A Wind from the West

    It is with the sun at her back that Baroness Wake arrives at Fort Ouph. She has traveled from Eas hastily. There is no normal retinue with her. There was no time for the gathering of such, nor any point in doing so. Elly is alone.

    The journey has been both hasty, in that the priestess has gone between places at a blistering pace, pushing her peko hard. Each time she reaches a settlement, however, she has stopped. At far too many of them, there are children without parents. The waves, the war, the monsters, they all take their toll.

    Before she got far, she had given away all her food. Next she ran out of shoes and clothing. She has only The Right Clothes and the cape that Pela gave her at this point.

    But she has made it here. She looks up at the floating city calmly, but does not so much as pause to admire it before ascending. There is much to be done here. An all-consuming focus has fallen upon her. For the first time, that focus coincides with deeply-held moral beliefs. A strange mood mixed with righteous zeal has a potent hold on the lone traveler.

Goldenblade has been following news of Wake's progress for some time, having heard of her single-minded focus on her goal, and she rode after her, so she can help. But a horse is not as fast as a peko, and GB has made it clear that just because some game designer thinks riding chickens is cool does not make the rider look less like a dork. Metaphorically. So, GB has ridden after Wake, steadily losing ground because Wake, on her peko, makes blistering time in pursuit of her goal. But Goldenblade makes up time because when Wake stops to help the children, Goldenblade is still riding, catching up.

So, while Wake has stopped here at Ouph, Goldenblade comes galloping up behind and reins in, with some difficulty as she's a poor rider. "Wake!" she calls out as she approaches, and when she gets there, she will flop off the horse warily while the horse slows, then walks off riderless. Goldenblade lets him, he knows who feeds him, at least.

Erufu had been passing this way and heard that the Baroness and so thewoman known as Erufu has shown up again. She's one of those RPers but she's been constitant the entire time maybe it's how she' copes or has she lost so many memories that's all she's got to go on? Who knows she's sure not talking on it. It's by chance she does run into the Baroness and stares for a moment.

"Baroness Wake?!"

A shimmer, a winged humanoid figure appears in the light of the teleport system that connects Fort Ouph with the ground; the figure, a Spriggan in what could equally be a nurse's uniform and a gi, then, makes a most unusual sound. It goes,

"Wheeeeeeeee!"

She then steps out of the disc, turns around, and steps back in. Light shimmers, and she's gone.

It's uncertain if one can hear all the way down to the Shadow of Fort Ouph from here, but if one could, one would hear a distant, faint, "wheeeee!", before the light activates again.

"Whee- Oh. Wait." Frown of concentration. "...Erufu? Paula? Isn't that one Lady Bombast?", she says, looking in the Baroness's direction.

    The Baroness has been to Fort Ouph before. The last time... it went poorly. But times have changed. Her intentions are different. And honestly, out of the ashes of that poor visit sprung forth a deeper friendship than had existed before.

    "Hello, my friends."

    So many voices, all in quick succession. Elly glides into a curtsey. It is her normal, more casual form of the gesture. She looks from face to face, a calm smile shared with each.

    "I am pleased to see so many kind faces here."

    She's already looking ahead, though. "I wish I had more time to relax and check-in. But there is work to be done. A great ugliness that must be undone. People are suffering. I cannot stop it on my own."

Goldenblade looks over at the Ouph teleporter and hears her name, sort of. There's really only one person that calls her by her official given name, and she calls a greeting to Uta from where she is, "Hey, Uta! How's it going? What brings you to Ouph?" she wonders, though she guesses, "More hang gliding opportunities?" She clearly does not know about the gargoyles that plague flyers outside the Tower.

She smiles at Wake's greeting, and says, "I am here to help! I have outrun my wagons of supplies, but more can be had. tell us what we can do to help?" She's clearly beem at least told about the mission. But as a builder, her talents lie in a slightly different direction. She not may be able to relieve suffering, but she can make sure people have a place out of the weather to suffer in.

Erufu looks over the Baroness for a moment and grins slightly.

"So what have had you come out this and what is that of which you need aid with..." She listens curious for a moment as to what the Baroness could be talking about.

"The teleporter," Uta replies to Goldenblade, in a matter-of-fact fashion. "Both metaphorically and literally, in case you were wondering." She looks towards the spot where new arrivals materialize. "I like to teleport. Teleporting is so fun... I wish we got the Chaos Gates working again."

"I think she might be in a Strange Mood," Uta whispers to Goldenblade and Erufu. "I will have to run a proper diagnosis at some time, but I think it is a safe working hypothesis." Glance sideways, to Goldenblade, "I will try to distract her," glance sideways to Erufu, "I will give signals about what she needs. Feeding. Bathing. You find out ways to get that done. I'll take care of the healing if necessary." Big inhale. "But first, there's an important thing I need to do."

Uta clears her throat, spins on her heel, and walks into the teleporter back down.

"wheeee...", faint, if audible.

She shimmers back into existence, says, "There, done," and, spreading her arms, approaches the Baroness. "And what ugliness would that be?"

Wait, is Uta... does she... is she marching towards -hugging- the Baroness first?!

Yes, she is. But as a nurse dealing with potentially reluctant patients, and as a Spriggan, she's learnt a trick or two: in this case, while teleported out of sight, she selected the medical inspection option from her menu, which requires physical contact with the target to be activated.

Stealth diagnosis!

    "There will be much to do, I imagine. The orphanage here is no doubt in poor condition. It can be improved. We can ensure children are able to get there safely from the outlying areas where support is unavailable and would be too inefficient to organize."

    The Baroness is in a strange mood. But more than that, she is on a mission. "I have seen so many children without parents. They are going hungry. They do not have the love they need to thrive. There are too few teachers. Too few resources. But not for long. This will be addressed."

    She looks at Uta closely and yes, her ears are sharp. "I tell you this, my friends. I will eat accept no luxuries, no fine food, no comfortable bath, nothing until they are cared for. All of them. Everywhere in Yamato. Why should I feast when they starve? I have been idle too long. But the path in front of me is all I can follow."

    She is heading towards the teleporter when Uta hugs her. Well, that is a nice surprise! She returns the hug warmly. More softly, she says, "I won't starve myself. But it will be soggy crackers for me here on out. Until we have fixed this. If you respect me at all, do not attempt to change my mind on this."

Goldenblade arches a brow as Uta gives her a very Uta answer. And then vanishes anmd returns and walks up to Wake so suspiciously. Well, suspicious for anyone but Uta. "So, what d-" she starts to ask, but Uta is explaining about Wake and Goldenblade gives them both a skeptical look. "You kids and your fancy explanations for everything," she complains. "Always got to be something fantastic about it." She sighs. "In my day, you just concentrated on a thing if it was important enough and people worked around you while you were concentrating. So maybe you skip a few meals and don't shower every day, that's just you being dedicated. You kids make entirely too big a deal about it." She hrmphs, looks over to Wake, says, "So if you need /our help/ with anything, let us know." She's fine with helping. She just objects to the Strange Mood name for it, even though she's been through more than a few, herself. "Figures kids call 'working hard' a 'strange mood'..." she grumbles aloud to herself.

Wake's pronouncement draws a nod from her, presunably approval, and/or confirmation of her opinion. "Nothing strange about that mood," she declares, following Wake toward the elevator. "Wouldn't try to change your mind," she agrees. "Mister Ghandi did much the same in India when I was in elementary school. We learned about it in newsreels, ending the discrimination, even going on hunger strikes. You'd call that a pretty strange mood, I'm sure."

"Well that explains why she went wandering off across Yamato on her own."

There wasn't a Kauchemar there a moment ago. Now there is, standing just behind the group with her arms crossed. "And Uta now does stealth hugs, will have to remember that."

Erufu Says "Orphans...." She trails off thinking of the fact she knows Goblin Slayer appears to be one from what Cowgirl has mentioned in the past when they gone shopping. She frowns for his. "Things like Goblins tend to be the cause... monsters ignored by those seeking coin over everything else. I'm pretty sure I might be able to get a few Hunters to help on this."

"Regardless of the cause," Uta replies to Erufu, "I agree that something should be done. But regarding the cause, I also agree that decimating monsters plays an important role of prevention in the orphanage landscape."

Uta does not reply anything to Goldenblade's tirade about Strange Moods. Sure, she tries to politely get a word in a couple of times, raised finger and all, but in the end, she decides it's better to just let the discussion drop.

"...Kauchemar? What are you doing here?", asks Uta, startled. The mention of stealth hugs gets a tense face and a hush-hush gesture with both hands. You saw nothing, horse, NOTHING!

Uta's hug is not devoid of warmth -- quite the opposite. She may use it mainly as a way to stealthily inspect Wake, but she at least make a honest effort at a sincere embrace. So that it's at least... -both- a greeting and a subterfuge.

"Hey, you know what? That sounds like a great idea! What do you say guys?", she asks, looking around. "I'm really in the mood for some soggy crackers right now. Bland, boring goodness... my salivation is already utterly unchanged at the mere thought!" Big smile. "So, what do you say folks? Huh? Shall we stop for a snack?" She gestures at the setting sun. "Besides, it's kind of late for doing anything else. It's eventide. Anyone who can do anything about this, except, possibly, inkeepers, will be retreating for the night. Time for resting and recovering our energies, for acting with renewed impetus tomorrow!"

    Wake pauses. "It is... a cause."

    She notes the time, then says. "I will eat as I walk." It's at least likely to occur. Then again, she shows no signs of pulling out any of the menu food.

    "And I will certainly accept any help. I will also keep you informed. I know that your assistance will be crucial to this, Goldenblade. These orphanages are structurally... unsound, generally. They should be inspiring, hopeful, and of course warm and welcoming. I am just one woman, but I will care for them all as I can. Their mother, if they wish it. But regardless, I shall see them all and treat them all as my children."

    She continues ahead then, towards the teleporter once more. It seems that to continue the conversation, she will need to be followed upwards.

Goldenblade talks over Uta's raised finger until she runs out of steam. Finbally, though, she runs out of steam. In the end, does it matter what it's called? People stop eating and washing and accomplish notable things, the rest is names for things.

She will certainly follow Wake upwards, and her horse will follow also, it knows where the oats come from. "That's what I'm here for," she replies to Wake. "I expect you would need my skills for this and I'm glad to help." She can't necessarily make a building hopeful, but she can address hopes that the roof won't fall in.

Erufu says "So the building, food situation, likely clothing and more they need more...I will speak to Guild Girl she might be able to help us with this and I'm certain I might be able to get Orcbalg to help somehow." Look if any of those kids lost their families due to goblins...she figured she could get him helping somehow. He's fighting to stop more people from ending up like this right?

"Such an tremendous undertaking," Kauchemar adds as she falls into stride with the others. She's use to matching Wake's gait being one of her primary protectors outside of Eas (which may be why she was slightly frustrated Wake took off on her own like this) so it's not that hard to do so, even with the longer length of step she has being an equinoid Were Fang. "But that is our Wake for you, once she sets her mind to something she's unbudgable. Strange Mood or not."

Goldenblade nods to Kauchemar about the stupendousness of the effort. "It is. Wake does not take half-measures." GB, older, at least her player is, does take them from time to time, but only when it won't negatively affect the outcome. But she recognizes Wake's single-minded mania and will roll with it. She's had bosses like that. She /can/ play it completely by the book, too. It's looking like this will be one of those situations. But then her horse decides not to take the elevator, and she has to run off after it.

    "The nobles need to help fund the start. They will need to give me permission to take over operations. I must find... the women and men who tend to the orphanage that exists, first. So I can understand what is happening and learn from them as I give them hope. The Beautiful One has seen their suffering and she has sent me to carry out her will."

    Elly turns to smile at Kauchemar. "I am glad you are here, my friend. Did Tae send you to keep an eye on me again? Or was this just your own kindness? Either way... oh! That reminds me."

    She accesses her menu and finally begins to eat. Not much, but menu food (despite its flavor) does pack a lot of nutrition. After a fashion.

Kauchemar smirks a bit as she holds up one hand to wobble from side to side. "Let's say Tae knows who to ask that is likely to do it anyways." Then flicks the hand through her mane to shift it properly behind her head, save the long glamlock bangs that almost always drape the one side of her face. "And that have the skills that would be useful to the endevour." Bards and Messengers are both good at dealing with other people, and Kauchemar is both in one.

A pause. "... and she did give me permission to resort to lullabys if necessary." Wake isn't going to be able to escape sleep -all- the time.

Erufu thinks for a moment as she looks to the Baroness "I doubt they will care so long as they don't have to pay for it and maybe some may want to do some charity work or prove their devoation to the Beattiful One..."

"Yes, good, yes, that's good..." Uta gently remarks while Wake takes feeds, even if it's just menu food. Erufu gets a confused look. "Who is Guild Girl? Who is Orcbald?" She looks up and away, and tapping her lips, she rambles, at a low volume, mostly to herself, "Orcbald sounds like the name of an orc butler..."

She's, luckily, quick to return to Earth (or, as the case may be, Alba), just in time to follow up on Goldenblade's comment. "Oh, yes. Absolutely. As Paula said, Baroness, if you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. You know you can count on us. Just let us know."

    "They will have to invest. But they have children. They will want to learn from adventurers. Crafts, trades, that sort of thing. We have resources they would prefer not seek out."

    One gets the sense that Elly is not paying much attention to her response, yet every word is deliberate, direct, and emphasized with eye contact. Still, she is moving forward the entire time.

    "The League will listen. They are the most welcoming to adventurers of the Yamato leaders. But they have concerns. They would not start something with our help that they could not continue."

    With each step she is solving problems and talking to herself with more animation. "It must be sustainable. It must be clear how they could continue it, if we were no longer here. It has happened before. They will be the most helpful, the most eager to be involved. They need... a path. They need inspiration. They need resources and a way to get them. Yes! Of course. It is just us. We can teach them, the school is the way forward. The school is the key to everything."

    "Soft music would be very helpful, Kauchemar. Not yet. We must find the orphanage first. Then you can put your music to use. To give the children rest, hope, peace. I am here. I have so many places to go, but I must also stay here. Somehow."

Kauchemar holds up a finger and opens her mouth as if to point out she was implying using it to make sure Wake herself gets some rest when needed... but the withdraws from doing such. It's a moot point, and better to just go along with Wake's own train of thought. "Right, yes, soothing spirits for hopes and dreams. Can even summon tapirs to help with the latter."

"It has happened before?", Uta sks, confused. "When would that- Oh. OH. You mean between the foundation of the Eastal Free League and the Return of the Adventurers. The Dark Ages outside of the Internet." She taps her chin while she looks up and away. "That's a pretty good point you're making here."

"The school is the key to everything, and soft music would be very helpful? Are you proposing we start a music school? The Conservatory could- oh. Oh." Silence. "No, no, sorry, I had misunderstood. Yes, soft music would definitely help."

"Dire tapirs. That's an interesting summon," Uta comments, tapping her chin. "Pretty thematic for you, isn't it?"

Erufu nods "That is true, I heard a few people who have said to learn under an Adventurer in a craft is to get several years worth of training in a few months. Aye it should be made in such a way it can be self run in the event we can not be there to maintain it. We'd need to find those willing to be teachers..."

    "There are adventurers who wish to live their lives. They dwell on the outskirts of society, but they have recently learned there are no outskirts. No safe haven. Wherever one lives in this world, they are in this world."

    She takes a turn, walking ahead with a clear destination in mind. Her path takes her to a large, if rather unimpressive structure. It is somewhat the worse for wear, and at this hour, it is a bit on the loud side. The voices of children are those most easily noticed.

    "Here is where it begins. It occurs to me that my shoulders are tired."

    She flicks at her menu, cleaning herself and sighing as she finds no clothes to wear. "I must speak with..." She has, at that point, a very long conversation with herself about contacts to reach out to. She writes nothing down, but stores it in the back of her mind.

    "In any case, I will not be long, and then I will be moving on again." A pause. "You want me to sleep. I... will try not to be too troublesome. It's just that there is so little time. Kauchemar... the children will be excited. Please help me. I will need your songs to bring rest to them."

    And with this, she vanishes into the orphanage. A moment later, voices are raised in greeting. The power of Legendary status provides instant recognition. She will not emerge again until morning. Most likely due to lullabies.