☠ The Beast
☠Crocus, Marlene's Hotel Room | Interacting with: Marlene Evangeline @Lmpkio
The short trip back to the hotel was filled with idle chatter between Marlene and Bullet. Even despite how exhausted she seemed, Marlene was able to walk at a steady pace. Phoenix Wing Mages really were built of sturdier stuff. Marlene's room was identical to Bullet's own room, though perhaps a bit more spacious. Having arrived late into the games, he and Isabella had to settle for whatever the manager could organise.
"
Thanks for escorting me back to my room, Bullet." Caught off guard by her gratitude, Bullet's attention snapped straight from the interior design to Marlene. Within a few moments he had planted himself on a chair in the corner with a shrug.
"
I figured some good company would help clear my head, s'all." He blushed, thinking about how he had seen Isabella and Jane together in the dining hall as he escorted Marlene up the stairs. He watched Marlene tune into the games via her Lacrima, feeling guilty about using her to distract himself from Isabella.
"
You can stay here for a little while if you want. I'll be watching the games from the lacrima." Marlene offered, to which Bullet responded with a curt nod. He watched as his temporary companion began to intently view the Lacrima. With a deep sigh, Bullet tilted his head back and decided to take a nap. Waking up so early was starting to catch up with him. He let his thoughts wander to many things. All the usual; Isabella, the fight he had lost in the previous days and the ball. Oh God, the Ball. Isabella was attending with Jane tonight. The thought of them being so happy together brought up the ugliest of feelings within him.
Despite his whining, Bullet was looking forward to going with Isabella. His heart had been crushed when she chose Jane over him. Of course it was to be expected. Jane was a new shiny toy in Isabella's life, after all. The roar of the games turned to white noise as Bullet let his thoughts consumed him. Jealousy and disdain plagued his mind and he just couldn't shake it. And why should he? It was always like this. Isabella would always get interested in someone else, have her fun, then discard them when they got 'boring'.
They were nice, but you're far more fun to be around then them. The very thought of hearing that again in her voice made the young mans blood boil.
Why am I always your rebound? He thought bitterly, biting his lower lip. If she liked him so much, why was she always looking for someone new to run off with? What was it about his company that couldn't satisfy her? She had grown so complacent of the fact that Bullet would always be there for her. Just once he wished that she could know what it felt like to be left behind.
Then he started thinking about Marlene. Tilting his head forward, Bullet stared at the back of her head whilst she eagerly watched the games. He felt a lump in his throat and his knees were shaking. Every part of him knew what he was thinking was wrong. To use Marlene like that would make him just as bad as Isabella. Slowly he felt himself standing up. He screamed at himself to stop; that he never wanted to be like that. Despite everything he tried, he couldn't stop himself from beginning to ask the most awful thing of Marlene.
"
Marlene, do you want to go to the Ball with m-"
"
The games have been postponed?" Marlene interjected, more interested in the strange turn of events than anything Bullet had to say. "
What event could've possibly made them to reach that decision?" Bullet stopped in his tracks, mouth agape; not from the news about the games, but at the thought of what he had almost done.
Slowly walking over to the Lacrima, Bullet sat down next to Marlene and watched the events unfold.
"
Hmm, weird. Do the royals usually make an appearance for the games? Must be something serious."
❀ The Demon Hunter
❀Crocus, Outside the Loom Cafe | Interacting with: Ethel Storm @Lunarlors34
Ethel's tension was quite clear to Rosalina, but not in the way she was used to. Normally Rosalina would be able to pick up on a quickened heartbeat, but the intense magical presence the young woman emitted seemed to mask her ability to sense such things. Thankfully her discomfort was very transparent, as you would expect from a young girl. Rosalina continued to walk on, turning her head slightly at a sudden flux of power that emitted from behind her. Her gaze met Ethel's, but not for long since the girl seemed very cautious about eye contact with the older woman. Rosalina knew this to be a sign of someone who had something to hide. Despite what she felt, Rosalina ignored the odd feeling and looked ahead. If Ethel didn't wish to discuss her magic, then Rosalina wasn't going to push it. Not until she deemed it as information worth pursuing.
When Rosalina had brought up her power, Ethel's response was simple but informative.
"
Why? 'Cause Sora teaches Ethel. Many things Ethel didn't know before." Her voice was soft, like a scared little mouse. Rosalina hadn't responded to her regarding this Sora man's position as her mentor. At the very least it confirmed that he was a mage, and quite a powerful one if Ethel's boasts held any ground. Regardless, it was best to be cautious. From behind her, Ethel's tiny voice spoke up once again.
"
Mage...Ethel has never been called a mage before. Ethel's been called many a thing. 'Monster', 'freak', Ethel, 'abomination'. But not mage." Rosalina could barely stand to listen to such nonsense. Turning around on her heel, Rosalina knelt down and looked into Ethel's eyes with a beast like fierceness.
"
Is that what Sora calls you? A monster?" Rosalina reached out her hand and gently touched Ethel's cheek, prompting her to keep her eyes on her. Before she could answer, a small creature that looked like a bunny crawled out from her hood. Immediately Ethel's face lit up. Rosalina sighed and stood to her full height. She wasn't sure what to make of this strange girl.
As Ethel finished speaking, Rosalina felt a magical presence begin to materialise. Someone was coming. She began to survey the surrounding areas, thinking through her plans while she still had some time.
"
Actually I had other business to attend to squirt." Rosalina's head jerked to the side in alarm. That faint magical presence had grown so quickly that she hadn't even realised this stranger had already appeared. Was it some kind of teleportation magic? No, Rosalina was somewhat more familiar with that. Ethel seemed glad to greet this man, so he must have been Sora. Eventually he turned his attention to Rosalina, finding that her gaze was as harsh and cold as she was rumoured to be.
"
Oh? Rosalina Idwal? From the Magic Council? What business would you have with my disciple here? If I knew you were here I would've cleaned up first." It seemed that news of Rosalina's new position was spreading fast. No doubt she would have the other Council Members to thank for that. Rosalina eyed over Sora, taking note of what were clearly signs of a fight.
"
Captain Idwal." She corrected bluntly, taking no part in his formalities. "
What is a man such as yourself with such a young child in your employ?" Rosalina didn't even try to hide the fact that she was making him out to be some kind of predator. Her tone was sinister and sharp, placing a heavy, spiteful emphasis on 'a man such as yourself'.
Then Sora claimed that he had business with Rosalina. That wasn't the first time she'd heard that from a stranger recently. Although she had no intention of being as polite to this man as she had been with Gregory Vale.
✖ The Hawk
✖Crocus Stadium Council Quarters | Interacting with: Sayatachi Nijiko, Hordiko Ama-Tsu-Mara, Yuki Ekibiogami, Kuragari Jurojin @Lmpkio
Constantine had wasted no time in pouring out some more scotch for herself. So much for being on duty. Two drinks wouldn't effect her, so it was fine. She was known for being quite a heavyweight when it came to alcohol, drinking most of the other Knights under the table in the barracks. She took a long, tentative sip whilst watching Sayatachi from the corner of her eyes.
"
A knight you say?" No doubt she was surprised. Constantine didn't really dress the part. Rosalina didn't mind that she preferred not to wear the uniform, provided she kept the crest on her to identify others that she was a Knight. She conveniently forgot that at her temporary residence. Again.
"
So you must be part of a guard. Hmm... interesting. I never thought that Rosalina would be the kind of Councilman that would assemble such a team." Sayatachi was prodding; no doubt about that. Though the way she did it perfectly masked any hidden intentions. Of coarse, someone as skeptical as Constantine would never accept that a Council Member of all people wouldn't have some form of underhanded scheme. She had worked for the Knights longer than most. In her time she witnessed all kinds of treachery in the shadows of the Council. The last Council was definitely a more extreme case; one she had not anticipated. Yet it had made her much more weary of who she trusted. Even at times her faith in Rosalina faltered. She probably knew more about that woman than any living person on this earth; yet there was still so much she was left in the dark about. After a long silence, Constantine finished her drink before shrugging her shoulders.
"
I suppose you could call us that" She spoke with a vague, non-committal tone. There was no reason to reveal anything that wasn't absolutely necessary. In reality, Constantine almost laughed at the idea of them being Rosalina's guard. No, that woman could take care of herself. They were more like an extension of herself; completing the tasks she didn't have the time for.
Sayatachi seemed oddly pleased with herself, bringing up the fact that she herself had also recruited a Guard that remained a secret from the Council. One by one the three unique individuals stepped forth and greeted Constantine. No names were exchanged. That was curious. Constantine gazed over them before issuing out a simple nod. When she expressed her concern over them being in the Council Chambers, Sayatachi was quick to ease her.
"Do not judge them by their appearance..." She began,
"As I've mentioned, these three individuals belong in my private guard. I've been meaning to announce the whole council about their existence, but hadn't had the chance yet. They wield incredibly powerful magic and with their capacity to use them in such a fantastic style, that when I first saw them in action... I had to recruit them. THAT... is how skilled they really are." Constantine pushed her glass away, offering a pensive 'hmm' in appreciation of the talents Sayatachi had recruited. Truthfully, she was really just thinking about what Lady Nijiko had just told her. It wasn't uncommon for members of the Council to recruit their own guards, but these three mages were at a completely different level. What could she possibly need such protection for? Then again, in these times one could never be too well guarded.
"You must see them in action to really grasp their true potential." Now that was something Constantine would have liked to see. Not to admire their skills, but to gather more information on them. The three hadn't given their names, and the Knight knew that she would seem too obvious if she pried about it. Constantine stood up the bar and placed her mask back on her face.
"
I'm sure the opportunity will arise soon." With a salute, Constantine addressed the Council Woman with more respect than she'd shown her the whole time she was here. "
I really must be going Lady Nijiko. Captain Idwal has set me many a task for today, and I'm afraid I'm already behind schedule. I believe my Captain said she was planning to speak with you later at the Ball." Constantine held the salute, hoping that this woman would dismiss her. To just leave would be disrespectful; not that she'd made much of an effort to maintain that front.
♠ The Sparrow
♠Crocus Stadium | Interacting with: Eli Loungefellow @Cherrywitch
Bayard rushed to Eli with urgency, not expecting the young man to have been so displaced by his attack. He thought he was holding back, but then again it wouldn't be the first time Bayard has underestimated his own strength. Kneeling down beside Eli, Bayard offered his hand. Though quick as lightning, Eli sprang back up to his feet almost defensively. Standing at his full height, Bayard towered over the young man with a concerned expression.
"
My deepest apologies Sir, but I did advise you not to cause a scene." He said matter-of-factly, folding his arms over his chest as he listened to Eli try to weasel his way out of this.
"
Alright, big guy, ya got me. Now, can't we just be civil here? I mean, I could always return that one thing I took and you could let me on my way. No fuss, no busy work for you. Whaddya say?" Bayard's face dropped from a gentle smile to a rather intimidating scowl.
"
Civil? You were the one that almost trampled several civilians trying to escape. I have been nothing but patient with you since the start, young man." Bayard pushed one of his stone covered fists into the wall next to Eli with barely any effort, denting it as if he'd thrown a sack of bricks at it. The gesture was mostly to let Eli know that his patience was wearing thin. "
Make no mistake, you will return what you stole. Then you'll also need to face the consequences for resisting a Knight." Bayard brought his fist back, dissipating the partial Thick Skin and placing his bare hand on the kids shoulder.
"
If you behave I'll let you off easy, alright?" Bayard spoke with a friendly smile, pushing his glasses back up his nose and adjusting his tie. He really wasn't in the mood to get into a fight; especially with a kid. Though he had to admit, the young and spirited ones made for great sparring partners. He lowered his guard slightly, letting Eli know that he wasn't going to restrain him. He hoped that this wasn't a mistake. His little trick was unlikely to work a second time.
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