Joining the Ranks

Running pale fingers through his thick brown locks, Ardere found himself sitting at the bar reading a book. Once again he found himself restless, his thoughts consumed by worries about his daughter. He was sure she could take care of herself, but she was still his little cinder after all. Letting out a slight sigh, he tried to get comfortable. It helped that he was wearing his white yukata rather then his armor or cloak. His sword stayed looped through the red sash around his waist as he flipped through the pages of the book on mythos from across Ishval. There were so many, and quite fascinating at that.

It was at this time that the fire mage noticed a new scent approaching, which he found strange at this time of night. Continuing to examine the book, he kept his senses keen as the new arrival entered. The door to Infinity Hydra was always unlocked. Many would call this unwise, but RAINE was a much better security system than a meet locked door. If one truly wished to enter the guild, they would blow the door down or bust through a window. But the man entering did not seem to be an intruder, but rather a visitor. Looking over, the young presumably mage went up to the bartender. You need any help, friend? Placing his hand over the book, he gave a reassuring look.

The young wizard approached the bar, and pulled out a stool to sit upon. As he did so, he noticed a man turning to speak to him. Although the man seemed pleasant, he had a demeanor that had an air of dominance to him. He was definitely some one strong and high ranking in the guild. Haku'na smiled back at the man politely before responding to him. "Actually I do." Haku'na admitted to the stranger. He was new to this island, not to mention the guild. He never joined a guild before, and had no idea about how to do it formally. "My name is Haku'na, I just recently arrived here." The young red haired man spoke, as he took his seat at the bar. The bar tender came over, and Haku'na requested a light mead, before continuing his conversation.

"Sorry about that. I'm actually here in hopes to find a way to join the guild. I've done research on the guilds from the sorcerer's magazine." Haku'na said happily, as he pulled out a particular issue from his backpack. "This one features Infinity Hydra. A guild for Justice, and the eradication of evil!" Haku'na said proudly, sounding almost like a fan boy. "Haha... Sorry about that, I can get carried away." The young wizard said as he began to sip the mead, immediately after it arrived. He sat the Sorcerer Magazine down, only to reveal the Guild Master on the cover. Thats when Haku'na's eyes dashed from the magazine, and onto the face of his friend. Then back down again, and back to him. He did this three times, before he spit his mead out. It narrowly missed the bar tender, and landed just behind her. "SIR!" Haku'na shouted as he leaped out his chair in excitement and embarrassment.

Ardere burst out into laughter for a moment. The young mage before him was obviously new to the guild life, but he was quite eager, and the fire mage always enjoyed that. Closing his book and standing up, he gave a slight bow. I am Ardere Kasai, yes the guild master. But it's no big deal, you're free to join the guild. I'll just need to give you a stamp and record your name. Pulling out a small guild stamp from behind the bar, it was in the shape of the guilds symbol; and ouroboros made of Hydra heads. Placing the symbol down, he kept a calm and friendly demeanor.

But before I induct you, I must ask why you wish to join a guild. Not just infinity hydra, but guilds in general. Obviously you are a mage, but I am curious as to what drives you. If you don't mind me asking of course. Ardere was a polite man, but he was also very forward. If he had a question on his mind, he would ask it. It was important that he knew most if not all of his guild members goals. It was something he considered essential to being a guild master. While he did not have time to socialize with all of his members anymore, he still liked to be involved. After all, there would be fights in the future he would need them in. If they respected and related to him, they would be more likely to follow him, and that gave him strength. He saw potential in all of them, even after just meeting the man before him. The samurai was quite adept in reading people.

Haku'na was tense and nervous. A single bead of sweat making its pathway down the side of his face. Then suddenly, the guild master burst into a laughter, that cause a sense of relief to wash over Haku'na. He began to relax a bit, and smile like once before. He had no idea what kind of man his leader would be, but has been eager to find out. Ardere asked Haku'na a question, that really made him think. "What drives me?" The young red haired mage thought to himself. He had to really concentrate, for in the monastery it was easy. His ambitions, were simply to survive and learn. Now, he was simply on an adventure. The thrill alone gave him the joy and rush he wanted. Then he saw it, all the faces of the monastery smiling at him in the distance.

"Well, I wish to join a guild to become a better mage. One of great skill and prowess. To stand tall in the face of evil, and eliminate it." Haku'na stated, before continuing. "However... What drives me, is my family. The ones i left behind, as they pushed me further to become a powerful mage." The young man spoke with a sense of pride behind his words, as he continued thinking of the monks. Haku'na was determined to prove his worth to Ardere, as well as the rest of the members of the guild. "I promise, I have what it take Ardere!" Haku'na said with a sense of determination on his face and voice.

Ardere let out a deep breath as he listened to the young man's words. They seemed heartfelt and true. Family was a good motivator, the free mage knew that. He loved his family, both alive and dead, and fought for them every day. The Fire King considered the guild and his friends family as well. It was cliche to say, but he considered them nakama, a word in his native tongue meaning friends so close they are considered family. Good enough for me. I understand where you're coming from. Now, where do you want your guild tattoo and in what color? Picking up the guild stamp, he twirled it between his fingers.

Pulling out a bottle of sake, he poured himself a glass. The samurai was quite fond of the drink from his homeland, and still kept his focus on the young man before him. After we get you signed up, I'll show you around the place a bit. There's not too much to it, but it is a castle after all. And if you need a place to stay, we offer free housing here. Not everyone uses it, a lot stay down in Terra Ignis or even Mountain Village. But quite a few still live here. The brown haired mage enjoyed living in the guild, but he often visited his home in the mountains to the west. Hopefully this new addition to the family would enjoy his stay as well.

Haku'na's heart was beating heavy and fast. He was nervous, excited, and so many different emotions in one moment. He was pleading his reason for becoming a member. Something he has been dreaming of for months now, on his difficult journey there. Just before the young man fell into a panic attack, Ardere spoke up. His words calmed the mage, causing him to relax his tension, and only excitement and joy remained. Before Haku'na responded, Ardere spoke once more, "After we get you signed up, I'll show you around the place a bit. There's not too much to it, but it is a castle after all. And if you need a place to stay, we offer free housing here. Not everyone uses it, a lot stay down in Terra Ignis or even Mountain Village. But quite a few still live here". The red eyed mage listened to the man before him speak. He knew he would stay here at the guild, at least for the time being. However he couldn't wait to have a tour of the island. "I want the tattoo here." Haku'na said proudly, as he placed his en tire palm over his left chest. All the fingers were spread apart indicating size and width. "I want it to be a crimson red." The red haired mage said with determination, ready to be initiated into The Infinity Hydra.  

Ardere twirled the stamp between his pale fingers before placing the wooden shaped ouroboros over the young man's left pectoral. The point of touch lit up for a moment as a crimson red version of the guild symbol was magically tattooed on the newcomer. Giving a nod and a smile, the guild master slid the stamp back into its hiding space, then stood up. Brushing off his yukata, he gestured for Hakuna to follow him. On the first floor here, we have the bar, with tables and booths to relax in. But we also have several sections of living quarters towards the back, as well as access to the gardens and the hangar if you ever acquire or borrow a ship.

As the fire mage gave the quick tour, the themes of the castle would become very apparent. The midi styled tapestries and samurai armor as well as weapons. It was designed like a castle from his home land, and so far he had received no complaints from his friends or guild members. Pointing to upstairs he continued to speak. Upstairs we have a library, training dojo, and access to the bath house. If you wish to check anything out specifically, let me know. Folding his arms in a leisurely manner, the samurai exhaled deeply. It was not often he got to give a tour by himself, usually several other members jumped in before him. Perhaps it was due to the time of night, but it did not bother him at all.