Just Another Day in Alne

    There is a slight breeze in the cool, cold air. Alne was its normal bustling self with Adventurers coming and going. Some heading for the Tournament, others for the tower. To the clothing shop, to their guild halls, maybe even to the bar.

There was a small bit of a crowd in the square near a location where some Adventurers like to relax at. The people's eyes fixed on a mountain blue slated imp, was dancing as a bit of a show. It was similar to that of a gypsy dancer, with how her hips sways and body moved.

The hooves finding their way easily enough against the grassy surface under the trees. Each step fluid and in control. Her hands moving to an unheard music in her mind. Even her fingertips sometimes added to the grace.

When the imp finished, she did so with an elegant twirl, going down to her knee, with her hands flourishing out to the side. Her breath was slightly heavy, before she rose up, giving a proper, graceful bow to those clapping their hands, "Thank you, people of Alne." She spoke out to them in her seductive tone. "You are truely the most wonderful."

Goldenblade is wandering by, she'd heard rumor of a tournament and had come to sign up, but she's lost and mostly clueless, so wandering around aimlessly, half looking for the colosseum or wherever she's supposed to go, half just flat out looking around curiously to see what's there.

She'll pause to watch Katherine's dancing, that certainly comes under the heading of seeing what's here, and when it's over, she will join in the applause. Entertainment's definitely different here than back home.

Contrary to popular belief Kauchemar is perfectly capable of not making a spectacle of herself.... It's a matter of not wanting to, which is in truth a less common occurance.

But this is one of those times, as she's milled about the small gathering watching the show and appraising the dance routine for herself. She's in her human form and shroud in her cloak, so the only real striking thing to see is that she is a slight bit taller than average for the normal people. There are some locks of midnight blue trailing out of the hood, but really, this is an MMO world in Japan. What's weird about weird color hair? Nothing.

    Once the crowd disperses a bit, she flicks a bit of her hair back, while walking over to a leather waterskin near by the tree. The imp picks up the waterskin with a crouch down, stands back up once more, then takes a drink from it.

When a few Lander children run by, she gives them some gentle smiles, before her glowing Lavender eyes peer over at those who may be still gathered, "That was the last show I fear. Need a bit of rest and foraging to be done."

Though her eyes fall on Kauchemar, as she notices that midnight blue locket of hair. She is quick to walk over with a glee in her eyes and keeping to that hip sway of hers, "I /love/ that color darling!" She motions to the bit of hair that is visible. "May I see the rest of your hair? I do love when people get creative with hair color choices!"

Goldenblade peers as Katherine heads over to Kauchemar, who she hadn't recognized, and she belatedly raises a hand in greeting. Her own hair color, while not found in nature, does not count as exotic, she imagines, the fire-engine-red color having been a thing long before the more exotic colors came into vogue. It's practically normal, in fact. She hangs back a bit, she can speak with Kauchemar after.

Kauchemar continues to watch even as the show is done and most of the crowd is parting to continue their daytime activities. She knows dancing very well herself, so it's mostly trying to gauge if that performance was with the traits of a class, profession, or the actual user's skills of performance arts. It may be a combination of them, though as the Imp continues to move with that distinct sashay even after the show, there is likely some natural affinity to it as well.

When she walks over to her a faint grin forms under the hood. Tsk, even when not trying to attract attention she does, she's just too good at it. "If you insist." She grabs the hood by the sides with her hands and pulls it back to uncover the rest of the thick midnight blue style. Goldenblade would definately recognize the color and style, even in this form.

As for the imp's closer inspection, while the hair is long and thick and even slightly curled in its length, it doesn't completely cover the tattoo of a stylized horse head snorting smoke on the backside of her neck.

    Katherine has not yet noticed the bright red head, as her inspection was on the Were-Fang hiding as human. "Your hair is beautiful, my dear. I am almost envious of it." She says with a warm smile, as she steps away.

"Also, love the tattoo," She gives a gentle wink. "You were fangs never do get enough respect." she still smiles, but it was more gentle. This is when she notices Goldenblade and gives them gentle wave, before she steps back to look at them both, "Did you enjoy the dance? I normally do such things to music, but alas! No bard in sight this morn for a proper show."

The imp gently sighs as her hand comes to rest close to her own bosom, before she then claps her hands together, "Also forgive my rudeness!" Then gives a proper bow to them both. "My name is Lady Magus Katherine Tanzer of the Outcasts. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you!"

Goldenblade hangs back as Kauchemar attracts attention. It's not a bad thing, but for herself, she'd much rather remain ... not exactly anonymous, but less forward. And she does recognize Kauchemar, they've adventured together in the past, and met socially as well, but this seems like a moment, and she will look over some stall's wares in the meantime.

When Katherine addresses her, she turns back, and she bows as well. "Please call me Goldenblade," she says. She nods about the dancing, and says, "You're pretty good. The bards here seem to know all sorts of songs, too, even from my time, so maybe we can get some bards together and have a concert. Or a dance."

"It's true, but we endure." Kauchemar doesn't bother with pulling the hood back up. It's not like she was trying to hide. Just... well, it's already midday and her monster form is more of a nocturnal creature. So when she does have to be out like this, as a human is actually more comfortable.

There's a brief shrug at the mention of a bard. "I did not want to interrupt." Then tilts her head at the introduction. "Well, isn't that interesting." Without missing a beat she sweeps an arm across her front and leans forward into a bow, long mane of hair spilling over her shoulders. "Kauchemar Tenebrae, also of the Outcasts as it would happen to be."

As she stands upright again she adds "It's not really an... organized 'kingdom' like the others," because she figures Goldenblade is going to ask, being new to the game. "Outcasts, as the name suggests, tend to be outliers of the ways of the other nations' ways. More inclined to doing things our own ways."

    "Dancing is a passion of mine. Something I've been doing since I was young to help deal with troubling days." Katherine explains. "While not something I do these days for a living, it does bring smiles, good cheer, and a few coins." She laughs softly at this as she brings her fingers up to her lips.

Her glowing lavender eyes look back to Kauchemar, "Not often do I run into another Outcast, at least not some who are civilized." Her smiles stays. She nods her head in agreement to everything that the Were Fang has to say. "Indeed! The best way to be truly free and not have to worry about some pompous leader trying to rule over your life."

She goes to rest a hand on her hip, "I /do/ enjoy my freedom and my own state of choice with no hinderance to what I desire, beyond what I deem to thy own self." Her hand then motions to Goldenblade, "What of you, miss Goldenblade? What nation do you hail from, hm?" She then takes her thumb claw to her teeth, seeming to be giving the woman a once good look over, "You humans after all, are so hard to determine. Can be about anything and anywhere after all."

Goldenblade had actually sort of guessed that the outcasts were not part of any kingdom. It's implied by the name. But she nods as Kauchemar explains, because she's very much still learning things.

Though she -is- a member of a kingdom, she says to Katherine, "I haven't really found much to connect me to the Holy Empire place, which is where it say I'm from. I think it might have affected my starting skills, but it's not like the other people from that area call me 'Homie' or anything, and no one's told me to do anything. So maybe the Outcasts have more in common than members of actual kingdoms?" She shrugs.

"Oh, yes." Kauchemar taps a fingertip upon her cheek. "Well, it is one of the more distant kingdoms. Or the Ninetails and Dukedom are more widespread because of their trade and naval activities. One way or the other." In the end she just shrugs. "They probably only care that Adventurers showed up to deal with matters in that they didn't have to expend more of their own military on it."

    "The Holy Empire hmm? So you hail from the lands of the Salamanders. Hehe, means you combat must be impressive, if not your knowledge of fire." Katherine says. Though as Goldenblade speaks of more 'normal' terms, the imp seems to ignore it.

"What is, a homie?" Katherine asks, raising a brow, "Is it a rank? A title perhaps? Does seem a like a silly word." She laughs a little at the thought of it all.

The imp then looks over to Kauchemar, "You speak of the calamity wave? Do you know how things went? Hopefully not to many lives were lost to that horrible mess."

Goldenblade nods to Kauchemar, though those are only places she's heard of. As to Salamanders, she says, "I only know the ones I've met in the game, in whatever city or cites we're in." That puzzles her a bit, too. As to a homie, she smirks and says, "That's a word my grandkids use to mean someone from one's own hometown."

"I only know that the Adventurers succeeded, as I was not there myself." Which is partially true. But there are other things that have been uncovered that you don't just openly mention to strangers. "But news of victory does not take long to travel, even by the limited means." And it's part of her 'job' to know and spread these things, anyways.

    Katherine turns her attention from Goldenblade, looking over to Kauchemar once more. "That is good to hear that they did succeed in ending the Calamity... at least until the next one happens." The imp frowns gently. "I just hope such brave souls can continue to protect the people of the land."

She then goes to take another drink from her waterskin, before closing it back up and tieing it her belt. "Do either of you have any plans for this day, by chance?"

Goldenblade huhs at the mention of the calamity wave, like it's a thing she ought to know about. "I don't really know about that, myself," she admits. "Can you tell me more?" As to plans for the day, she explains, "I actually came to sign up for a tournament, but I don't really know where the place to sign up is, not that I think I'd do well. But I mainly just want to participate."

"If people keep pushing farther up the Tower, the land is going to need all the protectors it can get. Seems beating a Floor Boss triggers the Calamities." Kauchemar cusps a hand to her chin. "Almost like it was a test to be sure people are ready for the next level... or at least that might of been what it was before this became the real deal."

    "So, it is the tower that causes those horrible things to happen?" Katherine says, with her brows furrowing with concern. "How horrible... And yet, they will press on. Even with that knowledge in mind..." The next part she says softly.

The imp then goes to turn away from the two. "I should be off to go gather my herbs for my potions," She looks back to both of them. "Do feel free to contact me though, should you ever have need of a Magus." Her hand arcs with some electricity between her fingers, before she begins to walk off.

They will both find a friend request sent to them.

Goldenblade nods slowly to Kauchemar, and admits, "I've been trying to help out with that, both the Tower and the Calamities. They weren't impossible, but it was a pretty tough challenge. I guess that means I need to keep improving as well, if I want to keep helping." She shrugs. "But if that's what needs to be done, I can do that." She nods slowly to Katherine, and says, "Thank you." She will accept the friend requesr clumsily after a few confused moments.

"The knowledge will stop no one. People believe beating the unbeatable tower holds answers to escaping." Kauchemar pauses a moment to flick open her menu and accept the request. More contacts is always a good thing. She is very much the wandering sort of bard, after all. "But we know things will happen. We can prepare, and minimize the impact they have on our own efforts as much as we can."