Three Flames Hurt More Than One

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 7,

*a small cart pulled by an exasperated-looking middle-aged woman drove up to the side of the empire followed by a large entourage of obviously-military make. The little cart kept going, obviously intending to go right on through the arch an into the empire*

[Ress]

* In flash of light, Emperor Ress appeared before the cart, regal as ever in his Chinese esque silk robes with gold trim, jade embroidery and pigeon egg sized orichalcum beads. He bowed to the cart and the soldiers who accompanied, slightly afraid, thought he was hundreds upon hundreds of miles away from this location and heavily guarded*

" Welcome travelers. I am Emperor Ress, ruler of this mighty empire, Imperveress. You must be the fosterns from Lookshy, yes? I have been expecting your arrival.. but I had no idea you were also bringing an army... but at any rate, welcome! you may enter. Just take the water way, down below this manse. there should be boats there waiting to take you to me"

[Terrestrial]

*the lady leading the cart nodded and started the whole array into the waterways where the carts and other people would stay and wait until they found where they were going to live. It was a lot less moving around and everyone could rest a little while the others went up and talked to the emperor. Three women disembarked and went up to see Ress.

Once they arrived they stood side by side. One of the women wore a simple set of cotton clothes in a plain light blue. Her hair was white in the center and it brightened into a blue on the edges, giving her a crown of white on her head. Her skin was an eastern tan and her eyes a smoky brown. She stood around five foot ten inches, and stood with an easy affectation, relaxed despite the status of the man she was seeing*


*the smallest was also obviously the youngest, and she stood regally with her hair done in an ornate style, twists and loops with accessories woven within like a Chinese princess. Her clothes were stunning works of art, handmade silk and handsewn embroidery of red and gold dragons soaring through the clouds above volcanoes that smoked listlessly. The red of the dragons was dyed the exact shade of her hair, a bright blazing red. The girls eyes were like coals, black centers with flickering reds and oranges throughout. Despite her light makeup and all of her ornamentation she looked to be only about fourteen or fifteen*

[Ress]

* When they arrived, Ress was sitting at the end of a long conference table in one of the meeting rooms in the Imperial manse. When he saw it was three women entering. Ress stood up and bowed to them, surprised that there were so many and they were all women*

" Hello again, ladies. Please, have a seat and we will talk over the terms of our agreement. If there are any demands that you might have, or at least particulars... do let me know now. After all, I have particulars as well"

[Terrestrial]

*the first woman in her light blue vowed to Ress in return before she pulled out a seat and took it, folding her fingers and looking at him*

My name is Chozei Yushoto Qata and as you know we came here as part of the alliance between Lookshy and Imperveress. I understand that we are to be married to someone as a part of that. If we're talking preferences of that situation, I request a man of good conscience.

*she gestured to the younger girl who was attempting to find a seat at the table elegantly despite her long sleeves and train*

This is my new pupil, someone we picked up on our way here. I know she was not originally in this plan, though she is a Dragon-Blooded of obviously fine breeding. Whatever your requirements of her I leave to her decision, though from now until I deem necessary she will be under my supervision



*she had tried to do the bow Qata had shown her, but failed the proper hand motion and went to take a seat. Once she finally managed to get into it she nodded to Ress, a slow measured movement meant to look gentle and at the same time keeping her hair in place. When she spoke her breath was hot, a possible pretense to breathing smoke later in life*

Emperor Ress, my name is Russet Summer, formerly of House V'neef. It is most pleasurable to make your acquaintance

[Ress]

* The third woman in the group was also obviously fire aspected. Across her brown eastern skin, red fire patterns swirled about almost like an ornate tattoo. She wore soft white cloth clothing, slightly revealing for both ascetics and to keep cool in the hot fire months in the east. At her joints, she wore bracelets, bangles and other types of body jewelry, but upon closer inspection, this was to draw attention away from the magitech spheres that there surgically inset in her body. Her long red hair was tied back with a piece of hemp twine, strung with green jade beads. Her eyes seemed to boil red, white orange and black, like magma getting ready to erupt.

She sat down as motioned to, looking over the emperor, as to size him up as a fighter... quickly realizing he was many things.. but a fighter was not one of them*

" Hello Emperor Ress.. I am Chozei Ming-Lee. Particulars? All I can think of is access to the tools I need to build my own force of power armored troops. I also want access to specialized weaponry and the rights to recruit. Those are all my demands"

[Ress]

* Ress looked between them all, nodding, then gave another bow. he pondered the demands of the woman called Ming-Lee. these were steeper demands than he was used to... but also knew how mush she could do for the empire. He sat back down, smiling brightly as to relieve any tensions that negotioations might bring* " So, you have heard my rules already? so long as you are fine with my terms... I accept yours as well.

And as for your charming ward"

* Ress looked over to her and gave her a nod*

" You are relieved from these particular rules, as you are too young as present... but when you are grown, I will present to you the exact same proposition, and will want to hear your requests in return. If that is all, I will place you all under the charge of Lirimana in Kideshen."

[Terrestrial]

*Qata nodded and stood*

Since we're done with that, I would like to ask if there are any prominent martial artists in this empire, I'm looking to start a new style. I left my unit in Lookshy, but as my title implies I used to lead a group of warriors. I bring that up in case you ever need me for that, otherwise you can place me wherever you need


*Russet Summer stood up, thinking that she probably should have just remained standing, it would have been less work. It looked like she wasn't needed for anything and she was now on the path to become a martial artist. Diplomacy was what she was good at, but at the moment it was seeming like a bit of a waste, and she was wishing that she had been more athletic. She liked this Emperor, he was very pretty and she found that she wanted a picture of him to keep and use as art. Perhaps when they were more familiar...*

[Ress]

* Ress pondered the question asked by Qata. Were there any martial artists in Imperveress?... this was something he should have known off the top of his head. Dal'Lumen was a martial artist... so was Tari and Roaring Wave... was anyone else?.... Yes! Ress sat up straight, having not realized before that there were so many in the Empire.*

" Yes, as a matter of fact, there are other martial artists in the empire. There are three in Bezair. The Solar, Admiral Dal'Lumen is a martial artist. There are also two Water aspected Dragon-Blooded, Tari and Roaring wave, who are accomplished practitioners as well.

Just a few days ago, two.... visitors, arrived. They are both fire aspects as well and are martial artists. They reside in Kideshen at the moment, but had mentioned they had nomadic tendencies. Perhaps you will meet with them."

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 7,

That's good, I will be sure to find one, thank you. We will take our leave and go to Kideshen, then

*wondering which style to start her pupil in Qata took her down to the waterways and put other thoughts out of her mind, knowing Ming-Lee would follow*