[b][/b][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rxjbVB6.png?1[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qvi54UB.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/lt48Q15.png?1[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/itIBVAb.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qhC6Bwv.png?1[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/8o2Dedp.png?1[/img] [color=BCBCBC]✡ A collaboration between Gittarackur and Aeolian ✡[/color] [hr][color=BCBCBC]✡ Time: Morning ✡ Location: Crocus (Driving to Fenixtear Guildhall) ✡[/color] [hr] [/center] The scene was shifting rapidly against the cascading of a long black blur. This blur, which resembled some kind of limousine, was aptly juiced by a Karling-sponsored Obsidian Kite chauffeur's magic power and was speeding along innocuously through the streets of Crocus. Those old quaint homes, stacked one on top of each other, were like a blending tableau of perched burgundy birdhouses as they passed beyond the belly of the vehicle windows. Against the simple black and gold backdrop of the inner compartment were two distinctly different individuals. Otto wasn't having a particularly great day, at the moment. His boss Karlomane Karling had just told him and Dove off for failing to brief the other Koi Fish Tattoo mages on what was going to happen today. How was he expected to share something that was being rumored for months now. While he did have his reservations about taking his most useful sensory mage off guard duty, he felt the others could handle if the need arose. There was one thing still stuck on his mind however, how could he possibly survive his frequent trips into the house when even with 2 Karlings in the house, the house still attempted to kill him. But as they trudged on through the city streets, there was a tension that permeated the vehicle. It coalesced around them like a smog and Dove was keen on who this was seeping from. Her profession as a companion made her especially in tune with the feelings of others. The slight shift in their body language, the desires they said with their eyes, yet remained unspoken from their lips. Her job often required of her to predict what her companion wanted in that moment, and what they did not. What they wanted to hear. Even in these subtle moments, that need to care for others reared its head. And so as she looked up from the jeweled egg she'd been petting and gazed deeply at the rugged man with the brown hair and scar across his eye. Dove's posture was graceful like a flamingo, eyes burning green and hair like thick sandalwood silk; this mage, famous in Crocus for her beauty, had honed in on the hole that seeped weariness, [color=FDEC98]"What is it that troubles you so?"[/color] she asked, her voice smooth and calming like whipped butter. Otto lit a cigar as he pondered on what to say to Dove. He surely didn't want to hide anything from her, but telling her what was on his mind wasn't really the best course of action right now. The smoke that was escaping his lips was beginning to dance towards Dove. It began to contort and twist until the words [color=6B6F6D]"This is gonna be my last day on the job, I've decided to tender my resignation as of tomorrow."[/color]. Dove remained silent for a moment, letting the revelation of Otto's departure linger between them. She only kept a placidly calm gaze, [color=FDEC98]"It would seem that the hands of fate have come to take you."[/color] she began, shifting slightly, aware of Otto's history as a man who never seemed to stay put for long due to his life as a mercenary, [color=FDEC98]"Where will the winds take you now I wonder..."[/color] Otto sighed as he heard Dove speak, [color=6B6F6D]"Look Dove, I'm probably going to join a guild, settle down, and when I turn 60, I'm going to retire to bask in my personal riches. However, There is no fucking way I'm going to let that bastard keep all of the estate's mysteries to himself. Tonight I'm going to find out just what the fuck happened and report it to the magic council."[/color] Otto turned to Dove, putting his hand on her shoulder. [color=6B6F6D]"And I'm taking you with me out of this god forsaken mansion. We're going to give up contract work and live straight, honest lives.".[/color] Dove winced at the formation of the words [i]Magic Council[/i] that escaped Otto's lips. She had experienced the darker (hidden) sides of some of their members as a companion and would rather soon forget those memories. Still, she felt light at the touch of Otto's hand upon her shoulder, appreciating the warm gesture. Dove was a woman with nuanced expressions and feelings, much of her own sentiments repressed in the vain of what she deemed more desirable for another. A feeble smile could be seen upon her lips, but it was a fleeting expression, transitory. And then she looked out of the window, her gaze misty, [color=FDEC98]"I cannot escape Otto. I have been magically bound to Master Karling. My role as his companion has taken an unexpected turn and he does not wish for me to find another to care for..."[/color]. Her voice was tinged with a muted sadness. Otto may or may not have been aware of Master Karling sinisterly binding Dove to himself, to that forsaken house. And it wasn't a binding that functioned like a leash. It read Dove's intentions. The moment she moved about the world with the intention of escaping (perhaps to reunite with her true love), the link would do something to Dove. Something unpleasant. Otto wasn't hearing any of it. He knew Karlomane was a sick fuck, but he never knew he was this much of a bastard. Either way, Dove only served to further his resolve and piss Karlomane more the fuck off. [color=6B6F6D]"I don't give a flying fuck about what sick twisted chain he has on your heart. I'm buying the services of a mage that can remove it, and after I uncover the mysteries of his house, we're getting the fuck out of there"[/color]. As the Limo stopped at FenixTear's guild hall, he motioned for Dove to exit. [color=6B6F6D]"Come, let's go get these guys, and then we can get on with our lives"[/color]. Dove remained silent, only speaking to Otto with the longing gaze of his enchanting greens. And after that stillness between them faded like a mist, they exited the vehicle.