"Boss, something bad just happened!" a panicked voice sounded with an Ionian accent as a person barged into the room. He wore a black kimono with a firelight crest in the middle.
A massive broad man sat on a pillow. He wore a golden Azakana mask and wore a traditional emerald Ionian kimono with the same crest.
Beside him were alluring Vastayan females that fed him. He looked at the board before him, snarling. A smaller man who donned a similar outfit sat opposite him also mulling at the board game.
"Hm?" the masked man rumbled as he turned his attention to the intruder.
"Boss, the Sludge Gang! Their base was attacked earlier today. Everyone in the building was killed!" the messenger hurriedly said.
"The Sludge Gang?" the boss bellowed.
"Yes, they recently joined our drug syndicate. Now there's only a handful of them left!" the messenger explained.
"An attack against my people is an attack against me. Who dares attack I? Taoni of Takugi! Chem-baron or not, find them and kill them!" Taoni roared with his fist smashing the board much to the dismay of his Vastayan acquaintances.
"Yes, boss!" the messenger bowed deeply. A signature of Ionian culture.
But right as he was about to leave, "Wait!" the other man in the room ordered sharply.
The messenger looked at his boss who grunted in response.
"Why bother with the small fish, master? That's why you have us. To pledge our allegiance, we will take care of the foolish transgressors. And show them our might! They will know the wrath of the Takugi!" the smaller man proclaimed.
The burly Taoni nodded with a grin. He raised his ornamental shot glass for a Vastayan to pour. He downed it at once before slamming it on the board. The board broke but the glass was intact.
"Kill them good, Sans."
{Break}
Back at the Last Drop, Kaze walked in with renewed energy and a smile. It seemed Babette's bathhouse was quite the positive experience.
"Kaze! How are you doing mate? Glad to see you alive!" Vander greeted as Kaze walked up to the counter.
"All's well in mind, body, and soul." Kaze greeted with a smile. A complete 180 from his previous attitude.
"Hahaha! I heard you've got your business all sorted, eh?" Vander laughed.
Kaze nodded as he sat down.
"How's Rin?"
"Doing good! She gets along well with Vi and Powder. They're already good friends." Vander replied, pouring a drink for a customer.
"How much do I owe?" Kaze asked, digging into the side of his kimono.
"5 bronze gears. However, if you're staying the night, it'll be 8." Vander said.
Kaze pulled out a pristine silver gear and slid it across the table.
"For the info as well." Kaze whispered.
"I'm not going to say no to free money!" Vander grinned.
"Where is she?" Kaze asked, looking around.
"In the basement." Vander pointed to a door in the back of the room.
{Break}
The basement was dimly lit and dusty. Kaze observed the faulty structure as he entered the room. Not a habit of choice.
Three children. Rin and a blue haired girl playing with toys. While a taller pink haired child was sparring a punching bag.
"Yo." he greeted.
"Uncle!" Rin jumped to her feet before rushing at him.
Kaze wondered where the sudden affection spawned from. But he wasn't complaining.
Rin hugged his legs as he patted her head with a smile.
"You're so tall!" another young voice commented with awe.
Kaze looked at the flatterer, a young girl with blue hair and dark eyes.
"Thank you. And you must be Vi?" Kaze asked.
She giggled, "No, silly! My name is Powder, she's Vi!" She pointed at the pink harried child who stared at him with a discerning expression.
"Apologies, Powder." he looked at Vi, "Vi." he nodded his acknowledgement.
Vi harrumphed before continuing to punch.
"Are we going now?" Rin asked, looking up to her guardian. Kaze could see from her eyes that she didn't want to leave for Ionia.
"We'll leave tomorrow." Kaze replied softly.
"Is that a real Katana?" Vi asked, pointing at his sword with a sudden interest. Kaze also looked at his sword, at the flower shaped guard, a warm feeling rising within him.
"Yes, her name is Reidan." Kaze took the sheathed sword from its holder.
"What kind of sissy names their weapons?" came Vi's judging tone.
"Oh, Oh! Can we see it?" Powder jumped.
"Sure." Kaze ignored Vi's comment and unsheathed his long, curved blade. It gleamed brighter than it should in the dimly lit room. He held it horizontally across both his hands for the children to see.
"Woah, it's so cool," Powder said in awe as the 3 children continued to stare at every detail. The blade that had seen the blood of both men, spirits, and Azakana seemed to hum a captivating tune that hypnotized the children.
With a click, Kaze put the blade back in its sheath with a flourish. A show for the children.
"It's cool but Vander's gauntlets are cooler." Vi said offhandedly, crossing her arms and walking away, back to her punching bag. She wouldn't get a reaction out of Rin or Kaze, but rather Powder.
"Eh? No way, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen." Powder disagreed, chasing after her sister deeper into the basement.
"If you want, you can play some more with Powder and Vi. I'll be in our room if you need me." Kaze said to Rin before leaving the children together.