Meet the Landers: Li Gan

It had been a time after Shibuya had officially been retaken from the occupation of the Palace Landers. Mending the bones of the city did not take much effort, as it was well sustained by the foreign forces, and most of the injuries came from the battle itself. Mending the spirits and diplomatic relations had a longer path ahead of it. What kind of neighbors so weakly hold their claims? What good is any form of pact or alliance with those that can't stand well on thier own two feet. There is charity and there is the matter of statesmanship.

There is also the matter of simple gratitude. Haru doesn't know much of Li Gan personally. They live beneath Shibuya in the catacombs there. They had a quest for Uta to help her along her way. And, importantly, they helped in the battle when the help was needed most. As such he requested an audience to formally thank Li Gan for their involvement and further strengthen relations. Adventurers are a curious ilk, and New World Alliance alone tends to wander. It wouldn't be long before someone saught to go beneath Shibuya and it isn't great timing for a political incident.

The venue is beneath Shibuya itself. A wine cellar. Close enough to both of their worlds. Large wooden tables have food laid out from Pela and Erufu's establishments. Chairs of fine furniture were commisioned for the occasion by Shiruba. Cheese, well, isn't present. Riza has standards. A smaller table has a box on it with a wax seal upon it. The whole area smells of casked reds, aged and perfumed into the air, made comfortable with latern light against the earthen tones.

Haru set a vague time for the guests to arrive, but is there early and performing duties as a host. "Thanks for making the time," the silver haired Artificer offers to Rizadoman first, as the sentiment carries to the others present, "I fear we oft lose ourselves to the situation of the day or ambition of the future and forget to give due attention to those closest to us that make both fruitful." A smile, one groomed in for socializing, "Let us have a good time and honor our guest equally, no?"

    Rizadoman is standing and may have been pacing every now and then as he awaits their guest of honor. " Oh absolutely, I am looking forward to finally sit and talk with our guest. I have always been curious about what is beneath the city and to have first hand infomration." Yes Rizadoman, definately seems to be looking forward to it but is also apparently a bit impatient. Slowly he looks at the casket of wine for a moment before he looks over at Haru, "So would it be rude to start with the wine before our guest arrived?"

Li Gan is a bit of a hermitic kind of person. He doesn't much come out into the daylight to see what the regular people are up to. Quests from him are perhaps even more rare. Some of that can be attributed to the fact that the man is a Spriggan. But the fact that the catacombs are so filled with highly lethal traps always seems to suggest there is more to it. That he is keeping the world away from him for other reasons.

The man steps into the wine cellar through the door leading into the catacombs, and the impression one has of him almost immediately: 'Weasel'. The way he keeps his hands close to his body, the way his back is slightly arched. His quick glances throughout the chambers as he enters. He's cautious.

"I almost lost track of time. I was just reading a rather lovely book." Time is difficult to track beneath the ground. One would think him a Gnome with how much he favors the ground beneath.

His gaze slips towards the wine. "May I?" He asks, as he already approaches the tablesetting.

It was good to be home, the elf was in good spirits with the good change in fortunes with the retaking of the city. She had been quick to get her Inn in order and it was back up and running at some level now. She's also there though it seem she's more than willing to be catering this little event. She was just about vibrating. Her ears were wiggling on occasion too.

"I think things should go well!"

soon their uest arrive and she bows slightly.

"Go ahead and welcome, Li Gan!"

    "Oh absolutely it is here to be drank, afterall." The lizard says before he moves towards a cask and uncorks it before serving their guest. After Li Gan's drink is poured he continues to pour more glasses for the others. "It's so nice of you to join us. Out of curiosity, what book were you reading?"

     Rizadomna moves himself to a chair and holds his glass of wine in hand as he sits back to think for a moment, "Lately I haven't had time to read. Truthfully I have missed it." Taking a sip he looks over at Haru for a moment, "What about you? Have you read anything decent as of late?" Yes Rizadoman is attempting to turn this meeting into a book club.

Haru is playing the stoic one against Riza's energy. He stands straight, he stands still. His one visible blue eye watches the movement like a pendulum on a grandfather clock. "It would," he tells the Law Lzrd with the flatness that would make Snape proud. Obviously.

The silvery hair on Haru's pretty little head swishes as he takes notice of the hermit. That is exactly the word that sticks in his brainpan: Weasel. Yet he is far from one to talk about being aloof with people or getting lost in his work. A trip to another world didn't transform that out of him. "But it seems you did not need to wait wrong, Riza," he says as he turns, putting a hand on Elf's head when she bows and rustling before giving a bow himself. "Li Gan, welcome and please help yourself. Erufu has been kind enough to cater with fine food and drink from her establishment and it is the only thing that keeps her mind off of goblins." The man raises from the bow, motioning a hand over to the spread, "And try the mellowpan for desert, Pela added in some baked goods. We won't be lacking for fine food and drink." He heads over to the table, grabbing a couple wine glasses and pouring the fine red. One for himself and one for Li Gan.

"I never had the direct pleasure of meeting you," Haru admits, offering the man a drink, "I am Haru Nox. An accessory crafter by trade. I believe you know my sister, Uta, who also asked that I give you this before we get too deep into the drink." With his hand now freed, the Artificer reaches into his robe to produce a small travel notebook. Within it is the notes that the Kung Fu Spriggan notes captured about a Chimera. "So a good book appears to be the fine topic of the eve just as well as it is a grand thank you for your aid earlier in the battle for Shibuya. Lore of this world is as enchanting as a good drink. And just like it you can drink and always be left wanting more." He raises his glass to that before taking a sip and, like Riza, a seat.

"Ah, hmm, a mystery." A mystery novel, or will the title remain a mystery? Perhaps both. The weasely man smiles at Rizadoman as he gives that response, and settles into a seat with them and avails himself to their wine, as it is poured and offered to him.

"I cannot stay long." He is quick to remind; "I have much still to catch up on." Getting answers out of Li Gan is not an easy venture. The man is, if history is to be believed, a rather transactional person.

The 'Elf' gets a hmm and a nod from him, before he looks towards Haru. "It seems you are treating me. As such, I suspect you are seeking some kind of boon from me." Suggesting this is how he believes most Adventurers interact. Or perhaps that's simply how everyone approaches him.

Yet, he is keeping himself to his wine for now. "I can't say I see the resemblance." As Haru claims Uta to be their sister, while taking the travel book. Looking at the notes with a slow and thorough look. Quieting down for the time being.

Erufu seems amused at this attempt by her long time friend to turn things into a bookclub, whiel she looks to their guest and the other two hosts.

"Pela is indeed quite skilled and it's good to meet you in person. I have heard your home has traps that may have come of of Goblin Slayer's mind."

given how devious she's heard they are? For all she knows Li Gan somehow got her friend to do so.

"I was more than happy to give my staff some much needed things to do and ... that's not true I do like to sing!"

It's clearly a mock anger from the looks of it.

    Rizadoman sips the wine slowly and closes his eyes as he does his best to be in the moment and not let himself get to carried away with trying to determine what the mystery is. "I have always enjoyed a good mystery, obviously it is keeping you entertained at the very least. " Taking another moment he glances over at Erufu, "This is true, she does enjoy singing...a lot. " There is a wry grin before he sips more and lets his gaze wander back to their honor guest, "I have no boon to ask of you save for friendship and perhaps a discussion of reently read books every now and then."

"We get that a lot," Haru says, who is a silvery haired human and Uta is a dark haired Spriggan. Their parents may be the true chimeras. The notion of their bond makes him smile, as Uta truly has been his ground and rock through many tough times. He wouldn't be arranging social calls without the kind of subtle support that a family offers. Or loud support in other cases. "No, the opposite," the Enchanter remarks to the transactional nature of the meeting.

"You provided assistance in a time of need. We can not move the oceans or the stars, but we can offer thanks in the form of a good food, humble words, and a sample of the goods above made possible by your actions. Shiruba carved the furniture you see. I placed a fine quilled pen in a box if it interests you. It is yours."

The blue eyed human sips on his wine. Its hard not to look pretentious while doing it. He has that general aura of 'upper class' from the jacket to the literal wine glass in his hand. The glass is set on the table. "If there was a boon on the table it would be fair friendship and warm neighbors. I'm sure you know many things, but those secrets are yours alone to keep or to share. It is not why we came here today to see you. If we Adventurers have given that one-sided impression then we will strive to be more equitable in the future." A finger taps the table, habit, a thinking habit. "On that note, I admit to knowing very little about what it is we can do to be better neighbors. Is there something you desire from us beyond providing space between?"

A head nods to Riza, their sentiments coming across in a harmony that brings with it a better sincerity than the formalities Haru leans towards. A good casual contrast against te formal with the same message at heart.

The man makes a thoughtful hum of a sound when Rizadoman claims he's simply seeking for friendship and a discussion on recent books. "Ah, but my books are of a rather rare sort." He warns. "They are not so easily shared." He pauses for a moment, thinking about it, before adding; "I believe you Adventurer call them 'Collectors Items'."

He then raises his brow when he Haru speaks of this being a gift to him for his work. There's a pause, before the man's expression turns to one of recognition. "I see. You do not like owing people." Li Gan notes, and motions his hand out. "Certainly, I could always use a fine pen."

"Honestly, for the most part, space between is the main thing I desire. To be able to go about my work and do as I wish. After all, you lovely folk parked a town on top of my lab. Though of course, in turn, I indulge in the agricultural boons and restaurants from time to time." Though he keeps his presence low-key. "So it's hardly as if I gain no benefit out of this. Though those troublesome Palace Landers were a bit of a bother. I missed the cuisine." He admits.

    Rizadoman sits up a little straighter as he hears about the mention of collector items. Briefly a memory of his past life, the collector items he once had sitting on a shelf, beautiful, pristine, read with delicate touch. With a nod and a chuckle, "Well such a rarity I can understand. I would never dream of simply asking to borrow such a rarity. " Shaking his head he sips again as he listens to the wishes of Li Gan, "I do not think anyone would try to police you and stop you from doing as you wish...within reason of course. As for the palace landers, they will not steal our town again. " The last sentence is said with conviction, and certainty as if the crowned were no more then he speaks again with the same conviction, "Not again."

Lab? Haru looks to Riza on that specific use of the word. The catacombs are host to a lab? The extended hand is met with a small box that houses a quilled pen of warm, russet brown feathers and a warm gold nib. "A fine read. I do not," he acknowledges. The young man imagines they will find a Twilight Key before he finds a way to get out of the weight of 'not owing' for his family's missteps. Making that hole deeper is insanity.

"That is excellent to hear," Haru continues on with the warmth of the interactions topside, "since the occupation we have developed means to reduce spoilage with temperature and a means to improve year round growth through transparent materals. Which means more to indulge in." He seems to relax at that, taking his glass of wine for a sip. "My Atelier is opening up in a few days so if you are feeling social, you are always welcome to stop by. Its right next to Pela's Cafe." Location Location Location. Have some Mellowpan and get your bling.

The goldsmith shifts his attention from Li Gan over to Riza for a moment, "Feels like Shibuya has its own Kunie with Li Gan here. Only without the whole zip zoop to whatever locales they reside in. Not quite a lab. Labs are more interesting. Like the Slime Lab. The whole trek to Moonlight Goldsmith gave me a couple ideas to update the instrumentation. That and the whole enchanted glass being great for observational enclosures." Sip. Its hard to believe after all the weariness of the war that it is a pretty good time to be alive right now. Lots to do and see.

Another sip as there is that singular rain cloud on the sunny day as Riza brings great gravity to the need to be prepared. "Not again. And we can take heart in that one of their strongest weapons, the Crowns, can be made inert now. A counter measure in the right direction. I do not enjoy the free will and liberties of others robbed so." He holds up two fingers for Li Gan as if to say 'the second thing about me' right up there with not liking to owe people stuff.

The man takes out the quilled pen, looking around it, considering the gold nib. It looks like he's Appraising it. And in fact, the man remarks; "So this is made by..." Followed by a look towards Haru. "A very nice make." Before putting it back down on the table.

He's not an Adventurer, so he can't just put it into his inventory. "Made by a Moonlight Goldsmith at that. Even if they're not well known yet." The man leans back again, considering the quil, keeping the tip of it between his fingers. Getting a feel for it.

It's when Haru talks about new things that he seems particularly interested. "Interesting... a good use of Enchanting, I presume? You'll have to show me some time." He notes. "Adventurers always create the most interesting of objects." Though he then scoffs.

"Kunie? Hardly. I am no Kunie." Li Gan points out. "The Alvs' bastard children..." A shake of his head.

Erufu has been busy fetching food and drinks for eveyrone else as she's here to make sure people get what they need. Not that she's minds she's happy to help repay Li Gan in some small way for the help with his understanding of the world he sometimes gives. She'll clearly be paying attention to the group as they converse.

"The Alvs' Bastard children?"

"Also if I may I have a question to ask if you, you do not have to answer if you do not wish but a relic I had once responded ... poory to a song monsters were making once."

    Rizadoman sips carefully for a moment as he watches the gift exchange, had he known the man was a scholar perhaps he would have brought a book to trade. However the last words get a raised eyebrow to say the least, the Kunie were related to the Alves. "I was not aware of a relationship between the Alves and the Kunie, a interesting set of offsprings to say the least. " Looking over at Haru, "Calm yourself, no reason to get to upset about it right this moment. They wil be freed and stopped." Thinking to himself Rizadoman adds, however they must be stopped. Looking at Li Gan and then to Erufu he allows a moment to answer before he adds his own comment, " I believe our friend here is much nicer then the last Kunie I met. That surly old man certainly was not the nicest person."

That is a curious tidbit. Not that Haru is hanging off of every word here, but Alv references always makes him quirk a bit. He keeps seeing them on works like the Churches and the Relics. "Quite a good use of Enchanting, yes. I am preparing sample packages out to crafsmen in major towns and you are welcome to a set. It would not surprise me to see Eas and Tolbana with stained glass art works and a number of the agricultural areas with greenhouses before it is all done. If not for the Levithans, opportunities in the water as wll." Dreamers gotta dream.

He can't quite shake the Kunie topic. "Wouldn't that make them centuries old? The Kunies." the man with the monocle wonders as he sips his red as he grins at Riza, "Hey if you don't want to rile me up about it, don't bring it up. The stuff that Crown was about bothered me down to my core and deploying such tactics is a war crime in my books. I didn't spend so much time figuring out how to break them because of a fairweather whim." Also he has had wine, as made clear by his glass being empty as he tilts it towards Riza. "Ah, empty," he says as he stands to get a new glass.

"I don't know about all that," Haru recalls his last encounters, "The Gyaru I met was fiesty but pleasant. Reminded me of home, or rather the home before here. And the man in Mac Anu seemed downright remorseful and broken to do what the Crown forced him to do. I can't begrudge someone with a good heart," he notes as he pours a second glass. It is raised to Li Gan, who is notably a Spriggan, and the implications that comes with he is working with Uta on. "The Alvs are mysterious ones. It reminds me of," he takes his seat near Riza, "ah its hard to explain. Build daemons, I suppose, is the right word. Or creation myth entities that come in with the access and authority to do a thing, but they are not designed to /remain/ with that kind of authorization so when they are done, they leave. You see 'what' they did but not 'them' themselves." A sip. "So Kunies would be more the administrative body left by instead of biological. Pretty sure they don't age. Like, what, chim chims?"

"Hrmm." The man before them just lazily nods his head, seeming a bit frustrated at them even being mentioned for some reason. "As for your Relic... don't know." He simply shrugs at that. "I'm not an expert on such items." He explains, before turning to Haru.

"The Kunie probably inherit much of the Alvs' propensity of living far beyond the par of most other species." Li Gan answers him. "As for Chim Chims... who knows about those things. From my understanding, they may have existed since the start of time itself." The man shakes his head. "There's tell of old cave paintings that depicted them, back in the days of the Gnome Empires."

    Rizadoman thinks back to his adventures at the mention of the Gnome Empire, "Still a shame that cave of theirs I once walked in was blown up by that she-wolf." Sipping at his wine again he looks at the bottom of an empty cup, "Shame." Sitting back he looks at the other people in the room. " Alves, Kunies, a lot of races lost to time. Such a pity." Standing slowly he looks about, " However I think perhaps I will retire for the time being, before the wine beats me for the night."

Haru is the Jon Snow of Gnome Empires. He knows nothing and caves are involved. "Sad, but its not like we can go back in time and keep them around," he sips his wine. Or /can/ theny? The wine has the answers. Correction, the wine does not have the answers. Drinking and Knowing things is not universal. "I think I'll follow suit after I help Erufu clean up down here," he nods over to Riza. "This was nice. We'll have to make it a thing," as he kicks back the better part of the wine now. "Appreciate you making the time, Li Gan, and if you want to make a Spriggan happy, surprise Uta with a visit. She will probably literally and figuratively fall out of her seat." A short laugh follows. He can totally see that happening.

Erufu nods to Li Gan.

"I understand, but it was worth asking. As for the Chims they seem connected to Song from what little I have seen...and they are adorable." She wants a chim plushie but will never admit to it /ever/.

"Feel free to take what you wish my frien and I do think I have some cheese for you."

She notes to the Lizardman while she looks over to Haru and smiles.

"Thank you your help is welcome! Yes indeed Uta is quite the resarcher on things in the world. It would make her year."

Li Gan nods his head. "Thank you for the invitation. I enjoyed this little... moment of socializing." It doesn't really look like the Hermit actually enjoys socializing. He seemed more interested in just learning about what the Adventurers have been up to more than anything. He takes a few bits of cheese, and notes; "I'll stick around here for a bit longer. Enjoy the cheese and wine. But I wish you a good night." The man adds to the crew as they look to be heading out soon.