An evening foxtrot

While the efforts in the Palace Lands continued not everyone was in the region itself for the contributions. It was a simple matter really. Right now the efforts were on Kallamore, and Daiyu would be too recognizable. If the Crowned Army learned she was there they'd come after her as a traitor, drawing unneeded attention towards the rebellion efforts. So instead she had returned to Yamato, taking advantage of the Libraries established there and the other resources available to the Alliance to continue research of her own. Currently she had been going through alchemy and enchantment formulas, translating what regeants Yamato used to Palace Land equivilents so those at work in the other region didn't have to rely entirely upon shipments from home to support the efforts.

And thus one would find the foxlady having made her way to Gadelica, parasol as always in one hand and a bundle of notes in the other to be sent with the next ship sailing out to Seeker's Landing from the Marina, once she found someone to entrust them to.

Sleigh-bells tinkle, light, delicate, silvery, nearly lost amidst the clatter of wheels and hooves, the raised voices of street vendors, the shrieks of children at play--in short the hustle and bustle expected from a town such as Carmina Gadelica.

Nonetheless, subtle as that tinkling might be at first, it does grow slowly louder, more insistant, if only slightly so, and is shortly thereafter followed by the gradual intrusion of a dark-cloaked figure into Daiyu's peripheral vision. Other than that it does not approach, instead matching Daiyu's pace while maintaining a distance of some three or four feet. Robert does not speak, instead waiting for Daiyu's recognition.

The subtle arrival and light tinkle of bells might of gone unnoticed by most. But the heightened senses of a Were Fang are quick to catch changes in the environment around them. Not to mention having been a scout and intermitten spy herself, Daiyu is use to watching for those cues that might slip by the fringes of perception. That said she doesn't immeadiately move towards him, instead making a casual shift in her stride to angle to his side of the pathway. "Playing the game of subtefuge as always I see." She sounds more amused at his drifter antics than anything else.

SpritesHero utters a small snort under his breath that is distinctly un-stealthy, but entirely befitting of one with no etiquette skill whatsoever. Nonetheless, his movements mirror her's as he draws closer, offering a hand. And not in the 'let's hold lands' way either. More of a 'your hands are full'.

"You do me far too much credit," Robert remarks, voice tinted with amusement. "Either that or you seem to think I suffer from eighth grader syndrome." A brief pause. A consideration. "And while you might not be entirely wrong with the latter, that was not the intent. You appeared to be lost in thought, and your arms were full. I thought this approach better than the alternative of popping up behind you and screeching 'Daiyu!!'. Your papers seemed important."

"Ah. I see." Whereas for Daiyu it is more a matter of coming from an entirely different cultural background, both in the real world and Elder Tale, so many of the Yamatoan adventurers mannerisms still escape her despite the efforts to learn. "And yes, in a way they are I suppose." She raises the bundle of parchments in the other arm. "You may recall how when I was still rogue I was trying to determine the local variations in alchemical reagents. Much easier to do with access to all the libraries of the Alliances... and now I have been researching the opposite, so the allies working in the Palace Lands can learn to craft what they are familiar with but using our resources, and not have to rely solely on shipments from Yamato."

To be fair, it's an open question as to how many of these mannerisms are Yamatoan or just...well...Robert. But he's not inclined to let this bother him one whit. He lowers his hand, tucking both arms neatly behind his back and proceeds to generally mirror her steps and trajectory.

"No doubt it will be highly useful," is his assessment, as he sneaks a glance at Daiyu. "Though I must admit I find myself a bit surprised. I know you love reading and libraries, but it seemed to me that you tilted more towards having adventures. One doesn't become an arena finalist, then restrict oneself to the stacks." A pause, and a quick once-over of his gaze. "Besides, you haven't got a sweater and jeans."

Daiyu holds up a finger from holding her parasol. "I have been assisting others in clearing various Duties from the Hunter's Guild," she replies with a little smirk, "So do not think I have entirely devoted to a desk position. But I know where I can make my skills and knowledge useful... and making my presense too long in the Palace Lands might draw undue attention to the rebellion, so for now it is best to support the effort from here.... and it would make them trying to send someone after me as a traitor much more trying, anyways. If they want to waste the resources in that effort, it's resources not put towards this so-called war. Win either way."

SpritesHero inclines his head in consent. "It -would- be hazardous to go," he agrees. "And perhaps you are correct that they would need to make an example out of you, though it does seem to me that they have plenty of other worries to occupy their time, including rebels to hunt and other uncrowned individuals who have decided that they can no longer, in good conscience, support their local power structures."

He pauses, then, pivoting towards her with the barest arching of his eyebrows. "Nonetheless, I would caution you that a backseat role will make it much more difficult to be in a position to help determine what your server will look like. After, you know, all of this is over."

Daiyu gives a nod in agreement, her tails swaying idly as she pauses. "As I am aware, Robert. I do not intend this to be my final stance in the matter. But for now, it is the most pragmatic one. Thanks to the effect of the Statue, the rebellion's focus is primarily on Kallamore... were I would be the most likely to be recognized. It would only take one Adventurer using INSPECT to see my name and such." She shakes her head. "The footing there needs be more stable before I put the rebellion and myself at that kind of risk."

"Besides." The parasol is lowered from her shoulder as she uses that arm to gesture towards Gadelica around them, and the whole of Alne beyond. "In hopes of better relations between our regions after this wasteful war is over, it is of benefit to learn more about your people and culture. And teach those willing to learn of ours."

The look that Robert gives Daiyu is admittedly a bit of an odd one, questionizing, scrutinizing. But at length he he releases a woosh of an exhalation, one hand lifting to run, front-to-back, through his hair.

"And you find it meaningful? Personally meaningful, I mean?" he asks of her at last. "This cultural exchange, I mean. Teaching. No regrets?"

"If it can prevent problems and misunderstandings like this from happening in the future? Yes," Daiyu replies, this time opting to just tuck the parasol back under her arm instead of reopening it. "And mayhaps when we do return to the former world, people will take some of that understanding with them."

Robert contemplates. Robert muddles. Robert sucks on a tooth, making a grimace of an expression. At last he nods in acknowledgement. "If you find it meaningful, that is what matters," he decides at length. Not that his stamp of approval is needed. Nonetheless, a hint of an objection remains on his features. "But I'm not sure I understand. In what way do you believe this is a misunderstanding?"

That question gets Daiyu to pause a moment. Tilt her head a little as she looks off thoughtfully. "That... perhaps is not a proper phrasing. Which really just makes the point of cultural barrier left to cross, doesn't it?" A noncommital grunt briefly follows. She's not accustomed to making literary or vocabulary faux paus like that. She really needs to track Wake down when she can for some better social insight. "What I mean, is if my people had not been so ill prepared for the situation this game would become, and our Landers had better understanding of Adventurers like yours do, then whoever proffered those accursed Crowns to them would not of been able to do so as easily and maybe we would not be fighting with each other instead of cooperating to find the answers."

SpritesHero grins, for all that it's a quick flash of an expression rather than anything sustained. He even appropriates two nearby empty barrels to perch on, one for Daiyu and one for himself. They're not likely to be particularly comfortable, being large and iron-banded. But they should, at least, be serviceable. Robert half-sits, half perches, arms folding over his chest.

"I will play devil's advocate, then, Daiyu," he remarks, pleasantly enough. "You are not a local. I would think you still get suspicious looks and quite frequently. Space made for you when you walk. Children, perhaps, tucked away." His eyebrows slide upwards. "I could be wrong. I hope we have been more welcoming than that, but some things don't change."

Daiyu positions herself on the second barrel. It has been a long trek down from the Tower since she hasn't appropriated a mount for herself here, so a rest before continuing on to the marina won't hurt. She sets the parchments in her lap, resting the parasol across the top to keep them in place. Then raises a hand to adjust her spectacles. "You... are not wrong, Robert. It is not often, but it is there. But it has become less as I have proven myself useful without the headpiece to dominate my decisions... Even if it will not entirely go away, it is tolerable. I do not blame anyone for being wary. Truth be told, while it is an annoyance I am reassured in seeing it. That people are being cautious after what I and my allies have done in these lands, but not be entirely blinded it by it."

A tail tip taps lightly at the side of the barrel. "If it ever gets too concerning, I can retreat back to the Tower. Or to Eas, where Wake has been it very clear to her people the Uncrowned are not to be trifled for what they or their kin have done while not in control of their own intentions."

"You are too visible," Robert allows, with an inquisitive little sideways tilt of his head. "Your...manifestation is clearly not Japanese. You will always be visibly distinct, visibly other. And yes, I too do not fault anyone for being wary."

He leans forward, then. "But it must still hurt. And here, I might point out, is not a place where the Palace forces invaded per-se. What about areas where they did? Where people lost family members? Where the presence of your newly uncrowned countrymen might very well keep folks up at night with worry? How would your countrymen fare at market? With trying to get a job?" Here he mimes holding up a...something or other. It's not present, so who knows what it is. "I've got this badge, that links into your emotional state. Settles it down a bit if it should become too elevated. Taps in to local law enforcement if anything should go awry. Wear it, and all that can go away. That distrust, that wariness. You will no longer pose a threat. No more shopkeepers pretending they are out of what you want. No more employers pretending they've filled their spots. No more landlords declining to rent to you. It's just a little badge, nothing much, to show people that you value them enough to show that you are safe."

"Again you point out what I am aware of, Robert," Daiyu replies. Then sighs softly. He is right, after all. Even in her vulpine form it's visible, mainly in her eyes and facial structure even with the minor fox muzzle... Of course, no one has yet bothered to get her to wear something besides her Chinese qipao either. "But I can hope people will be willing to look past base appearances... as much as I know it will never be true for everyone. Hope is funny like that. Illogical, yet crutial."

There's a pause, and she tilts her head as she regards Robert. His gestures, as if holding something while not holding anything visible, and that's the part that really puzzles her. "I understand what you are getting at, but your gesture of presentation while lack of actually grasping any visible object that you are describing confuses me."

SpritesHero tosses the imaginary 'badge' over his shoulder. Presumably into the bushes behind him. And certainly, he has not tried to get Daiyu to dress any differently. No doubt playing dress-up with Daiyu would lead to much awkwardness, even if he -were- able to convince her to do so.

"I do not quite have your talent with sleight of hand," he admits. "So I have to make-do with the metaphorical. At any rate, the point I am making is this. I would imagine you could have been completely prepared; but so long as there was a substantial threat, those crowns would have come into play. People do not enjoy being sidelined, or shunned. And if the cost is merely a trinket that enforces good behavior? The vast majority of us--adventurers, landers, whichever--will go for it. Your crowns were the key to being accepted back into society, allowed you to advance and become appreciated again, yes?"

Daiyu partially opens her mouth... and then stops. Realizes the metaphor that she had missed once he explains it, and mentally scolds herself for not catching it on her own. "You are, of course, entirely correct." Not really much else to say to that.

SpritesHero gestures towards her, though he is silent for a few moments to let the points settle in. "So play the scenario out," he murmurs, quietly. "The one that happened in the Palace Lands. From the beginning. Adventurers try to control things, exploit them, suck the life out of them. How do things play out differently the next time around? Is mutual understanding enough to override the instinct for protection? Or the instinct to look good to others?"

"I should think," Robert adds, a touch dryly, "that adventurers have given landers more than enough reason for serious concern wherever they have gone. As you may know, here we have nearly imploded due to the consequences of tower climbing."

Daiyu mmhmms. "I have heard some of the effects of those fights. We did not even approach the Tower in our region because of how horrifically high level and potent the monsters just surrounding it are said to be." She shakes her head. "Never been near it myself... Nor were we given any motivation to investigate it as you were."

"So you see the rub," Robert concludes with a faint twist of his lips. "In my personal opinion--it's not that we were better than you, or more understanding than you. It just wasn't our turn yet. Yes, understanding will make it so one doesn't think of landers as, say, simple NPCs. But aside from day-to-day matters, is that enough? If landers stand between adventurers and returning home, will adventurers understanding landers be enough? Heck, if other adventurers stood in the way of returning home, do you think the climbers will stop?"

"No." Daiyu shakes her head. "Understanding alone is never enough. If it was that easy, many things wouldn't be a problem. In either world. But understanding can help lessen the complications, and that is enough to make the effort worth it. If better understanding what happened in my region can prevent a similar situation from happening here..." She shakes her head again. "It is one of those things we do not know how it will all turn out in the end, but that is not a reason to not attempt it."

SpritesHero lifts his hands in a universal "I didn't do it" sort of gesture. "To be clear, I am -not- saying that what you are doing is useless," he clarifies. "I think it is very important for any sort of stability. I was just also hoping to get your strategic mind cracking on the larger issue. I'll admit to selfishness here. Because I've gotten nowhere with the problem."

"I did not believe you to have such an implication," Daiyu replies. "But it is good to speak up, and get others to fully think of things for themselves. Sometimes it is not until it is presented from the view of others that we do so." With that she scoots herself off the barrel she had been using for a seat, scooping the parchments back into one arm as she does. Gracefully of course, as everything she does typically is. "And on the topic of my work, I still need to get these to the Marina to make the next ship to Seeker's Landing."

SpritesHero hops back off his own barrel and bows to Daiyu, politely, if horribly awkwardly indeed. Not even a shred of her grace. "Then I will intrude upon your time no longer. Farewell, Daiyu. And until we meet again, good luck." A second bow, and then he is off, shortly thereafter lost to the crowds.