A painting without ink

Summer has left. Autumn's warmth is a fading memory. While winter's chill has yet to set in the air carries a taste of what is yet to come, and the overcast heavens reflect, slate-grey, in the lake's waters.

In truth the general ambiance is a trifle on the bleak side, though at the very least rain does not threaten. As for Robert, he is positioned on a stretch of rocky beach in something approximating a squat. Perhaps it's meant to be similar to a martial arts stance. It's clearly not there yet. But he's at least giving it a good amount of effort and remains thus, feet three to four feet apart, keeping as low as possible. Even if his legs to occasionally tremble as though about to give out.

"I always wondered if people did that in hope that not wanting to fall on the rocks below them or into the water to drown was encouragement to hold the poses." A familiar voice eventually speaks up. Though wary enough to not actually startle him, Daiyu does nothing else to announce her presence, being the sly fox that she is. The tails swish back and forth on their own like a calm idle animation as aways, but all she does herself is adjust the position of her parasol. "I do hope you're not looking for a fight. I have dealt enough with THAT sort of person as of late."

"I'll agree to your fight stipulation if you promise not to re-enact those old videos of people getting kicked while holding this pose," Robert gasps out. His leg twitches. He punches it, once, and sinks lower into the pose. There's a subtle inclination of his head, something between a head-jerk and a nod as though to invite her closer.

"Do you really suppose it's about willpower?" he replies, the words a rush on an exhalation. Apparently he's succumbing to the old breath-holding temptation. He sneaks a glance at her, sidelong, and a bit critically. "I assume you came out of it on top. You look as unruffled as always."

"Despite some depictions of its use those poses are meant more for meditation than combat, so yes, a matter of willpower is involved." The parasol remains resting on her shoulder supported by one hand as Daiyu lifts the other to nudge her spectacles into proper place on the bridge of her snout. It's a wonder a Were Fang can get such accessories to stay in place at all. They're probably enchanted. "I am one of the top ranks of the arena in Kallamore, and a professional chess player. It would take more to 'ruffle' me."

For a moment the temptation is real. Something sparks in Robert's gaze, something mischievous, and his chin juts out by the tiniest fraction. But a promise is a promise. Thus it is that he simply gives up and plops down on the ground, ruefully rubbing at his thighs. Over. And over.

"I don't know how you're supposed to meditate like that," he objects, but without any real heat. "Unless the idea is to use meditation to forget how much everything is hurting. But I'll take your word for it." He trails off, directing a considering look up at her. "It's not often that one sees the cross-over you've got, is it? I'd imagine the more intellectual sorts tend to hesitate and second-guess, no?"

"The idea is that if one can remain calm when the slight error in position can lead to injury, one can remain calm in many otherwise stressful situations even if the imminent physical threat is not present," Daiyu replies astutely. "Also if one believes in such things, the different positioning of the body is suppose to alter the connections between the points of chakra." A light shrug with one shoulder. "That part I read in a book."

Daiyu then shifts the parasol a bit. It is late enough in the day she doesn't need to actually block the sun, but having it at hand is simply a part of her mannerisms. "Some try to plan everything. Others think so hard that they fail to act. Strategy is good, but one must be ready to execute it when oppritunities arrise to do so. Waiting for 'the perfect chance' is a fool's errand."

"You're making it rather hard to keep my promise, Daiyu," Robert opines with a teasing, nearly wicked little grin from his position on the ground. "Seeing you in action must be -quite- the experience." But then he simply grunts and, with an effort, pops back up to his feet. Swift thunks of his hand knock any residual dirt or rock fragments loose from his clothing. He's quite clearly not preparing for a fight. Probably. Unless he's incredibly, incredibly tricksy.

"So how'd someone like you end up assisting the magician with his act?" Robert queries, after a stretch. "Hobby of yours?"

Daiyu tilts her head a little to one side. "I take it you have met Shenmi." She is clearly unsurprised by this though, as she knew he was one of the non-crownbearers to have snuck their way over to Yamato. "He needed inspiration, and I enjoyed a means of utilizing some of my skills without it being solely in combat." Her free hand flicks in motion, though rather than her tessen or throwing kunai she merely fans several of the same sort of cards said magician may flourish. "Also, I am an Enchanter. I could prepare items so he could perform actual stage magic instead of relying on the in-game systems. Which made it 'too easy' in his words, which is why he originally felt it wouldn't be worth it." The cards are folded back away once more. "But Kallamore proved him otherwise, with it's public entertainment venues."

"And the rabbit," Robert confirms, keeping his features as carefully neutral as possible. "You previously expressed less-than-warm feelings for the critter, if I recall correctly. I suppose the situation must be complicated." His finger, and both eyebrows, lift. "I won't pry, I promise."

True to his word, he forges ahead down other paths. "Fascinating," he continues, offering his arm, if she's willing to take it. Evidently he's proposing a walk. "What did you enjoy the most about the arena? What did you find, personally, to be most compelling? I would think being a top rank requires considerable dedication."

"The bun-bun was my replacement as assistant," Daiyu replies with a calmness that's clearly forced. "I had hoped he would assist me in protecting our city and kingdom but..." She trails off a moment, then shakes her head lightly. "Mayhaps it was best that he did not, in the end." She doesn't continue the train of thought, as might have uncomfortable reactions from the Crown.

She eyes the arm for a moment, then shifts her parasol to the other shoulder so she can take it. There is no one to see them out here, and even if someone did somehow and questioned it, she has an alibi in the proximity of Eas to here. She was information gathering. Trying to sweet talk it out of someone. As an crowned officer she had the freedom to do such things, most would not question it. "Because it was a challenge, mentally as well as in physical skill. I had to constaintly improve. Adapt. Adjust my strategy by opponent and their own tactics."

SpritesHero easily links his arm with Daiyu's, offering her...hand? paw?...a quick pat before turning away to head off along the lake's rocky-shore. It's a conversational pace, languid, rather than anything that appears intended to actually -go- anywhere. For his part, he doesn't seem to give a fig for whether anyone on his side spots this fraternizing. True, there is still a certain awareness to his posture, to the tension in his frame, but there's no increase in tension as he closes.

"Is that why you are here, then?" he asks of her with a questioning eyebrow and a side-glance. "And I don't mean Yamato. I mean..." He trails off, his free hand sweeping out to indicate...well, everything really.

They're mostly hand-like, just fuzzy. With sharp narrow nails like claws, and paw pads on the palm and fingertips. With the various skills and abilities she holds Daiyu would need proper finger dexterity after all. Tails sway idly behind her with her stride, together looking more like one large fluffy one rather than four seperate.

The question doesn't get an immeadiate answer. She has to consider how much she should go into. But then again, if he knows Shenmi, he may already know some things already. And some of the things just don't really matter so much now. "I am.. was.. am a literary author. But those stories were always for others to enjoy. This," she shifts her other arm with a few fingers uncurled from the handle of her parasol to indicate 'here' much as Robert did before, "was my time to be more than just the writer of the story. To be the one the story was about." Pause. Then a faint smirk tugs one corner of her mouth. "And an escape. I've kept my identity in the Original World a secret, to not get acclaids simply for my previous career."

SpritesHero gives Daiyu a look that is just a tad odd. And no, it's not because of her fuzzy hands. It's not even because of her nail-like claws. But clearly something (other than four fantastically fluffy furred tails) has caught his interest.

He does not, in point of fact, know Shenmi that well. He certainly hasn't discussed Daiyu with the man, so her information is received with the intent and attentiveness of one hearing it for the first time. But he does not answer immediately. There is instead a rather long silence during which he sorts his thoughts out. At last he smiles, almost mirroring her smirk. "And what is your story here, Daiyu?" he inquires. His tones are lightly teasing, but only half-teasing. The question itself is serious. "Does writing bother you? Begging your pardon, but the way you speak of it, it almost seems as though you feel like writing is a sacrifice. That it almost seems to...suck something out of you for the benefit of others."

That gets a short start, almost like a yip in sound, out of the fox woman. As it becomes clear that the impression she gave was not what she had thought it to be. "Oh, nothing of sort!" she quickly corrects. "If I had not enjoyed what writing could bring to others, I would not of persued it as a career... or worked as a librarian on the side." Well no wonder she took an interest in the library established in Shibuya by the New Worlders (and another fox woman no less). "That mayhaps a break was needed, a time to enjoy a story for myself rather, that is certainly true."

She sighs softly after another moment, then gives a light flick of her head to sway some of her longer bangs from her face. "But now I am trapped here, same as you... and moreso. The story is no longer under my own control. Things have spiraled well beyond my intent to protect Kallamore from those who tried to ruin it out of their own ignorance and arrogance."

"I am in a prison, and you are in a prison within a prison?" Robert hazards. Regardless of the correctness of his guess, he attempts to cover her hand with is free hand, offering it a quick squeeze. Perhaps it's meant to be reassuring. "Perhaps someday this can be a land you might enjoy, rather than something hostile. -So-," he continues, accenting the word with another pat to her hand. "If you had to write a story. A story for yourself. Or a story starring yourself. What would it be like? What tickles your fancy? What sort of heroine would you be?"

The pat does not go unnoticed. Her hand briefly squeezes more firmly in response, before returning to the casual clasp of their walk. Daiyu tilts her head back a little, gazing off into the sky. "Maybe some day I will be able to write those stories. About my rise to fame in the arena, or on the stage. Adventures... before the worlds took the turn they did." Pause. Then shakes her head. She has another thought, but it's one not safe to speak outloud at this time. "I drew my inspiration from the folklore and mythos of my people in my writing. And in the same, when I chose this form." Her free hand gestures a wave at herself, tails spreading apart as if to remind she is no simple vulpine. "The hulijing is a duality. Known for being mischevious, even spiteful when provoked... but also honorable and noble when their trust is earned."

"We do have a similar young lady over here, though she only has three tails," Robert reflects, stepping away from Daiyu for a moment to give her a quick scan. "And looks more human. You, on the other hand, appear to be leaning more into the more..." He pauses, stepping back to resume his previous position. "Not wilder. Primal? More...edged?" His lips twist. "Hm. Think I'll have to defer to a literary sort on this one." Hint hint. "So. Is it strictly an homage to the culture of your people? Do you feel a personal affinity for the hulijing? Or is it perhaps more aspirational?"

Daiyu fans her tails out a bit more. "Four is considered unlucky in Chinese. The pronounciation of it's word in our language is very similar to the pronounciation of a word for 'death'. It represents that spiteful side, and my use of debilitation tactics thanks to Enchantment and Alchemy. I am, indeed, bad luck... For my enemies. As the Necromancer found out." She is an author, no one should be surprised by things have layers of meaning with her. As for the second string of inquiries, her answer is simply "Yes" as a whole.

The walk comes to an abrupt, screeching halt. Robert pauses, twists round to regard Daiyu with an intent look. "The Necromancer?" Robert echoes, gaze flickering for a moment. His head cants to the side. Awareness dawns. "Kinda scruffy looking fellow? Maintains a menagerie? About...oh, yay tall, goes by the name of Setsuna?"

Daiyu stops more leisurely as Robert does. Almost as if expecting it. "The same. It was really rather interesting, I have not battled against summoner types often. Having to operate around his minions.. made it more akin to a game of chess. Different creatures, different pieces. Invigorating experience." Then tilts her head to glance back towards Robert. "He placed himself there and created a ruckus with his canines to draw attention. Clearly he intended to fight, so I was only giving him what he wanted... after he knocked me from the tree I was investigating the commotion from."

One eyebrow slides upwards. The other joins its twin. "And as previously indicated you kicked the daylights out of him?" Robert queries, by way of clarification. His expression falls, and for a moment he appears torn. He sucks his lip between his teeth, biting down on it.

Oh, who is he kidding. With a half shrug he brightens, gazing upon Daiyu with real affection and warmth. Mercifully he doesn't, like, hug her. Or worse. "I owe you a spiced cider when snow comes," he suggests. "That man let his dog pee all over my room."

"Not without my own pains to show for it, but yes." This time there is a definite tensing. Daiyu doesn't let go of his hand, but there is the subtle shift in her stance. If he decides to turn on her because she fought one of his allies, she is ready to defend herself...

But it doesn't come to that. It's the opposite, though he keeps it from getting too close and personal, and that is also appreciated. "Clearly he misunderstood what 'housebroken' means." A light attempt of her own joke on the matter. "I ... would not mind that." Another pause. Then she shifts a little back to serious. "But until the time your forces inevitably come to try and reclaim the city, you may wish for your allies to keep their distance. Between him, and the lion-man before, the security around Mac Anu will be tightened."

"I suppose I should just be grateful that he never named the animal 'Puddles'," Robert agrees with a sigh, one hand lifting to rub at his brow. The strain in his expression would seem to suggest that the housebreaking issues were not a one-off. Her last comment, however, again prompts a pause and a curious regard. His gaze shifts from warm to searching. "My allies?" he wonders after a moment's contemplation. "I appreciate the warning. But is that meant mostly for me, or for certain others in particular? I assume," He pauses for a breath, indicating her crown with a flick of his eyes, "that it is not a tactical suggestion."

"Take it's meaning as you feel fit." Now she's gone back to being passively mischevious with the not quite specific answers. "My own allies may not be as willing to simply drive tresspassers away." It may be going for mischevious and vage being a way to wiggle around what the headgear may respond unkindly to. "I simply acknowledge is in an inevitability of the nature of War that Yamato will try to reclaim what is taken from them." Pause. "If they can figure out how." She has no idea they've actually figured that out with the other Root Towns.

Well that's interesting. Robert outright frowns, gaze noticeably lifting to regard Daiyu's crown for far, far too long. The silence is palpable. And again the indecision, the grimace, the biting down on his lip. But whatever runs through his thoughts he simply gives up on, judging by the swift exhalation. Apparently some things can't be danced around. Again he indicates Daiyu's crown with a nod and a flick of his eyes. "Vol..." Well, maybe not that direct. "If I were to visit your lands, do you think I'd be happier with or without that?"

His gaze is returned by a similar long one from the dark eyes behind the enchanted spectacles. So many things that could be said, and so few that safely can be. "Happiness is irrelevant to those who decide who wears them." This time Daiyu lets go of his hand, with a hint of reluctance, and takes a step back, though she doesn't take her gaze away. The controlled movements give the impression she's doing it more for his own sake, should she do something she cannot stop herself from. "Those who saught to protect their new home... now bear a greater burden beyond their anticipation." Or control, as it were. The now free hand briefly clenches, but then relaxes to join it's counterpart gripping the handle of her parasol... both hands clearly above where the hilt of the hidden sword is. "To protect Kallamore... yet now here we are, fighting a war with another region -- another server -- for the powers that came to be. War cares not for the feelings of the individual soldier on the matter."

Controlled, precisely spoken... but the hint of sadness and regret is not entirely hidden beneath the words. A good author can get a meaning across without outright stating it in words.

SpritesHero's head cocks to the side and he continues his study of Daiyu as she speaks. Her gaze. Her hand. Where it rests in relation to her equipment. Anything that might indicate the crown firing off. Which it mercifully does not seem to. He lacks her eloquence, and so can do little more than spread his arms in a not-particularly-helpful shrug of agreement. "Your devotion to your home is commendable," he answers, formally, politely. Then less formally. "The next time we meet, I'll try to have that cider for you. Take care of yourself, yes?"

A pause. Then a brief nod of her head. She gets that he isn't risking saying something that might set her (or the crown) off. But as long as she doesn't say or act in a way that counteracts the desires of those who control the Crowns... "I will look forward to it. Give my regards to Shenmi when you come across him again." The fox woman turns to leave, but after a few steps pauses, and glances back over her shoulder. "And.. thank you, Robert. There are few amongst my own allies that I can talk... personally with." Even if she has to guard some of the things she says. She nods one more time, and turns to leave.

"You too," Robert returns, before turning away and blazing his own path down the abandoned shoreline, towards home. Or whatever passes for home in this world.