Night In Mac Anu

    It is evening, and the home of Tae and Baroness Wake is still bright and cheery. The directions are simple enough to follow to get to their place. Most importantly, a meal is already prepared and stands ready to be served once Merek arrives. Wake is lingering on the front porch while inside, Tae's voice rises in song as she works on getting things perfect for a guest.

    Merek takes time to put on his dark attire, this one casual. He would walk along to the location of that place, with a shift of the sword to the side to keep that away from the mind. A look along to Wake when he comes upon the place, "Ah, evening," he offers, nodding a bit to the woman, "It's nice to see you." There's a smile, while he seems to consider all of the whole place.

    The home is nice, but fairly modest. Wake's title clearly doesn't come through in her current abode. It is very homey and welcoming, though, with spring flowers already in bloom in planters near the front porch. Wake wears a long, flowing dress of snow white with a black belt wound around her waist. She rises and curtseys to Merek as he arrives, then hugs him, if allowed. "Welcome, Merek! I'm happy you could join me. The food is ready whenver you would like, but perhaps we might sit here and talk a bit first?" She gestures to the porch where there are two chairs waiting.

    Merek would permit it in a little way of patting though not fully, while he nods to the woman, "Thank you, Wake. That would be pretty nice, though I would like to snack while we talk," he then finds a place to settle in on the porch.

    "That's a good idea," replies Wake. Before sitting, she slips inside. A short while later and she's come out with a tray holding a couple plates. On one plate are fried octopus balls and on the other is a sushi roll with crab meat and some of the local vegetables tucked inside. A thick, savory dipping sauce and something like soy sauce but with a soft hint of vinegar are also there, along with chopsticks. A few moments later, Tae steps out and asks, "What would you like to drink, Merek? We have sake, wine, water, tea, and the local ale."
    Once Tae has been answered, she goes inside once more to fetch the drink. Wake uses that time to open up the conversation, "I say again, I'm happy you are here tonight. How has your sleep been since we last spoke?"

    Merek looks to the food which would arrive, and takes a moment to pick up one of the nice sushi rolls, dipping that into a sauce. "I will take a nice tea," he notes, nodding a bit to Wake. The man seems to think about it, "I slept well enough yesterday, you know. After we finished up with an Adventure."

    "That's wonderful to hear!" declares Wake. She settles back in her seat and picks up a pair of chopsticks. She loves the octopus balls. She sprinkles seaweed on them and adds just a touch of something that is probably like mayo, but is a pale green color. Whatever it is, she is enjoying it. As she does, Tae returns with an aromatic, black tea. She pours for both Wake and Merek, then bows and slips back inside.
    "So what has been on your mind lately, Merek?" Wake asks. Her tone, as is often the case, is relaxed, but confident. She drinks the tea and looks at the man curiously.

    Merek listens to the chimlink while he nods a bit, then he takes a sip of that nice tea, while he waits. "Well, not a lot, just been assisting people in making things, generally things like that you know." The man thinks, "Alright, I was asked to fill you in on the Undead Army, which would mean I need to share that with you at the moment," he admits.

    Wake handles the change in topic with ease. "I have been getting messages about that subject for the past several hours," she admits. "In fact, in the morning I have to get on the first ship and travel to represent the Sleeping Knights at the council that Giganpor has called. Is it as dreadfully serious as it seems?"
    Though the topic worries her, she still has attention left over to enjoy Tae's hard work. The food manages to make undead armies seem farther away.

    "It's a meeting, more so than a Council," Merek mentions, then nods a bit. "Well, there's an army of undead which is run by a Queen who wants to take back all of the lands, kill Adventurers, things like that. We went into a ruins, which eventually led us to defeating a mad king. I wield his weapon," the man nods to Shadow Eclipse, "Anyway, Auther and Hector are two Commanders of the undead, most of them are killing villages while looking for folk, which they transform with magic."

    "Meeting, council, I'd say at this point it's a pretty important matter we must address. I assume that killing the King didn't go over well with the Queen, then?" The Baroness sets down her chopsticks and notices how Tae's stopped singing. She's probably listening in.
    "So two commanders, a powerful queen, and you with the weapon of the king. As a matter of professional interest, has the weapon had any impacts on your emotions or thoughts that you've noticed?" Wake is not expert enough to know at a glance, but she tends towards caution with undead item drops.

    "I don't think she cared about him, it's difficult to really admit to knowing a lot," Merek notes, while he then looks to the weapon. "I try not to think about the sword a lot, it is possible that it was from the origin of the Monsterous Ones. Someone that was known as the Demiurge actually gave it to the Queen in exchange for her family kid."
    A look to the place in thought while he takes a sip of the tea, "They make undead by transforming people they have nearly killed, although that's generally the Landers, people like that."

    "Is there anyone else I should ask about this topic? I don't wish to linger on it when we have other things to discuss and I imagine you will also be at the meeting" Wake files away the details, but isn't about to linger on them now. It's hardly likely to improve things to discuss matters that dark.
    "What else is on your mind these days?" she asks gently. Her eyes have a way of resting on a person and making it clear that all of her focus is on them.

    "Well, there's the Goddesses which give the Power Paths, which seem to be linked to exceeding the known Law of Alba which governs the game world," Merek notes, while he nods a bit. "I generally think about my work as an alchemist, I like gardening."

    "That sounds like a pretty amazing power," replies Wake evenly. She considers it for a time and says, "It is kind of a romantic notion. Divine granted power is something that has been woven in human faith systems for millenia."
    Her attention shifts, though, with a different topic. "What do you like to plant, Merek?" She suspects there's a clear synergy between alchemy and gardening, but makes no assumptions.

    Merek looks around a little bit, then he takes a sip from the tea. "Well, it's pretty interesting. Anyway, I like to plant flowers as well as the herbs, I am making a new greenhouse which will be used to make things to produce in alchemy."

    "Tae loves flowers, as well. She's done all the planting here. I do my best to gather seeds when I travel, but I'm not very good at ensuring they get back in good shape." The Baroness laughs gently at herself, then asks, "What first drew you to alchemy?" She continues to eat as they talk, enjoying the food and her drink.
    Tae picks this moment to step out once more, "Please excuse my interruption. Shall I set the table, now?" she asks. While the days are pleasant enough, with the sun going down, it is starting to grow a touch chilly.

    Merek nods a bit to Wake while he seems to think about it, "I gardened back in real life, so I wanted to get into gardening and alchemy," he notes, while he takes a look to Tae, "I would like that!"

    Tae smiles warmly at Merek, "Wonderful! Give me just a couple minutes and I'll have everything ready." Once she slips back inside, her singing starts up again, with even more energy than before. Wake wasn't exagerating. Tae loves having visitors.
    For a time, Baroness Wake allows silence to fill the night. There's the sound of the sea in the distance, and the sound of the waves. Somewhere footsteps can be heard as someone rushes home. Birdsong can be made out as well, and as the night falls, the first insects of spring make their voices heard.
    Wake rises then and turns to Merek, "I am certain she's ready for us, now." She holds open the door, as is her custom with guests, then fetches the tray to lead the way.
    Inside their home, things are bright and warm. The windows have been closed against the night breeze and the curtains drawn. There is a comfortable mix of evening shadows and light from lanterns and candles. The table is, indeed, ready. Small slices of medium-cooked steak and various sauces are ready. A salad of mixed greens and bright yellow and orange vegetables is at each place. Japanese sweet potatos are set out at the table as well. Or at least something that looks and tastes so similar as to make little difference for those who haven't had real food for months.

    Merek looks to the steak while he would take a moment to find a piece when it's brought to the table, settling in. "Thank you," he notes, then nods a bit to Tae as well as to Wake, "Anyway, it's nice in Mac Anu, I kinda stay in the Carmina Gadelica."

    Tae sits across from Wake. She's added a glass of wine for each of them. It's a red, and very dry. She calls out happily, "Itadakimasu!" She gathers her plate by picking a bit of everything and setting it on her plate. Wake quickly follows, and there's a sense of things becoming more casual.
    "So what is Carmina Gadelica like these days?" asks Tae. "Is it as crowded as it used to be? Are there a lot of newbies hanging out there?" She doesn't travel much at all, so news from afar, at least the light-hearted kind of news, is something she craves.
    The Baroness' eyes have a subtle glow in them as she looks at her fiance. She doesn't speak for now. She's just listening to her beloved speak and enjoying seeing Tae smile so much.

    Merek would think about that a little bit, while he nods to Wake, "Well, there are a lot of people, though my shop was built in a quiter little place," he notes, then he takes a bite of the food, while he thinks about it, "The place, like always, is an eternal night. It's nice when it rains."

    "So you like rain?" asks Tae. "I like warm rains as well. It reminds me of home, I suppose. The sound is so comforting." She eats in dainty bites, but manages to make good headway despite focusing so much on talking. "In fact, it was raining the night Wake and I first met. I mean in Tokyo. I think here it was sunny when we first logged-in."
    "I had an umbrella," points-out Wake. "Tae never remembers to bring an umbrella. Or, if she does have one, she leaves it behind. How many umbrellas did you leave in karaoke boxes?" Wake's tone is a playful, teasing one now.
    Tae has to cover her mouth as she laughs at herself. It's almost a giggle, really. "I imagine at least a dozen. That's why I made sure we only bought cheap ones." She confides to Merek, "Wake always had an eye for very beautiful and valuable things."
    The Baroness murmurs gently to her love, "And you are the most lovely and valuable of all the treasures in the world, Taeyeon." The comment brings a bright blush to Tae's cheeks and she looks down at the table shyly.

    Merek seems to think about the talk of that rain, "I like it, there's a lot to do when you're inside with it raining," the man admits. "Though, I was only in Japan because of working for CC," he notes. "I'm from America. I came to Japan on a work VISA to be a Beta Tester for ETO," he then states.

    That draws Wake's attention. "So wait, you were a beta tester and you worked for CC?" she asks. It's probably the only time Merek has heard her sound surprised. "I would pepper you with more questions, but I'm sure if you knew more of what was going on, you'd already have done something about it."
    With RL being the new subject, though, she does have other questions, though Tae goes there first. "Was there anyone you left behind?" Tae pauses and adds gently, "Did anyone you care for get caught in the game with you?" She knows that Wake and her situation is not common, but there should be several other gaming couples out there, right?

    "Ah... Yes, I am. Though, I don't know anything about it all, like everyone else that was at the Apocalypse, it was all an unknown. I only know that I was supposed to test the new update," Merek notes, nodding a bit. The man seems to think about it, "Well, my family is still back in that world. As for anyone else playing, my sister was back in America, and my fiance' was murdered." A little nod offered to the two, "I apologize, it's not the best wonderful story and all of that," he notes as well. There's a nod.

    Tae gasps and reaches out to take hold of one of Merek's hands, if he consents to it. "I'm so sorry! That's terrible!" Her expression clouds over with worry. There's really nothing she can say beyond what she has, and the sympathy is obvious in her expression.
    Baroness Wake frowns at the news. It's not pity that she feels, though. "I am so sorry for your loss, Merek. Every situation is different, and feels different. I have lost someone I loved in RL, as well. If you ever wish to talk about it, we'd both listen. It won't take the pain away. Nothing really does. Over time, it seems I just think of the pain less, and have allowed love back into my heart."

    Merek would permit it while he nods a little bit, then looks between the two of them thoughtfully, "Thank you. Anyway, I am enjoying trying to settle in and be useful in this world, you know. It's why I assist with the projects. There's not a lot to say about back in the real world, which feels like it was a long time ago," he admits.

    Tae looks at Wake curiously. There's an unspoken language the couple shares for moments like this. They've been together long enough to understand at a glance. The result is that Wake says, "After I lost my first girlfriend, I went into a most dreadful state. It took years for me to come out of it again."
    Wakes sighs, but presses on, "I buried myself utterly in work and became a block of emotional ice. They called me the Ice Queen at the office, and I gained a reputation for being both extremely effective, but also aloof and unapproachable."
    She laughs at herself, "They transferred me to Tokyo as a last ditch effort to save me from myself. The job I was in was prone to causing deep paranoia, so I was due for a change, anyway. And that's when-"
    "And that's when she walked into a little club in Tokyo known for Korean Pop music," says Tae.

    Merek nods a bit to Wake, while he seems to think about it. "I understand, I am glad you managed to find a new life amid all of that," he would note, while he smiles a bit. Then he takes a bite of the steak, and a sip of the tea, "I'm just happy to adventure with people and all of that," he then admits.

    Wake tilts her head at Merek's response, but lets it go. If he's satisfied, then perhaps there's no need for the whole story. "Well, that is the key, after all. Living again, finding joy and your place." She turns back to Tae and smiles at her. "As for me, I found what I had always wanted and needed."
    Tae meets Wake's gaze and explains, "When she saw me that night it was like a laser. I've never had anyone else look at me that way." She turns to Merek, "I could tell she was someone I had to talk to, and we changed each other's lives."
    The food by this point has been largely consumed, and Wake rises to start clearing the table. "This is my time to shine," the Baroness explains, laughing gently. "Thank you so much for all the wonderful food, Tae. As always, you've exceeded all my expectations."

    "I thank you for inviting me. I must look to seek the Temple of Law," Merek notes, while he nods a bit. "I appreciate all of that, I will see about what I can do for you if I can, and we'll find you that whole castle you're looking for," he adds.

    "We've had a great lead on that," says Wake. "A ship has passed back a finding. A large island with a natural harbor and only old, crumbled ruins left was discovered. It's monster-infested, so they were unable to explore further. It's a large island, but I feel like it might be the one."
    Tae leans back in her seat, loving the compliments Wake has showered on her. She fully expects that she'll be getting one amazing massage after this meal is cleaned-up. Which inspires her to gather up the empty plates and glasses, as well.
    "With luck, we'll have Castle Eas discovered again soon. And that's when the work will really ramp-up. I hope that sword is ready for action when that time comes!" Wake cannot hide her excitement, even if this is far from actually finding the castle. A lead and a better approach are enough for her.

    Merek looks to the weapon, nodding a little bit. "Well, we'll see," he notes, then looks to the two, "I thank you, I will be about my way, you both have a nice night," he then adds.

    Wake and Tae see Merek out, with hugs and bows at the door. "Be well, and be careful," says Wake. "And come visit again soon!" adds Tae. They remain at the open door until Merek has gone out of sight. Only then do they step back inside, shutting the night out behind him.
    "You are sharing more than you used to," Tae says to the Baroness.
    Wake nods in response. "I am. Whenever it makes sense."
    "Do you think he'll be okay?" Tae asks.
    "I hope so," says Wake. "Ultimately, it will be up to him. We can only listen and encourage him to share what he wishes, accept what he gives."
    Though a very early day is ahead for Wake, she and Tae speak well into the night, only settling to rest after they've reminsced over their favorite bits of the past, both RL and those from this world.

    Merek will walk along and into the night, to seek answers to the world.