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[sub][@Hero] [@Trainerblue192] [@WeepingLiberty] [@Scribe of Thoth][/sub][/center]
Aaron was content to listen as his peers continued to chat, though Lilie's self-deprecating statement made him deflate a little. He was going to cut in and encourage her not to think that way when a new person showed up, a red-haired girl who introduced herself as Dakota, interrupting with an ill-advised challenge. 

[color=f7941d]"With confidence like that, I’d pay good money to see you take on some of the guys here. Show ‘em who’s boss."[/color]

[color=CBBA2E]"Looks like you'll get your wish,"[/color] he said to Dakota, patting the pommel of his sword, [color=CBBA2E]"Lilie and I are sparring later today. We've both had ten years of training, so I think it's going be a good show."[/color] He flashed a smile in Lilie's direction. He was pretty sure he knew what the outcome would be, but he hoped she would surprise him. 

Salem spoke up then, and Aaron's brow furrowed as he listened to him downplay his skills. He agreed that Lilie shouldn't think so lowly of herself, but Salem shouldn't either. From his time with Sariel, conversations with his relatives and his own study, Aaron knew that a mage's affinity could manifest in a whole host of different ways, and on top of that, there was Arcane magic to be learned. Not to mention, Salem used his gift to help people; what wasn't there to be proud of? It wasn't as if Aaron could help anyone with [i]his[/i] magic, and as much as he adored his combat training, he really couldn't understand why Salem felt bad about not having any. Come to think of it, if he was going to Lucan, he'd probably be picking up some techniques anyway, but surely everybody didn't have to be a fighting machine. 

[color=CBBA2E][i]Heh,[/i][/color] he thought, [color=CBBA2E][i]try telling that to Lucan.[/i][/color]

At the mention of lunch, Aaron glanced at his watch, and almost on cue a bell sounded and people started shuffling out of the hall. 

[color=CBBA2E]"Looks like it,"[/color] Aaron replied, a little bit of amusement bleeding into his voice. [color=CBBA2E]"Shall we?"[/color]

Before they left, Aaron quickly asked the Arena Guild representatives for a scrap of paper and wrote down his name and phone number in elegant script, then tapped Max on the shoulder and handed it to him as he passed with a friendly grin. [color=CBBA2E]"Text me when you're ready to start."[/color]

He opened the door for Lilie as they left, and held it for the rest of the group before falling into step with Salem. After a moment, he gently nudged him to get his attention. [color=CBBA2E]"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself,"[/color] he advised, [color=CBBA2E]"Medics are some of my favourite people. I owe you guys a lot. I mean, look at this!"[/color] 

He turned his head to Salem and tapped his nose, which was straight and smooth with an even slope. [color=CBBA2E]"I've had my nose broken [i]six[/i] times,"[/color] he muttered, lowering his voice and leaning in so Salem could hear, [color=CBBA2E]"and you'd never even know. Who knows how deformed I'd be by now if it weren't for mages like you?"[/color] He tugged absently on his left ear, running his thumb over the jagged line there as he thought back. Broken noses weren't the only things that healer mages had helped him with, but that was one example he didn't particularly like talking about.

He offered Salem a reassuring smile and shrugged. [color=CBBA2E]"Don't sell yourself short. Fighting is overrated anyway."[/color] Maybe it wasn't entirely true, but he was trying to be helpful. 

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[@Gisk] [@Leslie Hall] <- You guys probably want to know this too ^_^ [/hider]