RttToFC/Session24

Beyond the Tomb of Five Corners - Session 24

Silk: (So, Nyara invited us to a nice place she knows and we were waiting for Animas to die down enough to go there without drawing too much attention)

Kuros: Fast forwarding is fine

Silk keeps a secure perimeter while animas fade

Nyara_Sunswept leads the circle of Solars to a very fine establishment on the edges of the Bastion District, built just a smidge downslope but thankfully well away from the noisy lifts that operate through the city.

Alyssa lets herself be guided, cursing herself out internally for letting herself get caught out and disabled so easily.

Nyara_Sunswept: The Saffron Smile smells as wonderful as it looks and Nyara points out half a dozen things on the menu she recommends. As she settles the party in, she smiles a little sadly at the host who greeted her fondly but without any recognition.

Silk is more paranoid than usual, following the group at a distance and employing the whole handbook of counter-surveillance and then some

Nyara_Sunswept: "I used to be assigned here, oh, twenty years ago or so? That's Gustav, he was just a young man when I used to be a regular here."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Since it's still in family hands, I can promise the food will be splendid."

Nyara_Sunswept: "And drinks. Alyssa, would you like me to read the menu to you or order for you?"

SonoftheMetalFlame smiles at Nyara, eyes still on his menu. "Excellent. I could really use a good meal and a fine drink."

Silk: "Nothing like a personal recommendation."

Alyssa: "Is there anything that you would recommend?" Alyssa asks. "It sounds as if you have fond memories of this resterant."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Fond memories of the place...and the people."

Silk makes a mental note. More information for his little book.

Alyssa would probably be looking at Nyara thoughtfully if her eyes were of any use. Instead she simply nods. "Memories can be as much trap as treasure sometimes."

Silk orders something simple, not too heavily spiced, and just water to drink.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Memory and Sidereals have a peculiar relationship."

Nyara_Sunswept: "No one usually comes out ahead when the two come together."

Nyara_Sunswept recommends an unusual sandwich, a fine spicy stew of some kind and a particular flavored steak the establishment makes.

Silk leans forward interestedly: "So? How does that work?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Wish I could recommend the fish but trust me, never eat fish in Nexus." She wrinkles her nose and laughs.

Nyara_Sunswept: "You can't import it far enough for it to be worth the trouble."

Alyssa chuckles and follows Nyara's recommendations. "We, I've just had a textbook example of how the past can come back to haunt you."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Hmmm? The simple answer is it doesn't. Not well anyway." She orders something golden with ice cubes and sparkles to drink.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Memory never comes back to haunt a Sidereal."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That's half the problem."

SonoftheMetalFlame simply follows Nyara's lead and orders what she orders.

Silk: "That's useful."

Nyara_Sunswept gives Silk an even look. "Most people think so. For the first year."

Silk: I'll have to think of something to do that myself, he thinks to himself.

Silk: "And after that?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "I promised I'd satisfy your curiosity about me so I'm happy to answer anything you ask. Keep in mind I'm...an employee, if you'd like. I can't always give answers I'm not permitted."

Nyara_Sunswept: "What, after the first year?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "The loneliness settles in."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Gustav over there, our host?" She points him out. "I helped him meet the girl he married."

Nyara_Sunswept: "I talked them both through all that wonderfully young drama all of us go through when we're young."

Nyara_Sunswept: "It's nice to see him doing well. Wouldn't do any good to ask about the past, though. I'd just make him suspicious. The woman he remembers...let's just say, he'll never recognize me."

Silk leans back in his chair, cleaning his glasses with a small hankerchief he summoned from thin air. At Nyara's reply he nods in understanding.

SonoftheMetalFlame simply nods, staying silent.

Nyara_Sunswept unconsciously spins a wedding ring worn on her right ring finger with a thumb as she stirs her drink.

Silk gives no outward sign of noticing

Nyara_Sunswept: "Anything else you'd like to know?"

Silk: "Still, if it prevents problems such as today's ... that second Abyssal was more powerful than any of us, you know. Without your associate's assistance none of you might have survived."

Nyara_Sunswept: "My boss wants me to tag along and help you all...and there's nothing more awkward than establishing trust, hmmm?"

Nyara_Sunswept salutes Silk with her glass and smirks.

Nyara_Sunswept: "So if I can help with your curiosity, I'd be glad to."

Nyara_Sunswept: "True words!"

Nyara_Sunswept: "The Deathknights are...a problem."

Nyara_Sunswept's smile slips.

Nyara_Sunswept: "First time I've ever crossed paths with one personally, mind you."

Nyara_Sunswept: "They're even stronger than I'd read about."

SonoftheMetalFlame: "Yes, I must admit that I was rather surprised as well."

Silk sighs. "Without our ... compatriots now lost, we are much lessened."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Hmmm?"

Alyssa: "Yes." Alyssa touches the bandage over her eyes. "And... clearly I've been relying on them too much to defend me."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Oh, you mean the other Exalts you've worked with."

Silk: "Did you catch the implication that she had murdered Astrid? It might just be psychological warfare, but ..."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Wouldn't put it past a Deathknight."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Wouldn't put anything past them."

Nyara_Sunswept: :|

Alyssa: "Gods, I hope not."

Silk: "So Nyara, what do the Sidereals think and do about this matter? Apart from timely interventions?"

SonoftheMetalFlame: "Yes, please tell us more about your... employers."

Nyara_Sunswept: "About the Deathlords? Let's just say they're on the docket."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Which is part of why I'm here."

Silk gives Alyssa a meaningful look before realizing she is still blinded. Damn, this makes things difficult.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Shadowlands are flukes. They're freaks of nature. They're not supposed to happen often and...well, there are ways of getting rid of them but they take time."

Nyara_Sunswept: "They're certainly not supposed to grow. The fact that these Deathlords and their Deathknights are expanding them is a problem, any arguments there?"

Alyssa: "The same could be said of the Underworld as a whole, as I understand the history."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Just look at Thorns."

Nyara_Sunswept takes a drink.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Taste of things to come."

Silk nods. "The Mask of Winters is on my list", he says without irony.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Mmmhmmm, but the Underworld used to leave well enough alone."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Not so much anymore."

Alyssa: "They're certainly ambitious if he is anything to judge by. Do you have any idea where they came from?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Hell?" she says a little sarcastically.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Sorry. It's a bit of a sore subject."

Nyara_Sunswept: "I lived in Thorns."

SonoftheMetalFlame: "Did you now?"

SonoftheMetalFlame: "I think that you and I will be having a number of conversations."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Off and on for the past few decades, mmmhmm."

Nyara_Sunswept spins her ring around once more and shrugs. "I like to speak plain, where I can. I don't know where they come from. But I've seen what they can do."

Nyara_Sunswept: "So have you fine folks. Maybe together we can do something about it. Depends on your plans, I suppose." Her lips quirk with a hint of her former humor.

Silk: "This may break the previous flow of the conversation a bit, but you previously offered to tell us more about yourself personally. Maybe this is a good time?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Mmmm, certainly. I'm Nyara as I already said."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Was born Faleland. My wife's name was Sunswept and I took hers when she and I married. Don't really know what happened with anyone in Thorns when it fell so...one way or the other, it's still Sunswept."

Nyara_Sunswept: "I was born in Marukan lands, if you couldn't tell from the accent."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Turn of the century, if you're curious."

Nyara_Sunswept: "...ummm...what else do you want to know?"

Silk: "If it's not too personal to ask, what are your plans and aspirations beyond your ... job?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm a little curious how you all Exalted, if you don't mind a little story back."

Nyara_Sunswept smirks at the question, sets her empty glass down and signals for a refill.

Nyara_Sunswept: "The job doesn't leave a lot of room for those things."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Mostly, get to know you and those like you."

Alyssa: "I don't mind answering your question," Alyssa offers.

Silk: Alraune's tone is polite and a little reserved. As if he is interviewing her for a job maybe.

Nyara_Sunswept: "See about putting you folks back in charge."

Silk: "And that is also the policy of your ... what is it called, the Gold Faction?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Our policy? Same as mine, more or less."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That basically the world's gone to hell in the last 1500 years."

Nyara_Sunswept: "It's getting worse, not better."

Nyara_Sunswept: "And that's got to change."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Maybe it's true people like you go crazy with power over time. Maybe we can watch for that better this time around. But I know this: before the Usurpation, you didn't have things like faerie invasions, the Great Contagion or all this war."

Silk smiles despite himself. "You'll not hear an argument from me there. Although as always the question is the precise change intended."

Alyssa: "Someone has to hold Creation together. And it doesn't appear that the Gods care to do so."

Silk: "So someone else has to step up. Indeed."

Nyara_Sunswept: "It's not that they don't care..."

Nyara_Sunswept chuckles softly.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Okay, it's a little bit that they don't care."

Nyara_Sunswept: "But it's more that they weren't really meant to."

Nyara_Sunswept: "They *do* hold Creation together. Each of them, in their own way."

Nyara_Sunswept: "What they don't do is rule. None of them were made to do that."

Silk: "They are certainly part of the problem in many cases. Just look at Ahlat. Or ..." He doesn't finish the sentence.

Nyara_Sunswept: "That's a funny perspective," she says, winking at the Night Caste. "Ahlat's one of the few Gods actually trying to do things different."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Doesn't mean I like him, mind you. Harborhead and Marukan are a liiiiiittle too close for my liking."

Nyara_Sunswept: "But he's one of the few taking charge of things."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Same with the White Wall Syndics. Or the Three of Great Forks."

Alyssa: "My experience is that most Gods care for all of two things. Their prestige among other gods and how much worship they can pry out of mortals."

Nyara_Sunswept: "But you have to think of them as exceptions. It's really folks like you that were made to rule, you know."

Silk's voice is cool. "As you say, they are not made to rule. And his warmongering ways I really don't approve of."

Alyssa: "And I am well familiar with Great Forks. My hometown if you want to know."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Oh, food's here!" Nyara applauds briefly as the table is filled with dishes. It looks (and smells) divine.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Well, Alyssa...I can see where you'd get that feeling."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Great Forks is practically the poster child place where Gods who aim to misbehave go."

Nyara_Sunswept: "I don't like Great Forks, myself. Reminds me too much of the parts of Yu-Shan I don't care for."

Nyara_Sunswept: "And I don't as a rule approve of war either," she says to Silk. She taps her forehead, where a blue Caste Mark once shone.

Alyssa: "I severed ties with the place years ago. However, it appears that my means have come back to haunt me."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That Deathknight was from Great Forks?"

Alyssa: "No."

Alyssa: "It's not a story I'm proud of. But you have a right to know."

Silk: "Few in their right minds do. There are less who actually do something about it."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That's sweet of you, girl, but don't feel like you owe me for it. Sidereals understand Secrets, what they mean and when their time to End is."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Reveal yours or not, when you're ready to."

Silk: "If it would provide a tactical insight however, it would be to our advantage to learn more."

Alyssa: "When I exalted, I made powerful enemies. And so I acted ruthlessly to protect myself. As ruthlessly - perhaps more so - than you have Silk. The girl wears my face because I arranged to exchange it for hers, which I wear now. And then to prevent anyone from using her to identify me, I killed her. Or thought I had, at least."

Alyssa: "So there you have it. She claims a right to vengeance and I cannot honestly state that she does not have justice to her claim."

Silk listens, his eyes narrowed and looking into the distance, his food still untouched

Alyssa: "I've chided you a time or two Silk, not because I don't understand your caution. But because I've done something similar and I should not have."

Alyssa forces herself to take a bite of her meal, feigning composure perfectly. Forcing her hands not to tremble.

Silk: "If after consideration you have come to that conclusion, then maybe you shouldn't have."

Silk: "But we cannot change the past, so it is an empty thought. One can only do their best to avoid mistakes in the future. Whatever they may be."

Alyssa: "A realisation I came to a trifle late. As such things sometimes are."

Nyara_Sunswept nods slowly, then reaches across the table and puts her hand on top of Alyssa's. She squeezes once, softly, sympathetically.

Nyara_Sunswept says, "I'm so sorry."

Alyssa: blinks. "What for?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "That pain, expected or otherwise, comes back. I can see you're a woman who's trying to do the right thing. Be nice if it were a little easier, though, wouldn't it." She doesn't say it like it's a question.

Silk: "We have learned of her existence and some of her goals. The time will come to strike back and finish this matter."

Silk: "We do have the means to make it stick this time around."

Silk: "However badly she might have wounded you however, I am more worried about her companion ... or superior."

Silk: "Can you gauge the strength of master Kyr, Nyara?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Serenity is making peace with the evil you've done...but never making peace with evil." Nyara takes a deep breath and arches an eyebrow at Silk. "Gauge his strenght?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "He could probably flatten all of us before he'd need a towel."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Okay, I played that up a little."

Nyara_Sunswept: "All of us together *might* be enough to take him."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Why are we talking about-oh."

Silk: "The flying Abyssal - I suspect he is my opposite number among their castes - wounded him."

Nyara_Sunswept: "He might have accepted the hit if it meant delivering the one he meant to deliver."

Silk nods. He can understand that.

Nyara_Sunswept: "We're not like you Solars. Kicking ass and taking names isn't why we were Exalted."

Alyssa: "I didn't do so well at that. Clearly I need to train harder."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Even the Mars Boys."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Give it a bit, beautiful," she says, patting Alyssa's arm. "From what I've read, the Lawgivers pick up strength in a hurry."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Now that you've got a reason to, I'm sure you will."

Silk: "We may have the opportunity to do a bit of training before we meet them again. Which brings me to my next question: Yu-Shan, the heavenly city, that is where your people's base is, isn't it Nyara?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Sure enough." She nods.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Only it's less of a base and more of an office."

Nyara_Sunswept: "A dimensionally transcendent office."

Silk: "What position do you personally and as a group hold in the Celestial Bureaucracy?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Oh my. Well."

Nyara_Sunswept pauses in thought.

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm one of the Chosen of Serenity and I'm ranked a Junior Agent for the Cerulean Lute of Harmony. I'm a Field Agent of good standing for the Convention of Wood. And I'm also the Auditor of August Proclamations of Happiness."

Silk drinks a bit of his water. A small sip only, though his Charms would warn him of poison. Never let your guard down.

Nyara_Sunswept: "That's also a regional thing. Basically, one of my assignments is to make sure the right people get moved to cry out with how happy life's made them."

Nyara_Sunswept: "As for the group, we're part of the Bureau of Fate."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That's right up there with the Bureau of Nature, the Bureau of Heaven...you get the idea."

Nyara_Sunswept: "We're run by the Maidens of Fate."

Alyssa: "I presume that Chosen of Serenity are associated with Venus. And you mentioned Mars-boys - Chosen of the Maiden of Battles, I take it?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "That's right!"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Then you've got the Oracles, the Chosen of Secrets. Chosen of Mercury, that's Journeys. Then of course there's always the Reckoners."

Nyara_Sunswept pauses and frowns slightly before looking at the Son of the Metal Flame.

Nyara_Sunswept: "You don't talk much, do you?" she says to the Twilight.

SonoftheMetalFlame shakes his head. "I like to listen. It's an easy way to learn."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Good man!" She pats him on the arm as well, smiling approvingly.

Silk: "Speech is silver, but silence is golden," Silk quotes.

SonoftheMetalFlame smiles, finishing a bite of food. "Well said, friend."

Silk: "You said, you and your associate belong to the Gold Faction of Sidereals. That implies there are others." Silk looks at Nyara with focused interest, curious how she will reply.

SonoftheMetalFlame: "I'm certain that I will have many questions to pester you with later, though. I'm afraid today has been a rather stressful day and I have a lot on my mind."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That's a bit more shop business, honestly."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Let's just say there are some Sidereals who think you folks staying dead's a good thing."

SonoftheMetalFlame: "Funny thing is I thought that was all Sidereals."

Nyara_Sunswept looks surprised.

Nyara_Sunswept: "You mean, you knew about us before?"

Silk: "Would those be the sort of people who keep an eye on things like gates and places like Meru?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Could be," Nyara says.

SonoftheMetalFlame: chuckles. "Not much, I must admit. What literature exists is not very thorough."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That it exists at all is a miracle. Well. Let's just say the Solar reputation is a dicey thing upstairs."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Upstairs isn't the problem at the moment, though."

Silk: "This is not just an academic question, you know. So if you could leave the plausible deniability behind for a moment ..." Silk's tone is firm but not unkind.

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'd say downstairs is the more immediate danger."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Hmmm?"

Nyara_Sunswept smiles innocently at Silk. "What'd you have in mind?"

Silk: "The question I just asked."

Nyara_Sunswept looks thoughtful. "Well, that's pretty much what we do in Heaven. I'm part of the group that makes sure people experience Serenity."

Nyara_Sunswept: "That includes getting married, having kids. Families. Happiness in general."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Also includes drugs." She wrinkles her nose. "I have to admit, it gets the numbers up but that's just a short-term solution."

Silk: "Non sequitur."

Nyara_Sunswept: "I think it's going to take you crew right here to make a long-term solution."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Huh? Oh, thank you," she says to the waiter who stops by to clear off people's plates.

Nyara_Sunswept reaches into her long Marukan-style duster and produces a leather coin-purse from which she deposits a tidy sum of silver to cover the cost of the meal, plus tip.

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

Silk frowns. "That is not what I asked. Let me rephrase that: Master Kyr stated that you people watch all of Creation. What form does such awareness take and how far does it go?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "We're keen on Fate, my friend. We can read the stars, predict the future and shape it through our Charms. Like you can vanish into the night," she says pointing at Silk. "Or you can build another Imperial Manse someday," she says to the Twilight.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Or you could transform society and make this world worth living in," she says to Alyssa.

Nyara_Sunswept: "As for range, depends."

Nyara_Sunswept: "In Heaven, it's decent."

Nyara_Sunswept: "On the ground, not so much."

Silk: "And continuing in that vein, how much do you and how much do the Sidereals know about us? How much do those who think us ill know? Surely a bureau as powerful such as yours must have dossiers on us?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm sure they do."

Nyara_Sunswept shrugs.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Haven't read it."

Silk: (Note to self: Find that dossier, burn it and all copies. :p)

Nyara_Sunswept: "Well, maybe not *you*" she says to Silk.

Nyara_Sunswept: "If you've been a very good boy."

Silk: "There are always differing points of view on such things," Silk says dismissively.

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm...sure that there are."

Alyssa: "Before we do anything, I think we will need to find a new Emissary. We can hardly leave Nexus without a defender when we continue our quest."

SonoftheMetalFlame nods. "Yes, there is that matter."

Silk: "Indeed. And not a trivial one either."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Good idea, gorgeous. Got anyone in mind?" She leans back in her chair, takes the travel sitar she carries out and tunes it softly as she looks at the Solars for their thoughts.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Depends on what the Mask does."

Nyara_Sunswept: "But given the political and social climate of Nexus flows from the Emissary..."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Well, let's just say it's best you folks figure out who that is before anyone else in Heaven finds out what it means."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Or you may find yourselves missing a mask."

SonoftheMetalFlame laughs. "Fair enough."

Alyssa: "I can't think of anyone I dislike enough to leave with the job offhand. It's a thankless role, I suspect."

Silk: "It must be someone with the strength to do what it necessary, the self-control to remain impartial and the courage to face down anyone who threatens Nexus."

Silk: "Going on statistics alone we are more likely to find a qualified mortal than someone of power AND character AND willingness."

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm incline to agree."

Alyssa: "That would seem reasonable. Should we pick one of the current Council of Entities?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "What do you want this new Emissary to accomplish?" Nyara asks, leaning forward as her fingers pluck quiet notes from the sitar strings.

Alyssa: "They would all appear to be formidable individuals as regards character."

Nyara_Sunswept: "What legacy would you leave Nexus with?"

Silk: "Which might be something of a problem in determining their suitability," Silk points out.

SonoftheMetalFlame: "Perhaps we should even consult with the Council?"

Silk: "They might try to take matters in their own hands." He grins. "Though given that they cannot know just how we got the mask, they will probably be unwilling to test us."

Silk: "My inclination is to thoroughly question a candidate beforehand to see if they have the necessary qualities."

Nyara_Sunswept: "What do you want them to do?" Nyara says, asking the question a different way.

Nyara_Sunswept: "The Council is a good choice, if you want to make sure the new Emissary is just like the old Emissary."

Silk: "The old one has done an admirable job."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Mmmmm."

Alyssa: "You would prefer a conservative choice, one who would keep Nexus as it is?" Alyssa asks, keeping her tone impartial.

Silk: "There are small things that might be done better, but I would not endanger an acceptable status quo."

SonoftheMetalFlame: "I would personally select someone who supports us in every way possible."

Silk nods. "If that is possible, that would be to our and perhaps everybody's advantage, yes."

Silk: "Though again, I would not risk other aspects of Nexus-as-is to achieve that."

Alyssa: "Son, what is your opinion?"

SonoftheMetalFlame: "I don't know that things are going to stay the same for long as it is." His voice becomes a whisper. "A long dead and mostly forgotten Maiden has returned, we're trying to revive an ancient city of incredible power as we go head-to-head with the Bull and his forces..."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Solars live for thousands of years."

SonoftheMetalFlame: "Who's to say that we shouldn't take advantage of this situation? Change is inevitable, so let's make sure that it works in our favor."

Nyara_Sunswept leans forward and stops playing for one moment. "A thousand years from now, what will you want your name to mean on these streets, to these people?"

Silk grins. "Nothing."

Silk: "Though that is probably not what you meant."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Your legacy then," she says, but she's smiling like she's already conceded the argument.

Silk: "A new and better world order." Silk states seriously.

SonoftheMetalFlame nods, not feeling the need to add to Silk's words.

Alyssa: "I have a suggestion then. There is a mercenary force, the Iron League, who keep order in parts of Nexus. They are part of the establishment, so to speak, but they are often considered defenders of the people of Nexus. Let us seek among their ranks and offer one of them the mask, on behalf of the Society of the Lawgiver."

Silk: He reconsiders for a moment. "Given that this is a choice that will be hard to undo, you're right, Son. The more influence we retain, the less resistance we will have in the future once it IS time to change things here."

Alyssa: "I believe I can determine which are merely powerhungry and select one who is at least good intentioned, and we will establish ourselves as 'kingmakers' in his or her eyes."

Nyara_Sunswept: "What sorts of qualifications are you looking for then?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "Hmmm, just a moment."

Silk nods. "Your ability to know people will be invaluable, Alyssa. And we can select a suitable candidate from among many."

Nyara_Sunswept turns her head and discreetly coughs a small emerald pattern spider out of her mouth onto her shoulder.

SonoftheMetalFlame raises an eyebrow at Nyara.

Nyara_Sunswept: "Return with the name of the Iron League member in charge of personnel," she says to the small essence construct.

Silk does not stare but discreetly fires up Awareness Charms to analyze the creature

Alyssa: "Let us say, one who will defend the serenity of Nexus, such as it is. It offers hope to many mortals, hope that they can reshape their destinies. Let it continue to do so."

Silk: "As I have said before, the strength to do what it necessary, the self-control to remain impartial and the courage to face down threats to Nexus, those are the traits I would chose."

Kuros: The spiders disappears in a small puff of light blue smoke

Kuros: A few seconds later, it reappears on Nyara's shoulder

Kuros: It climbs up to her ear, remains there for a few moments, and then disappears

Nyara_Sunswept: "Right then. Praxin Gault."

Nyara_Sunswept smiles. "That's who we need to speak with then."

Silk: "And in our candidate I would inculcate respect for ourselves, a willingness to listen to reasonable suggestions and at the appropriate time to join the new world order."

Alyssa: "Then let us ask of him, who among their ranks has had most success in peacefully settling the quarrels of this city. That should give us candidates of determination and moderation as a starting place."

Nyara_Sunswept: "Given you'll be the ones putting him in power, I think a certain degree of that's going to go with the job." Nyara winks.

Silk: "I would not assume so. Best to make as certain as we can be without too drastically reshaping his mind."

SonoftheMetalFlame: "I would also prefer that we do as little brainwashing as possible, unless we do so simply with good arguments."

Alyssa: "I would prefer a more subtle touch. Remember - we are not beyond mistakes. An Emissary who respects us is good, but we hardly need a slave."

Silk: "Indeed, that would hardly be ideal. Not to mention that such influences may well be broken by the transformation of assuming the position."

Nyara_Sunswept resumes plucking notes on her sitar as she listens to the conversation.

Alyssa: "I would also suggest that we pick someone with few or no immediate family - for all we know the mask could destroy such ties, or worse leave the new Emissary with hostages to be used against them."

SonoftheMetalFlame nods. "Also a good qualification."

Silk: "I merely mean that we should take care to hone a good candidate into an ideal one."

Nyara_Sunswept sighs softly but nods in agreement.

SonoftheMetalFlame: "This should be enough to go on that we should end up with a decent number of candidates, and from there we can whittle it down. Yes?"

Silk nods. "Yes. It will be a lengthy process, I assume. But it cannot be helped."

Alyssa: "Yes. It gives us a starting place and I will need a few days to recover. And perhaps to hone my skills as well."

Silk: "We will have to be careful. No doubt our enemies are just waiting for a new chance."

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm afraid I haven't learned as much as I could have of the Martial Arts. But anything I've picked up, I'd be happy to pass on to you," Nyara says to Alyssa.

Nyara_Sunswept: "As for enemies, well, discretion then."

Nyara_Sunswept smiles at Silk.

Silk: "And counter-action, yes," Silk agrees.

Silk: "Of the defensive sort."

Silk: "What style do you employ?"

Nyara_Sunswept: "I'm a Righteous Devil Stylist."

Nyara_Sunswept pats the sitar in her lap.

Silk: "Ah. That is good."

Silk: "Our options at range are somewhat limited."

Alyssa: "Well, it appears that we have a plan to enact. Tonight, however, I intend to take my rest. In the morning, I shall have to see if I can see and then play my part as best I can."

Silk: "Let us hope your powers of regeneration are up to the task. Though should that not be the case I can teach you to rely on other senses."

Kuros: 6 XP.

Kuros: Next game is on Saturday, 1:00 pm.