[color=C6DEFF][center][h1]Bast Ragoczy[/h1][/center][/color] [center][h2]&[/h2][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yICuhDr.png[/img][/center] [center][sup][@Silver Carrot][/sup][/center] [hr] As Lord Barensia bid farewell to them, Bast nodded towards him once more, but with a slight unsatisfied expression on his face. By his confused expression, it was rather clear that Lord Barensia didn't understand the hint he gave about the culprit. He couldn't say he was satisfied with the outcome, after all, it would be much more interesting if Lord Barensia knew who was the one that contracted the guild... It would be so much more interesting to see how he would deal with her.... [color=C6DEFF]"My dear Eilidh, I'm sorry to make you wait for me this much. I have no doubts that it surely must have been incredibly tiring and boring for you to hear our conversation."[/color] Bast said, with a smile as they walked away. [color=C6DEFF]"But before we are free to go, I just need to do one little thing."[/color] Bast continued, with a smirk on his face as he snapped his fingers, when he was already a reasonable distance from the tea shop. As he did so, the fancy carriage was immediately engulfed in flames, burning in quite a display. Turning to Eilidh with a kind smile, he asked, still gently holding her hand. [color=C6DEFF]"Well, we are now free to do whatever your heart pleases, my lady."[/color] He said, with a chuckle. [color=C6DEFF]"Would you like to return to the guild? Anything you still want to do in the city?"[/color] He asked. [color=C6DEFF]"Any question or desire you might have, you have but to ask."[/color] He completed, looking to her. Briefly looking down at her hand, which was in his, then promply ignoring it and looking back up at him, Eilidh answered his string or quieries. [color=9B1436]"I do not mind having heard your conversation, though much of it was lost on me. I would like to know what the details of you mission were."[/color] Eilidh turned to watch the carriage exploding, raising n eyebrow and turning back to him. [color=9B1436]"I'm sure there was a reason for that, but it currently evades me. Anyway, we may return to the guild if you wish. I was not quite ready to return after my mission."[/color] As they lift the cafe, still hand in hand until Eilidh suddenly remembered and retracted hers hurriedly with a little flush of the face, which disappeared just as soon as it came and the Centaur looked oddly solemn. [color=9B1436]"I am a warrior at heart, but despite this, sometimes I wonder if I am a good person. If I truly have honor right to my bones or whether I'm constantly one good shot of adreneline from turning bloodthirsty. I killed my target today, but he was wanted alive. I couldn't stop myself from killing him and granting myself the satisfaction of a conclusive victory."[/color] Bast couldn't help but let out an amused expression and a smile as he heard her words. She was certainly very... interesting. It wasn't far fetched to say that Bast himself had developed a certain attachment to the centauress. Her reactions were so different from the overall feeling she passed... Every time she blushed, Bast couldn't help but smile... [color=C6DEFF]"Regarding the mission, It was simple, really... I was asked simply to burn one of the most expensive carriages the Barensia had, in public, prefferably. Although I hoped it would be much more interesting than just this..."[/color] He said, thinking about the pink haired noblewoman. [color=C6DEFF]"According to miss Natasha, the Barensia were a house that was trampling on hers for a long time, and she wanted... revenge maybe?"[/color] He said, tapping his cane with a thoughtful expression. [color=C6DEFF]"Lord Barensia doesn't seem to be the cruel type of person, so I even tried to give him a hint of who was the one who asked me to do so, but unfortunately... he failed to grasp my message... I was hoping both houses could reach a mutual understanding..."[/color] Bast said, shrugging and dismissing all that as completely irrelevant on that moment, as he was much more focused on what Eilidh said after her questions. [color=C6DEFF]"My dear Eilidh, although I condemn unecessary bloodshed, sometimes its simply unavoidable... You shouldn't blame yourself if you feel in your heart that you did the right thing."[/color] Bast said, gently pinching her nose with a chuckle. [color=C6DEFF]"I may not be the best one to talk about things such as what is good or bad, but I can assure you one thing: as long as you're following your heart and your mind, doing what you think it's right, you will be ok."[/color] He continued. [color=C6DEFF]"If you're worried that you may lose your mind and enter a frenzied state in your next mission, I can gladly accompany you. If you need me, I promise I will be there to calm you down."[/color] Bast said. [color=C6DEFF]"And Eilidh... Always remember one thing: You're not just a warrior. You are also a lady. Strength is important for a warrior, but intelect always beat brute force. You are a strong woman, Eilidh. Not just phisically... Trust yourself a bit more. If you thought that your target did enough bad things to justify his death, I trust you."[/color] He said, with an unusualy kind smile on his face. Eilidh listened to everything he said without replying. Only when he'd finish did she open her out, but nothing came out yet as she was still processing all he'd said. [color=9B1436]"He definitely deserved to die, but that wasn't the mission. Following my heart...I like that way of putting it. I would like to use my head a bit more, but Centaurs as a race aren't known for rationality. Sure we have tactical minds, but we are an emotional people. Your words...they've helped, I feel. Thank you, Bast."[/color] She smiled at him with genuine warmth as they walked on. [color=C6DEFF]"Emotions are very complicated things. But with practice and time, you can understand them, and even manipulate them."[/color] He said, walking side by side with her. [color=C6DEFF]"Even though... Some times, the best thing to do is simply not repress them, and instead, express what you're feeling."[/color] he said. [color=C6DEFF]"So... My lady... Today I'm at your orders."[/color] He said, with a flourished bow. [color=C6DEFF]"Where do you want to go now?"[/color] He asked with a smile on his face. Eilidh thought about his words. Right now, they could go anywhere that she said. They could go get something to eat together, or walk around the town...together. Eilidh shook her head, snapped forward and appeared to redden several hues. Why had the mere prospect of doing any of those things fill her with a completely alien feeling, like a pit in her stomach? She didn't like it. If this was one of those emotions she shouldn't repress, she'd need more practice. She wasn't ready for that. [color=9B1436]"Can we just return to the guild for now?"[/color] she asked with a slightly apologetic air to her tone. A far cry from the stern, icy tones he may have gotten a mere day ago. Bast wasn't certain on what was happening, but he could feel the conflicting emotions on Eilidh's voice. He somehow knew by the expression on her face and her voice that there were a lot of things going on on her head right now, but he wasn't as tactless as to not respect her regarding that. [color=C6DEFF]"No problem with that. It was a long day, and I'm sure that you have a lot to think about. If you need someone to talk to, I would gladly listen to you. We can return once i leave a small note on the place where I met Lady Natasha, asking her to send the payment to the Guild."[/color] he said, before resume walking. After quickly writing a note and letting it on the same watchtower that he first met Lady Natasha, he and Eilidh went back to the guild. [hr] As they arrived on the guild, they were met with a big meeting. Almost all the members were sitting on the table, discussing what the name of the guild should be. [color=C6DEFF]"After you, my dear."[/color] Bast said, opening the door for Eilidh, before entering the guild himself and looking around, seeing everyone talking about naming the guild. [color=C6DEFF]"Are we late to the meeting?"[/color] Bast asked, with a smile on his face, looking to everyone. Eilidh took a place at the table, and began eating, though her ears were upright and primed to listen in to the conversation. [color=9B1436]"Don't mind me, carry on with your conversation. I'm just hungry."[/color]