Hotel

A couple of years had passed since the day everything became... normal? It was daunting having any excitement in ones life again, and yet, here the Nakahara's began another journey out into the world.

The trip was longer than expected and the Nakahara entourage was exhausted. Haruka spent the entire trip trying to reason with angry passengers aboard the same flight as them why Sera simply must have the window seat, even if that wasn't the one he was assigned via ticket. Sera was still in the midst of his "human puberty", trying to learn the ins and outs of human life and what they did. Seeing clouds up close was on his bucket list and this was perhaps that only time he'd be able to do that.

Check in came with even less expedience. There were people from all over here, and some even that Haruka recognized... and ones that recognized Haruka too. Ever since Chronicle's Eve, Haruka had gained a portion of popularity from outside Japan's mainland. He spent the shortlived fame well, greeting people with smiles and courteous disposition. Sera ran off and started touching everything that Haruka would end up paying for in the coming years. This was the beginning of their trip. So far it was busy, noisy, and Haruka was stuck in the lobby of the hotel while Sera snuck around in the hallways upstairs (unknowing of his room number, given that they weren't checked in yet.)

The breath taking sight of the hotel, the clean pool and windows... the gold trim, the shimmer and shine... It was brilliant. Perhaps to brilliant. To bright. A sigh escaped from a silver haired male as he walked the path to the front doors, a rolling suitcase at his side. Dressed in a dark grey dress shirt, black tie, combat boots and close fitting black pants, his stride was uninterrupted until he came inside the hotel, putting the large black long coat that he was carrying in his free arm on top of his suitcase, taking a glance around.

The inside of the hotel was even more extravagant than the outside. This seemed a little much for a simple card game... Regardless, he went to get service only to notice people coming in before him. He didn't bother
finding out if he knew them or not, instead opting to stay to himself. He moved the silver hair that was hung over his right eye out of the way... to no avail as it just fell back into place. "Why do I have to do this again Sis..." he spoke to no one in particular, loathing the very thought of just being here. Such edge, but he was in the middle of writing a paper when his sister forced him to attend this tournament. For what? He didn't play Vanguard anymore, his deck having collected dust.

Speaking of, the male placed a hand on his hip to make sure the deck case was still there. Wouldn't do him any good to of forgotten at home, now of all times. Not that he would of minded forgetting it if it got him out of here faster. Seifer rubbed his face after confirming that it was, disappointingly, there. "Hopefully I'll just lose out in the first round so I can go back to my schoolwork."

A lot of people were coming out this way, far to many people so he chose to wait rather than go ahead and get his room now. Picking up his suitcase and coat again, he made his way to the nearby waiting area with rather elongated couches, setting up on one end with his suitcase and coat beside him, in a most likely futile effort to prevent people from sitting with him.

The past three years had been... interesting to say the least. Darren Shurensei, one of the heroes of the dimensional war for humanity, had been out of the public eye for quite a long time. He went back to his parents and explained things to them. He had spent a very long time without telling them anything, so it was only best to amend that by telling them everything. However, they didn't believe a word of it. They didn't follow the news to understand what had happened involving the world and Vanguard, and when everything was destroyed, including them, they didn't have any memory of what happened past that point. Daikaiser wanted to open a hole in their roof to prove Darren was telling the truth but Daiyusha stopped that right away.

Darren spent the years after at home. His Vanguard career picked up enough to the point of being able to make decent money with it. It helped that the famed Espior family was on good terms with him so he didn't have too many money problems in general. Because of this, his family eased up on their original ideals that his imagination and games were a pointless waste of time that meant nothing in the real world. This led to multiple things. For one, his trouble making cousin was allowed back home where he had lived up until his return to his parents. The two of them were also allowed to do as they please so long as they worked hard and earned a living in any way they chose.

Now that this had happened, Darren was given the image of an island. He wasn't one to ignore these visions so he wanted to go there. Instead of the way he used to use which was flying there with his Dimensional Robos, he decided to use the traditional route of taking the proper transportation methods. Of course, he knew this meant all of his old friends and allies would know he was coming. That was fine. He didn't expect much from it.

He walked into the hotel, wearing a grown out version of what he had worn years before. His blue hair was still slightly down flowing and he had the same smile as ever. He checked in as normal, so he assumed. He walked to the desk to do just that as he looked to his deck case, which held the symbol of the Dimension Police on it. "Guess this is where it starts all over again," he muttered to himself, as if he was talking to the deck itself. "I heard that Hana had come back, but Papa Espior would have killed me dead if I tried to talk to her. I wonder how everyone else is doing..." Thinking about it, he couldn't believe he went all this time without speaking to them or keeping in touch at all. Guess it was time to change that.

"It's hard to believe that I actually reached this point. I suppose you could say time flies when your having fun, but the past 2 years has been anything but that. That's how long it has been since.. those events happened. The event that changed the lives of many people myself included. Facing near death has made me realize to never take anything for granted but doing that is hard when you have goals in life that force your hand. It's also been 2 years since I have seen any of my friends from those tragic events since I distanced myself away to continue searching for the answers I want. Answers to what you may ask? Outside of the fact that my parents are still missing and I have nothing but a Vanguard card as a clue, I also wanted to find myself. To see what destiny has in store for me. You could say that all of the past stress I had made me lose my identity as a person. Speaking of the past, something happened recently that made me flashback to all of that chaos."

"I had been invited to a tournament known as the Messiah Scramble. It looked like a tournament where some of the best players were going to attend.. at least that is what everyone was told. In the back of my mind I felt I knew exactly who was going to be there. Plus I couldn't pass up a chance like this to play on a big stage again. So that is exactly where I found myself at"

"I checked myself in the Hotel and made my way to my Hotel room. Everything just had a.. fresh feeling to it. For the first time in years, I actually felt good about this and actually looked foward to this tournament. I set my bag on my bed and took everything out to organize it. I then went to the bathroom and freshened up and after I finished looked in the mirror:

"This doesn't look all that bad since I did it myself and not through other means"

"After that I put everything in my pockets and looked out the window and let out a big shout:

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IM READY TO FIGHT!"

"I was motivated to win this tournament. But more importantly I couldn't wait to see "them" again. It has been far too long"

With that Neo left his Hotel room and ran outside to look around to see who else was here.

"Finally some time off from all that work..." A young woman with red-eyes and now short black hair said as she entered the hotel. This wasn't just any young woman who is entering this tournament. Just three years ago, she helped save the world and was revered and still known as a Beacon of Light to many.

Noel Kusanagi checked into the hotel. She could already feel eyes of many spectators looking in awe and excitement while others doubted her existence. The Kusanagi girl sighs and walks on. After the war, Noel had spent her time in her family's company as a head developer for new technology to make Vanguard even more exciting for everyone. It's still in prototype stages but the goal is to make a fighter's imagination come to life before their very eyes. Noel didn't quite like the thought at first since she experienced first hand what fighting real units was no thanks to the Deletor invasion. Buuuut, recreating the life-like experience for a more fun and safe environment for the public would make Vanguard evolve even further. However, all this work somewhat closed her off from the rest of the world. All the development is behind closed doors and she hardly had any time off to spend with her friends. Sometimes she has to sneak out, on moments she was able to, just to go to a local card shop to have fun fights. Unfortunately her tight schedule prevented her to fully enjoy a fight and had to quickly return to work.

That was the reward for the time of peace. For saving the world. A normal adult life filled with work. Not so rewarding but it's better than having interdimensional monsters hellbent into destroying the world.

"I wonder what everyone is doing now..." Noel muttered to herself as she went to sit down at the hotel cafe as she pulled out her prized Jewel Knight deck. Just the sight of the deck case shows that it went through so much, their experience forever engraved in each and every card. "Everyone, let's have some fun and cut loose. We earned it. Now all that is left is to actually register for the tournament."

With Sera running amok elsewhere, Haruka finally found himself at the desk of the hotel and able to check into the room they were staying in, registered under Nakahara. There was a curious tendency to the registrar's tone, wondering why he was staying here and why he booked the room for several people instead of himself. He tried to explain he had someone staying with him, but the lady corrected him and said the registration said the room was for three, not two. Haruka blankly stared at it, waving it off and dismissing it, determining he could follow up the domestic fees before he left. Collecting his things, Haruka turned to find faces around which he knew much better. One in particular...

"Noel! Noeeeeel!" Haruka called out to the girl he knew well from a previous tournament. She was in the cafe just down the hall and caught a glimpse of her as he was taking his bags from the bellhop's service. He had a briefcase lodged between his arm and side, as well as two carry-on rolling bags in his hands. Additionally a laptop case was strapped around his shoulder carrying presumably, a laptop, among various other small accessories. One of those would be his Vanguard deck. With another vigorous wave and a call, he started making his way towards the Noel Kusanagi, his final contender at the Chronicle's Eve tournament years ago. It was then they'd been dubbed Beacons of Light to the masses.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sera was lurking on the third floor of the building at this point, staring out of a window at the end of the hall which pointed our directly to the resort plaza. Thousands of people must have been gathered out there right now. Vanguard, vacation, fun, love and laughter and cheer. Sera had a vacant stare that said both "this disgusts me" and "I kind of wish I had this." Whether he gave into either of those emotions was sort of menial; he was feeling a kind of emptiness. There was this lacking half of him as of late. The past couple of years got to his head, but he'd been taking up new hobbies and passions to help him out. None of those seemed to really do the trick, but regardless he kept on keeping on, as he did today.

After a quick check-in, Darren moved to the waiting area. He figured anyone who would arrive would probably go there. A lot had happened and he hadn't spoken to anyone in all of the time, but he hoped he would at least recognize someone. The effects of the Seed meant all his physical growth had been down all at once so he literally looked no different than what he had back then. He may have been a bit taller but nothing else. It was actually a bit strange because he looked younger than he actually was.

When he stepped into the waiting area, his eyes flashed for a moment. The power of the Seed still fragmented within him activated at the sensation of a familiar energy pattern near him. He looked and he saw Noel. Her power was easy to notice off hand. Near her was a stranger... wait, no it wasn't. That energy, that soul... it was Seifer. With all they had been through with alternate dimensions and reality shifting, he wasn't prepared to call it a coincidence. He could also "see" the temporal energy of Chronojet on him. That was an explanation as to why he looked so different. He walked up to the two of them, his hand raised and waving to them as he did so. The call of Haruka confirmed at least Noel being there.

"Hey you three," he said to the both of them. "Your a sight for sore eyes,
Noel. Haruka, you're as bright and cheery as ever... And I barely recognized you, Seifer. Really does feel like the old days, minus the murderous death gods trying to tear us apart."

Even with that being a joke, he hoped that nothing related to something like that was going on. After all, it couldn't be a coincidence that they were all here, and more were definitely going to follow. Tournament or not, most of them had important things to do.

Loud noises, people calling for others, and the presence of three seemed to surround and almost suffocate Seifer. Looking up, he recognized only one... but that wasn't the one who called him by name. Maybe he knew his sister, but he didn't remember. But why did he feel so familiar? The girl to. Standing up for formalities, the silver haired young man gave a nod to Darren, if for only courtesy's sake.

"Apologies, but I don't remember having met, though you already seem to know who I am.
I suppose that... shortens introductions." he gave a half attempted, somewhat fake smile before turning to Haruka. "Hey Haruka. I didn't realize you'd be here to, but I suppose that's only to be expected, considering she's hosting the tournament." this time a genuine smile, but still forced. Seemed he had to interact before getting his room.

Noel was deep in her own thoughts until she heard someone call out her name several times. Looking towards the direction of the voice, she saw a familiar face. It was Haruka! Who knew that the first person she would see would be the other Beacon of Light from years ago!

"Oh wow Haruka! It's good to see you again!" Noel responded happy to see an old comrade once more after these past few years. "How have you been? It's been a while! I'm assuming you are entering the tournament too?"

Then someone else approached them, another familiar face. It was Darren! This is becoming more and more like a reunion with old comrades than a tournament. "What's that supposed to mean?! It's only been three years and I have been really busy with work! But it's still great to see you two again!"

Then someone else was there. Someone familiar? Noel gave a hard look at the third person who was here. Could it be? It's been three years after all and most of her time was in closed work doors. But that was when Darren mentioned his name was Seifer. "Brother? Is... is that you?! I almost didn't recognized you! Why haven't you called or at least text me!
It's been three damn years and you couldn't say hi to your sister?! Jeez, at least I got to see you here too! How have you been doing this whole time?" Funny how Noel went from surprised, to angry, to happy all in one moment.

One of the biggest highlights of the coming Messiah Scramble was that of... a returning Vanguard. A young girl revered as the top of her time, having triumphed over all others in one of the very first National Tournaments of the Legendary Era was making her debut once again with the exciting coming of PROJECT Re:DIVA. Hana "Isabella Hope" Espoir entrances the professional scene with her incredible renewal of Vanguard and her philosophy of an idol alike. Being a member of the family sponsoring the event had its perks: like having the best of the best paid for with the greatest of service and the highest quality of environment. Employees, spectators, officials, locals... all met her with the utmost praise and gleeful surprise at her presence.

And Hana pretended to be modest.

She loved it all, wearing a genuinely kind and grateful smile knowing eyes were on her and she inspired such hype for others with her appearance.

Though, right now... the girl was making her way around the area to find her uninterested brother. This event was important, and his sisters wanted him to participate for different reasons. For her, it was to try to instill the pep and cheer - the energy of Vanguard into him once more after everything that had happened and how the dilemma of it all was made... "easier" for him, in a sense. With her long, flowing navy blue hair fluttering majestically into the winds of the outside as she entered, the school uniform-clad Japanese Champion strutted her way inside, having already finding her kin with the power of her eyes. Star-shaped pupils temporarily forming as she utilized her ability to find anyone anywhere in the world, provided she had the proper image of them and they were in a place where light shone.

"Seifer?" Her gentle voice called for, entering the cafe.

Darren let out a laugh at Noel's greeting and pat her on the back once softly. "Great to see you too. You'd have to live under a rock to not know that your family's been moving up lately. If you've been busy, I guess you have a hand in it. Glad you're doing so well for yourself." He was happy to hear his first friend since getting into all this was doing well for herself, even if he didn't have details. Made him wish he made more of an effort to stay in touch.

Hearing Seifer's greeting made him cross his arms. "Some things really don't change," he said as he turned with his eyes closed. "Guess your little make over came with one free brain job too. You really don't remember anything, huh?
Whelp, I'm Darren Shurensei, the guy who saved you a ton of times a long time ago." His tone made it obvious that he was absolutely joking about that. It's not as if either of the two owed one another anything.

He opened his eyes to turn back to him before his eyes saw a very familiar face. It looked like the rumors were true. It really was Hana right there in the same area. She had disappeared without a trace for so long it was thought she would never return, yet there she was. He smiled and ran to her, letting the two siblings catch up which was obviously needed. "Chat with your sister, Seifer old pal," he called out as he went to Hana and stopped just in front of her. He had an ear to ear smile as he said, "I heard you were around again... Welcome back Hana," he said as the best greeting he could think to give.

There was bewilderment among those gathering in the lobby of the hotel. Seems some de facto starstrike was strutting through. Likely a fan favorite of the tournament or something, to which Haruka paid little mind. Quickly was he not only met with a response from Noel, but he was located by both a friend of his, Darren, and his brother-in-law, Seifer Espoir. There was a strange sense of calm here, one that put Haruka on edge. He smiled at Noel, and even wider at the other oncomers with quick responses for all of them.

"Yeah, good to see you too! I've been taking care of myself. Weird being y'know..." Haruka flashed his hand up, fingers splayed to reveal an iron band on his ring finger. It was his wedding band. "Other than that, yeah, tournament. Registered early this morning with Sera who... seems to have run off." Haruka glanced behind him  a couple of times to check he wasn't just straggling but truly, he was gone.

He turned his attention to Seifer and Darren at dual-proposition, speaking to both. "Cheery is... one way of putting it. Haven't had so much as a good time in a long while. Glad to see you both made it. Knowing Yukino, there's no way she'd let me stay home for this one." Haruka grinned, gripping the knot of his tie, pulling it close to his shirt collar. "Of course, I'm here of my own accord. You know I'm here to win, too."

As he was declaring his preemptive victory, he heard a... startlingly familiar sound. A voice, one he'd heard in many tones and fractures and independents, but now he was hearing it proud and unfaltering. This one struck less fear in him than the others, but he was familiar nonetheless. Haruka turned his head, his heart stopping a beat or two, then smiling all the same. "Hana... Espoir, must be you that the one the crowd behind you is murmuring about. Glad to see you could make it, though, given the circumstances." Haruka's eyes, rather than gently closing, were giving off a sort of thousand-yard stare. His skin was crawling, and he was sure that his compatriot, Seifer, was in a much worse boat.

Its been a few years sence xat was back on the earth world from her plane and she had become a great ruler, and had forgtten all of her friends that she fought along side with. "So this is were it is taking place then?" she asked herself and looked around her at the resort before sighing and a voice spoke up from her shoulder.

"So this is the mortal relem? it seems diffrent." the voice said as it turned out to be a bluish green fox like thing on xat's shoulder. "do not under estamate them kao." she said to him. while shirayuki appred only to her sight. "the ones you seek aoi,
and yukino are here somewere." she said glad that she was only visable to xat and kao due to there connection.

Xat laughed and wlaked into the hotle lobby and went up to the desk and signed in before going and looking around. "These people seem familar but i don;t know why." she said to kao who responded. "Maybe because you been to earth a few times...wth out me." he pouted and xat just shook her head. kao's ears perked up and he jumped off the shoulder and picked up the room card that she had dropped. "Now were would i find yukino, or aoi?" xat asked outloud.

"They're out at the reception desks." One of the Association Officials answered for Xat. It was a rather friendly-looking man with brown hair wearing some sort of red jumpsuit. No one said it out loud out of respect, but this man was kind of a huge deal. The vibe he gave off alone made that clear, despite his casual attitude. "Is Yukino a friend of yours?"

-

Hana knew that Seifer should've known: she was going to drag him out to go register if he was still putting it off for his schoolwork. Despite her attire, the idol believed Vanguard came before education after a point. Though, considering the circumstances of her "absence", maybe that was an excuse for missing a few school years... Regardless, she met the boys with a smile. Especially to Haruka and Darren, knowing there was a level of... awkward air between herself and the former. But the latter was a breath of fresh air after getting used to everything again. "Darren! And Haruka too, it's good to see you both. ... You both look really different, actually. Mostly you, Darren." She kept a casual tone, speaking in a friendly manner instead of trying to dredge up painful history that no one wants to go over again. Her form was a bit loose, but dignified as she carried herself with respect along with a down-to-earth atmosphere and attitude. If anything, it might've come across as trying a bit too hard to look buddy-buddy. The feeling was sincere, yet...

"Thanks for the welcomes." Hana spoke quietly, appreciating that they welcomed her back without any upset. She had been gone for a long time and there was a past... issue between her and her new brother-in-law, but it was relieving to know she was readily accepted by the world again.

Xat and kao looked at the worker and smiled slightly at him and pushed some of her purple hair to the back of her head and her ears flickered before she answered. "yes i guess you can say she is, though im not honestly quite sure. i lost my memories some time ago, and she was one of the people i remembered but i cant recall if we were close or not. but she helped me out a lot." she replyed and looked around for the reception desk and kao spoke.

"We are not from around here but far away, so can you please show us the way?" he asked knowing xat wouldnt ask for directions unless she had to, and not trusting this guy one bit. "Who are you?" he asked.

Darren smiled back as he was happy to see she was so enthusiastic about seeing him. It was clear she was trying not to bring up the past, but it was fine with him if she did. He had come to terms with what he did and what he had been through. Of course he also knew a bit about her history with Haruka, it was pretty obvious at the time. He didn't really think talking about it was a good idea so it was probably best to change the subject.

"A lot's happened to me since you last saw me," he said to her. "I kind of wish I could have told you sooner. I guess you know about most of it though.
I can bet your sis told you a lot about what happened while you were away. I did a lot of growing up all at once, but I'm still the Darren you know and... liked as a friend I think..." He had no idea why it was so strange to talk with her like this.

"Sure, I can help out. I'm always saying Yukino should pay more attention to her friends. Can help jog your memory too." The brunette responded to Xat and friend, nodding affirmatively as he spoke about the woman in question. It seems he knew a fair bit about her, which was surprising since surely none of Yukino's friends recognized him. It was almost kind of sad how she never introduced him to them...

-

"You... think? Wow, I think I'm almost hurt. Of course you're the Darren I knew and liked as a friend, dummy." Hana giggled, playfully jeering and gently hitting Darren in the arm. "I've heard a lot of what's happened, but not total makeovers like yours. But I also have heard of my brother possibly slacking and not registering yet like he's supposed to." Hana noted, giving Seifer a... menacing glance with a hint of wickedness in her eye. She wasn't sure how, when, or why it happened, but she was a big sister upon returning to the world by only a single year. That year was enough to make her bask in the glow of big sister-hood. No longer was she the youngest sibling - no longer was she the smallest child. Nay, she was the middle, and that gave her pride and a sense of duty. It was up to the diva to make him keep up his responsibilities and get his priorities set straight.

Xat smiled and her tail wagged a little. "that would be wounderful." she said to the man while kao's tail's waved back and forth trying to figure out if this man was a threat or not well he was until xat reached out and pet him on the head making him purr a little. "My name is xateramusa and this is kao." she intorduced herself and the creature on her shoulder. Kao just gave a nod, and looked around not wanitng to anyone find out who they were exactly and hopped no one at the palace int he spirit relem knew she had escaped.

Darren gave a small laugh as well as he was playfully hit. He then heard about registering and said, "Oh, right... Did I forget to do that?"

"You did not forget to do that..." the familiar voice of the Super Dimensional Robo Daikaiser spoke to him to remind him that he registered for the tournament before even going to the hotel.

"Oh yeah... guess I was excited." He then looked back to Hana and said, "Not just my outsides, but my insides had a bit of a change too. A lot happened... Well... I can tell you about it if you wanna sit down and talk a bit together." Her bright personality was making it easier to talk to her. They had been good friends before. She even helped him when he had been Reversed and worked very hard even though it took more than one battle. When she was Reversed herself, by her own actions, he wanted to help her but he wasn't able to at the time. Luckily it did work out. He'd wanted the power to help his friend for a long time, and he had it now... but given what the power was he had no idea if Hana would accept it or be freaked out.

"Good to meet you Xateramusa and- wow that's actually a mouthful. Do you mind if I call you something shorter? And good to meet you too, Kao." The man returned their introductions with greetings, while not giving his own name. Honestly, it wasn't out of ill-intent or distrusting them. He just... forgot. It genuinely slipped his mind and he assumed he already gave his name at some point in the conversation. "Follow me, I'll take you guys to your girl." He stated, beginning to head out of the Hotel.

-

Hana - in the meantime - had a lot of questions she wanted to ask, but probably not now with the event soon kicking off. Despite how she was told much of what had happened, it seems much more went down when she wasn't around at all. Nice, her sister left out the details. Ugh. Well, whatever. This may be a good thing, honestly. It gives Hana more reason to catch up with friends and more time to spend with them. "I'm glad you're okay if nothing else. Still the same guy." The idol noted with a smile.

Darren smiled at her response, though she sort of dodged the question. He was wondering if he should just tell her what he was back then, that he had let his body be taken over by a Seed that manifested into a demon that almost killed everyone and specifically tormented her sister because he saw the opportunity to do so. Probably best not to sour their reunion with a story like that. They would have time later to discuss it all.

"And you're the same old Hana," he said to her with a smile. Same idol girl that brightens up the day for her friends. Speaking of friends, is something up with Seifer? His body's pretty different and his energy has a bunch of Gear Chronicle stuff mixed in." That sentence by itself would probably bring a mountain of questions behind it. Darren never did think before he spoke.

"i guess you can call me xat for short." she said to him noticing he didnt say his name, but she didnt want to draw attetniton to it. "Thank you." she said and followed the man, and kao silently judgin the man not trusting him one bit and decided to test the waters to see if he was safe or not. "so were are you from" he asked

Brother? But... wait... and it was said twice. Seifer's head began to pulse and pound, but he didn't outwardly show it. "Ho- Hold on n-" he was interrupted by a familiar voice, which sent a chill up his spine. The voice belonged to his other older sister, Hana. The chill grew more intense as she cast him a glance. "Jack Daniels save me..." he muttered under his breath, inaudible to those around him. He put on a smile however, and merely waved. The other one who forced him to be here, Hana, for whatever reason put a game before education. He found that... wrong. What could this game get him? Or anyone? He wasn't happy, in fact he always lost to them growing up regardless of how hard he tried. So what was the point of this tournament for him.

Turning toward Noel, he gave a slight respectful bow, more formal than he should of been given what she had called him earlier.

He remained quiet and docile at Hana's presence, letting his mind draw blanks. He was in a spiritual state of tranquility with Seifer here, where their desires were one. These desires were simple and obvious: "For fuck's sake, I could use a drink." Haruka replied to these desires by tugging on Seifer's sleeve trying to maintain a rather delightful composure, despite the imposing dread welling up. He whispered in his brother's ear, "Hey. Shots on me. Bar's right across the hall, you in?"

Haruka attempted to catch his eye, nodding in the direction of the bar to clue him in. While it was probably pretentious or rude to disappear off without much of a word, he needed to see his family sometimes -- rephrase, he needed to see the family he cared about sometimes. He shrugged with a smile, passing by the rest of the group with a wave. "Glad to catch up everyone, you're all delightful as always. Hope to see you at the tournament! In the meantime..." That last statement was a quiet muttering as he passed by the remaining group of familiar faces in the area. It was almost preposterous to his traditional attitude how he seemingly disregarded the presence of everyone else, but he had something he wanted to talk to Seifer about alone if possible. If not, there was always a margarita waiting for him in a few minutes.