Curtain Call

    Night over Eas in October brings a quiet, if not exactly perfect darkness. If one could forget but for a time that there are armies set to defend this place, the light of the torches might seem a festive ornament. The patrols of the Dukes keep things safe and secure, if a bit more tense than it ought to be. At the very least, they will direct any guests her way, if not in the most friendly way.

    Wake is not in her castle. She is not even in the village. She can be found where she has been many a night as of late, sitting on the stage of the concert hall, illuminated with great care by lanterns and her own light magic. The hall is empty save for her, and she finds it remarkably calming to ponder her next move in such a large, open space.

    She does not ponder in silence, though. She's been practicing her music for some time, and on this night, too, she plays, coaxing music from the strings as she considers many of her possible choices this evening.

"Good to see you haven't let current affairs distract from keeping up practice."

When there's music it doesn't take long for a certain Nightmare to appear on the scene. But as Kauchemar steps end from the left side of the stage there's a look of appreciation on her face at seeing Wake continuing to hone what she taught her about song and instrumentation. "Now you just need to decide what instrument you actually want to focus on," she teases at the end.

    A giant freaking shield. Hyuga never went anywhere without a giant freaking shield, its harnesses around his left arm and his left hand gripping the handhold. Other than being entirely too large to seem reasonable, the shield was nondescript. Hyuga, though, was still a fairly interesting sight: lean, not large, which was problematic enough one might think. The large hammer on his left hip also seemed out of place...

    ...especially for a man out for an evening stroll. He had taken to getting the lay of the land, finally having decided to do his part, and so he finds himself near the concert hall, drawn by the sound of music. Any other adventurer might have gone right in, but the man had his own brand of social anxiety and awkwardness, and so the night found the man leaning against a pillar nearby, his shield casting most of him into shadow from the light, and his head lifted to listen.

Goldenblade has been busy at Eas, and nothing to do with the defenses, more's the pity. She spent a bit of time at the forges this morning, hammering at some nearly broken weapons, and while they're much better than before, they're still starter weapons, or not much up from that, and there's only so much she can do. On the other hand, they ought to last more than a handful of swings before cracking.

The rest of her day at Eas was touring the grounds and battlements and looking over the edge with a great deal more concentration than some are comfortable with. But now, looking to tell Wake about her plan, she can't find her. Dome of Stars? Nope, and that's usually a guarantee. Down in the town? No one's seen her there. Asking a patrol? Ah, there's a clue, and she will head over to the concert hall, where the faint music in the distance lets her know she's going to the right place.

A tiny spriggan has been following the sound of practice music for a little bit now, as she finally finds her way into the concert hall and looks around, the small spriggan stands a little under five feet, and a wide bladed greatsword sits on her back, angled so it doesn't contact the ground as it is definetly longer than she is tall, on one hip, a blade known as a Falcata with a easy to grip one handed hilt, and a sickle-like blade, and on the other hip, a katana in its sheath. "Is this where the party is at? I hear music, and I'm always game for a good jam session."

    Wake isn't used to guests here. Oh, certainly it happens from time to time, but it's rare. Especially these days. No Landers ever would think to bother her here. Interestingly they have no problem directing others to do so, though.

    "Kauchemar, I will certainly never stop. If I keep at this, perhaps I'll make a proper performer yet. Or at the very least, not shame anyone who might be drawn into a duet with me." She smiles at the nightmare and adds, "Besides, it helps me relax and focus. There is so much yet to do." And so she resumes, at least for a time.

    The sound of a new voice cuts the music off and the light briefly changes colors, flickering. The Baroness rises smoothly, then inspects, then realizes who else has wandered into her not at all private practice.

    She doesn't miss a beat at this point. She glides deeply into her curtsey, the act more of a performance than even her song. "I am pleased to meet you properly. I am Baroness Wake of Eas. It is a delight to meet the newest of the Sleeping Knights."

    It seemed that the musician was not alone. Thoughts crossed Hyuga's mind, wondering about the direction of things, and he seriously considered leaving. Sighing, he shook his head at no one in particular, hefted his greatshield, and decided to go inside. Perhaps conversation could be had. Perhaps he could learn something about the wider world, and grow beyond a simple farmer with a penchant for combat. Time and tide wait for no man...

    Hyuga made his way inside slowly, deliberately, as if expecting a trap every step. The greatshield, to his credit, was held in such a way as to neither clunk on the floor nor drag. While he was certainly no stealthy individual, he did not bring attention to himself with much noise, though the right adventurers would hear it anyway. The platemail armor he wore moved at the joints as if greased by the gods, but there was a shuffle in that sound, and his hammer did hit his hip with each stride. However, the man said nothing, taking in the room at large.

Kauchemar pauses slightly behind Wake's side, head tilting at the other arrivals. "Hard to imagine there's still 'new' people," she murmurs. Then again, there's always players who didn't feel like joining an side until being in an alliance became the best way to survive, and hopefully do something important for the world they now lived in.

And there's the introductions. Kauchemar is polite enough to follow suit, sweeping a low graceful bow. "Kauchemar Tenebrae, Nightmare Bard, Monster Maestro and Oracle of Darkness for Plant Hwyaden." Same Alliance, different Guild. Not that it's ever really mattered around Eas.

Goldenblade shows up at Wake's new hall, taking a thoughtful look around as she enters. She was proud of this place. She normally builds for strength, but this place was built with a much more artistic flair, and the architecture flows flawlessly. It took a bit of doing, but it was done. So long ago, now, it's hard for her to remember, but with the war putting a crimp in everything, it hasn't really had a chance to shine as it ought.

But show up she does, and ironically, she's met both new players, offering a wave of greeting to the group as she heads over to Wake. "Good to see you here, Hyuga," she says. "How did that duel go, did you stay to the end? Sorry I had to run." To Viviene, she says, "I've got a couple of your swords repaired. You have something in your swing that's wearing them faster than it should, I keep thinking. When I tried them on my training dummy, they didn't wear hardly at all. But I've turned up the damage resistance pretty high, and the health pretty high also. It won't hit as hard as it did, but you should still be killing monsters with the same number of swings, more or less."

Viviene looks between the Baroness and Kauchemar, and returns their greetings with something of a flourishing bow, flicking some hair back behind her. "Ah, good to meet you both. I'm Viviene. Newbie to the Sleeping Knights, and just a wandering Bladesinger!. Was a Mercenary of sorts until I joined up." she explains easily, she spots Goldenblade and waves. "Oh, really? Thank you." she said. "I don't know, maybe I'm missing something, I'm used to swordsmanship from the otherside, and I know of edge alignment, and techniques to ensure a blade doesn't break. A lot of the game mechanics stuff throws me off, like Yuuki and cloning herself with sheer speed, that really messed me up, and I lost in glorious fashion! Was fun to the end." she complains to Goldenblade, but its in good spirit, as she clearly didn't mind losing. But now she addresses Wake and Kauchemar. "If you need anyone to do the heavy lifting, find me. I've spent tons of time maxing out my strength stat!"

    "Well, it seems we have a fair party here. It's not my birthday, so I wonder to what I owe this good fortune." She smiles at Kauchemar and adds, "I'll pick myself an instrument. Once I make a proper piano. And not a second before. And then add a guitar. After I make one of those." The Baroness sighs. The thing about the game is everything she likes is possible. It just almost always has to be built, invented, won, or stolen. Sometimes all four.

    "Goldenblade, I'm glad you are here! Did you hear the acoustics? Isn't it a marvel? Why, you can hear me clearly in every hall. Until the doors are shut, of course. Then neither side can disturb the other. It's truly wondrous!" It's all Wake can do to not demonstrate further. The place inspires, and being up on stage is intoxicating.

    Vivi's comment about strength gets her attention, too. "Well, we have no end of building work to do, so I'll keep that in mind. A strong pair of shoulders has great value, though I prefer to let my guests relax on their first visit. Have you all eaten? Are you rested? There's no proper dining in here, but I've had many meals out by the fountain."

    She directs her attention to Hyuga, and another deep curtsey follows. She maintains it for a moment, so it appears almost like she's floating, before she rises again. "Apologies, I am Baroness Wake. I don't believe we have met before."

    Noting Goldenblade, Hyuga nodded at the only familiar person in the room to him, relaxing a bit. "I am sorry to say that I did not stay the entire time either. I will have to see if anyone else watched." He listens to what she says to Viviene, though he doesn't know that other person, and makes a mental note of the potential weaponsmith contact. He considered Kauchemar next, thinking about responding to her comment, but he decided against it. No need to start off on a bad foot. The old adventurers, he had experienced, tended to frown upon those players who decided not to work on the world stage for the Greater Good.

    He turned his head to one side to spit in order to clear his throat, but realized where he was, and opted to instead reach for a drink inside of storage. He listened to Viviene's words as he did so, quietly analyzing what was spoken of, and started to think he had made a mistake stepping into a random area with a few clearly more experienced players. Of course, he yelled at himself internally, it wouldn't get easier unless he made himself known, available, and gained more experience overall. /Then/ he realizes he was addressed by Baroness Wake, and he blanches. "We have not. I have only met Goldenblade. I am Akizuki Hyuga."

Goldenblade smiles to Viviene, and says, "There's bits of the game that work just like real life, like cooking, then there's other parts, like healing, that are almost entirely abstracted. Physical combat's one of the things that's closer to 'works like real life', but it's not exact, and you ... sort of develop a feel for how to hit without breaking your blade. I've maxed out strengh, too, or close to it, it helps in smithing and construction also, but the closest I ever came in real life was watching my son in kendo tournaments." She will pull three swords of varying styles out of her inventory and hand them to Viviene.

She smiles as Wake waxes enthusiastic about the acoustics. "Yes, I know," she says with a smirk. "It took me /days/ to work the calculations to make that happen, to reflect the sound as it does. We /need/ to invent calculators." She smiles, though, and says, "That doesn't happen by accident."

To Hyuga, she says, "This is Baroness Wake. She's a good person, and very resourceful. She knows a lot about what goes on in the upper echelons of Landerdom. She's an actual Baroness to the Landers here in Fourland," she explains. "Which is odd for a player, and I imagine the Palace Landers choked on it." She grins to Wake at that.

Kauchemar laughs at Wake's response. "Well when you choose a course you stick to it, no one is going to deny that." Besides, Wake has plenty of other people that can also play for her when she doesn't feel like doing so herself. "Seems like things have gotten suddenly occupied in here. Not that it matters. It is a performance area, after all." She hmmms mischeviouslly, clasping a hand to her chin like she was trying to hide it by looking thoughtful. "Not much of a party without some snacks though. Now I wonder where we could get something to fill hungry empty bellies...."

Viviene accepting the swords, she does open an examine menu to look over the stats of them briefly, before storing them in her inventory, and nods to Goldenblade. "My smaller weapons last longer, its probably half that theres no one on the other side that could wield a weapon as ridiculous as these swords." she said, tapping her giant slab of edged steel, though the mention of food has her stomach growling in a. "Please tell me someone has invented pizza. I've been craving it forever." she mentions

    Wake smiles at Hyuga, "I am delighted to welcome you to Eas, Akizuki Hyuga." Her attention she divides as neatly as she can, never looking away from any one person for long. "Guests are truly a treasure."

    Turning back to Goldenblade, she laughs softly. "And my friend Goldenblade is the greatest of builders in Yamato. The architect of all that you see here and expert who led the restoration of the entire castle, not to mention the steady hand who crafted the very road you travelled on to get here. I am eager indeed to see what other wonders you will bring to this world."

    The Baroness glides to Kauchemar's side, taking hold of her elbow. "Well, you are most right, at that! We will go out to the fountain and sit there. It is a pleasant evening. I will call for refreshments for all of us! I fear that pizza is.. not something we have to offer this evening, though."

    It is not a Lander she calls to. At least not directly, because she uses a chimlink to call for assistance. There are not many adventurers in Eas, certainly, but some who are delight in cooking, brewing, and running the inn.

    If a fellow states something good about a person, Hyuga figures he can take that to the bank. Fair enough. He nods at Goldenblade and returns his gaze to the Baroness. He was not used to dealing with any sort of royalty, let alone in... well, in these circumstances. His bow is more of a deep nod than anything, though this seems to be a rather reverent gesture from the greatshielded gentle giant. "Well then. I am pleased to meet you. Your, uh, music was enchanting, I will admit." At Viviene's mention of pizza, his eyes go wistful for a brief moment. "It has been forever since I had good pizza." He considers Wake's words again, and his posture relaxes, deciding to trust his instinct about this person while learning about the others.

Goldenblade smirks as Viviene and Hyuga mention pizza, and says, "Well, we have okonomiyaki, which isn't -too- different, so pizza's not impossible, but I don't know if anyone's gone in that direction yet. Crescent Burger has, if anyone, they're much more about fast food and American food than Hifumi. He's very traditional."

To Wake, she says, "It's interesting that you ask that. I'd like to insrall someting in the ducts that the water falls through under the castle proper. But I wanted to clear it with you first, I wouldn't want to do it withhout checking." She considers, then says, "I'm pretty sure it couldn't be done without you finding out in any event, but better to clear it first."

"Alas. Someone will reinvent pizza sooner or later I'm sure. But I have no doubt what we do get will be just as wonderful." Because Kauchemar has a good idea who it is Wake is calling. "And the fountain is a lovely setting at night... Of course, I like almost any setting at night." Being a nocturnal monster species and all.

    Wake leads the group away from the stage. She speaks into the Chim, "Yes, for five, please. Oh? Truly? I was not aware we had a special chef visiting us this evening. I am sure we will be delighted. We have a request for pizza. As close as can be managed, if they could." A pause. She nods and adds, "Certainly, certainly. I love surprises."

    That being done, she can speak comfortably as she guides the group outside. Her pace is measured, far less of her stride is used than could be. Just enough to move ahead without dallying too long, nor outpacing what anyone else here might comfortably walk.

    "Oh, truly, Goldenblade? Something to install? Mysterious. You have my blessing, of course. Please let me know what is needed, I will see to it. I cannot wait to learn more of it."

    She has not forgotten Hyuga's comment, and certainly didn't miss it. "You are very kind. I am touched that you enjoyed my singing. I will improve and hope to please more with what I do."

    Hyuga jumps slightly, still not quite used to people actually having his direct contact information in-game. He accesses his messages, and makes a face. /That woman again.../ He sighs, catches both Goldenblade and Wake's eyes to give another head nod-bow, and then hefts his greatshield, turning back to the door, and making himself scarce. Reports might come in of the local inn having a rough time with one adventurer who kept accidentally shifting their tables around with a giant shield, as well as repeated apologies.

Kauchemar hmmms. "Pizza would probably be more Crescent Burger, yes. Or that tavern in Tolbana. Too modern for the IR's cultural classiness." Kauchemar tilts her head at Goldenblade. "In the ducts, huh? Though you're right on she'd eventually find out. It doesn't hurt to ask before doing, anyways."

Goldenblade nods to Hyuga as he departs, and will walk along with Wake, clearly planning to share whatever meal is coming up. Wake has excellent chefs, but in any event, Goldenblade spends far too much time in the field eating menu food to turn down a chance to fill her belly at Wake's table.

She smiles with amusement as Wake gives her a blanket OK to insrall things without even asking what it is. SO much trust. Of course Goldenblade's probably earned it, but she wants to be forthcoming, too. Also, "I will probably need to bring Ksydon in, as well. I'm a metalworker now, but I'm just starting, and this is going to take some high-end work to make happen." And o course saying all this puts off a bit longer the big reveal, what the project actually is.

"So. I think I can get hydroelectric turbines built and installed, to harness the tons of water rollng through every hour."

"I'm game for getting food though, I'll cover my own bill, I'm starving, and I've been eating menu-crafted stuff for the past year!" Viviene explains. She'd be tagging along for a meal, but once the food is there, she'd be so engrossed in eating GOOD food, that she kind of over does it, in time, before anyone notices, Vivi is KO'd from a food coma, snoring, crumbs still on her face.

    With one guest having to depart, it seems the order for five will be one too many. Well, Wake does not deign to amend the request. Which is likely to turn out for the best, with Viviene eventually set to eat like a starved wolf.

    The Baroness settles the group near the fountain, where a comfortable set of benches are placed, just close enough to make for comfortable conversation.

    "Well, Goldenblade, I hope you can tell me all about it. Or is it a top secret matter?" She is very eager to know more, of course. Doing so many mundane matters these past few days has rather gotten to her.

    "And Kauchemar, when my people return I do hope you will put on a concert of your own. Or would it be more properly called a rave or a dance party? I wonder if the Landers will learn new dances if I show them." The thought pleases her enough to bring a warmer smile to her face.

Kauchemar plops herself down on one of the benches. No need to correct. If there is anything left over she can feed it to one of her monsters. Though there might not be, if people are that hungry they can divide the extra portion up.

"Of course," she replies to Wake with a twinkle in her eye. Then hmmms. "I never did get to properly present the anthem I wrote to the public as intended. So first, that..." Mischevious snicker. "And -then- the rave." And dance party. Because pretty much the same things. Just extra fancy lighting effects, and she has magic to do that.

Goldenblade /did/ just tell Wake about it? She's clearly juggling too many things, herself, and didn't grok the enormity of what Goldenblade said. She asides to Kauchemar, "You kids and your dance parties. But if you get a bit of swing going, I might still have a bit of the old mustard left." Sheepishly, she adds, "Though I don't think I could follow, I've always led when dancing." Kauch and Wake will recall Goldenblade's one of the many crossplayers in game, though she didn't intend to be. She was absolutely clueless when she started out. She's only partly clueless now. On the other hand, she comes from an age when dancing involved holding onto your partner, so that's probably a bigger difference.

But to Wake, she'll explain again her project idea: "Hydroelectric turbines. For Eas. Lights, mainly, eventually. But also powered winches for your siege engines, powered train and elevation also. I think I can bump up your cataput rate of fire to three or four shots a minute." Which ought to devastate any attacker. "The initial project's just the turbine, of course. I'll probably need that spell battery person for the capacitors, which will be next. But then lights and catapult drives."

    Wake needs a moment to understand what she understood. Goldenblade's second try seems to sink in completely. "My apologies, you really meant electricity. I was thinking purely mechanical power, or something more mundane. But.. that would change so much. The people of Eas would never need fear the night." For once, she trails off into a stunned silence.

    It takes her a notable time to recover herself. She clearly is wrestling with the implications.

    "And yes, certainly, the anthem will be a wonderful thing to introduce. Everything has been such a blur since the invasion. I wonder with all these new defenders if I might finally get my people back home. And, well, have everyone back home."

There's a bit more explaination from Goldenblade, and in terms that are bit easier to grasp. "Oooooh. Oh, that would make a big difference." She snaps her fingers idly, sending a bunch of sparks arcing harmlessly about in the air. "Wouldn't have to channel lightning magic for things." Then settles back in her seat. Smirks a bit at Goldenblade. "Might be able to dig up one or two of those." She means the swing music. "I'd be a poor DJ if I didn't know how to take requests after all."

    "Yet more instruments to recreate," Wake muses. "But I would dearly like to have more music from home. Oh by the Goddesses! Of course. The saxophone. That is what I miss most."

    For some reason, this notion rather unwinds her, and she has a most emotional tone in her voice. "Jazz. You know, it's been so long since I've heard it. Such a wonder for dancing, and so expressive. Of course, jazz piano, too, but.."

    Suddenly she's laughing! "I do carry on. You both make me feel like.. like Elly, and not just Wake the Baroness. You remind me of the past that I so frequently ignore."

Goldenblade's grin widens as Wake starts to understand the enormity of what she's proposing. "Yeah," she says. "Really electricity." She smiles and thinks about the wonder of that as well. Hot showers for everyone, for one thing, not just those with insane amounts of Fire. "But yeah, the hydroelectric generator's pretty simple, really. Technology-wise. It's inventing it that was hard, and that's been done in Real Life already, we're just copying. Rotating turbines, drive shafts, magnets, and a crapton of copper wire," she gives a short list of needed supplies. "But if we can get that installed, and build a few basic arc lights, that'll illuminate Eas like Disney, with floods to blind anyone approaching at night. No one will sneak up on you, ever."

Then she'll sit down on a bench and help herself to food, grinning to Kauchemar, "You know, Uta has some kind of device that records sounds, I think? If you could record your anthem, I think that'd be pretty cool." She arches a brow at being able to dredge up a couple songs from her era, but she smiles widely. "That'd be great! Of course the cool kids were listening to Elvis Presley, but most poeple were big on Benny Goodman and Perry Como, and Frank Sinatra." She ahhhhs at the mention of jazz saxophone. "Ah, can't leave out Duke Ellington, even if he outranks you," she winks to Wake.

Kauchemar nods her head. "I know. I've been helping her with her song collecting pursuits... and promised her a copy for the music archives." Then wobbles a hand back and forth. "But the acoustics for recording are a bit different that those of just performing, if you want to get the best quality of sound, so that hasn't been followed through on it. In between all the fighting, the defending, and tracking down these 'lynchpins' so we can ensure none of the other Root Towns are overtaken like Mac Anu was."

She smiles a bit when Wake goes to laughing. Partially because she knows some of the story that laughter is hiding. "Some people came here to forget... but in the end, remembering where we came from is just as important as what we make of ourselves here."

    "Now that is one Duke I shall never outrank, Goldenblade," Elly replies happily. The usual poise and grace remain in her, but the posture is different. No longer the remote, unattainable vision of nobility, but instead a confident woman, warm and well within her comfort zone.

    "There is so much we can bring to this world. To enrich it and its people. We can give them a new vision of what is possible. As this world has brought so much wonder to us, we can do the same for those that dwell here."

    The food is indeed good. Remarkably so. Wake takes a bite of what is certainly bruschetta. She pauses. Her expression shifts. She looks.. confused.

    "How strange," she murmurs quietly. She shakes her head, focusing on Kauchemar's comments. "Yes, a proper studio should use sound dampening, very different from the kind of acoustics that bolster my performance in the hall. Yet I imagine we can achieve it. Though we have no foam, there are other means. One of our labs used sound deadening, actually. If you stayed in long enough you started to hear your blood flow. It was.. unpleasant."

Kauchemar chuckles as she helps herself to more of the food. "As long as no one tries to weaponize it -against- me." A bit of a joke, seeing as music is hardly her only power. "But yes, exactly. Different accoustics, getting different results. And it's hard to set up just the right conditions right now. In due time, hopefully."

Goldenblade ahhhs as Kauchemar explains about complications with recording, nodding. She, of course, took part in some of the complicating events, and his honchoing some of the fallout. To Kauchemar, she says, "I never forgot why I'm here. My grandson told my son if I joined the game, they wouldn't need to ride the train for three hours to come see me. So that joke's on them, they had work and school when the game opened." She chuckles.

She grins to Wake about Duke Ellington, and nods about things we can bring to the world. "It's pretty amazing, really," she agrees. "Not sure how the Landers will feel. I imagine them looking on in polite confusion to a really swinging Jazz solo. The official songs are all ... staid." The acoustics discussion goes over her head, alas. So she helps herself to food.

    Another bite of the food. This time something more traditional. There are takoyaki balls in there. But the seasoning is somehow distinct. Each bite draws another confused look from Elly. Her eyes narrow slightly. She almost looks displeased.

    Her tone doesn't match her expression. "Well, I do have a technique I've worked on that is rather a fun thing, Kauchemar. Along that vein of weaponizing sound." She pulls a rock from her pocket (why would she have this?) and casts it into the air. Kauchemar will be pleased to see Wake doesn't throw like a girl.

    With it at peak height, she cries out, "ENOUGH!!"

    The stone explodes in the air, torn apart by the sound itself, seemingly.

    Quite pleased with herself, Elly directs her attention back to the conversation. "They are very dull songs. We can liven them up. And who knows, perhaps the Landers might grow from it and become better able to do new things. I would love to see them start to compose their own music, create their own art, whatever they might wish."

Goldenblade looks imptrssed with Wake's demonstration. But she says, "I need to get some sleep. Had a long day today." She will take one last mouthful of food, it's soooo good, and rise, bowing to Wake and Kauchemar before heading out.

"You see, that's a thing," Kauchemar pauses in eating to reply. "I've seen Landers -respond- to my music, even when I incorperate something from The Old World. Likely because of how deeply music plays a role in this world as a whole. But they never seem to -retain- it.... yet... might be whatever keeps them from acknowledging things 'outside' the world they know. Maybe need to find a way to... impress it on them in a way they fully resonate with."

    Elly suddenly stands up.

    "A memory."

    She looks like she's seen a ghost for a moment. "Bruschetta and.. takoyaki."

    She looks to Kauchemar suddenly. "I.. need to see to something. I apologize for this most rude departure, I.."

    This is when the voice can be heard. Singing from inside the concert hall. Even outside the building, carefully crafted ways through the building project the sound of a most familiar voice singing inside.

    "It's her.."

    Elly spins to face the hall and darts off, racing inside. She will find her fiance waiting for her, wearing a huge grin as she sings. The song will stop shortly after. Other muffled sounds follow. It seems they are very hastily making up for lost time.

Kauchemar politely doesn't follow. But an equine ear does swivel in the direction of the hall behind her, even as she helps herself to some of the remaining food.

"It's about damn time, you two," she murmurs, even though neither of them are here to hear it.