[color=C2B280][h3][center]Fleo Plector- Phoenix Backyard[/center][/h3][/color]

Within her whirling torpedo of dust, Fleo's senses of sight and healed failed her.  She felt the impact of Trinity's metal net, but without anything to anchor to, the net couldn't restrain her.  Barely even slowed down, the Vortex Impact carried forward at a blistering pace, oblivious to the fact that the minstrel had wisely moved out of its path.  Instead, Fleo's foot smashed into the wooden fence running the perimeter of the guild hall's back lot, and with a decisive, weighty [i]crunch[/i] drilled straight through it.  Now facing away from her sparring partner but totally unaware, Fleo sailed away, straight down a street and into the city.  Trinity's intricate ice arrow, still enchanted with the art of homing, sped through the gap and after her.  Just like that, the dusty woman was gone.

Twenty second later, Fleo began to get the idea that she might have missed, though at this point she was too dizzy to think straight.  Her magic power had waned enough to slow down her Vortex Impact substantially, and as the dusty missile passed a lightpost, the net caught within it snagged.  The sudden jolt liberated Fleo of any remaining desire or ability to continue her spell, and it abruptly dissolved.  The net, with Fleo inside it, slumped beneath the lamp as gravity took hold, swinging several times and shaking loose a cloud of dust with each, before hanging still.  Within and woefully upside-down, the dusty woman groaned.  [color=C2B280]“Ech, where the heck am I?  Was that...the fence I hit?  Uh oh.”[/color]  The blood rushing to her head caused her vision to dip woozily.  [color=C2B280]“Agh...how could this get any wor-!”[/color]

At that moment Trinity's special Ice Arrow smacked into her, freezing the net and its contents in place.  If Fleo could have moved her mouth, she would have loudly and angrily voiced her displeasure at the comedic irony of it all.

Fortunately, someone was present to observe her misfortune for her.  As the [url=http://pre07.deviantart.net/d384/th/pre/i/2013/239/2/c/black_butterfly_by_w15nu91-d6j7ybv.jpg]strange woman[/url] approached the frozen, ensnared dust mage, she clucked her tongue.  [b][color=000000]"Well, well, well,"[/color][/b] she crooned, pulling a sheathed sword from beneath her cloak.  At her touch, the scabbard fractures all across, but as the pieces fell away to expose a gleaming, single-sided blade, they became black butterflies that flitted around the swordswoman with frantic unease.  [b][color=000000]"What do we have...here?"[/color][/b]

[color=DAA520][h3][center]Edith Riggs – the Frenzy Fort[/center][/h3][/color]

Though it disappointed Edith somewhat to see that her flashiest attack had done little in terms of actual damage against her foe, she found solace in the knowledge that she'd given her best.  Being part of a combat-oriented guild didn't necessarily mean that her worth was measured in how well she fought; her first few days at Frenzy Plant had been rough, but in time she'd proven her supporting abilities to be an invaluable asset on the battlefield.  As Thor closed the distance between the songstress and herself, pelted by miniature stars, Edith smiled and wondered if they'd make a good team in the future.

The blow to her legs caused her to stumble, and when she righted herself, she found a note thrust in her face.  She also glanced at the lightning sparking in Thor's other hand, and it didn't take long to decide which option was more appealing.  Tickled by Thor's odd method of conversation, Edith laughed out loud before replying.  [color=DAA520]“Yeah, I don't think I've got anything strong enough for you.  Well fought!”[/color]  When the stranger presented her next note, Edith couldn't help but wonder why Thor seemed so averse to talking.  [color=DAA520]“Nope, I'm okay.  Go ahead and see what Zander's got in store.”[/color]

The metallic [i]clink[/i] of metal gauntlets clapping greeted Thor's victory.  [color=E0115F]”Well fought indeed,”[/color] he praised, [color=E0115F]”You are now a member of Frenzy Plant.  After a short probation, you'll receive your mark, and be recognized.  With power like that, I suspect you won't be satisfied at C-rank.  If you wish to try for B-rank, your tester will be Lieutenant Brass.”[/color]

Seated among the other spectating Frenzy Plant members, Bytan gave no response, by way of voice or by way of movement.  All this time, his pale, rheumy eyes had been fixated on Thor, deviated only briefly by the splendor of Edith's final spell.  He felt intrigued by her, now a soldier who would hide her face and her identity.  That wasn't the sort of trust that this platoon needed to survive.

[color=d8bfd8][h3][center]Nero – Shirotsume Town[/center][/h3][/color]

With as much tenderness as he could muster, Nero guided Ayame toward the guild hall.  The train ride had taken a greater toll on the girl than either of them would have liked to admit, and the genie admired his charge for her willingness to plod resolutely onward even though her brief respite at the train station must have only marginally aided her.  The town itself interested Nero to some degree.  Each new place he went showed him something different and unique in terms of architecture, and Shirotsume proved no different.  New flavors and uses of wood, both of processed lumber and of raw tree trunks, gave the whole place a rustic vibe that blended very well with the mountainous air.  The scent of pine wafted constantly on the chilly breeze.

In time, the pair arrived at the guild hall.  After pausing a moment for a little appreciation of the grandiose structure, Nero assisted Ayame onto a nearby [url=https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcQftHWdg7x7C0B0-m4TR5QpfsO1jocnhIcUTkkdmXHF0lrdqNyNpXlPmSt8xDD0wbA3K2h5GXOd&usqp=CAE]trunk-bench[/url] before heading to the doors.  He rapped upon them with his gloved fist and adopted an upbeat smile.  [color=d8bfd8]“Hello in there, Dragon Fang!  We're a couple of wandering wizards, and we'd like to shelter with you!  My friend is sick, too!”[/color]