(re)Meet The Maiden

     Though she had been awake a few days so far, The Maiden's caretakers in the crescent moon had not allowed for immediate questioning or visits of The Maiden, giving them a chance to explain to her the general situation, get her cleaned up and properly woken up, as well as ensure that the girl was properly fed and at least moderately healthy before opening the flood gates of visitors. Today was that first day to allow for visitors.
     When her visitors arrive, The Maiden can be found sitting half-submerged in a small pool of water in the room, absentmindedly adjusting her clothing here and there, trying to make sure her hair looks good, and otherwise doing nervous 'oh no I have visitors coming' level fidgetting. Outside of her door, just in case, there are a couple of the more seasoned Crescent Moon fighters. More for her protection than protection against her.

     And so, The Maiden waits.

As soon as she heard that the Maiden was awakening, Uta dropped everything she was doing and headed straight for the newly instituted Realm of Uruk. Destination: Carmina Gadelica Marina, Crescent Moon Headquarters

Which means that she ended up in Shibuya.

But that is fine, there were things to do there -- and once they were done, she received a call about a rather important and urgent matter she needs to attend to in Eas, Fourland Kingdom, which explains why she's now here at the Crescent Moon Headquarters, oddly right on time.

Or, at least, right on time enough.

She made sure to obtain and review as much as possible that counts as 'clinical data' in this world (probably not much), and now, finally, she can be admitted to see the patient.

Uta stops before the door. Inhales. "Well, there we go...", she says, and walks into the room. "May I come in?", she asks. "I am Uta Furore, a healer, sent to check on you."

    Miyako had no idea who the Maiden was until she heard someone telling Uta about it. So she decided to tag along and see what was up. Finding the trail leading to Shibuya has left her with a smug little smile indelibly impressed upon her features, reminiscent of certain persons of the vulpine persuasion.

    She waits for Uta to finish her introductions, then waves casually to the Maiden. "And I'm Miyako, I'm just here because I can't keep out of trouble so they asked me to try to keep -her- out of it instead." She waves a hand in Uta's general direction. "Not the best idea if you ask me, she gets into more than I do most days."

Soujiro Seta is a man. More than a man he is a samurai man. More than a samurai man he is SOUJIRO SETA, sword saint of scale and seriously simple sparkle supplier. One could see those sparkles outside Crescent Moon before he got to the door. That and the following of 4 Lander Ladies, 3 Clucking Clucks, 2 Avid Adventurers, and an odd mallard on the man's head. It speaks well for his balance as he heads in the door, careful not to disturb the duck hatwear as said mallard is taking a nap on the silky fine blue hair on the samurai. Most of them settle down in for a meal, but not Souji. He ends up following Uta in curiousity to what she is up to.

"And I am Soujiro Seta," he offers, just /being there/ self invited with the sort of smile that says 'I have thoughts, but they are all about you' at the Maiden. Reality: He is thinking about training. Common mistake. Sparkle sparkle.

Schneider has heard that the girl frozen in ice and thawed out has finally woken up and is able now to meet visitors. This is great news for Scale's Librarian, who has caught a ship to the Marina and hoofed it here, pausing only at the Crescent Burger for a burger, fries, and a milkshake. Luckily, Uta is here also, Uta is his Lore contact, though he's helped with a few things, and he -is- a LOON, not that he looks the part. The part he looks is a cross between bishouned protagonist and Adam Ant. Well, no one ever said he can't Stand and Deliver.

Heading over to meet this girl, he mentally prepares a list of questions as he takes advantage of his height to see what all is going on, ducking into the room where the girl is ... soaking her feet? Well, that's a thing. He offers a smile and introduces himself to those who don't know him, "I am Dark Schneider," and bows melodramatically, his cape billowing despite lack of wind. There's perks to being a wizard.

     The 'Clinical Data' is... well. It's from adventurer healers so it's slightly better. There might have been an actual nurse or something to look at her! But mostly it's just that she's a little skinny and weak from having been frozen for who knows how long and in a coma after being thawed, also probably extremely out of date for her shots. Other than that, she seems to be a mostly normal undine for her age with surprisingly minimal wounds considering the situation she had been in.
     When the door is knocked on, a young, soft voice rings out, "You may enter." And those that enter find themselves greeted by said woman, standing in that pool of water with the edges of her dress held in a light curtsey, her head bowed. She doesn't say anything until the greetings are over with. So as Miyako enters, she sees the same curtsey and bowed head. It isn't until finally, the last one, Schneider enters that she finally lifts her head, releasing the edges of her dress, which brushes along the top of the pool of water the young undine was standing in.
     "I am The Maiden of the Maidensong Isle. It is a pleasure to meet you, noble adventurers. I hear several of you were involved in my rescue. And for that I am eternally grateful." Her head bows once more, before lifting. She looks almost as if she wanted to say more, but she holds it back. There was the slightest edge of melancholy to her look, though she maintains a graceful, polite smile. Doing her best to be a proper Princess, it seems. "Oh. Uhm. ... I am told adventurers prefer names. Right." She straightens up properly again, half-sinking into that pool with a slight blush to her cheeks. "...My name is Aurora."

Schneider smiles to Aurora as she introduces herself, and says, "Welcome to the land of the living. Or at least to the land of the not-frozen-in-a-block-of-ice." Full suave, that's Schneider. "I guess you're feeling better, now, if they've let us in here to ask a thousand and one questions?" He affects an innocent look. Not very well.

Schneider looks around between all the others, and he introduces himself to Aurora, then says, "I think the first question any of us have is: what do you remember of where and when you were from?" Bcause that will influence most of the rest of the questioning. He does a quick inspect to check her flags, just to make sure he's reading the situation correctly.

     "Mostly. I am still very tired. Like waking up from too long of a nap, but not leaving me like it normally would. My body feels heavy, and sluggish. ...But from what I have been told of my situation, is not surprising. A body that does not move, does not wish to move again." Aurora responds to Schneider. Ah, the proper question comes in.
     'When and where do you come from'. "I am from the Undine city on the Maidensong Isle. I do not know the exact date I was frozen, but it was during a certain War. But we were not directly involved in it." Her Flags are normal for a noble Person of the Land Undine.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Aurora. Such beautiful name," Uta begins, with a bow. "It is true, many of us, here, were personally involved in your rescue from the clutches of a group of Sirens, and extracted you from some sort of auto-replenishing hybernation spell." There is some silence. "This is indeed Miyako. She makes sure that I'm safe and that the monsters we encounter are most definitely not." There is no need to add anything about Soujiro Seta or Schneider. "You are indeed correct that others were involved in your rescue and couldn't make it here today. We will be forever indebted to the likes of Shiruba, Haru, Fukaziroh, and Sir Crabbinton."

There is some hesitation as Uta considers her next words, then. She was trying to find the most polite and tactful way to ask how long Aurora has been frozen... but then it seems like Schneider has beaten her to this question.

"I am told you have already been visited," Uta says instead. "Nonetheless, would you grant me permission to proceed with some Medical inspection of my own, just in case?"

The Spriggan will likely learn nothing new, but it's always worth a try: Uta, as an Unknown Moonlight Doctor, is likely somewhat above the average Adventurer healer; furthermore, she's one of the people who has read Prophylaxis's book on real world medicine and routinely practiced the techniques taught there -- to complement her diagnosis with actual medical procedures on top of mere code-based inspection. "I could not help but notice your countenance. Skillful Etiquette one does not see every day. You must be a noble, and a high ranking one at that..."

And then, a frown. "Oh dear. What war, if you don't mind me asking?"

Soujiro Seta is not a big /verbal/ talker when it doesnt require it. He embodies simple practices of being present and in the moment. The first is silence, which allows one to listen. Listen to his companions gathered here. Listen Aurora and what she has to say. The second is Stillness, noted by the fact he does not figit where he stands but instead has a steady and stable stance that makes him accutely aware of himself, his surroundings, and the non-verbal statements in the room. All of this bundled with a warm smile that says he makes space for others into his reality. In short: Soujiro isn't speaking but he is engaged.

Mention of Sir Crabbington has him curious, as he asks Uta, "A crab helped out?" Awe and wonder. Elder Tales really is an amazing place when a literal crab battle can free maidens.

Schneider nods slowly as the flag check reveals typical Lander, and he'll have to rely on Uta's medical skill. His own is almost entirely pointed inward, he can help himself just fine. Others, not so easily. "What did you do, on the island?" he asks by way of follow-up. Princess is his guess, but she could be any sort of well-born person, he supposes. He doesn't have the sociological knolwledge base to understand what classes there might have been. Uta's question about which war, along with her position and name might help research into her backgroud, where they might gain more information.

    Having not quite confessed to being an Inveterate Buttinsky, but certainly hinted at it, Miyako is mostly prepared to let Uta say her piece and simply sit back and listen. She isn't much of a healer, so most of that goes over her head and she simply watches while Uta does her doctor thing.

    One thing, however, does bring out the Inveterate Buttinsky in her. "A war, hm? Always unpleasant. Was your city attacked?" She pauses a second, reconsidering her thoughts, then adds, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to bring back bad memories. It's just my insatiable curiosity."

     "Thank you. I was named for my great grandmother, who had established the city three generations before me." Aurora responds to Uta, giving her a small smile. Shiruba. Haru. Fukaziroh. Sir... Crabbing...ton... "...Sir Crabbington?" The Maiden asks with a quizzical look. "... Do Adventurers have such names?" Blink. Blink blink. After taking a moment to compose herself, Aurora does continue, "...A...anyway! It is a pleasure to meet you, Miyako. I am glad that guardians such as you are a thing that still linger to this day."
     The request to do a medical inspection gets a somewhat tired look from Aurora. One of those 'Do I really have to be poked and prodded again?' kind of looks. But it only lasts a half-moment before she begins to move out of the water once more, walking over to the bed in the room and laying down. "Yes. You may. I was the daughter of the chieftess of the Maidensong Undine. My family was involved in trade negotiations with those of the mainland, so I needed to learn negotiation skills. The Maiden is my title. I was responsible for hosting and ensuring visiting nobles were properly taken care of."
     Questions of the war get a puzzled look as Aurora seemingly tries to remember. "The War... what was its name? ... The one where the other races were rebelling against the Alvs? I do not know. My island was somewhat disconnected from the situation, though we had begun to make preparations to protect ourselves should the war come to our doorstep." So, likely, from before the Undine joined the war with the Alvs.
     Soujiro Seta's presence is one that has gotten occasional glances from Aurora. Why was there a warrior prince here? Was he here to attempt to negotiate with her? Or was he simply some sort bodyguard and Adventureres had different methods of differentiating between people? Also why was he /so sparkly/? A crab helped out? "...Wait. Sir Crabbington. Is a crab? Ah! You must have had a person who could speak with sea life among the rescue team!" There was a slight bit of excitement as she said this. "Interesting!" The question of 'What did you do on the island?' gets. Well. She's already answered that, really, so really it was already addressed.
     'Was your city attacked?' ... This question immediately kills any and all excitement in The Maiden, and she goes from laying on her bed to be examined and conversing borderline cheerfully to simply. Falling silent. Her gaze shifting away.

= = = = = = = =

"...Less attacked, and more. Victims of the hubris of our elders." The Maiden murmurs.

"I..."

"My undine clan were Monster Controllers. We kept our city safe by redirecting or stopping monsters, or keeping them alongside us as protectors and guardians."

"But... we...." The Maiden pauses, her gaze completely staying away from the Adventurers momentarily.

"The Elders thought they could control them. The monsters with undine-like thoughts. I... believe you adventurers call them... Sirens? And the Sahuagin? My island was focused on the Sirens, as they lived on and around the island, and caused us regular trouble. We had attempted negotiations, combat, whatever we could think of. Our elders finally decided on control. It worked, at first. With the lesser Sirens, at least."

A deep, shaky breath. "But. Then. They captured the Siren Queen. Thinking if they could control her, she would be able to be used to control the ones more resistant to our handling. I..." She glances towards Uta. "Believe you have her heart in your staff. A great victory for you. But for us. ...When the elders attempted to control her, somehow she wrested control of those lesser Sahuagin and Sirens from us instead. We were not ready for it."

     "And then. The rest of the Sirens came." Aurora adds quietly.

Schneider's question is indeed answered. Daughter of a chief, in charge of hostessing, that's basically a princess sort of thing, he imagines. Not knowing the name of the war is common enough /during/ the war, wars often don't get named properly until afterward when people can consider them in restrospect. During the war, it's just THE war, and everyone knows what you're talking about.

As to the cause of the downfall, he's surprised to learn it had nothing to do with the war, though hubris as a cause for downfall is common enough in stories. "I see," he says, and guesses, "So, the Siren Queen is the one that froze you?" Which would explain why defeating the Siren Queen freed her.

     "No. The entire room was frozen. I simply was trapped in it." The Maiden responds to Schneider. "I do not know who or why, but I have a guess that, most likely, it was our highest level sorcerer's last ditch effort to try to stop whatever was happening. The last thing I remember was our strongest warrior fighting the Queen, surrounded by Sahuagin attacking him from behind. ...As you found me in a Ruin. I am extrapolating we completely failed to stop it."

Soujiro Seta sparkle sparkle at Aurora. Sparkle listen. Everything changed when the Siren Nation attacked. The other side of being so grounded in the present is that the big brain stuff is lost on him. It gives him that vapid look of 'pretty to look at, but not that bright', though his intellect shows more in intuition. Divine intuition! Fortunately there are those like Schneider, Shiroe, Uta and the LOONS that tackle that kind of stuff. "Does that have anything to do with the Undine Ruins," the sword saint asks Schneider and Uta, "the one that was unearthed months back during a low tide and an alternative path was found to?" He is not a historian, either, despite his Edo style kimono clothing.

Its the body language that Soujiro picks up on most, moving to stand closer to Aurora during the lower tones, the shakiness, the aversion of the eyes. "That sounds difficult. You are safe now, I promise," he says with such /confidence/ that a Leviathan could burst through the ceiling and he wouldnt let her come to harm. If he is a bodyguard, he is /her personal bodyguard/ now, or it starts to come off that way. The Souji Effect. Although Lore!(tm) is the focus, he also asks the simple things, "Do you like tea?" The tea of that era may have been different!

Schneider ahhhhs as the Maiden explains. Though he says, "It seems the only thing that was saved was you. But yes, we found you in a ruin. Your sorcerers' efforts were not successful in saving your city or your land, which seems to have been overrun." But trying to think of things she would know, he asks, "Do you know what peoples or nations you traded with? Did you know any Heroes?" That would definitely help cross reference her place in history.

    The rebellion against the Alvs. Well, that pegs the timeline pretty closely. Miyako's been putting together what little bits of lore she can about all that, but hasn't yet had the time for a deep dive on it. Maybe it's coming to be the time.

    "I'm sorry to have brought up bad memories," the Spriggan Buttinsky offers. "Stupid of me. Can I get you anything? Food, clothes, weapons, a - " She bits her tongue to prevent herself from offering to fetch a sahuagin for the Maiden to kill to get her revenge on them. Not the time, idiot girl.

"There was no need to negotiate with Sir Crabbington," Uta explains to both Souji and the Undine. "He provided moral support in our Darkest hour, of his own free will. He did not feel like following us all the way to the end, and I respect that. It's not like he gets to respawn like we do."

Uta tries to make the inspection as quick and painless as possible.

She stops altogehter at the mention of the war. "The Alv? Uh." She frowns, and one can see the gears cranking in her head as her expression of confusion intensifies. "This is interesting. The war we know as the Scrapped Princess War marks the beginning of our modern calendar. The year we are in, in case you don't know, is 402 After the Scrapped Princess War." A pause. "Did you know of Advnturers already? Or did you have to learn about them after being awakened?" According to Lander Lore, Adventurers begin appearing around 50 after the Princess War. Humans, back then. So, that might help date things. Or help rewrite what is known about history. "Leviathans?" Appeared (or at least came to prominence) 150 after the Princess War. "Does the name 'Schüdien Amphite' ring a bell?" The Undine Hero.

Once she's done with her inspection, and tells Aurora it's okay to just get up, she lifts her staff again and looks at it. "Indeed, it's the Heart of a Siren. I thought it was appropriate to make a staff out of it." She turns to Schneider. "I understand that the Captain must not have been successful either," Uta states, somber, before turning to the Maiden. It's unclear if their interaction with the Ghost Ship changed history (unlikely) or just the Captain's feelings (more likely). "He seemed very invested in his mission. He seems to have finally found Peace." She taps at the captain's ring embedded in her staff. It may not have been as obvious as the gem. "Did you know him?"

     'The undine ruins' gets a bit of a curious look from the Maiden, her head tilted slightly to the side as she thinks on that. Undine ruins? "...The Undine control the seas. Why would there be ruins? Did they get forced out?" A small frown. Very concerned. Were things, perhaps, even worse than she thought? Sparkle. Sparkle. Distraction. Hey look. There's a pretty boy with questionable thoughts standing over there. Distractions are nice. She just kind of vaguely looks at Soujiro. Yep. "Tea? ...Sure."

"What... people or nations... uhm... just... the nations of the other races? I did not meet the heroes personally, but we were requested to provide what we could towards the war effort. Our warriors. Resources we could spare."

'Can I get you anything?' gets a pause. "...I have... already been provided much. I am hesitant to request more when such hospitality has been provided thus far." Is The Maiden's response to Miyako, a polite rejection. Frankly she's not even sure if some of the things she might want exist still even.

The explanation of Sir Crabbington gets a quizzical look from Aurora towards Uta. An animal following for seemingly no reason? Strange. Very strange indeed. Frankly, Aurora isn't sure what to say to that so simply remains quiet. And very confused.

Aurora is, much as had been said before in examinations... surprisingly healthy, though showing the standard signs of someone just coming out of a coma. Still a bit thin, somewhat weak, though getting stronger more or less every day.
     The explanation of the war gets a pause. "...I... did not know about Adventurers. I had to be told. No." The Undine Hero. "...I never met them. But I had heard of them. They did not come from our Maidensong Isle. I was kept from any visits regarding wars directly. My mother did not wish me even indirectly involved." And perhaps she's mixing stories from her youth with the actual history.
     Mention of the Captain. And the ring. That he finally has found peace. Aurora does not respond immediately, standing from her bed post-examination and making her way back to that pool. She turns fully away from the adventurers visiting, sinking down to just the very top of her head peeking out of the water. It's several awkward moments of silence where the adventurerers, perhaps, begin to wonder if they should leave.

Just before they do, though...

"...I am glad my father has found peace."

    Miyako has many, many, many questions about the Alvs, the Scrapped Princesses, and all the rest. But right now a young lady needs time to mourn, to grieve, and maybe to scream and throw things and break stuff. So long as the latter stuff isn't people named Miyako. So she just hovers nearby, waiting for Uta to decide she's ready to go.

Schneider nods to the Maiden, and it looks as though everyone she ever knew has now found peace. Which is probably impolitic to bring up. Instead, he asks, "You said you hosted trade delegations from other nations. Can you tell us what other nations? What people did you meet from there?" That will at least help us maybe find a place for her, if she doesn't want to live by herself in a ruin.

Soujiro Seta has newfound respect for a fellow warrior, this Crabbington. Truly a reincarnated soul of a being of great nobility. A tough shell against the world's violence with a soft interior that accepts any and all. The hero we needed and deserved. The samurai's keen, clear eyes look to the Heart of the Siren and Uta's staff. The ring. The history behind this. Even with the somber tale, the samurai is constantly impressed with how deep these rivers run. It means there is always something to do, always something to experience.

He is the same mind of Miyako on hospitality. Not quite the level of fawning over the guest, but being considerate to her feelings. This whole experience must feel so alien and disorienting. Souji offers, "Not speaking for everyone here or who has been here before, but we are of kind hearts and curious minds. Much has happened and we want to ensure that there is a place where you can feel safe and comfortable where you can process these events at your own pace, Miss Aurora." There is a wink to Aurora, not a cheesy one but the kind that is followed by a friendly nudge for some human contact, "Don't hesitate to indulge us a chance to impress you. The cakes here in the city are delicious." And they go well with tea! Even in the darkest of storms, Souji believes in the importance of taking the time to be mindful of how nice the rain feels on your skin and how the howling wind invigorates the soul.

Well. The subject had to be broken sooner or later. The Maiden clearly needs some time alone at this point. Uta merely looks between her fellow Adventurers. Schneider gets a particularly eloquent, wide-eyed one, with an abrupt movement of her head, as a signal that further question is likely inappropriate: the young lady likely needs some time to process it all. "That will probably be it for today, I suppose," Uta finally says. "Rest well, Aurora, Maiden of Maidensong Isle," the Spriggan says, quietly. "We Adventurers are a curious bunch. We like to learn. But we also understand and respect people's grief." She leaves enough time to give the Undine time to process the words, then continues. "We would be delighted to meet you again." A nod towards Souji. "Spend quality time together. Share all these wonderful new things." Back to Aurora. "And we will gladly listen to you guide us, by means of your memories, through what has transpired."

She takes short steps backwards, still facing the Undine. Making a mental note to ask a certain Accessory Forger if it will be feasible to remove the ring from the staff -- so that the Maiden can have a memento of her Father.

     "...Ah. Uhm." There is a bit of wiping of her face, before Aurora turns back towards the adventurers at the continued questions. "Mostly the, uhm. Fourland Dukedom and ... Ah... the central island with the tower thing? I do not know its name. The rest were undines, mostly." She mentions a few names of people she met, but they're generally names of minor nobles or merchants long gone to time, or undine nobles of houses destroyed by the leviathans.
     Soujiro is listened to once more, sitting quietly in that pool, still sticking to that 'head just above the water' bit now. It seemingly is comfortable for her. Kind hearts and curious minds. Much has happened. Mmm. She shifts a little bit, listening to him as he talks, seemingly thinking, or just getting comfortable in the water. Who knows. "...I will accept cakes." She's probably thinking fish cakes. And will be very surprised.
     That will probably be it for today. A sentence that brings some relief to the young woman. She gives a soft exhale, giving a small nod towards Uta. "...Thank you. ...I have come to appreciate the adventurers who have cared for me in this short amount of time I have been awake." Delighted to meet her again. Spend quality time together. Share wonderful new things. It sounds nice, a little bit of hope for the future. "...Okay. ...I will see you again, sometime, then, I am sure." Aurora murmurs. She lifts out of the water again, just to dip into a curtsy. "...May your adventures take you to places that entertain your curiosity. ...I, meanwhile, think I needs must take a nap."