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"Hi." Despite how relaxed the voice sounded, Loona still tensed, spinning around and moving back just as the owner of the voice in question did the same. Tiny hands immediately moved to her hourglass necklace, big green eyes scanning over the man in front of her. Short brown hair that was a bit longer at the top than the sides, similar colored eyes, and fair skin. He clearly looked prepared for what he was getting himself into...he looked like he had experience unlike herself, who was dressed in not so protective pinks, greens, and browns. Just what did he want exactly? Was he trying to be nice? Or maybe he wanted something from her? The thought crossed Loona’s mind to just ignore the man, but seeing as it didn’t look like he wanted to cause her any harm, she decided to humor him.
“H-Hello…” She murmured, a cautious smile pulling at her lips before turning lopsided from the tilt of her head at what came after.
”First time?” What did he mean by that? First time being in such a place? First time in a violent setting? First time talking to someone that wasn’t her kind? The fairly board question had the girl a bit stunned.
“I g-guess?” Looking down at herself after speaking up, it only took a few seconds for her to realize where she decided to place herself into the crowd. “O-Oh, I’m sorry! Am I blocking your view? I d-didn’t mean to, promise.” It was definitely a different feeling having to worry about where she was, especially since everyone was so much bigger than her. It was never a problem back home, so this was just something she’s have to live with.
Presenting her with a slight smile, the man spoke up, probably sensing her uneasiness about...well, everything.
“It’s quite alright. I was just…” He was staring at her much like she was to him. “...Did you volunteer?” The fairy felt her face begin to warm up, one hand dropping to her side, and the other sliding over to clutch the other arm behind her.
“Yes. Is...i-is it obvious?” She questioned, now floating a bit closer to the other’s face. “I’m not really use to being outside of my home and around so many humans and the like so…” Loona then trailed off mid-sentence since she could feel herself begin to ramble.
"Well... considering you volunteered for this..." He started, folding his arms over his chest before gesturing the other initiates with his head. "...You're either crazy... or you must be damn good with that toothpick."
“I-I’m not crazy, and this is not a toothpick!” She said suddenly, waving her arms around a bit while gesturing to the slim sword to prove her point. Of course she didn’t want to admit that neither of the two conditions applied to her, however the thought that she really wasn’t prepared for this made her pout a bit, only perking up when the other spoke again.
"May I ask the brave soul what brings her here?"
Great, another loaded question, except this time she knew exactly what her reasons were for coming here. Her initial thoughts revolved around if she even needed to tell this man her reasons, that is, until it dawned on her that that alone was the only merit she had to prove that she belonged here. Without her reasons, she'd be useless. And the more people know, the better, even if it wouldn't make a difference. That didn't mean she wasn't going make this easy for the curious man.
“Y-You can just call me Loona. Loona Celestina.” She began with a small smile before continuing. “I want to become a Red Hood to bring awareness to my kind and those who weren’t h-helped by the Red Hoods. Loona then mumbled out before balling her fists. "I’m not the b-best fighter, but I can patch up wounds and stuff like that. H-hopefully that’s useful in a place like this..." Even without any context or even names from the other initiates, Loona scraped harshly below the bottom of the barrel when it came to any form of fight be it physical or verbal. She could learn, definitely, but she'd have to learn quickly or else this would all be in vain. Luckily, she was already making connections, albeit just one at the moment, and judging by how calm and relaxed he looked to be in the keep, Loona felt like he could rely on the man despite only just meeting. "But, what about you Mister? You volunteered as well, right?”
“Aye. Volunteered. Although it didn't really feel like a choice and the 'why' is less noble than your own. Call it..." Loona tilted her head as the other looked away, lips pursed as if deep in thought. "...Selfish motivation.” Selfish motivation? What could he mean by that? Of course it could be a myriad of things condensed into two easy to understand words, but it was a bit hard to believe especially with how she wouldn't even be talking to him if it hadn't been him starting the conversation in the first place... "Loona." Before she had a chance to dwell on it any further, her name coming from a more unfamiliar voice had her straighten, sharp green eyes unconsciously studying the other person's face in the process. "It's nice. I like it. I'm Nicholas but you can call me Nic-... How does one greet the Fae, Loona?"
To say she was surprised when the other asked how fairies greet others was an understatement. Who knew humans could be so nice? ...He was human...right? The emerald eyed fairy looked down when she saw something move, it being the man's, who had a rather foreign but pleasant name in her opinion, hand presumably reaching out for a handshake of some kind before looking back up to meet his brown hued eyes.
"Oh, th-thank you!" Loona started a bit flustered before smiling. "And thanks for asking too. For those bigger than us, I've been told that we normally shake the other's finger or an appendage with a little dust. Here." And with that, Loona hovered down towards Nicholas' hand before grabbing his index finger and pulling it up and towards her as if to simulate a proper handshake. She then grabbed her necklace with one hand and shook it around a bit, coating the tiny digits and palm with her own silvery substance. Now using both of her hands, Loona shook Nicholas' finger vertically with a good portion of her might before letting out a sigh. The struggles of being so small were truly vast... "It's nice to meet you, Nick!"
Unfortunately, Nick wasn't given the chance to respond right away, the moment not lasting as long as Loona would have liked it. Shock washed over the fairy’s features as she turned back to look at the three imposing figures in front of the crowd of initiates; this time, she made sure she wasn’t blocking anyone else’s view of the trio that would probably be giving them some very important information, now positioning herself beside Nicholas’ head. Despite being in the air, and not having to feel anything that came from the cloaked man in the front, the noise alone was enough to make her look over, hands involuntarily shaking at the thought of what was in store.
As the woman, Commander Rogue was her name, began to lecture and make her feel smaller than she already was, Loona’s attention shifted back to the Red Hoods watching from the sides. They had to start from the bottom as well, right? Which could only mean that they were the ones that persevered and managed to prove their strength, prove their usefulness to the group. Something she very desperately needed to do herself. Would they be able to teach someone like her? Would she be able to handle being around other species for the first time in her life? Loona could only hope. So far she thought she was doing alright.
Now following the Red Hood that went by Finlay, everyone was being separated into different rooms. She hoped that Nick’s last name was either of the two that were called along with her’s, but seeing as he didn’t say anything on the matter, it was probably safe to say that they were in different rooms...great. Speaking of Nicholas, Loona’s attention was soon brought back to him, her fairy dust clinging loosely onto the appendages that it coated; a few specks even found their way into the air, heading towards the ground. "Thank you." Loona was quickly brought back to before the Commander lectured them as Nicholas smiled.
“O-Oh, you’re welcome.” Loona returned the smile with one of her own, hands now clasped loosely in front of her as the other was quick to continue the conversation.
"Curious to know though... that's not just for 'shaking hands' is it?" Following his dark gaze to her necklace, Loona gave him a knowing nod. She was a bit worried about anyone looking at her necklace since it was very important to her, but she'd have to explain herself soon or later. Might as well do it with someone she's familiar with first.
“Right, fairy dust is normally used for healing wounds and replenishing stamina. With enough of it, I can make inanimate objects shrink or grow too. B-But don’t worry, what I did should be harmless.” She responded quickly with a smile before looking at the different rooms. “I guess we’re in different rooms, huh.” Loona continued, her words coming out more as a statement then a question. Regardless, Nick gave a short nod in response.
"That we are. But don't worry. I'd wager you might be the only one who actually belongs given what you can do. Stunned to hear something so straightforward, especially about something she was nowhere near confident in, the fairy almost missed what the other said afterwards. They hand only just met a few minutes prior but was confident enough to say she really belong in such a cutthroat place? "So trust me when I say, I'll be sticking close to you when I can. I'm not likely to find another face as kind as yours. Plus... you might need someone with a longer sword to watch your back." A sly grin pulled at the fair man's lips. "Loona. Pleas-"
An unfamiliar voice followed by what sounded like chains clicking open reverberated around the hall, effectively making Loona and Nicholas' private conversation null. The fairy could only watch as the owner of said voice proceeded to free every shackled being she could before introducing herself. By that point, Loona had already found refuge in Nick's collar, brows furrowed as the situation couldn't get any worse, right? Flinching when the woman, Brighid she called herself, acknowledged her presence, Loona could only watch with now nervous emerald eyes as everything effectively went to shit.
Introductions were made, words were said, and weapons were drawn in a matter of minutes. And they were suppose to work together? She could definitely see those trying to prevent anymore chaos, but it seem to all be in vain. Knowing she couldn't do anything simply because of her stature ad nature in general, Loona tugged on the collar she had unconsciously latched onto.
"Th-They really need to stop...th-this isn't the place for it..." She frowned. "D-Do you think m-maybe you can do something to c-calm them down?" She then asked with an anxious tilt of the head.
