Dawn of the Third Age/IC Logs/Session 55

Lob: Oh how many songs are made about Yu-Shan? Heavenly City of the Gods that watch over Creation (Under the leadership of the Righteous Deliberative, the bards and skalds say)

Lob: Gold are their roads, and Orichalcum their carriages. Moonsilver is considered the only appropriate material for mirrors, such is the richness of this unimaginable land

Lob: And now it lays before those who have earned their way into this city before which the Blessed Isle is a peasant-village's square. Earned through toil and meditation and blood (theirs or others) and sweat and enlightenment.

Lob: For this day, this after-Calibration day, is the *HEAVEN AND EARTH MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT*

Lob: Mortals and god-bloods and even ghosts are found here, for martial excellence is the one universal attribute found throughout the different forms of existence acrawl within reality.

Lob: So now we move to our Circle, looking awonder upon Yu-Shan, having passed through the Heavenly Gates and the Celestial Lions

Shrike: looks around in wonderment and takes in the sights

Nomoe_Hideaki: For once the opulence of Nomoe Hideaki's clothes does not stand out much. Here in the Heavenly City even the lowliest functionary wears heavenly silks and jewelry of a quality rarely seen in Creation. Still, even against the background of such glory the Chosen shine brightly. Literally in this case, his castemark alight to prove his identity and right to enter the Heavenly City.

Lob: As the divinities notice the Celestial Exalted gathered among them, many take the time to try to impose their services upon them, asking repeatedly for the honour of assisting them in any way they wish.

Lob: For they know that in Heaven, the true power is in who one knows, and the first to befriend a Chosen is powerful indeed.

Lob: "Would our esteemed guests wish for refreshments? The waters here are as magnificent as the finest mortal wines, and I know the greatest springs of all." One says, shaped like a swirling cubist painting.

Shrike: Shrike smiles, tilting her head. "I would not mind that, I believe," she says.

Lob: *YES!* The erstwhile little-powered god of Cubist Expression thinks.

Lob: "Then follow me, wonderful vision of beauty, and may I request that I create an image of you within the bounds of my portfolio?" It asked, as it floated in a solid gold frame

Shrike: "You certainly may," the redheaded Solar says wiht a nod of permission, as she turns to follow the Cubist.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Remember that we have a certain event to attend," Nomoe says mildly.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I assume you will find your own way to the tournament grounds?"

Shrike: "Don't worry, I'll be there in time," Shrike assures Nomoe with a cocksure grin.

Lob: The Cubist lead Shrike around, gabbling loudly enough that all around it would understand that *IT* was leading this Chosen of the Sun.

Bright_Snow: stands dressed in her calibration gift: The dress is short and easy to move in and looks like midnight, a different colour from every angle and the hems are sown with snowflakes. Over this she wears the romparitively plain looking cloak that was a gift from Anshu, clasped with her silver broach she always wears. Her hair is held up with a single stick of silver.

Nomoe_Hideaki: bows. "Until later then, Lady Shrike."

Bright_Snow: nods to Shrike as the Solar leaves. Her eyes from now being focused on the buildings around. A smile silver box in her hands being directed at various sights and sites.

Nomoe_Hideaki: takes in the splendour all around but does not stare. It would not be dignified - and besides, he has been here before. Now that he has mentioned their destination the low-ranking gods all around will surely make offers of guidance ...

Shrike: Shrike nods to Nomoe and Snow as well, and follows the Cubist with a chuckle, noticing his pride with quiet amusement.

Bright_Snow: "Is there anywhere you wish to visit?" She asks to Nomoe, here in Yu-Shan she sees no reason to pretend to be rivals.

Lob: "Ah, the honoured ones have honour upon honour being chosen for the greatest of all martial arts tournaments" another one says in a flowery sigh. "Please let this unworthy helper assist thee."

Lob: This one looked like a heavenly porter made out of light and women's handbags.

Bright_Snow: gives it a cold stare and then promptly ignores it.

Shrike: "So, this fountain," Shrike asks her guide after a brief time. "Does it have any special properties aside from its taste?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I was thinking I might see if the Lady of Bureaucracy and Paperwork might spare me a moment."

Shrike: [13:42] <Shrike> "So, this fountain," Shrike asks her guide after a brief time. "Does it have any special properties aside from its taste?"

Lob: "It will refresh the body and mind!" It said excitedly. "Although that one of such power and wisdom and beauty should need worry of such things is, of course, out of the question.

Lob: "Ah..." It said hesitantly but then recovered near instantaneously

Lob: "YES! WE WILL BRING YOU THERE!"

Shrike: The redhead chuckles. "You needn't worry about offending me. It takes a lot." She winks at the Cubist. "And really...it sounds fascinating..."

Lob: "Ah! Here it is now."

Lob: And so they were within a square formed within a bowl-shaped structure with floating plates rising up above them in increments until the last one, the size of a bird's eye, sprayed out water that shimmered like liquid diamond onto those underneath.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "But perhaps I should put that off until after the tournament. Gaining audience with the Shogun of the Department of Celestial Concerns is a notoriously long-winded process."

Bright_Snow: "May I ask what for?" Snow raises an eyebrow */Curiousity./*

Lob: The gods are visibly relieved.

Lob: "If you insist, oh Chosen of the Sun!"

Bright_Snow: "I would like to see the tournament grounds ahead of time."

Nomoe_Hideaki: nods. "Let's see them then. I would not want to miss the beginning ceremony."

Shrike: "It looks...beautiful," Shrike breates, smiling as she cautiously approaches the fountain.

Shrike: and looks up, studying it

Lob: "Yes! Follow us to the great arena in Mar's Domain!"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I can tend to those other matters once the order of the battles is set and I know when I will have to be back at the arena to see you fight."

Lob: "Follow us great Champions! Follow us!" They all say, jostling for the most visible position

Nomoe_Hideaki: Snow's question Hideaki does not answer out loud. */I have petitioned for an audience with the Most High. Such a thing is not easily achieved, but the Shogun of Celestial Concerns may be able to expedite matters/ a mental grimace /for a price./*

Bright_Snow: again gives the little gods a withering look but follows them none the less. "Well I am heading to the arena, join me if you'd like or follow up on your bureaucrat." */Is the expediting worth such a cost?/concern/*

Bright_Snow: "Best of luck?"

Lob: The rain cools and warms Shrike's skin, each in the best possible ways and in the best locations to achieve maximum comfort. It invites her to sit and bask in the refreshing mist and rain.

Shrike: sighs in contentment, and takes a seat under the fountain. "You weren't kidding, this is magnificent..."

Lob: "Does this please you, my new friend?" The Cubist asked.

Lob: Floating beside her

Shrike: "Oh, it certainly does!"

Lob: "Now I shall form an image of you, your beauty and emotions captured here will surely win me fame and fortune both here and within Creation." It sighed.

Shrike: Shrike relaxes, leaning back, her hair luxuriantly flowing behind her. "It will be an honor for both of us..."

Lob: An ambrosial mass forms before the floating god, shifting and shimmering and moving in and out contrary to all Creation-born physics...until, some minutes later, a shining picture appears before Shrike

Lob: It is, simply put, the best picture of her ever made, even if it is rather abstract, it yet perfectly captures both the effect of the fountain upon her, the scenery, and what her Solar status *MEANS*

Shrike: gasps quietly.

Shrike: "It...is magnificent."

Lob: "My thanks, please be sure to show it proudly." It said, the water not affecting the picture in the least.

Lob: "I will have copies made of it in my studio-manse later, of course."

Lob: *yes...soon my art shall be ascendant, and those bastard Impressionist Salons will bow to me!* it thinks privately.

Shrike: "I am honored." Shrike smiles, and would give a bow in respect to the Cubist Master, but is too relaxed to move...

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I will join you for now, if you permit," Hideaki inclines his head slightly. */I suppose I will have to see what she asks. If she deigns to receive me, that is./ distant concerns /But if the alternative would be a waiting period of years while she or others block my missives .../*

Lob: ""if you wish, I may create another work of art for you, for only a small price."

Shrike: "What would the price be?" Shrike asks, looking curious.

Lob: The Bonded Pair made quick progress towards the Tournament Arena, as though they were Fated to be there.

Lob: "Simply that you ask your artists to work in my style and...perhaps...just pray to me a tad for inspiration. That way you will be famous indeed, with us co-operating, you may become famous as a centre for arts like no other." It said in a slightly wheedling tone.

Lob: (Which they were, of course)

Lob: The arena was huge, and blurred at the edges of perception, for the Pattern Spiders worked constantly during this time at this one spot in Yu-Shan.

Lob: Shifting Reality there to keep it perfect...

Lob: A bear dressed in green robes waited at the lobby, dressed in finery and wearing spectacles upon it's greying muzzle.

Lob: "You are?" It asked in a deep voice, holding a tome between it's massive paws.

Shrike: "Hmmm, I believe that we have a bargain," Shrike says with a smile, imagining Eastern Art rising in prominence in the Deliberative

Lob: "fantastic!" It said amiably, being careful not to sound too excited about it's fortunes changing so quickly.

Lob: "Did you have one in mind now?"

Lob: It asked

Shrike: "Hmmm...would you like to create an image of me...au naturel?" Shrike asks with a languid smile.

Lob: "Here or elsewhere?" it asked, utterly professionally. It didn't really have the anatomy to appreciate humans.

Shrike: "Why not here?" Shrike asks, not wanting to move from the position under the fountain.

Nomoe_Hideaki: remains silent, making a small gesture inviting Bright Snow to speak first. She is the one Invited to the tournament after all.

Lob: "Certainly." It said, not finding anything odd about the request.

Lob: Even though this was using up some of it's scarce ambrosia, it found it well worth the cost as it imagined it's work hung everywhere and powerful prayers said in it's name...

Shrike: smiles, and slips out of the dress she had worn to attend the tournament in.

Lob: brb

Bright_Snow: "Snow, Bright Snow." She says levelly, somewhat annoyed at the pomposity of it all.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Nomoe Hideaki, of the Crowned Sun," Nomoe states his own name. "I am no more than a spectator here, though."

Nomoe_Hideaki: */I am concerned over the endemic divisiveness in the Deliberative,/* Hideaki continues to explain. */Although we are beset on all sides still we fight more against one another than together. Even though the Deliberative is the mightiest assembly of Exalted in Creation, I fear that divided we may still fail to live up to our mandate./*

Lob: The rain mists down upon the Night Caste's nude body as she reclines while the Cubist makes yet another transcendant portrait of her.

Lob: The bear looked down and opened the tome with his mouth and somehow found the exact right page, despite the book being massive. "Ah yes, Bright Snow. You were recommended by the Changing Lady herself. Congratulations. You may enter the participant barracks." It said, waving a paw to a pearl-edged gate to his side.

Bright_Snow: */It was inevitable. Everyone has an agenda they wish to push, even us. They are unfortunately within their rights to disagree./Apprehension/Even in ages past the Deliberative was the best of a selection of poor ideas/*

Shrike: Shrike relaxes in the fountain's rain, sighing in contentment, and wondering why on earth she never decided to visit Yu-Shan sooner.

Lob: "Would a lady like yourself enjoy some company?" came a sultry musky voice beside her

Shrike: Shrike blinks, turning her head to look. "Pardon?"

Bright_Snow: "I'll see you later Nomoe." She says with a warm smile. "Unless of course he is allowed to accompany me?" She asks the bear.

Nomoe_Hideaki: */Learned though I am I know less than I would like about the old Deliberative. Or the Exalted Host in the time before, which was fully united against their foes, or so the stories go. But there must be something .../*

Nomoe_Hideaki: */Maybe it is naive or presumptuous of me, but I am hoping that my Lord may have advice or see a solution that I cannot. Maybe I am merely going to receive my just reproach for that failure of vision. But I feel that something has to be done, and politics as usual would only aggravate the issue. What do you think?/*

Lob: "I am afraid not. There have been too many assassination attempts through this tournaments history."

Lob: A bronzed man smirked confidently down at Shrike, while the Cubist looked incredibly annoyed.

Shrike: Shrike arches an eyebrow. "Perhaps once the painting is done?" she suggests with a languid smile.

Lob: "I would be delighted." He said with a kiss on her hand.

Shrike: Shrike smiles and nods, then looks to the Cubist, nodding for him to continue

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Until then, Bright Snow. Teach them to fear you." Smiling Hideaki bows.

Lob: It looked extremely put out by the interruption, but quickly recovered it's equilibrium, making a picture that seemed to somehow show her from all sides on an inherently 2-d medium.

Shrike: Shrike watches silently, a smile on her face as she admires the Cubist's talent

Bright_Snow: */ I think that if you or he can come up with a better solution of uniting the host in one purpose that it is worth the effort/empathy/ however I do not see a solution, either with Ignas Divine/ sympathy and doubt/*

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Deliberator Bear, you have assumed responsibility for the safety of the contestants while outside the arena, I assume?"

Lob: Bear nodded. "Ah, Deliberative Nomoe, I'm sorry I didn't remember you. I had just awoken from hibernation a few weeks ago."

Bright_Snow: returns the gesture. "Until later."

Lob: "Yes, I will be managing the security here."

Lob: "I have acquired permission to remotely view the Loom within the Arena at any time, and have assistance from several Third-Rank Pattern Spiders."

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe makes as small dismissive gesture to indicate he accepts the apology and will think of it no more. "Your efforts are appreciated."

Lob: "It is only my duty, fellow Deliberator."

Shrike: "I have never seen a painting so amazing," Shrike says, completely honestly.

Lob: "Of course. My method and portfolio are the best style of art in all Creation. Unfortunately, until recently there was far too much coarseness for it to be appreciated by those in power."

Bright_Snow: wanders into the barracks quietly, wondering how capable a security guard that bear god could be....

Shrike: "That's a shame...it's incredible. You've captured me perfectly."

Lob: Snow entered a huge pavilian filled with training equipment, comfortable accoutrements, and a myriad of attendants

Lob: There were others there already taking advantage of the opportunity, getting prepared for the next day.

Nomoe_Hideaki: nods. "I will leave you to it then. Let us hope that nothing disturbs the peace of the contest."

Nomoe_Hideaki: After taking his leave Nomoe heads for the spectators' area of the tournament grounds.

Bright_Snow: settles down somewhere with her back to a wall and scans her eyes across the room. She is still dressed as she was for the Calibration party... looking somewhat out of place in such a martial room.

Lob: A massive green light nearly blinds him from a seperate box.

Lob: A private one lined in brass, yet fitted so artistically it might as well have been platinum

Lob: "It was an honour to have such a fantastic subject to capture."

Shrike: Shrike blushes, then smiles.

Shrike: "It is an honor to be a captured subject."

Lob: Snow notices one...person dressed all in yellow

Lob: completely covered from head to toe so that it is impossible to tell much about them, their age, their gender, their ethnicity...

Lob: The person looks at Snow and only nods, then goes back to their meditation, sitting in a lotus position facing a corner wall.

Lob: Another person seemed to be formed of equal parts fire and air.

Bright_Snow: scowls slightly but leaves the creature undisturbed, slipping into her own pretence at meditation while instead she watches her surroundings

Lob: Finally, a Dragon-Blooded Elder sat at a fire, his face completely covered except for his mouth, which he kept open, as if tasting it.

Nomoe_Hideaki: briefly admires the artistry in passing. One can say many things about the Green Sun, but never accuse him of not traveling in style.

Lob: A cloud made out of melee weapons exited a dank and bloody room that was visible for only a moment before the door closed behind it

Lob: and finally..."Evening Deliberator." Came a gruff voice and the smell of tobacco behind her.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Before heading for his own seat Nomoe takes a bit of time to meet with a few other spectators, exchanging polite words and gossip about the various fighters that will be participating in the tournament.

Lob: Strangely, the prevailing gossip is not on teh tournament, but on Ligier's presence. Such a thing is unprecedented and hasn't happened since the end of the Primordial War.

Nomoe_Hideaki: What might the order of battles be? Whose technique will be triumphant? And who might be the mysterious fighter who has Ligier himself for a sifu?

Lob: It is impossible to tell, for that is the true draw of the Heaven and Earth Tournament. Each of the high-ranking fighters are themselves masters of techniques and abilities that they themselves hold.

Bright_Snow: "Move before I put a very large chunk of moonsilver between your ribs." She says through clenched teeth her back now no longer against a wall. "Immediately."

Lob: "Easy Deliberator." The man said, then stepped into her field of vision. He wore a leather duster, and a wide-brimmed hat with a Marukani face underneath.

Lob: "Deliberator Invisible Crow Hunter, at your service." He said, with a lit rolled cigarette in his mouth.

Lob: He put out a callussed hand to shake.

Bright_Snow: She moves back to make sure her wall is back against a wall, giving him a look of distaste.

Lob: "Good to see a familiar face."

Lob: "Especially one that is the talk of the Deliberative...and the Independants." he added.

Lob: he said after giving her a moment.

Bright_Snow: shuddes slightly until she is sure her back is properly against a wall this time, activating Eye of the Cat to be sure.

Lob: Crow watched her inspect the wall and smiled a tiny bit.

Bright_Snow: "I have enough reasons to be irritated with you Crow. Don't give me another." She says turning to face him more settled. "I have enough reasons to be watching my back as well. Perhaps I should have cut you a new hole to smirk from?" She says with a raised eyebrow... her glare cold.

Lob: "I don't think you should do that." He said with an equally cold glare.

Lob: "In any case, you were the one who sat in front of me. Would you have preferred if I had jsut stayed there and enjoyed the view?"

Lob: The gods politely scattered as the green harsh light came upon Nomoe.

Lob: "Ah, hello...Chosen." Ligier said in a deep and regal voice, dressed in royal finery instead of his usual blacksmith attire.

Lob: He managed to admirably keep the word chosen from dripping with *too* much resentment. It was so hard to find someone near his level, after all.

Bright_Snow: "Perhaps standing around invisible is not exactly something you should do in polite company." She says angrily. "But yes, better you make me aware of it than not."

Lob: Crow nodded. "So, did you expect to be called to this tourney?"

Bright_Snow: "You still haven't learnt not to skulk I see." Her anger diffuses slightly, as she does eventually acept his handshake, once she grows comfortable again.

Lob: "What else have I got to compete with these guys? Skulking and gunplay." He said, showing his signature orichalcum revolvers underneath his jacket.

Nomoe_Hideaki: turns as the fetich of Malfeas approaches him. "Greetings ... demon." Seeing that the demon does not bow neither does he.

Bright_Snow: "Well I believe Li arranged my attendence so he could try to finish what we started a few years ago... so yes I'd say so." She forces a smile to cover her continued discomfort. "Did you?"

Lob: Crow shook his head. "Nah, Li didn't do that. It's not his choice. Creation-Ruling Mandate and all. The Sids get all jumpy about us messing with their toys, after all. I heard it was Luna that got you in. As for me, no way, I have no idea why I'm here, but hey, I'll do my best."

Nomoe_Hideaki: */Is everything alright?/* Hideaki inquires, having felt the edges of Snow's surprise and anger through the bond.

Lob: "Oh please, let us not get into such tedious practices, trying to find out who is more worthy of what. Why do we not just converse, as monarches do?" Ligier responded evenly, his four arms holding nothing but a glass of Chalcanth.

Lob: "It is so boring having nothing but secret Sidereal observers and Verumpira for company, after all." He drawled.

Bright_Snow: */Just an old acquaintance. One without much in the way of manners./ forcing herself to calm down/ No problem./*

Nomoe_Hideaki: gestures dismissively. "I agree completely, there's no need to waste breath or thought." After all the matter is quite clear already, he thinks to himself. "I imagine you are looking forward to the beginning of the tournament then?"

Lob: "Oh quite so." He said, leaning over to look at the field. "My protege, while taught by a lesser part of the pantheon then myself, is extremely powerful. Unfortunate that we must keep him locked away for fear of mayhem. The rules of the divinities are so much less fluid then in Malfeas, no regard for the powerful."

Lob: "Are you a patron of the martial arts? Or simply a tourist? I suppose I am a bit of both, I freely admit."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Indeed. No doubt the gods fear those more powerful than themselves walking among them. But there is something to be said for propriety and order, and for respecting their wishes as guests in their domain."

Nomoe_Hideaki: */Ah,/ empathy /At least you may get the chance to impress upon them the value of manners .../*

Lob: A dismissive wave. "I fear they have gone soft since we were betrayed."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I do have some small interest in the martial arts," Nomoe admits, "the opportunity to see the greatest practitioners in Creation display their arts is one I would not miss."

Nomoe_Hideaki: He inclines his head slightly. "I look forward to seeing what the arts of Malfeas in the hands of your protege can accomplish in the arena."

Lob: Ligier responded with his own head incline. "And to you...Deliberator. You wouldn't be here this early if you weren't watching someone, yes?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "A reasonable deduction," Nomoe says evenly. "It never hurts to learn more about your ... peers

Nomoe_Hideaki: 's skills."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "Naturally it would be pleasing to see friends or allies triumph. But of course, being selected for the Invitational is an honor already."

Lob: "Yes, I suppose. At least they have some taste, selecting my champion."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "We will all see them prove their worth, I suppose."