Not Much of a Difference Between a Bridge and a Wall

[Kala Leukos]

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21st of Glade, Year 125 Age of Steel

we possess the power
if this should start to fall apart
to mend divides
to change the world
to reach the farthest s t a r.

Springtime in Silfanore was glorious. Their winters weren't unduly harsh, especially by Kalzasern standards, but the Hytori seemed to have a bit of the giddiness, the elation of youth in that season of rebirth. It was nice.

When she came to Sol'Valen, she stayed in the house Torin had rented. His apprenticeship was complete and so he was largely returned to his own forge in Kalzasi as well as the valley bequeathed unto him by Kala's lady mother. Sivan remained. His alchemical studies were complete, and now he was focusing on artificery. Kala had already spoken to Torin about creating a master forge in her newly acquired tower, and when Sivan had settled somewhat into a routine after he was no longer juggling lives in different cities, she intended to offer him a place in her tower to set up an alchemical laboratory, which she would also make use of. Then, the both of them could help her with a laboratory for artificing.

Torin had sworn himself to her as a devoté, and so he would be her divine forgemaster. She was already learning alchemy in order to master Garel's Avialae enchantments, but if she were to live forever, there would be time to master all the world magics.

But for now she remained the vice-minister of finance and only that. While her domain was nominally Karnor, her superior was so very ready for retirement that he seemed only too happy to let her make commutes to far-flung capitals like Solunarium and Silfanore to ensure trade routes for the Jewel of the North.

This was only a short visit for a meeting with one of Ailuin's trade ministers, and she didn't even think she would make use of Torin's rented house. But she had a gift for Akantha and delivering it in person was just her way. It also allowed her an excuse to walk through the lovely Callo deme.

The homes of the Val'Hytori were grand, to be sure, and big enough to house many family members, and yet they didn't grow to the grotesque size of some other mansions she had seen. From what she gathered, country villas were often bigger in order to accommodate more of the things that would be missing from city life.

Even Eilranoikos, the royal family's home, had a modesty to it. While bigger than the current population of the family needed, none of it seemed extraneous.

A servant answered the door and, when she announced she had a gift for the Princess Akantha, she was seen to a small sitting room, its windows open to the courtyard from whence the she could see fountains and spring flowers in bloom. While the servant went to inform the princess that she had a guest in case she wanted to see her, another servant set a simple tea. Hospitality was important to the elves.

"Your Royal Highness," the servant interjected softly when Akantha gave him permission to do so. "Lady Kala is here bearing a surprise gift for you. Would you care to see her?"

It went unsaid that the servant had scanned the package to ensure it was safe or Akantha would have been informed that Lady Leukos awaited her in a detention cell being questioned by the krypteia. Kala had come unannounced, but she was known to the serving staff of Eilranoikos.

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[Akantha SolEilran]

Akantha was going over her amassed sketchbooks while the Dress-Up Box was recording from her Projection Plate. She had her short list for those designers that she would send requests for mock-ups and offerings for those who would help clothe her family for the big day. Her own were already picked, and true to her usual tendencies, even aspiring designers were getting their opportunity to submit designs and offerings for her. There were many events leading up to the Big Day, and she would feature however many designers, seamstresses, and tailors as she could. Provided, of course, it worked with the aesthetics.

Everything had to be perfect, after all. Everything.

Notes were being jotted down quickly with her colourful pen. Her parents, brothers, aunt, and Adamantos all needed outfits. She had sought to reach the diamond dragon who had taught her plenty about the Land of Nod with her father, especially since she needed their sizes and preferences, though... she did know they could change their shape if they so desired. She had some ideas about attire, considering what she remembered seeing them in, but if she could get a hold of them in dreams... she could get some guidance on what they might like.

When the servant knocked, she bade entry, pausing the Projection Plate and her pen stilled, as she turned her attention to the Hytori who came in, giving a nod for him to go ahead. Oh, Lady Kala? "I will see her," the Princess nodded, getting up and setting her pen down with her sketchbooks on the table. The gown that she wore today was not made of fabric, but something else entirely. The wings that composed her dress were the product of a fun trick from Ionsōra - using her monarch butterfly totem, the princess had grown wings of varying sizes, shaping them into a dress. It flowed, looking for all the world like a rather hyper-realistic fabric, fluttering along. Her honey-blonde hair was loose for once, flowing down her back in full, soft waves. Delicate, tiny gold hoops rested in her ears, catching on the lights of the hall while she followed the servant. Considering she was relaxing at home and researching, she wasn't, for once, wearing a set of heels, but a pair of light slippers. She had, of course, had her nails done to match the dress, the shimmering orange all but glowing. It was the handiwork of one of her favourite alchemists, who had crafted the lacquer that seemed to make an otherworldly wave of orange to amber to pink to almost a lavender purple hues as her fingers moved and the light changed.

She let the servant open the door, and Akantha with her winged dress seemed to float on through. She didn't need her dragonshards to make the 'fabric' of the wings stay off the ground, it fluttered and rippled lightly from her own conscious movement. "Lady Kala, it is good to see you. How are you?" she greeted her, as warmly as usual. She would get down to finding out the truth about her romantic inclinations, but it would be decidedly rude and rather short to start the conversation that way. For now, tea. "How have you been?" she inquired as she sat on the seat opposite of the Avialae, and let the servant pour the cups, thanking them. Considering her efforts with Animus today, she might actually eat something...

"There is no rose without a thorn."

[Kala Leukos]

.

A long, appreciative "ohhh" greeted the princess.

Despite the fact that their personal aesthetics only overlapped some of the time, they had always—so far—appreciated the other's eye. For those who practiced magic, it could lose its wonder. Kala was not one of those. When she used magical as an adjective, it shone with a young woman remembering childlike wonder.

"The way it moves is magical."

She bowed as the servant served them tea. Here, she was a foreign noblewoman and government official, but in the home of a princess, one of the heirs presumptive of the Phoenix Throne. Her own dress was a fusion of the tribal styles of her mountain people with an editorial perspective that was clearly showing more and more influence from Silfanore. Simple enough, the devil was, as ever, in the details.

The ruffled shrug matched the cascade of layered ruffles in the bottom of the dress, offering a nod to the more architectural silhouettes of her people while not hiding the shape of her body in the darker underdress. The dark of the underdress wsa reminiscent of a night sky, and tiny motes in the ruffles winked occasionally like stars. Parts of the shrug and the skirt were panels of sheerer fabric, hinting at her body in shadow when she moved.

"Pardon," she said, smiling and meeting the princess' eyes once more. "I should really try not to look at your clothes before greeting you properly. I'm driven to distraction.

"Your Royal Highness, the pleasure is all mine. I have been... good? Busy, certainly." She hadn't processed the most recent elevation of her soul along its evolution, the power, the tower, and everything. It would come out eventually, she knew, but she was hoping her first public miracle would be the bestowing of wings upon her mother, upon Marda Ahtivin, perhaps upon her sister-in-law and Pahorah's sister, the women among the Avialae who had been denied the skies.

It wasn't something she was certain she could ever broach with Akantha, as well as they got along. The princess viewed her as human, her winged subjects as Hytori. Kala understood this better now, and while she was human, it was the wings that made her a minority, made her a target. Even as she was becoming something greater, she was still trying to sort what it meant to be human, Avialae, a woman.

But for now, yes, Good. Busy.

"Thank you," she said to the servant, who bowed graciously to Her Highness' guest and would bide a beat to see if Akantha required anything else before she was given her privacy.

"I brought you the fabric we had spoken about after your midwinter party. It gave me an opportunity to walk through the Callo in spring. It is lovelier for the flowers blooming." She indicated the package resting in one of the seats, clearly a bolt of fabric wrapped in undyed muslin to keep it clean, at the moment.

"I trust you too are well?"

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[Akantha SolEilran]

When Kala rose to greet her and offered her bow, the Princess inclined her head to her and turned her attention to the petite blonde Avialae's attire. She had heard enough about Starfall from Kala and her twin, along with the courtiers when she had asked for information about her friend's homeland to recognize elements of the tribal culture there. That was usually a regular theme in Lady Kala's clothing; she represented her home in some manner of fashion in her outfits. Akantha understood, and she approved. Fashion told a story, after all, and she did find Kala's interesting.

The tilt of the Hytori's head suggested she was in fact studying her dress, drinking in the details, and a small smile indicated approval. Kala had accompanied her to a few fashion shows, and while Akantha wasn't absurdly hard to please, she did have high standards, and the dress she wore today met them. She Sembled the garment, inspecting it with her practiced magical eye once she was done with the mundane. The cut, shaping, blend of textiles... mm. She did motion for her to turn, which may have come across as insulting, but it wasn't meant that way - she simply wanted to see it move and how it shifted and settled and moved under the lights of the sitting room. "Your tailor did an excellent job," she was approving, and they could sit.

"I'm glad that you like it," Akantha made a few of the wings flutter once they were sitting - giving an indication that it wasn't, in fact, fabric - but a work of Animus. But she would likely figure that out for herself if she elected to use Semblance. "Hopefully 'busy' was in a good way." She smiled at the servant, and gave them a nod - they would be fine. She was happy with the spread: they knew what she liked in terms of a tea service, and there was enough here that she wasn't looking for extras for her guest.

"This is so thoughtful, thank you," she brightened up to see it, gathering it and peeling back the muslin to touch it. "Exquisite," her fingers caressed the fabric, the shimmering colour of her nails contrasting with Kala's gift. This would go well with some planned outfits for the wedding - she was making sure that the broad majority of the Cloth of Comfort that Prince Talon had brought for her father was going towards his and Rhydian's outfits - she was not allowing herself to hog it. And this was something different, something unique, and it was not going to be easily found elsewhere. Certainly not in time for anyone else to have any...

"The Callo is lovely, isn't it?" She knew that the north would be ice and snow and cold for varying amounts of time still, whereas the mildness of Silfanore was surely a welcome change. "I take it Starfall did well through the last of Frost? Has the thawing started?" She couldn't hold onto her fabric prize forever, so the muslin was carefully laid back over it and it was returned to the chair. "Epídeixi," she instructed the multi-layered tea tray, and the plates contained therein shifted kinetically to levitate so that Kala could help herself to an assortment of cookies, cakes, sandwiches, fruits, and biscuits. "Just say which colour of plate you'd like to look at, and it will come to you. The colours are on the edges," she advised her. It may have been a bit much for two, but when one was hosting a few more... it just worked out. She would let Kala take her choices first, and then she would select a small cucumber sandwich.

"I have been well. Busy, but well. There is a great deal of planning and events underway with regards to the Phoenix King's wedding this season, and I do want it to be perfect. So I have been helping and overseeing where I can," she smiled, picking up her tea to sip. There were still events, affairs, parties, and while focus may have shifted, Akantha was not about to miss her appearances, and she would maintain her social schedule as much as she could in the meantime. Everything else could be worked in, after all, and it would be.Consultations, fittings, samplings... There was a great deal to do. Even if she wasn't technically in charge of all of it... she was still determined that the nuptials, and everything leading up to it, would make it the event of the year.

"There is no rose without a thorn."

[Kala Leukos]

.

Used to their greetings involving a bit of modeling, Kala did a few slow turns and then a pirouette so Akantha could appreciate how it flared out with movement, and, of course, she liked to dance whenever she could, even if only one little spin.

"Thank you," she said, and slipped her hands into cleverly hidden pockets that didn't mar the line of the skirts. "It has pockets."

Once seated, Kala managed to make a small plate for herself that allowed her to sample several things without having a full meal. Cucumber sandwiches were such a treat.

"Oh, of course. It should be interesting to see what you and your tailors do with a traditional fabric. In fact, Master Kilvin did so well at Tavárinoikos, I was wondering if you knew of any couture houses or tailors who might take in a foreign apprentice or two. There are several talented young people who might benefit from such tutelage, and bring some new ideas to your couturiers as well. I have sponsored a few in Kalzasi, but, of course, Silfanore has a longer, richer history to draw from. And Kalzasi has begun to thaw, but winter's claws dig deeper in the mountains, so no true thaw in Starfall yet."

As for the work, "Busy is the life." They were both busy, and she deferred to Akantha as a royal wedding, especially her father's royal wedding, was more than the usual responsibilities. Many elves were always sembling, and so she felt safe to do so herself, but she was only reading the surface of things. Kala thought that Akantha had some complicated feelings surrounding her father's wedding, but Kala politely didn't ask if she didn't feel like sharing. They were friends, but Akantha was still a foreign princess. They were not equals, and upsetting her could have a deleterious effect on Kalzasi. She could not afford that.

"I can only imagine how heavy a lift a Hytori royal wedding entails. I hope you have all the support you need to see your vision through." She sipped her tea, guessing that Akantha's vision might have more weight than one would imagine given she seemed to be the royal personage whose focus was adjacent to such things.

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[Akantha SolEilran]

Kala knew the Princess's expectations. Even Kaus sometimes got the request to turn around so she could see his attire, if only to note some interesting aspect that she may be able to request of one of her designers for her brothers. At her unexpected guest's admission of the pockets, Akantha only smiled. Nearly every outfit she had had hidden pockets, and if for some freak reason they did not, she would carry portable pockets with her on jewellery or some other accessory. There was something to be said for utility, and so few people seemed to understand just how important pockets were, especially to women. It was outrageous that so many garments for men had pockets, and so few outfits for women did. Utterly absurd and outrageous. Still, that was one crusade upon which she would continue.

She had taught Kala well.

"I have some ideas, and I will bring it to some of my favourite designers and see how they are inspired by it," Akantha nodded, smiling at the bolt of fabric. "I would think it could be turned into one of my garments for the events of the season - there's quite a few different affairs and parties with the buildup to the wedding, and I would think that the challenge would be good for them. However it turns out... you will see it."

She took a small bite from the cucumber sandwich while she considered Kala's request about foreign sponsorship. That could be arranged, certainly. Akantha had enough influence and pull, and had made similar 'suggestions' about apprenticeships with her favourite designers and couturiers, but not with foreign ones. "I would think that we can orchestrate such an opportunity. Maker Kilvin came in through his connections with Maker Len'Myren, as I understand, who had trained there previously. If you could perhaps arrange for them to put together some portfolios of their work, I can look them over and see who they might be best situated to train under, and arrange interviews for them and your aspirants."

She took a sip of her tea. "You are familiar with Master Torin, then? He made such a lovely artefact as a commission for my Aunt. I have been keeping it quite busy. It has been decidedly helpful with my planning, as it goes," she smiled faintly. The Dress-Up Box didn't run constantly, as Akantha knew that devices had to take time to recharge and recuperate, though if it ever had the unmitigated gall to quit on her, the human would be summoned immediately for repairs. It didn't matter what he was in the middle of, his presence would be required.

She wouldn't bring up the subject of her own feelings about the Royal Wedding with Kala; she was aware that they were ultimately irrational and this was the best case scenario. She was happy for Rhydian, she knew how much he worshiped her father. They clearly made each other happy, and she wanted that for them. It was irrational to think that her father would only stay with her mother; while they still loved each other, they would see others and carry on. Such was the life of a King, especially one who needed to unify and build like Ailuin did. And that was the best way to do it... until or unless someone decided they didn't want to risk their niece or nephew's shot at the throne and might have a go at the other siblings. But that would be dealt with if it ever came up.

"I do think it will go well. I've mostly provided and recommended artists for various aspects, and I have been making arrangements and plans for attire so that everyone looks their best," the Princess sipped her tea. "And memorable." Elegance wasn't just about standing out, but being remembered.

"There is no rose without a thorn."

[Kala Leukos]

.

Kala had found that the etiquette with which she had been raised proved sufficient in Silfanore. There were differences in custom, of course, but ultimately, the idea that all that etiquette was merely meant to put people at their ease to allow for more effortless socialization seemed to ring true.

A scholarly sort, she had read up on Hytori customs before her first visit and found it byzantine and bizarre. At the table of Salmakis Val’Mystra, the Phoenix King himself would be merely another prince, no greater than one of the diarchs of Aerion. The servant who woke the king from his slumber every morning was technically a minor lord. There were singular Val'Hytori lines with titles no longer in use by any other Val'Hytori, and their relative prestige changed from situation to situation.

Kala herself held more esteem in Silfanore as a trade minister from a foreign nation-state, though some of Sol'Valen's laws did assumed that no other government by that of the dead Broken Empire were legitimate, than she did as third in line for a minor fiefdom. After all, if Starfall was not the vassal of some elven potentate, some of their laws let alone their customs, did not recognize her.

But they were polite, and they were receptive to her respectful nature. Even were she to reveal her divine self, she would be respected, but not worshipped—not that she came seeking worship. It was akin to her status in Solunarium, though she would not say so to either race of elves, of course.

She liked Akantha, respected her eye, her aesthetic, her wit, and her sense of politics. Though she didn't read the princess' mind, she felt a vague sense of unease, but let it pass over and through her, letting it go rather than reaching for it.

"Of course," she said, "portolios, artist statements, et cetera. Mm, this is delicious."

At mention of Torin, she brightened a bit.

"Ah, yes. When Master Kilvin completed his apprenticeship, my family invested the seed capital for him to found his own forge. I helped him craft the aether forge he uses there still. And Master Len'Myren is his business partner. I believe he has recently completed his apprenticeship in alchemy, and continues toward his mastery of artificery. They'll be a rival even for Lord Talon Novalys' Skyforge. I was fortunate to find him ere someone else did, and I am glad his work pleases you and your aunt."

She squinted at the princess with playful suspicion. "Are you going to try to filch my favorite runeforger?"

And of course she nodded in commiseration over the trials and tribulations of planning such an event. Kala thought she could manage it, but that didn't mean she wanted to. But she could also respect her friend for going to such lengths for her father. Kala would do that and more for just five minutes with the man who had died in her youth.

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[Akantha SolEilran]

The beauty of etiquette was that it provided a guideline of expectations. Ages upon ages of tradition provided a foundation upon which an interaction could be walked through like a leisurely stroll through the gardens of Eilranoikos, if you knew the rules. And both of them had learned them well.

What vexed her was that she liked the young female Avialae, was deeply intrigued by her situation with wings, and she genuinely enjoyed Kala's company. A tea, visiting the theatres to observe a performance of music, dance, or drama. The fashion shows, or even her flight nook, which was never visited upon by other guests - it was herself and the guards, and perhaps Ionsōra. Kala and her twin had been invited. Some place decidedly safe and private where they could stretch their wings and fly without concern of others watching, and then enjoy a relaxed snack and tea overlooking some of the beautiful expanse that was Sol'Valen's wilderness from the carved-in space that had been shaped by geomancers to allow for a comfortable space for rest and repose following the efforts of flight. While the wings of an Avialae were magical, Akantha's own use of wings as an osprey, or producing Hytori-sized osprey-style arms for her own, took considerable effort and work, even with her alchemical buoyancy boosts, dragonshards and lodestones that were there as failsafes... not to mention the winged Hytori guards that would make sure the Princess didn't plunge to her death upon the rocks several miles below.

"Precisely. An introductory packet, if you would. Everyone has their own style and their own aesthetic, so understanding these Makers only helps everyone involved. And they are, aren't they? If you enjoy oranges, do try those little marmalade tarts. They are scrumptious." The Princess was quite different from Hilana when it came to food - Hilana loved food, be it making it, talking about it, or eating it with friends, or bringing baskets and bags and boxes of whatever she had come up with to those she enjoyed sharing things with; and Akantha, well... she could take it or leave it. It was necessary to live, and if she was busy with aetheric training a must - though restorative drinks were vastly preferred. Less calories. She had a figure to maintain, after all, and it would not do to put on any poundage. Not that it was something she actually had to worry about; there was nothing a few full-body transformations wouldn't take care of to get rid of an extra sandwich, but cellulite was not happening.

She had a sip of tea as she listened to her explain her history with Torin, and she nodded. Competing with Talon Novalys' Skyforge. Well, then, that was interesting indeed. But it did speak to his talents. When she jokingly asked if she was planning to steal him away, the Princess laughed. "I may have made him a very tempting offer to set up here, yes." They would have to see what came of it. She had a feeling that the runeforger wouldn't be so easily swayed, but Akantha, like many of her race, was patient, and she would find a way to get what she wanted. People just didn't realize it at the time, but they were going do what the Princess wanted. She could also try through Sivan, too...

"Have you been doing a lot of travel recently for work?" she inquired, taking another small bite of the cucumber sandwich on her plate. "I would imagine that must be a nice break away from the north."

"There is no rose without a thorn."

[Kala Leukos]

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"Oh..." She did sample the marmalade with interest.

Her own training with blades and magic had always kept her thin. In fact, during adolescence, caps had been put upon how much she and Kaus could train, and they were always encouraged to eat more, in the hopes that they would grow. The difficult twin birth meant she was smaller than her mother, and Kaus smaller than their brother.

Now, with wings of her own, she found she was always expending energy. Avialae were marvels of magical creation, but they weren't exactly efficient in their use of energy.

"Well, now that he has completed his Hytori residency and apprenticeship, perhaps he will expand into Silfanore. So far, he has managed to balance his work at the forge and his duties with his fief. It is also likely time he take on more apprentices. One came of age last season and will be continuing on as a business partner, and he has a young sembler with some talent for enchantment. We shall see."

She smiled.

Starfall was getting what it needed from Torin, and the time would come when he could delegate some of that. Her personal needs would be seen to once he had set up an aether forge in the tower she had claimed. If he had time for Akantha, far be it from her to limit him.

"Since your winter party, only some travel around Karnor. That is appropriate, I suppose, given my responsibilities. In another life, perhaps, I will travel the world in a luxurious airship and follow my fancies." She smiled. "And you, did you make it to that convention of designers in Inokova?"

The Amber City was, apparently, where the very best of the elves' Makers lived and worked. If that were true, they must be marvels, for she had been impressed by those in Silfanore. But while the elves no longer had their network of Rift Gates, there were gates aplenty in and around Sol'Valen for those who could afford the costs. A princess certainly could if she hadn't the Rune for herself.

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[Akantha SolEilran]

So he did have his own lands. Well, that was a pity, but there was still the idea of expanding, even if she couldn't claim him entirely for Silfanore...

Yet.

She would need to think about it. She had ideas, and she was certain that she would get what she wanted in the end; she just needed to find the right way in. Patience, Ionsora had counseled on more than one occasion. Patience. But every Hytori knew there were some things that couldn't be rushed, and there was no need to, even if they had lost their precious immortality.

Akantha nodded at her question. "I did, yes; Sorononor came with me. It is a shame that you were occupied; I think you would have found it fascinating. There was so much to see and Semble. Some of what was on display there was utterly transcendent... and some of those found their way into my closet." They would be brought out for the right events at the right time, and that was when she found the right circumstances, and some of those circumstances she would likely manufacture herself. She had a sip of her tea and set it aside once more. "I did record the runways, though, with mnemonosytes. So perhaps when there is some time, I will load them on the Projection Plate and we can watch them. It doesn't completely make up for not seeing them in person, but they are a delight to watch all the same. Provided you would be interested, of course.” She selected a small lavender shortbread once the cucumber sandwich has been finished, the plates nearly dancing as she browsed between them.

“That can be enjoyable,” Akantha agreed, though she was hardly one for travel for herself, except to the other cities of the Kingdom, or perhaps the wild areas where she would observe her totems in their environment. “There’s something to be said for flying, isn’t there? Especially if you’re just going at a cruising speed so you can enjoy the journey… though with the amount of territory you cover in your position, I suppose that wouldn’t be practical or feasible. Especially when you go across the Crystal Sea.” Those blue eyes that missed nothing were on Kala, though her tone was mild. “I understand that you venture out to Solunarium fairly regularly. Is there any truth to the rumours that you are courting with one of the Re’hyaean princes?”

She may as well get down to the potentially unpleasant business and get it sorted out, one way or another. She liked Kala, and she had appreciated the younger woman's perspective and company... but becoming involved with the heretics to the south for something more than business was a serious problem for their friendship and the status that Kala enjoyed here.

"There is no rose without a thorn."