The sky is a bit cloudy today, making for a relatively brisk morning by Jadaian standards. It finds old master Long Tooth seated on one of the boulders overlooking one of the larger koi ponds, a cup of hot tea warming his large, bony hands.

"I hope your night was less eventful than mine was, Tooth-sensei," Umeko says quietly as she approaches the ancient dragon. The Kiriga crouches down beside the pond and looks over to him. "Mine was full of lessons and thankfully some interesting information."

The old master turns his head, taking a sip of his tea as he looks over the Lady Tsuguri. "Mm. Not so eventful, but useful. A little troubling even." He squints, and looks closer. "You've been in a fight, my pupil."

"With foreigners, yes. They were accosting two smaller women. I could not allow that to continue," Umeko says and straightens up a bit, "It was painful and I could have done much better, but they learned not all Jadaians are soft. I also learned that the Artist has been bringing in a lot of foreigners lately from far away countries. Why, though, I do not know."

The older Kiriga gives a grunt of approval. "Hm! And you won? Good. The way of the fist is the swiftest lesson you can teach brigands and cowards. You say the Artist is bringing in many foreigners… were these his pets you dealt with?"

"That I am not sure of, but I believe so," the younger dragon says with a nod. "Did you learn something about these creatures last night, or something even more disturbing?"

Tooth lets out a long, gravelly "Hmmm… ", the breath from his nose scattering the steam wafting from his teacup. "Troubling, yes. I overheard your father. An Imperial Court summons is happening soon. I don't know much about the noble courts, but from what I can tell it is a time to gather and relate, show status and gain face. Each family is presenting something to gain status, and the results of the gathering could effect them for years to come."

Umeko's brow-ridge furrows. "So, marrying off his daughter to the Artist and having him as a son-in-law could be a great gain of face for the family," she says slowly. "This makes things … seem even more grim from what I was suspecting the Artist may be doing with these foreigners. I suspect he may be trying to take over Jadai. Did father mention if he approached the Artist, or the Artist approached him?"

The old master strokes his long whiskers. "He did not. But when his chief retainer asked about the presentation, your father said that it was rumored what Hakuu would present would be like nothing Jadai has ever seen. When he asked what the Tsuguri clan would present… his mood soured."

Umeko frowns as well. "Then is father trying to gain part of whatever the Artist presents? I do not understand. I would hope that Father is giving me to him to save the family … but could it be because he had no choice?" she asks, then shakes her head. "It looks like I will have to visit the Artist afterall and learn what I can. Lilac learned some disturbing things the other night … about his other women. What I find strange is that if he has other women, what does he need with me? It does not make sense."

"What you say sounds possible," sighs the orangy one. "In all cases. If Lord Tsuguri had nothing to present, your family would lose much face, and perhaps the favor of the royal family. What Hakuu reaps from this arrangement, I cannot say. What did your pet learn?"

"That the Artist seems to collect women and treats them very poorly," Umeko replies and slips her arms into her sleeves. "It may also be that some he uses for art, by killing them and using their bodies," she says, then stops there with a grim frown. "He is also making a deal with someone from a place called Chronotopia, but as for what, I do not know. I hope to learn if he asked my father about me, or my father presented me to him. I also hope to learn, perhaps, who these visitors are. And … well, I must also be a distraction so that Lilac can return an item she stole before its disappearance causes too much of a stir."

The elderly reptile frowns as well, his face wrinkling up even more than usual. "… For art? Killing them to… is he some kind of deviant? How… what… " Tooth slouches, his bushy eyebrows knitting. "Between that freak and his foreign devils, it sounds dangerous. Do what you must do, but be careful. If there is a way for me to help, simply ask."

"I am to some extent counting on the fact that we are not wed yet providing me some safety. I am not sure he would risk angering another noble family at this time. But, I think you may be able to help. Would you be willing to wait near the estate in a wagon, perhaps? If something goes poorly and we need to fight our way out I would feel most honored to fight alongside my sensei. You could also keep weapons at hand for if we need them," Umeko suggests. Her head cranes down so she can look into the pond, "But, I truly hope it will go quietly. I intend to appeal to his ego and get him to speak of himself and his works as much as possible. That should be distracting enough, I believe."

A wobbling reflection looks back up at Umeko; her graceful golden face paired with a craggy orange one, which nods. "Mm," grunts Tooth, his reflection being broken up by a curious goldfish. "I will do so. You are very capable, Umeko dear. More than a match for most so-called warriors I have seen. We will see this through."

"I believe we shall. It may not be easy, but for my honor and the honor of my family, I must uncover what he is plotting. Perhaps through averting his plans, I will bring much honor to my family. Perhaps not," Umeko says as she tilts her head, her brow rippling much like the small waves on the pond. "But, if one does not actively pursue life, one cannot complain about what happens to them. I will go prepare my letter and send it to the Artist. We shall see if he accepts the request for an audience."

The writing of a letter to the Artist Hakuu took longer than Umeko had first expected. More often than not, she ended up burning the letter halfway through the writing because of some slip of her brush, or the alignment of her characters not being as precise or crisp as she would have liked. She also finds it extremely difficult to craft a letter of respect and admiration to a man she holds neither for. But, in the end, Umeko does finish her letter. Each character is crisp and flowing, the art of the characters trying to convey as much meaning as the actual words do.

Much of the day passes uneventfully, giving Umeko some time to primp, and to give Lilac her instructions. The sun is creeping back down to the horizon when the reply comes, in the form of a richly decorated Selona rickshaw bearing Hakuu's house crest. A spatter and scuff here and there on the undercarriage seems to suggest a few people have already dove under it on its way.

Umeko spent a fair portion of the day treating her fading bruises with some of the cooling medicine, then applying powder to further conceal them. The rest is spent checking for flaws in her scale polishing, claws and appearance and trying to correct them. If she's nervous, she doesn't completely show it when she is giving Lilac the instructions on returning the original seal. When the rickshaw arrives, she heads out to it. With a respectful bow to the driver, she boards it without a word. Her eyes do glance to the wagon she asked Tooth to prepare and follow them at a distance later. "Into the parlor of that … man," she thinks to herself as she draws out her fan and starts fanning herself idly, the only 'weapon' she dare bring along, "Just remember, stay polite and keep him talking about himself. You may learn something."

The driver, a whip-thin lizardy fellow, is quite respectful in turn, making sure to bow more deeply than the Lady Tsuguri. "Master Hakuu sends his regards, and grants audience." He expects no reply, helping Umeko aboard and then taking his place at the reins, failing to notice a rather more ordinary cart some distance away, over which an orangy old Kiriga is drawing a tarp. The Selona squirms impatiently, and at a flick of the reins it is all too happy to scramble, the rickshaw beginning its bumpy journey.

Umeko tries to keep her poise as the rickshaw bounces down the streets. On the way, she starts having the usual doubting thoughts on if she should be visiting this man. She has to keep reminding herself that there must be more going on, and that it affects more than just her; so it's her duty to uncover what. Little consolation, really, but she's not about to back out now. So, she steadies her nerves by concentrating on her martial arts training and kata.

Punch. Block. Kick. Sweep. Turn. Drink. Dodge. Punch. Forms and lessons playing over in the mind make the journey quick and draw attention away from the occasional thump of a pedestrian under the rickshaw's wheel. Soon the homes become more isolated, the landscaping more detailed. Around a windbreak of trees, a high wall and sturdy gate hove into view, the plaque on the thick stone bearing the artist's crest again. Some men at the gate wave and call up at the wall, and the heavy doors swing open.

Umeko's webbed ears twitch as she sees the high walls and the thick gate. "No turning back now. Remember, act like a lady," Umeko thinks to herself. "Smile, bow, speak quietly, defer to him."

The guards wave the rickshaw through, and the ride becomes considerably smoother as it's forced to slow. Curiously, it doesn't stop just yet… it winds its way through a courtyard with numerous tents set up. Rough-looking men sometimes cross the courtyard or exchange words with Hakuu's guards at a long, low building… presumably the guardhouse.

Umeko draws up her fan to hide herself as they pass by the rougher looking men. She does make an attempt to count out just how many guards he may have (Or at least tents and make a guess), though, and what species seem to be here.

The roughnecks around the tents wear patchwork armor in the style of mainlanders, and their species are as various as their armor pieces and weapons. Mercenaries, like those Umeko saw at the Blushed Pala. Hakuu's guards seem to have a certain amount of disdain, resplendent in their livery, and they stay around their guardhouse. The mercenaries number in the dozens, maybe more. The guards are fewer, but seem to be dispersed all around the property; some can be seen patrolling on the upper balconies of the tall homestead ahead.

"It is as if he is planning a war. Or, perhaps these mercenaries are the guards of that Chronotopian Lilac mentioned," Umeko thinks as her golden eyes take in the numbers. "This is … amazing. You're walking in dangerous woods, Tsuguri. Fighting skill won't save you here. Keep a focused, clear, mind. Learn what you can, leave quietly." "Sir?" she says, addressing the driver, "Does the Lord have any instructions for me I should know before arrival?"

The Shiga looks over his shoulder, trusting the Selona to pick its way around, leaving the makeshift camp behind. "No, my lady, at least none he entrusted to me. We are away from the unwashed foreigner louts, however. If it would please you, I may now escort you through the garden to the manor."

"Of course, sir. I would be honored to walk through his gardens," Umeko says with a small nod. "Pardon my curiosity, but why are there so may foreigners here today? Did the Lord order some valuable supplies from the outside world that required guarding?"

The driver hops down from his seat, trotting to Umeko's side to offer her a hand down. "I am not privy to the Master's designs, but it is not unusual for him to make use of disposable labor when he requires things looked after that he would rather not waste the family elite's time on. Perhaps they are to retrieve more marble… there are pirates that like to swoop in on anything that can be sold, you know."

"Ah, of course. I should have realized," Umeko says with a small nod and accepts his hand as she steps down. "I have heard the outside world is full of such disreputable types. If I may ask another question, how does the honored Artist prefer to be addressed by guests? I do not wish to offend him by incorrectly addressing him."

The Selona seems to know where it needs to go, or maybe it just saw a particularly juicy bug. In any case, it goes tearing off. The driver doesn't seem to mind, and leads Umeko down the garden path. The grounds that it winds through seem to bear only a token resemblance to the sort of garden Umeko grew up in. There are plants, trees, and ponds, yes… but they seem to be an afterthought to the many sculptures and topiaries of mismatched design, and many strange and exotic plants that clash with the colors around them. "Master Hakuu suffices, as you are nobility, my lady," hisses the Shiga, bobbing his head subserviently. "I would not presume to dictate to you, of course."

"Of course not. I never felt you were trying to," Umeko assures the escort as she looks around at the strange decor. "Curious. He is an artist and this is his idea of art? It seems so … chaotic," she thinks. "Again, forgive my inquisitiveness, but has Master Hakuu taken a wife before?"

The driver shakes his head. "No, my lady. Truly, you are honored among the high-born women of Jadai." The chaos of the garden gives way to another small courtyard and stairs up to a carefully maintained wooden deck, the roof of the manor's first story stretching out to shade it.

Umeko smiles and bows her head at this. "Thank you. I hope I prove to be worthy of the honor," she answers politely. "Has he spoken much of me and how he came to choose me?"

"It pleases me to see you, Umeko, and that you are appropriately docile," comes the voice of Hakuu, as a paper wall partition is slid aside by another small servant. The Artist is amazingly not dressed in his usual finery, but wears a rougher fabric suit covered by a large rubber apron, and also wears elbow-length rubber gloves.

"I would not know, my lady. Such things are not for me to hear," says the lizard. He humbly bows as his master makes his presence known, and with his bow still in place he backs away into the garden, narrowly missing one of the brooks.

Umeko suppresses the urge to jump when the voice comes, having not expected to hear it so soon. After looking to the artist, she quickly bows her head to him. "It pleases me to see you again, Master Hakuu," she says, "I am honored that you accepted my request. May I approach?"

"Yes, come inside," the face-painted Kiriga instructs, stepping aside to let Umeko enter the room.

The Kiriga heads towards the room, keeping her steps short and light in an attempt to mimic how Mitsuko walks. It's not as precise, of course. She doesn't look to the artist as she passes him and enters the room. Quickly, her eyes look around the room, trying to see where they are.

The entryway leads past a well-appointed greeting room, luxuriant but unremarkable. It is when the two nobles have moved over another deck that a more private area is reached. There is a view out into an inner courtyard, so deep within the manor that unless the noonday sun was overhead, it wouldn't touch the yard directly. Spread out over the deck is a square canvas sheet, about four feet to a side, and a pair of wooden buckets, lidded.

Umeko collapses her fan and tucks it quietly away into her obi. "You have quite an estate, Master Hakuu," Umeko says politely and with a smile. Her head tilts a bit when she sees the canvas and buckets and her brow-ridge furrows slightly. Her mind running through possible ideas of what that could be and none of them good, she asks, "Will you permit me to ask a few questions about our wedding?"

"You may ask what you wish during the casting," Hakuu says, then adds, "Disrobe and stand on the canvas, with your feet spread two feet apart and your arms raised." He then turns away from Umeko, and sits near one of the buckets, raising the lid to reveal some sort of white gooey substance which he begins to stir with a flattened stick.

Yes, it's one of the possibilities she considered and was hoping she was wrong. Stopping a frown, the Kiriga dutifully starts to disrobe. She does take her time at this, at least, folding her robes up and placing them lightly out of the way. "Forgive me, but I was not aware you knew my father before his announcement. If I may ask, why did you choose me for the honor of being your wife, above all others?" she asks. After another moment, the young Kiriga is completely without clothing; her gold scales shimmering in the light. She then steps onto the canvas and lifts her arms slightly, unsure as to how high the Artist wishes them to be.

"You are already beautiful by conventional standards, yet are not soft as most pampered women of your class are," Hakuu says, as he starts to slather the cold plaster onto Umeko's right leg.

Umeko's webbed ears twitch as the plaster goes on thick and slimy on her leg. "This is disgusting," she thinks to herself, "But … harmless, at least." The answer seems to surprise Umeko a bit and she asks, "You chose me because I have not always followed what was expected? You wished someone less soft? If I may ask why?"

"Art requires strength," Hakuu notes, plucking bandages from the second bucket now and wrapping the plastered calf. "To hold a position, unmoving for hours at a time, or bear the weight of decorations is not something the typical lady is capable of, and I do not wish to be bothered by having to train and condition one."

"Ah. I now understand," Umeko says, suppressing another frown now knowing her own stubbornness brought this on her. "Did you approach my father about me, or did he approach you, Master Hakuu?" she asks as she looks down at the older Kiriga. This time she studies the artist in more detail, looking over his form and even hands, curious what class he was born into.

With his hands covered in rubber and plaster, there is little more than the number of digits (five!) to betray his origins, although the exposed parts of his upper arms show more muscle-tone than one of noble birth should possess. "I have met with your father many times at the court. I cannot recall the first time he mentioned you," the Artist replies, and slathers on more plaster. For never having had a wife, he certainly doesn't show any hesitation or distraction as he covers up Umeko.

Umeko tries to remain completely motionless during this peculiar experience. Her brow-ridge goes up at noticing the five digits, making this arrangement even more unusual, as it's crossing classes. "Do you make molds of women often, Master Hakuu?" she inquires quietly after noticing how readily he moves without any distraction. She holds her tail back and as straight as she can as the Artist reaches part of it now, the bottom never touching the canvas so the mold can be complete.

"Often enough," the Artist admits, while he starts wrapping the plastered areas. "It is very useful and accurate, and captures the form in its purest state. No matter what time or fate does to you, this mold will always allow your beauty to be revisited."

"That makes sense," Umeko agrees with a small nod, then thinks, "And allows you to get rid of the original." "Will your family be attending the wedding, Master Hakuu?" she asks next.

"That is a ridiculous question, Umeko," Hakuu says, as he continues to plaster the woman's tail. The weight of the coating is noticeable. "Of course they will attend. I am the jewel of my clan, and they know to curry my favor."

"Forgive me, I am not familiar with the other families; that is my father's domain," Umeko admits and bows her head. "So, he does have a full family. I wonder what they truly think of him. I wonder where they live… " she thinks as her brow-ridge furrows when the weight grows. It starts to become a bit unpleasant for her to keep her tail lifted, but she tries her best to do so anyway. "Do you have any instructions or expectations of me in preparation for our wedding, Master Hakuu? Do you wish me to attend any formal announcements, for example?"

"Your presence will not be necessary," Hakuu says, and starts applying the plaster to Umeko's torso. It's cold enough that it almost makes her want to go into torpor. "You must maintain your weight and muscle tone, however. Do not cut your mane, or do anything else to alter your appearance."

Umeko can't help but to inhale a bit when the cold hits her and her eyelids start to droop. Trying to shake that off and keep her mind alert (going to sleep here would be bad), she says, "Ah, my appearance and form are that pleasing? I am careful to maintain my mane and I exercise every day to keep tone. My robes are to be tailored that closely?"

"Yes, in order to be perfect they must match your form exactly," Hakuu says, noticing the drooping eyelids. "After the mold is dried, you may go warm yourself on the sundeck – so long as the impression is ideal. Remain still, and raise your arms higher, straight out to the sides."

Umeko is actually thankful when her metabolism starts trying to counter the cold by raising her body temperature. She'll need to eat fairly quickly later, though, or she will fall asleep. "I would do better with a small snack after the molding, Master Hakuu," she says, "My body can warm itself, but I must then eat quickly afterward." She holds her arms straight outward now and halts a wince. She knows well how painful this will be, as Tooth-Sensei has had her hold this pose before, to strengthen her arms and endurance. Then realizing something, she asks, "Are you going to mold my face and head as well?"

"Snack?" Hakuu asks, seemingly surprised. "That could contaminate the plaster, or worse trigger a need for elimination," the artist says, and begins binding Umeko's arms and chest with the bandages. "You may eat afterwards. If you warm yourself, that will help the plaster dry faster. And yes, it will be necessary to model your head and feet. I do the feet separately, however. Say now what you would like, and I will have the chefs prepare it for when we are finished."

"Of course. I can last throughout the mold drying; I would not wish to disrupt or damage it," Umeko says quietly, wanting this done fast as her arms are already starting to complain with twinges of pain. Not to mention how much her tail is complaining right now. "Perhaps some fresh fish and tea will be enough afterward. My family carries the ability that our bodies may either adapt to the climate and draw warmth from it, or can warm itself in the case of extremes. The latter, though, requires us to eat more food during those times." And true enough to her words, the Artist might be feeling the Kiriga's body trying to stabilize its temperature. "May I ask what perhaps you have in mind for my robes?"

"Robes are… unimaginative," Hakuu notes, and begins to wrap Umeko's hair in bandages before trying to apply plaster to her neck and face. "Once I have a model of you that I can work with, my muse will grant me inspiration."

Umeko holds her head and neck still now. She resists the urge to swallow nervously, even though she knows soon that she won't likely be able to see or hear much if he's doing a complete head mold. "And forgive me for saying, but I noticed all the unusual foreigners staying on your estate. Has your art become popular outside the empire? I am guessing these are traders seeking your works. You are very kind, Master Hakuu, to grand them your audience."

"My estate is awash in beauty, do not concern yourself with my trivial dealings," Hakuu notes, but his tone is just shy of sounding threatening. He takes a few items from his apron pocket after wrapping Umeko's neck: slender hollow reeds. "As in all things, they are part of my preparations. I will have something truly amazing to present at the Imperial summons, which will no doubt grant me further glory." That said, he sticks the reeds into Umeko's nostrils.

Umeko doesn't press the issue, but does note the undertone of threat in his voice. "Well, that certainly upset him. Curious," she thinks. Holding still while the reeds go in, her eyes wince a bit at the discomfort of them. Knowing she does not have time to question for a bit, the Kiriga closes her eyes so he can complete the molding of her face. "I cannot believe you're letting him do this. You're very vulnerable right now," she thinks for a moment as her self-doubt rears its ugly head. So, to quiet those fears and not think about the pain that both her arms and tail are screaming in right now, she goes back in her mind to training, going over the kata in her head.

Hakuu finishes plastering and wrapping Umeko's head, leaving her blind and mostly deaf for an unspecified amount of time. How long does plaster take to dry, anyway?

That's something Umeko is not trying to think about during this. She just tries to find her center in her mind and let time flow as it may. During this quiet and throughout her thoughts of kata, she can't help but wonder just how far his ambitions truly go. Why does he need such mercenaries, unless he plans a takeover?

With sound so muffled, it's hard to make out, but there's a deep voice from across the room. It speaks Imperial, but with that odd, hissless mainlanders accent. "Ah… forgive me, Master Hakuu. I did not intend to interrupt your work."

The Kiriga's mind falls away from her kata and shifts her thoughts to this new voice, wondering just who it could be. Perhaps that Chronotopian? She tries to focus her mind on it as best she can in her unmoving and deafened state and make out what is discussed.

"What is it now, Vandringar?" the artist replies, without any of the usual formality one would give to a Jadaian, even of lower class.

"I am preparing to depart," says the voice. A couple footsteps clack against the hardwood of the floor, lacking the muffled pad or click of claws that a Kiriga would have. There's a slight thump with every other footfall as well, like a wooden point thumping against the floor. "We should finalize our arrangements. I'll be visiting Rephidim next, and we may not have a chance to speak in person again until we re-convene."

"Very well, then," Hakuu says, his voice becoming less distinct, as if he were moving away.

"Hm. He is heading to the sky islands. And … I think he is missing a leg," the Kiriga thinks, "I wonder what their arrangement is… " Inwardly, the Kiriga then wants to scream, "No, come back here! Talk about your plans here, curse you! Don't leave me alone in this goop!"

There's a pause. "Should I let you finish your work? You needn't rush on my account. We have ample time, yet."

The panic in Umeko starts to subside, thankfully.

"She should be dry enough to do her feet," Hakuu admits. "Let us meet in one hour," the artist suggests.

"Well, at least he hasn't told him who he is working on. Not that I expect he would care, anyway," Umeko thinks.

"Of course," says the voice. "Your conference room, or should we bother?"

"At least say where. Then maybe I could get a note to Lilac to spy on it … no, no point. She cannot speak the language," Umeko thinks ruefully. "She is going to learn the language after all this!"

"The garden should be adequate, and you can review your men as we talk," Hakuu suggests.

"Well, if I'm still here, perhaps I can spy on it. I will have to see," Umeko thinks.

The clacking footsteps resume, accompanied by that occasional wooden thump. "Very good. I'll await you there. I'll enjoy the opportunity to look over your collection again."

"His collection of women, I'm guessing," Umeko thinks grimly, "Something I could join if I am not careful."

The sound of a partition being slid closed makes it through the plaster. A few minutes later, Umeko feels herself being picked up and laid on her front, just before the plaster is applied to her feet. It seems even colder this time, since she's warmed most of the casting with her own body head already.

Getting picked up actually surprises the woman. "Gods, he's a lot stronger than would be expected. Those muscles work," she realizes as the sensation of wanting to go to sleep hits her again with the cold, encouraging her body to try to warm again.

Hakuu remains silent, and no other sounds impinge upon Umeko's plaster prison for some time. Once the plaster around her toes has hardened, though, a scratching sound can be heard next to her skull as a small knife begins to work on the cast.

"I hope he's good with that and doesn't cut me," the woman thinks, "At least I'm laying down now and my arms quit hurting."

A surgeon may as well have wielded the knife, for it never even scratches a scale. The cast is cut away and removed in sections to expose Umeko's back. Once the base is cut away, the tail section lifts away cleanly. Finally, Hakuu carefully peels Umeko's flesh out of the front side mold, and lifts her out of it rather than letting her try to climb out herself. She's covered head to toe in a powdering of plaster dust, however.

Umeko blinks slowly as light returns to her eyes and trying to not look shocked at being in the Artist's arms. She's also thankful her nostrils are free of those somewhat painful reeds. She can't help but rub her nostrils lightly in response to it. Looking down at her dust-covered body, she asks, "Is there a place you wish me to bathe? I do not wish to get this dust on your surroundings or on my clothing," she says. "Or is there other clothing you wish me to wear, Master Hakuu?"

"Take this," Hakuu says, offering a sheer Zolk robe to Umeko. "After we are wed, I will clean you personally, but for now my handmaids will attend to you." The artist claps his hands loudly, and a different panel slides to reveal a small Kiriga woman wearing a veil. "Please follow me, Lady Tsuguri," she says slowly with a very pronounced lisp.

Umeko takes the offered robe and slides it onto her form, taking the time to stretch and work out her now stiff arms and tail. She bows to the artist and says, "Thank you, I hope I will see you later tonight, Master Hakuu. I have enjoyed our time together and I hope you have as well. I hope the mold will serve you well." She then straightens and goes to the veiled woman. With a smile to her, she says, "I am in your claws." She even offers the woman her arm.

The handmaid takes Umeko's hand and leads through a long hallway, eventually opening onto another covered deck. Wooden stairs follow, rising to the sundeck. Large basking stones are set here, amidst a rock garden with an artificial stream. Despite the evening hour, the stones have been soaking up the day's warmth. The maid gestures for Umeko to shed her robe and relax onto a stone. The deck also has a good view of the garden.

Umeko sheds the robe and slides her form onto one of the stones. Relaxing, she peers off into the garden watching for the Artist or his friend. "Forgive me for asking, but why do you speak so slowly? Are you injured?" she asks the handmaiden, pausing to look at her with a bit of worry. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Rest," the woman says, obviously struggling to form words. "Food soon."

"Please, let me see your face," Umeko says, looking up to the handmaiden and motions for her to come close. "I will not harm you."

The woman hesitates, but cannot defy the request of a Lady. She raises her veil to display an old face (although not so old as Master Tooth's). The left side, however, is devoid of loose skin – it gleams. A ceramic quarter-mask of sorts with intricately inlaid designs replaces the lower left half of the woman's jaw, and even has carefully crafted teeth. The hinge for it is bolted to the woman's skull somehow, and the seams where it meets the flesh of the right side of the jaw are barely visible, the skin having had time to cover them.

Umeko tries to control the expression of shock on her face. She reaches out and touches a fingertip lightly to the woman's damaged face. "What happened to you?" she asks softly, her tone actually a bit sad.

"Kicked in face," the woman gets out, her difficulty in talking due to her tongue only being attached to half of her lower palate. "Master gave new one."

"Who kicked you?" Umeko asks next, her hand pulling away from her face and going to give the older woman's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Dromodon," the woman manages, then holds up a fine-haired brush. "Clean now?"

"Yes," Umeko says and lies back down, looking out over the gardens again. "You may recover your face if you wish, or not if you do not."

The maid does not replace the veil, but this could be so she can see clearer as she works the brush to dust off Umeko's scales. While she works, another servant (male this time) wearing the livery of the kitchen staff arrives and silently lays out a plate of fish before the Lady, already cut into bite sized pieces and with small bowls of dipping sauces on the side.

In the gardens below, men are filing down the path, careful not to go anywhere near the statuary under the master's watchful eye. From this distance, she can tell there's someone else down there with him, a tall figure clad in white.

The waiter holds up something Umeko hasn't seen before – a metal claw protector with a slender, long two-pronged fork attached. "If the Lady would give me her hand?" he asks, sounding a bit nervous and clearly trying not to look at all of that exposed golden skin.

"Thank you," Umeko tells the waiter and smiles to him, extending her hand up to the male. She had figured that the male would be used to seeing nude Kiriga, but upon seeing his nervousness tries to lay in such a way as that she won't be too revealing. Her attention then shifts back to the figures below. She strains her eyes trying to get a look at the figure and at least determine species.

The servant attached the device to Umeko's index finger, and says, "I will be nearby if you require anything, Lady Tsuguri." He then moves off towards the stairs, and sits down facing away.

Umeko uses the unusual implement to spear a bit of fish, then dip it into the sauces. After finishing that bite, she asks the man, "Does Master Hakuu entertain guests often?"

Some squinting and a little patience allows Umeko to make out some features once the figure moves into a more open and better lit part of the garden. It looks to be a Cervani, a big one, his crown of antlers tall. He and the estate's master stand before one of the garden's statues, gesturing as they apparently discuss it.

"The Master has many important friends," the waiter answers, without going into further detail.

Umeko tries to get a look at the statue now, wondering what it is a statue of. "This food is excellent," she comments after another bite. "I ask you to speak honestly with me. How do either of you feel about your Master taking a wife? Do you look forward to me being here?"

"Your beauty is blinding, Lady Tsuguri, and your presence will bring us all closer to the divine," the waiter says. The handmaid merely adds, "Children nice. Too quiet here."

"You flatter me," Umeko says with a smile, "I hope I will prove to be a worthy wife.". After enjoying a few more bites of food, she says, "I am not sure when Master Hakuu wishes to have children, I must admit. But, such I am sure will come in time. How many servants does he have in this estate?"

The statue doesn't seem especially remarkable compared to the others, and the pair in the garden soon move on to other pieces. Eventually they've come full circle around a smaller area, and stop where some of the mercenaries have gathered in a semi-circle. They exchange words.

"I do not know, my Lady," the waiter says. "I serve only the first floor and gardens."

Umeko tilts her head, wishing she could hear the conversation. Her body is quite thankful for the food, since she rarely eats much normally and relies on basking to keep her body warm most of the time. "How many floors does his manor have? Are some off limits to servants?" she asks.

The young waiter actually has to turn and look at the manor in order to answer the question. "Five, I believe. Each floor has its own servants and kitchens, I am told, so that they may be as individual estates in their own right. Only special servants attend to the Master on whatever level he may be residing."

"Ah, he has a special staff as well. That is good to know. Has it been said which floor I will be living on? Will I stay with Master Hakuu, or have a separate place to myself?" Umeko asks next, curious as to where she would expect to reside (and thus, how often she would be expected to deal with him).

"I do not know, my Lady," the man says. "Many of the family members live within the first three floors, but there may be a special suite set aside elsewhere."

"Oh. I was not aware his family lived with him, forgive me. How large is his family?" Umeko inquires. Her head tilts again, trying to keep an eye on those down in the gardens. Idly, she takes another bite of food.

The conversation with the 'hired help' in the garden seems to wrap up, and the remaining men continue on their way. That leaves Hakuu and the stranger… Vandringar, was he? The two men remain. Occasionally, the Cervani opens a scroll case, and both of them study the contents, or make a mark on it.

"Oh, I would so love to see the contents of that case," Umeko thinks to herself, "At least perhaps the docks can tell me more about him, depending on what he may have registered there." Speaking to the servants again, she asks, "What can I do to make sure Master Hakuu will be pleased with me?"

"His honorable sires are cared for," the waiter answers. "And some brothers and sisters and cousins, given tasks for which they are… capable."

"That makes me wonder what he considers 'capable'," Umeko thinks, then has another odd thought. "I wonder if his family are not ruling class, but like us, four-fingered nobles. Perhaps he was an unusual birth, a five-finger, and that is how he gets such leeway in his actions."

Umeko looks up at the handmaiden and asks, "Do you need me to turn yet?"

"Yes," the woman replies, finishing the last few strokes to clean Umeko's feet.

Umeko dutifully rolls over and stretches out on the stone. Her head cranes back and she lets out a contented sigh, the warmth being an absolute delight to the Kiriga. "Master Hakuu has a wonderful sunporch," she says absently.

"The Master would settle for nothing less than excellence," the waiter comments. "He designed the grounds and manor himself, I am told."

"What happens if something does not meet his expectations?" Umeko asks, finding that in spite of herself, she's enjoying the pampering she's currently getting.

"He works on it until it does," the waiter replies, then gets up to collect the dishes, trying once more not to ogle Umeko. "Do you require anything else, Lady?"

The Kiriga extends her hand to the servant so he can remove the implement from her claw. No amount of covering would keep the servant from getting a view of Umeko on her back, unfortunately. "Perhaps a glass of tea," she suggests. "And could you fetch me my clothing or whatever Master Hakuu wishes me to wear after I have been cleaned?"

"Yes my Lady," the man says and hurries off, nearly tripping on the stairs. The handmaid works a bit faster now, to try and clear away all of the dust before the evening begins to chill.

Umeko sits herself up a bit, glancing over her shoulder back down into the garden. "Thank you for all the kindness you have shown me this evening," she says quietly to the older woman. "It has been a most enjoyable evening."

"My pleasure is to serve well," the woman manages, bowing low and replacing her veil once the last specks of powder are brushed off. Luckily, the brush was gentle enough not to have worn away any of Umeko's bruise-covering makeup. The woman holds out the robe Umeko was given in the casting room.

Umeko stands up and slips the robe back onto her body. With a bow to the older woman, then a gentle touch to her shoulder, she says, "You serve admirably. You bring yourself much honor. Where should I wait for Master Hakuu?"

"Tea room?" the woman asks, seeking approval of the suggestion.

From Umeko's vantage, she can see that the two men in the garden have set one of the scroll cases aside on a pedestal, not having enough hands between them to handle all of the documents. There's a third man down there as well now… dressed like one of the mercenaries. Either Hakuu or his associate don't notice him or don't care about his presence.

Umeko nods, "That would be fine." She can't help but pause to try and make out any features of the other mercenary and once again wishes she could see that scroll.

The fellow down there has black fur, that much is evident. The rest of his features are hard to make out, he's somewhat concealed amidst the statuary.

Umeko nods her head again, then returns her attention to the woman. Offering her arm to her again, she says, "Please show me to the tearoom."

The handmaid leads Umeko to the nearest tearoom, and opens the panels to allow a view of the garden. She sets a covered ceramic heater underneath the table and lays out the quilted top, so that Umeko may keep her legs warm. She then excuses herself and goes to retrieve the Lady's original clothing.

Umeko settles down next to the table, positioning her legs so that she may keep them warm. The sheer robe doesn't offer much in the way of warmth (or probably modesty), in either case. She resumes watching the garden curiously, wondering if she can see the men still.

The open panels show that dusk has come, the sun far enough below the horizon now that the Procession can be seen. The garden is still well-enough lit by the many stone lamps scattered throughout, most especially a gazebo area that Hakuu and the Cervani fellow have moved into to better deal with their paperwork. Alone in the tearoom, Umeko is the only one who can see the garden from above, and it is this view that affords her another look at that odd mercenary lurking amidst the topiaries and statues. He seems to be watching the two lords very carefully.

Umeko tilts her head and leans forward, trying to get a good look at that odd mercenary. "So, is someone else also spying on them? Perhaps some enemy of this Vandringar," she thinks as she tilts and leans, trying to get a glimpse of what this mercenary looks like.

In the dim light, and with the man staying mostly out of sight, it's hard to get a very good look at him. He (it seems a masculine build) wears the earthy tones the soldiers in the camp did, and he seems to be dark of fur. He changes position several times, edging closer to the gazebo.

Umeko looks out through the panels more, her eyes searching for rooftops she may be able to walk or crawl on to get a better look. She also has to wonder when, or if, the servants are going to bring her old clothing. Being practically naked in the sheer robe doesn't really bother the dragon much, but it does make her stand out.

As if on cue, the handmaiden shuffles back, bearing a tray of tea balanced in one hand, and the neatly folded bundle of Umeko's kimono in the other. She carefully sets the tray down, then bows deeply and presents the folded clothing with her head still held down.

Umeko returns her attention to the handmaiden, then accepts the folded clothing. "Thank you," she says politely, then leans forward and kisses the older Kiriga's forehead. "Would it be permitted for me to walk the terrace with my tea? The evening seems very pleasant," she asks.

"Yes, my lady," mumbles the old woman in her slow, halting speech, clasping her callused hands together. "Call me if you need."

Sliding out of the sheer robe, Umeko quickly dresses in her robes and tucks her fan into her obi. "I will. Perhaps you will be assigned to be my personal handmaiden once I live here. You are most kind and diligent," she remarks quietly as she pours a cup of tea before she heads out to the terrace.

There's a crinkling around the old handmaiden's eyes, the closest to a smile that she can probably manage with the curious jaw arrangement she has beneath her veil. She departs, and Umeko is once more dressed in the fine, flowing robes she arrived in. Outside, the terrace is empty for the moment… recollection of the occasional guard wandering around the perimeter comes to mind, but most of the men seem concentrated in the yards below.

Umeko sips at her tea and slowly walks along the terrace, moving ever closer to the railing so she can look more into the gardens below. "I do have to wonder if she was injured as she said, or if she was an experiment of the Artist's," the dragon thinks a bit as she walks and looks down in the garden, trying to keep an eye as to what is going on. Occasionally, she also looks more for a quick way down and up from here, as she debates the sanity of going down into the garden herself.

Tiled roof stretches away from the railing below, angling downward. Wind sways the trees nearby, some of their larger branches reaching toward the manor. The height is daunting, but Umeko has spent many an evening leaping from stone to stone in the Tsuguri gardens, or climbing the trees when she didn't think any of the servants were around to scold her. Some leaps look long, but no longer than some she's made… of course, the drop is rather further than she's used to…

Taking a drink from her cup, she thinks it may just be simpler to ask the handmaiden if she may walk through the gardens, even if it would require an escort. Going jumping from the roofs may be a bit extreme, especially if she's trying to keep a low profile (not to mention she couldn't deal with as many guards as are here!). So, the Kiriga heads back towards the tearoom to call for the handmaiden and ask if she is permitted to walk in the gardens.

As Umeko turns away, there's a shout from below.

Umeko halts, then turns, hurrying back to see just what the shout was!

The black shape of the stray soldier can be made out near the gazebo, but it's not staying there long. It bounds away, dodging between shrubs and stonework. In the gazebo, Vandringar has taken up a position at the edge, a long arm stretched out to ward Hakuu back behind him, his other holding his cane out in front of him. Both lords bark orders, and the camp by the gardens is suddenly in chaos, mercenaries dropping everything and hurrying toward the manor grounds, Hakuu's guards mingling with them. Their shouts begin answering, and the black figure in the garden zigzags around some trees.

Umeko's webbed ears flick. For some reason, her gut tells her this may be an ally. She starts looking around on the terrace for stray branches and the like. She might be able to cause enough disturbance elsewhere so that the person can escape. Or, come up here," she thinks briefly. "If I could get his attention, I bet he could hide somewhere up here… "

The dark stranger looks like he could use the help. Apparently he wasn't planning on being seen, evidently momentarily confused he runs toward the camp… then scrambles backward and hurries in the opposite direction as the light of numerous torches begin heading toward him. He nearly trips over a rock garden, and splashes through a brook as he angles away from the courtyard. Guards have already swarmed around the two lords, remaining with them against threat of assassins.

Umeko sets her teacup down on the terrace. Eyes narrowing, the dragon tries to ignore the shouts and starts trying to quickly make her way down and into the trees by traversing and jumping the terraces. Perhaps she can pull this stranger up and out of the garden. How he'll get out of here she'll work out later.

Moments like this are few and incredible. It's as if the buildings and even the trees are the dragon's ally tonight. She soars off the third floor terrace, those robes of hers flowing and rippling like a cloud. She catches onto one of the branches of the nearby trees with only a mere rustle of leaves. From there, with snakelike grace, she flips off of that branch and lands on the second floor terrace. She darts across the terrace with her body held low until she believes she's close to where he is. Leaning over the terrace, she spots a barrel used to contain gardening supplies, sturdy and ideal for giving him a helping boost if needed. So, the Kiriga grips the rail and flips herself over it. She holds on long enough so that she's not dropping completely from that height … then releases and lands with a soft thump into the gardens. A toothy smile creeps over her snout as the exhilaration of what she just did hits all at once. "And now, that mercenary… ," she thinks, her head whipping and turning, trying to locate him.

Umeko's guess was spot-on, as she ends up looking into the startled eyes of a black Lapi who's just hit the brakes. He skids to a stop, kicking up leaves and just managing to avoid plowing into her. This close, it's much easier to make out details. The young man is tall and well built as Lapi go, dressed in the motley armor the other mercenaries were wearing. He scrambles backwards a few steps, brandishing a skedat shell whip affixed to one arm, and glancing over his shoulder worriedly.

"Come with me if you want to live," Umeko manages to hiss out in Standard, "They'll find you down here. We must go up. I'm a friend." Her head cranes, looking over the Lapi's shoulder nervously.

The Lapi hesitates, but another glance behind confirms that the light of numerous torches is coming closer, even with Hakuu's shouts to be careful not to crush his rare plants or damage the art objects. With limited options, the Lapi nods, coiling his whip and hurrying closer. Umeko can see something sticking out of a pouch on his belt… the end of one of the scroll cases.

Umeko hops up onto the barrel near the wall, then hooks her toeclaws into an outcropping in the wall. Then with a determined push, she goes upward and catches the base of the railing of the second floor terrace. Up the Kiriga goes onto the second floor. She then does something a bit odd, she drapes her tail down the wall a bit towards the Lapi, saying quickly, "Grab on and climb. Hurry!"

The Lapi looks briefly dumbstruck, but Umeko's hiss snaps him out of it, and as delicately as he can manage, he takes hold of the Kiriga's tail and begins hoisting himself up. Even with him trying to support some of his weight by digging his big feet at the walls, the soldier feels heavier than Umeko, and the yanking on the tail is a bit painful. However, while not nearly as graceful as Umeko, he does seem to have some measure of coordination and he manages to heave himself over the edge of the terrace with a grunt without hurting his savior or messing her robes up too much.

Hauling Lapis around by using her tail definitely doesn't fit under the idea of a demure Jadaian woman. Does this bother Umeko? Not a bit. Quickly looking around once they're on the second floor terrace, she says, "You need to get out of here quickly. I should get back up to the third floor before I'm missed. You can come with me if you think you can make it." Then as an afterthought, she adds, "My name is Umeko."

The Lapi pants a few times, hands on his knees, and once he's caught his breath, he puffs, "Gibson. You're… not with Hakuu's house?"

"Not yet. I am his … bride to be," Umeko says, "And his guest tonight. I would like to ask you what you overheard, but we need to get you hidden or out of here. Can you keep climbing?"

Gibson flops an ear over quizzically. "His bride? Why're you… I guess there's time for that later. I don't think I can make it up any more terraces, not without a tail to scale. Are the stairs inside guarded?"

"I do not remember seeing guards when I came in," Umeko notes and slips her arms into her sleeves. "If you need and can get outside, there should be a wagon waiting nearby with an old Kiriga on it. He is a friend of mine. Tell him that Umeko sent you to him and asks him to take you to my estate. I truly would like to speak with you about him and that strange friend of his, Vandringar. I fear they mean ill for my family and myself."

The Lapi nods grimly. "Probably more than just them." The shouting below echoes under the terrace now, and the thump of booted feet on the hardwood and the 'clack!' of door screens being thrown open makes Gibson's ears perk. "We'll talk about it if I can get out of here! I don't think going down is an option anymore! Let's head for the stairs up!"

Umeko nods and with a wave of her hand, motions for the Lapi to follow her. The Kiriga then dashes along the terrace, looking for the stairs back up to the third floor.

One of the screens opens back into the manor, specifically a bedroom. A decrepit Kiriga lies on a very richly blanketed sleeping mat; Zolk pajama-clad arms laid over the covers. He stares up at the ceiling with unfocused eyes and a gaping mouth, a trickle of drool at the corner, and makes no move or noise as the pair pass through. A screen on the other end of the room opens into a hall, with stairs up at the end. The commotion from down below is joined by yelps from startled servants.

"This way," Umeko whispers to the Lapi. She then heads quickly for the stairs and upwards. Her head tilts and turns, looking for the tearoom she is 'supposed' to be in.

At the top of the stairs, Umeko can see down another hall past the sundeck she had been on. The tearoom beyond it still has the kettle steaming away there.

"Lady Umeko?" The voice is familiar to the Kiriga, even if the origin of it is difficult to ascertain. "I heard commotion – I thought you might be in danger." One of the shadows steps forward, unfurling its night-black wings. Lilac, who seems to have been lurking in a darkened corner, gives the lady and the Lapi a quizzical look.

"What timing," Umeko says quietly. "I will be in danger if this Lapi does not get out of here. He has angered the Artist and his guest, Vandringar. He also has some information I must know. Do you think you can help him get out?" she asks the human. Then with a quick look to the Lapi, she notes, "This is a friend of mine." Waving to both, Umeko starts heading back towards the tearoom, adding, "And follow."

The Lapi glances between Umeko and Lilac, his expression seeming to find this whole situation getting more curious by the second.

Lilac obediently follows along, explaining, "I did what you asked. I also found a … mold? … of you, made of some smelly glue and paper, upstairs – I hope that wasn't important." She glances around nervously, frowning at each door. "Oh, and I entered using balcony. Do you know of another way out?" She spares a glance at the Lapi, raising a brow at him curiously.

"No. Can you carry him when you fly?" Umeko asks as she heads towards the tearoom. "Let's get inside to discuss this. Hopefully me being the Artist's guest will offer me some privacy from their search."

"Umm." The human woman blinks at the Lapi, eyes widening. "I don't think I could carry him across the room, much less in the air, Lady Umeko."

Gibson trots along with the two ladies, and the trio gathers around the tearoom's table. His tall ears waggle and twitch. "Going back down the stairs sure isn't an option," he says. "They're stampeding around down there, probably searching room by room."

"Can you sneak him out, then?" Umeko asks next. When they enter the tearoom, she slides the door closed. Turning to face them, she suggests, "Lilac, did you see any rope in your explorations? He could climb down from here, then perhaps you sneak him off the grounds." Then considering something, she tilts her head towards the Lapi, "Did they get a good look at you, or could you 'blend' back in with them?"

The Lapi shakes his head, ears flopping. "There's no way. If they caught me now, it'd be my hide." He pauses, then squints at Lilac. "Hey, didn't I see you down in the camp?"

Lilac enters as well, gravitating towards the shadowy corner to the left of the entrance. "There are guards patrolling the terraces, but they may be joining the other guards, now. We can keep going up – Hakuu's meeting chamber is that way, and so are those weird masked women – but I don't know of a way out." She gives the two others an apologetic shrug, then reaches and rubs at her collared neck. "I didn't see any ropes, but there might be some, or something like ropes, I suppose." After a nervous pause in which her splaying ears make her coolie hat drop down a bit, she asks, "What happened, Lady Umeko? I saw a figure running from the guards, along the balcony. The mercenaries are even coming, and they told me they're leaving for Rephidim soon."

Lilac blinks back at the man. "Did you?" she responds. After peering at the man a moment, her ears perk, nearly pushing the hat off her head. "Oh! You're the Lapi! The one that got that stupid Skreek to leave me alone!" She smiles. "Thank you."

Umeko frowns and rubs her chin in thought. "So, possibly waiting until the guards go up to the next level, then sending you down, shouting to the other guards that he's cornered on the upper floors … giving you time to dash for the gates while they go up would likely not work, either," she muses, her brow ridge rippling in mimic of actual eyebrows. "There is also a third option, but it is also very risky," she notes.

The Lapi returns Lilac's smile. "I had to act like those thugs, but I didn't actually have to be one. That guy was an especially nasty one." Gibson's smile is brief, and he fidgets, shifting his weight from big footpaw to footpaw. "I'll do whatever it takes, Umeko. I need to get this scroll out of here. These people are worse than you know." The man's ears perk again. "Someone's coming… "

"Worse?" is all Lilac has time to say before Gibson's comment catches her. She snaps her wings around herself, and steps back in to the shadows by the door. Her pale face rests against the dark background like a mask, a mask of a woman biting her lip in worry.

Umeko frowns, then decides something. "Give the scroll to Lilac. Lilac, you fly out of here through the window," she says firmly. "Gibson, I am your hostage. Get behind me and make sure that weapon of yours is firmly against my throat. Use me to negotiate your exit from the manor. I do not believe they would risk me being harmed at this time," the Kiriga tells the Lapi. "Do not be afraid to hurt me or draw blood if you have to."

The Lapi's ears wilt. "I don't want to put you in danger, this mission is on my shoulders! I want even less to hurt you! Are you sure about this?" At that moment, the screen slides aside, and the old handmaiden stands in the doorway, frozen.

Lilac's eyes slowly rotate until she's straining them to see what's at the doorway, her brows high. She looks, if anything, even more pale.

Umeko spins to face the handmaiden. "Is it true what this guard says?" she asks the handmaiden, her expression flipping to that of nervousness and walks towards her. "Is there an intruder in these walls? If so, then I ask that this guard escort me out of here quickly. I wish to return to my estate while Master Hakuu's staff settles this madness. I came here to visit with my husband to be, not to be put in danger. Please?"

The handmaiden's eyes widen, aghast. "Yes, my lady," she says, with that slur of hers. "Of course!"

Umeko nods and clasps the old handmaiden's hands gratefully. "Thank you," she says, then leans over to kiss the woman's forehead again. "If Master Hakuu inquires about me, tell him that I asked one of his guards to escort me out so I would not be in danger?" She then frowns, noting, "And please forgive me, I left my teacup on the terrace. This soldier found me out there and said I was not safe. That he and the others were searching for a dangerous intruder. He escorted me back here in a hurry, so I forgot the teacup.

"Do not worry, my lady," slurs the veiled handmaiden. "It is just a teacup. You must be safe. I will tell Master. Do you wish anything from me?"

Meanwhile, Lilac remains as still as a statue. It's not hard to see why she's been able to get this far in the castle. Her wings alone seem to hug the shadows, making her hard to see, while she seems to instinctively hide herself.

"Will you take us down to the stables quickly so I may be taken home?" Umeko asks pleadingly. "And can we please take a way the others have already searched? I do not wish to be caught in a fight if they find him and we happen to be nearby." While she's saying this, her tailtip keeps flicking towards the open window; perhaps Umeko is trying to tell Lilac to fly out.

Lilac nods slightly, then begins inching her way towards the window. She also nods to Gibson as she goes, indicating something about him.

The old woman nods hurriedly. "I will try. Do not know what is happening down there. Maybe we should go servant's way." She beckons the pair to follow, and begins trotting away, as fast as an old woman with a hunch can manage, anyway.

"Please," Umeko says, then looks back to the Lapi. Saying in standard, "You are to guard me on the way out. I do not wish for the intruder to harm me." The noble then follows after the old woman. "Be careful, Lilac," she thinks, "and get out of here!"

When the old woman turns to leave, Lilac extends her hand. "I'll meet you at old Master," she whispers. "If you run in to trouble, um, well … yell something distinctive, and I'll come if I can."

That elicits a nod from Umeko as she leaves.

Gibson looks worried, but nods quickly. "Yes, ma'am," he says, following along, skedat shell held at the ready.

"What about the scroll?" asks a perplexed Lilac. "Oh, bother."

The Lapi looks discomfited. "Well… I guess it's no use if they catch me with it. If I can trust you, take it to the docks if I don't make it out, to a ship called the Sunset Hoof." He takes the case from his pouch, and proffers it to the human woman.

"Of course, I am the greatest bard in the entire world," Lilac promises, accepting the scroll. She stuffs it in her belt pouch, then backs away towards the window. "I'll give this to the Master, then I'll be waiting!" And, with that, she unfurls her wings and launches out in to the night sky.

As Lilac fades into the night sky with her precious cargo, the handmaiden leads Umeko and Gibson away. The harsh voices and footsteps below seem to have reached the second floor. The old woman pauses at a small room, sliding a panel open to peer in and make sure there's nothing dangerous inside. There are linens and dishes stacked here, and a small cubby that looks to be a dumb waiter more the fashion of mainland houses. A ladder nearby leads into a hatch down. "Safe," says the old woman. "I go ahead, see if intruder is below."

"Thank you again. The guard will follow you down, and I will follow him," Umeko says, then turns to the Lapi and tells him the same. The Kiriga can't help but look around, ears flicking nervously.

The old woman climbs down, fairly spry all things considered. She calls out, "Safe!" and Gibson climbs down.

Umeko takes a breath, then follows Gibson down now. "Father would kill you, Umeko, if he knew what you were doing," she thinks to herself. Still, it hasn't stopped her yet. Saving this Lapi may help save her, and perhaps her father as well. What exactly does he know?

Another cramped room much like the others: piled high with linens and trays, outside of which can be heard the stomping feet of guard and mercenary alike. Thumps rising nearby seem to indicate some are heading up to the third floor now. The old woman has already descended the ladder again, and her scratchy voice rises up. "Safe!" Gibson heads down to the first floor.

Drawing in another breath, Umeko knows they are far from safe. She tries to focus past her nervousness, clearing her mind in much the way Master Tooth has taught her. Well, except that she leaves out the daydreams about defeating a certain black Khatta, anyway. Umeko heads down to the first floor as well now.

This room is slightly larger, but apparently to accommodate much of the stuff above. The handmaiden is peeking out of the sliding door to the room, slipping out to jabber at some of her bewildered fellow servants. When she pokes her head back in, she says, "Some guards and soldiers still here, but not many. Should be alright?"

Turning to the Lapi, she says quietly, "Tuck your ears under your helmet and hold up your weapon to shield your face. If they don't get a good look at you and your ears are hidden, then they may not recognize you." The Kiriga then turns back to old woman, saying, "give me one moment to collect myself, then we will go."

Gibson does as he's told, pulling his ears under one of the overlapping chitin plates bonded to the top of his scale coif. They're long and peek out from underneath, but they're slightly less obvious than before. He holds his skedat shell up over his face. "I dunno… I think this looks a little conspicuous."

Umeko considers that, and then nods. "Yes, it isn't as obscuring as I had hoped, either," she admits quietly and shakes her head, "Go back to the way you were. Just act confident and simply as if you were escorting me out of the building. Plus, you do not have the evidence on yourself anymore."

The rabbit swallows hard, but adopts a determined look. "Alright. Lead the way, ma'am."

Umeko nods, then turns and heads out to join the old woman. She waves the Lapi to walk with her.

The sliding door lets both lady and 'guard' out into an area near the inner courtyard. The greeting room can be seen from here, and the main doors are still open from where the men stormed in. Bits of grass and some mud tracks are trod over the once immaculate hardwood floors, and it's a good bet Hakuu isn't happy about that. At least nothing's been tipped over. Excited servants are chattering at each other, and some of the house guards occasionally troop past, scowling.

Umeko keeps her head held high and walks behind the old servant. Her arms slide into her sleeves as she goes. Now and then her brow ridge raises up as she looks at the tracked-in mud and towards the soldiers. She too frowns slightly, as if displeased by how her evening with her fiancée ended. "The Master will not be pleased with the state of his home," she notes quietly to the old woman. "The evening has not gone as I had hoped. I wished to spend time with him and begin our process of bonding. For it to end in this way is … disappointing. But, your household has been very gracious to me and has endeavored to protect me. It speaks well of him and of you. I will be sure to send Master Hakuu a letter thanking him for your service and his hospitality when I get home. Please, take me to the cart-man."

The old woman shakes her head at the mess, then switches to nodding at Umeko's request. "Yes, my lady." She makes her way through the inner courtyard and to the main entrance. The trio get some strange looks from the guardsmen, but the sight of Umeko keeps them from saying anything, and they merely lower their heads deferentially as they pass, and the three are able to file right out the door. Outside, even in the dark, Umeko can see the garden is in something of a state, but it seems abandoned. The courtyard near the gate isn't, unfortunately. The half-struck camp has some of the mercenaries milling about, and beyond them the main gate is carefully watched.

"Would it displease Master Hakuu if his guard rides with me or escorts me home? I do not wish to be alone this evening. Who knows what may be lurking along the roads? Too many strange happenings on our island as of late," Umeko comments quietly as the group walks. She also dips her head in acknowledgement to those who defer to her as they go.

The old woman's eyes are uncertain. "We, the family servants, do not usually deal with the Master's hired help," she slurs. "I do not think he would object to their use to protect his future wife."

Umeko dips her head to the old woman. "Very well, then it is my request that he attend to me for now. He has been most polite to me and is a credit to your Master," the dragon replies formally, then bows. She then turns to the Lapi and says in hissing standard. "You will attend to me and help escort me home. Your assistance will be properly rewarded by the Tsuguri family when we arrive there."

The handmaiden bows gratefully. "It is an honor to serve." Gibson adds, "Yes, ma'am," and the three skirt their way around the chaotic camp to the servants area and stables. Inside, Dromodon and Drokar paw nervously in their stalls, sensing the unrest in the compound. A pair of Selona laze in their pit, and the rickshaw stands nearby. The Shiga stable hand looks up from where he was moving a pitchfork of hay, surprised.

"The Master's home was invaded," Umeko tells the Shiga when she enters. "His handmaiden and one of the hired guards have escorted me out to safety while they search for the intruder." Pausing to look to the handmaiden, then the Lapi, she continues, " I would like to be taken home until this matter is resolved. Will you drive me home? I have asked that this hired guard go with me. This night has been distressing and I do not wish to be unguarded."

The Shiga sets his pitchfork aside. "I'll get the Selona hitched right away," he says. He's quite efficient, and the Selona is soon impatiently looking around with its googly eyes. Gibson hefts himself into the rickshaw, and offers Umeko a hand up.

Umeko bows to the handmaiden, saying, "Please offer my thanks to your Master and my wishes that he find the intruder quickly. Also, offer my apologies that I was not able to spend more time with him this evening." She smiles to the old woman, then turns and accepts Gibson's offered hand and joins him in the rickshaw.

With a shake of the reins, the Selona is soon scrambling across the grounds. It passes the courtyard, where some of the assembled soldiers stare, and as it approaches the gate, a number of the armed men are gathered around it. One, a brown mutt Gallah, raises a hand. "Hey!"

Umeko looks out of the rickshaw. "Is that a proper greeting for a visiting noble?" she asks the Gallah, brow raised. "I am being taken home after a very trying evening. You could at least show me the proper respect. But, given the events of the evening, I will overlook it. How may we help you?" she asks.

The mutt falters, but gruffs, "Nobody in or out. Vandringar's orders."

"Master Hakuu is the master of this house, not someone named Vandringar," Umeko says, quiet, but firm. "I will not be spoken to in such a manner, either. I have forgiven it once, and I may not be Master Hakuu's wife yet, but I do expect you to at least call me Lady Umeko and address me politely. Now, who is Vandringar and how does he have authority over me?"

The mercenary shifts uncomfortably. "He's got authority to give us orders, uh… Lady Umeko. There's been a security issue. Nobody is to leave the compound."

"The security 'issue' is the reason I am leaving," Umeko says simply, expression very reptilian and cold. "It is unacceptable for me to be put in danger. It is even more unacceptable to deny me passage to return to my estate. Where is this Vandringar? I will speak with him."

The dog looks almost pained. "Our orders were very clear, lady. Vandringar is probably back at the house; they've got somebody cornered in there. You'll be safe here."

"What is your name?" Umeko asks quietly and coldly.

The mutt's ears fold back. "Anton."

"Be thankful you are not my servant, Anton," Umeko remarks. "Driver, return to the carriage house. It appears I must have words with a foreigner who thinks they have authority over a Jadaian noble." And with a glance to the mutt, gold eyes narrowing, she adds, "And about the poor manners his guards have."

The driver does as he's told, turning the confused Selona away from the gate and guiding it back to the stables. Gibson lets his breath out with a puff, as if he'd been holding it. "Uff… I should have expected that."

"Can you find your way out from here? I have gotten you out of the house, at least," Umeko whispers to the Lapi. "I will go speak with this Vandringar, I suppose. This really is unacceptable to keep me here." The reptile actually smirks.

Gibson nods, briefly sticking his head out of the carriage. "If I work at it, I can probably get over the wall. It was meant to keep people out, after all, not in. Thanks for getting me out of there, I owe you."

"If you make it out, try to go to the Tsuguri estate," Umeko says quietly, "Or barring that, the Blushed Pala. Ask for Mitsuko and tell her you're a friend of mine and need a place to hide. She should help you, I believe. I think the walls were close to the servants quarters, you may be able to make it over. Good luck. I just hope I can get out of here now." The dragon smiles, probably a bit toothily. Whether that's comforting or not, hard to say.

The Lapi nods again as the driver comes to a halt, voice kept hushed so the Shiga still can't hear. "Will do, Lady Umeko. You've done a service greater than you know. If you want to meet up again, I'll try to find you or your friend before I leave the island."

Umeko dips her head to the Lapi. "It was my pleasure," she tells him, then steps out of the rickshaw. To the driver she bows, saying, "My apologies for wasting your time. I will go speak with those that refuse to allow me to leave." To the Lapi in the rickshaw still, she says, "Guard, you are dismissed. Thank you for your earlier assistance."

Gibson hops over the edge. "Yes'm," he says, and with that he hurries out of sight.

Shaking her head, Umeko starts the walk back to the house. Part of her really is annoyed with a foreigner apparently having authority in Jadai. Ever the reptile sometimes, it seems. But, she does at least feel good that she helped the man, and was able to smuggle out information that may help her. "Of course, it depends on if I can even get out of here now. Or perhaps I'll just end up another mask-wearing bauble in Hakuu's collection," the dragon thinks, then pushes that particular thought out of her mind. She is Umeko Tsuguri afterall; she is no one's bauble. Drawing in another deep breath, the Kiriga goes to face her fate.