[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210425/60d4cad31d79f05670a6f5376d410cd8.png[/img][/center]
[Right][color=6ecff6]Interactions: Nolan [@hatakekuro], Garrison [@Zarkun][/color][/right]

Off to a wonderful start! Everyone was being cordial and the guardsman - Corporal Nalen - even shook shook Nolan's hand! Honestly, of all the ways Ria assumed this might go, this was the absolute best route. Well, not with being asked to lead the caravan, but still. The guards seemed up for working with the foreigners and that was the starting point they needed. The guild couldn't afford for this to go sideways - on so many levels - so it starting so splendidly was precisely how she hoped. If it hadn't, well, that was why she wanted to join him. At worst, the water mage had been prepared to calm tensions and help smooth out rough edges. But the only edges that seemed to be around were those of the guards' understandable unease over the whatever the monster was that was causing them so many injuries.

They may have seemed reluctant to bring up the misfortune but it did need to be addressed. The water mage only knew of the misfortunes in broad strokes, but she still knew of their diminished capacity. At least enough to draw some conclusions when she first saw this job go on the board. Would Nolan have been better received if the circumstances were not dire? She knew the answer to that, but that was what made this the perfect job for him to take to help his reputation with the guards.

Of course, when the question of skill came up, her gaze shot to her companion. She doubted he was going to take the inquiry kindly, but any worry over his reaction was void from her face. Her smiling, almost carefree mask remained in place. No one needed to know her concern. Which made her smile all the more when he spoke so well in response to the inquiry.

Her mismatched gaze returned to the guardsmen with a nod. Her smile grew a bit brighter, and her voice was a tad more chipper than it had been. "[color=6ecff6]I assure you, we are quite capable of ensuring this mission goes off without any further complications for the guard.[/color]" 

A chill ran down her spine, her stomach twisted into a knot, but the smile remained. She knew what she'd just promised. In the back of her mind, she could hear her father chiding her for ever thinking she could ensure the safety of others with her water magic. She was weak compared to others, could never hold up in combat whenever tested. How could she not let Nolan down and cause him to burden more of the task instead of share it equally? How was she supposed to ensure these men - so new and uncertain - didn't meet with injury or worse if she was lacking? 

She could perform wonderfully when it was just her and Azria training. If she could just get her mind focused like during those matches then it would all work out just fine. Azria believed in her capabilities. She just needed everyone else to be confident in her too. Maybe if everyone else trusted she could do it, she could convince herself too. "[color=6ecff6]I have extensive combat training in a plethora of scenarios, and I know Nolan is more than capable of handling most any situation that may be thrown our way as well. You are in capable hands.[/color]"