[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210425/60d4cad31d79f05670a6f5376d410cd8.png[/img][/center]
[Right][color=6ecff6]Interactions: Nolan [@hatakekuro][/color][/right]
 
There had been a warmness and softer expression waiting, even if only revealed for a quick moment, under that gruff exterior. It was one of those 'listen carefully and don't blink, or you'll miss it' things but she caught it. As scatterbrained as she could be, she tried to notice things from people she was already talking to. Probably better to not draw attention to it. She had found people that were gruff didn't like things like that pointed out to them, not usually. 

[i][color=00746b]"Never assume a job to be easy. It's always those that say that that freeze up when things go wrong."[/color][/i] That was Nolan's initial response upon her description of the job. 

Ria nodded, keeping her smile in place but a pang of worry that it might not be genuine fluttered through her head. Did he notice? Hopefully not; he was studying the description on the posting. She shouldn't have been so shortsighted to say it would be easy. If it was going to be easy, then the guards could handle it alone. What if she did freeze up? That would just be right in line with her father's assumption of her abilities. One big act of magical prowess and suddenly she thought she could do anything? Dealing with attackers was far different than just watering fields and dealing with pests getting into produce. If she couldn't efficiently train with her father, could she actually handle helping Nolan protect the shipment if they got attacked? She didn't want to rely on him to keep it safe by himself while she stood there pretty much doing nothing but failing to get her magic to respond like usual. 

That was all thoughts passing through her head in the moment between his comments though. Pushing those thoughts down was far easier than breathing. More years of experience getting it right. "[color=6ecff6]Well, it's not so much that anything in particular is happening. It is just that here have been more attacks than usual for this time of year and the guard is diminished in strength.[/color]" A soft laugh helped brighten the smile back to its usual glow, even if he had seen the slight force to keep it there before. "[color=6ecff6]Actually, it's kind of a good sign that they reached out to ask for assistance. But yes, I am certain they have been waiting on this delivery long enough.[/color]"

She waited just long enough for Nolan to start walking before walking along at his side. [i]Just remember to breathe and let your magic act naturally.[/i] She didn't want to keep reminding herself that - she was supposed to be a competent mage if she was part of a guild - but now she felt she had to. The fact that people seemed to part away from Nolan's path, and thus hers, made it easier to be lost to her thoughts as they walked. Once they were out of the guildhall and starting down the street toward their contact, the smell of some fresh cooked pastries from a nearby shop drifted into her nose. The distracted smile on her face was replaced by another radiant one and excited mismatched eyes turned on Nolan. "[color=6ecff6]Oh! Have you had much chance to explore Rembrandt? I know you've been here a bit, but I would imagine you haven't really gone out exploring it. Maybe after the mission I could show you around a little. There are some wonderful little hidden spots around town that you might enjoy visiting. That's if you are up for it, that is. Just, you know, think about it and let me know.[/color]" It hadn't even occurred to her how the proposal sounded; then again, she also hadn't seen that Kiba had intentionally abandoned Nolan with her.