Burning Wake of Calamity

     Hard work, that's been Pela's days and nights in the few days since the Wave of Calamity. When the winds allow it and she isn't resting in the nearby village, Pela has been working on slowly and systematically creating a wide cleared zone around a zone of forest and plants that looks as if the life has been SUCKED from it. A few of the landers from the nearby village have been helping off and on, though very few of them know exactly what she's talking about, she's built up somewhat of a reputation with the landers in the area.

     It wasn't until today that she'd finally begun her slow, controlled burn of the dead forest. Carefully wetting a wide area of it, and then burning the areas the furthest from the forest first, so that if it gets out of control it's the least likely to jump. Progress has been slow, but steady on the burn. It has to be, with the utter lifeless state of the area. A stray spark easily causes fire to spread wildly, and even with help from landers and possibly other adventurers, it could easily start a devestating forest fire.

     And that's how Pela would be found right now. Covered in soot over much of her body, carefuly managing a spot where the fire was attempting to jump and spread like wild from a stray wind that blew some sparks into some of the dry, dead undergrowth. Several blasts of Frost Shock being used to literally freeze the area it's trying to jump to being cast, while Pela covers her mouth and nose with a heavy cloth to help ward off the smoke, along with a subtle shell of wind helping to dissuade the smoke from choking her out of the area.

    Ever one to appreciate and move in the shadows, in stealth, Wake comes. What is smoke but a giant calling card for the curious? She has been moving constantly for days, her energy poured utterly into her great task. Still, there are other things that must be heeded.
    The Baroness comes here to see just what this most recent Wave has brought with it. Moving in her usual silence, she approaches a familiar person. Wake has a memory for people, and though this one doesn't quite match the current environs, there's familiarity that even soot can't completely conceal. She enjoys appearing without warning, and so she does here.
    "What a bleak sight this is," she observes from near Pela. "I've rarely seen a more depressing vision than this. It begs one to wonder just what the cost might be if the Tower is to truly be overcome?" She looks to the Landers assisting, "And what will become of these innocents?"

     Pela's powers of exploration are rather high, but oddly enough her powers of spotting stealthed people is... not the highest. This results in the Baroness' approach and appearance going completely unnoticed until she's just about on Pela, even with those keenly listening ears. Between the focus on her task, and the dull roar of the fire ahead of her...

     The Baroness' sudden appearance and words cause the wildcat to actually jump a couple of feet up and away from the Baroness with a little surprised yelp, the maid landing down low, turned towards her, and with her twin tanto in hand in a defensive stance. That is until the Baroness' words and questions actually start to sink in, and Pela begins to relax again. Slowly. Her fur is still a bit puffed up on her tail as she begins to mumble a response.

     "T...there... is possibly... m... more to the wave... t...too..." She mumbles out, actually stumbling and stuttering just a bit in a mix of nerves and shyness. Her movements are slow and careful and very slightly away from the Baroness, but beyond that initial drop into a defensive stance there's no outright aggression from the cat. "T...the people... in the wave... s....say it's our... our world or theirs... a....and that WE'VE b...been sending waves to their world, t...too."

    The reaction draws no response from Baroness Wake. She will be polite and pretend to not notice the drawn weapon, as well. "My apologies for not being more polite. I think you remember me, but if not.." She glides into a curtsey, the kind meant for a throne room or a gala, and yet to her it is as natural as breathing. "I am Baroness Wake."
    With the introduction completed, she turns her attention back to what Pela has just shared. "So the invaders in the Waves are saying that their lands are suffering as players attack the Tower? Is that a fair assessment? Do we know anything else yet?"
    The burning is so interesting that she cannot help but look at as she speaks. And yet, even this scene does not hold her attention for too long. Instead, the full weight of her focus settles on Pela.

     Well, at least Baroness Wake seems to be very composed, which actually helps Pela to relax as her head tilts in a curious, interested way as she looks at her. This woman is familiar. Hmmm. Where did she meet her before...? Rather than just sitting there musing, Pela turns back towards that fire and her job of watching to make sure it doesn't spread too wildly, the winds having mostly died down for the moment. "I... uhm... d...do kind of! You look very familiar. ... I... I'm Pela Clarpuff, explorer and solo player associated with the New World Alliance." To her credit, Pela dips into a curtsy of her own, those tanto long gone.

     "...I... admit... I've only b...been to this last wave, so a lot of my information w...was heard second h...hand and from afar... b...but that is... about the gist of what we know. In their world, adventurers are called 'Heroes', a...and supposedly our 'Heroes' have come to attack their world, too." Pela says, explaining what little she knows on the subject. "A...a few people know more than me, like mister Giganpor and uhm... uhm......" Names are escaping her mind right now, apparently.

    "It is a pleasure to meet you again, Pela. I'm glad to see you have broken the soloing habit to assist with this work," says Baroness Wake. Her serene expression slides into an approving, calm smile. "The time for solitude is ending. We must all find ways to better work side by side."
    The news Pela shares about the other world is taken in with an arched left eyebrow betraying her fascination with the information. "So our players have gone to their world and attacked. Did any of these people return to their world? Did they appear different in some way?" Gears are likely turning, though she has not given voice to any of her feelings at this point.

     "L...likewise, Baroness!" Pela says, her voice ~almost~ chipper. Though there is a melancholy to her voice. The job she's doing now is clearly one that is solemn and saddening for her. "...A...and yes... I've been... doing what I do best to help... I'm slowly working on cataloguing what herbs I can in the various areas..." She murmurs.

     "S...so far as .... I know... none of our people have actually gone to... their world... so I'm n...not sure where that big comes from... b... but the people from that world... went back with active chaos gate magic. T...theirs aren't broken like ours." Pela shares... freely. She honestly has never been a huge fan of secrecy between the groups, especially with something important like this.

     "Uhm... t...they have a weird... kind of ... really weird icon for seemingly-players? An I, a Castle, and Wing. Which signifies... s...something! Like them being landers or something...?"

    "I wonder what game they claim to be from, then. I wonder if they, also, are stuck in that game." Baroness Wake can find no answers to that here, clearly, but nonetheless, she weighs it in her mind.
    "It is a most exotic claim, isn't it? Not at all what we'd expect here. But then, it all demands we fall back to the question of questions. Why are we trapped here? What is the point of it all? What is happening outside?" She sighs gently, "All these questions are important, but they echo back to the same questions we asked in the real world. Why are we here? At least in this case, we know where we came from."

     "Th....they don't... talk like players though? They talk like n...natives of their 'world' as they call it." Pela responds, quietly. A spark flies, straying a little too close to the area she hadn't soaked through with water, and a flick of Pela's hand sends a small current of wind to put it right back into the fire.

     "D...do we really... e...expect much here?" She muses. "T...this is all a giant mystery." Pela shifts a little, her hand moving back to subtly help de-fluff her slender tail. "...H...hopefully outside, they're doing their best to take care of us a...and figure out what happened." Pela says. "I...it would be unfortunate... i...if they just... gave up on us and u...unplugged our bodies one of these days."

     Just suddenly... nothing. The thought -- or maybe a chill wind -- makes Pela shiver. "...If our b...bodies are even still there...? F...for some people, that would be a loss." She murmurs. She closes her eyes a moment. "...M...may I ask a favor?"

    "We truly don't know much at all, but since we have been here some time, with no large, simultaneous losses of people, we have either not been unplugged or been drawn in completely. I find the latter very unlikely, though. It is more likely that we are being allowed to play on." The Baroness follows the handling of the spark with interest.
    "What would you request of me?" asks Wake. "I am certainly busy as I can be, but through exertion, comes growth. We must all do what we can to help others in the ways we can."

     "O...or maybe... s...some other factor..." Pela says softly, shifting a little in place. "Allowed to play.. o...or maybe... forced to? M...maybe ... something stops them fr...from just... taking us out of the game." Pela murmurs.

     She takes a deep breath, as if it were a steadying breath. "...T...this land -- Eastal. I've spent... days... weeks... over a month here... traveling, helping, exploring, getting t...to know it. I... it has made me feel close to this land. And seeing it l...like this... I..." The small cat girl's ears shift down a little, and she has a moment of full, unguarded vulnerability as she speaks her grand favor. "...I require a hug."

    "I could think of several reasons. Like not knowing what might happen to a mind during a dive this deep were it to be abruptly interrupted," suggests Wake. "Whatever it is, clearly we are here now, and there's no reason to expect any impending rescue. It is up to us to live as wisely as we can."
    Baroness Wake's smile shifts slightly. There's a drawing of her lips, a tightening around her eyes as Pela describes her time in Eastal and, yes, what Wake would clearly consider love of the land. In response to the request, she steps closer, wrapping Pela up in a hug. "In the face of this, Pela, dear, I think all of us could use a hug or two," she replies, her voice gentle, even affectionate. "Have you taken a rest recently? Are you in need of food? I mean handmade food, the good stuff."

     "I...it's why I try... to explore this world.... g...get to know what resources I... I have to work with." Pela murmurs quietly, but any other comments on the situation fade away as she's wrapped up in that hug, her arms lifting to wrap around the Baroness in return. It's a little stiff. Pela is clearly not used to close contact with people, in spite of the desire for a hug.

     "...Y...yes... and... and... my friends... w...weren't... online... w...when the apocalypse happened." Pela murmurs. "I was so alone. I thought I chose it." She shifts a little bit. "I...I've been resting, w...while the winds have been dangerous for the burning..." She doesn't immediately respond on the food question, before finally murmuring, "...Eating Lander food... d...did not come out expecting a long trip, so close to Shibuya." To Pela's credit, or detriment, she's not crying. But she also doesn't seem intent to let go while the Baroness tolerates the extended hug.

    A little shift of the scarf and Merek walks along amidst the fields, the material drifting behind while he seems to be watching from the spectacles which he wears while he comes upon Wake with Pela in the moment of that hug. The man seems a bit like he's been in a fight, he was. Perhaps one of the most skilled fighters of the Wave, having managed every single strike, and having managed to defend with skilled ability.
    The man looks to the two while he shifts the scrollcase which he wears, the sword Shadow Eclipse with him, the rusted weapon with the gem within carried to the side along while he offers a little look between the two and nods.

    Wake doesn't show any sign of disengaging from the hug. She lifts a hand to gently stroke Pela's hair. "You aren't alone," the Baroness whispers. "If you would like, you are welcome to stay with my fiance and I for a time. We do love guests. And she cooks very, very well. In fact, if you'd like, I have some of her work with me. No offense to the Landers, but it seems some things have to be done by players."
    The Baroness looks over to catch sight of Merek. She does not choose to gesture or move to greet him, but hopefully the eye contact and the slightest of nods will do for a welcome for now.

     Unlike the Baroness' approach, Merek's isn't... quite so stealthy. Pela's ear shifts once she notices him, the movement of that scroll case in particular catching her attention. It's almost immediate, Pela disengages from the hug and her body language becomes more closed again. From how she acted with the Baroness' first arrival, it's likely not due to Merek himself though.

     "W...mm... w...where... do you stay?" She asks the Baroness though, finally. She shifts her hands around a little. "I... also cook... so uhm... maybe we could trade recipes." The wildcat asks, her tail swishing a tiny bit behind her. "I've been... working slowly on, uhm... sweets... and baking... b...but I don't have my own oven, so..." She shifts her ears towards Merek, turning half-towards him, one eye flicking towards the fire burning nearby occasionally to ensure it was still a controlled burn. This section was starting to die down though, turning to ash and cinders.

     "H...hello, Merek. D...did you come to help... remove the dead growth?" She asks softly, her body language gradually relaxing back towards normal-ish, that guarded state going back away. "I...I've made... decent progress..." The football field sized area probably about 30% burned by this point, since the going was slow while clearing the area to help reduce spreading.

    Merek looks to the field and back to Pela when she begins to speak to him, having not tried to be a bother, then he speaks. "Ah, that well," he lifts up a hand while he slams that into the ground, a wave of the flame beginning to shimmer along the fields, while he draws a magical divine shield to begin protecting the place from the blaze spreading away from where he manages the ability.
    Then it's back to the woman, "Ya, I brought some plants to begin planting when it's all cleaned back up," he notes. "I actually know a lot about chemistry in the world before the Here And Now." He motions a bit while looking to the side, "I think that it translates well into alchemy." A nod also to Wake.

    If the abrupt ending bothers her, Wake shows no sign of it. Instead, she directs her attention to Merek. Another smooth, practiced curtsey. "I am happy to see you, Merek. I understand you had a rather critical role in addressing this Wave. For that, you have my gratitude."
    Rising again, she watches his work burning clear the dead vegetation. She directs her attention towards Pela as she speaks, "We dwell in the Dukedom. It's a pleasant place for us, and we are rarely disturbed. That being said, having guests always is a joy, and we value them dearly. We would be delighted to entertain you for a time. I'm certain she'd love to swap recipes, too."

     The slam causes Pela's tail to puff up a moment as the fire sparks up, her eyes widening a little in alarm. "W-wait I'm doing a con--" And then the Divine Shield pops up. "Oh! ... Oh okay... you're fine..." She exhales slowly. "S...sorry, my nerves are... quite... tightly-wound. ... I've had to watch the fire very closely. My... my character does not have the Shield skill, so I've had to manage it manually with buckets of water... and my wind magic..."

     Once again, she reaches back to carefully smoothe down her tail, reducing that puffed up fur. "T...thank you. We're... obviously... n...not really ready to plant yet, but they will be good to have when we are... I'm making s...sure to Examine as I go, to make sure the land isn't cursed." 'Taking everything onto herself' seems to be Pela's current modus operandi, still acting like a solo player even if she's working with players.

     She falls quiet as the Baroness explains where she is staying, and the wildcat gives a slow nod. "Y... yes. That sounds... pleasant. I... I have not... returned to the Dukedom... much... since the Apocalypse started. I... will come visit ... sometime. After this job is done. One thing at a time." She gives a firm nod, her body language continuing to slowly relax, the stuttering and tenseness of her voice gradually melting away a bit. "Which area of the Dukedom... do you live in...?"

    Merek lifts up a hand while ice beams rain along the flame to begin and wet the ground, while he creates a barrier shield. Magic Knight looking then back to Pela and to Wake, "I wouldn't say that particularly, I was just really informed about things. I do what needs to be done to protect people," he admits. The man places both hands to his pockets while he thinks about it, "You know, magic and all that, it makes things a lot easier, though I try to keep mindful of the physical training also."

    "We have a little place a few days journey from Man Anu," replies Baroness Wake. "It's quite lovely, honestly, but a bit modest. I do have my sights set on grander things. That's a bigger project, though. For now, she's happy, I'm working at being happier, all is right for us."
    The Baroness finds the application of magic fascinating, in this case. "You know, I don't think it will ever wear off. I mean the feeling of wonder, that is. I hope not. What we can do here is so amazing, isn't it? Our ability to make a difference, our responsibilities are broader, and our challenges are so inspiring. Which is why I've set my sights so very high. I want to achieve something truly amazing, and help landers and players alike in the process."

     "It does! ...I've been doing it manually, fire darts are not great for firestarting. They disappear too fast." Pela nods, her tail beginning to swish slowly, gradually reducing down to 'content' cat body language. Though still a tiny bit tense. "...Training is important. ... I ... have been slowly training my skills. S...somewhat passively, as I help out the Landers around here." But it's mainly been practical skills, since she's been doing mostly minor tasks, rather than grand ones.
     A few days journey from Mac Anu. That would be isolated. It actually might be pleasant, especially for a little while. "...Working on being happier? Are... you okay?" Pela asks, her ears perked up as her own somewhat caring personality peeks through. She's been taking care of people in the Fey Moods herself, so she's been doing a lot of caring and cooking for people not taking care of themselves.

     "...That... is... something. Hm. I've... just been... wandering. Exploring. Nothing grand planned that can be achieved right now. I... have been working on trying to replicate things, but... System Protection has gotten in the way of making much progress." She sounds just a tiny bit frustrated on that last note.

    Merek looks off and into a distance away while he seems to be considering, his hands coming from pockets to adjust gloves, while he smooths back that hair a little bit in thought. "I can't focus on myself, I have too much work to do to make people's world better." He nods a bit to the two, "I am kind of working with a new idea, I am making a Trade Company which will be situation in the local region while we work to bring trade in, I will be talking to the Ninetails Dominion, all of that." He then seems to consider, "Ya. Then there is the sword."

    Baroness Wake nods, "I tried to retire, but I eventually just had to get back out again. So I'm happier now. My fiance and I made a deal. I can go out, explore, journey far and tackle dangerous tasks, so long as I spend at least three nights in our bed every week." This amuses her greatly and she asides, "Which is a great arrangement for us. It keeps things fresh, gives her a chance to focus on her own pursuits, and we always have a lot to talk about. I also promised her that I'd invite guests to visit, so you'd be going me a huge favor. I'm sure she'd be delighted to meet you, Pela."
    Still, as always happens around the Baroness, business and pleasure go on at about the same time. "A trade company?" she asks of Merek. "Now that is a fascinating idea, to be certain. While I'm a bit over-extended at this moment, I am very interested. I think we can come up with something mutually beneficial."

     "I ... might be interested in joining in a trade company. I've... kind of ... considered making a bakery-cart here and there to make and sell sweets and breads..." Pela says, shifting a little bit from foot to foot. "As well as... uhm. Possibly getting a book made -- a guide to the common herbs and spices in the various lands." Pela muses on that a bit.

     The Baroness' story causes Pela's face to take on a wistful look, her ears shifting here and there. "...My ... my uhm... my fiancee ... she was not... not online... when the Apocalypse hit..." Pela murmurs, her tone having dropped to an almost-nonexistent one. A mixture of shyness and sadness and a bit of distance in her eyes for a moment. "...I'm going to go rest. ...I've been working too long." Which, well, is quite evident from the fact that she is covered from head to toe in soot.

    Merek looks then to Pela, "I have an information pamphlet from the Bun Bun races, would you like it when you plant to actually write that?" he asks, the man nods a bit to the two, "I will tend all of this while you two take care of your day." He motions to the field, "I will see about it, I will invite the both of you to assist also with the matter of the Trade Company. Be well," he offers.

    Baroness Wake share a sympathetic look with Pela. "I'm sorry to hear that, dear. I know it's very private for you, and the topic is painful, but if you want to talk about that sometime, I'd be happy to help. Part of my training away from here included listening to others and talking through problems and feelings with them. It really can help."
    She pauses for a moment to dig out something for Pela. She holds out a fancy bento box, offering it to the Cait Sith. "She made this. I'm sure you are going to love it! I hope you will accept it, because it would make her so happy to know she helped someone. And I would be happy because nobody can resist an invitation to our home after they try her legandary cooking skills."
    The Baroness smiles at Merek, "I'm not a merchant, really. But I am always happy to do battle for your with nobles and other merchants at the negotiation table. A trade company will need fair pricing, and creative means to command the respect it deserves." She takes note of the land and sighs softly. She's tired, too, it seems. "Thank you for all your work here, Sir Merek. You and those who stood up for our world here are all appreciated." She turns to smile at Pela, "And that includes you, dear. What you do matters. I ask you to remember that."

     "...That would be helpful, Merek. Thank you." Pela says with a small smile. "I... still need to go through the Fourland Dukedom and explore it. See what has changed in the apocalypse." And then... the bento box is offered to her!

     Pela reaches out to take it with very little hesitation. It seems that the Baroness has at least mostly earned Pela's trust! Which was likely obvious much earlier all things considered. "...I'll be sure to tell her how it tastes when I get there. And... maybe make a small bento of my own." Pela pauses, looking down at herself. "...Oh, right." Aaand she starts going through the gestures to go to the avatar cleaning menu. "...I'll see you later." She murmurs, beginning to walk off while poking about. The way she messes with it makes it seem like she's actually unused to the menu, almost. Or at least the deeper layers of it. Eventually she just seems to decide against it and wanders off in the vague direction of a nearby river.

    Merek nods a bit, while he looks to the two, "Take care," he would note, while he offers a wave, then it's back to tending upon the field.

    The Baroness watches Pela wander off towards the river, waving as she goes. Turning back to Merek, she says, "I'm off as well. I have many miles to go yet today. There are a few people I need to have a word with. Oh, and please let me know who I can talk to about your trade company. I do look foward to politely bending a few arms for you."
    With that, she dips easily into another elegant curtsey before turning away. She must find what she seeks, and exhaustion is hardly a reason to stop now. As she goes, she pauses to look back at the burning fields behind her. Even from a distance, the wind carries over the heat and a few glowing embers float high into the air, their light gradually fading into nothingness before vanishing completely. She sighs and turns away, moving on.