Ezume's Lounge: The Reunion of Old and New I

((Reporting in!))

(Yo)

(Heyo

((Sorry, about the reset, but we're about to begin the part 1 of the multi parter))

(This'll be exciting

(The 'return' thing you mentioned, right?)

(For sure!

((Yup~))

(( alrighty, everything's set up now ))

((Do you want me to do 1st post?))

(( mhm! ))

((takes a seat with some coffee))

Roughly, a little more than month of their arrival to the bustling city of EF City, Aleda and Ezume, found themselves in a tough situation. The rising rockstar of EF City Aleda and the fox dude Ezume... truly, an unlikely duo, and yet, they bonded as close as brothers within the time they had known each other. Now here they stand among countless others to drive back the hostile forces seeking to destroy not just EF City, but perhaps, the whole world as well. They were quite rough in their exteriors, yes, but within the two... they knew what they had to do--the right thing. BOOM! EZUME? I yelled out in the thick smoke and fog of war. There was noise all around. Soldiers and weaponry of various types moved about further adding to the noise already playing out in existence. EZUME? cough ARE YOU STILL AROUND?

a cough would be heard coming from an unspecified direction, the smoke and ringing making it tough to tell where any of the voices may be coming from. thankfully, whether out of pure instinct or sheer luck, I'd be able to find my way past the deafening explosions and the blinding grey. greeted with the sight of the rock star. rock star! I'm still kickin', but I don't think either of us will be for long if we stay here. we gotta retreat before they advance further! I cough a little more before moving a hand above eyes to try to catch a glimpse of the forces slowly making ground.

I'd be fucking pissed if you went down already, fox dude! I say with a slight chuckle as I'm able to spot him a little more clearly through the dissipating particles in the air, and of course--hearing the fox actually talk helped as well OH FUCK! I instinctively aimed the tail end of my guitar at one of the nightmarish creatures running straight for us, and did a quick strum of my guitar to send a lightning bolt to greet it. Threat neutralized! Damn! I wonder how the others are doing? I heard that Mage Dude Jamie's group near us is under pressure as well... Just then a magical scroll seemingly appeared out of thin air in front of us What now? mumbles while skimming the words on the scroll Yeah. Shit. The scouting groups are saying we need to pull back. The fuckers are almost breaking through our frontlines. Retreat and distract--that's what we're being asked to do. Draco needs time to charge up some sorta super weapon and Maria is organizing a counter offensive--that's basically the gist of it. Fuckin' fine then. C'mon! I give quick tap on Ezu's shoulder and hastily rush towards a seemingly rocky area for more protection. All the while, various noises are heard all around us--explosions, yells, movement, and animalistic roars among other things...

(munching on popcorn

I let out a chuckle while trying to keep an eye on the enemies that were soon to not be afar. not noticing the nightmarish creature heading straight towards us before the flash of light caught my attention, now noticing that there had been something coming after us but it had thankfully been dealt with. a thumbs up shown to Aleda in appreciation. nice reflexes!.. though, I wouldn't expect that things are going all too well around for the others.. but hopefully whatever Maria and Draco have in store will at least force a counter retreat from them.. any time that could be bought is sacred.. I turn my attention back to the enemies who were now much closer, their attention seemingly being brought from the lightning bolt. ..shoot, this isn't any good mister rock star.. we're not going to be making it far with how close they are.. I bring my hands close together and start forming a flame, which slowly twists and weaves into a ball that starts to grow.

As I hear Ezume's words and I hear a familiar magical attack of his charging up, I freeze in my tracks and turn around to see him charging up a fireball--and a group of enemies in the distance closing in. Dammit! Even with all the rumbling chaos around me, I do my duty as a combat bard and focus on Ezume. Thunderbolt and lightning!~ Very~ Very~ Frightening me!~ As if simply picturing myself in a rowdy concert, I play hit the notes on my guitar while singing--enhancing Ezume's fireball while also... charging up my own attack as evident by the glow my guitar gives off. We trained this move several times in the past. I know what he's going to do...

hopefully.. this'll give us.. some space... as we trained, I continue to focus my energy into the growing fireball that I now held above me. getting ready to launch the energized attack towards the horde of enemies. a-alright Ale.. just.. a little more.. then we should be good t- suddenly, everything would abruptly be stopped as a loud BOOM would ring where I was charging.

I stood there... continuing to play and sing all while focusing on the fox dude. The time is near as confirmed by Ezume's words. Now we just need to--BOOM! A white flash. The sounds of the battlefield gradually turn into grumbling... and then eventually silence followed by darkness... OW! My eyes open up and I see a familiar neon sign hanging on the wall that bears the name Ezume's Lounge. Apparently, I fell off the couch... again. Damn tabloids better not say anything about this shit. I mumble to myself as I dust myself off while getting up. The battlefield... it had been so many months ago, and yet, I still have flashbacks about it every now and then. It was the reason... why Ezume disappeared and went away on a personal quest for so many months. I sigh and then faintly smile as I remind myself of the present. The fox had been back for several days already, but was still readjusting to life here. Understandable, really. Ezume wasn't in the room at the moment. He was probably still asleep in his room? In any case, I head over to the coffee machine...

Miki had been chilling in the lounge as she was tuning her guitar as she glances over to see the rockstar once again fall off the couch. A soft chuckle escaped her lip as she let Aleda grab his coffee to wake up for now.

hearing the sound of a thump in the living room of the lounge would peak my interest, opening the door and sticking my head right out to see if anything happened.. just to be greeted with.. Miki tuning her guitar and relaxing in the lounge, and Aleda getting coffee? doesn't seem like anything too out of the ordinary.. hey mister and miss rock star! neither of you are destroyin' the floors or anything in here.. right?

I give a nod and wink toward Miki as I hear her tuning her guitar which is also a literal axe. Soon after, I hear the familiar creak of the door to Ezume's room opening and I simply stifle a laugh upon hearing his words Destroying floors? Is that code for... something else?~ I joke as I take a sip of my freshly poured coffee Did you rest well, fox dude?

shishi~ just heard a thump and that's what I assumed! surprisingly though, I think that's the only thing that doesn't get destroyed around here.. I slip outside the door and into the lounge, resting my arms behind my head as my two tails wave around. yep! couldn't say it was the most restful night, but I could say that for a lot of nights!

The windows, fox dude, the windows! I emphasize the windows jokingly to remind him of a certain individual's tendency to crash through them in the past. I grin as I see Ezume's second tail waving about. It does seem his quest was successful, after all! Hey, fox dude... sips coffee I know you've earned a well deserved rest, but I've been thinking... raises cup up a little too fast, which results in some coffee spilling on the floor Shit. Ah, as I was saying... I've been thinking... maybe it's time to reintroduce you to the city

And... maybe... you could visit some new places and even old ones too!

Miki watches Ezume come out as she nods to him, letting the two talk before hearing the idea That would be good. It has expanded a lot hasn't it eh? She asks as she tilts her head in thought. Where would ya start?

had to buy that special glass for those windows for a reason~ I move a hand to rub my chin as I listen in on Aleda's idea, chuckling a little watching the coffee spill. you're lucky I got the type of coffee that's easy enough to clean, but it has been a while since I've last roamed around.. some old faces are missing, but even more new places and faces to meet! I rub my chin a little more as I turn to Miki, thinking of places to visit. mm.. well, I think revisitin' mister rock stars studio would be a nice start for good ol' times~.. but.. I have no ideas for anythin' else.. Dragonia perhaps? shrugs

((Neat flash back just saw the room can't wait to see where stuff goes))

Nice! Excitedly, I quicky raise my cup once again, resulting in another spill Fuck. But, uh... yeah! Glad to have you aboard on the idea, fox dude! I hurriedly down the rest of my coffee and slap my notebook down on a nearby table to take some notes Sounds like an awesome adventure, dude! mumbles as he continues writing Yeah, we'll go to my music studio next. Let's see. Dragonia. Goldspire. mumbles off a few more locations to himself while writing Of course, anyone can join along the way too! nods and smiles at Ezume and Miki*

((@K2 Thanks! Hope to have you appear in the story too at some point~))

((Actually anyone is free to jump in when they feel it makes sense))

((See you perhaps in Dragonia then))

Always happy to tag along baby. She winks as she stands up I can show off my studio, we can take him for snacks at Yuriko's bakery. She suggested as she stood up, putting her guitar in the case.

(I'm cool with jumping in when y'all need me)

((Sounds good!))

hey, the more the merrier! but we'd probably have to plan for some of this stuff beforehand.. just stuff like askin' if we could reserve some spots for places in Dragonia and Goldspire.. I move and rest my arms behind my head once again. I wouldn't mind lookin' around a bakery either! always nice to see sugary sweets, but a shame I don't eat physical food~.. if you guys got any more ideas though, I wouldn't mind checkin' out whatever.

Ah, yes, protocol shit? chuckles For most places, it won't be that hard. Considering, you know, we're well connected with Draco and Kiki. Goldspire shouldn't be too hard as well. Considering we could contact Maria and possibly grunge doggo Pho for that. looks over at Miki Yeah! Perhaps we could stop at your place and Yuriko's bakery as well before heading over to Dragonia. So many possibilities~ mumbles to himself And may have a surprise location or two... as well...

Dope! We can start anywhere really. Should probably others before we just pop in eh?

nods at Miki We'll give them a head's up, of course~ Especially since there are a few other places besides Dragonia and Goldspire to visit

For now though... I think we'll visit my music studio next. He hasn't seen it before--only heard of it from me back in our early days

And back then, it was smaller than it is now

raises eyebrow mm? your studio has grown? did ya' get a paycheck raise or something? I then cross my arms and look off a little to the side. if the pay for makin' music increased since then, that would explain the sudden increase of rock stars around here!

gives off a content sigh and smirks The music industry in this city has thrived these past several months, yeah~ But I'll go into more detail about it at my place. I let out a chuckle as I sling my guitar Bloody Mary to my back So then, I'm ready to head out when you all are. But, first... quickly wipes the coffee stains off the floor At least, it wasn't the other kind of stain... if ya know what I mean

She snickers and nods We can leave a stain like that another time~ She jokes, hands in her hoodie pocket and ready to go with the two

the number one rule around here has always been "clean ALL stains" for a reason! shishi~ but show us the way mister rock star! I'm curious to see where you stay outside of the lounge.

We're all too familiar with the process by now, I'm sure~ stifles a laugh and waits for them by the exit

((And scene?))

(( yep! ))

(Nice)

((Nice indeed))

((Thanks everyone! And like I said before... anyone can jump in when they feel it makes sense. Also, feel free to make suggestion for places to visit))

(( part two shall come out another time~ but I'll reset the lounge back to the normal ol' shenanigans ))

((Yup~))