Bonding Moments and the Concrete Plans

    It's an early day in the lands of Arcadia. Elly is not in Eas, but is found without difficult by any seeking her. There is a camp setup midway along the surveyed route from the capital to the future port town and shipyards. This is where the road is meant to one day pass, connecting Olympus HQ to their shipyard, as well. One road, many purposes.

    Today, though, Elly is here getting regular comments from experts on land clearing and other things she does not fully understand for the future site of the Carpentry Union building. It is here where the foremost experts will take raw materials from various sites (including Eastel) and construct beautiful and practical works.

    "If you think that is the proper size of it, I'll take your word on it, sir. I will of course be running all this past my architect later." And her financial expert, first.

Yeowang knows Elly's finances probably as well as her own by this time, and she's been fairly closely involved in the expansion of Eas into Arcadia from the beginning, but she's also been tagging along as Wake's protoge in the nobility, or, rather, an interested aspirant. She could probably buy a title, if they were for sale as they have been in some points in time, in some lands, but for now, she's been seeking insight into uniquely Yamato aspects of statecraft. It's interestingly different from Mercantile management, though it may seem similar on the surface. In statecraft, you can't browbeat someone with the depths of your pockets.

She remains silent as Wake deals with her carpenters, she wouldn't presume to interrupt, and she certainly has no carpentry skills to speak of. As far as the state of the funding, that's for Wake's ears alone, not for laborers.

    The time with the carpenters is not long. They know their business and they also (as Landers) have a natural appreciation for political station. They bow politely and offer their time up for more questions. Elly appreciates this, of course. And she responds in turn with her curtsey. Of all the formal gestures, this is the one she is renowned for. And her tendency to hug friends is something everyone is slowly getting used to.

    Once they are along, Elly turns her attention back to Yeowang. "So it seems like this is going to be one of our first major investments. If we can get raw lumber from overseas, I think we can benefit two countries. When we get a bit further along, I think we should consider a trade agreement to ensure things are fair now and in the future. Beyond this site, though, there are farms and the port town that I have my eyes on. Tourism is a great industry to promote. My hope is we can show Landers a touch of luxury that they have yet to experience. And I don't mean just the wealthiest of the merchant princes."

Yeowang nods to Wake about Landers being unfamiliar with luxury, and says, "Culturally, this game is a confusing mix of paradigms that makes it clear it was written by modern computer programmers and not historians. The Landers are at a sixteenth century state of affairs, generally speaking, but very twenty first century socially, with modern mores and outlooks. I suppose that makes them less alienating to the players, and makes the game less awkward for the playerbase. And of course it balances the power. And it makes the places that -are- biased, like on the fourth floor, more distinctive."

"But what I mean by all that is that the non-noble Landers have probably at least heard of a vacation. I would not expect someone from the sixteenth century to understand that term, apart from the high nobility and the richest merchants. There wasn't time for anyone else to take time off from their primary occupation, most of them, and if there was, there wasn't a tourism industry."

The pair would hear another foive calling out.

"Vactions back then was ... called WINTER because you couldn't do a lot of things during the winter at least heavy labour wise." Sure animals and such needed to be tended to but there was some time to cool off.

"IF anything that pause on everything may have been needed for our mental health which we don't get anymore. Travel was also dangerous after a certain point and very time consuming."

there is gwen in her 'heavy blade' armor.

    "It is a good thing they have," replies Elly. "Because, while I do intend on considering something for the most wealthy of visitors, I feel happier to present something wonderful to those who have their feet still on the ground, so to speak." Yeowang knows that Elly navigates the Dukes and Duchesses with grace, but she does not always enjoy their company.

    To Gwen's abrupt comments, Elly laughs. Gwen gets a formal greeting before a proper response. And by formal, it is the new formality: the hug. "Hello, Gwen! How have you been dear? Staying busy, I trust. Oh! Did your mother convey my most recent order?" The Marchioness does not even blush. But for that order, she really ought to be.

Yeowang smirks about winter, and says, "Winter wasn't so much a vacation as a different sort of trial. Animals still needed tending, houses still needed tending, and you basically did all the things you'd deferred during the farming season. Plus freezing to death was a thing." Japan being about the same latitude as America's northeast. And Korea about the same, roughly.

To Wake, she says, "The important bit is that while nobles have much more money, there are so many more Landers than nobles, even small amounts of money add up in quantity. And you've done well to offer land for service. That, I think, will win you Lander hearts, though the nobles may accuse you of stealing their labor force."

Gwen says "I did say other thing did but there was some time for cooling down Pardon the pun." Then wake derails her with that and she turns the brightest shade of red you'd ever seen. Wait what Gwen paused, yup Wake and morri have that talent. She reover quickly enough.

"Profit by volume yes?" She does not say another word about the Order she's likel made it or finished making it...

    "The issue of labor is something I will navigate with care," replies Elly. "It is indeed a fear of mine. I have pledged to be the mother of all orphans and to give them a proper coming of age gift to practice their trades. Those numbers, great as they may be, are still relatively low. The Landers were also made content as their people are learning trades from Adventurer teachers. So they have given away children that formerly did not have good economic prospects and in return have gained access to education. They have always coveted this. It is a wonderful bargaining chip. All the better because I believe it is the right thing to do."

    That last part is why she still confounds many would-be political rivals. Elly is so forthright and honest in all her dealings that those negotiating with her are constantly surprised by it.

    "Gwen, are you feeling well? You look rather flushed." She is no doctor, but she can inspect for debuffs and hit point damage. Her divine magic is a powerful tool. "And yes, small profit margins with a large base sounds wonderful. And I know that at least some of my Silver Tongues would love to run pleasure cruisers. Once I pay to have them built."

    She sighs softly, imagining yet more expenses. "Yeowang, I fear I will be relying heavily on you to determine the proper order of things. We can dress up a few existing ships to bring guests to the future port for the time being. We do not have to fix everything all at once. And there is still the Lake. Something odd is there, but we have to look more closely to see what it might be."

Yeowang side-eyes Wake as she makes Gwen blush. "And that," she says, referring to Morri and her scandalous ideas, "Is why I pay Lander tailors." She is well-dressed pretty much all the time, even her adventuring clothes are high-quality. But she doesn't even enter into the looking sexy thing that some female characters seem prone to get into. She knows what she looks like. And also that she's not shopping for a boyfriend.

She nods gravely to Wake about her care for the children, "Though those efforts will not bear fruit for years. When it does, you will have a good dividend of skilled and loyal laborers. Something odd in the lake? Where you plan the Undine settlement? I'm not sure how we will search there. I imagine some sort of magic will need to be used?" Yeowang doesn't understand magic much. She doesn't object to it, she has some small talent for it, but she has no clue about how it works. "But as far as order of things, that is something I can do. Project management is something I've done before." In RL, she means.

Gwen looks to wake and listen nodding. "I should take a few students at this point if you could help me find some suitable ones." Also young folk around might make her mother BEHAVE MORE. She til he rhead and says "...I'm fine Wake! I'm Fine just fine your order will be in soon."

She takes a deep breath.

"When your life is the game of thrones...and a honest man or woman shows up things tend to break for some people. Logistic is what wins wars in the end..."

    "Yes, the youngest will take some time. That being said, some orphans were already nearly of age. Some have since come of age. These are not large numbers, but it was these first comers who made me realize that I was failing as a mother. And drove me to get more land. And once we prove our mettle, I shall get more. No doubt there will be yet more orphans in the Palace Lands. If the people there do not wish to give them comfort and love, I shall bring them here. All of them. No matter how many. The Goddess' did not empower me so that I would shy away from saving the innocent."

    Turning her mind back to the Lake, Elly admits, "I do not know what it is, but I imagine we will rely on potions to explore it. If it seems safe enough, a friend of mine has other, less magical options. And hopefully can determine how on Earth one builds a city beneath the waters. Perhaps we just need to get a lot of Undine builders. As we proceed and get a better vision for this place, there will be much need of that management. Many decisions must be made."

    The Marchioness nods to Gwen quickly. "I can have some of the children in the Fourland moved to Eas. I will have to do so quietly, of course. So many will want to dwell here, but that just is not practical. Those that do will hopefully not mind living in the castle with me. Tae and I love the sounds of their laughter and learn much from their questions. How young is too young, Gwen? I imagine they need to be at least around 10 years old." Wake is giving Gwen an appraising look. Hm. "Well, you do look well, so that is good. Your mother and I often talk about you! I must be sure that I take care of you when you are in my lands. In that direction, are you getting what you need, Gwen? Is there anything you need help with?"

Yeowang nods about logistics winning wars. "Sun Tzu had a few things to say in that regard, but he agreed logistics was important." She also nods, but hesitantly, about the Palace Lands' orphans adding to Arcadia's ranks. "I am not sure that is wise. Their Landers are indoctrinated with an unreasoning hatred of players. Many would not join you if you offered them a kingdom."

As far as the Undines go, and Undine cities, she can only shrug. "You may wish to ask Jazzuhanzu, or some of our other Undine players. And didn't some players go on an archaeological expedition to one? I wonder if they were underwater, but domed and filled with air, or if they were entirely submerged with no air, just water?"

Gwen says "I'd say at least ten or so and have an interest at least in tailoring. You what...Oh goddesses, this is about trying to get me set up isn't it! I hadn't plannet to isakai had we been on earth i'd likely settled down by now and have my first kid or two by now." She makes a face like she's had this hash out with her mother before as she has.

"Well I'd like to set up a branch here maybe even take on an already experianced tailor to help run it. TO sell the various more pratical things I produce here also for repairing things too."

She looks to Yeowang.

"There's a lot of good things in that book of his."

"Look we're lucky we haven't had to make sure the Palace Lands stop being issue."

    "The simplest Landers can change swiftly, and children even moreso. But you are correct, Yeowang. I must be cautious. And there will be negative feelings towards those little ones. Still, it is my way to find a way to make things work to the benefit of all. We are the land of roses, but more than that, we seek to be the calm, rising waters that life all ships. If I did not, I would be unworthy of the blessings that I have been given."

    She smiles at her friend and financial expert. It then occurs to her, "I would like to give you a proper position in Arcadia, Yeowang. Right now I know my Land is little and not very powerful, but I am sincere in my gratitude. I want to do it properly, but for now, would you be willing to officially be Arcadia's Master of the Treasury? If so, I would like to arrange an official announcement and invite nobles to attend the occasion. It will give you another chance to get to know them better. And of course influence them."

    "And yes, Jazz and I are close. She is in the castle very often now. I am sure she will help. But I am sure I will not let anyone go there until I have a better idea what we are dealing with."

    Her attention shifts to Gwen, and Elly tilts her head. Her serious look ends with a wrinkled nose and joyful laughter. "Well, I do not want to pressure you to settle down. I would like to see you happy with someone, if that is your wish, and I understand that meddling in romance is very rarely welcome. So... as for the tailoring, I will find you five aspiring tailors and I think I know just the woman to help you with them and your future branch. I will see to it."

Yeowang nods agreement with Gwen about Sun Tzu. As far as being Wake's Master of the Treasury, she says, "I would be glad to fill that role. It may suit my aspirations as well if it comes with a very small title, perhaps just a knighthood. That will at least give me some small standing in the games the Landers play that a banker doesn't have. The nobles in Ninetails don't borrow, as a rule, so the business there I do is mainly with merchants, but merchant blends into prince there much as it does in Lumina Cloth. Well, maybe not to the degree it does in Lumina Cloth." She smirks. "But as your lands grow in power, a knighthood will grow in prestige also, so that will benefit both of us."

Gwen says "To say i'm not looking or have some idea of who I might be after is a lie. Still this whole afrair as wonderful as it is has thrown some monkey wreching in things." She pause at the mention of Jazz and nods

"Oh Jazz yeah she's never really been much for what i make save that one commission she came to me for." That might be why she doesn't hunt Jazz down like she does other people.

"Excellent please get to it so long as they can learn the patterns for the basic stuff and keep the quality up that's all the shop need anything else is a bonus for them and I. I'll make sure to put a focus on work clothes though."

    "I will set aside some time to figure out just what the political arrangement should be. At least, as far as I can tell at this early stage. I will keep it rather simple. At this stage, I do not have enough people or settlements for a broad and deep bureaucracy, but there is value in planning ahead for when there is. I hope that progress will come swiftly." A pause and soft laughter, "But not too swiftly."

    Elly takes Yeowang's acceptance seriously. She glides into a deep curtsey, bowing further than usual. "Thank you for agreeing to work with me on this, Yeowang. I promise to do my very best to prove worthy of your trust."

    Turning to Gwen, Elly has to extoll the virtues of the most useful of rediscovered fabrics. "We love the denim most of all!" says Elly. "I always liked it in the world before, but I did not fully appreciate just how important a fabric it is. Cool, warm, sturdy, and comfortable! The farmers and carpenters all appreciate it. Hm. I need to put in an order for safety gloves. I do not much more than that. I need gloves appropriate for loggers, carpenters, and others. Perhaps you already know what each of these might need? Oh, and do not fear for Jazz's fashion needs. Some of the things you have made for me are gifts for her, just like many are for Tae."

Yeowang will return Wake's curtsey with equal gravity. "I vow to do what I may to further your own goals," she promises, something vaguely like an oath of office crossed up with a vassal's oath. "You will not want for resources, I think, and your list of contacts is broad. I think we will make a great success of this venture, however quickly it comes."

Gwen says "Work gloves are always good might need to hire shiruba to get the right leather for me but it should be an issue. Oh i see." She nods for a moment and she think for a moment longer.

"Is there anything you need me to fo for your state, Wake?" She also looks Yeowang. "If we were on earth I'd be asking you for investment advice so I think you are a fitting pick."

    Elly looks thoughtful over Gwen's question. There is always much to do. "I think you are already on the best path. Think of the dreams you have that might flourish here. Share those dreams and we will strive to make them real. Ultimately, people pursuing their own ambitions is the best way to advance my nation. There are some things that will not be appropriate here, of course, but I begin to suspect that even dreams that are not meant for Arcadia's shores may well take root elsewhere. Even in those cases, thanks to the Silver Tongued, my people may have a role to play."

    The Marchioness divers her attention back to Yeowang again. "I hope not! This is a rather rich land. What it lacks, our dear friends may well have. Soon, I hope, we can trade and we will see Shibuya and Arcadia thrive in ways we did not even imagine."

Yeowang smiles to Gwen, "Thank you." As far as investment advice, she says, "Here, I'd say stock up on iron. Everyone's arming to fight the Palace Lands, and most weapons and armor use it. It will only rise in value while the war lasts, and the stockpiles will be used in peacetime for building and great works, I imagine."

She nods about the land being rich. "Indeed, resources seem ample, particularly as you are using them in a very ecological way with an eye to not overexpending them. Trade will be very good, Shibuya is barely an outpost still, NWA seems not to have any interest in expanding it or improving it." She shrugs. "But I have basically given up, and am hitching my wagon here."

Gwen says "What else can i really do save go forward right?" She grins a bit at this.

"Well then i'll keep at what I'm doing and we'll see where it goes , right?" She grins and thinks for a moment.

"Well away we shall go with this lets make this nation a good one shall we? Also I need to get going I fear my mother... has been working ona /manga/. I should go make sure to try and stop her."

    "I think your alliance has taken the situation with the Palace Lands rather hard. And understandably so. We will help as we may with Shibuya and with others. But to do that, we must first build our solid foundation here. As you say, Gwen, we must work together to make this a good nation. Not just strong, but virtuous."

    A pause.

    "A... manga? Oh my." Elly has to laugh. "I hope I can get a signed copy!"