[IC Thread] Act 1, Scene 1 : Journey of a thousand steps... [Creation is your oyster]

Haku1

Haku1

Ze Hamster of Lurkdom
750 RY, Ascending Air, 6


Tis but days since the end of Calibration, and as the hangover from the five days and nights long celebration of the nobility fades with the new year, a small brotherhood of dragonblooded gathered at a small salon in the Imperial City.


This would be the last day in the Realm before their voyage out to the eastern Threshold.


The Bloody Rose, as salons went, wasn't too bad by Dynastic standards. Small, quiet and discrete, which made it rather perfect for dynasts who wanted some privacy at a reasonable price.


The room hired in question was just small enough to give an intimate atmosphere, with sofas and chairs arrayed about small tables, while a servant waited just outside for the ringing of bells to enter... privacy was the selling trait of the Bloody Rose.


***


OOC - A copy of the Realm calender can be found (here).
 
Coriander didn't wait for the servant's approval to push the thick veil keeping their privacy but at once letting their 'waiter' of sort hear their ringing should they need anything. Her personal manservant, Manfred, followed her inside even as she threw her thick fur coat for him to catch carelessly, revealing the comfortable summer kimono underneath. She never gave up on her comforts, even as the chill air of this most cruel of seasons tried to steal the heat from her very bones. With a wry smile she took a nearby seat, holding her smoking pipe out for Manfred to light it, a duty which he took care of with admirable haste, as she enjoyed a long drag of the fine tobacco she bought directly from the Guild, she heard they themselves imported it from a small island nation in the West.


"Sorry everyone, I know I'm late. It couldn't be helped, I overslept." with a wide grin she stopped any protests, holding both her hands forward as if to push back the air itself "Now, now, no need to complain. It's perfectly fine, I'm sure." she could see that a few of them weren't in agreement about that but as usual she gave them no heed, she was always like that.


Hard to deal with, though smoothly she moved on and gazed around for her close personal friend, seeing no sign of her "Oh my, Misora's late too? How unlike her. Guess I'm rubbing off on her..." she said with no small hint of pride, who takes enjoyment in giving their bad habits to others? Apparently Coriander does, that crazy bitch.


Quietly she accepted the cup of tea Manfred offered her, there was a hint of orange to it, she enjoyed the warm beverage in this cold season rather easily as she took a long sip, listening to what the others had to say. If only as a small token.


Really, the one she was hoping to see wasn't here yet.
 
Not much later, a small voice was heard outside the veil, asking "This is the right one, right?" And after a few more seconds, Misora and her small retinue of servants entered the area. The sheepish woman was wearing her winter robes, thick, yet one could still see that she had a stunning figure. There was a slight flushed color to her normally pale and seemingly transparent cheeks. She must have been out in the cold, face exposed.


The young Air aspect looked around noticing Coriander was present already. "Oh my... I must be late... Coriander is already here..." Misora apologetically bows to everyone present, and rises promptly. "I apologize for being late, I got a little confused on the way here..." Honestly, she got distracted by some vendor on the road. With some 'interesting' wares.


Misora seated herself next to Coriander, seemingly nervous, as always.
 
Liam looks at the two with a distaste. If you are hiding a romance that poorly, why hide it at all?, Liam thought. Being open and honest was better than keeping your friends waiting. The fact the two had kept them waiting for so long had annoyed him, and he made no attempt to hide this fact. His face twisted like he had just eaten a sour grape before returning to its blank state. He was wearing a simple brown robe with a red silk belt. His charges were not present, off dealing with some business in preparation for the journey.


"Shall we get down to business?"
 
"Not without me, I hope." A voice said behind Liam.


Byblis entered the room, headed straight for an unfilled sofa, and sprawled himself across it. His boots, dark brown pants, and dark red vest were all caked with dirt to varying degrees. Was this dirty vagabond a Dynast? Well as the saying goes "Where does the dragon sleep? Wherever he wants to." and no matter what you thought of his attire, he obviously had the blood of the dragons running through his veins; His skin dark like bark and his long hair tied up in a dragon-tail (because Dragons are better then ponys) was dark green like the like the foliage of the great trees at the elemental pole of wood. Among this sea of dark plant colors, his grey-blue eyes stuck out and gave him somewhat of a piercing look... when he was awake anyway.


"I'm I the last one here? Sorry about that, I just got back from my trip in the south and I headed here as soon as I got in town." He said while giving the universal gesture as if to say "It's no big deal."
 
Waving a hand irritably, Lysander glanced from Liam to the others as they made their hasty entrances - providently within a short span of time, but most 'stylishly' if one were to believe the claims, late. In his eyes promptness was one of the few virtues that truly remained among people; the rest he views as having been long since laid to rest in early graves of complicated social mores. There was much you could say without opening your mouth, and being late was one of the most decidedly tactful ways of pronouncing one's own personal interests in any invited endeavor. Ignoring the pleasantries as they all made their excuses and greetings, the Wood Aspect restrained the urge to roll his eyes as being utterly base. It would only feed their need to rebut, and he frankly couldn't muster the care after having been left to wait.


"Yes, to business then," he started, inclining his head in a semi-formal observance of the assemblage beginning. Glancing from face to face, he found it somewhat ironic that these were some of the few ties that bound him to his mortal coil, and against all odds he felt the pangs of endearment in some manner for most of them. Granted, endearment could also lend to one wishing to have another's head on a plate. "I believe we all know why we have gathered here, so I see no point in observing the petty smalltalk. Face it, I care naught for the unimportant gossip that you have to offer as neither do you find interest in mine. So, then."


He adjusted his right sleeve, tugging at the silken fabric to pull it into shape as he paused. "So we are to embark upon a grand excursion. To the East into the Threshold, through the dashing adventures that no doubt await such romantic fancies as those who envy a trek in Thorns and the Hundred Kingdoms. We have had notice to prepare, is there yet anyone as has unresolved business on the Blessed Isle?" he double-checked, his irritation masked by a placid expression. It would be just like a Dragon-Blood to accompany a Salon knowing full well they had months worth of troubles to deal with before they could depart. He was feeling direct, bandying about only minimally with the generally accepted politic and banter. "I trust not."
 
Mnemon Yoran stretched his limbs langorously as Lysander made his speech. Clad in red silks trimmed with golden serpentine figures of dragons, he sported his red jade bracers and amulet, and the light bulk of his breastplate could be guessed at under his shirt. His elemental marks were obvious: faintly glowing red irises like embers, long dark hair with ardent reflections like threads of burning coal blown upon by the winds...


"Yes, yes, everything is packed and ready," he drawled. "As far as I am concerned, at least. Let the tour begin, and beware the barbarians..." The sorcerer looked thoroughly bored. Those who had known him at the Heptagram knew that he had changed during the years he had spent there. From an inquisitive, bright youth, he had become somewhat jaded, and uninterested in most things, though not exactly slothful and decadent - at least, by Dynastic standards.
 
Coriander listened patiently to Lysander's small diatribe as she took the time to enjoy her smoking pipe, merely smiling that playful smile of hers, even as she extended her hand casually to stroke Ledaal Misora's head, almost as if some sort of queen petting her very own cat, though of course she did always make a show of doing anything that striked her fancy.


"Well, for someone who's so adamant about this trip, you're certainly complaining a lot. Calm down, this is nice. There's good food and fine drinks to be had, just relax." she was as dismissive as ever as she let go of her little captive 'sparrow' for a moment to enjoy her cup of tea once more, the flavor dancing on her distinguished and refined tongue "Yes, well, regardless of our stern professor over there, I'll say, I'm ready too, though I say we shouldn't reject the opportunity to relish the comforts of the Imperial City so carelessly just yet." she made her case with a predictable hedonistic bent.
 
Misora's face burned bright red as her friend started petting her. She was visibly uncomfortable, yet she didn't move away. She instead fiddled around with her hands as she sheepishly looked up at the others, hoping that no one would notice her discomfort or blush. But of course, it was blatantly obvious.


When Coriander removed her hand from petting Misora, a small sigh of relief, or maybe even disappointment, escaped the Ledaal's mouth. Why must she do this to me? So inappropriate...


"I... I'm all ready to head out when you all are..." Misora replied in a sheepish way.
 
Liam nodded, "I am pretty much wearing all I'm taking, besides a few relics trusted to me for this journey. There is nothing for me to prepare." He licked his lips, and then took a sip of water. Setting down the glass his eyes shifted around the table. "Although, there is one thing I wish to discuss before we leave. I'd like a clear sense of everyone's goals for this journey. Unlike most of you, I haven't spent the last few years in your circle. I'd just like to know a little more about each of you before we set off..."
 
*Mumbles something about never getting a chance to take a bath under his breath*


Byblis sighs slightly at his companion's impatience, sits up from his reclined position, wipes a bit of dirt off his vest offhandedly, and says I'm all set for the journey" before turning to Liam and continuing "There isn't much to say about myself, really. I was a classmate of several of our compatriots back at the Heptagram and am a specialist in natural lore, particularly flora. My goals follow similar lines.
 
"It seems that you are the only one among us who did not attend the Heptagram," Yoran said to Liam. "Not that I hold this against you," he smiled, "far from it. It adds some diversity to our group. I am, for my part, a student of the arcane and master summoner. I hope you won't hold this against me." Another smile.


He rose from his cushion. "My goals are my own business. But if you must know, I come on this trip to broaden my horizons, expand the limits of my knowledge, or some other boring crap like that. When are we leaving again?"
 
If one meant departure from the Blessed Isle, the heart of all Creation, that would be at dawn on the morrow. Which was part of the set schedule. One hopes that Yoran meanht departure from the salon.
 
"I, of course, also attended the Heptagram..." Misora replied shyly. "I studied First Age Lore of all kinds. Especially operation of First Age Technology." Her soft brown eyes examined everyone else in the room. She was obviously the best bred there, and that always made her feel uncomfortable. Sometimes people would resent her for it... "Luckily I'm quite comfortable in the East... Members of my house are stationed all around over there..."
 
Liam makes no expression as they speak, making mental notes not only of what they say but how they say it. He has mixed opinion of sorcerers so far, and this conversation hasn't made him make up his mind. Although, some do seem impatient and easily annoyed.


To Bylis, simply nods. "A respectable profession."


To Yoran - "I hold nothing against you. If your talents were a problem, I would not have agreed to join you. I'm merely curious is all."


To Misora - He nods, a slight smile on his face. "History is one of the most important subjects one can study. I'm sure there's much to be uncovered where we are going."
 
"Who knows..." Coriander teased until she got a few rather frustrated stares from her compatriots, only to laugh softly and nod, as if to herself "Alright, alright. I'm in on this for the trip, I've seen everything this city has to offer, it's about time I started looking around." and without pausing a beat she moved on "I wouldn't want my little sparrow to get lost without me either and I would be so very bored without her." again she nods as if to herself, her eyes half-closed as she keeps smoking, the habit hard to break even for the Terrestrials "Or perhaps I'm just lying, that would be interesting too." and with that said, she went back to relaxing on her own, listening to the others present their own objectives.


They were all practical enough, if somewhat dull. Perhaps one of them would give her the opportunity to prove herself worthy to her grandmother. And if not, well she could use a small vacation.


Whatever came out of this fieldtrip, she just knew she would find a way to profit from it.


It was in her nature to do so, after all.
 
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