Final Fantasy: The Great Awakening (Full)

[Hiwa Kaoru]

~Kaoru Hiwa

To say the least, Kaoru was pleased with the reaction he received from Alison. After going on his little rant, she'd seemed to lose interest, but it appeared that she enjoyed it. In fact, this was confirmed moments after he finished speaking by the girl hugging him yet again, to the point that he had to take a step backwards to balance himself. He smiled contently, glad that she was pleased and patted her head gently—she stood little about half a foot beneath him.

"N-No problem, Alison!"

Hesaid that, but it was so awkward getting hugged by people, girls especially. Ignoring the sensation to flail away and hide, his ears twitched—at least they would have if the bandanna didn't obscure then—at the sound of running water. Seraphim was in the shower—great. At least she was cleaning herself up. It was a bit saddening to see the condition these two had to live it; they lived in a building that looked like it might collapse any moment.

"Anyway, I guess you guys are still barely making it?" he asked.

Kaoru himself wasn't anyone rich. He only had enough gil—generally from thankful humes—to pay for the occasional supplies he might need from towns that he couldn't get himself. So there wasn't much in the way he could do to help them. He didn't have a need for the gil, so taking a job for the few days he was here—probably some monster extermination or guard task—would benefit these two greatly; which is what he planned on doing.


—

[Altral]

Her new companion stayed guarded, almost seeming unsure of her with how he never made eye contact for too long. It only helped but urge the curiousity that was racking through her brain, wanting to know more about this person. He must be from Sai-Zhin and it had been so long since she had been there or around people from that area. People out in the world were so much different and as much as she loved the variety of faces and personalities that spread across the continent, it was always nice to be reminded of home.

He told her ladies first and she entered the building before him. As soon as she entered the building a wonderful array of smells filled her nostrils and she closed her eye so that her sight didn't interfer with her smell. It was...heavenly. It could be that she hadn't actually had a nicely prepared meal in so long, but the different smells that filled the air were only making her that much more hungry and yearning for a plate of food. Now Tomoko's stomach growled loudly and she placed a hand to it bashfully, looking around for a place to sit. Her eyes met with the people in the restaurant and at first she thought they might be looking at her, not that she wasn't used to it, but it appeared that they were only looking at briefly and their eyes went straight to her companion, Seig. She of course didn't see anything wrong with his choice of style, but she knew that for some reason most found Sai-Zhin style and anything like it to be frightening or intimidating. She looked back at her male companion who walked right past her and went to sit by himself, making no indication that she was invited to sit with him. Then again, it was possible that it was assumed that she would join him for a meal.

Still following him like a loyal chocobo, she made her way over to the bench and bowed her head politely to him, standing straight and once again folding her hands into her lap. "May I join you for lunch?" She asked, also having the same impression of not imposing on the other. Her bangs fell over her face and she kept her head bowed until he answered, violet orbs peaking through her thick dark lashes. She was still intrigued by this person, watching his nonverbal cues more closely than his verbal ones. Almost drawn to him, she kept the same small smile on her face around him while she addressed him.

[Na-Ki]

Dance until the end, my friend, and find joy in every living thing.

Standing out in the morning sun, Wulfgar had just stepped of the Old Yellah and stretched out his arms above his head. Based on his somewhat groggy like appearance, it was clear enough that he had been drinking the previous night and was now encountering the effects of such. Regardless of that though, Wulfgar was still alert as ever as he took a brief look around. Noticing that the citizens of Cryth were already walking and talking amongst themselves, as they had gone about their business.

"Just like every other day day here." Wulfgar muttered to himself as he stratched at his head, while he began to move away from the Old Yellah, heading further into Cryth. As his growling stomach had been telling him for a short while now, it been some time since he had last eaten anything. Which had been more than enough to prompt himself to change the direction he had been heading in, toward that of someplace where one could eat.

As he walked though, Wulfgar listened it some of the idle chit-chat of the crowd around him before he eventually tuned it all out. Some had been talking about the weather, others were speaking of what they had planned for today. And the most he's heard about so far, was this Eye of Ifrit gem. To Wulfgar, that had only meant two things to him. One, that people were greedy and the second was that they were fools for thinking how easily that gem could be obtained.

Letting out a light laugh in regard of that, Wulfgar kept on walking, hardly paying those who heard him little heed as he rounded a corner. His next movements had involved him walking towards a little family run restaurant. While Wulfgar made his approach still, he had noticed two figures, clad in dark clothing, whom had entered the same place themselves.

If he had to make a worthwhile guess based on the color of their armor and clothes, Wulfgar decided then and there they both had to be from the city of Sai-Zhin. He had heard enough rumors of that place from his travels, but they were hardly interesting enough to make him go there. No matter what he heard or had been told about Sai-Zhin, Wulfgar always thought of it as a pretty boring place and nothing spectacular.

Shrugging off the thought, Wulfgar approached and opened the door that led into the family run establishment. He had hardly entered the building, when his nostrils were already assaulted by a bunch of different aroma's, which Wulfgar scrunched his nose at. Some of it had smelled appealing to the Barbarian, and he hardly agreed on whatever else it was that had been cooked up.

Gazing around for no more than a second, which had been more than enough time to spot an open table. Wulfgar had then approached the open table, giving eye contact to nobody in particular, even as he set the iron sword against the wall and sat down in the bench. While he had ignored the chatter coming from the rest of the patron's, Wulfgar had quietly and patiently waited for one of the people at work here, to approach him and take down his order.

Optimism is not a choice, it's a belief.

[Chachamaru v2]

Alison's smile faded a little as she put the necklace on and Kaoru highlighted exactly how poor their living conditions were. There was no doubt that Alison was hardly the sharpest tool in the shed, but even with Seraphim holding back the whole truth from the girl, she could still tell that their living conditions were far from ideal. It had been a very slow and steady process having to adapt to such a vast change in lifestyle, but steadily, she'd learned to accept it. She sighed softly as she drew a highlighter, barely even aware that she was doing it, even as she started adding some more yellow stripes across her thigh. "Yeah, just about... But, hey, things could be worse, right?"

That was one of the few ways Alison had managed to develop to help her cope with this change - to assure herself that no matter how bad things might be, things could always be worse, so she should just be thankful they're not. At the same time, she always wishes that she didn't think that way - as every time she went along that line of thought, she always went back to the 'what if' scenario of what if Seraphim had never found her that fateful day? She could easily have died, or if she did live, she'd be all alone, lost in the world, or... It didn't really bear thinking about. "And anyway, it doesn't really matter if we don't have much stuff or that our stuff isn't the best," Alison explained with a warm smile. "Because I've got Seraphy-chan, and I wouldn't trade her for all the stuff in the world~"

Alison Melissa Owen

[Hiwa Kaoru]

~Kaoru Hiwa

Kaoru nodded in agreement with the girl,but regretted the comment when her smile faded. Things could definitely be worse—he'd seen worse. But, in his mind, that didn't make it any better. It was a bi product of the way humes lived. Many of them were more apt to harm their fellow man to forward their own goals. He understood it was the way of Nature, but some of their practices were needless. Elves, on the other hand, lived much too communally in his mind. Yes, there was a need to help one another, but to the point of sheltering their own kingdom from the rest of the world was a bit—strange. He pushed the philosophical points aside and moved into the kitchen tentatively.

"Yes, she's certainly a good girl," replied the green-haired teen.

He was glad that Seraphim was in the shower; if she had heard that comment, he was liable to be attacked. She was much too proud to admit being generous, even if it was blatantly obvious. It made the fact that these two had lived together a strange fact. Sure, they could be friends from way, way back, but it still was amazing how the girls were together—he half thought Seraphim would have beaten the yellow-obsessed child over her incompetence. Kaoru ended up tossing half the pancakes onto a plate for Alison, placing it on the table and motioning for her to eat.

"Best not to waste the meal," he commented, before leaning along the nearby wall gently. "Anyway, how have you two been? It's been a while. . ."


—

[Chachamaru v2]

In all the excitement, between the arrival of Kaoru, Seraphim throwing a pan at him, and the gift, Alison had almost completely forgotten all about breakfast. Not that she didn't want it, by any means - she was just far too easily distracted, and forgot about it among her overenthusastic excitement. "Oh, thank you, Kaoru~" She chimed, wasting no time in heading over to the table, but rather than sitting down, she picked up the plate, holding it so that she could keep talking as she ate, but of course, she made sure that she wasn't talking with her mouth full - that was a habit that Seraphim had made sure Alison had broken very early on.

"I've been fine, thank you~" The girl chimed, managing to already make a small mess around her mouth, despite having eaten barely a couple of mouthfuls. She looked around for a moment, before adding, in a slightly hushed voice. "I neeeearly had an accident the other day and almost fell off of a huge apartment building roof, but Ssh... I didn't tell Seraphy-chan about that. I didn't want her to worry." Alison actually put her finger to her lips when she'd said 'Ssh', like a child would. There was something ever-so-slightly disturbing about how easily the ditzy girl was able to talk so casually about almost plummetting to her death. Alison was all too used to not telling people about her problems - she'd hidden far too much from her mother and father when she was younger, for one thing - but she felt especially that she shouldn't bother Seraphim with everything. Seraphim had already done so much for Alison, without having to worry about little things like that.

Alison Melissa Owen

[Hiwa Kaoru]

~Kaoru Hiwa

Listening intently, he literally facepalmed at the last bit from Alison. Really, the girl was so careless about her health. While he had to admit the girl wasn't by any means incapable of doing what she enjoyed, she seemed to take little consideration for the consequences of her own actions. He had a feeling if Alison didn't die from a hazardous fall, Seraphim would kill her for worrying her seriously. He had to chuckle at that comedic thought.

Seeing the mess his childish friend was making with the pancakes—a habit she still hadn't gotten rid of—he leaned over and wiped around her mouth with his thumb, getting the syrup off and sighing.

"Still a messy eater? At least you're not trying to talk with the whole thing in your mouth!"

He grinned. During one of their earlier encounters, the girl had gotten extremely excited over something whilst eating, and practically fired chunks of food at the two. Needless to say, Seraphim scolded the girl like a mother would, embarrassed about the action as well as the waste of food. Then, he had laughed the whole time. Alison might not be good for much, but if nothing else she was a great source of joy and hilarity; the fact that it was unintended made it all the more amusing.


—

[ShadowOfIce]

This... was one of the things in life she looked forward to. The hot water cascading down her bare back, almost like a gentle massage that relieved all the built up stress from working such grueling hours. Even if she only had the money to afford a shower no more than ten minutes worth a day, it was still one of the best ten minutes in her life. That, and sleep of course. She always felt that if she was more wealthy, Seraphim would have expensive tastes, but in the cards she was dealt, Seraphim had to work with what she had. She had her own life, the gift of being physically fit from her upbringing, a close friend, a job that gave her the money for food and shelter, and finally; faith.

Seraphim didn't talk about it much, but she dabbled a bit in the religion of Aionian, keeping it to herself, the faith being something that kept her moving on. These days though, after such shamefully boring and grueling routines, she was beginning to lose that faith. The only thing that really kept her connected was the gift in her healing abilities she had discovered eight years ago, practicing that just as much as she did her fighting.

With a sigh of relief as she felt her tenseness fade away into a calming relaxation, Seraphim made sure not to go over her ten minute mark, and turned off the shower, using nearly all the hot water since she had it at such a scalding temperature, the heat barely seeming to bother her as she stepped out. Keeping her attention in the cracked mirror, Seraphim started to work at combing through her large white locks of hair, preferring it this way even if she did get into so many knots with it. She was tired of being called a 'little boy' back when she was a street rat, and after getting a bit more blessed with a few curves -which were only about average to most women- and growing her hair out, she was glad that mix up didn't occur as much. Then again, other people should be thankful as well, because most who made that mistake found themselves talking with a lot less teeth.

After cleaning up, Seraphim got changed, feeling a bit more awake now as she tucked in her gray, buttoned shirt into her denim blue slacks, working a large, heavy belt through it, and making sure the extra denim she stitched around the waist sat comfortable on her hips. Then finally, she looked down at a little side belt, black and white, shaped in spade like designs along its leather material, almost like hearts that fanned along the left belt loops. A rare little smile crept to Seraphim's lip as she saw that, knowing how Alison made it for her, and treasuring it. Alison may have been incompetent, but she at least knew how to worth with leathers and more importantly, she made it as a gift for Seraphim, something the one eyed girl treasured, even if she never said she did.

With a final few adjustments, and slipping on her leather, black eye patch, Seraphim stretched her arms with an audible crack in her stiff shoulders, and emerged from the bedroom she shared with Alison, looking much better now than she had before. She looked between the two, having a feeling she missed something, before quirking her left brow. "What are you two talking about?" She said casually, unaware that they were talking about her too, her hands on her hips and standing proud, ...even if she was the shortest person here.

~Seraphim Harmonia

[Narration- Restaurant]

A few more strange glances were cast in Seig and Tomoko's direction, but generally, most of the people accepted their presence, more surprised than intimidated by them being here. Truthfully, it was actually Tomoko's presence that made it less judgmental. Had Sieg come in alone, he would have had more than a few curious or even fearful stares. However, once a few people had a good look at the group, most looking from the corners of their eyes as they ate, the word 'SAGA' seemed to be spread around a few times, some whispering about the white haired, scythe wielding man in the armor like he may have been a celebrity of some sort.

The two would also notice that a few posters were being placed around the inn, as well as Wulfgar. His appearance to the inn was actually a bit more welcomed, even if he was much more intimidating and larger than the other two. As a current resident to Cryth, Wulfgar had been known around enough where people found him to be more of a 'gentle giant' then a Barbarian, and he was even offered to his most preferred seat, fortunate enough for it to be open to him.

As for the posters, the picture of a teenage boy was placed upon some of the posts and walls of the restaurant. This wasn't going on just here though, but through some local taverns and hot spots of the town. The Town Hall was always the right place to go to if anyone had spotted a missing person or a wanted man, but right now, this looked like fresh news, especially since he was sent up to the inspecting the safety of the volcano. Residents of Cryth would know how groups of two, sometimes three people were sent there daily to check and make sure the area was untouched by human hands and the Eye of Ifrit was safe, so for only one to be missing left many rumors around.

Tomoko, Sieg, and Wulfgar were given their menus, all offering inexpensive and practical meals, but it was clear for the two residents of Sai-Zhin that the waiter was a bit hesitant, the man being in his late forties and actually frightened a little of people who were half his age. As for Wulgar, a younger waitress came his way, someone who he had seen a few times actually, asking if he wanted 'the usual.'

[Chachamaru v2]

Alison couldn't help but grin like a five-year-old as Kaoru wiped her mouth clean, feeling only very slightly embarrassed over the fact that she still had people wiping her mouth for her. People had told her in the past that she needed to grow up, but in Alison's opinion, growing up was the one thing that she absolutely did not want to do. 'Grown-ups', as Alison still called certain people, always seemed to have a tired, world-weary expression on their face. As far as Alison was concerned, it was just part of growing up, and for that reason, the girl wanted to avoid growing up as long as she could, not caring what anyone thought. As kind as the gesture was of Kaoru, however, it was wasted effort, as the mess had completely returned within the next couple of mouthfuls.

Before Alison could respond to Kaoru, Seraphim entered the room, Alison pointed down at her half-devoured plate of pancakes, swallowing her current mouthful before grinning widely again. "We were just talking about food. Great pancakes as always, Seraphy-chan~" Alison chimed, before suddenly snapping her fingers, putting the plate down for a moment as she stepped over to Seraphim, showing her the necklace that Kaoru had given her. "Look at this necklace Kaoru gave me, Seraphy-chan~ Isn't it pretty?" Alison wasn't typically one to wear jewellery - she both her wrists were already taken, she was to scared to get her ears pierced, and she worried that if she wore rings on her fingers that it would interfere with her grip while climbing; but with a necklace, she could just tuck it under her shirt and it would stay out of the way.

Alison Melissa Owen

[Hiwa Kaoru]

~Kaoru Hiwa

Interrupting their conversation—well, he couldn't complain after walking in; though, that was entirely Alison's doing. Anyway, coming into the room while the other two were talking was none other than 'Snow White', as he sometimes called the girl. Standing there, hands at her hips, he just smirked. The girl was the shortest out of the trio at a mere five foot three. So her posture was amusing to him. It was a wonder why the smallest tended to be the most violent and prideful.

"Yeah, we were just discussing food," he replied.

Sure, they'd been talking about other details—gods knew thinking things, her included in the 'flashbacks'—but nothing serious was said, really. Importantly, Alison ran over and immediately showed off the necklace. He ran a hand on the back of his neck and just nodded. I wonder if she even remembered the greens for her chocobo, he mused. Alison would probably forget that, or eat them herself—she had a liking for them herself.

"Oh! Speaking of jewelry!" He stated, walking to the girl.

He pulled up the bag from his side and rummaged through it. Moments later, besides Alison nd in front of Seraphim he produced the silver necklace he'd purchased while traveling through Rastifar. This was slightly more costly than the one for Alison, but didn't have an interesting history to it—unless you counted the having to deal with the whole gangs in the city. It was a wonder the mining operations at the small town to the south were still able to occur without interruption. Back to the present, he pulled it out and wrapped his hands behind the girls neck, beneath her hair and latched in behind her, then stepped back.

"Er. . . like it?" He asked, smiling a bit, "I saw it while visiting an elderly couple I know in Rastifar. I thought you might like it. . . um, and try not to pawn this one off?"

Hopefully, she didn't hate it. And hopefully she didn't pawn it like she did the other thing he'd gotten her. While he understood the situation, it wasn't nice to go pawning gifts.

—

[ShadowOfIce]

Seraphim quickly scoffed at his first remark, not even believing it for a second. "Right... you traveled so many miles just to come here and talk about food." Rolling her crimson eye at him before leaning a bit more into the right side of her leg and hips, she couldn't help but find that hard to believe. Then again... having an important discussion with Alison was more challenging than it seemed. None the less, she didn't care too much, she just enjoyed picking on Kaoru. He was one of the few people who was usually spread from getting hurt by Seraphim, but just because he was a friend, that didn't mean she would have her fair time joking around and insulting him now and then. It was all in good fun really, and just Seraphim's way.

Meeting eyes with Alison though as her hyperactive friend showed off the golden necklace, Seraphim tried to keep Alison's happiness upbeat by smiling a little back at the girl, even getting a soft chuckle to see how happy she was. "Hot-damn, you mean to say moss-head here actually did something good for a change?" She said towards him, lightly punching Kaoru in the shoulder as more of a friend tap. But even so, it still came off as more painful than she intended, probably enough to leave a small bruise. Still, she wouldn't really say 'thank you,' but in truth she was really thankful that Kaoru came around and did this sort of thing for them. She felt kinda guilty accepting his charity, but honestly, having him as a friend really helped these dull existence of hers a bit more lively. She'd have to show him her appreciation one day.

...Naaaah.

Blinking her crimson eye a few times when Kaoru continued the topic, she looked at him before crossing her arms, realizing suddenly he was taking out... another necklace? It.. wasn't bad looking. Heck, it was even a good color; red, white, gray, black, and blue being her preferences, so it looked like it would go nicely. She was about to make a comment about it, half wanting to say 'now just add a wedding ring and you're all set, lover-boy,' but when he actually started to reach around her, she stiffened a little, feeling a little awkward now as she felt his hands brush by her neck and white locks of hair.

As if she didn't feel awkward enough at that moment, it was when he mentioned where he got it from that her cheerful demeanor faded some. The mention of that town... it haunted her. Rastifar was a place she never wanted to think about. She left too many sins and demons behind back in those days, lost too many people, and suffered more than a person should in their entire lifetime. Having this necklace that came from a place she long since wanted to forget... she didn't know whether to thank him, or shed a tear. She felt conflicted, not even thanking him as her insides felt a sickening twist like she was going to be sick, and she already felt her memories sinking into things she wanted to keep locked away forever. To Alison and Kaoru, she looked like her already pale skin was turning a shade of white, and she turned away quickly and silently, wanting to distract herself and get off topic by assembling herself a plate of food, a shallow breath escaping her lips as she muttered her frustrations.

"...Damned Idiot."

~Seraphim Harmonia

[Chachamaru v2]

Just like for Seraphim, Rastifar held little that Alison ever really wanted to be forced remember. It wasn't that she hadn't enjoyed living there - some of her happiest memories were made there. However, it was just utterly impossible for Alison to recall any of those memories without thinking of her parents, which in turn started to maek her feel sad. For Alison, however, it wasn't hard to shift her mind from such thought. Without even thinking about it, she drew a highlighter, scribbled a couple of random yellow lines over her forearms, and before she knew it, she had practically forgotten why it was that she even felt down in the first place.

Alison might not have been a great judge of people, but if there was one person on this planet that she could say she had even began to understand, it was Seraphim. As she watched the colour drain from Seraphim's face, and she watched her head away, she knew something was wrong, even if she wasn't sure exactly what. She grabbed her plate of pancakes, walking back over to Kaoru and offering him it. "Hey, you must be hungry from your journey. You can have the rest of my pancakes, I'm full enough~" The girl absolutely adored Seraphim's cooking, but at the moment, she just wanted to give Kaoru a distraction; mostly to prevent him from pressing Seraphim about her reaction, as Alison knew by now that if he did, the only response he'd get would likely be a violent one, judging by how Seraphim had reacted to the necklace itself. It was like that old saying - 'the road to pain is filled with good intentions', or something like that. Alison had never been too good at remembering such things.

Alison Melissa Owen

[Haro Starwind]

Azel listened to her. Not giving much intelligence on the matter. Not to say he was stupid. Any who thought so were wrong. He was intelligent, and witty... he just kinda set it low on the tier. Listening to her he had to say she was certainly on the ball. She'd be hard to let go when he finally got tired of her. Oh yes, he moved on. He was absolutely never known to hold a girlfriend longer than a week or so. He was like alcohol on a lonely. In and out before the hangover settled. But eh... if she didn't know that, then the better. After all, he had another shot at her later. Jackpot~
But uh... he'd still play it like they'd be together for awhile. He had come to find that women preferred it that way.

"I like the way you think. By the way, on a small boat... It's amazing." He said with a grin clearing showing he had experience with the matter. "We'd make a good team. Beauty and the Sexy beast." He said with a smirk and a nod, of course talking about himself. Oh, and her too. From then on he talked to her a bit more about less important things until the two reached the chocobo ranch, where Azel stopped with her

While appreciating her example, making him feel a little more proud of waking up this morning in full libido, he wasn't to keen on those bird things. "Psh. If I could handle you, I can handle one of these things." He said with a over heightened ego and a sense of accomplishments. Walking over to one he reached out to pet the beast, who surrendered to his grasp obediently, as if his charm and great aesthetics transferred even to the animal world.

~Azel Zephyr

[ShadowOfIce]

[NPC - Fathia]

Fathia was quiet at first when he spoke about the boat. In all honesty, she was actually contemplating it a little. She had her own other reasons for why she was here, and kept her agenda a secret, but the idea of sailing the ocean with this guy didn't seem half bad.

..At least, until she got bored of him.

Quirking an eyebrow at Azel as she paid the ranch owner a cheap rental fee for the chocobos, she actually paid for both, getting an orange one for herself, and letting Azel take his own choice. All the colors were available except for a black one -which there was one dropped off here by it's owner-, and of course, the rare chocobos. However, even though she was generous enough to actually pay the small sum of gil for a rental, she still looked at him like he had said something wrong, suddenly explaining that to him. "...Comparing me to an animal isn't really a good way to flirt." Fathia said with a roll of her orange eyes, hopping on the chocobo and giving it a little ruffling pat along the back of its neck. She seemed pretty comfortable on the bird, like she had done this sort of thing many times before, but in truth, she never had her own, but that was for reasons she dared not to say.

"Oh yea, and just in case, take this. A few monsters lurk around as I mentioned before, and honestly, I think you're frailer than you look; glass-man." Getting a soft laugh out of this, having her own little insult at him now since she wasn't too happy about his earlier comment, she reached into her small brown bag that was strapped around the rear of her hips, and handed him a potion.

Fathia
HP: ??/??
MP: ??/??
Action: Fathia gives Azel 1 x Potion.

[Na-Ki]

Dance until the end, my friend, and find joy in every living thing.

Even as the waitress had approached, Wulfgar had been staring at something that had caught his eye. It of course, had been the wanted posters hastily tacked onto the walls of the inn. Before he had turned his attention towards the young waitress, Wulfgar had finished reading all the details the wanted poster gave about the missing sixteen year old. He simply handed the menu back to her, nodding once with regards to her question about wanting 'the usual.'

"The usual will do. Just skip on the ale this time, and replace it with tea." Wulfgar replied to the familiar face with a casual smile. He had then stretched out his legs, setting his feet on the bench on the opposite side of where he currently sat. Wulfgar had then stratched at his scalp again, looking back at the poster while he waited for his meal to arrive.

It probably was nothing more than a stretch, but Wulfgard had thought of it as odd that he'd heard the townsfolk briefly mention Eye of Ifrit. And then this, this teenager had gone missing while he supposed to be inspecting the mountain and every little thing surrounding it. Including the oh so famous Eye of Ifrit. Wulfgar understood, as he was sure every citizen of Cryth knew, that as things inside the city appeared to be nice and cozy. Everything outside of these walls, was sure as hell different.

"Hmph. It's not worth wasting the energy on. Not this early anyway.." Wulfgar thought to himself, chalking up his own ideas as far fetched, the result of a morning after spending a good portion of the night drinking, and now hungover. Leaning back further in the seat, Wulfgar set his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.

Even with all the chatter inside the inn, he went back to tuning the majority of it out, listening for whatever he deemed as important. As in, when the waitress had returned with his usual meal. Till that moment arrived however, Wulfgar just continued to relax in his own little world, letting out a low hum everynow and then.

Optimism is not a choice, it's a belief.