Kazamaru Ironworks

[MagnusXL]

With a curt nod, she let Ryugi go about his business, empathizing with him and his wife. As such, she turned her attention to John.

Tomorrow

John stood, grinning at the overt display of respect and bowing his head to her in return as he gripped her wrist in a warriors handshake, engulfing the poor woman's hand much like Ryugi's. "Well met, Alexa. I'm John Tomorrow." The name probably meant nothing to the woman, and his warm smile took less credit from the barbarian reputation John had...

The woman made no noticeable reaction to either Tomorrow's gargantuan hand or his name, clearly not being able to recall having met him before. As expected of an unwilling Planeswalker.

Tomorrow

"Nice armour, aren't you hot?"

Alexa afforded the man a faint smile, followed by a short shake of her head. As she spoke, she made her way to sit on the opposite end of the couch of Tomorrow.

"Not really. Normally it isn't a bother at all, though verily I must admit that the climate here isn't very co-operative with me. However, I've learned to cope."

Those with high magical senses would know what she meant. Alexa was subconsciously pulling in arcane energy in very small quantities, using her sword as a catalyst. This energy was then distributed evenly throughout her body in the form of cooling 'ice' magic, effectively affording her a form of air conditioning under the armor.

Those with truly exceptinal magical senses might catch something else; it seemed that all of her abilities were channeled through her sword. Alexa lacked the means to draw in mana herself naturally, quite possibly making her the least powerful being in the entire building by far... for the moment.

Tomorrow

"You have an interesting accent - is it germanic?"

Alexa would have to admit, that terminology had her a bit confused. However, realizing that it must reference a people or nationality she knew nothing about, it didn't show in her expression.

"Ah, no. I'm not exactly from this region. I hail from Favia, a country I have no doubt you've never heard of from a region you certainly don't know exists."

There was a certain edge of bitterness during that last bit, but it clearly wasn't directed at Tomorrow. The author would like to note that Tomorrow wasn't too far off the money, as Alexa's accent could be described almost like an odd mixture of Swedish and Welsh. She didn't speak entirely colloquial "Common", explaining some of her odd vocal mannerisms. The author would also like to note that she doesn't speak a different language entirely because he's faaaaaar too lazy to play it out and simply 'doesn't feel like it'.

However, the Thunder God wasn't given much time to dwell on it as Ryudo, a rather cheery individual and quite possibly the only person she's ever met that's actually managed to make her look perky by comparison, entered the room to serve some much desired tea. With a simple nod, she acknowledged his presence.

"Good evening, Ryudo."

Alexa had only met the Shadow Dragon on a couple of occasions, but she made a point to remember his name (following an embarrassing introduction where she assumed he was Ryugi's pupil). Regardless, she didn't hide the fact that she didn't like him. It wasn't his personality that got to him; she could respect him as a person. The natural xenophobe distrusted Ryudo for the power he wielded, not his merit of character.

"We're much obliged, thank you."

That said, there was no reason for her to be rude, especially on a day like today. Alexa delicately took her cup of tea from the table, supporting the bottom of the cup with her left hand.  

[Maximos]

"I thought so. I'll get the sweetener." Maximos gave Ryudo a proper nod, he smiled, but when the Shadow Dragon left to bring the tea out Maximos lingered for a moment in the kitchen with Raven.

"I dont think he understood I wasnt asking for help with his brother." Max said softly with a sigh, draping his arm over Raven's shoulder as best he could, height considered.

"What are we conspiring to do to Ryugi~Sama now Maxi dear?" Max looked down at her with a smirk to match her smile. " Sadly, I dont think our new Dragon Daddy will be able to vacation with us dearest. Aria isnt a place for children...at least not after we get there."

Before Raven could say a word, Max pressed a pale finger to her lips and said. "Shhh. Thats a secret."

And with a small laugh, Max would begin making his way back to the living room, hopefully with Raven beside him unless she had other business in the kitchen.

"Ah ha! You see that!" Max said, just about the moment he exited the kitchen, leaning down and pointing at Tomorrow as if gesturing for Raven's benefit. "Your gone for a minute and he's fraternizing with another woman!"  

[Ryugi Kazamaru]

Ryugi simply sat on the couch, enjoying the sight of some of his closest friends sitting there together. Old ones, new ones, all gathered in celebration of a new beginning. It only made him smile. He was proud to open his home to these people, some of whom he'd known for years, others that he'd only known recently. But they were all a part of his life here in the Lands of Man, and he could think of no one else he'd rather share this moment with. Being that as it was, he was simply content to relax and watch the goings on, moving to allow room for others to sit.

Ryudo was not much for hand shaking, but he did not want to seem rude to this man that his brother had welcomed with open arms. Regardless, he was not about to allow himself to be shaken like a rag doll as his brother had been. It was unbecoming. Handshakes are not my way, Mr. Tomorrow. Regardless, I am Ryudo Kazamaru, Ryugi's older brother. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. The tea was placed on the table, and Ryudo made cups available for each person there, including Maximos and Hono, even though they were not yet at the table. Ryudo would nod in Alexa's direction in greeting, before he slowly poured tea into each cup.

That done, he would take a seat in the corner, levitate his own cup to his seat, and take a sip, leaving the others to add whatever flavors they might have wanted to the brew. Sugar, honey, milk, cream, lemon, and other such things were laid out for the guests to choose from. Quite an assortment. It was quite clear that the hosts had planned for the tea in advance.  

[Tomorrow]

Ammiel Moonblade

"Ah, no. I'm not exactly from this region. I hail from Favia, a country I have no doubt you've never heard of from a region you certainly don't know exists."

"Then you will have to tell me - I like hearing of new places, especially from new people!" John said with a hearty smile, before Ryudo brought out the tea, and John stood to shake his hand.

Ryugi Kazamaru

Handshakes are not my way, Mr. Tomorrow. Regardless, I am Ryudo Kazamaru, Ryugi's older brother. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.

With a small, half forced smile John lowered the hand. A bit of a cold fish, eh? Typical, what with Ryugi being so nice and all... "Well, irregardless, well met Ryudo. The pleasure is all mine..." There was no malice or sarcasm in his tone, even though he kinda wanted to crack a joke about who came out first, Ryudo or Ryugi, and if their parents named them alphabetically, but he decided not to, as that would be kinda rude considering the company he was in...

Maximos

"Ah ha! You see that! Your gone for a minute and he's fraternizing with another woman!"

"b*****d!" John roared with mirth and excitement, navigating the coffee-table and trying not to trip on feet to approach Maximos to give him a big, lift-you-off-your-feet hug. "Are you trying to get me killed?!" He asked as he squeezed the shadowmaster, whispering into his ear as he did. "Good to see you brother..." He would not hold him up there for long, placing him down to allow him to breath and clapping his hand on his shoulder. "I've promised Hono'o that this will be a time of song and stories, just like the old times of celebration - you dont mind if i tell a few, do you?"

There was something twistedly evil in the wink and the smile John gave Maximos, even though there was no malice or hatred in it.  

[Maximos]

Did one ever really get used to being hoisted off their feet by a bear of a human being and squeezed? The awkward look on Maximos' face as he began fixing his clothes before they entered into the unspeakable state of being disheveled, said no. But he was no less friendly or the act, the Shadow grinned an ear to ear grin and clapped his hand on Tomorrow's shoulder in reply. Max imagined it was something like the feeling parents get when holding a child's hand, and engulfing the entire thing. Max's hand was a pale spider on John's shoulder, John's hand was on the verge of being better classified as a bear paw, and covered the whole of his shoulder joint and collar.

"Always!" Maximos cheerfully replied, as if attempts at John's life were as common as hot dog stands on the corner. It was all in jest of course, and laughing lightly Max added, " 'Always a pleasure to see you too, Tomm."

Now came talk of this promise offered to Raven, which made this birth sound like a post-war viking feast. That look in John's eye, and a wink...it was all rather ominous, and yet just as curious, which of course made Max smirk. But the formalities must be obeyed!

The Shadow nodded, and said. "That sounds wonderful, but..."

And his hand gestured to Ryugi. "...this is Ryugi's gathering, its really up to him. I will have some of this tea though!"

With that, he plopped in the nearest seat, scooped up a mug and made himself comfortable. Which was promptly followed by making himself uncomfortable, as he noted there was another person in the room! A woman at that!

"Hello Madam!" He stood and offered his free hand to her, warmly and politely as ever saying, "In all the bear-hugging I must have missed you, unforgivable! I'm Maximos, Maximos Lucillien Dark, and its a pleasure to meet you friend of Ryugi's! I like your armor! You dont see many people sporting such classic gear on the streets these days, but I dare say with Gaia as it is more people should!"

He didnt ask her name, that might be too forward. Something about this woman said that she was not exactly the bubbly type. But if she wished to give it, he was not opposed. And then, he would plop back down in a chair.  

[Eternal Dirge]

At the door, a quick series of triple knocks came at the door, the hurried knocks of an impatient man or one without a great deal of time. Damion was the former and the barrier of the door was testing his limited patience in such things already despite only having been standing there for a minute at best. Unseen from the eyes within he was the picture of a man waiting on a bus, foot tapping, hand enclosed around a pocket watch and a box nestled safely underneath his arm. Put him in more modern clothes and he very well could have been standing in the metro.  

[Ryugi Kazamaru]

This time it was Ryudo that opened the door. A single finger made a twirling motion in the air beside his head as he held the paper with the other, his teacup floating as if held by an unseen hand. The doorknob turned and the door swung open as if it had done so on its own accord. Ryudo didn't bother to turn and look back, because as soon as the door opened, Ryugi would pipe up from his seat on the couch, standing, and waving in greeting.

Damion! Good to see you! Please, come in and have some tea. We're just getting settled in. Ryugi hadn't seen the earth elemental since Heaven or Hell. What he'd been up to since then, Ryugi could only guess. Ryugi vacated his seat so that Damion would have somewhere to sit, electing instead to lean against the wall near the fireplace and cross his arms.

Really, it's good to see all of you. I can't tell you all how happy I am that you're all here on this occasion. It isn't every day that I become a father, and I'm glad you've all come to share in this moment of joy with Vargus and me. You're my dearest and closest friends, you've been with me through moments of pain and moments of great happiness, and as such, I'm honored you're all here to share yet another wonderful moment with me. As he finished, Ryugi looked across the room at everyone, and held up his teacup. A toast...to friends, to family, to new beginnings, and the future. May it all be bright and joyous for all of us.

His toast made, Ryugi would glance about once more before taking a drink of his tea.

 

[Eternal Dirge]

It was a sad, sad day when the magical things in the world stopped being surprising in any fashion. The notion didn’t reach Damion’s brain though, who simply waved back at his friends and smiled. There was only one individual in the room he didn’t recognize yet but like everything else here he was sure it would become apparent with time. The Hydra sidled up into the room as Ryugi stood and vacated his seat, pausing in the doorway to deposit his newspaper wrapped gift next to the door before vaulting the couch into his seat with a thump. He was dressed in his usual conservative attire of black tunic and black pants, barefoot as always despite the setting.

He’d have taken abit longer to view his surroundings but then Ryugi was speaking and his attention was focused upon the dragon Father.

“ Congratulations Ryugi.”

He mouthed the words, no sound passing over his lips as he anticipated some outburst of noise from either the others or somewhere else. Green eyes flickered around the room to the first person to make noise, a smile still on his face, easing back in his seat slowly. This was the Hydra’s first chance to relax in weeks, the end of HoH pushing him into the wilds to fight and kill some of the best challenges of the northern regions. Ryudo’s summons couldn’t have come at a better time, helping to wrench his slowly deteriorating mind back to the realm of society, humanity reasserting itself. Surrounded as he was with people he began to feel better and more human with each passing moment.  

[MagnusXL]

Tomorrow

"Then you will have to tell me - I like hearing of new places, especially from new people!"

A simple nod of the head was offered from Alexa.

"Then perhaps, in the future, I shall."

It was here that Ryudo exhibited what an outgoing person he could be by blowing off Tomorrow's handshake, followed by the entrance of someone she's never met before.

The Frost Paladin blinked.

Externally, the paladin's demeanor was identical to the way it was before. Internally, she was laughing mildly at the antics displayed between THOR and Mr. Dark.

Maximos

"Hello Madam!" He stood and offered his free hand to her, warmly and politely as ever saying, "In all the bear-hugging I must have missed you, unforgivable! I'm Maximos, Maximos Lucillien Dark, and its a pleasure to meet you friend of Ryugi's! I like your armor! You dont see many people sporting such classic gear on the streets these days, but I dare say with Gaia as it is more people should!"

As the shadowy new man rose, so did she, setting her tea on the coffee table to return the courtesy in kind. The left-handed woman took Maximos's hand, offering him a smile.

"Verily Mr. Dark, the pleasure is all mine."

Releasing the man's hand, she continued.

"My name's Alexa Valerie Norman."

Even if she wasn't making every effort to be friendly today, she couldn't very well withhold her own name when offered someone else's. It was not only dishonorable, but horribly, horribly rude.

It was at this time that she took her seat again. Delicately taking a sip of her tea, she responded to Maximos's compliment matter-of-factly.

"Thanks. The attire of the average individual around here, warriors included, always struck me as odd."

She wasn't talking about Leviathan Stadium, of which she wasn't currently a member, but of her current day to day life in conjunction with the matches she saw of this year's Heaven or Hell. Fighters of this region apparently didn't put much stock into their personal defense, as most people wore 'simple' clothing with little more than arm guards.

Then enter Damion. He could easily be passed off as a normal person, were it not for his completely bare feet and the fact that he was acquainted with Ryugi. Which, by default, made him unusual; Ryugi never really seemed to associate with anyone 'normal'.

She didn't have time to greet the man, as Ryugi held a toast almost immediately after the newcomer entered the building.

"Congratulations, brother."

She felt a little awkward, if not even a bit guilty, at being referred to as one of his closest friends. Alexa remembered, almost fondly, of how they met on the day she was transported to Gaia... where she immediately attacked him. Subsequent encounters always seemed to be her making requests or demanding information from him. All in all, that didn't make her the greatest 'friend'. She'd have to remedy that in the near future; the dragon warrior had helped her immeasurably in this world, even with her constant distrust of everyone who wasn't human. Alexa resolved to work on her non-human relations. Surely she owed him at least that much.

However, as quickly as it had emerged, her guilt disappeared as she took another delicate sip of her tea.  

[Tomorrow]

John smiled to his brother as they parted ways, before moving to the tea set to pour himself a cup as well as Hono'o, dumping six teaspoonfuls of sugar into Hono'o's - apparently she wasn't sweet enough. He smiled to the lady paladin as he did, an interesting sight - a man the size of a freight train spooning sugar into a teacup with a metallic arm holding the teaspoon between forefinger and thumb, fingers raised in delicate movement.

"I look forward to it, Miss Alexa." He said to her with a warm grin, the excitement in his azure eyes, before finally finishing stirring the tea in their cups enough to take them over to Hono'o, standing with her at the entrance of the kitchen, seeing as he took up two seats as it was and now all the seats were taken sweatdrop

He handed Hono'o her tea with a kiss to the cheek before turning to look over the small gathering of people as Ryugi admitted a familiar looking man with bare feet into the room. ""So many new faces, Hono'o..." He whispered to her excitedly. "I haven't seen this many people together as one for a long, long time...."

At least, not beating the crap out of each other when they were.

Ryugi said his words, and John felt a little guilty for being there - this was Hono'o's circle of friends, after all - but from what he had heard of Ryugi as well as what Raven had told him, he knew it was an honour to be here at this moment, and it was a memory he would cherish.

"To good health and safety, at home and in battle." John said firmly to Ryugi, his smile broad, before taking a drink of his teacup and fighting the urge to smash it into the ground, as was typical of barbarian toasts.... "...And to good luck with the next child!" He added with a laugh.  

[Maximos]

Maximos, after a stern and proper handshake let himself drift backwards into his seat, folding one leg over the other and resting his tea on his lap.

"Alexa. Valerie. Norman." He said the name, enunciating each part properly, so as to make sure he learned it properly. "Three proper names, very nice names at that! A pleasure! Any friend of Ryugi is a friend of mine."

And then, what was this? A knock at the door. The Shadow perked up in curiosity which Raven quickly dispelled! And then he door was open! Surprise of surprises! Damion looked so very different, but at the same time that was part of the surprise. Maximos had become quite used to Damion's evolutions! Now, here, the Hydra looked very wild. The portents of his humanity hidden behind primality and beast. And yet it was fitting. It seemed right.

Max didnt know whether to say a salutation or perform something more animalistic, perhaps tilt his head, nod? Bow? Instead, Maximos gave a wide wave from his spot on the couch and shouted. "Hello Damion! You look well!"

He did! For Damion. And then, in the subtly silence that followed Maximos sipped his tea, looked around the room taking in everyone's faces, smiled brightly and then said. "Well isnt this fantastic!"  

[Ryugi Kazamaru]

Indeed. I can't remember the last time all of us were just hanging out. Last time I saw most of you was Heaven or Hell, far as that went anyway. But it's good to see you all. Ryugi sipped his tea, looking at his friends. Come to think of it, it was very possible that this particular group may very well have NEVER been in the same place at the same time before, at least never for a social gathering and celebration. It did Ryugi good to see his closest friends together. So many things had kept them apart. Business trips, different tasks, even simply just going about their days as normal. Which gave rise to Ryugi's next question. So, what have all of you been up to? Especially you, Max. I haven't heard from you in ages, and you basically live right next door.  

[Eternal Dirge]

As Ryugi thought it, so did Damion, the sudden realisation that he'd never so much as visited his friends without some specific purpose in mind suddenly foremost in his mind. The thought came with no guilt however but just the simple awareness of it. After all, guilt would mean he'd avoided his friends, his allies, his dearest treasures intentionally instead of simply by becoming wrapped up in his day to day life. As it was, he was happy to be back amongst them, taking in a deep breath and settling further into the cushions of the couch and letting the conversation go where it will.

" I've been visiting the less accessible places of my swamp.

While in most swamps the very act of stepping into them presented a sort of danger all its own, Damion's swamp was just as likely to kill you as not. Visiting the far northern corners of his domain had been an epic worthy of the bards but would remain his own story to tell in good time. As he relaxed and uttered his single sentence his fingers slowly curled into fists on his thighs, the only evident tension on his body despite the lack of actual aggression around him. It was just the way he was.

He wondered where the baby was and the woman with which Ryugi had chosen to mate, glancing around the room again to make sure he hadn't missed anyone. Her scent lingered below everyone elses but he knew it was just from being in one place for so long. The Hydra wondered if dragons layed eggs, and just how the two had managed to mate in the first place, more from Ryugi's general personality than any actual physical matter. The man had always seemed preoccupied with other things as opposed to ever being with a woman after all.

All things he'd find out with time undoubtedly.