wild-kitsune — Roleplayer Guild

Behind large wooden doors a woman sat behind an ornate desk, furiously tapping her quill on a piece of parchment, her irritation palpable as the noise outside grew. “Is it too much to ask for enough peace and quiet to write a simple letter without losing your train of thought?” she asked herself as the tapped even harder. With a loud bang the woman finally snapped, as did her quill, as she stood up and furiously walked over to her office doors.

With some minor effort the doors swung open into the grand looking hall that led to the offices. The sound of the frames hitting the stoppers echoed throughout the marble halls as the woman glared at the source of the disturbance, as well as at the incompetent staff that allowed things to escalate so quickly. “What is the meaning of this?” she demanded, frustration apparent in her tone.

At the mention of the name Shade, Justica's eyes narrowed. There were few in the capital that dared to utter that name in her presence, and fewer still that did not know of her seething hatred for the assassin. He and his antics had been a thorn in her side for years and, in her mind, reflected poorly on the entire Seraphim race. In addition, as keeper of the Law, Justica saw Shade's work-for-hire approach to justice a flagrant insult to order and the rights of the accused. “What of him?” she seethed, venom in her voice.

After listening to Itzal's answer, she turned without a word and gestured for him to join her in her office. “I sincerely doubt that, but you've earned ten minutes of my time. Come, you have much to explain.” she stated simply, stepping back into the room and sitting down at her desk. Once Itzal entered she gestured simply with her hand and the doors slammed shut. “My guards are there as a screen to keep the weak and stupid from wasting my time. I assure you that I alone will be sufficient to thwart any attempts on my life.” she said confidently as she gestured once again to a chair that slid back towards Itzal. “Now sit.”

“First off, know that I sincerely doubt your claim, if only for the fact that Shade has on more than once occasion feigned his own death to escape capture. I can assure you that finding one of my own men shrouded in shadow in the guise of that assassin ceased to be amusing after the first half-dozen times.” Justica began, both hands placed firmly on the desk. “Nevertheless, I'm willing to humor your story if it means that troublemaker is actually gone for good. I take it you have evidence if you're banging at my door?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at the rogue before him. “At the very least, you seem like someone who might travel in his circles.”

“So,” Justica said, leaning back in her chair, “What details do you have? We can discuss compensation after I find out what value your information may have, if any.”

Torva snuck into Hagumi's room after quickly glancing up and down the hall and sniffing for the housekeeping's whereabouts. He simply sat down and watched as she performed her morning rituals, the light riding down her hair like the crest of a wave with each brush stroke. He found her beautiful even in her current state having just gotten out of bed, and yet he could tell she was restless. Tired. “I slept well enough once I moved to the floor.” he sighed, slightly embarrased. “The bed was so soft I kept waking up from dreams of falling. I needed a bit of firmness to reassure me I was on the ground.”

Glancing up, Torva watched as Hagumi's nightgown slipped down her body, the seraphim's curves accentuated by her pose. For a moment Torva forgot all about breakfast, perhaps distracted by dessert, but the smell of bacon wafting under the door and Hagumi's morning attire brought him back to his senses. Together they descended the stairs to the ornate dining room as servants hustled to and fro performing various tasks. After Hagumi has embraced her mother, the daeva followed awkwardly bowed, unsure what the proper greeting was in seraphim society for one such as himself. “I'm... sorry for yesterday. I did not mean to cause problems.”

“Please,” Hagumi's mother said, lifting Torva's chin up with a porcelain hand so their eyes could meet, “you don't need to apologize. My husband is a bit... protective of my daughter and perhaps took his duties as father a bit far.” she apologized, embarrassed by her husband's behavior.

“I am afraid things aren't over though,” she added, resting her hands on the back of her chair without sitting down. “He... he's met with the council.” she said, looking directly at Hagumi. “He has put in a request for you to undergo the seven wonders.”

“What are the seven wonders?” Torva asked, concerned by the severity Hagumi's mother seemed to be taking the subject.

“To explain simply, the seven wonders are seven acts of magic qualified mages must perform before the council to assure themselves a future chair in the event that a council member dies. The spells range from difficult to dangerous, and many seraphim have died performing them.” she explained, moving from her chair to Hagumi's and embracing her daughter from behind. “I told him you weren't ready, but he insisted that you prove that your time abroad has been more than a vacation.”

“Can't we postpone the tests?” Torva asked, alarmed. “If you don't think Hagumi is ready what is the rush?”

“It's not that simple. Once the ceremony has been arranged the decision cannot be altered. That is the law.”

“Well then we just need to get over there before a date is set!” Torva said, getting out of his chair and preparing to spring to the Council of the Righteous.

“It's too late. She will stand before the council tomorrow after they have decided on how the seraphim will act in regards to the coming war.” Hagumi's mother said, her voice wavering. “Oh my baby... my little ice princess... do you think you can do it? Please tell me you think you are ready.”

The old Seraphim laughed at Daren's description. “No, I do not believe that rings a bell, although it certainly sounds like the sort of group he would associate himself with.”

“Ah! The inventor's games!” the man said, excitement in his voice, “It is held every year in the capital, and is where Seraphim compete amongst each other in a series of categories to prove themselves the most capable inventor.” Pausing momentarily to gather his thoughts, he realized a small correction was in order “Although technically the games are open to all races. To be honest it has been years since a non-seraphim has competed. It is simply too far out of the way for more inventors to bother. Still... seeing great minds create new weapons, devices, armors, and magicks to power them has always been a large draw among the citizens. The games should begin at some point this afternoon, if you're interested.”

Although...” he added, “I myself have seen enough fighting for one lifetime to take interest in the new toys soldiers and blacksmith entertain themselves with. And so, I spend days like today prattling about in my office, writing to myself mostly. I would welcome the company, if you can stand the stories of an old man such as myself over the thrill of magic and metal. What do you say?”

A familiar looking seraphim hurried down the road of Adalrich, blueprints falling out of his muscular arms as he half-ran half-waddled towards the Colosseum for the inventor's games. Seeing Cadogan mulling about with Chii, the seraphim took a small detour he could hardly afford, not wanting to see his competition, or perhaps partner, miss the event. “Oy! Cadogan!” he shouted at the man “Signup is over in less than an hour. Get your arse to the Colosseum or you'll miss the deadline. You need to pick what categories you'll be entering in between weapons, armor, and trinkets, and be assigned a work bench where you can make final preparations on anything you're bringing ahead of time. Once you've been given an ID come find me and I'll explain the rules. They change a little every year but I should be able to give you the short...err” he paused, looking up at the sun in the sky. “Make that the shorter version of the rules. I'll even charge your runes if need be.”

Resuming his run, the seraphim shouted once more to Cadogan as he ran “Just hurry your arse up! You can bring your tiny friend along if you want as an assistant. Sometimes it helps to demonstrate what you've created.”

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