Guild Meeting

[swallowtale]

Who: All Ad Libitum Members (and gatecrashers?)
What: A guild meeting
When: Midday after all events currently going
Where: Blessenwood Guild Office
Why: It's time to get organized!
Status: Open

Comments

[petapetakapu]

[With the other leaders finally requesting members, Jade supposed he would follow suit. He was, after all, the one to inform the members of one of their choices for transfer: Ouin, a city of machines. Pushing up his glasses and masking his eyes, he chose to let his words and presence.]

For those of you who don't know, I am Jade Curtiss, leader of Ad Libitum's Ouin Chapter. I suppose this would be an opportune moment to mention more about the branch that I lead. Like Unicia, Ouin lies on the central continent, meaning that one must travel for a short while to reach it.

Ouin is far more urban and technologically advanced than Blessenwood. However, I would appreciate it if you did not transfer for the sake of experiencing city life. Ouin is best known for its magitechnology. I would like to ask the assistance of anyone familiar with the technology or even mechanics in general. Of course, prior experience is preferable, but if you are willing and capable of learning, do consider joining.

[Details could wait until he had his team of lackeys in place. Had he not said more than enough already? In any case, finished what needed to be said, Jade took a sip of his tea--after an adequate pause, of course--and waited for his peers to continue with their introductions.]

[dual_punishment]

[As soon as the Colonel raised the tea to his lips, the door to the meeting room swung open dramatically, letting in light from the hallway beyond and revealing a small figure silhouetted in the radiance.]

It figures you'd be a leader here too, Colonel ~♪ Fon Master Guardian Oracle Knight Ionian Sergeant [Pauses to take a deep breath] Anise Tatlin, reporting for duty! ♥

[Anise raised her hand to her forehead in a salute and winked at Jade in an undeniably cheeky manner.]

[petapetakapu]

[The colonel felt a breeze as the door swung open at what was, no doubt, an awe inspiring entrance. However, he continued to sip his tea and took his time to set it down. Only then did he pay attention to Anise beyond some form of entertainment.]

Ah, Anise. You found your way back. [He suspected that she'd come all the way from Auldrant, though she had already graced Blessenwood with her presence once before.]

My, what has become of our motley crew's manners? You should know better than to interrupt a meeting of all things. Why, I almost mistook you for our Goodwill Ambassador.

[He was laughing. With his eyes.]

...Of course, since you've taken the trouble to grace us with your presence, you might as well stay.

[dual_punishment]

[The young Fon Master Guardian puffed out her cheeks in exaggerated annoyance. She had wished to catch the Colonel off guard! Guess that was pretty impossible when you think about it but it didn't stop her from trying]

What do you mean back? I just got here! And I was tryyyying to make an entrance.

[She flipped a pigtail and crossed her arms indignantly, striding to the table near where the displaced Colonel sat.] You're never surprised by anything. [She added the last phrase in a mock huff as she placed herself in the seat next to him, then afforded Jade a wide grin. Despite the act, the young puppet master's eyes were sparkling. She was so glad to see Jade here, a friendly face among so many unknowns.]

[petapetakapu]

[Jade took another sip of his tea just as Anise voiced her confusion as to his greeting. Oh, what terrible timing, as it would be improper and unbecoming of him to answer with a mouthful of a hot beverage. Someone else would have to answer for him, as, in the time it took him to swallow his tea, he conveniently forgot exactly what he had said that required clarification. Curse this old man's memory. Luckily, Anise had continued without the answer.]

And made an entrance you did. Such passion! I was so surprised that I simply couldn't react.

[As Jade spoke, he feigned (quite obviously, at that) mild awe. Of course, as with most of his emotional displays, he seemed quote phony. Of course, as she sat down, his usual wry smile reappeared--not that it had completely left to begin with. Oh, look, it seemed that he had managed to collect a lovely new minion without actually doing anything.]

Given your presence here, I take it you're interested in joining this guild.

[dual_punishment]

Yup! Ion and I both want to join. [She eyed the Colonel a little] But only Ion gets to stay back and heal people or something mostly. I'm still the Fon Master Guardian so his safety is my first priority!

[She quickly switched gears, lest the Colonel notice the every so slight blush that rose to her cheeks whenever she mentioned her charge. No one else would ever notice, but Jade? He was probably the most observant person she knew, and this was including herself!]

So you're based in some other town, right? Ouin? It sounds kind of like Sheridan from what you said. I'm sure you can make room for Fon Master Ion and you're cute little Anise, right? ♥ [She pointed at her own large smile for emphasis.]

[fonic_chord]

[Tear had been watching the entire production since the moment Anise had burst in through the door. It was... in the middle of an important meeting... disgraceful. Still, the melodist could not help being glad that the Ionian Sergeant had now joined them, and she suspected that this setup would be extremely beneficial not only for the Fon Master, but for Anise herself.

Tear shook her head slowly, palm to her forehead, and emitted a hardly detectable sigh from her chair.]

Perhaps you should excuse yourself, Colonel, and allow the rest of us to continue with business while you provide Anise with the basics.

[She said this because, no matter how you looked at it, this served as an interruption, but there was a slight hint of amusement there. This behavior wasn't professional, but she couldn't be too angry - this was a reunion of sorts, after all.]

[dual_punishment]

[Anise pouted mightily at her buxom fonist friend.]

Tear, aren't you happy to see me? From what Ion told me you guys have all been here awhile, so didn't you miss me~?

[She looked from Tear to Jade and back again, putting on her best puppy look to fish for praise, though her expression soon changed to thoughtfulness.]

...how is it possible you two've been here all that long, though? I mean, for Ion and Asch that makes sense... [A cloud of sadness crossed her youthful expression for a moment before it was quickly buried.] But I JUST saw you guys on Auldrant!

[petapetakapu]

[Jade seemed vaguely perplexed by Anise's question, but at the same time, he gave the impression of knowing the answer. Maybe it was just because he didn't seem at all concerned. However, he looked up and folded his arms. But really, Jade admitted to being perhaps a little too senile to act that well.]

Hmmm...Yes, that is quite the interesting puzzle. Care to enlighten us, Tear?

[Oh, that's right--Anise mentioned something before that question. Even if it was directed at Tear, Jade took it upon himself to spare her some of the chat. Strangely enough, however, his expression hardly changed, as if her question had perhaps stumped him a bit.]

Oh...yes, I suppose we did.

[dual_punishment]

[Anise had known the Colonel long enough to tell the difference when he was passing the explanation on because he didn't want to tell it and when he was passing it because he truly didn't know. This was the latter and Anise cocked her head slightly at him but said nothing about it. Everyone else might have thought Jade had all of the answers all of the time, but Anise knew even though the Colonel was pretty darned amazing, he was still human. She flashed him a pleased smile at the admission that he had missed her, then turned and regarded Tear with her best mimic of Jade's own expectant face.]

Yeah, care to enlighten us, Tear?

[fonic_chord]

Eh... me...?

[Tear sighed. Apparently it was pointless to attempt further getting this meeting on track.]

I was told that Martel, the Spirit currently residing in the World Tree is the one who brought us here. If we agree that there are many different worlds in the universe, judging from what we know of our current Ad Libitum members, then it's fairly safe to assume that not only was Martel able to summon individuals from different worlds, but from different times within those worlds. I have noticed that the calendar system here differs significantly from the one on Auldrant - it's possible that time travels at different rates on different worlds. It may also be possible that we will be returned to the instant from which we were taken. I certainly don't remember anyone disappearing suddenly and for a considerable amount of time in the midst of our journey together.

Anise, what's the last thing you remember?

[dual_punishment]

Well, we were all running away from the falling pieces of Eldrant, after Luke...

[The puppet master trailed off and picked half-heartedly at the wood of the conference table. Sure Luke had been pretty annoying, but in those last few weeks he'd really shaped up and Anise was not so blind as to miss that his metamorphosis was in large part to Tear, whether she knew just how much of an effect she'd had on him or not. The young guardian knew, however, that even if Tear was unaware of her effect on Luke, the two had been...

Anise shook her head quickly, as if trying to rattle the memory of Tear's last words to Luke back to the back of her mind. Now wasn't the time to remind Tear or the Colonel of what they'd lost. And besides, the young hero might even show up here! Seeing as both Asch and Ion had, it wasn't so far fetched.]

...sorry. But yeah, we were escaping and I got hit on the head and when I woke up I was under that huge tree. Er... Martel, I guess.

[fonic_chord]

[A muscle in Tear's jaw tightened slightly for a moment and she glanced off to the side. No, there was no use in thinking about what had and hadn't happened. There was work to be done here, and it couldn't be ignored. Everything else would just have to wait. Tear returned her attention to Anise, forcing off whatever emotions were threatening to take hold.]

It was the same for me. I too was exiting Eldrant when I suddenly found myself under the tree.

[dual_punishment]

Hmmm...

[Anise turned to Jade and cocked her head to the side quizzically.]

What about you, Colonel? When are you from?

[Haha, "when" are you from. That just sounded so silly! She'd have to remember to tell Ion.]

[petapetakapu]

[This conversation was interesting to say the least. Why participate when he could listen to this talk of the mythical land of Eldrant? While he rather disliked the thought of predetermination, when baited with the future even he became somewhat curious, especially upon hearing Anise's comment. He watched her without comment just in case she and Tear chose to converse--really, he had nothing to contribute, so why interrupt?]

[Alas, Anise kindly made sure that he was not excluded from the discussion. It seemed the curiosity traveled in both directions. It was a shame--he was still somewhat interested in hearing how they could have traveled to a legendary place--and crumbling? Had it fallen like Hod? He had already become somewhat inquisitive when Tear had first avoided telling him, but upon hearing this, his interest in the subject was rekindled.]

[Of course, he could hardly keep Anise waiting, now could he? As soon as she asked the question, he chose the words he would string together. As tempting as it was to feign knowledge of this Eldrant incident in order to hear a little more, Tear already knew--oh, and he might set a poor example for the impressionable youth.]

When indeed? If I recall correctly, it was shortly after a short series of pleasant encounters with certain God-Generals.

[Perhaps he should have been more specific. That had summarized a great deal of their journey--Oh well, he would see how satisfying of an answer that was before he added more detail.]

[dual_punishment]

[Anise puffed her cheeks in annoyance, but wasn't entirely surprised at Jade's short and relatively uninformative answer. That was just the Colonel. Heck, if Guy was here she would have expected Jade to make him explain for him, seeing how Jade either saw the task as beneath him or simply disliked explaining things; Anise never could tell which it was.]

That's the whole journey! You gotta be more specific.