As the clatter began to subdue Willow coughed and gestured to a small girl that had characteristics of a cat. Some ears, a small tail, and eyes all reminiscent of the cats back on Aear's world. If one thing was exceedingly clear it was this She's a precious cinnamon roll that must be protected! "You'll be working in groups determined by the tablets my friend has in her hands. Each have been programmed with useful statistics and data for your time in Alcone, and they'll also determine which of those seated next to you will be partnered together. Each has a number that will light up for a moment, and whoever has the same number will be in a group with you. If you remember drawing sticks or numbers for partnerships, then you shouldn't have any issue." The small Cinnamon Roll made her way down the crowd handing each their own tablet. A device that seemed as ancient and ruinic as one would expect in a world of fantasy. When she reached Aear the tablet was placed into their hands bit as soon as the exchange happened Aears new "aquatic " friend began to nuzzle the ankle of the girl. Sorry...I haven't quite learned how to control it's behaviour yet... Their voice trailed off in a sort of meek shyness. While the girl walked away Aear yelled out to her But I'm sure I will someday! in a very hopeful tone, though who he was trying to convince (him or her) remained to be seen. In an attempt to occupy their mind away from embarrassment and away from the tablet for just a moment Aear began to attempt to "reclaim " memories of their new family though it proved to be fruitless. Right, the tablet has the answers to my family...my homeThey scoured the tablet for information and found out that their family lived in the great body of water that divided Alacone. Under it's surfaced lived a few Semi-permeable domes comprised of the same structure you'd find bubbles made out of though these didn't pop. Inside the domes would be communities of Sea-elf that migrated to Alacone for better trade and living opportunity as not as many dangers lived in the waters. Some day I'll visit them...the day I know I can make them proud of my skills. The tablet began to indicate where Aears group number could be found. They placed their finger above the location and closed their eyes.Ok...please be someone nice please be someone nice please be... they kept their eyes shut while chanting, hoping for a good outcome and eventually peered one eye open. Three they said softly to themselves, then in an attempt to gather the others of their team Aear shouted Th-three? Anyone else a three?

Olive's shoulders slumped as Forrest turned her away. She held her tablet tighter, blocking the view of the "screen" with her chest. "No,
no, I-I'm totally two." She lowered her voice and leaned in a bit. "I mean, you guys look nice. Come on, nobody's gonna ask..." She briefly glanced over her shoulder at Willow, then back to Forrest. "And I...kinda just w-wanna stay away from that, uh, fish guy. He looks...I-I dunno, weird." She slumped her shoulders meekly.

(Fixed.)

Jessica began to carefully sniff out any mentions of the number one. This required her to ball up her fists and get really tense. All right, one, the NUMBER one. Le numbero uno. The corndog-looking one.

A tired and hollow voice immediately caught her attention. Sweet! There's one.

"Yo!!! you with the sword!! we're on the same team bro!!" She whizzed towards her new teammate and began to introduce herself. "My name is Jessica Parker, and I'm also on team one. Together, we can make eleven!"

The brawler gave a thumbs up and winked, which combined made all who watched feel secondhand embarrassment for a split second. Jessica paused from posing to shove two whole sugar cubes in her mouth and resumed.

@Achronum Ysran threw a two-fingered salute out and whistled. "Team four's right here." Looks like he was paired up with another magic user. Interesting. Once more Ysran tried to focus a spell. He decided to try the other. Whispering, so that no other person could hear, "Zodiladare..." A large purple and black orb appeared in his hand hidden below the table, out of sight. The spell seemed to work fine. Good. He closed his hand, and the orb shrank into nothingness.

---

"A pleasure."

Brian, huh?

His posture and expression looked indeed competent, confident and strong. Hopefully this would be the one truly worth of his time, worth being his wingman. Hans in the past had had problems with trusts and stuff, but his ideology in its core hadn't changed much: Trust until proven disloyal.

There was a small elf girl who came just after Han's greeting with Brian, timidly asking for their approval to team up. She was a cute one, and having a girl in his team would be interesting, since it appeared that no one else was on his team. But the problem was that she wasn't assigned here by the system. She was on team one instead. And the thing was that in this world, everything was managed by some sort of computerized system that although Hans could not properly comprehend, a misaligned team would easily be detected. So however tempting Hans wanted to help the girl with her team switching issue, he would have to refuse, unless allowed by Willow.

"Sorry there, but unless you ask her, I can't really help." He said pointing at Willow, who was busy tending the others. "Because even if she doesn't pay attention, the system here would. You've seen it, don't you? The tablet. Don't get me wrong, I would welcome you, but I would prefer not to go against the rule here."

Hans patted the girl's shoulder reassuringly, as he continued.

"Return once you've asked."

@Pumpkinbot @Leaves

Christopher could barely understand anything. People shouting numbers, talking, it was maddening. However he managed to catch someone calling three. He looked about, before standing. They never spoke again. Damn. He couldnt pick them out...
Sitting once more,he grumbled, lifting his tablet for everone to see the big "3" on screen

There it was, as if a beacon had been lit to notion him closer. There in the air lay a tablet glowing a bright blue three to show to the world. A three! My team is finally coming together, though which of these eccentric characters will I have the fortune,or misfortune, of being with? Will our powers match up? Aear neared towards the tablet in the air; riddled with anxiety of who may be the one holding it up. As they approached nearer they stopped, staring at the tablet This is it. From this point on there is no turning back, no second guesses. Today,
At this moment, my life as an adventurer begins with new friends and even newer powers. Holding their new "aquatic " pet in their arms Aear finally reached the man holding up the tablet. Before him was a boy, dark Raven hair, rounded ear, from all accounts appeared to be human. Odd I wasnt expecting to see humans in this world though I guess they do exist in most all fantasy settings. Aear tapped the stranger on his shoulder as they stated Hi! I'm Aear. Looks like we'll be a team together from here on out. As they spoke they moved to the seat next to his new teammate. Once Aear sat down and turned to continue their greeting they realized that this boy was no human at all. There were markings on his face as well as the ear that was once hidden from their sight appeared to be elven in nature. Is he...a literal half elf? They allowed the idea to be shaken off as it was not of immediate importance. Aear began to conclude their greeting with the man I'm a necromancer. This here is one if my talents They said as they gestured to their cat. I sure hope we can make an amazing team and conquer all the quests we can! Aear smiled from ear to ear hoping his teammate was nice.

@Mistory

Christopher gave a smile as his first team member came to greet him. And who said simplicity meant stupid?
With a warm smile, he shifted his tablet to his left hand, reaching out his right for a shake

"Well hello, Aear. Its good to meet you." She quickly explained her status, the abilities given to her by this world, and he nodded. A necromancer? With a water...familiar? Bizarre combination...

"I suppose you can call me...Erik."the name tasted bizarre on his tongue. But he felt...christopher had died...lets leave him dead.

"And i believe i have fire based abilities. But dont worry. Aslong as you dont put me out, i think we will be ok. " he gave another smile,nodding, before looking her over. Not much to really look at. Covered head to toe. Well, might be for a reason. Muttering under his breath, he glanced about.

"I believe we are missing one more..."
@trainerblue192@pumpkinbot

What's face flushed beet red as they quickly realized there mistake. As their partner spoke they waited for the most opportune time to correct their wrong. U-um. Excuse me Erik? I-i mispoke earlier when I said I was a necromancer a soft chuckle came out showing Aears embarrassment and slight discomfort at the though of such a mistake. I suppose I'm like a necromancer in the sense that I bring life into objects that don't have them though it doesn't go past water. In all my excitement to meet my team my brain got all out of sorts and I accidently said necromancer when I'd meant Hydromancer. Aear made sure to emphasize Hydromancer this time as if they were Hermione Granger pronouncing Leviousa. They went on to say You see, I can create water and in some cases breath life into it to do... their voice trailed off not wanting to say "bidding" as it did not seem right. Well, to do what I can't I suppose. For instance I created this cat not too long ago. If I hold or touch a surface of water I can use it as a form of divination to see through my cats eyes and hear what it hears without having to be in harm's way myself. They realised now that they've been speaking of themselves for far too long and not even acknowledged what Erik has said. So...fire powers huh? Be cool to see that in action. See what form they take shape in the sense of Pyromancy. Can you create beings like me? Do you control the element itself? Do you spew it or lob it or coat your fists in it then punch? Whatever the case Im sure you and I combined are gonna be a force to reckon! Though...you say there's one more? I wonder who it could be? And if they'll wield an element as well

@Mistory

Olive slouched, then peeled the tablet away from her chest to peer at the number again. "W-...Well...Fine. I-I guess." She shuffled away from the group and glanced around for a moment, before spotting the weird fish guy chatting with some decidedly non-fish guys. Inhale...exhale...Just relax, and introduce yourself. She stepped over. "Ah...Group three?" She flashed her tablet, a bold 3 glowing out the front. "O-Olive Bishop. Arcanist." She briefly shot Aear a nervous sideways glance before shuffling a few inches away.

---

So, everyone will be working in groups, huh? Haruka thought to herself as she looked around the room. Well, here's hoping that we each have good chemistry with one another.

After looking around the room and hearing two people call out the number one (a short-tempered young man and a very energetic young lady), Haruka looked down to the tablet she was given.

As luck would have it, she also had the number one.

Haruka ran over to the duo with the same number and flashed her tablet, grinning underneath her scarf. "Looks like we each have the same number," she said before extending a hand to her teammates. "My name is Kurotsuki Haruka, but you may call me Black Moon. It's a pleasure."

While she introduced herself, Haruka couldn't help but wonder about something else that Willow said. Everyone had new families? Ones that believe they've been caring for them since birth? From what she could tell, unless, by some sheer miracle, Haruka's mother, father, and/or were here as well, she may never see her true family again. Whatever family she'd been assigned wouldn't be able to replace the one she had been taken away from.

Maybe Clyde was her family?

It was a bit of a longshot, but it was a guess that at least made some sense.

@Joker892 @HokumPocus

Erik gave Aear a nod. A 'hydromancer'. Made so much more sence. Slip of he tongue. He was moving to explain it was fine, but was interrupted by the elf returning. Number three? Could of said so earlier. He gave her a smile, nodding to her.
"Well then. Welcome, olive. We were just discussing our...capabilities. Im erik. And this is Aear. You said your an...anarchist? Arcanist! Thats..." he paused, thinking, pinching his earlobe in his thoughts.
"I actually dont know what an arcanist is..."

Olive's mouth hung open for a moment as she tried to gather her thoughts. "Wh-...Ah, no, arcanist, yeah. Not...Anarchist. Two totally different things. It's...I guess it's just a fancy word for 'mage', really.
Arcane magic." She took a moment to brush a wispy lock of dark hair from her eyes and briefly readjust her spectacles before continuing. "It's...kind of weird, really, just...suddenly having this knowledge, you know? I-It's, like...Years of studying and practice of something that'd be nonsense back home, but...here, it's...well, it's not nonsense, it's..." She chuckled weakly and shook her head. "I'm rambling. Sorry."

Mark simply glanced at the girl dressed as a ninja and the strange girl who seemed a bit off and sighed. If this was all true, then he was going to have to gain a few allies, though looking at them now didn't exactly scream 'reliable' to Mark. He shrugged and drummed his fingers atop his new table. "Call me Mark," he stated and looked the young ninja up and down. Seemed a little young to be a ninja, and he would know seeing as how he had a run in with the Yakuza a few years back. They had some serious killer ninjas. But he just brushed it off and ignored that fact as he pulled his eyes away from her and towards a random direction in the hall. "Anyways Black, is it cool if I call ya Black? Cool? Cool, happy we can talk this out as a team, anyway I'm gonna be expecting for you to watch my back from whatever this world has to throw at us. That includes you too," he said glancing towards Jessica. "As long as I'm not dead, you're not dead," he finished and waved for a passing waitress. "Hey, get me a whole round of the hardest stuff ya got pronto!"

@HokumPocus @GarlandDaHero

Jessica stopped the pose she was in and snapped into a more dynamic one now that she had another teammate. A quick look at Haruka made her eyes nearly pop out of her skull. After bunching up her fists and hyperventilating at her new ally she began to screech. "Dude!! Your name is Black Moon?? That's SO sick!! And you're like, a ninja with cleavage and everything!!"

The teenager she approached earlier turned to Haruka, momentarily ignoring Jessica, who was vibrating so energetically that the sugar crumbs at her feet began to leap and hop about. Mark, as he called himself, swiveled his head and spoke succinctly at Jessica. "As long as I'm not dead, you're not dead."

At the end of his statement Parker had a long and vivid series of flashbacks of all the time's she's almost killed herself via parkour and substance consumption. The fighter put her arm over Haruka's shoulder. "No promises!"

The brawler breathed out smugly and narrowed her green eyes at Mark's request for the hardest thing they had. What're they gonna do, add another leaf to your leaf water? Still, she thought, If they don't have a Home Depot around here, how the heck am I gonna have fun?

She straightened up dramatically and began to speak after a thumping her chest a few times. "Look dudes, I'm pretty sure we can win this Starbucks turf war. I mean, look at all the weenies around us! Black Moon has a cool name, you have a big sword, I'm super awesome at parkour. There's like, no way we can actually lose." Jessica gave another outrageously large smile and comboed it with a wink.

@Joker892 @GarlandDaHero

---

Haruka blushed slightly and smiled under her scarf at Jessica's excitement to meet a real ninja 'with cleavage and everything'. True, she was a bit better-endowed than most girls her age, and her outfit was quite revealing, but it was still a little embarrassing to hear something like that. However, in contrast, she furrowed her brow at Mark's request of calling her 'Black', but couldn't squeeze in an objection before he continued.

Once he and Jessica had finished their pieces, Haruka spoke. "I don't think this is a turf war, Jessica," she began to explain calmly. "From what I can tell, we're all colleagues here. We're just in separate groups. So there's no need to prepare for battle."

Of course, she said that, but that was her Black Moon alter ego speaking. The real Haruka likely wouldn't have been so calm about the whole thing. Whatever the case, however, strength in numbers was definitely a fitting term here.

@Joker892 @HokumPocus

Trust me I know how that is. I now posses the power to wield water in ways I'd never imagined. For example...watch this. They said as they looked towards their new elven comrade, though panning their head side to side to ensure to make eye contact with both teammates. Aear looked at their cat and mentally commanded it to walk over to another group. When he neared a group Aear commanded the cat to stop. They grasped a drink near them and their eyes began to glow blur again. Their familiars vision now reflected in the stagnant drink as the sounds their familiar picked up reverberated in Aears ears. Suddenly they could hear "Look dudes, I'm pretty sure we can win this Starbucks turf war. I mean, look at all the weenies around us! Black Moon has a cool name, you have a big sword, I'm super awesome at parkour. There's like, no way we can actually lose." Aaaand with that Aear was convinced their team couldve gone way worse and called the cat back. Well...it would appear that um...one of the other people belive this is a Starbucks and that there is a um...turf war which makes me very glad to be paired with you guys.

@Pumpkinbot@Mistory

A whistle pierced the commotion of the assembly to find their new teams. "Team four's right here." An elf called out across the mayhem. Skyler fluttered through, decidedly giving the drooling, now screeching, girl wide berth. She was an odd one and rather erratic. She gave him a rather uneasy feeling. He settled in next to his new teammate at the table and set his bag down with a soft thump.

“I’m Skyler, nice to meet you! Guess we’re going to be stuck together through all this madness.” Skyler looked the elf up and down. He looked like had walked right out of a fantasy novel. It was pretty amazing. “What do you think of all… this?” He gestured at the commotion playing out before them.

@Lord Orgasmo

Ysran gave a shrug as he was asked the question. "Eh. You get used to it. This kind of stuff was pretty normal for me. Then again it was more about business stuff rather than finding teams..." He looked to the side and reflected on his time at the harbor. Guess that was all gone now. He almost missed the heckling business madness, but he always did enjoy his life of adventure. Perhaps this was some blessing in disguise? Then again, perhaps not.

He sat back in his chair with his arms behind his head. "So, any more questions? Otherwise I'm gonna dose off until we've all come together again."

@Achronum