[color=gray] [center] [img]https://pm1.narvii.com/6545/5ca8035b24945ac5cf6a84b1d872169805ce2825_hq.jpg[/img] [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][h1][b][u]Figuring Things Out[/u][/b][/h1][/color] [url=https://youtu.be/rGrQhdLo_-U?t=3041](Mood Music)[/url] [/center] Auriel was grateful for Fernando when it came to catching her and getting her back in balance. She sat back down and eyed the beer. Fer's advice to slow down provoked some thought. Maybe she should slow down? She was already slowed down to any regular drinker's standard! Still, Auriel agreed that she should take less sips than what she had been taking. It was strange, as she drank, she could've sworn there was more beer in her mug. Was she slowing her sips and taking bigger gulps? Auriel blushed a bit, she had a feeling she was going to facing the fabled hangover the next day. Auriel was once again taking a backseat on the conversation. But a lot of what Marcino had to say didn't sit right with her. He was condescending them all, and while he had plenty of experience under his belt, it wasn't entirely necessary. Auriel was never a fan of gloating, it showed a lack of professionalism which was something Auriel held in rather high regard. When her ability to fight was once again brought up, Auriel grew a little frustrated. Perhaps it was the beer weakening her restraint, but Auriel felt it was time to set things straight. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Have any of you fought the enemy? The REAL enemy?"[/b][/color] Auriel's face hardened a bit, and her gaze rested on Marcino, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Have you even encountered the creatures we're charged with defeating?"[/b][/color] Auriel took another sip of her drink, this time it was a proper swig like she belonged in the tavern. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Doubt me all you want. But I've fought them. Slain them. They raid even now, in large enough forces to warrant a military response rather than sending the town guard. I've no doubt that you're a capable fighter, Marcino. But I've seen men like you cut down, and they were usually the first in battle to fall because of their bravado. Your experience in combat is against people and creatures of this world, but the enemy isn't of this world, and it requires a different approach."[/b][/color] She looks between Cole and Fer, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"That's why you were summoned. You bear the weapons mean to defeat these creatures. The only wielders of those weapons are gone, thus you must ultimately learn the unique ways of your equipment yourselves. I've trained my whole life to help the heroes, so I can make that learning easier. But saving this world is your destiny, not mine, nor his."[/b][/color] she glances at Marcino. Auriel suddenly felt less drunk, like her hardened attitude and shortened temperament had sobered her up. She pushed the mug away from herself, done with drinking. She wasn't glad that it had made her speak harshly to Marcino, but a part deep down inside of her felt good that she was able to tell him off. She stood from her seat and looked to the two Cardinal Heroes, [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"We've been in the capital for longer than we really should have been. I suggest we leave the city bright and early tomorrow, and start getting you two up to speed with your equipment. And it's not entirely about learning how to fight. You both are in an alien world, and if you want to be seen as the heroes of legend, you'll need to learn and understand the people you're fighting to protect."[/b][/color] [/color]