Easing into certain subjects

    Fuka's been doing a lot of back-and-forth work for Eas, mostly on behalf of its refugees. She's even been doing some work with SEA, helping them construct a new shelter within the Tower itself. One thing she hasn't managed to do, however, has been to find Wake when her assistance was actually needed. She'd promised Tae to try, and she certainly had, but ... well, that's the past. Individuals, even those as incredible as Fuka, can't be everywhere at once and can't do everything. She was busy helping Wake's people among others, and she knows Wake would surely understand.

    So putting that in the past, Fuka dons a lovely but simple dress instead of her more common adventurer's gear and goes to pay a visit. Just to catch up, and to have some fun. She neither needs more nor needs to offer more, and isn't that what friends do? She considers Wake a friend after all, Wake and Tae both. Even if sometimes they're more like aunts than peers.

    Wake isn't exactly hard to find, provided one asks around. Or simply looks out at the pinnacle. The light of the moons lights her up like a beacon as she stand atop the rock that juts out like a long arm over the falls of Eas. Whether it be by magic or the original coding of the game is not terribly important, but it provides a remarkable vantage for a Baroness very much embracing a new worldview.

    She stands alone there, admiring the soft music of the night that mingles with the endless roar of the enormous waterfall below. The Right Clothes have garbed her in a gown of black silk. Glowing on it like stars in the sky are crystal encrusted patterns of the Rose of Eas joined with a most unusual addition. Along her arms and behind her back the design is instead of chains, and on each wrist she wears a cuff of silver.

    Fuka's a bit underdressed for the occasion, but she's never let that stop her before. She likes looking cute and taking care of her appearance is a matter of pride. Still, her charm has never been in being elaborately done-up. Fukaziroh is a creature of simple tastes and simple presentation.

    She's not exactly sneaking up, but she doesn't wear her armor today so the little Sylph is pretty darn quiet compared to usual. Quiet's also not her thing, naturally, so as she approaches she decides to make some noise so she's not being rude. Not the wrong sort of rude anyways. "Waku-waku, you are a remarkably hard person to find!" she says. "I must've crossed this island a dozen times since I last saw you!" she exaggerates, the complaint uttered actually rather good-naturedly, just a friendly grumble rather than her expressing any sort of upset.

    Wake may hear Fukaziroh, or she may not. She turns calmly away from her musing, her right hand sliding away from her chin as she first glides into a curtsey, and then rises to offer both her hands to her friend.

    "I apologize for troubling you so, my dear. I have been many places and learned so much." Her voice, though as steady and calm as ever, has changed in some way. There's a gentleness to it that wasn't expressed before.

    "You look well, Fukaziroh." The Baroness' gaze takes in her friend as if she's never truly seen her before. "Have you done something different, or am I finally using my eyes?"

    "No trouble." Fuka states with an easy handwave, smiling slightly. It's not her usual grin, not a smirk. It's probably sincere. "I just wanted a chance to return the favour while you were off strange-mooding, that's all." she says. Missed opportunity, not heartbreaking difficulties.

    Fuka glides forward, some of the natural grace of the sylph aiding her, or perhaps simple athleticism and experience in movement. She takes Wake's hands with hers then pauses, completely uncertain of the necessary protocol. And putting the protocol aside, which she so loves to do, she's still not sure what's expected or appropriate in the situation. While she has no great love for ceremony or appropriateness, there's still propriety and she doesn't take joy in annoying friends.

    She laughs though, easily. "I think this is the first time in a while you've seen me outside my own obsession. I don't think circles under my eyes are great for my looks, hm?" she jokes. "Not sure I could say what I've learned, but I've been travelling! What did you learn, if none of it is some deep dark secret you couldn't share with someone from a scary scary outside alliance?" she teases. But not, not entirely, without purpose.

    "I make a point of not having Alliance secrets," Wake replies, laughing. "I find it more confuses and boggles the world when you approach people with honesty and clear purpose. What have I learned?"

    She squeezes Fukaziroh's hands and smiles. Her grip is light, and her hands soft and warm. "I have learned that the way to stop this fighting and to win this conflict is through redemption, hope, love, and beauty. Beauty of purity and virtue. Our enemies have fallen, but they can rise again and be redeemed. I remembered the wisdom of another world. I do not like Queen Lorelai and so I must get to know her better. I feel a powerful will to save her from this terrible thing she is doing. If I must destroy her, it would be a tragedy and the world made less wondrous because of it."

    Fuka looks up at Wake, and not just for reasons of their height difference. She's perhaps a little surprised at the words, but not at all displeased. And for all of Fuka's warlike attitude, she seems not only approving of this but downright encouraged by it.

    "I hope you're right." the little Sylph notes, glancing down. Slightly flustered perhaps. Then she laughs. "I find if I approach people honestly they start looking at me funny." she claims. Though her laugh hollows somewhat as she considers what follows. "It would be nice, it really would." she says with clear doubt. Optimism, sure, but doubt nonetheless. "Everything I've heard makes them out to be monstrous. The leaders I mean, and the ones leading in the field. If you think we can save them, tell me how. I'll help however I can!" she promises, sincere in her desire to both end the war in a way that saves others and in her willingness to help. "I'm helping where I can, and I think doing things by alliance and kingdom is stupid and will get us all killed a lot. I want us all to cooperate, with information, with everything!"

    Wake meets Fuka's glance with relaxed confidence in her eyes. "I may yet be right about this. But you are right, of course. Their actions and words do make them seem monstrous, indeed. Yet that is but a first impression and we would do well to safely learn as much as we can about them. What path led them here and how might the madness it caused be undone? We need to understand our way through this before battle makes it even more difficult to achieve."

    The comments about division earn a nod but also a laugh. "Well, people have one way or another sorted themselves out amongst those that they feel kinship with. That in itself is not when the trouble begins. It is when those groups start focusing on the differences that serve as a gulf between them and others that evil begins to sow its seeds. My friends are among all alliances and I love them dearly. I understand them. I wish they would take more time to understand themselves."

    Fukaziroh nods, and a faint blush comes to her cheeks. A little bit of hero-worship indeed. Wake is the sort of woman Fuka wishes she could be, at least when she forgets that she'd never willingly put up with the stuff Wake no doubt has to. No, Fuka's a free spirit, not much given to grace or even a hint of passivity. Still... Tae's a lucky woman.

    "I... I feel I could come to you with anything. Or Uta." Fuka claims. And then DOES blush, remembering the last thing she came to Uta with. Oh that was probably a terrible idea. But it all worked out in the end, so that's fine! Everything's fine! "And there's a couple of Scales I like when they're not going all RAAR MURDER and stuff." she adds. "I'm hoping to be, well, some sort of messenger I guess. It's my profession anyways. But we need to share more stuff, and I'm trying to make sure it happens." she admits.

    Then she shrugs. "Not ... I mean, not what I expected to be talking to you about." she confesses. "I mean I was going to then I found out you're not actually an official alliance leader and I would've done it anyways, but then I met Rylen and I suppose if I don't at least START things the right way, someone might get annoyed." she claims. "Not that I care who gets annoyed with me, as long as they don't take it out on my ideas!"

    "You can bring whatever you wish to me, of course," replies the Baroness. "And the Scale do have among them some who are rather excessive in their enthusiasm. I try to remember that many of our peers are very young and have had to grow up very rapidly since the Cursed Wave made this our permanent home."

    Wake turns to stand at Fuka's side, letting go of one of Fuka's hands, but still clasping the other. "It is good work that you took your message to Rylen. My own position is a kind of an assistant to Yuuki, who leads the Sleeping Knights Guild. Though she always leaves me anything boring and bureaucratic to do on her behalf. I tend to be very active in these political matters. Did Rylen help you? Or do you need me to put a good word in on your behalf?"

    "Yuu's a good rival." Fuka notes with a grin, apparently at ease with Wake keeping hold of her hand. Of course Yuuki may not see Fuka as a rival in return, but does that actually matter? They have fun and exchange challenges and boasts and smacktalk. What more does one need to be rivals really?

    Yeah Fuka's one of the young ones. She takes some things seriously but generally her more serious side is only shown to those she knows well, those she trusts. And she laughs. "Rylen was of course entirely charmed by my skill in battle, my wit, and my undeniable beauty." she claims, and her grin should suggest she doesn't expect any of that to be believed. "We were both busy though, so we parted ways and he's now in my friends list so we can talk over chimlink. I haven't reached out again, not yet. Wouldn't do to make him think I'm TOO eager, right?" she asks with a roguish wink.

    After a moment she pauses, looking up again, gazing sidelong at Wake. "You've changed too, I think. I'd ask if it was a man but that can't possibly be it." Fuka smirks. "Have you found enlightenment? Inner peace? A really *really* good dessert? If it's the latter tell me please!"

    "She a great friend, too," Wake says gently. "One of my favorite people, like you. I am happy that you get along well together. I wonder if this means I can expect you to throw yourself at me in tackle hugs like she does." Wake obviously has no issues in showing affection.

    She listens to the description of Rylen's impresssions and smiles, looking quite near to laughter. "As well he should, of course! But if his intentions are less than noble I'll have to put him over the falls in a barrel. With no lid." Wake is jesting, of course. Probably.

    The woman senses Fukaziroh's glance, but doesn't meet her friend's eyes, nor does she seem troubled by the scrutiny. "I've found a part of myself again. You see, when you pursue a dream, there is a danger along the way. One can get so caught up in the destination and the journey that they forget something of far greater importance than either: the reason. This Dedication to The Beautiful One reminded me what I sought was not simply power, control, domination. Those are ugly things, they weaken the spirit and lead to corruption. I am building a beacon, a place that encourages everyone who sees it to dream bigger things, to believe that there is more to our existence than the drudgery of the every day moments we allow to pass by unmarked, forgotten. In each day there are sublime moments. We need but to seek them."

    Fuka's not nearly so ... tacklehuggy as Yuuki. Touch is kind of a big deal to her after all. She and Yuuki share something there, though neither of them know it, but their expression of that similarity is somewhat different. And yet... she certainly doesn't mind holding hands here and now. Possibly because Wake is safe, or possibly more than that. Maybe she's just accepting the contact because Wake is Wake.

    The question does amuse her though. "If I said I might, that would only give you early warning." she notes with a sly grin. "What's life without a little risk, a little surprise~" she adds with a teasing note.

    She shrugs off the mention of Rylen's intentions. "Actually he DID invite me back to his place. And by place I mean another kingdom. To talk." she notes. Then, to spare Rylen some pain, she elaborates. "And took it with good grace when I had ... other commitments. No need to worry for me, my dear, I wouldn't let anyone push me into anything I didn't want to do. Even if they ARE super hot! I have my standards!" she notes. What those standards are, nobody knows, but surely the little sylph has them!

    She gets a little more serious when Wake explains her path. More serious, and apparently more confused. And even more confused as Wake continues. Some of it she gets, but the metaphors seem to evade her understanding. Or, well, Fuka's cleverer than she usually lets on, and is rather good with people. Maybe she does understand, and it's suprising her... or testing her mental model of a friend.

    Wake lets out a deep sigh, then laughs gently again. "But I do have a way of going on. To make it much simpler, I want people to believe they have value and that the time they are given is worth something. I want them to be intentional in how they use that time and hopefully, to appreciate the blessings of each day we are given. Who knows how many more days we shall see?"

    She skips tracks back to an earlier point and grins mischievously at Fukaziroh. "And Rylen is.. super hot?" she asks, half-teasing. "Oh, my dear, you are definitely the best kind of troublemaker, aren't you?"

    For all Wake's aura of decorum and polite manners, she doesn't project those requirements on others very often, and here she clearly enjoys the girl talk.

    "I won't pester you to any direction, but I will of course help you in whatever ways I can. Some lessons and mistakes we must do on our own. And some are just plain fun to make, anyway."

    While Fuka might not be able to understand exactly what Wake's trying to say about her path, she can understand and appreciate the purpose. The additional explanation is sound, even if she's not entirely sure how it relates to what came before. To believe they have value... well, that's fine. Fuka nods, accepting what she can of it even if she's confused by the more mystical-seeming parts.

    She's not at all confused about the earthy parts that come next, of course. She nods vigorously. "Totally bishounen. And have you seen his muscles?" she claims enthusiastically. Looks aren't everything of course, but ... well, they certainly don't hurt! And Fuka doesn't mind looking or flirting, even when she has no wish to do anything more.

    And she nods, relaxing as Wake returns to talk of paths, it seems. She smiles, an easy and perhaps gentler smile than she normally shows. "Oh, I'll make my own mistakes. I'm probably in the middle of a big one these days, but I don't mind." she says, and for a moment sounds hesitant, perhaps even a little shy. "If it's a mistake, at least it's a fun one!" she adds, and that smile once more becomes a smirk.

    Sighing, Fuka releases Wake's hand, retrieving it for herself at last. "I'm glad if I have a place here, whatever my eventual direction." she says quietly. "Even if it's a small, temporary place. It's good to see you back here again." she sighs. "Even if I don't think you're truly home... not unless you're in a certain someone's arms?" she asks, and the words are either intended rhetorically or are just teasing.

    "Home is not a location, it is true. Right now I must resist it's call a little longer. My own pleasure must wait so that others might live to see their homes again," replies Wake. Oddly, her cheeks color ever so slightly in the moonlight. Perhaps some thought has come to her, unbidden but impossible to stop.

    She clears her throat rather pointedly. "In any case, mistakes are important to us all. And oddly enough, can prove to be sound decisions with the clarity of hindsight. But in any case, make them as safely and as often as you dare."

    "Well you know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fungus." Fuka claims with a casual ease that makes it difficult to say whether she's cracking wise or if she accidentally used the wrong word.

    She straightens when Wake clears her throat, not sure what that signifies. Perhaps she missed the blush, or she may just be taking it as a cue. She smiles, a playful and mischevious look. "I try not to regret anything if I can help it." Fuka says. "ESPECIALLY not mistakes! What's the point in making mistakes if you're going to keep second-guessing your decisions? Learn for the future I say, improve... but always stand by your decisions!" she says, saluting in a rather informal, sloppy, and utterly wrong way.

    Wake sometimes isn't entirely sure what to make of Fukaziroh's comments. But this amuses her greatly. "And two hearts long parted from each mother may then come together and mushroom into a more ardent passion," she replies. She can play these games, too.

    "But we should rest, for the evening grows dark. The moons are setting." She does not take hold off Fukaziroh's hand. She does guide her, though, to the Dome of Stars, where a bed fit for a queen awaits.

    Fuka laughs at the puns, then fans her face. "Ardent passion huh? Woooh!" she says breezily. "I'll have to keep my eye out for THAT when you DO get reunited!" she adds roguishly. Probably not seriously though. Probably.