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Tangled Fate [Ranma 1/2 / Exalted]

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bejammin2000 said:
You know, it's been a while since I've seen rules on doing names in Creation.

But Dawn Comes with Thunder ends up fitting one naming scheme I know of in Creation.

The baroque poetry used by Abyssals to title themselves.

I'm thinking... that DCwT might actually be a Dusk pretending to be a Dawn to spread as much misery and death and destruction across the land. Obviously, perhaps the rest of his circle doesn't realize that, but...
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Actually... um... as amazing as that would be as an idea, I actually just suck at naming things. Seriously he's just a Dawn caste.
 
I'm sure more than a few of you are going "where's the chapter?" and "is it late again?" Yes. Yes it is. I've spent most of the last two weeks living on Tylenol and cough syrup. As a consequence a lot of my writing efforts from that first week are either nonsensical or resemble an attempt at writing the Broken Winged Crane. I'm well behind where I wanted to be right now, despite the last couple days of efforts. I'm pushing release back until Monday evening PST as a result. Now I'm off to make up lost ground.

*Apologetic Kitsune*
 
Grounders10 said:
I'm sure more than a few of you are going "where's the chapter?" and "is it late again?" Yes. Yes it is. I've spent most of the last two weeks living on Tylenol and cough syrup. As a consequence a lot of my writing efforts from that first week are either nonsensical or resemble an attempt at writing the Broken Winged Crane. I'm well behind where I wanted to be right now, despite the last couple days of efforts. I'm pushing release back until Monday evening PST as a result. Now I'm off to make up lost ground.

*Apologetic Kitsune*
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Amusingly, the moment I saw this in my Unwatched Threads page, I thought 'Huh, isn't the next chapter supposed to have been released by now? Guess I'll see what someone's posted then go looking for when Grounders said the chapter would be and double check...'

So uh... Yeah, you win that guess... :p

Also, I for one am definitely looking forward to you managing to finish writing the next chapter, that's for sure! Just... better to be quality, than on time... okay? Oh, and real life problems definitely do come first, after all if they don't then the chapter after this one might not happen. And it's better for that to be late than not done at all...
 
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Maybe we should set up some kind of crowd funding for more fan art? Illustrating scenes like something out of a light novel could boost interest, and hold fans over while we wait for the next chapter. Of course if we do that the people who chipped in would get a say in the art and the artiest making it. Anyone interested?
 
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What happens when I write while sick
  • Apocrypha
    • Pyro Hawk said:
    Amusingly, the moment I saw this in my Unwatched Threads page, I thought 'Huh, isn't the next chapter supposed to have been released by now? Guess I'll see what someone's posted then go looking for when Grounders said the chapter would be and double check...'

    So uh... Yeah, you win that guess... :p

    Also, I for one am definitely looking forward to you managing to finish writing the next chapter, that's for sure! Just... better to be quality, than on time... okay? Oh, and real life problems definitely do come first, after all if they don't then the chapter after this one might not happen. And it's better for that to be late than not done at all...
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    I wrote a bit during the last couple weeks but most of it went off on strange tangents that... well unused plotlines and such. Here's a excerpt of one of those little rambles:

    Reedwind Qiang was old, five hundred thirty-six years old to be precise, and in his long life he had only rarely known the aches and pains that now kept him in the bed that had been hauled into his dining room. His every breath sent pain shooting through his chest and his limbs ached worse than he could recall with every small movement. Yet it would have been worse without his beloved blade, his Eternal Reward. The enchanted blade forged from dreams and the feathers of the strange Elementals of the land of his youth. Many times had it brought him the strength to cast down the enemies of the realm, but even its prodigious powers had been overwhelmed by that young woman. That young woman…

    "Are you certain." He asked the legionnaire who knelt at his bedside.

    The young man, one of three hundred who had refused to abandon him when he had insisted on remaining with the city, nodded. "Already carriages have begun to approach the temple. It will not be long before the Goddess grants her blessing." He said. Around the room the officers shifted uneasily.

    "Hmm…" The old fire aspect stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And the anathema?" He asked.

    The young man shook his head. "We've seen the strange soldiers around the temple, but no one has reported seeing any of them. However, they may have arrived before we reached our posts."

    "We should have moved more quickly." One of the Captains said.

    "And done what exactly?" Another responded, "We're barely more than wing. An army has already failed against her."

    "Enough." Qiang raised his hand and his voice. The room fell silent. "He is right there is nothing to be done." He folded his hands across his chest and sighed. "Three hundred years of protecting this city and we have seen it all undone in a day." He murmured.

    The officers shifted nervously. "Sir?" Asked the young man at his bedside.

    "The musings of a man long passed his prime." The old Dragonblood said before turning his attention to the rest of the room. "A day ago I considered this City impregnable. Two warstriders, nearly an entire Legion of defenders, and more Dragonblooded than this Satrapy has ever before hosted. Last night that illusion of power was shattered."

    He trailed off as he looked at the men around him. Young, middle-aged, but to a man untried except by the night before. Greyfalls scarcely had bandits to deal with at most times. Too powerful in Dragonblooded for most of its neighbours to risk attacking, and not profitable enough for those who could muster the manpower required. It had been a long time since anyone had dared strike against the Realm's most eastern bastion of power.

    "I won't ask why you remained, the answers are as numerous as they are obvious." He said, "Instead I will appreciate that you have elected to help an old man for the moment." His lips twitched into a grim smile. "Of course I suspect you are hoping for this old man to manage a miracle, perhaps like one of the old stories I've heard make the rounds in the taverns and tea houses."

    One or two officers shifted guiltily. "What miracles I can perform have already been exhausted, or are far too little for the foe we would be facing." He said.

    "We are… aware." One of the Captains admitted as he stepped forward. "At this point…" He trailed off before bowing low. "Master Reedwind, we are at a loss for how to continue to protect our home. Please, whatever wisdom you might be able to share would be appreciated immensely."

    "Rise boy." Qiang said, waving his hand irritably. The Captain complied rapidly enough that the Dragonblood could see the vertigo send him staggering. "Wisdom.. Hmph. I suppose you might call it that. Though if I had been truly 'wise' perhaps I would not have picked a fight that I could not have won even a century ago in my prime."

    He eyed the surrounding Legionnaires. He could not even imagine what it was like to be as young as them, not anymore with entire centuries between them. Had he been as willing to commit to a hopeless situation as they were? "What is it you want to do? To what length are you willing to go?" He asked after a few minutes of thought.

    A dozen voices started speaking overtop of one another. He held up a hand and the voices died down again. "Allow me to, clarify." He said calmly as he looked them in the eyes. "Are you willing to go as far as to commit actions that the Immaculate Order will condemn?"

    The room grew still. "Sir?" The Captain asked cautiously.

    "You asked for my advise. We are beyond the reach of the Realm, there is no help coming. If we wish to protect the city then there are only a handful of options that remain. And those handful are being pruned even as we speak." He said, "A Goddess, especially one of Setarial's pedigree, does not simply hold a ball to 'select' anyone. I suspect that she has long since made her choice. A choice she intends to make apparent this evening."

    "The anathema…" One of the other officers hissed.

    "More than likely." Qiang agreed. "The Immaculate Order's hold on the hearts and minds of the people of Greyfalls is weak. Do not think I haven't seen some of your number with those personal portraits." It was a habit that had been part of the culture of Greyfalls for longer than the Realm had been around. To carry small portraits of local leaders with them for good luck, and to pray to during times of hardship.

    A few officers smiled openly while the rest pretended to ignore him. He hmmed then continued on. "If the goddess placed her support openly behind an Anathema, and the Immaculate Order was not present to condemn her, how do you think the populace would react?" He asked.

    Legionnaires shifted nervously, smiles vanishing quickly as they exchanged concerned glances. "They would…" One young officer began before trailing off as the room turned to him. He cleared his throat and rallied himself. "They would follow her lead. She's the spirit of the City and…"

    "And the most revered Goddess in the region." Qiang finished. "To answer your question Captain." He said to the first officer, "My wisdom says that there is a ball being hosted by a Goddess, and we seem to have been left out. By accident I'm sure. Before we can commit to any path I say that we pay the ball a visit, and make sure we know all of our options. Even those that we may not wish to take."
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    We may see Reedwind again, he isn't dead, but I've decided that taking this route with him wasn't the way I wanted the story to go. Too much overlap with Ryu, and while watching the two butt heads would be interesting I have other stories to tell.
     
  • Apocrypha
    • Tahu1809 said:
    Maybe we should set up some kind of crowd funding for more fan art? Illustrating scenes like something out of a light novel could boost interest, and hold fans over while we wait for the next chapter. Of course if we do that the people who chipped in would get a say in the art and the artiest making it. Anyone interested?
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    I would be interested. One scene I am fairly interested in seeing drawn is the scene where Ranma is looking at the artifact braided into her hair. Another hasn't happened yet but has been mentioned that it would happen is the first awkward incident between Ranma and Ryouga, that causes people to think that they are romanticaly intwined, when they actually are not.
     
    Update:
    Pages: 39
    Words: 14891
    Author status: Determined, but flagging.

    *Exhausted Kitsune typing*

    Edit: Time 2:05am
    Pages: 42
    Words: 16k ish...
    Author Status: Defeated
    *Collapsed Kitsune*

    *Insert CoD Meme*
     
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    Chapter Eight -- Oaths of Broken Fate Part Three: Evening
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    • Ryu climbed the steps leading up to the top of the rampart of the outer fortress walls in the darkness of the early evening. His only light was a small oil lamp he had been handed by one of the palace servants on his way out. Its flickering light was better than nothing, and he would rather avoid wasting the power of the proper flashlights on something like this.

    As he neared the top a second light just passed the lip of the staircase provided a bit more light. He rounded the edge to find Ryouga leaning against the ramparts, an old weathered crate sat next to him with a small lantern and a bottle of something.

    Ryu plonked his oil lamp down next to the lantern and Ryouga glanced back over his shoulder at him.

    "Hey." The Lieutenant said.

    "Hey." Ryouga replied before going back to looking down on the city, or more accurately staring over the city to look at Setarial's Temple. What could be seen from this angle at least. The entrance to the Temple was well lit, but since it had been built into the cliffside above the city only the well lit entrance could be seen.

    "We were wondering if you'd wandered off." Ryu started.

    The other martial artist snorted. "Don't get lost that easily." He said.

    "Sure." The Lieutenant replied as he leaned against the ramparts himself. "I've read your file before. Probably the second thickest after Ranma's."

    "Really. Anything interesting?" Ryouga glanced his way.

    "Not really. It was thick, but that's because you're involved in nearly as much as Ranma." Ryu replied. "Personal details were a bit thin. Or redacted. There was a bit of black ink. Not as much as Ranma. Nothing hinted you knew anything about medicine though."

    "Ah." Ryouga turned fully to look at him as the martial artist continued to lounge against the rampart. "I picked up a few things from Dr. Tofu before he moved out of the area. Not very good at them, but they're useful when your out training in the middle of nowhere and things go wrong."

    "I wouldn't know. The Yama-Senken scrolls never covered pressure points and my family's school was rather bare bones in comparison." Ryu said. "Even if it had I doubt I'd be able to use them now anyway."

    "From what I heard you gambled away your martial arts on a chance at revenge." Ryouga chuckled.

    Ryu couldn't stop the scowl that formed at the reminder. "It was not a gamble." He said. He had won twice and had nearly killed Ranma both times, victory had been practically a guarantee, until it wasn't.

    "You lost, didn't you?" Ryouga prodded. The Lieutenant's lack of protest was confirmation enough and the Lunar chuckled again. Ryu was thankful that the poor light hid the blush that had formed. "Might want to bring it up with Ranma."

    "Excuse me?" Ryu blinked, "Why would I bring that up, I'm trying to move on from that."

    "The Yama-Senken is powerful, right?" Ryouga said.

    Ryu nodded. "Very. Too powerful for safe use honestly."

    "And we're heading for a war." Ryouga said, his expression going grim. "I'm not much of a fan of killing, but from what I've heard not even a couple feet of iron slowed you down. We could use something like that."

    "Yeah." Ryu sighed. "Yeah we could." The thought had crossed his mind a couple of times. He doubted Ranma would go for it, even with a war coming. She had barely tolerated his presence when she had first spotted him. Giving him his greatest weapons again…

    The Lieutenant shook his head. "So, why're you up here?" He asked, changing the subject.

    Ryouga chuckled in amusement at the subject change before turning to look back out over the city. "Just waiting." He said.

    "For?" Ryu prompted.

    "For this whole thing to explode in Ranma's face." He said, "Something this big, something always goes wrong. Always. And Ranma's in the middle of it so it's probably going to be a show to remember." Ryu caught sight of the amused grin on the other man's face. "And for once I'm not also at ground zero. Might be fun."

    Ryu looked down at the city to the main boulevard through High Quarter that terminated at Setarial's temple. This spot was a perfect view of the Temple's entrance. If anything happened they'd be able to spot it immediately. It was as good a place as any to wait for news.

    It was also the perfect chance to learn a bit about Ryouga. All he needed was something to break the ice. "So, I heard you and Ranma were in middle school together." It probably wasn't the best choice, judging by the sharp look Ryouga sent him, but it worked to keep the conversation flowing as the two of them waited for either peace or war to overtake the city below.

    -0-0-0-0-0-

    Tangled Fate

    Chapter Eight: Oaths of Broken Fate
    Part Three: Evening

    By: Grounders10

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Setarial's Temple was built into the cliffside above the city, far enough away from the waterfall that the roar of the falls had fallen to a mermer. The only entrance to the Temple was a single long bridge that originated in High Quarter and crossed over the north-eastern corner of Mist Town. Wide enough for three carts abreast to roll across and with a high enough roof capable of accommodating even a warstrider, to Kawashima the bridge made for an impressive sight lit as it was by crystal lamps hanging from the archways along the bridge. Still, it was made of wood.

    "You sure this is going to hold?" She asked out the open window of her LAV.

    An irritable sigh floated down from the roof of the vehicle. "For the tenth time. Yes. It will be fine. During the harvest festival the bridge is pack with carts and people weighing far more than your toys." The Raven Goddess said.

    The Corporal spared a glance in her mirrors. The other two vehicles assigned to her command were a pair of Toyota Type 73s, and both of them were full. Of servants from the Palace, her squad, and the new 'Castellan'.

    "Somehow I doubt any of them were as heavy as these." She snarked.

    The Raven sighed. "And it was designed to withstand the weight of a pair of warstriders." She said, "Just move it."

    So it could take a pair of mechs walking around on it? "Just standing, or fighting?" She asked.

    "Move." It probably said something about the day she had had that a Raven growling like a dog was not even the tenth weirdest thing she had experienced over the last twenty-four hours.

    "Alright, alright." Kawashima sighed before letting the vehicle roll forward onto the bridge. The rumble of wooden planks beneath the LAV was strange, but there wasn't the sound of breaking wood so the Corporal figured that was a good sign. Still it was a good few minutes of nervously glancing out her window before they reached the far side of the bridge. As the convoy rumbled under the overhang of rock into the large courtyard carved out of the cliffside she sighed. Wood bridges made her nervous, the creaking, the rocking, and the general unsteadiness did nothing to help her nerves.

    She pulled the car up next to the steps leading up to the temple gates. "Alright, everyone out." She said to her passengers before stepping out. Koneko, Goto and Yori hopped out of the LAV with her as the two trucks pulled up next to them vehicle.

    Ignoring them for a moment Kawashima took a few seconds to survey the temple and its courtyard. The temple had been built into what was either a man made cavern or some kind of natural grotto that had inexplicably formed halfway up the cliffside. The temple itself was set back from the edge with a large courtyard of either carved or tiled stone painted in a mozaic that appeared to be telling some type of story. Something involving the sun and moon from what she could see in the few seconds she could spare.

    The temple, or at least the front of it, was three stories tall and constructed in a styling very similar to a Chinese buddhist temple. Ornate statues of gold, jade and other precious materials decorated water features on either side of the main staircase that lead to the main entrance, a pair of ten foot tall oak doors that were equally encrusted with gold and gems. It was very austentatious. Probably fitting for the Goddess of the entire nation. It was a bit much to Kawashima though.

    The rest of her detachment spilled out of the trucks along with Ranma, Kodachi, Lily and several of the Palace servants.

    "Really fancy, isn't it." Ranma said as she, Kodachi, Lily, and Private Harada joined her. The Redhead turned to look out at the city. "Good view to." She added as she fiddled with the sheathed sword she had cradled in one arm.

    "It is." Kawashima agreed. "Very defensible as well. A few people could hold this place for ages if they had the supplies. Just need a machine gun on the bridge." Of course that required them to actually have a spare machine gun. Other than the couple on the LAVs they were a bit short on that particular item.

    "Unless they went under." Ranma said as she pointed out the support struts underneath the main bridge.

    Kawashima shot her a look. "Maybe if it was one of your type, but most people aren't part monkey." She said.

    "Actually," Lily said, tapping her chin, "I believe I could make such a crossing. It wouldn't be easy, but it's far from the most difficult climb I've made. Most any Dragon-blooded could probably do it."

    Kawashima stared at her quietly for a moment. "Thank you." She said dryly, "For pointing out just how much of a nightmare securing places from people like you is going to be."

    "Not any worse than trying to secure it against me, is it?" Ranma pointed out.

    The corporal sighed. "Suppose not." She conceded before turning to Harada. "Alright, just like we discussed. Get the outside secure while my fireteam secures the inside and manages the event. No one gets in before the allotted time, and no one gets in without either an invite or an escort." She ordered.

    The other woman saluted. "Yes sir." She bowed to Ranma before heading off to begin organizing the guard.

    "We should-" Lily began.

    "You've arrived. Wonderful." Setarial interrupted from the top of the stairs. She smiled down at their party. It was a very beautiful smile, showing perfect teeth, but not so many as to be threatening. It felt genuine, but Kawashima couldn't help the feeling that it was well practiced.

    "It's only been an hour." Ranma said as she headed up the stairs to meet the Goddess.

    "And we have quite a bit to deal with to get you ready for later." Setarial chided, "These are your bodyguards for the evening?" She glanced towards the Corporal. Her eyes seemed to be weighing her, judging. Annoying, it was hardly the first time someone had judged her. Of course she couldn't exactly challenge a Goddess to a shooting contest so… That meant being polite.

    "Corporal Kawashima Suki." She said with a smile as she joined them. "The Lieutenant assigned us as the events security."

    The Goddess nodded. "As I told your Lieutenant more security is welcome. Without the Immaculate Monks getting in the way I've been able to have my servants take a more overt management of my Temple. Still only one or two are the combat type. Not enough for an event like this." She said.

    "Hopefully we're not actually needed." Really the best post was a quiet one. Even if it was boring. Idiots wished for excitement.

    "Hopefully not." Setarial agreed before turning back to Ranma. She gestured to the main door, the twin gates that towered a full two stories above them. "Shall we?"

    Ranma also gestured to the door and Setarial stepped forward, the redhead falling in step with her. The rest of them, her own fireteam included, hurried to follow.

    As they approached the main gates swung open smoothly and quietly. As they group passed through into a rather ornate entrance hall with grand vaulted ceilings and hanging banners something black flickered in the corner Kawashima's eye. She glanced to the side, it had been near the edge of the door, but she couldn't spot anything. She glanced towards Yori. The girl was looking about with a somewhat more nervous look than what she was coming to understand as normal.

    Kawashima fell into step with Yori. "See anything?" She asked.

    "Something. Somethings, actually." The young woman corrected herself. "Not sure what."

    "Take no mind of my servants." Setarial said over her shoulder to them. "They're minor spirits mostly. Harmless unless you go out of your way to agitate them."

    "And if you do?" Ranma asked, a curious tilt to her head.

    "They'll be circumspect about any revenge." Setarial said, "Not likely to harm, but they will inconvenience you for quite some time." She sounded amused, joy.

    Yori kept a bit closer to her as they entered the hallway beyond the main entrance hall. For being underground the temple was quite well lit with crystals like those in the Palace and numerous scented candles that left the air smelling of incense and oranges.

    The hallway spilled out into an ornate decorated room. It was a shrine. Ornate scrolls hung from the wall, incense burned both at the base of the shrine and on table around the room, and a life-size statue of the Goddess herself took center stage beneath an arch that mirrored the styling of a traditional Tori gate. A large double door could be seen behind the dais on which the statue rested.

    Setarial turned to the group. "This is, normally, as far as anyone is allowed to go unless they are an immaculate. By their order the area beyond was closed to the public. However with them now gone I can utilize the area for its original purpose." She said.

    "And that is?" Ranma asked dryly.

    "To hold parties of course." Setarial smiled before leading them around the statue to the doors behind it. She threw them open and sunlight poured into the room.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Ranma blinked as pure sunlight washed into the room. Her eyes adjusted quickly and she heard a soft gasp from Kodachi. The door didn't lead to a room, it lead to a garden. It was a beautiful garden, even to Ranma who had little appreciation for flowers. A path of marble tiles started at the door and wound out through the garden, splitting and reuniting many times; passed sculpted hedges, flowerbeds, a pair of gazebos, a four story pagoda on the far side and even a pond that was being filled by a sparkling waterfall in one of the corners. But what drew the eye first was none of these things.

    Dominating the space was the source of the pure sunlight that sparkled off the water of the pond and fountains. In the center of the garden, surrounded by a green space filled with emerald grass, was a crystal tree. A willow to be precise, and it was the largest willow Ranma had ever seen or heard of. Its trunk was nearly twice as thick at the base as Ranma was tall and its branches and leaves, all of the same glowing crystal as the trunk, were so thick and densely packed that they obscured sight of the ceiling. The lowest tips of its wispy branches hung barely a foot over Setarial's head.

    "Its beautiful." Ranma said after a moment of surprised admiration. Of all the things she had been expecting, a ballroom or dining hall perhaps, a garden definitely not on her list.

    Setarial smiled proudly. "It's a Sunlit Willow. A gift from an old friend. I planted the sapling myself when I became the Goddess of Greyfalls." She said before stepping out onto the garden path. "As much as I would love to spend some time showing off my garden there are things we must attend to."

    Ranma fell into step beside her, but she continued to glance about the garden. It was quite large, at least a dozen times the size of the courtyard in front of the temple. Her eyes idly traced the path of the waterfall in the corner and after a moment she frowned, puzzled. Where was the water coming from? It wasn't coming from the wall, it almost seemed to be coming from the…

    Ranma peered up through the branches of the willow. It was hard to tell, the bright light of the tree made looking passed it difficult, but was there even a ceiling? "Setarial." She said after a few moments of craning her neck. "Does this place have a roof?" She asked.

    "No it does not." Setarial confirmed, her own gaze going towards the ceiling for a moment. "This garden was originally a grotto fed by the upper portion of the lesser rock. I excavated the grotto and expanded it into this garden when I was creating my temple. Not that you can tell these days. The willow overshadows even the pagoda now."

    "Not that there are many shadows." Kodachi quipped.

    Setarial chuckled politely. "Not many at all." She agreed.

    As they were talking the doors of the pagoda swung open and what stepped out brought Ranma to a halt. Two bears, tall brown bears, stepped out carrying a pair of large solid wooden tables over their shoulders. Absently Ranma noted that they were wearing robes as well.

    "Um?" She turned to look at Setarial, who was still walking.

    The Goddess glanced back at her and giggled. "Air elementals. They are helping set up for the party." She said.

    "Air elementals?" Kawashima repeated behind her. "Why, how are bears air elementals? How does that make any sense?"

    Setarial chuckled and waved for them to continue following. "You will find that though there is a little bit of sense in the shapes that elementals take, it rarely correlates in the manner you would expect." She said.

    The air bears bowed politely as they passed the party on a parallel path. Setarial tilted her head in response and granted them a small wave. Shortly after they were at the steps leading into the pagoda. Setarial stopped at the bottom step and turned to face them.

    "Before we go and start preparing ourselves for the coming event, we should probably discuss a bit about the presentation and security of it." She said.

    "You have a plan." Ranma said as stepped up beside the taller woman.

    The Goddess nodded. "The party will be held here in the garden. Refreshments will be set up in the gazebos and some of my servants will help distribute additional throughout the garden." She said, "You, Lily, and Kodachi will be preparing inside the pagoda and when it comes time to explain things to the guests I will do so on the steps of the pagoda. Until then the plan is for myself and my servants to keep them entertained throughout the rest of the garden."

    "Once everyone, or most everyone, is here I will have them gather here and given a speech explaining the events of the last day. When we get to me giving my blessing I will ask for you to come out and you will leave the pagoda to join me. At the same time Lily and Kodachi, who I hope will help me entertain the guests, will step out of the crowd and join you. We'll have to address a few complaint no doubt. Then Staedtler will vouch for you, and hopefully Sung will as well. He should be arriving before the rest of the guests with Staedtler so hopefully we can gain his support." Setarial sighed. "Assuming all goes well I will have my servants bring out a proper meal. There will be a bit of dancing, celebration, and hopefully they will agree to swear their oaths to you."

    Ranma nodded. "Rather vague, but…"

    "Too many variables to plan for more." Setarial agreed. "Now, Corporal how do you wish to handle security?"

    Kawashima looked around the garden with a guard look. "This is a big garden." She said, "How many people are we expecting?"

    "Between three and five hundred. I'm sorry I don't have more specific numbers." The Goddess said.

    "Are any of your servants going to help with this?" The Corporal asked.

    Goddess nodded to the bears who were arranging tables in one of the gazebos. "Those two will be available once they're done setting up. They can speak Realm just fine so feel free to speak with them. Just let them know I'm placing you in charge of security. I'm afraid most of my other servants are more suited to serving rather than enforcing." She said.

    "Most?" Kawashima prompted after a moment of staring at the supposed Air Elementals. Ranma had to wonder why they were bears…

    "I have a few servants who are adept in the arts of war." Setarial said, "However they are already providing security elsewhere in the temple. There are some places that I do not allow anyone into."

    The Corporal nodded. "Six is a rather low number for a place this big, but I think we can manage. Not like we're here for more than show anyway." She said before turning a raised eyebrow towards Ranma, "If we fail all that happens in Saotome gets to show off."

    Ranma ignored her as Setarial sighed. "Yes, well… We are trying to persuade, not intimidate." The Goddess said.

    "Well I'll try not to frighten the skittish ones then." Kawashima replied glibly.

    "Very well." Setarial said with a sigh before she turned to Ranma. "Shall we?"

    "Where to?" Ranma asked as she, Kodachi, and Lily followed the Goddess into the pagoda.

    "Just the next floor up."

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    The room Ranma was led to was on the second floor. It was a small room with a view that overlooked the garden. A vanity was set up next to the window. A foldable screen separated the back half of the room. Several wooden racks sat along the wall next to the door with numerous clothes hanging from them. A pair of chairs sat next to the desk.

    "..and then there is the Shipwrights guild." Setarial had, as she showed them the way, begun to expand on the notable people who might come to the event. "Their head recently stepped down after something involving a Dynast. They haven't selected a new head to my knowledge, however her leaving was not a voluntary thing so Guon Fan may show."

    "Hoping for support to regain her position?" Kodachi asked.

    "Possibly. However recent events have soured the opinions of many at the guild towards the realm." The Goddess said as she ducked through the door into the room. "They may simply take her back without anyone to gainsay."

    Ranma sighed. "As interesting as this is," And it wasn't very interesting to her, "Why didn't you bring these people up during the meeting?"

    Setarial shrugged. "Not particularly pertinent on a strategic level. Staedtler has enough influence and money to start or stall a rebellion. Sung is the leader of the northern districts in all but name, and Bengtsson practically owns the south-east." She said. "Guon Fan is the leader of the Shipwrights Guild, and while influential they are based solely in the city. Alone they offer little. The same goes for the head of the Glassworkers Guild."

    "Any other groups we should know about?" Ranma asked, taking the chair at the vanity. She set the sword down next to it.

    "The only other major industries are the paper mills and porcelain houses." Lily said idly as she poked at the racks of clothing. "I believe both were mainly owned by Dynasts."

    "That would be correct." Setarial nodded. "While represenatives may be present, most likely they'll need someone to step in to make sure they do not close down. Most of the others who might otherwise be important owe loyalty to Sung or Bengtsson, or are incapable of mustering enough influence to oppose Staedtler."

    "Then if we can focus on what we came up here to do." Kodachi said as she started poking through the rack by her.

    "Very well. Lady Kuno, my servants have assembled some clothing for you in the room across the hall." The Goddess said, "Magistrate, the clothing you brought earlier is in the room next door. Some of my servants await to assist you both if you require it."

    Lily bowed slightly before ducking out of the room. Kodachi hesitantly looked to Ranma. She smiled and waved her off. "I'll be fine." She said. Kodachi bowed hurriedly and scurried out of the room. As the door clicked shut behind her Ranma sighed.

    "I really wonder what happened to her." The Dawn said to the Goddess.

    "I explained about visions before." Setarial said as she turned her attention to the clothes.

    "Still doesn't tell me what she saw." Ranma groused. She stared at the door for a few moments before she sighed again and put it out of her mind. There were other matters to deal with, and at least Kodachi wasn't acting like the royal bitch she had always been… It was still weird to see though.

    Ranma turned to the Goddess who was slowly going through the racks. "So what do you have?" She asked.

    "I managed to get your measurements from the palace servants. Some of my own servants tailored what clothes they could find." She gestured at the two racks, only one of which was more than half full. "Alas you fall into a somewhat rare body shape, and spare clothes are rare enough. Finding just this much was to work with was a small miracle." She fixed Ranma with a look. "This would be easier if you hadn't made it clear you like dresses. They are easier to alter."

    Ranma rolled her eyes as she stood. "Don't like dresses." She said as she walked over, "But in case you haven't noticed, I'm wearing one right now. Not like I'm about to turn into a guy in a dress anymore." Dresses were girly, which was a major point against them, but the biggest issue had been getting caught by her mother wearing one as a guy. She could almost hear the ring of drawn steel just thinking about it.

    She noticed the amused but still annoyed look on the Goddess's face. "That is your problem with them?" Raven hair swayed the Goddess shook her head.

    "Dresses are girly, I don't like girly." Ranma said.

    "Dresses are feminine, which-"

    "Could get my head cut off." Ranma cut in.

    Setarial raised an eyebrow. "That seems a bit… odd." She said.

    Ranma sighed. "My mother was… strict."

    "Strict." Setarial's voice was flat.

    "Very." Ranma nodded. It was an easier excuse than explaining the convoluted mess that was the seppuku contract… actually probably better to not bring that up at all. The concept of ritual suicide always got disturbed reactions outside of Japan.

    "Hmmm…" Setarial sighed. "Well then. You come from an interesting place." She said eventually.

    "Don't have any crystal trees back home." Ranma offered.

    "That tree is no more natural here." Setarial said after a moment as she looked at Ranma. For a few seconds her smile faltered and her eyes seemed to look passed Ranma, then it was gone leaving her usual composed smile. "A friend gave it to me years ago. She gave me a small forest of them actually. I grew that tree from a seed from the last of them on my estate in Yu-Shan."

    Ranma glanced towards the window where pure sunlight spilled into the room. It was night, but that tree made it seem like daylight. "Huh."

    "Now." Setarial shook her head and turned back to the racks. "Let us get you prepared for this evening. The past can wait for a better time."

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    "These aren't going to work." Ranma couldn't quite believe the words even as she said them. The contents of both racks were piled on the two spare chairs as Ranma tried on the last 'outfit' behind the screen.

    The tunic and pants she was wearing were a particularly unpleasant shade of purple that combined with the particular shade of green used as an accent reminded her distinctly of an eggplant. She plucked at the sleeves and sighed. No, this was not going to work.

    "The selection… is worse than I had anticipated." Setarial admitted from the other side of the screen. "I should have paid more attention, unfortunately there has been more to deal with today than even I could keep track of."

    Ranma pulled off the top and tossed it over the screen, the pants followed a moment later. She slipped the dress back on and stepped out from behind the screen. She looked at the pile of clothes; all in styles she wouldn't mind wearing, but which were in shades and patterns capable of making her nauseous at the thought of wearing them; and considered, privately, whether it was time to try something else.

    "Do you have anything… untailored?" She asked.

    "Everything they could find that might have been acceptable is here." Setarial sighed, "It was not like I could just send them to ransack the city searching for clothing for you. The number of issues something like that might have caused…"

    That was a good point Ranma had to admit as she gave the pile of discarded clothing one final glance. It was, in hindsight, surprising that she had this much on hand. "Did you consider bringing anything down from the Palace?" She asked.

    "Everything my servants gathered is here." Setarial replied.

    Ranma picked up the shirt on top of the pile nearest her. It was a bright pink with teal accents. She had to give Setarial's servants credit where it was due, everything was tailored to fit her perfectly. Not a small feat given that they had never so much as met her. Now if only they hadn't apparently had the colour preferences of a blind monk.

    She dropped the shirt unceremoniously back onto the pile. "Options?" She asked.

    "Were this something lesser we could probably get away with simply sticking you in something nice, if ill-fitting." Setarial said tapping her chin thoughtfully, "However this is your debut and we are trying to sell you. A display of power and influence is needed and many of these people are the type to pick at any flaw they see."

    Ranma sighed. Perhaps it was time for her to swallow a bit of her stubborness. "What about dresses?" She asked, "Anything on hand that might work?"

    "Nothing tailored." The Goddess confessed. "We could probably find something that fits decently…" She paused and her eyes darted towards the sheathed blade leaning against the vanity. "How do you feel about something with power to it?"

    Ranma followed her gaze the sword and picked it up, unsheathing it a few inches as she did. Immediately the room, previously warm, cooled noticeably to the level of a spring morning. She resheathed it with a clack and the room started to warm up. "You mean something like this." She said.

    "Similar." Setarial said. She held out a hand. "May I?"

    Ranma handed over the sword and the Goddess turned it over in her hands thoughtfully. She unsheathed it, cooling the room again, and ran her hand along the blade."You haven't attuned to it yet I see." She said.

    "What do you mean attuned?" Ranma asked, her eyes following the naked blade cautiously.

    "Artifacts of such power as this require a commitment from their wielders." Setarial explained, "A sacrifice of essence imbued into the blade by the wielder that bonds the two together. Through exploring this bond the wielder is able to call upon the magic of the artifact. How it is expressed changes from wielder to wielder, but it is always an expression of the artifact's nature and history." She sheathed the blade and handed it back to Ranma.

    Ranma accepted it carefully. "By essence, do you mean my ki?" She asked.

    "If that is what you call the energy that lurks in all things." Setarial said. Ranma nodded. "Then yes, your ki must be imbued into the blade. Be aware that whatever you put into it will remain in the blade and be impossible for you to use for other feats unless you are willing to let the bond fade."

    Ki was the key to accessing the magic of a weapon? Ranma turned the sheathed blade over in her hands. "So when that guy used this to launch icicles at me, I might not be able to do that?" She asked.

    "Possibly not. More than likely you could manage something similar, though again it would be an evocation of the bond you share with the blade, unique to you." Setarial said.

    "And you want to offer me a… dress or something that's like this?" Ranma weighed the blade carefully. "Be a bit cold wouldn't it?"

    Setarial snorted. "That blade is made from blue jade and was probably forged in the far north. Blue jade is naturally expressive of ice, wind, and the cold north. Combine that with whatever conditions were present during its forging and its nature is expressed in the ice and cold it sheds at all times." She explained, "The artifact I mentioned has a different history altogether and the nature of its power is likewise different."

    Ranma nodded. She set the blade down against the vanity and sat down on the available chair. "If you attune to an artifact does it, change, you?" She asked after a moment of thinking.

    "It can." Setarial said after a moment. "Most do not, but there are artifacts that are malignant in their nature. I have heard of blades that drive their wielders mad with bloodlust, and suits of armour that drain the emotions of those who wear them. Care must be taken when handling an unknown artifact."

    "However," She continued, "what I have in my position is not one of those. A set of silken armour produced millennia ago for an important queen. Only worn once by her."

    Ranma raised an eyebrow. "Only once?" She asked.

    The goddess shrugged. "It was made in the style of the era, which was rather more conservative than she preferred. She was one of the first exalted you see and she preferred more… shall we say provocative attire." Setarial sighed. "She was a good friend, if rather eccentric at times. It was one of the few things I recovered from her palace after the usurpation."

    The Goddess paused, her lips pursed in thought. "You remind me of her actually." She said after a moment. "She was a Dawn caste like you. A veteran of the Primordial war and a warrior with few rivals. Even her hair was only a few shades darker than your own."

    Ranma pulled the end of her braid forward and stared at it thoughtfully before looking up at the Goddess. "That's why you're taking a gamble on me, isn't it?" She asked. As the Goddess stiffened she smiled. That was the piece she was missing. "I remind you of her, but I'm not her. You know that, right?"

    Setarial let out an explosive sigh. "A part of each bearer resides inside each exaltation after their death, but yes. Even if you do have her exaltation I can tell the difference between my old friend and you."

    It was strange, seeing someone who seemed ageless look… old. For a minute it was as if all the years of her life had borne down on the Goddess and Ranma thought she could see a few strands of grey hair. Then it was gone as the Goddes shook herself and regained her composure.

    "Still, the question remains. Will you be willing to give it a chance?" Setarial asked.

    "Will it fit?" Ranma asked.

    "Not as much of a problem as you might expect." Setarial said, "Most artifact armour has some… give to it. When attuned it will resize to fit."

    "Convenient." Ranma drawled.

    Setarial smiled mischievously. "There were issues early into the primordial war when successors to fallen exalted discovered that the armour they were to inherit wouldn't fit properly." Ranma snorted at the thought. "Afterwards it became standard practice to try and include such malleability in artifact armour. With full plate and other heavier sets of armour there was limited success, however Silken armour has never had an issue. Cloth is very malleable."

    Ranma leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, thinking deeply. "The armour would require another commitment separate from the sword?" She asked.

    "Most artifacts require their own commitment. Wear too many artifacts…" Setarial trailed off.

    "And you have nothing to do anything else with." Ranma finished. Bonding both the sword and the armour would probably be tough on her… Not like she really liked swords. Too easy to kill with. Mind you the armour could very well be a very fru-fru dress…

    She sighed and opened her eyes. Looking up at Setarial she said, "Alright. I'll take a look at it."

    Setarial bowed. "I will be back shortly." She said before fading from view without warning.

    Ranma starred at the spot where the Goddess had disappeared for a few moments before her eyes tracked to the sheathed sword leaning against the vanity. Was this the right choice? Magic made her nervous, and in her experience magic clothes were… trouble. A lot of trouble…

    …

    Well she hadn't gotten this far by second guessing herself, so full ahead it was and damn the fru-fru! Hopefully.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Kawashima had to admit that the idea to hold the event at the temple was better than she had first thought. The garden was beautiful in an unearthly way that was undoubtedly going to put most of the guests on the back foot. It was certainly putting her off balance.

    Oddly enough Yori seemed to find the place quite relaxing as she leaned against one of the gazebos, her rifle cradled in her arms as she looked about curiously.

    Goto and Koneko seemed somewhere between her and Yori in terms of nervousness. The pair were chatting about something as they walked around the garden investigating every nook and cranny. They weren't expecting issues until the guests arrived, but Kawashima preferred to know what 'normal' was before people started showing up. At least then they'd have an idea if something was out of place.

    So while her subordinates were securing the garden, or enjoying it as the case might be, Kawashima had to deal with the last awkward task. Talking to the bears. To her surprise they were quite polite when she introduced herself.

    "I is Ikorov." Said the first bear as he bowed low to her, so his head was only a foot above her rather than the three or four it normally was. "This is Mikorov." He gestured to his partner.

    "It is good to meet you." The second bear said with a much thinner accent than his friend. "Tonight is looking to be very exciting."

    "Yes it is." Kawashima said, straining her neck as she looked up at them.

    "You said you is in charge of security?" Ikorov asked.

    "Yes." She said, "Setarial said the two of you were to help out once you were done setting up."

    Ikorov smiled, or at least she thought it was a smile. He certainly showed a lot of teeth. "It would be our pleasure." Mikorov said, also smiling in that very beary manner.

    "Excellent." Kawashima could say with pride that she did not react, visibly, to the sight of many dozens of gleaming white teeth and fangs merely a foot away from her face.

    Ikorov straightened. "Where would you like us?" He asked.

    She considered. Where was it appropriate to put a pair of bears? "How good are you with people?" She asked as an idea came to her.

    "Mikorov is the one who likes talking more." Ikorov said, elbowing his partner playfully.

    The other bear grunted. "It is always exciting to speak with new people." He said.

    Kawashima smiled, she made sure it showed as many teeth as possible. "Perhaps the two of you would like to be by the entrance." She said, "Impress on people Lady Setarial's hospitality?"

    The two bears grinned, showing many more teeth. "We would like that." Ikorov said.

    "Excellent." Kawashima said. "I'll leave the two of you to it then."

    "Have a good evening Corporal." Mikorov said. They bowed to each other and Kawashima beat a polite, if quick, retreat. Privately she mourned her earlier indulgence that had led to her empty flask hanging from her harness. She really needed a drink.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Fifteen minutes later the swung open. Ranma looked up from her examination of the sword as Setarial breezed gracefully into the room. On her heels came an odd looking young woman carrying a small chest. Her skin was a dark grey and her eyes were a solid black. Black feathers could be seen poking out of her black hair.

    Setarial brushed a pile of clothing off one of the chairs onto the floor. "On the chair please." She instructed. Her servant placed the chest on the chair and immediately backed off, bowing to both of them. "Thank you. You can return to your duties now." The Goddess said. The servant curtsied and fled quickly, closing the door behind her as she went.

    Ranma dismissed the odd servant, a spirit of some kind undoubtedly, and turned her attention to the chest. "So?" Ranma prodded.

    Setarial smiled. "Fortunately my vaults are reasonably organized. Locating it did not take long." She said as she unlatched and opened the chest. She turned the chair it was on to face Ranma. The chest was split into two sections, one held several piece of jewelry in that strange gold-like metal, the other held the folded form of the artifact.

    The Dawn blinked as she caught her first glance of the artifact. It was white, a white so pure it seemed as though it should glow. She reached out then paused and glanced at Setarial. The goddess smiled and waved her on.

    The material was silky, appropriate given that it was called 'silken armour', but unlike her own silk shirts it felt almost alive. Not writhing in her hands alive, but more like it had an energy to it that ordinary cloth lacked. It was almost like someone had turned a hurricane into cloth.

    Decorative motifs of that odd gold material graced the collar and sleeves. The sun and moon, made of a silver like material that as cold and felt wet to the touch even though it wasn't, were intertwined at the base of the low hanging collar. It would probably reveal, tastefully, the top of the breasts if worn. The sleeves were a bit odd, long and concealing except for the back where, instead of being sewn together they were bound by widely placed tied like those her favourite shirt back home used. A glance confirmed that they were, in fact, sewn together at the ties.

    "It's different." She said after finishing her cursory examination of the dress. It was, however, still a dress. Fate seemed to be against her on that count.

    "Of course it is." Setarial said, "It is Meru's Wind."

    "What?" Ranma asked as she folded back the collar. The inside of the dress seemed to be backed in a mesh of the same silver and gold materials behind a sheer layer of the same material that the made up the outer layer.

    "That is its name." Setarial said, "Every greater artifact has a name. It is named after the city of Meru where Queen Merela held court."

    Queen Merela. Ranma cocked her head thoughtfully. It seemed… Something. It wasn't familiar, but… Like a ghost of a not-quite-memory or something. "This was made for her?" She asked after shaking off the strange feeling.

    "It was." Setarial said, "Only the best for the Queen of the Exalted host."

    Ranma paused in her examination and gave carefully re-evaluated the garment in her hands. It was like being handed one of the Imperial Regalia. Not quite the same since unlike those this was intended to be worn, but the parallels were enough to give her pause. "That… And you want me to wear this?" She asked, setting the dress carefully back into the chest.

    "Artifacts are created to be used, not admired." Setarial said simply, "To let it sit would be a waste. Of course you are not required to make use of it."

    Ranma stared at the Goddess then glanced down at the dress again, then back up at the Goddess. A small smile had wormed its way onto the Goddess's face. God damn it. She had backed herself into a corner again, hadn't she? She couldn't exactly turn this down without possibly insulting both the Goddess or her long dead friend.

    Ranma groaned softly before looking back at Setarial. "How do I attune it?" She asked.

    The smile widened into one of genuine amusement. Undoubtedly the Goddess had somehow picked up on her thoughts. "Place you hand on it." Setarial instructed. Ranma set her hand on the bundle of clothing. "Good, now try reaching for it with your essence. Everything after that should come naturally."

    Ranma closed her eyes as she pulled on her ki. Like it had ever since her arrival it responded with alacrity. She pushed the torrent of ki gently towards Meru's Wind and felt it sink into the artifact. She twitched as something inside the dress responded to her ki's presence, reaching out in turn to intertwine with it.

    She gasped as it reach through her own ki to her, the power of the dress intertwining within her just as her ki was intertwining within it. It sang without words, a resonance that reverberated throughout her soul.

    Finally, after a time that she really couldn't say how long it was, the resonance faded and the world, which she had been oblivious to, came back into focus. She shook her head and stared at the dress before her. She could feel it. Like an arm, or a leg. Something that was part of her, but at the same time…

    She exhaled raggedly. "That was…" She trailed off. The words she could conjure were... Insufficient.

    "Attuning to an artifact can be an interesting experience." Setarial said with a small knowing smile.

    "A bit of warning would have been nice." Ranma said as she stood, picking up the dress as she did. The odd feeling of being there and here was fading quickly, but she could still feel a part of herself in the dress.

    "I've found that experience is better when it comes to greater artifacts." Setarial said, "Mortal languages tend to lack the proper… inflections." The Goddess shrugged.

    "Right." Ranma breathed out. She was shaking a bit.

    "Perhaps you should try it on?" Setarial prodded gently.

    Ranma nodded and made for the screen. She paused after a couple steps. It felt like she was forgetting something. She glanced back. A pair of stocking lay at the bottom of the chest. They gave her the same feeling as the dress. She sighed and scooped them up before disappearing behind the screen.

    The dress had shrunk somewhat without her noticing. It had, as Setarial had said, adjusted itself to fit her perfectly.

    She paused and looked at herself in the mirror as she finished pulling on the second stocking. She frowned. It had been a long time since she had last worn a dress this fancy. Since the Wandering Isle and the prince who insisted on kidnapping girls for prospective brides. How his line ever reached him without being poisoned in their sleep was beyond her.

    Still she had to admit, in that part of her that took pride in her female side, that she looked really good in the dress. It was a bit of an odd style when in came to the skirt, only reaching her mid-thigh on the right before swooping back and to the left and in the process leaving quite a bit of her legs on display.

    Despite looking good it was, however, still a dress. She gave a small twirl and look at herself in the mirror. It looked good, but… Dress. And now she could almost feel something that might be a pout coming from the dress.

    "Don't want to wear a dress." She mumbled as she pulled at the skirting. She paused. For a moment she had felt… understanding? Yes something resembling understanding, coming from the outfit she was wearing.

    Hadn't Setarial said that some artifacts had a degree of sentience? She had also said the powers came from the nature of the bond between Exalted and Artifact.

    Ranma decided to try something. It probably wouldn't do anything, but better to try and fail than get stuck in a dress… and again that feeling of understanding…

    Sighing she gripped her ki and pushed a bit of it at the dress she was wearing along with the impression of 'not a dress'. She had barely begun organizing her thoughts when the dress responded.

    If asked later on she would deny squeaking as the stocking started crawling up her legs. It took only moments, but as Ranma watched the dress shifted into a shirt, it's skirting disappearing entirely as it withdrew to her waist. At the same time the stocking merged, threads merging as if they had been sewn that way as they form a pair of very nice, and very tight fitting, pants.

    Ranma stared for a moment. "Was that supposed to happen?" She mumbled as she turned around to look at her back in the mirror. She ran a hand along her backside, it was definitely a pair of silk pants. A bit tight though… She pressed that desire lightly against Meru's Wind and immediately the pants loosened becoming more like a high quality version of her favourite pair back home. In white and gold instead of black, but it was the style that counted.

    Out of curiosity she poked it again and watched as a string of ties ran down the front of the shirt. Even the intertwined sun and moon at the bottom of the low neckline had changed almost like… She reached up and touch it. Yes, they had become a clasp and there was a proper break in the fabric being held shut by the ties.

    She smirked at herself in the mirror and twirled on the spot. This was more to her liking.

    Of course now she had to explain this to Setarial… Assuming the Goddess hadn't withheld this just to get a rise out of her.

    She frowned before shrugging. She made a couple small tweaks, the sleeves were a little wide for her taste, before nodding and stepping out from behind the screen.

    "What-" The surprised look on the Goddess's face was perhaps the most genuine expression of emotion she had seen from the millennia old woman all day. Well she probably hadn't a clue about the shapeshifting nature of the dress then.

    "It can shapeshift." Ranma shrugged. Distantly she noted the dress seemed… amused at the Goddess's reaction. She had to agree, it was amusing.

    The Goddess shook herself and sighed. She smiled again. "Well that is one way of getting out of wearing a dress I suppose." She said.

    Ranma slipped into the vanity's chair with a sigh. "Well now that we're done with this-" She began.

    "Not quite." Setarial interrupted, moving back over to the chest.

    "What now?" Ranma asked plaintively.

    The Goddess smirked. "First there is the lack of make-up. While you got away with none earlier this is a formal event, not just a meeting between enemies."

    Ranma groaned. She hated make-up. Whomever invented the idea was lucky to already be long dead since had she managed to lay hands on them… Well she wasn't quite sure what she'd have done, but it was unlikely to be pleasant.

    Setarial chuckled at her reaction. "View it as a necessary evil." She said as she fished a couple of items out of the chest.

    "I've already accepted enough necessary evils to populate my own personal hell." The redhead snarked.

    Setarial chuckled. "That is one way of looking at it." She replied before holding out a necklace.

    "Not a fan of jewelry." Ranma said as she took the delicate construct of gold and gems. She blinked at the soft warmth coming from the necklace. "Is this an artifact?" She asked.

    "Yes. A lesser artifact known as a Collar of Dawn's Cleansing Light." Setarial said, "This one is made from orihalcum. That is why it feels warm. Unlike most artifacts these don't require attunement. Simply wearing it is enough."

    Ranma turned it over in her hands. "What does it do?" She asked.

    "It keeps you clean."

    Ranma blinked. "Wouldn't that get rid of make-up?" She asked. Really wasn't make-up just putting the right colour of dirt on your face to help it look better?

    Setarial snorted and stifled some laughter. "Its magic is somewhat more selective than that." She said after her moment of merriment.

    Ranma sighed and put it on. The moment she latched it together around her neck a wave of warmth rolled across her before dissipating. She blinked, it felt like she had just had a bath. She stared at her hand which had still been a little dirty from climbing the palace. All she saw was clean unblemished skin.

    "Huh." Was all she said. She felt a bit conflicted. On one had that was a really convenient trick, on the other hand it was jewelry… Privately she added one more evil to her list of things she'd tolerate.

    A knock at the door brought her out of her introspection. "Come in." Ranma said, hoping for a distraction.

    The door opened and Kodachi stepped in. She was wearing a very tasteful dress in a dark green with long sleeves and a shawl that was a few shade lighter. "You found something I see." She said as she closed the door behind her.

    "We had to go looking a bit far afield." Ranma said. "Everything here was…"

    "I will be having words with my servants about their… taste in fashion." Setarial said, picking up as Ranma trailed off.

    Kodachi blinked. "I- I see." She said. She probably did not understand, but there was not much else to say.

    "Now. Make-up." Setarial said.

    Ranma groaned. "Please tell her I don't need any." She pleaded with Kodachi.

    The black haired girl's head tilted to one side as she evaluated Ranma. "A bit around the eyes, and her cheeks could use a little blush." She said, bringing Ranma's hopes down around her.

    "I was thinking the same thing." Setarial said brightly.

    "Also… A cape perhaps?" Kodachi continued as she stared at Ranma.

    Ranma blinked and looked up at Setarial. The Goddess looked back thoughtfully. "Perhaps a half-cape? Off the left shoulder and attached to the right hip?" She offered, "Can you?" She directed the last to Ranma with a raise eyebrow.

    Taking her que Ranma poked Meru's Wind. It responded with something that felt like disappointment. "I don't think so?" She said after a moment, to the confusion of Kodachi.

    "Pity." Setarial sighed. "While a nice idea I'm not certain we have the time to try and run one down. This will have to do."

    Kodachi smiled. "Would you like a hand with the make-up?" She asked.

    "If you would like to help I can show you a few things I'm certain." Setarial smiled.

    Ranma groaned. Why was this her life?

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    It was fifteen minutes later when the door opened without warning and Lily poked her head in. "Magistrate." Setarial greeted her as she carefully reapplied some cosmetic whose name Ranma did not know to the area around her eyes. It looked like a pencil to her.

    "I see you're just about finished." Lily said, "Good. Sung Huain is almost here."

    Setarial smiled. "Excellent. Lady Kuno if you wouldn't mind putting the make-up back into the desk I will escort our Castellan down stairs to one of the meeting rooms." She said, finishing the last bit before placing the 'pencil' back on the vanity.

    "Done?" Ranma asked.

    "Done." Setarial confirmed with another small smile.

    Ranma looked at her reflection and restrained herself from rolling here eyes. As much as she did not want to admit it, they had done quite a good job. She looked just a little bit older, a little more mature. It would probably be easier for other to take her seriously, which could only help tonight.

    "Lets go." She said, standing and walking around Kodachi who was placing the myriad of implements back into their original locations.

    "I'll be down in a moment." Kodachi said distractedly.

    "Take your time." Ranma said as she followed Setarial and Lily out of the room.

    The meeting room was down on the main floor, just off the main hallway. It lacked a window, but it had plenty of light from a small chandelier of the same crystals that she had seen in the Palace.

    It was a simple room. A few bookshelves and small tables decorated the edge of the room while a half dozen very nice leather backed chairs were arrayed around a rectangular table. Ranma slid into the chair and sighed. It was a comfortable chair.

    Lily paused at the door. "With your permission I'll go and guide Sung in when he arrives." She said.

    "Go ahead." Ranma said and the older woman slipped back out.

    Ranma leaned back in her chair. This meeting was going to be harder than the one with Staedtler was. To start with they had less time. The meeting with Staedtler had taken hours. They had less than an hour to convince Sung to work they them. For this she could not be unsure. She had to act, at the very least, as if she knew what she was doing.

    And wasn't that a joke in and of itself. In less than twenty-four hours she had gone from being bored out of her mind by her mother's genealogy lesson to having an entire city relying on her… All things considered it still only ranked in the top three weirdest days of her life. So far anyway.

    Still she needed to be more… authoritative? Decisive? Both really. She needed people to listen to her, even if she wasn't the most physically imposing person in the room.

    Ranma closed her eyes as she considered the problem. The room was silent except for the sound of turning pages as Setarial looked through one of the books in the room.

    The silence was broken minutes later by a knock on the door. "Come in." Ranma said, opening her eyes as she sat up.

    The door swung open and a familiar man with a cane stepped through. "Good even Your Grace." Staedtler said. A step behind him came Kodachi.

    Ranma grinned. "Hello to you to." She replied, before counting the chairs with a frown. "You couldn't have picked someplace with more chairs?" She asked Setarial.

    "It was large, or private." The Goddess responded. "I chose private. Some of us will simply have to stand. I have no issues doing so."

    "Well you are also a Goddess." Staedtler reminded her with a grin of his own. "Some of us are not blessed with endless youth." He groaned overdramatically as he settled into the chair to Ranma's right.

    "The seating looks fine to me." Kodachi added as she slipped in on Ranma's other side.

    "When we have Lily, Sung, and whoever he brings with him?" Ranma asked rhetorically.

    "Oh. Yes well." Kodachi blushed and fell silent.

    Staedtler leaned towards Ranma. "Have you decided on what we're offering Sung?" He asked.

    Ranma sighed. There had been quite a bit of debate before they had broken up, and more than a few suggestions had been bandied about. A lot of it depended on what style of government they were going to run, and honestly that was something she knew nothing about.

    "Right now I leaning towards Governor of the north." She said, "With a promise of a post of equal or greater prestige if the job is no longer need."

    The old trader ran a hand along his chin. "Plenty of prestige to it, and power." He noted.

    "It's also an appointment, which means I can take it away if he screws up." She added.

    "Not particularly likely." Staedtler said, "He is a competent administrator, and has a keen eye for opportunity. Not that he always takes it."

    "What do you mean?" Kodachi asked.

    "Sometimes he'll see an opportunity for a good investment, but rather than take it himself he passes it onto other people he knows." Staedtler said. "It's why he has so much support up north. More than a few people owe quite a bit of their success to him."

    "A kingmaker." Setarial observed.

    "Quite." Staedtler agreed.

    Ranma sighed and leaned back into her chair again. "We'll have to see what he wants." She said.

    "Yes we will." The older man agreed.

    Conversation drifted onto lighter topics for a while before another knock at the door prompted everyone to straighten themselves out.

    "Enter." Ranma said.

    The door opened and Lily entered, stepping to the side as she did. "May I present Sung Huain, and his wife and daughter Sung Shu and Sung Ya." She said with a bow.

    The man who entered the room was thin and tall. His black hair was cut short and he lacked any sort of facial hair. He wore a very plain blue robe of fine silk.

    His wife was shorter than he was with long black hair and dressed in a much more decorated set of red robes. Their daughter took after the mother in both dress and body.

    "Greetings." Sung Huain said, bowing as he entered. "I come as asked Lady Setarial." His wife and daughter bowed and echoed him quietly.

    Ranma and Kodachi shared a quiet look. It was like seeing someone step out of a history book on old Chinese dynasties.

    "Welcome Sung Huain." Setarial said before gesturing to the seating. "Please sit."

    "Thank you, milady." He said as he took the seat opposite Ranma. His wife sat at his right while his daughter stood behind him. "However it would appear that this meeting is more than I expected." He looked right at Ranma before shifting his gaze to Staedtler and back again. "Much more I would say."

    "And you'd be right." Staedtler said with a wave. "A lot has happened over the last day, and unless we get it sorted out we're looking at a nasty future."

    "May I introduce Lady Castellan Saotome Ranma." Lily said as she stood behind and to the right of Ranma.

    "It is good to meet you. Sung Huain." Ranma said. This meeting was far more formal than she liked, but she had the feeling that Sung Huain liked formality.

    "I would say it is an honour to meet someone who has obviously gained the approval of our Goddess," Huain began, "However I have heard disturbing rumours of Anathema making their rounds of the city."

    Ranma's eyes narrowed. A thought and a slight application of ki lit up her forehead with that strange mark. All three of the Sung's recoiled slightly at the sight. "Does that answer your questions?" She asked.

    For a moment it looked as though he would bolt before he visibly gathered himself. "Yes. Yes it does." He said cautiously.

    "Be at ease Sung Huain." Setarial said reassuringly. She walked around the table and took the seat to his left. "Things are not as the Immaculate Order would have the world believe."

    "You have never spoken out before milady." Sung said, bowing his head deferentially.

    "I may be millennia older than the Immaculate Order, but I am only a Goddess and against the might of the Realm. Well, one Goddess can only manage so much." She confessed.

    "Hear us out." Ranma said, drawing their attention from their Goddess back to her. "If you don't like what we have to say, you can leave at any time. You have my word."

    "And mine." Staedtler added, "You know I don't give my word lightly." The two men stared at each other for a while.

    "No." Sung said, "No, you do not give it lightly. I will hear you out."

    "Wonderful." Setarial smiled and took one of his hands. "You will not regret it Sung Huain."

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Riding in a coach was never the most comfortable of experiences. It was even worse when travelling over cobbled street. Still, better to endure a coach ride then walk the length of the city. That was Bengtsson Gehard's opinion, and it was fact as far as he was concerned.

    "There are a lot of carriages coming this way." His wife, Bengtsson Margaret, noted as they passed the main street.

    "Everyone is invited." Gehard said dismissively.

    "Not everyone." His wife replied glibly.

    "Everyone of any importance." He corrected. "I'm surprised so many are showing. I would be surprised if this wasn't a trap of some kind."

    "You are always so pessimistic." Margaret said, "This is the first time the Goddess of the City has hosted an event like this inside her temple. No one can afford to say there weren't here for that."

    He snorted. "Were it on any other day I'd be less suspicious, however it is not on any day that the Realm abandons a Satrapy. As Leitleen said, this will be where the fate of the city is decided." He told her.

    "Hmmm." She looked back out the window, leaning on one elbow. Her free hand absently pulled at their youngest son's hair. The fifteen year old seemed to be as annoyed at the action as he ever was, but said nothing. Not that saying something would have done anything at all to stop Margaret from fussing more. That annoyance was the only sign he ever saw in the boy that he was growing up, as weak and sickly as he tended to be.

    The rest of the ride was silent and, fortunately, short. Before long they were trundling across the bridge to the temple. He watched as the guards directed his driver to drop them at the stairs before heading back over the bridge.

    Interestingly all the guards were women, and all of them carried those oddly short firewands. Women serving in the military was not unheard of, but it was odd to see so many in one place.

    "We're here sir." His driver said as they came to a stop.

    "Good." He growled, popping open the door himself and hopping out. He truly hated coaches.

    His wife and son waited for the driver to lower the steps before joining him. He made sure to help her down the stairs, it would hardly do to be caught not being properly courteous to his own wife.

    "I have to head back over the bridge sir." His driver said after he folded up the steps. "They don't want us cluttering things up here. They said they'll let us know when things wrap up."

    Gehard nodded. "Fine, just don't go too far. If things go wrong…"

    His driver nodded. "I'll be on hand sir." With that he climbed back up onto the driver's seat.

    As the coach trundled off Gehard turned and offered his arm to his wife. "Shall we." He said.

    "Of course." She replied, taking his arm.

    "Stay close boy." He said to his son as they started up the stairs. Behind them another coach rolled up to the steps.

    At the door another pair of women were on guard. "Straight through the temple. Entrance to the party is out the back of the shrine." The one on the left said.

    "Thank you." His wife said as they passed.

    It was a rare thing for the temple to be open to the public, but Bengtsson could say that he had indeed seen the beauty that was the halls of the Temple of the Hidden Sun before. Only twice before, but it meant he knew where to go. Straight through the Hall of Five Suns, down the hall at the back, and out into Setarial's shrine.

    Both times he had been there before he had wondered at what lay further into the temple behind the doors of the shrine, but there had always been Immaculate Monks before the door. It was a fool who ignored the implied threat. Now the doors were wide open, spilling sunlight of all things into the room.

    "Oh my." His wife murmured as they stopped at the doorway.

    He looked up at the crystal tree that towered over them. It was massive, and the sunlight the poured from it made it hard to look at. "Temple of the Hidden Sun indeed." He said as they stepped out onto the stone path through the garden.

    "We are happy to hear that it makes an impression." A deep accented voice said from the side.

    As one the Bengtssons turned and froze.

    A second even more accented voice spoke up. "Hope that we make equally grand impression." Bears. Two very large brown bears wearing the type of hat most commonly used by the bureaucrats of the Thousand Scales were sitting at an oversized table. A winglass sat in front of both of them and cards were scattered across the table.

    One of them took a sip from the wineglass in front of it. "Welcome to our Lady's garden." It said. "I am Mikorov and this is Ikorov. We are servants of her Lady Setarial." They were Spirits. They had to be.

    "Yes, good servants." Said the second bear, Ikorov. "Here we impress upon you our Lady's Glorious Hospitality!" He saluted them with this wineglass… which looked more like a stein with a winestem attached to it.

    "Th-thank you." His wife curtsied and he followed her lead, bowing quite stiffly.

    "Do enjoy the party." The first, Mikorov, said with a grin that could send children running. If you were willing to stretch the definition of a smile that far.

    "We," Bengtsson licked his suddenly dry lips. "We shall. Good evening." He quickly pulled his family along deeper into the garden. Behind him he heard someone else make the acquaintance of the large talking bears.

    Perhaps it had been a good thing that the Immaculate Monks had kept this place under lock and key. Getting eaten as a child would have been an inconvenience.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    "I see." Huain said. His head rested on his hands as he leaned against the table. His wife patted him on the arm, an attempt at reassurance that rang a bit hollow with the way she seemed to be staring at Ranma with blank eyes.

    Ranma shifted uncomfortably as she noticed that the daughter was also looking at her in much the same way.

    "This… A decision must be reached tonight?" Huain asked. He wanted more time, understandable but...

    "Unfortunately yes." Staedtler said with a sigh. "Bengtsson was in the middle of moving on you when Leitleen got the drop on him."

    "He wouldn't dare." Huain said uncertainly.

    "He wished to capture your daughter and force your own forces to bend knee to him." Setarial said. His daughter flinched and Huain scowled.

    "And he has been dealt with?" He asked, his tone rising.

    "Leitleen left him with a warning." Setarial said, "He knows we are watching."

    Huain shook his head. "You left him as a threat." He said looking around the room.

    "One we're looking to deal with." Ranma said, drawing his attention back to her. "That's what tonight is all about. We're trying to make it clear who's in charge now."

    A knocked on the door interrupted Huain's answer. "Enter." Ranma called.

    Kawashima poked her head in. "Sorry to interrupt, but guests are starting to show." She said, "Including Bengtsson."

    Huain went to stand and was held back by his wife and daughter. "Stay Huain." His wife said softly. They shared a look and after a moment he nodded and sat back down.

    "I must go." Setarial said, giving the man a pat on his shoulder as she rose. "Thank you Corporal." Kawashima nodded and ducked back out. The Goddess turned to Huain. "Please, find a way to work with Lady Saotome. She has my full confidence." That said she left the room.

    "So-" Staedtler started, only to stop as Huain raised a hand to silence him.

    Silence descended on the group as Huain rested his head in his hands. He was thinking obviously, but about what Ranma had to wonder. He was different from what she had expected. He was one of the two to gather weapons, but he seemed so softly spoken most of the time.

    "Father." His daughter said finally, "We must give an answer."

    "Yes." He sighed. "Yes we must." He looked up at Ranma. "You have a presence, Lady Castellan. A confidence, but one that does not enter your words. I do not see what she sees, but then I am a man and she is a Goddess."

    He sat straight and looked to his wife and daughter. "This decision affects all of us, and more. My two flowers, tell me what you think." He asked them.

    "I do not know." His wife said after a moment of looking searchingling at Ranma.

    "I do." His daughter said, drawing the attention of her parents.

    "You are certain?" He asked.


    "Yes." She said before turning to Ranma and bowing low. "We do as the Goddess asks of us."

    Ranma blinked and shared a look with Kodachi before glancing at Staedtler. The old man seemed amused at the turn of events. "Your name?" She asked, before Huain could speak.

    "Sung Ya, your grace." The girl said.

    "Tell me, Sung Ya, why are you so sure that that is the best choice?" Ranma asked. The girl had a certainty to her that was fascinating and disturbing at the same time.

    "Yes my child." Huain said, "Why?"

    The girl studied her father for a moment before looking again to Ranma. "The Goddess knows more than any of us, but more than that I see something I never saw in the Dynasts with Lady Saotome." She said.

    "And that is?" Huain prodded again.

    "Care."

    Ranma tilted her head curiously at the pronouncement.

    Ya continued, "I see she cares what we think. She cares what those around her think. She seeks accommodation when she could just as easily impose order. She cares. The Realm never did."

    Huain sat back in his chair thoughtfully. Behind Ranma she could hear Lily chuckle softly. "An insightful daughter you have there Sung Huain." She said.

    "She has always seen more than myself or her mother." Huain said softly, drawing a blush from the girl. "Very well. My daughter has seen truth before that I failed to. I will follow her advice in this manner, but that does not mean that I will ask nothing for my support. I must think of my family." He looked up at his daughter, "For they are most important to me."

    "Father." Her blush redoubled.

    "Well then." Staedtler chuckled. "I suppose it's a good thing we were already prepared to offer quite a bit."

    "And what is it you offer?" Huain asked.

    "Without the Thousand Scales in place keeping the nation organized is going to be next to impossible." Staedtler said, "For an interim period we were thinking of a group of governors who would help organize their areas until a more permanent organization could be set up."

    "We were thinking you might agree to be our governor of the north." Ranma said, leaning forward eagerly. This had proven to be simpler than she had feared.

    "What areas would that include?" He asked.

    "It would include the Canal, Mountain, and Briarwood districts would fall under the northern auspices." Staedtler said, "The east would take Brownclay and Sweetrose, while the south would have Saadhill and River."

    Huain nodded and looked to his wife. They had what seemed to be a silent conversation. Finally he said, "It would seem to be an important post, but what about after it is no longer needed?"

    "Assuming you do well," Ranma said, "I'm willing to promise a position at least as important. We're still not sure about how things might be set up. We've only had today to try and get some form of sanity out of this."

    "You have a point." Huain stroked his chin. "I agree to those terms." He said, standing and reaching out a hand across the table.

    Ranma stood herself and they shook. "Thank you Sung Huain." She said.

    "Do not give me reason to regret this." He said before bowing.

    "Well." Staedtler said as he struggled to his feet, "Since we now have an agreement we should probably head out and join the masses."

    Ranma settled back into her chair. "Have fun." She said.

    "Are you not coming your grace?" Sung Ya asked.

    "The plan is for Lady Setarial to give her a proper introduction once everyone has arrived." Lily said.

    "I see." Ya said. She bowed to Ranma. "Thank you for giving us this chance."

    Ranma smiled and stifled a laugh. "Thank you, for giving me a chance." She replied.

    The girl blinked and blushed. "Yes, of course your grace." She said before her mother took her by the shoulders and gently steered her out the door, whispering something to her all the while.

    Huain looked after her for a moment and sighed before following with an amused shake of his head.

    Ranma glanced towards Kodachi who was also shaking her head and trying not to laugh. Then they made eye contact and Kodachi started giggling.

    "What?" Ranma asked. Kodachi only giggled harder. The redhead sighed. "Fine, be that way. I'm headed upstairs." She stood up and walked out the door while Kodachi giggled.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Sergeant Ito peered through his binoculars down the road at the warehouse. Getting into position without being spotted had been tricky. Twice they had nearly needed to spill blood, but luck had been on their side. As it was they now had an excellent view of the main street leading through Canal Gate and Nooji Plaza. And the warhouse held by Bengtsson's men happened to be on the Nooji end of that road.

    As it was they had counted at least two hundred people arriving, with nearly a quarter as many leaving, since their arrival two hours earlier.

    As he watched the two men on guard duty out were huddled under thin blankets as they sat on crates and tried to pretend to keep an eye out. They kept near a lantern on a third pile of crates in some vague attempt to keep warm.

    Had they been his soldiers he'd have given them hell for ruining their night vision. As it was he was glad for the incompetence. It made it easier to keep an eye on them.

    He keyed his radio, gods he'd hate it when these things ran down, and said, "Sergeant Ito to command, third quarter report."

    "This is command. Go ahead Sergeant." Came the voice of one of the corporals.

    "Bengtsson's forces are still holed up in-" He stopped as something startled the guards at the door. Shouting from within the warehouse. "Hold one. Something's going on."

    "Understood Sergeant."

    The closed doors of the warehouse swung open slowly and the shouting grew in volume. He still couldn't quite make it out though. Light and the shadows of men danced in the entrance and a few moments later a mob, for it was too disorganized to call an army, walked out.

    He keyed his mic again on a different frequency. "Ito to fireteam. Keep your heads down, they're leaving." A few muttered affirmatives were the only response he got. Good, they were learning.

    He keyed the command frequency again. "This is Ito. Bengtsson's men are moving out. They appear incredibly agitated and are chanting something." He said.

    "Can you tell us what they're chanting?"

    "Negative, too far. Hold one." He said switching to his fireteam. "Does anyone know what they're saying?" He asked.

    "It's not just one person talking." Corporal Tatsu said, "It's a mix of chants. They're headed your way though."

    "Understood." Ito said as he settled in and tried to stay out of sight. Soon he was rewarded as they mob drew closer.

    "....GREYFALLS! NEVER AGAIN WILL WE ACCEPT THE DOMINION OF ANOTHER PEOPLE! THIS LAND, THIS CITY, ALL OF IT IS OURS!" Shouted the lead man, who couldn't have been older than twenty. The men following him were shouting chants with variations of "GREYFALLS" and "FREEDOM".

    "THEY SEEK TO SUBORN MY FATHER WHO HAS FOUGHT FOR US! WHAT WILL YOU DO!" The man continued. The mob responded with a single shout of, "FIGHT!"

    Ito stared after them as they walked by and swore. He listened to the boy at the lead, obviously Bengtsson's eldest, and it became very clear where they were headed. "Ito to command." He said, "About five hundred men just marched passed me. They're headed for the temple and I think they're out for blood."

    "Understood Sergeant." Command responded. "Orders are to shadow them as best you can. Try to track them, but do not get spotted."

    "Understood command." Ito said. He was already moving before the orders were given. With all the noise they were making it wouldn't be too hard to keep track of them. "Ito to fireteam shadow them. Do not get caught. Understood?" As his team checked in he noted privately that he probably wasn't going to get the credit he deserved for this.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    "They're quite charming for bears." Guon Fan said as she sipped from a glass of red wine.

    Kawashima emptied her own, despite it being half filled. "Even so when they asked me to take command of the detachment tonight I wasn't expecting talking bears." She said.

    "It's hardly the weirdest thing to go through this town." The Guild leader noted.

    "Dare I ask?" The Corporal said flatly.

    Guon Fan snorted. "We had a sorceress come and insist that she be allowed to bind a demon into the mast of a ship we were building for her family."

    Kawashima stared at her before examining her empty wine glass. "I think I'm going to need more of this." She said finally.

    "It didn't end that badly. For us anyway." Guon Fan said with a vicious smile. "As I understand the ship sailed great. It followed orders like it was alive. Until the sorceress died and it kept sailing on the last course she gave it. Turns out she didn't trust anyone else to give it orders."

    The corporal winced and chuckled. "Poor bastards." She said. That was a terrifying thought. Trapped on a ship with a mind of its own that was determined to follow its last order even if it killed everyone to do so.

    "Sailed off the edge of the world, or so the rumours say. Apparently some of the crew managed to bail when it was still in sight of land and made it ashore. Though most people agree they all died shortly thereafter. No one's heard of it since." The Guild leader continued.

    "And on that cheery note I'm going to go get something more to drink." Kawashima said ignoring the amused smile Guon Fan hid behind her glass.

    "It was nice talking to you." She said as Kawashima beat a retreat.

    "To you as well." Kawashima called back over her shoulder. Once she was certain she had lost the guild leader in the crowd she sighed. "Is everyone crazy here?" She asked the empty air.

    "No, but some might think you are if you keep talking to no one." Kawashima sighed as Lily slid out of the crowd.

    "And now I see you are about. Aren't you supposed to be hanging off our Lady's every word?" She asked pointedly.

    "Harsh." Lily said before she held up a second glass of something that looked a bit stronger than wine, "Especially considering I brought drinks."

    Kawashima looked at the glass, looked back at her own empty one and set it down on a nearby rock before taking the one the Magistrate was holding out. "Thank you." She said, "How do you people live here?"

    "Carefully." Lily replied with amusement. "More seriously there is a reason the Immaculate Order normally regulates the supernatural with such vigilance."

    "Demons, Elementals, and bears; oh my." Kawashima muttered.

    "I'm sorry?" Lily raised an eyebrow.

    The corporal sighed. "Just a reference to a bit of popular fiction back home." She said.

    "Ah." Lily sipped from her wine as looked about. "More people than I had expected.

    "Really? She did say she'd get about five hundred." She pointed out.

    "At the most." Lily reminded. "I was expecting half that. It seems the Realm was less popular than I realized."

    "More likely people are more opportunistic than you gave them credit for." Kawashima countered before taking a drink from the glass. She sighed at the taste of rum. "Aaah, much better."

    Lily chuckled. "You seemed the sort to appreciate something other than sour grapes." She said.

    "Where did you find this?" She asked curiously. She hadn't seen anything other than wine in the gazebos.

    "I asked the bears." Said Lily.

    Kawashima paused and looked at the glass carefully before shrugging and taking another drink of it to the chuckles of her drinking partner. At least the bears had good taste.

    "I would have thought the two of you would have better taste." Kawashima turned to see Kodachi join them. The younger woman looked a touch frazzled.

    "You okay girl?" She asked.

    "I'm fine." Kodachi said as she tried in vain to brush her hair back into place with her hand. "A few too many people in the Gazebos though. You might need to go over and institute a bit of order because its getting impossible to get to the food and drinks."

    "And you haven't tried to wave down one of the servants?" Lily asked.

    "I haven't been able to find them." Kodachi admitted.

    Lily sighed and waved her hand in the air. A few moments a young woman with blue hair, brown skin, and solid blue eyes slid out from the crowd with a platter of hors d'oeuvres. "You waved milady." She said, her words echoing like they were spoken from underwater.

    "My friend has been trying to find you and yours without success." Lily said dryly as the two Japanese women stared at the spirit.

    "Our apologies." The spirit bowed her head and offered the platter to Kodachi. "Take what you desire milady."

    The younger woman grabbed a few items from the platter as Kawashima stared at it. One of the three types of appetizers looked like cheese and crackers, but the rest… Honestly this sort of thing was well outside her realm of experience.

    "Thank you." Kodachi said with a slight bow.

    "It is our pleasure milady Zenith." The spirit said before disappearing back into the crowds.

    Kawashima stared after her for a moment before taking another long drink from her glass. "How do you live here again?" She asked.

    Lily sipped her drink. "By abusing the advantages of being Exalted." She replied with a smirk.

    "Corporal." Kawashima growled as private Harada appeared out of the crowd.

    "Now what?" She asked the ceiling with surprising vitriol.

    Harada blinked. "Ma'am?" She asked.

    Kawashima pinched her nose and tried to tune out the giggles of the Magistrate. "Never mind Harada. What is it?" She asked.

    "Message from command, they're on the move and they're coming here." Harada said.

    The three women stilled. "By they, do you mean Bengtsson's men?" Kodachi asked quietly.

    "Affirmative." Harada said.

    "Shit, how long?" Kawashima asked.

    "Unknown. We were informed the moment they started moving. Not even five minutes ago." Harada said.

    "I'll inform Setarial. We need to start moving things up." Lily said finishing her glass.

    "I'll inform Ranma." Kodachi said as she hurriedly popped the last appetizer into her mouth.

    "And I'll go talk with command." Kawashima sighed and finished her drink.

    The other two women disappeared back into the crowd leaving her with the private. She stared contemplatively at the glass. "Ma'am?" Harada prodded.

    "We're going to stop by the bears. I want to ask them where they got that drink." She told her subordinate.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Ranma turned over the blade for the thirtieth time since she had sat down at the vanity. It was a beautiful weapon. The blade itself was free of even the least decoration, but the hilt and guard were absolutely bedecked with intricate carvings with a single open space in the pommel like a large gem had fallen out. She ran her hand over the depression and withdrew it with a hiss of pain as something sparked.

    She examined her finger. A thin layer of ice was melting quickly, but didn't seem to leave any more damage behind. She sighed and slid the weapon back into its sheath.

    It was a beautiful weapon, but there was just one issue. It was a sword, and she was not a sword person. She was trained to use swords, just as she was trained with any other weapon her father could lay hands on, but she had never been fond of them. Unlike a spear, or staff, or even a club there was no way to really moderate a strike from one. Oh sure you could hit with the back or side of the blade, but then you might as well get a staff and use that since at least it was designed with that in mind.

    It was a beautiful weapon, but it would never see use in her hands.

    The door swung open without warning. "Ranma," Kodachi began.

    "Catch." Ranma said as she threw the sheathed blade to the other woman.

    Kodachi squeaked but caught the sword. "What are you doing?" She demanded with some of her normal vigour, "You don't go throwing swords at people!"

    "Don't act like it was drawn." Ranma said as she leaned against the vanity trying to stifle a giggle.

    Kodachi pouted and sighed. "Still don't throw priceless weapons around." She scolded.

    Ranma shrugged. "Won't do it again. It's yours now anyway." She said. Kodachi probably had training with swords, right?

    "Good, now-" Kodachi paused, "What?" Her look of confusion sent Ranma over the edge into a genuine fit of giggles.

    "Why?" Kodachi asked again as Ranma settled down.

    "Never going to use it." Ranma said with a shrug, "Besides, Setarial gave me something else magical so it's not like I need another magic toy." A vague sense of being offended wafted from her clothes. She patted it idly with a brush of ki and it settled down.

    Kodachi stared at her before looking down at the blade. Carefully she unsheathed it and looked it over. The awe on her face was plain to see. "I- I don't know what to say." The Zenith said quietly.

    "Then don't." Ranma shrugged. "We can talk about whether you want to attune it or not later."

    "What?" Kodachi looked at her.

    "If you want to use it as more than a sharp paper weight you need to attune it. You need to put part of your ki into it." Ranma waved her hand vaguely. "Sorta. The words don't really line up right."

    "And, you've done this before?" Kodachi asked as she sheathed the blade.

    "Did it with this." Ranma said plucking at her shirt and pants.

    "That's magic?" Kodachi asked.

    "It used to be dress."

    "Oh." Kodachi looked at the blade contemplatively for a moment before shaking her head. "As much I'd like to know more we don't really have time."

    "Only takes few minutes." Ranma said.

    "There's an army coming." Kodachi said. Ranma blinked, then her eyes narrowed.

    "Bengtsson's men?" She asked. They had expected some sort of action, but they'd hoped that he would have more sense then Staedtler gave him credit for.

    "Yes. Kawashima is learning more right now." Kodachi said.

    "I'll get ready for my moment then. No idea how long?" She asked turning the possibilities over in her mind. It was risky sending an army, even a small one, to a place he was in. Unless he planned to put on an act of talking them down just to look good? Risky though, if emotions flared too high then they might not listen to him. Or was this not under his control? Had his grip on them already slipped?

    "They're coming from Nooji, but I don't know how long a walk that is." Kodachi said with a frown.

    "It's a new city. We'll just have to hope we have time for our little show." Ranma said as she stood and swept out of the room.

    Kodachi fell in behind her. "Should I go ask the corporal what is happening?" She asked.

    "Get her to come fill me in once she's done. Then find Bengtsson and keep an eye on him." Ranma ordered, "If he does something strange do what you think is right, just don't attack him unless you have to."

    "I'd like to think I know better now." Kodachi said quietly.

    Ranma paused on the steps and looked back to Kodachi. "If you don't want to do it, you don't have to." She said gently.

    Kodachi bit her lip and looked down at the floor. They stood there for a long moment before Ranma sighed and started down the stairs. Kodachi followed her quickly. As they reached the bottom she spoke, "I'll do it."

    "You don't-" Ranma started.

    "I said I'll do it. So I will." Kodachi said firmly, though to Ranma she looked nervous enough to blow over with a stiff wind.

    "Let Magistrate Whitemane know what you're doing at least." Ranma said.

    Kodachi sighed. "Very well." She said before heading off down the hall ahead of Ranma.

    Ranma stared after her for a few moments. She sighed again herself. "She has way too many issues." Ranma said to herself before heading for the door.

    At the exit one of the JGSDF soldiers was leaning against the wall. She straightened at Ranma's approach.

    "Lady Castellan." The girl said, and she really seemed more like a girl than a woman with the nervous way she handled her rifle. "I'm here to tell you when to head out."

    "Figured as much. Going to be soon?" Ranma asked.

    "Hopefully." The girl said with a nervous shrug.

    Ranma sighed and settled in to wait.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Despite the unusual nature of the greeters the party was turning out to be a remarkably pleasant affair. There was plenty of appetizers make the rounds served by a very exotic mix of spirits, most if not all of whom seemed to be beautiful women.

    Bengtsson had yet to find the band that was playing the music, but they had to be around somewhere. Their music was very soothing. It almost made dealing with some of the more annoying merchants and landowners bearable. Almost.

    He sipped the wine in his glass carefully. It was a very good vintage, but the last thing he could afford was to become unduly intoxicated. Especially since things seemed to finally be picking up.

    He swirled the wine in his glass and sniffed it slowly to conceal a glance about the garden. From his vantage point near the outside edge of the garden he could, despite being surrounded by many of his more wealthy supporters, keep an eye on things thanks to his natural height.

    There had been a lot of movement involving the guards for the last few minutes and given the quiet conversation he had spotted Setarial having with that Realm magistrate (what was she still doing here?) he suspected that the evenings events were coming to a head.

    "With the departure of the Realm, Gehard," One of his supporters said. What was his name? Won Su, Su Wong? Irrelevant. "The lands near Three Pine Hill will be unmanaged now."

    "But not uninhabited." Another pointed out.

    "Irrelevant." Son Wung? Said. "Tenant farmers are tenant farmers. They need a strong hand overseeing them to keep them from just doing whatever."

    "Whatever indeed." The second snarked, "I suppose you believe you would be best to manage them?"

    "Of course."

    Gehard pushed their argument out of his consciousness as he tracked the movements of their Hostess. The Goddess was moving towards the pagoda, the only truly high point in the garden. His eyes narrowed. It was the only high point and thus the best place to address a group of this size. She was going to speak.

    He needed to get over there.

    "Gehard, what do you think?" The direct question brought him out of his thoughts as his two supporters looked to him.

    He glanced at both of them and quickly reviewed what he remembered of their discussion. Something about the Three Pine Hill estates? "I think," He said, "That this is a discussion for another time when we have a chance to go into more detail. I believe our Hostess is about to address everyone."

    Both of his supporters turned to look as he pointed, politely, to the pagoda. With them suitably distracted he made his escape and scooped his wife and son out of another nearby huddle of supporters before dragging, leading, them through the crowd.

    "Really Gehard." His wife said as he finally reached the edge of the crowd nearest the pagoda. "Would it have killed you to give a little more warning?" She asked.

    He grunted and ignored her huff. She'd get over it, she always got over it. His son remained silent as he looked about.

    "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF GREYFALLS, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION." Setarial shouted from her place at the top of the pagoda steps. The crowds quieted and began to congregate towards the pagoda. As the press of bodies drew closer Bengtsson was pleased to note that his actions had managed to get them far closer than they otherwise would be.

    "Thank you for your attention." Setarial said in a quieter, but still loud, voice as the crowd fell silent. "I'm sure all of you are aware of at least some of the events of the last twenty-four hours. The departure of the Realm garrison and administration was not a subtle affair." Murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd.

    "Nor was the battle last night on Garrison Heights." She continued, getting more nods from the crowd. "These were but some of the events that either occured, or were learned of over the last day. We find ourselves at a crossroads now. Adrift without the guides we have relied upon to help manage our nation since its very inception. Without the Realm, what is the future of Greyfalls?"

    The crowd was nearly silent as her speech continued. "But let us not get ahead, first you must know what has occured. So please, I beg of you. Bear with me while I share the events of last night, and steps I have already taken to ensure our safe and prosperous future."

    Gehard frowned. That, that was ominous. What deals had she already made? His eyes focused on the brownish blonde with the strange firewand standing next to the Goddess. Had she already sold them out to a foreign power? Had she done this just to keep him from the crown? Goddess or not he would not be deterred.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Kawashima had been by a few minutes after Kodachi left. Apparently the 'army' was more of an armed mob with Bengtsson's eldest son at its head. Which probably made it twice as dangerous and half a predictable. Just wonderful.

    Still it meant that this might not be Bengtsson's plan, which meant he wouldn't be prepared to counter it. She could use that. It just required her to work the crowd…

    To do that though would require her to step up her acting. Overacting was not going to cut it for this. She had to do more than just 'be cute' or 'give them what they want'. She couldn't rely on tricks she knew never worked anyway.

    "They're starting." Yori said.

    Ranma nodded and sighed. She stood straighter and breathed deeply. She needed to be better than she had been. She needed to be creative, to be ruthless, and more importantly she needed to be observant. She couldn't let someone like Nabiki just run over her with words. If she did that was it.

    "Any moment now." Yori said.

    Ranma stepped up to the door. She needed to be better than before. That was it really. Just, better. Better speaker, better actor, better leader. And she would be, was, better than before. Even she could tell, ever since the night before things were just...easier. They made more sense and came to her almost unbidden.

    "Whenever you're ready." Yori said, stepping aside.

    Steeling herself Ranma strode forward, casting the double doors wide open as she strode out into the sunlit garden.

    "...Lady Saotome Ranma. She has agreed to take over rulership of Greyfalls with my blessing," Setarial was saying as five hundred eyes affixed themselves to Ranma. "And has taken the title of Castellan to reflect that this is a duty she undertakes only at my request."

    Setarial turned from the crowd and bowed to Ranma. A few shocked gasps could be heard in the crowd, but for the most part they were silent. Watching, judging. Ranma came up to Setarial. "Stand." She told the Goddess. She hated formality like this.

    The Goddess rose with a smile. Before either of them could say another word a tall blonde man forced his way out of the crowd.

    "Again!" He shouted striding up to the base of the stairs. "No sooner does the Realm leave then you ask use to prostitute our freedom to more outsiders." He turned to the crowds. "Greyfalls is a nation we built, why must we hand off its administration off to others."

    "You are as selectively deaf as ever Bengtsson." Staedtler barked as he stepped out from the far side of the crowd. "Did you not hear of what comes for us? An army from Vaneha comes to burn our city."

    "So they say." Bengtsson declared, his posture the definition of indignant self-righteousness. "We only have their word."

    "Choose your words wisely." Setarial warned, "It sounds to me as though you doubt the honesty of myself and my servants."

    Bengtsson stilled for a moment, but pressed on regardless. "With the greatest respect your eminence." He said, bowing to the Goddess. "You are but one source, and even the greatest can make mistakes."

    "Your tongue is as poisonous as ever." Sung Huain challenged, stepping out beside Staedtler. A ripple went through the cloud at the sight of the two men who climbed the steps together to stand with the rest of them. "Those you challenge are above rapprochement from one as lowly as you. You are little more than a thug, seeking power without regard for cost."

    "Of course you would take her side. You are but her lapdog after all." Gehard said dismissively, "Open your eyes to the good of Greyfalls-"

    Sung snarled. "You speak of the good of Greyfalls! I know what planned for my daughter Bengtsson." He snapped, one hand raised in the air. "You stand here pretending to have the best interests of our nation in mind, and yet even this afternoon you plotted to kidnap my daughter to blackmail me." Gasps rang out through the crowd.

    Bengtsson scowled. "I do not know where you heard such rumours." He said, "But I would never order the kidnapping of a child."

    "Then the kidnapping of a young woman is a better thing?" Staedtler said. He rapped his cane on the marble tiles loudly. "You stand here throwing stones while living in a house of glass Bengtsson." He lifted his cane and pointed it at Ranma.

    She raised one eyebrow bemusedly. She had barely needed to say a word so far, quite unlike her expectations. Still, she would need to speak eventually.

    "I have spoken with the Lady Castellan. We spent hours today speaking on as many matters as we could fit into the time we had. I can attest to her. She is rough, aye, but she is also young and brimming with potential." He turned to Ranma and went to one knee with a grunt. "I, Staedtler William of Greyfalls, do offer my loyalty to Castellan Saotome Ranma of Greyfalls for so long as I live, or until she sees fit to release me."

    Ranma blinked. If the previous actions had sent rippples through the crowd this had nearly knocked them off their feet.

    "Don't be daft Staedtler." Bengtsson shouted.

    "I may be getting on in year boy." Staedtler snarled, "But I am not daft. Milady, do you accept?" He asked, bowing his head to her as well.

    Ranma stepped up. This was not the exact plan, not that they'd had much time to make an 'exact' plan, but Zeriah had prepared a few oaths. "Do you swear to uphold the laws and standards of my realm?" She asked.

    "I do." The merchant said.

    "Do you swear to act with honour in all your dealing, in my behalf and in your own life?"

    Bengtsson was staring. Most of the crowd was staring.

    "I do."

    "Do you swear to devote yourself in whole to the peace and prosperity of Greyfalls?"

    "I do."

    Ranma smiled and extended a hand to him. "Then rise, Lord Staedtler William, Duke of Greyfalls." She said.

    He took her hand and allowed her to pull him to his feet. "Duke?" He asked.

    She smirked. "Well someone needs to be responsible for the city." She said glibly.

    He chuckled.

    "This is absurd." Bengtsson shouted and a few of his supporters pushed through the crowd to join him. "She's a foreigner. We just got rid of one group of overlords, we do not need another!"

    Ranma's smile dimmed as she turned to him. Embracing the soul of ice ever so slightly she faced him. "Funny how you call me an overlord given your own plans." She said. The crowd, which had been getting rowdy still as she spoke, their attention focusing on her once again.

    "My plans were made to liberate this city from oppression." He replied.

    "Really?" She sniffed and took a step forward. His entire entourage took two steps back leaving him alone on the stairs. "You amassed weapons, entire warehouses full."

    "To arm a rebellion, and I wasn't the only one. Sung has a warehouse full as well." Bengtsson shouted as he stood his ground.

    "But unlike you when I forced the Legion out of the city Sung sought to ensure the safety of his family first." She said, taking another step forward. Ice formed instantly around her feet and a light began to flicker on her forehead. "You started building an army from the malcontent and disillusioned. He looked to family. You looked for the crown."

    Another step.

    Bengtsson backed up. "I came here under the impression that this to discuss the future of Greyfalls." He said. Ranma's eyes narrowed and he swallowed nervously.

    "You say that, but I have to wonder." She said raising a hand to point back through the temple towards the city. "We have reports of a mob coming from your warehouse. They are marching here."

    "What?" He gasped.

    She tilted her head and smiled coldly. "Didn't you know?" She asked mockingly in an imitation of Nabiki's usual drawl. "Your eldest is leading them here. I can think of two options. Either you planned to hold all of us at sword point until you were made leader."

    "I would never." He challenged, taking a step forward.

    "Then the only other option is that you have created a mob and lost control of it. Putting everyone here in danger with your recklessness." She said before chuckling and letting go of the soul of ice. She turned away. "Or you would have if they were any threat.

    "There were at least four hundred men who swore to answer my call." He protested, "How can you call that anything but a threat. You don't even have twenty guards here!"

    "You don't do math very well do you?" A woman from the crowd challenged.

    He rounded on the crowd. "So the shipwhore shows her face." He snarled, "I'm surprised you have the nerve to show here of all places."

    "Ha!" Guon Fan laughed as she stepped into the open area around the stairs. Despite being dressed quite elegantly in a black strapless dress it was clear the woman was more suited to life on the docks from the scars crisscrossing the left side of her face and the large, and very open, bottle of wine she had in one hand. "Got my job back the moment the dynasts decided to go back to fucking each other on their pretty little island. Has nothing to do with the fact you still can't count."

    "By the dragons would you make sense woman." He snapped.

    Guon fan sighed and corked her bottle after another swing. "There were over three thousand soldiers in the city last night." She said, "Far as I can tell they only had two intruders last night. Well, two up in the fortress. Now, not all of them were up there, but even taking patrols into account. We're looking at, what? Two thousand, plus the largest number of dragonblooded we've had in the city in my lifetime?"

    "Your point." He growled.

    "My point is she's here, they ain't. Which means she and one other guy beat the shit out of an army that makes your pathetic mob look like a bunch of angry children. By themselves." Bengtsson went very, very still. Guon Fan pulled the cork back out of the bottle with her mouth and spat it into her free palm before taking another swing. "Anyone who can do that is grand in my books. We might even have a chance against the Vanehans, sooo~" The Guild leader drawled before raising her wine bottle in mock salute to Ranma. "Hail to the Que- no, your a Castellan right? Hail to the Castellan! LONG MAY SHE RULE! HAHAHA!"

    Ranma stared at the guild leader with a mixture of incredulity and bemusement. Just another weird person in her weird life. She looked over to Setarial who seemed to be getting more exasperated the long things went. The feeling seemed to grow as a few people started shouting the same thing. Before long most of the crowd was cheering.

    "Not exactly what we planned." Ranma commented to the Goddess.

    "No." Setarial sighed. "It does, however, work."

    Ranma looked over to Bengtsson who seemed to be, himself, looking around with dismay. This was obviously not how he had planned on things going. Now she was about to make his evening worse.

    She held up a hand and the crowd quieted. "Bengtsson Gehard." She said, drawing his attention back to her. "By your action there is a mob moving through my city." It felt strange to say that. Her city. It was true though, Greyfalls was her responsibility.

    "That was not my intention." He said.

    She shrugged. "It's still what happened." She said, "I find myself having to make a decision I don't like."

    "Excuse me if I don't feel pity for you." Gehard said blithely.

    "Maybe you should. Corporal Kawashima. Arrest him." She ordered. The response from Kawashima and her fireteam was immediate. Kawashima moved from her place at the top of the stair to grappling with Bengtsson in the blink of an eye and moments later he was on the ground at the base of the stairs with his hands cuffed behind him.

    "A-arresting your opposition!" He gasped, "No better than the Dynasts!"

    "Did you really think I was just going to ignore your plan to kidnap Sung Ya?" Ranma asked him blandly. Though he wasn't entirely wrong. As much as he was actually guilty of crimes doing this right now was as much about getting him out of the way as it was actually dealing out justice.

    "So, urh." He grunted as Kawashima jerked him to his feet. What supporters he had seemed to have vanished into the crowd. "What now?"

    Ranma walked down the steps until she was able to look at him without looking down. "Now you will be taken up to Garrison Heights. There you will be kept in a cell until we can arrange a proper trial. At which point you will be tried, probably convicted and sentenced. Not to death mind you, but labour or prison time is likely."

    He growled at went to spit at her. Her hand came up and slapped him across the side of the head hard enough that he was left blinking stars from his vision. "Should I get him out of here?" Kawashima asked.

    "Take him to the trucks. Don't take him up quite yet though." She glared at him. "I'm sure he'd like to share the ride with his son."

    "M-my son. Don't you dare." He tried to growl, but given the way he stumbled over the words Ranma had to wonder if she'd accidentally concussed him. Oops.

    "May want to get the medic to check him over as well." She added.

    The Corporal snorted and made for the door. The crowd parted instinctively to let the soldier and prisoner through.

    Ranma watched them go before sighing. She waved to the crowd. "This has turned out to be a bit more exciting than I had expected." She said to them. A nervous titter ran through the crowd.

    "Indeed." Setarial said walking down to join her. One of her hands rested on Ranma's shoulder. "This was not how we wished to handle this."

    "Unfortunately we're not finished quite yet." Ranma said, causing more nervous murmurs in the crowd. She refrained from rolling her eyes yet again. "Nothing more like that. I am going to go and deal with oncoming mob myself. I'll be coming back afterwards." Relieved sighs could be heard from a few people, probably those who had supported Bengtsson.

    "Indeed, tonight is as much an introduction of our Lady Castellan as it is a party celebrating the departure of the Realm." Setarial said before raising her hands and clapping twice. The doors of the pagoda and temple swung open and more of her servants appeared hauling additional tables and chairs. Others carried large platters and bowls of a wide array of foods. "We still have a meal and this evening's entertainment to make it through. So please, enjoy the food, enjoy the music, and enjoy the rest of your evening. Though we will have to ask you to stay at least until we can confirm the riot has been handled."

    Ranma stepped forward. "Which would be my cue." She said. The crowd parted and Kodachi fell in next to her as she walked down the path. Curious eyes followed her as she walked.

    "I think you did well." Kodachi said as they left the crowd behind.

    Ranma snorted. "At least they aren't calling for my head." She replied.

    "Which would be doing well." Kodachi said with a side glance at her.

    They stopped at the entrance to the temple. "Can you try and keep a tab on things until I get back?" She asked.

    "Of course Ranma." Kodachi said, bowing. Ranma stifled a groan.

    "Don't bow." She complained. She only received a giggle in response. She sighed. "Be that way." She most-definitely-did-not-pout, before leaving the garden and her giggling… friend? Behind.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    As Ranma walked down the outside steps of the temple she was met by Private Harada.

    "Lady Castellan." She said as she approached.

    "How far?" Ranma asked, studiously ignoring the 'lady' as she had the rest of the evening.

    "Just came into sight." She said as they crossed the courtyard to the bridge. "A few have broken off, but they're still nearly five hundred."

    "Don't these things normally grow?" Ranma asked. At mobs tended to get bigger before spontaneously collapsing in her experience.

    "Normally yes, however Bengtsson does not seem to have been the most popular of figures in the city, and since they're doing it in his name…"

    "Ah." That would explain a bit of it.

    "We've had the coaches clear out for a bit while we deal with this." Harada continued.

    They rounded the corner of the bridge and Ranma was finally able to spot the mob in the distance. She could tell they were a ragged bunch even in the poor lighting of the street. Their armour and weapons were brand new and in decent condition from what she could tell, but they weren't soldiers. They didn't march or even try to keep some semblance of formation. They were, at best, well armed thugs who had been stirred up into looking for a fight.

    "They don't look that tough." Ranma said to Harada.

    "There are a lot of them though." The private noted.

    Ranma snorted at that. "Right. Let's go with that. Stay here." She said and started off across the bridge. She ignored the soldier's protests with a cheery wave.

    Ranma stopped at the end the bridge and looked around. The northern edges of High Quarter and Alder Plaza ended in sheer cliffs that fell down to the backside of Mist-Town. A road ran along the cliff and it was in the intersection of that road and the main street leading to the temple that Ranma found herself. It was perfect for dealing with them without having to worry about them accidentally setting the bridge on fire with a fallen torch or lantern.

    Humming a cheery tune she folded her arms behind her back walked out into the middle of the dark streets. Where she waited as the mob came closer.

    At some point along they had, finally, noticed her and come to a stop a few dozen feet in front. They milled about a bit, apparently, somehow, uncertain of what they were supposed to do now that they had run into someone.

    "I'm looking for Bengtsson's son!" Ranma shouted.

    A tall blonde man with long hair, a nice set of chainmail and a sword at his hip stepped up. "I'm Bengtsson Karl." He said.

    Ranma smirked. "Great, now I just need you to turn yourself in and the rest of your friends to disperse." She said cheerily. She made a shooing gesture towards the mob like it was pile of unruly puppies and not a large group of armed and angry men. Not that there was much of a difference. Actually, the puppies would probably have been a tougher challenge, after all it was hard to fight puppies without hurting them and hurting a puppy just made people think you were evil. Or possessed. Or both.

    "Excuse me?" Karl said.

    "Have you gone deaf from all the chanting?" She asked, rocking on her heels. "You're under arrest."

    "I head you fine the first time." He looked over his shoulder. "HEY! APPARENTLY WE'RE UNDER ARREST!" He shouted. Raucous cheers met his announcement. He turned back to her chuckling as the mob started moving up. He looked her up and down. "Tell you what little lady, give me a kiss and I won't hand you over to them." He said.

    Ranma sighed overdramatically. "Your father was smarter you know." She said, keeping the same cheery tone.

    The man's eyes narrowed and a hand went to the hilt of his sword. "What was that about my father girl?" He demanded.

    Ranma's smile widened. "Your father has already been rounded up for conspiracy, and you're to join him in a moment." She said.

    "You're going to tel-" His blade was barely an inch out of its sheathe when her open palm slammed into his stomach. He was doubled over retching before she hit a couple of pressure points along his back he hit the ground limp and groaning.

    The group behind him paused momentarily as she stepped over his body. She ignored his complaining, he wouldn't be able to move for a couple hours at least.

    "The hell did you do to him." One of the others shouted. The foremost group leveled their weapons on her. A motley mixture of swords, spears, and other weapons.

    "Pressure points." She said lightly, "He'll be down for an hour at least. Unless you want to join him you should leave. Oh, and return the weapons. We're going to need them later."

    A few near the back seemed to understand what she was saying as they took off back down the street, a few of them throwing down their weapons as they ran. Unfortunately most of them seemed too drunk or hyped up to listen to reason.

    "Just one girl." A fat man said, "One, little girl. Come on, we can take her."

    "That little girl just laid Karl out." Another, much younger, man pointed out as he stared at her down the length of a spear.

    "And I'll lay you out unless you run." Ranma repeated, idly examining her hands and nails. They stood there neither side moving for a minute before she sighed. "Look, if you don't have the balls to just one little girl." She placed emphasis on the last two words, "Then you may as well run home."

    The fat man snarled and charged at her with his mace held high. She stepped aside and jabbed a few pressure points on his back faster than the eye could track. He tripped over his non-functional legs and fell flat onto Karl, who squawked as at least two hundred pounds landed on his back.

    Still it was the signal to the rest to do something, anything. Some men threw down their weapons and fled, others charged forward screaming. The first group of spears came down and she dodged them by jumping just high enough to clear the pointy shafts of wood before landing on the one held by the somewhat more observant of the second pair of men.

    The sight of her standing on the spear like she weighed caused more than a few minds to freeze up. Many of those men also threw down their weapons and took flight. The boy who was holding the spear was, unfortunately for him, not able to join them due to the foot Ranma had planted in his chest as she stole his spear.

    Spinning her stolen weapon with skill borne of long practice she disarmed a half dozen men in the first three seconds before knocking them and their closest neighbours, another fifteen men, unconscious by the simple expedient of striking them over the head with the blunt end of the spear.

    The rest of the fight lasted only a few more minutes before the 'survivors' broke and ran. Their weapons clattered off the pavement as they ran, and more than a few tripped on a discarded spear or sword on their way out.

    As Ranma knocked out the last stubborn man with the butt of her spear applause broke out and she looked up to see Sergeant Ito walking out of a nearby sidestreet clapping. Next to him was a particularly pale looking young private.

    "And that, Private Tanaka, is why we do not taunt the Martial Artists." Sergeant Ito said to the private.

    "Understood sir." The young man said.

    Ranma chuckled let the spear clatter to the pavement. She idly checked her hands. Not a single drop of blood, not that much had been shed to begin with, or sign of dirt. Actually she still felt like she'd just had bath. Apparently the magic necklace actually worked as advertised.

    "Sergeant Ito." She greeted him cheerily.

    "Castellan." He acknowledged grudgingly as he looked over the nearly two hundred unconscious or 'paralyzed' bodies. "Not bad."

    "They aren't soldiers." Ranma said, poking one of them with the toe of her white slippers.

    "True." He allowed, "But we've been keeping an eye on them all evening. We were starting to think we'd have to shoot them."

    "Managed to get things dealt with in time." Ranma shrugged.

    "And? How did it go?" He asked.

    Ranma wiggled a hand vaguely in the air. "Alright? Not the best. Bengtsson the elder didn't give me another option than getting him out of the way. Not sure how well it went over with some people." She said with a sigh. "I hate politics."

    He chuckled. "I suppose we can agree on that anyway. You heading back?" He asked, looking towards the temple.

    "Should be." She said following his gaze.

    "We'll call for some back up and get these guys sorted then." Ito said.

    Ranma sighed. "Back to politics it is then." She sighed dramatically, earning a very much not sympathetic chuckle from the sergeant before she left.

    As she crossed the bridge she let Harada know it was clear before proceeding into the temple.

    She didn't make it more than a dozen feet into the garden before Kodachi showed up with a plate of food. The rest of that evening was spent trying to learn the art of politics, or at least the art as it applied to a group of nervous men and women mostly twice her age...

    That and trying to avoid Guon Fan who seemed to have decided that Ranma needed to loosen up and she was the best one to show her how. With copious amounts of wine.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    "Well that went well." Ryu said as he looked at the battle strewn intersection. Watching Ranma take apart a few hundred grown men without a scratch had been a sight.

    Ryouga sighed. "Not worth the wait." He groused.

    Ryu shot him a look. He glanced down at where Ryouga's hands had been gripping the stonework. Two handprints more than two inches deep into the stonework could be seen.

    "Not worth it, huh." He mused as he lowered his binoculars.

    "Not in the least." Ryouga agreed as he picked up his lantern and started down the staircase. Ryu watched him go for a moment before picking up his own, much shorter, candle and following.

    Well one thing was clear to him. Whatever relationship those two had was a lot more complicated than he'd be able to understand in a day.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Later that night Ranma shut the door to her new bedroom with a sigh. It was well past midnight and she wanted nothing more than to sleep. Convincing the twins who were still assigned by the Lady Bretegani to her that they didn't need to strip her down and wash her again was another thing entirely. Eventually they had relented to the explanation of 'mysterious exalted magic'.

    She walked over to the window of her room and looked out. Her room faced north, unfortunately, and the only thing she could see was the back courtyard of the palace and the fortress wall. A pity. Of course it also meant that she probably wasn't going to be woken up by the sun, so that was nice.

    She yawned and prodded Meru's Wind with her ki. Her shirt and pants shifted into a loose fitting tank top and shorts. A very expensive and extravagant tank top and shorts, but it was good enough for her.

    She flopped onto the bed and sighed luxuriantly it was a very nice bed. She was asleep within minutes.

    -0-0-0-0-0-​

    Author's Notes: … …

    This fought me way more than it should have, but I've managed to finish it. Some areas, like the bears and Guon Fan, wrote themselves. Others took quite of bit or writing and rewriting to just find the right words.

    It was also nice to write a fight scene even if it was so short. Still chapter eight is done, and with it Act One of Book One. I hope you enjoyed it.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • You can see where Ranma is spending his Bonus Points if you look for it. Kinda like that, made me chuckle. Also made me realize Ranma's just going to go all in on getting Bureaucracy and that one Charm that makes powerwork happen much more quickly, if that's still around, just from sheer annoyance of having to deal with it.

    It is very late though and I can't think of anything to comment on. ...*Shrug*

    Happy to see a new chapter though, hope it didn't burn you out too badly. *headpats the kitsune*
     
    You know, the relationship between Ranma and Ryouga is going to be hilarious to watch. Because while the Nermia natives know those two are long time frenemies, how's it going to look to the people of Creation?

    Even bet that people are going to start thinking Ryouga is Ranma's consort.:lol
     
    That was well worth the wait. Good narrative flow, the side characters each received good screen time filling them out, and looks like someone gilded all your posts, grats!
    Need to digest the chapter a bit.


    FYI gilding comes from people using the gift button to the bottom right of the post, gifting you with a better account, hence the star next to your name now. I believe that lets you use the Meow as well.

    *leaves out Alcohol for the awesome Kitsune*
     
    Loved the chapter, it was worth the wait.

    *gives the Kitsune a scritch behind the ears and leaves a giant pillow for said Kitsune to take a well deserved rest on*
     
    You are ignoring content by this member.
    I was re-reading the fic when I noticed something why did you indicate that Ranma can defeat a Newbie Solar easily even his not a Exalted? since I remember reading somewhere that even a Newbie Solar can be barely defeated even then its questionable for a party of a Veteran Dragonblooded, still when would Ranma and the Co. meet a Essence 6+ Solar or Lunar to show them how powerful a Veteran Exalted is?
     
    Kinunatzs said:
    I was re-reading the fic when I noticed something why did you indicate that Ranma can defeat a Newbie Solar easily even his not a Exalted? since I remember reading somewhere that even a Newbie Solar can be barely defeated even then its questionable for a party of a Veteran Dragonblooded, still when would Ranma and the Co. meet a Essence 6+ Solar or Lunar to show them how powerful a Veteran Exalted is?
    Click to expand...
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    Crossover - Tangled Fate [Ranma 1/2 / Exalted] | Page 5

    I've elaborated on this several times. Here's the one I threadmarked.

    Also veteran exalted, not in book one.
     
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