<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/96B79Ig.jpg)</div>Daria d'Saari took in everything that Miyuki said with the utmost of attention.  Miyuki, who was herself trained and quite proficient in the art of listening to others when they spoke, and noting clues and reading between the lines of what wasn't said, could see in the noblewoman a kindred spirit in that respect.  Her sky blue eyes were piercing and flickered across Miyuki's face, looking for subtle facial cues, hints of more unsaid then said.  This woman was likely no bard, but Miyuki had little doubt that Daria d'Saari often picked up on conversations that most others would miss out.<br/><br/><strong>"You understand the value of secrets, don't you Miyuki?"</strong>The noblewoman asked,<strong>"I can see that.  You may be one who spins tales and sings songs, and entertains, but so too do you understand the value of silence.  I sense that about you, I sense that you are being very truthful in that.  You do not exaggerate in the least, do you?  You're the kind of woman who can take a secret to her grave?"</strong><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">If Miyuki honestly feels that she can keep a secret no matter what, then you do not need to roll.  If however Miyuki is simply trying to gain Daria's trust, and doesn't 100% believe that she can keep secrets no matter what, I'll need a deception roll of 19 or higher.  In either regard, Daria continues...</div></div><br/><br/><strong>"You're new to the city, Laelith.  Whenever a powerful new adventurer lands on these shores, usually there are people who know of his or her arrival before she takes the first step off the docks.  But none of my.... well... lets call them 'ears to the ground' have heard anything about you.  Yet already you've impressed the finest tailor in the city, and arguably one of the best in the known lands.  You've, within days of arriving in the city sparked enough interest to be invited to preform at one of the most powerful noble houses in Laelith or the Faded lands."</strong>She chuckled lightly,<strong>"and some would even say that it would be some what astounding that you've gotten a private audience with the lady of that house, who some whisper is the true power, not her husband."</strong><br/><br/>She took Miyuki's hand in hers and patted the back of it, an almost maternal gesture, save that the finger tips on Miyuki's palm lasted a little too long when she let go.  A hint of something else, something less than maternal.<strong> "I shall have to speak with the agents who bring news of interesting individuals, for they failed me in not recognizing you.  But let me tell you a bit about this city you've landed in, a secret, though not the most dire of them.  This secret is known among several of the influential people in the city, and so not overly secret.  But in telling you this, I shall test you.  For there is power in the knowledge of what I am about to tell you."</strong><br/><br/>She paused and waited for Miyuki's reaction before continuing,<strong>"Certainly you are aware that there are other planes of existence." </strong>She gestured to the fountain a few feet away,<strong>"This fountain, like most of the public fountains in the city, is fed by a tiny and permanant portal to the elemental plane of water for example.  A never ending supply of fresh, cold, pure water feeds up through ancient pipes and causes the fountains to refresh people from the heat.  This is nothing new, it was one of the earliest secrets discovered by those who re-discovered Laelith.  Even now, I do not doubt, in the ruins west of us there lie dozens or possibly hundreds of fountains that still burble just as this one does."</strong><br/><br/>She held up a single finger,<strong>"But the elemental plane of water is not the only plane that is close to Laelith.  The scholars call it "Coterminous" when one plane is close to our own.  Apparently for some reason the boundary between the elemental plane of water is 'weaker' here then in other places.  But this is not the only plane that is coterminous to the area around Laelith.  Tell me Miyuki, have you noticed that the people of this city seem rather... friendly?  Not only in generally positive and optimistic demeanor, but also in lusty and carnal desires and intentions?"</strong>She smiled as Miyuki answered.<strong> "The scholars believe that the plane of primal, where the goddesses of lust and love make their homes, are also coterminous to this area of Laelith.  The longer one stays here, the more accepting of carnal bliss they become.  The more given to enjoying the pleasures of the flesh they find themselves.  The primal energies that bleed through a million invisible rents in the space around the city suffuse everything and everyone for miles in every direction."</strong><br/><br/>She smiled again,<strong> "I can see that you are not overly surprised by this information.  Now you know.  But know too that this knowledge gives you strength.  Those who are willing to ply on this invisible force gain power.  I have gained much since setting my home here.  Other nobles are much more willing to talk and tell secrets with my breath on their neck and my fingers wrapped around their cock.  But alas, time marches onwards, and I am not as young and beautiful as I once was.  My once a month 'parties' are little more than debased orgies for the rich and powerful of not only Laelith, but those of the faded lands who make trips here.  It is during these parties that I have in the past gleaned much wisdom.  However I could use someone young, fresh, beautiful, and talented, to help me in my tasks.  Someone who understands what causes men, or women, to loosen lips and say what should be kept secret.  Someone who isn't afraid to use her charms to do so."</strong><br/><br/>She sat back and gazed at Miyuki and finished up,<strong> "Someone like that would have a powerful patron in me.  No.... no.... not just a patron, not just an ally, but a friend."</strong><br/><br/>She took a long breath and then Miyuki realized something about the woman.  In that moment for all of her power, swagger, and confidence, in that single moment she was nervous.  Nervous that Miyuki would reject her, or would tell her secrets, or would shame her for everything she had said.