Of Ice and Magic [p]

[Wolf of the Falls]

/enter

Axel sighed low as he entered a tavern in a small town out on the outskirts of the Land of Snow. With a slight shake the snow would fall from his shoulders revealing his crimson cloak and the ruffling would show some of his black clothing beneath. Utilizing maximum effort he'd walk through until he found a booth in the back taking a seat while writing a letter before handing it to a waitress telling her that it was of grave importance that the letter reached the Yukikage immediately.

Once that had been taken care of he would kick back and let his eyes clothes. Visions of past moments danced behind his eyelids as he felt his cold wire move under his skin. Like this Axel would remain possibly mistaken for a stature, even if touched his body would be as cold as the snow.

[Dealer's Button]

~enter

Entering the humble tavern, the Chivalrous Gambler smiled while the snow gently fell off his brown leather winter jacket unzipped revealing his usual white dress shirt. It was not an fancy coat only highlighted with the signature must of cutting wood and the smell of ash. Light blue eyes glanced around as he gently took off his wire rim glasses to wipe off the snow upon their lenses. Inside his pocket was an single deck of cards containing 55 cards. Without saying an word the tavern dwellers knew who the guest yet they was polite enough to wave instead of invade their home-bound hero's space. The only sound in the tavern was the old record player and the soft banging of glass mugs. He glanced at them bearing only an gentle smile upon his lips knowing that their happiness was well worth the numerous scars upon his rusting vessel. A few moments later he noticed the silent figure of his old friend a few meters away.

Walking over to the wire abnormality, he gave him an gentle wave before leaning against the wall beside the red haired youth. Light blue eyes gazed onward taking in the peaceful atmosphere as the gentle light from the bar glowed upon his dark brown dress pants as his dirty blond hair ponytail laid against the front of his left shoulder-blade. "It has been an while dear friend" he joyfully mentioned while his hands gently reached into his dress pants pockets. "although time is meaningless these day the moments pass away before most can be appreciated such an sad fate" Ace mentioned as an solemn smile remained upon his face. "o bollocks I suppose I am getting weathered these days to be talking such as this" the Old Relic mentioned in his usual up-beat attitude while rubbing the back of his neck as an polite smirk formed upon his lips.

[Wolf of the Falls]

The atmosphere of the room alerted Axel to ace's presence before anything else despite the distinct rustle of cards on his person, the scent of nobility clinging to his skin, and those damn glasses glinting no matter how low the light. But to be honest the change in tone made Axel proud, Ace was hero here even so far out in the boonies they knew him, while Axel was just some piece of trash on the wind. Axel's gaze turned toward the gambler as he came over offering a wry smile and while physically Axel still looked vibrant and young, look of, in, and around his eyes looked like an old man that had been ravaged by time. "Eh, time hasn't meant much to me either lately it all kinda seems to blend together now."

After the comment Axel would lightly nudge Ace with his elbow teasing him about his age before he patted the table for Ace to sit down. Once ha had Axel would begin. "I apologize for making things seem as bad as the letter sounded but there's a number of things I need to talk to you about, most of them stemming from right after you left Taki."

As the red head let his words sink in his glowing red eyes would pull Ace's attention. "I have met someone who is trying to do a good thing and if you are open to it I would like to ask a favor as Takikage on behalf of them, btu not on behalf of the village."

[Dealer's Button]

During the playful banter between two old friends the calm and rustic music continued to play in the background. Light blue weathered eyes gazed upon the immortal as his lips remained polite. It was funny that an individual who did not have to fear time yet one that was ruled by it could be in perfect sync at times. The Old Relic subtly glanced up at the wooden ceiling letting out an small stream of cold vapor linger from his lips. "time does blend easily it seems" he muttered as he thought of the past years. Despite it been years it still felt like it was only a few days ago since they first had that meeting when they first sat down across each other. The simple scent of the hot chocolate was still fresh as if it was still there with them.

After the Chivalrous Gambler taking an jab at his own aging vessel the wire alpha decided to join in as well. When the red haired hunter apologized for over exaggerating the importance of the letter, he simply shook his head before giving him an gentle pat on the shoulder. "no need for an pity apology my soul needed to be away from vilely exhausting documents for an while" Ace mentioned happily in his usual tone. He gave him an node as he patted the table to signal for them to get to business.

Sitting down across from the former Takikage, the Hachidiame Yukikage ungloved hand gently rested upon his gloved right hand upon the table-top. Light blue eyes patiently gazed upon his friend while he spoke. His mind noted all of the details as his left light blond eyebrow slightly raised in curiosity. "Interesting very interesting" he began as his posture remained firm and straight as he gazed upon the individual. "there are many definitions and methods of doing the correctly moral action" he continued in his usual gentle and polite tone. "you are well aware I despise empty promises thus I avoid them at all cost which requires more information about the lad you have in mind before I can make the correct decision" the card enchanter politely mentioned as he continued to give his friend his full attention in an relaxed yet respectful manner.

[Wolf of the Falls]

"Well with your knowledge, I'm sure at some point you've read about the ancient coven?" Axel's words would come out slow testing the water as he explained also keeping a low tone because of the other people in the tavern. "They strove to protect and further the world with their arts but became wiped out through fear and prejudice, recently a met a woman who is descended from one of them and she is rebuilding the coven again."

"She wants to create a refuge in every land so that her witches always have a place to avoid persecution and I want to help her. So I'm asking you as a friend and as a kage, would the Yukikage grant these witches asylum in your lands?" The crimson in Axel's eyes would fluctuate slightly as they looked at his old friend knowing his capacity for kindness but not wanting to push him beyond what was acceptable.

[Dealer's Button]

Ace prepared himself for the news as he patiently awaited for his friend to spill out the information. Although once the first string of information was delivered, his lips turned into an small frown. "what I read it was not favorable but.." he pondered as his friend went on to explain more of the background of the request. Leaning back the Hachidiame Yukikage crossed his arms as he let out an slight sigh from his lips. "prejudice is only powered by fear" he began as he remained leaned back as his arms remained sternly crossed. "yet our own inflexible natures allows their relationship to be so potent" the Old Relic mentioned in his usual polite and gentle tone.

Once the actually request revealed itself, the Chivalrous Gambler glanced up at the wooden ceiling. His left ungloved hand gentle tapped their fingers upon his right elbow as he pondered of how to respond. "Before I deliver my response old friend you must remember that my village's image to the shinobi world is crucial for it's survival" he began as his light blue eyes drifted from the ceiling back onto the other kage. "Indeed, they may have been misunderstood in the past yet their presence upon my land is not an light matter to dance around with" Ace continued as his mind thought of the ugly interaction his dear daughter which was an venator and if they lingered upon their arctic land. Also if the other nations learned that Snow was providing witches and safe haven it would give more incentive to take over the small frozen nation. Despite this, he knew that the lack of information regarding the coven was very concerning. "as it stands now Axel I cannot permit their safe-haven yet that is based upon the dreary unknown" he replied sternly while letting out an frustrated sigh to escape his lips.

"If this unknown could be revealed in the light of honesty then it may sway my decision" Ace mentioned with an light and polite smirk as his hands gently placed themselves back onto the wooden table surface. He awaited patiently for the other kage's reply as his eyes remained upon him. "please dont detest my answer friend that is how it must be" the Chivalrous Gambler thought hoping his friend would see the risk that the favor posed upon his village.

[Wolf of the Falls]

The shift of the conversation's dynamic brought a more malicious tone to the conversation as Axel's eyes slowly narrowed while Ace told him he couldn't in confusing words which Axel couldn't totally understand. "Ace speak plainly, I'm an Inuzuka and you know etiquette isn't my strong suit."

His words would come out clipped stained by his opinion on the request before sighing and rubbing his temple. "How could you think they're a bad people, one of them established the venator's order."

[Dealer's Button]

When the words were spoken the Hachidiame Yukikage's predicted response occurred. He gently closed his eyes as his arms arms remained crossed. "sometimes I wish retire could arrive sooner these days" the old relic thought before his light blue eyes remained upon his friend. Now hands gently upon the table he continued to patiently and politely listen to the innuzaki before delivering anymore words. "please Axel I am not judging them as bad individuals yet I must have more information before I can grant them any request when it comes to my land" he mentioned sternly yet in an polite tone.

"its vilely scrutiny to assume any creature is bad through biased texts, their actions are what defines them" he mentioned in an smooth tone. "I wish to give them an chance to show their goals and ambitions through actions not pity words" he continued as he remained comfortably sitting in the chair. "For the safety of my people I must be able to judge them fairly thus with that i must not permit some property until they disprove the vile texts of old" Ace ended in an stern yet solid tone which displayed that his decision was not going to be swayed until the coven proved that the texts were wrong. He knew venators unjustly judged witches yet with every misconception there were always an grain of truth. The Chivalrous Gambler wanted to know the truth of witches not the biased truths from venators.

[Wolf of the Falls]

As Ace explained his point Axel sat up looking at him quietly, he understood his situation but he had hoped doing good will and Axel's own word would ease his choice. Although after he had said his piece it made Axel's mind wander to his own situation the anger deflating sorrow filling his features. "Would you bar me from these lands if your people knew I was a monster?"

His crimson orbs would look up at Ace a mix of emotions muddled on his face truly curious what his best friend would do should Axel choose to show him what he had become.

[Dealer's Button]

The conversation of the situation was becoming vile as the points explained by the Chivalrous Gambler was less than ideal. Ace let out an slight sigh knowing that his decision was the one that had to be stuck with until he had an conversation with the coven leaders. He could not risk the safety of his villagers to an force that he did not personally meet. Although, he was willing to set up meetings with them to discuss terms and such because his friend knew the was good people. The Hachidaime Yukikage wanted to see what his dear friend saw in them. When the red head stood up light blue eyes remained upon him.

When Axel spoke his statement, the Old Relic light blond eyrebrows narrowed in slight annoyance. "ridiculous you are defined by your actions not by what you are dear friend" he sternly stated with an sharp tone to his voice. "Due to that I would not ban you from my land rather insulted for you to assume as such" the card enchanter stated as his posture remained polite and professional. Slightly looking over to the side his mind thought of what to do. "my decision can change I just need to have an meeting with the coven leader if that is done I can get the paperwork arranged" he mentioned hoping that would smooth the tension. Despite this he remained calm as he politely gazed upon his friend.

[Wolf of the Falls]

As Ace spoke out against what Axel had claimed he thought it was almost funny, even the thought that the man in front of him may be the same Inuzuka that he had fostered a union with so long ago. With a small smile he would dismiss the statement about the coven moving on from that topic as he sat up straight before holding out his hand in front of Ace. slowly the skin would begin to move, all of it like he had snakes running beneath his very flesh. slowly 5 wires would pierce through his palm coiling up together into a thin spike standing like a disgusting pillar of black sinew.

"This is what those people were trying to do to me here Ace, they killed me two hundred times to perfect this ritual, Im a heart and skin now, can you still say I'm not a monster?" The words would come out slow almost whimsically never for a moment insinuating ace's place in the things that happened to him or even wanting him to feel guilty, simply asking if he was still his friend or if Axel was what he believed himself to be, a moment after he said his piece the wire would retract back into his body. "Rosalie disappeared after i told her what had happened..."

[Dealer's Button]

Silently the Hachidiame Yukikage watched his friends reaction to what was said. It seems his friend was slightly disappointed yet it was the correct way of handling the request. Light blue eyes remained patient as his friend revealed more of his curse as black tendrils began to form upon his palm. Carefully observing this he gently put his wire rim glasses upon his face as his left gloved hand gently grasped his chin. Indeed, the ability was unnatural very fiendish yet it was interesting. Even though the individual in front of him was still the same Axel he became friend with all those years ago.

Showing this he stood up giving his friend an confident before his ungloved left hand touched his friend's knuckles. "flesh or material it does not matter change must occur for an future to be possible" Ace politely mentioned to the inuzuki as his hand remained gently touching his knuckle line. Gently his hand slide upward before his fingertips touched the man's palm. "even if others see only the darkness I will always be able to see the same friend no matter the deathly veil that may surround you" the old relic politely and gently mentioned with an confidant smile upon his lips.

Although what his friend mentioned afterwards an sad frown formed upon his lips. His mind flashed with multiple memories of Rosalie and the day one of his cups suddenly cracked. He thought of nothing of it yet was it the same day that his ally vanished. His light blue eyes remained cold as his heart scrunched as time stood still. "we must find her" Ace mentioned to him in an stern tone as his mind pondered what exactly occurred that fateful day.

[Wolf of the Falls]

While the exchange brought some comfort to him that at least Ace still saw him as the person he befriended. Although the line about change bothered him, it sounded too much like fate and progress rather than how he felt. After he told Ace about Rosalie however he became serious and stalwart, the reaction wasn't unexpected of a friend but there felt like something more. He would let out an audible sigh as his cold blue eyes looked out the window to the blizzard.

"I have been, ever since she left, I think at least a year... I've been away from the village for so long. In all reality she probably left to get away from me after finding out I may not be the same person she fell for. I understand I may not be Axel, but I don't know if I am or not." His eyes would shift back to the low red as he slowly got up looking back to Ace as Axel got up. "I ran into the witch while searching and thought I could do good. I'll tell her to meet up with you... I won't stop looking Ace, even after my skin turns to dust, I just doubt she sees him in me."

[Dealer's Button]

The old relic remained silent as he portrayed an audience sincer smile. He knew that his friend would have struggle with himself. All logical creatures had to endure similar trials during their existence. He himself dealt with such an trial during his original mortal life. Thinking about his original life, Ace could see the faces of those he lost including Rosalie.

"all actions have reasons that eventually reveals in the correct moment" the Chivalrous Gambler said in his usual gentle and polite tone. "her reason could not have been out of spite yet lack of understanding the situation " Ace mentioned.

"Humans are flawed creatures for some situations it takes an lifetime to understand how to approach it" the revenant mentioned in his usual tone as his eyes remained shallow as he thought his own passing from this realm. "I shall assist with your search even when my words are the only part of me remaining to accompany you through the eons" the old relic happily said before stoicly reaching out his hand.

[Wolf of the Falls]

Ace spoke of how human beings were flawed and took time to see how things were and accept them. Axel's eyes met the gambler's as he quietly nodded after he gave Axel his assurance that he would support him even beyond time. The sentiment was comforting considering that all Axel may have was time and it unsettled him. Looking down at his hand he would nod and hold his hand out shaking it, the Wire beneath leaving his touch firm and weighted.

"I'll send word if I find her, and I'll send the witch for you." Axel would finish before letting go and heading toward the door and though it may have been a minor detail, Ace would notice the lack of heavy clothing but the cold never bothered him anyway.

/exit

[Dealer's Button]

As the final gestures of the conversation was made Ace continued to give his friend an sincere and confidant smile. He knew that time would not be kind yet he also knew that his friend would find his path eventually. Once the final handshake was made the takikage left to enter the calm blizzard outside. A few moments later he walked out of the tavern in time for an messenger bird to arrive at its instructed destination before gently perching upon the old relic's extended arm . Noticing an letter attached to it, the Hachidaime Yukikage read over the note before removing an playing card from his dress vest pocket. Gently attacking it to the bird's left leg he lifted up his left arm to allow the bird to launch itself off of the limb before soaring back into the sky. Quickly the avian headed back to the embassy as Ace headed towards the same destination.

~exit~