[h3][color=LemonChiffon]Priscilla Duran[/color][/h3]
[right][color=silver]Jamie’s Office, Phoenix Wing Guild Hall[/color] | Magnolia
[color=silver][i]Interacting with[/i][/color]: [color=orange]Jamie Beltras[/color] [@MarshiestMallow] | [color=turquoise]Jack Goran[/color] [@Zarkun][/right][hr]
Priscilla crossed one of her legs over her knee and leaned back into her chair whilst she listened to Jack speak about the supposed trouble in the desert. She took a sip from the black tea Jamie had offered her whilst her thoughts drifted to when she had met with the leaders of her sister covens many years ago on her inauguration. The camaraderie and willingness to cooperate wasn’t too far off from what she was experiencing here at Phoenix Wing. In fact, the same desert Jack spoke of was home to the Spears of Anat, a coven of nomad witches whom their own had been quite close with before Priscilla began integrating with wizards. It had been a few years since she’d heard from them.
“[color=lemonchiffon]The desert can be a treacherous place indeed.[/color] She neglected to make mention of their sister coven; it wasn’t her place to reveal the location of her kin who wished to remain hidden from mage society. She just hoped that they weren’t involved in this incident.

She turned back towards Jamie as she spoke of the joy her guild members brought to her; hiding a smile in her cup of tea as she reminisced on the shenanigans of those whom she considered her own precious children.
“[color=lemonchiffon]I would have to agree with you, Jamie.[/color]” She began, setting her cup back on the desk. “[color=lemonchiffon]When I see how well my witches enjoy the company of mages like those who inhabit your own guilds, it gives me hope for a better future. I feel the same of our alliance. We are breaking down walls that have held strong for generations.[/color] Though it didn’t feel like much more than a simple meeting over coffee and tea, Priscilla could tell that what was happening right here in this room was history itself.

When it became clear that they would be the only ones in attendance, Priscilla decided to address Jack personally.
“[color=lemonchiffon]As much as it hurts my pride to have to ask this of you, I’m afraid I may need to ask for your guild’s assistance.[/color]” She sighed, having barely held a seat in this alliance for half an hour and already asking favours of the others. It tore her up inside, but her guild was far more important than her pride. “[color=lemonchiffon]The public has not yet taken to Wolven Pyre as much as we’d hope. We’ve had a steady stream of mages willing to give us a chance and work with us. However, the jobs we can offer them have been few and far between. With no revenue to show for their hard work, it would seem these new additions depart our walls as quickly as they arrive.[/color]” At this point she turned her body fully to Jack, placing a gentle hand on his arm rest.
“[color=lemonchiffon]I know I am in no place to ask this of you, but our Guilds are quite close to one another. If there are any clients of yours who would be willing to give us a chance, and you can spare the potential income for your guild, we would greatly appreciate a few job referrals from your own listings. Just enough to get our name out there.[/color]” Being at the mercy of another was not a sensation Priscilla particularly enjoyed; but if she were to become a part of this alliance then she must learn to open up and admit when she needed help.

[h3][color=firebrick]Bullet[/color], [color=darkseagreen]Henri Baptiste[/color], [color=silver]Zhulie Pesta[/color] and [color=silver]Meredith Clagnan[/color][/h3]
[right][color=silver]Wolven Pyre Guild Hall[/color] | Silverbranch Glade
[color=silver][i]Interacting with[/i][/color]: Regan Hadou [@CitrusArms] | [color=916C8E]Manami Fuyu[/color] and [color=ECECE2]Shiro[/color] [@Lunarlord34] | [color=9e0b0f]Argus Leandros[/color] [@Raijinslayer][/right][hr]
Bullet was just about to enter the guild hall when a familiar voice brought a fierce scowl to his face. Just when he thought this trek through the woods couldn’t get anymore bothersome.
“[color=firebrick]Bite me, Manami.[/color]” He spat back. He wasn’t angry at her in particular, but rather the deluge of people who seemed to think it was their place to tell him what was best for him. He wasn’t simple; he knew he ought to be resting. He’d been doing nothing but resting for nearly a month, though. Pushing the massive doors of the guild hall proved somewhat straining, sending a sharp pain through the side of his ribcage that only proved everybody else right in their assessment of his physical form. He did his best to cover it up, but the sharp wince from the initial throbbing would definitely have been heard as he entered.

Zhulie watched Bullet disappear into the guild hall and shook her head. There was no sense in being so stubborn. She turned to Manami and offered an apologetic smile.
“[color=silver]I was just playing in the glade and I heard him training.[/color] She looked around for a certain, nonchalant companion. “[color=silver]Where is Shiro?[/color]” Manami and Shiro had joined the guild together, and whilst the former had seemed to possess a tentative interest in the other members; the latter couldn’t care less. Despite this, Zhulie had made every effort she could to make the brooding girl feel welcome; to various degrees of success. Their conversation continued into the hall, where Regan remarked in wonder about the sheer, natural brilliance of the structure. The young girl eagerly escorted her to the kitchen, passing by the group at the bar with a chirpy smile.
“[color=silver]’Morning Meredith, I found a friend in the woods. Why is Argus on the floor? Anyway, I’m giving her a tour, ‘kay bye![/color]” Her rushed explanation faded off as the pair entered the kitchen, leaving a bemused Meredith as she offered a simple wave to the newcomer.
“[color=silver]Have fun, dear.[/color]” Meredith grinned at the sight of Argus on the floor, trying his best to play the little stunt off cooly. Shiro came up to the bar speaking of tea for her ‘lady’. The older woman clicked her tongue in disapproval, preparing a few teapots for the growing group of people.
“[color=silver]Your [i]lady[/i] should order her own tea, Shiro.[/color]” She poured hot water readily prepared from the urn into the tea pots to help warm up the ceramic up in preparation for the loose leaves. She turned her back to discard the water down the sink, continuing to address Shiro whilst she scooped a few spoonfuls of a dark, aromatic earl grey blend into the pots. “[color=silver]For heaven’s sake, you’re not her servant.[/color]” She was mostly talking to herself; fully aware that her opinion would fall upon Shiro’s deaf ears. Not that there was anything wrong with ordering a drink on behalf of a friend; it was simply a matter of tone.

Henri was in the middle of hoisting up poor Argus, feeling somewhat responsible for his little accident, when Shiro made her usual dry, smug commentary on the matter.
“[color=darkseagreen]A little fun is good for the soul, no? Or ‘ave you not got one of those?[/color]” Henri jeered, clapping Argus on the back once he was steady on his own two feet. Shiro’s attitude of being so above it all didn’t sway him - he knew the joy of living for the simple moments. Meredith sat the tea pots down in front of Shiro, having let the leaves steep for some time to extract the perfect flavour. She folded her arms as she watched a familiar, blonde punk sit himself down at her bar.
“[color=firebrick]You got any more of that serum of yours? My side is killing me.[/color]” Bullet slumped down onto the bar, listening to the racket coming from the kitchen. Come to mention it, that Regan lady had mentioned something about food. His stomach grumbled once again.
“[color=silver]Your little expedition has cost you another week of recovery.[/color]” Meredith scolded Bullet, who simply buried his face into the side of his arm with a low growl. She slid a vial of a luminescent, silver liquid across to him. “[color=silver]I’m not giving you another drop this week, you hear me? There are other people who need it and you’re just wasting it by not following Priscilla’s medical advice.[/color]”
“[color=Firebrick]Fine, I get it![/color] Bullet snapped, yanking the vial from the counter. Why’d everyone have to be so annoying? He popped the cork and chugged the liquid in one fell swoop, feeling the instant relief course through his injured rib cage. Henri pressed his hand down on Bullet's scalp, ruffling his hair up whilst practically keeping the young man pinned down to the bar.
"[color=darkseagreen]You need to rest so you can regain your strength, mon frère. I've been keen to see you in action since I 'eard about you facing off against a wild chimera.[/color]" Bullet's protests were drowned out by the hearty laugh of the older mage. Henri turned back to Argus with the same level of enthusiasm. "[color=darkseagreen]Strapping young lads like yourselves should be pushing your limits whenever you can.[/color]"
"[color=silver]You speak as though you're not a spring chicken yourself, Henri. Perhaps you should take your own advice?[/color]" Meredith raised an eyebrow at the man; so quick to encourage others to better themselves and yet so content to seemingly drift along wherever the current took him. Henri rubbed the back of his head, a slight tinge of red forming on his cheeks. Nothing got past Meredith. Thankfully, Manami had also entered the guild hall to provide a suitable distraction.
"[color=DarkSeaGreen]Ah, you are looking radiant today, madame.[/color]” He bent forward, reaching out to delicately hold Manami’s fingers. If she allowed him, he would go on to gently press his lips against the top of her hand. Standing up straight with a coy smile, he offered his seat to the lady.
“[color=DarkSeaGreen]Come, come! We were just talking about these young ones. Speaking of, who was that woman Zhulie was with?[/color]” He sat back down beside Bullet who had reached over to grab a handful of the remaining almonds Meredith had put out.
“[color=firebrick]Some lady, her name is Regan.[/color] He chewed, gulping down the refreshments with an unsightly vigor that earned him a warning leer from Meredith. He made sure to finish what was in his mouth, knowing better than to test her ire. “[color=Firebrick]She seems alright, I guess.[/color]”

Meanwhile Zhulie had introduced Regan to the kitchen staff. They primarily consisted of non-mage family members of her guild mates. However, the head chef was actually a witch who went by Olga.
“[color=silver]Olga is a ‘kitchen witch’, so she uses food as her medium for charms, hexes and other spells.[/color]” Zhulie happily explained, taking her over to a tray of freshly baked cookies that carried an intriguing, almost fruity scent. Olga wrapped a couple in some parchment paper, insisting the two try some.
“[color=silver]An age old recipe of my mutters. A salted rosemary base, sprinkled with pistachio and dried rose petals, drizzled with a pomegranate glaze. One bite will have you thinking of your beloved. Share it with them, and your love will bloom.[/color]” Zhulie was enamored with every word the chef spoke, eyeing her treat as she pondered who she might think of once she partook of it.
“[color=silver]Or,[/color]” Olga shrugged. “[color=silver]Enjoy on your own. It’s good recipe, ya? Please, help yourself to kitchen.[/color]” When Regan had walked in, Olga had instantly recognised a kindred spirit in her - a fellow connoisseur of delectable cuisines and tantalizing taste buds. Zhulie stared up at Regan.
“[color=silver]There must be something special about you, miss Regan. Olga doesn’t let just anyone have free reign of her kitchen.[/color]” She moved over to a large grimoire sprawled open on the counter - but rather than spells and rituals, the pages contained recipes for various magical and mundane desserts. Zhulie definitely had a sweet tooth.