[center][h3][b][i][color=b8860b]Johnathon Keystone[/color][/i][/b][/h3][/center] [b][center][color=b8860b]Location:[/color] Yellow Rose Temple[/center][/b][b][center][color=b8860b]Interacting With:[/color] Militia, Persephone, Temple Attendant[/center][/b] "Both of you, state your name and business." The beginning of the assertion, "Both", struck Keystone just enough to preempt a cautionary glance to the side. His peripheral vision caught sight of the upcoming Persephone, otherwise alone. After assessing her presence as non-threatening, his attention reverted to the soldiery and their none-too-friendly request of his name and business. Keystone took a moment to rub his temples, exhaling slowly. Times of war always seemed to bring a change of attitude, including more than a fair amount of repetition. The brawler had a flashback to his own home, clearly recalling the City Guard's incessant, nagging interrogation of, "What's all this, then?" at length. May as well have made it the city motto. Well, if his land's slogan was "What's All This, Then?", the slogan of Salarn recently seemed very much to be "State Your Name And Business". Keystone couldn't blame the militiamen for their minor blusters of self-importance. Little rituals like this gave the men courage and a sense of solidarity. These were part-time soldiers; common folk, not too different from himself in that regard. Still, Keystone had a moral imperative to screw with them. [color=b8860b]"Aw, for Gravy's sake, you lot stop fiddling with each other's danglies, eh?"[/color] he rumbled out in a low, quiet(ish) voice. It got louder as he continued. [color=b8860b]"I am Master Keystone of the Northern Ironfist Temple, comin' to seek Spiritual Fonging Enlightenment."[/color] Technically, it wasn't a lie. Well, it was, but in the classical sense only. Keystone [i]did[/i] have a spot for personal training back home, it [i]was[/i] toward the north, comparatively speaking, and his principle technique [i]was[/i] Iron Fist. He had trained others, as well, but all of these things had yet to coalesce into the grand vision of his own temple back home. He had plans, though. Big ones. [color=b8860b]"Didja not get word already? Eh? I've come a long way on foot to be 'ere, and 'ere I am, wasting all m'good breath for mantras and supplications and whatnot on the likes of you tosspots. That answer enough, yet? D'ya need to know anything else? Boot size, favorite color? Whether I likes my womenfolk plump or scrawny? P'raps you'd care to see the birthmark on my arse. Or p'raps you could offer to open the sodding door for us. 'k?"[/color] Utter shock and confusion gripped the irregular soldier in front of the Yellow Rose. His post mates had already fallen back, more confused than shocked at the verbal barrage of the intimidating man (that they suspected might not actually be a priest). But, he wasn't an Orc, which was mostly what they cared about. Slowly, wordlessly, he responded to Keystone's request and placed a his hands on one of the double doors, pulling it open to allow entrance. Keystone looked questioningly to his new companion, the dark haired lady that had come up behind him, and entered the Yellow Rose. Stepping just into the vestibule, the broad-shouldered pugilist sought out the attentions of the first person that looked like they belonged there. An oddly rustic man, as the others around him, approached. Keystone spoke flatly but with softened voice, [color=b8860b]"Apologies for the late visit. Was hoping to introduce m'self to your Master; I'm a visiting Xiang Disciple from a ways off. Turns out, I've got a hair of a problem, though - Unloaded a dragon's share of colonic Chi over at Femnal's, damned near wrecked the place. Hoping to buy some incense off'n you, chase out the last of it. "Ain't a bloody clue why the lady's here, though."[/color] Keystone shifted his attention, [color=b8860b]"You here for incense, too?"[/color] From elsewhere in the township, Keystone could hear the muffled sound of someone roaring, [color=007236]"LOB, GOOD! LOB, [u]SIT![/u]"[/color] and wondered what it could be about. Another mystery for later in the evening, maybe.