This entire week had been unusual, first meeting a prospective rune knight member and maybe a friend in Era town followed up by attempting to escort a vital index with three strangers but failing the task when confronted by two unknown individuals. The start of the week helped soften the blow as losing the index would have devastating outcomes for the Rune Knights. For this reason, Kon, a member of the Rune Knights and recently appointed Seated Knight was sitting at the bar front of the inn he was residing at. He had taken up residence there as it allowed him the peace of mind from having to deal with too many rune knight members who might otherwise chastise him for failing his task. The purpose for being at the bar front was an attempts to drink away not only the recent failings he had committed but also his past ones causing him to reflect on the death of his brother.

Running his hand down his face he drew up his wine glass and attempted to drink from it only to find air as his reward. Calling forth to the inn keep he drew up his glass causing the man to pull out the wine bottle containing the alcohol that matched the drink he had been drinking throughout the night. Each time he took a drink from the wine he was now reminding of Alice, the woman whom he had met and shared the wine throughout their psuedo-date. As the man poured out his drink Kon withdrew his wallet and placed a note on the front and received a small helping of change.

Wine glass in hand, Kon left his chair where he had been sitting for the last hour or so before taking another seating in the corner of the inn where he could oversee both the entrance to the building along with tonight's entertainment, a gentle jazz band accompanied by a stylishly dressed singer who spoke words filled with both sadness and joy. He could sense from her tones along with the mood of the crowd around him that spirits were at an all-time lower with the town being attacked and murders being known to have been committed by unknown individuals.

Her legs were carrying her because it was necessary but Alice was tired of all the jobs she did, all the things she tried to forget what had happened the last couple of days. There were moments where she completely forgot but there were moments, when she was alone, when there was no one to distract her mind from going back and forth to what happened. It felt like the whole town of Era understood what had happened, the mood was a lot heavier than the day she arrived, three weeks ago. The clouds were heavy and gray and it wouldn't surprise her if it would rain. She also had the feeling she stood out with her orange coloured hair, that's probably the reason why people knew her name or had seen her face. Not only had she pretended to be a knight during an auction, she had also been hit quite hard on the temple and knocked out for a good few hours, "Come on Ophelia, a little bit faster, we're almost there." She tried to let the Cleffa walk by herself as she wanted but she wished it would go a little bit faster, the inn was not that far but it felt like it was pulling on her. Inside everything would be fine, that's what she promised herself even though she knew it wouldn't be true.

The idea that Lacie was around here made the conflict in herself about what to do worse than normal. She at first had been relieved, her dear sister had been there no matter what fights they had as children, however there had been some sort of dread that she had not understood at first, memories were still lost, there were pictures with an unclear surrounding but a vision of her and her sister. Something had happened, something very bad and it was Lacie her fault, if only Alice knew what it was it would be a lot easier.

Finally Ophelia had stepped inside the inn and Alice lifted her up, done with waiting and walking. The Cleffa didn't even complain as she walked past the main hall, said hello and entered the bar. She wasn't entirely sure if she would want to drink here, in her room or not drink at all but she could use some way to lighten her own mood, "Eh.. Savignon blanc please." The only thing she could remember from the name, she took the glass that was handed to her and turned around to find a possible seat. To her great relieve she saw Konstantin and the dark cloud in her mind, lightened up a little as she walked towards him with one question, "You mind company?"

Mulling over his drink in a pit of despair and self-loathing for his incompetence regarding the state of the town but that was a result of other reasons. Scanning across the room as he drank from his glass, he noticed as his potential love interest came into the inn, whilst they were still residing in the same inn and had gone on that date with a fantastic outcome the pair hadn't been together for almost 2 weeks either from requests that they took or the work Kon was required to complete. Fortunately, it seemed that the two had time for one another as after she obtained her drink from the bar which seemed to match his own, he was approached by her to join his company. Without hesitating he rose his glass to her and pointed it towards one of the chairs that were stationed around the table. "I'd love you to join me, Alice it's been too long truly." His mood had brightened not only with just simply seeing her but talking to her once more. "I assume you've been busy as well completing the multitude of work that's stacked up from the citizens in Era town? I'm also pretty sure you know about the various instances that took place here...." Trailing off as quickly as he started.

Wanting to avoid talking about such unpleasantries at the start of what could easily turn into another date, he changed the subject to her instead. "So How have you been?, I'm guessing you're still working out when it's the appropriate time for you to join the Rune Knights, honestly take your time." With no concern echoing in his words and a small smile resting on his face from her sheer presence. "I noticed you've bought the wine again, it's really nice isn't it?" Finishing as he took another drink of his glass.

She had walked to the spot where she had seen Konstantin, at that moment no longer thinking about all the bad things that happened the last couple of days. A smile appeared on her face as she made her way, she didn't worry this time about what she was wearing. Her hair was in a high ponytail and even though she wasn't prepared to meeting him and thus not dressed up, she didn't mind her cream coloured crop top and black trousers. She could sip up her leather jacket to hide her bare stomach if she felt uncomfortable but for now she didn't. "Indeed it has been." She replied as he confirmed that he thought it had been a while since they last see each other. She went to sit down and placed Ophelia on the ground and handed her, her backpack so the little Cleffa would be occupied.

Her smile disappeared once he mentioned why they were probably busy, she nodded at first before actually acknowledging the matter, "Some of the jobs in town requiered me to work at night and well apart from a few days in the infirmary, I simply enjoyed meeting up with old acquintances." Which brought her immediately back to bumping into Hans and LeeAnn and the matter of Lacie. She looked away for a second before realizing that she didn't have to think about her twin at all, there was company and she would gladly be distracted by Konstantin his presence. She didn't forgot his question about her time about joining the Rune Knights which shift her mind from that one thing Lacie must have done that she didn't remember as well as what she had done the night at the Auction House, "No, no I don't need more time. I am sure, I think there is no better time than now. Considering the circumstances and after what happened, which means that yes I was involved, I don't need to wait for another written invitation," it was to her own surprise that she said that but she meant it with every viber of her being, she had pretended to be a knight to stop Isaac from whatever he was doing, that meant that it could only be her job to join the Rune Knights and try to support them in the period of what was coming and happening. With that she took a sip of her wine, which made her smile as he pointed out that they had used the same sort of wine on their first meeting, date, what would you call it? "It is lovely. As well as it is to see you again."

Things had been difficult for the rune knight however he refrained from mentioning, instead choosing to remove it from his thoughts for now. In the presence of Alice that meant little to him at the moment for she was all that he had been seeking. She revealed to him that she had taken upon herself to complete jobs during the night most likely choosing to sleep during the day as a result. Nodding his head, he couldn't help but question the hint of sadness that was etched on Alice hidden by her smile. Refraining to making any comments at least for now, he listened as she revealed that she had made her mind up in joining the rune knights which was fortunate news considering he had submitted the claim already. Laughing to himself, he tried to hold his tongue before apologising. "Well, that's great to know considering I might have already submitted those documents for your approval into the rune knights. Surprisingly from my commendation you've been granted the rank of Seated Knight, it surprised me, to be honest."


The fact that she had enjoyed the wine so much that she had selected it a second time brought him joy as it meant to an extent they shared at least a similar taste in alcohol. Moving back to perhaps a more pressing concern Kon questioned her with grave concern. "Did something happen to you since we last parted? Did something go wrong during a request?"

She felt like she talked to much and there was this pressing issue of Lacie. She had been angry at first, very angry the moment she thought about it but also confused and hurt. Not only because someone didn't mention her twin sister but because she couldn't remember what Lacie had done to her. It must have been something childish but it was such a pressure on her mind that she simply couldn't let go of the possibility. She looked at Ophelia for a second before turning back to the point that she wanted to talk about, there was probably more and the concept of Lacie would possibly come but she didn't want to scream, yell or anything, people had their reasons right and so would Konstantin. She looked at the table but quickly changed her gaze to Konstantin with surprise in her eyes, "Me? A Seated Knight? You must have been really positive about me in that document of yours."

She was knowing just as well that they were avoiding the matters at hand in Era. A smile plastered on her face to not show what she thought but Konstantin probably could see right through it. She first thought that they would stay in the bubble of their perfect meetings but he asked her and she shook her head, "No, not like that." Where would she start, would she ignore the happenings in Era, continue that perfect atmosphere but just ask about her sister or would she ignore her sister and break the perfect bubble and tell him about the Auction that she visited.

"I don't know what to say." again she looked at Ophelia before she decided that the pressing issue of Lacie wasn't that pressing, she had waited long enough to be done with that problem. Maybe she would have to ask about Lacie after she figured out what her sister had done, however she looked at Konstantin his eyes, trying to find an unspoken answer to why he didn't mention Lacie. They looked so much alike that LeeAnn confused them and he had seen the both of them as well, did he.. go on a date with Lacie too? Her eyes became a little bigger because of the new thought that had come up in her mind, "I went to an auction with Selena, she thought maybe some of my old family belongings would be there. I don't know because there was this suspicious looking guy and I focused on that, trying to stop him from apparently throwing a bomb, however he hit me knock out and some guy I met before, Kenny, brought me to the infirmary where it took about a day before I woke up again." She said it all rather quickly because she didn't know what to tell, the perfect bubble was already broken before.

She too seemed surprised by the sudden position of power that she now held partly because of Kon's reference. Officially he had done his duty to the Rune Knights however in the back of his mind whilst writing the recommendation he couldn't help but give his report on her fantastic praise. Lucky she wasn't angry with what he had done or at least the position had somewhat distracted her for now. Wanting to close the matter at least for now whilst also remembering that he held the items she would receive as part of joining the Rune Knights on his person which were the equivalent to his own just without the modifications. Removing them from his jacket as a plain brown leather bag with the rune knight insignia on it and he handed it over to her by placing it onto the table and sliding it to her. "My review of you was what any other rune knight member, it was perhaps the way in which I had tested you that allowed me to refine on what talents you could bring to the rune knights." Pointing at the bag he placed on the table he continued. "Inside you will find all that you need as a rune knight there's the official Rune Knight attire though a majority of the time I abstain from wearing it, of course, you can choose not to as well and simply put it in your spatial dimension? was it? I forgot what my brother called it, of course, there are many other things in there just take a look at your own discretion."

Moving past the formalities of introducing her into the organisation the conversation moved back onto the terrorist attack at the auction house apparently she and Selena had gone there in the hopes to find some possessions of her family however the building was targeted by a man with seemingly no allegiances though he would most likely be from the same party as the people responsible for stealing the index, breaking out the prisoner from the rune knight's hands and attempting to destroy the Headquarters itself even now the ship hovered near the town where few dared to approach.

Revealing her bout of unconsciousness as a result of this Kon's mind raced through the other possibilities that could have occurred during the incident. Honestly, the options forced his smile to vanish and a slight frown filled with concern regarding her health both now and in the future before trying to set the conversation onto the lighter tone as he wanted to refrain from bringing the mood around them back to where the two of them were previously. "Alice it must have been difficult aside from the being knocked out did you suffer any other injuries? Take care of yourself in the future otherwise I'll have to come with you where ever you go and protect you myself, well I mean my summons will protect both of us..."

She was really surprised about the fact that like this she had simply become a Knight. It wasn't disappointing at all but most of all, she was surprised that she was one of the Seated Knights. She felt really happy about that and she couldn't stop smiling and repeating it in her mind. She didn't even think about the fact that Konstantin had handed in the application maybe too early, why would she as it was exactly what she decided that she wanted to become. What would the old folks in Marigold think now? It was three weeks ago that she had seen them, almost a month! She didn't long to go back to Marigold but for one moment, which was something entirely new, she wanted someone to be proud of her.

She looked at the bag with the insignia, how would that work? But she first looked back at Kon and couldn't hide her happy smile, nor did she want to. She nodded, thank god for that spar. She couldn't help but chuckle a bit, "Right, I call it a dimensional pocket." The grin stayed on her face and she took the bag, looked in it for a second but decided indeed that she would check it out once she was on her own and less tired of the whole day, but she was definitely excited. She held up the bag and let it disappear into the nothing.

The struggle inside about what to talk about still took a bit of her strength, the whole reason why she talked. Why she ignored everything that her mind told her to ignore. If she didn't talk about the auction, it wasn't like it wouldn't have happened. If she did ask about Lacie, there would be an answer but the problem of her memory nor the meeting would not be solved. Eventhough the situation wasn't nice she felt a bit relieved and she understood partly that it wasn't fun to talk about but that would make it that they would ignore it, she would think about that later, "I'll be tempted this way, to find danger and be protected by you." She said with a smug smile on her face, her eyes were not smiling yet, "Is it true that it didn't only happen in the auction house?"

"Ah dimensional pocket, that's right," he said following up with her clarification. Remembering that the inn was also a restaurant of and having not eaten in a while, he turned his attention over to the menus placed on the middle of the table itself. Wanting to see whether Alice would like to move their conversation further with the aid of their food to fill the awkward gaps that would appear between each other from time to time due to their feelings both towards each other and their thoughts regarding the current events. Prior to questioning her about it though she remarked cheekily at his offer returning a smile to his face though reducing it once more when she asked about the other incidents. "Yes, unfortunately, there were a number of attacks that took place only one stopped by individuals from outside the Rune Knights which is disappointing as there are numerous members I know of and I was honestly perplexed as to why they didn't help." Sipping his wine before placing it on the table, he drew up his hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose before continuing. "I too was attacked whilst attempting to move an index with another Rune Knight and two Fairy Tail members strangely, the end result wasn't fantastic several civilian deaths as a result and the theft of the index, unfortunately."

Hanging his head in shame not wishing to reveal that one of those were from his own actions, Kon tried to move the subject forward, however, trying to find the right approach provided difficult. After a few moments though he composed himself before commenting further. "It was both swift and without warning, to be honest, it's been keeping me up at night, shall we move onto another topic? I reccommend dinner though in your case at the moment it would be lunch no?"

She had to ask questions about the situation. Especially considering the circumstances. She couldn't stay in the dark if she was now.. a Rune Knight. She really had to work hard on getting her memory back and not losing it again. Something she had been afraid of after she got hit on the temple. That's partly where your memory was stored, not completely but every damage done on her head made her a bit afraid. She didn't feel the need to tell that at the moment, maybe he would simply understand without saying it out loud. Afterall he knew about her amnesia. He explained a little about what happened, how could they have lost? She thought Era was the most protected city of all. He said he was disappointed in the fact that some Knights didn't show up and help or that's what she thought he meant, she bit her tongue to not talk about LeeAnn. She didn't want to and yet she did want but the sad look on his face made her not ask about her sister and his cousin right now. Besides she felt worried when he told her that he was in one of the fights too, "Are you okay?" The smug smile that she had on her face had completely disappeared after she had asked about this topic.

With this she simply accepted the changing of the subject, "More like supper." She answered to the idea of dinner for her, she turned to look to Ophelia and took a deep breath before she returned to look at Konstantin, "I met your cousin. LeeAnn, she had a pretty good excuse as to why she wasn't at the any of the battles." Since she was knocked out because of Hans but she wasn't going to add that last part, it wasn't entirely Hans his fault, "She was in a coma. I met her I think two weeks ago, I hoped she took her rest now." She took one of the menus from the table next to her, she wanted to eat something small, a salad would probably be enough. To do something, she opened her mouth to say something but closed it without uttering a word, forget it. "She met my sister in Crocus." It's not that important. She shrugged and looked at Konstantin for a second before turning her face back to the menu to find a salad she wanted.

With the quick and strong bond that they had formed Alice could clearly see there was something wrong with Kon as he revealed the mission he had been involved in whilst he could try and lie he found himself unable to find the right words instead looking at her with sadness welling up inside him and a forced smile etched onto his face. "I did something which I felt at the time was needed though the outcome remained the same, I'm at a loss at the moment..." Trailing off as he tried to move his focus downward towards the menus once more. "Look I really like you, Alice, I'll openly admit that and unfortunately I don't think it's wise for me to tell you perhaps in the future and when you'd be more likely to see things from my perspective."

Reaching for his menu with slight hesitation pausing midway through as she revealed that she spoke with his cousin revealing her absence was a result of being in a coma. As she spoke his focus returned onto her, concerned for her wellbeing whilst being recognising she had her fiance Hans to look after her and she was once more out and about he nodded before commenting about her health. "Yes well, LeeAnn is a bit of an odd one, to be honest, just another one of my extended family." Finally taking one of the menus into his hand and bringing it back to his person to look over the same menu he had gone over many times before. Whilst doing so Alice revealed to him that LeeAnn had met her sister, which brought memories of that brief encounter with her and a woman resembling Alice to come back into the light. "Ah I think I have met her admittedly I didn't want to mention it in case I was mistaken, my apologies as I understand you have lost a lot of your memories my memory as the night progress was impaired towards the end."

She was a little afraid of what had happened to Konstantin, she didn't even know what to think and could only stare at him. She didn't even find it awkward anymore, it just felt very natural. She had this worried frown on her face but refrained from moving mostly because she didn't know if for example touching his hand would comfort him. He didn't look at her, when he told her it was something he didn't want to tell her, not yet. The expression in her eyes softened when he told her that he liked her and that it was probably because of that and the fact that she possibly wouldn't understand his point of view, that he wouldn't tell her. "That's fine. Tell me when you are ready, alright?"

She had learned that Konstantin had two brothers at the very least, but now she had figured out that there was also one cousin. All she had was Selena and now Lacie although she hadn't seen her sister ever again. "I only met her twice but she is really nice." She bit her tongue to not tell that LeeAnn had suggested to ask him about Lacie. She now decided that she didn't care where Lacie was, not until she figured out what had happened between the two of them and when. She had been her whole life in the orphanage that she could remember but that was easy when you had amnesia, she didn't get much information from the owner of that specific orphanage. However Konstantin did exactly what she hoped he would do as she mentioned LeeAnn and her sister and she was a little more at ease thanks to that. His excuse did make a lot of sense too, "LeeAnn called me Lacie. That triggered some memories but as you just said I lost everything, however there is this feeling, I don't know how to describe it, a feeling that makes me afraid of her. I want to run to Crocus and find her but on the other hand I don't dare." She hadn't actually planned to say all this and she didn't know herself that she was such a blabbermouth, she was even surprised by it. "Not that it matters." she said but it was clearly that it did to her, she herself followed the example of looking at the menu again. Even though she just picked her salad already.

Willing to respect his privacy but also still caring for Kon's wellbeing Alice allowed the matter to be left alone for when he felt more comfortable talking about which was a great relief to him. He didn't know what he would do without the one person he had interacted with since the incident. He didn't know where his cousin was and frankly, he didn't want to see her purely because of the tension that also seemed to come about when the two met. With his menu partially obscuring his view to Alice he listened instead as she informed him that they had met no just once but twice. Amused about purely them meeting each other he couldn't help but let out a little chuckle and make a small comment. "What did you think of Hans?, A strange character in my opinion." Before returning to examining the menu. Business having slowed down a lot the innkeeper went to them in a casual waddle that caused his excess weight to wiggle amount. Noticing the approaching presence all the while listening to Alice elaborating about how she had regained a small portion of her memories. Happy about the outcome a smile drew across his face. "That's good to here, you must be dying to find out everything that you've forgotten, saying that though you won't like all of the memories that you might uncover, I, for instance, would love to forget some of my own." Just as he finished the innkeeper commented in a rugged tone. "What'll you have?"

From past experiencing eating at the inn, a majority of the food itself was good, as such he would choose to have a three-course meal and openly encourage Alice to take part informing her of the fact that he'd be paying once more. "Yes I'll be having the three-course meal with soup as the entree, the angus steak for the main and the mud cake for desert, Alice I'm buying would you like to join me in a lengthy dinner?"

She was also looking at the menu and looked up at Konstantin when he asked her about Hans. She couldn't see his face but she wasn't entirely sure what he thought about it, "Oh, well I haven't spoken to him much the first time we met. But he seems like a sincere great guy for LeeAnn." She didn't mind Hans, she simply didn't know him good enough to say anything, the way they had talked and how he explained bravely what happened to LeeAnn, she was positive about him. "I haven't seen him behave strange if that's what you say but it sure got me curious?"

She couldn't help but laugh a bit after his reaction on the return of her memory, "I bet we all do. In the four years that I do remember there are new memories that can go away too. I just wish that I understood what happened between Lacie and me." She frowned as she thought about it again, all that she could picture was her and Lacie and not even her mother, no home, nothing. Just her doll like sister, "You have seen her once, what.. what kind of person is she?" did you like her to? She shivered as her mind asked her that again and she simply looked away up to the innkeep that came to ask if they wanted to order something, which made Kon suggest they would eat a three course dinner and she was a bit baffled, not sure if she would be able to eat everything, "Ah why not." She quickly scanned the menu when he ordered first so she could come up with more, "Well at least I wanted to try the chicken mango salad as entree, and eh.. chicken lemon linguine," that was going to be a lot of chicken, And mud cake sounds great." She closed her menu and looked back at Konstantin, "I don't know how I'll eat all this but I'm going to try." She grinned because she tried to get back to a lighter conversation.

Evidently, Hans had become more sensible as of that with Alice inform Kon that he was civil when they met. "LeeAnn must have said something to him." He thought to himself. Interested in why he made such a remark on his character, Kon replied without hesitation. "During a rather personal discussion between Lee and myself, he took it upon himself to try and lighten tone mood, however, I took great offence to it as the subject was something I take gravely seriously, as a result, we had a falling out." Seeking to move the conversation along just as Alice intended to she agreed with Kon to an extent understanding that not all memories were always wanted, adding to that, however, she still maintained an urgency to learn what happened between her and her sister.

After doing so she asked him about him meeting Lacie and what she was like. Not wishing to have the innkeeper overhear too much of their conversation he waited for Alice to select her own meal and waited for the innkeeper to leave before responding to her question. "It's hard to say, Alice, I only spent a very brief time with her before I was interrupted and had to leave for work, I'm sorry I couldn't help further." With a slight sigh, he allowed himself to relax slightly. "You've got access to the resources of the rune knights to help you look for her if you want it should help a bit." Taking a sip once more, he scratched his chin before changing the subject over to recent happier developments with a smile. "Moving off topic, my companion Sparky evolved the other day no longer a Blitzle but a full-blown Zebstrika and what can I say he is fast like scary fast I can ride him and he'll take me to the rune knight headquarters in about 10 minutes from here normally it's an hour or so...."

Alice frowned as Konstantin gave information about what happened between him and Hans and LeeAnn and she only nodded. Not entirely sure what she could say about it. She didn't want to judge Hans on something she had not witnessed but she could believe it, more because she would definitely see Hans do that in her own vision. His reaction on what happened with LeeAnn sort of proved that and she could also understand that if the topic was important, no one likes to be hushed. She tried to push Lacie aside, thank god there wasn't an immediately reflection of her anywhere here because that made her jumpy. She would expect Lacie to be here. Yet LeeAnn had said Crocus, but people did travel. She couldn't understand why Lacie would leave their house, wherever it might be.

She first ordered before Konstantin answered the question or well tried to. It disappointed her a little and that was clearly visible, not that she considered it his fault. She just wanted to know more about Lacie than she could remember. She did remember that they were mostly fighting all the time, about something small but there must have been one issue at hand to why they had a big fall out and why Alice must have left or must be left behind. She nodded when he mentioned the resources of the Rune Knights, she was definitely going to make use of that however: "I will but to actually meet her. I'm afraid. What if there is something important that I'm missing. What if she doesn't want to see me, I mean Selena thought.." she hadn't said this but she would now, "Selena looked as if she saw a ghost. Apparently the family thinks I'm dead." She couldn't help it but take a gulp of her wine, she hated this subject more than anything but she was also most curious about it because it could possibly profide more answers than she had.

There was a short silence before Konstantin moved the topic to Sparky and she looked up with curiousity, "Oh wow." She said happy to hear, she turned to look at Ophelia again from the corner of her eye before turning back, "That's amazing. And very useful. I'm not sure if I look forward to the climb." But that was a joke, it was probably something she didn't mind doing as it felt like a way to improve.

The topic of Hans, on the whole, seemed to be dropped immediately after he spoke with Alice choosing not to reply to his comments. Unconcerned with this lack of interest in the matter considering she was far more likely interested in learning more about her long lost sisters he continued without needing to pause. It was only until he revealed the accessibility of Rune Knight Resources that she one more opened up to kon regarding her sister as it happened she was afraid in fact to see her unsure with what the outcome of their interaction might entail as her own cousin was surprised to see her, he himself had no idea how he'd respond to interacting other members of his family. His eldest brother he would probably try and kill, his great uncle perhaps do the same, it was unclear but it wasn't up for debate at the moment instead he merely nodded and listened as she spoke. Likely she had seemed to take the hint on the matter at least for now when Kon diverted the conversation onto his animal. The two shared the same opinion regarding his new Zebstrika with her even joking at the end, wanting to put his own spin on it and see how far he could go considering the pair had almost finished the first of the many drinks they would be having and replying. "Well if you want something as a stop gap you're welcome to ride me." Finishing off with a cheeky grin, seeing whether she'd recognise that he had delbriately left out the with in his comment.

Luckily in case the joke was taken in poor taste, the innkeeper returned to them once more asking whether they wanted anything. If the joke didn't get well received he would ask the innkeeper for the bottle from which the wine had come from, just had they done when they first met, otherwise he would be rather bolder in his choices in alcohol. Typically he refrained from many of the harder spirits perhaps having the occassional whiskey or brandy however in this instance, he would order a shot of pure uncut vodka for each of them. "Yes Can I have two shots of vodka?" With the innkeeper merely nodding before leaving allowing him to explain the vodka. "Whilst this isn't vodka from my homeland I'd like you to sample something similiar to it hopefully it won't be too strong for you."

Alice was kind of getting used to the minor flirting, the casual ways they talked to each other but this, she was a bit astonished about his bravery, not that she had doubted that for a second. She hadn't just been aware of the possibility and thus had no way to react but turn very, very red in her face and mutter a: "I'll keep that in mind." She looked at the table but tried to keep her eyes on Konstantin, she also couldn't help but smile. It might not be the most romantic but she found it funny too. When she was over most of the shock, she still couldn't stop grinning which made it seem that she was quite okay with the comment. She wanted to say something, but not something stupid especially not after.. "At least I know where to find you." Stupid. Had she been too long alone that she didn't even know how to flirt properly?

Alice frowned when he ordered two vodka. She didn't seem to hate the idea, she was just a bit surprised, wouldn't it be smarter first to eat a bit before going on to more alcohol? She looked back at Konstantin and nodded about the idea, "You got me curious enough. I hope so too that it isn't too strong." She at least had already eaten something before. She watched as the Innkeep brougt the vodka as well as the first course. "Okay, how does that work, it's like a shot?" You gulp it down, you take sips, she would just wait and see how it worked.

His cheesy remark as it seemed wasn't at a complete loss with Alice perhaps even considering his offer in the near future. Even commenting on her knowing where was he residing amused with her reaction he commented. "Well if you want me just give me a shout out." Their relationship still on the whole undiscussed he questioned her about such matters. "Alice, I know we haven't seen each other for that long nor seen one another during that brief period, however, I feel that the two of us should perhaps further out the relationship in some senses I guess many would refer to it as become a couple?" This was where he was truly laying down all of his cards and show exactly how he felt about her. He immediately started to pray his hardest hoping that Alice would accept his proposal and was trying to regret what he had just said.

The conversation turned back onto the vodka with her curious about the concept of the drink taking up the rest of the talk between them. "Well it's perfect strong admittedly, but it won't affect your palate for our dinner tonight Alice. As for how you should drink it, just one hit all in one go." The innkeeper took two trips to their table once to provide them with their drinks and the second their entrees. Once both trips had been completed he took the shot glass in his hand and brought it up whilst looking at Alice with devotion and focus. "To good health."

She was actually smiling, she didn't want to hide it but she couldn't help but look away to get that still awkward blush away from her face. She turned back to look at him a bit surprised because he said her name. She wasn't used to people saying her name, mostly she felt like it didn't meant something good to get someone's attention. She relaxed a little because it wasn't something bad, "Oh, eh." She didn't want him to feel bad so she quickly had to decide what to answer. What did it matter how she said it, as long as she said it, "Okay before I say it wrong. Yes I would love to, I just didn't know how to answer, I thought about it myself as well but I thought maybe we didn't know each other well enough but what I like most for now, is just how it feels that I know you well and that I can be myself and say what I think." Stop rambling, but she thought that he would understand as he had done before, she couldn't help but smile sweetly, "You are pretty brave to say it like that." She was actually rather satisfied by the idea, which was absolutely a good thing, "Does this means we will see each other more often too? Because I like that."

It felt weird to not know a drink and yet share it. In one way or another as it was just a shot that she would try out. She wasn't entirely sure how you could compare drinks to others and she was more curious than nervous, she would see. She looked at her salad, it looked interesting she waited till the innkeep returned and took the glass as well and looked at Konstantin, "To good health, indeed." She took a deep breath before she took the shot and felt the burning sensation in the back of her throat, she shut her eyes not really used to it but she didn't mind it as soon as it disappeared again, "Okay that's new." She couldn't help but giggle a little, not drunk yet right?! "So assuming the vodka from your hometown is better, can you tell the difference?" It wasn't mocking as if there wasn't a difference, it was genuine interest.

Kon couldn't help but blurt out a little chuckle at Alice's rambling towards his offer. Not wanting to give off the wrong impression about himself, he waved his hand up and shook his head. "Of course I was just being silly, by no means would I expect you to knock on my door and do anything that's just crazy." his upfront nature towards wishing to continue their relationship further seemed to be met with praise instead of disgust which surprised him considering the offer he proposed wanting to elaborate on what she questioned him about he responded after a bit as he allowed his palate to recover from the vodka. It wasn't bad but in no way was it authentic like how his family made it back when he was a young adult and allowed to drink. Finding the right words he continued. "Of course, in fact, I was considering going to Magnolia town soon enough I want to get out of Era town it's a tad too depressing here at the moment and I heard the weather was a bit better there at least for now."

She too soon drank the vodka revealing her ignorance to the drink, allowing him to explain about it as they ate their food. "Yes, this is noticeably different from my homeland, we made our own you see or at least the workers for my family did, they used a unique locally grown potato variety that was brought overseas many years ago which was grown in greenhouses it provided more refine flavours and is far stronger than this. I suspect this is made using a rice, wheat blend, bah!" he said in exclamation. "Forgive my outburst, I perhaps have become to accustom to the finer things in life, hmm back matters, Magnolia town, yes?, no?, maybe?"

Her cheeks only became more red when she understood that he misunderstood, "Oh I mean.. yeah course not. I was talking about us becoming a couple." She tried to hide the crimson on her cheeks but that would be impossible unless she would look away agai, which she didn't want to do because she wanted to be sure to be clear right now. She had asked him if that would mean they would see each other more often and it took a few seconds before she understood the question, because of course and going to Magnolia, which she hadn't planned, was a bit of a confusing anwer. She frowned and took a bite of her salad just to think if she could immediately leave to go to Magnolia. She didn't remember ever being in Magnolia. It was an interesting idea.

She needed to think about it a bit longer and wonder if the question was directed to her to come along. It would make sense, wouldn't it? So she instead asked about the vodka. She couldn't help but laugh again a bit because of his outburst, "It's fine, totally. Especially if the difference that you know so well is very different." She really hadn't mind this one but she was wondering about the sort of vodka that he spoke about, must be better than this one. However he had also asked her the question that she had thought about in mind, "I would love to come along." Which was an honest reply, "When did you plan to leave?" She had to at least get some time to show her face at the Headquarters right? Perhaps took a job, she would have to read the information, or was it because of the Knights that they were leaving?

At this point, Kon couldn't contain his laughter instead turning it into slight fits of snickering. "I'm so sorry if there has been a misinterpretation on my part as well, it's just so fun to tease you sometimes with your face glowing crimson whenever you get hot and bothered. It's something I really like about you, to be honest." He had started to find it a lot easier to open up to her than other individuals though of course he still needed to be on his guard as much of what he could say could easily bring the conversation to a halt and their potential relationship that was it up for debate. Wanting to make it clear that he was being serious on that matter he ensured that he wouldn't be mistaken in regards to his previous statement. "Let's give it some time I think, to be honest."

With the conversation moving back to the drink once more he merely nodded acknowledging where she stood in that aspect. The matter of travelling to Magnolia came about with her curious about when he was going. Thinking back at the documentation he had received the day prior he replied after counting out the days. "Well it's not a long trip so I won't have to rush there on Sparky but I'd like to get there by the end of the week though tomorrow is preferable as it gives me time to prepare for what I need to do there and set up contacts within the town as I haven't been there for a while."

Alice her cheeks didn't become less red thanks to the comment Konstantin made, "Well at least that's a good thing." She was smiling though, she wasn't offended or embarressed, she was glad he didn't mind it. She got an idea but the problem was more how to work it out, she looked shortly at Ophelia before deciding that it might be stupid but the best she could do. So she took a deep breath and got up, the two steps around the table weren't a problem and probably because of her movement it was possible that Konstantin was watching her, her cheeks turning crimson again because of her decision made her probably look cute as she wasn't as brave with talking and showing as he was. So she gave him a kiss, very quickly because she was embarrassing herself and that in the middle of the restaurant of the inn. She simply took the few steps back to her chair, shrugged off her leather jacket and flipped her hair over her right shoulder as if nothing important happened, only her red cheeks told more.

She would simply continue the talk about Magnolia and when they would plan to leave, which was fine with her and she let him know that. They would eat, talk and she was already thinking about how to pack everything that she needed with her. It was a nice night and it made her forget about how bumped she had felt with everything that was going on. Moving to Magnolia was a very smart decision. She would kiss goodbye and see him soon again which she totally looked forward too, packing not so much. She would take Ophelia and head to her room, better start immediately.

Exit.

The conversation continued on for the remainder of the dinner though with it being briefly stopped by Alice kissing him slightly confused but enjoying the kiss nonetheless he smiled regardless of the fact. Soon however once the two had finished their food and they chose to not continue their evening together they parted ways. Alice was the first to leave, he remained there for a brief while longer polishing off another hit of vodka that he ordered just towards the end of the service after Alice left. He wasn't looking forward to packing, there was so much now with his new armour, his general attire as well as his Zebstrika's caparison though he'd just throw it on the stead before they left along with whom he assumed would be Alice.

Though now that he thought about it as he hobbled his way over to the stairs, he could just wear the armour and put his other clothes in a briefcase attached to the side of his Zebstrika. Clicking his fingers in his realisation he moved toward his room and slid out of his clothes folding them up neatly before placing them into the aftermentioned briefcase until he was wearing nothing save for his undercoating consisting of a lightweight white shirt and some black briefs.

[Exit]