Welcome to Gaia! ::

The wind was quite pleasant today. That was the thought that ran through Zejx's mind as he and his companion sat on the roof of the tavern. They had been sent to scout out the area and report any demonic activity that might be occurring. Hopefully it was just a wild rumor, but the council wanted to make sure. So they send two heroes of the war to do recon. Talk about over kill. This wasn't something they usually did but for some reason they were very insistent on it. Almost as if it was meant to be. Like somewhere it was preordained that they had to be the ones to take this mission. Very rarely were members of a mission decided by name. Normally it given to a commander to decided who's skills fit the mission. But not this time. This time, Zejx and Jurido were named specifically. Something about this wasn't sitting right with him. It was as if he was meant to be here. He felt like everything that has happened was preparation for what was to come. No matter what. Even if he had done something different, the path would still have brought him here.

"Earth to Z. Hello? You there buddy?" Jurido waved his hand in front of Zejx's face. "Everything okay?"

Zejx snapped out of it and look to Jurido. "What? Yeah. What's up?"

"Nothing, it just seemed like you were somewhere else there. We are supposed to be keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Not day dreaming."

Zejx shook his head and let out a sigh. "I wasn't day dreaming. Just, thinking."

Jurido chuckled a bit. "I'd ask you what about but I have a feeling the answer will be nothing." He slowly stood up and stretched. "Well just try and stay focused. The faster we complete this mission, the faster we can get home. We may want to finish this before your fan club realizes you've left without telling her."

"Oh shut up"

Jurido gave a laugh and returned to looking out at the city. Zejx remained sitting down as his worry of the mission slowly returned.

Jurido was the first to notice. "Welp, That didn't take long."

"What didn't take..." Then Zejx noticed the spirit energy.

Jurido let out a sigh. "You told her didn't you."

"I was with you from the moment we received our orders. Or should I say, you were with me. You made a point to keep me from being able to."

"Hey that wasn't my intent. I just wanted to make sure you were ready to go as fast as possible." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter now anyhow. We had better make ourselves known before she attracts..." He paused for a moment and grinned.

Zejx looked at him confused for a moment but soon figured out what he was thinking. "No. We are not using her as bait to draw out anything that could be out there. Not a chance in hell."

"I know. I wouldn't even dream of it. Come on lets go." The two started to make their way across the rooftops toward the spirit energy. About half way there, Jurido looked to Zejx. "But you know it would be a good trap."

"NO!"

Jurido let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. Take all the fun out of it." Nothing more was said until they reached Marin. Jurido was the first to speak.

"Marin. Glad to see you. You should have heard the plan this guy had." He gave a smile. "Something about good bait or something. Don't worry. I talked him out of it."

"Yeah Zejxy~ Haven't you learned anything yet? You aren't supposed to go anywhere without the miss's permission." Jurido shook his head. He really has taken to given his old friend trouble over Marin. It used to bug him but now he has just learned to go with it. "You really can't help yourself can you? Gotta always have your girl at your side."

Zejx tensed up slightly when Marin latched on to him. Even after all these years, he wasn't used to her 'attacks'. "H...hey Marin. What are you doing here?"

"Yeah. We already figured as much with the fact that we were named to this mission. This mission is for cadets. Not two decorated war heroes" Jurido smiled at Marin. "So your saying you came all this way on a rumor?" He nudge her a bit. "Or could you just not bare the fact that I was getting more alone time with Z than you?"

Zejx let the two talk and remained quiet like he usually did. He kept his attention to watching out in case something was still on its way. Marin could still have attracted something and they just happened to get there first.

Jurido's grin grew. "I know right? Aren't you proud of us?" He looked at her like a child awaiting a mothers praise. "We even waited till the cover of night before entering the capital." His face returned to a normal look. "But you still haven't answered my question."

"O...okay. I guess" Zejx decided to just go with Marin and not put up a struggle against being dragged away.

Jurido shook his head. "Now don't you two get into any trouble without me." He crossed his arms and smiled. "Oh and be sure to be back by dark. Z tends to get a bit grabby in the dark."

Zejx glared at his old friend until he was no longer in sight. After a bit he decided to to speak to his 'capture'. "So was there somewhere you wanted to go? Jurido can cover part of the Capital while we cover the other I guess."

Get a hotel huh? I think that would be a great idea. Yeah right. Like Zejx would say something like that. It's not like he wasn't attracted to her, it's just he wasn't sure if how she acted was true or just her being playful. Or really if he actually felt anything as well. They have known each other for a few years now but they fought in a war for about half of that. At first he was bashful and didn't know what to do, but soon he started to open up. They had spent some time together talking and stuff. They even went to the Celestial ball together. Okay she practically dragged him there but he did enjoy it in the end. But then the war started soon after that. During that time they hardly saw each other for more than maybe a day. She would be her usual self every time they did meet up, but usually there wasn't any time for them to be alone. In fact, this would probably be one of the very few times they have been alone since the war ended. Maybe she was serious about it. Or she could just be playing around. He wasn't sure. Maybe he should bring the subject up? See if there was something there?

"Hey Marin. I was wondering." He looked at her for a moment. "Do you really.... feel the... way you...say you...do.. about..."

He stopped himself there. Unable to continue. He wasn't sure if he was more afraid of the answer, or how things might be based on the answer. More than likely his face was probably red and she might be wondering what he is trying to say. He had better come up with something or just man up. They were on a mission and didn't have time to waste on building up courage. Wait, the mission. Right. She had come all this way because she was worried about the mission. Besides, he wasn't even sure how he felt anyway. He usually spent most of his time planning out a mission, or getting stronger. He had to stay strong or else....

Heh heh. You know you want to. Just ask her.

Oh no. He has spent so much time questioning himself that he let his guard down. HE was awake. Or at least waking up. No. He had to stay focused on the mission and staying in control. He looked down toward the ground and finished his question or at least a question that would fit. Not the question he meant to ask. No, no matter how much he wanted to, he may never be ready to ask that question.

"About... the mission? I mean... Do you really think it could be something big?"

There you go. Take the cowards way out. That's what you always do.