Exalted: Age of Sorrows (IC)

[Luminesa]

Luciano Terpischora,
The Manse

The furled brow and wisened face of Luciano peered at Eugeni as his compassionate touch clasped luciano's own hand. If it were not for the jaded experience of age he may have broken into tears, but surely Eugeni could see beyond that and was very aware of the very troubles that had become a random turbulent experience for the house head. Nodding in assurance, Luciano need not inform his servants to treat with Shi as an absence of his cup would undoubtedly be met with strict remand and harsh punishment; especially the fact that the name of House Ledaal was spoken a great many times for all to hear. Luciano had ignored the odd convenience of being noticed and treated by an heir of Ledaal, his grief outweighing Rouzen's fiasco but it wouldn't be long until he was reminded.

"I'm more than willing to set aside the formalities and eitquettes expected if you are, my Lords. And yes... This sickness set itself upon my son like a vengeful concubine. It came on the morning of the new year festival and has since struck him down and made away with his former self. I admit... I am a bad father... I cannot bear to watch nor gaze at him now Lest I replace the memory of him with the shamble and decrepid mockery this ailment makes of him... Please do not judge me. I only wish to preserve his greater self, you youth may not be accustomed to the loss or grief. But i would be greatly indebted to not only you, Lord Eugeni, But Ledaal should you save his life!" Luciano's voice became fragile at its end but he breathed in deeply to collect himself, the servants standing behind still as stone and looking to the soil as they reflected on the benign hospitable nature of Izadoro.

Standing from his seat at the very same moment the tea had arrived and was set on the table. The servant first serving Shi, Eugeni, and then Luciano in that order in a subliminal cultural context to infer their importance as guests. Luciano would turn to Shi with a face of gratitude and esteem, "Lord Shi, it is an honor to make your acquaintance for the first time. I pray you can forgive an old man for his transgressions and can say with high esteem that both you and Lord Eugeni will be welcomes with open arms in house Terpischora!"

Luciano would now speak to both Eugeni and Shi equally and revert to make eye contact with both as he spoke. His scribe behind still not having wrote a single word, Luciano seemingly forgetting his presence. Both scribe and hand maidens however became affixed with something in the distance to the east but Luciano was unaware and continued.

"To be forthright, Lord Eugeni and Lord Shi... I know not what afflicts my son. At first we presume dit was nothing but exhaustion, perhaps fatigue mixed with excitement from the.. The... The events that unfolded St the Deliberative. He's been tasked with leading the supplemental forces alongside the Noble House Vai in the expedition against the Bull in the North. However... It just doesn't make sense, because we've treated fevers before, we can sense as wood aspects the imbalance of essence when such diseases occur. It isn't an affliction of his body... It appears so but it seems secondary. No disease of late tears a man down at such haste." Luciano spoke with his hand to his brow rubbing it slowly but with intensity.

"Its.. Its as if his very essence is assailed. My boy, my boy can't even speak nor resist by himself. We're not in the southern lands and our seers are spread thin. I don't know how to treat it... Just an hour ago he broke into convulsions and frothed. Do you think you can asses his state? " Luciano pleaded second handedly while looking back and forth to both Shi and Eugeni.

Meanwhile, down the stairs in silence eyes of deep green almost the same tiny as the mad sun of Malfeas stared down as they ascended the Eastern exterior stair well at the assembled discussion and approaching... Treading ever so lightly.

Eugeni - Time to Play Dr. House

Eugeni listened as Luciano breathlessly explained the happenings of the previous day. Isadoro’s decline had been so hasty and quick, and no doctors seemed to have an idea of what had caused his horrific condition. The man’s eyes flickered between both boys, as though he wondered if Shi also knew how to assess such a dreadful condition. To Eugeni, it sounded like some sort of curse. A condition set upon his mind and soul. After all, the soul and the body were connected, and rumors existed that the Dark Arts could cause such sickness if they were used to a certain degree...

Allowing his mind to run wild with diagnostic theories for the moment, he continued to hold Luciano’s hand and shook his head. “You are not a bad father, my Lord. It is difficult to watch a child suffer, never mind your very own flesh and blood...And with an affliction which has no name, nonetheless. You have been faithful to him, I am sure, making sure that every doctor and seer has tended to him. You have tried your hardest. Now, you may rest, and I shall look into his case. All I shall need will be ingredients for a potion or a salve, depending on what I find, but we shall not worry for that now. Please take me to him, if you may,” he reasoned, his voice gentle and slow as he comforted the pained and panicking father.

As he spoke, he looked around the room, as though he was searching for some feature being amiss. A frame hanging on a hinge, a rotted plant, an ill servant. In his labyrinthine mind, all of these features were connected. Something in the Manse had been set askew. The aura of this home was unhealthy, the very foundation poisoned by dangerous powers. He turned back to Luciano, however, taking a moment to give him another calming smile and a squeeze of the hand, before he would be led into the pits of despair.

[Finsternia]

Shi Enneal Iselsi-Ledaal

Shi's face crumpled as he listened to the symptoms that plagued Lord Luciano's son. It started just yesterday after the meeting at the Deliberative. It almost sounded like the normal stresses of the day as exhaustion descended on him like a heavy mountain. By the looks of it, the poor man can't even move nor talk. What's more pressing is that it isn't the body that ails but the man's essence itself. Something corrupted has taken hold of the man's life, something unseen that is leeching away at his lifeforce. "It is a curse... Tell me, Lord Luciano, has your son found resistance back at the Deliberative yesterday? Did he find animosity from one of the Greater Houses during the meeting?"

The act of a minor household such as House Tepischora angering one of the scions of the Great Houses could indeed make such fate behall upon him. Shi has little experience with curing, but his knowledge and sharp mind could see through many obfuscations. With his sharp eye and intuition he could perhaps guide Eugeni's healing hands in order to excise this rotting root. As they conversed about such a macabre topic, Shi's ears twitched underneath his heavy white hair. There are footsteps coming up, footsteps made in a rather cautious manner. Slowly, but surely, Shi could hear someone coming up with lightly placed steps. 'Curious... That isn't how a maid should walk up...' The younger Ledaal kept his senses sharpened and more active as it seems that a suspicious individual is stalking downstairs.

[Acerbez]

House Terpischora Manse,
Rouzen and Luciano.

Just as both Eugeni and Shi spoke and as Shi's ears perked to her presence, the servants stooped their heads low in avowment to the presence of their superior that had taken her last steps with heavy foot to appear in earnest, Rouzen rebutted calm and coldly.

"Izadoro is in need of Moon's blossoming pedal and Shade of Dusk... He's been poisoned. I suspect his beverage on his arrival to the Manse after the Deliberative." Rouzen shot a cold glare to the servants behind Luciano, effortlessly laying judgement upon her lessers.

"It's quite apparent that our estate here has been... Rather privy to the luxury of the imperial city and befits themselves above the duties of House and their obligations to our consignments south." she states shrewdly. Luciano dropping his own hands and surprised by Rouzen's arrival but taken with the notion that his own subordinates are malleable to promises and diversion of greater houses. Rouzen's face was still as stone and her face directed toward the very table the company of the dynasts sat at while affixing her gaze at Eugeni.

"I find it entirely ironic that one of the very same houses hushed by Mnemon and Cathak at the Deliberative regarding support for house Vai shows up to conveniently 'check up' on the inheritor of House Terpischora." Rouzen's stab at Eugeni and Shi's integrity ushered a slight dawning moment for Luciano but concluded in disturbing and distressing him further. Luciano leaned back in contemplation and breathing slightly before Rouzen Continued.

"As Eugeni of House Ledaal Suggested, my lord... You should rest... I have no worries protecting my cousins wellbeing and allowing them to investigate under my vigil... Did it not occur to you that we may be under the lense after Fokuf solidified our motion?" Rouzen stated confidently. Luciano however was shattered in his rebuttle, stammering with his own recollection of Rouzen speaking on behalf of the house combined with the grief of his son. "Izadoro is.. Is to.. Lead... The- the greater houses... Poison...?" Luciano stammered again and looking to Shi very confused.

"He's dying, My lord..." Rouzen added although it pained her to refer to Luciano as Lord given the previous arguments the nights before. The cinematic effort of such an address would do her better long term. Begrudgingly hoping to appeal to his grief. "Half of what you see and none of what you hear..." she spoke reciting an old saying he constantly invoked in her youth.

Luciano looked to Eugeni and Shi with great pains and utter confusion, "Lord Eugeni, Lord Shi..." Luciano raised from his seat but waited for their dismissal, his posture frail and lacking the command he wielded earlier despite its weakened poise.

[Luminesa]

House Terpischora Manse,
Rouzen and Luciano.

Just as both Eugeni and Shi spoke and as Shi's ears perked to her presence, the servants stooped their heads low in avowment to the presence of their superior that had taken her last steps with heavy foot to appear in earnest, Rouzen rebutted calm and coldly.

"Izadoro is in need of Moon's blossoming pedal and Shade of Dusk... He's been poisoned. I suspect his beverage on his arrival to the Manse after the Deliberative." Rouzen shot a cold glare to the servants behind Luciano, effortlessly laying judgement upon her lessers.

"It's quite apparent that our estate here has been... Rather privy to the luxury of the imperial city and befits themselves above the duties of House and their obligations to our consignments south." she states shrewdly. Luciano dropping his own hands and surprised by Rouzen's arrival but taken with the notion that his own subordinates are malleable to promises and diversion of greater houses. Rouzen's face was still as stone and her face directed toward the very table the company of the dynasts sat at while affixing her gaze at Eugeni.

"I find it entirely ironic that one of the very same houses hushed by Mnemon and Cathak at the Deliberative regarding support for house Vai shows up to conveniently 'check up' on the inheritor of House Terpischora." Rouzen's stab at Eugeni and Shi's integrity ushered a slight dawning moment for Luciano but concluded in disturbing and distressing him further. Luciano leaned back in contemplation and breathing slightly before Rouzen Continued.

"As Eugeni of House Ledaal Suggested, my lord... You should rest... I have no worries protecting my cousins wellbeing and allowing them to investigate under my vigil... Did it not occur to you that we may be under the lense after Fokuf solidified our motion?" Rouzen stated confidently. Luciano however was shattered in his rebuttle, stammering with his own recollection of Rouzen speaking on behalf of the house combined with the grief of his son. "Izadoro is.. Is to.. Lead... The- the greater houses... Poison...?" Luciano stammered again and looking to Shi very confused.

"He's dying, My lord..." Rouzen added although it pained her to refer to Luciano as Lord given the previous arguments the nights before. The cinematic effort of such an address would do her better long term. Begrudgingly hoping to appeal to his grief. "Half of what you see and none of what you hear..." she spoke reciting an old saying he constantly invoked in her youth.

Luciano looked to Eugeni and Shi with great pains and utter confusion, "Lord Eugeni, Lord Shi..." Luciano raised from his seat but waited for their dismissal, his posture frail and lacking the command he wielded earlier despite its weakened poise.

Eugeni - Dr. House Doesn’t Like Liars

As Eugeni had waited for a response from Lord Luciano, he eyed his cousin to see the suspicious glances in his eyes. He was listening for something, something rising from downstairs. His eyes rested on Shi as he tried to determine why he seemed so alert. As he pondered, however, Rouzen rose from the depths and began to speak to the group. She seemed to know the diagnosis immediately, despite the fact that none of the doctors or medics summoned to the Manse could determine what was wrong with Isadoro. Eugeni stood respectfully to greet the newcomer, but he kept his distance. His smile remained graceful, but with a hint of a chill.

“...Hello, my Lady...” Eugeni bowed to her, showing respect to a member of the House which he was visiting. “I apologize that our entrance into your home has been so sudden, but we wish no harm against your family. I can understand that emotions and frustrations can make handling such a delicate situation difficult. We also must certainly appear as intruders to some, and I understand if you are not trusting of our intentions.” He did not blink as he returned her stare, and wondered if perhaps Shi was distrustful of her.

“However, my specialty happens to be related to healing, both spiritual and physical. It is always good to have a second opinion before undertaking any procedures, but I must say that I am concerned about the nature of Lord Isodoro’s illness. The symptoms your uncle has mentioned seem to be consistent with a disease of the soul, which means that petals and shade will have no effect. And should he be dying, I wish to see if I can reverse the effects and bring him back to health...”

He looked to Lord Luciano with pain in his own heart, as he watched the older man struggling against the crashing wave of realization. His son was beyond sick. If he was allowed to linger in his state, he would die. He imagined his own aging father, the fear he would feel if Eugeni himself was in such a pitiful state. Eugeni took his hand and moved a little closer, trying to console the tearful and fragile father. “...I shall do everything I can to make him well. Please...if you may...put your trust in me...and lead us to him,” he whispered.

Dr. Gregor - Does Not Live Under the School

No door stood in the wall behind him, as he stepped through what seemed to be an illusion, and walked down into some place underneath the school. At the very least, it began under the school. The cold, stone-hued steps led down underneath the philosophy building, but the tunnel which succeeded them seemed to lead forever. The professor seemed to see nothing wrong with this, and he took his time. Soon enough, he reached what seemed to be a dead-end, and he reached for a different key, in the opposite shoe of the first key. Once again, as he clicked it into the wall, he was able to bypass the illusion, and the wall opened into a small room. He snapped his fingers, and a magical fireplace started, filling the room with light and a woody aroma.

The dark shadow of a room became a cozy, majestic study, packed tightly with books and tomes on the wall to the left of the entrance. To the right, a thick, crimson curtain covered some hidden possessions of a large size. He eyed the curtains for a moment, and then stepped over the fine, black-and-crimson rug in the center of the room. He sat at a large table near the back of the room, and eyed the study for any strange changes. To his left sat a table with a variety of opened documents, books, and papers, messily strewn and ancient. To the right sat a large, oaken wardrobe, intimidating largely due to the glaring dragon carved across the top of the armoire. An enormous, elegant wall-scroll of various dragons also encapsulated the room around him, almost like a mural. He was proud of that art, which he had commissioned and bought himself. Then again, he had bought everything in this room himself.

"...Everything in its right place. Excellent." He settled into the comfortable armchair behind a table, and he stared into the fire of the fireplace. He spoke some words into the fire, low and careful in a foreign language much like Urdu. The flames began to rise, as though charmed, and they took the form of a small, snake-like creature. Flames flickered back in Dr. Gregor's eyes, and he listened as the fire crackled and responded in turn. Not a soul would know what the conversation was about, but it ended soon, and Dr. Gregor nodded as the fire became non-sentient once again. He grabbed a book, and he began to read through it. "...Odd how old companions would return...at a time like this...Hopefully the rest of my past is not trying to return...but this...I can allow..."

[Sao Nova Europa]

Bel Keraz

Bel listened to Yeiji's words while slowing leaning back in his high backed chair. The cushions long broken in by the years of Bel sitting in the chair. Eyeing Yeiji and Jiang with glances, face impassive, very much giving the guise of a technocrat at heart. A technocrat with a heart of gold maybe. At least, Bel Keraz liked to think so, since he often sourced finances for the Empress without beating the peasantry with the bill as much as he could. Her Imperial Majesty was ever in need of funds for her various objectives in the constantly shifting agenda she created and maintained. Small wonder how she was a master manipulator who made her various descendant bloodlines prance and dance under her strings. Wonder what she would make of this now? Keraz picked up the papers presented to him.

Bel Keraz spoke to his aide off to the side, getting her attention with a raised finger, that he lowered once she readied paper and stylus. "Draw up an order that I will approve of a 6% increase in the sales tax." Bel Keraz's order was a confirmation that Yeiji's first piece of his plan was approved. Keraz turned his gaze back to Yeiji, "I will present your infrastructure idea about shared financing in exchange or stake in the revenue or profits to the Deliberative. I will however not approve a decrease in wages for now. Not until it is the last resort." Bel Keraz leaned forward with a raised finger.

"Your ideas are bold, short term more than likely fruitful, but I must caution you. The Great Houses are not one to take subjugation as a part of a government official's agenda lightly. Such words are dangerous to the one who utters them. Caution, Yeiji, will serve you best in trying time."

Leaning back in his chair Bel Keraz nodded. "I'll present this all to the Deliberative. Now, another matter while you are here. You mention the Satrapies. I trust you are aware of the Bull of the North and the danger he presents to our Northern Satrapies? Zara Azairya Vai is leading an expedition North to avenge our dear Regent's military catastrophe. Imperial forces will be marching along the army of House Vai and as such we need to prepare some discretionary funds be made available. What do you propose?"

Yeiji was silent for a brief moment, engrossed in deep thought. This wasn't the first time he had had been asked to find funds to finance the military, but this was the first time the fiscal situation was so desperate. Yeiji bowed before Keraz and said, "you will have to excuse me for a brief moment." The magistrate called Jiang to approach him and whispered some words in his ear. Jiang at once looked at some of the papers he had brought with him. After finding the one he was looking for, Jiang whispered something to Yeiji, with the magistrate nodding his head in approval.

"I have two proposals," Yeiji finally spoke, with renewed confidence and a wide smile on his face. "The first is to issue war bonds. Allow private individuals, especially rich ones, to contribute funds to the military in exchange for an equal amount of money to be paid from loot and slaves brought to the Realm after the successful end of the campaign. You can let people in the department... exaggerate somewhat the amount of loot which we can bring back from such a campaign. If there is not enough loot to pay back the money we owe, well... the investors knew the risk and it was their free choice to contribute to our enterprise. Not all investments pay off." Yeiji couldn't help but laugh for a few seconds before quickly recomposing himself.

"The second proposal is to save money by supplying our army indirectly," Yeiji continued. "Instead of having the central government to supply directly the imperial army, thus costing us an exorbitant amount of cash we currently don't have, we can instead let the army be supplied by local peasants at the various villages and towns in the army’s route while also drafting, forcibly if necessary, local craftsmen to accompany the army. The peasants will supply the army in exchange for less money than we would give if we directly supplied it; they will make somewhat of a loss but with the army there, I don't think they will be in the mood to say no. Same goes for craftsmen. They will also make less money than they would if they weren't drafted in the military, but they won't be able to protest and in the meantime they would help a lot our military with very low cost."

Yeiji bowed again before his superior and pleaded with him, knowing that the Vizier wasn't exactly one to approve harsh measures. "I know that you may not like this second proposal. I don't either. It would be far better if peasants and craftsmen did not have to bear the cost of the military campaign. Yet, with our desperate fiscal situation, we don't have much choice. Either we take a harsh decision now, allowing us to beat back our enemy and to restore some semblance of order in the country, or we will have an ill-supplied army that will not be suited for a military campaign, shall suffer another defeat, the Realm will be humiliated again, war will continue with whatever evil its brings and the fiscal situation will thus worsen even more, bringing even more hardship to the peasants. It is a choice between burdening now the peasants, so that they can enjoy a burden-free future of peace or sparing them the burden now, thinking we are magnanimous, and dooming them to a life of war, deprivation and uncertainty."

"As some say, the most effective medicines are the bitter ones. Better for the peasants to shallow the bitter medicine now and get well than to not take the treatment and to die. I plead you to choose the path of logic rather than the path of emotion. Sometimes, hard and cruel decisions are necessary in order to bring good to the world. This is the burden of leadership. As for other proposals, I am afraid I have none. You know first hand how desperate our financial situation is; I am a smart man, if you will excuse my immodesty, but I am not a magician. I cannot magically create money where there is none. I apologize if I am failing you with this answer."

[Acerbez]

Terpischora Manse

Rouzen shifted directly to Eugeni and followed by a lowered bow that she held for a second or two longer than required. Her tied hair furlowing over her shoulder and pointing toward the brick, Rouzen's stiffened posture angled at 70°, perhaps the lowest bow she's taken in some time but impart of Eugeni's standing and allotted respect, it was necessary. Returning to her normal stance, Rouzen responded to Eugeni's address and seemingly switched faces on the drop of a dime, going from bitter and gloom to slightly smiling and warmer invocations of expression.

"You need not apologise, Lord. It was myself that interrupted and inferred without having the proper knowledge of your specialised acumen. I only seeked to deter or shake the poise of a schemer or trickster with my comment. However you've not adjusted in the slightest which leads me to believe you are indeed... Forthright with your intentions. It is myself who should apologise for such a crude and indignant approach." Rouzen spoke genuinely it seemed, for part of it was true. Typically verbally attacking or questioning an individual who withheld explicit intention would fumble or at the very least contract their essence in a defensive manner to protect themselves from any "reading". Eugeni however hadn't even flinched.

"You are an honored guest, and the timing of your arrival is impeccable to say the least. Izadoro's condition has plummeted and it seems he may not last until sunrise." Rouzen's visage had turned to Luciano as she concluded her assessment and despite its informative nature, it was only intended to reiterate and upset Luciano further. Rouzen however had the luxury of truth to veil her heart throbbing stab. Luciano's hand shot up to pardon him some space in the conversation and he beckoned Eugeni and Shi, "Yes, yes, a second opinion is more than logical. Please." Luciano had begin to withdraw, his scribe and servants stepping aside to give him way.

"I can agree..." Rouzen murmured. Luciano peered at his niece and gestured his hand for her to direct them to his Son's quarter at which point she nodded and looked to Eugeni and Shi. "Follow me, if you would, my lords." Rouzen's mad green eye's fluttered as her look became lazy for a moment. Turning her head forward to rebuke her own expression and turning back again to Eugeni in another seemingly warmer fashion as Luciano began to trail off. Taking her steps, even as the pair followed, Rouzen seemed to look straight ahead with a gleeming streak of cleanliness bouncing on the body of her long black hair. The sound of the north halls door opening and closing garnered a quick look from Rouzen before turning back straight. Only to herself, noting that Luciano was indeed now absent for certain.

"Izadoro's quarter is in the east Hall, here. However I request we not take the front stairs and instead walk the ground level common room and take the back stairwell. It is... Much more direct." Rouzen stated in a lowered tone. She considered implementing her anima voice to sway the pair but it seemed to not be the smartest manuevre especially if she was sensed or caught. The truth of the matter was that Daesh was still standing sentry in front of her own quarter where the Kiji lie. She wished not for the pair to cross ints intersection or even momentarily sense it's waxing essence. No, she wanted them to not know if it at all. The excuse of closer and direct access also rang truth but certainly for purposes that only served her. Leading the cousins through the common area, Rouzen wouldn't expect resistance to her request.

If not then they would be lead to the 3rd level of the Eastern hall from the back stairs and exit to find Izadoro's quarters to their right side. A large room but what was expected for the son of a Household head. Down the hall standing firm would be Daesh, the silver skinned adopted egg adorned with a red oni mask and white mane. A servant slide Izadoro's room door open and a gust of pungent air would seep out, the cold sweats weeping from Izadoro's pours were driving his liver into overdrive as it at first cleansed his body but now was canabalising his metabolism to break down every cell of his being.

Izaodor laid there breathing heavy, his own robe halfway off to allow the air to touch his skin. While he had energy, he insisted to be nude because of the heat but this was unacceptable. The initial assumption of fever meant he must sweat out the toxins. Despite his weakness, Eugeni would find Izadoro breathing heavily and his heart rate at excessively high levels. Signs of his over reacting metabolism... His essence being an entirely different matter. The slightest and smallest spec in the corner above Izadoro hid the presence of something else, however it hid professionally. Whether Eugeni or Shi would notice depended on their own essence sight and how focused they could magnify it.

[Luminesa]

Terpischora Manse

Rouzen shifted directly to Eugeni and followed by a lowered bow that she held for a second or two longer than required. Her tied hair furlowing over her shoulder and pointing toward the brick, Rouzen's stiffened posture angled at 70°, perhaps the lowest bow she's taken in some time but impart of Eugeni's standing and allotted respect, it was necessary. Returning to her normal stance, Rouzen responded to Eugeni's address and seemingly switched faces on the drop of a dime, going from bitter and gloom to slightly smiling and warmer invocations of expression.

"You need not apologise, Lord. It was myself that interrupted and inferred without having the proper knowledge of your specialised acumen. I only seeked to deter or shake the poise of a schemer or trickster with my comment. However you've not adjusted in the slightest which leads me to believe you are indeed... Forthright with your intentions. It is myself who should apologise for such a crude and indignant approach." Rouzen spoke genuinely it seemed, for part of it was true. Typically verbally attacking or questioning an individual who withheld explicit intention would fumble or at the very least contract their essence in a defensive manner to protect themselves from any "reading". Eugeni however hadn't even flinched.

"You are an honored guest, and the timing of your arrival is impeccable to say the least. Izadoro's condition has plummeted and it seems he may not last until sunrise." Rouzen's visage had turned to Luciano as she concluded her assessment and despite its informative nature, it was only intended to reiterate and upset Luciano further. Rouzen however had the luxury of truth to veil her heart throbbing stab. Luciano's hand shot up to pardon him some space in the conversation and he beckoned Eugeni and Shi, "Yes, yes, a second opinion is more than logical. Please." Luciano had begin to withdraw, his scribe and servants stepping aside to give him way.

"I can agree..." Rouzen murmured. Luciano peered at his niece and gestured his hand for her to direct them to his Son's quarter at which point she nodded and looked to Eugeni and Shi. "Follow me, if you would, my lords." Rouzen's mad green eye's fluttered as her look became lazy for a moment. Turning her head forward to rebuke her own expression and turning back again to Eugeni in another seemingly warmer fashion as Luciano began to trail off. Taking her steps, even as the pair followed, Rouzen seemed to look straight ahead with a gleeming streak of cleanliness bouncing on the body of her long black hair. The sound of the north halls door opening and closing garnered a quick look from Rouzen before turning back straight. Only to herself, noting that Luciano was indeed now absent for certain.

"Izadoro's quarter is in the east Hall, here. However I request we not take the front stairs and instead walk the ground level common room and take the back stairwell. It is... Much more direct." Rouzen stated in a lowered tone. She considered implementing her anima voice to sway the pair but it seemed to not be the smartest manuevre especially if she was sensed or caught. The truth of the matter was that Daesh was still standing sentry in front of her own quarter where the Kiji lie. She wished not for the pair to cross ints intersection or even momentarily sense it's waxing essence. No, she wanted them to not know if it at all. The excuse of closer and direct access also rang truth but certainly for purposes that only served her. Leading the cousins through the common area, Rouzen wouldn't expect resistance to her request.

If not then they would be lead to the 3rd level of the Eastern hall from the back stairs and exit to find Izadoro's quarters to their right side. A large room but what was expected for the son of a Household head. Down the hall standing firm would be Daesh, the silver skinned adopted egg adorned with a red oni mask and white mane. A servant slide Izadoro's room door open and a gust of pungent air would seep out, the cold sweats weeping from Izadoro's pours were driving his liver into overdrive as it at first cleansed his body but now was canabalising his metabolism to break down every cell of his being.

Izaodor laid there breathing heavy, his own robe halfway off to allow the air to touch his skin. While he had energy, he insisted to be nude because of the heat but this was unacceptable. The initial assumption of fever meant he must sweat out the toxins. Despite his weakness, Eugeni would find Izadoro breathing heavily and his heart rate at excessively high levels. Signs of his over reacting metabolism... His essence being an entirely different matter. The slightest and smallest spec in the corner above Izadoro hid the presence of something else, however it hid professionally. Whether Eugeni or Shi would notice depended on their own essence sight and how focused they could magnify it.

Eugeni - The Doctor Detects Treason

Eugeni could not speak further to Luciano, as he was too overcome by woe to respond to him. Rouzen’s words had stabbed him further in the heart, in a place in which he was already bleeding. Now that he thought more, he found the young woman, on the other hand, to be much calmer about the situation. Different people grieved differently, but she seemed to not be grieving at all. Or maybe she was trying to remain strong for her uncle. No matter what the case, he had no time to argue with her. Following her down the hall, he and Shi entered the room of their desperate patient.

Izadoro was in a state of shock as they entered, breathing fast and moaning in horrible agony. The physical symptoms would have made him seem as though his body was poisoned, or even experiencing some sort of attack. And yet the moment he walked to his patient’s bedside, Eugeni knew something else was the matter. “...Lord Izadoro...has someone attacked your soul?...” he murmured. He read the man’s soul, as his father had suggested, and he placed a hand over his cold, clammy chest. Servants would hear the tiny chirps of robins in the room, calming and soothing a terrified soul. Eugeni seemed to enter a trance of sorts, speaking directly to the troubled soul within.

He murmured to the spirit in an odd language, one that was not known by anyone in the room. The robins seemed to sway in time with his chant, and his hair rippled around his concerned face. His gold eyes were unblinking, and the afflicted Noble would begin to feel the smallest hint of comfort. Something reaching into his soul to try and bind a wound. He only looked up for a moment to stare toward a servant, his own heart beginning to beat fast. “...Poison...of another kind...has shown its face among us...and has summoned the ghosts of reckoning. Search this building for Soulsteel.” He turned to the other servants and seers in the room. “...All of you..”

Eugeni then looked down to Izadoro and focused his soul. He was reaching, grasping, pulling at something to retrieve his soul. His Essence. He gripped Izadoro’s robe, and turned to Daesh. “...A little tree, my Lord...has become the seed which has sprouted from his pain...it must wither...for him to grow again.” Eugeni did not speak of a literal tree, but he did not realize that Kiji in fact existed, just a few rooms away. Nevertheless, he tugged harder at the man’s soul, and seemed to pull it back into his body. Izadoro would feel whole again, and the Exalted would feel exhausted.

[Acerbez]

Rouzen Terpischora,
Izadoro's quarter.

As Eugeni leaned forward to place his hand on Izadoro's chest, Daesh whom was standing outside in the hall slowly shifted to peer at the back of Rouzen's head. Rouzen herself just barely squinted her eye's while observing Eugeni's gestures and listened to the line of questioning that was lathered in what she determined as moronic compassion; so much comfort in such simple questions. It irritated her in the most slight of senses. It wasn't until the Robin's began chirping and imposing a vibe or environment upon the room that Rouzen began to fully grasp Eugeni's intention. How he would expend his essence to not only read but seriously attempt to aid her dying cousin, Izadoro. Her lips slowly separated as her jaw slacked and lowered on its own.

No.... No, No, NO, NO, NOO! Her thoughts began to rage within her own spirit. Rattling the cage on the brink of her composure and drawing upon the deepest depth of constraint that she had within her not to erupt in a fit of rage that would see not only Eugeni and Shi brought harm but every servant present along with Izadoro. “...Poison...of another kind...has shown its face among us...and has summoned the ghosts of reckoning. Search this building for Soulsteel.” He turned to the other servants and seers in the room. “...All of you..” Eugeni spoke aloud for all within the room to hear. Daesh who was in the hall stiffened himself and straightened out. His gaze shot to Rouzen who he saw standing still as a statue. Her hand's were straight, her shoulders were laxed, she appeared completely unphased by the revelation and ordered suggestion if the Ledaal scion. Then, like a caravan of wagons hauling nothing but ore and pulled by the largest of oxen- it hit him. Soul steel. His beloved Rouzen was certainly the only individual within the Manse that had any shred of interest or possession with soulsteel. That... That instrument she took with her to the Heptogram so many years ago and had never parted with! A flurry of revelations and assumptions began to click and make their connections and in the briefest of split seconds that any may ever experience in their life, Daesh was pitted with his affection and gratitude of Rouzen insisting upon his stay in house Terpischora in his youth against the loyalty and duty expected of him to fulfil with his life to his liege Lord Luciano, for taking him in.

The bright Red Oni mask of the silver skinned man hung low at the ground in silence for 2 seconds before it rose up to glare down at the servants that remained witgin the room. They too also knew of Rouzen's trinket... But to move or suggest it would spell their demise, their doom. Even the thought of attempting to make a play was murked and fogged with uncertainty and the inability to properly assess the ramifications of any folley. Eugeni would simply hear shuddered gasps and observe frozen pause from everyone near the room. Only the sound of Izadoro's improved breathing.

“...A little tree, my Lord...has become the seed which has sprouted from his pain...it must wither...for him to grow again.” Eugeni stated while turned back to Daesh who merely stood in contrast of Eugeni and stared back. Daesh was never a man of many words and now more than ever he couldn't concoct any sort of articulate or meaningful response to the chaos storming his thoughts. While turned away and facing Daesh, Eugeni would fail to expect the next moment but Shi would witness it snap like a bear trap. The antsize presence of essence that held itself in the corner of the wall began to swirl and explode in its expansion about the size of a fist, only to form a moldering and withered visage that shrieked and shot down like a ballista onto Eugeni's hand that was still making contact with Izadoro's chest. After which it incorporeally entered Izadoro, bringing to bear a great trauma upon Eugeni for being attuned to Izadoro's essence. A feeling of intense numbness as if ones foot was asleep but also the pain of landing flat footed after jumping from 1 story up with said numbness. Physiologically, it could be explained as the absence of blood in nerve endings that desperately screamed to signal the brain.

Rouzen expected this to pass but knew she could not stand idle Lest she raise suspicion and gasped while falling back into the collumn of the door but still catching herself. Servants began screaming and bolting for the door and created a ruckus as the trays of warm water and cloth were spilled across the hard wood floor. It was midday, and the Ghost preyed upon Izadoro in power at night. However it brought the Terpischora dynast so very close to his last threads that even the rejuvenated threads reinforced by Eugeni may not yet be solidified. Izadoro inversely arched his back and dry heaved in pain as the ghost went to rend and tear away the last vestiges of bearing left and attempt to run with the soul. It would pile drive hard and fast downwards in a spiraling twist, the dark thread visible to Shi under Izadoro's back. But like a bungee chord that snapped, the Ghost would rend the thread and pull Izadoro's soul essence under the bed.

Rouzen had barely anytime to think, none of this was as expected nor going as planned! She could not dare to assault the scions of Ledaal no matter how much they were meddling with her schemes. Nor could she rely on the ghost to defend itself while clutching Izadoro's essence against both dynasts. And most importantly she could not excersise her command over the ghost without being caught red handed. Daesh was statuesque, disturbed and conflicted with both his thoughts and what was unfolding before him, Was Rouzen in harm's way? What was he supposed to do.

Clenching her jaw, seconds were fleeting.

[Luminesa]

Eugeni - He Who Walks With Ghosts Finds The Haunt

In taking a breath to recover from the Essence he had used, Eugeni examined Izadoro’s condition. He was no longer convulsing, but he was still in pain. Something was still stirring around him, which kept his soul and his Essence from remaining bound to his body. The Ledaal heir knew he had spoken. He had called for the servants to scour the house for Soulsteel. They all seemed to stand around in shock, instead, and he turned to them with eyes still half in a trance. “...Hurry...find it, quickly...!!!”

As he spoke, he felt another presence in the room, and that presence flew under his hand and connected with his own soul. A pained and horrified gasp escaped Eugeni’s throat, and he coughed a heavy cough. Blood dripped down his lip, and he forced himself to concentrate. “...Haunted...he is haunted...a demon or a ghost...has come to...undo my work...” he whispered to Shi. Summoning as much strength as he could, he made contact with the enraged soul.

“You must not come here...You must leave him...Your home is elsewhere...By the power of the Wind Dragon...I beckon you...Come with me...”

He spoke now in a more Rivertongue dialect, but his own voice sounded more ethereal, and his words slipped into an intimate chant. He was close enough to the ghost to touch it, to reach for it and to pull it away. He was a charmer, luring the ghost away from the wounded soul and toward potential salvation. All he needed was for Shi, and his robins, to defend him. His soothing voice and urgent plea fell over the soul like a warm blanket, soothing Izadoro as well as the ghost. Physically, he almost looked asleep. The robins chirped around him, gathering close to protect their summoner, and Eugeni held a hand over Izadoro’s chest as though to massage a wound. The work of a gentle Exalted, who did not lord his power but rather wielded it as a salve.

[Acerbez]

Rouzen Terpischora,
Izadoro's Quarter

Rouzen smirked momentarily at Eugeni's beckoning to the ghost and his divergence of accented tongue and chants. Eugeni was commendable and definitely on the right track, but Rouzen maintained a slight hubris that her own spell curse would hold out a while longer. Guarenteeing Eugeni's undivided efforts to undo. However it wasn't the excorsism that was bothering her and weighing heavy in her thoughts. It was the notion that Eugeni insisted on retrieval of the soul steel source that rest nearby... She would hear no more of it. As painstakingly obvious it would be that perhaps this entire ordeal was Rouzen's doing, the servants surely would begin their own rumors. Rouzen surmised quickly that Luciano's morale and spirit would collapse upon itself rather quickly with the loss of his son and that such rumors and discussion would hush itself upon the realization that Rouzen would most likely be the line of succession and rule over their fates. Luciano's impending age and tenure of rule was almost over... Why worry? Instead, The Terpischora dynast shed herself of doubt and stress almost instantly, picking herself up and slowly walked toward Eugeni.

Eugeni's field of essence whirling about him and Izadoro in full swing, Rouzen knew that Eugeni's current posture would for certain assess and analyze any aura or essence within proximity. Taking one step at a time, Rouzen wrapped her essence with layerings of wood essence and hardened it like maturing bark over the trunk of an ancient oak. Thick and rigid, coarse and jagged to the touch. First stepping next to the bedside and passing before leaning down. Ensuring her hands were visible as to not alarm Shi. Rouzen leaned down just behind Eugeni's right ear, fully within the temporal vortex of Robin and excited air.

"The servants only know of one item of familiar descript,which they dare not touch..." Rouzen paused while glancing forward to Izadoro's calming body and she peered through and observed the ghost recoiling against its negative nature and Eugeni's promising attempt to comfort both Izadoro and the ghost. As if it were physical and in truly before her, she watched her own summon fighting for its purpose and the energies of Eugeni's negatement.

With the most quiet of whispers for only Eugeni to hear but in brazen confidence, Rouzen assumed the revelation may distract Eugeni enough to allow the ghost to flee still. Maybe not. Anything lost can be found again, Rouzen reminded herself... Except for time wasted.

"It belongs to me. Tss... The soul steel heirloom is mine".
Rouzen's emboldened green eyes bore in deeply to Eugeni's temple and sideburns as she spoke. It wasn't a threat, but passively hostile in its statement despite whatever contradicting expression the Terpischora dynast maintained. Daesh slightly bent his knees unaware of what was going on and he watched Shi for motion. Rouzen's essence shielded like a boulder against a gusting tempest, unmoving and blank in expression.

[Luminesa]

Eugeni - The Soul Is A Mirror

Eugeni continued his efforts, gently calming the ghost and guiding it away from the body. It became docile as the Exalted’s kindly words wrapped around it, and the spirit left Izadoro’s body. The robins chirped happily as the Ledaal sighed with relief. He continued to lean over Izadoro to watch him, but he was now calm, his body resting after a dreadful battle against death itself. He placed a hand on the man’s forehead, and smiled at him. “...Rest...Rest, my friend...I shall see that the servants take good care of you...”

Hoping that his work was finished, he sighed as he moved slightly away from the body. A sensation of heavy warmth fell over him, as his soul re-entered its small, nestled place within his being. He closed his eyes, ready to rest. His body was dreaming of sleep, having forgotten momentarily about the upcoming expedition. His lids grew heavy, and then he felt someone put their fingers on his shoulder. Not entirely aware of his surroundings, he reached for the hand, holding it tenderly. “...I am alright, Shi...I am...Uh?”

A moment passed before he realized that he was holding Rouzen’s hand, and then she spoke the deadly words into his ear. The Soulsteel was hers. She was brazen in admitting her seeming role in her own cousin’s illness. Her crime was grave, and as the words settled like ink across the page of Eugeni’s heart, his eyes grew large with shock. She was attempting to murder a member of her own family, and by means that were inhumane as well. His hand shook for a split second, and then he clenched her hand tightly. Turning his body, he stood to look into her eyes, and the robins turned on command.

The chirping stopped, but the wind still blew around the young Noble. His eyes gazed up at her, as he held her hand, and his horrified expression became resolute. “...You have cursed your family...you have poisoned the well which gave you birth...the foundation which gave you your existence...You have attacked your uncle in his old age, and your cousin out of hatred...I should turn you in to the courts...I should claim in the name of House Ledaal...that your name be rendered as vile as sewage...but I shall not.” He allowed his pause to sit in the ears of his audience, and his meek countenance became firm as steel.

“...Instead...I shall let your soul bear witness...Lady Rouzen...” As he whispered her name, his soul slipped from his body, along with his Air Aspect, and a cold wind filled the room. A primal terror would suddenly reach its icy fingers into her heart. Eugeni the healer was now the punisher, whose winds began to shriek louder and louder as they surrounded Rouzen. She did not need to tell anyone else of her guilt. As the winds felt the edges of her soul, they literally screamed. The robins’ song became an unearthly cry of agony, as they revealed to the entire house, including her uncle, the dishonor she had brought. The tune was unforgettable, harrowing, and an omen of doom. When the song finished, Rouzen would stand with her cruel words echoing in the air, horrible and vicious, her heart naked for everyone to see.

[Acerbez]

Rouzen Terpischora,
Izadoro's Quarter

"Biorzeh..." she uttered aloud, the dialectual phrase for 'imbecile' in jade tongue just after snatching her hand away from the Ledaal Scion.

Taking 2 steps back, Her own eyes began to pool and water as if she were to begin sobbing but her facial muscles were still and unmoving. Without taking her eye's off of Eugeni, her gaze was lazy but unequivocally malignant. Tinges of smokey dark grey lines began to surge upwards from Rouzen's shoulders and elbows and then hang low to the floor like spools of thread being unwound, her lips were slightly parted enough to show the tips of her canines. Her elbows bent to 90° with her palms pointed at the floor and they twisted inwards to end facing the ceiling. Balling both hands into fists, Eugeni would be able to note that the bottom lids of Rouzen's eye's could hold no more and tears plummeted from the corners of her eyes except that they were not clear and fell not as normal tears would. They were black like tar and slid without notion of surface or gravity, after losing contact with Rouzen's skin they would dissipate into the air into nothing. On Rouzen's top shoulders, 3 elongated and metaphysical finger like talons and opposable thumbs wrapping around from her tricep looked as if pressing down without burdening her with weight; as if pulling itself up from below.

Pulling up from behind her, her own anima that was murky and black in its nature peered from behind the left side of Rouzen's head. An elongated and gaunt snout of an enlarged almost canine like head unnaturally rolled itself over the shoulder and contorted as if sniffing. Craters of emptiness with only the smallest beads of green where its pupils would be if they existed. It was large enough to appear to glance at both Eugeni and Shi in tandem without affording preference to one or the other. Against the metaphysical air Eugeni already established and expanded outwardly, Rouzen's would appear and characterise as an implosive contrast. Like a black hole devouring light, Essence was being vaccumed inwardly as the wood's aspect began to surge and touch every living and once living object within Izadoro's quarter. The first sign of this expansive field would be the quick growth of vine and branch of the only window's sil beginning to cover itself.

With no restraint or repression of her ability, Rouzen inhaled deeply before raising her voice to just an equal volume of the repulsive melody sung by Robins. Her Anima's head cocked toward the ceiling, it's ganged Jaws moving and mimicking Rouzen's delivery for through it, the Terpischora dynast spoke. "Conspirators of Ledaal poison the very well in which our bloodline rests then they enter our home to guarentee their schemes yield fruit. Insult to injury, through greed or indecent power lust they conclude to defamate the entire nobility through petty parlor tricks and manipulation of their respected aspect; You spit on Mela's name. They whisper accusations of treason and sedition... How unbecoming!" the rasp and zealous tone rang through the halls of the Terpischora courtyard and Manse. The shuffling and bustle of terrified hosts paused as confusion and feeling of lament introduced itself to them. Never in the history of the house has any such event ever occurred, the shock and surreal feeling was astonishing.

After her own rebuttle, Rouzen had never averted her gaze away from Eugeni but her anima fixed its posture and re-afixed itself to Eugeni. Rouzen's chest was inflated still, with plenty of breath left to continue on. Instead she deflated with her hands falling to her sides. Her anima bent only slightly and propelled itself, shooting to the ceiling and drawing the unspooled strings that fell from Rouzen earlier. Her essence was seeping from her in swirls of opaque greys and deep black, the mad green hue of her orbed eyes was like a beacon within its own self imposed storm. Her right hand slide up her naval above her breasts to her chin. Flat like prayer hands with only her thumb tucked. Her left hand rolled out and spun in disciplined motions. Her summoned ghost was not for Eugeni to rebuke nor command, Eugeni would know this. Slowly exhaling, Rouzen was still calm and collected given the situation, the ending coils of the ghost would drag past Eugeni near to Rouzen's spinning hand and its facade of comfort imposed by Eugeni would revert quickly back to its spell of torment. Rouzen was not the one who consigned this soul to the Gloria Inmortuae but neither would she allow this Ledaal scion undo the judgment cast from the 1st age.

At the very same time, Rouzen's anima expanded in width to take up its own corner of the room. It's antlers in full display. Daesh placed his hand on his Wakizashi slung at his side and slid one leg backwards readying himself. As a man of action, he had no time to sort through the mess and eye'd Shi and Eugeni while looking back and forth to Rouzen.

"Your assistance and time of arrival is impeccable, Eugeni and Shi of House Ledaal. But before you depart, Your birds only emulate agony and doom... They lack inspiration." Rouzen stated shrewdly and ctitiquefully. "They lack the proper voice and missed the note. This note." Rouzen's right hand swung outward releasing the spring coiled ghost that would spiral off and dart back to Izadoro. Rouzen's right arm would bend to the side and her knees bent low and she slammed her right palm into the floor sending a surge through the wooden floor of the manse's 3rd level. At Eugeni's feet, snares of thorned vines would emerge at his ankles and knees and constrict with immense force. The thin branches were but half the width of a human arm but violently erupted their surface with thorns the size of a child's pinky finger. They would pierce through cloth and cut the skin with ease.

Daesh's eyes widened with the unfolding combat situation, looking at Shi with Daesh's hand firmly grasping his Wakizashi. He prepared himself to interrupt any interference or attempt to harm Rouzen. Meanwhile, the Kiji sat wrapped but 3 rooms down... Silent.

[Luminesa]

Eugeni - Pushing the Limits of Integrity

Rouzen had no intention of hiding that she was a dirty trickster with no conscience, and now that Eugeni had brought such a fact to life, she was reveling in it. Taking advantage of her own wellspring of Anima, she now decided to actively fight against the Ledaal Noble. Black tears began to stain her face, and she became stiff as a stone. Eugeni himself maintained the auditory attack that was his birds’ horrible omen, but he did not know much longer it would last in his defense. My Essence...my strength...I am...running low...I have used too much...but I cannot fall now...

Eugeni looked aghast at the sight of Rouzen’s Anima. Shadowy and formless, it began to absorb Essence from the room, and he could feel his own body pang from the sudden shock. He did not even listen to the speech she gave, nor did he allow anyone else to hear it. He raised the voices of his robins, shrill and fearless, a defiant act against her now-open opposition. She sent her ghost to torment Izadoro once again, as it seemed to forget that Eugeni had called it away. Nearing exhaustion, Eugeni’s eyes filled with Royal rage, and he grabbed the ghost in a stranglehold of air.

“...Shi...my Essence...the ghost...it must be sealed...” he whispered, never turning away from Rouzen as he spoke. Out the corner of his eye, he saw the masked servant put a hand on his sword as well. A pang of horror...and sorrow...stung his heart. He had walked into a den of vipers, believing he could save an innocent man almost alone. The Ledaal guards began to rush into the room, but Eugeni kept his space. He was not finished, not yet. Even so, he began to cough, and blood dripped once again down his chin. “...These...are the words...you yourself...have spoken...They are your voice...Should you silence me...my soul...shall bear witness...to the Wind Dragon’s mercy...and the Scarlet Empress’s justice...” Another cough. The robins continued to sing.

As though his situation could not become worse, Eugeni felt a swift, throbbing pain in his legs, and looked down to see the cause. Thorns, thick and heavy, had pierced his body, and he was bound all the way to his knees. He held back a scream of pain, as not even in training had he felt such an attack. His breathing became labored, and he wanted to vomit. No...if I fall...it will all be for loss...It will all...Shi...will have to fight for me...Izadoro will...no... Tears came to his eyes, tears he could not hide. He worked too hard and had connected too much with this single soul, to be defeated in such a manner.

And yet a spark of hope seemed to flicker, in the fireplace nearby. Nothing about the apparatus was unusual, it did not make any strange sounds. But a spark did shoot out and prick Rouzen’s ankle. Eugeni’s eyes gazed at the fire for a moment, and then he looked back to his assailant. “...Unhand me...or I shall use...these robin’s songs...and I shall strip you of all power you could ever dream to have...”

Dr. Gregor - The Quick Dance of Flames

Dr. Gregor remained in his study, drinking tea and relaxing in the sumptuous armchair which was almost big enough to double as a bed. Yet he did not sleep. While he held the cup of tea in one hand, his other hand whirled and turned in minute movements. In time with his hand-waving, the fire on his fireplace flickered, enchanted by a master. He loved the impishness of Pyromancy, as fire shared a strange and unreadable nature much like his own. The flames spoke to him, telling him of a coming time of tumult and terror. Potential love and happiness. A friend in need.

One of those prophecies had already found fulfillment, and he had decided to see how this story would unfold. As the fires danced, he heard the singing of robins. Behind his cup of tea, he gave a studious frown. Their song did not sound as it usually did, peaceful and sweet. They sounded as though they were straining for air, being as loud as possible for the sake of their commander. He put his cup on the table, and now turned fully to the fires. “...My boy...you never should have gone in that direction...Did I not warn you that the world was cruel?...”

Rouzen would wonder if she was potentially too close to the fire. Every now and then, another spark of fire would fall on some part of her leg, and would cause her pain. All about the same size, all about the same distance between them. Gregor was a careful Sorcerer, and he waited with anticipation to see how much longer Eugeni would stand.

[Finsternia]

Shi Enneal Iselsi-Ledaal

"...You had enough of any pretense, didn't you Lady Rouzen?" A savage hiss fills the entire room as a gigantic snake, its scales as pure as freshly fallen snow, apparates alongside torrents of merciless seawaters. The heavenly snake wrapped around the two Ledaal scions, and the raging seawater swirled around them like a protective barrier. Shi's serpent anima is facing Rouzen and Daesh, jaws open and fangs outstretched and dripping with venom. His eyes stared at Eugeni's ensnarled feet and ankles, and his hand pointed towards it. Water starts seeping towards the thorny vines and, as it travelled, ice started to encase what it has touched until it reached the end of Rouzen's ensnarement. "Break for me." The ice shatters, alongside the frozen thorns, and the encased vines fall down with thick heavy thuds on the floor. The sound of robins and the sound of the others' voices are drowned by Shi's surging sea cyclone, giving the younger Ledaal a chance to speak. "We've gone through the effort of visiting your manor with good intentions of healing your sickly relative. Instead, we find that it is a product of petty infighting, and we find ourselves framed just as you speak your own confession. How dishonorable of you, Rouzen of House Terpischora. I've admired your words from the Deliberative yesterday. How I've thought that your words do care about the Realm and its safety. Perhaps you do, but your vile intensions underneath discolors that beautiful portrait of a woman who cares for her homeland. I do not care about the petty issues that plague your House, nor the apparent dethroning of the current patriachs of your Household. However, if this issue escalates even more than it should have, know that House Ledaal has not lost its edge from spending centuries hidden within our secret libraries."

Shi has kept silent about this whole affair. Ever since they've stepped into these wretched halls, his senses have picked up on the hidden cues from behind the scenes. He was here to protect his cousin from harm, and to assist him with curing this supposed illness that has struck Lord Izadoro. Rouzen has acted odd and suspicious ever since they've met, asking for medicinal herbs for specific poisons even though such poisons weren't even the cause of the Lord's sickness, but rather vile sorcery of the soul. It was all a ploy in order to take down a political enemy within the House, and Rouzen was indeed correct that the two Ledaals' timing has been impeccable and perfect. Perfect to destroy her plots, and perfect to pin the blame on them. He noticed Daesh's movements by Rouzen's side, and a flash of steel flies past him. A dagger of ice is embedded to the wall behind him, narrowly missing his head, and Shi's heavenly serpent anima hisses back. "Dare draw that sword and your head shall come tumbling down before you know it! This farce is a slap to the illustrious glory of House Ledaal! We had enough of it, and if you do not pursue this unjust humiliation of our name, then we shall as well. Know that we have come here to offer kindness and aid to those who needed them, but we've only met with nothing but plots and blackmail. Dare pursue this issue against House Ledaal, Rouzen of House Terpischora, and we'll make sure that our fangs will be bared in defense. Come, Eugeni..." The younger Ledaal sweeps the older onto his back, careful not to injure his legs anymore. "...Your intra-House politics is yours, not ours. We shall take our leave, and anyone who dares to stop us will be making an affront against our House. Farewell, Lady Rouzen."

[Luminesa]

Shi Enneal Iselsi-Ledaal

"...You had enough of any pretense, didn't you Lady Rouzen?" A savage hiss fills the entire room as a gigantic snake, its scales as pure as freshly fallen snow, apparates alongside torrents of merciless seawaters. The heavenly snake wrapped around the two Ledaal scions, and the raging seawater swirled around them like a protective barrier. Shi's serpent anima is facing Rouzen and Daesh, jaws open and fangs outstretched and dripping with venom. His eyes stared at Eugeni's ensnarled feet and ankles, and his hand pointed towards it. Water starts seeping towards the thorny vines and, as it travelled, ice started to encase what it has touched until it reached the end of Rouzen's ensnarement. "Break for me." The ice shatters, alongside the frozen thorns, and the encased vines fall down with thick heavy thuds on the floor. The sound of robins and the sound of the others' voices are drowned by Shi's surging sea cyclone, giving the younger Ledaal a chance to speak. "We've gone through the effort of visiting your manor with good intentions of healing your sickly relative. Instead, we find that it is a product of petty infighting, and we find ourselves framed just as you speak your own confession. How dishonorable of you, Rouzen of House Terpischora. I've admired your words from the Deliberative yesterday. How I've thought that your words do care about the Realm and its safety. Perhaps you do, but your vile intensions underneath discolors that beautiful portrait of a woman who cares for her homeland. I do not care about the petty issues that plague your House, nor the apparent dethroning of the current patriachs of your Household. However, if this issue escalates even more than it should have, know that House Ledaal has not lost its edge from spending centuries hidden within our secret libraries."

Shi has kept silent about this whole affair. Ever since they've stepped into these wretched halls, his senses have picked up on the hidden cues from behind the scenes. He was here to protect his cousin from harm, and to assist him with curing this supposed illness that has struck Lord Izadoro. Rouzen has acted odd and suspicious ever since they've met, asking for medicinal herbs for specific poisons even though such poisons weren't even the cause of the Lord's sickness, but rather vile sorcery of the soul. It was all a ploy in order to take down a political enemy within the House, and Rouzen was indeed correct that the two Ledaals' timing has been impeccable and perfect. Perfect to destroy her plots, and perfect to pin the blame on them. He noticed Daesh's movements by Rouzen's side, and a flash of steel flies past him. A dagger of ice is embedded to the wall behind him, narrowly missing his head, and Shi's heavenly serpent anima hisses back. "Dare draw that sword and your head shall come tumbling down before you know it! This farce is a slap to the illustrious glory of House Ledaal! We had enough of it, and if you do not pursue this unjust humiliation of our name, then we shall as well. Know that we have come here to offer kindness and aid to those who needed them, but we've only met with nothing but plots and blackmail. Dare pursue this issue against House Ledaal, Rouzen of House Terpischora, and we'll make sure that our fangs will be bared in defense. Come, Eugeni..." The younger Ledaal sweeps the older onto his back, careful not to injure his legs anymore. "...Your intra-House politics is yours, not ours. We shall take our leave, and anyone who dares to stop us will be making an affront against our House. Farewell, Lady Rouzen."

Eugeni - Parting Is A Thorn In My Side

In his moment of peaking weakness, Eugeni felt the hiss of ice and mist next to him, a cool salve to the pain that had overwhelmed him. Shi had come to the rescue, after remaining a careful observer of the undertaking of his cousin. Eugeni was kind, too kind, and not as well-studied in the spitefulness of Nobles. Yet he still tried to maintain his dignity, even as he was coughing blood. His poise was straight, his body was stiff, his shoulders were back, much like a perfect soldier...

Until the thorns came out of his legs.

The vines fell, and as the cyclone of Shi’s Anima rose around him, Eugeni collapsed to his knees. Head bowed almost in supplication, he allowed his body to fall forward. He huffed for air, shocked that he had gone so long with his breath held. He was relieved to have Shi’s aid, though he recalled Gregor’s words about not letting passion rule his actions. His head was a bit blurry, however, and he could only witness his cousin fighting on his behalf. For this act, he was grateful. “...Thank you, Shi...” he murmured, as his cousin spoke for him.

When Shi walked to his side and lifted him off the ground, the older Noble did not protest. He was far too weak, with his Essence nearly spent. The robins were gone, and the Anima was nowhere to be seen. Eugeni’s hair and clothing draped over him, now also soaked by mist. He blinked his eyes several times, and then he closed them. If he had wanted to sleep before, now he did not resist the desire to sleep. “...Let’s...go home...” he repeated after his fellow Noble.

Dr. Gregor - Opportunity Is a Game

Gregor felt the change in Animas, and he could not help but lift a brow. The water serpent that was Shi’s Anima floated to the surface, while Eugeni’s own vanished. “...Eugeni must have truly...run low on Essence...He used too much...Doesn’t he know kindness to petty nobles is almost always fruitless in the end?...” He was at least, secretly, glad that Shi came to his aid. The chance existed that even if Eugeni was stronger, he could die from being outmanned and far, far too generous.

The flames still licked at Rouzen’s heels, and one could not help but feel an extra crackle that popped from the flames. Given how close the fire was to the floor, Gregor had considered doing something heinous...but he instead took another sip of tea. “...Hm. Would end-up killing them instead of the intended target...Somehow...and what a shame, Rouzen was a student with...plenty of potential...” He let the fire rest for a few moments, and sighed as he sat back, allowing his own Essence to charge from the small amount it had expended. “...Foolish, foolish games...and we are all players of a sort, are we not?...” he muttered to the golden dragon billowing around the walls.

[Imperialisium]

House Vai Main Hall

As the breakfast wrapped up Zara stood up. The servants around her bowing, keeping their heads lowered, as they removed her empty dishes and utensils. Looking at Strauch and everyone, one at a time, "I believe this ends our meeting. Inquisitor Captain Strauch feel free to conduct your investigations. House Vai is marching to war and to that end I must begin planning with my advisors. I bid thee good day." Zara bowed. Everyone else bowed deeper as etiquette demanded. Zara turned and left the room with Barisan in toe close behind her. Leaving Yang, Mei, and Strauch within the expansive main hall.

16th of Ascending Air

The past fifteen days passed without much fan fare. Except parades for the passage of the years first full moon on the 15th. A local tradition of the Imperial City and surrounding country side to bear effigies in the like of departed family members from the year prior. Solemn fan fare throughout the vast metropolis for that entire day. Not that Zara joined them. She spent the entirety of the day locked in her private quarters. Seeing and meeting no one. No one knew she ment the entire time meditating before a portrait of her parents. Silence but only the small crackle of burning candlelight to cast her chambers in gloomy twilight. Everyone mourns differently and Zara preferred to do so in silence. A calm contrast to the two weeks previous. The Cynis party and duel with Zychere on the 1st of the new year for starters. Now the Inqusition was investigating things. Not that she was surprised of course. All of this and more she recollected in still meditation.

The days following had been one of constant work. She had sent dozens of missives, dispatches, letters, and orders to the holdings of House Vai, its vassals, and trusted allies in the North. Assemble their warriors, banners, and raise the standard of revenge against the advancing power of the Bull of the North. Pouring over maps with Barisan and other officials of the Vai Household and armies. Planning supply trains and marching routes. This was coupled with an almost obsessive compulsive nature of training and rigor she put herself too. Something that she did in practical isolation. Where the warriors accompanying her from the urban estate trained together, Zara, was nearby doing all they did and more. As if some ghost of masochism had taken her to punish her by doing harsher training. Was it to show her soldiers that she was worthy? Was it to prove something to her parents spirits watching her? Was it to do her ancestors proud? It was merciless. She rose before the dawn to do cardio while hefting pails of rocks across her back. One hundred push ups while servants stacked bricks on her back. Riding with spear and sword. Horse archery. Long hours in the evening with the sword and dagger. Any moment of fierce movement was intermixed with moments of calm poise and precision. Grace to the art of sanctified murder. Then there was the night time elemental training. Twirling and spouting blueish-purple flames around the courtyards of the family estate.

Now, today, was the day when she would set on campaign. To glory or death that awaited her, whatever it may be, and as she looked out from the lofty balcony that ran along her private chambers. The mounted warriors of House Vai. The colours of House Vai's army was White and Gold with golden symbols denoting rank and awards affixed to their armour. But in the courtyard was the elite company of soldiers that was once Kalibron's bodyguard, his mother Azairya before him, and so forth, but now hers. They wore purple capes fastened to silver armor bearing lightning and serpent heraldry along their cuirasses, shoulders, and front of their greaves. The Wardens of the Eternal Tempest. Twenty of them all assembled on fine steeds. Beside them where House Vai Exalted that either lived in the city or resided at the residence and had heeded their liege's call. Their armour varied as one could imagine. But all had the symbol of the Serpent of House Vai somewhere in their heraldry. They numbered seven and had their attendant retinues of personal Ashigaru that they had equipped.

The forces belonging to House Vai earmarked for the campaign would assembled in ports within the Houses home territory on the Blessed Isle or rendezvous with Zara in the North. Normally servants would have gird her in armour. No, they had been dispatched ahead to load personal belongings onto the Sky Ship ferrying her and this vanguard retinue to the North. The Dawnlight. No, Zara looked at the panoply before her and the portrait of her parents. Eyes locking with the fierce violet gaze of his father. Zara reached let her robes fall to the floor and began the process of affixing her armour by hand. Perfected over years of merciless practice. Putting on her under dressing. Gambeson. Then clasp by clasp, tie by tie, cinch by cinch, affixing her armour to her body. Each motion bringing a memory to the fore of Zara's mind.

You are the last, my only scion, whether through happenstance or the will of the Gods all of my sons...have been taken from me. So you must instill the spirit of this House. You alone carry it's future within your blood. So I love you as I am able. But you must become not just a woman. You must be a warrior, a sage, a caretaker, whatever the House needs you to be. I shall be ruthless with you, but with mercy, as I expect you to become. The Viper always strikes true.

The words of her father lanced through her consciousness as if she was hearing them yesterday. Each placement of the armour brought to the fore a memory of the training Kalibron put her through. She would know ardour, and so she was given the harshest physical training, she would run the longest and hardest till feet broken and bloody she would collapse at her fathers feet. She would know tolerance and so she hold her self between two stumps off the ground while servants whippered her stomach with a belt. She would know pain and so trainers will wear no gloves during sparring. She will know what it is to take a blow to the face, body, and spirit. She will learn the reward of sleep and so she shall be crawling through the night. Servants working in shifts as they kicked dirt in her face and pelted her with pebbles. She would know the permanence of her duty. So she was tattooed with the symbols of her house as a constant reminder that she was Zara Azairya Vai.

Finally, raising her eyes to look in the silver glass mirror. Was a woman that she would not have recognized ten years ago. Feeling the weight of her sword on her hip Zara finished the ensemble by putting the twirling viber crown holding her top knot together. Helmet at her hip Zara left the room.

She was silent determined, scarlet cape flowing behind her red and black armour, as she took her place at the fore of the assemblage. Rising gracefully to the saddle she knickered her horse to a canter. The beautiful white stallion neighed as it moved swiftly. Leading the retinue behind her. On her left was Barisan Jeroime of Merzeillon, to her right was Zaishan Zo-Sheiyu her fathers long time banner bearer holding the standard of House Vai aloft. A golden viper on a white background surrounding by a wreath of lightning bolts under the Northern star.

The crowds of the patricians, then equestrians, and finally throngs of peasants parted ways. Bowing deeply, many peasants prostrating off to the side, as the members of House Vai and its warriors moved through the vast warren of the Imperial City. Eventually after over two hours arriving at the mighty docks of the Sky Ships. Resting in mighty ancient girders. Some of the oldest structures within the Imperial City. Its stones and steelwork laid and raised during the First Age. Hallmarks of the Old Shogunate and the Solar Deliberative before they became the Anathema. There, in the fifth cradle, was the mighty battleship. Dawnlight. Its crew in their sky blue and white uniforms preparing the final tasks before the ship could lift off. Its Skymarines in their distinctive armors and uniforms patrolling its deck. House Vai servants had boarded already and were preparing the quarters of their masters.

Zara rode up and saw the vanguard contingents of the other Great Houses already present. They bowed or knelt out of respect for Zara as she rode onto the ship via a wide metal gangway. Dismounted only when she was aboard and the horses began to be brought below decks. House Vai moved on board first. Then the small, dozen or two dozen contingents, of the other Houses moved up the gangway in ordered groups. This was not all the Great Houses were sending. But each would not suffer the indignity of not having a group accompany Zara Northwards. So there it was: Cathaks, Mnemons, Ragarans, Ledaali, Cynis', V'Neefs, even a pair of Tepets, Peleps, Nellens, and so forth. Then there were some of the Minor houses had sent members to represent themselves.

Another hour passed as Zara watched the ongoing chaos of activity. Finally the horn sounded and the gangways were raised. Ancient reticulated cables disconnected, Sky Marines to their posts, crews to stations, and the thrum of the mighty ships core whirled to life. Blazing with the power of a miniature sun as it's systems powered up. The girders lowered away on ancient hydraulics as the Skyship began to raise from the Earth. Rising with exponential speed as it rose above the buildings. Angling to the North with unreal smooth grace of such a mighty warship of such mass. Its solar sails lowered from the masts. Drawing more power from the Sun as its engines sent it higher until the cityscape began to grow small below them. On the sides of the vessel metal compartments and smaller masts folded out. Unfurling other sails that began to look threaded with eldritch light. The ship drawing power from the heavens as it manipulated its way forward through the very air as if sailing the mighty seas. The great Imperial City began to move below them. Shrinking southwards as the Skyship's engines willed it forward.

[Luminesa]

Dr. Gregor and Eugeni - Who Holds the Key

Eugeni received prompt care after returning home, as his parents rushed to see their oldest son exhausted from what should have been a light affair of training. They did not know the entire story, and whether or not they knew it all was up to Shi. All they cared to do, however, was to make sure he did not rise from his bed for the rest of the day, or for several days after. He was even too exhausted to rise and to write in his journal that night, though the occasional times he awakened from his slumber, he felt the pang of some realization on the horizon.

Dreams were not enough. He was desperate to read and to write, but his body pulled him back to the bed. The next morning, he stayed in bed to eat, and then wrote in his journal. With so much company, moments of privacy for writing in his journal were few and far between. His parents came to check on him. Other scions, younger siblings, relatives, and any healers who wanted to check the strength of his Essence. He had to hide the journal several times, and almost received questioning looks as he seemed to reach under his mattress one too many times. He could not say he wanted to be alone without being given odd looks, and he sighed.

The journey to the expedition was a drawn affair of preparation and study. Eugeni would have to train, once he was able to get out of the bed, though his body did not want much of any physical training. He would meditate, and he would practice strengthening his Anima. To make his burden lighter, however, he had requested weapons of his own, from the Sorcerer-smiths of Ledaal. Hand fans equipped with Charms for holding his Air Aspect. He explained how he wanted them to look, and how he wanted to be able to wield them. They would be able to slash, to be thrown, and to channel his Air Aspect when waved. He had thought about the idea for some time, as his daggers were useful, but limited in range.

He also produced more potions, especially for healing, stamina, alertness, and even an experimental one for inspiration. The concept was one which was tricky, turning the light-splitting mechanism of a prism into a liquid for expanding the mind. Not a drug, but a healing medicine of sorts for uninspired or lethargic minds. Others in his family would awe at how quickly and diligently he worked even from his bed, but Eugeni could only wonder if he had enough. And yet all of this could not prepare his heart for the reality of war.

On the 15th, he stood at the grave of a relative, an uncle, and he twirled a parasol in his hand as his mind dropped into a pensive mist. This uncle had died at the old age of 300, and had left him dozens of cousins, with Shi being the son of another uncle. He had gained his love of writing from his uncle, who once told him stories about letters he would hide in the pages of a journal. He had carried that practice, which soothed him for the lack of social ties he had made. Many people outside of his family had missed his Uncle Benja when he had died, and he was one of the few people in the family who had seemed to understand Eugeni in a sense. Now the boy stood as his relatives looked among some of the other graves. A tap on the shoulder, however, brought him out of his thoughts. “...Uh?”

“...Always the dutiful nephew and child, Eugeni...” Dr. Gregor stood next to him, dressed in all-black robes, and holding a black fan marked with red flames in his hand. The teacher and student had not spoken since their meeting with Shi, only because House Ledaal and the Heptagram had both become frantically busy. Now, for a day, they could slow themselves before the crashing wave of war.

“...I tried to care for him, in his old age...I was with him, when he died...” Eugeni’s blue eyeshadow contrasted with the dark gold of his eyes, which were deep with sorrow. He had not allowed himself to relax and to feel sadness for some time, and now he felt the brunt of such feelings. “...He seemed to know...the kind of person I am...Who did you come to visit, Professor?”

Dr. Gregor frowned. “Oh, some people who were...not relatives, but who...were important in my own life. Have you ever thought of visiting an unnamed grave, Eugeni?” he inquired.

“...That sounds like a somber thing to do, but also merciful,” Eugeni answered, with a little thought.

“Yes, many soldiers are in unnamed graves, as are many victims of tragedy. Their ghosts beckon us to them, to listen to their messages and prayers...They cannot move onward, for some reason, and their hearts are too heavy for them to rise to Heaven...” Dr. Gregor explained. He looked at Uncle Benja’s grave, and folded the fan. As he held it to his side, he looked back to Eugeni. “...You spoke to that ghost in House Terpischora, did you not?” He lowered his voice as he questioned him, and he watched Eugeni’s shocked reaction.

“...Dr. Gregor...I...Please, I do not wish for such an event to become public knowledge. I...It was...The ghost, I...”

Gregor waited for him to finish the statement, but he could tell that the experience had been painful. Eugeni was not a necromancer, and he had relied on his healing abilities to both tie together a soul and to make the ghost leave. He did not know how to order one under his command, or how to send one into the afterlife. He smiled at his student, and pat his shoulder. “...Your heart is too kind, Eugeni. You do not need to know those methods yet. But perhaps...when the threat of the North is gone, I can speak to you about such things. If you are willing...”

Eugeni almost stammered in response, not sure how or why he would want to know about Necromancy. And yet Dr. Gregor’s gaze was friendly and understanding, a look he gave to few people. “...Have you...missed me, Professor?...” The question slipped like the tinkling of glass, clear but subtle. “...You have been...quite eager to see me, and...I hope that your own heart has not been aching so much for company...to seek me with such veracity...”

The professor grinned, and then laughed. “Ah, you do have a sense of humor! I knew it dwelled within you...But yes, I do have my reasons...but I am not the only one who sought an old friend for company...” He kept his knowing grin as he looked down at Eugeni, who was several inches shorter and still of an almost-girlish physique by comparison. Both of them had come to this place for their own reasons, looking for each other without realizing it. Why was another complicated question.

“...You do not need to be alarmed. I have kept busy, but now...now the hand of destiny plays its cards. You should not be anxious, Eugeni. I have kept an eye on you because I wish the best for you, and I know that the future may be harsh. Take that as you will...” He took his hand and squeezed it. “...You are Exalted. And this war shall pass, as all things do. And remember, many people exist who watch over you.” His eyes flickered around. “...Ah, and if the ghost stories should arise...You know that I am a witness in your corner...You can always read my soul to show the truth...” With this statement, he released Eugeni’s hand and allowed his eyes to look down at the Noble, before he turned his coat and walked away.

Eugeni stood by the grave alone once again, but an odd warmth filled his heart. Hope. He felt now that somehow, he would survive. And yet he still wanted to chase down Gregor, to ask him another question. For some reason, the professor had awaited Eugeni’s reappearance to the public, but would not give a clear answer as to why. The man had no evil intentions for him, and yet he knew there were always different shades to the good intentions of allies. Gregor was valuable, but known to be a man of strange undercurrents. Just one more entity to question and solve in his already-saturated mind.

[Parcia]

The Battleship Dawnlight

The Gaggle of Horsemen strode up the loading ramp, their covered faces and colorful clothing clashing with the mostly Imperial dress style. In front of this train of roughly 35 light cavalrymen rode two men. On the lest Sat Xao-Long Yang, his wide brimmed hat and its purple ribbon flowing in the wind and recently polish firewand glinting in the bright sun. Next to him rode Arimul Kahn, infamous horse thief, part time bandit, Desert tribesmen...and Yang's brother in law.

He was the half brother to Yang's late wife, and the uncle to his lost daughter. He had taught Yang how to ride when he was young, Kahn being 10 years his senior. It was Kahn's Rough Riders that Yang pulled off the Lookshy job, and it was during that heist that Yang had saved the man's life. By the customs of the Tribe of Delara Kahn should be tied to Yang, but he had initially refused so and sent Kahn on his way. He had not seen his brother in law for many months until roughly a week before the day they were to set out for the Bull.

He had been walking Jade Kisser's Row, trying to find any one he could hire some force of moderately competent soldiers to form some basis for his contribution to the war effort. He wasn't looking for a force of top tier, crack imperial troops, but at least something to show he was invested in to this fight would do. Then, with a changing of the winds and fate, he heard some one call out his name. "Yang, Yang, is that you brother?" His heavily accented Dialect of Flametongue sticking out among the rabble of Low Realm.

He turned to see the sun kissed man leading his prized stallion through the crowed. Yang dismounted Gypsy and lead her to Kahn, smiles abound. Yang chose to answer him in his Brother's mother tongue, "Boker Tov, brother, it's been months!" "Indeed little Yang, it has, tell me, what brings you to the Imperial city?" To this, Yang paused. "House Vai...has seen to forgive my dishonor, that and, well...I'v been called to war."

To this, Kahn's smile dropped and a look of worry formed on his weathered mug. "To war...I see...come, the riders are staying in an Inn near by, we must talk."

They soon met up with the rest of the old gang of "Rough Riders" as they stayed in a run down inn, having booked it completely. They sat down and spent most of the day drinking, eating, and making light of their travels and exploits. As the sun dipped low, and the wine had sufficiently pooled on their bellies, The topic of the War finally came up. "So, you wish to, in the hopes of gaining some standing among you're Dragon blooded peers, you need to show some investment in to the Armies of House Vai." Kahn sighed and drained the last of his wine. "Akhi, you know I would fallow you to the gates of the Imperial Manse it self, but my men, they are not held by such bonds of Loyalty, at least not enough to pledge them selves to some Imperial House. What motivates my rough brothers is Gold Yang, not script, and not Yen, but gold."

Yang thought for a moment before simply reaching for his belt and tossing a bag of coin on the table in between them. "350 Gold Soli, 150 paid now, 150 paid upon either the Death of the Bull, or the ending of the campaign. I'll also throw in 35% of any loot we gather on the way." The room fell silent as the leader of the Rough Riders thought it out. "40% of the loot" Yang smiled and nodded. With a tribal cheer, The riders parted out the gold among them.


A few days later, Kahn's Rough Riders boarded the battleship as is lay in dock.

Oh what a war this shall be...

[Acerbez]

Xenna Artaxias, Senior Sky Marine Captain of Dawnilight's 1st wing.
Dawnlight loading bay.

Standing atop a parapet overlooking the loading bay along the side skirts stood the vigil eye of the sky marine captain. Without leaning on the rails and among the company of 3 others, she surveyed the ushered forces with a sort of collected happiness. Having been apart the relief forces sent to aid the Tepet legions in the previous excursion enacted by the bull, Xenna was actually disturbed that it took this long for the imperial node to get its priorities settled and send a sizeable and multi functional force. She wasn't hungry for war regardless of her capacity and abilities as both a warrior and leader... But having stepped foot on the ground and already sacrificing an eye only to experience the tenacity of the enemies forces assured her that the threat was not something to be taken lightly. She watched for the better part of the load up as Vai soldiers ferried themselves into the girth of Dawnlight. She took a mental note and afforded herself a light smile at the variation of added auxiliaries and houses participating. And just as the skyship began it's ascent, Xenna had turned back and walked the parapet back, to fulfill her duties as a security agent and ensure ample attention and deliberation was given to those not native to the ship.

The large black cloak and immense pauldrons of "the most terrifying armor" were telltale signs of her station as captain of the first wing. The midnight blue jade Steel alloy glistened like water portraying night sky's reflection with the moonlight as its source. The edges of her armor were tinged and lined in faded gold. The blood red crest of her house hung on an amulet slung across her neck. Not just a sign of her station but also her aptitude of the sky marine Corp, the armor she wore was an heirloom further grafted and customized to her frame. A 1st age artifact that had its history deeply embedded in the history of her house. Its gauntlets were clawed and ended in gold just the same, singes of black sut formed from the fried atoms that clung to the armors finger tips from the millions of volts that flung from it in the past. The body count lost to the annals of time long past. Xenna's long legged frame gave her an almost birdlike personage and the fact her full plated boots were jagged and ended with talons akin to a bird of prey, they made for iconic steps- Xenna had no reason to hide her presence. As a warrior she emphasized the blitz-Krieg style of warfare and direct confrontation was first nature to her.

Stamping through the sky ships corridors with graceful intent, her long cloak bellowed behind her with its own flowing life. Her small squad examining each and every staff and soldier in passing whether they were sky navy or not. It wasn't until she took notice of a small grouping of dusty southerners who appeared more as mercenary than trained soldiers that she stopped. Sensing her alarm, one of the retinue side mouthed to his Commanding officer,

"Rough riders, ma'am. From the sands. I'm told they're present as auxiliaries for house Vai impart of one of her dynasts." he stated confidently.

"I see... But how is it that a mostly stable norther house goes and acquires a roving band so far south, from the burning sands?" Xenna inquired. But seemingly on queue, Yang would be seen pacing out of this group with a look of certainty. His own appearance was rather undynastic but certainly not poised as a patrician. He was a sort of enigma, neither this or that and not befitting his surroundings but moving about just as casually.

"Adopted egg most likely, ma'am..." The soldier guessed ironically. "Indeed." Xenna contemplated in quick fashion what it must be like to not be born directly to a house and raised by it and the many paths destiny could unfurl for an individual but didn't dwell on it past the matter.

"Where is the commander of the expedition? Has she made it to the deck already or still settling in?" Xenna questioned with an almost authoritative tone. "Uncertain, with all the commotion and new bodies, it's been hard for security personell to keep track of each and every dynast on board. They've been shuffling between their own circles and those of other houses rather expeditiously." the second officer stated.

"Well then... It seems introductions are in order. Resume your duties and see to it no figtts break out between any of the parties on board... Including our own. ill be certain disciplinary measures are enforced tenfold should any of ours be involved with any unprecedented foolhardiness. I guarentee it. Dismissed."

Xenna Artaxias began her descent into the commotion of expeditionary ground forces and began wading through the crowds in search of the sovereign of House Vai. Just as her subordinates had turned away and began walking off, Xenna shifted to the side and noticed a very peculiar adornment hanging off the side of the "lost egg". It appeared he had a sky navy sabre scabbard away and carried it personally, it was all to easy to recognize and identify. Wincing her eyes ever so slightly, Xenna began to gait toward the man and his departing group of rag tag bandits.

Among the parting crowds of soldiers, servants, patrician, commoners, and dynasts, Xenna pointed her armored hand in an all too straight line ending at Yang and with authority yelled for a halt. Immedietaly causing the crowd to cease their movements as a security personnel called out her mark and attaining the attention of other sky navy security staff assisting the expedition forces. With purpose, Xenna marched straight up to Yang realizing he appeared much taller further away. Xenna reached her counterpart and realized she was taller by a forehead. Her full adornment of armor complimenting a rather odd size comparison between the two.

"Your sabre. I am required by imperial law and sky navy regulation to insist you allow me to inspect it and inquire your acquirement." Xenna's hand outstretched in a rather demanding manner.

"I am Xenna Artaxias, Sky Marine Captain of the first wing of the scarlet empress' vessel Dawnlight. I assure you, you need not question the authority in which this request is made." Xenna affirmed calmly not once looking away from Yang.

[Parcia]

Yang and the riders

He was in the middle of giving orders to Kahn and his men as they went about setting up their little partitions among their horses when the fully armored women walked up to her. Kahn cocked an eye brow and Yang could feel a few of the more twitchy riders let their hand's drop to their sword.

Yang on the other hand, stuck to his guns. Chewing a bit on his cigar, he looked her in the eye, she stood a bit taller them him yet he didn't back down. A moment of silenced ensued before he gave a grin and gave a reply to her in Flametongue. "hadha wahid ladayh karatun."

This drew a round of laughs from his men before yang tipped his hat the proud Captain. "Indeed, I do suppose I owe you an explanation. Me and my men are light Cavalry, primarily mounted scouts and archers. We fight primarily with sabers and the like. This particular specimen is a gift from the good Lady of house Vai." As he said this, he would draw the saber and let it show in the light. The polished blade would begin to glow and smolder before a lick of flame would apear to settle along the blade.

"I do think it was once a Sky Navy Captain's side arm, but when the good Lady remade the blade for the enchantment, she likely erased what ever inscription was on it before." true to his word, the hilt and pommel would still be in the fashioned brass and bronze fashion of the Sky navy, but the blade it self would be decorated with a set of runes that would glow with a degree of warm light.

[Acerbez]

Xenna Artaxias

Ignoring the ruffians hand fall to their blades, Xenna stood stoic in the face of their humor. Hous Artaxias had its roots in the southern flame tongue and she was well educated in the majority of its dialects. As Yang flattened the sabre sideways and u sheathed it to display its profound nature, Xenna did careful not to touch the blade itself and instead grabbed for the hilt away from Yang, not rudely nor unbecoming but mostly so in an analytical manner. Meeting the blade halfway from raising it and bending down, she twisted the hilt and examined it for any tell tale signs of ownership but found that the customary locations that typically held any indication had been worn away, the scabbard's emblematic heritage leaning to Vai provided no further evidence. Xenna wasn't partial to the idea of riding so much as she was partial to flying in the air, it had been ages it felt since she was mounted atop a war horse and the utility of such a weapon in said manner revisited her teachings from the bells. Peering back towards Yang and his retinue, Xenna proudly unfurled her own interchangeable flame tongue dialect that'd easily be understandable to the more harsh version they seemed to use; the burning wastes were harsh so it was only befitting their dialect reflected such undertones.

"Roo hetour ka'am kon, Gohehk zhiyadih nakhor."

Her single right eye bearing into Yang and his use of informal and casual speak when referring to herself, whom was a ranked officer of one of, if not, the finest of imperial institutions beset by the Scarlet empress herself. If Yang were not an exalted, or even less than an exalted of a dynastic house she surely would have yoked him by the neck and thrown him from Dawnilight's upper deck. As she understood as a dynast herself, there was a medium of respect that was owed through etiquette and tradition and the subtle fact he lacked such was a clear indication he must be new to the ways of dynastic houses, let alone the respect she was afforded for being in service.

Tic for tac, it would be an effective means of relaying the message that Xenna was a peer to be respected but not overtly hostile enough to garner future animosity. Simply a reminder that etiquette and manners exist in the bastion of civilization that is the blessed Isle.

"The reworked craftsmanship is undoubtedly commendable. I can attest that at some point in its life it had belonged to an officer for certain but is no longer claimable via rights of sworn oath." Handing the sabre back to Yang almost gently, Xenna relinquished it with a stern nod of acceptance. "Honor both the blade and your house for the sake of its past life. Its retainer surely holds you in high regards to bequeath you with such a fine extention." Xenna averted her gaze slowly past the band of rough riders and to the right where even more house Vai constituents gathered, the crowd no longer excited by the stirrup.

"Speaking of which," she chimed once more havigg identified Vai's symbol upon the weapon. "Though you have no obligation to lead me to her, I ask if you have any knowledge to your liege's current whereabouts? Lord......?" Dragging the pause in order to await Yang's introduction of self and of his band.

[Parcia]

Yang and the Captain


He held her gaze while she spoke and once again the Riders went quiet. While they weren't his men, being paid, they understood an insult when they saw it. Yet Yang didn't take any offense, she did have balls, and she was from a House that had some ties to the Sands. Glancing at Kahn, he switched to the Delara Family dialect, a version of flametongue so obscure he was pretty sure the Delara family were the only ones who still spoke it, hence it's name.

"Kahn, I like this one, she drinks with us tonight." With this, he returned his sword to it's sheath and offered her his hand. "Yang, Xao-Long Yang, dynast to House Vai, pleasure to meet you Captain Artaxias. As for my patron....I don't know for sure, but she could be meeting the Ship's captain, possibly brainstorming the plan of battle." He mulled a little bit longer, chewing on the end of his cigar, "Well, I'v been meaning to meet with lady Zara anyways, I figure we can find her together."

[Luminesa]

Eugeni - The Wind In The Magical Sails Makes Me Think I Have Wings

Eugeni had never rode a battleship, but as he boarded Dawnlight with other members of House Ledaal's military caravan, he felt both amazed and claustrophobic. He was mingling among so many different families, and armies, that he could not take a breath without sharing that breath with someone else inches away. House Vai was far too close for comfort, though he only recognized them by their emblems. He thought he had caught a glimpse of Zara, but he dared not to approach her. Brushing her shoulder wrong was bound to cause him to have his own shoulder burned. He looked around for other Houses as well. House V'neef was too close, as well. He was almost glad for the war, as maybe it would make them forget the scuffle with House Terpischora. Or maybe he was the only one still worrying about that event. He wished he had worn less layers of clothing as he had boarded the ship, but then he remembered that the higher one flew, the colder their bodies became.

Thus he sighed as he walked around the ship, keeping close to his own family. House Ledaal was massive, but they had only brought 10 Exalted, however, with Eugeni and Shi among them. He had already swallowed his fear of combat some time ago, as he had done all the preparation he could have done. He kissed and hugged his parents goodbye, much like any soldier fresh to the thrills and terrors of war. His parents were proud that he was finally fighting, and had made sure to equip him with whatever he needed. Around his bright robes of teal, emerald, crimson, and gold, he had plates of armor over his chest, shoulders, and legs. Silver-colored gauntlets gleamed on his forearms, and a glittering belt hung under his teal outer robes. From the belt hung glittering potions, daggers, and, most importantly, his new [img=https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=hand+fans+chinese#id=77E754D5C65BF046117AA2DB8C0E7820230108A0]hand-fans. [/img] While they were a humble black from their first glance, inside they were decorated with a surprise bloom of colorful feathers. He had admired the handiwork made with love, and even now his thumbs stroked the silk-lined material.

As usual he remained close to Shi, and looked from a distance at the sea stretching before him, below. His mind wandered, almost as though he was projecting his soul out of the crowd of people and into the wondrous depths of the sea below. He was only a beginner when learning the Water Aspect, but he had found his love for the sea while dreaming, and while wandering along the beaches on more peaceful days. He sighed with happiness, as the world seemed to melt around him, and he whispered to Shi. "...We will come back and see the beaches after our battle...We'll go collapse on the sands and just laugh...with wet sand in our hair...Doesn't that sound beautiful?" He smiled at his cousin and held his hand, glad to have such a comforting figure near him. Even with much of his own family still near, nobody seemed to be as understanding of him as Shi.

House Mahajan - Outshined

A flash of gold and scarlet poured from a smaller assembly of people entering the battleship, albeit a proud group nonetheless. As much as their garb was the color of flames, so was the color of their mood. A much smaller house, they had arrived seeking glory and fame, as many families did when a war or great battle happened to arise. They had brought smaller numbers of troops and only 5 Exalted, but they had their chests firm and puffed like the golden statues in the Imperial Palace. Members spoke among themselves with loud, exuberant voices, eager to make allies and enemies all alike.

"The Bull of the North, they said?! More like the Cow of the North! HAHA!"

"By the Fire Dragon, Basaam, that wasn't even funny. How much of the whiskey have you snuck onto this ship?"

"What, were they checking by the gates? BY THE FIRE DRAGON'S MAW, WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!!!"

"Pipe down! No need to cause a frenzy!"

"Just raising the morale of the troops, sir!"

"For the Scarlet Empress's sake, this is not a wedding party, Khawli..."

"ONE MORE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!"

"Basaam, if you spill that liquor on me, I will-"

Heavy, armored boots walked toward the two troublemakers, and they immediately straightened and looked up to the passerby. Gregor moved past, his eyes looking dead-serious and focused. He was looking out toward the bow of the ship and leaning more toward the edge. After having managed to put classes on hold for an indeterminate amount of time, he had armored himself and had prepared for battle. Dressed with a crimson cloak over full-plate armor, he was not intending to appear as a wizard who did not take care of his body. Broad-shouldered, broad-chested, and frowning deeply at the two members of his own House, Gregor was a severe Exalted when war was the matter. At least, public appearances said he was to be severe. "...Alcohol is not a sin in itself gentlemen...but too much?...Do you want to start a fire on the ship on accident?"

"N-No, no sir!" "N-No your Exaltedness, i-if that's indeed a title!" "W-We were just joking, look, it's tightly-packed now! Sir!" "Gregor sir!"

The two bumbling fighters stammered their apologies, to which Gregor hardly listened. He did not blink as he walked past, and stood next to one of the cavalrymen. He was still closer to the back, as he intended to remain. Even more so, his current appearance was more for show as well. When he moved away from his own House and stood more to himself, he played with a flickering wick of fire in his hand. He smiled down at it, and then looked out toward the crowd of people. Many faces, many facets to the game of power that was Imperial life. "...And so we play this game again...Hopefully, with the tact and skill of kings...as we should be..." he murmured.

[Acerbez]

Xenna Artaxias

The visible uneasiness of some of the rough riders compared to Yang's calm demeanor and response was assuring. Surmising that Yang must be a man of action more so than words, as to not allow petty jaunts become a catalyst for a potential conflict. Atleast not in the sense of military banter, if he had then the sky navy marines would be a torrent of constant banter that'd most definitely slight those not accustomed to direct constructive criticism with a side of cynical observation. Upon hearing Yang's Delara dialect, Xenna was certainly unable to follow. She couldn't find relative consonants to what she was accustomed to nor trace any large definable trend in its linguistics. Must be some new speak or very old speak... she noted to herself.

As Yang's hand extended, Xenna's shot past his wrist to grab his forearm. The typical gesture of used uniformally in the sky navy. Gripping his forearm firmly but not judiciously, she afforded yang the same luxury to apply slight pressure to her own forearm, despite it being covered in plate. Without pulling one another close, as they are mere acquaintances now. It would save the unexpected drag of an unready party and avoid looking as if an assassin was placing a dagger in one's side.

"An honour, Xao-Long Yang. I had intentions set on finding the commander of the expedition, it appears to be fitting that she'd already be meeting with the captain. Shall we make a way then?" Xenna inquired after giving a stern nod to Yang. The pair wading further through the crowd towards the head of the vessel.

[Imperialisium]

The Skyship Dawnlight
Zara Azairya Vai

Zara was indeed witnessed on the prow of the ship as the rumors would go for those who asked. But she soon was said to be moving to amidships and into a central tower structure that formed the central spine of the ship. Built around the second Solar mast's lower segments then rising between it and the third. Weapons lined the starboard and portside decks making up much of the ships above deck batteries. The ship was approximately 300 meters in length from Prow to Stern. Entering the tower structure it was claustrophobic and tight. Cramped like the rest of the ship as its original builders utilized every space to the best degree possible. Zara moved up to the second floor and then the third, fourth, and finally fifth until she arrived at the bridge.

The bridge itself, guarded by a pair of Sky Marines in full battle gear, was an almost circular partial protrusion. Wide reinforced windows and arcane machinery abounded. A crewman sat at a table nearby as he plotted the ships movement based on speed and planned routes along with a device that was strapped to the table. Using complex magnetic materials attuned to the five elemental poles the device moved horizontally, vertically, or diagonally on two metal axis as a small circular optic tracked the ships progress in real time. Another crewman checked a series of reflective saucers, small and circular, that were precisely positions around the bridge. Periodically checking pieces of paper in sliders.

Gazing ahead, before the helmsman, was a man in a more elaborate uniform. His Sky Blue and White uniform had more white than blue. He bore a deep blue cape and had golden cords around his shoulders. Yellow lace along the seems of his uniform and his cap was of a more rigid construction that shielded his eyes before flaring out to the sides like three horns.

"Captain Isoroku Niigata." said Zara in her usual sultry yet stern voice. She bowed her head slightly. The Captain turned briskly in his black calf high boots and bowed deeper. "Lady Vai. We meet again. A pleasure for my ship to bear you to war."

"If you find pleasure in war." replied Zara flatly.

The Captain, middle aged in appearance, smiled, "Only those who have not lived to see it."

Zara marched forward and the two embraced warmly. "Haven't seen you in...three years?" said Zara as she rested her face against the Captains chest. "Yes, sounds about right." The Captain broke the grip slowly and knelt down on one knee, holding Zara's hands, "I grieve for the loss of your parents. I was unable to send my condolences when I received the news. Kalibron was a hard man but he loved you dearly." The last part the Captain's face lowered. Missing the flicker of darkness in Zara's eyes that came and went briefly. Captain Niigata stood up abruptly. Standing a full head above Zara as he released her hands. Her reply was sincere, "He always spoke fondly of you."

Niigata managed to maintain his smile given the emotional moment and stepped to the side. "We're making fair head way."

"How far out are we?" asked Zara.

Niigata pulled out a brass pocket watch. "Cruising speed we'll reach Port Ilya in about two days time, weather patterns permitting."

One of the crew members spoke up, "Sir, Heliograph ping, portside, approximately 175.45 horizons Portside and 10 degrees Earthward (miles adjusted for the curvature of the Earth used by the Sky Navy. 2.75 Miles equals 1 Horizon with Earthward and Skyward provided the vertical axis of calculating an objects position to the ship) by 15 degrees South-East." The crew member flourished a square piece of parchment. Isoroku bowed and moved over to examine the paper. Skyships, even new ones, were equipped with Heliographs. Devices that used complex mirrors and lenses to focus light beams in a given direction in a specific sequence or pattern. The beams spreading out to over 50 miles in width within seconds and traveling at speeds of 145 miles per hour this short tight beam would then be picked up by another Heliograph that was hopefully the intended recipient. Striking the lenses and magnification receivers to heat print messages, morse code symbols, or even written text at times onto the papers held in the sliders. Typically using secret military ciphers for the Imperial military messages. It also served as a means of intercepting Heliographic messages as a way to track a vessel. As such the Imperial Navy often sent dummy messages to see if they could get picked up and returned by would be trailing opponents.

"That far out?" said Isoroku.

"Positive receipt. Sent routine dummy transmission along the portside. My guess is whoever it is has been trailing us since we left the Imperial City." said the crewman. Isoroku nodded, "Send a message to the Admiralty back in the Imperial City. Grey level Cipher, query if any our ships have planned patrol routes passing within 150 Horizons of our planned path." The crew man nodded and went to work on another Heliograph as he adjusted lenses, dials of filters, and set cipher blocks.

Isoroku turned to Zara, "I will let you know if our would be stalker gets bold. I trust you will be available for tea later?"

"Tea would be lovely Captain Niigata." said Zara with a small genuine smile. They both bowed as Zara left the bridge and descended into the sublevels of the decks below the top deck. She had chosen a quarters next to her own warriors out of solidarity. Despite it being somewhat improper. Moving past the confined and cramped spaces. she arrived at the row of bunks and rectangular rooms that were allotted to the soldiers of House Vai. A pair of Storm Eternals fell in behind Zara as other warriors checked equipment and checked weapons. Others stowed items and prepared bedrolls. The last compartment allotted to Vai was the one Zara had been given. Moving into the room a pair of servants had already laid out fruit and bread with wine for her.