The Belt Query

[Chairman]

The Chairman sat up in his chair, superb posture, his back like an arrow, an ink pen in hand. To his left lay the invitation to the wedding of Koyliak Van Duran and Matthew Algiers Simon, the still-fresh stationary filling his olfactory senses. He pressed a sheet of parchment flat to the stained wood of his desk, and wrote:

Dear Koyliak VanDuran,

Please forgive me if your name has since changed.

It was with deep regret that I was unable to attend your wedding, as numerous league-related matters have kept me tremendously busy as of late. I hope you and your husband will enjoy the enclosed gift on behalf of myself, the League and the Academy.

If memory serves me correctly, you had, not terribly long ago, offered me your services in providing a new belt for our end-of-the-season party. I would like to take you up on it, if your offer is still on the table. Please let me know when you are available to meet in order to discuss the matter in more detail.

Most sincerely,
Kiowa Sani
Iron Fists Chairman

He took great care in folding the parchment with precise symmetry, and sliding it into an envelope. He summoned his nephew into his office.

"I am in need of a gift. The perfect gift for two of the League's most reknowned fighters as they start their new family."

There was a moment's pause, and, just as the Chairman's nephew was preparing to speak, the Chairman shot out of his chair.

"That's it! Send them our finest punching bag!"

[Koyliak]

Koy had had a very busy day. Falling back into the chaotic pace of work at the Heavenly Boutique after a week at sea with Matt took some getting used to. The old biddies alone had given her a headache. Their mission to see Koy married finally accomplished they had taken up a new agenda that involved chiding her for hanging onto her maiden name and pressing for pregnancy. She had also taken it upon herself to hunt down the perfect nanny for Charlie’s sudden addition to her family, though there was much more joy in that for the elf. She felt it was about time for her to have a chance to be the helper and not the one being helped.

After keeping the peace amongst the young heiresses shopping for the perfect first day of school outfit at the Boutique, engaging in a loopy conversation with a doped up PJ and bombarding Charlie with presents and supplies for her new role in life, Koy was glad to finally be home.

Upon reaching the gate to the Simon household, Koy found she wasn’t the only one there. Unfortunately it wasn’t her husband waiting for her but a student from the Iron Fists Academy. That he came bearing gifts caused Koy to welcome the young man instead of bemoaning his presence.

Ushering the hesitant student inside, Koy plied him with cookies and milk while she attended to her gift and more importantly the note from the Chairman. On a piece of slate grey bonded paper bearing the Boutique’s logo Koy penned her note in a neat script, to be returned to the force behind the Iron Fists League.

To The Most Honorable Kiowa Sani,

We were sorry you could not join us for the wedding but your gift more than makes up for it. I assume you want us to have this so that we take any future marital woes out on the bag, not each other.

I am glad you remembered our earlier conversation. I hold you in the highest of esteem in many regards save for your taste in Powerhouse belts. It will do my eyes and fashion sense much good to revise your initial concept.

I’ll come to you. Let’s meet at The Lotus, it’s on the border of Old Market and Dragon’s Gate on Garrison Street. They have the most amazing white tea brew that I think you’ll like.

Sincerely,

Koyliak VanDuran-Simon

She wrote out better directions to the tiny tea room along with the date and time before sending the student, now close to a sugar coma, off with the message.

[Chairman]

The Chairman was familiar with The Lotus. He was a connoisseur of tea--it was his only beverage--and The Lotus was one of the few places in Rhydin that was able to tantalize his tastebuds. They kept his Academy stash well stocked.

The Lotus was not easy to spot by the casual passerby. It could only be found if one were looking for it. The Lotus managed to keep itself a trade secret, and it found its customers only through word of mouth, as if to purchase their tea was to be part of some forbidden cult. It was fitting; some of their teas tasted forbidden indeed.

In the early evening, after a busy day of Chairman-ing, the Chairman stepped into the Ming Fu resteraunt. He had been escorted by one of the older teenage students from the Academy, but now the student waited outside. One of the waiters acknowledged the Chairman silently, and the Chairman greeted him silently. His slow and steady nod said everything. "Please follow me, sir. Your table is ready for you."

The waiter ushered him toward the back of the resteraunt and through a set of curtains with simple, floral print. If one took the time to examine them, they would see the print was of lotus flowers. Above the curtains was a sign, Employees Only. Beyond was a narrow, winding hallway of bamboo which lead to The Lotus. Once there, the waiter quickly departed to be replaced by a waitress in loose robes who finished escorting the Chairman to his table. As he sat down she waited obediently for his order. "Green tea with mint leaf." She bowed her and left, not having said a word.

It was not long before Mrs. VanDuran-Simon arrived, and he stood to greet her. "Good to see you, Mrs. VanDuran-Simon." As they settled into their seats, he smiled earnestly with a youthfulness that belied the noticable wrinkles of his eyes and cheeks. "I am most interested to hear your ideas for Rhydinizing my belt."