Wet and Bothered

    It's a hot morning. Unusually hot for the season. Wake is no master of map making, but she can do very simple things, like take regular measurements of depth. It's easy! You have a rope, you have a weight. You throw out the weight and you can determine the depth. Sure, making the thing she is using probably took a lot of skill, but for Elly, it was kept very simple.

    The others are quite nervous to have the Marchioness out there working, too. But really, how much danger can it be, right?

    So Elly is here, walking along a stony cliff, casting the thing out and taking readings, then chimming the results back as she also records her findings on a book of her own.

The heat may be one reason that for the time being Daiyu is in her less furry human form. It is definitely why she has her parasol out to keep the morning sun off of them. And she was certainly along as one of those concerned for Elly overextending herself. Metaphorically and right now quite literally. But at least it also meant there was someone to take notes so Elly didn't have to do everything herself.

Yeowang assumes the rope is being dropped exactly vertically, and this is being verified with a plumb-bob or other levelling device, snd she peers critically. But she's not here to second-guess Wake. Not /exactly/. She will appear from out of the foliage and says quite clearly, "There is a surveying crew that was told to take the evening off, and that their tasking was being taken care of." She will look around with a melodramatic peering, and she says, "I wonder who it was who may have done that?" She doesn't doubt Elly's lack of need for a security detail, she knows the woman's skill. But there are monsters.

    "Mark twain!"

    Elly has called that out at least three times. And it's never really appropriate. She just likes it. She's really getting into these soundings. She has been rather kept in 'civilized' places for far too long. This place is wild, free, and breath-takingly gorgeous. The cliffs are not so tall here, at perhaps seven or eight meters, but there are also no rocks and the water is deep. In short, it's a prime candidate.

    As for the instrument Elly has, it is very well made, and she appears to be using it correctly. Those working with her made it extra simple. Compared to a normal tool for this job, this one has clearly been over-engineered for someone like Elly. Somebody is being nice to her.

    "So that's actually... oh wow, five-and-a-half fathoms!"

    She sounds excited. Away from the people who have certain expectations from her, she can do something very odd, indeed: relax. To not intentionally control every single expression and word. Granted, she generally still does, but she can show her exuberance!

    "That is marvelous, is it not?" She looks over to Yeowang and then looks away. "Well, they have been working very hard! And I am just here to provide sounding! This is very deep! And look how lovely the shore is. You have an expanse free of dangerous stones."

Daiyu snickers softly to herself. Wake gets an extra point for knowing where a certain author got his pen name from, and the original useage of it. But it was nice seeing the woman get to calm down and actually enjoy an activity. She learned just how much -effort- went into public impressions during her time under Elly's social tutorage.

She gives a brief nod of greeting to Yeowang. "The scenery is definitely something to take in," she agrees.

Mark Twain? "Is that the American version of Marco Polo that children cry out at the pool?" Yeowang wonders. As far as Elly spending too much time in civilization, she shrugs. The artful rendering of nature in a safe but invigorating manner is the lifelong ambition of landscape artists like the sort of computer people that built this place, and she won't say that it's not very nice. She nods to Daiyu, "It's quite beautiful, yes," she agrees, "and the work crews /have/ been working hard. That's why they cost us so much money." The US is slightly emphasized, Wake knows full well US, when talking about money, mainly means her. "Our funding is entirely conditional on the players supporting this. Not even the Landers opposed to the Four quite buy in to the idea."

    "All things in time, Yeowang. We have taken on a lot here, but fortune favors the bold. The Dukes think they've put me into a situation where I will be too bogged down paying them to thrive."

    Elly grins broadly at this. "It rather amuses me, frankly. They still do not understand what Adventurers can do. Working together, we thrashed a superior force and drove them back home. Now we work to hem them in. But outside of that, we bought ourselves breathing room. We are doing surveys, we are making that bond issue a reality, and we are changing the world. Even a single Lander getting involved in it will be a massive achievement."

    She has cast the line again. With care, she lowers it farther. Elly is focused carefully on her task, but there are sometimes complications. Things that can go wrong. Like, for instance, a line getting stuck.

    "Mark twain is the depth of two fathoms, actually. And the pen name of Samuel Clements."

    Elly works with the line. She has been taught how to work around this and usually can. She tsks and flips open her menu and flips around. Nothing to worry about. Not at first. Until she is suddenly in a one-piece swimsuit and her boots vanish.

    "Sorry, this will be just a moment!"

    She carefully sets down the tool, securing it for a moment. And then? She darts to the cliff and dives into the waters below!

Yeowang blinks as Elly reassures her about our plans being solid, and our current track record. "That much is true," she says as Elly suddenly changes in front of her, and dives into the water. Yeowang can only shrug as Wake does what must be done, and she calls out louder, "Yes, I know all things must be done in time. But fortune only favors the bold when the bold plan and prepare quite well in advance and have solid groundwork laid before them. Fortune tends to look less favorably on bold people who step forward unsupported without proper structures in place."

"Clements worked on those boats before writing, and took it as his penname as a homage." Daiyu explains a bit more. It's the sort of nerdy thing a librarian would know, even if from a different country. Then snorts softly. "I think they are just jealous you are finding ways to get matters done that they could of never dreamed of. Beating them at their own game. But they are too haughty to admit they took aim at the wrong person."

Daiyu just watches as Wake dives in. She knows the woman can handle herself, and there are people here should a larger problem come up. "And that is why she has friends like us to help make sure those preperations are actually taken," she adds to Yeowang.

IT was a hot morning, which means Gwen could get away with her mystic knight outfit. Which was one she'dcome to like it also let her escape her mothers' clutching noted she had to go help Wake with something imporant. So here she was and just musing about this for a moment.

"Wake has it prettyu much."

She thinks.

"We're still playing too nice, but we do what we have to do."

    Elly is not under the water too terribly long. It seems she is just good enough a diver to hit the proper depth. She is lucky. The freeing is done on the very first attempt. She pops up to the surface before anyone has cause to be nervous about her. The sound of the surf is loud, of course, and then Elly has to climb.

    If anything, though, she is enjoying herself. She is strong, agile, and has long limbs. These all make her a very effective climber.

    "All that we are doing is the groundwork, my friend!" she calls up from the cliff below. "We have land, we are completing a survey, we have a vision."

    When she reaches the top of the cliff, she smiles and adds a conclusion.

    "Most of all, we... I have you. My close friends. Who are my caution, my wisdom, my guides. And you are my mind, my skill, and my strength. I will not forget it."

    She is dripping, smiling, loving every second of this. "I love this body! It feels so good, just being here, being who we are. Being able to seize destiny for ourselves. And we have the responsibility to help others feel this again. But we are working on that already. To return to my point and purpose here..." She looks to Daiyu and, with a warm smile, says, "Six-and-a-half fathoms! This... this is the place." She looks thoughtful. "Now I know why this was the day and time that they gave me. No doubt it had been scouted by the first map makers and their experience gave them more than just suspicion. Shiruba will be so happy! I cannot wait to tell her! Hm.. or better yet, show her!"

    The Marchioness tuurns her attention to Gwen. "I understand your view. I assure you, it is not quite so nice as it appears. I have been given a situation where I can pay taxes, which I will, or, in time, I can cast them off and throw down the gauntlet. It is an interesting situation this puts the Dukedom in. Regardless, though, I mean to make us rich through trade and skilled craftspeople. Adventurer training has no peer in this world."

Yeowang ohs as Daiyu explains. Whatever background Yeowang lays claim to, classic literature is not part of it. She reluctantly nods to Daiyu, asnd says, "Indeed, here we are, and nevermind what /we/ should be doing." She nods reluctantyly as Wake climbs back up, agreeing, "We have all those things, yes."

And then something about six and a half fathoms? "That's what, thirty nine feet? What's special about this? I can't help you prepare for things, if you won't tell me what to prepare for." Of course Yeowang /is/ an excellent improviser, as many have found out to their disadvantage, but she definitely favors preparation.

It was times like this one got to see how the noblewoman started out in much more physical ventures before finally setting into her political role. Daiyu doesn't mind watching though, it is much the same way she's had people underestimate her because of her intellectual status.

"Hello Gwen," she greets the taller woman's arrival. "It is... but that is part of the beauty of it. I would bet the Dukes expected her to throw up arms or otherwise resist immeadiately. Instead of playing to beat them at their own machinations in the long run." She adds a few notes as the full depth is revealed. "From what I understand Yeowang, Elly wishes to start a proper aquatic settlement for Undine within the depths of the As well as a proper port for Arcadia on the coast." She tilts her head towards Wake, as if silently asking if she's recalling that right from what she's been told.

Gwen has this moment of what? on being one of Wake's guide. She muses to herself she's just a redneck who loves pretty clothing also hunting. Not that she gets to do /that/ much these days in the old sense of it.

"Okay fair on that. I'm not one for the the halls of power. God I recall the last noble party I went to. Nearly got chased out on a rail by a noble."

She makes a face.

"I'm just glad someone bailed me out and I wonder how she's doing haven't heard from her in a long time."

She thinks for a moment

"Hello Daiyu, and oh that could work well..."

    "The vision is this. We find a port. We lease a portion of to Olympus, for the Alliance shipyard. We take the land near it and begin to create a resort town. There is a place that the maps indicated had no cliff, but a proper beach. That land is useless for a shipyard, of course, but perfect for people who just want to enjoy the sea. We arrange for some regular security so the waters remain safe, and we can do something very special."

    Elly goes on as she keeps working. "We also will have Olympus build road from their HQ to their shipyard. They can have that land without cost, but cannot charge tolls. Thus the Alliance gets the shipyard it craves, a safe road that they own, and Arcadia gets safety, security, and the chance to build up its own specialties. Everyone wins. And New World, if it is interested, can gain advantages, as well. I have not been approached officially, but I have thoughts. After all, many of your Alliance are working with me here. Making their own mark."

    Another sounding is taken. This time without incident. "Oh, and lake is another thing. A proper Undine dwelling would be lovely, would it not? But yes, in the end, we will make this king's ransom seem like a historical steal on the side of Arcadia."

Yeowang ohs to Daiyu about an aquatic settlement for Undine. "Do we have enough Undines to build and live in such a settlement?" she wonders. "It seems it must be quite different then settlements on land." They won't get much use of drinking glasses, for one. "Even they don't often live underwater full-time, I understand?" Gwen's story reminds her of a similar incident, and she smirks, explaining dryly, "At least you never had to cover for Merek among society Landers." The real travails of NWA. "I think we are less focused now, as we have ever been, with Haru defecting to Olympus. He was a steadfast organizer, and we lost dearly for not having him." She considers, "Wake, that reminds me, I think I should finally take those deportment lessons you offered. I'm finding myself dealing with that echelon of Lander society more and more if I am to exercise a Leadership role."

Gwen perks at the mention of a resort town given her current breakthrough in clothing. She's rubbing her hands together.

"Oh that gives me ideas...maybe even a casino?" Oh god what is Gwen ploptting now? If we want to go to the NWA we's want to hit up Shiruba I think."

"Oh You know of the item i forged during my first strange mood? I wonder if your holdings might be a good place to display it..."

"Defecting seems like a harsh description. It's not like he left to assist the enemy." Daiyu closes her own notebook, and shifts her parasol to the other shoulder as to not overstress one. "But yes, I can understand it is a big shift with having to redestribute duties and such..." She's in her human form, so you will just have to imagine the twitching of ears when someone mentions casinos. "I believe Elly wants to attract tourists, not empty their entire pocketbooks."

    "I'm against gambling," Elly says gently. "It enslaves people. It compels them to seek shortcuts. To be lazy. Reckless. Foolish. My people work hard, work with skill, and are rewarded on these merits. There is still a measure of luck in all things, but at least in them there is also a measure of will, skill, intention. So no, I am afraid there shall never be a casino in Arcadia."

    The Blind One's favor is enough a measure of luck in her mind. Games of chance have no place in her vision for her people. And she can think of no good reason to change that.

    "I would be happy to assist you in what ways I can, Yeowang. I am delighted that Haru is among us, of course. But I know that must have left a void behind. But returning to the point, you can count on me! And while you prepare yourself, please call upon me as needed to represent your needs in the meantime. I am a face Lander leaders are all quite familiar with. The Links have made me many friends and made me a regular guest in every major dwelling place in Yamato."

    She continues moving along the shoreline. It is slow, painstaking work. And while she is having fun, she is also very, very careful to measure her distances properly and to take every sounding with care.

    "What item is that, Gwen?" she asks curiously.

"Yes. All of those things," Daiyu agrees as she follows after Wake. "That is part of why Kallamore does not concern itself over having Uncrowned in the cities like Lumina Cloth. Most of them are too in debt to be of a threat. They are just as enslaved as the Crowned, merely by economics rather than brainwashing."

Gwen says "The tapestry of the fourth world fraction." She notes with a bit of a grin. "You should see it, i have just been at a loss of where to display it as it should be somewhere grand and i wasn't sure what the various lander nobles would think..." Also she got distracte by making more things, adventuring and the war.

"I might have starved if not for my folks, Shiruba and Uta."

She looks to Wake

"Gabling happens might as well have someone with a soul with their hand on the breaks but your land your law, still going to need to deal with the gambling culture over in the Palace Lands..." Also she just wants an Excuse for Casino bunny outfits.

Yeowang nods as Wake comes out against gambling. "I agree," she says, but the reason she gives is, "It encourages a something for nothing ethos that ultimately goes against our campaign of empowering people. Also, the margins on gambling are quite small for the increase in crime we'd see, and we'd have to ramp up security quite high to keep the lid on everyone trying to take a bit extra for themselves. Gambling may happen, but if we don't engage officially, it will stay on the downlow. There is always a housewives' Mah Johnng game, but they wager pennies, not gold."

She smiles at Wake agreeing to help with her own coming out in society. She at least already has the wardrobe for it, so she wonders what other benefit she might receive.

    "No gambling," replies Elly calmly. "And I do not have to deal with anything over there. I will support the uncrowned and I will work with them to whatever degree makes sense. But I do not live there. I do not have the right nor, thankfully, the burden, to fix all their problems or adjudicate matters. I have no desire to be a judge nor director of their destiny. I only mean to restore freedom and at most, provide some general counsel for mercy to those Landers who are simple and were not involved in the horrors there. Should there be cause, I would be willing to take some of the innocent in as my own people should they wish to come dwell here."

    The Marchioness falls silent for a time, focused on her work. There is the sound of birds, the stiff winds, and the feeling of sea spray as the cliff begins to dip down, carving off some half of its height. The water remains quite deep, though.

    "We are at... an hour past mid-tide, heading for the low? Is that how it is said? Even at low tide, then, this should be plenty of depth for our ships. If we build more massive vessels, there would need to be more construction, but this is quite lovely for all we need not."

    She balances the various topics with ease. She clearly enjoys them all. "That attitude does concern me, Yeowang. Most of all. I want to focus on honest work and meaningful production. It is why one of my goals is to make a carpenter's guild. Not just to do sustainable logging, but to take the raw materials and make furniture that will benefit all nations. And of course be sold at a proper price." She grins at Yeowang. "You taught me that we need to take the money we make and invest it where it will have true returns. While raw materials are great sources in the short term, it is far better if we add meaningful value."

Gwen says "But isn't getting in the same room as My mother gabling?" A joke to lead off to other things. "Fair on that, still I'll do what I can there without some 'gentleman' trying to walk off with all of our creations as if they were his own. As for that if your going to harvest something you might as well process it too, more jobs and tax income that way."

Yeowang looks over to Gwen, then back to Wake. "I get the impression that it's not the gambling that's important, but the waitresses in bunny cosplay?"

She considers Wake's opinion on investment in resources, and she says, "That's also very different here, in a magical world, than it would be in real life. I had recommended logging Eastal because of their vast forests, and our own clearing objectives. But clearing is antithetical to sustainment, and here in Fourland, your resources are more scarce and sustainable logging is much more of an issue, if one that has its own costs attached. But yes, adding value will always serve us, if perhaps not always as we predict."

"Good, good. Then there is little consern of bottoming out when the tides dip. Should still have some underwater surveys done to make sure it is clear below, just to be certain." She is content to get off the topic of gambling for the time being, having seen first hand how it can be used to control others. "If Elly intends to make a resort, you wouldn't specifically need that kind of establishment to have imaginitive host costumes. There will be plenty of other services needed they could dress for."

    "You know, Gwen, it is so odd to me how people react to your mother. She is a sweet heart. Totally charming, truly. And whenever I stop by, if there are children along, she is especially wonderful. And please tell her I meant what I said. She and your father are always welcome at the Links. If they want to just come entertain children or tend to the babies, it is always welcome. It is hard for those who love parenting and have been denied the chance to be with little ones."

    She laughs softly at Gwen's suggestion. "Of course cute outfits are welcome. And do no forget that I serve a fertility Goddess. But I want healthy relationships for child rearing, if you understand."

    "Your recommendation for Eastal is a good one, of course, Yeowang. And I understand that some clearing is needed there. My plan is to assist in that and buy lumber at a fair price. Perhaps we can setup something that enables everyone to thrive? I am unclear of what New World wishes to do in the long term. I do not know what the vision is. Whether it is going to be Adventurers leading their own nation or something else. Or if you wish to have assistance in organizing and forming a supportive bureaucracy."

    She forces her attention back to her surroundings. There are more soundings to take, but she is taking it all in. This beautiful, new land. It fills her with romantic excitement. "I can hardly believe it. I wonder if this is what Lewis and Clark felt, when they beheld the wonders of the American West. I feel a desire to experience all of this land. To bring it into my heart. To become one with it."

    In short, she loves this land. "All this, in exchange for money. In exchange for the known, predictable, and limited, we win potential. And here we are, representing every Alliance in Yamato. Working together. If we continue on like this, surely the Goddesses will smile upon our efforts."

"A feeling that is hard to find in the world we came from. Though a good adventure novel was always a nice substitute." At the mention of the Links and childen she perks back up. "Oh, as I am reminded, I got some reading materials for the children. Mostly poetry and such I could simplify to a child's reading level, but it is still useful."

Gwen says "Your in a relationship she considers you off limits for most of her antics." She was a good mother yes, but there are times. Gwen may have found outfits when she was younger and always wondered about them. Not that she ever clicked they were old cosplay costumes. She think for a moment longer.

"All right fair."

She thinks about the deity Wake serves...oh no she's in on the shipping wall too isn't she?! Gwen dares not bring that up.

"Well on that task then i have ideas."

She fears when the day come both Wake and morri are so where are your Children Gwen!

"So do you want to display the tapesity somewhere in your domain it could be good for attracing people to see it. Humm all sorts of outfits could be done..."

Yeowang nods to Wake, but says, "NWA will almost certainly decline any large scale land management efforts, however I encourage them. They are best interested in personal-scale projects except in very special cases, and without Haru, I think any requests I make to encourage more activity will fall on deaf ears. But Landers will chop trees if there is coin in it, and if the land is safe, and I have go the project for clearing the lands underway, so that is a beginning. Once we have cleared out the monsters, the Landers will almost certainly be able to make the lumber available."

As to Wake's loftier goals, Yeowang can support them, but she doesn't really feel ownership. "I think," she says, "that we should remain in the moment, and not worry about what two unwashed barbarians did a hundred and fifty years ago at untold expense to the native cultures in the area."

"History is to be learned from, not dwelled upon," Daiyu agrees with Yeowang. "Stare behind too long and you only become more blind to what potential lies ahead."

    "I do not speak for the character of the men, but only for the feeling in the moment of seeing something more wondrous than anything one has seen before," explains Elly gently. "Nor do I think those two soldiers have hands large enough to hold the responsibility for all the evils that came before and followed. Many share that blame. It serves as a keen reminder, though, Yeowang, of the dangers of eagerness and expansion. Part of what we must be mindful for as we survey is if there are pockets of Landers who somehow scratch out a living in these lands. I have never heard of such a thing in the Dukedom, but I am prepared to address such scenarios when they come."

    She returns to Daiyu's offer. "I would be delighted if you could bring them to the children! Or if you prefer I can arrange for the delivery. For the little ones, it would need to be simple, as you say, but for the older, I delight in giving them complex reading to learn from. It will benefit them greatly."

    She says nothing at first to Gwen's comments about her relationship and being off limits from antics. She is amused. "Your mother has had many very good suggestions for Tae and I, frankly. Their experience is valuable for newlyweds. You would do well to learn the ropes from them. They have maintained a very healthy and loving relationship. As for the tapestry? I have not seen it, so I do not know what would make sense."

Yeowang nods to Wake, and she says, "I would not tar them with all the evils of their people, they did quite enough on their own, I think. But you are right, we must be mindful of who we might encounter in our explorations of this world. I think such things would be found more in Ninetails, as it is so much wider than Fourland, or in Eastal, which is so heavily forested. Though I think we can take a lesson from Scale's dealings with the widely varied cultures inside the Tower. I think they are more different than any two Lander cultures outside."

Gwen just pales at Wake's comment and is left with an almost paniced look on her face. If Morri has a chink in her mental armor it's her mother. If morri was only here to see Gwen's reaction. I'd be happy to show you at some point!" Yes a distraction focus on the Tapestry.

    "I have met Cait Sith and Werefang outcaste groups in Ninetails. I believe you were familiar with that work. It was done to support resistance to invasion on one hand, but there was always far more to it. I mean to support them to ensure they do well. Those people live very hard lives, and come from the early generations of their kind, who, instead of being used as canon fodder, slipped away to carve out their own existence."

    She looks thoughtful, pausing to consider things for a time. "I do hope that when things are ready, they will seriously consider coming to live here. But it would be hard to leave what they know behind." She makes a not to herself to consider the political tangle that will involve. Is she in a position of strength that will allow her to deal with the heat of it?

"There will always be some looking for a new oppritunity, or to move away from past issues. Even those that wish to stay may decide to send their children in hopes of better oppritunities they had themselves," Daiyu muses. Idly shifts her parasol a bit as the sunlight has also moved as the time progresses. "And even if not, they will appreciate the aid given them."

Yeowang sees that Wake is deep in her own planning, and says, "I must get back to the Castle. Take care, and do not hurt yourself," she says to Wake, and will leave her to plan out the fates of empires as she gets on with her own planning.

    "Daiyu, I have been rather meaning to ask something for a while. What are your plans now? I understand there is obviously a lot to do yet to free everyone in the Palace Lands. I suppose I mean to say, like so many have throughout history, what will you do when the war is over?"

    Elly continues to relay the results of the soundings, but their rhythm is rather established now, requiring little specific focus on the communication, but care in the execution. Now the cliff grows less sheer still. They have come rather far at this point, and the area where the port is most likely to work is behind them. The promised beach, though, has not yet been sighted.

    "Sorry if this is a person question. Is it difficult going from having tails to not? I have always been a little curious, but feared to ask."

Gwen says "You do what you have to do right?" She makes note about the Werefang and Caitsith as well.

"Hey do what you can with diploacy and if they are I'd say we make them welcome here if that does happen right?" gwen flares her wings a bit.

"I suspect ist a lot like wings in a way, god they got in the way so much in my first weeks here." She looks to Daiyu curious about their own experiance. She will gives Yeowang a wave as she heads off.

    Elly will make a point of sending some chims Yeowang's way later. There are things to discuss. Always things to discuss. But not just projects. Work has its space, but it is not the only thing!

    "I will see what I am able to achieve. It is always a balancing act. I am committed to support those who supported me. I will do so. But I think that can benefit everyone, in the end. I suppose I am a dream and an optimist on some of these issues. So far, though, faith has been rewarded."

    There is more territory to cover, but it is time for a break! Time to eat food that Tae brings herself to the group. She stays at one of the main camps today and has been enjoying the chance to cook for so many people. It is there that the group can relax before moving out of the new territory and back to Eas or north to catch a ship back to other lands.

    Elly has one more thing to say about the situation.

    "Whatever comes, if we remain true to our values and to those we care for, we will do well."