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For in-universe game play. Journey through both familiar and foreign settings, explore lost ruins and forgotten cities, and try to bring light to the darkness of the world... or, you know, blow stuff up. Either way.
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Drannin
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Re: Background noise

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Arsoro Kurou took in the intruder through remote viewing as he walked through the halls of his castle. She was quite lovely, really. Dark red dress the Veracian "nobles" apparently favored these days. It offered a very nice view of a tall, lithe body. Lots of jewelry... interesting hairstyle... and right on his doorstep. Hmmm...

She was clearly not Veracian. So what was she doing on his doorstep? At least she wasn't as addle-headed as many of the other barbarian fops he'd been cursed to run across. This was clear by her aggravated, resigned attitude, at apparently coming across an abandoned castle. Not a stitch out of place, either... A gating-accident? That just happened to lead her to his doorstep? Come on, now.

The situation was becoming extremely suspicious. It was fascinating. Finally, his brain had a diversion. And she was clearly quite lovely, to boot. Well, why not unravel this little enigma, find out her purpose here? And if she turned out to be hostile, he could use the exercise.

Sweeping out a door and stepping out into the castle courtyard, Kurou cleared his throat to get the Red Lady's attention. "Might I be of service, Madam?"
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Drusia
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Re: Background noise

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Sweeping out a door and stepping out into the castle courtyard, Kurou cleared his throat to get the Red Lady's attention. "Might I be of service, Madam?"

He's suspicious. Well and good. He must have some sort of way to detect magic (good thing we took the time to shield Harker) near the castle - which already puts me on to Plan B. Then again, with the whole alphabet to play with, I'm not exactly having difficulty yet. So, suspicious but interested, are you? I'll give you something to be suspicious of.

Relief floods my features. "Yes, I -" and just as quickly, departs, replaced by wariness. "I thought this place was abandoned. The building doesn't seem to be in particularly good condition." I edge towards the riding trail he obviously uses, keeping a steady distance from him.

"My name is Phoebe," I tell him. I lie well, but I let a tell slip, brushing a stray hair out of my face. "Lady Phoebe Delleni." The name is Veracian, but I pronounce it as a Tsuirakuian would. The lie is obviously not practiced or researched, and has the air of panic rather than planning about it.

I take a moment to collect my courage and ask "And you are?" I look at him directly, not fearing to meet his gaze.

-- Drusia
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Drannin
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Re: Background noise

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Oh ho.

More and more interesting. Veracian name and Tsuirakuan pronunciation? Convincing to a degree, but the tone... Oh, she was clearly lying, but the way in which she was lying was most intriguing indeed. She was on the edge of panic, and yet was boring into his eyes fearlessly. There was something there, something old and strong which would not bend or break no matter what life threw at her.

Kurou was enthralled. Just what had fate dropped into his lap now? And was it truly fate or... deliberate intent?

As if he couldn't guess THAT one.

"I am Arsoro Kurou," he said politely, bowing deeply, formally. "And I welcome you to these oh-so-humble surroundings, dear Lady Delleni." He left out his own titles. No reason to give away too much. Maybe see if she let anything slip about him. He took a step in her direction, spreading his hands wide. "Tell me, what brings such a well-bred individual such as yourself to a dusty ruin forgotten by even time?"
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Drusia
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Re: Background noise

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"I am Arsoro Kurou," he said politely, bowing deeply, formally. "And I welcome you to these oh-so-humble surroundings, dear Lady Delleni." He left out his own titles. No reason to give away too much. Maybe see if she let anything slip about him. He took a step in her direction, spreading his hands wide. "Tell me, what brings such a well-bred individual such as yourself to a dusty ruin forgotten by even time?"

"A... mistake, it would seem," I reply cautiously. I glance around, as if trying to get my barrings. I look back at him, and his castle, and, just for a moment I bite the left side of my lower lip. After a second I nod, take a deep breath, and look back at him firmly.

"Thank you, Arsoro Kurou," I say, pausing awkwardly on his name as if unsure whether or not I should add a m'lord or Sir, or something. Which, come to think of it, I have no idea about anyway. Good - knowing next to nothing about him will add to the verisimilitude. "For your kind offer of hospitality. I have only one question. Or, well, only one question to start with." I look around again, frowning at the trees.

"Where exactly am I?"

-- Drusia
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Drannin
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Re: Background noise

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Kurou chuckled. "The middle of nowhere, my dear. We're just outside of a little hole in the wall called Gervasiel. Does the name mean anything to you? I'm afraid the town has little to offer a person of intellect, aside from this fascinating old structure..." He took another calculated step in her direction, to gauge her reaction.

"And so, Lady Delleni, I fear your accident has deposited you far from the glow of civilization. But never mind that. You are here and I am offering such assistance as I can render. May I be of aid?" He bowed again. Let us see your purpose here, madam...
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Drusia
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Re: Background noise

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Kurou chuckled. "The middle of nowhere, my dear. We're just outside of a little hole in the wall called Gervasiel. Does the name mean anything to you? I'm afraid the town has little to offer a person of intellect, aside from this fascinating old structure..." He took another calculated step in her direction, to gauge her reaction.

"And so, Lady Delleni, I fear your accident has deposited you far from the glow of civilization. But never mind that. You are here and I am offering such assistance as I can render. May I be of aid?" He bowed again.


As he steps closer I stand my ground. Instead, I consider his statement.

"Gervasiel..." I repeat slowly. "Never heard of it. Is it anywhere near Saus?" I pause, my eyes going wide, and I look up at him with suspicion. "And what exactly do you know of my accident, Arsoro Kurou?"

-- Drusia
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Drannin
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Re: Background noise

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Kurou raised an eyebrow. "Come now. Dressed up in the garb of a high-born lady, all alone in the middle of nowhere with no idea where you are, and not a stitch out of place? Why, all of this simply screams 'gating-accident' to me." He smiled. "Am I incorrect? Is there something else that brings you here? Oh, and no. We are, to be mild, very far away from Saus. Incidentally, was this your point of origin or your destination?"

Will she let something slip under pressure? What sort of a mind am I dealing with?
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Drusia
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Re: Background noise

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Kurou raised an eyebrow. "Come now. Dressed up in the garb of a high-born lady, all alone in the middle of nowhere with no idea where you are, and not a stitch out of place? Why, all of this simply screams 'gating-accident' to me." He smiled. "Am I incorrect? Is there something else that brings you here? Oh, and no. We are, to be mild, very far away from Saus. Incidentally, was this your point of origin or your destination?"

I frown, but nod, admitting to the logic of his argument. "I suppose it is a logical enough conclusion," I admit. I do not add that it is a logical conclusion for a Tsuirakuian but not at all logical for a Veracian who, unless they live in Saus, would likely never have heard of warp gates, much less gating accidents. If I didn't already know a little of him, I'd know now that he wasn't Veracian.

"Saus was my destination," I reply, toying with my hair. "I was returning after a visit to Farrel." Again, my lie is well delivered apart from the attention paid to my hair.

"So," I continue, "Where in Veracia did you say this was, exactly?" He didn't, but I ask anyway - the name Gervasiel is very Veracian, so it follows that Gervasiel is somewhere in Veracia. That she realized this much will hopefully help to establish the intelligence of Lady Phoebe Delleni in his mind.

"Oh, and as far as aid is concerned... well, directions would be a start," I suggest. I bite my lip again, briefly, then steel myself and add "And... perhaps a place to rest?"

-- Drusia
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Drannin
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Re: Background noise

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Kurou raised an eyebrow slightly. Hm. So from the name she's deduced that this is Veracia. Very well...

Ah. But he was already acting under the assumption that 'Lady Delleni" was her true identity. Hmm, very well. An assumption to accept at the moment... but not necessarily trust.

"I can fulfill both requests at the same time," Kurou nodded. "The surroundings, though a tad musty, are clean, and you can certainly rest here before going on your way. Furthermore, I have a full map of the nation somewhere, so you can determine where you are to your own satisfaction." Kurou gestured back towards the castle.
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Drusia
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Re: Background noise

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"I can fulfill both requests at the same time," Kurou nodded. "The surroundings, though a tad musty, are clean, and you can certainly rest here before going on your way. Furthermore, I have a full map of the nation somewhere, so you can determine where you are to your own satisfaction." Kurou gestured back towards the castle.

"I would like that," I say. Taking a breath for confidence, I walk up to him, allow him to escort me inside. The place is nicer on the inside that I expected. I suppose he doesn't want to live somewhere dirty.

"This is rather nice," I say, echoing my thoughts. "If a bit rustic."

I glance around, taking in the scarce decor. "So, you own this place. Does anyone else live here with you? Servants? Or... anyone?" A nobleman living alone in a rustic ruin is rather suspicious. I keep myself guarded, a few paces away from him at all times. Of course, I mean to close that gap as we progress, but that will take some time. Let him close the distance, if he likes.

-- Drusia
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