It Rains On The Ocean, Sea and Water

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 5,

*As the sun just started its descent on the horizon, Ame and her things arrived in Bezair. Making her way to the main manse she gave the front door a knock, waiting patiently for the residents inside to answer. This was where the Admiral was supposed to live, and this was where she was told to go, so here she was. Her long blue hair was still tied back in the braid that reached her hips, the dark shades shining softly in the light of the lowering sun. She'd kept the clothes from before, not the type to switch a bunch during the day. Her midriff was showing, a cute hoop of black jade looped through her belly-button, swirling into a dragon*

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire: 5

"Oy!"

*A clatter came from inside the ageless manse, and not a second later the door slowly opened revealing a large, spiny shadow filling the dark doorway, looming down over the strange blue haired big breasted woman menacingly. When the outside light revealed none other than the glittering form of 'Scales' Dal's "pet" feathered serpent staring the visitor down.*

"Erh.. hey! Hello who is it?"

*A powerful and compassionate voice issued from the doorway. It was unclear if it had come from the feathered serpent, which seemed to just be looming in the opening like a colorful wall.*

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 5,

*Ame blinked as the towering serpent of doom appeared in the doorway*

Well...

*at first her tone was half-bemused and then it turned to all-out congeniality*

Aren't you the cutest thing?

*she reached out and petted the serpent thing*

Hello! Yes, my name is Ame Umisuimizu and Emperor Ress told me to come here and mister Admiral Dal'Lumen is supposed to tell me where to find my new home. I'm an accomplished trader and a place on the river would be great. How can I make your empire more money?

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire 5

*The serpents scales fluttered and moved through a rainbow of colors at the woman's compliment, and unwarranted touching.*

"Huh? Err... thanks? ... Weird thing to say..." *The voice muttered.*

"Scales... I can't see... move out of the way please."

*A brownish hand reached out and grabbed the side of scales, coercing her with a push to the side. The large serpent lowered it's head and slid out the door, half encircling Ame from a distance. From behind where the snake had been, the muscular and unusually tall squalus/Linowan mixed westerner known to most as Admiral Dal'Lumen presented himself cordially, with a gracious bow of the head, fist and palm clasped at his chest. He of course was wearing red silk pants with a leafy gold design running up the side of the right leg, a gold sash wrapped around his hips, and the loose white silk armor shirt he had become accustomed to wearing.*

"Apologies, River of Ten-Thousand Resplendent Scales is both very protective and very curious. Admiral will do fine... Welcome Ame Umisuimizu, to the Empire and the sister cities of Beziar! Please come in, we have much to discuss, and I have been eager for some time to do something about trade in Imperveress."

*He stepped aside and indicated with an ushering motion of the hands for her to join him inside the manse.*

"Come, follow me to the control room, there are many places you may decide to call home."

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 5,

*Ame giggled lightly as the snake-thing curled around her, letting her fingers drift along its scales as she followed the admiral inside*

See you later, River Of Ten-Thousand Resplendent Scales. Well, Admiral, I have to say that it's too bad you're not a Water-Aspect. A little more ocean in your features would be sexy... Though those are really nice pants

*she looked wistfully around the Manse a moment before focusing her attention back to Dal'Lumen, green eyes attentive and eager, following the Solar through his Manse*

Now, you were saying something about trade?

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire 5

*Dal turned a whimsical grin on Ame, chuckling at her compliments.*

"Hah, well thank you! I'm afraid for my features ocean wouldn't suit me nearly as well as they do you! I'll let my tailor know you approve of the pant's. I came into possession of what must be a few miles of silk when I procured a caravan in Nexus.

*He lead Ame in to his control room and stood at his control panel where he brought up a map of Imperveress. He zoomed in, on the marina Area, and highlighted the Marina, The floating city of the water people, the cities mortal made docks, and the perimeter manse cluster.*

" Now then, as you can see these are what would be the primary strategic points of the river, I have plans in the works to produce an Elite river guard that will oversee all security, fair trade, and customs. Security, and laws I can handle, but when it comes to setting up complex trade routs I am out of my element, that's where your experience comes in."

*He circled the perimeter manse on the water with a motion of his finger, and then the marina in the same way.*

" We have a fleet of ships here, which will be utilized by our River Guard, and I believe there are living quarters there... Out here on the perimeter, there are expansive living quarters traditionally used in the first age to house soldiers and their families, now a little lonely but with a little clean up it is very livable. You are also welcome to live aboard a ship if you so choose."

*He crossed his arms and turned to Ame, smiling.*

"Also if you are not already aware our major products are fish, ships, oats and salt, we have also been producing many fine crafts and artwork lately. Our most desired imports are wood, silk, fire-powder and clothing."

*Dal ended his barrage of information and waited to see what Ame had to say.*

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 5,


*Ame listened quietly the whole time he spoke, every now and again she'd quirk a cute little smile at something he'd said*

I'm actually already well-versed in all of this empire's products, by city, even

*she winked at him before continuing*

In fact, I already have a trade route for within the empire finished and presented to Ress. As for external trade I also already have a trade route done, I just need to do the final preparations with the gods and elementals, and the cities I'll be trading with, of course! That's where you come in, I believe

*reaching into her satchel she pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Dal'Lumen. It was the note from Ress that would get her the ships she needed*

That's for you, and in case you didn't know, I'm from Nexus. As for where to stay, anywhere is nice, though I intend to have a lot of kids, so maybe where the soldiers once were is fine. As long as it has the requirements that meet the Emperor's breeding standards

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire 5


*Dal quirked his eyebrow at Ame's intention to have lot's of babies, he tried to avoid thinking of her setting up a nest in the perimeter manse popping out dragon babies like some sort of queen ant. He took the note and looked it over, finishing it with a nod.*

"Very well, you shall have everything you need... Though I can only guess at what the Emperors requirements for you are, I am quite certain that the manse on the river is of the water aspect. *

He waved his hand over the Marina, and zoomed in on it, bringing up an image of it's contents, and then he highlighted and brought up the schematics for a large transport ship.*

"I think five of my Whirligig-Class Couriers would suit your needs perfectly, they are fast... reliable, require only a small crew of four to operate at full efficiency and can carry up to 12 tons of cargo for trade. They are unarmed as of yet, but I'm sure we can fit it out with a few weapons for external voyages, and of course I will manage all security escorts so you will never have to worry when traveling beyond the Empires influence.

Does this sound reasonable?"

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 5,

*Ame looked at the image on the screen, her thoughts on the preparations to come*

Yes, that sounds fine, though I wouldn't want to tax the empire's security just for some river travel. We'll have three trade routes to start, we'll expand later when there's more to offer, and they will all go up the river and then branch out to Lookshy, Nexus and Great Forks, a ship for each for now. We can keep the other two ships on standby, in case we are more fortunate than I had originally anticipated and need extra cargo space. Thankfully river travel is fast and any bandits we might encounter probably couldn't keep up with us. This route is the most efficient, and since we'll be taking one ship per city that will also minimize risk by not staying out too long

*looking back at Dal she focused her gaze on him, winking mischievously*

Though if you have any underlings who needs a set of sea-legs, maybe they should accompany us. I'll start gathering the products based on which city they're going to and you can ready the boats, how does that sound? Oh, and if you decide you want to outfit them with weapons let me know how long it'll take so I don't gather any perishables until necessary

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire, 5


"Certainly, we have hundreds of ships and the security of our trade ships is a matter of Imperial security! We have an arsenal of first age weaponry that isn't doing anything aside from collecting dust I'm sure I could convince Ress to let us mount a pair of light Implosion bows to the deck's of each ship... this wouldn't take much more than a week to accomplish. But for now I think my men could provide each ship with security and a crew. They could all use some experience aboard a ship as true deck hands, and working with the traders could give them some good perspective, you would have to train them on the job of course..."

*He settled down in the chair at the console casually leaning back with his arms crossed behind him.*

"When we do get around to mounting them we would need to sort out the issue of essence users capable of using the deck guns... My men are little more than accomplished mortal martial artists, I have yet to take them to the level of essence wielders."

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 5,

Ah yes, and their current status is in no small part to your diligence, I'm sure. I wouldn't know how to use them, but I'm sure we can find at least one person who does. Then they could teach the rest of us

*she chuckled a little at that, her hands going to her hips in part of the expression*

I would be more than happy to provide tutelage, and who knows, maybe we have a talented warrior-trader right under our noses

*the image of a man fully-armored standing regally and alert on the prow of a trade-ship stocked with goods made her grin*

Then I suppose in the week that follows I will just have to clean out that Manse.. Can't have a man on a dusty floor... Well, actually, I could...

*her grin turned into a thoughtful smirk, and she nibbled her lower lip a little at the thought before banishing it from her mind so as not to completely disturb her company*

So, anything else you want or need to talk about?

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent fire, 5

"Perhaps so, but all they need is to get some hands on experience manning a ship, when I find time I will take them out and teach them aboard war ships."

*Dal stood back up, smiling.*

"I think that is all I have for you, I look forward to coordinating with you in the future and, you may attune yourself to that manse of course, and I hope you enjoy the luxuries of Manse life!"

*Dal mused happily over the idea of Beziar quickly becoming a buzzing capital of trade and commerce, all ensured by a noble and powerful navy of Dal'Lumens finest warriors.*

"Come back and see me any time! Keep me updated on your progress."

[Terrestrial]

Resplendent Fire 5,

Of course, Admiral. If you ever need my expertise, about trade of course, feel free to drop by

*she smiled and turned to leave, pausing for a moment to glance back and add*

And if you see any hot Water-Aspected men hiding from me, let me know. Enjoy your evening

*swaying happily , Ame danced of to her new home, intent on making it enticing and welcoming. She might one day have guests to entertain here and if it wasn't clean she'd never be able to do that. Having goals kept her life meaningful, and even one as small as this brought a smile to her face*