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[color=hotpink]"Hm. This was certainly a wake-up call."[/color] Akiko stepped closer to the tower. [color=hotpink]"Not the one I was expecting, certainly, but it will do."[/color] It was only a short while ago that she had seen the choices in front of her, though she didn't exactly like any of the options she had been provided, leading her to reluctantly choose the Rod in hopes it would help her with her approach to everything. There wasn't any need for someone to heal you, nor any need to fight as long as everything went according to her actions and plans.

In front of her laid three others. One was decorated in gear similar to a pirate, only she gave off a little more of a Mage vibe than what Akiko had read about in her stories. She'd probably have a boring history, but maybe she would be a little more gullible and willing to submit to Akiko than the others that she'd meet around here.

Beside her was a younger girl, merely a teenager, but sporting an interesting set of equipment on her body. It's quite interesting to see, someone as young as her being up here ready to scale the tower to see what kind of horrors and power it could grant. Ultimately, Akiko wasn't sure how she felt about the girl, outside of a vague feeling she could probably do some real damage. Nevertheless, she addressed everyone around with her name, followed by a question.

[quote="Umi"]
[color=aqua]”H-Hello! My name is Umi! How are you all?”[/color]
[/quote]

Akiko didn't know how to respond at first. Did she want to go down the authoritative route and spearhead control of the party? Likely not, that'd cause for some terrible sway later. Instead, she decided to play it up to be someone who could be trusted, like a close friend. Someone not in power immediately. Hopefully, that'd help out in securing her a spot as the bard.

[color=hotpink]"Fairly decent. A little confused, but I guess we all are, eh?"[/color] Akiko said before offering a hand down to the only boy present in the area at the time, wanting to help him up. She didn't get much of a vibe, if any at all, from this person, but she wasn't too afraid that he'd be unhelpful. The ones that are quiet and shy are normally the best to count on, in her experience.

[color=hotpink]"Need a hand, mister...?"[/color]