[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/501huyZ.png?1[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200629/d14e870c2957fddad1ff0fb69da13edb.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200817/75b9b689fb38bddda11d879089da01f6.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/2a2Qvr0.png?1[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200611/e27c881e7bd0977fcd1c2798ebaa7a72.png[/img][/center] [hr] In the time since they had arrived back from Era, Ria had spent a good portion of her time away from the others. From the near day and a half of sleep, to simply sitting and pouring over some of her books, the normally social girl had hidden away. She'd come out only to discuss the events - namely surrounding what occurred between herself and Giselle, and what she'd been told by Giselle about what happened when Gwen had gone to deal with the rabble just over a month prior. When she made an appearance in the guildhall, she smiled her usual cheerful smile and made conversation, but she played with her hairband on her wrist and stood further away from others the entire time. [i][color=aqua]My nerves are just still very sensitive[/color][/i], was the claims. Kaden, on the other hand, had been much his usual self since the ANP quest. There were no hard feelings with Obsidian Kite, not even the four fools that attacked them. He'd taken another small nothing job the next day, and then again two days later. He'd just come back from that one yesterday. Nice little easy outings but still, they earned money and were things he could talk up at a pub and land another bed mate. Not bad. It was on his way to the guild this morning that he ran into a recently elusive guild mate. It was weird being in the guildhall those days he was there without seeing the odd eyed social butterfly that was one of their most reliable waitresses. So to run into her on the street it was even weirder. "[color=tomato]Ria?[/color]" Ria blinked, spinning around to see Kaden giving her a quizzical look. A smile blossomed on her face quickly, hands worrying the strap of her satchel for a moment. "[color=aqua]Oh, hi, Kaden. Fancy running into you here.[/color]" "[color=tomato]What are you doing here? That's headed toward a bad part of town.[/color]" Ria laughed softly, waving a hand dismissively. "[color=aqua]Oh it's fine. I've been there plenty before. I'm just headed to see a customer. He runs a bookshop I was going to get something and deliver some good news that I think I found him a match.[/color]" She turned to head back off, before stopping and looking back at the black haired mage. "[color=aqua]You're welcome to come with me if you are concerned.[/color]" With that, she headed off on her way again. Kaden considered the offer for a moment, even almost turned to head toward the guild, before heaving a heavy sigh and following along. "[color=tomato]Fine, but I'm only coming to make sure nothing happens because you've been acting weird this week. I'm not carrying anything for you.[/color]" [center]* * *[/center] It was closer to noon that the two finally ended up walking into the guild. Kaden had more than a few books in his arms, to go with the bag full of books hitting against Ria's hip. She sported her usual smile, while he seemed to have died just a little inside. Obviously if he'd managed to be talked into carrying books for her. Ria frowned noticing the traces of smoke wafting from the kitchen, but turned her attention to Kaden. "[color=aqua]Would you mind bringing those up to my room with me?[/color]" She offered him a pretty smile when he looked like he was about to turn her down, but instead she got a huff and a nod in response. She smiled more and lead the way, giving the older mage direction where to place the books before starting to organize them. Kaden grumbled in response to her thanks before heading back down to the guild proper. "[color=tomato]Do one good thing and I miss the fun,[/color]" he grumbled with a huff and light kick of a bar stool before taking a seat. "[color=tomato]Who's trying to burn the guild down without me?[/color]"