When Yuna awakes, she finds Sun already up, standing at the window and adjusting the cuffs of his palace servant's uniform. The most-likely-stolen fabric fits him well — doubtless thanks to the deep reserve the palace staff keep in the remote parts of the palace — but can't help but look faintly ridiculous, taut against every curve of the outlander's bulging physique. His golden eyes are staring out the window, watching the remaining members of Momodi's dispersed retinue slip through the streets and vanish out the city's gates.

When he hears Yuna stir, the enormous man turns his head, then the rest of his body, facing her and offering a shallow bow with a hand over his heart. The slightly offputting joviality he'd held the night before is gone, replaced with a hard-jawed severity oddly similar to the rocks into which Jianta is built. This, it would seem, is the affection he holds in this form.

Straightening, Sun greets Yuna with a gravelly, "Hello," then turns away, this time walking over the to room's door. Standing with his back to it, he clasps one hand over the other in front of him and stands, eyes, closed, waiting for Yuna to ready herself for the morning.

Yuna woke and dressed as she considered the various things she would need to accomplish today and tried to figure out where in the world she should start. Momodi... Momodi would be on her way to Meitan with most of her retinue. So the people she knew she could count on as allies were in short supply. At least the loneliness was somewhat offset by the fear that she was far beyond her depth.

She sighed and forced all such thoughts from her mind as she went through the daily ritual of dismissing the Guardian to resummon it. Odd how something like pulling a sword of flame from her heart could become so commonplace. Shooing the Guardian into its lantern, she packed a few essentials into a satchel, along with the book and her cipher of it.

Emerging into the sitting room of her quarters, she regarded Ohm-Sun as he greeted her. He was certainly not the least of her complications. "Good morning," she returned. "I suppose we should start with breakfast and from there, I will have to start making plans and whatnot with the satrap, the princess, and the Bao's ambassador. Some of which, I imagine, will be aided by the book you brought. Is there anything in particular that you need to accomplish today?"

Not exactly elegant, but Yuna still wasn't sure how to address the shapeshifter or what it was he was after. He was, however, ostensibly one of few allies she had at the moment, even if she wasn't sure for how long or how reliable he might be.

Sun shifted from his casual pose into one with fully crossed arms, the stance emphasising his physique. "For now, let me be your shadow. I will tell you if I have something to do. Otherwise... politics and conversation... I am not so good at them. Breaking people and things is more of my field, yess?" That last word's "s" was slightly slurred, perhaps a relic of his more insectoid form. With the diminutive, fluffy girl he had been two days ago, Sun describing himself as inclined to violence might have seemed absurd. Now, the hulking man's words seemed hauntingly believable. "Be careful about speaking of what you found in the book, though. It is a secretsome book, and you are surrounded by secret men. Hard to know when one and the other will mix into poison."

Yuna frowned at the idea of the shapeshifter 'breaking people', as it were. Best to, perhaps, not inquire on that too far. And maybe subtly discourage him from that course of action where not strictly necessary. "Sound advice. And very well. For now, I'll put you down as my steward if anyone asks. We'll have out morning meal and then check in on Y'mithra and make appointments to meet with the satrap and the princess," she said, belatedly altering her tone so that it would come out as a statement rather than a question. This seemed like the prudent course of action; decorum would likely have her speaking to the satrap first, but Y'mithra was somewhat uniquely her responsibility so that could probably be excused.

After a brief breakfast, Yuna and Ohm make their way to Y'mithra's quarters. They find the Ambassador there, at her sitting room, reading over some scattered papers. The hunter is now clothed in voluminous robes that are far more appropriate to their station than the hunting leathers they previously had worn, while still hiding the entirety of their body. As the Ambassador turns to greet the two newcomers they see a silver, slightly adorned mask covering their entire face.

"Ah, good morning Yuna. Is there something you need?"

Maybe it's only wishful thinking, but Yuna thinks there is a bit more warmth in Y'mithra's voice than there had previously been in their conversations.

As the two of them enter the hunter-cum-diplomat's room, Sun offers a shallow bow with a hand over his heart, then steps away from Yuna, taking up a post next to the door. He otherwise remains still and silent.

Yuna tried not to shoot glances over at Ohm-Sun as the pair of them moved through the palace as that certainly wouldn't become a Dynast and her steward, but it was rather difficult. When the door opened and Y'mithra peered out, now adorned in robes and a silver mask, Yuna was surprised at how genuine and relieved her smile was. The ambassador actually seemed somewhat happy to see her-- or maybe that was her own imagination?-- and it was almost shockingly welcome to have someone happy to see her with everything else going on.

"Good morning, Y'mithra," she greeted. She half-turned as if she meant to introduce her companion as well, but stopped, not sure where to begin or end for that story. Yuna wasn't even certain what name she would be better off introducing him with. "I hope we're not bothering you. I wanted to check on how you're settling in, if there's anything you need, and perhaps see if we can either arrange your introduction to the princess or perhaps actually accomplish it, if you and she are both available."

She could probably technically apply pressure to force the princess to clear a time for them, Yuna realized with a bit of discomfort. That was a uniquely strange amount of pull to have. But it would be rude and Yuqi had seemed polite enough at the meeting.

"Ah," Y'mithra seems slightly surprised about Yuna's words, though the mask and robes make it as hard to read the hunter's body language as their leathers. "No, you're not bothering me. I was reading up on the city," the hunter motions towards the papers around their desk. "I've known these lands -- Kori, I should say -- well, but I did not expect to have so much to learn just by changing the perspective. Many things that I assumed... are being challenged, I could say."

Y'mithra pauses for a moment, perhaps pondering what they had just said. After a brief shake of their head, however, the Ambassador rises, "But I digress. Yes, starting a rapport with the princess as early as possible might be for the best."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:16, Thu 14 Jan 2021.

It was hard to tell with Y'mithra whether or not she was reading them right, but Yuna was pretty sure she'd surprised them. Was that because of what she'd said? Was she still being too timid in how she phrased things? Momodi and Nanamo had had to work particularly hard to break her of that habit. Mostly. But being polite was still easier for getting people to work with you. And Y'mithra seemed-- Yuna was overthinking it.

"Perfect. Princess Yuqi seems at least somewhat amenable to more friendly relations with the Bao, so I'm hopeful that we might be able to gain an additional ally here in her." Hopefully both of them could. They certainly wouldn't find one in Papashan unless she was particularly careful in how she spoke with him and presented her ideas to him. "We can stop by to see if she is currently available and, if not, we'll make an appointment for sometime later today, if at all possible." Better not to barge in and demand an audience with someone she was hoping to work with and to help Y'mithra work with.

Turning to make ready to go, Yuna's gaze hesitated on Ohm-Sun for a moment. That was still complicated. Would it be dangerous to take him to a meeting with the Princess? Given how easily he had infiltrated her own quarters, if he'd wanted to hurt Yuqi, he could have already. Letting him in on state business was more questionable, but she'd already made her bed in that regard, at least to some degree, by agreeing to work with him in the first place.

With the course of action decided, Yuna leads her motley group to Yuqi's study; with the queen's ailing health, the princess had been taking more and more of the ruler's responsibilities, though the extent of her mother's sickness was still being held back from the nobles and public at large. This increased responsibility came with a likewise increased workload, and Yuna had learned that the princess spent most of her days in her study, convening with advisors and going over orders and reports from the province at large, so that was the best bet for them to find the princess.

As Yuna and her group turned the corner into the hallway containing Yuqi's study, they saw two stone-faced guardsmen at the doors of the study, indicating that the princess was indeed inside. They nodded to Yuna as she approached, making no motion to stop her; muffled voices could be heard from the inside, someone other than the princess in the middle of giving a seemingly impassioned speech.

To Ohm's supernatural hearing, the words being spoken inside were clear: the speaker was ranting about the relationship of the province with the Realm, criticizing Yuqi for bending too much to the Exalts' wills.

Yuna stepped up to the door with Y'mithra and Ohm-Sun beside her and forced herself not to give the guards much more than a glance. They were so far below her station as to not be worthy of further note. Or they were supposed to be, just part of the scenery.

Through the door to Yuqi's study, the Dragon-Blooded could hear someone speaking quite passionately about something to the princess-- or was that the princess giving the speech? Either way, Yuna's first instinct was to wait politely to the side for Yuqi to conclude her current meeting-- but that wasn't correct. She outranked the princess and it wouldn't bear out for her to simply stay here like a meek servant girl. Right?

She'd been seen so she couldn't well turn around now. She was pretty sure that'd be bad for her image. Or give her away as a fraud. Not a fraud, a Dynast. Just... a new one. Who was a peasant. And has no idea what she's doing. Yuna held back a sigh and reached out to knock lightly on the door. That should still be polite without being timid, fit the image she was trying to present to Yuqi.

The speech going on inside the study abruptly cuts off as Yuna knocks, and after a moment the door opens, revealing an older woman dressed in what is, even to Yuna's relatively untrained eye, obviously a masterwork suit of armor. The woman's face is drawn into a scowl, clearly wondering who would dare disturb the princess, and her hand clutches a sword at her side, but as soon as she sees Yuna her eyes first widen slightly in surprise, then her face smooths into impassiveness. With a short bow the woman steps aside, motioning for Yuna and the dragonblood's entourage to enter the study.

Within, they find Yuqi seated in a large desk filled with many papers and two surprising items. The first is a delicate-looking silver crown that seems to have been unceremoniously put aside, instead of resting atop Yuqi's head, which indicates Yuqi feels at ease in her current company. The second surprising "item" atop the desk is a third woman, of an age with Yuqi and Yuna, sitting carelessly with her legs crossed and with a posture that clearly denotes familiarity. Her clothes are finely made of expensive silks, and her hair is woven with a thin chain of gold with dangling crystals that shine softly with Essence, giving the woman's face an eerie cast. She is also very clearly not from Kori, her dark-tanned features betraying a Southerner heritage. Upon seeing Yuna and her party enter, the woman's eyes widen in shock, and she quickly rises from her impromptu seat, sliding to the floor and bowing towards the Exalt with a sheepish smile.

"Ah, Lady Yuna. I apologize for the rather... informal reception." Yuqi does not actually seem overly bothered by the informality of her study's state, and makes no motion to correct any of the small breaches of etiquette occurring at that moment. An arrogant Exalt might have taken offense at her lack of bowing, but as the province's Crown Princess sitting in the center of her authority that is not strictly necessary according to Realm protocol. "Please let me introduce you to General Fengxian," she nods towards the armored woman at the door, "the supreme commander of Kori's armies, and to Chung Ha," she nods towards the third woman, "my chief advisor."

Yuna was barely able to suppress a twinge of instinctive fear as the door opened and she was faced with a woman in full armor, looking angry and grasping for her sword. She had to cover a hand half-reaching for her lantern-- and the Guardian therein, despite the fact that it hardly needed to be physically drawn-- with a light brush to smooth down her clothing. A step back hidden with a look back to Ohm-Sun and Y'mithra, as if to invite them along with her. Her heart was beating a little fast; facing down an armed individual, particularly one important enough to be in the princesses chambers was not something she'd had time to get used to. Maybe she should've done more in combat before splitting off from Momodi.

She offered the woman a nod as she stepped into the room. If she was important enough to be armed in the princess's study-- and casually, if the state of the other occupants was any metric-- then it certainly wouldn't hurt to show a modicum of politeness. As to the easy nature of the gathering, ruined by her presence as Chung Ha rushed to her feet, it sparked a pang of regret and longing in the Dragon-Blooded. She felt bad for intruding and, perhaps moreover, she missed such things. Momodi and Nanamo had been nothing but kind and she did love being around them, but... she'd had friends, family. People she would not see again.

"No need for apologies, Your Highness," Yuna said, smiling slightly, pushing down the light sting of melancholy. She nodded her greeting to Chung Ha and acknowledged Fengxian once more. "After all, I did not forewarn you of my intentions. Though, I confess that finding such illustrious persons meeting with you feels somewhat fortuitous as I had come to help facilitate introductions myself." Yuna turned to Y'mithra and said, "I would like to formally present Y'mithra, Ambassador of the Bao to the satrapy. I would also like to introduce Sun, my steward, who will be aiding me while I provide assistance to the city."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Sat 16 Jan 2021.

Sun's reaction to the armoured woman grasping towards her sword is more composed than even Yuna's, though it is a composure born from a more genuine place. A swordswoman, even a very fine one, did not bother him. He kept up behind Yuna this time, rather than taking a post by the door, hovering next to her shoulder.

When he is introduced, Sun gives a firm three-quarters bow — about as subservient a gesture as he can stomach performing, and hopefully enough to satisfy the princess. When he rises, he takes a single step back from Yuna, to give her space to do what he assumes will be more negotiating. He plants his feet apart and crosses his hands, watching the room with stern golden eyes.

As introductions are made, Fengxian moves back to stand by the side of Yuqi's desk, across from her chief advisor. The general stands in parade rest, though her body is otherwise relaxed and shows no sign of the tension from when she opened the door. Chung Ha, on the other hand, seems more restless, constantly fidgeting, crossing and uncrossing her arms, or shifting her weight from foot to foot.

"Ah yes. It's good to make your acquaintance, Ambassador," the princess says, nodding to Y'mithra. "I believe there is much our peoples can achieve if we work together. I'm glad you came to us, even if the circumstances are not... ideal." She sighs. "But our current troubles are not something for you to worry about."

Y'mithra hesitates a moment, before giving a courteous nod. "Yes, your Highness. I, too, believe we can do much together, and look forward to working with you."

Yuqi smiles at this, before turning back to Yuna, glancing towards Sun. "I hope you've found yourself a capable steward, Lady Yuna. We need all the help we can get to deal with our current troubles." At these words, Chung Ha scowls, glancing briefly towards the princess, though then she seems to remember they are not alone anymore and immediately looks away, trying to relax her expression again.

Sun gives a firm nod as Yuqi glances at him, though he remains silent as to her commentary of him. After all, Ohm has every intention of proving herself abundantly capable... though that might require acquiring some new skills. The Lunar disappears into Sun's head, considering what sort of aptitudes would best suit her in this new, decidedly less wild environment. Espionage, probably. Half of it, the sneaking, she was already capable enough at. To be able to tell the useful information from the useless, though, at least when it wasn't kept in a large, important book... what would be harder. Probably a quicker tongue.

Ohm found her Sun-self glancing towards Yuna, the corner of his mouth lifting the faintest amount, the hint of a smile of admiration. There was, after all, a way this fire-blood could help her beyond being a cover story. Hmm... I wonder how she feels about teaching someone to lie?

Realising that she'd fully lost track of the conversation, Ohm-Sun's gaze snaps away from Yuna, returning to casting sternly about the room.

Yuna smiled slightly as Yuqi and Y'mithra greeted each other. Hopefully, that relationship would develop beneficially for both sides and without any complications. Trying to manage Papashan in regards to Y'mithra and the Bao was going to be hard enough, without the added difficulty of one of the other most powerful people in Kori also being against the idea of an ambassador.

The Dragon-Blooded could see Ohm-Sun watching her from the corner of her eye, but didn't look; she shouldn't be bothered by her steward looking to her for anything. Besides, more relevant was the scowl Chung Ha was shooting Yuqi at the mention of needing Yuna's assistance in the satrapy. So, the chief advisor didn't like her already for some reason. It wouldn't be because she was an Outsider as Chung Ha had the look of a Southerner to her and they were in the North; perhaps because Yuna represented some sort of threat to her, her authority, or she expected a threat to Yuqi, given how casually she seemed to get along with the princess?

Whatever the case, it certainly wasn't an ideal place to be. Yuna allowed her gaze to shift to Chung Ha as the other woman looked away, frowning herself with a faint note of concern before her eyes turned back to Yuqi. "Indeed, Your Highness. Is there, perhaps, something I might be able to help you with presently?" The implication that this might be why Chung Ha was upset, letting it be known that she had noticed but that she may not be aware of the reason-- or was being polite enough to offer a way around the faux pas of the other woman's displeasure.

Yuqi chuckles, "Things are such that I wonder if there is anything that you can't help me with." She sighs, shaking her head then motioning towards the chairs situated in front of her desk. "Please, sit. Would you like some tea?"

At the question, the princess begins to rise, but Chung Ha puts a hand on her shoulder, gently forcing her to remain seated and eliciting a smile from Yuqi. The advisor then moves to the side of the room, where she starts preparing tea.

"I've told you some of our troubles in yesterday's meeting, Lady Yuna. While I'm glad about Lady Momodi's help with the situation in Meitan, and believe she will have matters there settled swiftly, our domestic issues worry me." She glances to the general, who nods encouragingly. "Simply put, we don't have the manpower to properly patrol the capital at the moment and counter the rise in criminal activity. If fear that if we do not find and eliminate the root cause of this unrest, there won't be much left of the city in a few weeks' time, and we won't have to worry about all the other problems that are looming."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:06, Fri 29 Jan 2021.

Yuna felt a flicker of surprise as Yuqi nearly rose to prepare the tea. This was a relaxed setting for her, to be certain, and Yuna did outrank her, but with Chung Ha and the general present, the choice was still surprising. A sign of of her being comfortable? Respectful? Both? Not that having the princess's advisor-- and friend?-- making her tea is any less strange.

Yuna smiled with clear fondness at the mention of Momodi as she took the proffered seat, saying, "Your confidence in my cousin is well-placed, Your Highness. Momodi will have that sorted out and be back in the city before we've had a chance to miss her properly." There was genuine fondness and warmth in her tone.

"As for the matter of criminal activity..." It likely wouldn't do to show the ledger, not at this stage. She needed to know more about the political landscape before she showed that information off to anyone. "Unfortunately, with most of Momodi's contingent assisting her with Meitan, I don't have much of a way to assist with patrolling. Though, I imagine Sun might be able to offer his services if necessary." Yuna glanced over to Sun-Ohm. One man would not generally make too much of a difference, but she was confident that if one man could, it would be a man of comparable skill to his. And getting a possible inroad to having Ohm-Sun patrol the city could be useful.

"More particularly, I should be able to aid you with the investigation into the criminal activity in the city. You said that there was a phantom thief of sorts about, robbing the rich and the nobility, while other elements are pressuring the poor. Is there anything more you could tell me about either issue?"

Not having been dismissed, Y'mithra also takes a seat beside Yuna, and Chung Ha brings a cup of tea to both, as well as one for herself and one for Yuqi. Ohm seems to be left out, perhaps due to his role as a servant, and so was the general -- however it was likely that she was just not a tea person in the first place.

The princess nods to Yuna's question. "There isn't much mystery about the pressures; just an increase in criminal activity overall. Shakedowns, thugs forcing merchants in the poorer neighborhoods to pay for protection, robberies, the usual. The only reason we think it is connected is that this is very organized for just random criminals, and also that there was a marked increase in their activity precisely as we had to lower our manpower; and we didn't exactly advertise the fact that we were sending troops away in the first place."

"As for the other issue... there isn't much I can tell. Some of the noble houses have come forward, privately of course, complaining about the theft of important relics or just valuable possessions. No one has seen this thief, but on the other hand they haven't hurt or killed anyone either. Were the times different, I'd almost even suspect if this wasn't an elaborate prank being pulled on me by other young scions of the nobility, but sadly that is almost certainly not the case. I don't know if those two matters are related or not, but it seems too coincidental for them not to be."

Yuna dipped her head, if only slightly, in thanks to Chung Ha as the other woman passed her a cup of tea before turning her attention fully to Yuqi once more. She paid close attention to what information the princess could provide, little thought it seemed at the moment. She took a sip of the tea, more to try to keep herself from drumming her fingers on the saucer or her leg than because she was thirsty.

"You said you didn't advertise your impending loss in manpower. That being the case, do you have a list of all the individuals who would have been aware of when precisely you meant to move the guards?" Such a thing might be relatively long, but it would still be better than nothing. "Similarly, do you have a list of the nobles who have come forward about the thefts and what was taken? And are there any apparent connections between any of them? Common enemies, similar ideals, that sort of thing."

Her gaze shifted briefly over to Fengxian and Chung Ha as well, apparently curious about whether or not they would have further information in regards to her questions.

At Yuna's question, Yuqi and the general trade a meaningful look. "Yes, the probability that there is a traitor working with these criminal elements has not escaped our notice." The princess sips from her tea, pondering what to say next. "The only reason I'm sharing this freely with all of you right now is that these problems started before your arrival, therefore we can be sure none of you are in league with these elements."

The princess sighs. "Unfortunately, things aren't simple. Virtually all the noble families had access to this information, because they take part in the decision process. The Crown doesn't have the authority to make such large-scale troop movements without the approval of the noble's Assembly, and we can expect all of its members to possibly have shared such information with members of their own houses."

"As for the thefts," the general steps forward, joining the conversation. Her voice is deep and raspy, possibly because of an old throat injury. "Unfortunately we haven't been able to make out any patterns or fortuitous coincidences such as specific families not being targeted. On the surface the targets were simply the most wealthy and powerful families, meaning the perpetrator is either smart enough to have included their contact in their targets, or was simply motivated by wealth after all."

Yuqi nods to the general's assessment. folding her hands. "Not to belittle your offer for help, Lady Yuna, for it is genuinely appreciated. But we're stuck with the information we have, and have already trod all the obvious paths of investigation."

Yuna considered what Yuqi and Fengxian have said, contemplative, still tapping the saucer as she thought. The information on the troops would have been annoyingly free as far as secrets went, so trying to insist on a list to investigate on that end would likely be impossibly slow. It'd still be useful to get a list for the thefts, at least. If nothing else, she could compare it to the ledger for consistency. Perhaps that might help reveal the traitor.

Finally, Yuna smiled and set down the tea and saucer on the desk before her, careful to avoid any papers or such. She had always hated it when clients had set their drinks on her work; if it wasn't theirs, it didn't matter. "Well, you are and you aren't stuck with it, Your Highness. I presume the three of you have all looked through it and bashed your heads against it to no end. But sometimes all you need is a shift in perspective.

"I am new to Kori and the satrapy. I don't have any of the preconceptions or generalizations about anyone or anything here that I suspect you've all developed growing up here and in the court-- or in the duration of your tenure," she added, glancing over to Chung Ha. "Sometimes, that's all you really need; a fresh set of eyes to check for flaws and implications hiding in plain sight.

"Beyond that..." Yuna looks gives a somewhat apologetic look to Yuqi. "Meaning no offense, I am a Dragon-Blooded Dynast. I may be able to press them more fully or in different ways than you can. In particular, I may be able to get more information from the other Dragon-Bloods, if there is anything else they may know." Or they'd be mired in House politics. Particularly the House politics of Yuna's exaltation.

"At the very least, Princess Yuqi, as you said, the problems started before my arrival. There can hardly be much harm in me at least taking a look into them. At worst, you remain where you currently are. At best, we resolve these nuisances for you-- with the same caveat I suggested to Momodi. Any credit that may accrue goes to Crown in the interest of helping to stabilize your image in the city."

It was a matter of giving people what they wanted-- or at least making it seem like you could. Offer the chance of a resolution, even the slim hope that you could give them what they wanted, and they tended to take it. At least, that was how it worked with customers. But it usually worked with all customers from peasant errand-boys to Dynast's and their aides.

Yuqi shares a look with her advisor and general, nodding thoughtfully. "Well, those are good points, and I guess having another perspective at the very least wouldn't hurt. I'll have an itemized list of the thefts we know about prepared, and sent to your quarters. As for the other matter, as I mentioned before there would be no point in doing such a thing, as every noble in the city would be privy to that kind of information."

Sun's ears perk up as he senses a lull in the conversation. Stepping forward, he places a hand on the back of Yuna's chair, and speaks. His voice, deep and open, is notably lacking any trace of decorum, nor deference towards the princess. His golden eyes gaze plainly at her. "If you are looking for leads, I have something that will be of interest. Except..."  His gaze flicks away from Yuqi, passing over the other two before returning. "These words would be for you, and for Yuna. No one else."