"Well, you better hope that's not the case. Because if they get what's coming to them, it's us who's going to pay the price."

Titanica simply dismissed that statement entirely. After all, her hatred for humanity was painfully apparent. Their blight on her once lush home was enough for her to render them as enemies of the world. Of course, even she knew better than to throw her weight around at this point in time - less she wanted all of humanity's attention turned upon her. They may be weak and feeble individually, but they made up for it in sheer numbers and intelligence.

Crafty buggers they were... And with the Age of the Titans now long gone, humanity currently has dominion over this world. To call for arms now, Titanica might as well doom any potential monster allies with her. As she continued pondering on her disgust, the demoness would soon interject into the conversation. After conversing with Haley's bit, she turned to project her throughts regarding Titanica's established anti-human hostility.

“I… don’t think that majority of humans are bad." Vară replied frankly, “So far the only bad nation I’ve come across is Varjo. I think Bart was just upset, I don’t think he has any ill will towards us, his uncouth nature aside."

Titanica couldn't help but to counter that statement with her own opinion.

"He'll show his true colors eventually." the titan scoffed, "They all do one way or another... for better or worse."

“And Neil has been most helpful-"

Vară then abruptly stopped herself in mid sentence. Her cheeks were already colored in a deep vermillion, clearly showing embarrassment as she lowered her head down. Haley would be the first to comment on that clumsy blunder.

"What was that about Neil again, Vară?" The Siren teased with a smirk. "What about Neil that's got you flushed?"

Titanica simply remained silent and seemingly composed. Yet her eyes glared venomously at the bashful demoness's own, piercing through her fiery core. Had Vãra not expressed such an expression - and perhaps ended her statement in a neutral effort - she might've been able to slip by undetected. She could've been safe.

But oh, how Vară's emotions failed her.

Now she was on her own; alone to fend for herself. She definitely wasn't going to receive any help or sympathy from the titan. And not a moment later, there came Neil escorted by the Altissma sisters and fellow titan Morgan...

"Oh, Neil! Funny, we were just talking about you." Haley said. "Also, hi Morgan and Sylvia and Vivian!"

"Hello!" Morgan greeted Haley happily before turning to her reptilian friend, "And hi, Tighty (Tie-tee)! How did your quest go?"

Titanica bobbed her head as steam exhaled from her nostrils.

"Fine." the titan bluntly replied before glancing back at the raising tension coming next to her.

"Go ahead, Vară." the Harpy urged her with a nudge, "Tell him."

Still Titanica attempted to remain externally composed, not saying anything that would make her the target of interrogation and suspicion. But if Vară was to look at the witness' expression from the corner of her eye, she would be met with a purposeful grimace and a terrible silence. For her, it would look as if Titanica's very aura was steaming out her entire body, with blue atomic energy ominously surging from her veins. The look could only mean one thing.

And if demoness failed to heed the warning, may the gods have mercy on her doomed soul.

@ShwiggityShwah@PaulHaynek

Yang Bethlehem

"Hah, Karma can't be ruined. Only added or decreased." She smiled at that, the brevity between them lightened greatly.

"But yes, it's going to be hard but your legs ain't bad. A bit lithe but it's strong." Yang observed in a professional manner as she reached for Ozzy legs and pressed it with her hands. Feeling the muscles and resistance underneath it, completely unaware of Ozzy actual gender.

She then gave a slap to her own thighs and showcased it to him as Yang lifted her robe. It was muscled well, but it was also toned enough that it didn't get in the way of speed. The balanced combination of both was what allowed her to perform almost all of her fighting skills.

"Everything comes from the legs. It's the basis and foundation." Yang let the robe down as she happily said and mentored Ozzy, similar to how she'll teach the younger disciples. "With these, any combination or moves are possible."

As they reached the guild house and discarding their disguise. Yang let out a quick sigh and forced herself to relax. It'll do no good in being tense since Guildmaster Bart is very perceptive.

Though Ozzy this time taken the lead as he moved ahead of her and quickly addressed the master.

"Guidlmaster Bart." Yang had a hand over her fist and bowed to him in greeting formally. "We've returned."

"As Ozzy say, there were not much of job choice and we avoided most of the Varjan missions." Yang carefully picked her words even as she reported to him. "Ozzy had intended to choose a Varjan job at first but I intervened as you ordered. So I offered to train her instead to occupy the rest of the day."

"I apologize for being a little rough on Ozzy training, her legs were much stronger than anticipated and I reacted without thinking." She ended her report and raised her head to meet him head-on. She'll not be surprised if Bart actually knew what they did but she had taken steps to ensure they won't be linked back to them at least.

After all, the rebels and Varjan would know it was an independent woman and harpy that won the day, but that was the course for the Sonarrons and a mixed rebellion. Not to mention how many monster girl around this area, it was a vague guess at best.

---

@13org@AzureKnight

Ditzy Stoneclub

Ditzy smiled widely as Freyr praised him though he directed his concern to his wounds. Which made him frowned.

"Ah, it hurts. But blood stop cause Ditzy got excited. Have to wash it and wrap it, Papa said its bad to let pain expose." Ditzy said, feeling a little light headed once he realized the wound. He shifted the cloth that wrapped around his chest downward before tightening and making it a makeshift bandage.

It gave Nagara a healthy show of his bare muscled chest, but considering that he was essentially half naked the whole time, it didn't matter much. Ditzy stomach also growled in hunger and he hunched over slightly. "Hungry too. Want meat."

The walk was short but to Ditzy it was a blur, he wasn't sure if it was him or the injury.

That's when the rest of the bunny tribe came out, and he turned towards them sluggishly. Hearing their explanation took some time and Ditzy spaced out a few times, but he understood what they wanted to say. He only smiled and waved at them as they departed.

"That sounds weird." Ditzy hummed a bit as he looked at Freyr with his own smile. "We're friends, friends help each other right."

Sometimes Freyr and others thank others too much even when they're friends. He'll admit that it was nice to have people thank him.

"You don't want to ask Nera to come along?" Ditzy looked back the forest and finger pointed to the back. "She's gonna be sad and angry again if you don't ask her to follow when she's cured."

Still, the quest was done and Ditzy wanted to go home to get his injury treated as well as to eat. Before he leave, he turned around to the forest and waved excitedly to them.

"Bye bye! I'll come and play again!" He smiled at the trees and grass that helped them. Following Freyr and Nagare wherever they went, whether it's the Guild or other place they needed to stop first.

~@Lmpkio (MOR & TCA), @Stern Algorithm, @AzureKnight (VRA & NAG), @13org, @Restalaan (DIT)~

Titanica glared Vară into silence despite Haley's prodding. Meanwhile, Neil stood there still not sure what the monster girls were on about although he had a sinking feeling...

The awkward situation was then, fortunately for some, interrupted by the arrival of Freyr, Ditzy and Nagare at the scene. Haley's entire attention was diverted from teasing the Flame Demon and towards the Viera, whom did not part with her in the best of terms. Still, she was the first to greet them.

"Hey, glad to see you back." Haley told Freyr. Her tone was calm and reserved, but glad nonetheless. "So how'd your little reunion with your people go? Run into any trouble? I heard you earlier this morning that your kind aren't exactly friendly to outsiders or exiles." She then looked at Ditzy and Nagare. "Though I guess, things turned out okay?"

Meanwhile, Neil approached Titanica and Vară and attempted to break the ice. "Hey, you two. I'm glad your quest went fine. Ours was a little... got a little complicated." He said with a scratch to his head. "Anyway, why don't we all head back for now? We can do our catching up on the way." He said not only to the Kaiju and the Flame Demon, but to everyone present as well.

---

~@ShwiggityShwah, @Restalaan (YNG)~

Bart's eyes narrowed. His gaze at Yang and Ozzy attempted to wrestle the truth out of them but the duo was resolute with their cover story. "Well, thanks Yang. We don't want to get involved in Varjan business any more than we already did." He congratulated the monk.

"The others will be returning soon, I wager. Why don't you two help me out in preparing dinner?" The wary guild master motioned to follow him inside. "So, what did Ozzy learn in his training?"

Yang @Restalaan; @PaulHaynek

---

It felt a little weird that she was touching his legs but she then slapped her own. It was a gauge. He could relate to that. Still got a flush to his cheeks. "Well for harpies most of strength is in our wings." Lithe but toned. He could work with that. If it meant keeping people safe.

He winced when she brought up the word. He wasnt even going to mention it. He expected retribution for even suggesting it. But then the conversation went in another direction.

"Her? She?" he repeated. He looked at Yang puzzled before he just started laughing. Of course, how many male harpies are there? They were one in a thousand. Maybe more. Most harpies were pretty petite so he could see the mistake. He still found it kinda funny

"I learned I could pass for a girl. Hah." he jested but let it go. "Let me get that Master Bart! Theres an herbal marinade I wanted to make for everyone." he remembered the slab of beef hanging in the smoke house. He seemed back to normal just wanting to help out.

@PaulHaynek @Lmpkio @13org @Restalaan @Stern Algorithm

The trio having made their way back to the guild, were greeted by their fellow members (including Neil). Vară had the distinct feeling of dread the whole trip back, and with Haley urging her to tell the now present Neil what they were talking about the dread she felt quickly turned to death. Titanica's murderous aura was so intense the flame demon may very well wet herself. Unable to speak, Vară was left silent at the mere thought of her untimely death.

However, whether it had been divine intervention or dumb luck, the tension was interrupted by the arrival of other guild members. Freyr, Ditzy, and Nagare had returned just in time to perhaps save the life of the young heiress. Haley greeted the three, asking if the trip went well.

"Hello Haley! Our trip was...interesting to say the least. Visiting Freyr-san's homeland and people was a most invaluable experience, despite the bumps and bruises along the way. Alot's happened, but I think it more appropriate that Freyr-san be the one to go over it in detail." Nagare was the only one of the three who didn't suffer any injuries during the ordeal in the forest. The woodlands also provided her with enough vitality that she didn't feel drained afterwards, despite having been in her dragon form for an extended period of time. She then turned to Titanica and Vară with calm yet concerned eyes. She was able to sense the tension a mile away between these two. She indeed did ever since the other day. Having also sensed Vară's unyielding fear, Nagare decided it was best to mediate the stress before things got too awkward...

"Hello Vară, and I believe your name is Titanica yes?" She also turned to Neil, who seemed to be breaking the ice between the two. Or at least attempting to... "Greetings Neil, I hope things went well for your quest as well? Forgive my rudeness, but I'd like to borrow these two for a moment. I trust you won't mind?" Those her words were polite, they held a hidden solemness to them.

"Nagare...?" Vară was finally able to utter out something.

"Titanica, I trust you've no prior engagements? If not, I'd like you to accompany Vară and myself. I think it'd be good if you both were present." Nagare looked the titan dead in her eyes, being quite insistent. Realizing she may still refuse to come, the ice dragon would simply continue to reach out until Titanica complied.

Vară could only look at Nagare with nervousness, not fully understanding what she was trying to accomplish. Whether any would realize it or not, Haley's words to the other two while leaving for the guild would give away the answer. Monsters can sense when another has been with a human, creatures with powerful senses would be able to quickly pick up on such things.

@ShwiggityShwah @PaulHaynek

Yang Bethlehem

Yang kept her expression in an iron grip control, not wanting to give out a single hint of a lie as she followed the Guildmaster lead.

"She learned that one should never let their guard down no matter what." She eyed Ozzy at the earlier incident, she should have let the Varjan champion go the moment she was lifted or be aware of that risk happening. Then again, she also assessed her own performance and it was lacking too. "Though I too need to keep this lesson in mind."

Her eyebrow rose at Ozzy statement of her passing a girl, to which she glanced to her own body, sighed and patted Ozzy on the head.

"Just give yourself time, I was flat as a board once and many thought I was a boy too. Did I mention that I shaved my head for almost 10 years before this?" Yang rubbed the crown of her head in nostalgia and wondered just how dumb she was, her short hair was a relatively new thing she had. "It took a while until a monster girl challenger realized I wasn't a boy which was hillarious."

"I'll do the soup, it's been awhile since I cooked something from our temple. Clear vegetable soup, I'll try to add some potatoes and milk to thicken it." She hummed on the menu, there was no soya sauce, miso or even seaweed here. So she'll have to make do with what they have.

"I just wish we have rice, I do miss rice," Yang said as she cracked her fingers to prepare everyone a dinner.

---
@13org@AzureKnight

Ditzy Stoneclub

Ditzy's tired. He wearily thought to himself in between the journey as he trailed Freyr and Nagare. Since he was behind them, they hadn't realized that Ditzy was sweating and the pain on his side grew.

This was a first for him, he had never had trouble with hunting hellboars since his skin and body was usually tough enough to handle it. Then again, he usually handles them so fast he never got injured.

It was new, he admits, to be this tired before. Ditzy hadn't faced such an ordeal, at most, bandits and what not but never something that could and wanted him dead.

Still, Ditzy pressed on the journey until they finally reached it. That's when Ditzy saw the other people from his guild too.

@PaulHaynek

"It was fun," Ditzy admitted with a smile to Haley but in a subdued tone which was a sign that the usually energetic hob-goblin wasn't at his best. "There was lots of bunnies and a big fountain, Mr Tree, and-"

That's also when others noted that he was hunched over and hand on his stomach, and the cloth around his chest had been pulled down to the sides. Red splotches at the side had marred the tightened brown cloth, the scent of iron and blood present for those with sharper senses greeted the air.

Not helped is Ditzy spacing out more than usual, the former not realizing that he had stopped talking for a moment before he continued his story but one that didn't even leave off properly. "Then old mean bunny wanted us to catch a fat varjan knight so Freyr can be friend with Mr.Tree but they're friends already..."

@Lmpkio @Stern Algorithm

Ditzy waved at Nagare even as she dragged off red lady and big loud old lizard girl, Ditzy glanced at the side before looking at the remaining moth lady, Haley, Neil, and the double plant girl.

"Old moth doctor, can help Ditzy make this better?" Ditzy worded awkwardly as he pointed to the wound at his side. His speech slurred and words got more direct over time. "Was playing with Bunny and she scratched me."

Accompanying that was this loud rumbling from his stomach that was akin to a thunder roaring, the burning sensation of hunger was gnawing at him badly and far more crucial to Ditzy as he belatedly realized why he was so lethargic.

He hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.

"Also, hungry. Want food."

As Titanica's gaze thickened upon Vară's vulnerable stage, Morgan couldn't help but to sense her fellow titan's own aura pulsating wildly through the air. Her mana levels were steadily rising, almost as if she was anticipating something malevolent to pop out of the demon lady. The moth titan could also feel a mixture of raging emotions raging within Titanica - a mixture of fear, anger, and shame. She knew something that the rest of the others did not.

"Titanica?" Morgan asked her furious friend, "Are you ok?"

Titanica didn't respond back, seemingly ignoring her as she continued to stare menacingly at the demon. Morgan may be able to sense emotions rippling through others - a natural skill enhanced by the biology of her tribe - but she was unable to pierce into their minds. She knew something was wrong, but couldn't identify what the cause of the disturbance was. Whatever it might've been, she was fearful of it releasing into the eyes and ears of public judgement. And judging by her stature, it looked as if she's ready to eliminate the culprit at a moment's notice. No doubt Vară felt that paralyzing fear within her too. It seemed as if it was only a matter of time before Titanica would snap...

Fortunately, that day would not be today.

The other trio - comprised of Freyr, Ditzy and Nagare - would interrupt the situation as they popped behind them. As Haley greeted them, the saurian titan's attention would shift towards the newfound visitors. Her intensive aura began to slowly fall, believing to have dodged a massive fireball there, but wouldn't let her guard down yet. As Haley and Nagare began to talk about the latter's quest, Neil would come forth towards Titanica and Vară respectedly, offering them and the rest of the gang to come back to the guild with him whereas they can catch up. The towering titan nodded silently and began walking in the direction of the guildhall.

But before she could continue, Nagare would come up to the fiery duo themselves.

"Hello Vară," the frost dragon greeted Varã politely before turning to the Saurian, "And I believe your name is Titanica yes?"

"I am." the titan bluntly replied, not caring to say anything more.

Nagare would then converse with Neil for a moment before requesting that she borrows both Titanica and Varã.

"Forgive my rudeness, but I'd like to borrow these two for a moment. I trust you won't mind?"

She then turned directly towards the titan herself, looking dead into her eyes as she glared back.

"Titanica," she said insistently, "I trust you've no prior engagements? If not, I'd like you to accompany Vară and myself. I think it'd be good if you both were present."

The towering titan took a moment before she could reply, contemplating on what the dragon's planned subject for discussion. She seemed to be quite insistent, producing an equally sharp gaze towards the titan herself. Whatever she wanted to talk about, it seemed urgent. Titanica could only guess at the subject matter, but alas she seemed to agree with her statement.

"Very well." the Gojira complied as she slowly walked towards Nagare, "What do you want to discuss?"

Meanwhile, Morgan stood contently as she listened to the conversations going around here. She could see her titanic friend walking alongside the twin elements from afar, but dared not to eavesdrop on them. She'll have to ask Titanica about her concerns another time. Soon, she'd be approached by the resident hobogoblin, Ditzy who requested medical attention having been injured on his side.

"Awww, you poor thing," Morgan sympathetically replied as she took a closer look at the scratch marks, "Hold still, I'll take care of it."

Her daintily hand extended towards the giant's injury, as she softly pressed her palm on it. Her hand would proceed to glow a faint lightish-green as her healing magic went to work. Skin would slowly begin to retake the exposed flesh and within a short period the injury would be completely healed.

"There we go!" Morgan responded cheerfully as she tapped Ditzy's side, "All better, big guy. But please be more careful in the future - I would hate to see something worse befall you."

@PaulHaynek @Lmpkio @AzureKnight @Restalaan @13org

"Oh my goodness!" Sylvia cried out in alarm once Ditzy pointed out his wounds, "Didn't you guys stop to recuperate?" Despite Ditzy claiming to have befriended to tribe of the forest, she had to seriously question the Viera's hospitality to allow this to happen to Ditzy. Fortunately, Morgan came to the rescue with healing magic, making Sylvia feel somewhat inadequate. But she comforted herself with the fact that medicine served its purpose in that people could heal themselves in the absence of a healer. If only she had stayed at the Guild to set up her apothecary's shop (and Vivian's bakery), since the quest had been just a big waste of time. She looked around at the group, and realized that she had not been given a lot of time at the guild to meet all the members, and decided this was as good a time as any to introduce herself. "Hey, I'm Sylvia, and I'm Vivian, I'll mostly be staying at the Guild to make medicine, and I'll be baking! We probably won't be going on too many quests from now on, but hopefully we'll bring in some revenue with medicine and pastries."

Freyr

^{@Restalaan@AzureKnight}

Freyr was surprised to see that despite the big wound on his side, Ditzy seemed to be fine. He had already heard about how tough Hobgoblins were, but he had a small suspicion that Ditzy was way above average. Nonetheless, he was glad he was fine. After all, they were still helping him on something that was his personal problem, so at least for Freyr, everything that happened to them until now was, in part, his fault too.

When he asked about Nera, Freyr gave a distant smile and was in silence for a bit almost as if he was considering his options.

"The Viera may begin as part of the Wood, but the Wood is not the only end that we may choose..." Freyr said, looking to Ditzy and Nagare.

"Now Jote and the Viera as a race may finally understand this. After everything that happened."

"Nera has to make this choice herself. It would be wrong for me to try and persuade her." Freyr completed.



^{@Restalaan@AzureKnight@Stern Algorithm @PaulHaynek @Lmpkio}

Back on the guild, the group was immediately welcomed by Haley, with the same cheerful and happy behavior that were already characteristic of her, despite the apparent... tension in the air between Titanica and Vară. Surprisingly enough, Haley seemed to know a bit about the Viera and how they treated exiles and outsiders.

Almost as if reading his mind, Nagare replied Haley, almost immediately answering one of the doubts Freyr himself had. Apparently, despite everything, she seemed to be happy that she had the opportunity to meet the Viera race and their town.

"Well... We did run into trouble. But I'm glad that everything turned out to be ok. Regarding how Viera treat Exiles, things may begin to slowly change from now on... I'm not sure if how they treat outsiders will change though..." Freyr replied after Nagare with a chuckle.

In fact, there was the probability that if the Viera abolished the tradition about exiles, they may begin to treat the woods with more zeal than before, as a safe haven, a sanctuary for only the Vieras, making it even harder for humans or other races to enter the forest despite the Viera themselves being allowed to leave.

"It might not have been exactly a... pleasant vacation... But I'm glad that both Ditzy and Nagare were able to see the town I was born into." He finished, with a calm smile.

Almost immediately after Freyr finished, Nagare went to where Titanica and Vară were, probably to try and defuse any possible conflict that might arise between both. Freyr was relieved that she was the one who went instead of him, as he had no idea about what was happening nor the reason for the conflict.

Looking to Ditzy, he finally noticed that despite his impressive stamina and resistance, the wound on his side, the pain and the blood loss were starting to take their toll on the poor hobgoblin boy's body. Luckily enough, he was already asking for Sylvia's help. It was only then that Freyr realized how bad Ditzy's state was.

As Sylvia cried, obviously alarmed by Ditzy's state, Freyr couldn't help but feel guilty. Since Ditzy said he was fine earlier, Freyr underestimated how big the wounds on his side were, leading to the situation right now.

"I-I'm... extremely sorry... I underestimated the size of Ditzy's wounds..." He said, bowing in a formal apology to both Ditzy, Sylvia and Morgan.

"I should have realized that despite how tough Ditzy is, even for a Hobgoblin, he still has his limits, like everyone else. I'm sorry." He said, apologizing again.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" he asked, looking to Sylvia, Morgan and Ditzy.

"I can see if there's some meat in the kitchen for you, you mentioned you were hungry, didn't you?" he asked, looking to Ditzy.

~@Lmpkio (MOR & TCA), @Stern Algorithm, @AzureKnight (VRA & NAG), @13org, @Restalaan (DIT & YNG), @ShwiggityShwah~

"Oh jeez. Not so okay, apparently." Haley remarked about Ditzy's injury on the Hobgoblin's side. Seeing Morgan help out and the others offering aid, Haley's concerns lightened.

The party then returned to the guild headquarters. The hole Titanica made remained its entrance and the sight of it was almost getting normal, although everyone knew that was not the case. Bart was the first to greet the party, who appeared just at the entrance. "Oh, hey all. I was just about to check if you guys were here. What a coincidence. Also, what a coincidence that you all arrived here together. Unless you all took the same quest..."

"Anyway, come inside for dinner and we can talk about your quests today while we eat. Yang and Ozzy's cooking." The guildmaster beckoned the party inside.

As the guild assembled in the dining room, Neil was stopped by Bart who blocked the way. The bad blood between them resurfacing without provocation. Neil was unnerved by the sudden confrontation but stood his ground. "I'm invited to the dinner too, am I not?"

"Of course, Neil. You're part of the guild, aren't you?" Bart stepped aside but the sarcasm in his words were plain as day.

Neil looked to the rest of the party and sighed. "You know, I'm kind of full right now. I think I'll eat later. Tell me how's Ozzy and Yang's cooking later, you guys." And with that, he left. Not wanting to cause drama or make the dinner awkward. Haley could only sigh at the display and chose not to intervene, too tired to do so.

The dinner was soon prepared and the guild was ready to feast, save for Neil and Talia who was also apparently not present. Bart sat amongst the guild members, his previous rudeness towards Neil gone as soon as it came. "So everyone, how was your quests today? Oh and make sure you give your compliments to the chefs today."

"Cold. If I had known we were going to Coldstep Pass, I'd have brought some extra clothes. Good thing Vară and Titanica were with me to keep things warm." Haley was the first to reply. "We also had dinner back at Ambran so I'll just take a small serving tonight. Don't know about the other two though."

"Oh, well more for us then." Bart laughed. "And I see we the Altissima sisters have come to join us. Welcome, you two! Sorry I wasn't here to when you arrived."

The ice dragon politely bowed to the Liliraune sisters. "Hello, my name is Nagare. It's a pleasure to meet you. I must say, this is the first time I've met monsters of the plant species. I'd like to ask you both many questions, but unfortunately I have a pressing matter to attend to. I'm sure we'll have more opportunities to speak later. If you'll excuse me." With that she took Vară by the hand and beckoned for Titanica to follow.

"Um...Nagare? Where are we going?" The fire demoness asked sheepishly.

"Somewhere where we can be in private." Replied the frost dragon. With Titanica following them, she would be led to a small wooded area a little ways from the guild hall. Once there, Nagare would let go of Vară's hand and stand before the two. She folded her hands and placed them on her abdomen, then looked dead at the two monsters.

"Before I get to the gist of things, I'd like to state a couple of facts about 'our' kind." Said Nagare as she gazed at Vară. "My Grandmother taught me many things before I left my tribe. Since the established rule of the new demon lord, monster-kind are highly in tuned with the essence humans. Most notably, their scent and spiritual energy. After the other night, Neil's scent was heavy on the both of you. That along with the unpleasant tension gives it away quite clearly."

Nagare began to blush a bit, as she of all people doesn't have experience in this matter as much as either of them. Nevertheless, she was resolute in her speech.

"I believe it is obvious that on that night, the both of you had engaged i-"

"Nagare, that's enough! Please, you don't undetsta-" The flame lass attempted to interject, but much to her dismay she would find it ineffective.

"No Vară, this needs to come out. On that night you two had copulated with Neil, correct? I'll to take this time to settle any negative feelings this matter has created. Especially the ones concerning you, Titanica-san. I've felt the frankly murderous aura that radiated from you when Vară was put on the spot. I understand that this is a touchy subject, but I refuse to illicit such animosity toward fellow guild members!"

Her intensity now flared up, Nagare's eye were filled with a brimming seriousness in stark contrast to her usual nature.

"If the threat of death is the only way you can mediate with comrades, then I shall be the new target of your scorn. Instead bullying her, why not contest with someone on an equal playing field?"

Her village elder told her stories about the ancient Gojira Clan, rulers of the deep sea. Their power unrivaled, they were either feared as calamities or worshiped as divine creatures. Be that as it may, Nagare refused to back down.

"Nagare...wait a second!" Vară cried. Having dragged another into this, all the flame demon could do was watch bewildered as the scene played out.

Titanica proceeded to follow the ice dragon into a light woodland area, just outside the guildhall in where've they returned to. The titan thought little of the situation at first, figuring that she ought to speak of something minor. Yet the way she held Varã's hand as she led them seemed strange. It was almost as she she was trying to comfort the demon. But considering that she must've witnessed the hypertension that brewed between the two earlier, Titanica could feel the irking suspicion of what was about to go down. Still, she kept a straight face as Nagare glared at the two monsters with her bright amethyst-colored eyes.

She first proceeded to talk directly to Varã, discussing what she had learned from her tribe by establishing how in tune monsters are with the essence of mankind. While potentially innocent at first, it would be the following statements that finally confirmed Titanica's suspicions. Granted she truly wasn't surprised that she knew. After all, the titan already knew about the energies and how other monsters could sense them. The ice dragon's statement wasn't new to her. But there were other reasons that forced her to go on the defensive...

Nagare would begin to fluster a rosy red within her pale cheeks, contrasting with the overwhelming blue aura that swirled around her. It was oddly calm, but added with a sense of uneasiness. As she remained silent, the titan was about to explain the situation before Varã intervened and attempted to defuse the situation, only for her pleads to go unanswered. And that's when Nagare snapped.

"No Vară, this needs to come out. On that night you two had copulated with Neil, correct?"

Titanica remained silent on the matter.

I'll to take this time to settle any negative feelings this matter has created. Especially the ones concerning you, Titanica-san. I've felt the frankly murderous aura that radiated from you when Vară was put on the spot. I understand that this is a touchy subject, but I refuse to illicit such animosity toward fellow guild members!"

Her aura would begin to intensify, giving an imposing attribute that demanded the two their undivided attention with a demanding presence.

"If the threat of death is the only way you can mediate with comrades, then I shall be the new target of your scorn. Instead bullying her, why not contest with someone on an equal playing field?"

The titan's contrasting eyes continued to glare sternly into the ice lady's, vaguely reminiscent to the look she gave to the fire demoness. In most situations, Titanica's anger would match or proceed to surpass her opponents, rivaling their stance to affirm her stance as the dominant alpha. No doubt that her chances of commencing a fight would be imminent. And even now, it seemed that there was no other way in resolving this peacefully... a secret Titanica would keep to her grave.

But Titanica would continue to remain static in the unrelenting face of a furious force. In fact, she didn't seem as if she bothered to protect herself, only continuing to stand her ground in a static trance. She was undoubtedly fixated on Nagare, but her eyes didn't deliver the same malice as prior. If one could look closely at them, or her own stance as a whole, they would paint a slightly different picture. The titan's amber-colored eyes looked down at the ground before closing them for a brief moment. She showing a rare side of her personality that many wouldn't imagine seeing her be in.

She would fill the air with silent remorse to battle the rising tension that was bubbling from her opponent before she opened her maw to release a neutrally primal groan.

"You think that what I've done was made by unreasonable choice alone?" Titanica boldly replied as she straightened her stance, "You think that someone of my stature would bluntly allow for her to take part of such degenerate desires willingly?"

She took a moment to let the ice dragon resonate on those questions, not caring whether she replied or not.

"Because I don't." Titanica continued in the same blunt-forced voice as before, "Our food was drugged when we were in that town - drugged with a powerful desire to fuck anything in our way. One wouldn't have been able to control it at the magnitude I felt. And the unfortunate victim that happened to be in our way was the boy, a feat which I regret committing. My clan was not nearly as lustfully ravenous as others and we were taught that such a concept was only restricted for reproduction purposes only. To partake in it for pleasure alone was rendered taboo - punished by permanent exile and ridicule. Long dead they may be, it's nonetheless something I would want no one to know... and for those few that do to remain silent."

Her face would lower slightly as her features became more reserved and somewhat shameful.

"And I will silence any who dares to bring upon dishonor upon my name as a Gojira." a low growl emitted from the titan's teethy maw.

Yang Bethlehem

Her eyebrow rose at Ozzy statement of her passing a girl, to which she glanced to her own body, sighed and patted Ozzy on the head.

"Just give yourself time, I was flat as a board once and many thought I was a boy too. Did I mention that I shaved my head for almost 10 years before this?" Yang rubbed the crown of her head in nostalgia and wondered just how dumb she was, her short hair was a relatively new thing she had. "It took a while until a monster girl challenger realized I wasn't a boy which was hillarious."

"I'll do the soup, it's been awhile since I cooked something from our temple. Clear vegetable soup, I'll try to add some potatoes and milk to thicken it." She hummed on the menu, there was no soya sauce, miso or even seaweed here. So she'll have to make do with what they have.

"I just wish we have rice, I do miss rice," Yang said as she cracked her fingers to prepare everyone a dinner.

He chuckled to himself knowingly. He really should tell her. He really should. But nah! Maybe at their next training session. He tittered to himself while she patted his head. "Maybe I'm a late bloomer." Again, there was something kind of mentor'y about all this. She really looked out for him today, and he was happy he could atleast try to do the same to some small degree. Yang was a true friend, and his eyes twinkled at that realization.

She finished her story "That must have been awkward. I bet you were cute when you looked like a boy too." And then he was back to his chatterbox ways, his harpiness showing. He raised a fist and a wing in the air. "Did you seize the confusion and win the day? And that's another thing - I heard about the whole shaving head thing, why is that?" Just meaningless conversation while they prepared, getting the pans, utensils going to the store room. "Maybe we could mix the meat in. And I'll get the potatoes and, I actually thought I saw rice there from last time." Ozzy left the kitchen, coming back with the slab of beef, and a sack of the left over potatoes.

"No, that was soybeans." He made a mental note to get her some rice. Maybe if the jobs were light, shopping?

---

The door opened and a swarm of people entered through the door (and hole). Ozzy was searing pieces of chopped steak, a marinade mixed with spices in the air, along with a little smoke... "Hey everyone! Welcome back!" There was a fire underneath the pain that flared up when a little oil sizzled out but he was quick to remove it from the stove top with a little surprised bit. He approached eagerly, but then remembered how embarrassing he was before to Morgan and Titanica, essentially gushing over them and passing out last time. He took a deep breath. They were guildmates, not gods. Well, they were gods... and then there was Vara and Nagare, demons and dragons. They were so all so cool.

He felt a pang of inadequacy. He was just some dumb harpy who tried to play hero today and ended up almost getting Yang hurt, and successfully getting himself hurt. How could he possible compete with those four?

@PaulHaynek
He wiped his hands, shoke out his feathery wings. As he approached, Bart being his usual happy self and Ozzy feeling pretty proud for being to help out for once, cheeks pink, and feathered eye lashes flicking up. Haley was the first to speak up, saying she wasn't too hungry. "You don't know what you're missing." He hinted to the Siren. No Neil though. Strange.

But this broke him out of his funk, there was others in the guild he didn't even speak to properly yet.

@13org Freyr @Restalaan Ditzy
The Viera had exclaimed of getting meat for his hobgoblin friend. His? Viera? Ozzy was once again star struck. Someone like him was like lightening, and he only read a few books about the Viera, so mysterious and secretive. And a hobgoblin, considerably more common but usually they forgo civilization. This one might be another oddity which was GREAT! This was an excellent opportunity.

"Hey there! Welcome to the guild. I don't think we ever met yet." Freyr and Ditsy would be met with the big cheerful inquisitive eyes of a harpy that could pass for human. He extended a hand, his cape/wing following suit and ruffling. "Ozmodius Skyway. My friends call me Ozzy. We have marinated steak and Sensei Yang is preparing potato stew." Cause honestly she was teaching him so why the heck not. "It would be great to have a talk sometime! I'd love to know about where you're from. Culture research is kind of my hobby." He hoped he wasn't being too forward.

@Stern Algorithm Sylvia/Vivian
The lilarune introduce themselves and immediately Ozzy was smitten, not because they were rather spirited and summery scantly clad plant people, but because of the pot and platform that they use for locomotion. "SCRAWWK!" He squawked in amazement. "That is such a good idea! Its so simple and elegant! This was an amazing work of engineering, and would be a fantastic alternative for rooted monsters." Now if only most of them weren't so sedentary.

"Its so great to meet you both! Another intellectual and a proper artist!" To Sylvia. "With you and Morgan, I'm sure any money troubles will be up and solved. Medicine is expensive." To Vivian. "And I can't wait to try your pastries! If you ever need ingredients, I'd be happy to fly to town and get some for you. Maybe we can have it with dinner tomorrow."

His wings fluttered and he bowed his head. "Ozmodius Skyway. Just call me Ozzy. Welcome to the Guild. I hope we get along." he said, completely tickled pink at meeting others in the Guild properly.

@ShwiggityShwah@PaulHaynek

Yang Bethlehem

"Soya beans? That's great!" Yang beamed enthusiastically at that, perhaps she can make some soya sauce from it by fermenting it. "I can make something out of it when I get the chance."

She'll have to purchase an urn or pot, perhaps make her own. It's not that hard anyway since she had seen the potteries process before, it'll also be good for her anyways to start making some ceramic jugs for her own and Ozzy training.

Yup, I'll get on that soon. Yang thought even as she quickly chopped and prepared the vegetables without looking at it, her skills in martial arts aiding her greatly as her arms moved like a flurry.

She finished her story "That must have been awkward. I bet you were cute when you looked like a boy too." And then he was back to his chatterbox ways, his harpiness showing. He raised a fist and a wing in the air. "Did you seize the confusion and win the day? And that's another thing - I heard about the whole shaving head thing, why is that?" Just meaningless conversation while they prepared, getting the pans, utensils going to the store room.

"Well, I did get a few looks turned towards me." Yang boasted with a smirk and puffed herself at that. "I did win in the confusion though, but onto the shaving head, it's basically a way to sever our desire from this world and our hair is the start of that journey."

"I got too lazy to keep shaving my hair though, and my master had a beard, so it seemed a bit odd that we can keep a beard but not hair." Yang wryly said in between with a shrug of her shoulder.

That her master also didn't seem to care helped a lot since the older monks dislike it immensely. Something about creating desires within the younger students or something.

Yang pushed that thought away and focused on cooking.

"Maybe we could mix the meat in. And I'll get the potatoes and, I actually thought I saw rice there from last time."

"No meat, I'm not allowed to eat it." Yang eyed at the meat that Ozzy brought in as she carefully moved it aside. She can't consume meat due to her tenets and belief.

That was a bit of a lie since some training regiments allowed it but hers doesn't. Only in desperate times can she do it.

"Hmm, I can't say I approve but eat it all up okay?" Yang looked at the meat Ozzy cooked as she set the food and table. It was dead already so the only thing left was to eat and use every part of the animal.

Soon, they had a pot of thick potato soup and vegetables. A substitute for starch as she hadn't found any rice.

Looking around and seeing their new arrivals,she smiled widely as she gestured everyone to come in.

Yang did a quick headcount and noted that Neil was missing, with a tilted head and feeling the tension, Yang quietly scooped an extra bowl of veggie and potato soup. A quick glance to her side and took a seat next to Haley.

@PaulHaynek

"Miss Haley." Yang quietly said to her with a wink and pointed to the extra bowl of soup she had. "Can you take this to our missing member later?"

Looks like it'll be quite a while before things get patched between the guild master and mister Neil.

Seeing the new arrival, Yang widened her eyes at the conjoined twin walking plant sister. She had never seen such species before, let alone a twin.

"Greetings!" She greeted the twins enthusiastically by standing up and hand over fist, head inclined to them formally.

---

@Lmpkio@Stern Algorithm@13org

Ditzy Stoneclub

"Ooo..." Ditzy watched between lowered eye lids and the pain seemed to disappear. Not a moment had gone by and Ditzy felt much better as he gingerly touched his sides. The wound was gone completely.

"Thanks!" Ditzy smiled at the nice Moth lady and embraced her without a warning, only slowing down at the end to prevent from applying to much pressure. Still, the moth lady found herself lifted slightly despite Ditzy being shorter than her.

Ditzy put her down carefully and the quick burst of energy faded as he still felt tired. Then he perked up when Freyr said he'll bring meat.

"Yes, plenty of meat!" Ditzy nodded vigorously to the point he accidentally lost footing and fall flat on his bottom. Though it didn't keep his spirit down as he got back up immediately.

Entering the guild, Ditzy saw the sumptuous cooked meat. Without much thinking, Ditzy grabbed a plate, angled it and let the steak fall right into his mouth before he chomped on it.

It barely took two chews before it becomes pulp and he swallowed it easily. With a lick of his lips and smack, Ditzy felt much better with food in his stomach. He turned to the soup and blow on it before drinking it slowly.

Ditzy then turned towards the brown harpy,though this one looked more like an owl for some reason. He waved at him in return even as Ozzy introduced himself to them.

"I'm Ditzy Stoneclub!" Ditzy grinned though he doesn't recall anyone called Sand Say Yang, there was Yang Bathelm but it didn't seem to relate at all.

Weird... Ditzy felt something off even as he leaned forward to Ozzy, much to the latter surprise. A moment passed even as Ditzy maintained eye contact for a while before he broke it with a smile.

"Oh, you're like me and Freyr! A boy!" Ditzy was happy to learn that there are other playmates like him, Magnus or Freyr out there. "Let's play a lot!"

This was a nice place, his parents always said he was special but it seemed like there are others that were special too!

The sisters were quite surprised to find out that Ditzy's wounds hadn't been treated because he was trying to 'walk it off'. The fact that he could even attempt to ignore wounds like that was a testament to his strength. Having been raised mostly around humans, the sisters did not know if this was normal for hobgoblins, or if Ditzy was somehow special, though the fact that he was male spoke to the latter. It at least assuaged her fears that the others that were with him were callous of his injuries, since they were ignorant of them until this moment.

"I think Morgan's got this handled," Sylvia said in response to Freyr's offer of help. "I'm amazed he could travel in such a condition. No wonder no one thought anything was wrong."

Vivian, meanwhile, turned her attention to Bart. "No worries! Neil was here to greet us!" though upon saying that, Vivian's face darkened slightly as she wasn't sure if she completely forgave Neil for getting them arrested. She decided that she did forgive him, and continued, "We hope to spend the next few days in the guild setting up shop. We actually got wrapped up in a weird quest today."

"That man should NOT be practicing alchemy!" Sylvia chimed in.

"Buuut everything turned out more-or-less okay in the end...I guess," Vivian shrugged, it was all water under the bridge now.

Next the sisters were greeted by Ozzy, whose enthusiasm was contagious. "Our father...well, the human who raised us," Sylvia said with some reminiscence in her voice, though she added a disclaimer to explain away any confusion, "He was quite handy and made this wheeled platform for us."

"Wait till you try some of our specialty 'Nectar Cookies'!" Vivian responded to Ozzy's anticipation of her pastries, "We use actual Alraune nectar, our own, of course, for a unique sweetness that has the healing and invigorating effect of the aphrodisiac that it is..."

"But with just the right combination of herbs to counteract the actual aphrodisiac effect," Sylvia added.

As the food was served, Vivian and Sylvia dug in. Being a carnivorous plant, the sisters are capable of eating meat, and fruits and vegetables can supplement the need for fertilizer. They ultimately ate very little though, consuming more volume of water than food, and even pouring some water into their pot.

Freyr

^{@Restalaan @AzureKnight @PaulHaynek @Lmpkio @Restalaan @Stern Algorithm @ShwiggityShwah}

As Bartholomew greeted the group, like nothing had happened, Freyr couldn't bring himself to reply to his welcome, other than a simple nod. He didn't knew what to think regarding Bartholomew yet, many things had happened and his harsh words were still on his mind.

With Ditzy's wounds being already treated by Morgan, Freyr smiled as he heard Ditzy's eagerness to meat. Thanks to Morgan's healing and the liliraune's readiness to help, the color was already returning to his face and his voice was getting stronger. He was thankful for their presence, otherwise it would take more for Ditzy to fully recover than just some meat.

"Indeed... He has an amazing resistant body. Even for a Hobgoblin." Freyr said, turning towards Sylvia, who was equally surprised regarding how tough Ditzy's body was.

"Apparently, we will have quite a feast today. I will be sure to get an extra serving for you when we get to the table." Freyr replied with an amicable smile to Ditzy after his clear enthusiasm regarding meat.

It was then that a newcomer approached them with a curious voice as he greeted them enthusiastically and proceeded to squawk in amazement as he saw the liliraune sister's pot and platform they used to move themselves. Turning his face towards the newcomer, Freyr was surprised to realize that he was, just like Haley a harpy, albeit of an apparently different species. He couldn't help but to chuckle at his bright personality and curiosity. He wondered if it was a trait most Harpies shared or something, after all, the only harpies he knew had bright and pleasant personalities, sharing a few similarities.

"It's good to meet you, Ozzy, I'm Freyr. I do believe It's our first time meeting each other." he said, greeting the Harpy boy with a discreet bow and a handshake.

As Freyr looked around, he couldn't help but to think to himself how lively the guild hall had become. It was good seeing so many new faces and how different the guild felt, unlike when they first arrived.

"I was born and raised in the Vieran village, deep inside the Vieran Woods. Due to the fact that the Viera are a very recluse and secretive race, information regarding them is rare and sparse, but if you desire to know more about my kind, I would be happy to help you." Freyr said, nodding towards the harpy boy. Culture research was an interesting hobby for someone so young. Nonetheless, Freyr respected his thirst for knowledge.

"Nectar Cookies?" Freyr repeated, curious about the pastries Ozzy, Vivian and Sylvia were talking about. According to what he understood, the liliraune sisters used their own nectar for it's unique sweetness together with a mix of herbs to counteract the aphrodisiac effect.

"I would like to try one too, if the offer also extends to me, that is." he said, with a smile towards the sisters.

When they finally sat down to eat, they were met with a real feast, just as Freyr had said earlier. Apparently it was all made by Yang and her new cooking student, Ozzy. As he made his dish, Freyr got another big serving of meat, hiding it under the greens on his own plate with a quick and agile movement before he got back to his own seat.

"Psst. Here, as promised." Freyr whispered to Ditzy, sneaking a big steak on his plate with a sly smile and putting a finger over his mouth.

When he did that though, a small stone, wrapped inside a piece of leather fell from inside his shirt on the table. Due to the impact, the small vines that were tying the leather around the stone snapped, making the stone fall on the table with an audible sound. Immediately as it felt, Freyr felt an unpleasant tingling sensation on his ears, together with a high pitched ring, making him twitch his ears a few times.

Immediately getting the crystal, wrapping it with the leather and hiding under his clothes with a single, fluid and agile movement, Freyr did not want Bartholomew to see it. It was the same crystal used back on the Vieran Woods by that strange Varjan man to create the barrier. Carrying it caused Freyr great discomfort if it wasn't tightly wrapped. He had thought of immediately handing it to maybe Talia or someone who was well versed in magic arts, but if Bartholomew saw that, he would have to explain what it was to him and he was pretty sure he wouldn't like to know that they met with the Varjans once more, nor he would like to know that they now had their eyes on the guild. Even though the fact that the Viera would also enter the war against Varjo were good news that Bartholomew would probably like hearing, he was unsure how to say it or even if it was the right moment to do so...

Shaking his head and sending those thoughts away, Freyr concentrated his attention on the food in front of him.

"It is delicious. I heard that the feast today was prepared by Yang and her new student, Ozzy, right?" Freyr asked, looking to both Ozzy and Yang with a chuckle.

Freyr Hoped Bartholomew wasn't magically sensitive to have felt the crystal fragment's magic in the short time it was unwrapped or he had actually seen it falling on the table as he wasn't really sure how Bartholomew would react to the news, both good and bad.

Looking each other dead in the eyes, neither of the two female reptilians seemed willing to back down. It seemed a showdown was inevitable at this point; the entire situation virtually gave Vară grey hairs. The flame was about to say something in order to quell the two, despite believing it would end in vain. However, much to her and the ice dragon's surprise, Titanica's malice soon began to fade. Her eyes, while still fixated on Nagare, did not bore the look of ire from earlier. One could even say they were a look of shame, she left out a guttural sigh before speaking.

"You think that someone of my stature would bluntly allow for her to take part of such degenerate desires willingly?"

The titan then began explaining how the food they ate while on the Ravager quest was drugged and pushed their monstrous instincts into overdrive. Apparently in Titanica's culture, engaging in sexual for pleasure was expressly forbidden, to the point of exile even. Nagare at first didn't know how to feel about the kaiju's statement. She supposed, at some level, she could actually relate.

"And I will silence any who dares to bring upon dishonor upon my name as a Gojira." said the titan.

With hand on chest, Nagare turned to the side with eyes closed, pondering over Titancia's words. For obvious reasons, both would want to hide what had transpired that night. Aside from the awkward air it presented, not knowing how Bart would react was another concern that the ice dragon had thought of. It could very well affect their standing at the guild as a whole. But even so...

"Titanica-san, having come from a tribe that frowned upon engaging in acts of carnal pleasure, I can at least somewhat understand your feelings. The elders of my home village, my own grandmother included, reviled the idea of even living among humans. Coming from an all-female village, human men were a necessity in order to procreate. However, they were only used a a means of helping to birth more of our kin and lived isolated from the rest of the tribe. Any attempt to foster a more meaningful relationship with one resulted in the human male along with the native villager being banished. I've had to endure the pain of even seeing some of my own friends exiled from the only home they've ever known..."

Her speech brought back some painful memories, Nagare did her best to fight back the tear but some may be shed regardless.

"That's why I understand how you feel, believe me I do. But that still doesn't help the relationship you have with your comrades at this very moment! I can tell you are a proud warrior and the values of your tribe mean the world to you, but is it worth murdering a comrade in cold-blood? Someone who has kept their forced promise and has done nothing truly wrong to you at this point? Would you kill everyone else at the guild if they found out, even Morgan-san? Of course you'd want to keep it a secret, but I will not allow anyone to be 'silenced' as you refer to it."

Once again, Nagare's gaze would fall dead on the eyes of the titan, still resolute with her point.

"I brought you both here to mediate any dispute you may have, instead of this being a source of negativity between the both of you. Perhaps you could make a mutual pact swearing secrecy, one in which I would be also be included in. In exchange, no more threatening acts of violence or hostile emotions."

"Nagare, you don't have to do all this. I...I can just leave the guild and never return. Then she wouldn't have to worry about me telling anyone and the whole thing can be dropped." The flame demoness finally spoke up, not knowing what else to do in this current situation.

"Vară, allow me to do this. I don't want to see family be forced to leave again, you've done nothing wrong. And I don't want to see family fight or act poorly toward one another" The dragonkin turned her head toward the heirness who was still standing behind her.

Vară, not knowing how to process Nagare's statement, was left speechless. She though of both her and TITANICA as family?

"My offer still stands, what do you say, Titanica-san?"

~@Lmpkio (MOR & TCA), @Stern Algorithm, @AzureKnight (VRA & NAG), @13org, @Restalaan (DIT & YNG), @ShwiggityShwah~

The dinner of last night had brought the guild members together, both old and new. With everyone properly introduced to each other, the small feast concluded and the day ended.

The next morning arrived and it was business as usual for the guild. At the main hall was only Bart and he looked pretty happy today. In his hands were the board of quests. "Good morning, you guys! A little announcement for today. Some people will be arriving today to repair the hole Titanica made on our entrance. I don't know how long they'll take but I'll be staying here to watch over them."

"Anyway, here's our income from the quests you did yesterday."

{INCOME YESTERDAY}
{@Lmpkio (TCA), @AzureKnight (VRA): 200 G}
{@Stern Algorithm, @Lmpkio (MOR): 100 G}

"And here's our quests for today. I paid a hefty amount to the construction crew so it's time to refill our coffers."

---

~@Stern Algorithm~

As the guild members gathered in the hall for their quests for the day, the Altissima sisters were called aside by a regretful Neil. "Hey, you two." He started. "I uhh, just wanna apologize for yesterday. You know, for... for everything really." A light blush formed in his cheeks as he remembered the events.

"Sooo, yeah. Just-just wanted to say that. I-I hope there's no, uhh, animosity between us and we can- we can work with each other with no problem." Neil continued. "I do have a, uhh, a question though. What's up with your nectar?" He asked. "You and Morgan were so adamant to get it off that you... stripped me naked, and I definitely felt... something after being splashed with it."

"Sorry for... not knowing these things. I'm not- I'm not exactly from here."

@RestalaanYang

He held his head after she explained she let hers out or more importantly his hair. "Oh thank the gods. I was worried you were going to make me shave it."

"No meat. Got it." That was nearly impossible to his bird of prey mentality. It got him thinking. "A life of detachment. No meat. No undue harm. No hair. We come from such different places. It's wonderful!" He held his cheek as a blush sprung to it. "You're really inspiring Yang, I mean, Sensei. I don't know if I could give up so much. Too many things that I love too much. I'd be a terrible monk." He laughed.

@RestalaanDitzy

He figured it out that he was a boy, and he looked a quick glance at Yang, wondering if he would have to explain himself, but she was out of earshot. He looked back at the bigger hobgoblin, hands and wings going into the air. "You are correct sir." He said, figuring he had a pretty uncanny nose. "I'm down." To the invitation of playing. It might be educational.

@Stern AlgorithmVivian and Sylvia

Ozzy couldn't help but gush really. "Its so inspired! I wonder if maybe it can be updated a little." Wood was fine, but he's seen some really interesting contraptions in his day. "I've seen wheeled chairs before, people put a handle on the wheel to push them. Wonder if it'd be too heavy..." He leaned in closer, inspecting the wheel. Two females and a pot of dirt.

The chipper talk about a bakery snapped him out of it. He listened in, surprised they use their own Nectar. "But doesnt the nectar lead-" And then the explanation. "Ahh, probably a good call." He grinned before Freyr came in and made it a group discussion. Honestly who could resist cookies?

@13orgFreyr

The handshake meant the world to the harpy. "Great to meet you Freyr. I've read about your people, which was like two pages, but what's a book to the real thing am I right? It would be incredible to study them." he chuckled. "If they'd even let me. Thing about being secretive I guess. But the Vieran are technically a civilized culture. My parents are- Sorry I'm babbling, we can talk after dinner if you want."

He was nice enough to compliment the food and Ozzy was getting some waters into cups. "Yeah, Sensei Yangs teaching me to kick good." He stood on one leg and had his hands and wings above his head, a mock pose of some kung fu move.

Another wonderful night to end a rather... unpleasant day. But that was what family was for. And thats what it felt like.

---

The next day. Just at Dawn.

Yang wakes Ozzy up from his sleeping roll. "MMmm, huh?" He wasn't expecting it to be so early. He ended up outside with a single shirt and some shorts, his owl like legs much easier to see without his baggy and customized boots. He was half asleep and yawning when they began to practice. And by practice it meant run Ozzy into the ground with exercise regimes to work on muscles he never even knew he had.

By the time everyone else woke up, Ozzy was already in the Guild Hall, nearly passed out on a table, his hair and feathers molted and dirt from where he took a few tumbles. "Everything hurts..." He grumbled. The call was made for the jobs for the day and he threw himself up, his body screaming for him to just lie down and die.

He stood reading each plague, his shoulders drooping. From yesterday, he was not in any state to do any fighting. Thats what Yang was training him for. And so he became quite dismayed when most of them had some semblance or risk of danger. His distress ever present. Until... the bottom two.

"Hey, I can identify a mysterious creature. My flying would be a great asset. I'll take Hushabye! I wont let you down today Master Bart!" He said, feeling confident again.

The solemn titan remained silent as Nagare revealed her own past memories, her anger and shame rapidly depleting the longer she kept calm. It appeared that the ice dragon too had long been apart of her own clan, being in one that strictly forbade in their members interacting with humans - save for males being used solely for procreation. However, Titanica and her clan wouldn't have had to worry about humans back then. For when she was in her clan those thousands of years ago, humanity was not yet the expanding race that they were today. Still, the act of having sex merely as a survival tool rather then simple pleasure was burned into their genetic code.

And the mere fact of procreating with another species of kaiju in any capacity was a heretical sentence for ruination.

Titanica could notice a chilling tear or two run down the ice dragon's cheek, as she saw how she tried to fight back whatever memories haunted her past life. The titan's cold-hearted gaze remained externally unfazed, but she could feel her own internal grievances sympathetically intermingling with Nagare's own. While her experiences weren't quite like the ice dragon's, let alone knowing the full extent of her past life, there were several highlights that rubbed eerily close to what could've been. And it wasn't just those from the topic at hand, rather out came a volley of thoughts over the course of her entire lifetime. Many tragedies laid upon her battered hide and many guilts drilled themselves into her bones.

The titan had seen loved ones, friends and kin alike, die violently and peacefully - or banished from society for their failure to obey the rules and regulations. From them, she has bored scars from the outcomes of many situations, molding her into the beast she has become. It was not the thoughts of a cold-blooded killer, but rather the impulses of a battered, tragic figure who had witnessed far too much. And to hear a figure of similar circumstances come out with her story, she couldn't help but to feel some sympathy for the poor ice dragon.

But despite Nagare understanding the lone titan, she opposed the seemingly antagonistic methods Titanica was utilizing to keep it a secret.

"Would you kill everyone else at the guild if they found out, even Morgan-san? Of course you'd want to keep it a secret, but I will not allow anyone to be 'silenced' as you refer to it."

Still the lumbering giant remained still, her eyes still locked onto Nagare's ever-so coldly. Obviously she would think twice in razing any heresy that her close friends may dare oppose her with, but for someone as new as Vară - a person she'd only just a few days ago... that stance alone makes her much more at risk in unleashing the Titan's wrath.

Varā registered her concerns about the matter and volunteered to leave so that Titanica wouldn't have to worry, however Nagare objected, stating how she didn't want to see the family break up and act ill to one another. The titan's expression rose briefly at the frost dragon's statement. 'Family'? She grouped everyone here as a 'familly'? A pack of strangers she barely knew for only a couple of days to be considered as such? Obviously she knew the expression Nagare was making, but still it was odd for someone to get reasonably comfortable so early on.

Another brief flashback found Titanica within the midst of her tribe - amist of various different species, shapes, and sizes of others of her kind - alongside her mother and father. She thought of the good times they had, followed by the various hardships they undertook together, all the way up to their untimely demise. The titan's solemn face softened more-so, as she silently reminisced about her own family. While this guild may not be her actual family or clan, there were others that had experienced similar things to her - with a few even living as long or long enough compared to her ancient lineage. She continued to remain silent before the frost dragon made her final offer.

"My offer still stands, what do you say, Titanica-san?"

The titan's head slowly reared up to look at Nagare once more, but it took Titanica a second before she could give a final response.

"Very well," Titanica grunted softly, "But only if you both keep to the agreement. If I hear that one of you broke the pact, you will expect consequences to follow suit, one way or another."

With that said, Titanica proceeded to turn around and head back to the guildhall - her charged anger having subsided for the time being. Today, she had granted her opposers mercy. Today, she let her trustworthiness of the situation in their hands. It was now up to Nagare and Varā to keep both the grand titan and themselves in check. The first of many tests had arisen in light of the titan's introduction.

Are they truly worthy of Titanica's trust?