Video Two// This threat produced by your local high school theater department

[royalguard_style]

[Dante's been the closest things to diligent and vigilant as he can be since the other foreigners were attacked. Since he saw the initial reason for the meeting as a petty political squabble, he was sound asleep until it was too late to go help with the attack. It's not the worst news that could have come out of that meeting, but it still sucks to find out that a war you were supposed to be fighting turned hot, a bunch of innocents got hurt, and the enemy was nowhere to be found.

So here he was, speaking in front of the console and sitting on a flimsy wooden chair. The video is harshly lit with a black background. Dante wanted answers, but apparently circumstances aren't dire enough to scrimp on the dramatic flair. Things only get worse once he actually starts talking.]

You. Yes, you jerks hiding out in the castle right now.

[He makes an exaggerated pointing motion towards the screen.]

A few of the folks here have been waiting a good long time for a piece of you. You know how much it sucks to sit around waiting for an enemy that doesn't feel like showing it's ugly mug?

[He stands up and starts pacing around the flimsy chair and starts pacing around it, never straying out of the light. All the while, he keeps talking with an increasingly theatrical timbre.]

And then you finally decided to show yourselves! But apparently the people who actually want to kick your ass aren't worth your time. No, you wanted that good-for-nothing emperor, didn't you? That's why a bunch of cowards like you decided to charge into a building full of foreigners.

[He swings back onto the chair and crosses his legs in one fluid motion. Afterwards, his voice drops down to it's normal, casual tone of voice.]

Let me give you a bit of friendly advice. That guy's not the guy you want to worry about. Haven't you heard the news? I'll tell you what: why don't you come on over so I can kick your ass personally. There's a nice little bar not far from here you can try and ambush me at, and you'll have me outnumbered. I'll be waiting.

[And he waves before turning the video feed off.]

Comments

[gistful]

[The moment the chime went off Anton grunted, aborting his motion midway, pausing to a standstill before relaxing and straightening to at-ease. His arms were aching, which said a great deal; likely he was going to bruise, temporary though those bruises would be once he could attend himself. His breathing is controlled rather than ragged, but hard. He'd been exerting himself, and that said a lot too.]

It's been a while since I've had anyone able to stand up to it.

[There's satisfaction in his voice, in his stance, in the gleam of his eyes.]

I'm pretty sure you're asleep, so please ask me to edit if you don't want Dante figuring this out.

[royalguard_style]

[He would have to tend to his own wounds when nobody was looking. After taking a beating like that, it was probably fairly obvious that he wasn't human, but the less anyone knows about the specifics, the better.]

How long have you been doing this, anyway?

[He had his suspicions, but he wasn't about to say anything until Anton said it himself. There were plenty of people who could best him in matters of skill, but the bulk of them tended to be at least half a century older then him.]

this is fine, it's great!

[gistful]

[Anton has to actually stop and consider that, even while rolling down his sleeves and wiping away the sigil with a hand. He had been a field-labourer as a youth, but when he took the gist he'd been forced onto the streets. Brawls had been common-place then--when he was nineteen. True style had only come later.]

Five-hundred and twenty-three years. And you?

[He picks up his jacket and turns to face Dante with curiosity. Few people could stand up to him without magic, and usually only because they knew him well. Chances are Dante has some of his own, or is long-lived enough to have that experience.]

[royalguard_style]

So you are immortal, then?

[The admission that he was several hundred years more experienced solidified his theory, even if it was technically wrong.]

About thirty two years, give or take a few.

[He most likely had a normal lifespan, so magic. To be specific, it was a combination of his demonic heritage, magic, and diligence. His father had made him start at an early age, his mother took over when he disappeared, and then finally plain old necessity made him complete his training himself. His claymore also augmented his own skill during real battles, but that's exactly why he didn't use it during the match.]

[gistful]

No. It only seems so, at times. Magic in my world frequently comes with a rejuvenating effect--eight-hundred to a thousand years is usual, though few of us reach that age before we're killed for one reason or another.

[He pulls on his jacket, giving Dante another glance-over, and nods.]

Impressive. You've magically-enhanced skills or attributes, then, yes? Few people can hold their own against me without experience or magic to aid them.

[He said 'few people', but really, it was 'none'. Everyone needed one or the other. Only one person had been able to beat him outright on a regular basis, and her magic had been as martial as his.]

[royalguard_style]

I have a feeling a lot of questions I would have about you could be answered with "Magic". As for me, I guess you could say that. I had a lot of magical help learning how to fight, and I come from a family of folks who can take a few hits.

[And hopefully, this guy wouldn't figure out that that meant "demonic heritage". He summons Rebellion back to himself, and straps it to his back again.]

[gistful]

You've non-human blood. It's understandable you'd want to keep that secret, given humanity's propensity to fear what it doesn't know.

[What else could a 'family of folks' mean? Werewolves, giants, witches ... there were any number of non-human beings in Anton's own world, and many human ones who presented as inhuman. Anton cants his head at Dante.]

You have questions?

[royalguard_style]

[SHIT. He never really wondered what others would think of him, but he was enjoying the fact that nobody knew who he was here.]

Well, now that you've figured it out, I'm guessing I don't need to tell you I don't like folks finding out.

As for my questions, I'm pretty sure you've heard them before. "How the hell did you get that hotel here", "What the hell is going through your mind anyway?". You know, the usual.

[He's not at all shocked by anything he's seen or heard. Just curious.]

[gistful]

I've no intention of telling anyone.

[He didn't even need to ask what sort of blood it was. It gave Dante an edge in a fight and he knew better than to flaunt it. That was enough for Anton.]

The Hotel was an accident. Its wards caught on my soul as my soul was taken, and because of the massive magical presence it has after a century it cast an echo of itself in Keeliai. As for the second ...

[He smiles suddenly, and it's almost mischievous. Almost.]

If I told you, where would be the fun in making you guess?

[royalguard_style]

[Dante knew better then to flaunt his heritage, but make no mistake, he accepted this duel for the sake of showing off. He simply didn't expect Anton to be as skilled as he was.]

Well, I assume you got your soul back, even if it comes with some extra baggage.

[Despite the discovery and the sudden smile, Dante's facial expression has not budged.]

Well, I guess I have time to find out the old fashioned way. It doesn't look like I'm going anywhere as long as the squatter who lives up in that castle's around.

[gistful]

In loose terms given where our souls are currently housed.

[He wasn't too happy about the lanterns, but who was? Anton glances toward the palace.]

With luck, and perhaps skill. I wonder how many of those who have left this place have done so because they were truly sent back?

[royalguard_style]

Oh, yeah, that. Almost forgot about that. But who knows? Maybe this magic isn't as good at keeping people around as the emperor likes to make people think it is.

[Or maybe Malicant got to them. But he doesn't want to think about that.]

[gistful]

Perhaps. There are too many variables to know for certain, without being told by someone knowledgeable in the subject.

[It's one of the things he doesn't like about this place. It's a war-zone yet it's still run like a government. Either way, he at least feels less restless.]

Have you secured regular work as yet?

[royalguard_style]

I guess that means nobody has any idea, then.

[It feels just like home to Dante. He was almost certain the government had no idea that demons even existed until minor government agencies started going to his friend with jobs. Honestly, he's impressed that the emperor is even acknowledging the current threat.]

Huh? I've managed to nab a few odd jobs here and there, why?

[gistful]

I would like to hire you for the Hotel on a more secure basis.

[royalguard_style]

[This... might actually be a good idea. The hotel might become an important base of operations and it's already a known meeting place for the types of folks who would have even more jobs for him. If he worked there, he'd probably be able to make connections to potential clients easily. And if those clients had a beef with the cultists or Malicant, then jackpot.

But on the other hand, normal work.]

Doing what, exactly?

[gistful]

Security work, primarily. My main concern is that the Hotel is properly watched while I am obliged to spend time at my apartment. I need someone who will be able to keep the residents in check if necessary, preferably by presenting an intimidating enough presence that conflicts are ceased before they begin.

That means I will require you at minimum every three days while I return to my suite to attend my lantern.

[royalguard_style]

So basically, babysitting duty.

Well, it sounds like as good of an idea as any. Where do I sign?

[gistful]

If you would like to return with me to the Hotel, I can give you a key and we can determine your roster.