Jyuuzou scanned the area as Kaleissa brought a finger to her lips, implicitly understanding what she was trying to say. As far as he knew, they didn't know much more than the other average individual who already knew of the artifact to begin with. On the other hand, he couldn't say that anyone who<span style="font-style: italic">did</span>know of the artifact could be described as average either. In any case, it was better to be safe than sorry, and he was glad that his potential partner had considered the circumstances. It was certainly a refreshing change from the one who had wandered off. After making sure that there was no one out of place in the patrons of the shop, Jyuuzou turned his attention back to Kaleissa.<br/><br/><span style="color: violet">"First, let us just clarify our objectives. We both are looking for the same thing, correct? I think we both agree that searching individually has been a...less than fruitful endeavor."</span><br/><br/>He nodded at her words. Certainly, after having such a difficult time with the leads and ruins, only to discover an unctuous and ugly, yet useless statue was a disappointment. He took another sip of the steaming tea the proprietor had prepared. When they ordered, they hadn't given him any particular order, so they had told the old man to simply brew something that he recommended. It had turned out to be a spicy, yet distinctly floral sort of tea. It had a smooth taste and a sweet aftertaste which lingered not on the tongue, but in the back of his throat. Jyuuzou's eyes met Kaleissa's as her expression turned serious; it seemed that they were about to get into the details of their proposed partnership.<br/><br/><span style="color: violet">"As such, I propose that we join hands in our search. Legends say that there are three wishes granted to the possessor of this artifact. There are two of us. We can each take one, and the last…"</span><br/><br/>Jyuuzou lowered his gaze, absentmindedly considering the design of the teacup as he mulled over what had been said. It was an extremely practical and logical plan, which most would have at least considered in a partnership of this nature. The problem was with<span style="font-style: italic">who</span>it was that he was partnering with. Having been a mercenary for so long, he wasn't particularly averse to the origins of the people he partnered with, so long as they could be trusted to uphold the terms in their contracts. As such, while some may have their qualms about partnering with a Jakuuzoku individual, he held no such considerations. From his prior interactions with the girl, she seemed to be a collected and decisive individual. Perhaps it had to do with the rumored coming-of-age ritual that all Jakuuzoku go through, but many of the ones he met, regardless of their individual dispositions, exhibited this trait. The question was now if he could trust her to not go back on her word if the circumstances allowed for it, especially when it concerned an artifact that was so powerful it was rumored to be able to grant nearly any wish one desired.<br/><br/><span style="color: violet">"Well, we can decide what to do with the third wish later. For the moment, though. Are we in agreement?"</span><br/><br/>Jyuuzou swallowed another mouthful of the tea, the sweetness lingering pleasantly.<br/><br/><span style="color: gold">"You may do as you see fit with the last wish. This one...only has but one desire, after all."</span><br/><br/>A slightly wistful, pained expression coming onto his face as he spoke these words. The deaths of his Family and his Clan had been honorable, if one wanted to get technical about it. There was no shame dying in battle, after all. He had no beef to pick at with the one who was in command at the time either. Even the best fail at times, and there was simply no helping that. The circumstances had quickly snowballed into an uncontrollable disaster, and it was only through the sheer tenacity of the army as a whole that they had come out alive at all. However, this did not mean that he was not filled with regret about how the entire history played out. There was no way that he could not feel regret over how powerless he was as his entire Clan perished. Despite these emotions, Jyuuzou managed to quickly suppress them, returning to a more neutral, affirmative expression.<br/><br/><span style="color: gold">"You may consider this Jyuuzou to be in agreement with what you have proposed. But..."</span><br/><br/>A slightly troubled expression came to his face. While he appreciated that Kaleissa had tried to sweep the matter under the table, his instincts as a mercenary simply wouldn't let him operate with a sound state of mind otherwise.<br/><br/>He had to know for sure whether he could trust her or not.<br/><br/><span style="color: gold">"How does this one know that he can trust you, <span style="font-style: italic">'jou-chan</span>? Of course, this one also considers himself trustworthy...but who wouldn't state as such in a circumstance like this one?"</span><br/><br/><div><hr style="height:2px; width:100%; border:0; color: gray;background:gray;"/></div><br/><br/>The young attendant nodded as he received his orders, hurrying off at once to locate the mercenaries they had previously hired. Luckily for him, the bodyguards they had hired this time seemed to get along well with each other, and had been found together in a small tea shop. Truth be told, it was harder to find the tea shop than to find them. It was rather comical, really, to see these hulking, strapping men crowded around a small, short table with an old crone sipping tea. Carefully picking his way around the tightly packed individuals, the young attendant kept his eyes firmly on the ground to avoid stepping on anyone's fingers. After having reached his targets, he quietly informed them that their contractor wanted them to be on the lookout for any female Jakuuzoku archers trying to leave the city. Nodding, the men quickly gulped down their tea, paid the old tea master, and left the tea shop alongside the young attendant.<br/><br/>After making a few short gestures, the group split up. The first group, composed of two of the Bakashi spearmen and the older Kazari, headed to the southern gates. The second, consisting of the two warrior monks and the remaining spearwoman, took to the eastern gates. After confirming their plans, the young attendant left for the central plaza where all the people looking for hire had been gathered.