Love Buisness? [Aiko, Nae]

[Jouhnin Takanami]

He didn't see how sitting here listening to his sister play classical music was a way of 'getting things done.' Of course he loved listening to his sister play piano, it was wonderful, she was talented, but it was rare. Usually his sister was working, all the time, for the family. But today she had done less work, it was odd. Jouhnin sat lazily on a couch near a grand piano in a green kimono with his hair down. His long black locks draped over the back of the couch and nearly touched the ground. He sighed deeply as he listened to Aiko play, she was pretty decent, not nearly as good as Augusta of course.

Jouhnin sighed and looked at Aiko, " Sister.... The Little Mistress wanted to speak with me today... I should be getting back to the estate..." Of course Aiko shot a dirty look at Jouhnin so he sighed and looked at his fox-familiar. He smiled and told the animal to let Naelona of were he'd be and for how long. Then he pulled out his long wooden pipe and light up. He let out puffs of smoke as Aiko looked over and chuckled as she played her wonderful piano.

" It sounds wonderful dear sister...." he said with a smile, " You are great at music..."

[Naelona Ezel]

Naelona rubbed her temple as she traveled down the hall, a small shut ledger clutched to her side, the solid object hardly went noticed. After the other night in the kitchen, she was working at least a little better after some food, but that still didn't say anything for her rest. Today - however - was a bit of a different day. More common business aside, she'd sent a message to Jouhnin seeking to meet with him. She had more of a.. private matter to discuss. For some reason it wasn't one she was looking forward to terribly, but it needed to be done and his was one of the first names that'd came to mind.

Nearing the Music Room, piano notes floated out into the hallway. The tune was unfamiliar, yet for the most part Naelona tuned the tune out of her mind. She wasn't a fan of music, and while she played the particular instrument herself - hearing it reminded her more of her father which wasn't close to a pleasant subject by any means. Glancing in as she passed she noted a small woman playing, and another person with her. The fatigued boogie almost passed it by unthinking until a thought made her pause, back up and peer back in. Well what did one know.. there was the very soul she'd been looking for.

He seemed to be enjoying the music, so Naelona said nothing as she approached from across the room, glancing briefly to the playing woman. "Good Afternoon, Jouhnin." Naelona spoke quietly, circling about to a nearby chair. "I did not expect you to be here. Had I known I would have arrived sooner." She'd been in this area of the Palace all afternoon. Pausing briefly for a particularly tricky sounding set of notes she eyed her green-clad friend. "Would this be an ill time?" Of all the boogies in Wonderland, Jouhnin was probably the only one Naelona would not care to bother - not for reason of threats or danger but merely out of respect and preference. She valued this particular individual and their rapport in the past. It would be a shame to ruin it for the future.

[Jouhnin Takanami]

Jouhnin smiled as he listened to his sister play. He noticed almost first thing then Naelona walked into the room. He glanced over at her then closed his eyes, he was tired. Being and Elder had it's advantages and disadvantages. Of course he delt with both, but he was very busy, often slaving over things into the eary hours of the morning. But he had gotten Naelona's message and knew he had places to be, but he couldn't upset his baby sister. She had been taking all the burdens of family buiness for him and had to repay her. So he'd listen to her play, if only for a little while longer.

"Good Afternoon, Jouhnin I did not expect you to be here. Had I known I would have arrived sooner."

Jouhnin opened one silver-blue eye lazily and looked at Naelona. He motioned to the couch he was sitting on, letting out a smoke ring with ease. " Sit Little Mistress.... I didn't expect to be here, but I owe my sister. She has been running the family since my.... promotion." he said and smiled he pointed at the girl at the piano, " I owed it to her to spend some much needed time with her. She's very needy you see... I have to keep her happy if she's going to keep running my family affairs for me..." He said and smiled, pipe still in his mouth. Jou closed his eyes and then leaned his head back again.

"Would this be an ill time?"

Jouhnin laughed, " Of course not... I will always make time for you Naelona... Even if it's only time for you to scold me over trivial matters..." he said and patted the soft couch material again. " Please... sit... You standing there makes me nervous..." he with that charming smile Jouhnin had perfected ages ago.

[Naelona Ezel]

Little Mistress. Naelona's brow creased a moment at the title. She wasn't entirely sure why he was fond of using it, but he persisted in addressing her by it every time they met. Even so.. he just had a sort of.. air to him that the Ezel didn't raise a voice to complain. It was an acceptable title, coming from him at least - considering how very small she indeed was compared to him.

"Yes, so I have heard. Congratulations." The news of Jouhnin becoming an Elder had come just about as surprising as when she'd heard they'd dismissed her father from his long-held duties. Though - with Jou within that exclusive ring, perhaps he could knock some well-needed sense into the rest of them. Hopefully the opposite wouldn't happen, though if it did.. Naelona was fairly certain she wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut nor tongue still the next time she saw him.

Looking to his sister as Jou pointed to her, Nae quickly glanced over the woman, mentally scrutinizing her from head to toe in a matter of seconds. She couldn't say she'd met the woman herself before, then again Naelona didn't go out of her way to meet anything female. Often they proved to be more trouble and issue-laden than it was worth. Pity this particular issue was directly tied to the gender. There were sometimes she wished Anolean had been born female like she had - this would've become so much easier. Well - if she didn't end up killing her own twin first. Still - running the family affairs - the Takanami family no less.. what no small feat, she was sure.

Naelona's otherwise solemn look switched from his smile to the appointed seat upon the couch. Were it anyone else she'd probably have taken a seat directly opposite, preferably with a table in between. Glancing to his familiar Naelona hesitated a moment, before sitting lightly near the end of the couch, smoothing her dress as she did so. "I wished to speak with you on a more private matter. I'm aware there have been murmurings.. you're probably already aware of what I'm about to suggest to you."

"I would like to propose a discussion of the possibility of an arrangement of marriage between my brother and a respective member of your family." Who? She wasn't quite sure, but that was why she was here talking to her dear acquaintance. Recent events had brought it to become a pressing matter to be taken care of. Kazn - technically - should be the one approaching Jouhnin on this topic.. even so Naelona felt it was more up to her to seek out the prospects. Sitting back against the cough Naelona paused to gauge his reaction. The Takanami family had been amidst the top of her list of prospective families to investigate, but they weren't the absolute only ones. From her understanding they were a somewhat expansive family.. she could be wrong.

"I'm considerably unfamiliar with your family beyond yourself, Jouhnin, but that is why I wished to approach you first and foremost with the subject." He was the head of the family, after all. "I understand if this is a sudden matter for you."

[Jouhnin Takanami]

Jouhnin had mixed feelings about his new status, sure he loved being one of the high-ups, one of the big cheeses. But he also felt like the other Elders were trying to do thier way with him. Trying to use Jou's social standing to make themselves look better. And despite what everyone else thinks, Jouhnin is smart enough not to fall for such ridiculous ideas. He knows better than to assume the Elders are out for the better good, they have thier own hidden motives, and Jouhnin is smart enough to protect his values before giving in to the counsel. He knew damn well better than the trust that bunch, which was techincally now, his bunch. " Thank you, but... I'm not quite sure I trust the lot of them... I'm the only one who doesn't seem to be lurking in the shadows..." he said thoughtfully.

Jouhnin listened to Naelona as she talked, his eyes still closed, still smoking his pipe. When she mentioned something about marrige he coughed on the smoke from his pipe and leaned ofrward a bit. He then took a moment to cough and catch his breath. Once he was breathing normally he blinked and turned to Naelona. A smirk was on his face, and it was obvious that Jouhnin found this whole thing very amusing. He let the pipe leave his lips before chuckling at the smaller female boogie. " Well, unless you're encouraging Anolean to be gay... The your only possiblity of marrige between our families is sitting at that piano..." he said and then pressed his lips together in thought. He then wiped his eye, as if he had been weeping, and then sighed and leaned foward and put his hands on his knees. He looked at his sister and smiled softly.

" Aiko is a respective woman... A little abrasive and harsh but I think somwhere in there is a heart worth giving..." he said and then reached behind him with one arm and swept all his black hair over one shoulder so it fell over his chest. He sighed, " But this is about staus am I correct. Having Anolean marry my sister would be a matter of wealth and position, very much like you Little Mistress..." he nodded as if speaking to himself, " An alliance between our families would benefit both of us, not only would you inherit my families status and some of the wealth, but we'd also gain your rising popularity. It's a very... logical choice..." he said and then looked back and over at Nae.

The giant boogie grinned, " and let me guess, You haven't spoken with Anolean about this at all, have you?"

[Naelona Ezel]

It was wise of him not to trust the lot of them. Naelona had never held a very high opinion of the Elders save for the authority they possessed. She was sure she would have been scolded in the past for voicing such an opinion, but with the main prospective scolder being out of their favor, she was more than willing to bet those odds were considerably minimal. "At least perhaps now we might have one sane mind amidst their madness." Naelona quipped, if not a little coldly. True to Kazn's word she would have to deal with them sooner or later on one matter or another. The Ezel wasn't looking forward to it, but perhaps she would have at least one ally in their suspicious midst.

Personally - she could care less which way her brother decided to swing - but only one way furthered their name in the direction Kazn probably wanted it to go. Looking over towards the piano Naelona glanced over the woman once more, picking up a few more details than she had the first place. A true scrutiny would have to wait until later however. There was only so much one could critique and examine from a distance. She wouldn't just agree to hand over her brother to the first available option after all - there was a criteria to be met.

Aiko.. so that was her name. "Status, amidst other details.." there was no point in beating around that point. It was common practice amidst a number of families.. it was what initially gave the Ezels the leg up into the political world that they required to arrive at where they were today. Kazn himself had worked very closely in association with the Elders, and Anolean had long been expected to follow in his footsteps. "Would I be correct in presuming you would be open to such a discussion?" Tilting her head slightly Naelona watched the older boogie as he mused over the varying details. Logic was very much the department Naelona operated in. The woman was convinced it was the only honest thing that drove the world, after all. Anything else only ended in ruin.

" and let me guess, You haven't spoken with Anolean about this at all, have you?" For a very - very brief moment Naelona slipped a small smirk. "Not so loudly, Jouhnin, please." The words held a tone of light chastisement, but Naelona was slightly amused by the question- if such a thing for the Ezel were at all possible. "Anolean would never willingly cooperate if he caught wind of this yet again until I approach him, it isn't for him to know. It is for his own good." He would balk at the idea, she was sure - probably about as much as she would if suddenly surprised with the concept. Well - almost as much. "But he is sensible enough to understand a wise decision when he is presented with one."

[Jouhnin Takanami]

Jouhnin studied Naelona for a second as she answered that Status was one of the perks, among other things. He looked from the Little Mistress back to his sister, and after a couple times of doing that he nodded and gave Naelona a small smile. "I'm open to it, yes. But of course Aiko will have to decide for herself... Though she reminds me of you... Although she is more of the manipulative type, beinding people to her whim with her looks or strength, she's a lot like you... She'll weight the pros and cons and will chose the most reasonable conclusion." Jouhnin chuckled, though with Anolean being Anolean, it would be easy for Aiko to take a liking to him. As far at Jouhnin knew, Anolean was her type anyway, he was quite the charmer and the dark hair would be the kicker. Jou knew his sister well, and her turn ons were always the 'tall, dark, and handsome' types. It would make the ideas of marrige between the two easier for the Takanami side at least. And hopefully would make it easier for Jouhnin, cause unlike the females occupying this room, he belived in the concept of love. And that marrige isn't just for money or power, but also becausee you want to spend the rest of your time with that one being.

What an absurd idea amongst Boogies.

Jouhnin let out a small laugh and retunred Nae's small smirk when she comfirmed his idea. Of course not, why tell Anolean about her plans of getting him married off, He'd throw a royal fit. Jouhnin nodded and sighed, " I hope you are right... For both your sake and mine..." he said and then looked up at Aiko. He smiled and then spoke to her, " Aiko... My dear sister, I'd like you tomeet someone. " Jouhnin motioned to Naelona, " This is Madam Naelona Ezel... She is a good friend of mine... I think you two should get aquianted, it'd be in your best interests." The giant Boogie smiled at Aiko then looked over at Naelona. " Little Mistress, this is my sister, Aiko Takanami. The only woman in my family, and by far the strongest female Boogie I've ever known..."

Oh dear, what had Jouhnin gotten himself into this time.

[Aiko Takanami]

Aiko sat at the piano bench, ignoring the new arrival, she had heard of Naelona Ezel. She knew of her, and had seen her, but they never really got acquainted. Mostly she heard of the Madam from her brother, cause Jouhnin could never keep him damn mouth shut. She knew that the Ezels were a proud and cruel bunch, but overall respectable Boogies who had made a good living for themselves. She heard Jouhnin's voice and stopped playing, she hadn't been paying the two much attention, she had been too busy with her music to really care.

" Aiko... My dear sister, I'd like you to meet someone. This is Madam Naelona Ezel... She is a good friend of mine... I think you two should get acquainted, it'd be in your best interests."

The dark-haired woman looked over at Naelona, studied her for a second before looking back to her brother. Her otherwise emotionless face turned quickly into what seemed to be a polite happiness. Unlike her brother, Aiko was short, with choppy black locks. But she was also a lot like her brother in many, many ways. Both were pale, oddly beautiful, and had those silver-blue eyes. And both of their smiles were devious, but Aiko's could be considered more wicked than anything else. Like a cute child about to murder someone. Evil but... cute. Aiko stood from the piano bench, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her kimono and smiled at Naelona. She bowed slightly at the waist before speaking. "Good Afternoon Madam..." she said, her voice high, sweet, but obviously littered with something forced. She chuckled at Jouhnin's introduction, " Jouhnin talks very fondly of you back at the estate... I'm pleased I can finally meet you in person... I try my best to get Jouhnin to pick more influential friends like yourself but despite my efforts he just frolics around causing mischief..." Aiko smiled sweetly, she may look like an angel, but beneath that smile was Satan, and angry enhanced-strength version of Satan.

Evil in an unlikely form.

[Naelona Ezel]

Naelona raised a thin eyebrow at him at his assessment of his sister. A reasonable woman was a rare find indeed. Naelona was painfully aware of their considerable shortage. She wasn't quite sure how to take being compared to Aiko, and so sat a little straighter in her seat upon the couch, but it did bring her father's words to mind. Someone considerably similar to herself would meet most of his criteria, after all. The concept of him offering Aiko a choice in the matter was a little strange, but again the Takanami family always had been a bit of an odd one.

"Good Afternoon, it is good to meet you as well, Miss Takanami." Naelona greeted with a slight nod towards Aiko, perfectly content with the fact that Aiko was still way over there by the piano, and Naelona was way over here on the couch. Her critical mind was already going, the moment Jou had called to his sister. The tone of her voice, her expressions, how she held herself. So far.. well, perhaps the child wasn't an entire waste of their respective gender. Now - granted her heritage spoke volumes for the woman already, there was still a lot more to be gleaned from character. The Von Clossens were also notable in their own right - but it didn't take an Ezel to tell they were absolutely mad.

The black and gray-clad boogie raised a thin eyebrow at Jou's reported opinion of her. It was certainly a good thing to hear. Naelona had to hold back a smirk at Aiko's slight barb at her brother. "Brothers are good for that sort of mischief, aren't they?" Fates knew what Anolean was up to half the time. "Might I commend your music? You possess quite the skill." Kazn might object and find half a dozen things wrong with her form, technique, timing or something.. but he wasn't about at the moment was he? No, no he wasn't.

((Sleepy post x.o))

[Aiko Takanami]

Aiko wasn't much for dealing with people. Of course she was social butterfly because she was related to Jouhnin. Anyone related to Jou had to have impressive social skills. But Aiko had an extreme hatred for men who underestimated women, and people who were not respectable. Respectable being high on the boogie social ladder and also high in power and position in her boogie-world. So as you see, she has to put on a front of being a super-cheery and bubbly lady in order to peacefully deal with slackers, and sometimes she forgot to turn the veneer off.

Aiko laughed pleasantly at Naelona's comment, " Yes, very good at causing trouble." Aiko brushed a jet black bang behind her ear and out of her face. She didn't move though, she stood by the piano, in fact she leaned up against the thing so she wouldn't tire from standing. From a visual standpoint Naelona would be able to tell two main things, Aiko was short (same hieght as Nae actually) and that the woman carried herself with so much pride it was like walking into a bubble made of her ego when you stepped into the room. She wasn't really
big-headed' because she knew when she was outmatched. But she wasn't going to just give up and take it, she was proud to the point of being ungodly stubborn. Yet she tried her best to respect others and maintain the boundaries that had been set upon her as the second child.

Aiko bowed her head at the compliment, " Thank you Madam, it's a skill I have learned since a very, very young age. " Aiko walked a few steps closer, but then stopped closer to her brother. " But from what Jouhnin says about you, I'm not the only one who is skilled around her. A woman in your position, demanding order or punishment... It's commendable really... " she said and smiled again, the put a small hand on her brothers shoulder.

"Maybe this fool should learn a thing or two from you..."

[Naelona Ezel]

At least the woman certainly knew how to carry herself, amidst other things. Pride was something Naelona could recognize a mile away. It was practically infused into her own bloodline, and it shown out like a shiny mijn to gray eyes. What was that line she'd heard? It took one to know one? It was a little rare to find, but it wasn't a bad thing either. Quite the opposite, if done correctly.

"Thank you." Naelona responded to the returned compliment. Normally she never thanked anyone for anything save for certain circumstances. Dealing with Jouhnin or something closely related to Jouhnin qualified as one of those circumstances. "I doubt there is little your brother could learn from me, save perhaps but a few obscure details. Knowledge can be gained, but only experience can be granted by age." It could be taken two very different ways. One being perhaps Naelona had the experience from the years running this particular segment of Wonderland - but secondly - even despite her short history - Jouhnin greatly overshadowed her age several times over.

"Some may find a position thrust upon them, yet others see the wisdom of ascending to one when the opportunity presents itself. If we are fortunate, they are very suited individuals. If not.." Naelona cast a sly, if not slightly teasing glance to Jou "..at least they have the rest of us." If he considered her such a 'good friend' as he had introduced her as, he certainly could take a bit of good-natured teasing from the woman. Naelona might be stern as a brick most of the time, but there were a few rare moments where she could still find it within herself to poke a little fun.

[Jouhnin Takanami]

Jouhnin let out a deep breath of smoke into the air and rested his pipe against the inside of his arm and his palm. He only laughed lightly at the comments that Aiko made about him causing trouble. He didn't try and fight her on it though, he did cause massive amounts of trouble sometimes. Though it seemed since he's been getting older and older, he's been causing less trouble and more... good. Oddly, only a few days ago he had relived his slave of a frightening mental illness, he had also made up with an ex-lover and was now in the very pleasant relationship with him. Maybe this was foreshadowing of a bigger event. Maybe Jouhnin would cause more trouble later down the road. Or maybe the Elders were poisoning his mind. Whatever the case was, Jouhnin seemed less, evil lately.

Jouhnin looked to Naelona when she spoke of power and position. The corners of his lips rose just slightly in a smile. " You seem extra pleasant today Naelona... You're not normally so. " he said and took another deep inhalation of his pipe. The giant boogie then sighed and sat up in a more proper manner. He crossed one leg over the other and smiled when Aiko put her hand on his massive shoulder. " Ah, well... I wanted to ask you something Aiko, or tell really..." he said softly and looked at Naelona the whole time he spoke.

" The Little Mistress has a big brother you see... and he's quite the looker, but he's pretty lazy and needs a good strong women to get him back on track..." he said with a smile, " And with our status and position... I think it would be best if you became a candidate for marriage. It's be most beneficial if you and Naelona's brother were to bind our families by marriage... It'd also be good for you... To have a man in your life besides myself..."

Jou doesn't beat around the bush does he?

[Aiko Takanami]

Aiko sighed softly, she was starting to wonder why Jouhnin asked her over here, did he really need to have such a long and slightly awkward conversation between her and Madam Ezel? Really, Aiko didn't think this was a useful use of her time, or needed at all. A simple 'hello' would have been fine. But of course not, Jouhnin had to drag out long conversations and drag Aiko through them as well. She had better things to be doing then making small talk with Naelona Ezel. She had a whole family of wealth to be bossing around. And she allready had too much work to do.

Yeah well, not for long.

"I think it would be best if you became a candidate for marriage. It's be most beneficial if you and Naelona's brother were to bind our families by marriage..."

Wait... what?! Aiko's face turned suddenly into surprise almost immediately. Slowly she turned to look at her brother. " Excuse me for a moment Jouhnin..." she said and turned and walked back over the the piano. This was some sick joke... Right? Really, it HAD to be some sort of funny prank she was being pulled into. When did Jouhnin get the right to marry her off like cattle? Oh right, he always had the right to bring it. He couldn't force her to. She sighed softly, she had to think about this. Who was he, oh right, Naelona Ezels brother.... Another Ezel? Anolean if she could recall correctly. Hmmm, Anolean Ezel....

Jouhnin was right... it would be good for her and the family... It'd be a great way to climb the ladder, the social ladder of course.... And gain some wealth... It was a good idea. Damn.... Why did Jouhnin always have to be right?

"Geezus...." what a scary prospect, her, Aiko, married? " What a peculiar idea..."

[Naelona Ezel]

Naelona sat quietly upon the couch while Jouhnin spoke to his sister. He was rather quite the blunt individual when it came right down to business, it was something Naelona had long approved about the boogie. " You seem extra pleasant today Naelona... You're not normally so. " Naelona sent Jou a curious look. "I'm not fire and brimstone all the time, Jouhnin." She didn't consider that the phrase suited her at all. The boogie merely did what she needed to to keep Wonderland going as it should.

Meeting Jouhnin's look a few moments her eyes shifted from one sibling to the younger sister, and back to Jou again. "Quite peculiar. Take your time in consideration. There is no rush in the matter, Miss Takanami." Apparently the concept took the girl by quite the surprise given her sudden retreat back to the piano. Anolean would possibly react in a similar fashion - no - her brother would probably be much more verbal about such a surprise than this Aiko was. That was if - and only if she agreed to consider such a prospect after all. So many 'if's.. but considerations weren't damaging anyone, least of all the Ezels.

Folding her hands upon her lap she leaned back against the couch. "He has promise, my brother merely needs to learn how to focus it. He is a very promising individual, however.." Naelona wasn't one to sing praises of most anyone, even her own sibling. Tilting her head slightly towards the larger boogie, Naelona murmured quietly. "I hardly hear you objecting to such discussions.." more like encouraging his sister to go for them. Naelona didn't consider her family to be a wealthy one, though they made out well for what they did have. Ironic to consider most of their wealthy resided with either whatever her father had stored away over the years, and her own accumulation. She didn't possess as much as some, herself, but considering what few years the Ezel's reputation had been growing - things were a very promising start indeed.

[Jouhnin Takanami]

"I'm not fire and brimstone all the time, Jouhnin."

Jouhnin actually let out a small laugh, " Of course your not..." he said with a sly grin, " But you're not sunshine and bunnies all the time either..." he said in a tone that was a bit challenging. He sighed softly when Aiko walked back over to the piano, she was going to have a very short thinking session. Sure Aiko knew what was best for her, what she needed and what she wanted. She would come back over with a compromise and things would be fine. He raised his baby sister after all, Jou knew her better than she knew herself.

Jouhnin saw Naelona turn to him and he returned her look with a smile of bright pearly whites. Then he said under his breath to her, "Anolean is promising, he just needs someone to kick him in the ass. Aiko is perfect for that job. Plus... you know how much I adore messing with peoples love lives, or starting them to be more specific... I think those two would fit better than two peas in a pod..." he said and then oughed softly and looked back to his sister.

" Take your time dear sister.... No need to rush yourself..." But he knew better, she'd do what she wanted regardless of what he said or advised.