Dragon's Discovery

    In a small village like this one, not too far from Shibuya but not exactly one that's a prime target for invasion, the presence of strangers is noted. Sometimes the presence of strangers is feared. And when those strangers inspect with a yellow aggression flag, they tend to be quite untrusted if not feared by most who pay attention.

    Shiyang is one such visitor, the tall salamander woman wearing a hooded cloak to keep off the weather. Even though she apparently dislikes the weather enough to cover up, she seems to be quite willing to endure it, deliberately sitting outside on the porch of a tavern. Sipping fragrant tea, of all things, and seemingly oblivious to all who stop to stare at her presence. Curiously, her table has other chairs at it, set out from the table in a manner that seems to be inviting company, even as the woman clearly isn't going inside for company. Someone who likes to see people coming perhaps, or someone who wishes to remain seen from elsewhere for whatever reason...

    And it's the small villages that a certain pair of Spriggans have been passing through, while they keep an eye on the doings of the invaders. Like most sensible people, they've covered up against the weather, plain cloaks and hoods hiding them from close examination. An inspection would show them to be Adventurers, currently green-lit for lack of hostilities.

    The two had agreed when they started this trip to avoid hostilities if at all possible, so when they spot the stranger - clearly an adventurer, yellow-flagged, sitting outside the tea-shop, Miyako pauses. She reaches over to catch Kotono's hand, stopping her friend as well. "Let's say hello, shall we? Politely."

    Once she has Kotono's agreement, she lets her cloak fall open as she approaches the teahouse. "Hello, Neighbor. Far from the most delightful of days to be sitting alone, isn't it?"

Yes, a certain pair of Spriggans are passing through. They're wearing cloaks and hoods, but they're not here to cause any trouble at all. They're just bracing themselves against the weather which isn't exactly the best.

And indeed there's someone up ahead who's yellow flagged. They don't appear to be hostile or causing any trouble, but there's no telling what they're up to.

When Miyako stops her, Kotono looks ahead for a moment and then nods. "Let's go see who this is," She agrees as she follows behind Miyako, letting her friend take the lead and then letting her cloak open as well. She doesn't say anything though, letting Miyako do all the talking for now.

    The salamander takes in the two spriggans, looking them over with a certain quiet intensity that implies inspection. Not rude, not exactly, but uncomfortably close to staring for many to do it so obviously. She smiles then, a tight-lipped gesture of amusement rather than humour. She gestures to the set-out chairs. "The people here seem to find my presence less than enjoyable." she says wryly. "I am unsure I would consider it delightful to have company, in this case, but I welcome it if you choose to dare my presence."

    She tilts her head, curious. "Brave, to approach like this. And yet I don't seem to recognize you, by description or otherwise. How curious." offers Shiyang, showing no particular fear or hostility, even as she seems to be outnumbered and quite possibly in hostile territory. There's some question whether she herself is recognized; she's both quite distinctive and somewhat concealed, so it could go either way, but that aggression flag makes it clear she's either been fighting people in the past day or attacking or even killing people in the recent past. She's armed and armored, but only lightly for both; her armour being clearly not the bulky sort and her single-edged sword barely long enough to be called a sword.

    The cloaks the two Spriggans wear are more than bulky enough to conceal similarly light armor, the sort used by quick, agile fighters. "No one should be alone on a day like this," she says, "If you can't be home by your own hearth, then someone should be a proper host, at least."

    Miyako smiles lightly as she pulls out a seat. "Unless you do desire privacy?" She waits a moment, giving Shiyang the chance to tell her to leave her alone, before sliding into the chair and pulling it up to the table. "You can call me Kuroyuri, neighbor, if you'll let me buy you some tea and snacks."

Kotono takes a seat next to Miyako as well. She's been eying the Salamander carefully here and there before speaking up finally. "Call me Emi," The girl says after a moment. She smiles a little at that. "It's nice to meet you." It's obvious Kotono is feeling a little uncomfortable about this, but she's doing her best to seem friendly about it all.

Trying to hide her suspicions, Kotono looks at the menu to see what there is available. It's not that she thinks the Salamander is up to no good, she's just feeling cautious.

    Such courage. That, more than caution, impresses the salamander. She notes the careful words. Call me Kuroyuri. Call me Emi. Aliases then rather than names. Cautious still, yet not unwise. And a step the Crowned herself doesn't feel the need to take. No... this has opportunity to it, assuming all goes well. She isn't about to start it off with deception.

    "I am Shiyang." the woman states, the pronounciation of the name making it clear she's not passing herself off as a local. "Sit, brave ones. Let us talk over tea. I feel we may learn much from one another." she offers. And waits, still, to see what comes of it. She's making it clear who she is to the two Spriggans at least, though she hasn't lifted her cloak for all to see the crown on her forehead. A risk, but a calculated one. A quiet little village like this one is not going to be a good site for a violent battle. Not for the residents, surely, and probably not for visitors either. Unless they feel a burning need to fight, that is, and that itself would be an answer of sorts.

    Miyako nods, and smiles a warm, friendly smile, as she beckons a server over. Two green-flagged adventurers might seem to outweigh one yellow-flagged one, in the minds of the locals' worries, and the overpayment the Spriggan offers for the tea cements things. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Shiyang. I could wish that the circumstances were better." Opportunity, indeed.

    "If it wouldn't be an imposition to ask, what brings you out on a day like this? Folks having bandit troubles? Or are they worried about what's been doing in Shibuya?" Her concern for the local Landers seems quite genuine (for good reason -- it is).

    She settles in her seat, unashamed to reveal her uncrowned head, or the face that might be recognized from the battle at Shibuya or the Yamatoans' visits to the Palace Lands.

Kotono nods a little as she acknowledges Shiyang as well. "Pleased to make your acquaintance," She says. "I have to agree with my friend here that the circumstances could be a lot better, but there is not a lot we can do." She shrugs a little then leans forward a little, looking to Miyako and listening as she speaks.

    Interesting. The pair don't flinch. Either they feel confident in outnumbering someone who is their enemy or... well, Shiyang's not sure what. And truth to tell, understanding people isn't entirely her strong suit either. No, this is just an opportunity and one she is starting to feel hopeful about. If, that is, there is anything to be learned.

    "I wish to learn." Shiyang states, crossing her arms. Then looking down, scowling, and deliberately uncrossing them again to place scaled hands on the table instead. Glancing back up, she relaxes that scowl, though still holding herself with some tension if not unease. "What it is like, living in a place like this. It is ... different." she explains. Different from home? Different from her expectations? Probably yes to both. "You are from..." she looks up, turns her head slightly. Oh yes, that direction. The route towards Shibuya. "From around here?" she asks.

    Mikoto hesitates a brief moment before answering. She'd begun to consider Shibuya her home, certainly. But that was a recent thing. And even still... there was a point to be made.

    "We're citizens of Eastal," she answers, not putting any particular emphasis on it. It's meant to just sound natural, as if she'd said they were Americans, or Japanese. "We recently purchased a small townhouse in Fort Ouph." The Root town of the Free Cities. The Spriggan waves a casual hand in its general direction.

    "And yourself?" she asks, indulging magpie-like curiousity.

Kotono is letting Miyako do all the talking, although she does nod along occasionally. When Miyako mentions the townhouse, Kotono takes a moment to add in, "It's a rather nice place I have to say." She smiles a little before letting Miyako continue.

    Not having any particular skill or interest in fencing with words, Shiyang gives a slight grin and a nod. "You know where I am from." she states with some certainty. Not saying it directly, but in her mind at least making it clear that she's not hiding, despite the hood.
    The mention of Eastal is noted, but Shiyang has no understanding of the local kingdoms and their politics. Part of why she's here, to be sure. "Would you tell me of the alliances here? I am afraid where I'm from, we have heard much and understand little. Perhaps your own views would help me understand. Our people are not friends, but I hope to understand more. I don't expect to learn deep secrets, but ..." she shrugs, a little awkwardly. "I am not good at this. Tell me what you will. Help me understand you. Surely we have more in common than some would claim."

    "Well," Miyako muses, "I know in general where you came from. I don't know what Kingdom you come from, or what it's really like there. The folks who visited there told stories about it, but... I don't know what it's like for -you-. Not the insider's view. Which is what you're asking for, isn't it?" She smiles lightly, a friendly thing, and looks briefly to Kotono before back to Shiyang.

    "We're with Silver Sword guild," she explains, "Part of the New World alliance. We love seeing more of the world, discovering new sights, new places. New stories, new songs. Lots of folks who loved the whole raid-quest thing, and there's plenty of room for that - there's always monsters to keep down, like the whole thing with the undead last year. That was a mess. Vampires, ghouls, all kinds of that. Wouldn't've minded having a few like you along for that, if you're as strong as I'll bet you are."

"Indeed, we're with the Silver Sword guild," Kotono comments. "We do quite a lot as my friend here has stated." The girl takes a sip of her tea before continuing. "And yes, we are always up for having others along with us for our adventures."

    Her own kingdom? Well, there's probably no harm in saying so. Shiyang neither expects any deep secrets nor intends to give any. "Here, I am from Thor." she states simply enough. "Before... well, I suspect you already know." she says, not exactly embarassed about it, but a little wary of saying something that she thinks is obvious. Wary of sounding the fool.

    She listens to the description of Silver Sword and New World, and her hands clench. And unclench, as she tries hard to override anger. Control... caution... these are not the ones who did... that. Maintaining control, Shiyang's face goes into a rictus, teeth pressed hard together. "When this was a game... you would have had no interest in me. I was nothing here. Nobody." she states. The anger is there, cooled somewhat, under control. "And I'm afraid I've had little time or attention for such things for some time now. There have been more important matters to deal with." she adds, that temper rising. But also that control, the obvious attempt to avoid doing something terrible.

    She manages to maintain that control however, her will winning out. After a bit she unclenches, a visible relaxation coming over her. Meditative technique perhaps, or just a matter of changing the subject. "You take what this world has to offer, then." she states coolly, that anger seemingly no longer in danger of bubbling over. "Perhaps not as obviously as those who desire to control and rule everyone, but still." she states it bluntly, as if casting out a challenge to either confirm or refute.

    More important. Like the war? Well, it's not like Miyako expects Shiyang to answer if she asked. Or maybe... "Mmmm. We had heard that there were many problems with monsters attacking towns and villages in the Palace Lands, that the adventurers were not protecting the People of the Land..." She shrugs. "I suppose that was because of the idiots who started that war, then? Glad they lost, even if I don't care for how it was handled." She shrugs. "Not my place to complain, though."

    The rest of the foreigner's remark, and her clear if stifled anger, definitely raises the Spriggan's hackles, though. "Take? Hah. I think you folks have a majorly wrong impression of how things work, here." She pauses, sipping her tea, letting the warmth of the hot liquid flow through her. "Like I said, we're /citizens/. Just as much as the folk of this village. Sure, we can do different things than they can, just like a computer programmer does different things than a salesman. If some villager wants a monster nest dealt with so they don't eat the farmers or trample the crops, or a merchant wants a mountain pass scouted for bandits, or anything like that? They know they can come to us and it'll get done. We don't /take/, we /give/."

Kotono listens to what the two are saying, but she doesn't say anything for the time being. She simply sips her tea and waits until Miyako is done speaking before she adds in her two bits.

"We're not here to invade or claim land for ourselves. That's not what we do." There's a hint of annoyance in Kotono's voice. "We're here to help those in need. We're not like those who want to have everything for themselves or start fights or anything like that." She shakes her head.

    Perhaps Shiyang's anger was uncalled-for, or at least not something to be directed at the two spriggans. The salamander considers claiming her words were in haste, but ... no. These two seem sincere enough, but then so have others been. No one tells the worst of what they do, they cast themselves in the best possible light. And then, when they have the chance to show their true selves...

    Shiyang shakes her head once again, her expression one of disbelief. "You /give/, and you are rewarded." she states. "I understand. I was once like you." she adds, her tone condescending. "I had the chance to prove myself. To be someone in this world. Surrounded by others who wanted the same. To experience this place, to fight monsters." she hisses. She was as strong as anyone, then. A fine Adventurer, free and doing her best. And then abruptly everything changed. Everything. Rage crosses her features, and she grips the edge of the table fiercely, fingernails digging in as if they were claws.

    Once again though, control wins out. Not calm, but controlled purpose. "Yes." she finally agrees. "Those who want everything for themselves. If I am to learn of your Order, I should ask those outside it to learn what you would not willingly tell."

    She unclenches her hands, looking down and showing some surprise at seeing gouges in the table. Shallow, but still there. She manages to look slightly sheepish, the situation bothering her enough to overcome that rage just a little. But she shakes her head. "Perhaps it is best I go, before something unfortunate should happen." the salamander suggests. "You are perhaps not my enemies, not truly. But I have my orders, and I will obey them without fail. Knowing the truth of this land would be welcome but not, in the end, necessary."

    Miyako sighs softly, sadly. Entirely willing to forgive the anger, for who is she to call it wrong? To have seen so many go so wrong as Shiyang had seen... she finds it hard to imagine. Hard to believe, were it not for the obvious. "I suppose there will always be those who choose such a foolish path," she agrees. "Those who need to be ... dissuaded from their greed. It is a part of our duty, to stand guard against such things. Yours and ours alike, I think."

    When Shiyang suggests departing, she nods sadly. "Perhaps so," she agrees. "It has been pleasant to meet you, and to know that we will not always have to face each other at swordspoint. But it would be a poor servant, who did not provide their lord the chance to reconsider, when she knows that the assumptions they based their decisions on were faulty." She pauses and considers.

    "If I might suggest? Take some time off. Lose the yellow flag for a bit. Once you're green, go to another village, further from the lines, where they won't know who you'd have to be. Ask your questions. Find your answers. And make sure your lords have -all- the facts."

    he Spriggan rises, making a brief but polite bow to the cloaked figure. A certain very very bad idea passes through her mind, and she opens her mouth to suggest it... but she stops herself before she can make what might be her very last mistake. "It has been a pleasure to speak with you, Lady Shiyang. I hope I will be able to say so again one day."

Standing up, Kotono bows to the Salamander as well. "It was a pleasure making your acquaintance indeed." She looks up after she bows. "Perhaps we shall meet again. Hopefully, though, under better circumstances." With that, she says nothing else, looking only at Miyako.

    Shiyang rises as well, slowly, keeping her hands carefully away from her weapon. It would be a shame to end this poorly. She has no orders to fight, not at this moment. Other orders, yes, but none that require violence. These two have been brave, and not unkind. They might have been friends in another time and place.

    "Your suggestion is perhaps a good one." Shiyang says, calm now. Calmer, at least, now that the discussion is turning away from a dangerous place. "But I don't imagine I will. To act as you suggest would mean acting on my own, and I've seen all too well what happens when those like us freely choose to do what we think best. I will return, and I will do as ordered. And I do not think my orders will allow the sort of leisure your suggestion requires."

    So saying, the tall woman puts her hands together, fist to palm before her chest, and bows in a foreign yet clearly martial manner. A gesture of respect without deference. "My lord is not interested in the reasons why. Those who are willing to do what must be done to atone... ah, forgive me, I speak out of turn. Should you find yourself before him, he may listen, but I fear not if you yet stand against him." she states, seeming actually somewhat apologetic. "Farewell then, and when next we meet... I hope it is not personal. Emi, Kuroyuri. Thank you for your presence."