Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Albert smiled and moved over a bit so that she would have room to slide into the luxurious vehicle.*

Pardon me, miss.

*Albert stifled a chuckle when the girl jumped at the sudden appearance of his butler. She moved back a bit in order to let him pass, and in turn he opened the door for her. The near-elderly man held the door's handle with his right hand, and gestured for her to enter with his left. The car rocked ever so slightly as her slim weight was added to the limousine. She smiled and shivered a bit, and the door was closed. Albert reached to a dial that rested on a pannel next to him and turned it. Almost immediately, warm air entered the vehicle's back cab, warming them pleasantly. Edward took his seat at the wheel, and the car moved down the road once more. After a few moments of quiet travel, the young master broke the silence.*

I'm sorry, I'm afraid I didn't hear your name. My name is Albert Tobias Zephyr, the Second.

By all means! Go right ahead. If you like, there are sodas and ice-cold waters in the cooler near the front of the cab if you are thirsty.

*He couldn't help but smile at the quizical look he received in response to his comment on the drinks.*

I know, it may seem odd that I didn't mention any wines. There is a bottle of italian white wine in the car, but I save it for any guests that would enjoy it. I have decided that I will never partake of any alchohol, save for during communion, and I'm afraid that you seem a bit to young to try the beverage.

*He allowed himself to recline in the seat, stretching his arms across the long head-rest. He looked out the window when the car began to slow. They were just approaching a pair of large, iron gates with "AZ" elaborately crafting into the center, in the style of a crest. A paved road led down for a good quarter of a mile before stopping at a considerably large mansion constructed of black bricks. On the far side, sitting on the beach, just out of the reach of the high tide, was a dojo-like structure, built into the house, shaping it as one with the mansion. The limo dredged up the path, the automated gates swinging shut on silent hinges. Albert stood as the limo came to a stop in front of duel wooden doors, obviously the garage for the limo. Hunching over, he made his way to the door and sat next to it, Mitsuko just to his left. He turned to her and smiled.*

Well, here we are. Home, sweet home.

*Edward opened the black door, and Albert stepped easily out, then turned back and reached into the cab, offering his hand to help the young girl out of the cab.*

*Albert looked at his surroundings fondly, taking in the familiar sight, trying to see it as his guest did.*

Yes, it is very nice, isn't it? I inherited it when my family died in a plane accident..... But that was when I was younger, years ago. I was only a child then. I left the majority of the mansion the way it was when I received it, but I did make a few changes, such as the dojo I had built at the North-West corner of the building, just on the beach.

*He idly walked around, stalling for no apparent reason.*

I've been interested in Asian culture for several years now. I collect what I can of the old art from Japan, as well as the weapons used in the matial arts that originated there. Speaking of which.... Mitsuko... That does sound rather asian. Are you from Japan? You centainly don't look it, but I've been wrong about things before.

*Albert couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl, but he held the emotion within him, not willing to let it show in his face. He didn't want to upset her in any way. After all, he had brought her here so that she might be more comfortable.*

Whatever makes you happy. You're under no obligation to discuss your life with me. Everyone has secrets that they rather keep to themselves. I understand this to a rather intemate degree.

*His thoughts wandered to his dragoon spirit. He had received it a few years ago on his eighteenth birthday. Ever since he had learned what it was through the various sources he had consulted, he made it a prime subject that would not be revealed. His hand rose to his chest, and he subconciously clasped his shirt; the dragoon spirit hung from an adamant chain around his neck, the stone itself rested snugly within an incomplete double circlet made of the same material as the chain that held it. Realizing what he was doing, he shook himself, pulling his mind back to the present. He was relieved to see that Mitsuko was still examining the statues, and had taken no notice of his behavior. Seeing Edward walk enter through the doors and head for the dining room, Albert began to follow him, but stopped when he realized that he was leaving Mitsuko alone.*

Mitsuko?

*She turned to him, her curious eyes still wide with wonder at the house.*

I'm going to talk to Edward for a few minutes. Feel free to look around. Seeing as it might remind you of home, you could visit my dojo. It's through that room to the right of the stairs, and then through the door on the right at the end of the hall. You can practice with any of the weapons you find in there, but I ask of you: Please be careful. Some of them are very old, very rare, but more importantly, I wouldn't want you getting hurt messing around with them.

*Spinning back around, he jogged through the opening that led through the dinning room, then for the door to the kitchen. He was about to pass through the swining door, but Edward exited them first, carrying a set of everyday clothes for him to change into, consisting of baggy blue jeans and a blue t-shirt with green dragon circling it, red flames rising from the bottom of the shirt. Albert never stayed dressed while at home. It simply felf more comfortable in nomal people clothes than something you would wear to a wedding or a funeral.*

Thank you, Edward.

My pleasure, sir.

*Albert stepped into the kitchen where he knew no one would be at this time of day, and quickly began to undress, talking as he did so.*

She's a nice girl, don't you think?

Yes, I suppose she is rather becoming, isn't she?

Edward!

I'm only joking. Yes, she does seem to me a rather sweet young lady.

*Albert laughed and shook his head as he pulled on the jeans, his muscled chest still bare. The dragoon spirit bounced against him as he moved about.*

Do you think that we could have something a little less.... elegant tonight? I want Mitsuko to feel comfortable, and I'm not sure she would be quite ready for the expensive things we usually have around here.

*The butler swung the door open a bit and stuck his head inside. He seemed slightly surprised at his master's request, but did not comment on it.*

Did you have anything in mind?

Well.... not really..... Chicken maybe? Something like that?

*Edward gave him a quizical look, almost as if he were trying to figure out if Albert hadn't lost his mind.*

Chicken?

*Albert rolled his eyes and pulled the shirt over his upper body.*

All right... Prime rib. Is that any better?

*The butler sighed before smiling and collecting Albert's suit.*

I think that we can manage that. I'll just take this to the laundry and then I'll get right on it.

*Albert laughed, shaking his head, and exited the room. Upon entering the main hall, he saw that Mitsuko was no longer there.*

Huh. She must have taken my advice and headed for the dojo after all.

*He slowly made his way into the next hallway and down toward the dojo."

*Albert walked into the room, completely unaware of the fact that Mitsuko was wildly spinning around with a potentially dangerous weapon.*

Hey, Mitsuko? I talked to Edward about dinner. It prime rib oka- GAH!!!

*Catching the blurred sight of the war hammer just in time, Albert rolled out of the way toward the wall. Not bothering to see who his attacker was, he deftly grabbed a normal, thin training staff off the wall. He rolled into a cartwheel, but pushed off the ground powerfully, sending him in a side flip through the air. He held the staff close to his chest, his arms x-ed across it, and his body strait as a beam. He landed with a thud on the training mat, and set himself in a ready stance, the staff still in his right hand, it's length running along the back of his arm, and up past his head. It was only then that he realized that it was Mitsuko. He frowned at her and eased out of his stance.*

I didn't know you could fight.

*Albert laughed, and shook his head, inclining it. He looked back up at her, smiling.*

Well, I never thought that I would end up being someone's teacher, but I suppose I could practice with you for a while. I'll go easy to start with, just to see what level of skill you are. We'll start with you attacking me. What you need to concentrate on is this: At first, try to hit me. I will retaliate, and it will be your job then to avoid my counter-strike. Can you handle that?

*Mitsuko nodded, and adopted a serious expression. Albert stood tall, placed his left hand at the small of his back, and stood with a medium base. He spun the staff in his hand, out of the position it had been in against his arm, slamming the butt of it into the ground to his right when he was finished flourishing the weapon. He posed thus, waiting for Mitsuko's attack.*

*Abandoning his pose, Albert wove away from the spinning Mitsuko. He managed to dodge the first three strikes easily enough, but didn't have enough time to move away from the last of them. With just enough time to do so, Albert widened the grip he had on his staff, one hand near both ends, took a knee for extra support and held it above him. The dojo rang as the weapons clashed together for the first time. After halting her weapon, he pulled his back toward him just enough so that he could push upward mightily. She lost her grip on the hammer slightly as it bounced off of the staff; that was all Albert needed. Not giving her any time to regain control of the mace, Albert rolled onto his side and swept her feet out from under her. She landed on the ground with an "umf", her hammer beside her. Albert kick-sprung back to his feet and looked down at her. He held out his hand to help her up.*

When you attack, don't bother calling out its name. For one thing, it distracts you from what you should really be paying attention to: your opponent. Secondly, if you say what you're doing, it is more than easy for an experience enemy to evade your attack, causing untold damage while you are left open.