A Timely Encounter (Kazn)

[zarek]

It was late into the hours of the night and most individuals where deep in their sleep. However, Zarek could not sleep, not even with heavy rainfall that was currently beating down the castle roof. No, he could not rest at all, his poor body was feeling as if it was becoming broken down and over used. It, in short, bothered him greatly and what better way to get a cure then to dig around in an Ezel's Study. More specifically, Kazn Ezel's study. The boogie was well known to dabble in a bit of everything as well as medications.

Ironically, it was something that Zarek needed right now. But so far, he could find nothing and his annoyance was growing greatly, his cane was tapping against his leg in thought. His green eye scanned the room and the mess that he made about the desk and drawers. Where the hell would that boogie keep the things he needed?

Ugh, it was so fustrating! Zarek just wanted to beat somones head wide open and demand information over the things he wanted to have! It was getting worse it seemed, He was getting far more moody then normal, far more violent like a real boogie should be...and he was starting to pick up on so much more now.

So much more...

"Goddamnit, where the hell does he hide the things I need? Why does he always do this to me. It's almost like he gets an odd sense of pleasure with tormenting me." Zarek raised his right leg and kicked the desk violently, sending a few things toppling to the ground. Some things just never changed it seemed.

[Kazn Ezel]

The best thing about good shoes was that they were neither too snug nor too loose. They did not cut off circulation to the feet nor did they clap out noisily when one walked. A good pair of shoes could go a long way in this world. If Kazn recalled correctly, even Garland von Clossen would agree. Though that man did not wear shoes and was crazy, it was some small comfort to know that he might still have a shred of good sense hidden somewhere on his person.

However, tonight was not really a night to consider shoes. Kazn took a draw from a hip flask as he walked through the halls. It seemed that he might have left his briefcase in one of the studies earlier in the day. Which was to say, the slave carrying his luggage left it behind and would be punished accordingly. Kazn could not afford to be lenient, even if nothing was missing from that case.

He put his flask back into his pocket and continued his sauntering trek down the hallway. It seemed that tonight he was not walking about with his cane, but with his sheathed saber. He had just finished with practice not fifteen minutes before when he realized the egregious oversight from before.

Opening the door to the study yielded quite a surprise. "Hello, old friend," he said with more than a hint of suspicion in his voice. "It has been a while."

Kazn regarded the 'Boogie' in front of him with much care. He would have snorted, but such sounds did not become him. Zarek was not a Boogie any longer so much as an apparition skulking about in the night. Kazn was used to dealing with apparitions, but it did not make this one any less unpleasant to gaze upon.

"How long has it been? Since your death, I mean. Ten years and a few mijn and selqu, if I recall correctly."

[zarek]

If shoes where God, then apparently they did not like Zarek much at all. For his own shoes where tight with tall thick soles. They were as loud his personality. Slowly, Zarek turned his horned head towards the older boogie who entered the room with a flask in hand.

His red eye narrowed dangerously at Kazn, watching his ever move carefully. He said nothing for a long moment, his hand frozen in place over a paper while the other still held his cane. "Hello Indeed." The green haired boogie spoke cheerfully, maybe a bit too cheerful.

Although, a smirk appeared on his face it soon vanished at he mere mention of death. Slowly, he raised a brow, tilting his cow covered head to the side. "A few mijin." He said pointedly, "However, I appear to be very much alive, no thanks to you of course. But I am far from being dead and gone."

Zarek turned towards Kazn, cane at an angle against his leg. "Tell me, Ezel, where is it? Where did you put it all?" He snarled, shoving papers off the desk with such force that it sent them raining down about him.

"I know you. You took notes far too well, I want those notes. I want my myself put to right and I want it right now." His voice returned to its normal soft vocals, sounding sweet and caring when in reality he was raging inside.

[Kazn Ezel]

"Notes?" Kazn asked, his own amusement far too evident on his face. He did not move from the spot, but he tossed his sheathed saber up in the air and caught it on the palm of his hand where he balanced it for a moment. His saber rested there for only a second before he released it and caught it in his hand once more.

"You are correct. There are extensive notes on a great many subjects and phenomenon which have caught my interest over the years, and modifications to my father's relevant notes." Tragically, a great many of Nevyn's notes were lost at the same time as the old man. However, those were not what Zarek was interested in.

"You are being very impatient and quite uncivilized. If you must know, however, you are much too late. I do not have them any longer." It actually took a great deal more effort than Kazn expected to keep from laughing. They were probably much less safe now than they had been in a long time, but the notes now had the benefit of falling into obscurity.

It was all too likely that they would be skimmed over briefly and their true significance would be lost on the reader.

"Well, perhaps I am subject to the occasional lapse in memory which leads to an unintentional prevarication. I am still in possession of a few of them." Kazn stared quietly at Zarek. It was through his red-rimmed eyes that he communicated just the tiniest sense of disgust with the being standing before him.

"You know... nature does not appreciate those whom have cheated death, Zarek. I do not appreciate those whom have cheated death. It implies that you are above the rules." And if there was one thing Kazn Ezel stood for, then it was the rules.

[zarek]

"So says the man who kept an eye in a glass jar forever and had it stuck in a human slave. How very kind of you really." His eyes rolled skyward with deep irritation.

"However, I think I have a right to be rather, uncivil. Let's think what I have been through as of late and the fact I require medication to keep going in...this." He made a sweeping gesture towards himself.

"And now you tell me you lost the records about myself and everything I need to know. I truly think you enjoy toying with me in anyway you can." Yes, he felt that way indeed. The Ezel's where never a big fan of him and he wasn't too big of a fan of them either.

Fingers drumming on the desk, he leaned forward slowly, his foot tapping against his cane in a very familiar way that Kazn would recognize as a debate for action. Zarek wasn't normally a moody boogie but as of late far too many things have happened, things he didn't care for at all.

If anything Zarek was, he was neutral and took very good care of his humans. Not too the point of a saint and not a devil himself, just perfectly in the gray, where all Ezels hated to be or see.

[Kazn Ezel]

"You make it sound as if it is all my fault." Kazn certainly did not feel like it was his fault. The truth was that he was only tangentially responsible for Zarek Camulu's current predicament. Naelona had acquired the eye and put it into her slave all on her own initiative.

Admittedly, Kazn found the entire situation to be immensely fascinating. He might have been able to spend the better part of of a decade of free time breaking down this particular phenomenon.

Zarek's change in body language was somewhat evident, though Kazn did not seem to display any outward signs of concern with it. The fellow was feeling just a little cheated. "Perhaps you'd care to take a seat and have something to drink? I do not take tea much anymore, but perhaps I could send for some coffee. Or perhaps you would like something harder? I could certainly offer you some bourbon without much trouble."

Kazn turned his body so that Zarek was in the periphery of his vision. The eldest Ezel did not quite trust Zarek enough to turn his back completely on the man. It would be unwise with a potential temper flaring as it was.

"And I should think that I have hardly toyed with you at all." Kazn had run a few tests not so long ago, but they had not provided him with anything resembling useful information. "It can be remedied, if you like."

[zarek]

Zarek narrowed his eyes slowly at the old Ezel. Maybe Zarek was in such a bad mood that he felt like taking Kazn's head or maybe it was just built up frustration on what he had been dealing with since he got here. Or maybe it was because his body was acting slower then normally in a matter of speaking.

"No, thanks." He said finally. "I don't care to have a drink. With my luck, its probably laced with something. We all know about what happened the last time I shared a drink with a fellow." He smiled then, but a very charming one at that. In fact that smile just added to the creepy factor with his broken cow skull on part is head.

His belts chimed as he took a few steps towards the older boogie. "Bullshit. Dear Kazn, you kept a lot of me in pretty little jars to see what would happen. F ornately, one piece of me remained intact fully." His hand drifted towards his red eye as he kept walking.

"But yes. Yes, I want to remedy all of this and put me back together again. I don't fully enjoy where I am at this time. Which I am sure you gather or maybe your far too busy playing with your flowers to even notice." His voice came out in a growl then, hand tightening on his cane.

[Kazn Ezel]

Kazn nearly remarked that whatever he might have chosen to lace such a drink with would be insufficient to kill a Boogie. However, such a comment would have been foolish and misplaced in regards to Zarek Camulu. After all, this was a Boogie whose body was not that of a Boogie.

Even taking a draw from his own flask before offering it to Zarek would have been no sure sign of goodwill due to the aforementioned reasoning. So it would be that Kazn Ezel would not push the subject further.

"I fear that your memory might be a little fuzzy, unfortunate Zarek. Those are some bold accusations that you have chosen to level at me." Kazn understood that there was some degree of plausible deniability when it came to what happened to Zarek's body. After all, at that time Kazn was not one of Wonderland's doctors. Not in a strict sense of a practicing professional, anyways.

It had been for that reason that Kazn chose to refuse caring for a near-dead or barely dead Zarek Camulu. He ordered the body autopsied, studied, and then disposed of appropriately. Someone clearly had not been as thorough as Kazn would have liked. It occurred to him now that Zarek might have even still been alive as he was torn into pieces. The thought was intriguing enough to hold Kazn's mind for a few moments longer before he dismissed the entire scenario.

"We have arrived at an impasse, then. I am unable, or unwilling, to help you, and you know that I am the only one who is able to give you what you need. Take my advice: just walk away with what you have." Kazn's eyes narrowed as his grip on the sword's handle tensed. Advice, when most needed, was least heeded.

[zarek]

Fuzzy or not, the green haired boogie wasn't caring. His mind was half gone anyways, his body hated him, it was sick and diseased. He wanted to be repaired, he wanted to be the boogie he used to be! But the parts he needed might no longer exist all thanks to the Ezel in front of him who saw it fit to have him dismembered.

It was not a pleasant experience, even for a monster. Being just alive enough to feel a limb being yanked out of place and removed was enough to send trimmers down his body from the mere memory of it all. Zarek's cold eyes narrowed dangerously, his red and green eyes reflecting hate and disgust.

His horn headed tossed much like a bulls, his neck popping dangerously. "They have a strong foundation and you know it."

His temper was raising and Kazn so wasn't helping the matter. What was so hard about giving him notes? Giving him medication and overall, returning the parts stolen from him. To make him motherfucking whole again?!

"We have arrived at an impasse, then. I am unable, or unwilling, to help you, and you know that I am the only one who is able to give you what you need. Take my advice: just walk away with what you have."

Zarek took in a very deep breath, then slowly let it out. His gloved hand tightened around the handle of his cane. "Very well." he said with a deep strain. "I suppose I will take your advise, Old One."

A sharp twist of the wrist made something click as the boogie tilted his head to the side. "I will take what I have and leave,"

The younger boogie quickly lifted his cane and slang it as hard as he physically cane. The sheath popped right off and headed directly for Kazn's head while a sword revealed itself.

The boogie was rushing the other as soon as his sword was free.

[Kazn Ezel]

Kazn considered the situation quietly. He had acclimated to ghosts from his past haunting him. In some ways it enlivened his existence. Compared to many of his peers, Kazn had far more experience and knowledge. Of this he was proud.

It was a peculiar man who held such a level of respect at his age. Another Boogie might be treated at the head of a family, but not offered the respect deserved by such a title. Kazn was the eldest surviving Ezel, so far as the law was concerned, and he had earned the respect necessary for such a position. He had stepped on toes to get to where he was now. That was the reason why he was respected, but not well-liked.

At this moment he desired nothing more than to leave the room and soak in the water of a hot bath before resting in a comfortable chair before a fire. Perhaps he would step outside and soak in some of the last breaths of winter after he had dried off. And maybe, just maybe, he would pull out the old pipe and have a smoke for old times' sake.

Such would not be the case. His stance still only gave him a view of Zarek from his peripheral sight, but it was more than enough. There was a loud click of a catch releasing. This was a familiar sound to Kazn--many Boogies who fashioned themselves after aristocracy enjoyed having blades placed into their cane. Anolean was one such boy.

Kazn sidestepped the thrown 'sheath' with a spin right out of a dance. In the midst of his sidestepping whirl there was the sound of his saber sliding out of its own sheath. He stopped spinning en pointe and en garde.

It was just in time, too. Zarek was charging him. Did the boy have any sense of self-preservation? No matter. Kazn analyzed his opponent in a fraction of a second. The normal solution to a charge would be to extend his arm and allow his opponent to skewer himself on the defender's sword. However, Zarek would likely have enough sense to strike the blade away. The alternative was a sidestep that would be followed by a sharp blow to the back of the head. However, the cow skull firmly prevented a head shot.

Zarek's rapid approach was met with another spinning motion. Kazn moved slightly to the side to dodge the charge, his form sunk low to the ground, and he slashed his saber at Zarek's legs. The maneuver would put him behind Zarek and the man would have to turn to face him. It also made personal defense somewhat easier by giving his opponent less space to attack.

[zarek]

Zarek indeed had a sense of self-preservation, it wasn't the best in the world, but it existed. His eyes shot to the side, a grin twisted upon his features. His sword clashed against Kazn's own, deflecting one blow as his left hand jerked back.

There was something that Kazn missed, Zarek's sheath and black where contacted. A small thing wiry chord allowed Zarek to manipulate it as he pleased and right now the sheath was smacking right back in his hand held at an angle.

He twisted with Kazn, his feet matching his opponents steps. This was where his sheath came into play, he lowered it towards his leg, countering the one attack that would of harmed his leg. Once countered, he pulled back and twisted, mirroring his opponents steps again.

Pulling back into a standing position, he chuckled. "Seems, I am not rusty at all but you one the other hand must be." Dexestrious fingers toward the blade around lazily, the other hand held his sheath at the ready.

His sword came to a final spin, the boogie came to a semi crouch, then he was off again. bring his sword in right angle as his sheath came up to smash into Kazn's left rib cage.

Surprise, Zarek was a duel wielder and he was going to take advantage of his abilities.

[Kazn Ezel]

Kazn bemoaned that Zarek Camulu was prepared for a tussle. Most opponents would have been caught off guard by Kazn's speed, grace and skill with the blade. Kazn fought with a nearly impenetrable defense and took strikes only when a decisive blow could be made. After all, an attack was little better than a wild spasm without purpose and intent.

Kazn was somewhat surprised. All things considered, Zarek Camulu was the one whose movements were sluggish. It did not mean his attacks were any less intense, however.

Kazn's saber turned upright and moved to the side in order to block Zarek's incoming slash. The two blades met with great force, but that would not be sufficient to evade both of the Boogie's determined attacks. Kazn's block was followed up immediately with a twist of his wrist and a step to the back and around.

His saber would end up pointed down with Zarek's blade now on the other side and Kazn out of the immediate threat zone of Zarek Camulu's attacks. The well-dressed Boogie withdrew once again and prepared himself for another one of Zarek's futile charges.

"Say what you will," Kazn mumbled in a serious tone. "But matches are honorable and dignified."

Kazn's feet started to tap lightly against the ground. It looked like he might finally be building up the wind to launch his own attack.

[zarek]

Zarek pulled back for a second time and held his weapons at the ready. His two colored eyes watched the older boogie carefully, ready for any attacks. However, something was already wrong, his legs felt heavy.

Wonderful, he had forgotten this body was not too great for combat. His lungs felt the burn from his quick movements, his arms ached. His shoulders hunched slightly as he held back a cough that resounded deep within his chest.

No, he couldn't fall to the wills of this body. It would have to hold out until he could defeat Kazn and froce him into doing what Zarek wanted. So he tossed his head like a beast and smirked.

"Come on, old man." Zarek taunted with a shake of his sword. Then his next attack came quickly, he came at Kazn's left but faked and twisted to the right for an upward sweep, his sheath at the ready to protect himself with at any moment if Kazn decided to take a swing at his unprotected side.

But Zarek danced away after his strike, dancing behind Kazn and instead of striking with a swords point, he dropped to the floor, using his sheath to try and take out the old mans legs or through him off balance.

[Kazn Ezel]

"Seems that I am not the one at his limit," Kazn taunted Zarek. It was odd to consider that a match could be this short, but it was fully possible that he might end it now.

Combat with a saber was not typically defensive. Kazn chose to play defense because it suited his style in a more appropriate fashion. Saber strikes were quick, and often decided by who was able to strike first. That being said, Kazn did not fancy getting hit.

Kazn met Zarek's advance with uncharacteristic aggressive force. It was unfortunate for the man that he would choose to feint instead of taking the opportunity to strike, since it meant that Kazn's sword struck hard and true. There was a sickening, skull-splitting crack that filled the air with Kazn's strike.

Were it not for the cow skull, Zarek Camulu would be dead once more.

Zarek's twist and strike swung at empty air as Kazn leaped backwards. That had turned out remarkably well, considering how well Kazn anticipated such an exchange going. But he would have no respite, Camulu was fighting with an unmatched fervor now.

Somehow his opponent had attempted to move behind him. It was fast and Kazn was only half-turned when he saw the man drop to the ground. Kazn's response was instinctual; he leaped into the air and performed an acrobatic flip.

His feet soared above his body as he swung himself around in midair. Kazn was not one to strike an opponent with a weapon other than his sword in a match, but Zarek was hardly a dignified opponent. His feet would bring themselves down hard on the Boogie now on the floor. Perhaps this would be the finishing blow.

[zarek]

If anything, he was not expecting for Kazn to go for his head. He should of but it never occured to him that Kazn would move like he had done. The boogie hissed with a sword attached to his favorite and protective skull that had covered his head. Damnit, didn't Kazn realize how hard it was to find this skull? Now it had a huge crack in it!

Bone bits fell from his face, dripping on to the floor like it was nothing, a trickle of blood flowing down the side of his nose. His eyes narrowed in rage and lashed out with his sword, but Kazn had jumped over him.

The kick was true and smashed right into his cow skull again. What the hell, what the hell was Kazn's problem. "Do you have something against cows?" He asked with rage as his skull cracked more, but he didn't move from his spot.

He was far to angry now, he stood and twisted on his heels only to get back down as the skull cracked more. A horn tumbled down the side of his head. "This was my FAVORITE!" He declared in rage and came out the older boogie with a strong swing straight across. The action in itself cause his skull to further break apart, the other half came crashing down, no longer leaving him with a protect "helment" for his head.

Green hair stuck out in odd straight lines but with the hint of curls. The blue marking across his eyes added to the intense hate he was giving Kazn with his glare. He was huffing now, trying to get air into his lungs but failing.

He twisted on his heels dangerously, swinging his sword with a bit of a jump, coming down at an angel and then twisting to the other side in a strange wirl wind like attack.

"I'll fucking kil---!" Zarek stumbled, a hand to his mouth as he coughed, looking clearly shocked at what was happening to him. But it didn't stop him from lashing out. Everything about Zarek might very well remind Kazn of someone, even though right now, he looked exteremly different, but a scar over the red eye might prove to be a fatal flaw, however it was barely seen as long green hair came around to cover the eye.