[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b0d8ebf9-c62c-4b6b-ac37-c33e1d584dcb.png[/img][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210105/0b75c84cbd9b4e8519760a82d9c0e06f.png[/img] [color=peachpuff][h3]Location: Phoenix Wing Guildhall [/h3][/color][/center] [right][color=peachpuff]Interactions: Dalton [@hatakekuro], Jarvis [@MarshiestMallow][/color][/right] Nyssa blinked. “[color=peachpuff]Fight?[/color]” She blinked again, but smiled a bit wider after a look around. “[color=peachpuff]Oh, right. The fight. Your guild is putting on a show. That will be interesting to watch. Ariel said they have lots of different powers. Others are going there now, right? I know what a few of them smell like so at least I can find them that way.[/color]” She grinned. “[color=peachpuff]It was nice meeting you, Jarvis, Dalton. I look forward to future talks.[/color]” With a cheerful wave, she hopped off the barstool and headed off after the rest of the group leaving the guildhall for the show. She wandered for a bit, occasionally stopping to admire some display in a store window. Every time she stopped, she put her nose to the air and sniffed. This human form didn’t catch all the scents in the air though. It couldn’t separate them the way the fox could. So she stopped at a relatively empty section and transformed with a little flip. She’d almost trotted away when she remembered the dress again. A bit of maneuvering, and she managed to get it looped around her neck like a scarf. [i][color=peachpuff]There,[/color][/i] she thought. Another sniff, and she was on her way tracking Ariel’s not-lifemate-mate, Nolan. She’d spotted him leaving with the one that shouted about a fight, and that meant he was one of the ones fighting since he left before many others. But he was the one that she was tracking and if he turned red from a kiss by his not-lifemate-mate then he would surely turn red if he saw someone naked. People seemed uncomfortable about nudity. Once more, she trotted off, sniffing the air every now and then until she finally found her way to the arena. [hr] [hr] [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/257b92fd-036a-476a-8a5c-5595f9cebf10.png[/img][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210104/8af819da3935423b452096ae3cf9ba86.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210104/a99cdc088aa9c386fb10b51db1d049ee.png[/img][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/f9af311e-b551-47b6-a9a0-237eb10e6e81.png[/img] [color=black][h3]Location: Phoenix Wing Guildhall[/h3][/color][/center] [right][color=deeppink]Interactions: Jasmine [@Lunarlord34], Elena/Percy [@PandaBrady][/color][/right] “[color=black]Of course,[/color]” Markovis nodded. Was he surprised by Jasmine’s offer? No. Would he likely take her up on that offer? It was uncertain. He didn’t truly see anything she could help with, but then again, if she wanted to help he could figure out something. Like just letting her serve while he just made sure he kept everything the proper temperature. Not a hard task, and certainly one she would likely do well. He stepped out of the kitchen with the food for Trinity and headed over to where he’d last seen her, only to stop a few feet short. Had he been in the kitchen that long? Where did she go? She wouldn’t have just left knowing he was making her food. Neil noticed the stoic member of their little trio step back out of the kitchen, and looked over to see a touch of puzzlement in Markovis’ eyes. “[color=deeppink]Yeah, she’s gone.[/color]” “[color=black]Where?[/color]” Neil shrugged. “[color=deeppink]I don’t know. She got abducted.[/color]” He put a hand up almost instantly. There wasn’t any real shift in Markovis’ features, but the look in his eyes definitely suggested dark thoughts. “[color=deeppink]Sorry, poor choice of words. Ariel - you know, Nolan’s girlfriend? - showed up and grabbed her. She had something she needed Trinity to look at, and I think they’re likely going to end up at the event.[/color]” Markovis nodded. “[color=black]I see.[/color]” Neil glanced back at Perry for a second. “[color=deeppink]Oh hey -[/color]” By the time Neil turned back to catch Markovis, the man had already disappeared back into the kitchen. He shrugged and turned back around to face his guildmate. “[color=deeppink]Well, it was going to be a long shot getting Mark to work with you anyways. But...[/color]” He offered Perry a smile. “[color=deeppink]My schedule is open. Sounds like a lark. So, how about you and I work together for this, hmm?[/color]” Markovis stepped back into the kitchen and placed the dishes down on the counter. He looked at Jasmine. “[color=black]Trinity is no longer here. Neil suggested she will be at the event. It appears most have left for it already. Were you planning to attend? I can escort you, and - if you would like - you could assist in serving the food, but there is no obligation.[/color]” [hr] [hr] [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b4935d80-80c7-440e-8493-64080d39e5a2.png[/img][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210425/764dc6dd934742fb1a29847f31d9f200.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210425/60d4cad31d79f05670a6f5376d410cd8.png[/img][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/ae1af834-3932-4b5e-8b5f-de76941860f1.png[/img] [color=Aqua][h3]Location: Outskirts of Shirotsume [/h3][/color][/center] [right][color=Skyblue]Interactions: -- [/color][/right] [center][hider=The Middle of the Night]That mission had been quite the cakewalk. Anthony was prepared for a long drawn out ordeal given he was dealing with missing kids and mysterious happenings around the town. Turned out they were related. Unfortunate, but at least he was able to give solace to the families of the missing kids, and solve why weird things were happening around the town. The kids understood they were dead and were trying - for the most part - to just communicate with their families; there were the two brats that seemed to enjoy torturing the town in general, but that sounded much in line with how the town viewed them before they went missing from what he heard. Maybe next time he’d pass on actually helping the families get closure and act as a medium for the kids and parents to say their final goodbyes. As much as he understood people liked that sort of thing, and as much as he knew that might be the right thing to do, he hated it. But - from what he saw - witches kinda needed some better optics. So for going in there with his card magic first, it was easier to work with a whole town dealing with some lingering spirits using his other powers than he figured it might be for a more well practiced witch to pull off their rituals. It didn’t mean he had to like it, or even feel like he needed a shower after all that crying and emotions, and the snot and ugliness that came with it. He shivered just remembering the hug. A deep rumble in Kyros’s chest made him laugh. “[color=skyblue]Yes, that’s true.[/color]” He gently ran his hand through the lion’s mane. Emotions were never his thing. He was taught they were tools to be used against those that had them and that anger was the only one worth having; sadness and fear were useless to have and just cannon fodder for enemies. Over the past three years, through his meditations with Kyros and just generally exploring the ways witch magic worked, it was getting easier to not be so disgusted when faced with them. He always managed to fake the sympathy, but it wasn’t immediately revolting now. Growth, as Kyros put it. “[color=skyblue]How about we get something to eat when we get back to town, huh? I know, [i]I[/i] certainly would appreciate having something better than my cooking.[/color]” He laughed again when Kyros mewled quietly. The job paid well, with a little more on top. Why shouldn’t they splurge a little? Priscilla would get her cut for the guild, and he and Kyros could eat something good before reporting back. It wasn’t like they needed him at first light, right? It would take at least the rest of the night to get back, anyways. [center]* * *[/center] Ria hummed softly to herself as she painted. She’d tried sleep, but when it didn’t come quickly she figured she might as well just do something. The chores were done. She needed a new book if she was going to read since she’d already worked her way back through the collection a second time this week. Sure, she could draw or even patch up her winter blanket - it needed to be done eventually - but painting just felt right. “[color=aqua]Oh, did I tell you I saw Micha in the market yesterday? He said Saddy and Kyoki were taking good care of him. He’s looking very well. He seems to be doing well too.[/color]” She giggled softly. “[color=aqua]I know what you’re thinking.[/color] [i]That dirty old man is just being nice to get a better look at you. Don’t you fall for his giles.[/i] [color=aqua]You always said that whenever he’d come by the stand. But he’s just sweet. He even gave me the rose to give to you. You never did believe he came around to see you and not me. But that’s okay.[/color]” She sighed wistfully. “[color=aqua]But he asked if I would make him another painting. He can’t travel much further than the farmer’s market, you know. Saddy says they all like my paintings. So I figure why not?[/color]” She paused and shifted a little. It wasn’t necessary, but it was an absentminded habit. Minerva never needed her to move when she’d been alive, but she still did anyways. Minerva’s favorite spot was just to the side and behind where Ria had her easel set up, and now - on the side table next to the chair - was where Minerva remained. “[color=aqua]What do you think? It was my favorite place to go. Nice and peaceful. I -[/color]” She lost her smile for a moment. No, it was best not to think about that. After a hitch in her breath, she got it back. “[color=aqua]You would have loved it.[/color]” Ria started painting again. “[color=aqua]Anyway, I finished with the latest batch of ripe berries. They’re all set for delivery first thing. Just like always.[/color]” She hummed softly to herself once again.[/hider][/center] The witch and the lion had just left the diner when Anthony paused in his tracks. At the far end of the street, where the fruit vendors set up, a lilac haired woman caught his eye. She moved and smiled and certainly looked a lot like - it couldn’t be. What were the odds? For a long moment, he stared at the woman as she unloaded fruit from a cart. Maybe it was just one of his hallucinations. He’d thought he saw Astoria a month ago in the valley near Mt. Hakabe. A few months prior, it had been on a job that took him to the border of Seven. Before that, and before that - hell, there’d been the time last week he thought he saw her in the guildhall. At least that time he hadn’t drawn too much attention to the specter since she’d been arguing with her brother; if he knew for a fact one wasn’t there, then the other wasn’t either. But here...there were people - townsfolk he saw on his trips through - that were talking with her, responding, interacting. Was it just that he didn’t come to this side of town so early in the morning? Perhaps it was just a partial illusion. Someone with a similar facial structure just getting superimposed with her hair and eyes. Yeah, that had to be it. But the longer he watched her, the more uncertain he was. Kyros nudged him. Anthony blinked and looked away. It felt like for a second but when he looked back, the girl was gone. “[color=skyblue]I -[/color]” The witch looked back out at the crowd, searching for a trace of the girl he’d been watching only to spot a cart heading out of town from the market. He looked back at the lion beside him. “[color=skyblue]Look, I know they’ll probably be wondering where I am, but...[/color]” He started walking off in that direction. “[color=skyblue]I have to make sure.[/color]” This wasn’t the first time he’d chased a mirage, but maybe...maybe it would be the last. [center]* * *[/center] Ria hummed to herself as she finished putting the cart away. Zek had been just as sweet as ever with little Cassidy excitedly chittering away about the latest cute cat she’d seen. This time, it was a grey tabby no bigger than her fist - or so she said. Perhaps it was good Cassidy was talking so much, though. It meant she didn’t get distracted by Ellie being at the stand to show off baby Xavior instead of unloading the latest batch of fruit and getting paid; Zek would have made sure she didn’t get too distracted, but it would still delay what should be a quick delivery. She’d have to mention that to Minerva, but that would have to wait for a bit. She swayed with each step, in rhythm to the tune she hummed, as she headed into the gardens. If she hadn’t set out first thing, she would have already watered the garden. Right now wasn’t too late, yet. A few small clouds formed where she motioned, and drizzled controlled amounts over the rows of plants and bushes with very little effort. If any spell should come naturally to her at this point, it was one that she used almost exclusively for the past few years. “[color=skyblue]Astoria?[/color]” The rain stopped and clouds dissipated almost instantly. Her mismatched eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat. She stopped moving, and stood stiff as stone. [i][color=aqua]You’re just hearing things.[/color][/i] How long had it actually been since she last slept? Surely not that long. She had trouble falling asleep last night. Usually - “[color=skyblue]Astoria Ocenade? I-is that you?[/color]” She almost didn’t want to turn around. Her head refused to turn initially, so she forced her whole body to pivot. But there, on the other side of the fence, stood an apparition from years ago. “[color=aqua]Y-you’re d-...I-I saw...[/color]” Tears pricked in her eyes before she closed them and shook her head. Anthony vaulted the fence and picked his way around the plants to get to her. He hesitated to touch her. After a tentative withdraw of his hand, he wrapped his arms around his long lost friend and pulled her into a tight hug. “[color=skyblue]Shh, hey. It’s okay. I’m not dead, see? You don’t have to cry,[/color]” he whispered against her head. Of all the places, of all the times, he found her here? How was it possible he’d lived nearby for this long without ever discovering this? “[color=aqua]A-Anthony...I - you - how -?[/color]” Ria pulled back enough to look up at him. Her eyes sparkled as she sniffled and fought to choke back the tears. “[color=skyblue]It’s...complicated. Here, come on, can we go inside? You should dry those eyes and calm down a bit. Then we can talk.[/color]” He offered her a soft smile. She nodded, and smiled back, before leading him inside. “[color=aqua]Here, um, ha-have a seat...[/color]” She motioned to the couch as she headed for the kitchen section of mostly open floor plan of the house. “[color=aqua]I - You still drink tea, right? Because I need some tea. I think that will help.[/color]”