[h3]Ajax Thera - [color=orange]Hellmouth[/color][/h3]

With a casual toss, the bruised and unconscious Claudius was thrown into the train cart's holding cell. Though his feet and hands were bound with magic negating cuffs, the cage itself prevented any captive from using magic. While Aiden and Oriel had been called to action in the middle of their fight, Ajax didn't intend to let Claudius off the hook. With an emotionless stare, Ajax gave him one last look before closing the door to the cell.

The Council's high-speed train was stopped at the station beneath the Magus Hunters' training facility. Ajax was about to step back out of the train, to get some paperwork done while all the "kids" were away, but the conductor's voice stopped him. [color=slateblue]"Ajax-dono..."[/color] The big man stopped, clearly recognizing the voice didn't belong to the man that had always been the conductor. He turned and looked towards the front of the train. The friendly smile that always populated the conductor's face had been replaced by a serious expression, but otherwise he appeared as the same old man.

[hider=Exposition?]
[color=orange]"Strange to see you here,"[/color] Ajax responded, stepping forward to a proper conversing distance with the man. [color=slateblue]"And you'll never see me here again,"[/color] he said again, the same young voice as before. [color=slateblue]"I'm curious about a few things..."[/color] The illusion began to fade and the old man's appearance began to change. He grew taller and his white hair grew longer. His eyes turned green and his features sharp. The [url=http://safebooru.org//images/555/ead48423e2f5f1cef230310ccb96fd510aad920f.jpg?557211]man[/url] before him had completely changed. [color=slateblue]"How are your Magus Hunters doing?"[/color]

Ajax stared at the man for a moment in silence. [color=orange]"Two have recently passed away,"[/color] he stated first, his expression unchanged. [color=orange]"I have been training two new prospects to replace them. Guild mages, from Vyper Bolt in Crocus."[/color] The young man brought a hand to his chin. [color=slateblue]"I'm sorry to hear the bad news. I hope their families are doing well... But I already knew of their departure. I came to learn about the new ones, to adjust my calculations. If you would kindly..."[/color] The Dragon Slayer sighed and crossed his arms over his chest.

[color=orange]"Aiden Cross and Oriel Assier, teenagers. Aiden is a Dragon Slayer, like myself, but of Ice and Water. Oriel uses an Exorcist Flame magic, that is said to burn eternally. They are stubborn in their ways, particularly Oriel, but both show great promise. They are strong, but unrealized. They both could qualify as S class mages, though neither have officially achieved that yet."[/color] The suspicious man nodded his head in understanding. [color=slateblue]"I see, I see. Concise in your synopsis as always, Ajax. They must be talented to get praise from a man with such high standards as yourself."[/color] Ajax closed his eyes a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing.

[color=orange]"Talented indeed, but their personalities are lacking. They have little value in honor, respect, or responsibility. They have improved in the little time I have trained them, but they are far from perfect. At least they are decent human beings..."[/color] As his voice trailed off, he opened his eyes again. [color=slateblue]"Unlike [i]her[/i]? Speaking of, how is she doing? I've heard that she also came here with the recruits. I know you don't like that Kaiser girl, so I naturally wonder why you would allow her to come back despite having no need to return? Her training is long over, after all."[/color]

There was a silence between the two for a moment. [color=orange]"Stacy is a nuisance, yes. She still gets on my nerves. But surely you remember... she was trained by Liz long ago. Liz Blanche Weiss was the only person to ever make me feel cold, such was her power."[/color] [color=slateblue]"I hardly believe that's the only reason, Ajax..."[/color] [color=orange]"... Stacy Kaiser is a pest, her power a squandered gift. Despite that I can still see it in her. The first time she tried to fight me... her stance and her movements were exactly the same as Liz before her. Perhaps it is because I can see her mentor and my comrade in her that I am so tolerant..."[/color]

Another silence took the small station. Several beats passed by before the strange man spoke up. [color=slateblue]"Nostalgia, it is."[/color] [color=orange]"Correct."[/color] [color=slateblue]"There was another disciple, besides Kaiser."[/color] [color=orange]"I know. I am sure that I will meet her too, in time."[/color] [color=slateblue]"Interesting..."[/color] A smile formed on the young man's face as he leaned against the train. [color=slateblue]"I never pegged you for the nostalgic type. I'll keep that in mind. Anyways, I got what I came here for. Just needed to know about the new Hunters. But it was a nice chat."[/color] The young man snapped his fingers, instantly transforming back into the old man that was the train's conductor.

[color=slateblue]"I'll return this guy to the prison and wipe the old man's memories once I bring him back. I only needed to borrow his appearance for today, so it would be cruel to kidnap him any longer than necessary. You can return to your work and I'll be on my way."[/color] With a casual wave, the old man stepped back onto the train. Ajax lingered a moment longer at the station, letting out a sigh before uncrossing his arms and walking back towards the facility. [color=orange]"Paperwork, I suppose..."[/color] The train began to take off down the tracks, reaching high speeds rather quickly. The echo of the train took a moment to drown out as it went through the underground tunnels, but Ajax could hear it clearly up until the point he closed the solid steel doors of the facility.[/hider]

[h3]Stacy Kaiser - [color=lightcyan]White Tiger[/color][/h3]

The sudden rush from the man called George caught Stacy off guard. The moment he came into contact they teleported, giving Stacy no time to prevent it. But as they appeared in the snow-covered ruins, Stacy broke free and slid to a halt several meters away, carving a path through the snow. Her fight earlier had left her winded and a bit bruised, and she took the brief pause as a breather, simply staring down George angrily. It took her a moment to fully realize where they were.

[color=lightcyan]"Why did you bring me here?"[/color] Stacy questioned, her voice sounding more like a demand. The freezing temperature seemed to not bother her in the slightest, despite her nakedness. Then again, her white hair was practically long enough to cover her. [color=lightcyan]"And who the hell are you? Don't talk to me like you know me or I'll break your jaw. Fei had it easy, but now I'm warmed up."[/color] For emphasis, Stacy took a fighting stance and pointed her left palm towards George. [color=lightcyan]"I'm still going to break you, whether you tell me or not. But I might be more gentle if you don't piss me off any further."[/color]

[h3]Hana Oshiro - [color=deeppink]The Last Samurai[/color][/h3]

The pink-haired woman looked back to Jeanne as she summoned one of her magical blades. [color=deeppink]"Are you well enough to be using magic like that again?"[/color] Hana questioned first, before Xavier's Knight explained the situation with the sparring. The Last Samurai seemed confused when he mentioned Xavier's need for self-destruction, but her confused expression changed into one of concern when Xavier passed out.

Hana was quick to his side, though she was unsure what to do when she got there. [color=deeppink]"He's unconscious,"[/color] she confirmed, placing her fingers over Xavier's right wrist to feel his pulse. Knight was correct, he did need medical attention. Hana stood up and held her hand above Xavier, cherry blossoms flowing from her palm and collecting underneath the unconscious boy and forming a small cloud. Dense enough to lift him up, levitating with ease to carry Xavier at Hana's waist height. [color=deeppink]"If it's not too serious... this can be good practice for Niti."[/color]

Her pink eyes went back to Jeanne now. [color=deeppink]"Too bad he's run off. I guess we should bring him in. But..."[/color] Hana looked back down at Jeanne's sword. [color=deeppink]"If you aren't feeling well you shouldn't push yourself. I've heard wiser people than me say that, so it must be true."[/color] The small cloud of cherry blossoms that was supporting Xavier began floating toward the guild hall on its own, no longer by Hana's side. The pink haired woman eventually followed behind it, but she had stayed behind a bit to speak her mind to Jeanne. [color=deeppink]"I wouldn't want you getting hurt again if it can be prevented..."[/color]