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Silk Moon Lotus	Silk smiles at her guests. "Like I said, my ship should be able to handle any number of others that want to come with since I don't need a crew for it. I know that the place I'm looking for has a volcano on it as well as some tall trees with leaves at the top but not at the bottom. They also have some kind of large gourds on them. I think there is something I need to get or find there."
Bright Journey	Within Silk's mansion, there's a cozy lounge with a fireplace, an excellent room with plush chairs and a sofa, side tables and a merrily roaring fireplace to stave off the chilly night outside. It's late evening and the mansion is lit by candles and torches, since the broad skylights in the hall only show the dark, overcast sky far above. Bright herself is near the fire, in a green dress with a delicious-smelling mug of hot mulled cider ready to hand. Sitting demurely, legs crossed, she's still leaning forward and in an intense, though not really heated discussion with the others present. Plates of nibbles and hors-d'oeuvres are artfully placed about the room, and a number of the young women Silk and Bright employ as maids and serving girls dart about now and then, refilling glasses and accepting orders for more potent potables. Bright is sipping at her mug, a bit of a smile on her face as soon as Silk mentions her ship. She doesn't mention that, however. Instead she gives Silk a wide grin. "Well! You've mentioned a vision or memory, Silk, but I think that's the most specific you've been. Still, it's an awful large Creation. Hopefully we'll be able to divine a more useful set of directions than 'west' at some point. Still, it sounds like a grand adventure with or without a stop in the Caul. Since Raksi seems...unlikely...at this point, and certainly ill advised without Tiziri, I'm game."
Misa	"There are others you could seek out," reiterates Misa, head tilting a little as she looks over at Fudou a moment. "The woman who kept me alive at one point, for instance, or perhaps Fudou here has another potential individual he can think of. Would be... odd- even my relationship to one is odd- to have that discussion being other things than kin to them, but it may not hurt if you come with deals or fitting things to offer." She leans back in her seat, thumb idly playing over the base of the hilt of her mundane sword at her side as she considers the group for a longish moment. "I have no needs in the Caul," she adds finally by way of answering Silk's quasi-offer.
Silk Moon Lotus	Silk nods her head to Misa "I understand. I had a vision or a dream, maybe a memory or something else, I don't know for sure at this point. I know that I saw an island like I described. There may be some ruins there from the first age. I've been seeing it in my dreams ever since I mastered Terrestrial Circle sorcery. I don't know if it's the magic of the world telling me to come or if it's something else."
Tepet Makara	"I know that the Black Lion has five shahanyas as his generals but maybe one of them is reasonable enough to approach but the question is who?" He wonders which figure is appropriate in negotiating so they could meet with the Lion. "I'm not familiar with them that much but I did hear about them" He then shifts his attention on where to dock "Faxai can work as a place where the ship can dock, but we may attract the attention of the Realm even if we are disguised. There are also other port cities from what I've heard such as Asura and Kama. Kama is neutral from what I heard since it was abandoned by the Realm and attacked by the Silver Pact. Asura meanwhile is allied with the Silver Pact....even if under the control of the Lintha pirates whose blood course with demons. Supposedly one of them exalted and became one of the Black Lion's shahanya"
Fudou the Mountain	"Ma Ha Suchi. The Wolf of Roses." Fudou speaks up suddenly, having fallen silent and listening for awhile. "A former friend but now staunch opponent of Raksi politically. They didn't agree on matters. He's aggressive in his own way and hard to pull from his personal pursuits but he might be willing to speak with a Solar seeking his counsel or perspective. Just be warned... He believes war with The REalm is unavoidable and should be done with haste. It was disagreement in times past that led to his desire not being fulfilled and Raksi was the cause." Fudou quiets and then says, "He will see me if I go to visit him. I impressed him. He trained me. We have a good relationship but I warn you now as I did then...these shahan-ya of th ancient days are old beyond belief. THey dont' just talk about the elder days they were -there-.. They witnessed the end of those times and were scarred for it. THey will test and challenge your resolve and your worthiness.."
Bright Journey	Bright listens to Makara's explanation with interest. "Hmm. I'm glad you're here, Makara, I didn't really know any of that. The fact is, much of that kind of news doesn't make it here, and I might wish to ask around myself before we go to see if there's anything else we can learn. Honestly, though, I thought this Black Lion -was- a shahan-ya, and I wasn't aware of any higher rank than that. Is there any way you could explain that to us? "As for the boat, the best place to dock might be 'nowhere', to be honest. Or more precisely, in the wilderness. Silk's boat is...special...and I'll let her explain as much as she cares to. One thing is for sure, though, where we dock will factor in to what they know about us. If not in the wilderness, we could dock somewhere friendly to them specifically so we don't appear completely out of nowhere." Bright pauses, and again, listens carefully to Fudou, her interest clearly piqued...and a knowing look crosses her features as Fudou mentions he was trained by the man. "Ma Ha Suchi...", Bright muses. "Your teacher. Your mentor. And the very first person you were thinking of when I asked you about meeting a shahan-ya...what? Yeesh, years ago now, I guess." She turns and gives Fudou a steady, confident look. "You're not worried -for me- that I will fail his tests. You're worried that my actions will diminish you in Ma Ha Suchi's eyes. That I will embarrass you in front of your teacher. And looking back, I can see now that had I gone then, I may very well have done so." She smiles faintly, her voice softer. "I am not entirely who I was, Fudou, and while I am all that I was before, I am far more than just that now. I do not belittle or dismiss your concerns. They're valid. But I am stronger and faster now--not just my bowstring, of course, but where it counts. Here." She puts a hand on her chest, right over her heart. "One of the biggest reasons I wish to go is to -ask- questions about those earlier ages, to break past the frustrating fog I feel in every modern book I read and every person I talk to. To find out just what in Malfeas the Solars did -wrong- so we can not -do- it again!" Her voice raises in volume and intensity, her expression hardening in resolve. "If ever we are to unite and protect creation, we have to learn the lessons of the First Age that divided us and not just patch them, but take steps to keep them from happening again. A shahan-ya's perspective is exactly what I need to start that process, Fudou, and if I have to pluck the moon from the sky to pass his test, then by the Gods I will do just that."
Silk Moon Lotus	"I'm sure with Bright's charming personality, getting into any of the ports will not be an issue. Perhaps landing at the no man's land dock might be the best choice so neither side decides that we are with the other side. The city held by the Realm is right out. We would be discovered more than likely, then have to fight our way through the city. Not how I want to start a trip to the Caul. We could dock at the city held by the Lion. It would make it easier to start an audience with him, I hope." Silk looks to Fudou "I've heard stories about Ma Ha Suchi in my grandfather's house. They were not friendly. Then again, he is an Earth Dragon so I'm sure it was very biased."
Misa	"Ma-Ha-Suchi may be your better option, yes. The one I know well is... mercurial. Not the most interested in the overall state of Creation or its inhabitants. Not without those concerns, but... not in the same way as some others," Misa notes, clicking her teeth together a few times absently. "But- do be careful to not take one elder's word as the sole truth on the matter. Limited perspectives and the like- I'm sure you're familiar."
Fudou the Mountain	The huge man quiets once again and then, once the others have spoken he turns towards Bright. "You remember correctly. I told you what I told you in order -to- motivate you. It wasn't without cause or justification. I knew that we wouldn't be able to gain an audience easily and also...that you'd be safe. I stress again so that you are well prepared....If you meet one of these shahan-yan you meet someone whose eyes looked upon the First Age of Creation and dwelled then in great glory. You have -not- had to deal with that yet. For all of our struggles and adventures and current troubles...that is an experience you should be as wary as you -are- confident. But if I didn't think you were eready to make the attempt I wouldn't have acted as I have to make the suggestions. Keep that in mind as well. That must mean I have some faith in you to be able to manage it..." He nods towards Misa, "This as well. As I said, He is at odds with Raksi. Why do you think this is? Two of the greatest beings in Creation who are both Lunars yet they can't stand each other? It's an old drama and it should well suggest that vastly different perspetives are at work as well as goals..."
Tepet Makara	"I see and Kama or Asura it is, but I may personally visit Faxai by myself alone or not due to....family matters" He sighs as Makara wonders what sort of criminal activities his brother got into in the Caul. As the subject regarding Ma-ha-suchi is mixed among the exalts here, he keeps quiet on the topic for now for he does not know much about the shahanya. "I'll probably not use my guise as a Water Aspect if we land on Asura and will use my other identity."
Bright Journey	With a flourish, Bright settles back into her seat and takes a long, therapeutic draught of her mulled wine. She listens carefully, nodding in places, then frowns in a thoughtful sort of way. "Ma-Ha-Suchi or the Black Lion. Or both; frankly, I am not averse to getting exactly the multiple perspectives you refer to, Fudou, and in the long run my goals require I speak to many leaders. I have put significant effort into preparing myself, mind and body, for just that kind of thing, and I can only hope I've done the right things. To plan, though, I need to ask. Where exactly -is- Ma-Ha-Suchi? Not in the Caul, I assume. I may simply prepare for a meeting with the Black Lion or his people first, just because that's the direction Silk is heading."
Fudou the Mountain	Offering his first slight smile, Fudou narrows his eyes slightly though the smile is mercurial perhaps. What exactly is he smiling at...? "The opposite direction. The Tangle. We'd have to head towards the southeast and brave the jungles there. If you would go west with Silk and visit THe Caul then do that first. IT'd make the most sense considering those options.."
Misa	"I suppose I should, at some point, mention that I am not referring to Raksi, but to Sublime Danger," Misa pipes up, shrugging slightly with the statement. "I know little of the sorceress-queen, but I do know that Danger's focus is elsewhere- mostly upon her namesake, all told." "That being said, it cannot hurt to meet all, in due time. Assuming you can get the audiences. But you make a fair point- speak to the Lion first while travelling that way anyways."
Silk Moon Lotus	"Makara I can travel into the city with you if you need some discreet backup." Silk refills her glass and takes a sip. "I will respect your desire for privacy if that is your wish." "I'm about ready to ship out. We should be able to leave in the next couple of weeks."
Bright Journey	bright speaks up here, her voice firm. "The merchant will meet with the priest by then. We do not agree, but nevertheless we must settle on a course of action. And we need to do it tonight. We just don't have the time to meet again, most likely. I propose we put it to a vote, and I vote that we at the very least attempt to deceive the priest, to keep the Wyld Hunt in the dark. I think we should kill the merchant, though. What say you all?"
Fudou the Mountain	"Our initial carelessness has led to this." FUdou notes, tone dire and a frown on his face. "Do what you must do to protect yourself. I"ve said I'd rather fight The Hunt then skulk around killing a mortal with an overly loud mouth. But if you can silence this information then so be it. But it won't be me who does it."
Misa	"Kill away, by my reckoning. Both, if you feel particularly enterprising. But I am certain given the prominence of the position some misdirection will be for the better, for the priest. I will leave it to the experts what that misleading happens to entail."
Tepet Makara	"I'm ok if you join, but I expect my brother may be up to no good in Faxai" He nods to Silk as at least someone plans to join with him. But once the subject on the merchant is focused, he makes a suggestion. "I suggest we lure him into a trap but I'm up for other methods of slaying him. Although we do need to find a way to deceive the priest"
Bright Journey	"The deception is already settled on," Bright says with a wicked little grin. "Silk is -exceptional- with disguises, believe me. She's going to pose as the merchant to the priest, and if we'd decided to go that route, as the priest to the merchant as well. Between her disguises and my commentary, I'm confident we can send the priest on his way convinced that the merchant misread the signs. I think I'm going to go for the 'overly devout' angle, but regardless, I think we can do it. And if I flub it, we -can- still silence the priest. "That all said, it sounds like we're generally in agreement. Silk and I can take care of things, though if any of you wish to contribute, we welcome it. If not, that's not a problem." She nods to Fudou. "So. Are there any other concerns about the Nine Sheaves merchant, or can we call this good?"
Silk Moon Lotus	"I'll be whatever you want me to be." Silk grins like a fool. "I do love me a good disguise."