[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 graciously accepted Jack’s generous offerings of a select few jobs from his own guild. Sitting back in her chair, she bowed her head to her fellow master before turning her attention back to Jamie. Her words stirred something within her, prompting a warm smile.
“[color=lemonchiffon]Jamie and Jack,[/color]” She began, narrowly suppressing a joyful tear, “[color=lemonchiffon]you cannot begin to imagine how much your kindness has touched me. Rest assured, my kind are not wont to squander a gift such as this. We will soon return the favor; to both of you.[/color]” The requests were not much at first glance, but it was a start. The rewards were enticing enough to keep her guild happy for now, and surely if they performed well these clients would secure more work for them across the land. A handful of Fiore’s citizens were already beginning to see the benefits those who walked betwixt light and shadow could provide - Wolven Pyre only needed time to grow in infamy throughout the nation.

The talk of a communal job board further piqued her interest; the idea of their guild mages working together on a unified front to complete requests around Fiore with much more efficiency than ever before was most welcome. Though Jack’s comment about embracing innovative technology brought an uneasy look upon the witch’s face.
“[color=lemonchiffon]I’ll be the first to admit that technology and myself are not great friends, but I am willing to learn.[/color]” The Daughters of Hecate had little need for machinery, the natural energy residing throughout the Silverbranch Glade was enough to fuel their various bewitchments throughout their home. Everything from lightning to plumbing and heat was the byproduct of a magical enchantment that had been maintained throughout their home for generations. It was only recently with the advent of new wizards joining them that Priscilla had saw fit to invest in some newer equipment like radio and communication lacrima - though she still preferred the old ways.

“[color=lemonchiffon]Oh, that reminds me![/color]” Speaking of the old ways, Priscilla reached into her robes and removed a pair of matching black candles. Runic engravings lined the sides, emanating with a faint power that resonated with Priscilla’s own magical presence. 
“[color=lemonchiffon]These are for you.[/color]” She handed a candle to each of her fellow masters. “[color=lemonchiffon]Somewhat primitive compared to your devices, but should you ever need my assistance you need only light your candle and speak your message into the flame. A gift, as a token of our newfound alliance.[/color]” It would be best if the masters could easily keep in contact, and this was Priscilla’s preferred method. The Unyielding Flame of Hecate linked directly to the enchanted candles; the torch rarely leaving her side. A direct line of communication was the safest bet, afterall.

[h3][color=firebrick]Bullet[/color], [color=darkseagreen]Henri Baptiste[/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]: | [color=916C8E]Manami Fuyu[/color] and [color=ECECE2]Shiro[/color] [@Lunarlord34] | [color=9e0b0f]Argus Leandros[/color] [@Raijinslayer][/right][hr]
The gathering at the bar had grown somewhat in size, with almost every stool now hosting a patron. Meredith buzzed around behind the counter, preparing her signature tea blend tailored to the tastes of her guild mates. Surely enough, each patron had a steaming cup of tea in front of them. Except Bullet, who instead received a tall, chilled glass of pop. The young man voraciously downed the contents without so much as an afterthought, prompting an annoyed huff from the server.
“[color=silver]It is customary to [i]thank[/i] someone when you are given a treat - free of charge, I might add.[/color]” Meredith watched him shrink into his seat, glancing away whilst tucking his chin down to his chest in a vain attempt to hide the vermillion flush spread across his cheeks.
“[color=firebrick]Thanks.[/color]” He mumbled, barely louder than a whisper. It was good enough for her; or rather about all she would expect from him.

Henri nodded towards Meredith when his own cup was placed in front of him, turning to Manami with a coy smirk at her own little teasing.
“[color=darkseagreen]I ‘adn’t noticed ‘ow much attention you’ve been paying to our little chats, madame.[/color]” Henri ran his fingers through his hair and leaned in closer so that only Manami could hear him. “[color=darkseagreen]If I didn’t know any better I’d even say you fancied the- ow! Bon Dieu![/color]” The shout of pain caught a few people around the hall off guard, Henri springing to his feet at the sudden, intense burning that resulted from scalding hot tea being poured on his leg. Bullet piqued up at the sound before snorting a ridiculing chuckle.
“[color=firebrick]Aw, looks like someone’s jealous.[/color]” He snickered at the little act of aggression. Shiro didn’t seem the sort to be so high strung, but even a saint will lose their cool if you know just the right buttons to press. Meredith clicked her tongue in disapproval, handing a rag over to the counter to help soak up the now warming tea from his trousers. She shot an irritated glare at Shiro.
“[color=silver]You and your [i]lady[/i] will need to get your refreshments elsewhere if you insist on engaging in such childish tomfoolery.[/color]” She glanced back at Henri to see he had managed to clean himself up, but the pained look on his face made it evident that the burn still stung somewhat. Rather than bother anyone over something he deemed so trivial, Henri simply grinned and beared it whilst returning to his seat. This time he leaned across the counter to have a word with his assailant.
“[color=darkseagreen]You know,[/color]” He began, an eerily pleasant smile stretched across his face from ear to ear. “[color=darkseagreen]A lesser witch wouldn’t think twice about returning the favor to the poor fool who scorned them. ‘Ave you ever been ‘exed, Shiro? I think you will find the experience quite… dismal.[/color]”
“[color=silver]Let it go, big guy[/color]” Meredith warned. Henri sat back up straight and lifted his hands up before him in compliance.
“[color=darkseagreen]It is good that I am no lesser witch, no?[/color]” He winked at her, deciding to leave the matter to rest. For now. A hex would definitely be going too far, but he’d find some way to enact vengeance in time.

Argus’ comment regarding the state of Henri’s trousers prompted him to look down to assess the damage. Sure enough, it seemed like a small patch of discoloration was beginning to stain into the fabric.
[i][color=darkseagreen]Damn[/color][/i]. He liked these pants.
“[color=darkseagreen]Eh, nothing a little elbow grease won’t be able to get out.[/color]” He assured Argus, taking note of the young man’s attempts to hide the stinging handprint from the new arrivals. Hopefully he found some solace in not being the only man that was on the receiving end of a woman’s fury today.
“[color=darkseagreen]As for that woman, I cannot say.[/color]” He rubbed the stubble on his chin, perhaps wondering if they should have been a bit more cautious of a stranger in their midst. “[color=darkseagreen]Bah, Zhulie is a clever fille. If she trusts ‘er then there is no worries ‘ere.[/color]'' Meredith didn’t agree with that sentiment, but she was confident that Regan wouldn’t try anything if she did have malicious intent. She was surrounded by many skilled witches and mages afterall.

“[color=firebrick]God, what’s taking the food so long? I’m dying here![/color]” Bullet proclaimed, standing up from his seat and making his way towards the kitchen.

[h3][color=firebrick]Bullet[/color] and [color=silver]Zhulie Pesta[/color][/h3]
[right][color=silver]Wolven Pyre Kitchen[/color] | Silverbranch Glade
[color=silver]Interacting with[/color]: Regan Hadou [@CitrusArms][/right][hr]
Zhulie hung upon every word that came from Regan’s mouth, followed every instruction with an elated enthusiasm and was overall thrilled to be participating in some baking with her newfound companion. The dish in question was something Zhulie had heard of but never had the luxury of tasting - a souffle. She had read about the curious delicacy before, described to be a finicky treat that was so light and fluffy that even the slightest of disturbances would cause it to deflate. Olga directed her staff with a tone of urgency as they bustled about the kitchen, yet even she found herself catching glimpses of Regan's handiwork. Every so often she would inquire about certain techniques or offer some advice. Not that it was needed; Regan seemed quite at home in a kitchen.

“[color=silver]How long does it need to bake, Miss Regan?[/color]” Zhulie had watched the older woman place the dessert into the oven. Her excitement was evident by the way she crouched right beside the hearth and longingly gazed through the glass.
“[color=silver]Watched kettle does not boil little one.[/color]” Olga’s warm expression whilst addressing Zhulie quickly turned sour as her nose wrinkled with the stench of something most unpleasant.
“[color=silver]You![/color]” The head chef pointed to the doorway without so much as turning her gaze towards the one who had just entered. “[color=silver]This boy, he reeks of sweat and grime and thinks ‘Oh, let us go and spread my grubby, dirty hands around Olga’s kitchen’?[/color]” Bullet stood dumbfounded in the doorway, his hands clenched over his exposed abdomen with an almost desperate pout.
“[color=firebrick]Aw, come on Olga.[/color]” He pleaded, almost wincing under the harsh glare of the chef who had now armed herself with a stainless steel ladle. “[color=firebrick]I’m starving. Don’t you have any leftovers to spare? Please?[/color]” Zhulie rolled her eyes at the display. It seemed manners came easily when he had something to gain.

Olga paused for a moment before inhaling sharply.
“[color=silver]Bah![/color]” She placed the ladle back with the other utensils before moving over to one of the warming trays. She pulled them out to reveal several rows of what looked to be a sort of pastry stuffed with spiced lamb and potatoes. Removing a few into a paper bag, she walked over to the young man and shoved them into his chest.
“[color=silver]You grovel like bear cub who waits in cave for mother to return with dinner. Pathetic. Enjoy your scraps, cub.[/color]” He would take offence to such a demeaning comment in normal circumstances, but even Bullet knew not to bite the hand that fed him. He didn’t hesitate to wolf down one of his pastries, walking over to Zhulie and Regan just as he released a satisfied belch.
“[color=firebrick]’Sup[/color]” He narrowly scooted around the little girl’s attempt to throw a wet rag at his face.
“[color=silver]You’re disgusting![/color]” Zhulie grimaced. Between his cold shoulder and terrible manners, Regan surely would be appalled by the cohort of their guild. Hopefully she knew that they weren’t all so vulgar.
“[color=Firebrick]So, you seem to be baking up a storm in here? What’re ya cookin’?[/color]” Bullet crouched beside Zhulie to stare into the oven alongside her, not quite sure what he was supposed to be looking at. Some form of cake?

Before Zhulie was able to tell him to buzz off a commotion seemed to erupt from within the guild hall. The kitchen seemed to stop for a moment as the muffled sound of people talking over one another could be heard even from where they stood.

[h3][color=silver]Meanwhile, in the Guild Hall[/color][/h3]

The chatter came to a grinding halt throughout the entire hall when the doors swung open to reveal a disheveled lady in a tattered grey cloak. She was limping, a large gash on her exposed leg. A few were quick to come to her aid, sitting her down beside the bar as Meredith rushed to deliver some healing ointment.
“[color=silver]Karla, what did this to you?[/color]” A concerned mage asked, knelt beside the witch as she struggled to regain her breathe enough to blurt out the cause of her current state.
“[color=silver]Talos… He’s been taken… Crossroads… Poachers.[/color] Karla stopped to drink the tonic Meredith provided, taking a moment to take a nice, long breath of fresh air. Once she was composed enough to speak in full sentences, she elaborated.
“[color=silver]Talos and I were meditating at the Keeper’s Crossroads when some poachers attacked us. They captured him. They put chains on him! I was able to enchant the forest so the trees may impede their path, but that’ll only keep them confined for so long. There were too many, I couldn’t fend them off on my own.[/color]” Meredith comforted her with a tender embrace. Talos was Karla’s familiar, a great direwolf whose size and might garnered him a fierce reputation even among the wolves of the glade.
“[color=silver]There, there love. It’s okay.[/color]” Karla quietly sobbed into Meredith’s shoulder, returning the gesture with her own arms wrapped around the older Witch’s.
“[color=silver]They’re going to take him away. Please, you have to get him back.[/color]” Meredith ushered for one of the others to take Karla somewhere to rest up, turning to the others in the guild with a look of intense determination.
“[color=silver]Alright, we’ll need to assemble two squads. Apprehending the poachers shouldn’t be too hard with our numbers, but don’t underestimate them. Karla may be young, but her magic is strong - strong enough to handle ordinary rabble even outnumbered. They must have mages among them. That’ll be nothing compared to handling Talos - even amongst familiars he is particularly powerful. Not to mention he’ll be scared and enraged from capture; you don’t try to tame a direwolf. Myself and a few others will remain behind to draw up a calming draft to subdue him. It’ll take us some time so whoever is going to confront Talos will need only distract him and make sure he doesn’t rampage into any neighbouring towns. Karla bought us some time with her forest enchantment, but we need to move quickly.[/color]” The group split off into their desired teams, rushing about the place to prepare for departure. Weapons were drawn, spell circles readies and nerves steeled. Meredith and a pair of witches began to gather a slew of potion regents before heading upstairs to the greenhouse to begin brewing the draft that would be strong enough to calm a raging direwolf. Time was of the essence here; and it was imperative that their Guild function together as a well oiled machine.