There was a steady cold wind curling around Lomedor, as per the season. Animals hid in warm doorways, unfortunates left deserted in the streets shook from the cold. In the morning there would no doubt be less of them still amongst the living. It was quite odd to think that this brutal weather was associated with some of the most merry of times, and yet Nathaniel had not the time nor patience for such deep and refined analysis. He hardly had time to think at all with the competition looming around the corner.

'The Duel of the Sixteen Conquerors' it was called. In the past he wouldn't have partaken in such a thing, deeming it below his rank and abilities. He could not ignore the constant whispers of who was considering wisping into such a competition though, and had considered what a grand help it would be on his road to conquest. After all, if he ever did wish to lead an army against the decimated ruins of other races, he would need men who believed him strong. More importantly, he needed to prove to himself he was strong enough for such a role.

Sadly, he hadn't had the money for the endeavour, and knew too few people to hope to join. The entire thing had faded from his mind until a few nights ago. On his frequent rounds to the Wilwarin Inn and Pub, he had spotted an ad sporting just the same problem as he; no partner. He had heard of the man through other sources, though never met Nobunaga Oda face to face. He was eager to meet any man who would enter such a competition though, the boldness alone striking him. To enter without having preset allies? It was a dangerous move, and yet possibly just as brave as the very entry! So he had convinced with coin one of the men who had once worked for him to go deliver a letter, trusting the younger man to perform the duty. Nathaniel may not have been liked in his position, but he was certainly respected.

Now, four nights later, he sat in the Wilwarin Inn and Pub. The warm interior, filled with the crowd of people joined in hearty laughter and heavy drinking was a stark contrast to the outside. Browns that were almost orange in their brightness and lighting keeping the place from dullness made it the perfect recluse from the harsh weather outside. Even if some of the guests within the walls weren't friendly, the place had a welcoming atmosphere. Besides, the music was usually good and the alcohol even better.

Nursing the current tankard before him, Nathaniel willed himself not to drink it too hastily. He didn't need to get drunk when this could turn into a prospective business meeting, after all. True his letter had been simple and the writing not as neat as it could be, but meetings in the flesh tended to be so much more formally demanding. He didn't mind, he'd done these a number of times before. He just hoped the other had gotten his letter and considered it.

Otherwise, well.... it'd be a long night, with even more grog.

Nobunaga had been in the woods of Lomedor training day in and day out. He had been working on his swordsmanship skills for the last few days now trying to prepare himself for this upcoming tournament. Nobunaga wanted to win very badly but the only problem was that he lacked a major part needed for this tournament. A partner. How could one be so eager to join but lack something so major as that. It seemed highly unprofessional and not to mention stupid. Letters got plastered everywhere though, maybe someone would take the bait and decide to take the challenge with him.

"A few more seconds, few more attacks...must push myself" Nobunaga said as he pushed himself further and further before finally passing out. He had dreams of him winning this tourny and that made him smile in his sleep.

A few hours passed by and it was now night time as he sat up and looked around. The wind was blowing a nice cooling breeze across his face that felt refreshing. The night was clear and the stars shined brighter than normal. A pure and absolute beautiful sight. Sitting next to Nobs however was a note that was blowing in the wind.

Nobunaga opened the letter and read it. It was a letter to meet at the pub in lomedor. Someone took the bait because this person ,who ever they were, wanted to team up for this tournament. Gladly.

Nobunaga quickly got his gear and strapped everything from his armor down to his potions, in its right spot. He threw on his cloak to conceal all of his belongings and took off quickly for the pub.

He made it to the pub quickly for he was right outside of town and waked in. The pub was slightly crowded but whoever wanted Nobunaga should recognize him at a moments notice. Just in case the person didn't nobunaga took his hood off letting his face be seen by all. Nobunaga had the aura of a true born warrior, so who ever this person was should be able to pick him out of the crowd very easily.

Nathaniel was a very alert man, caused by years of paranoia and suspicion. His hand, which had held his tankard in a loose grasp, slowly set it down as he looked to the opened door. A few other patrons mimicked the action, though more or less the pub went on in its boisterous content. They were drunk and in good company, why would they care about an opened door? A few hushed into silence when he lowered his hood, though a few who had looked over merely looked away, the other not being who they had expected or simply happy in the knowledge they knew someone had entered. Nathaniel was not so dismissive however, a slow grin crossed his lips. So, Oda had come after all.

Grasping the mug he finished what was left swashling around in it, then set it down harshly on the wood. The bartender offered him a quizzical glance, but he ignored it and instead strode over to the proud warrior that had entered. Even under the cloak the wideset shoulders and even the manner of carrying himself marked him as who Nathaniel wanted to see. Such things he had yearned to see develop in so many men, who unfortunately had remained too shrewd or shy to truly excel. This was a man to be in awe of, even if his facial features were more than a little frightening. Standing not too close to be impolite but close enough he need not shout, that same smirk snaked its way across his features.

"Nobunaga Oda, I presume? I see you recieved my letter. Come, let us drink and speak of other matters." He paused, seeming to remember his manners. "I'm Nathaniel. Nathan to close friends. I think we could make quite the team, if you'd be interested?" He offered his hand to the other, locking eyes with him. It wasn't a challenge as much as a test, a way of sizing up the other without being insulting or rude. Nobunaga looked the part, but Nathaniel wanted to be sure. Looking wasn't enough in these times, it was vital to actually be the role as well. He trusted the other to meet his expectations fully.

After walking into the pub, Nobs was quickly approached by a man. This man did not look all together powerful, but he looked as if he was a very good thinker. A thinker might be slightly better than a pure brawler anyway. Someone to think through the toughest of situations while nobunaga fended off the brutes. This would be a perfect match up, but how could nobunaga quickly be sure about all of this?

The man out stretched his hand but nobunaga declined shaking. Not in a offensive sort of way, but as a way to show that trust cannot be earned within mere seconds. Nobunaga quickly sat at the table next to him that was vacant. As soon as he sat down a waiter had rushed over with a drink of the best ale in the house.

Nobunaga had been in this pub many times, and the bartender and owner of the establishment knew exactly what drinks he loved. "Take a seat and have a drink. While your at it, tell me why i should choose you as a partner." nobunaga said as he took a small sip of his drink. "Oh and by the way," nobunaga said lifting his cloak a little to show the man that he was very well armed, so do not try me. That means verbally as well."

Nobunaga's words were keen and directly to the point. He meant business and thats exactly what he planned on getting. If this man crossed him in any way then nobunaga would make sure he left here missing a few body parts.

"So for this tag team. Why should i tag with you?" nobunaga said as he slid a glass of ale to the other side of the table and awaited the answer from the man.

Ah, a decline. Clearly Nobunaga wasn't all brawn after all; this man was smart and strong. A winning combination, if ever there was one. He followed in an observant silence as they moved to the table and the waiter fetched Nobunaga's order, contemplating the other's question. When the mug of ale was offered he took a slow sip of it, as if the words may be better brought forth through the liquid.

"Clearly you are stronger than me. Of that there is no dispute." He may have been taller than the other, but Oda was built with muscle and probably packed quite the punch. Nathaniel's strength was in his dexterity, and being taller would only hinder him if he had battled the other. "But while you appear to be a man of a somewhat... personal combat," In that he meant the other chose to fight in close quarters. "I myself prefer to fight from afar when possible. I'm not prone to violent outbursts and can keep a level head. I believe that were you and I to become a team, we could easily subdue our foes by forcing them to try and attack two seperate areas and thus leave themselves exposed."

He leaned back slightly in the wooden chair, which gave a groan of protest but thankfully made no effort to break. "I used to be a Captain in the army, and I did not have the position bought. I've worked hard through many battles, both in one-on-ones and when against multiple enemies. I am a strong fighter on my own, but I excel in a team environment where attacks can be coordinated and planned. My experience in such a job taught me many useful techniques and tips that I would be happy to share were we to become one team."

He made no efforts to elaborate on why he was no longer a captain, though he was occupied with explaining what qualified him without giving away too much in case the other decided to walk away. Enough to get them to bite, but not a full lunch; you had to reel them in, after all.

"Of course, if you're looking for someone as... built as you, you may need to look elsewhere. I am no weakling in combat," Here he gestured to his sheathed longsword impassively, "But I prefer to outwit my foes rather than out-clobber them." He eyed the side of Nobunaga's cloak wearily, where the other had revealed hidden weaponry. Then he seemed to think better of it, and looked to the other's amber eyes and offered another cold smile. It could have only been more fitting were rows of shark teeth revealed, rather than his normal human teeth.

"Interested?" Not wanting to look too eager, he lifted the ale and took another slow sip. He couldn't resist letting his eyes remain on the other though.

Nobunaga took another sip of his sword as he looked at the mans long sword. It was not nearly as strong as the three hulkjing blades nobunaga carried but then again maybe it was his type of sword. Nobunaga liked the fact that this man was upfront and willing to take some kind of risks for the things he wanted. It showed guts and it showed charisma.

Nobunaga closed his cloak concealing his weapons once again. The thought of actually teaming with this man were more than likely high for he was one of the few tha toffered to team. Everyone else who offered were either all brawn and no brain, or just crappy fighters. This man had something different about his eyes. He looked determined. Not really desperate but more or less excited.

"I will agree to tag with you for these fights. Also, depending on how well we do at the matches, we may be longer term partners if you so choose." nobunaga said taking the last big swallow of his drink.

"Well time is young. Lets go. We will go train now. We need a smuch for this tournament if we want to win. There are competitors in this far beyond your wildest imagination. We need to be prepared." nobunaga said as he stood up. He shot a glance at the bartender and the bartender nodded back at him.

"well shall we go" Nobs said turning his back and starting towards the door. Nobunaga wanted to train as much as possible for the biggest task in his life was just around the corner. A tournament with the best competitors. This was once in a life time, and nobunaga planned on taking home the gold.

"Excellent. I'm certain if this does go well, or rather, when it does, we can consider a more longterm alliance." Nathaniel grasped the mug of his drink and lifted it in a mock toast, "To victory, eh?" The drink glinted for a moment as it was caught by the light, then quickly disappeared down the man's thirsty throat. Once finished he set it back on the table, leaving the appropriate coinage for the bartender and also lifting from his seat.

As before very few bothered to look at them, and Nathaniel was eager to see their reactions when the competition was won. It wasn't that he over-estimated his abilities, not really, it was just a mindset that had proven helpful in all walks of life. Believe yourself victorious and you shall be, be it in the simple purchase of an apple or some battle in a distant village. Of course, that was only half the battle, and Nobunaga was right to say they needed training. Nathaniel was impressed, though he wouldn't say as much yet. Better to hold his cards close to his chest; they agreed to be partners, but there was nothing about trust. It was not the trust of a battle partner or such that they lacked, just the simple belief the other would be as strong a support as one of the sturdy beams in this bar. Nathaniel did not feel such an allegiance towards the other, and he didn't doubt Oda returned the sentiments.

"Do you have anywhere in mind?" With alcohol in him he seemed less rash, but he was also a thousand times more "clever" as far as manipulation went. He lived by it, just about. Wasn't that what this was, anyways? They were both manipulating the other so that they may enter the tournament and wear the title of winner and carry the gold of a champion. Neither one of them was naive or obsessed with childish notions of good and evil-- not that he had seen leastways, so it only served that both knew what the other was. Like Nobunaga had said though, they would undoubtedly become better allies after a few battles. Rystoff also knew enough to know that if you fight by the side of a man long enough you grow to be some form of partners. He'd seen men become drinking buddies as close as brothers as well, but Nobunaga didn't strike him as the overly friendly type and Nathaniel had a wariness towards even his most trusted allies. Perhaps being on a team would change that, but only time would tell.

As they left the bar he paused at the door, letting his hand touch the wooden frame for a moment. The wood was smooth under his skin, long since sanded so the more idiotic patrons of the place didn't get splinters when they performed foolish "tricks". He was grateful, for it allowed him a moment to stroke the wood in contemplation. When he walked out of this door, he would not only be leaving the pub, he would be entering a whole new phase in life. Was he really ready for this? He had heard rumors of powerful beings, and if this Nobunaga fellow even believed them strong, they had to be rather dastardly. Was this truly something he should do, something that was worth the risk of humiliation and defeat? What if he lost? He could never man an army if he couldn't defeat other foes. Was it worth how much harm it could cause?

He tapped his fingers on the edge of the wood then proceeded out, mind made up. Of course it was worth the risk, worth this entire waiting. This was the chance of a lifetime to prove himself worthy of such titles, to prove humans were just as powerful as the billion other races. His thoughtful frown turned into a determined look, and he moved to walk beside Nobunaga. "So, where are we going precisely to train?"