Establishing Relations (Death/Closed)

[Gabriel Preston]

"Well, that works out I guess."

Just the other day, Colonel Gabriel Preston had a meeting with the Exorcist's chief hand-to-hand combat instructor, master Samurai Kazuki Wakahisa. Both of them were linked by a common thread: Agent Iris Walker. Preston had recruited the teen into their fold, and kept a close eye on her progression since she joined. Wakahisa was the girl's instructor in the ways of swordsmanship, something she refused to let go of. Kazuki had come to him, saying that Iris had called him, and that he would be going to Death City to meet up with her. That worked into the plan quite well, causing that indifferent response from the secretive soldier.

The agenda behind sending Iris to Death City for her leave was so that she could get a feel for the environment there, and possibly establish friendships with the students at Shibusen. Since being officially sanctioned, the Exorcists have been very busy making a name for themselves, but Preston knew that if they wanted the most efficient war against evil souls, they need to be friends with Shibusen. Kazuki's timing could not have been more perfect, as it was nearly time for Iris' leave to end, and put the plan into action. He presented the Samurai with a scabbard designed specifically for Iris' elongated katana, and they departed for Death City.

That was then. Now, Preston was walking into sanctuary of the Grim Reaper himself, hoping to establish relations between the two factions. Preston, despite his dark demeanor, was not selfish or stupid. While most of the Exorcists were more interested in becoming superior to Shibusen, Preston knew that no good could come of such competition. People get hurt when their leaders put their reputations ahead of the safety of their subordinates, and Preston's had his fill of seeing people get hurt in his years.

This was for the good of the world, and he hoped that Lord Death would see it that way as well. He had to at least be interested, otherwise he wouldn't be allowed in here in the first place. His request that granted him entry was simple enough: A request to discuss their alliance. The particulars would be worked out in this meeting. Preston dressed as professionally as he could, his trademark black suit, a white shirt underneath, and a navy blue tie. He did not have any weapons with him at all. Not on him, not in his belongings he brought on the trip. If this went as planned, he could send for his gear later.

Now... how would this play out? Come to think of it, Preston didn't know what to expect from Lord Death at all. This was going to be as much a learning experience as it would be a negotiation.

[Shinigami]

Shinigami's room, littered this small grave crosses and his mirror, felt very empty. The small, swirling puffs of clouds in the pseudo-background drifted lazily by, as the Lord of Death himself stared back at his own reflection. He sighed. Things certainly were quiet these days. Almost too quiet. Certainly, there were still Kishin eggs in the world, but the students and teams of Shibusen seemed to have things quite well in hand. Well, all except for that incident at the zoo. And that sports car crash. And the strange feeling that someone, or some people, were in the city who really shouldn't be.

"Bah, What NONSENSE! I must be having pre-meeting jitters." Shinigami cackled before lightly chopping himself in the head. His meeting with... oh... that... Exorsist fellow... Preston Something... Shinigami reminded himself to ask for the business card the first chance he got. The Death Lord's mind was scattered, anxious, andnot-altogether-himself today, and that was the absolute WORST way to start a business meeting as important as this. Shinigami had done his research, of course. The Exorsists were a fledgling group of well-funded soldiers and politicians with the set task of ridding the world of Kishin, Kishin Eggs, and Witches, much like Shinigami's Shibusen. The major differences were that, of course, that Shinigami was not in charge of the Exorsists, and that the Exorsists had a marked distrust of Demon Weapons.

Death shook his head, his mask's eyes forming the characteristic little triangles of distaste. The Exorsists might as well have declared war on "terror" like the United States had at the turn of the century, and in the same breathe promise not to hurt anyone's feelings. Wars were not fought against an unrestricted enemy unless you took every advantage you could find. Well... at least, most wars weren't won that way...

A gentle knock echoed softly from a now apparent door in the 'chamber'. Death straightened up, cracked his neck to one side, and flexed his comically large hands.

"Showtime... Oh Spirit! Do show in my guests..."

[Gabriel Preston]

The day Preston first encountered a Kishin Egg, his world was turned upside down. The soldier was left questioning what was real and what wasn't real. The feeling he's getting upon entering the Death Room was very similar. It wasn't as intense, no, nothing could ever match that, but this room made him question his senses. And there he was. Shibusen's leader, the Shinigami, the Grim Reaper, or as he's simply referred to among the Exorcists: Death. While Preston fully intended to call him "Lord Death" out of respect, his superiors rarely included the "Lord" in front of that.

It sicked the Colonel, the way the majority of the Exorcist leaders think of this place. Preston had his doubts too, mainly because he agreed that children shouldn't be placed in danger like this, but he knew deep down that they were fully capable of handling themselves just as well, if not better than their forces. Not to mention the experience of the years passed down from one generation of Meisters and Weapons to the next. Maybe that was what it was all about. The Exorcists are afraid that Shibusen is the single most powerful fighting force on the planet, and they didn't like that.

He had to wipe these thoughts from his mind though, as he was certain that his face looked sour as he walked in, which is not a good face to have for a meeting like this. He needed to look serious, but friendly. He started with a nod towards the man who showed him in. A slight grin formed on Preston's face as he extended his hand to Lord Death. Those hands... how... would this work? Still, the handshake has been offered. He has to keep it out and not flinch at those enormous hands. Seriously, they looked like they could envelope a person's entire head.

"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Death. I'm Gabriel Preston: Colonel in the Exorcists and charged with overseeing our Agent operations. Thank you for agreeing to this meeting."