To Stand Where He Stood (Open)

[Qi Yanmei]

"There sure are a lot of people." Yanmei whispers to Katsu. While she recognized the garbs and everything they represented, it had been the first time she'd ever seen them herself. Such is the weirdness of sharing certain memories.

Her eyes settle on all the swords, shaking her head.

"Excessive..."

Now she knows where Katsu got it from.

[Katsu]

"It's... more than I expected, but less than is probably necessary."

After all, a king should likely be well protected in foreign lands, even if they were allies.

Katsu starts walking up towards Blake, slowly, so as not to look like some crazy possible assassin.

"Are you the new king of Aurora?"

[Blake Oleander]

Blake turned to the two people approaching, one of them looking vaguely familiar. Though he couldn't place the face at the moment.

"I am Blake Oleander, yes."

He'd bring a fist to his chest with a small nod of acknowledgment. Virgil whom was on his shoulder copied the motion having fun with it.

"How may I help you."

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey turned along with the rest of the group as the pair approached, noticing the firm posture that was shared with the young man. Her gaze flickered over to his partner, the almost chiding look to her, before refocusing once again.

For now, she remained quiet. They were looking for Blake, and had found him. Now it was time to discover why.

[Qi Yanmei]

On the contrary, Yanmei looked quite amused as usual.

While she sees the sprite on Blake's shoulder, she purposely pays it no mind, her eyes remaining on Blake himself. Much like Bailey, she doesn't speak up, letting Katsu speak for himself. For the moment she'd rather observe and learn what sort of person this King was.

[Katsu]

Katsu measures him carefully, trying to measure the truth of the king compared to what he'd imagined in his mind.

"My name is Maeda Katsu. This is Qi Yanmei."

For once, he's fully introducing the both of them in a pretty formal manner.

"...I'm... curious. On how you've changed the territory."

He admits.

[Blake Oleander]

The name sparked recognition in his eyes. He had been one of the warriors a few years ahead of him. Exiled if he remembered correctly.

"Sixty-three?"

He'd say, motioning for the others that they could leave if they wished.

"I've tried to make it a home, one that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the big four, and one that will no longer force mothers and fathers to give up their children because of how they were born."

He'd motion to where they had been sitting.

"Would you like to sit down and discuss home? It's been a long time."

[Bailey Oleander]

It had the potential to be a long conversation. She put names to the faces that were introduced, but was content to let Blake and Katsu talk on their own. Rather than disperse, the little blonde would stay, curious but quiet for now.

She would offer YanMei a smile and a nod, not certain how the woman felt or what she would prefer.

[Qi Yanmei]

Yanmei catches the look, offering but a smirk in return of the smile and nod.

Well if the boys were going to sit and chat, she may as well not let herself get too bored.

She floats over to the girl slowly, as if she were inconspicuously inching towards her.

"You certainly stand out." she whispers once she's close enough, mostly noting she wasn't wearing what the rest of these people were.

[Katsu]

"....it is?"

That much makes Katsu pause, before moving to sit down as well.

"I haven't been back, ever since..."

Well. He knows, maybe.

"So you've been making it better? How's the water?"

[Blake Oleander]

"Plentiful. Some of the people that have come to our lands seeking refuge have brought new ways of finding water. We have more wells and more than enough to drink for everyone."

He'd let out a small sigh as he looked at the man. A fellow exile, how many more of their brothers and sisters were out there in the wind still? Looking for a home.

"If you would like to return home, you are of course welcome. The former Elders may have shunned us, but Aurora is more open-minded. You will forever be a son of 63."

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey chuckled softly as YanMei slowly, painstakingly, made her way towards the small blonde. At least, it felt that way to Bailey.

"For now, yes." Having a mix of traditional 63 garb and her own meant she could be flexible. "Though I suppose I'm not the only one who does.

"My name is Bailey, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you."

[Katsu]

"That's good."

Katsu nods. He truly means it, as he could remember the struggle his family had gone through for the most simple of natural resources.

"I would like to.... visit, at least."

As always, as much as he missed his home, the wanderlust was still strong. And he was still somewhat anxious with the idea, considering he's been gone for so long.

"It would be good to see how it's been growing. I understand you've been good for our homeland."

The desire to return was there, but he was careful not to commit to anything, yet.

[Qi Yanmei]

Yanmei flips some of her hair and chuckles.

"I do admit I'm not like most people."

Thanks Ali.

"But the pleasure is all mine, Bailey~. It must be boring just standing around here~?"

[Blake Oleander]

"You are welcome any time."

He'd glance over to Bailey and Katsu's partner who was talking to her but didn't say anything as he turned his attention back to Katsu.

"I strive to be worthy of the responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders. My own exile had forced me to re-examine how I saw the world. An... uneasy process. I only hope to turn our home into a place that others can look to for stability and inspiration."