History is Moving Pretty Quickly

    Not far from the village, a great work is being made in Eas. Some might question the wisdom of finishing such work with a war in progress, but time waits on no woman, and leaving the largest concert hall in Yamato less than complete would put it at greater risk, still. In front of what will be its entrance, a towering statue of The Beautiful One is in a similar state of near-completion, the fountains about it not alive yet, but are nearly ready.

    Moving around the structure, near the long curves of what will become the art musuem which finishes the work, Wake is standing by herself, surveying the work with a satisfied expression. Well, which is to say, her calm smile is perhaps just a bit more of a smile.

A shield on her back, a wand in the prim bun in her hair, and a neat little suitcase in her hand, Ayame trots at Uta's side, looking around thoughtfully at the various parts of work. Perhaps ever so faintly calculating, but mostly, a look of approval on her face as she tilts her head back to study the statue, her wings buzzing briefly as her eyes look at the sky above.

Then they drop, looking back to the slime-obsessed spriggan, and she grins, her voice carrying a bit of resignation "Thank you for the introduction. I recall we met before briefly, but it will be good to meet her more formally, and actually discuss things. Are you quite alright? It was a little rough earlier."

"Don't mention it, Ayame!", Uta begins. "The more I know the two of you, the more I think you're made for each other!" A pause. "In a professional sense!" She looks around in panic, probably to make sure Tae is not there. "A leader with high standards and far too much on their plate, and someone who looks like they're Order and Organization Incarnate."

"Lady Bombast?", the Spriggan calls out, to attract Wake's attention towards herself, but most importantly, Ayame.

Yeowang arrives a bit late, but better late then never, as they say. She will take in the scene, and the construction, and she understands that some things must be done even when they seem like another time might be better. Sometimes they must be done all the more when another time would be better. As to construction, that's a thing that other people do, as Wake no doubt recalls, she's more organizational. She nods a greeting to Uta and Ayame as she closes in also, but will stand a bit back to see what Ayame and Uta want.

    The Baroness is not distracted, precisely, but she is thinking of something. Even so, when she hears Uta's voice, Wake turns her focus completely on her friend and her guest.

    There's a moment that passes, and then she glides into an elegant curtsey, her head bowed. It's a gesture of welcome that she's turned into a high art, and she delights in finding new ways to make it more lovely and welcoming.

    "Welcome to Eas, my friends," she calls out. Her voice carriess powerfully, but is infused with a warmth to match the light in her eyes.

    She rises and pauses another moment to look over all her guests. "I am pleased to see you all! I was not expecting guests. It is a joyful surprise."

"Are you sure that's what you meant, Uta?" Ayame asks, as they close, grinning to the Spriggan, before the Baroness turns their attention to them. She moves, affixing the case to her back (and freeing her gloved hands) and she curtsies in turn; though it's far less elegant, far more demure and swift. Perhaps it's to do with the knee-high boots, or the restrictive knee-length pencil skirt. Probably the latter. The Sylph has had to take awfully quick little steps as she walked.

"Lady Bombat. It's a delight to see you again" She smiles, taking in the other with a careful, assessing eye "And to see you thriving! The work is a delight - you've a marvellous centerpiece which will be sure to bring relief to all those who make their home here, knowing you truly respect their traditions"

She glances to Yeowang, and bows her head. One gloved hand gestures, discretely, a wave in; before the other carefully tugs on the glove, ensuring it's settled properly. Just flexing her hand.

"Ayame! H-have you been hanging out with Fukaziroh too?", she asks, at the comment questioning her intentions.

It is to be said that today Uta is wearing a gift from the Baroness, another nurse's uniform slash gi hybrid (something, these days, she seems to remember to do only when visiting Baroness Wake. The reason is unclear. Perhaps it's her usual distraction, or maybe it's her reference artist not having drawn a reference picture for the new outfit yet. Hard to tell), but one decorated with colorful arabesques that draw pictures of slimes.

She looks between Wake and Yeowang, and considers her options. Her Etiquette training pretty much makes this a social imperative, so she goes with the flow and curtsies as well, in greeting to the Baroness and Yeowang. Perhaps she might feel it's a bit elaborate, but such are the Ways of Nobility in this world.

Otherwise, she simply lets her friends talk to each other.

Yeowang approaches Wake and bows, because you don't curtsy in pants. In pencil skirts ... it seems like it would be ddifficult, but Ayame gives it a go. This is why she doesn't, as a rule, wear skirts in the game. Bowing in pants is one of the few silly rules that she's trying to learn more of, though her efforts, for now, are more involved in other avenues. She nods to Ayame's discrete wave, and smiles to Uta, waiting to see what's up, as Ayame clearly has something on her mind.

    The Baroness smirks at Uta's moment of distress. She is quite pleased to see that her gift to Uta has proved useful. Or perhaps Uta is simply being polite. In either case, it is appreciated.

    "Lady Ayame, it is fortunate timing to arrive! The great work is approaching completion. I am simply biding my time for the final push. At the moment, my greatest concern is that we finish the exterior before the elements might threaten our work inside. We move quickly on this project, as you can imagine. Everyone seems most excited to dedicate our home to The Beautiful One. It is going to be a wondrous gift to my people, when they return from exile."

    She turns to Yeowang, asking, "Have you heard anything new about the movements of the enemy? I am hesitant to trouble Rizadoman for more news. After our loss at Shibuya, his heart is very much on his sleeve."

"I'd be delighted to offer my support to such an endevour" Ayame nods slightly, twisting to look at the great statue once more and then returning her full attention to the Baroness, looking at her over the dainty little half-moon spectacles perched on the tip of the Sylph's nose "I believe, in fact, that's why our mutual friend -" A hand moves to secure Uta, in case the Spriggan might wander "- thought we should speak again. Quite apart from similar possessions, which would be a wonderful discussion in itself, I'd be thrilled to see what assistance you may need."

To Yeowang, the sylph nods again, giving a wry little smile at the studying of her moving. And she confides "This outfit doesn't come from my case. I like to have control over what I wear, and this - while perhaps a little over the top - was what my sister had for me when I arrived. And she's a far better fashion sense than I" She grins

Yeowang shakes her head about movements of the enemy, and laments, "I cannot get close enough to watch them, to know who goes where and does what. They do not appear to want to come overland up Eastal to Port Ouph, but that would almost certainly cost them their army." The land being that wild. "On the other hand, they have enough ships to go where they like. They brought their armies across the water, after all, and we've got no naval units to speak of."

She shrugs about fashion sense. She's got it, or had it in RL anyhow, but here, fighting for one's life has forced her into a more practical state. "I see," she replies to Ayame, and resumes her calm stance.

    "There is certainly a great risk, but perhaps I can find out something further in other ways. Whatever they are doing, there can be little doubt that Eas is on their list. Not that any place is particularly safe, considering the intent of our enemies."

    Baroness Wake dwells on it for just a moment, letting it pass swiftly. As for fashion, the Right Clothes today have shaped themselves into gown of silver, with the roses of Eas swirling about the bodice in a rainbow of colors.

    "I appreciate your offer, Ayame! You help is most appreciated. With so many things diverting attention in our scramble to ready Yamato, many of us, especially me, are already carrying nearly all we can bear."

"We all have to do what we can" Ayame says in response, and she reaches back, to tap the rune-edged shield sticking to her back, smiling just a touch "If we all do that, then the world will improve slowly. Or quickly, with sufficient vision" She chuckles a touch, and then shifts her hand to bring the case from her back to before her, holding it in both hands; flat, the catches and handle out to the group.

"As for naval forces, they're wonderful for moving troops, but you still have to land them, and as long as we can relocate swiftly enough, that won't help them effect a landing - and I understand a landing against opposition is a horrifying proposition"

"The Library is dedicated to the Blind one. The Hall of Arts is dedicated to the Beautiful One...", Uta trails off. "I suppose we should dedicate something to the Burning One as well. An Armory?", she wonders. Something must have awoken her inner completionist.

She is, otherwise, mostly distracted, and lets Ayame and Wake speak to each other.

Yeowang tells Wake, "I do have /some/ news, at least. The Fifth Column we had hoped for has materialized. The warning I chimmed you about when they visited us," she reminds Wake. "They made themselves known to us. There is a faction within the Palace Landers that is opposed to the aims of those in command. I do not think we understand yet /how/ they can be helpful. But we know that the Palace Landers are far from unified, and maintain some degree of control through magical coercion."

    It seems, Wake, too, is aware of what Yeowang mentions. She looks around carefully before speaking. Her voice is low as she speaks, "Yes, there are. To think our enemy seeks to enslave us all. Fortunately we know more about what we face, and it unchains us from certain restraints that I would have otherwise considered absolute."

    The Baroness doesn't dwell upon it, though. Uta's comment has her thinking. "I do still wish to build an academy where those with dreams of merging the tech of the world before with the magic of this land may find a home and meet others, achieving their dreams together."

    Wake tilts her head slightly, lifting a hand to her chin. "We are, honestly, not without resources at sea, of course. I fear their power at sea is simply superior to our own, however. At least for now. Let them claim more territory, let them continue to spread themselves out. That is when we will start stinging them like a thousand wasps."

"It's a difficult thing to claim everything, especially over such an area. Much better to hold the important points - especially with travel so easy for ourselves" Ayame smiles a touch. She seems rather more sanguine about the issue, listening to them and letting them chatter - mostly just taking it in

Yeowang nods as Wake reveals she's not telling her anything new. So much for her visit, then. News does move faster than she does. "I lurked outside Shibuya hoping to find more, but they had too many patrols and I had to leave," she laments. She nods at what Ayame says, but asserts, "They seem to mainly want to take over places /players/ control. Lander-controlled places, they do not seem concerned about. So I do not know that they will spread themselves out too far. Nor do I know what they will do about Scale and the Tower. -That- seem like a more unassailable fortress than even Eas."

    "I hope the Tower remains safe. All my people are there now." Wake shakes her head, casting off any negative thoughts. It's in that moment that she notices the familiar object that Ayame is handling.

    "Well, well, if it isn't another set of The Right Clothes. Or perhaps I miss my guess." She laughs softly, "I hope it serves you as well as mine has served me. It's a great relief to know that every day I get another beautiful thing to wear!"

    Still, the serious matter of the war is on her mind. "The attack on Eas will reveal many things to us. Will the Dukedom allow enemies to travel over their lands without putting up a fight? If so.. what does that mean for us all? I do not know what to hope for, but we will do our best in any case. So long as the people of Eas remain safe and free, I will be pleased. Speaking of which, where are you staying now, Yeowang? You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, but I imagine your Alliance will not rest while Shibuya is held by the enemy."

"Another set. I use it as and when, but rarely." Ayame smiles a touch, slinging it back as the more serious discussion goes on; but falls quiet. She allows the two to discuss it, without interruption

Yeowang nods about the Tower, but says of the Palace Landers, "I can only imagine that is why they're not in Eas now. They expected our Landers to allow them to land and debark with the promise to only attack players, and our Landers gave the sensible reaction, which is not to allow them to land a hostile army in their city. I presume they're looking for someplace they can land safely."

As to where she's staying, she says, "I am, as they say, on the road. Never staying in one place overlong. I am training, though it may not be done in time to be helpful against the Palace Landers. As for my Alliance, I cannot tell you what they are doing because they will not tell me. I think they are waiting for someone to come up with a useful plan, or for some emergency where the reaction is clear. The only ones who are strategic thinkers at all are Giganpor and Rizadoman, and Giganpor is chasing something that he refuses to explain, and Rizadoman is incommuicado."

    Wake listens to Yeowang and sighs. "Perhaps.. I will need to interject myself into that situation. You can certainly stay as long as you wish."

    Wake is apparently concluding this topic, though. She smiles suddenly, "I wondered about something, Ayame. Would you be able to help us with the art inside the theater? We are adding many smaller sculptures inside, paintings, and many things besides. It's not a skill of mine. And there is some work that remains to be done in the building and carpentry, as well."

Ayame shakes her head to Wake, slotting the case back to her back, considering "I've often thought of taking it up, but I'm afraid I'm no artist. I can certainly lend a hand and call on those with a little more skill in the area; and it is tangential to some of my own skills with script and pen - but the brush, the chisel, are things I've little personal experience with. What I do have, of course, I'd be delighted to offer up - and I may have a few tricks to assist even where I fall down."

Yeowang nods to Wake. "I'm sure the Landers will be pleased to hear from you, particularly if you offer them your support. I'm sure they could use some reassurance. Particularly with you being ennobled by the Landers, an attack on you -is- an attack on them. Mutual defense is good. And I do not think they have brought so many people that they can take every Lander city that resists them."

As to art, she can only shrug. Artists are people employed for a time, or else a few adventurers, but not a thing she keeps track of.

    "That makes two of us. I am no builder, and yet, by irony, I stand at the center of one of the greatest ongoing building projects in Yamato. It comes with the title, and with the desire to make a city devoted to art, learning, and reflection, as well. I would say there are many kinds of art, though. The library that Uta brought to us has brought with it the art of the written word. This dedication brings a place for performance art and visual arts, as well."

    Wake cannot conceal her excitement, regardless of the gloom that hangs about the world at the moment. "Beauty in its many forms is what this is about, but also knowledge and the many acts of creation. Someday they will all be enshrined here. In fact, we are not so far away from that now."

"Many of our fellows see the art in even their fighting; and I admit, it's hard to argue with some of them when you see the elegance they move with" Ayame comments, her face tilting down as she thinks, before speaking, a small smile on her full lips and one gloved hand on a generous hip "I will certainly do what I can to speed the day this comes to fruition" And she shifts, addressing all three, in response

"If I were a betting sylph; though I'm not; I wouldn't expect immediate strikes against places like this. After all, you're right; they'll want to keep Lander support. This may well become a battle for them, yes?"

"One should also not forget the Conservatory," Uta points out, "for the musical preformance arts, not to mention the craft of building musical instruments, preserve and advance the Musical culture of Yamato, and understanding Song's place and role in this world." A glance is cast towards the place that had to be abandoned. The result of that all-encompassing fire that burned away in Uta's soul while she was setting up the place is naught a light in any window.

Yeowang can feel Wake's enthusiasm for the ongoing projects at Eas as she waxes on the tasks before her. Yeowang, by contrast is a financier, for what that's worth, but she can only hope that the Palace Landers won't come for the Ninetails bank. It's fairly low key, and mainly known to a few highly placed Landers, players not figuring significantly into high finance. But she would be very upset if something were to happen to it.

She nods to Ayame about the Palace Landers needing time to get their act together about dealing with Eas. "Hopefully they will need to waste all their time in Shibuya. We will drive them back, I expect, but I cannot say when that will be."

    "There will be a battle, but.. the time will come for it when it will. We will all do what we must." The Baroness tilts her head. She's receiving a chim message. Whatever it is, it seems to claim her attention quite effectively.

    Wake sighs gently. "My apologies. I must take this one and address some issues regarding our most unwelcome guests. Please make yourselves at home. There is plenty of food in the Inn, if you wish for it, and good drink, too. If you must depart, may the road and winds speed you safely to your destinations."

    Another curtsey follows, with that same, almost supernatural glide to it. "Fear not, Uta. The time will come again for the conservatory. We may be harmed by our invaders, but inevitably they will learn to fear excessive amibitions. Farewell!"

    Wake rises and departs, heading towards the castle. She's already speaking via the chim, but her words are too quiet to be heard.