A young 15-year-old girl walked the streets heading toward the very eatery the young man had been impatiently waiting at. She was cute with long brown hair to her mid-back, brown eyes, pale skin; she was wearing a black tee-shirt, blue jeans, sneakers with socks that covered her Guild tattoo completely. She appeared to be completely unarmed, with no weapons nor armor in sight. On her left hand, she wore an interesting ring on her finger. By her side walked a Snow Vulpix. The creature had frosty breath and soft thick white fur with pale blue on its paws. Atop its head was curly white wisps of hair. The inside of its ears was blue, as were its eyes and nose. Behind it bounced with each step it took six curly tails, all as white as the rest of its fur. It was clearly a creature of Frost Magic.

She had her hands in her pockets, thumbs on the outside, as she walked toward the eatery. She was hungry and hoping to grab a meal. She was also looking for someone she was supposed to meet here a while ago. She didn't mean to be late. She was having issues at home and needed to reassure her parents that she could handle herself. Once that was out of the way, she headed off to meet someone for an unusual and unofficial mission. A man apparently unfamiliar with Marigold needed an escort from a mage well acquainted with the area.

Since she had grown up in Marigold, she decided no one was more qualified for the job than her. The details were vague so she had no idea what to expect. She only knew someone needed assistance with something or another. Not once did she stop to think this was anything short of sketchy. She was still learning, after all, and still adjusting to her new life. She sniffed the air idly as she neared the eatery. She caught a familiar scent in the air.

It matched the scent of the ad she had found. Whoever placed the ad seeking assistance wasn't too much farther. To her dismay, she discovered the scent to lead down an alley. Now it was seeming sketchy. Who on earth would meet up in an alley of all places? It was dark, but it didn't bother her. She could see perfectly fine as she followed her nose toward a cloaked figure a few meters ahead of her. Everything was raising red-flags, but she was here now. No turning back. Time to see who this guy was and how she could assist him.

"H-hello...?" She called out shyly. Even with her new curse, she still managed to maintain her old personality. And this guy was not only a stranger but a creepy suspicious acting one. She anticipated she'd either be helping him... or fighting him... before the day was done. "Are you... are you the one who was looking for help?"

Somehow, this young man that stood in the shadows, completely visible to the werewolf in front of him (though he would be unaware of that little detail) had managed to both creep her out and insult her in the same instance. His eyes caused chills to run down her spine, making the girl quiver visibly. However, his words, though calm and melodic, triggered something within her.

It seems a bit past your curfew, Little One.

Little One? Seriously? Again with this? Just because she was a young, shy, teenager of five four did not give people the right to talk down to her like that. Curfew my ass. Rinni Faithe was an adventurer, not a child. I mean, sure she hadn't adventured a lot... yet... but she was working on that. She just had to get by the parents. And after his previous statement, she wasn't about to bring up the little detail of why she was late. Gods forbid she give him more fuel to harass her with. But even so, she could feel it boiling in her. The rage she felt when Lucian upset her back at the Guild.

No. Not now. She couldn't afford to lose her temper on someone who needed her help. Even if he was a jerk. Even if he deserved to be put in his place. It was burning within her now. The desire to attack this poor soul. He couldn't know, of course, how dangerous it was to trigger this child. How could he? He knew nothing about her. Her small chest began rising and falling with each heavy breath as she struggled to maintain control of herself.

'Don't attack him. Don't attack him...'

She looked around for something, anything to distract her. Her blood was boiling from the simple agitation. Is this what it felt like? How on earth did Lucian deal with this? He should have attacked her back then, but he stayed so calm. Yet, all this man did was imply she was a kid, and she started to lose it. As if on instinct, she bent down and scooped up the six-tailed fox, hugging the small creature close to her chest as a divider between herself and the stranger.

She imagined ripping his throat out.

No. As the newest member of Penumbral Guard she definitely could not do that. She was supposed to help people. She couldn't go off and kill her own client. Was that the right word for it? Either way, he needed help. She was here to help. Even if she didn't trust him. Her thoughts were interrupted as he introduced himself, and mentioned something along the lines of waiting for others. Just how tough of a job was this, exactly, that he felt it'd take three people?

Now slightly calmer, the Encan managed to respond to him in a calm tone that implied all shyness and pleasantries were aside, for now. It was obvious by the look in her eyes that she didn't like him one bit. Still, she didn't abandon him either. Unless red flags would rise making it obvious she shouldn't help this man... she was going to stick by him until he no longer needed her (or until she could no longer tolerate him). The little fox growled low at the man now known as Leo.

"Oh, trust me, I'm up for the task. You said you need someone familiar with Marigold, yes? I grew up here. Seeing as it's my home, you won't find anyone more familiar than myself." She interjected plainly. It was then he removed his hood and introduced himself. He was young, maybe a few years her senior. Not sure who he thought he was, judging her age when he was barely an adult himself. "I'm Rinni. This is Winter. So, what exactly is it you needed help with? If I recall... the paper you posted mentioned recovering your stuff? Are we talking bandits or something?"

She cautiously moved closer to the man, so as to talk without raising their voices. Now in front of him, the first thing she noticed was his height. He was tall and slender, causing her to crane her neck slightly in order to look up at him. That was awkward. She really wasn't comfortable around people taller than 5'7". This man had to be at least five ten-ish. She clutched Winter tighter, causing the fox to yip and squirm. She didn't mean to hurt her. She just didn't trust herself right now.

Especially being so close to Leo.

Oh no. That smell. That voice. It was Ko. Why was her boyfriend here of all places? Well, to be fair, his presence made more sense than hers. He was into shady dealings. This was all new to her and she wasn't really comfortable here. The little ball of fluff squirmed and jumped out of her arms running straight toward the man that had entered the alleyway. Despite the darkness, Rinni could see him perfectly. Though he didn't seem to recognize her until Winter dashed over to greet him.

"Winter!" Too late. The little fox was already climbing up Ko's leg whining and barking. "Uh... Hi, Tiger..." It was all she could think to say being caught with a strange man alone in a dark alley. This was so awkward.

"Um, this isn't what it looks like at all..." In her defense, she was far too innocent and naive for it to be anything naughty. But she was also reckless enough for it to be dangerous and stupid. Even if she was a young werewolf. Without the ability to transform she was just a little girl. A little girl who shouldn't be here.

She stepped into the little big of light the illuminated the entrance and approached Ko, she then scooped up Winter and looked up at her obviously older boyfriend and knew she was in trouble for being here. She took his hand with her free hand, holding the fox in her other arm and tried to lead him away from Leo to talk alone.

-Exit-