The sun sat at the edge of the horizon in the sky. The red hue coating the land that filled the edges of what was know was the town of Orchidia. It was a rare sight, normally the gazing sight of the sun was a combination of the colors red, yellow, and orange. But, this morning. At this time. All there was in the shadows and light the little ball of fire up above gave; was red.

The halls of Sleeping Calamity was quiet, expect for the clicking heel steps of two feet as they moved at a casual pace down the hall. *click click click click, click click click click*. The guild has be rebuilt, thanks to the kind actions of the people of Orchidia. Most of Sleeping Calamity were either sleeping or waking up slowly.

Jikan however was up, wearing her Calamity Robe that she had ordered to be personally made. How funny on for it to come today, the last day it would even possibly be on her mind.

She stood at one of the windows, gazing at the sun...the land...the string people that were begining to come out. She sighed.

Skald had a habit of staying up late throughout the nights mostly out of habit; he was always used to running his old bar pretty late into the night and even further still when it turned into an inn with bedrooms. So the fact he was up right now wasn’t really a problem for him. But something had been on his mind for a while; something that he wasn’t sure how to address; so he spent a restless night pacing, napping and working. Wandering around the Sleeping calamity guild hall.

He didn’t need much sleep to have a fruitful or active day and that would continue to be the case. He still took good care of himself and stifling a yawn he couldn’t help but hear the clicking against the stone. It had to be one of the other members; which one? He didn’t know. But he’d step lightly to see who it was and was startled to see that it was Jikan. The very person that was on his mind. He’d hesitate a moment and follow after the other quickly; his many tails flicking this way or that.

He hadn’t seen this robe that she wore before and with her now staring out of one of the windows Skald found his words stuck in his throat. Staring down at the floor for a moment he’d adjust, place his hands to his sides, resting easily in his pockets before he’d speak…

”Good morning Jikan. Did you… sleep well?”

He’d approach after a few seconds, standing slightly off to the side. His deep blue eyes staring out of the window and he couldn’t help but rub at the back of his neck. He might have seemed tired but it was in a good way…

Jikan stood still at the window, her blue green eyes gazing off at the distance at the little ant silhouettes that were the people of Orchidia. It was impressive how independent these people were, hardy, and tough they managed to be one with the natural environment but be separated at the same time. There was a power and strength there, one Jikan held some form of respect towards. A few had too much of an ego from it, pride, but at the same time it did do them some good. One that they needed at times as well. Off in the distance somewhere Jikan heard a soft yawn. Someone was up too? That was a surprise, she had not thought anyone would be stirred up for at least the next several hours, if not a few at least.

Her back turned away from them, her red hair with black tipped edges a clear sign of who it was before them. Looking back, a strand of hair fell to her face, blocking the right side of her face as she heard a voice, a new one, call out. Setting her eyes on the speaker she saw that it was Skald, the fellow she personally had recruited unintentionally recently into Sleeping Calamity.

Although she had been up for awhile now and doing stuff, she had not really talked to anyone. Given this, she still had somewhat of a sleepy voice. A bit softer and unfortunately, a bit groggy, very slow. "Oh, hello there Skald. I did not expect to see anyone else up yet. I slept well, and you?".

Skald felt once again his words caught in his throat; with her turning about and that hair falling in front of her face he had to take a moment to collect himself. Honestly it was difficult for him to speak to some people due to other reasons but this one was making it a little harder for him for all the right ones. He’d manage a small if not fairly friendly smile to his guildmaster. She must have just woken up with the way she was sounding. A bit groggy and slow which… well. He tended to be in the same boat when he just rolled out of bed before going somewhere.

”As well as expected I suppose, been keeping myself busy through the night otherwise.”

He’d bob his head in a nod; wondering how to really talk to her about this. Or at least explain himself; but he had to figure that most in this place liked to stay up late and crash through most of the day. Such was the way of people with a night life.

”I imagine today is going to be busy and full of surprises like most. I had not… anticipated seeing you as soon today as I have if I’m being honest.”

The fox man rubbed the back of his neck; clearly something was on his mind but words were failing him in a spectacular way. The last two years had been… long and he had developed only a little compared to all those around him he felt but… something else had developed too.

"Oh is this so? I hope our little guild home provided something for you to do. What were you up to?". She had chose her word precisely. Our. She was the guildmaster and leader. Skald, now that the guild tattoo was on it, was apart of this team, family, organization; whatever you wanted to call it. He pledged his service to her with the tatoo as well with his word over his life being saved. So, it was indeed ours. He hopefully would see Sleeping Calamity more than just a palace to do whatever he wished like the many others in the guild.

Jikan looked at Skald, straightening her head as her hair continued in its position. "Maybe maybe not. A lot of small things can always happen. Other times the gears keep turning in the machine and nothing happens". She shifted now, moving her body partially away from the window to towards Skald, half at the window while the other half was at him. "Nor did I expect to see you or anyone yet. Although, if you get up this early regularly you'll probably see me. Or at least hear me out and about".

”It has. Mostly upkeep, taking note of stocks, cleaning… Tending to the various well. Support areas.”

He also wasn’t the only butler type around here, he had to contend with the likes of another that he wasn’t sure that he could compare to. But their focus seemed to be entirely on another which he didn’t mind. He didn’t regret pledging himself to Jikan and Sleeping calamity and felt that the red tattoo that sat on his chest would forever be there. Regardless of any other factor.

He at least seemed to be enjoying himself and with a small chuckle he’d have to give a small nod. She was right in that regard; maybe he held the world up a little too highly when it came to that sort of thing. Though he hoped that in the case of it being… a less busy day he could at least explain himself. With her turning half to him he’d adjust ever so slightly; taking a more relaxed but respectful posture.

”well if nothing does happen today that’s not a bad things… Oh? I tend to keep a late night but early mornings is something I’m familiar with. But if I need to shift my schedule slightly to make sure of some things I don’t mind that either.”

Skald exhaled a little bit; tails and ears flicking as he mulled over how to address this. Or at least bring it to her attention. The idea that she was on her own for a good chunk of the morning maybe would sit all right with others but… He did pledge himself to her after all.

”Just more an early bird then I take it?”

Hmmm...Skald rubbed his neck. Did he have a neck stiffness issue or did he have something bothering him internally?

"Ah, sorry for the mess. I rebuilt the guild mostly in the two years as you know. But the recent destruction made all that go to hell. At least going from the ground up I'm able to do a lot more than before. Not be limited by the conditions and limits of the old structure". It was a mixed bag of feelings. Thinking of the work she put in to fix the falling apart large building with her own hands. It nagged at her like something was pinching at her. That time, resources, sweat. Gone. Yes...she supposed she had a gift out of it, it showed her that the people in the town generally cared and had some respect for Sleeping Calamity. For Jikan at least. One of a decision, not fear or the thought of it. It made the town...more home. More of an extension to what she had been trying to create for herself in Sleeping Calamity over the last few years.

"That is a good trait for you Skald. Adaptability and an early...fox?", she tried to do a pun...thinking of the old saying the early bird gets the worm. "Being able to work late or get up if needed comes in handle more often then people think. Duo take care to get proper rest though. Recharging impacts the next day after all".

”Maybe getting some proper masons and the like up here will do some good. There’s bound to be some irregularities from repairs.[/b ]”

Skald knew that there was a lot to handle and even if they built from the ground up there would be issues here or there. It was something that the fox was used to dealing with; destruction of home and property. Something that chased him throughout his life. It made him tsk at the idea of having to repair the guild hall over and over again. Just what did the other guilds get from destroying theirs?!

”[b]Early Kit gets the hen as my mom always said.”

He’d let out a soft chuckle; he understood what Jikan was trying to go for there. She did remind him that while it was a useful trait to get rest was also something that he needed. This would draw into silence and he felt a pang right next to his heart. Not everyone would say something like that or would even pretend to care; he knew it was genuine with her and he’d look like he wanted to say something but bit his tongue.

”In a world such as this adaptability is needed yes… I’ll be sure to try to adjust my sleeping hours to a more convenient state don’t you worry.”

He managed a smile and rubbed the back of his head with a small yet likely frustrated chuckle. He wasn’t normally like this and very rarely did he have something that bothered him this badly. It was hard to come out and say certain things… and this was one of them.

"Perhaps. With the guild's influence, there have been an influx of people and skilled workers over the last two years. We definitely have some masons in the town and nearby who are always looking for work. I'm also hopping to use connections to provide work for them", Jikan reached to her side and pulled out one lists; this one had names of worker contacts. "Masons, carpenter, smiths, and leather workers. Plenty of people I think would be more than happy to be paid with a job to help fix up the guild more. I have more aspirations now as well since I can do a lot more now".

She held the list as she looked at the names. Before shifting her eyes back to Skald. "Its just a start and more people to be found. Perhaps you can see if you can find more skilled workers to bring into our town to live and operate from?". She was seeking Skald's ideas and input here. The fellow member of Sleeping Calamity was not, for now, not a powerful warrior in magic or strength. Thankfully, those weren't the reasons she recruited him into the guild. His loyalty and his connections within trade were the reasons. Even though they were small in Fiore, outside, there was use. Together with his goal of making a widely respected and desire trade business, well, it fell nicely into her desire.

She nodded her head softly as Skald's chuckle and words. She had never heard that one before, then again she was just a human and not one that grew up within Skald's culture. "Yea. Pretty much that". Either way, it seemed he got what she was going for and that was good enough for her. She appropriated him working hard and long, but she would not have someone working for her working themselves to the bone. It was sloppy, did bad for her image, and caused a decline of the quality of work she was getting out of them as well as themselves just getting worse. It was waste in the end.

Then a silence came, one that was familiar to her. She was a calm reserved type after all, pauses when communicating with people weren't something that was new to her. "Thank you. You have a sharp mind and I would rather not have it become dull or clouded because you lacked sleep. If you need to, don't be afraid to stop working during the day and take a nap", Jikan said still in her calm and welcoming tone to Skald.  

She wondered what was going on with him today, he was as talkative as normal, but seemed to be shyer. More nervous. Did he have important information he needed to tell her?

”The influence that Sleeping calamity has over the area certainly has yielded quite a bit of positive influence among the townfolk then… Heh. Connections? Mine perhaps?”

He’d ask curiously; he had some connections but not as many as he’d like. If allowed he’d approach to look at that list; if not he’d just rub at his chin. Fixing up the guild with all these people would be really easy. An ear would flick as the other said they had aspirations. He’d hum with a thought and tilt his head to one side.

”What sort of aspirations if I may ask?”

Then she asked him if he can find more skilled workers; there was a flutter in his chest and the demi human gave a bow of his head. He knew plenty rough sorts that were always looking for work. If they wanted masons there were dwarves, if they wanted the wood to sing there were elves. He knew plenty of smiths and leather workers out there too.

”Well… my connections may be limited for the moment, but I am sure that I can find a few of each type that you require. I personally know a few craftsmen of each sort.”

The cross reference between their two cultures was found very quickly and the fox demi human couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Then came quickly a compliment he wasn’t entirely sure what to do with. It made one of his tails jolt a little bit. A sharp mind? She thought that highly of him? There was a pause and he’d look away, still rubbing at his neck.

”Well.. Thank you. I’ll be sure to try to take some breaks or something I wouldn’t uhm. Want you to worry.”

"Hmmm, I truly wonder about that Skald. The towns folk have grown to like us a lot more than what it was two years ago. I would like to think that it has been a positive influence for them. Streets are cleaner, destroyed or abandoned homes as well as business have been fixed. Not all, but a decent amount that there are more places for the homeless to stay to rest. As well for citizens to live.

With the town and the smaller villages nearby under our banner too, raids and harm from other dark affiliated groups have gone down as well. Allowing for more, demand, jobs and people to return. But as you heard I would assume plenty in the whispers. 'Can't have a dark guild among us, that will only bring the Crown down or the Rune Knights' ", she said with  wave of her hand making a gesture of someone talking. "Or something like that. The town likes us by now, but, there will always been people displeased alas".

She gave a short pause before doing a light hearted chuckled, a small kindness slipping from her eyes at her servant. "Yes Skald. One of them is you. It has been small and perhaps even just putting it in their minds. But having a business man here does do wonders. Especially for the non humans, I think having you here, shows them that we don't care about what you are".

Seeing Skald move to approach her, she welcomed him in seeking to examine the list. It was simple mostly, some names noted; job occupations that could be used to work and fix the guild as well as the continuous repair needs within Sleeping Calamity's domain. For the ones that Jikan had already used over the last two years was a number, a scale from 1 to 5 of Jikan's approval of their quality of work. (And attitude, but she only let that have a small impact).

"You may ask", she said whimsically after handing Skald the list, her back tilted backwards, leaning onto the windowsill. "The town of Orchidia is where our guild is. Where I am staying and existing. To be frank, anything of an under quality is unacceptable. I detest not having pastry stores to eat at, to not have open land to walk on that was clean. To have troublesome little boys and girls trying to be men and woman causing annoyances in my life.". She raised a finger and pointed it towards outside, towards a section of Orchidia. "They are mine...", she shifted her finger to Skald as well. "And...you. Are mine. I am the leader, I. Am in charge. I do not tolerate things that are mine being disrespected, harmed, or not living up to my expectations". Jikan said in a flat, slightly greedy voice. Was this a true sincere care, or some twisted greed obsession of ownership and power? Having something hers and that attachment??

She continued with a soft shake of her head, "So, anything less is no good. Mine must be strong, mine must be healthy. Mine. Must be taken care of. My label, my name, my presence, demands so. That, is why I fixed Orchidia, it is why i partially show interest in everyone. There is a difference between what belongs to Jikan Supesu, and what does not...", or was this a facade under her mask of being a dark powerhouse? Using their language to communicate what her heart felt. No one likely knew for sure, not even her.

She shrugged, a momentarily carefree expression on her face that contrast her normal stotic face."But anyway. Aspiration? Power. Growth. The people under me want to be indepdent. So, why not play that to my end? I shall help them grow...have them need Sleeping Calamity. Want, Sleeping Calamity. And have them become something so useful and desirable, the Fiore Kingdom wouldn't dream of causing distress or opposion. And then, I will expand to the North. They all will become valuable, and then....the world. The world, will rely on them. On us, to exist", Jikan said finally turning towards Skald. For once, a smile was on her face for him to see. But this one was not the kind she gave to her family in a happy moment. This one was heavy, sinister in glee, and calculative. "For me to exist. Or it all crumbles...with..big earthquakes".

...her smile stayed towards Skald, shifting softer in a way that somehow, it seemed her eyes were smiling towards him as well. "Good Skald. I await to see what you can do. Who knows. In time maybe your connections will grow; and you'll have your dream accomplished".

She titled her head then, seeing Skald once again rub his neck but this time shift his gaze away. Internally she thought, pondering something. Then she spoke. "Good. But remember, don't try to do too much by yourself".

”Effort is its own reward Jikan; if it is not one thing it is another. If you think it to be of the effort given then I would not want to argue that.”

There was a softness to the tone that he kept; thinking of the people within this city made him… Protective? He could feel his desire to fight for others rise a little bit and he’d shove it deep back down; as protective as one might be of those under… he still had orders to follow from another. Not that he minded.

The idea of people being displeased with them being a dark guild made him wonder; what made them a dark guild anyways? The fact that they did as they liked? Or that they refused to bend the knee to the king? He had to wonder so he’d ask…

”What makes us a Dark guild Jikan? The members I am aware of hardly are the sort you’d expect to find in one. In fact most of the members simply enjoy a good bout as much as the icebergians do.”

He seemed puzzled for a moment and then as jikan explained further why him being here was important for a moment took his breath out of his lungs. Perhaps it was because of where he had stayed for so long that he earnestly forgot that people treated one another differently due to how close they were to different instances of the world.

He was foolish perhaps sometimes and would look down at his hands; he was so different from jikan they could have been considered different species entirely yet… They were cut from the same cosmic cloth. He let out a soft chuckle.

”Being a part of sleeping calamity has made me forget some of my old problems and with those of the north the same could be said. But as long as people don’t seem to focus on that I won’t mind as much.”

He’d motion a bit and look over that list; his ears flicking. Hearing her explanations there was a softness in each bit; she wanted people to be safe, children to be safe, people to have things. She wanted quality for herself but… that also meant quality for others. He’d stare at it softly and flick his ears a few more times and he felt his heart skip a beat as she told him simply that he was ‘hers’. He had to clear his throat there and stifle a minor blush. Yes. It was that easy but he knew that…. Knew somewhere in his gut that it was not in the way that he wished.

”The truest sense of the word heh…”

He understood and then he considered for a moment; his brow furrowed and the fox would hold the list back up to her when she turned about. There was a long hellish pause. He let them talk and there was a huge moment where he wanted to talk before he looked down at his hands again. They weren’t shaking, they were firm, but he sometimes thought about… dozens of instances and he found his expression hardening.

”My dreams and my aspirations once were just simple little things but the world itself opened up to me Jikan. The day we met my life was changed forever and I won’t forget that. My dreams are paltry compared to the one that I owe it to and if what you want is something healthy, something strong, something that can help this city and yourself then I will do everything in my power to do so.”

There was such an intensity to his words that it was sometimes easy to forget that the fox didn’t have magic to call his own anymore. That he was just a simple man in a simple way but… He’d grip his fists tightly and draw himself up for a moment, exhaling as he knew exactly what he needed to say now.

”I don’t do this for me, Jikan. I do it for you. Everything and anything for you.”

There was a pause and he’d bite the inside of his cheek, not hard enough to draw blood. But he knew what he needed to say.

”And if I need to get stronger to do that I will. Because I care deeply for you and your aspirations. Your goals are my goals.”

"Hmmmmmm", she mused hearing Skald's words. Effort in its own reward? Yes. Yes that was indeed true, when it came to some things at least. Normally Jikan thought of working out or practicing her martial arts. In a way, it could be similar with this aspect though. "Indeed it is. A reward that is appreciated in the journey. The end results just make it sweeter. Either way, I think that the effort of what is given is a nice joy at the end too". It was a strange thing, talking of effort as if it held a merit by itself. It had a power mentally yes, but unfortunately the world did exist in the way of what did exist. Walking towards goals, working, was good. But, Jikan was fully aware that a person had to deal with how things were around them. The views of her and Sleeping Calamity before anything even started was enough of that fact. Although she spoke in a sweet soft voice that held a deep roughness within her. Such a desperation of people to do good that they themselves caused the evil that came after them. Well, things would come in time and be how they were. As long as Jikan's people and subjects were fine, and her way of life was not trialed with, it did not really matter.

An essence that came out to Skald when he asked what made them, dark. "In the terms of us being viewed as a dark guild. Well, where to start? Was it the fact that some of the founders of the guild had extremely bad reputations? Infamy that was far and wide in the terms of their relative power at the time. Or the bounties on their head. Myself, just a small neutral player as a founder, and the others, Knuckles, being largely unknown yet. There was no other information about the guild after word spread of the name. A strange fact though in the terms that issues happened even before we were founded, or, even had a meeting completed. That day with Ariael, Miyamoto, Knuckles, and I barely being started before the former high ranking leaders of the Rune Knights; Shichiro, Seika, and Hitomi crashed the start of on that day to capture bounties and other items", she gave a pause thinking back to that day. It was a mess getting out of that jail and such a long time of not hearing about the others. She had really wondered if they had died in prison or were put in the deepest parts to see no light. Only Miyamoto did die while was imprisoned, the others eventually were released or broke out.

"The mysterious stone I came upon before heading there, that I would later discover was known as a Magharedes' Rune that held some sort I wish granting power. Given that was not among my personal items when I escaped, I guess they had eyes and ears looking for them and took the chance for that as well. Given that I chose to fight against sudden aggressors, combined with the basic first glance they got due to association. Well, there was just a lot more negative than positive before anyone could choose to do anything really. Refusing to bend the knee to the King, did what they liked for the most part, and sought power. Were all sensitive topics that only seemed to further this evil label on them as well in Jikan's experience when it came to the populous. Two...three years of that, and oh well. Who cares?", she said trying to say it in a light hearted tone and wave of her hand.

"We are who we are. I wont deny we don't have some fickle people in our guild like myself, or some moral beings attempting to bring justice, or people who are dark and definite evil. Not many but they are there. Such a mix is volatile in the view of us depending on roles filled or cumulative actions done. Either way, that is just how we are, as long as we seek strength and have that ideology uniting us. We are Sleeping Calamity; wouldn't you say Skald?".

Dark or evil. Light or good. It was funny how it was played as if a person was one the whole time. Their whole life. Their whole personality identity. In the world, was it all about doing what was legal or illegal, or was it really about who toes you stepped on? Who stepped on yours and how you responded?

As she saw his puzzled look, the gaze towards his hands. It seemed her words hit him. Skald had value to her due to who he was as well as what he represented. Jikan, saw people as people. Demi human, vampire,werewolf, human, dwarf, daemon. Every species had a place in Sleeping Calamity if they wished and held the goal to grow. Sweet people could be mixed in, just as jerks could be as well. Variety, diverse and yet connected.

She knew that Fiore was a better place when it came to this overall when it came to other nations. She also knew that not every city, town, and village was open and welcoming as the average. But here, in Orchidia. It was, and had been furthered in the years since the guild's founding. Jobs needing to be filled and coins exchanged had no real care about what someone was after all. As he let out a soft chuckle. She continued to gaze at him with those blue green eyes of hers. His words causing her to nod her head and let out a pleased laugh of her own. "Good, problems of the past should be conquered. I know not all can be solved always, and not all in the way everyone likes. But, there are more things to worry about as you can imagine".

The next moments held many signs. Ones that she did catch this time while Skald looked over the list. The flickering ears, attentive to her words. An intense focus of flicking eyes at the mention of certain words as well as sentences. The clearing of his throat after she pointed a finger at him and said 'hers'.  Her hand reached out, gently taking the list back from Skald after he held the list back out to her after finishing his examination. Once again he looked at his hands, still and firm. Face hardening like a stone. "A simple start is that. A start. It would be wonderful if you continued on that goal if your heart wished. As time comes and things happen. More and more doors will open, as well as close before you. I do wonder, in the end, will you regret meeting me and owning a life debt? Or will you cherish this change in your life forever", Jikan mused softly. "Either way, I say dont down play your goals in comparison to anyone. Walk towards it. ....I won't lie that the other things are desirable to me though all the same", she said with a smile. Liking the fire intensity in his words of that of a man on a mission.

She then moved off the way, letting herself bounce a little as her smile remained ever so pleased and she gave a little clap of her hands. "Alright. Come. It is early in the day and it is getting close to breakfast time. Have you eaten yet Skald?".

[Exit]