[Open] Week -- : To Honor Our Champions

[Tenchra]

The time was nigh.

At long last the grueling tournament was over, every combatant gave it their all to rise up the ladder and fight for all they were worth. In the end only a few came out on top and these people, they were the champions. These were the people who stood above all others and showed everyone their strength and it was these people who were to be awarded. The celebration was already being set up rapidly. Members of the Fifth Division worked to repair damages to the arena atop Mt. Fuji that the Founder Captain had so tirelessly constructed. A grand stage was quickly being erected in the center, a place for the champions to stand so that all who came could gaze upon them and cheer for their success.

At the entrance way to the stadium lied several vendors who offered single red roses to every female guest, and anyone else who asked. The pathway leading to the seating area was covered in an elegant lilac and gold carpet. Along the walls potted flowers lined as they brightened up the area. It no longer looked like a place that was devoted to the act of aggression, where soldiers came to bleed and fight. It was turned into an elegant, and sophisticated stage to honor those special people.

The seating area were adorned with streamers, balloons, flowers and sorts of decoration to liven everything up. The seats were covered in a soft red velvet sheet, to give it a more sophisticated look as this indeed was an awards ceremony to more formal look and attire was needed. Ushers stood at the entrances to the seats ready to escort everyone to their proper places. These steps were necessary to in order to ensure coordination. Each male usher was dressed in a solid black, form fitting suit. The cuffs were adorned with a gold plated link with their respective division symbol engraved into it. A white handkerchief rested in their right breast pocket which matched perfectly with their tie. The women were dressed is a soft black dressed that extended down to just above their knees as the cut at the top reached just the top of their collar bone. As the males did, the women wore a their division symbols but in the form of a simple gold necklace.

Down below on the stage grounds was a group of musicians playing soft music, to fill the area with a gentle ambient tone. The musical group was comprised of members from many different divisions as well as a few from the Earth division a true mutual cooperative act. Violin, viola, cello, clarinet the diversity in instruments made the musical piece that more extravagant. Upon the center stage the podium was set up, which was made from beautiful oak and upon the front from was a banner that was adorned with every symbol of every faction that had participated in the World Tournament.

The stage was set, the music was in place, ushers were ready and the champions waited eagerly for the ceremony to start. It was to be a glorious day. One filled with happiness and glee, friendship and camaraderie, awards and medals. All that was left... was for the guests to arrive.

[543]

 

[swaswj]

"There's no way this is right," Kyu remarked as she peeked out from behind a curtain. "This was a tournament, right? With fighting and explosions and blood and stuff?" Ducking back behind the curtain, Kyu looked over toward the closed booth where Mitsu was finishing up. "Why does this look like a fashion show or something?"

The brunette heaved a sigh, shuffling uncomfortably. Her long, light brown hair was pulled back into a long braid, slightly more tidy than usual. Instead of more familiar denim or cotton, the girl now wore an ankle length cheongsam made of silky velvet, the soft and luxurious fabric making her squirm a little every time she moved and it rubbed against her skin. The dress was a soft purple, a few shades brighter than her eyes, with a split on her right side revealing the girl's bare leg. Climbing up the right side of Kyu's midriff, heading toward the two buttons across her right collar, the dress had an elegant and stylized image of a summer snowflake, its dark green stem swaying side to side, little white flowers dangling downward like little bells, with the largest and most intricate of the flowers just below Kyu's collar.

The fabric clung to her body, perfectly accentuating what slight curves the adolescent did have. Though the cheongsam itself was sleeveless, coming to a stop just above the girl's toned biceps, Kyu also wore matching detached sleeves, with just enough skin between the sleeves and the dress to display the tattoos on each arm.

In an odd departure, she had a pair of flat, fabric ankle boots. Although they were a similar shade of purple and had similar winding flowers, anything more than a passing glance would affirm that they did not match the rest of the ensemble. In truth, the proper shoes for the dress -- a pair of fancy, perfectly matching boots with side-ties and high heels -- were uncomfortably stiff as well as incredibly difficult to walk in.

A faint scent of jasmine surrounded her. In spite of her worry and discomfort, Kyu was still smiling. Lilith had unexpectedly shown up for the event, and Kyu had been unable to fend off the former captain's insistence on Kyu's wearing make-up. She hadn't really had a good look at it, but she thought she could feel it on her skin -- she wasn't sure if she actually could or if it was just because she knew it was there. Her nails sparkled; Kyu had steadfastly refused colored nails, but Lilith had still used some glossy, clear substance on them.

Kyu smiled at Mitsu as he stepped out. With one last deep breath, Kyu took his offered arm and the pair stepped outside, "Watch out for the fireworks," she hurriedly whispered to the redhead.



[467/467]

 

[Chef Bryardee]

Being the rat from the Rukongai that he was, it wasn’t at all unusual the attire the raven-haired Peacekeeper had chosen for the rather ornate occasion; a grey kimono tied by a white obi sash, covered by a black haori that swung down to his ankles. The click of his wooden geta sandals were, however, muted now each time they touched down on the velvet carpet beneath him. Showing some form of cultivation, Manzou had taken the broad-brimmed roningasa from his head, carrying it in one hand as he looked at the spectacle before him.

There weren’t too many familiar faces to be seen as of yet. Earth dwellers and those of the spiritual realm were in abundance, mingling and drinking with one another, quite casually ignoring the tension that once existed between the two.

Giving it no more than a bat of the brow, however, Manzou pulled a ticket from within his kimono, eyeing the seat number imprinted there, before drifting almost aimlessly into the crowd.

Another, already seated and patiently awaiting the beginning of the ceremony, spotted his former colleague from across the space. Deep purple bangs were brushed to the side as he shook his head, laughing once to himself, finding amusement at the Peacekeeper’s obliviousness as floated from seat to seat.

Rolling the glass of champagne between his fingertips, the former Herald of Death took in everything in quiet repose, one leg crossed over the other.

Beside him, a rather inauspicious gentleman found his seat. Shingo snapped his head toward him, surprised by the individual’s quiet arrival. In spite of the rather austere aura surround the man, his hair dark and finely combed and hanging over his perpetually-flat visage, his initial reaction was toward congeniality.

Before Shingo could part his lips to speak, however, the man’s head turned toward him, revealing a blood red, piercing eye. It was somewhat startling, though, served more to inflate his overwhelmingly off-putting essence than it did to actually scare the scientist away. Without a word, the man turned his head back forward, kicked one leg over the other, and didn’t move an inch.

Looking awkwardly to the side, Shingo settled himself again, leaning against the opposite armrest.

[367/367]​

---

Da whole squad in da buildin' n' shit...

 

[Apeiron]

Fireworks indeed.

Whistling bursts of fireworks mingled with the roaring cheers of the crowd the moment Mitsuyo and Kyuto stepped out into the light of the arena. Sprays of colors ranging from red to green to purple ignited into the air and fizzled away into dead embers, alighting the ground in a rainbow hue that danced and faded.

Haresuno Uchiharu, Captain of the Fifth Division, stood just to the side of the pathway that led from Kyuto’s entrance. While the couple had dressed in something more modern, he was dressed as expected. In his shinigami uniform with his jacket resting over his shoulders. He was smiling, an odd thing that didn’t seem natural with the planes and angles of his face, but it was genuine.

Without a word the captain bowed respectfully to both Mitusyo and Kyuto, and held out one hand to direct them to the central stage. They didn’t need the direction, that much was obvious, but the moment he made the gesture the band switched from their gentle entrancing music into a quick tempo of fanfare that resonated throughout the arena.

The pathway before Kyuto and Mitsuyo sprouted flowers as if it were the most natural thing. There were red azalea, pink roses, purple viola, sapphire iris, yellow lilies and blue orchids -- all with their colors interrupted by stunning patterns that swirled or blended with the other flowers around them, arranged so as to provide the most stunning and beautiful display right up to the stage.

“My congratulations to you, Kyuto,” Haresuno muttered just low enough to be heard under the fanfare, cheers, and rocketing fireworks that decorated the sky.

[274]

 

[K3]

Mouko's face was stern as she strode out into the open air of the arena. For the normally lax, open woman, the difference was startling. Her thin-lipped gaze was solidly ahead of her, and she moved with purpose befitting of her rank.

In stark contrast to the elegant dresses of most females present, the young Major was in full dress. The military uniform was Western in design, owing to the roots of Orpheus. The bulky, washed blue coat of an officer was freshly pressed, and decorated with a small pair of pins across the left side of her chest. On each arm, an embroidered patch displaying her rank.

Barely visible beneath that was the shirt and tie, each equally prim and proper. If Mouko were happy, she certainly didn't display it.

Arano was nowhere to be seen.

The young woman remained stoic in the face of Haresuno, who offered a similar greeting as he had to Kyuto. Her arms swung in straight arcs, purposeful and measured. She gave a single, respectful nod to her fellow champion, and took her spot astride the petite-looking shinigami.

Her eyes did not betray an ounce of joy at having such attention directed upon her.

[ 200 / 200 ]

 

[Beaks]

A deep red slip dress and a small black leather jacket had replaced the traditional vestments of the rank and file, but even without them Tsubaki still projected an irrefutable air of identity amidst the crowd. She had made no attempt to join the pair on the dais, despite the fact that she had placed third in the whole affair.

It seemed odd but eerily fitting in a way, seeing as how the tournament was established on the premise between mutual cooperation between humans and Shinigami. A more cynical person would wonder if the outcome was fixed, but Tsubaki was hardly one of the dissenters. The former Captain merely watched without speaking as the two champions moved to the center of ceremony and attention, doing her best not to stand out in kind.

Enjoy the moments in the sun, the grim reality of our work will start up again before you know it.

Letting out a heavy breath in resentment of the thought Tsubaki turned her attention towards the crowd, trying to pick out anyone else she had faced in the arena along the way.

[185]

 

[Tenchra]

She was, at best, uncomfortable. Whoever set up this overly fancy night, they definitely didn’t have the time to consider the other shinigami inside Seireitei. Have they even considered how busy the streets were, after a lot of them scurried to get themselves a piece of garment other than their shihakusho? Yuurei sighed inwardly and tried to suppress her objections against this piece of clothing that Lucas chose to be her garb tonight.

A knock came on her dressing room door moments before Lucas let himself in. The man entered in wearing a very sleek and form fitting grey three piece suit. The jacket was flawless as its hugged his body perfectly. Beneath that was a white undershirt and a black tie to match. The cuffs were held by gold links with the Fifth Division on them. In his right hand he carried a bouquet of red roses

“Yuurei, are you ready, dear?”

“If you can call this ready,” she spoke, turning on her heel to face Lucas. She wasn’t as lavishly clothed as most of the attendants would expect their compeers to be, but she had enough to say that she wasn’t willing to do this every single day. She wore a simple black dress that revealed possibly every curve in her body, with the silhouette of a softer, more translucent piece of grey cloth that went around her neck, ribboned at the waist and flowed down gorgeously to her ankles. Even on her, she wore only but a pair of stud crystal earrings. If there was one thing she hated the most, it was the shiny four-inch heels that she was made to wear.

“I suppose I can only be ready until my feet gives up,” she spoke, gesturing to her feet momentarily before snatching the small pouch resting on the table.

He smiled as he looked her over. She had truly looked amazing, and he felt on cloud nine that he was the one escorting her to the ceremony. Counting his blessings he extended his arm with a slight bow.

“These are for you, beautiful.” Taking the bouquet he placed them in the vase, that was most likely just for show, except for a single red rose which he stepped closer to her and placed in her hair. “You truly do look amazing,” extending his arm he offered it to her so that he could escort her out.

With nothing but an inward sigh and a curious stare, the mystic reached for his hand and walked out into the celebrations.

Nells WC: 246
Bob's WC:720

 

[Nargles]

“Why is this on a mountain? Don’t the humans, you know... have to scale this volcano?”

The questioning voice of Lucia Frey seemed to be the loudest currently. It easily could be heard over the instruments playing, as the lavender haired girl sat bored at a table. She was dressed in her usual go-to dress when it came to last minute party invitations. It was a long, silver dress. Folded and pleated down, it was cut asymmetrically at her ankles. Her hair was tied back into a bun, a crown-shaped pin holding it up. A pair of long, white gloves covered her hands, as she held what appeared an extremely odd colored drink.

“More importantly,” she asked to no one in particular, “Where did we get all these musicians? Is this the Fifteenth Division – The Disciples of Funk?”

 

[Several Zombies]

From the edge of the gathering crowd, a tall man slid through the tightly packed audience with a deftness and skill that could only come with years of practice attending such lavish events. Though the event they were celebrating was decidedly physical in nature, the ceremony it had mustered was something more akin to awarding actors, not athletes.

The thought garnered a derisive scoff from the man, who continued to navigate towards one of the newly-crowned "champions" of the Shinigami's ill-conceived tournament. Adorned not in a suit or tuxedo, but an equally-lavish, if not utilitarian military garb, Hideo Ueda sidled up behind the human victor of the event and shot the young Major a well-practised smile.

"My my," the golden-haired Commander mused, offering Mouko a half-hearted salute. On his chest, a number of medals and commendations rattled noisily. "...I must say, I'm rather surprised, Major,"

The words carried only the slightest of emphasis on the girl's lesser title; a veiled jibe slipping from between the Commander's teeth as he grinned. If one looked closely, they might expect to see a forked tongue.

"...If I weren't here, I wouldn't have believed they managed to corral you into attending such a high-brow affair."

The man let out a chuckle, his tone making it unclear whether or not he was insulting his subordinate or the event.

Beneath his well-kempt golden locks, sharp eyes peered around the growing crowd before letting out a short, derisive sigh.

"I see the General saw fit to keep his distance." the Commander mused in his usual, slythy timbre. "...For the better, I'd imagine. We're here to celebrate victors, after all. Still, I'll miss his company. It's ever so troublesome having to fetch my own refreshments."

 

[K3]

Mouko's stoicism hardly faltered, but the tightening in her jaw indicated enough. Her nostrils flared once, and she muttered back to the man out of the side of her mouth.

"For such a high-brow affair, I would've thought you'd find better people to associate with, Commander." The title was spoken with a dry roll, as though sarcastically. At the low volume, it was impossible to tell. "Perhaps if you were to pucker your lips a little more, you wouldn't have to rehearse smiling so often."

Leaning slightly closer, her final comment was barely a whisper. "As I recall, this stage truly is for victors only. Fetch yourself a refreshment Commander, you don't belong up here."

[ 115 / 315 ]

 

[Albinocur]

Zakeriah approached the ceremony slowly. There was no trepidation in his step or hesitation due to his bruised pride but it was simply that his body was still aching severely and barely holding itself together from stitches and heavy bandages. He had been thoroughly trounced in both rounds, possibly due to his unfamiliarity with his new kai, maybe because he had walked into both with too much pride. The reason didn't matter, what mattered to him was that the Vice-Captain of what was arguably the most battle-centric division of the Soul Society had lost easily. That simple fact had enraged him and caused him to vow to change the very way he viewed battle; however, it was also the truth that he was still a highly-seated representative of his division and it would be very unseemly to simply not show up. Besides...he wanted to see who had managed to win.

As the stage came into view he was surprised at the extravagance. The light melodies gently wafted past him and most everyone was finely dressed for the occasion. It struck him more as some sort theatrical production than an awards ceremony for a tournament centered on strength, blood, and power. He had expected something a little more raw.

Zak was dressed in his normal uniform sans his armor, and he was only lacking that because it was almost impossible to fasten that on without reopening some serious wounds that were barely staying closed as it was. He drew his cigar tin from his inner pocket and drew a new stogie; he had been specially aging some in a small cask that had been used for bourbon. The cigar had picked up wonderful notes of oak and spice that were hard to find and the smoke warmed his chest even more that usual as he drew it in.

He pocketed the tin and made his way down to the ceremony one slow step at a time and hoped someone was serving booze.

[331/331]

 

[swaswj]

Finally making it to the raised stage at the front of the crazy crowds, Kyu gave Mitsu a squeeze around the waist before ascending the little stairway. The redhead stepped back into the crowd, his discomfort obvious on his face. It was better than being up on the stage, though!

Grinning at Mouko, the brunette suddenly felt out of place in the dress. "Aww, how come you got to wear a uniform? I wanted to wear a shihakushou but got forced into this thing!" She playfully elbowed the girl in the ribs.

Almost as soon as both girls were on the stage, though, spotlights clicked on, blasting the pair with light. The music dimmed, still there in the background but not drowning out everyone else.

"Everyone give a big round of applause for Nenshou Mouko and Kyuto Tounyuu!" an unexpected, cheerful and gravelly voice shouted into a microphone. Kyu gasped as a giant of a man swept out from the curtains at the back of the stage: the one and only Inori Shahei, Eiheitai Gundanchou and current substitute captain for the Sixth Division. He was clapping, microphone clutched in one hand. He absolutely towered over the two girls, taller than anyone else Kyu had ever met, though somehow he remained slender. Shahei was clad in an impeccable black tuxedo, sans tie, with his hair trimmed in a bright blue buzzcut.

He stepped in between the two girls.

"Here at the successful finish of our first ever Inter-World Tournament, we have not one, but two grand champions, each of these lovely and fearsome young ladies standing tall above all the other contenders." Shahei grabbed Mouko's wrist, lifting her arm high in the air. "Major Nenshou Mouko! Representing the Orpheus Initiative and the Living World!" He then grabbed Kyu's wrist in the hand with his microphone, lifting it as well. "Seventh Seat Tounyuu Kyuto! Representing the First Division and Soul Society!"

Letting their arms drop, Shahei strode forward and laughed. "Both of these young women put forth their best efforts, fighting each other to a perfect stalemate! Who could have planned for that? We changed up the prizes a little so pay attention and let's get this party rolling!"

Turning to face Mouko and Kyu, Shahei pointed two fingers at them. "You two both are awarded Kan equal to your total points! You earned it! But who's taking home the..." Here Shahei paused, slipping an index card out of a breast pocket. "Mephistopheles CXZ7 Sport?" He flicked a hand off toward one side and on cue, a spotlight clicked on, showing a covered vehicle. The black cloth was yanked away, revealing the custom sportscar, shining in the many lights. "And who is taking home the Daiitokumyoo?" His other hand waved toward the back of the stage, where another spotlight clicked on and a cloth was yanked away, revealing a mesmerizing cloak.

"After a lengthy discussion, it was decided..."

"Jankenpo!" Kyu suddenly interrupted, whirling toward Mouko. "Winner gets the car!"

"Uh, girls..."

Caught off-guard, Mouko lifted her hand in the 'rock' position. Then she met Kyu's grin with a challenging look of her own. "You're on!"

"Jan-ken-po!" they both chanted, slapping closed fists against their upturned palms before casting their attack: Paper against paper. Laughing, they went again. "Jan-ken-po!" Scissors against scissors. "Jan-ken-po!"

Rock against rock: another draw.

"Ladies, this isn't neces..."

Kyu threw up both hands in defeat. "Okay, you take the car, as long as you promise to teach me how to drive it!"

With a surprised blink, Mouko lowered her hand and smiled. "Yeah, sure."

Shahei watched with a blank stare for a minute before grinning. "Well, well, that's how it's done! Everyone give another round of applause for our winners!" Clapping rose up like a small tidal wave before the Gundanchou suddenly pointed out into the middle of the audience. A spotlight clicked on, illuminating Tsubaki. "We'll skip over second place and move right onto our third place winner, Mabara Tsubaki! The dethroned queen and master of disaster takes home the Shouen Bouheki as well as a lifetime supply of Tetra...zac P! Six tenths of her points are going into her bank account."

Sauntering across the stage, Shahei growled out a laugh and made a show of scratching his chin. "What about those second place prizes, though? Well, can't just have them go to waste, huh?" He held up three fingers. "So! There are three competitors whose final scores were right up there with our winners. Even if they lost, they put up some damn good fights, and that deserves an honorable mention!" With another short laugh, Shahei looked around the audience.

Not spying what he was looking for, he shrugged and lifted the microphone. "First up, tied for total point with Tsubaki, is that unstoppable beast Sabishii Arano. For that, he's doubling his take-home prize to sixty-percent of his points."

Waving a hand off to one side of the crowd, a spotlight clicked on. "Next up the ranks is one that I'd love the pleasure of fighting again: Adelaide Pierce! Deadly, beautiful, and more than a little hot-tempered, the fiery captain doubles her Kan and takes home the Gyoku Ten'on staff!"

Then, with a feral look in his gold-colored eyes, Shahei strode over to the edge of the stage. "Our last honorable mention is a man who needs no introduction in this world or the next, the Soutaichou of the Gotei Thirteen: Sayis Inuzuri." A final spotlight clicked on, illuminating Sayis standing up from his seat in the front row, mere feet from the Gundanchou. He was in a black suit with a tie, face freshly shaven with his hair tied tightly back. The two stared at each other for an uncomfortable moment, no words exchanged, before Shahei suddenly stepped back and turned away. "Double prize money and the Living World's special A.D.P.A. for the Dai Kidouchou!"

Suddenly all the spotlights clicked off and then all clicked back on to Kyu and Mouko again. Shahei strode in from the shadows. "To all our other contenders, congratulations for fights well-fought! You each get thirty percent of your points as Kan, and all competitors take home Iha's latest SRDI Phantom Five Denreishinki! One more round of applause for the winners!"

The blue-haired man grinned, bowing low as his voice took on a completely different tone. "Now the show is over," he announced. As he lifted up from the deep bow, his eyes met Sayis'. "And the party can begin."



[1100/1567] Final

Wut

Ostensibly, this thread was for the winners, but none of us seemed very into the thread. Rather than let this drag on super long, I decided to go ahead and wrap it up.

Get any turns out before the end of the night, this thread finishes this week.

Raph and I discussed the rock-paper-scissors scene, although I should note I did not get his permission to write Mouko. Sorry about that, but you were at work.

Prizes were given out as follows:

Kyu and Mouko tied for first place.
Both get 100% of points as Kan.
Mouko gets the car.
Kyu gets the cloak.

Second place:
No second place winner.

Third place:
Tsubaki gets the bracer and the Tetrazac P, and 60% of points to Kan

Honorable Mentions (highest non-winning point totals):
Sayis gets 60% of points as Kan, ADPA
Adelaide gets 60% of points as Kan, Gyoku Ten'on
Arano gets 60% of points as Kan, Tetrazac P

Final point totals are below. If not listed above, but at least one fight was completed, then you win 30% of your total points as Kan and the SRDI Phantom Five cell phone. The above winners also receive the phone in addition to their other prizes.


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Character	Total Points	Kan	Additional
Kyuto Tounyuu	3214	3,214	Daitokumyo
Nenshou Mouko	3014	3,014	Mephistopheles CXZ7 Sport
Sayis Inuzuri	2914	1,748	A.D.P.A.
Adelaide Pierce	2750	1,650	Gyoku Ten’on
Arano	2600	1,560	SRDI Phantom Five
Mabara Tsubaki	2600	1,560	Shouen Bouheki; Tetrazac P
Miyahara Ansherina	2100	630	SRDI Phantom Five
Roland Jacques	2100	630	SRDI Phantom Five
Ekaterina Walter	1957	587	SRDI Phantom Five
Yin Feng	1607	482	SRDI Phantom Five
Toride Satoru	1600	480	SRDI Phantom Five
Amaterasu Nana	1550	465	SRDI Phantom Five
Reijuu Kyuketsu	1550	465	SRDI Phantom Five
Lucia Frey	1500	450	SRDI Phantom Five
Kiro Shenrai	1450	435	SRDI Phantom Five
Maruyama Ilsa	1407	422	SRDI Phantom Five
Adele Pierce	1400	420	SRDI Phantom Five
Zakki Shihara	1400	420	SRDI Phantom Five
Masato Fujikawa	1350	405	SRDI Phantom Five
Raury Feybrand	1350	405	SRDI Phantom Five
Echo LaSalle	1150	345	SRDI Phantom Five
Ishmael Seerauber	1107	332	SRDI Phantom Five
Tod Kenly	1100	330	SRDI Phantom Five
Mineto Mitsuyo	900	270	SRDI Phantom Five
Zakeriah	900	270	SRDI Phantom Five
Manzou Kagetoki	807	242	SRDI Phantom Five
Caleb Fletcher	707	212	SRDI Phantom Five
Arashi Ryoujin	600	180	SRDI Phantom Five
Lucas Morrison	600	180	SRDI Phantom Five
Mitsuhito Honokaguchi	600	180	SRDI Phantom Five
Alexia Felone Da Firenze	507	152	SRDI Phantom Five
Haresuno Uchiharu	107	32	SRDI Phantom Five
Elena Ashida	7	2
Kazuta Takahashi	0	0
Kite	0	0

 

[Tenchra]

Lucas sat there in the stands, front row amongst all the important people with his date, Yuurei right next to him. A huge smile plastered across his face as he watched the ceremony commence. While he knew, this was a bit over the top. Something this extravagant and fancy was something he knew most people did not care for, but it was something he wanted to do. He was put in charge of setting it up, and in his mind he did not want to go too mediocre and he wanted every part of it to be memorable. Whether it was bad or good, people would remember this for years to come.

His eyes gazed over the man speaking. He did not know much about him, but he knew who he was. He a respected and feared man and he was in charge of the division he had his eyes on. he wanted to meet that man, he wanted to fight the man and gauge his strengths and as well his own new capabilities. That however, was not going to happen right now. This ceremony was less about fighting and more about celebrating, relaxing and enjoying the moment of peace for however long it was going to last.

Looking over he laid his eyes back on his date. it had been a long time since he first met her and there were plenty of ups and downs. Though seeing that she said yes and was sitting there with him, he believed was a sign of good fortune and something he desperately needed given the state he was in over the last few months. Taking her hand into his he lifted it up as he pressed his lips into the top of her hand.

"Thank you for joining me, my dear."

[1020] FINAL