Once Melina stepped down from the Carriage, her posture almost regal, a mage charged her. He seemed to use a combination of some martial art form and fire magic, and found his ankle within Melina's grip after an attempted attack. His eyes widened, and she smiled as she snapped his ankle with a single movement, causing him to fall, shouting in pain. To quiet him down, Melina delt a sharp kick of her toe to his throat, causing him to cough and choke for a little before passing out. His breathing would return to normal after a moment, but the pair of attacks had successfully debilitated him for the duration of this fight. Melina then moved on to face the next mage, who had watched the other get defeated in seconds.

The wizard shook his head to get control of himself, and barely managed to get his arms up in the way of a particularly brutal kick that sent him sliding back. He managed to avoid another attack thanks to one of his friends lodging a blade in Melina's arm. There was a flash of smugness on both's faces, before the one with the sword saw Melina's blood actually crawling up his sword towards him, and binding it to her arm for the moment. He let go of the blade with a "What the hell?!"

Melina just chuckled, pulling the sword out of her arm without showing any pain. "Thanks for the sword." She slammed the butt of the blade into the nose of the surprised soldier, spraying blood everywhere and knocking him out of the fight, before turning back to the previous one. He seemed to be preparing some kind of assault, but was met with the slash of a sword before he could get anything substantial going. He dodged around Melina's wild attacks for a little before Melina finally managed to bean him in the head with the butt of the sword, knocking him down and out. Once she was done, she looked over at Damian and Karn, smiling, exhilarated.

Mithera did her best to hang on during Karn's sudden assault, ducking down and grabbing onto him with her claws. When he finally stopped, she took off as quick as she could, flying back on top of the carriage to watch the fight. She had no intention of participating in her current form, given its size and frailness.

She thought it was busy before. Now it was more than she knew what to do with. Stepping away from everyone she headed to the door to get some air. Where all these people came from she felt overwhelmed by the surge of various magics. While it was an odd thing she noticed in the past she didn't really give it much thought until now. What exactly was it exactly that caused her to feel it all?

Once outside she made it a few steps before she dropped to her knees. Even with the down time she hadn't quite recovered and now she was feeling rather sick. Taking some deep breaths she managed not to lose what she had eaten. It didn't clear up the tumult that was assaulting her though. All at once she wanted to rest but couldn't.

"You may be right. There may be nothing to find And everything may be fine. The way he spoke... it sounded like he'd done something drastic to get his hands on the original." Trinity sighed softly and shook her head. "Well, if nothing's happened, theeeen... we'll call it a little vacation. Though, how would your blood have gotten on the picture?"

When Alexi approaches them, Trinity smiled sweetly. "Hello, dear. Aah... I've only been here for a couple days, myself. Sooo... maybe." The poor thing seemed rather distraught, to be among all these people. Maybe getting out the city would be a good change of pace? "My name's Trinity, and I'm going to be going to Balsam Village soon, with Sasha, that cat, and that would-be manikin, over there." She nods to each once in turn, and turns back to Alexi. "I think there's room for at least one more, would you like to come with?" Then it'd be more guild members than not, at least.

Zero had been out of it for the beginning of the events which had transpired upon arriving at the village located near the base of Hakobe. "What the... Fuck is going on out there?" He asked in a mumble while sitting up from the laying position he'd been in. He'd come to a bit quicker than during the brief stop earlier, but this... This was going to take some serious getting used to. He scooted closer to the door and kicked it once. Then again when it didn't open on the first one. It wasn't until his third kick that it flew open into the face of a mage who subsequently dropped to the ground.

"Somethings really not right here..."
"No shit. Just keep quiet. I'm gonna need to concentrate."

Zero stepped out of the carriage finally and looked around. "This isn't right..." The villagers were scattering, running. Of course, they were. The place was a mess. He glanced around at the members of his group and then at the people. As much as he hated them, he knew he couldn't be happy about it. Zenoram wouldn't be. And there were some genuinely innocent people here.

"That damn dragon!"
"Didn't we make him happy?!"
"We should have outed it a long time ago!"

"No!" Zero overheard multiple cries of anger and frustration. They wouldn't listen to him if he tried to correct them, but... "Alright Mr. S-Class." He said angrily, through gritted teeth. "Our father. Hemlock. He is a dragon. He lives a while up from the based of Hakobe. But... Believe me, there's no way Hemlock did this. If he'd attacked... Everyone would be dead." He spoke the truth as quickly as he could before feeling something hit his head. A rock? Yeah. he already knew.

"You and that damn dragon!"
"You're fault!"
"DIE!"

More cries coming from passing villagers. He ignored them. Not wasn't the time for petty grudges. At least, not against them. He sniffed the air. "30." He then said. "That's the number of outsiders currently in and around the village. Though, the number of conscious ones is more like 22, give or take. Maybe 25." He knew the scent of every member of the village. Years of learning had allowed that much closeness with the people, regardless of his disdain for them.

------------------------------------

"Geez... How long is it going to take you two to get that damned thing under control?!" The voice of a young looking woman broke the concentration of two young looking males. "I mean... I thought you said that magic you took your time learning would put it under your command."


"It will Maki!" One of the men answered, has he shook some of the dark brown hair draping over his eyes out of the way of his face while he tried to focus on Hemlock.


"At least, it will if you shut the hell up." The other male sporting white and black hair sounded off. "Now concentrate Varen!"


"Oh who asked you Haemos?!" The girl barked as she huffed and turned away.

"If now really the time for this?!" Varen said quickly.

"All of you need to stop this idiotic bickering." The final member of the small group spoke up tired of hearing their childish squabble. "Varen, Haemos. Get the beast under control. We can't afford losing this chance." He spoke to which the two finally nodded. "And Maki. You're coming with me. We'll need to head down the mountain with the rest of the men. We'll need to make sure nobody, regardless of how insignificant they may be, gets anywhere close to here. You can go first. Now move!" He finished barking his orders to which Maki huffed and began to do as he said gathering the rest of their forces and beginning to head down.


"I'm listening for now you bastard. But remember. I'm not your underling. And this was our plan. So don't get all high and mighty." Haemos spoke up with a growl. "Alright Uriel?!"

The one known as Uriel simply chuckled. "Of course Haemos." He said before the man's wings... Wing?! Yes wings unfolded and he carried himself into the sky. "Idiot." He chuckled as he began his own descent down the mountain, taking his time.

"What's happening? I can't... Hemlock was struggling. He was doing his best, but these two. They were... They were taking control of his mind. But he wasn't going to give in so easily.

"Come on you damn beast! Submit!"

"Seriously! Hurry up and give!"

Haemos and Varen spoke respectively one after the other as they fought this mental battle with Hemlock prompting the monstrous creature to release a pained roar of anger.

------------------------------------

Zero's head snapped in the direction of Mt. Hakobe. The roar was faint, but he had heard it off in the distance. "Hemlock..." He said simply. "We have to get to that damned mountain." He grit his teeth. He hadn't run off yet, which was a miracle. But he could smell them. Others. Descending the mountain. The idiots that had been taken down so far were nothing compared to what lied ahead. And he could tell. There weren't many. But some stronger than anticipated were there.

@Zarkun@Silver Fox@Burthstone

Jarvis gave a laugh, looking over to Jamie. "There isn't really much difference between the two. Both would do anything for their respective guilds. Jamie is...eccentric. A little odd, but you will see that. Jamie seems to be quite busy, right now. But I suspect soon you will be able to speak with her" He said, leaning against the Bar, eyes watching Jamie as he went towards her office.

"But Jamie is the best person I know. One second" Seeing one of the Communication Lacrima Jarvis kept under the bar glow, he picked it up, listening to the message, and frowning.

"maybe it will be a little bit longer before you see and speak with Jamie"



"you've always been in Magazines, Lazarus" Sasha said with amusement, "Just less "commitmenty" type ones"

She looked over to Trinity when she spoke again, "I was injured from the S class exams we had the day before. My side. First, I think, it was Mayt who slashed my side open, and then Angelo made it worse. In any case, during the fight, it opened once more, and I guess someone from the Magazine might have helped, I don't know. It was three months ago, and I was more focused on the Demon and getting back to the guild. It bodes looking into in any case" She said, looking over as a new girl came over.

"i'm Sasha. And that there is Lazarus" She said, nodding to Lazarus, and smiling.



"Love makes you weak" Penny said softly, looking away, "And I already love too many people. Being in love with someone will just make it even more complicated" She didn't want to talk about this, didn't want to, especially with a half man, half cat.

"Riddles annoy me, Prince Kitty." She said with a weary sigh. "If you're searching for Karn, you aren't just a 'stray cat'. And I can't help but wonder if you'll be dragging in trouble for him, without meaning it"

She looked towards Nero, but had very little idea who he was. Well, none actually. "I'm pretty sure that weirdness is attracted to this guild" she sighed softly



Master Jamie looked to Ayame, "this way, child. I don't bite" Jamie said, giving her a kind smile. "Would you prefer a different shape? Something less...intimidating?" Jamie asked, appearing thoughtful for a moment, before changing to his child-like form.

She gave a smile, even in this form, it was still hard to tell Jamie's true gender. In fact, it was the same form that Jamie was when Jarvis first encountered Jamie. "Sometimes, being intimidating is a necessity of a guild master" Jamie said kindly.

He led the way to his office, judging the door open, and she flopped onto her seat

Amaya VanIsis

Amaya took in several slow deep breaths while she kept her eyes closed and played with her hair. She was hoping by not seeing and messing with. Her hair that she would be able to not get motion sickness. So far so good, no sickness or anyth- crap, not working, oh God she thought as she quickly pulled her herself half way out of the carriage trying not to hurl everywhere. She couldn't stand any manade vehicle. She was fine if she rode a animal or something but she was never find riding a vehicle. Her mother warned her of what will happen, man she should have listened. She was silent and hanging out of the window for most of the ride she did take note of floe and Lucie hoping out to deal with things before hopping back in. Once the carriage stopped she crawled out of the window landing hard on her stomach laying face down and silent she lifted her head up before lifting her hand up" I am okay...go on ahead I will catch up...stupid siclness"she commented laying her head and arm back on the ground.

Unable to shake the feeling of being crushed by all the various magical energy Ariel lean to one side and passed out at the guild hall steps. Still tired from earlier and with this as well she couldn't stay awake.

The commotion of everyone returning had drawn much attention. So there was no telling when she would be found there. Hard to care when you're not awake though. In her condition she could probably sleep anywhere.

As Karn watched as the others pretty easily took care of the other opponents he sighed in relief though his ears twitched as Damian made the demand, and soon Karn changed back into his human form, scratching the back of his head, but Zero soon came out and pretty much yelled the whole explanation. As the Dragonslayer sniffed the air, identifying the strangers within the village, Karn sniffed the air and noted the powerful presence. Quite a few including that man from earlier.

Two were coming closer from the mountain, while the man from earlier was still deep in the village.

He looked to Zero, whom seemed obviously worried for his father. Almost looking like he was ready to bolt on ahead toward it. Whatever these people were doing to Hemlock, it couldn't be good. Karn was a little torn. He felt like someone should quickly run on ahead toward the mountain to Hemlock while the others stay behind and distract the three more powerful mages away from the dragon and save those of the village who were in danger. Yet that was reckless. If they didn't count Mithera, who couldn't fight in that form, or Melina who probably was doing what she liked and Karn wasn't quite sure if she was wishing to fight or not. Seemed like she didn't mind but he wasn't sure. There were only three of them.

Damian was a S Class, so maybe he could take a few on his own, but it was still reckless throwing him into unknown territory with outnumbered odds.

Still, Karn was worried about Hemlock, Zero more so.

"Zero-kun, Dammy, how about you two head straight to the mountain if you can? Whatever they are doing to Hemlock can't be good for anyone if it caused this much destruction. I can distract the ones in the and nearing the village, and if Melina is willing to help me, we can do it together. Mithera, can you fly in the sky and keep a eye on us from the sky to let either group know something is in trouble and need help?" Karn explained, although it was more asking rather than ordering. He didn't really have too much confidence in telling others what to do, so it just came off as suggesting things. It may not be a good idea, but it's what he thought might be good in this situation and he had confidence in everyone's abilities.

Weither they agree or not, as Karn heard another scream, he turned into a cat and bounded deeper into the village. When he was in the middle of the flame engulfed village, he saw the man from earlier. He was waving his hands, black smokey emitting from them before clashing down on houses and trees, extinguishing the flames. A a large dog sized black smokey slimey creature lept out of the building, carrying a child from its jaws from the scruff of the shirt before dropping the child as his mother came running over and hugging the child tightly.



"There will be a time for joy, sorrow, and anger later. Follow the others out of the village. Stay away from the village and trees for your safety and remain calm. Panicking may only lead to you into more danger." The man explained, his voice calm and cool, pointing to a clear path where flames had been extinguished. Villagers quickly retreating along it.

As his stronger companions finally neared, he glanced his golden eyes their way. "Please do tell me the beast is under control." he said with minor annoyance as he looked at the winged man in the sky.

Karn stopped as he saw the man, ears twitching. He was helping the villagers? Didn't he cause this? But as the black haired man spotted the cat, his golden eyes narrowed and his black beast snarled at him, eyes glowering at the feline.

"Well, good to see they sent some competent vile creatures. It will make it better to kill you." The man said venomously cool, showing no hint of kindness, but just pure hatred within his golden eyes.

Turning into a human, Karn stood and looked at him. "....What are you doing to the dragon?" he asked.

The man paused for a moment as he looked at the boy. "Why are you almost naked and are you a girl with a really really flat chest or just a girly boy?" he asked with a dead panned expression.

Karn blinked, looking down at himself before flailing his arms. "That's not important! Answer!" Karn whined and pouted.

"Nah." he answered.

As some C class man tried to sneak up behind Karn, the blonde changed into a cat just as his opponent swung before biting his leg. The enemy squealed before tumbling and falling flat on his face. As another tried to swing a axe down at the feline, Karn transformed into a giant purple snake, sinking his fangs into the second opponents arm. The man cried out before freezing. Body feeling the paralyzingly venom and completly freezing and falling over.



At Penny's words, he hummed as he sensed that she rather not talk about this subject. Cat instincts and all. But he said a brief thing on the matter, his smile a bit softer and more genuine. "I find it best making many happy memories with sad ones when you can, then the ones that are lonely. But perhaps I'm just a silly naive feline like the kitten." he mused before his smile brightened.

At the mention of Karn he laughed a little. "Well if you haven't noticed just yet, that kitten sort of attracts all sorts of trouble all on his own. Quite worrying really. He probably even went for that dragon job. That's like him. But if you really are curious, it is for both of our benefits. After all, I don't think your guild has many healing wizards yes? Difficult skill to learn. And, I have been pondering to steal him away from this Guild. But it seems he's made quite a few friends already. So I suppose I'm a little late for that." he grinned as he pulled out a wizard rose from his sleeve and twirled it by the stem between his index finger and thumb.

Humming at the mention of strange wizards he nodded. "Indeed, but that's what makes it fun right? It be boring if they weren't strange." he chuckled, ears flicking as he listened to what others were doing. Including Ariel who seemed to have retreated, and Trinity talking with Sasha who was with Lazarus, and Alexi. Seems like their little team was about ready to go. Quite a group.

Just like that, a whole new squadron of magicians materialized, replacing what had most fortuitously been empty air with a dozen haggard bodies. Instantly Nero comprehended the method by which the unexpected company arrived, but he marveled unmitigated, eyebrows arched, at the strength of the teleportation spell necessary to accomplish such a deed. Surely, he dared to guess, not all of these could be guild members? And yet Phoenix Wing's mark gleamed, beneath whatever sweat and dirt strove to muddy it, on a handful of their bodies. The rest Nero could assume lay hidden beneath their clothing. Now that he considered it, several of the wizards boasted fantastic clothes of unidentifiable fashion and origin not at all uninviting for Nero to incorporate in the ever-expanding index of the Law of Raiment. Alongside this, the genie wondered if any of these fine warriors, newly returned from endeavors afar, would care for his own unique brand of assistance.

With the interesting new retinue, however, there came a predictable response from little Ayame. Nero struggled to imagine why a young girl like herself, even one homeless as he supposed her to be, would sport such a crippling terror when it came to others. Preferring one-on-one interaction represented a common phenomenon; shrinking in fear at the sight of a bunch of people, however rank-smelling, in one place hinted at some deeper disorder. “Sure, sure. Over there,” he steered her in the right direction, watching as Jamie morphed into childlike form. How deceptive! People always trust children. “And if you return, we're gonna have a chat about your ridiculous phobia.”

Leaving the Edolas crew and his only friend behind, Nero sauntered up to the bar and placed an order from the nondescript tender for food with a grin from ear-to-ear. Despite a dubious glance, the young man on duty complied, and Nero soon found himself in the possession of a plate of mouth-watering potato, carrot, and pork. He allowed his repressed hunger to surge forth, and it was all the dark mage could do to remove his gloves and fold them neatly aside before digging in. “Ah, dry and wholesome! After a whole day, anything tastes great!” He remarked with gleeful condescension between bites, and downed a carved-horn cup sloshing with water. After a taste, he paused for a moment in his feast to retrieve a small vial from his pouch. A drop plopped promisingly into the drink, the dark mage waved his hand, and the clear water became a murky purple liquid. “What a blessed day!” He took a sip, sighed in pleasure, and set it down. “It took me ages to be able to use the Law of Embodiment on various liquids,” he explained to an uncomprehending and uninterested bartender, whose eyes were narrowed in skepticism at the liquid. “But it pays off in the end! Isn't that right, Horned One?” Nero pulled a cloth doll from his pouch and set it on the counter next to his plate. It depicted in ironic cuteness a ghastly, goatlike creature with black hair, three eyes, horns like a moose, and six legs tipped with what looked like smaller goats. The genies flicked its head with affectionate callousness, knocking it over, and returned with infectious joviality to his meal.

Lazarus

He sighed. "I don't ask to be in magazines. It's annoying when girls rush up to you asking for autographs when you are on a job." He frowned. "However..." He struck an seriously exaggerated pose, despite looking incredibly good looking and model like. "Trinity." He already knew her name. "You still haven't told us exactly what you need us for on this job." He grunted. A new member approached them. He nodded at her. "You do not need to be shy. This is a heavenly group. I am Lazarus, god slayer and angelic Mage. Please introduce yourself." He held out his hand to shake.

@Amaya Tamashii@Lugubrious@BrodZ11711

It was a quiet, peaceful time traveling along the countryside. That would've been plainly a lie; a girl was busy heaving and moaning from motion sickness for almost the entire time. Seven god damn hours of listening to this woman moan and groan over and over again. Nolan had nearly ripped the stick being used to steer the carriage right off, but he wouldn't allow himself to lose composure again, not for a fifth time today. Still...hearing Amaya do this made him feel queasy. The problem is that Nolan was one of those people that threw up at the sight of people on the verge of or actually vomiting so he just kept his eyes on the road the entire time. His eyes however had turned to the attention of Lucas who dashed off and a few minutes later an explosion was faintly heard out in the distance, a tower of dust and debris appeared behind him.

Great...a guy whose magic goes off at random moments, a motion sick mage, and a dusty woman that probably still doesn't trust him yet. Perhaps the odds would've been in his favor if he just went alone. It was too late turn back now; they were more than halfway towards their destination. Nolan stopped the carriage and opened the carriage door. "We're almost there."

When the rest of them got out, saving Amaya due to her motion sickness, they would see that they were in a town that looked like it belonged in a Clint Eastwood western movie. "That's as far as the carriage can take us. From here on out we'll have to rent horses to enter the desert. We are to reconvene by the gate of the town in two hours. Gather supplies: water, food, information, whatever you need for this job. Dismissed." While the way he said it may had sounded bossy, he was pretty much the only one that knew anything about the area due to studying it in a book to prepare himself. Still, he did act like he was the leader of the group since out of the four of them Fleo and him were probably the strongest due to being both A rank mages.

Ayame silently walked behind Nero still looking at the other guild members in deep fear. The distance they had to walk wasn't that long but if she had to go alone she would have probably already sunk onto the ground halfway. Jamie wanted to show he didn't intend to do something to her by saying sweet words and making their apearance that of a child. Ayame didn't know if she would trust him more now or his other form that she had already been used to. She answered Jamie softly with her eyes averted to something else in the room "I don't mind r-really." Nero left the two as they both walked into Jamies office. Ayame turned around before entering and stammered something out at Nero in shyness "T-thank you."

She entered the office and closed the door behind her first leaning against the door with her arms behind her back and gave a heavy sigh in the progress. She finally alone with someone else that she atleast knew a little. Thinking about it she hadn't even noticed that it was impossible for a normal person to change appearance or age up till now. It wasn't that weird anymore for her the cat man and Nero had already freaked her out enough to make this look normal. She stood up back to her legs and sat down in front of Jamie on the other chair. At first her face was very natural with a normal look just staring at Jamies face. Only a moment later she already started blushing and looking away. Jamie was to unfamiliar after all, it made her a little uneasy but not as much as she would have when she was facing 10 strangers. She was as stiff as a fork sitting there, her the palms of her hands were forcly pressed against her legs while she was sitting. Her voice was back to the normal volume but it had some bits of emberasment shown in her words "What did you need me for."

(Editing grammar)

"Well, if the Master is busy, we can wait. Sides, I think Amelia needs to rest a bit. I doubt any further excitement will do her good." Joshua said, leaning against the bar now." You feeling any better after getting a bit of food in your stomach?"

"No, not really." Amelia said.

"Well, then you should get some rest. She gonna stay in your room Jarvis or will she get one of her own? Frankly, I think if a girl her age started living with you people might..." Joshua started saying until Amelia held up her hand.

"Don't... finish that sentence." She mumbled as red lights appeared around her and the air began rapidly heating up.

"Spirit of fire... dully noted." Joshua said, remembering the green lights that had come out of Amelia's wings before Golem appeared.

Looked further down the bar where there was a commotion of some sort, Joshua spotted a man who dressed in a matter that was chaotic at best and outright weird at worse. Guessing Amelia wouldn't take well to his man's presence, as it had taken her several days to talk to Joshua and Jarvis even remotely as well as she was now. Before, she had simply hidden from everyone. She might talk to Sasha and Lazarus as well, since they had greeted her into the guild.

Putting that aside, Joshua walked over to the stranger.
"You know, it might be in your best interest to shut up. Some people here might not take so well to your ramblings. Like me for instance." Joshua said

[James]

James had put his best effort forward to ignore the happenings around him so he could better work on understanding his magic. However, people joining wasn't ignored despite his facade of inattention. What broke his back, however, was the unnecessary rudeness shown between Joshua, who to his knowledge, wasn't a member of the guild, and Nero, who was a prospective client for the guild, as unfortunate as it was. Standing up, James puts himself rather forcefully between the pair. "Now that was just an extremely rude thing to say. He's potential client and he's allowed to say what he likes. If you don't like it, ignore he's not here or find another part of the guild to wait for Master Jamie in."

Penny sighed softly. This 'Prince' didn't seem to be particularly harmful, but Penny was a bit wary. After all, how did someone get stuck with cat ears and a tail? it wasn't that odd, but it seemed like it needed a bit of an explanation "Steal him away? What, do you have your own guild, or were you just going to travel just the two of you? Because I don't think that would be good. Karn got himself into trouble with at least five others around him the other day. Apparently it had something to do with water"" She said, looking over at the others as well.

Another girl she didn't recognise. Another new guild member. What had happened, the last two days, to have such an influx of new members?

Well. Penny supposed that was a good thing, the guild growing, but it was hard enough to keep track of everyone as it was.



"We have plenty of rooms, Joshua. And it looks like Jamie is expanding the guild as well. So Amelia, and even yourself, can have your own rooms" Jarvis said, watching Amelia as the red lights appeared.

Maybe something had happened between here and Edolas. Jarvis wished he knew more about her magic. "Would your mother know whats wrong, if you summoned her?" Jarvis asked softly, but stood up as Nero approached.

He studied the strange mage for a moment, and then seemed to dismiss him. But as James stood up and spoke up, Jarvis said "he's no bother. Just someone who needs a little help and attention. Like the rest of us, really. I think he tries to get people riled, because then it means someone's paying attention to him"



in this form, Jamie could barely touch the ground with his feet when sitting. Not that that really mattered. As Ayame came in, Jamie gave her a smile.

I don't need you for anything. I simply wished to talk. You have magic. I can sense it, and you've had bad experience's using it, as well as good ones. I can see that, too. I don't need to know what those experiences were, but obviously, they were enough to send you running. For you may be homeless, but you're just running, ,aren't you?" She spoke softly, kindly.

"We can teach you how to control your magic. How to use it, so that you don't lose control. We can give you a room, and food. And help you stop running. If you want, we can give that to you. If not, then we can at least make living on the street more bearable. But eventually, what ever happened before to make you start running...will happen again"

Alexi - Phoenix Wing Guild Hall

Alexi looked at Trinity, and smiled. She was nervous, but having been invited to go on a job by not one, but two members of the Guild made her feel happy. She was still incredibly nervous, but it gave her hope. Maybe, if she could keep what she really was a secret, she would be able to fit in until they found her Brother, and a cure.

"Sure." Alexi said finally, smiling. "I'd love to come. I don't have any money anyway, and I need to find a place to stay soon, so the more money I can get the better." She glanced over a Prince, knowing that he was coming too. She couldn't help but wonder if he would try to talk to her again. Probably. Hopefully this time she wouldn't act like such a....well school girl.

"Thank you for inviting me." She said, looking at Trinity again. "I'm not very good with people, so excuse me if I seem...withdrawn."

She then turned to Lazarus, who seemed quite charming, she had to admit. At least everyone in the Guild seemed to be nice...in their own unique way.

"Alexi. It's nice to meet you." She said, gingerly taking the man's hand and shaking.

"If you wish to stay at the guild, its 15 percent of your earnings rent to do so. So its not a bad deal. if you have a crappy month, you don't have to be worried about paying rent" Sasha said brightly, "i've been in the guild for a few years now. And a first, I didn't talk to anyone. Terribly shy, I was. But I found after a time, it as hard to not talk and interact with people. Youll be fine here" She smiled, handing the photo back to Trinity.

"When do we leave?

Prince couldn't help but let out a laugh at her words. For someone who seemed reserved to love, it seemed she really did find herself caring for others. It was amusing, but a little touching and cute. "Oh trust me, I'm used to babysitting. He was much more a handful as a little one. Opposite as he is now. Let's say, he went to the water instead of away when I first met him." he said with a cheery smile, despite the dark vague undertone he said. If she would understand it or not, he wasn't sure.

"Maybe I am or not. But my thinking was it would be better to have his medication close as hand and his step kin with him to keep a good eye on the little fella. Especially since time is running quite thin and I worry of not keeping a eye on him now. But, perhaps I don't have to worry so much. Since already he has people looking out for him like you already. By the looks of it, someone will at least watch him." Prince mused, ears flicking toward Trinity, Sasha, Alexi and Lazarus before grinning a little.

"But, for fair warning for a lovely lady as you. If you're afraid of the sad times that come with loving or caring for someone. I suggest dropping any feeling for Karn. Afraid I haven't figured out a way to change fate. And you know what animals do when their story is about to end right? Well, I suppose you will know when it happens." he mused softly before smiling brightly and kissing the back of her hand, tipping his hat before dancing away.

"See you sometime beauitful bird! Rest up well, I'm sure you deserve it after your little adventure!" the feline chirped before coming up with the group, tail flicking gingerly as he placed his clawed hands on Alexi's shoulders gently from behind.

"Ohhhh it's to make sure these lovely ladies are not alone with me and that guy. After all, you're more experienced Guild members and sending these two on their very first job with Mr. Giant Kitty creature might be weird. Of course, I don't mind either way." Prince grinned, wrapping his long arms around Alexi's and Trinity's shoulders in a friendly hug as he leaned down so his head was between them and at their level. His fanged grin showing as his ears twitched mischievously toward Lazarus's question.

With Amaya sliming her way out through the window and Nolan departing the vehicle as well, Fleo was only too happy to relieve herself of the carriage's security. Though still assailed by concern for her comrade's well-being, the dusty woman could not repress her gratitude for the journey's end. Her magenta eyes scanned the duned horizon, then a frontier town blended with the sands by wear and age. It stood, a cluster of buildings huddled around the road upon which Team Powder Keg had arrived, dually a sentry against whatever thirsty vengeance might sweep up from the barrens beyond and a last resort for those courageous enough to test the ruthlessness of nature. Fleo fell into line without complaint when Nolan ventured to play the leader, having learned from numerous past experiences her ineptitude at calling the shots, and was the first person to reach the dry, withered town of Reezun.

The town's name she discovered etched in a signpost, albeit one tilted such in the loose, infertile earth that she had to bend over to read it. Without thinking about it, Fleo slipped loose one of her bandages, which snaked around the little post and pulled it upright. With the job done, it rejoined the rest of its fellows on her arm, covering again the sliver of a secret she'd just absentmindedly bared. Even then, it hadn't been wholly a thoughtless act; the inch-long smidgeon of dust momentarily revealed looked enough like skin in this light to fool even the perceptive observer who might have managed to catch the sight in the first place. Without much hesitation despite so strange and rustic a locale, Fleo continued another hundred feet to the town center, where two women were chatting by the well. “Hi there!” She beamed, and the women, while not convinced enough to return appropriate friendliness, still nodded politely. Fleo took this as clearance to keep talking.

“My friends and I are on the trail of a murderer. He's a wizard who uses sand. Can you tell me anything?”

A minute later, she had been redirected to the shack of a man who had actually seen the rogue mage, for indeed, that ominous person had passed through these parts. After being cordially invited in by and introduced to the man, a scruffy-bearded old minister, Fleo listened with acute interest to his tale. He offered more information than she had expected; after witnessing the oddity of the rogue wizard, he had apparently taken a worried interest, and visited several contacts throughout the reason in his own quest for information. All that he had managed to turn up he imparted to Fleo, whose cheeriness succumbed to uncharacteristic solemnity. “Wow...I oughta tell the others. Thank you for your time!”

The minister bowed slightly. “Yer welcome. Please, when ya find this feller, tread with caution, but not with fear. I can tell from yer worldly aspect that you're a person with the ideals of truth and spiritual beauty in yer mind. Keep those close in yer learning and even in yer fighting, and ye'll surpass any poor soul whose spirit lies bound in meanin'lessness. Take care, Miss Plector.”

“You too, Mr. Hemwick!”

Rather pleased to have met such a conveniently courteous and helpful individual -they did exist in this world, after all!- Fleo sought out her allies, now likely done with their chores.



At first, it appeared that Joshua's remark had gone utterly ignored. Then, as he chewed, Nero raised his hand and a single finger in the universal gesture of hold on. After swallowing, and delaying the conversation another cheeky handful of seconds by gulping down his wine, the genie turned to face the man who interrupted his meal, the smile on his face dissonant with the downward slant of his eyebrows.

Before he could reply, James interceded. For a moment Nero sat there baffled, his mouth frozen half-open in mid-speech, before he recognized exactly what the silky-brown-haired man had done. Protection of others was a phenomenon arising either from necessity, attraction, or pity, and as much as Nero wanted to indulge his ego he felt only one was the case here. He wanted nobody's pity; if he took their feelings of sadness, they made him weaker. Nero recoiled as Jarvis tuned in to the act as well. This was too much. Even if their intentions were pure, they should be able to see what a disservice they were doing him.

“Hey now,” he chided, “I can fend for myself, you two. You've got some good points, though. I can say whatever I want, and what you said was...extremely rude. But it sounded like a wish to me, and wishes are what I do best!” Nero took a bite of carrot, crunched it up quickly, and swallowed. He then pushed the plate away, and it scraped across the counter with a note of finality. His smile was wide, and his tone flighty, as if struggling to carry a laugh. “If you wanna cut short these dulcet tones, why, you'd just have to knock me off my stool. It'd be pretty easy, too, strong-looking fellow like you, skinny runt like me. Then I'd give you all the silence you'd want! Tehee.”

Joshua merely gave James a cursory glance before focusing on Nero again.
"I speak however damn well I please, no matter who it is I'm talking to. If I think Jarvis or Master Jamie are being idiots, I will not hesitate to call them such. Tis just the way I am. After all, why honey my words when the truth is what some need to hear." He said, giving a slight shrug. Turning back around, he raised a dismissive hand."I only came over to shut him up incase he up set someone or started scaring some kids. As for you clown-man, it was not a wish. Wishes are for those who lack the confidence to achieve their goals on their own terms and with their own strength.

And while I don't know your goals, I will say this. If you focus on granting others their own wishes, don't ever expect to achieve your own. After all, if you don't focus on your own wish or goal, how do you expect to achieve or get it?"

With that, he walked away and out of the guild, deciding he needed some fresh air. Fresh Earthland air.

"He's back to normal." Amelia mumbled." Mr. Jarvis, when can I go to my room? Or will I be in yours?"