[hr][hr][center][h3][color=darkkhaki]Aurelia Nekroz[/color][/h3]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/LCUyJvM.png[/img][/center][hr][hr]
Aurelia wasn't sure if the brunette woman was mocking her or not, but continued onward until dawned upon a gunslinger, who courteously brought her the reins to her mount. His actions made no sense to her though. After all, her family nor herself had ever done anything for him; thus there was no cause, rhyme, or reason for his assistance. A fool's errand, it was, to help a disgraced pariah such as herself. At the same time, Senna sauntered over and silenced those that laughed at the shield maiden. Why were they being nice to her? Hannibal was the casualty here, not her. A sudden feeling of paranoia gripped her as she quizzically looked from the thief to the dusty looking man, assuming the worst in them. Her dark eyes then flew to the sapphire-encrusted shield that hung from her camel. [I]Criminals.[/I] There wasn't a single person she could trust here.

Before she could mount up and flee from these would-be brigands, Senna said something that stopped her forward movement: the redhead complimented Aurelia, said that she was [I]adorable[/I]. At once, the former noblewoman's eyelashes fluttered thrice and her jaw hung partially opened, as if she had just been hit on for the first time in her life. However, Aurelia was quick to dismiss any notions that the thief had any true interest in her. It would be social suicide to be involved with her in any shape or form. Clearing her throat, the blonde focused on the question that both of them had asked her: [i]Was she alright?[/i] Between the clear wound adorned upon her temple, the multiple bruises along her body, and, to make matters worse, sand up her dress, Aurelia was sure the answer was a resounding [I]no[/I]. She was not so blunt to tell them that though.

[color=darkkhaki]"Just minor discomfort. However, you two should have seen to Mr. Hughes before me... After all, I'm guilty of assaulting him, not the other way around. But... Thank you for the sentiments."[/color] she explained to them, regaining some of her noble poise. Coincidentally, their leader arrived just as she uttered his name, wearing a serious expression. The man had a hand on his sword's hilt, and Aurelia was quite sure he was about to strike her down where she stood. In a twist of fate, he slit his thumb and initiated a [i]Penance[/i] salute by smearing his own blood across his forehead. He apologize and then took his leave with a bow. The soldier was left with a feeling of guilt though, knowing it should have been her performing that rite, not him. 

Brooding on it, Aurelia came to realize there was more to Mr. Hughes than she originally thought. He was not simply a crass clown, not at all. She focused on him as he strode away and reverted back to his merry ways. Perhaps she needed to be more like Hannibal: someone unafraid of those around him. After all, if this expedition was to be successful, then they would need each other. Taking her camel's reins, the blonde began to walk away to search for a nice spot within the sands, preferably not infested with scorpions or other malicious creatures. The sun was sinking and soon the desert's chill would be upon them. With her free hand, she uncorked her bottle of wine and took a long drink, the bittersweet draught dancing down her throat. [color=darkkhaki]"Join me tonight, if you dare, companions. I would not blame you if chose otherwise though..."[/color] she called back to Senna and the mysterious man. 

[sub][@Rune_Alchemist][@Snagglepuss89][@POOHEAD189][@The Muse][/sub]