Candy [Mura, Stella]

Hmh? There was hope now, Stella had a contact who could likely help him out. Vandenreich sounded more and more well-rounded and organized by the day, it’s a shame that he hadn’t joined their ranks yet. Did they offer any positions to… non-Quincies? Based on Meninas’ visit, and what he learned from her, they didn’t seem like the stuck-up types at all. Mura, if even for an instance, feared that racism somehow had an influence in such huge foundations.

“Ooh? If he lives here, then… yeah, I bet he knows a more traditional arms smith. Maybe one of those world-famous ones,” Mura commented with deep expectations ahead, “Just need his na-“

“… It’s sad and miserable that even I fall prey to puppy eyes from such a sickly compassionate warrioress,” the ghost hissed venom at Stella’s direction, somehow… in his own, unapologetic way, “This smith better bring my darling back to her full glory… though I doubt they’re any bit as thorough as Kaneshige.”

“Who was that? Your sw-“

“Don’t talk to me.”

“…” Mura tried. He really did. “I appreciate the help, Stella. We’ll find this contact of yours – just give us a name. I… I’m going to be blunt – I’ve been so preoccupied with a lot of dumb things in the last few years, I don’t know that much about Vandenreich. Even though it sounds like such a huge organization.”

”You accept… us other nationalities- I mean… uh, races too?”

There was a new door opening in front of him, although distant and uncertain that door was. Stella provided him an offer to join the esteemed Vandenreich, the Wandering Realm, and obtain the opportunity to learn more about the Quincies and, if luck may be, find out how to fix his sword. They seemed very attuned to Spiritual Energy themselves, and they were from far beyond Japan… a goldne opportunity to learn from foreign reaches. Just like his intention in China was.

“I… I’ll think about it. I’d like to learn under foreign masters, but…”

Well, did he need any specific requirements to join? Were they posting recruitment flyers? Stella could help out as a headhunter, but beyond that, like… hmh. He could try to contact Meninas again, though – it’d be a delight to spar with her again. “… So about that guy you talked about- what was his name, again? If he’s reachable, I’ll try to ask for help – the longer Harukami stays broken… the longer he’ll brood over my shoulders.”

“To hell with you two…”

”Johann… I’ll remember that. Thanks,” he said in return, making sure not to forget to search for a Vandenreich member named… Johann. May his memory serve him well.

Well, today was tiring in its own way, but a new door had opened for Mura… in all honestly, said door served itself more like the solution to a new hindrance, that being the broken sword he now possessed. But the Vandenreich piqued his interest more and more. If he were to join such an organization, then he’d have a gate to the rest of the world and its arts. More of those… bluts or whatever they were called.

Perhaps, he’d be able to find just the right inspiration for his own training…

“I’ve got to go. If you’re staying in our humble town further, I suggest visiting the Hyōho Niten Ichi-ryū school – I work there as a proctor.”

Grabbing his broken sword and his bag of candy, Mura would walk away without further ado. If she wanted to try out swinging bamboo swords and learn a few Kenjutsu, that place was the right one to go. Until then…

“Sayonara,” his tired voice echoed.