@Expolar
"man I don't envy you with your search for the other half. Im just glad we can talk if you need help id be glad to help you honestly I need a change of pace and searching for someone might help. As far as I know she doesn't hold much a grudge but I don't see us going on that date we set up anytime soon but I should have expected it" Angelo said laughing a little as he readjusted the hat as mark relaxed being in a nice high place. Angelo didn't really know what else to do he just wanted to do something else then to just be here and risk getting hurt because of how he fights. He pretended to not hear his remark about how Jamie should teach restraint more but honestly Jamie didn't teach Angelo to begin with it was being scolded and beaten into him not literally though but emotionally by Joshua

H2][/h2]
@Joshua Tamashii

" You also...have a daughter as well...is this your husband?"asked Raiden

"This is Elyse and Lucus is actually my boyfriend at the moment but he might as well be considered my husband he is the only one I been with since my death...Elyse this is your grandpa Raiden." said rose

"This is Ryu your little brother..."said Raiden
"I'm not little"he said"just younger....and I notice you both are from different guilds.' said ryu

"We were part of the same group when I concieved Elyse. I left a few months before I even knew I was pregnant. I joined Phoenix wing half a year after she was born."she said as Raiden moved towards lucus standing a few inches from him as he was three times as tall and wide as lucus as he looked down at him his pitch black eyes piercing through lucus " You hurt her or my granddaughter in any way there will be no place on this earth you can hide" he said as his words were just as cold as his stare.

"Don't be afraid Elyse grandpa Raiden is a giant teddy bear when it comes to kids"said rose to her daughter

@Joshua tamashii

" Joshua...Nolan, please don't start anything...We don't need to fight. Joshua, this Nolan is the normal attitude Nolan. Him being rude is who he has always been"she said hoping for a fight to not start

Angel Ferrara - QT-800 Model 101

Angel mulled over Cyare's offer carefully. It wasn't like he'd never cooked for strangers before (though he used the term strangers, he tried to get to know them first, he wasn't a floozy like Kaia said [and she had no room to talk, given all the times she'd tried to profit off of her unsuspecting best friend's acquired traits] he was, and he wouldn't cook for just anybody) it had just been a while! He needed a minute to shake off the rust! It didn't reflect on him as a chef, and once he got into the swing of it he'd be fine!

...

Oh no, where was that metaphor headed?

He blushed faintly and "hmmmphed," subtly biting his bottom lip.

"I'm gonna need to know your favorite fruit. Smoothies are a good pre-mission staple and should be consumed when possible."

"Uh, apples?" The Tactical Mage answered, a little noncommittally, after a few moments of thought. She had never really considered what her favorite fruit was, given that she only really ate what was present and affordable. So having to pick was certainly new. She took a seat quite quickly, since her offer of help was unnecessary, and leaned her sword against the chair to watch the proceedings. "But anything is fine."

Gabriel

@Zarkun @hatakekuro @oblivion666 @lunarlors34 @liferusher @Raijinslayer @lugubrious

Gabriel accepted the poultice, giving a thank you and a polite decline for the offer to ride. He had walked a lot, his whole life. If he couldn't walk because of an injured hand, then something was truly wrong. He followed the others, uncertain about what they were going to do. He didn't want to have to hurt people, even if he knew that was a way of stopping the spread of disease, it wasn't the infected fault they were sick. And if the way he had handle a stick, injuring himself so easily, he doubted he'd be any help. More of a hindrance, really.

He sighed to himself, following along with the guild, uncertainty filling him. Despite the fact that he had been trying, he hadn't made much progress with doing better in the guild, and he wondered if he'd ever be welcome in the guild. He stared down at the ground, not really seeing it as he walked, which was probably a bad thing, as not too long into the journey, Gabriel tripped, and even as he flung his hands out, he hit the ground, slamming into it hard enough to knock the breath out his chest, and slamming his temple against the ground.

Darkness enveloped him, and he slipped into unconsciousness quickly, dropping like a stone through the layers of consciousness.

Sasha
@yipeeXD
In unnerved Sasha to hear Lazarus reciting what was probably a line from the zeref book, and she reached out, grabbing his arm, but Lazarus seemed to pull himself out of it. "We'll stop him" She said "Zeref was defeated once, his followers can easily be taken down again" She said confidently, glancing to a lacrima screen as the last battle was concluded, before looking back to Lazarus. "Come on. We can't do anything with you injured, so lets make sure you are okay"

Argus Leandros

Argus looked at the man who answered his question, his eyes still a bit wary before he let out a sigh and walked around the camp, watching everyone get ready. He didn't know how he felt about this, but if things really were bad enough to even consider purging the infected parts of the city, then he guessed it should be something he should prepare himself to do. Goddamn does this suck.

As he walked around, however, he noticed a familiar blue-haired figure laying on the ground, raising an eye, he approached, only to frown as he saw who it was. He contemplated just leaving the brat here, but he couldn't really find a good reason to just leave him there. So, with that in mind, he picked the guy up and slung him over his shoulder, grunting a little bit as he got used to the added weight as he quickly walked over to the wagons, loading him in and shaking his head a bit before getting into position with the others, finding him near Joakim and some other guy, with the Oni and the snake lady nearby as well. He had noticed Isla among the group as well, but had decided against saying high, not really feeling like dealing with her right now, as she would likely still be somewhat cross with him.

Looking amongst his travel companions for the ride, he decided to try and make some light chatter for the moment, try and lighten the mood a little bit in the time they had before the grisly business of their job came to light. Calling forth a bag from his re-quip space, he reached inside of it to pull out a piece of rock candy, popping it into his mouth and taking a second to enjoy the sweet taste, before turning to those nearby.

"Yo, anyone interested in some sweets? And what happened in those dumb games between our guys and those guy's from Frenzy Plant. I saw a bit of it on a vision lacrima and thinks seemed to have gotten a bit crazy?"

@Lugubrious@Caits@Hatakekuro

@Leslie Hall


"Well, seems like that's my que to leave, got to try and get back before they beat me to camp. It was nice talking with you, and again, sorry for any trouble I might've caused. Hope to see you again if I'm ever in the city." Argus sighs as he gets up to leave.

"Not a problem hun'. the Rainbow Majesty smiles with a wave, "And you didn't inflict any troub~

"Oh, and take one of these as some modest compensation for listening to me bitch like that." Argus interrupts as he summons a small bag and tosses it towards the Council member. With one hand, Saya catches the bag and waves back to Argus as he left the room. Once he left, she opens the bag to see what was inside. Inside, there were some special Lacrima objects he uses, those be Flash, Smoke, Stick, etc, all complete with an appropriate label. It also contained some pieces of sweets, like some rock candy and a small bag of chocolates, and a card which had the words "Sorry" written on it in messy, black script. The Council member couldn't help but smile and giggle quietly at this gift. For a guild member such as him to give a lady these nice gifts, as indeed something new and most certainly sweet of him. She'll be keeping a book-tab on Argus for sure. She then closes the bag and keeps it in her purse for safe-keeping.

After a few minutes, she slowly gets up from her seat and makes her way back to the arena to overlook the battles at hand. She could move on with sightseeing the local area, but alas her responsibilities on being a Council Member must come first.

Yet another day of festivities drags on, and the citizens of Fiore couldn't be more thrilled. Despite the significance that the Grand Magic Games held for the guilds, Rosalina couldn't help but find the event to be somewhat unnecessary. Pitting the guilds against each other to prove who was the strongest? It sounded like the ramblings of insecure children, desperate to prove themselves to anyone willing to grant them the time of day. Forced to attend the event out of necessity, Rosalina would be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying watching the fights. The lady stood, garbed in her brown leather attire at the edge of the Council members booth with her hands gently placed along the balcony railings. The position was optimal for spectating the various battles and challenges, and there even seemed to be a private screening Lacrima in the middle of some very comfortable looking chairs for a more relaxed viewing experience. Rosalina preferred the balcony. The breeze was nice and she could avoid conversation easier.

Hearing someone approach the stand, her gaze shifted slightly to the right to catch a fellow member of the Council, Sayatachi Nijiko, entering the area to continue watching the games. Rosalina rested her left elbow on the railing and shifted the back of her hand to act as a pedestal for her cheek. Clearly she was less than pleased by the arrival of her colleague. Where Rosalina was more reserved and preferred to stay out of the spotlight, Sayatachi seemed to be anything but. The other day when the Council had been asked to stand before the crowds and introduce themselves, Rosalina had blatantly gone against her leaders wishes and just didn't show up all together. The idea of being put on display like an animal at the zoo made her incredibly uncomfortable. Sayatachi seemed like the type of person that would have absolutely reveled in all that attention.

Rosalina caught Sayatachi's eye, and locked her gaze with the other lady's. She stood up straight and offered a polite nod. She may have disliked the woman, but Rosalina would never allow herself to be disrespectful to someone warranting of respect. Even if she would never say it out loud, Rosalina held the other council members in high esteem and was incredibly proud to be included among such established individuals. Perhaps that was why she was so strict on them when they acted out of line. Not that she could talk, having skipped the entirety of yesterday due to a personal fear.

"A pleasure as always, Lady Nijiko." She took a few steps forward towards Sayatachi and offered the woman her hand in a polite, formal greeting.



Two young children sit on a park bench, one holding a hat filled with coins of various value. She beams in delight at what she and her young partner were able to earn that day. Snow falls gently, blanketing the ground in a thin layer of white. The young girl shivers, goosebumps lining her pale skin. Noticing her discomfort, the young boy removes his coat and offers it to her. She says something, probably thanking him, but her words are muffled. Pretty soon the image becomes blurry, and a blinding white light, eclipsing the pure, snow. The light is blinding, and causes Bullet's head to sting with pain as he jolts awake in the hospital room.

---

Garbed in a patients robe, Bullet stared around in confusion while reflecting on his dream. It was really just a recollection of a fond memory from his early days with Isabella. Remembering her name made him panic. What had happened to her during their fight with those Dark Wizards? He'd been knocked out pretty early, much to his embarrassment. He quickly jumped out of bed and began searching through the various cupboards for his clothes. Once he'd found them he hastily dressed himself, pulling his robe over his shoulders just as a familiar voice perked up and sent a wave of relief through him.

"Bullet! Some guy kicked the vending machine and it fell over and candy went everywhere!" Isabella skipped into the room, her arms piled up with junk food. She threw the stash down onto the now empty bed and smiled at Bullet. He looked towards the floor, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I can't believe I got knocked out like that." He couldn't even look at her. As much as he liked to talk big, it was pathetic just how little he could do without her. Isabella stood there for a moment before letting out a soft giggle.
"If it makes you feel better, I was also taken down. Pretty lame, huh?" She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head mockingly, as if scolding herself. Bullet's eyes instantly widened and without hesitation he ran to Isabella and held onto her hand.
"Did they hurt you? Are you okay? I can find some medicine around here for you." Isabella quickly waved off his worried queries, a little taken back by how devastated he looked.
"No need to fuss, dear boy! I am much tougher than I look. Dancers are built to endure, after all." Isabella dramatically held her head high. Bullet smirked before turning his attention to the pile of candy.
"Alright, well. I'm starving. Let's stash this sweet loot away and get out of here." The two of them began shoving the goods into a little shoulder bag. "Where is 'here'?"
"We're in the stadium's first aid center. I just went up to check on the games. Let's go back there and meet our friends." Isabella slung the bag over her shoulder and bolted for the door. Bullet followed suit, feeling a hundred times better knowing she was safe.

The two sprinted through the stands and various spectators, Bullet even leap frogging over a rather shocked man who was unfortunate enough to be in his way. Isabella skidded to a halt near the Phoenix Wing stands and unzipped her bag.
"We. Have. Candy!" Without warning, she threw the contents of the bag high into the air and let the candy rain fall down upon any unsuspecting members of the Guild that were trying to enjoy the games. Bullet held out his hand longingly as he watched the food he'd intended to stuff his face with distributed out among the crowd.

Hunter glanced over at Zev as he walked over and spook, grunting. "Let 'im come at me. I'm in the mood for a good fight. And my knee's fine, just some phantom pain." He entered the tunnels and was heading to the medical center when he heard voices, long before Zev did. He paused to listen and recognized the sound of wood hitting stone and turned, looking the direction they'd come from. Then two of Luna's guildmates came around the corner and came over as fast as they could to check on her, one hobbling with her bad leg.

"Arie, go with them to the infirmary to make sure Luna turns out alright. I'll catch up," The one with the glaive's voice became significantly more commanding than what it was before. She looked at Zev and Hunter, and Hunter raised an eyebrow, waiting. "And make sure her arms aren't pressed against anything, she complained about how much they hurt earlier and I doubt that fight made them any better." The Dragon Slayer glanced at her arms resting against her chest and snorted.

"Step ahead of ya, sister." Turning he finished the trip to the medical center and left Luna in the care of the doctors. Hunting down the medics, a very heated argument ensues that ends in one of the medics flying across the room and into a wall. "You have a damned job to do for EVERYONE. You don't get to pick and choose, after all, you helped Damian and he used an actual SWORD. Unfuck yourselves." With the medics hopefully convinced to stop being choosy, Hunter leaves the stadium and hits the streets, looking for somewhere to eat and distract himself from boredom.




James moved quickly, catching the blow with his shield and deflecting the attack to the left rather than try and stop it straight on, which he quickly follows up with a slash that stops inches from Cody's neck. "Deflection is a good way to force your opponent off balance, leaving them open for a number of blows. Again." Resuming his previous stance, when Cody strikes again, he springs to the left, causing Cody's blow to miss and him to stumble forwards, and brings the pommel of his sword against Cody's back, furthering the stumble, before slashing it with a shielded edge, doing nothing more than leaving a large bruise. "And avoiding the attack is just as useful, especially if your opponent is expecting you to try and block or deflect, so they'll pour more strength to try and break your guard."




Jane rounded on Jackie, the words already forming in her mind, when Master Jamie cuts her off and speaks first. Jane resigned to wait quietly and when Master Jamie finished, she shook her head. "This dark guild cost my family everything they had, their home, their lively hoods, and eventually their lives. But they were also horrible people who needed to be stopped. My parents knew the risks when they started sending the Rune Knights hints and clues as to where the Butchers would strike next. That doesn't mean I can't hurt over the loss of my family. And it sure as hell doesn't mean you can say whatever you want about them."

Jack sighed, turning to Jackie and handing her her ice cream, Orange Cream, he sat her down. "I understand the concept of loss is new to you given your past, but when you care deeply about someone, their loss causes pain, no matter what the source. I only hope that you don't have to gain an understanding of that before it's your time to."

@Leslie Hall


As she enters the arena doors, and walks up the path towards the Council Balcony, Sayatachi suddenly feels as if she was being watched. She expressed no emotion however, only for her eyes to go straight to the balcony hightop. There she found someone familiar. It was Rosalina, the anti-social one. While the two may be of the same rank, both characters are actually polar opposites. Saya is flamboyant, boastful, and all in all, a very active person, with a touch of demand and respect to go with it like a nice garnish. Rosa on the other hand... she's cold, dark, and a rather moody fellow. She doesn't catch much of an eye towards Saya, nor does she interest her really, however, it's only now that she finally reveals herself to the masses once again. It was about time too.

But regardless, Rosa does have her manners. She stood up straight and offered a polite nod, with the older Council Lady nodding back.

"Ah, Rosalina Idwal," she responds in a friendly tone while offering her hand towards Rosa, "You've finally joined the party. A pleasure to finally see you here at the Games."

"A pleasure as always, Lady Nijiko." She took a few steps forward towards Sayatachi and offered the woman her hand in a polite, formal greeting.

"So how've you been, hun?" the flamboyant lady asks again after the quick greeting, "I didn't happen to see you yesterday at the introduction. Was everything alright?"

Lazarus
@Caits
He pulled away from her. "I'm honestly fine. I just need to rest my body." He forced a smile. Another memory sparked into his head, and it took him a back. "There's something that he doesn't have yet." He paused. "To complete the curse... He requires a willing body. A vessel for Zeref to become part of. That person must be filled with love. They must hold their loved ones so close that not even death would be able to part them." He stopped there. "I wasn't that kind of man back then. We have the time it takes, for him to find the right willing person, to stop him." He clenched his fists. "Right. We can do this!" He grinned. "My soul is burning!"

Gabriel

Gabriel opened his eyes to complete darkness, and with panic he feared he was blind, but slowly colour formed, and shapes. Only where he was didn't seem like the land, instead it seemed oddly celestial like. Like his spirits when they were summoned. He stared, seeing many different spirits, both large and small. Little white, blue, green, purple, pink creatures, all happily chatting among themselves "Plue, plue!" was heard every few seconds, and Gabriel stared at the cute creatures.

Nearby there was a fairy type creature, and further ahead there was...

Gabriel stared at the large, gigantic man, looming over everything, 12 spirits aligned along side him. The spirits seemed to be almost...lifeless, except for the fact that they occasionally moved. They seemed sad, withdrawn, and Gabriel ached to help them. Each held a key, and Gabriel reaised these were the twelve zodiac spirits, and he wondered if they had been trapped in the spirit realm for 100 years.

"Gabriel, welcome to the spirit realm" The gigantic man, whom Gabriel realised was the celestial king, said.

"Why am I here?" he asked, the young man wondering what could possibly be asked of him, or why he was even here. His spirits were the zodiacs of another country. He couldn't help these spirits, even iif he was able to. He doubted any of them would choose to have a contract with him.

"the concern of all spirits is my jpb, and your doubts, concerns, worries and fears have already began to effect the spirits bonded to you. You struggling with your place in the world, and are slowly destroying yourself, and that means the spirits whom you have a contract with. I cannot allow that to happen. You seem to struggle with those who you have allied yourself with, and even if you didn't, they cannot help you with the way yu are affect the spirits in your control. As such, I am appointed a spirit to be your guardian, and to help guide you.

This" The spirit king pointed to a tall spirit, with golden hair, and an almost cocky stance, who nevertheless smiled charmingly, pushing glasses up his nose in an easy mannor. "Is Leo the light spirit, although his previous spirit user preferred to call him Loki. Leo has willingly offered to be your guardian"

the way the spirit king spoke, it sounded as if Gabriel didn't have a choice. Leo, or Loki, approached Gabriel, offering his hand, the key shining in it. "I prefer Loki, as those that bestowed it upon me even when they knew my true identity were dear to me. A spirit cannot not be affected by those they have bonded with, and Lucy inevitably changed me, and my fellow spirits. Normally, a celestial wizard would have had to face some obstacle or challenge to receive my key, however, You have already faced a lot, and you have the potential to be great. Lets just say I'm curious to see how" Loki smiled again, holding out his hand.

Gabriel stared at the key, not even sure if he was breathing as he tried to figure out why this was happening. He was being given a powerful spirit?

"there are of course some conditions. Leo will not be summoned to fight for you, but rather ensure you receive the training you need, and to help you and your spirits with their bonds. If Leo appears in a battle, as he most likely will, it will be by his own choosing. Take the key, for you need to head back to your world soon, for time moves strangely here"

Gabriel wasn't too sure this wasn't some dream thought up by his injured head, yet he took the key, which was warm to touch, and as soon as he did, he woke. The warm weight of the key in his hand meant it hadn't been a dream, nor the soft chuckle and voice that said "Well, Gabriel, are you just going to lie there?"

The feel of the ground beneath him, moving slowly, gave him a hint that he was on a wagon. How long had he been out for? It didn't feel like long, nothing was hurting, except his head, that could indict the passage of time. Hesitating, wondering if he was still in that dream, he opened one eye, seeing Loki looking down on him, smiling easily.

Gabriel groaned, wondering if he'd regret accepting the key, not that he figured he had had much of a choice. He sat up, embarrassed that her had fallen, although now he wondered if that was by chance. He stared down at the key in his hand, frowning. "come on, boy, up you get, you're feet aren't useless"

Wondering if he could send loki back, Gabriel studied the key, and Loki chuckled, "Sorry, Gabriel, but I"m here on my own whim. Can't close the gate on me" It seemed that after what was probably an eternity, Loki was more then happy to be out in the physical world. Gabriel couldn't fault him. He blink blearily, and looked about him, seeming to figure something out.

Without warning he leaped from the wagon, landing easily, he looked about, seeing the city and so figured he must not have been out long. Loki landed beside him with the grace of, well, a lion. "Time moves differently in the spirit realm, Gabriel" Loki said, clapping the boy on the back, before happily whistling and walking about the Frenzy Plant Guild members.

Master jamie
@Zarkun@joshua tamashii
"It is too bad that Angelica had corrupted the council. The rune knights would have surely acted if she had." Jamie said wearily, wondering how many people's lives had been destroyed by the council's corruption, and that was why Jamie would never feel guilty about exposing it. "There are many dark guilds out there, but we are slowly bringing them down"

Sasha
@YipeeXD

"You're not fine" Sasha said in frustration, stepping back, disturbed that he'd pulled away from her. "You do realise you practically discribed Master Jamie and Jarvis. Everything they did was in memory of Sam, and we ccan say that she was always apart of them" The thought that they were in trouble, was quite troubling, but she knew neither would willingly be a vessel for Zeref. "And any number of people, really. There could be someone out there right now, being drawn in. We can't just assume we have time"

Rosalina was never one to take note of trivial details, but she could not help but notice all of the various details of Sayatachi's image as the beautiful woman stood before her. There was no confusion as to why she was so desired and looked up to; she was the epitome of beauty. Her sense of style was a little gaudy for Rosalina's taste; but what did she know about fashion? Her own leather outfit looked as though it had been a hand me down from a distant relative.
"So how've you been, hun?" Sayatachi's friendly tone of voice seemed to come so natural to her, but Rosalina couldn't help but feel as if the woman's interest in her was merely a facade. She couldn't blame her, of coarse, seeing as she was no different. Rosalina pulled her hand away from shaking Sayatachi's hand and resumed resting it on the hilt of her blade.
"I'm less than thrilled." Rosalina didn't beat around the bush, and she saw no reason to hide her disdain for her duties. "These games are only important to those in the guilds involved. I couldn't care less who wins." Rosalina's attention was brought back to the viewing Lacrima, where the cameras seemed to be scanning through the cheering crowds. With a harsh 'tch, the woman brought her attention back to Sayatachi.

"I didn't happen to see you yesterday at the introduction. Was everything alright?" Of coarse her absence would have been noticed. The other council members would have definitely noticed, but Sayatachi seemed to be the only one willing to approach Rosalina about the matter. She was trying to sound concerned, but the domineering aura and infliction of her voice made it clear to Rosalina that she was somewhat looking for an explanation. Rosalina saw no reason to be coy.
"I disliked the idea of being put up on some pedestal for the spectators, so I didn't show up. No reason other than that." She wondered how Sayatachi would respond to her blatantly confessing that she disobeyed the wishes of their superior. In her heart Rosalina knew she was in the wrong on this matter, yet the idea of being scolded for it didn't appeal to her.

@Leslie Hall


"I disliked the idea of being put up on some pedestal for the spectators, so I didn't show up. No reason other than that."

Well that was easy and pretty straight forward. Sayatachi thought that she would have to persuade Rosalina to talk about it, which she can easily do. Regardless, this will do just fine. As she expected though, she seemed pretty anti-social. Probably didn't want to talk to the others as well. Though maybe there was something more to this. Could it be that she was hiding some sort of shyness? Or perhaps she didn't care about her position? Either way, the Rainbow Majesty kept a straight face. It was kind of shameful that Rosa didn't come to the introduction, but she has her reasons.

"Oh?" she answers back inquisitively as an eyebrow goes up, "An interesting comparison. I take it you aren't too fond of getting too much attention, and I understand that. But that was rather an important event that all Council members should attend. You don't have to care about the second, the third, the fourth, and all the following meetings and announcements, but at least come to one once."

She pauses as she looks out at the games.

"Then again, I personally like attention. Probably narcissistic of me saying this aloud, but it's simply in my nature."

The arc of lightning slipped into a back alley, and a young woman stepped through a door in the alley, into a hotel. Lucius Milan stopped across and down the street from the alley. Had she already detected him, and made into an alley to lay a trap? Or was this where she was going? He was certain he'd followed her from far enough away, so it must have been the latter. Then he shouldn't approach further, or she would detect him. Hmm, perhaps he didn't think this all the way through?

Nearby, the man observed a certain reporter approaching the same alley. Hadn't he passed her a ways back? Had she followed them here? Before he could even decide whether he wanted to approach her or not, she had gotten too close to the inn he was watching. He hid himself where he could watch her, wondering if this would play to his advantage.

Jasmine could no longer catch the scent of lightning. She could only smell it because it was fresh in the first place, and now the wind had taken it away. She took a moment to familiarize herself with her surroundings. Standing next to an inn, and the alley behind the inn. There was a prop store across the way, and an office on the other side of the alley from the inn. A electric crackle caught her ear from down the alley, and the reporter palmed a magic taser in her pocket. Some salesman from some foreign magic guild she'd never heard of gave it to her. To just think of it as an advertisement campaign. When she went to test it on him, he jumped away reflexively, so she figured it would probably hurt whoever it hit.

The door to the back of the inn was still open. Well, she'd just have to take advantage of that, wouldn't she? The reporter stuck her head through the doorway to peek around, and see that no one would jump on her. Coast was clear, and she went in. She was careful to keep the door open behind her, just like it had been, before she proceeded into the building.

Jasmine heard a conversation continue from a nearby staircase, and she quickly positioned herself where she could listen better.

"You were right. Their story doesn't match," the voice of a young lady, just beginning to taste adulthood, spoke with a slight depression.

"It's alright. I don't know about those other two, but Kregor means well for you, at least. You can rely on that."An older woman's voice spoke, with a certain tenderness, trying to ease the troubles in the younger voice.

"And you?"

"While Ryan helps you blend in with the guild and keeps you safe until the right moment, I take care of everything else. And he'll do it whether I ask him to or not. I need you to make sure he's ready to see the right when the time comes. Can you do that for me?"

There was a moment's hesitation, before the youthful voice confirmed.

"There's a good lass. Run along now. They might have followed you."

They bade each other farewell and Jasmine hid herself nearby. Any normal person would have missed her, but Stephani stopped in front of Jasmine's hiding place. She stood there for just a moment before continuing outside. Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief and stood, waiting before she would leave.

Outside, Stephani lightninged away, and Jasmine stepped out of the alley shortly after. She'd come all this way, but come up rather short-handed. She managed to spy a guild mark on the girl that had walked past, but she didn't recognize it. She'd have to try sketching it up and see if she could find anyone that would know it. Though, it did look somehow familiar...

As she was walking the sidewalk, she bumped into a man wearing a toolbelt. She looked up from the tools and at the blond figure, wearing a pair of square half-frame glasses. "Oh, I'm sorry."

The man smiled, "Oh, that's alright. Say, you haven't seen my colleague, have you? A young lady with a woven metal scarf?"

"Woven metal scarf? I dunno about woven metal, but I think I saw a few people with scarves... can you be more specific?"

"A wizard? Her mark isn't plainly visible, though, aaah-"

"I might have seen it. Try me."

"Nightshade Sylphium."

"Never heard of 'em. Oh, that one?" The man had taken his glove off to show her his mark. It matched. "I saw it, yeah. It's not like I talked to her, though."

"Yeah, I saw that one. I didn't talk to her, though. Nightshade Sylphium?"

"Yeah." The man sighed. The woman wasn't going to be of any use, then? Fine. He'd have to check the roster at the Inn, then. Maybe there was a name he'd recognize. "Thank you for your time."

"Oh, ah. Yeah." She watched the man go for a moment before skittering along to the Arena. No doubt matches were going on.


@Silver Fox
Trinity came back to her room in the hotel and, almost forgetting who the cat on her bed was, started tossing off her outer robes as she stepped through the room to the bathroom. She stopped, about to take off more, looking at Karn. She paused, considering him, and then approached in her underthings, petting his neck softly. "You're like a girl... you can transform into women. You turned into me, once. Apparently, you look prettier than I do... Hm, I wonder." She rubbed under Karn's chin, and then massaged his back. "Could you do girl-you? I dunno if that's a bad idea, though. You'd be the one to know that."

@CirusArvennicus

Karn had been sleeping soundly, feeling quite a bit better now after spending time in recovery form. Ears perking as he raised his head when he heard footsteps. The draconic feline giving a yawn, wings fluttering before neatly pressing against his back before looking over his shoulder, head tilted and almost upside down as he looked over who it was. Before shifting so he was somewhat facing his Guildmate. Smiling brightly, tail thumping against the sheets cheerfully. About oblivious to Trinity's lack of attire. Clothes were basically just fur for humans right? Purring at the petting, his ears twitched as he listened to her and chuckled.

"Yeah. But I can't turn into someone completely naked unless I've seem them naked before. Everyone is a little different. But I can transform into women about perfectly. And don't say that Trinny! You're pretty! Eddy says that you're looking magical." Karn chuckled, purring louder as his chin was rubbed, happily outstretching it for better access.

"As for me being a girl me. Well I haven't seen girl me so I couldn't transform... but since I can see some of Eddy's memories... I can see what she looked like." Karn purred as he sat up before stretching out, then transforming. Sitting there on the bed that pretty much looked like a exact replica of him. Though was wearing a brown jacket, a red raggy scarf, a pair of goggles resting on the forehead, brown leather gloves with metal on the knuckles as well as pretty much what felt like wiring just about everywhere, with black pants and boots. A whip on the hip.

Feeling 'his' face, Karn felt himself over in examination. His Edolas self really didn't look all that different, with clothes on at least. Unzipping the jacket, he stripped it off to reveal complete metal torso. A glowing red light on the left side of the chest where the heart should be. Slowly flashing.

"I find it highly unfair that you're having a lez moment, in my body, without my control. Thanks buddy. Such a pal." Edo-Karn spoke up within his mind, sounding mildly amused.

"Wow. Eddy you were like one of those metal beasts that carry people!" Karn said in awe.

"I think you're talking about a car.... or a boat.... or a airship... or whatever and that is a horrible comparison. You're not much of a machine guy are you?" Edo-Karn thought out.

@Joshua Tamashii@Roseletta
NOLAN and DALTON

Smoke seethed from his lips followed by an eye roll at Joshua's senseless bravado. Nolan turned his bored gaze towards Joshua, puffing rings of smoke from his lips, but then turned his attention back to Amaya. It couldn't had been more clear that Nolan had decided to ignore Joshua's existence at the moment. He had nothing to say to him and truthfully, he didn't even want to try and start up a conversation with him. This guy just had a talent for pissing people off and truthfully, he didn't want to focus his anger onto the samurai or anyone else as a matter a fact. It wasn't worth the effort and he especially wasn't worth to waste his energy on him.

"It's not like I'm trying to be rude. I'm just honest with how I feel" The God Slayer pushed a wad of tabacco in his pipe and lit it up. The strong smell of a woody sweetness wafted in the air. "So Lucas is back huh? I wonder where the little time bomb had gone to. He needs to find better role models than someone like me." Nolan puffed smoke from his lips, twisting and turning in the air. There is a knock on the door, to which Nolan turns his attention to.

"I'll get it!" Dalton chirped cheerfully, thankful that something broke the tension. He flew over and tugged the door open. "Hi! What can we do you for?!"

A woman with brown wavy hair similar to Nolan's own hair stood there next to a man with an elegantly groomed brown beard and slicked back brown hair who had a striking resemblance to Nolan. Just the sight of them alone caused Nolan's eyes to widen and a create gnarled grimace. "Melody, Jay."

"U-um, hello... Sorry, we didn't realize that you had company..." The woman said in a sheepish tone. It looked like Nolan was still very bitter about their last encounter.

@Zarkun@Burthstone
ZEV

Sheesh, did Hunter ever had a stick right up his ass or what? Sure, he was pissed though he needed to keep a clear head before he did anything brash. But really, where were this kid's parents? Surely she had to have some form of family outside of the guild. This kid was way too young to not have any parents...Then again, what kind of parent would let their kid fight in the games? Hell, he wouldn't let his daughter take part regardless she would resent him for it.

Soon they encountered two women from Iron Engima. It seemed like Hunter had gone off ahead of them to the infirmary and soon a medic was sent flying through the air and smashed against a wall. "God dammit Hunter!" Zev shouted at him while he had stormed out of the stadium. He could only sigh in frustration at his guild mate's recklessness. "That idiot is going to get himself kicked out if he keeps it up."

@Raijinslayer@Zarkun@Lugubrious

Enma had remained silent to Damian's opinion of the issue and perhaps he was right or perhaps he was wrong. Really, there was no way of knowing until they arrived. The best case scenario was that they would just have to contain the town until there were doctors with a cure that could make it to the city in time. The oni simply hoped that Eliza only embellished the situation and that it wasn't that bad. The worst case scenario would be a genocide and well, let's just say that's a topic that the yokai try to avoid as much as possible.

The entire guild, save for the contestants of the Games, had dispatched for the plague ridden town. Some were cheerful and whistling and some were definitely much grimmer than others. He himself was positioned by the God Slayer, Argus who was next to Bytan and Joakim. Slithering behind Enma was Arivaderci, the naga that he had defeated in his entrance exam. Hopefully she still wasn't upset with him beating her, but then again it was hard to tell with her. For the short time he had been there, he has yet to hear her utter a single word.

Somehow and for some reason, he had pulled out a large steamed pork bun from his sleeves and had begun to chomp down on it. His sleeves seemed to be magically always filled with food. Hearing Argus asking about the events of the match between Phoenix Wing and Frenzy Plant, Enma said, "We won, but I wouldn't say that it was a victory that sits well with me. It was practically two against one and yet, Zander and Xyster were nearly done in by Nolan Waltz." He took another bite from the pork bun and walked in silence as he chewed. At least he had the manners to not eat and talk at the same time. After swallowing, Enma continued on with what he was going to say. "Nolan's a God Slayer as well, but the level between he and you is huge. If you're a boulder then he's a meteor if you catch my drift."

@Caits
FERRIS

"Just a step away from murder." Ferris commented, standing up from his seat. He watched her pack away the equipment and cast a charm on, well it was more like he was checking her out, but hopefully she hadn't noticed yet. Well, he seemed to had stared off to space with his eyes directly towards her butt when she had told him to get going. Blushing slightly, he cleared his throat and said, "Um, yeah." He rushed off ahead of her with his hands in his pockets.

Outside the stadium was cold, with the autumn leaves blowing around. The games sure felt long; it was autumn but it has felt like months since the start of the games. The streets were even just as busy and he was too tired to even think of walking to the hotel. He placed his fingers in between his lips and whistled loudly, waving for a carriage.

Lux Harken

Lux smiled as he followed the rest of the group. He appreciated the freedom that traveling with just Jason granted, but the light mage still enjoyed spending time with other people. The next two jobs should be fun ones.

"I'll take a pear smoothy, if you don't mind." Came the polite response to the (fe?)male cook's question. He would have to clear that up soon. This was getting confusing.

Joshua sighed, getting off the wall. He was happy to have an excuse to leave, especially with the smoke. Last thing he wanted was to compromise his health.
"Well, seems like you have some more preferable company. Have fun." He said, moving to the door. He didn't tell Amaya to follow him, as he had no right or reason to. He stopped in front of Melody and Jay and decided to be polite to the strangers. He had enough of people hating him for a day. "Pardon me Sir, Ma'am."



Lucus didn't even flinch as Raiden approached him and simply raised an eyebrow at the man's threat.
"Yeah, got it. I'll keep that in mind when I die, hopefully of natural causes." He said, clearly not afraid of the man before him. The threat wasn't even really a threat to him, as he had no plans on hurting either Rose or Elyse and the first thing he would do if he did was go to someone to punish him if he did anyway.

Elyse, meanwhile, clung to her mother and shied away from her father and the strangers, not liking the tense atmosphere that they were generating.



Jackie narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to say something to Jamie but seemed to think better of it and turned to the ice cream Master Jack had gotten her instead. At Jamie's last comment though, she let out a harsh laugh.
"No you aren't. You appear to make progress but all you do is slow them down. Even if you bring one down, two more pop back up in their place." She said, poking at her dessert. "It's a never ending war, Master Jamie. You might as well try to destroy all the darkness in the world."

Amelia glanced up from her dessert, worried about how her mother would act towards this.

Rosalina stood with her back to the game, her eyes glancing to the side as she listened to Sayatachi talk about her responsibility to the council. She sighed and removed her hat with her spare hand, closing her eyes in thought.
"You're absolutely right." Rosalina said, her silver hair almost shimmering in the sunlight. "It was poor conduct for me to not attend." Rosalina hated to admit it to herself, but it was quite pathetic for someone of her status to cower at the thought of addressing the public. She wasn't some lowly Rune Knight or vagabond anymore, she was a member of the Council. Her status gave her the power to make a difference in Fiore, but it also came with many responsibilities. She was already shaping up to be a pretty lackluster Council Member if she couldn't even introduce herself to the people she intended to serve.

Turning around to face the games, Rosalina gently placed her hat atop of her head once again after she quickly tucked away any stray strands of hair behind her ears. She considered what Sayatachi told her about the woman's love of attention. Rosalina wasn't surprised, and she didn't see any reason to flatter the woman with lies about how humble she thought she was.
"To each their own. Narcissism isn't an entirely negative personality trait, after all." Rosalina straightened herself up, deciding that she'd had quite enough of spectating.
"So," She said, her arms folded across her chest, "we're revealed to the public then. What's next in store for the Council?"

Lazarus
@Caits
He was getting frustrated with himself, and Sasha. He didn't want to involve her in everything he had done again. He wanted to defeat his alter-ego on his own, destroying everything he had worked for in his past. He knew it would be almost impossible. Sure he had gotten his memories back, he could feel his godslayer power within, but he wouldn't ever use the magic, he had used before to murder, again. The odds would be stacked heavily against him. "I'm sure we can do this... together." He opened the door. "But if things go sour... promise me that you'll leave me behind to fight him alone." Before she could say anything on the matter he would cut her off. "You have more than yourself to worry about now Sasha!" he exclaimed, referring to their 'night'.