[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/iW1tLGU.png?1[/img] 
[h2][color=lawngreen]Grasidia[/color][/h2][/center]
[hr]

The tall woman was the first to step out of the guild master's office for everyone to see. It was official now; her Fenixtear guild mark on her abdomen had been replaced by a Black Curtain guild mark. Behind her expressionless face was a strange emotion she hadn't felt in a long time, decades perhaps. It was small and hard for Grasidia to understand but she would soon come to realize the strange sensation she was feeling was guilt. She briefly touched the new guild mark, once again confirming that this was real, before looking back over her shoulder at the guildmaster standing at the door.

[color=darkred]"Kurt, could you see me in my office real quick? I've got to discuss that last job you took,"[/color] he called out. The man named [url=https://img1.goodfon.com/wallpaper/nbig/d/cb/hiiro-no-kakera-paren-anime.jpg]Kurt[/url] was sitting at the bar, he was young with red hair but seemed oddly battle hardened. He had a few small scars and a grizzled look in his eyes but he was presently being jovial with some buddies and some beers. At his summons he finished off the mug in his hand and stood up. As he walked over to Duncan he looked over at Grasidia and the two locked eyes. In that moment she could see something in his eyes, and she could see that Kurt could also see something in her eyes. The two spoke no words but as Kurt stepped past Grasidia, mere centimeters from touching her, they could both finally feel in no uncertain terms what their exact suspicions were.

As certain as the two were of the other, they both knew that the other knew as well. There was no fear, no distress, but the tension as Kurt continued walking behind her was almost electrifying. While there were surely some eyes on them in this busy guild hall it was unlikely that anybody would make anything out from Grasidia's expression or posture to detect that tension, but from behind her at Duncan's perspective he could see that Kurt was still glancing over his shoulder at her as he neared. [i][color=darkred]Ah, so he's already figured it out,[/color][/i] the guildmaster thought. [i][color=darkred]I was hoping I could explain the situation my way but I didn't think he'd figure it out so fast...[/color][/i]

As Kurt stepped into the office and Duncan closed the door behind the two Grasidia finally looked over her shoulder at the closed door. [i][color=lawngreen]So that's how it is,[/color][/i] she thought as she turned away from the door. [i][color=lawngreen]He's going to have this Kurt person watch me. To keep me in line with whatever he's plotting.[/color][/i] She began walking away and scanning the faces of her new guildmates. [i][color=lawngreen]I should've known there would be no way he would trust me. How many threats does he think he needs to control me?[/color][/i] As she scanned the hall she noticed a key difference from Fenixtear already: there was no job board. After this realization she took another look around to confirm her observation. Rather than a board that anyone can approach and assign themselves jobs there was an additional counter with what appeared to be a few clerks behind it and a whole lot of cabinets and paperwork. Before Grasidia could approach to investigate she was stopped by a young man, possibly still a teenager.

[color=salmon]"Grasidia, right? I wouldn't bother with trying to get a job yet if I were you,"[/color] he spoke, before holding out a full mug of beer as an offering. [color=salmon]"It usually takes a day or so to get you properly in the system so that they can start assigning you jobs."[/color] This seemed very foreign to Grasidia. She gently lowered the offered mug in a polite, or so she thought, refusal. [color=lawngreen]"The system?"[/color] Her question only got a puzzled look from the young man. [color=salmon]"Yeah. Ya know, the job system. Didn't your guild do jobs?"[/color] She looked back over to the job counter. [color=lawngreen]"There was... a board. Torys would put the requests on it and... we would choose a job."[/color] [color=salmon]"Huh. That's a pretty old school way of doing it. Well here in the modern world most guilds have what they call a 'database' that keeps track of its members for jobs and stuff. Once they put you in that system they'll assign you jobs to take. Easy as that."[/color] Grasidia looked down at the young man now. [color=lawngreen]"And I'm not in that database yet?"[/color]

The young man chuckled to himself now. [color=salmon]"Of course not! You only just joined. Jeez, you're like an old woman that can't grasp simple stuff."[/color] She gave him a quick glare before turning away and sitting at the nearest table. [color=salmon]"Oh hey wait, you can't sit there!"[/color] But it was already too late, or rather Grasidia chose to ignore his warning. [color=salmon]"That table belongs to-"[/color] He was interrupted as a tall, pale [url=https://safebooru.org//images/2738/1cbd6cd0d79a9c9bd82462729beda69d91cdf5e4.jpg?2850956]swordsman[/url] with white hair seemed to appear out of nowhere at his side. [color=silver]"To the S-class mages,"[/color] he spoke, his voice soft and his speech slow. [color=silver]"... or so they say."[/color] The man took a seat at the table, setting down his mug before him. From what Grasidia could tell just by looking this table appeared as any other in the hall so perhaps it was a tradition more than a rule. [color=silver]"But I suppose you are also an S-class mage."[/color] [color=salmon]"Oh, that's right. Kinda hard to believe that the master would give a newcomer the title of S-class on day one."[/color] [color=silver]"Indeed."[/color]

It was already a struggle coming to understand how Black Curtain worked. Grasidia imagined it would be just like Fenixtear but with different people, but the dynamic was already confusing her. [color=lawngreen]"I suppose. They called me S-class in Fenixtear too,"[/color] she told them. [color=silver]"You must be an accomplished mage for Duncan to grant you that title here. My name is Johan, by the way."[/color] [color=salmon]"Oh, and my name is-"[/color] [color=silver]"It must be a culture shock to come from such a small guild to one as big as this. If you're feeling overwhelmed just relax and kick back. That's what I do."[/color] The teenager seemed clearly irritated by his senior interrupting him but he held his tongue and waited. [color=salmon]"Anyways, I'm-"[/color]

[color=c71585]"I see that our newest mage has already found herself at our little winner's table,"[/color] another [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/721441161251913849/766904311267065896/Mon_ins-ta-gra-meuh_cest_pas_complique_mamie__REPETE_APRES_MOI__D_aventure__Aventure__amreading__boo.jpeg]young man[/url] said as he sat down directly next to Grasidia. [color=C71585]"Wow, you look even more beautiful up close... Ah, forgive my momentary lack of manners. You can call me Arvin."[/color] This was far from the first time a human attempted to flirt with Grasidia, and just like every other time she gave no particular reaction to the attempt. It was easy enough to understand for her that humans will find other humans attractive and attempt to form intimate relationships, but she just couldn't muster up any particular emotion whenever one mistakenly identified her as a potential mate. It wasn't annoying, it wasn't flattering, but it always puzzled her that humans would sometimes base their judgement solely on appearances. [color=C71585]"I can see right away that you must be quite strong. You handled Dan like he was a toy doll, you have scars from innumerable battles, and your stride is full of confidence and power. I didn't need Duncan to tell me that you're the real deal."[/color] Already Grasidia was beginning to feel a bit trapped by the amount of people she was attracting. [color=lawngreen]"I suppose..."[/color] She should've known that her arrival would garner attention but she imagined there would be far less people. How full such a large guild hall could be really highlighted to her the differences from Fenixtear...

[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/vgf9OWT.png?1[/img]
[h2][color=aquamarine]Tone[/color][/h2][/center]
[hr]

After taking a moment to appreciate the fresh air devoid of any putrid smells, Tone let out a sigh of relief. [i][color=aquamarine]Well, I suppose I should give them some time to air the place out,[/color][/i] he figured, taking a look around the alleyway. The nearby streets were quite populated and bustling, a result of the festival that recently started. Something about celebrating the crown prince's birthday. [i][color=aquamarine]I never heard of a birthday celebration festival before back in Bosco. But we are in the capital. Might as well check it out instead of just standing around here.[/color][/i]

With his new short-term goal in mind he set out into the crowd, silently trekking deeper into the capital city. Merchants were selling jade themed decorations and nick-knacks, Tone figured it must be the royal family's gemstone or crest, and sometimes he would see children with little paper crowns on their heads. [i][color=aquamarine]The people here must really like their king,[/color][/i] Tone thought to himself. [i][color=aquamarine]Must be a swell guy. Now that I think about it I don't even know the king's name. Or the prince's name. Or any of their history. Hell, I don't even know who the king is in Bosco... Is there a king in Bosco?[/color][/i]

As Tone was lost in his thoughts he accidentally bumped into something. The minor jolt got his attention and he looked down to see that he had bumped into a shorter teenager. [color=lightsalmon]"Oops, sorry man,"[/color] the kid spoke up first. [color=aquamarine]"No worries, buddy. I wasn't watchin' where I was goin'."[/color] As he began to walk away the kid spoke up again. [color=lightsalmon]"Hey wait a minute. Aren't you from that Fenixtear guild?"[/color] [color=aquamarine]"Oh yeah. Just came from over there. What's up?"[/color] With that confirmation the kid let out a scoff, his friendly tone having immediately shifted to condescension. [color=lightsalmon]"Nothing man, I was just wondering why you'd be such an airhead and that explains it."[/color]

Tone already looked irritated with the kid. [color=aquamarine]"Hey buddy I was just walking. If you got a complaint why don't you go submit it to the guild or something."[/color] He began to start walking away again but the kid began chuckling as he walked away. [color=aquamarine]"Did I say something funny? I don't recall cracking any jokes."[/color] [color=lightsalmon]"It's just funny that you think anyone would even bother to go to your guild even to complain. Once your fad is up and Fenixtear dies off then everyone will start going back to the real guilds like mine."[/color] Tone turned around now to face the kid. [color=aquamarine]"Oh? So you're a mage, huh? What guild are ya from then?"[/color] [color=lightsalmon]"Yeah I am, I'm from Bl-"[/color]

A fist landed squarely right in the kid's face, knocking him backwards and sending a few drops of blood spraying from his nose as he landed on his back against the cobblestone road. [color=aquamarine]"Then I ain't gonna feel bad for asking ya to shut up,"[/color] Tone told him as he stood above. [color=lightsalmon]"What the hell?"[/color] The kid grabbed his bleeding nose as he scrambled to his feet and backed away from Tone. [color=lightsalmon]"You think you're gonna get away with this?"[/color] Holding his free hand to his side, a ball of flame ignited in the air above his palm. At this display of magic the crowd around the two began to spread out, giving the two mages room. Upon seeing the fire Tone smirked before cracking his knuckles. [color=aquamarine]"Didn't your parents teach you not to play with fire?"[/color]