Meet the Landers: Mora Chester

The town of Tolbana has been well protected for a long time now, by the Scale Emblem Alliance. Enough so, to have drawn the attention of a particular Imp. Most Landers prefer to stay far away from the Tower. It is considered the domain of the Adventurers after all.

As it hits close to the late evening, while Kita is seated outside near the Fountain, drawing away at some of the usual people passing through, she is visited by this particular person. Seating herself down at her side slowly, adjusting her long clothes as she settles down, looking over to see what Kita might exactly be sketching, before she remarks; "It has been a while since we last spoke."

It is hard to say if she approached Kita because she was looking for her, or simply because she recognized her. But there's something to be said about the Imp making herself known, rather than skulking in the shadows of a place outside of Fort Ouph.

While the town of Tolbana might not draw many Landers from the outside world, there are still many who call this place home. Those who were once citizens of Ezzo now make up the vast majority of the city's population, and they have been well taken care of by the Adventurers who have built up this abandoned place into a bustling urban landscape.

Kita's place near the fountain is close enough to her own statue, though she doesn't often sit underneath it. Leaving it in that place of honor for those who went through the chaos of their world turning upside down. Her pencil scratches at the page, absorbed in her task as she usually gets. The image taking shape is one depicting daily life. The simple pleasures of people and families who have made this place their home. Family. Something Kita misses, especially after the start of the new year.

She looks up at the familiar voice, pushing her glasses up on her nose. "Oh." It's as if she only just realized that Mora was there. That also seems to bring Kita back to the moment, and she lightly tugs her winter cloak around herself a bit more, warding off the chill a bit. "It has been." She offers a small smile. "Scale Emblem keeps me pretty busy. We've had... trouble in the tower." She motions vaguely.

"Monsters that can't be beaten, unusual creatures threatening the Lander towns. Even monsters threatening Tolbana. Our work is never really done." Kita explains.

"I've heard some reports of such creatures. It's quite amazing this place has been kept as safe as it has." Mora Chester remarks to Kita, looking around for a moment. "Your guards are quite good. But there are quite a few areas that are not very well monitored."

It seems Mora, as usual, is concerned with security over all. And while her intents and efforts tend to be aimed rather squarely at the Eastal Free League, it would appear that it is hard to ignore one's instincts on such matters.

"I came here to see for myself where all the Spriggans are being held, now that Ezzo has fallen." There's that subtle tone of concern as she mentions the Spriggans, looking around herself. Though it holds a light tone, suggesting that it may not come from a point of explicit racism, as is more common with other Landers.

"You've been trying to keep this place safe from such unearthly fiends who would break the Law of Alba?" She inquires.

Kita taps her pencil on the paper, looking down at the image captured there before lifting her hand and tucking the instrument behind one ear, closing the book in her lap. "When larger threats loom, we tend to pull our forces back to protect what we can." She explains, "But you're right, there's likely gaps in our defenses."

A worried expression passes her face, though only briefly. "I'm no soldier, so I'm not sure I'd ever be able to spot every weakness, but I've been doing my best with helping to build this place up into a city that can be home to those who have no place else to go."

She tucks her book into a bag at her side, shouldering it and then motioning one hand at the Landers around them. Many are Spriggans, though there are some from other races as well. "I try." She admits, in answer. "I'm not the strongest weapon that Scale Emblem has to wield against those sort of forces, but..." She sighs softly, "With no way home in sight, this has become a sort of sanctuary. A home away from home. And that's something I want to protect."

The woman leans back a little, looking around. "A place to protect." She remarks with a subtle smile, considering the area around her. "I could teach you how to better protect this town." Her mentor suggests. "I have an eye for these things, and I think I could teach you the kind of things you need to learn to better protect this city even further."

The proposal however, comes with a snag; "That would of course require you to join the organization I am part of. Something that is on the... quieter side." The woman looks towards Kita, considering her for a moment. "If I can trust you, of course." She adds to that.

"My organization deals in securing the Yamato region from outside influences. And with travel beginning with the Palace Lands, we are in dire need of more members. As we are concerned with what lies beyond the waters."

There are moments when Kita can seem, impassive. The Imp has a tightly controlled demeanor, with a few rare exceptions, and while she takes in Mora's words, there is enough of a flash of intelligence behind those eyes to suggest that she's likely thinking things over, critically.

When she does speak, it's obvious that the young woman has thought through her words. "Protecting Tolbana and the people in it is important to me. In my world, the world we Adventurers came from, I couldn't really protect anyone, even myself. I have a chance to do something better, here."

Her gloved hands grip the straps of her bag as she inclines her head, "I won't keep any secrets from my partner, nor act against her. And I'd rather not have to act against Scale Emblem if I can help it. That's where my limits lie." The Imp lays that out on the table. "If you and your organization can work with and accept that, then I don't see us having any problems."

"You would not be put into a position where you would need to act against your Alliance or your Partner, unless your people go to war with us." Mora Chester answers her, clearly not concerned with this happening. No doubt, if that were to happen, it would have a massive effect on the world as it was, and the relationship between Adventurers and Landers would take a massive hit.

She quiets however, consider the matter of secrets being kept from her partner, leaning forward and observing Tolbana's movements as they continue to bustle and shift. After all, Mora doesn't know much if anything about Kita's partner.

"How trustworthy is your partner?" Is what she instead asks.

"Scale has a fair share of enemies on all sides." Kita answers with a shake of her head. In some ways, she still can't fathom people out there who would begrudge those who just want to go home. "Even so, I don't think we're interested in war with anyone." She hesitates, "As for me, I just want to see my parents again."

However, Mora's question doesn't take much of that calculated thought. Kita answers immediately, "I trust her with my life. She wouldn't do anything that would put me or those I care about in harm's way, and she certainly wouldn't betray me." With that, the Imp shakes her head, "Jurou has been by my side even when she didn't have to be. In some of the worst times of my life. I won't keep things from her, that would be a pretty pathetic way of repaying her for that."

There is hesitation. As should be expected, of basically being invited to some equivalent of the FBI or CIA, and asking if you could discuss or reveal secrets to one's partner. Still, there is Kita's immediate way she answers. On one hand, one could see this as Jurou being an incredible amount of leverage upon the girl. On the other hand, it also speaks of Kita's ability to form bonds that should not be risked being broken...

As such, Mora nods her head. "Very well then. I will draft up a contract for this matter." She remarks, before handing Kita a small piece of paper. "Your first mission." She explains. "An... introductory one." In other words, a way to prove herself.

"I think you will find the reward worth it." Within, she finds a rather unusual request. To go to the edge of the Ezzo Empire, near the barrier, and look for the unusual activity that has shown up near the former encampment of the Spriggans. There have been sightings of Wyverns there, and she wants her to investigate their source.

Sometimes, there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, and Kita knows very well where her own lie. Thankfully, that measure of self-assuredness seems to speak for something.

The Imp takes the piece of paper, looking it over ever so briefly. If this is meant to be kept secret, it is best not to draw too much attention to it just now. After that glance, the paper is tucked into her book, slid in so she can easily find it later.

"I hadn't expected to go back anytime soon." She admits, painted brows lightly furrowing, but she inclines her head, white bangs hanging forward slightly. "I'll see what I can do."

With that done, Mora nods her head to Kita and touches her shoulder with a light hand. "Report to me in my office in Fort Ouph when you are done. I will speak to you then." She remarks, clearly not looking to give further hints. But then, this is an investigation. Perhaps there are no hints to be given. Wyverns in that area is dangerous however. No doubt she will need to bring some allies.