If there was but a single word to describe Orchidia at that very moment, it was "Pure." Snow, white and untainted but by footsteps quickly covered, fell in thick white snowflakes on slant rooftops. They piled on top of one another, the change happening without notice until it was already accumulated. What little light forced its way through the clouds reflected, making the entire city glow. How such a dirty place filled with so many wrongs and so much deceit could ever look so clean was irony at its best. It was no worse than any other within Fiore, arguably better due to the guild that resided there, but it had its share of secrets. Those little truths that begged to be discovered were somewhere within, buried within the snow.

Today was no the day that they would be discovered. At least, not intentionally. For the man whose presence was announced by the muffled crunch beneath his feet, there was only his destination in mind. His body was hugged tightly by warm cloth, stacked in layers on his body to fight the cold. His feet were covered by a pair of odd looking boots, ones that seemed to bend to his foot and allow full maneuverability despite their bulk and fur. Thick, baggy pants that looked of similar material to sweatpants were tucked into the boot, hugging his waist. His hands were stuffed into pockets of a thick jacket made of similar material, and around his neck hugged a scarf that looked as though it had seen horrendous conditions in the past few years.

His face was bare, rugged and sporting an even layer of scruff over his face and neck that did not look at place on the young mans chiseled and handsome features. Across his chest was as a strap, holding tight to his back a hilt that looked of far higher quality than his clothes, and the hilt of a blade that looked otherworldly.

The air about him was different. There was nothing physically to indicate he was anything other than a wanderer, making his way into a town that had buckled down for the snow. The wind blew over him, the snow clung to any surface that would accept it, and his nose tinted red to the elements. Yet there was a presence about him that demanded attention.

It was in his eyes that scanned the environment, passing over and memorizing every thing before him. It was in his slow and delicate twists of his head, craning his ears towards every little sound that did not come from him. It was in his even breaths that came without a shiver, as if he had found a way to simply ignore the cold.

It were as though a lion had found itself into the den of sheep, a predator that none would even identify.

Near the center of town, his face let on the first bit of emotion since his arrival. A sense of recognition, formed by raising eyebrows and a parting "Ahh," that found its way to no one. He continued his pace, neither slowing to analyze the structure nor speeding up to hasten his journey. Before long he traveled over one of the bridges of the moat which surrounded the guild, and the doors of the hall swung open to his touch. It was funny; Despite their size and weightiness, they moved as though they dared not resist his touch.

Beyond that door was not a hint of proof that the outside existed at all. Artificial lights shone a yellow hue reminiscent of the sun, and the sounds of laughter and joviality filled the halls from end to end. Song and dance were aplenty, and everyone seemed to know one another. There was hardly a glance at the door, and why would there be? This was Lamia Scale. It was one of the biggest guilds in all Fiore, with the most renown for its members being proficient in combat. Would there dare be an attacker? Would there even be a criminal who sought to wreak their terror upon these halls? There were a few idle glances cast in the direction of the door, but the sheer difference in lighting and temperature caused people to both look and shy away from the portal outdoors.

The door closed, and nothing had changed.

It was a slow change. A shift in the atmosphere, one that no one noticed. The lighting still filled every corner, and heat still radiated from the floorboards. Dance and song reigned supreme, but there was a challenger to their throne.

Silence began to eek its way through the guild like a poison, introduced unnoticed and spreading in its benign way. People found their eyes drawing to the strange individual whom had entered. Few recognized him, and none knew his name, but still they found themselves looking at him.

There was a presence among them that did not belong. One who could pose a threat to their wonderment, to their fun. The peace that felt so natural was fading, and yet nothing had happened. It was a calm before the storm.

Would it even hit the shores?

If one would ask when it got so quiet within the guild that a pin could be heard hitting the floor, no answer could be given. It happened so gradually, then so abruptly, that none had noticed. Yet now all were aware of its deafening pressure, and the sense of wariness that radiated from this traveler like a warning.

"Something warm to eat, and some water please." Jewel was slid across the counter to the bartender who had long since cleaned the glass within his hand. Then on cue, like a dam giving way, things were back to normal. Dance and song, laughter and shouting. The hall went back to a celebration of life and companionship, and the stranger was left back to his vices. Whoever he was, he seemed to mean no harm nor ill will.

In fact, he did not. He was a member of a guild much like this, but his path had not allowed for him to have such a care free mentality. The past years had changed him, carving into him as though he were marble and forcing him to take shape in a way that he could have never seen himself before. He had grown and matured, and perhaps in other ways decayed. Yet he was here, alive and well, and he was waiting for someone whom he had not seen in a very long time.

The noise of the guild hall seemed to form a white noise to the young adventurer. Where most people would be energized by the upbeat nature of the establishment, he seemed to simply faze it all out. His expression had still not changed, and while a water was placed before him, he found himself only hoping that the hot meal would be soon to follow. The guild halls were not usually one to pander to random passerby's, but today was an exception. A good guild would always help someone in need, especially when the weather outside was willing to swallow up any who stayed exposed too long.

The chair beside him became occupied, but it went without catching his interest. He made note of it, but otherwise paid it no mind. It was perhaps a telling change to whom his guild knew him to be. The outgoing, happy individual who would willingly spark conversation chose to instead ignore whoever took the seat beside him. It could raise the question of whether or not something had happened, or perhaps it would go unnoticed.

Even her words had not alerted him to who she was. People often spoke of those they held dear, of how the memories could withstand even the test of time. That was, of course, a complete and utter lie. It had been two years with some extra months in between since he had heard from anyone he knew within Fiore. Who could expect him to remember their voices, or the inflection of their words? Time, and the moments that filled it, did well to wash away such nuances.

It wasn't until his name was spoken, soft enough to almost be washed away by their surroundings, that he began to focus in on who may be beside him. His body tensed, visibly so, and his eyes widened. His mouth pulled tight like a drawstring, and his hand had found itself on the hilt of his sword before anyone would have taken notice; Proof of his mastery. His eyes found themselves to the woman who had said such a curse, and he had every intention to cut down her and anyone else with her if need be.

Then, just as quickly, there was recognition. Faint for a moment, without the precision that would have helped fully relax him. She spoke again, but the ringing in his ears practically blocked it out. He heard her, but there was a delay in his processing.

Alisa?

He was pulled inwards to an embrace, her arms around him and clutching onto her back as if afraid to let go. Slowly he let his body relax to her touch. His arm fell away from his weapon, draping over her shoulder, and his other arm came up from the table to wrap around her surprisingly slender body. "Alisa," he whispered, telling himself that it was her and that he could relax.

She finally pulled away, and with a tired smile he locked eyes with her. She hadn't changed a bit, still powerful and beautiful as ever. She had always self ascribed the role of checking in on her guildmates. She must have felt truly surprised to see him, and now that she could get a good look of him, her surprise would likely have mounted further. His eyes looked tired, rings telling that he had little sleep. His body moved slowly, a tightness that seemed more uncomfortable than anything else. He seemed like he felt out of place, and that was a very strange way for him to carry himself.

Rather than give her the time to investigate, he moved the conversation forward. "What are you doing in Orchidia?"

Alisa had hugged him rather suddenly, pulling his head into the crook of her neck, right near her collar bone. The act had caught him off guard, the stiffness of his muscles as she pulled him forth indicating that he was neither prepared nor expected such a thing. He seemed ready to strike, as if he had to be prepared for such tests for his life. This reaction was temporary, though. Her grasp on him seemed to warm his frozen body, allowing his face to soften and muscles to relax. He leaned into her embrace, his eyes closing, as he accepted the embrace from his old friend.

Home...

It certainly didn't feel that way, and yet here was a taste of what he remembered. Those he was close with, those who truly cared about him in one way or another. Words flashed through his mind, gruff in sound and tired in their tone.

"Your adventure isn't over, Finn. Go home.... Please."

His vision blurred for a moment, eyes closing tightly to force away such things as she released her grip on him. He sat up, clearing his throat in a way that would likely come across as more embarrassment from the hug than hiding his emotions. She spoke, and her response caught him off guard immediately. His eyes widened, lips pursing and spine straightening ever so slightly. Demons had attacked?

His expression, due to leaning over the counter slightly and looking ahead, would likely be hidden from her. Still, if she was paying close attention, his body language would give away the fact that he knew not what she was speaking of.

She continued talking about them, regardless of if she had realized anything or not, and he listened in silence. As she spoke, indicating that she believed they'd be back, Finn interrupted, unaware if she'd planned to continue.

"Alisa, I don't know what you're talking about." His words were quiet, but seemed to carry much more weight than what was purveyed. He had his run ins with demons long ago. Humans who had accepted the tainted magic of Demons who had long since become evil. He had experienced an entire nation, wiped out by that parasitic evil. He had nearly lost his own life, and at the time he had nearly lost his brother as well. This had been years ago, immediately after Lance had died.

He had been certain that he'd eliminated every last being that had been involved in that incident. He had been positive that Fiore was far too powerful a country for demons of that caliber to cause any sort of damage or chaos.

So then how? How was Orchidia apparently attacked?

His eyes turned to Alisa, and in them was a fire that seemed more fueled by rage than by passion. color=#3366ff]"Alisa, you did well coming here to stop them. Demons are more malignant than anyone could imagine."[/color] His mind was playing scenes of the innocent, dying in front of him. Their fates were out of his hand. For him, especially at the time in which he strove to be a true hero, it was a sick and unusual hell.

A deep sigh escaped his lips, one that carried much of his emotion. His hand came up, running through his hair, and his eyes closed. He tried to relax, to let the tension ease from his body. After a few moments, his voice would come across to her quietly, but loud enough for her to hear.

"I'm sorry, Alisa. The past couple of year have been... Well, they've been hell." He opened his eyes and looked at her. For a moment, he wondered if he looked different in her eyes. His features still resembled themselves, of course, but he had aged through some of the most important years for a man. His arms had become stronger, shoulders broader, face more defined and prickly with hair. Did he even look like Finn anymore?

"It's good to see you... I missed you."

His eyes grew in surprise, head turning towards her and body following suit. She had definitely said that demons had made their way to Orchidia. He could practically feel his blade quiver with anticipation, and his mind replayed conversations between himself and his older brother. Of their parents struggle, and of their own duties as members of the Mertens family. Alisa continued forward, allowing Finn time to wallow within his own mind. There was so much to take in from only his first meeting, he couldn't be expected to deal with this all so calmly.

Yet he understood that it was what had become expected of him. He was the one to take in all information and confidently bellow out the next plan, or at least his own anticipation of the action to come. He had known his guildmate for many years before this and nothing had changed. Why would it suddenly be so different now?

She seemed to wrap up what she had to say with a question. It made sense, of course, that she'd be curious as to what brought him to another guild hall. For many others, it would be a sign of weakness in their own guild. Perhaps he had been planning on leaving Blue Pegasus behind completely? He doubted that she was thinking in such a way, but could he really have blamed her if she was?

To answer, he gave a begrudging smile and turned his body back to the hot meal in front of him. He nodded his head towards it, and a shallow laugh escaped. "I am poor, Alisa. I needed somewhere that I could eat and sleep without dying to the elements." His answer would have made her laugh in any other occasion were it not for the tone of his voice. He was being serious. He had not a penny to his name at the moment, all his funds untouchable within the banks of Fiore during this storm. All his money had been spent on travel, and the paths between countries were active enough to keep any sort of prey off the main trail for miles. Any sort of food he'd normally have been able to hunt for was long gone.

"If it was truly the movement of Demons that hit Orchidia, then it was no ones failure. There are creatures that exist that go far beyond what anyone can imagine. I've only heard about them in stories from my father, but they were never stories told to put children to sleep. They were of adventures and journeys that he had lived through. He was a man braver than I, and even he ran from them for his life. Alisa, if they are truly moving against Fiore, well..."

He didn't bother continuing that sentence. He brought a bite of the quickly cooling food to his mouth and practically inhaled it. A deep sigh escaped once his mouth became free, and he looked to his friend again.

"Something seems different about you. You feel more confident, happier, more sure of yourself. It's reassuring, and it suits you. Please, Alisa, don't allow whatever happens from here on out take that away from you." It was plea, and his eyes begged with more desperation than his words or tone conveyed.

Blue Pegasus had been known as being the most beautiful guild in Fiore. It was something that the members took very little notice or care of, but for others it was not a fact so easily overlooked. Every member, from Snowflake to Finn, had a striking physical appearance that managed to both allure and captivate those who looked upon them. It was a fact that became more true to him over the years as he had been approached time and time again. He had noticed his guildmates go through similar attempts of courtship and appeal. Yet, for all the attention they grabbed for such shallow reasons, it was without question that Alisa perhaps stood above all others as the most attractive female member of Blue Pegasus.

It had been a fact that had been all but lost to Finn over the years. He had gotten to know her well from a relatively young age, and the naivety that came from his introduction to society brought a certain closeness between the two. A boy with an obvious lack of ulterior motive had been captivating in its own right. How could one not grow close to such a deceptively innocent young man? Even once the truth came out of his blood lust in battle, the fact that he was a true friend would not be lost to those who shared his guild.

The same was true with her. Alisa held no desire to seduce the young warrior. She had never tried to use anything other than reasoning to sway his opinion. It was perhaps a sign of respect, or maybe that was just how she was. Tonight, however, was different.

He didn't know if it had been their time apart, or the fact that she had grown as a warrior and in confidence, but for the first time part of him wavered. He saw the position of her head as it tilted on her hand. He noticed her hair like silk, flowing from her shoulders and onto the table below. He noticed her playful wink and amused smirk; And he noticed his face flush ever so mildly and his eyes divert from her.

Which meant she noticed.

Rather than linger and allow the topic to be addressed, if she even would, he instead proceeded forward with their conversation. His voice was without waver, and he seemed confident in his words.

"You know that I fight with Blue Pegasus. My reluctance to go home hasn't shaken my loyalty." He had taken a few more bites of food while she talked, and in the pause that had followed between responses. He glanced over at her again, but he did not redirect after. Rather, his eyes searched hers out and stayed on her gaze.

"Please let me know of how things progress. Whatever you find, and wherever you need to go. I'll not let you fight this battle alone, Alisa. The other guilds, they mean well, but..." His voice trailed, and a mildly amused sigh escaped his lips. "Well, we Pegasi are the strongest in the land. What sort of friend would I be if I allowed you to fight with strangers?"

Their reunion had been short lived thus far, but it was enough to bring the adventurer more warmth than the radiant halls of Lamia Scale. It brought him more peace than the piping hot soup, and left him a sense of fulfillment. He felt as though he were wading in the shallows. He felt the strong current, an undertow that threatened to pull him into the ocean if he dropped his guard for a second. What he feared wasn't drowning, or losing control to the overwhelming forces being exerted on his body. What he feared was allowing the ocean to enter his body; To consume him from within.

His fear of the ocean had always existed, and it wasn't something he necessarily hid. This was different though. It felt symbolic, as though there truly was a nagging force on his body and spirit with more patience than he could muster to fight it. A small claw, slowly scraping away at his mind as though attempting to rid himself of any semblance of who he once was. To this effect, it were as though Alisa were standing on the shore, urging him to come in. He looked at her, and for a moment there was a glimpse of the old fire within his eyes before it was gone again. Extinguished by the water that still surrounded him waist deep.

She assured him that they'd not be falling out of touch like that again, and it warmed him ever so slightly. A smile found its way to his face, weak still but not so much that it appeared at risk of disappearing. "Good, that's... Good." He trailed off, as though he wished to say something else but had decided against it. She had enough going on, and it was likely that she'd become essential to the guild now more than ever. What she needed was Finn, not this hallowed husk that could offer no support and needed assistance with what; His emotions?

She spoke, responding to his almost braggart words, and a scowl came from more than just the bartender. People nearby, who heard their discussion, looked over and practically scoffed. Alisa was likely still as famous as ever. Who, though, would recognize Finn? Hood over his head, hair to disproportionate lengths, lips chapped and stubble thick was not the appearance people knew of him. And even those who had once known of the Blue Pegasus swordsman would likely have thought any sort of feats of strength he'd demonstrated to be false.

A split second was all it took for the atmosphere in the room to change. For but a moment, a forced silence fell upon the room. A bloodlust fell over the crowd, centered around a single man, that felt practically akin to those more powerful demons who had only recently laid siege to the town. Sharp eyes peaked out from beneath their hood, glaring back at a group who seemed unable to move or speak in opposition. This man possessed no magic, but which of them would know that? The forceful nature of the mana spilling out from him, and the sheer killing intent that it imbued within their souls, was enough to silence the whole guild hall.

Finn dropped his spoon within the soup again, glancing at Alisa but not attempting to read her response to his little show of force. It was excessive, and completely unlike a member of Blue Pegasus. Part of him seemed so self assured by it though that it was unlikely anyone would question why he did it, her being the only potential exception. "I think I'll stay in Orchidia for a while. Get my bearings. And then... I don't know. But I'll make sure to keep in contact."

His movements froze. It was funny to him how things like that worked. Normally, when you read about things such as that or recalled them from your own past, you'd feel as though time itself stopped to allow you time to process. Instead, it was a forced seclusion of self. A willful disconnect from the world around oneself, just enough time to take in what was going on through their own mind. Time to see, but not time to process.

As time continued to trickle on around him, he stared at Alisa in disbelief. He had something he needed to do. Something important, that would allow him to change. A metamorphosis that he had been putting off, perhaps for much too long. He wished to spend another day with Alisa before it. A week, perhaps, for them to catch up as things were. Allow them to wallow in the past just a bit longer.

That was impossible though. This was a chance meeting, one that he had neither expected nor asked for. Still, it was enjoyable to say the least. It was a hint as to what could have happened had he never traveled at all. Had he stayed here, with his family and with Jake, thing could have likely been different. Blue Pegasus could have perhaps helped prevent some the things that were about to come to fruition.

Now, though, it was too late.

As time resumed its full pace, Finn looked into Alisa's eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I'll do that sometime. Good bye, Alisa." And with that, he made his exit from Lamia Scale.

[EXIT]