Jayce sat with his arms folded firmly across his chest, staring at the wooden tables surface before him. His strands of messy hair falling forward to cover the sour expression plastered across his face. Droning out the noise of all the other guild members around him, he pressed his forehead against the table and bit his bottom lip in frustration.
“Just what do you think you are doing, young Wizard?” The feminine voice was soft, yet the anger laced through the words was enough to get Jayce to tilt his head a little to the side so he could glance at the young girl sitting beside him. He clenched his fist tighter around the silver key he was holding and groaned.
“I was expecting you to be some super cool fighting spirit. I’ve been had.” Jayce eyed Columba up and down. It was his first time summoning the spirit, and he was expecting something completely different. The long, white kimono she wore was covered in lace patterns and sewn on images of various flowers. The sleeves were covered in long, white feathers and draped well over her hands and to her knees. Her smooth, silky black hair cascaded past her shoulders and down to her hip. She was so pretty and delicate, not what he had been expecting. “You look totally weak. How am I gonna get stronger if I don’t have a bunch of cool spirits I can fight beside.” Columba ran her slender fingers through her hair, rolling her eyes at Jayce.
“We spirits have a lot more use than just fighting. Spend a little more time with me and I can teach you a lot more than just how to throw punches and chuck people through tables.” He pondered her words, scratching the back of his head.

“Sorry, I don’t think I’m following. Scorpio taught me how to fight and it’s gotten me pretty far. I don’t think I need to learn anything more.” the large grin on his face quickly disappeared with Columba’s frown of stern disapproval. Giving up on him, she turned around to stare at the group if Wizards dancing gracefully on the stage. Jayce hadn’t been paying much attention to them, but Columba was captivated. Some of his fellow guild mates saw him watching the dancers.
“Hey Jayce, if you’re not gonna ask that lovely lady with you to dance then how about letting one of us take her around the floor.” They laughed among themselves, approaching closer to the table they were sitting at. Jayce moved closer to Columba, keeping his eyes plastered on his comrades. Columba laughed at the gesture.
“Someone’s jealous. Oh, how cute.” Columba pinched Jayce’s cheek, laughing as he tried to squirm away from her. She stared at the group of men with a smile. “Sorry boys, but as you can see I’m busy forming a contract with my new Wizard.” The men looked at each other for a moment, confused.
“She’s one of his spirits?”
“She looks so normal, nothing like that scorpion freak.”
“Oi, don’t call my buddy a freak.” Jayce stood up, his fists at the ready.
“Would you please sit down? I’d like to get this contract sorted as soon as pos- Eh?!” Columba was stopped in her tracks. Jayce and the other guild members stared at her for a while before bursting into laughter. Someone on the table near theirs had spilt their ale all over her beautiful kimono. Fuming, Columba stood up and turned to Kalar who was now sprawled against the floor soaked in beer.

“Must you and your kin always be so reckless?! I’m already hating the idea of being contracted to a Wizard from such a guild, don’t make it any worse for me!” Columba was practically yelling, but Jayce ignored her and knelt down next to Kalar. Putting one of arms over his shoulders, he heaved the young Wizard up onto his feet.
“Aren’t you a few years too young to be drinking? Not that I care, man. Starting early is better.” Once Jayce was sure he’d regained his balance he slipped out from under him and picked up the fallen table. Placing it back in it’s proper place, he sat himself up on it.
“Don’t encourage this behaviour.” Columba did her best to try her kimono using Jayce’s jacket which he had left on his chair, but the stains still remained.
“Lighten up Columba. You gotta start being more fun or people won’t like it when I summon you.”
“Then how about you don’t summon me! In fact, let’s not even bother with my contract!” Columba was obviously in no mood, so Jayce raised her key.
“That’s harsh. I think you should go back and change clothes. We’ll talk later.” Jayce was pretty disappointed they didn’t end up making a contract, but when Columba’s furious expression softened he could tell that she felt bad for taking it over the edge. She disappeared from the Guild, a gentle glow surrounding her. There was a brief moment of silence, followed by Jayce looking back over at Kalar.
“Hey man, it looks like you’re gonna need another drink.” Raising his two fingers up towards the bar, he yelled out to the attendant. “Hey bartender! Can we get a couple beers over here?”