"Jasper it is, then. You did mention being a soldier before, yes", Isei said, still smiling and nodding at the woman as though he hadn't only just insulted her to test her temper before flipping her over her head. Such experiences were, for better or worse, relatively common in the martial arts world and he saw little wrong with them. One must empty a cup before it can be filled would be the nice way to put it, clearing away preconceptions to accept a new perspective. In a harsher and more physically-minded environment, however, it was typically described as breaking someone down so they may be better rebuilt.

"I have absolutely no doubt you still wish to prove your considerable strength, which is in some way perfectly fine. A strong spirit and some confidence are good" Isei told her bluntly, calmly stroking his beard as he did so, in a way that made it seem as though this had played out many times before in his life. Not that many, but it had indeed happened. For one such as him, this was little more than a somewhat exagerated version of the desire to best a master in any field. "But those are best tempered with calm, patience, control. Opposites in balance. You are a soldier, you should know discipline and know how necessary it is".

"You more than others should know the risk of losing control". He raised his hand and flexed it into a claw to punctuate. Though smaller than Jasper's, Isei's hands seemed strangely swollen compared to the rest of the man's frame, the joints apparently inflamed and the knuckles and backhand calloused into an unforgiving striking surface. Here was proof of dedication, a willingness to deform himself for his chosen path. "If nothing else, remember there is true power in trying to master yourself. But you will never be better if you don't think you should be", he finished by poking her in the chest with his finger.

"Now I will go see where we are, what exactly is happening and how I may involve myself, I have been living in a cave for far too long. What you do is your choice, and I know accepting help is often quite hard, nevermind asking for it". And with that, Isei stepped away, taking stock of the situation at hand. The devastation seemed mostly material, and while he could help clearing out rubble it hardly seemed urgent. Instead, he approached a man in dark clothes (York) and an automaton of some sort (Minz), who seemed to be in parlay with the locals. As good a place as any to start, he figured.

Presenting them with the same salutation of bringing his fist to his vertical palm, he once again presented himself. Interactions with Isei tended to be rather more polite when not of a martial nature, though he did give the machine being something of a wider berth out of habit. He'd had some rather bad experiences with one beings of the type before. "Gentlemen, I am Isei, a martial artist of some skill and a monster slayer at times. I find myself here through some unknown sorcery and I would welcome information. I offer my assistance with whatever I can help in return".

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