Building the First Gate

    It is growing late in the day and yet work on the foothills of Eas goes on without pause. Laborers are supported by torchbearers and with the fall of night there is a considerable guard in place, ensuring that any threat the orcs might dare to put forth will be met blow for blow.

    What shall serve as the first gate of the path to Eas has been raised, though it is no great thing at this point, being little more than a wooden frame with a sturdy set of doors. It is near this place that Baroness Wake can be found, walking tirelessly from place to place. She pauses to ask questions of one of the workers, nodding thoughtfully as he replies. Whatever she's heard, it draws no reaction either good or bad, and on she goes, heading up the road at a brisk pace. She knows that a party was seen ascending the pass earlier, and she's hopeful that she might intercept them on the way back, though her attention is many times divided.

    June takes some time to gather herself after the fight with the orc bosses, but by the time she manages to get back down to the camp, she's human again and not raging or ranting or even talking to herself.

    Which is for the best. In the fading light, such a vision might draw shouts of alarm. Instead, they just draw cries of welcome. It is this way that the Baroness is aware that someone has come down the path. While it's not the entire party, clearly, it pleases her to be able to approach.

    "Why, it's Lady Junko!" the Baroness Wake calls out. "It is a pleasure to meet you this evening." As is her way, she glides into a deep curtsey, her head gracefully inclining.

    "I trust all went well up the mountain?" Wake asks.

Shiruba is a bit slower getting back to the base encampment, mostly because she was taking the time to memorize as much of the route up and down as she can. Mountains are not a fun place to get lost in. Especially if you might get marauded by orcs in the process. Besides, she'd be a poor aspiring explorer if she didn't do the boring map paperwork that came after such ventures.

    June waves, the middle aged human woman smiling as she returns. "Wouldn't suppose you've found any like... orc writings or anything?" she says "Or since I doubt the Orcs built this place any other writings?" she asks as she walks along.

    "Truly, the orcs did not. This realm was abandoned some four hundred years ago. Fortunately for those departing, it was an orderly retreat. Unfortunately for us, that means nothing of value was left behind," Wake explains.

    She turns her attention to Shiruba and raises a hand to wave at her. Another curtsey of greeting, "It is a wonderful night, two visitors! I thank you both for rendering service to the reclamation efforts. I know my friends who labor here appreciate it no less than I do. The orcs seem unable to raid our work with any power, though they continue to threaten whenever we approach the bridge. All things in time, of course."

    "Could I interest either of you in some refreshment? We do not have luxuries here yet, but the hunting is quite good here and we do not lack. And by fortune, my beloved has put labored at the fire tonight and made as close to a feast as we can get here now."

"I know some monster races have been getting 'smarter' but I don't think it's gone as far as redeveloping written languages. You'd be more likely to find crude glyphs and drawings I think." Shiruba pauses, and politely bows back to the polite greeting. "It is what we do, no need to fuss over the matter. Any ancient site that can be recovered from infestation is a worthy notion." Her ears perk up at the mention of food. "... Though something to recoup from the long trek up and down and the fighting wouldn't be frowned upon, either."

    June shrugs "Well I don't know yet if they will or not... or if there are languages and notes or carvings from before the Scrap Princesses." she says even as her hand moves of its own volition to pet Shiruba's tail. Fluuuuuufy.

    Wake beams at Shiruba. "Well, I appreciate what you do. And I am pleased that you will join us to refresh yourself!" She leads the way along a road that already shows considerable improvement. New stone has been brought here and placed with care and skill to blend in with the old, which has been skillfully brought to a new shine. One can easily imagine that centuries ago many strode just like this along the path.

    At the foot of the path stands the Gate of Wood. But for now, there is not enough completed in the outpost to dine in. Instead, the Baroness guides her guests towards a cluster of pole tents. Into the largest she goes, and around that place there is a the scent of cooking meat and-if the nose is to be trusted-the scent of some sweet thing baking.

    Indeed, inside the tent there are several low tables and sturdy stools. While many are occupied by workers, the largest stands empty save for a simple model of the works that are in progress and a map of the area.

    "Tae, my love, we shall need two more plates for our guests! They have been up the pass clearing the foul ones away," calls Wake.

    A human woman bows her head to Shiruba and June. "We are in your debt! Please, sit and rest." While Wake guides the two adventurers to their seats, Tae busies herself readying the food and arranging it carefully on a large tray. There is a hot meat that smells remarkably like beef, vegetables, bread still warm from the oven, and small cakes filled will fruit like apples and citrus. As for drink, there is a fragrant spiced wine and water from the clean springs of the mountain. All this in good measure is set out at the table before Shiruba and June.

"Mmm. Good point, June. Let's hope they don't get into some of that stuff the Gnolls have recently." Ugh. Demon gnolls. That's enough to still make Shiruba shudder. Her tail flicks a few times at the petting, but then it gets tucked off to her side to not be in the way when she sits down. "It is nice to see you're making an effort to restore the location rather than just built over it."

Hot meat and fresh bread, that means she can make sandwhichs! "It must be real handy out here that your fiance also knows how to cook."

    Sits down and looks a bit sad that the tail has disapeared but she does fill her plate, and a glass with wine. "It is nice to see that there is someone who is taking things back from the Princess wars." She says and gives a little shrug. She switches to Elvish (Sindarin)"Your tail is fluffy and I enjoyed petting it." then she starts in on her food and drink with far less manners than hunger.

    "Indeed, it's a great fortune! And something of a miracle to get her to leave the comforts of our home. All is better when she is near. As for the Castle Eas, I wish to restore it. It took long simply to find the Castle again, guided as I was only by dim memory of the elder world and a dream. To be granted the title to it is likely to be the greatest diplomatic achievement of my life, never to be surpassed," explains Baroness Wake.

    "By the time the enemy is driven out, I believe that we will have the roads, bridges, and quarries all prepared. Not to mention the farmland restored. At that point, the work on Eas can begin in earnest. And safely." Wake seems quite pleased at the progress.

    The use of a fantasy language draws her attention. Wake asks, "What is that? It sounds like, well, something that I think I recognize, but I'd be embarassed to guess wrong."

    Of the work in Eas, she goes on to explain, "There are some additions, of course. There shall be seven gates to ensure the people who dwell there are safe, and the work of the Olympus Alliance will improve the farming techniques and perhaps bring new marvels to delight those who seek safety in the mountains."

Shiruba smirks a little at June. "It is handy for keeping warm at night when I'm on field patrol. Your form is interesting too. Didn't think I'd see a Libyan Beast. Though it's a nice touch up from the standard minotaur." She nods a bit to Wake. "That's good. We don't know how long we're going to be here." Or want to go back. "People are going to need havens; not everyone wants to stay in the big busy capitols."

Then starts digging into her food with the ethusiasm one would expect of a dedicated foodie.

    Blushes and shakes her head "Ummm...sorry..." she says switching to Elvish "I forget people understand me... shit shit shit." she stuffs some meat into her mouth to chew cause you don't have to talk when you're chewing, ifyou talk when you're chewing people get mad so it's a reason to stop talking.

    The Baroness nods to Shiruba. Her eyes glitter with amusement as she says, "Some of us are quite content to stay and never leave. What I left behind was less important than what I was able to keep with me. And here we are free to live as we wish, and though we might be given a strange look often enough, it seems in this world people are far more open to the unusual."

    Baroness Wake pauses to savor a drink of wine. First, she cradles it and ever so slightly swirls the water in the cup. Wafting in the complex scent, she lets out a breath and then finally she drinks.

    When the full pleasure of a good drink is enjoyed, Wake turns her attention back on June. "You know, it's so rare that I meet one of my own Guild! I had rather given up most for lost. Only dear Yuuki occasionally peeks in on my work." She folds her hands together in something of an arch before her and directs her full attention on June, who for reasons unclear seems to be avoiding conversation. "You need not fear, friend. I do not judge your words unkindly. Indeed, if my guess is right, you might rather like to know that some of my plans for the Castle Eas were inspired by the story of Gondolin. Certainly the gates are."

Shiruba swallows her mouthful of meat and bread. "I have little of interest to go back to. But there are people who are afraid, homesick, or simply don't feel comfortable in this world. I have little interest in trying to force any of them to stay either." She pauses to gaze off into space for a moment. "I just hope a way for those that do want to go back comes that doesn't involve that damn Tower and the chaos defeating the Floor Bosses causes."

Then her attention turns back to the meal as she snatchs up one of the fruit topped cakes. "For the rest of us, this -is- home now. And be damned if I'm going to let monster or invaders from other realms ruin it."

    June nods her head "Well... I uhm.. just I'm not worried about you." she says to Wake "You seem to be doing a good thing here..." she doesn't seem to be one of the people who joined the Sleeping Knights because she's stuck in a hospital or anything. She's one of those people who has other issues and joined the knights for their support and understanding of that kind of thing. "I hope to uncover some of the languages that have been lost... it would let me know if they are true languages or if they are just partial conlangs for game status... which in turn would tell me more about the veracity of the world in which we find ourselves. A history and lingustic drift would give us an insite into if this is developed by someone like me... or a true evovled set of languages. Also if I can learn the language then we can speak to Landers and maybe even monsters without having to use the translation that started." she stops and switches to Quenyan "You're doing it again stupid they don't need to know they probably don't want to know, who cares if you've found some linguistic thread to pull but you?" she knuckles the side of her head and sighs then stuffs food into her mouth.

    Baroness Wake selects her words with some care. "I hope that those who know fear and struggle find peace. And if they need help, I pray they will speak with me. Those whose heart knows sorrow may find restoration here."

    After another round of serving the workers, Tae returns to the table. She is not here to serve, but settles at Wake's side. Sitting there, they look quite different. Wake, who is obviously western in origin, strong of build, and tall; and Tae, perhaps a hand shorter, slender with dark hair.

    It is Tae who speaks to June. "You are a scholar of languages! That is wonderful. It is a fascinating thing you are doing, and though I am just a student, I enjoy learning new ways to communicate as well. Before I came to this world, I was studying Japanese literature. I was hoping to improve as a lyricist. If you should need help in your research, please ask my fiancee. She is always looking for good works to support."

"Languages aren't my thing, just the glyphs and runes used for the magic classes. I only know some English stuff because my best friend is from the States." Shiruba does raise a brow at June, but it's more out of concern than anything else. "You okay, June? You keep talking to yourself like something's wrong."

    June blinks and looks down "Uhm..." she rubs the back of her head "I'm ..." she tries to find the right words. "The Flash of Death..." she says and tucks a bit of food into her mouth staring at the table. "Issues with self control... I don't really have... a..." she taps her temple "An inside voice... so... so I use the other languages I know... but now everyone..." she sighs and stuffs another peice of meat in her mouth.

    "Interesting," murmurs Wake. "So you speak your thoughts aloud, rather than hold them in? As one prone to talking to myself, I find no fault in that. Hopefully I haven't disrupted too many of your thoughts in the past! I do see value in your work, though. Honestly. There are many problems in trying to figure out the nature of our confinement. Or perhaps I should say our existence. I have some radical hypotheses, but no way to test them."

    Tae grins, bracing herself for a long explanation of those hypotheses (she's heard this so many times now!) But it seems none is forthcoming. Escaping that event, Tae can focus on the visitors.

    "So away from this place. That is, before you came here, what did you enjoy doing?" Tae doesn't let eating or drinking keep her curiosity at bay.

Shiruba ooooh. "So your coping mechanism is no longer 'personal'. Oof, that's a bit rough. Having to relearn to express yourself once as is." She waggles a finger to June. "But has anyone actually objected? I think you'll find most of us pretty accepting of, how do you put it?... Quirks? Even indulge in them."

    June shrugs a little looking embarassed, that expression mixed with her obviously scanned appearance making her that much more like a cosplayer rather than someone who can literally stomp monsters into the ground. "It's hard to not be able to ... it isn't that I can't or that people are mean." she licks her lips switching to Quenyan "Like you'd enjoy having everyone hear what you were thinking about all the time. Cute couple or fluffy pupper girl or not..." she shakes her head and sighs knowing they could understand it but how do you censor your thought process, at least before she was just the rude woman who spoke languages people didn't know despite knowing they didn't know.

    "Well, I think it's rather a unique problem," admits the Baroness. "But I am untroubled by it, at least. Indeed, when I care for people who are struggling knowing their thoughts is a crucial part of the process of helping them."

    Before she can go on, she finds herself interrupted by a worker. Tae sighs gently, knowing all too well what this must mean. Her thoughts are confirmed when Wake speaks.

    "Friends, I must beg your pardon. There is a matter I must see to a fair ways up the road. Nothing to trouble yourselves over. Nothing of serious danger, but certainly needing my attention. If you should like, you may rest here for the evening. The accomodations are remarkably comfortable, and it will give everyone a chance to thank you for your work."

    After a curtsey and kiss pressed to Tae's forehead, Wake departs. She's moving at her usual pace, which is to say not running, but striding swiftly enough to force the anxious man at her side to move at a jog.

    "Well, that's rather par for the course, my friends," explains Tae. "And nothing to fear. No doubt someone was seeking to work in the night but failed to report in properly. Even by the light of moon and star, they'll be found and it will all be sorted out." Clearly this is a regular occurence at the site.

Shiruba would normally point out that she's a wolf and not just a dog, but she doesn't because that would just make things all the more awkward and uncomfortable for poor June. Instead she just nods a bit to Tae. "Yeah. That can happen. We've had similar around Shibuya simply because of the regions reputation for dangerous clusters of high threat monsters. Someone wanders just out of sight for a bit and you start to worry a little." She leans back with a yawn and a stretch. "Yeah. I don't mind the night but I don't really want to be traveling on my own, I think I rest off that adventure up the mountain first."

    June nods her head silently it seems the easiest way to avoid more awkward things. She's happy to eat and drink and eventually sleep. "Thank you for your courtesy." she says standing to bow to Wake, it's very salary man behaviour but it doesn't take thought just let the reflex happen instead.

    Seeing that the guests are tired, Tae says, "Allow me to show you to our resting quarters. And fear not, you'll have your privacy and safety both."

    Indeed, there are more pole tents of smaller sizes. They make for cozy places to sleep, and each has a floor made comfortable first by a thick travelling blanket. Futons are provided, as well as several softer blankets and pillows. More than enough to keep warm.

    Once the guests are settled, either together or in tents that are near each other, Tae goes to seek her own rest, though she will not sleep until Wake returns, some two hours later. As it turns out, all is well and everyone is accounted for.