Difference between revisions of "3996/The Jewel of the Outer Kingdoms"

Latest revision as of 16:38, 9 April 2016

Shunrin (970) has posed:
There are a total of three warpgates in the Kingdom of Shun, but the only one relevant tonight is the one that opens into the capital city of Kyosai. From there, the Union visitors are met by ceremonial palace guards, escorted to the stables, and where possible put on the backs of fantastical riding-beasts.

These fantastical creatures, some like wingless horses and some like winged dogs, some even like fierce white tigers, swiftly carry their guests straight up. Up and away they go, through the clouds and up to the needle-like spire that looms over Kyosai. A marble terrace built against the side of the steep mountain awaits them, bedecked with gardens and strings of glowing paper lanterns.

Royal soldiers wait to take the reins of the landing beasts, calming the creatures so their guests can dismount at their leisure, and greeting the visitors with bows and utter politeness.

The terrace is like a vast garden, mostly open, but with plenty of green things and richly fragrant flowers. Far below can be heard the sound of the sea, and if one looks over the edge of the carved railing, they'll see the twinkling of Kyosai's distant lantern lights...

...but they're through water, as though Kyosai were at the bottom of a lake. What?

In all, the guests are given a few minutes of quiet to regain their bearings, left alone by the soldiers unless they should choose to approach any of them. Shun's quiet, unusually temperate night air is pleasant; almost like a summer evening in its warmth and slight humidity. In fact, that humidity might well come from the Sea of Cloud, lapping placidly at the mountain's apparent base.

What a bizarre world.

Ariel (219) has posed:
A wondrous world indeed! Ariel is quite happy to be one of the visitors, and when she dismounts, she shakes out the cloak she's wearing. In the interest of following customs, she's come clothed in a pretty, ruffled dress for formalities. Al Azif is with her, the book actually staying quiet for now... and with her hair done up in buns rather than the loose look she usually has. The book girl is poking at some of the greenery, just expressing bored curiosity.

Ariel herself is staring in greater wonder though, tail swishing as the petite unicorn wanders about... after patting her mount affectionately. "This is some garden. I think I like it here," she remarks to no one in particular.

Maya has posed:
Maya had herd tell of the gathering andf was happy to come show up. She always liked seeing new worlds meeting other people from cultures different from her own. Well normally it turned out well for hte blue haired wastelander hjad shown up dressed as she often had though it was quite the trip to get to the bttom of the lakje and she was more than a little off her game for a bit as she looekd about.

"This is certainly different..."

Shunrin (970) has posed:
The soldiers are more or less silent, maintaining their vigil over the terrace; their visitors aren't exactly prisoners, but it's clear that this is where they're meant to stay for the moment. They almost seem to be waiting for something, and one man keeps looking to the doorway into the mountain palace.

A figure eventually emerges, but it... isn't the figure from the introductory video. It's another solider, wearing leather and lamellar armour like the others, but this one seems to be different. It's a woman, for one; for two, her armour is much finer than the others, and she wears a sash of violet silk over one shoulder. Despite the armour of her post, neither she nor any of the other soldiers seem to carry weapons.

She clasps her gloved hands and bows before the others. Her hair is short and blue-black, pulled into a short horsetail, and the blue of her eyes are closer to steel than sky, but her smile seems sincere.

"The Kingdom of Shun greets its honoured and esteemed visitors from the Union. I am General Rouko of the Palace Guard. Come; I will escort you to the Terrace of the Turning Leaves. The Herald-King and Taiho of Shun await us there." She'll wait long enough for the others to arrange themselves before starting off at a brisk pace.

She glances over her shoulder to eye the others, throwing Ariel a half-smile. "Shun prides itself on its gardens. The climate here is very temperate even in winter, and many things will grow in its mountains." To Maya, she cast a level look, with that hint of half-smile still there. "And the same could be said of you, Mistress. We have never seen visitors quite like you."

"Come. We are almost there." The tunnel leads through seemingly solid rock, artfully carved, with banners of silk hanging and recessed torches providing light. "Although our Herald-King has only been on the throne for sixty-two years, may he reign a thousand years, he has done much to set right the ruin that was left behind when the old king lost the Way."

That probably makes no sense to the visitors, and Rouko seems to come to that conclusion, laughing faintly. "Sorry. You're not from here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me before we reach the Terrace of the Turning Leaves."

Ariel (219) has posed:
Al whispers something in Ariel's ear, causing Ariel to sigh. "Soon." The book looks smug and nods, but Ariel now devotes more of her attention to Rouko, perking her ears up and straightening. She gives a polite nod to the General, not sure what the etiquette is here.

She can make some guesses, though. "Ah, the 'young' ruler hasn't had an easy time getting established?" She follows after, now looking about the rest of the area to admire the view. "I'm sorry to hear that. But sixty-two years..."

Al Azif says it more directly, "That's a long time for a human. Is there some kind of life extension going on for the King?" She's presuming some sort of crowning ritual that did it.

Maya has posed:
Maya is seemingly just curious now that she's recovered from her arrival she smiles to the General for a moment and seems to be in good psirits from the look on he face. 5R
"I tend to get that quite a bit but I never quite seen anything like this world and my own is considered not to be normal by many. My name is Maya and it's good to meet you General Rouko."

She'll follow along seemingly in great spirit and she looks over to Ariel for a moment grinning at her. %R
"It could be such or it might be the way of things here in this world, we'll find out I suspect Ariel."

Finna (513) has posed:
"What a lush home this is!" Finna exclaims, mid-ride. She hardly needs a ride, but she isn't about to pass up on the opportunity. Of course, most beasts and her get along stellarly... and she makes sure to scratch whatever majestic creature it is behind the ears or whatever other shows of affection or gratitude she can intuit it would like.

For this outing she's forsaken her hunting clothes for a SLIGHTLY more formal attire – by Haslanti standards, anyways. It's a stylish thin leather attire with fine detailing to all the trim, with strips cut at the ends of sleeves, dyed collars and necklaces of teeth and beads and shells. She's decided to come in the style of her home nation... as embellished as she can.

And this includes using Haslanti dialect Skytongue instead of the English she's so often used on the radio. It shares plenty of phonetic similarities with Nordic language families, and her dialect in particular is... brutal.

"No leader has it easy. Especially if new. These lands are great. Lush and alive! You say the winters are nothing? ... very different from home. Haslanti winters bury the first floors of our cities. People dig tunnels through the snow between houses!"

Shunrin (970) has posed:
The marble corridor is almost entirely smooth, polished so carefully that one almost can't see the seam lines of the tiles. Footsteps and clattering armour both echo with almost unnerving loudness, and Rouko's voice seems to travel ahead of her down the tunnel.

"'Young?'" Rouko apparently finds this funny, chuckling a gravelly chuckle. "Perhaps by the standards of our kings. The Ridge-King of Hou has been on his throne for two hundred fifty-seven years, may he reign a thousand years. And the Glory-King of Kei has been on his throne for one hundred years. I suppose, by the measure of other rulers, our Herald-King is indeed perhaps young, but... you shall see for yourself, esteemed guests."

She glances over her shoulder, regarding her guests. "To answer your question more directly – yes. When a kirin chooses their king, that king will ascend Mt. Hou and join the ranks of the immortals. So too will his appointed civil servants, and the kirin will cease to age past that point."

"I do not believe there is a limit to the age of a king, so long as he does not lose the Way. If he rules wisely and with compassion, if he abides by the Edicts of Heaven, he will not lose his footing." Rouko nods slightly. "That is what I think, anyway. So – yes. If our Herald-King does not lose the Way, he will rule for many hundreds of years, or so I hope. He has done much for Shun already."

Her eyes flick sideways, although she doesn't quite look at Maya. "A pleasure, Maya. If you have any further questions, please, ask."

Finna's outfit seems more appropriate to a hunter, but it isn't too outlandish; not that many people stare. Then again, it's a known factor that these people come from beyond the kingdoms, and that in and of itself is enough to make them rare and strange – objects of insatiable curiosity, even to the palace guard.

Even Rouko casts them the odd glance from the corner of an eye, when she thinks they aren't watching.

"Our winters in Shun are mild; nothing at all like Tai. That is the kingdom north of us," Rouko adds, for Finna's benefit. "It is the Outer Kingdom of the Northeast, and its winters are fierce. Why, I have heard they do the same, there; when the winds are fierce enough, but I do not know if this is true."

In time they come to an even larger terrace, having crossed through the heart of the mountain by way of that polished hall. It's here that a few lanterns burn softly, and fragrant jasmine and other flowers practically screen the terrace in. Two figures are seated at the far end on elegantly carved wooden chairs; the general takes the visitors up to the chairs, and sinks to the ground, touching her forehead to the cool marble.

"Your Majesty," she murmurs. "Taiho. I have brought our visitors."

The old man pushes himself up from the chair first, practically beaming. He looks like an ancient Chinese scholar, robed richly in silk, and clutching a gnarled old walking stick. The woman beside him is nothing short of striking; flame-coloured and luxuriously long hair, green eyes, and pale skin set off by silk robes of mint-green and sea blue.

He claps his hands in the manner of a delighted child. "Up! On your feet, Rouko. This is no time to waste time staring at the marble. Ah, my guests! Welcome, welcome, to Jewelbough Palace! There are refreshments—" He gestures to nearby tables, laden with food and wine and other drinks, "—and if you wish to sit, there are chairs and cushions. Ah, what a truly monumentous occasion! This is the first time we have had visitors from beyond the kingdoms in Shun. It is true that the occasional foreigner has come from the sea, but it is a rarity. Welcome!"

The woman merely inclines her head, very slightly, watching them with seeming reservation – but she's looking every time she thinks they're not, with almost unguarded curiosity.

Finna (513) has posed:
Since there's been precious little instruction in what kind of social graces are expected, Finna's not affording too many. Her eyes sharply flick left and right, scanning for fine details. The kinds of people about here, how they dress, how closely they stand to one another, how they walk, how they talk, how they move their arms.... gestures and mannerisms that could be very useful one day!

But she's also paying attention. "Probably is! ... these lands must be great living... wait, let me see if I understand. The Many-Kings – not sure what difference is between a Herald-King or a Glory-King – lose their immortality if they stop being good rulers?"

Well, when the group finally reaches the old man himself, Finna executes a half-serious performer's bow, complete with a sweeping arm over her stomach and a joyous, vibrant smile for the ancient-looking scholar. She's beaming just as much!

"With the warp gates the Multiverse provides, strange and wonderful adventures are never far away. More will come! Especially for a welcome like this. Greetings. I am Finna Snowdancer of Luna's Chosen."

The question remains though... whether this old man or his stylish allies can see through the illusion that hides her Fox features.

Because if not, their sudden appearance might be a little shocking. Her ears and tail glimmer with faint silvery-blue light, the mark of the crescent moon glowing upon her forehead. All to add to the show of course.

For a Steward, revealing their nature so openly is a show of sincerity, one could say.

Maya has posed:
Maya Says "I see, it's foruante if you have a good ruler with a long life span, I'm just pushing into my thirties."

Maya however doesn't look that old at all she does seem to be human at least visually. She follows along and she listens with intrest.

"Ah I see, it's more than just succession by blood. The Kirin seem to be wise in their most recent choice. Given how things appear here.".

"I shall ask, when I do have them."

She soon brought before the King and she'll bow before them poltiely.

"I am Maya the Junker of the Planet Septerra."

Of all the titles she holds this is the one she'll always be most proud of and she lkooks over the king with a good deal of intrest and she seems to be in very good spirits.

She also takes note in Finna's show which is quite well very Finna really. Still Maya seems to get it she's telling the King right frm the get go what she can do.

"Your Majsty I want to thank you for the warm welcome as well."

She'll sit down the moment she's asked to and also takes note of the woman as she also gets she's being watched but she senses no hostlity so pays it no real mind.

Ariel (219) has posed:
Ariel follows in with the others, and Al grumpily keeps quiet. The little unicor pauses, then does a small curtsy, slightly clumsy but showing she's practiced it at least a little. "Hello." Bowing in a dress like that would be... awkward, and she hopes this is what they want, but either way she inclines her head as deep as she may. "Kuklos ka Ariel Schmendrick-Fortuna, Duchess of Viridia. It is a pleasure to meet you, and I too thank you for the warm welcome."

She straightens, and the little unicorn-girl's smile widens. "And this is Al Azif, Grimoire." Al does, in fact, bow properly, which might be surprising for her usual manners.

Only then does she accept the offer to sit. "I'm glad to hear that you've joined the Union, but we don't know much about this world yet."

Shunrin (970) has posed:
It isn't Rouko who clarifies the point of titles, but the quiet flame-haired woman that the general had addressed as taiho. She stands slowly, graceful as a deer despite her layered ceremonial robes.

"They are ceremonial." Her voice is bright as a silver bell, each syllable clearly enunciated. She locks eyes with the Lunar, and where the general and even the king draw back in surprise at the transformation, she alone remains unmoved. "In truth, few remember the stories behind them, but each kingdom calls its own king by a different title."

She walks slowly to Finna, bright green eyes fixed on the Lunar in evident curiosity as the Herald-King looks on; the kirin – for she certainly does not feel at all human to those who can sense it, and while she wears the guise of a human, it is not truly her form

tilts her head curiously.

"Most curious. You are not human, and yet you are not beastkin, either. I suppose we must become accustomed to such things." She flashes a quick smile, reaching out and hesitantly prodding at one of those fuzzy ears before drawing back. So rude, but she can't help herself.

Rokou clears her throat and shifts uncomfortably, with a faint clattering of armour; the Herald-King takes a shuffling step forward, walking stick tapping against the marble. "In any case, I am the Herald-King of Shun. My given name is Souyu; it will doubtless make my ministers protest thunderously, but you may call me Souyu if you prefer." He smiles, in that grandfatherly sort of way, all bushy eyebrows and long, white beard. "I am pleased to make your acquaintances."

"That is... quite the mouthful," he adds, raising those bushy brows at Ariel. "Still, we are pleased to make your acquaintance, too, Lady..." What exactly is the short form of that, anyway? "Kuklos." He shrugs, picking what would be the family name in his realm. It's first, right?

He gestures to indicate the flame-haired woman, who is in turn staring at the others; her long, fire-coloured hair hangs to her knees, intensified by the cool blues and greens of her silk robes. (one can imagine combing that mane out must be a daily nightmare.) "Allow me to introduce my minster, the Taiho of Shun. She is a kirin, and while you are foreigners who would not know this, each kingdom is gifted by the Emperor of Heaven with one kirin."

"A kirin chooses the king," Shunrin adds, in that silver-bells voice. "And we serve as chief minister and advisor to that king for the rest of our days. You may call me Shunrin, or Taiho—"

"—or you may call her Takara," Souyu adds, with a delighted grin. "I thought it quite unfair that she should not have a name of her own, and so in gratitude for all that she has done to help my ministers and I, I gave her one. It means 'treasure.' Shun is famous for its export of jewels, and she is the jewel of this court."

Shunrin dips her head, demurely; but it's not quick enough to hide her embarrassed flush. "My king."

"What? It's true, you know." Souyu turns back to the visitors. "That's right, isn't it?" He settles himself back on his carved throne. "In truth, that was Takara's doing, and at her behest that I affixed my seal to those orders. I am certainly glad that we did."

"We are happy to answer whatever questions you may have," Shunrin adds. "However, perhaps I should begin in the most sensible place... at the beginning." She turns a questioning look on those assembled, arching one delicate, flame-coloured brow.
 

Finna (513) has posed:
EARPOKED! Finna wasn't expecting that. It gets her grinning mischeviously, but... a bit sheepishly too. Her ears flick a few times and tail wags briefly, accompanying a brief little laugh.

"More than human, more than beast. Will explain if you want, but didn't come to talk about myself, now did I?" Her grin turns a little bit lopsided and Finna sees fit to execute a few mild poses, swaying to and fro.

Then SCRAMBLES. "And the beginning starts with food! Nobody learns on an empty stomach."

She's keen on the politics going on here, though. At least.. she's keenly picking up on the nature of this King. "Herald-King Souyu, hm. You and your court have already impressed me. Much more kind and sincere than many I know. Working with you and TA-KA-RA—"

The moment she gets an opportunity, the Lunar uses her tail to try and tickle one of Shunrin's legs while strolling past, while casting an impish look at her – "—I look forward to! But questions... hrrrrmngh. Better to start at the beginning." She nods in agreement, ataking a seat and putting both hands in her lap!

Maya has posed:
Maya is listening as she enjoys what the king has offered them. she's polite for a moment and she looks to King for a moment and takes a moment to focus. A small ball of blue fire bursts into life in her hand for a moment and she plays with for a moment before she banishes it. Her own giving the King something interesting to see.

"AS you wish Souyu, I'm not one for formal titles for the most part I admit. IT is good to meet you as well Taiho."

Maya's being polite enough.

"I am a user of magic on my world and if you are curious I could answer a bit and as for your offer? How many Kings have their been, that your aware of. I'm curious for how long your people Taiho have done this, it seems so far you have chosen well."

Ariel (219) has posed:
Ariel actually looks a little bashful at the statement about her name. "Ah... just Ariel is fine. I only use the titles and stuff when I want to be formal, I'm not really used to them. I kept the name of both my parents, so Lady Kuklos or Lady Schmendrick-Fortuna would be correct, but I prefer just... Ariel."

The unicorn shuffles a little, peering at Shunrin now and thinking. "Chooses the king..." She pauses, then picks up a wider smile. "It does sound like it's a long tale. I'd be interested in hearing it, and I think Al would as well. Thank you, Souyu."

Ariel actually looks visibly relaxed at being less formal, and others are asking questions that she has a keen interest in. It's Al Azif who perks up at the mention of magic and the like though. "That's pretty fascinating, a literal divine right that isn't quite like the norm."

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"Fascinating." Shunrin draws away from Finna somewhat reluctantly, because Finna is a mystery to be explained, and this little kirin just can't resist a good mystery. Duty calls, though. She'll have to explore that later—

Oh. Well, Finna's gone anyway. Apparently food is a much greater beacon than diplomacy. The kirin looks back to her king, and the old man just shrugs, with a cheery grin, as though to say, what can you do? To Ariel, though, Shunrin offers a beneficient smile. "As you wish, then, Ariel."

Folding his arms into his sleeve, he manages a grin. "Is that so, young Finna? Good."

Shunrin, meanwhile, twitches at the touch of that tail, less because she can feel it and more because she can hear that, not quite glaring at Finna. A little bit stuck-up, maybe, but also too curious to maintain the ruse of high politics for very long. Refined and mature-looking, but... young at heart.

"Very well," she manages, drawing in a deep breath through her nose and letting it go slowly through her mouth. "In the beginning, there were nine provinces and four kingdoms, but their rulers were unsuitable, and did not uphold the Way of Heaven. They punished their people and grew fat on their own arrogance. The Emperor of Heaven, saddened by this, destroyed the world, and made it anew." Shunrin's green eyes sweep her listeners as she recites the tale. "The Emperor of Heaven chose five lesser gods and twelve humans. Each human was given a branch bearing three fruits, with a serpent coiled 'round its base. The serpents created the skies, and the fruits fell to the ground, creating the Kingdoms – the Twelve Kingdoms, and the seas, and the mountains that cross its heart. Each human was made to rule one of the kingdoms. The branches that they held became quills, that they would be used in a way that allowed them to rule justly and fairly."

"That is, at least, the story." Shunrin splays her fingers before tucking her hands back into her wide sleeves. "In any case, there are twelve kingdoms, and twelve kings; and therefore twelve kirin who choose and serve those kings – and I am one such of those kirin. Kirin are called by the name of their birth kingdom and either -ki, if they are male, or -rin, if they are female, added as a suffix. So, therefore, I am Shunrin, the female kirin of Shun: The Taiho of Shun."

To the matter of divine right that Al Azif had mentioned, though... Souyu grins. "Indeed it is. The kirin is the expression of the Emperor of Heaven's divine will. The Emperor of Heaven is the one who chooses the kings, you know; he simply expresses his choice through the kirin." That grin fades. "And when a king strays from the Way, he makes his displeasure known through the kirin. The kirin will waste away until the king regains the proper path, or until the kirin perishes. And the king, whose life is bound to that of the kirin, will similarly perish. Then the eggfruit of a new kirin will grow on the Sati-tree, and it will begin anew."

"But even we do not always know why we choose as we do," Shunrin replies, with a faint shrug. One hand moves to clear flame-coloured hair from her delicate face. "It is simply a... feeling. Just as it is a feeling that you are all very different. I can feel that you are different; that you are not of the Kingdoms. I do not know how."

Ariel (219) has posed:
Al Azif muses aloud, "An instinctive mystical connection to the land, allowing you to assess the attachment to..." She mumbles to herself, obviously just thinking it over now and actually showing interest in how this works.

Meanwhile, Ariel is also paying rapt attention! And now, she is going to ask the most dreaded of questions, the question that Must Not Be Asked. A question which is one that any girl her age is getting curious about!

"Eggfruit?"

Maya has posed:
:sits back and enjoys herself for the most part hey it's rarely she gets to dine with a Royal good intent. She seem happy enough about this as she's told about how it goes.

"So the world was reset to attempt to improve it?" She'll eat some of the food as she listens on there's a lot to take in as both the King an the Kirin tell them more about this world. They also answer her question pretty well.

"So long as the king Rules well, he and his partner live. It would make my worlds own poltical situation so much simpler if it was like that."

Divine Mandates are often not truely such but this world? It seems it's flat out true and the ruler of this world divinely? Has made sure to put measure against an immortal Tyrant coming to pass for long.

Finna (513) has posed:
"You don't know how, but I understand. Instincts are like that!" Finna chimes, as if this was the simplest thing in the world. Instincts are like that. Well, for a Lunar, yeah, she's gotten used to acting on instinct. And impulsively for that matter, but...

She nibbles uncertainly at the food, legs scrunching up and wriggling a bit uncomfortable. Kinda like someone who has to go to the bathroom. But that ain't the case here!

"Some similar things between your history and tales told of mine. Seems nicer here though. " She mutters. "Never heard of anything like the Kirin before! They'd be more than welcome in Creation. Nothing but chaos and greed as far as the eye can see, for most of it.... so, then, I wonder. What is this Way?"

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"I suppose one could look at it that way." Shunrin tilts her head faintly to one side, as though a subdued shrug. "I do not know with certainty. I only know that you are not from here; you are not of Shun. I think it is as simple as that."

The king slips his hands back into his sleeves, watching the several-way conversation with evident interest.

"Eggfruit," Souyu replies simply, sketching a vaguely oval shape with two gnarled fingers. "The thing from which man, and beastkin, and kirin, are hatched, each growing on a different sacred tree. There's only one, for kirin, but only the Oracles of the Mountain of the Sage's Brush get to see that one. Somewhere out there, there's a tree for demon-beasts, too, I suppose, but nobody's ever seen one of those trees."

Shunrin throws the old king a helpless look, to which he shrugs. "Kaikyaku," he says simply; the multiverse evidently translates it as sea guests, curiously.

"The world was reset to save it," Souyu says simply, looking to Maya. "For without wise rule, the people would have destroyed themselves, and the world that they lived in; a world and a people out of balance cannot sustain themselves." Souyu claps his hands, enthusiastically. "And that is why a king must commit himself whole-heartedly to the Way! For without that, what is he but a plague to his people; a pestilence that invites demon-beasts onto his shores, and blight into his fields?"

"What my king means to say is that they would have destroyed themselves, sooner or later, without the Edicts of Heaven." A slight flick of her head shakes her hair out; a hand clears it from her eyes.

Most of the food is of very high quality; suitable, indeed, for a king and the highest minister of state. It's pretty tasty! Also varied, to suit any palate.

"Kirin are the most sacred of beasts," Souyu states simply, while Shunrin's gaze slides away, toward the quiet general, standing still as a statue by the entryway. "Chaos... that is unfortunate. I'm afraid it would be an unsuitable place for Takara. You see, kirin are sacred beasts, and cannot abide bloodshed or violence. It sickens them."

"A flaw in our character," Shunrin states delicately, before turning her eyes to Finna. "The Way of Heaven. The principles and practises a ruler should embody. There are far too many to name, but I suppose one could think of them as common sense. Do not sacrifice or succumb to the people. Do not overtax them. Do not start wars. Rule with compassion and wisdom. Help those who are in need."

Finna (513) has posed:
"Humans are born from FRUIT in this world?!" Finna blurt-splutters, nearly choking on her food. What a topic to get fixated on but.. either way she's just heard a thing that turns her whole idea of how the world works TOPSY TURVY. A very good reason to splutter!

It takes her a moment to get her bearings, rub her cheeks, and shake her head violently to clear the images from her head....

Only afterwards does she regain some of her composure. "The Way... those rules can be enforced? If only it were so back home. Things are more like the before-time that the Emperor destroyed, I guess. Not making war though... the Multiverse is always eager to bring them to you. Can't be too careful about that!"

Maya has posed:
Maya says "I did not intend to insult you or you world, I understand the context of it now, I understand. I did not mena to insult you or he Heaven's here." She does look honestly sorry as she now starts to eat the food and she does seem to enjoy it and hs listens for a moment at the mention about violence and pauses then frowns.

"I see I will keep that in mind and I also know I would be a poor ruler myself."

Shunrin (970) has posed:
"Is that so strange? We find it equally strange that kaikyaku are born of the bodies of their mothers." Shunrin shakes her head, little more than a sideways flick, green eyes fixed on Finna. "But that is neither here nor there."

The kirin blinks somewhat owlishly at the fox Exalt, slowly raising one red brow. "You do not look well, Chosen of Luna." Fortunately Finna gathers her bearings and manages not to look too sputtery.

"Yes." Souyu is the one who answers the Exalt's later question. His walking-stick clicks against the marble as he turns, taking a few steps closer to his kirin, reaching up and resting a gnarled hand on her shoulder. "The Way of Heaven may certainly be enforced, and they are enforced through a kingdom's kirin. When a king rules unwisely, his kirin falls ill, and will waste away if he does not mend his ways. This is called sitsudo, the 'Losing-of-the-Way,' and if the kirin perishes, so too will its foolish and stubborn king perish, that a new kirin might select a new king, and the kingdom be made to start fresh."

"Of course," he adds, letting his hand fall to rest over his walking-stick, "that is still a dangerous time for the kingdom's people, still recovering from misrule, and then forced to endure however long it may take a kirin to select the new king."

"I am shamed to say that it took twelve years for me to select my king." Shunrin bows her head. "We are still mending Shun from that desolate time. It may be necessary for us to ask favours from our esteemed allies, at times, in the interest of helping heal those scars."

"Do not be so downcast, Takara." Souyu grins, patting the kirin's bowed shoulder. "If there was no king, there was no king. There is nothing to be done about it, and certainly not now."

Turning his attention back to the others, Souyu claps his hands again, gesturing grandly. "However, I do not wish to weary my guests with such depressing talk. Eat! Drink! Be merry, and ask what questions you may! We are here to entertain you, my friends!"

Shunrin manages a slight smile. "Indeed. Ask of me what you may of my king or I, or even General Rouko. We will provide what answer we can. And in the meantime... please, enjoy the fruits of Shun's labours, and a taste of our cuisine. I hope it is not too bland by your standards." The Emperor of Heaven only knows what those people eat.

And so, late into the night, the guests will be allowed free reign through the terrace and the palace's guest quarters, and also provided a place to stay if they should need one – although they'll be watched and followed, in a friendly sort of way, by Rouko and her soldiers.

Fortunately for them, the food and drink will keep coming as long as anyone needs it. It is, at least, tasty food, and good wine, for those who drink!