[Action/Video] [Open] Five-Dragon General Awakening

[the_roseblack]

[After the initial shock of waking up in a strange place, Ejava is relieved to find that at least her armor and daiklave--a suit of articulated plate and a massively oversized curved sword, both artifacts constructed of magical green Jade--are with her in the cocoon. After donning her armor and examining the contents of the small box she was given, it doesn't take long for the general to realize she's not in Creation anymore.

The videophone is an unusual device, but Ejava has used stranger First Age artifacts before, and with the instructions included in the pamphlet, it proves easy enough to operate.]

Video
[A hard-faced redheaded woman appears on the video feed. Her green plate armor is adorned with thornlike spikes on the pauldrons as well as vine and rose designs.]

This is Strategos Tepet Ejava of the Vermillion Legion. Any Dragonblooded receiving this broadcast, report immediately.

[When no fellow Terrestrial Exalted answer, she quickly concludes that none are present. Though not without political differences, the Dragonblooded would certainly band together in a situation like this.]

Any mortal soldier of the Realm, report to me at once.

[General Tepet leaves the channel open for return communications as she steps outside to scout the surrounding terrain.]

Comments

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

[The General returns the gesture. Her grip is stronger than most--especially noticeable because of the hard Jade gauntlet--but not painfully crushing.]

Ejava of house Tepet, strategos of the Vermillion Legion. You may call me 'General Tepet', or, in light of my Legion's absence, 'Lady Tepet'.

Re: [Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

[Is she trying to break him? Good grief.]

I think I will go with Last Tepet, for now.

By the way, the meisters from my world aren't faeries either. Don't go slicing them up too, please.

[He shrugs with a bit of a lopsided smile: friendly. But he's still serious.]

Anybody from your world here too?

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

I have no intention of cutting people open without reason. I simply had no better way to test your claim.

[Since Mnemon's arrival isn't until a few hours after this, she's still the only one.]

If there are, they aren't someone you'd want to meet. Any Dragonblooded or Realm citizens would have answered my call.

[Fortunately for her and everyone else, the Roseblack (and soon Mnemon) are the only Exalted around. Nobody wants to deal with Solars.]

[Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

[He hesitates, contemplating what she's just said.]

Are they a danger to the city, then?

[And then, yes perhaps a bit belatedly--]

Are you?

[Action]

[the_roseblack]

The Fair Folk are not the worst threat to Creation. Stay far away from anyone claiming to be Chosen of the Sun or Luna.

[She bristles at the implied accusation, tightening her grip on Thorn.]

I will overlook that insult this once. Senseless destruction is not in my plans.

[Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

Duly noted.

And pardon me, Lady Tepet. I didn't mean that like it sounded. It seemed like you were suggesting the Dragonblooded posed risk.

[One hand unconsciously wraps around the cut in his arm above his sleeve.]

I don't...ah, damn it. My little girl is here. I worry about her and want to know she's safe as she can be. Part of that is knowing who is here.

[Action]

[the_roseblack]

Anyone from Creation who didn't answer my call may be a danger. Any Dragonblooded would have answered if they were present and able. [Even in the worst case possible with other Terrestrials preceding her--a group from Lookshy and no one but herself from the Realm--they would have at least had the decency to demand the Roseblack's immediate surrender.]

So long as your daughter does not make herself my enemy, which should be easy to avoid, I will do her no harm, and will do what I can to protect her and all the mortals of this place from those who would.

[Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

You don't have kids, do you?

[It's not meant as an insult. Spirit clearly processes what she's saying, mentally taking note.]

Sorry. I know you aren't planning on putting her in danger. Even understanding that...can't help but worry.

[Action]

[the_roseblack]

You are correct. I am hardly over 60 years old and there will be plenty of time for children after I am Shogun.

Is your daughter not old enough to take care of herself?

[Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

I thought childbearing years were much younger than that, especially in women.

[Whatever.]

Maka's been old enough to take care of herself for a while. I just...

Our line of work isn't exactly safe. I worry about her, you know?

[Action]

[the_roseblack]

[monthly menstrual cycles are for mortals who can't afford the right herbs!]

Your loyalty is admirable, but it is no good to let family ties become a weakness. Coddling a child will do her no favors.

[Entering the Realm's top military academy as soon as she Exalted at age 11 worked out well for her, anyway.]

Re: [Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

I don't coddle her. I would, just a little, if she'd let me.

[Sadface.]

Good, bad or indifferent, she's still my baby girl. I won't stop worrying about her till I'm dead.

...can't help it.

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

Worry if you must, but don't let yourself hold her back from her true potential.

I'm sure I'm not the best person to talk to about raising children in any case. As you correctly deduced, I am not a mother.

[Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

I couldn't hold her back if I tried.

[He chuckles.]

Believe me. I got parenting advice from an eight hundred year old good of death...your input cannot possibly be worse.

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

Isn't eight centuries a bit young for a god with such a significant purview...?

I truly doubt we have much in common when it comes to opinions on parenting. My mother had a special breastplate forged when I was born to allow breastfeeding a newborn while on maneuvers rather than take maternity leave from the Legions without completing her tour of duty.

[actual canon stated in setting sourcebooks XD]

Re: [Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

Maybe he was older. I think he liked giving me concussions so I didn't pry.

[He might have had more to say on that topic, but the idea died hand formed.]

That's dedication.

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

[He? But Saturn is the Maiden of Endings! Oh well, Spirit's world must have different gods.]

Indeed. The rest of House Tepet did not approve, though as you can see I made it through unscathed.

Re: [Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

Yes. You did live on to cut up strangers to make them prove they aren't faeries


[Don't kill him. Is a joke! A bad joke, but hey.]

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

I've given you my apology for that already, and offered proportional compensation of your choice. If I'd had a less bothersome means of testing your claims I'd have used it. Is anything going to make you shut up about it?

Re: [Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

I was joking...

[He frowns, rather disappointed in his flop of a joke and her reaction.]

Sorry.

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

[Out of the blue, Ejava cracks a wry smile, accompanied by a low chuckle]

Of course you were. But it's fun watching you squirm like that.

[Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

[She has a sense of humor?

Be still his heart.]

That's not very nice, you know.

[Action]

[the_roseblack]

Aww, did I hurt your feelings?

[A wider smile, more laughter]

How cute.

Re: [Action]

[notsoholyspirit]

[Wow rude!]

My feelings remain intact, thank you.

Re: [Action]

[the_roseblack]

[she's pretty much been in the military, or at least military academy, since she was 11. What do you expect? :p ]

Good. It would have been a disappointment if you were that fragile. I hate when pretty men turn out to be weaklings.