Ardent as Hell

    As another night descends over Eas, its Baroness wanders out of is walls and to the dedication. The Hall of Arts has something of a pale glow about it. It is the only place in Eas that is illuminated these days. The village inn and the castle are most easily seen as darker patches against their respective east and west horizons.

    Wake passes the statue of The Beautiful One, her head bowing as she considers all that is to come. On she walks, until she passes into the theater and through a maze of corridors ends up ascending to the stage there. Of course, the hall is empty, the padded seats the only audience for the heavy silence.

People leaving Eas and fleeing inevitably meant there was travel options coming the other way. So she'd travelled by water, and taking the last little way on land, trotting along in a heavy coat, her feet flicking and the distinctive sound of her clicking, clacking heels on the stones. Ayame had a number of parcels in a messenger bag slung over her shoulder, papers in an envelope in her hands, and a neat smile on her face as she made her way along. There were questions, of course, but she nodded to people and spoke in undertones and eventually made her way towards Wake, into the hall, trotting up the centre for the stage.

The lilac light from the wand in her hair does rather give her away, as well as the clicking of her heeled boots. And, of course, that massive shield on her back. Bit of a giveaway, that.

    Before Ayame can reach the stage, Wake begins to sing. It is not any of the lander songs. It's not a song of this world. The translator takes the Korean words she gives voice to and expresses them as a melancholy tale of a woman missing her beloved and looking out over a rainy, empty gray streets.

    Wake is only just learning to sing in the game, but her tune manages to be pleasant enough. Her sincere emotions threaten to crack her voice at times, yet she holds it together. With the lack of music to bolster her sound, it comes out gentler, and there are phases of silence where she simply hums what should be there and is missing.

    It is her lover's song, though many might not know it. It has been years since it was released. Popularity can fade fast in the k-pop scene, after all.

Ayame pauses at the singing, but she smiles, pausing and listening and considering. She does not interrupt, letting Wake finish, letting her perform, and enjoying the piece. It's only once it's done, that she smiles, and claps gently "You're a good performer" She says brightly "Have you been taking lessons from anyone in particular?"

Her smile is still there as she approaches the stage, slipping papers under one arm and offering up her hand to assist Wake down, if she wishes, studying the woman carefully

    The Baroness laughs gently and shakes her head, "I pale to the original, but this theater should not be left in silence. I was moved to try to get some of this shadow off of me. I have rarely had so many people come calling and felt so utterly alone."

    She accepts Ayame's help in descending, then wraps the woman up in a warm embrace. "I.." She has an expression that is best described as complicated as she meets Ayame's eyes. ".. missed you. And even though I am guilty for it, I am happy you are here, my dear. Honestly, I wasn't sure you'd make it."

    Wake turns away for a moment, studying the empty theater. "I nearly ordered you to stay away, but.. I apologize, my conviction failed me, and now here you are. Eas is dangerous, and anyone who stays here is at risk."

Ayame stiffens at the embrace; a nervous freezing, but relaxes after a moment and returns it gently, before stepping back and nodding "I know. I'll stay and help as long as I can, but need to be about here, anyway, for the moment. It's the least I can do to offer my support in any current withdrawls"

Her smile is pained, but she nods a little, flicking her eyes over Wake "How have things been in my absence?" She asks carefully. The papers are proffered across in their envelope "Running as smoothly as we'd like? Or have events moved on?"

    The papers are accepted and Wake nods. "I know you will. You are as brave as you are beautiful, Ayame." She studies the papers for a moment, wondering just what has been brought to her. She knows Tae had some manner of surprise in store there, but she didn't get a complete picture of what that might be.

    "We have arranged an additional layer of defense for when our guests come calling. Everyone knows their jobs and are prepared to leave in accordance with my plan. Many more have been sent packing or ordered to stay away. For what must be done here, we need only what we have. Those who are act like action movie stars are unwelcome. Those who cannot follow orders are unwelcome. That being the case, we still have enough people to do what is needed."

    Wake's tone is businesslike. There's no expression of any emotion there, except annoyance at the notion of people not following her orders in her own realm. That annoyance fades swiftly, though, and Wake asks, "I heard you and Tae hit it off very well. I'm honestly jealous, but it's important that you two got to know each other without an overbearing noble looking over your shoulders or -worse yet- trying to help you come to like each other."

Ayame nods at that "It was a nice time. She makes a lovely home" With a touch of a small smile there, glancing around and twisting, stepping aside. Talking to Wake, yes, but also watching, considering, her movements neat and precise.

"If you need more, I'll be glad to step in. Rest assured, I'll be withdrawing and assisting in covering retreats. I've no illusions of holding Eas on my own" She says in a tone growing ever more subdued as her voice continues.

"Though thank you. It's kind of you to say. I try" She smiles a little, and lets out a breath "I was just glad to see the flags still flying on my return. This type of place is always a concern, you know?" She asks, musing "I never quite know what to expect or to prepare for when I'm away. Things are changing quickly"

    "They are. Though for now, all is prepared. We have drawn in our deep breath and stand ready for the plunge." Wake reaches out to take Ayame's hand. "We can talk about that, if you like, or about anything. It's been quiet for so long. I miss the laugher of the children. I miss the young ladies trying to learn to properly curtsey. I even miss the poor farmer and his constantly-lost pekos! But I hear he's still never quite figured out how a fence works."

    The Baroness laughs warmly and the acoustics bring it to every corner of the theather. The worries that had brought her tension melt away with the sound. "You must be starving.. oh wait, you left Tae's house. You must have enough food for both of us to have a week of feasts!"

"I'm fairly certain I put on a little weight" Ayame agrees "She made pies and proper dinners. I'm used to tavern food after all this, and I wasn't as active as I could have been. Still, it was an experience. I can see why you adore her so. She's kind and gentle" Her eyes crinkle briefly, as she dips a small curtsy as her hand is taken.

"Still, we should sit and talk. I'm sure this place will stand. When we leave, I hope to leave something behind. Even if it's just a letter in an envelope. A reminder to myself to return."

    "It seems that Eas shall be in the hands of Queen Laira Lorelai. I suppose among all my enemies, I can be happy that it will be her tending to it. She would not bring harm to a place dedicated to The Beautiful One. Perhaps it will remind her that adventurers can be every bit as devoted to the Goddesses as any Lander. In fact... Ayame! That is a remarkable idea."

    The Baroness smiles suddenly, "I will leave a letter to the Queen herself. Perhaps it will reach her and then maybe we might make some true progress here. She's a good person, Ayame. She's been driven to this by fear and faith in something that is twisted and untrue."

    Eventually, Wake turns her mind back to the more delicate topic. Taeyeon. "Her baking is dangerous. She was a really good cook in the real world, too. We kind of both decided to be more like ourselves after the Cursed Wave. So she cooks and tends the home, writes music and poetry, and all those kind of wonderful things. She can do things with a massage that should require magic, I swear."

Ayame grins at that, nodding, the wand in her hair making a soft bob and sending dappled shadows chasing away in the gentle lilac light emanating from her

"It's a good step" She agrees, about the letter "The more we drive one another apart, set wedges between them and ourselves - well, peace rarely comes easily. We have no reason to want to make it harder than we must - and yes, that means keeping as strong a position as we can, but also not harming where it's not needed"

She lets out a quiet breath, and looks aside, considering a moment "It's a different feat entirely. I understand that, having spent a little time with her, and I think I understand you a little more as a result" She muses briefly "Certainly, it's not just a desire for power and status, or a reason to use it. It's - well, it's ensuring the safety of your home. A shield of civilisation" She considers, and shrugs "I'm probably reading too much into it. For all I rest behind my own shield, I tend towards action"

    "I honestly dwell on my motivations frequently. The best I can say now is that it started as something of a bit between Taeyeon and I. She once teased me that she'd never marry me in-game unless I commanded my own Castle. It was a joke to her, but I always took it seriously. I don't know exactly why. Perhaps I felt unworthy of her?"

    The Baroness shakes her head, "I still do, I suppose. Truthfully, both of you are too good for the likes of me." She grins playfully and goes on, "That isn't really my problem, though, is it? I jusst get to cherish the people who have agreed to share so much of themselves with me."

    She leads the way from the stage and past the empty seats, making for the front entrance. She pauses to look back at Ayame from time to time, though Wake doesn't say much along the way.

Ayame steps smoothly along, though she picks up her pace a trifle as they near the exit, opening and holding the door for Wake, and then following along after the Baroness without comment.

"We choose to believe in you, and in your vision" She says after a moment's thought, her voice quiet and considering "And I think perhaps that diversity of personality, but unity of purpose, is something that we treasure less than we should, sometimes."

Her head cocks, and there's a little note of surprise, as she catches up with Wake again properly, walking easily beside her "And the world is rarely fair. If you're given things you think are too good, assume it makes up for the times the world was too cruel" A little laugh "It helps me, anyway."

    "The other world gave much to me that was wonderful, took almost all of it away, then gave me yet more. This world has thus far been rich with more blessings, Ayame." She settles her eyes on the Sylph and stops for now. There's something in that look that is curious, searching, or maybe something else? Wake has a very complicated emotional symphony playing through her tonight.

    In fact, she just looks for quite some time. She's perhaps waiting for something to happen. Or expecting something to happen. Or fell asleep with her eyes open. Whatever it is, the silence is allowed to linger. Only the play of water in the fountains and the distant roar of the falls can be heard.

Ayame, meanwhile, is content to be quiet. Her eyes don't remain on Wake; they rarely stay anywhere for long. She watches. She considers. She turns things over, and eventually, as Wake seems to settle in for the long, slow look, she produces more papers from her inventory and begins to sort them absently, turning things over and noting things down.

No time to be wasted. No. And not a waste, stood calmly and quietly with Wake as she works smoothly, making tiny marks on the papers and sorting them appropriately.

    With a level of steadiness and confidence that even surprises the Baroness herself, she extends a hand to gently cup the sylph's chin. It's a touch as light as a feather, meant to call for and direct attention. At the same time, Wake leans forward to press her lips to Ayame's forehead.

    It only lasts a moment, but when Wake draws back again, there is clarity in her expression, as if something most vexing to her was utterly resolved.

    "Even if the world should last ten thousand centuries, will there ever again be any woman as blessed as I am?" she whispers softly. Her lips curl into a warm, gentle smile.

    "I suppose I should pay attention to what Tae has sent back, though I know at least some of it. And I'd like to hear about all the work you've been doing on our behalf or anything else you'd like to share with me."

Not a muscle moved, as those lips press to her head, and it's only when Wake withdraws that Ayame smiles, relaxing a little, settling comfortably from the taut and stifled posture, shoulders relaxing momentarily with a content, small, soft sigh passing from her.

"I think Tae might beg to differ." She says with a faint grin a moment, her ears pricking "Or at least suggest another name" She amends, with a shrug, setting papers away back to her inventory. Then, a shift, resting arms behind herself, reporting.

"A little work on my return. I've been assisting other members of the Hunter's guild in discovery efforts, and I need to liaise with Shiruba regarding something discovered during one of our earlier works - I've been contacted to say the research is finalised. Once I know more, I'll let you know on that, of course."£

    "Hopefully Tae hasn't taught you all her tricks already," Wake replies. "I can't imagine what it would be like to be wound around both your fingers." Her smile is more than a hint that she doesn't mind the idea in the least.

    "If there is anything you need help with, please let me know, my dear. I appreciate everything you are doing. Speaking of doing.. I have an interesting meeting I need to attend. Well, two, really. One with King Gilgamesh and the other with Prophylaxis and the Scale Emblem."

    The Baroness looks around much more carefully and lowers her voice for Ayame's ears alone. "I'm going to try to remove a crown."

Ayame nods at that, though there's not a flicker of surprise "Do be careful when you do" She says with a moment's hesitation, trying to word it "Though it's something someone should certainly attempt. They may need our assistance as much as any" She gives a small smile, considering, then glances away

"I'll certainly reach out if I need any particular assistance, and hope you can do the same, of course. I'm currently beginning checks of the refugees, trying to assist and ensure all's well, but I can't see that being difficult. It's more to ensure they know we're still offering support, even so as things change. They're not abandoned."

    "As long as our people are free, we remain The Unconqered." The way Wake says the last makes it clear she means something special by it. "And as long as I draw breath, this dream is certain to live on. My people have built a home here, and though they have a new one to dwell in for now, we will return them here, Ayame."

    "And you are quite right. I have the assurance of the good doctor that he will be close at hand to ensure there are no unfortunate impacts when I make my attempt. And Yuuki will even be there, it seems. I'll be in good hands."

    The Baroness shifts the topic away to something else, then. "I know a fair amount about what the Scale Emblem is up to. And I know what Olympus is doing. Is New World going to make an attempt to take back their home? By force, I mean. I feel like I frequently fall out of communication with their leaders."

"Honestly, I have no idea" Ayame shakes her head "I'm not closely aligned with the guild leaders, and they spend most of their time talking casually instead of updating the rest of us. It's been a while since I heard anything from them"

She shrugs at that "Though I imagine they're doing things in their own way. I caught something on the chim about attempts to infiltrate things, but they're keeping quiet as to where and how. I think there's a suspicion of infiltrators, perhaps" She sighs at that, and nods

    The Baroness nods her head slightly as Ayame explains her relationship with the alliance. "I see. Not all that different from my own attempts to work closer with them." She shrugs, as well, then laughs at herself. She can't honestly recall the last time she shrugged.

    "I think they will find their footing eventually. It's hard for them, though. I get the sense they are utterly thrown-off by the sudden hostility of Landers from a distant server. More so because they own such a large share in opening this whole war. It wasn't their fault by any measure, but they must feel responsible nonetheless."

    It may be odd that none of this seems to bother her. If anything, she is moving with an unusual spring in her step. "Did I mention how happy I am that you returned here? I just want to make sure."

"You'd not, but it's good to see you" Ayame smiles warmly "I mean that. It's good to see you managing, though I hope things haven't gone too far, in the brief time you had to rely on my services before you sent me away" There's just a hint of teasing there and a small chuckle

"I still aren't sure what caused it all" She admits "Though I have little doubt my own guild had their - well. There's a certain optimism among many of them about how things will turn out"%

    "I didn't send you away from me, really," replies Wake. "I sent you to meet with a better part of me. It granted me something of great value. I hope you will forgive me in being so subtle in my intentions. I just couldn't think of having someone so close to me without being equally close to her. I respect Tae's judgment a great deal more than my own. In the end, it has worked out well. At least, I hope you think so."

    Wake reaches out to playfully tap Ayame's nose. "And you are back here, now. Let me guess.. Tae is meddling and expects you to protect me. I'm not a mind reader, it's just that I noticed she never asked me to protect you. So naturally the reverse must be her intention."

Ayame wrinkles her nose at the tap, but she doesn't move away or flinch, merely accepts it with a faint smile and nod "No, I understand. When we act so, we're protecting ourselves. You didn't need to worry, though. Tae's a dear." She affirms with a sigh.

"No. I'm going to, of course, and she knows I will, but she didn't return me to. If I can, though, I absolutely will. It is something I'm generally fairly good at, after all" She nods across, and flicks her head back to the shield on her back

    Wake settles back on her heels for a moment. There's a flash of consideration in her eyes. For just the space of a heart beat the left corner of her lip flicks downwards in disapproval. It stays there so briefly, though, and it is banished so utterly with a look of joy that one might doubt their eyes ever saw it.

    "I.. I am a Baroness. I cannot act like a child," she says suddenly. "Ayame, I am so grateful that you are willing to protect me. We only met a short while ago, and yet you are here. And I want you here. There is a feeling about you. It is like solid ground under my feet, and less fear and doubt. You are far more than an assistant. You are as brave and reliable as any Knight of Eas and you are my confidant."

    A laugh and Wake spins almost playfully on her right heel, facing Ayame at the end of it. "And more, of course. I have needed this! I stand on the brink, now, but I'm not afraid. I sense the clear path ahead and I have people I can trust."

"Good" Ayame nods, and smiles warmly, widely, for the first time "It helps. When people have your back, it's easier to dig your heels in" She says with an impish grin, before she sighs

"I should rest, though. It's been a long trip. Is my room still available, or has everything been moved out? I wouldn't blame everything either way, honestly"

    Wake moves quite smoothly to Ayame's side. "Well, many things have been moved out, but I'm sure we can find a place that you'll find much to your liking. I will be your escort. It's a bit difficult in the dark at night."

    Wake really doesn't make it an option. She's enjoying herself. And she wants to make sure Ayame rests well after her long journey.