@Reshy134

“Oh hi.” Arden replied rather flatly, his attention preoccupied elsewhere as he frantically rummaged through the near empty pastries bag he had just taken. At the current moment he was near oblivious to all else around him as his stomach grumbled loudly with consent.

_{hmm what do we have here... oooh.}” he mumbled to himself with a quiet excitement. Then all of a sudden he tore his hand from the bag and held it up high revealing a rectangular glazed pastry in triumphant victory.
“I found you!.” He exclaimed a little too loudly.

Quickly becoming aware of all those unfamiliar faces around him he suddenly shrunk into himself as his cheeks blushed and he gave a faint smile. For the first time he saw and noticed the pink haired girl in the dark green cloak, looking at him expectantly. He stumbled for a moment to recall what she had asked him.
”Oh, who am I.” he replied hesitantly repeating her question. He stared at her for a short moment, unsure if he would be incriminating himself with his answer. People often asked him that same thing but for the wrong reasons so Arden had become accustomed to not answering, it usually meant it was time to run. While he hadn’t done anything wrong here, yet, it was hard to remember all the people he had stolen from or angered. But as he stared into her mesmerising eyes he was sure he would have remember if they had crossed paths before. Either way he decided this was a safe space and besides, she looked harmless anyway, in fact, Arden found her a little dreamy. Finally regaining his composure, he swung his head to the side, flicking across his hair as he flaunted his most charming well practiced grin.

”The names Armékos Thérai,” He says proudly accentuating the foreign syllables that hint to his obvious fey lineage.
”but you can just call me Arden.” with that he gives her a solid playful wink and then brings his prized pastry up to his mouth.
With a big bite his teeth sink into the fluffy creation but before his tastebuds can be tantalised by its sweet sensation, the treat disappeared into a spray of shimmering light.

Dumbfounded, disappointed and confused Arden stood there in shock and disbelief.
”Wait! No what!? Huh.... it’s not fairrr” he cried.
His stomach grumbling once again, this time crying with a shared impatient hunger.

His smile faded the moment he realised that Helena wasn't as enthusiastic about the word 'family' as he had hoped for. However, maybe her feelings would change over time. He quickly manipulated the color of the stamp and put it at the place she showed. As he had a good sight at her cleavage, but was to innocent to take a look at it, he moved his head in an opposite direction. He looked away as far as possible, but to a point where he could still see where he was putting the mark. "Here, I hope you will enjoy your time here", he said right before she left.

Right after Helena had left, Killian appeared before him. He immediately showed him where he wanted the stamp, but even though it looked like he wanted it to be over quickly, it seemed that he had a more positive attitude. "Killian, of course." He changed the color of the stamp again and didn't even ask which one he wanted. It was obvious enough which one he meant. The guy already told Zane that he wanted payback for forcing him to live in poverty for such a long time and the most important element of his magic was gold, so he put the guildmark on the place Killian had asked him to and gave it a gold color. "I totally understand. I hope you don't mind the color."

He chuckled at the last part. It came out more as a joke than as a serious question. "What do you think about all of this?" This was the chance to find out what everyone was thinking. He had practiced his speech a couple of times and didn't catch much sleep, because he was thinking everything through. However, that didn't mean automatically that he had conveyed all of that to the others. "I know that we don't have many people, but I know that we can beat them eventually. I have faith and trust in all of us." He said, commenting on Killian's first reaction before Zane gave his speech.

@Hammerman @Barioth

Unlike Azurca, Helena didn't care in the slightest that Kouta took off his shirt. It was just his top after all. Her phase as an easily flustered village girl was long gone, thanks to Catamount.

"I'll take a grape-flavored one," she told the pastry girl. After she took her bread, she gingerly took a bite from it.

...Hmm, nothing seems off here. It tastes good with no bitterness in the slightest. The smell is normal as well. I suppose there really is nothing to fear.

After confirming that her suspicions were unfounded, she finished the bread. It was indeed quite delicious. She had to praise the girl for that.

"Thank you. That was good," she told her.

She then sensed a newcomer coming towards them. When he showed up from the forest, he was panting, and he immediately apologized for being late before helping himself on the pastries.

She couldn't help but roll her eyes on the event. Really, how could someone be so carefree to a secret meeting like this?

She noticed Zane averting his gaze when he gave her stamp. Hmm? What is he doing? Why isn't he looking right at my... o-oh no!

Only then she realized that he could look down her dress. And with her not wearing a bra right now...

Instead of screaming "Pervert!" like an ordinary girl would do, she instead kept herself composed. The only telltale sign of her embarrassment was the blush creeping up to her cheeks.

"W-well, I-I sure hope so," she replied to Zane's remark, still flustered.

The group could seen as too small to take down the entirety of Catamount, however, they were definitely enough to overwhelm the baker, who found herself surrounded. "Uh, yes, there are pastries... Oh? Did you like it Kouta? Ah! I am glad! You know... Aria, right? Take as much as you want... Oh, Lemon Flavor then, Helena? Sure, here you go..." she was panting by the time the last of the pastries were taken out. She hadn't planned this one out, it was a bit hard to remember the names, deliver the pastries and keep sociable.

To add to her troubles, she saw her pastry vanish into nothing right as the new arrival bit into it. She blinked, forgetting all her worries for a moment as she approached him. "Ah, what happened? My magic had never failed like this before. I am so sorry, all the pastries have been eaten, normal and magical, though I could make you a new magical one."

@Squirrel98@CelesteEste

“They... they smelled sooo good.” Arden sobbed, while looking at the pastry chef. He suddenly leapt forward and clutched the girls hands in his. With a deep eager excitement he looked into her eyes.
“Yes please! That would be greatly appreciated!”

Although, in some deep hidden recess of his mind, Arden pushed down the obvious knowledge that as long as it was of magical origin, it would continue to fail.
Despite this, in his denial, he will try to trick the laws that be by firstly eating it quicker. Same outcome.
Next tearing off chunks resulted with similar failure but on a smaller scale.
After that he will nearly choke on one when he tries to swallow it whole. Lastly he resides to simply licking the treat. Even then it only lasts so long before once again vanishing.

Finally he gave up.
“Its my damn cursed ability.” he complained. Sullen with disappointment. Head hung low he went to retrieve his guild mark on the back of his neck. There was still light bruising from where Zane grabbed him to retrieve what Arden had stolen from him. Well he let him keep it in the end and that’s part of the reason Arden was even here now.

As Zane placed the mark on his exposed neck, a familiar shimmer appeared in Arden’s hands. A small messy clump of unrefined, poorly cooked dough appeared.
It only served to make a mess in his hand while a few crumbs fell to the floor. This did nothing to relieve his frustration.

"I am so sorry! But when we meet again, I will make sure to bring new, non-magical pastries." she said, placing a hand on Arden's shoulder and giving him a reassuring smile.

She stepped up to a position behind the shirt-less Kouta, likely the next one to get his mark, and loosened her blouse a bit, though keeping her modesty, as she was a romantic minded girl who wanted the symbol near her heart. She was really taking it seriously, though she felt she was no hero, she was open to doing everything she could for the mission and for those of the newly formed guild. It made her happy that she was able to make everyone a bit happier if only just a bit with her pastries.

"Once this meeting is over, how we will meet again? Are there plans for a guild hall?”

After everyone had received their guild mark, he stepped on the rock again, so that everyone was able to see him. "I guess it's time to end the introductions. Everyone has received their guild mark and talked to the other members. Now it is time to test your abilities as a true inhabitant of the island Kaia. Somewhere in this wood, a bird that I created is flying around with a red strap around its leg. Your goal is to take the strap and bring it back to me. There are a couple of rules you should follow: you cannot use magic under any circumstances and you have to come back with all of you. If someone is missing, comes back alone or uses magic, their guild mark will be removed. You will truly get to know each other on this quest and after you are ready, the meeting will be over. Our next meeting will be in about two days at the same time and the same hour. Good luck!" A soft grin appeared on his face as he stepped down the rock.

There were a couple of things that he didn't tell the members of White Gull. The skin of the bird was made of a special kind of metal that wouldn't let normal weapons go through. That means that the bird can only be killed by magic. He used this kind of lie to make sure that every member of his guild was strong enough to ignore orders of members of Catamount or anybody else and do what was right. To encourage them to use magic, even if it was against the rules, he made sure that the bird would catch one of the members. The others should consider a live more important than some kind of stupid rule they were told to follow. He was very interested in what they would do. Follow the rules to protect themselves or ignore the rules to save the life of a comrade?

He looked around at every member. Deep inside his heart he hoped that every single one of them would succeed at his secret plan. "I will be waiting out here" He yelled. His feet moved him some distance away from the rock, so that he could call Cecily Waters without any of the members noticing. "Cecily, I am happy that you could come so fast. I want you to do something for me. I told you about the test, right? You must follow them secretly. If they break the rules, don't interrupt them immediately. After they get the strap as a team, as a family, then you should introduce yourself, tell them the true purpose of the quest and lead them back to this place." The little girl nodded, smiled and hid herself behind some trees, while her eyes were focused on the members of the new guild. Zane walked back to the rock, took a seat and let out a deep sigh. The only thing he could do, was waiting for them to be ready and hoping that they wouldn't leave someone behind or he would truly remove someone's guild mark. He hoped that they would use magic to save their comrade and come back as a family.

@CelesteEste @Hammerman @Reshy134 @datadogie @Spectral @Pandan @Barioth @Dark Light @alexfangtalon

Helena raised her eyebrows; her arms wrapped around each other below her chest. "Seriously? You're giving us a test? And such a pointless one at that? You know I could just leave right now and there would be nothing you can do to stop me, right?"

She sighed. "Fine. I'll play your little game. But if it becomes too troublesome, I would just stop and leave."

She then gathered her fog back to her body, forming back her undergarments and her pantyhose. He said no magic, and she intended to follow that rule, at least for now.

She then looked at the others and said, "So I suppose we have to travel together? Then let's get moving and get this over with."

Arden’s competitive side come bubbling to the surface. ‘Alright a competition!’ He thought tohimself. Only it wasn’t... he had to do this as a team, and without magic. The more that was explained the more he slumped with disappointment. The fun was literally being sucked right from the test.
Only seconds ago he was about to dart of into the bush aimlessly in reckless pursuit of the unknown until he heard Helena’s words and stopped midway in his tracks...
She was right, they had to travel together.

With a loud sigh Arden rolled his eyes, turned back and he looked over the group inquisitively. ‘Just who was going to try take lead?’ He wondered.

Gideon listened to all that Zane said as he sat just out of sight in the tree. He had been the first to arrive after Zane but had kept an eye one the surrounding forest. After moving to the north side if the island Gideon had snuck out several times to climb trees and train with his dagger that he kept hidden in a hollow of one of the trees close to where he lived. After a shift of mixing building materials he would come out here for two hours everyday. He had gotten good and hiding and sneaking through the treetops as the tops were closer knit that the trunks below.

Gideon was pretty surprised at all the people Zane had gather. Mage beginners supposedly. Though Gideon had no room to talk. He had forgotten most of his magic or rather it was stuck behind a mental block. Gideon had watched his father die at the hands of the dark guild that no occupied his home island of Kaia. Ever since then his Re-quip magic hadn't worked at all. He could still feel his other two weapons but he couldn't call them to his hand. So in truth while these people learned their magics Gideon had to relearn what it was to be a mage. He had the physical prowess as his training had made him a bit more nimble and sneaky but now he needed to face his issues and try magic again.

Finally after Zane had marked them all and listened what there were supposed to do. "I see. This is going to be interesting for sure, but since it's a team thing I guess I better make myself known." With that he slipped off the branch and climbed down till he fell and landed on his feet in a squat. Standing up he walked over to Zane and nodded. "Hey there Zane. Sorry for the late appearance. No need to explain things though. I've been up in the tree listening. Kept and eye out and made sure no one snuck up on the little gathering." He held out his forearm and Zane took the stamp marking him. The color shifted to emerald green and Gideon smiled. "Of to catch that bird with my new mates then." Before turning his expression changed. "Listen, thank you for this opportunity. I'll do all I can even if it means giving my life to free our island." Gideon looked to the stars and from out of the fold of his clothes he took the dagger then looked at Zane again smiling. "No worries though cause we will run those idiots off for sure." Giving Zane the thumbs up he walked up and joined the group as he flicked the dagger back and flattened it against his arm.

Once with them he looked to see if anyone wanted to take charge and nodded to most of those present before asking, "Any leads on the bird?"

Well this was certainly going to be interesting. A test was a good way to gauge the abilities of those gathered. Killian shrugged, it was definitely no easy task to accomplish with Catamount watching over the island. A latecomer descended from a tree and received his guild mark. Sneaky. He made his way over to the group and asked if anybody had any leads. The girl who had been in front of him to receive her mark, Helena, seemed impatient to get this over with.

It seemed as it would be best serving to play the role of a team player as Zane seemed to want. ”Why don’t you climb back up that tree and see what you can spot from the top?” Killian suggested half-sarcastically. Unless any in the group had any sort of tracking ability or magic, they were going to have to wander into the woods blindly searching for this creature.

@soren

@Barioth

At the mention of climbing back up the tree and looking Gideon arched his eyebrows and sized up the guy who spoke. "I just might do that. Seeming as to how no one has any clues yet and someone needs to take the lead." As Gideon turned he smirked playfully then threw his dagger into the nearest tree. Gideon then ran at the tree and used the dagger as a lift to the first branch then climbed up a little before hanging down and grabbing the dagger. "See ya in a few. Dont go running off without me now." He said sing song voice and a huge grin on his face.

Flipping up into the tree he climbed the branches and breached the canopy. Gideon looked around seeing nothing but trees and stars with the moon high above illuminating the night. "Where oh where could the birdy be?" He asked himself. Turning in the tree carefully he saw a glint in the air far off. Could it have been a star? No there it was again. Gideon checked his bearings with a compass then started to climb back down.

Once to the last two branches he jumped back down into a squat. "Well I can tell you this. Its headed deeper into the forest off to the northwest. If we cut a path in two groups we might be able to find it. The moon illuminates it. Giving its body a glint you can see." Gideon then stood and took out an apple he had saved from lunch. Biting into he savored the flavor and walked back to the group to see if anyone else had any ideas.

With the crest now worn proudly worn upon his back, Kouta pulls his shirt back over his chest once more. In a way, though it was just a mark, he could feel that it carried a weight to it. It was the mark of his his mission… no. This mark was of everyone who is here, standing beside him. His new… family. Even now, it felt weird to say it.

When the last of them had received their marks, Zane once more spoke to them all. Kouta found himself blinking when he heard that Zane had given them a test right after. From the looks of the others, some were not quite pleased to be thrown for such a loop so soon. Especially with the restrictions placed upon said task. Fist clenching though, Kouta was not bothered by this. In fact, he found the challenge rather interesting. It will be a chance for him to prove his worth to everyone by working together.

“To catch a bird with no magic you say. Fair enough! With all of us together, I’m sure we can accomplish this easily!” Giving a thumbs up to his guild mates.

It was then a new face dropped in, apparently having decided to be hidden for the meeting until now. Though he was apprehensive at first, it seemed Zane accepted his arrival easy enough, so he gives him the benefit of the doubt for now. And with the man scouting out and spotting the bird, he was glad they seemed to have an idea where to go at least.

Kouta clasps a hand on the new guy’s shoulder. “Good job on spotting our bird. It would probably be for the best as you said, to try and split up around it to limit its movements. Though,” he takes his hand off the new guy’s shoulder, raising it up to his chin in contemplation, “how exactly would we want to catch it once we get close enough? Does anyone have something we can throw over it?” Kouta looks to the others quizzically. “Like...A net, maybe? Or a big blanket?”

Gideon smiled then turned it to Killian. "Hey no hard feelings. I know you were taking a jab at me but we are all here for a reason. Now why dont we prove that we can do what's needed of us." He turned to Kouta. "Now as far as catching it we might be able to use fishing nets. They are just big enough and tight knit that it might hold the bird." Turning back to Killian he smiled again. "What do ya say? Up for some sky fishing?" He offered Killian his hand. "I'll take one team to get the nets and you track the bird?" He then looked at everyone else to see if his plan was any good.

---

Every little sound, every little movement caused Annalyse to feel more and more anxious. She knew why the meeting had to be at night but it was so scary in the forest when it was this dark. The one thing that kept her going was the hope that Zane had been truthful and that this was a real chance to help everyone. Annalyse had been at her breaking point for so long now. At this point she was desperate and if she had to fight Catamount alongside strangers to save those she cared about then she'd give it everything she had.

Annalyse was traveling fairly slowly for two main reasons. She was lost and scared that she may run into some wild animal or worse. A member of Catamount. But in all honesty that was unlikely. Trying to figure out which way it was to the meeting place, Annalyse took in her surroundings. She tried to remember the exact directions but it seemed as if she had passed that same rock three times already. Not too far away though she could hear the flapping of a birds wings. That in and of itself wouldn't be strange but the accompanying flicker of light from the same direction did draw The young mage's attention. Nothing about a bird should cause it to produce any sort of light. At least not naturally. Maybe Zane and the others had something to do with it. She began making her way in the direction of the flickering moonlight. Hopefully, her hunch was right.

@soren



Bringing his hand up to clasp his chin, Kouta thinks upon the new arrivals plan for getting fishnets. It certainly would give them a likely higher chance to capture said bird. If it was like the birds he knew, it’s likely going to be rather agile and hard to catch by hand alone. But…

“While I see the positives of getting said net, I’m not sure if we have the time to send some back for some,” Kouta shakes his head and frowns a little, “I worry about said group running into one of Catamount’s patrols. We just started this guild and… I don’t want to put anyone here at risk before we are ready.” Kouta can’t help but look between the members here, his right fist at his side tightening at such a thought.

He had been sitting there, listening to the back n forth, and enduring the painstaking drudgery of the silences in between, for what seemed like forever.... it went on and on for ages but nothing was happening, they were all lost and clueless, there was no guidance, no direction, no action! First Arden fidgeted on the spot, growing restless, then he paced back and forth as he grew even more in nervous anticipation. Finally it was enough.

With a sudden explosive roar he disappeared into the forest in a fearsome blur. His voice softening as it trailed off in the distance. He wasn’t sure where he was going but he wasn’t sitting still anymore.