“Greetings. I am the manager of this establishment. Guan Lang, it is a pleasure to meet you, Izumi Yugai. I hope we can have a mutually beneficial relationship going forward.”
A bow followed by the presenting of a white business card with his name written in gold. The back is yellow with black ink making out Club Olympus. Yugai takes a good look at the man who had appeared to greet him, he could instantly tell that the man before him now was someone else. By no means or words ordinary. The first thing he notices is his eyes.
Shining cerulean blue filled with as much mercy as there is water in the world, but under the surface of the clear pool on a summer day, there is a glint of sharpness and danger. Twin fangs of ice, ready to be drawn should the need arise. They stare directly into your soul, seeking permission to witness the light and shadows held close to a person’s heart.
His face is quite fair, there’s an elegance to it that speaks of care and attention to his condition, but you can see that he’s weathered harsh experiences. But he conquered them all. Not as white as snow, merely because the sun has lashed him and found its fists far too light to leave any meaningful marks. A perfect balance that is genuine with just a light pattering of makeup, though he really shouldn’t need any. His smile was as bright as it was subtle. A pleasant and calming sensation washes over those who witness it, just the right amount of hospitality. He's perhaps in his late twenties or his early thirties, but it’s practically impossible to tell. He could be very young, but had simply seen much or he could be quite aged, but held a youthful body and spirit. Whatever the case may be, Yugai knows that Lang is his elder and stands about three inches taller.
His long and luscious hair was pulled back gracefully, rising into a bun, held together with a pin, but the sphere cannot contain the majesty that bursts downwards in long streaks of wispy ink like a shadow. The mane of a dragon who has found that a mountain is too small to stay sheltered within. The locks reach down to his waist and show no signs of slowing down until heaven and earth are swallowed within it.
His clothes, upon the first gaze, would seem typical. An impeccably clean white suit jacket with a black undershirt visible beneath it. However, if you pay attention to the back and the end, you’ll notice that the back extends, and not in just the typical twin-tails you associate with butlers, but a flowing fabric that curls inwards, making them seem like ancient robes if he were to unbutton the upper section of the outfit. On the left side of his chest, there's a red camellia attached that sparkles as if freshly picked while morning dew falls from its petals. It gives his outfit a little more punch, but the piece that finalised his appearance shimmers around his neck. A long tie made of snakeskin that carries a mix of azure and cyan shades among its scales.
A man who can be as delicate as a feather, or as vicious as a beast, depending on what is demanded of him. A fierce but compassionate hero, the type from a storybook.
Yugai took the card from him and put it down his pocket, and, the moment he did, Lang extended his right arm for a handshake. The younger man grips the hand of the older one. There’s a strong and firm grip from Lang, but also a sense of control as their hands rise and fall that let Yugai know there’s no ill intent here, despite the force and weight he feels as their skin makes contact.
“I’m Izumi Yugai, though you seem to already know that. I don’t quite understand why I’m here, but I’m glad to meet you too.” There’s a more casual approach from the younger man, but it’s clear with the glimmer in Lang’s eyes that there’s no need for formalities with him, but he appreciates conducting himself with them. Then, the booming voice like thunder filled the air again. “I see. You’re not telling him anything beyond the bare minimum. You certainly do not coddle your students, but some leniency would be good from time to time. You’ve never really understood the concept of proper balance.” Yugai cranes his neck left and right looking for the source.
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“Oh? You cannot see me? Focus some Mystic Power into that eye of yours.” Yugai does as the mysterious voice instructs, and fills his left eye with magical force. It’s still shimmering silver from the fight but the added spice being applied now brings forth even further radiance. The tie around Lang’s neck. It moves and slithers gently in place as it takes in deep and slow breaths. A pair of yellow eyeballs the colour of lightning peers outwards. A pink tongue flickers from its lips every other second. At first, it would be easily mistaken as a snake, but upon closer inspection, you would see four tiny legs that hold five pure pitch black talons each, four stretching outwards and a single one heading back. “Now you can see. I am Aodori, child. Hakuro is a near merciless teacher. Do try not to expire in his care.”
Yugai takes about three seconds to process what he is seeing and hearing. He internalises it, and accepts it completely as his new sense of normal. “Nice to meet you, Aodori. Thank you, but I’ll be fine. I asked for this life.” The serpent seems shocked by the response and snickers. “Oh, you’ve finally found a Disciple crazy enough to put up with you! Don’t chase him away Hakuro, you’ll never get a chance like this again!” The booming thunderous voice is filled with a powerful joy, like the smile of a grandfather doting on their favourite grandchild. “I see you still prefer the flashy ones yourself, Aodori… heh. Just you wait.” The cat and the lizard glare at one another, with fangs drawn into smiles. “Oh. What a beautiful friendship. I’m envious.” Yugai closes his eyes as he adds his grin to the ring. “Urgh. You ruined it. Alright, let’s get down the business.” Hakuro turns foul immediately.
“Aodori, allow Yugai to be an employee at this residence.” The voice of the sapient cat is too prideful to imply it is a request, but is careful enough in tone to walk the fine line of the words not exactly being demanding and stay on the grounds of a strong suggestion. “You don’t need to keep your snarls from me. I remember. I owe you one, and this is your way of claiming the payment. I have no issues with this. In fact, I think Lang here is more than happy to accommodate some new personnel.” A smile and a nod from the manager of the club. “There’s no issue at all. While we’re not exactly hurting for new faces, a person like you can certainly make something incredible happen.” Lang uses his thumbs and index fingers to form a rectangle as if prepping for a camera shoot. “Yes, things will become much more amusing with you around.” Lang relaxes his fingers and turns his head to face the back.
“Xiaomei!” A friendly call to someone close to his heart, and that person slowly walks towards him from a room in the back. “Da Ge… I’m working on Hibari and he needs a lot of work y’know, it’s summer... What’s the problem?” A young woman, perhaps about twenty-five or so, casually strolls towards the entrance. Her hair is a healthy chestnut brown that reaches to her shoulders, a hairband keeps her bangs from getting in the way of her vision. She stands a few inches below Yugai. She’s dressed in a thin sky blue dress with a white apron over the front of her body. It has several large pockets and each seems to hold fashion tools, scissors, combs, gel, brushes and tubes of makeup. Her eyes are a similar, but slightly lighter brown shade to go with her hair but despite her youthful appearance, Yugai sees something, a sense of tiredness and reluctance with a sprinkle of joy. Just enough of a dose that it keeps her spirits alive with a tender expression that taps against the heart.
“We’re hiring this guy. His name is Izumi Yugai. We need your makeup magic to do its work. Give him a total overhaul.” There’s a sigh from the woman as she looks at Yugai skeptically and shoots Lang a look that practically screams “what have you dragged in this time?” This is not the first, nor will it be the last unreasonable request. “Really? Urgh, a scruffy bum like this? I’m so… yeah, I think I can do something but you have any role you need him to fulfil? An image he has to sell?” Her eyes scan Yugai from top to bottom and anyone can clearly see there are gears beginning to spin. Lang snaps the fingers of his right hand. “Ah, I’ve got it! He’s the brutally honest type. Let’s make him look like a bit of a bad boy.” The girl rolls her eyes. “I mean, sure, but wouldn’t he compete with Kentarou then?” Lang pats her back. “It’s fine, it’s fine! Kentarou isn’t the type to get mad with a little competition, and besides, I think Yugai here will have enough of a distinct flavour to draw his own crowd.”
“Fine. If you say so... Izumi, right? Come with me.”