The room was lit by a large window. The shades that were draped over it hued the light coming through into a bronze color, and the light piercing through them only made it so far. It made the room dimmer than the rest. There was a golden sheen on all of the equipment from that yellow-bronze light. It glinted on some parts, like little gems gleaming brightly to anybody who looked their way. The floor was concrete, with mats running through the center of the room as a concourse. Banners hung from the far walls, lit by the shaded window. They all had the symbol of the Adventurers Guild.

It was silent in the room, for the most part. The only thing that could be heard were the ragged breaths of a dark haired lady. She wore fitness clothes, they hugged her body so they wouldn't get caught in any of the equipment. Sweat was apparent on her body, the bronze light creating the same glints at certain angles. The fit woman pulled her chin over a bar, then let herself down, then back up again. In front of the raven haired gymnast, floated a mask. It was a terrifying sight with fangs and a deathly grimace, its eyes were lit by a low teal glow. The horns, silhouetted like the rest of the mask, raised out above the face, casting two long shadows into the room.

**"Thirty-two..."** the woman grunted as she pulled her chin over the bar again, lowering after. **"Thirty... Three..."** she huffed as she was on the rise.

Her legs were crossed at the ankles as she continued to lift herself up and let herself down. Meanwhile, the mask just stared in silence. **"You don't need to remind me, Oni..."** she said, seemingly to nobody, as she briefly rested between her pull ups. **"I know I need time to meditate, but I need to stay fit too. What is a fat and lazy Seishin swordsman?"**

The woman continued to ramble on, but every time she spoke, it seemed directed at the mask. It was almost as if she was holding a conversation with it, or perhaps getting lectured by the wise object. She kept herself committed to her pull-ups as she spoke, **"Easy for you to say. You're a spirit!"** the woman exclaimed as she struggled with her latest pull up, **"Come on~... Ahh- fifty!"** with that she let go and dropped onto the floor. The masked spirit pivoted in place to keep its eternal gaze on the young woman.

She lay on the floor, her breathes heavy, chest rising and falling in proper proportion to her exertion. **"Don't judge me for laying on the floor."** she mumbled, **"Besides... I couldn't get up even if I wanted to right now. My arms are dead. I beat my record by eleven reps today... Give me a break, please, Oni?"**

The mask didn't move, it just kept looking at her. From anybody else's point of view, they'd see Ryza as crazy and perhaps a little too lonely. But that was not the case. Ryza's pact with Oni, the masked spirit, allowed her to hear its voice in her head. It was a connection all Seishin swordsmen had to their Oni.

**"Is my two hours up yet?"** Ryza asked between her breaths, only to groan, **"Twenty more minutes? Ugh..."**

With slow motions, Ryza managed to force herself to sit up. She got on her knees, putting her hands on her thighs and taking more controlled breaths. The swordsman closed her eyes and stayed motionless. The mask hovered down until it was laying in front of her on the floor, still staring at it without a single change in its wooden expression.

Ryza remained there for the full twenty minutes, meditating and reflecting on herself. Now that her breathing had leveled out, the gym was completely silent. After the short meditation period, Ryza opened her eyes and took a deep breath, thanking Oni in her native Kusagi tongue. The mask floated and stared at her as it faded away from sight. Ryza grabbed her katana and stood up, heading to the change rooms.

It took another short while for Ryza to shower and clean from that intense work out session. She left the change room, wearing her Seishin schools' white and scarlet apprentice kimono. She held her katana in her left hand.. Ryza's long black hair was tied back in a simple pony tail, with a few rogue strands dangling in front of her face.

With a long sigh, Ryza left the gym. She got a gust of cool air, making her stop for a moment to get used to the sudden change in temperature. Without the bronze shades of the gym, the day was much brighter and more vibrant. The blue sky and white clouds, along with the brass and copper toned buildings all around her reminded her that she wasn't home in the Kusagi empire. She had come to terms with that, however, and the reminder passed on no bad feelings.

With her pact settled for the day, Ryza decided to relax. She walked across the Adventurer's Plaza and stepped into the Drunken Bard's Pub. It was a respectable establishment, more so than some pubs she stumbled across in the vast city of Meduzart. Ryza had never drank before then, but it was a special day for Ryza. It was her late master's birthday, and she was of age among the Kusagi to drink now. She wanted to honor her uncle by having her first drink in remembrance of him.

As she approached the bar, Ryza looked around at all the figures. She was only recruited into the Adventurers Guild and the Red Hawks a week prior, and still had not shared a whole lot of introductions with others; though she did see a couple of people who she had the pleasure of meeting. When she got to the bar, Ryza smiled respectfully at the barkeeper, he smiled back, _"Good day, fresh-blood!"_ the tender said to her.

**"Good day."** she simply replied, her Kusagi accent strong in her words.

_"Your usual water, then?"_ he asked, grabbing a glass for her.

Ryza shook her head, **"No, thank you. I would like some Kusagi Moon Wine if you have any."**

_"Wine, eh? Gonna be honest, I'm not sure if we do. Most of these chums look for the hardier drinks. Let me go see if I have anything in the back, though."_ the large man stepped into a room, out of sight from her where she was sitting. He returned shortly, _"Sorry, dearie, none of that sweet drink of yours."_

Ryza bowed her head respectfully, **"Well. This is my first time drinking so... Perhaps something not as hardy as the stuff these chums prefer?"** she sounded a little awkward as she tried to use Western slang. It never really caught on well for Ryza.

The barkeeper chuckled and took some bottles, knowing just what to make for first timers. He handed her the glass, _"Here you are, missy. I hear of your peoples' discipline in your arts. I shouldn't need to tell you drink in moderation."_

Ryza smiled at him again and bowed, **"Thank you, I will drink easy."** As she straightened out, Ryza studied the small crowd of people again. there wasn't anybody from her band that could make out right away. But a closer look showed one Red Hawk, sitting at a round table with his feet kicked up. Ryza approached him and bowed, **"Sir. Would you mind if I sat here? I figure it would be a good idea to get to know more of my bandmates."** she paused, **"My name is Ryza Shiro, it is an honor to meet somebody who is no doubt a commander of the Red Hawks."** she judged his rank by the size of the coin bag he carried and by his clean, ordered, appearance.