Jessica stepped forward next to Linia, and looked at Dryllis and his companions to speak. "If Independent means a faction with no 'Lord', then yes that is what we are!" She spoke out loudly. "Now, who are you all and what's your purpose?" She asked them. This was what she learned in the Militia. Diplomacy first, battle second... but always attempt to avoid the latter. She hope they were friendly, for there was more fighting today than she has ever fought before.

---

"Well, we are just going up to a fellow named Cia to get something. She might be hesitant at first, but eventually we will get this item. This item is critical to our cause and this task will surely test to see if you are ready to be an intern!" Eric had told Edward. The group proceed to walk to Cia as she started to walk away. "'cuse my lady! I was aware that you have some wares we can purchase, especially that of some Twisted Marbles..." Eric had said trying to catch her attention. "Surely money is something you can't refuse!" He added then faced Edward. "Hopefully we can get a discount for this Gem... The kinder you are, typically the nicer they will be with the price..." He whispered into Edwards ear before facing back up.

Edward tilted his head when he heard that what Eric and him are about to do involves money. "I hope your form of Diplomacy isn't that of bribing... because that's just unreasonable. If you are trying to bargan for a lower price, I suggest complementing her for her business and/or her appearance. This will stimulate the Feel Good, Do Good Phenomenon where if people feel good, they are more likely to do favors, which in your case is the reduction on this quote on-quote gem..." Edward said to Eric as they walked towards Cia. Eric then says "...The kinder you are, typically the nicer they will be with the price..." Edward blew a sigh showing irritation because he just told him this. Not trying to ruin his intern experience, he keeps his mouth shut.

Cia took a deep breath as the two approached her. "We aren't having this conversation in the open." Cia said as she lead them to the cafe shortly before anyone entered it. "I'll be with you in a moment sir!" Cia said with a smile was she took the two men into the back room. "I have no doubt you have the money, and the current price is going to be about $40,000." Cia said as a greedy look came upon her face. Of course this item was very expensive due to it being a powerful object of power, and it was one of kind. "Now unless you have anything else to offer in this trade I'm afraid that will be by price.

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Linia meanwhile decided to atleast try to describe it. "It's like an alliance among individuals, anyways, what is it you are looking for here?" Linia asked she hoped that the dead soldiers were proof enough that she wasn't an enemy, at least she wasn't one yet unless they attacked her first. She hoped that the answer would be no them.

"Hm...?" Jace thought as he sees three people approaching the cafe and decided to hide. He saw two gentleman and a woman that he seems to recognize from somewhere. "Have I seen her before?" He thought and decides to eavesdrop nearby outside the cafe's back part.

As he was about to move, he sensed something or someone, staring towards him. He decides to look at where the stares are coming from to see a glimpse in the horizon of a knight staring at him. "Those are the ones I saw before. They didn't even noticed me waving at them." He irritatedly thought and began moving closer to the point he can hear what's going on inside the cafe. At that point,
he grabbed one of his firebombs and punctured a hole in it with a sharp rock he found nearby and slowly let it drip flames, he then finally manipulated it into a small drill like object and slowly drilled a hole into the backroom silently to hear what they're saying.

Eric was brought into a café of some sort then brought into a backroom. It was then when he was given the introductory of the item... and the awefully high price. "Now now let's see what I got..." He said as he looked into his wallet. He sees a mixed currency of both American Dollars and Gold Coins he received from Cinia. He wasn't sure how much Pure Gold could get him in american dollars, so he pulls out a table in his wallet which was a currency converter. He could see that for every Gold Coin that he got from Cinia (Each weighing approximately an ounce), that one coin would give him $1176.5 U.S. Dollars!!! You have to be kidding... this price is ridiculous! But then again, this isn't no ordinary artifact. he thought to himself and counted how much cash he had. He had 20 Gold Coins and a Card that held $5,000. That totaled it up to $28,520.00 U.S. Dollars! When Eric's luck couldn't get any worse, he started to smell burning phosphorus. He couldn't find where the source was coming from. "Uhhhh I hope this place isn't burning down, otherwise we might need to delay this possible transaction..." Eric said looking around wondering where the smell was coming from.

Once Suzanne got her clothing, she put it in her bag and decided to walk up to where Jessica and Linia were. This was an interesting group, as she was just looking for a guild to join. Once she heard the conversation between the two groups, she spoke to Linia quietly. "So you guys aren't a guild? Well why don't we form a little group of ourselves! Since you seem to be the one to take charge, why don't you be our little Leader!" She asked her.

---

Edward awkwardly followed Eric and Cia. He was unaccustomed to what appeared to be a black market exchange, but if he wanted to have a good recommendation from his interns, he'll just keep his mouth shut. Once they got into the backroom, he heard about the item once more and it's price. $40,000!!! Do people even carry that much money around them these days? He thought to himself. He then heard a slight humming sound followed by a putrid smell. He looked around until he saw a hole forming and someone's eye on the otherside. He then proceeded to get closer to the hole and point at it. "Since it seems that you chose a poor place to conduct this exchange, which had allowed somebody to take notice and gain possible information, I believe word will spread of this item thus devaluing this item. I believe that's how items like this work, and if so, I suggest for the inconvenience, $25,000 U.S Dollars should be it's new price!" He said while tapping his finger on the table.

Aurous is not the best neither worst when it came to diplomatic situations but he decided to stay out of this one for now. He believes the more people the more problematic the confrontation will become. Although he did her what there conversation was about and just listening brung forward many questions that Aurous needed answers to.

Forming this so called guild with these people wouldn't be a bad idea. They all are magic users after all and their company would most likely brighter Aurous's mood. But that's enough thinking for himself a guild needs to be formed bacause of those previous demonic guys. Who's gonna stop them if a guild isn't form. Sure the knights or who ever watches over the town would help but who can say that the knights are strong enough to face these types of foes.

"Um excuse me...i agree a guild wouldn't be a bad idea. Together we are very powerful so we can use our strength to probably protect the citizens or any defenseless being period." He knows he interrupted their debate but he wanted to at least say something to show he has a brain of his own. Hopefully him saying that can persuade Dryllis to stop questioning them.

Dryllis looked at them as the conversation completely changed to that of a 'Guild'.

"I suppose if this guild of yours is designed to deal with the forces of Dracuil and his allies... I could be party to that." he said reluctantly, wondering if this would even gather traction enough to become reality. Many guilds and alliances had been formed over the ages; only the alliances of the Lords had made any traction as all others fell to one problem or another.

"Ah, it seems I've been found out" Jace murmured and quickly backed away. He knew someone was bound to see him. He was oddly curious on what was going on and to see who that girl was that he oddly remembers.

Jace then stood up and walked back to the front of the cafe and went on to his business. Or so he thought. Before he knew, he was hiding nearby waiting for them to come out. sigh "Why am I doing this again? Their bound to find me again." He sadly thought and decided to wait for them.

Cia gave a sigh as the two tried to widdle down the price. "You can't reproduce these item's you know. Tell you what, catch the eaves dropper and drag him to me, I'll make it 35,000." Cia bargained. She was already going down a rather large amount, and she wasn't willing to go down in price anymore. "I accept checks at payment as well." Cia added as she leaned back.

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Linia meanwhile gave a sigh of relief when this creature accepted to even help them. "Thank you so much sir, what was your name again? I am Linia if I hadn't already introduced myself." Linia said with a smile to the soldier. She didn't want to seem rude to him, and knowing his name would be a good thing to do anyways as it was important to keep note of if they ever needed help.

At this moment Eric knew just exactly he had to do. "Okay, cool! Come on Edward, this is the time I could use your magic!" He promptly said quickly heading out the door of the Café. now now... where are you? He thought to himself as he looked around. There is no way he could have gone far, unless he too has magic... He finished his thinking process deciding to walk around the building.

Jace, noticing someone go out from the cafe decides to crouch slowly to avoid being spotted and spies on the man. He seems to be looking for something...or someone...

"Oh" Jace thought and figured out he was trying to find him.

"That girl over there must've struck a deal with them about that thing they were buying if they caught me. Well, we'll see." Jace added and continued hiding.