Gilded Eye and Ruby Heart (Closed)

[Flamebird]

A crunch sounded as the redhead lowered her head. Shadow covered her eyes. Her fingers clutched the edge of her side of the table. Her face appeared red. Her body shook. It was as if she was a volcano, about to erupt.

“Excuse me, gentlemen?”

Felicity recognized that voice. In response, she growled. Her lips were curved in a tight scowl as footsteps approached the tense table. From the sea of strangers and drunkards surrounding them, a boy submerged. His long, white hair hang across his grey trench coat. He wore a white shirt and black trousers beneath. He seemed to walk a bit awkwardly, as if he was a toddler who only nearly mastered how to take steps. Yet, his fair eyes were calm; his face was far more relaxed compared to the fuming ragechild.

He took a proper bow, at least the bow he was accustomed to. Legs crossed, he lowered his upper body and tilted his head down, “I see you’ve met my partner. Has she found a case?”

He swiped a chair from a nearby empty table, sitting down between Felicity and the drunk bounty hunter. The girl grew even redder, his face more of an awkward frown, as he continued. One leg hung over the other as he laid back. The chair moaned as he motioned towards the blue haired man. “I apologize if Felicity here is awkward or whatever. She has reasons to experience paranoia everywhere she goes.”

“Gwenael!” She hissed a bark, “Shut up-”

He cut her off, continuing. “See, she’s eccentric.”

Her fingers slipped from the table. Visible marks were left from her gripping it so hard. She did not fight back, however, as he employed diplomacy.

“Lassie's one of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. No wonder we’ve joined forces. So, if we’re doing whatever mission you folks are on, let’s get to it.” He raised a hand in the air, snapping his fingers to get a waitress' attention. She came over, he spoke, “An orange cream soda pop for me, a hot chocolate with frosting on top for her, please?”

As she walked off, drowning into the background of meshed people and voices, Felicity's thoughts penetrated his. What are you doing?!

This mission you just took on is too deadly to partake alone. He shifted in his seat, eyeing the group’s captain. Besides, if I left you alone one more moment you would of become a living bomb. Please control your anger?

She stood up, “I need to use the fresher.” Still the color of a tomato, the heat of a jalapeno, she silently stalked off.

“Now then,” Gwenael shrugged, “While we wait for her to cool off.” His eyes softened in tender seriousness. “Not only is she sweet, she’s an incredible fighter. The way I see it, you need all the muscle in this party of yours as you can get. Felicity is honest, but she also…”

The waiter placed their beverages down. His finger was on his lip as he searched for the words, “… For someone her age, her experience and strength came at a cost. She's wary for a reason.” He cupped the pint of bubbling soft drink, “Please give her a chance? She needs this job more than you know, and you need it too.”

He smirked, “Besides, I’m with her!” He lifted the pint to his lips, “And with me in the group you can’t go wrong!”

He took a long sip of the soda. “Ah! Only in Alerar! This soda stuff is a dream!”

[Glacies]

Glacies watched the two... friends, associates... whatever they were as they had their little back and forth with a nonplussed expression. Whoever this other person was who had just walked up, bowed, and started talking was certainly making the attempt at being a charmer. The ice mage smiled emptily at the man, following his every movement from behind his spectacles. The other man started to explain the woman's outburst, but she cut him off before excusing herself to the building's facilities.

After that, the young man before him continued his explanation, without going into any detail. This was fine. Glacies had no need for the life details of the people he was working with beyond what possible use they could be for the mission. They could share more or less as they pleased, as long as they were trustworthy in the long run.

Besides, the man spoke true.

I'm going to regret this...

“You're right, I do need as much muscle as I can,” he admitted. “The problem is I must also be able to trust them not to do something stupid for emotional reasons.” He tapped his fingers against the table absently as he considered his options. “You know what? I can accept the help, as long as you can keep any... problems under control.”

Glacies kept his eyes on the man before him. “You'll be responsible for the two of you. You seem far more... collected than she is. If this is acceptable, you're welcome to join the expedition. Now, we just need to find a way to find this creature, and then to kill it.”

“Like I said before, all ideas are welcome. Anything could be useful... anything at all,” he said as he pressed the tip of his pen into the ink sitting on his table. “I mean, unless you'd rather spend the next fortnight in the jungle walking in circles with no guarantee of even seeing the thing?”