Goldenblade meets the Baroness

Goldenblade is here just outside the new peko ranch, looking over the grounds with a considering expression. The guards know her, she helped build the place, and is off-and-on training here. But she's looking over the surrounding area now, and with a thoughtful eye towards spaces and what could be built here. She's also been training, so she's flushed and panting a bit, but the sudden idea she gut has cut her training short. She sheathes her slightly matched blades, and looks over the grounds more critically now.

    As is always her way, Wake is searching. And sneaking. Sneaking and searching. But as she's not going to find what she seeks here, she does at least allow her guard down enough to not cling to every shadow. After all, she can see someone ahead and a proper lady shouldn't be seen skulking about, either. With that in mind, she heads directly towards Goldenblade.
    The transition from sneaking to approaching is not subtle. There are changes in her posture, her face takes on more calm expression, her lips curved in the slightest of smiles. Not so much of joy, but of politeness. Once she draws near enough, she stops and slips into a curtsey fit for a noble's court. "Good evening," she calls out evenly. "I am Baroness Wake. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Goldenblade looks over, startled, turns out she was lost in thought and not really paying attention. "Oh!" she says as Baroness Wake appears suddenly, and she replies, "Ah, hello!" She peers, but ... this isn't a Lander. "You're a player, right?" she asks. "How do you get a noble title here, anyhow?" she wonders. "A lot of quests or something?" As far as introductions go, though, she extends her hand, but since you're curtseying, she shrugs and bows, "Er, call me Goldenblade," she explains. Her full name's too much to explain.

Wake rises smoothly, arching an eyebrow for a moment at the question. "Indeed, I am a player. I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, Goldenblade." For a time, she watches the other woman, making a quick study of her. "I apologize if I disturbed you. I have spent days of wandering and thought it would be a joy to speak with someone."
    The Baroness looks towards the Peko Ranch. This, too, gets its share of attention for a time, but then she turns her attention back on Goldenblade. There's a way her eyes focus that gives the impression that there's nothing else in her world.

Goldenblade can't help but wondering, "So, er, how do you get to be a Baroness, anyhow? And anyhow that's a European title, I thought this was a Japanese server. Wouldn't they have more Japanese titles?" But she smiles and replies, "Oh, you didn't disturb me. I was just thinking that what this place needs is like an Academy or something, to train adventurers. Riding Pekos, since they're right here, but also tactics and skills and such. People working out new techniques could teach them to other adventurers and we could get a lot of knowldge circulating around like that. That's my idea, anyhow. Not sure how I could make it work. But I'm just putting my thoughts together now, I'll come up with something, I think."

    Goldenblade's fascination with her title draws a rare laugh from Wake. "Oh, my dear, I am a Baroness because that is what people are willing to call me. A noble is made by attitude and carriage as much as by those who would do their bidding. If it pleases you, please call me Wake." For a brief time, a true smile of pleasure is revealed. It lasts only a second or two before she again slips into that calm mask of hers.
    Her eyes flash with unconcealed interest in Goldenblade's words. "Why, an academy.. that sounds remarkably wise and useful, indeed. Not only for how it might begin, with a rather clear focus on those kindly beasts, but in where it might go. Houses of learning are a matter of great importance to me. For I, too, am seeking something that I believe will make this world not only better for adventurers, but for all those who call this place home."

Goldenblade furrows her brows at Just Wake. "Ah, OK, Wake-san." That's a normal honorific between people who have just met. She ohs at Wake's interest in her Academy idea, and nods, "Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I'm working out new techniques, and a lot of others are, too. I think it'd be pretty useful if we could train each other in our techniques. I'm working on a coupe projects, and have plans for another, but now I'm thinking that this training place would be super useful. I'm sure other folks have developed techniques that I'd like to learn."

"No doubt they have," replies Wake evenly. "I am working on a few things as well, but when you are ready to pursue this thought, please let me know. If I am to deserve this title, it is through serving others as readily as I pursue my own ambitions."
    For a time, the Baroness again falls into silence. Something in the shift of her posture, the way her hand rises in a fist just a few inches from her chin, hints at rapid thought. "I wonder what it might grow into," she says abruptly. "This idea of yours fascinates me. If we might develop more academic skills, it would be wonderful, as well."

Goldenblade nods thoughtfully at the speculation as to what it might grow into. "Well, for training players, I don't know if it'll become more than just useful and a nice resource. We'd have to bring Landers in to make it a real Academy, I think. regular school subjects they'd need, like land management and military tactics and sociology and such. That'd make this place pretty interesting, I think." She smirks, admits, "It's just in the idea phase now, no plans, no grounds, no anything. But if you're interested, I'll bet a lot of others are, too."

    "I am. And I would suggest that you need only think of temporary grounds. As it grows, you see, it will change in needs. To begin, certainly you will be focused on the pekos, so proximity to them is of great value. Where things go from there is uncertain, after all, and by that time, many options unforeseen may be revealed to you." Wake taps her with an extended index finger twice, then lowers her hand back to her side.
    The Baroness settles her attention again on Goldenblade. "I apologize," she begins, "I have a tendency to focus so much on the things that must be done. It can be off-putting, I am sure. Tell me something about yourself, if you don't mind. Have you been here long?"

Goldenblade nods about temporary grounds, but says, "I'd rather not completely move, if we expand, it'll cause a discontinuity, people will get lost, sidetracked, and so on. I was looking around," she gestures, "to see if there was room here to expand as we grew, so we wouldn't need to build everything at once. Maybe some barracks, and a few classrooms, and a wide, open space like a parade ground where people could ride pekos and such. That'd be a pretty easy way to start, I think. Well, comparitively easy. I like that the grounds were mostly reclaimed open spaces, though, that means a new Academy could do the same. So, we'd expand this place rather than moving locations."

Goldenblade goes on, "Er, you're fine, I'm pretty project focused as well. I worked construction in the real world. So I know a bit about building things. I've been here since it opened, or re-opened, I guess. Just a few months, though it took me a while to settle in and come to grips with how things worked."

    The mention of working construction perks-up Wake's interest even farther. "Then maybe we can help each other. I need help finding a place that I saw long ago. It is a fortress, and I wish to find it again." The Baroness considers her next words carefully. Inwardly she weighs discretion against the rising desire to not do this alone. "This is a fool question," she explains.
    Oddly, she doesn't say anything for some time. Finally, she gives voice to her question, "Can I trust you, Goldenblade, with a dream? Can I trust you to listen and not speak of it with others without my blessing?"

Goldenblade arches a brow as Wake looks at her suspiciously. "Well, I can't help you if you don't tell me what you need," she says patiently. "But if you want me to keep mum about what you're working on, all you've got to do is say. I understand about confidentiality agreements. Lots of projects require those, I'm no stranger. So I'll tell you now, I won't breathe a word of your project to anyone without your expressed permission. Only you can decide if you want to trust me."

    Wake smiles then and nods, "My apologies. I am known for discretion, which I suppose is rather odd, considering how much I enjoy finding the secrets of this world. You see, this project is a dream, and my reputation will rest not only on the success, but on the way participation helps those who assist. I am seeking a fortress, which rests on a lovely waterfall. I saw it long ago, before the game changed originally. It is not where I remember it being, yet.. I may have simply forgotten the exact location, or it may have moved."
    Wake somehow stands taller now, She settles a hand on her heart, and her voice rises, "I mean to find this place from my memory, to claim it, and to restore it, and turn it into a beacon for all those who suffer in this land. A bulwark for those who are gentle, and a place to rally the mighty in both mind and body."

Goldenblade hrms about the location, and admits, "I don't know that I know of any place that sounds like that. But I can help you look, certainly. And stay shut up about it." She nods. "As to it not being where you remember it, though, that could be a problem. Because the location was part of what you liked about it, it might be better to build fresh where you remember, rather than finding the place you liked, which if it's in a bad location, wouldn't work for you."

"Dreams are precious, fragile things."

The words come from a cloaked Imp who seems to have arrived at the edge of the pasture, leaning upon it and studying the pair intently. "Trusting another with them can either bring them to fruition or destruction. But I suppose I'm just... being pretentious, aren't I?"

There is a little gleam of amusement as the hooded head inclines, revealing her purple eyes within. "Good to see you, Goldenblade... And you too..." A pause. "Baroness Wake. Now there's a name I haven't seen in a long time. I trust you've been well?" She tilts her head, approaching the two. "Scenic." She quips. "A fortress over a waterfall. It is certainly a /noble/ goal." The emphasis gets a little flick from the Imp's tail in the air as she smiles, shrugging. "I suppose it might also make you a Baroness in more than name, yes? Handy enough."

She tilts her head. "So tell me about this mysterious fortress. Does it have any history? Notable features? Did you happen to run across it on one of your treks? Alas, it doesn't look like we'll be plumbing the secrets of Ezzo anytime soon anymore."

    The appearance of Proteus is abrupt, and yet somehow Wake can almost act as if she was expecting it. That being said, her words quickly reveal the truth, "Proteus, my goodness. You were always the one who would sneak up on me, ever when I thought myself being most clever and careful." She cannot help but really smile.
    "You speak shrewdly, and yes, I have been quite well. I retired for a time, but I have returned. I would indeed be a Baroness in truth and not just name. It is a risk, but I feel I can manage that kind of responsibility, provided I am surrounded by those who are able to take me down a peg regularly."
    "As for the fortress, it was a massive structure, built upon arches through which the water spilled. It bore a long, arched bridge of stone that led to a great tower. At the center of the fortress was a vast dome, and around it in an asymmetrical pattern stood.. hmm.. perhaps seven or eight towers. The color of the stone was rather like sand, but the dome and the peaks of the towers was of a pale bluegreen shade. And, honestly, I don't believe it would be possible to move the fortress without the waterfall." She smiles at Goldenblade, "Somehow I'm confident it's there, waiting to be found. Surely I can't be the only one who remembers. Certainly there must be some record of this place somewhere."

Goldenblade peers at Proteus, greets her with, "Hello! Er, yes, good to see you." That's the empty greeting of lack of recognition. Has she met Proteus before? She's not sure, and it's so hard to keep track of. She nods as Proteus describes the castle as scenic. "It sounds like a pretty cool place," she agrees.

She listens as Wake describes the place, and slowly nods, "Yeah, that place is definitely on -some- waterfall, it wouldn't make any sense otherwise. It might take a bit of searching to find it, but I'd be happy to help, once I get less busy. My energy's pulled too many ways just at the moment, unfortunately."

    "I expect it to be so, yes," Wake says to Goldenblade. "And pray don't worry about it. If you are kind enough to help me in the future, I will be most appreciative." The Baroness pauses to consider her words. "I believe sincerely that doing this will be a benefit to everyone. It will take considerable effort, time, and yes, risk, but should it be achieved, we will have a place focused on the goals of players, and yet fair and safe to the landers, who have suffered so long."

Goldenblade considers, says, "You know. A place like you're describing, if we do find it, would be an even better place for an academy. As long as the location isn't too remote. Though as I say it, I'm guessing if it wasn't remote, it'd have been found by now. Or else it's full of monsters and needs to be cleared. Maybe a second campus, though, if you're interested and we're doing well enough at our main location, wherever that turns out to be. I'd like it to be someplace centrally located, and close to the new player area, since they'd be the main beneficiaries."

    "Certainly if it is managed, we would want to guide players and any refugees there. I believe you are right; it will not be empty, when it is found. It is the kind of thing monsters would be drawn to. It fits stories so well. A once great beacon of light and wonder falls to darkness." Wake thinks over the idea of the academy, "It does make sense. Part of preparing it will certainly involve a vast gathering of talent. All the better if we can develop that talent as we go."
    The Baroness pauses again, gathering her thoughts. "Ideally, this will be a place where many dreams find their fruition. That is, after all, what makes it all worthwhile. I wonder.. do Landers dream?"

Goldenblade considers the castle, says, "If it's filled with monsters, clearing it should be fairly straightforward. What will you do, though, if it's owned by some Lander?" She nods about the idea of a gathering of talent for the academy. "Landers may be a big part of it, I'm not sure. It's not that they can't teach, but I don't know what they -could- teach? Does the game give them skills, even? I don't know anything about that." If they have skills, if they dream, it's all in how human the game makes them. "I wish I knew one to talk to," she says aloud.

    "I imagine if it is somewhere I expect, some noble or other will claim it. If that is the case, I will do what I do best, and make arrangements. I doubt landers will hold it in reality, though. Just on a map. If they truly held it, well, I'd have to see what I might see. I'm not going to just take it unjustly if it is fairly held." Wake pauses to consider these words, "There are situations where I might do otherwise, but only if some manner of vicious tyrant were involved, or someone so unskilled that their people were in danger."

Goldenblade nods slowly at Wake's reply. That's what she was hoping to hear. "Well, if no one's heard of it, it's not likely to be held by anyone known to players or Landers. You'd never keep a place that cool secret long. If it were full of monsters, adventurers would be going there all the time. Or evil Landers. I mean technically monsters are Landers, aren't they? Computer-controlled people going around doing things." She shrugs, she's not too hip on games.

    "I like to think that they are not monsters," replies Wake, her voice turning gentle. "I believe, with sincerity, that the more we treat them like real people, the better people we will be. Monsters are creations that, as far as I can tell, cannot be negotiated with. They are simply destroyed. But Landers have varying levels of complexity. Some are remarkably like us. So much so that I sometimes wonder if they are not artifical beings at all."

Goldenblade uhms, "I'm not saying Landers are monsters, I'm saying Monsters are Landers with different programming. The way a corner frame can be any corner, depending on which way you turn it. Though I guess that's not a great analogy. I'm just wondering if monsters might be able to be negotiated with. I've faced monsters on missions with other players that we didn't fight. We had ... well, negotiations with." And didn't come out on the winning side in those negotiations, either.

"Perhaps they can," replies Wake. "Though honestly I've never had such luck in the past. I prefered to simply slip past them like a shadow." She looks away for a time, "And I apologize for being dramatic. I frequently encounter those who think Landers should be treated.. poorly. I do not agree, as you can tell. If monsters can be negotiated with, however, that would be amazing. There may be more options than I thought."
    Wake looks up at the sky, which is darkening. She sighs regretfully, "Yet I have kept you here in this conversation long enough, my new friend. I will let you finish your day as you will and be on my way. Please do reach out, and I will keep you abreast of my progress. I will appreciate you keeping your ears open. And though I don't wish to spread all the details of my dream yet, if there are those you feel can be trusted, I would be happy to speak with them."

Goldenblade bows her head, says, "Farewell, and I will keep your confidence. And I will help when and as I can to help you find this place, it really does sound pretty magnificent." She eyes the hour, admits, "I should be getting a few things done, myself, rather than loitering here imagining things. Plans don't make themselves, do they?" She grins, and will head out.