BlasTech

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

This is not fun.

Not fun at all.

After all, it's not like Kalaya went through ten years of a mostly-self-studied knight course just to be carried around on someone's shoulders like a battle trophy. It was all the more galling from the fact that Kalaya knew she wasn't helpless, it was just that this highlander was strong enough that she may as well have been.

There's always someone better. I did say I'd help though ... she sighs internally, before flopping down in, if not acceptance, at least a lack of resistance and with a determination to make the most of not having to walk. Rather than fighting, she spends the time staring at the golden Snapdragon coin, wondering what the story is.

Needless to say, she gets two surprises in a very short period of time. Apparently the coin is part of a trail this highlander is following.

I guess she wasn't hired by Ven then.

But more to the point.

"Giriel?" Kalaya perks up, spinning slightly to spot the witch before excitedly squirming her way off of Han's shoulder - possibly accidentally-intentionally giving Han a kick to the head on the way down. She hits the ground in a roll, then jumps up to give the older woman one of her signature bone-crushing hugs.

"It is you!" she cries. "I was hoping to find you a little while back. It's been ages! How are you, what's going on and why are you making sand-dragons over my tourney?"

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

Han!

The knight in front of you is stubbornly holding on by her bare fingertips. But you're pressing down and it's only a matter of time till the game is over, along with her chances in the Tourney. So why is her expression not one of a person facing imminent defeat? It's ... puzzled? And now ... smiling?

"You know, you're a real odd one Han." she grunts out, voice strained from the exertion of keeping you at bay. "I've got so many questions; Like what're you doing here and just where do you get your arm game from? (Cause dang girl!)"

"And especially ..."

Something golden and familiar glints from between the fingers of her left hand.

"... why is a highlander like you carrying around Snapdragon gold?"

Oh crap. It's your coin! How did she even manage that? I mean, it's not like she could have had a childhood of nicking things off larger bullies when they try to rough her up.

Do you check your pockets anyway? Taking a hand off your sword in the process? And do your eyes flick to the coin in dawning recognition and surprise? Taking them away from the knight in front of you?

And when she tosses it up into the sky, does your gaze track it like a cat following a ball of yarn?

Whatever opening you give her is all she needs. Before you can recover, the knight is on the offensive. Her strikes are plentiful, coming high, low, fast and strong. Oddly, not all of her attacks have the polish of what you'd expect from a knight - the one where she kicks you in the back of the leg, for example, is definitely not in the training manuals. But they get the job done; keeping you off balance enough to stop you from bringing your superior strength and speed to bear.

Eventually you get some space after she ducks beneath a broad swipe and latches on to your wrist, using your momentum to leap a short distance away. But the moment your foot finally connects with the ground is the one where her shoulder connects with your chest. Something catches your heels, and the next thing you know you're tumbling to the dirt.

Your sword is back up in a flash, but the girl is no longer pressing the attack - in fact, her sword isn't even pointed at you anymore. After a few seconds, the reason becomes clear.

That thing you tripped over was the marker at the edge of the ring.

"Now." she says, breathing heavily. "You're clearly not here to join in my retinue, so can you please tell me what's going on? I ... happen to have a vested interest in all things Snapdragon. So if there's any way I can help, I'd be happy to."

She glances down at the sword in her hand, before tossing it to one side and stepping across the line herself.

Kneeling, she offers you a hand up while her other holds the precious coin.

[Fight with Daring: 5 + 1 + 2 = 8. Choosing to Take Han's ability to compete in the tourney away from her, as well as to inflict a condition through violence.]

[From Han's Fight move: Had previously chosen to take Han's coin as my action. Am also taking the condition Insecure as inflicted.]

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

Perfect or not, there is something off about the Highlander's appearance.

Now, she's not funny looking or anything like that - but it's just that her appearance in the tourney makes little sense to Kalaya. After all, the tourney was for the people of Turtlehead - a chance to join a knight and go find Adventure!

Why then, is a highlander - one who is clearly capable and travel worn - joining up as well? She surely can't want a N'yari warblade that badly?

Or is she just here to wreck the chances of those who actually want the opportunity being presented?

Kalaya navigates the melee, beelining towards the highlander but also taking note of any other contestants who seem to be displaying competence in the blade. It's a disappointingly small percentage, particularly given the sheer volume of applicants, but it does mean that actually getting to her goal is less an obstacle course and more a focused set of dances.

Eventually, she's facing off against the highlander just after the latter has knocked out a pimply headed youth who really needed to learn when to duck. She holds her blade in a ready guard pose but her face is smiling in the hopes of making a good first impression.

"Hi! I'm Kalaya! It's nice to meet you!"

Nailed it.

She launches to the attack, but her strikes are controlled - probing rather than combatitive. To one who is truly familiar with the sword, they would be an accompaniment to the conversation rather than requiring a significant amount of attention.

"So, uh. Tell me a bit about yourself?" she continues. "What's your name and what made you sign up to the tourney today?"

Her attention remains fixed on the highlander as they duel, and is only momentarily diverted as she steps back to sweep the legs out from a young townswoman who was trying to sneak up on her while she was distracted.

[Figure out a person: 2 + 3 - 2 = 3. Still asking one question due to it being a combat situation: As we fight, tell Kalaya - What kind of deeds earn your loyalty?]

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

"Oh, I can't say no to an invitation like that" replies Kalaya, grasping the sword from the elder knight. "It'll be a good warm-up for the Branch War"

To be honest, she'd been on the fence about participating already - weighing up the propriety of joining in with the desire to actually meet some of the entrants to understand why they were all so eager to sign up to the contest. She liked to think she had a good rein on her ego but ... there was still something flattering about the sheer number of people who were entering a contest that, at the end of the day, might mean being a part of her travels.

Do they all really want to join me?

She looked down at the sword in her hand, suddenly giving it a few practice swipes and sighting down the blade. It was straight, solid and would do well enough in a contest like this one.

At least this way I can find out.

Her eyes refocused from the tip of the sword to the grand melee where the Priestess was leading someone to the tourney ring.

Is that a ..?

"I think I know which melee to join in on too." she sais, slotting the sword into her belt and making her way out of the tent. "I'll see you on the other side."

[taking the xp and off to meet Han!]

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

"I'll keep that in mind after my side trounces yours" replies Kalaya, looking up with a grin from where she's sitting cross legged on the floor. The younger knight is surrounded by pieces of paper, with scrawls and drawings across them.

Curiosity eventually gets the better of Petony and she can't help but walk over to catch a glance.

"What are you working on there sprout?"

"Well, it looks like the whole town is catching Branch War fever." Kalaya replies, as she continues scribbling. "It's no good to sign everyone up, and there's no benefit to turning away half the town. Plus, there's a part of me that remembers how hard it was to get that break into following your dream. So ..."

She holds up the piece of paper.

--===--

"The Grand Turtlehead Tourney!" she says, holding one of the flyers aloft.

"If you've ever wanted for a life of adventure, of heroism or simply want to safeguard your homes in the grandest traditions of the Thorn, then this is your chance to prove yourself!" she continues.

"Today's competition will take place in three stages! The first is a grand melee - defeat your opponents in the arena by disarming them, forcing them to yield or knocking them outside the ring!" she says, pointing off to where a field has been marked with three large circles.

"The top performers in the melee will progress to the Jousts and then the Duels! One on one tests of your prowess until only the best remain!"

"The final test will be the Branch War itself! Join me as we pit our might against the Legendary Petony-Phraya and her retinue! The three judged the best candidates will be awarded a N'yari warblade - taken in battle and a prize worthy of any knight - as well as a chance to join us on our next adventures!"

[Enticing the crowd to join in - 2 + 3 + 2 = 7 (Using Power of Conviction and invoking the order of the Thorn - a superior there gains a string on Kalaya]

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

You would think that it would be impossible for Kalaya to hug Ven any harder, but the second she says her name ... oof yep, there it is.

One last twirl, and Kalaya sets her back on her feet with tears in her eyes.

"Got to be honest here, I'm really happy to see you too." she chuckles, wiping away with the back of her hand. "I was actually a little afraid there that you might've forgotten all about u-uh me."

"And yeah, I-I get that ... everything that happened ... was absolutely crap." She glances down, before letting Ven finally free of her grasp. She doesn't ask about the odd hard spot under her robes, or about how the other is acting. If Ven wants to keep stuff to herself then it goes almost without saying that Kalaya will respect that.

"I didn't get a chance to say this back then. I .. ugh, nobody told me until it was too late to - until months after it was all - ... well, what's past is past. I'm not letting this chance slip by again."

Pulling herself somewhat together, she places her hands on the smaller woman's shoulders and looks her in the eye.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." she says, emotion roughing her voice. "I appreciate what you're wanting to do with the whole finding-your-way-by-yourself thing - but - but never forget that you have at least one friend in the Kingdoms. If you ever need anything, just ask. I'll be there. And I promise not to mention your return to anyone."

[Rolling to give Ven a bit of emotional support: 1+4+2 = 7]

A beat, and she breaks eye contact, chuckling ruefully and rubbing the back of her head.

"I'm actually up here with another knight; Petony of the Rose and her retinue. We ran into some weird priestess and godling that are trying to get me to do some stupid quest for the Kingdoms and I'm thiiis close to telling them where they can shove it."

"You sure you don't want some company on your journey?" she asks. "A full escort in case those N'yari come back or even just ... I mean, say the word and it can be just the two of us on the road again. Just like old times?"

Glancing around, Kalaya spots the discarded swords and awkwardly gathers them up before holding them out like some odd metal bouquet.

"Or would these help? I ... I'm not sure what you'd need three N'yari swords for ... but you never know?" she says, with a crooked grin.

Oh gods, way to keep it cool Kalaya

"Look ... I-I just ... want to make sure it's not so long before I get to see you again."

Her smile returns with all the hope and fragility of the morning sunlight.

She'd like to think that the other woman hesitates before shaking her head - but would that be wishful thinking? And despite the clarity when she mutters "I'm trying to be inconspicuous ..." would it be wrong to read the way that she trails off awkwardly as leaving room for hope?

Call it a flaw or a virtue, Kalaya can be quick to judgement and in this case the verdict is delivered in a split second: Ven may want a bit of space (understandable!), but Ven is happy to see her, she remembers her, and the two of them will meet again. Whatever is going on in the other woman's life right now, tonight has been a Good Night and nothing, no force on Heaven or earth, is going to change that.

"Hey, that's fine." she says, giving the girl one last hug for the road. "You go do what you need to do, but look me up again soon okay? I'll be in the area for a while - just look out for any stories being told about the best upcoming young knight in the Kingdoms and you'll find me soon enough!"

She tosses Ven a wink and a jaunty salute at that, before making to head off. However, she stops just before reaching the edge of the path.

"Oh! Before I forget!" she says, turning back and rummaging in a pocket before tossing a small metal object to the other lady.

"Don't lose that again okay?" she calls, pausing long enough to see the other woman snatch the brooch out of the air before disappearing back into the woods.

Despite the distance, the battle and the weight of the trophies, the walk back feels far easier than the trek down.

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

Now, let us first consider the warrior who - having just vanquished their aggressors through feat of arms - is still riding a high of adrenaline. The kind that allows a quick glance to be processed in the blink of an eye.

Let us also consider the knight who, upon single-handedly putting two N'yari to flight, would allow herself a moment of indulgence in flourishing her sword to impress the person she'd rescued. It should have been an nice bit of showmanship, the kind that Kalaya, being the sort of knightly tragic that she is, has practiced in front of a mirror once or twice (okay, maybe a lot more). A full spin before being caught and sheathed all in one smooth, perfectly poised and controlled motion.

But then! Let us also consider the woman who, after having had a bit of a night (to put it mildly), spots the one person she's had on her mind for most of the night as well as the last ten years.

Of course, I don't know what you mean about pining for lost loves. Kalaya just misses her friend.

Her best friend.

Her only real friend.

Needless to say, all that poise and control goes flying away - much in the same way her sword goes cartwheeling off into the grass - the instant she sees that face. The smooth spin she'd started nearly ends in disaster when her feet instinctively propel her forward, catching each other in the process. The outcome is a rather odd drunken stumble that quickly morphs into a full-tilt run at Ven.

Before the fawn can flee, Kalaya is hugging her tight, spinning her around off the ground and laughing true. After a few rotations, enough to thoroughly dizzy-fy a person, she holds Ven at arms length (no mean feat given she's still suspending her off the ground) to look her in the eyes. And if Kalaya's grin is bright enough to light up the night and her cheeks are a little pinked? That's clearly just from happiness.

"Vee! It's really you!" she says, using the old nickname from their childhood as she goes back to hugging the stuffing out of the other woman. "I've missed you so much! How are you? What are you up to? Where have you been all this time??"

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

The first thing she sees are the stars.

Out here, far from any city, the sky is awash with muted colours and a thousand thousand pinpricks of light. She spots the Lance, rising slowly over Mount Fang while, over there, the Lady's Veil trails its way across to the Talon and countless more. She names as many as she can, a habit formed from countless nights staring out the window back home, her only company a book or scroll lying open by the light of a fading candle. She remembers the promises made to herself in those lonely moments.

The tableau should be calming. It should help her mind settle and refocus. But why isn't it? The beauty of the stars, the deep breaths, the names and histories, it all feels like a single sheet of paper stretching across a deep and jagged chasm. Standing still is not working, she needs to move. She doesn't pay attention to where she's going, it doesn't matter where, so long as it's not here.

There's never been a princess knight in Lilly. They just don't do that. Never!

Kalaya picks up speed, walking faster now. Batting branches out of her way when they dare to impede her path, footsteps crunching through the undergrowth. It's not loud enough. She can still hear the laughter.

Leave her alone. It's not her fault she was born a weirdo.

Ugh no way. I'm not really interested in all ... that stuff ... why would you even think I ... just ... no!

Go back to your little tower princess! Hah. As if you think you could ever make it.

Back in the palace, back with her parents. Tears in her eyes, hot and welling. Formal dresses, dinner balls, matchmaking. A crown and a flower in her hair. Stuffing all she wanted to be and was into something she was not. Breaking out only to be met with disappointed frowns. Over and over again. Until she couldn't take it anymore and just burst.

We're just wanting what's best for you. You'll thank us one day.

Do you even have any friends, dear? I mean real friends, not imaginary or ones you read about in a book.

Just give it a try, that's all we're asking. Just try behaving more ... properly.

"Why NOW???"

She stops short, eyes wide and breathing ragged as that last shout, in her own voice, echoes in her head. It takes her a moment to focus back on the present and she's surprised to find her hand holding her dagger, a hair's breadth away from ramming it into the trunk of a nearby tree.

Startled, she drops it, sinking to the ground with her back against the bark and her head in her hands.

"Why now?" It's the question at the heart of all of this. If she has a destiny as a knight, if she is meant to help the Flower Kingdoms, if the gods needed her here to prevent some great calamity ... then why was the godling only coming to her now?

Where were the gods on the lonely nights. Where were they when Kalaya could do nothing more than cry herself to sleep and hope, desperately, that tomorrow would be, had to be, better? Where were they on the nights when she was so close to giving up and had nobody, and nothing, to believe in. Where the only thing that kept her going was the desire not to break that one promise to herself.

Did it mean that they wanted her to go through all of that? That they meant for it to happen? Was it their goal that she pass through to harden into the person they needed her to be or some piece of cosmic bullshit like that? And if it was, did Kalaya even want to help? Could she?

She sighed, sinking back and staring up to those stars again.

It wasn't fair. But could she really bring herself to threaten the Kingdoms over it?

That's when she hears it: the clash of swords. Her sword is already in her hand as she sprints through the undergrowth. The scene that the finds is one that would normally require some kind of assessment - but she's beyond thinking things through tonight. Instead she bursts from the treeline in a wordless yell of rage. Sword flashing as she throws herself upon the N'yari from the flank.

[Defy Disaster: 4+6+2=12 - Gallant Rescue grants a string on Ven]

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

For a moment, Kalaya is eight years younger - standing straight as Lin and another of his 'friends' bear down on her. Time has passed since they last fought, but memories like that fade slowly and the next summit between Lilly and Hyacinth presents another opportunity for revenge.

For better or worse, Kalaya still hasn't learnt how to run for a fight. Had she been alone, that day would have ended a lot worse for her. Fortunately, Snapdragon was also attending ...

The past and present blur and, at a half imagined flickering of movement behind Petony, Kelaya's hand almost twitches to her sword hilt before she catches herself.

What am I doing?

Emotions roiling, she turns stiffly to the Priestess.

"Is it?" she says around a dry mouth. "Is it an insult to you to stop her?"

The priestess freezes, eyes wide for a good few seconds before she stammers out a reply. Of course, the theology of beauty would support such a viewpoint - but but of course, she isn't a knight, so someone like Kalay-

"I'm not asking about theory ..." Kalaya cuts her off. A bit harshly, perhaps, but anger from the Legion battle is still simmering under her otherwise stoic exterior.

"I meant for you ... is this welcome?"

The priestess hesitates, but nods before shrinking into Kalaya's shadow.

Kalaya turns back to Petony. Her breath shudders as she crams the ocean back into a box.

"I am in the wrong and apologise wholly for my actions, Petony-Phraya." Her head tilts down in a disciplined bow.

She'll hold that pose for as long as it takes for Petony to respond.

[I feel like I should give Petony a string on Kalaya here - but dunno how that works]

TSL: The Excess of Flowers

Of course. That must've been it. Only possible explanation.

Rallying admirably, Kalaya straightens - her hand unclenching from the sword and, completely unintentionally, taking a step back from the priestess who was getting oh too close.

"Yes! Safety! Right." she replies. "As Knights of the Thorn, we'll gladly assist you and the god-chosen. Petony-phraya here will--"

Turning and spotting the look on her companion's face, KAlaya starts and frowns.

"Petony-phraya will, of course, help too. After all, a knight is sworn to protect the weak. Not to size them up like a piece of meat."