Yuu digs into the meal like a starved khusha shark, trying this, dipping into that, and appreciating the continued distractions of food and chatter. His skin feels rather tender after an afternoon in the sun, and there's a touch of heat exhaustion, but the food and drink seem to be the right cure.

He raises a few questions of his own, mainly how life's been growing up around the island, and asking after family members. He inquires into the local ships and shipping lanes, curious about the vast networks further up the Ossylian coast and the popular trade they bring to the district... reflecting on the great harbour and ocean traffic he saw from the beach. Oh, and did she know that Qwe received a classroom award for Having The Coolest Brother. True story.

ZhuLi attends to each inquiry in turn, providing a basic though encompassing picture of the life and economic conditions of the Hasheli province at this time. As a mid-point shipping and travel destination they've been doing fairly well. Though with the recent events in the capital there is concern about how it will create a blowback effect, since a closed-off capital precludes the need for trade and travel. To that end she's also interested in unraveling details as to what exactly is happening there. But for now Hasheli continues to offer a perfect summer retreat, as well as a trade channel to other coastal areas and inland areas via the rail service.

Externally things have been relatively quiet, with reports of only occasional excursions from the Baronies to the north, and the pirates that dwell in the freezone in between Ossylia and the Southern Baronies. From traders she's heard many rumors and stories over the deteriorating situation in Luzan, painting a picture of an increasingly fragmenting nation. The shear size and scale of Luzan, despite its distance, make it a concern for everyone in the region.

Tacking hard right from the gloomy situation of international politics the group's conversation moves into the lighter affairs of daily life. ZhuLi is quite interested to hear Yuu's stories of the famous Royal Academy and his Nether-studies there, and peppers him with questions that also invariably lead to Zelpuz's unique rifle. Before the conversation becomes too bogged down in wizardly jargon and theories Yuu deflects to Qwe's recent study-abroad in Daedelum for science and engineering. Though Qwe objects vehemently about receiving any such award, as described by Yuu. ZhuLi can somewhat relate with Qwe's experience as she is also without nether-bending ability, unlike her elder brother and sister. For her it was to be the usual education for bureaucratic and political service, which she did indeed pursue, but she also displayed a talent for dance which lead to her eventual discovery and training with the Water Dancers. Thus she currently splits her time between water dancing and politics.

Finally, the governor, Rezzam Jin, and his wife, Kali Shahir, arrive. They bid you to continue eating and eventually inquire as to how your stay has been thus far and what your plans are from here.

Yuu is all too happy to elucidate his cousin on life in the Royal Academy. Between assignments, training, girls, and gear tinkering... he'd been pretty busy. Qwe, of course, was always getting into his hair, and interrupting his very important experiments, so was often employed into their development as test agent. Yuu seemed especially animated during his first trials of his stink bomb, which Qwe soured her face saying just the thought of them made her nauseous.

As his uncle arrives however, his attention returns to the pressing matters he'd allowed himself to forget. And their question gives him pause.

Good old Qwe piped in.

"We went to the beach. I think my toes got burned, the sand was like fire. The water here is so much clearer than back home, so I saw millions of fish from the rocks. Even a shark!"

The table talk remains light as Qwe relates their leisurely afternoon activities to her uncle and aunt, and the elaborate on some of the unique sea life in the area and where the best places to go diving are. This eventually segues into the question of what everyone's immediate plans are. Myria remarks that she hopes to secure passage to Arghos within the next few days, where she can report on the recent events in Ossylia to the Order. Rezzam inform her that it should be fairly easy to book either sea or air passage to Arghos as there are several lucrative trade routes between the east coast Dalloni Baronies and Ossylia, and Arghos.

Yuu responds that he's happy to be safe for the moment with Qwe, and that getting here had been his foremost priority. He weaves his words just enough to leave the more sophisticated with the impression that this is a conversation he'd rather his sister not over hear him discuss.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Tue 10 May 2016.

After a refreshing desert and some additional pleasantries the dinner discussion is dismissed. The governor and his wife allude to further conversations before turning in over some port in a couple hours; acquiescing to Yuu's innuendo for a more private conversation. With the the group is free to do as please for the next little while until meeting for a nightcap. ZhuLi is able to offer any guidance to those looking for something in particular.

While walking out, Zelpuz takes Myria to the side. "It's a good idea to report to the Order, but I would like to help my friend and find out what happened in the city. I am intrigued to find out if Lasrane actually told the truth or if I was that easily fooled. Do you feel well enough to travel by yourself now? Or do you have any other objections to me staying behind?"

"I understand, I should be fine. I can likely find passage direct to Arghos from here. It's not a bad idea to follow-up on what's happening in Ossylia, but be careful. At this point I don't think there is any party we can trust there. Once I report in I'll try to organize some assistance, if possible. I'm not sure how you'd do it with the lockdown in the city, but if you could send us any intelligence that'd be great." Myria responds at length.

In the meantime, Vanyra approaches ZhuLi and asks for a more thorough tour of the house and surrounding area.  She wants to be more familiar with the new surroundings.

"Thanks, I'll make sure to keep the Order updated", with that, Zelpuz and Myria iron out a plan how Zelpuz can convey information to the Order and potentially receive information/instructions back.

As Myria and Zelpuz tend to their business, ZhuLi agrees to show Vanyra around the estate. Starting the Reception Hall, this was the first building their entered and is comprised of offices of state, meeting rooms and libraries, where most of the official duties take place. Next the Southern Wing is the staff, storage and preparation wing, where one finds most of the kitchens, store rooms, and quarters for most of the in-house staff.

Next she leads the Freyan into the large courtyard that dominates the center of the estate. It is essentially a large garden broken up into four different styles; presently the four primary elements of air, water, fire and earth, but sometimes they are themed after the seasons, the oceans, historical epochs, or the other worlds. Within the expanse of the garden are fountains, a few gazebos, a formal outdoor dinning room and then the practice hall, which acts as a gym/dojo and is where ZhuLi typically practices her Water Dancing. It is a 15m square ceramic and wood structure, with hard wooden floors that ZhuLi notes can be transformed into a matted floor if required for combatives training.

Following through the courtyard you arrive at the North Hall, or the Entertainment and Guest Hall, where the party is presently staying. In addition to the dozen guest suites the Hall has salons, a ballroom, sitting rooms and formal dinning rooms to entertain visitors. Lastly, she leads Vanyra to the eastern most building which is the family's formal residence, which naturally houses the domiciles of the governing family. The tour of this last building is somewhat brief, to which ZhuLi explains she must respect the privacy of her family.

Yuu remains in the dining hall, thumbing through his thoughts. He pokes at a bowl of grapes, popping one into his mouth every often or so, like exclamation marks to his rolling ideas. It's nice to be surrounded by safety. His entire life has been buffered and entrenched in stability and the confidence of his House and Name. The greatest danger he'd faced growing up was Professor Itras' chemistry experiments. His flesh still felt tender from those classes! The pressure to succeed as a Jin had at least provided a future path.

Now... now, it was gone. His Name and House were no longer a defence, no longer a pillar to which the city would recognise him. Shit, he didn't even know the fate of his own family.

His heart tightened, and he struggled to hold back the tears. Despair was not an option, but it was hard not to be drawn into it's bloated mass, like a dust particle skimming an event horizon. It took a moment, but his heart slowed, and his thoughts cleared once more. He ate another grape.

Now, he would have to decide to stay, or return. Or if another option existed. His relatives would question what he planned, and question further. He would have to be ready for some hard answers. As ZhuLi returned with Vanyra, he stood, popped another grape into his mouth, and walked over to the pair.

"Cousin, I have a favour to ask."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Sun 29 May 2016.

ZhuLi leads Vanyra back to the dinning room, maintaining small talk along the way without probing into her past or how she met up with Yuu. Upon entering ZhuLi is a little surprised to see Yuu still there as he approaches, and smiles in reply, "Of course, what is it?"

"Could you find an appropriate distraction for Qwe, please?" he replies softly. "I don't want her to overhear my plans with your parents. Not yet."

"Certainly, shouldn't be too difficult. I'll take her to the practice hall for some dance lesson and then we'll retire to the baths; should keep her well occupied," ZhuLi nods in agreement to the suggestion. Then excusing herself she moves to wisk Qwe away to the courtyard.

A short while after ZhuLi escorts Qwe into the courtyard garden a staff member comes to guide Yuu and Vanyra to a salon on the second floor with a open patio. A number of comfortable chairs and chaise loungers have been arranged, interspersed with small tables. A refreshments bar sits at a back corner, adorned with a a dozen crystal decanters of varying shapes and liquid contents. Rezzam and Kali are already seated with drinks in hand, and beckon for you to for their visitors to join them.

Once seated with refreshment, Rezzam turns and inquires, "So what will we do now? Were your parents able to provide any instruction prior to your flight?"

Yuu pours himself a water, and sits himself on one of the chairs. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, looking into his glass.

"They instructed me to take Qwe and find shelter. They felt our capture would give the enemy leverage over our House, and told me to trust my instincts and training. It was cowardly to run, but... finding safety for Qwe became a priority."

Vanyra spends some extra time looking through the decanters of liquid, smelling each one carefully before picking something sweet to drink.

She picks a plush chair and settles relaxedly on it with her back against one arm and her bare legs draped over the other.

"Not so foolish an idea to flee the city as soon as possible; the situation there was too chaotic and opaque to make any plans otherwise. You did the right thing," Kali assures Yuu.

"Indeed. And your parents were almost certainly correct in their assumption of the leverage you and your sister would present to the attackers. I can't see them making much progress with direct threats to either your mother or father, but threats to you would certainly open doors." extrapolates uncle Razzam. "With the lock down of the city no doubt your parents have either no or mis-information about your well being. Neither of which is good in the long term, as it gives their captures time to turn the screws evermore to achieve their ends."

"The closure of Ossylia was a bold move, but perhaps too aggressive as would befit the Reforgers. They cannot expect to maintain a firm grip over the city for long, cracks will form quickly that can be exploited." offered Kali.

"Thank you, Aunt and Uncle." the young mage responds humbly. He sips some water. "With... Qwe safe, I am thinking of returning to the city."

"Truly?" Yuu's Aunt responds. "What's your plan?"

"I don't know." Yuu responds quietly. "I'm terrified, I'm certainly not my Mother... but I can't hide away while my friends and family fight for a future I'm meant to benefit from."

A silence hangs in the air for several moments before Razzam pierces it with a slow, thoughtful interjection, "Hmmm, and no doubt you are not the only person thinking as such. Between displaced citizens, impatient merchants and possible insurgents or spies the powers that be in Ossylia will have their hands full."

"While they cannot check everyone they will most certainly try," he continued. "You're going to need a plan, a solid one, that insures you remain incognito. You're exactly the type of person they'd expect to come back."

Kali continues the thought after a moment, "Yes, when you go you'll have to sneak in or walk in the front doors as someone else. Both paths present their own risks and challenges, and that's to say nothing about how you intend to get back there. The method of travel must be chosen wisely."

Yuu nods in agreement, becoming more animated as the plan gets rolled around. He wasn't sure what to anticipate from their reaction, but this lends hope. Their experience could add vastly to not only his approach, but what to do once inside.

"I thought so as well. I was thinking via the water. Although general ships are being barred, they have to get food supplies in, at the least..." There's the inflection of a question in this assumption. "We could look for a way onto one. Or sneak through in a low runner during the darkest nights."

He continues. "I was also thinking we should take a ship down south as our best bet, as it's quickest, and fewer chances for being spotted by the wrong eyes."

Razzam and Kali both nod in agreement with Yuu's line of thinking, and Razzam continues, "Yes, either a regular ship or an air ship would be the best method. Both would avoid any possible delays that could be encountered over land, but the air ship may be a little too fast."

"Yes, though the air ship terminal would certainly be aware of status of permissions to dock in Ossylia as their business depends on it. It wouldn't hurt to inquire there for some information," Yuu's Aunt adds.

"Furthermore, finding a watercraft that is scheduled to make a couple stops along the way would provide opportunities to acquire additional intelligence. And if you cannot make it directly to Ossylia then there are a number of nearby coastal towns that should suffice. Just a matter of finding the right ship," Razzam suggests.