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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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[color=#736AFF][b]"Fine. The cappuccino, then."[/b][/color] Was all Izayoi said in response to Eliane before tuning out the rest of her coffee spiel. Gods, how close the woman sounded to certain tea ceremony enthusiasts she had been familiar with. She strode up to the counter, placed her order, and joined the others at the table they'd picked out, sitting down. When the drinks arrived, Izayoi took a cautious sip of her coffee.

Hm. Entirely foreign and unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. It certainly wasn't something she'd want to consume regularly, but every once in a while, Izayoi could see herself wanting a beverage such as this. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"Not unsatisfactory."[/b][/color] Izayoi noted aloud, affording Eliane a brief nod of regard. [color=#736AFF][b]"Perhaps there is something of worth to this drink after all."[/b][/color]

[color=659EC7]"Um, Izayoi, how about we-"[/color] Neve cut herself off, raising a hand to cover her mouth as Izayoi scowled in response.

[color=#736AFF][b]"I told you one simple thing, and you could not even-"[/b][/color] She snapped, but was cut off by one of the customers in the booth next to them dropping his mug, looking at her in unabashed horror. 

"Y-you..." The burly man stammered, to which Izayoi raised an eyebrow. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"No. Whomever you believe me to be, I am but a wanderer."[/b][/color] She attempted to lie through her teeth, to which the man shook his head, backing away from her. 

"Liar! I know that face! Those eyes! I was at the Central Plains! Monster! Butcher! Demon!" The man screamed in hysteria, spittle flowing from his mouth before he fled the shop. Izayoi watched dispassionately as he left, sighing as the remaining eyes in the shop turned on her. One last sip of her drink, and she set it down before standing, placing her hat back atop her head. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"Perhaps I should leave first. I will seek the rest of you out later at the lodge Galahad mentioned. We may have to accelerate our timetable within this city, lest this cause problems."[/b][/color] With that said, she wrapped her cloak around herself before starting to make her way out of the coffee shop, brushing past the startled owner. 

___

Hours later, as sundown neared, each member of the party would inevitably find their way back to the lodge Galahad had pointed out. Waiting for them there, however, was a messenger in House Caradoc's livery, who knelt as soon as he beheld Galahad. 

"My lord. Your father bids you to return home and join him for the evening meal. Your present party included of course. Including the, ah," He eyed Izayoi nervously, who settled for a brief narrowing of her eyes. "Person of distinction. Rumors have been buzzing for hours, you see. He wishes to verify them for himself. And for you to...explain, as it were." 

His message delivered, the man rose and began to leave, likely heading back to the Caradoc manor himself. Once he did, Izayoi slid the inch of sword she'd drawn beneath her cloak back into its scabbard, turning to Galahad. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"Words cannot begin to describe how much I would prefer to not accompany you tonight. The last time I spoke to your father, I was demanding that he surrender the city to me. However, it seems that he is all but demanding our presence. If you believe my presence will be less harmful to your case than my absence, I will follow."[/b][/color]

[@Vietmyke]