♕. A FOOL'S CORNER || V2

[Fool the Gander]

RP SAMPLE AND THEN SOME:

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ｗｅｌｃｏｍｅ ｔｏ Ｒ.Ｉ.Ｎ ｃａｆｅ
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What ever this was- it was most definitely unnatural. It wasn't something that anyone would expect to see everyday. Not unless you were some total drag queen anyway. Haha. No he wasn't a drag queen- but somehow- Takano Natsu was sure he was bordering close on that line. Then again, with his looks, you would probably think- 'You just can't tell...' and might just actually push the thought that he was a guy aside. Yes. It was indeed, that hard to tell.

From first impression, you would be stun by how just a little make up can change ones appearance so. The blue sleeveless dress was a flattering plus as well. It was a frilly, lacy, concoction of utter girlishness. It was short also, stopping at his knee and it was only fortunately that he had very little body hair or it would be more embarrassing otherwise. Ugh. Natsu nearly died of embarrassment when he walked out of the bathroom looking so. Izumi's lady friend surely did one hell of a make over. Oh how Natsu wished Ryuu (his oldest brother) was here. That man was probably the only person that can stand up to Izumi and be able to put a stop in this.

"Izumi!!" Natsu cried as he huffed towards his older brother. On his face was a mixture of embarrassment, annoyance, and frustration, his cheeks a burning shade of pink that made the little freckles on his face more prominent then ever. It was only made worst when the sound of laughter could be heard coming from the other. "It's not funny!" Natsu adherently protested. "Again- tell me why do I have to do this!?"

Takano Izumi turned towards his younger brother, sitting sideways on the high stool with an elbow propped upon the cafe's bar counter. A playful smirk could be seen playing upon his lips. "Fan-service Natsu," the elder man said with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "Just simple fan-service." He grinned then. "You have been complaining all day of how little service this place has so I came up with a solution that has a 100 percent chance of success of you getting costumers."

"B-but Izumi! T-this.. this is embarrassing," Natsu whined but Izumi only ignored it and ushered his little brother out the front door, hands filled with flyers that were made some days before. Natsu knew there was no way around it. He could never win against his overly persuasive brother after all; and beside- there was this little hope in him that wish for this little 'fan-service' to work. Unlike his brother, Natsu cared very much for this cafe. He wanted to be able to see people's smile as they tasted his coffee. He wanted to hear them say that his cakes were good. Seeing other people happy made him happy.

Smiling at his thought, a soft sigh escaped from Natsu's lips and pushing his troubled and embarrassed feeling aside, he began passing out the flyers to those that walked passed his cafe. If it was for his cafe, he could do it! he told himself. Although, he would blush every now and then when some guy would try to hit on him or say he was pretty; he tried to pay it little mind as possible.

"Welcome welcome," he said as he held out a flyer and bowing deeply. "Please come in and try our delicious coffee drinks and desserts..."

[Fool the Gander]

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________________________L o c a t i o n
___________________________xxx⊰xxx • afk at Δ Shining Bright Hall
________________________M o o d s
___________________________xxx⊰xxx • annoyed; headache; hungry
________________________I n f o
___________________________xxx⊰xxx • Mirage xxx • human xxx • blade brandier xxx • lv: 96
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The sound of an alarm echoed throughout a small apartment room. Upon a bed, the tussling of sheets could be seen as the person moved about, slowly waking up from his dreamless slumber. After a moment, a long thin arm snaked out from underneath the cover and blindly searched for the loud beeping contraption. Finding it, the male pressed down upon the snooze button and groan out a displeased tone as he slowly pulled the sheets away. The male, Hikaru Keiske, was not very happy at the moment as he had no wish in waking up. Unfortunately for him though, he had forgotten to turn off his alarm clock the night before and was now wide awake. With an annoyed sigh, he slowly sat up, his mop of dishevel black locks being seen as the sheets were pulled down and coming then to pull about his waist.

Nimble fingers raked through his tussled locks as he glance wearily about the room. Stifling a yawn, his eye landed upon his computer screen. Upon seeing what was displayed, the log-in page of The World R:2, memories of him playing it the night before came to him. If he remembered correctly, last night he had been in the World, following a trail he had been on for quite some while now. He was unsuccessful of course after having roam a number of dungeons and had ended up porting to Lumina Cloth before he logged off and went to bed.

"Maybe I should log in just to see what's happening," he mumbled aloud to himself. "Might get some useful info or learn a few rumors not mentioned in the forums." Pushing his feet over the side, Keiske stood and staunter over to his desk. Sitting down and pulling on his M2D, he decided to first check the Board before logging in. Disappointed to see nothing new posted, he went back to the Log-In screen.

xxxxUsername: Mirage
xxxxPassword: *********

Watching as the screen loaded, the World soon materialize before him as he was greeted by the site of the marble pillars and dark tapestries that hung all about Ω Warring City Lumina Cloth. Taking in his surrounded, he noted the few PCs about. Looking toward the citadel where the arena was, he thought of entering but thought better of it. He was low on GP anyway and didn't want to waste it all on having to restock his inventory just for the arena. Deciding to head for Mac Anu instead, he turned around to face the Chaos Gate behind him and and warped. He would have preferred to going to Dol Dona instead but was disappointed to find that the server was currently inaccessible.

Upon arriving at Δ Eternal City Mac Anu, he grinned to see the place bustling with PCs. Already he had learned something useful when two players who passed him on his way out of the Chaos Gate chamber mention of some strange PCs they had cross while at a certain area. By the descriptions they spoke of- there was no doubt that it was those two, The Winged Man and The Naked Man. However when a certain PCs name was mention, Mirage found himself frowning.

'Well. It seems that Volke, the PKer is looking for them to.' He sighed. 'This will not go well, especially if I run into him but I guess it can't be helped if we do. For now- I think I'll just try my best to avoid him.' If Volke was looking for the AI as he was, then it was bound to cross paths anyway and so when they do cross, he would just have to face it. Pushing that particular thought out of his head, Mirage headed back to the Choas Gate and enter the area words given to him by the two PCs that he had met earlier. Δ Shining Bright Hall. Upon arriving at the place though, he was somewhat disappointed to find the snowy field empty of the two he sought.

"Damn!"

Putting his controls down and pushing his M2D up to rest atop his head, Keiske propped his elbow on the desk and lean his cheek down on his raised palm. He was annoyed at the fact that he was getting nowhere with his hunt for the two wandering AIs. They had sparked his interest for quite sometime now but the little information he was able to find about them in the forums was very insufficient and it had left him having to go look for clues on them himself within the game. However- his interests wasn't the only reason he sought the two though. Being an informant, he was asked to find out all he could about them and having been offered a high bribe in GP, it was enough to get him started on the job. Though with the way things are going, he doubt he would be able to complete the task.

Sighing, Keiske pinched at the bridge of his noise, a headache setting in with all the thoughts that was going through his head. Wanting to take his mind of the matter for now, he AFK his PC near the Warp Point in the field and placed his M2D down on the desk. Standing and giving his arms and legs a stretch, he headed for the bathroom to take a quick shower.

[Fool the Gander]

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A D R I A N . B E L T R E____________________
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____E N V Y . W H A T . I S . I T . T H A T . I . D E S I R E . ?



________Adrian Alexander Beltre, infamous rake, and the black sheep of the Beltre family, groaned as he reached for his crookedly placed ascot that hung about his neck. Dang the thing, he was never good with it and the young male silently curse it as he tried his best to correctly adjust the silken cloth to no avail. After what seem to be a long moment of trying, a soft chuckled resonated from behind him and someone's bare arm, of which were noticeably long and muscular, slid forward over his shoulders. Said hands batted his own clumsy ones away and began to expertly work the ascot into a neat fold and carefully tucked it into the folds of his vest. Once done, those hands remain upon his person as they only slid down his chest and Adrian could then feel the body of the other pressing into his back, the warmth sending a delicious ripple up his spine. Looking up from the full length mirror he stood before, Adrian grinned up at the reflection of the other, Nicolas Wallace, a decisively older male who happened to be his current lover. He was quite the looker, a devilishly handsome and mature man who was very good in bed. He had also once belonged to that of another, a lady friend of his who had quite the tendency to brag about how great her life was. It had annoyed him greatly and that had made him want to take the man who had made the woman so happy. Amusingly, it was quite enjoyable how easily he had made the man fall into his trap.

"Do you have to go?" Nicolas asked as he lean down to place soft kisses along his neck. The man was good, very good. One of the reason why he hadn't dump the male yet. He was still having fun. It might soon be remedied at this party he was going to however. There would no doubt be a number of people and any number of them could catch his fancy. Leaning back into the kiss, he tilted his head upward to catch Nicolas' lips with his own. Slow at first before it turned into a deep and sensuous kiss that left him groaning into the other male's mouth. Adrian quickly release the other some moments later however, his heart beating a bit faster than he had warranted to be. If the kiss had been any longer, he was sure that he would have never made it to that party. Regretting his action though knowing it was a must, he dislodge himself from Nicolas' embrace and went to pick up his frock coat and quickly pulled it on.

"Turning down an invitation from the Sir Issac Milliam? Never. It would be bad manner to not show up." Adrian chuckled then. "It's a masquerade ball though so I don't see how they would even know if I came or not. Amusing, isn't it?"

"Then why are you going?" From Nicolas tone of voice, Adrian knew that the other was trying to make him stay. "Wouldn't it be more fun to stay here with me. It going to be such a long night and your company is.. more than welcomed." There was an edge to the man's voice, a low and very alluring rumble as he spoke. Damn the man, Adrian was thinking but quickly pushed forth his resolve to leave. Picking up his top hat and placing it into the crock of his arm, he then glanced up at the other, a smirk playing across his lips as he gave the other a look that the man knew quite well. It was a look that always had him getting his way and Nicolas, knowing the look that Adrian was giving him, sighed, knowing full well that he had lost the round. "Fine fine. Go," Nicolas said then, hands raised before him in defeat. "Promise to come back to me afterward though. That's all I ask."

Agreeing that he would, Adrian left the man with a last lingering kiss before he turned to leave. Outside before his town house, a single carriage waited for his arrival. Entering it as a footman held open the door, he climbed in and sat. Directions already been given, the sounds of wheels rattling upon the cobblestone street could soon enough be heard as the driver willed the horses into motion. It was a good twenty minutes later before the carriage came to a stop and the footman announced that they had arrived. With his mind somewhere else, and thinking of a certain someone, Adrian was slightly startled by the voice but he quickly enough righted his expression as he reached for the black masked he had remembered to bring with him. It was a pretty little thing, elegantly craft with glass diamond embedded into the frame. Putting it on, it covered his upper face, revealing only his violets hues through the eye socket that was there. His mouth bare, his full lips curved into a smile. Finally stepping out of the vehicle, he turned his eyes to the mansion before him.

Sir Issac Milliam. He had heard quite a bit of the man but had never had the pleasure of meeting him. Adrian had dubbed the man London's very own Monte Cristo and it seemed to fight the man quite well enough with how elusive the other was. Amused by his thoughts, Adrian showed his invitation to the guards out front. Admitted in, he slipped into the building and made his way to the room of where the main party was. Easily enough finding it, he remained in the shadows for a while, allowing his eyes to roam and size up the party. Though they all wore masks to cover their faces, Adrian could already figure who most of the people where by their other noteworthy features. There were of course, a few here and there he did not know or could not tell who they were and figure he would try to find out by the end of this party. For now however, he simply slipped into the crowd. Easily acting as if he had been there the whole time, he tried to keep to himself for the time being but that prove fruitless as he was approached by a buxom woman in a full length, blue feathered mask who pulled him into a dance. Apparently, the woman was drunk and there was naught Adrian could do to decline her invitation without making some scene and so he simply indulged the Lady.

[Fool the Gander]

Late afternoon, the sun high in the clear sky. It was a hot summer day like any other and the young teens were all quite happy to be out of school. All about, the school kids scattered. In other areas, friends came together, each and everyone having their own destination in mind. For one Ethan James however, just you typical everyday school kid with his lanky build, messy blond hair and bright blue eyes, he was currently making his way towards his reddish-brown headed friend. Beside the red head was of course his other friend, a meekly looking light brown haired individual. Desmond and Victor, named respectively, they were and probably the most close knitted people he knew. It was a mystery as how two completely different people became such good friend. Then again, Ethan sometimes wonder how he, himself, even manage to wiggle his way into the group. Desmond was not really the most favorable person to be around after all, what with his family's notorious background as is. It made people too scared to go near the boy. And Victor. Well, Victor was Victor. That introverted kid who barely talks.

"Oi!" Ethan calls out to the two, somewhat out of breath as he ran to catch up. "Wait up!" Reaching their side, he began to animatedly talk about one thing or another, not entirely caring about what it was. Truthfully, Ethan sometimes wasn't even sure what he spoke of most of the time. And sometimes, he also doubted he was even considered their friends. They probably just tolerated him but for Ethan that was enough. He didn't really have friends to begin with anyway.

"Hey. Did you hear about that old looking bookshop located next to Mrs. Wilson's flower shop?" He sounded like a kid hyped up on too much caffeine and sugar. But they should know he wasn't. Ethan was just that way naturally. "I heard some kid at school say the place is haunted." He laughed out loud. "I don't believe it but I hear Mary Anne (a classmate of theirs) say that some of the people who goes in their ends up disappearing." A thought came to mind then, a grin spreading across his face. "I heard (Ethan tends to hear a lot of things) that it was haunted by no other than Mr Larry, that's the shopkeeper, dead wife come back from the dead." Ethan shivered excitedly. "Oh! We should soo check it out!" And without even waiting for their reply, he grabbed hold of one of their hands and dragged them towards the oh so mysterious bookshop, not caring at all if wanted to or not.



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All too happy that Desmond and Victor were willing to follow him, Ethan literally skipped/ran all the way to the bookshop. Passing Mrs Wilson shop, he had almost collided into the overly busted woman as she tended to her flowers outside her shop. He only tossed her a grin when he heard her hollering, telling them to slow down and watch where they were going. Ethan rolled his eyes as her rant continue but dint bother to stop and listen as he zoomed into Mr. Larry's bookshop next to hers, the other two obviously in tow as he had a vice like grip on Victor's hand.

It was a small little place, the entire room basically cover in stacks of books that towered all he way to the high ceiling. From where they stood at the entrance way, it was bright and airy, the glass panel door bringing in the light. The farther in though, where the light didn't reach, those tall stacks of books cast numerous shadows about the room, giving off a rather eerie effect. Ethan was thinking now that perhaps coming here wasn't such a good idea after all. Well, it wasn't like he ever had good ideas to begin with. The phrase think before you leap had never applied to him. But now he was very much considering it though. Letting go of Victor's hand, he took a hesitant step back to hid behind his two friend. He puts forth a brave front but in truth, Ethan was just a simple coward.

"M.. maybe this wasn't a good idea after all," he murmured from behind the two and toss a gaze at Mr Larry was was eying them with a rather mysterious look from behind the counter he sat. Ethan shivered. Maybe he was a pedo? Ugh. How disturbing that would be!

"I just remember I'm allergic to books." Not true. He loved comic books after all. But still, it was the best excuse he could think of at the moment. He gave a broken laugh. "How about I wait here and you two explore?" he offered then and gave the two a push forward.

[Fool the Gander]

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_________SABABU . AKAI - a neko prince
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[Fool the Gander]

[Fool the Gander]

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ganFOOL
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅xxx ★ ever heard the sayin' . . .

▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅ 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' ?


Dirtied fingers dug into a pile of rubble, the young man doing so tossing one rock after another over his shoulder as he tried to get to the treasure buried within. Or what was left of it anyway; and it wasn't what one would actually call treasure as it was neither gold or jewels. To others, it would just be junk or trash but to the young man, any remnant of the old technology that was taken away from them was worth their weight in gold. However, he doubt he would find anything good or possibly anything that would still be fully intact or working but be whatever it was that he was going to find- the young tinker- Kaitani Vise Ell - would no doubt be able to make some use of it. It was his specialty after all. He had always been quite good with his hands and being able to make things from scraps. Then again, the majority of contraptions he put together never particularly worked the way he wanted it to though. At the thought, Kaitani had to grin, remembering how many times his work blew up in the face of his many companions, leaving them either angry or annoyed at him. Oh good times- good times indeed.

Causing trouble and keeping things lively was always a favorite of his. Being in the rebel wasn't exactly all fun and games after all and it was hard having to always be surrounded by the tense atmosphere that hung about the camp. Kaitani had to wonder though why he even bother to join the rebellion anyway? Well- the only conclusion he could come up with anyway was that it was in his blood. His old man was in it and now so was he. Heh. It just couldn't be helped when kids take after their parents.

Chuckling softly at his current line of thought, Kaitani continued to dig, wishing to get as much done as possible as night was quickly approaching. With the ground all damp and mushy from the rain not so long ago, it was already hard moving about and Kaitani had no wish to stumble around in the dark. The abandon ruins within the swamp wasn't exactly a place any would want to be in at such a time anyway. If one wasn't careful, they would no doubt end up lost or dead. The young tinker was not an idiot though. He had explored the place many times already, starting from the rebel camp and inching further and further into the swamp each day as he mapped out the place. It wasn't long before he was able to determine a steady route that lead him here from the base. His little makeshift map wasn't complete however as he had only manage to come so far as to the edge of the swamp. It was too much of risk to head deeper into such an unpredictable place, suicidal at the least, especially since he was alone.

The sun was already long gone by the time Kaitani realize how long he had been there. The moon was already shining brightly above in the clear night sky, something he was thankful for as he hadn't remember to bring any sort of light with him. Although silently cursing at himself for not noticing the time sooner, he was happy nonetheless with the finds he had made during the time spent here. Placing the items into the shoulder bag he had hanging at his waist, he wiped his muddy fingers on his pants before he began making his way back to the rebel camp. Kaitani stopped though when his eyes caught an orange-red glow from the distance. It shone brightly, flaring high above the treetops, making it very hard to miss. While trying to figure what it could be, the scent of smoke carried to him by the wind made him realize soon enough and from the direction it was coming from, Kaitani knew there was only one conclusion. The nearby town was on fire! But how?! Why?

'Dammit! What the hell is going on? Dun tell me that stupid Babiki ordered the rebels to attack the town!' Although wanting to check out the situation in the town, Kaitani had a feeling that Hibiki wouldn't be there. It just didn't seem like something the man would do. Then again, it wasn't like he knew the other all that well to begin with. Turning around, the tinker began running back to the rebel base. Swiftly he moved, his lithe form granting him much agility as he maneuver his way through the dense forest. Not long after, Kaitani was at the rebel base and while running pass the few rebels who remain, the small tidbits he caught from them told him well enough that Hibiki was indeed still here. No doubt he was also in his usual office as well. Since Kaitani wanted answer, he wasn't just going to sit around and wait for them. If he had to, he would demand it out of the other.

Inside the main building, he had slow to a brisk walk and just as he could see Hibiki's office ahead, he barged forward, the close door being forcefully pushed opened. Kaitani was sure he had brushed pass someone when he did so but paid no heed to the other as he just couldn't be bother with the person at the moment.

"Oi! Babiki!" the tinker exclaimed while red brown orbs glared at the man before him. Kaitani was currently standing in the open doorway, breathing heavily ( as he had run quite a bit ) while his fingers gripped tightly unto the doorknob. He continue to glare at the other for a second longer before his gaze slid down to the gun that laid upon Hibiki's desk. His lips twitched wearily at the sight. "Dun even think about shooting that at me Babiki," he quickly huffed out before stepping fully into the room and coming to stand only a feet away for the desk itself. Arms crossed haughtily over his chest, he tossed the other an annoyed look. "What's going on?" he asked, getting straight to the point now. "Why'd you give orders to attack the town?! I dun remember you discussing any of this with us, Babiki."

[Fool the Gander]

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starter:
It was a wonderful day, came the thought of one man as he sat upon the floor of his stone cottage. Before him, lines of books were spread open while every now and then a light breeze would pick up and make its way into the room from an open window. The playful wind would flipped about at certain pages or so, turning them to the next page as if it had a mind of its own. No doubt it possibly could though for the man situated within the room was no ordinary man. He was a mage of great power and he could basically make anything possible. Anyway- following his current line of thought, the mage, Niklaren, was very much at peace with the world at the moment. He was in a very good mood as today was one of his very rare days of when no idiotic villager had come to bother him. No one asking for herbs or potions or anything of the likes. Of course, he had wonder why did they bother to come in the first place. Niko was not a very much liked person after all. Then again, he could only guess that it was because his remedy always worked. The man chuckled softly at that thought, thinking of how amusing people were in being so biased in everything they do. Smiling, the mage continued to silently read, becoming absorbed within his studies as the time passed.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Niko felt a disturbance in the air and his peaceful moment quickly slipped away. He frown at this, becoming annoyed at himself for knowing that such wonderful moments would never last and silently cursed at the people who dared to step foot within his forest and cause trouble. As much as he wish to leave it be, Niko knew he couldn't. However, he did not move from his spot on the floor yet and only raised a slender hand as he flickered his fingers towards the open window. At that moment, the wind picked up once again, this one more livelier than the first. And as sudden as it had came, it was then gone, leaving in it's wake only the echoes of it's howl. It was some moments later before Niko followed after it.

In the forest of where the cornered prince and the gang of bandits were, a very strong (and abnormal) gust of wind began to blow, bringing with it clouds of dust and leaves as it swirled around the group of bandits. It binded them, taunting them with it's sharp and stinging blades. It continued to do so for a long while until the mage himself appeared from behind the curves of rocks and trees with a very angered expression upon his face that border closely to being demonic. Niko brushed passed the prince, not even bothering to spare a glance his way as he approached the bandits.

"If you care for your lives at all, I would suggest you leave now," spoke the mage in a cold and harsh tone of voice that would no doubt sent shivers of fear down their spines. "If you refuse, blame me not for the consequences that is to come."

[Fool the Gander]

[Fool the Gander]

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Garath stared about his surroundings with mild disinterest but kept on the alert, carefully looking for any signs of trouble that could come about at any given moment. Corus, the chestnut stallion he rode, trotted with an ambient grace, a calm beast he appears but one cannot judge by appearances alone. He was war bred after all. Calm and well-natured in time of peace but no doubt a beast fit for battle he was when the timed warranted it. Currently however, Corus stamped restlessly forward as another horse, Hyde's own, shifted and blundered into his chestnut's hindquarter. Annoyed, Garath pulled the reins, ushering himself back and clucked at the animal to quiet him, his hands coming to pat at the chestnut's neck. The beast swung his head about and huffed up at him, blowing air through his nostril. Garath had to smile at the action, amused as it appear his own horse was trying to soothe him or tell him that he was not so ill-bred to go wild like the other horses here.

Still amused, Garath bought his attention to what it was that was alarming the other animals and felt it before he even saw it coming. The ground shook violently and as his eyes drew upward, the knight could feel the hair at he back of his neck stand on its end as he witness the large metallic monster fall from the sky. 'Was he seeing things?' he wanted to asked but judging by the others expressions, he knew that he wasn't. Momentarily too stunned for words, Garath could distinctively hear the princess speaking, the sound of her haughty voice bringing him out of his slight daze. Remembering the job at hand to escort the princess safely to Exorsus, his quickly braced himself, body basically hair triggered now for any sign of danger he was expecting to come once that 'thing' had fallen.

"Something just fell out of the sky, right in front of us, too, and I'm not going to just sit here wondering what it is when it could be something extraordinary! Go!"

Those were indeed Seraphina's words and upon hearing them, he turned his horse to face her, an objection at the tip of his tongue. Annoyed to see her dismounting, he drew Corus near her Terrus whilst ignoring the arrow that she drew and glared down at the stubborn woman, giving her a look that basically said he had no time or mood to listen to a bratty princess.

"I forbid anyone to go near whatever that thing was that fell. We do not know what sort of threat that thing may possess for us and I will not have your highness or the lives of those under my care be place in danger." He was too late however upon hearing Hyde's defeated reply and Garath turned to see that the man was already off before he could even stop him. Heaving a sigh and looking somewhat defeated, he gave in and slowly dismounted from his stallion. Once his armored feet found their bearing upon the earthen ground, he brought his gazed to the remaining people, his attention falling upon the mage and the rogue.

Seeming to sense his eyes upon him, the mage returned the gaze with a penetrating one of his own. The man, whomever he may be, was a mystery and Garath couldn't help but think him strange the moment he had suddenly appeared before them just some hours ago, saying that he was a traveling mage and wishing to travel with them whilst seeking their protection until they reach the city. Garath did not find the man a threat however, but then again, there was always room for caution. Those nice looking one always turned out to be the bad guys in the end. But throwing caution to the wind, he would place his trust with this mysterious man and that hired rogue for now.

"I shall not leave the princess side and expose her to danger," Garath began and brought his gazed upon the rogue. "Sapphire, follow Hyde and offer him your assistance." It was an order and his words left no room for objection. He was in command. He was not going to let the princess have her way in this. Thinking that, he then turned to the mage. "Though you have no obligation to assist us if we were to be thrown into danger, I would gladly take any form of help you can offer us." The knight said naught else and left it at that as he turned about to face in the direction of where the crash was, his hand upon the hilt of his sword, pose for a fight if the need arises.

The mage, Alberich, who had been silently watching everything with a calm, yet calculating gaze, smirk at the words that fell from the knight's lips.

"I suppose I owe it to you and your people at least," came his softly spoken words as he went to stand beside Garath. "For your offered protection and kindness for allowing me to travel with you, I shall offer the use of magic as a form of payment."

Alberich could see the knight chuckle softly in response to his words. Smiling to himself, he chanced a glance every now and then at the princess as they waited for the others to return.

[Fool the Gander]

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