[center][h2][color=violet]Mari[/color] & [color=afffd7]???[/color][/h2][/center]

The attic was quiet, with only Mari's footsteps ringing inside. It didn't get any brighter as the day went on, so the dark, earthy colours of the harpy's feathers lent itself well to hiding. She was sitting behind an old, square plank with her wings carefully wrapped around. Unfortunately for the harpy, Mari [i]did[/i] know the best spots to hide. The harpy let out a little squeal as the little girl jumped on her, causing them both to fall to the floor with the plank being knocked backwards.

Mari's giggling was infectious and the harpy found herself laughing alongside the little kid, struggling to worm free from the hug. Eventually she did, though, gently pushing Mari off of her.

[color=afffd7]"I'm not as g-good as I thought I was, huh?"[/color] the harpy bashfully muttered.

Mari continued to giggle quietly, though she stepped back from the harpy in order to give them both some room. [color=violet]"You are good! I just know where to look."[/color]

The harpy nodded, climbing to her feet to start walking back to the gap in the roof, where most of the light came from. After all, that was the spot they settled on to count from. This time, though, the harpy didn't wrap her wings around her face. She just kept looking down at the ground. They had been playing for a while, and the trees' shadows were starting to become pretty large.

The girl tilted her head as her friend's face flitted with concern. [color=violet]"What's wrong?"[/color] she asked.

The harpy flinched and turned to Mari. She nervously looked away again a moment after, fiddling around with her fingers.

[color=AFFFD7]"Ah- I, uhm... I don't think I can keep playing..."[/color] she softly whispered, but it was still audible due to how quiet the attic normally was. The harpy tried her best to look at Mari again but couldn't make eye-contact.

[color=AFFFD7]"I-I, uhm... I'm sorry, but I have somewhere to, uhm, go-!"[/color]

Without waiting for Mari's reply, the harpy spread her wings and easily jumped through the circular gap in the roof, flapping frantically to float just above it. Mari only had a brief glance of the harpy's back before they circled around the building and disappeared, out of anyone's sight.

Seeing the harpy's sudden movements, Mari only just realised what was going to happen before it happened. [color=violet]"W-wait!"[/color]

But the harpy was gone. Mari sat down next to the hole, gazing after the spot where she'd last seen her new friend. She didn't even get to say goodbye...

Standing back up, though, she felt a little discomfort in her dress. Had a splinter got caught in it again? But, after combing through the folds, she instead felt something incredibly soft. One of her bubbles popped into existence... and holding it up to the light, she looked at the object. It was a single, green-tipped feather. Was this the harpy's?

[hr]

[center][h2][color=fff79a]Endar[/color][/h2][/center]
Seeing the bowman sit down back with the rest, Endar turned to Ezekiel.

[color=fff79a]"What demons prey on your mind today, Ezekiel?! You object to every other applicant when you know full well what my aims are, and what it might cost."
[/color]

"And what of the cost of your sister?" the old man hissed. "Barbarians, degenerates, beggars from the street?! If you do reclaim the throne, will you let it become known that you fought with people of baseless morals? Who fought only for gold?"

[color=fff79a]"All soldiers fight for gold, Ezekiel."[/color] Endar told him. [color=fff79a]"And if these men and women prove to be worthy of my trust, I won't just let it become [i]known[/i] that they were my allies in this fight. I will parade it on the streets of Ancora."[/color]

The adviser's eyes widened. "Your lordship-!"

[color=fff79a]"Hush."[/color] Endar said, holding out a hand. [color=fff79a]"For now, I will consider your mood to be a result of your bout with Alia. When we depart for the tournament tomorrow, I would ask that you present yourself as amicable and without judgement. You can consider yourself dismissed for today."[/color]

And then, standing from his chair, taking a deep breath, Endar walked over to the group of gladiators-to-be who were currently gathered around the table of refreshments - with the exception of Destin, who was still practicing with his weapon.

Taking another quick breath, he began to address the assembled fighters. [color=fff79a]"Ah... ahem. Excuse me."[/color]

He had no idea how to address them.

[color=fff79a]"Might I have your attentions, please?"[/color]