[h3][center][i]Etsuko Tanaka and Christopher Nocte // A Hallway[/i][/center][/h3] The first time around, Etsuko didn’t get a chance to explore the castle. She had thought of trying to locate the castle’s library and reading everything it had to offer, but for once, the fortune teller didn’t feel like learning. She felt it necessary to give her mind a rest; after all, Lady Renata and Resalia were equally tough teachers, the former being much harder than the latter. So, she chose to explore the castle walls. It was very much like she had imagined fairytale castles, decorated with Serio memorabilia and the like. It fascinated her quite a bit, and more than once, she had to dodge a servant or two since she was close to bumping into them. While the Diviner's exploration may have been purely innocent, the Paladain's apprentice wasn't quite so. He knew that, somewhere in the castle and its grounds, that the Divine Paladin was probably off praying somewhere, and if he ended up getting spotted by his teacher then he'd be dragged into the whole affair. Christopher wanted to avoid that at all costs, so rather than staying still in his he decided to move... at least until he found a decent hiding spot. Perhaps she should’ve kept her gaze forward, or else she wouldn’t have bumped into a darkly clad male. Unfortunately, she was too busy inspecting a tapestry that she was passing by that she ended up running straight into the male’s back. [b]“O-Oh! I-I’m sorry, I-I didn’t see you…”[/b] What was probably a very solid collision for the small Diviner was barely more than a bump to Christopher. However, he still jumped in surprise, startled, as if he expected the source of the collision to be the Paladin grabbing him. Because of that he quickly turned as he took a sudden step forwards, looking back to her. Only after he looked down (as he had been looking up in anticipation of Damon) did he see it was her, and he relaxed some, letting go of the breath he had drawn in. [b]“Er, no problem at all. Should have been walking faster.”[/b] She laughed a bit nervously, shaking her head. [b]“N-No, I should’ve been watching where I was going.”[/b] She looked up (for he was quite a bit taller than she was) and tilted her head at him. [b]“Um, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Etsuko Tanaka.”[/b] He shook his head slightly in agreement at her statement, before he replied with, [b]“Christopher Nocte.”[/b] As he said his name, he brought up a hand slightly in a gesture, lightly tapping his own chest before he dropped it again. [b]“Seeing as you've introduced yourself, I'm guessing your not a servant. Friend of the royals?”[/b] She thought about his question for a moment. Was she really a friend of the royals? Well, what really [i]defined[/i] being a friend of someone else’s? She and Calypso were friends, very close friends in fact. But that was because they’ve been with each other for a long time and in that time, they’ve gotten to know each other quite well. She probably didn’t realize it at first, but her expression grew more and more thoughtful as she pondered the schematics of friendship. At some point, she must’ve realized how she looked and an embarrassed blush appeared on her cheeks as she laughed nervously once again. [b]“A-Ah, I-I suppose. Our paths happened to cross and traveling in numbers is usually safer. What about you?”[/b] As Christopher waited for her answer, he too realized that time was starting to tick by. Blinking once or twice as a confused expression came over his face, he almost brought his hand up to snap slightly to get her attention; thankfully she snapped out of it herself. His response came much more quickly, as he brought both shoulders up in a shrug, bringing his hands out some before he dropped them down again. [b]”The Prince asked my teacher for some help and I got dragged along with the whole deal. Met on the way up to Gurata.”[/b] [b]“Gurata? Oh, so you’re part of the party that just came back.”[/b] [b]“Yeah, I guess you could put it that way.”[/b] She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to ask about what happened there. She had heard enough from the villagers on her way to the castle. [b]“Perhaps we’ll be traveling together soon.”[/b] [b]“Please don't tell me the Prince is already planning another... expedition. We just got back from the last one and I'm wary of these adventures since I got my throat slit.”[/b] Her eyes widened right away. [b]“W-What?!”[/b] [b]“Er, uh- Exaggeration. You know how it is.”[/b] Christopher sometimes forgot that people weren't used to what could happen, especially to him. She shook her head. [b]“A-Actually, I don’t…”[/b] [b]“… Er. Anyway.”[/b] Better to just move on, at this point. [b]“Um, r-right…”[/b] Really, it was hard to move on when images of whatever horrors her new acquaintance was talking about filled her mind. Almost desperately Christopher tried to think of a way to change the subject, before finally saying: [b]“So, you're from Barcea then, right?”[/b] The question was enough to clear her mind of horrific images. She nodded and smiled. [b]“Yes! I live in a small village in the mountains.”[/b] [b]“East or north?”[/b] [b]“East!”[/b] [b]"Ah, I see. I've lived in the mountains to the north of Barcea for the first part of my life with my mom, before she sent me off with the Paladin.”[/b] [b]“Wow, you must’ve seen quite a bit in your travels. This is the farthest I’ve ever traveled, really.”[/b] And then she blinked as something occurred to her. [b]“W-Wait, did you say the Paladin? A-As in [i]the Divine Paladin[/i]?”[/b] Slowly Christopher blinked, before reaching back to rub the back of his head some, looking away. Clearly, he wanted to come up with a way to steer the conversation away again, but just sighed before saying, [b]“Yeah, the Divine Paladin. He's my teacher, has been for the past few years.”[/b] Her eyes were wide with amazement. Clearly, she had bumped into a [i]very[/i] special person. She almost wondered why she ended up in the company of the royals, especially since she didn’t have much to offer except her tarot cards. And, she supposed, the knowledge that had been given to her by Lady Renata. But she wasn’t going to mention that. At least, she didn’t think she was supposed to mention that. [b]“W-Wow, that’s amazing! I’m sure you’ve learned so much from him!”[/b] [b]"Uh... Yeah. Sure. I guess you could say that.”[/b] Once again, Christopher's hand came up to rub the back of his head before dropping again. [b]“Anyway.”[/b] She blinked, unsure as to why he suddenly dropped the conversation. She bit her lip slightly, also unsure as how to continue. Christopher was at just as much of a loss as she was, silent for a moment as he thought... and then, quite suddenly, everything came out in a rush. [b]“Yeah, the Paladin has taught me a few things, but some of it I just don't care about. I know the Divines exist, sure, that's great, but that doesn't mean I worship them. There's only so much more of this religious mumbo jumbo I can take before I probably go drown myself in a river.”[/b] She blinked again and laughed a little. It was certainly a new take on religion, that’s for sure. [b]“I have a feeling you wouldn’t enjoy the village I come from, then. They’re all very…superstitious and religious.”[/b] [b]“Ugh.”[/b] Christopher just looked up slightly, exasperated. [b]“Kill me now.”[/b] Etsuko immediately shook her head violently, not understanding that he was exaggerating. [b]“N-No, I-I can’t do that! W-We just met!”[/b] Quickly, he brought both hands up, shaking his head quickly. [b]“No, no, I'm not being serious- it's just an expression-!”[/b] [b]“O-Oh! I-I…ahaha, s-sorry, um…”[/b] [b]"It's okay, it's okay.”[/b] Christopher gave a sigh, shaking his head. [b]”Sorry to throw that at you suddenly.”[/b] [b]“N-No, it’s okay, I just misunderstood…”[/b] [b]"Okay, so we've established it's okay. Let's just... move on from it then.”[/b] She nodded. [b]“Right. Um…er, were you headed anywhere in particular?”[/b] [b]"Er, no. Actually just.... avoiding the Paladin….”[/b] [b]“Oh! Er…any…particular reason why you’re avoiding him?”[/b] [b]"Same reasons I told you before.”[/b] She laughed again and finally looked ahead, noticing a fork in the hallway. [b]“Well, I wish you all the best of luck in avoiding. I hope we see each other soon!”[/b] He gave a slight nod, taking a few steps to the side as they approached the fork. [b]“Sure thing. Talk to you later, Etsuko.”[/b]