No Time to Duel

    It's a chilly night, as one might expect this time of year. Spring, when it arrives, will come late up in the mountains of Eas. But it does provide some nice benefits, like dustings of snow and frost that glimmer in the light of moon and star. Inside, however, things are warmer and comfortable enough, which might leave one wondering just why it is that Wake lingers on the threshold, staring at the stars.

    It has been a while since the meeting in the Palace Lands, enough time that it would give Merek time to come back from Navel Monte. The man wears the dark attire which he often does, along with what looks like the bracelet about his wrist and a blue rose as an aide. About the waist he wears a beltcape and takes the time to walk up to where Wake is at, nodding a bit with a little bow and incline. "Lady Wake."

Goldenblade is just inside, arranging final architectural drawings and packing them away. Seems she and Wake had just finished discussing some plans for the village construction. She bows to Wake, or at least nods respectfully, and eyes Merek curiously as he enters.

Kauchemar on the other hand was just here to enjoy the cool night, the view, and relax a bit before her next match in the Tournament. Because it was going to be... interesting, to say the least. Not that the fight with Cyrus wasn't interesting. This was just going to be interesting in another way, as she has Dueled Setsuna before, but that was way back at the start of the Duelist League when neither of them were as advanced as they are now.

An ear perks as Merek arrives, but he's going straight to addressing Wake, so the Were Fang merely keeps to herself to observe for now.

It's a peaceful enough night. People don't expect much, especially with how much blood has been shed to secure the lands of Eas. That peace brings a shivering, delicate beauty to the land.

But something moves in the darkness behind Wake. A figure trying to obscure itself in the shadow as it moves, blurs, vanishing from sight as it traverses the space between with the use of an Ability...

And then pokes her in the back. She inclines her head, revealing the purple eyes beneath her hood as she grins. "Good evening, Baroness. Giving me a freebie tonight?"

    Wake is slow to respond, not from distraction, exactly, but focus. There is a thought she hadn't completed and was not willing to set aside. It doesn't take terribly long, fortunately, and the slight curl of her lips indicates she is not displeased.

    "Master Merek!" she says at last, her tone warm. "I have been wondering if you would ever return from those distant shores. I have already made preparations to support your alliance's efforts in making that journey less arduous. I am confident it shall succeed."

    She turns back to Goldenblade and says abruptly, "Portraits. That is what I wish the first visual arts focus to be. From all over the world and from many perspectives. And in addition I would like to collect depictions of the Beautiful One from around the world."

    A pause, then, and she adds, "Your drawings are breathtaking, Goldenblade. I am going to hold myself accountable to ensuring that they are complemented by all that is done, from sculptures, paintings, and music. Each will enhance the other, stem, rose, petals, scent, the sound of wind and water."


And in the midst of this, she feels the poke and laughs. "You are improving quickly, dear. In no time at all the student will become the master."

Kauchemar chuckles a little when Proteus sneaks in on Wake. "I am not the only one that's taken interest in your ways of stealth it seems." Followed by a bit of a nod to the other conversation. "It doesn't hurt to have visual arts. A bard can weave a story around a few lines and notes, but some people respond better to having something they can see and form relative thoughts to." Now let's see what it is that has brought Merek all the way back here.

    Merek will think about it a moment, then he nods to Wake. The man tries to consider it then he watches the place, "Wake. I went to Naval Monte," he notes Protues, along with Kauchemar and Goldenblade, while he nods a little. "Anyway, I think that the Queen is not that happy with me, I am trying to make amends about it." With that, he will look to the place, "Anyway. I was shaking the hand of the guard, while I was wondering what he was thinking, and well... I don't know, it was like I was keeping focus on it, and next thing that I know, data drain was reading his mind. I was seeing the guard's memories, I think," he will note.

Goldenblade looks up at Wake, confused at the mention of portraits. Is she expecting her to draw people? "You're thinking of someone else," she claims. Goldenblade has the artistic talent of a potato. Without the patatoey flavor. "I can lay out and plan the /gallery/, though, sure," she agrees, and has some rough drawings already to show. Grand halls and stately buildings. She's getting into the classical style. There's spots marked where statues would sit, but only a vague blob-shape representing what might go there. "A portrait gallery would be quite the cultural marvel, I'm sure," she improvises hastily.

When a shadow appears behind Wake, it's almost blades out, but then she realizes it's Proteus, and doing much the same training as she was doing a few scant weeks ago out at the Peko ranch. That caught her by surprise.

Merek's comment is met with a worried look.

"You flatter me, Baroness. You were clearly distracted right then. I suppose that's when someone /would/ strike, though..." She hums, as she steps to one side and leans on the jamb while Wake waxes poetic. "Ah, patron of the arts today, Baroness? I suppose Goldenblade is a good choice. Even I've heard of their efforts." She smiles to the ninja, then arches a brow at Merek.

"...You Data Drained the guard?" She asks. "Be careful how you use that, you don't want to cause people permanent damage... But I'm sure you took precautions, correct?" She furrows said brow and then clasps her hands together. "So, out with it, Merek. What's the dirty laundry?"

    "The world has many things in it, and in this corner of the world, the arts will be our greatest achievement. It transcends reality to all dimensions," murmurs Wake. "It is my intention to dedicate Eas to the Beautiful One and make it the foremost center of the arts in all the lands."

    Wake looks from Kauchemar to Goldenblade. "It occurs to me you are both great artists, music and architecture. I do not expect you to make paintings for me, though I would not be shocked if you were skilled at it. Proteus, has a mind of science and reason. And science, like art, is the pursuit of truth and beauty."

    What Merek says washes over her and she shows no reaction, even as she pivots from subject to subject. "So you were able to peer into his mind just by wondering what it contains? That's a remarkable thing to do. But what does that have to do with the Queen? And I trust you will be more careful in using it in the future. Also.. I would prefer not to know what you found. It is not my right to know the contents of another mind, even if they mean me harm."

    

    "That's the thing, it... Wasn't the Data Drain I am used to, like when I actually use the power. It was like, I was able to focus on his mind, and read it," Merek will note to Proteus. "I'll be mindful." With a nod to Proteus, then a look to Wake, "I don't know. It might be because I gave the guard a handshake, I don't know if she knew what the thing was, anyway. She did not say anything, she only gave me a look, everything else was pretty alright. With that in mind, she said a lot of the Palace Land adventurers were trying to bring in their own culture, and she would like for the people in Yamato to try to keep that culture together. You know, like Potimas said as well, and all."

Kauchemar tilts her head to the side as Merek explains what happened. So he used it without knowing he was... no, that's not right. She lifts one arm, propping the elbow in her other hand as she clasps the first to her chin in thought. "You didn't intend to do so, I take it? Though, you say you were wondering what he was thinking... Maybe just the thought was enough to trigger your power in some way?" And did the Queen somehow realize something like that? Then again, if she has a strong Law rating as a ruler, even as a Lander... "These powers are such enigmas."

Goldenblade sees the disconnect now. Architecture, the way she practices it, is a way to make buildings that don't fall down. The only bit of artistry in it is the tendency for inspired projects to take on additional scope seeminly on their own. That's her perspective, at least. Mind you, the classical style is a bit austere anyhow, so that works with Goldenblade's natural tendency toward minimalism.

She suggests to Merek, "So, gloves are in order, then? Or does that not even matter. We can seal you inside a lead cask, if you like?"

    "And I agree with that assertion. The Palace Lands are beautiful and their culture needs to be respected. It is a dangerous tightwire we walk in seeking to learn from each other, to appreciate each other, but not to lose who we are. The melting pot is not the ideal."

    The Baroness weighs what she hears with care, then lets out a soft sigh. "You will need to learn control of this ability, Merek. It can be a gift in some ways, I imagine, but it is dangerous and brings with it the temptations of great power. Without care, if you use it freely and do not restrain yourself, it will be a corrupting influence."

    "The guards are pretty formal, a handshake was perhaps a little much. I don't know, perhaps I knew that something would happen, and was thinking about it. I'm new to the power, I will be mindful when I use it," Merek will offer to the people, "Either way. I am probably going to try to keep from you know, touching people. Even if I need to think on it, I can't promise my mind won't think to try and use it. I generally always wear gloves. The power itself... Well, it is a lot more powerful, it seems to keep the ability to drain the power from things. I was able to take away the ability of a monster to keep in flight in addition to keeping it's attack at bay. It creates circles around my wrist and it fires a green ray of light." With a nod along to Wake, "Thank you, I will keep that in mind, I will also try to meet with the Queen to possibly apologize!"

Goldenblade nods about guards being formal. "Rulers generally are," she points out. "In America, they shake hands, but in the east, we bow. That is generally polite. Many Japanese copy the Americans, but far fewer Chinese do." And that said, she will gather her things and depart.

    "I imagine you will find a way to smooth things out," replies Wake evenly. "If not, I can always work my magic with her. My own art, I suppose. Regardless, all will be well, in time."

    Seeing that her architect is leaving, Wake pauses to bid her goodnight. The baroness glides into a curtsey and then, laughing gently, moves forward to hug Goldenblade. "Rest well, my friend, and thank you for everything."

    The Baroness finally moves to set herself down inside, selecting a comfortable bench to alight on. "Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Master Merek?"

    Merek will nod a little bit along to Wake, "Alright. I wanted to make sure you know, as I'm representing you while I wear your colors," the man admits, while he takes the time to relax, "You all be well," he will offer to everyone and offer a nod along with that, "I will see about what I can do with the Merchant people."

Kauchemar shrugs her shoulders a little. "Mistakes are how we learn, Merek. Now you know to be more careful." She glances up a moment, and then mmms. Turns and bows to Wake. "It was nice to get a moment to relax with you dear, but I should go prepare for my next match. I don't need my Divination to now he won't be so easily overcome as the last time we dueled." She stands and gives a whistle. A rattle is heard as the Binder Sword and Shield of hers spring from where they had been resting against the wall after being freshly shined, zipping over to join her.

    "You represent Eas, but you do not need to attempt making yourself into a diplomat. Unless you mean to give up your adventuring days, that is, and study the art with me for a decade or so."

    She turns her attention to Kauchemar and she rises once more. There's another hug and she says, "I wish you the best of luck, my dear. You shall carry yourself with grace and honor, and you have already done amazing things in the tournament. This is all just icing on the cake, as they say."

    She steps away, then and looks back to the bench, "And I will turn myself to my thoughts once more. I.. believe I am nearly done, though. I am working through codifying our norms, laws, standards, etc. What it means to be a citizen of this land is something I wish to be deliberate about. Goodnight to both of you!"