During his morning routine, Noel had noticed his limbs cracking and popping more than usual. His exact age was a forgotten number, he gave different accounts as to when people asked for his age. Thirty-eight, forty, thirty nine. The truth was most likely somewhere in the middle. Though as of late, Noel had been flirting with the idea of claiming he was twenty-six years old to people when they asked. Feeling impending mortality creeping up closer and closer, Noel has chosen a path described by many as the mid life crisis. As of late, his guild tattoo had become less saturated in color, fading over time into near nothingness. It had been several months since he was in Advent World. Truth of the matter was, the only one keeping him there was Kenzo - someone he also hadn't seen for a couple of days. He'd have sent Kenzo a letter a day prior, explaining his ambition and thirst for grander voyages. For that to be possible, he'd have to befriend more people. Advent World held him back after its members seemingly couldn't organize after the tournament had concluded.

He thought of the experiences in his guild as very fond. But it was a time to move on. Noels withdraw from Advent World made him a free agent once again, something he rarely was. He recalled that when he was released from prison the thing he wanted to do most was take a vacation. Noel was too broke back then, so he couldn't - nothing stopped him this time.

He'd head into a travel agency in the Marigold Streets, browsing their various pamphlets to discover exotic places to travel to. An isle next to him had various well designed magazines. The pictures covered a lot of young, healthy people enjoying and celebrating life. He'd bit his lip a bit, and browse through the interesting pictures. He recognized this symbol, Blue Pegasus if he wasn't wrong. Maybe they would let in a young dude like himself? Noel smiled at the thought and put the magazine back in its place, too stingy to pay for it. He'd leave the store with a recommendation for a certain party tonight. Something he hadn't done in a while, actually partying.

So with his casual attire, he showed up at a sketchy location later that night. This was a secret party apparently, you needed to complete some kind of super subtle puzzle to get in. The hint was that 'theres cool drinks in the fridge'. From the outside, it looked like a run down laundromat - from the inside, it was more of the same. He'd wave to the old lady behind the counter, who was too distracted by her newspaper. He couldn't hear any musical noise, giving no clues to outsiders who wandered in. Noel stepped into center area, and looked around for a fridge. A shining light came from one, just next to the counter. Noel boldly walked towards it, and opened it. All bottles were the same, except for one - it had a different cap. When Noel pulled on it, the fridge faded away, revealing a doorway to the party. Entering it also made the musical noise pop in, the fridge reappearing behind him. It was quite dark, disco lights occasionally flickered giving Noel a clue of the layout. While his eyes adjusted, he'd enter the secret cool underground party. He'd sit down at the nearest bar, all bartenders were preoccupied with serving other guests and vibing to the music. He'd bob his head to the music too, even though it was not a genre he enjoyed. It was something very modern, and he enjoyed old ass music because he grew up with that old ass music. He enjoyed being around youthful people, and this was a birds nest full of them. Once he got his drink, a stirred not shaken vodka martini, he'd look around the place. Maybe there were familiar faces.

Stir Up Some Excitement

Disgusting pop music as monotone as the night continuously filled the room with audio he could not resonate with. Some kind of new age whack lacrima DJ was the mastermind of this arrangement. This room, this party, was the embodiment of teenage youth. He didn't want to scare them off by taking over the music department and playing his old ass boomer music. Just let them be, is what he thought. Noel was starting to feel guilty for hanging at this bar. After all, he had a girlfriend--and drinking buddies. What gave? Sweat began being built up on his forehead. He'd down his drink, and put it down on the bar before signaling to the bartender that he wanted one more. When he turned around to face the crowd again, a new face had appeared. Someone who seemed familiar. The dots didn't quite connect. Noel turned back to face the bar and down his vodka. When the chaser was well on its way, the former Advent World wizard recalled seeing the face in a magazine he was flipping through today. She carried the banner of Blue Pegasus.

They housed a lot of young people. People he could hang out with, drink beers and relive his youth with. Noel scratched his chin as he considered going over to the person who he saw in the magazine and inquiring further about their guild. From what Noel could remember, their guild master Alisa supposedly beat Venus in the Great Magic Games. As the bartender moved to the other side of the bar to attend to some guests, Noel leaned over the bar and tore out a page of a random book. He'd start writing on the parcel, it was a message destined for Kenzo. The contents of his letter was about how he endorsed Blue Pegasus. After finishing the letter, he'd fold it in half and hand it over to his companion Jet - this wasn't the first time the lemur was tasked with sending mail on behalf of his owner. When these things were done, he'd turn back to the party and threw the pen he'd found back behind him into a random direction. He'd get up from his bar stool, and start moving towards the Blue Pegasus magazine person with a drink in hand - this time a martini accompanied by a green olive. "Hello." He'd suavely say, approaching the lady while facing her. He wasn't exactly picking up girls, so he'd change his voice a little before continuing: "My name is Noel, I've seen your face in a magazine - it's nice to meet the face behind the pictures, I suppose." He'd extend his right hand towards her, in a regulatory hand-shake fashion. Noel felt like he seemed like a creepy fan-so he'd persist and continue talking. "Can I ask you something about Blue Pegasus?" Of course he wasn't going to reveal what his question was immediately, he hadn't thought of it yet. He'd preferably sit down somewhere more quiet, instead of standing out in the open like this.

Stir Up Some Excitement

The woman responded the gesture by shaking his hand, not alien to regular gestured from first glance. When he was done introducing himself, she repeated his name and responded in a sultry and somewhat seductive way. While he stood idly-faced, the model from the magazine was acting in a way best described as lustful. "Yes, the combination of your hair and eye color made me recognize you - it's very unique. You are very dashing, of course." He'd say, scratching the side of his cheek with index finger as he tried recalling what her name was. It was awkward for him to come over as a super fan, but not know her name. When she proclaimed that she had hoped that all her fans was as handsome as he, he'd chuckle after she begun chuckling - not knowing of a response on the spot that differed from hers. Though other than his giggle, his chuckle was somewhat more sarcastic in nature. "I'm sure your other young fans are prettier than me." Trying to divert the conversation, Noels intentions weren't flirting with her. It wasn't like he had a golden ring on, so he could understand the advances.

When she was ready to help him with his questions, he held out his hand to point at a table and a few empty chairs - light was more consistent there, and the patrons of this place were mostly on the dance floor if not at the bar ordering a drink. "If you'd like to join me, onegai ishimasu." Noel smiled at the model, and then begun walking towards the spot he pointed at prior. The beat of the music was starting to get louder, them going to this more secluded place kept the volume of the music at roughly the same level. Assuming she would join him, Noel went on to ask some questions that he came up with on the spot, that were quite relevant to his intentions later on. "How many active members does Blue Pegasus count?" After being seated, this was the first question he'd ask. Giving some room in between for a response, he'd take a sip of his drink before continuing. "What are the three most important core values every Blue Pegasus member should have?" Crossing one leg over the other, Noel was curious to her response.

"Can you speak on behalf of Blue Pegasus management? Because my next question is somewhat more personal." He'd look to his left, and then his right - make sure nobody was listening in. It had been rather calm tonight, it'd be best if things remained that way. If she seemed alright with answering a question of this nature, he'd go ahead and ask it. "Would Blue Pegasus accept someone, with an uhhh, lets say, ... two point five bounty?" He'd skirt over the specific wording, subtly hiding the value behind his imprisonment.

If he had to take a guess, they wouldn't mind - as long as they knew the reason why the bounty was as big as it was. But perhaps they had a firm policy of declining anyone with a bounty.

Stir Up Some Excitement

This lady was somewhat vain about Noels physique, he could tell by the way she curled some of her words. Smooth-talking wasn't exactly his forte, but the ever so witty Noel always knew how to respond perfectly - according to himself at least. "Well, as you can tell by the way I use my walk - I'm a woman's man, no time to-- I'm sure you've heard the phrase before." After the two were seated, Noel enjoyed his martini accompanied by a single olive as the mademoiselle enjoyed her champagne. She seemed in slight disbelief of the specific figure he mentioned, but it might have been the booze affecting her judgement. In Noels mind, two and a half million worth of bounty wasn't that much. "I do admit, it is not in my usual MO to approach strange women." He'd reply after her comment about him not approaching her due to how good she looked. Truthfully, redheads were more his type. "I'm sure your 'sex appeal' makes you unapproachable by most others." Noel didn't have to turn around to see the line of men thirsting over catching her attention for a moment. He could feel them breathe.

When she asked for his reason as to why he'd ask such a specific question, he'd first cross his legs and intertwine his fingers with his elbows on the table. "It is not a lie that the momentum of Advent World has been brought to a halt. The others, including myself, might be searching for a new place to settle." After having his say, he'd lean back in his chair and put his hands flat on the table. He'd look towards the bar and make eye contact with the barman, raising two fingers and then nodding his head slightly was all needed to indicate that he needed a refill. Before continuing, he'd allow her to ask follow up questions if she had any.

As she explained how she was married to the guild master, Noel smiled a little. She was married, that fat ring around her finger should have explained it - but Noel hadn't connected the dots. "I see, well - full disclosure, I'm in a relationship too." Before he could make the mistake of assuming that it was a man, she referred to her wife as a she. Coincidentally, both himself and she were in relations with very powerful women. Come to think of it, he hadn't learned her name yet. It was quite awkward to ask now, so he'd discreetly try to avoid using her name. It seems their guild master was neutral on the bounty, as long as she liked the person - which was fair. As soon as his drink was brought, he'd down whatever was left in his original drink. "I see. Well, I'm happy to hear. That's about all I needed to know." He'd uncross his legs and rest his head in the palm of his hand, pursing his lips slightly.

He had an idea, it was a slight bit unscrupulous so he was contemplating whether it was worth or not. Making eye contact for a moment with the Blue Pegasus ambassador, he'd then look at the bar and then back at her. "As a token of my appreciation..." Noel raised both of his hands into the air slightly, as to fit within the rhythm of the song - and while doing this, he'd activate a spell by the name of Wingardium Leviosa. Discreetly pulling a bottle of champagne from the bar with the power of gravity, the male levitated it in a hurry towards the table and set it atop the center, followed by a ta-da gesture from Noel. The bottle itself had no offensive properties.

Realizing that past the bravado he'd just displayed, a crime was committed - he'd have realized his mistake and slide some money out of his pocket and move it towards the bar using the gestures of his left hand. He'd flick the air and sync up popping the bottle at the same time. Noel at this point of the evening was quite inebriated by all the different drinks. Regardless, he'd order three more martinis from the bar. Surely after these drinks, he'd start having thoughts of leaving and grabbing a kebab somewhere.

Stir Up Some Excitement

Noel looked slightly amused at the idea of her making the first move on him if he hadn't, to it him it didn't seem to have been the case at all - she was very humble. The former Advent World wizard thought it to be a good trait to have. A true diplomat. During this exchange, he'd begun to notice a certain affliction in the way she talked. It tingled his quirky side. Noel thought her description of his guilds activities to be pretty accurate. "There was potential, but perhaps we can rekindle some of that potential in other places." He'd reply. Luckily, the Blue Pegasus ambassador seemed to approve of his natural charm. Maybe there was going to be sunshine after the moody rains have passed? The male was convinced that his guildmaster Kenzo was going to pass the test. Other than himself and him? There weren't other active souls lingering about to worry about including. "I am sure Kenzo will fit in perfectly fine as well. That bakayaro is an unstoppable projectile."

When she mentioned his relationship, somewhat insinuating that Noel in all of his pizzazz and glamour had the allure of drawing in both sexes. Perhaps she was right in thinking that. Though with the current day and age, making an inappropriate joke about it to someone who already seemed to be on the more liberal side seeing as their in a gay marriage were enough hints for even the quirkiest sides of Noel not to get triggered. A rush of scarlet appeared in the upper parts of his cheeks before they subtly faded at the thought of describing Venus to her. It was tough to think of words to describe her. So he'd sit with his mouth open for a few seconds before he'd actually start talking. "She... the very sight of her makes my heart beat faster, she's truly the milk to my cookie. I may have a soft spot for redheads. What is your partner like?" Noel innocently rubbed his nose, looking away sort of embarrassed admitting all of those things publicly, given the 'harsh and coarse' reputation that others had pinned upon him. "Hm, now that I think about it - I think she mentioned she had fought the Blue Pegasus guild master in the tournament? Fiores a small place sometimes.." It should be clear to Sofia right now who Noel was dating, but if she was inebriated enough maybe not. Noel downed his last drink, and then stood up. That classic moment happened, where a person who sat down for a while when drinking and then get up straight away. He felt light headed. So he'd stand still for a second in order to regain equilibrium. Yep, this is what being drunk felt like. "Lets get food somewhere!?" He'd exclaim, yelling a bit over the music. Fresh air is also what he desired, being in some dank basement with a bunch of sweaty 20 year olds sipping white wine had increased the impact of marinated mind. The male was ready to leave, he'd put his coat back on and down two more martinis before indicating to Sofia, the woman whose name he didn't know yet, the sign that he was ready to depart.

Stir Up Some Excitement

While Noel began daydreaming a little about Venus, this train of thought interrupted by her responding. She asked if Venus was his girlfriend. She also called her Snow, perhaps a nickname? They seemed already familiar with each other. It was tough to call Venus his girlfriend yet, as they hadn't talked about it officially - from what he could recall. So he was inclined to reply with yes, but as soon as he opened his mouth to confirm her thoughts he'd instead go for a somewhat more diplomatic answer. "Yes, well, we haven't talked about it yet - but we're dating pretty exclusively(i assume)." He felt quite confident, as he had admitted his love to Venus - and so had she.

It turned out that Venus once was apart of Blue Pegasus, something Noel didn't know anything about. Her past was quite cryptic. She also mentioned Lisa? It was probably another nickname for their guildmaster Alisa. A very known mage, her reputation having traveled widely across Fiore. "A former member huh? Maybe she'll return one day." The idea of having a room with her in the guild made him quite excited.

Them being old friends made sense, as Venus would have been in Blue Pegasus at one point. This was a lot of new information to take in at once, just like those drinks he kept inhaling every other minute. She proposed on finding Alisa and having a bite to eat with her. He liked the idea. "Migotõ. I like it." He begun to notice how she seemed to prepare something ahead of time, a spell by the looks of it. This was beginning to be someone he trusted though, so he wasn't going to doubt this action and hope for the best. "Before we leave, anõ... - ... namai nani desu ka?" Hic. "What is your name?" Noel was marinated enough for this classical moment to occur, where a bilingual mixes up his words. As soon as she had replied, he'd put his hand on hers and close his eyes for a second. His body swaying slightly, due to the nature of alcohol.

Stir Up Some Excitement

The male thought that it was better to be direct about it than beating around the bush. Sofia replied and mentioned how he should have known given by how famous he was. Maybe she had a point, Noel wasn't really too updated on other mages within Fiore other than a select few. He didn't know shit. She was giggling a little, which made Noel smirk in reply. "Ah, I see - nice to meet you Sofia Serena." He'd gesture one more time, this time the gesture was a bit more authentic than his initial greetings protocol. They were to meet the White Empress, Noel wasn't sure what to expect. He was also very interested in meeting other Blue Pegasus members. Excited even. Would he stand out too much compared to the others? As a man already quite of age, possibly going through his midlife crisis currently, in terms of personality he was a sore thumb. But perhaps this sore thumb could blend in well within other eccentric bumbling personalities? "I'm all ready, let's go!" He proclaimed, hyping himself up.

His suspicions were confirmed about Sofia preparing to use a spell once he begun witnessing the activation sequence of her exotic spell. It wasn't anything like he'd seen before - it had a certain intrigue to it. Though the effects were quite grand - they disappeared out of the mysterious bar that they had entered the beginning of the night without leaving a trace behind. The transportation mentally took no longer than a second for Noel to process. He felt car sick once they arrived at their destination, being somewhat nauseous due to his first experience with this kind of teleportation. Perhaps it was the myriad of drinks though, who could say for sure? The teleportation brought Noel into a town he hadn't been in before. Myras City.