Goodbye to You (and I)

Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    There is a strange quiet that has come over the Dome of Stars. Amidst the hustle and bustle of greetings and audiences and banquets there has rarely been silence in this place. But it is no empty silence, for there have never been more people in this place. Chairs are arranged in a great half-circle along the southern side of the Dome in eight rows. All of them are occupied and have been for some time.

    Capturing the attention of all those who are gathered here are musicians, playing a variety of instruments. Many are of the more mundane variety, but others were clearly custom work, bringing some of the 'world that was' into Yamato.

    In the center of this, beams of light cast every shadow of the rainbow on a single singer. Tae hasn't given a concert in this world before, and though the game does not perfectly express anyone's vocal talent, it's clear where Tae's in-game focus lies. Over the course of her concert, she delivers her own work as well as some familiar favorites. All of these bear her distinct mark.

    During the performance, Wake and any friends she has invited sit in the front row. She cannot help but hum softly to the songs she knows (all of Tae's original work).

    For the Baroness, this is not just a matter of expressing her aims to build a culture that reveres the arts. It takes her back to the dream before and makes it all seem more real, somehow, as if Tae's voice now and in this place adds weight to the idea that reality outside Yamato was more than a fantasy.

    When the performance (and the standing ovation, and the inevitable curtain call songs) end, the crowd slowly disperses, leaving the Baroness, her friends, the band, and the crew behind. It's clear the music has given them a lot to discuss and added even more energy to an excited group of tournament fans.

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade has come for the concert, not knowing what to expect, but she is not disappointed. The music and singing are both skilled and moving, but that's to be expected from anything produced in conjunction with Wake, who seems to have a well-developed artistic sense. The light and shadow, the notes, the whole breathtaking combination of everything taken together is moving, to the point that when it concludes, Goldenblade is on her feet and applauding as hard as anyone.

She's amazed and inspired by the performance, and she only hopes she can reflect that inspiration in some of the buildings and monuments she's building for the castle and town.
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    Wake does not rush over to Tae at the end of the performance. Instead, she settles in to her seat once more. She has a look that hints at the deep feeling of nostalgia that this moment brings. It does not keep her silent, though.

    "In these moments, I forget that there ever was a here or a there. There simply is, and I in that existance. It doesn't matter, really, so long as I have her, I am in the only 'here' I have ever wanted to be."

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade sighs wistfully at Wake's words, remembering her own wife, lost about a year before the game started. The kids said it'd take her mind of the loneliness, and it'd be a way to keep in touch every day without racking up long distance charges.

And they were right about it keeping her busy, though not quite in the way anyone expected. She blinks back her own sadness, she's quite happy for Wake, who seems entirely pleased, and for good reason. She smiles to her, a smile of encouragement, and admits, "It's hard to rememvber there was a world where I was seventy five. This new youth is a new lease on life. I am entirely pleased."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    Wake smiles at Goldenblade, "It's.. strange, how I am starting to forget about things from back home. I have to think carefully about what trains I took to get to the office. And I'm not sure where I left the keys to the car, either. I can't imagine how much a change it would be to have so many years taken off, though I would agree that my body here also was a considerable step-up in a lot of ways."

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade can only shrug about forgetting things back home. Maybe she's been in the groove longer, but she says, "My keys ought to be on the dresser, though if the car's been sitting over a year, it won't be starting anyhow. I normally took the trains, but we had different sites for each job, so we took different trains, depending. I agree, taking so much time off must be strange, but ... since I was retired anyway, this is as good a way as any to spend my time, I think." She has indeed come at a good time in her career to be trapped in a game.
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "I've already cleared my pension requirements to some degree, so there's that," replies Wake, laughing softly. "I suppose what I do here, though, is only additional experience. And unfortunately, it seems the stakes remain the same."

    Her eyes settle on Tae, who is having a conversation with two musicians. She pauses, as if she's detected that she's being watched, and waves towards Goldenblade and Wake before resuming her conversation.

    "How long were you married in the other world?" Wake asks suddenly. "Did you do something extravagent or was it more intimate?" At this point, the Baroness believes she and Goldenblade are way past stiffly formal conversation.

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade has abandoned the formalities with Wake long since, given their close association, and she takes a breath and sighs. "It was almost fifty years. I was twenty five when we were married, and seventy four when she passed. It was good, though, she was a good wife." Another deep breath. "I was a poor bricklayer when we were married, and so it wasn't /very/ extravagant, though her parents did what they could. It was a matter of face to them, of course, the yankee bricklayer was unique, and they couldn't show that they were still recovering from the war ten years later."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    Wake nods thoughtfully, "I understand. It's important to do what you can to make something special and memorable not for just you, but for those you love. I'm trying to plan this carefully, but.. I never really imagined I'd truly be here. What do you most remember for your wedding?"

    There's a shift in posture, the slightest leaning forward, the intent look in Wake's eyes, that makes it clear she has settled her entire attention on Goldenblade.

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade's attention is on events now fifty one years in the past, counting the year here, and she says, "Well, I wasn't familiar with shinto weddings at all, so I guess it was all kind of strange and exotic for me. Me in a haori and hakama, which I'd never worn before, and her in her shiromuku. It was a whirlwind, let me tell you, it was all so strange. Ironically, both my sons had western-style weddings," she adds with a laugh.
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "That did become the fashion, didn't it? Still, those traditional weddings are so lovely. I can understand those that do a little of each. Since Tae isn't Japanese, we are going to do something similar to a western wedding. But I do really like how the Japanese sometimess change clothes multiple times. Gwen is making a fortune, I think, but it's fun. And we can wear the clothes whenever we want. That's pretty convenient."

    Wake sighs softly and looks down at her lap. For just a moment, there's a softening, and the Baroness is just a young woman thinking of becoming a bride. "I hope we are blessed as long as you were, Goldenblade. We got a rather late start, but once we met there was never a doubt."

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade nods about the fashion changing. "I fear my grandsons and granddaughters will get married while I'm stuck here. Their fathers will take care of them, but I'll still be disappointed to miss it. But only one seemed close when I started the game, so maybe I won't miss too much."

She chuckles about Gwen making bank on the wedding outfits, but she nods. "She's good, though, so worth it." She nods as Wake hopes for a long marriage. "I hope so, too. But I think you have it in you. And of course youth is just a setting here, so you have quite a long future ahead of you."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "It is to be hoped," Wake replies, laughing gently. "I am sure that whatever the case may be, in the world that was, we are not forgotten. Our actions will echo softly through whatever future there is in that place."

    There is a long, thoughtful pause, and suddenly Wake says, "Call me Elly. When we are alone, anyway. Privacy and security aren't necessary around my friends, and if I do get in a position where that would even matter, well.. I don't expect that my job is being held for me. And I say this with no expectation from you, dear. I think I am starting to miss my old name."

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade bows her head, and says quietly, "All right, Elly." She chuckles, and says, "I would tell you to call me Paul, but that would confuse people so very badly. Me, most of all, given how long we've been here. Goldenblade is at least gender neutral. I though of looking for one of those genderswap potions, but then my fullname, which Uta uses, would be wrong and I'd be having to explain that all over the place, and this way seems simpler. The game doesn't seem to take gender into account for how strong and tough and everything, and there's less dimorophism among asians in general, but ... it's not any sort of liability, so I go with it." And she's old enough that mixed bathing was common and normal to her, so she has no problems in the mixed bath.
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "It can be a very confusing mix, can't it? I will use the name you like, and be happy to count you as a close friend. It's fun working with you, as well. Having people around me I can trust has made this whole experiment in leadership a huge success. I just hope that I'm achieving the most critical goal, which is helping others achieve their dreams, as well."

    Oddly, while Wake has been speaking, Tae has managed to sneak up on her. She says in a clear, playful voice, "Well, Lady Wake, I would say you've made several dreams come true already. The band is thrilled to have an audience and to have a real concert rather than just playing on a street corner or in a tiny tavern." Without waiting for Wake to react, she slips her arms around the Baroness from behind. "Hello Goldenblade! I am so grateful that you were able to attend!"

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade beams and nods at being called a close friend. "And I am pleased to be able to call you a close friend also, Elly, it has indeed been fun. I did not expect it to be so enjoyable when I started but it has been a good experience." She can only shrug about achieving her goals, since her only goal is to spend her remaining time well. "I would say you are helping me to meet my goals, yes. I had never expected to be so needed as a bricklayer in a swords-and-sorcery game." But that seems to be her claim to fame.

She keeps an entirely straight face as she watches Tae creep up on Wake, she knows this story well, and she won't spoil it. When Tae does pounce, she smiles, "Hello, Tae. Your singing was lovely. I was glad that I was able to attend." But she's here working on the construction, so it's not like she's not around.
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars


    Wake manages to not jump, though she is certainly surprised. She smiles and turns just enough to press a kiss to Tae's cheek. "You were breathtaking, my dearest, and you took me back in time. It always strikes me how the same feeling comes back every time you sing."

    Tae grins, pure mischief on her face. Wake's sweet words don't dispel it, either. "Has my love here been talking shop, or is she managing to remain suitably sociable today?" she asks.

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade chuckles as Wake manages not to jump, though her expression amuses Goldenblade greatly. She echoes Wake's praise for Tae's singing, "Amazing," and she seems amused as Tae accuses Wake of talking shop. "We've been properly social," she assures Tae. "And it's a wonder because I'm usually the one to bring up the interesting things I've built here for you two. For the alliance as a whole, as well."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "Well, we certainly appreciate your work," replies Tae. "Which is why we shouldn't ask too much, should we, Elly?" She playfully pokes the Baroness in the ribs and for just a moment, it appears that perhaps Wake harbors a secret weakness. Is she.. ticklish?

    Wake barely holds still, but somehow her voice is calm. "I would never think of it! But on the other hand, Goldenblade's art is a gift to be shared and I would be remiss to exclude our friend from doing so."

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade chuckles about not asking too much, and she shakes her head. "On the contrary, it makes me feel needed and valuable, so I'm happy to work whatever projects you have going. It feels good to be the go-to person." She smirks at the byplay, and wonders, "Should I wander off and let you two get a room?" She winks, "Though you already have one, so I guess that's not the right question."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "No, no, no," replies Tae. "We must wait now, the wedding night isn't so far off." She turns her attention back to Wake, "You know, I came up with a title for your wedding present," she murmurs.

    The Baroness laughs, though for a moment her cheeks color. She's rarely this flustered. "See.. Goldenblade is delighted to be my partner in building!" Still, she can't help but ask, "So.. assuming this isn't one of your teases, are you going to share the title you have settled upon, or are you going to make me wait?"

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade arches a brow at a title for a wedding present. This is a thing she's not familiar with, so she will listen politely as it is explained, or at least as it plays out, getting what she can from context. But she will nod as Wake mentions the building, and she says, "I am thrilled that I have been able to be so useful to you. After I retired and my wife passed, I felt like I wasn't much use to anyone. So this is a real sense of having a place where I'm wanted and appreciated."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "You will always have a place, Goldenblade. And you are far more to us than what you can build. You are a friend. Oh, and I apologize for the confusion. The wedding present is a song, and the title is 'Goodbye to You (and I)'." She playfully draws the parentheses in the air with a curving swing of her two index fingers.

    Wake looks down at her lap once more, her voice gentle in a way that it never is. "I love it, Tae. I'm sure it will be the best present ever."

    Tae laughs and whispers a bit too loudly in Wake's ear, "Well, hopefully not the best."

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade bows deeply at Wake's statement. "Thank you, that means a lot to me. I'm sure if I were here with Hanako, she would be very effusive. I don't do the effusive so much, but know that I am quite happy to be a part of everyone's lives." She ahhs about the song, and laughs at Tae's rejoinder. That's TMI territory, which amuses her even further. "You two will do well together, I'm sure of it."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "If I don't break Elly's desire to display posture and decorum at all times, or drive her crazy, I have absolute confidence in us." Tae slips around Wake and nudges a chair against Wake's, which she settles in.

    "You know, I'm not sure it would be the same if you stopped. You've always been breaking my ice, dear, and even long after the last of it has vanished, you are my sunlight."

    Tae raises her eyebrows, "Well, well, we shall make a poet of you yet, my love. That was truly sweet." She turns to Goldenblade, "What would you like to build, if you could make anything you ever wanted?"

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade laughs at the byplay between the two, entirely happy for Tae and Wake, and she nods agreement about the confidence. "It seems like you have what it takes to last," she agrees. As far as what she'd /like/ to build, that's a poser, and she hrms, chin in hand. "You know, I don't really know. The work at Eas has been so fulfilling, I don't know what more I could ask for." Though parts of it definitely show a Neuschwanstein-style look, which she's particularly pleased by. "Unless it's possible to rebuild the transit gates, which I understand no longer work."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "That is an ambition," replies Wake. "One that I think requires more skill than I have by a fair margin. That's the realm of the particularly curious. Until a way is found, though, I shall endeavour to keep you as busy as you wish to be."

    Tae tilts her head, considering. "With a new world open, perhaps there will be new ideas, as well, though I do recall hearing that our friends from overseas were none too pleased when anyone so much as came near their gate."

Goldenblade
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars

Goldenblade nods about an impossible ambition, admitting, "I have no idea how it could happen, either, But it's a goal. I would like to do it, if there's a way." She nods about it being in the realm of the curious. "I will see what I may do over here in Yamato, then, and leave the Palace Lands' gates alone. They may have had some misfortune with theirs, particularly if they had waves the way we did."
Baroness Wake
Castle Eas - Dome of Stars



    "Goals come to fruition, in time and with dedication," says Tae. It sounds like she's quoting someone. She grins and pokes Wake in the ribs. "A very wise woman told Elly that, once upon a time." Tae leans forward, holding up a hand to block her words from Wake, "It was me."

    The Baroness laughs suddenly, then forces herself to be silent. "Fine, I did say that. I'm a trove of hundred yen store platitudes, but good advice doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. But in any case, I am famished. Perhaps we can continue this over dinner?"