Aincrad War Preparations

It did not take long for news of the betrayal in the Palace Lands to reach even as far as Aincrad. Though Tolbana was not as large as many cities that exist beyond the tower, it was able to accomidate some of the refugees. However, there is a bit of a hold up near the entrance to Aincrad, as each and every member of the traveling party is questioned and vetted before being allowed onward into the city.

Amongst those overseeing the checkpoint, is one Kita Blackthorne, the resident protector of Tolbana and Scale Emblem's very own Black Mage. The Imp is perched up on a set of crates, doing sketches of each and every person that passes through the checkpoint. They aren't exactly high quality, but it's the closest they can get to 'passport photos' in this sort of world.

Kauchemar doesn't have an adversion to the Tower like some of her allies so she was escorting those traveling up to Tolbana. As well as doing so on Wake's behalf to keep an eye on matters while the Baroness was tending to her own journey.

The Nightmare pauses to lean over the Imp's shoulder and admire her work. "So are you inventing passports now?" she jokes.

There is little surprise that the Nightmare might be able to sneak up on Kita and her precarious position beside the checkpoint. The mage only freezes briefly before her storm-blue eyes look over and she pushes her glasses up on her nose. "Not so much." She taps at the page, looking at the Lander that is being questioned at the moment.

"Tolbana is used to refugees, by now, but we've got limited space. This helps us put faces to names and make sure we allocate housing and resources appropriately." She sounds very business-like as the girl explains this, but it doesn't last long as she sighs, biting at her lower lip. "It's hard. Only last year, most of the citizens of Tolbana were refugees, themselves. Now they have to see others displaced and searching for someplace to claim as sanctuary."

She glances over towards the city, where guards seem to be organizing supplies and assigning people to various tasks. "Most are supportive enough, after what they've been through. But for a lot of them, it is digging up past trauma."

Kauchemar nods her head. "Records are good. We have no guarantees the enemy won't try to sneak in or look... distinct enough for Landers to tell without access to Inspect." She avoids saying 'look Chinese' because that'd be racist.

She rises to glance over at the city proper as well. "Rest assured they won't be dead weight. Wake has impressed upon them to earn their stay even if it's just passively assisting the town's being."

"I'm sure they'll try to sneak in. That's why we've got some defenses against that." Kita doesn't explain what, specifically, the checkpoint is looking for, though one obvious one is the questioning taking place. Much of it seems to revolve around things that people from Yamato should or would know. Something to weed out people from other places who wouldn't know the land's recent history without research. It's not perfect but... it's something.

"We have a couple of Adventurers who are volunteering to run INSPECTS, too. Boring job, but most of them understand the need." Kita flips a page in her book, which doesn't seem to get it to be any closer to the end of those pages as she starts to draw another of the refugees.

"I'm not worried about that. From what I've seen, most refugees are more than willing to put in the effort to prove themselves. I'm just more worried about not having enough housing or supplies. The Alliances, despite our differences, have mostly kept things civil. None of us were really preparing for what could become an actual war."

"Despite differences in opinions we were avoiding going to war over it, yes. But that is also why we are able to put those differences aside now when we face a common greater threat." Kauchemar huffs softly to blow some stray mane out of her face. "Eas brought what supplies we could but time was of essence over valuables. Hopefully Wake's efforts will help find other sources of assistance."

Idly she pats a hand on the neck of the lute across her back. "And I will be here to help keep our morale in order. That much as a Bard I can certainly do."

"Tolbana has some defenses that very few know about. It's probably one of the safest places in the tower." Kita adds, but doesn't elaborate on that. The girl may very well know quite a bit about what sort of secrets protect the refugee city. "The people of Eas should be safe here, or at least as safe as we can manage."

There is a small lift of her lips that doesn't quite form into a smile, "I'm sure we could use the morale boost. I haven't been able to play much. These hands are kept busy with other things. I miss it, though. Music." She had been seen playing from time to time, but that seems a rare thing these days.

Kauchemar entirely understands the lack of details considering the situation and keeps her usual snoopiness in check. "And of course we will assist in defense should that time come to pass." A smile comes more easily to her, though the viper fangs are still slightly off-putting. "But this festival has not been nearly festive enough and that is going to change."

"The Beach Festival?" Kita asks, her eyes still mostly down on the page in front of her rather than on Kauchemar. "Not a huge fan of it, myself." The girl usually wore clothing that was relatively good at covering her form. Oh, it showed off her cleavage whichs he used to her advantage, but beyond that, there wasn't much skin showing.

"Gwen wanted me to model some more concealing bathing suits, but we never got around to actually creating a design that would suit me. Though I've modeled a few dresses and other long-sleeved outfits for her from time to time." It's at that point that she glances up, raising a scarred eyebrow curiously, "What sort of things do you have planned?"

As one who parades around in corset and leather mini-war skirt Kauchemar can't really call out other's fashion choices. "Nothing elaborate." Right. Her smile doesn't get any less with the remark. "Sometimes in trying times people need to be reminded to unwind and enjoy themselves. Or stress will destroy us all before the enemy does. I'm a Bard. I will start a party myself if I have to."

"Well, good luck with that." Kita replies, and she does sound sincere enough with her well-wishes. "I'll probably be stuck here for the time being. Got to get everyone past the immigration checkpoint." She murmurs with some amusement.

There is obviously more to it than that. Something else she isn't saying at the moment, but sometimes mysterious people must maintain that mysteriousness. Otherwise, it just ruins the feel. "Come back when you're done, we can go over how the Eas folks are settling in."

"Sounds like a plan. I will touch base with you before the next time I head out to check on Wake. Tae should have another care package ready by then as well. Take care." With that Kauchemar returns to mingling with the Eas refugees. Walking back into the crowd in an apparent manner because her usual disappearing act might wig out the guards.