Crimson Hawk

The Crimson Hawk is located near the waterfront in the city of Latent; a port town on the eastern coast that has become a bustling center of commerce and fighting enthusiasts in recent years thanks to the presence of the prestigious Leviathan Stadium which sits on a bluff toward the northern end of town. The center for HoH activities, Latent has nearly tripled in size in the past few years as more and more attention was focused on the small seaside town.

The Crimson Hawk was formerly a luxury hotel, one of the finest in the area, until it was formally purchased by Elia Noah upon the eve of Heaven or Hell 2007. This acquisition coincided with going public with the existence of The Noah Foundation; a Gaia-wide charitable works organization which has maintained the tradition of Heaven or Hell through various other companies and stockholders over the years.

While a great deal of remodeling was done to the hotel prior to and following every contest year (due largely in part to the clientele it provides rooming for), the Crimson Hawk still serves its primary function for HoH: providing the majority of the rooming for contestants, officials, and other guests of high social standing. With the inclusion of the Ark to the tournament grounds some of the media, staff, and participant housing has moved to other locations such as the Spire of Heaven and the Azure Falcon, but many remain rooming in the Crimson Hawk as well. Contestants are not required to use the provided rooming, but it is free of charge for tournament entrants (see codex Article 1.1.05 for details regarding room service). Teams are provided with luxury suites, each easily large enough for four people and for the purposes of security the stairs, elevator, and hallways above the 38th floor are under video surveillance.

There is both an outdoor pool beside the hotel and an indoor pool located on the north side of the building on the ground floor, complete with hot-tubs and a greenhouse glass ceiling. There are also separate-sex saunas located on the ground floor, a gym stocked to fulfill the needs of even meta-human guests, as well as a four-star restaurant adjacent to the lobby complete with bar. The sub-levels of the Crimson Hawk are strictly off limits, as are the 61st through 63rd floor suites, though roof access is permitted.

General - A luxury hotel at the mercy of some of the most disrespectful-of-authority individuals in the world.

Weapons - Dial room service.

Natural Element Resource - None.

Bonus Effects - +1 Minibar, -1 Fighting

Notices:

The Noah Foundation has installed a Magi-Tech gate on the roof of the Hotel. The clearly not copyright-infringing gate connects the Crimson Hawk hotel with the Azure Falcon on the Ark, creating a fast and easy method of travel between the island and the mainland.

When they finally come to destroy the earth they'll have to go through you first, and I bet they won't be expecting that.

Looming above the sea on the horizon was the distinct silhouette of the airship Demeter. Held aloft by unknown means, the 'lightly armored' flying fortress bristled with guns and promised certain death to all who opposed it. Despite the inane chatter of local authorities the vessel continued its inexorable advance towards the epicenter of Heaven or Hell. Within the steel clad balloon personnel moved with hurried efficiency. Screens, panels, and uniformed men and women were everywhere. Pits designated to different systems held teams of specialized crew members, while their master sat at the center of the bridge on a raised platform atop a throne of mechanized skeletal servitors.

The Crimson Hawk.

"Fuehrer! The local authorities demand a response! They request a detour to this location--"

"Tch. Inform them of our arrival and intent." To destroy them all. "Captain, your target is the rooftop of the Crimson Hawk. Bring us in range to deploy the team."

"Sir, ODESSA isn't responding to communications!"

...

Of course, trusting such a delicate operation to that fool was a mistake. It seems I'll have to deal with these cretins personally.

"Nevermind ODESSA, classify them as decommissioned and turn your attention to securing our forward position. I want all members of the assault teams ready to engage the security forces if need be in defense of this vessel. Once we're in position I will engage the target myself!" The vampire commanded, forming a gloved fist. There was no way that his rejection from Heaven or Hell would interfere with his ultimate plan and persisting goal. He would consume his prey at any cost. This overriding thought burned within his heart as he drew closer to the city of Latent, the nexus of negative energy at his core pumping out enough ambient energy to make his eyes glow red hot.

~=~

~+~

Lazy eyes slid across Latent vicariously through emotionless cameras catching everything below. Inside the ship, the vampire looked from screen to screen with mild indifference. Sighing thoughtfully, he regarded the inhabitants of the city beneath him.

"Look at those insects scurry to and fro. How can anyone endure such a pitiful existence in the face of so much hardship? They must be scarcely aware of how meaningless they are... even now they clamor for the blood of their own."

And yet I must watch them.

It was blind luck that his attention eventually settled on a familiar silhouette. Even from hundreds of feet in the air he thought he could smell her familiar scent, taste her flirtatious nature on the wind - the blood of an unusual breed of warrior suffusing the entire city! Surely there were powerful women intent on making a stake for the top in Heaven or Hell, but none of them resonated as personally with the vampire as his old associate.

Clasping his hands together he leaned forwards. The whirring of gears and mechanical whine of shifting skeletons matched his shift in weight. Leaning to an elbow one of the latticed hands caught his arm.

"Commence descent." He ordered simply.

"Affirmative!"

~=~

Sigil - The City of Doors - The Odessa Staircase

The day was one that would live in infamy.

Tails of a socialist revolution brewing in one of the biggest planar metropolis's in the multiverse had spread to Gaia Prime. Perhaps the reason they spread so far and were so significant to the Heaven or Hell was because one of the competitors who stood at the helm of this revolution was Tresondros Ecstuffuan.

Tres was known as the son of the great Siegfried Ecstuffuan, a legendary figure in the fighting community. Until recently Tres was considered to be forever doomed to live in his fathers impossibly elephantine shadow. However, Tres had gained a following not only because of his tenacity but his bombastic personality.

One day. A day not unlike many others before it. Tres hosted a rally of the people at the Odessa staircase. There, he and many others in the movement had gathered to speak out against the merchant families of Sigil. The merchant families were the plutocratic rulers of Sigil and controlled all the commerce within the city. Tres and many others spoke out against the abuses the family had levied upon Sigil and its citizens. Talks of mass strikes and even violent rebellion were mentioned during these passionate speeches. Despite the fiery nature of the event, it remained peaceful until the merchant families decided that they had enough.

Mercenaries from all over the cosmos marched on the gathering at the Odessa staircase.

Video Footage

Bullets and Spells were cast into the crowd and despite Tres's best efforts to protect the people, men, women and children lay dead at the staircase. The mercenaries retreated after the people were dispersed and despite Tres's own injuries he remained among a few others, horrified at the sight of so many dead. Yet the look of horror soon faded from his visage and was replaced with one of fury.

With his preternatural influence over the people, civil war between the people of Sigil and it the ladies ward quickly developed. Month's of continuous and bloody fighting passed, with the people holding clear advantage.

At a press conference, Tres declared that he was taking the war to the Heaven or Hell. There he would fight to procure funds that would greatly help the war effort and potentially give the rebels what they need to end the war.

And so, Team Odessa was born, commemorating the massacre that started the Sigil Civil War.

The Crimson Hawk - Bar Area

A news report on a television in the Crimson Hawk would detail all of the happenings concerning Team Odessa and the Sigil Civil War.

Helicopter

Of course, seated quietly beside the dread psion was none other than the so-called Whore of Babylon. Dressed to kill, in a more literal sense of the term, with what must have been the customary armor of her people. Stone-faced and placid as ever, she didn't seem too far gone form her usual state, complete with a look of looming sadness behind her eyes. She stared at the man across from them with a bitterness that bested even her most disdainful of looks prior.

She didn't speak. Dwelling on the state of Sigil, she was not inclined to make idle conversation. And she hardly wanted to speak with the likes of that thing opposite them in the helicopter seats.

Lovi was not a participant this year. It was too much of a personal risk to have thrown her hat in the ring, as she had initially meant to. But still, she was back again. This time, she felt, with more purpose, despite her position on the side lines.

Helicopter over Latent: Landed <<<

The over-tall women in obsidian armor followed after her charge without a word at first. She hated to think that they were so much as mere feet from the cause of her latest personal disaster. Hell, more than a personal disaster. How many people had KB killed in the process of bringing her life to a new level of misery and utter hell? How many had he forced her to kill when he set upon them an army of mindless drones? This creature didn't deserve to live, and everything about the look in her eye suggested as much.

Once they'd gained at least a little bit of distance, she dared to ask the obvious. It seemed late in the game to question her employer (the term seemed peculiar to her), but she persisted despite herself.

"I haven't met the rest of your team," she mentioned casually in place of asking outright.

Crimson Hawk <<<

"Quite different from last time, I suppose," she remarked as she thought back to the year prior. Their time had been cut short then. She'd known her companions at that time. Hated her best friend at the time, too. Of course there were other complications with the year prior that she'd just as soon forget.

Dammit, it didn't matter where she was, whom she was with.. There was always somebody around to hate. Always something to piss her off, make her world all the more complicated. She didn't seem too pleased to be back in Latent.

Crimson Hawk <<<

"...We should be there," Lovi said as they watched the news reel from their horrid, beloved home. She still hadn't seen the point of competing for money and fame. Tres had a plan for it, and she understood that, but.. it hurt being so far from home.

"Whiskey," she said simply to the bartender. She didn't care about her personal health, but she wasn't as human as she might have previously believed. So who's to say she would fall to her vices in such a mortal manner?

"Yes," she replied as the news reel switched from the massacre in Sigil to the Latent weather, "..Yes, Torden in a place that hungers for conflict. But we know where to draw our lines of friend and foe."

She finally turned to address him in a more direct manner. She knew he wanted a break. Maybe it would be best to turn a blind eye to their troubles and let him ease his troubles. She placed a firm hand on his shoulder and smirked just a little.

"Be glad for Sigil," she boasted, "You wouldn't last in the land of my forefathers." That sly little smirk widened into a grin at the thought of it, as though egging on his terrible ego.

Tresondros Ecstuffuan Wrote:

"a banner under which to unite."

The Crimson Hawk - Bar

"Hmph, well in that case I would just have to put more meaning behind my actions and less behind my words, what without television available to spread them throughout the masses."

He turned in his seat to face Lovi more before taking another swig. However before he could speak the bartender came by and took a good look at Tres before saying.

"Hey aren't you~"

"Yes my good man I most certainly am him. Now please could you change the channel like the lady requested and fetch me another bottle of evian. Anyway..."

He looked Lovi in her eyes.

"but what about you...Sure your profession is the oldest but to be perfectly honest I've never thought it fitting for someone of your stature."

The Crimson Hawk - Bar

"I feel sorry for the guys who you were with when you didn't quite have that strength of yours reigned in. I can't imagine what that must be like..."

Tres considered something for a while. Thinking about Lovi's personality and how growing up with her particular abilities may have played into it.

"Feeling like your in a world made of cardboard, never really able to cut loose because you are afraid you are going to break something...or someone."

The psion then attempted to place his crystalline left hand on her thigh, which would be surprisingly warm to the touch.

"You know...You don't have to worry about that with me. I can take it.", Tres said with a sly grin.

It hadn’t taken much to intimidate the girl at the desk… just a slight glare, and then the offer of her credit card for a damage deposit. The later had ticked Rae off a bit, she doubted Maxi ever had to put down a deposit… despite the fact that Rae remembered quite a few damages to this particular suit.

Oh well, it didn’t matter too much. Rae thought to herself as she headed to the elevators, catching a glimpse of a familiar face in the bar as she passed. Not surprising, the bar was always a big draw.

A quiet ride in the elevator, up, up, and up….slowly flipping the key card through her fingers as the Muzac hummed through the speaker system.

She was almost to the top floor by the time she realized that she had pressed the wrong button. “The roof it is then… perhaps I will wait to see the stars… the top of this building is rather good for star gazing.”

Crimson Hawk: Bar

The amazon rolled her eyes and let his hopeful optimism linger in the air between them. What Tres would likely never understand was that Lovi, despite her enthusiasm for his potential, she thought him physically...fragile. By this point in time it was no secret that they often shared room and board and beds and sheets and pillows, etc. Though they would insist between them that it was simply a benefit to their strengthened friendship, Lovi could not deny that it instilled in her a protective nature for the man she'd come to know far too intimately.

Lovi could shatter one of Tres' little crystal constructs in her grip with ease. She could do the same to him, given the incentive and opportunity. Knowing that gave her pause with regard to the rest of the world. The outsiders who would see him harmed over an ideal. A foolish one, mind you, but one she would support despite herself.

She looked over her shoulder to observe the calm nature of the hotel she'd not seen in over a year. She wasn't sure what to think, but to her it seemed much more pleasant.

"Suits me fine," she remarked, "First time I came here, I met Alan at the bar for what seemed like an eternity before I went to bed sober and alone. That's hardly a party wirth having, if you ask me.." She took her drink up again.

Crimson Hawk: Bar <<<

"I wouldn't know," she shrugged, "That bird brain hasn't sent word about himself in at least a year. For all I know he laid a few golden eggs and retired on his own private island." She half-chucked and and lightly shook her head. Things were somewhat simpler then. It seemed so complicated at the time, but now.. they were certainly much simpler in retrospect.

"And Gloria," she remarked, ".. It's been a few weeks, but I think she's well." Glory had been Tres' protege then. Looking back, Lovi supposed she might have been somewhat put off by the connection the two psions shared, but she couldn't specifically explain why. But she was very fond of Gloria. She'd sooner have her back over a group of total strangers.

"It was worth it, I guess," she reflected, "I fought, what was it, a cursed monk? Shared drinks with more than a few strange faces. Slept with an opponent. Watched you die." She laughed, "Yes, everything was much simpler then."

Crimson Hawk: Bar <<<

Lovi gave him a skeptical look once more and got up from her seat, drink in hand. She carried it with her and sarcastically chided-

"What are they going to do, call security if I don't return my glass?" She carried her drink with her. Tres ate, presumably, like a whale. Lovi preferred to dine by her lonesome, but part of that might have been her preferences toward peculiar foods. Torden didn't have spaghetti or burgers or icecream, whatever seemed normal to most people as she'd met them in the rest of Gaia Prime.

"Lead the way," she gestured before taking the drink to her lips in a slightly exaggerated gesture. Though she'd be hesitant to admit it, she was happy in that moment, too. Some moments, simple as they were, were so pleasant and appealing that one might wish them to last forever.

Lady Gilaen Wrote:

Crimson Hawk: Bar <<<

"Lead the way," she gestured before taking the drink to her lips in a slightly exaggerated gesture. Though she'd be hesitant to admit it, she was happy in that moment, too. Some moments, simple as they were, were so pleasant and appealing that one might wish them to last forever.

Crimson Hawk - Hotel Buffet

Tres often took offense to being given food, but being fed for free at the Heaven or Hell was different because Tres knew he was going to have to earn it later. Lovi would eat for free as she had been registered as accompanying family and was a guest. Tres found a table but he did not tarry long before he grabbed a plate. Oddly enough Tres didn't pile food on. One of his little quirks was that Tres didn't like his food to touch, he didn't want the subtle nuances of flavor to be lost among the chaos of contact. Tres would simply get several plates of food, each neatly placed on the plate. However the process of eating was far more savage than was the acquisition of the food itself.

Crimson Hawk -- Restaurant.

Jay sat across the table from Darren, a slightly confused look on her face as she went over the days events in her head.

They had fought, he had choked her, then for some reason cooked her a lovely meal, woken her up and brought her here so that they could dine together? All the while it made it harder for her to concentrate since he wore the remains of her dress around his head...

She was at a loss of what to do, they both looked terrible. Jay's neck was badly bruised, as was her mid section...Her back wasn't too bad...But the fact that her hair was a little ruffled had to be the worst...Jay hated having her hair messy.

Oh and lets not forget the man of the hour, he looked a little worse. Mainly because the blood from his wound still stained his top and he was wearing a dress on his head.

Jay leaned back and gasped as a rush of pain shot through her midsection...b*****d had fractured one of her floating ribs...maybe more than one, she would have to find out later.

"Ok... I..I don't get it. Why are you wearing my dress?"

Tilting her head to the side while staring at him, at least he wasn't bad to look at, and without the sadistic smile his hotness rating had gone up. Even with the metal limbs...which she still could not help but wonder just how much of him was metal?

Crimson Hawk -- Restaurant.

The woman was terrible at holding grudges, but for Darren she would make an exception. You know, because twice he had 'put her to sleep' except this time she had woken up to a hot meal. Funny how things worked out.

However she was still dazed and to be honest wanted to enjoy the nice meal he had cooked, not to mention the company, this was her first time competing and staying in this particular hotel. So aside from her team members she really didn't know many people.

His attempt at acting like a mugger made her giggle childishly, even though she couldn't see the wink, she assumed he was joking...And if not, a set of trench blades would fix that.

Now time to start a conversation, since she had eaten as much as she could, given it hurt to breath let alone laugh and swallow food.

"So, I am curious, why are you being nice to me?"

This was a pretty legit question given their short history, he knocked her out, she charged his account over 200grand for a round of drinks...failed at drugging him...Now got knocked out again, after smacking him with a frying pan...and he cooked her dinner.

It was like a fairy tale. The kind you never read to your children.

[!]The Crimson Hawk[!]

Something familiar…

[]~O~[]

[!] ~”Those who fight change are doomed to die, while those who accept it merely survive…”~[!]

Something intermingled with the ambiance of the Crimson Hawk. A sound that was both sudden, and new; Yet inoffensive to those who heard it, so softly had it came into being.

The voice of Harmony.

An elderly fellow sat, otherwise quietly, at his table near the western wall. He was alone, and his spread bare save a single cup.

He stirred it with a practiced grace that did not belong to his aged hands; All knotted, and large. Of all that was visible, those appendages told the most about what lay dormant within his frame.

For the man, who looked the better portion of seventy, seemed as though he might be nearly at rest; So slow was each twirl of the utensil. He was roughly six feet and an inch tall, weighing near 170 pounds. His hair was a memory, and the bare scalp sported two crimson dots in the midst of his forehead. One higher than the other just above his bushy brow. Bright blue eyes, like a flash of lightning, were set beneath that. The gaze, however, unseen beneath the tilt of his crown. His wizened features were somewhat concealed by a thick black beard; but matched perfectly his poise, stern and strong.

His attire was fairly ornate, mostly oriental in style and cut. He wore a large brass necklace, each connecting piece like miniature golden gongs. Hung in the midst of that, a larger circular pendant which resembled a tiger with claws sunk deep into the sides of a multifaceted ruby. A multicolored robe, woven in varying shades of purple and tan, topped by layers of belts and baubles served well the purpose of concealing his physic from view. His arms hidden beneath voluminous sleeves that left only the hands, and the wrist portion of some leather covering beneath the cloth, visible. A Khakkhara staff…the source of the jingling metal that made so beautiful a sound…rested against the back of his chair, always within easy reach; It's rings stirred by an unknown breeze. A set of golden rosary beads lay wrapped lightly around his left wrist, left to dangle as he worked the contents of his cup. Beyond this, only his brown tabi boots were visible, and those only just at the hem of his robes.

It was Dithakar Yodsuwan, and yet...

Something had changed in the ancient monk.

He was older, for one, and had lost a great deal of his muscle mass. Though, to any who had seen him mere days earlier the differences would seem even more striking. But this was not the same reborn warrior that would fight in the tournament, or fought in it now; This was a separate entity, a vision of the future.

The next stage in the evolution of the man.

[!] ~”…Only those who effect change, who lead it, may find prosperity.”~[!]

Jay Wrote:

"So, I am curious, why are you being nice to me?"

Now that made him smile, and even managed to force a light chuckle. Why was he being nice? Jay was an enemy, she stood in his way of fame, stood in his way of vast fortune. There was quite a few other people standing in the way as well, but Darren hadn't dealt with them yet, and or even met any of them for that matter. "Would you prefer I put you out of your misery the next time you're passed out?" Good question, by now Darren was simply toying with the girl, as blunt as he seemed. It was all in fun.

"Why shouldn't I be nice to a gorgeous woman such as yourself?" Typical male, answering a question with another question, and this was just one of many. Darren's gaze remained locked onto her until her attention was stolen by someone else, and his followed. Locking onto another competitor, Tres, was his name apparently.

"I take it you two know one another?"

Darkest Silver Wrote:

A raised eyebrow was the response to Darren's first statement, followed by a slightly concerned expression. He very well could of killed her after knocking her out. Thank ******** this was a non-lethal tournament, although she had a funny feeling they would be fighting each other again at some point. Whether it be here or back in Durem..Well maybe even Sigil, since that was where Jay was going back to after the tournament finished.

Lightly rubbing the deep purple bruise on her throat she had to chuckle at his attempt at being smooth, making the poor girl wince from the damn fractured ribs. Sure normally Jay was a sucker for these kinds of things, but here...She had to be professional, not so much for her sake, but for the sake of her team.

"Can't argue with that, and you owe me a dress by the way.."

It had to be put out there, since he was the one who ripped it.

"And yeah..Kind of."

This was of course in regards to his assumption that Tres and Jay were familiar with each other. Followed by a sly smirk directed at Darren as she continued to pet the beautiful black and white griffin.

Unspeakable Tragedy Wrote:

Enness paused for a moment, tilting his head a little to admire his handy work, as well as the view in general, before slinging the duffel over his shoulder with a bit of a wince and following the woman. His own body far from untouched, his back burning a little, though most of the marks were covered by his usual attire of black leather duster, black t-shirt and BDU's. Laughing a little as he stepped into the elevator at the mention of his cute little drinking companion.

"Ha. I'm betting we'll find the dear girl somewhere in or around the bar."

His jaw still ached, not having fully healed from the scuffle he'd had with the little woman the night he met Sonia. What a night that had been, his mind drifting off a little as some images flashed by. He gave Sonia a little smile, squeezing her hand lightly when she laced their fingers and kissed one of his marks on her neck as they rode the elevator up, frowning for a very brief moment while he looked at her, feeling how drained she was, before his smile returned.

Not letting go of her hand until he had to let her go into the room, he gave the bell boy a rather decent tip before closing the door, letting out a low whistle when he turned around, taking in the rather lavish room before his eyes settled on her frame outlined by the sunlight. His smile growing at the sight.

"Seems this job has it's perks. And yes... It is beautiful."

Of course he wasn't talking about the view from the window at all, seeing how he was on the other side of the room. He moved towards her, setting his bag down by the very large bed before coming up behind her and putting his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them gently while shivering a little from the contact with her walls down.

"The blood should be pretty contained providing most of the children behave."

PK Lady Sonia Renegade Wrote:

[!]The Crimson Hawk[!]

Something familiar…

[]~O~[]

[!] ~”Those who fight change are doomed to die, while those who accept it merely survive…”~[!]

Indeed it was, and he remembered that voice.

It had been a very long time...For him...but his mentality had not slipped nearly so far as his flesh, and she had been a notably bright moment in his curious life.

Dithakar turned to regard her, twisting deliberately in his seat. The motion further disturbed his staff, and set the jingling tune of bells to a faster pace. His words forming with their familiar accents around the smile that brightened not only his face, but the very air around him.

"Greetings, child...Hrmh!"

He cleared his throat, raising his adorned left hand up and to his lips. A vain attempt to catch the sound before it escape, but valiant.

"I mean, M'lady Lovi..."

It had become second nature to a man of his age to call everyone 'child', but he did not feel the term applied to this woman who...despite their limited interaction...was very near in definition to a friend. As near as anyone had gotten in some time, at least!

With his opposite hand he motioned to the seat opposite himself; a clear invitation.

Or, at the very least, as clear as he ever was.

[!] ~”…Only those who effect change, who lead it, may find prosperity.”~[!]

Lady Gilaen Wrote:

Slash Zinrai Wrote:

Lovi gladly accepted the opportunity to speak with the ancient looking fellow, if only to pass her time and keep her mind from wandering back to the state Sigil. She only vaguely recognized the woman Tres was speaking to, but she recalled the circumstance under which they had met, and the proposal that had transpired between them. The girl was, for lack of a decent term, an arms dealer to the resistance. While Lovi should have counted her as a friend, at least to the cause, she didn't see her as one. Far from it.

"You look like death," she said in her ever blunt manner as she crossed her legs and folded her fingers, looking almost regal in her manner. She was, of course, a very peculiar person in her own right, but ever the honest one. At least, most of the time.

"And it's just Lovi, if you please," she added as an afterthought. She wad 'Madame' no longer, and she had never been 'M'lady'. Just Lovi.

[!]The Crimson Hawk[!]

Something familiar…

[]~O~[]

[!] ~”Those who fight change are doomed to die, while those who accept it merely survive…”~[!]

The old man chuckled at her first statement, a sound that could be equated to dozens of hefty pebbles dashed about in a brook, and smiled around his words yet again.

"One does not pass through the Great Wheel as I have without a few..."

He seemed to consider the word he wanted, chewing on it for a moment before allowing it to pass his lips.

"Losses."

Dithakar's expression did not falter, but his eyes laid it out well enough; He had endured a great tribulation, and what she saw before her was the better outcome. All the same, that gaze flickered across her as well, taking stock of the woman before him.

She had changed, too...

"You would surely indulge a weary, old mendicant his bad habits, M'lady. Those roots run deep..."

He trailed off again, depositing his spoon upon the polished oak table and lifting the cup to his lips. Whatever it was that he drank, it appeared clear...and steam billowed up from its contents.

That did not slow the gesture, however.

With the container again returned to its previous place, Dithakar spoke once more; This time to counter her statement with one of his own.

"I heard about what happened to you, In Sigil..."

You. He'd meant, of course, her establishment; But the two were, in many ways, one and the same. It was a tangible connection that few could understand, or appreciate. The thought stole his gentle grin away, and tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"We all have faced loss...and, for that, I am deeply sorry."

He meant it, even though he did not mourn for those who had died that day...or any day. It was the natural state of life to end, and begin again. His prayers had more to do with the later state...

That her friends, her family, had found some measure of peace in the next life.

[!] ~”…Only those who effect change, who lead it, may find prosperity.”~[!]

Lady Gilaen Wrote:

Slash Zinrai Wrote:

Lovi bowed her head, regrettably displeased with his particular subject of choice. She had more than lost a few of her girls. She'd condemned them to a fate worse than death. A result of her sheer bull-headedness, and a mistake she vowed never to repeat. But then, it was difficult to make such promises. They contradicted her very nature.

"There's little to be done about it now," she said, casting the subject aside as though it were little more than unfit table conversation. Suddenly she wished she had stayed in the room, or else that she had taken Tres' earlier suggestive gesture as a means of escape from this very social space. How could she possibly have thought this would result in anything pleasant.

Oh well..

"Why are you here, Elder?" she pressed forward, "You can't possibly have come here for the atmosphere, or the attention." She cast a quick glance over to the far end of the room where her companion had been speaking to Jay. She knew he would cite a higher cause as the purpose for his being there, but... somehow, she didn't believe this was about the war in its entirety.

Letting her hand drop back to her side right before stumbling forward as searing hot pain spread out from the point of impact...Her a** cheek instantly turning red, with a damn hand print from Darren's attentions. Jay cried out a little but it was more from the shock than the actual stinging sensation.

"Da ******** man, could of asked first!"

Laughing a little as she followed after him, skittles growled as she reached out and took his hand. It kind of looked funny, a tall man with a bloodied shirt and matted hair, a robotic arm....And a short black and silver haired, bruised, half naked woman.

Not to mention the black and white griffin who took his place at Jay's side.

They probably looked like they belonged in the carnival...Oh that's right, there was a carnival in Latent. Jay had heard about it from one of her staff..who were probably chilling in her room.

Lazy ********.

Jay smiled in return as they walked, it was odd how the metal hand she held felt, cold and solid, like the hilts of her daggers...It was comforting actually.

"Hey Skit..find Mommy a drink."

The griffin looked up excitedly as his master gave him a task, he had seriously been hanging around with that dog of Bishop's too much. He used to despise cuddles, and now he loved it...And he responded to commands like one too. Thankfully he was far more intelligent, able to understand most of what she said and think for himself.

The griffin was more than happy to do as she asked now though, and with a delighted chirp he took off at a trot. Off to find a source of whiskey.

Leaving Jay to walk with Darren, looking up at him with a curious glint in her eye.

"So...is this your first time?"

Priceless.

Darren couldn't have asked for a better reaction, mission accomplished so to speak, Jay had probably experienced a lot worse behavior than that though.

If it weren't for his peripheral vision, he wouldn't have even noticed Jay take hold of his hand. That was the only down side of the technology Darren had chosen, but it was definitely a fair trade, strength for petty feeling. Where as he could upgrade fairly easily, it would cost him a fortune, something told him Edward could assist in that somehow.

First time doing what, exactly? One could only assume she was talking about competing, but she could have been speaking about anything, so it took him a second to thoroughly think of an answer. Using his free hand to glide through his hair, sweeping it back only for it to fall back into the usual messy appearance it held, sticking up randomly without warning. "Yes, this is my first time, and yourself?" Small talk usually kept people at bay, especially if they had something on their mind, and Darren definitely had something in mind.

Jay could probably pick up on that, but it all depended on whether or not she was paying attention to what exactly he had been staring at the entire time they were walking with one another, and that was of course her chest. Darren was being very sneaky about it, only occasionally glancing at her through the corner of his eye, quickly returning his gaze to where they were heading.

Darkest Silver Wrote:

Nervous? Where as everyone dealt with the stress of competing differently, but that was surprisingly a first, Darren anticipated each round he was going to participate in. Waited impatiently for every single opponent he would face, craved each new challenge awaiting him, anything that stood in his way brought out sheer ecstasy. However, this was the mindset of someone that entered knowing he'd excel, someone that came to dominate. Darren wouldn't crack under the pressure, wouldn't give up until his Team had climbed the ladder, Darren was in Heaven or Hell for victory.

"Don't stress about it too much, there's no doubt in my mind you'll do perfectly fine, I have faith in you." How sweet. Maybe what he said would encourage her, a pep talk couldn't hurt, if anything hopefully it took the edge off. That's really all she needed, something to take her mind off what she had to endure, what laid ahead. Heaven or Hell wasn't for the faint of heart, braver men than Darren had crumbled underneath the weight, stronger as well.

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out." Oh, he knew damn well what she meant by it, the smirk she displayed explained everything. Darren obviously wasn't the only one thinking of more important things. His facial expression also changed into that of a smirk after answering her question, though he didn't really answer it, more so attempted to leave her craving more information. That was key, leaving the subject open for more prodding, for all he knew she thought he wasn't packing. Which wasn't surprising, what should she have thought, but her image of his anatomy was false.

Darkest Silver Wrote:

"I'm not that unique, sweetheart." Truth. Darren couldn't explain what he went through to learn everything that's implemented in his style. Nor could he remember just how many people he had to spar against to obtain his belt. Everything he remembered about his training was the pain, being forced to tap out, blacking out due to a blood choke. Nothing came easy.

Jay apparently found humor in what he said, he didn't think too much of her reaction, more so dwelling on whether or not she believed what he said. Getting matched up against him probably wasn't the fairest match, seeing as he had defeated her previously, but it seemed as if she enjoyed their fight. That's all that really mattered.

"If I remember correctly, it was you who was worried about your clothing, not I." Have some more truth. What Darren currently wore could be purchased almost anywhere, they weren't special to him, just casual wear. Now if they were on the subject of the suit he currently had in his room, that would be completely different, he'd kill over that. After he had finished arguing his point a step closer was taken, continuing until he was but a breath away from her, and his natural arm snaked around her frame. Resting against her back, slowly but surely pulling her in closer into his embrace, that seductive smile plastered on his face once more.

"Are you sure you want to go for a drink?"

Darkest Silver Wrote:

Just as she finished speaking, Darren bent forward just enough to graze his lips against her own, teasing her before actually locking her in a heated kiss. Which broke momentarily due to his hand lowering, roughly grabbing hold of what it sought, and lifting suddenly. Picking her up, forcing her to wrap around his frame, walking forward from there. Saving her the hassle of enduring through the pain she experienced with each step, gaze hadn't fell from her face other than to watch out for other people, weaving through them until they reached an elevator.

With a simple press of a button, it wouldn't take too long for the elevator to reach the floor they were currently on, and they were forced to wait very patiently. As hard as that was.

Ding.

As soon as the door had opened, Darren stepped inside, pushing the numbered button that his room was on. Carefully he rested her up against the wall of the elevator, gaze simply boring into her own until the floor was met, and when it was he backed up slowly. Clearing the elevator door, breaking right, keeping an eye on each passing number until his door had been reached. Fishing into his back pocket with his robotic hand, he dug out the key-card, slid it into the slot, and damn near kicked open the door. Roughly planting a kiss as he walked in just before the door came to a close behind the two of them.

Giggity.

Darkest Silver Wrote:

Enness settled in against her back, closing his eyes briefly as he felt the waves flowing between them, finding the sensation oddly comforting, letting himself just soak it in a bit, and the little zap was less shocking and more just warm now. Opening his eyes, he kissed Sonia on the head as he looked out the window. It really was a pretty nice view, even if he didn't much care for scenery, though he liked how their reflection looked in the glass, more.

His thoughts were similar to hers, he was looking forward to the upcoming violence, being one who enjoyed fighting, he had even considered entering this year before being asked to take a staff job, but for some reason his blood lust was kept pretty contained when he was around her. Rubbing her shoulders a little, he laughed at her comment.

"Ha. True enough. That they are. Have to say though, I'm kinda surprised no one's knocked you up yet."

Letting her turn fully before putting his arms around her, he hugged her tight, rubbing her back softly to try to soothe her as his brow furrowed a little in concern when he looked down at the top of her purple tinted head. Through the close proximity and the connection growing between them, he could feel she wasn't doing so well, and given what she was, he could guess why.

"We should do something about how you're feeling later."

His smile was back when she looked up at him, widening some when he returned her soft kiss, bringing a hand up to brush against her cheek, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear as he looked into her eyes. Watching her cross the room once he had released her from his hold, he would take her outstretched hand after a moment with a mischievous grin, picking up the keycards he had set on a table as he walked by.

"Not even breathing hard, but sure. Where would you like to go?"

PK Lady Sonia Renegade Wrote:

Sonia's blush made him smile, leaning down to kiss her cheek just before she dragged him out the door, it swinging shut behind them as he stuffed the keycards into an inside pocket. Having her with him did fill him with pride. More so than his usual over inflated ego. Something he found a little strange since he didn't tend to stick with one person for long. Normally he would have just picked up some random morsel from the bar or somewhere similar, but now, his eyes rarely left his companion. He could make quite the entrance with her on his arm, too.

Enness raised an eyebrow slightly at her looking a little thoughtful, wondering what she was thinking about, noticing that she didn't say anything about his comment of knocking her up, though he left it for now since he wasn't really serious anyways. His eyes drifted over her body a little as she spoke, having an image pop into his head that pleased him.

"I'm good with either. Could use a drink and wouldn't mind visiting the pool with you. I'm sure you could do with some pampering too."

He didn't really care where they went honestly, just enjoying being with her right now. He squeezed her hand a little when she leaned into him, the light touch of her lips sending a shiver down his spine while they waited for the elevator. The thought of her likely needing to feed soon, as he knew it had been a while since she last did, might put some people off. Him, it actually made things more exciting for.

His hand never left hers as they stepped into the elevator, him pressing the button for the ground floor before leaning back beside her. When she looked up at him, her blue eyes would find his own already looking at her, she would probably catch a little glimpse of his concern in the look before he smiled softly at her question as he brought her hand up so he could kiss it lightly.

"Yeah we'll be able to see most together. Most of my work should be between matches if I need to do anything. Though feel free to look around on your own if you want. Latent's pretty nice. I like the docks at night sometimes."

PK Lady Sonia Renegade Wrote:

Paradox.

"Breakfast?" Darren's voice could be heard from the bathroom, door partially open, and he even bothered to peek out of the crack. A toothbrush hung from his mouth, eyebrow raised as he stared at Jay, waiting for an answer.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Hm? Now that was surprising, he could have swore a 'do not disturb' sign hung from the knob of his hotel room door, they definitely wouldn't bother him unless it was urgent. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he'd eagerly make his way toward the door, unlock it, and proceed to open it a tad bit.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but there's someone looking for you in the lobby."

"Alright, let whoever it is know that I'll be down shortly." With a nod, the man left in a hurry, nearly sprinting down the hallway to deliver the message. Darren didn't waste any time either, first a white shirt had been grabbed from his suitcase stationed by the bathroom, next came underwear, and a pair of blue jeans. Walking into the bathroom once more only to come out fully dressed.

"I'll meet you downstairs," And with that, he walked out the door.

Darkest Silver Wrote:

Fiend The King Wrote:

North spotted the metal grappler instantly, and he took his time in walking toward him. "Osu~ Darren, good fight my friend!" North called as he got close, extending his fist for a simple knuckle bump which would likely be instantly returned. North would roll his shoulders a bit as he looked around the room briefly. "So who ya hopin to fight next, eh?" A simple, but loaded question. His pointed toward a nearby pair of comfortable looking seats and strolled toward them, expecting Darren to follow.

He sat with his feet raised onto the seat and sitting Indian style, hands gripping his ankles as he leaned back and forth in the chair, eyes wandering around the room every once and awhile. North was quite poor, so this level of extravagance was very enjoyable for him, but also distractingly interesting. Add to that the occasional lass who passed and it would be tough to hold North's fairly short attention span.

((Holy ******** rusty. ))

"North?" Now this was too good to be true, the Cyborg honestly couldn't remember the last time he saw his Sensei, Darren's wild grin only proved how surprised he was. Raising his robotic arm, the metal hand curling into a fist as it rose suddenly, colliding with North's in a friendly gesture. Darren hadn't stopped expressing his happiness there though, right after the fist bump came to an end, North was locked into a hug. A bear hug at that, but the man held back quite a bit of his strength, lifting his Sensei only to release him momentarily.

"I look forward to every opponent, Sensei." Now he was being formal, out of respect, as well as love. Darren did in fact, love North(no homo), the man was a father figure through-out their time together. The sheer fact that North was here to support him meant the World to him. As he moved toward the seating arrangement, Darren was quick to follow, taking a bow, right before he took a seat next to him.

Fiend The King Wrote:

Arriving in the lobby she saw Darren sitting with another man, who had a pretty damn cool mohawk. The new attire covered nearly all of the bruising, save for the purple mark around her throat. Making her way over to be polite and let her new friend know she was going to the restaurant, just so that he could meet up with her when he was ready.

Over hearing Darren's companion mention her...well she assumed it was her he referred to as a hottie? The woman would blush a little.

Moving to stand next to the cyborg Jay would smile and half wave, "Hey...umm I am going to grab a table. I will see you when you're ready?"

Smiling shyly at his friend while waiting for an answer.

"This is too cool," Was said in admiration of North's gift, unfolding it excitedly, just like a child during Christmas. Definitely his style too. "Thank you, I'll wear this in my next match, really appreciate it." Completely ignoring the comment that he so sneakily added in near the end, where as it may have been true, he still chose to stare at the gift.

"I don't know if you could actually out-due this gift, but you have yourself a deal, North." Darren knew this was just a small gift, he also knew that North was capable of a lot more than it, but he was still very satisfied with what he held in his hand. Then he asked about Jay, a devious smile spreading across his face as he realized what North was getting at, answering with a mere chuckle.

Speak of the Devil. Jay had finally found him, and his gaze instantly switched from North to her. Devious smile fading into a warm one. "Why hello, sweetheart." Was all he managed to say before North began to introduce himself, while he spoke, Darren simply stared at her. Smile not fading a tad bit.

"Would you like to join us, North? Or do you already have something planned for the rest of your evening?"

Outside the Crimson Hawk a car stopped as would any other looking to drop off the more classy patrons of this place. the car looked to be like any other typical luxury vehicle, save for the color scheme, though even that wasn't too much out there to be looked upon with anything more than mild interest. the car was black with golden trim, even the heavily tinted windows had what seemed to be a layer of golden glitter under that final layer of tinting. where a car's emblem would be in the vehicle it was replaced, the emblem of the endless knot in gold taking its place thereon. this was a vehicle belonging to an organization known as Tamashī no baransu, or Soul Balance in standard terms. the organization was of little note to most, and had gone from a new organization of vast funds to one that was barely getting by and had little to show for itself outside their walls.

The backdoor of the car that sat closest to the entrance to the grand hotel opened once the car came to a stop, with a sudden push it would be wide open and allowed to reveal the one getting out of its confines. the being in question was a male, one looking to stand around six foot four in height when he came from the car, this a product of the wooden geta he wore upon his feet, his actual height was only six foot even. wearing a black hakama on his waist that flowed to his ankles and a sleeveless black top he appeared to be a more traditional styled Japanese warrior, not really the type to get out of a car like that. once he had exited the vehicle though, he closed the door and it took off shortly after. it seemed the car only served to get him to this destination.

Stepping forward toward the doors there was the light clack of geta hitting the pavement, not resounding enough to be of true note, but the repeated action of it some could find easily annoying. teal eyes glanced to those going in one set of doors while he made for the others. brown hair waved as a bit of a breeze came through but for a moment. with a shake of his head the unknown male pushed his way inside of the building. he hadn't come here to converse with random locals or be treated like a king in a luxury room. he had come to lead his team in the Heaven or Hell tournament. lifting his left hand he glanced to the fighter strapped to his wrist, it had taken him a bit, but he had finally figured out most of what it could do.

With that single glance the captain of Team Fighting Spirit made his way through the lobby of the building. he was looking for the bar, a place close to where his prelim match would apparently take place, according to the little phone like object anyway. he half wondered where the other members of his team were and how soon they would arrive. he also was aware that some might already be in matches, ones that would take place before his in the same local. mind was filled with unending thoughts as the distracted ex-shinigami made his way toward his destination.

"Oh, I've got tons of stories. When he was a white belt he didn't need know how to finish a rear naked choke!" North laughed, motioning forward for them to begin walking and he'd follow behind them, clearly he was going to join them. North was actually quite tall for his race, for North was a Dwarf, the tallest Dwarf in recorded history at 5'5", his specific brand of Dwarf was ice based, digging tunnels in glaciers and such. While most Dwarves had beards and were very stocky, North was nearly 4 inches taller then the next tallest dwarf and far more lithe built, he was indistinguishable from a short human, and he had no beard.

What he did share was his races hardiness, his bones were thicker, his muscles stronger, his weight much higher. He probably weighed more then Darren, despite looking like he weighed closer to 135lbs. "Darren was always my favorite student, but he wasn't always my best. In fact, for years he was likely my worst. But he never quit, and look at him now! I am very proud." North chuckled, rubbing his face slightly to get some of the building sweat off his face. North did poorly in heat, for despite living in warm climates for nearly twenty years by now his body would never grow a custom to it. It didn't help he was wearing a sweatshirt.

"So, Jay! How is the rest of your team doing this year? I've peeked on some of Darren's team mates, they seem to be doing quite well! I hope yours are as well, I'd like to see what you can do!" His voice trailed high as he turned his head to face the lass.

Back to the bar she went, mental making notes of the familiar faces before she hopped up onto a barstool and smiled whiningly at the Bartender."Coke and Vodka, neat." Raven gave the man her room number and half turned to watch the recaps on the TV of the prelims as well as being able to keep an eye on any new arrivals.

Time to get roaring drunk... at least that was the plan unless someone fun showed up

Slash Zinrai Wrote:

"You don't strike me as a fighting spirit," she essentially parroted her previous sentiment with regard to his presence at the tournament. He was old and kindly. Far too aged and wisened to have pursued the purpose of battle by any conceivable stretch. At least, that was her thought on the matter.

She tilted her head to one side and cast her glance downward with regard to his own question. She'd been there to compete the year prior, and initially she had meant to compete again. But in recent months it had become ever clear that she was needed for a different purpose than that of mere, petty competition.

"I'm a body guard these days," she spoke aloud, her tone almost joking, as though to suggest she did not believe in her own purpose, "My friend cannot fight outside of the ring so long as he's here. I intend to do it for him should the need arise." And in the meantime she was just a surly roommate. Ah well.. it was at least good to feel needed.

"Here we go," A light chuckle followed, leave it to North to embarrass him while in the company of a woman he had slept with, surprisingly it didn't bother him that much. If anything it provided a good laugh, lightened up the mood, even made room for conversation. Darren may of didn't know how to finish a choke hold back in the day, but now, now he definitely knew what he was doing. Jay could vouch for that. Turning in his step, he'd begin to walk backwards, keeping the two of them in his sight. It was always more respectable to face the people you were talking to; however, Darren's face was a tad bit flustered.

His left hand met the back of his head, scratching it lightly as the pink hue built up on his cheeks, laughing every once in awhile as North continued to tell Jay his students life story. And then he began to speak about Edward, Wiji, and KB. Could the three of them still be finishing up their matches? Jay, and him finished rather quickly. In no time at all, actually. "Thanks for the reminder, I'll have to check up on Edward sometime this evening, just to make sure he's keeping Dzan in check." Another chuckle followed, and then he spun back around. Slowing his pace so the two of them could join his side once more, he even motioned Jay toward him, extending his left hand to her to take hold of. That heated smile returning once more.

"I heard some rumors this fool here beat another guy on your team not so long ago. He miss uses my teaching quite a lot, perhaps I should humble him." He false threatened, taking a seat at a table they were offered. kicking his feet up on the table to the shock of some of the other patrons. He slide his hands into his sweat shirt pocket and leaned back onto the rear legs of his seat, balancing brilliantly with no obvious effort.

"Oi, waiter. Get me a cup water, no ice." North half demanded, a playful smile on his face he looked up at the poor soul wasting his life for chump change. North looked from Jay to Darren and grinned, wondering just how serious this little game of lovers they were playing was or could become. She didn't seem the type to go far, and he had never known Darren for the type to be either.

"So, when am I getting kids out of you two that I can train? HMMMMMMM?" He joked, hoping to embarrass the pair as much as he could. North was then handed his water, his fingers gripping the cup tight. His hands were small, girl like in build but very calloused and used, but more impressive then that was the cups reaction. The water began to freeze. rapidly and sudden. The glass cracked and then shattered, but North just laughed. "Thanks, you can go." North said to the waiter, raising the glass shaped ice cube to his mouth and biting down, his powerful jaws crushing it with ease. North was an oddity, as was most of his ice dwelling race. They didn't just live in it, they could survive entirely on it, and a rare few even possessed power over the cold. North was one of them.

Restaurant - The Bar

Still distracted Shige made his way through the lobby and into the adjoining restaurant. it was in this place that the bar was located and so that was where he went. some called him an alcoholic, but he always liked to start out a visit to a new place with a friendly drink or five. thinking about just what he could order to get a little buzz going made him smile subtly as he made his way past tables to get to a nice bar stool. stopping there the male in oriental styled clothing hopped up on a stool and let his hands fall to the counter. the heavy thud of his weight being dropped thereon caused a bit of a shake to the entire thing, though it wasn't much, and he was sure the bar could take a lot more than a simple action like that; especially in this place.

"Barkeep... A bottle of sake... hot if you please.. not warm, but hot..."

An odd request, but he was sure it would be completed. after having what turned out to be a dragon living within your soul for a while certain things ended up becoming more habit like than anything. for Shige one of those things was having some beverages scalding hot, so hot that they'd literally burn his mouth and throat on the way down. it was painful to experience it, but the rush from that pain and that exact feeling couldn't be replicated in an other fashion. with that the teal eyed male waited for his drink to be served, a few minutes would likely pass during that time, allowing him a bit of thinking time.

What was his true goal here, winning was a nice idea, and he was determined to get as far as he could, but with big names on some of the team rosters he had to come to the reality of it all. his chance was no greater than any other that stepped into this place looking for so called easy cash. the fights were going to be hard, harder than your casual encounter on gaia that was certain. limits were in place and even with some newly discovered bit of power that he had come to realize was within his grasp not a few days earlier, he couldn't call upon that in battle; could not deviate from the accepted entry profile even if it was to save his own skin. his thoughts were on those back home, how he had left and betrayed them, how they didn't deserve what he'd done, and shouldn't have to deal with what he'd become now. he was nothing more than a monster, one wearing a kind face, but one ultimately made to fight. resist, shift, change and adapt. all these were things he had done, things that had come to be to get him this far. those things would continue until the end, but when that would come, even he could not be certain.

Golden eyes watched the oriental man at the bar, inhuman eyes...Eyes of a mythical predatory creature. A light rapping noise would give away the beasts approach, his talons made it hard to move quietly, yet it was not like he was able to hide anyway. People stopped and stared at the black and white griffin as he slinked over to the bar, shoulders hunched as his muscles showed through his well groomed coat.

Skittles was not full grown of course, no, he was about the size of an Irish wolf hound, but that did not mean he wasn't dangerous...Although the creature had been trained by his master to defend himself, not to mention all the play time he had with Dzul had helped hone his skills. Much like any predator would do as an infant...Which funnily enough, the griffin still was.

One day when he was fully grown he would dwarf his master, and be an incredibly formidable creature.

But right now Skittles wanted to see who this man was, he was on guard and seemed to be a little jittery...It was because he had spent the day alone looking for Jay or anyone who he found familiar...But it seemed everyone had left.

Reaching the man he would stretch his neck out and tilt his head up to sniff the man, a low growl could be heard as he gathered Shige's scent.

The woman who also approached seemed to be just as curious.

But Skittles withdrew, backing up slowly. Never letting those golden eyes leave the two.

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

Darkest Silver Wrote:

A peace offering, it was enough to win a smile from the lady with her long red and black striped locks. "Im Rae... Raven. Im not playing this year.. Ill just offer my services as a healer." She couldnt help but to scowl slightly as he offered her a smoke. "Hasn`t anyone told you that smoking is bad for your health..."

One eyebrow rose at the griffin, her head tilting to one side, orange eyes half lidded but unblinking... it was a very bird-like pose, and it spoke volumes to those who knew her... but these two didn`t and so eventually Rae would blink again, and smile before she sipped at her drink.

Skittles stopped, looking at the extended hand with a little confusion, finally stepping forward, moving in the usual cat like manner, each motion was painstakingly slow. Sniffing the hand and chirping with curiosity.

He did not smell like fear, nor did he have a hostile posture...

Flicking his gaze to the woman who tilted her head, Skittles would match the motion and blink a few times.

He was not used to interacting with others without his master present, although he was not so hesitant to do so as he once would of been.

Ruffling his feathery mane, pushing his broad chest out and holding his head high, he looked magnificent and proud. Which was not far off the truth, since it was in his nature to do so.

Moving forward the griffin would begin to inspect the man, first popping his head up over the bar, sniffing the drink before pulling back sharply as the intense fumes of the heated liquid burnt the inside of his delicate nose.

Opening his beak to hiss at it, turning to then chirp at the man again, half biting the fighter on his wrist, since his master had one too...He found it familiar and somewhat comforting.

Flicking his tail about after this and moving over to inspect the woman, sniffing her arm and tilting his head from side to side. Golden eyes searching her face for emotion and to see if she was going to move as she had before.

HonoRaven Wrote:

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

The woman grimaced at the memory of seeing Darren smash Bishops face into the concrete floor of her club, it was horrifying..She cared for her friend, so despite her current infatuation with the fighter, that would dampen her mood a little. Jay was a kind hearted girl, despite being a hell of a brawler, it probably didn't help that Bishop was her closest friend.

Letting go of Darren's hand as North happened to mention kids....Really? Kids!...Jay was dumbfounded, staring at the man who chewed on a chunk of ice...Which made her think he really wasn't as normal as she thought.

But no, that wasn't enough...Darren looked at her with than damn heart melting gaze...The words were enough to make her cheeks flush bright red and for the woman to begin stuttering, desperately trying to force herself to speak.

"I-I...But we..."

Stopping as she saw the wicked smile and the sly glance at his friend...

"Oh you d**k!"

Jay would exclaim, lashing out by kicking Darren's back chair leg hard enough for it to snap..Hoping to send the smartass brawler sprawling onto the floor.

This would of course bring a devilish grin to the woman's lips and a playful sparkle to her eyes.

She had to admit she liked the cyborg.

"So north, what would you like to eat? My shout."

She would ask, acting as though nothing had happened.

The grin was surely there, for he and Darren shared a humor. North was more light hearted, more confident, but they were very similar. North had a phase of violence and boasting, aggressive appearance and attitude. But years of training had hardened his laid back, soft smiled confidence. He had finished his chunk of ice by now, and when Jay asked what he wanted the reply would likely be surprising due to his nature.

"Hot wings. Like as hot as they come." North liked the taste, liked the feeling. While others simply had a tingling, hot mouth, North got a full body effect from spicy food. A truly body wide feeling of intense heat, something a human could never hope to experience. He took his feet off the table, his chair slamming to its four legs and he leaned into the table a bit, elbows at the edge and a grin on his face well fitted to his roundish head.

"You and I should spar sometime, Jay! I'd love to get to chance to roll around with such a beautiful girl!" The last part was said in jest, not flirt, which he made clear with his tone of voice. "Maybe help you beat my student next time, I'd love to be able to torture him with a loss!"

"Hot wings it is, and please by all means teach me how to kick his a-"

!!

Jay was suddenly knocked from her chair, finding herself sprawled atop of Darren, a pained groan followed as the impact jarred the bruised midsection and of course those wonderful broken ribs he had so kindly given her. As his hand slipped down to make his statement all the more special, Jay could not help but enjoy the moment. Placing her hands on either side she would push her self upright, looking down at him with a mock scowl.

"Darren... That is highly inappropriate!...."

It was a failure, Jay suddenly began to giggle, snorting a little as she leaned over to place a light kiss upon his lips, then with all the grace of an injured antelope she struggled to her feet, holding out a hand to help him to his feet should he need it.

Waving a waiter over, "Hey can we get two more chairs and a plate of your hottest hot wings. A whiskey neat, and some toast...."

Looking to the cyborg, "And what are you having, Lover?"

She couldn't help herself, she was having far to much fun. But she was still blushing from the whole series of events. Even from North wanting to fight her...Why did people want to throw down with her? Maybe she really did look like a brawler.

Darkest Silver Wrote:

HonoRaven Wrote:

Shige had caught the initial smile of Rae, that in itself made him inwardly chuckle. he seemed to have a way with those he spoke to, an almost legendary quality of persuasion. some didn't fall for his ploys or even consider his suggestions when he spoke, but others, others fell into his voice and words like one wrapped around a finger. his smile widened just a tad and a friendly chuckle did leave his lips, it was light and upbeat, keeping with the kind tone that he held. teal eyes glanced to the woman before him, his lips moving as he went to speak in response.

"Smoking isn't the best thing for one's health, no.. but neither is drinking. and a good smoke keeps my mind at peace, a hard find at times, but it works for me. if you don't want one, it's fine, but I'll still have to make it up to you for almost spilling your drink."

The what's of that would be left open, giving the woman something to think on. since he had garnered that she wouldn't be pleased with the smoke he snapped the case shut and set it down in front of his bottle of sake, about the time that Skittles had taken a sniff of the hot drink. he could see the discomfort of the creature as it hissed and half bit the fighter around his wrist. the griffin seemed to be a very proud creature, but something was off with it. Shige couldn't say or place what it was though, even with that in mind he was more than glad to give some attention to the creature for the simple fact he enjoyed the company of nature in many forms.

"Careful now, that drink is hot, and probably not the best thing for you... a glass of ice water if you please Barkeep."

The request was granted quickly and a glass of ice water got placed next to the bottle of sake. with left hand the ex-shinigami placed a gentle finger atop Skittles head, a gentle rub with the finger to calm and soothe the creature. right hand would take the glass of ice water and hold it down so that the griffin could more easily access it. a smile was still present on his feature as he finished the turn that would leave his back against the bar so he could easily face either of his current companions with little effort.

"if you want a drink this water might be a little better than that hot sake.. not sure what you normally drink, but water is good for most of nature's creatures, yes."

If his father's training meant anything, it was that a wand of Prestidigitation made for an excellent instant shower. Dirt, blood and paint had been banished from his body, his armor packed into a bag of holding that bobbed on his hip. As opposed to his combat gear, he stood in a pair of slacks, a shirt and vest, all together looking practically business casual, had it not been for the blue swept back hair and exotic gem sticking out of his head.

His ribs and kidneys were bruised, but he was pristine on the outside, aside from the slight limp. Oriel had wanted to come into the Hawk for years. Of course, in his time, it had closed several years back, so his coming back in time made for it to be still a booming center of business. And as such, somewhere for him to snag a drink. And, more importantly, somewhere he could track down one of a few people. Across the lobby and into the dining ring, he leaned across the bar. "Excuse me, Sir. I heard Rell Abbey is working here this year. D'you know her, by any chance?"

HonoRaven Wrote:

Darkest Silver Wrote:

Shige did indeed have no clue what he was getting into. in regards to flirting and being flirted with in any manner he was actually quite oblivious. while considered good with the ladies it wasn't for having a player mentality or trying to get with them, they were just attracted to him because of his looks or his kind and possibly not all there nature when it came to such things. that is what happens when you spend your life training to fight and not dealing with things that a normal person would deal with. as Rae tilted her head down and glanced into his eyes with her smile he could only smile back.

"I'm sure.."

His voice lingered with that warm tone, if he knew really what he was doing he would have lightened up on it as not to further tempt the situation, he did have a wife after all. and while Shige was smart with battle and other things, women and flirting were not strong points for the ex-shinigami. it was likely that the man didn't even consider the fact that she was flirting, unless she took to some more drastic measures. but slowly he was being drawn in, even if it was through sheer dumb luck as it were.

He watched with a smile as Skittles raised up and sipped at the water some. looking into the beast's eyes he smiled. the majestic creature was one he didn't get a chance to behold for too long though. as it spotted its master and took off to defend her from whatever situation she happened to be in. he would have to find that woman later and get to know both her and the griffin a bit better. but for now his company had been reduced to the beautiful woman with the red and black hair. he didn't mind of course, but he also didn't know just where this situation was going.

"I guess it must have spotted something important.. but now I can drink my sake."

A chuckle was given at that as the glass of water was set down on the counter. bottle taken in hand as an exchange. using his other hand to feel the heat coming from the open top he gave a nod before downing a long sip of the liquid. the fiery sake ripped down his throat as the heat burned the back of his tongue and mouth. it was a good sensation though, one he missed at times. with the bottle pulled away a loud 'AHHH' would be expressed. a sound of satisfaction coming from the Japanese male.

Skittles indeed noticed the small man whom had moved to block his path, it was not very often that anyone even challenged him, but this man was already staring him down. The proud beast slowed his pace and puffed his chest out, shaking his head before parting his beak to roar at the dwarf, taking little notice of the temperature drop..since that lovely feathery coat protected him from the cold to an extent.

Rising up onto his hind legs the mythical beast would dive towards North, taloned claws extended forth to meet him in his wrestlers stance, aiming to latch onto his shoulders and drive him back with his 180lbs of muscular body mass.

Lashing out with his beak to attempt to open a gash on the top of his skull.

Avatar of Virtue Wrote:

If his father's training meant anything, it was that a wand of Prestidigitation made for an excellent instant shower. Dirt, blood and paint had been banished from his body, his armor packed into a bag of holding that bobbed on his hip. As opposed to his combat gear, he stood in a pair of slacks, a shirt and vest, all together looking practically business casual, had it not been for the blue swept back hair and exotic gem sticking out of his head.

His ribs and kidneys were bruised, but he was pristine on the outside, aside from the slight limp. Oriel had wanted to come into the Hawk for years. Of course, in his time, it had closed several years back, so his coming back in time made for it to be still a booming center of business. And as such, somewhere for him to snag a drink. And, more importantly, somewhere he could track down one of a few people. Across the lobby and into the dining ring, he leaned across the bar. "Excuse me, Sir. I heard Rell Abbey is working here this year. D'you know her, by any chance?"

Rell was always the moving silently type, especially when it came to sneaking around a mother and father with supremely magical abilities. Not to mention she was something of a twig.

His sister was watching his match, therefore could calculate when he'd come looking for her. It had been a while since they last met, but alas, she was finally there. Raising her hand, she swiftly poked his side that had been injured.

"Hi Ori." She spoke in her even tone, one he'd no doubt be well acquainted with.

Screeching as his wings spread out, beating them once and flipping over the nearest table in the process, people scattered as the beast squirmed beneath the strangely heavy man. The idea of spreading the wings was to avoid having them broken beneath them. One taloned arm free was enough, as the man shifted atop him Skittles would reach around to attempt to dig his left hand talons into the man's back, ripping back sharply to try leave a nasty set of gashes over his right side.

Since he hand a hold of Skittles right wrist, the creature would twist it in his grasp, the scaly skin making it harder for him to resist the slight movement...Then using that taloned leg to try grab his forearm.

The other great thing about skittles was...He had a long neck, being half giant eagle and all, extending his neck North would obviously see the parted beak aiming for his chest, skittles intent was to grab and tear the flesh in a fast peaking motion. Which would be repeated unless the man put a stop to it.

The hind legs bunched and rose up, much like a normal cat would, curling as much as he could with the grappler on top of him to try hook his hind claws into the man's pants, ripping up to try lift him off if not give him a nasty wedgy in the process.

The cold touch of the man was making Skittles uncomfortable, but the scaled forelegs would naturally be more resistant to frost bite, not immune, but it would simply take longer for it to take effect.

All the while the creature would screech at his opponent, golden eyes filled with rage would occasionally lock onto North's, between his random strikes.

Skittles would cry out in distress before his beak began to freeze over, the fist that was lodged in there only served to muffle the pleading a little...his master was bound to hear her beloved pet. And the gods only knew what she would do to North because of it.

The Griffin scrunched his eyes shut as his head was slammed back against the floor, thrashing about on his back in a desperate attempt to escape the brutal beating, the one free claw grabbing back onto North's side, hoping to sink the full length of them into his flesh and muscle and twist it, anything to make him stop.

Unfortunately it would probably do nothing but enrage North further, and Skittles vision was blurring....The beast would trash less and less, until he lay still, blood pooling about the back of his skull and those golden eyes slowly closing while staring skyward.

.......

Avatar of Virtue Wrote:

Pain washed over his back as his bruised ribs grabbed his lung like throttling someone's throat. He spun on his heels, his ears preventing his fist from lifting. But the sound of her voice, the metaphorical bell to match the set ever-present on his sister's hip nearly brought him to tears.

It'd been a very long year and a half. Fayble was a harsh master. Terran was a cruel teacher.

Rell was a sight for sore eyes.

"You know." He began, his ears flicking slightly before flattening. "As much as I've missed you, I wish very much that you would stop using that name and god damn it, woman, why must you watch the damned monitors and then stab me in the wound you know full well I just earned."

His tongue maintained their long standing sibling rivalry. But when he reached out and took her into a forced hug, he tossed it aside. "I've missed you." His voice went soft.

A faint smile tugged at her lips as he spoke his last sentence, embracing her sibling for a long while, this time trying not to harm him. Soon, she took a step back, Rell merely stood there to look at her brother. To him, she might have looked like a different woman now. She looked more seated and steady, confident and well loved. Omi had taken good care of her, her children in her room were case in point.

"I imagined that Terran and Fayble treated you just as well. How are you Oriel, it's been a long time."

Avatar of Virtue Wrote:

"If by 'treat me well', you mean the same way a baseball bat does a crate of eggs." He muttered. Fayble had been a rough neck from birth, and everyone knew it. Terran was somewhat deceiving. Soft spoken and gentle after returning to life after forty years of undeath, he was the type of teacher who slugged you when you failed to pull off a move, and only punched you harder when you failed next.

"...I'm sorry I wasn't able to come to be with you when you delivered... They were doing this... dumb ******** thing in the North and we only managed to get back a month ago." There was shame in his voice. He'd looked at her with a look he never showed her before. He was embarrassed. "...so when do I get to meet the family?" He said, his voice retained the shame, with a quality of apology.

[/align]

Reaching out a petite hand, she rested it on his shoulder in a calm manner. Rell was never the type to reassure or ease people of emotional pain, but it didn't mean she couldn't try.

"There's no reason to be ashamed of it. Omi has taken great care of Iona and Jonathan as well as I." Moving a hand to one of his bags, she sequestered the load before tilting her head to the elevator. "Would you like to meet them now? I'm not sure where Omi is.. I believe he's off scouting land or dealing with squadrons..Not sure really..."

It should come as a small shock to Oriel that she didn't know where her fiancee was, Rell was amazing at tracking people yet she failed to keep tabs on her own lover? Perhaps it was the fact that he was very capable of taking care of himself when he wasn't up s**t creek without a paddle. Even then, the Abhorsen had a feeling of where he was and would show up by chance. Luck favored her sometimes.

"I think they'll be waking from their naps soon."

Avatar of Virtue Wrote:

He nodded. He had a million questions. It had been the longest the two had been apart since birth, if you discount the hour of time between her still birth and her being brought back from the gate. Their future father paid a heavy price for that. His thoughts traveled to Gambino Island, where Zig was already starting to feel his muscles stiffen at a relatively young age. Young for a human. For a Troikan, he was just barely not a child.

Time travel is for the birds, the fighter decided.

As she weighed the bag of holding, a bag that weighed no more than a couple pounds, barely heavier than a hefty book. It was currently holding a ripped off emergency break, a knife, a great sword, a set of full plate dragon hide armor, not to mention all of the god damned things he carried around at random.

"Jon and Iona." He said breathlessly as he walked behind her. It felt like the old days all over again. But when it got down to things, it was something entirely new. She was a mother for nearly a year. He was a fighter actually worthy of calling himself that. "They already sound beautiful. Then again." He paused, turning the sound of sentimentality over in his skull a couple times before finally opting to ditch the uncharacteristic suit to sound more like her brother. "Look at who their uncle is, am I right?"

Wordlessly, Rell looked over her shoulder as she turned, an idle smirk decided to take residence of her facial features now. He knew this look. Walking towards the doors, she clicked the button.

"They have Omi's hair." She said softly, adjusting the bag. "Though you don't know what that looks like, do you?"

ding

The Abhorsen stepped inside, waiting for her brother to step in before hitting the button again, top floor suites. Her question wasn't meant as a dig at him, it was an honest question that he'd no doubt pick up on the tone of.

"He might be coming back soon, perhaps you'll finally get to meet him."

In no time at all, they arrived at the top floor, Rell and Omi's room was the first door for convenience. Knocking twice just in case, Rell pulled out her key card and slipped it. The door clicked, she pushed it open. Inside smelled fresh as Rell had left the large windows open to allow the last bastion of late summer air through the room before the lovely autumn took hold. The room was extremely spacious and extravagant, but what did you expect from a wealthy warlord. Nothing but the finest everything for his lover and children.

The children themselves were in their cribs in the living room. It seems Iona was peering out from behind the smooth oak planks while Jonathan remained asleep.

HonoRaven Wrote:

Shige heard Rae's words as he lowered his drink from his lips. his teal eyes shifted to the woman, an eyebrow raised as she gave cheers in his native tongue. it wasn't often he met anyone who had any sort of fluency in Japanese within the realm of Gaia; then again she might have only known a couple key words and phrases. time would tell in that aspect. he didn't know that she resisted urges to shudder at the intake of alcohol, it was a hard urge to overcome for some. his smile remained as he lifted his bottle once more to reply in kind.

"Kampai indeed!"

Another swill of the hot sake was taken in, burning liquid flowing over his tongue and down the back of his throat with a fiery ache that demanded his attention. if he was able to even feel the same as he once did for a moment this was how it occurred. his eyes would change for an instant, teal to gold and round pupils to vertical dragon like slits. that feeling gave his normally kind smile a sinister turn for a moment before the gold died and his eyes returned to normal. it was only a feeling, one that he enjoyed enough to keep even without what caused it inside of him anymore. setting the bottle down he had decided that he had enough of the drink for the current moment in time, and decided to answer the woman's question.

"I'm captaining Team Fighting Spirit this year. we are all knew faces to the tournament from what I gather.. but such a thing doesn't mean we can't do great."

The ex-shinigami smiled at his own words. he believed them in his heart to be the truth of things. even so called new blood was capable of showing old blood something it hadn't seen before. perhaps they would do that and rise to the top, or perhaps they would be taken down before they could even begin to compete. only time would tell in that matter. the honest truth was that Shige had a lot of personal finances riding on his victory. out of money, out of business and out of luck he had taken this as a last shot for cash to get his family going on on their feet again. he didn't feel he could show himself to them until he was able to support and protect them once more.

"I have failed in the past... but I do not plan to fail here..."

[!]The Crimson Hawk[!]

Something familiar…

[]~O~[]

[!] ~”Those who fight change are doomed to die, while those who accept it merely survive…”~[!]

Dithakar could understand that sentiment with little difficulty.

"And you will see a great deal yet, of that I can assure you..."

His own penchant for vagaries was legend, and as his statement reached an end so too did the gentle chiming of metal rings. From the corner of her eye she might note a strange movement in the old man's direction.

As though a shadow hand passed between them, albeit to immediate effect.

Should she choose to guide her gaze back to the elderly mendicant she would find that his seat was no longer occupied, and had been neatly tucked back into the table. No sign of him would remain, not even his cup...

As though he'd never been there at all.

[!] ~”…Only those who effect change, who lead it, may find prosperity.”~[!]

Lady Gilaen Wrote:

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

He toasted in return, and she took another sip of her drink as well... after all, it was rude not to raise you glass to a salute... although she did not toast back again this time... getting drop dead drunk was no longer on the agenda.. at least for the moment.

"Never plan for failure, do not even allow it's shadow to cross your path before it has personal introduced itself to you, that is a self fulfilling prophecy... This is Heaven or Hell, and anything can happen. I have actually known quite a few of the champions of this tournament. I'm an old hand at this game, believe it or not." She smiled at him again, a different sort of smile, a smile that said that she really was more than just an incurable flirt.

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

Raven laughed softly at his question. "What year are you interested in? I can tell a story about all but the last... since we did not have a winner the last year... My bet was on my team though." She grinned a very playful grin, something a child would wear at the thought of an ice cream cone for good behaviour. "But then I have a lot of faith in Ryugi and Stephen, Damion is getting better every year and I expect great things from him. This year you will have to worry about all three of them, as well as a return competitor Ameil Moonblade... he is a hard hitter from what I have seen, but he has been out of the game for quite a few years so I am not sure how he will do... You should just be happy that Sun, and Vahn are retired... Sunny is the sweetest man on two legs, but he can still kick your a**, and Kaz.. err, Vahn has always been a heavy hitter." It actually made Rae a bit sad to talk about her boys, especialy since they had all ditched her this year.

Just arriving..

It had taken the girl a lot longer to find this place then she liked, then again since starting the hunt for shige her car had been stripped at one of the many places she had hunted for him so EVERYWHERE took to long to get to since she had to walk. Zephyr hated that, hated the fact that suddenly she seemed to have no money and as she walked into the restaurant of the crimson hawk hated even more that the man she had called father for most of her life seemed completely unaware that he was destroying his family.

The moment she saw him suddenly she felt shy, unsure if she should be here and a little disgusted all at the same time. Angry bright blue eyes peered out from the curtain of her rainbow colored bangs, one hand reached up to run through the mess on top of her head letting the scent of smoke seem stronger around her. Zephyr had tried to get the smoke stench out of her hair but it seemed fruitless clinging to her as a constant reminder of the horrible places she had been trying to find this one man. Stepping out of the door way she moved to a table and slid into a chair along it just staring at him, Shige seemed relaxed as always and a bit oblivious to the female next to him. Part of her was even irked at the fact that he was so casually sitting next to some chick enjoying himself while her mother....... no she wouldn't think of her mother right now.

Tugging at her ripped lime green shirt as a waiter approached her to take her order she looked up towards the male requesting a glass of water and a hamburger. Something simple she hadn't eaten in quite some time and though her stomach was screaming for food at the current moment the thought of eating made her queasy. The glass of water was brought to her with promises of her food being done shortly, picking up the glass and sipping from the cold crisp water the girl would fidget her fingers tugging at the threads of her ripped black jeans one foot kicking at the leg of the table with scuffed black boots.

Zephyr wasn't sure she was ready to talk to shige now that she was sitting not far from him, as the thought crossed her mind she also hopped the last ten dollar bill she had in her pocket would pay for the hamburger or else she would have no choice then to deal with her run away father. Closing her eyes she leaned her head in one hand letting out a sigh just glaring at the man seated not to far from her oblivious to her presence for the moment part of her wanting to smack the crap out of him and the other wanting to run to him crying as she had so many times in the past.

"Damn you dad....."

She hissed through clenched teeth as her internal battle continued raw emotions crossing her face as she argued with herself internally.

HonoRaven Wrote:

Venom Genryusai Wrote:

Shige sat there on the bar stool, his entire body becoming still, stiff almost like a board as the woman he was chatting with spoke of what she knew in regards to last years Heaven or Hell tournament. he did think it was strange that there was no offered explanation on what happened or why the tournament was called off then so casually brought back this year. it was something that would stay on Shige's mind, and perhaps against good judgement from what he knew of the Noah Foundation, cause him to investigate.

The ex-shinigami was still a bit stiff with his body, it was noticeable to those near him, especially if they knew him enough to know that he was usually always relaxed, muscles always loose and ready to strike. if he was attacked at that very moment, there would have been little he could have done to defend himself. teal eyes shot up to gaze across the room, falling on the young woman with the rainbow bangs and torn green shirt. he knew her by presence alone, but sight confirmed what he felt. even without spiritual senses to help him he knew the feel of family when it was near. his eyes tried to keep from glaring her down even as she stared his way. she had come searching for him and finally found him.

"Forgive me... something important just showed up.."

Turning back toward the bar the male grabbed a coaster from off the bar and pulled a piece piece of paper from his pocket. wrapping the paper around the coaster he wrote a small note on it before turning back around. when Zephyr's attention had shifted to the waiter he pulled his hand back and then flung it forward, letting go at the peak of the momentum to send the coaster and note flying toward the girl, aimed to hit her right upside the head. this wouldn't be hard enough to do any real damage, but it would be hard enough to garner her attention; something he aimed to do with the very action. eyes would keep on her, smile now a neutral expression as he began to push his emotions down into the depths of his mind.

On the note, a simple bit of writing, something the girl would understand without any doubt:

You never were good at hiding.

Gone.. Just like that. Lovi had scarcely looked away when upon casting her glance back the old man's way, he was suddenly gone. Like he was never there to begin with.

Lovi was starting to wonder about her own sense of self. Was she going mad? Did this man truly exist? Thinking back on it, she'd only met the old geezer once before, and their encounter had been brief. She'd been the only one to talk to him. Maybe she was seeing things. Imagining them.

She took a seat back at her table, but she had shoved her food aside for the time being. She'd been put off her appetite. And her mood.

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

Venom Genryusai Wrote:

She really shouldn't have been drinking, it was much harder to keep her shields up when she was even slightly tips... so it was really no wonder that she picked up on Shinge's discomfort.

"Calm..." She murmured, her eyes dropping to the floor, as she moved her glass to the other hand, her fingers flicking down to the floor and then towards the girl that her companion has tried to bean with a coaster.... The darker bit of the floor that was her shadow, slowly slunk away to find out more about the rag-tag newcomer.

For a moment orange eyes flickered to violet, and then they were orange again as she looked up to Shinge with another smile. "When dealing with the young it is always good to remember your calm. At least that is what I always tell myself when my own children are making me wish I had never laid eyes on their father."

Preliminaries were over.

The round had come to an end far quicker than the ginger-haired and freckle-faced engineer really liked. Things had just started to really heat up in her bout against Twitch before time was called. She had only been warming up - testing the waters and before she knew it, that was all she wrote.

Oh well.

This was the time for relaxing after shaking off the rust. Much as she might not want to admit it, Ryke hadn't really been in practice lately. In fact, most of her free time had been spent working in her family's shop. Hence, why last year her appearance had been minimal and limited to a spectator position.

Having already checked into the room, despite all initial reservations about sharing a hotel suite with three men - one of which being Ebris of all people - the tournament veteran got settled in quickly after returning from the bout. After a hot shower and change of clothes, she found herself wandering the first floor of the renowned Crimson Hawk Hotel like many years before. In search of what? Nothing really, just taking in the sights and sounds and scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Ryke wasn't exactly the type of gal to get all bleary eyed nostalgic, but it was nice to be back and she felt comfortable to be roaming the Hawk again.

Izzy was due to drop in sometime this week, and sure enough if there was one thing she sorely missed - it was her partner in crime. This was her first tournament without her plucky shapeshifter side-kick friend to cheer her on, talk her into crazy situations, or drink into the wee hours of the morning with. Although, once she mentioned to the pirate punker that Ebris was not only participating, but that the ginger herself was a member of the burly hunter's team - well she could practically see the awesome face through the phone.

So...where to go.

Bar? Nah. Drinking alone was boring.

Lounge? Meh. It was just a fancy word for bar for simple minded folk who were convinced it was more sophisticated than a straight up bar.

So where then?

HonoRaven Wrote:

Venom Genryusai Wrote:

Shige's eyes remained on his daughter as she blocked the incoming projectile with her hand. inwardly he was proud that she could do that much, though he wouldn't show it on the outside. his eyes flashed with a bit of gold as his hair shifted softly. a deep breath taken as he attempted to calm and quell that bit of rising power. it was not needed here, nor could he expose it here. when he heard Rae's words he let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding in the form of a sigh. giving a single glance to the woman beside him he'd respond to her.

"You are right.. but she deserves to be angry. I am the one at fault here.. and It is finally time I try explain myself... if you'll excuse me."

With that said he let his gaze drift back to his daughter, the girl was a firestorm of emotions, anyone that knew her could see that. he wasn't looking forward to the conversation about to unfold. he didn't want to have to explain things here like this. with a sudden push he would force his body off of the stool and land on the floor with a thud that seemed to echo forth from his body. it was evident by this that he was much heavier than he appeared to be by simple looks. with a step forward his wooden geta pattered against the floor, thudding against the carpeted area of the restaurant. it wouldn't take him long to reach Zephyr's table, and when he did his hands would place as softly as they could atop it.

"Zephyr..."

The name said with a bit of sadness as he refused to take a seat. what needed explained would be done by him standing before her; there was no other way to do this. she would notice something odd about him though, at the current moment his weapons were not on his person, an odd situation for the male. for those that knew Shige, they knew he didn't go just anywhere without his weapons on hand. even in places that forbid weapons would not deny him his right to have them at his side. an inhale of the air around him made him wish silently for a smoke; those objects were still sitting in a case on the bar, however.

"I can guess why you are here, and from your look it isn't to give me well wishes... where do I start oh daughter of mine?"

Rae slowly shifted back to the bar, sipping her drink as her shadow listened in on the conversations around her.

Zephyr would try her best not to intrude upon the words that were said between her father and the woman that sat next to him but when Shige said that she had every right to be mad a slow smirk crossed her face. Damn right she had ever reason to be pissed as hell at him, though part of her really didn't want to be mad she just wanted him to go home and take care of her mother. Eyes would cast down at the table top and her food as the male said her name, a soft long sigh past through her parted lips.

"Father......"

She said coolly before raising those sky blue orbs to glare at him again, anger filled her gaze once more mixed with many other emotions to fill the teenage girl with something bordering on adolescent hate. It was the feeling one got when the most important person in their lives did something that was to a young girl unforgivable.

"How about starting with why you haven't spoken to mother since you left.... about why knowing how she is you refuse to speak to her and let her self destruct.... How can you explain this...... YOUR KILLING HER....."

The girls voice rose slowly pinpointing the one thing that she knew would strike shige the hardest, at least she thought it would. That was if he still loved his wife...... but then again that was something even she wasn't all to sure of at the moment. Closing her eyes the feeling of tears pricking the back of them as she tried to calm herself down,

"You disappeared without a word, at first she did ok... telling everyone to give you some space and time..... slowly even she lost faith..... Mio kept saying you need to find yourself again...... and mom seemed to understand that..... but now.... she's..... cold.... slipping further into the damn madness YOU were supposed to protect her from......"

Something was close by that gave zephyr the same feeling as one of the many shades her mother took care of back home, she knew she should shut her mouth considering there was no idea who exactly was listening in but at that moment she didn't care. Maybe she should have, this whole confrontation might come back to bit her in the a** at some point but she was to mad to care.

"right now I hate you......"

Her anger seethed out of her words as tears trickled down her face making it impossible for her to continue talking, she wanted to paint a picture for him of just how bad off her mother his wife was but at the moment she felt like all emotion drained out of her and she slumped back into her chair crying like a lost child.

Jay could not believe her eyes, there before her lay Skittles, the woman's beloved pet...After having his head smashed into the ground by the man she had only just met..North. What the ******** happened?! It was all a blurr, first she was teasing Darren...then before she even had time to think or speak Skittles had rushed the man between them.

Even worse, there was nothing she could do, it had all happened so fast, and the only thing to snap her back to reality were the cries of distress the Griffin made before blacking out. She grabbed a hold of Darren's left arm with a white knuckle grip, staring up at him with a desperate pleading expression, keeping her gaze locked onto his as she tried to blink away the tears.

Why was she so upset? Well out of everything she had in her life...Skittles was the one thing she would give her own life to protect, he was her only form of family. Sure Jay had friends, but none of them were as close to her as he was, she had raised the mythical beast from infancy...

Pulling away she would shove past North to kneel down next to the fallen beast, reaching out she would gather him into her arms and stand, a feat which would possibly confuse people...since he weighed more than her, but with her max lifting capacity at over several hundred pounds...Skittles was no more hard to pick up than a sack of potatoes.

"It's ok...I've got you."

She would whisper to him as he began to come around, a pained groan came from him as he rolled his head to rest it on her shoulder. Glancing back she would stare at North for a moment before walking away, determined to take Skittles to her room so her staff could tend to him. Ignoring the pain from her ribs as she moved.

Tres pointed dramatically with his left hand. "Asking? Heh...", he began walking towards the main lobby. "That's an order.", the psion finished. Generally being here in latent was sort of like a dream. They both spoke casually in a way that they hadn't been able to do since they woke up.

Despite the fact that the HARD TIMES were over, things certainly were not easy. The war had hardened Tres and at times the charismatic personality that made people hate or love him had gone. By saying that his suggestion was an order, he made a passing joke towards the reality of their situation back home.

Tres was thrust into the role of a general and overall, it didn't fit him.

After stepping out into the lobby the first person Tres saw was Ryke. A known red head hard a** and ally of the person Tres considered to be his biggest challenge in the tournament. The psion watched tape of everyone in the Heaven or Hell in his free time and while he found her fighting style questionable, he appreciated her spirit.

Venom Genryusai Wrote:

Shige could see the emotions in her eyes as she looked up at him after calling him father. she only referred to him as father when she was pissed, or when he told her that she couldn't do or have something. as she began to speak he closed his eyes and merely listened. he could explain some of what she wanted him to answer, and would have started to do so in a calm and rational manner, until she raised her voice at him. at that point his breath caught in his chest and his body stopped, became stiff as muscles tightened and bulged slightly throughout his body. the words that she spoke, that declaration of what he was doing to his wife hit him in a way that Zephyr knew it would. it pissed him off right back. more so than that it set his mind on a course of actions that couldn't be reversed.

Right hand reached out over the table and picked up a steak knife silently from one of the rolled up napkins of silverware. flipping the blade around in his hand so that it pointed down toward the ground as she finished speaking. in that moment his eyes opened, no longer the eyes that Zephyr would know. these eyes were not teal, but gold, devoid of the kindness that normally resided in the man. instead what was there was that killing cruelty that his family had only seen once or twice, usually when he set out to end someone's life for hurting those that were precious to him. a low growl seemed to roll off his tongue before any words could escape his lips.

"Because I CAN'T! don't you get it.. I've done nothing but failed! I'm not even myself!"

Sudden motion could not be stopped, knife was lifted in right hand and driven down into the back of his left, sticking between the knuckles of middle and index finger. a slight bit of blood flowed from the wound and Shige only gritted his teeth in response to the pain. it was going to be hard for Zephyr to witness, but he was going to show her something that he hated, a part of himself that he didn't wish the world to see. knife would be drawn back along the backside of his hand, cutting and tearing through flesh all the way down to the middle of his forearm. if one were to listen closely they might have heard the sound of metal on metal as the blade of the knife dragged across the bones in his hand and arm.

"I failed you and died.. I should be dead!!"

Knife was dropped with a subtle clatter to the table, blood flowing from the wounds as he then dug fingers from his right hand into that long cut, prying the flesh back with an agonizing grunt. he held back the urge to scream as the energy from those golden eyes coursed through him. as flesh and muscle were peeled away with a sickening sound he held out the arm to Zephyr so she could see what it was he revealed, his bones were covered in blood, but glinting silver; they themselves were metal now, replaced in their entirety from his toes to his skull. in his eyes he was no longer a person, but a machine. something given false life and held together by metal. it was something he despised with the entirety of his being.

"This is what they did to me.. all of me! my arms, legs.. even my skull and spine... they made me... I'm not your father.. I'm a machine!"

Crimson tipped finger withdrew from the opened wound only for the left hand to move and grip his right arm. an inhale was taken just before a tug was delivered to the arm. in that instance the ability of the arm to be able to detach at will was enabled. his pain receptors in that area deadened suddenly as the top of the arm came swinging down. in one fell swoop he detached the arm and sent it hurdling like a bat down at the table. the force delivered was as tremendous as he could muster in that moment, fueled by a self hatred the arm would be sent through the table, leaving an arm shaped hole in it and ruining it for the moment. no doubt he would have to pay for this action later.

"How can I face her as this!? HOW!? I'm nothing but a broken machine and failure.. we are broke, my endeavors have failed.. this!"

He waved his left arm back and gestured to the place they were in, and no doubt she knew why the masses had gathered in this place now. still it was this action that would help him explain and continue with his speech.

"This is my last hope.. my last chance to earn the money to continue supporting you, your mother and the rest of the family! I can't face you as a failure.. and I don't think your mother wants a broken machine..."

He stopped at that. his eyes faded to teal once again, but the glow was gone. his orbs had dulled down to a state that Zephyr would recognized as drained. with an outward sigh the male dropped to his knees in front of that table, a position that would put him at eye level with his daughter. blood pooled from his self inflicted wounds and dripped to the floor as he gazed at her. his own anger was gone, he couldn't muster it any longer than what he had. she didn't deserve that from him, no one did.

"Right now, I hate myself Zephyr..."

OOC Notes: Golden eyes and energy with it is a plot device. won't be used in matches/fights or brawls of any kind. it's a plot power.

-timeskip-

It was after the business on the rooftop of the Crimson Hawk, and after the prelims for the tournament. KB had been stuck with a couple of hefty bills and fines, things he couldn't afford. Seeing opportunity he'd pitched the tournament's organizers a prospect - his participation in fact! As a former competitor and something of a mainstream figure in business and politics his inclusion was natural.

The truth was... after the fiasco in Sigil and KB's capture news had spread of his activities. No one truly appreciated what he'd done in the sense that he did. Despite their constant pressure he knew what he'd done had been right. No amount of whining or misguided beliefs would convince him that he was simply insane, a sociopath and a monster.

Well, he was a monster, but he had good intentions. Most of the time.

Standing in the foyer of the hotel he swept his hand through his hair, brushing it back. Depression hung in the back of his mind. His team was against him this year, the board of directors for GRAPPLE had used emergency powers to displace him. The meager influence he held over the institutions and assets around him was based entirely off reputation. It was a mere shadow of his former power. He didn't feel sad though, he felt weak. Thinking back to his preliminary round with Fox the feeling cemented itself.

"Even that mere human was something of a challenge."

The vampire stared down at his gloved hands trying to envision the flow of power through them. Trying to imagine the pathways from his chest to his limbs that festered with the fell energy of the damned. The same touch that used to be able to rob people of their life only weakened them now. The same body that had been invincible was now only tough. The myriad of abilities at his disposal that could lay waste to entire armies had become phantoms he could not quite grasp, specters half forgotten that were maddeningly elusive.

"It's just like I thought... something is going on."

She sat in stunned silence as shige went on his rant the cutting of his flesh the pained words that were spilled and his self recrimination, the core of it all the day that he had tried to save her from...... from the insanity that was her biological fathers family. When he was done she sighed and shook her head a little bit staring at the broken table her foot nudging the artificial arm he had ripped off. Everyone was so happy they had saved her father, it seems everyone but him. Taking a deep breath she looked up at him tears still streaking her face though somewhat calmed now that she had gotten her piece out,

"No matter what Mio had done she couldn't have stopped you if you were meant to die, she doesn't have that power dad.... it nearly killed her to keep you alive. You were the one that didn't die.... you were the one that had the will power to keep going. All anyone else did was try to make sure you were whole once you woke up..... is it really all that different from the gigia's you used to use? Weren't they all artificial too?"

A deep sigh left her lips and she closed her eyes for a moment trying to let the stress wash out of her, it really didn't work though the crying had helped. Zephyr was tired more tired at that moment then she had ever been in her life, it was hard to keep her eyes open but she had to say one more thing something her mother had said to her at one point.

"Mom loves you for who you are inside...... not your body ...... not what your flesh is made of..... but what is in your heart and soul..... what your doing.... isn't just hurting you dad..."

She understood a little better what he was doing here, he felt like he had failed them though none of them thought it like that. The money was a shock when it ran out but it wasn't what was important, the fact that he almost died was hard on everyone.... but when he walked out without a word...... It nearly destroyed the whole family.

"I'm sorry..... you... I'm sorry this all happened..... your not a machine..... if you were I couldn't have pissed you off like that....."

She smiled sadly slumping further in her chair, she had gotten the reaction she had wanted from him but now she couldn't seem to figure out what to say or what she needed to say.

"I understand...... that this is important to you.... just... you have to go home sometime.... just don't let it be to late...."

Damn she was tired and honestly she had no where to sleep tonight and a long walk home, closing her eyes for a moment she leaned her head back against the chair. Maybe she could just sleep right here, no one would notice.....

Sokoya had always been known as a bit of a loose cannon. A wild child. A crazy b***h. Eating people, stealing stuff, breaking into homes, it was all stuff she did without a hint of hesitation or remorse. There were few people in the world whose opinions mattered to her, so her outfits and stylings were often erratic and out of fashion. She couldn't even claim to be a punk or hipster.

And yet, the girl would be left standing somewhat dumbfounded as she took in the scene at the Crimson Hawk. Standing there in the center of the lobby, the girl had her fingers clasped together on the back of her head, intertwined with some locks of silvery hair that'd apparently never seen a comb in their life. Blood colored eyes staring blankly at the wild antics of those inside. Slowly shifting her attention back and forth between various hotspots of activity.

"Ya'll ******** nuts."

She'd murmur under her breath and give a sigh. Letting her hands fall back down to her side, the girl would roll her shoulders a bit. She looked a bit of a ******** mess at the moment, having literally just walked back from her fight and changed clothes. That amounted to a wife beater with a seemingly still growing blood stain on the side and a pair of raggedy jeans. She wore a pair of Converse, but one of 'em didn't seem to have much in the way of a sole to it. Don't forget various smears of blood and mud about her. And yet...she still managed to have some sort of...exotic/ethereal vibe to her. Hard to put your finger on.

Whatever. Sighing to herself, the fighter would adjust her FIGHTER on her wrist as she made her way to the restaurant. She wasn't really sure why she was going there in the first place, as she had no intention of eating, but Soak didn't even know which room was hers to return to. Didn't matter, she'd find a bed to sleep in. Or a couch. Or a floor. Whatever. Not exactly paying attention to the others making a scene, the porcelain skinned girl would make her way to the small bar there and climb into a stool.

Glancing at the mirror on the opposing wall, Sokoya would take a moment to check out her face. Ferris had certainly gotten a good hit on her, as designated by the already blackening circle around her eye. Grinning wickedly, she was glad to see that she was going to be sporting a wicked shiner for the next couple days. Satisfied with her disheveled appearance, Soak would sit back in the stool and glance over her shoulder at the others making a ruckus. Other fighters no doubt.

She made a mental note to do a little digging on the competition. Always good to know what you're getting into. And, if her prelim match was any indication, it was a good idea to know who would be willing to actually go toe to toe with you. Made her wonder how long she'd been out of the game that she didn't even know who the big tournament fighters were any more. Just how many years had it been then? She was in her mid twenties now, not that teenager that'd first found her way to the Kami no Ashita though you couldn't tell it by looking at her. b***h still looked young.

"Can a girl get a drink or what?

Finally reaching her room Jay would walk in, her staff leaping up from their seats to stare in disbelief as she moved to lay skittles on the bed.

"Don't just stand there! Come and help me."

Jay was demanding at the best of times when it came to her staff, they were paid well enough though, so when she yelled they ran to her side. The bartender she had ******** knows why, leaned over and began to inspect the head wound, he in turn instructed the cleaner to find the first aid kit.

The woman crawled onto the bed to lift her pets head and rest it in her lap, gently petting the griffin as those golden eyes looked up at her for comfort.

"You will be ok Skit."

Slowly as she watched her staff tend to his wound, she would piece together what happened. Maybe there had been a misunderstanding between her pet and North, since he had not known who the griffin belonged to? How could he?

But no matter how it happened, Jay was very upset. It was probably a bad idea to have brought him along in the first place..

She felt shige pick her up and opened her eyes blinking rapidly, part of what he said she missed and frowned at that. As he slung her over his shoulder she shook her head closing her eyes her voice soft as she commented only on the last part that he said about the villa falling apart without him.

"It already is....."

For the moment she was safe, that was all that mattered. It made her feel like a small child again to have shige carrying her to bed and that made her smile. Wrapping one around around his neck she clung to him just like she had not so long ago,

"She won't answer........ because your in trouble....."

Already half asleep she yawned and succumbed to sleep as it took her, for the moment she really didn't care that she was supposed to be mad at shige it felt good to have her father some what back. That...... that was what mattered.

[!]The Crimson Hawk: Diner[!]

After the battle…

[]~0~[]

[!] ~”Wisdom is not the counting of all the drops in a waterfall…”~[!]

And Dithakar, the same monk who'd participated in the preliminaries not so very long ago, joined his team-mate at that table.

If his allies weren't used to his sudden appearances by now, they most certainly would be before the tournament had finished.

The old man looked much better now then he had immediately following his excursion into Ohia Forest. It was not in his nature to indulge in lavish things, so he had not bothered visiting his hotel accommodations; Instead, opting to return to his place in the Astral Realm.

The stint had done the elderly monk well, and he was fighting fit once again.

A combination of spiritual healing techniques, and planar time, that always seemed to do the trick. And yet, he was so very tired of 'living' this way. Dithakar had been pulled away from the Bhavacakra entirely..Denied passage on the single most fundamental aspect of Buddhist faith.

The Great Wheel of life, death, and rebirth.

Either way, the mendicant warrior was here now; Not necessarily looking at Mifune as he spoke.

"How did you fare?"

The question was simple enough, delivered in his uncommonly thick accent. But something wasn't quite right about the way he sat there, or even spoke.

He'd never been much for excessive talking, and his hardened physic always lent its self to a more rigid structure than most...even in times of peace.

But the Monk, usually so jovial, did not wear his usual smile.

His weathered face was a mask.

[!] ~”…It is understanding why the water seeks the earth.”~[!]

MifuneKinshin Wrote:

Tresondros Ecstuffuan Wrote:

With Tres's glistening white teeth and pearly light brown skin that shimmered oddly in the light, he looked princely and majestic as he shot a nod and a smirk at the red head.

Passing through the Hawk, Ryke did catch the odd glance from the familiar combatant, Tresondros - or Tres - son of another former fighter whose name she only knew but face was really before her time. Deciding not to be rude, she offered a half-wave in response and an awkward smile. He was likened to a peacock at the moment, all puffed and feathers spread like any egocentric creature would. Seemed like a nice kid though. So she couldn't fault him much.

To each their own right?

Right.

Moving on, she absent-mindly wandered until a familiar sound practically echoed through the entire hotel.

Dark Conspiracy Wrote:

“OH HONEY! I AM HOME!~”

Oh hell.

Suddenly, she took back all the things she had said before about missing that nutbar.

So much for peace and quiet.

"WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THAT?! Like she didn't scream about it every damned day while the punker had been sharing a flat with her...

As the crowd mixed and mingled, Bishop could merely be found outside of The Crimson Hawk. He was posted up with his back against a wall about 100ft from the entrance, he tightly rolled doobie hanging betwixt his lips. As he casually puffed on it, he was on the look out for the only hispanic in this tournment, and possbily in most if not all of Gaia. His Cuban brother, Scarface Pope.

In the meantime, he reflected on his match with Terrance. honestly, as hard as he tried not to, he underestimated his opponent. That made things much harder than they had to be. But as always Bishop felt like he was the top dog. The top contender. He wasn't arrogant, though he was incredibly head strong and determined. He felt nobody had the same drive as him for the same reason, which made him feel like a unique case. Besides, most fighters with no sort of orthodox fighting where always easy target....Not. This. Guy.

Regardless, he wouldn't make the mistake again. He had to remember quick where he was and how famous this tournament was. It was a contest of champions, and he was no champion....Neither were his team mate. They were just some lowly thugs for the most part...Her to chew bubble gum and kick a**...And they were all out of bubble gum.

A lacking dull brown stare would trail to the monk. Alleged monk. Either way the cue ball seemed rather down. Or maybe stoic? His question didn't seem to interest the Yojimbo. Or if it did, Mifune held a perfect poker face in the former mask worn. Nothing changed on his expression. In fact with a blink to match his '******** given', the swordsmen would turn his gaze back out over the 'locals' while he spoke.

"Well enough. Although I'd be asking that to Mana..."

It wasn't so much a snide comment as a genuine concern. While definitely handy, their striker mage concerned the ronin. To top it off, Mifune had only recently left the medical wing. So he hadn't heard anything about any of his team mates bouts. Before the monk and the swordsmen could really delve into the talk though, Shigekuni was apologizing and roping them into his social misbehavior... Wonderful. Why wait to say this in private where it belongs, here; Let's just ride your coat tails out... Inner epic face palm. Regardless, the Yojimbo was content to pretend he didn't know or care while he just stared onward at their team captain. Same utter lack of expression or readable emotion.

'Bakka...'

Regardless of all the embarrassment flying around regarding unknown circumstances within realms outside his business; The ronin would order a cheese burger, a coke, and a massive plate of fries. He worded the fries as such to the waitress, who lifted an eye brow in concern. Just how many fries did he expect? Would he get uppity if the fry count dwindled below this margin? Fries... Srsbnzz.

[!]The Crimson Hawk: Diner[!]

After the battle…

[]~0~[]

[!] ~”Wisdom is not the counting of all the drops in a waterfall…”~[!]

Of all the members of Team Fighting Spirit, who were...

By definition...

All rather strange; Dithakar found the Ronin before him to be a very hard man to predict, and even harder to speak with. Of course, Shige's outburst had not aided the old man's efforts. Neither did his invitation to return to their shared lodgings for answers, and...no doubt...the first in many team gatherings.

In any case, it was clear that Mifune had no intention of leaving at that very moment; And the elderly mendicant possessed an affinity for 'getting around' that almost anyone would envy.

"You do not feel comfortable with the mage."

It wasn't a question, more-so an observation; And despite Dithakar's own apprehensions regarding their inexperienced team-mate, he had seen the little one in battle.

Unorthodox, yes...But effective!

To his eyes, Mifune did not seem like much either. He was not a particularly sturdy looking man, his apathy bordered on listlessness, and his method of combat was far beyond anything that Dithakar had ever encountered.

But the power of his aura could not be denied.

[!] ~”…It is understanding why the water seeks the earth.”~[!]

MifuneKinshin Wrote:

-Pime Taradox Go-

With her ginger-red hair drawn back haphazardly and dressed looking like she ought to be under the hood of a car rather than on the scene of a swanky hotel - the three time tournament veteran maneuvered the crowd in the Crimson Hawk Lobby. She didn't part crowds like that Tres fellow had, or his lady friend, but it was nice to catch a few passing glances of recognition. Ebris was far more noteworthy, as was Athan but flying mostly under the radar was okay.

Fame was honestly overrated.

Izzy was around. Somewhere, likely stalking her teammate if anything. She knew the pirate princess would make her presence known again at some point during the evening, and they would likely wind up in the bar but for now, getting out and seeing other human life was probably a good thing.

On passing through, eyes just taking in a visual note of the faces that dotted the foyer and inner lobby, a vaguely familiar figure crossed her peripherals before slouching down comfortably into a nearby armchair. Was it the face, or was it the style of dress that caught her eye first? Either way, Ryke nearly walked right past Jay, nestled into the sofa with a similar look on her face.

What the hell was there to do right now?

"You."

The red-haired enginerr turned brawler stopped before Jay. "I've seen you here and there haven't I? Hanging around the Rave and some other places?" To be frank, she didn't know the gal's name. They'd never spoken either, at that. She did recognize her, if only faintly.

So she had a thing for faces.

Volatile was a good word for the lho smoking, chaos worshipping, cyberpunk Dzan.

Friend? Not so much.

Associate didn't really work, since they were more than just passing acquaintances and honestly, but didn't know one another on a deep level. Nor did they regularly hang out. However, they were on the same team for the tournament this year, so that was bound to change almost assuredly...

"Ehh, let's leave it at, somewhere between associate and friend, but yeah. Something like that."

While winding down and nursing her bruises and battle scars from the earlier preliminary round, the televisions in the team suite had already been tuned to the matches. Another reason why Jay seemed familiar was from the glimpses of her fight here and there that she caught between a shower and some puttering about the room. Which inspired another thought, and subsequent action.

She produced her right for Jay to shake, backed by a coy grin. "Zandra Ryke. Saw some of your fight. I like your style."

Wearing only that blue undershirt, and no gloves to hide the ink, her tattoos, were on full display. For the most part. Where Dzan was pierced and pissed off, sporting wild hairdos and vicious weapons - Ryke was calm, casual and modestly decorated. Almost complete opposites. Matter of fact, the whole team was rather mismatched, but that was the beauty of it!

Sins of an Angel Wrote:

"WHY DO YOU ALWAY-

Before Ryke was able to get another word in she was met with the unusual surprise of the most familiar feeling in the world. It was a Izzy hug. These were not your traditional embraces; in fact it was more like a vice wrapping around your torso trying to suck the very life out of you.

“OH ZANDY! HOW I MISSED YOU!” There was a charm in the punker’s voice that was almost positive that it smelt as though cigarettes and liquor had made a lovechild in her mouth. It even seemed that some of the plants in the halls seemed to be wilting a bit due to the combination that this woman had prepared.

And despite how awkward this may have made Ryke feeling, it was about to get worse. Happily like a kitten Izette’s face rubbed against her chest as though it were a pillow. And seeing that Ryke was in fact taller than her punker friend (depending on the shoes she was wearing) it was perfectly at cleavage level.

“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!” Her voiced chirped over the sounds of many, which quickly seemed to catch the attention of the waiting press. Almost instantly cameras were pointed directly at them with with their flashers going to catch this tender moment. Sure it was a bit proactive, but a rebounding moment between a participant and an ex-participant reviving their kindling bond; how was this NOT top news? At least it would have a wonderful place in the Gaian Tabloids... and probably putting some new raunchy comments alongside it.

But the punker didn’t care! She had her Zandy back and nothing could make her happier….

Except for an Ebris.

Jay was flattered, since all in all she had barely made it through the match. Proud of course of the fact she drew blood on her opponent, but still sore about being choked out...Again. It was like a recurring nightmare. Luckily this time she had been given a happy ending.

A sly smirk graced her lips as she thought about the cyborg known as Darren. For some reason she found herself more attracted to him that what she considered normal.

Turning her attention back to Ryke she would let her smile soften, eyes flicking from one decorative tat to another.

"Thank you, the names Jay. Jay Borne." It was as if she was about to strike some kind of James Bond pose with the way she said her name. Instead she would simply take the offered hand and give it a firm shake.

"I wish I could say I saw your fight, I was a little preoccupied. Have to say it is nice to meet another female competitor. I am the only one on my team sadly, hell I don't even know where the boys have gotten to."

Thinking about it she realised that none of them had even sent her a message or anything....

OH ZANDY...

Jay stared with a rather amused expression as someone came out of the crowd and grabbed a hold of Ryke.

It was too cute, like seriously. Jay twitched and shifted as she tried to stop herself from laughing...To no avail, especially when camera flashes began to blind her, she figured the two would make the front page of the local paper.

And Jay had no intention of being in the photo...So with her natural ability to blend in and move through a crowd she would slip off her chair.

Giggling away to herself as she slowly began to walk towards the doors that would lead out into the city.

[!]The Crimson Hawk: Diner[!]

After the battle…

[]~0~[]

[!] ~”Wisdom is not the counting of all the drops in a waterfall…”~[!]

Dithakar took one of his characteristic 'moments' of motionless quiet, and reflected upon the question.

That was, after all, the primary topic that his team-mate had brought to bear. But the elderly monk did not consider it a question of his own prowess, as such thoughts were prideful...Arrogant.

That road had led him to enough punishment already.

"He is a child."

It was as close to 'undisciplined' as Dithakar would go. True enough, his opponent had lacked skill; But so too had many of them, once upon a time. That absence did not make them any less effective in combat, either.

Or any less dangerous should you choose to underestimate them.

"And he is not alone..."

He scanned the crowd then, his piercing blue eyes seemed as sapphire flames amidst the tan of his skin. To him, that gaze went far beyond this room to encompass the lot of them.

Not actually, even he could not see with such clarity.

But he could visualized them.

[!] ~”…It is understanding why the water seeks the earth.”~[!]

MifuneKinshin Wrote:

Antique Queen Wrote:

Wordlessly, Rell looked over her shoulder as she turned, an idle smirk decided to take residence of her facial features now. He knew this look. Walking towards the doors, she clicked the button.

"They have Omi's hair." She said softly, adjusting the bag. "Though you don't know what that looks like, do you?"

ding

The Abhorsen stepped inside, waiting for her brother to step in before hitting the button again, top floor suites. Her question wasn't meant as a dig at him, it was an honest question that he'd no doubt pick up on the tone of.

"He might be coming back soon, perhaps you'll finally get to meet him."

In no time at all, they arrived at the top floor, Rell and Omi's room was the first door for convenience. Knocking twice just in case, Rell pulled out her key card and slipped it. The door clicked, she pushed it open. Inside smelled fresh as Rell had left the large windows open to allow the last bastion of late summer air through the room before the lovely autumn took hold. The room was extremely spacious and extravagant, but what did you expect from a wealthy warlord. Nothing but the finest everything for his lover and children.

The children themselves were in their cribs in the living room. It seems Iona was peering out from behind the smooth oak planks while Jonathan remained asleep.

Oriel walked into the room behind his sister and his eyes buzzed straight forward to lock eyes with the little girl in her crib. Gold eyes, slightly paler than his own, her ears a bit too big for her head. He moved across the room slowly, glancing back to Rell as he got to the crib. "...Can I?" He gestured down, unsure if he could lift her out of the bed.

The ronin had always been quiet. It often lead to unsettled dispositions of his weaker employers. In other words, those who feared him and yet hired him, often grew to despise the way he seemed so pompous. Over all Mifune never intended to come off this way. His thoughts were always sunk so deep in the sea of his mind he normally didn't even realize he was scowl staring. Even so, for now he managed to maintain something of a stoic expression. Which was his 'pleasant face'. Gaze found itself drawn to the sound of nearing foot steps though. The Heavenly aroma of a platter of food formed analogous hands from the scent that tried to unfasten his pants. The waitress would bring Mifune a rather exquisite diner style burger, along with a whole extra plate of fries. Along with this a large Coke on Ice was set down. To say the least, she decided to over compensate in the fry department and error on the side of caution. One way or another the ronin would have been happy with food, however a frown settled on his face when he realized Dithkar was excusing himself. Before the monk could vanish into the crowd though, the swordsmen would waggle a fry at his team mate and offer up-

"Thank you. You should join me for one some time..."

An open invitation. However 'Cueball' was gone before the ronin could even pop the fry into his mouth. Which suited the Yojimbo just fine, because the touch of food to a needy pallet drew out THE BEAST!~ Ok not really, but he would tear into that burger and plate of fries like someone might steal them if he didn't... Onlookers would be ignored, those unlucky enough to catch the light brown scowl in direct line of sight were stabbed through the facial region with eye daggers. This was a seriously dire Carl's Junior moment.

Shige had arrived in the room for his team shortly after speaking to two of his team members that were in the restaurant during his outburst. within that room he had taken his daughter and placed her upon the bed that was to be his, letting her sleep and rest from her journey to find him. he knew that it must have been a hard road for her to walk, coming and finding him all on her own to deal with things that should not have had to be dealt with by her. once he had her resting the ex-shinigami made his way out to the main area of their room and placed himself upon the floor.

During the time after he had called for the medical staff to come and tend to his self inflicted injuries, closing the bleeding wound on his left arm up enough that it would leave a temporary scar for a while, but his arm functionality would not change. when the healers had left the male reached into the bag at his right hip and pulled out a bottle of sake, the intricate bottle was something he spent time making, its effect kept the liquid inside at a near boiling hot temperature. placing the bottle on the coffee table he sat in front of his hand went back into the bag, rummaging further.

After a few moments had passed the table was filled with various things, a set of sake cups that he carried with him for his own personal blend, a wooden case containing vials of various colors liquids. some were healing items that he wouldn't be using, deciding to not take the chance of being cast out of the tournament for using something he didn't bother to put on his registration form. instead he would rely on the healers that the tournament provided, though they would be watched carefully while they worked on him or his team when he could be there to witness the process.

With his stuff on the table, and his body comfortably seated on the floor he would wait, meditating while he did so. he knew that at least one of his team would arrive back soon enough and he wanted to be around when they did.

Slash Zinrai Wrote:

Darkest Silver Wrote:

As Bishop lingered outside smoking his spliff, he would notice Jay exitting the Crimson Hawk. He had yet to lay eyes on Pope, and well, he had heard that Billy Hayes got a chance to finish his bout with some broad from another team. With a coy smirk, Bishop whistled in a high pitch and with much volume.

"AYE GURL!"

He called out to her, too lazy to speed walk or run. His bloodshot hazel eyes were closed like Asian Persuasion. He was high as a kite. Pinching the cherry out on his joint, he tossed the remaining roach in his mouth as always and swallowed it. Though that made him realize how much cotton mouth was beginning to effect him. Pulling a pack from his pocket, he proceeded to place a Kool True Menthol 100 between hip lips, igniting the end with no hesitation. After and reassuring drag and a deep inhale, he spoke as he released the carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.

"So how'd ya' do?"

He knew she went and got knocked out. Though in this tournament, literal winning and losing didn't matter on it's own. It helped to win, but the point system set forth for scoring fighters made it to where you mostly had to put on a good show. As for Pope, he had no idea what had happened...Had no idea where his brother was at the moment. Though in the case of his fight, The time limit was reached before a conclusion was made by either fighter. So he was sure it'd be something like one loss, two incomplete bouts, and the last was a question mark altogether.

The Female of the Species Wrote:

"An Old Fashioned, please."

Sokoya would find she now had a drinking partner besides the scar-faced gentleman sitting down the bar from her. Heavily, Fasumbra Langardo practically fell into a seat beside the silver haired man-eater. Fas had left behind his armor of course, and was now in casual attire. Well, as casual as his clothing ever was. The silk button-up shirt he wore was checkered in grey-scale, varying shades criss-crossing each other in their pattern. He wore a simple pair of jeans, kept to their dark-blue color rather than being stone-washed or torn as was the trend. Fasumbra wasn't the type to wear such things.

"Hello Sokoya."

The half-elf did his best to sound cheerful, but there was something... missing. Fas sounded drawn, as though he had already been on an alcohol-fueled bender for several days and was in the unpleasant state between constant intoxication and reaching sobriety. He made an effort to turn and smile at her, and perhaps now Sokoya would see the difference in his eyes.

The smoldering glow was gone, the flickering light of Mana absent. His aura remained, and no doubt someone of Sokoya's talents could still catch a whiff of it, but he overall appeared to have lost something.

"I understand you met up with our former comrade in arms on the battlefield. How did things go?"

Fasumbra was still being casual with her, but he was slumping ever so slightly as he spoke. One could make the case that he was merely leaning on the bar like anyone would, but Fasumbra wasn't just anyone.

In any case, the bartender was a professional and swiftly delivered the Old Fashioned in a lowball glass, as the cocktail gods intended. Fasumbra wrapped a large hand around it and brought it to his lips, taking a swallow and savoring it for a moment before nodding in satisfaction to the bartender.

The question hung in the air, along with dozens of unspoken ones.

"Fair enough...I wonder how the hell you would fight in a suit like that, wouldn't it get too hot."

Jay was always curious, and hearing about someone who had more metal than her Cyborg worried her. Then again there were bound to be even tougher opponents than that in the next round, but right now all she could think of was if she had scored well enough to help her team get through.

Well that and shopping....

"I was just going to get a few things in town. A new dress, since my one got ripped off."

Come to think of it, she needed an outfit for the opening ceremony, ******** she hadn't even thought about it until now. There was no way Jay was going to turn up in anything less than amazing. Since she really had no other reason to get all dolled up any more.

Well no one to do so for anyway.

Now this led her to a whole new train of thought...who the hell was she going to go with? Someone on her team? Or maybe she could ask Darren?....Either that of find a complete random, or even take one of her staff.

They would be so lucky..

ImNoHero Wrote:

It had been awhile since Jay departed from North, and Darren's company. About time the Cyborg sought her out once more, he not only had a question to ask her, he also enjoyed being around her all together. Wasn't often that he felt this way about a woman, or anyone for that matter, their sex didn't really mean anything. Jay was different, maybe there was something going on between them far greater than he originally thought, a one night stand turning into a relationship? That wasn't all that surprising. North knew something was going on, Darren could tell just by the way his Sensei looked at him, the facial expression that consumed him upon staring at the two of them together.

Jay was his.

After he had paid the bill, he slid a copy of his key-card to North so he had a place to sleep tonight, and went searching. It didn't take him very long to find her, which was a relief, something told him she hadn't saw him yet, though. Which was perfect. Slowly but surely he made his way through the crowd of people, blending in a little too good, getting close to her without a problem. Without her knowledge of him even being there.

!

Bishop was with her, and by the look of it he was... touching her? Darren was quick to sneak up behind Jay, his human arm draping over her shoulder, robotic arm sneaking up her skirt. Only to stop at some point, cold, metal hand resting on her pale skin. Kissing into her neck, he'd stare up at Bishop, a sadistic smile appearing in due time. "If I were you, I'd choose my next move very carefully, Bishop." Darren's smile only grew larger, and his gaze wouldn't fall from the "thug" in front of him.

[!]The Crimson Hawk: Hotel[!]

After the battle…

[]~0~[]

[!] ~”Wisdom is not the counting of all the drops in a waterfall…”~[!]

Few people bothered to pay the old man any mind as he passed from one area, to the next.

It was too early in the contest for the competitors, who were not previous winners or natural celebrities, to garner any serious attention. Honestly, Dithakar preferred it that way.

His muscles tensed, and relaxed...tensed, and relaxed...as he walked the long corridors of the Crimson Hawk's hotel section. This place made him feel trapped, and he yearned for the freedom of the woods then. The scent of rain on the wind, and the textures of mud and bark. Perhaps it was just restlessness, a side-effect of his heightened sense of the world.

But it was far more likely that the aged warrior was simply tired.

Ready to test these people, and...with any luck...find one worthy of possessing the Yoshiryuu; Who's tireless hunger for evil had held the elderly monk hostage for centuries, unmeasured. If such a person could not be found...His equal, or better...

Then Dithakar would have to be a bit more creative should he wish to escape this awful fate, and return to his rightful place among the Bhavacakra.

He was at the door to his team's shared lodgings, finally; And allowed his mind to find some ease. The mendicant fighter could not afford to overreach here, and every aspect of his concerns had their time.

Just as this was to be Shige's, his captain's, time.

He raised his balled right fist to the portal, and rapped loudly...thrice...upon it's hardened surface with his knuckles.

And waited...

[!] ~”…It is understanding why the water seeks the earth.”~[!]

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

Her clinching his wrist didn't bother him at all. He was not moved. Same with Darren's actions of raising his leg and pissing this particular tree. That was fine. Bishop wasn't into Jay. Though they were akin to kin with their strong friendship. Being the first lady of TRS, she had to be special in his eyes. And as a goon of TRS she was definitely Bishop's. Though not in the way she was Darrens. Before speaking he took his card and remained clinching her jaw as he stare Darren in the eyes. He showed no fear and a scent of sore loser about him.

"No offense to my home girl here, But I don't wancha' sloppy seconds. Jus' remember you two might end one day. But me and her is forev'a b*h n*a'.

Once he was finished saying his words, he let go of Jay. Facing them, he walk backwards as his hand came before him and formed the shape of a star in front of himself. He had no more words to speak. And even if he didn't get that the star was a was a gang sign or even a hint to his Communist mind influenced by America. As his hands parted his face was obviously more so calmed though he was still a bit angry. Mostly cause he hadn't hit anything. Though he had a pretty good handle on it without meds, Bishop still suffered from Intermittent Explosive disorder. Which was like bi-polar disorder. Though in this case the anger was only sated by one thing. Violence.

If Darren left him be, Bishop would wander back towards the Crimson Hawk. Though if Darren pushed his buttons and hit the wrong one. Bishop would no doubt go at him. He was still sour from Darren putting him down and out. And that combined with challenging his dominance made it very hard to resist eating his face as if he had just ingested bath salts. Though his respect for Jay is what made him try in the least of ways to be civil.

Too tempting.

Far too tempting.

Luckily for Bishop, the Cyborg was all too familiar with the Tournament, and the many rule(s) that came with it. No fighting outside of a match, or risk being disqualified, so he couldn't intervene without getting in trouble. Instead he stood there, continuously staring at the man, that psychotic smile wouldn't fall until he spoke up. Which instantly morphed into a display of humor as Bishop began to walk away from the situation. Another kiss would be firmly planted on Jay's next, nibbling gently as he watched the man fade away into the crowd, displaying some ridiculous hand symbol as he did so.

'And just remember I would have beaten you to death hadn't this 'b***h' saved you.'

This wouldn't be said, but surely thought, and his attention finally turned to Jay. "What was that about, exactly?" Was asked as he adjusted himself, his human arm slowly lowering until it graced her stomach, patting it gently. Pulling her into him even more at some point, welcoming her into his embrace, holding her there until she wanted to move elsewhere.

[!]The Crimson Hawk: Hotel[!]

After the battle…

[]~0~[]

[!] ~”Wisdom is not the counting of all the drops in a waterfall…”~[!]

Without a word, he smiled at his team-mate and entered the room; Carefully securing the door behind him as he moved to join Shigekuni at the table.

Dithakar was quick to wave the sake away, but left it unmolested where it sat. The aged monk did not require sustenance in any form, and would've avoided the alcoholic beverage even if he did.

He did not, however, worry about having offended the other fighter. After all, Shige knew what Dithakar was...Why he wore the cut of cloth that he did, why he kept his head shaven...

Faith was not something that everyone shared, but it's signs were often well known.

The elderly mendicant afforded his captain a nod of agreement, and placed both hands in his lap as he folded his legs together. Clearing his throat a bit before his words, thick with that unusual accent, slipped out and into the room.

"And have you seen Mana since before the Preliminaries?"

His absence was not so uncommon for the smallish neko, but it still bothered Dithakar's sensibilities to have one of their members out in the wind as he was. Especially knowing how inexperienced, and unused, to these surroundings the spellcaster was.

[!] ~”…It is understanding why the water seeks the earth.”~[!]

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

Slash Zinrai Wrote:

Shige let another simple grin cross his lips before it faded back down below his neutral expression. he figured the monk would wave away the sake, but he would never go without offering sake or smoke to those he considered friends. Dithakar and himself had become acquainted fairly quickly after their initial meeting in Latent where he made the pact with the man to be team mates for this tournament. he studied and got to know the customs of the monk, just because other ways of living were always of interest to him. he understood the matters of religion and faith, but such things didn't hold the same power to him. shinigami literally meant death god, and where he came from, there were no such things as gods, so religion was something often unpracticed.

"I have not... I don't know where he ran off to.. or if he got lost on the way back from the forest.. I've got a couple people out looking for him, not that I can truly afford to pay them.. but I can manage enough to locate the young mage"

Truth be told he shared a lot with Dithakar, more than just similar ethnic qualities. he shared age with the man, and wisdom that came with living, or existing for so long. he felt that was one of the reasons the two had gotten along so well in the beginning. right hand moved to grab the bottle of sake and fill his cup back up, placing the bottle back down after he had done so. cup was not taken though, just left on the table to allow the liquid a chance at cooling just a hair; burning his throat while he tried to talk didn't work out so well, no matter how much he enjoyed the burn.

"I'm sure he'll be found though.. I'm going to try and teach him a bit as we go along.. even if my magics no longer work.. I can still teach the methods and mechanics of them.... and.. I wanted to apologize once again that you had to see what occurred down in the restaurant.. I'll explain if you wish."

Shige had a hard time with explaining his wrongs at times, slipping in the intent there in other conversation made it easier for him however. the entire thing could have been missed or skipped over by his friend, but he did offer to explain if need be. if there was anything that stood out about Shige when it came to matters of friends and situations, it was that he always offered to explain himself and settle the waters as it were.

Enough of this.... sitting at the bar trying to drink herself into a few hours of oblivion was obviously not going to work... time to find a.... a place to sleep or at least close her eyes and pretend to sleep.

She slipped off her stool and headed back towards the elevators, her eyes on the floor and her mind very far away.

"I kind of assumed that, seeing as you gave his card back, but why the aggression?" Good question; after all, they were extremely close to one another. Almost like kin, so what exactly was the point in attacking one another, maybe they weren't as close as they thought. They simply shared a common interest, whether it be money, and or power in Bishop's case. "Money isn't really a problem, did you have somewhere in mind, I feel obligated due to ruining your last one." Yes, he was offering to buy her another dress, but he wasn't offering to buy her just any dress. Darren was offering to buy her the dress she may have always wanted.

Removing the hand from her hip, it reached for his back pocket, fiddling around a tad bit before fishing the hand back out. Between his index, and middle finger was a card. Silver in color, with his name printed across it, a light smile appeared on his face as the hand extended toward her chest. Sliding the card into her top, it would rest safely in her cleavage, and then his gazed slowly returned to her face. "I guess I'm going shopping." Came out with a minor chuckle, and the roll of his eyes.

"To be honest that...that was tame, it could of been worse."

Blushing a little she mentally reminded herself that she needed to pay Bishop back, well she worked two jobs as it was...And had a few deals going down that would hopefully line her pockets and allow her to stop working all together.

Watching Darren slip his card down her top she was a little wary, wanting to give it back almost right away, but the way he did it and his reasoning made that impossible.

"You don't have to...but there is a shop I saw on the bus in, it has a dress on sale. I figured it would look nice. Besides it is only down the road."

The dress she was thinking about was stunning, but very cheap...She even had the perfect shoes to match. However instead of going overboard like she usually would, the woman decided to stick to just that one dress...Nothing else.

Jay would then plant another kiss on his lips before stepping back, slipping out of his grasp, but she would pull his human arm around her shoulders as she started to walk.

"So.... I keep hearing about some kind of ball or some s**t...I figured...I would ask.."

Stuttering a little as she began to blush a deeper shade of pink...what the hell was wrong with her, she was being bashful while trying to ask a simple question.

Turning to glance up at Darren she finally managed to force the words out.

"Are you going? With anyone?"

"Oh...Really? She is a lucky girl then isn't she."

Winking at her companion as she spoke, since she did get it...And it caused butterflies to form in her stomach. She had a date for the ball, and for a lot of other things too from the looks of things. She found herself looking up at him with a sly smirk, he was hinting at something...And she knew what it was, funnily enough she had the same thing in mind.

"I think we should have a night in, order some room service..A bottle of wine..."

Humming and leaning into Darren's side as her fingers intertwined with the metal digits, resting her head against his shoulder. They reached the shop and there Jay could not help but gasp in awe at how beautiful the dress was, the silver sparkling material was even more amazing up close.

Walking in she would wave the attendant over and ask for the dress in the shop window.

He would look at her with a raised eyebrow, the bruised battered appearance mixed with combat boots made her seem a little rugged for something so glamorous. But Jay certainly knew that she would look great in it, so with a raised eyebrow in return she would smile and nuzzle into Darren's neck. The attendant scoffed and packed the dress.

Done and done.

"Lets go."

Jay was proud of him, and even more so that he seemed to enjoy showing his attachment to her. Dragging him out of the shop and back to the Crimson Hawk, bag in one hand, while the other was still holding his.

If he could see her face he would laugh at the playful grin she wore which was only made better with the lustful glint in her eye.

[!]The Crimson Hawk: Hotel[!]

After the battle…

[]~0~[]

[!] ~”Wisdom is not the counting of all the drops in a waterfall…”~[!]

The monk shook his head this time, holding up his uncurled palm to Shige as he asked that question.

"That is unnecessary."

It wasn't that Dithakar didn't care, or found the topic offensive, it was merely beyond the scope of his influence. He had not right delving into the business of another, and did not care to start.

"Your motivations are not my concern, Captain..."

There would be a moment between them, a passing of shared silence as it were. The elderly fighter would look upon his leader with those strangely bright blue eyes, and gladly match any gaze the other might return.

That same, genuine smile, ever present between the shadow of his beard.

[!] ~”…It is understanding why the water seeks the earth.”~[!]

Shigekuni Genryusai Wrote:

[Crimson Hawk - Top Floor]

The silky surfaced floor sunk in beneath thundering footsteps. An air of self-importance surrounded them, though not entirely without merit. Still, the man those metallic boots were attached to almost rocked back and forth at the shoulder span with his steps, all at once dominant and intimidating yet a hair off-kilter.

A gentleman's glove slashed the plastic security card down the metal door scanner, giving a confirmation light -- green for good access as it slid open at once. And there, hunched over just a tad in his odd swagger, was a familiar face to Latent at large indeed.

"Back." Short of words and gruff, not characteristic of the infamous [Omi Barsait]. A rich, blood red cloak with golden tapestry and dark core shirt ushered behind him with each step.

The air around Latent had changed. No longer a simple port town, now it was a hub for tourists worlds over, seeking to roll some dice on who'd get their skulls cracked open sooner rather than later. It had a hint of grime over an otherwise pure atmosphere.. more importantly to Omi, rolling his shoulders to rid them of tension -- it was just damned crowded. Couldn't enter the market without bumping into five asses, and none to his pleasure. One fellow even had the gall to attempt a mugging on his person---

SWISH

..which explained his slightly cross disposition. The town was hustling and it already had him on edge a little; that was the wrong "push" he needed as an excuse to ram his fist across a b*****d's skull. The adrenaline was still pumping through him, as were the "relax, keep your calm" motivators he kept needing to reassure himself with in his head.

A reprieve with his lovely fiance and newborn children, that's what he needed. To forget fanciful and obnoxious matters of state and lordship, or even his new obligations to a certain foundation.

...yet, a second habit of his displayed: when intending on relaxing, Omi did so full motion. His head was hooked back over the leather couch's soft indentation, eyes shut and not even noticing they had a guest. He needed a good afternoon to sink into the abyss of simple thoughts and low ambitions; perhaps instead, some ice cream. Omi began to formulate a plan to lazily obtain ice cream.

Slash Zinrai Wrote:

Shige understood Dithakar's way of thinking, so he wasn't put off by the fact that the man didn't wish to hear about the personal situation that had occurred. all in all it was just Shige being himself. to those he considered friends he would explain just about anything, or delve into almost any subject regarding his life and the current ongoings of it. besides that he wanted to ensure his team that despite what they saw, or may have thought due to that, he was ready to fight and compete in this tournament, he would not be swayed or deterred from this.

"understood. I would explain simply to ensure there is no misunderstanding between us is all. no hidden discontent among this team."

With that said he would return a smile to the elderly monk, his eyes meeting Dithakar's own with the fierce captain's gaze that the ex-shinigami still held at times. when it came down to it he was a leader, not a follower and as such he knew what it meant to lead men into battle. taking a sip from his sake the male placed the cup back down and breathed in, inhaling the fresh air from outside that flowed into the room. the crisp night was upon them and it felt good against his skin. turning his gaze to look out into the city skyline from the main room of their quarters he let out his breath in the form of a light sigh.

"I've been going over my own prelim in my head.. I got injured a bit.. but I think I did fairly well. I've been meaning to try and catch the rest of yours on the TV, but I'd much rather hear your personal view on how you did.. I've also got some ideas for strategies.."

Really the male was just trying to make some more conversation. when it came to battle and how to do it he was confident, when it came to speech and talking, he seemed to always be the quiet listener. even so this helped him understand those around him a lot easier than others. whatever way the conversation steered now was entirely up to Dithakar.