While the rest of Phoenix Wing, including James it would seem, had gone to the dance a solitary figure remained in the Phoenix Wing hotel courtyard. After that encounter with the red hooded girl from before Cody and James had done a simple training session in which Cody once again couldn't lay a single blow on his far more experienced tutor.
Not that it was to be unexpected, Cody had already taken up the sword a few days ago after all. But after James had left to go to the ball Cody had stayed behind. He didn't wish to go to the ball for his...own reasons.
Instead he was practicing some sword drills James had taught him earlier. The sword still felt...strange in his hands. It wasn't a weight he was used to, so the drills would not only hopefully help his form but also get him used to swinging the piece of metal around. Though pray tell the drill was probably more efficient if he had someone else to parry and counter with, but he supposed getting the movements muscle conditioned would help as well.
He wasn't sure how long he had been swinging the sword around, making sure that he was also moving his feet so as to not be standing still as James had already drilled into him that in a sword fight one didn't just stand there and swing like a maniac, but the muscles in his arm and shoulders were begining to ache from the effort.
Deciding it was best to take a breath he allowed himself to lean onto his sword, almost falling forward as the sword dug into the ground a little more than he was expecting. Sighing in relief that no-one was around to watch him nearly faceplant that was when he heard a loud, slow and mocking clap ring out around the courtyard.
"Bravo, bravo kid. You really showed those invisible bastards who's boss didn't ya? What with you almost face planting into your own sword and all." Cody quickly turned around to find Sora sitting atop what seemed to be a boulder in the middle of the courtyard? When the hell had that gotten there? Cody was pretty sure he would've remembered such a thing...
"And what do you want? I'm busy and I doubt I can help you with anything. Jamie and Jarvis aren't here if that's who you're looking for." Cody said with a sigh as he pulled his sword out of the ground before sheathing the blade carefully.
Cody's response simply made Sora shrug his shoulders effortlessly and jump off the boulder with the same amount of effort, lightly landing on the balls of his feet in front of the younger boy.
"I don't have any business with those old folks. Not yet I guess anyway. I came here for a few simple reasons." Sora began as he took a step closer to Cody.
"One. I thought since you had some vendetta against those dark wizards you should be the first to know. They're out and about again. Before you say anything, it's a long story but I had no choice to let them go in the end. You can tell your little guild mates that since, well, I'll be busy from now on." Sora held up one finger as he spoke. However what he had to say made Cody narrow his eyes.
He had let them go? What? Wasn't he meant to have handed them over to the council? Before Cody could respond Sora now held up a second finger.
"Two. Due to how busy I will be, I wanted to get this out of the way."



@Raijinslayer
Ash was happily munching away at the food on her plate, a blissful smile on her face as she quickly demolished yet another morsel of food. While this food was bloody tasty, she just wished that they would put out bigger portions...none of this puny finger food nonsense. She basically swallowed this stuff whole.
At least they had some decent sized portions of meat. However it was now that disaster struck the young pyromancer as her plate was now knocked out of her hands by some evil monsters arm! She went to catch it but found that someone else had already done so...even though half of her remaining food was now on the ground. While it might've seemed like a lot of food on the ground to some, it was a mere snack for Ash but she still glared at the man who was now apologizing for knocking her plate.
She soon recognised the outfit that the man was wearing...he was also a member of Frenzy Plant? Well suppose that meant she couldn't beat him within an inch of his life...wait she couldn't do that anyway. She was pretty sure that making a scene at the ball would be a big no-no.
So taking a deep breath she simply sighed before recomposing herself. She wouldn't punch this man in the face, she wouldn't punch this man in the face....
"It's fine. I'll get some more later." Ash told him with a fake smile as she took her plate back from him.
"So...you're a member of Frenzy Plant too? I can only assume by your outfit. I only joined myself so I don't know that many people here." Ash added with a shrug as she tossed a small cake into her mouth. She chewed a few times before swallowing.
"The name's Ash. Ashlynn Johnson." Ash seemed to add as a bit of an after thought as she stared intently at him for a moment....his presence felt a little off. Almost as if tainted by something. A similar sensation to that she felt a few times back in Shadow Heart...



@Oblivion666
Angela too was laughing quite a bit, having to hold her sides as she rolled around in the alleyway due to her little laughing fit. That prank was certainly hilarious. With a wide, beaming smile she went to answer before another darker voice interrupted.
"Ho? So this is where you ended up Angela? Arthur and the others have been looking for you." Angela's smile soon disappeared as she quickly hid behind of Indigo, gripping the bottom of his shirt tightly as their fellow guild member Lilith Johnson strolled out from the shadows of the alleyway.
"Oh no need to be afraid child. Shadow Heart members aren't allowed to harm each other remember? Sometimes that rule is a real shame..." She said with a wide, chilling grin.
"No matter though. Since Indigo is here as well that makes it 'two birds with one stone' yes? Georgie wants everyone back to the guild hall. More specifically a few certain people back, but we might as well bring the useless ones along don't you think so Indigo? That way they won't start any trouble they can't finish." Lilith added in a casual tone as she brushed some hair back behind her ear.

With tranquility and serenity, Parrot is quietly sitting at a table near the front of a cafe. While reading a book with his usual "a page turned every minute", he bites into some sweet nut bread, taking a sip of milk tea right afterwards. Sitting upon his shoulder is his animal companion. Occasionally, his pet bird would peck at his head, nibble at his ear, or climb onto his head, but this did not stir nor bother Parrot, who was ingrained into the tome he was reading.

Parrot could care less about the Ball, for such gatherings did not interest him nor did they make him feel comfortable. What did interest him was the old, musty tome he was currently perusing with great concentration. It was a parchment book, with a black, leather cover that was covered with strange intricacies. Parrot had received this strange document through a bazaar

The dense descriptions recount the history of a strange collection of people living within the center of a desert. It detailed their culture with lifelike illustrations, descriptive text, and accounts of their strange rituals. This, though, did not impress Parrot, nor did it interest him greatly, but his curiosity was piqued when he arrived to the descriptions of the idols. There, the descriptions abruptly stopped, with a sparse amount of text and a half-finished image haphazardly drawn. Parrot flipped through the rest of the empty parts, searching for fine print or hidden drawings.

"That's odd," he said to himself as he closed the tome, deeply disturbed at the incomplete state of the book. "This book should have at least more to it... What do you think, Terry?" When Parrot said this, his pet bird squawked in response. "Are you certain? I don't think Jamie the Master Researcher would care for such a thing." The bird screamed in response to this. "Okay. Okay. I'll go ask, for your sake." Upon saying so, Parrot packed his few tomes into a leather bag, rose from the table he was sitting at, and left the cafe, leaving a tip for the waitresses. With great finesse, Parrot silently walked towards the Phoenix Wing Guild.

As he passed by people, he began to think and record magically about what he had just read, considering the possibilities and history of what he had just read. As he completed the conversion of memory to data, he arrives at the Phoenix Wing Guild, only to find its doors are closed.

"That's right, the whole Phoenix guild is out for the Ball today. Why don't we go home and create something interesting. Right, Terry?" Terry whistles excitingly. Parrot turns around and begins to walk home...

@Caits

Zephyr Hardt

"You don't? Well that seems odd since you kinda rely on them to stop disturbances." Zephyr would say giving her a shrug, before smiling at her comment. "Yeah kind of saw that in you with the whole, a child could rob me at any second exhaustion levels, yet I will just keep moving along attitude. Yet that's what I like about ya, shows you care. Yet even though you worry, I will still always say you can worry as much as you want, but taking a little rest won't cause a disaster. You are strong Carrie but let us be honest with each other. You are flat out exhausted, any kind of situation will flatten you. Like the one from earlier, if I didn't intervene and help you. Do you really think you would be standing here right now? Sorry for being annoying. I'm a annoyer..... Yet if you must worry, can you worry sitting down?" Zephyr asked her with a polite smile.

@Lunarlors34

Indigo Ishida

He heard a voice but it wasn't Angela's as she was busy hiding behind him gripping the back of his shirt. He stood straight as the owner of the voice stepped out from the shadows, causing him to frown slightly. It was just Lilith which would have been fine but she made a very vague threat towards his partner in pranks Angela which was a no go from him. "Yeah it's a damn shame." Indigo said back to her, keeping his eye locked on her. She would proceed to tell them Georgie wanted them back at the guild, which was fine with him. It was what she said next that caused him to be silent for a few seconds before responding back. He then grinned and started chuckling, it would look weird considering nothing humorous was said. "So Georgie wants certain people back, and you want to get all the useless people back as well. I see." Indigo said smiling as he looked at Angela and gave a grin with a look that said, I may regret saying this but fuck it. He would look abck at Lilith and keep his smile on his face. "If you wanted an escort back, all you had to do was say so Lilith."

Flint smiled under the red bandanna as his fellow guild member accepted his request. He never was too good with mingling and parties back in his homeland, but if you get some alcohol in his system with a good buddy to drink alongside, it makes standing around just a bit easier for the bounty hunter. Flint also noted the leaving of Argus, he guessed that hearing an "old" man's tale was boring enough as they left to find new companions, he nodded his head at the disappearing Argus and soon followed Jo-Kam over to the cocktail bar.

Arriving shortly after the group dropped down to two, Flint waited with his drinking buddy to be noticed by the bartender and soon was ordering his drink. "I'd like an old fashioned, double if you don't mind," Flint said, glancing over to his Joakim to see what they would be ordering from the bar. While waiting for their drinks, Flint looked towards his listener to start the next part of his story. "Now, where was I... That's right, I was screaming my head straight off at the sight of these grafted on contraptions. I didn't see none like it, new machines were popping up all over the barren land, but the thing that was attached to me was something completely different. It made it even weirder considerin' that there was not two, but six arms attached to me that caused a bit of hollerin' on my side. It took a bit for me to finally calm down, I mean it took me a bit to realize that Bill Carson hadn't killed me at all, I knew that son of bitch wouldn't had let me live if he had found me, so I could only assume that someone saved me from that man tanning my hide. So, I walked around that little wood cabin, found myself this very set of clothing you see here, some food and equipment, and a direction to the town of Dead Rock. Now, I don't know a single respectable man that would decline to pay back a life debt and I wasn't going to be the first to start, so I followed the map given to me about 20 miles northeast,"

The bartender skillfully introduced the drinks to the two, not interrupting the story, and while Flint continued on to re-live his past journey he drank sips of his old fashioned between the pauses. "So, I go to the town of Dead Rock, a mining town that has been digging like crazy into the mountain near the town. Dead Rock was booming with people, too much considering there probably wasn't enough metals in that mountain to make everyone a rich man, but I goes and ask some people about that girl, Prisilla. They all gave me the same answer, she been recently kidnapped by the natives down by the river, nasty people that drown anyone with their water magic. Chief Ama was the leader, as I recalled they had a nice bounty on their head, so I had a bit of conjoined interest on the matter. I was still a bit sore from my previous near-death experience, but man it was nothing like money to get my blood pumping again. I acquired myself some new weapons, it was strange trying to fire a gun with my new cumbersome arms, I even managed to convince some of the able-bodied men that lived near the town to share some of that money as one man against an entire tribe would just be suicide. Anyway, I went off with my temporary posse to pay off a life debt to an unknown stranger... and to get some money on the way."

"So I sneak over to the village with the men, this time I'm extra aware of my surroundings as I didn't want no person sneaking behind me again to ruin all the fun. The village was pretty big, considering that we were just a few men with some pistols and shotguns, I was feeling a little bit outnumbered, but I still had those headstrong thoughts that we could do this as long as we play it safe. I went in first, told them to attack on my signal once Prisilla is out and safe. So I sneaked in, it was night time so it made hiding easier but if I made one mistake there wouldn't be enough time for the posse to come in and save me before I was dead. So my first goal was to find that girl Prisilla, it was hard trying to move quietly with such a heavy load on your shoulders, I still didn't understand why that blasted contraption had three pairs of arms as it was just a ridiculous sight. I still trudged along though, peeping into those large tents trying to find the one person that didn't want to scalp my head. Boy, it was a real long night, it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack in that village, but I eventually found her tied up to a post in one of the smaller huts. It was finally a damn rescue for that girl, she was all kinds of roughed up but I could tell she was a tough nut from the look on her eyes. I untied her, getting her out of the mess would be first before attacking Chief Ama's village, but as we tried to leave we found ourselves in a entirely new messed up situation."

"We was surrounded, and at the center was Chief Ama giving me a good stink eye. He says to me with a deep voice, "You dare try to take away my revenge? You dare try to take away our justice?" He was mighty angry, I didn't know what he was talking about, but I knew that he wasn't going to let us leave alive. I try to push Prisilla behind me with my arm, with the other under the poncho readying my gun, it was a standoff without my posse but for some reason Prisilla was trying to get my attention during this important time. She whispers to me, "I know that arm, I know it real well... Mister, I don't know where you got those things but when things get scary form your hand like a gun and pretend to fire them, please." Now, you can only imagine the confusion going through my head as I was being surrounded by dozens of people while the chieftain was saying something about revenge and justice, and this little girl telling me to fire at people with a finger gun. I mean... In any other situation, I would have not taken that little girl's advice, but with the absurdity of the situation that has been going on, I felt like giving it a shot. So, I pray to any higher being looking down on me that day and tried out my devil's luck."

"I pulled out my hand, form it to look like a gun, and thought to myself saying 'bang'. And by all kinds of divine grace and luck, the thing actually worked and soon a torrent of water gushed out of my finger and blasted the people in front of me away! It didn't take me another moment to raise my left arm that was guarding Prisilla, and surprisingly a blast of lightning fired out from my finger tips and BAM! Lightning combined with water shook up those natives good. Everyone was panicking and scrambling around trying to avoid me and the screams I guess was the signal for the posse as I soon heard the hiding men charging with their pistols firing into the air. It was just an entire cluster of men everywhere, bullets and arrows whizzing around with a sudden fire spreading around the tents. I made sure that Prisilla was safe behind me, but I was suddenly tackled from the side, I quickly grabbed the spear as it was trying to pierce my chest by the assailant! I yell at the girl to get back in the tent, and I look to see who is trying to end my life and it was the chieftain with a crazed look on his face. We struggle while the fire and fight rages on, I manage to throw him off me but he managed to get a good slash on my chest. We both get back up as fast as we can, I point my hands at him while he points that spear at me. Little did I know, during the tussle on the ground my arms had switched around, so when I tried to fire another gush of water at him, a breath of fire instead exited out! He managed to dodge the attack, but man were we both surprised by the sudden switch of elements. I tried on the other arm this time, a big chunk of rock shot out this time and he broke that earth against his spear! He charged at me soon after he blocked the shot, I try to fire another rock shot but he managed to get a good stab into my side. It hurt like hell, but I managed to tough it out and punched him square in the face before firing that same rock chunk in his face. Chief Ama was knocked out cold from that, but I was cold as well as I passed out."

"I woke up in Dead Rock, I learned that they let the surviving children and women were leaving to one of those reservations, the remaining men needed to face justice for the crimes they committed to the town of Dead Rock and the rest of the county sadly. Meanwhile, I got paid the bounty with the rest of the brave men, I was celebrated a hero in Dead Rock, but now that things were finished with I could get some answers out of Prisilla. She tells me her full name is Prisilla Angelina, her grandfather is John Angelina and was the inventor of this here machine. The thing is though, is that he had disappeared a few weeks ago, and hasn't come back home since his sudden disappearance. She tried to go on her own actually, to find her grandpa, but was captured by the natives not too far into her journey. Well, by the end of it, Prisilla says to me that my debt ain't over as she still needs protecting and demanded that she comes along in my journey to find her grandpa. I wasn't too keen by the entire idea of bringing a little girl around my bounty hunting, but man was she as stubborn as a mule! That girl wouldn't move an inch, had the will of a full-grown man in that little fourteen-year-old body. At that point I couldn't refuse as she started to hold her breath and turning blue, so I accepted her under my wing. That was more than 10 years ago, but I gotta say I sure am glad that that stubborn ass girl convinced me to take her along, probably never would have survived without her. Anyway, that was when I first adventure with Six Shooter, and it was after that my exploits just got bigger and bigger, but those are stories for other times."

Sam grinned, looking to Elyse when the other girl ran up to her, holding out her hands, full of candy. "Uh-huh" She said, hands curled loosely around the candy to stop it falling, she held it out to elyse.

Jamie watched Sam and Elyse, intending to keep a close eye on both children-knowing just how much trouble Sam could get in. @Joshua Tamashii

---

@Silver Fox
Gabriel frowned, feeling like Prince wasn't being entirely honest, but he couldn't figure out why, when the feline seemed to be honest. Shaking his head at himself, he said "Anyone is capable of doing bad things. We all manipulate people, in one way or another" Gabriel said, giving a shrug. Gabriel's thoughts went to Michael, but he said "Sometimes someone appears weak, when they aren't. You should never underestimate someone." He was proud of his brother, and did miss him greatly. "And you don't have to be able to do magic to protect yourself. There are way's around magic"

He thought for a moment, and said "Which leads us to the question, how long have they been possessing Karn? The whole games? Maybe they can control his magic"

---

@oblivion666

"forgive me, but I trusted those on the magic council and look where that got me" Carrie said, "I won't let that happen again" She frowned at the comments about her energy, shaking her head, a little taken about.

"I'm fine She said automatically, but she sighed. "Fine. But if something happens, I will encase you in a sphere of lightning" glancing about, not particularly wanting to be in the crowds, she sighed,.

@Caits

Zephyr Hardt

"Come on it won- wait really? Stop questioning it Zephyr, she agreed." Zephyr said mumbling the last bit not expecting her to agree so easily. He expected to ask at least ten more times before she agreed to sit down, just to shut him the hell up. Yet he saw the look she gave as she glanced around and would lead her to a seat that was a good bit away from the crowd, but still close enough she could do her worrying from. Zephyr would take a seat as well and smile. "See not that bad now is it? You can relax a little bit, while still worrying that everyone is about to start swinging. Yet if something does happen feel free to encase me in lightning, but just remember. I have a lightning rod take over~" Zephyr said chuckling a bit, know she probably would end up frowning and glaring at him.

After a few moments of embracing Bullet, Marlene pulls away and continues smiling. Whether or not she overreacted a little too much is up to debate, but regardless it's clear that she wasn't expecting the nice gift. She could even see him blushing a little, despite trying to hide it.

"Man, I'm hungry! Let's get going to the ball." the young man replies cheerfully, extending his arm hesitantly out to her.

Marlene paused for a second, but soon accepted the offer by gingerly crossing her arm with him.

"Well let's." she says in response.

Meanwhile, she can hear Isabelle nearby calling out to them, while pointing at the Crystal Maiden exclusively. A smile flashes upon Marlene's face as she too begins to blush. After everything was done, she nods confirming him as they began to head towards the Ball.



Eventually the two made it to the ballroom, where it was already heavily crowded and bustling with activity. They made it around 20 minutes after it officially started, so they weren't actually late or anything. She takes a nice gander at her surroundings and smiles confidently.

"Ah finally!" she exclaims as she looks around the area.

---

The blue lizardman began walking over to his desk where he had files of Frye littered about. Collecting them and placing them back in a box, he glanced back at Dreadlin.

”As mentioned earlier, the Magic Games are over. I have to start packing some things soon as I plan on leaving early tomorrow. I should be able to find some available time for this investigation, but most of my time will be with the Council. Your role would be the most important since you could try searching for anything that could help us lead to these missing lizard folks and Maiz while I’m busy with the Council...

The sooner I get everything packed and ready, the more time I’ll have to dedicate into this investigation.”

The green lizardman nods at Grane's response and slowly gets up from his seat.

"Tanks a buncha' mate." he responds, "I'll be doin' everything I can for this shebang. Hope to be seein' you in a jif or two."

And with that, Dreadlin exits the room, but not before putting on his hoodie. He waves a thank you to the receptionist and makes his way outside. He'll just have to check out with the hotel he was in and then head back to the village for investigation.

---

"I didn't see the girls Magic, but she has a strange presence. The man is incredibly powerful. I didn't exactly see his magic but he was capable of appearing out of thin air without me noticing. They no doubt would be assets. Though I find their relationship curious."

This has caught some interest from her Majesty as she slowly takes down her cup from her soft prominent lips. She was curious herself. While the girl's is basically unknown, to have the fact that the man could thin the air around him was a rather interesting concept. She hasn't heard of such a power. But before she could respond, only able to let out a "hmmm", Rosalina finishes her statement.

"It shames me that I would be so desperate for recruits to consider accepting random strangers who I find on the streets. Desperate times, eh?"

Sayatachi simply chuckled at this statement.

"We'll need all we can get," the woman responds calmly, "But we'll need to see what they wield first before we can consider taking the under our arms. I've never heard of a man that could thin the air around him... and a girl casting a strange aura? Intriguing, to say the least. I suggest we take them in for questioning. It's possible that at least one of them may harbor some lost magic for all we know."

A passing butler quickly offers her another drink, in which Sayatachi complies and takes the new glass, sipping it slowly.

Argus Leandros

Okay, she's smiling and not trying to kill me, right? So why do I still feel like I'm not out of the woods yet? Damn this seal, it was so useful to be able to tell when people were pissed or not without having to actually being empathetic. Ugh, why is socializing so hard? Argus let the red-haired woman take her plate back with a nervous laugh, immediately starting to fidget with his hair again as he tried to think of a way to make up for what he did. Looking aroun d, he noticed that a few of the staff where glaring daggers at him, a few even going off to get the needed cleaning supplies. Great, now the staff hate me. Ugh.. . . Wait! I can fix this. I can fix this, I can totally fix this! While Ash introduced herself, Argus quietly cast Crimson God's Blessing on the food, the destructive properties of the magic causing it all to quickly disintegrate into naught but dust, and even the dust faded away into further nothingness soon after.

The small silence while Ash awaited Argus to return her greeting shocked the slayer out of his focus, and he quickly ceased his actions as he worked to formulate his next words carefully. Come on Argus, you can do this. Just introduce yourself, make some small talk, say she looks nice? Is that appropriate? Is that what I should say? Ugh, people are so much more terrifying when you have to talk with words instead of fists and magic. This may have been a mistake . . . and I haven't even tasted the food yet.

"Uh, My name's Argus, Argus Leandros. I joined a little bit before you did, I think, so i don't know a lot of the people here either." And a good number of those I do know don't like me all that much. Argus fell a bit silent afterwards, trying to thing of something to say too fill the possible void. "Umm, you look pretty, um, good in the whole uniform . . . thing. Probably better than I do, heh. I kinda feel like I'm about to suffocate myself, Things way too restrictive and tight. Geez, if we were to have to fight in these, it'd be horrible. . . though, that's probably too be expected since they're not, uh, fighting clothes. . . *cough*. . . soooooo. . . . . what do you do, ya know, in regards to magic?"

Carrie
@Oblivion666

Letting Zephyr lead her to a seat, Carrie wrapped her arms about herself in a hug,sitting down and leaning against the back of the chair, and tucking her legs under her a bit, not something easy to do in a dress, but Carrie didn't care. "Yes, but I could probably over charge you, Zephyr. I dohave a large amount of magical power" She said,leaning against the table slightly,sighing, she looked over the crowd. She knew a majority of the players were annoyed that the games had effectively been cancled, and she was expecting something to happen.

"Why do you even care?"She asked Zephyr, looking back to him."it doesn't make sense" She saidsoftly, looking away from him. She just couldn't understand why he bothered with her. She wasn't anything special-the only thing special about her was her magic, and that wasn't anything to brag about. She was a hard ass, strict, and full of worry. And zephyr wasn't. So itjust didn't make sense to her.

Edarn watched as Mayt hobbled away, the blonde dropping the smiling happy go lucky face her other self often had, grabbing a piece of bread and munched on it. Ethereal glowing green eyes once again, motionless and expressionless. Eyes roaming the ballroom as she pondered what to do. She could let Karn have some fun, but she rather not his.... energetic attitude totally disrupt everyone. If she pisses someone off and they throw a punch, for simply talking, well that's their own fault. But Karn actively enjoyed just touching people without realizing the consequences.


@Caits

"Yes, but if everyone did that, there would be no murders, rape, or jobs for us wizards. Because where there are people who can take care of themselves, there are those who can't or just easily tricked. For example, Karn himself is powerful and can fight a good fight, but is easily tricked.. He went along Phoenix Wing taking down the Council, having little to no idea what exactly was going on. They had good intention, but imagine if he had run into just anyone. He'd help them just because they said they needed help. Plus as your guildmate said, there is little excuse for backstabbing and manipulation like you just saw hmm?" Prince said with a soft hum, shrugging a little.

Tapping his chin with a bandaged claw, the one eyed catman thought for a moment. "Most of the games yes. Magic, also yes. Magic of someone doesn't leave their body after all. Shapeshifting is a lot more complicated then Karn makes it look as well. None the less Chimera Slayer magic. Probably would take a bit of figuring out, but they probably could and use it to their advantage." he mused.

So the ambitious, elegant beast-tamer had some sort of relationship with Salem Monroe, master of Pirate Lord? Or rather, Indigo corrected herself, division leader of Frenzy Plant. Interesting. Only a little serious, she regretted not knowing him better, so that she might be able to judge their compatibility as a couple. Few people in Fiore, and none within its number-one war guild, sported such an obsession with matchmaking as Indigo Afina. She ran a fingernail along her jawline, ruminating like a wise man deep in thought even as a mischievous smile flitted across her features. ”Noticed, did you?” The sorceress tittered. ”It's all harmless fun, I assure you.” For a moment Indigo's gaze fell away from Malice to dance across the room, trying to spot people of note. She noticed several council members, and noted the positions of all present guild leaders. In particular, she committed the sight of General Sanders standing opposite Jack Goran of Dragon Fang. Then her attention returned, a touch of dry wit behind her eyes. ”So, when do you suppose something is going to happen? Socializing is nice and all, but it stands to reason after today's disappointment that a certain few royals might be making an appearance, don't you think?” She clasped her hands and interlaced her fingers in front of her medallion, curious.



Resplendent in his Wizard Saint's snow-white cloak, Jack returned the salutations of Frenzy Plant's General and Champion. Sanders nodded his response to the fellow guild master's question. ”Yes, everything's grand and showy. Just the ticket after the Games' festivities.” A cloud of wariness entered his eyes as Amelia approached. Her bearing did not speak of an abundance of self-assuredness, but the fact that she interposed herself in what surely resembled a meeting between two very important people told Sanders enough about how to treat her. His muscles tensed as he witnessed a flare of magic next to the girl followed by a noise he couldn't even begin to understand, but the next moment the apparition vanished. The General's gut reaction echoed his general feeling of unease; he knew very well how much potential magic filled this splendid hall, and he did not like to be so close to someone he felt he couldn't trust. Then again, he did not trust very many. Even Goran escaped that selective list.

For her part, Hyun remained as perfectly composed as ever, moving only to acknowledge Amelia with a tilt of her head. She left all the talking, as well as the emoting, to her superior.

Amelia ended up taking took the gracious opportunity Hyun provided to steal the show for herself, opening up to Jack about her feelings while Sanders waited patiently.

When the chance came, the old man seized it. color=8F9779]”Mr. Goran, if I may...the Games have brought to light, and perhaps worsened, some poignant conflicts between guilds. Yet, not all bonds are falling apart. I would be pleased to give you a better idea of what Frenzy Plant is and who the stellar individuals who constitute it are, and I would be just as happy to get to know Dragon Fang a little better. Perhaps we could begin by you telling me just what you have heard and think of my guild? Once I get an idea of our popular reputation, I can begin to cut away the inaccuracies and show our true faces.



As the group's focus shifted to Cecilia, Fleo took her first good look at the cat. For a while now she'd known about Exceeds, particularly the purple, pompadour-wearing Dalton, but somehow Amaya's own companion escaped her notice. She wondered if Cecilia and Dalton would get along. The information concerning the new cat's appearance surprised her. For a while, actually, she'd forgotten all about poor Bert in the desert, driven to delirium and finally destroyed by the ashen blade of Nolan Waltz. While the two Exceeds said hello, Fleo waved to get Amaya's attention. ”Hey! By the way, I've been meaning to tell you something. I'm not mad or anything, but you've kinda been saying my name wrong for a long time. It's not 'Floe', it's 'Fleo'. Missed the 'ee'. I know, a weird name, right? It's from some old language.” She shrugged.



At the end of it all, Joakim gave a low whistle. No affinity for storytelling made his own life any more of an interesting affair, so in a way he envied Flint, but when it came to the amount of torment the gunslinger went through, he was lukewarm at best. As a part of Frenzy Plant, Joakim had experienced some unforgettable things, and afterward he seldom failed to fill a few pages of his old leather-bound notebook with a summary of the whole event. Then, sooner or later, he'd find an audience with which to share those yarns. Remembering the past through tales, chronicled in paper but passed down by tongue, brought them to life, and to the dead and forgotten they paid homage. In listening to Flint's story, Joakim felt he tantalizing urge turn his comrade's experiences into a thrilling folktale. The northerner wrung much fulfillment from committing deeds to legend, for in he greater scheme of things, could there be any greater gift than being remembered?

”Thank you for sharing, my friend,” he murmured after taking a long sip from his liquor. ”With your permission, I'd like to write down your story, and retell it to others.” Another pause filled the air, though the hubbub of a crowded ballroom made any thoughtful silence a foregone conclusion. ”Hm...if you don't mind me asking, where's this Prisilla girl now?”

As Flint finished his drink, draining down the last drips of alcohol as he placed the icy cup on the counter of the cocktail bar, he nodded towards Joakim for patiently listening to his past adventures. It felt nice telling stories once again, Prisilla was never one to sit down and shut-up, that girl always had to correct him when his tales got a bit too tall and bar patrons tend to be a bit more rowdy for his taste. Just a nice old sit down, let the man have some fun in spinning the tale and feel the excitement in his voice as the story begins to visualize in one's mind in perfect sync to the storyteller's voice. It was all about having fun, a different fun compared to bringing criminals to justice, but a more relaxed and calm fun than exciting and blood-pumping fun. Anyway, Flint was getting off on a tangent, it was only until Joakim brought up the question of recording his oral stories into a physical form.

"Oh? Asking me if you want to write down my stories? Well, you're already a step ahead from the other writers that try to retell my tales through the drunkard's lip. I give you my permission, hell ain't no stopping you if I really wanted anyway, but it would be fun to read stories that are recorded from the source material." Now as time passed between the two, the silence permeating between the past conversation, Flint coughed at the bartender and looked at his empty glass. The bartender got the hint and started to remake his previous drink, it would take some time before the alcohol would affect his body, but Flint has the habit that once he gets taste for alcohol he can't stop until he is passed out drunk in his bed. It was only until his drink was finished, taking another sip of the bourbon drink, Joakim had asked him another question.

"You want to know about Prisilla do you? Aren't you a little impatient fella. Ah, just yanking your chain. She's fine if that is what you're asking, girl is a tough nut and a better shot than me which is probably why she is the leader of the Sundance Guild. Strong clone and requip magic user that Prisilla, not a big elemental phony like me, but her old mentor can still humble her whenever she gets a bit too cocky in her trade. I actually had a talk with her earlier in the day, she was pretty darn angry that I actually joined Frenzy Plant rather than Sundance as she had been trying to get me to join before it was even formed, but I explained that I had to go other ways to improve my skills and after a while it was just us enjoying some drinks as friends. Though, she has already left if you were wondering to meet her, girl is protective of her home and didn't think it right leaving it unprotected any longer while she was enjoying some fancy ball. Anyway, you have any other questions? Now would be the time as I can finally start to feel the alcohol working its magic on me.”

Shujin @caits

He continued to dance with Sasha, almost sweating at her question. He gulped before responding. "Oh her? She's... an old friend of mine." She smiled sheepishly. What he was saying was not entirely false. His whole body language was trying to tell Sasha that something was wrong. He couldn't use words for fear Wither might hear and start something. He didn't want Wither to get caught, but at the same time he would feel better if someone else was keeping an eye on her, as Sasha clearly was. It appeared that Sasha was quite a jealous being.

Trinity wasn't one to conduct in any sort of standard way. Not that she needed to, that would probably hold her back in the end. The music would not flow through her the same way if she didn't do something involved. Play an instrument along, or dance. A very peculiar dance, she danced while using the baton as a focus for all those instruments. The baton had to be pointed at least vaguely at them at all times, but she made it work.

She took a moment to view her audience. She was not the center of attention here, this was not a concert. There was dancing, and mostly mingling, so she couldn't be too boisterous. Swing and Big Band were probably the stretch of it, so she should draw it back. She had probably been too eager to show off in starting so big, but now that she was in the swing of things... she had just wanted to play like this again.

She'd missed it.

The song ended, and she stepped forward. She made a few Energy Make circles in the air among her instruments, for synthesizing sound. She walked up to a standing bass and sat beside it, stool forming under her as she did. She'd take the bass and begin to play something a little slower, and a little softer. But just a little.

Bomberman BreakBeat Bossa Nova Remix


In a secluded section of the hall, behind some column or other, two figures faded into view. "So you can be quiet after all." Kregor glowered at the woman, who shot him a fast, scornful or... playful?... look. She said nothing. Though it was his voice, the face was different. "It only took us an hour to make these, so best behavior. Recon. No trouble."

"Ha ha ha ha, okay, okay." He laughed and stepped out. "I won't tell a soul, I swear. Now, c'mon. We should mingle before someone thinks we're weird. Hey, speakin' of. Here's someone else who's weird." Ryan turned and found a Karn, standing off to the side on his own. "Ryan. Ch...armed?" He honestly wasn't sure. "Emily."

'Emily' seemed surprised, almost, but shook the state. "Ah- what?" They exchanged glances, Ryan obviously expecting Emily to have been paying attention, before she caught on and looked at Karn. "Male."

"Ah." Ryan held out his hand to Karn, wearing a welcoming smile.

@Silver Fox

gabriel
@Silver Fox

Gabriel sighed. "Everyone can think they have noble intentions, when they don't.I think that what Phoenix Wing did was perhaps the only option-not merely because to gather evidence against the magic council would be near impossible, but because time was, essentially, of the essence. Things were bad...and I don't think we'dbe in the position we are with the dark guilds if something had bene done about the magic council sooner" He shrugged, "But how do we know?"

Gabriel was at a loss of what to say, and he frowned a moment. "But what if Karn is helping them, to learn the magic? Maybe its the only way for them both to survive" He said after a time to Prince, "Being possessed...Well, you can't be two people at once without being...torn apart. But maybe...working together, they prevent that?"

Sasha
@YipeeXD

Sasha frowned, looking to Shujin, she said "I'm well aware of the type of old friends you have, and consequently Lazarus. What is she up to?" Because Sasha was sure that the woman was up to something, and she looked back to Lazarus, wanting to go over there and interrupt again. "If she does something...I'll freeze her solid" It wouldn't be killing her-Sasha didn't like death, but she wasn't going to sit by and let that woman mess with Lazarus, not with everything that was going on.

Mayt took a moment to psyche himself up before limping over to Carrie, who was sitting with someone else. He hoped that she hadn't been keeping up with all current events everywhere, as if she had been he was about to get the scolding of a lifetime. He breathed deeply before speaking up to Carrie, likely also catching the attention of her companion. "Hey, Carrie? Sorry if I'm interrupting, and I, uhm, can't remember if I've done this yet either, but I wanted to apologize for running you through a few months ago. It was one of those... Heat of the moment kind of things, but I think I probably should've handled it better," he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. He felt kind of stupid doing this, but he figured it was better than never apologizing or anything for it. Though he couldn't shake the vague feeling he had done this before. "Uhm, if I happen to have already apologized for that, then sorry. I've got a bit of a concussion right now so everything's kind of... Hazy," at least no one could blame him for not trying to make things right here. Though he wasn't entirely sure it was because he was genuinely sorry and not because Carrie could have him carted away and thrown in jail for life. Mayt considered the fact that there was also the possibility he was just imagining everything. He had a concussion as well as memories that weren't his own but all the same indecipherable from his own. At the very least, his was pretty sure that he had actually stabbed Carrie. That had come before Edolas and... Everything else. Not that he could remember anything from Edolas, but what came after was plain as day to him.

@Caits@Oblivion666

"Hush! He might hear us!" Jackson says to Sakura as he's stuffing a sack with food, supplies, and clothing under candle light. What is about to take place may either be the best or worst decision Jackson will make in his lifetime. Jackson is going to flee from his home. Not only that, he'll also be whisking his sister, Sakura, away to a better place, hopefully.
As Jackson is continuing to pack, Sakura says, "Will father be angry if we leave the house now?" She clasps her hands behind her back while rotating slightly.
"Sakura, don't ask questions. Dad is deep sleeping right now. Do you want to see him when he wakes up from his deep sleep?" Jackson replies.
"No... but will he be angrier if we go outside the house at night?" Sakura asks.
Jackson hastily replies, "Yes, he will, but it does not matter. We need to leave as soon as possible. Mother would say the same thing if she were hurt by a person like dad. Here, wrap this around your shoulders." Jackson passes Sakura a small sack packed with her doll, cards, and book. As Sakura equips the small sack, her face reveals a very worried look. In response, Jackson gently says, "Don't worry, Sakura. We'll be meeting very nice people when we arrive at Magnolia."
"Magnolia?"
"Yes, Magnolia. Like in the stories I told you. Now, do not say anything now, we're leaving now." As Jackson says this, Sakura slowly nods her head. As Sakura agrees, Jackson takes his own sack, filled with food, basic supplies, a compass, a map, and some money. After Jackson fits upon his belt his magic cards, Jackson clasps the ring around his neck, muttering, "Mother, I ask of you, be our guardian in our time of need and grant us safe travels to Magnolia." After his utterance, Jackson gently holds Sakura's hands, blows out the candle, and hurries through the backdoor and into the dark and silent village. Thus, the journey begins with him and Sakura walking in the direction of Magnolia.

@t2wave
NOLAN

"I, um, uh...Thank you?" His face lit up like a flare with such an intense heat that it's surprising that the entire capital didn't feel it. Mouth dry and palms sweating, Nolan looked like the textbook definition of a nervous wreck. He was again completely lost for words as he watched her twirl around in her dress though to save face he cleared his throat and pretended to remain cool. "I really like it. You're probably the prettiest woman in the room." His face lit up red again as he realized what he said to her, something that broke out of his character.

He looked upon her beauty and metaphorically, something finally hit him; the answer to why has not been able to properly use his full power without entering a rage. It was her, no, everyone in Phoenix Wing that kept him from using his power. To be more accurate, it was his guilt and fear that held him back. For the first time in a long time, he was surrounded by people that he had cared and in turn cared about him though they don't know what atrocities he had committed. There were so many people that he had killed, so many that bit his blade and no matter how evil they were he knew that he that his friends would never had done what he had done.

If they found out he would be otracized. If they found out...he would lose everything again. There is no way he can let anyone know what he had done no matter what. He...

"Wow Nolan. I didn't notice before, but Ariel has some impressive assets. Can I-?'"

"Do not even finish that sentence." Nolan sighed and rubbed the back of his head. No, he shouldn't be thinking of such things. Tonight he was going to enjoy himself and he certainly wasn't going to get in his own way though he certainly wasn't succeeding so far considering the brooding expression he previously was doning.

He must've realized this because he was trying to steer the conversation away with a forced smile. "So, um, should I get us something to eat? Or do you want a drink?

@Raijinslayer
ZEV

"Jeez kid, you do realize that the chances of the royal family interacting with you are slim to none right? All they are going to do is give us a speech thanking our guilds for participating in the games and talk to some of the noble families and business tycoons so stop worrying yourself sick, grab a drink, and have some fun." Zev took a swig out of martini glass and chuckled at the nervous wreck. "How about this? Let's go around and find you a partner to dance with after we get a few drinks in you to calm your nerves. No one wants to dance with someone as stiff as you."

@Caits
FERRIS

"Now this is certainty my area of expertise! All of you mages are looking quite fabulous in your own ways in this models eyes. Oh and by the way, if you see a short woman with pink hair lost in the crowds, please return her to me." Ferris sat on the edge of the indoor balcony looking over the crowds of people making mirth, speaking into a lacrima. Ferris wore a black tuxedo with his hair slicked back.

@Lugubrious@Joshua Tamashii@Roseletta
DALTON

Soon the Exceed was met in the warm, soft embrace that was Fleo's hug. His cheeks blushed contently as his face was buried in happiness and would have stayed there much longer if it wasn't for the fact he was in for a surprise. Dalton popped out from Fleo's hug and looked at Cecilia as if she had snakes pouring out of her ears. It's not every day an Exceed finds one of its own kind every day. "Uh, nice to meet ya I guess? I'm Dalton, Nolan's partner though ya already knew that didn't ya?"

The Exceed realized that he didn't answer Amaya's question and looked up at the two Powderkegs. "Oh yeah, Nolan. He's been fine though I think now that he is famous, he really hates the attention that he has been attracting lately."

Well, it's good to see her talking to someone else normally. I have to wonder if she's like this with all of her teammates... though I kinda have to doubt it when it comes to Nolan. He doesn't strike me as the friendly, sociable type. But, I could be wrong about that. Joshua thought to himself as he watched Amaya talking with Fleo. It actually put him at ease to see her talking with someone else with a smile on her face. She had been so down in the dump recently.



"Well, at your age, it can be hard to tell at times. You're a growing boy, soon to be a man I'm sure. Amelia is a growing girl, and a very unique and shy one at that. You just have to keep the compliments to a minimum and just talk to her like anyone else if you ask me." Lucus said. "Oh, by the way, she just got snuffed by General Grumpy over there. I'm sure she could use someone to talk with. Why not take Rose with you so she can help out since she knows Amelia the best out of all of us here. Elyse is... sufficiently distracted."



Amelia sighed as she was flat out ignored by General Sanders. She couldn't blame him though, given that she was the daughter of the guild he likely despised the most. On top of that, he likely knew nothing about her and had no reason to talk to someone who was probably nothing more then a simple child to him. His partner at least acknowledged her and she supposed she would have to do with that for now. Turning to leave, she walked over to the closest table and see if she could find something to eat that would interest her.

@joshua tamashii

"just be yourself and considerate of her. She doesn't trust new people easily"
"Alright, alright I get it" said ryu sighing " no I do not want a babysitter nor do I need one so if I catch you following I will come after yousaid ryu causing a light laugh from Rose and a chuckle from Raiden "it's so cute how offensive you seem about wanting to do this yourself...I promise you WON'T catch me following you" said rose

"I am serious about this don't follow me" he said flustered
"Ryu go talk to her I will make sure rose doesn't do anything to embrace you and your crush" raiden said having a hars time to keeping a straight face as ryu left to go see Amelia.

It was easy for Ryu to move through the crowd over to the same table as her as he looked at the food "you kinda look upset...do you wanna talk?"he asked


@joshua tamashii@Lugubrious@hatakekuro

"Yes I haven't meet anyone else from team powder keg other then Flew just now. I am so happy to finally meet you amaya spoke of you on more how adorable you are..I am guessing your the mascot for the team now ."said Cecelia

"Oh have I been saying it wrong. I am sorry I never have a issue with names on anyone. So it's fleo, fleo,fleo,fleo,fleo"said amaya repeating the name so she can make sure it was correct