[b][i]Flame Brooks[/i][/b] 

A lesser teenager would have blanked out at the dillemma facing him: [i]How to retain Gris Art Fortye's friendship while still working together with Ashton?[/i] But Flame was not a lesser teenager or a lesser person; he will find a way to square the circle and expose [i]Chiyo[/i] for the manipulative mini-shrew that she was. Crying her way out of her predicament, what a galling asshole! But no pretense lasts forever, especially something so extreme like masquerading as an adorable little tyke while being a sociopathic killer underneath. Granted, that meant the same thing for his own masquerade, but said masquerade was less intense.

So Flame took the bag of money and said, "Of course I'll be happy to help; that said, will Miss Elque be with me as well? Just to watch over me and ensure that I am keeping my promise." [i]Which I am not, but better that I be watched on my own terms than have Gris dictate how he ensures my loyalty.[/i] "That and Miss Elque seems like a good person and I want to spend more time around her - Not that way, of course; I don't like women."

[i]This will sacrifice my chances of looking for Ashton by myself, but I know full well that taking said chances too soon will just destroy them. No, I will wait and bide my time.[/i] A pause as he waited for Gris' answer. Once he got it, Flame would courteously take his leave.