These unclean hands...

"Don’t say I didn’t warn you though! But you’re welcoming it so I won’t say no." The mercenary pointed out with a laugh before directing his head to the hotel, "oh! It’s beautiful Regal, did you have it built yourself?" She wondered if the older had entire control of the island or just specific buildings. 

The nobleman gently smiled at her wonder, remaining ever the gentleman with his modesty. "Not exactly brick by brick, but I did what I could --it was my employees that we owe such beauty to." He replied, escorting her closer to the entrance.

“Regal! Ah! It’s so nice to see you again!”

  It came as no surprise to the Duke that Zelos was making the most of the situation, a long, drawn sigh passing through the nobleman’s lips. “These event’s aren’t for the sole purpose of drinking, Chosen One.” He replied monotonously. “You’re making a fool of yourself.” Regal himself remained the wall-flower, leaning himself against the illustrious, velveted wall, eyes sliding closed as he willed the ache in his head away.

"Most events aren’t, for sure!" Zelos said with a laugh, clapping Regal on the shoulder. "But this one is! The hostess told me at the door that if I wasn’t gettin’ drunk, I was doin’ it wrong. And she said that if I saw anyone who wasn’t drinking, I should try to change that.” Once again, he pressed the cup closer to Regal. “Come on, it’s tasty. You can’t even tell there’s booze in it.”

  "Zelos..." He breathed, his gentle tone almost held a warning in it as he sighed in exasperation. Regal didn't want to be here particularly, and whilst the swordmage's enthusiasm would usually be a welcome change, it was somewhat of a task in such a scenario. After a while, Regal accepted the offered glass, taking a moment to scrutinize the contents before taking a small swig. It tasted as it looked, far too crude for his refined taste, and he offered it back to Zelos. "I'm afraid I wouldn't appreciate it as much as you would." Though in actuality, he should have probably not been enabling him to drink more, considering his current state.

But the idea of splitting up sounded good. While he may have been stuck at her beck and call, he could venture off on his own and gather more intel that way— and Jude was a lot faster by himself.

Sheena did give him a good lead however! That one of her friends… a President of some sorts had easy access to a lot of information, so if any of the summoning releases were told in books, they might know where to look of them. And with that in mind, he took the directions she gave and made his way to Altamira… Which did surprize him on sight, as he had never seen a place ever like this before.

Though the spirit remained hidden from human sight as he searched for the person fitting the description she gave… and following the idle chatter of nearby civillians he managed to figure out the location the target would be located in. […Lezareno Company..? I’m going to need another notebook for all these new names and places, arent I..?]

It didnt take long, as after searching floor to floor of the building he came across a swimming pool with a person matching the discription the summoner had given. […well this is a private part of the building… and he does seem like the right one. I’ll have take it.] if it was the wrong person he would quickly disappear like a ghost. Making it out that he was an illusion from the heat.

So while he floated towards the blue haired male, he glanced down at the pool below, wondering to himself. […if I get a house with Milla. Maybe I should get one of these?] swimming with her sounded like a wonderful idea, and he was sure that Undine would appreciate it too.

The Duke set his hands on the side, about to pull himself from the water to have a look around when a voice rang in the air, his actions halting a moment as narrowed eyes scanned the area once more. The appearing figure had the other kick away from the edge, shock unhidden on his features.

"Y-Yes." He managed reflexively, not even thinking about what he was saying. After a moment, he composed himself, not feeling any hostility from the other he could make himself relax a little more. Fighting in swimwear was an experience he could do without. "Yes, I'm Regal Bryant." He reaffirmed. "And you.. made it past the security I have posted about my company." The nobleman added, more shocked than angry at the fact.

"Hm? I’m sorry, I don’t believe I h—"

She was happy enough that the other was giving her VIP access, but now she was getting a top floor room as well, “Regal hun if you keep this up you’ll never get rid of me.” She was half serious about that, she couldn’t completely stay in one place without rhyme or reason. 

When the vessel pulled to a stop, Regal took the arm she had offered under his own, giving a small smile as he did. "And they say you cannot buy friends." He jested, a light, baritone chuckle sounding in his throat. "No, please I do insist --and if the penalty is knowing you better, then so be it." Of course, it wasn't a penalty at all, really. He had no intentions of 'getting rid of her' in the first place --he rather enjoyed the mercenary's company.

Jude’s eyes sparkled even more at the prospect of visiting somewhere new. It wasn’t like he’d planned terribly important things today, and after all the journey alone might give him some insight into things he was curious about, or help him with his research.

"Oh, no" He said perhaps a little too loudly, coughing and steeling himself before continuing quieter than before. "No… none at all! I would be happy to go there right now!" He was bouncing in place a little, eager to travel to a place he’d never been. He stuffed the papers and broken gauntlets into a satchel that rested at his hip and nodded enthusiatically.

"George." Regal called over the golden sands, where a well-dressed gentleman would approach them carrying Regal's belongings. The Duke would take them before thanking his butler kindly. "I'd like you to prepare the boat to return to Altamira, if you would please." He asked, and the older man simply bowed and left their company.

Regal turned back to Jude, adjusting the jacket his butler had brought over a little before giving him a smile. "I must thank you again for your help, Jude. It will be invaluable in this manufacturing --I feel like I'm simply not giving enough in return for your services."

            he was, for all intents and purposes, at regal’s mercy;             in truth, he’d simply forced the fact to the back of his             mind. for he knew the duke, and he knew him rather             well. while he could very easily deny the chosen of             his wishes, and subsequently, of his aid — he wasn’t             so terribly cruel. he could pretend to be so, sure, but             in the end, zelos would likely have his aid.

            at least, it would go this way in countless other situa-             tions. right now? well — the swordsman could not be             so sure, but he’d tell himself that things would go as             smoothly as he had already imagined them to. if for no-             thing else but the sake of his own peace of mind.

            as such, it almost comes as a relief to hear regal’s fin-             al answer. almost. because he still can’t be sure. but —

           ❝ i'm glad to hear we understand each other, then, duke             bryant. trust me; you’re doing a good thing! ❞

            likely not the most comforting words coming from the ch-             osen, who, in truth, was the epitome of impurity. still,              he had to try and reassure him, right? and there was al-             so the question of what he might want in return. a pause.             as, admittedly, he’d never actually considered that.

He stayed silent for a time, thinking hard about his answer as one hand came to rest against his well-shaven chin. The doubt that Zelos gave him came as little surprise, and Regal had closed his eyes in pensive thought. Finally, lips curled ever so slightly at the sides into somewhat of a smile as he addressed his companion.

"You believe there is something to profit from this? I'm not a greedy man, Zelos. Your presence there, no matter how long that may be for, serves both the King's request, and my desire to deflect attention on to you. I merely suggest that when you leave, do so quietly."

            expected; the angel could assume as much by way             of the confused expression that promptly laid claim             to his features, and not a moment after the questi-             on had been posed. perhaps such a question did not             require zelos to wear such a solemn expression,             and — perhaps he had exaggerated slightly when he             had said that this particular thought had plagued him             for an extended period of time.

            but it troubled him nonetheless — perhaps because             it made him feel … threatened.

            lips would curl into a thin scowl as he regards the             blue-haired male; and he’ll cross his arms tightly ov-             er his chest, obviously annoyed with the way that             regal danced around the question. well, there was             that, and the fact that he’d unwittingly paid the other             a compliment. as regal had so kindly pointed out.

           ❝ i wasn’t complimenting anything — it was a serious             question! one that you said you’d give an equally se-             rious — and honest — answer to, if i’m remembering             correctly — ❞

Whilst it had been true that he pledged honesty, he wasn't exactly being dishonest, was he? However, he would not drag out Zelos' irritation much longer, knowing when to quit was a trait he had leaned rather well in his experienced years --and with someone as influential as Zelos, he had a rather short opening for such things.

No, instead Regal would remove the hand that had been stroking his chin, allowing it to fall casually back by his side (it somehow still felt rather strange, not having his hands fall in front of him as they used to when his wrists were bound).

"Very well." He conceded, the smile on his face more gentle and less amused than it had been.

"There are very limited activities to immerse yourself in when locked in solitary confinement, Chosen One." He explained, his expression slowly hardening into something a little more serious, more like himself. "I had to dedicate myself to something." Of course, there was very little stopping him breaking from his prison and finding something more entertaining aside from his own guilt, though that was besides the point.