Despite the slew of intense emotions and egos being tossed about within the group of arguing people, Ni Rensa sat nearby without any desire to embroil herself whatsoever. In fact, a feeling far removed from self-righteousness, indignation, disbelief, rage, or jealousy occupied her: distinct unhappiness. Only God knew how much damage Argus would do to Crocus, bringing down shame, anger, and costs upon Frenzy Plant, all because she'd failed in her pursuit—beaten by a falling wardrobe. The War Sphinx sat on a stoop, her chin resting on her knees and her tail wrapped around her ankles, trying to work up the courage to return to the Doma Flau and report in to Master Sanders. Gabriel digging himself into a pit proved insufficient to move her; on the battlefield the soldiers fought as one, but when a single warrior picked a fight, it was his responsibility to finish it.
Unfortunately, Ni didn't manage to keep herself completely aloof. For all her non-confrontational intentions at this point in time, the argument affected her still. Bad feelings wafted through the air like the spores of fungus, spreading bitterness and resentment in anyone they sank their hooks into. All the back-and-forth, no matter whose side was right, was bringing Ni Rensa down big-time. Other people had moved away already, avoiding the squabbling bunch like the plague mushrooms were already growing from their scalps. Before long, Ni realized that sticking around wouldn't do her any good. It was time to face her fears.
She hopped up, bladed shoes clicking across the cobblestones, and appeared by Enma's shoulder just as Gabriel stormed off to have a tantrum elsewhere.
”Owch, he doesn't look happy. Hey, nyice clothes. I, uh, I lost track of Argus. He got away. I outta go back and tell the Genyeral, and I hear sounds coming from the arenya.” An ear twitched to confirm it.
”Games are probably back on. You comin'nya? I'm goin'nya.” Ni took off at a brisk pace, walking backward and waiting for Enma to follow.
“No, no, no, it's completely worthless!”
“The material, maybe, but now that it's been forged it's become something greater than the sum of its parts!”
The banter continued for some time as the pair walked, seemingly oblivious to the baffled or stunned stares they were getting from the Crocus locals. Mouths fell open, eyebrows shot up, and eyes bugged out to see what appeared to be a humanoid moth and a humanoid butterfly walking side by side in broad daylight, totally ignoring everyone around them to concentrate instead on some argument. Most ultimately fell back on the sensible and logical conclusion that these bizarre creatures were simply a man and a woman in costume, albeit very lifelike ones. Nowadays, in the age of the resurgence of magic, anything could be rationalized with a wave of the hand and the pronouncement: “wizards.”
None of this concerned the pair. In her hands, the moth lady clutched a sword. Even hidden safely away in its scabbard it gave off a decidedly ceremonial impression. The fine leather, inlaid with silver and clasped with amethysts, veiled all but the longsword's hilt. Curvy and black with silver inlay and a transparent amethyst pommel-stone, it promised to be a true beauty. Remarkably, a bright light zipped about within the pommel stone, causing the gem to glow wonderful despite the light's frantic and sporadic movements. For all its beauty, however, the weapon didn't seem to impress the moth. After a good minute or two of bickering over its value with her partner, a tall knight with eerily pale skin, the two stopped right in front of James and Cody. “Come off it! You and I both know that aesthetics alone don't redeem a weapon's value! Don't you think I know more about weaponry than you? You're stubborn enough to make me want to use it on you!”
The butterfly knight laughed. Like his companion, his voice sported a certain humming, buzzing quality, not quite human. “Kiss me or kill me, darling, it won't change the facts. Even with your own talent, how can you know so much about weaponry if you never use it? Here, I'll prove it. Why don't we ask these fine folks?”
Four pairs of eyes, two pink and two blue but none with pupils, turned to face Cody and James. Still smiling, the butterfly knight snatched the sword from his partner and held it out for them to take. “Gentlemen! Would you give us a hand? You've got the look of warriors about you...magicians, even! Can you tell me if this sword is more than just baublery, and fit enough to fight with?”
