The Long Awaited Matter Concerning New Haven.

[Aya Hayashibara]

To the Lord of Death,

I have waited more than my fair share of time to issue this challenge, and the moment has come. I seek to regain the title of Baroness of New Haven, as I long ago promised to attempt to reacquire regardless of who held it.

This is not a matter pertaining to the Overlord. This is strictly because it is the Barony of New Haven. It matters not whether someone is Loyal or Renegade.

To any Renegade Barons who choose to step in should the Overlord decide to intercede. Should I be victorious, you will be safe for the period in which I hold the title. Should I fail in this attempt, you will be my next target.

To the Overlord, should he decide to intercede. Should I be victorious against the Barony, you will be next. Should I fail, you will be safe for the moment. If you do not intercede, and either I succeed or fail, you need not concern yourself about me, as the title you hold is not within my desire.

I am not making any demands. I am stating what will happen should any of these events occur.

Hayashibara Aya.

(I understand this is a very busy time of year, and as such, I am not in any real rush to get this challenge completed. Whenever is convenient is okay with me. )

[Tormay Eludes]

This challenge is valid and may proceed.

Considering the timing of holidays, an extension will most likely be granted if asked for.

[Deathlord]

The retired deathknight was in the gardens, finishing up his latest ice sculpture when one of his minions arrived with notice of the challenge.

Deathlord surveyed his handiwork with a critical eye. "I am not certain this particular sculpture is satisfactory. His expression of...surprise...seems lacking." The form of the city guardsman, sheathed in ice, held a pose that appeared defiant. His sword was raised in the air, his shield only slightly out of defensive line. The eyes and mouth were frozen in a rictus of surprise, fear, and anger. Icicles hung off his limbs and a fringe of frost covered the fine details. The emblem of the city guard was just visible through the frost coating his tabard. "What do you think?"

His minion, wavering where he stood several paces behind the baron, mumbled something incoherent. The lack of an attached jaw prevented an intelligent response, but his liege lord was not really listening for a response. The deathknight did not really trust the artistic input of his minions. They tended to have single-track minds.

Deathlord stepped around the sculpture, looking for flaws or places where he might touch up the presentation. "Perhaps if we placed him near the trio behind the pond..." Fiery eyes swept over the icy guardsman. "Yes, he might complement them. They were a foolhardy lot. So oblivious to their doom, even after the warning posted at the gates." Deathlord stopped and looked to his minion with a hard gaze. "The warning was posted as I commanded, yes?"

The minion shifted from foot to foot. After a moment it shrugged and gurgled a response.

"No matter. We will attend to the gates shortly. First we must attend to this notice of challenge." The once-general turned and strode back towards the English-style manor that served as quarters for the baron of New Haven. Where his heavy boots fell, a rime of frost scored the ground. Slowly, a layer of hoarfrost was covering the entirety of the grounds. Already the manor itself was sheathed in ice, almost like armor, giving the structure a hardened, crystalline appearance.

The interior of the manor was colder still. Tendrils of fog obscured the hard wood floors of the great entryway. Deathlord continued into the sitting room, where he had summoned forth a great throne of ice. The throne was positioned to give the baron a view into the gardens where he could gaze upon the rows of ice sculptures already finished.

"Return an acknowledgement to the arena that we have received her challenge." The deathknight rested his hands along the arms of the throne and turned his fiery gaze out into the gardens. More to himself than to his minion, Deathlord mused "so soon... I've barely begun my redecorations."

The trees that lined the garden were bare of leaves. Late in the year this was nothing unusual, but even as snow threatened on the horizon, the trees were already covered in ice and glittered in the late day sunlight. Winter had come early to New Haven.

His minion was already shuffling out of the sitting room as the baron added an afterthought. "Be sure to attract the notice of some of the city watch during your return. I will need more bodies for my sculptures if I am to finish the garden."

((date and time to be figured out))

[Aya Hayashibara]

"Hayashibara-san, Hayashibara-san!" The shrill voice broke through Aya's meditation. She slowly opened her eyes and looked forward, unmoving but clearly annoyed by the interruption.

"Idiot girl." She said quietly, remaining still. "Nan desu ka?"

The girl moved around before Aya, dropping to her knees and bowing before her, keeping her head bowed as she lifted up her hands to reveal an envelope from the Arena.

"Hayashibara-san! Your challenge to the Daimyo Deathlord has been accepted. You will need to be in contact with each other for a time and day to do battle!" She sounded so excited about this prospect.

"Calm yourself, Keiko-chan. It is nothing to be excited about. This battle could quite possibly be one of the most difficult I have ever fought and is not to be treated as if it is some pathetic excuse for a 'girls night' as you and the others call it." Aya scowled, growing more irritable with each moment even after she snatched the envelope from the girl. "This Deathlord defeated several prominent duelists. He is not to be taken lightly at all. Wakaremasu ka?"

"Hai, wakaremasu!" She said, acknowledging that she understood perfectly. "If he is half as creepy as his servants, he'll be scary to face. They said his messenger was Yōma. You should be careful, Hayashibara-san." She bowed her head once again.

"I am always careful, Keiko-chan. This shall be no different than any other match in those regards. Now, if you would. I wish to continue my meditation." Aya closed her eyes and began finding her center.

Keiko nodded and quietly rose, leaving Aya alone and sliding the fusuma closed without a sound.

[Tormay Eludes]

An extension has been granted until Jan 10th.

[Deathlord]

"Minion! Attend me!"

The retired deathknight, now baron, gestured with a gauntleted hand in the direction of the Arena. "Deliver a message unto the personages at the Arena. Tell them that Hayashibara and I have arranged to meet this Sunday to settle the matter of her challenge."

As the minion turned to dash away, the unliving baron added "Request the services of a caller as well!"

Deathlord stepped out into the garden, and moved towards the frozen pond to assess his latest work. There was still so much to be done to make the manor feel like home. The trees nearest to the frozen pond glistened in the fading sunlight. Their frost covered limbs were still and silvery, with accents of color where songbirds had been flash-frozen in place to help create a festive atmosphere around the pond.

Deep within the emptiness of the deathknight, a mild sense of pleasure flickered. He hoped that his guests would enjoy the work he had put into his ice garden.

===================================

(()) Aya and I are planning to meet this Sunday, 1/10, at 10PM ET. Hopefully there is someone that would be available and willing to call for us.

[Deathlord]

(()) Just a reminder that Aya and I are planning to meet tonight, Sunday, 1/10, at 10PM ET to resolve her challenge. We're still looking for a caller if anyone wants to volunteer.

[Jaycy Ashleana]

(()). Be happy to call if you end up still needing someone at time of.

[DUEL Wyh]

This match did indeed take place on Sunday, within the Annex. The Baron dueled under the colors of Black and Grey, with his Minion as his Second, and the lovely Taneth as his Lady of Honor. Aya dueled under the red and white banner of her native land, Japan, and dueled alone. The Baron chose a best-of-three format, and it began.

The first match saw Aya draw first blood, but Baron Deathlord quickly tied the score, and did not look back. The second match was a tauter affair, with lead changes, and ties, but an unexpected cut gave the Baron the second match, and continued control of New Haven.

Well won, Baron, and well tried, Aya!

Match One (Aya/Deathlord)

1) LC/FLP
2) FDU/TH
3) HC/FLP
4) FCP/SH
5) FLP/FSS
6) DIS/HC
7) SH/LC

Deathlord .def. Aya 5-1 in 7

Match Two (Aya/Deathlord)

1) LC/TH
2) HC/SH
3) FSS/TH
4) SL/HC
5) LC/FSS
6) TH/FLP
7) FLP/HC
8 ) TH/FSS
9) FCP/HC

Deathlord .def. Aya 5-4 in 9