The Value of Radiance

    It is evening in Eas. Messengers have been sent in a steady stream. A rare scene greets those who come to the castle. The Baroness and Priestess is in her rose garden, alone. Of course in February there is nothing to see her of growth. But even in the barren garden, there is beauty.

    Some things in this place are very old. The castle itself, for instance. The way that Elly herself feels. She rarely allows her mask to slip. But alone. Truly alone. She can look tired, worried, even sad. These emotions play across her expression as she sits on a stone wall, staring at the sky. The stars are emerging there, and as they do, she can hear the sound of stringed music in the air. She has started to gather musicians for her city. If this is a place of art and beauty, surely she must encourage it to exist. But it does not settle her restless heart, nor calm her expression.

Yeowang is back at Castle Eas before shipping over to the Palace Lands to take back our settlement there. Here at Eas, she performs a number of jobs, doing occasional work in bookkeeping for the Baroness, but mostly she enjoys the high class lifestyle that is maintained here. She doesn't get it most places she goes in the game.

On the other hand, what she does with her high-class lifestyle is hard training, pushups, situps, running, and of course martial practice. She is currently skipping rope at quite a high speed, dressed in what at first look like casual athletic clothes, but on closer approach are clearly tailored and fitted. So, very expensive workout clothes. But she /does/ own a bank, she can afford it.

The sound of rope slapping the ground pretty quickly intrudes on Wake's solitude a minute before she, herself, arrives, and when she does, she has arrived. She looms a bit too much and knows exactly how to haughtily ignore servants who might try to impede her progress, and no one will actually push the issue. "Oh, good evening," she calls, when she comes within sight of Wake, and will skip rope closer, maintaining the pace pretty steadily without pause.

Slowly Daiyu has gotten reaccustomed to the state of affairs after having the Crown controlling her removed. To where she had ventured more often out into other parts of Eas. Though still not far from the castle grounds, even if Wake had put word amonst her people to not consider the Palace Lander an enemy. That didn't mean she was trusted. But, well, she would deal it with as time passed. For now she was at least unaccousted as she strolled into what would be a garden if it were not for the time of year, tails flicking behind her even as her attention was more on one of the various books she'd gotten from the Olympus branch of the library in her hands. Not that she seemed to have any difficulty navigating, but other than the stroll taking her in the direction of the wall where Wake has positioned herself she is not really aware of others present.

    The mask returns so easily. It simply slides into place and Elly-that is Wake's-expression takes on the usual calm as she glides to her feet and into a curtsey. Her lips curve into a polite smile when Yeowang is near. With that kind of noise, it's rather hard to miss her presence. The garden is an odd place for exercise, but Yeowang probably does some kind of calisthenics everywhere.

    "Enjoying the night air?" the Baroness asks curiously. "I imagine the chill doesn't bother you in the least. How have you been, my friend? Are all your people doing well, now that our lands are relatively calm?"

    Snapped back to awareness of her surroundings, she takes note that she and Yeowang are not the only ones in the garden this evening. She calls out with more warmth in her voice, "Lady Daiyu! Good evening!"

Yeowang nods to Wake about enjoying the night air, and nods again about not feeling the chill. She's not lightly dressed, but she's protected from the cold by warm clothes and her cheeks are quite flushed. "Yes," she replies about enjoying the night air. "I haven't had the chance to really work out in too long. Taking back Mac Anu was difficult, but I think we, as Yamato players in general, have improved."

When Wake calls out to Daiyu, she looks over and now sees the Were Fang. "Good evening to you as well," she says graciously enough. Noting the book, she nods, and says, "The Olympus Library is back in service, then?" It's not clear if it's a question for Daiyu or Wake.

Vulpine ears perk up at hearing her name and it's enough to get Daiyu to raise her gaze from the pages of her tome. "Good evening." She starts to go into a traditional bow, but stops partially into the forward lean when she realizes Wake isn't alone. Dark eyes stare over the top of the half-moon spectacles perched on the bridge of her muzzle for a moment, as if trying to place if this is someone she's encountered on the field of conflict during the invasion.

But overall she remains calm and unflappable as she just uprights herself again. "Apologizes, I did not mean to interrupt you and your friend." The book is closed and lowered to her side, no visible marker of her place. It's likely she's just outright memorized what page, paragraph and line she was one like a true biblophile. "But even I require some fresh air away from the shelves of old and musty tomes now and again." A head tilt at Yeowang's question... then a soft oh to herself at the realization. "It would make sense that you had closed it down when an invasion was a potential threat. Same as Shibuya did..."

    "Honestly, it was always open, but many of the books were sent into exile with our people," says Wake. "Since Eas never fell, there was no need to close it utterly."

    Her attention includes both Yeowang and Daiyu with casual ease. "But there is no interruption. The garden is a place of meetings just as much as it is of contemplation and reflection." And frequently the interruption thereof.

    "As the hostess, I must ask if you have both eaten or if there is anything I might get for you. The chill has a way of working up appetites, especially up in the mountains."

    If Eas will have a reputation for anything, it is for ensuring visitors are fed. Little is growing this time of year, and the late return of the citizens has meant everything on their table is funded by the Baroness herself, but there seems no lack. Yeowang no doubt has much to do with making this possible.

Yeowang offers to Daiyu, "I had understood that they had, yes. You had a bit more warning here than Shibuya did. And considerably more success, I must say." She goes on, "And please don't feel you're interrupting, I only just arrived, myself." And she's still skipping rope, now in place as we talk.

She ahhs as Wake explains the partial, incomplete closure, and says, "They did not have nearly the support from our local Landers that they expected, I think," and here she eyes Daiyu again, as she might have more insight into their planning process. She smiles to Wake at the offer of food, though, and says, "I fear I must decline. At least, not mid-workout. Maybe in a few hours?"

"Changing control of the Root Town did not change the loyalties of those inhabiting it, only the Guardians," Daiyu replies. "Locals continued to operate their businesses and as necessary to operate the city, but otherwise most... kept to themselves and out of the way of the occupation." A pause to use two fingers to nudge her spectacles a bit. Then a hint of a playful smirk at one corner of her mouth. "Perish the thought that I have not been provided to as needed, Lady Wake. Your fiance would have no such thing."

    "Very well, I will ensure that the kitchen is ready for a later meal," says Wake. The castle isn't a 711, but it's pretty flexible for guests. Besides, Tae does love serving their guests. Which Daiyu has no doubt grown accustomed to by now!

    "It is rather like most occupations, truly. The people want to just live their lives as best they can. It means much to get to continue living. Especially if one's family is provided for. Considering the situation with the guardians, I am pleased that there were no gestures of defiance. They would have proven nothing at all."

    Wake pauses thoughtfully as if realizing something. It occurs to her that she's been so busy that she's not even eaten today, other than a very modest breakfast. Manners and guests leave no space for her to address that issue yet. There is no sign of it, fortunately. She looks much the same as she always does.

    Well, much the same, but not identical. The Right Clothes have garbed her in an elegant, black dress with silver roses across the bodice. This is not such a major difference. It is the Shackles of Beauty that stand out. What once were crude bracelets of purely cosmetic nature have been replaced. These are symbols of faith are now objects of power in their own right.

Yeowang nods to Daiyu, and agrees. She says to Wake and Daiyu, "Exactly. I think they -expected- a rousing welcome as one might welcome liberators, and what they got were /our/ Landers, who in general quite like most Yamato Players, and were not best pleased about being taken over. I had heard that your Landers had been badly treated by the players when they found they couldn't log off. Some sort of attempt to take a Lander city by force?" She's fishing for Palace Land lore here, clearly, she's only had hints and bits. "Obviously, it did not go well, and the Palace Lands Landers now despise all players pretty bitterly?"

To Wake, she adds, "So they did not expect a typical occupation, which thwarted their efforts." She smirks, and suggests, "Perhaps /our/ Landers are used to players solving problems rather than being problems? I am glad we have not let them down too badly."

"That is one way to generalize a sumation of what occured, yes," Daiyu replies to Yeowang with a nod of her head. "But keep in mind where many of our Players come from in the 'other world' as some call it. They are not use to having such freedom and choice. Fools took that and out of resentment of the Landers control of everything, tried to topple it. Upsurp economies. The Landers in power cracked down in return, and eventually..." she pauses, tapping her now bare brow. "No, I do not know where they got those accursed things from."

Her tails swish back and forth as she considers. "Things were... not so harsh in Lumina Cloth. Adventurers populating the casinos and venues, betting on the Arena, and so forth was the major part OF their economy. So instead of control, they presented the Crowns as a status symbol. A means to prestige and social standing above the dregs keeping the gambling and betting dens in business. The right to compete in said Arena. A means to protect our city and Kingdom...."

A trailing off, and then Daiyu huffs as she turns her gaze aside. "Even I fell for it all, after being struck down by those fools seeking to overturn the Lander leadership when I would not assist them..."

    "We do what we can to protect our people, certainly," agrees Wake. "Though I think the Landers were quite prepared to fight on their own account. They just needed someone to make it fair again. I think the adventurers of Yamato did that and more. We learned a lot about this world along the way."

    She pauses, turning her attention to Daiyu and smiling. "It's a different place in some ways, but not all that alien in truth. Just like in the dream before, if you offer people compassion, they tend to reward you with understanding. Just like in that place, everyone deserves a second chance. And just like that place, when you believe in the best part of people, you usually win in the end."

    The Baroness diverts her attention to the skies again, smiling as the first stars begin to light up the sky. "The sickle shines bright tonight. It's an evening that will reward those who work to create a lush harvest, whatever form it might present itself in."

Yeowang ahhhs as Daiyu confirms the story. So it's true! "I see," she says as Daiyu re-spins it a bit for clarification. She hrms about things in Lumina Cloth, and smiles at the nature of the city. She had not learned so much about the nations when she was there. When Daiyu trails off, she says, "Fear not, they will not succeed here another time, you are safe. Have you re-bound your home church, by the way?" she asks. "I believe all it takes is to become a citizen of a Yamato nation, endorsed by the normal civil authority." She looks pointedly at Wake. "Is that so, Baroness?" she saks, emphasizing the title.

She nods grimly to Wake about having learned about this world. "This is true. It seems a strange way to organize things, but I guess the way it's done makes it accessible to Landers as well as players?" The mention of a lush harvest draws a smirk, and she says, "Not for several months, I think. But prophecy is at least a little real here, so I have to consider it, I suppose."

Daiyu looks up at Yeowang's question, and shakes her head. "I have not... I know, it would be a precaution but... it would feel as if I was turning my back on what had become a second home in a peculiar situation. The -real- nation, before all of... this happened." Then her expression sets, in determination of that notion. "I would rather see it returned to the control of those of reasonable mind." It's not exactly a stern look, but it gives the impression that she's not backing down from that sentiment for the time being.

    "Not all harvests feed the belly, my friends. Understanding and wisdom are a feast of their own. They have great value, indeed. I believe you are right, that one can change their kingdom and they will revive in a new place. However, as one who rejected that option herself, I would say it is very much a matter of choice. I also would have to confer with those who know more of these things, as I am not certain if that tale is correct or not."

    Hearing Daiyu speak on the matter, Wake nods. Not in agreement, but in understanding. The harvest she most seeks to sew and reap. "It will be set right in time. But..."

    Wake trails off. That smile slips for just a moment. Those who know her intimately may notice it, if they were paying very close attention. She's become so good at wearing that mask.

    "But all things in their proper time and course, yes? The world has many problems, and we cannot bear them on our shoulders all the time."

Yeowang listens thoughtfully to Daiyu's reply, and nods slowly. "Many would jump at the chance," she says. "You are made of sterner stuff than I expected," she says in an approving tone. "I believe you will have all of the Yamato playerbase behind you in that goal," she says encouragingly. "If you know some of those reasonable people, I'm sure those marshalling our armies would like to know. Alas, try as I might, I cannot seem to find a place in the councils of leaders. Perhaps there is something I lack. I may need elocution lessons," she says to Wake. "The Tao of dealing with Lander nobles." The merchants, she can make do tricks, very nearly.

She considers Wake thoughtfully, and finally admits, "You've changed since your epiphany," she says frankly. "You are much more fatalistic. That is, believing in fate. Before. I think your drive was stronger, when you felt you had more to prove, without having any assurance of the final outcome. Now you speak with confidence of a successful outcome, but I don't know where the confidence comes from. Can you share?"

Daiyu chuckles softly. "There are groups of resistance in my home region, rest be sured of that. But you have others that have been amongst your midst longer than I which would be a better source of getting in contact with those cells." A pause. One tail flicks amongst the quad. "And presumably more trusted. I still need to find my place amongst you, and earn that trust..." A tilt of the head, a tap of a clawed fingertip against her chin. "Reasonably return to the Palace Lands to assist in the endeavour. As much as I appreciate the Ladies Wake and Tae's accomidations, I cannot hide here until the War is over."

    "I can always teach you, though I think you have done much already for the world. If you wish a seat at whatever higher tables are perceived to exist, I will put in a word. I'm not entirely confident that your alliance cares much for my thoughts, though. I fear some may be intensely aggravated by my insistence that Queen Lorelai be given a chance to live and redeem herself. My foolish insistence, I suppose."

    The other question is both puzzling and utterly straight forward. "The touch of the Beautiful One lies upon me. Over the past months, I have studied the divine more and more seriously, so that now the light and I are well acquainted. I also think carefully of what her perspective is and what she would urge me to do in her name. Religion can be many things. Some of those things are bad. It can be blinding, it can lead one to slay those who do not agree, it can promote feelings of superiority to others. However, my belief is that all I have been granted is to be given to the world."

    Daiyu's comments draw a nod from Wake. But also a brief slip of the mask. "I suppose you cannot, Lady Daiyu. Though I hope you take your time and find your feet before you rush off to try and put things right. And I have my own matter to attend to. Laira might seem out of reach to most, but with the help of a friend of mine, she will find it impossible to evade me forever. How I shall manage to save her now is beyond my vision, though. I am not certain I shall succeed. But I am certain I will try, even if my heart only wishes to stay here and live in peace. I am equally certain that I will be placing myself in grave danger in the attempt to save her."

Yeowang nods to Daiyu about returning to the Palace Lands, and she says, "Wake's faith in you is enough to earn my trust. We are planning a journey soon to take back the landing we made there, and if you wish, you may come with us?"

She nods to Wake, though she says frankly, "Some players in my Alliance are idiots. I was in that Guild, and have left it. I felt tainted. I would have left the Alliance entirely, but I still tell myself I could help them. I am now in Shiruba's guild, and I feel less like my intelligence is draining away."

She nods about the touch of the Beautiful One, which perhaps explains the newfoud cosmic harmony. "I see." But the lack of certainty makes her frown. "Life is inherentlt uncertain," she admits. "But it is permitted to stack the odds in your own favor."

"If you could find who gave the Queen the prophecy the visiting of our lands by your people was an omen of doom... or even what the prophecy even was to disprove it..." Daiyu shakes her head. "But another thing that would of been useful that I was not privy to. Even those Crowned and trusted have barriers to keep us at length from the leadership." At some point the book was tucked away in her inventory, movements mostly unnoticed in doing so. "I have no intent of throwing away what you all labored to get me in freedom. But I can not simply sit and wait, either. I am an enchanter and alchemist, as well as strategist and scholar. I have skills that can be of use even off the front lines." An acknowleging nod to Yeowang. "Mayhaps when your allies are prepared to advance to Kallamore I can be of use."

    Daiyu's response calms Wake's concerns. She rather likes the idea of waiting for someone to earn a toehold before greater risks are taken. But she can't imagine it will be easy to make headway there. Regardless, it is a thing that will be tried.

    "I appreciate your words, Yeowang. I am sorry that so much happened with your guild. I was quite saddened to come under such scrutiny for compassion. I understand that the Queen has much to answer for, and I would never say that she should not face justice. I simply want to try. To open her heart, giving her a chance to attone for this, and free her from whatever trickery has led her to this disaster. This.. prophecy, as Daiyu says. It took a loving, gentle woman and led her down this path. But I know this isn't consistent with her nature."

    She turns her mind back to the Beautiful One. "I seek the most lovely of endings for this story. I want to pluck the strands from this tragedy that might yet be beautiful, with care, patience, and courage."

    She turns her attention to Daiyu. "Faith in the hearts of people is perhaps my defining trait now. It is the greatest power I have. It was inspired by the goddess, but it is native to me. It is me, at my very best."

Yeowang hrms about the Queen and the prophecy. "There was a prophecy?" she asks, apparently unaware of that. But she nods about disproving the prophecy. "It may be confusingly worded, rather than wrong, but I would have to know it to say. If you do not know it, do you have an idea who might?" She nods about when we advance on Kallamore, and sends a Friend request, so she will be able to direct chim Daiyu when the time comes.

To Wake, she nods slowly, and admits, "I did not know her at first. For all we know, she may be crowned and controlled as well, if her personality has changed so much. We all wish for an ending with as little bloodshed as possible, but every vaccination requires a needle, and we will make this one as painless as we can." As to what happened to her Guild, she admits, "Every group has its heroes and its villains, its geniuses and its idiots. Grandeur's villains and idiots were simply given authority." She shrugs fatalistically.

Daiyu briefly starts. Then realizes it's the Friend Request chime. "... It has been a time since I've heard that," she murmurs, even as a few flicks of deft digits briefly bring up the menu interface to accept. She feels a small bit of comfort in seeing the list, slowly, growing.

Then shakes her head once more as she dismisses the interface. "Only Adventurers are crowned, to the extent I am aware of. So someone, somehow, has convinced the Queen this course of action is to protect the people she loves and outweighs the... drastic steps taken to do so."

Yeowang smiles as Daiyu accepts the Friend request, but hrms at only adventurers being crowned? "That you know of?" she questions. "Occam's Razor instructs us that the most likely solution, until conclusively proven incorrect, is the solution we should expect. So. This begs the question of which is more likely: Is the assumption about crowns incorrect, or has the Queen been badly and damagingly misled? If it /is/ the second case, can we work out who might have misinterpreted this omen for her in our disfavor? That may point us to someone who, if they are removed from their position, could allow the Queen to re-evaluate her issues." So many questions, and she's /still/ skipping rope in place. Her long hair has long since fallen out of the lose bun she keeps it in when she's working hard or working out, now it spills down her back.

"But this is all speculation at this point, and unless it helps us form a plan, is not gainful speculation. So I will bid you good evening, and finish my workout." And she will jumprope off.

Daiyu smirks a little as Yeowang mentions Occam's Razor. "That is true... The only instance I know of non-Adventurers being Crowned is when the Kunie of Mac Anu was done so... but they are hardly typical Landers. They felt... otherworldly, even by this world's standards. Until one or the other is proven, it is best to keep both options in mind, and be prepared. I bid the rest of your evening fair well, Yeowang. And of course you as well, Wake." Daiyu will return to her own stroll, retrieving the book from her inventory and flipping it open to resume right where she left off.