SK4LIFE

    Yuuki was last spotted in this area outside the city of Breg Epona, the city where the tournament is being held. It wouldn't take much enquiry with other adventurers to learn this, given that Yuuki is a fairly well known individual even when she's not currently blazing her way through the first post-Apocalypse tournament.

    This particular area borders the same oasis that the city does, though is outside its limits, making it much quieter. Some grass is able to grow here, thanks to the nearby fresh water. A small patch of green in a sea of yellow. Which makes it a rather nice place and goes a ways to explaining why Yuuki might be out here. Though there is no immediate sign of her.

    That is until the sounds of... Well... Something, is coming from a patch of large bushes. It sounds like a rushing wind, but the winds here don't seem that strong. Following the sound will reveal Yuuki secreted away within a small clearing in the obscuring bushes, frequently forming a gale of wind around her sword as she swings it. The wind flickers between a more normal transparentish visual and a strangely darkish swirl.

Baroness Wake has, since the Apocalypse, been scarcely heard from, and seen even less than usual. Rumors hinted at many things. The most plausible indicated she had finally decided to settle in with her in-game partner and drop out of the endless pursuit of the impossible.

Sooner or later, though, the Baroness had to return. And so she has chosen now, of all times, to step forward. The news of the tournament had come even to her, living in self-imposed exile as she was. That Yuuki should be in the running to win the thing was not a surprise. That only one Sleeping Knight remained to vie for the title was.

Wake has always relished a chance to sneak up on a friend or foe, and so she does her very best to creep into the area, searching carefully for Yuuki. She will not call out, but instead aim to step suddenly into view, heedless that she might be disrupting something. And there she will loom, her expression calm, until she is noticed.

    Yuuki is so engrossed in whatever she's doing that a troll likely could have snuck up on her without being noticed. But once Yuuki does finally catch sight of the Baroness in her view, Yuuki suddenly jumps in surprise. She clearly was not expecting anyone and for a moment her expression looks like someone who got caught red-handed doing something that they shouldn't be.

    But then Yuuki recovers enough to recognise who it is that has discovered her little secret training area. Her eyes go a little wide as she exclaims in surprise, "Wake!"

    The petite Imp is suddenly running across the ground, closing the distance to the Baroness. She suddenly leaps, arms out wide as she goes to tacklehug the taller woman.

    Being rather familiar with these kind of greetings, Wake's lips quirk into a small smile as she is charged. While she is all poise and grace in front of others, there are exceptions. Yuuki is one of those. When the Imp casts herself up in a flying hug, the sturdy human catches her and enfolds Yuuki in a warm embrace.
    "Yuuki," she begins gently. "It has been a long time." A few seconds later, Wake lowers her friend to the ground once more. She still clasps both of Yuuki's hands. "I trust you have been well? I understand you are doing well in the tournament. Not that I'm surprised, of course."
    For a moment she draws her left hand free, pushing a curtain of her hair from her eyes. Now with her eyes cleared, she reaches out to take hold once more. Her smile remains, but her expression overall is more complex, difficult to assign to a single emotion.

    It's not surprising that Yuuki turns out to be pretty light, given her stature. Which is a good thing, otherwise she might think twice about tacklehugging people and that would be no fun. As she is lowered again, Yuuki finally gets around to sheathing her sword. Not that Wake was in any danger from it.

    Yuuki is grinning from pointed ear to pointed ear as she replies, "Yeah, it's been ages! I was starting to wonder if you were okay. It's good to see you again."

    As Wake brings up the tournament, Yuuki laughs as she rubs the back of her head, "You know me! Can't let a good fight slip by. Although it's probably going to be pretty hard from this point forward, since we're into the finals. Not that I'm concerned or anything. I'm sure it'll be fun, regardless!"

    Yuuki then leans forward closer to Wake, looking up at her as she says, "What about you!? What have you been up to all this time?"

    Wake nods at Yuuki's responses, her expression a bit embarassed when she hears that she worried her friend. That expression is there but a moment, then gone.
    "I'm confident you will do very well! I was surprised that more of us aren't left to vie for the title." She shakes her head, already planning a few questions for Kasai.
    The question of her own actions gives her pause. It was predictable, and yet she takes some time to properly assemble a reply. "I felt it was time to take a break. At the time, I wasn't certain I would return to the outside world again. My lady and I enjoyed many peaceful days. It was pleasant to be largely forgotten for a time, as well. However, as certain as the sun rises, I must act. I have some things left to do. And perhaps even redo, considering how much has changed. It occured to me I haven't done anything worthy of rumors for months." There's something more on her mind, but despite her lips almost adding this detail, she falls quiet.

    Yuuki smiles and nods along as she listens. Finally she says, "Well, that's good to hear! Both that you've been enjoying your time and that you've decided to get back into things! It's been a little less fun without you around. And you've missed out on some stuff too!"

    Yuuki moves a hand to hold her chin as she ponders, "Let's see... There's the new quests that have been popping up. Some people have been setting up shop in Alne and other places. The formation of the three alliances-Oh yeah. We're with the Olympus Alliance. They're pretty cool."

    Yuuki grins as she finishes, "But I think the really big stuff has been the clearing of the Aincrad Tower floors and the Waves that follow them. Turns out when you defeat one of the floor bosses and unlock the next one, it leads to this thing people are calling a Wave of Calamity. The event changes each time... But the first one we encountered a huge orc army, defeated its leader and then routed the rest. The second time we got to fight a giant sandworm in the desert! Plus I hear there was some weird person there who was trying to fight us too. Though no one knows yet what's up with them."

    "So yeah. With the tournament too, things have been exciting!" Yuuki pumps a fist in said excitement. Then adds, "A good time to get back into things."

    Wake laughs gently. Yuuki's enthusiasm always has this effect on her. It's contagious. "I have heard about the Alliances, though I'm not certain what they will mean during my day to day work. I like the sound of Olmpus thus far, though I have yet to seek out these new allies."
    The explanation of Aincrad Tower and the Waves has her nodding thoughtfully. She lifts her right hand to fidget with her earlobe as she considers the news. "I so rarely have fought in groups. But perhaps there are some challenges that better suit my skills. I am relieved to find that you are still at the center of it all, though. Having solid ground to rely upon is always a welcome thing. Especially for those of us who so frequently wander into the shadows."
    She draws in a breath, and her face reveals that whatever she has to say, she views it as a matter of importance. "I would like to see my efforts lead to more than excited whispers and prying fangirls, this time." Wake waits pointedly, looking at Yuuki for several seconds in silence. "I have given it much thought. I want to build something." There is a weight to the words that makes it clear she's not speaking about crafting or creating living quarters.

    Yuuki grins as she is described as being at the center of things, "Yep! Guilty as charged. Especially when there's so many new things to find, explore and fight. It's been months and it still feels like we've only seen a little bit."

    But then Wake gets serious. Yuuki blinks and then listens intently. She briefly smirks at the mention of the fangirls, recalling how fun it was to watch them fawn over Wake. Finally Wake says she wants to build something. Yuuki blinks again, "Build something?" She scratches her head as she tries to imagine what it might be. But her expression suggests she's coming up blank. Further evidenced when she asks, "Like what?"

    Wake's eyes light up at the mention of new things to explore and find. The fight is of course welcome, as well. She has delayed, but hardly lost the fire to know things that others do not, and see things that have never before been seen.
    Still, she has explaining to do. "We are staying here," she replies evenly. "It has been months and we still cannot get out. I can no longer treat this simply as an amusing addition to an admittedly pleasing life. That I remain here tells me that either the world outside has been thoroughly defeated in all attempts to free us or that the world outside is actively contributing to our confinement." There's a sense that these words have been spoken by her before. "With this fact in mind, I feel it is time to make something lasting, something that can inspire and rally those living with us. In the past, my actions were focused on pleasing myself and perhaps inspiring wonder in those around me. Not precisely selfish, but hardly contributing to the greater good. Going forward, I feel that I need to achieve something more tangible." She laughs, "And yet, by irony, I say this and I stand before you weaker than I have been in this world since shortly after I started! Perhaps it is just arrogant confidence, but I hope that my belief in my abilities is well placed."

    Yuuki nods along in agreement with Wake's conclusion about the outside world. It's clear that they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Though Yuuki is obviously not quite as troubled by that as most. After all, the Apocalypse did little to make this world any more real for her, given her 'real world' for years has been one VR game after another.

    Though as Wake mentions being weak, Yuuki pipes in, "Skill still amounts to something! Even if our equipment was all destroyed or de-leveled. I'm sure you'll still turn out to be one of the stronger ones!"

    Yuuki then considers Wake's desire, nodding in understanding, "It's probably good to have a goal like that. About the only thing I have like it is a desire to find a way to figure out how to restore the Absolute Sword to its full power." She pats the blade at her waist. But then looks dejected as she says, "Of course I have no idea how to go about that... Not being a crafter."

    But going back to what Wake said, Yuuki tilts her head, "Got any plans yet for what you want to do?"

    "I have claimed the title of Baroness Wake for myself for some time," replies Wake. "Perhaps it is time that I start earning it, that I give it meaning. I do not view Landers in as low esteem as some, but I still wish to place my focus on making a bulwark for the adventurers of this world. I believe it is the aim of our Alliance to reshape this world in our own vision."
    Baroness Wake straightens subtly in her posture before she goes on. "To start, I must do what I have not in the past. I must meet people. Truly get to know them. Their fears, their dreams, what their lives mean to them now that they may be here forever. Of course I will continue doing what I do best. No doubt many of those dreams will benefit from the aid of one who can reach places that cannot be reached. Resources will be crucial to the effort."
    "It sounds crazy, perhaps. I aspire to take a leadership role, and to do that I must serve others, light the way for them so that they, too, can grow strong and confident in their own abilities." She sounds as certain as the Wake of old. Or perhaps even more certain.

    By the time that Wake has finished describing her aspirations... Yuuki is looking pretty dumbfounded.

    So much so that she's speechless, standing there with her mouth hanging open a little bit in shock.

    Yuuki then laughs sheepishly, "Geeze. When you said you wanted to build something, I thought you meant like a statue, or a bridge, or something. Not a whole empire!"

    But the more that Yuuki thinks about it... She's looking pretty contemplative as she muses out loud, "I suppose something like that could work. I mean things seem a fair bit more freeform now. Alliances weren't even a thing before the Apocalypse and then they were added in and we had no idea. Who knows what else is possible now."

    Yuuki then remembers something. She smirks, a twinkle in her eye as she says, "You know... I think I might be able to do something to help you out with this goal of yours." Yuuki starts chuckling, almost maniacally, at whatever idea she has. Though she does stop and clarify, "Though it's not a guarantee at this point. And might take a little time to work out... I've gotta talk to some people." Ominous. Especially with the chuckling.

    Wake laughs softly at Yuuki's shock. "You know, I'm glad you aren't just calling me insane. Which tells me we are either both quite mad, or simply very capable of doing what I suggest."
    Oddly, the maniacal laughter isn't off-putting. It's amusing. "I've missed you," Wake says at last.
    "And I've missed this feeling that the world is in our hands. The Sleeping Knights have always existed to shake the pillars of heaven. This is another opportunity to do just that. We will remain ourselves the whole time, and we will rally friends we haven't even met yet and together, we will make this world our own."
    She pauses then, turning her face down to meet Yuuki's eyes. "I will look forward to whatever it is you plan. I am curious, but I will understand if you desire to make me wait for the plot to thicken. I appreciate the spice of msytery as much as any."

    Yuuki looks a little amused as Wake describes the Sleeping Knights. Having been part of its formation, Yuuki of course loves the guild and its members. But it's still always just seemed like a regular guild to her. And yet Wake manages to make it sound like some mythical organization. Not that Yuuki doesn't like that, "Same. Things are so much more fun when you're around!"

    Finally Yuuki nods, "That's good. Things are still a little hush hush right now. But I don't think they will be for much longer. Then we'll talk some more about it."

    Yuuki notices the time, namely that the sun is almost gone as night approaches. Yuuki then barks out in realization, "Oh damn, I forgot to have lunch!" Yuuki steps up to take Wake's arm, "Come on, let's go get some food. A bunch of players have set up stands for the tournament so we can get something that doesn't taste like soggy crackers!" She starts to drag the Baroness off in the direction of Breg Epona.

    While the moment is hardly lost on Wake, there is something said about simply enjoying time with a friend. "You do realize that lunch is meant to come before night?" she asks playfully. Not that this occurence is anything new.
    Wake allows herself to be led. As she goes, her posture shifts once more. She is, after all, about to be 'public', and being recognized carries with it more importance than it did in the past. Not that she was ever unhappy to be whispered about.
    "I do hope that it tastes much, much better than soggy crackers," she says with dire seriousness. "I have enjoyed very good meals over these past months. My lady has become quite the cook. Which reminds me. You should come visit. I know you didn't meet often, but I'm certain that Tae will want to say hello."