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[@hatakekuro][@j8cob][/center]
Even though it never manifested physically as a smile, Akemi's face seemed to light up as if she were, nodding eagerly. Like Zen though, she just blinked as the burly man running the stall addressed Zen as 'older miss'. [color=DDDCE1]"But Z's a guy....right?"[/color] Even Akemi seemed confused for a moment before gratefully accepting the food with one hand, the other was about to dig out her purse from her pocket but Zen had already given some jewels to the man. She would've protested, but the rumbling that once more escaped her drew her attention back to her task at hand. Devouring these dangos.

Silently they would walk, munching on their treats as Akemi continued to gawk at the festivities around them. There were already quite a few groups of people gathering at the local eateries, and more stalls being set up by the moment as a buzz was slowly overtaking the streets of the capital. Biting into the dango, they were quite sweet; perhaps a little too sweet. But Akemi didn't mind, it wasn't often she got to eat sweets of any kind so would take it where she could.

She had just finished and was looking for a bin to drop her rubbish off in when she felt Zen grab onto her hand. Curiously, she tilted her up at him as he spoke before he took off, dragging her behind him as they approached the gathering. Gripping his hand tightly as they pushed through the crowd, not particularly feeling up to being separated and lost in the city, what they found on the other side was indeed a fellow member of their guild...wasn't this the boy that ran out before? What was his name? Akemi racked her brain, tilting her head this way and that as if physically trying to shake the name out of her head before Zen spoke it.

[color=DDDCE1]"It's a bad look to punch street clowns you know."[/color]

And that was when the Blue Pegasus Mage threw the fireball, detonating on impact with Tone. While the majority of the crowd went running back and away from it, Akemi just stared blankly at it before looking up at Zen as if to say 'should we help?' Not that it seemed like they would need to, as she watched the flames disappear...and into Tones mouth? Ah, right. Slayer magic. She had encountered it once before at Era with Ria, though she hadn't seen the man there eat his element. Nor was it as...beautiful a sight actually to behold unfold. Not the sucking up of the flames, but the blue-hot flames that erupted from Tone as he went to retaliate on the poor 'clown'.

Though Akemi would visibly jump at the sound of Tone's fist breaking the sound barrier, clamping her hands over her ears, her face unchanging, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly towards their fellow mage. Though a lot seemed to be happening, as another man had appeared and Tone was now coming over to them, seeming perplexed by the chain of events. Akemi was probably more perplexed, but it seemed like the matter was resolved? She was unsure, but Tone seemed quite happy to change the subject so she just followed on with it.

[color=DDDCE1]"Is that why you ran out of the guildhall earlier?"[/color] Recalling his melodramatic exit from the guildhall not that long ago, the girl would quickly nod at his following words. [color=DDDCE1]"Even if Z doesn't have the time...I don't mind sparring a bit. I want to get stronger as well."[/color]
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[@samreaper][@Sanguine Rose][/center]
Behind the smiling gaze, she gave Menzai came a sense of relief. He was an odd one to read, but judging by his reaction he didn't seem to [i]not[/i] believe her, or rather have any grounds not to. And the story was half true at least, just like any good lie. She just twisted the facts to her liking, leaving out parts that didn't fit her narrative. So even if her story was seen through, there was no way to tell what was a lie or the truth without knowing the full story. While his response may have disappointed others in terms of turning down the offer to talk about himself, instead it told her just as much as it would've had he had some stories. [color=ed1c24]"I see...well as fascinating a topic magic studies is, I believe a topic like that is best suited in the comforts of the guild library with a soothing cup of tea and some books to share notes with no?"[/color] She would have to write down her learnings first chance she got, but for now she stored their little conversation away. They weren't far off now anyway. If he was the type, she would've shared some mindless, idle chatter but he didn't strike her as such, so instead, they traveled the rest of the way in silence. But rather than looking forward, Alina was gazing out to the side, processing the conversation and going over its contents with a fine-tooth comb all the while giving off the air of daydreaming.

Upon arrival in Petunia Town, Alina would take it upon herself to ask for directions from the locals on where to find Sapphire Farms, giving the older couple she had walked up to a grateful smile and curtous nod of her head before parting ways to return to Menzai and inform him that their location was on the other side of town. As they travelled through the small, quant town, Alina was already memorising the buildings around them, creating a mental map of the place as she eyed some peeling paint on the inn, the laughter that erupted from the bar as they passed the building. Would she ever need to remember this place? She didn't know, but she did know that if she didn't, that she would need the information.

Arriving at the farms, Alina noted to herself that the warehouse was bigger than expected for a town this size. Not massively surprising considering these flowers were meant for the Princes ceremony, but still larger than her expectations had envisioned. Deciding it was probably for the best for her to interact with the older gentlemen up front, leaving Menzai to observe the interaction, she allowed an alluring and disarming smile to grace her features.

[color=9C2E37]"Yes, we're indeed rather new to these parts. Wonderful little town and store you got here by the way."[/color] Empty flattery, but her tone seemed more than genuine as she approached the older man, brushing some hair behind her ear before clasping her hands together eagerly. [color=9C2E37]"I'm Alina, me and my guildmate here are the ones that accepted the request you posted with Fenixtear."[/color] She would leave Menzai to introduce himself however he saw fit, or not at all if he chose to.

[color=9C2E37]"So I believe you have some flowers for us to deliver to Opal Arrangements, correct?"[/color]