It was times like these that people lived for. Sitting atop the hotel roof, legs dangling over the edge and eyes fixated forward, a smile brighter than the incoming sunrise rested upon the face of a young man. He had been out of the forest for quite some time, but this was an event that he couldn't fight the urge to witness. Although it didn't happen every morning, it certainly happened more often than not. The initial hues of pink and orange, followed by the cresting of the sun over the distant landscape. No matter how many times he saw it, the view managed to find a way to become unique.

Turning and swinging his feet back over the ledge, Finn quickly walked over to the doorway that had led the the roof. It was time to start his day, regardless of the fact that it had already begun. There were no plans for the day, but that was how he usually operated. For a man who hadn't taken on many quests, he certainly found himself accidentally involved in more than most. Be it tournaments or wild events that simply dragged him in, Finn found himself in the midst of it.

Era seemed like the one place that he'd get actual rest. This was the home to the Rune Knights, an organization that was akin to guilds. The main difference was their recognition, and the fact that they received funding from the Capitol. This allowed them to be efficient, well fueled for any sort of problems that arose. Such a thing was especially true of this town. Era had been the shining jewel of the Rune Knights, without incident for years. That was as much as Finn understood, at least.

That relaxation and laid back aura permeated throughout the town, infecting the people from all walks of life. Those who were well off and those who were not all seemed to be at ease with their place in life. The poorer people on the outskirts of town were often vibrant, willing to talk with others at their level of wealth and anyone who seemed new. Some of them only seemed kind to get close enough to pickpocket. A vast majority, however, held a genuine kindness in their heart that was almost infectious. Even the center of town, wealthy as it was, held a joyous feel to it. The poor here didn't seem specifically targeted due to their wealth like it had been in so many other towns. There was a cohesion that could only exist under the watchful gaze of the Rune Knights that made everyone so much more at ease.

It was this very unique feeling that made outsiders so much more easy to spot, even in the streets. The people had filed outside in hoards, enjoying the weather and the new goods that came with Spring. Even those who were not so well off enjoyed what they saw, and the fact that their own wares would now be bought with more frequency. There was a single person who stood out against the joviality, and it was this person who had caught Finn's attention.

He saw as she gazed upon a piece of clothing, her hand pressing to the glass. It was as if she believed enough, she thought she'd be able to just reach through and grab it. After a few moments of this, her back pressed to the glass in defeat as she slid down to a sitting position. Glancing from her to the glass, he contemplated for a moment to purchase it for her. That didn't seem like a wise idea though. He knew nothing of this woman. There was an equal chance that she would be offended by such an act that she'd appreciate it. Instead, wouldn't it be better to simply talk to her?

Closing the distance by cutting through the crowd, Finn closed the gap faster than anyone watching would have expected. He did his best to be polite, but he was a sturdy fellow. He could easily push through people, even if he didn't intend to. As the distance closed, his mind shot to Jake. His brother had told him how to talk to women, but something about the situation made it feel as if this was a slightly different scenario. Still, he had nothing else to lean on.

"Hey, is this seat taken?" His question was ironic at best, but it held no ill will. The sun refracted off his hair, its length now to a point that it swayed as his momentum paused, despite the fact that only a few tufts stuck out from his had. Without waiting for a response, Finn would put his back to the wall and slide down to sit next to her, a goo meter or so distance between them so as to not impose too much. "My name is Finn. Nice to meet you." Again with the smile that held not even a hint of malice in it. He was a unique person, but some people would feel more eerie around him than comfortable. Regardless of how they felt, it was who he was through and through.

Finn had noticed once she looked up at him, his eyes keeping her in their sights throughout his movement. The dried trails that had pressed themselves unto her cheeks were faint, but he certainly noticed them. Still, it was better to take things one step at a time. Whoever she was at the moment didn't matter, for to her he was still a stranger. A name could only tell others what one was referred to as. Neither personality nor past were given away with a title, regardless of what it was. He would take things slower than he had with others in the past. He knew better now.

As she started to reach a hand out and suddenly pulled back, Finn looked at her with a vague surprise. His eyebrows raised slightly, though his expression had not faltered. A gentle smile, neither oppressive in nature nor overly eager. A sort of content appearance that had made itself at home with Finn. As her hand had fallen back to her body and she asked a question, Finn looked away and up into the sky. While his gaze made its way from her, his lower body scooted slightly closer to her. If he put his elbow out he'd contact her before it could even fully extend.

"No, I'm not from around her. Or much of anywhere, I guess." His words were cryptic, though not eerie. They left something to the imagination without avoiding the question entirely, and yet he would not leave her on a total cliffhanger. "Right now I live in Hargeon technically. I'm part of Blue Pegasus, so that's where we set up shop. In reality though I just kind of live where I am at the time."

To some, his words may have been taken as more than what they were. To him they were the only way he knew how to word them. To think ahead and plan out what he would say was not a strong suit. Better it was to live in the moment and be true to oneself than to attempt to mold who he was into what he was not. With what he said finished, his gaze had continued to linger in the sky for a few more moments. It was as if her question had allowed him to see something in the far off distance, though without warning his head tilted over to face her. Had she been looking at him during that time, one may notice how close they truly were. Whether he had not noticed or simply had not cared, he continued on.

"Leyaria. That's a really pretty name, it fits!" Again his words threatened to betray their intent. To many, a compliment of any kind was an attempt of courting. A flirtation that was a means to an end, a compliment that had more behind it than simple niceties. To Finn, his words were exactly what they seemed. Her name was unique, and her appearance to match. She was a orchid among dandelions, and there wasn't a person who would not notice that had they only taken the time to look. His smile was wider now, though not at all forced. "What about you? Where are you from?"

When one looked at a glass through the light it became easier to see the imperfections. The cracks that could lie below the surface, distorting the light shining in. The brighter the light that was shined through the glass, the easier it was to spot these minor issues within. The fragility, the loss of structural stability, became easier and easier to see. In glass, these imperfections were usually permanent. To replace the pane was easier than finding a way to mend micro tears and internal damage.

People were similar in that way. When under the spotlight of another, their issues slowly came to surface. The fragility, the imperfections. The things that they tried to hide beneath the surface became more and more apparent as the light continued to shine. People weren't glass though. They could not be replaced, only repaired over time. There was no one who could repair a person though. No magical profession or mage could heal the internal damages of the psyche. They could only help those along who wished to repair their own damage.

Finn, however, was not artisan of the human mind. He was the only person that he'd known for a truly extended period of time, and even then he had problems understanding his own internal workings. He had not been around people enough to understand the deep complexity that was the human condition. Even with exposure, the fine details would be lost on him. There was something to be gained from this lack of experience though. He knew to trust his own instincts, regardless of the direction they pointed. While he was talking to her, though the moments had barely formed into minutes, it was enough to understand her a bit more.

The shifts in emotion that showed an internal conflict were obvious. Something beneath the surface was not right within her. Memories that tainted the present, whatever they were, would prove to be a problem for anyone. Her seemed to be enough to remain. Although he didn't know the details of the situation, he could tell that she was troubled. It was this understanding that pushed him into action. Who he was as a person would not allow for him to sit by and let someone suffer, whatever the cause. He had to at least to try and help in the only way he knew how, which normally meant simply winging it.

"There's something freeing about it though, you know?" His words sounded reminiscent, as if he was speaking from a far off place. "Knowing that there's no where you need to go back to. No where that has you stuck, a whole world in front of you to take on. Enough beautiful things out there to keep each day interesting," he was continuing, looking back to her and then glancing at her little companion with a smile. "Especially when you have such a loyal looking friend to see it all with you."

He didn't know if what he was saying was doing anything at all. Whether he was causing damage or closing the distance between this stranger known as Leyaria, he couldn't even guess. Still, all he could be was himself. If it appealed to her they would be friends, and if not then he'd certainly find out soon enough.

"Still, there's something nice about knowing there's a group you're tied with. I don't really know many people in Blue Pegasus well or junk, but every time I meet a new member they instantly are like friends. Something about knowing we all share a common place, I think." He was no mage. Most wouldn't expect a member of a guild to be without magic, and yet Finn was just that. He had no magic, no spells, and nothing to aid him other than his own physical abilities and Jake.

He was a unique case in every aspect, but it was his unique background and lack of special ability that made it so easy for him to relate to people. He had no bias, no preconceived notion of how people should be. He merely looked at what was presented to him, and treated it as it was. Yet it was that very simple action that made it so easy for him to get along with so many people. A blessing, though he had never seen it as such. It may even become the driving force in allowing him to befriend Leyaria, though only time would tell.

Finn had begun to prepare a rebuttal for the woman that had decided to snap at Leyaria and Geth. His words were stopped upon formation, interrupted by his new friend of all people. She sounded tired, defeated in a way that came over time. This wasn't a new thing for her, that much was true. A part of him was in disbelief, almost unwilling to accept that there were people so blatantly horrible such as that woman. Yet as hard as it was to accept, it was certainly true. Someone didn't become as trodden down as Leyaria without years of that behavior directed at them.

Still, she seemed like she wanted to push through it. Finn didn't know what to say, but it was obvious that he disagreed. The look he flashed the woman before she left was enough to make her scoff, but it was out of intimidation rather than disgust. As she hurried away with her daughter, he offered Leyaria another smile. It didn't hold the pity that many would have expected, but rather understanding. "No, they're gunk." It might not have been the same as making them akin them to an asshole, but it was to Finn.

As Finn began to explain his guild, in part to help take the subject away from the negativity that Era provided, he couldn't help but see some sort of disbelief on her face. Her words furthered his gut feeling. She hadn't had it easy, that much was for sure. As she spoke, Finn laughed a little and shook his head.

"I get ya. I don't actually have a magic. Nothing like that, just my muscles and my sword here," he said, patting the hilt that poked over his shoulder. "That was actually part of the surprise when I joined. You'd expect someone in a guild to have some sort of magic and whatnot. No one really targeted me when I didn't though. More like they wanted to see for themselves, some guy who thought he could keep up. When I first joined they were all really helpful in getting me involved. There are some people with their own problems too, and they keep to themselves, but... I don't know. I don't really regret it."

He realized that he had been droning on at that point. There was no need to continue speaking of something that he had now already spoken so much of. Instead, he looked over at Leyaria once more and attempted to lock eyes with her. It had seemed that his vision had shifted away again as he spoke, traveling the trails of memories as they flashed before his face. Now, however, he wished to make sort of connection with her before they spoke.

"Do you want to join?" His words were sudden, causing him to immediately laugh awkwardly and rub the back of his head. "Not to put you on the spot, you're free to say no. I have my own team within the guild, all of us with our own goals and own problems. Still, we work together and we have each others back. And the whole guild is like one disfunctional family. I can't promise it'll be what you're looking for, but at the very least I can promise to do everything I can to help. It just seems like you've seen so much bad around here. Why not take a chance to see some good?"

Her disbelief was real. Whatever she had thought of him, whatever she expected, it wasn't this. His words were meant only to be straight forward. Sure, they'd probably catch someone off guard. These two had only just met and yet here he was extending a hand towards her, inviting her in. Who wouldn't be put off by such a thing? Still, the absolute shock on her face was so raw. Whatever she had been through must have been rough, even Finn could see that. As she verbally questioned what she said, stuttering over her words, a compassionate gaze appeared on Finn's face.

As she worked through it he sat there in silence. His eyes never broke away from her, but they did not gaze on with judgement. He was simply accepting what it was for what it seemed to be, and nothing more. As she processed the information her silence spoke more than any words would have. She was considering it in its entirety, not just what was on the surface.

As she stood, his eyes followed upwards to keep up with her face. She was shorter than he expected. As her gaze searched for anywhere other than where he sat he wondered whether or not he should speak up. She seemed to be physically attempting to locate an answer, though unable to find one. As he prepared to speak, she finally spoke. Her words were quiet, almost as if they were fighting to get out, as her face showed evidence of an internal struggle.

As tears began to trickle down her face, she repeated his name as if it were to anchor herself to reality. Then, as her lips parted for an answer, she denied his offer. Her eyes had locked with his as she did so, though now that the message was delivered she was avoiding his gaze. As her knees buckled Finn rose to his feet as quickly as he could. She had caught her self on the glass of the window, but her stance was shaky.

He stared at her for a few moments before he could decide what to do. Reaching both of his hands out, he moved them to her shoulders and clasped them. His hands were strong and his grip was gentle, making sure not to hurt her but rather to reassure her.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Leyaria." His voice was smooth, lighter than it had been before. If she buckled any further he would have stepped forward to hug her, a further comfort. She was a stranger in every way but name, and yet he could not bring himself to leave her in this state. He felt attached and involved, and with someone like Finn it didn't take long for a connection to feel formed. "The offer will always be there," he assured, continuing to attempt to anchor her to the world with his contact unless she were to pull away.

"At the very least I hope you'll be okay with being friends with me. A real friend who you can count on whenever you need a hand," he said, glancing over to Geth. "That goes for you too buddy," he added in with a flash of a smile.

So many people viewed crying as a thing that only the weak did. To cry was to show a brand of emotion that was often associated with loss of control in one way or another. Frustration at what one could not do, sadness at an event that could not be changed, anger at actions now past. To lose control was a sign of one who was lesser, one who could not maintain what it was to be strong.

That was a foolish opinion though. Such emotions overcame everyone at one point or another within their lives. To believe otherwise would be fallacy at best. There were factors that people simply could not control. These factors often shaped peoples lives long before they were born, and would continue to shape the world long after they left. To allow an attachment to anything at all would mean eventual pain. It was one of the promises of life, one of the things that made it so worth living.

Finn was no exception to that promise, so why would he ever hold someone else to that impossible standard? This was a time where Leyaria probably felt more vulnerable than anyone could ever make her out to be. She didn't choose to show Finn this side of her. Judging by her actions about it, and the way she acted about their talk thus far, this was a side she was able to successfully hide more times than not. Though Finn had not considered that, it had subconsciously entered his brain.

So he hugged her as tight as he could, through the tears and the sadness. He made sure not to crush her, but anyone smaller than him would likely feel safe. Finn was abnormally strong in general, let alone for his size. To be held by someone so sturdy would feel like being locked in a house that you knew was safe. It had an innate and almost primal sense of security along with it.

"You don't have to thank friends. It's a natural thing for us to help each other," he said, not realizing how gentle his voice had become. He would hold her until he felt her own grip loosen and her body begin to pull away, where he would let his arms slowly fade away and allow her to take whatever stance she wanted, had she wanted to at all.

"Oh, give me a second!" Reaching to the green backpack that had been sharing his back with his blade, he'd pull it off and hold it before him. Unzipping and reaching inside, Finn would pull out two pouches and two wraps that contained sandwiches, along with a bag of crisps. Normally, both drinks and both sandwiches would be for him. Sharing was always a better option though, right?

Placing the backpack upon the ground, he handed the pouch and sandwich to her in a single hand, holding his own food in the other along with the crisps. "Let's have lunch? Food is always better with friends!" As she'd take it, whether or not he had to continue insisting it, he'd kneel down and offer Geth the crisps. "You have to join us too, okay buddy?"

She seemed still adamant about Finn not going out of his way for her. It made sense, considering how sheltered she was from the reality of friendship. Whatever life she had lived up until now, he thought. He had considered that it had been rough and difficult, but how exactly had it gone? Everyone reacted differently to similar stimuli. A hard life for her may have been an easy life for another, and vice versa. What was it that was difficult for Leyaria, and likewise, what was it that this difficulty made her want? What was it that Leyaria yearned for so much that it kept her moving forward, despite the obvious internal scarring.

"It's not a bother. Food tastes better this way!" His assurance was followed by a chuckle, motioning towards Geth. "He certainly agrees at least." Placing the rest of the crisps on the ground, still in their bag, Geth would have full access to them as Finn helped himself back to the ground in a comfortable seat, his backpack between his legs. There, he'd consume the food and watch Geth likely do the same, occasionally glancing at Leyaria or into the sky.

Sooner rather than later, Finn's food would be done. With a content sigh as he crumbled up the trash that was left over, he stuffed it into his backpack and glanced back up at the sky. The sun had made some minor progress in the sky, though to most it would seem to be in the same relative position. To Finn, however, it seemed to be akin to an alarm. "That was delicious!" As he smiled at her, Finn stood and moved to put his backpack back on. Despite the fact that it was over his blade, it didn't seem like he considered it an obstruction.

"It was great meeting you, Leyaria," he said, looking her in the eyes and putting on a gentle face. "I have to get back to the road though, I'm suppose to meet with my brother soon." Putting an arm out and placing his hand on her shoulder reassuringly, whether she stood with him or not, it'd offer a single encouraging squeeze.

"I usually travel quite a bit, but if you ever see me don't hesitate to come talk, or to ask for help. If you ever really need me, go to Blue Pegasus guild hall and put an alert for me. They'll contact me, and I'll get back as soon as possible." His exit with her was slightly different than most. While she was a friend, just as others had been, she seemed so much more delicate. It wasn't that he felt like he needed to be gentle in his departure, but rather that he felt like it was only natural. "Hope to see you soon."

Allowing her to get in whatever words she wished to, and of course being willing to delay his departure if need be, that would be that. Assuming there was no need to delay, he would make his way from the area. He had earned a new friend, and he certainly hoped she felt the same.

"Would... would they welcome someone... Well, someone like me?"

The words had no sooner left her lips than Finn had leaped into action. Wrapping both arms around her waist, he'd stand up tall and lift her up off the ground, spinning her once whilst laughing. Dropping her on the ground and moving his hands to brace her back so as to make sure she would not fall from the sudden action, he'd beam at her. "Of course they would! Especially since you were talking like you had magic. They'd totally welcome you in and help you master it if you wanted. Or just do your own thing like I do!"

His words were coming out like rapid fire, much quicker and more enthusiastic than before. His calm demeanor was something he had to work hard towards. When given a single reason to break it, it was like cracking open a dam. A laugh echoed from Finn once more as if a thought had hit him from no where standing back and putting his hands on his hips. In that thoughtful position, he looked Leyaria head to toe for the first time since meeting her. He was blatant about it, unaware that he may be making her comfortable but also hopelessly unaware that it was a possibility.

"Lance would really like you too. He's the guild master. He's a really cool guy, and he loves pretty people. You'll fit right in!" While Finn had inadvertently just called her attractive, he was so focused on the moment at hand that he couldn't process what he had said. "Are you sure you want to join? If so then we should definitely adventure together!" If she said yes again, it would only be a matter of her telling him where she wanted the guild tattoo and he could place it for her. He couldn't use magic, but her could certainly do this.

"Kind of!" His answer wasn't very precise, but he also couldn't exactly think clearly at the moment. He had not expected her to come around like this, at the very least not so suddenly. To say he was happy, while accurate, would have been an understatement. He had never really recruited someone before, though it wasn't like he had ever set out to do it. Something about knowing he had at least helped make her want to join made him feel more attached to her now. As if watching her was his responsibility.

"Basically, I'll plant the Guild Tattoo on you. It doesn't hurt, it's done with a bit of mana by any Blue Pegasus member. Then, I'll basically have Jake send back a paper letting them know who you are and that you've joined. Lance has the stuff to find you if he ever wants to meet you, but other than that you just kind of live your life. But now you can join teams, and you'll always have help wherever there is another guild member."

His speech was long, and like everything else related to Finn, it was pretty to the point. He wasn't one for elegant talks or painting a picture with his words. He was much more direct than that, and he always had been. "So where would you like your tattoo?" His hand was held up now, glowing a faint blue. He had mana, but not magic. It was one of the weird things about being who he was, really.

Once she chose a spot and he placed it, he would hug her once last time and bid his farewell. "Lets meet up soon. Here's where I'm staying, just come over any time!" Giving her his information, that would be the end of that. Finn waved goodbye, then was on his way to his other meeting. This would certainly be just the start of an amazing friendship.

[exit]