Old City in the dead of night. Such a uninspired name. A place that holds absolutely no value except to house some mortals. It was such a waste of space. A small group of three walked past the old homes. It was drab, smelled like dirt, dust and was disgustingly unmodern. Actually it reminded the cold red eyes that gazed upon it of another place. A old home that she had spent far to long pent up in. The moonlight shown on this maidens garb. It gave her a natural glow in the darkness. Long purple hair flowed behind the figure. She made not a sound as she walked. Any unknowing onlookers would surely think that the two men with her were escorting a ghost through the slowly decaying city. Reaching a crossroad. The three took a moment for the heavily robed woman to do some analysis. She reached out a delicate hand from her large sleeves. One of her black suited cohorts handed her a folded paper. Without a word or look of acknowledgement, her hand gently closed upon the paper as she moved past the two suited men in sunglasses. The oh so very overly dressed young woman unfolded this paper and began to study it for a moment. Dark red eyes scanned the paper quickly. She looked away from it towards the Tower of Babel. "This region makes my eyes bleed. Such a inconvenient place to expand, alas it is unavoidable. The Tower and that dungeon... Having a branch within this vicinity will be beneficial to Soul Stone research. The plans will proceed to the first step." The Japanese goddess of Yomi's emotionless expression did not change as her eyes returned to the map. "Those who live in the construction area will have to be removed." Izanami knew how much humans loved their little homes. They would resist and slow down the development. Always delaying the inevitable these worms were. She would of course make the proper plans and overrule any deeds they may have. It would not be difficult, the power of money in this world was nearly unlimited. Mortals had far too many weaknesses to exploit, the gods were another problem. Although few gods actually cared for this region. The death goddess could always count on the majority to look the other way. The rest would require more careful handling.
While the Goddess was someone with a fierce coldness, Kessler stood a stark contrast to the person trying to relocate others. Even from afar, the glint of light could be spied from his armored hands and feet. Beyond that though, he was well equipped from head to toe in high quality armors the likes of which your average dungeon fairing adventurer could not afford. With only a splash of plate here and there to protect vitals, his hands and feet on the other hand were practically covered in high quality metals with some particularly eloquent designs. He didn't have a single weapon on his body, not so much as a small knife or even sharpened stick, but those with ill intentions would no doubt be deceived by his unarmed appearance, short stature and gentle silhouette. Though he wore a kind smile, even with hair as red as blood, his meek personality radiated an atmosphere of weakness and fragility, one that many would assume was a harsh reality for the young man. However, only those with their ears to the rails and a wealth of knowledge about the current uprising adventurers would know the truth about this unassuming person. By night, he was a member of the local watch and guards doing his best to help people, by day however, Kessler was an adventurer; one who every other adventurer would see returning soaked in red up to his shoulders and knees. One of the few adventurers strong enough to challenge goblins and kobolds without a weapon, Kessler was known as someone who could use only his fingers to rip the flesh from the monsters most people had to challenge with a sword. Unfortunately though, there was no evidence of that strong side in him as he went from house to house offering a bowl of soup here and there for those who were in desperate need. For Kessler, this chivalrous act was the norm. In his ideal world, something like hunger wouldn't exist, everyone would be capable of providing for themselves, but he hadn't yet reached that point. While his Goddess supported his dream with all of her attention and efforts, he wasn't anywhere near strong enough to achieve something that could change a kingdom the way he wanted. The very thought made him sigh heavily as he continued from his last house looking for the next one on his small list he kept of people who were troubled. "Haa... I wish there was more we could do-- These people aren't in any shape to work though." He thought with a heavy sigh knowing his own mother was in the same shape. If it wasn't for Amaterasu he'd probably be supporting her here just like these people were being supported. Though it was a depressing thought, it reaffirmed his desire to change things, with a clenched fist, he carried his large soup bucket in one hand, top covering the contents, ladle sticking out from the sides. It was full to the brim, only a small portion missing from the houses he'd just hit, but he carried such a thing without much effort as he continued onward with high hopes of seeing some change. It was only when he spotted Izanami, a new face to him that he grew perplexed. "Erm..." He stammered with a weary smile wondering how to go about introducing himself, oblivious to her identity or those thugs around her, it was very likely Kessler was the reason people in this area could be so stubborn about selling their homes.
Izanami noticed the young man from a surprising distance in the darkness of night. The two suited men made a few steps to stand in front of their boss. Izanami swept her hand silently and they halted at once. She put the map of the old city away and continued to stare at the approaching human. He had a aura about him Izanami felt almost nostalgic... Who was he? Her dark red eyes spotted a bucket.... why the hell was he dragging around a bucket at this time of night? Sigh... moronic. He made a sound toward her in acknowledgement of her presence. He obviously didn't know who she was nor what her station in both the underworld and on Earth. The Yomi Queen hated ignorant people. Well perhaps it was a sign that not enough knew who owned Yomotsu HIrasaka Inc. Or perhaps... she didn't look like a CEO? Urgh, idiot humans making her even consider such notions. The mortal world would likely corrupt the minds of the gods if they stayed here too long... as if they weren't already corrupted enough already. Izanami placed her sleeves of her robes together as the wind picked up. The night was growing colder as it was fall after all. Her goons were well trained for these tempts though. The upper floors were always kept ice cold at her HQ. The employees had to be able to tolerate it to be approved for hiring. "Konbanwa. This is not a safe place at night... such places can be rife with those who prey on the foolish and meek. What is your purpose here at such a hour?" The very words she spoke in her quiet monotone whispers were very much including herself as one of the dangers as well. Truly she was ready to tear apart this weak community. It would not be long however before it was reborn better than before. Through her company and brought into the cold beauty of the modern age she envisioned.
Kessler hesitated briefly, but hearing her out he could only let out a meek laugh knowing she was making passive aggressive remarks towards him. He couldn't help turning his gaze inward again knowing he really seemed fragile and naive, fortunately that wouldn't be enough to stop the Hybrid boy though. Instead, he shook that self-depreciating thought off and flashed a brilliant and kind smile back at the goddess and her goons without care. After all, Kessler wasn't someone who'd be easily deterred or pressured. "Just some charity work, a lot of people here aren't able to work, so I bring them some soup every other day." He explained with a firm and pleased nod, Kessler was one who worried about people after all, though he held onto the soup bucket without much trouble, he watched the trio in confusion. His role was perhaps clear, but this group on the opposite end of him didn't seem to have as kind a purpose as him, it made a flash of concern color his face, but beyond that he didn't make any cruel assumptions without any evidence. "If it's not safe though, I'll always endeavor to make it as safe as possible I guess." He explained pointing to the pin on his lapel that labeled him as a member of the town's watch. Kessler was someone who often patrolled areas and rooted out thugs and goons after all. There was no reason for him to be afraid of thugs or goons that weren't acquired with grander influences then mere money. He was meek and delicate in personality, but his ability was one very few could contest after all. "I don't think you guys are here for that same reason though... Are you." He asked, rather concerned about what this small group could do to those poor and innocent locals who relied on his help for survival. Naturally Kessler wouldn't allow them to suffer, but whether or not this was the goddess and her goons' goals he was unaware.
It did not take long for this mortal scum to annoy Izanami significantly. Actually it was pretty normal to get on the goddess's bad side. She did rule over grudges as much as death. Of course her demeanor made it impossible to tell if you got on that list of dirt unless she made a blunt comment to let you know. Otherwise you were just another receiver of her very inhospitable personality. Charity was a concept of idiocy that the dark maiden had no need for. Why do anything for anyone when you do not get a form of compensation? At the very least get some use out of the one you offer favors to. Ridiculous mortal generosity was among the 10,000 ton page book of things she didn't like. Then the disgusting bag of flesh went on to talk about making things safe... safe? Nothing was ever safe. Did he know how many ways one could die? It was just another sign of how faulty life was. So imperfect if it could be snuffed so easily, and that's not even including by divine means. The mortal finally showed a glimmer of intelligence by realizing her visit here was not to be 'helpful'. Actually her plans would offer some benefits to mortals that would live here after the developments were finished. Just not these useless ones. Izanami would like to ignore him and move on but men like this disgusted her. She felt a desire to share some distaste with him and perhaps learn if he was connected to any... urgh, support groups that will make this more difficult. "My reasons for being here will bring men like you better work than hauling around soup in the dark." Izanami separated her sleeves and gestured with her hand before returning them together. One of her assistants drew a card and held it out to the soup carrier. It would read 'Yomotsu Hirasaka Inc.'. It was a metallic business card. "We are the leaders in the forefront of magitech product development and research. We are doing some 'renovation' plans here." She made the slightest of head bows before continuing. "Now... either tell me what you want and why I should care or begone from whence you came. Some have more impact on things than others and thus their time is more precious."
Kessler only gave a weary chuckle, his gaze listing to one side knowing this goddess's type quite well from experience. These were the people Kessler had to break the rules to deal with every now and again, the ones who hid behind laws and used documentation like shields. He knew another Goddess like this one though, the one who ran the casino and also caused him numerous headaches, but from the differences in their calling cards there was no doubt they were a bit different in how they operated. One was more for money and resources while the other seemed to be more about status and legacy. Dealing with the resource hungry goddess was a lot more difficult though he thought, this would be a bit easier on his spirit he felt at heart. "Well, I can't say this is a job, I'm not exactly getting paid for it or anything." He admitted with a dry laugh knowing that this was largely charity, Kessler found value in selflessness though. Looking down at the metal card though, Kessler couldn't help finding it a tad extravagant. His dry laughter continued as he wondered how much work went into something that had so few uses. Instead, he began using his armored fingers to file down the edges knowing that with some work this card could actually be pretty useful to him. "You said 'Magitech'-- It sounds like a made up word." He admitted with a more genuine and good natured chuckle before a touch of concern reached him when she mentioned renovations. "I wouldn't be so fast to try and renovate everything though, there are some people very attached to their homes here. They wouldn't leave the place they were born and raised you know? If you wanted, there's probably better places in the entertainment or trading districts that are up for lease and sale." He tried to offer in kindness thinking that this person might be shopping for the wrong goods in the wrong store. Though when she talked about why she should care, Kessler swept a hand through his hair wondering exactly how he should go about explaining. "Well, I can't allow something like extortion or violence without due cause. I'd like it if you didn't resort to those types of tactics." He admitted with a meek smile, feeling a bit sheepish since he'd never really dropped a firm ultimatum in his life, he was unsure if he was qualified enough to make that sort of jump but he couldn't simply allow people to think that sort of action was okay even in a place like this. "Please try to be gentle with your approach, some of these people are very leer about moving." He added once more just in case. He had a lot of sympathy for these people after all, he wouldn't want anything negative to come their way.
