The Host spotted Rexford and remembered he tried to help the situation a few minutes ago. A thin coat of makeup concealing a strike received to the face.
"How can I help you?" He looked up from the table having come to a decent stopping place in regard to Samolin Basic Language. 'I need to push my breakthrough in both avenues. Qi Condensation definitely makes it easier to learn but the benefits to having a brain cells that develop even more with the Body are much better in the long run.'
"Is there a table open for a meal? If not can you do a to-go order? I am actually really hungry for a good meal." Rexford spoke politely. 'I should take this time to take all the energy that is available here. I wonder if there is a difference between old hotels and new hotels. And old restaurants and new ones too might have a difference!'
"I will see what I can do. Do you mind waiting?"
"Umm, about 30 minutes or so. It's ok if it is not available, I'll come another time." Rexford pulled out his phone checking the missed call from Mrs.Arabi and the missed messages from her as well. "Hmm, well.. here goes nothing."
The woman picked up on the first call back. Her voice was frantic as she spoke a mile a minute.
"I told you your daughter is not that...."
"Is she ok!? I am on my way as fast as I can!" Mrs.Arabi yelled into the phone. She was driving as fast as she could breaking several traffic laws in the process. The only safe thing was that she was using the phone hands-free. "Did the police get involved yet!?"
"I have no idea if she is ok. I left them to their party. I am still in the place but waiting to sit down to get a bite to eat with a client." Moving the phone from his ear, Rexford didn't want the yelling to give him a bigger headache. Especially with his hearing able to pick up her voice easily. "You should probably slow down to keep from getting into an accident."
"My daughter was involved in a crime, how am I supposed to remain calm!" Mrs.Arabi actually gassed it more.
The driver, who wished she would have let him drive was in the back seat cowering. He was mighty sure today would be the last day he lived. The grip on the handle was starting to come undone.
"No cops have shown up. So maybe things are going great maybe."
It was not of course. Well, there was still a chance. Peaking his head out and feeling with his growing senses not much was determined besides what could possibly happen.
"Maybe this will help you wake up to see she is a brat not mindful of danger."
"Not the time! This could ruin her life!" Mrs.Arabi had a sinking feeling. Mostly because she thought the same with recent types of crime building up in the city.
"Not even remotely close. Maybe reputation a little bit, but it adds "color" to the college transcript. Might even give her some street cred." Rexford bet Mrs.Arabi could just picture him smiling on the phone.
"There you are." A voice called out. It was Cassandra and a few others. Most likely those from her family. "Do you have time to talk privately?"
"Well..."
"Ehem, I have a room that should fit your group." The Host said upon returning. He was a little nervous seeing who was with the guest he just left. "If you will follow me."
"Sure." Rexford politely hung up with Mrs.Arabi. Not good to aggravate an already angry driver. Cassandra Bo passed him some papers to read as they moved. "Well, this looks promising."
Only took a few minutes to go over the paperwork a few times. Slight mumbling by Rexford at key little clauses that could be interpreted in a weird way.
"What do you think of my offer?" Cassandra asked. Her family members looked on nervous.
"It is a sound little proposal." Rexford read the forms over once more at the key points. It was A Martial School Recovery document. Stating the Bo Family would help his school, the Sarvadevamandir recover. The fact they moved this fast was a small cause for concern. "The problem with this, however, is it only allows me to recover the name quickly. What if I just want to do it myself with no credit to the Bo family?"
"We are not trying to take advantage of you, just do not want to see you suffer!" Cassandra had a concerned look on her face as she had to force herself to keep from reaching across the table and grabbing his hand. "My Grandfather spoke with some colleagues and Martial Brethren, the fact it is here in the States and you are an American gives them hope."
"Hope?"
"That our way of life can exist here like in the Ancient Times. Of course, we do not think Racism and Prejudice would go away but that is for you to handle yourself. Just hope to see you continue the craft is all. And an Alliance for the seedier problems in the state."
To the side, some of the Bo family started to become antsy. Especially in a negative way considering they didn't think much of Rexford. Not even sure that their grandfather was helped by him.
"Cousin.. just leave the unfilial bastard to his own devices." One of the younger Bo members said. His clothing made him look more American than any of the others. As a 2nd generation born here he definitely only had a little culture of the family. "It's clear he does not care for his school or its fallen, masters." The disdainful look was just enough to tick Rexford off with him being hungry and upset before. "No wonder grandfather didn't want to get involved himself so soon."
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Rexford felt the need to temper his violent thought against the teenager but he also wanted to make an example to the Bo family that this foreigner was not someone to take lightly.
It was just a simple power move the same one he would use in business against the more annoying Deals he would set up.
"Haa, either you kneel on the ground for the rest of the time we are here, or I break both of your arms and legs... permanently. Never insult people you know anything about." Rexford's eyes glowed brightly. His Qi putting pressure in the room. "I will not let this matter go."
*Ping!* A few of the glasses shattered into dust. Cassandra Bo, the only one who took one of the pills could handle herself under the pressure. But the others did not have the same relief.
"Grr!" The one who spoke had blood dripping from his mouth. His back hunched over awkwardly.
"Please.. stop.." A young woman begged from the group. She kneeled on the ground herself pleading. "My brother.. is headstrong.. he doesn't know better!"
"Rexford, it was just a small slight." Cassandra's fists were balled up under the table. Never had she dealt with someone so willing to commit violence like this. But then again she didn't go to any family business without her grandfather. This was something she would have to correct. "You have no one.. let us, members of the Bo's help you! You won't regret it!"
"Hmm?" Rexford leaned back putting his arms on the other chair that was empty. "I like you Cassandra, but those who are with you... they represent you, it is just the way groups, followers, cliques, and the like work. It is up to "you" to keep them in line. Doesn't matter the other person's station or relationship with you. Do you understand me?"
*Crack!* The table started to fracture under the increased pressure.
"I understand! It won't happen again!" Cassandra bowed her head pleading now. "Just spare him this one time!"
"I spare once, it will surely happen again." Rexford looked at the young clan member who refused to follow his instructions still. "Why don't one of you make him kneel? Surely this will let you know how strong family ties are to this one. It doesn't take a genius to understand all of you are strong enough to take this pressure."
Two looked at the loudmouth with building hatred.
*Whack!* A red-colored fist went out as Cassandra punched the loudmouth in the chest. He collapsed onto the ground spitting up blood immediately. The others looked on surprised she did so.
Not missing the fact the pressure in the room did not hurt her as much as them.
"You will kneel on the ground for the rest of the time we are here.. do not cause any more problems for the Family!" Her voice was harsh as she forced the words out. A look-up could not hide the pain she felt from having to do this to a family member. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes!" The teen understood he should listen. Doing as he was told, keeping quiet finally.
*Brrrrmmm!* The pressure was retracted finally. A wave of energy flowed into Rexford from the violent strike done. Red Violent Qi that he took in without a second thought.
"Bravo!" Rexford clapped a little. His eyes still glowing as golden light left from Cassandra entering him. In a few seconds, a thicker light from him into her branched out to those of the Bo Family. "I approve greatly!" His voice was not mocking in the least as he honestly enjoyed the sight of her taking control of the situation. "We will adjust the deal a little but you have your ally .. for now."
"Thank you, Master Rexford!" Cassandra saluted. Her clansmen visibly relaxed. "I swear you will not regret this!"
"You are right, I won't. Please sit back down." Rexford smiled brightly gesturing her to sit. "It is just the way I do business is all. Not for everyone mind you. A small gift for future endeavors going forth."
"We couldn't possibly.."
"I insist." Rexford looked at the waiter who returned. "We had a little problem with the glasses, do bring some new ones and make sure to add the previous ones to the bill. Oh.. also bring a few saucers." He counted those among the Bo group. Minus the one problem maker. "Bring 5 with some Ginger Grass Tea and Coffee."
"Of course sir." The waiter spared a simple glance at the bleeding person on the floor and said nothing. Not the weirdest thing he ever saw in the place. "Are you all ready to order?"
"I am, do not know about them." Rexford passed the menu over. Pointing at the top and then dragging his finger down to the bottom. He was hungry and also wanted to try something else with his Internal Space. "Two of the first items and one of all the others I pointed at."
"Of course sir... any dessert?"
"No, not in the mood for any really." Rexford shook his head as he took out 5 of the Vortex Spirit Enhancing Pills. They were a little bigger and richer than before. 'That mini-me is something else. I wonder what else it can do?'
"We .. we will have the quail and salad." Cassandra said. She looked at her clansmen and couldn't help but try to see to the situation some. "You don't mind if they sit, correct? After all, you said they represent me. And I am sitting at the table with you."
It was a bold gesture that made her clansmen feel a little better.
"Heh, you are right. All but the one of course."
The Bo members sat down giving a small glance to their cousin who kept down as told. Relived looks on each of their faces that he did not act up. The waiter returned with the saucers with pitchers of tea and coffee.
"One for each of you and then pour the tea or coffee over it, preference of course. Once it has fully dissolved it should be ready for consumption safely."
The waiter stood to the side watching the strange situation. The aroma from the pills creates a peaceful atmosphere.
"To have one of the stronger pills each... this is more than I could hope for us." Cassandra's hands shook holding the saucer. With how precious the pills were viewed, she received only a piece of one earlier with the elders. "Gulp, hope I don't waste any..."
Her family members refused to even lift the saucers. Instead, they took straws and slurped at them. Which turned out to be good for them as the intense energy caused them to stop every 15 seconds to handle it.
Seeing Rexford's amused face they gave up and just down the drink embarrassed to have a small decorum of respect remaining.
Drinking the tea/coffee infused with the energy from the pill, the young cultivators felt the pain in their bodies vanish. Fatigue and the damage from the pressure heal rapidly.
"Well, I will make sure to be careful next time when making the pills. Might be better to make more of the lower quality to trade out." Drinking the tea by itself, Rexford couldn't help marveling at the gold energy that connected the members of the Bo Family. 'Ok.. Cassandra is definitely the focal point that connects them to me. But if she dies.. what will happen?'
In his Internal Space, the mini version of him was muttering something. The words were unintelligible to Rexford. Not any language he ever heard before or could make connecting sense of.
When the meal came, they didn't even touch the food and mostly meditated to control themselves. Well, Rexford started eating. The food was pretty damn good in his opinion. It was a quiet occasion until his phone went off.
Downing another Vortex Spirit Enhancing Pill, the threshold of Qi Condensation started to go higher. Stepping into the Qi Condensation IV Stage. This caused his body to be tempered even further.