The View From Halfway Down

Haru is standing at the edge of the main square. There are no guard rails up here. There is nothing stopping someone from just falling right off. There is risk, but at the same time the view is just breathtaking. Fort Ouph is high up and affords an impressive view over the fields below. A strong gust of wind causes the Enchanter's navy jacket to ripple behind him. It causes his hair to whip about his face. "Nothing like this anywhere else," he says openly to himself, "where you can stand in a literal castle in the sky and just watch the world go by." Sure, the busy New Worlder has lots of things to do and figurative cats to herd, but he makes the time for the simple things.

    Wake has not been to Fort Ouph very often. In fact, she can't recall the last time. Perhaps she feared she would have floating castle envy. Coming here now, though, she finds that the flying thing just is not as compelling. Also, it is the first time she has been away from Eas for any serious amount of time.

    "It's so quiet here," she murmurs to herself. "They need a waterfall. Or a fountain. Or singing. How can people handle this awful quiet?"

    She didn't come here to dwell on how much she missed her home, though. No. She came to talk to someone. To address an ISSUE that has come to her attention. Only it hadn't come to her attention very much and she wanted clarity.

    She also has something special she needs, and Haru is a very good jewelry maker.

"Different people like different things," Haru observes when he catches some of the Baroness' murmuring against the howl of the wind. "I like it up here. It gives a sort of distant clarity on things. Lets you look at the whole picture and not get lost with singular things that consume our hearts and minds." He takes a deep breath. "The air feels more free here. Something to remember on what we are fighting for when people invade our lands, or gnolls aim to corrupt it, or a wave hits." Haru could do this philosophical bullshit all day. Its like option 3 in his dialog wheel. The white haired Artificer turns his head to see the Adventurer Noble, "It feels like it has been forever since we had a chance to talk last. How have you been?"

    Wake regards Haru in silence for a time. Her glance is friendly, but searching. Unfortunately, reading a person in this world doesn't translate. The gifted agent who could see a potential asset -or rival agent-from across a crowded ballroom finds her attempts here less than successul. But that's not really the purpose of her visit.

    Dress should explain that purpose. But there's just confusion there. The Right Clothes threw a curveball. She wears a dress of red velvet, the skirt hem ending just above the knee. Matching high heel boots serve to make her even taller than normal. On her hands she wears red velvet opera gloves. In her hair is a ribbon of the same fabric. She looks ready to dance at a club.

    "It has been some time, Haru. Are you feeling well?"

    The Baroness-well, really Elly, in this case-sounds different. Her voice is gentle, almost fragile. She has control of it. There can be no doubt of that. Everything she does is deliberate. At least that is what she's heard others say about her. They often make it sound like a horrible slur.

Gwen had to catch a view sometime, some reason to get her mind off the war. She'll come up on Haru quietly trying to sneak, she's going to fail at this.

"It's a heck of a view up here, isn't it?"

Gwen looks at everyting and flares her wings out for the moment.

"Yeah...makes me think of a few places back on earth. So how are you both doing?"

Viviene , spotting the gathering of individuals that she is fammilar with, at least a few of them, the tiny spriggan who had been enjoying the challenge of jumping from building to building comes from somewhere above, landing on the ground and offering a friendly wave to Haru and Wake. "Hey! Fancy meeting you all here! How are you both doing?" she asks, having performed a short bow as she landed. "This is a good place to sort out ones thoughts at least, though I'm here for the parkour." she comments to the others on their own comments of the fort.

Haru looks to Gwen with a turn of his head, "Gwen, good to see my favorite guardian. I still remember how you shielded me back in the Carmina raid. I'd say I was embarassed to call out in concern for your health, but I'm not. I'll always worry for my friends in the end, even if is their job to keep me safe." His voice is very aristocratic today. It matches his non-verbal language with proper posture but juxtaposes the freedoms offered up here. Like a bird that wants to just soar and see the view from halfway down. He assumes it must be how the winged races feel with being so close to be able to fly but not able to.

"Just don't fall off, Viv," a short laugh is given to the Spriggan's athletic antics. "It is a /long/ way down and happens more times a week than I want to admit. We may come back to life but our memories are precious."

"I am well enough," Haru says as he turns formally to Wake/Elly. There is no sense talking in absolutes with her. It is like telling someone how much is in your bank account when they have a copy of the statement in front of them. "No Weird Moods to speak of, though the Shadow Festival is always particularly hard on me. I'm sure you heard that it was the last time a certain fling was still being flung," he says to insulate the severity of the topic. Or lack thereof. "I did have a good time. My family would host those events all the time. Reminded me of home." For better or worse. "We will have to host something in Shibuya as a way of thanks once we take it back." Not if. When.

    Something about this whole thing makes Elly clearly uncomfortable. She tilts her head as she studies Haru. She isn't shy about it. Even the arrival of Gwen and Vivi can't derail her concern, though she will turn to them and offer a curtsey. How she can do that in her current outfit and not only avoid flashing something but look elegant in the process is real magic.

    "Hello, ladies. I am doing well. How are you?"

    Back to Haru. The worried frown returns. Aristocratic Haru obviously makes the aristrocrat very uncomfortable.

    "I heard a little about that. That's why I am here, actually. Though there is other business I mean to speak to you about, once I'm sure you are up to it."

Gwen looks over to Viviene for a moment giving her a wave.

"It's my job to take hits that would take out other people right? Wouldn't concern be better Haru? I found worry can imply you don't think the person can do it. Changing my thinking on that when I was younger did me some good."

She grins there are no hard feelings as she looks over Haru.

"I admit I'm tempted to test these /wings/ slow fall sometimes at places like this.

"Aye we do."

Gwen seems a bit uncomfortable at the seeming aristocratic mood Haru seems to be in.

"Been doing some work on clearing out some of the spooks yeah."

Haru is used to being under a microscope. Clothes had to be ironed with crisp precision. Posture perfect. Smile warm without being smug. Body language animated enough to not be stiff but controlled enough not to convey anxiety or uncertainty. "Something so minor caused a personal visit," he asks, grinning, "should I step further away from the ledge for fear of having an 'accident'?" He jests, of course, giving a wink with his one clear blue eye. Its a wink. Not a blink. How can you tell with just one eye? Normally one can't. "I could see that from Morri, though," he considers, making sure Gwen's shipping mother isn't hiding behind some building and leering.

"You are right, Gwen," Haru admits, turning to her, "I have seen you in action. You are extremely capable and I wouldn't entertain a thought otherwise. I was concerned, not worried." A smile on his face, albiet one of his fabricated ones, as he is on the same wavelength. No harm done. Gwenikins has thick skin and it would take more than a poor use of diction to puncture it. The smile drops, "Please don't. I am /concerned/ about the mess you will make on the ground when the gliding ability stops working. Though, Schneider did get some good distance on his hand glider a little bit ago. Glider racing might be added into Peko and Monster racing."

"Glider racing?" Viviene notes, immediately perking up. "Now that sounds like something i'd be down for. I tried getting a Peko but they all kept trying to claw my face off. I'm not that good with animals, I guess!" she said, shrugging helplessly, then looks at Haru. "I'll be fine, don't ya worry.. though it does make me think, has no one made parachutes yet? Para-diving is one of the most exhilarating things you can ever do." she said, grinning at the idea. She gives Wake a friendly salute. "Well enough. Just doing my usual mercenary rounds. Let me know if you need my help, yeah?" Gwen is regarded thoughtfully. "Definitely want to see you in action if you got Haru's praise. Want to do a quest together sometime?" she asks of her.

    Elly has to fall silent for a time. Sometimes there are alarm bells going and she just can't figure them out. However, if there is one thing she has learned, it is that her instincts are usually right. When something feels wrong to her, it is probably true.

    "Was it really that minor to you?" she asks softly. "I'm not angry. The relationship you had belonged to you and to Fukaziroh. I'm just concerned."

    Silence falls again, and she turns away, staring out into the air. Yes. She's sure now. She doesn't like this place.

    Vivi's excitement cuts strangely through her musings. She manages a smile and nods to her fellow Sleeping Knight.

    "I will of course let you know, dear."

Haru motions a hand outwards and says, "How much concern has it brought about? None. Thoughts, feelings?" He shakes his head, getting rather clinical in the face of the situation. "Was it minor to me? No, it wasn't. I forgot myself and I cared. Was it minor? The results of the distance make it very clear it was," he gestures about to the world beyond the edge. "And it is what it is. Wanting for things to be different is not the same as making things different. I chose to focus on where my strengths lie," he says as the hand draws back. "I'm sure you would appreciate a more organized New World Alliance helping out. We have a reputation that could use more drive, focus, and cohesion. Same as any organization. And same as any organization it requires engaged and involved people to make that reality. Eas, for example, is a shining example of that which I think to fondly when wanting a better future." Of course he also invited a number of his alliance here. Yet the inspect shows it clear as all Olympus. At the end of the way they are all Adventurers, right?

"Schneider at least had parachutes when he was testing the glider, so I'm going to say 'Yes'," Haru considers, "and you should absolutely clock in some time hanging around Gwen." He pauses, "Just be careful of Morri. You'll end up on 'The Chart'."

Chikako flounces in, grinning, munching on a bit of fried something-on-a-stick. "Oh no," she mock-wails, catching the last of Haru's warning. "Not the Chart!" She chuckles lightly as she joins the little gathering.

"If you really want to try flying, I could always just yeet you off the edge. That'd get you a good start."

Haru informs Chikako with grave seriousness, "The Chart is almost as powerful as the words of the Alvs themselves!" Hands raise like the Rapture could happen at any moment if The Chart were invoked. "And please don't jump, run, fly, or yeet off the edge of Ouph. The results are always the same and the Cathedral here keeps asking questions." He won't say it isnt a fun idea, though, as things like skydiving make it clear that it is a fun idea.

    Elly isn't sure whether she should explode at Haru, or whether he just needs time to get this stuff figured out. For now, she makes no commitment to the explosion. It's kind of a conversation ender.

    Instead, Elly takes whatever little thing she was going to share and files it back into inventory. She doesn't hide it. It was a rather rough sketch of a ring.

    "You're certainly in no state to talk about /this/," she says, laughing softly. "But.. what the heck am I to do for you, Haru? I can't tell if you need me or not. I can't tell if you are making a good decision or if you've thrown yourself off the edge of Fort Ouph. We will take Shibuya back. I'll be there, regardless of the risks. I was going to ask for a deal, but that's off the table. I'm coming for you. Not for Alliance BS or stupid diplomatic garbage."

    She's angry, but she's not sure what she's mad at. So.. not exploding.

    Yet.

Viviene looks confused. "What does this chart even imply?" she asks as she gives Wake a thumbs up at her response, looking to Haru. "Oh, speaking of the Alv..thinking of looking into that puzzle hero thing. Might be interesting to find out more, wouldn't it?" she noted to Haru, though, when Wake speaks up she looks between the two thoughtfully. "Though.. perhaps later?" she noted rhetorically, then grins at Chikako. "If I had a parashute right now, I'd take you up on that offer! But I don't, maybe it'll have to wait." An inspect reveals Chikako as a guildie and she waves warmly. "Hiya, Guildie! Don't think we've met yet."

"Once you set your mind to something, you'll see it done no matter the costs," Haru says to Wake in an emotionless corporate pang. "Your assistance in retaking Shibuya is appreciated across all Adventurers of Yamato. It may have been a New World Alliance initative, but it is ultimately for the Adventurers themselves to call home. Seeing it in foreign hands is a message to everyone and we, as proud Adventurers, will send a message back." A half lidded blue eye there, "And it will be as clear as the sky is blue." Well thats a new side to Haru.

Like a switch is flicked the blue eye brightens as he looks to Viv, "Shipping Chart. The short version is that Morri wants grandchildren, even though Adventurers can't have kids. Doesn't keep a girl from dreaming, though." He fabricates a smile, "That Puzzle Hero thing /was/ interesting, wasnt it? I don't have any leads and I'd be lying if my hands weren't full with trying to get the Gnoll door open and Palace Landers out. From what I do know they are very obscure so you may need the help of a patron or elder to go through those tales. I'd be curious what you find."

Gwen humms at Haru for a moment, she's looking her friend over for a moment.

"Yeah that was quite the trip with his experiments."

She looks to Chikako for a moment.

"Please don't. I said I was tempted but if I ever do I'll hit you up if your around?"

She thinks for a moment

"You know if you need help you just have to ask right?"

There is no sign of Morri for the moment at least.

"So far as we know..."

Gwen makes a though for a moment.

"We need to deal with the Gnolls yes but we need to drive the Palace Lands out of Yamato and take the war to them...."

she tails off as she wans to say more...but isn't sure she should.

    What Elly really says cannot be conveyed verbatim. There are rules against it. However, exotic verbiage aside, it goes roughly like this.

    "What the hell is that? You know what, Haru? Stick it. I don't know what the hell has gotten into you, but I know when I'm unwelcome."

    She slips a glove off, and for a second it looks like The Right Clothes are about to be used to slap someone. But Elly doesn't let it go that far. She's angry, but she's more hurt.

    She spins away, but her words are more than loud enough to be heard as she leaves.

    "Don't worry! We'll get your damn bright tomorrow back! There are some memories I'd be happy to lose at this point!"

Chikako has seen her Baroness get upset before, but she wasn't expecting this. Maybe she needs to pay more attention. To something. As Elly turns to go, the Oni girl looks between her and Haru, and shrugs, then turns to follow Wake. "I have a few I wouldn't mind leaving in the dust either," she adds.

Viviene scratches the back of her head as she watches Wake and Chikako leave, she hesitates to say anything, its as if she is trying to analyze a situation a bit more elaborate than she is used to, a confused look on her face as she looks at Wake. "I uh.. hey, be well, okay?" theres obvious some concern in her voice as she offers a polite farewell, though she looks a bit put off the spot as Chikako continues on. "Uh, see ya later." Once they are out of earshot, she looks to Haru and Gwen. "I am completly lost. Is there a something to this that I'm missing? I'm a soldier not a conversationalist."

"Watch your footing," Haru yells back in genuine concern. Being drunk and being upset are both equally damning cases for a slip this high up.

The Artificer switches gears and looks to Gwen, "I don't know. We have been here for, what almost two years? People have met the criteria. I think we'd be seeing kids by now. Its a bit of a math thing." He weeble woobles his hand. "We do need to push the Landers our and push the war back to them. I'd call it the top priority amongst ten good priorities as well. But ultimately we are here to pursue our own ambitions. This is a more shared one. Its not like climbing the tower. Its less easy to grasp. Its a moving target with actual people on the other side. I'm not all that comfortable thinking about taking away other's lives or memories. But," he pauses, "there are other ways we can help, if help is wanted. Our information sharing and coordination needs work." He gives Chikako a wave since she is heading off with Wake.

"There is. I can /attempt/ to break it down, but its subjective," Haru tells Vivienne, "and also complicated."

Gwen watches The Baroness leaves and looks back to Haru with a look of concern on her face. She's noit quite sure what happned but something doesn't seem to be right. She looks to Haru for a moment and then to the others as they leave. She frowns for a bit at this.

"What those behind the crowns have done? I understand there's likely going to be people who need help..."

Viviene just looks a little uncomfortable, but nods. "I'd like to know what you can tell me, but.. don't over complicate it. Just tell it to me plain. Whats got Wake so upset?" she asks to Haru curiously, looking in the direction the two ladies had left, she crosses her arms a little thoughtfully. "I didn't sense anything wrong with what you or her said, but I imagine there is context I am not getting?" its clear she was concerned for Wake.

The topic of the crowns riles Viviene up a little, as she looks at Gwen. "And whoever created such a thing, and employed such a thing should be dealt with too, if only for the due justice of those that suffered under those crowns. Not that I know much about them - just that they strip ones free will away."

Haru looks to Gwen with one blue eye and addresses the elephant in the room, "That event is on me. I didn't aim to make it awkward for anybody. Fuka and I are on 'a break', we are still great friends that respect each other. Wake sees her as a niece. She probably sees me as some lost lamb that needs saving. I'm not." He pauses and hums as he shifts to Viviene, "I just think no one in the history of ever wants to talk about this sort of thing. It'll be fine, Gwen, Viv. Elly is a smart, strong, kind woman. I have a lot of respect for her as a peer. She can handle queens and kingdoms, she can handle a friend being." He points to himself, "himself. Which isn't always pretty. I'll be the one to extend a chim when she has had a moment to cool off and I have had a moment to 'dislodge the stick from my ass'."

On a different topic, Crowns and Palace Lands, Haru offers a topic shifting nod, "We do know who created them, Helba. Her Power far outstrips ours, even if we could find her. The intent was noble, to prevent more waves. Which," he points to where the Tower would be from where they stand, "is a problem. New World Alliance has lost their hopes and ambitions just responding to the Tower Climbs. Every time there is a climb, there is a wave. The wave effects the lands. So the lands struck back. I want to make it clear that I do /not/ agree with this method. I have..." he clears his throat and then entrusts this to the two, "...acquired the means to undo the process. Free will is foundational to being an Adventurer. Its part of our culture, who we are. But there are Adventurers that go in service to the Landers and the kingdoms. Even if we removed the crown, they would still act the same way, remember that not all want to be 'saved' but enlist willingly like soldiers to a cause. Its not new to this world. Patriotism and nationalism did that long, long before."

"Between landers, the waves, and the tower, I personally try to strike an even balance. I know many of your alliance don't want to return to the old world, and I know many others that do. As I said, free will. If I had my way I'd do what I can to ensure this world continues to exist alongside the world from before. There are things I've seen here that hint too much that many of these landers are more than just a simple AI, after all." Viviene comments, though as Haru explains the situation with Wake, she winces. "Ah, I've no finesse for that sort of thing. All I can hope is that time sorts it out." she noted to Haru. "Helba though.. I've heard that name before. Someone mentioned that she's dead."

"It'll sort itself out," Haru says with a confident smile to Viviene, "we both have bigger things to content with over lost love and hurt feelings. Everything I know about life can be summeried in three words: It goes on." Notably thats a quote, not Haru's. "Yeah there is a lot of that going on with people being dead but not dead. LOONS does a lot of lore diving into that and the Alvish words. Someone /like/ Helba appeared within the year during a Tower Climb so there is that. Honestly I dont think anyone knows for certain. There are just a lot of untested theories." He taps his foot as a wind gust goes over his body, "I don't want to return to the Old World, thats true. But I would if it meant making sure the world here is protected. Consider this: When the first group of people leave, what will happen to them? What will they share? What moves will be made that might further jeopardize this place? Unplug it? Unplug us." There is a shake of the head, "There is a lot of fear and the only thing I know for sure is that it would have to be handled diplomatically just like first contact with a new nation. This is delicate stuff. But I /deeply/ respect that this shouldn't feel like a prison for people and they should be able to leave if they wanted to. Hell, we can't even die properly." A blue eye closes as he thinks on that. It opens. "We do what we can with what we know and what we are capable. And we spend our time learning more and being more capable so those things can be addressed. Its not a race, its a marathon. We have to pace ourselves and push forward."

Gwen says "The waves are not the land they are something else..." She muses for a moment. "Hereos from another world are trying ruin this one. I fought one, her name was Glass. She had a I, a Castle and a Wing on her inspect. She was also a wrecking ball."

She muses.

"I have had this conversation before with sometone I trust. This is a concern, we could be seen as leeches and the plug just gets pulled on life support or draged out. If... we're still in a game or have bodies to go back to."

Haru looks to Gwen and looks thoughtful for a time. A long multi second pause. "There is much we don't know," he finally says, "and after years here still more questions than answers. So carving a 'true' path isnt possible. There will be camps of thought. I haven't fought anyone in a wave before so thats helpful, Gwen, thanks for that. I always assumed it was more like the Gnoll or Undead thing cropping up. You know, like a scripted event." He points up with a flick, "Though I did fight against the so-called Hero of the Palace Lands and he damned near flatlined me with dropping an attack the size of a house on my face. Dodged just at the right moment. All that Duelist training paid off in not taking a trip to the Cathedral that day."

Viviene shakes her head "How do we explain heroes from another world entering? Just too many unknowns. Heck, me going onto this game wasn't for entertainment, but part of a job.." she let out while having a thoughtful expression, then she shook her head again. "Still have a lot of things to look into. What is this LOONs group though?" she asks curiously, then adds. "Oh, I'm offically in the duelist's league, now, Haru, so perhaps we'll have a match soon."

Gwen nods "They are terrfying to fight yes. They should not be taken lightly but I'll save my bile for the ones who crowned them. If one choses to serve that's one thing..." She pauses for a moment and looks to them.

"They seem to be doing it for their own."

Haru shadowboxes the air in front of him, "Careful, I'm a lean, mean, noodle machine." One last kung fu punch to really sell it: He has no idea what he is doing. "All I ask is that we make it entertaining. I hold my matches in Carmina to help lift spirits of the audiences and install faith that we are capable fighters. I had a match with Kau recently. Really spectacular duel." He goes on, "LOONS is the Loosely Organized Open Network of Students. Uta, for example, digs up tons of information and openly shares it. Some guilds hide their knowledge and Im not going to get deep into it, but this is knowledge meant to be open and freely distributed. All that is asked there is that you give and receive, not just listen. For example I went and did Harmonic Research with Song as it relates to Enchanting. It turned up some interesting things about what did not work. Same with the Songs, as the LOONS Hunt the Songs of the world."

A hand gestures about the heroes from another world, "I have a theory about the heroes from another world thing, but its pretty out there and comes from a 'coding' perspective. I have a bit of a background in that stuff from the Old World."

Viviene shakes her head "The code aspect will confuse me, more than certain. Might be better to break it down, but.." she stifles a yawn. "I'm heading off to get myself a drink and pass out. Got to start heading back to Carmina tommorow." she stated as she offers a wave. "I'm interested in joining the LOONS though, I've a lot of questions and things I'm looking for, and I'd rather ask them to a group for more minds to bounce off one another. All the same, See you both later!" she'd begin to depart, heading off, jumping from one rooftop to another.