[center][color=007FFF][h3]Indigo Afina – Arena Stands[/h3][/color]
[@lunarlors34][@oblivion666][/center]

Indigo shrugged.  The girl would evidently place her ego over reality, so she wouldn't bother to tell her that rocks didn't burn.  Every little detail did not to be prodded to make an effective argument.  Her second response, however, elicited clarification.  [color=007FFF]”You would if your general told you to.”  The librarian watched as Ash took a deep breath, considering the path that lay before her.  When she felt ready, she replied, and Indigo listened with her fist placed pensively against her chin.

As expected, she found herself confronted by tangible reluctance from Ash on the subject of submission.  Fire blazed in the other woman's eyes, sparks of defiance, but she fell short of the sort of domineering presence maintained by Indigo in that moment.  Her prideful statement received swift rebuke.  [color=007FFF]”We have a saying in this guild: talk is cheap.  Sputter about invincibility if it pleases you, but you will be defeated.  One does not grow stronger by beating weaker opponents.  If you already think you're at the top, you're in for a rude awakening.”[/color]  Indigo crossed her arms, and her eyes like a bottomless sea gleamed darkly.  [color=007FFF]”And you will care about what we tell you to care about.  This guild isn't a tool.  It's a job.  With all that in mind, follow me.  We will initiate you forthwith.”[/color]

Pausing only to watch the splendid end of the match between Phoenix Wing and Frenzy Plant, and to be filled with pride for her comrades, Indigo led Ash toward the warrior guild's seating area.  Once there, she singled out a C-rank sorceress with dyed hair that shone a shocking orange in the day's sunlight.  [color=007FFF]”Private Riona!”[/color] she called, waving.  [color=007FFF]”Come over here, please!”[/color]

She waited for the pyromancer to comply before explaining.  [color=007FFF]”You've been with us only about a day, but I think you're the perfect candidate to provide a test for Miss Ash here to enter our guild.  I trust you will pit your full power against her, and push both of yourselves to your limits.”[/color]  A subtle smirk crossed Indigo's features.  While she did not show it overtly, Ash's pride had annoyed her, and picking Riona to test her seemed appropriate payback.  Though only a C-rank wizard, she obviously possessed power worthy of a high B-rank if not A-rank, and would hopefully challenge the willful girl.  If she passed, Indigo already planned to put her against Enma, the brutal Oni, second.  [color=007FFF]”It would be my pleasure to escort you both outside the arena, where an impromptu duel can begin.”[/color]

[center][color=FF6347][h3]Owen Whately – Frenzy Plant Stands[/h3][/color]
[@Zarkun][/center]

When Damian arrived at the Frenzy Plant seating area, he found a languid southerner on call to receive him.  The sight of the Blade of Phoenix Wing made Owen's brow furrow and brown eyes darken.  Seeing that Damian had practically blinded himself in an attempt to ignore any well-warranted unhappiness, Owen thought it fitting to ignore him, too.  After all, Frenzy Plant's representatives had just defeated two Phoenix Wing swordsmen.  No doubt Damian wished to upbraid Sanders like his master had about taking the conflict personally, or perhaps in vengeance he wanted to pick a fight of his own.  Better to not embroil himself in what could erupt into a violent confrontation, given the individual involved.  While Damian absorbed a couple more sideways glances and glares, the various soldiers around him quickly returned to concentrating on the new match now underway in the arena.  Riders Blade and Dragon Fang, it seemed, would be working to make good accounts of themselves.  Already they displayed impressive magic power.

With the collective focus elsewhere, Damian received no reply.  Sanders did, however, sit fairly close by and perfectly visibly to boot.  Frenzy Plant's general had not yet noticed the newcomer.