"I know better than to try and starve a hungry fighter."

After eating his fill, Jiro, too, heads for the shower, and cleans his outfit as best he can.

"So, what's the plan?" Alex asked from her position curled up on a couch with a book. "Just chill for a while we wait for high the muckty muck to decide he's read to bless us with his presence?."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Wed 09 Mar 2011.

Voice raised to be clear over the shower, Jiro said, "I can't think of much better to do at the moment. This has been... intense. I rather think relaxing would be a decent idea."

"Sounds like a fine idea to me. There's a bunch of books here. I grabbed one on the history of super heroes and villains. It's been a neat read so far."

"Glad to hear it." Finishing his shower, and hanging his clothes to dry, Jiro bundles up in the other housecoat and picks a book at random, intent on waiting for his clothes to finish trying, or a summons.

The time passes uneventfully. The clothing dries, and with only a minimal amount of work is made to look presentable.

Just as you finish getting ready, there is a knock on the door. "Come, Dragoneye will see you now."

Shoulders set, trying his best to look collected and calm, Jiro exited the room and followed the guide, pausing only to make sure Alex was behind him.

Kamis willing, this won't blow up horribly in our faces...

Alex follows, trying her best to fake looking calm. If they were going to meet the person who summoned up all those monsters, she didn't want him to know she was scared.

The Guide leads the pair to another level, which seems like a formal reception room. It is tastefully and expensively decorated in a traditional Chinese style, at least at first glance. Further examination reveals some western influences, skillfully woven into the room.

The guide stops at the entrance to the room and waves you forward. "Dragoneye awaits."

Through an archway in the back of the room, you find a second room even more richly appointed. Sitting in Lotus is a man in the finest of white silk robes.

"Welcome, Jiro Koji and Alex. I am Dragoneye, with whom you have fought most skillfully for an audience with. Come, sit, and tell me why you have sought me out."

Showtime. "Dragoneye, I have heard many tales of your wisdom and knowledge of the arcane arts. I come to you because I suffer from a particular curse; one you have seen in action in the trials I have faced this day. I wish to ask a boon, if you know of a cure."

"You seek a cure to your curse, and you have come to me. By now you suspect that I am a member of the same organization that cursed you and yet you still ask. You are either a fool, desperate, or courageous. Perhaps all three."

The man pauses and looks Jiro in the eyes for a long moment, then nods. "Not a fool then. I may be willing to render you some aid. Your actions in Singapore did not interfere directly with my interests and caused some consternation to one I hold in low esteem. Breaking his pet wizard's curse would not be out of the question. Provided of course, I have reason to."

He turns his attention to Jiro's companion and gives her a measuring look. "Alex. My associates pay attention to your companions actions. He did, after all, cause a great deal of damage to one of our operations. Yet no mention of your presence was made until this morning. Tell me. Who are you? What do you want?"

"I'm Alex. Just Alex. Jiro here did me a favor, and I'm doing the same for him. Now we're asking you for a favor and waiting to see what favor you want in return. If you can help him out with his problem, I may ask for a little something for myself. That can wait for now though. I'm not in any rush for it." Alex says, her voice filled with easy confidence.

"Of course some favors come at too high a price. If that's the case, then we are going to walk out of here and look somewhere else. Right through anything that tries to get in our way."

[OOC: 19:23, Today: Alex rolled 24 using 1d20+6. Bluff HP.
19:23, Today: Alex rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Bluff. ]

Not in a rush? Oh, Alex, that doesn't sound at all like what you were saying before... Jiro shot a glance at his companion, taking in her stance and the way she held herself. Not the best time to lie, friend, even if I do appreciate that you'd stick your neck out for me. At least you're honest about us walking if we don't like his offer.

"Indeed. I would very much like to learn what kind of favor you would ask. Also, I would stress that in our actions in Singapore, myself, my father, and my uncle sought not to end lives, but to prevent suffering. If what happened was otherwise, we did not intend it." Hopefully, that wasn't the wrong thing to say... ugh, I hate not knowing how to react.

[OOC: 16:29, Today: Jiro Koji rolled 29 using 1d20+12. sense motive.]

Dragoneye smiles slightly at Alex's response. "You have spirit."

Dragoneye nods politely at Jiro's comment, but doesn't react strongly one way or another.

"What favor will I ask? Have any vampires had the misfortune of meeting you during your time in this city?"

"It was a brief misfortune, but yes. Both in the city itself and in your challenge arena."

"Good. Then I will not need to work hard to convince you that there is a growing plague of these vermin. They are becoming a threat to the stability of this city. People are dying, and not just those under my protection. I have taken some steps against them, but I have other concerns as well. I have been working to address those other concerns as expeditiously as possible, but your arrival has suggested other possibilities."

Dragoneye waves his hand at the pair. "You have proven that your have the power to face this danger, and I judge your character to be suitable as well."

"This is the favor I ask. Find the source of these unholy dead. Break them utterly if you have the strength or bring me all you learn so that I may do so myself. Do this and I will attempt to remove your curse."

He looks at Alex. "Does this price meet your approval?"

"Killing Vampires?" Alex laughs "Must be Tuesday."

Alex leans forward a bit, looking enthusiastic. "As long as you're playing straight with us, I'm in. I don't have any problem with staking some bloodsuckers. Something of a specialty of mine."

She looks at Jiro "Sound good to you?"

We can quibble about detals as to whose cure is in question later. You've got the more dire issue, Alex... mine is inconvenient but not permanent. Still. Not a discussion for these walls. Aloud, he said, "I have no love for vampires. The task is worthy, though it may take us some time; we are still not as familiar with this city as I would like."

"It is agreed then. I will place no set time for you to compete your task, as I feel nothing I can say will motivate you as strongly as the knowledge that more innocents die every night."

Dragoneye waves at the archway. "If you have no other questions, you may begin your search. One of my servants has volunteered to be your guide in this city. I believe he will meet with your approval."

"I am ready to begin, and you are right; protecting innocents is of great import to myself." A martial artist must protect the weak.

Waiting to see if Alex is also ready, he prepares to leave, having no other questions at the moment.

"Let's be about it."

Alex stands and follows Jiro out.

The Guide leads the pair away once again. Arriving back in the Gym, the pair finds it just as busy as before. A silence falls as they walk in, as every eye turns to face them. The looks on the faces is predominately one of respect.

Chen Ming is there waiting for them. "I have been told that your meeting was a success, and that you have accepted the task presented to you. I am glad. The dead should prey upon the living, it is an affront to all that is holy."

"With your permission, I will be your guide and liaison during your time here."

Jiro's smile is wide and genuine. "I would like that. You have proven to be a good and honorable opponent, and I look forward to working with you."

He gives a nod to the others. "Another time."

That went better than it had a right to.

"Man, if you're good with it, I'm good with it. Sorry about hitting you so hard back there."

Chen Ming shakes his head at Alex. "It is of no concern. I've regularly suffered worse in training bouts. It is the only way to improve."

With that Chen Ming turns and leads you back out into the afternoon sun.

[End Chapter 1]