[center][h3][color=C2B280]Fleo Plector[/color][/h3] [@Joshua Tamashii][@Amaya Tamashii][@Hatakekuro][/center] Still in a very chipper mood, Fleo reached over to give Dalton's head one last squeeze before she addressed the others. With the final battle of the morning completed just before lunchtime, the rest of the day was for the various guilds to spend as they wished, and the audience was filing out of the stadium, dispersing in every direction. Not having any particular goals in mind, she was more than happy to do whatever the rest of the group wanted. [color=C2B280]”Looks like everyone's going somewhere but us. What do y'all want to do?”[/color] Looking at Joshua, Amaya, and Nolan now, Fleo realized that they'd unintentionally reunited Team Powder Keg right here in the stands. [i]Wait,[/i] the thought struck here. [i]That's not right...[/i] She took a sweeping glance around the Phoenix Wing portion of the stands, but failed to spot a white-haired youth in blue. [color=C2B280]”Hey, you know who I just realized I haven't seen in a while? That Lucas guy. Now that I think about it, it seems like he's been gone for a long time. Did he tell you guys anything recently?”[/color] [center][h3][i]X: Wheel of Fortune[/i][/h3] [@Burthstone][/center] Stacy snickered at her acquaintance's request, not understanding that his previous turn of phrase had been an attempt at humor. “I'm not one much for seafood myself. As you can see, I've a certain...connection to shellfish, and eating one...just wouldn't seem right.” The final events of the battles unfurled as the pair were navigating through the aisles to the exit. Upon seeing the screwup of the team from Tough Love, Stacy shrugged. “In my studies I've learned that most cetaceans have brains larger but less remarkable than humans. I suppose even man-whales like Salvoy are still lacking in the smarts department.” She led the way through the exit, one of the first to leave thanks to her head start, and brushed aside a thick, rubbery strand of bright-orange hair. Once out of the arena, she explained that they were headed to a small but quaint deli that specialized in sausages, cheeses, and various slaws. “Not the healthiest stuff in the world, but given that it's a special event, might as well, right?” Though their destination wasn't extremely far, the trip was somewhat slower than one might expect. Even those who hadn't been spectating the Games were full of liveliness, out and about, trying to sell wares to newcomers to Crocus or otherwise capitalize on the general hype. On the way, Stacy stopped to watch a young, mournful-looking man with spiky hair performing tricks with his snake, a two-headed beastie with a surprisingly human face. She didn't stay for long, however, and did not put any money into his hat. While walking through a tiny park in the center of a plaza, the pair was momentarily surprised by a large mole, who dived into his burrow with a startling, sudden movement when they came near. At last, however, the scientist and the dark mage arrived at Jorge's, the restaurant Stacy had described. The crowds hadn't made it this far yet, so there was no wait as Stacy and Mark grabbed some food and found a table. Wheel of Fortune ate with a surprising speed and efficiency, finishing her food in no time at all, though she hadn't gotten much to begin with. “So,” the oddly-hatted woman said, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. “Tell me some more about Iron Enigma. I already know about the monsters, but I want to hear about the people. Does your guild have much of a history, or is it a mystery to the outside world.” [center][h3][i]IX: the Hermit[/i][/h3][/center] Walking out of the stadium at brisk pace, Zander sought an isolation location where he might call down Frenzy Plant's most elusive S-class wizard. Anyone accompanying or following him was met with a stern look, but not otherwise dissuaded. After all, Ludo's appearance was something of a big event, and given many soldiers' curiosity and intrigue, the Ruby Night thought it would do more harm than good to keep them away. He found an suitable area in the form of a riverside loading bay, where various goods would typically be piled and sent out by boat. At the current hour, with the festive atmosphere totally undiminished, there was no work being done. Zander drew his sword, muttered beneath his breath, and sent a blazing jet of ruby-red energy skyward. Ludo's owl eyes did him credit, for the Hermit touched down soonafter. “Took you long enough,” the big bird groused. “Here's the deal. The Mystic Beasts are gathering. Not all of them, mind you, but given our average power level, it should make you very worried. On my way in, I spotted the Tower on the colosseum's fringe, watching the events. The whale, Salvoy, is the World. He's one too. Your guild recently defeated the Hanged Man at Akane Resort, but you failed to kill him, and I think he's here. I also saw the Lovers in the streets. I'm sure there are even more. All of you must be on your guard. There's not a whole lot more I can help you with; being one of the weakest, I've avoided 'em my whole life, so I don't have any intel. If it weren't so crowded everywhere, I would have said that you should try sending large parties of soldiers to defeat them one by one, but obviously we can't cause a scene.” Ludo scratched beneath his feathery chin with his talons, as if stroking a beard. “Remember, each Beast is weak to the manner in which they died. Ah! I remember. The Tower is vulnerable to attacks that don't necessarily hurt, but cause great pain. She was tortured to death. If your soldiers do tangle with any Beats, make sure they don't kill them. You know why.” Just then, Ludo seemed to sense something. His head turned nearly one-eighty degrees to pinpoint the source of the sound. “A noise like a frog laughing...the Jester. I must seek him out. Stay safe, heroes of Frenzy Plant. The future needs you.” With that, he flapped off, disappearing over the buildings. [center][color=8F9779][h3]Cormorant Sanders – Infirmary[/h3][/color][/center] The deep, wrinkled frown that settled over the general's face made him look immeasurably old. With woeful eyes, he watched Hyun's face. The swordswoman hadn't moved in a long time. Though just outside her chamber had been incredible spectacles of magic, talent, and emotion, only a foreboding, sickly serenity had taken hold within. Sanders was at a loss. Never before had he encountered someone who had lost the will to live. [i]Why[/i], he marveled at the incredible and terrifying power of Hyun's fixation. [i]Why did you let it consume you?[/i] He reached out a hand to touch her head, to cradle it like a father might a daughter—for she had been so very much like one. The fingers froze, however, and retracted. Sanders did not feel he had the jurisdiction to impose upon her rest. If she wished to remain in whatever netherworld she was in, dream, nightmare, or neither, he could not disturb her from it, however much he wanted to. [color=8F9779]”I am sorry,”[/color] he said at last. [color=8F9779]”I'm an old campaigner, not an old doctor. I wish I knew how to make you better now. I wish I had known how to help you then. If only we had more time.”[/color] Instead, he scratched the little bear that Gabriel had left behind the ears, and made to leave, face downcast. [color=8F9779]”I have failed you, Hyun. This tragedy is on my head.”[/color] [color=DA70D6]”No.”[/color] Sander's mouth dropped open as he spun around, stunned. He turned to see Hyun sitting up, a sad look on her face. In the moment before she continued, the general had the time for only one clear observation: her eyes had changed. The irises were still dark brown, indistinguishable from the pupil, but the scleras -the white part- were gold. [color=DA70D6]”It is wrong of you to blame yourself, General. I alone am at fault. I allowed my obsession to fester inside me, becoming so focused on it and blind to all else that the pressure caused me to snap. You, sir, did the best you could to make me stop and look around, but I did not listen.”[/color] It was a moment before Sanders found his tongue. Hyun watched him quietly, a shadow of a smile playing around her lips. [color=8F9779]”Are...are you well, Hyun? I thought you had given up. How did you find your way back to us?”[/color] Sanders remembered Jamie, and how she'd sworn to visit Hyun. Could it be possible that Phoenix Wing's master had given Hyun what she'd needed? The swordswoman tilted her head. [color=DA70D6]”Hm. It was all darkness. Just...nothing. I was...dimly aware of some reverberations, like people talking, but muffled, and all echoes, and I couldn't hear them. At some point, though, I had a dream. I was back home in Seven in springtime, standing near the edge of a cliff. Looking down over the edge, I saw only a swirling void. I think...it might have been death.” “Between me and the edge stood a strange thing. It looked like a skinny man, dressed in purple robes, but his skin was dark blue, his fingers long and spindly, his ears pointy, and he had three eyes. He told me that if I really felt that there was nothing left for me in the world, I could jump. But if I wanted to try again, I just needed to take his hand and make a wish. I felt different, like all of my hopelessness and desperation were lifted out of me for just a moment, and so I thought, I could try again. So I took his hand and woke up.”[/color] She looked at Sanders quizzically. [color=DA70D6]”Doesn't sound like an ordinary dream, does it? Do you think it was an angel, sir? A demon?”[/color] Sanders shook his head. [color=8F9779]”A blessing. Welcome back, Hyun. Now that you've seen where your obsession would have taken you, will you let us help you? You can still accomplish your dream.”[/color] Shakily, Hyun pulled herself to the edge of the bed. With utmost caution and precision, she lowered herself onto her legs, and stood, trembling slightly. Her golden eyes glinted. [color=DA70D6]”Last time, I was looking so hard that I lost focus. I can do better this time. Let the Thor replace me for now. I'm going to start retraining. Perhaps, by the end of the week, I'll feel ready to return.”[/color] She turned her bright eyes, simultaneously full of determination and...something else...to her Master. [color=DA70D6]”Tell me, General. I feel something strange. It is a longing, but it is not of desperation. I am feeling like somehow, things will turn out alright. What is it?”[/color] The old man smiled. [color=8F9779]”It is hope.”[/color]