General's Office

The General took a seat at his desk, gesturing to the elven woman to sit down as well, and saying "Before we further discuss the incedent in the courtyard, I would first like to know who you are, name, affiliation, rank, nation, etcera, before we get into further details."

She paused before his desk for a moment, and then straightened herself, erect and posed as would if the King of Scarida himself was present. "I am the Current Commander of the Artillery Land and Infantry Branch, Company D of the Scardian Foreign Legion. Commander Anastasia D'Faizland." She then salutes him before relaxing her body. She frowned, taking a seat before the General finally and looked around. It was a rather quaint office, nothing too grandiose and seemed fitting of the man who was before her. She noticed a picture frame (though couldn't see who was in it), and remembered the Neko outside watching over Akubo. "So...that was your wife back there? The one who is looking after the child I am referring to. She is rather pretty...and rather kind. I still have my thanks to give you for having her watch over young Akubo. I am quite honored." she says bowing her head, her eyes closed and her lips flat-her expression was flat, but her tone was thankful to the young General.

She keeps her head bowed to him, awaiting for his response back.

He nodded in response to the question regarding his wife. "Yes, Katsumi has always been such a caring person, thoguh she's more than capable of protecting the boy. Hmm, I'm afraid I've yet to introduce myself." He adjusted his shades with his right hand and then gestured to Anastasia "I am Barduwulf Garamonde."

barduwulf wrote:He nodded in response to the question regarding his wife. "Yes, Katsumi has always been such a caring person, though she's more than capable of protecting the boy. Hmm, I'm afraid I've yet to introduce myself." He adjusted his shades with his right hand and then gestured to Anastasia "I am Barduwulf Garamonde."

"I do not doubt that in the least. I could tell from her hands that she's more than a Nekomimi housewife. And..you have my thanks." she says bowing her head slightly. Without her hat to hold up her hair, her bangs fell over her face slightly, which she fixed as soon as she was done bowing her head to him. She listens to him introduce himself and it took her a moment to realize who he was. "I've heard Beijio had a General who helped rid the world of the War Deity Sephiroth, but I never expected to run into him so soon..." she says then frowns slightly. "Nor did I expect our first meeting to be so, how do you put it... unfortunate circumstances?" she says with a soft sigh, standing up before the man and performed a Scardian Salute with a firm posture. "I am honoured to be graced with your presence, General Garamonde. I am Former A.D.N. Brigadier General and Current Scardian Foreign Legion, Artillery Land and Infantry Branch Commander: Anastasia D'Faizland. You...may have heard of my name if you had paid attention to the 'Food Rebellion' we of the S.F.L. had to deal with on Yakatoro Island last year. And...well, if the present circumstances did not present us with a mutually understanding crossroads, then I would have introduced myself sooner. Before the current situation, our Unit was contracted by your Empress's Console, and we of the S.F.L. are to provide Beijio City added Military Protection in the wake of the A.D.N. Patrol Station/H.Q. being destroyed by the latest Crimson Knight brigade, as well as provide added support due to the aftermath of the simultaneous attack on the Palace by ''Celestine'' the Cerulean Dragon, which we both have witnessed has vanished off the face of the earth, or so it seems." she cooly depict this situation as if briefed by her own superior officers. She looks at him with a trickle of nervous sweat running down the back of her neck.  

"However... since the present situation, as stated before, has gone FUBAR... I believe we won't be sharing strategy and tactics on how to handle the situation here in Beijio... And I'm guessing, this will be an enquiry on my behaviour and my actions...is it? I mean, if I can so boldly ask freely, General?" she asked freely. The taller Elven woman's face was devoid of emotion, her eyes cold as steel as she looked at the General, waiting for a response; still standing in her perfect soldiers posture.

The general sighed, and replied "Look, I can understand your reason for responding the way you did, considering this ridiculous string of events having occurred, that dragon, those demons, etc, You can't really be blamed for attacking a beast in the castle's courtyard. The problem here, is WHO that wolf was, and the problems this causes. Considering it was Ikai Boontai, and the amount of destruction he can cause, alot of Beijio's nobles will be rather happy with his passing. Others, however, still view him as a hero. We find ourselves in the center of a political maelstrom. So tactically, we're a mess." He leaned back in his chair a bit, and relaxed his shoulders, seeming to let his General persona slip a bit "And then, we have Sango, who if I know her well enough, she's likely on her way to my office to kill you." He stated.

barduwulf wrote:The general sighed, and replied "Look, I can understand your reason for responding the way you did, considering this ridiculous string of events having occurred, that dragon, those demons, etc, You can't really be blamed for attacking a beast in the castle's courtyard. The problem here, is WHO that wolf was, and the problems this causes. Considering it was Ikai Boontai, and the amount of destruction he can cause, alot of Beijio's nobles will be rather happy with his passing. Others, however, still view him as a hero. We find ourselves in the center of a political maelstrom. So tactically, we're a mess." He leaned back in his chair a bit, and relaxed his shoulders, seeming to let his General persona slip a bit "And then, we have Sango, who if I know her well enough, she's likely on her way to my office to kill you." He stated.

She paled and remained standing, though her face still expressed hardly any emotion. "I...have no excuse. I acted on my military reflexes rather than watch the scene play out. I mean, one could argue that if I didn't react as quickly as I had... still... I can't..." she looks up at the General. "I can't just shrug this off. I accept responsibility for my actions." she said her skin returning some of it's colour again.

To his casual response about the Empress, Anastasia only cocked an eyebrow in a semi-confused manner. "I'm quite sure she will be not very pleased... but you can't honestly believe someone of such proud noble blood would cut me down without hearing the circumstances leading up to this crisis..." she says, her face otherwise cool and calm, but there was a slight trace of nervous sweat running down the side of her head again.

"I guess you didn't know that Ikai was the one who trained her in martial arts. Despite their conflicting personalities, they still cared for one another, like a surrogate father figure, I suppose." he adjusted his shades and continued. "Besides, Sango has always had a bit of a temper." As he finished saying that, you could hear a slamming noise throughout the palace.

As soon as the door to the office opened with a soldier standing with a worried expression there was a loud BOOM that caused the walls and floor to shake; a ninja needle flew past the cadet's face and struck the woodwork of the door frame; just missing him by a fraction of a centimetre. The man nearly faints but says flatly: "Sir... we... have a Code Cerulean...Permission to faint sir?" the pale cadet asked, his eyes rolling back and sweat dripping down his features.


(I would wait till I post response to Rufus before you do such)

"So, Rufus is here, huh? That's odd." He said as he got up. "I'm sorry Anastasia, but I seem to be needed elsewhere in the castle. Could you please help the cadet to the infirmary?" as he was walking out the door. "Be careful, I imagone many sharp objects are protrudong through the walls now!" he projected from down the hallway.

Anastasia nodded and gently aided the officer to the Infirmary as he had requested. She then returned, entering the office with a puzzled expression. "Where is the General?" She wondered, noticing her sword and gun still in their sheaths and holster upon his desk before she sighed and closed the door. She began heading down into the main foyer to see if the General had gone far.

Leland took his time walking down the stairway after he had finished his chat with Tenik. He continues to Barduwulf's office and let himself in. He noticed the Beijionese Type 45 in it's sleek holster and the attached short sword in it's scabbard upon the General's desk, and he let himself examine the pair of items. SFL was embossed on the leather of the holster, and he thought back to Major Faizland, who, unlike her subordinate was lacking a weapon on hand. "Hmm... now I wonder what had kept her busy then. She did mention she had been busy when Rufus and Sango had attacked each other. I hope it's nothing too serious." he thought, setting the weapons down on the surface gently again. He'd ask Bard once he came back; he would likely know since the weapons were on his desk. But then... there was Rufus's testimony on claiming 'self defence' against Sango. If Rufus was telling the truth, then he had to wonder what set Sango off...

"Knowing Sango places her emotions on her sleeves, probably anything..." he grumbled at the thought. He was glad the former Ninja was not a mind reader, or he'd be screwed. He sighs, looking at the walls of the rather simple room. "Bard, you haven't changed much I see..." he says to himself, arms folded, leaning against one of the empty walls, his back pressed against it, and one leg partially crossed over the other, the brim of his hat low shadowing his eyes. He would have to explain the situation at Siamatsu, Izuna's demise, and Yume's disappearance. He'd also have to request some items for his journey to Asrond. He'll need the right equipment for this journey, and a proper horse who could handle the harsh terrain between here and there.

He sighed, removing Golden Desert Rose (GDR) from his holster, checking the gilded double-barrel revolver's twelve chambers. Fully loaded with Valor's Anti-Demon ammunition chambered for the .45 LC round, and should be an edge even against some of the demons like that wraith. "They're Holy and blessed. Even if they're different in terms of power and intelligence, a demon is a demon. And one of the best ways to combat demons is with the holy power and with blessed silver. I used to think these were a bit overkill, but I must admit Vince, you do a damn good job when it comes to fighting demons and creatures of the night." he says out loud, snapping the cylinder to the side, locking it back into place. He back twirled the gun and slipped it into it's holster. He still had to attach the gauntlet to his left arm. It will act as his armour and as a useful tool for multiple purposes, though it's been repurposed from it's original prosthetic design.

He closed his eyes, folded his arms again and sighed. "Makes me think of that Alastor kid. After teaching him a few Gunslinger techniques as a favor, I wonder how he's been doing these days." he shrugs.

Leland's thoughts would be cut off when in stumbles one of the priestess's. She entered the albeit dark room and then paused, blinking at the man standing in the office. She smiled faintly. "Oh... you must be waiting for the General." she says taking a few steps closer. She was tall, about the Gunslinger's height, though she was very slender. She brought forth her hands, cupping a small rectangular note with the General's name written on it in Beijionese Script.



Her bright light green eyes almost glowed in the dim light, her charming pure smile was warm and affectionate. "Please, if you could Gunslinger, hand this to the General when you see him? It's very important that he sees it." she says, handing him the paper. It looked like one of those paper fortunes one receives at a Shrine. She took the gunman's right hand and places the paper in his palm gently before she back stepping away. "It would mean it that you see to this, Gunslinger." she says cheerfully, bowing her head before exiting the office, closing the door behind her.

Hoshi Kuruimi wrote:Leland's thoughts would be cut off when in stumbles one of the priestess's. She entered the albeit dark room and then paused, blinking at the man standing in the office. She smiled faintly. "Oh... you must be waiting for the General." she says taking a few steps closer. She was tall, about the Gunslinger's height, though she was very slender. She brought forth her hands, cupping a small rectangular note with the General's name written on it in Beijionese Script.



Her bright light green eyes almost glowed in the dim light, her charming pure smile was warm and affectionate. "Please, if you could Gunslinger, hand this to the General when you see him? It's very important that he sees it." she says, handing him the paper. It looked like one of those paper fortunes one receives at a Shrine. She took the gunman's right hand and places the paper in his palm gently before she back stepping away. "It would mean it that you see to this, Gunslinger." she says cheerfully, bowing her head before exiting the office, closing the door behind her.

Leland turned to the presence of the new arrival. A beautiful maiden clothed in the robes of the cloth entered, and looked only mildly surprised at his presence. He tipped his hat, and noted her pale green eyes that seemed to glow even in this low light. It was a bit eerie, but at the same time a bit charming. He'd seen various glowing eyes in his life, most of which belonging to feral demons or noble vampires; but this one who stood before him radiated no sense of ill will nor supernatural, at least to Leland.

"Yes, m'am I am." he says with a smile back. She was a beautiful one without a doubt. Tall for a Beijionese woman, as she approached he could accurately measure that they were both the same height. Her Miko robes looked taut yet seemed very loose on this woman's frame, and he smiled thinking about how Izuna had a hard time wearing her robes when Beijio sent her a smaller set of robes by accident. He closed his eyes and frowned slightly, before masking a smile again. He glanced at her when she stepped forth, presenting him with a paper fortune with her hands cupped almost lovingly around it. Again her eyes seemed to glow in the dim light, having neglected to turn on any of the lights when he entered at the same time Leland didn't feel comfortable touching other peoples things unless he had to or needed to. He stared at the slip with Beijionese Script, written with beautiful penmanship one of Beijio's Greatest Samurai Generals name. He looked back to the maiden and listened to the importance of handing this note to the General when he came in.

"Sure..." he says, looking down at the folded paper. It was a fortune slip, he'd seen many of those in Siamatsu with the shrine and all. But, if it was so important, why hand it to Leland? He directed his gaze upon her once more, only to see her bowing her head and hoping that he would pass the fortune on with a cheery voice. But to her, he was a stranger, wasn't he? He couldn't complain or ask for a reason as the woman was already out the door before he could react. He blinked, and looked down at the paper again. It was folded and definitely had more writing within it, but Leland wasn't going to pry into an old friend's personal life. He held onto the slip all the same though, and went to observe the desk of the General while he continued his wait. He would have to ask the General about this note and the one who brought it once he arrived.

The general opened the door, noticing the paper in Leland's hand. "Didn't take you for one to get a paper fortune, Leland." He said, walking over to his desk.

barduwulf wrote:The general opened the door, noticing the paper in Leland's hand. "Didn't take you for one to get a paper fortune, Leland." He said, walking over to his desk.

Leland turned to Bard and shook his head with a smile. "I could say the same about you, after all, it's addressed to you." he says, handing over the small slip. "Don't tell me the Miko's have been sending you love letters in the guise of paper fortunes. First of all, unless I'm behind the times, you're married. And second of all, I believe priestesses have to make an oath of celibacy. Either way, you must be a popular guy." he says with a semi teasing tone. "I'm half surprised you made it to your office in one piece." he finishes, dropping the paper slip into the General's hands.

"Huh. Lemme guess, it was given by a priestess with green eyes that almost glow, right?" He said, opening up the slip.

barduwulf wrote:"Huh. Lemme guess, it was given by a priestess with green eyes that almost glow, right?" He said, opening up the slip.

Leland raised an eyebrow. "Yeah... kind of like that vampire we met all those years back, Rei was it?" he started, then shook his head. "Except the one who handed me this had pale green eyes. The glow wasn't radioactive but it was definitely present." He then leaned against the wall, folding his arms. "She was about my height, very slender looking. Like most of the other Miko's she had her hair in a hime cut fashion and was wearing the traditional robes... though they looked a bit loose on her..." he added, mumbling in that last bit before redirecting his attention to the sword and scabbard on the desk [Anastasia's weapons]. "That's an interesting rig you've got there. Joining the SFL (Scardian Foreign Legion)?"

barduwulf wrote:"Huh. Lemme guess, it was given by a priestess with green eyes that almost glow, right?" He said, opening up the slip.

{The slip revealed something reminiscent of a poem, that otherwise looked ordinary and nothing special with exception of the mark left at the bottom, specifying the one who made this message. The title gave clues to the true contents of the message hidden with in the poem and the results were something everyone knew but had no proof to exactly point out yet: }

"RIAL IS HIDING SOMETHING TAILING HIM" the message said when one figured out the cipher.

"Huh?" He replied, just noticing them. "oh yes, Anastasia's blade, she must've left it here in the commotion. He replied, placing the paper into a ceramic bowl and lighting it on fire. He turned to Leland and replied "You were right, love letter. Also, while they are chaste, some priestesses are the romantic type." He chuckled.

barduwulf wrote:"Huh?" He replied, just noticing them. "oh yes, Anastasia's blade, she must've left it here in the commotion. He replied, placing the paper into a ceramic bowl and lighting it on fire. He turned to Leland and replied "You were right, love letter. Also, while they are chaste, some priestesses are the romantic type." He chuckled.

Leland smiled. "Yeah, I met her in the Infirmary. Along with Rufus Tenik." he says before rubbing his shoulder. He then watched with curiosity as Bard burnt the 'love letter'. He smiled wryly. "Yeah, thats true enough. But ouch, such tough love." he says with a chuckle, clapping the General's shoulder before he took a seat.  "As you may have guessed... I'm not here for a social visit." he says his tone dry and his face expressing no emotion what so ever. "Siamatsu is a ghost town. Izuna's dead...so is Yume for all I know. Like the villagers... all were killed by a demon. Pft,  demons." he finishes, clasping his hands together looking at the wall ahead of him.

Barduwulf put a hand on Leland's back. "I'm sorry, I don't know what to say but I'm sorry." He then reached into a cabinet, pulling out a bottle of alcohol, giving off an ethereal glow. "I'll bring this to the meeting."

barduwulf wrote:Barduwulf put a hand on Leland's back. "I'm sorry, I don't know what to say but I'm sorry." He then reached into a cabinet, pulling out a bottle of alcohol, giving off an ethereal glow. "I'll bring this to the meeting."

He sighed, simply nodding. "It's taken a month, but I figured I'd deliver the news. Hiiten isn't as 'connected' as some of the other islands. Izuna, was at the top of her game, but... now we're one less 'War Hero'." he says, turning to Bard, his sharp blue eyes glancing at the Samurai. "Bard... I need a favor--wait, a meeting?" he blinked rising from his seat, turning to face the man directly. "A meeting with who?"

"The one I'm scheduling in ten minutes. A lot has happened today, sadly. We seem to have a coup in Fenira, Ikai was shot, Sango beat the tar out of Rufus, and I just know the nobles want to breathe down my neck about the pirate demons, not to mention I need to get my lieutenants up to speed." Barduwulf listed off.

barduwulf wrote:"The one I'm scheduling in ten minutes. A lot has happened today, sadly. We seem to have a coup in Fenira, Ikai was shot, Sango beat the tar out of Rufus, and I just know the nobles want to breathe down my neck about the pirate demons, not to mention I need to get my lieutenants up to speed." Barduwulf listed off.

"Huh, I see. I'm sorry if my appearance has made things all the more complicated." he starts, then lifts himself from the chair. "Well, if it makes anything better, I'd like to request a horse, and a few supplies. However, I'm willing to stay and help to earn that horse." he says brushing his hat off his leg slipping it on. "I mean, it could be worse. We could be dealing with pirate demons...from Space." he smiled, taking Bard's lead. "Well, may as well get this thing started then. Have one of your men invite that Anastasia too. Though I only had a brief chat with her, I can tell she has a good head on her shoulders. She may be of use to us, as well as Beijio." he chimed.