A summoner enters (Open to Sabertooth)

I am finally here…

The young mage stood in awe as he reached his destination. His eyes gazed upon the grand city before him as a tear fell from his eyes. He finally made it. The place he journeyed far to finally reach. Casander let out a sigh of relief as he brought his right hand to his cheek, wiping the tear away. For too long have tears fell from his eyes and he does not want to look weak when he is so close to his goal. A smile formed from Casander’s face as he gripped his bag hanging from his left shoulder. The bag was small but held all of Casander’s belongings.

The young mage walked into the Ace of Spades and looked around, taking in all the sites as if burning it into memory. He saw each building and admired the uniqueness of them. Casander felt he was dreaming until a human need brought his head down from the clouds. His stomach growled and Casander brought his right hand to his stomach. He was hungry. It had been hours since he ate and he has journeyed far. Well...can’t hurt to take a short break before reaching my goal right?

Looking around for a source of sustenance, Casander saw the entrance to a tavern and he walked towards it, entering it as he reached the door. The summoner looked around and saw no one else there. He wondered if it was even open. Casander looked at a nearby clock and saw it was early in the afternoon. His stomach growled again and the young mage sighed. Maybe he needed to go elsewhere. The young mage turned around to leave until a voice called out to him.

“Oi! Sorry about that. Was in the kitchen making a batch of bread.”

Casander turned around and saw a bartender who stood behind the bar. He was a kind looking man. Middle in age, humble clothing, and an inviting smile. Casander returned the smile, “Never need to apologize for doing your job sir. Are you open? I have traveled far and wouldn’t mind some food and drink.” The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air and Casander’s stomach growled again. The bartender let out a hearty laugh. “From the sounds of it I would say more food than drink. Come, take a load off.” Casander nodded in appreciation as he walked towards the bar. He set his bag on the floor and sat in the stool as the bartender placed down a glass of iced water. The young mage took a sip of the water and let out a sigh of relief as the ice cold liquid went down his throat, rejuvenating him. The bartender chuckled, “I am Will the bartender. What can I get you young traveler?”

Casander placed the water down and looked up at Will. “My name is Casander Verr-”, the young mage stopped before finishing the sentence. His last name was Verrin and for those who know that name, know it is associated with a dark guild. Casander came from a long line of summoners who favored the dark arts, engaging in contracts with creatures for evil deeds. Unfortunately, Casander’s family were the worst and the most powerful of dark summoners. He was not meant to live such a life and the young mage swore to walk a different path; even if his magical gifts came from a dark place. Casander ignored such thoughts and smiled at Will, “Just Casander, or some folks call me Cas. And I think I will take a bit of that freshly baked of yours and…” The summoner paused and saw the line of alcohol behind the bartender. Usually Casander wouldn’t drink so early in the day but he finally reached his destination. It couldn’t hurt to celebrate a little right? “...a dirty Martini.”

Will lifted a brow in surprise and chuckled, “Such sophisticated tastes for a young man. Coming right up.”

Before he knew it, a steaming piece of bread and a perfectly crafted martini stood before him. Casander thanked the bartender as he took a piece of bread and smiled, happy to have the feeling of food in his stomach again. “So what brings you to Ace of Spades? Based on your leather outfit and red cape you seem to be a mage.” Casander took a sip of his martini and chuckled, hearing a few people entering the doors of the tavern.

“Well I hoping to call this place my new home and accomplish a goal of mine.” Casander took another sip of his martini as his eyes drifted up, seeing the crest that represented his goal. “To join Sabertooth.”

"Will, is there a chance that you got some new wines in?"

Casander took another sip of his martini and looked up to see young woman speak to Will. She was well dressed and seemed to have presence that could attract an entire room of people. He heard the two converse about wine and a small smile formed on Casander’s lips. A fellow lover of fine spirits. Though, not like that is the most uncommon thing to find in a tavern. He couldn’t help but notice a small furry creature around her neck. It took a few seconds to realize it was a ferret, and an adorable one at that.

"Hello. I heard you say you're looking to join Sabertooth? Guess I showed up at just the right time. I'm a member of Sabertooth. I'm Gaia Sabin."

Casander was in the midst of chewing a piece of bread and nearly choked on it when she said she was in Sabertooth. The young mage coughed as a light blush formed on his cheeks in embarrassment. Great, he meets a mage of Sabertooth and now he looks like someone who can’t eat properly. The young summoner could have slapped himself but this was his moment. This was the reason why he escaped his home and came to Ace of Spades. He came to join Sabertooth and he cannot fail his goal. The young mage took Gaia’s hand and shook it as a warm smile formed on his face.

“Pleasure to meet you Gaia. I am Casander, but Cas works to.”

Butterflies formed in the young mage’s stomach. He couldn’t believe the moment he was dreaming about was happening. "If you don't mind me asking, what convinced you to want to join our lovely guild?" Casander took another sip of his martini and set it down before looking at Gaia.

“There isn’t just one reason but many, probably too many to list.”The summoner chuckled softly and looked up at the Sabertooth crest above the bar. “I guess if I were to narrow the list down to three reasons…” Casander looked back at Gaia to answer her question. “The first being, the reputation of the guild and how powerful your mages are. It is my believe that powerful bonds create a powerful mage. Without bonds, a mage can have all the power in the world but without something to fight for or friends to share it with it is meaningless.” Casander looked down and a glimmer of sorrow flashed in his eyes. His family was powerful but they had no bonds with one another. Every action they made was for selfish reasons and to gain more power. This is why they met their demise. This is why Casander believes he is the last Verrin.

Casander looked back up at the mage before him. “Secondly, I have heard rumors of the good Sabertooth has done for the people of Earthland. The people you have helped and saved, the evil monsters slain to make this world a better place. The work you have done is inspiring and makes me want to take part in the good that you do. I want to protect the good people of Earthland. And lastly…” Casander took another sip of his martini and set it down, sighing out softly.

“Is the rebirth of the guild. I have read what happened to Sabertooth, all the destruction and death, but how you rose from the ashes. No matter what happened to the guild you all have risen.” Casander let out a broken sigh. He was not going to disclose his family name just yet but felt he should share something personal. “I came from a family of criminals. Growing up, I was trained to follow in their footsteps but I wanted to walk a different path. No matter how much they threatened me, hurt me, and take things I cared about away from me I never waivered. I wanted to rise. My family is now no more and I feel like I rose from the ashes. I wanted to rise and I did.”

Casander finished his martini and smiled at Gaia. “These are the reasons why I want to join your guild and be part of something great.”

Ryo sighed as he looked up at Hekate shaking his head “Would you just knock it off? I’m going, I’m going, just because it is a bar doesn’t mean it has pumpkin spice rum. We have been all over the town and found nothing.”

Hekate frowned at him “Oh come on you fanged jerk. The least you could do is get me some pumpkin spiced rum. You owe me this much for pulling my wings off.”

He rolled his eyes as he opened the door to the bar “I didn’t pull them off, I sliced them off, and if you recall I made you those nice wings made of cards to make up for that fact. You can drop it!” He turned and saw that he wasn’t alone. Instead, he saw that Gaia, Will the bartender, and someone else was all in the bar. He blinked in surprise and cleared his throat in his embarrassment “Oh, well, do forgive me.” He blinked again at Gaia and Noya smiling as he realized that they were like him and Gora rarely apart. The only reason Gora wasn’t here, was because he was sleeping, and he didn’t want to move. Presently, he looked to the boy with a raised brow “Gaia, good to see you again. We seem to be meeting quite a lot lately. Oh? Is this a newcomer?” Ryo straightened himself up with a smile keeping his fangs well hidden “Good afternoon. I am Ryo one of the Guild Masters of Sabertooth. It is my honor to meet you.” He said moving closer and holding out his hand.

As he did so Hekate groaned and flew over towards Will “Hey you got any pumpkin spiced rum? Like a case, or a bottle? I’ll settle for a bottle.”

Will blinked and nodded his head as he moved pulling out a bottle of the rum in question placing it on the counter. Hekate moved to fly towards Ryo pulling out his wallet and a bunch of jewels handing them to Will “Give me three more bottles and tie them all together.” Will did just that and Hekate tied them around herself looking to the newcomer “Well, Join Sabertooth or don’t. Ryo likely hopes you do.” She flew out of the door and Ryo glared at her as he watched her go.

When she was gone he looked to the newcomer “I apologize for her. Hekate, is quite simply a nasty fairy who is really a brat maybe a nasty person as well.” He explained very simply.