"Who?" Will said then turned to Aerilyn and back to Shida. "Oh, Aerilyn? You got the hots for her eh?" he asked playfully and nudged Shida a little. Shida's face reddened as he began to realize exactly the position he just put himself into. However, he had no choice other than to listen to Will. "She's like... One of them career oriented woman, but if you really want her to like you, then my advice would be to talk to her, outside of the mission. Y'know, small talk. And no snarky comments either, yeah? Try... making her laugh or something?"
Shida listened to Will, as frustrating as it was to hear that someone thought that he could be snarky, which somewhere deep in his heart he knew was the truth. He managed to open up the smallest window of understanding, just enough for that comment to go through him. Shida knew he was good at small talk, and making people laugh. But what exactly to say to a woman.. and to have like, a normal conversation, especially with her, he just could not picture it in his mind. He decided he'd not waste another moment on it, and let it be until they got back safely, there were more pressing matters at hand. Shida grabbed Wills shoulder, and squeezed it a little bit harder than a friend should and shook him, "I appreciate your help on this matter, but if you ever call me snarky again, I'll kill you." Shida grinned at him, and was about to walk off when Cora came up to him and asked him something.
"I just happened to stumble on a real beauty down the road, can't believe someone just left 'er in the bushes. But I don't have a light. Could you do me the honors, fiery one?"
Shida looked down at her hands.. and she held out a cigar "Hey.. wait a minute. That's my--" *WOOOOOOSHHH* Suddenly, Shida was waist deep in a flood of water. As he watched the ground disappear before him in pure astonishment, he saw the old mans giant blue face in the waves pass through him. Could this day get any more.. he couldnt finish his thought, a voice began to boom around them.
"You MUST stop this. You MUST succeed. I decided, If ever you will need me, just call me with your powers and I will come flying. There are many ways of communicating with me, but all ways are associated with your powers." the old man said in a ethereal voice.
Who would want to talk to him? What are you a Hygron therapist now? Shida could probably benefit from of those if it wasn't such a dangerous position for them. Shida looked at Cora standing in front of him, in an equal amount of shock. He took the cigar from her hands and lit it up at the snap of his fingers, drew on it long and hard. Blowing the smoke up, he handed it back to her. "Enjoy kid, finders keepers."