SJE/Session71
Exalted Session 71
22 Descending Air- 1st Ascending Water
At the conclusion of the Lunar Grand Moot, nobody has seen Lilith yet, though Shizu is beginning to remember some past life affair with the owl woman. And a big fight with owls and hawks tearing into each other, feathers flying everywhere. And are those owls in the trees watching her, Twin Peaks-style?
Rav also refuses Shizu’s proposal of remarriage, which does make for a long uncomfortable silence on the way home, but Shizu asks Rav to make one last stop in the desert- a visit to Quiet Shadow’s (Shizus) mother- the infamous Bandit Queen Bronze Shadow. Shizu warns Rav that her mother has some touch of the Fae about her and is often given to many flights of fancy, having spun (for example) a dozen different descriptions of Shizu’s father.
They include but are not limited to-
1) The head of the Immaculate Order in Gem. Amusing if Master Tanaka is still alive.
2) A Warstrider pilot from Lookshy.
3) A noble from the Blessed Isle.
4) The god of ninjas.
5) A demon. (On several occasions, but only if Shizu or her brother had been very naughty)
6) A Fairfolk Noble.
7) A dragon.
8) The head of a tribe of nomads from the far South.
9) A barbarian from the far North.
10) A student from an unknown city with lots of tall towers, who stumbled through some kind of magical gate to Shizu's mother's hideout. He spoke a language unknown to her mother, and had a strange fascination with cat-girls and warstriders.
Bronze Shadow now lives in a bijou desert fortress called “Dunrobbin’” with her long suffering youngest daughter Pretty Shadow. Her mother is a flighty, mercurial woman, given to intense emotions and is more than a little selfish. Dressed in clashing fiery orange silks and lime green scarves (and played by Jennifer Saunders in Eddy mode) the fake-tanned mother is more than delighted to see her daughter.
”Marvellous to see you sweetie-dahling. And who is this? No, it cant be? Your husband!” (aside to Rav)- “you know we were getting worried about her- always dressing up as a boy”. And look at you, so strong, mmm…” (tweaking an increasingly amused Ravs bicep). (turns back to Shizu) “And what have you got me on your travels? Glasswear? From Solaria… hmm.. Solaria? That’s one of those boring countries isn’t it? Ah well dahling, I have just the thing for you. Freshly looted from the caravan – isn’t it adorable, a little Ninja suit for you? Go on, try it on.“
Embarrassed, Shizu tries on the Junior Ninja pajama suit. Heedless Bronze Shadow continues at full tilt. “But of course you cant be married just yet. Just engaged surely. After all, its not like you’d have a wedding and not invite me, your darling mama? Isnt it sweetie-dahling? Isnt it?! You wouldn’t would you sweetie-dahling?! But don’t worry, leave everything to me! I’ll arrange it all dahling! I’ll rob every caravan from here to Paragon to find the perfect dress! And all the best people will come! Oh, yes, dahling, it will be absolutely fabulous. And so will I!”
At last Shizu gets a word in edgeways and mentions to Bronze Shadow that she believes her beloved son Swift Shadow may have perished at the hands of the White Ninja Sad Ivory. Bronze Shadow doesn’t take the news very well
“No, gods, NNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! My poor son! My only son! My favourite, my beloved. Woe is me! What is to become of me? Now I’ll never have grandchildren.!” (Rav gives Shizu a look) “I must have vengeance! I’ll tear his killers heart out and eat it! Now tell me Shizu, where can I find this white ninja?”
”Yu-Shan, Mother”
“That’s in the North isn’t it dahling?”
“Yes Mother.”
“But what is to become of me? Now I have no son? And only Pretty Shadow to help man my fortress walls! And all she does is sit in her room and read books all day! What kind of life is that for a Bandit Queen’s daughter!?” (sob, sob)
Its at this point Shizu makes (or botches- its unclear) a Compassion roll and says
“You know Mother, you and Pretty Shadow could come and stay with me in Gem”
“Oh yes Sweetie-dahling! That would be wonderful. Gem would be just the place for me- alive and exciting and full of interesting men! And a robbery on every street! Yes, that would be best dahling! Where do you live!”
Shizu makes arrangements to return for her mother and sister after the Solarian Crisis is dealt with, and she and Rav beat a hasty retreat from Dunrobbin’.
Meanwhile, back in Solaria, Nascent Amethyst Eye is keeping an eye on the developing situation. As the cleanup of Solaria Magnus continues, the Realm is establishing a strong base in the city (rebuilding as they go) and not so politely looking at their sundials, coughing and asking when they Solars where thinking of leaving?
The Mahdi on the other hand is riding around the country whipping up the peoples anger at the Realm and inviting them to join him in the Revolution Against Tyranny. He even speaks to Nascent about the injustices of the Realm and how the Unconquered Sun has Chosen Nascent for a special purpose- to restore righteousness to Creation! Despite the Mahdis charm-backed words, Nascent resists the temptation to sign up. A few days later, Nascent is woken by the sound of an explosion in Solaria Minor- rushing to the southern quarter, near the Church of the Unconquered Sun, he finds a ruined building, rubble everywhere, flames still licking up the timbers, and stone melting into lava. And in the centre of the explosion, he sees a kneeling, red-haired Fire Aspect looking up in beatific adoration at the Mahdi (whose perfect hair is untouched by the napalm holocaust all around). Yes, Anaria has met the Mahdi at last.
When Shizu and Rav return a few days later they decide his is A Very Bad Thing, as now Anaria is spouting on about how wonderful the Mahdi is and parroting his speeches about righteousness. They also worry about what the Realm Legion is doing (not just safely disposing of 5,000 tonnes of toxic soulsteel into the Wyld) but their efforts to spy of Ledaal Hoshi, Takei and Cynis Dmitri are defeated by the Dragonbloods combination of anti-surveillance charms. (while the Terrestials cant spot them, they are aware of a presence in the command tent, they cant account for and cut short their secret discussions).
Soon, the Gem City Watch Exalts will have to decide the fate of Solaria. Will they ride away and leave it to the Realm and Mahdi to battle over? Will they side with one faction or another? Or will they claim it for themselves?
So ends Session 71.
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