[Remy]

The cry of seagulls echoed faintly in the morning air as Remy stared out into the sea. It was a mere few hours since the sun rose, and still the harbor was clouded by the morning fog and mist from the sea. But Remy reckoned that the fog would stay throughout the day. Winters in Espur were foggy like that, and also chilly.

“Whew-wee. Look at this fog. You think you'll find your ship when it gets here?” She wasn't looking at her companion, but she could hear his grin when he spoke. Remy had run into her friend Samuel during her walk to the harbors. He was doing his rounds, as usual, and she was looking to get first pick of the goods coming in from Dardanos. Sam had nothing better to do, so he'd altered his path to match hers. Now the both of them were seated at a bench near the docks.

“Mhm, those lights are there for a reason, aye?” Clutching at her coat collar, Remy jabbed an elbow toward the lighthouse that stood further into the sea. Operated daily by an elderly nereid, the lighthouse's firelight shone like a beacon through the haze. As a small breeze blew through the area, Remy reached for the collar of her jacket and tucked her chin into it. “Damn it's cold. Irene's so lucky that I volunteered to get her shipment for her...”

“Haha, of course. So what, you're the errand girl now? That's good to know---I'll send you to get coffee for me when I'm on patrol.”

“Don't you see enough coffee places when you're walking around?” Smiling with Sam in jest, Remy lightly punched him in the shoulder. She then leaned into the wooden backrest and kicked her feet forward. Dark red boots dangled above the ground as the small vampire scanned the horizon for ships. A couple of ships had already reached the harbor, and their sailors were busily unloading cargo. However, none of these ships were the blue and silver one that Irene told her to look out for.

“Rems.”

Still staring into the see, Remy mumbled a 'hm?'

“That guy over there...he's a vampire isn't he? I swear he's not from around here.” Following Sam's line of vision, Remy saw a tall man standing a ship's length away. The man was dressed in a big aristocratic jacket and he walked with an air of authority.

With raised eyebrows, Remy regarded Samuel with a wry grin. “Well you tell me. Aren't you the hunter vampire?” It was too hard to tell by just looking at the guy. But she trusted Sam's senses. He heard, saw, and smelled things that Remy would never notice. He also patrolled the city almost every day and knew practically every vampire in Espur. So if Sam claimed that this guy wasn't from around here, then the guy simply wasn't from around here...

...Which also meant that somebody better keep an eye on him in case he caused or attracted trouble. The Ruby Claw Society was very particular about keeping tabs on outsider vampires. With a kick of her heels, Remy hopped off the bench and tucked her hands into her jacket pockets. “Imma check this guy out. Stay here and keep an eye out for my ship, aye?” She left Sam and the bench and was not concerned about whether Sam would actually stay. Sam was a busy vampire, so if somebody called him to go elsewhere, he'd have to leave.

Nonchalantly, Remy walked toward the cargo ship near Mr. Aristocrat. She didn't walk straight toward him though---she still had to decide if she wanted to talk to him directly, or just shadow him. For now, wherever he went, she'd follow at about a 30 feet distance.

[Kazuma]

It was not usual for Kazuma to look rushed at all but for this particular event, he had been seen excusing himself as he slipped in-between sailors, passers by and other citizens, his feet jogging in their pace only so to get to his destination on time. The port was a long walk from where he had arrived from New Alexandria but as soon as he'd managed to break out of the thickening throng, his eyes caught sight instantly of the aged man with a roundish tummy and a fae squirrel nibbling away on a cherry on his shoulder. “Jolly,” he called to his friend.

Jolly the Therian was practically the only Therian among his acquaintances who knew of his nature but did not even bat an eyelash about it. While his fae squirrel was quick to swoop down his coat's pocket, the stouter man only called back to his friend with a crack-y chuckle as he extended his hand to the approaching vampire. “So good to see you again, aye?”

“I would have honestly preferred our meeting to be more leisurely than this, however,” Kazuma said to him as he held that thick calloused hand and gave it one firm shake. Parting from his friend, his breath creating a roll of translucent cotton in the air as he tugged on his cream cardigan scarf to redo it, he gazed out the sea and shared his anxiety. “I heard there was a problem with the rudder.”

“Aye, ya heard right, Kazuma,” said Jolly free of care, his fae squirrel returning to its previous spot on his shoulder. “But everything's all right now. See that ship o'er there?” he leaned a little towards the vampire just as the taller brunet had done to him and pointed his right over at a ship stranded in the waters a few yards away with an ant's trail of dinghies connecting it to the footbridge. “That's yours.”

Kazuma inwardly groaned at the stellar sight of it. How embarrassing and inconvenient...

He walked with Jolly closer to the waters when the first of the shipment had finally arrived and though he would have been satisfied with inspecting a few pieces and leaving his friend to take care of the rest for him, Kazuma made a point to stay through most of the inspections, a few crates thrown open at his command so he could test the quality of the Dardanian cotton fur which had had him a little frazzled since the news of the rudder came in. A brilliant young skotados -- young in that he was only twice Kazuma's age -- had come in time to see him pressing his hand on his orders and after shaking hands with him, Kazuma left Jolly to deal with the shipment while he and his client disappeared into the warm walls of one of the many coffee shops surrounding the area.

They sat nearest to the window over two cups of chiolen tea, settled the deal, shook hands and parted ways, the skotados businessman hurrying to join Jolly as his goods were transferred to carts while Kazuma started to the other direction and waved to his Therian friend with a lift of his hand and a glance over his shoulder. The passing folks threatened to displace his gaze but after a second or two, he turned back to his new path and began walking.

As the air warmed the farther he went from the waters, he loosened his scarf, letting it loop limply around his neck as he slipped his hands into his coat pockets and looked about the city. Particularly for its clothing, Kazuma was fond of Espur and enjoyed walking around her should he have the time to explore. Their accessories and jewelry were also exquisite, given her advantage over the exports, and he made it a point to take away at least a cuff link before he made for home. For this particular opportunity, however, he managed to get away with a silver ring and a round dark gem for its stone.

“By the way, would you happen to know the location of Queen Elysia's head office?” Kazuma asked the lovely saleslady in a whisper as he paid for his purchase and waited for her to finish wrapping his item. The mirror wall to her right and directly across the wide entrance presented a spectacular view of Espur's daily life and as his gaze chanced upon it, the male vampire's brows furrowed a little as he caught the ghost of a familiar face before it was swept away by a running boy.

He received his directions soon after and after thanking the helpful lady with a bow, was on his way back to his original destination, keeping his head straight and his pace casual and relaxed.

OOC: If something needs to be changed, please do tell! ♥

[Remy]

Whoever Mr. Aristocrat was, he was a busy person. Remy strode briskly as she followed the vampire through the crowd of sailors and merchants. When the fancy-coated vampire started talking to a round old man, Remy slowed her pace and stopped outside a small fish & chips restaurant. As she pretended to examine the menu, she extended her mind toward the round man. To her delight, the man was very much in the present and she quickly learned that Mr. Aristocrat was a trader. Out of the corner of her vision, she saw the sailor lean toward Mr. Aristocrat and pointing to the ships. Dardanian cotton is there, his mind unknowingly supplied. That was her cue to follow.

When the two men started walking down the docks, she saw that the dock had nothing else but the ocean around it. The two couldn't go anywhere but back when they were done with whatever business trading their Dardanian goods. Knowing that the two gentlemen would take a while, she hopped into a bench near the shore. Remy slouched in her seat and tugged her jacket closer around her. As wind started blowing at her hair and her purple scarf, she wrapped the scarf more firmly around her neck.

Five notes suddenly came out from her COM. Immediately, Remy plucked it out of her pocket and replied to Sam's message: Irene's shipment was here. Irene was another vampire friend of Remy's, and she ran an apothecary in inner Espur. The apothecary had ordered part of a shipment of Bithanium to come in today, but unexpectedly had to leave town for an emergency situation. But shipments of Bithanium come from Dardanos only a few times in the year, and Irene didn't want to risk her shipment getting misdelivered or left at her front porch where just anybody could take it...Which was where Remy came in. Typing quickly, Remy told Sam how to claim the goods for Irene, and then asked him to leave the cargo at her home. He already knew how to get in there anyway.

Once Irene's business was covered, Remy glanced up to see that Mr. Aristocrat was on the move again. She followed him into his meeting with a skotados, and Remy wasn't surprised at all when she probed the skotados' mind and found only business deals again. As the two men shook hands and parted ways, she discreetly trailed the outsider vampire again. Then followed a painfully long time in which all this guy did was shop, and Remy frequently yawned from boredom. Shopping was fun only when she did it. And even then, it wasn't that fun because she rarely had enough money to spare on trivial items like the ring Mr. Aristocrat was buying.

Stepping away from the shop window, Remy stepped around a running newsboy and started to read an ad pasted on a lamppost. She already knew what the ad was for---the latest Dorchester & Theopotos opera. Eyeing the duo that was sketched romantically onto paper, Remy rolled her eyes. Romantic operas were overdone, and the plots were rarely creative enough for her interest. With a shopping bag in hand, the outsider-vampire left the shop, and Remy made sure to follow him from a distance like before. She ran from window to window, like any hyper kid who was curious about the world. With bright eyes, she made sure to hesitate longer outside the local saltwater taffy stand. Aw heck, she even bought a bag to munch on...

Dammit, she should just end this crap and ask him what he was doing here. Surely Landon wouldn't mind her doing this. Because while Espur didn't trust her outside vampires, the vampires' Director placed shadows only on vampires that might seem like a threat. Mr. Aristocrat seemed nothing like that. From all the minds she had been skimming, Remy could safely say that the man was just here for business.

((OOC: Sorry my post is so long. I'm sure the posts will be shorter when these two start interacting. ^w^))

[Kazuma]

Kazuma was not one to extend needlessly, however. After all, he had business to attend to with the ship's firm and that had to be done as seamlessly as possible, if he were to expect no further problems in the future. Still, he maintained his leisurely air as he felt through the fur collar of a maroon coat from a shop he'd passed by but decided against buying it and went on his way. He was looking for something in particular...

And he found it in the form of a clock shop -- a rather small one, a little suffocating what with the walls being covered completely by timepieces of all sizes, the shade of gold prominent. There was one that was decorated by a female apalos, barefoot and relaxing on a large root while her lover -- a male skotados -- played her a song. Kazuma inquired to the strappy lad behind the counter about its price and asked to see it. He held it up to his eyes to see the details, stepping a little farther from the counter for better light...

And so that he could peek at the wavy golden band of fake gold wrapped around the marble counter, filled with distorted shapes of passers-by. If there was something he had to be thankful to his love for coats for, it was how his eyes were quick to attach itself to anything distinct. This one he had just found embedded in his background, surrounded by Espur's citizens, was not particularly his taste but it had already become...familiar to his senses.

He thanked the lad...and asked for it to be held for him. Kazuma thought he might look at it a second time. It was rather charming. After leaving the shop, he went on his way, hands in his pockets, his feet moving quicker than a stroll. He rounded the corner, excused himself when a pair of children had nearly bumped into him and sought the walls, doors, stalls, posters, shops for anything interesting. It must have taken him a flower stand and a tacky leather stand, one toy store, one huge apartment building, two cafes (both of which, he stopped to read the exposed menu) and a small magazine shop before he came upon a sandwich shop which, upon inspecting their offerings, decided to end his search at that point.

“Table for two, please,” he said to the blonde waitress with a low voice before he stepped up the short set of stairs as the lady asked to be followed. Before he went in, however, he turned around, sought for that coat with a face, smiled at her without his teeth and tilting his head a little, gestured to her with his right hand to come in with him before he walked inside the shop. All that walking around must have starved her, he thought.

OOC: Which is nao? ;; Hope the post is okay, too! You can totally say he would have sat down on a chair in your post and they can sit wherever you like!

[Remy]

They weren't shopping together, and they haven't even spoken, but Remy had already learned some about this Mr. Aristocrat from who-knows-where. One can learn a lot from observing other people's shopping habits. Not that she cared about the outsider...she just wanted some detail for when she reported to Landon.

Still, she enjoyed the stroll as much as she could. She idly texted Sam, and sent a confirmation message to Irene. As Mr. Aristocrat wandered into a clock store, she noticed a stray cat and stooped to give it some of her attention. She was oblivious to the other vampire's observation of her, but even if she'd known, she wouldn't have cared. Remy was barely trying to hide herself. She stood just outside the store and a little bit to the side of the window.

Again, Mr. Aristocrat left the store empty-handed, and Remy waited for him to start moving before she picked up her pace. He walked faster than before, and Remy almost had to run to keep up--darn her short height and legs. She was surprised that he didn't hear her run. Heck, she was surprised that he didn't give any sign of noticing her. Jostling past a pair of running children, Remy trailed after the taller vampire until he slowed and entered a sandwich store. Here, Remy paused uncertainly. She'd been a shadow for a good portion of the morning, and had seen nothing incriminating. If she was lucky, he'd leave the city after lunch. And if not, she'd abandon her poor excuse of stealth and introduce herself to the outsider.

There was a hot dog stand a few stores away, and she almost started walking toward it. But miraculously, her mark suddenly looked straight at her, and she knew the game was up. He smiled cryptically and invited her into the store with a wave.

Well, goodie. He'd taken her on a very lengthy stroll, and she was feeling hungry. Lips quirking into a grin, Remy pulled her hands out of her pockets and followed them up the stairs. The waitress brought them to a table by the windows, and Remy wordlessly took a seat. She spoke not a word as the waitress spoke about the special of the day, and merely skimmed the menu.

When the waitress finally left, she closed the menu and placed it on the table. Eyes sparkling and with both palms resting on top of the menu, Remy leaned forward and smiled lightly at the gentleman before her. “I was wondering when I'd talk to you. That was a helluva walk that you took me through.” He was a total stranger, but she already respected him enough to not try her usual tarochtaroch crap, which was to pretend that she was a normal-and-human street urchin who wasn't shadowing an outsider for her vampire club. She even allowed her smile to widen into a grin with a hint of tiny fangs, showing her true nature. “Are you enjoying the city?”

[Kazuma]

Kazuma had sent the lovely waitress away after being briefed of their special offers, himself watching her back recede until his guest spoke up and he turned next to look at the adorable girl sitting just before him, perhaps looking much like the perfect character of innocence in a goth film. He sat stylishly, his legs crossed and his back resting against the table as he set down his menu, smile on his face and began to undo his scarf to put it away. “Had I known that you'd wanted to talk to me, I would have made our meeting sooner, I promise you.” he said after a while, “Anyhow, physical exercise is good for everyone, once in a while.” He gave a small sigh as he looked out the window to his left. “The day is still early. There is no better time to take a walk around the city, don't you think?” He turned to look again at the child.

And that was when he saw her grin at him, and he allowed for his reaction to be visible in the way that he raised his brows slightly. So she was a vampire. That explains many things...

“Are you enjoying the city?” she asked him.

“Why yes, indeed,” Kazuma answered truthfully and pleasantly. “Thank you for asking. It's not everyday I get the chance to stroll around this city of yours and every opportunity I get, I do my best to keep myself entertained. I must say, though, I am rather pleased to have found that I have a beautiful companion for this opportunity.” He smiled at her the way a man his age would to a child her physical age, perhaps as if he might be teasing her. He made it a point not to stare any longer at any other unnatural characteristics she might have because it was improper. She was a girl -- perhaps even a lady now. She knew what she was doing and in spite of her anatomy had that control over it children her age were not known to have.

“To be honest, I was worried I'd be crossing the line today,” he added soon after, “but I am relieved to find out that I shouldn't have had to worry about being involved in an issue about child labor. A man of my profession could not possibly risk such a chance although now, I am sorry I had not chosen a more...appropriate restaurant to invite you for breakfast. Anyhow,” as he waved for the attention of their waitress, he asked his guest, “to what or to who do I owe the pleasure of your interest?” Although they were both informed of each their nature, he maintained caution on revealing his fangs.

When the waitress came, Kazuma ordered quietly for a cup of their trademark coffee before he looked at the girl before him, asking her by his eyes what she might want.

OOC: Interview with a vampire luls. >.>;;

[Remy]

The corner of her lips curled in mirth as she mimicked the man's teasing smile. Perhaps in another life, she would have grown into the drop-dead-gorgeous apalos that boys fell in love with. Now thanks to the virus, she would never be 'beautiful', always 'cute'. But just as well. If she hadn't been turned, she probably would have become just like the other girls from her village by now: married and with children on the way.

“I apologize that there wasn't a prettier lady to escort you today. But if I weren't here, well, you'd be dining with a bear of a guy instead. He has a wonderful personality though.” Remy grinned impishly as she drummed her fingers on the menu.

She hated the taste of coffee---it tasted bitter no matter how many sugar packets she put into it. So as the waitress returned, Remy asked for a glass of orange juice and slid her menu to the lady. Acting more like a child than a girl of her true age, Remy lifted her legs to cross them upon her seat. As the waitress left their table, Remy leaned back and crossed her arms as well. “So I hear it's civil to know the names of people you're dining with. My name's Remy. As for why you've attracted a lovely shadow like me...You spoke about crossing lines. So tell me, do you know how the Alexshire cabal treats vampires who are not their own?” Her smile was a casual one and her eyes betrayed no ill will. She only mentioned the Black Rose because it was the one that everybody knew about. If this man understood how Alexshire worked, then it would be easier to explain the reason for her being here.

[Kazuma]

“That will be all for now,” Kazuma said as he waved the waitress away although he kept his menu for reference and browsing. He wasn't sure if he wanted something with egg or something meatier, he'll have to think about it over coffee.

There was still the ghost of a smile on his face when the little girl named Remy introduced herself but when she mentioned his Cabal, his expression changed into one of recognition and he let out a discovered laugh as he adjusted himself on his seat, showing a bit of teeth now as he did so (although the fangs were still generally left discreet). So much scandal these days...and after he'd done his best to keep his nature and his Cabal a secret in those four months he had been away vacationing! Anyone can see how easily efforts are disregarded these days... “I see what this is all about now. Why yes, in fact, I do,” he said to answer the question, keeping his gaze straight at his guest as he did so. “Do I assume then that the Cabal's mannerisms are to be our topic of discussion throughout this breakfast, Ms. Remy? My name is Kazuma Uemori, by the way. I suppose you can call me a trader but I assure you, business is my priority in this territory of yours.” It was best to get that out of the way, he thought.

[Remy]

Remy laughed delightedly and set her hands on either side of her seat. She leaned forward, as she was not at all disturbed by their eye contact. “Yes, it is indeed what this is all about, Mr. Uemori. 'My turf', 'your turf'...it's always the worry of any vampire cabal, am I right? It's been like that since the Black Rose became popular, among us folks at least.” She shook her head wryly as she thought of Alexshire's vampire hunt. Bailey had worked so hard for her vampires to co-exist with the Others in Alexshire. Such a shame that it was toppled by a mere guardsman's wife. As the result of Alexshire, the Ruby Claw's Director had upped his paranoia since the Alexshire incident, and even forbade his vampires from treading the lines (as they usually did). Naturally, Landon's law spread to visiting vampires as well, and scouts like Remy were there to enforce it.

“I can't claim all this territory as mine...I'd be dead if I so much as suggested it. But yes, our Director is quite jealous about strangers being on his land. Thankfully, we're not as scary with outsiders as New Alexshire. I hear they'd kill any outsider who steps into their territory.”

Remy wasn't the type of person to beat around the bush, so she shrugged and spoke truthfully. “Espur just sends shadows like me. But you don't seem like the type of person who'd try to cause trouble in Espur, aye? Those sorts of people dress shabbily and would never have invited a child to chat in a sandwich store.” She smiled sweetly.

[Kazuma]

“Encroach,” Kazuma corrected Remy when she noted about his Cabal's paranoid security system. “Not all outsiders per se but ones who intrude or make a ruckus. There's a thin line of difference between it and visitation, I suppose, but if I had been seen walking around their 'turf', as you so called it, and they would be so keen as to remove my neck at my very breath then I imagine I wouldn't be around talking to you like this, would I?” A closed smile stretched on his face.

His coffee and the condiments and her juice came, Kazuma giving the waitress a small nod for her service while he went about checking out the lidded contents of the tiny porcelain post in the small rectangular plate. “Still, you must watch out for those people who would invite children your physique to anywhere -- especially if they're as old as I am,” he said as he began to drizzle some cream into his coffee. Putting the pot back, he continued, “But that's besides the point,” he leaned forward, the steam of his drink warming his chin and fist-enclosed hands under it, “What I mean to say is that I assure you, soiling this wonderful city of yours is beyond any of my intentions. Your stores are some of my favorites, your products exquisite and I deal with much of my clients here. Why would I do anything to even so much as stain her, then?”

And then he leaned back, his right hand moving into his right coat pocket. “Perhaps I might interest you with my business card? Just to keep tabs on me and my character.”

[Remy]

From the way that Kazuma spoke so confidently about Alexshire, Remy assumed that he has visited the city, if not lived in it. She was still trying to guess where he'd come from.

Then their orders arrived, and Remy murmured a word of gratitude to the waitress before pulling the orange juice to her edge of the table. She took a sip of the juice and then blinked as if there was something wrong with it. Slowly, she set her cup on the table and reached for the pot of sugar. Her orange juice had hardly been sweet enough, so she generously dumped a spoonful of sugar into it.

Espur wasn't her city, but she has lived in it long enough to develop a fierce loyalty to it. So when she heard Kazuma's words of praise to the territory, she couldn't help but smile genuinely.

But then Kazuma leaned back and slipped his hand into a coat pocket. Here the man seemed perfectly proper and harmless, they were out in the open, and yet her senses still buzzed in warning. She was a paranoid child indeed. Realizing that her fingers had tensed around the glass, she loosened her grip and lightly swirled the orange juice. “Clearly, this isn't your first time here, since all that you said is true. Though I'm surprised you've eluded our notice for so long.” She smiled blandly and raised the glass to her lips before bobbing her head toward Kazuma. “Business cards are fun to collect though. Let's take a look?”

[Kazuma]

“I'm afraid I do not have the answer to that, as I haven't been aware of an existing cabal until now,” Kazuma said in response to Remy's wonder as he gazed down to what he held beneath the table -- a thin leather purse with the shade of dark chocolate and his name in two languages embedded one on each side. As he had to keep a number of business cards and had to introduce himself in a number of situations -- this one included -- it helped him sort out easily which card he was to use depending on his company or setting. “Perhaps your cabal should know, though? It might be more productive to ask them about it,” he said as he flipped his case around, folded it open and slipped out his Elysian card which, in a plain, white card tinged with light gray bore his name in the middle in bold, black serif along with a most peculiar detail typed smaller underneath: his contact number. He was aware that this wasn't the normal practice in Elysia but whatever, he was a modern man and he would revolutionize standards.

“Please accept my card,” he said to Remy with a small bow as he slid it towards her, the name upright to her for her convenience. Kazuma set his leather case beside him, on his right, just in case he might need it again. He rather doubted it, however -- he was used to expect something in return for his card, in some form or way, but Remy was a child and children normally did not bring anything along to introduce themselves with like that.

Normally.

“You should also tell me a little more about your cabal, Ms. Remy,” Kazuma suggested after as he stirred his coffee with the spoon and took the cup up. “I'm curious as to your policies -- or anything else that a visitor like me must know.” He sipped his drink, keeping eye contact.

[Remy]

The business card slid across the table, and Remy picked it up with a hand. Flipping it between her fingers, she examined the name on the thick paper, typed neatly but spelled peculiarly. It suited Kazuma quite well, she thought as she placed the barely-decorated card beside her drink. She would keep it out of respect for the man, and also if she needed to call him in the future (though she highly doubted they'd ever meet again). “Just a name and number? I thought there'd at least be a business name or address, don't you think?” Really, Kazuma was totally trying to be an enigma! They'd been chatting for a while, and here the only thing she discovered was that he traded Dardanian cotton and who knows what else. At any rate, she didn't offer anything in return for the card. She wasn't the type of person who gave her contact information so freely, and adults rarely treated her as her true age, anyway.

Still sitting cross-legged, Remy grinned and clasped her hands in her lap. “But never mind. I'll tell you what any vampire should know about visiting big cities like Espur, since you seem like a nice person...” She tilted her head with a small smile. “Really, all we ask is that you don't hunt any creature our grounds, which is all of this city and a bit more. Besmirch the vampire name in Espur, and you know...” she swiped two fingers across her tiny throat, and then reached for her drink again. “That's all, but stay away from Sven Irvell and his three lackeys. They're bullies who don't like sharing Espur with the other vampires if they can help it, let alone ones from the outside.” She has encountered the group before, and had been wise enough to keep her insults to a minimum, lest she had her tongue torn out.

“And that's exactly why I'm here--to make sure you're on your best behavior. You're performing splendidly by the way...” She grinned at Kazuma from behind the glass.

[Kazuma]

Kazuma never found it profitable for either parties to know any address of his, especially as he only had his homes with him. Remy was not the first person to wonder about this, he's had lots -- and always, he reasoned that he had no working office and that he was constantly traveling everywhere -- and by everywhere, he meant Earth and Elysia and wherever his money or the portals could take him. And there was also the case of these xenophobic vampires -- if he managed to give away that he lived in New Alexandria, then everything was going to pot. Especially after the murder scandal in Alexshire, he had been keener to keep his affiliation a secret.

He smiled genuinely at Remy's compliment and gave her another bow. “Thank you. That is reassuring to know.” As he took up his spoon to stir his coffee drink, again, he added, “I shall do my best to keep your rules in my head, don't worry.” His brows arched. “Although, I must ask you about this particular name that you shared to me. I feel like I must know more about him if I mean to survive in this territory of yours...” He sipped cautiously from his cup, set it down with a small clink before he leaned forward again to entwine his fingers beneath his chin. He asked, “What is he called again? Sven Irvell?” He showed a face of a curious man. The name, after all, was something he had picked up once or twice, during his previous trips in Espur.

[Remy]

Anybody who saw a grown man bowing to a mere child might have felt disconcerted. Even Remy, who appreciated respect from others, thought Kazuma's bowing tendencies odd. So she tilted her head downward, slightly and briefly, to show her respects to him as well.

As she set her drink down, she raised an eyebrow and questioned, “Sven?” But she was pleased that he asked. She had deliberately cut short her description of Sven, and now that Kazuma showed such interest in the Irvell guy, she knew that the outsider was planning to stay a while, or at least return sometime soon.

Curling both hands around her drink, Remy tapped the glass with her fingernails as she thought. “The Irvell guy is a another vampire, of course. Lurks along the blocks near High Street. Favors leather jackets and excessively gelled hair. I'm surprised he hasn't staked somebody with it, actually. His three goons, Mary, Clement, and some other guy...they follow him everywhere. All hunter class, except Clement.” She half-closed her left eye and pointed at it, “He's the one with the squint.”

Remy had no qualms about shoveling dirt on the quad. Her thoughts were the general consensus of the Ruby Claw, and Sven actually enjoyed his reputation. “Anyway, they're all assholes.” Remy knew for a fact that whats-his-face liked to skin his animals, and that Clement regularly invaded people's minds (but never Remy's, he'd never dare). And Mary...despite her bad-ass front, she was a remarkably easy woman.

As she leaned into the backrest, Remy murmured nonchalantly, “I'd suggest that you stay away from them, but then who knows? Perhaps you could hold your own in a squabble...” Her eyes lit with mischief, “and wouldn't that be a treat to see?”

[Kazuma]

Kazuma showed interest in his face while Remy introduced to him the character of Sven Irvell and his minions, Mary, Clement and Someone. He had to admit he'd never seen any of Sven's character around and for a while there, he thought he should consider himself lucky for that. He laughed when Remy admitted her opinion on them and he sipped his coffee. Kazuma could hardly think of a word aside from 'asshole' that could describe the very nutshell of a character spot on.

“Hardly,” he said in response to the child vampire's delusions as he set his cup down, a soft clink marking its descent. If Kazuma should say so himself, this was a conversation he was, in a way, enjoying. He, too, leaned back, although he kept his right hand on the table so that a long trigger finger could run up and down the smooth arm of his cup, before he added, “I don't like fights.” He looked up to Remy as he said this. “They do nothing but leave bruises and scratches and are hardly very appealing or entertaining. And anyway, I don't know how to defend myself without a stick.” He would have said sword except that would just ruin his peacemaker's impression and anyway, didn't he just practically attack a mindless monkey with a broomstick earlier?

“Besides, don't you think a war of words would be more enjoyable than a fistfight? You could play with the other party's intelligence and win so easily as soon as you see an amusing reaction on their part -- and all without the blacks and the blood. I have a feeling you understand my sentiments, Ms. Remy.”

[Remy]

Ha! Remy didn't think that Kazuma could be a fighter--he seemed too well-groomed for that. Anyway, what kind of moron would own up to his love of fighting in the middle of a rival city? But really, if an outsider so much as started a fight with one of Espur's own, he'd be torn to pieces. Remy would never wish that upon a decent person like Kazuma. Feigning a disappointed sigh (though a tiny part of it was real), Remy slumped in her seat. “Aw, and here I thought you'd be a kick-ass kinda person. But fair enough. I'd pick name-calling over fistfights anyday. I mean, look at me, do you think I could last three seconds in a boxing ring?” she waved a hand around her face and chuckled wryly.

“And mind-games are so delightful...” The last time she'd been in a fight, she'd warped the 'vari so bad that he could barely see her. She'd managed to escape with an ounce of his blood, too. Remembering that event, the corners of her lip turned up and into a wicked grin.

It was a story worth boasting, but she had the feeling that Kazuma wouldn't appreciate it as much as she did. So instead, she tucked the tale behind the recesses of her mind, and resumed to poking at her new enigmatic friend. “I'm curious then...as a trader, you've probably met more than your share of bad people, so just how have you avoided them unscathed if you're supposedly a pacifist?” Haha, a pacifist vampire! Funny thought.

((Sorry this post is a little bit loopy. I'm running on very low energy D:))

[Kazuma]

OOC: *feeds you blood energy bars!!*

“I talk to them,” Kazuma shrugged his shoulders. “Believe it or not, talking your way out of trouble still works in this convoluted world we live in. A few soft words, a little dose of humility...” he shook his head for effect, “It's all you ever need to walk out with a clean coat. In the first place, you must know, Ms. Remy, that I do not deal with characters of a suspicious nature. Better to avoid trouble altogether than to walk out of one, don't you think?” He wasn't going to admit that he's had a few close encounters in his hundred years of living, however -- in Earth or otherwise and he's had to force his way through in a countable number of them -- stick or no stick. Others, he just sneaked out and never showed his face again.

But that was a story for another life.

“I hope I didn't disappoint you, Ms. Remy,” he finished, smiling. “I apologize that I left such an impression but believe you me, I would not be one to last very long in a ring, either.” Kazuma had also wanted to say something about these "mind games" she'd mentioned but decided against tossing in his curiosity right now. "Mind games", after all, was something rare to his dictionary as a hunter.

[Remy]

Hel would freeze over before Remy ever sweet-talked her way out of a situation. It was difficult enough to keep a hold of her vocabulary in front of even Landon. Hearing Kazuma, Remy sniffed and wrinkled her nose. “The best I could ever do is shut my mouth and hope things go well. Humility is not in my language,” she smirked. Of course, if things became really bad, she'd resort to mind-invasion and force the person away. While she hated people prying at her mind, she was very liberal about the other way around. She'd honed those abilities during her early vampirehood when the skills were necessary for survival, and she wouldn't hesitate to do so again.

“Oh, you do not disappoint, Mr. Kazuma, I do believe that you could talk your way out of anything, with your business speech and all.” She smiled in mimicry of his polite speech. People never called her a 'miss'. However, she did not believe for a second that he'd gone through his whole life without a fight. That was too good to be true, especially when the majority of Elysia still hated vampires. “You speak so formally for a person of our times though. How long have you been around, anyway?” She was truly curious, and the knowledge would allow her to gauge his ability. In her experience, usually the older a vampire got, the more powerful he became. Kazuma couldn't possibly be younger than sixty.

[Kazuma]

“Now, aren't we too forward?” Kazuma spoke slowly, eloquently as though to make sure that Remy heard every syllable he said or breath he took but the look of amusement was still on his face. It probably helped that she looked like a really intelligent child even if both of them knew why that was so. Still, he somehow had an idea that the character of a child still very much attached itself to her and her speech and for that, he thought it would be fun to play around with her question. “In my past, that would have been a most unpleasant behavior for a child to display -- especially to a stranger. Your mother would have been sorely disappointed and I might have been quite offended myself.” Then tilting his chin up a little, he finally said, “I would have been around for already a hundred years by now.”

Thinking and talking about it almost made him feel sad. He'd been alive for already a hundred years, way beyond his expectations especially during the time of his turning, and he'd been a vampire for 66 years now. How depressing the thought of it all was.

“I've had that long to understand my way around this complicated world we live in,” he added, springing back from his mental void. “Long enough to understand the concept and benefits of humility, don't you think? Among many others, that is. Although as it is, I still have much, much more to learn in my life. Case in point,” he gestured to his guest, “You and your cabal. Among many others.” Now he was curious as to her age, as well. She sounded very confident and strong so he doubted that in spite of her doll-ish figure, she would still have milk on her lips, so to say.

But as etiquette went: one should never ask a woman her age.