metal, and one each of blue and red jade, gently curved daiklaves wend and whirl their way through the air around her, clashing with each other and striking at makeshift training dummies- she's started cutting back on how much effort she puts into making them- as the woman in the middle keeps her eyes closed, almost meditative in her focus on the weaponry around her.
Lin	Flying a few hundred feet up, Lin's astride an Agata, scanning the countryside. Though Misa's shrine-dojo is but one of many sights to see along the river banks, the others don't feature FLOATING SWORDS, which is why... "What, by all the gods, is going on there...?" Lin's gobsmacked at the sight. She nudges the Agata, and the two descend. She's not a hoodlum about it though. She brings the Agata down just outside the shrine, outside any obvious gates or other proper entrances to walk through it as any proper person ought, never mind the demon mount buzzing and chittering to itself as she walks away from it and towards the training yard. Once she reaches the bounds of the yard she keeps a polite distance, studying the floating sword kata in wide-eyed marvel, but doesn't interrupt. It's polite to let people practicing such things finish, after all.
Misa	"I heard your demon descending," calls Misa across the yard, eyes opening as the swords draw still for a moment in their present places. "Might I help you with something?" she questions as she turns more fully to the newcomer, striding across the yard as the blades come to a rest hovering just behind her back in a tidy row- their scabbards joining them and sliding over them in a smooth motion.
Lin	"Ah... that was a stunning display. Rather curious how those blades could possibly move on their own..." Lin begins to babble, but then thinks better of it, clearing her throat and showing a friendly smile. "You're familiar... I think we met in the House of Learning? But it's been some time... well, I'm not sure if you can help or not, I stopped by to get a closer look at the flying swords." She admits, the smile turning briefly into a grin. There's a bit of anxious, inhuman, high-pitched squeaking as she says this, and a little critter steps out from... inside her hair? Behind her neck? And onto her right shoulder. It's a... white-furred mouse? Though there seems to be some vaguely gold-shaded pattern on its back that's hard to make out from this angle. Its little whiskers sniff the air in Misa's direction. Lin reaches up with one hand without looking to stroke the creature's back with a finger, announcing, "I'm Lin, and this little rascal is Leo. We're scouting for a good place to start an academy like the House of Learning."
Misa	"The floating blades are best described as a particularly esoteric martial art," explains Misa, head shaking a little. She glances over her shoulder at where they're arranged so neatly floating behind her back. "But unless you have the knack for these sorts of supernatural metals, as well as the weapons to go with it, there is... little point in trying the learning thereof." She looks back at Lin, glancing only a moment at the mouse before focusing in on the woman. "I believe you are correct- shall I assume the fly-by is in your search for suitable grounds? You may yet need to travel upstream a ways. If you have the resources to start an academy I suspect you will need far more space than I have here."
Lin	"Oh, I do have a knack for magical materials, but not in making them fly." Lin admits, tone containing a mixture of admiration and amusement. The bluenette nods her head a moment later though. "Further south might be for the best, though... that's an interesting way to phrase it. Does that mean you're interested in such a project? I mean, there's definitely going to be a need for martial artists, or soldiers, or some manner of self-defense..." What on earth kind of SCHOOL is going to need martial arts though? Lin seems sure this is gonna be the case. "Ah, this is that dojo I've been hearing about, isn't it? Headed by a swordmaster of growing renown." Realization has finally struck and Lin's demeanor brightens significantly.
Misa	"I am not particularly familiar with any rumours, but I suppose the tournament may have begun some whispers," muses Misa aloud, arms crossing more thoughtfully than defensively. She exhales a moment, glancing down the road past Lin. "I have taught a few, yes. Though as you can perhaps guess, almost all I practice is swordplay- there is little in the way of the more... relaxed, health-minded 'martial arts' one finds in some communities and academies. Nor ones that avoid lethality. You clearly have an interest but... if I recall your mindset, I am not sure if many of the styles I practice will suit your aim." She doesn't quite speak it as a shut-down, her tone is neutral, quiet, and purely informative.
Lin	"Ah... no, I'm afraid lethality is going to be very practical to have on hand. Regrettably necessary." Lin remarks, expression hardening slightly. "The House of Learning could not exist, were it not sheltered within Great Forks's walls, after all. A school of the size I envision will need to provide housing and hospitality. That will require food and skilled workers... which means territory, valuables, and people that must be defended from ne'er do wells. For wherever things and people of value gather, it creates opportunity for others hoping to take it for themselves." The little mouse squeaks in alarm at that... as if it might be able to understand what she's saying? "Should I entrust the well-being to men and women of solid judgement, or bound spirits that cannot tell the difference between a hardened criminal and a desperate orphan? Not only will defenses be needed, but combat and warfare is just as valid a profession to be taught as agriculture or medicine. Really, I say a school or academy, but at this scale, it has the same needs as a large town or a small city."
Misa	Curiously, Misa's eyebrow quirks upwards at Lin's explanation of her thought process. There's a moment of quiet before she remarks; "... Refreshingly pragmatic." She turns slightly, looking back towards the small ex-shrine she calls home. "If this is a request, you should know a few things. First- I am little interested in relocating from this place just yet- if I go it will be to meander the scavenger lands a time. Second- I would know what backing and resources you intend to use for this sizable ambition. Last- I would know how personally invested you are in the martial arts yourself for my awareness."
Lin	Lin does offer a small smile in response to what she's clearly taking as a compliment. "Naturally, I can appreciate dedication and skill when I see it, but a place on the front lines of battle likely wouldn't suit me well..." She's not ashamed to admit it either. "As I see it, the martial arts serve at least two different purposes. Self mastery, and violence. The first is always commendable, the latter I'd hope the world could see less of, but I'm not foolish enough to deny something tightly woven into the fabric of Creation itself." It's rather like something comes over her then. For she begins to glimmer with a soft radiance, tongues of liquid sunfire emerging from her skin, in the colors of sunset - blues, purples, and deep reds melding and weaving throughout the fainter gold. Upon her forehead, there blazes the half-filled golden disk of the Twilight Caste. "The bank accounts I've spent a year filling with silver talents will fund the venture. My bound spirits have already secured a plethora of building materials. Books for the libraries have already been copied and crated. What mundane workings cannot account for, my higher Sorcery will." "There, all will be welcome to dwell, learn, work, and teach. To heal and be healed. Even the orphan, the dispossessed, the exile, the heretic and the outcast. I've dreamed of a time when everyone could read and write, the roads and streets were not filled with muck and filth, nobody dressed in rags, nobody sold their children in hard times, nobody feared being waylaid on the road, nobody feared the plague or other disease..."
Misa	Misa pauses a moment at the display of Exaltation- and wordlessly responds in kind- not as dramatically, but another blade manifests- of pink, violet, and a hint of golden flame. "Large dreams," she comments mildly and not hugely emotively. She glances across the grounds of her small space again, considering. "I am not going to refute if you send students here. I practice four styles and if you would like to reduce the death toll *somewhat* I could recommend the one I have practiced least- though still could teach any student desired."
Lin	Lin's been growing apprehensive through the speech and revealing her anima... seeing one similar to her own brings forth clear relief though. "Oh, thank the gods. I didn't get carried away for nothing..." Her display will soon settle. "A partnership of some kind would be stellar, if you're certain you don't want to simply... enjoin our causes. If possible. Is there not plenty of room in the surroundings to add more buildings? Although I see here some elements of a shrine, though I know not to which god. Has that been forbidden? Or... not wanting to bring attention your way... for, otherwise, I'd wonder if some renovations and expansions wouldn't be helpful?"
Misa	"I mislike crowds," admits Misa bluntly, shrugging with the statement. Certainly her voice is quiet enough to support it. "The Shrine is defunct. The minor god it was focused on has long since left this place. At most I might build a more robust source of equipment, but I like this place being small and lower on space for people. Certainly people are welcome to visit, but upending my life so immediately is quite the ask."
Lin	Lin... can't help but smile at that blunt statement. "Perfectly understandable." She takes a deep breath, then nods her understanding. "I'll gladly help with any renovations you'd like. Uuuuuuunless you plan on plating everything with Jade or Orichalcum, as that's quite difficult to procure. But an 'ordinary' palace fit for a queen, I could probably manage in a week or less if all the materials were on hand... a simple favor." And a long exhale. "One day, though, being alone may not be enough. If that day comes, I hope that I'll be able to offer a place to retreat to. For that glow is the one reason I have to find a place of my own instead of teaching in the House of Learning."
Misa	"Palaces are in my past- I miss the food sometimes, but the space seems unnecessary," muses Misa, shrugging a little. "Certainly I do not mind transacting, but... hm. I suppose I should explain. I actually welcome the threats of potential dangers. I think it the better way to continue bettering myself. I mostly teach because I find it useful that way too. At most I might seek more blades like these, as one of my styles benefits from having more. That said... would you know of my styles so you know what to ask for?"
Lin	"I'm afraid my knowledge extends little to martial arts. I'm familiar with the names of a dozen or so, from tales, and some stories about them... but half are of the Immaculate Order. As far as sword-focused styles are concerned... there's a legend of a style capable of cleaving works of sorcery through swordsmanship and focus alone, but I've never heard anything about flying swords moving on their own. Always something new to learn about, hm?" Lin's keeping up a good mood in the face of a question like that at least. "New Daiklaves, though... that, interests me. If the materials WEREN'T so difficult to come by..." Her pleasant demeanor finally cracks in obvious frustration, tone turning grouchy. "The things that could be done if I just had a stockpile full of them."
Misa	An amused chuckle from Misa. "You may have liked a place I visited recently. rather more magical materials there. But, yes, I have cloven sorceries in my time. That was the style I grew up with. I have since learned others. For your purposes I might suggest the Violet Bier as it also includes staff and Unarmed techniques," she explains in mild tones all the while. "And do not feel bad- very few people encounter the Thousand Blades in their time," she adds, nodding back over her shoulder at the floating weapons.
Lin	"Oh? What sort of place?" Lin asks, though her face is also clearly churning to recognize 'Violet Bier' as a martial arts style, by the look of it. "Somewhere nearby...? Well, not that distance is much of a hassle to me." She's gotten excited and it's done a number on her poise and speaking... "I do have to wonder though, how you learned about such a rare style in that case... let alone learned it."
Misa	"Knowing powerful moon-blessed helps, and... martial arts have always been a rarefied talent of mine. She did not teach me so much as I studied her in her practice and our sparring. Not the only style I have simply learned by observation," explains Misa, shrugging a little as if that's any less mysterious. "And the place was... an ancient broken-down forge manse, full of ghosts and breaking-down devices, periodically flooding with lava. It is from whence I gained these," she notes, sweeping a hand out to the side as the moonsilver and jade blades move in a flowing motion out to her side to emphasize the gesture.
Lin	"A broken down manse.. a forge manse? Could it be, one of the fabled Factory Cathedrals? Even if not that'd an amazing find..." Lin blurts, a shiver running through her whole body and eyes widening as big as they can get. "Hungry ghosts or the talking kind? If it's just hungry ghosts that's nothing I can't handle... oh, this could completely change my plans..." Leo appears to give her a light nip, which triggers Lin to catch herself a moment later and takes a deep breath, straightening her posture. "Erm. Yes. Getting carried away..." "And learning by just observation? Something as complicated as THAT? I can't imagine that's typical. Sounds like a genius-level feat, to me. Wow!"
Misa	"A little of each, though the rantai seemed to steer clear of us once we dispatched the two Solar ghosts," notes Misa, head tilting a little as she thinks back. "The place was out in the great wastes amid the undead and the like, hidden underground. The navigation may be better coordinated with Elena or Silk Moon Lotus, if that is easier. Perhaps a pupil of mine, Perfect Question. They already gathered a number of materials and the like from the place so I am not certain what is left- certainly the manse would require... considerable work to be operational again."
Lin	"Great wastes? ... a Shadowland? The Field of Endless Raitons, or somewhere else? Hmm. Not pleased to hear it's a Shadowland... that will probably weaken or corrupt the dragon lines, it could make the manse little more useful than being a bunch of walls. Or, if converted to channel the essence of death..." Lin heaves a sigh of frustration. Nothing is ever easy. "That has me thinking, though. If I can locate a nice demesne somewhere nearby, building a manse isn't out of the question. Adds a bit more time and expense, but could be very worth it."
Misa	"Then perhaps that ought to be the place you seek for your academy," suggests misa mildly, brow raising a little with the statement. "And- yes. The place was... certainly infested. An intriguing figure or two, in terms of ghosts. Presumably a newer manse may be useful, but may be worth speaking with the others all the same."
Lin	"Well then, it's probably best if I get on with the search. Locating a Demesne will be a bit harder though... perhaps I should dispatch some spirits to fan out.." Lin murmurs thoughtfully, gaze turning off to the horizon briefly... then she focuses back on Misa. "Was a pleasure meeting you out here, though. I'll HAVE to go investigate that ruined manse."
Misa	Misa pauses, and nods a little as Lin suggests as much. She glances up skyward a moment, thoughtful. "You'll likely need to go further afield from Great Forks than this place of mine, for that. Enough of the supernatural around Decadence that I suspect the nearest ones would be spoken for. Skip a few miles, perhaps," she suggests. "But that side, do be well. Do keep me apprised of this academy of sorts."