[center][h3][color=C2B280]Fleo Plector – Phoenix Wing Stands[/color][/h3]
[@hatakekuro][@Zarkun][/center]

In reply to Nolan's assertion, Fleo shrugged.  A lot of people thought they had it all figured out, whether it was denying God's existence or insisting on lesser, more numerous deities.  The dusty woman couldn't really say she blamed them, for understanding of God's workings lay beyond the reach of anyone.  Belief and love, they were the key concepts, but those who'd faced terrible fate so often found belief and love to be ephemeral and unattainable things.  These thoughts remained inside, and Fleo turned a smiling and inquisitive face to the world.  In actuality, she'd be very interested indeed in learning more about the beings that Nolan called gods.

Fleo looked over her shoulder to watch her team leader run off, followed in a moment by Dalton.  Just like that, she was alone in a crowd of people, with only James to keep her company.  Among all the wizards she'd become acquainted with during her time at Phoenix Wing, James was among the least well known to her.  He revealed little in terms of defining characteristics, and any important events involving the guild seemed to pass him right by.  The final duel of the day had yet to begin -what was the holdup?- so Fleo scooted a little closer to James and asked, [color=C2B280]”So, tell me a little about yourself.  I haven't really gotten to know you, James.”[/color]  The next instant Jessie's announcement rang out, but it left Fleo less satisfied than she'd been previously.  A games master didn't have responsibilities, did he?  His job was to keep the show rolling, not pop off and leave thousands of people twiddling their thumbs.  [color=C2B280]”Well that sucks, Sheldon's left us all to stink it up.”[/color]

[center][h3][color=007FFF]Indigo Afina – Painting Booth[/color][/h3]
[@liferusher][/center]

Where there had been a graceful and courteous librarian, there now stood a steely sorceress, terrifying in her blank serenity and ominous, uncertain intent.  Indigo watched curiously as Isla edged away and erected a barrier of paint to defend herself.  Rather than reply to the girl, Indigo looked upon the makeshift shield with amusement instead.  A brief, azure glow surrounded her hand, magically replacing [i]The Order[/i] with the book [i]Subnautica[/i].  [color=007FFF]”I could order you to stop breathing if you didn't comply further,”[/color] she said impassively, as if she were dicussing the morning news, [color=007FFF]”But I'll take it easy on a young lady such as yourself.  Still, it is worth establishing just who is in charge here.  Do you know, paint is mostly water?”[/color]  Indigo flicked her index and middle finger to the right, exerting her own magic over Isla's paint barrier.  Hers proved stronger, of course, and the paint sailed away to splatter on the sidewalk, leaving Isla exposed.

[color=007FFF]”You are outmatched, and I'm afraid I haven't much patience.  Usually I'd be more tactful, but I'm still a little fired up from fighting in the arena.  Let me ask you a new question.  I know I saw Ike in that picture in your little Hall of Fame.  Will you incur my wrath by not freeing him?”[/color]  Of course, she did not have definitive evidence that Ike had been trapped in a painting.  Isla did, however, obviously have some brand of paint magic, and a man as prominent as Ike did not simply vanish without a trace.  Those clues and Indigo's wit proved enough to assemble a likely hypothesis.

[center][h3][color=c0c0c0]Cecilia Lenin[/color][/h3]
[@Raijinslayer][@hatakekuro][/center]

The journey between the Frenzy Camp and the Doma Flau was a decently long but very scenic one.  Even just an hour after the end of the Crocus maze event for the Grand Magic Games, everyday life resurged as if nothing had ever happened, save for the occasional burn mark, crater, or scratch in the buildings and streets.  Despite all of the various sights to see on the way to the arena, Cecilia did not lose sight of Argus, and noticed with no small amount of comradely concern his mounting anxiety.  No reassurances issued from her, though, for in Frenzy Plant no insecurities were sheltered.  Part of becoming a soldier involved breaking through one's own mental handicaps, just as important as surpassing the physical ones.  By finding and giving Argus the company of other inhuman beings, Cecili did not mean to provide him with a support group, but with a starting point to fully integrate into the life of a Frenzy Plant soldier.

Weirdly, Cecilia and Argus were inside the Doma Flau before the sounds of the crowd could be heard.  What previously rocked the city with shouts, cheers, and chants now barely constituted a dull roar; most likely, nothing was going on right now to receive the spectators' attention.  As unexpected as such a lull might be, it was good news for Cecilia and Argus.  She wasted no time guiding the crimson demon to the Frenzy Plant stands, which were neither densely populated nor packed up against other groups like much of the other attendees were.  Perfect.

By lucky coincidence, Ni Rensa and Arivaderci were in the same spot.  Looking at the two side by side turned out to be an interesting experience itself.  Aside from their femininity, nothing else compared between the two.  One sported the traits of a mammal, a predatory cat, and the other the trunk of a snake.  One had blue hair in braids, hatless, and the other hid long brown hair beneath a hood.  One's skin was pale, and the other's a mocha hue.  Arivaderci, as might be expected from her quiet and shy personality, seemed to want to cover herself as much as possible with a snowy-hued cloak, while Ni Rensa -who embraced her inhuman traits, having been born with them- proudly displayed herself to the world.  And yet, these two vastly different girls were fast friends.  All that Cecilia needed was to find Enma.

It wasn't difficult to spot the oni.  Cecilia made her way over to him, waving as she approached.  [color=c0c0c0]”Hi!  We've got a new guildmate, Argus here.  Thought you guys might kick it off, Ari and Ni too.  Have a chat, get to know him.  In Frenzy Plant,”[/color] she explained, trying to keep Argus's attention on her and not the crowd, [color=c0c0c0]“No man is an island.”[/color]

[center][h3][color=d8bfd8]Nero the Genie – Antiques Shop[/color][/h3]
[@Invisible Man][@liferusher][/center]

Without much hesitation at all, Nero launched into a short happy dance, smiling widely and laughing, not so much as with amusement, but in disbelief.  He never could have imagined the day when a girl would kiss him willingly!  Whatever Nero did to deserve love, he had no clue, but the thought that a monster like him had managed to find it filled the genie with genuine happiness.  [i]Take that, world!  Take that Phlegethon, and Principle Shears, and Mayor Ferrel, and the Beast Twins, and Melanie, and General Sanders, and Zander, and Indigo, and Jamie, and Joshua, and Damian, and Time Lord!  I'm the luckiest son-of-a in the world![/i]

His brief burst of enthusiasm evaporated quickly, but behind it left a thoroughly pleased young man.  [color=d8bfd8]”Aw, thanks,”[/color] he beamed, [color=d8bfd8]”It's hard to tell what's sweeter, you or your voice.  Looks like our adventure in this dusty shop is just about donezo, whaddya say we find Aya and get goin'?  Ya can pick wherever ya want to go.”[/color]

A moment later, he and Eve were on the street.  It didn't take long to spot Ayame, who looked astonishingly confused and overwhelmed.  The dark mages hurried over, and Nero stretched out an arm to put over her shoulder.  [color=d8bfd8]”Hey hey, don't go nuts, your best buds are right here for ya.”[/color]  He thought, [i]man, can't leave this kid for a second, huh.[/i]