Ah yes, the annual Blue Pegasus Easter bash. It was something he looked forward to every year since his return to the guild. The ladies did know how to throw a good party when it came down to it. He just enjoyed the time together with the citizens. It was nice putting faces to names of citizens that you helped protect and serve. It made the whole effort truly worth it in his opinion.

It seemed everyone was enjoying themselves which was good. He wished he could say the same, but he was quite out of it due to his busy work schedule. Though that did not mean he would skip on dressing for the occasion. From head to toe he was in a fluffy white bunny suit. Something that he had rented specifically for this party. He thought about joining the women in also being scantily clad, but he decided to go for the huggable approach.

He made his way to the bar where he would sit himself down. His actual rabbit ears tucked underneath his costume. He could have mode holes for them to poke out, but they didn't match the costume he was wearing. The last thing he wanted to be was tacky at what was the more fashionable party of the year.

The bar tender came over to him, a fellow Blue Pegasus Mage. "So, what's on the menu tonight Ace?" He asked with a friendly smile. Seeing that Manzo looked a bit tuckered out, but glad that he came all the same. It was not normal for him to be apart of the festivities. This was actually his first appearance in a long while. He was enjoying the atmosphere, and didn't want anything to drink that would put him face down in the floor.

"Give me a vodka cranberry to start out with. Want to keep things light." He said with a smile on his face. He was of course looking forward to seeing what the rest of the guild had done for their costumes for the party. He figured he was probably the only one who had opted for being a bit of a joke. But he didn't think it could be a party if there wasn't someone in a mascot costume of some kind.

That's where he came in, the comic relief of the whole big thing. If anyone was down, he would be there to cheer them up, as was his want. After all he would want someone to do that for him. The bar tender returned with his drink, and he sipped it slowly as he watched everyone dance. Trying to remember if he brought the bubbles and beach ball to blow and throw into the crowd to really kick this whole thing off.

He checked his pockets, and thankfully he had remembered it. Which mean it was only a matter of time before he kicked this whole thing into full swing. Once the music was right, it would be go time for sure.

WC: 515

As Manzo downed the drink, he found his mind wandering to what everyone was doing at the party. He had to be the only one nursing a drink at the bar. He didn't really feel like the odd man out, but he did feel rather lonely. It seemed everyone had a date or was with friends but he.

It got him to thinking about how much fun he could have had with the patrons at his bar. But he didn't want to feel that way, he wanted to enjoy this time with everyone. But was just finding it a bit hard to get into the holiday spirit for one reason or another. Though he couldn't really put a name to what it was.

Though it seemed he was giving off the aura of someone who was in need of company. As he felt a tug on the cotton tail of his costume. This was quite alarming to him in this moment. Causing the hood that covered his head to pop off when he jumped a bit in his seat.

Of course with his hood down, he couldn't hide the rabbit ears he had tucked away underneath them. Which was something he was very shy about at times. Considering they were not the easiest thing to keep hidden if he didn't want them to be seen. They did tend to show themselves a bit more when he was startled.

Which is what had just transpired. Which meant he was now a grown man with actual rabbit ears in a room full of people. This caused his face to turn a certain shade of red that he saved for his alone time on the lacrima-net. He did wonder who it was that would have the stones to pull on his cotton tail.

Though that question was answered rather quickly, as the memories of a little place came rushing to his mind. She may look different, but she smelled the same. A scent he could never mistake for anyone else. Not to mention the butterflies that filled his stomach when ever she was around. Though he did feel rather bad for having such feelings towards what was indeed his best friends wife.

Though he would not ever speak of those feelings. He would just play them off for now, while he patted down his rabbit ears back underneath his hair. The last thing he wanted was for them to draw the Siren's attention, because knowing her, she'd want to touch them. Which would make it very hard for him to keep his composure.

He would place his hood back over his head as she asked what he was doing in a place like this. She was clearly flirting with him, but that wasn't anything special, she was a bubbly person. Not to mention that, they did kiss the first time they had met one another. Though he chalked that up the summer heat putting them in the mood.

"I uh...." When her full attention was on him it caused him to forget damn near everything in his head. Until his gaze was brought back to his drink as he was trying to avoid looking her in the eye. "Oh! Right! I'm just having a drink and enjoying the atmosphere!" A small bead of sweat trickling down his face. He had hoped she would just think it was due to the heat underneath the suit.

"Are you having a good time? This is some party right?" His voice a bit shaky as he was trying to regain what little composure he may have left after seeing her in her own outfit. Though with his sage training he never let his eyes wander for more than a moment. He had only given her a quick look over before he went back to staring at his drink.

As long as he kept his eyes on other things, he might be able to restore what was his composure from the shambles she had put it in. She had a particular talent for things like that. He didn't really understand what it was about her. Though understanding it would do him little good. Because he just couldn't seem to help himself at all in this tight spot.

WC:1245

Mr Cuddly Bunny huh? That was a new one. He could honestly say he had never been referred to in such a way. Yet it did not displease him in the slightest. The flirtatious Siren he had come to know, love, and occasionally lust after was alive and well tonight. Perhaps it was just the spirit of the whole event coming out to play. Which of course there was nothing wrong with that. Everyone was getting rather sauced. Well everyone but him, he was trying to be responsible for his actions tonight. Although that may not be the in thing.

"How would you know if I'm cuddly? You and I have never done such things." He said with a laugh as he took another sip from his drink. Though perhaps he would end up cuddled up to someone tonight? Who was to say, but for now he would have to wait to see what unfolded. His eyes gave Sofia a look over, taking his time now. He had snapped himself out of the shock of her grabbing his tail, as well as rubbing his ears. He didn't really know how to respond to things like that.

"I don't think I've ever seen a more lovely rabbit." It was true that she wore that outfit well. It hugged all the right spots on her body. He of course would need to get her back for grabbing his tail. It was no fair for her to just put her hands on him like that without receiving a similar action herself. He delicately placed his masculine digits around her little cotton tail giving it a tug. A mischievous smirk on his face. It was so soft and snowy white, but he didn't want his hand to linger.

"Now we're even. Though I'd venture to say, if the rabbits at the petting zoo looked like you, I'd bring more carrots." He couldn't help himself but to make such a suggestive joke. Perhaps he was getting caught up in the mood of the night. Neither one of them had to be themselves tonight, perhaps they could get lost in the same intimacy they found themselves in whilst in Astera. Though he'd still need to be on best behavior about such things. He had no knowledge of who she was that day. Today he could not say the same.

WC: 1645

As he felt the body of the Siren firmly pressed against his he could nothing but return her embrace. The feeling of her bust firmly against him. Caused most if not all of his inhibition's to melt away. Her touch was something he was unlikely to admit he desired above most things in life. She was special, more than special in fact. Though he would not want to ruin the sentiment of the moment.

Though it was hard for him to keep his composure in this regard. His hands trailing up and down her back. As she kept the embrace going. Only to break it off. Which was something that disappointed him more than words could truly express. The nudging of his shoulder and her reply that she felt as though he was trying to get at something.

Which in a way he was, but was not to keen on just coming out and saying it. "Now why would I want to do such a thing?" He said with a laugh as he placed his drink down on the bar. He leaned over to her, perhaps feeling himself a bit. Nuzzling his face against her cheek and placing a hand on her fishnet adorned thigh. Rubbing it softly as he found himself completely intoxicated by her scent.

He could try to deny the attraction he felt to her. Though it would do him little good. Their first interaction with each other had left him smitten for the years that followed after. Though he'd keep that information close to vest. Well for now, unless he found a reason to bring it up later. Though he did indeed doubt that she would give him a reason. Though Sofia was a bit of a wild card all told.

WC: 1945

Her reasoning was sound, and it was something he could understand and sympathize with. Everything she was doing in this moment was in his best interest. Though to be completely fair none of that truly mattered to him. He wanted to feel that fire engulf him. Even though he knew nothing would ever come of it. But she had stated her position on the matter, and he would not press the issue.

"Swing and a miss." He said with a laugh as he took a swig from his glass. He would have honestly felt more regret about the whole thing had he at least not attempted to try to see if there was something still there for him. Maybe he was feeling a tad bit vulnerable because he had been away from Charlotte for so long.

Though he would truly need to get his mind back on the women in front of him and off the woman behind him. She had gone off like the stray cat she was, he didn't expect her to return to him. She had probably found someone else to take his place. It was a sobering thought to say the least. But that was the reality of the situation. She had nothing to tie her down to him. He had everything that tied him down to hargeon.

His shop, his master, and her wife, and all the responsibility of being the Ace of a guild. It was a hard pill to swallow, but he didn't want to bring that up to Sofia on a night like this. This would surely put a damper on the evening, so with another swig of his drink, he buried all the thoughts and feelings of someone who wasn't here. So that he could enjoy the friends who were here with him right now.

WC:2255

Manzo chuckled to himself, he appreciated the effort she was trying to put in to making it up to him. Though it wasn't at all warranted. Maybe he should just let her go along with her little plan of clearing her conscience, it did not matter to him either way. There was already someone on his mind, though she was probably long gone by now. Which was not something that gave him any comfort. But he didn't want to be rude to the current companion, though he did feel that he should honest with her, it was only fair.

""Truth be told I did meet someone, but she's a bit of a wanderer. Funny right? That's how I used to be exactly." It was indeed a cruel joke played on him by the universe it would seem. Though he could remember how it felt to be with her. Her touch, the softness of her skin, her platinum hair glistening in the sun. It was probably why he was looking for the answers in the bottom of a bottle. He had no idea how it is she had wormed her way into his heart like she did.

It was truly a sad state of affairs, so if anything this was partly his fault. The awkwardness between them that is. If he had any control he would have never come on to her in such a way. "To be completely fair, I don't know what I'm doing here. Other than not feeling bad about drinking because it's a social place. Optics are less dark if I'm not doing it by myself." While it was hard to accept, it was true. He knew she was not ever truly going to be his. She would always be a wanderer, for better or worse.

If there was one thing he took from this, he now knew the pain he put everyone through when he would leave without ever telling them when or if he'd return. Perhaps she was the lesson he needed to learn, something so wonderful just walked into his life, even for a brief moment, it was something that kept him going. If he opened his mouth now, he would probably give the impression of someone who needed to be put on the third floor. Not something he really wanted to go through.

"I'm sorry I made a move on you Sofi, I'm just hurting. I don't know why I thought something like that would work, even if it did, would I feel better? It's sad, me, the situation, it's just sad." He said with a laugh, one very obviously hiding the need to weep. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Though he was never truly mighty while his mothers told him about heart break, this was very truthfully his first one. He'd have to call them later on.

WC: 2755

He couldn't help but chuckle truthfully. He took her hand in his and did friendly shake. It was odd to him that she even had temptations toward someone like him. Not sell himself short, but he knew what he was up against. Though to say being with a woman, and being with a man were the same thing was pure ignorance. Though there was something about his allure when it came to her that he never did quite understand. "There is something that I can't quite get my head around if I'm being totally honest. Why me?"

It was a valid question in his mind. To himself he was nothing special, run of the mill. Maybe she enjoyed the simple things, he was quite normal at this stage of his life after all. He had a job, owned property, there was nothing spectacular about him. Though he felt as though if he said such things, she would think he was fishing for a complement. Which wasn't the case, it just never made sense to him.

Though would asking that question give him any real insight? Doubtful, he wasn't always the most understanding of other people's feelings towards him. Mainly because he wasn't entirely in the know about his feelings towards himself. Which he knew was strange to most people, but for him, a man of many faces. Not to mention a man of many forced personalities, he didn't know himself very well at all. Maybe that's what he should be focusing on, being happy enough with himself keeping his bed warm, instead of trying to weasel his way into someone else's.

He ordered himself another drink and pounded it down. Another order followed, he did the same once again. While in her mind, things were over and done with. Fresh starts were never that simple. Because in his steel trap of a mind, he'd not soon forget what loneliness and misery had him do. Though her take on it was refreshing, it was just not feasible in his mind. Knowing him, he'd let the guilt of the whole situation get to him so badly, he'd confess to Alisa, as though something had actually happened.

So his way of coming to terms with it was simple. He would drink, drink to feel, drink to forget. Because the sooner he could lose this memory, the better he'd feel. Though after tonight, he'd swear off the sauce for a while. It was for the best.

WC:3185

How could one begin to describe Charlotte. It wasn't as easy as a task as it is for others. She was very layered, more complicated than most people he had come across to say the least. "You may not approve of how she treats me." He said with a start, and it was true. She didn't exactly always treat him like an equal. Though he did know that she meant well in everything she did. Probably kept up a tough front to keep people like him away. Though that wouldn't work on him, he was far too stubborn for such a thing.

"She's a tough nut to crack honestly. I'm not entirely sure of how I'd describe her." Tell the truth and nothing but the truth, she'd be better at describing herself than he was. But if he had to, he would do his best, but where would he even start. Her physical appearance or personality. It was a hard choice to make. There was so much he had to cover in such a short amount of time. He ordered one more drink, he was going to need it.

"She acts like she hates me, when we are around others. But when we are alone, she's sensual, and tender. Practical jumps my bones every time we see each other. Though I think that time is over." He said with a chuckle. Though it was a painful thing to admit, she had told him that this whole thing wouldn't last forever. In his heart he hoped that maybe she'd change her mind and believe him to be special. It was a pipe dream at the end of the day. She could have anyone, why would she ever tie herself down to a simple bar keep.

"I uh, had hoped she'd be here tonight. But I guess it just wasn't meant to be."

WC: 3,520

Her response was typical of the Sofia that he knew. While it did not surprise, he was taken aback a little by the fact that she did offer to commit murder for him. Which he didn't truly think she would need to do in all honesty, but that had yet to be seen he supposed.

She could just be using him for his body after all. Though maybe that wasn't the worst thing in the world honestly. He would be at least serving a bit of a purpose. Making someone happy was one of the most satisfying thing to do in his opinion.

"She's tall, blonde, very busty, usually in all white." He said as he began to be lost in thought of the one known as charlotte. He didn't really wish to dwell on her anymore this evening, but Sofia was the inquisitive type. She loved to ask questions.

So of course he would answer them as best he could for her. Though he was ashamed to admit he didn't know all that much about her. Which made him feel all the more stupid for his little crush to begin with.

Though there was nothing he could truly do about how he felt at the end of the day. "Don't worry about looking for her, I'm sure she's off with someone else anyway."