75/A House Call

Function: CargoSQLQuery::run
Query: SELECT `cargo\_\_Characters`.`\_pageID` AS `cargo\_backlink\_page\_id\_Characters`,`\_pageName` AS `\_pageName` FROM `cargo\_\_Characters` WHERE ID=x ORDER BY `cargo\_\_Characters`.`\_pageID`,`\_pageName` LIMIT 100

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     Though at the moment Zozma doesn't have a lot of funds to dish out for the fineries he would like, doesn't mean he can't see what options are available to him for the moment or for the future. After doing some investigating, he has found there is someone out there who is known for their craft and that they do home calls.
     Today Zozma has requested the presence of this jewel crafter to see what they have to offer. When Alexandra shows up, Zozma opens the door to his modest home, dressed in his Yukata, though black instead of the dark blue. He has an air about him, one seen among many nobles among the Dynastic houses, though despite the mans appearance he bears no features representing any form of being a Terrestrial Exalted, or any form of exalted for that matter. A bow is given to the woman along with a soft, warm smile. "Ah, you must be the one who I've heard so much about, please come in." He offers to Alexandra.
     Walking into the home, Alex can see that it is well put together, nice hard wood floors, a black marble table and three different doors leanding in three different directions of the home. Zozma motions to what looks to be a corner of the home which has a carpet with various seating pillows.

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
Alexandra strides into the room, gliding across the floor like a dancer, and curtsies to Zozma, lightly grasping her white-and-sage silk dress with its flowing sleeves. She look impossibly fragile, as if you could tip her over and she would shatter like fine china, but radiates confidence. She looks Zozma up and down and appreciates his form but pouts playfully upon seeing that he only wears a single adornment, a small piece of red jade on a cord around his neck.
    "I see why you called me, sir. There are definitely some options for improving this. I'd like you to try on a few samples I brought, and then I can produce finer works specifically for you based on what you like. But first, please give me an idea of what you are looking for." As she's saying this she sweeps around him front to back to front again, peering at different parts of his body in a way that would make some people feel like an insect under a microscope.

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     Once Alexandra has stepped inside, Zozma closes the door and steps away, moving over to the sitting area. When the delicate, however beautiful woman begins to look him over, he stops and allows her to examine him. A bit of a chuckle is given at her comment about why he called her here, then the question on taste gets a slight tilt of his head while his brilliant green eyes shift to look to the ceiling. "Hmmm... Well, I'm not one for overly flashy items, I like to wear stuff that adds a subtle measure of eliquence. Though at the moment I'm not exactly looking to buy anything overly expensive, but do wish to see what you offer and go from there."

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
Alexandra's mentally notes the comment regarding Zozma's funds but outwardly doesn't react. "Subtle... that could work, I suppose." She leans in to peer at his face, chest, and arms, then stands back and puts her hands at her waist and looks him up and down again. She nods assuredly to herself and leans back in, reaching around to the back of the cord around his neck, then stops, looking at him for confirmation that it's OK.

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     "I'm one of those individuals who likes to make sure items they wear only enchances, I want to make sure it compliments. It should never be all about what one wears that brings the attention but how it all flows together as all one piece, a symphony, more or less for the eyes." When Alexandra steps close he doesn't step back, then her seeking to grab at the single magatama on his neck gets a raised brow. "That is a rather important item, nothing of value, but it does hold a lot of personal meaning... if you remove it I ask that you handle it with care."

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
Alexandra nods, giving him a serious look, then deftly unties the silk cord and slides the small piece of jade off of it. She reaches into a pouch hidden in the folds of her dress and pulls out a fine but very thin cord woven of gold fibers and threads it through, then attaches it back to his neck. She lightly grasps his hand and leads him to a mirror in the room, inviting him to look. "When I make your personal version I can insert a core thread of tumbaga, which will make it stronger - if you are worried about ever losing it, this would reduce the chance that it can be pulled off."

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     Zozma watches Alexandra as she works on setting the jade piece of hers, when she finishes with the cord and pulls him to the mirror, his brilliant green eyes focus on the item for a moment. "Lovely..." He responds, but about this point his eyes notice something at the edge of the mirror, this gets a raised brow. "And... interesting..." the last is said a bit quieter and his eyes shift to look to Alexandra in the mirror. "You have an art, much akin to magic, knowing what is being sought."

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
At the word "magic" Alexandra's face flushes red, which she tries to pass off as embarassment at the compliment but which is really dismay at potential discovery. She stammers her way through a "thank you" and then regains her composure. "Yes, I think it suits you well. A shame that the green silk matched your eyes but wasn't the best match for the token - but some green elsewhere in your outfit may work better. Say, earrings with emeralds..."

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     About this point Zozma turns around and looks to the woman, his eyes shift to look over her form before they move to her eyes. "You're welcome... though a question comes to mind... either I bought some sort of Artifact Mirror, which I know is not the case, or you, my dear, are more then you let on." Zozma stands there and continues to watch the woman as he questions her. "So, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you are not just a normal crafter."

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
Fear leaps onto her face openly as she glides backwards, dropping into an elegant stance that is nevertheless plainly defensive, and her sleeves stiffen as she holds them up like a shield. She can't seem to decide whether she should flee from him or attack.

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     The sudden reaction from Alexandra more or less confirms the mans thoughts that Alex is not a normal person. When she moves back and prepares to defend herself, Zozma stands there for a moment watching her before he shakes his head and walks over to a pillow to sit down upon. "I'm not the Wyld Hunt, I seek not to harm anyone less they seek to harm me. Fear not, I seek not any ill against you, actually the opposite." And at this he motions to a spot for her to sit, should she wish to. "One of the Exalted of the Sun?" Zozma's head tilts at this point and watches her.

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
She stares at him for a beat and then collapses into a puddle of silk on the floor. After a few moments she shifts over the spot indicated, hugging a nearby pillow. "Thank... thank you. And yes." A golden circle, half-filled at the top, appears on her brow. "Why do you not see me as Anathema?"

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     A light little chuckle is heard from the man who has taken a relaxed posture, his eyes focused on Alexandra. "Because I do not think Anathema should be a term used for the Solar's that actually aren't doing more than trying to live a decent life, at the least. Those who do horrid things with their Exaltation, then yes, they would be Anathema, but... you seem less then doing such, and more seeking to survive, does that mean you should be considered one?" A shake of his head is given at this.

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
Alexandra picks herself up and seats herself more properly on one of the divans that had been indicated earlier. "Thank you. I also see it that way, but you understand the risks I face. Are you also Chosen, or are you a mortal who has decided the Dragon-blooded don't deserve the faith they demand?"

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     The question gets a tilt of his head as he thinks for a moment. After those few seconds he looks to Alexandra. "I've seen the face of the Dynasts, being of their blood in some measure, I've witnessed their cruelty and breeding, how they live, first hand... And I can say they are no better then those they hunt based on the 'curse' they persecute them for. Not to say, I am one of the Sun's chosen... However let not that not be know, please... I will make it a point to keep what you are to myself."

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
This news effects an almost complete transformation upon Alexandra, from terrified to beaming. "Well, that certainly makes things a little simpler. I can actually make the necklace for you right now - no need to head back home. It's just a little obvious, you see, so I normally have to pretend..." she unfurls her sleeves a little bit, revealing thin jade bracers on her forearms, and pulls a couple of small bars of precious metals from her pouch. Tools of glowing essence appear in her hands and within mere minutes an incredibly fine but strengthened version of the gold cord has been produced. She holds it up and it glows with reflected light.

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     "If you wish to know, I'm of the Eclipse..." He informs Alexandra, his eyes looking to the display of her gifts as she begins to work. "Oh... I have not the exact funds to hand off right away for such work, I was just going to see what you had to offer and see about getting something made in the near future." He tells her, his eyes shifting from the item being made to Alexandra.

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
"Oh there is \*no need\* to worry about funds. Absolutely not. I won't allow it. It's a gift. In fact, if there's anything else you'd like, I'd be happy to handle that too for no charge." She beams at him. "Knowing that there are more of us nearby is so reassuring." She threads the jade piece through the new necklace, clasps it around Zozma's neck, and gives him another glowing look. "Perfect."
    After a moment she looks away and then back with a shy expression. "Would you... would you mind making an agreement with me? That we can each contact the other for help if we run into trouble? I know a spell that can contact across long distances, and you seem to have some proficiency with those arts - I could teach it to you. We need to stick together, with the way the world is against us."

**Zozma (37) has posed:**
     The mention of not having to pay for the items gets a raised bow before Zozma tilts his head, then he follows it with a light shake. "If you will not accept payment for what you make, donation perhaps, or an offer to help in some capacity. I have knowledge of Spirits, the dead being something I'm rather well versed in, along with dealing with them." He offers to Alexandra befre sitting back some in the seat. When she brings up keeping connected and agreement to be at one anothers aid, Zozma brings up his right hand to caress over his chin and think for a minute. "I am not much of a warrior, though I do know how to fight. I am willing to help where I can and provide help should I be able to do such." Zozma looks to Alexandra. "I can agree to this."

**Alexandra (24) has posed:**
Alexandra's eyes widen and her face fills with gratitude. She leaps up, hugs him lightly, and whirls around the room, unsuppressibly ebullient. "Oh, thank you, \*thank you\*, I had no idea there was anyone like us within a hundred leagues." After curtsying again and making her farewells she practically dances her way out the door.