[h1][center][color=00746b][b]NOLAN[/b][/color][/center][/h1]

Two hours was not ideal for Ria to regain the entire amount of magic she expended during their trip over to the base, but it was better than nothing. At the very least they had time to take a mental break before they dived back into any possible fray because as very little people actually thought about it, the mind was more likely to tire out before the body. The mind was what kept the body going even when it felt like breaking. At the moment, it was probably more important for them to get whatever rest they could in case it all went up in smoke. 

Unlike Ria who offered a bright smile, his countenance had not changed. [color=00746b]"We'll see you then."[/color] Also, unlike Ria, Nolan offered no pleasant goodbye. In fact, he barely acknowledged the fact that the swordsman even was in the fort. He was honestly more curious for someone as short as Ria thought standing on the very tips of her toes could still even really get anyone to see her. Then again, she was waving and her voice really did carry. 

Nolan's arm was suddenly hooked and like an animal caught in a trap and dragged off. [color=00746b]"Wha-wha-what are you?"[/color] His cheeks were flushed red as he was ushered along by the purplette to the canteen. He simply could not get a word in edgewise. The series of words flowed out like a never ending torrent and if they actually had physical mass then he was certain that they would've pushed his head clean off his shoulders. He never understood chatter boxers; how they had so much energy, how their throats were never sore from all the talking, or how they never really ran out of things to say.

There was a moment of respite when they entered a canteen. His eyes scanned the room though it was just  people minding their own business. People that were just tired from dealing with whatever nonsense that had been happening recently. Ria had kindly given him a seat with his back against the wall and he sat down though his partner bounced back to her feet just as soon as she sat down to get both of them a glass of water. [i][color=00746b]Does she ever breathe?[/color][/i]

And then she was back with water and more words came out of her mouth. [color=00746b][i]Where does she keep all of that air?[/i][/color] He took a sip of the water while he listened to her. However, she eventually just asked him a question and a personal one at that. Normally, he would've just shrugged it off, but it was also hard to tell her to mind her own business when she was so damn grateful and nice to him. It would've been so much easier to be rude to her if she was someone he could disregard. 

[color=00746b]"I did have a teacher, rather, it would be more accurate to say that I had teachers, but there was definitely one that I could really call teacher if that makes any sense."[/color] There was hesitation in his voice and yet there was something else that she had yet to even hear from him before; a warm fondness that peaked through the cold exterior for the people he spoke about. The corners of his mouth were ever slightly raised in a soft smile as he reminisced 

[color=00746b]"They taught me many things. They taught me to be a scholar, to be well versed in history and theory, but they also taught me to be self-sufficient in hunting, farming, and making and mending clothes. Some dared to try and make me civilized though you can see how well that turned out. Probably rolling in their graves, especially that old hag. She'd be scandalized with an unmarried man and an unmarried woman sitting at the same table unsupervised."[/color] He chuckled to himself. 

[color=00746b]"But him? The man that taught me this form of magic? To fight? He, no, we were complicated. A lot of it was complicated, but I really do owe him a lot..."[/color] For the slightest moment, there was something vulnerable about him. There was regret in his tone, or maybe guilt. [color=00746b]"But experience certainly helped too. I started working as a mercenary for about a little over two years? Must be... I turned eighteen in December. Huh, it's really been that long."[/color]

[color=00746b]"Sorry, I'm really talking a lot aren't I? I think this is the most I've talked in awhile."[/color]

[hr]
[center][h1][color=0072bc][b]ZENITH[/b][/color][/h1][/center]

[color=0072bc]"You know I'm not gonna say no if the guild master asks me to. Chain of command and all that."[/color] Zenith took a sip of coffee before he winced. [color=0072bc]"Ugh, forgot the milk. Look, tell them to be ready in like, twenty minutes. I need a shower and a change of clothes. I smell like bacon grease and sweat and it's clinging to me in unmentionable places."[/color] He quickly untied the apron and hung it on a hook before he rushed out of the door. 

The guild chef rushed through the guild and his steps thumped up the stairs until he reached his room and proceeded to get himself ready for the job. Sometimes looking good was part of the job. At least that's what the very healthy dose of vanity [color=0072bc]"Gotta look sharp,"[/color] he muttered to himself as he blew his hair with a blow dryer. It was a two way street; if he looked good then he felt good and if clients thought he looked good then they also felt secure. He couldn't be someone like Nolan who cared not for his appearance and wore a scowl or like Mark who didn't even wear any sort of expression though he had to admit that the man knew how to dress up even if it was all black. 

[color=0072bc]"Those two are the strongest representatives besides Jenna. No wonder this town is slow to warm up to us."[/color] He gave himself a look over in the mirror and smiled at himself confidently. Zenith left his room and walked back down to the ground floor of the guild hall.