[center][h2][color=crimson]❀[/color] [u]Rosalina Idwal[/u] [color=crimson]❀[/color][/h2][i]"[color=Crimson]...[/color]"[/i]

[i]"[color=Silver]Rest easy, Rosa. Let your worries be carried away by a gentle breeze.[/color]"[/i]

❀ [@Burthstone][color=crimson]❀[/color][/center]

"[color=Silver]The earliest you could possibly meet her is early February. I'll get in contact with you when I'm ready to schedule the exact times for the meeting.[/color]" Rosalina had waited patiently whilst Gregory spoke of his plans for the future. Her smile had remained vibrant whilst he talked of seeing his daughter, bringing back a certain fondness for her own parents. She, like Melina, had also not been in contact with her family for a considerable amount of time. Her gaze wandered to the tranquil city as tourists lazily scoured the streets for anything to fill the slow afternoon of the break day. Her parents didn't live far from Crocus. She made a mental note to ask permission of the council to take a personal trip once the games concluded.

"[color=silver]Thank you, Rosalina.[/color]" Her attention was brought back to Gregory, who had assumed a much more relaxed stature. He was probably expecting Rosalina to outwardly reject the proposal. To be honest, she had expected that reaction from herself. While she didn't show it with her calm and collected composure, the council woman was absolutely baffled that she was even entertaining the leader of a Dark Guild. Her confusion was only a farce; she knew exactly why she felt so strongly on this subject. She wasn't ready to admit it to herself though. She had resurfaced enough painful memories for one day.
"[color=silver]You're the first person outside of a dark guild to treat me like an actual person since I arrived in Crocus, and you're the only one who didn't act like they also assumed I was up to something else.[/color]" Gregory continued, holding her hand out for Rosalina to shake. Staring down at the gesture, Rosalina's smile lowered into a more somber expression.
"[color=Crimson]I will not lie to you, Mr. Vale.[/color]" She began, raising her gaze to match his with a cold, familiar sternness in her eyes that most knew her for. "[color=Crimson]There isn't a doubt in my mind that you're planning something. To not assume so would be utterly foolish of me. Don't take it personally; it's just a good mentality to have when you work on the Council. Everyone has a scheme.[/color]" Using her left hand, Rosalina carefully removed the black, leather glove on her right hand and tucked it under her arm. She then reached down with the same hand she removed the glove with, careful to make sure Gregory could clearly see her every action, and pulled out one of her throwing knives from the pouch at her side.

"[color=Crimson]Even I have my own schemes. I despise Dark Guilds; and not just because I am bound by oath as a Knight and a member of the council.[/color]" Her posture stiffened as she spoke, and if you looked closely enough you could see Rosalina's hard visage begin to crumble as she hesitated her next words. "[color=Crimson]We are only human. I do not believe that we are born with darkness, but there are those of us who choose the dark and those who fall into it unwillingly. Dark Magic took someone I loved away from me; and I will avenge her by eradicating any Dark Guilds I have the chance to. Selfish, I know.[/color]" The silence returned between the two of them. Rosalina had just admitted to Gregory her distaste for guilds like his. There was no doubt that even despite this little favor, the two of them would always be enemies.

"[color=silver]I hope we don't end up on opposite sides of a blade any time soon.[/color]" Gregory's words sliced through the stillness, reminding Rosalina that Gregory was a man who deserved her respect; despite his alignment. Still holding her sidearm, Rosalina offered out her right hand before slowly dragging the serrated edge of her knife across the palm of her hand. She flinched at the pain, drawing out a line of crimson that very slowly trickled down her hand.
"[color=crimson]We may reach that point sooner than we know.[/color]" Rosalina offered the knife to Gregory, the blade as clean as when Rosalina had drawn it. There was a dark aura that emanated from Rosalina's blood; subtle, yet just noticeable enough to make any sane man's skin crawl. "[color=crimson]I vow on my blood, Gregory Vale, that I will keep this promise I have made to you. Despite where our paths take us, or who we fight for, I want you to trust that what we agreed upon here will not be forsaken. I will do everything I can for Luna when she is ready.[/color]" Rosalina held her hand out while she waited for Gregory to seal the blood pact. Perhaps it was unnecessary, but she felt it important for Gregory to know that despite her feelings against him and his guild; he could trust her on this matter.

[center][h2][color=MediumPurple]♫[/color] [u]Isabella and Bullet[/u] [color=FireBrick]☠[/Color][/h2][i]"[color=MediumPurple]Always, huh? My that's such a long time! How shall we entertain ourselves?[/color]"[/i]

[i]"[color=Firebrick]I swear if you suggest that we dance I'm going t-[/color]"[/i]

[i]"[color=MediumPurple]Let's dance, Bullet![/color]"[/i]

[color=MediumPurple]♫[/color] [@Zarkun] [color=FireBrick]☠[/Color][/center]

Isabella spent the next few minutes pinching at Bullet's cheeks while he succumbed to her death grip. It wouldn't have been hard to struggle out of it, considering he wasn't a weak kid. Yet there was a part of him that enjoyed being teased by Isabella. Her tantalizing jeers were always welcome, even if he acted like a brat about them. They continued walking through the streets, the strip mall approaching fast. Various citizens and tourists walked around wearing fashionable outfits and hauling large shopping bags. The very sight caused Isabella to squeal in delight just as Jane addressed the situation of Bullet's outfit.
"[color=DeepPink]A better way to do it would be help him find something presentable to wear and then see who he stumbles across at the ball.[/color]" Isabella nodded in agreement, though before she could respond she found herself drifting to the window of a boutique where she spotted a pair of beautiful lace gloves displayed on a mannequin.
"[color=MediumPurple]Yes, yes. That is... We should definitely do that. Oh these are gorgeous I must try them on![/color]" With that, Isabella darted into the store leaving Bullet alone with Jane.

The young man sighed as he watched his friend disappear, turning to his new companion with an awkward smile.
"[color=FireBrick]She's a little eccentric, but that's what people like about her.[/color]" Bullet could feel his cheeks going red. He quickly turned his head away and began talking in a more frustrated tone. "[color=FireBrick]But they don't know her like I do. Isabella only ever does what she wants and it's real annoying. Who even said I wanted a date to this ball?[/color]" He shoved his hands in his pocket and moved up against the window of the store, leaning against it while avoiding eye contact with Jane. "[color=FireBrick]Thank god she ran into you. At least she can go with someone cause I sure as hell ain't stepping foot in some stupid party as another one of her accessories.[/color]" Despite his harsh words, Bullet was rather transparent about his true feelings. He was annoyed at how Isabella hadn't even considered asking him to accompany her as a date. Instead she had tried to pass him off to Jane, and then ended up agreeing to go with her in a heartbeat. Before he could continue there was a loud ruckus coming from inside the store. Turning his head slightly, Bullet noticed Isabella arguing with another customer over some scarf that the two of them both seemed to want. He sighed, feeling bad for the poor lady butting heads with Isabella over clothes.