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Amilar Ereyo	It's a pleasantly warm afternoon. Certainly not the worst conditions to go for a stroll between the imposing barracks and stately administration buildings of Lookshy's second ring. Easy to watch others go about their work without being forced to engage with them. By random happenstance, Gewan ends up in a less busy area of the military complex, where specialist units are housed and trained. While passing what appears to be a large storage building of some sort, he hears a familiar voice, one whose owner he hasn't met for many years, resonating in the massive hall and reaching his ears through a wooden gate. One wing has been thrown open, the other remains closed. With both wings fully open, the entrance would be large enough to accommodate a warstrider. Given that this building belongs to the engineering section, the building's architects might well have something like that in mind upon its construction. There are other voices as well, but the one that belongs to a certain scion of Gens Amilar seems to be doing most of the talking. A lecture of some sort? It's not easy to make out individual words without actually entering the building.
Karal Gewan	The meeting with the other officers hadn't been boring exactly, but it had been long and arduous. Lots of numbers, and talk ABOUT those numbers. Estimates versus confirmed reports versus hearsay.. Exhausting, but informative. Gewan had sought some reprieve during the afternoon, although such was proving hard to find in the second ring. But yes, the engineering section delivered, for the craft of those here lay beyond Gewan's own expertise, thus he could not be asked to weigh in on or give his opinion on anything. It was also not the first place someone would look for him, and so he could postpone the call of duty for some time yet. When he hears a familiar voice however, his curiosity piques. Striding through the massive wooden gate, the kazei's eyes take in the full majesty of the workshop. All manner of contraptions and tools, most of which's function is a mystery to Gewan, occupy the space. But there is also people, engineers by the looks of them, and the one doing most of the talking is one that Gewan recognizes. It had been some time since he saw Amilar Ereyo, and she looked better of than last time he laid his eyes on her. She was standing on her own two legs, literally, after all. He approached, slowly and without interrupting whatever lecture his old acquittance was giving.
Amilar Ereyo	As Gewan is well aware, the workshops in these parts are primarily used to train young engineers, who are not allowed to lay their hands on potentially dangerous contraptions - including the truly priceless ancient artifacts in the Armory. Nor are they permitted to weave anything but the most basic and relatively safe sorcerous workings here. Entering the building without warning doesn't carry any risk of accidental decapitation, dismemberment, or being caught up in a sudden Essence eruption. When his eyes have adjusted to the soft light produced by a multitude of oil lamps, he spots a small commotion in the middle of the hall. A group of youngsters has gathered around a large metal dais, all clad in the protective gear and long leather aprons of apprentice engineers, and equipped with notepads and pencils. Even the most mature among them don't look any older than sixteen. They number maybe a dozen, faces aglow with delight as they listen attentively to the woman in the center of the dais. Ereyo's casual uniform is clean and crisp, her hair the same wind-tousled mess he remembers - but something about her has changed: The way she holds herself in front of the students radiates a firm confidence she never displayed whenever the two of them were forced to engage in small talk at a highly formal salon. Yet at the same time, her face looks paler than he remembers, and thinner, even a little haggard. Behind her sits the subject of the lecture, firmly mounted on the dais and guarded by a fang of soldiers: One of the First Age's most devastating siege weapons - an implosion bow. No matter if Gewan has seen one in action or only heard about them, he should certainly be able to recognize the imposing device, with Old Realm hieroglyphs etched into the polished red wood, and gleaming orichalcum lining what looks like the arms of a massive crossbow. Thankfully, it has no power; its hearthstone socket yawns empty. Following Ereyo's lecture proves difficult for him, given the highly technical language she employs while moving around the device, pointing at this and that part... but he can understand enough to deduce that this is a lesson about maintaining and reloading the weapon in the field, under pressure. She appears to be in her element, and it takes a while for her to notice his presence. Upon locking eyes with Gewan, the Air Aspect looks startled for a moment, but quickly launches into the closing part of her lecture, then answers a few of her student's questions. It seems like she is about to finish quite soon, and she keeps throwing questioning glances his way.
Karal Gewan	Where Ereyo is in a casual uniform, Gewan comes from a meeting of high officials. Although not a social affairs in nature, meetings with people of import still required Gewan to look presentable. His hair was done, he was freshly bathed and was dressed to impress with the leaf-mantle of his artifact breastplate enveloping his body. He smiles faintly as Ereyo locks eyes with him and indents his head. Be polite. He listens to the students as they pose their questions. It is nice to disappear into this other world for a while, even if he understands little. Every new experience is another weave in the tapestry that makes up his existence. Perhaps it was his Sextes Jylis heritage, but he couldn't help but find a sublime beauty in the artifact-warmachine. "How alluring it is." he says in a low tone after the last students asks their question, his eye fixed on the machine. "Even though it is an instrument of such destruction, I cannot help but find it beautiful." His voice is calm, but it is a bit of an awkward statement, hanging in the air as it is without prompt.
Amilar Ereyo	In the high hall, sound carries far, amplified by a construction that's essentially a giant echo chamber. Suddenly, everyone is staring at Gewan - the students, eyes wide with bewilderment; Ereyo, torn between a confused smile and a thoughtful frown; even the guards... just like that, he has turned from casual bystander into the center of attention. Before the situation can become even ~more~ awkward, Ereyo claps her hands, prompting the students to direct their full attention to her once again, and proclaims: "Ah, well... Let us all thank Kazei Karal Gewan for this thoughtful closing remark. Alas, we are at the end of our time slot. I will be available for you later at the assembly hall, should you have further questions. Your assignments are due next week. Now, I recommend you all take a break, get some fresh air, and allow some time to process what you have learned. Class dismissed." With that, she salutes, and the young engineers bow deeply, forming a chorus of "Thank you, Wai tan-junai" and "At once, Wai tan-junai" before quickly dispersing towards the entrance. More than a few of them glance at Gewan with immense curiosity as they pass him by, but don't dare to let their eyes linger for too long. While the guards get to work, covering the weapon in protective cloth sheets, maneuvering a wagon parked nearby into position, and releasing the clamps to ready the device for transport back to the Armory, Ereyo hesitates at first, then moves toward Gewan. He cannot help but notice the distinctive, definitely artificial noises produced by her left leg as she walks. Covered by her trousers, both legs look the same, and the movement seems natural. "Good day, Kazei." A formal salute accompanies the greeting. Her violet eyes regard him with nervous curiosity. "Can I help you with anything?"
Karal Gewan	Gewan returns the salute, his green eyes meeting her violet ones. Whilst most of his movements have been serene, even languid, this one is rapid and well-practiced. "Nothing in particular, no." he says softly. "Just taking a break between brass meetings, hiding from the bureaucrats." That may have been a joke, but the tone makes it unclear. His eyes trail behind her, following the guards and their transportation of the ballista, but then snaps back to her. "You look lovely today, Wai tan-junai. How are you doing?" He leaned on her official title. Official means formal, and formal means protected. Then they are not people speaking, but rather instruments of this vast organization trading information and pleasantries. Gewan was more comfortable in that role, it was a shield that kept people at bay. One of his hands gestures vaguely towards her leg. "You seem to be doing better, or do my eyes deceive me?" It wasn't meant to be a compliment exactly, more a genuine statement of fact, but it could easily come off that way.
Amilar Ereyo	For a moment, the sorcerer-engineer's gaze turns downright piercing, but that quickly passes by - thanks to the air currents that surround her even in the middle of the hall blowing several strands of raven-black hair into her face. She quickly brushes them away and peers at the Karal's face again, this time avoiding his eyes. Her rigid pose remains that of a soldier standing at attention in the presence of a superior officer. "Thank you, sir", she replies in as neutral a voice as she can, with mixed success. "Your eyes are sharp as ever. As you can see, I have been able to return to service after my... involuntary leave." Her voice hitches and cracks just a bit, and she takes a moment to compose herself before continuing. "Judging by your reaction, I was successful in replacing my lost leg with a sufficiently convincing prosthesis. Speaking of success..." She offers him a formal bow. "Congratulations on rising up in the ranks so quickly. You are truly an inspiration to young soldiers in the Legion. How is your family?"
Karal Gewan	Gewan nods his head slightly in recognition to the compliment. "Thank you.." he omits her title this time. Best not overdo it. Maybe? Should he have used the title there? Would that have been better? Or would it have been to obvious that he was trying to keep things formal? Would it have been regarded as showing-off? He doesn't want to come across a pompous and full of himself, that wouldn't do anyone any good. Can't go around using titles willy nilly when it's just the two of them alone in a workshop. Oh no, he's been silent for too long! "..Eh, it's an honor to be able to serve the Seventh Legion at such capacity. My only wish is to do the legion proud." Phew! Good answer, and patriotic too. "Hopefully my example serve to inspire the youth, as you say." By the dragons, that may have sounded pompous after-all. All this effort to seem down-to-earth wasted. Switch subject, back to her! "It seems to be a remarkable feat of engineering, your leg. Did you have a hand in it yourself?" Good work Gewan, it's smooth sailing from here.
Amilar Ereyo	Somehow, after everything Gewan already said that could have been interpreted as a compliment, this latest remark is the one to make Ereyo blush. She hastily looks down and away in a rather random direction, pressing her lips into a thin line. "I... Yes, I did. Both hands, in fact. Thank you once again, sir. Steadfast was my first work of artifice. I had the privilege to consult an experienced physician for her peerless knowledge of human anatomy." The Air Aspect's hands twitch - is it nervousness, or something else? To hide it, she quickly puts the right hand behind her back, and uses the other to pat her left thigh. It makes exactly the sound one would expect from the combination of materials involved: Flesh hitting metal with only a layer of cloth to dampen the impact. Behind her, the soldiers and several helpful engineers huff and puff with effort, hauling the army-murdering contraption into the wagon with levers and pulleys. Suddenly conscious of the many other people moving about in the hall, Ereyo looks around and blinks at Gewan. "It is quite noisy here, sir. Should you wish to continue this conversation, I suggest we move outside." The following pause might have been caused by her trying to assess how to proceed. In the end, she settles on: "Maybe we could continue your tour of the engineering quarter." Her smile is fast and fleeting, like a small gust of air, or a lightning strike on a sunny day.
Karal Gewan	Yes, deflecting the conversation away from himself worked. Seeing her blush from this was unexpected, she must take her work very seriously. "Ah, I see." he says. "Certainly your actions were guided by the Dragon's will. Sextes Jylis lends knowledge of herb and plant, but also of the human body." At her suggestion for a tour, he nods. "Yes, that sounds.. wise." Such a tour will render him a moving target, all the harder to his bureaucrats to track him down. "I'm always eager to listen, but don't expect much retention." he says, this time clearly in jest as a smile spreads on his lips. The prospect of walking seem to genuinely have cheered him up. "Please, tell me everything."