[quote=@Randomness] With her demonstration done, Fia quickly scooted over next to the man in armor. Fia had never met an oni before, and that alone caught Fia’s attention. But then when it came to his work with curses and cursed metal, she found someone truly special. Fia was aware of the possibility of cursed metal, but now she found living proof. Fia looked up at the armored oni with eagerness. Fia's eyes were as deep red as her dress, and a black ring surrounded her pupils. “You don’t have to worry about me, lovely. I would be most interested to learn more about how you wield your cursed metal.” [/quote] As the Sorceress,and wasn’t that a surprising thing, came closer to admire his armor, he couldn’t help himself but feel pride. The Scholar might have been a bastard, but the fact remains that he gave him a truly wonderful ability.[color=00a99d]"I’d be more than willing to show you,Lady Sorceress.Hopefully i’ll prove to be up to your standards"[/color] Before he could continue, the small red-head introduced herself, and his hypothesis proved half correct. For one, she was a noble, a very high ranked one at that. She did,however, seemingly come here because of her passion instead of any more pressing concerns. Being free and willing to follow what your heart tells you, she was worthy of respect for that. The offer to bring them all to Helvetica after the expedition took him by surprise. Enough that Evelyn continued, explaining the usage of each of the items that the Roxas found. The generosity of it for one, but mostly because he never thought of it as a possible place to lay low. Though…he doesn’t have any plan after this expedition… he could try it, let himself become famous enough that nobody would try anything stupid, refuge in audacity and all that. [color=00a99d]"I might take you up on that offer, Miss Evelyn. i have heard much about Helvetica, and it seems a truly lovely place to explore."[/color] [quote=@Visyn] [color=7bcdc8]"Does [b]no one[/b] understand what the word [i]investigation[/i] mean?"[/color] She set the pictures down, letting out a frustrated sigh before snapping her eyes to Gray Flame and giving him a glare as well. [color=7bcdc8]"FINE, FINE, fine, fine, fine!"[/color] Her magic flared around her in anger, silvery with amber flecks as it swirled and then settled. [color=7bcdc8]"[b][i]Fine[/i][/b]."[/color] After Evelyn scryed the items, she scooped them back up. She paused at the bottom of the stairs, jaw clenching and unclenching. Loud enough for everyone to hear, before she disappeared; [color=7bcdc8]"Roxas. Healer."[/color] She then moved upstairs to put everything back. Damin might have been right, why did she bring herself on this expedition. Once upstairs, she put the chest items back, the flier on the desk and put the pendant, draft and picture back in the bedroom. She didn't come back downstairs. [/quote] But as soon as he finished, the Gray flame and Roxas discussion came to a close in a quite…Spectacular way. He could understand her frustration, after all she didn’t do anything wrong. Misunderstandings truly are a poison that slowly corrodes. Hopefully they can surpass this, and come out stronger as a party for it. [quote=@A5G] [b][color=#4269E2]"With you by my side, Ser Forbann, we could take on an entire army! Pleased to work with you."[/color][/b] He offered an appreciative nod, moving on to the next soon after. [/quote] Fortunately, the silence left by Roxas departure was broken by the fearless(Allegedly) old Human Knight. Looking him over, he couldn’t help but nod back[color=00a99d]"Likewise Ser Engelberd. Any army would be wise to fear us!"[/color] Misunderstandings aside, Engelberd was a fierce warrior, and he wondered who would win a fight between them. In a fair fight, there were good chances that he would be able to take him, but he didn’t entertain the thought for more than a moment. If they truly fought to the death, The old Knight was wise enough to exploit his weaknesses to make the fight far more favorable for him. [quote=@Conscripts] [color=39b54a]"For me, I am Tillius Battakka."[/color] Tillius spoke, his tone seemed normal if not a bit low for an orc, but it carried underneath a gravitas befitting his status. [color=39b54a]"Unfortunately, I do not bring with me magic or technological marvels, only strength and techniques."[/color] He paused and laid a hand on his gladius to briefly indicate the gear he was using. [color=39b54a]"I was an officer in the Westernant Army, but in case you worry, I am now retired, and am merely an adventurer, just like everyone else. I am [b][i]more than confident[/i][/b] and honored to be serving with you brave comrades into the unknown."[/color] Tillius left it as such, as he took a step back. His weird intonation in the last sentence might seem a bit out of place for an otherwise normal introduction. Maybe it was just orc speak, or military speak. But the Gray Flame might notice a glance to him from the orc afterwards. [/quote] Soon after Engelberd, the Orc spoke up. A fellow Military man, Forbann couldn’t help but stand at attention, or at least as much as he could while being seated, at his tone. He introduced himself as an officer, and he believed it, that tone was far too similar to the officers of the Tritagonian army, so much so that some old ingrained instinct came back to the fore, if only for a moment [color=00a99d]"It’s an Honor to have you,Sir."[/color] his response was short and concise. The former officer was obviously displeased about something, most likely the misunderstanding about Roxas, and it was probably best not to aggravate him more. His attention was once again taken by the Sorceress,Which for some reason stayed close to him for all this time,though he couldn’t tell you why. Maybe she didn’t know where to sit? [quote=@Randomness] [Right][H2][color=#CA9BF7]Fia Blackfire[/color][/H2][/right] [hr] “A bath sounds lovely.” she said, almost like she was never questioning the masked elf at all. She turned on her heel to face the tall armored oni. She clasped her hands together resting them on her cheek as she tilted her head. Fia gleefully spoke again with a sweet smile, “would you care to join me, darling? I’ll help you wash your back.” [/quote] He looked down at himself. His armor was still drenched from the thunderstorm before, which was still going strong. He himself felt wet, and now that he noticed, it was starting to become slightly uncomfortable. [quote=@Randomguy] [center][h1][color=f26522]Carnatia de Luson[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] Although...she turned to Fia, who was propositioning Forbann to take a bath together a few moments ago. She coughed, her cheeks slightly tinged red, as she blushed, [color=f26522]"Erm...yes, er...Lady Fia, if you have any intention of doing... ahem...licent—er..."[/color] She stopped from saying 'licentious acts', considering the presence of Evelyn, who was but a child. [color=f26522]"...certain acts with Sir Forbann, then I believe it's common courtesy to have the rest of us use the facility first...yes? So if you do not mind..."[/color] Her blush intensified at the rather awkward situation, before she composed herself by taking a deep breath, [color=f26522]"I-In any case, I'm sure you do not mind allowing myself to use the bath first, yes?"[/color][/quote] Certain acts? It was a bath, what would they do that would make her so nervous? Unless the Westernian bath customs were different when multiple people were involved? Well, not like it matters much, he very much doubted he could even make use of the cabin bath. [color=00a99d]“I think you’re fine to go first, Carnatia. A bath wouldn’t go amiss, no,but unfortunately I don't think that most baths in Varenheim could fit me, especially the bath of a cabin in the middle of the woods.”[/color] he regrettably had to turn Fia offer down. [color=00a99d]"So, unless you wish to use the thunderstorm to wash ourselves, I'll unfortunately have to decline."[/color] He joked, trying to abate any disappointment his rejection might have caused. [quote=@Mas Bagus] [b]"I don't see that as a problem." [/b] Came a bold, whimsical voice from the stairs. The Gray flame looked back and had his shoulder clapped by Vesemir. [b]"Why the tense atmosphere! Eh?"[/b] he cleared his throat and fixed his top hat before continuing. [b]"Well. Tell ya, it' hard for me to disagree on these two young ladies' acute proposition. Why indeed *ahem* not claim them? If they are as powerful as Miss Evelyn concluded, then in my opinion, it is also a crime to leave them here in the dust while it can be used to illuminate one's why and help people." [/b] Raising his both hands like some sort of arbiter, Vesemir shifted his gaze at everyone present. [b]"To take or not take, it is an equally right proposition. Neither of us here may claim the authority to prevent any of us from claiming such items. And if morality is still holding you back..." [/b] The archeologist took out a leather pouch from his bag and placed the clinking purse on top of the fireplace. [b]"Paid in full. The choice is all yours."[/b] [/quote] Well, that was one way to smooth things over. Forbann didn’t know how long such solutions would last. Hopefully enough to forge actual bonds with each others. [quote=@Mas Bagus] [b]"Now we have finally seen eye to eye about that matter, I've something to announce to everyone,"[/b] Vesemir spoke again, louder this time, not only to get everyone's attention but seemingly to deprive Gray Flame or Englebert a chance to discuss the looting kerfuffle again. Between his speech, he pointed at the map at the table. Before gazing at Carnathia and Fia in particular. [hider][img]https://i.postimg.cc/SQ3092W7/Map-Varenheimzoom-market.png[/img][/hider] [b]"It is important, but I will be brief. So please stay a while and listen. It was decided that we are going to take a slightly longer detour first, toward the ruined town of Lassë and then to Ostianor slightly to the east. I think that's all for now. Any questions regarding those areas please consult with our expert, Mr. Gray Flame."[/b] Respectfully, he beckoned at Gray Flame, who had been acting like a statue for the remainder of the exchange. [b][b]"As for now, please take a rest and don't hesitate to make good use of... well, the amenities we have." [/b][/b] [/quote] He nodded. It was his expedition, and from what he gathered, his aim wasn’t to just reach Nuria, but to re-discover history. It only made sense to have a few stops to historically relevant places on the way. [color=00a99d]Seems like a fine enough plan, Boss. Here’s hoping we’ll find what you want, eh?[/color]