[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/v45jtPZ.jpg?1[/img][/center]

Things were wrapping up and Alisea certainly felt ready to sleep, but a remarkable visitor entered the inn.  A player with a red tag walked through the room to order food (a fairly plain meal), and ripples moved out from her.  Alisea could swear the temperature dropped a few degrees as people stared:  some with fear, some with anger or disgust, some just in pure shock.  If the red tag wasn’t already enough, the skull mask covering her face left no doubt in observers' minds that this person was a psychopathic murderer.

And yet…

Alisea felt the tips of her fingers tingle.  The girl was certainly a mage.  She was conscious of the stares on her as she ordered, as she ate; but she kept a wall around her that prevented anything from outside molesting her.  The way Paralyze acted had been different; his eyes were seeing something that wasn’t there, always jumping somewhere else.  This girl was sane, but… red, and flaunting it.  That begged so many questions Alisea found any trace of exhaustion dispelled by fascination.

Evidently she wasn’t the only one.  Another woman, one Alisea could remember seeing on previous nights, slid into the seat opposite the ominous newcomer.  They started a private conversation, and Alisea needed to be a part of it.  Opportunity arose when Hans came by, but… River.

Alisea could have choked the brat when she heard what he said.  No tact, no empathy, no thought of any kind; he just vilified her in his mind and dared her to tell him he was wrong.  Alisea came up beside him, planted one hand on his head, and pushed it down.  She couldn’t move him into a full bow, but she could break their eye contact and hide his face.  [color=ec008c]“I apologize for my companion, miss,”[/color] Alisea said, bowing her head slightly as well.

Before River could object, she leaned in close and whispered into his ear. [color=ec008c] “Not every mage could get away,”[/color] she breathed, [color=ec008c]“and girls have it [i]worse[/i],”[/color] she ended in a hiss.  With that, she released his head and firmly nudged him back toward the rest of the guild.

River glared daggers into Alisea’s eyes but behind his anger there was a whirl of confusion. His lip quivered like a child that had been scolded, it was very apparent he didn't like confrontation and that he  wasn’t yet accustomed to it all. River managed to stiffen his lip for a singular sentence [color=82ca9d]“If [i]anyone[/i] else gets hurt...that's … that's on your hands.”[/color] River’s hands trembled as he spoke, his voice shaky but the tone was all still there. As Alisea attempted to nudge him back towards the guild River shoved his shoulder away from her and made towards the inn’s door. [Color=82ca9d]" I'll be outside gathering more monster data and practicing my skills in combat. If anyone needs me, don’t.”[/color] As far as anyone could tell this was as cold and distant as River has been since his first encounter with the players that attempted to force his arm.

Alisea watched him go, briefly.  That hadn’t really fixed the situation, but at least a brawl was no longer imminent.  Turning to address Uchaka, Alisea put on a smile.  [color=ec008c]“I know this is, well, not much, but please take this as way of apology.”[/color]  The magess opened her inventory and withdrew the glazed bun she had left over from the afternoon, depositing it on the table in front of Uchaka.  While her menu was open, she extended a friend invitation to Uchaka as well.  [color=ec008c]“I hope next time we can meet in more enjoyable circumstances.”[/color]

She gave one final, small bow to Uchaka, offered another to Ms. Tress seated opposite, and turned to go.  A few moments later, she finished typing a private message and sent it to Uchaka as a follow-up.
[color=ec008c][I]You can reach me by PM anytime.  Pleased to make your acquaintance, Uchaka."[/I][/color]