Loom-Evening- Academy Ballroom

Wind Wild & Themerlinhawk

Lazarus, Hazumi

Lazarus set down the empty scotch tumbler on the table Hazumi had picked up her glass from. Leaning forward he placed his hands on the tabletop distributing his weight and making a point of starring at the wall in order to prevent himself from accidentally exposing himself to Hazumi’s Essence again so soon. “That student looked like death warmed over. Mind if I ask what was wrong with him?” Considering he was three glasses in Lazarus had dropped his accent and was surprisingly sober. He’d cheated though by using the golem bracer to accelerate the rate at which his liver cleaned alcohol from his bloodstream. 

He hadn’t turned towards her but the comment was clearly directed at her, he looked towards her out of the corner of his eye but didn’t bother to turn his head more than a fraction of an inch. 

Hazumi’s eyebrows quietly arched at the man’s peculiar behaviour. She could easily tell what he was. She couldn’t tell what he could do. Still, she assumed he was talking to her and, given his newly acquired position as a teacher, she decided to give him the honest answer. 

“His Instrument was giving him trouble. Our students are among the bravest people of this century but they’re playing with fire. If they’re not careful the Instruments’ essence will consume their own like fire consumes wood.” She explained with a serious tone and a melancholic gaze fixed on the champagne which slowly twirled in her hand. “Unfortunately you’ll see plenty of that happening in your time here, Master Lazarus, and we can only hope minimise the damage. Thus, were you to ever have any doubts about that happening to anyone - if you notice anything off about them, please contact me and I’ll examine them.”

Lazarus smiled and turned leaning on the table confident that looking at Hazumi wouldn’t hurt him. “I think we’ve all played with fire at some point, some more than others.” It was a purposefully open ended statement, he was interested to see how she took the statement. He chuckled mentally ‘playing with fire? careful there this one might burn you to a crisp. Looking at her almost broke you, are you really sure you want her to look at you?’. 

“I’ll make sure I keep an eye on my students if you’ll do me a favor in return. Keep a close eye on Mary. I’m not sure who toyed with her but I was not happy to find out the thing in her is sentient.” Lazarus scrutinized her, this time physically instead of with his Essence sight. She was rather stunning even without knowing what was beneath the surface of her physical form.

“Mary, hm? That must be the name of your pupil. Yes, she’s quite an… unfortunate individual. But she’s in safe hands here.” Hazumi gave him a reassuring smile, pretending not to notice the admiration in his eyes. It flattered her, but it would be selfish to indulge. “I hope you know you can trust us. We’re no saints, but we are honest and our intentions are always good. We’re honoured to have you as a member of our staff, Master Lazarus. I hope you come to like this place and accept it as your home.” She put her glass out for a toast.

Grinning he picked up his glass and condensed the water in the air to fill the glass. It was a cheap trick but it was better than going for a fourth round. “Oh I have faith in you and the staff, which is why I decided to pack up and move here. You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t move in whole sale. Some of the things I brought are best left under my lock and key. As for Mary….well” He tapped her glass “Her life certainly took an interesting turn when she met me”

 His demeanor was rather light right up until he put his hand on Esperacchius which jolted him with some rather surprising emotions. Why hadn’t he activated the wards on the cylinder to prevent that happening again? Hopefully he hadn’t let on his suprise too much. Drinking from the glass he wished that it was in fact scotch now. 

Hazumi’s observed as the man’s glass filled with water seemingly out of the thin air. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and childish glee even though she kept her expression mature. She always enjoyed observing magic and even though on many levels she felt ancient, in some she always felt young and innocent. When it came to magic, it was always like seeing it for the first time. Although the old Hazumi had never cared about anything that wasn’t practical and useful, the “reformed” one truly appreciated the beauty of this world. 

She leaned back in the comfort of her chair but her eyes didn’t leave the man. In fact, they slowly travelled up - from his glass, to his chest where they stopped for a few moments before slowly moving towards his face. What she saw made her lips curl up. The man was beautiful, through and through. His essence was old and mature, reminding her of good wine, yet, in contrast, his physical features were fresh and ripe. She had no doubt that what he was wearing was his own flesh and bone and even with her abilities, she couldn’t make sense of how he’d died and returned back to this world in such a perfect shape. If she didn’t know any better, she’d assume that his fame was a fake one. He was truly fascinating to look at - not in the way that Solus Grim was, or even herself. In a much more perfect way. 

Hazumi giggled softly and returned her gaze to the glass, realising how her starring would seem to the man. She had to start a conversation fast, before things got awkward, but she struggled to pick a subject. The questions she had all seemed excessively personal and whilst she wouldn’t normally think twice before embarrassing someone, with this man she was careful not to. Not because she thought he was easy to embarrass but because in his proximity she felt like a rag-doll stood next to a human. All patches and stitches and cheap stuffing. She shoved the dark thoughts to the side and instead enjoyed the humbling feeling of respect washing over her.

“You are a truly amazing man, aren’t you, Master Lazarus.”

Lazarus turned his head and scrutinized Hazumi's face. He’d felt some strange things from her, wonder, appreciation, and embarrassment. His skull was going to be unhappy with him in the morning. Skimming thoughts from Hazumi was like passing his hand through a blowtorch, mentally. Lazarus pursed his lips, he hadn’t meant to skim Hazumi’s thoughts but it had just sort of happened.

“That is a rather interesting question isn’t it? Because it sounds like a statement.” Lazarus flicked his wrist. It was another show of petty magic but he was too intrigued with Hazumi to bother grabbing a chair. The chair zipped across the space to rest in front of Hazumi. Lazarus sat. The chair had its back to Hazumi but Lazarus straddled it and rested his arms on the back of the chair and looked at her over the chair. 

“You’ll have to forgive me. I feel like I should come clean with you. I unintentionally skimmed your emotions, may I ask what you were thinking? It was a very strange combination of emotions. If I’m prying please tell me, and again I apologize for intruding like that it happened before I was aware of what I was doing. It’s rather hard to shut off honestly.” He could almost hear Kathleen laughing at him [i]Love, you’re acting like a school boy with a crush. Calm down[/i]. Lazarus could feel his ears start to turn pink, what a strange sensation he’d never once been embarrassed by the things he picked up from other people and now here he was apologizing for it? 

Hazumi's eyebrows rose, giving him a stung and accusatory look at his admission. Apparently she didn’t appreciate being pried on half as much as she enjoyed prying herself. Even demigods could have double standards. Or should we say, especially demigods. Her smile only faltered for a second thought, before it grew again.

"And you can sense emotions. Who knew?" She paused considering how much to confess. Technically she had no reason to share anything, and knew that doing so could only cause her harm in the long run. On the other hand...

"I was just admiring your essence, Master Lazarus. It is remarkably intact for a person rumored to have died long ago. So is your body and, forgive me, but as a person with my abilities and knowledge, I can't help but be awed. Very few people escape the Void unharmed." A peculiar note twisted the word "void" as she spoke it, some sort of mild reverence. 

Lazarus’ face went flat. It was like he’d dropped a mask in place. The transition was almost instant as a viscous part of his personality became very alert. “I’ve never tasted of the void Mistress Hazumi” ‘Don’t be a jackass’ came the part of him that recognized true appreciation in her voice and genuine curiosity. He let out a sigh and stared into the water in his glass “Sorry, typically when people bring up my...’capabilities’ its because they are trying to figure out a way to get rid of me. Even if they are my friend or acquaintance. After all it’s scary isn’t it? Well maybe not for YOU but…” He gave her a sheepish look.

Sitting back from the chair back he looked her in the eye. “Go ahead. Ask the question I know that you want to ask.” ‘What? are you actually going to tell her?’ he hushed the voice. At the very least he could explain a bit. After all he felt like a jackass for prying. Only fair that she get something in return for the intrusion. Lazarus tossed the water back and set the glass on the table next to them and looked right at Hazumi. If nothing else was to be said she was gorgeous, Kathleen forgive me.

Hazumi was looking back at him, gaze curious and bemused but not in a malicious way. More like that of a person having a truly interesting conversation. No hidden motives. 

"It is scary, even to me. See, we are different, me and you." She leaned forward, putting her elbows on the table. "You were born, I was created. The difference? I can be destroyed, you can be killed. Pieces of me can live independent lives because of my nature, but were they to rejoin me, I would lose my identity as a single individual in turn for gaining power. ...as I'm sure you know." She threw him a bemused smirk, referring to her early history as the Essence. "Same would happen if I give myself out completely to the point where "Hazumi" is broken down to the basic components. Or if I surrender my consciousness willingly. Point is, I can be destroyed. You, you are different. In theory once killed your essence would just shatter, never to roam the world again, not in any form. In reality, you not only come back, you also maintain your own being and individuality. For someone like me, there is no way to not be awed at someone like you. How you did it is indeed a terribly compelling question but one I'd rather not delve into." 

Lazarus raised an eyebrow at that. “Well I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a first, never the less. I appreciate it.” He suddenly grinned at her “You know Mistress Hazumi I believe we’re going to get along rather well.” One of his flights of distraction caught him as the music shifted and he looked over his shoulder at the still rather full ballroom. “As for being created or born, I don’t think it really matters” he turned back with a fiercer spark in his eyes “Where you came from or how you came to be are rather irrelevant I’ve found. What really matters is what you choose to do with what you have. I let go of concern like ‘would it have been better if I’d been raised differently or not born a mage’ a long time ago because they don’t matter. I know what you are Hazumi and you know what I am; however I don’t yet know who you are and I suspect the same might be true for you in concern for me. And in the end if we’re ever killed or destroyed” His lips tugged up at the corners at the [i]if[/i] “It doesn’t matter how or by whom; all that matters is what we leave behind.” 

Lazarus stood and turned the chair around so he could sit facing Hazumi without the chair in between the two of them. “I gave up fear of the end and concern for the beginning a long time ago. Instead I have concern for who I am and what I’ll leave behind. There is a young girl out there tonight who If I am killed will be all on her own in a very scary world. I can’t leave her behind yet so while I don’t fear the void I’m not finished in this world yet. So. The real question is who are you Hazumi and what will you leave behind in the end?” Lazarus flashed her a genuine smile as he kicked off his boots and pulled his legs up on the chair sitting cross legged on it.

Hazumi’s smile twitched with uncertain amusement at the boyish gesture. “Aren’t you a bit [i]old[/i] to put your feet on your chair?” She teased while she mulled over the words spoken earlier. The man was peculiar, that much was for sure. She’d heard those words many times before - in movies, among people… They had never applied to her. The fact that the first person to tell her her creation didn’t matter was also a person who knew full well who she was (and probably, who she had been) made her happy in a completely new way. It was the absolute opposite of how Lily Quarin was treating her. But there was a question posed there, not just recognition and she couldn’t spend the entire evening brisking in the warmth of the compliment, as much as she wanted to. 

“What will I leave behind in the end? So far, mostly destruction and despair. Although it wasn’t entirely my doing, I largely contributed to the shaking of the balance in our worlds. I’m will atoning for that, and hopefully one day the good I’ve done will outweigh the bad.” She answered honestly. Peculiar, really peculiar. She didn’t remember being so open with anyone in at least a century. Yet here she was, revealing her hopes and regrets to a creature which, if turned against her, could become a very formidable enemy. Heh. Maybe it was arrogance, though. Maybe it was that part left of the old Hazumi that had no doubt she can take anything and anyone on. “I like your way of thinking, Master Lazarus. And I see adoption seems to be the way we both cope with our… eternity.” She chuckled, putting her glass out for another toast.

This time Lazarus opted for something way more dramatic. Not because he was too lazy to grab his glass off the table but because he wanted to see her reaction to it. He drew on the metal of the bracers lining his skeleton as it forced its way out of his skin. He didn’t need much, the metal had a massive amount of subatomic particles in it to begin with. He rearranged them into silicone dioxide and then strung the molecules together into the base of a glass before running more of it up the sides to produce a smooth perfect tumbler. The excess energy from taking apart the molecules he transferred to the electrum rod in his belt. It was the perfect receptacle for energy and essence. He then filled the glass by condensation again.

Hazumi’s reaction didn’t disappoint him as he saw the grin spread her lips, the glee in her eyes reminiscent of a child enjoying the magic tricks their parents had requested for her birthday. She really did like magic, huh?

“There comes a point in ones life when it becomes perfectly acceptable to wander barefoot and to put ones feet on ones charge” Lazarus treated her to a childish grin. “That point is when everyone else is younger than you and not foolish enough to question your judgement.” He held the glass out and cocked his head thinking for a moment “That, or everyone just assumes you’re crazy and doesn’t pay you much mind.”

“As for adoption I think it’s only natural, Eternity is an awful long time.” He sipped at the water. Was it just that he’d finally found someone relatable to talk to? Perhaps he should have backed out of this before getting so entangled. For some reason his subconscious decided to share another glimpse of Hazumi through his essence sight. It was like staring into the sun but only this time he could see some of the details.

 “I would not say you’ve left behind destruction” The comment was sudden and from a very pensive place “I think in the throes of growth we all do things we probably aren’t happy about. Let me put it this way. If you hadn’t played your part I’d never have had the pleasure of your company” The words were out of his mouth before he realised the other implication ‘if you’d never played your part I might have lived a normal happy life with my wife.’ The thought made his mouth bitter and he fought back a scowl in response to it. It wasn’t her fault. And what he’d said was certainly true, besides. The past was the past and he’d long since told himself that while he’d carry Kathleen’s memory he would leave the bitterness behind. Nice job genius.

Hazumi nodded, but it was only a nod of respect, not agreement. It wasn’t that she blamed herself for her past actions, not really. Maybe she wasn’t human enough to know the full extent of responsibility. In the end, no matter how flattering, sometimes the only opinion that matters was your own. That’s not to say she didn’t appreciate the sentiment. This was turning into a very flattering evening for her. She had performed, been appreciated and admired, connected to a human being… If she wasn’t careful, she could get used to it. Yet a part of her didn’t want it to stop. 

It wasn’t up to her to decide what to do next though. Something peculiar was going on - something much more grand than their little meeting was brewing in a place not too far away. And she couldn’t help but investigate. 

“Master Lazarus, your company has made the evening twice as enjoyable as all our students ever did. I truly appreciate your company and will keep returning to what you said for many nights to come.” She smiled, getting to her feet. “Unfortunately something else requires my immediate attention and I must now leave you to your own devices. I trust you’ll enjoy the rest of your evening, as well as your time to rest in the room we have prepared for you.”

Lazarus raised an eyebrow at that “off to attend to the concerns of the world I see.” He had to suppress a flicker of annoyance at that. He’d been enjoying the conversation but clearly she had something pressing to attend to. Pulling on his shoes he stood as he returned the matter of the glass to his skeleton. Feeling rather bold all of a sudden he caught her hand and kissed the back of it. “Don’t be a stranger, you know where to find me” With that he smoothed his clothing and turned to survey the crowd. This was hardly his scene but it was probably time to call it a night. Might as well make use of the room the academy was providing him. He turned and looked over his shoulder at her. “If you ever need a hand with something too big for even you to handle, I have a knack for solving problems. It would be my pleasure to help.”

Hazumi didn't seem to react at first but one might notice her widened eyes... and the fact that her hand had frozen in mid-air, just where Lazarus had left it. Stiffly she nodded and forced her body out of its stupor and towards the door.