"I know I shouldn't feel disheartened, but..." Damian sighs, letting the sentence tapper off into nothingness, and shakes his head slowly and mulls the best words over in his head. As he thinks, he listens to the sounds of the ocean waves lapping against the side of the boat as it moved towards the mainland, the wind moving across the deck and the gulls calling to each other in the sky. How do I explain everything I've been doing in the last eight years on the road and looking for a guild? How do I explain how powerless I felt once the necromancer had really decided to play ball? The sounds of the ocean helped to keep him calm and focused, but it didn't help him solve his dilemma.

After a few more minutes of trying to figure out what to say, he gives up. "I spent eight years working to get stronger and memorize how all of my spells and abilities work, keeping my martial prowess at top shape so that even if I ran out of magic power, I could keep fighting, keep being able to help others. Then we run into that necromancer, and it feels like that eight years was for naught."

Sasha waited as Damian seemed to struggle with what to say. She gave him the time and the space to do so, thinking about the survivors and hoping they would be okay, and hoping it wouldn't take too long to get back to the guild. She was weary and was looking forward to just relaxing in the guild hall, have a drink, and some food, and good company, enjoy a few hours, and then go sleep.

When Damian began to speak, she looked to him again, listening, and taking it in. She thought about how to reply for a moment or two, and said softly, "There's always going to be someone who seems to be stronger then you Magical power is more then just...well, then just how strong you are. It's...about your reason to fight, your strength of feelings...magic is more then the energy that fuels it. We were taken by surprise, and had to act quickly. You'll get stronger we all will. You just have to remember that we're fighting for the guild, for each other"

She trailed off, and gave Damian a smile, feeling the boat slow, and looking to see the shore nearing. She hoped she was being reassuring, but she was worried that she just wasn't helping, and she looked to Damian, waiting for a reply or reaction

As Mayt spotted land, he chuckled and muttered "Land Ho!" To himself before getting up and heading over to Sasha. He chuckles as he sees the people around her, amused that there's so many. "Seems someone's popular." He'd say jokingly before handing Sasha back what remained of the Salve she had given him. He had made a point not to use up all of it. "Thanks for the salve though, should help a lot." He gave her a quirky smile before nodding to the other two and heading back to the front of the boat, putting one foot up on the railing and leaning on his knee. He smiles to himself, almost sad the boat ride was almost over. He enjoyed being on a boat more than any other mode of transportation. He took in a deep breath, and wondered if the Guild had the best bar in town.

Damian mulled over what Sasha had said as he felt the boat begin to slow down. Must almost be back to the mainland. Still, he enjoyed the sounds of the waves and the gulls, reminded him of pie for some odd reason. Still, Sasha was right. They had been unprepared and just trying to help the village the best they could, something Damian had still managed to do in his own way if he thought about it. "I...Thanks." He blushed slightly and sat back again, leaning back and closing his eyes while they finished the last little bit of distance to the mainland. "Hey, does the Guild have any pie?"

Sasha smiled, rising as the boat docked, putting away the salve Mayt had returned to her, figuring she'd have to go buy some more. If she could learn how to make it herself, she'd have a bigger supply of it, but she didn't know what went in there.

"The guild has the best pie around" She said, happily about that. "Have you found a place to stay? The guild has dorm rooms for its members. You have to pay for it, but it's handy to know, if you need a place to stay"

She checked she had everything, more then ready to be back at the guild. She looked about, knowing they were probably all tired, but it seemed to her that everyone still kept their head high, and she was proud to be a member of Phoenix Wing. They may not have won today, but they were all still here, and ready to go again. "Jarvis is a good cook, so you shouldn't worry about the pie"

---

Master Jamie looked over at her guild as the boat moved, and realising she still had Damian's sword, he went over, stopping and listening to the conversation, before interrupting. "Sorry, Damian. Your blade. I would have been lost without it" She said with a smile, all aspect of weariness seemingly gone

As the boat docked, Master Jamie waited for the rest of the guild to got off, still clutching the flag with the Ragged Brotherhood's mark on it. She couldn't help but think that she had seen it before, around Magnolia, but perhaps that was her own imagination.

He sighed.

Angelo fell asleep in the deck when he watched the clouds rolled by but he woke up when Mark peck his face to wake him up and Angelo groaned loudly "alright I'm up I'm up" Angelo groaned seeing Mark next to him most likely hungry from the event today with the dark guild as Angelo got up and grabbed some bread from below deck and came back up giving a piece to mark before Angelo jumped off the do going to the guild hall to see his mom

Mayt was off the boat near last, he almost said 'Too bad' when they had reached the land, but he shrugged and continued on. He made his way to a small restaurant to get a bite to eat. He suddenly realized his attire when he was about to enter, and turned to head back to his apartment, realizing walking into any place with bloodstains would not be a good idea. After changing and a little bit of dressing the injuries that were more than small scratches he headed back to the restaurant, ate some food, then went back to the guild. He figured he'd probably grab a drink then head over to the message board and look for a simple job that he could do that wouldn't take too long or be too hard, but he also wanted to talk with Sasha some. He decided that if Sasha was already talking with someone he'd just head to the board, he didn't like dropping in on other people's conversations.

As the boat docked, Sasha headed back to the guild, looking down at herself. Her clothes were dirt and ash covered, and she felt as if she were covered in sweat and grime, that she hurried to her room, seeing that Angelo's mother had left her room, and assumed that she was in the guild hall.

Sasha showered, enjoying the warm water, and slowing her breathing. She stayed there for a time, before getting out and changing clothes, drying her hair, and leaving it untied. She grabbed her satchel, before heading into the guild hall, and claiming a table.

She felt better, having done the simple human task of showering \making her feel rejuvenated and she leaned back in her chair, relaxed and content. She looked around the guild hall, and smiled. She loved it here, and she wouldn't change it for the world.

Upon returning, Lazarus returned to his home. He lived by himself pretty much. Sometimes people would stay over, but mostly... he was pretty lonely. His house was pretty empty too. He didnt buy many things, which would be seen as odd, considering one would assume he brought women home. False, he had not once brought a woman back to his home. He showered. The warm water running down his body felt good. He had't exactly taken any hits, but he had used a lot of magical power flying, and his tower of judgment consumed a large chunk of it. He got out of the shower, picking an outfit out. White trousers, with a white button up shirt, accompanied by his fluffy white coat, and black cane. He looked in the mirror and sighed. Phoenix wing, it was actually all he had left to hold on to.

Leaving his house, he was swarmed with doting girls from the city. "Lazarus-sama! Please sign this!" You could almost imagine the infamous eyes replaced with love hearts scenario. "Ladies... please, I have important matters for heaven to attend to." He winked and smiled, as the girls screamed at his use of the word heaven. "Just like they said he does in the magazine!!!" He sighed and left the girls to fantasize by themselves

Upon arrival at the guild, he straightened his fluffy coat, before walking to the bar and taking a seat. He needed a drink after today. He looked around the room. This... was home to him. He smiled, before catching sight of Sasha by herself. He used the most gentle and seductive voice his powers could muster up. "Eh... Aren't you supposed to be having a drink with me?" He folded his arms, sitting on the bar stool.

Sasha saw Mayt at the request board and was about to go up when she heard Lazarus call out to her,in a voice he clearly used as seductive. She turned to him, and smiled, "I believe I am, i do recall that you offered" She gathered her things, and went over to the bar, sitting down on a bar stool.

She had a fleeting thought that maybe Lazarus tried to hard to seem..cool and popular, but she pushed that thought away. If he wasn't, he wouldn't be in magazine. She settled down on her bar stall, and smiled once more. She squirmed slightly, before turning to Jarvis and asking for a drink, just going with mead because she knew she liked it, and wouldn't make a fool of herself drinking it.

She then turned back to Lazarus, studying him. "You really like to wear white" She said, in the matter of stating a fact. "It works for you" She added, trying to appear at ease, and relaxed.

He chuckled. "White is holy. It is what keeps us from the darkness." He smiled. "But thank you!" He darted his eyes over at the message board to see Mayt. "He's going out on a job now? Why does he need the money?" Mayt seemed to be a close friend of Sashas, or maybe he was wrong. However, Mayt was a guild member. "Listen... uh... my house is pretty empty, I'm sure your friend over there could stay a while if he is struggling for money." He rubbed the back of his head. If he was friends with Mayt, he could only get closer to Sasha. She ordered a mead, as did he to start with. After drinking that and making small talk, he turned to the bar. "Two of my specials, please." Two glasses of a clear liquid with pieces of red in it were served. "Now Sasha, I wanted you to have a drink with me, because I wanted to discuss something very important." He paused for a long time, taking a sip from his drink. He swiftly point a finger at her. "I want you to team up with me!" he grinned. "you were very impressive in heaven's eyes today, and I think we would make a great team!" He finished his drink in one, before pausing again.

"A drink is usually accompanied by a meal wouldn't you agree?" He stood up and used his cane for support. "Wont you accompany me? We wont be long, and I know this great place." This was a truer reflection of Lazarus' self. He wasn't really like he was in the magazines. He was flirty sure. But he had a kinder side too.

Sasha looked over at Mayt again, wishing she knew why Mayt was going on a job, and finding herself wishing she could join. But today had taken a lot of her, so unless he was going to go on the job tomorrow, Sasha doubted she'd be much help. She looked back to Lazurus "I don't know of he needs a place to stay or not. I think he has an apartment. I'm not too sure. You can ask Mayt if he'd like to stay with you" she said with a shrug, slowly drinking her mead

She took in the sight of Lazarus's special, wondering what it was, she debated about drinking it, looking to him when he said about discussing something very important. She blinked as he paused, and took a drink of the drink, for something to do. She stared at him in shock as he said he wanted to team with her. She hadn't ever gotten any team offers before-she had only ever gone of a team job with Mayt, be she had asked him along.

"Make a team with me?" She supposed her performance today might make someone want to team up with her, but that didn't mean she still wasn't confused about it. She finished her drink, hoping to give herself a moment to think, and figure out why. "Uh. Sure, we can team up." Although she doubted she be able to keep up with Lazarus. Sasha believed that Lazarus was higher in rank then she was, although she wasn't too sure what her magic rank would be.

She rose when he suggested a meal, half starved and eager for some food. "Of course, a meal sounds perfect" she said, glancing around the guild hall, slinging her satchel back over her shoulder "what was that drink?" She asked

Sylla was growling, slowly moving towards the rustling leaves. She kept her guard up, which in turn caused Selk to get into a combat stance. "Who lurks behind leaves?" He said, in an aggressive tone. Selk stepped closer, ready to take the form of a bear at a moment's notice. This caused a rather peculiar thought to enter his mind, which he smirked at from the darkness of his hood. As he and Sylla inched closer, Sylla stopped growling. Still in a defensive stance, she let out a rather lazy growl. It was clearly somebody from the Ragged Brotherhood, otherwise she would have lunged into the leaves.

"Is that you Isaac? Dear me, don't sneak up on an old man like that." Selk said with a light-hearted chuckle. "Come, join me on the coast. The shipment should be here any time soon."

Damian had accepted his sword back with a mumbled word of thanks before disembarking and retrieving his bag from the guild hall. As he picked his bag up, he realized he'd need to clean up somewhere. Talking to Jarvis briefly, he was directed to an empty dorm room that he could use until he was ready to find someplace else to stay. Thanking him, he goes up to the room, stopping at the bottom of the stairs to listen to the general chatter of the guild,he can't help but smile. I did it mom, I found a good guild. Now to make good on the rest of my promise. Going up the steps, he hums a cheery tune to himself as he locates room 22 and unlocks it before stepping in.

Closing the door, he takes off his shirt, covered in soot and bone dust and dirt, and drops it where he'd remember to grab it and take it to get it washed. He opens his window as well before heading for the bathroom, listening to the sound of the birds singing their song as he finished undressing. "Nice town, good people, good place to be. Don't think I could have found a better guild to join." Climbing in, he keeps humming to himself as the water runs over him, helping him to clear his head of the anger he had with himself and regret at focusing too much on the skeletons and necromancer over the villagers. What's done is done. Sasha's right. We'll be better prepared next time.

Climbing out, he gets dressing, a red shirt and blue pants under the leather armor he was rarely seen without. Pulling on his combat boots, he straps one cutlass to his hip and the other to his back. That's another thing I need to do. Learn to summon swords instead of using these from the military. But...I could never get rid of them... Dismissing the matter to the back of his mind, Damian goes down stairs to get some of that pie when he see's Sasha and Lazarus talking, with Lazarus saying something about dinner. While he wasn't naturally suspicious of the motives of a person he'd only met a little bit before, he couldn't help but notice the way Lazarus was approaching Sasha.

Then he remembered that Lazarus was the "Ladies Man of Phoenix Wing," and Magnolia's most available bachelor. Approaching the pair, he puts on a smile. "Sasha! Hey, I need to ask you something." He ignored the fact that he'd probably just cut Lazarus's attempt at hitting on her.

Isaac nearly rolled his eyes when he was asked to join Selk at the shore.
Of course he cared about the mission, but he hated to be around Selk Sarvog.
It was Selk's intimate relationship with nature.
It was disgusting to say the least.
Isaac chose a spot far from any trees and Selk as well as Sylla.
He waited and waited for the shipment.

~snippy~

Sasha blinked at the interruption. When had she suddenly become so popular? Was there something she was missing? Normally, in te guild she tended to keep to herself, but lately, people seemed to want to talk to her. She'd always gotten along well with Angelo, and Lazarus had been gone a while, but she still considered him a friend, and then there was Mayt, who she had enjoyed going on the job with, and Damian. Damian seemed nice enough.

Sasha frowned as she realized something. There weren't that many girls in Phoenix wing yet. So that wasn't odd that she seemed to have plenty of guys to talk to, was it? Sasha would perhaps never know. But she smiled at Damian, "hang on Lazarus!" She said, before turning her complete attention to Damian. Ask her something? She wondered what he could possible ask her. "Sure what is it?" She asked cheerfully

Angelo smiled as he got back to the guild seeing his mother talking to the bar keep and asking him questions about how Angelo has been and has he gotten a girlfriend yet and Angelo quickly pulled her away as gently as he could before she could embarrass him further " Im glad your okay mom but you cant just ask those kinds of questions about me" Angelo sighed but his mother smiled at him and hugged him softly " I just wanted to know about where my man has been working" She said softly smiling and Angelo hugged her close to him glad to feel his mothers hug once again then he lead her to a table and ordered some food since they had a lot of catching up to do and Angelo let mark out of his pocket and put him on the table and Angelo mother was about to hit mark but Angelo stopped her in time making mark flinch "no mom! hes my friend" Angelo said seriously and his mother panted softly and nodded in understanding although she may not like it at first she understood Angelo wanting a pet to have on his trips when she wasn't around

Damian sighed on the inside. Mission accomplished. Sorta. He returned his attention to his question, which was actually a fairly important one. "Well, I realized before I got in the shower that I'd need to learn to summon magic swords or something because I could actually kill someone," He taps the hilt of the cutlass on his hip, "with one of these if I'm not careful. So, I was wondering if you knew of any kind of sword summoning magic or something." He lowered his gaze as he finished the question, his old military self showing for just the briefest of moments. He'd been this way with his mother after he'd 'enlisted' with the Royal Army before his parents were killed.

"I mean, even if you don't know, if you knew someone who might, it would really help. I could never get rid of these swords, they've got a lot of importance to me, but I also can't use them if they're going to make me like someone from a dark guild."

Mayt sighed. None of the jobs looked like something he could start now and be done with today. He headed over to the bar, sitting down and grabbing a second drink. Yawning while he waited. He looked around the guild, noting how the people were clustered, who was popular, who liked to boast, who liked to listen to other people boasting. The thing he always did in any pub or bar. Sasha seemed fairly popular, but Mayt didn't find that surprising, there wasn't a lot of women around and she was nice. Nice people were generally liked by crowds. When Mayt got his drink he gulped most of it down in a moment, and asked the bartender about any rumors he'd heard, about anything in general. He was just curious what stories were going around, and if there just to happened to be rumors of a magical artifact, maybe he and a few other guild members could go and see if they could retrieve it. That would be interesting.