Session 2: Politics in the City

[Dracos]

--
11/18/2007 12:27:10 PM <Dracos>   The following celebration went by in a blur, the food, the prayers, the moving into the temple.  Soon they found themselves in a small but respectable house on the temple grounds, their new living quarters for their positions.  A set of silken clothes in yellows and reds were also found there, two for each of them.
11/18/2007 12:28:57 PM *   Sunako chooses the red, of course, and tries on the other mask her acolyte bought for her. It should be a perfect match for this outfit.
11/18/2007 12:29:18 PM *   Kuran is happy to get changed into his pajamas, electing to wear yellow for himself.
11/18/2007 12:34:46 PM <Dracos>   It is early evening, the two settling in and Jai apparently out on the town today as a knock was  heard at the door.
11/18/2007 12:35:18 PM *   Kuran gets up and goes to answer the door! "Hello?" he asks as he pulls it open.
11/18/2007 12:37:27 PM <Dracos>   A short woman, broad across with a warm, motherly glow about her smiled up at him.  "Good day, you must be Kuran."  Dressed in the silver and blue robes of Midzu-chi, Kuran had seen enough to recognize this as a high priestess of the temple.
11/18/2007 12:39:11 PM <Kuran>   "That's right," Kuran nods amiably, stepping back from the door. "Please, come in, spirit's blessings to you," he smiles in a welcoming manner.
11/18/2007 12:43:00 PM <Dracos>   As she stepped in, Kuran noticed the dwarven woman seemed to have a variety of gems carefully woven into her hair.  It was rather pretty all told as she stepped in and looked around.  "Ah, not even here a few days and you three are already making a bit of a mess.  Not used to house keeping are you?"  She said cheerfully, not angry a bout it.
11/18/2007 12:45:34 PM <Kuran>   "It be clean enough, right, Sunako?" Kuran looks towards the hikkikomori for moral support.
11/18/2007 12:47:20 PM *   Sunako gives Kuran a thumbs up wordlessly from where she's carefully arranging sheets around a corner of the room she claimed for herself to seal it away from the rest of the premises.
11/18/2007 12:49:16 PM <Dracos>   "Is that... a pillow fortress?" She eyed a bit disbelievingly.
11/18/2007 12:49:41 PM <Sunako>   "There can be pillows," Sunako agrees.
11/18/2007 12:55:37 PM <Dracos>   "Why..." She laughed gently. "I haven't seen such since I was a child.  You certainly are calm with yourself, young lady.  Where's the third?  Jai I believe her name was."
11/18/2007 12:56:29 PM <Sunako>   "The dazzling creature is out," Sunako responds, before her attention returns to her handiwork.
11/18/2007 12:56:42 PM <Kuran>   "She have some business to do in town," Kuran adds, nodding.
11/18/2007 12:59:33 PM <Dracos>   "Well, that's a pity," She produced a plate of brownies. "I was hoping to sit down and get to know you three."
11/18/2007 1:01:17 PM <Kuran>   "Oooh, brownies!" Kuran seems pleased by this development. "We be having a good start."
11/18/2007 1:02:14 PM *   Sunako is torn between the desire to eat of the brownies and her reluctance to approach a strange, pretty person.
11/18/2007 1:04:07 PM <Dracos>   She gave a sunny smile to both of them, leading to their dinning room and laying them down.  "I'm Suleste Careen, but you two can call me Sue," She smiled, "Come on, eat.  You especially look like you could use some on your bones," she was smiling at Sunako.
11/18/2007 1:05:05 PM <Kuran>   "Nice meeting you, Sue," Kuran gleefully accepts a brownie.
11/18/2007 1:05:08 PM *   Sunako covers her face with a sleeve abruptly. "So bright!"
11/18/2007 1:05:50 PM <Dracos>   "Darling, you're never going to get over your fear of people if you can't handle a friendly hello," She teased the young recluse.
11/18/2007 1:06:35 PM <Sunako>   "It's not a fear of people. It's a fear of melting," Sunako says firmly, though her hand does sneak out to grab a brownie.
11/18/2007 1:11:33 PM <Dracos>   "Hon, people don't melt," A touch irritated at the silliness.
11/18/2007 1:12:18 PM <Sunako>   "A dazzling creature wouldn't understand the torment of those living in darkness," Sunako says sadly.
11/18/2007 1:12:51 PM <Kuran>   "I try and tell her this, but she a stubborn girl," Kuran shrugs sadly inbetween chewing on a brownie. "Well, there that one time, according to rain spirit I meet once, but I think it be joking," he appends philosophically.
11/18/2007 1:13:54 PM *   Sunako shudders.
11/18/2007 1:14:43 PM <Dracos>   "Really, you should try a bit of living in the sun.  It'd do your complexion good," She smiled.  "anyhow, I'm here also to introduce myself.  I'll be overseeing you darlings during your time here."
11/18/2007 1:17:01 PM <Kuran>   "The spirits say I be getting lazy sitting around an' eating the brownies, so hopefully we get some work to do, soon?" Kuran asks eagerly.
11/18/2007 1:17:21 PM *   Sunako perks up at the mention of work.
11/18/2007 1:18:39 PM <Dracos>   "Well, soon enough.  you know, in your roles, you should be praying not to be called," She waved a finger. "Much better to do normal temple chores than actually have a serious need."
11/18/2007 1:25:12 PM <Kuran>   "You try to be telling that to the spirits!" Kuran gestures vaguely around with a brownie held in his hand. "They be always demanding that I join the temple, now I do and they never stop about how I just sit around and get fat!" Despite his words, he doesn't really sound honestly bothered by his situation.
--

[Dracos]

11/25/2007 10:04:25 AM <Drac-GM>   It'd now been about a week since their victory over the tests of Divinity.  A quiet week where they were given a considerable amount of freedom inbetween lessons and work in the temple.  A letter had come the previous day from their commander 'Sue', who Jai had yet to meet.  It instructed them to dress in their best today for they would be meeting someone very important and that she would come to get them shortly after sunrise.
11/25/2007 10:07:21 AM *   Kuran thinks he looks rather dapper in those silk yellow pajamas that the temple had provided him with, taking extra care to bring his unruly brown hair under control this morning. "I think I be looking pretty nice, no?" he asks, though oddly without looking at his two colleagues. After a second, and before either can reply, he frowns and adds, "Bah, you're just jealous because you don't have no hair!"
11/25/2007 10:08:45 AM <Sunako>   Sunako can afford to dress up, though her choice of colors for the outfit might be questionable by some, shifting as it is from bloody to gloomy and back again. "Are there bald ghosts around?" she asks, shuffling over to Kuran.
11/25/2007 10:08:54 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie sleeps later than she'd like--hey, those tests were tiring! But that's really an excuse. She's a late sleeper by nature. She also chooses to dress in the yellow robes, as she thinks red looks a little funny against her hair. "So which one are you talking to this time, Kuran?" she asks jovially.
11/25/2007 10:10:14 AM <Kuran>   "It be a jumped up little wood spirit, from out there," he gestures irritably at the trees outside the windows. "He think he can just come in here and make the fun whenever he feel like it! If you could see him, you'd be making fun of him, though!"
11/25/2007 10:11:18 AM <Sunako>   Sunako's eyes glitter as she throws the windows open, looking around. And then she remembers the dangers of the outside world and flattens herself against the wall, opting to merely peek out.
11/25/2007 10:12:34 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie strolls right over to the window and leans out, on the other hand, stretching, yawning hugely and enjoying the play of sunlight on her face.
11/25/2007 10:12:45 AM <Drac-GM>   Looking outside, it is a bit of a chilly dawn, the grass and flowers around their 'home' pleasant enough, though a bit brightly colored for her taste with the pinks and the reds and the whites.  Either way, peeking out, she saw Suleste heading towards them, dressed in her own formal high priest robes, her hair (and there was a lot of it clearly), meticulously arranged.
11/25/2007 10:14:38 AM <Kuran>   "You go and polish your wood, Kinongo," Kuran makes a shooing gesture at the air near him. "We be meeting someone important today, and no time for you and your rude words."
11/25/2007 10:14:59 AM *   Sunako only objects to the pink out of the three, but the approach of the dazzling creature signals that her time before this important meeting is up.
11/25/2007 10:16:38 AM <Drac-GM>   A knock at the door was not long at coming, the dwarven woman waiting patiently outside.
11/25/2007 10:18:41 AM *   Kuran promptly goes to open the door. "Good morning to you, Suleste," he cheerfully greets the dwarven priestess.
11/25/2007 10:19:39 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie bows to the priestess, not having met her before but knowing a superior when she sees one. "Good morning," she says brightly.
11/25/2007 10:20:54 AM *   Sunako nods at the dazzling creature in greeting, for her part.
11/25/2007 10:21:33 AM <Drac-GM>   She opened her arms wide in greeting.  "Good moring, Kuran.  You are certainly looking dapper today," She walked in casually straightening out part of the outfit.  "Oh, and you must be, Jai Wo Xie.  It is a pleasure to finally meet you," She hugged the young girl.  "You all are so bright eyed.  It brings a smile to my face.  I'm sure the others have told you but you can call me Sue.  I'll be looking after the three of you."  Jai
11/25/2007 10:21:33 AM <Drac-GM>    found her eyes somewhat drawn to the woman's elaborate..head dress?  No it seemed  to be all hair, just carefully woven around gems and things.  Well, at least she'd be easy to pick out in a crowd.
11/25/2007 10:21:50 AM <Drac-GM>   "Now, we've got a very important date today, so I hope you are all ready to go."
11/25/2007 10:23:12 AM <Kuran>   "With the spirits at my back, I be ready," Kuran affirms easily, resisting the urge to fidget with his clothes to correct the 'fix' Sue had just applied.
11/25/2007 10:24:10 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie isn't ready, precisely, but this is quickly remedied! She goes to gather her things, which pretty much involves stuffing them haphazardly in her pack.
11/25/2007 10:27:34 AM <Drac-GM>   She waits patiently for them by the door, then begins leading them out, conversing as they went.  "Now have any of you ever been to the palace before?
11/25/2007 10:29:12 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie shakes her head. "Chalk one up for Not Me, Sue," she says, the soul of formality as always.
11/25/2007 10:29:34 AM <Kuran>   "Only ever seen it from the outside," Kuran shakes his head. "That where we're going?"
11/25/2007 10:31:05 AM <Drac-GM>   "Indeed, Kuran.  It is the jewel of the Empire and we shall be going there.  I expect you all to be on your best behavior.  We might be separate from the bureaucracy, but that doesn't mean that it is good to have enemies there."
11/25/2007 10:32:06 AM *   Sunako looks shifty at that.
11/25/2007 10:32:57 AM <Kuran>   "I be friends with everybody," Kuran beams in reply.
11/25/2007 10:33:43 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie isn't likely to antagonize anyone, at least not on purpose, and just writes this comment off for now. She does have a good-natured chuckle at Kuran, though. That's an attitude she can approve of!
11/25/2007 10:39:11 AM <Drac-GM>   They headed through the city, making their way toward the castle... which was amazing.  Bigger indeed then some of the larger towns they may have seen outside of the city.  Rivers are flowing throughout the massive gardens leading up.  Suleste sees them easily through the outer guards and leads them along a gorgeous brick path towards the castle proper.
11/25/2007 10:40:38 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie still can't help but play the awed country girl when faced with something like this. "Wow, the gardens are gorgeous. You could get lost in here."
11/25/2007 10:41:22 AM <Drac-GM>   Statues off dragons and heroes are seen here and there  throughout the garden, carved in the finest marble.  Scenes of history playing forth across waves of flowers and over castles of bushes.  It must take an army to keep this garden in such good shape.
11/25/2007 10:42:14 AM <Sunako>   "You could," Sunako agrees, before her attention is stolen by the statues of brave dragons.
11/25/2007 10:42:51 AM <Kuran>   "The spirits be content in this place," Kuran agrees as he ambles along, his gait relaxed. "I be hearing no complaints."
11/25/2007 10:43:58 AM <Drac-GM>   As they approach, a young woman dressed in a fancy silver dress waits for them near the door, walking up to greet them and seeming more than a bit familiar to Sunako.  "Greetings, fair Mistress of the Seven Waves, High Priestess  off the Waters, Suleste Careen." She formally greeted.  "Are these the Divines..." She looked over them a bit haughtily before her eyes caught Sunako.  "You?  What are you doing here?" A touch derisive.
11/25/2007 10:43:58 AM <Drac-GM>     As she always had been.  Karen and her had never gotten along, cousins or not.
11/25/2007 10:45:13 AM <Kuran>   "Oh, this be a friend of yours, Sunako?" Kuran asks happily, seeming to entirely miss the subtext.
11/25/2007 10:45:24 AM <Sunako>   "Hmph." Sunako does her best to pretend the woman doesn't exist, turning away from her.
11/25/2007 10:46:29 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie is half-inclined to take this woman to task for speaking in such a way to Sunako--it's not like Jai knows Sunako all that well, but they're still teammates! She has to consciously remind herself that this probably isn't the best time to talk back to her superiors.
11/25/2007 10:47:22 AM <Drac-GM>   "Pretending to be a priest now, Suunee?" she frowned, glaring a bit imperiously at her before 'Sue' coughed, her eyes widening at that. "Oh, I'm so sorry, High Priestess...I'll show you in right away."  She turned, starting to lead them through the great halls.
11/25/2007 10:48:41 AM *   Sunako gives her the evil eye before following, praying to Botan quietly to come and quickly take the annoyance away.
11/25/2007 10:48:44 AM <Kuran>   "She got spunk. I be liking her," Kuran confides as an aside to his comrades. "You think you could introduce me, Sunako?"
11/25/2007 10:49:02 AM *   Sunako gives Kuran the evil eye as well!
11/25/2007 10:49:04 AM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   "Who was that creature?" Jai whispers to Sunako as the group continues.
11/25/2007 10:49:41 AM *   Kuran recoils a bit at the evil eye. "Ehh... maybe later, then?" he temporises, backing off.
11/25/2007 10:50:49 AM <Sunako>   "She's just jealous because she pays people to be her friends," Sunako responds to Jai, not really bothering to keep her voice low. "A sad, sad person. We should not judge, only pity."
11/25/2007 10:51:27 AM <Drac-GM>   The group walked on, past soldiers and dignitaries, priests and scholars.  There was a considerable amount of opulence here, and it shone throughout the castle.  Fine crafts were clearly  patronized and some given entire halls as they passed through.  "This is always such a long walk," Sue commented.
11/25/2007 10:51:48 AM <Drac-GM>   "And I'm sorry about that dearie.  Don't worry, you'll show them yourself soon enough."
11/25/2007 10:52:14 AM <Kuran>   "It be good for the constitution, though," Kuran, as always, looks on the bright side.
11/25/2007 10:54:09 AM <Drac-GM>   The guard was appearing heavier as they got closer to the center, their armor elaborate and well polished as they were finally lead before a set of golden doors.  Suleste went to her knees here, waiting a moment before commenting "We seek audience with the hand of heaven upon earth."
11/25/2007 10:54:54 AM *   Kuran hesitates and looks around dumbly for a moment before he mirrors Suleste's action and kneels.
11/25/2007 10:55:04 AM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   "What, the empress?" Jai says, wide-eyed. It takes her a moment to remember to kneel herself.
11/25/2007 10:57:46 AM *   Sunako isn't here to pick up fights with the empress, likewise following their actions.
11/25/2007 11:05:25 AM <Drac-GM>   The golden doors shimmered and slid open revealing a tiled room, eight figures sitting patiently on rugs.  Some unfamiliar.  Others, such as the great and popular lord Kim Georg, all too evident.  The tiles, an observant one might notice, were all carefully inscribed, telling the long story of the empire.  A golden semi-transparent sheen intersected the room about 3/4ths through it.  A young woman, towering of height and slender
11/25/2007 11:05:25 AM <Drac-GM>   , dressed in silk with the symbols of the royal family stood before it, a shimmering crystal spear in her hands.  Behind it, a shrouded figure could be seen.  It was hard to tell.
11/25/2007 11:07:54 AM <Drac-GM>   Suleste stood, walking inward slowly and deliberately and kneeling again midway through the chamber, bowing her head.  A proud voice rang out: "Before the presence of the great council and the holy empress of the waters and suns, may eternal her rule reign, we welcome the Mistress of Waters, High Priestess of Midzu-chi and the Divine, guardians of the spirits."
11/25/2007 11:08:35 AM <Drac-GM>   Suleste was humble in her words.  "We thank you, oh great council and most holy one upon this green earth for welcoming us into your presence."
11/25/2007 11:10:40 AM *   Kuran follows after Suleste and then resumes kneeling behind and to her side, deciding it best to just go with the flow for now. It's odd, the spirits are so quiet... perhaps its the same as why the stars can't be seen when the sun is in the sky? It would fit, for the Empress.
11/25/2007 11:12:27 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie is fairly lost for words right now. She's normally pretty hard to shock, but...she's meeting the Empress! She takes the lead set by Suleste right now, following and kneeling to her right. Though, in deference to her natural curiosity, she does kind of tilt her head up and glance around.
11/25/2007 11:13:06 AM *   Sunako finds her place directly behind Suleste, almost hiding behind her. Although the occasion was a happy one, it was also filled with far too many uncertainties, worries and empty spaces.
11/25/2007 11:13:19 AM <Drac-GM>   Indeed, Kuran had reason to wonder, for while he had been around spirits all his life, he had never felt a presence such as this.  Was this what it was like to come before a god?  Certainly it must be, for while he could not see her, he could feel the waves of her spirit flowing through the room like none other.
11/25/2007 11:16:49 AM <Drac-GM>   Sunako: She could feel the stare of the others on her.  She had never been under such strict scrunity.  It was exceedingly uncomfortable to one such as her, who delighted in the silent and the dark.
11/25/2007 11:17:22 AM *   Sunako fidgets, wishing she had brought her cloak after all, or at the very least a mask.
11/25/2007 11:19:00 AM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   roll 1d20
11/25/2007 11:19:01 AM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Jai_Wo_Xie rolls 1d20 and gets 11." [1d20=11]
11/25/2007 11:21:59 AM <Drac-GM>   Jai: Looking around, you can tell the people surrounding you are clearly of great importance.  She had never seen any of them before, but some tales sounded familiar.  She recognized the famed beard of Zien Yun, the Keeper of the Book, said to be the greatest scholar in three generations, and a man who could unmake you with words alone.  And Kim Georg, the mighty giant, lord of the armies, said to be more dangerous than a dragon
11/25/2007 11:21:59 AM <Drac-GM>    to face in battle.  And...on the side, an old man with blonde and silver hair, his robes bearing the sign of each of the gods...it must be the Pope..Zera of the Golden Chalice.
11/25/2007 11:24:04 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie tries not to be overwhelmed by simply being in the presence of so many eminent personages, but it's hard. Well, she can afford to be awed until she needs to talk, at least!
11/25/2007 11:26:31 AM <Drac-GM>   The four of them fidgeted, watched in silence for a moment.  A whispering from behind the curtains the only noise.  The young man, off to the side and looking  "Her highness, daughter of the suns and the rivers and rider of the kings of the skies, wishes to greet thee in welcome.  It is not often that there are three who pass the Trials of Divinity in a single year, and thus she wished to personally meet with you and see such br
11/25/2007 11:26:31 AM <Drac-GM>   ight stars  of the Empire."
11/25/2007 11:28:20 AM *   Sunako winces at this description of a bright star. Well, two out of three shouldn't be bad.
11/25/2007 11:29:52 AM *   Kuran grins a bit at the glowing description and looks up, but remains kneeling until he gets an indication he should do otherwise.
11/25/2007 11:32:27 AM <Drac-GM>   Kuran notices that only two in the room are standing.  One, standing defensively near the shadowy figure, her steely blue eyes looking crushingly down at them.  The other, standing off to the side, the well garbed young man who be reciting all of the empress' responses.
11/25/2007 11:33:57 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie can't help but grin widely at this point. Praise from the highest leaders of the land? She's come a long way, and there's no reason not to be proud of it. She decides that, well, someone's gotta say something! "Your highness, we are simply honored to be granted the privilege of being within your presence." She isn't quite sure who to address, since this young mang seems to be talking for the empress.
11/25/2007 11:34:10 AM <Kuran>   Then again, he does like to talk. "I, Kuran Mizumi, be here because the spirits told me to speak for them in the church," he begins, briefly looking around to grin at the assembled court before he focuses on the Empress beyond the energy field. "It seems they be too shy to speak to the beautiful Empress themselves, so they need a messenger. I be hoping I don't disappoint," he concludes.
11/25/2007 11:36:44 AM <Drac-GM>   A slight gasp at Kuran's words went silently through the room.  How informal...how crude!  Was this such?  The young man seemed to gulp a bit looking over the room, but then leaned once more beside the curtain, listening carefully.
11/25/2007 11:37:24 AM <Kuran>   roll 1d20+5 I pumped spot instead of listen
11/25/2007 11:37:25 AM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kuran rolls 1d20+5 I pumped spot instead of listen and gets 23." [1d20=18]
11/25/2007 11:37:34 AM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   roll 1d20
11/25/2007 11:37:34 AM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Jai_Wo_Xie rolls 1d20 and gets 10." [1d20=10]
11/25/2007 11:37:59 AM <Sunako>   roll 1d20+6
11/25/2007 11:38:00 AM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Sunako rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12." [1d20=6]
11/25/2007 11:41:27 AM >Kuran<   You hear what is perhaps one of the most beautiful voices you've ever heard.  Soft, elegant; like a song to overhear.  She sounds younger than you would've guessed, and her words aren't the imperious somewhat overbearing lines that her 'voice' repliees with.  They're almost a bit shy.  "I worry that this may be an omen of times of hardship to come though...and I hope very much that we can be friends throughout this time of trouble."
11/25/2007 11:42:29 AM <Kuran>   "Ehh..." Kuran shifts a bit nervously at the assembled reactions. "That be sounding like the disappointment..." he notes with sadness. What happened to his native charm?! Then again, as he overhears the Empress' response, he happens to relax quite a bit, his grin slipping back into place.
11/25/2007 11:43:23 AM <Drac-GM>   The young man's eyes widened as he looked back and forth for a bit before standing once more.  "Shone upon by the heavens, her holiness speaks that your coming may be an omen of times to come and urges readiness to face the challenges of guarding the empire.  She expects much of you all, and that you will always keep the needs of the empress close at heart."
11/25/2007 11:44:46 AM <Sunako>   "Thank you!" Sunako squeaks, before trying her best to look smaller than she is behind Suleste.
11/25/2007 11:46:05 AM *   Kuran is almost tempted to point out that the interpretation does not match what was actually said, but decides against pushing his luck. "I promise to be a good servant to the Empress, and work with the spirits so that they won't have reason to be so big on the complaining that they love so," he states earnestly in reply.
11/25/2007 11:46:17 AM <Drac-GM>   Sunako found herself being stared at a bit frowningly by her great uncle, the sorcerer Ku-lin Shouda, his age heavy upon hm as he observed her from his seat, closest to the shroud.
11/25/2007 11:47:00 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie nods seriously. "Thank you, your highness. I will do my best to protect the citizens of the empire. We will not disappoint you."
11/25/2007 11:48:04 AM *   Sunako is used to being frowned at, pretty much accepting it as standard fare. At least the empress hasn't said anything mean about her, yet!
11/25/2007 11:51:01 AM <Drac-GM>   Another set of whispers.  "It is the wish of the empress that you stay for a reception, to honor your achievements.  It shall be held this afternoon.  Until then, you are given leave to enjoy the royal gardens."  Sunako at least recognized that as quite the rare praise, as while their are many gardens surrounding the castle, a trademark of the previous empress, the royal ones were rarely allowed to be entered by any save the mos
11/25/2007 11:51:01 AM <Drac-GM>   t favored of the empress.
11/25/2007 11:52:49 AM *   Sunako perks up at the chance, looking gratefully at the curtain.
11/25/2007 11:53:05 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie is just glad for a chance to explore those gardens, not knowing anything about the significance of the offer.
11/25/2007 11:53:48 AM *   Kuran smiles at the thought of getting to stay at the palace all day, glancing around to see if he can spot Sunako's spunky friend. Maybe she'd like to look around the royal gardens, too?
11/25/2007 11:57:29 AM <Drac-GM>   "Thank you, kind empress for this great blessing," Suleste stood, leading them slowly and respectfully out, never turning her back to the empress as she did so but instead slowly stepping backwards in careful mincing steps.
11/25/2007 11:58:07 AM *   Sunako can do this part well, at least, and without hiding herself to boot. She's moving away from people, after all.
11/25/2007 11:58:14 AM <Kuran>   Seeing that they've been dismissed, Kuran copies Suleste and backs out, walking ever so slowly so that he won't trip.
11/25/2007 11:58:32 AM <Kuran>   roll 1d20+2
11/25/2007 11:58:32 AM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kuran rolls 1d20+2 and gets 12." [1d20=10]
11/25/2007 11:59:20 AM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   roll 1d20+3
11/25/2007 11:59:20 AM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Jai_Wo_Xie rolls 1d20+3 and gets 21." [1d20=18]
11/25/2007 11:59:42 AM <Sunako>   roll 1d20+4 they can't look down on me worse
11/25/2007 11:59:43 AM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Sunako rolls 1d20+4 they can't look down on me worse and gets 19." [1d20=15]
11/25/2007 11:59:55 AM *   Jai_Wo_Xie sidles out backwards as well, making every effort to mimic the elder priestess.
11/25/2007 12:00:43 PM <Drac-GM>   Elegance is the name of the game, as the others take their cues skillfully, moving out with the grace of an expert, never once straightening their backs as they do so, in supple respect to the empress.  The doors are shut soon after and they are guided to the gardens...

[Dracos]

11/25/2007 12:03:30 PM <Drac-GM>   Arriving in the gardens, they find themselves before the most amazing sight they've ever seen.  The rumors of these being among the finest pieces of art in the country do little justice  to the finely wrought greenry, the beautiful statues and glasswork that are skillfully placed throughout.  The maze within it is massive and one could get lost in it for days.  The paths, carefully carved into the ground, gentle and easy to foll
11/25/2007 12:03:30 PM <Drac-GM>   ow.  All sorts of gentle and tame wild animals roam through them as they see, from normal but exotic fare like the proud lion they found sleeping in near the entrance, to exotic small animals from far off countries that none of them could even put a name to.
11/25/2007 12:05:19 PM *   Sunako quickly gets herself lost in the maze, gazing at the exotic fauna with wonder.
11/25/2007 12:13:12 PM <Kuran>   If there's an animal he doesn't know the name of, Kuran can easily just ask the spirits, or even the animal itself what it's called! And so he contents himself with conversing with the fauna, since Sunako sadly vanished into the maze before he could ask her for tips on getting to know her friend.
11/25/2007 12:16:00 PM <Dracos>   Kuran and Jai find it tremendously educational, learning of the Sulufu Baasir and the Ratticus Carthin and many other strange little creatures.
11/25/2007 12:16:29 PM *   Jai_Wo_Xie is mostly interested in checking out the strange animals for now (she had a bad habit of chasing animals through the brush as a kid!), so she tags along with Kuran.
11/25/2007 12:22:45 PM <Dracos>   Wandering through the maze, Sunako is surprised to hear a silibant 'lovely weather, isn't it?'  coming from one of the more shadowy and cooler corners.  Someone apparently waiting there, relaxing on a bench conveniently out of the sun.  Not that they got a beat by her.  She'd spotted them as soon as she had turned the corner, the hooded figure blending in well to the shadows, but not enough, his face hidden under his cowl.
11/25/2007 12:24:04 PM *   Sunako nods approvingly at the figure's cowl. "It's very nice and dark in here," she agrees, approaching.
11/25/2007 12:27:10 PM <Dracos>   "It is dark here...much more pleasant than out in the sun.  This is my favorite place in the gardens." His voice was very pleasant, though she couldn't see his face.  There was room for another if she chose to also sit in the darkness.
11/25/2007 12:28:06 PM *   Sunako partakes of the darkness, sitting by him. "So. Erm. Do you come here often?" she ventures, wincing the moment the words leave her mouth.
11/25/2007 12:30:41 PM *   NeremWorld has quit (Ping timeout)
11/25/2007 12:31:12 PM <Dracos>   "Not too much...  It isn't easy to slip in here  usually...  but important guests are a nice distraction."  Shifting back, she found he was wearing a mask, some kind of greyish featureless cover over his face.  Gave  him a kind of deadish cast.
11/25/2007 12:32:56 PM <Sunako>   "You mask is really cool!" Sunako can't help but exclaim. "Are you a ninja?"
11/25/2007 12:33:54 PM <Dracos>   He laughed slightly. "Maybe...You know, you can never truly tell," He replied enigmatically to the dark woman.
11/25/2007 12:36:49 PM <Dracos>   The man sat there quietly a moment. "I hear tell you are a Divine, an investigator of the spirit world..."
11/25/2007 12:37:04 PM <Sunako>   "Do you have another mask like that?" she asks with interest. "It would look amazing in my collection. Would you like to see it some time?"
11/25/2007 12:40:03 PM <Dracos>   He smiled, or seemed to under his  mask.  "That would be amusing," he was fairly pleasant indeed.  A prince charming... of gothic masked ninja people anyway.  "I am a collector as well.  The world has many players and they wear many masks within their time."
11/25/2007 12:42:03 PM <Sunako>   "It's a date, then!" Sunako announces, nodding firmly to herself. Then, she gives him another look. "Are you a good ninja or a bad ninja?"
11/25/2007 12:43:37 PM <Dracos>   "You'll have to find out..." He strokes her cheek, his dark eyes entrancing...  and dangerous.  A slight shiver reminscient of w hat others might feel when she gazed at them harshly went down her back.  "I will find you again.  I hope we can speak longer then..."   He stepped back, and while she didn't lose sight of him... he simply wasn't there anymore.
11/25/2007 12:43:43 PM <Dracos>   Leaving her alone in the shadows.
11/25/2007 12:44:47 PM *   Sunako stares at the legendary vanishing in clear sight technique she had worked hard to try and master. Though she is still far from the mark, today had been very educational!

[Dracos]

11/25/2007 12:46:24 PM <Dracos>   They were collected, even the well lost Sunako, and brought to the reception that afternoon... royals and nobles of alll stripes and colors filtered through the room.  For poor Jai, it was seriously a bit of  culture shock, as most the folks in the room could've bought her home village outright.  Needless to say, they found themselves with good food, good wine, and good company...
11/25/2007 12:48:18 PM *   Kuran certainly does enjoy the good food and wine, trying not to be too much of a glutton - too many spirits had been commenting on his girth, lately, and he didn't want to give them more ammunition. Still, it's hard to resist such a spread! And of course, there is the company... "So, Sunako," he sidles up to the hikkikomori, hoping she's calmed down, "About that friend of yours...?" he begins leadingly, feeling out her reaction.
11/25/2007 12:49:07 PM <Sunako>   "He was very dark and handsome, wasn't he?" she asks dreamily, smiling. As only she can.
11/25/2007 12:50:36 PM <Kuran>   "Huh?" Kuran is momentarily stupefied. "Er, we're talking about the same person, right? The one that met us when we arrived here?"
11/25/2007 12:50:38 PM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   "Hey, what? Sunako, he was asking about the snooty woman who us in the palace, when we were with Sue. Who are YOU talking about?
11/25/2007 12:52:41 PM *   Sunako ignores all mentions of snooty women. "The palace holds wondrous things, doesn't it, dazzling creature?" she addresses Jai. "Even though a lot of people don't like you and keep on watching you like a hawk so they could scold you better, it's still all worth it!"
11/25/2007 12:53:38 PM *   Kuran sighs as he's shot down, deciding to just give up. For now.
11/25/2007 12:54:54 PM <Dracos>   Walking through the crowds towards them, Kuran notices a rather beautiful young lady, her red hair in ponytails on either side as she dressed in a pretty purple dress with a long red skirt.
11/25/2007 12:55:23 PM *   Jai_Wo_Xie ponders waving a hand in front of Sunako's eyes, just to make sure she's actually conscious. "Sunako, what are you talking about? And, uh, why am I a dazzling creature? Just out of curiosity."
11/25/2007 12:56:40 PM *   Sunako blinks, and points at Jai. Then, she blinks some more, and looks around before gesturing in the direction of the nearest mirror. "Being around you for too long without proper cover would cause people to melt," she tells her matter-of-factly.
11/25/2007 12:58:20 PM *   Jai_Wo_Xie considers this for a moment and sighs. "Well. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm going to take it as a compliment."
11/25/2007 12:58:28 PM <Dracos>   She favored Kuran with a smile, pouring herself a drink and waving for him to follow her away from the two catty women arguing over being pretty or being ugly.
11/25/2007 12:59:02 PM <Dracos>   "Niece," a stern voice, quiet but with great authority, interrupted their conversation.
11/25/2007 12:59:15 PM <Kuran>   Mmmm... that's nice and all, but it's not just looks! Sunako's friend had fire in her belly! The regal bearing and confidence of a Princess! Can any of these other guests truly be as exciting? On the other hand, he'll never know if he doesn't try to find out! Grabbing a spare glass of wine from a passing servant, he approaches the redhead and smiles openly to her.
11/25/2007 12:59:16 PM <Kuran>   "The spirits, they said to me, Kuran, if you do not say hello to such a beautiful lady, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
11/25/2007 12:59:43 PM *   Sunako seems torn. "I can't really say it is... but it's not really the other way around, either--" She becomes still as a stern voice and its owner manage to sneak up on her, however.
11/25/2007 1:02:46 PM <Dracos>   "My," the elegant beauty replied, nobility clear in her voice.  "I heard you spoke with the spirits, but not that they were such wordsmiths.  You are Kuran of the many voices?" She smiled winningly.  It was hard to pay attention to anything else with her attention on him.
11/25/2007 1:03:53 PM <Dracos>   Jai recognized the man as one of the eight who had been sitting in the empress' chambers.  "Niece,' his voice was cool.  "I am pleased with your success.  You bring honor to your family for once."  He could've been talking about the laundry for all the emotion in his words.
11/25/2007 1:04:49 PM *   Sunako looks at Jai pleadingly, unwilling to turn and face him.
11/25/2007 1:05:21 PM *   Kuran leans in close, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper. "Actually, some of them, they like to be quite rude," he waves his hand vaguely to the side. "It needs a bit of interpretation, a lot of the time. Not so different from the Imperial Court, no?" he grins unashamedly, recalling the job of the one who spoke for the Empress.
11/25/2007 1:05:56 PM <Dracos>   Jai, as a sorceress, could also feel the power in the man's voice.  This was not simply an idle noble, either, but one who spoke with the winds and the seas and the earth and had them listen.
11/25/2007 1:06:55 PM *   Jai_Wo_Xie sighs. "Sunako..." she's about to take the woman to task for being unwilling to talk to her own family (really, how could she hope to face down evil spirits if she can't face her own relatives), but takes pity on her companion and goes over to talk to the man herself. "I apologize, sir," she says with a nod, "but Sunako is...overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation right now."
11/25/2007 1:07:38 PM <Dracos>   She smiled widely and brightly at him.  "Not much at all I guess...  I've always been curious about them.  The spirits that is," She leaned close, conspiratorily as well. "I'm told you get to go investigate them as a divine?"  Her interest somewhat obvious, though she had plenty of distractions of her own as that was quite the pleasant perfume he could smell, so close to her.
11/25/2007 1:08:28 PM *   Sunako uses this chance to duck behind Jai while her annoying uncle is focused on the sorceress, however briefly.
11/25/2007 1:10:04 PM <Kuran>   "That's right. Ever since I take that knock on the head, the spirits just won't shut up," Kuran agrees jovially, enjoying the woman's company, even if she isn't as interesting as Sunako's friend. "They say to me 'No one else listens like you, Kuran, so go and speak for us in the temple!' And since I don't have anything better to do, I go and do that," he shrugs agreeably. "I haven't been sent to do any investigations yet, though."
11/25/2007 1:12:06 PM <Dracos>   "Overwhelmed?" His voice was judgemental...  and fierce, Jai had trouble not feeling like the perenially mouse standing up to a lion.  "That will not do.  You have responsibilities, Sunako.  Stop hiding like a child behind your fellow Divine.  Stand up straight.  I expect you to represent the clan honorably." The patriarch's eyes were dark upon them both.
11/25/2007 1:13:46 PM <Kuran>   roll 1d20+12
11/25/2007 1:13:46 PM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Kuran rolls 1d20+12 and gets 23." [1d20=11]
11/25/2007 1:14:16 PM *   Sunako sighs, patting Jai's shoulder. "Let's go, dazzling creature," she tells her tiredly, before walking off in the direction of refreshments.
11/25/2007 1:15:58 PM <Dracos>   "Oh, that's simply wonderfu~l," She smiled.  "I'm something of a scholar of the spirits.  I find them so interesting.  Oh, where are my manners.  I am Jessica hall," she curtsied.  He noticed in the distance the familiar regal presence of Karen chatting with some others.
11/25/2007 1:15:59 PM *   Jai_Wo_Xie is quick to rally and stand up in defense of her teammate. "I'll admit Sunako's a strange young woman, but as a member of her family, should you not treat her with respect yourself." She lets Sunako flee, but she's not backing down herself, at least, not just yet.
11/25/2007 1:19:38 PM <Dracos>   "You too, should learn your place young woman," His gaze turned entirely towards her.
11/25/2007 1:19:45 PM <Dracos>   OOC: Opposed Intimidate checks.  Plz roll.
11/25/2007 1:19:51 PM <Kuran>   Kuran does look a bit wistfully over towards Sunako's friend, but is certainly not so rude as to leave his current companion. "It be a pleasure to meet you, Jessica," he gives the redhead a winning smile, "Lots of people say that the spirits I talk to be too petty and dull, especially compared to the ones that can actually walk around and affect the world, but they have lots of interesting stories!"
11/25/2007 1:19:52 PM <Kuran>   "It was listening to them after that head injury that kept me going until I was rescued," he nods, at least grateful to the spirits for that, however quarrelsome they may often be.
11/25/2007 1:20:29 PM <Dracos>   roll 1d20+12
11/25/2007 1:20:30 PM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Dracos rolls 1d20+12 and gets 26." [1d20=14]
11/25/2007 1:21:43 PM <Dracos>   "Oh I love stories..." she grinned, taking his arm slightly and taking a drink.  "Why don't you tell me a few, Kuran..."
11/25/2007 1:23:01 PM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   Jai's mouth is a firm, straight line. She eventually breaks the grimace with a respectful nod and an admission: "Perhaps so," she says, "though I am obliged to defend my companions, however odd they may be." Of course, she'd feel better about doing so if Sunako hadn't sidled off!
11/25/2007 1:24:30 PM *   Sunako stealthily returns to Jai's side. Her hand goes forward, almost mechanically, and turns, letting the no-doubt expensive alcohol trip all over her uncle's shoes. "Oops."
11/25/2007 1:26:16 PM *   Kuran beams in reply, a willing audience doing much to assuage his sadness at depriving Sunako's friend of his company. "Well, there be the time when a rabbit came down from the Moon, according to Wren - he be big strong spirit of air, always follows me, by the way," he begins, launching into a tale of the lunar rabbit's race against a kappa demon, and how everyone learned something important by the end of it.
11/25/2007 1:28:32 PM <Dracos>   "I would think you would be done with these childish games by now, niece.  I expect better of you,"  He turned and left, leaving the two somewhat shaken.  OOC: Status Shaken for both of you, not that it matters in non combat =p
11/25/2007 1:30:28 PM *   Sunako glares at his back. Though she does it from behind Jai, again.
11/25/2007 1:30:46 PM <Sunako>   roll 1d20+6 have a heart attack!
11/25/2007 1:30:47 PM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Sunako rolls 1d20+6 have a heart attack! and gets 12." [1d20=6]
11/25/2007 1:31:20 PM <Dracos>   The man simply gazes back.
11/25/2007 1:31:28 PM <Dracos>   roll 1d20+14
11/25/2007 1:31:29 PM <Hatbot>   
ACTION --> "Dracos rolls 1d20+14 and gets 27." [1d20=13]
11/25/2007 1:31:33 PM *   Jai_Wo_Xie sighs. "Sunako..." She runs a hand through those locks of emerald-green hair. Not exactly the picture of elegance one would wish to be at such a high-class gathering. "I don't think they brought us here to make enemies...although I guess he already was one of yours." She turns to the cowled woman. "What goes on in your family, anyway?"
11/25/2007 1:31:59 PM <Dracos>   The chill running down Sunako's back made her wonder why she'd ever let herself end up in the same room as her uncle.
11/25/2007 1:32:21 PM <Dracos>   OOC: Sunako is momentarily frightened of her uncle.
11/25/2007 1:32:24 PM <Sunako>   "They all hate me for not being a dazzling creature like the rest of them," she says dejectedly.
11/25/2007 1:34:47 PM <Jai_Wo_Xie>   "Did you make a habit of spilling wine on them, too? That might have something to do with it."
11/25/2007 1:36:21 PM *   Sunako frowns. "Only when they try to scare off the few people who don't hate me or try to change me."
11/25/2007 1:36:36 PM <Dracos>   Jessica kept Kuran company throughout the party, inviting him to come to the library at some point and introduce  her to his pleasant wind spirit Wren.  She certainly was friendly, in a va-va-voom sort of way.  They saw no sign of the empress at the reception, but time and good wine helped the terror of facing off against Sunako's clan patriarch fade away.  It was a tired group that made their way back home from the castle, with plenty to think about.